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Eaton County

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Helping Hands expansion needs $93,000 to meet building costs

Posted by Design | March 23, 2026

Joanne Williams
Editor

(Joanne Williams/TCJ – Cindy Hales (left) of the Capital Region Community Foundation spoke at the ceremony along with Helping Hands Executive Director Amanda Thompson.)

Helping Hands Food Pantry does what it says and so much more.

This was apparent at a March 14 ceremony to announce the progress on the non-profit’s $428,000 expansion.

More than 70 people gathered to hear about the progress and the tasks ahead to complete a project that will enlarge its current Jefferson Street building, as its numbers of neighbors in need expands as well.

“Our purpose may be simple but powerful,” said Executive Director Amanda Thompson at the 45-minute event held at the pantry. “…to nourish individuals and families with everyday necessities, offer connections to supportive organizations and uplift people so they can rise about the challenges they face.”

She emphasized that the 60×52 foot expansion will offer expanded space and storage for more items, as well as parking and access.

The event had a festive atmosphere, opening with prayer, and then speeches, with the smell of popcorn and the lure of cookies and other treats. Many in the crowd were volunteers (wearing signature Helping Hands orange T-shirts), board members, and area contractors, who were especially introduced and thanked for their work already started and to come.

Also recognized was Cindy Hales, vice president of Community Investments with the Capital Region Community Foundation, who also offered words of encouragement and praise to the project. “Thank you, to this sea of orange, to the community – nothing happens without you all here, you should be incredibly proud.”

Eaton County Commissioner Scott Hansen was there, among other officials. “I have often donated,” he said. “They’ve got a great ministry in providing for the needs of the community. I am here to celebrate.”

“I am happy we have the support. The need has grown so much,” said Phil Grimwood, food resource manager and former executive director of Helping Hands. “This is a unique organization any way you look at it,” he said. “The only qualification for service is to have a need.”

Volunteer Claudia Williams is from Olivet High School. “I really like helping people.” She said it made her realize that all people do not have what she has. She and her mother, Julie, began volunteering last summer.  “It’s like a family,” Julie said.

Husband and wife Doug and Kim Kalnbach of Nashville are also supporters, especially through ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Towards Education) of Michigan. “The bikers do two food drives in the fall and raise money during the whole year,” he said. 

“This building may be made of concrete, steel and wood…but the true foundation of Helping Hands Food Pantry has always been people, people who believe that compassion should be lived out, not just talked about,” Thompson said at the ceremony’s end.

Praise for the expansion continued, singling out architect Josh Saxbee and contractor Dan Johnson and All Call Restoration, as well as M.T. Door Services and Gould Excavation of Eaton Rapids, Hometown Plumbing of Hastings, Hometown Lumber of Nashville and Sparks Heating, Ewing Electric and Gale Briggs concrete of Charlotte. Freezer and refrigeration work will be done by Michigan Food Servicer of Lansing and Parry Brothers of Holt.

Pastor Daniel Longden of First Lutheran Church, and a Helping Hands board member, concluded the ceremony with a prayer, acknowledging the needs of the community and remembering that there are sacrifices in servicing our neighbors.

Grimwood nodded and said the future was indeed “bittersweet. They just keep coming,” he said. The need is still and always there.

Helping Hands expanding hope by the numbers:

44 year of Helping Hands

4 locations

Occupied current location, 621 Jefferson St., Charlotte, in 2018

70-80 volunteers; teams of 12-15 each open day

$428,000 estimated expansion project

$150,000 grant from Capital Area Region Community Foundation

$100,000 anonymous gift

$50,000 Granger Foundation grant

-$93,000 balance

FamiliesHelped (2025)

1 million pounds of food/personal care items

-739,000 meals

-8,900 households

-30,000 people

712 brand new families helped last year

*Information provided by Amanda Thompson, executive director and Phil Grimwood, food resource manager.

