Varsity Football Front row: Trey Willmont, Storm Schrader, Hunter Bell, Zachary Kline, Grant Daniels 2nd row: Mitchell Beyer, George Willmont, Braylen Vallier, Cayden Chapman, Lauro Hernandez, Travis Hostetler, Anthony Marchase, Bowan Miller, Dillyn VanHeukelum, Cohen Balle 3rd row: Gage Schiedel, Donnie Yant, Nathan Hess, Breckin Meeks, Maguire Bowles, Aroldo Mendoza, Mason Kreitner, Leland Taylor, Cameron Mendez, Michael Johnson, James Jones 4th Row: Riddock Rork, Brody Glenn, Korbin Dugan, Keegan Searles, Jordon Butler, Brayden Dugray, Luke Deal, Kameron Kessler, Preston Brush, Corban Cox, Isiah Elliot, Drake Henderson 5th Row: Assistant Coach Kurt Phelps, Head Coach Tom Marchase, Assistant Coach Tim Kirby
JV Red Football Front row: Graham Kubiak, Braden Jimenez, Nicholas Simon, Jr., Evan Schiedel, Easton Moughton, Spencer Spicer, Ryan Gruber, Quincy Schwartz Middle Row: Jayden Keiser, Bryce Johnson, Leonel Hernandez, Hunter Roberts, Trenton Heumann, Bryson Cox, Benjamin Mills Back Row: Moses Fisher, Brady Allison, Assistant Coaches Derek Gribler, Travis Van, Roger Van, Head Coach Cody Caswell, Bo Vallier, Rocco Marchese
JV White Football Front row: Matthew Martin, Nathan Vallier, Bryce Bosker, Owen Bailey, Camden Kuiper, Cayden King, Wyatt Wolbrink 2nd row: Andrew Doorlag, Tristan Perez, Logan Smith, Domanik Emmons, Calvin Pease, Ryan Mason, Mason Grossett, Logan Braysher 3rd row: Kody Speelman, Hunter Glaes, Brady Myers, Ayden McCleary, Seth Bailous, Anthony Foote, Aaron Dugray, Hendrik Matthews, Samuel Hildebrand, Brady Horning Back row: Head Coach Ryan Vallier, Assistant Coach Craig Lomason
Varsity Volleyball Front row: Kayla Chisholm, Lena Lancaster, Madison Kanouse, Jenna Schramer, Izabella Beilby, Hailey Havera Back row: Head Coach Jennifer Buikema, Hannah DeVries, Natalie Sertic, Addison Naplin, Brynn Swetz, Ava Deryke, Scarlett Hosner, Emma Vallier
JV Volleyball Front row: Elise Howard, Emma Boudrie, Madison Cooley, Livia Kline, Harper Roy Back row: Emma Statemeier, Sophie Ellis, Lyla Veldt, Makenna Burr, Trinity Northrup, Head Coach Zoie Appleberry
Freshman Volleyball Front row: Elliana Malito, Sophie Ellis, Brooklyn Thrash, Madelyn Kaye, Alyssa Ambs Back row: Camlyn Reed, Zoey Triemstra, Head Coach Kennedy Pilger, Audri Pyne, Sofia Martin, Carissa Greet
Varsity Golf Riley Wiessner, Camryn Rosier, Leah McIlvain, Olivia Penney, Ella Luegge, Karlie Klinger, Haiely Zagar, Emily West, Sydney Hambright, Head Coach Jared Meyer Not pictured: Riley Blamer
JV Golf Coach Denny Roehm, Vivian Washburn, Camryn Rosier, Lexi Triemstra, Ava Moberly, Peyton Pidgeon, Lydia Root, Madison Cooper
Varsity Tennis Front row: Giovanni Gangloff, Wesley Post, Maddox Rosalin, Elias Ryder, Ryan Haddix, Caden Town Back row: Coach Nick Foley, Thomas Christiansen, Gaige Patnoude, Grant VanWoert, Reese Brush, Jordan Diekman, Sawyer Kite, Coach Warner Offord Jr.
