A popular form of street art is coming to Lansing on Friday, May 31, when the Michigan Historical Museum will be the site of a yarn bombing. The museum is seeking knitting enthusiasts from around the state to participate in the project, starting with a series of Stitch Labs each month at the museum, located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in downtown Lansing.

Yarn bombing—also known as guerilla knitting or grandma graffiti—is a form of street art that incorporates knitted or crocheted shapes to cover objects in public spaces: poles, bus seats, benches, statues or monuments. Examples of projects from around the world can be found at www.yarnbombing.com.

The Stitch Labs are designed to bring yarn enthusiasts together to create yarn pieces for the Yarn Bomb. The pieces will be installed at the museum on May 31 in time for the June 1 “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town” event in Lansing. The Stitch Labs will be held on Saturdays Feb. 23, March 23, April 27 and May 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the museum.

Two Children’s Stitch Labs will be held for youth who are interested in basic knitting, crocheting and weaving techniques. These kid-friendly events are scheduled for Saturdays, March 16 and April 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the museum. Visitors can participate in the labs for a few minutes or a few hours.

“Yarn bombing the museum will create a fun, community-wide public art project for the Capitol region. It will also give us a chance to incorporate the yarn creation into the history of Michigan that is displayed at the museum,” said Sandra Clark, director of the Michigan Historical Center. “This project will encourage people to knit or craft their own history into the yarn bomb, which is what the museum is about—the personal stories that create the history of Michigan.”

Knitting or crocheting enthusiasts who cannot make it to Lansing to participate can send their creations in the form of 5-inch-by-5-inch squares, in any color, to the museum to be included. They can be mailed by May 29 to the Michigan Historical Museum, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., P.O. Box 30740, Lansing, MI 48909. After the bombing is over, the yarn squares will be turned into colorful blankets and donated to a Michigan charity. The museum is seeking suggestions for Michigan charities for the blankets. Please send suggestions to YarnBombtheMIMuseum@gmail.com by April 30. Museum officials will pick the top five suggestions, and then voting for the top charity will take place on the Museum’s Facebook page from May 1-18. For more information on the Michigan Historical Museum, go to www.michigan.gov/museum or call 517-373-3559.

Admission fees for the Michigan Historical Museum are $6 for adults 18-64, children through age 5 are free, youth ages 6-17 may pay an optional $2, and seniors 65 and up are $4. Annual passes are available, and there is no admission charge on Sundays.

The smooth, rich sounds of multi-Dove Award winning and Grammy nominated recording artist The Martins will be featured along with the inspiring comedy of Chonda Pierce in Grand Rapids, on Saturday, March 2, at Sunshine Community Church, at 6 p.m.

It’s a New Day for legendary vocal group, The Martins. Their three-year labor of love is complete, and the end result is a new recording, appropriately titled New Day. The recording was produced by multi-platinum selling Rascal Flatts member Jay DeMarcus and marks their first in a decade. During the 1990s, The Martins rose to national and international success, showcasing their stunning and distinctive harmonies before a vast array of audiences, from Bill Gaither’s multi-award winning Homecoming Video and Concert Series to the White House to Carnegie Hall. Over the years the trio has garnered six Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, a Grammy nomination and multiple hit songs. After a 10-year hiatus from touring together, in 2010 the siblings returned with a renewed family bond. In addition to the release of New Day, Gaither Music Group released a DVD, entitled The Best Of The Martins, which captures some of the trio’s most unforgettable highlights from the multi-platinum selling Gaither Homecoming Video Series. The recording includes a detailed interview between the The Martins and gospel music legend and Martins’ mentor, Bill Gaither, as they candidly share their personal story and the fresh step forward they are taking both musically and spiritually.

