Sunfield Area SPY's Report---1/28/10

Everything You Need To Know You’ll Find Right Here


+ A BIG Sunfield Area SPY salute goes out to our own Oren “Honey-Man” Best on his winning the top prize for his honey at the American Beekeeping Federation’s convention held in Orlando, Florida recently. Congratulations Oren! We’re mighty proud of you son!

+ The Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth would like to acknowledge a couple of contributions to the Scholarship Fund that were received recently. Gary & Karen Suntken made donations in memory of Keith Klotz and Myrt Hager. We thank you for using this means to help us help kids!

+ Event chairman Buddy Collins indicates that much work is going on to get everything ready for the fourteenth annual Sunfield Area SPY's Wild Game Dinner that will be held on Saturday, February 6th. If you still need a ticket, Buddy a call (566-8753), or you can pick one up at the Sunfield IGA.

This year’s dinner will once again be held at the Willowwood Golf Course, (which is located just off of Charlotte Road on Sandborn Road, north of Mulliken. The doors open at 6 PM. and the dinner itself will start at 7 PM.

By the way, we are always looking for chefs willing to share a special dish. Everyone so inclined is encouraged to bring one to the dinner. This is one of our top fund-raisers and is an important event for the kids! If you would like to pitch in and lend a hand, please contact Buddy Collins at 566-8753.

+ “Honest Roy’s” Quote-Of-The-Week: “I read in the paper that the movie “The Wizard of Oz is 70 years old. It got me to thinking that today, if Dorothy were to encounter people with no brains, no hearts, and no courage, she wouldn’t be in Oz, she’d be in Congress.”

+ Trivia Question-Of-The-Week: While we’re on the subject of age, how old is “Miss Chiquita” of Chiquita Banana fame? (Answer later in this column).

+ Hey SPY's, 2010 dues are due! They are still just $20. See our treasurer Bill Weller before he sees you!

+ HELP WANTED! The SPY’s next Texas Hold ‘Em event is coming up on Wednesday, March 11th through Sunday, March 14th, at Tripper’s in Frandor in Lansing. We need some help. Care to lend a hand? The work is easy and the event is critical to the programs we provide. Give Sam Coan a call at 566-7182 to get more information or to sign up for a shift, waddya say?

+ The “Sports Trivia Question Just For ‘Smarty-Pants’ Mac Cready Question-Of-The-Week: Who was the only coach in NFL history to produce six consecutive seasons of at least 12 wins and 10 consecutive playoff appearances-----was it Don Shula---George Halas---Jimmy Z---Bill Belichick---Tony Dungy---or Chuck Knoll? (Answer later in this column).

+ The next meeting of the Sunfield Area SPY's will be held on Tuesday, February 16th, at the Sunfield Library; starting at 7 PM. Guests are always welcome! Pass the word and be there!

+ Andy Woodman’s Sports Trivia Question-Of-The-Week: Who was the first man in NBA history to appear in 1,000 games as both a player and a coach-----was it Bill Russell---Don Nelson---Larry Bird---Lenny Wilkens---or Jimmy Z? (Answer later in this column).

+ Little Know Facts About Local Celebrities Department:

* Didja know that Andy Woodman’s most very favorite singing group in the entire universe is “Da Yoopers”? Loves ‘em! Can’t get enough of them! I’ll bet he’s singing along to their greatest hits on his ipod right now!

* Didja know that Shelly “Oops” Best got her nickname because of the new holiday tradition she has started in the Best family? It seems that she has dropped the Christmas desert on her way to the car for two years in a row now. (Did you ever think she doesn’t know how to bake very well and doesn’t want anyone to catch on? Just an added thought provided by Agent #47).

* Didja know that Angela Coan has given our “Myrtle The Fertile Traveling Turtle” an additional title befitting of the SPY’s---“Spawns Pregnancies Yearly”.

* Speaking of the Coan’s, ask Sam how many pulls on the snowblower’s starting cord it takes before he listens to his wife and discovers that it’s out of gas. (Word is it was an hour and a half’s worth!)

+ Question-Of-The-Week: What does the dynamic duo of Darin “The Bombastic Baron Of Bowers” Weller, and two-time defending champion Angela “I Hope There’s Better Competition This Year” Coan, share as their claim to fame?
Well Pookie, let me tell you. They are the hands down; without a doubt; absolute best Euchre practitioners in the entire SPY organization---bar none! Not so you say! Prove it, you bunch of nay-saying namby-pambys! The current reigning champs have thrown down the gauntlet and are challenging all comers to try and dethrone them. As if any of you limp toads out there thought you stand a chance against the greatest champions ever to dominate a sport! It's put up or shut up time!

