Samantha Taylor, a 2016 graduate of Cedar Springs Public Schools,
received multiple athletic honors for her basketball career.

Samantha Taylor, a 2016 graduate of Cedar Springs Public Schools, completed her sophomore year at Muskegon Community College (MCC) recently and received multiple athletic honors for her outstanding two-year basketball career as a Jayhawk. 

Taylor, a 5’8 shooting guard and two-time team captain, averaged 6.8 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game, earning her MCCAA Western Conference All Defensive Team and All-Western Conference Honorable Mention. The MCC Women’s basketball team’s historic season came to an abrupt end, losing a heart-breaker 66-57 in the NJCAA Regional Semifinal game held at St. Clair Community College located in Port Huron, MI. 

Taylor certainly left her mark at MCC, as she was a key part in the Jayhawks recording back-to-back 20-win seasons, the 2018 MCCAA Western Conference Championship and the MCCAA State Championship. Taylor capped off her basketball career being named the 2018 Muskegon Community College Female Athlete of the Year. 

“Sam was a great example of what being a student athlete at MCC is all about. She not only excelled on the basketball court but excelled in the classroom as well. She had a great work ethic and attitude and represented both the MCC Athletic Department and the Women’s Basketball program proudly,” said Jimmy Booth, Muskegon Community College Assistant Athletic Director. 

Taylor will finish her academic studies at Grand Valley State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the healthcare field.

Montcalm Community College student Bethani Christie, of Edmore, on right, goes fishing and finds a magic talking fish played by MCC student Brendan Doolittle, of Sheridan, in “The Fisherman and His Wife,” adapted by Claudia Haas. Courtesy photo.

SIDNEY–Find out what happens when a couple strikes it rich after they find a magic talking fish and the wife’s greed brings consequences into their fairytale life. 

Montcalm Community College’s drama class presents “The Fisherman and His Wife,” adapted by Claudia Haas, Nov. 4 and 5 at 2 p.m. in the Barn Theater on the college’s Sidney campus. Admission is free.

When a fisherman finds a magic talking fish, he is grateful for the fortune but is happy to continue his way of life. However, his wife takes advantage of the situation, causing the couple to experience the perils of greed with the help of the narrator, Scatman L’Adore, and the audience. 

Cast members include Brendan Doolittle, of Sheridan, as Scatman L’Adore; Bethani Christie, of Edmore, as Jonner, the fisherman; and Jessie Tribbette, of Saranac, as Maura, the fisherman’s wife. MCC Drama Class Instructor Carolyn Johnson is the director and Katelynne Bills, of Howard City, is the light and sound technician.

“The Fisherman and His Wife” is originally a fairytale by Brothers Grimm. Haas’s adaptation is interactive fun for the whole family and is appropriate for young audiences. 

For more information or to arrange a group performance, contact Johnson at cjohnson@montcalm.edu or 989-328-1248. 

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.

God’s Kitchen in Cedar Springs

Jan. 3,10,17,24,31: Join us for dinner every Tuesday. God’s Kitchen – Cedar Springs welcomes families from Northern Kent County and the surrounding area to a Tuesday Evening Meal. No charge – no registration required!  Served from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the St. John Paul II Parish, 3110 – 17 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs. For more information, call the Church office at 616-696-3904. #52

TOPS weight loss support group

Jan. 3: Take off pounds sensibly (TOPS), a non-profit weight loss support group for men and women, meets every Tuesday at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Sand Lake. Your first visit is free so come check out what TOPS can do to help you reach your weigh loss goals! Weigh-ins 8:15-9am, meeting starts at 9:15am. In case of inclement weather, meetings are cancelled if Tri-County or Cedar Springs schools are closed. Call Barb at 696-8049 for more information. #52

Straw Building Bonanza

Jan. 7: With this unstructured building time, kids can build 2D and 3D geometric creations, vehicles, forts, or whatever! We’ll provide all the materials, kids bring their imagination and curiosity. Saturday, January 7, 10:30 a.m. at Nelson Twp. /Sand Lake KDL, 88 Eighth St.
#52

Explore MCC’s Kenneth J. Lehman Nature Trails

Montcalm Community College’s Kenneth J. Lehman Nature Trails are open to the public from dawn until dusk, 365 days a year. There is no charge to visit these beautiful trails winding through forests, grasslands and wetlands. More than four miles of trails are marked with numbered trail posts and maps are available at most major trail heads. For more information, please email naturetrails@montcalm.edu or call MCC Biology Instructor Heather Wesp (989) 328-1270. #52

Longtime One Book One County Montcalm supporter Carole Cole, on left, Montcalm Community College Library Director Katie Arwood, in back, and Carson City Public Library and Crystal Community Library Director Beth O’Grady unveiled the 2016 One Book One County selection, “True Grit,” by Charles Portis, during a May 19 kickoff celebration at MCC’s Beatrice E. Doser Building on the college’s Sidney campus.

