A few of the 100 hot pizzas from Little Caesars to Schoolcraft families served by the schools’ food service staff.
By Sue Moore
Schoolcraft serves about 160 to 170 families per week in its pickup and delivery food program, according to Brenda Lynn, head of food services.
A special treat for the Schoolcraft families the last Wednesday in May was 100 hot pizzas donated by Little Caesars in Schoolcraft. It’s all about the company’s “Pay it Forward” effort, Lynn said. “During the school year we pay for at least 250 pizzas each week as a regular part of our meal program. We also have a fruit and vegetable for lunch every day.”
Lynn tries to place her food order three weeks in advance. Besides Gordon Food Service, she also uses Van Eerden Foodservice as a second source. “It’s nice to deal with two companies. Our food service staff of five takes about three hours each week to organize and bag the meals. Then three people start delivering in cars, up to 32 families along with their school work. Our drive-up hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. on Wednesdays. “We are doing the assembly in bulk and packing it all in one sack, like a bag of groceries,” Lynn said. School social work staff Michelle Schneider, Shelby Getsinger and Stefanie Dunham help with the distribution.
Besides working from home, Lynn comes into the high school three days a week. Everybody on her staff is employed with some of them tutoring young students via zoom and Google classroom.
The current food program is allowed to operate until June 30. Lynn figures she will continue up to that date. Then summer feeding will take over only for school districts in which at least 50 percent of children are eligible for free and reduced lunch programs. Schoolcraft doesn’t qualify; 26 percent of its students are eligible. Lynn plans to give out get maps to families so they will know where continuing Kalamazoo County summer programs are available.
Even though COVID-19 has caused major disruptions for almost every facet of life, some good news was reported at the Schoolcraft school board meeting: lower interest rates for the district’s upcoming bond project.
The meeting was once again held online via Zoom due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Nathaniel Watson of PFM Financial Advisors LLC was on hand to announce the district obtained investors through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Inc. This is the same company that helped refinance the district’s 2009 bonds last February.
“The municipal bond market really worked in our favor the last two or three weeks,” Watson said.
Through the backing of the state and the district’s excellent credit ratings, they were able to obtain lower financing rates. Watson said the true interest cost came in slightly below 3.3%. When the ballot language was put together, the rate was estimated at four percent. Since it is a 30-year bond, Watson said he expects they could reduce them again in 2030 and 2040. However, even if they are not, he said it was a “wonderful” outcome for the community.
After fees and cost of issuance, the project will have $39,746,000 to work with. Watson said that is $856,000 more than they projected going into their treasury meetings. Superintendent Rusty Stitt and many of the board members said they were thrilled with the good news.
Trustee Jill Hunt gave a short update on the progress of the project, which is already working on plans for the seventh and eighth grade gym and classroom additions. They are also starting to consider exactly where the new kindergarten through sixth grade building will stand on the school property. She said early considerations must account for things like where food services vehicles will travel onto the property. Hunt said they would already be looking at early conceptual plans for the seventh and eighth grade classroom additions the following week.
“We expect to narrow that (the conceptual plans) to a couple of options and then take it to a larger committee for some community feedback,” she said. “All in all, things are going pretty well.”
There were also some discussions about how classes would look in the fall. More specifically, Board President Jennifer Gottschalk wanted to know what the determining factor would be about a decision on face-to-face learning vs a hybrid online schedule when classes resume.
Superintendent Rusty Stitt said the decision would hinge mostly upon the Governor’s executive orders. If social distancing is still needed in the fall, major schedule changes are being considered. The three biggest possibilities are a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule, alternating days of instruction or an a.m.-p.m. schedule that may come into play. Stitt said there will be a committee with staff involvement to look at the possibilities in the coming months.
“There are a lot of options that we need to look at related to our programming for next school year,” Stitt said. “We don’t know what we are going to get from Lansing.”
From Kenzi McNally Pridgeon, Air National Guard Captain, and 1999 Schoolcraft graduate
When you cannot have all the traditional pomp and circumstance, what does a graduation in 2020 look like? I am sure many of the graduates, family members, friends, teachers, staff, and others are asking that same question. It is different and unique this year. This is nothing new for 2020 graduates, as they were born to be resilient.
By definition, resilience is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. Most of the graduates this year were born in 2001-2002, during the time Americans witnessed the worst terrorist attack in our country’s history. These events changed the course of life in the U.S. and the rest of the world. Our country united together and revealed our resilient spirit. You can see, graduates, since you were born during those difficult and trying times, you were born to be resilient!
