by Justin Gibson | Jul 3, 2018 | Community, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg
Vicksburg
7/3 – Tue. Fourth of July Party at the Vicksburg District Library. For kids BK-5th grade to play, do crafts, and eat. Adult must be present at all times. Register at vicksburglibrary.org. 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
7/7 – Sat. Victorian Garden Club tour of the Lavender Festival. Carpooling leaves from the Depot at 10 a.m. Address is 54946 Cranberry Rd, Marcellus.
7/8 – Fri. Punches Family Concert at Klines Resort. Begins 6:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and finger food.
7/9 – 7/13 – Mon. – Fri. Arts In The Burg Summer Camp at the Vicksburg Community Center. For kids age 7-12. For more information contact Syd Bastos at (269)-501-1347.
7/12 – Thurs. Color Fun Run at Sunset Lake Elementary. For kids BK-5th grade. Adult must be present. Register at vicksburglibrary.org. 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
7/13, 7/20, & 7/27 – Fri. Science Fridays at the Schoolcraft Community Library. For 3rd through 5th graders. Registration required. Begins 2 p.m.
7/14 – Sat. Barn Quilt Painting Workshop at the Vicksburg District Library. Call Kitch Rineheart for reservation and cost.
7/19 – Thurs. Nelson’s Wildlife Safari at the Sunset Lake Elementary gym. For kids BK-5th grade. Adult must be present at all time. Register online at vicksburglibrary.org. 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
7/20 – Fri. Coffeehouse Concert: Mall City Harmonizers at Vicksburg Community Center. Drinks and snacks available. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at vicksburgarts.com/events, or by calling Syd Bastos at 501-1347. Begins 7 p.m.
7/21 – Sat. Art Stroll in downtown Vicksburg. Enjoy many local artists, musicians, and performers. 4 – 9 p.m.
7/23 – Mon. Quilter’s Class at the Vicksburg District Library. 7 – 8 p.m.
7/25 – Wed. Writer’s Round Table at the Vicksburg District Library. 1 – 2 p.m.
7/26 – Thurs. That’s A Wrap! at Vicksburg District Library. Crafts and ice cream. Bookmark challengers can pick up their free book. For kids BK-5th grade. Adult must be present. Register at vicksburglibrary.org. 2 – 3 p.m or 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
7/26, 7/27, & 7/28 – Thurs., Fri., & Sat. Beer and Brat Festival at the Pavillion. 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 a.m. Saturday.
8/5 – Sun. His Harmony Quartet at Kline’s Resort. Bring lawn chairs and finger food. Begins 6:30 p.m.
8/9, 8/10, & 8/11 – Thurs., Fri., & Sat. 21st Annual Rummage Sale at St. Martin Parish. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thurs, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sat.
Schoolcraft
7/3, 7/10, & 7/17 – Tue. Japanese 101 at Schoolcraft Community Library. Grades 6-12. Registration required. Begins 2 p.m.
7/4 – Wed. Annual Car Show at Burch Park. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
7/4 – Wed. Parade in downtown Schoolcraft. Begins 11 a.m.
7/4 – Wed. Fireworks at the Schoolcraft High School. Begins 10 p.m.
7/10 – Tue. Preschool Scavenger Hunt at Burch Memorial Park. For children age 3-K. Registration required, must have an adult supervising. Begins 10:30 a.m.
7/17 – Tue. Games in the Park at Burch Memorial Park. For 1st and 2nd graders. Must Register. Begins 10:30 a.m.
7/19 – Thurs. Wildlife Safari at Schoolcraft Community Library. Kids of all ages learn about exotic animals. Begins 3 p.m.
7/24 – Tue. Starlab Planetarium at Schoolcraft Community Library. Three shows for various ages. Register at 679-5959. 2 – 4 p.m.
7/25 – Wed. Rock Painting at Schoolcraft Community Library. For 1st and 2nd graders. Registration required. Begins 12 p.m.
