By Sue Moore
Boy Scouts Troop 251
Not many people know of the Boy Scout cabin that sits on a bluff, high above Barton Lake on the west side. It was built by volunteers from the Rotary Club in Vicksburg and many others back in 1948, expressly for the scouts’ use.
Over the years it has been a great place for kids to learn about nature, camp out and conduct troop meetings. Although the scouting program nationwide has changed dramatically, the cabin itself has not. Troop 251 leaders have done the best they can with limited resources to plug holes in the walls, re-roof the cabin and provide working toilet facilities.
Some really big projects need to be undertaken in the near future, the leaders say. But how to raise the funds has been something of a mystery. In 2017 they formed a 501c3 nonprofit called Friends of Vicksburg Youth that can accept tax-deductible donations. Now they are asking for big money to fix the siding, the septic system, insulate the structure, construct ADA- and gender-compliant bathrooms as just a few of the many upgrades needed, while wondering how to raise the money.
If any grown up scouts or friends of scouting might want to join ranks with the board to work with them to plan and raise the funds, they would be overjoyed. Key board members include Kip Young, Kevin Borden, Jim Jastifer, Gary Miller and Matt VanderMeulen. They can be contacted at FOVY1948@gmail.com.
Kalamazoo Airport
Runway construction at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek regional airport will get underway on June 10 and be completed by June 26, as scheduled currently. Anyone booking flights for those days will need to try Grand Rapids, South Bend or Lansing as alternates according to John Gisler, Kalamazoo County Commissioner from South County.
An Embarrassment of Bakery Riches
Two cupcake shops are scheduled to open in Vicksburg this summer. The first one, Cakes and More, posts that it will be open in May at the previous Apple Knockers location. The second one owned by Rebecca Tinklenberg called Butters Bakehouse looks to be ready to open in the summer next door to China One. In the meantime, Butters can be found at the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market on Fridays this season.
Apple Knockers is hoisting its flag in early May at its new location on the Sunset Lake pond. That will be greeted with a giant cheer when folks can look out over the water from the prow of its new vessel on warm summer days.
Another new shop that sells antiques and other treasures has just opened at 200 S. Main in Julie Merrill’s Rawlinson Appliance store.
A Serious Typo
Last month the South County News ran a picture of Todd Glenn and Jaspare Scavone accepting an award from Chamber of Commerce President Mandy Miller. I inadvertently listed the well-known Jaspare with the wrong last name. My humble apologies to the guy who started Jaspare’s pizza parlor many years ago. I should have known better!