By Maggie ConklinMushroom CasseroleA few days ago I got a text from Peg Sanford with a photo of a ginormous mushroom growing in her yard. Now, I get these types of texts often and I usually tell them “don’t eat…

Richard Zelenka, 78 Richard James Zelenka, affectionately known as Rick, was born to his late parents Ladislav and Margaret (Svabek) Zelenka on May 24, 1945, in the bustling city of Chicago. He peacefully left this world at his home in…

By Scott SullivanEditorRoundaboutDouglas, deluged with more WTF?’s than praise, punted fast on its 2015 Blue Star Highway splitting.The baby cutting divvied 3 car and truck lanes — from the Kalamazoo River bridge south to Center Street — into now 2…

By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck High School, whose trophy cases groan and keep growing with state cross country trophies, may have found a home course at last. Except …“Angelina,” co-coach and teacher Rick Bauer said of his wife, “and I have been…

I read an interesting statistic from my condo association executive director the other day. She claimed 30% of the cars sold in 2022 were electric. She also said that number will increase to 60% by 2030.Now being the suspicious type,…

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorIt was a clash of the titans when 7-0 Saugatuck hosted 6-1 Lawton on Friday, Oct. 13, with sole possession of first place in the SAC Valley up for grabs.And on a cold, wet, windy evening, it…

By Maggie ConklingClassic MeatloafLast week Monday I was treated to a walk-through of the newly renovated Farmhouse Deli. I am so proud of all the hard work, sweat and tears that entire group of wonderful workmates achieved!I asked if they…

By Scott SullivanEditorLet There Be a SignBlue Star Highway is busy with signs, crossroads and driveways darting off left and right. It buzzes during rush hours, in summers especially. Flashing lights, arrows and attractions vie for one’s attention.BS in sum…

Community Pride prevailed Saturday through monsoons that eclipsed hoped-for views of a sun corona-ed moon at 11:45 a.m. Free protective glasses you could grab at the library largely went unused this; but no sweat: hold till April next year for…

War is never pretty, but I certainly cannot fault Israel for engaging with Hamas after that terrorist organization slaughtered 1300 Jews and 32 Americans in a surprise attack September 14.I make the following observations:Do not equate Palestinians with Hamas. Hamas…

Since the dawn of civilization humans have wondered what happens after our heart stops and we quit breathing.What’s on the other side? The ancient Jewish Sadducees believed death was the end, i.e. dead is dead. Most people worldwide hold out…

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Saugatuck City Council Monday voted to join Saugatuck Township jointly cutting election costs via sharing early-voter administration costs. Though Michigan’s Constitution requires both same-named entities to maintain separate polling places, the Saugatuck together can offer streamlined,…

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Coming soon to Saugatuck’s Village Square Park: change in the form of this $449,543 children’s area playground. The playground as stands is historic and has delighted downtown families and guests for years. Nothing wrong with it…

By Scott Sullivan Editor Allegan County and 501c3 nonprofit Wishbone Pet Rescue are at business loggerheads how to continue a 12-year pact both agree has been successful. Both concede updates are needed to achieve the shared goal: a humane, financially-healthy…

Esther Jorgenesen, 84 Esther Marie Jorgensen died peacefully at home on Oct. 2, 2023, among family and friends.  She was born Esther Marie Hoover to Belle and Alva Hoover on Feb. 2, 1939, in Douglas. The younger of two daughters,…

By Maggie Conklin Rich Belgian WafflesA couple of weeks ago we invited our kids over for a weekend brunch, and after much discussion agreed that I’d make my rich from-scratch Belgian waffles with a side of bacon.My dear husband got…

By Scott SullivanEditorIssue Out“Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home” assumes you can.Say Apple News emails updates. Today, stories tell of “escalating tensions,” “failed crypto exchange” … explain “here’s what’s a stake,” “key culprit” and “consequences could be…

Cow Hill Yacht Club jurors weighed in at Saturday’s Chili Cook-Off. Traditional Chili winners were (in order) Saugatuck Brewing Co. The BARge and a third-place tie between the Butler and What Not Inn. The BARge, Bowdies Chop House and Duck…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—The Saugatuck boys cross country team entered the Portage Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 7, ranked third in Division 4 behind Hillsdale Academy and Johannesburg-Lewiston.And that turned out to be the exact order of finish, as the…

I been on this train for several years, but I refuse to get off. My elected representatives particularly in the U.S. Senate, are generally too old, and need to retire. In fact, I believe we should have a maximum age,…