By Jason WesseldykSports EditorBased on the first quarter, it appeared as though the boys basketball game between Saugatuck and visiting Delton on Thursday, Jan. 11, was destined to be a back-and-forth battle throughout.But as is so often the case, appearances…

By Maggie ConklinPeanut ButterCookiesDuring the Gulf War quite a few years ago, my friend Robin Sullivan and I made chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies, then mailed them to a couple Boyce boys who were serving overseas. We vacuum-sealed, lovingly…

By Scott SullivanEditorWormholeBBC Sky at Night speculated last week about wormholes, space-time portals between dimensions. We pass through these between Saugatuck, Douglas and reality each day.My favorite is on board an Interurban bus. Step up, a door wheezes shut and…

By Scott SullivanEditorThe long road home for Auston Marineau leads through four colleges, three army deployments to the Middle East over seven years, an impending legal clerkship for Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement and back to Saugatuck, this…

By Scott SullivanEditorDES stands for Douglas Elementary School and design as well after last week’s announcement building renovations completed last year have won an Outstanding Design Award from American School and University.Project designer GMB and builder GDK Construction Co. was…

    When I was old enough I joined the Odd Fellows lodge. There wasn’t much choice in the matter, as the men in our family had been members for over a century. I was initiated and encouraged to attend their monthly…

I have a confession to make. I’m a local newspaper addict. I write them, I sell them, and most importantly I read every single one I can get my hands on.Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately depending on your viewpoint, I also…

After hip replacement surgery and a scheduled knee surgery, I still say I’m not getting old even though my age, and sometimes my body would disagree..Turning 30 never bothered me. Ditto when I celebrated my 40th. But now that I’m…

Lawrence Vihtelic, 81 Lawrence George Vihtelic died peacefully at home in Fennville on Dec. 6, 2023, after a multi-year battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia. He was 81. The eldest of nine, Larry was born on May 26, 1942, to Lillian…

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas City Council discussed de minimus benefits Dec. 18 in its last meeting of the year. “Internal controls and policies,” treasurer Matt Smith told manager Lisa Nocerini and council Nov. 27, “are an important part of…

The Saugatuck Public Schools Board of Education has appointed Karen Sherwood to fill an open seat left by Marcy Weston’s resignation. Sherwood, a Saugatuck Township resident, has more than 33 years of public education experience as a teacher, building principal,…

By Jim Hayden Correspondent Freedom of Information Act documents that sparked a rare appeal to the Laketown Township board are still unclaimed after more than two months. Answering the request cost the township $175 plus attorney fees. James Smithers, 520…

By Maggie ConklinAngels Among UsMy dear mother Molly passed away in March and this is my first Christmas without her.Her birthday went by me not unnoticed, but closer to numb. Same with Mother’s Day, other holidays, and then my birthday…

By Scott SullivanEditorWhat the DoveDeliveredA sign outside Gun Lake Casino read words broken into illumined pixels: BONANZA BUCKS. I pumped gas in my tank at the Mobil station across the street and another picture formed. As a boy in my…

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Council discussed de minimus benefits Dec. 18 in its last meeting of the year.“Internal controls and policies,” treasurer Matt Smith told manager Lisa Nocerini and council Nov. 27, “are an important part of any government’s operation.“They…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor SAUGATUCK—It was a battle of unbeatens when the Saugatuck girls’ basketball team hosted Martin on Friday, Dec. 21.The Trailblazers entered the game at 5-0, while the Clippers were 4-0.And thanks to a big fourth quarter, it…

      It is the time of year when we start drawing up our list of New Years Resolutions. Adults do it, even if they know they will shatter everyone of them by the first week in January.  Many of us will trot…

I never thought I would be writing about 2024. When I was a youngster, the year 2000 seemed so futuristic, let alone 2024. We are almost a quarter of the way through the 21st Century, yet my mind always reverts…

Lawrence George Vihtelic died peacefully at home in Fennville on Dec. 6, 2023, after a multi-year battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia. He was 81.The eldest of nine, Larry was born on May 26, 1942, to Lillian and Frank Vihtelic in…

By Maggie ConklinHam Four WaysHam, Day 1: My dear husband purchased the smallest bone-in ham at Meijer (or “Thrifty Acres” to us old folks) and it was still so large I had to cut the end off to get it…