US-131 work blocks Schoolcraft’s 4th parade

By Steve Waldron

Schoolcraft has scrapped the village’s annual July 4 parade this year, the result of US-131 reconstruction and difficulties of moving the parade to other village streets.

The Michigan Department of Transportation told the village that the project would begin in April instead of in July, as originally scheduled, and thus would not issue a permit for the parade.

The Council considered rerouting the parade within the village. After discussing logistics, potential hazards to village residents’ properties along other routes, as well as risks and costs associated with crowd control, vehicle rerouting and parking needs, members decided that it would not be viable to hold the entire parade on village side streets.

The 4th of July Committee, which oversees the parade and fireworks, told the Council that it is still looking for an appropriate site to launch fireworks for 2024 and will keep the Council updated on its progress.

The Council has decided to suspend its Citizen of the Year Award as well as the summer food truck rallies and concerts held in Burch Park due to declining participation in recent years. The Council said it could review resuming either of these activities in the future.

Discussion was held regarding moving the annual downtown merchants’ matching gift program from December to the summer for 2024 to assist them during the summer US-131 construction period. Manager Cheri Lutz will approach the Vicksburg Foundation to see if it would be willing to donate some funds to assist with the program for 2024.

Lutz told the Council:

She is receiving bids for demolition and environmental clean-up if needed of structures located on 203 Pine Street. She added she has been working with the property’s utility suppliers in planning for demolition.
Water line hook-up replacements which occurred on Grand Street (US-131) in March are in preparation for the upcoming road construction.
The Village will be mailing letters to residents and businesses regarding the Grand Street reconstruction this summer once she has received updated details from MDOT.

Trustee Todd Carlin told the Council that the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority (SKCFA) is still pending a decision regarding a contract for ambulance service as it awaits a decision by Portage regarding how that city will move forward regarding EMS services for its service area. He also said that the authority has determined that the Vicksburg fire station needs a new roof at an estimated expense of $160,000.

The Council approved Council members’ committee appointments and terms: South County Sewer and Water Authority – Mike Rochholz for four years with Lutz as backup; Village Budget Committee – Kathy Mastenbrook, Todd Carlin and Mike Rochholz for two years; Infrastructure Committee – Kathy Mastenbrook, Joe Beck and Kirk Bergland for two years; Executive Committee (to approve and pay bills) – Joe Beck, Kirk Bergland, and Russell Barnes for two years.

April updates

We’ve turned another calendar page! Here is our April edition, filled with information about area happenings and stories to remind us of the richness of life here in South County.

Wanted: Vicksburg veterans for banners

The Village of Vicksburg and VFW Post 5189 are seeking veterans for the Vicksburg Veterans Banner Program to honor the area’s veterans.

They’re hoping to have banners made with the veteran’s military photo installed on the downtown light posts (see example below). They will be flown for a period during the month of May to include Memorial Day, then will be removed. They will be flown again for a period in the fall to include Veterans Day and then, again, will be taken down. The goal is to fill all of the light posts in the downtown area. There will be a cost incurred for each veteran, or veteran’s family, for creating the banner, raising and lowering the banner. Donations to help with expenses are also accepted.

For more information, contact the Village of Vicksburg at 269-649-1919, or VFW Commander Jim Schippers at 269-760-7391. Applications that include all the required information may be picked up at the new Vicksburg Village Hall or obtained from Jim Schippers. The completed application, along with military photo and DD214 form should be returned to the Village Hall as soon as possible and no later than April 24, 2024.

Writer needed to help with Schoolcraft sports coverage

Do you enjoy attending sporting events? Could you help feature area athletes and their successes? We need you! Contact kforsythesouthcountynews@gmail.com for more information.

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The birthday blues

By Marilyn Jones, Schoolcraft’s Poet Laureate

Did you ever have a week when you felt depressed and blue?
The years have gone too fast, what am I supposed to do?
In spite of a daily pep talk and an effort to squelch a tear
If I were a drinking woman, I’d be crying in my beer.
Down deep in my heart, I know why I’m sad
God put my life on fast forward, and I’m kinda mad.

I’ve done all the things I’m expected to do
And accomplished a few extra things too
I recall regrets in my life (quite a few)
But we all have regrets, this is nothing new.

Those promised golden years are tarnished at best
I sometimes think I’m being put to a test,
Just when life should get easier it’s not that way
We squat down or bend over and hurt all day.
Word games keep my mind alert, I even play for two
I even assemble puzzles … a cool thing to do.

So I’m dragging my heels
Being stubborn, you see
Grow old gracefully? Never! … Not me!
I’ll be 98 on the 12th, give me a call then
My birthday will be over and I can smile again.