Armed with an abundance of unpretentious Southern charm and laser sharp wit, Chonda Pierce has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast for more than a decade. An in-demand stand up comic, television hostess and author, Pierce has parlayed her gift for storytelling into a multi-faceted career. Pierce has authored eight books and has ranked among Pollstar’s top-selling live performers. Her tenth comedy DVD, I’m Kind of a Big Deal, released in September, 2011 highlights her USO tour to Afghanistan. Pierce’s DVDs are consistently strong sellers with eight titles having been certified RAIA gold and four titles certified RAIA platinum. She’s a frequent guest on the famed Grand Ole Opry and has served as host of the Inspirational Country Music Awards and Christian Music Hall of FameAwards, as well as co-host of the GMA Dove awards in 2012. She received five Daytime Emmy nominations for her work co-hosting Aspiring Women, a talk show on the Total Living Network. She has appeared on Life Today, The Wanda Sykes Show, The Mike Huckabee Show, as well as ABC’s popular talk show, The View. Her comedy is regularly featured on XM and Sirius satellite radio.

Complete information may be obtained about this event by calling

800-965-9324 or visiting www.itickets.com or www.martinsonline.com.

Spring 2013 Soccer Registration

Feb. 14: Spring 2013 Soccer Registration for American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is Feb. 12, 14 and 20 at Beach Elementary School on the Campus of Cedar Springs Public Schools, 204 E. Muskegon from 6pm–8pm each day. Cost for the Spring Session is $60 per child with a $5 discount per child for families registering 3 or more players. Players must be at least 4 years of age as of April 8, 2013. A birth certificate is required for age verification of first time registrants. Please complete online application at www.eayso.org – print two copies and take advantage of our Express Lane! These will be the final registration dates for the Spring Season. Please tell your friends and neighbors. If you have questions please contact the AYSO Hotline at 616-696-7349, or visit us at www.ayso902.org. #5,6,7b

Readers Theatre at the Library

Feb. 14: Looking for something fun to do tonight for Valentine’s Day at 7pm? The Cedar Springs Library is hosting a Readers’ Theatre, Actors del Arte Ensemble presenting, “The Track of the Cat,” by Walter Von Tilburg Clark. John Wayne liked it so much he made it into a movie in 1954. Join this dysfunctional ranching family at the Library as they try to track the cat who is after their herd. Special desserts and soup will be served. #7

Greenville Eagles hosts Breast Cancer Benefit

Feb. 16: The Greenville Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #4321 invites the community to support a great cause at their Pink Out For Breast Cancer Charity Dinner Saturday, Feb. 16, from 5pm-Midnight at the Greenville Eagles, located at 11690 S. Greenville Rd. The event is open to the public at a cost of $10 and includes a chicken cordon bleu dinner from 5-8pm and music by Scotty from 8pm-Midnight. 50/50 raffles will be held throughout the evening. Proceeds go to Breast Cancer Awareness of Montcalm/Ionia County, the special charity of Auxiliary President Maggie Babcock. For more info contact Greenville Aerie at 616-794-2987 or Maggie Babcock at 616-754-8613. #7

TOPS weight loss support group

Feb. 19: Take off pounds sensibly (TOPS), a non-profit weight loss support group for men and women, meets every Tuesday at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Sand Lake. Your first visit is free so come check out what TOPS can do to help you reach your weight loss goals! Exercise 8-8:30am (optional), weigh-ins from 8:30am–9am and the meeting starts at 9:15am. In case of inclemeent weather, meetings are cancelled if Tri-County or Cedar Springs schools are closed. Call Martha at 696-1039 for more information. #7

Roast Pork Dinner

Feb. 20: The East Nelson United Methodist Church, 9024 – 18 Mile Rd., will be serving a roast pork dinner with cheesy potatoes, corn and strawberry shortcake for dessert on Wednesday, February 20 from 5pm – 7pm. The cost of the meal is by donation. Come join us! If you have any questions, please contact the church at 616-696-0661. #6,7p

Silent auction, bake sale, luncheon

Feb. 23: Come to the Cowden Lake Bible Academy’s 2nd Annual Silent Auction on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 4pm-7pm at the Howard City VFW Hall in Howard City. There will also be a bake sale and a luncheon serving: nachos, hot dogs, sloppy joes, and soda. Proceeds to Cowden Lake Bible Academy for furnace repairs. #7

