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LatestDimondale Lions Club on its last legs; tribute planned for June 11
Lisa Lee Contributing Writer (Courtesy photo: This May 18, 1983 photo from “The Volunteer” shows...
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LatestRevved Up Resale ready up for Olivet storefront, community engagement
Joanne Williams Editor (Joanne Williams/TCJ: Maggie and Allen Golomski have created an eclectic...
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Eaton County
Eaton County
LatestRare Michigan letters donated by Museum
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer (Deb Malewski/TCJ: An exciting find at the Courthouse Square...
Eaton County
Featured Story

Rare Michigan letters donated by Museum
Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer
(Deb Malewski/TCJ: An exciting find at the Courthouse Square Museum, enabling (left) Rod Weaver, CSA President, to present the Cass/Stevens letters to Alexis Antracoli, Bentley Library Director.)
A remarkable set of early Michigan political documents, letters exchanged between Lewis Cass, Secretary of War under the Andrew Jackson administration, and Stevens T. Mason, Michigan’s territorial governor, were recently donated by the Courthouse Square Association (CSA) in Charlotte to the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, where they will be preserved and made available for future research.
The letters, long held in the CSA museum archives, offer a direct connection to the turbulent years surrounding Michigan’s path to statehood in the 1830s, including the boundary dispute with Ohio known as the Toledo War. The correspondence reflects communication between two of the most significant figures in early Michigan government. Cass served as governor of the Michigan Territory from 1813 to 1831, while Mason, known as the “Boy Governor,” guided Michigan through the final stages of becoming a state between 1834 and 1837.
Curators at the Bentley Historical Library immediately recognized the importance of the documents. Principal Archivist Michelle McClellan described the letters as a “gem” and noted that the last Cass-Mason documents donated to the collection arrived in 1961.
“We at the Bentley are thrilled to receive these letters that are such an important part of early Michigan history,” McClellan said. “They fit chronologically into a series of letters already in the Stevens T. Mason papers and help tell a more complete story of those early years. We deeply appreciate the Courthouse Square Association reaching out to us to place these letters into the existing collection at the Bentley, where they will provide meaningful context for researchers.”
Because the Bentley Historical Library serves as one of the nation’s leading repositories for Michigan historical papers, the transfer ensures the letters will be preserved in climate-controlled archival conditions and integrated into a collection where scholars studying early Michigan politics can easily access them.
“We are happy these documents will now be preserved alongside other important Michigan territorial and statehood records,” said Rod Weaver, president of CSA. “While it is always difficult to part with significant artifacts, placing them where they can be properly conserved and widely studied ensures their historical value will continue to benefit researchers and the public.”
Members of the CSA were introduced to Bentley Library Director Alexis Antracoli, viewed the library’s collection of Cass and Mason documents, and received a tour of the archives from McClellan.
“The more that Michigan archives, museums, and historical societies can learn from one another and reflect together on the rewards and challenges of preserving history, the better,” McClellan said.
The Courthouse Square museum remains committed to preserving and sharing local history through its museum and archives in Charlotte, located at 100 W. Lawrence. When appropriate, the organization also works with larger institutions to ensure historically significant materials receive the highest level of professional care and accessibility.
Charlotte
Charlotte
LatestRare Michigan letters donated by Museum
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer (Deb Malewski/TCJ: An exciting find at the Courthouse Square...
Charlotte
Featured Story

Rare Michigan letters donated by Museum
Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer
(Deb Malewski/TCJ: An exciting find at the Courthouse Square Museum, enabling (left) Rod Weaver, CSA President, to present the Cass/Stevens letters to Alexis Antracoli, Bentley Library Director.)
A remarkable set of early Michigan political documents, letters exchanged between Lewis Cass, Secretary of War under the Andrew Jackson administration, and Stevens T. Mason, Michigan’s territorial governor, were recently donated by the Courthouse Square Association (CSA) in Charlotte to the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, where they will be preserved and made available for future research.
