Find your treasure this weekend among the 30 vendors at the Fallasburg village bazaar this weekend on Sept. 14 & Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Directions from Lincoln Lake Rd coming from Lowell
Take a right onto Fallasburg Park Rd, once you come to the Kent County Fallasburg Park sign hang a right onto the Covered Bridge Rd. Cross the Covered Bridge into the village to shop more artists.
Directions from McPherson Bridge fork
Take a right on McPherson, cross the concrete McPherson Bridge and turn right onto Covered Bridge Rd. into the Fallasburg village.
Emma’s Book Signing at the one-room schoolhouse from noon to 5 p.m. on both days.
You will be charmed by the historic ambience of the village and the historic buildings: the schoolhouse, the Tower Farm, the Misner House and the Fallass House.
Fallasburg Village Bazaar
Vendors
Two Hot Tamales- Food truck, Authentic Mexican Food
Whimsical Wick- antique vessels filed with wax turned into a candle
Schoolhouse new wooden deck completed during summer
A picture is worth a thousand words and YOU made this happen. Look what we did on your summer vacation!
President’s message
Ken Tamke
Your memberships, donations, volunteerism, bequests, and attendance at events like the 25TH Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour, July 7TH, which was a smashing success, the upcoming Fallasburg Bazaar on Fallasburg Fall Festival of the Arts Weekend, September 14 & 15, and our Christmas Party, December 14th, make this possible. Thank you for doing your part in preserving Fallasburg Village!
Our historic Schoolhouse concrete patio, like many things do when they get old, began to sag and settle. Water was collecting and draining towards the building instead of away from it threatening foundation timbers and support infrastructure.
We needed to move forward with the project for fear if we waited, irreparable damage could be done. Several bids were secured, but in the end after careful examination, we realized, with volunteer help and expertise, a couple of craftsman contractors to set stone and build the new wooden deck with entry stairs, we could get this done and be open in time for the Fallasburg Bazaar on Fall Festival of the Arts weekend, September 14 & 15.
Maintaining a historic village does demand the skills of a General Contractor. Alan Rumbaugh, FHS Treasurer, has performed magnificently on our behalf. With his contacts, and building renovation know-how, he’s guided the work with a steady hand. David Cadwallader and his crew, including wife Tina, FHS Vice President, spearheaded the removal phase of the old concrete patio, deftly piloting the Bobcat and loading the dumpster. Jack Miedema, our stone mason, reconfigured and reset the stone wall to accommodate the carpentry. Ken Rasmus engineered a beautiful new pressure treated wooden deck and entry stairs while also adding some drainage and foundation water protection features underneath. Villager, Ron Dawson, undertook the re-welding and retro-fitting of the existing iron railing onto the new patio expertly. Jack of all trades, Frank Brechbiel has done a little bit of everything along the way on this much like he does in the village year-round. Adding an exclamation point to the whole project; we were able to keep our concrete ADA compliant Wheelchair Ramp undisturbed, and integrate the former central concrete entry steps at the end of the patio. Come take a look. You’ll be proud of the work you’ve done.
The Fallasburg Historical Society Bazaar I keep mentioning is Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15, 10:00AM – 5:00PM. Our bazaar features an old- fashioned collection of artisans and their crafts under tent just across the Flat River and Fallasburg Covered Bridge from the Fallasburg Fall Festival of the Arts. We have over 20 vendors signed up this year. This grassroots event just keeps growing and growing.
Local author Emma Palova will have a book signing of her new book “Secrets” at the one-room schoolhouse on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday Sept. 15 from 1 p.m. to five p.m.
Stop by for an autograph in the historical ambience of the schoolhouse.
Christmas is coming… “Christmas in Fallasburg”, A Community Celebration! Saturday, December 14, 6:00PM-8:00PM, music and merriment at the Fallasburg Schoolhouse, a phenomenal fire in Fallas Field follows! You’re invited!
For more information on the Fallasburg Historical Society, membership, donations, etc., the Fallasburg Bazaar, and “Christmas in Fallasburg,” go to: www.fallasburg.org
Enjoy the Fall,
Ken Tamke, President
Fallasburg Historical Society
Copyright (c) 2019. Emma Blogs, All rights reserved.
The Covered Bridge Bike Tour, a success in Fallasburg pioneer village & Coldwater Rest Stop
By Emma Palova
Fallasburg- A total of 120 riders participated in the 25th annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour on Sunday, July 7 under the clear blue skies as the humid air chilled down at the one-room schoolhouse registration.
