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By Kathy Oswalt-Forsythe

Mike Walker for more than 25 years has enjoyed hunting with his metal detector, finding all kinds of interesting and lost things. The hunts have touched lives as well.

As reports of his successes spread, people regularly call him for help. He has located property stakes, lost wedding bands and engagement rings. He’s assisted in law enforcement evidence recovery – including locating items essential for conviction in several murder trials.

These activities have been rewarding. But recently, Walker’s successful hunt took on a deeper meaning.

As Walker tells it, Vicksburg resident Margo Wyman called him, saying, “We need your help.” Her brother-in-law had died in a fatal car accident on 34th Street. A pendant he was wearing, containing his wife’s ashes, was lost at the scene. Walker wanted to help, but when he went to the site and saw the ditch full of poison ivy and other hazards, he wasn’t sure it would work. Walker persevered, and during the summer was able to present Wyman with the lost piece so special to Wyman’s family.

Walker says he has always enjoyed returning items he finds to the community, but this experience was powerful and meant much more. This was emotional for the family. And “to be able to locate and return the pendant was exciting to me.”
Walker also speaks at churches, clubs, and organizations, where he shares his passion for and knowledge of hunting with a metal detector.

Walker is the current president of the Southwest Michigan Seek and Search Club. This group of metal detecting enthusiasts meets from 7-9 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Ransom District Library in Plainwell.

There’s a new restaurant coming to town: Roxie’s will replace Michelle’s on 343 West Prairie at Boulevard St. Stephen Walantyn, owner of the Roxie’s on Gull Road, says he’s excited to have the chance to come to Vicksburg. “When Mike Leeuw approached us about taking over the Michelle’s, we didn’t have to think long.”

Walantyn is a former employee of Mike and Jane Leeuw, owners of Michelle’s. They were impressed by Walantyn’s passion for the food industry and his focus on customer service. Walantyn and his family are grateful for the opportunity.

“Michelle’s has already created a name for itself, and with our twist on the menu and focusing hard on lunch as well, we knew that Roxie’s Vicksburg would be a great home for us!”

The restaurant is named in honor of Walantyn’s late mother, the former matriarch of the family and an avid food lover.

Roxie’s will begin the hiring process for this location as early as November 8. It is seeking strong kitchen help. Interested applicants can send a resume to roxiesbreakfast@gmail.com or visit Roxie’s Gull Road location.

By Eric Hansen

Vicksburg’s Rotary Club has collected nearly 25 tons of scrap metal and earned nearly $6,000 since the collection began last May.

The Club is committed to funding service projects which improve the lives of Vicksburg residents. Its main fundraiser, Rotary Showboat, was put on hold by the COVID pandemic. Rotarians put hearts and minds together to find a fresh way of serving the community. Member Warren Lawrence proposed the scrap metal drive.

Program facilitator David Aubry explained, “This serves two Rotary purposes: raising funds for commitments and improving the environment. We are also helping people get rid of metal they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to be rid of.” He said the Rotary’s community improvements have included collecting metal from public roads – including a trampoline – and emptying a hoarder’s home. The largest job, he said, was clearing the metal from a barn fire, including seven garden tractors, a snowmobile, snow-thrower, and a motorcycle. The crew cleared 2 1/4 tons of metal in two trips. The work is definitely a community service for people who need to be rid of accumulated metal.

Special credit is due to Aubry’s volunteer staff of Larry Forsythe, Christina Aubry, Warren Lawrence, Mark Mitchell and Jim Bird. These and other Rotarians donated time, labor, transportation and gasoline to the cause.

The Rotary has donated to recognizable community projects such as The Miracle Field in Schoolcraft and the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation during its Big Read Machine project.

Funds from scrap metal collections go to the Vicksburg Rotary Charities Fund endowment which is invested by the Kalamazoo
Community Foundation. Investment proceeds generate a spendable account as a return on the Rotary’s investment. This is a fiscally wise choice intended to keep creating income for charitable endeavors for decades to come.

Citizens interested a free pick-up of metal waste can find more information by emailing David Aubry at daubry@yahoo.com, or by finding him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/daubry.