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Event Calendar

by | May 2, 2019 | Community, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg

Vicksburg

5/4 – Sat. Vicksburg Community Education Dance Recital at the Vicksburg Performing Arts Center. Performances at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

5/11 – Sat. The Hearty Hustle starting at the Vicksburg Bulldog Stadium. Tickets $20 if registered in advance, $30 the day of the race. Registration ends May 10. Register at http://www.runsignup.com/vicksburgheartyhustle

5/11 – Sat. Highview Shores Neighborhood garage sales, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Take Sprinkle Rd. to E. UV Ave, Go East on E. UV Ave to Highview Shores.

5/11 – Sat. Horticulture Student Plant Sale, VHS Greenhouse, Saturday May 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

5/10 & 5/11 – Neighborhood Garage sale at Greensborough’s Angels Crossing off W Ave., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

5/17, 18, & 19 – Fri., Sat., & Sun. Vicksburg High School Cabaret in the Vicksburg Performing Arts Center. 6:30 p.m. on Friday – Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

5/17 – Fri. Vicksburg Farmer’s Market Opening Day at the pavilion. From 2 – 6 p.m.

5/17 – Victorian Garden Club plant sale at the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market, 2 – 6 p.m.

5/18 – Sat. May Meander opening day at the Vicksburg Historic Village from 4 – 7 p.m. lots of community vendors with buildings open to the public. Speaker at 5 p.m. as part of History Day with Middle School students competing in the afternoon.

5/18 – Fri. Movie Showing: Three Coins In The Fountain at the Vicksburg District Library. 1 p.m.

5/18 – Sat. Village Clean-Up 7 a.m.

5/23 – Thurs. Senior Honors Reception sponsored by Lions and Rotary Clubs, 7 p.m.

5/26 – Sun. Gospel Concert with the Dunnemans at Kline’s Resort. Outdoor concert, bring lawn chairs and finger food to share. 6:30 p.m.

5/27 – Mon. Pancake Breakfast at Kline’s Resort from 8 to 10 a.m.

5/27 – Mon. Memorial Day Parade in downtown Vicksburg. Begins 10 a.m.

6/2 – Sun. Vicksburg High School Graduation in the Bulldog Stadium. Begins 2 p.m.

Schoolcraft

5/1 – Wed. Spring Student Art Open House, 5:30. Meet the Schoolcraft high school and middle school art students. On display through May.

5/10 & 5/11 – Fri. & Sat. Friends of the Library Book and Bake Sale at the Schoolcraft Community Library. Shoppers can fill a provided bag with books for only $3, Friday, 9 – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

5/10 – 5/11 Fri. & Sat. Village Wide Garage Sales 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

5/18 – Sat. Village Wide Clean-up 7 a.m.

5/20 – Tue. Tournament of Writers Awards Ceremony at the Schoolcraft Community Library. Begins at 6 p.m.

6/2 – Sun. 141st Commencement Exercises in the Schoolcraft High School Gymnasium. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Mattawan

6/1 – Mattawan High School’s alumni dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Later Elementary building. Guests can come in the door to the All-Purpose Room. Wheelchairs will be provided and a cart to collect potluck dishes will be ready. Two meats and scalloped potatoes and rolls will be provided. If you have things to share and want a reserved table contact Caroline Miller Wiley at eveavenue@gmail.com or 269 808-3353.

Mendon

6/2 – Sun. Graduation at Mendon High School. Begins 2 p.m.

Scotts

5/4 – Sat. Spring Garage & Bake Sale at Scotts United Methodist Church. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 8458 Wallene St. All items newly donated.

Ice Cream From All Around!

by | Apr 10, 2019 | Community, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg

By Schoolcraft 7th grade students Livia Ellison, Natalie Glerum, Treasure Fox, and Valerie Bauer

How much ice cream does the average American consume per year? Google claims that the average American eats over 23 pounds. Although many of us have ice cream in our freezer, we get some of this ice cream from our local ice cream shops.

