Who thought there were more business opportunities in Spring Lake than Grand Rapids when deciding where to open a hardware store? Who gave a party on china plates to the children of Central School if they left their garden alone during the summer? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered on the Spring Lake Village Walk at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Residents and community leaders are pitching in to take a stand against phragmites, an invasive wetland weed that is blocking lake views and endangering native plants and wildlife. Spring Lake Township Supervisor John Nash, who is also spokesman for the Spring Lake Lake Board, said if $17,000 can be raised by the end of next week, treatment will begin this fall and continue in 2012. "What makes sense is to treat the whole lake, and do it for two years and do it right,' he said. "We're still looking for people to contribute.'

Benefit concert is 6-9 p.m. Friday at Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Savidge St. Another cross is coming down from a Spring Lake church, but for a completely different reason than the last. "We will be the second Main Street church to remove our cross this year,' said Pastor Dan Anderson of Spring Lake Presbyterian Church. The congregation of the former Christ Community Church, now C3 Exchange, removed their cross and changed their name in June 2010 to emphasize a mission of being "an inclusive community.'

The Tri-Cities Historical Museum is offering an evening walking tour of the village at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. The 12-block walk, which takes about 75 minutes, will begin and end at the Spring Lake Village Hall, 102 W. Savidge St. Participants will learn about early schools, pioneers who built the village and other interesting bits of history. Advance registration is not necessary. For more information about this free program, call 842-0700.