John Kiel and his daughter Makenzie enjoy ice fishing together.
David Kiel caught a 35 inch pike on Indian Lake.
Connor VanDam and his grandfather head out on the ice to fish.
By Kathy DeMott
There are those who love to fish. Then there are ice fishers. They face frigid temperatures bundled in layers of clothing, pulling a sled filled with supplies to sit on bucket seats for hours on a frozen lake in hopes of catching the next big one. For some, it is a way to enjoy the outdoors, time with friends, or “a place to go when I get on my wife’s nerves.” For many, it’s family tradition.
South County has a plethora of lakes to choose from, each with its unique draw. Sunset Lake is often one of the first lakes to freeze so fishers come early to catch blue gill. Hogsett Lake has pike and a sledding hill for the kids. Deeper lakes like Indian and Portage are great for perch.
Safety is critical. Proper clothing is required; the better insulated, the longer one can fish. Ice fishing float suits are designed to help you float until you can climb to safety if the ice breaks. If this happens, roll to safer ice before standing. Fishing with others is recommended.
Once suited up, bring an ice spud to check the thickness of the ice. According to the Michigan DNR, there is no reliable “inch-thickness” to determine safety. The strongest ice is clear with a bluish tint while weak ice appears milky. Slush on ice weakens it and snow-covered ice insulates it, which could slow the freezing process or weaken the ice. Avoid open waters or shores with water present.
Don Kinney, 72, has been fishing since he was five. “If there’s a fish to be had in Vicksburg, I know where it lives. I’m a fishing fool.” He likes the convenience of Sunset and Hogsett because they are close to the beaches and easy to access. Austin Nufer says, “ice fishing allows you to fish in places you can’t access with a boat.”
Scott Byers of Vicksburg enjoys making memories with his children. He admits it can be work, drilling holes, moving site to site, but says, “Ice fishing is like a fishing bonus.” Courtney Zuniga says the cold temps are worth the reward of fresh fish.
There are plenty of fish stories such as catching a 31-inch pike on Indian Lake, a six-pound bass on Sunset, and a 42-inch pike on Portage. It’s part of the thrill. John Kiel of Schoolcraft grew up fishing with his dad and brother and now is teaching his daughters. Once while tip-up fishing with friends they tried hotdogs as bait on half the lines. After an evening of cards, coffee, and camaraderie, they had caught just as many pike with hotdogs as with shiners.
Double L Bait and Marine on South Sprinkle Road tries to keep a variety of perch minis, shiners, wax worms, and suckers as well as ice fishing supplies. Owner Clarence LaComb said ice fishers like to “chat it up” when they stop in; he enjoys the interactions. Whether they’re an avid ice fisher or just getting started, he invites them to stop by for supplies, bait, safety tips and a few good fish stories.
Schoolcraft Food Pantry volunteers Peggy Crissman and Jan McNally.
By Kathy DeMott
An eagle’s nest is where the eagles prepare for and raise their offspring. Eagles mate for life and return to the same nest each year for shelter and protection. Appropriately named, the Schoolcraft Eagle’s Nest is nestled next to the elementary school and provides a home for programs that support families.
Schoolcraft Friday Pack is a 501c3 nonprofit organization operated by volunteers and donations. According to President Jill Strake, the mission is to provide nutritional weekend food packs for food-insecure students in their school district, similar to the Generous Hands program in Vicksburg.
Many volunteers, including students and retirees, collect and pack prepackaged food and snacks for weekends, summer and holiday breaks. The packs are then discreetly put in lockers weekly. Families are referred by school staff or can contact Friday Pack directly.
The Eagle’s Nest is also home to the Schoolcraft Food Pantry which began at the local First Presbyterian Church. It’s now a satellite of South County and part of Loaves and Fishes. According to Jan McNally, the mission is to provide monthly nonperishable food for at-risk families in the Schoolcraft school district. McNally, along with Peggy Crissman and Nancy Rafferty, coordinate the pantry. Rafferty, whose heart is to help others without judgment and with confidentiality asks, “Are you in need and do you want help?”
Crissman said, “No child or person should go hungry. We could feed everyone if we put our minds to it. It’s our community that makes this food bank successful.” The main source of food comes from the school food drives each year. In 2020, they reached out to the community through fliers and Facebook for their annual food drive, and the community responded generously.
Many churches, businesses, individuals, and clubs help financially as well as the volunteers that clean the building, pack and deliver food monthly to 19 families and 36 seniors and adults. Harding’s in Schoolcraft also helps with food and certificates, and has a donation bin at the store. The library has a bin and has donated books to families with children.
To learn more or receive benefits call Eagle’s Nest at 269-488-5847.
To donate, write checks to: Schoolcraft Friday Pack Inc. P.O Box 50, 629 E. Clay Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087.
For food pantry: Schoolcraft First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 635, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 with “food pantry” in memo line. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Adams Kids, another organization aimed at helping the needs of infants, closed Dec. 31.
Penny Allen, Sue Kuiper and Brenda Bowers launched Adam’s Kids to help provide diapers, wipes and formula for infants. The name of the project was a tribute to Brenda’s son, Adam Worrall, a Vicksburg student who died unexpectedly of a heart condition. He was known as a giver of his time and heart for others.