A few popular ones in our area are Apple Knockers, Bella Creamery, The Big Dipper, and Treat Street.

Apple Knockers, a family-owned ice cream shop in Vicksburg, opened in 2009. The main reason behind opening Apple Knockers was “a need in the community,” says owner Paula Hochstetler. Her daughters had kids so they wanted to have flexible hours. It is relocating and will be reopening in April across the street at 220 W. Prairie Street, Vicksburg. Its ice cream distributors are Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream and Plainwell Ice Cream.

Wondering what to get? Butter pecan and salted caramel are the most popular flavors. At the new location there will be more seating available out on a new deck with a great view of the water and many new options like nachos and snow cones.

Bella Creamery is also a family-owned ice cream shop, located at 10098 Shaver Road in Portage. Unlike many, Bella Creamery makes its own ice cream. In 2005, Bella started serving our area because owner Jolie Warnaar and her aunt wanted to bring it to the area where she lived. As she was a stay-at-home mom, she also wanted make her own hours.

Jolie was asked if she thinks it’s too early in the year for ice cream. “It’s never too early for ice cream,” she responded. This year, Bella Creamery is planning on serving ice cream sandwiches as well as adding more mix-in options (like Girl Scout cookies). And it’s planning on catering for events such as weddings and parties.

Big Dipper is an ice cream shop that serves Hudsonville ice cream and opens each summer at 104 E. Eliza Street, Schoolcraft. Big Dipper started in the summer of 2001. Bethany Blodgett was asked what inspired the Big Dipper to first open. “My dad worked at an ice cream shop as a teenager, and always dreamed about owning one. So, when it went up for sale, he and his brother bought it for his brother to run. Now going on its 19th season, they never thought it would become a summer job for their kids, nieces, nephews and now grandkids.” Many local people come to Big Dipper on the 4th of July and get the most popular flavor – Super Scoop.

Treat Street is an ice cream shop located at 3023 Oakland Drive in Kalamazoo. The business opened in 2011. Manager Steve Walantyn said the owner, Mike Leeuw, “saw an opportunity to get out into the community and start a family-friendly business.” Treat Street serves Sherman’s Ice Cream. Its best selling flavors are Blue Moon and Superman. Like Bella Creamery, Treat Street is adding ice cream sandwiches to its menu. Employee Carson Finch reported that they will be having soda floats available too.

Have a craving for ice cream? Consider stopping by one of these local ice cream shops to help contribute to that average 23 pounds of ice cream per person per year.

Also remember, that ice cream is not the only option to get at ice cream shops. They have different menu items for you! Remember to support your local ice cream shops this summer!

The Challenges of Facing Cancer

by | Apr 10, 2019 | Community, Schoolcraft

amyseager

Amy Seager about six years after she was diagnosed with cancer.

By Schoolcraft 6th grade students Sophia Orton, Ariana Pillot, Lukas Rinderspacher, and Macalea Wagner

Have you ever wondered what people felt like when they had cancer? This article is about one woman battling cancer and showing herself and others that cancer can’t beat her. Here’s her story:

In 2013, Amy Seager was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was in utter shock. She could not believe that it was happening to her. When she got her first chemotherapy, she wasn’t even worrying about herself! “My biggest concern was my hair, because a) I’m a teacher and b) I have four kids. Now, I don’t know if you’ll admit it or not, but you and I both know that middle school is a time that even if you have the coolest parents, the last thing you want is a bald mom walking around,” Seager said.

Even after her chemotherapy, she kept going to work. But she ended up having to quit because the chemo was wearing her out. “I had a great big surgery, and after that it required me to take a year and a half off of work,” she said. “And when I tried to come back, I wasn’t able to because my body just still didn’t have the stamina or the energy.

“So I had to retire. I was forced to retire, and it wasn’t until just recently, this September, that I came back into the working environment part time, here in Schoolcraft.”

