By Sue Moore
The South County Community Services (SCCS) is sponsoring a dance to raise money for the services it provides, called Dance Across the Decades. It won’t quite be like the TV show, Dancing with the Stars, but there will be one star item in the silent auction that bidders will want to take note of. That is a contribution from Dr. Lloyd Appell who is well known for his wild and crazy Showboat props.
This time he has outdone himself with a hand crafted wooden bowl that he made on his ShopSmith power tool in the corner of his basement workshop. It’s made from wood that was given to him long ago by a patient, Gerald Bergeon, who was featured in the Kalamazoo Gazette on March 24. Bergeon is shown sawing a large piece of wood that would soon become a guitar for the Gibson Guitar Co. What the article didn’t say, was that the company usually burned all the scrap pieces of wood. In this case, Bergeon saw some handmade items that Dr. Appell displayed in his office and offered him pieces of the outtakes, not in lieu of payment for his treatment, but because he didn’t want the scraps to go to waste.
They consisted of beautiful pieces of mahogany, walnut, curly maple, and even some ebony. They would come to Appell in laminated form or single pieces glued together. He would then put them together as hexagons and turn them on his lathe to make bowls of all sizes and shapes and even an ice bucket or two.
One of the few pieces that Appell has left in his inventory will be auctioned off along with a souvenir book by John Thomas who wrote the definitive history of Gibson Guitar Co., called Kalamazoo Gals. He appeared as a speaker at the Schoolcraft Library just last month.
For those who may not want to dance, you can find yourself a star piece on April 25, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Vicksburg from 7 – 11 p.m. and support a really good cause in the process.
Open House
The first two condos at Bridgeview next to Angels Crossing golf course are ready for public inspection. AVB will host an open house on Sunday, April 19 from noon until 3 p.m. This is a good chance for community members to “kick the tires,” so to speak, and see what the potential is for these high-quality units. They are aimed at the empty-nester market, but having seen the spaciousness on the inside, it appears, they would suit a family just fine. AVB has an outstanding reputation for its projects, in and around Kalamazoo. Bill Adams, village president, along with Jim McPhee of Kalamazoo County State Bank, have been pleased to have them as builders now at Angels Crossing. They are hoping for a great turn out and lots of interest from the public. If all goes well, they intend to continue on with at least 24 more units they plan to develop at Bridgeview.
Volunteers Needed for Track Meets
Dave Smith and Jon Kachniewicz, long-time Vicksburg High School track coaches, are in need of volunteers to help with home track meets. They need timers in particular but help with field events will be just as valuable. The meets usually run from 4 to 7 p.m. and the home schedule includes the following dates: 4/14, 4/21, 5/5, for both boys and girls. There is a huge number of student athletes out for track this year, which pleases both coaches and especially Athletic Director Mike Roy. Volunteers just need to call Coach Kach at 475-5062.
Steve Rossio Returns for Civil War Presentation
The Vicksburg Historical Society wants to have you mark your calendars for their first program of the year on May 19 at the Community Center at 7 p.m. “Steve Rossio presents: April, 1865–The Final Month of the American Civil War and the Road to Appomattox.” Local and well known historian Rossio captures those harrowing and pivotal days of the American Civil War–a war that lasted four long years, claimed the lives of more than 700,000 people, devastated the Old South, but saved the Union and brought an end to slavery. April, 1865, 150 years ago, witnessed the fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital, the capture of Jefferson Davis (with a local connection), the surrender at Appomattox, and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Rossio is an excellent speaker and re-enactor. He gave a different presentation in 2014 to a sparse but enthralled audience. They are hoping to double the attendance this year as the program committee has put together an expansive list of speakers throughout the season from May through November.
Celebration of the Arts at Vicksburg High School
You won’t want to miss the amazing Celebration of the Arts, sponsored by the Vicksburg Fine Arts Department on Tuesday, April 21 at the High School. This evening celebrates art, dance, film, drama, band and choir presentations by some very talented students from all grade levels. The culmination of the evening is a concert at 7 p.m. in the gym by the orchestras and choirs of all ages. It is guaranteed to be spectacular.
Let’s Talk Fishing
Grandpa Jim Hamrick, an occasional reporter for this newspaper on fishing, hunting, and veteran’s affairs, is asking the public to come to breakfast with him to talk fishing. He will be at Rise and Dine in Vicksburg on April 9, 23, and May 13 at 9 a.m. each day to share fishing knowledge, big fish stories, and fellowship. He has a partner in this endeavor in the form of Grandpa Ben Knoll.