What does a pie in the face have to do with treating liver disease? For two Spring Lake Middle School students, the promise of the spectacle helped them raise $1,000 to fight liver disease. Sydney Dillen and Maddison Dinneweth, both seventh-graders, approached Shana Woodwyk some time ago about raising money for liver disease treatment or research, Woodwyk said. The teacher and guidance counselor suggested that the two girls donate what they could raise to the Nephrology Department of the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

C3 Exchange will host a Sunday evening community concert series beginning this week at Mill Point Park.

A Spring Lake High School graduate will be going to Hollywood in two weeks to the Los Angeles Film Festival, where her documentary about members of a controversial Kansas church will be shown. Erin Zacek and classmate Dan Moore traveled with members of Westboro Baptist Church - a Topeka, Kan.-based group known for protesting at funerals of soldiers and other high-profile people. The documentary was among more than 200 films selected out of the 5,000-plus submissions, according to the festival website.

Last year, Spring Lake's varsity softball team entered Division 2 district play labeled as a favorite to win the district tournament, only to be upset by rival Fruitport. This year, the Lakers come in under the radar, and they're fine with that role. Tuesday, Spring Lake started its quest for a district championship with a dominating 11-1 win over Lakes Eight Conference for Grant. Senior pitcher Sam Weerstra was nearly unhittable, allowing just a single base hit, while the Lakers' lineup hit the ball well from top to bottom.