by Justin Gibson | Oct 9, 2018 | Sports, Vicksburg
By Travis Smola
With a full varsity and JV squad, Vicksburg’s Lady Bulldog golf teams are enjoying their best turnout ever. “In my three years of coaching, we’ve never had the participation that we’ve had so that’s a big win so far,” Head Coach Brodie Hock said before the girls participated in a league jamboree event in Dowagiac at Indian Lake.
The squad has a lot of newer players, some of whom had never swung a club once prior to joining the team. Hock said one of the girls still hadn’t taken the plastic wrap off her new clubs when she arrived for the first practice. There is stiff competition from other schools in the Wolverine Conference. The main goal is for the girls simply to improve their game.
“We’re just trying to get better, one practice at a time give or take,” Hock said. They’re seeing results. In a league jamboree at Allegan, juniors Madison Aguillon and Megan Bresnahan both shot their best games ever. Another notable recent highlight included senior Joanna Bell getting her first birdie ever on a par 3.
“There’s some new players that if they stick with it they have the potential to be really good in a couple of years,” Hock said.
by Justin Gibson | Oct 9, 2018 | Government, Vicksburg
Graduate students from Michigan Tech are shown here recording the speed of their vehicle on the experimental paving constructed on W Avenue just before the county road enters Schoolcraft village limits. They are testing the noise level made by their car traveling at 60 miles per hour.
By Sue Moore
An experimental rubber-asphalt surface, applied in recent weeks to a portion of W Avenue about 4,000 feet long east of Schoolcraft, will be evaluated for durability and noise in coming months by the Michigan Technological University team which developed the mix.
It may not be noticed by motorists.
W Avenue is a main connecting link between the Villages of Schoolcraft and Vicksburg. It’s designated an all-season road, capable of standing up under heavy trucks when other roads are placed under late-winter weight restrictions.
In the same project, the rest of the road eastward toward Portage Road and Vicksburg was variously resurfaced with a conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay, conventional chip seal, and hot rubber chip seal. The conventional sections will serve as control test sections.
Tests for endurance and noise will be carried out for the next year by a team from Michigan Tech in Houghton. Headed by Dr. Zhanping You, the team developed a specialized rubberized material never used before in a paving mix.
If successful, it could lower costs for the use of scrap tires in road building and prolong the service life of roads, according to Dr. You. The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County was chosen by his team for implementation because a member of his staff is a friend of Managing Director Joanna I. Johnson and knew she would be amenable to the idea and good to work with.
Her staff was instrumental in the successful experiment, taking great pains to study the technology and making it work on the two-mile stretch of road. The chosen portion of the road is heavily traveled –approximately 3,600 vehicles per day It was scheduled for resurfacing in 2018 and has a parallel road in VW Avenue that could be useful for comparison.
The MTU team returned to W Avenue in September to measure the noise levels on the newly resurfaced road. They found noise over the hot-rubber thin overlay section to be two decibels lower than the rest of the road.
The operation required specialized processing involving lots of chemistry to provide just the right mix of scrap tires and other materials that typically go into making conventional hot mix asphalt. This mix was developed by a colleague of Dr. You’s in Portugal. The hope is to be able to manufacture the specialized mix in Michigan and the United States if successful.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) awarded this Scrap Tire Development Grant in cooperation with MTU to the Road Commission. The grant amount was $221,964 with a total project cost of $443,928. The Road Commission share was estimated at $136,964. The original project application was estimated at 13,672 scrap tires to be recycled. Based on the estimated final quantities 7,500 scrap tires were recycled. This was primarily based on the adjustment in the hot mix asphalt overlay; “We reduced the thickness and therefore we had less tires,” Johnson said. MTU’s match was $85,000.
“The grant does not cover the full costs of a project and we are still finalizing this project’s costs. Due to the unforeseen complications with the equipment with the chip seal trial, we anticipate being over budget,” Johnson said.
“Scrap tire innovation is nothing new to the state. However, the type of recycled tire material used for this project has not been used here before,” Johnson said.
by Justin Gibson | Oct 9, 2018 | Community, Vicksburg
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Abandoned agriculture land that belongs to the Mill developer was reactivated as pollinator habitat on the west side of the Mill. It will be used by area schools for study projects. Photo by Taylor Kallio of Kalamazoo Aerial Media.