Seager has many emotions that she goes through with this. “It’s like riding a roller coaster, lots of different emotions. First and foremost, denial, that it can’t be happening to me. With it came surprise, shock, anger, frustration – all of those at various times.”

She is still dealing with cancer. She’s had cancer since she was diagnosed February 28, 2013. Since there is this special cell in her body, she will always have cancer.

She thinks of herself as strong, and here’s what she said: “I feel very strong. You know, one of my very favorite quotes, is ‘Sometimes we don’t know how strong we are, until strong is the only choice we have.’”

Seager is very grateful for her therapy dogs. “I have two golden retrievers. My therapy dogs were really important to me, because when I was at a really low point, after being really sick – and you know, feeling like I just didn’t want to get up off the couch, I just didn’t have the energy – they were so helpful. They made me get up off the couch to let them out. They made me get up to go feed them.”

One thing that she would love to share with everyone: “Live today; find your blessing in every day and live it and enjoy it.”

Final Meeting of Schoolcraft’s Boy Scout Troop 254?

by | Apr 10, 2019 | Community, Schoolcraft

BSA Group

Schoolcraft Boy Scouts and their leaders gather for a farewell photo. Front row, left to right: Keegan Lynch, Jared Lynch, Roger Lynch. Back row, left to right: Jennifer Thompson, Jim Strake, Nolan Strake, Trent Strake, Scott Macfarlane Sr., Wyatt Thompson, Colby DeVries, Clayton DeVries, Steve Dickerson, Scott Macfarlane Jr. and Phil Marks. Photo by Linda Lane.

By Linda Lane

What may have been the final meeting of Boy Scout Troop 254 in Schoolcraft was held March 13 with a celebration dinner honoring the last scout to earn an Eagle Scout rank, Colby DeVries. It was combined with the dedication of a core group of active scout leader volunteers.

The troop was forced to request that they be moved to a suspension status by the Boy Scout headquarters because there aren’t any scouts passing from the Cub Scout rank – “Webelos” – to cross over to the troop’s Boy Scout ranks. The troop can remain in this status for two years. If no other scouts and parent volunteers come forward to reinvigorate the troop in that time, it will be permanently abandoned and the troop number reassigned to another new group. One remaining scout, Trent Strake, will join the Boy Scout troop in Three Rivers, hoping to finish requirements to achieve his Eagle Scout rank. Just a year and a half ago, the troop honored five scouts for achieving their Eagle Scout ranks.

Seven Boy Scout leaders were honored for the past 14 years of volunteering with the scouts since the boys were Tiger Cub Scouts in first grade. The leaders honored were Scoutmaster Scott Macfarlane Sr., Steve Dickerson, Phil Marks, Jennifer Thompson, Jim Strake, Roger Lynch and Nancy Mora, who was not present.

DeVries achieved his Eagle Scout rank with a project consisting of exhibit shelving, display stands, and a new sign board for the Vicksburg Historical Society. Eight young men, three of whom had achieved their Eagle Scout rank in 2017, also attended the dinner: Scott Macfarlane Jr., Clayton DeVries, Jared Lynch, Keegan Lynch, Wyatt Thompson, Trent Strake and Nolan Strake, in addition to Colby DeVries.

Having earned his Eagle Scout rank last summer, Colby DeVries volunteers on the Eagle Scout Review Board for the Southwest Michigan Boy Scout Council. “Scouting has made a big impact on my life. I’d like to help other scouts and think I’ll probably volunteer as a junior scout leader,” DeVries said.

“We’ve had such a great group of kids and scouts to work with over these years. It’s been so much fun and we’ve made so many good memories,” Scott Macfarlane Sr. said. Laughter erupted throughout a slideshow playing pictures from the many years the scouts enjoyed outings, hikes, camps and events. The troop has explored caves in Indiana, hiked 80 miles in northern New Mexico at the Boy Scouts’ Philmont Scout Ranch, visited Isle Royale and Pictured Rocks in the Upper Peninsula, endured winter camping on the dunes of Lake Michigan, enjoyed many canoeing and camping excursions, and stayed overnight on the USS Silversides, a WWII submarine moored in Muskegon.

