We went to Windmill Island today and the tulips are beautiful.

 

America’s only authentic, working Dutch Windmill.  Imported from the Netherlands and restored on Windmill Island in Holland.  The blades reach as high as a 12 story building and turn with the wind to provide the power for grinding grain into flour.

Hundreds gathered in downtown Hastings New Years Eve to welcome in 2013. As the clock ticked away the remaining second of 2012 Mayor Frank Campbell and the huge crowd counted off the seconds to welcome in 2013 as the New Years Ball came down and fireworks light up the night sky and all joined the Thornapple Jazz Band in singing Auld Lang Syne.
There was even a proposal of marriage shortly after midnight.
(McIntyre 5:00am)

The City of Hastings and City Council dedicated the new bridge crossing the Thornapple River at Michigan Avenue on October 8, 2012 with a small croud of people. There were several speakers including Mayor Pro-tem Brenda McNabb-Stange, State Representative Michael Callton, Davis Construction representatives and City Manager Jeff Mansfield.
A few facts about the new bridge: the total cost was $2,246,800. The City, with help from the Downtown Development Authority, funded $214,457 in engineering costs and five percent of construction and materials testing for $112,340 totaling $326,797. The State of Michigan funded 15 percent of construction, or $337,020, the federal government, 80 percent, or $1,797,440.
The beautiful new structure “will be a point of pride for the City for many years to come.”

After the bridge ceremony the celebration moved to the City Council Chambers to recognize the team that responded to the call of a man drowning in the Thornapple River on Aug. 31. The team was made up of firefighters EMTs, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers from the Hastings, Freeport and Nashville fire departments, Mercy Ambulance and Barry Central Dispatch. Miguel Romarez is an employee of Davis Construction. Romarez waded into the river on Aug. 31 to retrieve some painting equipment, stepped into a deep hole in the river when his waders filled with water and pulled him under the water. The rescue team pulled him from the water and took life saving measures before sending him to the hospital. The thankful Romarez attended the Hastings Council meeting to personally thank his rescuers and witness them recieving thier Certificates of Appreciation.

The Michigan Street Bridge is open to the public once again. The brand new bridge over the Thornapple River in Hastings is now open for traffic. There are still some details that will be completed over the next several weeks. Enjoy the new bridge Hastings!!

The Surveyor in downtown Hastings. This sculpture is very well placed. He is looking right across to Reynolds Heritage Land Surveying office.