Celebrating Independence Day in the 1870s

By Judy Reed

What would it have been like to celebrate Independence Day in Cedar Springs back in the late 1860s or early 1870s?
Times were tough. The Civil War was over, and the town was growing by leaps and bounds. According to the Cedar Springs Story, by Sue Harrison and Donna DeJonge, in 1869 there were 11 dry goods and groceries, five hotels, seven doctors, three meat markets, four sawmills, five shingle mills, a wooden bowl factory, two lumber yards, two wagon and blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, a harness shop, a millinery, a gun shop, jewelry shop, bakery, barbershop, dentist, butcher, two cabinet shops, and two saloons—one for ice cream and eating, and one for billiards and bowling. The number of sawmills grew, attracting a rough crowd, and by the early 1870s there were 11 places serving alcohol and 14 places to play billiards, and the town realized they needed a jail by 1872 because of all the drunken men lining the sidewalks.
The town did enjoy celebrating July fourth, however, and the Cedar Springs Clipper gave an account of the 1870 celebration in the July 6 edition. “At an early hour people began to congregate and by 11:00 nearly every available spot was occupied. At exactly sunrise the inhabitants for five miles around were summoned from the realms of morpheus by thirteen guns under the care of Mr. George Hoyle…At about half-past 11, under the command of Marshal McChesney, a parade was formed and led by the Cedar Springs Cornet band, followed by the President and Speaker, the Masonic fraternity, the baseball club, 36 young ladies, the latter headed by Miss Yackey as Goddess of Liberty, the Sunday School children, and citizens generally, making a procession over a half mile long…”
It said the highlight of the day was a program held “in the grove” at which the Hon. Edward Jewell spoke, followed by a balloon ascension and mock war between two groups, the Red Coats (British) and the Fenians (Irish). There was a meal at tables set up in the grocery store, and a 13-gun salute at sunset. The evening was topped off by a “quadrill” party at the Union Hall. (A quadrille is a historic dance performed by four couples, and is the precursor to the square dance.)
Happy fourth of July!

Solon fire expo

By Judy Reed
Solon Township residents had a chance to come out and meet their local fire department Saturday, June 28, at the fire department’s “Safety expo and Community day.” About 40 kids and parents turned out to meet firefighters and medical responders, take a tour of the fire station, see the fire trucks, and get demonstrations on using the fire hoses and vehicle extrication equipment.
“We do this because it’s important for families to know what kind of services we provide for them and so they won’t be afraid of us when an emergency happens,” explained Solon Fire Chief Joyce Vandermey.
She said the waterball contest between fire fighters, and then between the kids, was a favorite activity. “The kids got soaked and giggled and laughed. It was a huge hit,” she remarked.
The Solon Fire Department has 28 volunteer fire fighters on call.

