Walk into Perry’s Place LLC at 90 N. Main St. and you will see nearly floor to ceiling jars of herbs and teas, rows of glass containers filled with color and texture, and the unmistakable scent of botanicals hanging in the air. Each shelf invites a curious and closer look. Owned by Perry Hopkins, Perry’s Place has become a destination in downtown Cedar Springs for those seeking loose leaf teas, cut and sifted herbs, essential oils and natural health products. But the story begins long before the jars lined these walls. The journey started in the summer of 2003 as Magic Fingers Therapeutic Body Works. In 2006, the business expanded its therapies and became Kin of Hope Natural Health. Early on, the operation was located on 14 Mile Road, operating out of Panacea Natural Health Foods from 2005 to 2008. By late 2008, the business had moved into the historic Morley Building at 90 N. Main St., where an herbal tea shop called Soul Infusions was already located. When Soul Infusions moved out in November 2010, Perry’s Place LLC was formed as the retail face of the growing enterprise. It has been, as Hopkins describes it, a slow progression of occupying more and more of the building. In 2012, Kin of Hope expanded upstairs into what had been Sleeping Dog Yoga, transforming it into the Kin of Hope Natural Health Dance and Fitness Studio. In 2016, Perry’s Place expanded again into the north suite of the building, more than doubling its retail space. Today, when products are fully stocked, Perry’s Place offers more than 155 varieties of loose leaf tea and 232 varieties of loose leaf herbs, peppercorns, sea salts and seasonings. Shelves are lined with 165 varieties of therapeutic grade essential oils, 91 essential oil blends and 68 roll on oils, alongside locally crafted incense, soaps, lotions, apothecary and aromatherapy accessories, books and seasonal items. Christmas decor, Hopkins notes with a smile, is available all year long. The emphasis on quality and simplicity is evident from the very first step inside the shop. The herbs are sold cut and sifted, loose leaf and free from unnecessary additives. Hopkins explains that once herbs are powdered, as is common in many grocery store products, they begin to lose nutritional value. Loose leaf tea also avoids the plastic and paper found in many commercial tea bags. Suppliers prioritize organic and ecologically harvested products, offering options that are safer and more sustainable. Beyond retail, Kin of Hope Natural Health now offers more than 40 services and therapies, positioning the business as a local leader in aromatherapy, natural health and therapeutic body work. Skincare products, many of them locally made, remain a strong part of the retail mix, along with tools and accessories for at home remedies. The building itself carries its own history. Originally owned by Howard Morley, who donated the land for Morley Park, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Cedar Springs. Over the years it has housed the Chamber of Commerce, the Red Flannel Festival and the Parks and Recreation Department. As many locals know, Hopkins has been deeply involved in the community, serving with the Community Action Network, completing a term on City Council, participating on the Planning Commission and acting as chairman of the Downtown Development Authority. Inside Perry’s Place, though, titles and timelines fade into the background. What remains is the experience. “You can get a fresh cup of tea or coffee while having the most eclectic shopping experiences in the area,” Hopkins said. And that may be the best way to describe it. More than a retail store, Perry’s Place is an experience. With a blend of old building charm, botanical knowledge and small town hospitality, all tucked into the heart of downtown Cedar Springs, you're sure to find something you like at Perry's Place.

