Greenville’s wrestling team got almost all their wrestlers to the individual regional tournament come Saturday. The Yellow Jackets sent 13 wrestlers to Gaylord High School for the district tournament and 11 are moving on to the regionals. Of the 11 that are moving on, five won their weight classes.

Since he was just two years old, William T. Ham has called Greenville home. Throughout his years as a member of the community he has strived to find ways to give back to his hometown in the biggest and smallest ways manageable. On Saturday night, in front of hundreds of friends and close family members, Ham was recognized for his generous efforts of philanthropy as the recipient of the annual 2012 Fred and Lena Meijer Spirit of Caring Award.

In it’s 10th year, the annual “Many Hearts One Mission” charity ball and auction at Frederik Meijer Gardens kicked off with a goal to raise more than $100,000 in funds to support the Heart & Vascular Center at Spectrum Health United Hospital in Greenville. By the end of Saturday night’s live and silent auctions, that goal was surpassed as more than $120,000 was raised through the charity auctions.

It was the coldest day so far this winter, but it didn’t stop participants from helping raise money for Special Olympics. The fourth annual Polar Plunge at Clifford Lake was one of 24 scheduled around the state the next few months to help raise funds for year-round sports training and athletic competitions for more than 18,600 children and adults with disabilities.

Read The Daily Funeral Notices for Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

The Comstock Park Panthers have a strangle hold on district wrestling championships.
The Panthers defeated the Belding Redksins on Wednesday night 35-33 in the semifinals and then topped GR Catholic Central 36-27 to win their fourth straight district title.

Do you remember the day someone came out and said to the world, “Chocolate is good for you!”? Did you throw yourself on your knees, look up to the sky and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”? Neither did I … but I wanted to … I think I did in my mind. Valentine’s Day is upon us. Lent is still at bay. This is our window. We can eat chocolate guilt-free. Unless, of course, you’re one of those really weird folks who don’t like chocolate. I met one once. I couldn’t relate. I mean, really. That’s like not liking dogs. It might be a sin. I don’t know.

As Americans adjust to a challenging world economy, two undeniably major players have emerged to command the attention of the general public: the purveyors of health services and education. The ever-expanding facilities of both industries make it apparent that we want to have healthy, learning communities. The global challenge has made us all realize that eventually, good health and continuing education is what will enable us to achieve lifestyles equal to or better than in the past.

By day, people know him as Dr. James Brown, an information systems instructor who teaches computer classes at Montcalm Community College (MCC). By night, “Doc,” as fans call him, takes the stage as a stand-up bass player in the rockabilly music trio The ChupaCobras, entertaining people throughout the greater Grand Rapids area with the band’s unique rhythm-driven rock music. On Friday, Feb. 17, Brown and his band will perform at the MCC Valentine’s dance in front of faculty and friends, an opportunity Brown says may be “a real surprise” to those who only know him as an instructor at the college.

Read The Daily News Funeral Notices for Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012