A Vicksburg-area man has successfully managed to intertwine his love for architecture with his affinity for the pipe organ.
The result is William Mollema’s 29th Street house, which easily falls into the you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it category.
When Mollema bought the 20-acre property in the 1970s, every aspect of what would be the house sitting there today – a house he built himself – was designed to accommodate a theater organ and its 5,000 individual pipes.
Obviously, there’s a backstory as intriguing as the house itself. It starts with Mollema’s introduction into the world of music.
“I studied piano and organ with a fellow who also happened to be an organ technician and tuner, and he owned a music store where I worked through high school,” said Mollema, a native of Owosso. “Fast forward to 1961 and I was a freshman at Kalamazoo College, where part of my working scholarship was taking care of musical instruments, particularly (the organ) at Stetson Chapel.”
Mollema, who has been playing keyboards since he was 4 years old, explains how his fascination with a pipe organ housed at his church in Owosso would contribute to a career centering on the instrument.
“My interest in it had been piqued in the Rube-Goldberg nature mechanically, not so much musically,” the 79-year-old Mollema said. “I came to eventually play the organ through working with my mentor, the fellow who had the music store. He was also a technician, so I learned to tune and maintain pipe organs from him. Then I continued that while I was at college through a working grant as part of a scholarship.”
He would go on to complete a fruitful 30-year career as an organ salesman/installer/repairman/tuner for Chicago-based Wicks Organ Company.
The story behind the house begins with a double-A-frame church in Grand Rapids in which Mollema installed an organ in the early 1970s. When Mollema bought the 29th Street property, the compelling look of that Grand Rapids church stuck in his mind as he drafted blueprints. In short, Mollema designed the house with acoustics in mind and accommodations for the subsequent installation of the pipes.
He started construction in spring 1976, moving in two years later. Meanwhile, after collecting pipes and other organ pieces beginning during his high school years, Mollema in the mid-1990s finally completed the meticulous task of installing the pipes and other components and hooking it all up to the massive theater organ console, centrally positioned in his open-air family room.
The tallest pipes, incidentally, are 16 feet in height; the smallest about the size of a pencil. Mollema’s home organ requires the boost of a 50-horsepower motor housed in his basement.
“Everybody in the neighborhood knows when I start it up because the lights all go dim momentarily throughout the neighborhood,” he joked. “Kidding aside, you can’t hear it outside very much, believe it or not, though you’d be more likely to hear the bass end than you would the treble end, of course.”
A lifelong bachelor, Mollema is a member of the American Theater Organ Society. He said his favorite genre to play is what movie patrons would have heard accompanying a silent picture show back in the 1920s, for example.
Regarding the “Scotts Fox” sign embedded in his front yard, Mollema provided an explanation.
“It’s a nickname and the reason for it is when I started building this house, all my friends knew that I was going to have a theater organ in it, so the Fox reference was a tribute to the Fox Theater organ (in Detroit),” he said. “Despite how close I live to Vicksburg, I have a Scotts mailing address so that’s the story behind Scotts Fox.”
The sign’s letters, incidentally, are actual theater marquee letters from Chicago.
Susan Kalleward, Youth Services Librarian at Vicksburg District Library.
The Vicksburg District Library welcomes a new youth services librarian, Susan Kallewaard. Susan, or Mrs. K, is a Vicksburg resident with a background of 20-plus years teaching children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She is eager to get to know the children and families who use the library.
With the arrival of a new youth services librarian comes the resumption of programming for children and youth. Mrs. K is excited to revive old favorites, Family Story Time, Mugs and Hugs, and Bulldog Break Time, as well as start new programs, such as Bouncing Babies and Teen Break.
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Family Story Time returns on Mondays in January. Children 18 months through four years listen to stories, sing, dance, and play. Family Story Time takes place from 10-10:30 a.m. in the Library’s Lower Level.
Mugs and Hugs is back! Join us on the first and third Wednesdays in January from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for books, rhymes, music, crafts, and peer interaction. The program is geared for ages 18 months through four years.
Bouncing Babies Storytime, designed for babies up to two years old and their caregivers, takes place on Fridays in January from 10-10:30 a.m. Sit on the floor with your baby in your lap to sing, bounce, and hear diverse stories and songs.
Teens & Tweens
Bulldog Break Time is a biweekly event for teens and tweens to get together and have fun. We have crafts, games, social activities, and tasty treats. Bulldog Break Time meets the second and fourth Thursdays in January from 2:45-4:15 p.m. Intended for grades 6-12.
Game Time for teenagers takes place on second and fourth Thursdays in January from 4:15-5:45 p.m. We have a Nintendo Switch and games for people under 18! Designed for grades 6 – 12.
Adults
Adults needn’t feel left out this winter. We have exciting new and returning programs for them, too.
The library‘s Adult Winter Reading Challenge runs December 21 through March 20. Adults earn points for each book or audiobook (5 points) or DVD (3 points) they complete. At 15 points, they earn a prize and an entry into the grand prize drawing. Each additional 5 points earns another entry. Three lucky patrons will win Amazon gift cards for $75, $50, and $25.
