GARY & LOLLY GUST

Gary and Lolly Gust of Cedar Springs celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with family and friends at the American Legion on April 22, 2017. Their children are Jeff and Barb (Zerfas) Gust, Michelle Tackmann and grandchildren, Jason, Brooke, Jacob Gust and Isebelle Tackmann. Congratulations to 50 wonderful years!

Dear CSPS Families and Colleagues:

It is the time of year when we focus on that for which we are thankful.  There are many things in our district and community for which to be thankful, including those who rise above self and serve others.  Mr. Joe Marckini and Mr. Jeff Gust have done just that as they have served on our CSPS Board of Education for several years.  Please join me in thanking them for their volunteerism and for taking on the challenges of leadership with courage, engagement and compassion.

Mr. Joe Marckini is a lifelong resident of Kent County and has been a Cedar Springs resident since 1996.  He is the proud father of 2 wonderful daughters, both CSHS graduates.  He and his wife Elizabeth are strong supporters of public education and have been active volunteers throughout the CSPS district and the Cedar Springs community.

Mr. Marckini is an active participant in the legislative process at the local, state and national level. He has taken trips to Washington D.C. to advocate for our Cedar Springs schools.  He is passionate about always doing what is best for students and has dedicated nearly 10 years of his time to seeing that passion through to successful results.  Mr. Marckini has participated in thousands of hours of school board member training and has earned several levels of achievements and awards as well as serving as President of the Board of Education.

Mr. Jeff Gust is a lifelong resident of Cedar Springs.  He and his wife Barb are proud graduates of CSHS.  They are the proud parents of 3 great children who all graduated from CSHS!  Not only does Mr. Gust serve but his wife does as well as a secretary at our high school.

Mr. Gust is well respected for the countless hours he has spent throughout the district, whether it is to referee the Red Flannel Festival powder puff game, serve in the concession stands, join in the excitement of Back-to-School nights, or help our littlest students find the correct bus the first week of school.  Regardless of the event or activity, you’ll find Mr. Gust there exhibiting his great Red Hawk pride!

Mr. Gust has served for nearly 6 years, most recently as the Secretary of the Board of Education.  Prior to that he has dedicated much of his time as a member of the Finance and Sinking Fund committees.

As these 2 long-term Board of Education members go off the board at the end of December, we will remember them for their selfless volunteerism and leadership as it’s quite impressive to give so generously in an effort to do what is best for kids.

Thank you, Mr. Marckini and Mr. Gust, you and your service to our district and community will be sorely missed!

Laura VanDuyn

Warmly,

Laura VanDuyn, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

Dear Editor,
Lolly and I have been vacationing in Zimbabwe the past two weeks. We have been reflecting on what a fantastic time we had representing the Red Flannel Festival as Grand Marshal. We would like to thank the Red Flannel board for such a wonderful experience.
We started with the Prince and Princess pageant. The pageant committee did a great job organizing everything, plus controlling 55 kindergarteners. The Saturday before Red Flannel Day, we spent a lot of time attending functions with Tinsley, Kayla and Samantha. They did an outstanding job of handling themselves under all situations. Their time with the kids in the Prince and Princess pageant and children’s parade was especially rewarding. The 5K run had perfect weather, cool and little wind. In the afternoon it warmed up for the bed races and children’s parade. Way to go Choice One! We stopped by Cedar Pub to smell the chili and watch the horseshoe contest.
We had a wonderful meal at the Lion’s Club lumberjack supper and visited with many friends. At the queen pageant we sat directly behind Tranaya’s family. What a wonderful moment for her and her family. Good luck to Tranaya, Kaitlyn, and Esther in the upcoming year.
Red Flannel Day started early with flag raising. We had a nice flapjack breakfast, followed by arts and crafts fair, car show Celtic highlander games, marketplace, and marching band competition. We never would have completed everything without the golf cart. Finally the parade itself. The weather was perfect. What an amazing experience seeing so many familiar faces. As we turned the corner under the traffic light, all we could see was red! We want to give a special thanks to Jim and Linda Babylon for providing us a ride in their yellow 1969 Camaro convertible.
Thank you, people of Cedar Springs, for providing two weekends we will never forget.

Gary and Lolly Gust, Nelson Township

Re-elected trustee, Jeff Gust, being sworn in.

17th Circuit Court Judge Christopher Yates swore in Vice-president Joe Marckini

The Cedar Springs Board of Education started their new school year Monday, July 11, by swearing in the recently elected board members and selecting this year’s officers.

President of the 2011-12 board is Brooke Nichols; Vice-president is Joe Marckini; Secretary is Tim Avery; and Treasurer is Todd Hanson.

17th Circuit Court Judge Christopher Yates swore in Joe Marckini and Jeff Gust, both incumbents who were reelected in May. Marckini, formerly board president, invited him to do the honors.

The board also had further discussion on athletics and the drop in participants. They clarified that athletics supervisor Autumn Mattson did not make the decision on her own about which sports would not receive funding, but that it was made jointly by Mattson, Superintendent Ron McDermed and Assistant Superintendent David Cairy. They also noted that a lot of parents called letting them know they had their support. They said they would be looking into things they could do to bolster participation.

Gary Gust and his wife, Lolly. Gary will be the 2011 grand marshal at the Red Flannel Festival.

The Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors announced last week that they have chosen Cedar Springs resident Gary Gust as the 2011 Grand Marshal for the 72nd Annual Celebration, to be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011.
“The Festival is extremely proud and thankful for the many years of Gary’s outstanding dedication to the entire Cedar Springs community,” said Michele Tracy-Andres, President of the Festival. “His fabulous community service in several organizations, and strong support of the Festival are very impressive and just what we look for in a Red Flannel Grand Marshal. It’s very obvious Gary loves Cedar Springs and the Red Flannel Festival!”
Gust has been a prominent leader in the community, volunteering his time to several organizations in youth sports and helped found the Athletic Boosters in 1981, as well as being the first President of the Boosters. He has supported the Festival for many years, including participating in numerous 5K Run events.
“We have always enjoyed Red Flannel Day, but this year will be extra special,” said Gust. “We always look forward to all the festivities. We’ve done it for years, but will do it up close this year.”
Gust remarked that he felt quite honored to have been chosen. “I hope I can live up to the expectations,” he said.
Gust attended Cedar Springs High School, and went on to Ferris State University, where he played tennis and met his wife, Lolly. Gary owned Gust Construction Company from 1979 until 2009. Today, he and Lolly enjoy their four grandchildren, harness horse racing and traveling around the world hunting.
To donate to the Red Flannel Festival, an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, view the Festival’s website at www.redflannelfestival.org or mail to RFF, PO Box 43, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.