COMMUNITY: Wildcat Community Education

Did you know that we have our own community education program, right here in Mattawan?  The Wildcat Community Education classes begin September 22 and run through December 12.  There are many great classes available, from fitness to food to finance!  Check out the info below and sign up!

EVENT: Mattawan Color Blast 5K

Ready, runners?  We have another great event coming up!  The Mattawan Color Blast 5K fun run will take place at 9:00 am, Saturday, September 27, 2014.  Go here to register.  The run will be a trail run on the grounds of Mattawan Schools.  The cost is $20 and the event is open only to the first 500 registrants.  Your registration fee will cover your race tee shirt as well as getting blasted at the four color stations along the route!

All profits from the Color Blast 5K go to the Mattawan High School Student Government, which pays for many activities both in the school and in our community!  So head out and support our students by getting crazy and colorful this Fall!

SCHOOLS: School Bond Update

As we near the beginning of what's sure to be another great school year in our award-winning district, let's keep in mind the upcoming bond proposal.  The proposal would allow for much-needed updates to our facilities.  Our teachers and staff do such an excellent job with the existing facilities, it can be difficult to realize that our children are attending schools which were built half a century or more ago.  Mattawan Early Elementary alone is home to over 900 students, who are receiving one of the best educations in the state despite being housed in buildings meant for less than half that number.

The District has conducted voter surveys and held a number of focus groups throughout the community over the past year.  Based on the feedback they received, which supports the premise that our school facilities are badly in need of attention, the School Board established a Community Committee, made up of the attendees of the public meetings, to review the District's needs and to present recommendations.

The Community Committee reviewed eight different options for addressing the Elementary School needs.  Ultimately, the Community Committee has recommended the building of two new Elementary Schools, small additions and limited remodeling at the Middle School & High School buildings as well as technology upgrades and new bus purchases.  It's important to note that the bonds will be structured in two series, allowing the millage increase and its impact on taxpayers to be lower than previous bond proposals.  To figure out how the proposals will impact you, head over to the tax calculator here.  Be sure to input your home's TAXABLE VALUE, not your home's actual value for an accurate representation of the tax impact.

The project will being put forth as two separate ballot proposals:

PROPOSAL I

$62,370,000 2.59 Mill increase

1.  Erect, furnish and equip two (2) new elementary school buildings.

2.  Acquire, install and equip the new elementary buildings for instructional technology and related infrastructure.

3.  Develop, improve and equip playgrounds, play fields and sites.

PROPOSAL II

$16,290,000 .98 Mill increase

1.  Erect, furnish and equip additions to the middle school and high school buildings.

2.  Remodel, furnish/refurnish and equip/re-equip the middle school and high school buildings.

3.  Acquire, install and equip the middle school and high school buildings for instructional technology and related infrastructure.

4.  Purchase new school buses.

5.  Develop and improve sites.

EVENT: Megan Rich Reading at Antwerp Sunshine Library

What a treat!  Author Megan Rich (Megan Ryan) was born and raised in Mattawan before beginning a life of adventure living in China, Germany, Sweden and Japan.  This is Megan's second book and follows her life through her travels as she tries to understand her place in the world.

Megan will be giving a reading Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 10:30 am at the Antwerp Sunshine Library - a place she counts as among her favorites from childhood.  This reading is part of Megan's book tour to support this latest work.  The book is available for Kindle and iBooks - buy it here.

Please come out and support Megan Rich!

EVENT: Fly in Breakfast

Fly (or drive!) in to Newman's Field for a great breakfast to support the Mattawan Lions Club.  The event takes place Saturday, August 16, 2014 from 7-11 am at Newman's Field located just off Almena.

The Mattawan Lions are well known for their service to our community.  Take time to support them by attending this fun family event.  Breakfast is $8.00 and proceeds will go directly to the Mattawan Lions Club!

COMMUNITY: Host an Exchange Student with Cultural Homestay International

Tamra Diamond has let us know of a great opportunity for people in Mattawan!  Read below about hosting an exchange student:

Have you ever thought of hosting a high school exchange student? NOW is the time! Host families do NOT need to have high school children of their own. We have single parents, grandparents, young couples, empty nesters, and single adults that host.

The students have all of their own expense money and medical/dental insurance.  We ask that you provide them with a bed (they can share a room with a sibling of the same gender but must have their own bed), meals at home, and include them as a part of your family. They will follow your family rules, expectations, and guidelines. This is your opportunity to make a child's dream come true! Please consider opening your home and heart to one of these students - you won't regret it!