Craft & Chat is a program for crafty adults. On Tuesday, January 9, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., bring your current craft project (e.g., knitting, crocheting, coloring, cross-stitch, etc.) to work on while chatting with other crafters. There will be show-and-tell for previous crafts and discussion of ideas for future crafts. Coffee and tea will be provided.
Movie Club for Adults and Seniors will watch Little Women (2019). On Thursday, January 19, from 1-4 p.m., everyone over 18 is invited to the library to watch the movie and discuss it afterward. Popcorn and drinks are provided.
On February 4 from 1-4 p.m., Sue Smink will run a Valentine’s Day card-making class. Spaces are limited. Registration is required. Call 649-1648 or stop by the Circulation Desk to reserve your place.
Bridge Club, Tai Chi, Writers Roundtable, and Book Club for Adults continue to meet on their usual dates and times. If you have any questions about Vicksburg District Library programs, please stop by or call (269) 649-1648. We look forward to seeing you in January!
Cheri Vander Moren, Director; Brandon Wagner, Children and Youth Ministry; Krystal Witherell, Director of Operations; Jim DeLaBarre, Adult Ministry; Kathy DeLaBarre-Bumpus, Director of Care.
By Kathy DeMott
There’s a new place to worship in the village: the Vicksburg Gathering of Ada Bible Church.
Before relocating to Vicksburg, Andy and Cheri Vander Moren were very active in their previous church, Ada Bible in Grand Rapids. Led by Pastor Jeff Manion since 1983, it has grown into one of the largest churches in the Grand Rapids area, with four campuses. Each campus has its own worship team and children’s ministry, but the teachings are streamed from the main campus.
The Vander Morens were involved in a Portage church for several years. However, Cheri felt God was leading her to bring a modern expression of church to the village of Vicksburg. Her family missed Ada Bible, and her daughter said, “Why can’t we bring our church here?”
They connected with another local couple, Scott and Shelley Tindall, who had previously attended Ada Bible and missed the teachings and relationships. In May of 2020, during COVID, the Vander Morens, Tindalls, along with Jim and Rebecca DeLaBarre, started the Vicksburg Gathering of Ada Bible Church meeting at Indian Run Golf Course. “For six months, it was just our three families, but then we began to grow,” reminisced Cheri.
On Sunday December 18, 2022, The Vicksburg Gathering of Ada Bible officially celebrated its new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 117 S. Kalamazoo Ave. They welcomed the community, and acknowledged the local partnerships and attendees who helped make this a reality. Cheri, who leads The Gathering, said, “Our vision is to tap into ‘big church’ resources and bring a modern church experience to our small-town community. We want to be here to love, serve, and share the love of Christ to the people of Vicksburg. The mission of the church is to lead people into a relationship with God and his church that transforms them to Christ-likeness.” The core values are evangelism, healthy relationships, service to others, and radical generosity. “We are here for each other, to walk through difficult things together, with love and vulnerability.”
The Vicksburg Gathering is unique because it the only church in Vicksburg that video-streams the teaching and worship from another campus. As the Gathering grows, a worship team will develop. It is completely led by volunteers with a growth path to eventually include pastoral staff.
Brandon and Stephanie Wagner lead Discovery Village children’s ministry. Brandon oversees Life Line, a youth ministry for middle and high school students. Brandon said, “We want to provide a safe and welcoming place, have fun, and learn about Jesus. We want kids to know they are seen, they matter, and are not alone.” As a father and coach, he has a passion for teaching and youth.
Rebecca DeLaBarre leads the women’s ministry and shares, “For many women there is a need and longing for relationship and community.” Her husband and director of adult ministries, Jim, is overseeing the launch of the men’s group. It focuses on relevant topics, bible studies, and supporting each other. Krystal Witherell is director of operations and hospitality. Kathy DeLaBarre-Bumpus is the director of care and oversees collection of donations and local needs.
Church services are Sundays at 10 a.m.
For more information on The Vicksburg Gathering go to Facebook @Vicksburg.gathering.ada.bible or email vicksburggathering@gmail.com.
A portion of the new staff at Vicksburg Community Schools.
By Jef Rietsma
Nearly two dozen new members of the Vicksburg Community Schools family were introduced at the district’s Dec. 12 board of education meeting.
The formal introduction of new staff is typically done in December, affording the seven-member board an opportunity to place a face with a name.
Superintendent Keevin O’Neill said the following list represents only those who were in attendance at the board’s monthly meeting. He noted several current employees have taken over new jobs within the district but were not introduced with new staff. For example, former fourth-grade teacher Amanda Lewis still works at Sunset Lake Elementary School but now serves as its student services coordinator, a new position.
“I’m very excited about our December meeting, as usual, because we get to welcome some very new and talented people to the Vicksburg Community Schools family,” O’Neill said.
Board President Skip Knowles offered a welcome to the new staff members. He also had a message for VCS alumni.
