The Oceana Echo - Volume 2, Issue 10, August 2, 2024

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

Oceana to host its First National Night Out

Oceana County citizens and visitors are invited to attend the county’s first National Night Out (NNO) and Preparedness Fair, Tuesday, August 6, at the new Shelby Township Park from 4-8 p.m. The park is located at 4101 W. Buchanan Road, Shelby. Attendees will be joining over 38 million neighbors, across 18 thousand communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide.

According to the National Night Out website (www.natw.org), NNO is held each year on the first Tuesday in August and “...is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”

Along with the traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, most

communities celebrate National Night Out by hosting block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other various community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more.

Here in Oceana County, local law enforcement will be combining their first-ever NNO with “Preparedness Month,”  which usually takes place in September. “With a limited volunteer base, we felt this was a more effective way to utilize our volunteers, time and resources,” Oceana Emergency Management Director Troy Maloney said. “We plan to have safety education and vehicles on hand from Great Lakes Energy and Consumers Power, fire departments, ambulance crews, Mason-Oceana 911, Michigan DNR and the county road commission, as well as numer-

ous booths sharing safety education for all ages. Everyone is welcome, and the event is completely free! The event will include free food and beverages, hands-on education and fun activities, including inflatables from Grace Adventures, and water games hosted by our fire departments. Cornhole and face painting will also be part of the festivities. Shelby and Hart High School football teams will be on hand to assist and WMOM of Ludington will be on site doing a live radio broadcast of the event.”  National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for our nation to stand together and promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement. When law enforcement and the community work closely together, some amazing things

can happen.”

National Night Out is nationally sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), ADT, Starbucks, Associa, Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (L.E.A.D.) and co-sponsored locally by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department, Peterson Farms Inc. and Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo.

“We couldn’t be more excited about hosting our first-annual national night out event at the brand new Shelby Township Community Park,” Undersheriff Ryan Schiller exclaimed. “You will not want your family to miss this event! You can find our event on Facebook and Instagram. We hope to see you there!”

For more information on National Night Out, please visit natw.org.

The Primary Election is Tuesday, August 6. Please visit the Oceana County Clerk’s website to see what is on the ballot in your municipality. A full list of results will be in next week’s edition.

Law enforcement investigates incident at Little Sable Point

By Steve Gunn

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

The Oceana County Sheriff’s Department is still investigating an apparent trespassing and vandalism incident at the Little Sable Point Lighthouse at Silver Lake State Park in late June, which resulted in damage to a U.S. Coast Guard radio that was inside the facility.

Oddly, the law enforcement response to the break-in began with

a false report of a sinking boat on Lake Michigan near the lighthouse, which drew dozens of U.S. Coast Guard boats and a Wisconsin-based rescue helicopter to the area.

No boat was found, but the follow-up investigation revealed that vandals had somehow found their way into the lighthouse, destroyed a marine band radio and attempted to vandalize the lens that emits the beacon from the lighthouse.

The troubling incident at the lighthouse comes as the historic structure is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

The odd events occurred on the night of June 24, as heavy storms and high winds moved into West Michigan and caused a tremendous amount of damage to property, leaving many without electricity.

The heavy winds created high waves and dangerous conditions on Lake Michigan, which made the report of a sinking vessel more believable for authorities.

“Our dispatch was notified by the Coast Guard that a ship or boat was in distress and called Mayday and was sinking off the Silver Lake sand

dune area near the lighthouse,” Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast said. “Our marine patrol went out and found the Coast Guard on the scene with boats and aircraft.

“Our marine patrol began searching with the other rescue teams. A helicopter came out of Milwaukee. We sent boat patrol deputies to the lighthouse to look out (over the lake). When the deputies arrived at the lighthouse, they discovered that somebody was already there, which was very strange because it is usually locked. The officers went to the top of the lighthouse but didn’t see anything on the lake except rescue boats.

“Eventually, the helicopter ran low on fuel and left. The Coast Guard left and we called the search off, as well. We never found any debris, witnesses or anything to believe there was anything out there (in the water).”

Mast said deputies caught a glimpse of several people near the lighthouse, but were more concerned about the search and rescue operation on the lake, and proceeded to the top of the structure to look out over the water for any boats in distress.

The next day, the sheriff’s department learned about the apparent vandalism inside the lighthouse.

“The following day, we were contacted by state park representatives,” Mast said. “They knew we had officers in the lighthouse the night before. They mentioned that a marine band radio in the lighthouse had been broken. We assured them that none of our deputies had damaged the radio. They also discovered that the lens that emits the light from the lighthouse had been manipulated. It was not damaged, but it had been touched.”

Investigators are operating on the theory that the vandals used the marine band radio to call in the false report of the vessel in distress before destroying the device.

There was evidence at the scene that authorities are tracking, but no arrests have been made, according to Mast. The evidence is currently being processed and examined at the Michigan State Police crime lab, he said.

The sheriff was not sure if any locks on the lighthouse door had been broken or exactly how the vandals found

their way inside.

“We are investigating the theory that people had used the radio to make the fictitious report about a boat that was sinking, then damaged the radio afterward,” Mast said. “We also believe they attempted to manipulate the light on the lighthouse, which is a unique and very expensive lens.

“We have collected some evidence to try to determine who had ac-

cess to the lighthouse and made a false report to a federal authority. The Coast Guard is assisting in the investigation. We are interested in criminal charges.”

Sheriff Mast stated that the entire incident was expensive for the Coast Guard and potentially dangerous to rescue personnel on the lake.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at (231) 8732121.

”Filing a false report is a felony,” Mast said. “Another is illegally accessing the lighthouse, which is a national landmark, and damaging property inside the facility. Several charges might apply to those people responsible for this.

“The aircraft that flew out of Milwaukee, all of the Coast Guard boats, all of their personnel were put in potential harm’s way. All of the fuel that was burned (during the rescue operation), the overtime wages –somebody is responsible for all of this.

“We are working on the case now with evidence obtained at the scene, but we’re not at a point where we can name names.”

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library journey ‘Behind Our Walls’

By Janet Hasselbring The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

“Imagine telling a father or mother behind bars that their preschooler can receive a free book from Dolly Parton every month,” Doug Tjapkes, founder of Humanity for Prisoners (HFP), said.

His organization has formed a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide books to eligible preschoolers of inmates in Michigan prisons.

HFP is an organization whose mission, of showing compassion to prisoners and their families, is based on the teachings of Jesus: “Remember those in prison as if you were there with them,” “I was in prison and you visited me…whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me.” (Hebrews 13:3, Matthew 25:36,40).

As prisoners of the state, not only do parents feel isolated and marginalized, they feel helpless in the rearing of their children. “When I was incarcerated in 2008, I longed to bond and have a connection with my 3-year-old son; however, there was little I could do behind the bars and fences of prison,” HFP Executive Director Mark Hartman said.

The DPIL is a preschool literacy program that provides children, from birth to age 5, with a developmentally appropriate book, signed by Dolly, every month, sent to their home. Research proves that daily reading with a child is the single best way to improve reading readiness. Children who grow up with books, view them as their best friends. The program also helps the parents of vulnerable children, often illiterate themselves, learn to read along with their child. The annual cost of sponsoring a child is $30 and covered by a local affiliate.

This partnership is one “made in heaven,” if one studies the troubling research connecting illiteracy and incarceration: States base the number of jail cells they will need on the number of children not reading by the end of third grade.

Author and politician Dr. Ben Carson knows the power of having books in the home. He and his brother were living on the streets, with drugs, crime, and eventually prison in their future, until their mom, wanting her sons to have a better life than she, required them to read two books a week. Books changed Carson’s life: “Between the covers of a book, I could go anywhere, be anyone, and do anything.”

of Michigan students. These grants target the most vulnerable populations – children of inmates behind bars.

Locally, the United Way of the Lakeshore is the DPIL affiliate; however, of the 13 counties in Region IV Hub, eleven of them now have DPIL programs.

“What a wonderful opportunity for inmates, separated from their children, to play a part in their child’s future, ensuring they are receiving a book each month,” United Way of the Lakeshore Oceana County Director Barbara Saunders Sims said. “Had I known of a program like the Imagination Library, I would have jumped at the chance to register my child,” Hartman exclaimed.

This partnership will replace the cycle of crime with renewal through literacy.  If one compares the annual cost of incarceration to sponsoring a child for books, $30 is a bargain.

Organizers are excited about this initiative and think Dolly will be excited too. They’re hoping to spark a nationwide movement to help children of prisoners.

With this partnership, Michigan inmates are encouraged to register their children in cities where they reside. Their registrations will be covered by DPIL local affiliates, supplemented by Michigan literacy grants (divided into regions/hubs covering the state), seeking to raise reading/academic scores

To learn more about the DPIL, visit unitedwaylakeshore.org/dpil. To see if a family is eligible for free books, visit imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/

To learn more about HFP, visit humanityforprisoners.org. To watch a trailer of the documentary, “Behind Our Walls,” visit https://www.secondmilevideo.com/documentary.

Echo Publishing Inc. welcomes Janet Hasselbring to its writing team! Janet lives in West Michigan with her husband, Don, and Welsh terrier, Snack. She drags herself off the tennis and pickleball courts occasionally to write. Her writings include “Tales from Pelican Cove,” a series of books featuring wild/ shorebirds from Florida and beyond, Country Dairy, which describes life on her family farm, in west Michigan, in the 1930s, when her parents lived and worked on the land, and “Tweets, A Twitter Feed of Short Stories and Articles.” She is a multiple NAMPA winner. Her piano gets lonely because she chooses to whack fuzzy yellow balls and dink pickleballs instead of tickling its ivories.

114 Dryden St. in Hart, Mich. 49420 (231) 873-2600 Visit us! The Oceana County Historical & Genealogical Society is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Private tours are available by appointment. oceanahistory.org

A look at livestock in Oceana County

By Caleb Jackson The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

July is over, and before we know it, the Oceana County Fair will be taking place, where many of our residents will be showcasing their animals. In the spirit of the upcoming fair, I would like to discuss the humble beginnings of animal husbandry in our county.

“The County of Oceana is admirably adapted for stock raising,” Page wrote back in 1882, “but the business is comparatively in its infancy as yet, it being but about six years ago since anything of importance was done in this respect.”

If we do the math on that, it means that the farmers of Oceana weren’t getting serious about their livestock until about the mid-1870s. It would seem that Oceana’s potential for raising livestock hadn’t been fully realized by the time Page was putting together his history. “There is not yet a single cheese factory or creamer in the county, but in time the county will be studded with these institutions.” I don’t think anyone today would argue with that prediction.

Page mentions a few farmers who were the first to import thoroughbred livestock to Oceana. It would seem that one Mr. Browne of Pentwater was a big proponent of this. “Mr. Browne, on his fine stock farm, on Section 12, Golden, purchased in 1878, and containing 240 acres, has a fine herd of Jerseys, and was the first importer, purchasing a celebrated bull from Howard, of Flint…”

Browne’s name comes up again in the discussion of Shorthorns and Galloway cattle. His herd of Gal-

loways is said to have been “the finest herd in all the state.” He was not, however, the first to introduce Durham cattle to Oceana County. That honor goes to Judge Russell of Hart, “who imported the Third Duke of Moscow, purchased at Chicago, whither he had been brought from Missouri.” The next thoroughbred Durham bull was also imported by Russell, and the next two after that, however, were imported by Mr. Browne. The “Third Duke of Moscow’’ as he was called, must have been an impressive bull. In the fall of 1880, “it was ascertained that more than half of the prize stock at the County and Hesperia fairs were from him.” In 1882, at the time that Page’s history was published, there were only 13 Durham bulls registered in Oceana County.