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with Jake Watson about some ideas for the Bugle. Many of you may know that I have a passion for teaching others about agriculture, food, and natural resources. Growing up, I always read Ranger Steve’s column in the newspaper. It gave me a reason, as a kid, to pick up the paper, and it helped shape my path toward becoming an Agriculture & Natural Resources educator. I also think back to my second-grade teacher, Karen Mueller, Ranger Steve’s wife, who influenced me and so many others. For those who had Karen, you were an M&M kid, influenced by her love for teaching and M&M's. Her love for natural resources was clear in everything she did in the classroom. Jake and my conversation led to the idea of a small column focused on farming, gardening, agriculture, backyard animals, horticulture, landscaping, and natural resources, though I’m sure that doesn’t cover it all. I’m not sure how long this will last or how often I’ll write, my goal is monthly. One thing I do know is the importance of community and learning from one another. I’ve always told my students: the network of people and the information you learn from them is more valuable than you realize. We all have that “I’ve got a guy for that” and if we don’t, we know someone who does. Networks are built on relationships, and relationships build strong communities. For those who don’t know me, here’s a bit of background. I grew up on a small Hereford cattle and cash crop farm in Rockford. In high school, I joined CSHS FFA without realizing how much it would impact my life. I had the pleasure of having two amazing agriculture teachers, Larry Reyburn (CSHS) and Heather Pratt (KCTC). In college, I chose to pursue my passion for working with youth alongside my love for agriculture and natural resources. I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Education and later earned my master’s in Agricultural Education. I began my career at Cedar Springs High School and now teach Agriscience for Plants & Animals at Kent Career Technical Center. My wife, our three kids, and I run a small farm stand and have developed a love for gardening, landscaping, and of course, chickens. We enjoy being outdoors and working with the land. I spent five years working with Nutrien Ag Solutions as a crop scout, fertilizer applicator and truck driver. I have also worked as a landscape foreman for over ten years with Spaans Landscape Management and O’Dowd Lawncare & Snowplowing. The network we are each capable of building depends on many things, but the one thing that I know matters the most is building positive relationships with each other, and being constructive with one another. It’s okay to respectfully disagree with someone if you truly mean it. Someone put it to me this way: Plant your own seed and share the results with others, but don’t force it upon them. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned and continue learning alongside you. After all, these are our Rural Roots.

JACKSON, MI – Consumers Energy is mobilizing over 300 crews to start restoring power to homes and businesses affected by high winds that battered Michigan late this afternoon and evening. “This storm has been hard-hitting right from the start, but we prepared and are starting our work to get the lights back on across Michigan,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s officers in charge for restoration. “We appreciate the patience of our customers, especially as high gusts continue into the morning, and we will make sure to work through the night to help communities to recover.” Consumers Energy started to prepare ahead of the storm, moving personnel and equipment into position. The storm has brought wind gusts above 60 mph in West Michigan and other communities. The storm subsided at 8 p.m. Monday, with continued high winds expected through 5 a.m. Tuesday. Consumers Energy urges people to be careful if they need to travel after dark due to debris and restoration activities. Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past. Consumers Energy customers can check the status of outages at ConsumersEnergy.com/Outage. They can also sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent via phone, email or text. Text ‘REG' to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts. Keep these safety tips in mind: Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines slows down the restoration process for everyone. Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Read more guidance on safe generator use here. Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, cleanup of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners. In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.

COURTLAND TOWNSHIP — A 39 year old Solon Township man died Monday evening after being struck by a falling tree during a thunderstorm in Courtland Township, according to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies and emergency responders were dispatched shortly after 5 p.m. April 27 to an address near Crinnion Avenue NE and 16 Mile Road NE on a report that a tree had fallen on a person. When first responders arrived, they found the man had been struck by a tree brought down by strong winds moving through the area. Despite immediate life saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary information indicates the man was outside with friends when the storm intensified and multiple trees began to fall nearby. Investigators said the man warned others to move moments before the tree came down, actions that may have prevented additional injuries. The incident remains under investigation by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

