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Schoolcraft Scores Big Win Over Battle Creek Central

by | Jan 16, 2020 | Schoolcraft, Sports

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Seniors on Schoolcraft’s basketball team from left: Aiden Hursey, Terry Smith, Steven Schultz, Trevor De Groote, Kobe Clark.

By Mark Blentlinger

The Eagles boys’ basketball team under the leadership of Randy Small worked its way through the early part of the 2019-20 campaign by beating Hopkins, Delton Kellogg, Saugatuck and Lawton. On the weekend following Christmas, the team made the trek to Battle Creek to play in the Chuck Turner Holiday Classic. On Dec. 27, they faced off against the Bearcats of Battle Creek Central. The Bearcats would remember when they lost to the Eagles in the same tournament a year earlier by the score of 41-38.

The score was even more lopsided this time: 65-43.

Schoolcraft was not intimidated by facing a much larger school’s team, jumping out ahead in the first few minutes. The Bearcats were able to erase the hole they were in to take the lead 22-21 midway into the second period. The Bearcats would see that lead disappear when the Eagles took a 30-25 lead at halftime. In period three, the Eagles began to open up the lead and play very strong defense. The Bearcats were only able to put four points on the board the entire period. It appeared the Eagles worked hard on free throws in the off season as they went 21 for 30 tries from the line.

Leading the Eagles in scoring were Kobe Clark, 16, Tyler DeGroote, 15, and Bryce Vanderwiere, with 12. The Eagles had eight three pointers. Leading scorer for the Bearcats was Tyree Young with 20. The Bearcats struggled from the line, making only 6 of 10 and 5 three pointers. While Schoolcraft will enter 2020 unbeaten, that record will be challenged early on when the team visits Kalamazoo Hackett on January 7, and three days later when Kalamazoo Christian plays the Eagles in Schoolcraft.

Lady Eagles Basketball Team off to a Good Start

by | Jan 16, 2020 | Schoolcraft, Sports

By Mark Blentlinger

The Lady Eagles hosted the Eddies from Edwardsburg in the first game of the season at home on December 3. The Eddies would walk away with their first win of the season, beating the Eagles 43-31. The Eagles were spread thin on the night without All-SAC players Anna Schuppel, who was sick, and Savanah Seath, who is still nursing an injury. The rest of the team was able to step up and put on a fight. The Eagles scored the first points of the night, but the Eddies were able to put on a 11-0 point run after that. Eagles’ top scorers for the night were Mackenzie Miller with 17 and Gabi Saxman with 8.

Fortunately, the Lady Eagles were able to put the opening night loss in the past and focus on the upcoming games against Delton Kellogg, Saugatuck and Lawton. First up would be the Panthers of Delton. The Lady Eagles trailed at the halfway point 25-22 but felt they could put something together against the undefeated Panthers. They came out in the third period and put up a 17-7 run on Delton. The Panthers came roaring back in the fourth period but the Eagles held on to take the win 46-40. Scoring leaders for the Eagles were Gabi Saxman, 16, Anna Schuppel, 9 and Mackenzie Miller, 8.

Before the New Year was in, the team stayed in the win column when they beat Saugatuck 56-40, then had a very lopsided win against Lawton that ended with the score of 64-8. The Lady Eagles will start off 2020 in conference play at Kalamazoo Hackett Prep on Jan 7.

Schoolcraft Spring Sports Teams

by | Jan 15, 2020 | Schoolcraft, Sports

Spring sports team photos for Schoolcraft High School:

Event Calendar

by | Jan 8, 2020 | Community, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg

Vicksburg

1/13 – Sun. Vicksburg Rotary Club Showcase rehearsal begins at the high school choir room, 2 p.m. Contact Danna Downing, 269-779-5453.

1/20 – Mon. Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce Mixer, Distant Whistle, public welcome, 5 p.m.
2/8 – Fri. Strive Beef Raffle at the VHS basketball game.

2/9 – Sun. Vicksburg Lions Club 9th Annual Bowling “Fun-Raiser”, 11 a.m. 3 p.m. at the Continental Lanes.

Schoolcraft

1/8 – Open house for art display by Gurjot Nanhra from 6-7 p.m. at the Schoolcraft library. Her work will be shown through February 7.

Kalamazoo County Area

2/4 – Kalamazoo County Citizen Science Panel will meet on February 4. The public is invited to join with the Kalamazoo Conservation District and partners to learn about opportunities to contribute to the knowledge about the environment. Meet representatives from local organizations who will share information about their projects and how you can get involved. Oshtemo Community Center, 6407 Parkview Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. 7-8:30 p.m. FREE. For more information: http://www.kalamazooconservation.org. (269) 775-3368.

Something for Everyone at Christmas Walk in Schoolcraft

Something for Everyone at Christmas Walk in Schoolcraft

by | Dec 13, 2019 | Community, Schoolcraft

By Deb Christianson

In Historic Schoolcraft, the first weekend of December is set aside for the downtown Christmas Walk. It was the brainchild of Norma Taggert of Norma’s Antiques & Collectibles on Grand Street, as a way for people to discover the charm of a small-town Christmas – and sell antiques.

This tradition continues after 31 years.