“Thanks to everyone! The 25THBike Tour was truly a great day. We couldn’t have done it without you,” said Ken Tamke, president of the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS).
86 Total Registrations (48 Advance, 38 Walkups)
120 Total Riders (67 Riders Registered in Advance, 53 Riders Walked Up)
Among the favorite routes through the Kent County countryside was the 28-mile route from Fallasburg to Lowell past the Grand River, and along the Grand River Drive to Ada Covered Bridge.
Most of the participants found out about the bike tour from the Michigan League of Bicyclists.
Members of the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club Paul Guthrie picked the 100-mile route, while Gordy Vader rode the 62-mile route. They loved the homemade food at the Misner House Museum.
“The food is great,” Guthrie said. “We would appreciate re-assurance arrows and GPS map. It’s a great ride.
For Nancy Short who rode the 78-mile route, it was the first time on the CBBT.
“I ditched my friends behind,” she laughed. “I’ve never done a ride that has a homemade spaghetti dinner with tablecloths on the picnic tables.”
Coldwater Rest Stop
Fallasburg Village Bazaar
The Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) next event will take place on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find your next treasure at the Fallasburg Village Bazaar.
Copyright (c) 2019. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
The Fallasburg Historical Society is pleased to announce and showcase a sparkling new website where you can explore online our collection of images and artifacts.
FHS President’s message
FHS president Ken Tamke
Our collaboration with Calvin College’s History Department began the project three years ago. Under the mentorship of Lowell Area Historical Museum’s Executive Director, Lisa Plank, Calvin student interns have been digitally cataloging our archived material; pictures, documents, and assorted pieces of memorabilia that tell the story of people and places in Historic Fallasburg Village and Vergennes Township.
This “spring cleaning” process has led to the rediscovery of many forgotten treasures tucked away in files. We’re still a work in progress, but will continue over the coming months to add to, and refine the site.
WWI support cards
FHS president Ken Tamke holds a box with Women’s Cooperative yearbooks.
The treasure hunters: Lisa Plank, Ken Tamke and Calvin intern Grace Bolt.
Now begins the arduous task of properly storing and preserving our collection. What a nice convenience for students, scholars, and history buffs to be able to view it online, quite another thing to hold in your hand the actual essays and poetry John Wesley Fallas and his wife, Phebe Brown Fallas penned 170 years ago. Now both are possible!
The Fallasburg Historical Society will hold its Annual General Meeting, Monday June 17TH.
The meeting will be held at the Lowell Chamber of Commerce and will start at 7:00PM.
The purpose of our Annual General Meeting is a forum for our members, friends, and volunteers to lend their voice to our organization. We’re always looking for new ideas and fresh faces. Please consider getting involved. FHS needs you!
The 25TH Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour.
Sunday, July 7TH, 2019.
Fallasburg bike tour 2016 registration with Tina Siciliano Cadwallader & Devon Siciliano.
Bikers register at the schoolhouse.
Our ride at your own pace, select your distance (12 – 100-miles) bike tour, takes you through some of West Michigan’s most beautiful countryside along marked and mapped routes with SAG (support and guidance) if you need it. Enjoy wonderful refreshments along the way, and a great homemade country Italian meal with all the trimmings at the end of your trip. Starting from our one room schoolhouse, you exit historic Fallasburg Village over the Fallasburg Covered Bridge, one of two you’ll encounter on your 28- or 50-mile cycling adventure. You may also select to tour around the Flat River Watershed, a 12- mile journey that circles the Village. For the hale and hearty 100-milers, we’ll send you South in the morning and North in the afternoon with Fallasburg as a mid-way point allowing you to eat in the middle of your ride or at the end. All roads begin and end in Historic Fallasburg Village!
Visit www.fallasburg.org to pre-register and save some $$$. Walk up registration opens at 7:00AM on the day of the ride. Fallasburg Village, 13944 Covered Bridge Road, Lowell.
Schoolhouse Open Sundays
Don’t forget, our “Schoolhouse Open Sundays” season begins in June – September. We’ll be open as many Sunday afternoons as we can from 2 – 4PM. Village walking tours and open houses are available year-round by appointment.
Come to Historic Fallasburg Village and take a step back in time!
Copyright (c) 2019 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming events of the Fallasburg Historical Society. (FHS)
FHS will be at the Lowell Expo on March 23 at the Lowell High School from 9 am to 3 pm inside the cafeteria right next to the Lowell Area Historical Museum booth.