Moving on to sheep, Harvey Tower imported the first thoroughbred American merino ram from Livingston County way back in 1865. Next was Mr. Russell, who purchased two ram lambs, and five ewes from Dyer and Lansing over 10 years later, in 1878. L. M. Hartwick, the very same who authored the book “Oceana County Business and Pioneers of To-Day” also imported a thoroughbred in 1879. The aforementioned sheep were all fine-wooled sheep. “This county seems admirably adapted for fine wooled sheep and importations of choice animals are still going on,” Page wrote. Prior to this discovery, it seems some peo-

ple were importing coarse wooled sheep. “James E. Reed brought in fifty Cotswolds, from Canada, in 1877; E. J. Shirts got some from Lansing, in 1876, and the rest are largely grades.”

Tower was again the first to import a purebred Essex pig in 1868 “and from his the breed has been widely disseminated.” In 1870, Josia Russell imported another pair of Essexs, and in the same year, F. J. Russell imported a pair of Berkshires. “The next were imported by Mr. Browne, and then by Hubbard, Hosmer & Co., and now they are scattered all over the county.” D. W. Crosby has the honor of importing the first Chester Whites in 1870. Page does note that Mr. Browne was the most extensive breeder and tells us that “some of the sires from which his are derived have cost $1,000.”

And lastly, we have horses. The Oceana Chief was quite a famous horse in his time, imported by Dr. Weare in 1871. Hartwick and Tuller have more to say on this matter, but we will save that story for another time. Returning to Page’s history,

we find that the first Norman and Clydesdale stallions were imported by Hubbard, Hosmer & Co, though no date is given. Mr. Browne comes up one late time, as it is noted that he “excels in trotting horses in this county.” In 1881, Browne earned $10,000 through selling horses. That’s about $308,000 once we adjust it for inflation.

NEAR ORCHARDS FARM STAND

THE

Ongoing

Hart VFW Post 1329 Burger/Chicken/Brat/Ribs Night, first and third Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m., dine-in or carry out.

Mondays & Fridays - “Chalk Talk” at Shelby Area District Library (June, July and August), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

M-F: Feeding America’s Gather 2 Grow summer meal program, Hart Area District Library, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Second and Fourth Tuesdays, June 11 through Sept. 25, New Era Farmers Market, 4-7 p.m.

Knights of Columbus Bingo, 6 p.m.

St. Gregory Parish Center, 214 S. Peach Ave. in Hart Second & fourth Fridays, doors open at 4 p.m.

Pentwater Jr. Women’s Club - Feeding America West Michigan mobile food pantry, third Tuesday of the month, Pentwater Fire Department, 11 a.m.

Preschool Story Hour, HAPL, Fridays at 11 a.m. TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), Hart Wesleyan Church, Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

Mondays and Thursdays through Sept. 2, Pentwater Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Ladder Community Center: August 5-9: 5-Day Club for kids ages 5-12, 10-11:30 a.m.

M-F: The Ladder is open for adults (18+) 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fridays in August: Grillin’ for God - free hot dogs & chips, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saturdays: Celebrate worship gathering, 6:30 p.m.

School Prayer Walk/Drive: August 26, 3-4 p.m., Shelby High School Parking Lot

Complete schedule at: theladdercommunitycenter.com

Pentwater Homecoming schedule set

Homecoming is sponsored by Shelby State Bank

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Pentwater Farmers Market on the Village Green

6 p.m. - PLA Strawberry Shortcake Social on the Village Green

7:30 p.m. - Les Bailey Memorial Concert - Pentwater Civic Band & Scottville Clown Band on the Village Green

7 p.m. - Chad Sampson: The Freebird to Heaven Tour – Village Café & Pub

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11

8 a.m. to noon - Sand Sculpture Contest - Charles Mears State Park. Sponsor: Pentwater Service Club Theme: Floating in Pentwater Mason/Oceana County MSU Alumni Golf

1 p.m. - Interactive Storytelling – Storybook Village

3 p.m. - Pentwater Women’s Club Quilt Raffle – Pentwater Chamber of Commerce

5 p.m. - Live Music at Village Café & Pub - Mike Snell & Country Parks

8 p.m. - Movie on the Green  – “WONKA”

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

9:30 a.m. -  Yoga & U-Pick Flowers – EnerG Fitness/Up North Garden Center Noon to 8 p.m. - Big Ten Preseason Tailgate Party - Behind Village Café

1 p.m. - Horseshoe Tournament - Audrey Horseshoe Pits (Dennis Veine, 231-869-4169)

4 p.m. - Grand Parade - Grand Marshal: Doug Bacon, Citizen of the Year

Parade sponsored by Insignia Homes

Dusk Fireworks Display - Charles Mears State Park over Lake Michigan

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

8 a.m. to noon. VFW Pancake Breakfast- Pentwater VFW Hall

Sunday Worship Services:

9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. First Baptist Church

9 a.m. St. James Episcopal Church

9:30 a.m. Centenary United Methodist on the Village Green

Saturday 4 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. St. Vincent’s Catholic Church

5:30  p.m. - Summer Music Series – Third Coast Swing Bank at the Village Marina

August Echo

Aug. 2 - Read to a Shelter Cat, Hesperia Community Library, 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Aug. 2 - Movies on the Village Green, Pentwater, 8-9 p.m.

Aug. 2 - Story Time, Hesperia Community Library, 10-11 a.m.

Aug. 3 - Teach a Kid Derby, Pentwater Village Marina, all day

Aug. 3 - C.O.V.E. Benefit Beach Walk/Run, Charles Mears State Park, 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 4 - St. James Chicken Dinner, St. James Episcopal Church, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Aug. 6 - Tech Time, Hesperia Community Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Aug. 8-11 - Pentwater Homecoming Celebration

Aug. 8 - Music on Hart Commons, Northern Ground, 7-9 p.m.

Aug. 9 - Read to a Shelter Cat, Hesperia Community Library, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aug. 9 - 81st Annual Strawberry Social, Claybanks United Methodist Church Montague, 5-7 p.m.

Aug. 9 - Story Time, Hesperia Community Library, 10-11 a.m.

Aug. 10 - Historical Marker dedication, Blackberry Ridge, 11 a.m.

Aug. 13 - Tech Time, Hesperia Community Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Aug. 14 - Backpack Blowout giveaway, TLC in New Era, 6-7 p.m.

Aug. 15 - Music on Hart Commons, Serita’s Black Rose, 7-9 p.m.

Aug. 15 - Matinee Movie, Hesperia Community Library, 1-3:30 p.m.

Aug. 16 - Story Time, Hesperia Community Library, 10-11 a.m.

81st Annual Strawberry Social in Montague

Claybanks United Methodist Church in Montague is holding its 81st Annual Strawberry Social Friday, Aug. 9 from 5-7 p.m. Shortcake and ice cream will be available along with a bake sale.

Those wishing to attend should take Meinert Park Rd. to Indian Bay Rd., then turn right to the church or follow Webster Rd. west to 56th Ave., then turn left to the church. Claybanks UMW and Thrivent Financial will sponsor the event.

Michigan Historical Marker dedication August 10 recognizes Blackberry Ridge history

Oceana County’s fourth Michigan Historical Marker will be dedicated Aug. 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Blackberry Ridge, near Little Sable Point at Cherry Point Farm & Market, 9600 W. Buchanan Rd. The ceremony will celebrate the history of the early settlement and the pioneering families who nurtured the fruit-growing industry there in the middle of the 19th century.

Blackberry Ridge was founded in 1857 as the second Euro-American settlement in Benona Township. The marker relates its history from the lumbering era to the development of the fruit industry and the shipping pier that once extended into Lake Michigan. Early residents who are recognized include James and Cynthia Gibbs, Charles and Mary Ellen Sessions, and Charles and Mary Jay.

The celebration on Aug. 10 begins at 11 a.m. and will include remarks by Barbara Bull and other local historians and descendants of the early settlers. One of the early settlers, James Gibbs, was renowned as a fiddler who played for a variety of community events. Local musicians Dave Preston, fiddle, and John Shields, guitar, will provide appropriate music from the era, and light refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend, free of charge.

Bull, owner of Cherry Point Farm & Market across from the marker site, was the driving force behind acquiring the official historical marker. Her family has owned the property around the Blackberry Ridge area since 1949, and she has absorbed its history since childhood. In 2013, she published “A Point of View: Blackberry Ridge 1871–1884,” a collection of clippings that depicts the life and times of the area as chronicled in three 19th-century county newspapers. More recently, she edited and re-published a commemorative edition of “My New Home in Northern Michigan and Other Tales” by one of the area’s main characters, Charles W. Jay. Both books are available at the Cherry Point Market.

The Michigan Historical Marker Program has established more than 1,800 historical markers across the state, telling the stories of people, places and events that reveal the breadth of Michigan’s heritage. There are now four in Oceana County, including the newest at Blackberry Ridge, joining markers at John Gurney Park in Hart, Petite Pointe Sable Lighthouse, and Veterans Day Storm/ Graveyard of Ships at Pentwater.

In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

obituaries

Alan Michael Balcom

October 15, 1950 ~ July 16, 2024

Sunflowers near Hart exit greet US-31 travelers

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Alan Michael Balcom, 73, of Mears, passed away Tues day, July 16, 2024 at Trinity Health Muskegon, Mich. af ter a short battle with cancer. Al was born on Oct. 15, 1950, in Muskegon to Avery and Nilah (Stout) Balcom. Al graduated from Whitehall High School in 1969. He served 18 years in the Michigan Army National Guard, Montague, Mich. as a heavy equipment operator. Al worked for Howmet Aerospace, Whitehall, Mich. for 37 years. Al was next employed at Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Milford, N.H. retiring in 2012. Al and Lois shared time living in Florida and Michigan. Al enjoyed fishing, exploring, reading, traveling with his wife Lois, nature walks, riding his electric bike, listening to music and spending time with his family. Al’s love for his family was unconditional and beyond measure. He was an extremely proud father and grandfather.

Alan is survived by his wife, Lois (Vanderwest/Lindgren) Balcom; two daughters, Heather Balcom and Alison Balcom (Christopher Obanner); three stepsons, Kevin (Jenny) Lindgren, Brian (Jamie) Lindgren and Aaron (Jessie) Lindgren; 14 grandchildren, LeAndre, Tashya, Tayshan, Madalyn, Myles, Jaylin, Clayton, Jacob, Aidan, Payton, Fisher, Archer, Jocelynn and Maximus; siblings, Gary (Donna) Balcom and Karen (Daniel) Harrington; many nieces and nephews; and fishing buddies, Don, Cody and Scott Vanderwest. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Leon Balcom and sister Susan Balcom.

Al is forever fishing and exploring in Eternal Paradise.

A memorial service will take place Sunday, August 18, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the American Legion in Whitehall, Mich.