Charlotte

Charlotte

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Charlotte

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Densmore, Wirtz and Malloy earn State Runner-Up titles at Finals

Posted by Design | March 23, 2026

Evan Schaefer
Contributing Writer

(Evan Schaefer/TCJ – Wrestlers Van Wirtz [left] and Kylee Malloy did their Olivet Eagles proud at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling State Finals this year.)

 

Three Eaton County wrestlers battled their way to championship matches and finished as state runners-up at the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Individual Wrestling State Finals, representing their schools on one of the biggest stages in high school athletics.

Charlotte sophomore Tyler Densmore and Olivet juniors Van Wirtz and Kylee Malloy each reached the finals in their respective divisions during the two-day, March 6-7, tournament at Ford Field in Detroit, competing against the top wrestlers from across Michigan.

For Densmore, the runner-up finish in Division 2 at 150 pounds capped an impressive season in which he compiled a 48-2 record. The appearance marked his second trip to the state finals after placing sixth as a freshman last year.

“As a sophomore it felt good to be able to get the chance to go to the state meet again,” Densmore said. “I prepared by working hard all summer for this tournament, going harder at practices and getting in more practices.”

Densmore said reaching the championship round was the highlight of his season.

“Being in the state finals was my favorite moment this wrestling season,” he said. “Being on the podium felt awesome. I can’t wait to be back next season.”

Olivet High School also celebrated two state finalists, as both Wirtz and Malloy advanced to championship matches in their divisions.

Wirtz finished state runner-up in Division 3 at 150 pounds, battling through four competitive matches to reach the finals. Unlike his first appearance at the state tournament last season, Wirtz said he felt far more comfortable competing at Ford Field this year.

“The first time I went to the state meet it was pretty daunting,” Wirtz said. “Walking into Ford Field with all the people and all the noise — it was a lot. This year I felt like everything went a lot better and I could just focus on my matches.”

Wirtz’s championship bout came in a rematch against Dundee’s Stone Redmond, whom he had previously faced during the postseason.

“There’s a lot of emotions that go into a big rematch, especially on the biggest stage,” Wirtz said. “You get negative thoughts in your head sometimes like, ‘I’ve already lost to this kid.’ But I tried to look at it as a good thing that I had already wrestled him and could learn from that match.”

Although he fell short of the title, Wirtz said the tournament showed how much he has improved.

“I obviously wanted that championship,” he said. “But I wrestled better and made some good adjustments.”

Malloy also delivered a standout performance for Olivet, finishing state runner-up in the Girls Division at 140 pounds. The appearance marked her third consecutive trip to the state finals after previously qualifying during her freshman and sophomore seasons.

“Going to the state meet this year felt really exciting and rewarding,” Malloy said. “I worked hard all season, so it felt great to see that work pay off and compete at that level.”

Malloy said reaching the podium was one of her favorite moments of the season.

“My favorite moment from the state meet was making it to the podium,” she said. “It felt great to see all the hard work pay off.”

Even with the runner-up finish, Malloy said she is already focused on next season.

“Being on the podium felt great, but I wished I had worked harder to be at the top of it,” she said. “Next year I’m looking forward to working even harder to earn that state title.”

Olivet coach Jordan Smith said seeing both wrestlers reach the championship round was a proud moment for the program.

“Proud would be an understatement,” Smith said. “Both Van and Kylee work their butts off day in and day out, and to see it pay off by making the state championship match was amazing.”

Smith added that witnessing their accomplishments from the corner of the mat was a special moment.

“To sit in the corner and see years of hard work and determination come to fruition to put them on that finals mat was incredible to witness,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words the joy felt by everyone involved.”

Both Wirtz and Malloy improved on last year’s finishes – Wirtz placed fourth and Malloy fifth in 2025 – making their runs to the finals this season even more impressive.

“To come back this year and take second is an amazing leap,” Smith said. “I have no doubt in my mind they will be champions, on and off the mat. 

