Coach Dave Andrus and Blake Peasley stepping off the mat after an undefeated season and becoming a 2014 State Champion.

Last weekend was the final tournament for the West Michigan Pursuit 2014 season, MYWA State Finals. WMP took 15 grapplers to compete and five brought home a coveted All State Title. There were 265 teams and over 2,500 grapplers competing.

“I think there is a time when every coach questions the effect they have on their athletes. It’s moments like these that solidify why we do what we do,” said Owner and Head Coach, Dave Andrus.
Jayden Marcano-Cruz wrestled in the 4/5/6 age group in the 43 lb wt class. He battled six times with four ending in victory. Jayden had 31 kids in his bracket and finished out taking 7th place with a final record of 35-6.

Ty Whalen wrestled in the 11/12 age group in the 60 lb wt class. He had 13 kids in his bracket and finished out taking 6th place with a final record of 19-8.

Luke Egan wrestled in the 4/5/6 age group in the 49 lb wt class. He battled seven times with five ending in victory. Luke had 26 kids in his bracket and finished out taking 5th place with a final record of 55-7.

Brocke Fisher wrestled in the 11/12 age group in the 60 lb wt class. He battled four times with three ending in victory. Brocke had 13 kids in his bracket and finished out taking 3rd place with a final record of 19-7.

Blake Peasley wrestled in the 4/5/6 age group in the 58 lb wt class. Blake is our only West Michigan Pursuit grappler who remained undefeated the entire season. He had 25 kids in his bracket. Going into the Championship match, Blake took on Da’Quavon White from the East Region, who also had an undefeated season. The stakes were high on both sides. During the third period, the score was tied 5-5, and, with three seconds left on the clock, Blake got the last take down, with a final score of 7-5. Blake is a second year wrestler who finished out his season with a record of 33-0. He is our first MYWA State Champion! Congratulations Blake on such a huge accomplishment.
We also had Hannah Pienton who competed in the MYWA All-Girls State Championship. This is Hannah’s first year of wrestling and she joined the sport half way into the season. She battled in the 12 and under age group in the 85 lb wt class and finished in 4th place.

Olivia Male competed in the USAW Women’s Nationals. She competed in the 9/10 age group in the 70 lb wt class and finished in 6th place. What a great accomplishment to be recognized as top 6 in the nation. All of our wrestlers who stepped on the mat this weekend wrestled tough. You truly are The Pursuit of Champions!

Music is back for this year’s Founders Day, along with several other events.

Put on your long underwear and head out to the second annual Founders Day weekend, Friday and Saturday, March 28 and 29. The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce invites young and old alike to come out and help celebrate this special event.

The event kicks off Friday with a new addition—a children’s street fair from 4-7 p.m. at the heated tent on the corner of Main and Ash Street. There will be music, a balloon man, face painting, storytelling, and a ventriloquist/magician. There will also be carnival games and other events going on during the entire three hours such as ring toss, beanbag toss, duck pond, bucket bonanza, crafts, a log cabin to play in, a real lumberjack, model trains, wooden train sets, and a petting zoo courtesy of Double K Farms and 4H.

Saturday has more in store. The Cedar Springs Public Library will host pioneer crafts and storytelling from 10 to 1 p.m. at the Library. The Cedar Springs Historical Museum will be open from 11 to 3 p.m., and host several different presentations at the museum as well.The Saturday evening free concert is back at the Ash Street tent from 4-10 p.m. and all ages are welcome. This year’s concert features the bands Signal Trip and the Youz Guys Band. Food will be available to purchase from The Grilling Company and will feature pulled pork, brisket, and sides. Beer (including a local craft beer) and hard ciders will also be available to purchase. See ad on page 5 for details.

The owner of The Cedar Springs Post, Lois Allen, has been publishing the “small town” newspaper with stories and information relevant to families in the northern Kent County area for over twenty years.

Starting publication in the late 1980s, Allen is hoping to get a well-deserved rest from the newspaper business. “I could use a vacation,” said Allen. “I haven’t had one in 25 years.”

She continued, “I set out to create the best local newspaper I could, and I think I’ve done that. The Post is great. I think it’s the perfect reflection of the community spirit here and I’m proud to be a part of it,” said Allen.

But now after decades of working to keep the struggling newspaper going, she is considering her options. “I’ve tried to get in contact with Warren Buffett to see if he’s interested in adding to his collection,” Allen explained. “I’d like to retire with about a million or so, but his people told me not to call back.” With no millionaires knocking down the door, Allen has even considered possibly closing The Post. She continued, “But then I thought, why not raffle it?”

