May I Walk with You? FATHER’S DAY THOUGHTS

May I Walk with You? FATHER’S DAY THOUGHTS

Editorial Staff Jun 21, 2024 3 min read

When I think of Father’s Day, I think about a number of things. My first thoughts are about my spouse, without whom I would not be a father, and the fantastic mother she is and always has been. I must…

Grant Township Hall and parking lot projects are completed

Grant Township Hall and parking lot projects are completed

Editorial Staff Jun 21, 2024 6 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent At the regular meeting June 11, the Grant Township Board approved the close out payment of $192,783.44 to MDL Construction of Bay City for the parking lot project at the township hall. The total parking lot project…

Windover Lake vacationers donate AED for emergencies

Windover Lake vacationers donate AED for emergencies

Editorial Staff Jun 21, 2024 2 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A family from Salt Lake City, Utah that has vacationed at a family cabin on Windover Lake for many generations, are giving back to others around the lake.The Rob Benda family has donated an AED (Automatic External…

Another successful year for Marion Fair

Another successful year for Marion Fair

Editorial Staff Jun 21, 2024 3 min read

Story and Photosby Steve Landon All the key elements needed to have a perfect hometown fair, great weather, a nice midway, grandstand entertainment and the all important livestock shows and competitions came together last week for the 2024 edition of…

Township eyes phased-in campground plan

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 3 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR California-based Autocamp has scaled back plans from 112 total to 76 phase-one campsites on 29.24 acres 34.61 Blue Star Hwy. because “stuff” happens — specifically, need to dispose of sewage. The Saugatuck Township Board June 12…

Township hires Viridis for park design

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 2 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR The Saugatuck Township Board June 12 hired Viridis Design Group for $10,500 to prepare a final landscape design for now-undeveloped 7.5-acre Amalanchier Park next to Riverside Cemetery at 3461 Clearbrook Drive. It will be incorporated into…

SHS junior is swift photo Study

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 2 min read

Saugatuck High School junior Leilani Schoonmaker’s journey through a lens crescendoed — so far, at least — with National Scholastic Art Awards Gold Medal recognition. Her black-and-white photo of the 2023 Portage Cross Country Invitational start made Schoonmaker  SHS art…

Douglas hires Tien as Treasurer

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 2 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Douglas has hired former Allegan County elections coordinator and Plainwell city payroll administrator Jennifer Tien new city treasurer for $74,000 a year plus benefits. City council approved the move at its Monday meeting. Tien will start…

Brandess marks 30 years Saturday

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 1 min read

Artist James Brandess will celebrate 30 years in his James Brandess Studios & Gallery, 238 Butler St., downtown Saugatuck, this Saturday, June 22, from noon until 5 p.m. On view in his shop — a historic, tin-ceilinged former post office…

Rock named Saugatuck varsity boys basketball coach

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorDuring his tenure as head coach of the Fennville varsity boys basketball team, Ty Rock had a front-row seat for the rivalry between the Blackhawks and Saugatuck.Now, he’ll experience that rivalry from the other side.Rock is the…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorKrokodil RockI remember when rock was young. Me and Susie had no clue a Krokodil rock would find us.“Krokodil” I learned too late, is street name for Desomorphine, a synthetic opioid said to turn skin green and scaly…

Space for ‘stuff’ squeezes campground plan

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorCalifornia-based Autocamp has scaled back plans from 112 total to 76 phase-one campsites on 29.24 acres 34.61 Blue Star Hwy. because “stuff” happens — specifically, need to dispose of sewage.The Saugatuck Township Board June 12 weighed a proposed…

SHS shooter makes swift study

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 2 min read

Saugatuck High School junior Leilani Schoonmaker’s journey through a lens crescendoed — so far — with a National Scholastic Art Awards Gold Medal.Her black-and-white photo of the 2023 Portage Cross Country Invitational start (below) made Schoonmaker SHS art teacher Daniel…

Otsego hosts family-friendly summer programs

Otsego hosts family-friendly summer programs

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Fun, family-friendly summer activities are back in Otsego.Summer Fun Nights will take place each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at the TOP Pavilion through July 30, while Summer Events at Northside Park will take place each…

Artisan Market returns to downtown Otsego

Artisan Market returns to downtown Otsego

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 2 min read

Artists and lovers of fine art will converge on downtown Otsego once again for the annual Otsego Artisan Market on Saturday, June 22.The market, hosted by Otsego Arts Council (a division of Together Otsego Prospers), runs from 9 a.m. to…

Antkoviak qualifies for U.S. Olympic trials

Antkoviak qualifies for U.S. Olympic trials

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 5 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Have you ever dreamed of donning the red, white and blue and representing the United States in the Olympics?Allegan native Hannah Antkoviak has. And later this month, she’ll head to Eugene, Ore., for the opportunity to…

Obituary: Andy Wilson Branham

Obituary: Andy Wilson Branham

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 2 min read

Andy Wilson Branham, of Allegan, passed away May 28 at age 89. He is survived by Arlene (Brown) Branham, his wife of 67 years and his daughter, Linda (Tim) Nielsen of Commerce Township, MI. He was a 1953 graduate of…

Obituary: John Wesley Robart

Obituary: John Wesley Robart

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 2 min read

John Wesley Robart went home to Heaven to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on the morning of June 12, 2024, at the age of 98. John was born October 22, 1925, to Wesley and Viona Robart of Bloomingdale. John…

Obituary: Donald Gibson, 76

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 1 min read

Don passed away, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at his home in Allegan. He was born September 22, 1947, in Bell County, Kentucky, the son of Belvin and Vesta (Collins) Gibson.Don proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He started…

Obituary: Kevin Franklin Kelly, Sr

Editorial Staff Jun 19, 2024 3 min read

8/31/1956 – 5/31/2024He spent his dash well!Please help us celebrate his life:Grump, grandpa, dad, husband, son, friend, and some titles best not put in print, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024. We lost the best!Kevin F. Kelly was born…

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.