The letters, long held in the CSA museum archives, offer a direct connection to the turbulent years surrounding Michigan’s path to statehood in the 1830s, including the boundary dispute with Ohio known as the Toledo War. The correspondence reflects communication between two of the most significant figures in early Michigan government. Cass served as governor of the Michigan Territory from 1813 to 1831, while Mason, known as the “Boy Governor,” guided Michigan through the final stages of becoming a state between 1834 and 1837.
Curators at the Bentley Historical Library immediately recognized the importance of the documents. Principal Archivist Michelle McClellan described the letters as a “gem” and noted that the last Cass-Mason documents donated to the collection arrived in 1961.
“We at the Bentley are thrilled to receive these letters that are such an important part of early Michigan history,” McClellan said. “They fit chronologically into a series of letters already in the Stevens T. Mason papers and help tell a more complete story of those early years. We deeply appreciate the Courthouse Square Association reaching out to us to place these letters into the existing collection at the Bentley, where they will provide meaningful context for researchers.”
Because the Bentley Historical Library serves as one of the nation’s leading repositories for Michigan historical papers, the transfer ensures the letters will be preserved in climate-controlled archival conditions and integrated into a collection where scholars studying early Michigan politics can easily access them.
“We are happy these documents will now be preserved alongside other important Michigan territorial and statehood records,” said Rod Weaver, president of CSA. “While it is always difficult to part with significant artifacts, placing them where they can be properly conserved and widely studied ensures their historical value will continue to benefit researchers and the public.”
Members of the CSA were introduced to Bentley Library Director Alexis Antracoli, viewed the library’s collection of Cass and Mason documents, and received a tour of the archives from McClellan.
“The more that Michigan archives, museums, and historical societies can learn from one another and reflect together on the rewards and challenges of preserving history, the better,” McClellan said.
The Courthouse Square museum remains committed to preserving and sharing local history through its museum and archives in Charlotte, located at 100 W. Lawrence. When appropriate, the organization also works with larger institutions to ensure historically significant materials receive the highest level of professional care and accessibility.
Olivet
Olivet
LatestRevved Up Resale ready up for Olivet storefront, community engagement
Joanne Williams Editor (Joanne Williams/TCJ: Maggie and Allen Golomski have created an eclectic...
Olivet
Featured Story

Revved Up Resale ready up for Olivet storefront, community engagement
Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/TCJ: Maggie and Allen Golomski have created an eclectic store and a space for family at their brick-and-mortar business on Olivet’s Main Street.)
The bones of a new resale shop in Olivet are the bonds of family. In fact, a family gathering space makes up the backroom of Revved Up Resale, 106 N. Main Street (home of the former My Happy Place shop, which moved across the street).
The large windows of the shop look out on downtown Olivet, and are witness to a resurgence of sorts, some, in thanks to Dawn Davis of My Happy Place, and Revved Up owners Allen and Maggie Golomski.
As the Golomskis were fixing up the shop, which will open soon, friends from Bellevue told them they were looking for a new storefront. Allen and Maggie told them there was a nice one, the former Independent Bank. A few days later, the Dentons hung up their sign, “Tasty Mae’s Donuts and More” coming soon.
Meanwhile, Allen and Maggie are getting their unique shop in order, with the willing help of their family, Jack, 11, Sophie, 12, Aadon, 10 and Aaron, 18, all budding entrepreneurs. Maggie is from Bellevue. Allen comes to Michigan from Florida, first working as a corrections office in Calhoun County and now, coaching sports in Olivet. Maggie was formerly in human relations at a Lansing company.
Inside the store, “We even built an area for the kids to hang out with their friends,” Allen said. A couch, game table and big screen television decorate the area. The table has also hosted family dinners and allowed the Golomskis to talk shop.
Allen has a background in the motor sports business. He became familiar with eBay when he was sourcing and then began selling motorcycle parts.
“eBay was consuming everything I had,” Allen said, so, when they decided to go with resale all the way and then finally open a brick and motor as well, their path to the Olivet venture was sealed.
“We have thrifted all of our lives,” Maggie said. They have shopped thrift stores, bin stores, storage units, estate sales and the like.