The Schoolcraft Boy Scout leaders have been such dedicated volunteers and love the outdoor activities and enjoy working with the young men so much that several leaders, including Phil Marks and Nancy Mora, continued to volunteer for years after their own sons had achieved Eagle Scout ranks.

“I enjoy it so much I think I’m going to join another troop as a Scout leader too,” Steve Dickerson said. Although his son, Matthew, earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2017 and has been attending Calvin College, Dickerson has remained active with the Schoolcraft troop.

Facilities Planning Committee Plans Second Survey

by | Apr 10, 2019 | Schoolcraft, Schools

sch school bd 2 facilities

Schoolcraft elementary students in their cafeteria. The School Board is going to conduct a random telephone survey in April about the need for newer facilities to replace the aging classrooms these young people are in now.

By Travis Smola

Schoolcraft Schools’ facilities planning committee is still facing challenges on how to address the district’s aging elementary and middle school buildings.

The committee has narrowed its focus to a bond proposal of approximately $39.9 million to finance construction of a new pre-K-6th grade building and add a dedicated addition to the high school for 7th and 8th graders.

The committee earlier decided not to go forward with a bond issue on the May ballot after an Epic-MRA phone survey showed there likely wasn’t enough support for the issue to pass. In addition to spreading the word about the issue to the community via flyers, Board President Jennifer Gottschalk wants to do a direct survey of parents to get a better picture of how people feel about the issue.

“In our phone survey data, we realized that 70% of the people who responded were people that didn’t have kids in the district,” she said.

The committee announced plans to further spread the word during parent-teacher conferences. Gottschalk said the committee want to do a second Epic-MRA survey after spring break.

High School Principal Ric Seager presented testing data to the board from the Michigan School Index that shows the district is performing especially well in Kalamazoo County.

The Michigan School Index system looks at data from several tests including NWEA, MSTEP, SAT and PSATs and gives schools a value ranging from 0-100 based on how they meet state targets in those tests. Seager said a perfect score of 100 means a school is meeting all its target test scores all the time. The index measures school performance in areas such as student growth, proficiency, graduation rate, assessment participation and student success.

In a summary of elementary schools from Kalamazoo and surrounding counties, Schoolcraft came in eighth out of the 45 schools on the list with a score of 91.36. The average score in Kalamazoo County was 70.52. The middle school was the top-ranked one in Kalamazoo County for the second year in a row with a score of 92.40 in 2018. Other schools in the area cited averaged 63.59.

“We are on top of the heap again for the second year in a row. Kudos to the staff and leadership in that building for making that happen,” Seager said. “You know, they don’t get there without a solid foundation.”

The high school also finished in first place in the county for the second year in a row, tallying a 97.32. The next two closest schools were Portage and Vicksburg with scores of 94.99 and 93.15 respectively. The average score for a high school in Kalamazoo County was 72.75.

“Our scores are up again, and we stretched our lead on the schools around us,” Seager said, although he noted there are many quality schools in the area and that is difficult for a smaller school like Schoolcraft to compete with them.

“They’re nipping at our heels all the time,” Seager said. “We preach that all the time in the building that we want to stay here. It’s not good enough just to get here.”

In other business, after being a club sport since 2006, the board unanimously approved making bowling a full varsity sport. Both the board and Superintendent Rusty Stitt agreed it was an easy decision because the team has been highly successful, fielding several individual regional champions and state finishers and several bowlers who have gotten scholarships to bowl in college.

Schoolcraft Sports Teams

by | Apr 10, 2019 | Schoolcraft, Sports

Below are the photos for Schoolcraft’s Spring sports teams. All photos by Travis Smola.