JV Tennis Front row: Coach Nick Foley, Drake Reitenour, Spencer Sertic, Landon Enderich, Braedon Akans, Asant Ivens, Samuel Platte Back row: Caleb Bombich, Mario Potes del Rio, Andrew Chang, Skyler Ridenour, Mason Rose, Griffin Schiedel
JV Cheer Front row: Kendall Valitchka, Natalie Pierce, Hallie Pike Middle row: Ava Griffioen, Ajeyah Seaburg, Malena Daubitz, Lucia Velez San Jose, Aleksandra Schwaiko-Belanger Back row: Coach April Reed-Pilate, Cashae McFerrin, Carina Hall, Dakta Allgaier, Lily Caster
Equestrian Assistant Coach Karin Fleetwood, Assistant Coach Dawn Steele, Sophia Stuart, Madelyn Miersma, Kenzie Horning, McKenna Miersma, Katherine Wilcox, Head Coach Mike Fleetwood
Cross Country Front row: Sawyer Sutherland, Skye Smith, Grayson Campbell, Devon Alberto-Loosier, Ashton Laham, Hunter Smith Back row: DJ Sehy, Isaac Sandelin, Everett Radgens, Carson Summerfield, Drew Roiniotis, Caiden Caswell, Coach Lucas Wolthuis Not pictured: Ethan Jastifer and Brighton Lam
Cross Country Front row: Autumn Sehy, Kailyn VanSickle, Maya Grossman, Solana Sutherland, Sophie Leach, Rylie Courtney, Corinne Malocha Back row: Coach Lucas Wolthuis, Sophia Stuart, Renna Caswell, Paige Brush, Addison Wurfel, Reagan Triemstra, Tessa Genereaux, Zoey Ridenour Not pictured: Madison Pilate
Varsity Soccer Front row: Jack Qualls, Dylan Johson, Gunner Young, Ethan Brandau, Jack Barclay, Benjamin Culver, Holden Unangst, Mason Pero, Isaac Byrne, Daymon Witters Back row: Coach Josh Cardosa, Jeff VanDoren, Ian Triemstra, Caleb Jastifer, Kayden Seymore, Jake VanDoren, Austin Androsky, Malachi McClelland, Alexander Geiger, Valentin Emge, Juda McClelland, Coach Lahou Boulnemour
JV Soccer Front row: Osmar Polanco Ortiz, Holden Unangst, Mason Pero, Isaac Byrne, Riley Shears Back row: Josh Cardosa, Kellan Ferris, Kayden Seymour, Reed DeGraaf, Brett Hagerman, Dylan Johnson, Dante Halstead, Braeden Kay
Susan Zhang and Nick Luby, Gilmore artists. Photo by Audrey Seilheimer.
By Mike Phillips
Some of us don’t know much about classical music, but we can still enjoy and appreciate great performances even though we aren’t familiar with the genre. One evening last month, there was a fascinating program of piano music at the corner of Main Street and Prairie in downtown Vicksburg.
On this particularly hot and humid summer evening, the village hosted “The Concert Truck.” The rig is a traveling 16-foot box truck that unfolds like a piece of origami into a sophisticated concert stage with built-in sound and lighting. This summer the truck has been traveling throughout the region providing free concerts in city streets, neighborhoods and small towns. The sophisticated mobile concert stage was provided in association with the Irving S. Gilmore Piano Festival. The evening’s free concert was supported in part by the Vicksburg Foundation.
The Concert Truck is co-managed by two accomplished young pianists, Nick Luby and Susan Zhang. Both musicians have long educational credentials and have performed around the world. On this summer evening their program included classical romantic, Spanish, and waltz pieces written for piano duets – two musicians seated at one piano performing with four hands. The evening’s selections were rich and melodic; the pianists adeptly choreographed their arrangements with finesse and flair. Interspersed in the evening’s program were two solo piano pieces performed by each artist. This included a modern composition that Nick played that sounded considerably more percussive than melodic, an interesting contrast to the rest of the evening’s program.
