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.

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Bunco at Rockford Masonic Lodge

Apr. 7: Join us for Bunco on the first Friday of each month (April 7, May 5, etc.) 6 pm at the Rockford Masonic Lodge, 1430 Northland Dr. (across from Bell Furniture). $5 donation requested to play – bring a friend the first time free! Bring a snack to share at break time if you wish. Join us for lots of fun, fellowship, prizes and a 50/50 raffle each night. Sponsored by the Rockford Order of the Eastern Star. Everyone welcome! Questions? Call: Dixie 616-437-7445. #14

Praise the Lord at Cowboy Church

Apr. 9: 2^nd Chance will be having Cowboy Church on Sunday, April 9^th at 6 pm. It will be at 2^nd Chance School at 810 – 17 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs (corner of 17 Mile and Olin Lakes Rd). The message and music will be shared by Gilbert Morris and his guitar from Greenville, Michigan. Invite your family and friends. Cowboy Church will be every 2^nd and 4^th 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 616-293-2150. See you there! #14p

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Apr. 15: The Cedar Springs Lions Club’s Pancake Breakfast will be held this Saturday, April 15^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 last planned date is April 16^th. Proceeds to assist sight conservation. #14

Easter Egg-Stravaganza @ Solon Center

Apr. 15: An Easter Egg-Stravaganza, a celebration for children will be held on Saturday, April 15th at the Solon Center Wesleyan Church. There’ll be hot dogs, candy, and an Easter Egg Hunt with 4,000 candy filled Easter Eggs! On display will be a Solon Township fire truck, Michigan State & Kent County Sheriff police cruisers and some hot rods. Registration begins at 11 am, and egg hunts will take place for all children 10 years and under beginning at Noon. Two bikes donated by Meijer will be given as grand prizes!! For more information go to: www.scwchurch.org or call the church office at 696-3229. The church is located at 15671 Algoma Avenue, just north of 19 Mile Road. All families welcome! #14,15p

Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch at HCNC

Apr. 15: The 7^th Annual Easter Hunt with Pancake Brunch for Howard Christensen Nature Center will be held on Saturday, April 15^th from noon to 2 pm. Brunch is served from noon to 2 pm and the Easter Egg Hunt begins promptly for all ages at 2 pm. Brunch is $5 per person or $15 per family of 4 or more and includes the Easter Egg Hunt. Easter Egg Hunting only is $1 per egg hunter. HCNC members: $3 pancakes, free Egg hunting. 16160 Red Pine Drive, Kent City, 616-675-3158, registration online at www.HowardChristensen.org. #14

Mystery Dinner Theater @ Solon Center

Apr. 21: Solon Center Wesleyan and the Cedar Springs Community Players will present “ Awesome 80’s Prom” Mystery Dinner Theater on Friday, April 21^st. Doors open at 6 pm. Tickets: $15 single or $25 couples. For tickets call 616-263-9573. Solon Center Wesleyan Church, 15671 Algoma Ave. Cedar Springs. #14,15p

Spring Rummage Sale

Apr. 26, 27: The Cedar Springs United Methodist Church Women is hosting their Spring Rummage Sale in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, April 26^th from 9 am to 7 pm and Thursday, April 27^th from 9 am to 2 pm. There will be a bag sale on Thursday. The church is located on the corner of Main and Church Streets. Proceeds go toward their mission projects. #14,15p

(Family Features) The ingredients for an easy weekend breakfast or a special Easter brunch may be in your pantry right now. Holidays are the perfect time to sprinkle additional creativity or fresh new thinking into meals for family and friends and — by using staples like pancake mix, syrup and instant mashed potatoes in unexpected ways — you can craft new and delicious dishes sure to make everyone smile.

Try these recipes from Hungry Jack® using simple pantry staples, and turn them into what will become new brunch favorites:

—Put a unique spin on brunch food with a savory Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza.

—DIY Pancake Breakfast Sandwiches: You can assemble them for your guests, or get everyone involved by letting them build their own and add some custom touches like eggs, cheese or bacon.

—Combine sweet, spicy and smoky flavors for Spicy Candied Bacon, a definite crowd pleaser.

