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Spaghetti Dinner Benefit

Jan. 6: There will be a benefit spaghetti dinner at Mary Queen of Apostles Church, located at One Maple St. in Sand Lake on January 6^th at 6:30 pm to help raise funds for Susan Brockschmidt and Partners in Compassionate Care, a non-profit organization that helps the South Sudan people with medical care, food and medicine. Susan will be going to South Sudan on a voluntary unpaid medical mission to help teach the physician there how to take x-rays. She will be leaving on January 24^th and return on February 10^th and has a lot of travel expenses. She is also raising funds for much needed medical equipment. Hope to see you at the dinner. Or you can donate to the go fund me account: www.gofundme.com/south-sudan-medical-mission. Thank you for your support. #1

TOPS weight loss support group

Jan. 9: Need help keeping your New Year’s Resolution? 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. #1

Brison headed back to Texas for more treatment

Classic Kelly’s raised over $2000 for the Ricker family at a spaghetti dinner benefit Sunday evening. Photo from Classic Kelly’s facebook page.

By Judy Reed

Classic Kelly’s Family Restaurant put on a spaghetti dinner benefit for the family of Brison and Preston Ricker Sunday night, and raised over $2200 to help them with the medical costs of fighting cancer.

The restaurant put on the benefit during the evening dinner hours, and donated 100 percent of the proceeds to the Rickers. All the employees at the restaurant donated their time to the cause. Dinners were sold for $10 each.

The next fundraiser will be the March can drive at Meijer in Cedar Springs on Monday, 6, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Brison was diagnosed with a rare, inoperable brain tumor called DIPG a year ago, and his younger brother Preston was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in December. Preston has had surgery and other therapy, and Brison has been undergoing alternative cancer treatments since last summer, after his oncologist here said there was nothing more they could do. Those treatments are $17,000 per month, and not covered by insurance.

Brison had showed signs of getting better and feeling better, and his family was hopeful that his latest MRI’s would show that progress. However, according to Brison’s mom, Kim Ricker, the latest spinal MRI shows progression, with several spots on the lining of his brain, and extensive nodular enhancing metastatic disease along his spine. Doctors here had been giving him his Avastin treatment free of charge, but will not do that now, since they don’t believe it is working. That will be another $7,000 per month the family will need to pay. The doctors here have offered full brain and spinal radiation, but Kim said that is not an option they are considering because of the great harm involved with radiation.

They will be traveling back to Texas next week, where Brison will be started on an additional Antineoplaston treatment.

To donate to the Ricker family through their gofundme page, go to https://www.gofundme.com/rickerstrong.

WMP wrestler Luke Egan in his #RickerStrong singlet.  Luke took home a Championship for Brison and Preston Ricker last weekend.

WMP finish in top four

West Michigan Pursuit traveled to Central Montcalm and Orchardview this past weekend. The Swarm of Central Montcalm hosted a 50/50 raffle to benefit the Ricker family. The raffle raised a total of $1,300 to donate to the Rickers. WMP and Cedar Springs Wrestling have also been busy selling Wrestling for a Cause t-shirts to help benefit the Rickers. Saranac Youth Wrestling also donated $150 towards this wonderful cause.

WMP had 20 grapplers enter to compete and 16 finish in the top four. 59 lb, Mason Hendrick, 9/10 age group took 4th Place. In third place was 170/195 lb Aidan Dowdell, 13/14 age group; 72 lb Tyler Parmeter, 7/8 age group; and 158 lb Maston Wood, 11/12 age group. In second place was 61 lb Quinten Cassiday, 7/8 age group; and 52 lb Kaleb Pautke, 7/8 age group.

Champions of the day were 70 lb Carter Castillo, 7/8 age group; 67 lb Chayson Eberspeaker 7/8 age group; 67 lb Luke Egan, 9/10 age group; 59 lb Landon Foss, 9/10 age group (Orchardview); 64 lb Drew Moro, 7/8 age group; 80 lb Blake Peasley, 9/10 age group; 75 lb Isaiah Sostenes, 9/10 age group; 59 lb Josh Vasquez, 9/10 age group; 55 lb Kellen Weckesser, 7/8 age group and 49 lb Blake Werkema, 4/6 age group.

