The Oceana Echo - Volume 2, Issue 11, August 9, 2024 by theoceanaecho

Hundreds attend National Night Out

Oceana County primary election results

By Steve Gunn

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

It appears that most of Oceana County’s top elected officials will be returning to office for another term, based on the results of Tuesday’s pri-

mary election.

Overall, 5,546 votes were cast in the county. There are 22,599 registered voters, which means that 24.5 percent of voters participated.

The election results are preliminary until certified by the County Board of Canvassers.

Two incumbent Democratic county road commissioners, Cathy Forbes (1,215 votes) and David Spitler (995) won their party’s nomination for the two seats up for grabs. There were also two Republicans on the ballot – Jason LaFever and Andrew Heykoop - but no vote totals were available for their race at press time. They had no opponents, so both are likely to appear on the fall ballot to run against Forbes and Spitler.

The county probate judge position was also on the ballot in a threeway, non-partisan primary. Eric Fox took received a total of 2,193 votes, followed by Ana Rapa

(1,623) and Ryan Good (747). Fox and Rapa will now meet in a runoff in the November election.

Three countywide ballot proposals were approved by voters – a millage renewal for the Oceana County Council on Aging, which passed by a total of 3,334-1,798; a millage renewal for the Oceana County Medical Care Facility (3,3011,809); and a millage renewal for the Oceana County Department of Veterans Affairs (3,9111,235).

The only ballot proposal to fail anywhere in the county came in Pentwater Township, where a request for 3.5 additional mills for extra fire protection services was defeated by a close vote of 380-326.

“Obviously, this wasn’t the outcome we hoped for. We knew that this was a huge step up, and we look forward to working with the community we protect to better understand im-

provements they would like to see tomorrow and beyond,” Pentwater Fire Chief Jonathan Hughart stated in a press release sent out after the primary.

“The people we protect and serve have always been very supportive of PFD and we now look to November to renew the existing millage that has been in place since 1994.”

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP

In the most interesting township result of the election, incumbent Supervisor Fuehring finished second in a threeway race on the Republican ballot. Draper won with 170 votes, followed by Fuehring with 114 and Floyd Whelpley with 98. No Democrats ran for the office, so barring a writein campaign, Draper will likely run unopposed in the general election.

Voters approved a road millage proposal by a 305-164 margin.

CLAYBANKS TOWNSHIP

In a tight Republican race for two trustee nominations, voters selected

David Rabe (90 votes) and Larry Burmeister (60 votes). Allen Blohm barely missed the cut with 58 votes.

HART TOWNSHIP

Two Republicans – Lois Alvesteffer-Simmons (114 votes) and Douglas Fuehring (146 votes ) – won their party’s nomination for two open trustee positions. Terry Mead finished a close third with 109 votes.

NEWFIELD TOWNSHIP

In a contested Republican primary for supervisor, Joan David defeated Wayne McCastle 251-133 and captured the GOP nomination. She will likely run unopposed in the fall because there were no Democrats on the ballot.

Two Republicans sought the party nomination for treasurer, and Mary Martin-Hopkins defeated Peggy Rumsey 218-164. No Democrats were on the ballot.

In the race for two trustee positions, Wayne Ferris (250 votes) and

Micah Johnson (146) won the Republican nominations over Elijah den Engelse (92 votes). They will face off against Democrat Rick Roberson (86 votes) in the November election.

PENTWATER TOWNSHIP Voters approved a millage request for road maintenance and construction by a vote of 516188. A separate millage request for maintenance and improvements to the township cemetery passed 458-249.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP

In the race for two trustee positions, Scott Meyers (260 votes) and Cynthia Rapes (251) won the Republican nominations, edging out Joel McCormick (162 votes).

WEARE TOWNSHIP Lane Stotler (74 votes) and Byron Miller (64) edged out Bryan Broderick (63 votes) for the Republican nominations for two open trustee seats. There were no Democrats on the ballot.

The first National Night Out for Oceana County took place at the Shelby Township Park this past Tuesday. Hundreds attended the event to meet with area first responders and more. Both Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast and Undersheriff Ryan Schiller noted that the venue was a perfect fit for the event and were extremely happy with the strong turnout. Schiller added that planning with area agencies began back in January, and he is hopeful that the event will continue to grow in size.

• Amanda Dodge/Echo

Pentwater Homecoming: a 94-year tradition

By AnnaMae Bush The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

“Homecoming – in August? School is not even in session.” Some may think Homecoming is a high school dance connected with a sporting event and the crowning of a king and queen. If not connected with school, then maybe the return of soldiers from active duty. But this writer discovered a different definition of “Homecoming” after purchasing a cottage in Pentwater 22 years ago.

In Pentwater, Homecoming is a four-day celebration of the entire community when multiple generations of families who have lived in the village or township return to the family homestead to enjoy once more everything that makes this lakeshore gem sparkle in their memories. Annually scheduled for the second full weekend in August (Thursday–Sunday), the event highlights family activities, local traditions, and the spirited rivalry between University of Michigan and Michigan State University alumni residents. Nearly every street and driveway are filled with parked cars, confirming that the normal summer population has temporarily doubled to 10,000 because not only former residents but also many tourists have arrived to enjoy the festivities.

This year marks the 94th annual Homecoming celebration. The Pentwater Historical Museum has a file of newspaper clippings, brochures and photos that date from 1930 to the past decade. “Unfortunately, the material has not yet been digitalized,” Beth Russel from the Pentwater Historical Society informed me. This meant it took hours to sort, review, copy, and photograph selected material for an article on the history of the event. It is impossible to do justice to 94 years of history in two or even three pages. But a view from 500 feet up will have to suffice for our purposes here. So, we will take a look at what has endured through the years and what has changed over time.

It was interesting to note that the celebration was originally called a Water Show and Homecoming Event. Many activities in earlier years took place on the lake. Larry Konopka recalls small hydroplane boat races, waterskiing demonstrations and long Venetian boat parades. “There were a couple of families (the Bates and the Todds) with teenagers and young adults who performed shows on a par with the shows you would see at Cyprus Gardens in Florida. I don’t know how they developed skills such as making a pyramid on one another’s shoulders or how their parents allowed such risks, but it was very popular and ended when those youths moved on.” It is not clear when Water Show was dropped from the title, shortening it to simply Homecoming.

Current residents and participants may find some of the older practices surprising. Like the high school tradition of crowning a king and queen, the title of “Little Miss and Master Homecoming” was awarded to a pair of young children (aged 3-5) who were given special recognition in the annual Homecoming parade. This event was still listed in the activity schedule of the Homecoming 1985 brochure, as were a cake walk, a teen dance, a bed race and a children’s carnival. Similarly, there were years when a “Miss Pentwater” competition took place, and the winner was crowned and honored in the parade. The museum has a photo of seven young women in bathing suits who competed for the honor in 1968. The winner was Chris Carlson, 17, who was entering her senior year at Pentwater High School. She was crowned by the then mayor, Mr. Edward Schimke. Chris Carlson Stigailo is still in town, and she chuckled when she told me she was “Little Miss Pentwater” in 1955 at the age of 5, and “Miss Pentwater” again in 1968. The competition in 1968 was simple. It consisted of a promenade up the stairs and onto a stage where each contestant had to respond to a different question not given ahead of time. Carlson recounted, “My question was ‘Who do you admire the most?’ and my answer was, ‘Betty Ford, because of her work with addictions.’ I guess the judges liked my answer.” Three or four individuals, all from outside of Pentwater to avoid partiality, served as judges. Records indicate that for a brief period there were both a “Miss Pentwater” and a “Miss Summer Pentwater.” Contestants for both those awards were required to be between the ages of 15 and 18, with the first being a resident of Pentwater and the second being a seasonal visitor to Pentwater.

The most exciting feature for families was the car-

nival that was set up on the Village Green on the level area in front of the Yacht Club. Children could ride the Ferris wheel, the carousel, or the tilt-a-wheel and older youths could compete in the shooting gallery or the dart-throwing game to win prizes. Event planners decided to eliminate the carnival after years of extra traffic on the Village Green took a heavy toll on the landscape.

Larry remembered another event that occurred on Saturday mornings of Homecoming weekend for several years. “Mike Castor, who used to own a kite and toy store on Hancock Street, had a connection with an organization that rescued raptors which had been injured. The group would come to the Village Green with several of their resident animals for a demonstration. Kids could see the huge birds up close on the trainers’ hands. That was a memorable experience.”

Caroline Denlar remembered a log rolling event on the lake in which people tested their balance to see who could stand on their log the longest. “And the fire department had 2 teams and used the water from their hoses to see which team could stay standing the longest! …on the Village Green.”

Museum records indicate the originators (1930) of Homecoming were individuals, primarily a woman named Ann Flagg, whose purpose in the earliest celebrations was a reunion of all Pentwater High School graduates. There were approximately 300 participants in the first such celebration. Flagg was the oldest of three Jepsen sisters, and she was a “mover and shaker” in today’s lingo. Flagg’s youngest sister was Florence Jepsen, who was Larry Konopka’s grandmother, and Flagg’s daughter was Madonna (Flagg) Shaw, who figured prominently with her husband Harold Shaw in the Homecoming Parade for many years. The museum had a photo of the Shaws in one of the costumes for which they were known.

As the event grew in size and complexity, it required more organizational work, and it became a project of the Chamber of Commerce. Dean Gustafson’s parents owned a large import and gift shop in Pentwater, and his father was very active in the Chamber. Dean recalled, “I remember there were some tough years when it was hard to get a president for the Chamber because the job entailed chairing the Homecoming event. That was so much work and required missing many days at one’s own business. Not too many businessmen wanted to do that.” Today, there are as many as 10,000 event attendees, and leadership responsibilities are shared by the Chamber of Commerce with several local organizations.

Homecoming features that have endured through the years include the strawberry shortcake social, band concert, horseshoe tournament, golf outing, sand sculpture competition, Big Ten Tailgate Party, Grand Parade, fireworks and Sunday morning pancake breakfast. Some of the features have remained unchanged, while others have undergone minor alterations. The Scottville Clown Band has been a part of the event since the earliest years because the founders of the Pentwater Civic Band were youthful bandmates with founders of the Clown Band. The earlier Grand Parades had a larger presence of veterans and guest bands than in more recent decades. Pentwater sent 111 men to the Spanish-American War of 1898, and the veterans marched in the Grand Parade as long as they were able. Larry described one memorable guest band as a Drum and Bugle corp. with delightful fifes out of Detroit. Fireworks are now exploded over Lake Michigan, but they were previously shot over Pentwater Lake

from the downtown marina. Caroline Denlar commented, “A negative result was that we had holes burned into our sails from the sparks.” One year, the wind took an unexpected turn and blew the fireworks over the Oceana Beach Association. No fires were ignited in woods or homes, but the homeowners’ fears and complaints motivated the move to a safer location. There is consensus that Homecoming fireworks are a greater display than the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve fireworks. Funds for fireworks are collected in local stores and by Pentwater Service Club members during the Grand Parade for the following year’s fireworks.

The sandcastle competition produces some unbelievably good works of art and some highly entertaining entries. Prizes are awarded for multiple age groups and various categories, and one category is how well the sculpture fits the theme, which changes every year. The theme for 2024 is “Floating in Pentwater.”

Homecoming promotes family cooperation by inviting families to enter their own floats in the parade and their own sculptures in the sandcastle competition. Planning their entries can take families the better part of a year. With consistently high attendance, it appears the 94-year-long tradition of Homecoming is healthy and will continue far into the future.

