8 Thursday, October 3, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
anymore.”
In fact, Don’s youngest brother
works in the bicycling industry in
Colorado where he moved so he
could race professionally.
In fact, Billy’s Bike Shop spon-
sored a large bike racing team, he
said.
“In the probably late 80s, early
90s,” he said, “Team Billy’s. Mostly
mountain bikes. It was his living. He
went to bike races throughout the
country. He had a collegiate national
champion, a European national
champion.”
Billy’s Bike Shop had three dif-
ferent Galesburg locations over the
years.
When the Billy’s Bike Shop sign
eventually comes down, said Don,
it will be donated to the Galesburg
Historical Museum.
Former Billy Gillespie road racing
team team mate Charlie Broberg also
attended the painting party.
“We’d do a hundred miles every
weekend,” said Broberg. “I used to
do the 24-hour ride up in the GrandRapids area and we’d ride all night
long. I managed 307 miles one
time.”
The KHS brand was one of many
Billy sold.
Hershberger said he enjoyed bring-
ing forth the story of Bike Friendly
Kalamazoo together with the story of
Billy’s Bike Shop.
“It’s always a good time,” said
Hershberger, who has completed
more than 100 mural and illustra-
tion projects around West Michigan,
including several in Battle Creek.
“Community paint sessions bring all
the feels. Things like this, when fam-
ily members come down and help
as a part of it, it’s like you’re being
a part of it in multiple stages. We’re
doing the portraiture, then painting
it together and they get to see the
process.”
While looking over the mural on
Monday, VanderWeele said he is
happy with the final result.
“We’re excited to be able to give
back to the community, that we’re
able to reuse this building for this
purpose here,” he said. “We’re glad
to share it with everybody. It’s awe-
some.”GALESBURG
Continued from Page 7Santa’s Helper has begun the 49th
year of helping people in need during
the upcoming holiday season.
Santa’s Helper (Darlene Williams)
is now taking applications for
Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets
Mondays-Thursdays, from 1030 a.m.
to 4 p.m., at First United Methodist
Church, located at 111 E. Michigan
Ave., in downtown Battle Creek, near
City Hall.
Williams said she will stop taking
applications on Nov. 27.
“Anyone needing help must come
early, especially if they need both
holidays,” explained Williams.
She said she only has room for 200-
250 Thanksgiving basket requests, as
donors want the names of recipient
families by Nov. 1.
“If you’re in need of help, you must
bring your picture ID, Social Security
cards of everyone on the application,
and something with your currentaddress, such as a rent receipt, util-
ity bill or [other] piece of mail,” said
Williams.
People who would like to help a
family should call Williams at (269)
580-0295.
Only donors should call Santa’s
Helper; people should not call First
Methodist, as it’s not part of the pro-
gram.
Williams said the program is in
“serious need” of toys for all ages
up to 17, and noted that gift cards are
“great for teenagers.”
Any individual or organization
that would like to help in collecting
should call Williams at the above
listed phone number.
Monetary donations can be sent to
South Michigan Food Bank, 5457
Wayne Road, Battle Creek, MI
49037, with “Santa’s Helper” writ-
ten on the memo line to ensure she
receives credit.Santa’s Helper taking
applications for holiday baskets
OPEN:
Tue.-Fri.10am-5:30pm;
Sat. 10am-5pm;
Closed Sunday14845 W. Michigan Ave., Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269-298-
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