Cedar Springs Rotary Club

This is your last chance to get tickets for the Rotary Club’s Cow Plop Raffle. By State Law, they must sell all tickets by the end of May. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and are available at ChoiceOne Bank, Independent Bank, and White Creek Lumber. Prizes are 1st place-$1,000, 2nd place-$250, and 3rd place-$150. You do not need to be present to win. The event will be on June 15 at White Creek Lumber starting at 9 a.m. and will end when Diane’s bovine Franklin does his business!

All proceeds go to support local Club initiatives include providing scholarships, leadership training, and Scouts USA Troop 222.

This photo, taken in 2010, shows a firefighter giving a four-year-old a chance to use a fire hose at Community Night. Photo by J. Reed.

April 19, 6-8:30 p.m.

By Tom Noreen

For the past 31 years, the Community Action Network (CAN) sponsored Community Night. CAN was founded as a group of people and organizations meeting to serve as a public forum for member organizations to share information on community opportunities and challenges. Since then, other organizations have evolved to better meet the needs of client groups. The Kent Schools Service Network (KSSN) provides support for the schools; the Cedar Springs Ministerial Association is a forum for local churches; and the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce for businesses. Each of these groups now run events as well. The CAN board of directors voted to dissolve CAN and offer Community Night to the Cedar Springs Rotary Club.

 For the Rotary Club, this seems to be a great fit to provide an opportunity for community businesses, churches, non-profits, and individuals to share what they are doing. Many of our small home-based businesses only get exposure by word of mouth. This gives them a chance to display their products in a public forum at a reasonable cost. Community service is a key element of Rotary’s mission. Any proceeds from this event will be returned to community.

The 32nd Annual Community Night will be Thursday, April 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Cedar Springs High School. Vendors, churches, non-profits and more will have booths for you to peruse. Food will be available from the Music Boosters concession stand and multiple forms entertainment will be in the auditorium throughout the evening. Additionally, there will be martial arts demonstrations in the auxiliary gym and industrial arts projects in the industrial arts room near the concession stand.

If you would like to register for a booth, go to cedarspringsrotary.org and download the registration form in the left hand column. Deadline for the $30 registration fee is March 23. After that it will increase to $35. They can also be picked up from the Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation, Cedar Springs Community Library, ChoiceOne Bank, Independent Bank, City Hall and White Creek Lumber.

Community Night also offers the Rotary Club an opportunity to expand its exposure in Cedar Springs. For 75 years, the CS Club has supported local organizations and international projects. Annually the Club sends 4-8 high school students from CSPS and CTA to Life Leadership Camp and awards two $1,000 scholarships. As part of Rotary’s literacy focus, the Club conducts a writing contest with 5th grade students in CSPS and CTA. Check out their Facebook page and website for more information and activities. 

Analiese with her parents, Rob and Amy Van Harten.

Analiese with her parents, Rob and Amy Van Harten.

Every year the Cedar Springs Rotary Club puts on a Four-Way Test Essay Contest for local fifth grade students. The Rotary’s Four-Way Test essay questions consist of:

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

This year, one of CTA’s fifth grade students, Analiese Van Harten, tied for Third Place in the contest. She and her family, fifth grade teacher Mrs. Norman, and Dean of Students, Mrs. Mattson, attended the Rotary Meeting on March 8, which honored all of the winners.

By Tom Noreen

The Cedar Springs Rotary Club honored long time Rotarian Pat Capek at their July 27 meeting with an honorary Paul Harris Award for her many years as program chairman. Since 1990, Pat has arranged for programs at least three times a month for the club’s weekly noon meeting. Programs have included a group that brought a flock of parrots that chatted the entire meal, updates by regional non-profits, introduction of new businesses, mission trip reports, unique vacation experiences, students on schooling, exchange students, and the club’s Boy Scout Troop and Venture Crew.

Pat was one of the first three women to join the club. She joined in 1982 with Dorothy Bishop and Linda Hunt. She also past served as club president.

Her dedication in arranging these presenters definitely illustrates the Rotary motto: Service above Self.

These Boy Scouts cleaned up the White Pine Trail between 16 and 18 Mile Roads, Tuesday evening, June 7. The clean up was done in conjunction with the Cedar Springs Rotary Club.

Thank you for helping keep our trail clean!

Back row: Aaron Gauger, Brooke Morris, Holly Scheer, Allyson Marvel, Julie Wheeler.
Front row: Autumn Shelagowski, Nicole Von Seggern, Kaylee Klompstra

By Tom Noreen

Cedar Springs High School High School students Brooke Morris, Kaylee Klompstra, Allyson Marvel, Nicole Von Seggern, and Holly Scheer, and Creative Technologies Academy students Victoria Hanes and Autumn Shelagowski, were selected by the Cedar Springs Rotary Club to attend Rotary District 6290’s 68th Annual Life Leadership Conference, to be held June 15-18 at the Kettunen Center in Tustin, Michigan.