Corn and crop report

“Knee-high by the fourth of July” is an old measurement that always meant corn was developing well. In the last few years, however, corn can be as much as three or four feet tall by July 4. Last year it was about 3-1/2 feet tall in the cornfield we measured, and this year it was only about 2 feet in a field in Spencer Township.
The Michigan Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service reported in mid-June that corn was generally in good condition and averaged about 9 inches in height across the state.
Rains have improved crop conditions, but soggy soils were a hindrance in some locations. Also, some damage was reported from the storms earlier this month, and some vegetable losses are expected.
Michigan apple and tart cherry growers are bracing for the shortest crops in several years primarily due to frost damage. Meanwhile, some of the state’s vegetable fields have been completely destroyed by flooding.
“The flooding devastation in the Corn Belt has drawn a lot of attention to the condition of field crops, but in Michigan, where we produce more than 200 commodities, we also need to be concerned about our specialty crops. Unfortunately, some of Michigan’s fruit and vegetable crops are in rough shape,” said Ken Nye, Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) horticultural and forestry specialist.
Michigan leads the nation in the production of tart cherries, producing about 75 percent of the country’s total crop. But the USDA forecast for this year’s production is 135 million pounds, 30 percent below last year’s level of 193 million pounds. This will be the shortest crop since 2002.
Like 2002, frost is mostly to blame for this year’s problems. Still, Michigan is far better off than Wisconsin, where a variety of weather factors ranging from drought last summer to an early warm spell and sudden freeze earlier this year have lowered production to an estimated 200,000 pounds, 98 percent below the 10.4 million pounds produced a year ago.
Sweet cherries, which develop before tart cherries, are expected to be down 8 percent, and apples by about 6 million bushels.
“This is the worst we’ve seen it in a number of years,” said Dawn Drake, MACMA-Apple Division manager, adding that Red Delicious apples, the state’s top apple variety, were the hardest hit followed by Gala apples.
Severe rain has wreaked havoc on some of the state’s vegetable crops, too. In parts of Ottawa and Allegan counties as much as 7 to 12 inches of rain fell from June 6-9, flooding farm fields and leaving little or no chance of survival for crops growing in muck soil.
In making his weekly crop condition report immediately after the rains, Bill Steenwyk, a district vegetable educator for Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, reported that one muck grower was surveying his celery field from a rowboat.
Steenwyk estimates the Hudsonville area, also known as Ottawa County’s “salad bowl region,” will experience an 80 percent loss in radishes, a 50 percent loss of lettuce, and 30 percent losses in each of the celery, onion and red beet crops.
For crops that weathered the storm, concern now shifts to the threat of vegetable diseases that thrive in moist and warm climates, said Nye. “Growers will tell you that they’re not out of the woods yet,” said Nye. “If you’re not deciding whether you can salvage your crop or whether you should start over if possible, you’ve got a host of other weather-related issues to worry about.”

House damaged by fire

By Judy Reed

A fire started by electrical wiring in the wall caused about $30,000 worth of damage to a Nelson Township home early Sunday morning.
According to Spencer fire chief Allen Wright, they responded to a call at 9430 19 Mile Road, just west of Keller Avenue, about 1:18 a.m. Wright said only one resident was home at the time, and was sleeping, but recently installed smoke detectors woke the man up. “It started in a bedroom upstairs, and then went into the attic,” explained Wright.
He said the fire was out within 15-20 minutes, but they then had to fight hot spots in the attic, and tear out some of the tin roof with cedar shingles to get at the fire.
Wright estimated about $20,000 damage to the structure, and $10,000 in contents. “It was mostly water damage,” he said.
The family was renting the house, and did not have insurance on the contents, according to the owner, Ron Howard. He also said the home will not be a total loss.
Sand Lake fire department assisted at the scene, Cedar Springs fire department set up a pump station at Pine Lake, and Algoma Fire assisted with air for the firefighters.

Student attends energy event in D.C.

Sierra Walstad, a student at Creative Technologies Academy, joined almost 1,500 other students from across the country to participate in the national Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, June 14-19, in Washington, D.C.
Sierra and five other students represented Great Lakes Energy at the annual event, which gives students a chance to learn first-hand about electric co-ops, politics, community service, and today’s pressing issues. This year’s theme was “Commitment to Community.”
Joining Sierra were Brandon Beggs of Hart, Sylvia Fuhrman of Scottville, Dan Odom of Evart, Alysha Patton of Mancelona, Olivia Schonert of Marion and eight Michigan students representing the state’s other electric cooperatives.
Michigan students met with Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Reps. Bart Stupak and Dave Camp to ask questions and discuss economic and energy-related issues. All the students demonstrated their support of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) grassroots campaign, “Our Energy, Our Future,” by wearing stickers that said “Standing up for electricity consumers. America’s Electric Cooperatives.”
The entire group also toured Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian museums, war memorials, the Supreme Court and the Capitol. Other activities included a play at the Kennedy Center, a visit to the National Zoo, and a Potomac River boat cruise.
Mike Schlappi, a four-time paralympic medalist and two-time world champion in wheelchair basketball, was a featured speaker at National Youth Day on June 16. Schlappi shared his inspiring message: “Just because you can’t stand up, doesn’t mean you can’t stand out.”
The students also saw an amazing oration by former Nebraska Sen. David Landis who portrayed the late U.S. Sen. George W. Norris (R-NE) and explained the politics that surrounded the creation of electric co-ops in the early 1930s. Norris was a very influential senator who authored the laws creating the Tennessee Valley Authority and Rural Electrification Act.
Since 1964, the electric co-op utilities have sponsored trips to Washington, D.C. for over 40,000 high school juniors and seniors. For more Youth Tour information, visit youthtour.coop.com.