Death Notice ~ Harold Keith Brown

Harold Keith Brown, 61, formerly of Hart, passed away July 9, 2024. He was born June 13, 1963. It’s with great honor that he will be laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Many have been calling the Oceana County Road Commission lately to ask about the sunflowers growing in the median along US-31 just north of Hart. The planting is actually a project of the Michigan Department of Transportation Grand Region, which encompasses the counties of Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Allegan and Barry.

“We (MDOT) like to say we are friends of the pollinators,” John Richards, MDOT Communications Representativefor the Grand Region said. “Anything we can do to help, we will, provided there is funding and personnel available. One of Richards natural resource specialists recently reported that the Hart sunflower planting is the nicest one in the region!

Besides the US-31 at Polk Road sunflower planting, this year’s other Grand Region sunflower plot locations include US-131 and M-57 Rockford, Kent County; US-131 and 22Mile Road Sand Lake, Kent

• Sharon Hallack/Echo

County; US-131 in Wexford County, I-96 and 68th Ave. Coopersville Area Ottawa County. MDOT’s Grand Region wildflower plot locations include US-131 and 12-Mile Road Rockford, Kent County; US-131 just north of 16-Mile Road Rockford, Kent County, as well as a 1.5-acre milkweed plot at M-89 and US-131 in Allegan County.

MDOT’s Grand Region began its pollinator planting program in 2022. This year, they have planted a total of 7.5 acres of sunflowers, 3 acres of wildflowers and 1.5 acres of milkweed. “We look for large open areas that get lots of sun. Wide medians are nice because both bounds can see them, and we plant in areas where they won’t be accidentally mowed, sprayed or become line-of-sight issues. The flowers like to face east (usually), so north/south routes are ideal locations,” added Richards.

The MDOT programs website reports that with the decrease in pollinators worldwide, MDOT has created a plan to protect

pollinators (bees and butterflies) along the state’s roadways by reducing negative impacts to their natural habitats, improving their existing habitats and creating new habitats. “We can help pollinators by giving them safe travel corridors, food and shelter. By protecting pollinators, we are helping farmers produce crops and feed livestock, assisting beekeepers by providing a source of food for their bees, and improving wildlife habitat throughout Michigan.”

Other helpful practices exercised by MDOT to help protect the state’s pollinator populations include reduced mowing, creation of long and connected stretches of habitat to serve as safe migratory corridors for pollinators, no insecticides used in the rights-of-way and strategically scheduling herbicide application to most effectively manage invasive species and promote pollinator habitat health.

For more information on this very interesting program, visit: https:// www.michigan.gov/mdot/ programs/highway-programs/roadside-property-management/ pollinator-habi tat-management-program

St. Peter’s-By-The-Lake Episcopal Church 8435 Old Channel Trail, Montague 616-894-0172

SUNDAY EUCHARIST – 10:00 am stpetersmontague@gmail.com stpetersbythelake.weebly.com Reclaim

Loves

- No Exceptions

8786 N. Business US-31 Pentwater, MI • 49449 231-869-2527 Pastor John C. Hansen Sunday Worship - 11 a.m. For more information, call 231-233-7703

St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church (LCMS)

7410 W. Johnson Rd., Shelby • 231-861-2952 Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. Summer Outdoor Service Rev. Kurt Overway StStephensShelby@gmail.com

News and Notes

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

BUSINESS

Shelby

I recently found this observation and great advice in the Shelby Chamber of Commerce Newsletter: “We all know that warm weather means construction season in Michigan.

This year, the community is having to embrace “the long way” to get around.

Please note that all businesses are still open - it may just take you longer to get there. Take the scenic route, enjoy the sites, the warm summer breeze and enjoy visiting the many ‘off the beaten path’ small businesses, roadside stands, views and attractions on your travels!”

Hart

Hart City Manager Rob Splane was pleased to share the following update: on July 9, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Hart Pizza had been awarded $25,000 as part of the Match on Main Grant program for support with equipment upgrades. Stay tuned to The Oceana Echo to hear more about what new Hart Pizza owners, Lawrence and Tracey Lipps, have planned!

COMMUNITY

First Round of Cornhole Tournament in Walkerville

Walkerville’s 1st Annual Community Picnic and Cornhole Tournament

For anyone who thinks the Village of Walkerville is becoming a ghost town, they should have been at Sunday’s 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament & Community Picnic. Over 50 community members and friends gathered at the Village Park and enjoyed a delicious picnic, followed by a friendly cornhole competition. The Rebuilding Community Committee of Walkerville, born out of a Community Foundation of Oceana County community assessment last fall, organized the event. Winners included first place - “Doritos” team, Tavian and Akiah Gavelink; second place - “Grandma’s Boys” team, Nathan Slowick and Joe Clark; third place - “Car-Payne-Ter team, Chad Carpenter and Gavin Payne; fourth place - “Cornflakes” team, “Victor and Lee Garza; fifth place - “Sasquatch Gang” team, Caleb Kimball and Alex Sheehy. Other teams included the “Spartans,” Pastor Dave Pratt and Arta Urick; “Buckshot” Thad Helmlinger and Danne

Hren and “Team Burrell,” Sharon Burrell and Sheila Budde. Organizers wish to thank everyone who had a part in making Sunday’s event a success. They are looking forward to their next community event, a Walkerville Varmint & Vermin Hunting Contest, scheduled for this fall.

John Gurney Park Beach gets a facelift

In late June, Hart City had 1.2 million pounds of beach sand hauled to its John Gurney Park beach on Hart Lake. The new sand is already providing families and boaters a much nicer experience while they enjoy Hart Lake.

MUNICIPAL

Municipal Master Plans help your officials

Ever wonder what your township, village or city has planned for the next few years? Check out their Master Plans, usually located on each respective entity’s website or municipal office. Anyone with ideas, suggestions or questions, should attend posted planning sessions and public hearings. You too, can have a say in what happens where you live.

Both Ferry and Greenwood Townships are currently seeking input from residents in those areas regarding their Master Plan.

Hart

Splane was pleased to announce on July 9 that after months and months of delays, the Creeks Subdivision deed amendment documents were finally signed, and were to be filed with the Register of Deeds following the required member notification period.

Several long-awaited city projects are finally moving forward. The Hart Veteran’s Park project, which was recently approved by the state, was able to go out for bid in early July. A West Main Resurfacing project was put out for bid on July 12. That project will include the mill and fill of West Main from Water Street to 72nd Avenue, sidewalk and curb replacement and the addition of bike lanes. Splane said it is likely these bids will be awarded by the city council in August. In addition, the Safe Routes to School trail project (from 72nd Avenue to the school) has finally been approved for bid letting in October of this year.

Officer Miguel Garza IV, a graduate of the Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy, was hired in April by the City of Hart Police Department. This position was made possible because of the recent State of Michigan Office of School Safety grant. The grant provided a full-time School Resource Officer for Hart Public Schools, thus freeing up department funds for another hire. He is currently undergoing his Field Training Observation with Officer Schoedel.

On July 9, Councilor Justin Adams resigned from his position on the council due to moving from the City of Hart, to Hart Township. The council regretfully accepted his resignation and appointed Jim Cunningham of Hilltop Drive, Hart, to fill the remainder of Adams’ term. Resident Karen Thomas had also submitted a letter of interest and was considered as a possible appointee for Adams.

Hart City’s four-year millage for street repairs and improvements will expire this year. After further discussion and consideration, the city council voted at

their June 25 council meeting to seek voter approval in the amount of two mills, for street repairs and improvements at the Nov. 5, 2024 general election. The millage assessment would be levied for an additional four years and expire in 2028.

John Gurney Park to raise seasonal rates

On July 9, the Hart City Council adopted a new rate structure for the John Gurney Park (JGP) campground. Parks & Rec Manager, Chris TerHaar, had conducted an informal market study of other county parks and found that JGP rates were the cheapest in the entire county. The next closest campground was Black Lake County Park (BLCP) in Colfax Township. While beautiful and peaceful, BLCP does not offer some of the amenities available at JGP. The following new rates went into effect this year and remain the same in 2025 - $35 (up $10 from 2023) for Rustic, $50 (up $15 from 2023) for Deluxe, $65 (up $20 from 2023) for Premium and $2,500 (up $500 from 2023) for Seasonal. Any seasonal camper who had prepaid for the 2024 season already was grandfathered in for the remainder of 2024 at $2,000 rate. An Off-Season Storage rate of $300 was also introduced. Over the next three years campground rates will increase to the following levels, $45 for Rustic, $65 for Deluxe, $80 for Premium, $3,000 plus electric for Seasonals and $400 for Off-Season Storage. The city hopes that these rate adjustments will move the campground from a breakeven point to being able to generate revenue to reinvest, in not only JGP, but other city recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike.

SCHOOLS

It was an extremely hot day, but 15 volunteers gutted it out at the Spitler Playground Community Build Saturday, July 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Spitler Elementary School in Hart. Thankfully, every volunteer had construction knowledge and were able to put together the school’s new “Kid’s Course” play structure and get approval during that time. “Our playground rep/inspector was very impressed with our group,” said PTO co-president/organizer Ellen Slotman. Volunteers have continued to hold work nights twice a week since to finish up final details before school starts. Slotman added, “Mike Blackmer will be starting our outdoor classroom soon! We’ll keep you posted!”

Layout of new Kids Course playground structure

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• On Aug. 12, 2014, actress Lauren Bacall — whose debut film in 1944, “To Have and Have Not” (also featuring future husband Humphrey Bogart), brought her nearly instant fame — died in New York City at 89. Bacall’s notable career spanned almost seven decades and included “The Big Sleep” (1946), “How to Marry a Millionaire” (1953) and “The Mirror Has Two Faces” (1996).

STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20240729

FOR RELEASE JULY 29, 2024

By Lucie Winborne

• On Aug. 13, 1906, the all-Black infantrymen of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Regiment were accused of killing a white bartender and wounding a white police officer in Brownsville, Texas, despite evidence of their innocence. All were dishonorably discharged. However, a later military investigation exonerated the men and their records were restored to reflect honorable discharges, but no financial settlements were paid.

• Clean baby food jars can be filled with small snacks like Cheerios and doled out in the car during longer trips. They hold just enough for a quick snack.

• “If you pull all the way into your garage, tack some carpet scraps to the wall that you pull in toward. It will protect the wall’s paint, and it will protect your car’s bumper if you accidentally rub the wall.” — U.F. in North Carolina

By JoAnn Derson

• On Aug. 14, 1948, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s “beaver drop” relocation program moved 74 of the animals from Northwestern Idaho to the Chamberlain Basin in Central Idaho via parachutes from an airplane, after complaints about property damage from residents.

• On Aug. 15, 1995, Shannon Faulkner became the first female cadet matriculated at The Citadel, under the escort of U.S. Marshals, but dropped out within a week, citing emotional and psychological abuse and physical exhaustion. Four years later, she told the Associated Press: “I went into it knowing I may not get anything out of it. I was doing it for the next woman.”

• On Aug. 16, 1858, President James Buchanan inaugurated the new transatlantic telegraph cable by exchanging greetings with England’s Queen Victoria. Just a few weeks afterward, however, a weak signal forced a shutdown of the service.

• On Aug. 17, 1969, Hurricane Camille arrived at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, with winds estimated between 150 and 205 mph and 70-foot waves. One of a few category 5 hurricanes to make landfall in the last 70 years, it was responsible for the deaths of nearly 300 people and the destruction of thousands of homes in Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia and Louisiana.