As we look around, we can see how much our lives have changed this year. Not just from the first day of the year, but from three months ago, two months ago, even two weeks ago. This pandemic has affected us all. Some have lost jobs and some have lost businesses. Some have missed birthday parties and others have rescheduled weddings. Some have missed proms, athletic events, championships, and graduations. Life has been difficult. People have faced many hardships. The world has changed. But with change comes beauty.
So, to the class of 2020, here is where you come in! You have so many new adventures, experiences and milestones still ahead of you. You have an open book and it is your decision how to write it. During these tough times I hope you can look around and start to think about ways to rebuild things that have been lost or change things you do not feel are right. I want you to look at the world and see all the possibilities and opportunities that are within your reach, even if they do not seem like it now. If nothing else, I hope that this pandemic has made you realize plans change, people change, life changes; that is where opportunity begins and resiliency exists!
As I think back to my senior year, I reflect on the many memories I have. These memories were great not because of the graduation gown I wore or the way I styled my hair. No, they were great because they were made with the people who were most important to me. You might not have the opportunity to walk across the stage to receive your hard-earned and well-deserved diploma this year, but I guarantee you, your family, friends, teachers, and staff will be just as proud of you. You see, events do not make the memories. You and the people who surround you do that!
So, to the Class of 2020, I hope you are eager to get out there. I hope you are able to accomplish whatever you dream to do, so that years from now you will look back and say you left things a little bit better than how you found them. Be nice to everyone because each of us is on a different path and have such a special story to tell. I hope you find joy and happiness and realize those two things can truly never be bought. And most of all, I hope out of every difficulty you encounter, you remember how truly resilient you are. Congratulations, Class of 2020!
Signs celebrating each graduating senior from Schoolcraft filled the yard of Shannon and Dave MacDonald.
ByLinda Lane
Ninety signs congratulating every senior graduating from Schoolcraft High School filled the front yard of Shannon and Dave MacDonald’s home before they were distributed to graduates to be placed in their yard of their homes. Students who lived near the MacDonald’s home picked up their sign from their yard; Project Graduation board members delivered signs to students who didn’t live nearby.
The concept was a suggestion from School Superintendent Rusty Stitt for the 2020 Project Graduation Committee. The cost of the signs was split between the district and Project Graduation.
A committee of volunteers have been working diligently fundraising throughout the school year to plan a special evening celebrating the senior class and all of their accomplishments. Complications from the COVID-19 and the shutdown of schools threw a major wrench into the final stages of planning and fundraising.
“Original plans were set to take place on June 7th, after what would have been their graduation day. There is no walk through the elementary in their cap and gowns, no awards night, no spring sports – the list goes on and on. It’s just heartbreaking! We are trying to go above and beyond for this special group of seniors who have already missed out on so much,” explained Angie Deyoung, president of Schoolcraft’s 2020 Project Graduation Committee.
“We’ve had to do lots of improvising. We’ve been forced to scrap many plans that were made, like a final fundraiser with Mancino’s. Instead, we organized a final fundraiser collecting cans and bottles,” Deyoung said. With bottle return centers closed, the group filled a 14-foot enclosed trailer until they can be returned.
Schoolcraft has tentatively planned for a new graduation date on July 26 to be held outside at the Roy Davis football field. Details and plans for the graduation ceremony are yet to be determined. A new date for seniors’ celebrations with Project Graduation has been scheduled for August 2-3. Plans are kept secret, a surprise for the students until they arrive at the destination to learn what fun has been planned for them.
The Project Graduation Committee is still grappling with additional details, waiting for the Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer to release the “Stay At Home” mandate.
“There’s so much unknown yet, that it’s really difficult to make plans. Personally, I like to have a plan and move forward with it, but this unprecedented situation isn’t allowing for that,” Deyoung said.
Shannon MacDonald is the treasurer of Schoolcraft’s 2020 Project Graduation and coordinated the production and distribution of the signs. Additional members of the Schoolcraft’s 2020 Project Graduation include Nicole Radke, vice president, and Tammie Fowler, secretary.
