Monday, May 29, 2023
Since 1854 — News from Montcalm County and Ionia County, Michigan
For decades, a shopping trip to one’s local Meijer has not been complete for many children without going for a ride on one of the store’s most iconic features — Sandy the pony.
Originally making her debut 60 years ago in 1962 at the first “big” Meijer store in Grand Rapids, the animatronic pony soon became a staple of the franchise, providing an exciting ride for children in every store at the cost of a mere penny.
Nearly 50 years ago as an 11-year-old boy, Mike Stafford attended what most children might have considered to be a boring, uninteresting visit with local historians.
Mike had been brought by his mother, Linda Stafford, to a meeting of the newly-established Flat River Historical Society, as the organization moved forward with its goal to solidify and promote the rich history the Greenville area had to offer.
