Tony and Janet Blackall, military veterans and the owners of Blackall Racing, recently shipped out their professional motorcycle racing teams #patrioticpackages to active duty military—packages that residents in Cedar Springs helped pack.

The couple had a booth in the Heart of Cedar Springs on October 3, when people celebrated what would have normally been Red Flannel Day.

“We collected 200 care packages over the course of our 2020 MotoAmerica racing series from numerous events, including Red Flannel in Cedar Springs, who packed 55 bags,” explained Janet. “Our team provided everything necessary to pack the care package and requested our fans to write a note or draw a picture to include in the care package.”

In the care packages are snacks (candy, gum, trail mix, granola bars) a handwritten note from a fan, a Blackall racing decal and a note from the Blackall team.

She said the packages shipped out to the activated Army National Guard Unit from Michigan, who is deployed overseas.

Janet said she is thankful for all the fans who helped pack the bags and their sponsors, who helped to make it possible.

On August 10, 2018, 11 Senior Neighbors Veterans arrived at the Sparta Miller Airport in Sparta, Michigan where they were given a Dream Flight by the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation based out of Carson City, Nevada. This would be the second summer that a group of veterans from Senior Neighbors would have the opportunity to fly in a 1942 Stearman Bi Plane.   

“We will continually apply for this opportunity in hopes that every senior veteran member who desires an open cockpit flight in a bi plane can experience this,” said Jane Ringler, coordinator at the Sparta Senior Neighbors. “It is a true highlight of the summer for these Veterans who have given so much to our country in service.”  

Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation is a non-profit organization established and dedicated to seniors and the United States military veterans who have always had a burning desire to soar like eagles.   

“President, founder and pilot, Darryl Fisher, flew all the way to Michigan from Nevada to offer these flights to our local vets. Darryl exemplifies the mission by his gratitude and generosity shown to the vets. Each received a hat signed by Darryl after the flight and a heartfelt thank you and handshake for their past service to our great country,” said Ringler.  “Darryl is a kind man with a volunteer’s heart.” 

Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation has awarded well over 2,000 dream flights all over the country since beginning in 2011.  The oldest vet to take flight was 102 years old.  

The 11 local veterans who received flights were Brian Smith, Air Force E4 Sgt 1975; Eileen Ross Army PFC 1975-76; Dick Burchett Army SP4 1959-61; Gilbert Meyer Navy Seaman 1956-58; Gordy Zielinski Army E5 1968-69; Karl Glass Air Force AIC 1956-60; Mike Mocklegust Navy E3 1976-77; Pat Stray Army Sgt E5 1966-68; Pete Noel Navy E5 1964-69; Stanley Smith Army USMC PFC 1971-1973; and WWII veteran Jim Hoogerhyde Navy S1/C 1943-1945.  

Sparta Senior Neighbors is actively planning other great opportunities for their senior members. Trips, game nights, and parties are scheduled monthly. In September, seniors will be taking flight again, but in a different way this time. First time sky divers will be parachuting from an airplane at over 10,000 feet with an experienced guide, tandem. If you’re a senior who has a dream of sky diving, please contact Jane Ringler from Senior Neighbors at 616-887-1273.  

Veterans preference drawings will take place on Nov. 11 or 12 for properly licensed resident active-duty U.S. military personnel and veterans. The following documentation, along with a valid Michigan driver’s license or voter registration card, will be accepted as proof of status: military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders, copy of DD Form 214, enhanced driver’s license or documentation from the Veterans Administration regarding disability status. If you were discharged from the Army or Air Force National Guard, you may provide a copy of NGB Form 22 or NGB Form 23.

To be eligible for the veterans preference draw, single hunters must be active-duty military personnel or veterans; party hunters must have at least one member in their party that is active-duty military or a veteran. The daily limits and species restrictions are the same as those allowed in the regular waterfowl hunting season. Participants must also possess a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp.

• Fish Point – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Harsens Island – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Muskegon County Wastewater – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Nayanquing Point – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Shiawassee River – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Pointe Mouillee – Nov. 12 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)

Questions?  Call 517-284-WILD (9453)

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.