• On Aug. 18, 2007, a German Christian aid worker was kidnapped at gunpoint by a criminal organization in the Afghan capital of Kabul, marking the first abduction of a foreigner in the capital in two years. She was released by her captors a few days later. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

• For dance recitals, make sure to get a recording of the music to be used. You also can videotape the practice performance and have the student watch it, pointing out the great parts and the parts that need work. — via email

• Stop runs in hose or tights by painting the bottom of the run with clear nail polish. Let dry and repeat. Do this while wearing them, and gently unstick from the skin. It works better when they are stretched as they will be worn, and you don’t risk attaching it to the other side of the tights.

• “I somehow lost one of a pair of socks that had gripper dots on the bottoms of the feet, so they would be nonslip. I gave the odd sock to my mom, and she uses it as a jar or bottle opener. The gripper dots help her get a hold of the lid to unscrew it.” — R.J. in Ohio

• To freshen a lunchbox, dampen a paper towel with plain vinegar and stick it inside the lunchbox. Leave overnight.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

By Lucie Winborne

• In some Inuit (Eskimo) languages, a noun can have over 1,000 forms.

• Oxford University once had rules forbidding students from bringing bows and arrows to class.

• King Mithridates VI of Pontus took small doses of poison throughout his life to develop a resistance in case an attempt was made to kill him. He built up such a strong immunity that when he attempted suicide to escape capture by the Romans, the poison had no effect and he had to order a slave to dispatch him with a sword.

• Isaac Asimov’s first bestseller was his 262nd published book.

• The record for spinning a basketball on a toothbrush is 1 minute and 8.15 seconds. (No, we never thought of spinning a basketball on a toothbrush, either.)

• Velociraptor noises in the film “Jurassic Park” were made by mating tortoises.

• In 1984, a Chihuahua named Percy was seemingly killed by a car while accompanying his owner, Christine, on a visit to her parents. Christine’s father buried the dog in his garden, but a terrier named Mick, who belonged to her parents, dug up the grave, dragged Percy to the house, and licked him until a faint heartbeat could be detected. While Percy recovered, it’s worth noting that the two dogs had always hated each other, and continued to do so after Percy’s rescue!

• Historically, on Father’s Day, more collect calls were made than on any other day of the year.

• China has more people who have learned English than the United States.

• In ancient Egypt, slaves were murdered to accompany their deceased owners to the afterlife.

***

Thought for the Day: “I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening.” — Larry King © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Invest in the Future with Community Foundation’s Complete Your Degree Program

Want to turn ‘someday’ into today? The Oceana Community Foundation wants to help area residents increase their earning potential and enjoy a life filled with more opportunities and benefits. The foundation is ready to invest in nontraditional students (adults of any age) and their careers with its Complete Your Degree (CYD) program! The CYD program helps to reduce the barriers, guide the way and provide the support needed to reach participant’s goals! Partnering with Muskegon Community College (MCC) and West Shore Community College (WSCC), the CYD program is geared up to help local adults achieve degrees and credentials. Adult learners residing in Oceana County are encouraged to apply by following the application instructions at the foundation’s website, under the scholarship tab. The application remains open year-round to meet more student needs along their career pathway, allowing people to apply at any time!

Through the Complete Your Degree program, students have access to renewable academic scholarships, emergency aid funding for barriers (like childcare, food, medical care and transportation needs) and access to a Success Coach. The coach supports, advocates and provides motivation towards success at their school. The foundation is committed to students of all ages by supporting them, investing in them and helping them until they reach their goals. One of its newer CYD students, Lauryn Moore, shared her experience with deciding to go back to the college and her challenges, “Not only could I never afford to go, but I had no clue how to get started. All the odds were against me, as I would be the first in my fam-

ily to attend college. The CYD program gives me hope and the ability to encourage others just like me.”

Together with the state’s Futures for Frontliners, MI Reconnect programs and other state or college resources, CYD will cover the remaining cost of tuition at MCC or WSCC. These scholarships are renewable for participating students until they graduate or transfer to a different school. The student needs to apply only once into the program and when accepted, will receive needed support until graduation or transfer.

The CYD program was designed to make a more meaningful impact with scholarship dollars for area adult learners. This program helps to reduce employment skill gaps in the community, thereby increasing household prosperity and fostering a more vibrant economy. The program will begin its third year in fall 2024, currently supporting 11 students, of whom three have successfully completed their degree! These three graduates earned their RN degree, IT networking degree and electrical certification/apprenticeship. Alan Cruz, who completed his electrical certificate in fall of 2023 and earned an apprenticeship, shared, “All I had to worry about was to give it my 100 percent and complete my certificate! I believe it will be so rewarding once I reach my goal of becoming a master electrician and have my own business.”

Don’t wait and sign up now! Learn more about this initiative by contacting Oceana Community Foundation CEO Tammy Carey, at tammy@ oceanafoundation.org or Program Officer Hannah Naples at hannah@oceanafoundation.org or call the Foundation office at 231-869-3377.

HHW Collection Day scheduled for August 17

It’s time to clean out your medicine cabinet, basement, garage, or barn and look for old, unusable, or mystery products that require safe disposal. The Oceana County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hart Department of Public Works, 1010 State St. in Hart. The event is held only once a year on the third Saturday in August, so don’t miss the opportunity!

Accepted materials include used motor oil and automotive fluids, electronics, pesticides, appliances, alcohols, oil-based paints, batteries, pharmaceuticals, and more. These items are considered hazardous because they could cause contamination to our environment, particularly our drinking and surface water, if dumped or leaked. They are also rarely accepted through regular landfills. By bringing these items to the HHW event, these products are reused, recycled, or safely disposed of by certified contractors, which ensures that they stay out of our local soil and water.

Items that are NOT accepted include tires, styrofoam, ammunition, household trash, latex paint, fiberglass, large appliances and others. For a full list of acceptable and unacceptable materials, visit the Oceana Conservation District website at www.oceanaconservation.org or pick up a brochure at your local township or library. A topic of confusion every year is latex paint vs. oil-based paint. Latex paint is not considered hazardous and is therefore not accepted at the collection event. Oil-based or lead-based paint will be accepted. Participants wishing to dispose of paint should check the label before bringing it to the event. To dispose of latex paint, it can be dried out using a drying agent such as kitty litter or sawdust and then disposed of in your regular trash once fully dry.

The annual event is coordinated by a three-county committee that includes Manistee, Mason, and Oceana counties. The event is made possible thanks to financial support from the counties, townships and municipalities in the three-county area, as well as donations from supporting organizations. However, the event has been challenged in recent years with continued rising disposal costs. Every pound of waste costs $1.14 to dispose of, and the average carload drops off $84 worth of materials. Donations at the time of drop-off are essential to keep the event running. A suggested donation of $15 per car/truck load will help support this year’s collection.

Residents wishing to bring in materials over 200 pounds should call the Conservation District ahead of time at 231-861-5600 x5. Adult volunteers are encouraged to give us a call if interested in helping on Collection Day or to serve on our HHW Steering Committee (meetings are held quarterly in Ludington). Sponsors and donations are always welcomed!

Tails of Hope

Are you looking for a furry friend who will bring endless joy and laughter into your life? Look no further! Dax is a 2-year-old shepherd mix with a heart full of love and a tail that never stops wagging. This charming pup has a knack for making everyone around him smile with his goofy antics and boundless energy.

Love outdoor activities? So does Dax! Hiking, running, or simply strolling in the park, Dax is your go-to guy. His adventurous spirit will motivate you to get outside and enjoy nature together.

Dax is available for adoption from the Oceana County Animal Shelter. If interested, please call the shelter at 231-861-5395. The adoption fee for cats is $35, and you receive certificates for $25 towards spay/neuter and $10 towards rabies if not already done. The adoption fee for dogs is $95 and you will receive a $50 certificate good for spay/ neuter, if needed. Every dog should have an ID tag. L.A.S.S.I. provides free dog ID tags to all Oceana County residents. To request tags, send a text to 231-730-3906. Free tags are also available at the Oceana County Animal Shelter.

Meet Dax

OCMCF has joined Priority Health coverage network

By Steve Gunn The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

HART - Officials at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility have been concerned for some time about the relative lack of patients in the facility and the negative financial impact of having empty beds.

Now they are pleased to report that they are able to accept another form of insurance coverage, which should allow significantly more people from Oceana County to become patients and remain in the area for round-the-clock care.

The medical care facility recently completed the process that will allow it to join the Priority Health insurance coverage network.

Officials say that’s a big deal, from several different perspectives.

Since the outbreak of Covid and all the problems the pandemic created for public and private nursing homes, the number of patients at the OCMCF has been down.

Prior to the pandemic, the facility typically had 100 or more residents at a time. More recently, that number has hovered around the 80-patient mark, which means there has been significantly less operating revenue for the OCMCF.

The medical care facility has the potential to house and treat up to 150 patients at a time, but some beds have been taken offline since the pandemic.

One problem has been the lack of an agreement between the facility and Priority Health to help pay for the costs of patients who have that type of insurance.

There are a significant number of potential patients from the county who have Priority Health, and now

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they will be able to access the local facility instead of going out of the area to distant care centers that accept their insurance coverage.

That should mean more patients and more revenue, according to Kurt Sapp, the new administrator of the Oceana County Medical Care Facility.

“I don’t know if there will be a big rush (of patients), but this will definitely help us get our census higher and be able to better serve the community, for sure,” Sapp said.

“We are very excited. This is a big step for us and a big step for the community. A lot of people here participate with Priority.”

Patients with Priority coverage have always been accepted at the facility, but their costs were high when the facility was not part of the Priority network, according to Sapp.

“Out of network, patients would have to pay upward of 50 percent of the costs for room and board, therapy, x-rays, meds, all that stuff,” Sapp said. “In network, the first 20 days of any benefit period is covered 100 percent, and after that there is a co-pay. Before the families were having to pay $300-$400 per day from day one.

“There was a substantially higher out-of-pocket cost when we didn’t have a contract with them.”

Sapp believes numerous families were forced to seek residential treatment for their loved ones outside of the area due to the insurance dilemma and will be happy to have a local option again.

Sapp added that the OCMCF has earned a fivestar rating in recent years for the services it provides to mostly elderly patients. That’s largely because the facility has a higher staff-to-patient ratio than many private nursing homes, meaning residents receive more atten-

tion and care, according to officials.

“I think the biggest thing is our community taking care of our own community members,” Sapp said. “All families want to keep their loved ones local. We’ve been getting a lot more referrals lately from people at other facilities, wanting to get back into the area.”

Sapp settled in as the permanent administrator after several months of changing leadership.

Earlier this year, former administrator Kory Hansen resigned unexpectedly, and an interim replacement was at the helm until Sapp was hired in May.

The rotating leadership probably had something to do with the amount of time it took to join the Priority Health network, Sapp said.

Another issue arose when Sapp was hired, because a number of people in the community were hoping Sally Choponis, the director of staff development at the time, would be promoted to the top leadership position.

The medical care facility board disappointed them by passing up Choponis and hiring Sapp, a former OCMCF employee who had been serving as administrator of a nursing home in Norton Shores.

But the situation is far more settled now, Sapp said. Choponis has been promoted to assistant director of nursing and the facility staff is functioning well, he said.

“Everybody has been absolutely wonderful here,” Sapp said.