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Touring the very depths of the Mill to plan for future renovation are from left to right: John Kern, Jackie Koney, Guy Bazanni, and Greg Bjarko, an architect working on plans for the Mill.
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Chris Moore, owner of Old Stove Brewing Company in Seattle who is planning to have a taproom and brewing operation in the Mill.
By Jef Rietsma
Some important dates are on tap this month for the proposed renovation of the former Simpson Paper Co.
Projected to cost at least $60 million, the proposal includes a conversion of the existing historical structure and grounds to a multi-use facility to include apartments, hotel rooms, office space, event space, multiple food- and beverage-production facilities, a craft brewery and beer gardens.
Paper City Development President Chris Moore, the driving force behind the plan, is expected to attend the Oct. 3 Vicksburg Planning Commission work session. The matter is scheduled to appear on the panel’s agenda but a vote by the recommending body is expected to take place at the second meeting on Oct. 17.Because of the anticipated number of people expected to attend, the meeting will take place at Vicksburg High School’s PAC.
Vicksburg Village Council meets Oct. 15 and though the Paper City project will not be on its agenda, there’s a good chance the matter could be brought up during public comment.
Two nights later, on October 17, a potentially pivotal decision could be rendered by the village’s Planning Commission, as it may possibly call for a vote for or against recommending the project to the village council. Like the Oct. 3 work session, the Planning Commission will assemble at the Vicksburg High School PAC.
Barring a delay at the planning commission level, the issue would then move before the village council for a vote. Municipal officials said the issue is, in fact, on their Oct. 29 agenda, the meeting will be at the high school PAC to accommodate an anticipated large number of audience members.
The mill, which employed 300 people at its peak, has secured a spot in the National Register of Historic Places. The designation allows the project to qualify for federal tax credits to supplement the project’s expense.
A master plan was completed in 2016, emergency roof repairs have been conducted, and a fair amount of site and interior cleanup has taken place. The site is free and clear of asbestos, project manager Jackie Koney said.
Meanwhile, 10 support beams, each 24-feet in length, have been replaced due to weather-related damage.
Koney said the 420,000-square-foot building and 110-acre property are now owned by Paper City Development LLC.
A Vicksburg native who now calls the Seattle area home, Moore stepped in after plans were presented to demolish the mill, which closed in 2001.
Vicksburg Public Meetings Deal with the Mill Application
Wednesday, October 3 – Vicksburg Village Planning Commission work session. Public meeting, no vote at that time on the Mill’s Planned Unit Development application. 7 p.m. at the High School Performing Arts Center.
Monday, October 15 – Vicksburg Village Council meeting, 7 p.m. at the Brady Township Hall.
Wednesday, October 17 – Vicksburg Planning Commission meeting to vote on recommending the Mill project to the Village Council. Public meeting, 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.
Monday, October 29 – Special Vicksburg Village Council meeting possibly to vote on the Mill Planned Unit Development request. Public meeting, 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.
by Justin Gibson | Oct 9, 2018 | Community, Vicksburg
Children from one family sit and listen to music at the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market and use their coupons for fruit and vegetables at the market that are provided by Generous Hands, Inc.
By Sue Moore
Generous Hands is exactly what its name implies. The organization gives to children in need in the way of food and even emotional support to families in the Vicksburg school system and beyond. Each year the founders of Generous Hands, Inc. ask for help from the community to further its mission in the form of its Fall Extravaganza fundraiser.
This event has grown since it was organized some eight years ago. Organizers were volunteers at Lakeland Reformed Church on Sprinkle Road. The fundraiser was held in the church activity room. It is now a full-fledged dinner at Indian Run Golf Course on Saturday, November 3, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The program and dinner is at 6 p.m. and will be prepared by Chef Joe Tsui.
Tickets are $35 each for dinner with a 50/50 raffle, door prizes and a silent auction as part of the festivities. Only 180 tickets will be sold for the event, according to Darci Schimp, the event’s coordinator and volunteer dietitian.
Proceeds from the extravaganza help support coupons given for fresh fruit and vegetables at the Vicksburg Farmers Market. Monthly Family Fare vouchers go to families who receive these benefits all year long, according to Sheri Louis, executive director. “We pay Spartan Stores between $3,000 and $4,000 monthly for Family Fare vouchers that can be used for bread, milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables.”
