Charlie and Kathy Prahl took daughter Katia and friend Maddi to visit Aunt Karen Shafer in Sun Lakes, Arizona over Spring Break. Kathy’s parents, Dave and Diane Taghon, joined them there and a great time was had by all. The four also went to Sedona and took the Pink Jeep Tour, spent time at the Grand Canyon, Jerome, Superstition Mountain, Canyon Lake and took the Verde Canyon Train Ride. No Spring Break is complete without The Cedar Post! 

Thank you to the Prahl family for taking us with you!

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!

September 5 – 1st Day for Students

September 15 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

September 29 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

October 13 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

October 27 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

November 3 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

November 3 – End of Quarter 1

November 17 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

November  21 – End of Trimester 1

November 22 – No School for Students and Staff

November 23-24 – Thanksgiving Break

November 27 – No School for Students

December 15 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

Dec 25 – Jan 5 – Winter Break

January 12 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

January 19 – End of Quarter 2; End of Semester 1

January 26 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

February 2 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

February 16 – No School for Students

February 19-20 – Mid-Winter Break

March 9 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

March 9 – End of Trimester 2

March 23 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

March 23 – End of Quarter 3

March 30 – No School for Students and Staff

April 2 – April 6 – Spring Break

April 13 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

April 27 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

May 11 – Student Early Release Day (2 hrs)

May 25 – No School for Students and Staff

May 28 – Memorial Day Break

June 6 – Last Day for Students

June 6 – End of Semester 2; Trimester 3

June 8, 11, 12, 13, 14 – Snow Day Make Up if needed

Kathy and Katia Corwin took the Cedar Post and spent spring break with Dave and Diane Taghon visiting relatives in Ohio, celebrating Katia’s 16th Birthday, and touring the National Air Force Aviation Museum. They then traveled to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, Keeneland Horse Race Track, and Kentucky Horse Park. The vacation ended with them enjoying The Ark Encounter and The Creation Museum, also in Kentucky.

It sounds like you had a great time! Thanks so much for taking us with you!

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!

Chris and Kelly Moleski, along with boys Jaydon, Carter, and Elliot, traveled to Arizona for Spring Break. They took two special visitors with them—The Cedar Post and “Flat Gran.” While the Post seems to have ventured to Arizona many times recently (as chronicled in recent issues), this was a first for Flat Gran.  Their great-grandmother, Florence Eylander, had dreamed of visiting the Grand Canyon. She was surprised to find that a Flat Stanley version of her was accompanying the family on their trip. Florence was delighted by the daily emails and pictures she received that documented her adventures throughout the beautiful state of Arizona, including climbing to the summit of Camelback Mountain; hiking and climbing the beautiful red rocks of Sedona; visiting Slide Rock State Park; exploring a cave in Flagstaff; taking in an Arizona Coyote and an Arizona Diamondbacks/Cubs game (Go Cubs!); and visiting the Grand Canyon.

Wow! It sounds like both Flat Gran and the rest of the Moleski family had a great time! Thanks so much for taking us with you!

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!

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.

Fish Fry

Mar. 18: Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church, 10295 Myers Lake Ave., is hosting a Fish Fry on Friday, March 18^th from 4:30 to 7 pm. Battered fried fish, baked potato or fresh-cut French fries, cole slaw, coffee and punch, dessert. 3 pieces – $9, 2 pieces – $7, 1 piece – $5. Eat in or carry out. 616-866-4298. #10,11p

Annual En Gedi Auction

Mar. 18: Come Be Refreshed! Friday, March 18^th with the High School cafeteria doors opening at 6 pm. This year’s event has many great items for you to choose from to include furniture, MSU football and basketball tickets, private golf session by MSU Coach Casey Lubahn, hotel stays, fine dining certificates, tools, hand-made dolls, private wild turkey and pheasant hunts, clothing, wood pellets, puzzles, and much more!!!! With a $10 entry donation you can enjoy delicious appetizers while you browse the items on the silent and live auction table. All funds earned on this event will be matched by CS Manufacturing. En Gedi is a Christ-centered non-profit organization providing a FREE after school youth center, special high school and community events with a focus on building family. Donations of services or products (all are appreciated are greatly needed. Contact Sue Wolfe at 696-2246 or SueQ@hughes.net for tickets or for donation pick-ups. #10,11p

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Mar. 19: The Cedar Springs Lions Club’s Pancake Breakfast will be held this Saturday on March 19^th from 7 – 11 am at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, on the corner of Main and Church. Adults $8 and Family $25. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, juice, coffee. All you can eat. The next planned date is April 16^th. Proceeds to assist sight conservation. #11

Mom2Mom Sale

Mar. 19: The Resurrection Lutheran Church, 180 S. Third St., Sand Lake is hosting a Mom2Mom sale on Saturday, March 19^th from 9 am to 1 pm. For questions regarding the sale, please contact Nichole at 616-263-9662. #10,11p