Olivet

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Densmore, Wirtz and Malloy earn State Runner-Up titles at Finals

Posted by Design | March 23, 2026

Evan Schaefer
Contributing Writer

(Evan Schaefer/TCJ – Wrestlers Van Wirtz [left] and Kylee Malloy did their Olivet Eagles proud at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling State Finals this year.)

 

Three Eaton County wrestlers battled their way to championship matches and finished as state runners-up at the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Individual Wrestling State Finals, representing their schools on one of the biggest stages in high school athletics.

Charlotte sophomore Tyler Densmore and Olivet juniors Van Wirtz and Kylee Malloy each reached the finals in their respective divisions during the two-day, March 6-7, tournament at Ford Field in Detroit, competing against the top wrestlers from across Michigan.

For Densmore, the runner-up finish in Division 2 at 150 pounds capped an impressive season in which he compiled a 48-2 record. The appearance marked his second trip to the state finals after placing sixth as a freshman last year.

“As a sophomore it felt good to be able to get the chance to go to the state meet again,” Densmore said. “I prepared by working hard all summer for this tournament, going harder at practices and getting in more practices.”

Densmore said reaching the championship round was the highlight of his season.

“Being in the state finals was my favorite moment this wrestling season,” he said. “Being on the podium felt awesome. I can’t wait to be back next season.”

Olivet High School also celebrated two state finalists, as both Wirtz and Malloy advanced to championship matches in their divisions.

Wirtz finished state runner-up in Division 3 at 150 pounds, battling through four competitive matches to reach the finals. Unlike his first appearance at the state tournament last season, Wirtz said he felt far more comfortable competing at Ford Field this year.

“The first time I went to the state meet it was pretty daunting,” Wirtz said. “Walking into Ford Field with all the people and all the noise — it was a lot. This year I felt like everything went a lot better and I could just focus on my matches.”

Wirtz’s championship bout came in a rematch against Dundee’s Stone Redmond, whom he had previously faced during the postseason.

“There’s a lot of emotions that go into a big rematch, especially on the biggest stage,” Wirtz said. “You get negative thoughts in your head sometimes like, ‘I’ve already lost to this kid.’ But I tried to look at it as a good thing that I had already wrestled him and could learn from that match.”

Although he fell short of the title, Wirtz said the tournament showed how much he has improved.

“I obviously wanted that championship,” he said. “But I wrestled better and made some good adjustments.”

Malloy also delivered a standout performance for Olivet, finishing state runner-up in the Girls Division at 140 pounds. The appearance marked her third consecutive trip to the state finals after previously qualifying during her freshman and sophomore seasons.

“Going to the state meet this year felt really exciting and rewarding,” Malloy said. “I worked hard all season, so it felt great to see that work pay off and compete at that level.”

Malloy said reaching the podium was one of her favorite moments of the season.

“My favorite moment from the state meet was making it to the podium,” she said. “It felt great to see all the hard work pay off.”

Even with the runner-up finish, Malloy said she is already focused on next season.

“Being on the podium felt great, but I wished I had worked harder to be at the top of it,” she said. “Next year I’m looking forward to working even harder to earn that state title.”

Olivet coach Jordan Smith said seeing both wrestlers reach the championship round was a proud moment for the program.

“Proud would be an understatement,” Smith said. “Both Van and Kylee work their butts off day in and day out, and to see it pay off by making the state championship match was amazing.”

Smith added that witnessing their accomplishments from the corner of the mat was a special moment.

“To sit in the corner and see years of hard work and determination come to fruition to put them on that finals mat was incredible to witness,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words the joy felt by everyone involved.”

Both Wirtz and Malloy improved on last year’s finishes – Wirtz placed fourth and Malloy fifth in 2025 – making their runs to the finals this season even more impressive.

“To come back this year and take second is an amazing leap,” Smith said. “I have no doubt in my mind they will be champions, on and off the mat. 