7/26 – Thurs. Movie and Popcorn Bar at Schoolcraft Community Library. Teens 6th grade and up. Must register. Begins 2 p.m.
7/30 – Mon. BenJammin Summer Party at Burch Memorial Park. Registration required. Begins 11 a.m.
7/31 – Tue. Pizza Party & Awards at the Schoolcraft Community Library. Registration required. Begins 2 p.m.
8/2 – Thurs. Schoolcraft Library Summer Palooza, 5 – 7:30 p.m. in Burch Park.
by Justin Gibson | Jun 13, 2018 | Community, Schools, Vicksburg
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Interim State Superintendent of Education Sheila Alles, at left, traveled to Vicksburg to announce that Laura Chang, right, had been chosen as Michigan Teacher of the Year.
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Sheila Alles, interim state superintendent of education has a heart to heart chat with Laura Chang upon her selection as Michigan Teacher of the Year. She teaches in a classroom of second graders at Sunset Lake Elementary.
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Laura Chang’s two principals at Sunset Lake school during her 18 years of teaching were Amie McCaw on the left and Pat Moreno on the right.
By Sue Moore
“Humble” is often used to describe Laura Chang, second grade teacher at Sunset Lake Elementary school. After the state of Michigan sent representatives to present her with the Michigan Teacher of the Year award, she seemed blown away by the accolades.
“No one deserves it more,” said Pat Moreno, her former principal at the school. “She was born to teach. She taught me so much during our years together that I have been able to share with other young teachers coming into the school district.”
“She just has a way about her,” said Shannon Richards, whose child was in her classroom several years ago. “She’s special. The kids feel very safe around her. She has their respect, she is kind and soft-spoken. She cares about the kids and their families too. We are like her extended family.”
There are thousands of great teachers in the state of Michigan. How did Laura Chang get singled out? This award has been given to a teacher in Michigan since 1952. That person is nominated to represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year recognition.
Sunset Lake Principal Amie McCaw decided it was time to nominate Chang because of the impact she has had beyond the classroom door. “She serves others through her leadership on teams for Sunset Lake, Sunset PTSO, Vicksburg Community Schools, Western Michigan University and also at the state level for the Michigan Department of Education. Laura is a visionary in education and she serves others, all with such grace.”
There were 850 nominees statewide. A committee of educators narrowed the list down to 10 finalists, one from each region in the state. Chang was selected from the southwest area. All 10 were interviewed in Lansing in a round of presentations and a Q & A session.
Chang also prepared a video that described her philosophy of teaching. “Her enthusiasm, energy, her words kind of wrapped around us,” said Pamela Harlin, director of the MEEMIC Foundation, who was on the selection committee.
Sheila Alles, interim superintendent of education for the state, came to Sunset Lake school on May 18 to announce to the students and faculty that Chang had won the award.
“Chang was inspired by her dad, who was a teacher. She cares deeply about her students that they reach their highest potential. She is admired by her colleagues. Now she will be on a trajectory for a whole year of talking to legislators in Lansing and in Congress. She will sit in on state board of education meetings where she will be asked for her advice on the many education issues that come before the board.”
Chang, a WMU graduate, has been teaching in Vicksburg for 18 years. “I feel so supported here,” she said. “It’s a team. We are sharing students more across the whole spectrum of learning. Our building has nearly doubled in size since I started here. It’s alive, thriving, exciting and fast-paced. It’s a thrill that so many families want to move to Vicksburg.”
The Chang family lives near Tobey Elementary school with their children, Cassie, 12, and Andrew, 8, both involved in school activities. Her husband is in technology with a company in Kalamazoo. Besides volunteering in both children’s activities, Chang teaches at WMU online and on campus in the literacy studies department.
She credits the parents of the children in her classroom. “They are amazing and supportive on field trips, volunteering to read and taking part in math activities. If families want to volunteer but are unable to come during the school day, I often send work for them to complete at home. When parents are engaged, then students are engaged.”
