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Cedar Springs theater group to perform ‘The Miracle Worker’
The Cedar Springs Community Players will present the award winning play “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson on March 25, 26 and 27 at the Kent Theatre at 7:30 p.m. each evening.
Anna Johnson as Annie Sullivan along with Laura Johnson as Kate Keller struggle to control an angry Helen Keller, played by Ellie Awad.
“The Miracle Worker” is the true story of Helen Keller, who was born a healthy child, only to be stricken at age 19 months with a severe illness which left her blind, deaf and mute. The play carries the audience into the daily disappointments and then into the miraculous breakthrough of the young Helen Keller at the guidance of her teacher Anne Sullivan, who is remembered as the “miracle worker” for her lifetime dedication, patience and love to a half-wild southern child trapped in a world of darkness.
Pre-sale tickets are $10 and are on sale at the Cedar Springs Library and Cedar Springs Chase Bank. Tickets are $12 at the door. Tickets are also available from any cast member. Go to the Players website at www.cscommunityplayers.org or call (616) 696-0456 for more information on this family friendly show. Kent Theatre is located on Main Street, downtown Cedar Springs.
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Obituaries — February 18, 2010
Hart
Mrs. Ruth M. Hart, age 96, of Rockford passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. She grew up on Godfrey Street in Grand Rapids and was a 1931 graduate of Lee High School and then attended Davis Tech.
It was the time of the Great Depression, and her father had lost his job. He purchased the property on Young Avenue in Rockford where he farmed as a means of feeding his family. On September 11, 1937, Ruth married Pyrle “Peak” Hart. The Depression shaped Mrs. Hart’s life. She was always well organized and well prepared.
In 1951, she and her husband turned the farm into the Hart’s Christmas Tree Farm. The farm has produced enjoyment for hundreds of thousands of people during the Christmas season.
For 12 years, Mrs. Hart worked for the brokerage firm of DeYoung-Larson-Tornga. After her children were in school, she worked at the Rockford Paper Mill until her retirement at the age of 65. This was a job where she enjoyed the great relationships with her co-workers.
Mrs. Hart was a “doer” not a “sitter.” She was the hub of the wheel that kept everything going. She and Peak loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and touring Europe several times.
Always there, Mrs. Hart was the caregiver of her total family. She is survived by her children, Marilyn Hart-Tardy and her husband, David Tardy, Kriss and Gerald Slot, Tom and Gwen Hart, all of Rockford; six grandchildren, Amy Gillis, Julie and David Parrish, Rebecca Slot, John and Jamie Slot, Kim Hart, Nick Hart; two great-grandchildren, Seth Gillis, Isaac Parrish; and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pyrle “Peak” Hart; her daughter, Phyllis Ruth; sister, Audrey; and two brothers, Earl and Red. A special thank you is extended to the angels at Pilgrim Manor for their tender love and care given to Mrs. Hart.
The service for Mrs. Hart was Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home with Ila Flo Barfuss, chaplain of Pilgrim Manor officiating. Interment was in Grandville Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the endowment fund at Pilgrim Manor.
Arrangements were made by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford.
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Weather cooperates in annual outdoor Ikes Winterfest
Amy Overeiner teaching a new skier Saturday on the Ikes property.
The annual Izaak Walton League (Ikes) Winterfest was a big hit on Saturday, January 23, on Myers Lake Road. “It was a great day with almost 400 people out to enjoy the outdoor fun,” said president Georgia Donovan.
The ice fishing, skating, sledding, candle-making, and cross-country skiing were very popular. Watch for more fishing events in the spring. Next up will be their annual fundraising banquet on March 5. Call (616) 866-4769 for information.
The Isaak Walton League here in Rockford is the Dwight Lydell Chapter, which has a 30-plus acre conservation center at 5641 Myers Lake Road.
New members are always welcome. The group is a non-profit conservation organization. Visit www.michiganike.org for more information.
