Library Board Treasurer Ardena Roberts,  Board Member & Steering Committee 2012 Chair Vicky Babcock, Board Trustee Becky Powell, Library Director Donna Clark, Mayor Bob Truesdale, and Board Secretary Tony Owen.

The Cedar Springs Public Library had a great fundraising year last year, and a new grant from the Great Lakes Energy “Round Up” program just sweetens the pot.

The $50,000 Match/Challenge defined 2012 for the Cedar Springs Library.  The hopes of adding $100,000 to the New Library Building Fund meant multiple fund raising projects throughout the year. One of the members of the Fundraising Steering Committee, Dana Gomez, read the insert with her energy bill explaining the “Round Up” program and signed up.  She saw the potential of substantial assistance and decided to submit a proposal on the Library’s behalf.

According to Library Director Donna Clark, the Library Steering Committee and the Library Board and staff were delighted to receive this grant. This $5,000, along with other local efforts, put the Library over its $50,000 goal, boosting the new library fund to $571,505. The Friends of the Library’s new library savings is around $15,800, which means the fund is nearing $600,000.

Great Lakes Energy asks that all members of the community who use them to sign up for their “Round Up” program. Members of Great Lakes Energy voluntarily round up their bills to the next highest dollar. The rounded up amount is distributed to non-profit organizations and charitable activities that benefit people in communities served by the cooperative.

“There are so many good works and worthy projects going on throughout Cedar Springs, all looking for and working hard for more to give and share,” said Clark. The Fundraising Steering Committee members, Vicky  & Hal Babcock, Earla Alber, Amanda Gerhardt, Donna Clark, Dana Gomez and daughter, Emma and Alicia Imhoff,  encourage you to “Round Up” and contact Great Lakes Energy at 1-888-485-2537 or visit glakes.com to find out if your favorite community project could benefit from the thousands of dollars generated in the “Peoples Fund” by people just like you.

Mary Jo and Marty Giaimo, of Courtland Township, traveled to Mexico in April in honor of their 25th wedding anniversary, and took a Post along with them to celebrate. The Giaimos are pictured here at the beach hotel, Barcelo Colonial, in the Maya Riveria. Thanks for taking us with you!

If you are traveling, take a Post with you and get a photo. Send it to us, along with some info, to news@cedarspringspost.com.

Do you remember these little guys? These came out when beanie babies were all the rage, and the Cedar Springs Public Library now has a collection of them to sell as a fundraiser for the new library. Get one for your grad today!

Give your Red Hawk senior a Red Hawk memento for graduation and help raise funds for a new library! Red Hawk beanies are on sale at the Cedar Springs Public Library for $5. Open hours are from noon to 6 p.m. most days, and closed Thursday and Sunday. The library is located on the corner of Cherry and Second Street in Cedar Springs.

It’s official—spring has sprung! Solon Township Farmers Everything Market opens this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine! Shop the market for fresh produce, plants, crafts and other market items. There will be free perennials (2-3 inch pots) while they last.

There will be a new face to the Market this year. The new Solon Township Offices, which share the property, are nearly complete! Planned move in day is next Monday, May 20. Watch the Post for Open House information.

According to Vicky Babcock, who organizes the farm market, the changes will have minimal effect on them. “We are asked to stay off the blacktop, as Solon plans to rent out their community room and parking is limited to this use,” she explained. “This puts the market back a bit further to the west.”

She said the market is still free to vendors with a $20.00 refundable fee to first time flea market vendors. This year, look for more vendors, more events and more fun! They are located at 15185 Algoma Ave. between 18 and 19 Mile Rds. For more information please call 696-1718 or check out their Facebook page and like them for continued updates.

A 75-year-old motorcyclist died last week after being struck by a car driven by a Rockford woman.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, the accident occurred just after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at Northland Drive and Kuttshill Drive NE. They said that a 2010 GMC Acadia, driven by Molly Underhill, 43, of Rockford, was northbound on Northland Drive and attempting to turn west on to Kuttshill Drive, when it struck a motorcycle traveling southbound on Northland Drive.

The motorcycle driver, Roger Blanker, 75, of Grand Rapids, was thrown from the motorcycle and received serious injuries to his head and legs. He was transported to Butterworth Hospital, where he later died. Police said he was not wearing a helmet.

The driver of the Acadia was not injured.

