Mike’s Musings: The Unsung Heroes of Michigan Elections
Every Election Day, millions of Americans walk into their local polling place, show their identification, receive a ballot, make their choices and go about their day.For most of us, the entire process takes only a few minutes.What we don’t often…
Preparation is the key success: Saugatuck football camp focuses on fundamentals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The first official practice of the 2026 football season might still be ahead, but for Saugatuck coach Bill Dunn and his players, the preparation for that season is already well underway.Players in grades 7-12 recently took…
Quick action by local employees prevents dock fire in Saugatuck
The Saugatuck Township Fire District responded Thursday afternoon to reports of a fire near the Mount Baldhead area and the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office dock after multiple callers reported hearing a loud pop followed by smoke and flames.At approximately 4:34…
A New Fiscal Year Brings a Full Plate for Saugatuck’s City Manager
By Art Nicholas Michigan’s fiscal year for local governments runs July 1 to June 30, not the calendar year. As Saugatuck settles into its 2026–2027 fiscal year, City Manager Ryan Cummins talked with the Commercial Record about his path to…
Life as Performance Art
Civilization as we know it has always been coming to an end, just in different ways. We all have our own ideas about it and when it happened. I claim it started when domestic architects decided to get rid of…
Mike’s Musings: Flock Cameras Come at Too High a Price
Public safety is important. Police officers should have modern tools to find stolen vehicles, locate dangerous suspects and respond quickly when a serious crime has been committed. But public safety should not become a blank check allowing the government—or a…
Mike’s Musings: Homelessness Is Not Just a Big-City Problem
When most people think about homelessness, they picture the sidewalks of Detroit, Chicago or Los Angeles. But homelessness is no longer confined to America’s largest cities. It is increasingly visible in smaller Michigan communities, including Three Rivers and Jackson.The problem…
Interurban and library seek millage renewals
By Wendy Colsen The Interurban Transit Authority and Saugatuck-Douglas District Library will both seek millage renewals for the upcoming August 4 election. As of last week, early ballots have been mailed to those who requested them.Among the Interurban and library…
Backyard Bash promises something for everyone
Live music from the Doctors of Jazz, animals from the Outdoor Discovery Center, refreshing craft beer and wine equals fun for all at this week’s Summer Social and Backyard Bash.The Saugatuck-Douglas District Library and the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center invite you…
Life as Performance Art
As the late Yogi Berra once observed on several occasions, “Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.” He is right, and perhaps nothing makes that quite as clear as when we celebrate a significant date or event. Right now,…
Mike’s Musings: America’s Debt Addiction Is the Greatest Threat We Choose to Ignore
Americans worry about inflation. They worry about the cost of groceries, gasoline, mortgages, and whether Social Security will be there when they retire. Yet the greatest financial threat facing our nation is one that receives surprisingly little attention: the staggering…
Schrotenboer shines on golf course for ‘Blazers
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor SAUGATUCK—After the first day of the MHSAA Division 3 Boys Golf State Finals, Saugatuck sophomore Grant Schrotenboer’s hopes of a top finish appeared to be fading.But as is so often the case in sports, appearances can…
Nearly 250 ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Saugatuck
By Wendy Colsen Revelers decked out in their holiday-best showed up in large numbers to celebrate last weekend’s 4th of July events in Saugatuck.A fast-moving thunderstorm on Friday drove beach goers off Oval Beach in the late afternoon, but the…
Life as Performance Art
The headline caught my attention: “Mike Rowe says there is a lack of hunger in America.” I am sure I was not the only person who thought he was writing about a lack of food and physical hunger. He…
Mike’s Musings: America at 250: From a Distant Shore to the Greatest Experiment in Freedom
One could argue, America is much more than 250 years ago. In fact America’s beginnings began over 500 years ago.In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed west across an ocean that many Europeans still viewed as the edge of the known world.…
Ride Along with the Douglas Department of Public Works
By Wendy Colsen Ever wonder who keeps the City of Douglas looking as good as it does? Like a well-oiled machine, the Douglas Department of Public Works (DPW) tirelessly works to keep the city in tip-top shape.Responsible for approximately 1.75…
Life as Performance Art
I walked into a local shop to see a long-time friend; I walked out carrying a century old Arts and Crafts era table lamp. I was not on a quest for a lamp. In fact, I did not really…
Mike’s Musings: America at 250 Begins Right Here at Home
This Fourth of July is unlike any other in our nation’s history. As fireworks illuminate the night sky and families gather for parades, picnics, and backyard barbecues, Americans are celebrating something truly remarkable—the 250th birthday of the United States of…
To Market, To Market, Jiggety Jig
By Wendy Colsen J-Lo the Tarot Reader and flautist was on hand for palm readings at the Douglas Farmers Market last Tuesday. Those interested in having their personality traits revealed, along with their past and future, J-Lo gives you what…
10-year-old boy dies, brother rescued after falling into Rabbit River
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher A 10-year-old boy died Saturday evening after being swept beneath the waters of the Rabbit River at Trestle Park, prompting a massive four-hour search involving dozens of emergency responders from across Allegan and Ottawa Counties.The tragedy…
