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.

Head Start for Kent County

Apply today! North Kent Head Start a high quality preschool program is taking applications. No cost to families. 3 year old – full day classes. Family support – transportation (in most areas). Nutritious meals and snacks. Child Health and Development screenings. Accommodations for children with disabilities. Families must meet eligibility guidelines. Complete an application on our website www.hs4kc.org or call 616-453-4145. #28,29b

Potluck Picnic, Movie and Sidewalk Sales

July 14,15 : Christmas in July Community Potluck Picnic and Movie in Morley Park: The fun starts Friday, July 14^th at  6 pm in Morley Park. This year the Cedar Springs area Chamber of Commerce has decided to add a community potluck/picnic to the Christmas in July movie in Morley Park event. This is a free event where everyone is welcome. Bring the family down & a dish to pass and enjoy dinner and yard games in the park before the movie starts! This year’s Christmas in July movie will be “Arthur Christmas”. Saturday July 15^th over 90 businesses & vendors will participate in Christmas in July Sidewalk Sales. #28b

Sing to the Lord

July 16: 2^nd Chance will be having gospel hymn sing on Sunday, July 16^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). Music will be provided by Deb and Larry Eadie and the message shared by Ron Parson. Invite your family and friends. The Sing to the Lord hymn sings will be every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month. Sing to the Lord hymn sings 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! #28b

Dinner at the Legion

July 17: American Legion, 80 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a Baked Chicken dinner on Monday, July 17^th , from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, salad, roll, dessert and drink. The cost is $9 for adults, children (15 and younger) $4.00. Come and enjoy home cooking. Take out is available. 616-696-9160.  #28

VBS at Ensley Baptist Church

July 17-21: Ensley Baptist Church, 7077 E. 120^th St., Sand Lake will be hosting Vacation Bible School, “Camp Kilimanjaro” an epic expedition through Proverbs, July 17 thru 21 from 9 am to 12 noon. Ages: pre-K thru 6^th grade. #28

Alan Kazam – Magic Show

July 18: If it’s fun, laughter and unforgettable memories you’re looking for, then come watch Alan Kazam, a professional magician who has been delighting audiences with his unique brand of magic for over 20 years. Presented by the Cedar Springs Community Library on Tuesday, July 18^th from 1 to 2 pm at Cedar Springs Middle School, corner Northland Drive and 16 Mile Rd. #28

Celebrate Recovery Tent Meeting

July 18: The weekly (Tuesday at 6:30 pm) meeting fo the nationally recognized program Celebrate Recovery will be a tent meeting outside on Tuesday, July 18^th at Hillcrest Community Church, 5993 – 18 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Phone 616-696-9333 for more information. #28

Michigan Blood Drive

July 18: A Michigan Blood Drive will be held on July 18^th at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church from 12:30 pm until 7 pm. Members of the Cedar Springs Women’s Club will be grilling hot dogs for all those who attempt to donate. Chips and a drink will be included. Summer is a particularly slow number for donors but a high demand for blood. Each donation has the potential to save 3 Michigan lives. The Blood Center thanks all the people that donate at the Cedar Springs blood drive. #28

VBS at Cedar Springs UMC

July 24-27: Come and discover your Super strength with us at “Hero Central!” We’ll have lots of fun – including crafts, games, stories and much more. Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main Street. July 24^th to the 27^th from 6 to 8 pm. Find registration forms on our website, www.cedarspringsumc.org, outside of the Sanctuary or in the church office. Contact Sally Johnson with any questions at 616-788-8225 or email: sallex58@gmail.com. #28,29b

VBS at Resurrection Lutheran Church

July 24-28: Vacation Bible School at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 180 Northland Drive, Sand Lake will be held July 24^th – 28^th from 6 to 8 pm. Ages 4 years old to sixth grade (entering). For registration information, please email churchresurrection@yahoo.com or call 616-636-5502. #27-29b

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.

Head Start for Kent County

Apply today! North Kent Heat Start is a high quality preschool program at no cost to families. 3 year old – full day classes, family support – transportation (in most cases), nutritious meals and snacks, child health and development screenings. Accommodations for children with disabilities. Families must meet eligibility guidelines. Enrolling now! Complete an Application on our website www.hs4kc.org or call 616-453-4145. #22,23p

Summer Celebration Fireworks – View From the Hill

June 11: You are invited to enjoy the Rockford Start of Summer fireworks from the hill at Rockford Reformed Church, 4890 – 11 Mile Rd. NE on Saturday, June 11^th. Popcorn, refreshments, and children’s activities provided. Please bring a chair or blanket, your family and friends and enjoy the beauty of the fireworks from the top of the hill at Rockford Reformed Church. Hope to see you there. #22,23p

