Scottville Celebrating
Winter 2014 A special publication of the Ludington Daily News
SCOTTVILLE
BLIZZARD BLAST! FUN for Everyone!
Information on events, pages 4-8.
JANUARY 25TH
Scottville Area Senior Center • 11:30 am to 2:00 pm Chili Cook-off & Quilt Show
Scottville optimist Building • 11 am to 2 pm
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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE www.ludingtondailynews.com
| TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
A new director, new ideas Scottville seniors welcome Marcia Visscher
BY MELISSA KEEFER DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
MELISSA KEEFER | DAILY NEWS
Marcia Visscher chats with Harv Buter and Jack Quillan while they are enjoying a lunch at the senior center.
Scottville
SCOTTVILLE — Marcia Visscher started as Scottville Area Senior Center director on Dec. 9 and is still learning the ropes — including getting to know the seniors
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who come to the center, becoming familiar with all the activities and understanding what people want out of their center. “I have been meeting a lot of people,” Visscher
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE www.ludingtondailynews.com
DIRECTOR FROM PAGE 2
said about her time in Scottville so far. She has also been learning about several of the programs that Scottville’s center offers uniquely, including respite care, Keep In Touch and medical transportation. “People have been wonderful. They have made me feel really welcome,” Visscher said. “It’s a big change, I was worried people would look at me and wonder what I was doing here, but that didn’t happen.” Visscher has lived in the area since 1997, was a snowbird to Arizona and then lived there for a while. Most recently, she served as activity director for a community in Apache Junction, Arizona, with 730 residences in the complex. Because she enjoyed what she did in Arizona, when the position came up in Scottville, she was excited. “It was a perfect fit.” She said when she was interviewed for the position, she was asked what she sees for the future of the program and at that time, she said, “I need to know the program to see what’s going on,” which she is still doing.
Looking ahead Visscher said she “loves the look of the renovations that have taken place at the center” and said, “It looks so big, and so light and cheer-
February at the Scottville Area Senior Center SCOTTVILLE — February will feature some fabulous fun at the center. We want to find your face at a few of our fine events. After meeting new friends, you might finish the month with fond memories and the Center as a favorite place to be!
NEW! LINE DANCING
MELISSA KEEFER | DAILY NEWS
Marcia Visscher is the Scottville Area Senior Center’s new director.
‘I just want to continue to make this a viable place for the seniors in the community.’ Marcia Visscher
ful. It’s just beautiful and we owe praise to Donna (Addington, recently retired director) for that.” Because her job at the Apache Junction senior community was as an activity director, Visscher is looking forward to working with Sharon Bailey on activities at the center, especially those to bring in the community’s younger seniors. “I found out in Arizona that seniors that used to go out for dances, to play cards and go to potlucks
are no longer doing that,” Visscher said. “They want to do outdoorsy events and health-oriented things.” One of the differences between her job then and now, is bringing people in from the community, into the center, rather than people in a community taking advantage of events going on in their own living community. “People used to come to Arizona as snowbirds,” Visscher said. “They are there to participate in anything and everything.” In Scottville, Visscher said, people who live elsewhere around town have to be drawn in to the center for events. “I am very interested in hearing from younger seniors in the community,” Visscher said. “About what would bring them to the center and which activities should the cen-
ter add.” One of her ideas for an interesting event each week is “to bring an informative series to the center, with a new presentation, speaker, etc., each week, because once something is down on a schedule, it sticks in people’s minds.” Visscher said she is still thinking about which activities make the most sense locally. Although Addington is retired, Visscher said the former director will still go on trips with the senior center in the first year, so Visscher will not have to leave town while still getting to know the operations of the center. She is still feeling everything out and doesn’t have a clear vision for change for the center yet, “I just want to continue to make this a viable place for the seniors in the community.”
the first and third Sundays and 1 p.m. on Wednesdays • Euchre is at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays • Set-back is at 1 p.m. on Fridays.
ROOT BEER FLOATS This event continues to be a favorite, despite the frigid temperatures. Join us Thursday, Feb 27. Suggested donation is 50 cents.