—Set out some flavored or Greek yogurt and a bowl of Good Morning Granola so guests can create their own breakfast parfaits.

For more creative recipes and ideas, visit www.hungryjack.com.

 

 

Spicy Candied Bacon

Yield: 6 slices

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

1/2 pound extra-thick cut bacon, about 6 slices

1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. HEAT oven to 375°F. Line 15 x 10-inch baking pan with foil. Lay bacon slices on foil.

2. BAKE 18 to 20 minutes or until bacon edges begin to curl. Remove from oven. Tilt pan to drain. Pat bacon with paper towel. Combine syrup, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and pepper in small bowl. Drizzle evenly over bacon slices.

3. BAKE 5 minutes or until evenly browned. Remove to wire rack. Cool 5 minutes.

Serving suggestion: Candied Bacon Breakfast Sandwich: Layer fried egg on English muffin. Top with shredded cheese, Spicy Candied Bacon and a dash of hot sauce or ketchup. Top with other half of English muffin.

 

 

Pancake Breakfast Sandwich

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Pancakes:

Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

3/4 cup Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed, chopped into bite-sized pieces

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 3-inch round sausage patties*

Eggs:

1 tablespoon butter

1/3 cup diced red pepper

4 large eggs

1/8 teaspoon salt

For pancakes:

1. COAT griddle or skillet with no-stick cooking spray. Heat griddle or skillet on medium heat (350°F).

2. WHISK pancake mix, water and syrup in medium bowl. Stir in cheese, potatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook sausage patties as directed on package.

3. POUR 2 tablespoons batter on griddle, spreading batter to make a 3-inch circle or by using 3-inch pancake molds, coated with no-stick cooking spray. Repeat to make 7 more pancakes. Cook 2 minutes or until golden brown. Turn. Cook second side 2 minutes.

For eggs:

1. MELT butter in large skillet. Add red pepper. Cook and stir about 1 minute. Whisk eggs and salt in small bowl. Pour into skillet with peppers. Cook slightly, then shape into four 3-inch circles about the same size as the pancakes and sausage.

2. PLACE one pancake on plate. Top with cooked sausage patty, egg and another pancake to make breakfast sandwich. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 more sandwiches.

*TIP: If using pre-made sausage patties, flatten slightly into 3-inch rounds, if necessary.

 

 

Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Crust: 

Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

1 3/4 cups Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/3 cup water

2 tablespoons Crisco Pure Olive Oil

Filling:

3 large eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh dill weed or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese

1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion

4 ounces thinly sliced deli-styled baked ham, coarsely chopped

Fresh dill sprigs (optional)

For crust:

1. HEAT oven to 425°F. Coat 12-inch pizza pan with no-stick cooking spray. Combine pancake mix, Parmesan cheese, dry mustard and onion powder in medium bowl, stirring until blended. Stir in water and olive oil until dough forms.

2. PRESS dough onto bottom of prepared pan to form a crust, building up outside edge to form a rim. Bake 7 minutes.

For filling:

1. WHISK eggs, sour cream, Dijon mustard, dill and salt in medium bowl. Stir in cheese and green onions. Pour over hot crust, spreading evenly. Toss ham to separate pieces. Sprinkle evenly over egg mixture. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until egg mixture is set in center. Cool 5 minutes before cutting. Garnish with fresh dill, if desired.

 

 

Good Morning Granola

Yield: 5 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (optional)

2 tablespoons wheat germ

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil

1/2 cup Hungry Jack Sugar Free Breakfast Syrup

2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup dried fruit, such as raisins, golden raisins, cherries or cranberries

1. HEAT oven to 350°F.

2. COMBINE oats, almonds, coconut, wheat germ, salt and cinnamon in large bowl. Combine oil, syrup and brown sugar in another bowl. Pour over oat mixture. Toss until well coated. Spread evenly in 13 x 9-inch pan.

3. BAKE 30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Cool completely. Stir in dried fruit. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

 

 

(captions)

Spicy Candied Bacon with eggs

Pancake Breakfast Sandwich

Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza

Good Morning Granola