Everything is family run, Allen said, from the cleaning of items to the shipping, which often features a personal touch for buyers, like comical stickers.
Their Facebook site describes the shop featuring “random weird stuff, shoes, clothing, and vintage and antique finds.” And if a customer can’t find something, they will find it for them.
Maggie says they will also offer advice on estate planning and estate sales advice. They have learned a lot over the years and are ready to share their knowledge as well as their flare for finding unique items.
“There is a collector for everything,” Allen said. And a story for each found item, Michelle said.
The store has different areas right now, featuring shoes, men’s and women’s wear, collectible antiques, glass, jewelry, handbags and more. There is no need to overstock and “overwhelm the shopper,” Michelle said, since online sales compliment the physical stock.
“I adore them – they are so kind, so sweet,” said Davis. “I am super excited about their store. It is so much different than mine.”
Variety is the spice of life, as these three shops prepare for the community, Peacock Creations appeared at the same time, just down the street, and, when one shop closes soon just near Revved Up Resale, a coffee shop has been announced by Jordan Hisler called Rusted Plow.
Bellevue
Bellevue
LatestBellevue car wash gets new owners and a refresh
Joanne Williams Editor (Joanne Williams/TCJ: What a birthday present for Justin Keiffer’s wife,...
Bellevue
Featured Story

Bellevue car wash gets new owners and a refresh
Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/TCJ: What a birthday present for Justin Keiffer’s wife, Stephanie – a car wash in Bellevue, where a refresh continues, with an emphasis on customer service.)
Most women like to be surprised by their birthday presents.
To say that Stephanie Keiffer was might be an understatement.
Her husband, Justin, bought her a car wash.
Hence, Steph’s Buff and Wash, and new owners (since January) of the Bellevue Car Wash, at the corner of Capital Avenue and East Street.
The couple are from Nashville by way of Carson City. Stephanie is a teacher at Maple Valley Elementary School. Justin is an engineer by trade and also serves on the Maple Valley School Board. The couple have four teenagers and a foster child.
“I never thought I would be doing this,” Justin said. He had just invested in a machine shop in Marshall.
Before he signed the car wash papers, he checked with friends on the viability of a car wash business. The former owners had bought it 25 years ago. He checked with a friend in the business in Delton, surveyed the area for traffic and location, and went with it. So did Stephanie.
Now, the two have been repairing, upgrading, adding and upgrading the four bays – two self-wash bays, one automatic, and one outside for larger, taller vehicles.
A big improvement has been the installation of credit card payments, though the quarter change machine still gets a lot of use. Also, the spotless water is once again spotless, there is salt in the softener, there are new soaps, and clean nozzles.
There are still bugs to be worked out, and a refresh, including the name. All will be completed and celebrated later this summer.
For now, Justin is emphasizing customer service. Comments on the business’s Facebook page are personally addressed. If someone has a problem while he is on premises, he fixes it and is likely to hand out a free car wash.
The car wash is open 24/7, with in-bay and outdoor lighting, vacuum, and a shampoo station for mats and such, now undergoing a refresh.
Justin has been happy be able to find parts at the local hardware store, and plenty of space in the building’s utility room to tinker.
“I’m learning the trouble-shooting of a car wash,” he says with a smile, noticing litter to pick up and a project to continue.
Vermontville
Vermontville
LatestJunior Teegen McDonald scores 1,000 points and then picks up a pitcher’s glove
Joanne Williams Editor (Joanne Williams/TCJ: The night they will all remember, – 1,000...
Vermontville
Featured Story

Junior Teegen McDonald scores 1,000 points and then picks up a pitcher’s glove
Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/TCJ: The night they will all remember, – 1,000 points, at home, in Teegen’s junior year, witnessed by mom and dad, Crystal and Darren McDonald.)
In a town full of athletes and athletic boosters and a house with two brothers playing multiple sports, there is bound to be competitive drive and hometown pride.
