Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Ferry sinkhole closes road to beach

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 2 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor A key stretch of Ferry Street in Douglas leading north to Saugatuck’s Oval Beach, Mt. Baldhead and more will close indefinitely Friday, Aug. 2, during peak summer season. The decision, said Douglas City Manager Lisa Nocerini,…

‘Wild Heart of Saugatuck’ suits rage on

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 7 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Developer North Shores of Saugatuck, L.C.C. has sued Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance founding president David Swan in Allegan County Circuit Court for: • Tortious interference with contract, business relationship or business expectancy; • Civil conspiracy; and…

Obituary: William ‘Bill’ Beery

Obituary: William ‘Bill’ Beery

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 2 min read

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Bill Beery.Born on Aug/ 25, 1950, to Donna and Harold Beery, Bill lived a full and vibrant life until his peaceful departure on July 28, 2024. He…

Obituary: Robert (Bob) Koenig

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 2 min read

Robert (Bob) Koenig passed quietly July 24, 2024, after a short illness.Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, May (Smith) Koenig, his older sister Lois Eckelman.He is survived by his brother Arthur (Bud) Paul Koenig;…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorColorsWhy do the Summer Olympic Games seem to come in the nick of time?I was 13 when the ’68 Games arrived, fresh from seeing assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy play over and on…

Summer peaks in Venetian Fest

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditor“It” was about: Saugatuck intoxication and enchantment this Venetian Weekend.Seamen standing watches onboard or in ports here nights drank in cooling trade winds during nights warming to low-80s sunshine by middays.First-timers came to experience what “it,” the buzz…

‘Wild Heart’ suits rage on

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 7 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDeveloper North Shores of Saugatuck, L.C.C. has sued Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance founding president David Swan in Allegan County Circuit Court for: Going BackNorth Shore’s latest filing dates back to when Oklahoma City natural gas magnate Aubrey McClendon…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 3 min read

The smartest thing a city can do is install sidewalk benches in its retail distract. If one of a couple wants to pop into a shop, the other can sit outside people watching.Am I looking in a mirror when I…

Mike’s Musings: Olympics should be about sports and sports only

Mike’s Musings: Olympics should be about sports and sports only

Editorial Staff Jul 31, 2024 3 min read

I’ve been an avid fan of the Olympics since I was a pre-teen. I was glued to the TV set in my teenage years, watching the opening ceremony and most of the events. It was a tradition I have always…

Obituary: William “Bill” Beery

Obituary: William “Bill” Beery

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2024 2 min read

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Bill Beery. Born on August 25, 1950, to Donna and Harold Beery, Bill lived a full and vibrant life until his peaceful departure on July 28, 2024.…

Festival of light, life here!

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 6 min read

To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming! The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy…

Audit shows Laktown in solid shape

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent Laketown Township is in solid financial shape, per its recently-completed audit. Siegfried Crandall principal accountant Joshua Gabrielse presented the 2023-24 fiscal year audit to the township board Wednesday, July 10. Highlights: • Laketown’s total net position…

‘Million Dollar Quartet heat up at SCA

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

The Million Dollar Quartet — rock’n’roll legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins — met in Memphis Dec. 4, 1956 for an epochal 1-day gig you can see re-created starting Aug. 10 at the Saugatuck Center…

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 2 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVANEDITOR Saugatuck has appointed South Haven planning and zoning assistant Luke Thompson as its new cityhead of both. As planning and zoning director, Thompson fills a post city manager Ryan Cummins has doubled in since replacing former manager…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Big Wave“One in five Michiganders,” says the Vertical Cherry website, “turn to alcohol for making big financial decisions.” Well, that explains things.“Do I dare to eat a peach?” I’d say in the day, overlooking the produce aisle.…

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 6 min read

To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming!The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy poker…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 7 min read

    On Saturday the thirteen of this month, Pat and I were out along the lakeshore for beautiful evening at Ox-Bow School of the Arts.  There is not cell phone service there, so we missed hearing the news of the…

Mike’s Musings: One would never imagine an assassination attempt, a president resigning in one week

Mike’s Musings: One would never imagine an assassination attempt, a president resigning in one week

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

What a week for the history books. First a former president, now the leading candidate for president, survived an assassination attempt, then his opponent, the current president announced he would no longer be running for a second term.I’m still confused…

Deer, deer, they’re everywhere!

Editorial Staff Jul 17, 2024 3 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas deer complaints keep rolling in. May Street resident Debbi Larsen wrote city council July 8: “Hello, I live in Douglas and have for the last 25 years. The deer population in the last 5 years…

Locals guide to Venetian Fest fun

Editorial Staff Jul 17, 2024 6 min read

The Saugatuck Venetian Festival, a perennial summertime celebration of life on our waterways, returns to town next weekend July 26-28. Fun will begin Friday with a dance party in Coghlin Park featuring ‘80s cover band Star Farm. The festival continues…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.