Have you signed up yet for the Cedar Springs Library’s summer reading program? Experience the fun and shenanigans both in person and online! Today, June 24, they will have a live animal program at the amphitheater from 2-3 p.m. Bring a blanket to sit on. If it’s raining, the event will be held inside the library. Sign up for the summer fun at the library or online at http://cedarsprings.readsquared.com/.

Brenda Krueger, her son Nathaniel and daughter Rebekah, won the Cedar Springs Library’s Grand Registration Launch Prize! The Library was able to offer a giant popcorn basket, thanks to Mission Point, (formerly Metron of CS) for one lucky winner, who signed up June 8 and June 16 for the summer reading program online.  

“Brenda’s name was drawn and she and her children came for the prize a few hours later,” said Librarian Donna Clark.  

Nathaniel also had earned enough points by reading and attending special online programs that he was able to claim his packet of local coupons for finishing (5) levels for his age group. 

“They were very excited and mentioned that they plan to take a trip and will enjoy sharing the popcorn and other goodies in the basket,” said Clark.

 Sign up now for the Summer Reading Program at https//cedarsprings.readsquared.com.  Get points for reading and for linking into their many programs. Spend your points on great local prizes in our Reading Raffle—prizes like a hoverboard, a one night stay for a family of four at the Cedar Springs Holiday Inn Express, a subscription to Netflix and a Firestick, $25 gift cards to local restaurants, and more!  Fulfill this year’s theme, “Imagine your story!”

Beginning next week, the CS Library will be open by appointment, and the following week at 25 percent capacity—22 people at a time.

The Cedar Springs Library, Kent District Library, Cedar Trails Elementary and the Kent Theatre all teamed up for the 20^th annual library card drive to celebrate March is Reading month.

First graders and their families came out to the Kent Theatre Monday and Tuesday evenings, March 2 and 3, to celebrate with their classmates, teachers and friends.  Thanks to the great support, cooperation and enthusiasm from our partners at Cedar Trails, 78 first graders and 164 of their family members enjoyed the new movie, “Dr. Doolittle,” on March 2 and 3 at 6 p.m.  All but one of the teachers were able to make it to welcome their students and sign them in: Mrs. Daneford, Mrs. Upham, Mrs. Bonsall, Mrs. Obrien, Mrs. Doncis-Boggiano, Mrs. Tiffany, Mrs. Shepard, Mrs. Birdsong, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Brussow and Mrs. Strain.   

The Cedar Springs Library and Kent District Library paid for first grade tickets. Miss Donna and Miss Laura, the Library staff from Cedar Springs, and Miss Sara and Miss Bethany from KDL, were on hand to greet everyone, share library updates and programs and to inspire families to read and to utilize their local libraries, which are rich with resources. It was emphasized that local library cards are good across all eight counties in Western Michigan, with a return anywhere policy.  

Free books were also given out to the children and were donated by local author Amanda Litz. The books were “We can count,” “We can ride our bikes,” and “Pirate’s treasure.”

Heading into “April is Poetry Month,” all students and parents were also invited to write a poem or read a favorite poem at the Kent Theatre on April 7 at 6-8 p.m. by just showing up to share. The event is sponsored by the Nelson Township Branch of KDL and the Cedar Springs Public Library and is open to all ages.

In parting, we always pay tribute to Mike Metzger, former Library board member and school board member, who was the one who first dreamed of every first grader having a library card, and who made it a reality 20 years ago.  This is a proud day for you and for all of your partners these 20 years.

Rep. Mark Huizenga donated a new Michigan state flag to the Cedar Springs Public Library on Saturday, February 8. 

“Ours was tattered,” explained Library Director Donna Clark. 

It will replace the one donated by Sen. Peter MacGregor in July 2018. The American Legion will retire the old one. 

On hand for the donation was Clark, City Councilor Rose Powell, her grandson Turner Powell, who attends Creative Technologies Academy, and Rep. Huizenga. 

The Cedar Springs Library hosted a Coffee 101 event on Saturday, February 1, where attendees took time to “smell the coffee” and “espresso” themselves.  

Twenty-four adults and teens learned about different types of coffee, preparation methods and put their taste buds to the test sharing several unique blends, thanks to John and Jenna Guiterrez of Cedar Springs, and their expertise and passion for coffee! They couple also shared their goal of being able to have a start-up coffee business in a couple of years and offered their email to any who want to talk more about coffee or swap ideas at RollingBeanRoasterie@cheerful.com.

