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. 4: Metron of Cedar Springs’ annual Family Fun Day will be held on Friday, August 4^th from 4 to 6 pm at 400 Jeffrey St. NE in Cedar Springs. Bring the entire family for games, food, entertainment, raffles and a balloon release. #30,31p

Summer Gospel Music Blowout

Aug. 5: This benefit to support 2^nd Chance School will be held on Saturday, August 5^th from 3 to 9 pm at 2^nd Chance School, 810 – 17 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs. Music starts at 3 pm and will feature a new group each hour with Old Time Gospel Singers, Wayne Jarvie, Stroll Over Heaven, Northwoods Brothers, Traditional Country and Gospel Singers and North Country Band. There will be food, Chinese raffle, and 50-50 raffles. Come enjoy the music and support 2^nd Chance. For information contact Mike Hubert 231-335-0726 or Harvey Becker 616-460-1318. #30,31b

Sing to the Lord

Aug. 6: 2^nd Chance will be having gospel hymn sing on Sunday, August 6^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! #31b

Dinner at the Legion

Aug. 7: American Legion, 80 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a Roast Beef and Onions dinner on Monday, August 7^th, from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes, 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.  #31

Underground Railroad Michigan Connection

Aug. 10: Explore “The Underground Railroad Michigan Connection” with storyteller, historian and author Dr. Willie W. Payne on Thursday, August 10^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library in Howard City. Payne uses music, songs and photos of Michigan Underground Railroad stops to narrate stories and excite audiences while describing places throughout Michigan where fugitive slaves were harbored. The presentation is part of the 2017 One Book One County Montcalm program, which features the selection, “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi. Visit www.montcalm.edu/one-book for more information or call 989-328-2111, Ext. 261. #31

6^th Annual Keeler Brass Picnic

Aug. 15: The 6^th annual Keeler Brass picnic will be held on Tuesday, August 15^th at Sand Lake United Methodist Church, 65 W. Maple St., Sand Lake at 11 am. Please bring a dish to pass. #31,32p

Discover Michigan’s Rural Black Heritage

Aug. 15: Discover Michigan’s rural black heritage through photographs and oral history on Tuesday, August 15^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Flat River Community Library in Greenville. Through the use of oral tradition and photographs, a trained historian will share the experiences of what African-American pioneers in outstate Michigan looked like between 1880 and 1950. The presentation is part of the 2017 One Book One County Montcalm program, which features the selection, “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi. Visit www.montcalm.edu/one-book for more information or call 989-328-2111, Ext. 261. #31

Lyons School Reunion

Aug. 18: The Lyons School Reunion will be held on Friday, August 18^th at Library Park on Meddler Ave., Gowen. Just south of the Library. The time is 6 pm. Call Dave Jensen for more details. 616-696-9632. #31,32p

Free Outdoor Family Concert

Aug. 19: The Community Building Development Team is hosting a Free Outdoor Family Concert on Saturday, August 19^th from 3 to 7 pm. It will be held in the “Heart of Cedar Springs” (park near the new Library). Two bands will be performing: Barn Cats and Whiskey Bound. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy! #31-33p

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 Youth Football Sign-ups

July 21: Cedar Springs Youth Football sign-ups will be held on Thursday, July 21^st, Tuesday, July 26^th and Thursday, July 28^th  from 6-7:30 pm at Skinner Field Concession Stand or sign up online @ www.cedarspringsyouthfootball.com. Rocket: 3^rd – 6^th grade, Middle School, 7^th  – 8^th. Contact April Victorson 616-890-5869, a_victorson@yahoo.com. #29,30p

Fill the Truck to Support Tiffany’s Tiny Cat Rescue

July 23: Boy Scout Troop 222 will be collecting donations on Saturday, July 23^rd in the Tractor Supply parking lot from 9 am to 2 pm. Items needed include food (Purina Cat & Kitten Chow), litter, cat care products, cleaning & laundry products, paper towels, and old blankets/sheets/towels. For more information or to arrange alternate drop off time, please contact Laurie at 616-304-9929. #28,29p

Praise the Lord at Cowboy Church

July 24: 2^nd Chance will be having Cowboy Church on Sunday, July 24^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 and music will be shared by Ben Crofoot and the Crofoot Family and Friends group. 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! #29

Take off pounds sensibly

July 26: 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. #29

Senior Lunch at Pine Grove Community Church

July 27: Roses are red, Violets are blue ‘tis time for Chuck Roast Barbeque. A fruit salad full of color and slaw o’ so green, if you’ve not joined us before, well, where have you been. Pine Grove Senior Cafe is throwin’ a picnic for our friends age 60 or perhaps even more. Come on over, twill be July 27^th at Noon when we throw open our door. The time as just stated, the where you’ll find a seat; is right here on the corner of M-82 and the Avenue of Beech. #29

AYSO Registration

July 28: The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Registration for the Fall season TODAY. Visit www.ayso902.org. Registration ends Thursday, July 28^th. #29,30p

Cedar Springs Museum’s Summer Car Show

July 30: Be sure to join the fun at the Cedar Springs Summer Car Show in Morley Park on Saturday, July 30 from 8:00am-2:00pm. Free to all visitors and only $10.00 to register a car. A grilled hotdog lunch will be served “free” to the public from 11:00am to 1:00pm. We will have Pat Patin as DJ. Trophies will be given out at 1:00pm to “Best of Show” and the “Top 19” favorites. The F.F.A. students will sell a light breakfast at 8:00a.m. The museum uses this car show to help bring programs to our community and especially to allow us to host family programs without charge. #29

Fallen Heroes Golf Outing

July 30: The 7^th Annual Fallen Heroes Golf Outing will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, July 30^th at North Kent Golf Club. $70 per person includes golf w/cart, and steak dinner. Grand prize is a fishing trip for 4 with Hillbilly Charters, Grand Haven, Hole-In-One Contest, 50/50 raffle and other contests and prizes. Contact North Kent Golf Club 616-866-2659. Monies raised will be donated to the Veterans Memorial Park in Cedar Springs. #28-29p

One Book Discussion in Howard City

Aug. 1: A book discussion for the One Book One County Montcalm selection “True Grit” by Charles Portis, is August 1^st from 1:30 to 2:30 pm in the Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library in Howard City. For discussion questions or more information, visit www.montcalm.edu/onebook or call 989-328-2111, ext. 334. #29

Register Now For Free Hunter Education

Aug. 9: To register for firearm Hunter Safety Classes  at the Red Flannel Rod & Gun Club, call Jim Pope at 231-834-5545 after 6 pm or 616-634-3167. Classes at the Club, 7463 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs, will be Tuesday, August 9^th, from 6-9 pm,  Thursday, August 11^th, from 6-9pm,  Saturday, August 13^th, from 8 am-4 pm. Class size limited to 40 students. #28,29p

Female Self Defense Program

Aug. 2: The Sand Lake Police Department will present S.H.A.R.P. Sexual Harassment, Assault and Rape Prevention for Women on Tuesday, August 2^nd at 6 pm. This female self defense program covers countermeasures for everything from school or work harassment to sexual battery. The course is offered by nationally certified instructor Dr. Scott Shaw. Training is free of charge. Registration is required to ensure materials are available. To Register please call Sand Lake Police department, 616-799-1900. #29. Contact Tim Bauer for more information at (616) 799-4935 or at network153usa@gmail.com. #25-28p

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.