The Community Building Development Team purchased property last week from Rob and Jodi Coxon. Shown at the closing from left to right: Jodi Coxon, CBDT president Kurt Mabie, Sun Title closing agent, Rob Coxon, realtor Leon Stout, and CBDT treasurer Betty Truesdale.

With the purchase of a parcel at the corner of Fifth and Pine Street in Cedar Springs last week, the non-profit Community Building Development Team is making headway in its mission to advance the “construction of buildings and spaces where the greater Cedar Springs Community can gather for cultural, educational, recreational, commercial, and family/community events.”

The 2.28 acre parcel with road frontage on Fifth and Pine Streets, was purchased on February 25, from Jodi and Rob Coxon, at a greatly reduced price. The property was appraised at $37,500 and sold to the CBDT for $15,000, according to CBDT treasurer Betty Truesdale.

“We are impressed with the involvement of so many people in our community to make our community a better place. It is our privilege to contribute part of the value of our land for the projects being planned by the CBDT, Library Board, and En Gedi Board. A new library and community building will be great assets for Cedar Springs. We are very happy to be a part of these efforts,” explained the Coxons.

Also joining in on donations toward this process were Thomas Cronkright II, owner of Sun Title Agency, who waived all closing fees and Leon Stout, of Stout Group Ltd, the real estate agency handling the sales transactions, waived a portion of his fees.

“It continues to amaze me on how people are jumping on board to be part of the movement to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Kurt Mabie, president of the CBDT. “Jodi and Rob’s support is greatly appreciated, along with Thomas and Leon’s assistance. It takes a group effort, a partnership of many, to bring about big things. That is exactly what is happening now,” he continued.

The exact use of the land has not yet been determined. According to Mabie, CS Manufacturing plans to donate a large section of land that adjoins the Coxon property to the CBDT next fall. Once that land is secured a site plan will be created.

All community members are invited to the CBDT Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at Hilltop School on the 3rd floor. The meeting run about one hour and begin at 6 pm.

Chaya Coxon had 11 points against the Huskies.

The Lady Red Hawks Varsity Basketball team made some tough shots when it counted last Friday to earn a 44-41 win over Forest Hills Northern.
The Red Hawks rolled out the welcome mat for the Huskies then jerked it away by taking an 8-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Huskies fought back toward the end of the second quarter, making their final five shots to tie it up 17-17 at the half.
In the third quarter, Rachael Ludtke scored Cedar’s first six points to give them lead. Chaya Coxon and Molly Holtrop added 3-pointers to extend the lead to 29-24 at the end of the quarter. The Huskies continued to battle it out in the fourth, and were within a single point with only 20 seconds left on the clock when the Red Hawks won the game at the free throw line, 44-41.
Top scorers for the Red Hawks were Rachael Ludtke with 12, and Chaya Coxon with 11. Molly Holtrop added 5, Hannah Wight had 5, Tiffany Karger and Meghan Andres tipped in 4 each, and Brittany Todd scored 2.
Coxon went 6 for 6 in free throws, and and Wight went 3 for 4. Karger was 2 for 3, and Ludtke 2 for 2.
“We out-rebounded the Huskies, and were very strong at the free-throw line (76 percent), particularly late in the game (Wight, Karger),” remarked Assistant Coach Chad Wight. “We recognize that those are key ingredients to being successful and winning games.”
Wight noted that the girls seemed to gel better as a team and got the job done. “We began to realize more of our potential tonight. We had a double-double from Rachel Ludtke underneath the basket, as well as a supporting cast of starters and bench-play that filled in the rest.

Rachael Ludtke charges the basket.

“We had some big shots down the stretch, particularly some treys from both Chaya Coxon and Molly Holtrop. Hannah Wight and Rachel Ludtke grabbed some huge rebounds for us in the closing minutes that kept us on top. The Huskies hit some threes to close the gap, but we never lost our intensity,” Wight added.
The Red Hawks are now 3-1 in conference play, and 6-2 overall.