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…
Housing shortage in South Haven affects real people
By James Windell Trenton Bulat isn’t looking to buy a house in South Haven. He merely wants an apartment that he and his boyfriend can live in for a long time.But just as there is a shortage of houses in…
Paw Paw’s Briggs Dam receiving makeover
Following the partial failure and subsequent repair of Briggs Dam in 2017, the State of Michigan’s Dam Safety Division recommended the complete replacement of the spillway as a long-term solution.The Village of Paw Paw has been working with a team…
Bloomingdale’s Oktoberfest opens Friday, September 19th
Bloomingdale’s Oktoberfest 2025 will kick off on Friday, Sept. 19, at Augustus Haven Park, here, for a three-day run, and will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 21. The festival will feature a wide variety of events and activities for all ages.On…
State Police investigate fatal crash
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com ANTWERP TWP. A 41-year-old Paw Paw man was killed Saturday afternoon, Sept. 13, in a head-on crash in Antwerp Township, according to a press release from the Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post.Troopers said the crash…
Young girl allegedly steals truck, vehicle pursuit by authorities follows
GENEVA TWP. – An adolescent girl faces several charges after she was arrested after allegedly taking a stolen truck on a vehicle pursuit Thursday, Sept. 11, in Geneva Township, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.At approximately 10:20 a.m.,…
Gobles improves to 3-0
By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — The Gobles Tigers put together a complete performance on both sides of the ball Friday night, rolling to a 44-0 victory over Marcellus, coach Greg Eichler said.The Tigers racked up 396 total yards of offense…
Wings West and Wings Event Center to close, hockey parents worried
Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher For many years, Wings West has been more than a building. It has been a gathering place, a training ground, and a second home for athletes, families, and fans. The beloved Texas Township hockey arena opened in…
Life as Performance Art
As the story goes, a grandfather was trying to help his young grandson with some history homework for school. The boy was frustrated and asked gramps if he had to study it when he was in school. When the…
Mike’s Musings: How to decrease buggy accidents in our communities
It happens over and over, an Amish buggy is hit by a car or truck and severe injuries happen to thos in the buggy. Just last week the scene was Clare County, which by the way has had a half…
