Rev. Terlouw receives Bautman Award
Saugatuck First Congretational church pastor Rev. Sarah Terlouw received the Harry R. Butman Award from the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches at their annual meeting and conference in St. Louis June 21-24. Butman, a Congregational minister and ardent proponent…
Laketown looks to hire Fox manager
By Jim Hayden Correspondent The Laketown Township board has agreed to enter into contract negotiations with Stephanie Fox to become the new township manager. At a special meeting Monday, members voted to begin talks pending an agreement on a compensation…
Gustafson built a lasting athletic legacy in Saugatuck
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorWhen she was in elementary school, recent Saugatuck High School graduate Kennedy Gustafson remembers noticing the distinct difference in crowd size for girls basketball games compared to boys basketball games.“I asked my mom why there were not…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorHospitalityEarly reviews on lodging at “Alligator Alcatraz,” the new migrant detention center built in eight days in Florida’s Everglades, have been mixed.
‘Christmas in July’ at Venetian Fest
“Christmas in July” will be theme for this weekend’s Venetian Festival on the Kalamazoo Lake and River waterfront.Fun starts this Friday night, July 25, with a dance party in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park, continues Saturday afternoon with a dinghy poker run…
KLSWA board fires manager, chair resigns
By Scott SullivanEditorThe Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority board voted 3-1 at a special meeting Friday to terminate 14-year manager Daryl VanDyke.At their regular session three days later, members accepted the resignation of senior member Barry Johnson as chair,…
Mike’s Musings: “Pay It Forward” Is a Powerful Idea Worth Embracing
In a world often overshadowed by cynicism, economic struggle, and divisive headlines, the simple idea of “paying it forward” offers a powerful counterbalance. It’s a concept built on selflessness—doing something kind for someone else without expecting anything in return, trusting…
Life as Performance Art
“History doesn’t always repeat itself but it often rhymes,” said Mark Twain. As I write this in mid-July, it looks like there will be a change. For better or worse, I’m not sure.A wonderful thing about a firmly-established republic or…
Holley takes reins of Saugatuck boys soccer program
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorNathan Holley is no stranger when it comes to coaching soccer at Saugatuck.In addition to coaching both the boys and girls middle school teams, Holley has served as an assistant coach for the Saugatuck boys varsity team…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorTinted LoveThe Taj Mahal, that shining white monument to love, is turning green, black and yellow. And India’s Supreme Court isn’t happy.Pollution and insect dung are discoloring Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan’s 17th-century temple built for his favorite wife.“You…
Improved Pier Cove Park beach reopens
By Scott SullivanEditorA renovated Pier Cove Park reopened to the public in time for July 4 weekend.Ganges Township — with help from a $266,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, its own $65,500 match plus $15,000 from Friend…
‘Wild Heart of Saugatuck’ suits wind on
By Scott SullivanEditorThe battle for the “Wild Heart of Saugatuck” rages into its 18th year with an Allegan County Circuit Court judge narrowing the scope of a developer’s lawsuit against a group trying to block its plans.Judge Matthew Antkoviak June…
Life as Performance Art
The optics don’t look regarding how our nation is handling the immigration situation.My ancestors came to the U.S. in the 1840s seeking a better life, more freedom from overreaching clergy and government, and a chance to own their own land.…
Mike’s Musings: It’s Time for the Fed to Lower Interest Rates – Before It’s Too Late
The Federal Reserve has done its job. Inflation, which recently reached its highest point in forty years, has gradually moderated. The labor market, while still resilient, shows signs of softening. Consumer confidence is shaky, small businesses are tightening their belts,…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorLightning StrikesJust when I thought life had gone to hell came word human deaths by lightning have dropped from 300-plus per annum in the 1940s to only 13 so far this year. Now there’s more people, or targets,…
July 4 rain ends in reign of flame
Rain and lightning reigned on the planned Friday, Fourth of July morning parade though Saugatuck, causing its cancelation to the disappointment of Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsors, volunteers, participants and spectators. Among those showing up were colorfully-dressed Saugatuck-Douglas…
Life as Performance Art
My sister Beverly is the family genealogist. She started some 60 years and has stayed with it ever since.It is not exactly an obsession, but she has converted a bedroom into her office, complete with walls lined with shelves, and…
Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest
I was sent an article from the Lansing City Pulse written by Kyle Melinn, that claims there are four state legislators that are married to lobbyists.As Melinn says “that means in four households, one person works for the state to…
EPIC election complaints roll on
By Scott SullivanEditorA June 16 Michigan Bureau of Elections letter to former Saugatuck Mayor Garnet Lewis indicates she, with three other current or past city council members, may have committed a felony when they collaborated on 2024 campaign signage.Former Mayor…
Life as Performance Art
This coming Friday, July 4th, is our nation’s 249th anniversary since the delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. Two hundred forty-nine is not considered a major milestone event. We’ll wait until next year for a…
