New book: Grief is often ‘weird’ and usually confounds, changes us
Joanne Williams Editor (Photo provided - There is no place like Rome, and no time more precious than family time. The Nowlan family, Dawn at the center, and, from left, Samuel, Shea, and Jillian, two years ago.) We don’t handle grief well. Take it from someone...
There will be magic in the air June 6-7 as Fantasy Faire appears
Joanne Williams Editor (Photo provided - Lady Petal is an apt guide in the magical world that is created at the Eaton County Fairground during the annual Magical Realm Fantasy Faire, June 6 -7 in Charlotte.) What do a Centaur, a pirate, and Pestis the Plaque Rat...
Gizzards aren’t the only things on the menu at the annual Potterville three-day festival
Joanne Williams Editor (Cindy Gaedert-Gearhart/TCJ - Crowds, food, music, rides, vendors, a parade, car show and so much more. What a great way to begin summer festival season, right here in Potterville.) Do you know what a gizzard is? They tend to “pop up” at...
Mitten Misfits Farm Sanctuary benefits from volunteers, special book sales
Sheryl Oswalt Contributing Writer (Sheryl Oswalt/TCJ - Volunteer Josh Scott and Rosie the goat. Scott and his family volunteer at Mitten Misfits.) If all you do is drive by the property at 8650 W. Mt. Hope Highway, it doesn’t look much different than the other small...
Für Elise, reisen ist der weg zum lernen
Joanne Williams Editor (Courtesy photo - From Charlotte to Marquette, Germany to Spain to Germany once again, travel offers life lessons to Elise Crossman.) For Elise, travel is the way to learn. And while she is just getting started in life, she has been looking...
What lies beneath: Eaton Rapids is rebuilding its water system with assistance from state funds
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer (Deb Malewski/FAN - Rob Pierce, Eaton Rapids’ Public Works and Utilities Director, has been with the city since 2019 and is in favor of being proactive when dealing with infrastructure issues.) For many residents, the Michigan Drinking...
Dimondale 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 proud Lions members installing the sign at Lions Park. Pictured from left to right are: then President J.B. Johnson, Dave Kries, unknown person, Bill Long and Dick...
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...
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...
Open Class entries welcome for Eaton County Fair by June 15
Joanne Williams Editor (TCJ photo: Woodcarver Ben Risney was featured at the 2025 Eaton County fair. Woodcarving is a category in Open Class competition.) All is not lost in terms of participation and exhibits since the November 2025 budget cuts to the 4-H...