For Rick Moore, the journey from Belding High School student to Nashville songwriter and author of a recently released eBook has been a long one, filled with unexpected twists and turns. And though the road hasn’t always been an easy one, at least it hasn’t been boring. Moore’s new eBook, “Bringing in the Sheep,” is the culmination of years of work and decades of writing.

When visitors arrived to the reveal of the new Belding Performing Arts Center Sunday afternoon, an atmosphere of professionalism took hold of each and every child, student and adult as they placed their first steps into the vast 550-seat auditorium. People shuffled slowly to their armchairs, feeling the texture of the wooden handrails under their palms while staring in amazement at the giant suspended sound reflectors hanging from the ceiling.

With the thought in her mind that a single member of her community could go without a meal simply because they might be saving money to buy a gift for a loved one during the holiday season, one fifth-grade student at Woodview Elementary School took it upon herself Monday night to give back in a way that might feed anyone who was in need of a warm meal.

Amending budgets, managing employee hours and taking on the many challenges that face public libraries today, the responsibilities of the new Alvah N. Library director add up quickly, but ask Deb Jones about her duties and she’ll tell you she’s glad to be doing it in a community like Belding.

In its current state, the parking lot adjacent to Central Riverside Park in Belding is in severe disrepair, and has been for some time. The future of that parking lot, used by parents driving children to soccer games, families meeting in the park for reunions and other various activities throughout the park, may very well be determined by a potential grant that was discussed in heavy detail during a work session at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Citing more time to spend with his children and family, Belding City Councilman Jon Bunce officially submitted his letter of resignation at Tuesday night’s Belding City Council meeting. Bunce began his statement of resignation by offering a formal apology to Otisco Township resident Jeff Hunter, who was in attendance and spoke during the public comment period.

Even the most mature adults, when talking about being victimized by a crime, are reduced to a queasy stomach, sweaty palms, stammering answers and unwelcome tears while testifying in the sterile environment of an imposing courtroom in front of unsmiling, suit-wearing strangers. Imagine how it feels for a child.

Three weeks ago, the city of Belding and Electrolux Inc. came to an agreement on a consent judgement that will, when officially signed by a judge, serve as a guideline when Electrolux begins to decommission the original silk mill building, clock tower and other Gibson buildings at the corner of Bridge and Main streets — the oldest of which have stood since 1903.

The first 10 minutes of a middle school physical education class, a time set aside for stretching and preparing for activities, are not always the most exciting, but at Belding Middle School students now eagerly wait to see what warm-up routine is coming their way. Consisting of stretching, balancing, running, jumping and other exercises to loosen up one’s muscles, warming up can be considered an annoyance or a chore when a basket of balls is waiting for you on the other side of the gym. But thanks to the Hopsports Mini Training System recently implemented at Belding Middle School, students now start their class by following along with a virtual instructor to as many as 50 different warm-up routines.

For several moments Sunday morning, Belding resident and World War II veteran John Geisen stood quietly just a few feet in front of the new Belding Freedom Wall memorial as people shuffled around him. Staring at the newly dedicated wall, built in memory of area WWII veterans, Geisen’s eyes began to glass over with tears. With a deep breath, he then took a few steps closer to the wall.