Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorLightning StrikesJust when I thought life had gone to hell came word human deaths by lightning have dropped from 300-plus per annum in the 1940s to only 13 so far this year. Now there’s more people, or targets,…

July 4 rain ends in reign of flame

July 4 rain ends in reign of flame

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20251 min read

Rain and lightning reigned on the planned Friday, Fourth of July morning parade though Saugatuck, causing its cancelation to the disappointment of Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsors, volunteers, participants and spectators. Among those showing up were colorfully-dressed Saugatuck-Douglas…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20255 min read

My sister Beverly is the family genealogist. She started some 60 years and has stayed with it ever since.It is not exactly an obsession, but she has converted a bedroom into her office, complete with walls lined with shelves, and…

Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest

Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20253 min read

I was sent an article from the Lansing City Pulse written by Kyle Melinn, that claims there are four state legislators that are married to lobbyists.As Melinn says “that means in four households, one person works for the state to…

EPIC election complaints roll on

Editorial StaffJul 3, 20257 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorA June 16 Michigan Bureau of Elections letter to former Saugatuck Mayor Garnet Lewis indicates she, with three other current or past city council members, may have committed a felony when they collaborated on 2024 campaign signage.Former Mayor…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJul 3, 20258 min read

     This coming Friday, July 4th, is our nation’s 249th anniversary since the delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.  Two hundred forty-nine is not considered a major milestone event.  We’ll wait until next year for a…

Mike’s Musings: Health costs soar, some hospitals benefit

Mike’s Musings: Health costs soar, some hospitals benefit

Editorial StaffJul 3, 20253 min read

I just read a report from the Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition (MIHPC) that essentially concluded that larger hospitals have had profits increased dramatically.Now we all know, if we have spent any time in a hospital, we are charged exorbitant amounts…

July 4 fun is on its way

Editorial StaffJun 25, 20251 min read

The Fourth of July is coming and the Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is ready to make a two-day weekend splash. Fun will start Friday, July 4, at 11 a.m. with the community’s annual Independence Day Parade. Participants will…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJun 25, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorHeartWho knew Ypsilanti was the cultural heart of Michigan? Me thanks to Mondly, a language learning program which surveyed 3,012 respondents nationwide asking, “Which town in your state best represents your cultural identity?”Divided by 50, that means 60.24…

Friends since grade school, 86, reconvene

Friends since grade school, 86, reconvene

Editorial StaffJun 25, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Douglas Divas since 1953 reconvened in the lakeshore for the summer solstice 72 years later — and what memories they had.Classmates since Our Lady of Lourdes grade school, then Villa Duchesne all-girl Catholic High School in St.…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJun 25, 20255 min read

The most popular male vocal duet in 1930s England was Flanagan and Allen. Their songs were light, filled with a bit of syncopation, close harmony and left audiences smiling with a renewed sense of hope.Among their big hits was “Underneath…

Mike’s Musings: Okay with bunker busters if they don’t lead us to war

Mike’s Musings: Okay with bunker busters if they don’t lead us to war

Editorial StaffJun 25, 20253 min read

Dropping bunker buster bombs in Iran last week will go down in history as one of the best military operations ever. Our planes went to and left undetected after dropping the world’s biggest bombs in an effort to destroy Iran’s…

MHSAA officials registration underway for ‘25-26

Editorial StaffJun 18, 20253 min read

The Michigan High School Athletic Association is accepting registrations online or by mail for game officials for the 2025-26 school year.The MHSAA registered 8,891 officials for the 2024-25 school year, another of a recent series of increases as registrations continue…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJun 18, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorAge of AnxietyMy wife’s pit bull wears three collars. “WTF?” I asked her.“You bought him the pink one with cartoon bones on it,” she said. “The black is a thunder collar to calm him down during storms. The…

Court sides with city on floating homes dispute

Editorial StaffJun 18, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Michigan Court of Appeals June 12 upheld the City of Saugatuck’s right to regulate — and possibly remove — four floating homes placed three years ago next to the west Chain Ferry landing.In an 18-page opinion issued…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJun 18, 20257 min read

   Earlier this month a longtime friend sent me one of his favorite quotes from Ecclesiastes: “Whoever increases knowledge increases sorrow.”  He added a modern refrain: “And spikes our anxiety.”  I thought about it the next morning when I went…

Mike’s Musings: Moving woes, why do I keep doing it?

Mike’s Musings: Moving woes, why do I keep doing it?

Editorial StaffJun 18, 20253 min read

For some reason I feel the need to move from one house to another, or one office to another, every few years. This time my fiancé and I, decided to move from our condo to a house on an acre…

Saugatuck golf places 8th at state

Editorial StaffJun 11, 20251 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorBIG RAPIDS—It was another top-10 finish for the Saugatuck boys golf team at the Division 4 State Finals Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7.Competing at Katke Golf Course on the campus of Ferris State University, the…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJun 11, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorWe’re No. 119Great news! The latest clickbait poll — this by Careerminds — ranks Saugatuck No. 119 among U.S. spots to micro-retire, i.e. take timeout before you burnout.Tell the boss to shove it, grab your foam rubber fingers…

Pride reigns

Pride reigns

Editorial StaffJun 11, 20252 min read

Days of the Rainbow lit up the lakeshore June 1-7 as Community Pride MI rang in Pride Month celebrating theLGBTQ+ community with activities and events including:• A Tea Dance at the Dunes Resort in Douglas, Sunday, June 1;• A Rainbow…