Class of 2013 Senior Party Fundraisers

Feb. 23/Mar. 9: Zumba Class – Feb 23rd 10am at the Cedar Springs Middle School. The event is open for ages 11 and up and for Beginners to Intermediate. Cost is $10 preregister or $13 at the door. Wear something red and have a chance to win a prize. Contact Deb Caniff at 696-8487 deb.caniff@yahoo.com. Casino Bus Trip – March 9th to Little River Casino. $40 pp you receive $20 gaming voucher / $5 food voucher. Leaving Cedar Springs 9:30am and arriving back around 5:30pm. Contact BJ Towers at 616-206-8481 vosbeth@yahoo.com or Dani Mora 616-262-9952 dmora@glcomp.com. #7.8p

The Cedar Springs Rotary Club is now accepting applications to attend a leadership conference for high school juniors and seniors in Tustin, Michigan that occurs June 19-22. The conference fee, along with transportation to and from the conference, is covered by Rotary. Students learn about leadership styles and identify strengths and weaknesses of those styles. Small group discussions include an understanding of various political, cultural, ethnic, gender, and religious groups. Two $1,000 scholarships will then be awarded based on interviews, applications, presentations and essays submitted by the students chosen for the conference. Applications are available in the Cedar Springs High Counselor’s office, CTA Counselor’s office, Independent Bank or White Creek Lumber with a deadline of Friday, March 8 at 5:00 p.m.

The Cedar Springs Women’s Club announces the availability of a $1,000 scholarship to a female of any age who resides in the Cedar springs Public School District. Applicants may be planning any type of skill training or degree program as long as it is at a Michigan public community/junior college, degree-granting or vocational institution that leads to a degree, certification, or license. Applicants do not need to be currently enrolled in high school.

The award will be based on a competitive process, which considers personal or academic achievement; and family, school or community activities. Final selection criteria are: Academic progress, school/community service, financial consideration and career goal.

The award will be made without regard to race, creed, color, religion, or national origin. And the winner will be announced by June 6th.

Women currently attending high school can obtain an application from their high school counselor. Please be sure that you have a current application. It should be dated 2013. Women who have left high school can obtain one by contacting Carol Hordyk (696-0090), Claudia Mabie (696-3541) or Sue Harrison (696-0456) or the Cedar Springs Public Library.

Applications must be postmarked by March 15th and received by April 1st.

A pastor and two of his deacons are out on the river fishing in their rowboat. Noon rolls around, and one of the deacons notices a nice spot on the bank to have lunch. He turns to the others and says, “That looks like a nice spot for lunch. What do you say we have lunch over there?”

The other deacon agrees, and so does the pastor. The deacon stands up in the boat, steps out onto the river and walks over to the bank. The pastor looks on in amazement, and thinks to himself, if his deacon is holy enough to walk on water, surely he can.

The other deacon stands up, picks up the picnic basket, steps out of the boat, and walks over to the bank and sits with the first deacon. The pastor is even more amazed. He thinks again, if his deacons are holy enough to walk on water, surely he can!

The pastor stands up, steps out of the boat, and sinks into the water. The first deacon turns to the second and says, “Think we should have told him where the rocks are?”

Hometown Happenings articles are a community service for non-profit agencies only. Due to popular demand for placement in this section, we can no longer run all articles. Deadline for articles is Monday at 5 p.m. This is not guaranteed space. Articles will run as space allows. Guaranteed placement is $10, certain restrictions may apply. You now can email your Hometown Happenings to happenings@cedarspringspost.com please include name and phone number for any questions we may have.

Archery at Red Flannel Rod & Gun Club

Feb. 7: Come to the Red Flannel Rod & Gun Club on Thursdays starting February 7 through March 28 at 7pm. 7463 – 18 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs. #5,6p

Become a Volunteer Reading Tutor Today

Feb. 7: One Child. 30 Minutes. Once a week. Schools of Hope volunteers give 30 minutes of one-on-one tutoring every week to improve the reading skills of first through third graders. Email mkrick@hwmuw.org or call 616-696-1204 ext. 1345 today! #6

Cedar Springs Garden Club Meeting

Feb. 12: The Cedar Springs Garden Club will meet on Tuesday, February 12 at the Springs Church, 135 N. Grant St., at 7pm. Everyone is welcome. The main topic this month will be winter birds and care of house plants. Questions, call Caroline, 616-696-9106. #6