American Legion Holiday Bazaar

Nov. 4: The American Legion Auxiliary is having their annual Holiday Bazaar on November 4^th from 9 am to 3 pm at the Cedar Springs Legion, 80 S. Main Street in Cedar Springs. Along with garage sale items and arts and crafts, we will also have a bake sale. #44

Sand Lake Lions Club Variety Sale

Nov. 4: The Sand Lake Lions Club will host a Variety Sale on Saturday, November 4^th from 9 am – 3 pm at the Sand Lake United Methodist Church ED building. Located on the corner of 6^th and Maple Streets. Antiques/Vintage collectibles and crafts, quality used clothing, miscellaneous items. #44

Dinner at the Legion

Nov. 6: American Legion, 80 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a Pork Chop dinner on Monday, November 6^th, from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes & gravy, veggies, stuffing, salad, roll, dessert and drink. The cost is $9 for adults, children (15 and younger) $4.00. Come and enjoy home cooking. Take out is available. 616-696-9160.  #44p

TOPS weight loss support group

Nov. 7: Need help getting through the holiday season? 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 weigh loss goals! Weigh-ins 8:15-9am, meeting starts at 9:15am. In case of inclement weather, meetings are cancelled if Tri-County or Cedar Springs schools are closed. Call Martha at 696-1039 for more information. #44

God’s Kitchen in Cedar Springs

Nov. 7,14,21,28: Join us for dinner every Tuesday. God’s Kitchen – Cedar Springs welcomes families from Northern Kent County and the surrounding area to a Tuesday Evening Meal. No charge – no registration required!  Served from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the St. John Paul II Parish, 3110 – 17 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs. For more information, call the Church office at 616-696-3904. #44

Help Promote Literacy

Nov. 8,17,21: The need is urgent at this time! The Literacy Center of West Michigan has scheduled  information sessions for prospective volunteer tutors. These sessions last one hour. It allows persons interested in becoming volunteer tutors to find out more about the Literacy Center and its programs. At the end of the session there will be a chance to sign up for tutor training. Sessions are Wednesday, November 8^th at 6 pm, Friday, November 17^th at 10 am and Tuesday, November 21^st at 2 pm. By training people to be tutors, the Center can offer one-on-one reading help to adults asking for assistance in reading or English as a Second Language (ESL). You do not need to speak another language to tutor ESL. The Literacy Center of West Michigan is located at 1120 Monroe Ave., NW, Suite 240, Grand Rapids. Please call 616-459-5151 (ext. 10) or email us at info@literacycenterwm.org to register. #44

Voters Not Politicians Educational Town Hall

Nov. 9: Voters Not Politicians Town Hall with an educational presentation to explain what is gerrymandering and the Voters Not Politicians proposal to end it plus an opportunity for registered voters to sign the petition to get the proposal on the ballot. The event will be held on November 9^th from 6 to 7 pm at the Cedar Springs Public Library, 107 Main St., Cedar Springs. Hosted by Voters Not Politicians, a non-partisan ballot committee seeking to put before voters a proposal to end gerrymandering in Michigan. The proposal would ask voters to amend the Michigan State Constitution to deny partisan politicians the ability to manipulate voting district boundaries to secure their own hold on power. It would instead give the authority for drawing those boundaries to an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. This event will help educate and gather signatures to support the petition drive to gather nearly 316,000 valid signatures needed to put the anti-gerrymander proposal on the 2018 ballot. #44

Library Book Sale

Nov. 9-11: The Friends of the Nelson Twp./Sand Lake Library is hosting a book sale on Thursday, November 9 and Friday, November 10^th from 10 to 6 pm and on Saturday, November 11^th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Resurrection Lutheran Church, 180 Northland Drive in Sand Lake. #44,45p

Solon Center Wesleyan Church Holiday Bazaar

Nov. 11:Do your Christmas shopping! Saturday, November 11th from 9 am–2 pm, delicious fresh baked goods, 100’s of hand crafted items, jewelry, and many other vendors. There’s definitely something for everyone! Rolls & coffee and a lunch counter are also available. The church is located @ 15671 Algoma Avenue, just north of 19 Mile Road. Come early, stay late! #43,44p