“When you are in the sport for so long, you have your ‘wrestling family’ on the weekends. Support for this family has been coming from several other wrestling programs. It makes me proud to be a part such an amazing group of caring people,” said Head Coach Dave Andrus.

West Michigan Hawk Ryan Williams holds on to the ball while being tackled by a pack of Grizzlies. Photo by M. Crouch.

By Shae Brophy

A soggy Saturday evening at Skinner Field saw the West Michigan Hawks start the conference portion of their schedule with a dynamic 50-8 victory over the Kalamazoo Grizzlies.

While both teams were fighting the turnover bug, the Hawks refused to let that stop them from having a big night. Running back Brant Brooks got the scoring started in the first quarter with a 31-yard touchdown run, and wide receiver Ryan Bell got on the board with his first touchdown of the season, an 18-yard catch from quarterback Charles Hodges. After one quarter, West Michigan led 13-0.

WM Hawk Robert Bell did a flip when he crossed the goal line to celebrate a touchdown. Photo by M. Crouch.

The second quarter saw the Grizzlies get on the board by way of a blocked field goal that was returned 70 yards for a touchdown. With a two-point conversion, the score was 13-8. Hawks recevier Monta Swanigan brought in a 10-yard pass from Hodges to close the scoring in the quarter, and the Hawks took a 19-8 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Brooks scored his second touchdown of the game early in the third quarter on a

15-yard run, extending the West Michigan lead to 25-8. Swanigan, having already scored earlier in the game, upped the lead to 31-8 with an 84-yard touchdown reception on the Hawks’ next drive. Next, cornerback Omar Haynes returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown, making the score 37-8 after three quarters.

Safety Robert Bell continued the scoring early in the fourth quarter with an astounding 97-yard interception return for a touchdown, extending the lead to 44-8.

Haynes concluded the scoring with his second touchdown of the game, a 58-yard punt return.

“It was a great day to be a Hawk,” said head coach David Lange. “What’s not to love about a 50-8 victory over a conference opponent?  I think one thing we do need to work on is the exchange of play calling from sidelines to the huddle. I would also like to see a little bit more consistency on offense, as well as improved ball control. We had way too many fumbles on the quarterback/running back exchange that could prove to be costly in future games. But overall, I think it was a great performance.”

We hope to see you at Skinner Field this Saturday when the Hawks host the Southern Michigan Timberwolves at 7 p.m. This week’s benefit is for Alan Beamer in his continued battle against Alzheimer’s Disease. Ticket are $6, with children 10 and under free.

West Michigan Hawks quarterback Charles “Manny” Hodges

Meet West Michigan Hawks quarterback Charles “Manny” Hodges. A 2008 graduate from Creston High School, Hodges has experience in numerous different sports dating back to his high school days. Those sports include football, basketball, and track.

His biggest idols in life are his hard-working parents. When not on the football field, Hodges likes bowling and enjoying time with his kids.

“What made me want to be a West Michigan Hawk was the love and dedication of everyone that I tried out for this team with,” said Hodges.

Head coach David Lange is thrilled to have a competent signal caller on the team. “Manny is a phenomenal quarterback, and a great leader. He is definitely a guy who can take charge, and is also quite a play caller,” said Lange. “It definitely takes quite a bit to get him rattled.”

You can see Hodges and the West Michigan Hawks in action again this weekend, when they host the Southern Michigan Timberwolves at Skinner Field on Saturday. Game time is 7 p.m.

This week’s benefit is for Alan Beamer in his continued battle against Alzheimer’s Disease. Ticket are $6, with children 10 and under free.

We hope to see you there!

WERQ dance fitness workout March 11

Join us for a dance fitness party to raise funds that will go towards Brison Ricker’s medical care. Brison Ricker is a 15-year-old Cedar Springs student who was diagnosed in January with inoperable brain cancer.

What better way to raise funds than to come together for a 90-minute dance fitness party? Sweat to some of your favorite songs for a good cause. Let’s do what we can to help kick cancer’s butt!