Phillip & Patricia Syer of Hart celebrate 60 years!

They were married at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Hart on August 1, 1964. Phil and Pat are the parents of Andrea (Rick) Bouwknegt, Patrick Syer (1969-73), and Jennifer Syer; 4 granddaughters; and 2 great-grandchildren.

Gonzalez, Shelby boys soccer ride winds of change

Damian

By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – The 2024 fall season expects to be one guided by the winds of change for Shelby’s boys soccer program.

A hefty class of graduating seniors is gone, leaving gaping holes in the Tigers’ starting lineup, but the true adjustment will be figuring out how head coach Damian Gonzalez will fare in his inaugural stint at the helm of a high school program.

Taking control of the entirety of a roster is still relatively new to Gonzalez, but the game of soccer, and his love for it, is something he’s retained throughout the years. Gonzalez, a Hart graduate, played travel soccer in Ludington in middle school before spending four years as a varsity goalkeeper for the Pirates. Add on a stint with multiple premier soccer teams in Grand Rapids and even a Premier 1 State Championship and Gonzalez owns an impressive résumé as an athlete. As for coaching, Gonzalez’s experience is limited but rich.

Starting off at his alma mater, Gonzalez was offered a position coach opportunity by current Hart soccer head coach Joe Gilbert. Gonzalez played one year under Gilbert as a player and jumped at the opportunity to develop keepers at the varsity level.

“It kind of happened by accident,” Gonzalez laughed. “I just happened to be driving by Hart’s soccer field one day and saw Joe (Gilbert) out there practicing with the team. I stopped to talk

ready to start coaching journey as Tigers prepare for the “long road” ahead

and he asked me if I wanted to help out. That started things out for me and I was able to take a struggling keeper on the boys team and help him earn All-Conference and All-District honors the next year. I also helped the girls’ team that year, which had a very talented volleyball player who was committed to play the sport at a college in New York. After a good year, she ended up flipping and playing soccer at that same school.”

After a number of years with the Pirates, Gonzalez took the head coaching position at Shelby this summer. Before that, Gonzalez was involved in the genesis of an Oceana County travel team, the West Shore Wave. That team consisted of players from schools all around the county, including some from the team he’s now taken over.

“We were a select team, which means we’re West Michigan based, but my connections were able to get us involved on the east side of the

TAKE THE FIELD

state,” Gonzalez said. “(West Shore Wave) ended up taking second in a tournament and third in our league.

“That experience was valuable because it really showed the difference between being a position coach and watching everybody on the field. I was able to train everyone at once and competing in those elite tournaments in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Detroit helped foster the mentality of playing through tough games and showed the guys on that team what I’m trying to build.”

Developing talent and holding athletes to a higher standard is something Gonzalez has done in the past and will serve him well in the future. Coaching a team like Shelby comes with both advantages and pitfalls. The Tigers have had pretty consistent regular season success for the better part of the last 10 years, however, Shelby has made little to no noise in the conference standings or post season since the West Michigan Conference expanded two years ago.

That’s something Gonzalez not only wishes to change, he expects it to. Easier said than done.

With the departure of names like Mauricio Castillo, Nacho Ortiz, Wyatt Dickman, Zachary Horton and Ismael Valdez – to name a few – there are a lot of unknowns about the Tigers. Gonzalez is hoping that fostering a new brand of soccer will help the Tigers take the leap this year and in the future. That starts with putting in a lot of hard work.

Several of Shelby’s players have been active with Gonzalez this summer. Numerous work-

Gonzalez continued on page 12

Oceana County youth in grades third through ninth had the opportunity to get some offseason baseball training on Sunday, July 28 at Shelby High School. A free Great Lakes Elite baseball workout was put on by Shelby’s assistant baseball coach Eddie Garcia, along with a host of coaches that included former and current Tiger athletes like Lalo Garcia, Chase Simon, DayDay Garcia and Cam Smith. The 20 kids in attendance got a chance to test out their skills at each position on the field, learning to field ground balls, pop flys as well as getting behind the mound as a catcher and testing their arm as a pitcher. Once the fielding skills portion of the camp finished, camp attendees were able to work on hitting and then wrap the day up with a home run derby and a wiffle ball tournament. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Damian Gonzalez (far left in green) takes a group photo with the West Shore Wave, a travel soccer team in Oceana County that Gonzalez helped organize last spring. The team consisted of athletes from Shelby, Hart and Pentwater. • Contributed

New face of Shelby boys soccer,

Gonzalez,

Gonzalez

outs, open fields and scrimmages have been held with early returns showing mixed results.

“(Offseason work) is huge,” Gonzalez said. “If you look at the schools in the bigger parts of the state, they play soccer all year round. Not to say I don’t want kids to play other sports – I want them to, but keeping soccer training on their minds is important too. I want to get to a point where we have a self-sustaining cycle of players. If kids continue to show up, they’ll get better. The season is won in the offseason and if you can get kids to look forward to that work, it’s huge.”

Gonzalez prides himself on his brand of coaching which places heavy emphasis on technique. For years, soccer on the west side of the state has featured a method of play that involves kicking the ball down the field and chasing it with that team’s fastest player. Gonzalez wants to get away from that and focus more on keeping possession of the ball for as long as possible.

“Everybody thinks they know how to pass a ball, but do they really? There’s a lot that goes into that,” Gonzalez said. “We really want to focus on developing a sound technique and that starts with possession. I want us to have control of the ball for 60 to 65 percent of every game we play. I can’t stand watching teams play kick and run styles of soccer, but that’s kind of what has happened over on this side of the state. We need to adjust and develop a strong sense of identity.”

Being a new coach poses challenges, but perhaps the biggest one for Gonzalez will be shaking his Hart roots away when the Pirates take on his Tigers this year. While he’s excited to be at Shelby, Gonzalez did note that he never thought that it would be his first coaching gig.

“I’ve always wanted to be a head coach, but being a Hart kid, I never thought it would be Shelby,” Gonzalez said. “(When we play Hart) it’ll be different for me. I’ve been around those players

for a while and had a good deal of Hart players on our travel team. It’ll be hard seeing things they do wrong and not correcting them, because at the end of the day, I want to beat them.”

With just a few weeks remaining before the 2024 season kicks off, one thing is for certain: the Tigers still have a ways to go to get where they want to be. Starting off hot may not be in the cards for Shelby, but that doesn’t seem to matter so much to Gonzalez in his first year.

Instead, changing the mentality of the team and paving a path for the future is what weighs heavy on the new coach’s mind.

“We graduated a ton of seniors and have a lot of work ahead of us,” Gonzalez said. “Having some Shelby kids on the West Shore Wave with me, I’m hoping that they saw the level of improvement we had and that’ll help them buy in this fall. Having a couple kids that can see the finish line in sight is big.

“Year one, my biggest goal is to change the mentality of how we play. I want us to go into every game with the mindset that no matter who lines up across from us, we’re going to play hard and win.”

With a doozy of a conference schedule lined up once again within the WMC, Shelby will have plenty of tests ahead. Once the regular season finishes, the district tournament doesn’t figure to be any easier either. The Tigers will face challenging teams like Elk Rapids and Traverse City St. Francis at that point.

Gonzalez doesn’t expect to come out and win a talented district like that in his first campaign, but he does want to escape with at least a few playoff wins.

Whether or not playoff success, or regular season success for that matter, is in the cards or not will come down to how Shelby handles the bumps. Gonzalez is ready to take those on, but he

Success at the Pere Marquette Watershed Council’s 50th Year Anniversary Banquet

The Pere Marquette Watershed Council (PMWC) is delighted to announce the success of its Annual Fundraising Banquet held on Saturday, July 13th, at The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch. This year’s event marked the much-anticipated celebration of PMWC’s 50th year anniversary, albeit held in the 53rd year due to previous cancellations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 125 attendees gathered to commemorate this milestone, connect with old friends, and lend their support to the preservation efforts of the Pere Marquette River Watershed.

The evening was filled with vibrant conversations, a strolling-style dinner provided by Executive Chef Jason Jones, an inviting atmosphere, and an array of auction items. With both silent and live auctions, participants bid on one-of-a-kind custom items perfect for north-wood cabins or cottages, as well as top-tier fishing gear ready for immediate use on the river. The funds raised during the banquet will significantly bolster PMWC’s mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the inherent natural values of the Pere Marquette River Watershed. Special thanks go out to all donors, volunteers, and participants who contributed to the success of this celebration.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Robert Sergi and The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch for hosting the event at their remarkable 24,000 square foot facility. Exhibiting a striking collection

wants his team to understand one thing.

“It’s a long road, not a pretty one.”

Shelby will start their season off Friday, Aug. 16 when they host non-conference opponent Sparta at 5 p.m.

One Shot Wonders

A recap of the best hole-in-one action on courses in Oceana County Benona Shores • July 26 - Lisa Berens on hole No. 9 from 143 yards out using a six iron.

of over 3,000 animals from around the world, the center offers an unparalleled experience for guests to learn about the importance of hunting and conservation. The dedication and contributions of Robert and his family to fostering a love for nature and wildlife and promoting conservation values greatly align with PMWC’s mission and goals,” remarked PMWC Board Member Ash Silverman. Silverman continued, “This record-breaking fundraising event at The Wildlife Center for the Pere Marquette Watershed Council was a celebration of our commitment to sustainable conservation efforts and partnerships throughout our community. We sincerely appreciate all our donors, attend -

ees and volunteers for their support. Through our efforts over the past 50 years, we have made great progress. Our latest success of the Marquette Railroad embankment project was made possible through collaborative conversations and introductions happening at events like this. It was truly an honor to celebrate Jay Barnhart and Kim Balke’s efforts in supporting the PMWC’s mission. Jay was awarded for his lifetime commitment to the organization and ensuring our fiscal responsibility. We celebrated Kim’s partnership and service on the railroad effort. Thank you again to our membership base and new members for attending and supporting.”

For those who would like to support PMWC further or obtain more information, please reach out to Ash or Dave at (231) 4567890 or visit our website at peremarquette.org.

(Above, left) Winning guide, Steve Cornetet, displays his first place trophy from the 2024 Casting for Conservation contest along with his family. (Above right, top) Kim and Jim provided dessert. (Above right, bottom) Guests enjoyed food and live music as they supported the PMWC fundraiser. • Contributed

Damian Gonzalez (left) poses with Pentwater senior Trey Johnson (right) at the West Shore Wave award ceremony last spring. • Contributed

Reflections of our community

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Whitehall superintendent will retire

McDowell accepts new job with state advocacy group; will retire Dec. 31

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Whitehall superintendent Dr. Jerry McDowell announced his retirement from Whitehall District Schools Tuesday night, effective at the end of the calendar year. McDowell will assume a new position Jan. 1, taking the job as executive director of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA). The organization works to create, help and advocate for K-8 principals statewide.

“One of the things I’ve done my entire career is support and advocate for public education and educators, specifically teachers and principals,” McDowell said. “They are the differ-

ence-makers in any school district.

This (new) position allows me to work directly with middle school and elementary level principals, as well as legislators, to impact policy and promote public education.”

McDowell, 53, revealed his decision with a public letter to the community, expressing his gratitude to Whitehall for the 13-plus years he’s spent in the superintendent’s job. He came to Whitehall from the West Ottawa school district, where

he served as principal of Waukazoo Elementary School.

