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What better way to celebrate
the kick-off of summer than with the tunes, melodies and harmonies of the
Plainwell High School Band and Choir? The concert series officially begins on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30 pm at the band shell with the talented musicians from the award-winning Plainwell High School Music Department under the direction of Mr. Paul Mundo and Keith Cahoon, choir director. Representing an annual tradition of providing Plainwell residents weekly doses of high-quality music, this year's concert series promises a diverse line-up ranging from classical, to folk and bluegrass, to "rock-a-billy!" If you happen to hear the voice of Johnny Cash resonating through the streets of Plainwell, you won't be hearing a ghost, because Cal Klokkert will resurrect the tunes of Cash on July 23! Just print out the schedule and
put it on your fridge! | ||||
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Last year was the first time
the City of Plainwell hosted a photography contest, and judging from the
100 + participants submitting high-quality photos, this popular contest
has officially begun again! The City of Plainwell contains several sources of artistic inspiration: its parks, flowers, people, events, businesses, and riverfront. So let your creativity flow, pick up a camera, and submit your photos of Plainwell to win a chance to have your art featured in the city's website and annual calendar, as well as $200 worth of professional photographic services from local studio, Photographic Artistry. Open to people of all ages and photograhic expertise, everyone who enters will receive a free treat from Dean's Ice Cream! Anyone can submit up to five
4x6 unframed photos taken in Plainwell along with a CD. High res. digital
photos are preferred, and prints from negatives will also need to a CD.
Sumbissions from last year's contest can be viewed on the city's website under the Island City Life section. | ||
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Have you ever wondered who
helps to make Plainwell's streetscape so colorful with beds and baskets
adorned with beautiful flowers? You do!! Complementing the city's Public
Works Department, the city also depends largely on volunteers to help
plant, manage, water and weed our flowers that we all enjoy. For those wishing to contribute in making our city beautiful, join us on the Planting Day on May 17, 8:30 am in Hicks Park. Doughnuts and refreshments will be provided thanks to Wesco and some tools, shovels, gloves, and trowels will also be provided, or bring your own. | ||
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The City of Plainwell
offers one free curbside collection of large, bulky items each year. This
special service is available to City of Plainwell residents only.
The driver loads the bulky waste by hand, so materials should be capable of lifting by two service workers. This may include old appliances, furniture, mattresses and carpet renderings. Get your items to the curb starting Saturday, May 17 and they will be removed within five business days starting on Monday, May 19. Please note that items with freon must have the freon removed and then a label placed on the item indicating such removal. Any kind of waste
from business, tires or piles of brick, broken concrete or dirt will not
be collected. Note: crews may take up to five business days before they make a pass on your street, but once they do, they won't come back, so the earliest you get your items to the curb, the better. | ||
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Carrying on an annual
tradition, the Plainwell Chamber of Commerce and the Twin Cities Jaycees
are hosting the Memorial Day Parade and Ice Cream Social on Monday, May
26. The parade will begin at 11:00 am at the Fire Hall on West Bridge and travel east on East Bridge. An ice cream social, with ice cream provided by Plainwell Ice Cream will go until 12:30 pm in front of the Plainwell Community Center. All proceeds will benefit a local family in need. Call the Plainwell Chamber of
Commerce at (269) 685-8877 to volunteer or if you have
questions. | ||
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The Island City Festival, July
18 and 19, will feature something for everyone: food, music, arts and
crafts, and fun for all ages. It will even have something for those of you
who enjoy the outdoors and getting out on the water. A kayak race and
fishing tournament will be just the thing for us outdoor enthusiasts
without having to travel too far! The Kalamazoo River and Mill Race in Plainwell offer an exciting kayaking experience, even for the novice who has never paddled. Wildlife that can be seen only from being on the water include bald eagles, belted kingfishers, painted turtles, mink and great blue herons. Registration and more information about the kayak race will be available soon, and there will be prizes for participants. To prepare for the race, training has begun on Tuesday nights (weather permitting) at Fannie Pell Park at 7 pm. For information about the kayak race training, call Brian Pennings at (269) 271-2360. The waters below the
surface of the Kalamazoo River have always been teaming with life, but as
a result of the PCB clean up by the Environmental Protection Agency, fish
like big and small mouth bass, northern pike and cat fish are better able
to thrive as industrial pollutants are removed.
In celebration of the river as a natural resource, the Plainwell Downtown Development Authority is helping to bring the Scotty Bud Fishing Tournament back to Plainwell during Island City Festival. Although the fishing will occur on Gull Lake, the awards ceremony will occur in Plainwell. | ||
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Despite close proximity to
Wal-Mart and Meijer, Plainwell has successfully sustained two grocery
stores for some time. However, due to wanting to spend more time with
family, Big Top owners Steve and Wendy Deyoung have decided to sell their
store to Harding's Friendly Market. Although we feel a sense of loss to see Big Top dissolve in the city as they were an anchor store that met community needs for over 25 years, the consolidation will result in a larger operation that will maintain the same high quality service and merchandise that Plainwell has been used to. An
additional change in Plainwell's business community is with the Treasure
Chest, 115 N. Main. Former owner, Pam Barret, sends the following message:
"I wanted to send a note to let all my customers and consignees know that I have sold the Treasure Chest. The new owners, Jody and Tony Murphy, took over on May 1st and will continue everything as usual. I'm confident they will continue taking quality items and offer them to you at great prices. My husband and I have made the decision to have me stay home with our children. I have enjoyed meeting so many people that appreciate what we have done here at the Treasure Chest. The friendships I have made will never be forgotten. I wanted to thank you for making the Treasure Chest a continued success in downtown Plainwell. Please stop and say hello to the new owners and continue spreading the word on what a great place the Treasure Chest is to shop. You will be missed. Thank you again, Pam" | ||
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This Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 pm,
the Plainwell Arts Council is sponsoring a classical concert at the
Plainwell United Methodist Church, 200 Park Street. This classical concert will feature the talent of local high school musicans Will Alderman on marimba, Robby Haas on piano, Matthew Wells on marimba, and Allison Hendrix on piano and voice. This will be a free-will
offering concert to help purchase a piano for the Plainwell Community
Center.
For more information, call (269) 664-5380 | ||
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Looking for a great place to
buy or lease property for your business? Well, look for further--Plainwell
has a number of hidden gems available right now! As you make your way
through town, be sure to look for these unique properties.
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The Fore Life Team, a group of
friends, family and co- workers that are helping to raise the awareness of
cancer, are sponsoring a golf outing to benefit the Allegan County Relay
for Life, which will be on July 25 and 26 at the Plainwell High
School. "The American Cancer Society
Relay for Life is the most successful fundraising event in the nation and
signature event of the American Cancer Society. It is a 24 hour
community-based event that empowers individual communities to get involved
in the fight against cancer.
This golf outing that benefits Relay for Life is just one way to support raising funds so that the American Cancer Society can continue with cancer-related research, education, advocacy and service. | ||
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Sincerely,
Emilie Schada, Economic Development Manager City of Plainwell email: webmaster@plainwell.org
phone: 269-685-6821
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