SIDNEY – “True Grit,” by Charles Portis, is the book everyone is reading as the 2016 One Book One County Montcalm selection.

The title was announced to a crowd of more than 100 people during a May 19 kickoff at Montcalm Community College’s Beatrice E. Doser Building on the college’s Sidney campus.

Considered as a great American adventure story, “True Grit” was first published in 1968. It tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just 14, when a scoundrel named Tom Chaney murders her father in Fort Smith, Ark. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father’s death. With the one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the U.S. Marshal with the most “grit,” by her side, Mattie seeks retribution in Indian Territory.

One Book One County Montcalm began in 2005 as a part of a national One Book One County movement. In 2009, MCC joined the effort. This year, the public libraries of Montcalm County are hosting the program, which will include a variety of events and multiple book discussions.

Eight book discussions are scheduled throughout the county from June into August. Other events include a musical performance, a horse exhibit, free movie nights, a campfire, historical presentations and more.

“What can I say about this book that hasn’t been said before?” MCC Library Director Katie Arwood asked the crowd. “This book has been described as uncomplicated and pure. It is an adventure story; it is a thriller. It is a story of the evolving tenderness in a relationship between generations.

“Two famous films, 40 years apart, were made from this story,” she added. “My favorite description of it comes from bestselling author Donna Tartt: ‘In short, this story begins where chivalry meets the frontier.’”

One Book One County Montcalm is sponsored by Stafford Media Solutions, MCC, the MCC Foundation and the public libraries of Montcalm County.

For discussion questions or more information, visit www.montcalm.edu/onebook.

WHAT: “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff, performed by MCC’s Alumni & Friends Choir, MCC’s Philharmonic Orchestra, Greenville High School Orchestra and Flat River Dance Company

WHEN: April 17 at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Greenville High School Performing Arts Center

HOW: Tickets are general admission and are $3 each. Purchase tickets at the UPS Store at 703 S. Greenville West Drive in Greenville or in the Montcalm Community College Donald C. Burns Administration/Library Building at 2800 College Drive in Sidney. Payment must be cash or check made payable to MCC.

By Samantha Mack

Members of Montcalm Community College’s Alumni & Friends Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greenville High School Orchestra and Flat River Dance Company rehearse for the April 17 performance of “Carmina Burana” at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center.

SIDNEY—Montcalm Community College’s Alumni and Friends Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra, along with members of the Greenville High School Orchestra and Flat River Dance Company, have joined for a production of epic proportions April 17 at 5 p.m. at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center.

Performed by more than 150 area artists, “Carmina Burana” will feature powerful rhythms, unforgettable vocal parts and flowing dancers.

“Carmina Burana” is a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff in 1935 and 1936, based on 24 poems from the medieval collection “Carmina Burana.” The original manuscripts, written in the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th centuries, reflect the life and worldviews of poets at that time.

MCC Performing Arts Coordinator Val Vander Mark, who is coordinating the production, said she is excited to bring this cultural opportunity to a local audience, and to pay tribute to Orff, who was an influential music educator.

“Part of Orff’s educational philosophy was that children learn best by encountering rhythm first. That philosophy is evident in this piece,” Vander Mark said. “This work is not very difficult pitch-wise for singers, but it has some passages that are very difficult for the orchestra.

“With its fast tempos and constantly-changing meters, it is quite challenging rhythmically for everyone,” she said. “It is also written in Latin and German. That is difficult enough, but we are using the pronunciations of the languages that would have been used in the time when the poetry was written, so even those singers who are familiar with the languages have a challenge mastering the differences between the modern and ancient versions.

“The Philharmonic Orchestra is tackling the challenge extremely well, and the string section of the Greenville High School orchestra is joining them for extra rehearsals,” she added. “The difficulty will stretch everyone’s abilities in reading and playing music, but beyond that, the rewards of performing and getting to know this great work so intimately cannot be described. We have a huge amount of talent in Montcalm County. I have been just overwhelmed by the quality of musicianship that is represented in this group.”