Police taser woman who resisted arrest

Cedar Springs Police used a taser on a woman after she resisted arrest last week.
According to Cedar Springs Police Chief Roger Parent, Officers Mandy Lozon and Mike Stahl responded to a domestic call in the 400 block of S. Seventh Street on Thursday, June 26, at 11:30 p.m.

Parent said that during the investigation, Cheryl Porter, 42, of Cedar Springs, became argumentative and ordered the police to leave. “Officers were unable to verbally communicate with this person, and made a decision to arrest her on domestic violence charges,” said Parent. “As they took hold of her, she began to resist, twisting and turning. Officer Lozon was kicked, and fell to the floor with the suspect, while Officer Stahl was struck by a glass-wood shelving unit that the suspect pulled over onto them as they struggled to hand-cuff her.”

Parent said it was at this point that Officer Lozon warned Porter to stop resisting or she would be subject to a shock from the taser. “This person did not comply, and Officer Lozon used her taser with immediate results,” noted Parent.

A portable breath test later determined that alcohol was a factor in Porter’s behavior. She was arrested and lodged in the Kent County jail and was arraigned on Friday, June 27, on one count of domestic violence (a 93-day misdemeanor) and two counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer (a two-year felony). She received a $2,000 cash/surety bond, and her preliminary exam is scheduled for July 9 at 10:15 a.m. in 63rd District Court in Rockford.

Porter’s husband, Jim, who witnessed the incident, said he doesn’t feel the situation was handled well, and that the officers were overzealous in arresting his wife. “She was acting like a child. But the only thing she did was make some bad choices as far as not cooperating with officers,” he said.

According to Jim, Cheryl was sitting in a chair, smoking a cigarette, not saying anything. “She did at one point tell them they could go now, and I think that made them mad. Officer Lozon was lecturing her, and said one of you is going to leave here tonight. I said I would pack my stuff and leave, but they discounted the fact that I’d said I would leave. There was no reason to haul her out of her chair to arrest her,” he explained. “I wasn’t going to press charges. It never had to come to what it came to.” He also noted that the shelving unit came down while she was flailing her arms, and it was not pulled down on purpose.

According to Chief Parent, he feels the officers made the right call. “They were not getting the cooperation they wanted. We try to get that verbally if possible. We like to know we are solving a situation and not coming back in an hour to something even more serious,” he explained. He noted that they look at the proper use of force in all situations, and in this case the taser was warranted. He said the officers are fine, except for suffering some soft tissue damage.

Chief Parent noted officers have used the taser four times before under similar circumstances. “Anytime a situation arises to an assaultive level of resistance, where injury could occur to the officers or suspect, the presentation or use of a taser is appropriate,” said Chief Parent.

Teen killed in moped accident

A 2008 Rockford High School graduate died early Wednesday morning, when the moped he was driving was hit by a car.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, Jay David Gephart, 18, of Rockford, was on his 1979 Puch moped traveling eastbound through the intersection of Courtland and Wolverine Blvd. just after midnight, when he failed to yield the right of way to a vehicle traveling northbound on Wolverine. Gephart was hit in the intersection by a Ford Taurus driven by Kevin Samuel Hatch, 51, of Rockford, and was thrown from his moped.

Rescue personnel from the Rockford Fire Department and Rockford Ambulance performed CPR on Gephart, but he sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver received only minor cuts to his left hand. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the accident.
Gephart is the son of Susie and Larry Gephart, of Rockford. Jake and Sarah Read, friends of the Gephart family, were stunned by the news. They said both Jay and his older brother, Graham, 26, are second-generation moped riders. “His dad has been riding his whole life. His entire family is comfortable on mopeds. It’s more natural to them than driving a car,” said Sarah.

Both Jay and his brother are members of the Grand Rapids branch of the Moped Army, an avid group of moped riders from across the country.