Bellevue

Bellevue

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Bellevue

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Ch-ch-changes in Charlotte area businesses, locations just this year

Posted by Design | February 9, 2026

Joanne Williams
Editor

(Photo by Joanne Williams/TCJ: Once Mike’s Automotive, then home to Eaton Clothing and Furniture Center, now a business hub, anchored by Valhalla Value and Liquidations, 135 S. Washington St., Charlotte.)

 

Who cares what Punxsutawney Phil says about winter! Dairy Queen opens Saturday, February 7 in Charlotte.

And there is a lot going on in the surrounding area in terms of small business news.

Dan Riedy retires with a farewell party on February 8 at Riedy’s, 219 S. Cochran. The restaurant closes its doors after 46 years – once with three locations.

B’s Artistic Studio is now in downtown Charlotte at 111 W. Lovett. The move took place just after the holidays. 

Bella Grande clothing and more consignment boutique closes in March after almost two decades of success. Until the doors are locked, there are sales and deals inside 227 S. Cochran. Current owner Angel Fulkerson took over from founder Betsy Smith and has created lasting relationships with customers and consignment providers.

Deadtime Stories: The Sequel, opened in the Courthouse Square Museum in June 2025. Despite being open during festivals and concerts, there was not enough traffic for it to remain. The store closed before the new year, but the original Deadtime Stories flourishes in Lansing.

There is a new director at the Eaton County Humane Society Danielle Constant, who was recently a manager at the Northland Animal Hospital in Rockford.

The former Soldan’s pet supply, recently sold to Feeders Pet Supply, closed at the end of October 2025 in the Charlotte Plaza. A former manager wrote on Facebook that the staff was great, sales were underperforming, costs of brick and mortar were a factor, and other Soldan locations remain open.

Yes, it’s true, the former Reflections store at 129 S. Cochran is now Vikings’ Edge, an axe-throwing venue. Sneak a peek during the Wine Walk on February 12 (tickets required), or wait for the opening, February 27. As the Wood Turns owner John Laupp and neighbor from the Groomery, Capri Brown Dixon, are owners. Six lanes and unique designs are featured.

Richard’s Appliance, a mainstay in Charlotte at 630 W. Lawrence Ave.,  since 1983, is now Morton’s Appliance, offering appliance sales and repairs. Longtime owners Robin and Janice Richards retired and sold the building to Brad and Terri Morton.

The Riverside Café, a grand community spot, has been closed for about a year in Bellevue. Asking price is $300,000 for a spot by the riverside.

The former Bellevue Car Wash is now Steph’s Buff and Wash, and since owners Justin and Stephanie Keiffer took over in November 2025, changes and upgrades have been in progress.

It is hard to believe the transformation of the Windwalker Gallery front on 125 S. Cochran in Charlotte. Once an art, design and musical showplace, the Marketplace Studio Gallery is chocked with an eclectic mix of items from local folks, from herbs to clothing, mugs to jewelry. The back is still set up with a piano and stage and has been used for musical events. The Windwalker Antiques and Underground Gallery was started by the late Richard Turbin and his son, Rick, in 2012 and operated as such until Richard died in 2024. 

Also a part of the Marketplace is The Corner Market and Pantry, moving in from just down the road from its former location at Lovett and Cochran.

Seasonal Inspirations was a charming gift shop and community support for Olivet. Jamie Kita was the owner and operator, as well as one time Olivet Chamber of Commerce president. Ill health has forced her to close her shop.

When one business leaves a building, another moves right in. That’s the prosperity of the WestEnd Hub in Charlotte. Natural Journey to Health moved in with Agape Salon on Lawrence Avenue, leaving space for the newest West End Hub occupant, RK’s Unique Boutique to move right in at 517 W. Lovett. The shop should be up and running soon, says owner Randi-Kay Stine.

And still more moves in the West End, where Valhalla Value and Liquidations, which has done nothing but grown since its beginnings about four years ago, moves to 135 S. Washington, as Eaton Clothing and Furniture moves out and into space on 520 S. Robinson St., next to SIREN/Eaton Shelter.