Beginner Line Dancing lessons will start on Thursdays, beginning Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. It’s BLOOD PRESSURE a fun way to get moving, and AND BLOOD SUGAR the instruction will be paced Blood tests are taken on for beginners. the fourth Wednesday of each month for free. Next VALENTINE POTLUCK test is Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. A Valentine’s Day potluck is open to all seniors, wheth- STROKE SUPPORT GROUP er you bring a valentine or Meeting is Thursday, Feb. not. All our potlucks have 19 at 2:30 p.m. amazing food, and you will definitely enjoy the camara- PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP derie, as well. Join us Feb 13 Meeting is Wednesday, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
SIT & BE FIT
SENIOR MEALS
Chair exercises are offered to keep you flexible and moving on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Meals are provided at the center at noon by MCC’s kitchen. Each meal includes a generous salad bar and a hot meal with coffee and milk. The suggested donaWII BOWLING tion is $3 or $5 if you are unWe’ve got room for more der 60 years old. Wii bowling teams. It’s a If you need a ride for lunch great way to exercise and and you live in Ludington or have lots of fun doing it. Scottville, Dial-a-Ride will Don’t know how? That’s ok, pick you up and take you we’d love to teach you. home for free. This is paid for by the senior millage, BINGO through MCC Schools’ seBingo is played each Fri- nior meal program. day morning at 10 a.m. in the card room. There is no $1 LUNCH need to sign up, just come Join us on Thursday, Feb. and have fun. Bingo lasts 27, for our monthly lunch about an hour and a half and special. is done in time for lunch.
QUILTERS
BAD WEATHER CLOSING
The Scottville Area Senior Center is closed when MCC Schools are closed. Check the for school closings before you go out in inclement weather. CARDS Have questions? Call Bob Join in a card game at the at the Center 757-4705 to center: get answers. The coffee is al• Pinochle is at 1 p.m. on ways on. Bring your quilting projects and join a great group of quilters on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE
| TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
www.ludingtondailynews.com
Cast members include,
Molly Shay, Ian VanHouten, Kate Shank, Ryland Gigante, and Killian Kruer. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Improvika Acting Company presents
‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ SCOTTVILLE — Improvika Acting Company will present scenes from “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” during Scottville’s Blizzard Blast on Saturday, Jan. 25. “I wanted to feature a few of my younger kids and I knew this would be the perfect show to do so. I have so many talented kids ages 7-16, but these younger kids needed a chance to shine,” director FUN for Everyone! and owner of the acting company Anesa Beilfuss like to call it, and I am sure with all the snow days said. Scottville Areaconditions, Senior Center • 11:30 am to 2:00 pm were golike several kids She continued, “‘Wardrobe’ is such a perfect and blizzard Chili Cook-off & Quilt Show show for the wintertime, especially the selection I ing a bit stir crazy, much like Lucy,” Beilfuss said. Scottville optimist Building • 11 am to 2 pm chose.”
SCOTTVILLE
BLIZZARD BLAST!
JANUARY 25TH
The story
The four children in the scene are experiencing a bit of cabin fever as they are confined to the upstairs of an old mansion out in the countryside of England. The youngest child, Lucy, discovers a wardrobe that is, in fact, a door into another world - Narnia. “We just recently had this ‘Snowpocalypse,’ as I
BAttle of the BeArdS..Sign in 1:00...People’s Choice Awards to follow The cast Children’S gAmeS, drAwing & PrizeS
