12-13-23 Ledger

page 6 Wednesday, December 13, 2023

happy

birthday

ABCs of Lowell history

Homeschool Hangout

Thursdays, 1-2 pm. Welcome to our hangout, where

homeschoolers can connect with other kids and learn

through engaging activities including STEAM, writing,

crafts and games. The theme changes every week, so there

are always new opportunities to learn and explore together!

For ages 5-10.

Teen Advisory Board

Thursday, Dec. 14, 4-5 pm. Teens ages 11-17 are invited

to meet with a teen librarian to develop teen programs,

discuss teen books and make sure that our teen space is

as fun and functional as possible. Meetings can count as

volunteer hours for things like the National Honor Society.

Students ages 14+ can apply for additional volunteer

opportunities. For ages 11-17.

KDL Lab Experience:

Architecture Adventure

Sat., Dec. 16 and Sat., Dec. 23, 10-11 am. Don’t miss

your chance to have your own architecture adventure and

build the tallest tower or coolest castle with all sorts of

different materials. The only limit at this program is your

imagination — and the amount of supplies available. For

ages 5-10.

Kids Zone

Monday, Dec. 18, 4:30 - 5:30 pm. It’s a special time for

fun, interactive programs just for school kids! Join our KDL

Kids Zone programs for crafts, storytime, games and other

activities. For ages 5-10.

One Shot RPGs

Monday, Dec. 18, 6-8 pm. Explore new RPG systems

during our monthly one-shot adventures! Join an all-raccoon

racing team, take on a quest as a reanimated skeleton or plan

a fool-proof heist as a group of bears. New and experienced

players are welcome for these easy-to-learn adventures. For

ages 11-17.

Chess Anyone?

Saturday, Dec. 23, 3-4 pm. Drop-in and play chess at

the library! All skill levels welcome. An adult is usually on

hand to help with your game or match you with a worthy

opponent. For all ages.

At Your

Local

Library

Kent District Library programs at Englehardt Branch, 200 N.

Monroe St. For additional information call 616-784-2007.

The ABCs of Lowell

History is back for a sixth

round. This popular series

explores a wide variety of

topics in Lowell area history.

Information provided by

Lowell Area Historical

Museum.

B is for Beachnaw, Lucas

The Lowell area can

boast of many heroic

soldiers, from the earliest

settlers who had fought

in the War of 1812, to the

young soldiers fighting

today’s battles. Lowell also

has its own Roll of Honor,

those soldiers who gave

their lives for their country.

One of these is Sgt. Lucas

Beachnaw.

Luke was born in

1986 to Kevin and Jeanne

Beachnaw and older sisters,

Terra and Jamie. His

sisters called him “Mama’s

boy” and “Mama’s baby”.

Mom called him her “Boy

Wonder”. It was said he

was mischievous, curious,

industrious, adventurous,

fun loving, and a friend to

all. Luke loved everyone,

and everyone loved Luke.

When he became an uncle,

he easily became little

Emma’s favorite person.

Luke graduated from

Lowell High School in

2004. He dreamed of a
      future in small engine repair
      and enjoying his great love -
      snowboarding.
      As the nation became
      involved in Operation
      Enduring Freedom, Luke
      decided to join the military.
      At his mom’s request, he
      put off enlisting for a year
      to be sure of his decision.
      During that year, he ran a
      crew in Louisiana, cleaning

up after Hurricane Katrina.

On April 6, 2006, solid in

his decision, he enlisted,

walking in the steps of both

his grandfathers, his uncles,

and his oldest sister.

Lucas was part of the

Army’s 173rd Airborne

Brigade. He ranked at

the top as a soldier and in

pathfinder school. He was

an incredible marksman,

graduating at the top of

the class in sniper school,

earning the “top gun” award.

Lucas’ adventurous,

fun, people-loving

personality came through

even in the military, the

following adventures

illustrate that.

Out and about in Italy,

a couple was lost and asked

for directions. Luke started

to give directions to them,

then invited them to join his

group and included them,

making sure they saw all the

sights.

One day Luke called

his sister asking, “Guess

where I am right now?” He

was snowboarding on top of

a mountain in the Alps and

wanted to share that with

his sister.