(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 countywide railroad rivalry

By Caleb Jackson

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

There was, in the early days of our county, much rivalry between Pentwater and Hart. This rivalry manifested itself in the struggle for the county seat, which Hart took in the end. Being too far north and too far from the heart of the county was too big a stumbling block for the burgeoning Pentwater to overcome. One struggle in which Pentwater succeeded, however, was the push for a railroad.

The railroad interest had a major impact on Oceana as a whole. Entire towns sprung up around the depots, and it helped the county transition from a lumber-based economy to an agricultural-based one, allowing for the export of fruits. The Oceana County history book put out by the Historical Society in 1990 says, “The first train reached Pentwater in March of 1872. Almost overnight, a new town, Mears, in Golden Township, sprang up west of Hart on the railroad, and another town, Barnett, blossomed five miles directly south of Hart in Shelby Township. This town later became Shelby.” It would seem that early on, a stop-off at Hart was in the cards, but near the

end of the planning, this idea was discarded. In Hartwick and Tuller’s book, “Oceana County Business Men and Pioneers of To-Day,” they write, “Great rivalry existed between Pentwater and Hart, and through the influence of some of the leading Pentwater citizens, the line of the proposed road did not touch Hart village and reached Pentwater on the south side of Pentwater Lake.” The aforementioned Historical Society book tells it a little differently, saying, “Hart business leaders had fought to get the railroad through their town, but there was simply nothing they could do about the fact that Hart was surrounded by a rim of high hills which the railroad interests could not afford to surmount.” It is worth noting that a large portion of the “railroad interests” mentioned here probably constituted Pentwater businessmen. Two of those men were Samuel A. Browne and, of course, Charles Mears. Mears had commercial interest not only in Pentwater, but also in the village of Mears, which “sprang up overnight” once the railroad was built.

One key figure that we must talk about in bringing the rail to Pentwater, though, is Samuel A. Browne. Browne served as the secretary and treasurer of the Pentwater Lumber Company, and so it is no surprise that he want-

ed the rail. In H. R. Page’s History of Oceana County, he says, “Mr. Browne, on his arrival at Pentwater, saw at once the prime necessity of railroad communication, and set himself at work with characteristic energy to secure that boon.… He secured a pledge of $50,000 in stock… and in three months preparations were under way to lay a track from Montague to Pentwater.” Not only that but it would seem that his foresight helped guide the future of our county. “Seeing that the fruit and stock interests would become, after the lumbering was over, the paramount interests of Oceana, Mr. Browne threw his energy into these channels, and demonstrated in a number of cases the value of sandy soil for fruit raising…”

Earlier in this article, we mentioned how the town of Shelby “blossomed overnight” following the arrival of the railroad. Well, Page’s history gives us a bit more detail on that too.

When putting through the railway, finding it impossible to procure right-of-way and depot grounds at a reasonable price from the then owner of the farm on which the village of Shelby is located, Mr. Browne concluded, in company with Mr. Pettinger, of Shelby Township, F. A. Nims of Muskegon, and J. G. Graw of Pentwa-

ter, to purchase the farm of Mr. Bryant for the sum of $4,000, then deeded to the railroad company, free, the depot grounds and right-of-way through the land, and at once had the property platted, and in this way originated the present thriving village of Shelby…. So, there you have it. If it wasn’t for the likes of Mr. Browne and a few other domineering Pentwater citizens, along with a healthy rivalry with Hart, then the impact of the rail on Pentwater, and even on all of Oceana itself, may have been totally different.

Oceana Center Grange Agricultural Report for August 2024

By Phil Carter The Oceana Echo Agricultural Consultant

The diversity of crops is well known in the Land of Oceana. As soon as one crop is harvested, another is ready. The cherry harvest is complete and disappointing to most growers, as the quality was as bad as many longtime producers will attest to. The bright spot was that demand for cherry juice was high but the price was lower than the grower’s cost of production. Peaches, sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes and other produce are ripening and available.

The winter wheat harvest is almost finished and was a very good crop overall. Straw has

been baled. Third cutting hay is being put up, and with the recent rains, it looks good. Early apples are ripening, and pears will soon follow. Overall, fruit, especially apples, are about 10 days ahead of average and quality overall is good not withstanding areas where hail was predominant.

The downside of agriculture is pricing at the farm gate, most of which is below the cost of production. Corn, soybeans and wheat are at a four-year low, and many growers are holding them in storage for a better price. Demand for feed grains is down due to several reasons, putting additional downward force on pricing.

The dominio effect is causing big layoffs in the machinery industry; farmers simply lack

enough cash flow to buy new equipment. John Deere, Case IH New Holland, AGCO and Kinze are among the big names cutting back production, and John Deere is moving production to Mexico. Technology giant Intel is laying off 15 percent of its labor force.

Despite the doom and gloom, we can be thankful for good weather overall, and we lack the forest fires, hurricanes and floods other regions are experiencing. The Oceana County Fair starts August 19. Please attend and support 4-H members who have worked hard to raise their projects. Please share the roads with slow-moving farm equipment, we feed you three times a day and want to return home safely to our families at the end of the day.

Consider supporting The

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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 SADL, 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 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: Aug. 26, 3-4 p.m., SHS Parking Lot

Complete schedule at: theladdercommunitycenter.com

Law Enforcement Day at New Era Farmers Market

Come to the next New Era Farmers Market on Aug. 13, 2024. Markets are located at 1820 Ray Ave. in New Era and take place on the second and fourth Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Look for market mascot, Raye, on the corner for directions. They will be celebrating Law Enforcement Day with the KPOP Club from 4-5 p.m. Come on out for storytime, pound fitness, talk with a firefighter, police officer, conservation officer and EMT staff. See all the above emergency vehicles up close and personal.

Organizers welcome Chad Thompson to New Era. Chad resides in Paw Paw, Mich. and is worship leader at Haven Church. This will be his first performance at the market. Chad is a singer/songwriter who has been performing throughout the Midwest for over 30 years. Chad plays a wide variety of music styles, ranging from country, classic rock, oldies, modern hits, gospel and everything else in between. Chad is a seasoned piano player/vocalist and also performs music on guitar and harmonica. He is an engaging entertainer and has several hundred songs in his playlist that cover over six decades of hit songs. Chad has performed with dozens of area musicians and has been a part of well-known local bands such as The Road Home, Local Motive, Thompson Tyler and the Exit 41 Acoustic Group.

The market also has the only authorized grower ready to accept and process WIC Produce Connection benefits. Visit Jed Johansen, owner of Johansen’s Sweet 60 farm. Jed also vends at Newaygo Markets on Saturdays, so people can use their WIC Project Fresh Connection there too. He is the only grower authorized in Newaygo County as well. They will have some new vendors to shop. There will be dinner selections to purchase. Organizers have several ways to stretch attendees’ food dollars from SNAP/EBT, Double Up Food Bucks, Senior Market Fresh, WIC Produce Connections as well as our own Senior Market Fresh, SPOP and KPOP. Visit the checkered flag booth to get free produce tokens.

August

Aug. 8-11 - Pentwater Homecoming Celebration

Aug. 9 - Read to a Shelter Cat, Hesperia 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 - Silverado concert, Hart Historic District, 7 p.m.

Aug. 10 - Joe’s Spreading the Sunshine 5K, Shelby Pavilion, 9 a.m.

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

Aug. 11 - Pancake Breakfast, Pentwater VFW, 8 a.m. to noon

Aug. 12 - Little Sable Point Beach Clean-Up, 9 a.m.

Aug. 13 - Farming for the Future Field Day, West Michigan Research Center, 5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.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. 15 - Family Fun Night, Hesperia Comm. Library, , 6-7 p.m.

Aug. 15-17 - Sisters in Service 2nd Hand Sale, Walkerville Wesleyan

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

Elbridge Community Church to host Chicken Dinner

The Elbridge Community Church invites the entire community to its annual Chicken BBQ Dinner, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 from noon to 4 p.m. at the church, located at 2370 N. 136th Polk Rd., seven miles east of Hart.

The dinner will include one-half of a barbecued chicken, potatoes, baked beans, roll, dessert and beverage. The cost is $13 for adults, children ages 6-10 are by donation, and children five and under are free.

Tickets are available from any church member ahead of time, as well as at the door. However, organizers request that anyone who knows they will be attending please call 231-742-6466 and leave a name and contact number with how many tickets they are requesting.

A silent auction of many wonderful items will also be part of the festivities. The entire community is invited to come on out, enjoy a delicious meal and visit with your friends and neighbors!

TLC provides free ‘Backpack Blowout’ event Aug. 14

School starts soon and that thought either fills parents and guardians with anticipation or—in the case of too many—anxiety as they struggle to cope with the rising cost of back-to-school supplies and related expenses.

Trinity Lutheran Church (TLC) in New Era aims to help ease some of that anxiety with their annual “Backpack Blowout” event.

If anyone has one or more school-age children in their home, TLC invites you to attend the Backpack Blowout and help gear them up for the start of this coming school season. Everyone is welcome! Children must be present, however, to receive their backpack and school supplies.

The event takes place at the church Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 6-7 p.m. In addition to providing new backpacks and school supplies for free to students of all ages, church volunteers will serve a free buffet dinner to everyone who attends. The students can also play games to win prizes and participate in other activities set up for their fun and learning. Each student gets to browse for a new book of their choice, too, from a large selection on hand.

TLC is located one mile west of the US-31 expressway exit at 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd., New Era. For additional information on the event, contact TLC’s office 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at (231) 861-4059.

OCCOA offers many August events for area seniors

The following are OCCOA events for August. All activities are held at the Oceana County Council on Aging located at 4250 W. Tyler Rd., Hart unless stated otherwise. Please call 873-4461 to sign up or make meal reservations.

Breakfast is available on Thursday mornings; 8:30–9 a.m. Cost: $3, reservations required.

Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program - during Open Enrollment; call 873-4461 to schedule an appointment.

Drum Fitness: Monday Aug. 12, 19 and 26, 10 a.m.

Dance Party: Wednesday Aug. 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m.

Gentle Yoga: Tuesday, Aug. 13, 20 and 27. New summer start time at 11 a.m.

Pickle Ball: Friday, Aug. 9, 16, 23, and 30, 10 a.m.

Zumba: Friday, Aug. 9, 16, 23 and 30, 9 a.m.

Dinner and A Show at Blue Lake: Monday, Aug. 12, 5:30 p.m.

Muskegon Farmers Market: Tuesday, Aug. 13, 9 a.m.

Kayak Trips: Thursday, Aug. 15, 22 and 29, 9:30 a.m.

Contact the front desk or Gwen at 231-873-4461 for a list of each week’s location and to sign up.

Shopping Trip: Friday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m.

Hannah and Charlotte Lunch and Goodbye Party: Tuesday, Aug. 20, noon.

Mobility Clinic at Rothbury: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fish Boil at Cherry Pointe: Wednesday, Aug. 28, 5 p.m.

Quilt Show Grand Rapids: Friday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m.

Shopping Trip: Friday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m.

Nature Walk: Monday, Aug. 26, 11 a.m.

Beltone: Wednesday, Aug. 28, by appointment.

Caregiver Support Group: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m.

Art with Bradley Youngstrom: Monday, Aug. 12 and 26, 10 a.m. Cost: $15, reservations required.

Board Meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1:30 p.m. Location: Oceana County Council on Aging.