“He was really a good kid, funny and good-natured, and had his whole life ahead of him,” said Jake.
The accident is still under investigation, and the funeral arrangements are pending.

Solon Center Wesleyan Church celebrates 125th anniversary

Several people walk through the doors of Solon Center Wesleyan Church (SCWC), just west of Cedar Springs. They’re carrying a box that will be filled with food items—from a bag of apples to a frozen Salisbury steak meal. The price paid for the groceries is only half of the retail. The program is called Angel Food Ministries, a non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities. SCWC got involved with the ministry in 2007. To date they have served an average of 65 families a month and 28 people come out to volunteer.

“I am blessed every time I am there to help. Knowing that this is God’s plan in helping feed the hungry or those who just can’t go out and spend $60 to $70 on groceries,” said Deanna Baird, SCWC Angel Food Ministry Coordinator.

The church has always been about reaching out to help those in the community. This year the children of the church collected stuffed bears for Solon Township Fire Department to hand out to children in crisis situations. Each year SCWC holds a pancake breakfast open to the community to raise money for the department. This year’s benefit pancake breakfast will be held on Saturday,
October 11.

Pastor Doug DiBell serves as fire department chaplain. “I feel Jesus came to serve those who are hurting so I believe this is a ministry that reaches people when they need the most care,” said Pastor DiBell.

solon then

Just recently the church hired Tom Holloway as youth pastor. He oversees the youth, music, VBS,
and other ministries at SCWC. They invite area children to Vacation Bible School each June. “We are a church that really cares about the people that live in our community. We are welcoming to all, and we seek to be relevant,” said Pastor Tom Holloway.

Solon Center Wesleyan is celebrating its 125th anniversary. The church began in 1883, when Rev.
Edwin Potter and eight founding members organized and agreed to walk in fellowship and be known as a Wesleyan Methodist Church. Classes were held at three local schoolhouses in Solon township. The little church’s efforts could have been thwarted when Rev. Potter collapsed and died at the beginning of a service held in the Fairchild School House, but another, Phineas Dodge took up the charge (see side bar for additional church history).

history

The anniversary celebration will kick off with a potluck picnic on Wednesday, August 27th at 6:30 p.m. at Salisbury Park in Sand Lake. The celebration will include events from the old days, such as horse and wagon rides, a greased pig contest, sack races, pie eating contests, and watermelon seed spitting contests. The prizes will be old-fashioned toys. Home-made ice cream will be served. The public is invited to attend.

On Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m. a concert by the Journeymen Quartet, a well-known southern gospel group from West Virginia will open the weekend festivities. On Saturday, there will be a potluck at 5:30 p.m. followed by an old-fashioned hymn sing at 7:00 p.m.

Gary McRoberts, a SCWC former pastor’s son, will present a power point presentation combining his music and memories of the church. Isaac Smith will be demonstrating his musical talents. Isaac is a relative of former pastor F.W. Teachout, the SCWC pastor instrumental in building the old church in 1902. Other former pastors are expected to speak at the anniversary gathering.

The anniversary weekend will close with a Sunday service at 10:00 a.m., incorporating special speakers and a variety of different music. A buffet luncheon will be served after the service. The church is inviting those who have connections to the church to attend these events. They are also seeking information on early church history, photos and wedding photos of those married in the church. Please contact SCWC at 616-696-3229, scwc@juno.com, or check out their website at www.soloncenterwesleyanchurch.org. for more details of the church.

City to hold farmer’s market and yard sales

The city of Cedar Springs is promoting both a farmer’s market and community wide garage sales in conjunction with the upcoming “Summer Fun Weekend” August 1 and 2.

The farmer’s market will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, at the corner of Main and Ash Streets. There is no charge for the space to sell perishable items (i.e. fruits, vegetables, flowers, eggs, honey, baked goods, etc.) but vendors must pre-register in order to receive a space. Flea market items will not be allowed. Vendors wishing to set up a booth must call Cedar Springs City Hall at 696.1330 x 104 no later than July 25, 2008.