No experience necessary—anyone can do it! Just throw on your fitness gear, bring a water bottle, a sweat towel, and your favorite dancing/workout friends!

The fundraiser will be Friday March 11, 6-7:30 p.m. at Red Hawk Elementary. The cost is $10.  It will last 90 minutes, with multiple WERQ Instructors, and fun routines to your favorite radio hits!

Just DO IT!

Cedar Creek will benefit this summer from restoration activities funded through a federal grant by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to Nichol DeMol, with Trout Unlimited, Cedar Creek, which is a tributary of the Rogue River running through downtown Cedar Springs and emptying into the Rogue River near 12 Mile and Friske Road, is important to the overall health of the Rogue River. This tributary is a significant source of cold groundwater to the river. This groundwater provides stable coldwater rearing for juvenile trout and summer shelter for adult trout when the Rogue River gets warm.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognized the importance of this stream, and has awarded Trout Unlimited over $27,000 for restoration activities as part of the Rogue River Home Rivers Initiative project.  This funding is provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the National Fish Habitat Partnership-Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat Partnership.

In collaboration with the City of Cedar Springs and private landowners, Trout Unlimited will plant trees and other native plants on stream banks, provide localized cattle access, fence out cattle along a portion of the creek, and construct in stream habitat structures. 

The on-the-ground restoration is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2014. Volunteers will be needed to assist with this work. If you would like to volunteer or want to know more about the Rogue River Home Rivers Initiative project please contact Nichol De Mol at 231-557-6362 or ndemol@tu.org.

Proceeds benefit Diabetes Research Center

Greenville, Mich. – The Greenville Fraternal Order of Eagles #4321 welcomes the community to help give back Saturday, March 10, from 11 a.m. until midnight for an all-day charity benefit at the Greenville Aerie, located at 11690 S. Greenville Rd. Proceeds from the event benefit The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center will be housed at the John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building on the campus of The University of Iowa in Iowa City. The state-of-the-art center will host leaders in the field of diabetes research in an effort to find a cure for the disease. The F.O.E. has pledged to donate $25 million over a five-year period to fund research efforts. To date, the Eagles have given $15 million to the university to help bring an end to diabetes.

Greenville’s DRC benefit will feature drink specials, raffles, prizes and music by Jeff C. A wing-ding chicken basket dinner with fries and cole slaw can be purchased for an $8 donation.

Guests include Eagles Grand Trustee Chuck Lang, Michigan State Worthy President-Elect Bill Vettori and Michigan State Worthy Trustee and Diabetes Research Center State Chairman Mike Votsch.

The Greenville Eagles has maintained a presence in the community since 1993 and currently hosts more than 430 Aerie and Auxiliary members.

For information contact the Greenville Aerie at 616-794-2987, Dan Sanders at 616-824-9019 or Worthy President Bob Conner at 616-204-6351.

I would like to thank all the friends and family that made my benefit the success it was. It was wonderful to see the support from all of you,  it feels good to know so many care. Also a special thanks to all the businesses and people who donated to make it all possible.

Thanks Again,
Dawn Kelly

The Fisk Family (Rebecca & Bruce and our children, Elizabeth, Casey, & Wyatt) wish to thank family, friends, co-workers, the community, our church, and family for all of your wonderful support following our house fire at Christmas and the recent dinner & auction benefit held at the VFW in Sand Lake.
Thanks again for all of the contributions and donations!
The Fisk Family

A benefit will be held at the Harvard Tavern on Sunday, March 27, for Nancy Samsel, who suffers from congestive heart failure and chronic emphysema. Samsel was an employee at the Tavern for 20-plus years, and now is not working and has no insurance to pay her medical bills. There will be an all-you-can-eat buffet for $10, a live auction at 1 p.m., Deal or No Deal following the auction, and 50/50 raffles. Hog and beef raffle tickets are $10. They are giving away two 1/2 hogs, and one ¼ beef. Winners will be drawn during the benefit. All proceeds from benefit go to Nancy Samsel. If you’d like to donate or have questions, call the Harvard Tavern at 754-7028.