George Bowling, 75, Vicksburg, passed away May 6. George was born on December 29, 1944 in Wheeling, W.Va. He was the son of Bane and Eunice (Rose) Bowling. George proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp during Vietnam from 1964 to 1965. George retired from tool manufacturing after 25 years from Clausing Corp. George will be remembered by his family for being strong-willed but very friendly. George is survived by his two children, Maria (Mick) McCallister, of Parchment and Kevin Bowling, of Vicksburg; grandchildren Terra (Taylor) McCallister, of Portage; Miranda McCallister, of Florida; Karissa (Zach) McCallister, of Kalamazoo; Caden, Connor and Carson Bowling, of Vicksburg; and six great grandchildren. George’s ashes will be buried with military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Talons Out Honor Flight talonsouthonorflight.org.
Scott Alan Brock, 42, Vicksburg, passed away May 4. Scott was the son of Paul and Brenda (Wood) Brock. He was born on April 28, 1978 in Kalamazoo. He grew up in Vicksburg and attended school there. He worked for a few companies in Kalamazoo and Allegan County. He enjoyed visiting his family at mom’s house, especially for Sunday dinners, and learned to play the guitar a little over the years. In the last year, Scott started attending One Church in Kalamazoo and grew especially close to Pastor Scott and his wife. Though he had health problems in the last six months, he was formulating plans to help charities in the Kalamazoo area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Brenda Brock, and his oldest brother, Gary Alvord. He is survived by his brother, Andy Brock, and sister-in-law, Amy Brock, of Scotts, and his sister, Melanie Brock (Mike Stephens), of Portage. He is also survived by nephews Jacob Ross, of Kalamazoo, and Kurt (Alex) Koller, of Battle Creek; nieces Emma Brock of Kalamazoo, Maggie Brock of Scotts, and Leia Mullen of Portage, and a grand-nephew, Oliver Koller, born this April. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com.
Beth Haines, 66, Adrian, formerly of Vicksburg, passed away May 1. She was born March 1, 1954 in Vicksburg, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Lowe. She grew up in Vicksburg and graduated from Vicksburg High School, then Kellogg Community College. Beth enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed relaxing in her pool, reading books, crafts, her annual 4th of July party, and especially the holidays. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard F Lowe, and her son, Jason D Haines. Beth is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Lowe of Vicksburg; children, Jared A. Haines of Adrian; Jordan A. (Amanda) Haines of Highland; daughter Lauren E Haines of Westland; grandchildren Caleb, Emma, Eli, Zoey, Sawyer, Cole, and Jordynne Haines; a brother, Rick (Kim) Lowe of Three Rivers; nephew Corey Aukerman of Three Rivers; niece Kelly Aukerman of Vicksburg; great nephew, Dawson Aukerman of Three Rivers, and great niece Abigail Braat of Vicksburg. Donations may go to InterAct of Michigan. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com.
Dwight Haines, 56, Vicksburg, passed away May 10. Dwight was born on February 20, 1964 in Benton Harbor. He was the son of Clarence and Margaret (Sutcliffe) Haines. Dwight graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1982. A fun-loving, outgoing and caring individual, Dwight had a deep love for music that he shared through playing piano and violin, and frequently partaking in the entertainment scene of downtown Kalamazoo. He will always be remembered for the laughs and love he brought to his family and friends. Dwight is survived by his mother, Margaret; a sister, Brenda (James) McCallum, of Galesburg; niece and nephew Nicole (Tim) Wilson, of Galesburg; and David (Tara) McCallum, of Galesburg; four great-nephews, Nathan, Elijah, Ryan and Eric. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Haines, in 2016. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com.
Louis D. Malito, 80, a resident of Arbor Terrace in Naperville, Ill. and a former longtime resident of Vicksburg, passed away April 20. He was born on February 13, 1940 in Chicago. Lou is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth “Beth” Malito; his loving children, Leah (Michael) Malito Vinik, Dean (the late Lisa) Malito, Darla (Scott) Malito Caputo, Holly (Steve) Malito Pickens, Daniel Malito of Vicksburg, David (Michelle) Malito formerly of Vicksburg, Jesse Malito, Anna Malito, Katrin Malito, along with 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dominick and Mary (née Falbo) Malito and infant son, Dominic. Lou was a member of U.A. Plumbers Local 130 in Chicago and continued in this trade through Plumbers Local 333, working for Kellogg Corporation after moving to Vicksburg. While living in Country Club Hills, Ill., Lou was also a volunteer fire fighter and became part of the first paramedic team in Country Club Hills. Throughout his life, he was a football coach, baseball coach, softball coach and player, bowler and always a gardener. Most of all, he was a loving father, a caring neighbor and good friend. Lou enjoyed spending time with his ever-growing family, each summer at Pine Lake Cabins in Wellston, Mich., where he found peace, enjoyed fishing and spent time hanging around the campfire with his crazy large family.