Hop on the Spring into the Past tour on May 4th & 5th. Visit the Fallasburg one-room schoolhouse along with 30 other museums.
You don’t want to miss our 25th annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour on July 7th. Follow us for event updates.
Become a part of the movement to preserve history as we integrate technology into our work.
Soon, you will be able to access our collections such as the WWI Women’s Cards via a brand new platform.
WWI support cards
Sign up for Fallasburg Today E-newsletter to stay in the loop.
Poster artwork by FHS vice-president Tina Siciliano Cadwallader.
Fallasburg Today E- Newsletter sign-up
Copyright (c) 2019 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Thanks to everyone who attended the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) Christmas Party. It was the most well attended and festive gathering in our Christmas party throwing history; the bonfire was magnificent.
To all who have renewed memberships, made donations, or volunteered their time to FHS and our cause for preservation of Fallasburg Village in 2018, thank you. We simply can’t do it without your support! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Ken Tamke
FHS president
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
An old-fashioned Christmas party in Fallasburg rings in the season
By Emma Palova
It was a night to remember: good food, great friends and live music by band Hawks & Owls. After months of preparations for the annual signature event and fundraiser of the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS), the party was a smash hit.
People streamed in from all over West Michigan, a sign of changing times; most of them found out about the party from Facebook and Twitter. The great coverage from the Lowell Ledger helped immensely.
For those who came late, there was no food left or libations. The Christmas buffet consisted of turkey and all the trimmings, two types of meatballs, pasta and stuffing, plus different salads and deviled eggs.
A lot of credit for the food goes to Patty Brechbiel, as well as other ladies of the FHS. The epic dessert buffet was partially created by Joann Childs.
The elaborate dessert selection featured nutty bars and devil’s cake, among others. But mostly it was the camaraderie of the event that brought it home.
The one-room schoolhouse was beautifully decorated with electric candles, and the drive across the lit Covered Bridge at the speed of walking enhanced the historic atmosphere of the pioneer 1840s village founded by John W. Fallas.
The party was capped off by a huge bonfire at the Fallasburg Base Ball Field.
“We never know how many people will come out,” said FHS president Ken Tamke. “This was a huge turnout.”
“Villager Craig Wood spent the whole year building the bonfire,” said Tamke.
The party started in 2006 and it is Tamke’s brainchild. Previously the FHS hosted a “wild game” dinner at the Fallas House. The Fallas House is small and not too many people could attend.
“We never made any money on it,” Tamke said. “The caterer did.”
Tamke lobbied to use the one-room schoolhouse instead, get a band, serve beer and wine, and to have a potluck.
“There was a brush pile in the field that first year, so we lit it,” Tamke said. “Craig Wood took over the fire. We’ve been going with the same formula ever since.”
The FHS volunteers put a lot of work into getting the old one-room schoolhouse ready for the annual event. This includes decorations, large round tables with red tablecloths and a buffet style dinner, while making sure everything works including the heater and electricity.
It is also the favorite FHS event considering the atmosphere in the historic pioneer village of Fallasburg all decorated for Christmas.
Everybody enjoyed the music by live band Hawks & Owls that has been playing at the party since its beginning. They played non-stop.
The huge bonfire warmed up the night in a large radius around it. People gathered in a circle around the bonfire for great conversation and to enjoy the warmth of the fire.
The bell in the belfry at the schoolhouse announced the end of the party.
Happy holidays.
More holiday festivities coming to Lowell:
Visit Santa on the Riverwalk with photos by Bruce Doll:
Saturdays Dec. 15 and Dec. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesdays Dec. 12 and Dec. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Mark your calendars for the annual Christmas in Fallasburg party on Dec. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A $20 donation is requested to benefit the Fallasburg Historical Society.
The party features a fancy buffet, beverages and music by Hawks & Owls. It is topped off by a bonfire.
It is a once in a lifetime experience as you cross the Covered Bridge into the 1850s pioneer village.
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Thank you to all the volunteers and organizers who made the 24TH Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour a smashing success. For doing your part to help preserve Historic Fallasburg Village with your registrations, thanks to all our riders, the largest turnout in several years. And, thanks to Mother Nature, you gave us the perfect day for everyone to explore some of West Michigan’s most beautiful scenery.
FHS president Ken Tamke
As we closed up shop at the end of the event we had much to celebrate. Again, our gastronomical goodies from volunteers; the “cookie baker network” cookies and the culinary Italian Country-Style meal served al fresco from our Tuscan kitchens, set our bike tour apart. Not possible to walk away from us hungry!