Trout Unlimited has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to plant nearly 17,000 trees along the Rogue River and its tributaries. The project aims to address stormwater runoff that pollutes, erodes, and warms the important trout stream by planting trees at critical sites throughout the watershed. 

The first tree planting will take place along Cedar Creek at Heart of Cedar Springs Park on July 3 from 9 a.m.-noon. Please bring a shovel if you have one. No experience necessary. 

Volunteers will meet at the Cedar Springs Library at 107 N Main St NE, Cedar Springs, MI. Please park at the nearby White Pine Trail parking lot at 84 W Maple St NE, Cedar Springs, MI. 

Contact Jamie Vaughan at jvaughan@tu.org if you have questions

For March is reading month

The library’s annual campaign to get every first grader his/her own library card or access to a family card culminated in the annual “March is Reading Month Celebration” at the Kent Theatre for all of the first graders at Cedar Trails and at Creative Technologies Academy on March 4 and 5. 

Every first grader got in to see the new “Mary Poppins” movie for free, and a library card got them a free bag of popcorn. 

On hand to emphasize books and reading were representatives from the local libraries: Director Donna Clark and Youth Services Parapro Melissa Dubridge, from the Cedar Springs Public Library; Youth Librarian Sara Magnuson and Youth Parapro Bethany Metivier, from KDL-Nelson Twp/Sand Lake Library; and Youth Parapro Heidi Fifield, from the KDL-Spencer Township Branch. 

“I love this program,” said Clark. “We’ve teamed up with our local schools, families and Kent District Library now for 22 years. It’s great to partner as an extended community to promote a lifelong love of reading.”

Magnuson agreed. “Working together on this project is one of the highlights of our year. I love getting to visit all the first graders and see how excited they get about libraries and reading. It’s a great way to get local students and their families into our libraries and encourage reading every day!”

Clark said the program would not have been a success without the enthusiastic support from Cedar Trails Principal Beth Whaley and her wonderful first grade teaching staff, Mrs. Birdsong, Mrs. Brussow, Mrs. Shepard, Mrs. Tiffany, Mrs. Boggiano, Mrs. Doncis, Mrs. Holtrop, Mrs. Upham, Mrs. Saneford, Mrs. Bonsall, Mrs. Sendler, Mrs. Schmidutz, and Mrs. O’Brien. All but a couple of the teachers were able to attend and greet their first graders as they came in. Also in attendance were students from our local charter school, Creative Technologies Academy, from Mrs. Parker’s class. 

There was a good attendance, in spite of the single digit temperatures. Over the two nights of the celebration, a total of 97 first graders and 179 family members attended, for a total of 276 celebrating the first grade library card drive. 

Library cards from Cedar Springs and KDL Libraries can be used in seven counties in Michigan.

Donna:  “I love this program. We’ve teamed up with our local schools, families and Kent District Library now for 22 years.  It’s great to partner as an extended community to promote a lifelong love of reading.”

Do you have prediabetes? The National Diabetes Prevention program is a no-cost program proven to help motivate and support people at a risk of developing diabetes and those with prediabetes to make practical real-life changes and cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You will get to work with a trained lifestyle coach and a small group of people who share the same goal. The program can show you how to make better food choices, be more physically active and find helpful ways to cope with problems and stress.

The information session will be March 7 from 6-7 p,m, at the Cedar Springs Public Library.

The program begins March 14 from 6-7 p.m.

The full program will consist of 16 weekly sessions within the first 6 months followed by 6 monthly sessions. 

You must register by March 14. Contact Christi Demitz at 616.632.7881 or demitzch@msu.edu.

“OUR TIME IN THE INFINITE” an award winning 3D reverse perspective painting by artist/author David Stricklen is now on loan to the Cedar Springs Library.

This is a “see it to believe it” painting that appears to move. David refers to the type of painting as a 3D reverse perspective illusion. 

David explains the painting this way:The canvas comes toward you but the images are painted as if they are going away from you. This creates the illusion of movement within the piece. As you move from left to right, the first door will close as the second door opens. The hallways will stretch and the towers will rotate. If you look closely, the eyes in the tower windows will also follow you, left, right, up and down.

David’s reverse perspective painting was a 2018 top five 3D popular vote finalist in the largest attended art competition in the world (Grand Rapids ArtPrize) as well as a first place popular vote finish in the 3D & 2D ArtPrize category for the post prize 2018 colors of community art competition.

