Anthony Brew throws the first pitch.

Boys cheering for the Whitecaps at the Mother-son outing.

Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation had almost 30 people attend their first mother-son Whitecaps outing, on Friday, May 11.

They had an all you can eat barbecue of hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, chips, potato salad, cookies and pop before the game on the 3rd base deck.

To start the game, Anthony Brew, age 11, threw out the first pitch.

As the game progressed the boys cheered the Whitecaps on to a victory, as the moms watched with delight.

Colton and Chase Moore took part in the “SCORE WARS” game on the field where they made baskets. At the end of the 6th inning, Amber and Drake Hath played in the “Human Sandwich” game, but lost to another Cedar Springs youngster, Hayden Morris.

“We all had a great time and plan to go again next year!” remarked Parks and Rec Director Amanda Gerhardt.

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Do you know your stroke facts?

Stroke can be fatal. It’s the No. 4 cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.

Stroke can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, sex or age.

Stroke is more common in women.

African Americans have almost twice the risk of stroke compared to whites.

The most important thing to know is that most strokes can be prevented and, when strokes occur, swift, appropriate response can save lives. Act FAST when the signs of stroke appear:

F = Face

Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = Arms

Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = Speech

Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his/her speech slurred or strange?

T = Time

If you notice any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

Spectrum Health treats more stroke patients than any other provider in the Michigan. In honor of Stroke Awareness Month, Spectrum Health is holding free stroke education and screening events this month in several of its facilities. Participants will be able to find out if they are at risk for stroke and what they can do to prevent stroke. Preregistration is not required.

Stroke education and screenings will be available at United and Kelsey Hospital on the following date and locations:

May 22:

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. United Hospital, Conference Room B, 615 S. Bower Street

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kelsey Hospital, Family Consultation Room, 418 Washington Avenue.

Spectrum Health also has a stroke risk assessment posted online at www.spectrumhealth.org/strokerisk. The assessment will help people learn about their personal risk factors and what they can do to prevent stroke.

Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett hospitals are certified primary stroke centers and provide prompt stroke patient care, including advanced treatment options as well as other defined standards of The Joint Commission, the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.

Low-cost, low-stress events and activities 

Every family needs opportunities to relax and have fun together, and that’s especially true for families of children with special needs. Finding venues and activities that are suitable can be challenging and expensive.

Family Hope Foundation has created a calendar of low-cost, low-stress activities and events perfect for families of children with special needs. From movies to family days at various venues, each is designed to provide families of individuals with special needs with affordable, disability-friendly, low stress, fun activities that they can participate in as a whole family. A few examples of what’s in store:

* Movies at Celebration! Cinema North (2121 Celebration Dr. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 530-7469) the last Saturday of every month. Families often give up on seeing movies in a theater, but Family Hope Foundation has partnered with Celebration! Cinema North to offer a movie showing specifically for families of individuals with special needs. Movies are at 10:00 a.m. and are $5 per ticket.

Saturday, May 26 – “Pirates! Band of Misfits.”

Saturday, June 30 – “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.”

Saturday, July 28 – “Ice Age: Continental Drift.”

Saturday, August 25 – “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days.”

* Saturday, August 18, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. – the Visser Family YMCA (3540 Fairlanes SW, Grandville, MI 49418, (616)530-9199) will host a free Family Night including dinner, swimming, basketball, rock climbing and more.  RSVP at (616) 530-9199 by August 14.

Events and activities for the upcoming summer and fall are being added to the calendar. The best way for families to stay informed about what’s on tap is to sign up to receive emails about upcoming events and community resources at lara.kitts@TheFamilyHopeFoundation.org or follow Family Hope Foundation on Facebook.

Moses and Jesus were part of a threesome playing golf one day. Moses pulled up to the tee and drove a long one. The ball landed in the fairway, but rolled directly toward a water trap. Quickly Moses raised his club, the water parted and it rolled to the other side, safe and sound.

Next, Jesus strolled up to the tee and hit a nice long one directly toward the same water trap. It landed right in the center of the pond and kind of hovered over the water. Jesus casually walked out on the pond and chipped the ball right up on to the green.

