Postcard from the Pines: What happened to the Noon Whistle?

Postcard from the Pines: What happened to the Noon Whistle?

Editorial Staff May 31, 2024 5 min read

From 1951 until 1982, Marion’s fire siren blew to let us know that the noon hour had arrived. It was a welcome noise to many, from Main Street to the school yard. When it sounded at any other time, it…

Festivals, observances make Memorial weekend special

Festivals, observances make Memorial weekend special

Editorial Staff May 31, 2024 3 min read

by Steve Landon While rain and mist popped up now and then they were not bad enough to wash out any of last weekend’s events. No doubt umbrellas and rain gear were at the ready just in case old mother nature…

Marion library partnering with Feeding America’s Gather 2 Grow

Marion library partnering with Feeding America’s Gather 2 Grow

Editorial Staff May 31, 2024 1 min read

By Genine Hopkins Feeding America’s Summer food program for students under age 18, will be partnering with the Marion Area District Library to provide free meals from June 3, 2024, through the week of August 5, 2024, from 1 p.m.…

Marion holds ceremony to honor those that made ultimate sacrifice

Marion holds ceremony to honor those that made ultimate sacrifice

Editorial Staff May 31, 2024 1 min read

The Marion High School Band and VFW post 6015 gathered at the Veterans’ Memorial at 10 am on Monday to pay tribute to the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice.The tribute included a parade through downtown Marion…

Forward, march!

Forward, march!

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 1 min read

Memorial Day Monday brought fittingly somber weather to honor lost soldiers in Douglas (above) and Saugatuck. Observances capped an otherwise-sunny summer opening week to the two towns’ tourist season and commencement rites Thursday for Saugatuck High School Class of 2024…

Saugatuck girls win SAC track title

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorGOBLES—We Are the Champions.Saugatuck girls track coach Angelina Bauer just might want to consider making that the theme song for her team.Four days after claiming a Division 4 regional championship, the Trailblazers added a SAC title to…

Obituary: Judith Mabel Jensen (neé Weinberg)

Obituary: Judith Mabel Jensen (neé Weinberg)

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 2 min read

Judith Mabel Jensen (neé Weinberg) of Glenn, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2024.She was born in Chicago on Dec. 14, 1938 to Marie Weinberg (née Petersen) and Henry Weinberg. She was united in marriage to the love of her life,…

Blue Star

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorRisk ReductionI haven’t written this story yet but may soon. It’s about the Saugatuck Township gun range.The gun range is in the township, not owned by it. But it may need one in self-defense. With prime land —…

Otsego claims Wolverine Conference championship

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorTHREE RIVERS—Otsego’s Spencer Shearer and Vicksburg’s Luke Malocha finished atop the leader board at the Wolverine Conference Championship at Pine View in Three Rivers on Wednesday, May 22.Shearer and Malocha each carded a three-under-par 69, finishing four…

Obituary: Hermina “Betty” VanDenBrink

Obituary: Hermina “Betty” VanDenBrink

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 2 min read

Proverbs 31 says of a virtuous woman “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her…

Obituary: Roger J. Rininger

Obituary: Roger J. Rininger

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 2 min read

Roger J. Rininger was unconventional, a masterful storyteller, and an intrepid traveler. He was a connoisseur of the unique and different. Throughout his life, he wove tales of adventure and wonder, captivating all who had the privilege of listening. Whether recounting his…

Obituary: Donna Hazel (Schanz) Robart

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 1 min read

On the evening of May 21, 2024, Donna Hazel (Schanz) Robart of Plainwell went to be with Jesus in Heaven, at the age of 94. Donna was born July 30, 1929, to William and Ada Schanz of Allegan. Donna and…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 7 min read

      For the past few summers, a small group of fellow journalists, all writers for the British magazine The Chap,  have banded together, along with some other friends, wives and sweet-hearts for their Annual Grand Flaneur. Last year there were some sixty “Chaps”…

Cities, townships observe Memorial Day

Cities, townships observe Memorial Day

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 2 min read

By Gari Voss Rainy weather across Allegan County may have dampened some spirits, but the remembrances for those who had died fighting for freedom did not disappoint. The Fallenby Duncan Campbell Scott Those we have loved the dearest,The bravest and…

A big dream of tiny houses

A big dream of tiny houses

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 5 min read

By Donald Talonen Pingree Park, formerly the property of Mr. T.M. Russell, is historically significant for being the location of the original courthouse in Allegan. While no official buildings have been present on the property since around 1865, in the…

Mike’s Musings: Ukraine-Russia war must be stopped

Mike’s Musings: Ukraine-Russia war must be stopped

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 3 min read

Here I go again. One of my favorite rants is “Why do we send so much money and weapons to Ukraine to further a war they will never win?As a country we are nearly $34 trillion in debt and have…

CCSD honors Top 3 at LHS, VHS

CCSD honors Top 3 at LHS, VHS

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 1 min read

The Chambers County School District hosted Board Recognition for the District’s Academic “Top 3” at the Chambers County School Board Meeting. LaFayette High School “Top Three” were 1) Danasia Thomas, #2) Ny’aiza Linson, and 3) Deaundra Vines. Valley High School…

Paw Paw baseball sweeps South Haven

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – The Paw Paw baseball team on May 21 swept a doubleheader from South Haven on senior night. Pitching from Dylan Abnet and Jake Hindenach were dominant.In game No. 1 the Red Wolves won 7-3.…

Obituary: Russell George Heinzen

Obituary: Russell George Heinzen

Editorial Staff May 29, 2024 2 min read

Russell George Heinzen, 85, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Friday, May 10, 2024, at Rose Arbor, Kalamazoo. Cremation has taken place. He was born July 8, 1938, in Maple Plain, Minnesota, the son of Harvey Heinzen and Florence (Japps)…

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.