The Oceana Echo - Volume 1, Issue 37, February 9, 2024 by theoceanaecho

Volume 1, Issue 37 FEBRUARY 9, 2024

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Gale family marks the end of an era By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

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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.

THE OCEANA ECHO FEBRUARY 9, 2024 2

City hosts new development workshop • Madison Lajewski/Echo

By Madison Lajewski The Oceana Echo Community Contributor The City of Hart hosted a community workshop to discuss what citizens would like done with the Ceres property, located at 3 E. Main St. in Hart, Thursday, Feb. 1. SmithGroup, which is helping organize market analysis of the property, was on hand alongside the city to discuss ideas for both residential and retail spaces, along with combining both. The crowd seemed evenly

split on both options. The main concern revolved around the aesthetics of the building, making sure it matched the looks of downtown buildings and having it be three levels or less to still allow water views for surrounding neighbors. If the property is developed into residential housing, there are four different concepts, including apartments, townhouses and parking ideas. With residential housing, the main concern is keeping it affordable for people in the middle class. Many

Oceana Center Grange Agricultural Report for February 2024 By Phil Carter The Oceana Echo Agricultural Consultant Swift Lathers (of Mears Newz fame) always started his stories with something “is ripe in the land of Mears.” At the present time, not much is ripe in the Land of Oceana. If you believe in rodent meteorology (Groundhog Day) Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring. Michigan’s counterpart, Howell Woody, did not see his shadow, so six more weeks of winter. My observations over the last several days indicate Phil is right, but time will tell. Maple syrup producers may be the ones to tell us. Some apple crop sizes are in. Michigan’s crop is pegged at 30.75 million bushels with 2-3 million unpicked, which is close to last year’s crop. Overall, fresh and process movement are characterized as steady to slow, with soft pricing overall. MACMA (Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association) secured a Section 32 bonus buy of $60, which should alleviate some storage pressure. Michigan processors gained most of these purchases. A request was received about wheat, so the remainder of this story will focus on wheat. Michigan’s 8,000 wheat farmers in 50 counties plant more than 500,000 acres annually, producing 46.5 million bushels. Soft red and soft white wheat are used in baking and milling. The crop is planted in mid-September to late October after soybeans and corn silage is harvested. Nitrogen fertilizer applications are applied following spring dormancy, along with necessary herbicide applications. A fungicide application around flowering or heading time increases yields. Harvest occurs in mid-July, depending on the geographic location. Spring wheat is considered hard wheat, is grown in the western U.S., and is used for making pasta. We don’t grow hard wheat due to a lack of markets. Soft wheat has limited livestock feed usage and can be substituted for a small percentage of livestock rations. Wheat straw is a preferred animal bedding, along with other uses. Modern varieties have shorter stems, so straw yields are lower. It should be noted that most wheat varieties are nonGMO, with a limited few being Roundup-ready. Wintertime activities include meetings, preparing for and meeting with tax advisors, hauling, repairing and storing apple bins and livestock guys applying manure to nonfrozen snow-free ground. Seasonal speed and weight restrictions went on paved roads Jan. 31, which seems early. Maybe that means they will be lifted earlier than normal.

Hart community members voiced that they feel there is enough low-income and senior housing available, but there isn’t much readily available for the average individual. Another idea was to split the property, with the first level being dedicated to smaller retail spaces, a 75-seat bistro or restaurant and/or a community center of some kind for children. The other two levels would be dedicated to residential housing. There was also a strong desire for some kind of “green space,” whether that be more outdoor seating with picnic tables or a rooftop

garden or seating area. SmithGroup shared that the property is just under three acres and assured the public that multiple tests have confirmed there is no contamination in the building that is currently standing on the property. The estimated time of development is “hard to tell” at this stage, but once it begins, it will take an estimated two years to complete. While no decision was finalized as to what would be done with the property, SmithGroup is keeping the community ideas in mind once the marketing analysis is finished.

Hansen Foods wins sold-out Winterfest Soup Walk

The sold-out Hart Winterfest Soup Walk took place Saturday, Feb. 3, throughout downtown Hart, with a dozen local businesses participating. The winner with 51 votes was Hansen Foods, with their creamy chicken ravioli. Stella’s Coffee House and Prado Farms earned second and third places, respectively.

