SPS funders raise $160+ K … and fun
By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck Public Schools-sponsored fall Walk-a-thon and Serve-a-thon fall fundraisers last week raised a combined $160,605. The Friends of Saugatuck Middle & High School-organized Serve-a-Thon Sept. 18 involved middle school students, with support from parent and business…
Douglas OKs sign at ex-golf cluhouse
By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas City Council Monday granted Vincent Beckman IV a 6-month sign ordinance exemption for a marker erected at his home at 14 and 16 Ferry St., the former West Shore Golf Course clubhouse. City planning and…
History Center cites Ashley, Thau
The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center presented Arthur Ashley the Charles J. Lorenz Award of Achievement, its top honor, and cited Christopher Thau as Volunteer of the Year at its annual membership meeting Oct. 2. Ashley, a US Army veteran, musician and…
Douglas seeks playground build volunteers
By Scott Sullivan Editor The City of Douglas seeks volunteers to help erect the final phase of its park project started in 2019: the children grades 5-12 area at the Schultz Park playground. What started in 2019 as a group…
Heat on Sunday for Chili Cook Off
Three things just go together to make a perfect fall day — crisp temperatures, color touring and enjoying a steaming bowl of chili. You can get this package deal at the annual Cow Hill Yacht Club Chili Cook Off Sunday…
Saugatuck volleyball falls to visiting Martin
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe Saugatuck volleyball team played host to Martin on Tuesday, Sept. 30, with the Clippers prevailing 25-19, 25-22, 25-15.Martin’s serving played a big role in determining the outcome. The Clippers served up 20 aces, led by Mackenzie…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorSalvationLeonard Michaels’ 1982 short-story collection “I Would Have Saved Them If I Could” explored how a writer/creator gives birth to characters, then watches almost helplessly as they develop and follow their own free wills towards whatever fates awaits…
Nothing but sincerity
… for as far as the eye can see met families coming Saturday to grab among 300 pumpkins set out by the Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt Douglas office. There were free cider and donuts too. Many kids and even some…
‘Is chalk art free speech?’ cities ask
By Scott SullivanEditorIs chalk art in public places free speech or vandalism? Douglas City Council Monday weighed a measure banning it on heels of neighbor Saugatuck removing a sidewalk message many found offensive.Saugatuck City Council was slated to discuss its…
Otsego Library benefits from Eagle Scout Project
The Otsego District Public Library saw significant improvements to its outdoor spaces thanks to the leadership and service of Eagle Scout candidate Amelia Helen Tuttle of Troop 191, Lakeshore District, Michigan Crossroads Council.Amelia’s project, titled Library Landscaping, focused on enhancing both the safety…
Plainwell royalty
Plainwell Community Schools held its annual homecoming festivities the week of Monday, Sept. 29. And as always, the week culminated with the crowning of this year’s royalty.Alyssa Weldon (left) was named this year’s queen, while Andrew Hampton was named this…
Plainwell hosts informational meeting for Battle of the Books
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Battle of the Books has become an annual tradition for area elementary school students.A quiz-bowl-style competition designed for students in grades three through five, Battle of the Books features three rounds of seven questions based on…
Hamilton, Otsego, Allegan compete at D3 invitational
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HOLLAND—The annual Holland Christian D3 Midseason Invitational took place on Saturday, Oct. 4, and three local teams were among included in the 12-team field.Hamilton had the best showing of that trio, placing fifth with 212 points.…
Otsego girls win at Portage
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—Domination.No, check that. Total, complete and utter domination.Yep. That pretty much sums up Otsego senior cross country standout Emma Hoffman’s performance in the Division 2 race at the Portage Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4.Crossing the finish…
Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelAbout the time Pat and I married, new neighbors moved next to our home, and in no time Pat and Sylvia became close friends.Pat had worked in the fur department at Marshall Field’s in Chicago. Sylvia was across the street…
Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit
Interaction with other people is critical to our mental health. The texting, phone calling crowd must put down their cellphones occasionally and actually visit friends and families. Unfortunately, this is not happening enough and so many problems are caused because…
Iconic Fennville hotel begins makeover, will house restaurant, speakeasy, event center
By Gari Voss The hotel in Fennville, MI that has stood next to the railroad tracks for almost a century is in the midst of having a facelift. The DuPree family from Holland, MI purchased the grand structure four years…
SHARK founder says cockfighting ring shared with police several weeks earlier
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer In a shocking discovery, 36 fighting birds — roosters, were found dead in a Hopkins Twp. property on Oct. 3.Local law enforcement received tips about a cockfighting and betting ring from an animal rights organization called…
Barron’s PCC hearing adjourned until Oct. 30
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Mya Nicole Barron, the 15-year-old former AHS student who is facing weapons charges after allegedly threatening to attack Allegan High School in September, was in 57th District Court today for a PCC.Judge Christopher Burnett conducted the…
Former SHHS athlete now Hope College’s baseball coach
By James Windell When Ryan Dorow was a senior at South Haven High School and played three sports, there was only one thought in his mind: Play, play, play!Playing baseball and other sports was all he could think about. He…

Do you need help? Write Us!
By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher
Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.
It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.






















