Music jam and dance every Sunday, 4 to 7 pm, at 1417 Johnson Street, Lake Odessa. Acoustical instruments. Waltzes, old timey, gospel, and bluegrass. Park facing west. For more information call 616-374-8205 or email tfcloggers@att.net.

Alanon and Alateen (a 12-step program for teens who have family members or friends with a problem with alcohol) every Sunday from 7:30 to 8:30 pm at Zion United Methodist Church, 423 West Washington, Ionia.

Boston-Saranac Historical Society meeting every third Monday of the month at 7 pm at the Depot. New members welcome.

The Grand Valley Wood Carvers meet the first and third Mondays of every month that school is in session at 6:30 pm in the wood shop room at Ionia Middle School. Please visit one of our meetings to see what we are all about. We always welcome new members.

Recovery International meetings every Monday at 7 pm at Impact Church, 1069 Lincoln Lake Road, Lowell. The meetings are for adults 18 and older who suffer major and minor emotional upset or illness. People who practice this method have gotten well by learning how to deal with everyday trivialities and function in spite of physical or emotional pain or excessive fear or anger.

Saranac Lions Club meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Saranac American Legion.

Parent child playgroup every Monday from 10 to 11 am at the Early Childhood Center, 1975 Orchard Street, Room 109, Belding. Registration required, call 616-527-4900, ext. 1461. Sponsored by the Ionia County ISD Great Parents Great Start Program.

West Michigan Amputees Support Group meeting the first Monday of every month from 2 to 4 pm at the Ionia County Commission on Aging. For more information call 527-7244

The Ionia County Genealogical Society is open Mondays from noon to 4 pm at the Freight Station Museum, 1117 Emerson Street, Lake Odessa.

Free knitting/crocheting circle Tuesdays from 6 to 8 pm and Thursdays from 10 am to noon, at Weatherwax Whistlestop, 1135 4th Avenue, Lake Odessa. Phone 616-374-8000.

Food pantry available Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment at the Saranac Community Church, 125 South Bridge Street for Saranac School District area residents in need. To schedule, call the church office at 642-6322.

Civil Air Patrol meets Tuesdays at 6 pm in the Ionia Airport main building just north of Menard's back lot. Adult and Cadet teenage programs. Public welcome - come and check us out.

Kid's Club Tuesdays from 6 to 7 pm at Bible Methodist Church, 146 Church Street, Saranac. Songs, games, and stories using the bible on felt. All children and youth welcome. For more information call 642-9952.

Ionia-Maple Valley Community Band meets for rehearsals every Tuesday at 7:30 pm in the Ionia High School bandroom. Adult and high school student musicians welcome. For information call 616-761-3581.

Trap shooting every Tuesday, starting at 5:30 pm, at Western Michigan Rifle and Pistol Club. Everyone welcome. Call Jim 616-761-3475 or Ed 616-642-9816 for information.

Step-by-Step, a weight loss support group, meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8 pm at Temple Baptist Church, State Road, Ionia. Weekly weigh-in, indoor walking area, Bible study, personal reflection question and discussion time, prayer partners, and monthly body measurements.

Parent child playgroup every Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:30 am at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 617 North Jefferson, Ionia. Registration required, call 616-527-4900, ext. 1461. Sponsored by the Ionia County ISD Great Parents Great Start Program.

Emotions Anonymous meetings (for adults) every Tuesday at 1 pm at River's Edge Drop In Center, 302 East Main Street - suite #2, corner of Main and Jackson, Ionia.

The Portland River Hatters, Red Hat Society group, meets for breakfast the first Tuesday of every month at 9 am at Jerry's Restaurant and Pub. New members are welcome.

Lake Odessa Community Grief Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month from 1 to 3 pm at Central United Methodist Church, 912 Fourth Avenue - 616-374-8861. For more information call 616-527-0681 or 517-882-4500.

Diabetes education class every Wednesday at 9 am at Ionia County Memorial Hospital Home Care, 525 Lafayette Street, Ionia. For more information call 616-527-7060.

Saranac Downtown Business Committee open meetings the third Thursday of each month at 9 am at 4 Health Family Resource Center, 92 Bridge Street – 642-8466.