• Contributed Photos

• Contributed Photo by Alex Katt

Fatal fire in Shelby On Feb. 5 at 9:44 p.m., the Shelby-Benona Fire Department was called to 23 N. Michigan Ave. for a report of a multi-family dwelling filling with smoke. The first arriving EMS units, along with department command, arrived at 9:48 p.m. and informed incoming crews of smoke and flames coming through the roof with the possibility of an occupant still trapped inside. Upon arrival, the first in engine crew prepped for an attempted rescue, battling heavy smoke and fire conditions throughout. An initial primary search of the first floor came up negative for the missing occupant. Once the secondary incoming units arrived, a search of the second floor was completed. It was during this search that rescuers located the victim in a second-story bedroom near the front of the residence. The victim, 38-year-old Erasmo Valencia, was extricated from the room at 10:13 p.m., assisted to the ground via firefighters, and turned over to LIFE EMS units on scene. LIFE EMS transported the individual to Trinity Health Lakeshore Hospital in Shelby, where he was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. The other 13 residents in the 3-apartment home were able to self-extricate without injury. The residence sustained substantial damage, making it uninhabitable and unsafe for non-emergency personnel to be inside. The Shelby-Benona Fire Department was assisted by four Oceana County departments (Hart Area Fire Department, Grant Township Fire Department, Ferry Township Fire Department and Pentwater Fire Department). Montague Fire District and Crystal Valley Fire Departments were placed on standby to backfill calls for service while units were on scene. The fire was fought by 45 firefighters from those five departments, along with assistance from Mason-Oceana 9-1-1, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, LIFE EMS, Oceana County Emergency Management, DTE, Consumers Energy, Oceana County Victim Services, the American Red Cross and the Shelby Wesleyan Church. The department reminds everyone that working smoke detectors saves lives; if you or someone you know needs some, contact the Shelby-Benona Fire Department. This incident remains under investigation, and the scene is closed to all non-designated personnel and the public until the State of Michigan Fire Marshal’s office has concluded their investigation. The Shelby Wesleyan Church is currently seeking donations of clothing and household items to help the families who were victims of the fire. Please visit their Facebook page or call the church at 231-861-5375 for more information. Please leave donations on the bench by the back door of the church.

CAKE DECORATING CLASS back by popular demand

COOK OFF

• Wedding • Cakes • Pasties • Birthday Cakes • Desserts • Cupcakes • Cookies & More!

Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024

Feb. 10 from 2-6 p.m. at Hart VFW $ to compete - Hot & Mild - cash prizes!

You will learn how to put a 6-inch white layer cake together and how to use various tips to edge a cake and write a message.

All proceeds benefit Oceana County veterans Call 231-873-3615 for more info • live band!

Deposit required upon registration. Please register 3 days before class. 560 S. Hancock in Pentwater millsr2001@yahoo.com

5 or eat - drinks, fries, tater tots for sale!

4-6 p.m. Cost is $30

3 FEBRUARY 9, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO

Shelby administrator accepts new position By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor The Shelby Village Council was recently notified by Shelby Village Administrator Brady Selner that he has accepted a conditional offer of employment to become the village administrator for the village of Spring Lake. Selner, a resident of Norton Shores, was hired by the village Nov. 19, 2020. He replaced former Village of Shelby Administrator Rob Widigan, who had resigned his position in July of 2020. Selner reported last week that he and Spring Lake have recently worked out the terms of his employment agreement. The agreement is expected to be considered by the Village of Spring Lake within the next two weeks. If it is approved, his last day in Shelby is anticipated to be early to mid-March. Selner’s current salary is $74,800. He was hired as VA in 2020 with a starting salary of $65,000 and the promise of an additional $3000 salary increase after six months of successful employment. As another hiring incentive, Selner’s contract with Shelby also approved a one-time payment of $25,000 to be paid

upon his five-year anniversary with the village, which would have been November 2025. At his December 2021 evaluation, Selner asked the council to consider a ten (10) percent salary increase to more closely align with what other village administrators, doing the same type of work, were making. The approved increase moved his annual salary from $68,000 to $74,800. “I think the most rewarding and challenging project during my time in the Village of Shelby has been the Getty Park project. Although updating infrastructure is critical, it has been very rewarding to see the excitement behind Getty Park. I will certainly be back up for the ribbon-cutting event,” Selner shared. “When the Shelby Village Council selected Brady as its village administrator, he was young and lacked the overall experience of leading a small town municipality. But I had a strong gut feeling that he was the one who could provide the professional expertise to guide us toward the completion of the vision that we had for the Village of Shelby and its community of residents,” said Village President Paul Inglis. “Brady has served the village with a