“A retired principal once shared, ‘If you come to Whitehall you will never want to leave,’” McDowell said in his letter, a sentiment Whitehall’s retired athletic director Greg Russell also shared upon his departure. “To that end, I am extremely grateful for the time I have been privileged to spend as the Superintendent of Whitehall District Schools. It has been the greatest joy in my public education career.”

In his letter, McDowell also expressed pride in the district’s strengths, including high-level facilities, small class sizes, athletic accomplishments that include the Viking Athletic Center that opened in 2020, and accomplishing all this while taking in fewer mills’ worth of tax levy than any other district in the county.

Those strengths, McDowell said, make him confident the school district is set up for success well after his tenure as superintendent comes to an end.

“This staff and the team that’s been established here long before me is ready to take on any challenge that comes before them,” McDowell said. “I’ve never worked with people who are as committed as the staff we have here. They’re as ready as they’ll ever be to continue the progress we have made.

“It’s never one person or one thing in an organization. It’s how everyone works together and commits to the cause of working for kids and creating a stronger and more prosperous com-

Dozens of cars ‘Cruz In’ to Montague

The annual Cruz In event took on a different look this year, as the parade was canceled due to safety concerns. Instead, a car show took place.

Residents took to downtown Montague to show off their classic cars, including (near right) a 1986 Indianapolis 500 pace car.

Winning Walk the Beat band has high hopes

Ryan Lynch and the Mixed Notions won fan

vote, to work on new EP

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Dealing with a sudden change to your schedule isn’t always easy, but Ryan Lynch and the Mixed Notions don’t mind the inconvenience.

After all, the change is a good one; Lynch’s band, which also includes Stephen Rowley, Scott Freeland and Harry Samoy, won the fan vote at the July 20 Walk the Beat White Lake Festival. As part of its prize package, the band got an invitation to perform at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Parade, set for Saturday, Aug. 3. It also received a date at next year’s Arts Council of White Lake free summer concert series and will get 40 hours of studio time at Third Coast Recording Company in

Grand Haven.

The Mixed Notions performed from 3-5 p.m. on the deck at Big John’s Pizza, one of the 19 locations that were part of the Walk the Beat festival.

“We’re extremely grateful for the support we got from the community, even with just the couple hours we were out there,” Lynch said. “Walk the Beat is a fantastic organization, and we’re grateful for the opportunity they provided, and that gratitude extends to the people who voted for us.”

Lynch originally hails from Ann Arbor but does have a White Lake area connection; as a teenager, he was in a choir at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. His parents, after taking him to the camp, would explore the area, and fell in love with it so much they bought a

plot of land in 2015 and built a house on South Shore Drive in Whitehall.

“I’ve been going up to Whitehall a couple times a month ever since,” Lynch said. “It’s a great town and a

great place, with a great downtown. It’s a lovely place and I was happy to be

Ryan Lynch (right) and the Mixed Notions perform during the July 20 Walk the Beat White Lake festival. The band won the fan vote, earning a prize package that could help the band’s goals to become a national act. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

McDowell

• Andy Roberts/Mirror Photos

Whitehall Rite Aid closing up shop

By Madison Lajewski

White Lake Mirror Writer

WHITEHALL — Last month, Rite Aid announced their plans to close most locations in the state of Michigan, a total of 165 pharmacies. Whitehall’s Rite Aid, located at 3263 Colby St., was included in the long list of closures.

The national company filed for bankruptcy last October and shared their plans to close 500 locations across the country. In June, they began announcing the closing locations in Michigan and Ohio.

Rite Aid is the second pharmacy in Whitehall to close in the past year,

as Pitkin Drug and Gift Shoppe also closed its pharmacy last November. This leaves two available pharmacies in the White Lake area; Walgreens, located at 3284 Colby St., and Walmart, located at 2755 Holton Whitehall Rd. The increasing closure of pharmacies nationally has caused concern for many communities, especially those with high populations of complex patients who may struggle with traveling longer distances.

The increasing number of closures also means customers should prepare for longer waiting times and more stress for staff, as patient numbers overload remaining pharmacies. The

increasing struggle of pharmacies in the state of Michigan has been credited to high amounts of debt and declining sales. Rite Aid, like other national pharmacies, were also dealt numerous lawsuits due to their illegal distribution of opioid painkillers, including a complaint filed against Rite Aid last year by the U.S. Justice Department. Rite Aid in Whitehall said unless requested otherwise, all patients and pharmacy customers will automatically be transferred to Walgreens.

Tales from a trip to the past in Minnesota

By Jerry Mattson White Lake Mirror Contributor

The Minnesota Street Rod Association’s annual Back to the ‘50s Weekend is held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. From June 21–23 this year, they celebrated their 50th event and registered vehicles had to be 1964 models or older. On the application form it stated “No Mustangs” as they were introduced as a 1964 ½ model.

What began in 1974 at the Midway Shopping Center and Porky’s Drive In with 125 - 150 cars has grown over the years. By 1979, there were 400 cars and the MSRA decided to move the car show to the fairgrounds.

A high school buddy and I decided it was time for us to attend this event.

The first leg of the trip for me and my wife, Sue, in our 1939 Plymouth street-rod was to the Upper Peninsula. We stopped in Mackinaw City to see the 30-foot-tall Mack-A-Tron, made from many parts of cars and motorcycles and some pieces from the Mackinac Bridge. It resembled the Bumblebee transformer toy. We spent the night in Gulliver at the home of Lee and Jan Ekblad. Lee and his brother-in-law, Al Goudreau, were making the trip to Minnesota in Lee’s 1959 Rambler.

On Thursday morning, we headed west on U.S. 2 to Norway, then took two-lane U.S. 8 across Wisconsin and around 7 p. m., checked in at our hotel in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Soon after, we headed to a motel a few miles away to pick up our $40 prepaid registration materials. On our applications, we had selected the north location instead of the south one. Our Registration Number letters were received about 10 days before we began the trip. We needed to present these to receive our numbered packets. This letter also had a note about rules including no ‘flame throwing’ or ‘burnouts.’

In the packet were two pin-on participant buttons, a sticker for the windshield, a dash plaque and two tickets for giveaway items for Saturday and Sunday. All entrants hoped to have their entry selected on Saturday for the ready-to-drive yellow 1932 Ford roadster.

• Jerry Mattson/Mirror munity.”

Area motels, hotels and campgrounds had impromptu car shows. We stayed about 14 miles from the fairgrounds and had 20 registered vehicles in the parking lot.

We joined the entry line at the fairgrounds about 9 a.m. Friday. Our pinon buttons and the car registration were checked at the gate. It took about 30 minutes to find two parking spots, way off the beaten path. We saw hundreds of cars along the way. There were cars built in the ‘50s, older ones that were driven in the ‘50s and many being enjoyed and driven by people who, 20 or 30 years ago, were in their 50s.

If you wanted a specific parking spot, you had to get up early, even if camped in one of the two on-site campgrounds. One camper from Fargo, N. D., said he had his 1950 Chevrolet pickup parked in line at 4:30 a.m.

The 322-acre fairgrounds venue is impressive. Streets are paved with curbs, sidewalks and street signs and it has many permanent structures. Hundreds of events are held there during non-fair times. There are 80 full-time, year-round staff members. During the annual 12-day fair that leads up to and

includes Labor Day, there are 1,750 staff members.

According to Bob Salmonson, who has attended all 50 Back to the ‘50s events, there were 10,453 entries this year. The fairgrounds rental fee for “the largest street-rod show in the nation” is $300,000.

License plates from many surrounding states were seen along with those from three Canadian provinces. Vehicles ranged from stock Model T Fords and Cadillacs from the teens to beautiful restorations, creative rat rods, lead sleds and traditional street rods from later years.

Ladies had the opportunity to see things specifically for them at the Ladies Showcase, where they lined up each day to receive a large, free tote bag - a different color each day - and to shop. Kids had events for them and the Kid’s World amusement area.

day. A pin-up beauty contest was also held.

There was a constant flow of vehicles up and down the one-way streets. Some were noisy with open exhaust headers and a few were revved up for the onlookers, but no burnouts.

Many vendors were on site promoting products offering special deals. At the Classic Car Marketplace, cars were bought and sold. Former NASCAR driver Richard Petty was there with a display trailer, and he spent a lot of time signing autographs.

Several corn dog outlets were busy providing food and at least one place selling a BBQ pork chop or chicken breast on a stick. We dined at these locations.

continued from page 1

McDowell and wife Sandi have three kids - Jack, Grace and Jones - the younger two of which are still Viking students, so the McDowell family isn’t leaving Whitehall, one more way in which the outgoing superintendent said the district “has been a blessing” to him.

“The time spent here working with the people and the community has been the most rewarding of my career,” McDowell said.

Evening entertainment was held at the bandshell, with Richie Lee and the Fabulous 50’s Friday and Mitchell Hall and the Tennessee Trio (a tribute to a younger Johnny Cash) Saturday. There were other musical acts performing, including The Dixieland Pickup Band on a truck that paraded through the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each

Most folks we talked to had been to this show before. It really is a sight to behold for any old car enthusiast. The day we saw Bob Salmonson, his wife Donna, their daughter and two grandchildren were all there. The family tradition continues.

On the way home, we took I-94, and State Road 29 through Wisconsin, enjoying the four-lane roads, and entered Michigan at Menominee.

For me, it was a one-time event, as we just live too far away. The week-long trip in our #42 covered 1,716 miles.

Jerry Mattson’s 1939 Plymouth street-rod (42) joined Lee Ekblad’s 1959 Rambler on a trip to the Minnesota Street Rod Association’s Back to the ‘50s Weekend.

• Jerry Mattson/Mirror

The 30-foot tall Mack-A-Tron, on display in Mackinaw City, Michigan, is made of car and motorcycle parts, but also pieces of the Mackinac Bridge itself.

A Model A Ford sedan, snazzily painted, was among the many vehicles Jerry Mattson saw on a trip to the Minnesota Street Rod Association in June.

• Jerry Mattson/Mirror

The Rite Aid pharmacy in Whitehall has posted store closing sales in its window and on Colby Street for several weeks. • Madison Lajewski/Mirror

Echoes of History: A history of Duck Lake (pt. 2)

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor

Carrie Mears, Charles Mears’ daughter and only survivor, remained owner of much of the property on Duck Lake. In 1920 ads began to appear in newspapers for ”a fine tract of land formerly belonging to C. Mears and lying on both sides of the mouth of Duck Lake, including a fine wooded frontage on both Duck Lake and Lake Michigan comprising of 100 acres. The land was suitable for a high class summer colony.” The ads were posted by C. Mears of Chicago.

This property was purchased by the Evanston, Illinois Boy Scouts and became Camp Wabaningo from 192027. They sold off some of the land to the Grand Rapids Boy Scouts and Camp Shawondosee was formed in 1928. The two groups maintained their camps for about the next 50 years. Scout Camping closed on Duck Lake in early 1970 when the camp sold the property to the Nature Conservancy. In 1974 the State of Michigan acquired the property and in 1988 established Duck Lake State Park.

In the fall of 1900, the Hon. J. J. Gee introduced a bill in Lansing to change

the name of Duck Lake to Michillinda Lake. Residents of Michillinda felt the new name would better describe the developing farm produce business of the time. Widespread opposition to the name change prevailed, and it remains Duck Lake to this day.