The third guy got up and sort of randomly whacked the ball. It headed out over the fence and into oncoming traffic on a nearby street. It bounced off a truck and hit a nearby tree. From there, it bounced onto the roof of a shack close by and rolled down into the gutter, down the drain spout, out onto the fairway and straight toward the aforementioned pond. On the way to the pond, the ball hit a little stone and bounced out over the water and onto a lily pad, where it rested quietly. Suddenly, a very large bullfrog jumped up on a lily pad and snatched the ball into his mouth. Just then, an eagle swooped down and grabbed the frog and flew away. As they passed over the green, the frog squealed with fright and dropped the ball, which bounced right into the hole for a beautiful hole in one.

Moses turned to Jesus and said, “I hate playing with your Dad.”

Dinner at the Legion

May 21: American Legion, 80 Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a pork chops dinner on Monday, May 21, from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, veggies, roll, dessert and drink. All dinners are $9, children $4. Take out is available. #20

Benefit dinner with concert for the Chris Chapin family

May 23: The East Nelson United Methodist Praise Team will be hosting a benefit dinner and concert on Wednesday, May 23, from 5-6pm.with music to follow. This dinner will benefit Chris and Christin Chapin and sons with medical expenses. The East Nelson United Methodist Church Meal Committee will be serving the meal. Come join us for evening of fun and enjoyment! If you should have any questions please contact the church at 616-696-0661. #20p

Forestry discovery

May 27: What does it take to bcome a forester? Participants will practice the skills that foresters use including tree identification with a key and determining a tree’s health, size, and age. (4 years old and up) Donation of: $5/person, $4/seniors, $15/Family of four or more. Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Dr. Kent City. If interested simply email cperski@lilysfrogpad.com.  #20

Memorial Cemetery Walk

May 27: The Cedar Springs Historical Society will hold its 12th annual Memorial Cemetery Walk on Sunday, May 27, at 2pm to honor veterans of all wars. This year’s veterans will be Martilles Porter, Civil War; Emil Aurin, Spanish American War; Stanley Langford, WWI; Tom Watson Jr., WWII; Thomas Pierson, Korea; Richard Goller Jr., Vietnam. We will leave the museum at 1:30pm and return there for refreshments. If it rains, the event will be held in the museum. In case of severe weather warnings, the event will be canceled.  #20, 21b

You have a special opportunity to see another Virtual Travel Adventure on Monday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m., at Cedar Springs High School, when we travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The travel adventure features  the islands as they emerged from the sea eons ago, as the result of the collision of the Caribbean and Atlantic plates. The resulting volcanism produced islands of unparalleled beauty.  Since they emerged from the sea, St. Vincent has been blessed with lush mountains, rich volcanic soil and unspoiled landscapes of brilliant flora and beautiful, crystal clear waters.  The addition of  the idyllic islands and deserted cays of the Grenadines make the entire country emerge as a prime vacation playground.  There’s something here for everyone from sailing and dolphin-watching, to hiking nature trails and swimming at the base of waterfalls.  You can climb to the top of a slumbering volcano or explore the fascinating underwater gardens surrounding this pristine group of islands.  Visitors can become immersed in the history of the region at sites representing the span of human activity in the Caribbean.  If you desire the comforts of a deluxe resort or quiet seclusion in a tropical setting, you’ll find it here.  Combine these with a dynamic mix of cultures that are showcased in the Vincy Mas Carnival Celebration and you’ll find that St. Vincent & The Grenadines has it all!

The event is held at the Cedar Springs High School Auditroium with the doors opening at 6 p.m. and the adventure begins at 6:30 p.m. The adventure is at the low rate of $10, and students are just $5 with a paid adult. It is hard to travel anywhere these days for that price, especially considering gasoline rates. So come on out and join us as we venture on this adventure.

Information on this and other programs are online at www.csaparksandrec.com or you can follow us on Facebook for up to date information. Please feel free to call the department at at 696-7320.