great sense of confidence, loyalty and commitment. Right from the beginning, he laid out an ambitious plan of projects that have improved the quality of life for our residents now and for years to come. “He has organized and managed several infrastructure projects. His vision for the Village of Shelby was and still is genuine, and his brand will forever be left on the projects that have been completed and those that are scheduled for completion in 2024 and 2025,” Inglis said. Selner has been busy the past three and a half years working on a variety of tasks and projects with numerous individuals, local groups, and municipalities, as well as state and national agencies. Some of his more notable accomplishments during his three and a half-year tenure include the updating of the Personnel and Fund Balance Policies, the facilitation of a Zoning Ordinance rewrite, working through the requirements to become a Redevelopment Ready Community, management of grant requirements for several village infrastructure projects, including the downtown Pocket Park, Getty Park Renovation, Peterson Farms water main extension, Shelby Acres annexation, water

main and lead line replacement, ARPA funds expenditures and downtown façade grants. “It was not unexpected that Brady would leave the Village of Shelby sooner than later for a greater role in local government. That is what good, polished public servants do. I am grateful that he shared his administrative skills with us, and I am happy for him and his family. I thank Brady for all that he has accomplished, especially for helping the Shelby Village Council take a long, hard look at its needs for future growth and development and for gently nudging us in the right direction. “I wish Brady nothing but success, as I am certain his career in public service will only result in greater opportunities for making a huge impact on the lives of those he will serve,” said Inglis. “The Village of Shelby has been a wonderful community to be a part of. I owe so much to the Village of Shelby staff, Village Council, and community stakeholders that have made my time in Shelby so rewarding and memorable. We have accomplished a lot, and I will definitely be keeping an eye on the continued progress in Shelby,” Selner concluded.

TIFA has special meeting to hear from community By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor A special meeting of the Hart TIFA (Tax Increment Financing Authority) was held Tuesday to review submitted proposals and hear from the public with regards to the recently acquired Hart Congregational United Church of Christ. The church officially closed its doors at the end of December after 156 years in ministry. Nichole Kleiner, City of Hart Community and Economic Development Director, facilitated the public hearing portion of the meeting, reading various proposals received prior to the meeting and introducing others who gave their proposals in person. Five different proposals had been received prior to the meeting from Jacob M. Tufts of State Farm Insurance, Hart, the Hart Area Public Library, Mark W. Hammersma of MWH Investments, LLC, Jason Rose of Vertical View Builders in Hart, and the Radiant Church of Ludington. Prior to Tuesday, Radiant Church withdrew their proposal, saying that after further inspection and recommendations from their builder, it was determined the location was not the best fit for extending their church into Oceana County. However, they are continuing to seek other options. Tufts proposed that he would like to use the two-story church office/home at the location as new office space for his expanding business. He would plan to lease the church building and accompanying education building to another congregation. “I am hoping to acquire this property from TIFA at no cost. But I am also willing to discuss up to a fair market value offer for the acquisition of the property,” stated Tufts written proposal. “I sincerely believe that this acquisition will bring significant benefits to the community, both economically and socially.” The TIFA board commented that this option would put the property back on the tax rolls; however, a property split would need to be negotiated. The Hart Area Public Library is most interested in the education building located between the present church sanctuary and church office. The Friends of the Library, who hold regular used book sales, would like to utilize the space for a permanent used book store with regular hours staffed by volunteers. Hammersma joined the meeting virtually, stating he would offer $20,000 cash for the property with the intent of converting the church sanctuary building to market-rate apartments and/or condominiums, converting the church offices back to a single-family home, and removing the single-story education building in order to install a driveway off State Street for access to the two-stall garage at the back of the property. Hammersma’s proposal included four provisions as well: 90

