Residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans visited the American Legion in Cedar Springs.

Shown presenting a check in the amount of $200.00 to the Vet’s Home is Post Commander Bill Yuncker.

The American Legion in Cedar Springs was host to residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans on September 17, 2016.

While at the American Legion, the veterans were treated to a Swiss steak lunch, and then played many games of bingo with prizes.

The Glen Hill Post 287 Family has been holding this event for the veterans for many years. This is one of the activities that Post 287 takes pride and enjoyment in sponsoring. In late July, Post 287 provided an activity tent with prizes for the veterans and their family members at the annual Veteran’s Carnival at the Home for Veterans.

It was a beautiful July 4^th weekend, and people in the Cedar Springs, Sand Lake, and surrounding areas made the weekend count! We asked readers on our Facebook page to send us photos of what they did over the holiday and we got a great response. You went to the parade, carnival, and demolition derby in Sand Lake; boating; camping; horseback riding; the beach; played badminton; spent time with family and friends; and more!

Independence Day is a time to celebrate our freedom and Sand Lake has all the activities and events for a fun filled family weekend. Starting Thursday, June 30th through Monday, July 4th, 2016 come out and enjoy some of the great events including the Firemen’s Parade of Lights, Kiddies Day “The Spirit of Freedom” with Kids parade and activities, book sales, carnival rides, live music, die cast car races, a greased pig contest, antique car and tractor show, Grand Parade, demolition derby, bingo, FIREWORKS and MORE…

Download the Sand Lake 4th of July Celebration schedule below…

SandLake4thCelebration.pdf

Free ice cream is always a hit at the opening of the Cedar Springs Public Library’s summer reading program. This little guy is enjoying his ice cream at last year’s opening day. Post photo by J. Reed.

Whether you are young or old, a parent or a grandparent, aunt, uncle or no relation at all…it’s time to get out to the Cedar Springs Public Library and get everyone signed up for this year’s annual Summer Reading Program! This year’s theme is “On your mark, get set, READ!” with a fitness and nutrition focus. A multitude of programs are scheduled from June 13 (opening day) to July 27 (the super fit field day carnival).

Opening day is from 12-6 p.m. You can pick up your free reading log, a free themed book bag, check out books, cool down with free ice cream, pet farm animals, and buys some used books from the Friends of the Library book sale.

The summer reading program includes events for every age group, babies to seniors, and every Wednesday there is a family program, with exciting presenters, starting on Wednesday, June 15, with the Flying Aces professional Frisbee team at 4 p.m. at Cedar Springs Middle School. Most other Wednesday programs are at 2 p.m. but check calendar for exact details on locations and times. They include Kalamazoo Nature Center, Our Amazing Universe, Hula Fit, Wolverine Skyhawks, Shake Rattle and Roll, and the grand finale super fit field day carnival.

Please check out calendar for days and times of other programs specifically for preschool, tweens, teens and adults.
From start to finish, you will want to participate all summer. Every week there will be special coupon prizes for our readers through 12th grade, such as free ice cream and other goodies for turning in your reading log, and you’ll also earn entries for bigger prizes given away at the end. Door prizes will also be given away at programs.

For more info on the summer reading program, visit the library’s website at http://cedarspringslibrary.org/news/summer-reading-program-2016/ and download the complete brochure, or call 696-1910.

God wants a relationship with you. Take time to worship at one of the following churches during Holy Week next week and let God prepare your heart to celebrate the joy of Easter!

CEDAR SPRINGS

Passion of the Christ movie showing

March 20: The Knights of Columbus are presenting the movie “The Passion of the Christ” on Palm Sunday, March 20, at the Cedar Springs High School auditorium, 204 E. Muskegon. Doors open at 1 p.m. Donation $2.00. Rated R for sequences of graphic violence.