There are three main teaching fundamentals Chang uses and actually carries around on her phone if a reminder is needed: 1. Kind, contributing members of a community 2. Passionate for learning throughout their lives 3. Empowered to stand up for one another.
“What children learn here will have an impact all their life. Learning is never done. I want the kids to be curious. These take practice every day.”
Chang said, “I’m just an ordinary second grade teacher and happy to represent the voice of our region elsewhere. It’s important to look at the whole child’s needs. We are not just making sprockets here!”
by Justin Gibson | Jun 13, 2018 | Community, Schools, Vicksburg
Keevin O’Neill with his wife Lisa at the school board meeting when he was announced as the new superintendent of Vicksburg Community Schools.
By Sue Moore
The interview room was crackling with anticipation as the Vicksburg School Board convened in May to question its internal candidate for school superintendent, Keevin O’Neill, to replace outgoing Supt. Charlie Glaes.
Over the last 65 years the board has gone outside the school district only twice to select a superintendent. Board members aspired to select from within the district, according to Skip Knowles, board president. This year was no exception; trustees have had their eye on O’Neill, the high school principal, for eight years as the preferred candidate.
Knowles told O’Neill, “We are looking for a long-term relationship with our superintendent. We want that person to be the voice for education in the community.”
O’Neill did not disappoint. He read from a prepared statement and then took questions from board members, handling each with humor and directness, Knowles observed. At the end of the Q & A, the vote came down with lightning speed, 7-0 to promote from within.
O’Neill came to Vicksburg 17 years ago as assistant principal. “My next step in growing as a leader has been to become a superintendent,” he told the board. “I’m prepared to do so as I’ve learned from some of the best leaders in the state by attending the Michigan Association of School Administrators Leadership Institute and Navigate Leadership Program the last three years.”
When questioned about his strengths and weaknesses, O’Neill responded that he is a hard worker, always on time, and a strong communicator. “I think I’m real and relate well to others. My weakness may be in that I want to be perfect and yet I’m a risk taker. I want to be out in front of everything.”
O’Neill was asked what his priorities would be if the school was handed two million dollars as a one-time gift. “I would put the money in people. Invest and build your people. It’s what makes a school district great. If the people feel valued they will perform well.
“We have talented thinkers, writers and readers. I would embed rigor into programs we have while focusing on raising the bar. I would put everything on the table including summer education. There is a burn out factor if classes go year-round. Kids get tired so we would have to evaluate each program and ask ourselves are we getting the product we want? It’s about evaluation: See what’s working here and elsewhere and then decide [direction].”
“Career and technical training are in a monster paradigm shift. Seven out of 10 jobs are in technical fields that don’t require a four-year college degree these days. How do we have these conversations with parents? It comes down to what’s best for kids in the end,” O’Neill said.
“The Vicksburg community is a supportive family that doesn’t get in the way of achievement. We have a talented staff with awesome teachers. This is my home and I want our education system to be the very best,” he said. “I’m a life-long learner but learning is about failing along the way. I’m ready for this opportunity and hope to continue to grow what we have that is so positive.”
by Justin Gibson | Jun 13, 2018 | Community, Schools, Vicksburg
The Brush family from left to right: Reese (11), his wife Jen, Preston (10), Adam, Paige (7).
The Vicksburg Board of Education has promoted Adam Brush to high school principal. He has served as assistant principal for the last eight years, working closely with Keevin O’Neill, who will take over as superintendent on July 1.
“He is familiar with the building culture and the team throughout the school,” Superintendent Charlie Glaes announced. Brush’s wife, Jen, is the computer technician in the middle school. The couple have two sons and a daughter named Reese, Preston, and Paige.
by Justin Gibson | Jun 13, 2018 | Community, Vicksburg
Hugh and Kitch Rinehart made a presentation to the Calco Quilters Guild of Battle Creek. In May, 21 of their members came to the Vicksburg District Library to learn how to paint barn quilts so they can organize a quilt trail in Calhoun County. Here is their handiwork.