Bingo: Thursday, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 10:30 a.m.

Parmenter O’Toole Office Hours: Please call 8734461 for an appointment.

Lauren Eisenbarth, an elder law paralegal for Attorney Anna Urick Duggins, of Parmenter Law, will offer a half hour, no-charge introductory meeting, from 2-4 p.m. at Oceana County Council on Aging. Topics to discuss include Elder Law services such as Estate

Planning, Long Term Care Planning, Medicaid Planning, and VA Aid & Attendance.

Other Activities:

Farkle: Mondays at 10 a.m.

Mexican Train: Mondays from 9-11 a.m.

Walk With Friends: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 1:30 p.m.

Mahjong: Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Fitness at Hesperia American Legion: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9-10 a.m.

Euchre: Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Quilting: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Beltone Hearing Clinic: fourth Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 231-843-3039 for an appointment.

Bingo: Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure Checks: Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Bridge: Thursdays from 1-3 p.m.

Cribbage: Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Kaffeeklatsch: daily at 10 a.m.

Cards & Games: daily following lunch.

The hills are alive with three performances in Hart

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

“The hills are alive” as the Hart Community Performing Arts Association (HCPAA) presents their summer community production of “The Sound of Music” (music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse). Shows are Friday, August 16, 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 17, 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 18, 2 p.m. at the Hart Public Schools auditorium located at 308 W. Johnson St. in Hart.

“The Sound of Music is based on the true story of Maria Kutschera and Baron Von Trapp of Austria. While the musical is set in 1938 and simultaneously condenses and embellishes many of their life details, the Von Trapps were real people who really fled Austria to America after the German Anschluss of WWII,” Director David Moul explained. “While many details have been romanticized for the sake of Broadway magic, the themes of love, family, country, morality, and, of course, music are all true to the real family who moved to America and eventually settled in Vermont. I’ve even heard of some Oceana County residents who met them in real life while vacationing at their mountain lodge resort. This musical version of their story focuses largely on the romance between the governess Maria - a nun in training – and retired Captain Georg Von Trapp. Along the way, Maria wins the affections of the captain’s seven children by teaching them to sing, and in turn wins his (heart). The show features many toe-tapping, enduring songs that have delighted audiences of all ages since its 1959 debut on Broadway, which won five Tony Awards! It was remade in 1965 as a film, famously starring Julie Andrews, which is what comes to most people’s mind.”

“We chose this show because it is treasured by so many and is a wonderful musical to produce within community theatre. The songs are memorable, the

characters are endearing, and it’s a great family experience for all ages,” Moul exclaimed. “The HCPAA will present its 25th concert season in 2024-25, premiering Oct. 4 with Seraph Brass. As we celebrate this momentous milestone, we want to look to the future by offering new artistic opportunities to those in our community. It is our mission to support and feature world-class performers, and we know that every world-class performer once started out on a small-town stage like ours. We value the community that is built through local theatre and arts and hope that projects such as these serve both to foster lasting relationships and also to encourage artists in our own backyard.”

The cast and crew, who are busy attending rehearsals, cannot wait to perform the beloved musical for the community in two weeks. They come from every corner of Oceana County and beyond and represent all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

The cast list in alphabetical order includes: Natalie Adams, Daniel Bowman, Jesse Bowman, Maggie Bowman, Olivia DeBrot, Connor DeWitt, Jackson Forner, Mercedes Gale, Carson Jensen, Tim Juhl, Kendra Larios-Mendez, Grace McGhan, Josh McGhan, Samantha McGhan, Melody Kasza,

Medendorp

Yvette Kokx, Lorelai Page, Caroline Peterson, Chloe Seymour, Rob Splane, Ashleigh Wiegand, Dorothy Vandezande, and Megan Vandezande. The Adult Ensemble features Adelide Fleming, Izabela Hernandez, Greta Wilson, Jared Wilson, Jill Wilson, Amy Vandezande and Sylvia Vandezande; while the Children’s Ensemble features Landon Kasza, Ayla Kokx, Willow Olson, Annabeth Presley, Emily Riley, Stella Samuels, Valorie Seymour, Kate Vandezande and Katiana Wilson.

Production staff includes David Moul, director; Tom Kirk, technical director; Maisie Whitaker, set design; Maggie Bowman, Ashleigh Wiegand, Hannah Johnson, costume design; Natalie Adams, Maggie Bowman, Hannah Johnson, choreography; Becca Gale, vocal coach; Bradley Youngstrom, Sarah Reed, Deegan Symons, Jared Wilson, LeAnna DeWitt, Scott Hegg, technical crew.

It will be hard not to sing along as this musically, dramatically and technologically-gifted group brings all your “favorites” to life, from “My Favorite Things” and “Do-Re-Mi,” to “Edelweiss,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and the title number, “The Sound of Music.”

“This show features so many people from diverse backgrounds. We have 6 year olds and we have a city manager. We have people whose jobs include midwifery and birth support, EMS, ministry, pharmacy, social services, stay-at-home parents, students — you name it! While the professional performing art world is often driven by competition for jobs, community theatre brings people together for a common cause, making it a wonderful place for creativity to thrive!” Moul said. “Don’t miss this unique opportunity.”

For the best seating options and availability, please visit www.hartseries.org for online ticket purchases prior to the show. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under. Questions may be directed to David Moul at dmoul@hartseries.org

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

Lutheran

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

obituaries

MaryAnn Boynton Henkle

May 18, 1931 ~ July 25, 2024

MaryAnn Boynton Henkle, 93, passed away peacefully in her loving family’s arms on July 25, 2024, in Auburn, Calif., after an extraordinary life. She was born May 18, 1931, to Melbourne Wells Boynton and Mary Smalley Boynton in Chicago, Ill.

Although her military family moved to numerous locations in her first 13 years, she loved spending every summer at magical Little Point Sable, Mich. She was a true “Pointer” with her dad and mom getting married in a double ceremony in the LPS church her dad and grandfather helped build.

Her bright, resilient and precocious nature helped her make friends easily, and she enjoyed art classes at the Art Institute of Chicago where, at age 9, she sat after class under the iconic bronze lion statues and “roared” at passersby while waiting to be picked up.

Marrying Robert “Bob” Brintnall Henkle in 1951, she started a family, graduating from the University of Evansville in Fine Arts in 1965. In addition to creating many cherished paintings and sculptures, she taught art in Evansville, Ind., and English as a Second Language in Fullerton, Calif., helping launch the careers of many grateful immigrants. A lifelong learner, she was an avid reader and had over 3,200 books!

MaryAnn loved taking her children on adventures. Once in August 1966, she took her kids and their eager Basset Hound on an epic journey to sleep on the moonlit dunes at Silver Lake, Mich. – with no tent!

She loved sailing and spent many days boating on Lake Michigan and Kentucky Lake. MaryAnn was extremely active in her community and church, publishing the church newsletter, capturing myriad photos, singing in the choir and playing guitar at fundraisers. Twenty years ago, she founded her church’s Blessing of the Animals event, and it is still held every October at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Buena Park, Calif.

MaryAnn is survived by her children: Mel Henkle, Carolan “Casey” Henkle, and Nancy (Mark) Lichtle and two grandchildren, Scott Henkle and Taylor Lichtle along with many cousins, including “Pointers” Lynn (Jacquie) Boynton, Mel (Beth) Boynton, and Joan Mickle Ryan and other dear family and friends. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 70 years, Bob Henkle, and grandson, Gary Winslow Henkle.

Her spirit and creativity will live on forever – in all of us lucky enough to have known our amazing, inspiring and mighty MaryAnn. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an animal rescue organization of your choice. Please share a memory at LassilaFuneralChapels.com.

Mark Kenneth Barrs

March 10, 1967 ~ August 4, 2024

Mark Kenneth Barrs, 57, of Hart, passed away Aug. 4, 2024, due to complications from ALS. He was born March 10, 1967, in Muskegon, the son of Gene and Sandra (Atherton) Barrs.

Mark worked at Shellcast where he met his brother, Stanley, who got him interested in becoming a mechanic. Mark worked as a mechanic for 11 years but continued to help family and friends with their vehicles. He then worked at Howmet AeroSpace for 23 years until he had to retire because he became sick. He enjoyed working on his ‘67 Chevy truck, ‘72 Nova and his Oliver tractor. Mark also enjoyed hunting, fishing and going to the races. The 4th of July was one of his favorites and having everyone over and lighting off fireworks. The thing he enjoyed most was spending time with his family and friends.

On Oct. 7, 1994, Mark married Kriss (Borucki) Barrs, and she survives him along with their children, Seth Barrs, Walker (Hanna) Barrs, and grandson Rhett and Baby Barrs.

Mark was preceded in death by: his sister, Lynn Barrs; as well as Granny (Eva Near), Cliff Near, Ken Atherton, Gene Tietz, Emil Tietz, Harley Barrs, Ernie Barrs, Dorthy Reed, Lavern Reed, Gram J. (Rosetta Juska), Tony Juska, Dad (Ralph) Borucki, Ralph Borucki, and Phyllis Borucki and many others.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 N. 72nd Ave., Hart, MI 49420, with Pastor Tom Schmidt officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the start of services at the funeral home. Interment will follow in South Hart – Star Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions, in Mark’s name, may be made to the Susan Mast ALS Foundation, serving West Michigan families, 2500 Waldforf Ct. NW B, Grand Rapids, MI 49544, www.susanmastals.org, or the Crystal Valley Care Fund, P.O. Box 451, Hart, MI 49420, crystalvalleycarefund.org.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com

at the PALC

By Ron Beeber The Oceana Echo Volunteer Contributor

When Harry Brodbeck isn’t using his metalworking skills at the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center (PALC) to construct a stainless-steel shroud for the restored Noon Whistle or a steel pedestal on which to display a sculpture on Pentwater Channel, he can sometimes be found mentoring youth. Other PALC members do, too.

This summer, Harry’s been involved in a very rewarding mentoring project. It involves the grandson of Nick and Suzanne Gutwein, who bought the Bass Lake guest home of PALC founders Gene and Barb Davidson a few years ago. It’s next door to where the Davidson’s lived for many years and across the street from a parcel that the Davidson’s also owned and on which Gene built a park over 30 years ago.

“They named it “Rex Plex,” said Jeff Elhart, Barb’s son. “That’s short for ‘recreation complex.’ Besides being a great park to gather for a barbeque, the Rex Plex was great fun for basketball, tennis, shuffleboard, badminton and volleyball.”

Added Barb, “Gene built the park as part of our anticipation for how its use could benefit people young and old. And if you ever used the ‘Rex Plex,’ Gene expected you to put everything away in the storage facility that he built on the grounds. He had a labeled space for all the balls, rackets, and other sports equipment.”

After the Davidson’s sold it about 20 years ago, the new owners let the parcel return to its natural vegetative state.

In 2023, the Gutweins chipped in with three S. Harbor Drive neighboring families to buy the lot that had become so overgrown, and this spearheaded the effort to restore the park.

Explained Nick, “We remembered how beautiful the old park was that Gene and Barb built. It was a shame that it became a gnarly mess of trees and bushes. People started dumping stuff. Curt Bennen, who owns Turning Leaf Landscaping, has been a key part of the restoration. He cleared the land and then covered it in topsoil. It’s now 95 percent complete.”

And this is where Brodbeck comes into the picture. The Gutwein’s 17-yearold grandson, Odin Ebert of Phoenix, spent this summer with them. Beginning his senior year of high school in a few weeks, he plans to earn an aerospace engineering degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz.