Community Good Friday Service 

March 25: You are invited to join together in worship with the churches of Cedar Springs for our community Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, at The Springs Church, where we will remember and mark the death and crucifixion of Jesus. Childcare is provided for birth through 5th grade by Pine Ridge Bible Camp. The church is located at 135 N. Grant Street, Cedar Springs. This program is being sponsored by the Cedar Springs Ministerial Association.

Calvary Assembly of God

Meeting in Red Hawk Elementary—Cedar Springs Public Schools campus.

March 27: Easter service at 10:30 a.m.

Cedar Springs United Methodist 

140 S. Main St., Cedar Springs, MI 49319

March 24: Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 p.m.

March 27: Easter Sunrise Service 8:00 a.m.

Easter Breakfast at 9:00 a.m.

Easter Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.

East Nelson United Methodist Church

9024 18 Mile Rd. NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319

March 27: Easter morning worship at 9:30 a.m.

Easter Brunch to follow worship.

First Baptist Church

233 S. Main Street, Cedar Springs, MI 49319

March 25:  Good Friday Service at 7 p.m.

March 27:  Easter Sonrise Service at 9 a.m.

Easter Worship at 10:45 a.m.

Hillcrest Community Church

5994 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs, MI

March 27: Easter Sonrise service 9 a.m.

Easter breakfast following Sonrise service.

Easter worship at 10:45 a.m.

Pilgrim Bible

West Pine Street, Cedar Springs, MI

March 27: Easter morning worship 10:45 a.m.

Pioneer Christian Reformed Church

3592 17 Mile RD NE, (next to Meijer), Cedar Springs

March 27: Easter Sunday Service, 10 a.m.

Solon Center Wesleyan Church

15671 Algoma Ave, Cedar Springs, MI

March 26: Saturday Easter Eggstravaganza, Egg hunt and more 1-2:30 p.m.

March 27: Easter morning worship Services, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.

St. John Paul II Catholic Church 

3110 17 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs, MI

March 24: Thursday, 7 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

March 25: Good Friday, noon, The Passion of the Lord.

March 26: 8 p.m., Holy Saturday Easter Vigil.

The Springs Church

35 N. Grant St., Cedar Springs (Corner of Oak & Grant)

www.thespringschurch.info

March 25: Community Good Friday Service 6:30 p.m.

March 27: Easter Celebration Services 9:45 and 11:15 a.m.

ROCKFORD

Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church

10295 Myers Lake Ave., Rockford (just north of 12 Mile)

March 24: Maundy Thursday Breakfast & Communion 9:30 a.m.

March 26: Saturday Easter Eggstravaganza egg hunt and more noon to 1:30 p.m.

March 27: Easter morning worship at 10 a.m.

Grace Evangelical Free

4714 13 Mile Rd, Rockford, MI 49341

www.gracerockford.com

March 26: Easter Carnival from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

March 27: Worship Services at 9 and 11 a.m.

Holy Spirit Episcopal Church

1200 Post Dr. NE, Belmont (at the corner of Post and Pine Island drives)

March 20:  Palm Sunday Worship and Eucharist 10 a.m.

March 24:  Maundy Thursday Worship and Eucharist 7 p.m.

March 25:  Stations of the Cross at noon.

March 27:  Easter Sunday Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Worship and Eucharist at 10 am.

Rockford Springs Community Church

March 24: Maundy Thursday 7:00pm

March 27: Easter Morning Worship 9:30am

SAND LAKE

Community Good Friday service

March 25: Good Friday Walk and Remember Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Walk begins at Resurrection Lutheran (180 S. 3^rd Street) and ends at Sand Lake United Methodist (65 W Maple St. Sand Lake (NW corner of the park).

Church of the Full Gospel

East Lake St, Sand Lake (Corner of E Lake and 1^st St)

March 27: Easter Service at 11 a.m.

Huggard Bible Church

8860 21 Mile Rd, Sand Lake

March 27: Sun Rise Breakfast 7:45 a.m.

March 27: Extended Easter Service 9:30 a.m.

