Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffFeb 9, 20225 min read

By G.C. StoppelOn a Saturday morning two somewhat related messages came across my computer.The first was from owners of Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris reminding me there would be a reading of James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses” in commemoration of the 100th…

Douglas to change kayaks in midstream

Douglas to change kayaks in midstream

Editorial StaffFeb 9, 20224 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas will have a new kayak and stand-up paddleboard rental vendor at Wade’s Bayou after 18 years.Council Monday approved granting St. Joseph-based Third Coast Surf Shop a 3-year lease to operate out of the waterfront park after its…

Into the light

Into the light

Editorial StaffFeb 9, 20221 min read

Sure it’s cold out and nights still seem to last forever. But days have been getting longer — really — for seven weeks now. This father and son took in Oval Beach last week. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Trailblazers fall to Watervliet, West Michigan Aviation

Trailblazers fall to Watervliet, West Michigan Aviation

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorDespite facing a 19-10 deficit at the end of the first quarter against SAC-leading Watervliet on Friday, Jan. 28, Saugatuck boys basketball coach Brian Ward had reason to be pleased.His team shot 50 percent from the field…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20225 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorButterflies Are Free?Add to the Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned annals Tasha Adams, who last week released photographic evidence of elaborate escape tunnels her estranged ex-, Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes, built in their backyard.“Folks,”…

Mike’s Musings: Transgender athletes should not compete with females

Mike’s Musings: Transgender athletes should not compete with females

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20223 min read

It took years to pass Title 9, which essentially put women’s sports on an even keel with men’s. Now female athletes enjoy the same funding, facilities, etc, that male athletes have had since high school and collegiate sports were popularized…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20226 min read

“Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me. And may there be no moan-ing of the bar when I put out to sea,” wrote Alfred Lord Tennyson. His poem, often used at funerals, came to mind after reading…

Elementary rebuild nears Completion

Elementary rebuild nears Completion

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

Douglas Elementary School construction Phases 1-3 are completed. “Students and teachers,” said Saugatuck Public Schools Superintendent Tim Travis last week, “are excited to begin learning in the beautiful new art, music and science rooms and four renovated early elementary classrooms.”…

Saugatuck quintuples trail pledge

Saugatuck quintuples trail pledge

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20227 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Nowhere was it more evident what difference a new Saugatuck City Council makes than Jan. 24 when members voted 4-1 to quintuple the city’s Blue Star Trail contribution. The city, acting as lead agent for fellow…

Obituary: Daniel Sullivan

Obituary: Daniel Sullivan

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20224 min read

Daniel Sullivan, 27 Daniel William Sullivan died at 27 years young on Jan. 27, 2021 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A lifelong swimmer, he suffered a sudden cardiopulmonary attack while working out at a local pool. His final act…

Obituary: Norman Deam

Obituary: Norman Deam

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20225 min read

Norman Deam, 89 Norman Arthur Deam passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in San Luis Obispo, Calif. on Jan. 8, 2022. He was 89. Norm will be remembered by his free spirit, intellect and wit. He was…

Obituary: Frances Myers

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

Frances Myers, 78 Frances Inez Myers, nee Voris, known for her kindness and generosity, passed on Jan, 17, 2022. She considered herself as a citizen of Saugatuck and spent as much time as she could in the family’s second home.…

Mike’s Musings: Get a Chuckle Out of These Laws

Mike’s Musings: Get a Chuckle Out of These Laws

Editorial StaffJan 26, 20223 min read

From time to time, I like to delve into the ancient annals of our history books to hu-mor myself with laws our representatives have enacted. Here’s a few silly laws I found. Michigan LawsThe City of Detroit passed an ordinance…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJan 26, 20225 min read

“Vax or Tax” is an idea be-ing seriously considered in the Quebec Provincial Legis-lature and picking up trac-tion elsewhere.The basic premise is people who refuse to receive the full dose of the Covid-19 vac-cination are far more likely to become…

Township historic district has pros, cons

Editorial StaffJan 26, 20224 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Should Saugatuck Township establish a Local Historic District at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River, which a new report traces to the outcome of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 106 Review of North Shore…

Saugatuck keeps, changes pop-up patios

Editorial StaffJan 26, 20223 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Pop-up patios will return to downtown Saugatuck this season, but with changes. City council Monday approved continuing to allow restaurants to use sidewalk and parking space rights-of-way in front of their establishments for outdoor serving, but:…

CUT Saug all-staters-

CUT Saug all-staters-

Editorial StaffJan 26, 20221 min read

Saugatuck honors individual state champs Saugatuck High School honored individual state champions and/or their family representatives able to attend between boys and girls varsity basketball games against Fennville Friday. Pictured are, from left, Mike and Ruth Johnson (parents of Jillian…

Bistro 44 closes Douglas doors

Bistro 44 closes Douglas doors

Editorial StaffJan 26, 20222 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Add Bistro 44 to the list of eateries that didn’t last long at 8 Center St. in Douglas. The eatery, owned by local residents Heather Reyes and husband Tino, announced its closure downtown Jan. 20. “We…

Douglas Has Multiple ARP Demands

Editorial StaffJan 19, 20224 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR The good news is Douglas has half its federal $140,779 American Rescue Plan dollars allotted through the state’s Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, with balance due in September 2022. The less-good news? “We have many competing…

Alliance Boast New Members Funds

Alliance Boast New Members Funds

Editorial StaffJan 19, 20224 min read

The Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance, a 15-year local nonprofit land preservation group has realigned and added new board members. New is board chair Bobbie Gaunt, perhaps best known locally for her work with the Saugatuck Center for the Arts; attorney…