days to conduct inspections; approval by the municipality for an acceptable property tax abatement; an acceptable Michigan Community Revitalization Grant through the MEDC; and potential Brownfield credits for potential lead-based paint and/or asbestos removal. Members of the TIFA board asked what level of rent he was planning to place on the units. Hammersma said he had some ideas but would need more information before he could say a definite number. When asked if the stained-glass windows would stay, he said the windows would remain and be worked into the final construction in some way. Jason Rose, of Vertical View Builders, was last to present and stated he would like to acquire the property and utilize the education building to create a training facility for the community. “Our desire is to create a place where people can feel welcomed, come together, grow, and train their minds and bodies in God’s Word,” his letter of intent stated. Rose also would like to have an after-school learning center/drop-in care for the parents using the gym and utilize the garage to hold construction classes. He would like to be able to teach kids the fundamentals, but he dreams of teaching adults how to build an entire home as well. “It would be using real-life opportunities to connect people. It would be a “church” that’s done differently,” he said. TIFA board members asked Rose several clarifying questions about his past experiences in construction and daycare, as well as what changes he would make to the buildings. Other than painting the outside of the educational building, Rose said he did not have any façade changes planned. When asked if he was planning to make an offer, Rose said, “Just imagining if the property were given to us and you were willing to trust us, we could be a light to the community with what we want to do. Just as God’s grace is freely given, perhaps this property could be freely given.” The board asked if he was aware of the annual expenses and if he would be able to maintain the property at those levels. Rose concurred. Kleiner invited those from the public to share how they were feeling about the proposals: “We want to hear from you. This board cares what the community is thinking and feeling right now,” she said. An audience member commented they didn’t like the corporate offer of $20,000, saying she felt they were intending to turn it into an income property versus something for the community. Another community member shared that the proposal from the Roses resonated with her the most. “I’m sure every other entity has the best of intentions; however, ever since this property became available, I’ve thought Hart needs a facility similar to the Ladder Community Center in Shelby. And no matter where you are on your faith journey or what you

believe about the Bible, anytime we can build into each other’s lives, physically or spiritually, it’s a good thing,” she said. Following the public hearing, the board went into closed session to further discuss each proposal. It is expected that this matter will be on the TIFA’s February 20 regular board meeting agenda. If a final decision is not made, then most likely something will be decided at their meeting in March.

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4 FEBRUARY 9, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO This page is brought to you by:

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Oceana County Schools: Shelby By Caleb Jackson The Oceana Echo Community Columnist The next stop in our whirlwind tour of Oceana’s rural school houses is Shelby Township, and we’re kicking things off with the Piper school in district number one. This school was annexed to Shelby Public Schools in 1965 and began sending all of its students there in that year. A newspaper article from that time explains a bit more about the school’s history. “Piper was first a log school, built on West Sixth Street. The present building south [this has been corrected to north in Mort Wiegand’s notes] of Piper Creek on 72nd Avenue was built before the turn of the century. There are records that date back to 1905, when it shows the expenses for the entire year were $283.00, including the teacher’s salary.” Even though the school was annexed in 1965, it would seem that Shelby was maybe a bit overwhelmed, as half of the sixth grade still attended school in the Piper school building that year. The article also gives a shout-out to some prominent families in the school system at that time. “Three generations of Claus Johnson and four generations of Jesse Bender families have attended there, and members of the families served on the school board.” The school building has since been torn down. Up next is the Carpenter school, so named because the land was purchased from Jason Carpenter. This school was located along West Grant Road, somewhere between South Oceana Drive and South 72nd Avenue. The first school meeting was in 1868. The vote to build the school was cast in 1888, and the building was completed by 1890. A 1954 newspaper clipping walks us through the program for a PTA event that sounds like it was quite lively. “Tap Dance by Linda White and Sandra Babinec. Song, Diane Henrickson and Elizabeth Bennett. Then movie pictures were shown with the school’s new projector and directed by Mickey Babinec and Mr. and Mrs. George Fleming.” Unfortunately, the Carpenter school burned down in August of 1965, hence the reshuffling that led to the annexation of the previously mentioned Piper school. In district number three is the New Era school, which seems to be a story of constant growth. Mort Wiegand’s notes start off by saying, “In 1873 a spacious schoolhouse was built a little southwest of the railroad station. Mrs. T.D. Brown was the first teacher and taught for several years.” Eventually, even this spacious schoolhouse wasn’t going to cut it anymore, and so a new three-room brick schoolhouse was built in 1903. The middle of the century saw a handful of other schools consolidating with the New Era district. First there was the Batten