Spring 2013 Soccer Registration

Feb. 12: Spring 2013 Soccer Registration for American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is Feb. 12, 14 and 20 at Beach Elementary School on the Campus of Cedar Springs Public Schools, 204 E. Muskegon from 6pm – 8pm each day. Cost for the Spring Session is $60 per child with a $5 discount per child for families registering 3 or more players. Players must be at least 4 years of age as of April 8, 2013. A birth certificate is required for age verification of first time registrants. Please complete online application at www.eayso.org – print two copies and take advantage of our Express Lane! These will be the final registration dates for the Spring Season. Please tell your friends and neighbors. If you have questions please contact the AYSO Hotline at 616-696-7349, or visit us at www.ayso902.org. #5,6,7b

Valentines Dinner

Feb. 14: Members, bring in your friends to this special dinner and music. Tri-County Eagles in Sand Lake, Thursday, February 14^th. Dinner from 4 – 8pm, Rib Eye steak, potato, garlic toast and salad bar, $11.75. Entertainment from 8 – 11pm by Rhythm Masters, Clint Gitchel & Jerry Roberts starting. #4-6p

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Feb. 16: The Cedar Springs Lions Club is hosting a pancake breakfast every third Saturday of each month January thru April. (Feb. 16, Mar. 16 & Apr. 20) Come to the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church located on the corner of Main & Church Streets on Saturday March 16 from 7 am to 11 am, for an all-you-can-eat breakfast including pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, juice and coffee. Buy your tickets now from a Lions Club member and get $1 off. Contact Art Probst, 616-696-9340 or Seth Baker-Donnan, 616-696-9370 for ticket information. Proceeds to assist sight conservation. #6

Herpetology for Preschoolers

Feb. 18: Snakes, Turtles, Tortoises! Preschooler Day of learning about Herpetology. Children will get an up-close look and be able to watch, touch and feed our slithering pets. Monday February 18 from 9:30am – 12:30pm. Donation of $3.00 per child. Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Drive, Kent City. Pre-registration is NOT required, however registering is greatly appreciated. 616-675-3158. #5

Roast Pork Dinner

Feb. 20: The East Nelson United Methodist Church, 9024 – 18 Mile Rd., will be serving a roast pork dinner with cheesy potatoes, corn and strawberry shortcake for dessert on Wednesday, February 20 from 5pm – 7pm. The cost of the meal is by donation. Come join us! If you have any questions, please contact the church at 616-696-0661. #6,7p

Girls Rock Star Party

Feb. 23: The Cedar Springs Public Library is calling all girls grades 1-5 to ROCK on over to The Springs Free Methodist Church, 135 N. Grant Street from 10 to 11:15am on Saturday, February 23, to lip-sync, dance, write lyrical poems, make microphones, and get your hair sprayed! Wear your best glitter, shiny, fuzzy, funky stuff to have the time of your young life! Parents welcome. RSVP by calling the Library at 616-696-1910 or stop by 43 W. Cherry Street. #6

Daddy daughter dance

Feb. 2: The 9th Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, at Cedar Springs Middle School. Doors open at 6:15pm and dance begins at 7. Tickets must be pre-purchased. Cost for a couple is $15, for a group of three is $18, and a group of four or more $20. Tickets on sale at Cedar Springs Public Schools district office (Hilltop) from 8am-4pm Thursday and Friday, and at Cedar Springs Middle School from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday.

Rockford Rebels 12u Tryouts

Feb. 2: The Rockford Rebels 12u baseball team will be holding a tryout for remaining roster positions on the 2013 travel baseball team. Tryouts will be Saturday, February 2 at 3pm at the Rebels Training Facility located at 9330 Belding Rd., Rockford. To register and for more information, contact Micah Braman at 616-232-8422 or email: braman1mj@cmich.edu. #4,5p

Archery at Red Flannel Rod & Gun Club

Feb. 7: Come to the Red Flannel Rod & Gun Club on Thursdays starting February 7 through March 28 at 7pm. 7463 – 18 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs. #5,6p

Help Promote Literacy!