If you are not interested, but know of someone who you feel would make a great host family, please feel free to forward my information to them! Please contact Tamra Diamond, Academic Coordinator, Cultural Homestay International (269)823-2040 or chiwesternmi@gmail.com if you would like more information! www.chinet.org/ayp

EVENT: Mattawan Athletic Boosters 1st Annual Golf Scramble

You may know this outing as the Mattawan Football Golf Scramble - it's back, but with a new name!  The 1st Annual Mattawan Athletic Boosters Golf Scramble is set to take place Saturday, September 6, 2014, with an 8:30 am shotgun start.

Heritage Glen Golf Course (29795 Heritage Lane, Paw Paw, MI 49079) will host the event.  Cost will be $75 per golfer or $300 per team.  Your fee includes 18 holes, use of the driving range, door prizes and a beautiful lunch buffet.

Raffle tickets and a silent auction will be available for over 10 different prize baskets valued at over $200 each!  Door prizes will also be awarded for 1st and 2nd place teams, Closest to the Pin and Longest Putt.

And attention business owners!  There are hole sponsorship opportunities for $100 - advertise your business and support our athletes!

To sign up to golf and for hole sponsorship, either print the form below and send with your check made payable to Mattawan Consolidated Schools, or sign up online via RevTrak at www.mattawan.revtrak.net, then click "Athletics" then "Athletic Boosters".

EVENT: Mattawan 5th Annual Alumni Football Game

Come out for a great evening of fun, Saturday, August 2, 2014, at the 5th Annual Alumni Football Game!  Mattawan Alumni of all ages will face off at 7:00pm against Portage Central Alumni.  All main entrance tickets are just $5.00 and those sales will directly support the Mattawan Strength and Conditioning Programs.  Proceeds from concession sales will benefit the Mattawan Athletic Boosters.

Spirit wear and alumni game t-shirts will be on sale and the kids can enjoy a wine barrel train ride!

In addition, the Mattawan Tennis team will be out that evening selling Savings Passes to Macy's for $5 each to raise funds for court repairs and improvements!

It's going to be an awesome event with many different ways to support our athletes!

EVENT: Wildcat Road & Trail 5K

August 2, 2014 will see the runners of Mattawan take to the roads and paths surrounding Mattawan High School for the Wildcat Road & Trail 5K. Beginning on the school track, runners will make their way through mixed terrain for 5K to finish back at the track. It's a fun and family friendly run - you can register as a family or team! Proceeds from the event go to the MPEF (Mattawan Public Education Fund) which provides our students with scholarships, new classroom programs and grants. This wonderful organization gave over $43,000 to our schools just in the last year!

There are several age divisions for the race which begins at 8:00 the morning of August 2. Awards will be handed out at 9:15 am, just after the race. For registration information and more, follow this link or head over to the Wildcat Road & Trail 5K Facebook page! Online registration ends July 31, 2014 at 5:00pm. I know Mattawan is filled with runners! Let's get out, get fit and support our school kids!

 

EVENT: 2014 Wildcat Classic Car Show

On August 9, 2014, classic cars will be flooding into McGillen's Crossing for the 2014 Wildcat Classic Car Show! From 9 am - 3 pm, enjoy food, music and family fun as you check out all the cool classics.
Three 40" gas pump lamp trophies will be awarded in the categories of Sponsors' Choice, People's Choice and Owners' Choice. In addition to those sizable awards, trophies will also be given in several other categories.
If you're interested in showing your vehicle at this show, follow this link for registration information or contact Lori at Lori@LorisWebDesign.com or at 269-655-4477. Registration begins at 7am.
This great show is organized by the Mattawan Business Association, with proceeds going to develop bike trails in Mattawan. So come out and support our town and have fun, too!

Welcome!

What's Happening in Mattawan? 

Welcome to Mattawan Living, a guide to what’s happening in our small town with a big heart.  Did we also mention that Mattawan, Michigan is one of the most beautiful places on earth? The lakes, forests, vineyards and fields captivate you immediately. Explore local businesses, restaurants and our award winning schools! 

We'll keep you informed about the events, restaurants, shopping and real estate news you need to get the most out of Mattawan. Plus, we profile who and what’s happening around town with our feature articles – to give you a deeper flavor for this fantastic town. If you’re visiting or new to the area, here’s your jumping off point for experiencing the best and brightest that Mattawan has to offer.