Cookie Walk at Holy Spirit Episcopal

Nov. 11: Holy Spirit Episcopal Church is holding its annual Cookie Walk and Christmas Delites sale on Saturday, November 11^th from 9 am to 3 pm. The church is located at 1200 Post Drive NE in Belmont (corner of Post and Pine Island drives, just off Exit 95 of US 131). Featuring our “world-famous” Cookie Walk – Come early for the best selection. There will also be baked goods, crafts, Santa’s Attic and a silent auction. The Christmas Delites sale is sponsored by the Holy Spirit’s Episcopal Women group and funds their support for various church activities, such as kitchen supplies, funeral refreshments, the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, the Explore & Soar Reading Club, and more. More information can be found on the church’s website: www.holyspiritbelmont.org. #44

Free Veterans Event in Sparta

Nov. 11: Join in the Sparta Community Celebration to Honor our Veterans! On November 11^th at the Sparta High School Auditorium, there will be a documentary film “The Unknowns” about the unique perspective to the rigorous and intricate training of the Sentinel Training Program soldiers must endure to be assigned duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Sparta’s Specialist 3^rd Class Don Bradford will narrate and share his story as Sparta’s only guard to have served at the Tomb. The event is at 2 to 4:30 pm (doors open at 1pm). The event is free. Present will also be Sparta’s Robert Shangle, LiveStatue. A color guard of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corp recruiters will present the colors. There will be displays inside and out including about the Sparta POW camp in 1944 For more information please see our website at: www.spartahistory.org. The Sparta Township Historical Commission. Following the event these Sparta restaurants are serving a Free dinner to all Veterans after 5 pm! – Cellar Brewery – Downtown Trini’s – Garden Patch – Big Joe’s. #44p

This photo shows Roger Allen walking the Avenue of Flags at Elmwood Cemetery in 2003. Photo by L. Allen.

Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor those that gave their lives while defending our country. It’s also a day to remember all those that have served and are now deceased. Inside this issue are the names of veterans buried in area cemeteries, and we honor them with this issue of The Cedar Springs Post, click here to download. If you know of a veteran’s name that is missing from the list, please let us know and we’ll add them for next year.

There will be several memorial activities and ceremonies taking place this weekend that residents are encouraged to take part in:

The Cedar Springs Historical Society will hold its 17^th annual Memorial Cemetery Walk on Sunday, May 28, at 2 p.m. to honor veterans of all wars. This year’s veterans will be Samuel Andrus, Civil War; Burton Smith, Spanish/American War; Leon Marsh, World War I; Neal Mackey, World War II; James Remington, Korean War; John Gardell, Vietnam War. Biographical and historical information will be presented at each gravesite. The Glen Hill Post of the American Legion honor guard will assist at the presentation. We will leave from the museum in Morley Park at 1:30 pm and return there for refreshments. In case of severe weather warnings we will cancel the event. In case of rain we will do the presentation in the museum.

The American Legion Glen Hill Post #287 in Cedar Springs will hold their annual Memorial Day program on Monday, May 29. They will be at Elmwood Cemetery at 9 a.m., Solon Cemetery at 10 a.m., East Nelson Cemetery at 10:45 a.m., and Veterans Memorial Park, (corner of Main and Oak in Cedar Springs) at 11:30 a.m. In case of bad weather, services will be held only in the American Legion Hall at 9 a.m. Lt/Col. Tom Noreen will be the speaker.

The Algoma Township Historical Society will hold Memorial Day services on Monday, May 29, at 1:00 p.m. at Algoma Township Memorial Park, located on the south end of the Algoma township cemetery on Grange Ave., south of 13 Mile Rd.) The service this year will honor Algoma Township’s WWI veterans, in memory of the 100-year anniversary. There will be music, readings, 21-gun salute and taps. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served by the Algoma Township Historical Society.

The Sand Lake/Cedar Springs Tri-Corner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7912 will have ceremonies on Monday, May 29. They will be at the VFW Post in Sand Lake at 10:30 a.m. and at Pierson Cemetery at 11 a.m. Rain or shine. The Tri County Band will also be at Pierson Cemetery.

The Sparta Township Historical Commission will hold their Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Lamoreaux Memorial Park, 150 Park St, in Sparta. The speaker will be Dwight Anderson, Sparta High School Class of 1970 and former SHS principal. The Sparta High School Band will perform under the direction of Jim Walsh. The Kent County Sheriff Color Guard will also be in attendance. There will be a dedication of the John Paul “Sharkey” Badgerow Memorial Bench. Immediately following the ceremony, the Michigan Memorial Wall will be displayed for the balance of the day.

