By Judy Reed

We’ve often heard the phrase “it takes a village…” And sometimes, it even takes a neighboring village. 

That saying was put to the test last Friday evening, May 21, when the Village of Sand Lake closed off Lake Street for several hours and hosted a prom outdoors for both Cedar Springs High School and Creative Technologies Academy.

“I was so glad to be able to do something for the kids,” said Mollie Doerr, President of the Village of Sand Lake. “I’d hate for them to have to go another year without one.”

And by all accounts, the kids really seemed to enjoy themselves. “I’m really glad they could pull it off,” said senior Sarah Chenowith.

“This is awesome,” said another student, when asked what they thought of the prom.

According to organizer Katy Austin, the Nelson Township treasurer and mother of a senior at Cedar Springs this year, she wanted to do something to help the students get a prom this year, since last year’s was canceled due to Covid-19. She said she reached out to school officials in February to find out if they would be able to have one. She said that at the time, the place the school had booked only had a capacity of 25 percent, so it looked like a no go. So she began to plan one herself, starting in March. She got the idea to have it outdoors, where the capacity could be greater. But she also wanted to bring business to the struggling restaurants. “I just thought we could pack these restaurants full,” she explained.

Austin said she talked to the City of Cedar Springs, but they couldn’t shut down Main Street, and if they held it in the Heart of Cedar Springs, it would need to be a public event. So she approached the Village of Sand Lake. Skinner Field officials also offered but ultimately, Austin opted for Dancing Under the Stars on Main Street in Sand Lake. “Both the Village and the Cedar Springs Chamber approached me and asked me to please consider Sand Lake,” she said. “They really wanted to do it.”

 So Austin and three others—Heidi Greenland, Tami Elliston, and Shannon Cooper—got to work. Donations came pouring in from both private citizens and businesses to make the event happen. Tickets were $10 each. For that $10, the teens got a $6 voucher for Rosie’s, and a booklet is being bought to give to the students with memories of the night. 

About 300 attended the event. 

Main Street was beautifully decorated with lights, a tent, balloons, and various spots to get photographs taken. There was a vintage truck from Dean’s Excavating; Phil Harrison donated a vintage car for kids to take pictures in; a flower wall; a starry night backdrop with 8 foot moon; and a balloon garland in the VFW hall. Kids were also able to get free pizza thanks to generous businesses. They also had a DJ to play music.

Austin said people came out in droves to help set up, including the Village employees and their families; the Sand Lake Chamber and their families; the Sand Lake Fire Department and families, and their own families as well.

Austin was overwhelmed at the generosity. “Thank you to everyone,” she said. “It truly takes a a village. I could not have done it without everyone’s help.”

Prom season is just around the corner, and as teens prepare for the most memorable night of high school, The Skin Cancer Foundation encourages them to forgo a dangerous indoor tan in favor of a natural glow. Teens considering heading to a tanning salon to achieve a pre-prom glow should beware: using a tanning bed before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 75 percent. In addition, just one indoor UV tanning session increases users’ risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67 percent and basal cell carcinoma by 29 percent.

“Any tan, whether you get it on the beach or in a tanning bed, is dangerous and damages your skin,” said Perry Robins, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “A tan comes with consequences. In addition to increasing skin cancer risk, tanning leads to premature skin aging, including wrinkles, leathery skin and age spots.”

The Skin Cancer Foundation advocates embracing one’s natural skin tone. Those who can’t resist the bronzed look but won’t sacrifice their health to achieve it should consider sunless (UV-free) tanners. They are available in many different formulations, including creams, lotions, gels, pump sprays, aerosols and wipes.

Tips for properly applying sunless tanner:

Follow the package directions closely. For example, wait at least 12 hours after shaving to apply (to avoid dark spots in hair follicles) and don’t use on skin with active eczema.

Be patient. Self-tanners can take 30-60 minutes to produce visible color on the skin, and this color typically lasts about five days.

Follow the package directions closely. For example, wait at least 12 hours after shaving to apply (to avoid dark spots in hair follicles) and don’t use on skin with active eczema.

Be patient. Self-tanners can take 30-60 minutes to produce visible color on the skin, and this color typically lasts about five days.

Repeat as necessary. Generally, the product should be reapplied daily for two to three days, until the desired shade is achieved. Then, reapply about three times a week to maintain the shade.

Go to a pro. Professional spray tans are an option for those who want to safely achieve a bronzed look in a hurry. Many salons provide automated application of high concentration, no-rub, aerosolized non-UV tanning products, while others provide a customized airbrush tan. When receiving a professional spray tan, wear protective gear for the mouth, eyes and nose to prevent ingestion or inhalation.

Don’t rely on sunless tanners for sun protection. Even if your self-tanner contains sunscreen, reapply a separate broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every two hours when spending time outdoors. Note that sunscreen is not the only form of sun protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation has always recommended following a complete sun protection regimen that includes seeking shade and covering up with clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, in addition to daily sunscreen use.

April 19 Family Night (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – includes Town Hall Meeting at 7:00 PM)

April 19 Parent/Superintendent Town Hall Meeting  (7:00 PM)

April 24-26 Elementary and Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences (by appointment)

April 26 High School Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:00 – 7:00 PM)

April 27 No School for Students and Staff except that FlexTrac will hold school for weather make-up day

May 2 Teacher Professional Development (3:00—4:00 PM)

May 4 No School for Students – Teacher PD Day (9:00 – 3:30 PM)

May 4 Prom – Boulder Creek Golf Club (7:00 PM – 11:30 PM)

May 10 CTA Board Meeting (3:30 PM)

May 18 K-5 Field Day – Lunch with Parents (Noon – 2:15 PM)

May 24 Graduation (7:00 PM)

May 28 No School for Students and Staff (Memorial Day)

May 31-June 1 Final Exams for High School

June 1 Last Day of School for 2011-12

Horrified bystanders look on at the staged drunken driving accident.

By Tyler Felty

Most everyone knows someone who drinks. And most everyone knows someone who drives. But when the two are done together, the results can be deadly—as students at Cedar Springs High School saw earlier this week.
Cedar Springs High School juniors and seniors were invited to an assembly Tuesday morning, April 26 that stirred an emotional response in many students. With prom coming up Friday, the students heard a speaker from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department on the risks of drinking and driving. He showed a graphic video consisting of police photos of accident scenes, reenactments, an interview with a coroner, and after interviews with people involved in drunk driving accidents.

The drunk driver is arrested by the sheriff’s deputy.

However, what really drove the message home was the final still-life image made by Justin Harnden’s advanced drama class hiding behind the curtain. When the curtain parted, there was a crushed four-door vehicle, with the actors portraying the tragedy of a drunk-driving accident. Students’ bloody, mangled bodies were strewn around the scene, while the bystanders looked on in horror. The driver appeared to be uninjured, and was being arrested.
There was complete silence in the audience as they witnessed the gruesome scene.
The administration wrapped up the assembly by saying that this message wasn’t just for prom or graduation, but a lesson to remember well beyond high school.