Community Corner
🌱 How a $1.1M grant is reshaping careers for Sparta students
And on the Sparta Patch calendar - Preserved!
Good morning to you Sparta! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $1.1M grant is reshaping careers for Sparta students
Also on today's calendar: Preserved! and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Rain, with a high of 67 and low of 50 degrees.
- Friday: Periods of sun; less humid, temps: high: 65, low: 39.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 64 and low of 46 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Sparta Middle School launches manufacturing program with $1.1 million grant (fox17online.com) — Sparta Middle School just launched a hands-on manufacturing and engineering program funded by a $1.1 million state grant, giving local students early exposure to in-demand industrial skills. Through the new MEERA curriculum, kids are already using virtual welding, CNC machines, and robotic arms, with plans to expand the program to Sparta High School in the future. 
📸 Around Sparta
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Sparta
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Preserved! →
LaFontsee Galleries, 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids
5:30 pm - Preserved! →
LaFontsee Galleries, 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids
11:00 am - Captain While You Can Tailgate Tour →
2000 S Mission St, Mt Pleasant
3:30 pm
Friday October 2
Saturday October 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Coopersville at Sparta →
Sparta High School, 475 West Spartan Dr., Sparta
7:00 pm - Sip & Shop: Sparta Cider Stroll
Village of Sparta, 177 E Division St, Sparta
4:00 pm - Live! Acoustic & Comedy Show, Benefit dinner supporting Renewed Hope India →
Apple Valley Events, 2124 12 Mile Road Northwest, Sparta
5:30 pm - Shelby High School at Sparta High School →
Sparta MI - Membership Meeting →
Sparta Moose Lodge, 11510 N Division Ave, Sparta
6:00 pm - Cedar Springs at Sparta →
Sparta High School, 475 West Spartan Dr., Sparta
7:00 pm
Friday October 2
Thursday October 8
Friday October 16
Thursday October 22
Friday October 23
📣 Sparta Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Montague at Cedar Springs →
Cedar Springs MI
5:00 pm - Drinkin' & Thinkin' Triva with Trivia Cat →
Perrin Brewing Company, 5910 Comstock Park Dr NW, Comstock Park
7:00 pm - Sparta vs. Coopersville High School Football →
LMCU Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive, Comstock Park
5:30 pm - White Cloud at Kent City →
Kent City High School, 351 N Main St, Kent City
7:00 pm - Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park →
Extremis, 239 Northland Drive Northeast, Rockford
9:00 am - Apple & Spice: Appelflappen 2026 →
Eastern Kille Distillery, 7755 Childsdale Avenue Northeast, Rockford
12:00 pm
Thursday October 1
Friday October 2
Saturday October 3
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Comstock Park Public Schools posted a job opening for Elementary (English as a Second Language) Instructor in Comstock Park. Apply here.
- Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Coopersville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sparta here.
🗞 Nearby News
Kent City
- Veteran cook now 'in charge of all the lunch ladies' (schoolnewsnetwork.org)
- Fall Sports Stars: Who is the top Muskegon-area senior girls volleyball player? (mlive.com)
- Civil Practice – Reconsideration (milawyersweekly.com)
Rockford
- Just For Kids U-Pick program returning after successful first year (fox17online.com)
- Michigan Sports Writers football polls for Sept. 30 (michigansthumb.com)
Comstock Park
- Comstock Park voters to decide Nov. 3 on non-homestead millage (schoolnewsnetwork.org)
Ok Sparta! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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