Designed to help students expand their roles in service to their schools and communities, this conference attracts 150 student leaders from over 50 communities in Michigan and Canada. Conferees include Youth Exchange students from other countries and leaders from Rotary high school Interact Clubs.

The agenda includes motivational and thought provoking speakers, learning simulations, group projects, physical activities, and discussions focused on elements of leadership and understanding leadership styles. Guest speakers focus on the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” and how students can make a positive difference wherever they lead. Discussion groups explore the intellectual, ethical and emotional aspects of leadership. International Students who attend lend a global perspective on issues.

Upon return, the students will make a presentation on the conference and write an essay on how the conference improved their leadership abilities. The Life Leadership Committee, Julie Wheeler and Aaron Gauger, and Randy VanDuyn, will then select two students based on their application, interview, presentation, and essay. Each of these students will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Rotary District 6290 conducts the prestigious Life Leadership Conference each year for outstanding student leaders. It is a powerful experience for all who attend. Beginning in 1949, it is the longest continually running Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program in the Rotary world.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit www.cedarspringsrotary.org.

Flocking is a new way for Rotary Interact members to raise money for their organization. From left to right: Holly Scheer, Kaylee Klompstra, and Alec Falicki.

By Randy VanDuyn

On Sunday afternoon, April 24, a flock of pink flamingos took up residency on the front lawn of Marge and Jack Clark’s home. The flamingos allegedly escaped from the Cedar Springs Rotary Interact Club. Jack and Marge were surprised and entertained to see the exotic pink birds in their yard with a hot pink sign stating, “You’ve been flocked!”

The Clarks now have a unique opportunity to pay a small fee that supports the Interact Club and they get to select the next recipient to flock. This is confidential until the chosen recipients see the flock of pink flamingos in their yard! It’s a great way to support our local kids, community, and to have fun throughout Cedar Springs.

The Interact Club, sponsored by the Cedar Springs Rotary Club, is made up of high school students from CSHS and CTA. This is exciting, as it’s the first year Cedar Springs has had an Interact Club. Other communities with Interact clubs include Greenville, Rockford, Lowell and Kenowa Hills.

The Interact Club is a great service organization, like the Cedar Springs Rotary Club. It’s all about our youth learning to lead and be great community volunteers. This will help to build our community with a philosophy of “service above self.”

Some students of the Interact Club were part of the Rotary Life Leadership Conference last June. The CS Rotary sponsors student participation in the Life Leadership Conference each year. Students are selected by CS Rotarians Julie Wheeler, of Independent Bank, and Aaron Gauger, of White Creek Lumber. Selected students attend a camp with approximately 140 other young leaders from Rotary District 6290.

The CS Interact Club was spearheaded by Dr. Laura VanDuyn, Cedar Springs Superintendent of Schools, after joining the local Rotary Club and working alongside local Rotarians. The Interact Club is now led by Rotary advisors, Nicole Kozminski of Independent Bank and Randy VanDuyn, who serves on the Board of Directors for the CS Rotary and the Red Flannel Festival. Josh Cooper, CSHS teacher, assists the Club leaders and offers his classroom as the meeting place for the Club.

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.

Good Friday Walk and Remember 

Mar. 25: Walk to each of the Sand Lake Village Churches and listen to the thoughts of characters that experienced the crucifixion first hand. Friday, March 25^th from noon to 1:30 pm. Our walk begins at Resurrection Lutheran Church (just south of town on Northland Dr.), with stops at the Full Gospel Church, Downtown Pavilion, Mary Queen of Apostles, and the United Methodist Church. Transportation will be provided back to the Lutheran Church. Children and families are encouraged to join us. #10-12p

Easter Egg-Stravaganza

Mar. 26: An Easter Egg-Stravaganza, a celebration for children will be held on Saturday, March 26^th from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Solon Center Wesleyan Church. All children 10 years and under are invited to attend. There’ll be games, an Easter Egg hunt, and a special Easter presentation. Two bicycles will be given away as grand prizes! For more information go to: scwchurch.com or call the church office  at 616-696-3229. The church is located at 15671 Algoma Ave., just north of 19 Mile Rd. All welcome! #11,12p

Praise the Lord at Cowboy Church

Mar. 27: 2nd Chance will be having Cowboy Church on Sunday, March 27th at 6 pm. It will be at 2nd Chance School at 810 – 17 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs (corner of 17 Mile and Olin Lakes Rd). The message will be shared by Billi Brandt who has an amazing testimony to share. Music will be shared by Gitchel family singing and playing traditional gospel music. Invite your family and friends. Cowboy Church will be every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Each service will have different people sharing God’s word and music. If you have questions, call 616-293-2150. See you there! #12

Register Now For Free Hunter Education

Apr. 5: To register for firearm Hunter Safety Classes  at the Red Flannel Rod & Gun Club, call Jim Pope at 231-834-5545 after 6 pm. Classes at the Club, 7463 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs, will be Tuesday, April 5^th, from 6-9 pm,  Thursday, April 7^th, from 6-9pm,  Saturday, April 9^th, from 8 am-4 pm, and Tuesday, April 12^th from 6-9 pm. Class size limited to 40 students. #12,13p