Explains Suzanne, “Last summer (2023), Nick and I hosted our oldest grandchildren from Arizona and Colorado for a few days and called it ‘Cousins Camp.’ Our grandkids wanted to do something as a community project and looked for something to donate to. After we learned that Gene had passed away in October of 2022, we met with Barb. And our grandkids toured the Artisan Center.”

Continued Odin, “We had a little Cousins Camp contest last summer. Our grandparents saved up a bowl of loose change, and each of us guessed how much money was in the bowl. In the end, we donated all the money to the Artisan Center; it was more than $200. This summer, my cousins and I are helping to revitalize the park as our vacation’s community project.”

“When Odin arrived in June,” Suzanne said, “he mentioned that he really wanted to learn metalworking. So I asked a pickleball friend about who I might ask. Her husband referred us to Harry. And Harry’s been mentoring Odin all summer.”

Said Harry, “When I heard about Odin’s interest, I said ‘sure, bring him in. I’ll mentor him,’” Brodbeck first started welding as a youth and then worked as a welder for five years. Now retired, he’s often found in the PALC’s metalworking area. “But my main role at the Artisan Center is fixing everything in this whole place,” he said with a smile.

Harry quickly involved Odin in several projects, including building the stainless-steel pedestal on which the new Water Maiden sculpture was recently installed on Pentwater Channel. “Odin’s done this, that, and the other this summer. I took him under my wing.”

But the idea for a “Davidson Park” sign in the revitalized park was really Nick’s idea. “We want it to be for the community, and to remember Gene and Barb because they’re such influential and caring people. They built that park, loved to see people enjoy it, and loved to see nature there. So we want to restore it.”

Continued Harry, “One day, Odin asked, “Hey, my Grandpa wants to build this sign. Is that something we can do?’ When Odin said it was for a ‘Davidson Park,’ I realized it was tied to Gene. So I said, ‘Sure, let’s go with it. Go up to the Artisan Center drawing room and draw what you think it should be.’ When he came back with a sketch of a 14’ x 18’ sign and asked if it was too big, I said, ‘No, go big or go home!’ I’m a learn-by-doing kinda guy. Odin’s not gonna learn by watching me, so I showed him how. He did about 90 percent of the work on the stainless-steel header and the two mild steel uprights.”

Said Suzanne, “Odin’s so happy and excited every time he’s doing something at the Artisan Center with Harry.” To which Nick added, “Harry’s been unbelievable for Odin. If Gene’s and Barb’s vision was to teach students arts, crafts and trade skills, this is a perfect example of how it should work. It’s a beautiful thing, it really is.”

By JoAnn Derson

CUSTOMER

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

• On Aug. 19, 1967, the Soviet Union’s communist newspaper, Pravda, accused China of making attacks on the Soviet embassy in Peking and straining relations between Russia and China, claiming that, “Literally not a single day passes without a malicious invention about the Soviet Union.”

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257

STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20240805

By Lucie Winborne

FOR RELEASE AUG. 5, 2024

By Lucie Winborne

• On Aug. 20, 1959, actor Hugh O’Brian met his idol, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, in Africa at the physician’s hospital after being ferried up the Ogooue River by natives with leprosy. Following that initial encounter, O’Brian referred to Schweitzer as “a living saint.” The 83-year-old doctor strongly urged the abolition of nuclear testing and war, and O’Brian returned to the U.S. with the same conviction.

• On Aug. 21, 2006, South Korea sent over $230 million worth of humanitarian aid to North Korea after it was hit by severe flooding. North Korea claimed hundreds of people were killed or lost as a result, but South Korean aid agencies believed the number was more likely around 58,000. Seoul had suspended regular aid to the North because of Kim Jong Il’s missile tests, but elected to make this disaster a special exception.

• On Aug. 22, 1948, Belgium’s Charles Theodore Henri Antoine Meinrad acted as regent of the kingdom on behalf of his exiled brother, Leopold, who was exiled to Switzerland due to accusations of being too friendly with the Germans during Belgium’s occupation. Charles did not, however, move into the palace, nor did he access the 30 million Belgian francs that he was entitled to as king, seldom even leaving his own apartments and maintaining a low profile.

• On Aug. 23, 1926, silent film heartthrob Rudolph Valentino died at just 31 from complications following surgery for appendicitis and gastric ulcers.

• On Aug. 24, 1814, British troops led by General Robert Ross entered Washington, D.C., and burned down many public buildings, including the White House and the Capitol building.

• On Aug. 25, 1992, The Sun newspaper published a phone conversation with an unknown woman who may have been Britain’s Princess Diana, talking with an unknown man about her unhappy marriage. Thousands paid up to $22 to listen to the full recording on a paid phone service. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

• When patching up cracks in plaster walls, if the crack is large or it’s a small hole, stuff it with wadded-up newspaper or steel wool in order to fill the crack. Apply the plaster over the top.

• Recipe substitution: For each cup of brown sugar needed, use 1 cup of white sugar and 2 tablespoons of molasses.

• If your washer oversuds because you accidentally added too much detergent, just add a half-cup of white vinegar to the wash water. It will dampen the extra bubbles. Then make sure to put the load through an additional rinse, to eliminate any soap residue in your clothes.

• Ever had to deal with early arrivals at your garage sale? If so, you know it can be annoying and disruptive. When advertising your sale, use the block number instead of your house number. Still easy to find, but you’re less likely to get staked out.

• “It’s hard to find a good contractor or company to provide a service sometimes. The best resource I’ve had is friends. Whenever someone I know has work done at their home or purchases an item I might be interested in, I always find out the details of who worked on it or where it was purchased and whether my friends were satisfied with the outcome. Friends and even acquaintances usually are quite amenable to giving details, especially when they are either very pleased or very displeased with a job.” — R.E. in New York

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

By Lucie Winborne

• Medicine cabinets are one of the worst places to store medicine because of the high temperatures and humidity in bathrooms.

By Lucie Winborne

• A Hershey’s Kiss contains 26 calories that take about four minutes of kissing to burn.

• Medicine cabinets are one of the worst places to store medicine because of the high temperatures and humidity in bathrooms.

• A Hershey’s Kiss contains 26 calories that take about four minutes of kissing to burn.

• You say money doesn’t grow on trees? Try telling that to a certain dog in Colombia. After seeing students pass money to a food stall attendant, the pooch began a regular practice of “paying” for dog biscuits with tree leaves!

• The main exporter of Brazil nuts is not Brazil, but Bolivia.

• Screenwriter Bob Gale confirmed that Marty McFly’s nemesis in the “Back to the Future” trilogy, Biff Tannen, was modeled on Donald Trump.

• A scientific method called toxineering turns venoms into painkillers.

• Screenwriter Bob Gale confirmed that Marty McFly’s nemesis in the “Back to the Future” trilogy, Biff Tannen, was modeled on Donald Trump.

• A scientific method called toxineering turns venoms into painkillers.

• As novels became more prominent during the 1700s, society and the media became increasingly concerned that young people spent too much time reading books. They even went so far as to call it “reading rage,” “reading fever,” “reading mania” and “reading lust.”

• A regular BIC ballpoint pen can draw a line that’s about 2 kilometers long — more than six times the height of the Eiffel Tower.

• Nazis planned to kill Sir Winston Churchill with a bar of chocolate. A bomb made of thin steel was covered by real chocolate that would explode once a chunk was broken. Luckily, British Allies discovered the plan.

• A regular BIC ballpoint pen can draw a line that’s about 2 kilometers long — more than six times the height of the Eiffel Tower.

• At his presidential inauguration, Theodore Roosevelt wore a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair.

• Before Usain Bolt won the 100 meter sprint in the Olympic finals, he ate only McDonald’s chicken nuggets, as he didn’t want to risk getting an upset stomach from local cuisine.

• Yamaha produces some of the world’s most popular motorcycles, but the company started off as a piano manufacturer.

• Before Usain Bolt won the 100 meter sprint in the Olympic finals, he ate only McDonald’s chicken nuggets, as he didn’t want to risk getting an upset stomach from local cuisine.

• Yamaha produces some of the world’s most popular motorcycles, but the company started off as a piano manufacturer.

***

Citizen of the Year: Artist and craftsman shapes buildings and lives

By AnnaMae Bush

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Fifty years ago the Pentwater Service Club began selecting a “Citizen of the Year” and celebrating those residents for their outstanding service for the betterment of the community through civic, charitable, educational or other activities. With the award comes the privilege of being Grand Marshal of the Homecoming Grand Parade and a dinner in their honor to which their family members and close friends are invited. Some years, the Service Club selected individuals, and other years, they selected married couples. This year’s choice is Doug Bacon.

A quiet, unassuming person, Doug never calls attention to himself. But he has left his fingerprints on more objects and projects, more buildings and lives, before and after retiring to Pentwater than one can count. He is a fine artist, whose watercolors adorn the walls of his home. He is a craftsman whose fabricated light fixtures provide light in multiple spaces at the Oceana County Council on Aging Senior Center in Hart and whose whimsical metal sculptures enliven many yards and are sold at the Up North Market. He is an engineer, an inventor, an imaginative architect of space, an educator and a car enthusiast who follows the sport of racing and has constructed his own “rat rods.” He has exceptional organizational and motivational skills, which have enabled him to successfully spearhead large, complicated projects… and make friends while doing it. The marvel of it is that all his gifts and skills are embodied in a warm, friendly person with a compassionate heart and contagious smile.

Using all his gifts and skills for the benefit of others is what brought him to the attention of the “Citizen of the Year” selection committee. His contributions in Pentwater grew naturally from his life prior to his retirement to Pentwater. Bacon was born in Ann Arbor and lived in nearby Saline until he moved here. Employed as a power train engineer at GM for 30 years, he designed conceptual vehicles and traveled broadly as a liaison to Rolls-Royce and Jaguar. Retired from GM, he became Director of Facilities for the Saline school district. “I don’t know how I got the job

from among so many applicants,” he told me. “The district had 5,500 students, 800 staff, nine buildings, owned hundreds of acres, and at the time had the largest high school in three states.” During his nineyear tenure there, one of his biggest contributions was a complete revamp of the entire security system. Retired once again, he and his wife Ginny were ready for a move elsewhere.

During his youth, his parents had summered at a Bass Lake campground. For seven years, they permanently parked a motorhome at the Whispering Surf resort, and he had many fond memories of the area. He and Ginny decided to sell their home in Saline and build a custom home in Pentwater. Less than a year into their home in Madison Ridge, a fire totally destroyed it. Determined to stay in the area, they rebuilt on the same property. Interestingly, at the same time Bacon moved to Pentwater, Mary Marshall also moved to Pentwater to become superintendent at Pentwater Public Schools. She had become acquainted with Bacon while she worked for the Dexter school district and he worked in the neighboring Saline school district. Marshall was one of several superintendents in Mason and Oceana counties who wanted to establish an alternative school for students with special challenges. Aware of Bacon’s abilities and achievements, she was instrumental in extending a request from the superintendents to him to “make the new school happen.”

Bacon accepted the challenge. “In 2012, he became a permanent member of the board to reconstitute ‘Journey,’ an alternative school for Mason and Oceana counties,” wrote GiGi (Margaret) Mitchell on her nomination form to the Citizen of the Year committee. She continued, “He spent close to five years fundraising and remodeling Foster’s Market in Scottville, now known as Gateway to Success Academy. He spent an additional six years as a board member and president, ensuring a solid facility for the students.”