Resurrection Lutheran Church

180 S. 3rd Street (Northland Dr.) Sand Lake, MI

March 20: Palm Sunday Service 9:30 a.m., Egg hunt for children to follow

March 25: Good Friday Service 7:00 p.m.

March 27: Easter Breakfast 8:00 a.m.

Worship Service 9:30 a.m.

Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic Church

1 W. Maple  Sand Lake, MI

March 25:  Good Friday 6:30 Evening Prayer and Stations of the Cross. (Especially for those who could not attend the Passion of the Lord Liturgy earlier in the day.)

March 27: Easter Sunday Morning masses at 7:30 a.m. and 9 :30 a.m.

Easter Egg Hunt after 9:30 Mass for children thru the 5th grade.

Sand Lake United Methodist Church

65 W Maple St. Sand Lake (NW corner of the park)

March 25: Good Friday Walk and Remember 12noon to 1:30p.m.

(Walk begins at Resurrection Lutheran and ends at Sand Lake United Methodist)

March 27: Easter Sonrise Service 8 a.m. with free breakfast to follow.

South Ensley United Methodist

13600 Cypress, Sand Lake (Corner of Cypress and 136^th St)

March 24: Thursday Seder (Passover) Service 6 p.m.

March 27: Easter Sunday Service 10:55 a.m.

SPARTA

North Kent Community

1480 Indian Lakes Rd. NE, Sparta, MI

March 27: Easter service, 10 a.m.

By Dominic Merlington

The American Legion in Cedar Springs was host to residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans on September 7, 2013.

While at the American Legion, the veterans were treated to a nice lunch, and then played many games of bingo with prizes.

The Glen Hill Post 287 Family has been holding this event for the veterans for many years. This is one of the activities that Post 287 takes pride and enjoyment in sponsoring. In late July, Post 287 provided an activity tent with prizes for the veterans and their family members at the annual Veteran’s Carnival at the Home for Veterans.

About 180 local readers gathered on the grounds of the Cedar Springs Library on Wednesday, August 21, to celebrate reading and the end of the 20 programs just completed in the 6 weeks of the Library’s annual Summer Reading Program.

Spartan Stores/Family Fare sponsors the celebration each year, donating dozens of prizes, ice cream sandwiches, water, a couple of bicycles, and bringing in the fun—a water slide, music, a petting zoo and bouncy houses and games, all local vendors.

Adding to the fun was Independent Bank with the popcorn, ChoiceOne Bank with a bean bag toss, Pastor Craig Owens and Sue Wolfe with a basketball toss game, and the Cedar Springs Fire Chief, Marty Fraser, with his team of Fire Fighters and the beautiful, big red fire truck! Kids love fire trucks and firemen!

A big thanks to all who have taken part in the Library’s summer reading program. Please see the POST’s half-page ad the Library ran on August 1 to see the exhaustive list of local businesses, service organizations, churches, and individuals. This literacy outreach is supported by our entire community in a grand way. To see pictures of the Carnival, go to the Cedar Springs Public Library’s Facebook page.

It was a grand party in Sand Lake last week, for the town’s 144th annual Fourth of July Celebration. The celebration ran from Wednesday, July 3, through Sunday July 7. A Parade of Lights, honoring area firefighters and law enforcement officials kicked off the festivities Tuesday evening, July 2. People traveled from all over to attend the annual event, which included a midway with carnival rides and games, food, parades, music, fireworks and much more during the 5-day event.

Calling all K-8th graders to READ and celebrate their RED Flannel Heritage for 1-2 FREE Coupons to ride carnival rides (or get popcorn) by simply reading 3-6 hours before October 1. Reading logs available at the Red Flannel Town Library (Cedar Springs) or on the website: cedarsprings.llcoop.org. Print off a log, read, get it initialed by a parent or teacher and “cash it in” at the CS Library before Oct. 1 or at the CS Friends book sale on Red Flannel Day. Have you “RED” a good book lately?

