Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Douglas seeks playground build volunteers

Douglas seeks playground build volunteers

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 1 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The City of Douglas seeks volunteers to help erect the final phase of its park project started in 2019: the children grades 5-12 area at the Schultz Park playground. What started in 2019 as a group…

Heat on Sunday for Chili Cook Off 

Heat on Sunday for Chili Cook Off 

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 2 min read

Three things just go together to make a perfect fall day — crisp temperatures, color touring and enjoying a steaming bowl of chili. You can get this package deal at the annual Cow Hill Yacht Club Chili Cook Off Sunday…

Saugatuck volleyball falls to visiting Martin

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 1 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe Saugatuck volleyball team played host to Martin on Tuesday, Sept. 30, with the Clippers prevailing 25-19, 25-22, 25-15.Martin’s serving played a big role in determining the outcome. The Clippers served up 20 aces, led by Mackenzie…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSalvationLeonard Michaels’ 1982 short-story collection “I Would Have Saved Them If I Could” explored how a writer/creator gives birth to characters, then watches almost helplessly as they develop and follow their own free wills towards whatever fates awaits…

Nothing but sincerity

Nothing but sincerity

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 1 min read

… for as far as the eye can see met families coming Saturday to grab among 300 pumpkins set out by the Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt Douglas office. There were free cider and donuts too. Many kids and even some…

‘Is chalk art free speech?’ cities ask

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIs chalk art in public places free speech or vandalism? Douglas City Council Monday weighed a measure banning it on heels of neighbor Saugatuck removing a sidewalk message many found offensive.Saugatuck City Council was slated to discuss its…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 6 min read

By G.C. StoppelAbout the time Pat and I married, new neighbors moved next to our home, and in no time Pat and Sylvia became close friends.Pat had worked in the fur department at Marshall Field’s in Chicago. Sylvia was across the street…

Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit

Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 3 min read

Interaction with other people is critical to our mental health. The texting, phone calling crowd must put down their cellphones occasionally and actually visit friends and families. Unfortunately, this is not happening enough and so many problems are caused because…

‘Christmas Carol’ auditions coming

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 1 min read

Open auditions for Saugatuck’s 39th annual a production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. both days.  Organizers are looking for children and adults to fill the various roles of…

‘Flower World’ to bloom in Cook Park

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 3 min read

By Lisa Mize CVB Executive Director A new piece of public art is set to bring fresh color, light and creativity to downtown Saugatuck. On Saturday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in Cook Park, we’ll cut the ribbon on “Flower…

Odor investigations continue around Republic site

Odor investigations continue around Republic site

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 4 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent The state continues to investigate ongoing complaints about odors from the area of Republic Services, 4368 60th St. The owner of the composting company at the site is preparing to move his operation to Berrien County and…

Douglas Oktoberfest on tap Oct. 11

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 2 min read

All are welcome to raise their steins and toast the spirit of Bavaria as Saugatuck-Douglas Community Pride hosts its annual Oktoberfest Saturday, Oct. 11 in Beery Field from noon to 5 p.m. This event brings a diverse community together for…

Interurban head sited as state rising star

Interurban head sited as state rising star

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 2 min read

Interurban Transit Authority executive director Becky Carten-Crandell was honored as Rising Star at the Michigan at the annual Michigan Public Transportation Conference Aug. 18-20 at Crystal Mountain Resort in northern Michigan. “Becky,” said presenters, “has served as Executive Director since…

Saugatuck soccer falls on road to Black River

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 1 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorHOLLAND—In its showdown with host Holland Black River on Wednesday, Sept. 24, the Saugatuck boys soccer team surrendered a pair of first-half goals to fall behind 2-0 at halftime.And that turned out to be the final score,…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDead in the WaterOur Physics Made Simple series has been on hold due to popular demand. Not that physics is so complex it’s incomprehensible, just my writing. Are physicists geniuses or the rest of us so dumb we…

Harvest hues

Harvest hues

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 1 min read

At produce stands and u-picks, such as Crane Orchards (shown here) cornucopias await. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Council candidates air views at forum

Council candidates air views at forum

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 7 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFive candidates for three open two-year seats on the Saugatuck City Council in this year’s Nov. 4 election agreed to disagree but also found common grounds at a Holland League of Women Voters-led forum Thursday, Sept. 25 in…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 8 min read

   Prior to the Presidential election of 1932, Will Rogers and Franklin Roosevelt were standing in front of a microphone at a public event.  Of the two, Rogers was the better known and held in higher esteem by most Americans. …

Mike’s Musings: Elected leaders- Do the right thing, eliminate earmarks

Mike’s Musings: Elected leaders- Do the right thing, eliminate earmarks

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 4 min read

One of my often rants is the use of earmarks or pork barrel, as we used to call them, projects sneaked into the federal or state budget at the last minute, to benefit a particular constituency. It happens every year…

 Interurban benches

 Interurban benches

Editorial Staff Sep 24, 2025 1 min read

Project leader Linda Grossglausen joins Interurban director Becky-Carten Crandell and driver Terry Klinge at new marina stop. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

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.