Local Resident dies

Russell Allen Schestag, “Santa” died at his Sand Lake home, late Sunday evening (11-8-09).

Russ and wife Marion (Visser), of Sand Lake, served as Santa and Mrs. Claus for businesses and organizations in Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Newaygo counties for twenty six years.  Russ and Marion were the recipients of numerous awards for their service to community and non profit organizations.  Many adults as well as children grew up never knowing his real name, because he always answered to “Santa”.

Russ gave the gift of himself year around; to his country by serving in the Marine Corp for 13 years, through appointment as the first clerk for the Food Stamp Program in Craven County, North Carolina, to family and friends, and was a driving force for the development of the Ensley Nature Preserve, Ensley Township, Newaygo County.  Russ worked on trail development and used his woodworking skills to design signage applicable to children.

Visitation will be at Pierson Bible Church, Thursday, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with a Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to the Russ Schestag “Santa” memorial set up at Choice One Bank.

 

Grand Rapids Gravel Donates Bench to Ensley Preserve

Grand Rapids Gravel Company has donated a new park bench for the nature preserve. They will be making all future benches in the preserve. One other bench has been donated also but has not arrived at the preserve. Below is a picture of the new bench at the preserve.

 

Tipster helps police catch robbery suspect in Montcalm, Newaygo County

LAKEVIEW, Mich. - Michigan State Police say a tip from a resident helped identify a suspect tied to three armed robberies.

The 911 caller reported seeing a suspicious man in a vehicle shortly before the robberies at Rana Liquor in Howard City and the Mobile Gas Station in Lakeview. Using further information from the caller, police identified and arrested the suspect. (See drawing in story below)

The man is also linked to a hold-up at Gould's Market in Ensley Township, Newaygo County. He's being held in the Montcalm County Jail as he waits for his arraignment.

 

Man Uses Knife to rob Gould's

Gould’s Market in Ensley Township

Friday, 25 Sep 2009 8:30am

ENSLEY TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Police in Newaygo County are investigating a robbery that they say occurred at Gould’s Market in Ensley Township.

According to investigators, the suspect walked into the business, 14150 S. Cypress Ave., with a knife at around 8:30 a.m. Friday and robbed it.

He then fled in a vehicle described as a blue or green, newer Chevrolet pickup truck.

The robber is described as a white male, 40-50 years old, about 6-feet tall, and wearing a black sweatshirt with a hood pulled up.

You are asked to call state police at (231) 652-1661  if you know anything about this crime. (Silent Observer (231-652-1121)

 

Drawing on left is the suspect

 

 

 

Alert- Wolf in area:

Several people (including the author) have seen a grey wolf (what I saw was not a coyote) this summer in the township. It has been seen in the Beech and 104th area and also around Beech and 112th. If you have seen this wolf please email the webmaster.

Ensley Nature Preserve now open

The Ensley Nature Preserve is now open. It is located west of Cypress Ave on 136th Street

Honoring A Retired Fire Chief

(Picture courtesy of Barb Vander Meulen)

 

Residents of Ensley Township honored Bob Hawkins for his 27 years on the Sand Lake Fire Department on March 17^th 2009 at the Ensley Baptist Church.  This event was hosted by the Ensley Township Neighborhood Watch, Sand Lake Fire Department, and the Ensley Township Board.  After a dinner, an awards ceremony took place.

 

 

Bear in the Area

This bear was photographed at the home of John Paton on Butternut just north of 120 Ave in September 2006. It has been seen several times in the township.

 

 

 

 

 

(photo courtesy of Cindy Harwood)