Eaton Rapids
ER senior Grace Lehto earns ‘full ride’ to CMU
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer Grace Lehto of Eaton Rapids is “doing high school to the max” according to her mother, Kelly. Recently selected as Eaton Rapids High School’s homecoming queen, Grace is a star player in three sports — softball, volleyball and...
ERFD Marks 18th Anniversary of 9-11
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer September 11, 2001 is still fresh in the minds of the members of the Eaton Rapids Fire Department. With each anniversary of that date they remember their brotherhood of 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers, eight EMT’s and...
Bateman Gypsy Wagons blends passion, craftsmanship
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer Ryan Perritt started a Gypsy wagon business in Eaton Rapids in 2016. He builds these colorful wagons both for decorative use and for actual camping, using house construction standards. The workshop for this business, Bateman...
Historic Miller Barn needs roof
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer Located just a few blocks from downtown Eaton Rapids, on State Street, is the Miller Farm. It is a local landmark and an important historic feature of the town. The Miller House was built by Joel Latson in 1864 and purchased by John...
New owners relish opportunity at Hotel Tavern
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer It’s been a dream for Dana Hatt and her sisters for years to own a bar. About a month ago that dream came true. Dana and her husband, Mark, purchased the Hotel Tavern in Springport. The Tavern is about 11 miles south of Eaton Rapids in...
Eaton Rapids … A well-loved small town
By Deb Malewski Not everyone loves Eaton Rapids, of course. But those who do, really do. There is a certain passion about what this town has to offer, and many appreciate it. They enjoy a sense of security, neighbors helping neighbors and a strong community...
Bald eagle hit by car while eating
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer It’s hard to imagine that someone would intentionally hit a bald eagle with their car as it stands in the road, eating. Louise at Wildside Rehabilitation and Education believes this is probably what happened to Freedom, an 8-year-old...
Eaton Rapids Post Office mural created by Russian prince
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer If you’ve ever mailed a letter or package in the Eaton Rapids Post Office you’ve probably noticed the large mural above the service counter. It is one of about 1,400 similar murals throughout the country. In this area, there are also...
Girl Scouts end the ‘there’s nothing to do’ problem
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer So often we hear “There’s nothing to do ...” from our kids. Some of our young women, though, have found a way to keep busy, to learn, and to have fun. They joined the Girl Scouts. There are eight different troops in Eaton Rapids alone....
When dialysis isn’t a good option
Deb Malewski Contributing Writer Franklin South, 16, known by friends and family as “Frankie,” has had kidney disease his entire life. Born prematurely to a troubled mom with substance abuse issues, Frankie faced a very uncertain future. That future was made brighter...