Apportionments total over $633,000 to taxpayers

By Judy Reed

The Post reported last week that the residents in the Village of Sand Lake and Nelson Township are not happy with the apportionments and fees set by Kent County Drain Commissioner Ken Yonker to upgrade the Sand Lake Drain, and now several landowners within the drainage district of the Sand Lake Drain have appealed it.

A Board of Review, appointed by the Kent County Probate Court, will meet virtually through Zoom, November 12, at 9 a.m. to hear the appeal.

According to a letter from Yonker, if the Board of Review finds error or inequality in the apportionments, the Board will be required to re-apportion the costs as they see fit, which could result in a change for everyone in the district.

While some may only pay a few hundred spread out over six years, others will have to pay much more.

“Some people are being assessed $20,000, $40,000 and more,” Nelson Township Supervisor Robyn Britton told the Post last week. She said she is heartsick for these residents. “People here live paycheck to paycheck. Many are farmers. People are going to lose their homes.”

One resident, Dean Wall, is being charged $135,000.

The apportionment is based on the amount of land a person owns and if they benefit from the drain being upgraded.

According to Yonker, they had inspected sinkholes in the yards of two neighbors, and the clay tile had collapsed. It is over 90 years old. They will be upgrading to a larger drain, one that will last 50 to 100 years.

All residents within the drainage district are urged to attend this virtual meeting through Zoom. The Zoom meeting ID is 876 7915 1375 and the password is 638458.

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.

CS Community Players presents “Arsenic & Old Lace”

Oct. 18-20: “Arsenic & Old Lace” by Joseph Kesselring will be presented by the Cedar Springs Community Players on October 18, 19, 20, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Theatre. Adult presale Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Cedar Springs Library. Pricing at the theatre is $12 for adults. Students under 18 are $8.00. #41,42b

Lions Club Informational Breakfast

Oct. 20: The Sand Lake Lions Club is holding a free informational breakfast at the Sand Lake United Methodist Chruch Education Building (corner of 6^th and Maple Streets) in the Village of Sand Lake on Saturday, October 20^th from 8:30 – 10:30 am. It is possible to get to the church even during the road construction on Lake Street. Several District officers will be there to give very brief presentations and answer questions you may have about the largest service organization which has just under 1.5 million memebers. We would apprecaite it if you would call either 616-636-5425 or 616-347-6122 with an RSVP. #42

Huge Book Sale at Spencer Township KDL

Oct. 20,21: Huge book sale at Spencer Township Library. 14960 Meddler Ave., Gowen. Saturday, October 20 from 9 am to 3 pm and Sunday, October 21 from 10 am to 2 pm. Great Deals!. #41,42p

Fall Fest at KDL

Oct. 23,30: Celebrate the season with Autumn crafts, games and process art activities that focus on the process and less on the final product. Tuesday, October 23^rd at 6:30 pm, Spencer Township KDL Branch, 14960 Meddler Ave., Gowen and on Tuesday, October 30^th at 10:30 am, Nelson Township/Sand Lake KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St. #42

Help Promote Literacy

Oct. 26: The need is urgent! The Literacy Center of West Michigan is offering an informational meeting on Friday, October 26^th  at 10 am for prospective volunteer tutors. It will last one hour. It provides potential volunteers the opportunity to find out more about the Literacy Center and the role of a volunteer tutor. No experience necessary! We provide our volunteers with all the training they need to be successful tutors for our adult learners. The Literacy Center of West Michigan 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. #42

Benefit for Steve Austin Family

Oct. 27: Steve Austin served our community in multiple sports as a ref, umpire, coach, mentor and above all our friend! A benefit will be held on Saturday, October 27^th at Skinner Field (behind Morley Park) in Cedar Springs. Games throughout the Day – 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5:30pm, 7pm and 8:30pm. Donation at the Gate – $5/Family or $2/Individual – Your donation will get you a raffle ticket that will go into a drawing for a Detroit Lions Helmet. We will announce the winning ticket at Half Time of the last game and post on our Facebook Page. No need to be present to win. 50/50 Raffles at each game, announcing winners at each half time. Concessions and Spirit Wear will be open! All proceeds from concessions will be donated to the Austin Family. We are looking for volunteers to help throughout the day, sign up genius link https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/20f0f4daea822a0f85-steve/24854862. #42,43p

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.

Family Fun Day at Metron

Aug. 5: Metron of Cedar Springs located at 400 Jeffrey, Cedar Springs, would like to invite the community to our Annual Family Fun Day on Friday, August 5^th from 4 to 6 pm. Activities for the day include: Bounce House, Games for the children, Live Musical Entertainment, food/drinks and fun for all. Hope to see you August 5^th! #31

Free Lake Effect Concert

Aug. 7: Free Lake Effect Concert featuring the band “Round Brown Suitcase” will be held on Sunday, August 7^th from 12 to 3:30 pm (band starts at 12:30 pm). The concert will be held at Bostwick Lake UCC Church, 7979 Belding Rd. NE, Rockford. Donations and food sales will benefit Pause with a Cause. Contact Lisa Atchison, 616-634-6459 with any questions. #30,31p

Take off pounds sensibly

Aug. 9: 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. Call Barb at 696-8049 for more information. #31

Rummage Sale at CS UMC

Aug. 10,11: The Cedar Springs United Methodist Women will hold a rummage sale in the fellowship hall on the corner of Main and Church Streets. August 10, Wednesday, from 9 am to 7 pm and August 11, Thursday, from 9 am to 2 pm. There will be a bag sale on Thursday. Proceeds go toward their mission projects. #30,31p