Molly Shay (playing Susan) and Ian VanHouten John mArek....Entertainment imProvikA....The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe skits throughout the event (Edmund) have been students and performers Phil gigAnte....Interactive Story Reading through Improvika for more than two years. Kate informAtion StAtionS Shank AnimAl (Lucy) has been a student and performer identifiCAtion exhiBit....MASon-LAkE ConSERvAtIon DIStRICt for almost aJAloPy year, and Ryland Gigante (Peter) has rACing in SCottville....DAvE HALLbERg SAle....nature’ been involvedCrAft/BAke off and on ins Path 4-H Club performances over mAking ConteSt....bring Your own Accessories...Judging At 12— noonMiss the SnowmAn last year and half. The little “rookie” dog exhiBition....SHARon MAStRAPASquA Killian KruerSled (the narrator) — is debuting in her ChiCken Bowling, Sled rACing, S’moreS horSe Pulled wAgon rideS....by Ron SobERALSkI, 11am - 2 pm SPONSORED BY Dr. Lewis Squires • West Shore bank • Holden’s Home Emporium • Erin Doan • Lundquist’s Furniture Scottville optimist Club • Smith & Eddy Insurance • City of Scottville • Johnny’s Skate Center
first theatrical production. “All of them are so excited for the opportunity to perform for Scottville audiences. It gives them a change of pace and an opportunity to get out of the studio space in Ludington,” Beilfuss said. Improvika Acting Company will be performing this 20-minute selection from “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” at the Scottville Blizzard Blast on Saturday, Jan. 25. There are three opportunities to see the scene, at 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 1 p.m. at the Scottville Optimist Hall. “We are having so much fun in rehearsals,” Beilfuss said about preparing for the show. “I am reminded every time I see these kids why I love my job. There is never a dull moment as we are constantly laughing while practicing British accents and learning to be more proper. These kids never cease to amaze me with their passion for the arts, and their determination to be the best they can be. I am just thrilled to be a part of each one of their artistic journeys.”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE www.ludingtondailynews.com
Chili cook-off and quilt show During Scottville’s Blizzard Blast, The Scottville Area Senior Center will be hosting a Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Jan 25. A taste test will be happening from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and eating will take place from 12:30 p.m. 50 -2 p.m. (To enter your chili in the cook-off, register by Jan. 22 by calling 757-4705, or stop into the Center to enter your name. There is no entry fee.) To taste and judge the
SCOTTVILLE
BLIZZARD BLAST! FUN for Everyone!
JANUARY 25TH
different chilis that Pop and ottled water will be offered, come will also be available for Area Senior Center • 11:30 am to 2:00 pm into theScottville center be- $1. Don’t miss it! Chili Cook-off & Quilt Show tween 11:30 a.m. and Scottville optimist Building • 11 am to 2 pm Quilt show 12:30 p.m., for $1 BAttle of and the BeArdS..Sign in 1:00...People’s Choice Awards to follow Also, during the chili you can taste Children’S and judge gAmeS, drAwing & PrizeS Johnchili mArek....Entertainment cook-off, quilts will be them all. After the imProvikA....The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe skits throughout the event is judged, chili will be on display to enjoy and Phil gigAnte....Interactive Story Reading to purchase in the available by the informAtion bowl some StAtionS center, from 11 a.m. to 2 AnimAl$2 identifiCAtion exhiBit....MASon-LAkE ConSERvAtIon DIStRICt for only per bowl, rACing in SCottville....DAvE HALLbERg p.m. (with all theJAloPy toppings!) CrAft/BAke SAle....nature’s Path 4-H Club
SnowmAn mAking ConteSt....bring Your own Accessories...Judging At 12 noon Sled dog exhiBition....SHARon MAStRAPASquA ChiCken Bowling, Sled rACing, S’moreS horSe Pulled wAgon rideS....by Ron SobERALSkI, 11am - 2 pm
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231-757-2440
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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE
| TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
www.ludingtondailynews.com
SCOTTVILLE
BLIZZARD BLAST! FUN for Everyone!
