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This month's topic has been one that has been a popular topic in our community for a few years...PFAS. I am part of a group on Facebook that continues to follow any updates, and provide information. The topic hit my radar again this past week in a Facebook post from Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, former Director of the Cleveland Clinic, and now founder and Senior Advisor for their Center for Functional Medicine. His topic of discussion was a bacteria found in our gut microbiome, that has been found in a recent study to actually help eliminate toxins, including PFAS, from the body by binding to them in the bloodstream. The bacteria is called Eggerthella lenta. One study in mice found that E. lenta prevented 45% of the toxins from entering the bloodstream, acting like a "sponge". Remember that PFAS are considered 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down in the environment, nor in our bodies. They are found in nonstick coatings on cookware, film from fast-food packaging, in "waterproof" clothing...and, even in our water supply. PFAS have been linked to hormone disruption, immune system problems and even cancer. [Remember when we covered using the old style cast iron skillets?] Now, as Dr. Hyman points out, this doesn't give us an opening to let our guard down about toxins, but it does give us another reason to keep our gut health in check. It is also another reason to reflect on how wonderful our bodies are made, isn't it!? :-) To your health! - Cindy Patin, Natural Health Advisor - 616.696.6121

August 9th 12pm to 5pm Perry’s Place llc for herbs, teas, and more and Pour Michigan Wine Barn (2 of Michigan’s hidden gem businesses) are partnering up to host a new vendor event. Beads and Meads, Friends and Gems is a new event that offers Michigan vendors an opportunity to set up a vendor booth and sell their homemade goods using beads, crystals, gems, and stones. We are also allowing for local art and other crafted items. Michigan made meads, wines, and sparkling juice will be available for sipping and shopping in designated areas of the event. A portion of the event’s proceeds will go towards the publication Cedar Springs Happenings for promoting Cedar Springs Area events. $40 for a single booth 12x12 or $70 for a double booth. Please sign up by July 31st. $15 late sign up fee if after August 1st, 2025. Contact Perry at kinofhope@yahoo.com for more details.

August Events at The Kent Theatre $3 Movie: How to Train Your Dragon Friday, August 1st - 6PM Sat. August 2nd - 3PM & 6PM Sunday, August 3rd - PM Free Movie: Mystery Movie Tuesday Tuesday, August 5 - 7PM Free Movie: Cats & Dogs (2001) Friday, August 8 - 6PM Saturday, August 9 - 3PM & 6PM Sunday, August 10 - 3PM Free Movie: Cats & Dogs (2001) Tuesday, August 12 - 7PM $3 Movie: Jurrasic Rebirth Friday, August 15th - 6PM Saturday, August 16th - 3PM & 6PM Sunday, August 17th - 3PM Free Movie: Mystery Movie Tuesday Tuesday, August 19th - 7PM Free Movie: Cats & Dogs - 2 Friday, August 22 - 6PM Sat., August 23rd - 3 & 6PM Sun., August 24th - 3PM Free Movie: Cats & Dogs - 2 Tuesday, August 26th - 7PM Closed: August 29 - 31 September Events Free Movie: Kelly’s Heroes Friday, Sept. 5th - 6PM Sat., Sept. 6th - 3PM & 6PM Sunday, Sept. 7th - 3PM $3 Movie: Elio Friday, Sept. 12 - 6PM Sat., Sept. 13th - 3PM & 6PM Sunday, Sept. 14th - 3PM $3 Movie: F1 The Movie Friday, Sept. 19th - 6PM Sat., Sept. 20th - 3PM & 6PM Sunday, Sept. 21st - 3PM $3 Movie: Superman (2025) Friday, Sept. 26th - 6PM Sat., Sept. 27th - 3PM & 6PM Sunday, Sept. 28th - 3PM Please check the Kent Theatre’s Facebook page for more to come.

Summer is winding down so find a bit of time to visit the Nelson Township Branch of Kent District Library in Sand Lake before it ends!