My Choice..My Health Diabetes Prevention Program

Aug. 15: This program will help you take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes. You’ll learn about healthier eating habits, ways to be more physically active and other behavior changes over the course of 16 weekly one-hour sessions. The group will continue meeting monthly, completing a full year. My Choice..My Health Program will be held at Solon Center Wesleyan Church, 15671 Algoma Ave., Cedar Springs starting Monday, August 15^th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. To register, visit www.nkfm.org/dpp or call the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan at 616-458-9520. #31,32p

Creating Local Herbal Remedies

Aug. 15: Join local plant enthusiast Rachel Potter for a discussion and demonstration of how to gather and use medicinal plants to make salves, teas, tinctures and other natural remedies that nourish and heal the body and keep it healthy year round. This workshop will teach you to nurture yourself with what is growing all around us. For adults. Monday, August 15^th at 6:30 pm at the Nelson Township/Sand Lake KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St. #31

DIY Tie Dye for Teens

Aug. 16: Bring a white or light colored t-shirt to this program and try a new way of tie dye – with permanent markers! All other materials will be provided to help you create a one-of-a-kind shirt to wear. Tuesday, August 16^th at 4 pm at the Spencer Township KDL Branch, 14960 Meddler Ave., Gowen. #31

Auditions for CSCP Production of “The Foreigner”

Aug 22,23: The Cedar Springs Community Players are pleased to announce auditions for its upcoming production of “The Foreigner” by Larry Shue. This comedy has won two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production. Auditions will be held at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church on Monday and Tuesday Aug. 22 and 23 between 6:30 -8 p.m. Needed are: 4 adult males, 1 teen male; 2 adult women, and 4 non-speaking extras, can be either male or female. Production dates are October 13, 14 and 15 at the Kent Theatre. Please like our FB page and to see details! #31,32p

Tri-County High School Annual Gathering

Sept. 10: The Tri-County HS annual gathering for 1963 – 1975 will be held on September 10^th at the Sand Lake VFW. Appetizers and dinner from 5 to 7 pm with RSVP and $20 due by August 27^th. Lou Fisk, 616-263-9054 or gfisk01@charter.net.  Social hour is from 7 to 10 pm.  Social hour only is $5 at the door. #31,32p

MCC Offers Trip to Art Prize

Sept. 30: Experience ArtPrize September 30^th in Grand Rapids with Montcalm Community College. Buses depart from the Stanley and Blanche Ash Technology and Learning Center on MCC’s Greenville campus at 8:30 am and from MCC’s Sidney campus at 9 am. Buses will arrive at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) at 10 am and depart at 5 pm. The trip is free to all who register. Admission to the GRAM is $4 per person. Anyone planning to participate in this trip must be age 12 or older; participants between 12 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult. To register, email the registration form located at www.montcalm.edu/events/artprize-trip/ to karen.maxfield@montcalm.edu or call 989-328-2111, Ext. 334, by September 15th. #31

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.

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Jan. 16: The Cedar Springs Lions Club’s Pancake Breakfast will be held this Saturday on January 16^th from 7 – 11 am at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, on the corner of Main and Church. Adults $8 and Family $25. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, juice, coffee. All you can eat. Other planned dates are February 20^th, March 19^th and April 16^th. Proceeds to assist sight conservation. #2

Roast Beef Dinner

Jan. 17: The Rockford American Legion Post 102 on the corner of Northland Dr. and Rockford Park Dr. (330 Rockford Park Dr.), will be hosting a roast beef dinner on Sunday, January 17^th and every 3^rd Sunday of each month. Open to the public. We will be serving roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, coleslaw, rolls, desert, coffee and punch. Reasonably priced at $9 for adults, kids age 4 to 12 for $7 and under 4 years are free. Serving from 11am to 3 pm. See ya there and bring the family! #1,2p

TOPS weight loss support group

Jan. 19: 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. #1

Michigan Blood Drive:

Jan. 19: Michigan Blood Drive: Tuesday, January 19th at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 12:30 pm- 7:00 pm. Make a New Year’s Resolution: Donate every 2 months for 2016. You would have the potential to help 18 people! #2

Community Supported Agriculture

Jan. 19: Learn how you can fill your table with fresh, local, organic produce that’s good for the body and good for the earth. Tuesday, January 19^th at 7 pm at Courtland-Oakfield UMC, 10295 Myers Lake, NE. #2

KDL Lab: Mad Scientist

Jan. 23: Pull on a lob coat and get ready to think like a mad scientist. Create a plush Franken-Beanie creature to take home, create slimy bugs in the Creepy Crawlers Oven and plan your next mad scientist creation with a Franken-creature collage! For ages 6 and older. Saturday, January 23^rd at 10:30 am. Nelson Township/Sand Lake KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St. 616-636-4251. #2

Women’s Day Retreat

Feb. 6: Need to get away from it all? A day away just for women will be held at the beautiful Loon’s Nest Banquet Center at Whitefish Lake on Saturday, February 6th from 9 am – 4 pm. Registration is at 8:30 am. The event called “G.R.O.W. – the Godly Rise of Women” is designed to encourage growth in women’s relationships, not only with God, but with spouses, family and personal friendships as well. Tickets are $35 which includes a delicious lunch, all day snacks and beverages, guest speaker Gail Ramesh the originator or the retreat ministry called Unveiled, and materials for special (hands on) breakout sessions. The day is sponsored by the Women’s Ministry of the Solon Center Wesleyan Church. Tickets can be purchased at online at: https://scwchurch.cloverdonations.com/grow-registration/ or call the church office at 616-696-3229. The Loon’s Nest is located at 2241 Bass Lake Rd., Pierson. All women welcome! #2,3p