“A man is just about as happy as he makes up his mind to be,” said Abraham Lincoln. A contemporary French writer we’ll call “C” added, “It takes tremendous courage to be happy.”“C” has every reason to be miserable. She…

By Scott SullivanEditorSt. Nick’s BonesSanta Claus is dead but not buried in Bari. That’s the latest from archeologists who believe they’ve discovered the tomb of St. Nicholas under his namesake church in south Turkey.St. Nicholas — known for anonymous gift-giving…

Saugatuck Yacht Club Youth Sailing Progam mariners ages 5 and up continue plying Kalamazoo Lake learning the art and enjoying sunshine on the water throughout month’s end. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Public works crews last week placed this “Saugatuck” sign, formerly up at Mt. Baldhead Park on the west side of the Kalamazoo River, at the corner of Blue Star Highway and Holland Street, the main north entry into town. The…

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Labor Day Blue Star Bridge Walk will be back — with a longer route this year.What would have been last year’s 26th annual crossing was canceled “due to challenges in gathering the necessary resources to ensure the…

    The other day I came across some World War Two era song books in the bottom of my accordion case.  They were published by what was then called the War Department and widely distributed by the USO to bases…

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, where headlines are filled with division, disaster, and doubt, it’s easy to wonder: What difference can one person really make?The truth? More than you could ever imagine.We are taught to look…

Douglas has closed Westshore Street betweenSt. Peters Drive and Hamilton Street on heels a watermain break there Friday. The break has been repaired, city officials said, but water over the roadway has created potential safety concerns due to erosion. City…

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorTo say recent Saugatuck graduate Cass Stanberry stayed busy during his high school days would be an understatement.In addition to being actively involved in several leadership and service programs—including Interact Club, Be Nice, PALS and the Douglas…

By Scott SullivanEditorPorch GeeseThere is no better sign America has been made great again than the return of porch geese.“Life-size decorative goose statues for the lawn, garden or porch aren’t a new idea,” reports the Washington Post’s Kate Morgan. “They…

… was a blast. See more photographs inside.

   We often ask each other, “What are your plans for today?”  which really means “What are your goals to accomplish and then check off your to-do list?”  Or we ask ourselves about our plans for the day. Is there…

Here we go again. This time it is too close to home. Another alleged nut-job gone crazy injuring a dozen people, some critical at a Wal Mart, not with a gun, but with an ordinary pocketknife. If it weren’t for…

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…

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…

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…

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” 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…

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,…

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…