Fun for families at Scottville Blizzard Blast
JANUARY 25TH Schedule of events
BY MELISSA KEEFER DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
SCOTTVILLE — Organizers of Scottville’s Blizzard Blast 2014 are hoping this year’s event brings families downtown to spend time together during this winter, which has already become too long and snowy for some. “We hope to keep families busy doing something together for the afternoon,” Cathy Gilchrist, an organizer of the event, said. “Hopefully we can have events both inside and outside, but it all depends on the weather. We hope it works out well.” Gilchrist said the event has changed from last year because organizers realized the events were too spread out, so they moved everything to the Scottville Optimist Hall or near it, in the same area. She said the snowman-making contest was a lot of fun a couple years ago when there was a lot of snow and hopes
stations in the past,” Gilchrist said about the event. “The animal identification station was here before and we will have that back.” She said an interesting infor11:30 A.M. TO 2 P.M. Chili Cook-off and - INFORMATION STATIONS set up mation station is one where Quilt Show at the Scottville Area Senior throughout the hall Dave Hallberg will talk about Center • ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION EXHIBIT jalopy racing that used to take 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. Events in the ScottMason-Lake Conservation District place in Scottville. ville Optimist Building • JALOPY RACING IN SCOTTVILLE “He will talk about the races they used to have,” Gilchrist - BATTLE OF THE BEARDS, sign in at 1 Dave Hallberg said. “And evidently Dave has p.m. (People’s Choice Awards to follow) • CRAFT/BAKE SALE - Nature’s Path 4-H inherited one of the jalopies - CHILDREN’S GAMES, drawings and Club and is refurbishing it to race at prizes - SNOWMAN-MAKING CONTEST - bring Winston, which is cool.” - ENTERTAINMENT by John Marek your own accessories and judging at She said it’s too bad he won’t - IMPROVIKA Acting Company presents noon have the jalopy at Blizzard “The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe” - CHICKEN BOWLING, sled racing, Blast, but he can’t because it skits throughout the event (11:30 a.m., s’mores isn’t finished yet. 12:15 p.m., and 1 p.m.) - 11 A.M.-2 P.M. HORSE-PULLED WAG“We want to keep doing dif- PHIL GIGANTE presents interactive ON RIDES by Ron Soberalski ferent things each year to keep story reading people having fun and coming out,” Gilchrist said. She said while this year they don’t have room for more informathe snow cooperates. “I really Either way, there are still the Witch and the Wardrobe,” tion stations, liked the snowman contest. plenty of events planned for entertainment by John Marek, People brought all kinds of people of all ages inside the a craft and bake sale, interacSEE BLIZZARD BLAST, PAGE 8 things to decorate the snow- Scottville Optimist Hall, in- tive story reading, and more. men with,” Gilchrist said. cluding scenes from “The Lion, “We had the information
Scottville Area Senior Center • 11:30 am to 2:00 pm Chili Cook-off & Quilt Show
Scottville optimist Building • 11 am to 2 pm BAttle of the BeArdS..Sign in 1:00...People’s Choice Awards to follow Children’S gAmeS, drAwing & PrizeS John mArek....Entertainment imProvikA....The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe skits throughout the event Phil gigAnte....Interactive Story Reading informAtion StAtionS AnimAl identifiCAtion exhiBit....MASon-LAkE ConSERvAtIon DIStRICt JAloPy rACing in SCottville....DAvE HALLbERg CrAft/BAke SAle....nature’s Path 4-H Club
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE www.ludingtondailynews.com
no one covers area sports like we do!
DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO
Children’s games are among the activities at Scottville Optimist Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.
Winter Has Arrived!
Weekly game previews Good Sport profiles In depth game coverage Features of area athletes Recreational sports coverage and team standings ✔ Area Athlete of the Week ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
✔ High school sports statistics Honor Rolls ✔ All-Area teams recognition ✔ Live updates on area games on our website ✔ High school, college Pick ‘em contests
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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE
| TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
www.ludingtondailynews.com
Who has the best beard? battle
of the beards
Battle of the Beards in Scottville part of Blizzard Blast fun BY MELISSA KEEFER DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
might be popular.” She used the men from “Duck Dynasty” as an exSCOTTVILLE — Callample of what has made ing all men with beards beards popular. — come to the Scottville “I really have no idea Optimist Hall for a beard how it will turn out, but contest Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. how cool would it be if SCOTTVILLE OPTIMIST HALL Scottville Blizzard Blast we could get 100 guys 1:00Gilchrist pm..People’s Choice Awards to follow organizer Cathy with beards in Scottville How many Beards can we get in Scottville? thought of the idea. “It just seems like a all at once.” Gilchrist said it is also lot of men are running something fun for men around with beards who have beards to comlately and I thought it
BLIZZARD BLAST! JANUARY 25TH
pete in. “It is probably going to be hard to pick the best beard,” she said. “But we will have a people’s choice and maybe have a barber there for a barber’s choice. It’s not going to be too elaborate, because I don’t know what to expect, but maybe it will be bigger in the future.” When the idea came to Gilchrist for the beard contest, she looked it up online and said it is popular in Germany and England. “I saw the winner for 2012 and it was a younger person that had a huge, long beard and his
Let go of your Stresses! A speaker walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: ”How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.” Put the glass down. Let your Stresses go. Remember, give a Loved one a Hug...and Thank God for your blessings!