school in 1958, and then the Eagles, Cranston, and Bradyville schools in 1962. Four more classrooms were added in 1968, and the New Era district was annexed to Shelby in that same year. District number four has no school on record, so we are moving on to district number five, with the Shelby Center school. Before this school district was organized, the children attended the Blooming Valley school. Then, around 1890, the first Shelby Center school house was built. Wiegand describes it as “a wood frame building with white clapboard siding and windows on both sides and a belfry on the roof.” This was built on the northeast corner of West Shelby Road and South 88th Avenue. However, an even newer school would be built in 1923. The new building, located on West Shelby Road and 90th Avenue, had “a well and a windmill… in working order. A full basement and a coal-wood furnace installed.” Electricity was even added two years after construction. The school closed in 1964, when it was consolidated into the Shelby School District. The building does survive today as private housing. In district number six, we see a slew of school buildings cropping up to replace one another, ultimately culminating in the construction of Shelby High School in 1969. According to Wiegand, the reports of the earliest school claim it was a log building, about 16-feet by 22-feet, first constructed around 1858. In May of 1864, many noticed the school grounds were not properly cleaned, and so a group formed to clean the area up. This group elected to burn waste outside of the school, and overnight the fire spread and burned the school down. A new school was built on Sixth Street in 1868. In 1881, a new two-story building was built, which would burn down in 1921. In 1914, a new four-room elementary school was made out of red bricks and in 1922, a new three-story building and gymnasium were constructed. There was another new brick

construction in 1955, and a brick and metal construction on US 31 in 1963. Finally, there was a new two-story elementary school built in 1966, and then finally, the construction of Shelby High School in 1969. This rapid growth and development is hardly a surprise when considering all of the previously discussed schools that were annexed into the Shelby school district. In district number seven we find the Blooming Valley school. Located at West Woodrow Road on 102nd Avenue, the first school house was a log cabin built in about 1864. Then, in 1868, a new school was built, and Wiegand tells us the “construction was slow-going.” School started in November of 1869. A new brick building was constructed in 1927, and the school consolidated with Shelby in 1966. The building also survives today as a private home. Finally, we have the Ames school in district number eight. The first school was located on West Buchanan Road and South 88th Avenue. It burned down a little over 100 years ago, in January 1924. According to Wiegand’s notes, “the children were in school when they heard a noise, turned around and a fire was in the back of the room. All evacuated safely.” A newspaper article from the time gives more details on the event. “An overheated stove or pipe probably caused the destruction of the Ames school house, two miles north of Shelby on Monday. The fire had gained such a headway before it was discovered, that it was impossible to extinguish it. The teacher, Miss Thelma Bowers and the pupils had no trouble leaving the building and some few things were saved.” A new brick building was built about a quarter of a mile north of the old building, on the west side of 88th Avenue. It had a library, and a basement. This building survives to this day as a private home.

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theoceanaecho@gmail.com • February 9, 2024 • Volume 1 • Issue 37 Office hours (Old Town Hall in Mears): Mondays: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Office phone: 231-301-8149, or for breaking news, please call 231-923-0751.

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5 FEBRUARY 9, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO

Ongoing Hart VFW Post 1329 Burger/Chicken/Brat/Ribs Night, first and third Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m., dine-in or carry out. The Ladder Community Center: M-F: The Huddle for 6th-12th grade youth, 3-5 p.m. Thursdays: Recovery Support Group, 6:30 p.m. Fridays: Open Jam Session, 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays: Celebrate worship gathering, 6:30 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. Forest School for Grownups Tuesday afternoons through Feb. 27. Art You Can Feel Ludington Area Center for the Arts through Feb. 24 “Cooking for One” at OCCOA Every Tuesday from Feb. 6 - March 12, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Tutoring sessions available at Shelby Middle School Shelby Middle School is offering tutoring on Tuesdays from 7-7:45 a.m. and Thursdays from 3-4 p.m. through Thursday, March 14.

The Ladder to host Power of a Man’s Story Event HERO is honored to welcome “The Naked Farmer” to The Ladder Community Center Saturday, Feb. 17 from 9:15-11:15 a.m. On a frigid December night in 2013, Tim VanderZwaag, a 6-foot-tall, 250-pound West Michigan farmer, was pulled backward into a spinning PTO (power take-off) shaft. He was forced through a 10-inch gap numerous times before being thrown out into a snow-covered field, stripped of his clothes and all alone. Tim’s story of survival and faith is gripping and inspiring. It will have a powerful impact on every man who hears it. All men 12 and older are welcome to join us Feb. 17. We encourage you to invite friends! There is no charge for the event, though donations will be accepted. We will provide donuts for all the hungry men who walk through the door – no pre-registration required. We look forward to packing out The Ladder for “The Naked Farmer” to kick off our next season of HERO: The Power of a Man’s Story. The Ladder is located at 67 N. State St. in Shelby.