Valhalla will not be alone in the budling as it is large enough to house multiple businesses, many fostered under Valhalla’s roof.

Vermontville

Vermontville

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Vermontville

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85th annual Vermontville Maple Syrup Fest continues to grow

Posted by Design | February 26, 2026

Joanne Williams
Editor

(Courtesy photo – This year’s 85th Festival will include a drone show in place of a traditional fireworks display.)

Can you imagine what those 1940s farmers who sat around, in a barbershop, jawing about some sort of syrup festival would say today?

Sweet!

The festival, concocted to help area farmers earn money for much-needed spring seeds, was a no brainer. Maple syrup flowed in the Maple Valley area, and early settlers from Vermont knew how to tap the natural bounty. The rest is history.

A town of about 750 swells to more than 20,000 the last full weekend of April to host the three-day event, which some Michigan event planners call the “granddaddy” of all such Michigan Festivals.

Festival Presidents Mary Ann and Steve Hayes know the history and promise the occasion presents. That’s why, this year, they have added an extra piece: a drone show.

Fund-raising has been going on since the beginning of the year, Mary Ann said. “We’re down to the bits and pieces” of the $10,000 needed. “It’s been quite an endeavor.”

Mary Ann learned about the growing popularity of drones versus fireworks at a state fair and festival planners gathering. She thought it would add a special kick to this year’s event.

She also explained to volunteers that they would not have to get up a “5:30 Saturday morning to pick up shrapnel,” she said. That, and the more environmentally friendly aspects of drones, made the decision easier.

Funds are still appreciated for the spectacle, which happens April 24, 25 and 26.

The weekend schedule and all things Festival are on the website syrupfest.org.

Other aspects of this year’s event include some fund-raising opportunities for the dancers from Step in Time of Nashville, who will be traveling to Disney this June. There is also going to be a designated food truck area.

There are not many obstacles that festival planners have not overcome, from finding parking space for visitors as well as space for vendors in a small town, to providing handicapped accessible porta-johns.

The first big tapping of trees happened at the start of February, as well as the crowning of this year’s Festival Court: Queen McKenzie Soper, Aubree Roth and Kiylee Kirby.

Next, the naming of the grand marshal for the parade, and a full schedule of events. Information can be found at syrupfest.org.

Potterville

Potterville

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Potterville

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Potterville boys seeing growth under ‘new’ coach Kemp

Posted by Design | February 12, 2026

Ben Murphy
Contributing Writer 

(Photo provided – Coach Kyren Kemp is happy to be back in Potterville.)

The head coaching gig for the Potterville boys basketball team has been a bit of a revolving door in recent years. Kyren Kemp is in his first year leading the Vikings, and he is their third different coach in the last three years. 

“That’s going to be tough on any program,” Kemp said. 

The coach is hoping though, that the way he does things can start to make a difference.

“(We have) different expectations and higher standards than most of them were accustomed to,” Kemp said. “We had success early, have been faced with a lot of adversity since then but the light at the end of the tunnel is bright. We’re being transformational instead of transactional in our leadership. It’s heading in the right direction.” 

The Vikings are 4-13 overall this season (as of February. 4). They began the season with three straight wins: 70-67 over Eaton Rapids, 68-59 over Lansing Christian, and 57-45 over Dansville. Since that time, they’ve added one more victory –  when they topped Saranac 69-46 in the middle of January. They’ve run through a tough stretch of games, but Kemp believes his group is still getting to where they need to be. 

“Handling adversity (is key),” he said. “We’ve struggled and lost more than a fair share of games because of it. There’s a mental toughness that we have to display, and we are working every day to get there. (We’re showing them) that nothing is given; if you want something you have to earn it, take it and protect it. To be winners you have to do the things that winners do. It’s a sacrifice that’s not for everybody. Standards must be upheld, no one person, no one coach, no one player is bigger than the program. That’s how we will be successful.”

