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.

Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser

Jan. 12: Help support Makhella’s Service Dog journey. Kayla has recently been diagnosed with a muscle deficiency in her eyes leaving her with low vision and near legally blind which causes difficulty in simple activities of daily living. Along with Kayla’s cognitive impairment from a tragic birth causes her to struggle with daily activities. As a vibrant 20 year old, Kayla is trying to be as independent as possible in her journey through adulthood. Doctors and Therapist both have suggested a Service Dog. So her journey begins… please support her journey by coming to Big Boy of Cedar Springs for an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Friday, January 12, 5pm to 8pm. $12 per adult, $10 per child. Call 616-263-7025 for more info. #2

Praise the Lord at Cowboy Church

Jan. 14:  2nd Chance will be having Cowboy Church Sunday, January 14^th at 6:00 pm. It will be at 2nd Chance School at 810 17 Mile Road, Cedar Springs (corner of 17 Mile Road and Olin Lakes Road). Music and Ministry will be shared by the group, Stroll Over Heaven, who will share their musical talent and the gospel. Invite your family and friends. Cowboy Church is held every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Each Service will have different people sharing God’s word and music. Cowboy Church will introduce you to 2nd Chance and its vision. The school is in the building stage, which when completed, will teach troubled teens through God and the horse. If you have questions, call 293-2150. See you there! #2b

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Jan. 20: The Cedar Springs Lions Club’s Pancake Breakfast will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, Mar. 24 and Apr. 21 from 7 – 11 am at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, on the corner of Main and Church. $5 per person, children under 10 eat free. Pancakes, eggs,  sausage links, coffee and juice. Proceeds to assist sight conservation. #2,3b

Dave Ramsey – Financial Peace University

Jan. 21: What if you could always buy what you need interest-free? What if you could actually keep a percentage of your paycheck? Guess what? You CAN! With Dave Ramsey’s class Financial Peace University, you CAN take control of your money. If you’re interested in learning how to better manage your money, we’d like you to join us at Gowen Bible Church – Meddler Campus (16415 Meddler Ave., Sand Lake). Classes run every Sunday evening, Jan. 21 through Mar. 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. You can register online at www.daveramsey.com. Contact Leslie Wood at leslie@lawood.net or 989-287-0167 for more info. #2,3b

Owl Walk at HCNC

Jan. 26: “Twit twoo” It’s time for our yearly Owl Walk! Local naturalist and expert Greg Swanson is back to introduce you to owl biology! Greg will start with an indoor presentation, then we will all head outdoors to see if we can observe these perfect predators. Maybe one will even stop to say ‘hello’ as you listen to Greg call for them. Friday, January 26^th from 6 pm to 8 pm. This is a 12 year old and up event. Please flashlights ONLY AS NEEDED. Please no rowdiness or loud noises – we are in their habitat to listen, learn and explore. Free child care with crafts will be provided for children 11 and under. Non-members $5 per person or $15 per family of 4+, members $3 per person or $10 per family of 4+. Pre-registration requested, www.howardchristensen.org. 616-675-3158, Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16160 Red Pine Drive, Kent City. #2 

Spaghetti fundraiser and silent auction May 31 for lifesaving equipment

By Judy Reed

When someone you know and love is in cardiac arrest, you want to get them the best help possible. That’s why the Solon Township Fire Department is holding an all you can eat spaghetti dinner and silent auction at Big Boy, on Tuesday, May 31, from 5-8 p.m., to raise money for new equipment that will help save lives. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children.

In 2016, there were more than 350,000 instances of sudden cardiac arrest (outside of hospitals), according to the American Heart Association. About 46 percent had CPR performed on them by a bystander, and only 12 percent survived. That might not sound like a high number, but it’s a number that’s climbed over the last several years, thanks to new lifesaving equipment available to paramedics that will automatically do chest compressions. And Solon Township Fire and Rescue is trying to raise money to buy the equipment to treat people locally.

Algoma and Kent City have the equipment, and Cedar Springs purchased it earlier this year after doing a fundraiser. Cedar Springs Fire Chief Marty Fraser said they were first introduced to it by Algoma Fire, who helped them on a call. “It’s an amazing piece of equipment and will help save lives,” he said.

According to Solon Fire Chief Jeff Drake, the equipment is about $15,000. They have received a $2,500 donation, and have also applied for a grant through Lowe’s.

Administering manual CPR is not easy work. It calls for 120 chest compressions a minute, and involves several paramedics. The new equipment would bring that number down.

According to Drake, automatic chest compression devices save precious amounts of time, manpower, and increase a patient’s survival rate substantially. They are safe and efficient tools that standardize chest compressions during cardiac arrest and are in accordance with the latest scientific guidelines developed by the American Heart Association.