That is the way in Vermontville, where the McDonald family celebrates sons Jakeb and Teegen as they make their way into record books and winning teams.
This February saw Maple Valley High School junior Teegen McDonald score 1,000 on home court, with the crowd waving cards reading “1,000” for all to see.
For high schoolers in general, 1,000 is a dream and it mostly happens to seniors, not juniors. Statistics say there are just a handful of this milestone in each state per season.
It has happened at Maple Valley two times before Teegen’s turn.
“I knew going into the (home) game (Feb. 12, 2026, against the Calhoun Christian Cougars). “It was a great feeling,” Teegen said of his rare accomplishment. “It also took the pressure off.” Cheers in the locker room called him “the GOAT.”
Teegen scored 28 points that night in the Lions’ win, a bit above his 22 or so point average.
His coach this season has been Ryan Nevins. Teegen has also been coached by his uncle, Kevin Rost. That night, he held his 1,000-point banner with his parents, Darren and Crystal.
Jakeb is a freshman at The University of Olivet, where he pitches on the baseball team.
Teegen is a pitcher, too, for the Lions. His lanky profile and ubiquitous orange shoes are a site to see.
He has those shoes for every sport. This has become his ritual as he “keeps healthy, stays active and stays in the gym.”
Baseball Coach Bryan Carpenter writes of Teegen, “Teegen has a knowledge of sports and a belief that he is the best player on the court or on the field. He doesn’t let the moment get too big and isn’t afraid to take the shot or throw the pitch. He’s a gamer that steps it up when the game calls for it.”
His mother, Crystal, credits travel baseball and basketball in keeping her sons active and learning how meet and talk to others. “It’s made my kids who they are,” she said, noting that it is a sports family on both sides.
Dad Darren is also “happy” that they got past the 1,000 mark and can move on playing ball. He is one of many athletic boosters who help “supplement the sports teams’ needs” and keep athletics accessible and fun for families and the community, including a “Bullpen” pass fundraiser, providing premium parking at the baseball field.
Another supporter of Maple Valley school sports is Kevin Rost, who coached his nephew Teegen early in his career. Teegen’s family said Kevin “had a pretty big impact in getting both sons through their careers.”
Rost said he coached Teegen “no differently than any other kid,” and said ,“His success is on him.” Rost added, “He put in the extra time,” and was in the gym practicing before school.
Potterville
Potterville
LatestPotterville finishes the year strong with 3 wins, hopes for next season
Ben Murphy Contributing Writer (Photo provided – The Potterville Lady Vikings stood by one...
Potterville
Featured Story

Potterville finishes the year strong with 3 wins, hopes for next season
Ben Murphy
Contributing Writer
(Photo provided – The Potterville Lady Vikings stood by one another through the season and finished with three wins in the final two weeks of the regular season.)
The Potterville girls basketball team finished the year with a 4-19 overall record. The Lady Vikings closed the season strong though, with three of those wins coming in the final two weeks of the regular season, including a Division 3 district opening win over Charyl Stockwell Prep, 34-14.
“We ended the season how we wanted to, winning a game in districts,” Coach Al Adams said. “All season we talked about what our goals were for the year. The number one goal was to win in the post season. Even though we didn’t take it all the way, we made a great first step with a young team.”
Having a youthful roster in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference proved to be a pretty tough task most nights, but even in games they came up short in, there was more often than not plenty of positives to take away.
“As a young team in a tough conference, we put up some really good fights,” Adams said. “We took so many of our games right down to the last minute and came out just short. As coaches, we were able to see the growth in our freshmen players and watch them get comfortable playing varsity in one of the hardest conferences in the state. We saw our juniors step up and be leaders on and off the court. Our sophomore fifth quarter players made huge growth and gave us some really crucial minutes down the stretch. Even if the record doesn’t show it, we had a great season this year in terms of what’s next.”
The coach also pointed out some young players who helped lead the way this season.