Bacon can easily tear up when talking about Gateway. “It’s the closest thing to home many of the students know. Some have lived in cars, been homeless, known hunger or abuse, found normal classroom education unhelpful (and) not found

success in any meaningful way. They have struggled to survive, let alone thrive. Gateway classrooms surround a central atrium lounge where students can socialize. When they come to school in the morning, the first thing many of them do is greet and hug each other in the lounge. Gateway has laundry facilities and shower facilities for students who otherwise have no access to those necessities.”

Including students from Lake County as well as Mason and Oceana counties, the education for grades 6-12 is project based and hands-on, with oral presentations replacing much written work. The students participate with enthusiasm. Bacon taught a welding class for middle school students and was amazed at what the students created.

The school facility uses garage doors in place of solid walls to enable easy expansion of classroom space. Bacon’s creative shaping of the building and his hospitable embrace of the students has unmistakably shaped their lives and provided avenues of success in a nurturing environment that is unique.

School-aged youth comprise one segment of the population Bacon has served. But he has also served the senior population, those of retirement age, in Oceana County. When his wife Ginny was receptionist at the former senior center in Hart, she became aware of the struggle that the board was having to expand their facility. Sharing the board’s frustration, she finally said to Doug one day, “You really ought to help them.”

Mitchell wrote, “Bacon started assisting Oceana County Council on Aging (OCCOA) in 2012 – working to raise funding for a new building and working with the board president to design, plan and actualize the current building on West Tyler Road in Hart.”

Wanting the building

Tails of Hope

to constitute a desirable destination, Bacon reflected, “I encouraged the board to design a facility that reflected the agricultural community around it. That is how we came up with a barn-like structure.” He served as a general contractor for the building and was able to save thousands of dollars with his personal expertise, his connections with local companies and his organizational skills. He created and donated light fixtures, furniture and other furnishings. His utilization of farm antiques and implements richly enhanced the outdoor setting and indoor ambiance of the facility. Thanks to his intense and faithful search for an appropriate location, the facility is situated on 23 acres of farmland with extended views of fields and woods from windows in every direction.

Bacon gave me a tour of the spacious building and told me with pride, “They bake their own bread here every day, and they serve lunches that include fresh food donated by local farmers.”

This, too, is a building that reflects his imagination and shapes the lives of residents in our community. It offers daily meals at a modest price, free exercise and health classes, space for meetings, exciting opportunities for day excursions and out-of-town trips, a variety of group games and a hospitable space around a fireplace to socialize. What more could seniors want?

Involved with two major projects, Bacon has still found time to use his mechanical skills in helping neighbors with car problems. As a Pentwater Service Club member, he participated in various community endeavors, and he constructed a trailer for the Pentwater Water Taxi Boat. “Don’t forget to mention he made his own ice cream machine,” my neighbor said. “He would bring it to the Channel Lane Park picnics on a wagon, and everyone would be so excited to see the wagon. They knew it meant we would enjoy some great ice cream.”

Doug Bacon is well deserving of the Citizen of the Year award. Grateful for all his contributions to our community, we hope he and Ginny can enjoy time this summer with their grandchildren, aged 4, 7 and 10. We say, “Thanks and best wishes as you and Ginny celebrate Homecoming 2024 with your family.”

Looking for a gentle giant to fill your home with love and laughter? Meet Brute, a 6-year-old Mastiff mix who might just be the world’s biggest lapdog. Weighing in at a whopping 140 lbs., Brute is a big softie with an even bigger heart. Despite his name, he’s more of a gentle teddy bear than a tough guy. If snuggling were an Olympic sport, Brute would take home the gold. This lovable lug likes to be as close to his humans as possible.

He’s got a heart full of kindness and a calm demeanor that makes him the perfect companion for cozy nights in and lazy Sunday mornings.

Brute 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 Brute

D oug b acon

AUGUST

MHSAA sports participation keeps upward trend for 3rd straight year

Participation in Michigan High School Athletic Association-sponsored sports rose for the thirdstraight school year in 2023-24 – this time by nearly one percent –and continued to do so despite another 2-percent decrease in school enrollment among the MHSAA’s 754 member high schools.

A total of 270,664 participants were counted across the 28 sports for which the MHSAA sponsors postseason tournaments –a 0.97-percent increase from 2022-23 and despite a 1.8-percent decrease in MHSAA member school enrollment. Boys participation rose 1.1 percent to 158,260, despite a 1.8 percent decrease in boys enrollment. Girls participation rose 0.7 percent to 112,377, while girls enrollment dipped 1.9 percent from the previous school year.

MHSAA participation totals count students once for each sport in which they participate, meaning students who are multiple-sport athletes are counted more than once. The boys participation total for 2023-24 was its highest since 2018-19, predating the sharp decrease brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 school year.

Only 11 sports saw increases in participation during 2023-24 –compared to 18 sports that reported increases between 2021-22 and 2022-23. However, two sports set participation records this past school year. Girls golf reported 3,936

athletes, an increase of 6.2 percent from the previous year and that sport’s most since 2002-03. Girls lacrosse broke its record set in 2019-20 with 3,245 athletes, up nine-tenths of a percent from the previous year.

Wrestling reported the largest increase in participation for the second-straight school year, this time by 12.8 percent with 11,814 athletes – and the rise again mostly attributable to the rapid growth in girls participation in the sport, which jumped another 39 percent with 1,216 wrestlers this past season. Girls tennis enjoyed the next largest participation jump, increasing 9.1 percent with 8,911 athletes, that sport’s most since 2018-19.

Both girls and boys track & field increased for the third-straight year, girls by 5.2 percent to 17,325 competitors and boys 2.9 percent to 23,888. Boys lacrosse (up 3.9 percent to 5,236 athletes) and boys golf (up 3.3 percent to 7,222) also joined their girls counterparts in those sports in trending upward.

Boys soccer (up 5.1 percent to 13,953 athletes), girls competitive cheer (3.9 percent to 6,172) and football (11 and 8-player combined – 0.5 percent to 35,174) also showed increases. Football remains the mostplayed sport statewide with more than 11,000 more athletes than the next highest, boys track & field, and the 2023-24 football

Pentwater senior Trey Johnson ready to ‘raise banners’ in 2024-25

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

PENTWATER – Pure athleticism is an ample quality among high school athletes, but the work put in to develop that into skill can be crucial to that individual, and their team as a whole. Pentwater senior Trey Johnson has embodied that, taking preparations to make the 2024-25 school year the best yet for the Falcons.

The motivation that keeps Johnson going is the disappointments of the past. Johnson, a three sport athlete, found success in the fall, winter and spring seasons last year, but it wasn’t quite enough to propel Pentwater on deep postseason runs.

It started with a District Semifinal loss to North Muskegon in soccer, then a shocking loss to Marion in the first round of basketball Districts. Spring allowed Trey to focus on himself during track season before his hectic summer began.

“I hold that (North Muskegon) game in the back of my head. We shouldn’t have lost to them,” Johnson said. “That motivates me every day to do better. (At the end of basketball

season) we killed ourselves in my opinion. If we hadn’t made mistakes, we would have beaten Marion. Those games have prepared us for big games this year and we have a lot of them coming up.”

Before he gets to those big games, Johnson has been taking every possible step to improve his game, spending his summer learning and competing.

Immediately after his track season wrapped up, Johnson got involved with The West Shore Wave – a new travel soccer team started by new Shelby boys soccer coach Damian Gonzalez. After that, Johnson competed in not one, but two Gus Macker basketball tournaments, traveling to Ludington and Newaygo. Sprinkle in days spent in Fremont sharpening ball handling skills, and Johnson is more than prepared to go head-to-head once soccer and basketball seasons ramp up.

Johnson teamed up with a close friend, Isaiah Miedema of Newaygo, for both of those tournaments. Ludington’s competition didn’t prove fruitful with the duo’s team falling in loser bracket play. Persistence paid off in Newaygo however. Even after dropping to the loser

bracket, Johnson and Miedema were able to take home a third place trophy.

Gus Macker tournaments pose a different challenge than organized basketball. Not only do you face unfamiliar competition, but a shorter court makes for a much more physical game. Funny enough, the physicality is exactly what Johnson welcomes.

“I love the physical game of Macker,” Johnson said. “I like that they play physical defense because it helps me get ready for the season and develop different moves. I use it as an opportunity to find easier ways to get my teammates open.”

One of Pentwater’s largest rivals, Baldwin, plays a physical brand of basketball. The Falcons were neck and neck with the Panthers in 2023-24 for a conference championship, but Baldwin’s bruising play ultimately wore down Johnson and his teammates.

This year, Johnson expects Pentwater to prove a big challenge for Baldwin atop the conference standings. Surviving a physical brand of basketball at Gus Macker only figures to help Johnson in that regard.

“We’ve never beaten (Baldwin) in my time on varsity,”

Hart football youth camp

Trey Johnson competes in all three of his sports during the 2023-24 school year. The Pentwater senior is hoping for more success this coming year. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Hart’s varsity football team hosted a two-day youth football camp Monday, Aug. 5 and Wednesday, Aug. 7. High school players and coaches took time to teach younger

participation total was that sport’s highest since 2018-19. Boys basketball (20,199 participants), girls volleyball (19,119) and girls track & field ranked third through fifth, respectively, among the state’s mostplayed sports this past school year.

Although 17 sports saw lower participation in 2023-24 than the previous year, five experienced decreases smaller than the overall 1.8-percent loss in enrollment at member schools – boys ice hockey (-0.03 percent with just one fewer participant than in 2022-23), girls soccer (-0.3 percent), girls volleyball (-0.8 percent), boys tennis (-1.2 percent),

MHSAA Johnson

Johnson said. “If we take them down we take the conference. They beat you down by getting physical and it really forces you to have to keep your composure. Playing at Macker and getting that physical play is going to help me be better prepared for battles in the paint.”

Johnson is one of four extremely talented seniors for Pentwater basketball. Will Werkema-Grondsma, Jonny Arnouts and Mikey Carlson have been right next to him the entire way. Being around greatness is something Johnson has accredited to his success on the floor.

While team success is the ultimate goal, Johnson’s motivations are much deeper than that. With his high school career coming to a close, the senior realizes that there likely won’t be an opportunity to continue enjoying all the sports he has while at Pentwater.

“You’ve got to take advantage of it while you can,” Johnson said. “This is likely my last opportunity to play organized sports. The importance of playing (all the sports I have) are the lessons they carry forward in life. They teach you to work hard and I can carry that forward in my work ethic whether that’s in school or at my job.”

With a focus on the future, Johnson is still trying to live in the present. Juggling sports at every turn and still finding time to work as a busboy at Big Hart Brewery keeps him plenty busy, but Johnson’s priorities revolve around his family heading into senior year.

“I really want to focus on spending time with my family, especially with senior year

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boys cross country (-1.3 percent) and girls softball (-1.5 percent). Girls cross country just missed that line with only a 1.9-percent decrease from the previous year.

The participation figures are gathered annually from MHSAA member schools to submit to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for compiling of its national participation survey. Results of Michigan surveys from the 2000-01 school year to present may be viewed on the MHSAA Website – www.mhsaa.com – by clicking on Schools > Administrators > Sports Participation Listing.

continued from page 11

Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) announced the donation of a significant portion of its taxidermy collection to The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch. This generous contribution aligns with SCIF’s mission to promote wildlife conservation, education, and sustainable hunting, and ensures that these impressive exhibits will continue to educate and inspire future generations.

among the recipients.