SAMS (Saranac Area Musicians and Singers) practice on Thursday nights in the Saranac High School band room. Choir is from 6 to 7 and band is from 7 to 8 pm. For more information call Karen at 616-522-1495.

Adult Domestic Violence Support Group Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 pm offered through RAVE-Ionia/Montcalm, Inc. Contact Amanda at 616-527-3351, ext. 226.

Travelog movie shown every Thursday at 9:30 am at the Ionia Theatre. Sponsored by the Ionia County Historical society.

Free and confidential business counseling with a SCORE representative will be available the first Thursday of every month from 9 am to noon at 439 West Main Street, Ionia. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 616-527-2560 for an appointment.

Alcoholics for Christ, a 12-step recovery program for alcoholics, drug addicts, and family members, meet every Thursday at 7 pm, Impact Church Office, 1070 North Hudson Road, Lowell. For information call Paul 616-527-7796.

AA meeting every Friday at 8 pm at Saranac Community Church, 125 South Bridge Street.

Lions' Sight Mobile during Ionia Expo on Saturday, March 7 from 9 am to 3 pm in front of the Ionia High School. Providing free health screening including vision, hearing, blood pressure, and more. For more information call Jennifer at 522-0300 or Joy at 522-1000.

Texas hold 'em tournament Saturday, March 7 from 5 to 10:30 pm at the Hubbardston Community Center, 305 Russell Street. Cash table 7 to 10 pm. For more information call Bob Fahey 989-981-6503, cell 517-526-1025. To benefit Knights of Columbus 2198.

Pancake breakfast Saturday, March 7 from 8 to 11 am in the Ionia High School cafeteria. Adults $5, under 15 $3, 5 and under free. Hosted by the Ionia firefighters.

Music in the barn Saturday, March 7 at 1417 Johnson Street, Lake Odessa. Park facing west. Acoustical instrument jam from fiddle to penny wihstle, and sing and dance from 2 to 5 pm; potluck and open mic from 5 to 6 pm, and round and square dancing and clogging from 6 to 9. No alcohol, no smoking, no cussing, and no spitting. For information call 616-374-8205 or email tfcloggers@att.net.

Ionia Expo Saturday, March 7 from 9 am to 3 pm inside Ionia High School. Call the Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce at 616-527-2560 or visit www.ioniachamber.org or info@ioniachamber.org

North LeValley School Board meeting Monday, March 9 at 6:00 pm at the school.

Beta Sigma Phi Sorority meeting on Tuesday, March 10th at 7:30 pm at the home of Sara Schaffer.

Storytime Tuesday, March 10, 10 am, Saranac Public Library.

Roast beef and pork dinner Wednesday, March 11 from 4 to 6 pm at the Lyons-Muir Lions Club, Superior Street, Muir. Adults $7, under 14 $3, under 5 free. All you can eat, plus desserts.

Lenten lunch of soup and a roll will be served Wednesday, March 11 at noon at First Christian Church, Ionia. Pastor John Prominski will deliver a message. Public invited.

Bertha Brock Park Advisory Board monthly meeting Wednesday, March 11 at 4:30 pm in the maintenance building within Bertha Brock Park. Nicole Frost, Park Manager, 616-522-PARK.

2009 Fall Festival committee meeting Wednesday, March 11 at 11 am at the Divine School of Dance, 318 West Main Street, Ionia. Anyone interested in being involved with this year's festival is welcome to attend. Nicole Frost, 616-522-7275.

Girls' Night Out (Womens' Festival) planning committee meeting Wednesday, March 11 in the Lions Room in the Ionia Armory. All interested in assisting with this year's event are invited.

Family night dinner Thursday, March 12, 6:30 to 8 pm at Shiloh Community Church, 8197 Heth Street, Orleans. Bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Introducing our missions team traveling to Guatemala in July. For more information call 616-761-3584.

Storytime Thursday, March 12 at 10 am at the Clarksville Area Library.

Flea market Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 12, 13, and 14 from 9 am to 5 pm at the Lake Odessa VFW Post. To rent tables call 616-374-4171. Hosted by the VFW Auxiliary.