The coach mentioned a few players that have helped through things in what has been a bit of a transitional year.

“Tooker Harris is amazing kid and great leader,” Kemp said. “He is what I call the ‘puppy’ of the team being only a sophomore. He leads by example and always makes sure guys are in the right spot. Andrew Morales leads the way as our starting point guard, which I’m very transparent in saying is the hardest position to play for me. He has taken his bumps and hard conversations and really matured in that role over the season. Blake Collern is the most unselfish and hardest working player we have. He’s versatile simply because he’s willing to be. He never knows how many minutes he’ll play or what he’ll be asked to do but he is going to do it 100-percent and never complains. These guys are examples of exactly what we want our program to be.”

The coach is hoping that by learning through their adversity this season, they can end the year on a high note.

“We want to finish the season strong while creating a solid foundation. I think a lot of the people on the outside have counted us out, but there’s a lot of belief in this program and a lot of hunger,” Kemp said. “We want to be clicking on all cylinders leading into district play and make our run.”

From there, the coach is banking on building a program that churns out productive teams year after year.

“The future is bright here, but greatness won’t happen overnight,” Kemp said. “You have to go through the dark to appreciate the light. We are building over here, and I am proud of the young men I have here and happy to be back in Potterville.”

Eaton Rapids

Eaton Rapids

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Quilter’s story takes root in Eaton Rapids store

Posted by Design | March 23, 2026

Stacy Holbrook
Contributing Writer

(Photo provided – The quilt shop Gold Thimble is now open on Main Street.)

 

Every quilt tells a story, and every quilter has a story to tell. Wendy Stahl’s story is now a new shop in Eaton Rapids.

When Stahl was young, her mother took her to a quilting retreat in West Branch, at a quilt shop called Caroline’s, a place you could rent rooms for the weekend, a place to experience the wonderful world of fabric, a place to connect. Each thread, woven together, colors and patterns, became the instruments of beautiful creations. 

Stahl discovered the joy of creation. She went from never sewing a thing to completing three quilt tops. Later, this became a family event. Stahl along with her mother, sister, brother, niece and now great niece make yearly plans for “mom and me quilting retreats” that happens in March. This allows them to break up the winter blues as well as an opportunity to celebrate the many birthdays that happen near that time.  

Stahl reveals she is from a long line of quilters. Her Great Grandmother, who hand cut and hand stitched every quilt she created, to her great niece that spends time at the store helping customers view material.  She shares there were stitches her Great Grandmother would use that you could not get on a sewing machine.

It is exciting to watch as bolts of fabric with woven threads turn into beautiful, finished products of loving comfortable quilts.

Caroline’s was an amazing shop of patterns and fabrics that Stahl said she found she could connect with. This started forming her dream. Years later, when Caroline’s was planning on closing, Stahl considered purchasing this beloved place, but, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was not in the cards at that time. 

Later, Stahl found a nice building in Dimondale, but again, it did not feel right. With the encouragement and support of her boyfriend, Jason, Stahl’s dream moved into the next phase of planning. She started looking for the right location.

Knowing there were a lot of quilters in Eaton Rapids, Stahl narrowed her search. Her excitement was building as she found a building, made renovations and started gathering supplies, and placing orders for fabrics and designs six months in advance.  

Stahl held a soft opening February 28 to March 1, holding a small quilting gathering with the local quilters.

Stahl received helpful information shared by the ladies in the group, as well as suggestions for the future to consider. Stahl viewed this soft opening with excited hope, as her grand opening was scheduled for March 6.

Stahl looks to the future and holding quilting classes, selling sewing machines and offering sewing machine repairs. There are new and intriguing patterns splashed across fabrics to glamour the faces of quilts to reflect the seasons to explore.

Gold Thimble Quilt Shop is located at 217 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids. Contact Stahl at  Wendy@TheGoldThimble.com, or call  972-489-8547, or visit  WWW.THEGOLDTHIMBLE.COM.

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