Who knew reading could be so much fun?

The Cedar Springs Public Library ended its summer reading program Tuesday, July 26, with a carnival for all ages in Morley Park.  About 340 people enjoyed the petting zoo, inflatable water slide, bounce houses, games, face painting, music, popcorn, chips, ice cream sandwiches and drinks. The Cedar Springs Police paid a visit, and the Cedar Springs Fire Department was there to hose the kids down and keep them cool.

Karla Glerum, on staff for a year at the library, enjoyed her second summer reading program. “Our park party went very smoothly this year.  The water games were a lot of fun! I felt the carnival was a good ending to our reading program.”

Sharrel Bailey, on staff for seven months at the library, enjoyed her first summer reading program. “Seeing so many people in the park, celebrating our reading program, was very fun for me.  I saw the Police and Fire Department on hand and was especially impressed by the show of community support.”

Prizes were also given away. Ethan Eadie, grade 4 and Paige Marsman, grade 3, each won a bike.

The following kids each won a chance to win the big prizes offered Cooperative-wide: Thomas Metiva, 6th grade; Maddie Boomgaard, 3rd grade; Evie Nista, 1st grade; Hannah Reed, Kindergarten; Mumina Ciise, 7th grade. Prizes they could win include a trip to NYC for 4, including $500 in spending money and $500 for food; an overnight stay at Boyne Mountain Resort for 4, including passes to Avalanche Bay; an overnight stay for 4 at Double J Resort in Rothbury; a family 4 pack to the Cranbrooke Institute in Bloomfield Hills; a family membership to John Ball Zoo.

The library’s summer reading program had 1,297 participants this year, starting with opening day on June 13. They had 773 people sign up for the program, with 506 from ages 0 to 6th grade. Grades 7-12 and adults read a whopping 807 books, and there were over 100 prizes to give away. (Watch the August 18 Post for a special ad thanking volunteers and sponsors.)

“We could never have so many quality programs without the support of our local businesses, service organizations and individuals,” said Library Director Donna Clark. “This program is all about our community. We have tremendous support and an outpouring of cash, prizes, in-kind donations and volunteer time.  We are building our community together through our local library. It’s just heartwarming!”

By Judy Reed

A carnival worker died early Tuesday morning while folding down the Fire Ball, a ride at the Sand Lake Fourth of July celebration. Post photo by J. Reed.

The Fourth of July celebration in Sand Lake ended in tragedy early Tuesday morning when a carnival worker was electrocuted while taking down a ride.

According to Sand Lake Police Chief Ken Williams, the accident occurred about 3:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, while workers from McDonagh’s Amusements were folding up the Fire Ball, a tall circular ride that replaced the Ferris Wheel.

“The ride was set up in a safe location, and the public was never in any danger,” explained Williams, “but when folding it up, the arms swing out to the side and there was a power line nearby it came in contact with.”

One worker manned the controls, while another was on top of the ride, pushing away a power line with a wooden stick covered with electrical tape on one end. During that process, the man on top was electrocuted. “A witness said someone yelled to him to jump but it was too late,” said Williams.

The man caught on fire and fell 36 feet to the pavement. “It was a horrendous sight for those that saw it,” remarked Williams.

Sand Lake Police, Consumers Energy and MIOSHA at the scene of the accident Tuesday morning. Post photo by J. Reed.

Workers from Consumers Energy and MIOSHA were on scene this morning to try to determine what happened. Because the stick the worker used was not burned, they suggested that either the ride came into contact with the power line, or that the victim did. “It’s hard to tell how close you are to a power line when looking straight at it,” explained one Consumers Energy worker. “(After pushing the line away) it may have come back and hit him.”

The victim, identified as Steven McCann, 41, of Jackson, Michigan, was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:26 a.m. An autopsy will be done either today or tomorrow to determine whether he died from electrocution or from the fall.

McDonagh’s Amusements is based in Chesaning, Michigan.