SAND LAKE — Voters in Nelson Township and the village of Sand Lake will head to the polls May 5 to decide whether to dissolve the village government and whether to approve a fire millage increase, two measures that follow weeks of leadership turnover and debate over fire protection. The disincorporation proposal asks whether incorporation of the Village of Sand Lake should be vacated. The measure requires a two‑thirds majority of yes votes to pass, with ballots from township and village residents combined. Because village residents are electors of Nelson Township, all voters will cast ballots at The Gathering Place, 18 W. Lake St., from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Gathering Place - Sand Lake, MI If approved, the village would dissolve and Nelson Township would take on its governmental responsibilities. It would be the first time in the state’s recorded history that a village has disincorporated, marking a milestone for the state. The ballot questions come after a wave of resignations left the village without a quorum. Village President Mollie Doerr and council members Cherrie Camilleri, Jack Christensen, Kim Latham and Kevin Wright resigned, along with members of the Planning Commission and Finance Director‑Treasurer Tyler Kaiser. Days later, the village appointed five new council members, restoring its ability to conduct business. Former village president Dan Hula was appointed to lead the new council, which also includes Ken Johnson, Justin Van Ettin, Maggie Merritt and Abbey Shirey. Chris Stieg, one of two remaining council members at the time, presided over the transition meeting. During that meeting, the newly seated council unanimously approved a 10‑year agreement with Nelson Township for fire protection services. Under the deal, Nelson Township will assume control of the Sand Lake Fire Department through a contract valued at roughly $500,000 over 10 years, including equipment, trucks and liquid assets. The arrangement equates to about $50,000 per year for fire coverage, with terms to be renegotiated at the end of the contract. The council also approved a $40,000 budget allocation for firefighters, releasing funds that had already been included in the village budget. Nelson Township Supervisor Robyn Britton called the agreement beneficial for the broader community and said it ensures continued fire service in Sand Lake as the township works with neighboring communities to strengthen regional coverage. In a separate but related ballot proposal, Nelson Township voters will consider increasing the fire millage to 1.5 mills, or $1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value, for four years from 2026 through 2029. If approved, the millage is projected to generate $314,343 in its first year to support operations, equipment and facilities for the township fire department. The disincorporation proposal was placed on the ballot after resident Samantha Gore gathered signatures. Gore said while she views the new council’s actions on fire protection as a positive step, she continues to support dissolving the village, citing concerns about past governance and long‑term stability, including debt left over by the previous administration. With a newly appointed council in place and a fire services agreement secured, Sand Lake has regained short‑term operational stability. The May 5 election will determine whether the village continues as an incorporated municipality or transitions fully under township oversight, and how fire protection will be funded in the years ahead.

This week, the school board voted to demolish the Hilltop building. I know you already know, but I had to begin this editorial somehow. I covered the decision and wrote about the costs, the planning and what comes next. But what has stayed with me isn't so much the vote itself as the thought of all the days that building held. One hundred years is a long time for any structure to stand in place. Long enough for generations to pass through it without thinking much about the fact that they were part of a long line. My own grandmother graduated high school at Hilltop, and my parents attended junior high there. So when I say generations, I mean literal generations. It's not hard to imagine the rhythm of life inside those walls. Mornings when kids walked in with brand new backpacks at the start of the school year, nervous but pretending not to be. Afternoons when the final bell sent everyone out the doors in a rush. Random Tuesdays that no one remembers clearly now, but once felt important in the way only childhood days can. If you attended school at Hilltop, you probably don't remember everything. But you may remember fragments, such as a teacher’s voice or how it would get decorated around Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Personally, I remember the way the building seemed enormous when I was young and somehow smaller once I grew. So, that's what strikes me. The days gone by that were held within the building. Not the vote. The vote was, quite honestly, unsurprising despite the lingering sentimentality of it all. But sentimentality comes at a price. And Cedar Springs has never been a community that approves spending easily. Looking back over the past twenty years, school related bond proposals have often struggled unless residents were convinced they were absolutely necessary. In 2007, an operating millage increase failed with 49.15 percent voting yes. In 2011, a sinking fund was rejected at 47.91 percent before passing the following year at just 50.62 percent. Again, in 2019, a construction bond received only 43.64 percent support and failed, only to pass in 2020 with a mere 50.21 percent. Even just this past November, a regional enhancement proposal fell short at 47.42 percent. Courtesy of CSPS Superintendent Scott Smith If that pattern says anything about this town, it's this: Cedar Springs requires convincing and is not quick to approve new spending. Nor does it consist of sentimental voters. When viewed in that light, the decision about Hilltop doesn't feel so sudden anymore. It feels like the end of a conversation that has been circling for decades...and it has. The question of whether it could or should be saved is not new. In 1985, former Bugle founder and publisher Niels Andersen wrote, “Why A New School? Can’t Hill Top [sic] Be Saved?” He went on to argue that the building was sturdy and could stand for another 60 years. Even then, the tension between preservation of sentiment and practicality was present. A building can hold thousands of small, unremarkable days, and those days subtly shape lives. The children who once moved through those hallways are adults now. Some of them have children of their own attending school in other buildings like Beach or Cedar View. And today, those buildings are holding thousands of small, unremarkable days, subtly shaping the lives of those who attend. Hilltop stayed in place while everything changed around it. Now it will change too. When Hilltop eventually comes down, it will leave only a new skyline. Not the memories of the people who passed through it. No, those will remain in conversations, in old photographs, at the invaluable resource of the Cedar Springs Museum which you should all be visiting, and in the simple sentence, “I went to school there.” That’s it. There is no dramatic lesson here. Just the recognition that places matter because of what happened inside them, not because they last forever. Time does not pause while we decide how we feel about it. It keeps moving. Hilltop had a long chapter in Cedar Springs. One might say it finally reached the top of the hill. I’ll resist going any further with that. Regardless, it seems that now is the time to turn the page in the school's and the town's history. Just like they did one hundred years ago.