POST SCRIPTS NOTICE: The Cedar Springs Post welcomes letters of up to 350 words. The subject should be relevant to local readers, and the editor reserves the right to reject letters or edit for clarity, length, good taste, accuracy, and liability concerns. All submissions MUST be accompanied by full name, mailing address and daytime phone number. We use this information to verify the letter’s authenticity. We do not print anonymous letters, or acknowledge letters we do not use. Writers are limited to one letter per month. Email to news@cedarspringspost.com, or send to Post Scripts, Cedar Springs Post, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.

That’s right folks, we hope that after much red tape, it looks like the red, white, and blue will be coming to live in good old Cedar Springs. One of our problems was a code that wanted two parking spaces for each of the residents. Problem solved by WEFA president Fred Cini. If they should own cars, they have written permission to park on the WEFA paved parking lot. And would you believe it, he even asked if any would be employable. What a guy! He represents what Cedar Springs is all about. It also appears “just maybe” the planning commission will accept a copy of our original site plan, which would save us over $5,000.

You are invited on Saturday, April 29, to a preview of what can happen at the facility (the old Amish Warehouse Store, corner of Main and Beech) from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00, and you will see what those monies were spent on: a new pool table, shuffle board table, and air hockey table. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of area people, we were donated a new $1,600 bow flex machine; a beautiful electronic organ; a large electronic read out treadmill; plus a nearly new foosball table. And a big thank you to all you folks that wanted to donate to the already full game room area. Every Veteran and their families should be at the May 2nd Planning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Bob Truesdale, Cedar Springs

Student Leadership Council is focusing on “giving back” and “family engagement” at the Middle School. Students brought in over 1,000 food items for a Food Drive. Students were able to build 10 baskets for our local families. Food Baskets included everything needed for a Thanksgiving Day feast and then some. Additional items were donated to North Kent Community Services, which also helps to support our families from the Cedar Springs and neighboring areas.

The group of students also suggested more opportunities for family nights. Their wishes were answered, and thanks to our partnership with En Gedi, Craig Owens was able to help us kick off a Family Fun Night at the Middle School. Parents, students and their siblings competed in Bubble Soccer. Pizza was provided. It was a great night with lots of laughs.

Students are working to coordinate the following for future give-back opportunities:

• Taking a “field trip” to Degage Ministries to help out

• Visiting the residents at Metron of Cedar Springs

• Volunteering some time to help support St. John Paul II Community Dinners

• Writing letters to our Veterans

If you or your child have any ideas for Family Fun Nights or Giving Back, please contact Jodi West at jodi.west@csredhawks.org or (616) 696-7326. Student Leadership is not an exclusive group. All students are welcome to drop in. Meeting are every other Thursday from 2:20-3:15, resuming on January 5, 2017.

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.

A veteran is presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency during the Korean War Commemorative Ceremony, at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans last month. The event honored 69 residents of the home for their service during the Korean War.

Korean War Commemorative Ceremony recognizes service 

When Walter Towns enlisted in the Marine Corps as an 18-year-old fresh out of high school, he dreamt of someday having a family, a home, a car and a job. He served in Korea for only six months—from March to September 1951—but twice those dreams were put in jeopardy when Towns was wounded by the enemy.

Towns, the recipient of two Purple Hearts, was one of 69 residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans honored recently for their service during the Korean War.

“I don’t talk about my service much because most people forget about the Korean War,” Towns said. “But the bullets they shot in Korea were just as real as anywhere else. I was fortunate to serve a great country and take care of others while I was in Korea, and I was fortunate to get all the things I’d dreamt about once I got home.”

The Korean War Commemorative Ceremony recognized Korean War veterans living at GRHV and thanked them for their role in defending democracy and freedom in South Korea. During the ceremony, each resident received a certificate of appreciation for his service, while Towns and the 21 other residents who served in Korea were also awarded the Korean Ambassador for Peace medal by Jae-woong Lee, deputy consul general of the Korean Consulate General in Chicago.

Often referred to as the “Forgotten War,” the Korean War began less than a decade after World War II. Hostilities took place from June 27, 1950—two  days after North Korea invaded South

Korea—until July 27, 1953, when the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. Following the armistice, many American troops remained in South Korea to help alleviate the uneasy peace.