For 12 years, Adam’s Kids provided the supplies to those in need. As it grew, it reached out to local churches to provide satellite locations for families. The churches began to handle the need, Kuiper said, and Adams Kids began to receive fewer requests. Most of those were coming from Kalamazoo and Portage residents.
Organizers decided needs were being met elsewhere and decided to close.Remaining supplies were donated to Twelve Baskets. For help, contact Maternal Infant Health programs for referrals at (833) MI4-MIHP (644-6447) or by e-mail at mihp@michigan.gov.
The Valentine’s Day string art project for youths.
Sheri Hills assists patrons remotely.
The Schoolcraft Community Library is currently open for curbside service. Library patrons can reserve materials by phone, email or through the website. Curbside service is also available for faxing and copying.
We continue to monitor the public health updates and look forward to opening the library’s doors as soon as possible. We thank community members for their patience and understanding.
MiLibraryQuest Winter 2021 has begun. Private teenage detectives will attempt to stop a heist! These young sleuths will figure out the criminal’s identity and what he or she is stealing to prevent the crime and claim a reward. This activity runs through Feb. 14. Sign up or learn more at mi.gov/MiLibraryQuest. Prizes are awarded!
String Art Project registration has begun. The library is offering a Valentines String Art Craft for youth in grades 3-8. Please check the website and Facebook page @schoolcraftlibrary for more information.
Coming in 2021 is Village Voices, a bi-monthly social media engagement, allowing participants to respond to questions which provide input on future library events, programs and materials. Participants will answer questions like “What skill have you been hoping to learn but just haven’t had time? What is your New Year’s goal? Would an accountability group help you reach it? What skill could you share with your community? Which workshop sounds more like you: writing or design?” Check our website or Facebook page as there is more information to come!
There’s a break in the clouds ahead Brilliant technicians have come up with vaccines, The deaths from COVID-19 will soon be squelched We’re ready for normalcy and familiar things.
Of course, it’s going to take a while Folks need to be convinced to get a shot, Yes, there are unwanted side-effects But a day to recuperate from the pandemic Is better than what we got.
Some people hoarded essentials Life as we knew it, was upside-down, Others were desperate for toilet paper No bowling or movies, left us with a frown.
School kids missed their classes and friends Our graduating seniors really got gypped, Our sports teams planned to win at State Younger students had no parties or field trips.
But maybe there was a message here We learned to appreciate what we had before, Everyone had a place to get food Though some shelves were stripped in every store.
So get in line for your immunization We’ve had enough of quarantine each day, Soon you can pack up your masks Give thanks, and hope we will be normal by May!
The White Front restaurant photo courtesy of Vicksburg Historical Society.
The indoor dining ban in the State of Michigan was lifted Feb. 1, enabling our local pubs and eateries to reopen and serve customers in their establishments while following public health guidelines. The safety restrictions in place for many months have been difficult for many individuals and businesses.
Please support our local businesses in whatever way you are comfortable with and financially able. Most offer take-out, and many even provide home or curb-side delivery. Check with your favorite village eatery either online or by phone and investigate its options.
These businesses have supported community and school events. Let’s continue to support and encourage their operations.
On Nov. 15, three days after the Schoolcraft volleyball team beat Kalamazoo Christian to win its fourth consecutive Regional Championship, the MHSAA made an announcement: Every fall sport was being put on a three-week pause, no competition and no practice. Volleyball had just three games left to complete the entire season – state quarter-finals, semi-finals and the state championship. MHSAA on Dec. 29 announced that the fall season could resume practice Jan. 4. With just eight days of practice after being idle for weeks, the Eagles would face off against Calvin Christian in the quarter-finals at Loy Norrix High School. Two days prior to the game it was announced 50 fans per team would be allowed.
In the Division 3 state quarter finals, Schoolcraft jumped out to an early lead of 5-0, over Grandville Calvin Christian, with Kelby Goldschmeding serving and showing some great defense. Calvin was able to close the gap slowly with some unforced errors by the Eagles. Neither team looked like it had missed a beat with the weeks of delay.
Both teams were making some tremendous defensive plays but the front line of the Eagles, consisting of Kayla Onken , Maggie Morris and Anna Schupel, just seemed too powerful for the Knights. The Eagles were able to take game one, 25-16. In game two, Calvin Christian was able to break out a lead on the Eagles 7-3, but a hard kill by Schupel led to a five-point rally. The Eagles put some great teamwork together to take the game, 25-17.
Game three was the deciding one. Either the Eagles would punch their ticket to Kellogg for the second straight year to play in the state semi-finals, or they’d play game four. The Eagles were working on a 10-point run before the Squires head Coach Amanda Bremmer called a time out to give her girls a chance to catch a breath and calm down. The Eagles had other plans. They began to strike back, keeping Calvin Christian on its heels. With the score sitting at 20-8 Eagles, another time out called by Calvin Christian gave the Eagles the little breather they needed.
Game three ended on Maggie Morris’ kill and a score of 25-12, sending the Eagles back to the semi-finals for the second year in a row.