Feb. 7: The Literacy Center of West Michigan, 1120 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 240, Grand Rapids, has scheduled an information session on Thursday, February 7 for prospective volunteer tutors. This session is held at 6:30pm and lasts one hour. It allows interested persons in becoming volunteer tutors to find out more about the Center and its literacy programs. At the end of the session, there will be an opportunity to sign up for tutor training. Please call us at 616-459-5151 (ex. 10) to register. #5

Winterfest

Feb. 8-9: The Sand Lake Winterfest will take place on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9. Pinewood derby, ice skating in the park, ice fishing contest, outhouse race, snowman contest, hot dog eating contest and more. For a full schedule of events please visit www.sandlakechamberofcommerce.com. #5

Lost on the Lady Elgin

Feb. 11: Valerie van Heest, award-wining author and member of the Women Diver’s Hall of Fame, discusses the Lake Michigan sinking of the Lady Elgin in 1860. Monday, February 11 at 6:30 pm. Sand Lake/ Nelson Township KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St. #5

Spring 2013 Soccer Registration

Feb. 12: Spring 2013 Soccer Registration for American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is Feb. 12, 14 and 20 at Beach Elementary School on the Campus of Cedar Springs Public Schools, 204 E. Muskegon from 6pm – 8pm each day. Cost for the Spring Session is $60 per child with a $5 discount per child for families registering 3 or more players. Players must be at least 4 years of age as of April 8, 2013. A birth certificate is required for age verification of first time registrants. Please complete online application at www.eayso.org – print two copies and take advantage of our Express Lane! These will be the final registration dates for the Spring Season. Please tell your friends and neighbors. If you have questions please contact the AYSO Hotline at 616-696-7349, or visit us at www.ayso902.org. #5,6,7b

Valentine Candlelight Snowshoe Walk

Feb. 14: Bring your Sweetheart out (People of all ages and abilities are welcome to enjoy the candlelit trails). The walk is 2 miles and suitable for beginner-level snowshoers and hikers. Walk will be lead by a naturalist. After the walk, enjoy hot chocolate, coffee and cookies by our fireside “Smooches”. Thursday, February 14th from 6-9pm. Donation of $5 per person, snowshoes included. Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Drive, Kent City. Pre-registration is NOT required, however registering is greatly appreciated. 616-675-3158. #5

Valentines Dinner

Feb. 14: Members, bring in your friends to this special dinner and music. Tri-County Eagles in Sand Lake, Thursday, February 14th. Dinner from 4 – 8pm, Rib Eye steak, potato, garlic toast and salad bar, $11.75. Entertainment from 8 – 11pm by Rhythm Masters, Clint Gitchel & Jerry Roberts starting. #4-6p

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and you only have until Monday, February 4, to get your entry in to our best lips contest! As always, we want to know who has the most luscious lips in Cedar Springs—male or female. We’re going to let YOU—the readers—decide who wins! We will print the finalists in our paper next Thursday, February 7. Then readers will go online to our website to vote for who they think should win. Winners will be announced in our February 14 edition. See details on page 6.

Best Lips Contest 2013

A Michigan State trooper pulled a car over about 2 miles north of the Michigan/Indiana State line. When the trooper asked the driver why he was speeding, the driver said he was a Magician and Juggler and was on his way to Ft. Wayne, IN to do a show at the Circus. He didn’t want to be late.

The trooper told the driver he was fascinated by juggling and said if the driver would do a little juggling for him then he wouldn’t give him a ticket. He told the trooper he had sent his equipment ahead and didn’t have anything to juggle. The trooper said he had some flares in the trunk and asked if he could juggle them. The juggler said he could, so the trooper got 5 flares, lit them and handed them to him.

While the man was juggling, a car pulled in behind the patrol car. A drunk got out, watched the performance, then staggered over to the patrol car, opened the rear door and got in. The trooper saw him and went over and asked the drunk what he thought he was doing.

The man laughed and said, “You might as well take my butt to jail, cause there ain’t no way I can pass that test!”