“It’s good to see some of our Vicksburg grads back, it’s always good to have you all come home,” he said. “It is great, we’re proud of you, we think you’ve made a good choice and it makes me feel very good to hear that you feel supported because that is the name of the game. What you do is important. Welcome.”
Vicksburg High School
Nicole Bruggema, math teacher and freshman volleyball coach Megan Schlabach, CTE agriscience teacher Lauri Gordon, SEL Coordinator/Student Services
Vicksburg Middle School
Michelle Wistinghausen, science teacher Joe Wing, media specialist Joe Werkema, assistant principal Matt Brussee, social studies teacher and intro to computer science Ryan Vallier, special education Alexa Neumann, English and ESL teacher Jenna Khan, middle school and high school Spanish
Sunset Lake Elementary School
Alex Schmidtendorff, second-grade teacher Kelly Sanchez, third-grade teacher Kristen Snook, media specialist Jill Braman, first-grade teacher Cristina Ebert, third-grade teacher Rebecca Wing, fourth-grade teacher Rasman Gertners, special education Brenda Warner, first-grade teacher Samantha Witters, fifth-grade teacher Kristin Kite, fourth-grade teacher
Left: Coach Tim Kirby surrounded by his ranked team. Right: Vicksburg’s #10, Scarlett Hosner.
By Travis Smola
The Vicksburg varsity girls’ basketball team is off to its best start in years thanks to a deep roster of talent. The start of the season was highlighted with Head Coach Tim Kirby’s 50th career win coaching for the Bulldogs. The team surprised him with a celebration with balloons after a 56-35 victory over Three Rivers that was never in question.
“I honestly didn’t know it was my 50th win until they just did that, so that’s cool,” Kirby said. “Honestly, I’m just proud of my girls, we’re off to an incredible start. I knew I had a pretty good team, but you know they play so well together, they play so hard!”
The teams started off the season with a 47-42 win over Buchanan, and over the next six wins, the team had six different leading scorers.
“That’s a great problem to have. They share the ball so well with one another, they want to see each other succeed, they play hard,” Kirby said.
Among the highlights was a 37-20 win over Schoolcraft, who narrowly defeated the Bulldogs in their matchup last year. The team also picked up wins over Otsego, Traverse City West, Paw Paw, Niles, and Plainwell.
Against Three Rivers, the Wildcats kept the game close in the first half as the Bulldogs led 30-26. In the second half, Vicksburg took over and kept expanding the lead. Kendra Cooley scored nine points in the second half alone. Hannah Devries was right behind her with six second-half points. Emma Steele also added a couple field goals in the second half. The Bulldogs saw some excellent defense from Scarlett Hosner, Maddison Diekman, and Makayla Allen.
Kirby said the depth of the Bulldogs has been just one key factor of what has made their team so tough to compete against this season. Vicksburg was able to consistently cycle in new players which quickly wore down the defenses of the Wildcats.
“You know, we didn’t shoot the ball well tonight, but I kind of told them in the locker room, I believe we have more than anyone else does,” Kirby said. “We can run, and we can wear teams out. We have so many different weapons that can do things for us. So, if one of the girls isn’t having a great night, I have other girls that can step up and do it.
“We’ve got some length in our zone, length in our wing that causes girls problems, causes teams problems,” Kirby added. “When we’re active in that zone and we don’t just stand there, when we get active, we’re hard to score on sometimes.”
The girls have a good chance of getting to double-digit wins with a perfect record intact after the break. They picked up their eighth win of the season against Plainwell 53-36. Then they will face struggling Portage Northern, Sturgis, and Niles teams in their first three matches in January before a tougher matchup with Edwardsburg. Kirby is excited by the possibilities this season might be lining up for them.
“Fifty wins is cool, but I can’t do it without great players, and hopefully we get a lot more,” Kirby said.
The Vicksburg varsity boys’ basketball team is off to a bit of a rough start in its 2022 campaign. The team is 1-5 through their first five games with their only victory coming on a nail-biting 65-64 victory over Paw Paw at home.
The other games haven’t been close against Schoolcraft, Charlotte, Niles, and Three Rivers. However, the boys didn’t go down without a fight against their rivals the Wildcats on the road. Grant Anderson was the leading scorer for the Bulldogs with 11 points and some key rebounds in the contest. Three of his points came on free throws. R.J. Vallier was the next highest scorer with eight points, six of those coming from threes.
Carter Brown, Garrett Schramer both had six points in the contest. Austin Androsky and Luke Bainter had four. Gabe Ryder had a single three. Cohen Carpenter had two, and Cody Hatridge and Lucas Johnson both had a single free throw to round out the scoring.
Despite the final score, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead in the first by about six points before Three Rivers came roaring back. From there, the Bulldogs had a hard time matching the speed and rebounding ability of the Wildcats.
Vicksburg lost their last game before the break against Plainwell 53-40. However, the good news is that the boys will have a chance to get some of those wins back after winter break is over. The first three games include winless Portage Northern before they face off against 2-2 Sturgis.
