Community Corner
🌱 How a Sparta-based seaplane pilot turned lake landings into viral fame.
Coming up on the Sparta Patch calendar: Preserved!

What's up Sparta! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
Hosting an event in Sparta? Let Patch get the word out for you. Post it to the Patch calendar.
In today's newsletter:
- How a Sparta-based seaplane pilot turned lake landings into viral fame.
Also on today's calendar: Preserved! and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 59 degrees.
- Wednesday: A couple of afternoon showers, temps: high: 66, low: 62.
- Thursday: Rain, with a high of 67 and low of 49 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Michigan seaplane pilot goes viral for scenic adventure videos (mlive.com) — A viral seaplane pilot is basing his scenic Michigan adventures out of Sparta, showcasing lakes, small towns, and even fly-in pizza stops to millions of online viewers. Matt Johnston, a Grand Rapids filmmaker, uses his Sparta-area flights to highlight Michigan's beauty, mixing food quests with aerial views and encouraging followers to see the state from a fresh perspective.
![]()
📸 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
Friday October 2
Saturday October 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Roger Tawney →
Meadowlark Retirement Village, 65 Ida Red Ave, Sparta
10:00 am - Roger Tawney at Meadowlark Retirement Village →
Meadowlark Retirement Village, 65 Ida Red Ave, Sparta
2:00 pm - 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
Wednesday September 30
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
- Bible Study →
Mildred Plescher Residence, 6901 Ravenwood Ln, Rockford
10:00 am - Toddler Time →
Parkside Early Childhood Center, 56 Lewis St., Rockford
10:00 am - Calvin Christian School
Comstock Park High School - HS Stadium
4:30 pm - Level Up Basketball Training
Mill Creek Middle School - Middle School Gym
5:00 pm
Tuesday September 29
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- 7-eleven posted a job opening for Assistant Store Leader (Assistant Manager) in Comstock Park. Apply here.
- The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sparta here.
🗞 Nearby News
Kent City
- Traffic Tom: Monday morning commute could bring delays (woodtv.com)
Rockford
- Community comes together for 50th annual Rockford Harvest Fest (woodtv.com)
- Operating millage request to go before voters in November (schoolnewsnetwork.org)
- Vote for the top Michigan high school football video highlight from Week 5 (mlive.com)
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: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.