Lenten fish fry Friday, March 13 from 5 to 7 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 115 South Steele Street, Ionia. Homemade desserts, and macaroni and cheese too.

Lenten fish dinner Friday, March 13 from 5 to 7 pm at St. Edward's Church in Lake Odessa. Dinner includes baked fish, baked potatoes, vegetable, roll, soup, salad, dessert, and beverage. Adults $7; 10 and under $3.50.

Fish dinner Friday, March 13 from 5 to 7:30 pm at St. Anthony's Church, corner of David Highway and Jackson Road, Saranac. Fried or baked fish, macaroni and cheese, french fries or baked potato, coleslaw, applesauce, roll, and beverage. Adults $7, seniors $6, children $5. Take-outs available. Hosted by St. Anthony Knight's of Columbus.

Pheasants Forever (Clinton county) fund raising banquet Saturday, March 14 at the Most Holy Trinity Activity Center in Fowler. For more information call Carol 989-224-2291.

American Red Cross training class Saturday, March 14 from 8:30 am to 5 pm at Saranac High School,150 Pleasant Street. Pre-registration is necessary - call 616-456-8661.

Fines for Food at the Saranac and Clarksville Libraries now thru March 16. Bring in a can of non-perishable/canned food and receive $1 off your Saranac or Clarksville Library fine. The maximum amount to be waived is $10.

Storytime Tuesday, March 17 at 10 am at the Saranac Public Library.

Free: replace a lost card or upgrade you old card to the new key card March 17 thru 31 at the Saranac and Clarksville Libraries. If you have lost a card be sure to bring ID to the library.

Lenten lunch of soup and a roll will be served Wednesday, March 18 at noon at First Christian Church, Ionia. Pastor Nancy Patera will deliver a message. Public invited.

Storytime March 19 at 10 am at the Clarksville Area Library.

Saranac Downtown Business Committee open meeting Thursday, March 19 at 9 am at 4 Health Family Resource Center, 92 Bridge Street – 642-8466.

Lenten fish fry Friday, March 20 from 5 to 7 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 115 South Steele Street, Ionia. Homemade desserts, and macaroni and cheese too.

Lenten fish dinner Friday, March 20 from 5 to 7 pm at St. Edward's Church in Lake Odessa. Dinner includes baked fish, baked potatoes, vegetable, roll, soup, salad, beverage, and dessert. Adults $7, 10 and under $3.50.

Fish dinner Friday, March 20 from 5 to 7:30 pm at St. Anthony's Church, corner of David Highway and Jackson Road, Saranac. Fried or baked fish, macaroni and cheese, french fries or baked potato, coleslaw, applesauce, roll, and beverage. Adults $7, seniors $6, children $5. Take-outs available. Hosted by St. Anthony Knight's of Columbus.

Dollar dinner night Saturday, March 21 from 4 to 6 pm at Lyons-Muir Church, corner of M-21 and Olmstead Road, Muir. Get a complete homemade meal for $1. The menu includes chili or soup of the month, breads, fruit cups, desserts, and beverages.

Swiss steak dinner Saturday, March 21 from 4 to 7 pm at the Lyons-Muir VFW. Karaoke from 6:30 to 10 pm. Public invited. Sponsored by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

An evening of food and fellowship Saturday, March 21 from 5 to 7 pm at Sebewa Center United Methodist Church, 12018 Shilton Road, Portland. Serving swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, coleslaw, rolls, homemade desserts, and beverages. A free-will offering will be accepted. The church is handicapped accessible. Everyone welcome!

Soup cook-off Tuesday, March 21 from 11 am to 1 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Ionia. Come and taste the area's best soups! Proceeds will help the needy in our community.

Legislative coffee Monday, March 23 at 8 am at Green Acres Retirement Living, 2550 Commerce Lane, Ionia (north of Lowe's). The public is encouraged to attend.

Storytime Tuesday, March 24 at 10 am at the Saranac Public Library.

