Volume 1, Issue 37 FEBRUARY 9, 2024
YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE
Gale family marks the end of an era By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
PERMIT NO 62
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE
RESIDENTIAL POSTAL CUSTOMER PAID ECRWSS BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307
It is the end of an era of sorts in Oceana County. After 91 years, the former Gales Agency, which is now a division of Lighthouse, an Alera Group company, no longer employs any member of the Gale family. The remaining Gale family member, Pete Roskam, son-in-law of the late Lyle Gale, retired this past December after nearly 43 years as an insurance agent. Jim, Lyle’s son, retired in July 2023, after 32 years with the company. A Calvin College graduate, Roskam started his career in insurance, working for Allstate. He joined Gales Agency in 1981 after marrying Lyle’s daughter, Kathy. Later, he would become a partner with Lyle and his brother-in-law, Jim. “The insurance business has changed over the years. When I started, we had one phone with two lines. By December, I was working with unlimited phone lines, three computer screens and a scanner. Everything is digital, and the amount of work has doubled. With the same amount of staff, the business is doing 10 to 20 times more than in 1981,” Roskam said. “We went from family-owned, to locally-owned, to corporately-owned over the past 90 years.” Founded in 1932 by Newell Gale of Hart, Gales Agency and its many dedicated employees have served thousands of clients ever since. During the years of 1932 to 1948, the company grew steadily, expanding its staff and insurance products, as well as acquiring other insurance agencies. “In 1948, the tide turned for the business when they purchased the Julia Joslin Agency, who had a contract with Auto-Owners Insurance Company,” said Jim Gale. “That move became the lifeblood for the agency’s growth into the future.” By 1949, Newell and his brother Harrison Gale had formed a partnership, with Harrison taking over management of their new Shelby office. From 1951 to 1977, Gales Agency went on to acquire seven other local insurance agencies and continued to offer their local brand of friendly customer service. Lyle Gale, Newell’s son, joined the company in 1958. As the company continued to expand, it purchased a new office location in Hart and completely remodeled the Shelby office. In 1962, the Shelby office building was sold to Shelby State Bank, and a new office was constructed just to the south of the bank. Founder Newell Gale retired from the agency in August 1963 but remained president until 1973.
PYC Vice Commodore Mike Bass accepts the award from President of US Sailing Rich Jepsen • Contributed Photo.
PYC wins 2023 US Sailing One-Design Club of the Year
After 43 years as an insurance agent, Pete Roskam, retired this past December. He is the last member of the Gale family to work at their family business. • Contributed Photo by Calvin Roskam
In 1978, Tom Kronlein joined the Hart office, then became manager of the Pentwater office in 1983. By 1991, Jim Gale, Lyle’s son, had joined the agency to work out of the Hart office. “One of the most important things for me was that, with the help of my grandfather and father, I was able to attain training from an outside insurance company in Lansing, which set the pace for returning to my hometown and honorably working with my family for the remainder of my career,” Gale said. In 2001, the family company expanded again when Dan Gale, Harrison’s son, brought his 25 years of insurance agent experience from Minnesota to Michigan, and joined the company to manage the Pentwater office. Then in 2005, a new branch office was added in Whitehall, managed by agent Brad VanderLaan. “The biggest change in my entire career was during Covid. Everyone figured out how they could work from home. We used electronic signing, online bill pay and held a lot of Zoom meetings. Tech advanced five years overnight,” Roskam said.
End of an era continued on page 6
US Sailing has announced the winners of its annual awards for One-Design Sailing, and the Pentwater Yacht Club (PYC) has been named the 2023 Club of the Year. The US Sailing One Design Club award recognizes administrative excellence, fleet growth, creative programming, regatta support and member contribution to one design sailing. This prestigious national award has been given to some of the most significant sailing clubs in the country. Now the PYC is among those who stand out in advancing the mission of US Sailing - to increase sailing participation and excellence through education, competition, and equal opportunity while upholding the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, and safety. The PYC was recognized as a result of the following: • In 2023, the PYC organized a highly successful one-design regatta, the Ensign National Championship. Thirty-five boats contended across three days on Lake Michigan in highly competitive conditions. Leadership of the Ensign Class Association recognized the regatta as one of their best ever. The event raised over $15,000, which will be used to further youth sailing education in the community. • 2023 also saw the inaugural Sunfish Shootout at the PYC. Sixteen local sailors participated in a unique match race format that engaged the local community and raised significant money for youth sailing. • The PYC, using its new building and facilities as a springboard, has created the PYC Sailing Academy as a means to develop new programming for both members and the community. Participation in club sailing activities has increased substantially across multiple fleets as a result of these efforts. The Pentwater community welcomed sailors and their crews from around the nation through their sponsorships and volunteered in many support capacities. The PYC received recognition at the US Sailing National Sailing Programs Symposium in Savannah, Ga. on Feb. 1.
New Dollar Tree store coming to Hart PROPOSED DOLLAR TREE
Above and at right are the approved site plans for the new Dollar Tree store planned for 4148 W. Polk Rd. in Hart. • Contributed Photos
By Madison Lajewski and Amanda Dodge The Oceana Echo Community Contributors A site plan for the construction of a new Dollar Tree store in Hart was approved by the City of Hart Planning Commission last Thursday, Feb. 1. Pending city council approval, the approximate location will be at 4148 W. Polk Rd., between Excel Propane and AutoZone. This development is consistent with zoning ordinances and B2, general commercial, in the City of Hart master plan.
The Oceana Echo reached out to Hart City Manager Rob Splane for more information regarding the new retail store and heard back from him after the meeting. “In speaking with the developer, they anticipate an early spring start with the business being open this summer,” Splane said.