Scenes from a parade: At left, the Jennings family watches from the sidewalk. Middle: Parade goers on the west side of South Main Street. Right: Nick DeVito. Photos by Audrey Seilheimer.
By Audrey Seilheimer
It was a slow, overcast cloud front that moved in grey billows across the Village of Vicksburg as people began lining up for the 5 p.m. Homecoming Parade October 6. A slow drizzle did not deter anyone. Viewers stood under awnings and overhangs along storefronts of village businesses.
Each table in front of Jaspare’s and other places in the social district was filled as people sat under umbrellas and canopies, sipping Oktoberfest beer from the Distant Whistle and other drinks from nearby establishments. Some folks wore winter coats. Some were still wearing shorts!
Dustin, Olivia and Stella Jennings came down to see the parade, even though they had no students in the procession. “Vicksburg is such a nice place for our family to enjoy things like this. All of the community events are happy. We both feel fortunate to be here and we’re raising our family here. It’s just a really good fit for us because of how friendly, inclusive and positive the community is, but it’s not far from things near the city,” Mrs. Jennings said. “It’s got its own vibe.”
My son, a fifth grader, ran off with a couple of his school friends to the other side of the street because “that’s where the most candy will be given out,” one friend had advised him. His buddy came prepared with a plastic bag, and my son pulled out his deep sweatshirt pockets to show he had a place to stash the anticipated sugary loot. This was his first homecoming parade, so he wasn’t sure what to expect.
The Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce president, Nick DeVito, owner of Nick’s Barbershop a few doors down, had dressed and placed a life-sized Ninja Turtle as a Bulldog football player outside his shop. Another tiny parade-goer spotted it and was overcome with excitement; he had a similar action figure in his hands. “This Ninja Turtle traveled across the county to be here in Vicksburg!” Nick explained as he generously moved it for the child to get a fist bump and a closer look.
At 5, we heard the marching band as it rounded the corner and turned onto Main Street.
Following the band and color guard, floats from each of the Vicksburg High School classes came down the street. Freshman through senior classes competed by decorating four wheelers or golf carts, expressing this year’s homecoming theme: Fast Food Chains. Then cars and trucks passed by, holding homecoming court couples, waving from under umbrellas at parade-goers.
Each age group of the Vicksburg Rocket Football Program was represented, along with other sports such as the volleyball team and cheerleaders of every age. Local companies and businesses sponsored large trucks which towed football themed floats featuring different professional teams, including the Detroit Lions, with a giant, plush stuffed lion gracing the top of one of the vehicles.
A fire engine from South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority’s fleet sounded its horn, making everyone jump back and applaud.
You could really feel the homecoming spirit and smalltown pride under the umbrellas on a damp Friday night in October.
Vicksburg Historical Society volunteer Brayden Geesaman with Vicksburg second graders during their annual field trip at the Historic Village. Right: Vicksburg Historical Society trustee Kelly Cree with Vicksburg second graders in the farmhouse.
By Carole McEdwards, Vicksburg Historical Society board member
Have you wondered about the beautiful Historic Village as you wandered over to the Farmer’s Market in the summer, or the B & B festivities in July? There is a lot happening in the Historic Village, like school tours, Harvest Fest, and more. You can be a part of the Vicksburg Historical Society by becoming a member, and membership does not require being a volunteer for any activities! The cost of membership is as little as $30 per year, and your dues help cover the cost of our supplies, our Historic Speaker Series, interactive workshops, and historic events.
It is easy to join. Simply go to Vicksburghistory.org, and hit the contribution button. Your dues are tax deductible. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, “The Review”, and an invitation to the annual membership gathering and meeting in April. Refreshments and special guest speakers are featured at that event. Next year we are adding exclusive day trips to other historic locations, museums, and research facilities to our member benefits. At the Supporter level of membership, your name appears on our website, and you receive a special gift in December. Another way to give is to become a member of the Legacy Circle, by making a legacy gift to the Historical Society to benefit future generations. Please contact us at 269-649-1733 or email info@vicksburghistory.org to learn more about the Legacy Circle.
The Vicksburg Historical Society is active in our community. We provide free tours of the Historic Village to many groups, including all Vicksburg second graders, Howardsville Christian K-2, 12th Street Elementary 1st graders, area senior, church, and historical groups. We sponsor a free speaker series, Harvest Fest, and Christmas Card Lane organization. VHS offers archival storage to protect artifacts of local citizens, as well as genealogical research. Inside our buildings are exhibits using the VHS collection, available for viewing to the public. Next year we plan to offer a Hidden History tour downtown! More about that later.
We need your support to ensure this vital organization continues in the preservation of our precious history. Your new membership is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you at our events!
Chris Moore, left, with family and friends. Photo by Taylor Kallio.
The Mill Family Reunion, held on a cold and wet October day, moved indoors this year, where attendees could stay out of the elements, have refreshments, visit with friends and family, and take a self-guided tour of parts of the building. According to Alysse Thomas, hospitality and events coordinator for Paper City LLC, the self-guided tours worked well and allowed “attendees to take their time reminiscing about the experience at The Mill.”
Larry Forsyth’s souvenir boxes.
Around 200 people attended this year’s event, which was themed “Field of Dreams.” “We had a baseball-inspired celebration with popcorn, pretzel, cotton candy and hot dog stations,” says Thomas. “Also, Jackie Koney was there signing and selling copies her book, “It Takes More than Balls,” which is a women’s guide to all things baseball. Larry Forsyth made wooden card boxes that were given as gifts or “souvenirs.”