2023 February Feb. 9 - Story Time, Hesperia Community Library, 10-11 a.m. Feb. 10 - Free ski event, Crystal Valley Ski Trail, OCCSA Feb. 10 - Hart VFW Chili Cook Off, 2-6 p.m Feb. 10 - Valentine’s Party, The Ladder Community Center, 1 p.m. Feb. 13 - Tech Time, Hesperia Community Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Feb. 13 - Women’s Wellness Workshop - “Goal Setting,” Harbor House, 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 15 - Matinee Movie, Hesperia Community Library, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 15 - Family Fun Night, Hesperia Community Library, 6-7 p.m. Feb. 16 - Story Time, Hesperia Community Library, 10-11 a.m. Feb. 10 & 17 - Pentwater Winterfest Feb. 17 - Puzzle Competition, Shelby Middle School, 2-6:30 p.m. Feb. 17-25 - Early 2024 Presidential Primary voting, Oceana County Courthouse, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Share your birth stories at The Ladder The next Share Our Stories (SOS) event at The Ladder Community Center in Shelby will feature the theme “Being Born” (carried over from January, due to inclement weather cancellation). Adults, join us on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m. as we discuss what it’s like working with expectant families, new moms, and babies in a variety of locations. Our guest speaker is Maggie Bowman, a certified doula and assistant to local midwives. Those in attendance will be invited to share their birth stories. SOS is a monthly event held at The Ladder, where people gather and share memories, photos, and other memorabilia from Oceana County. There is no additional cost for registered adult members 18+. Please visit theladdercommunitycenter.com to view all our upcoming events. Events are subject to change. To inquire about an event, or if you have ideas for future topics of interest for SOS, call The Ladder at 231-259-0211.

Kids 5-12 Valentine’s Party at The Ladder

All children ages 5 to 12 are invited to The Ladder Community Center once a month for Party Club! Saturday, February 10, join us for the “Valentine’s Party” from 1-2:30 p.m. We will have songs, Bible lessons, games, and snacks. Party Club is sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship, a Bible-centered ministry The Oceana County Cross Country Ski Association (OCCSA) will offer a free serving in every region of the world. All teachers and helpers have been trained ski event at the Crystal Valley Ski Trail in conjunction with Pentwater’s Winter- and screened to ensure your child’s protection. Parents are welcome to attend. fest activities on Saturday, Feb. 10. The public is welcome to use OCCSA’s adult The Ladder is located at 67 N. State St. in Shelby. and children’s equipment for free on a first-come-first-served basis. All children must be accompanied by an adult who will assist them in putting on equipment and skiing with them. The Crystal Valley Ski Trail in the Manistee National Forest in Oceana County Ages 12 and up are invited to enter the sixth annual Jigsaw Puzzle Competiis located just east of Pentwater. Crystal Valley offers skiers almost 10 miles of tion on Mar. 2 from 1-5 p.m. at The Ladder Community Center. Assemble a team varying trail lengths appropriate for all skill levels: beginners, intermediate and of four and sign up by Feb. 9. An entry fee of $40 per team is due at the time of advanced. OCCSA volunteers will be on hand during the event to outfit people sign-up. Prizes will be awarded to the members of the three fastest puzzle-aswith ski boots, skis and poles. A warming bonfire will be manned on site. For sembling teams. Snacks and refreshments will be provided to competitors. No location of the Crystal Valley Ski Trail, as well as a trail map and membership spectators are allowed during the competition. Visit The Ladder Community information, please visit www.oceanaski.org. Center at 67 N. State St. in Shelby to sign up. Call 231-259-0211 for more inforThe event is contingent on weather and appropriate ski conditions. If there is mation. not enough snow, the event will be postponed to Saturday, Feb. 17.