According to Allen, the holder of the winning raffle ticket would “win” the newspaper. “Just think. You’d have your very own newspaper! You could put yourself on the front page every week. Or you could oust your neighbor for letting their dog crap in your yard. Think of the power you would hold!”

“You could say, ‘Stop the presses!’ every single day!” said Allen.

Readers or non-readers of The Post are eligible to enter and get their once in a lifetime chance at winning a real newspaper. And, as Allen says, there aren’t that many left. “They’re practically a collector’s item for the rich and famous.”

For just $10 a ticket, anyone can have a good shot at being a big shot in a small town. You could call Donald Trump and offer to “Do lunch.” And, unlike the lottery, the odds are very good at winning. Almost as good as hitting a pothole on your way to work.

Although the newspaper would be “free” to the winner, keeping it would not. According to Allen, the new publisher would be responsible for the operating funds needed to keep the weekly paper going once they took possession. She explained, “You’ll need money for stuff like, you know, rent, payroll, postage, printing five thousand copies weekly, the insurance, utilities, internet, office equipment, computer hardware and software, and stuff like that.”

“You might want to start with some serious operating cash,” she explained. “Or you can save a ton of money if you just do everything yourself.”

For a chance to enjoy ownership of a real newspaper and live the dream, that never, ever ends, look in The Post, April 1st issue for special details on, “I want to win a newspaper!”

Joan Maycroft and her daughter, Renee Sizemore, took the Post and went on a trip to visit Joan’s mother in Pasco, Washington, in January. Pasco is located in the southeast part of Washington, in what is known as the Tri-Cities area—it includes Pasco, Richland and Kennewick.

“They are located at the spot where the Snake River and the mighty Columbia Rivers converge, an area rich in agriculture and fishing,” explained Maycroft.

She said her daughter wanted to see the mountains, which they saw plenty of when they took a road trip along the Columbia River in Oregon, where they were able to see Mount Hood and Mount Baker.

Thanks for taking us with you, Joan!

Are you going on vacation? Take the Post with you and snap some photos. Then send them to us with some info to news@cedarspringspost.com or mail them to Post travels, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. We will be looking for yours!

Meredith Lange of the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan presented Lauren Bostic with the Educator of the Year Award.

The CTA team of teachers supporting the kindergarten class and two students with Down syndrome. (L to R) Sarah Classen, special education teacher; Lauren Bostic, kindergarten teacher and award recipient; Grace Middlebrook, student; Adyson Merritt, student; Susan VanEnk, teacher aide.

In recognition of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) recognized and honor Lauren Bostic, kindergarten teacher at Creative Technologies Academy (CTA) in Cedar Springs, with West Michigan’s Educator of the Year Award.

“We are thrilled to present this award to Lauren. Her commitment to serving the needs of her students is exemplified both in and out of the classroom, said Executive Director of DSAWM, Melissa Werkman. “Focused on recognizing teachers who include students with Down syndrome in learning opportunities in classrooms with typically developing peers, enhancing the lives of students through educational practices and serving as role models for their fellow educators, this award was initiated to bring attention to the many teachers in our service area, such as Lauren, who work tirelessly every day to improve the learning environment for students with special needs.”

Katie Merritt, whose seven-year-old daughter, Adyson, has Down syndrome and has been in Lauren’s class for two years, nominated Bostic. In her nomination, she shared that Bostic takes the time to learn methods that the different therapists are using and incorporates those for her entire class to use. For instance, her students do not always stand in a straight line and walk to their destination, but instead, they incorporate various gross motor skills and walk like a bear or a crab in order to use different muscles and complement what the therapists are doing. Merritt also noted the extra attention Lauren invested during the summer by continuing to meet with Adyson on a regular basis.

“We all know our children hold amazing potential, but without the help of great teachers and staff, that potential can never be achieved. We are so thankful for everything that Miss Bostic, Mrs. VanEnk and all the staff at CTA have done to support our children,” commented Merritt.

CTA held a presentation on March 21 for its kindergarten through eighth grade students to recognize Lauren and also to bring awareness to Down syndrome.

“Miss Bostic has been a dedicated teacher at Creative Technologies Academy since 2008. Her compassion and skills in working with young children are phenomenal,” said Dan George, CTA Superintendent. “She has a wonderful ability to work with students with special needs and she is devoted to helping her students succeed to their maximum ability.”

On Saturday, March 15 and Sunday March 16, MYWAY Wrestling Western Region held Regional Finals at Kenowa Hills High School. Wrestlers have spent the last four months competing in preparation for the tournament. Competition was fierce as the top wrestlers in the western region came to compete to place top four in their weight classes in order to qualify for the MYWAY State Finals. Twenty three Cedar Springs Youth Wrestlers went to regionals and seventeen of those qualified for State Finals, four whom where Champions!

