SunAndNews_101224

NO. 27 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024 http://www.sunandnews.com

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Greg Chandler
Staff Writer

Catherine Getty had a script all writ-
ten out for what she would say as she
accepted the recognition of being the
Thornapple Kellogg-area Hometown
Hero for this year.
But then as soon as she took the
podium, she went off script.
“As I look around this room, it’s
emotional,” Getty said. “I look at
every single table, and I see hero after
hero after hero after hero. This room
is filled with people that give back
to our community, in little ways and
big ways. I had some things to say –
I’m not going to say them, because
it literally gives me goosebumps to
look around and see so many faces
here that have inspired me, that have
supported me, that have lifted me up
when I was down, because we all hit
walls from time to time.”
About 160 people turned out at the
Barry Community Foundation on Oct.
3 to recognize Getty for her involve-
ment in the Middleville-area com-
munity over the past 25 years. The
Hometown Hero dinner is organized
by the Thornapple Area Enrichment
Foundation (TAEF) to honor area
residents for outstanding community

Fall Fest set in

Middleville

Greg Chandler

Staff Writer

Carveth Village and the

Middleville Lions Club are teaming

up to present Fall Fest next Saturday,

Oct. 19, at the Sesquicentennial

Pavilion downtown.

The event will run from noon to 4 p.m.

Activities for the festival will

include a bonfire and making of

s’mores by Boy Scout Troop 105 of

Middleville, hayrides provided by

Beeler-Gores Funeral Home, scare-

crow building provided by Bradford

White Corporation, a craft market

organized by Apothecary on Main,

pumpkin decorating by Advanced

Stone, duck fishing by the Middleville

Rotary Club, and “touch a truck,”

provided by Thornapple Township

Fire Department. Snacks will be

provided by Carveth Village and the

Lions Club.

The Fall Fest also includes a “trunk

or treat,” presented by the Lions Club,

from 1 to 3 p.m., as well as a costume

contest, presented by Outcastz. The

Lions Club is looking for people will-

ing to host a trunk, anyone interested

can contact the club at lionsclubmid-

[email protected].

Catherine Getty was honored last week as this year’s Thornapple Kellogg-

area Hometown Hero. Here, she is pictured with her family at the event

honoring her. Photos by Greg Chandler

Getty recognized as TK-area Hometown

Hero at annual dinner

EARLY

OPPORTUNITIES

COME UP

MOSTLY EMPTY

FOR SCOTS

PAGES 11-

James Gemmell
Contributing Writer

Phase 1 of a proposed 232-unit Dutton Center mixed-
use development goes before the Gaines Township
Board on Oct. 14 for a second read and
potential final approval.
A public hearing will be held at Monday
night’s meeting, which gets underway at 7
o’clock in the township hall board room.
The project applicant is Allen Edwin

Homes, and the request is being made on behalf of

the J & A Post Family Farm LLC. The developer is

Michiana Land Development LLC., which is a subsid-

iary of Allen Edwin.

They are proposing to build a mixed-use commercial

and residential development that will blend in with the

Dutton’s historic urban fabric on a single, 29.32-acre

parcel at 3316 68th St. and Hanna Lake Avenue.

Dan Larabel, a land manager with Allen Edwin,

See GETTY on 2

This aerial photograph shows where the 31-

acre Dutton Center development would go

along 68th Street. Photo provided by Gaines Township.

Proposed Dutton Center development awaits

final Gaines Township Board approval

See DUTTON on 3

service.

“Catherine is tested, proven, reli-

able, energized ... she’s resource-

ful, committed to our community,”

said former Thornapple Township

Supervisor and past Hometown

Hero recipient Mike Bremer,

calling Getty “a humble woman

of integrity” and “the perfect

Hometown Hero.”

Getty hired Bremer to be the first

director of the Thornapple Area

Parks and Recreation Commission

more than 20 years ago. Bremer

would return the favor years later

as township supervisor, hiring

Getty to be the township planning

and zoning administrator.

“The real reason she’s so deserv-

ing is her humble heart and her atti-

tude. In (the apostle) Paul’s letter

to the Philippians, he exhorts them

to do nothing from selfish ambition