One case where they had to use manual CPR occurred in February. The woman’s husband later thanked Solon first responders at a township board meeting. Tom Decker praised the responders for their efforts when his wife, who was in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, collapsed in their home. He began to do chest compressions, and then Solon Fire responded within minutes and took over. They eventually got her heart beating again, and she was sent to the hospital.

“Sadly she did not regain consciousness and passed away on the evening of the second (of February),” wrote Tom. “That was God’s will, not our first responders. At my request, they did everything possible in their efforts to save her. They were obviously well trained, dedicated, driven, and efficient, yet compassionate and understanding…I do want them to know how grateful I will always be for their service to my wife. Even though I don’t know them, they are my heroes.”

Getting the equipment to do automatic chest compressions will help the rescue workers in cases such as Mrs. Decker’s, and others.

You can help by attending the all you can eat spaghetti dinner and silent auction. Some of the items being auctioned off include a TV, Tiger baseball tickets (10^th row), Whitecaps tickets, and a $25 Dairy Queen gift card.

Spaghetti fundraiser March 8 for lifesaving equipment

By Judy Reed

In 2016, there were more than 350,000 instances of sudden cardiac arrest (outside of hospitals), according to the American Heart Association. About 46 percent had CPR performed on them by a bystander, and only 12 percent survived. That might not sound like a high number, but it’s a number that’s climbed over the last several years, thanks to new lifesaving equipment available to paramedics that will automatically do chest compressions. And Cedar Springs Fire and Rescue is trying to raise money to buy the equipment to treat people locally.

According to Cedar Springs Fire Chief Marty Fraser, the department responded to 11 heart attacks in 2016, and two since the first of the year. One of the two did not survive.

Fraser said that each call averages 8 people per call, averaging 60-70 minutes each, and they must do CPR manually. “60-70 minutes is a long time,” he said, adding that manual CPR calls for 120 compressions a minute. He also noted that daytime staffing can also be difficult, with firefighters working during the day.

With an automatic chest compression system, they could do the call with only three people. And the device would keep the patient’s blood circulating, delivering oxygen to organs while waiting for the ambulance to arrive to transport the patient to the hospital.

Algoma Fire and Kent City Fire both have one of these systems, and Algoma brought it to the Cedar Springs City Council to show them how it would help Cedar Springs. The Council then challenged Chief Fraser to do some fundraising for the $15,000 piece of equipment. “We have some money in next year’s budget, but would like to supplement that,” said Fraser.

He also said that the need for the equipment would only increase, with two senior citizens opening in Cedar Springs in the near future.

Their first fundraising event will be a spaghetti dinner on Wednesday, March 8, from 5-8 p.m. at Cedar Springs Big Boy, 13961 White Creek Ave. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased from any firefighter or medic. You may also purchase at the door. Call 696-1221 to order tickets. Leave a voicemail, the station will return your call.

UPDATED October 25 with corrections regarding motorcyclist’s injuries:

A motorcyclist suffered severe injuries after a car collided with him Saturday afternoon, October 19.

According to Sgt. Ben Cammenga, of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, Michael Streeter, 55, of Sparta, was traveling southbound on White Creek Avenue, south of 17 Mile, when a northbound vehicle tried to turn left into Big Boy, and turned in front of the motorcycle, causing them to collide.

AeroMed was put on standby, but later cancelled. A call from the family confirmed that Streeter suffered a broken back, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. He was in intensive care until Friday, October 25, and will move to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation when he is better.

The driver of the vehicle, Jeffrey VanderKlipp, 48, of Rockford, was not injured.

The Cedar Springs Fire Department is having a spaghetti dinner at Big Boy on Wednesday, April 10, to raise money to help restore its antique Model A fire engine. The 1929 engine is used for special events such as parades and community events, usually with the Keystone Kops at the helm.

Dinner tickets are $10 for adults, and $6 for children, and are available at Big Boy or from any Cedar Springs Firefighter. You can also call the station at 696-1221 and leave a message.

The Cedar Springs Public Library is now halfway to the $50,000 matching grant! For every dollar donated to the library—either through participating in a fundraiser or straight donation—an anonymous donor will also donate a dollar, up to $50,000 toward the library building fund. Here are some ways you can help.

Fundraising meeting

The next fundraising meeting for the library will be at the Cedar Springs Middle School on March 27 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

License plates and frames

Looking for a trendy new license plate or frame to let folks know you are proud of your hometown? You can now buy a front license plate or frame that lets people know you are from Cedar Springs and will benefit the library, too!

The Red Flannel Festival is donating all the profit from sales of the license plates to the Library Fundraising Committee to assist in their effort to raise $50,000 toward the matching grant. The Festival is also donating all profits from Festival souvenirs on sale at Sally’s Cedar Chest on Main Street and the Cedar Springs Library, as well.