“We had a lot of great leaders this year,” Adams said. “We leaned heavily on junior guard Aubrey Gasch and freshman guard Remmi Lienerth. Those two played almost 100-percent of the time every game. Between the two of them, we have a lot of basketball IQ on the court. They were figuring each other out this season, but once they are on the same page that will be one of the most dangerous duos in the CMAC. And we can’t wait.”
While their district loss to Stockbridge ushered in the official end of the season, Adams knows their work is just beginning in a lot of ways.
“We aren’t done yet, we have a lot to give on this team, and we are ready to put in some off-season work,” he said. “This season was a good start but there’s more to do. The end of the year is always hard. We go from seeing each other every day to seeing one another once in a while or talking over a text. Luckily, this year is a little easier than years past because we aren’t saying goodbye to any seniors. The end of the year just makes us look forward even more to the start of the next.”
Having no seniors on the roster this year means that when next winter rolls around, Adams is going to have a bunch of familiar faces in his lineup.
“We are always looking to what’s next,” he said. “We know we can be tough in the CMAC next year and we want teams to respect Potterville. In the 2026-2027 season, we can be a team other schools don’t take lightly.”
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids
LatestThe sheep safely graze as guests use farm as an event venue and photo spot
Joanne Williams Editor (Joanne Williams/FAN: Ginny and Gary Gillean and baby lamb Cinnamon are by...
Eaton Rapids
Featured Story

The sheep safely graze as guests use farm as an event venue and photo spot
Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/FAN: Ginny and Gary Gillean and baby lamb Cinnamon are by the cow area of the farm with the goats and lambs behind them.)
Just minutes from downtown Eaton Rapids is one of the most bucolic places you might ever see or feel, complete with baby lambs.
It is Willow Wood Farm Venue, and it has a story that owners Gary and Ginny Gillean love to share.
Searching for a perfect wedding venue themselves, they could not find what they were really looking for, so, after 25 years as a licensed plumber, Gary decided to build one himself.
The white 1880s farmhouse at 2224 S. Canal Road, is situated on property that holds barns, stone and wood, fenced areas, pastures where sheep could safely graze, 13 acres in all, including a modern wedding venue, and, newly announced, photography sessions, complete with fluffy farm animals.
The owners are still marveling at the beauty they have found and now foster. Meeting them, you get the feeling they know every inch of their farm.
Gary knows it was an old dairy farm, with the stone milking shed to prove it. When he built a barn for parties, he organized his own saw mill to cut the wood for the custom 20-feet high plank wall. The barn opens up on three sides, has a sanded and polished floor and charming wood beams and features a large patio.
Ginny is from Holt, and Gary is from Nashville. He went to Maple Valley High School and Lansing Community College. Their family helps as well. The farm is named in honor of Ginny’s late father, Gary Wood, and there is now a charming Willow tree planted in his memory to share with others.
They were recently granted local and county permits to operate seven days a week for photoshoots and the farm experience. Plans include a special holiday experience with a variety of backdrops for family photos.
“We still pinch ourselves,” said Ginny of their farm. “We are humbled to help celebrate peoples’ special times here.”
This is their eighth season, which runs from May to October and starts out with bookings to feed baby lambs and weddings and family gatherings. Cinnamon is the lamb of choice this season, bedecked with a flower necklace and a baby diaper. She gobbled her milk bottle down in about a minute. There were 14 babies on the farm this year.
Besides the sheep and goats are Hereford cows and Maverick, a docile Highlander.
Ginny said she is “super excited” to welcome a baby Highland in about six weeks or so.
The website is willowoodfarmvenue.com.
Sunfield
Sunfield
LatestRecycle, reuse holiday items, including the tree, live garland
Joanne Williams Editor (Photo by Joanne Williams/FAN – Check with local recycling centers...
Mulliken
Mulliken
LatestVietnam Veterans Annual Picnic
Christi Whiting Editor (Photo Provided) This year’s picnic is planned for August 26 at...
Dimondale
Dimondale
LatestDimondale Lions Club on its last legs; tribute planned for June 11
Lisa Lee Contributing Writer (Courtesy photo: This May 18, 1983 photo from “The Volunteer” shows...