Key items from the SCIF taxidermy collection that will find a new home at The Wildlife Center include a full-size tiger, rhino, and jaguar –each a remarkable specimen that will enhance the center’s educational offerings.

coming,” Johnson said. “I value every minute with them.”

Once the final whistle blows on his high school career, Johnson figures remaining in sports for his professional career is a good choice. He hopes to continue his education at Western Michigan University and study exercise science.

Before that happens, the focus is on making one last push for history at Pentwater High School.

“I’m excited for everything. This is my last season so I’m going out fighting and hopefully we’ll hang some banners on that gym wall,” Johnson said.

The International Wildlife Museum in Tucson, AZ, which was managed by SCIF, closed its doors on December 31, 2023. Efforts to allocate the museum’s extensive taxidermy collection have led to the selection of three new institutions that will steward these valuable educational resources. The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch, located in Bitely, MI, is

Arthur Gutierrez Sr., founder of The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch, established the 24,000 square foot facility in 2018 with a vision to promote ethical hunting, a deep understanding of the outdoors, and robust conservation education. With over 3,000 animals from around the world already on display, the additional taxidermy items from SCIF will elevate the center’s capacity to provide an unparalleled educational experience.

The Safari Club International Foundation remains committed to wildlife conservation, education, and sustainable hunting. By donating these exhibits to a new home where they can continue to serve these purposes, SCIF honors its core values and the contributions of hunters to wildlife preservation.

Robert Sergi, Director of The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch, expressed his gratitude for the donation: “We are so grateful to be receiving these donated items from the SCI Foundation. We look forward to proudly displaying them in our museum and sharing them with over 3,000 school students who visit our museum annually for free. These items will help us enhance our conservation programs and inspire the next generation to understand the importance of hunting and conservation.”

Reflections of our community

White Lake Mirror White Lake Mirror

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

Aldi site plan approved for former Plumb’s

Planning commission gives nod to new store; Company aims to open store in 2nd half of 2025

By Andy Roberts

White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — After years of rumors it might be on the way, discount grocery chain Aldi is officially heading to Whitehall, likely to open sometime in 2025.

The Whitehall Township planning commission gave approval at its regular meeting Wednesday to a site plan presented by civil engineer Erik Allore of Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH) that will call for Aldi to take over the Colby Street space that once housed Plumb’s Valu-Rite Foods. The store, which briefly became Great Lakes Fresh Market after Plumb’s went out of business in February 2017, closed the following October and the space has been vacant ever since.

The commission’s vote was unanimous apart from chair Sharon Sikkenga, who was absent; commissioners told Allore a couple of times they found the proposal to be very thor-

ough.

Allore was the only person at the meeting on Aldi’s behalf. He said there is no target date to open the store, but the company hopes to do so “in approximately a year.”

Rumors have swirled for years about Aldi potentially taking over the former Plumb’s spot, but township supervisor Arnie Erb said Wednesday was the first time a formal proposal was submitted for the site.

“I’ve heard rumors for the last two or three years,” Erb said. “There probably was talk before that, but this is the first time they’ve presented it. As far as the issues here for the planning commission, it was an existing (place), same (type of) business, so there really wasn’t much to approve. That’s why they did it pretty easily. It’s in an existing building, an existing parking lot.”

Commissioner Madge Kraai said after looking over the site plan, it looked very similar to the look of the

Aldi currently located on Apple Avenue in Muskegon (coincidentally, that space also used to be occupied by a Plumb’s store).

Allore said, in response to a question about the parking lot, that the

Primary voters make voices heard in election

Slotkin, Rogers set to battle for seat in U.S. Senate

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

A total of 32,012 voters in Muskegon County, 21.7 percent of registered voters, cast their ballots in the Michigan primary elections, which concluded with Election Day Aug. 6 after a week and a half of early voting.

Elissa Slotkin and Mike Rogers locked in their positions as the two major parties’ candidates for Debbie Stabenow’s Senate seat. Stabenow, a

Democrat, is not seeking re-election.

Slotkin easily defeated Hill Harper in the Democratic primary, collecting over 76 percent of the vote statewide. In the county, Slotkin earned 73.7 percent of the vote. Rogers emerged from a Republican field of four candidates by picking up 63.2 percent of statewide votes. His share of Muskegon County votes was

57.8 percent. Rogers’ closest challenger was Justin Amash, who earned 15.7 percent of the vote in the state and 22.7 percent of county votes.

The only other contested race for a county position in the White Lake area was the Democratic spot on the November ballot for water resources commissioner. Stephanie Barrett, the current deputy commis-

sioner, won the primary with 65.1 perrcent of the vote over David Farhat. Barrett will face Republican candidate Zach Lahring, who was unopposed in his primary, to replace Barrett’s direct superior, Brenda Moore, who is not seeking re-election.

Voters also gave approval to a measure that will renew Muskegon County’s senior millage at the same rate it currently collects - 0.4921 mills, or 49.21 cents per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. The ballot language estimated the millage would account

Election results continued on page 3

ACWL-Nuveen continues summer concerts

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer

Every Tuesday since June, the Arts Council of White Lake has hosted a different band to perform at the Montague-Whitehall Rotary Bandshell during what has become known as their summer concert series. Over the course of 38 years, this series has become a tradition and something White Lake residents look forward to every year. This series not only offers free concerts, but also craft activities for kids provided by ACWL.

On Tuesday, the Westside Soul Surfers returned to White Lake to perform in the concert series. Their upbeat variety of music encouraged some attendees to get out of their seats and dance, and eventually start

a “conga line.”

Next week, on Aug. 13, ACWL will welcome Brena, who have been deemed “West Michigan’s premier party band.”

The Arts Council said on Facebook that they play “something for everyone: oldies, current top hits, classic rock, R&B, country and more.”

Closing the series on Aug. 20, is fan favorite Magic Bus returning for their sixth performance. The 60s psychedelic band has become a community favorite for White Lake, constantly welcoming a large crowd at their show every year. They were originally scheduled to perform June 25, but had their show canceled due to the violent storm that tore through White Lake that morning.

The Westside Soul Surfers were the featured attraction at Tuesday’s most recent ACWLNuveen summer concert. The free concert series takes place each summer Tuesday at the Montague Bandshell and will continue theough Aug. 20. • Courtesy Photo

The former Plumb’s site on Colby Street, vacant since fall 2017, will be developed into an Aldi after Whitehall Township’s planning commission approved a site plan for the building at Wednesday’s meeting. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Slotkin Rogers

Montague mayor asks for help on fireworks

Future July 4

fireworks shows in doubt due to cost, lack

of volunteers

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Writing on behalf of the White Lake Fireworks Committee, Montague mayor Tom Lohman recently sent a letter to area townships and municipalities in hopes of drumming up support for future fireworks shows, which he said are in danger due to the work and rising costs required to put them on.

The committee was formed to help put together a 2023 show after the Montague-Whitehall Rotary Club, which ran the show for many years, decided to bow out. Their decision to do so came after the 2022 show was delayed from July 4 to late in the month to coincide with Cruz In, which Lohman said sparked public outcry.

Lohman said the committee, which right now has only a handful of members, needs more people and would welcome any creative ideas for fundraising.

“We’re relying on donations from the cities, companies and individuals (right now),” Lohman said. “We sent out 180 letters and we’ve probably had 15 different companies that have donated this year. All the bills are paid, but it’s not a real big response. I think if we had more people on the committee to come up with more brainstorming of ideas on how to raise money - maybe it’s an auction, a raffle, whatever. I don’t see our costs for doing fireworks going down at all.”

The committee is contracted to put on a July 4, 2025 show and is on

the verge of doing the same for 2026, America’s 250th birthday. However, Lohman said, the July 4 date has become such a popular booking date the commitee has been unable to lock one in thus far. He said as a result, it’s possible the 2026 show may have to move to July 3; “The cities will have to wade into that,” he said.

The letter Lohman submitted goes over several possibilities to improve Fourth of July celebrations in the area, including the possible addition of another community activity between the annual morning parade and the fireworks; he specifically cited 2026 as a great year to start a new tradition. However, the fireworks committee itself, he said, is stretched too thin as it is, so any such idea would likely have to come from a different group of people.

“Could it be that they have softball or Little League games in the afternoon? a carnival? Whatever it is, it will have to start with some brainstorming to see if it works,” Lohman said. “I realize it’s a family day, and maybe the afternoon is for families and they

come back together.”

Another idea Lohman floated was an alternative to a fireworks show. Certainly cost is a factor in that idea, though Lohman noted there are also some who have pollution-related concerns about fireworks.

“There’s no current studies about it, and it’d be good to have someone get a sample before and after the fireworks, but I don’t know if that would happen,” Lohman said. “If you go to an alternative, I don’t know how that would go over with the public, because that’s a big thing for the Fourth.”

The committee also may consider alternative sites for the fireworks. Lohman said in his letter that due to safety issues, the current site, near the Montague Boat Launch, leaves

traffic between the site and the nearby plaza that houses Colby’s Cafe and Brew, White Lake Nutrition and Luna’s Floral Market operate more smoothly.

Speculation about a new Aldi heated up in July when civil engineering firm Driesenga and Associates out of Holland posted on Facebook that the store would be coming to Whitehall. At the time, Aldi declined comment via email, and Driesenga accounting coordinator Tricia Henning said, “We don’t have anything more to say except we’re doing the geotechnical investigation for it. It’s kind of the preliminary stages of how we could improve the lot.” Henning added at the time that Driesenga first took on the project May 23.

Erb said now that Aldi has the commission’s approval, it is free to go forward with the project without seeking further approval from the township board.

“The next step is, the engineers are going to design the building, or the interior, the look of it,” Erb said. “It has to go through the building inspectors, the fire marshal, it has to go through all of that, and those are separate issues, but as far as the zoning permit and site plan, that’s done.

“If I owned the building, I wouldn’t like it to sit empty for that long, and it’s not good for the building either. That

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helps the area. I think everybody’s looking forward to it.”

Aldi, though, wasn’t the only matter brought before the commission Wednesday, as David Schultz presented a development proposal on behalf of Kyle Zack of Go West Investments, based in Salt Lake City. The commission took no action on the proposal at the meeting.

Though Zack is out west and wasn’t part of Wednesday’s meeting, he is a Whitehall grad, as Schultz pointed out during his presentation. Zack hopes to develop a 72-lot area on Durham Road opposite the township hall into a Planned Unit Development, or a PUD.

Schultz said a large part of the reason Zack was aiming for a PUD specifically was that it enables him to work directly with the township as opposed to Muskegon County proper.

Schultz said each lot would have its own well, as hooking into the city’s water system would add to the costs of the project, and that the PUD would have a community garbage program to limit blight. The PUD is in a similar vein as the Tannery Bay development in the city of Whitehall, though Schultz made pains to note that the houses would not be as “crammed in” as in that development, but it would be more of a classic subdivision feel. He added that he felt tightly packed lots

parts of the bike trail and the Montague Bandshell, among other parts of the area, inaccessible to residents for much of the day.

“Finding another location around White Lake that fits the above criteria would be ideal and free up the boat launch, parking, and greenspace for viewing the fireworks display,” Lohman said in the letter.

Lohman is hopeful the public call for help will bring more suggestions, creativity and above all, more people to help make great Fourth of July celebrations a fixture in the area for years to come.

