Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Mike’s Musings: Erika Kirk’s Greatest Act of Courage-Forgiving the Unforgivable

Mike’s Musings: Erika Kirk’s Greatest Act of Courage-Forgiving the Unforgivable

Editorial StaffSep 24, 20254 min read

When tragedy strikes, our instincts often turn toward anger, resentment, and the pursuit of vengeance. That is human nature. Yet, every so often, someone rises above those instincts and shows us a higher way — a path of grace that…

Saugatuck cross country teams place second at Holly

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorHOLLY—Under the leadership of the husband/wife team of Rick and Angelina Bauer, the Saugatuck cross country team has never shied away from tough competition.Case in point: the Trailblazers moved up a Division at the Holly Duane Raffin…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorWild ThingA girl raised by apes has been found in northern India. The press there likens her to Mowgli, the wild boy in Rudyard Kipling’s novel “The Jungle Book,” which has been spun off into films, comic books…

Lakeshore Harvest Riders outlast rain

Lakeshore Harvest Riders outlast rain

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20254 min read

More than 400 riders were undeterred by early morning showers Saturday, venturing out to enjoy the 14th annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride fundraiser for the Friends of the Blue Star Trail.Once the rain abated mid-morning, cyclists were able to more fully…

Township OKs 30-home Singapore Retreat

Township OKs 30-home Singapore Retreat

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorNeighbors did not back down from opposing the proposed Singapore Retreat development.But the Saugatuck Township Board Sept. 10 approved granting applicants Koetje Builders LLC and Exxel Engineering PUD (planned unit development) approval to build 30 homes on 8.97…

Life as Performance

Life as Performance

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20257 min read

   On several occasions, Pat told me that one thing she loved about her father was the first thing he would say in the morning.  “Great Day!  Wonderful Day! Great Day!  That could not have been easy for him because…

Mike’s Musings: A Father’s Painful Choice Shows True Honor

Mike’s Musings: A Father’s Painful Choice Shows True Honor

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20254 min read

Many of us are grieving the assassination of TPUSA founder, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk. Its unimaginable to me that in this day and age, a person debating students at an outdoor rally in Utah would be murdered.The assassin has been named…

Township to hand off harbor reins

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20251 min read

After two years hosting and coordinating Kalamazoo Lake Harbor Authority meetings, Saugatuck Township is ready to hand off duties to either KLHA partners Douglas or Saugatuck cities. “With that service period complete,” wrote township manager Daniel DeFranco for the Tuesday,…

Laketown offers Fox revised contract

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20252 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent The Laketown Township Board agreed at a Sept. 2 special meeting offer a revised contract to Stephanie Fox to become the township’s next manager.  It comes with an amendment that the board evaluates her performance after…

Drain assessment takes city by surprise

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20253 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor It’s better late than never for Saugatuck city property owners whose parcels will be assessed for Warnock Drain work under Ferry Street in Douglas. The Allegan County Drain Commission, acknowledging it failed to give Saugatuck city…

Saugatuck volleyball falls short in battle with Fennville

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorFENNVILLE—The volleyball match between archrivals Fennville and Saugatuck didn’t start exactly the way Blackhawks coach Rebecca Hughes had hoped.Saugatuck took an early lead in the opening game and never looked back in securing the 25-17 win.“The rivalry…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorCall of the WildGreat news from Lansing, where the same state government that gave us the Flint water crisis has banned using chocolate as bait for bears.We can poison poor people but pack M&M’s in a picnic basket…

Car blaze makes Crossfire toast

Car blaze makes Crossfire toast

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20251 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorA Kia Crossfire was toast after catching fire on the corner of Blue Star Highway and 64th Street Thursday, Aug. 31 just afternoon.Saugatuck Township Fire answered a 12:01 call to find the Crossfire engulfed in front of the…

25th Mt. Baldhead Challenge is a hit

25th Mt. Baldhead Challenge is a hit

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFrom wind-whipped lakeshore to sand dune’s summit to post-race party in Coghlin Park, the 25th annual Mt. Baldhead Challenge Saturday engaged 759 registered runners and countless more volunteers in a dual quest:

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20257 min read

   As the story goes, a grandfather was trying to help his young grandson with some history homework for school.  The boy was frustrated and asked gramps if he had to study it when he was in school. When the…

Mike’s Musings: How to decrease buggy accidents in our communities

Mike’s Musings: How to decrease buggy accidents in our communities

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20254 min read

It happens over and over, an Amish buggy is hit by a car or truck and severe injuries happen to thos in the buggy. Just last week the scene was Clare County, which by the way has had a half…

City parking task force Named

Editorial StaffSep 3, 20252 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Saugatuck City Council Aug. 25 appointed members to an advisory parking improvements task force asked to explore remedies to congested downtown parking during summer months. They are: • City council representative and chair Gregory Muncey, • Planning commission…

Help Saugatuck update its master plan

Editorial StaffSep 3, 20252 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Saugatuck citizens are invited to be part of creating a new city master plan, a long-range document meant to guide the city’s future growth, preservation, investment and land-use decisions. A community open house is planned towards…

Saugatuck council forum set Sept. 25

Editorial StaffSep 3, 20251 min read

The Holland League of Women Voters will host a forum for Saugatuck City Council candidates Thursday, Sept. 25 in the Saugatuck High School media center. The session will start at 6:30 p.m. but doors will open at 6 and guests…

Ganges campground ask nixed 3-2

Editorial StaffSep 3, 20254 min read

BY GARI VOSS The Ganges Township Planning Commission Aug. 27 turned down a controversial campground’s special land use request by a 3-2 vote. The road has been bumpy since May when Bobbi Jo Beyersdorf of Central Florida Resort Management, L.L.C.…