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7/2/2007 10:37:00 AM
Longtime Crystal residents named grand marshals
Seiters are known for their involvement in the community
Luke Stier
Editor
CRYSTAL - Bill and Marcia Seiter will lead the way around Crystal Lake during Wednesday's annual parade.
They will serve as the grand marshals of this year's Fourth of July celebration.
The Seiters have lived in Crystal since the 1960s. When they moved to Crystal, they realized it was the perfect place to have their family.
"It is a wonderful place to raise your children," Marcia said.
The Seiter's raised their five children in Crystal. Now they have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild who come to visit and swim in the lake.
Being year-round residents in a town that has a very seasonal population, they are very well-known by all who call Crystal home for 12 months a year.
"I have known the Seiters for nearly 40 years," said Chris Mason, president of the Crystal Lake Association.
"They are wonderful people," he said. "They have been very prominent throughout the community."
Crystal Area Chamber of Commerce President Janet Campbell agreed.
"They represent a lot of positive things around in the community," she said. "They are both so involved, I think that is so important to our community."
The Seiters are just continuing a lifestyle of being actively involved in their community that they have lived their entire lives.
Bill served as superintendent of the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) from 1963 until he retired in 1993. He then served as interim superintendent for another year in 2004.
During the 30 years he spent at the MAISD he became well-known around Montcalm County and earned a stellar reputation.
"Sometimes you have people run a large program and then also run over people," Mason said. "Bill never did that."
Marcia spent her career in education as well, first as a teacher at Carson City-Crystal Area Schools, then as a teacher at the MAISD.
Marcia still directs the choir at the Congregational Church in Crystal. They both have been involved in many projects and community boards throughout the years.
In a such a small town, Mason said he often hears complaints from some residents against other residents.
"I've never heard of anybody mad at the Seiters," he said. "Never."
The Fourth of July holiday marks one of Crystal's busiest times. With tourists, families, friends and summer homeowners in town for vacation during the July 4 celebration, the honor bestowed upon the Seiter's will be only a brief memory for some.
"We will just be out in front of the parade, waving - that's all," Marcia said with a laugh.
But for the Crystal residents who know Bill and Marcia and the deep impact they have had on their community, the honor goes much beyond a parade ride around the lake.
"They deserve to be honored," Mason said. "This is very much deserved for them."
Editor Luke Stier can be reached at lstier@staffordgroup.com or (616) 754-9303 ext. 3065.
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