The Vicksburg Historical Society is announcing the 6th and final Barn Quilt Painting Workshop. It will be Saturday, July 14, from noon-4 p.m. at Vicksburg District Library. Paint your very own 2×2-foot barn quilt, suitable for a shed or garage, for $40. Space is limited; phone 269-329-0481 to reserve a spot. It will be a colorful afternoon, said Kitch Rinehart, organizer and originator of the Barn Quilt Trail in Vicksburg.
by Justin Gibson | Jun 13, 2018 | Community, Vicksburg
Colleen Carpenter and Dani Carpenter-Littel stand in front of a sign of the times at the Long Lake Roller Rink.
By John Fulton
If you grew up in Vicksburg, you know many folks who made at least a few trips to the Long Lake Roller Rink. After 65 years of continuous operation serving southwest Michigan by the Carpenter family, Long Lake Roller Rink is closing June 1.
The property had been a restaurant and public beach known as Summer Home Park before Robert and Alta Carpenter opened it as a roller rink in 1952. Robert, known as Bertie, had returned from military service in WW II. Alta, known as Al, had been working at the local North Lake Roller Rink. Bertie and Al met at her work place before he shipped out. He taught her how to skate.
In the 1960s, they had an old school bus. Bertie would drive to Portage schools and pick up kids, bringing them to Long Lake to skate. They stayed for a couple of hours and Bertie took them back. The Carpenters probably didn’t anticipate the 65 years and thousands and thousands of lives that would be touched by them through this hometown rink in 1952.
In 1958 the Carpenters added the main rink and the property became the only area rollar skating facility with two rinks. This made it the largest in the area, but still small for the country, according to Dani Carpenter-Littel, their daughter. On busy holiday weekends over 1,000 people would come to skate. Still today, 300-plus come to skate on weekends. The heydays of skating were 1952-1968. The 90’s saw a resurgence she said.
The Carpenters’ two daughters that took over running the rink. Colleen Carpenter started working in the family business in 1983. Dani joined Colleen in 1991 working as a team, although the sisters had worked at the rink growing up there.
Colleen ran the floor, programming and the pro shop. Dani ran admissions, booking and public relations. “We grew up living under the roller rink. I was answering the phone at age three and we got on the school bus in front of the rink. We just accepted this as normal,”, Dani remembers.
Dani said, “I will miss the kids the most. The kids that skated with us are really good kids. They care about each other, they’re welcoming, and they help each other out. We could tell when there were problems at home by the behavior of the kids.”
“A roller rink is a lot like a church,” she added. “Attendance is generational and you might drive an hour to visit another rink, but you come back to your home rink. There is a lot more spiritual that went on at this roller rink than people realize. You can know a lot about a rink based on the music they play. We never played music that contained violence, sexual content or was demeaning to any group.”
The Carpenter sisters as kids did not belong to a church because every church came to the rink. They heard regular sermons and homilies all while in their skates at the rink. Dani said, “We learned that Christ reaches out to all of us in different ways.”
One young boy, Virgil, stands out in her memory. Both Virgil ‘s parents were in jail and his life was challenging in many ways. He showed up at the rink and was angry and frustrated that he could not skate. Dani reached out to him in conversation and Virgil noticed her prayer beads hanging nearby.
Virgil slid the beads on his wrist and said, “They almost fit.” Dani asked, “’Would you like to keep them?’ I told Virgil he could have them if he went back out and practiced the skating Miss Colleen had taught him. He went and did a darn good job.”
Dani doesn’t know what became of Virgil, but she hopes and prays that carrying those beads changed his life.
Dani said “I am at peace with the closing, but a low might come. I need some time to decompress. I hope our guests will find other places to skate.” When asked for her parting comment, Dani said, “Just keep skating with your kids. Skating is one of the few sports families can do together. It is healthy, wholesome and fun.”