The community-wide garage sales will be both Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2. Community members wishing to participate should submit their addresses with a brief description (25 characters or less) to rpajak@wingsisp.com. A map of the garage sales will be published for those that are registered prior to July 22. For more information, call Cedar Springs City Hall at 696-1330.

The “Summer Fun Weekend” is being co-sponsored by the American Legion and the Red Flannel Festival.

Places to see fireworks

The July 4 holiday is right around the corner, and it wouldn’t be complete without some great fireworks. Below is a list of some planned West Michigan fireworks displays.

West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball Game
July 2, 3, and 4, 2008 at dusk at Fifth Third Park, 4500 West River Drive, Comstock Park. Admission: Regular admission price

Grand Rapids 4th of July Celebration
Friday, July, 04, 2008 10:30 p.m. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park on the shores of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids. Admission: Free

Grandville 4th of July Celebration
Friday, July 04, 2008 at dusk at the Middle School, Grandville. Admission: Free

Greenville Independence Day Fireworks
July 5, 2008 at 09:30-12:00 p.m. at The Pavilion at Klackle Orchards on M-57, Greenville. Admission: Free, donation accepted. Put on by Enduring Freedom, a non-profit group supporting our troops and families.

Holland July 4th
Friday, July, 04, 2008 10:00 p.m. at Kollen Park. Admission: Free

Kentwood, MI
Friday, July 04, 2008 at dusk at Kentwood City Center - 4900 Breton Rd. Admission: Free

Muskegon Summer Celebration
Friday, July 04, 2008 at dusk over Heritage Landing. Admission: see http://www.summercelebration.com/home.php

Rockford Rogue River Blues Festival
Friday, July 04, 2008 at dusk at Garden Club Park in Rockford. Admission: Free

Sand Lake 4th of July
Friday, July, 04, 2008 11:00 p.m. in Sand Lake (behind school). Admission: Free

Accident sends two to hospital

Two people were sent to the hospital Sunday afternoon after a man ran a stop sign in Algoma Township and struck another vehicle.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, Richard Harding, 72, and his wife, Janet, 67, both of Rockford, were in their 2005 Ford 500 traveling eastbound on 13 Mile Road about 2:08 p.m., when a station wagon traveling northbound on Edgerton ran the stop sign at 13 Mile and struck the Hardings broadside. The Harding vehicle rolled once and settled off the road, northeast of the intersection.

Janet Harding was initially unresponsive, but gained consciousness at the scene, and was transported to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital by Rockford Ambulance for probably internal injuries. Richard Harding was treated at the scene.

The driver of the station, a 45-year-old male, was transported to Spectrum Butterworth by Rockford Ambulance for multiple fractures and chest pain.

Algoma Township Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene.

Alcohol was not thought to be a factor in the accident.

Fifty-plus reunion the end of an era

On June 9, the Cedar Springs High School cafeteria was the scene for the annual 50-plus reunion, a gathering for all CSHS graduates who completed their studies 50 or more years ago. With more than three hundred in attendance, this year’s gathering represented the end of an era, as the 1958 graduating class was the last one to have spent their entire high school years attending classes in what is now known as the Hilltop administrative building, on the corner of Main and Muskegon Streets.
Mike Duffy, current principal of the Red Hawk elementary school, welcomed the attendees, who came from as far away as California.

As might be expected, the representation from the newly eligible class of 1958 was the largest number in attendance. What surprised many, however, was that the third largest representation came from the class of 1942! Among those in attendance this year (and in past years) was Ray Reinberg, former biology teacher and coach. In response to a question, it was determined that nearly half of those in attendance had learned much of what they know about biology by dissecting a frog while a
member of Mr. Reinberg’s class.

Three attendees received special recognition for having one or more of their children in attendance, by virtue of the children also having reached the magic 50-plus milestone.
This annual event, which continues to be popular for it’s good food, courtesy of the CSHS cafeteria staff, and opportunity to chat or become reacquainted with old friends, is made possible by the work of dozens of volunteers whose tireless efforts make it such a success.

Cedar Springs, The Red Flannel Town
� The Cedar Springs Post Newspaper 2007-2008 • Cedar Springs, MI