The incident is being reviewed by the Kent County Prosecutor’s office.

The Plainfield Fire Department and Rockford Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Local agencies on the lookout for unbelted drivers May 20-June 2

Research shows when seat belts are used properly, the risk of being killed in a crash is reduced by nearly 50 percent. However, 225 of the people killed last year in crashes where seat belts were available were not buckled up.

In an effort to increase seat belt use and saves lives, law enforcement from 155 agencies across the state will take to the streets May 20-June 2 to stop and ticket unbelted motorists. Agencies in 26 counties, including Allegan, Berrien, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Van Buren, will be conducting seat belt enforcement paid for through federal traffic safety funds administered by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).

“Wearing a seat belt is the easiest, most effective way to save your life in the event of a traffic crash,” said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. “It can also save you $65 as Michigan law enforcement will be out strictly enforcing the state’s seat belt law over the next couple of weeks.”

Following the state’s record-high rate of 97.9 percent in 2009, seat belt use declined to 93.6 percent in 2012. Every 1 percent increase in belt use means 10 fewer traffic deaths and 130 fewer injuries.

During last year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement, 8,050 seat belt and child seat violation tickets were written.

Michigan law requires all drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9” tall. Children must be in a seat until they reach the age requirement or the height requirement, whichever comes first.

Bovine, cervids, dogs, goats, and sheep must have ID before movement

It is finally springtime in Michigan, and animal health officials at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are reminding Michigan pet and livestock owners that vaccinating against common diseases can save lives, and permanently identifying animals can bring them safely home or to the market.

“Michigan law requires dogs be vaccinated against rabies before they are licensed. Additionally, vaccinating, deworming, properly identifying, and providing routine health care for all Michigan animals are good preventative measures,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Steven Halstead. “Healthy pets and healthy livestock begin with routine medical attention.”

In 2012, there were 61 documented cases of rabies in wild animals—52 bats, eight skunks, and one fox. In 2011, in addition to the typically affected animals, a dog and woodchuck were rabies positive in Oakland County. If owners of domestic animals are concerned about signs of rabies in their animals, they should contact their personal veterinarian immediately.

Core vaccines are recommended for most pets. Additional non-core vaccines, such as feline leukemia, canine kennel cough and other vaccines – may be appropriate if the animals are going to pet care facilities, kennels, county fairs, or shows where they will be co-mingling.  Pet and livestock owners are encouraged to have their veterinarian check for internal parasites and heartworms as they can cause severe health problems, and sometimes death.

MDARD recommends owners speak with their private veterinarian regarding the following vaccinations:

For dogs:

•       rabies (required under state law)

•       canine distemper

•       parvovirus

•       adenovirus

In addition, owners should have their dogs checked for heartworm and intestinal parasites. Some veterinarians also recommend vaccination against leptospirosis and treatment to prevent Lyme disease.

Cats:

•       rabies

•       herpes virus

•       calicivirus

•       panleukopenia

Horses:

MDARD requires Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) testing every 12 months if leaving the premises, as part of a sale, or importing a horse into Michigan from another state; and owners should talk to their veterinarian about the following vaccines:

•       rabies

•       tetanus toxoid

•       Eastern, and Western Equine Encephalitis

•       West Nile Virus

•       Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4)

Additionally, horse owners should prepare to follow these tips to prevent mosquito-borne illness:

Vaccinate your horses.  Inexpensive vaccines for EEE and WNV are readily available and should be repeated at least annually.  It is never too late to vaccinate horses.  Talk to your veterinarian for details.

•       Use approved insect repellants to protect horses.

•       If possible, put horses in stables, stalls, or barns during the prime mosquito exposure hours of dusk and dawn.

•       Eliminate standing water, and drain troughs and buckets at least once a week, twice a week when temperatures rise above 80°F.

Sheep and goats:

•       CD-T toxoid provides three-way protection against enterotoxemia (overeating disease) caused by Clostridium perfringens types C and D and tetanus (lockjaw) caused by Clostridium tetani.

•       The large animal rabies vaccine is approved for use in sheep.  No rabies vaccine is currently licensed for goats.