Annual Church Garage Sale

Mar. 19: Rockford Reformed Church, 4890 – 11 Mile Rd., Rockford, will be hosting their Annual Church Garage Sale on Saturday, March 19^th from 9 am to 3 pm. Proceeds will go towards the youth ministries summer trips. For more information, call Deb Coon at 616-866-4829. #11p

Roast Beef Dinner

Mar. 20: The Rockford American Legion Post 102 on the corner of Northland Dr. and Rockford Park Dr. (330 Rockford Park Dr.), will be hosting a roast beef dinner on Sunday March 20^th and every 3^rd Sunday of each month. Open to the public. We will be serving roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, coleslaw, rolls, dessert, coffee and punch. Reasonably priced at $9 for adults, kids age 4 to 12 for $7 and under 4 years are free. Serving from 11am to 3 pm. See ya there and bring the family! #10,11p

Dinner at the Legion

Mar. 21: American Legion, 80 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a roast beef and onion dinner on Monday, March 21^st, from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes, veggies, roll, drink and dessert. The cost is $9 for adults, children (15 and younger) $4.00. Come and enjoy home cooking. Take out is available. 616-696-9160.  #11p

Good Friday Walk and Remember 

Mar. 25: Walk to each of the Sand Lake Village Churches and listen to the thoughts of characters that experienced the crucifixion first hand. Friday, March 25^th from noon to 1:30 pm. Our walk begins at Resurrection Lutheran Church (just south of town on Northland Dr.), with stops at the Full Gospel Church, Downtown Pavilion, Mary Queen of Apostles, and the United Methodist Church. Transportation will be provided back to the Lutheran Church. Children and families are encouraged to join us. #10-12p

Easter Egg-Stravaganza

Mar. 26: An Easter Egg-Stravaganza, a celebration for children will be held on Saturday, March 26^th from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Solon Center Wesleyan Church. All children 10 years and under are invited to attend. There’ll be games, an Easter Egg hunt, and a special Easter presentation. Two bicycles will be given away as grand prizes! For more information go to: scwchurch.com or call the church office  at 616-696-3229. The church is located at 15671 Algoma Ave., just north of 19 Mile Rd. All welcome! #11,12p

Learn to Play the Ukulele

Mar. 30: During this hour and a half workshop you will learn the basics of playing the Ukulele. This fun and relaxed program will teach you the basic chords, rhythm and strumming you’ll need to play a few songs by the end of the workshop. Our instructor, Dean Wiers-Windemuller of Southtown Guitar will lead the hands-on workshop. Players of all levels are welcome and no prior experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required. For teens grades 6-12. Wednesday, March 30^th at 3:30 pm at the Nelson Township/Sand Lake KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St., 616-636-4251. #11

HCNC’s Spring Break Day Camp

Apr. 4: Spring Break 2016 is right around the corner! Howard Christensen Nature Center’s Spring Day Camp begins on April 4^th and runs the entire week. Crafts, exploring the property, and getting up close  and personal with animals only begins to scratch the surface of this fun filled week! Registration is now open. HCNC is located at 16160 Red Pine Dr., Kent City, 616-675-3158. www.howardchristiansen.org. #11

Spring break is the time of the year when many in West Michigan choose to travel and make memories with their friends, families, or loved ones. Unfortunately, this year, many of the foreign destinations favored by sun seekers are also those areas that are affected by the Zika virus. Because of the potential link between Zika and birth defects, the Kent County Health Department is urging pregnant women in any trimester to reconsider travel to those areas. Anyone travelling to an affected area is urged to take precautions against mosquito bites.

The Zika virus is spread primarily by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The disease has not been found in mosquitoes in the United States, but has been found in Puerto Rico, Mexico and much of Central and South America. (SEE MAP). The most common symptoms of Zika are mild and may include a fever, rash, joint pain and red itchy eyes. These symptoms usually last just a few days. The virus can also be spread sexually from infected men. Most people who get the virus will never experience any symptoms. Currently, no vaccine or cure exists for the Zika virus.

“For people who are travelling in those areas, avoiding mosquito bites is the best prevention against this virus,” said Adam London, Administrative Health Officer with the Kent County Health Department. “We encourage women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to consider postponing their trips out of an abundance of caution. Anyone who has travelled to one of these areas and experiences symptoms either while on the trip or within about a week of being home should contact their doctor.”

The CDC recommends using mosquito repellants that contain DEET or other EPA approved repellants. Use only as directed and reapply often. Dress in long, loose and light colored clothes while outside, especially during the day. The mosquito that spreads Zika is an aggressive day biter. Travelers going to an affected area can further protect themselves by choosing lodging with air conditioning or screens to keep mosquitoes out and by staying indoors during daylight hours.

More Information about Zika is available by going to https://accesskent.com/Health/CommDisease/zika.htm

Spring Break April 3 through April 10.  Students return April 13.

March 13, 2015: Student Early Release Day

March 20, 2015: End of 3^rd quarter (6-12 grades)

March 27, 2015: Student Early Release Day

April 3 – April 10, 2015: Spring Break – No School for

Students

April 13, 2015: Students return from Spring Break