A quick head count came up with at least 120 people at the concert. Although outdoors, the music coming from the electronic piano and sound system onstage was loud and clear. The stage also seemed to have some structural properties that enhanced acoustic projection.
During intermission, one of the smiling and approachable technical managers was asked whether The Concert Truck ever traveled with an acoustic piano. The manager said that while the truck could accommodate a large piano, summer heat and humidity would invariably render an acoustic instrument out of tune.
He went on to describe the technical aspects that went into making the digital piano sound as natural as possible. It was loud, but that turned out to be a good thing. During the concert there were more than a few rumbling, revving trucks and cars cruising up and down Prairie Street. Thanks to the amplified piano, those vehicles were a minimal distraction.
Zhang and Luby, together and individually, were masterful and compelling performers. They played with verve and intensity. But between pieces they were smiling and relaxed and appeared very glad to be here. The Gilmore’s community outreach was greatly appreciated by those in attendance. At the end of the concert, the audience across the casual and comfortable setting of Oswalt Park gave the two pianists a standing ovation.
Is this technically a biker gang? Fall Bike Celebration participants are ready to ride.
Scenic rides, kids’ bike rodeo, Farmers Market cycle-in, guided tours – and that’s not all.
This year’s Fall Bike Celebration Weekend offers a 7+ route bike tour – including gravel rides, a kid’s bike rodeo, a Farmers Market cycle-in, guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village and live and online presentations during the September 20-22 weekend.
The weekend also highlights attractions in and around our charming village of Vicksburg and raises awareness of the need to bike safely as the hours of darkness increase during the fall, with the help of many organizations in and around Vicksburg. Put together by Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, the celebration has consistently been followed by generous donations to local non-profits – so the more riders, the better! For full details, see http://www.fallbikecelebration.org.
Two main events are scheduled for Friday Sept. 20. The first 30 shoppers who bicycle to the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market can receive a $5 coupon good for purchases at the market. Another offering allows the public to schedule guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village.
A free Bike Rodeo for children from the entire area is planned for the morning of Saturday Sept 21, courtesy of Safe Kids of Kalamazoo County and Vicksburg Community Schools. Bike rodeos like this teach and encourage kids to ride bikes safely on a closed course set up with fun and realistic traffic patterns and signs. Families with kids or an interest in child safety and education are encouraged to participate. The rodeo will include a helmet check, bike mechanical checks and a chance to have fun while learning the rules of the road. Saturday will also feature guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village, a bicycle mural exhibit and an ice cream social at Apple Knockers Ice Cream Parlor with a cone for pre-registered riders. On-line rider registrants will also receive a discount at the Distant Whistle Brewhouse.
On Sunday Sept. 22 the Fall Bike Celebration bike tour – this year presented by Opalescence Dental – will offer routes that will take cyclists back in time, starting and ending at the lovingly restored Vicksburg Historic Village while featuring views of Vicksburg Quilt Trail paintings. Cyclists can pick from scenic destinations all the way to Shipshewana, routes that include Michigan’s longest covered wooden bridge, Scotts Mill Park, the Village of Climax, as well as bite-sized family-friendly routes. Back for 2024 are mixed surface gravel routes that will stop by Rawson’s King Mill Park in Leonidas.
“Vicksburg welcomes bicyclists and encourages everyone from the region to enjoy the Fall Bike Celebration,” said Bill Adams, former Vicksburg village president. “We are grateful for the support of the generous sponsors and wonderful in-kind supporters who make this fantastic fall bicycle festival possible.”
The weekend-long event is organized by civic leaders and local charities as well as Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, offering many reasons to have fun and ride, showcasing local amenities while emphasizing the need for motorist and bicyclist safety. Some activities are free, some require waivers and some may require children to be accompanied by an adult. The Kalamazoo Bicycle Club is donating 5-foot safe-passing yard signs to event participants and volunteers. Registration for Sunday’s ride is at https://fallbikecelebration.org/registration/.
