By Sue Moore
There are many activities for all ages taking place in Schoolcraft and Vicksburg in July, all of them run by volunteers. It’s amazing that these two small towns can have so many people giving their time and talent. I should not be surprised by that but when I see what it takes to put on the 4th of July parade, the Taste of Vicksburg, the Thespian show at the Pavilion, the Art Stroll, the Lions Club B & B, I get a little puffed up with pride about the community I live in. Let’s get out and support all these fine people who make South County such a great place to live and play.
Charlie Glaes Shows His Playful Side
It seems that facing imminent retirement, Vicksburg’s Superintendent of Schools, Charlie Glaes decided to kick it up a notch and participate in the “Hamster Race” at Sunset Lake elementary school just two weeks before collecting Social Security. He got into a very big plastic ball and ran it toward a goal line in competition with Principal Amie McCaw, who won the race easily. Of course, she had practiced, he claimed and he could only guess at the strength it would take him to power that wheel over the finish.
The Rain Came and Fell on the Car Show
For the first time in 38 years rain fell in buckets for Vicksburg’s Old Car Festival (it also rained the first year). Most of the activities were cancelled even though some fearless car lovers did show up with umbrellas in hand. The beneficiary of the rain turned out to be the District Library book sale where people hid from the downpour and then browsed the thousands of book titles available. Gail Reisterer reported that this was the best year financially in the last five years.
April Bryan Leaving the Vicksburg Historical Society for the Air Zoo
The curator of dusty old things for the Depot Museum, April Bryan, has decided to take a full-time job with the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. She was paid part-time by the Historical Society but gave it her all every day. A cutback in hours for the museum and Historic Village will be necessary until the board can find the perfect person to replace Bryan. In the meantime, Judy Glover, one of the museum’s long-time volunteers will work to keep the facilities open on Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
Vicksburg United Way Allocates Precious Dollars
The greater Vicksburg area community was very generous with its giving in 2017, to the tune of $22,049, especially the staff at the school. The allocations committee met in June and heard three requests for grants. The Vicksburg Middle School health education classroom teacher asked for money to bring in a speaker about social media’s hidden dangers as part of her curriculum for a safer digital environment. The Generous Hands Inc. requested money so each child in its Backpack Bonanza outing could have a book of their very own as part of their preparation for school. The agency also requested money for AV equipment to use for educational presentations to classes and the public. It would be housed in their lobby. South County Community Services requested funding to continue its outreach to senior citizens. In total, $19,600 was awarded. The remainder is set aside if some unforeseen needs come up before the next round of funding can be considered, according to Fawn Callen. She has taken on the leadership role for the Vicksburg United Way.