News Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Douglas clerkretires, manager resigns

By Scott SullivanEditorRich LaBombard is out after four years as Douglas city manager. He emailed council July 24 he was resigning effective Aug. 25, and members accepted it Monday, first day after veteran clerk Pam Aalderink retired, turning her reigns over to deputy clerk Laura Kasper, who will for now serve as interim.“I’ve decided it’s Read More…

Allegan County News & Union Enterprise Columns Courier-Leader & Paw Paw Flashes Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Life as Performance Art

In mid-July, Traverse City hair salon owner/stylist Christine Geiger drew national attention for posting on social media anyone ID’ing neither man nor woman is not welcome at her business.“If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman,” she posted on Facebook, “please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at Read More…

Allegan County News & Union Enterprise Clare County Review & Marion Press Columns Courier-Leader & Paw Paw Flashes LaFayette Sun Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record Three Rivers Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

Mike’s Musings: The FBI could be knocking on my door at any minute

I sometimes stand in wonderment at the inefficiencies and heavy handedness of our federal bureaucracy. As a taxpayer I think the sheer number of federal government employees and their inefficiencies costs us billions a year, and we need to get better at helping the people that pay their salaries. Most of us have had our Read More…

Columns Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Maggie’s Pantry

By Maggie ConklinBlooming MeatballsMy friends Ingrid, Liz and I loved watching videos by Ziqi Li, a young woman who lived in northern China with her grandmother and made just about everything from scratch. They had a large garden, she foraged from local forests, made wonderful meals from scratch as well as her own clothing, drying Read More…

Columns Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Blue Star

By Scott SullivanEditorSnarlThe red truck in the left lane said “Liberty.” Took forever on the construction-constricted freeway to get around it. Relax, let the road flow through you.Picture trucking Liberty cross country, unloading at docks using dollies, forklifts, palettes … Behind was an Amazon truck reading “Warning: Contents may cause happiness.” I would stop at Read More…

News Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Venetian Festto pop again

Like swallows winging in spring back to Capistrano, Starfarm, the Starfarm ‘80s band will return to Saugatuck Friday night at Coghlin Park for the kick-off party of the 2023 Venetian Festival.The Saugatuck-Douglas Rotary Club is new organizer of weekend events that make up the two-day festival.Fun starts when gates open at the Kalamazoo River-fronting park Read More…

Allegan County News & Union Enterprise Clare County Review & Marion Press Columns Courier-Leader & Paw Paw Flashes LaFayette Sun Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record Three Rivers Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

Mike’s Musings: Controversial movie, music video popular despite cancellation attempts

We tried to cancel but we failed. A movie and a video have been the subject of much controversy for the past few weeks and attempts to cancel them have only fueled the fire to make them more popular.I went to see Sound of Freedom because I wanted to see firsthand what was so controversial Read More…

Allegan County News & Union Enterprise Columns Courier-Leader & Paw Paw Flashes Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Life as Performance Art

I expect after Independence Day newspaper columns, TV and social media pundits bemoaning American patriotism is on the slippery slope down. They point out we have lost love for our country. Let’s look more closely.How do you measure patriotism? Ratio of homes with Old Glory on display vs. those without? American flag lapel pins on jackets? Read More…

Columns Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Maggie’s Pantry

By Maggie ConklinMaple for Hot FlashesI can’t think of anyone who hasn’t been affected by menopause. If not the woman herself, then a husband, sibling, parent, child or friend of the suffering lady.Hot flashes and night sweats are the leading complaint, followed by brain fog, reduced libido, anxiety, insomnia and general irritability are all common Read More…