Over the years, Duck Lake has also been the site of several summer resorts:

Duck Lake Resort (1902-16) –Christ Hesse bought property at the east end of Duck Lake in 1893. He cleared the land and built a three-story house for their family and summer guests, advertising their summer resort in the Chicago Tribune in 1902. The main house had 20 bedrooms, and seven small cottages were also part of the resort, which operated until 1916. The resort was then leased to the YMCA and reopened in 1920, operating for the next decade. Hesse was responsible for building the first bridge over Duck Creek at the head of the lake resulting in a direct route to White Lake and Whitehall. He later gifted the bridge and access property to the township, and it is now Nestrom Road.

Duck Lake Inn (1910-55) – Sometimes referred to as Walters’ Place,

Walk the Beat

able to perform at a local festival.”

Lynch got together with his bandmates last year but previously played at the original Walk the Beat festival in Grand Haven as a solo act, so he was familiar with the concept. Still, the difference between the festival and performing a concert, which the band has been fortunate enough to do throughout Michigan, was certainly stark.

“It’s definitely not what you’re used to,” Lynch chuckled. “If you wait long enough, you’ll hear the person across the road from you as you’re between songs. I was able to walk over by the Fetch area a little bit and see some of

continued from page 1

the talent that was showcased in town.”’

The Mixed Notions, Lynch said, assembled through, essentially, a game of telephone. Lynch began playing with Rowley, whom he’s known a few years and met through a friend, as a bass guitarist. From there, Rowley brought in Freeland, the band’s other guitarist and a childhood friend of his, and Freeland recruited a friend of his - Samoy, the drummer. Samoy was in Florida for Walk the Beat so didn’t perform, but the band continues to tour.

Lynch said he was confident his band would put on a good show at Walk the Beat, but with so many acts

the Inn was operated by German immigrants - Henry Walters and his wife Helen. They purchased property next to Hinze Resort. By 1920, the resort included the main two-story house, guest cottages, kitchen & dining building, an icehouse and a dance and pool hall. The Inn was operated until 1955, when Helen died.

Ruben’s Lake Park Resort (191437) In 1914 Swedish immigrant brothers Rudolf and Karin Ruben bought four acres on Duck Lake for $600. They built a two-story home and began advertising in the Chicago Daily Tribune

on the docket, it was impossible to feel strongly about the chances of winning a fan vote.

“I was proud of what we’d been doing,” Lynch said. “We’ve been touring an album we wrote  (Stages) across Michigan the past couple months. We were well-rehearsed, but you never know with how many acts there were. It’s certainly a very good feeling and very affirming (to win). It reminds you you’re on the right track.”

The gigs are certainly a huge boost for the group, but the Third Coast recording time will have a major impact on the Mixed Notions as well. Lynch said the group has been working on an EP (in music parlance, an album of about 5-6 songs) it hoped to release this summer. The chance to work on “the best version, to hone those tunes,”

for summer vacationers. Over time they added seven small cottages and a dining hall. The resort operated until 1937.

Lake View Farms (1919-1936) –Chris Hinze, a German immigrant, bought his property on Duck Lake in 1898. He cleared the land, established a berry farm and started taking vacationers. By 1920 he had expanded his farmhouse to 14 bedrooms and a dining hall able to seat 125 guests. The resort operated until 1936.

using resources it normally wouldn’t have, will likely push the timeline back a little bit but should result in a better product.

The band has aspirations of fully making a living off its music, and its recent statewide tour in support of a debut album has done nothing to change those dreams. Lynch is hopeful the band’s new opportunities given by the festival will push those dreams closer to reality.

“We’d love to start touring outside of Michigan and see the world a little bit through music,” Lynch said. “I’ve had the privilege of doing that in a couple of different ways, but to do it with a guitar, with your own songs, is an entirely different experience, and one we’d love to have.”

New bike repair station now open at library

By Virginia DeMumbrum

We are thrilled to announce that the new bike repair station at the library is now fully operational and ready for business! Thanks to a generous donation from the K. Wayne and Joyce Dulyea Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we were able to purchase and install a bike repair stand that includes a tire pump and a variety of common bike repair tools. It is located just outside the library’s main entrance, where it is available 24/7 for trail users who might need it.

Next Book Sale Aug. 10

It’s time for the next book sale at the library! Please join us Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Browse thousands of gently used books and other items, all priced to sell. Most of the books, puzzles, games, music, and movies are $2 or less. You can also fill a whole grocery bag for just $5. Come early for the best selection.

FUN FACT: Book sales are an important source of funding for the library. Each year the 4 quarterly sales generate a total of about $3,000. This is more than we typically bring in through private meeting room rentals ($1,500), but less than we collect in do-

since the storm, it’s worth a look.

Story Time with Fire

Chief Pete

nations for copier/printer use ($4,500).

Thank You, City Staff

We are very fortunate to have such dedicated and hard-working folks at Whitehall’s Department of Public Works. They have been laboring tirelessly to clean up damage from the storm that hit in the early hours of June 25. Clearing the roads was the first priority, of course, but the huge mess on the bike trail was also handled as soon as humanly possible. It’s great to have the trail open again! The damage near Howmet Park is still a bit of a shock to see, though. If you haven’t walked or ridden a bike in that area

Speaking of the big storm, remember how we had to cancel our pop-up storytime at the fire station because it was scheduled for the very morning the storm hit? Well, we finally have it rescheduled! Children and their families are invited to join us Monday, Aug. 12 at White Lake Fire Authority’s Station 1 at 11 a.m. In addition to our usual storytime activities, children will hear Fire Chief Pete read some of his favorite books and will also get a tour of the station and an opportunity to sit on a fire truck.

Minute to Win It Event Thursday

The Olympics have us in a competitive spirit! Children in grades K-8 are invited to join us for an afternoon of fun minute-long challenges Thursday, Aug. 8, from 2-3:30 p.m. How many pennies can you stack in one pressure-filled minute? Do you have the finesse to unwrap Hershey Kisses while wearing oven mitts? Everyone wins because they’re as fun to play as they are to watch!

Volunteer Contributor

DeMumbrum

The bridge over the Duck Lake channel is shown soon after its completion, circa 1906. • Courtesy Photo

Local resident Alan Zamarron shows off the new bike repair station, which is ready to help White Lake Community Library visitors service their battered wheels.

• Courtesy Photo

Mirror Lake Mirror

NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

A new splash of color brightens the RunIt 5K

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — Maybe the growth of the RunIt 5K would have happened anyway, maybe not, but the addition of a color run sure seemed Saturday morning to have been a huge hit.

Over 350 finishers were recorded - last year’s race had 300 recorded finishers - and that may not have accounted for everyone. Race director Jenna Sorensen of White Lake Nutrition, the host of the event, announced to the assembled masses prior to race time that so many people registered for the race that there were no more available bibs. Luckily, some kind souls who didn’t care about their time passed along bibs

Whitehall sees increased turnout for youth camp

About two dozen spikers from 3rd to 5th grade join varsity players for instruction

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — Because of the number of Whitehall volleyball players who participate in club volleyball, the Vikings don’t have many chances to get together during the offseason. Coach Ted Edsall also believes in giving his athletes a break, so he usually doesn’t do much in the way of organized activities early in the summers, apart from a weekly open gym.

That added a special layer of significance to the Vikings’ youth camp, which kicked off last Thursday with concurrent sessions for kids from third through fifth grade and for junior high kids, followed by a later session for high school age players. About two dozen girls from the younger set joined several varsity Vikings to learn the game - a big jump, Edsall said, from last year, when nine from the same age group came out.

“An unbelievable increase in numbers,” Edsall said. “I don’t know why. I also have parents that I coached in

the stands, so that’s part of it. It may be just a group of fifth and sixth-graders whose parents are involved. We had a bunch of kids sign up at the end. We’ve got a kid from Chicago and a kid from Florida who are on vacation here. We’ve got an older kid here from Bloomington, Indiana who’s really good. We welcome them all. It’s fun.”

The younger players certainly benefited from the seven varsity Vikings who were there to help for the first session of the camp, which included

all five of the team’s returning seniors, but it was those varsity players, Edsall said, who built the most lasting memories from the camp.

“For them to give back, they’ll talk about it for a long time,” Edsall said. “Sometimes it’s a chore to get here, but when they get here and see the look on those kids’ faces that they’re helping, there’s nothing like it... They’re like their heroes, the kids that have played volleyball.”

Whitehall’s own season preparation ramped up Sunday-Wednesday

with its own team camp. The Vikings’ team will likely look a little different this year after the graduation of the two top attackers, Arianna Black and Kayla Mulder. Senior setter Sidney Shepherd, an all-conference performer, is likely to be the centerpiece of the team, and the Vikings will look for solid attackers to emerge from a typically talented group of newcomers. Edsall often goes with the flow,

About 25 young players turned out to last week’s Whitehall volleyball youth camp at the Viking Athletic Center, which featured several varsity Viking players and coaches as counselors. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

A cloud of color surrounds many of the participants prior to Saturday’s RunIt 5K in Whitehall. The color run was an addition to the annual race for this year, promoting brightness and hope in memory of Ava VanderStelt. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

A young runner is doused with blue and pink colored dust during the RunIt 5K Saturday in Whitehall. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Former Whitehall distance running star Andre Richmond is unfazed by a cloud of pink and blue as he closes in on the finish of Saturday’s RunIt 5K in Whitehall. Richmond finished in second place in the race. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

RunIt 5K continued on page 5

Whitehall varsity players celebrate the successes of some young campers last Thursday at the Whitehall volleyball youth camp at the Viking Athletic Center. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Montague soccer team working into shape

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Montague spent this week gearing up for its soccer season with some summer conditioning days at the Montague Township soccer complex.

Thursday, Aug. 1 marked the start of the MHSAA’s ‘down period’ prior to fall practices officially opening Aug. 12. During the down period, coaches can meet with athletes in groups up to four for skill work or weight training and non-sport-specific conditioning, but not both.

Several of the Wildcats have had busy summers up to this point, including joining forces with other area players, including Whitehall Vikings, on the White Lake Breakers team that won the U19 Fresh Coast Classic in Petoskey in June. A group of ‘Cats also participated in a weekly 6-on-6 summer league that took place in Ludington.

Montague coach Brandon Mahoney said he’s been pleased with the turnout of his players for these summer activities, particularly rising juniors Korben Sanchez and Michael “MJ” Jones, who appear poised to take up the mantle of team leaders after a

RunIt 5K

to people who did.

The upbeat atmosphere was obvious, as dance music was played prior to the race, including some of Ava VanderStelt’s favorites; the race is in its third year of supporting a scholarship in VanderStelt’s name as well as the Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer mental health awareness group. VanderStelt passed away in 2022.

As in past years, VanderStelt’s mom, Bridget Knapp, spoke in support of mental health awareness prior to the race. Pastor Jeremy Wegner of Hope Bible Chapel led a pre-race prayer. Very unlike past years, the final minutes leading up to the race featured many of the race participants flinging colored dust into the air, creating a brightly colored mass of formerly white t-shirts.

The color run, Sorensen said a couple of weeks prior to the RunIt 5K, was “a fun adjustment and change to the race,” and most of the runners agreed. Participants were of course permitted to opt out of having colored dust flung at them throughout the race, but most happily signaled to onlookers to douse them. Pink, yellow, blue, bright green and more colors made their imprints

large group of decorated seniors graduated from last season’s team.