“A special aspect of the ‘Carmina Burana’ production is our partnership with the community in this endeavor,” said MCC Dean of Instruction & Student Development Gary Hauck. “This is a stellar example of our college and community relationship.”

Vander Mark said this epic composition takes a lot of work from many performers and requires two pianos. In addition to Greenville High School’s grand piano, an 1890 Steinway grand piano will be featured during the performance. The classic instrument is on loan from Alex Kapteyn, owner of Central Michigan Pianos, in Carson City. Kapteyn acquired the piano from the estate of longtime Greenville resident Dorothy Oliver, a musician and founder of the Danish Festival. Kapteyn spent about 10 months restoring it, and it is now in his home.

“I am very pleased to have this piano utilized for the concert, for in a small way it allows me to pay tribute to Dorothy Oliver and her years of service to the Greenville school system,” Kapteyn said.

Vander Mark said the performance will be a rare event.

“We are hoping that the large audience will give many people who knew Dorothy a chance to see and hear this equally-rare instrument,” Vander Mark said. “Having known Dorothy personally, I know what an extraordinary person and musician she was, and how much this will mean to so many people in our community,” she added. “It just makes the whole experience that much more meaningful for both the musicians and the audience. The idea that this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime event that we are privileged to be part of is exciting.”

Tickets for “Carmina Burana” are general admission and cost $3 each. They may be purchased at the UPS Store, located in the parking lot south of Applebee’s at 703 S. Greenville West Drive, Suite 7, Greenville, and at Montcalm Community College’s Donald C. Burns Administration/Library Building at 2800 College Drive, Sidney. Payment must be cash or check made payable to Montcalm Community College.

This activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and the Montcalm Community College Foundation Ash Community College Enhancement Fund.

Members of Montcalm Community College’s Alumni & Friends Choir practice for the Messiah concert.

December 5

SIDNEY – Area musicians combine their talents to present a performance of George Frideric Händel’s Messiah on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.

“This is a special holiday tradition that has been performed in our community by local musicians every few years since the mid-1970s,” said Valerie Vander Mark, MCC Performing Arts Coordinator and concert producer. “Years ago it was sponsored by the Creative Arts Council, and I felt it was very important to continue the tradition. The most exciting thing about it for me is the different blend of talent that we get each time we perform it. Though Händel wrote this great work over 250 years ago, and we perform the same music each time, it is always a new mix of singers and instrumentalists, so it is never the same performance twice.”

Randy Masterson, of Saranac, will perform a tenor solo during the Montcalm Community College Alumni & Friends Choir performance of Messiah.

Greg Vander Mark, of Greenville, is directing this year’s performance. He is also the director of the adult choir at the First Congregational Church in Greenville.

Händel composed Messiah in 1741 in just 24 days. It was first performed in a concert given for charitable purposes in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742. Händel conducted the performance in person.

MCC’s Alumni & Friends Choir—a community choir made up of approximately 70 singers from the area—will perform the concert.  Former area music teachers Jean and Keith Hudson have selected musicians for the orchestra and have been rehearsing with them.

Soloists include Karen Lincoln, of Alma; Jeanne Haenisch, of Belmont; Deb Dieckman, Mark Dombroske, Ryan Garlick, Julie Momber, Larry Moss, and Valerie Vander Mark, all of Greenville; Marian Flynn of Mecosta; Cynthia Karaba of Sand Lake; Randy Masterson of Saranac; and Deborah Baldwin and Katrina Nelson, both of Sheridan.

For more information, contact MCC Performing Arts Coordinator Valerie Vander Mark at valv@montcalm.edu or (989) 328-1218.

Students entering first through fourth grades can apply basic engineering and architectural principles using unique LEGO® kits during three summer camps at Montcalm Community College.

“Dreamworld” is July 20-23 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. daily. This four-day camp combines elements of engineering and architecture. Students will learn fundamental architectural principles, and general application of design principles for houses and commercial buildings. They will build a pullback car, summerhouse and restaurant.

“Pullback Frenzy” is July 20-23 from 6 to 9 p.m. daily. This four-day camp is designed to stimulate problem-solving and creativity. Students will build up to 15 cars while becoming mini-engineers. They will learn concepts such as gravity, potential energy and kinetic energy.

“Journey into Space” is July 27-30 from 5 to 8 p.m. daily. This four-day camp develops campers’ architecture and design skills, problem-solving and team building. Students will learn the importance of simple machines while building a spaceship and Apollo pullback car.

