Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelEach week I read publisher Mike Wilcox’s editorial, then go for a walk. Sometimes it is to cool down; other times to think over what he wrote and how it can be applied. The June 9 edition when…
Monday winds do extensive damage to museum
The Van Buren County Museum received extensive structural and water damage from Monday night’s double storm punch. Museum President Sandy Merchant was at the museum early Tuesday morning assessing the damage, along with other museum volunteers and Van Buren County…
GoblesFest set for June 25
GOBLES – GoblesFest, scheduled June 25, from noon to 5 p.m. in Gobles City Park, plans to raise funds for a new fence to be placed around new playground equipment in the park.A Rainbow Flyte Aerial Arts performer will be…
12-year-old holds up Hartford gas station
HARTFORD – A boy faced seven criminal charges in Van Buren County Thursday, June 2, accused of robbing a gas station clerk at gunpoint after firing a warning shot.The 12-year-old boy had walked about a mile to get to a…
Ex-con shoots two in Hartford trailer
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Paw Paw Post is investigating a shooting and unlawful imprisonment that occurred early June 8, around 5:30 a.m. in the 62000 block of 63rd St., Hartford Twp. Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, who was…
My father, my hero
(I wrote this a year ago but wanted share it again. Heck I might share this column over and over for years to come. The man meant so much to me)This week I give pause to reflect on my hero,…
Life as Performance Art
I have been waking up well before dawn this spring, and it is all my wife’s fault. No, she is not pulling the blankets over to her side on cool mornings, or sprawling across the bed, shoving me closer to the…
Life as Performance Art
James Barrie, best remembered as the author of Peter Pan, also wrote a short play he called, “The Old Woman Shows Her Medals.” It is a sad tale of an elderly widow who would periodically go to the local train station,…
Bring back Civics classes, initiate term limits
I fear for our democracy. My fear is rooted in the fact that most citizens don’t really care about what is happening at their federal, state and local governments. Only fifty percent of us bother to vote, and once the…
Lawrence to honor lifelong resident
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer LAWRENCE – A lifelong resident of Lawrence and an active community member will be honored June 11 by the community during an open house.Charles “Chuck” Moden, 89, graduated from Lawrence High School in 1951, where he…
Traffic stops view poppies in bloom
This newly constructed home on County Road 653, north of 52nd Avenue, Paw Paw, saw traffic stop and take photos during the past week of the field of poppies that had been planted earlier and were in full bloom.Courier-Leader photo/Paul…
PPPS seeks public input to advance goals
PAW PAW – Paw Paw Public Schools invites parents/guardians and students to help advance two goals of the PPPS Strategic Plan in the areas of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Creating a Culture of Kindness, Respect, and Safety.1) PPPS parents interested…
Masonic Lodge donation earmarked for statues
Paw Paw/Lawton Masonic Lodge 25 recently donated $2,400 to the Paw Paw American Legion to provide funding toward the purchase of the major war statues at Maple City Veterans Memorial Park. Making the presentation Memorial Day were four Masonic members,…
Area spring sports teams close out May
by Ben MurphySports Writer Lawton track and field takes seventh at D3 team finals The Lawton girls track and field team competed in the MITCA Division 3 track and field team state finals on Saturday, in Clare. The Lady Blue…
Area communities pay tribute to soldiers who died for us
A Memorial Day parade and service took place in Gobles Monday morning, May 30. Gobles armed services veterans marched in the parade, as well as many other units, including the Gobles High School Marching Band.Courier-Leader photos/Paul Garrod Van Buren County…
Stop talking and provide meaningful action to curb school violence
Here’s a sobering statistic. There have been 2032 school shootings in the U.S. since 1970 and the number of shootings is increasing in frequency. Yet very little is being done to help our vulnerable school children.We can talk. We can…
Life as Performance Art
We know the well-established choreography after every mass shooting: Politicians, police officers, and other head to the microphone and trot out the well-known, safe and approved line, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims….” Immediately afterwards…
Obituary-Nola R. Geissel
Nola R. Geissel, age 97 of Kalamazoo, died on May 18, 2022. She was born on April 10, 1925, in Almena Township, Michigan, the daughter of Rellie and Lavina (Soloman) Masten. At her parent’s cider mill, Nola met the love…
Obituary-David Ward Hartwell
David Ward Hartwell, 80, of Paw Paw, passed away at his home Sunday, May 22, 2022, with his loving wife by his side. He was born Sept. 11, 1941, in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of the late Vern Ward Hartwell…
Obituary-Mable Ruth Cole
Mable Ruth Cole, 82, of Lawton, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at her home with her family by her side. She was born Sept. 17, 1939, in Daniels, West Virginia, the daughter of Della and Edith Lester.Mable was a…
