In small towns, leadership does not just come from the mayor, the town council, the town attorney or manager or the chamber of commerce.  People in all sectors have not only the opportunity but also the responsibility to play a leadership role in their area of expertise.  How effectively people from these sectors play those roles help determine the town's growth and health.

The lazy view of leadership is that someone else needs to do it, and that only few are called to lead.  According to Russ S. Moxley's book, "Leadership and Spirit", "One reason that the myth of the great leader is so appealing is that it absolves us of the responsibility for developing leadership capabilities more broadly."

Singular leadership mocks the democratic way of life.  To rely on one or a few leaders is to fire up only one of four jet engines, relying on that one to get you safely to your destination.  Great leaders surround themselves with people who have wisdom and strengths in all the areas that they govern.  They consult with these people, trust them and are guided by them.

Leadership needs not be reserved for a few special seats.  In towns that operate effectively, continuing to grow and prosper, true leadership is spread out among a multitude of people.  No single hero will ride into town on a white horse and save the community from calamity.  There are only the people of the town.  Collectively, these folks have high ideals, dreams and visions.  Together, they hold the future of our town in their hands.

Next Month:  Build your Brand

The City of Allegan recently teamed up with JabberDesign Website Design & Development to create a new look for the City's website, www.cityofallegan.org. 

The goal was to create a more user-friendly website that allowed for residents and visitors to be able to learn more about the community, living within the City of Allegan limits, entertainment options as well as the basic information for City Hall.  Seems like a lot to fit under one website; but it was done, very creatively. 

Since the City of Allegan has more to offer than just taxes, elections and water bills, the website was designed to have both entertainment and civic web pages created under the main homepage. 

Under the entertainment section of the website, web surfers will find information about community wide events, upcoming attractions, and more.  Separate pages were created for The Regent Theatre, The Griswold Auditorium, Downtown Allegan, The Allegan Farmers Market and the Sports Complex.  In addition, an events calendar was created to highlight upcoming community events. 

The redesigned civic section of the website allows for easier access to different departments, services and information.   The civic section contains a wide variety of information ranging from the City of Allegan Code of Ordinances to building forms and applications to information on making utility payments.   News and upcoming projects will also be posted on the website as a tool to keep the community informed with changes to the City. 

In addition to information, the new layout uses color, images, graphics and design elements well.  The color schemes match with the actual physical makeup of the city.  The blues and greens represent the water, agriculture and landscape of the community. 

"The design elements represent various recognizable landmarks and features of the area; however, it is abstract in presentation," said Trisha Henderson, City of Allegan Arts and Entertainment Assistant. 

Check out the new website at www.cityofallegan.org.  If you have any website related questions or comments, please contact Trisha Henderson, 269.673.3456.

The Allegan Christmas Parade and Lighting of the Tree will officially start the holiday season in Allegan November 23.  The Christmas Parade starts at 7:00 pm and will go through Downtown Allegan.  The Christmas Parade is sponsored by the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce.

November 23 is the first of five Festive Friday Shopping Nights in Downtown Allegan.  Come back downtown on November 30, December 7, December 14 and December 21 for free horse drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa and extended shopping hours at many merchants. 

Children are also invited to enjoy lunch with Santa on Saturdays in Allegan.  Reservations are required and tickets are $6.00 each and can be purchased at the restaurant prior to the Lunch with Santa date.  Please call the restaurant for tickets and reservations.

Lunch with Santa schedule:

December 1 - Uncommon Threads Espresso Café :: 686.2348

December 8 - Hubbard Street Restaurant :: 686.7906

December 15 - Downtown Bakery and Deli :: 686.9537

December 22 - Pizza Hut :: 673.5555

Escape to a warm weather climate at The Regent Theatre with Surf's Up.  Enjoy free matinee showings of Surf's Up, December 31 - January 4 at 2:00 pm.  The Regent Theatre is located at 221 Trowbridge Street.

For more information about the upcoming events, please contact 269.673.3456.  For information about the Christmas parade, please call the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce, 269.673.2479.

