Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Face of America

Face of America

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

… as seen in Rado Kirov’s reflective sculpture “Pyramid” outside the Douglas Police Station on Center Street. The predominant yellow of fall leaves and silver of the sculpture surface have been color-inverted here. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Transformed

Transformed

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

Downtown Douglas’s Center Street was transformed Sautrday night for Hystopolis Productions’s annual Adult Walking Halloween Parade. The event yearly draws more than 10,000 viewers and costumed participants, and follows afternoon fun including a downtown Saugatuck Family Parade. This photo is…

City council races are highlights here

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20245 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck and Douglas voters have choices for city councils Tuesday, Nov. 5.In Saugatuck, incumbents Helen Baldwin, Scott Dean, Gregory Muncey and Lauren Stanton face challenges from Joe Leonatti, Chris Peterson and Sherry Tedaldi for four open two-year seatsIn…

Mike’s Musings: Warning: Negative Political Ads Can be bad for your Health

Mike’s Musings: Warning: Negative Political Ads Can be bad for your Health

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20243 min read

I don’t know about you, but I have a headache from negative advertising. I rarely watch regular network television but last Sunday I had to turn on FOX to watch the Detroit Lions dismantle the Tennessee Titans.The Lions took care…

Douglas notices $4M bond ask

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Contractor Carbon Six Construction Monday shared with Douglas City Council build-out plans to turn 415 Wiley Rd. into a new city hall and police station. Members agreed to post notice of a $4-million bond ask to…

Halloween bash Saturday offers fun for all

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20243 min read

There is something lucky about the number 13 and Halloween. Douglas will celebrate the Oct. 31 holiday five nights early, Saturday, Oct. 26, for the 26th year. That’s 13 years each for late parade founder Ginger Wilkinson and daughter Erin…

SPS eyes principal for superintendent slot

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Public Schools board was set to interview the district’s one internal applicant — middle/high school principal Mark Neidlinger — for superintendent to replace the retiring Tim Travis. The public was invited to attend. Travis…

Township greenlights auto, brewery plan

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20242 min read

Transforming the current Ihle Auto Service building into a brewery and placing a new car repair shop at 6525 Blue Star Hwy. won Saugatuck Township Planning Commission approval Oct. 15. Planning chair David Ihle, who recused himself from discussions, and…

Obituary: Robert ‘Page’ Neve

Obituary: Robert ‘Page’ Neve

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20243 min read

Robert ‘Page’ Neve, 79 Robert “Page” Neve, age 79, of Fennville, passed away Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at his home under the loving care of his wife, Jeanie, and Corewell Health Hospice. The son of Forrest and Mary Elizabeth (Winkler)…

Obituary: Robert Lampen

Obituary: Robert Lampen

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20242 min read

Robert Lampen, 87 Robert (Bob) James Lampen died peacefully at home on Tuesday Oct. 8 in Fennville at age 87 after a brief battle with esophageal cancer. Bob is survived by his significant other, Judi Atman of Holland; son Douglas…

Obituary: Gary Diepenhorst

Obituary: Gary Diepenhorst

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20241 min read

Gary Diepenhorst, 84 Captain Gary Lee Diepenhorst, beloved father and friend, peacefully passed away at his home at the age of 84 on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.  Gary was born and raised in Saugatuckand graduated from Saugatuck High School.  He…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorHunter’s MoonThe year’s largest supermoon, the October Hunter’s one — came and went last week.“With the leaves falling and the deer fattened,” says the Farmer’s Almanac, “it is time to hunt. Since the harvesters have reaped the fields,…

North Shores advances inland condos plan

North Shores advances inland condos plan

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20242 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Saugatuck Township Planning Commission Oct. 15 granted North Shores of Saugatuck preliminary site plan approval for a 21.42-acre, eight-condominium development north of 135th Avenue.North Shores, whose principal is Holland-based Padnos Inc. president Jeff Padnos, owns more than…

Council clicks on Clark by split count

Council clicks on Clark by split count

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorA split Saugatuck City Council Oct. 17 tapped Joe Clark to fill a seat vacated Sept. 24 by Logan White, who resigned from council because he is moving out of town.Mayor Lauren Stanton, mayor pro-tem Helen Baldwin, Scott…

Life as Performance Art: Life as Conspiracy theories

Life as Performance Art: Life as Conspiracy theories

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20246 min read

     Just before he left the White House for the last time, President Eisenhower warned the nation about the dangers and threats of the Military Industrial Complex.  To simplify it, the military was always looking for new and better weapons,…

Mike’s Musings: Move made me realize how important one vote is

Mike’s Musings: Move made me realize how important one vote is

Editorial StaffOct 23, 20243 min read

I had the opportunity to watch SWING VOTE, a 2008 film starring Kevin Costner, that was about a down on his luck, fired from his job, alcoholic in New Mexico, that had the voter machine eat his ballot as he…

Trailblazers fall to Schoolcraft

Editorial StaffOct 17, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorSCHOOLCRAFT—In the fourth quarter of the SAC football game between visiting Saugatuck and host Schoolcraft, Trailblazer Norm Bos found the end zone on a 7-yard run.That was enough to enable Saugatuck to avoid the shutout. But it…

Obituary: Peter Lenzo, 68

Obituary: Peter Lenzo, 68

Editorial StaffOct 17, 20242 min read

Peter Lenzo died peacefully at home after bravely facing decades of seizures and their repercussions while still managing to live and love to the fullest and to transform his intellect and heart and soul into beautiful and meaningful art. He…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffOct 17, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorBlowupIt was a tough week for Tropicanas. LasVegas blew up the Tropicana Oct. 9, then Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., hours later.The former hotel and casino, the Sin City Strip’s last…