Here’s all you need to know about the event-----The SPY's twenty-eighth annual Euchre Tournament, also known as the "Showdown On Main Street" is coming up on Saturday, February 13th. Here's all you need to know about this fun-filled event:

* To be held Saturday, February 13th.
* The site will be the Sunfield Community Rooms
* Doors will open at 7 PM
* The competition will start promptly at 8 PM
* This event is for SPY's and their partners only.
* Soft drinks furnished.
* BYOB
* Bring a dessert or hors d'oeuvre dish.
* Entry fee is just $5 per couple.
* Progressive format/winners advance/partners change.
* Prizes for top male and female players, as well as other special categories to be awarded.
* Bushel baskets and sticks will be available for all those who suffer from shuffling disabilities.

NOTE: Please call event chairman Craig “Euchre Czar” Cappon (517-331-0219) in advance and let him know if you are planning on attending in order that proper arrangements can be made.

+ Attention---Attention---Attention! Don't forget to be saving your General Mills and Chex brand products box-tops. The ones that say "Box Tops For Education". They are on cereals like Wheaties, Cheerios, Trix, all Chex cereals, etc. They can be redeemed to buy things for the kids at Sunfield Elementary. If you have any to turn in, just send them or take them up to the school office. Start saving those box-tops today!

Scholarship Application Deadline Nears

March 15, 2010, is the deadline for applications to be in for the SPY’s Community Foundation sponsored scholarships. Each year awards are made from the Scholarship Fund to deserving graduating High School seniors.

The criteria for application is as follows:

• Applicant must be a resident of the Sunfield Area; (i.e.: lives within the boundaries of the Sunfield Elementary School attendance area).

• Applicant must apply in writing on the forms provided by March 15th. of the year of graduation.

• Applicant must provide a high school transcript.

• Completed teacher recommendation forms must accompany a submitted application in order to be considered.

• Applicant must also provide a non-school / non-family member “outside” reference using the form provided. This must be returned directly to us by the March 15th deadline.

• Applicant must have demonstrated some sort of community involvement.

• Applicant should be able to document leadership ability or qualities, and be a well-rounded individual.

• Home-schooled applicants are eligible, but must submit SAT or ACT scores, and at least three (3) letters of recommendation from people outside their immediate family.

• This is a one-time award.

• If a scholarship winner, you must be able to show proof of college registration to receive money.

• The decision of the Scholarship Selection Committee is final and not subject to appeal.

Applications are available either on-line at the SPY’s website at www.sunfieldspys.org, or at the Lakewood High School guidance office, or by contacting John Fisher at 566-8278.

+ Trivia Question-Of-The-Week Answer: She is 66 years old! It all started back in 1870, when Captain Lorenzo Dow Baker purchased 160 bunches of bananas in Jamaica and sailed them to Jersey City in 11 days, where he sold them for a profit. By 1930 Chiquita's fleet reached 95 ships. Artist Dik Browne, who also drew “Miss Chiquita’s” cousins the “Campbell Soup Kids” and "Hagar the Horrible”, introduced the Miss Chiquita character and jingle in 1944. Miss Chiquita was depicted as a banana until 1987, when artist Oscar Grillo, creator of the Pink Panther, transformed her into a woman.

+ Andy Woodman’s Sports Trivia Question-Of-The-Week Answer: Lenny Wilkens was the first to reach the 1,000game milestone. Don Nelson was the second.

+ The “Sports Trivia Question Just For ‘Smarty-Pants’ Mac Cready Question-Of-The-Week Answer: The answer is Tony Dungy. His Indianapolis Colts won at least 12 games every year under Dungy from 2003 through2008. Dungy’s 10 straight playoff appearances included three as head coach of Tampa Bay and seven with the Colts.

+ To find out more about the SPY’s organization, download forms or applications, or catch-up on past issues of the “Dirt Sheet”, go to the SPY’s website at www.sunfieldspys.org.

+ Parting Observation: You know, the Michigan Legislature has been wrangling for quite some time trying to come up with a budget. Lately, this has become an annual event with much in-fighting, delays, and excuses---all the while holding school districts hostage. However, if you take a closer look at what else they have been working on, it’s no wonder we have no final budget. They’ve just been too darn busy with legislation dealing with repealing the law that prohibits fuzzy dice from hanging from your vehicle’s rear view mirror, and doing away with the long standing law against dueling. That’s right---dueling---with the slapping, throwing down a glove, the seconds, and all of that. It sure is nice to know where the politicians put their priorities these days!

+ MDLXVII