Group Builds Ramp for Veteran, Helps Other Vets by Judy Reed
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FREE but priceless Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Permit No. 81 Cedar Springs, MI The SHOWCASING CEDAR SPRINGS & Reaching around the world ~ www.cedarspringspost.com Vol. XXXI No. 28 Thursday,P July 12, 2018 STServing Northern Kent County and parts of Newaygo and Montcalm Counties Artists, authors, & you Two crashes Ice Cream Month Town & Country Days Semi-pro soccer NEWS - page 2 NEWS - page 3 A & E - pages 8-9 SCHEDULE - pages 10-11 SPORTS - pages 18-19 Group builds ramp for veteran, helps other vets By Judy Reed Purple Heart Homes While plan- West Michigan Chapter ning to build and Team Depot made life the ramp, he easier for some of our vet- discovered erans over the weekend. through dis- On Saturday, July 7, cussions with the group met at the Ce- community darfield Community on manager Mar- 17 Mile Road, next to ilyn Doane Meijer, to build their first that there were Dale Beatty Memori- also three al Ramp for U.S. Navy World War II Vietnam veteran William veterans in t Gregones. The also as- he park: Tom sisted three World War Sharpe, Clar- II veterans with cleaning ence Carlon, Courtesy photo. up around their homes by and Louis Courtesy photo. trimming bushes, mowing Milewski. Purple Heart Michigan built this ramp for William Gregones on Saturday, July 7. Solon Fire and members of Purple Heart Homes. the grass, cleaning out “So I talk- posted about their expe- pectedly on February 12. one of the veterans and and raking flower beds, ed with Rolling Thunder rience helping with the “Dale always had a huge his wife, Tom and Shir- and power washing their Chapter 4 of Muskegon, project on their Facebook heart for our veterans, ley Sharp, who celebrated homes. as well as Combat Vets page. “It was a great expe- being a double amputee their 64th anniversary July According to spokes- MC and Solon Township rience that we were glad from the US Army him- 10. man Doug Pickel, they Fire and asked them for to be involved with in our self, and one of my good To follow what they are built the ramp to make it help with this random act community. Thanks to ev- friends. So we’re doing doing, like their Facebook easier for Gregones to get of kindness for all four. eryone who was a part of these wheelchair ramps page at https://www.face- in and out of his home. The veterans were very today’s experience,” they in his honor, something book.com/PHHWM/. “That’s what Purple Heart happy for the company wrote. he always wanted to do,” Homes is all about, re- and hard work, but most The ramp was built in explained Pickel. The ramp was built in memory moving the barriers in of all the kindness and memory of Dale Beat- After the work was of Dale Beatty, a founder of Purple Heart Homes and a their home to improve friendship of the whole ty, one of the founders done, they held an ice veteran. Courtesy photo. their quality of life,” ex- day,” remarked Pickel. of Purple Heart Homes cream social for everyone, plained Pickel. Solon Township Fire who passed away unex- and had a special cake for July Summer celebration New superintendent takes the reigns starts next week By Judy Reed Are you ready to have some fun next week? The Scott Smith, the new Cedar Springs Commu- superintendent at Cedar nity Summer Celebra- Springs Public Schools, is tions for July runs July ready to take on the chal- 16-22, and offers a little lenge of building trust, something for everyone! collaboration, and healing Some of the events in- within the district. “I’m ex- clude archery for tweens cited,” he said. at the Red Flannel Rod Smith took over on July 1 and Gun Club (a Cedar from interim superintendent Springs Public Library Mark Dobias. event); Bike nights, So how does Smith plan live music, and a farm- to proceed? He said he er’s market at the Cedar plans to first start getting Springs Brewing Com- to know staff. “It’s about pany; Salsa dancing at having conversations with Kin of Hope Natural people, getting a sense of their needs, and how we Superintendent Scott Smith begins a new era in Cedar Health Dance and Fit- Springs. Post photo by J. Reed. ness Studio; a painting can best serve their work,” class at the CS Library; he explained. “Conversa- someone that helps people He knows some people fun in the park with a tions with an elementary maximize their talent, time, on staff and in the commu- bounce house and water bal- the Heart of Cedar Springs, Cedar Springs Community principal will be different and ambition. “We need to nity will want to get things loon toss; movie at