Movie night/family night Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30 pm at the Saranac Public Library. Showing Disney's 'Bolt'. Free movie and popcorn!
Friends of the Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail annual meeting Wednesday, March 25 at 7 pm at the Ionia County Commission on Aging, 115 Hudson Street. Public welcome. For more information call Nicole Frost, Bertha Brock Park Manager at 616-522-PARK.

Lenten lunch of soup and a roll will be served Wednesday, March 25 at noon at First Christian Church, Ionia. Pastor Larry Brown will deliver a message. Public invited.

Storytime Thursday, March 26 at 10 am at the Clarksville Area Library.

Indoor yard sale March 26, 27, and 28 inside the Belding Covered Village Mall. Crafters and non-profits are welcome too. Sponsored by the Belding Chamber of Commerce. For more information call 616-794-9890.

Game day Friday, March 27 from 1 to 5 pm at the Saranac Public Library. Board games and Wii. Preregister a time for Wii.

Lenten fish fry Friday, March 27 from 5 to 7 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 115 South Steele Street, Ionia. Homemade desserts, and macaroni and cheese too.

Lenten fish dinner Friday, March 27 from 5 to 7 pm at St. Edward's Church in Lake Odessa. Dinner includes baked fish, baked potatoes, vegetable, roll, soup, salad, beverage, and dessert. Adults $7, 10 and under $3.50.

Fish dinner Friday, March 27 from 5 to 7:30 pm at St. Anthony's Church, corner of David Highway and Jackson Road, Saranac. Fried or baked fish, macaroni and cheese, french fries or baked potato, coleslaw, applesauce, roll, and beverage. Adults $7, seniors $6, children $5. Take-outs available. Hosted by St. Anthony Knight's of Columbus.

Smorgasbord dinner Saturday, March 28 from 4 to 6 pm at the Lyons-Muir Church, corner of M-21 and Olmstead Road, Muir. Serving swiss steak, roast turkey, potatoes, seasoned vegetables, stuffing, homemade breads and pies, and drinks. Adults $7.50, 5-11 $4, under 5 free.
Free movie Saturday, March 28 at 2 pm at the Clarksville Area Library. Showing Disney's 'Bolt'.

Appraisals with Glen Rairigh Americana Auctions on Saturday, March 28 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Ionia Commission on Aging, 115 Hudson Street. Oral appraisals only, $5 per item, bring as many items as you wish. Not responsible for any loss or breakage at this event.
Storytime Tuesday, March 31 at 10 am at the Saranac Public Library.

Lenten lunch of soup and a roll will be served Wednesday, April 1 at noon at First Christian Church, Ionia. Pastor Armand Aronson will deliver a message. Public invited.

Cart n' Lobby Gift Shop grand opening Thursday & Friday, April 2 and 3 from 10 am to 5 pm, in Ionia County Memorial Hospital - newly located in the lower level just beyond the Emergency Room.

Lenten fish fry Friday, April 3 from 5 to 7 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 115 South Steele Street, Ionia. Homemade desserts, and macaroni and cheese too.

Lenten fish dinner Friday, April 3 from 5 to 7 pm at St. Edward's Church in Lake Odessa. Dinner includes baked fish, baked potatoes, vegetable, roll, soup, salad, beverage, and dessert. Adults $7, 10 and under $3.50.

Fish dinner Friday, April 3 from 5 to 7:30 pm at St. Anthony's Church, corner of David Highway and Jackson Road, Saranac. Fried or baked fish, macaroni and cheese, french fries or baked potato, coleslaw, applesauce, roll, and beverage. Adults $7, seniors $6, children $5. Take-outs available. Hosted by St. Anthony Knight's of Columbus.

Lenten lunch of soup and a roll will be served Wednesday, April 8 at noon at First Christian Church, Ionia. Father John Crean will deliver a message. Public invited.

Coming events (up to 30 words) can be run in this column at
no charge for nonprofit organizations. Items must be submitted by noon Thursday to appear in Saturday’s issue. Changes or cancellations must also be made by noon on Thursday. Send your information to: The Ionia County Shopper’s Guide, Box 46, Saranac, Michigan 48881; fax to 616-642-6040; or e-mail to