The Cedar Springs 2013 Woman of the Year award was presented to Caroline Bartlette

by Sue Harrison

The June meeting of the Cedar Springs Women’s Club was full of surprises, awards and installation of officers for 2013-2014. The colors of summer greeted members and guests who attended the June meeting as tables were spread with colorful blue, yellow, pink, and white tablecloths decorated with signs of summer:  sea shells, flip-flops, sand pails and shovels, and multicolored picnic napkins. The women enjoyed a wonderful catered luncheon that included chicken, shrimp, salads and ice cream sundaes.

The Cedar Springs 2013 Woman of the Year award was presented to Caroline Bartlette, by last year’s recipient, Cynthia Caldwell. Caroline was surprised to see her husband, David, and family members there to share in her celebration. Caroline has been a long time member of Women’s Club, has been an officer on the Board, and has worked on several committees including the Holiday Tea Committee.

Women’s Club 2013 Scholarship winner, Molly Caniff.

Next, the Women’s Club 2013 Scholarship was awarded to Molly Caniff, a 2013 graduate of Cedar Springs High School. Each year the Women’s Club $1000 scholarship is presented to a Cedar Springs woman who will use the money to further her education. Molly will be attending University of Detroit Mercy to work toward a BSN in Nursing.

For the final order of business for the day, the nominations committee installed the officers of the Cedar Springs Women’s Club who remained in the same offices as last year.  The following women were installed as officers for the 2013-2014 year:

President, Carolyn Davis

1st Vice President: Sue Harrison

2nd Vice President: Donna Clark

Secretary: Penny Darling

Corresponding Secretary: Sally Grayvold

Treasurer: Cindi Caldwell

Directors: Jan Hammersmith, Dorothy Bishop, Char Heim

Even though the Women’s Club does not meet during July and August, their activities still continue. The Women’s Club along with Independent Bank will be sponsoring one of the Concerts in Morley Park on Thursday June 20. In addition some Cedar Springs Women’s Club members and their guests will attend the Picnic Pops on July 19th.

Women’s Club cookbooks are also still available for $10 at the Cedar Springs Library or from any club member.

For more information about these activities or about joining Women’s Club, call 696-1939 or 696-0456.

by Rick Knapp Jr.

As a new year begins, American Legion Glen Hill Post #287 is getting ready to welcome past and present state officers of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion to Cedar Springs.
As a lifelong Michigander and Detroiter, having resided in the city of Detroit for 62 years, Richard I Chatman is the newly elected American Legion Department Commander of Michigan’s 70,000 plus members for 2011-2012. Commander Chatman was elected on Sunday, June 26, as the first African-American State Commander, by the delegates attending the Department of Michigan’s 93rd Michigan state convention at DeVos Center in Grand Rapids.
Commander Chatman, a Vietnam veteran served in the United States Air Force June 1968 – June 1972 earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. As a 15 year member of Coleman A. Young Post 202 in Detroit. He has served the American Legion organization on all levels.
Now that he is Department Commander of the American Legion, he will be attending the Early Bird Dinner at the American Legion Glen Hill Post 287, Cedar Springs on Saturday, January 7, 2012. At the dinner, he will bring news of the progress that he has made as Department Commander for the past six months.
As a 27 year member of the Greenawalt-Flaherty Unit 42 in Charlotte, American Legion Auxiliary Department President Carrie Bowerman is well known for her dedication to her unit. President Bowerman served her 3rd District in many offices as well as Department. She and her husband, Charles P. Bowerman, a Vietnam Air Force Veteran, will be attending the Early Bird Dinner on Saturday.
Also attending will be American Legion Junior Auxiliary President Chelsea Kovacs.
Dwaine Verville and his wife will also be attending on Saturday. He assumed the office of Sons of the American Legion Detachment Commander on Sunday, June 5 in Novi. Commander Verville is a 15-plus-year member of Iron River Squadron #17. He has served in his squadron and UP District in many offices including Commander.
The Cedar Springs American Legion Family Post 287 will be welcoming all past and present State Officers and will present Commander Chatman and Verville and President Bowerman with Cedar Springs traditional Red Flannel undergarments and will parade them around the dance floor with the chicken dance song.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 based on the four pillars; veterans rehabilitation, Americanism, child welfare, and national security. The Legion’s mission above all is as a consumers’ advocate for veterans.

Sand Lake Police Officer Steven Brandow (left) is presented an award by Chief Ken Williams (right).

Sand Lake Police Officer Steven Brandow and intern Zachary Gregory were awarded the Village of Sand Lake Excellence Award and the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Certificate of Recognition, Saturday, June 25, for quick thinking and action regarding an arson incident last spring.
Gerald Lee Krug set fire to an historic building located at 20 W. Lake Street in downtown Sand Lake, on March 14, 2010, at approximately 3:00 a.m. According to Sand Lake Police Chief Ken Williams, Brandow and Gregory’s keen observations and dedication to duty helped them to recognize Krug as a suspicious person at approximately 9:00 p.m. on March 13. As a result, they were able to continue observation of Krug later that night.

Intern Zachary Gregory receives his award from Chief Ken Williams

“Brandow and Gregory’s decision to conduct a foot patrol of the area that evening showed exemplary dedication to duty and led them directly to the scene of an arson fire set less than a minute prior to their arrival,” explained Williams. “They observed Krug walk from the area and attempt to avoid contact with them. Officer Brandow acted quickly to apprehend the suspect and assigned his partner, Intern Zachary Gregory, to extinguish the fire.”
Williams said that their ability to make quick decisions under great stress proved commendable.  “They are a true heroes,” said Williams. “Thanks to their actions on that night, they not only apprehended an arsonist, but saved an historic building and half of downtown Sand Lake.”