the Kent and more. See their ad on Summer Celebrations Face- than conversations with a make sure people have what off their chest. He said that Theatre—Ocean’s Eight; page 3 for dates, times and book page for any schedule grounds supervisor.” they need to be wildly suc- the healing piece would sidewalk sales; concerts in locations, and follow their changes. Smith sees his role as cessful,” he explained. REIGNS - continues on page 17 Page 2 The Cedar Springs Post Thursday, July 12, 2018 Pediatric brain Solon receives opportunity for cancer non-profit matching grant for park Solon Township’s Velzy Park Committee received expands reach some exciting news re- “The Cure Starts Now” adds Cedar Springs cently. The committee, under the direction of So- Chapter in honor of Brison Ricker lon Township, has been International non-profit attempting to raise funds The Cure Starts Now an- to complete Phase One nounced last week that its of Velzy Park, which in- 38th chapter has been es- cludes a playground and tablished in Cedar Springs restroom facility. The in honor of Brison Ricker. park is located behind the The addition of this new Township office at 15185 chapter allows The Cure Algoma Ave. Starts Now to further its Recognizing the need, mission of finding the a Solon Township family Homerun Cure for cancer has pledged $25,000 as a by funding research of one matching grant in an effort of the deadliest, most ag- Brison Ricker to finance the restroom. gressive forms of cancer: The planned structure is DIPG (diffuse intrinsic slated to be a 3-season pontine glioma)—a cancer that primarily affects children. unisex unit, which will be The Michigan Chapter of The Cure Starts Now was started by open to the public during Kimberly Ricker in honor of her son, Brison. Diagnosed with park hours. In order to fully utilize the grant, the committee as the window for the matching grant closes on October 31, DIPG on January 22, 2016, Brison battled for 23 months before will need to acquire an additional $25,000 in donations. They 2018. If you would like to make a contribution, or to volun- passing away, just twelve days before his 17th birthday. Though are planning various fundraisers and looking into creating a teer at events, please call the Solon Township office at 696- he was young, Brison displayed a level of maturity not seen in gofundme page in an effort to match the grant. 1718. Watch our facebook page or the Post for upcoming many his age. He showed kindness, compassion, and respect to The committee is asking for your help. Timing is limited, events. everyone—helping the new kid, or sitting with the child that was being bullied. “DIPG is a horrific disease and no child should have to go through this and no parent should have to watch this happen to Artists, authors, and you their precious child,” said Brison’s mother, Kim. “Brison has made us forever Rickerstrong, and in his honor, we will share his story, we will advocate, and bring as much awareness to DIPG as possible, so we can together work towards a cure!” The Cure Starts Now believes, as the experts do, in the Homer- un strategy—that in order to cure cancer, you have to focus on those forms that are immune to conventional treatments, those that affect children, and those that are the “biggest bullies.” To do this, The Cure Starts Now funds research previously thought to be too ambitious or impossible. By operating with less than 3 percent overhead, The Cure Starts Now is able to ensure that money donated through the fundraising efforts of its chapters goes directly to funding innovative research. The Cure Starts Now is one of the only cancer foundations ded- icated to finding the Homerun Cure for cancer by focusing on one These works of art by artist Nancy Clouse are on display in the Cedar Springs Public Library. Courtesy photos. of the rarest, most aggressive forms of cancer. Believing in more than just awareness, The Cure Starts Now has funded over $10 Have you seen the art work on display in the new library? in Wonderland) and “Tulip Festival Klompen Dancers.” million in cancer research, resulting in 59 cutting edge research There is a continually changing art exhibit sponsored by Nancy Clouse graduated in Art Education from MSU grants in 6 countries since 2007. the Cedar Springs Public Library, and it’s currently featur- in 1960. She taught art from elementary to college level Learn more about The Cure Starts Now and their mission to ing the works of Nancy Clouse. These are oil and collage students, including exhibiting in local shows such as the find the Homerun Cure for cancer at https://thecurestartnow.org/.