Special events were

held at the base, and instead

of playing football or doing

one of the sports, Lucas

volunteered to do face-

painting for the kids.

In Afghanistan,

whenever the top brass

would come to the

deployment area, they

would always ask for Lucas

to be their driver. Growing

up in the country, he grew

up driving on the back

roads. This helped him learn

difficult road conditions. In

Afghanistan, they had to

drive through treacherous

terrain in the mountains.

They trusted Lucas to get

them there and back, safely.

Acknowledging this with

humor, the guys in his

DECEMBER 14

Chris Kropf, Bryan

Robert Roth, Perry

Beachum.

DECEMBER 15

Karen Latva, Tammy

Baird, Roger Brown,

Kathryn Duiven, Kristin

Ellis,, Marea Borg,

Kimberly Kline, Kelly

Potter.

DECEMBER 16

Timmy Buechler.

DECEMBER 17

Bill Ellison, Jerry Scott,

Amy Riddle.

DECEMBER 18

Danielle Anchors,

Hillary Graves, Julie

Alberts, Heather Walendzik.

DECEMBER 19

Lori Moore, Carol

Chamberlain.

DECEMBER 20

Ed Mohr, William

Henry Burtt, Jackie

Spencer, Rob Lombardo,

Morgan Taylor.

ABCs, continued

page 12

FIRST BAPTIST

CHURCH OF LOWELL

CHRIST-CENTERED, KINGDOM-FOCUSED HOMES

2275 West Main Street - (Barrier Free)

897-7168 • http://www.fbclowell.org

Pastor Jon Pickens • Lead Pastor

Pastor Andrew Bolkcom • Pastor of Discipleship

SUNDAY WORSHIP ....9:30 am (Nursery provided)

LIFE GROUPS ................11:00 am (Nursery-Adult)

Awana (K-5 during school year) Wednesday, 6:15 pm

LOWELL UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

discover. grow. share

621 E. Main Street

897-

http://www.lowellumc.com • Barrier Free Entrance

WORSHIP

Traditional Service: 9 am

Contemporary Service: 10:30 am

Sr. Pastor - Brad Brillhart

churches

area

FIRST UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

OF LOWELL

621 E. Main Street

897-

http://www.lowellumc.com

Barrier-free entrance

SUNDAY WORSHIP...........................................9:

Sunday School.................................................9:

YOUTH GROUPS (JR. & SR. HIGH)....................6:00 PM

Worship on the Riverwalk begins July 12

Pastor Brad Brillhart

CALVARY CHRISTIAN

REFORMED CHURCH

OF LOWELL

897-

Pastor Ryan Landt

1151 West Main Street, Lowell, MI

Website: calvarylowell.org

Morning Worship .....................10:00 AM

Weekly Prayer Meeting - Mondays ....7 PM

Barrier-Free

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

865 Lincoln Lake SE • lowellucc.org

Pastor Shannon Jammal-Hollemans

Worship Service - Sundays 10 am

Open Table (No-cost meal)

Thursdays 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Open & Affirming • LGBTQ+ Inclusive

616-897-

FIRST UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

OF LOWELL

621 E. Main Street

897-

http://www.lowellumc.com

Barrier-free entrance

SUNDAY WORSHIP...........................................9:

Sunday School.................................................9:

YOUTH GROUPS (JR. & SR. HIGH)....................6:00 PM

Worship on the Riverwalk begins July 12

Pastor Brad Brillhart

GOOD SHEPHERD

LUTHERAN CHURCH

10305 Bluewater Highway

(Missouri Synod)

Halfway between Lowell & Saranac on M-

Sunday Services - 10:30 am

http://www.gslc.church

Richard Boshoven, Pastor 897-

All facilities are wheelchair accessible

St. Mary Catholic

Church

402 Amity Street • 616-897-

Website: http://www.stmarylowell.com

Weekend Masses: Sat 5 pm; Sun 10:30 am

Confession: Saturdays 3:30-4:30 pm

Prayer & Adoration: Wednesdays 9 am to 4:45 pm

Religious education foR childRen to adults

Riverside Fellowship

of Seventh-day Adventists

10300 Vergennes St. SE, Lowell

616-987-

http://www.lowellsda.com

Pastor Darrel le Roux

"Praying and studying together"

Saturday service begins at 10:30 AM