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mustache was long and twisted up and curled,” Gilchrist said. She said the event should be fun and a chance for something different to see how many entries there are. “I thought it would be a cute idea if when we get them all together we get a photo of all of the beards,” Gilchrist said. She said maybe if it goes well this year, men will have a whole year to plan their beards for 2015. Registration is at 1 p.m. at the Scottville Optimist Hall, and Gilchrist said she is excited to see what entries come in.
BLIZZARD BLAST FROM PAGE 6
“There are so many talented and interesting people out there, we are looking for people to participate in the future and share an interesting hobby or talent with the community.”
Scottville Main Street The weather isn’t the only thing the event depends on, according to Gilchrist. She also said, “The more volunteers we have, the more we can do.” She said organizers need volunteers, especially older folks and retired
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people to help out and give input. “A lot of times, people have some very interesting ideas and have more time to contribute,” Gilchrist said. Scottville Main Street is made up of the Design Committee, the Promotions Committee, and the Organization Committee. The mission of Scottville Main Street is “empowering our community to revitalize downtown Scottville while preserving our heritage.” To get involved in the Scottville Main Street Program, contact Main Street Manager Heather Landis at (231) 757-9674.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE
Cork creations
www.ludingtondailynews.com
are both happy with a photo,” Gundersen said. “I look for a photo that I think will translate well. I need something that is close up and very clear THE PROCESS and crisp.” Gundersen starts his He said there have been murals with a photo, people who have sent draws the photo by hand him a group photo of on the space the corks people and wanted him will be pinned, places to just zoom in on the nails in the piece from person, which he said behind to hold the corks, doesn’t work well beand places the corks. He cause as you zoom in on said different wines crea photo, you begin to lose ate corks of different detail. hues. Gundersen builds his Doing his wife’s and cork art in an old furnia friend’s portrait was ture warehouse turned pretty easy for Gunderart studio in Grand Rapsen because he has seen ids. He said when a piece traits included two for them before. For comis commissioned, he asks a couple in Singapore of missioned pieces, he has for 4 to 6 weeks to finish their children and the to work with the person Courteney Cox mural for to even find a photo that the piece, allowing him time to teach and still “Cougar Town.” will work for his cork spend time with his famHis work has drawn piece. ily. requests from all over “Agreeing upon a photo When he first did his the country and most that will work well is hard cork projects for Artrecently from outside sometimes,” Gundersen Prize, he spent time colof the United States. He said. “And, for example, lecting the corks. Now said he believes ArtPrize it would be hard for me that he is doing several helped him with requests to go to Singapore and a year, some on a larger for work, but believes his get a photo.” scale, he works with a work on the internet has He said the parents in company WidgetCo out helped as well. Singapore sent photos to of Texas to purchase re“I did a time-lapse video him. He looked through cycled corks at about six that has been viewed them and asks for what cents each. by more than 300,000 he would like in a photo, “For small pieces, like people and people for example closer up or the one of my wife, I used have blogged about it,” better lighting to show between 3,000 and 4,000 Gundersen said. “I have shadows. corks,” Gundersen said. also posted my art on “We generally e-mail “And one of the ones I am Tumblr and just startback and forth until we sending to Singapore is
Scottville native commissioned to do mural for ‘Cougar Town’ season premiere
Where they are now BY MELISSA KEEFER DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
S
cottville native Scott Gundersen has become internationally known online for his wine bottle cork art, scoring him commissioned work from as far as Singapore and recently, a gig doing a mural of Courteney Cox’s face as part of a promo for “Cougar Town” on NBC. Gundersen did his first cork art project for ArtPrize 2009. It was a portrait of his wife, Jeanne, made up of corks he had collected from friends and area businesses. He was one of the top 50 that year and followed up in 2010 with a larger cork art piece of a friend named Grace. The two pieces were sold to Ripley’s Believe It or Not. “I haven’t been in ArtPrize since then. I have been mainly busy with the commissioned pieces
that people ask me for,” Gundersen said. “Plus, between teaching and having two little girls under 3, there hasn’t been time for ArtPrize.” Gundersen said he did five commissioned cork art pieces in 2013, including two non-portraits. “One woman hired me to do an image of her deceased dog to give to her husband as a 20th anniversary gift,” Gundersen said. “The other non-portrait piece was a hotel in New York that asked me to do a logo for a ‘Toast Around The World’ wine event at the hotel.” Gundersen’s three por-
ed an Instagram. Some people have also been pinning images on Pinterest under ‘recycled art’ or ‘wine-related art.’”
about 4,000 corks.” From private clients, he has made $5,000 to $12,000 on the cork art pieces, depending on the size. “They cost more the bigger they are.”