“The committee would be open to any kind of ideas, even if they’re way off the wall,” Lohman said. “If it seems to work, let’s put it into practice.”

A map of a proposed Whitehall Township development. David Schultz presented the proposal on behalf of Whitehall grad Kyle Zack, whose real estate company is hoping to launch the new development. • Andy Roberts/Mirror • Illustration courtesy of FreePik.com

didn’t fit the character of the township, though he conceded he might have been projecting his own biases.

One commissioner asked Schultz if the plan called for manufactured homes, noting attorney Robert Eklund submitted a proposal for the same site a few years ago that called for manufactured homes. Schultz replied it does not.

One man who lives next door to the currently empty lots wondered how the proposal might affect home values, noting each lot is smaller than his current 0.6 acres.

Erb said he would have to dive further into the proposal to know for

sure, but he felt like it had promise.

“A new development draws more (buyers), and of course, they’re new, so the prices are up,” Erb said. “If (you have) a $100,000 house and these are all $180,000 houses, (your house’s value) all of a sudden is going to go up to maybe $120,000 to $130,000.”

Erb noted an earlier version of the proposal included multi-family homes, but this new one did not, likely because the use of multi-family homes would have required a special use permit and would’ve enabled the commission to put more constraints on the development.

The Weesies Brothers Garden Center float was part of this year’s July 4 parade. Future July 4 fireworks displays are up in the air, and the White Lake Fireworks Committee sent out a letter to various municipalities in July asking for more people to join.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Echoes of History: Vessels - The I. M. Weston

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor

The I. M. Weston was built in Grand Haven by Duncan Robertson and launched June 1, 1883. The vessel was named for Weston, who at the time owned Farmers and Mechanics’ Bank in Grand Rapids and spent time both there and in Whitehall. The vessel was 96.5 feet in length and 18 feet wide. The engine and fire box were both made by the Montague Iron Works. The original owner was Thomas J. Waters of Muskegon.

It changed ownership in May 1888 and again in 1892. In April 1893, the owner had it fitted with a cabin and sleeping accommodations. After three more changes in ownership, the vessel came into the possession of Captain Andrew Flagstad Oct. 31, 1898.

Flagstad offered a Grand Moonlight Excursion Sunday evening, June 18, 1899. The steamer would leave Montague at 6:30 p.m., stopping at Whitehall, the Tannery and other docks along the way. Tickets cost 15 cents.

Another Moonlight Excursion was also offered for Saturday, June 24, 1899. The schedule was to leave Mon-

tague at 7 p.m. and Whitehall at 7:10 p.m., stopping at all docks enroute to Muskegon piers for one and a half hours. The fair was 15 cents for children and 25 cents for adults.

On the Fourth of July, the Weston made two trips to Muskegon. One left at 8 a.m., arriving in Muskegon in time to witness the grand military parade. The second trip left White Lake at 1 p.m., arriving in Muskegon at 3 p.m. and stopping at Lake Michigan Parks, where the boat returned for passengers. The boat would not return for passengers until after the fireworks, giving everyone the chance to witness a rare treat. The fare was 50 cents and 25 cents.

In July 1899, Capt. Flagstad took the steamer to Marquette where she had been chartered by a citizen’s committee of that city to carry pleasure seekers to island resorts. Capt. Flagstad returned to White Lake in mid-September.

On March 15, 1900, it was announced that Captain Flagstad had sold the I. M. Weston to Captain George McDonald and E. J. Glackin of Chicago for the sum of $1,600. The pilothouse was being altered and a few

Election results

for $2.6 million of revenue for 2024 if approved.

Fruitland Township was the site of a pair of races, one for supervisor and another for trustee. Kimon John Kotos edged Nicholas Cribley with 55.9 percent of the vote to nab the Democratic spot on the ballot for supervisor. Current supervisor Jeff Marcinkowski, a Republican, is not seeking re-election, and there was no Republican listed on the primary ballot for that position.

Also in Fruitland, a field of six Republican candidates vied for four positions on the township board. Christopher VanOosterhaut, Brent Brower, Sondra Cross and Michael Holman were elected. VanOosterhaut led the way, with 23.2 percent of the vote. Brower earned 18.9 percent of votes, Cross picked up 18.7 percent, and

continued from page 1

Holman was approved by 16.2 percent of voters. About half of the 1,768 voters to weigh in on the trustee race did not vote for the maximum four candidates.

In a tight race for Dalton Township supervisor among three Republicans, Heather Petrie-Cooley was the winner. Petrie-Cooley, recently installed as the township clerk, garnered 35.9 percent of the 685 votes cast, beating Rory Rought for the position by just 10 votes. This was a coincidental outcome, as Rought’s 2020 attempt to become supervisor also ended with a loss by a very small margin (eight votes) to current supervisor Jeff Martin. Martin is not running for re-election. William Scutt finished third in the race with 29.6 percent of the vote.

other repairs were being made.

On April 20, 1900, the I. M. Weston left White Lake for Chicago with Captain McDonald. Frank Girard was mate, Ed Martin was engineer, Fred Koch was fireman and James Reavy was deckhand. The Weston was going to be doing passenger service on the Chicago Drainage Canal. And that’s where Weston spent her final days be-

fore catching fire and burning Sept. 4, 1902.

Note of interest: The I. M. Weston appears to have been named for Isaac Mellen Weston, who came to Whitehall in 1867 where his father had extensive lumber interests and where he became President and principal owner of the First National Bank of Whitehall.

Michigan DNR completes summer fish stocking

Anglers can look forward to great fall fishing, due to successful spring and summer fish stocking by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The DNR stocked a total of 9,118,112 fish that weighed nearly 321 tons and consisted of 10 different species and one hybrid.

Fish stocking is an important activity to provide both Michigan residents and visitors with quality fishing opportunities. These efforts also bring an estimated $4.2 billion into the state’s economy and help support a Great Lakes fishery valued at more than $7 billion.

Michigan DNR fish-stocking truck at Grand River in Lyons.

To complete the task of stocking, 17 specialized trucks started in early spring and took 451 trips – traveling

more than 100,000 miles and 2,829 hours – to 691 stocking sites. Releasing fish early in spring can reduce their loss to major bird predators, like cormorants, whose peak migration times come later in the season.

The number and type of fish produced vary by hatchery, as the source and temperature of the water determine which fish can be raised in that location. Fish are reared in Michigan’s state fish hatcheries anywhere from one to 18 months before they are stocked.

In Michigan there are six state and two cooperative hatcheries that work together to produce the species, strain and size of fish needed for fisheries managers. These fish must then be delivered and stocked at a specific time and location to ensure their success.

Borrow a yard game for your family picnic

By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor

Our Library of Things is growing again! Check out the many yard games you can borrow with your library card, including cornhole, pickleball paddles, horseshoes, a croquet set, a ring toss game, and more. There’s even a disc golf set with three discs and a portable target. See the complete list on our website at wlclib.org/library-ofthings. While you’re there, check out all the other great Library of Things offerings, such as household tools, STEAM kits, video games, and museum passes. Uncover Hidden Treasures @ the Library

Discover the excitement of finding hidden treasures right in your own backyard! Curious minds of all ages are invited to a fun and informative introduction to metal detecting at the library Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. Learn the basics of metal detectors, some tips for successful hunts, and safety reminders from presenter Ace Covey. Get a look at some metal detectors you can borrow with your library card, too. We offer a child-sized model along with two adult ones so everyone can get in on the fun. No registration required for the program – just join us if you can.

FUN FACT: The first metal detector was developed by Alexander Graham Bell in 1881 and used in an attempt to save the life of President James Garfield, who had been shot in the back by an assassin. The new device, which Bell called an induction balance machine, worked. Unfortunately, the bullet was not located in time to save the president. The first commercial devices

didn’t come on the market for another 80 years.

Have You Tried the New Library App?

Carry the power of the library on your phone! The library’s new mobile app – LP2 – is a free way to easily browse for titles, request items, manage your account, and even store a digital copy of your library card on your mobile device. Just search for LP2 or LPLP in your app store. Quickly and easily search the collections of the White Lake Community Library and all the Muskegon Area District branches at once, and get your holds delivered faster than ever from a nearby library.

Road Closing, Library Open!

The Muskegon County Road Commission will begin replacing the failing culvert on White Lake Drive sometime in the next several weeks. The culvert is just west of the library entrance, and the road will be completely closed between the library and the intersection

of Mears and Zellar. The library will remain open during the construction, but visitors will need to come in from the east. We are truly grateful to the city and the county – they had to go to great lengths to make sure the work could be completed without interrupting the library’s power and water service. Please watch the library website and social media pages for updates once we have an actual start date, and thanks in advance for your patience.

DeMumbrum

The I.M. Weston was launched June 1, 1883 and lasted until 1902, when it was destroyed in a fire. • Courtesy Photo

NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE community

Lake Mirror Lake Mirror

SPORTS SPORTS

Junior golf tour ends summer at WLGC

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — The Greater Muskegon Junior Tour capped its summer season Monday afternoon with its final event, at the White Lake Golf Club.

The annual tour promotes golf to young players with an interest in playing the sport at the high school level or beyond. It is open to all players 18 and younger.

Tour director Bill Borgman, who is also club pro at WLGC, said the tour saw an uptick in participation this year, with around 60 players getting involved. Exactly that many players were on the course Monday for the final tournament of the summer.

The tour included eight Muskegon-area courses, including two in the White Lake area; Old Channel Trail Golf Course hosted its tournament July 15. The tour-

naments took place eight consecutive Mondays.

Event winners Monday included Bryce Andres of Spring Lake in the fifth grade and under division (eight over par); Maizy Start of Spring Lake in the girls 6th-8th grade division (22 over par); Brennan Andres of Spring Lake in the boys 6th-8th grade division (seven over par); Mayson Southland of Muskegon in the girls 9th-12th grade division (14 over par); and Kody Vis of Spring Lake in the boys 9th-12th grade division (one over par), who edged out Killian Prewitt of Fremont by a stroke.

Players below high school age played nine-hole events each Monday, with fifth-graders and below playing on a modified shorter course. High school aged players participated in full 18hole events.

Montague stages first 3X3 basketball tourney

School welcomes 32 teams to tournament, raising money for No More Sidelines

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Despite hot and humid conditions that practically turned Montague’s gyms into sweatboxes, all parties involved seemed pleased with how the Wildcats’ first 3X3 basketball tournament went Saturday. Games were played at both the NBC Middle School and Montague High School facilities.

“At the middle school, we had four fans going and it was cooler outside than it was in the gym,” Montague boys basketball coach Nick Thaler, who ran the event, said. “We had to give more time in between games to give the kids more time to relax and get water. All in all, it went as good as it could possibly go. We had no major issues.”

One of the happy groups when the final whistles blew was a team of four area girls players, who took their age group’s title. Montague Wildcats Addison Pranger, Avah VanderMeulen and Adilynn Peterson joined up with

Over 30 teams were in action Saturday at the Montague basketball program’s first 3X3 tournament.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall’s Clare Westerlund to win their group. The quartet defeated a squad of Mona Shores players and two teams of North Muskegon players to take the win.

Pranger said she and her Wildcat teammates had trouble finding a fourth player, which was important to give players a rest in the hot conditions. Since Westerlund is a friend of hers, she invited her to play and the rising sophomore Viking was happy to join up.

