CASE Exchange Student Programs would like to invite you to meet a very special person in 2012! Families in school districts across Michigan are invited to offer their hospitality to a high school age exchange student for the upcoming school year starting in late August.

According to Joann Cooper, the Program’s County Coordinator, families that volunteer early have the opportunity to begin communication with their student before arrival. This early bonding makes it easier for everyone to handle cultural obstacles once the student arrives. “Most of the students feel like they know their host families even before they arrive and are immediately ready to become a participating member of their new host homes – pitching in on everything from household chores to family discussions,” says Cooper.

In particular, the exchange program is seeking a host family for a 16-year-old girl from Vietnam and a 15- year-old boy from Spain. Both students have full medical insurance, pocket money for their personal needs & have expressed a true desire to learn about our American culture from the inside – while living with an American family. “Just imagine homecoming, sporting events, or even that first school bus ride as seen through the eyes of a foreign exchange student.”

Hosts provide room, board and a once in a lifetime opportunity for some lucky foreign teen to live and study in America for a school year. Host families with small or grown children, or no children at all, are eligible to host. A return exchange is not necessary

CASE is a non-profit organization, designated by the US State Dept and maintains full listing in the CSIET Advisory book. For more information call toll free 1 (877) 417-9675 and ask for Joann Cooper, or e-mail: joanncooper48@yahoo.com .

While wearing his lucky fish hat, Joshie Cooper, of Cedar Springs, landed a Master Angler 27-inch freshwater drum (sheepshead) of 12 pounds, while trolling the Muskegon Lake Channel on June 15.
Congratulations, Josh, you made the Post Catch of the Week!

Jalen Broussard of Grand Rapids, Dawson Wood, Trenton Cooper and Chase Kinzinger, all of Cedar Springs, won their second straight Gus Macker tournament, played in Belding on August 6 and 7.
Twelve teams were placed in their bracket. For the second straight time, they finished with a record of 5-0. They won three of their five games by less than three points, with one of their victories coming in sudden death overtime.

Dawson Wood, of Cedar Springs, Trenton Cooper, of Cedar Springs, Scott “Gus Macker” McNeil, Chase Kinzinger, of Cedar Springs, and Jalen Broussard, of Grand Rapids pose with their first place trophies after finishing the Gus Macker tournament in Greenville with a record of 5-0.

Thirteen teams vied for the championship July 16 and 17. A combination of balanced scoring and tenacious defense helped the Cedar team achieve an undefeated record in the 10 and under division. In the semi-final game, they beat a team by a score of 15-1 to advance to finals. There was no let up in the finals. They posed a 15-8 victory to win the tournament.

The team is going to play in Belding on August 6-7 to see if they can keep their winning streak alive.

Royal and Ruth Cooper

April 6, 1946
Sixty-five years of wedded life were observed April 6 by Royal “Pete” and Ruth (Joslin) Cooper. A family celebration will be held at a later date. Children of the Rockford couple are Kenneth and Debbie Cooper, Steve and Helen Smith, Donald Cooper, David and Joann Fowler, Nancy Sampsel and Dale Cooper. They have 13 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.