“This year the Fall Bike Celebration Weekend will be more exciting and enjoyable than ever,” said Chair Paul Selden. “We invite everyone to enjoy all or part of the entire weekend.”
Bike Friendly Kalamazoo (BFK) is a Michigan non-profit organization whose mission is to help make our greater community even more bicycle friendly. Its programs include funding the All Kids Bike Learn to Ride Kindergarten PE program, public murals, grants and scholarships to support bicycle/motorist safety, education and infrastructure, while fostering collaboration among local leaders and organizations to improve the quality of life. Website: www.bikefriendlykalamazoo.org.
Autumn is upon us, and looking to the leaves, their soon-to-be striking display is just a hint. This time of year often evokes a strong sense of transition. With this season shifting into the next, progress of the period invites us to look back and celebrate our collective history.
The Vicksburg Historical Society welcomes all to the 14th Annual Harvest Festival at the Vicksburg Historic Village on September 29. This entertaining educational event, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., promises a day filled with family-friendly activities, live craft demonstrations, and a chance to step back and experience early 20th-century village life.
The Harvest Festival has become a beloved tradition in Vicksburg, drawing residents and visitors alike to the Historic Village, a charming collection of buildings that showcase the area’s history. This year’s festival will be no exception, offering a wide range of activities for all ages. The village buildings will be open for tours, giving guests the opportunity to explore the general store, print shop, and other historical structures that capture the essence of middle America during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.
Lauding local agriculture is a deep value of the festival, and at the pavilion, vendors from the Farmers’ Market will showcase bountiful area produce, finely crafted items, lovely baked goods, and all manner of interesting curios. Come hungry, as visitors can sample an amazing variety of food trucks and stalls offering delectable treats. Children will find plenty to enjoy with pumpkin painting, old-fashioned games, and a large animal zone, while adults can browse fiber art demonstrations or learn about the linotype machine in the print shop. The festival also offers a unique opportunity to discover more about the history of Vicksburg through guided tours and storytelling sessions led by knowledgeable volunteers.
Last year, the pumpkin decorating contest was expanded to allow teens and adults to compete, and this year will continue that. Ahead of the event, children aged 5 to 12, teenagers, and adults can enter a pumpkin decorating competition for prestige and prizes. This contest requires entries to be delivered to the Depot Museum on Saturday, September 28 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applications for the pumpkin decorating contest will be available online at vicksburghistory.org and at the Depot Museum on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in September.
Generous Hands and South County Community Services will have lots of little gourds to be festooned in stickers, markers, and imagination. While children decorate, they can also engage in locally made games for fun and treats. The Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center will once again have a creation station inspiring artistic endeavors in all ages. As always, a secret word and picture search will get the kids scrambling all over the Historic Village seeking clues to solve an omitted phrase. At the headquarters tent, attendees can submit guesses of a homegrown pumpkin’s weight and throughout the grounds they can participate in a 50/50 raffle.
This year, the Harvest Festival will feature some new attractions like fun photo opportunities to pop your head though and immortalize the day. We’ll also have returning favorites like horse-drawn hay wagon rides, woodturning demonstrations, face painting, and all sorts of neat animals to pet and appreciate. The Vicksburg Historical Society’s 1931 Ford Model A will be available to ferry folks on short rides. All along the gravel path, visitors will be able to see antique tractors and farm machinery up close.
All the buildings in the Historic Village, many that have been relocated and restored, will be open for tours. Friendly and knowledge guides will be in each to explain the history of the print shop, general store, Doris Lee Sweet Shop, schoolhouse, township hall, garage, and farmhouse. The Vicksburg Historical Society and Historic Village are open during the fall on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for researching and viewing the collection of artifacts at the Depot Museum and on the grounds. The Harvest Festival is organized by the Vicksburg Historical Society, and we look forward to welcoming all, rain or shine, on the last Sunday in September.
Front row: Angie & Faith Schiedel, Pat Cline, Janet Kosacek, Liz Polasek, Mary Evelyn Wills, Debbie McLoud-Delaney. Back row: Ken Weichhand, Marilyn Weichhand, Lisa Irwin, Ron Markan, Tim Delaney.