Chris Moore, the driving force behind Paper City LLC and the Mill Project, spoke to the crowd about the progress made since the project’s inception and the plans for the future.
Always woven into Moore’s conversations are his respect for the history of the building and his recognition of the efforts of those who worked within its walls. His audience can sense his genuine passion for the preservation of the building and its rich history.
Former mill employee Roger Royer appreciates not only Moore’s work at the Mill, but also his “numerous contributions in the downtown of Vicksburg.” Royer, who spent time in economic development, adds that he has “a fond appreciation for those who are willing to risk their personal treasure for the betterment of community.”
Leeanne Seaver, local author and photographer, also attended the indoor event. “The family reunion at the Mill was so great this year because we were all inside the Mill. We got to see the progress close-up… walk through it at our own pace and have a spontaneous conversation with others who were and are a part of the Mill story,” Seaver said. “As someone who never worked there, my connections are all present day. That’s the extraordinary part of the Mill story—it’s still unfolding, and still bringing us together as a community.”
Royer agrees, saying the building is “more than a historic edifice, it is perhaps a true representation of what has been Vicksburg’s past and more importantly what will be its future.”
Many people helped with the event, including John Kern, Prairie Ronde Artist Residency director, who stresses, “It’s an honor for us to provide this type of celebration to the people who have contributed in so many ways to Vicksburg through their work at the mill, both past and present.”
Thomas says the next Mill Family Reunion event will be held in the fall of 2024 in late September or early October.
Book Club for Adults – November 2, December 7 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Discuss a book with the group. At our November meeting, we will discuss “Mrs. Rochester’s Ghost” by Lindsay Marcott and/or “The Wife Upstairs” by Rachel Hawkins. Check with the library for December’s book.
Crafts for Adults – November 14 from 1-3 p.m. Do origami. All you need to bring is yourself.
Evening Writers’ Motivational Group – November 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. (New time!) Report progress, set goals, share resources and advice, and brainstorm your projects with other writers.
Birdwatchers / Nature-Watchers – November 30 from 1-2 p.m. For adults who love to look at birds or nature, whether out in the wild or in your own back yard. Share photos, plans, and tips; learn from your fellow enthusiasts; and tell us about your adventures in nature.
Movie Club: Featuring the Classics – November 27 from 1-3 p.m. Watch “12 Angry Men” at the library with coffee, tea, and cookies.
Adult Coloring – November 10 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. An hour of relaxing coloring, conversation, and hot drinks. All materials provided
National Novel Writing Month – November 2 from 4-5:30 p.m., November 15 from 6-8 p.m., November 19 from 2-4 p.m., November 29 from 6-8 p.m. Drop-in events held in person and on Zoom for everyone trying to write 50,000 words in November. Come write in!
Bridge Club – Join us for our weekly friendly game. Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.-noon.
Tai Chi Class – Weekly class. The community is welcome. Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. and Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Ladies Library Auxiliary Meeting – November 3, December 1 from noon-3 p.m. in our Lower Level.
Youth Events
Mugs and Hugs – November 1 and 15 from 10-10:45 a.m. Stories, rhymes, peer interaction. Ages 4 and below.
Family Storytime – November 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 10-10:30 a.m. Read, sing, and play. Ages 4 and below.
STEAM – November 20 from 11 a.m.-noon and November 9 from 6-7 p.m. Ages 5–11+. Engage in hands-on activities inspiring creativity and problem-solving skills
Lego Club – November 21 from 1-2 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ages 5–11+. Events have suggested themes, but individual creativity is the goal.
Bulldog Break Time – November 9 from 2:45-4:15 p.m. Grades 6-12. A safe space for teens and tweens to get together and have fun. Crafts, games, social activities, and tasty treats provided.
Teen Break – November 9 from 4:15-5:45 p.m. Grades 6-12. Nintendo Switch and games for people under 18! All supplies provided along with fun snacks.
VFW Post 5189 presents Michael Fry as guest speaker for the Vicksburg Veteran’s Day program beginning at 11 a.m. on November 10, 2023 at Sunset Lake Park.
Fry is a retired Marine staff sergeant. He was discharged in September 2018 after more than 13 years of service.
The program will be sponsored by the Village of Vicksburg and VFW Post 5189, with assistance from Scout Troop 251. The ceremony will begin with the Vicksburg High School Chamber Singers singing the national anthem. Troop 251 will present the colors of each armed forces unit to each unit’s fight song. Fifth grade students from Sunset Lake Elementary will also attend, and while the audience recites the Pledge of Allegiance, the students will sign the words, something they have practiced in class. The program will end with the rifle squad firing a three-shot volley. Two members of the Vicksburg High School Band will play Taps.
Vicksburg High School’s marching band, the Big Red Machine, has finished a successful competitive season. It was awarded first place at Otsego, Kenowa Hills, and Portage Central invitationals and second place at the East Kentwood invitational. It received many caption awards for best percussion, best color guard, best music, and best marching throughout many invitationals. The 8th Annual Bulldog Invitational at Vicksburg High School featured 14 high school bands from the state offering up their own varieties of marching show ideas.
Through rain or shine, the Big Red Machine loves to show its audiences all its hard work and dedication. Please look forward to seeing, hearing, and supporting the band in Vicksburg and Kalamazoo Christmas parades coming soon.