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There were sore muscles that night amongst the tourers I’m sure, but no injuries-0. Two blown tires and a broken chain resulted in rides from our SAG Driver (Support and Guidance) back to Fallasburg Village mid-route for a handful. That was the worst of it. An earlier meal at the Fallasburg Village Cyclist’s Café the consequence.
The Fallasburg Historical Society was pleased to contribute to the League of Michigan Bicyclists, “$1 Per Rider” program helping promote cycling in our State and make Michigan a safer place to cycle as we have since 2010.
Plan for the 25th Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour
Next years event, the 25TH Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour on Sunday, July 7, 2019 will be a milestone. Planning has already begun after catching our breath from the 24TH. We always welcome ideas, feedback, and participation as we prepare. Contact us through our website at www.fallasburg.org
Fall for Fallasburg
September and October are visitor favorites for fall color viewing in Fallasburg Village, and of special note are: Saturday & Sunday, September 15 & 16, and Saturday, October 27.
Fallasburg Village Bazaar set for Sept. 15 & Sept. 16
On Saturday & Sunday, September 15 & 16, the 50TH Fallasburg Fall Festival of the Arts will unfold in adjacent Fallasburg Park. Venture just across the Fallasburg Covered Bridge from the park after art, get a little history, and take a step back in time. From 10:00AM – 5:00PM both days, the Fallasburg Historical Society Bazaar offers self-guided walking tours of our historic village with free admission to all our museums; the Schoolhouse, the Fallas House, and the Misner House, then come browse our old- fashioned Bazaar of artisans and their crafts under tent. Enjoy food and refreshments. For more information on the Fallasburg Historical Society, and the Bazaar: www.fallasburg.org
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Fallasburgh Flats Vintage Base Ball Tournament
On Saturday, September 15 only, the Fallassburg Flats, our 1860’s Vintage Base Ball Club will culminate their season by hosting their annual Fall Finale, The John Wesley Fallass Invitational Vintage Base Ball Tournament in Fallas Field across from the Fallasburg Schoolhouse. Admission is free. Preliminary games begin at 10:00AM with semi-final and final games in the afternoon followed by an awards ceremony around 5:00PM. For more information on the Fallassburgh Flats, and their regular season schedule: fallassburghflats@gmail.com
Local author Emma Palova book-signing at one-room schoolhouse
Emma Palova will have a book signing of Shifting Sands Short Stories on Sept. 15 & Sept. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the one-room schoolhouse. Come and chat with the Czech-born author about her book. You can buy your copy locally. Check EW Emma’s Writings at http://emmapalova.com for more info about the book signing.
Ghost Walk at the Fallasburg village
On Saturday, October 27th, “Boo”! It’s a “Ghost Walk.” The Fallasburg Historical Society will be hosting a paranormal investigation in collaboration with the Michigan Paranormal Alliance (MPA). Sign in begins at 6:30PM and runs to 7:00PM at the Fallasburg Schoolhouse. You will accompany MPA on your “Ghost Walk” from 7:00PM – 9:00PM to investigate/research 3 historic buildings and the Fallasburg Village Cemetery. We have less than 10 tickets left @ $40 each that include your research w/MPA, beverages/snacks, and an event t-shirt. Call 616-560-9109 for tickets.
Christmas in Fallasburg set for Dec. 8
If you’re a “calendar marker, Saturday, December 8, 6:00PM-8:00PM, it’s “Christmas in Fallasburg”, A Community Celebration! Come for music and merriment at the Fallasburg Schoolhouse, finish in Fallas Field at the Fire!
I share with you a communication we received that sums up the “Fallasburg Experience” whether serendipitous, or scheduled. Come for a visit and see for yourself!
Sincerely,
Ken Tamke, President
Subject: just happened to be travelling through…
Message:
May 5, 2018
Dear FHS,
Thanks so much for all that you folks have done along the Flat River there in Fallasburg. My wife and I were trying to take a shortcut from I-96 to M91, and we found ourselves just north of Lowell, saw the signs, and thought, “Why not?” The park, bridge, historical community, and especially the road that lead us east out-of-town was the perfect unplanned way to slow down, enjoy, and spend a spring day in our area of Michigan. We eventually found our way to M91 and headed for home in Remus. But, whenever we have the chance, we’ll be sure to revisit Fallasburg again. Keep up the good work! BTW, I’m sending my $5 fine…I think I went faster than a walk! God bless.
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