“Both those guys have put in so much time in the off-season, and they want to be starters,” Mahoney said of the duo. “That’s what I’m looking for, those kinds of kids that have that heart, that, “This is what I want to do, Coach. I want this,” and they put in that effort. Coach (Scott) Liskey did some stuff in the offseason, and they were there all the time at open gyms in the winter. They come to every single one. I think the only one that Korben missed, he was camping. It felt like, ‘The guy needs a break every once in a while.’ But he shows up to everything, and MJ’s the same way.”

Mahoney added that Sanchez and Jones were even on his case about getting together for the permitted “4-on1s” during the down period prior to practices opening. The Wildcats also have some young players the coaches are excited for, including Steven Aebig, a freshman and younger brother of all-conference star Chris, who performed well in the Ludington 6-on-6 league, and Austin White, who displayed a high soccer IQ Tuesday.

The conditioning workouts include

some running, of course, but Mahoney said he tries to limit that sort of thing because while “it helps your cardio,” it doesn’t develop soccer skills. Assistant coach Chris Aebig, who coached the Montague girls in the second half of last season, worked with the players on fundamentals Tuesday, focusing on where on the ball to hit it to make it do what you want it to. There was also work on passing, which Mahoney concedes can be repetitive, but is vital work for any player.

“I tell the kids every time I come here, ‘I know it’s going to be boring; it’s going to be like, not passing again,’ but if you can do this perfect now, when it comes to game time pressure, muscle memory is going to kick in and you’re going to think, ‘I can do this,’ and you’re going to pass around those teams,” Ma-

honey said.

The day ended with a scaled-down scrimmage, and there too Mahoney saw things he liked. He noted that with Jones’ speed and the veterans’ skill, they could easily just take over a scrimmage, but they instead worked on skills needed when the games kick off.

“He’s fast enough to sprint down and go through everybody and score, but that doesn’t help him,” Mahoney said of Jones. “It doesn’t help the rest of the team. It’s nice that the boys have recognized that I don’t need to see that you have magical one-on-one skills. I know you’re good. I know you’re an athlete. What I want to see is that you know when to pass, you know when to hold it, you know when to release the ball.”

All Week

White Lake Chamber Music Festival events every night this week. Full schedule of events available at whitelakemusic.org.

Saturday, Aug. 3

Montague Farmer’s Market open every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Gabriel James performs @ Sawyers Brewing, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 4

Steve Thielman performs @ Book Nook & Java Shop for brunch, 10 a.m. to noon.

Monday, Aug. 5

Community Yoga @ Fruitland Twp. Hall, 10-11 a.m. Free to partic-

on skin and shirts alike. It was all part of the efforts made to create a positive and warm atmosphere in support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Knapp told the crowds pre-race that as difficult as it’s been to live life without her daughter, it brings her joy to see so many come together in her memory.

The results were, of course, beside the point, but for the second year in a row it was Carter McIlroy, former Whitehall distance running star, who took first place, securing an impressive time of 15:46.8, a half-minute better than his winning time in 2023. Several other recent White Lake area athletes raced and did well, including fellow Vikings Andre Richmond, Drew Boeringa and Cami Kraai, who each placed in the top 10, as well as former Montague Wildcat Kaden Hainer. Vikings’ cross-country coach Jeff Bassett was also among the runners and was the highest finisher over 30 years of age, placing seventh. Many other former Whitehall and Montague athletes, and potential future ones, were part of the race.

Volleyball camp

and true to that perspective, he’s not sweating the uncertainty of who will be hitting the most spikes for Whitehall this fall.

We’ve got an all-conference player in Sid. We have five seniors. We’re going to supplement them with some good players. It’s going to be different. We’re probably not going to have the attacking that we had last year, but I think we’re going to be competitive.” continued from page 4

“We’re going to be fine,” Edsall said. “There aren’t any championships won in August...We have a nice core back.

Community Calendar

ipate ($5 suggested donation), open to all ages and skill levels.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Steve Thielman performs @ Book Nook & Java Shop, 10 a.m. to noon.

ACWL-Nuveen Free Summer Concert Series continues with the Westside Soul Surfers @ Montague Band Shell, 7 p.m. Free crafts for kids at each concert.

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Snacktivity @ MADL Montague branch, 3-5 p.m. Games, crafts, Lego and more. Snacks provided.

Thursday, Aug. 8

Fetch Cycling Group meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. All levels welcome.

Free general admission every Thursday @ the Muskegon Museum of Art, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pokemon Family Fun Night @ MADL Montague branch, 5:30 p.m. Crafts and games based on the popular video game. Registration required, register at madl.librarycalendar.com.

White River Township Town Hall Meeting from 6:30-8 p.m @ township hall. Topic: Tiny homes, affordable residential housing, and planned housing developments.

Free yoga on the lawn @ White River Light Station, 6:30 p.m. North Grove Brewers summer concert Thursdays features Christo-

pher Cordle, 7 p.m. Outdoor concert in the biergarten.

Friday, Aug. 9

Sunrise Hike & Bird Watch @ Duck Lake State Park, 6:30 a.m. See and identify various birds and their calls. Registration required, register at madl.librarycalendar.com.

Community Yoga @ Fruitland Twp. Hall, 10-11 a.m. Free to participate ($5 suggested donation), open to all ages and skill levels.

White River Light Station free summer concert series with Wyatt & Shari Knapp, 7 p.m.

Montague soccer players participate in a scrimmage late in Tuesday’s conditioning workouts at the Montague Township soccer complex. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Young spikers work on passing technique last Thursday during the Whitehall volleyball camp at the Viking Athletic Center. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Vikings’ strong scrimmage effort sparks optimism

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MUSKEGON — Whitehall soccer coach Adam Prince and North Muskegon coach Jeremy Tjapkes go way back to Prince’s time coaching under Tjapkes with the Norsemen, so the two always schedule a summer scrimmage between their teams. With North Muskegon already considered a big favorite in this year’s West Michigan Conference, the scrimmage doubled as a barometer for an experienced Vikings team.

Early returns looked good, as Whitehall looked connected and confident against the Norsemen on the latter’s new turf field. No one was too focused on keeping score, but the Vikings scored at least four times in the scrimmage.

The new field is located where the baseball field previously was, and is not yet fully ready for the season - or at least, the spectator area isn’t. Fans brought lawn chairs to sit on to view the game, but Tjapkes said the school plans to install small bleacher areas, as well as backstop nets to catch balls that get past the goal. (A more robust spectator area was part of a recent school bond that was voted down.)

Whitehall battled presumptive WMC favorite North Muskegon in an offseason scrimmage Tuesday.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Prince said his hopes for the season got higher watching the team perform at a camp at Oakland University last week, where college coaches told him they thought his team looked the most together of all the squads there.

“Last season we sort of finished all over the place,” Prince said. “We weren’t very organized...(This year), they go as a team, and they do things as a team, and they watch out for each other. It makes a coach kind of proud that he can just say, ‘Hey, do this,’ and (know it’ll get done). I’m really optimistic about this season.”

Most of the Vikings were on hand for the scrimmage, including up-andcoming sophomore keeper Garrett Taylor. Whitehall has a three-year start-

er in net with Andon Palmer, so Taylor’s pushing him for the job is a mark of how impressive he’s been. Should he win the job, or a share of it, that would give Whitehall the ability to deploy Palmer elsewhere on the field, perhaps further strengthening the team.

“Garrett just got back this week,” Prince said of the sophomore, who plays keeper for a club team out of Grand Rapids. “He was at the University of Wisconsin at a goalkeepers camp.”

Prince is hopeful this season will reap some seeds from Whitehall’s past

two seasons, in which inexperienced players had to take the field earlier than they might have under ideal circumstances. That’s created a seasoned group of juniors and sophomores, and three Vikings who received all-conference mention will return this fall.

“Watching us play against (North Muskegon), who probably will be considered the favorites, with what they haven’t lost and what they’re bringing back, I think we’ve got a really good chance of being real tough,” Prince said.

Summer Book Talk series concludes

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer

MONTAGUE — Dana Precious, a former film industry professional in California who’s originally from Muskegon, returned to her hometown Wednesday capping off the Friends of the Montague Libarry’s summer book talk series.

Her first book, “Born Under a Lucky Moon,” takes place in Muskegon, but her trip to The Book Nook this time

highlighted her new novel, “Murder in Malibu: A Miss Merry Mac Mystery.” She said this is the first installment in her new comedic murder mystery series.

Friends of the Montague Library shared they intend on doing another book talk series this fall, allowing White Lake residents to meet and ask different Michigan authors questions about their work.

This summer’s series was kicked off July 10 by Warren Overbeke. A

Wings over Muskegon air show returns Aug. 9

The Wings over Muskegon air show returns to the Muskegon County Airport in Norton Shores Aug. 9-11, with a variety of aircraft scheduled to be displayed on the ground and in the air.

Nine different planes are slated to perform at the show, which returns for a second year in a row after a successful show in 2023. Last year’s show was the first at the county airport since 2006.

The C-47 Hairless Joe plane, which also performed at the 2023 show, will be part of the 2024 attractions as well. The Hooligans, a local flight team, are slated to take to the skies as well.

Other expected performers are the Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II demonstration team, which is making its farewell tour; the Super Chipmunk GhostWriter, a former Royal Canadian Air Force plane specially modified

for skywriting an aerobatics; the Hot Streak II Jet Truck, a 1957 Chevrolet that can reach up to 350 miles per hour on the ground; the FG-1D World War II-era Corsair fighter; a MiG-17F Vietnam War-era fighter; the comedy-stunt flying team Franklin’s Flying Circus; and the B-25 Rosie’s Reply, another WWII-era fighter.

Tickets to the show are available online at wingsovermuskegon.com/ tickets. Dynamic pricing is in effect, but at press time, prices were $25 for the Sunday show and $30 for the Saturday show, with parking set at $15 each day. Gates open at 10 a.m. each day. Kids 15 and under are not charged admission. There is also a Friday, Aug. 9 twilight show scheduled; prices for that event are $50 per car load and include parking.

Minnesota native, Overbeke moved to Michigan after completing 29 years of military service. His recent work, “Tholocco’s Lake,” shares a love story throughout World War II. Donald Levin returned to The Book Nook July 17 and has been described as a “West Michigan reader’s favorite.”

His presentation highlighted his Detroit trilogy, including a non-fiction thriller, “The Arsenal of Deceit.” Levin, raised in Detroit, is praised for including key moments from Detroit history into his books. During the presentation, he read a selection from his third book to be released this fall.

Maureen Dunphy joined White Lake again July 24 and shared an essay from her award-winning book, “Diving: A Memoir in Trees.” A collection of 16 essays, each named after a different tree species, the memoir explores the relationship between humans and nature, as well as how trees can be emotionally and physically healing for people. She shared her own personal stories about her favorite trees that have allowed her to connect with family, friends and herself. “Divining” is a finalist for the 2024 Midwest Book Awards, as well as a selection by the Sierra Club.

Whitehall put forth a strong effort in a Tuesday scrimmage against North Muskegon on the Norsemen’s new turf field. The Vikings are hoping for a strong season this fall with their experienced roster. • Andy Roberts/Mirror