A BIG OPPORTUNITY Although Gundersen had never really watched “Cougar Town” before, he said he watched a portion of the TBS show on YouTube when he was hired to do the project, to see what it was all about. “I was told they drink wine in the show, which is why they wanted the cork art,” Gundersen said, explaining why a wine cork art piece as a promotional piece for the show’s fifth season, which began last night, is a perfect pair. “When the advertising firm in California was coming up with an idea for ‘Cougar Town,’ they were trying to come up with a unique advertising campaign for the fifth season,” Gundersen said. “They had seen my work online featured as wine-related art, the firm pitched it to TBS, and they hired me to make a mural for the show.” Gundersen was flown to Los Angeles where SEE CORK CREATIONS, PAGE 12
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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/CELEBRATING SCOTTVILLE
| TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
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Cole’s Antiques Villa moving to Scottville BY STEVE BEGNOCHE MANAGING EDITOR
SCOTTVILLE — Jerry and Sally Cole are moving their Cole’s Antiques Villa to downtown Scottville with the hopes of opening in the former Frick’s General Store on 120 North Main Street by May. In fact, they are moving more than their business, they are also moving into the upstairs seeking to sell their long-time home in Hamlin Township. The move is prompted by a desire to downsize as they enter what for many people would be their retirement years. It wasn’t a move they had planned, but when the opportunity presented itself, it was one that made sense, Sally said. The former owner, Neil J. Frick died in July. The Coles were asked to come in to consider doing an estate sale. Frick had operated an antique business out of the store, too, and was known for his Civil War and Abraham Lincoln collectibles as well as toys, signs and a dairy collection. “I hadn’t been here in a while,” Sally said Tuesday afternoon as she and Jerry worked in the store preparing for the end-of-March estate sale that will precede them moving in. “It hit me. This is a wonderful opportunity to own a home and a business here and do what Neil did. That was in November. It was absolutely crystal clear.” So they’ll leave the 4,800 square foot Ludington Avenue store they’ve ran for the past 28 years, and move to the two-floor building across from Scottville’s Wesco that has 1,600 square feet per floor. Eight of the current 27 vendors in their Ludington antique mall will move with them. All will have less space. “We’re all downsizing a lot. That’s the heart of it,” Sally said. Moving with them will be Baars Gold Coast Collectibles, Tim and Roni’s
Elegant Junk, RJ and Me, Cat in the Cradle, Eternal Treasures, J&D Collectibles, Victorian Antiques, Drumlin Wood Antique Fishing Tackle and SDW Antiques. Sally said she hopes that the Neal family of Ludington which owns the Ludington Avenue building can perhaps keep an antique mall going, perhaps blending some other business with it. She said she likes to think the move will create two businesses, not represent a loss for Ludington. “I’d like to think we have one good thing and it’s being divided to have two good things.” “Ludington has been wonderful,” she said. “We have a lot of great memories from Ludington. We have a wonderful clientele.” The Ludington store will open as usual in February as Coles prepare for the Frick estate sale at the Scottville location. When the three-day sale is complete, they will paint and clean the walls, being careful not to paint over stenciling along the edge of the ceiling. Then they’ll transform the upstairs into their home. Sally said they’ll be open for business, she hopes, by sometime in May, though they likely will continue to work on the building as they operate the store. She said she’ll plant gardens on the south side of the building in what she describes as “a postage stamp size lot.” And she hopes to get involved in efforts to help Scottville. “We’re probably going to be a spark over here,” she said, adding there are “a lot of fun things we can do over here. “You never know what this might inspire for us when it happens.” She said they feel fortunate that at this juncture they can begin another facet of business continuing on the success of Cole’s Antique Villa.