2014 Western Region Champions are Veronica Tapia at 37lb in the 5/6 age group, Keaton Klaasen at 52lb in the 7/8 age group, Landon Demorest at 47lb in the 9/10 age group, and Ryan Ringler at 158lb in the 11/12 age group.

Second place finishers were Pistachio Gonzales at 58lb in the 5/6 age group, Tommy Stevens at 58lb in the 7/8 age group, Trevor Marsman at 63lb in the 9/10 age group, and Jordan Ringler at 106lb in the 99-98 High School division.

Third place finishers Aiden Bouwens at 100lb in the 9/10 age group, Logan Hull at 85lb in the 11/12 age group and Samuel Couturier at 112lb in the 11/12 age group.

Rounding out the state qualifiers in fourth place were Caleigh Wood at 37lb in the 5/6 age group and Gage Gardner at 145 in the 13-15 age group.

Reese and Tacho Gonzales both fell one win short of qualifying by taking fifth place in their weight classes.

Cedar Springs will also be sending four girls to the MYWAY Girls State Championships,which will be held in conjunction with regular state finals. Allexis, Reese, Cora, and Zoe Gonzales will all be competing in the girls only tournament.

MYWAY State Finals will be held this weekend at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, MI from Friday, March 28 until March Sunday, March 30. Anyone wanting to come out and watch the best wrestling in the state of Michigan can get the full schedule at www.mywaywrestling.com.

Cedar Springs youth wrestlers and coaches would like to thank the Post and its readers for their support by printing and reading the wrestling results each week. It has been a great season, with many more to come.

(BPT) – Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S., and 7 million do not even know they have it. An additional 79 million, or one in three American adults, have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

For 26 years, the American Diabetes Association has set aside one special day for people to learn their risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Held on the fourth Tuesday of every March, American Diabetes Association Alert Day (R) is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test. This year’s Alert Day will be March 25. The Association will also be encouraging the public to start living a healthy and active lifestyle by asking them to join a Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes (R)event in their area.-

The Diabetes Risk-Test-asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history, and other potential risk factors for-prediabetes-or-type 2 diabetes. Preventive tips are provided for everyone who takes the test. For every Diabetes Risk Test taken, Boar’s Head Brand(R)—a leading provider of premium delicatessen products—will donate $5 to the American Diabetes Association starting March 25 through April 25, 2014, up to $50,000.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include people who are overweight, are under active, over the age of 45 or who have a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are also at higher risk. Understanding your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, or getting an early diagnosis, is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

Carmen Micciche was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 31. By then, at 400 pounds, he’d been feeling the symptoms for about six years, yet he ignored them.

“I didn’t even know what diabetes was when I was diagnosed,” says Micciche, now 56.

Micciche, a Subway (R) restaurant franchise owner, was so focused on building a successful business he ignored his health and suffered through numerous gall bladder attacks before finally seeing a doctor. After checking his blood pressure and testing for diabetes, he was sent to the hospital.

Twenty year later, Micciche now weighs about 185 pounds and has brought his A1C (average blood glucose levels) down from a staggering 12 percent to just over 6 percent, which is close to the normal range. He finally learned, with daily exercise and healthy eating, what it takes to be healthy.

“Eat right, exercise, listen to your doctors,” he says. “You have to do everything you can to maintain a healthy weight. The consequences are too high if you don’t.”

Micciche has helped raise more than $1 million for the American Diabetes Association to help Stop Diabetes (R), placing donation boxes and selling pin-ups in each of his 30 Subway restaurants. He wants everyone to know that a type 2 diabetes diagnosis doesn’t have to end your life.

Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed by losing just 7 percent of body weight (such as 15 pounds if you weigh 200) through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating. By understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Be part of the movement to Stop Diabetes and take the Diabetes Risk Test by going to diabetes.org/risktest, the Association’s Facebook page where you can share the test with friends and loved ones, or by calling 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).

Bill (left) and Bob (right) Pollock are honorary grand marshals of this year’s Red Flannel Festival.

If there is a name other than Nina Babcock or Grace Hamilton that is closely associated with the original Red Flannel Day, it would have to be John (Jack) Pollock. He was the owner of the dry goods store that sold red flannels way back in 1936, when the writer at the New York Sun wrote that red flannels couldn’t be found anywhere. And so it would only be fitting that his two sons—William (Bill) and Bob Pollock—have been named honorary grand marshals for the 75th celebration.

Bill and Bob are the surviving sons of Jack and Ann Pollock, and grandsons of Pearl and William Pollock, the founders and operators of Pollock’s, The Original Red Flannel Store. Jack, Ann, and Pearl were all on the board of directors of the first Red Flannel Club, established in 1940. The directors of the club were chosen from those who were actively engaged in business in the community.