Joanne C. Verburg age 74, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died Monday, June 30, 2025 at her home in Cedar Springs doing what she loved most - gardening. She was born October 6, 1950 in Grand Rapids, MI the daughter of Robert and Gerarda (Heitz) Dewey. She worked at Kindel Furniture for 14 years, helping to produce some of the world’s finest handcrafted pieces that can now be viewed at Winterthur’s Museum. She finished out her working years as one of the friendliest cashiers at Meijer on Alpine Ave and in Cedar Springs before enjoying a happy and fulfilled retirement. Joanne had a lifelong passion for flowers and gardening, along with an astonishing ability to identify florals on the spot. She was an avid reader, often enjoying multiple books at once, and a remarkably animated storyteller. Her creative spirit shone through in the many puzzles, paintings, and crafts she regularly worked on—many of which adorned the walls of her home, transforming it into a personal art gallery filled with love. She was generously compassionate, offering a loving home to many pets throughout her lifetime, and often went out of her way to care for sick or injured animals. She also donated regularly to multiple non-profit organizations supporting the health and welfare needs of all living beings and creatures of life. Surviving are her husband, Jerry who she married on August 5, 1972; children, Rea Verburg, Randy (Tara) Verburg, Jerry (Lori) Verburg, James Verburg; seven grandchildren, Cassie, Randy Jr., Justin, Alysha, Brandon, Jessie and Jerrod; 13 great grandchildren; siblings, David Dewey, Larry (Luanne) Dewey, Jon (Jody) Dewey, Patty (Dick) Anderson; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Scott Verburg and a sister-in-law, Jan Dewey. The family will greet friends Tuesday, July 8 from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at the K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mel Trotter Ministries, 225 Commerce Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Diane Elizabeth Brady, 72, of Cedar Springs, Mich., passed away Tuesday, June 24 from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Rockford, Mich. She was a retired non-profit health services executive followed by her second career where she was a key member of Michigan State University Extension’s Consumer Horticulture Team. Diane was born to Lela Belle and George Brady, on Jan. 26, 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, where she graduated from high school. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1975. In 1998 she earned an MBA in finance from Grand Valley State University. In her working life Diane consistently sought positions in which she could help people, including working as a researcher for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians helping to document ancestry needed to title property. She also worked for the Salvation Army, where she was director of planned giving. She served as Chief Operating Officer for Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan for 20 years before she retired in 2010. In 2003 she earned MSU extension advanced master gardener certification and began her volunteer service. She joined the Michigan State University Extension Consumer Horticulture team in 2012 and was currently employed as the Horticulture and Events Account Manager for West Michigan. To quote her employer, “Diane’s impact was wide reaching, and her absence will be deeply felt in our office and in the greater MSU Extension community. Any coworker surely knew of her attention to detail and commitment to her work, but all who knew Diane undoubtedly recall her kindness, wit, contagious enthusiasm, joyful laughter, and love of coffee and red wine.” One of Diane’s greatest joys was sharing her horticultural knowledge and experience with others. She loved to cook for family and friends and especially enjoyed creating healthy culinary experiences using produce from her garden. She will be sorely missed by everyone who benefitted from her outgoing, cheerful, thoughtful and helpful regard for others, including those she mentored in their personal and professional lives. She is survived by her husband, Rod Sager; identical twin sister, Denise, (husband Tom) Schroeder, of Laingsburg, Mich.; nephew Tom Schroeder Jr., Haslett, Mich.; and niece Anna Schroeder, East Lansing, Mich. Her brother, George Brady Jr., preceded her in death. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 19th from 5:00pm to 7:30pm in Diane’s Gardens, if you would like to attend, please send an email to: DianesMemorial@icloud.com and we will respond with an invite. If you would like to donate, please choose one of Diane’s favorite organizations: To Planned Parenthood of Michigan by clicking on this link here And/or send a check to: Michigan State University Michigan State University Extension c/o Diane Brady memorial 775 Ball NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (Please include your name, address, e-mail contact and phone number in the envelope) Arrangements by K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

D M White age 93 of Cedar Springs passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at his home. He was born December 15, 1931 in Courtland Township, MI the son of Guy and Anna (Hagen) White. He worked 30 years for the U.S. Post Office, first in the railway and highway postal service, then as a rural carrier and in the office. He was a lifelong farmer and worked 18 years for Swift Farms. He was a devoted member and volunteer at the Cedar Springs Historical Society and Museum. D and his wife Nita sang all over the U.S. and in many churches. Surviving are his children, Guy (Diana) White, Douglas White, Kim (Nancy) White, Debby (Tom) McDonough, Phil (Linda) White; 17 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Juanita “Nita”; brother, Jack White and sister, Peggy Goller. The family will greet friends Saturday, June 14 from 9:30 until time of service at 11:00 am at the K.E. Pike Funeral Home, 13603 Northland Dr. NE, Cedar Springs. Pastor Tom Logsdon officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Maranatha Baptist Church, 12786 Algoma Avenue, Cedar Springs.