Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20245 min read

 When it started getting cold this year and snow was in the air, someone spotted me walking and wanted to know why my coat was unbuttoned. “Don’t you know it’s cold?” she asked. If I don’t happen to have on my…

Mike’s Musings: Words to live by

Mike’s Musings: Words to live by

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20243 min read

I found this post on Facebook. I unfortunately don’t know who the author is, but I haven’t read anything lately, that expresses best, how to live our life. Follow these basic tenets and you will be a great person. Personally,…

Saugatuck girls basketball eyes league, district titles

Editorial StaffNov 27, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorNew season, same expectations for the Saugatuck girls basketball team.“As we do every year, we fully expect to compete for conference and district championships,” Saugatuck coach Kevin Tringali said. “We earned both the past two seasons, and…

Obituary: Carol Ann Brown

Obituary: Carol Ann Brown

Editorial StaffNov 27, 20243 min read

Carol Ann Brown, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024, at her home in Fennville, Michigan, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on June 30, 1945, in Toronto, Ontario,…

Saugatuck’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ unites with charity group to help community

Editorial StaffNov 27, 20244 min read

From the first “Bah! Humbug!” to the last “God Bless Us, Every One!” the 38th annual production of Saugatuck’s “A Christmas Carol” starting Dec. 13 will be linked as closely as it ever has been to the true meaning of…

Library partners with bookstore to share the joy of reading

Editorial StaffNov 27, 20242 min read

The Saugatuck-Douglas District Library is thrilled to announce the return of its annual holiday book drive. Community members are invited to share the joy of reading by purchasing a book to be added to the Library’s shelves.The Library has offered…

Saugatuck Township receives $140k for safe streets and roads

Editorial StaffNov 27, 20242 min read

Grant will allow the township to develop comprehensive safety action planSaugatuck Township has been awarded a $140,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. This grant will enable the township to develop…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffNov 27, 20246 min read

    There is nothing new about the retail sector’s Black Friday except that it seems to start earlier this year.  The name comes from the hope that customers will do sufficient holiday shopping that they will convert eleven months or…

Mike’s Musings: Stop with excuses, buy local first

Mike’s Musings: Stop with excuses, buy local first

Editorial StaffNov 27, 20243 min read

It’s small business Saturday this weekend, and that gives me an excuse as to why you should shop with your small retailers and stay away from the big chains and online buying.Our small towns are treasures. People love to visit…

Township will cover treasurer in suit

Editorial StaffNov 20, 20245 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck Township’s attorney will represent treasurer and planning commission member Jon Helmrich in a developer’s lawsuit filed against him and Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance president David Swan. The board Oct. 18 agreed 4-0 to do so,…

Lakeshore Drive washout-Township backs seeking new connection

Editorial StaffNov 20, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor “Only connect,” E.M. Forster’s advice in the novel, later made a movie “Howard’s End,” has nothing on Saugatuck Township’s Lakeshore Drive washout. The township board Nov. 13 voted to seek national designation to design and build…

Rock prepares to lead young Saugatuck boys team

Editorial StaffNov 20, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorDuring his three-year stint as head coach in Fennville from 2019-2022, Ty Rock amassed an overall record of 44-18.Rock hopes to replicate that level of success with Saugatuck.Rock takes over the head coaching duties in Saugatuck from…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffNov 20, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorBird PlayI knew it would be a long night when my wife’s parrot hit a bus.It started when she and our daughter asked if I wanted to take them to get the birds’ beaks and nails trimmed.No.“Then you…

Saugatuck taps Anderson as new mayor

Saugatuck taps Anderson as new mayor

Editorial StaffNov 20, 20242 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck City Council elected Holly Anderson mayor at its post-election organizational meeting Nov. 12.Her predecessor, Lauren Stanton, was chosen mayor pro-tem for the coming year.By city charter, the outgoing council picks rotating members for one one-year term, sometimes…

County clerk Genetski is Laketown pick

County clerk Genetski is Laketown pick

Editorial StaffNov 20, 20243 min read

By Jim HaydenCorrespondentLaketown Township agreed Nov. 13 to offer its township manager position to Allegan County Clerk and Saugatuck resident Bob Genetski.The manager search committee instructed supervisor Linda Howell to enter contract negotiations with him.The new township board made up…

Mike’s Musings: Thanksgiving a time for family, not politics

Mike’s Musings: Thanksgiving a time for family, not politics

Editorial StaffNov 20, 20243 min read

As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season I would like to make a few observations.First, I don’t think we need to get upset over politics. I’ve read on social media, where if you voted for Trump you will not…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffNov 20, 20245 min read

Many of us are making plans for Thanksgiving Day Nov. 28 this year. We might be traveling or others traveling to see us. Maybe the great feast will be at home or somewhere else. Turkey and all the trimmings could…

City beach fee hikes pay off

Editorial StaffNov 13, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Oval Beach parking fee hikes passed last spring helped net Saugatuck a $123,931.04 profit this season, figures shared with city council at its Nov. 6 workshop show. Treasurer Nicole Bredeweg told members increasing day-use motor vehicle…

Local elections largely keep status quo

Editorial StaffNov 13, 20244 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck voters returned three incumbents but replaced another in the Nov. 5 city council race for four open two-year seats. In Douglas, all four incumbents faced down two challengers for four available two-year seats. Saugatuck Township…

Iconic tree may be doomed; what’s next?

Editorial StaffNov 13, 20243 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The wind in the willow didn’t mix well Nov. 1 as large south section of the iconic tree in Cook Park fell and blew in speculation about what’s next. “I love that willow,” said Saugatuck City…