The toll road around Chicago had ground into a slow-moving parking lot, and my favorite uncle and I were caught in the middle of it. I was bored and restless, much as any youngster would be. Going to the railroad…

There is a different side to the Ukraine story than we’ve been told. Corruption has run rampant through the Ukrainian government ever since it gained independence from the former Soviet Union. One watchdog name Ukraine the second most corrupt nation…

By Scott SullivanEditorGimme Dat“I’m banging on doors of the universe,” I told Flannery.“It has doors?” my daughter asked.Should I run with or from this metaphor? “God isn’t in,” I told her. “The doorman told me.”“Kafka or the Emerald City? …”“Look!”…

By Scott SullivanEditor“Houston, we have a problem.” Expected by many Blue Star Trail go-aheads hit a snag when the Michigan Department of Transportation dinged a $1.725-million Transportation Alternatives Program grant request to link the most-local part of it.MDOT noted two…

Editor’s Note: My friend wrote the following commentary about his experience flying to Florida. We have all been warned that flying is becoming more and more dicey. Personally, I fly back in forth monthly from Florida to Michigan, and luckily,…

A retired parish priest told me he always prayed no one would pass away on Christ-mas Eve or Day. He didn’t want family or friends to connect the most joyous day of the year with a loved one’s death.Perhaps we…

By Scott SullivanEditorAtomize“Welcome to McDonald’s,” a voice crackled through speakers.“My order’s random.”“Want fries with that?”So much for foisting chaos. “Medium, extra crispy with two ketchup packets and a medium Coke, extra ice,” I said. My daughter likes two items medium…

Tolerance of diversity and diverse ways to express tolerance are part of the Saugatuck-Douglas Art Coast experience. These daylilies in front of downtown Douglas’s Redefine Med Spa, shown with colors inverted, are only part. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

By Scott SullivanEditorWoodmen may spare the 70-year-old maple near Douglas City Hall first slated for removal to make way for a west side of Union Street sidewalk after all.City manager Rich LaBombard reported July 4 council, hearing residents’ pleas to…

Editors Note: I wrote this one year ago, and now find it more relevant than it was when it was written.I’m growing more and more concerned that our republic will struggle to maintain its standing as a leader in this…

   It was just after we returned from watching the Independence Day parade here in Saugatuck that our phone rang.  It was Pat’s oldest son, telling us that he and his wife were safe. At first, we were confused by their message,…

By Scott SullivanEditorGreenWhen the Green Giant saw the Green Goddess dressing, the valley grew jollier as he ladled it over cut beans and canned creamed corn. Ho ho ho. Kids could mail 4 bits to Le Seuer, Minn., and get…

    For several years I was an adjunct college history instructor. On the first day of class, after the initial introductions and small talk, I would always ask for a show of hands from those who truly liked history.  If I was…

Made in China, transported by Mexico, fentanyl has risen to the top of the opioid chain as the leading cause of drug deaths in America. Unfortunately our leaders seem to be consumed with other situations, ie Covid and war, so…

By Mike WilcoxPublisherPerseverance is one of the most important quality traits. Too many of us give up at the slightest resistance and fail to accomplish our goals in life.One of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, is an example of persevering…

By G.C. StoppelNow and then a painting of three men at a writing table comes across my computer screen. They are working together on a document; more papers are beneath the table. They are John Adams, Ben Franklin and Thomas…

By Scott SullivanEditorLikeI love power. Study its uses, intents, outcomes, ways to make things happen. It will change from what you’ve assumed or been taught; welcome that. We live acting.Case in point: sleepers shocking themselves awake. The Washington Post’s Tatum…

Christian Kindel and his little dog, Sam Bernstein, wait for Independence Day festivities on the flag variation-flanked patio west of their 247 Culver St. Kindel & Co. store in downtwon Saugatuck. More shopping and high-summer fun lie nearby. (Photo by…