Cattle:

•       Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (commonly called IBR)

•       Bovine Viral Diarrhea, PI3, BRSV (viruses causing pneumonia/sickness)

•       Leptospirosis (5-Way)

•       Vibriosis

•       Calfhood vaccination for Brucellosis

•       Bovine Tuberculosis testing in the counties of Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Crawford, Emmet, Antrim, and Otsego

Many vaccines are required for exhibition.  To know what is required to show your animals at the fair visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda/ExReq_225448_7.pdf

Hometown heroes prepare for State Police careers 

On Sunday, May 12, 80 prospective troopers reported to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Training Academy in Lansing for the first day of the 125th Trooper Recruit School.

For the next 21 weeks, between wake-up at 5 a.m. and lights-out at 10 p.m., the recruits will receive training in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving.

Current MSP members and academy staff, including a school commander, assistant commander and 17 troopers from across the state are assigned to the MSP Training Academy to provide instruction on a temporary basis. Because the school is a residential program, the recruits are only allowed to leave the MSP Training Academy from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.

Recruits who successfully complete the training will graduate on Oct. 4, 2013.

“Starting yet another trooper recruit school is good news for the department,” stated Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “It is our hope these recruits will successfully meet and exceed the challenges they will face during these next few months, after which time they will join the proud men and women of the Michigan State Police who serve in communities statewide with excellence, integrity and courtesy, alongside public safety professionals across the state.”

The department solicited over 3,000 potential candidates for the 125th Trooper Recruit School. Special emphasis was given to recruiting military veterans and certified police officers without employment. In order to be selected to attend the academy, all applicants had to pass a stringent selection process that included a physical fitness test, background investigation and hiring interview.

Another trooper recruit school is anticipated to begin in early 2014. Interested candidates should visit www.michigan.gov/mspjobs for more information on how to apply.

As of April 27, 2013, there were 970 at-post troopers stationed at 29 posts across Michigan. Ninety troopers graduated from the 124th Trooper Recruit School on March 29, 2013.

Ronnie McBrayer

By Ronnie McBrayer

“There is something rotten in Denmark.” That is a centuries old phrase from William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The Danish have smelled fishy ever since. But in reality, Denmark doesn’t stink at all. In fact, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the Scandinavian nations of Northern Europe are officially the happiest countries in the world.

Annually, the Legatum Institute publishes its Prosperity Index that gauges the happiness level of the world’s countries. Consistently, Denmark, Norway and the Scandinavian nations are at the top of the heap. If you are curious, the United States is currently ranked 12th on the Prosperity Index. Not too bad, but our society as a whole is not as happy as it once was, and honestly I don’t think that comes as much of a surprise.

Happiness is affected by our environment. That much is true. Happiness is a product of our genetics (scientists say that an elongated 5HTT gene will make you happier on average than most). But ultimately, barring emotional or mental dysfunction, happiness is a choice we make. No, we don’t live in Scandinavia. We have no control over our chromosomal makeup. We can’t do anything about our age and very little to change our personal economics. There are simply some things we cannot change.

But, there are other things we can do something about. We can choose to live near our friends. We can decide to practice gratitude. We can do work we find fulfilling. We can opt out of the blame game, and quit holding God, life, circumstances, past lovers, ex-wives, former business partners, parents, and reality responsible for doing us in.

We can make choices that will lead us toward becoming happy, joyful people or we can make choices that will result in us becoming chronically unhappy people. Regardless, that choice belongs to each and every one of us.

It was Viktor Frankl, Jewish Holocaust survivor and Austrian psychiatrist, who best articulated the power of choice in personal happiness. Reflecting upon his time in the concentration camps he wrote, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

If you want to be happy you don’t have to move to Scandinavia or wait for science to alter your genetics. But you do have to choose to be happy, and no one else can make that choice for you.

Ronnie McBrayer is a syndicated columnist, speaker, and author of multiple books. You can read more and receive regular e-columns in your inbox at www.ronniemcbrayer.me. 

Chet & Dorothy Quist

Chet and Dorothy (Fryling) Quist of Cedar Springs will celebrate 60 years of marriage on May 29, with the thankfulness of God for his faithfulness to them throughout the years.  Their children are Kevin and Kim Quist of Cedar Springs and Jackie and Dave Mourer of Sand Lake.  They have 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  There will be a celebration of their love and many memories of their successful marriage on Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 12 to 3pm at White Creek Country Estates-Community Building, 15851 White Creek Ave. N.E., Cedar Springs, MI 49319.