Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffAug 21, 20245 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorHeroesThursday, Aug. 15, 12:44 p.m., southbound on Blue Star Highway from I-196 Exit 41 towards Saugatuck, an Allegan County Sheriff’s cruiser raced by, siren on, lights flashing, around stopped traffic through the 64th Street light beyond where, bottlenecked,…

Water rescue rivets town

Editorial StaffAug 21, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe greater life’s call, the greater life’s response. Witness Thursday, Aug. 15, 12:40 p.m. when a South Haven man, 55, northbound on Blue Star Highway approaching the Kalamazoo River bridge, suffered what police believe was a medical condition.His…

Mike’s Musings: Political conventions no longer serve a purpose

Mike’s Musings: Political conventions no longer serve a purpose

Editorial StaffAug 21, 20243 min read

Dominating the airwaves this week is the Democratic National Convention. Three weeks it was the Republican National Convention. Despite a lot of pomp and circumstance, very little gets done at these four-day lovefests. In my opinion, they should no longer…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffAug 21, 20244 min read

I just read in my old hometown newspaper that my elementary school principal died. Mr. Were was 95 and his passing brought back memories. This time of year our minds probably slip back to ready-for-a-new-year-of-school days. The whole cast old and new characters post-summer…

Toast raises $100K+ for Blue Star Trail

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20242 min read

Nearly 150 local supporters of Friends of the Blue Star Trail gathered Aug. 5 at Modales Wines in Fennville to raise more than $100,000 at their annual “Toast to the Blue Star Trail.”   A variety of Modales offerings grown in…

New Wade’s docks in, red ring to go

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20241 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Wade’s Bayou has two new floating but soon will lose its third-year giant red ring. Douglas City Council Aug. 5 thanked the new rowing docks’ unnamed donor for helping replace the downtown waterfront park’s aging old…

Saugatuck looks to hook with stars-cr

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20243 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck may have a new way to connect Oval Beach with emergency and more hard-to-reach services: via satellite. City manager Ryan Cummins apprised council at its Wednesday, Aug. 7 workshop that, with AT&T plans to place…

Eagle hopefuls pitch city project plans

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20243 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor To be an Eagle, observe, then serve. Local Boy Scouts Brooks Massing and Anthony Carlotto pitched volunteer projects to Saugatuck City Council at its Wednesday, Aug. 7 workshop to earn them and friends Scouting’s highest honor.…

Jazz tribute to swing here Sept. 1

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20242 min read

The Saugatuck Woman’s Club and JimCo Productions, aka Douglas vibes veteran Jim Cooper will present a “Celebrating the Masters of Jazz” concert Sunday, Sept. 1, in the SWC clubhouse performance space, corner of Butler and Hoffman streets, starting at 7:30…

Countdown to opening kickoff

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20241 min read

Jarvis Memorial Stadium was a busy on Monday, Aug. 12.That’s because that was the first official day of practice as allowed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. And players from Saugatuck joined players across the state in going about…

Obituary: Billy Joe Perkins

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20242 min read

Billy Joe Perkins, 69, of Saugatuck passed away on Aug. 4, 2024. He was born on Sept. 16, 1954 in Sikeston, Mo. to Laverne and Grays Perkins.  Billy graduated from Saugatuck High School in 1973 and spent most of his…

Obituary: Robin Lee Schock

Obituary: Robin Lee Schock

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20241 min read

Robin Lee Schock passed unexpectedly from a cardiac event at the age of 64. While in high school, she participated in many extracurricular activities such as basketball, cheerleading, softball and band. Robin graduated from Saugatuck High School in 1977, then…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorMyLifeThe email from MyLife said “Fix mistakes in yo …” A generous offer. Where do I begin? Yo-, I thought again. Who is “MyLife” and why do they call themselves that?What shall I pay them to scour databases…

New Wades’ docks in, Red Flame to go

New Wades’ docks in, Red Flame to go

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20241 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorWade’s Bayou has two new floating but soon will lose its third-year giant red ring.Douglas City Council Aug. 5 thanked the new rowing docks’ unnamed donor for helping replace the downtown waterfront park’s aging old one, noting too…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20244 min read

Many of our parents cautioned us to “Be nice” when playing with other children,  talking with adults or any other social interaction. From the 1940s until May 1985, the Ivy Room was Durham, N.C.’s foremost and only kosher Jewish deli. It also served…

Mike’s Musings: I’m disgusting and stupid- so readers say

Mike’s Musings: I’m disgusting and stupid- so readers say

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20244 min read

I take a lot of flack for my opinion column, Mike’s Musings, from time to time. Readers (and I’m so happy you read the paper) often disagree with what I have to say. That’s all right- everyone is entitled to…

PUBLIC NOTICE – SEEKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER APPLICATIONS

JordanAug 13, 20241 min read

With sadness over the loss of Commissioner Dean Kapenga (Dean), we seek to honor Dean’sexcellent citizen representation and service by accepting applications for the vacant District #3County Commissioner position. Under MCL 46.412, the Board must appoint a Commissioner bySeptember 4,…

Upton, Dingell highlight Sept. 5 SH talk

Editorial StaffAug 7, 20241 min read

Retired 34-year local U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R) and current Detroit area rep. Debbie Dingell (D) will present “Voices from Across the Aisle: Getting Things Done in a Toxic Political Environment” at the next South Haven Speakers Series event Thursday,…

Commission vice-chair Kapenga dies from storke

Editorial StaffAug 7, 20241 min read

Allegan County Commission vice chair Dean Kapenga, who since 2020 redistricting has represented Saugatuck Township among others on the commission, died early Monday, Aug. 5, at Grand Rapids U-M Health West surrounded by his wife Jan and family. He had…

Freeway pickup flips, crushes driver

Editorial StaffAug 7, 20241 min read

Central Dispatch took the Saturday 5 a.m. call summoned emergency first responders to reports of a rollover west of southbound I-196 near the 38-mile marker. When officers appeared on scene, they found a white the white Ford F250 pickup (shown,…