“It’s a necessity for the Festival to carry souvenirs to further the awareness of the Festival and the City to the surrounding areas,” said Andres. “This partnership furthers the mission of the Festival Board to help other organizations, as was established several years ago with our Community Share Program.”

The license plates can be bought at the Cedar Springs Library or Cedar Springs City Hall. Plates are $12, and frames are $18.

Biggest loser results

The person with the biggest percentage of body weight lost in the biggest loser fundraiser was Laura Inman with 11.11 percent lost. She won $100 for her effort.

In the men’s category, Nick Vanderhyde  came in first with 10.77 percent lost; Trisha Erlenbush lost 10.18 percent in the women’s category; and Dick Capek lost 9.3 percent in the seniors category and also lost 24.5 inches. Deb Norkus lost the most body fat with 5.4 percent lost.

As a group, participants lost a total of 255.5 pounds and 223.58 inches. Way to go!

Upcoming events

The Amish Warehouse will donate a percentage of furniture and gift sales during an April event. Watch the Post for upcoming ads with all the details!

The Cedar Springs American Legion will donate the proceeds from Bingo on April 12 at 5 p.m.

All You Can Eat Taco Bar at Big Boy’s Thurs. April 26 5-8 p.m.  Tickets on sale at the library. $9 for adults, $6 for kids. Same price at the door.

For a complete listing of upcoming library events and to donate via paypal, visit cedarsprings.llcoop.org.

SPAGHETTI DINNER A SUCCESS

After the all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Big Boy Restaurant last Thursday night, the library now has almost $23,000 towards the $50,000 matching grant. They raised $5,551 between the dinner and the tips.

“It was a great evening,” said Library Director Donna Clark. “We’re having fun and that’s important.”

Several door prizes were given away, including a Red Flannel town license plate, license plate frame, pies, books, and other items.

The next Big Boy fundraiser will be a taco bar in April.

HOCKEY AND BROOMBALL 

Come out this Saturday, February 25 and enjoy some fun at the Old Time Family Hockey and Broomball tournament, at the Cedar Rock Sports Plex, 4758 Cornfield Drive, just off Northland Drive. The fun starts at noon, when the Cedar Springs Police take on Kent County Law Enforcement. At 2 p.m. see the Dewey Decimals vs the Book Ends. At 3:30 p.m. it’s time for broomball with the Bureaucrats vs. the Guns and Hoses, and more broomball at 5 p.m. with the Cedar Springs High School Co-ed game. At 6 p.m. is open skate.

There will be door prizes, a shoot-out competition, and chuck-a-puck competition

You can either buy a shirt to support your team for $18 and get in free, or pay $5 at the door.  Some shirts will be available the day of the event at the door. You can see them online at the City of Cedar Springs Facebook page, or call Cedar Springs City Hall (696-1330) for more information. Red Flannel Town license plates and frames will also be available for sale, with plates $12 and frames for $18.

Kids had a great time at the spaghetti fundraiser with author Amanda Litz, face painting, and free ice cream.

The Cedar Springs Public Library and Big Boy partnered last Thursday, Nov. 10, for the first all you can eat spaghetti buffet dinner to help raise funds for a new library. What happened was way above their expectations.
According to Librarian Donna Clark, they hoped to sell 50 tickets. They sold 200, which gave the library $500. But with the extra donations people gave, the grand total raised was $5,876.74!
“I am still walking on air after one of the best times I have had in recent times,” said Clark. “I so loved that Thursday evening, spent with our Library supporters old and new. It was like a Thanksgiving dinner, where you invite your whole family to come, though in this case, it was the whole community—eating, laughing, talking and giving. It is so bonding to gather around a shared vision and a meal, to remember who we are and what we can do when we put our heads and our dollars together.”
The library was recently offered the opportunity to obtain a $50,000 matching grant from an anonymous donor. Whatever they raise by the end of 2012 is what will be matched, up to $50,000. The first fundraising meeting is set for tonight, November 17, at Cedar Springs Middle School, at 7 p.m. in the upper floor large meeting room. Everyone is welcome.

Librarian Donna Clark is shown here with the Big Boy staff that helped organize and serve the spaghetti dinner.

One fundraiser is already planned—a used formal dress sale on January 7. Donate your gently used formal wear and they will give you a $50 tax deduction for every short dress and a $100 tax deduction for every long dress that you donate between now and January 6. Drop off dresses to Cedar Springs City Hall during normal business hours. All short dresses will be sold for $20 and all long dresses will be sold for $35 on January 7, at Cedar Springs High School. Dresses must be clean and on a hanger. Call Chris Burns at 788-8945 or Linda Lehman at 970-1368 with questions. All proceeds benefit the Library Fund Raising Campaign.