Erika McGuirl in the snow castle. Each year the Isaac Walton League Winterfest features many fun and healthy outdoor activities. The conservation group invites visitors to find out more about the organization.
Bill Skallos teaching archery to a youngster at the Ikes Winterfest this year.
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Rams earn ‘veggie tales’ at Jenison swim meet
Eric Chisholm helps his 200-yard relay team secure an extremely close first-place finish.
Photo by GORDIE PETERSON
Rockford 188, Jenison 124
by DENISE WEBB
Rockford’s coaching staff literally dangled carrots, canned carrots that is, in front of their team before the Jenison OK Red conference meet on Thursday, Jan. 21. Not only did Rockford win the meet by more than 60 points, but also 10 swimmers and one diver earned “veggie” bragging rights.
Senior swimmer Rob Fugate explained, “Coach Parks gives us a lofty time to beat for our events. If we manage to meet or beat this time, we have a ceremony the following practice, recognizing those people who achieved their times. At the ceremony, Coach Parks awards the swimmers [and divers] who made their times with a random can of vegetables.” Fugate was one of the honored “veggie award” recipients.
“It’s fun, but it’s serious,” said senior swimmer and co-captain Kyle Peterson, who earned a can of vegetables for dropping 1.50 seconds off his personal best backstroke time and swam a varsity letter time. “It may sound crazy that a can of vegetables motivates teenage boys, but the incentive works.”
Sophomore Alex Savage swims an impressive 500-yard freestyle, earning a personal best time of 5:28.28 and a "veggie" award, and his team a third-place finish. Photo by GORDIE PETERSON
Other veggie winners were senior Connor Thelen, junior Jared Martella (two cans), sophomores Cody Brown, Scott Ginebaugh, Nathan Napolillo, Ben Pitts, Alex Savage, and Josh Travis, and junior diver LJ McCauley.
Rockford finished first in eight events, of which four were state-qualifying times, and placed second, third, fourth and seventh in the diving event behind Jenison’s Nate Reitberg.
From the moment the opening buzzer sounded, Rockford controlled the waters.
The first event—the 200-yard medley relay—ended with a powerful and close first and third finishes by relay teams Eric Chisholm, Alex Devries, Brian Ginebaugh and Thelen; and Andrew Denhof, Ben Fredrickson, Martella and Nick Willison.
Before the waves could settle, Bryan Wasberg (1:50.37), Trenten Babcock (1:55.12), Jeff Schmitt (1:55.75), and Mike Arend (1:59.41) finished first, third, fourth and seventh in the 200-yard freestyle.
Continuing to stir the waters, B. Ginebaugh (2:06.76), Josh Travis (2:07.41), Martella (2:10.91), and Willison (2:14.50) impressively swam first, second, third and fifth places in the 200-yard IM.
The 100-yard backstroke also ended with notable first-, second-, fourth- and fifth-place finishes by Devries (57.82), Travis (58.62), Willison (1:00.30), and Thelen (1:01.59).
The most commanding event of the evening was the 100-yard breaststroke. B. Ginebaugh (1:02.23, shaving .22 off his state-qualifying time), Martella (1:05.52), Dan Newberger (1:08.48), and Ian Rosloniec (1:08.76) swamped Jenison in the event with amazing first- through fourth-place finishes.
Also, swimming state qualifying times were Derik Bothma in the 50-yard freestyle (22.61, shaving .03 off his time) and the 100-yard freestyle (50.06), and Devries in the 100-yard butterfly (54.43, matching his exciting state time).
Rockford’s next meet is at home against Grand Haven at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28.
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Birthdays — December 26 – January 1
26th
Conor Reed, Stephanie Varady
27th
Kaylee Hackbardt, Joan Harding, Shirley Martin
28th
Kevin Bartlett, Tina Brockman, Kelly Schluckebier
31st
Retha Karasiewicz
JANUARY
1st
Georgia Beardsley, EJ Boss, Darlene Crysler, Lana Hackbardt, Emily Seagraves
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