“This is such an important, historic year for the Festival, we wanted to honor the first families of the original Red Flannel Festival Board,” said Michele Tracy-Andres, Festival President.

Bill, Bob and their late older brother, John (Mac) grew up in Pollock’s Store.  In their house, Red Flannel Day was second only to Christmas. They helped build and rode on Red Flannel Day floats from the age of four. Bill and Bob have carried on that tradition by entering a Pollock’s float in the 2011 parade. They also recently purchased a license from Life Magazine to the full page color photo of their dad and a hundred school children dressed in red that appeared in Life Magazine on December 19, 1949. A framed copy of the photo was donated by Bill to the Cedar Springs Historical Society Museum in Morley Park where it is on display. Bill also narrated the “Under the Radar” television show for the RFF in 2012 and both are great advocates of the Festival.

Bill told the Post that they are thrilled to have this opportunity.

“The entire Pollock family is extremely grateful to the Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors for designating us as Honorary Grand Marshals. Bob and I humbly accept this honor on behalf of the Red Flannel pioneers that preceded us including our grandparents, William and Pearl, our parents, Jack and Ann, our aunt, June Allchin and her sons, Skip and Mike…not to mention the hundreds of Red Flannel Town residents who worked at Pollock’s Store over its 60 year history such as Don Koster, Lil Meyers, Libby Hanna, Clara Gust, Spud Ensing, and many, many more. We are eagerly looking forward to participating in the 75th Diamond Anniversary Festival.”

Bill graduated from Cedar Springs High School in 1963, the University of Notre Dame in 1967 and holds an MBA from the George Washington University.  He is a retired U.S Navy Captain and corporate vice president. He and his wife, Gisela, travel full-time in their motor home.

Bob attended Cedar Springs High School until he moved to Kalamazoo in 1966. He is a 1969 graduate of Monsignor Hackett High School where he lettered in football and tennis. Bob graduated from Western Michigan University in 1974. He is retired from a career in human resources and real estate/property management. He lives in Parchment, Michigan.

Music is back for this year’s Founders Day, along with several other events. Post photo by J. Reed.

March 28-29

Cedar Springs was officially recognized as a village 143 years ago, on March 18, 1871. And that’s something worth celebrating.

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce invites young and old alike to come out and help celebrate that special event with the second annual Founder’s Day weekend, March 28-29. There will be something for everyone!

The event kicks off Friday with a new addition—a children’s street fair from 4-7 p.m. at the tent on the corner of Main and Ash Streets. From 4 to 5:30 p.m. there will be music, a balloon man, and face painting; from 5:30 to 5:45 will be storytelling by Post editor Judy Reed; from 6 to 6:30 ventriloquist/magician Charles Mabie will entertain the kids. There will also be carnival games and other events going on during the entire three hours such as ring toss, beanbag toss, duck pond, bucket bonanza, crafts, a log cabin to play in, a real lumberjack, model trains, wooden train sets, and a petting zoo courtesy of Double K Farms and 4H.

Saturday has more in store. The Cedar Springs Public Library will host pioneer crafts and storytelling from 10 to 1 p.m. at the Library. The Cedar Springs Historical Museum will be open from 11 to 3 p.m., and host several different presentations at the museum as well.

The Saturday evening free concert is back at the Ash Street tent from 4-10 p.m. and all ages are welcome. This year’s concert features the bands Signal Trip and the Youz Guyz Band. Food will be available to purchase from The Grilling Company and will feature pulled pork, brisket, and sides. Beer (including a local craft beer) and hard ciders will also be available to purchase.

Chamber president Shawn Kiphart said that they called the future Cedar Springs Brewing Company first (a business coming to the area in the future) to see if they would be available to supply the beer, but they are not yet ready. “We look forward to using them at a future event,” he noted.

For questions about the event, call Kiphart at (616) 773-5126.

Woody and Jan Avis and Jerry and Betty VanderWal (holding the Post) in Lakeland, Florida.

Jerry and Betty VanderWal were vacationing in Lakeland, Florida during February and met up with Woody and Jan Avis, who spend their winters in Bowling Green, Florida. They spent a day watching the Detroit Tigers in spring baseball practice at Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Florida.

“We enjoyed watching them in a casual atmosphere and also the interaction of a few with us fans,” said Betty. “Before we returned to snow covered Cedar Springs, we attended the baseball game against the Atlanta Braves. Tigers won!”

Thanks so much to Jerry and Betty for taking us with you to Florida!

Are you going on vacation? Take the Post with you and snap some photos. Then send them to us with some info to news@cedarspringspost.com or mail them to Post travels, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. We will be looking for yours!