WEST MICHIGAN — Foreclosure activity is climbing across the country, but West Michigan, including Cedar Springs and much of Kent County, remains comparatively steady. Nationally, foreclosure filings increased in March compared with both the previous month and a year earlier, signaling what housing analysts call a post-pandemic normalization. While filings are rising, experts say the numbers are still far below the levels seen during the Great Recession. Michigan, meanwhile, has seen overall improvement since 2023, when the state recorded about 12,490 foreclosures. Filings declined sharply in 2024 and continued to ease through 2025. Analysts project roughly 950 filings statewide in 2026 if current conditions hold. In early 2026, Michigan ranked 25th nationally in foreclosure rate, with about one filing for every 3,907 housing units. Most cases remain concentrated in larger metro areas. Kent County has not ranked among the state’s hardest-hit regions, though neighboring Montcalm County has reported higher foreclosure rates in recent comparisons. The relative stability in West Michigan comes at a time when many households are feeling squeezed. Inflation remains elevated, interest rates are high and borrowing costs continue to weigh on homeowners. Gas prices and everyday essentials are stretching family budgets, making it harder for some to keep up with monthly payments. Still, strong home equity and tighter lending standards have helped prevent a broader spike in distress locally. In Michigan, the foreclosure process begins after missed payments and includes a sheriff’s sale followed by a six-month redemption period in most cases. For Cedar Springs residents, the message is one of cautious reassurance. While national numbers are rising and economic pressures persist, West Michigan’s housing market has so far remained on steadier ground.

SOLON TOWNSHIP — The Solon Township Planning Commission took a more measured tone Wednesday night as it held a public hearing on a proposed rezoning along Algoma Avenue, ultimately voting to table the decision to allow for additional public notice.

CEDAR SPRINGS — With less than a week remaining before the application deadline, interest in the two vacant Cedar Springs City Council seats and one open Planning Commission seat appears modest. As of this week, city officials have received two applications total for the two council openings and the Planning Commission seat. The City of Cedar Springs began accepting applications after the April 9, 2026 council meeting, when members unanimously voted to accept the resignations of Brayden Marvel and Alice Rudy. Marvel stepped down after relocating outside the district. Rudy’s resignation came during the meeting, citing personal and family reasons. The departures leave two council seats open with terms expiring in November 2027 and November 2028. City officials have emphasized the importance of filling the seats promptly to ensure a full governing body. Applications will be accepted through Monday, April 27, 2026 at noon. Applicants must: Live within Cedar Springs city limits Provide a utility bill as proof of residency Submit a resume Provide a cover letter explaining their interest in serving Complete the city’s Boards and Commissions application Materials may be emailed to City Manager Darla Falcon at manager@cityofcedarsprings.org or mailed to PO Box 310, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Public interviews are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2026, during a special meeting at the new City Hall located at 130 W. Muskegon St. In addition to the council openings, the city is also seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission, the body responsible for reviewing zoning matters, development proposals and long-term planning initiatives. City leaders have repeatedly stressed the importance of civic participation. “We need residents who are willing to make a difference and take an active role in shaping our community,” Mayor Lisa Atchison said during the April 9 meeting. With only three applications received so far for three open seats, city officials say there is still time for residents who have considered serving to step forward. The appointments will shape city leadership through at least the next two years, including budget decisions, infrastructure planning, zoning matters and community priorities. For more information or to access the Boards and Commissions application, visit www.cityofcedarsprings.org or contact City Hall at (616) 696‑1330. The deadline is approaching quickly. For residents who have ever thought about getting involved, the window to do so is now.

CEDAR SPRINGS – Cedar Springs’ Hilltop school building is turning 100 this year, and once again the school board is in a position to decide what to do with it.

