Life as Performance Art
Another “Old” in the grocery checkout lane ahead of me asked the clerk, “Is this the airport?”“What do you mean?” she asked, baffled.“I’d expect to pay this much for a bottle of water there, but not here,” he said.She rolled…
Douglas wins $1.3M to get lead out
By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas has won a $1.3-million Michigan grant to replace lead service lines, city manager Lisa Nocerini announced last week. Starting Jan. 1, 2021, the state — now knowing lead in water lines posed health threats to…
Laketown 35-year manager Meshkin to bid adieu
By Jim Hayden Correspondence The Laketown Township Board is looking to replace 35-year Manager Al Meshkin, who announced his upcoming retirement July 3. “As a Laketown resident,” said Supervisor Linda Howell, “I thank Al for his contributions and hard work,…
STR cap may go ‘nuclear’ anyway
By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck’s long road to short-term rental caps advanced Monday by a mixed vote, placing 20-percent limits in the R-1 Community Residential zone. The move — argued for a year-plus of task force, planning commission and city…
Obituary: Arthur Frederick
Arthur Frederick passed away peacefully in Holland, MI on July 1, 2024, at age 85.Born in Defiance, Ohio, on Feb. 5, 1939 to his late parents Arthur and Hannah Frederick, Arthur’s life was defined by hard work, selfless generosity and…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorChinatown“Let’s go to the Asian shop,” said Flannery.“Which Asian shop?” I asked.“The one I went to when I was 16.” That was eight years ago. “They had seaweed,” my daughter said.“I didn’t know you liked seaweed.”“I don’t,” she…
Life as Performance Art
In many ways, Jimmy Carter was a good President. He was decent, honest, free from personal scandals, and along with his wife, Rosalind, set the example of a good long-term marriage. A good man, but it turned out he…
Mike’s Musings: STR’s Are They good or bad?
STR’s, or in layman’s terms, Short Term Rentals are a hot topic all over the United States, and even abroad, but nowhere are they a heated topic of discussion than in resort communities.In the areas, some of my newspapers cover,…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorGrand ValleyHalf a league, half a league, Half a league onward … into Grand Valley, where Ottawa Impact lies.“Siri says go straight,” said my daughter Flannery. I switched lanes from the Saugatuck exit to continue due west towards…
July 4 fun is here!
By Scott SullivanEditorHoliday weekends in Saugatuck-Douglas mean serious fun. With July 4 falling on a Thursday this year, why not expand your fun two or three more days?Saugatuck’s annual July 4 parade has returned post-Covid to smalltown epic proportions, packed…
Douglas diner opens doors
By Scott SullivanEditorHappystance, Katie Fris’s dream for restoring downtown Douglas’s intermittently empty 8 Center St. into a daily breakfast and lunch diner, opened last week after lots of labor.People packed indoor and outdoor tables during peak hours of the eatery’s…
Obituary: Ann Gould (Childs) Gray
Ann Gould (Childs) Gray passed peacefully in Douglas, Michigan, on June 28, 2024, at the age of 80. Born in Michigan City, Indiana, on January 26, 1944, to her late parents Theron Jr. and Ruth (Ramlow) Childs. Ann lived a…
Life as Performance Art
Growing up, I had no need for an alarm clock ringing in my ears. I was awakened by the hideous stench after The Olds plugged in the percolator for their first cups of coffee. I don’t know the name…
Mike’s Musings: Assange finally freed, but more accountability needed
One could not escape all the clutter on the airwaves and internet concerning the debate between Biden and Trump this past week. The subject was pontificated on at length, everywhere. How badly did Biden, lose, everyone asked. Will he pull…
Share River Bluff Park ideas Thursday
By Scott Sullivan Editor Want to help restore Saugatuck Township’s River Bluff Park? A public open house Thursday, June 27, in the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, 174 Center St., Douglas, will be your chance. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., township parks…
July 4 fun to pack full weekend
By Scott Sullivan Editor Holiday weekends in Saugatuck-Douglas mean serious fun. With July 4 falling on a Thursday this year, why not expand your fun two or three more days? Saugatuck’s annual July 4 parade has returned post-Covid to smalltown…
E. Coli advisory receives mixed reception
By Scott Sullivan Editor Last week’s Oval Beach E. Coli warning didn’t keep everyone out of Lake Michigan. Five days of 90° heat sent many into the waves regardless, witness the photo above taken June 19. The City of Saugatuck…
Two if by sea
Saugatuck, Holland and Park township fire crews hit Lake Michigan June 18, joined by a county marine division craft and U.S. Coast Guard chopper prepped for airborne transfer. Swimmers at risk, caught in rip currents, happen. Efficient, quick and practiced…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorHeat WaveThe book “Ban This Book” has been banned by the Indian River County (Fla.) school board. Members voted 3-2 to ax Alan Gratz’s 2017 children’s tome after Jennifer Pippin, local Moms for Liberty chair, complained it was…
Help make River Bluff Park dreams real
By Scott SullivanEditorWant to help restore Saugatuck Township’s River Bluff Park? A public open house Thursday, June 27, in the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, 174 Center St., Douglas, will be your chance.From 5:30 to 7 p.m., township parks committee leaders will…