Fourteen businesses along Schoolcraft’s downtown corridor or close by will be open on Friday, December 6 from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, December 7 from 9-ish to 3-ish for holiday fun. Antique and collectible shoppers can begin their journey north of town at Nana D’s Attic, a consignment shop with 40-plus vendors and something for everyone. The Grand Antique Gallery, LLC, resides in the location where Norma’s Antiques & Collectibles was and features a nice selection of antiques, glassware & artwork. Myles Cooley will provide music and there will be live caricatures by Bryce Cooley. Having a caricature done by Bryce is a new Schoolcraft tradition. The Schoolcraft Antique Mall will have hors d’oeuvres and lots of freshly selected antiques.

Both of Schoolcraft’s historic churches participate joyously in this Walk. The United Methodist Church, dedicated in 1852, will have a sloppy joe and pie supper from 5-7 p.m. on Friday and a homemade soup lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a bake sale, craft sale, silent auction, white elephant sale, and more. Church secretary Kimm Carlin says, “We always have a packed house.”

Friday night, the festivities for the historic First Presbyterian Church, dedicated in 1892, will be at the DeVries Law offices in downtown Schoolcraft with craft items, baked goods and a raffle. Saturday, Westminster Hall will be open while serving pasties and chicken ‘n’ biscuits from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thecraft sale, bake sale and raffle continue there with Attic Treasures.

Founded in 1908, Kalamazoo County State Bank boasts that it is the oldest independently owned and operated community bank in Kalamazoo County. It will be on hand with donuts and cider on Friday night and invite guests to stop by and guess the amount of money in the “Christmas Present Jar.”

On Hayward Street next to the Schoolcraft Post Office, the Ladies Library Building, which was dedicated in 1896, will be open both days with a craft and cookie sale. Elizabeth Hamilton at the Ladies Library Building will sign her eagerly anticipated new book titled, “Have Camera Will Travel in the Historic Village of Schoolcraft, Michigan.” $25.

Santa Claus will be visiting several places in Schoolcraft during the Walk, so there are no excuses to miss the jolly fellow. He will be stopping at Lake Michigan Credit Union on Friday night. Warm up with coffee, hot chocolate, cookies, and a few ho-ho-hos. The credit union will have Lazy Man BBQ in its parking lot both Friday and Saturday. On Friday, at the American Legion on Clay Street, Santa will appear with the Mrs. The American Legion is serving cocktails, beer, wine and sloppy joes. There will also be cookie decorating. For professional photos with Santa, look no further than Reflections Modern Photography at the Beauty Bar on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $15 per child or group.

For the modern and local, Salon Harlow invites you to shop-sip-snack on Friday with Pop Up-Shop Boutique Oz. Close by on Grand Street, a new shop, Craft & Grand, will be open both Friday and Saturday with locally made goods, cookies, and cocoa. Biggby’s will be serving its specialty coffee on Friday night. On Saturday, there will be $1.99 hot/iced specialty beverages up to 20 ounces with upgrades available. Popular local Nonla Taqueria will be serving Mexican cuisine at its finest on both Friday and Saturday.

For the little ones, in addition to visiting with Santa, there’s a Princesses and Pirates sing-along with Disney classics. The little ones are invited to appear in their sparkliest tiara or blackest pirate hat and sing like no one is listening. Signing her new book, “Meant for Her,” will be Joy Avery Melville on Saturday at the Library. $12.65. Historical walking caroling tours through town are planned.

Visit the Village of Schoolcraft for a map of Walk festivities and a free postcard of the Underground Railroad by Wm Christiansen Photography. The map is printed on Starwhite Vicksburg Tiara from the former Simpson Paper Company. More information and updates will be updated at pureschoolcraft.org or call 679-5795 for further information.

Boutique Gift Shop Opens on Grand Street in Schoolcraft

by | Dec 13, 2019 | Community, Schoolcraft

Craft + Grand Gift Boutique is newly opened at 222 N. Grand Street in downtown Schoolcraft. Stacey Sherman, owner of The Beauty Bar and a Schoolcraft native, recently expanded into the space next to the salon and has opened a new retail option for area residents. Craft + Grand features items made in the U.S., with the majority being made right here in Michigan.

There’s a wide variety of offerings, including home décor, bath and body products, jewelry, hats, scarves, clothing, pet goods and handmade greeting cards. You can find photos of many of these items featured on the Craft + Grand Facebook page and on Instagram @craftandgrand.

While giving the space a makeover, a section of shared wall between the Beauty Bar salon and store was removed, making it possible for salon guests to shop while hair color is processing, or before and after their hair appointment. There is also a door on Grand Street.

The main goal for Craft + Grand was to create somewhere that people could shop locally, and truly feel like they’re supporting local business. A lot of time was spent searching for local vendors and finding items to be for sale in the store, Sherman said.

“There are a lot of other great boutiques in the area, and it was time for Schoolcraft to have its own modern retail option,” he said. “With the Beauty Bar having opened three years ago, many conversations have been had within its walls about people not wanting to drive to Kalamazoo for a unique wedding shower, baby shower or whatever gift.”

Statements like that made wheels start turning in Sherman’s head. A couple of years were spent growing an idea. Once the space became available, a decision was made, and the Craft + Grand was launched.

Fall and winter hours are Wednesday-Friday 3-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday 12-4 p.m. Since The Beauty Bar and Craft + Grand have a pass-through, patrons might want to check Facebook or Instagram to see if there are expanded hours throughout the week during which one can enter through the salon.

Craft + Grand will also be participating in the annual Christmas Walk, December 6 and 7, and will be helping The Beauty Bar and Reflections Modern Photography carry on the new tradition of sales, snacks, and Santa photos, Sherman said.