(Date correction) Tuesday, May 15

Please join the Cedar Springs High School Jazz Band on Tuesday, May 15 at the Cedar Springs Middle School Cafeteria, for the Fifth Annual “Spring Into Jazz” Performance. This outstanding ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Robert Robuck, will be performing jazz and swing music spanning the last 70 years. They will also be feature guest artist Mr. Bob Nixon. Mr. Nixon is the leader of the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and a well-known and respected jazz clinician and soloist.

Performance time is 7:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children, and will be available at the door.

A boy was taking care of his baby sister while his parents went to town shopping. He decided to go fishing and he had to take her along.

“I’ll never do that again!” he told his mother that evening. “I didn’t catch a thing!”

“Oh, next time I’m sure she’ll be quiet and not scare the fish away,” his mother said.

“Oh, it wasn’t that,” explained the boy, “she ate all the bait!”

KDLville Ribbon Cutting Party

May 15: Join Katie L., the elephant, as she cuts ribbon and welcomes you to KDLville, KDL’s new Early Literacy play space. Play and learn with crafts, games, balloon animals and KDLville cake. For ages 6 and younger. Tuesday, May 15 at 10:30 am. Sand Lake/ Nelson Township branch, 88 Eighth St., Sand Lake.  #19

Senior lunch

May 17: Senior Luncheon is Thursday, May 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Hilltop on Cedar Springs Public Schools grounds. This is the last one of the season so do not miss out. We will hear about exchange students and their programs and experiences. Lunch is $5 and reservations are due by Tuesday, May 15, at noon, by calling the Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation Office at 696-7320.

Old Fashioned Family Game Night

May 18: We will be setting up tables with your favorite family classic games; Monopoly, Chess, Checkers, Scrabble, Candy-Land, Life, and other classics. We will have hot chocolate by the fireplace and some yummy snacks. You are encouraged to bring in your favorite games. Friday May 18, 6:30 – 8 pm. Donation of $5/person, $18/ family of four or more. Pre registration is NOT required, however, registering is greatly appreciated. Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Dr. Kent City. If interested simply email cperski@lilysfrogpad.com.  #19

Roast Beef Dinner

May 20: The Rockford Veterans of Foreign Wars at 4195 – 13 Mile Rd. is hosting a roast beef dinner on the third Sunday of the month, May 20th.  Adults $8, children $3.50. The best dinner in town! Take-outs and deliveries are available. For deliveries call 616-866-2675 by 11:30 the day of the dinner. #19

Insects Exploration

May 20: Grab a net and a jar and we will be off to the prairie and the woods to see what 6-legged creatures live here at HCNC. We will look for eggs and larvae while learning about insects’ life cycles, find predators and prey and catch and release a bug or two. No log shall be left unturned in this insect adventure. K-5th grade. Sunday May 20th, 1 – 3 pm. Donation of $4.50 per person. Pre registration is NOT required, however, registering is greatly appreciated. Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Dr. Kent City. If interested simply email cperski@lilysfrogpad.com.  #19

Howard City/ Tri-county High School

May 26: The annual Howard City/ Tri-County High School reunion will be held at 6pm, May 26th, at Heritage United Methodist Church, 19931 Kendaville Rd. Pierson, Michigan. The cost for the banquet is $15 per person. The evening will begin with punch and fellowship at 6 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. Call Vicky Paulen @ 231-937-5190 for reservations.  #19

The town of Coral was founded in 1862 during Civil War days, and will be celebrating its 150th birthday this year. The Coral Days Festival Committee has been working hard to mark this special occasion with a celebration during the annual Coral Days Festival, June 22-23. The committee has been raising funds to add some historical flavor to the celebration. They will open a time capsule buried in 1962 to begin the Friday night events. A room will also be set up with memorabilia from the old days of Coral. If anyone has antique or historical items or photos that they want to loan to the committee for those two days, they may contact Kathy Gunderman at 231-354-6431 (Coral Power Shop).

There will also be an old-fashioned bucket brigade race and a soap box derby. The committee is also hoping to have some ancient cars and tractors on display. There will be the usual car show and firemen’s water ball and a host of other activities to enjoy as well. Crafters interested in renting a table or businesses interested in getting in the souvenir book should call Kathy at the above phone number.