By Marilyn Weichhand
The 4th annual Walk for the Poor, sponsored by the Vicksburg St. Martin of Tours’ St. Vincent de Paul Society, will be held on Sunday, September 29 at the Vicksburg Recreational Area and Trail. All are welcome to participate and help raise money for people in need. The walk coincides with the Vicksburg Harvest Festival, which is always the last Sunday in September.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a group of volunteers from St. Martin in Vicksburg and St. Edwards in Mendon Catholic churches. It is part of a worldwide community of lay Catholic Christians who join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person services to neighbors in need. The St. Vincent de Paul group works in conjunction with other churches and agencies such as South County Community Services to assist families who live in their service areas. The assistance is primarily for local people that are experiencing rent or utility payment issues. Also, tote bags stocked with personal and household products such as laundry and dish soaps, paper and hygiene products are delivered to many families as extra assistance.
The Walk for the Poor is an opportunity to participate in a community activity that offers immediate physical and emotional rewards to the walkers, and future rewards for those who will need a helping hand in coming months. If you are unable to attend, you can still be a part of this effort by donating or sponsoring another walker. The distance walked is set by each participant.
Last year there were 35 walkers. Many solicited donations from friends, family, co-workers and local businesses. Because of these generous donations the St. Vincent de Paul group was able to help 117 families in need this past year. The goal for this year is to significantly increase the number of walkers and amount of money raised.
On September 29, participants should meet at the Recreational Area and Trail off 12538 S Sprinkle Rd. Registration forms for walkers and information about donations is available on the St. Martin of Tours parish website at http://www.stmartinvicksburg.org . On-site registration begins at 1 p.m. at the registration tent near the parking lot, and the walk begins at 1:30. The trail will be marked for distance and walkers may opt to join others at a comfortable pace or set their own pace and distance.
Please consider participating or donating in this most worthwhile event. If you have any questions, please call St. Martin of Tours Church at (269) 640-1629 ext. 3 and leave a message for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
HairMania entertained the crowd at the B&B with hard rock covers from the 1980s.
By Deb Stafinski, Lions Club member
The Vicksburg Lions Summer B&B Festival was a huge success thanks to all who attended, all who volunteered, and all of our sponsors who generously provide a variety of goods and services.
Success is measured in several ways, but most importantly, we find joy in knowing that everyone who showed up had a great experience! That was evident on Thursday when families came in to enjoy a meal of dogs, brats and kraut. The kids lined up to play games, get their portraits drawn, receive balloon creations, and explore a police car and a fire truck. The arts and crafts table was busy as well as the Lions KidsSight vision screening as the anticipation grew for the Magic Show! The finale consisted of a drawing for eight $50 gift cards donated by Meijer.
Friday was open for lunch with many local businesses ordering from our takeout menu. This is a great treat for employees as they get ready for the weekend. Friday evening started off with a bang as 100 participants showed up to throw bags in the annual Cornhole Tournament! The winners were Trenton VanderBor and Sawyer Durian. The Back Roads Band delivered the music throughout the evening and fun was had by all.
Saturday opened with the traditional Vicksburg High School 50+ Year Reunion with the class of 1974 as the honored guests bringing the attendance to around 170. The gathering was the social event of the year with stories of days gone by, recognition of old but dear friends, and some renewed acquaintances! The Horse Shoe Tournament, which happens simultaneously, featured 84 participants and provided another entertainment venue. The winners were locals Ryan Bright and Mitchell Wilson.
The Saturday evening entertainment, back by popular demand, featured HairMania! The dance floor was packed with energized fans from 8 p.m. until midnight! What an amazing evening!
Special thanks go out to Dennis and Karen Walther, John and Phillis Martens, Lions KidsSight Team, Family Fare of Vicksburg, Meijer, Prudential Nursery, Byholt Inc., Lewis C. Howard Inc., Paper City Development LLC., Vicksburg Community Schools and the Village of Vicksburg.