Jo Anne McCrumb, 73, Kalamazoo, formerly of Vicksburg, died May 25. She was born to Donald and Helen (Miller) McCrumb on December 5, 1946. She attended Grand Ledge Public Schools and participated in 4-H, rode rodeo, showed horses. The family later moved to Vicksburg, where Jo played clarinet in the high school marching band, pitched for the softball team, and, even though she was only a Bulldog for a year, was elected Fall Homecoming Queen in 1964. She graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1965, then attended Western Michigan University, earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. She worked for several companies including ROLM communication systems and Western Michigan University, installing phone systems and trained employees to use them. She retired from WMU. She attended Vicksburg United Methodist Church, and Unity of Kalamazoo when she moved to the city. She met her husband, Jeff Smith, through church. Jo was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Amy Piper. Surviving are her son, Troy (Shannon) Smith; grandchildren Alex and Faith; siblings Jock McCrumb, Jed (Linda) McCrumb; and nieces and nephews. A private gathering will take place with burial at Vicksburg Cemetery. Visit Jo’s page at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Donations may go to Unity of Kalamazoo.
Ryan C. Miller, 43, Vicksburg, passed away May 22. He was born on June 4, 1976 to Timothy and Deborah (Frye) Miller in Kalamazoo. Growing up in Vicksburg, he was a talented athlete and musician. He played soccer and golf in high school as well as the tuba in the Big Red Machine marching band, graduating in 1994. He received an associate’s degree from Ferris State University and entered the heating and cooling industry as a pipefitter. After 9/11 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his first tour in Iraq in 2002, followed by two other tours of duty in Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon returning home he married his high school sweetheart, Kristine Spiegelberg. When he needed some time to relax and collect himself, he turned to the solace of nature, the garden, or his barn. He loved tinkering on tractors and growing food to feed his family. He also enjoyed the fresh air of a campsite as well as the breeze while riding his Harley Davidson over the years. Ryan grew his strong faith by leaving his fingerprints on many aspects of the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. Ryan is survived by his wife of 12 years, Kris; children Anna Lynn, Anthony Ryan, and Liam, all of Vicksburg; his parents, Timothy and Deborah Miller of Vicksburg; and siblings Scott (Kathy) Miller, of Vicksburg and Todd (Mandy) Miller, of Vicksburg. He is also survived by his mother and father-in-law, Deb and Wayne Spiegelberg, of Vicksburg; sisters-in-law Brandy Thomas of Vicksburg, Sara Spiegelberg of Springfield, Bonnie (Blake) Osborn of Grand Rapids, and Barbie (Jason) Masternak of Dorr; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Ryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bob and Kay Miller, Jim Frye, and great grandma, Lur Dumas. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Wounded Warrior Project or USO Military Lounge.
Sue Clark Moore, 82, Vicksburg native, activist and editor-publisher of the South County News, died at her home Wednesday, May 27. Sue grew up in the newspaper business. She was the daughter of Meredith and Bernice Clark, who owned the Vicksburg Commercial Express. Sue wrote and edited for that newspaper over two decades. She attended Michigan State University, was on the cheerleading squad, and began a 66-year streak of attending MSU-UM football games. Although she lived in Vicksburg for most of her life, she lived at times in Seattle and Springfield, Ill. In Vicksburg, she served on the Board of Education and promoted community-changing efforts. She helped push for creation of the Community Foundation and the Farmers Market. She worked on the program and fundraising for the Rotary Club Showboat, now the Showcase. Her parents’ newspaper had been taken over by the Kalamazoo Gazette, and ceased publication in 2012. In 2013, with a nudge from Village Council President Bill Adams, Sue and others in the Schoolcraft-Vicksburg area began to publish the weekly South County News, credited by many as a “glue” that continues to hold each community together. Sue is survived by her two sons, Scott (Lynda) Moore, of Portage and Chris Moore, of Seattle, and grandchildren Zachary, Austin and Meredith Moore. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Sandra Kay Miller. Due to COVID-19 concerns, a public visitation for Sue was scheduled by appointment June 1 at McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel in Vicksburg. A more public gathering to honor and celebrate Sue’s life will be held at a future date when current restrictions are lifted. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to the non-profit South County News.