Vacation Bible School @ Solon Center Wesleyan Church

June 12: Hey kids! Come for VBS beginning Sunday evening, June 12th from 6:30 – 8 pm. It’s family Night, so bring the whole family to enjoy the fun of the Double KK Petting zoo (weather permitting) and a hot dog roast. VBS continues through Thursday where you’ll make new friends, sing great songs, play fun games, experience Nazareth…where Jesus was a Kid and visit the market places of His home town. Monday through Thursday VBS is for children 4 years old through the 5th grade. Please pre-register by calling the church office @ 696-3229 or online at http://scwchurch.com/#/get-connected/vbs-registration. The church is located at 15671 Algoma Avenue, just north of 19 Mile Road. Come join the fun! #21-23p

Red Flannel Queen Pageant Contestants

June 12: Attention all young ladies living or attending school in the Cedar Springs School district who will be in the 11th grade in the 2016-17 school year. There will be a mandatory parent’s meeting for any interested young lady and her parents concerning the 2016 Red Flannel Pageant. The meeting will be Sunday, June 12th at 3 pm at the Springs Church (135 N. Grant St.) There will be a makeup meeting Sunday, June 26th at 3 pm at the Springs Church. For more information, you can contact pageant director Kaleigh Rosenberger at redflannelpageant@gmail.com. #22,23p

Praise the Lord at Cowboy Church

June 12: 2^nd Chance will be having Cowboy Church on Sunday, June 12^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 will be shared by Pastor Craig Carter from North Kent Community Church. 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. If you have questions, call 616-293-2150. See you there! #23

VBS at Snow Bible Church

June 13-17: Snow Bible Church, 1877 – 18 Mile Rd. Kent City, will host Cave Quest Vacation Bible School June 13 – 17 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm for grades K-6th. Enjoy Bible stories, crafts and games. Any questions please call Vickie at 616-901-5274. #23

A Magic Show with Tom Plunkard

June 14: Tom Plunkard’s entertaining and hilarious show includes animals, audience involvement and tons of amazing magic. For families with children. Tuesday, June 14^th at 1:30 pm at the Nelson Township/Sand Lake KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St. #23

Flying Aces Frisbee team

June 15: You don’t want to miss the tricks, amazing feats, and the fun of seeing the Flying Aces Frisbee team in action on Wednesday, June 15, at 4 p.m. at Cedar Springs Middle School. This family program is part of the Cedar Springs Library’s summer reading program. #23

The Village Puppeteers

June 15: It’s a raucous comic romp, packed with silly antics and featuring a cavalcade of colorful puppets. Puss ‘N Boots, the Three Little Pigs, Humpty Dumpty, Little Miss Muffet and Rumpelstiltskin joined by a host of others, including a dazzling dragon. For families with children. Wednesday, June 15^th at 6:30 pm at the Nelson Township/Sand Lake KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St. #23

Henna with Harsha Gohil

June 20: Experience the intricate art of henna tattooing with Harsha Gohil. Choose your own design for application and learn how to apply the henna yourself! For teens. Pre-registration is required, 877-243-2466. Monday, June 20^th at 1:30 pm at the Nelson Township/Sand Lake KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St. #23

VBS at Cedar Springs UMC

June 20-23 & 25: Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing Love at Surf Shack – 150 Vacation Bible School! June 20-23 from 6 – 8 pm. Grades K-6^th are invited to Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main St., to discover how to surf through life with God and others! New this year, as we celebrate our 150^th year in this community – 150 Field Day on Saturday June 25^th from 1 – 4 pm at Morley Park! Register online at www.cedarspringsumc.org. For more information, please call the church office at 616-696-1140. #23,24

Due to the government sequestration handed down at the end of last school year, Head Start was forced to cut some of their programming and North Kent Head Start was one of the sites that was closed to absorb the cut in funding.  They are happy to announce that North Kent Head Start is re-opening it’s doors again for the 2014-15 school year.

Head Start is a unique program that targets the neediest families in the community.  They offer a quality, full day preschool program with lots of other benefits like transportation, social services, health tracking, and much more.  Our program is a free service offered to children to prepare them for success in school.

Head Start for Kent County is now enrolling for full day programming.

Provides:

• A high quality preschool program

• Transportation (in most areas)

• Nutritious Meals and Snacks

• Family Support

• Child screenings in health and development

• Accomodations for special neeeds children

Eligibility: 

• Children must be 4 by October 1st, 2014

• Must meet income guidelines

Qualifying Parent(s) must be involved in one of the following: 

• Working or

• In school or

• In job training or

• The age eligible child must have an IEP

Head Start is located at 14951 White Creek Avenue Cedar Springs. Call 453-4145 for more information.