Holidays
Three decades of A Day in the Village have celebrated the coming of summer
by Tina Cole-Mullins When it’s Father’s Day weekend, school’s out and temperatures warm up, it’s time to get out and celebrate. For three decades, Stockbridge’s annual A Day in the Village has enabled families and friends to gather together for fun, food and festivities in town. This year, the festival marks a special anniversary. “The […]
On Memorial Day: Remembering Elias Sweet and more than 1 million others
by Ben Fidler Elias strung together his sack filled with boots and woolen socks, maybe fresh bread from his mother Eunice. His father, Lamech, may have hugged him so tightly it held back their tears. Behind the family, at the Sweet Farm in Waterloo Twp., the dairy cows bellowed. Elias turned one last time to […]
Who cares about weather when there are eggs to hunt!
Details and photos by Andrea Stickney Considering how early Easter fell this year, it’s not surprising that the day before Easter dawned cold and wet. But that didn’t stop the kiddos who showed up for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Stockbridge Lions Club. The kids had a ball, as usual. Each left […]
Matters of the Heart
Campbell and Fran Laird: A love story that began ‘across the pond’ by Mary Jo David (as shared by the Lairds) Campbell and Frances (“Fran”) Laird may be living in the Stockbridge home Fran grew up in, but their love story had its start more than 60 years ago and 3,700 miles away. “My family […]
Matters of the Heart
Jim and Paula Pietila: A marriage that began in Hell is still going strong! by Mary Jo David (as shared by the Pietilas) Although they went to school in Pinckney, it took a high school dance in Stockbridge to bring Jim Pietila and Paula Wright together. Paula’s cousin, Donna Biehn, invited Paula to attend the […]
Matters of the Heart
Dan and Mary Wilson: A good friend’s instinct has led to a 50-year commitment by Mary Jo David (as shared by the Wilsons) Before the advent of online dating, couples often met through friends or mutual acquaintances. Such was the case with Dan Wilson and Mary Niehaus back in 1973. A mutual friend, Amy Wedden, […]
Matters of the Heart
Jean and Marty Bliss overcome adversity together in a strong, 55-year marriage by Judy Williams Life hasn’t always been easy for Jean and Marty Bliss of Stockbridge, but their strong love for each other helps them get through the difficult times. Their story started in 1968, when Jean Hardt and Marty Bliss met at work. […]
Matters of the Heart
Mike and Marge Turner: 52 years of swaying to the music together by Mary Jo David (as shared by the Turners) Michael (“Mike”) Turner and Margaret (“Marge”) Jeruzal met on a blind date in the summer of 1970. A member of the Michigan Camaro Club at the time, Mike agreed to join a friend—a fellow […]
Matters of the Heart
Kaye and Merlin Batdorff, of Fitchburg, married for more than 70 years by Clyde Whitaker Ed. Note: In early January, Clyde Whitaker had the pleasure of interviewing Merlin and Kaye Batdorff for SCN’s 2024 Matters of the Heart feature. Sadly, Merlin passed away a week after the interview. With permission from Kaye and their daughter […]