“Whether they were stationed in Korea, Europe or in another theater, our Korean War veterans answered the call to serve the same as every other soldier,” said Jeff Barnes, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. “More than 60 years ago, these men and women were asked to put their civilian lives on hold and protect the people of South Korea. Today, we thanked them for that service and let them know that no veteran should be forgotten.”

During the Korean War, 6.8 million American men and women served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Of those, 1,456 Michiganders lost their lives. Michigan is home to nearly 65,000 Korean War veterans.

Download our special Veteran’s Day Tribute, which includes:

• Local veteran, George Hesley, tells his story
• Social Security – Serving Veterans on Veteran’s Day and  Always
• A new generation of veterans
• Photos of LOCAL Veterans

click the link below to download

VeteransTribute2014.pdf

Front row: (L to R) Jerry Bergman, Bob Duschane, James Plite. Back row: (L to R) Charlie Northup, Harvey Scheck, Don Roberts.
These six Sand Lake graduates enlisted in the U.S. Army, in October 1950, during the Korean War. This picture was in the G.R. Press with a story of small town friends enlisting together. All six went to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, for basic training. Afterward two were sent to Korea, one to Japan, two to Germany, and one remained at Camp McCoy. The six were discharged in October 1952, found jobs, and were married in the summer of 1953. Four couples were married for 50 years or more, and two couples lost their spouses early on in their marriages. Not a divorce among them!

The 122nd Sand Lake Alumni Reunion will take place on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14, 2014, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Sand Lake, Mich.

The social hour starts at 5:00 p.m., with dinner at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP by June 6, 2014, by calling Dave Groner at 269-208-5716, Dick Pierce at 616-636-5258, or Dick Braford at 616-984-2077.

This year’s program is: Saluting our Veterans from Sand Lake Schools. The committee is looking for pictures, stories, and experiences from our Veterans. If you have something, please contact Dave Groner at 269-208-5716.

Notifying our Alumni is a difficult task. Please help spread the word to all classmates.

Also, Sand Lake School history books will be available for $35 each.

Next year’s reunion will be June 13, 2015, and will be the 123rd Reunion. We would like to commemorate all Sand Lake School Queens and Miss Sand Lakes up to 1962. Any ideas or information you have for the program will be welcomed and appreciated.

Pastor Kristi J. Rhodes  

Hillcrest Community Church

5994 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Everyone knows that November is a month focused on giving thanks.  We even thank our Veterans on the 11^th day of the 11^th month and rightly so. But do you know that the greatest way to honor our veterans is to not forfeit our freedoms that they sacrificed their comforts to defend? A very sincere thank you goes out to all our Veterans today, this month, and always!

And do you also know that in the same way, we give thanks to our Lord Jesus who gave up the comforts of Paradise to come and enter into humanity and be the sacrifice for our eternal freedom? And that the greatest way to honor Jesus is to not forfeit the glorious freedom from the bondage of sin that He sacrificed His life for.

Jesus came to testify to the truth, which sets us free. As Christ followers, when we go through life believing the lies of the enemy, still in bondage to the very things Jesus set us free from, we discount His sacrifice and His power to bring freedom.

The power of God is truly an amazing thing. It redeems our past; communicates, guides, counsels and empowers us in the present; and secures our future! Too often we beat ourselves up over the past or get stuck there, not allowing ourselves to enjoy our freedom and move on. Or we get too farsighted, wanting to know the future and what is way on up ahead that we can’t deal with or enjoy the here and now.

I was reading a devotion the other day called “Jesus Calling,” by Sarah Young, who talked about the times God brings a peaceful fog over our difficult paths in life, obscuring our view so we can only see a few steps in front of us.  It is in those times we turn our attention more fully to God.

She goes on to say that the fog is a protection for us, calling us back into the present moment. Although God inhabits all of space and time, we can communicate with Him only here and now. Someday the fog will no longer be necessary, for we will have learned to keep our focus on Jesus and on the path just ahead of us, trusting our past and our future to Him.

We bring the greatest honor and glory to God by trusting in His salvation and not forfeiting the freedom He died for. He now lives in every Christ follower and is with us always and He knows what He’s doing.

Ps. 73:23-24 NIV says, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”

Let us bring the greatest honor with a very sincere and glorious thank you to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!