Help Promote Literacy

Apr. 14: The Literacy Center of West Michigan has scheduled and information session on Thursday April 14^th, for prospective volunteer tutors. This session is held at 6 pm and lasts one hour. It allows persons interested in becoming volunteer tutors to find out more about the Center and its literacy programs. At the end of the session there will be an opportunity to sign up for tutor training. 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 Center 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. #12

Community Night

Apr. 21: Cedar Springs Community Night is April 21^st and registration is underway. The deadline for registration is March 25^th. Forms are online at www.csaparksandrec.com or you can call 616-696-7320. #12

CS Rotary Club Cow Plop

May 7: The Cedar Springs Rotary Club is hosting their annual Cow Plop on Saturday, May 7^th from 9 am to 12 pm, next to White Creek Lumber, 13861 White Creek. Tickets are $5.00 each. Prizes: $1,000, $350, or $150, depending on where the cow plops. See any Rotarian for Tickets and more information. #12

One of CTA’s fifth graders has a lot to be proud of; he was one of 280 students from the Cedar Springs area to be picked for the Cedar Springs Rotary Club’s annual essay contest. Jacob Borden was awarded fourth place for his essay about his grandma. The essay contest’s theme asked participants to write about someone they feel is a responsible person. Jacob chose to write about his grandma and the reasons why he feels that she is responsible. “My grandma is outdoorsy, she walks every day. She goes to church and she hand-makes baby blankets for her church’s pantry.” He beamed as he spoke of his grandma, “I really respect my grandma.”

Jacob was awarded a $10 bill; he received a certificate and had a catered lunch with the Cedar Springs Rotary Club this past Wednesday. “We had tacos,” was Jacob’s response when asked about the lunch. During the lunch, Jacob had to read his essay to everyone at the lunch including his mom, grandma, teacher, Mrs. Norman, and his Dean of Students, Mr. Oldebekking, “I was nervous,” Jacob said. Any fifth grader would have been had he or she been in his shoes! CTA has a lot to be proud of in this young Charger. Way to go, Jacob!

for Juniors and Seniors

The Cedar Springs Rotary Club is now accepting interest forms to attend a Life Leadership Conference for High School Juniors and Seniors in Tustin, Michigan, June 18-21. The conference fee, along with transportation to and from the conference, is covered by the Cedar Springs Rotary Club. Students learn about leadership styles and identify strengths and weaknesses of those styles. Small group discussions include an understanding of various political, cultural, ethnic, gender, and religious groups. Two $1,000 scholarships will then be awarded based on Interviews, Applications, Presentations and Essays submitted by the students chosen for the conference.

Last years attendees were Dani George, Samantha Lovell, Esther Couturier, Emma Bishop and Katie Tow. Interest Forms are available in the Cedar Springs High School Counselor’s office, CTA Counselor’s office, Independent Bank or White Creek Lumber, with a response deadline of Friday, March 21 at 5:00 p.m.

Reese Rickards and Candy the cow.

By Tom Noreen

The Cedar Springs Rotary Club’s May 5th Cow Plop fundraiser raised over $3,500 for its scholarship fund, thanks to the community’s support of the event. Mike McDermed won the $1,000 grand prize. Bob Woodward took home the $350 second prize and Marva Zeldenrust held the winning third place ticket for $150.

Candy, the cow, was “Queen for a Day” as she paraded around her orange snow fence paddock. She serenaded the onlookers with moos and bellows, leading one of our Cow Plop volunteers, Michele Warner to say, “Candy’s all moo and no poo!” As Michele indicated, Candy took her sweet time before making her marks on the field, with the first plop taking an hour to occur. When she did produce, Plop Official and Club President Denise Gates was there to mark the spot.

It was fun to observe families as they watched Candy’s antics. There was no doubt that she enjoyed the attention! After completing her official duties, Candy’s owner Jeff Spicer, brought Candy out to meet her fans. Halter broken, she enjoyed getting her ears scratched!

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, the club invited Two Hot Tamales to vend their delicious, homemade Mexican fare. Their tamales and quesadillas were a big hit! Owners Ruben and Rita Rodriquez donated a portion of their proceeds to Rotary’s Polio Plus campaign. Three generations of their family helped feed the hungry crowd.

Denise Gates gives Candy the cow the rules.

White Creek Lumber hosted the event, and Country Fresh Dairy’s “Ruthie the Cow” greeted people as they drove up. Diana Merritt dressed as a clown and provided two small bounce houses, lawn games and face painting, all of which were big hits with the kids. Later in the evening, the band Madhouse provided an excellent selection of music. Howard Christensen Nature Center’s Lily the Frog and Cindy Perski entertained kids with wildlife items. B-93’s Reese Rickards was emcee for the event.

Check out the photos on the Cedar Springs Rotary Club’s Facebook page and give them a “like” while you are there.