I’ve spent enough evenings at City Hall over the last several months since taking over The Bugle that I don’t really think about it anymore when I grab my notebook and head out the door. It’s just part of the process. Most nights it’s a mix of council members, a few staff, and, at best, a handful of residents who decided that whatever was on the agenda was worth their time. There’s usually a quiet murmur before things begin, council members catching up or asking a quick question, and then everyone settles in and the work starts. It has yet to feel dramatic, though drama is not what I would expect. When I covered the discussions about the new City Hall, the conversations stretched across months. There were practical questions about costs and long term needs. Nobody stormed out or gave a speech that will end up in a history book. People asked questions, sometimes circled back to the same concerns, and eventually a decision was made because the people at the table had to make one. I saw the same thing during the talks about downtown improvements with the Downtown Development Authority. Progress came slowly, in fact, it's still moving along. It came because certain residents, in this case, local business owners, kept showing up, even when the crowd was thin and the topic was technical. You could see the fatigue some days. You could also see the commitment. A couple weeks ago I reported on the two open seats on the City Council and the opening on the Planning Commission. Those vacancies are chairs that will be filled by whoever is willing to step forward and take on the responsibility. Around the same time, we covered the closing of the Chamber of Commerce. That story stayed with me. This iteration of the Chamber had been part of the community for fourteen years, organizing events and supporting local businesses. In the end, it wasn’t a scandal or a single bad decision that shut it down. It was the slow reality that there weren’t enough people able... or let's face it, willing to carry it anymore. That’s the part of community life we don’t always talk about; though we're pretty committed to keeping it in the spotlight here at The Bugle . Things continue when people invest in them. Participation dries up when people condemn loudly what they are unwilling to improve. When residents shrink from the hard work of construction, yet are tireless in the easy work of contempt. From where I sit, literally in the back row most nights, it’s clear that the future of Cedar Springs is shaped by whoever decides to be present. Not in a grand, sweeping way, but in constant, practical decisions about budgets, zoning, services, and priorities. The fact is...the future belongs to those who show up.

CEDAR SPRINGS - Cedar Springs and nearby communities are drying out and cleaning up after Tuesday night’s severe storms brought destructive winds, flooding, and heavy rain, with another round of storms expected before conditions begin to improve this weekend. Wind gusts near 80 mph ripped through parts of West Michigan Tuesday night, downing limbs and scattering debris across neighborhoods in and around Cedar Springs. Standing water lingered through midweek as already saturated ground struggled to absorb nearly continuous rainfall. Cedar Creek at Main St Bridge, Cedar Springs. Photo credit: Kristen's Flashback Photography Closer to home, area creeks pushed beyond their banks. Cedar Creek in Cedar Springs, Nash Creek in Sparta, and Ball Creek in Kent City all experienced partial flooding, sending water into low lying yards and fields and soaking parks and natural areas that line the waterways. Nash Creek at Rogers Park, Sparta. Photo credit: Kristen's Flashback Photography Another storm system is expected to move through West Michigan tonight into early Saturday. Forecasters say there is a low risk for strong to severe storms, but damaging winds and large hail remain the main threats. A low pressure system will move into the area between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. Friday night into Saturday morning, with the heaviest rain expected from midnight to 4 a.m. The system is forecast to bring just over an inch of additional rain, which will fall on already saturated ground and keep local flooding a concern. Rivers, including the Muskegon River, are expected to crest over the next 48 hours. In a statement sent to The Bugle this week, Consumers Energy said its 13 hydroelectric dams continue to operate safely despite surging rivers and flooding across the state. The company said it is closely monitoring water levels while assuring customers that the dams are serving Michigan safely and reliably. One of the longer term concerns around the West Michigan area is the impact on farmers who are waiting for fields to dry out so they can begin spring work. The Bugle spoke with local farmer Dave Johnson, who said the repeated rounds of rain have kept equipment idle. “I bought a new disk for this season, and it's just sitting along with the tractor. Nothing is moving because the ground is way too wet and there is more rain coming,” Johnson said. “That is just farming, I guess. You wait for the fields to be ready and work on other things to make sure you are good to go when the time is right.” The good news, forecasters say, is that after this system moves through in the next 48 hours, conditions should begin to settle down, bringing some much needed relief to Cedar Springs and surrounding communities that have spent the week drying out basements and watching the creeks rise.