Each camp meets on MCC’s Greenville campus. The camp director is Bradley Davison and the cost is $59.

“We chose these camps because they focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math, or S.T.E.A.M.,” MCC Dean of Community & Workforce Education Susan Hatto said. “These encourage, educate and prepare today’s youth to pursue careers in S.T.E.A.M.-related fields through fun, interactive activities. Focusing on the classes that use unique LEGO® kits in particular is a great start for even the youngest of learners. Children enjoy playing with these blocks at home, so combining one of their favorite toys with learning is a great way to teach science and technology skills.”

All three camps utilize kits from All About Learning, Inc. Children will not keep the building kits. For more information, visit their website at www.allaboutlearning.co/. To register, visit www.montcalm.edu/camps.

Northern Mohican Musician, performer, songwriter and painter Bill Miller offers two presentations Nov. 7 at Montcalm Community College.

At noon in rooms D303-305 in MCC’s Beatrice E. Doser Building, Miller offers reflections and a musical presentation to students, faculty, staff and community members. Lunch is provided for students with a current MCC ID and is $2 for all others.

At 7 p.m., Miller performs his music in MCC’s Barn Theater. Admission is free.

Miller’s motivating and spiritual music was shaped by an astonishing life. Born of German-Mohican blood, Miller grew up in and around Northern Wisconsin on a reservation. His struggle against cultural and family tragedies became the backbone of his faith-enriched work.

Shortly after leaving the reservation, Miller’s turning point came when he attended a Pete Seeger concert. He then studied art at the Layton School of Art and Design in Milwaukee, Wis., and pursued a career as a singer and songwriter. From the beginning, he faced cultural racism, but Miller continues to escalate as a singer and songwriter.

It was through life experiences that Miller used his talents to overcome battles that fell in his path and continue living in a positive, inspirational way. In a story on his Web site, Miller said, “I see things as rivers, creeks and rainstorms as the liquid layer of my life.”

Miller has recorded several albums that have brought great success to his life, including “Loon Mountain and Moon,” “Red Road,” “Reservation Road, and Raven In The Snow,” “The Art of Survival,” and one that brought great attention to him at the American Music Awards, “Ghost Dance,” which earned him nine Nammys. Miller most recently released the albums “Chronicles of Hope” and “Spirit Wind North.”

Ken DeLong, MCC’s Native American Club advisor, has seen Miller’s performances and he described them as, “excellent, and powerful. It’s hard to put a label on his music because his lyrics are inspired by personal experiences.”

“Miller is excellent on the guitar, and he sucks you in,” DeLong said.

November is Native American recognition month and DeLong said he hopes Miller’s performance will “bring folks to campus, and broaden their horizon. It’s a chance for the community to hear and see things they wouldn’t normally experience.”

Miller is “not pretentious, he’s a good guy and he can really connect with his audience,” DeLong said.

Contact DeLong by e-mail at kend@montcalm.edu or call him at (989) 328-1258 for more information.

MCC art student Fallon Carter works on a drawing during art class.

Unique artwork will be featured during Montcalm Community College’s annual Holiday Time Art Show and Sale, Nov. 28 through Dec. 4 in the Instruction North Building Art Gallery on the college’s Sidney campus.
The event features an open house and an artwork sale. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 2 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4. Work from MCC’s art students and art club members will be featured, as well as pieces created by community members.
MCC art student Fallon Carter, who will have pieces on display, touches base with the nature of her artwork. She is inspired by many artists but thrives by exploring her boundless imagination.
“By looking at my art, I hope people find inspiration to focus on the beauty and capture it in whatever way they know how, whether it is drawing, writing, singing—the list goes on,” Carter says.
She hopes her audience will interpret the beauty in her art and appreciate what they might not recognize as beauty. Carter is a sophomore at MCC and plans to transfer to Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids.
MCC Visual Arts Coordinator Carolyn Johnson says the community is fortunate to have the opportunity to view and purchase pieces from many talented artists.
“It’s exciting to offer such a diverse collection of artwork during this show. Many of the pieces are offered for sale, which allows our community members to buy locally for holiday gift-giving,” she says. “Not only are patrons able to support American-made products, but their gifts will be unique creations by area artists.”
The Holiday Time Art Show and Sale is sponsored by the MCC Art Club. Light refreshments will be served during the sale.
Call Johnson at (989) 328-1248 or e-mail cjohnson@montcalm.edu or contact Art Instructor Debbie Bell at debbieb@montcalm.edu for more information.