“It was really nice to do some ac-

tivity after being a little lazy this summer,” Pranger said with a laugh. “3v3 was especially fun with all the space we have on the court. You’ve got to help create. You can’t just hope for somebody to be open. You have to work for it. It’s a big teamwork game.”

The games resembled pickup games one might play in the park; defensive rebounds had to be followed by taking the ball back out to the three-point line to reset the possession, and while there were officials there to call fouls and rule on out of

bounds situations, they appeared to let more contact go than one might see whistled in a typical 5-on-5 game - on boys basketball coach Nick Thaler’s instructions, he said.

“When you play in those FIBA events, they do let more go,” Thaler said, referring to the sport’s international governing body. “It’s a more physical style of play. It flows better. It makes a kid better, because you learn

Area basketball players, from left, Adilynn Peterson, Avah VanderMeulen, Addison Pranger and Clare Westerlund show off the trophies they won at Saturday’s 3X3 tournament in Montague. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Local youth golfers capped off the Greater Muskegon Junior Tour season at White Lake Golf Club Monday afternoon. Above, a young player places a marker to hold his ball’s spot on the green. Below, another player chips from the rough towards the green. Bottom left, a golfer tees off. Sixty players participated in the WLGC meet. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

MHSAA reminds schools, athletes of heat management

A stretch of hot and humid days downstate to finish July provided another reminder of why acclimatization to weather conditions is essential as teams at Michigan High School Athletic Association schools prepare for their first fall practices.

Each year, the MHSAA provides information to its member schools to help them prepare for hot weather practice and game conditions during the late summer and early fall. Practices for all fall 2024 sports – cross country, football, Lower Peninsula girls golf, boys soccer, Lower Peninsula girls swimming & diving, Lower Peninsula boys and Upper Peninsula girls tennis, and volleyball – may begin Monday, Aug. 12.

The “Health & Safety” page of the MHSAA Website (https://www. mhsaa.com/about/looking-general-resources/ health-safety/heat-hydration-resources) has links to several information sources, including the MHSAA preseason publication Heat Ways, which is available for

Montague soccer players battle for a loose ball during a July 30 summer conditioning session. Team practices begin Monday, Aug. 12, and the MHSAA reminded athletes this week that the first practices should focus on acclimating athletes to the heat.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

download and includes valuable information on heat management in addition to requirements and resources regarding head injuries, sudden cardiac arrest and emergency action plans. Emergency action plans specific to sport and venue are a new requirement for schools beginning this fall season.

The first days of formal practices in hot weather should be more for heat acclimatization than the conditioning of athletes, and practices in such conditions need planning to become longer and more strenuous over a gradual progression of time. Schools also must consider moving

practices to different locations or different times of day, or change practice plans to include different activities depending on the conditions. Furthermore, football practice rules allow for only helmets to be worn during the first two days, only shoulder pads to be added on the third and fourth days, and full pads to not be worn until the fifth day of team practice.

The MHSAA advises student-athletes to make sure to hydrate all day long – beginning before practice, continuing during and also after practice is done. Water and properly-formulated sports drinks are the best choices for hydration.

Registration open for Horses for Harbor Hospice Sept. 21

The third annual Horses for Harbor Hospice event, a unique horse trail riding experience, is set to take place Saturday, Sept. 21, to benefit the Bob and Merle Scolnik Healing Center.

This event is planned by Melissa DeWitt, a dedicated CENA at Harbor Hospice, and hosted by the Muskegon County Trail Riders Association, located on Hall Road in Muskegon.

This year’s event aims to raise funds and awareness for the Harbor Hospice Foundation, supporting the compassionate and life-changing grief support programs and services provided by the Bob and Merle Scolnik Healing Center.

The event goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is open now at harborhospicemi.org. The cost to participate is $35, which includes lunch, a trail ride with your horse, a t-shirt and entry for door prizes.

A slew of activities are planned for the day, including trail riding with your horse, hay rides, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, face painting and more.

“The Horses for Harbor Hospice event is a day to enjoy the beauty of nature and the companionship of horses, all while supporting a cause that provides crucial support to those navigating grief,” DeWitt said in a press release. “It’s a day for equestrians, families, and friends to come together for fun and philanthropy.”

Involvement helps ensure the Harbor Hospice Foundation can continue to offer essential grief support services to those in need. The Bob and Merle Scolnik Healing Center provides a sanctuary for individuals and families, offering resources and programs to help them through their grief journey.

3-on-3

to play through that stuff, then in high school ball they tend to call them a little bit tighter. It helps kids in the long run.”

Some younger age groups had coaches, but the high school age players ran the games on their own.

“It was really nice to get back in the gym and get some basketball going,” Pranger said. “I think we’ve all been really anticipating the season, and especially during summer, getting up and getting active to prepare for our senior year and for basketball this season. It was a blast.”

The tournament featured 32 total teams and raised money for No More Sidelines, which provides sports opportunities for those with special needs. Thaler said the organization will receive about $1,000 from the tournament.

Each age group had three trophies given out, one for the first-place winner, one for second place and a third for the ‘Toilet Bowl’ winners - the team that loses their first two games but finishes with a win. The Toilet Bowl part was inspired by the Gus Macker event, which distributes an identical honor. Thaler joked that the Gus Macker must have a trademark on the idea, though, because he was unable to find a white Toilet Bowl trophy.

Future editions of the tournament, Thaler said, should be even better. With a year’s experience to work off of and the new Montague gymnasium that will be completed by then offering more flexibility in terms of accommodations for younger players and additional courts, the sky will be the limit.

“From talking from the volunteers

Community Calendar

sophomore Clare Westerlund (in front) fights to the basket during her team’s game against a group of Mona Shores players at Saturday’s 3X3 tournament. Westerlund joined forces with three Montague athletes to go 3-0 at the tournament.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

and the officials and getting feedback from the coaches, they thought it went really well,” Thaler said. “The kids had a lot of fun. The schedule was on a good pace for an event like that. Sometimes you can do a Gus Macker and be 40 minutes or an hour behind.”

The coach was happy to see Peterson, Pranger and VanderMeulen get together with a rival to help win as well.

“When you have good athletes in the White Lake area, it’s good to come together and do something or the community,” Thaler said. “Hopefully we get other players from the White Lake area in the future...We have a good group of people at Montague that helped put all this together. They donated their time and I’m thankful for that.”

Saturday, Aug. 10

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

Montague Museum open, 1-5 p.m. Donation-based admission.

Sunday, Aug. 11

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

Montague Museum open, 1-5 p.m. Donation-based admission.

Monday, Aug. 12

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

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

White Lake Area Community Library story time with Fire Chief Pete @ WLFA Station 1 on Delaney St. in Whitehall, 11 a.m. In addition to story time, get a tour of the fire station and get a chance to ride a fire truck.

White River Twp. public hearing on zoning ordinance amendments @ NBC Middle School, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 13

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

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

Wednesday, Aug. 14

Montague Museum open, 1-5 p.m. Donation-based admission.

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

Thursday, Aug. 15

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.

Original Dulcimer Players Club monthly acoustic jam @ the VAC, 1-6 p.m.

North Grove Brewers summer concert Thursdays features Plain Jane Glory, 7 p.m. Outdoor concert in the biergarten.

Friday, Aug. 16

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

A team of Montague students battled with a team wearing Gus Macker jerseys that read “Shot Callers” during Saturday’s 3X3 tournament in Montague.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall

Genetics program set for Tuesday at MADL North Muskegon

Muskegon Area District Library (MADL) hosts two big names in the field of genetics for a Tuesday program at the North Muskegon branch.

Have you ever wondered how much of your identity is controlled by genes, and how much we can- and should - decipher? What do your genes say about you, and what do they leave out?

Dr. Constance Hilliard, known for her revolutionary research into African Evolutionary History, and Esther Dyson, former board member of 23 and Me. They will lead their audience on an exploration of how genetics shape

our histories and forecast our medical futures.

Dr. Hilliard and Dyson will discuss the use of genetics to reveal a person’s likely ancestry and health risks, highlighting both the potential and limitations of genetic information. They will also address the ethical considerations and risks of possessing such knowledge, for both individuals and their families.

There is no charge for the event, but registration is required at madl.librarycalendar.com.

DNR Fishing Report

Here is this week’s fishing report provided by the Michigan DNR.

Grand Haven - Boat anglers reported good salmon fishing 35 to 90 feet down in 70 to 230 feet of water. Anglers targeting 70 to 120 feet of water found mature Chinook salmon along with some coho salmon. Boats going farther offshore into 160 to 230 feet of water found more coho salmon along with a few smaller Chinook salmon. Spoons in green and orange worked well, along with white flashers with green or white flies. Pier anglers reported a few freshwater drum while casting crankbaits or silver spoons.

Muskegon - Boat anglers found good numbers of Chinook and coho salmon along with a few steelhead 35 to 90 feet down in 70 to 220 feet

of water. Glow spoons worked well in green and orange. A few salmon were caught using green meat rigs and glow plugs. Pier anglers reported catching a few freshwater drum while casting spoons. Early morning and late evening were best reported times for near shore fishing.

Ludington - Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, and a few pink salmon were reported from south of the projects to Big Sable Point in various depths. They were caught straight out in 40 to 90 feet of water and south off the projects and at the Point in 70 to 150 feet of water when fishing 40 to 90 feet down. Spoons and plugs worked well, along with flasher/fly combos and meat rigs. No action reported on the piers.

Historical Society to celebrate life of Lois Ekstrand Thurs.

The White Lake Area Historical Society will celebrate the life of Lois Ekstrand at its monthly meeting next Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Lebanon Lutheran Church on Mears Avenue in Whitehall.

Ekstrand, a Chicagoan by birth, spent her summers at Winnemac Lodge (her summer home on White Lake) where her outgoing personality and charming smile seemed to draw everyone into her circle of friends. A love for photography and an eye for detail led Lois to join

forces with the Historical Society to develop the local architectural awards which were presented annually from 2004-19. Many homes and businesses in our area can be seen proudly displaying their award plaque.

Pictures of these buildings will be displayed at the meeting, and Historical Society members and guests will be given an opportunity to share their remembrances of Lois and her “joie de vivre”.

Ekstrand notably left an incredible bequest of $1.86 million to the White Lake Community Fund in her will. The fund quickly used it to endow the Lois M. Ekstrand Fund, which supports various nonprofit endeavors in the area under the guidance of the WLCF.

Fall sports previews coming

Fall sports season is approaching! Starting next week, local team previews will begin running in the Mirror. Find out what to expect from squads from Whitehall, Montague and Reeths-Puffer!

State’s free ORV weekend set for Aug. 17-18

Michigan’s second free off-road vehicle (ORV) weekend is set for next weekend, Aug. 17-18.

Taking place twice a year, Free ORV Weekend is a great time to see, experience and test out Michigan’s off-road vehicle trails. Residents and out-ofstate visitors legally can ride Michigan’s 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails and routes and the state’s six scramble areas on two back-to-back days without an ORV license or trail permit. All other ORV rules and laws still apply - they can be found at michigan. gov/dnr. You must supply your own ORV.

Fruitland ECC celebrates Blueberry Festival

The Fruitland Evangelical Covenant Church celebrated its annual Blueberry Fun Festival July 27.

On a warm morning, the lines were long as guests enjoyed partaking of the blueberry pancakes served up by a team of volunteers.

A petting zoo and bounce house were among the attractions for children to enjoy, and craft booths were available for adults to peruse.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror Photos