Life as Performance Art
Prior to the Presidential election of 1932, Will Rogers and Franklin Roosevelt were standing in front of a microphone at a public event. Of the two, Rogers was the better known and held in higher esteem by most Americans. …
Mike’s Musings: Elected leaders- Do the right thing, eliminate earmarks
One of my often rants is the use of earmarks or pork barrel, as we used to call them, projects sneaked into the federal or state budget at the last minute, to benefit a particular constituency. It happens every year…
Paw Paw tennis falls to Three Rivers
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — After a rainout before the 1st ball was struck the night before, Paw Paw played host to Three Rivers last week indoors at West Hills.Paw Paw took the early lead with a decisive win…
SHAES receives grant to acquire portable gas detectors
South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) has been awarded a $2,000 grant from Michigan Gas Utilities (MGU) through its Rewarding Responders Grant program.The grant is being used by SHAES to purchase eight small carbon monoxide detectors that attach to EMS…
Caught in a dilemma: Expensive housing creates problem for couple
By James Windell Jodi and Donald Heflin are caught in a dilemma.They make too much money to live in low-income apartments, yet they don’t have enough income to buy a house in South Haven. And that’s where they want to…
New water tower shows off mural
Painting large mural (twice) on South Haven’s new million-gallon water tank is about finished.The tank will be raised in the coming weeks to the top of the concrete pedestal, making the tribute to South Haven on the lake visible for…
Deputy, K9 honored in Washington DC
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Calhoun and Kuno (K-9 partner now retired) were recently honored in Washington, D.C. by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). They were awarded the prestigious Hope Award at their annual awards…
Bloomingdale Communications marks 120th anniversary
BLOOMINGDALE – In the winter of 1904, a father saddled his horse and rode through the snow to save his infant son. That ride – urgent, determined, and fueled by love – sparked a movement that would connect generations.Arthur D.…
Arcade to host 16th annual Midwest Soda Pop Festival
Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher After a short delay due to road construction, the Midwest Soda Pop Festival is back for its 16th year. On this Sunday, October 5, from noon to 4 p.m., Klassic Arcade 1.0 on M-40 will transform into…
Soup Suppers return to Decatur
Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher The familiar aroma of simmering soup will soon fill the fellowship hall at the Holy Family Catholic Church as Decatur’s long-running Soup Suppers return for another season. The community tradition, now more than two decades old, raises…
Life as Performance Art
The name “Ned Ludd” was quietly whispered from person to person throughout the central part of England beginning in the early 1800s. People would say, “We’re going to meet up with Ned Ludd tonight at the Dew Droppe Inn.” …
Mike’s Musings: Erika Kirk’s Greatest Act of Courage-Forgiving the Unforgivable
When tragedy strikes, our instincts often turn toward anger, resentment, and the pursuit of vengeance. That is human nature. Yet, every so often, someone rises above those instincts and shows us a higher way — a path of grace that…
Oktoberfest featured car show and live music
Oktoberfest, held in Bloomingdale’s Augustus Haven Park, Sept. 19-21, saw many people attend the Friday night through Sunday morning event. Some of the many activities and events on Saturday included the Galvan Industries Car Show, which saw Chris Serdel capture…
Steele and Sadie Evans to continue the “incredibly orange tradition,” as Evans Acres Family Farm
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com. In a recent social media post, a great-nephew of Gene (The Pumpkin Man) Rhodes, who passed away last December, announced that he and his wife had purchased the family farm that Gene operated from 1957 to…
Gobles volleyball team win
By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — The Gobles varsity volleyball team won a hard-fought five-set battle against Saugatuck, with scores of 17-25, 25-12, 17-25, 25-22, and 18-16. Kylee led the team with 18 digs and seven aces, while Ellie Wood added…
Life as Performance
On several occasions, Pat told me that one thing she loved about her father was the first thing he would say in the morning. “Great Day! Wonderful Day! Great Day! That could not have been easy for him because…
Mike’s Musings: A Father’s Painful Choice Shows True Honor
Many of us are grieving the assassination of TPUSA founder, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk. Its unimaginable to me that in this day and age, a person debating students at an outdoor rally in Utah would be murdered.The assassin has been named…
Planning Commission approves variance to allow new STR
By James Windell When Melissa Schlinger appeared before the South Haven Planning Commission on Thursday, September 4, 2025, she requested that the Planning Commission approve her property at 307 Spruce Street for a variance. The reason for the request was…
SH Food Pantry has been serving needy for over 50 years
By James Windell By 9:45 am on a recent Wednesday morning, the cars were lined up in the parking lot of the First Congregational Church on Phoenix Street.That’s the way it has been every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning for…
Beacon to Feature a Series of Stories on Housing in South Haven
In a series of stories starting in this issue of the South Haven Beacon, we will be exploring the problem of a shortage of affordable houses and apartments in South Haven. In this series, we will feature the personal stories of…
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