Joseph L. Reynolds, 86, Delton, formerly of Vicksburg, passed away suddenly May 15. Joe was born in Kalamazoo on October 3, 1933, the son of the late William and Lila (White) Reynolds. He was a longtime resident of Vicksburg before moving to his dream home at Shelp Lake in Delton. Joe served in the National Guard with the 126th Infantry as a combat engineer and sharpshooter from 1955-1958. He retired from the Upjohn Company and then worked for the Kalamazoo Greater Auto Auction. He also ran his own janitor business. He earned seven varsity letters from Portage High School in football, baseball, basketball, and track. He also held the school record for running the mile. Joe graduated from Portage High School in 1951. He managed Vicksburg Merchants Men’s Fastpitch softball team and the Vicksburg Fastpitch Tournament and was known as “Coach Grandpa” within Vicksburg Little League. Joe played on various softball teams well into his 80s and won back-to-back gold medals in the Senior Softball USA Tournament of Champions in 2016 and 2017. He enjoyed camping, fishing, kayaking, cards and cribbage, his grandkids, being silly, and propagating flowers that he snuck out of other people’s yards. Joe also enjoyed orioles and hummingbirds and loved spending time with his family and at his winter home in Naples, Fla. On June 27, 1953, he married the love of his life, Dorothy J. (Marble) Reynolds. She preceded him in death on July 3, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his son, Timm E. Reynolds; brothers Lawrence, William and John and sisters Lila, Larene and Lyleen. Joe is survived by his children, Joseph (Joy Herson) Reynolds, Todd (Jody Sukup) Reynolds, Diana (Craig) O’Dell, Jennie (Rick) Holmes and Sean Reynolds; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his dear friend and companion, Marlene Warren and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations may go to Southwest Michigan Miracle League. Visit his page at joldersma-klein.com.
David Rhoda, 81, Schoolcraft, passed away peacefully at home May 11, under the care and love of his children and grandchildren. David was born in Schoolcraft on May 6, 1939, the son of the late Lawrence and Flora (Bingham) Rhoda. After graduating from Schoolcraft High School, he proudly served his country as private first class in the Marines Corps until being honorably discharged in 1960. He returned to make Schoolcraft his home and was always proud of his community. David had a kind heart and was always generous. He loved delivering his homemade salsa and pickles to friends, neighbors, family and his doctors and nurses. David had a wonderful smile and personality which made him a joy to know. Nothing made him happier than when his children and grandchildren would visit. He especially loved taking his grandchildren fishing and on John Deere “Gator” rides down the trails and back roads. He is survived by his children, Dennis (Karen) Rhoda, Don (Lorri) Rhoda, Larry (Missie) Rhoda, Steve (Tammy) Rhoda, Kim (Jim) Hamilton; grandchildren Trevor, Alyssa, Adam, Kyler, Macayla, Gabe, Halie, Trae, Jadyn, Bailee, Gavin and Olivia; siblings John Rhoda, Albert Rhoda, Nancy Fellner, Ruth (Larry) Cowan; and Gayla Sager, a very special friend and companion with whom he spent the last 10 years. Due to the current health crisis, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations may go to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, c/o the funeral home. Visit his page at joldersma-klein.com.
Nancy Louise Roelof, 79, Portage passed away peacefully in her home with family by her side on Tuesday, May 12. Nancy was born on October 22, 1940 in Smithers, W.Va. to Troy and Violet (Feathers) Brown. On August 11, 1967, Nancy married Henry “Hank” Roelof Jr. in Parchment. He preceded her in death on November 21, 1995. She was also preceded in death by both of her parents, her sister Alice (Harley) Gettig, and her brothers, Johnnie, Arnold and (Troy) “Junior”. Nancy is survived by her children, Jerry (Shoni) Harris of Portage, Mike (Margaret) Harris of Comstock and Deborah (Morris) Giddings of Vicksburg; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; three of her four sisters, Carolyn (Curly) Turrentine, Linda (Joe) Cronk, and Pamela (Danny) Long; two of her five brothers, Mike(Colleen) Brown and Billy (Rosita) Brown; and her best friend, Martha (David) Pride. Nancy has been cremated. A celebration of her Life will be held at a later date. While at Nancy’s webpage at http://www.mccowensecord.com, please take time to sign her guestbook by lighting a candle and sharing a memory with the family. Nancy’s family is being cared for by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, Vicksburg.