So far, Generous Hands has distributed $3,238 in Vicksburg Farmers Market coupons this summer. They are used for vegetables, fruit, meat and cheese at the market. “These vouchers and Farmers’ Market coupons are truly appreciated by our clients. It is the only way we can get fresh foods to them,” Louis commented. “Our numbers are over 250 students, over 100 families, already for this school year. The numbers increase daily.”
Pat Moreno, former principal of Sunset Lake school, will speak about how Generous Hands began and how it impacted her students while she was the principal. She will share some experiences on whom the program has benefited in the community as well.
Those wishing to pick up tickets can contact Sheri Louis at 370-7965. She will have tickets at the office at 606 Spruce Street in Vicksburg, but it’s best to call ahead to make sure that she’s available. She can accept cash or a check. Tickets may be reserved and picked up at the Will Call booth at Indian Run on November 3. They will accept cash, check or charge cards for silent auction purchases too.
by Justin Gibson | Oct 9, 2018 | Community, Vicksburg
A unique auction item that will be available for bidding at the Cultural Arts Center Gala is a visit and serenade to the family’s home of the winning bidder. The band played for friends and neighbors of the Rachel and Bruce Dow family near Tobey school in 2014 when they bid and won a similar package.
By Jake Munson
Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center is gearing up to present its third annual benefit auction, the “Vicksburg Arts Masquerade Gala,” Saturday, October 27 at the Vicksburg Community Center from 5:30-9 p.m. The evening will have a masquerade theme, costumes optional, with a fun photo booth featuring the talent-behind-the-lens of Linda Hoard. There will also be live music, a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and an array of delicious desserts.
With both a silent and a live auction, items include original art works, ticket packages to Vicksburg High School Theater and choir performances, certificates from local businesses, theatre packages in Kalamazoo, a wine and cheese tasting for eight at Lawton Ridge Winery and a special CD package from the Out of Favor Boys.
One of the items for bid is The Big Red Machine Experience. This package includes a performance by the Vicksburg High School Big Red Machine Marching Band, along with a selection of Big Red Machine merchandise. Imagine impressing your neighbors with 190 band members marching in your neighborhood! The band will also stop at the winning bidder’s home for a short concert. The proceeds from this package will support both the Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center and the Vicksburg band program. Bidding will start at $600.
Another fun item is the Underground Dinner Package. Food aficionados Ryan Collins and John Kern have hosted over a dozen underground dinners. The winning bidder will receive a package including a personal menu consultation for a meal featuring festive food and carefully chosen beverage pairings. On the chosen evening, Ryan and John will come to your home to prepare and guide you through a four-course meal for six.
The Cultural Arts Center continues to add daily to the list of items and packages that will be available for auction. You can follow them on Facebook to see new items.
Tickets for this event are available for $30 and can be purchased at the Distant Whistle Brewhouse, or online at vicksburgarts.com. You can reserve a ticket by calling (269) 200-2223.
by Justin Gibson | Oct 9, 2018 | Community, Vicksburg
Flapjack flippers at the United Way fundraiser in 2017 are from left to right: Mark Mitchell, Larry Forsyth, David Siroti, Lloyd Appell.
The United Way begins its fall drive for donations with the fourth annual Fabulous Flapjack Fundraiser from 7-10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church.
Donations for the breakfast are appreciated, said Danna Downing, executive director of the South County Community Services agency that benefits from United Way allocations. “More importantly, it’s a chance for people who give to United Way to bring in their checks for a worthy cause and enjoy a hearty breakfast.”
The money raised each year to support Vicksburg’s United Way has stayed right here in the community according to Fawn Callen, chairperson of the committee that oversees the allocations at the end of each campaign. Last year over $30,000 was raised with help from the concerted effort made by the school’s liaison to United Way. Through payroll deduction, the teachers and staff donated $11,144.
Allocations were made to South County Community Services for its senior outreach program, to Generous Hands, Inc. for a/v equipment to use for training purposes and to the Vicksburg Middle School for bringing in an organization called Protect Young Eyes to “help students, families and the school create a safer digital environment.” The topics included deep dives into online pornography, social media anxiety, video game violence, screen time impact on adolescent neurology and parental controls.