STEVE BEGNOCHE | DAILY NEWS
Jerry and Sally Cole stand are opening their business in Scottville, in the former Frick’s General Store.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
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‘Hats Off to You’ at this year’s Spring CommUNITY Auction SCOTTVILLE — Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 1, 2014, for the Annual Spring CommUNITY Auction, the premier social event for Scottville. The Scottville Optimist Building will be filled with “something for everyone” just waiting for the right bid. Hundreds of items, from food to home décor to service packages, will be going home with the highest bidder. Included in the ticket for the party are, an appetizer buffet, beverages, door prizes, raffles, and a whole lot of fun. This year’s theme: “Hats Off to You.” The auction began initially as a fundraising event for the Scottville Chamber of Commerce to help support various community activities. The MCC Educational Foundation soon became a sponsoring partner. The Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber assumed the co-sponsor role when the Scottville and Ludington Chamber groups consolidatDAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO ed and now 2013 marks the 19th year People browse auction items at a past Spring CommUNITY Auction at the Scottville Optimist Hall. for this annual event. This year’s event is March 1 and the theme is “Hats Off to You.” M a s o n C o u n t y ’ s Personal Printer
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The auction is the primary fundraiser for the MCC Educational Foundation, which uses its portion of the proceeds to support the staff and students of Mason County Central Schools in the form of mini-grants, scholarships, and sponsorship of programs such as SADD Post Prom and the school-wide art show. The foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Tickets are on sale now. For more information contact the chamber at 8450324.
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Gena Nelson retires as Postmaster of Scottville
MELISSA KEEFER | DAILY NEWS
Gena Nelson, newly retired Postmaster of Scottville, stands with Steve Stidham, who is now Officer in Charge in Nelson’s absence until they name a new Postmaster.
CORK CREATIONS FROM PAGE 9
he spent 10 days working on his mural. The company had him working at “a fancy outdoor mall, which has a lot of foot traffic,” to create the piece. He said that was part of the promotion for the show, to see him building the piece and also having the piece to promote the show and new season. “I had a lot of people stop,” Gundersen said. “I did it all there.” Gundersen estimated his mural of Courteney Cox for the show would take 60,000 corks, so he ordered 75,000 from WidgetCo for the project, giving him extras if needed and more color choices based on how the wine stained the cork. Because Cox’s hair is so dark and she has dark features, “I stained 5,000 corks a little darker. I only do that for portraits that have an element that needs to be nearly black. “It is labor intensive,” Gundersen said about staining the corks. “I built a frame and stacked the corks. Then, I create a mix of wine and India ink and spray the corks and let it stain. If I want it darker I will stain it more. I like to keep the color a wine base.” Gundersen, under contract, can’t talk about how much he is being paid for this project, but said it was helpful he had a couple assistants. “It was a bit more pressure,” Gundersen said
Shore Community College while he was deciding what he wanted to do as a career. “At West Shore, I had two really great art teachers, Todd Reed in photography and Ed Traub for painting,” Gundersen said. “After having Ed and Todd and having such a great experience with those two, it inspired me because I wantabout working out in the ed to do what they had open, on a 10 day time done for me.” schedule. “But I never felt After his two years at like I was being pushed or WSCC, Gundersen went rushed. I was able to have to Western Michigan Unitwo assistants with me versity and studied art to fill in the empty areas education. and fill in the background “I would like to thank when I was doing the por- them for inspiring me,” trait. Both of them had Gundersen said. art backgrounds and on His cork art has taken the first day I was able to up most of his free time teach them a few tricks.” for art, but his favorite This was the first piece medium on his own is Gundersen has done out drawing. of his studio. “I like to just draw with a pencil,” Gundersen said. “I do a lot of TEACHING ART Gundersen has been an portraits in pencil. But, I love all mediums. I like art teacher at Wayland Union High School for 11 to paint and do ceramics. And in my classroom, I years. get to do a little bit of ev“I teach nine different erything.” classes,” he said. Classes While he doesn’t have include painting, drawing, any pieces commissioned graphic design, photografor 2014 yet he has rephy and more. ceived some e-mails of He hasn’t had his classinterest. “I have been es do a cork art project talking with a gentleman yet. “I thought about a way to do it, but the prob- from Dubai who wants me to make a portrait for lem is corks are big and in a mural you have to do his Japanese restaurant in Dubai.” so many, it may not look He is hoping to have anright to do a smaller piece other good year in 2014 with say only 100 corks.” for his cork art, and the Gundersen, a 1997 “Cougar Town” opporgraduate of Mason Countunity makes for a good ty Central High School, start. spent two years at West