In a former life, David was the Grand Rapids airport police chief with 30 years experience in law enforcement. Now retired, David pursues his creative passions full time. He has written a series of three sought after fantasy adventure books: Beneath and Beyond, Through the Eyes of the Beast and The Heart of the Swarm. The start of a new series entitled Ripley Robinson and the Worm Charmer will be out in 2019. His books and school visits are filled with magic and creativity. David’s reverse perspective paintings are a visual extension of that same creativity. His paintings and writings hope to illustrate that there is still magic in the world.

David is a long time friend of Cedar Springs and will be presenting at the middle school on March 4^th and 6^th.

Kids had the opportunity to hone their skills at decorating at the Cedar Springs Library last week.

Just like the popular Netflix show Nailed it, the kids were challenged to recreate Pinterest worthy treats. They had three timed baking challenges, the first an emoji cake pop; second a melted snowman cookie; and for the final challenge they had to recreate a minions cake. 

The winner of the final and largest round won the coveted golden spoon trophy and nailed the challenge. All of the kids worked hard and all deserved to win but Sierra Fifield nailed the minion cake and went home with the golden spoon. 

 “The event was enjoyed by all and the kids raved about it,” said Library Director Donna Clark.

Art by Marge Clark. (Supplied)

Coming to the Cedar Springs Library in October is a display of counted cross-stitch created by local retired teacher Marge Clark. Every three months the library displays works by local artists. On display starting October 1 will be two pieces by Mrs. Clark. The first piece is a 24” x 31” work titled “Winter Skaters.” The second is a 17” x 21” piece titled “Grandchildren.” 

Marge Clark was born in Grand Rapids 92 years ago and has called Cedar Springs home for most of her life. She started sewing as a young girl, making many of her own clothes, and has continued throughout her life. She is a graduate of Michigan State University (bachelors degree) and Central Michigan University (masters degree). She married Jack Clark in 1946 and together they have four children – Marilyn, Barb, Nancy and Mark. Mrs. Clark taught kindergarten for most of her working life, starting at the White Creek country school and continuing at Beach Elementary, until her retirement in 1986. She started working on counted cross-stitch while she was still teaching and continued for many years. After retirement she and Jack traveled extensively until his passing.

Marge is truly an institution in Cedar Springs. We hope you will find time to stop in and view her artwork.

Facebook photo

The Blue Star Mothers Ottawa-North Kent Chapter 194 is doing a food and personal item drive for our military troops and K-9 troops. Donation drop boxes will be set up at various businesses in Cedar Springs from September 13-25. 

Personal items needed for care packages for troops include lip balm; medicated food powder; shoe inserts; antibiotic itch ointment; muscle pain ointment; eye drops; eyeglass wipes; mouthwash; feminine hygiene products; shaving cream; disposable razors; body wash/soap; small packs of baby wipes; Q-tips; hand sanitizer; skin lotions; sunscreen lotion (in tube); non-aerosol insect repellant; and hand warmers.

Snacks needed include protein and granola bars; chips/pretzels; trail mix; popcorn; Cracker Jacks; hot chocolate; powdered drink mixes; powdered Gatorade; coffee/tea; coffee creamers; canned fruit (easy open container); individual servings of peanut butter; canned chicken/tuna; microwave food; beef jerky (no pork); Slim Jims; gum; candy. We can send chocolate this time of year. 

Troops also enjoy dvds; crossword puzzles; small American flags; room fresheners; pencils/pen; small notepads.

Items needed for K9 troops include: collapsible nylon dog bowls; kongs (large); K9 shampoo (oatmeal); K9 heavy duty nail clippers; sleeping mats; K9 toothbrush and toothpaste; towels or wipes; and dog poop bags.

You can drop off items at Stein Brothers; Main Street Café; Cedar Springs Library; Cedar Chest; and Zain’s Party Store until September 25.

Blue Star Mothers are military mothers serving our military, veterans, and honoring our fallen, as well as being a support group for each other. The Ottawa-North Kent chapter meets at the American Legion Post 376 at 1469 Arthur St, in Marne, on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. For more info on Blue Star Mothers call 616-885-6564; email ottawanorthkentbsm@yahoo.com; or visit their Facebook page Ottawa North Kent Blue Star MothersMi-194.