As a way to celebrate the Holiday season, The Griswold Auditorium is hosting Celebration O' the Wreaths.  Similar to the Festival of the Trees events, Celebration O' the Wreaths, will showcase locally designed wreaths during this holiday season. 

The Wreaths will be on display starting November 17th and will end with the Final Showing on December 1st.   The Final Showing open house is from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm with the silent auction ending at 8:30 pm.  Silent Auction winners do not have to be present to win. 

Proceeds from the Celebration will go to the Marilla Griswold Endowment Fund.  The Marilla Griswold Endowment Fund has been established to help meet the financial goals of The Griswold for future generations. 

Help us celebrate the good tidings of the Holidays at The Griswold.  All are invited to view the wreaths and help spread holiday cheer by bidding on your favorite wreath.  Please call 269.673.3456 for more information.

Monterey Center Church is hosting two Christmas concerts this holiday season at The Griswold. 

The public is welcomed to join stars from Monterey Center Church on Friday December 7^th at 7:00 pm for "A Hometown Christmas".  The concert is a talent and variety show showcasing local talent from the area.

The Williams Family will perform a Christmas concert December 8^th.  The Williams Family is a regionally popular Bluegrass and Gospel band.  The concert starts at 7:00 pm on Saturday December 8.

Admission to both concerts is free; however, a goodwill donation will be received for the Monterey Center Church.

For more information, please contact Bob Thomas, 269.673.5024, or The Griswold Auditorium, 269.673.3456.

The snowflakes have been placed on light poles around downtown, along the Riverfront and on the M89/Marshall Street bridge.  Snowman themed banners have also been placed downtown on light poles. 

Likewise, the Christmas trees have also been placed in the planters downtown.  But this year, they have a different, more green look to them.  This year, the Christmas trees are lit with LED lights that work off from solar power.  This eco-friendly lighting option allowed for each tree to be lit will conserving electricity. 

If you have not had the opportunity to check out the new downtown décor, come downtown for The Christmas Parade, Festive Fridays or any of the other Holiday events.

Downtown Allegan was taken over by vampires, chickens, mummies, monkeys, princesses, bridezillas and even a skunk on Saturday October 27.  Don't fret, a furry version of Batman and Robin were on site to resolve the havoc and ensure safety during Ghoul Times at the Gazebo.

Despite the windy, rainy weather, Ghoul Times was a fun, entertaining event for those who attended.  Over 100 costumed children, adults and teens entered into the various costume contests and walked in the parade.  Downtown merchants handed out candy to approximately 300 children.  Alisha Smith of Allegan won the window scavenger hunt sponsored by Archer Hicks.

Downtown businesses were invited to participate and decorate their business in the Ghoul Times Window and Storefront contest.  The first place winner in the contest was Allegan Community Pharmacy, who received a ¼ page color advertisement in The Flashes and 3 months of free on-screen advertising at The Regent Theatre.  Antiques Etc. won second place and also received 3 months of free on-screen advertising at The Regent.  Honorable mention was awarded to Creative Events.  Thank you to all of the businesses who participated in the contest.  The decorations added character and spook to downtown Allegan.

If you are interested in planning this event for next year, please email griswoldauditorium@charter.net or call 269.673.3456.

Thank you to everyone and all of the businesses who helped make this event a success.  Your time, financial support and hard work are greatly appreciated by the community.

Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce

B&C Emporium / Woodland Trading Company

Judge Baillargeon

Marge Bakker

Rick Buller

Sara Busfield

City of Allegan Staff - DPW, City Hall, City Police, Arts and Entertainment

Tom and Linda Clark

Downtown Bakery and Deli - Rick and Ruth Smith

Flashes Publishers

Doug Fox

Great Lakes Graphics

Griswold Auditorium

Reflexions Plus - Kass Hillard

Korree Johnson

Deb Kerkstra

Nathan Andrew Salon

Non-profit who participated in Scarecrow Challenge

Rob Hillard

Regent Theatre Staff

Riverfront Pet Resort

Springrove Variety

Village Market