OCCSA offers free ski event

6th Annual Puzzle Competition set for March 2

Hart Community Performing Arts Series The Hart Community Performing Arts Series will continue its 2023-24 season on Sunday, Feb. 18 with a 3 p.m. performance by the Tom Knific Quintet. The Tom Knific Quintet is a joyful and exhilarating jazz ensemble that draws on a world of influences and delivers highly interactive performances ranging from the intimate moments of stirring melodic beauty, to deep groove and contemporary virtuoso turns. The ensemble features violinist Renata Artman Knific, pianist/composer Lisa Sung, percussionist Kevin Dalton-Jones and drummer David Alvarez III. Together they are current and emeritus faculty of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Hope College and Calvin University. A Cleveland native, Knific has gone on to perform on tour and record with many of the great jazz and classical artists of our time including Dave Brubeck, Michel Legrand, Fred Hersch, Randy Brecker, Edward Simon, Toots Thielemans, Andre Watts, Pepe Romero, and many more. The concert will take place in the Hart Public Schools auditorium, located inside Hart Middle School at 308 W. Johnson St. in Hart. Tickets will be available at the door and further information is available at hartseries.org.

SMS to hold puzzle competition fundraiser

Shelby Middle School will be hosting a jigsaw puzzle competition on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 2-6:30 p.m. with proceeds going toward rewards for positive behavior for students at SMS. Prize baskets will be given to winning teams. Cost to participate is $35 for 500 piece puzzles and $45 for 1,000 piece puzzles.

Pentwater Winterfest returns this weekend Pentwater Winterfest is set to return for its first of two weekends starting Saturday, Feb. 10. The day will start with Yoga and live music at EnerG Fitness starting at 9 a.m. and a Winter Farmers Market on The Village Green from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 11 a.m. the Annual Snowman Scram 5K and 1 mile fun run will start near the bus barn at Pentwater Public School. Anyone interested in skiing can visit the Crystal Valley Ski Trail from noon-3 p.m. Non-alcoholic tasting at Port View will run from 3-7 p.m. while an all day bonfire will be available near the top of The Village Green. Sunday, Feb. 11 will have Vinyasa Yoga at EnerG Fitness starting at 10:30 a.m. For a full list of events, visit www. pentwater.org.

GALES AGENCY TIMELINE 1932 - Newell Gale begins the insurance business on a part-time basis. 1943 - Newell purchases the Pentwater Agency. 1945 - Newell purchases the Palmiter Agency in Hart. 1946 - Newell’s son, Harrison, begins in the life insurance business after his discharge from the Army. 1948 - Newell Gale purchases the former Julia Joslin Agency from the Joslin Estate in Hart. 1949 - Newell and Harrison form a partnership.

THE OCEANA ECHO FEBRUARY 9, 2024 6

Pentwater Township joins the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is pleased to welcome 1951 - Gales Agency (GA) purchases the Price Agency located in Hart, and Harrison moves Pentwater Township and Supervisor to Shelby to run the Shelby office. Lynne Cavazos to its growing coa1955 - GA purchases the Shelby office building from Peter Wickstra and acquires the lition of more than 250 mayors and Franke Agency. top elected local leaders working to advance the socioeconomic and en1959 - GA acquires Guy Williams Agency. vironmental health of communities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence 1961 - GA acquires the Kokx Agency in Hart. River Basin. 1963 - GA acquires Hinds, Sikkenga & Prince Agency in Shelby As a member of the Cities Initiative, Supervisor Cavazos will work 1964 - GA acquires the Susie Churchill Agency in Hart. collaboratively with member mayors across the basin in the United States 1977 - GA acquires the Roche Agency in Hart. and Canada to: support ecosystems 1958 - Newell’s son, Lyle, becomes a partner in the agency. A new building is bought in and source water protection in the baHart, and the Shelby building is completely remodeled. sin; ensure that every resident has access to clean, safe and affordable wa1962 - The Shelby office building is sold to Shelby State Bank, and a new office is ter; better prepare communities for constructed to the south. the impacts of climate change; and set the path for economic transformation 1963 - Newell retires Aug. 1 from the agency after 31 years in the insurance business. in the basin as both countries shift to 1978 - Tom Kronlein joins the Hart office and stays with the company for 30 years. a low-carbon economy and look at new ways to leverage our waters in a 1983 - Kronlein becomes owner/manager of the Pentwater Agency. responsible and sustainable manner. “Pentwater Township is extremely 1982 - Pete Roskam, son-in-law of Lyle, joins the agency to manage the Shelby office. pleased to become a member of the 1988 - Harrison retires; Lyle becomes president of the company. Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and become active in the 1989 - The Shelby building is sold to Shelby State Bank; GA Shelby office is moved into coalition that is working together to the Mini Mall. support all residents living in communities in the Great Lakes and St. 1991 - Jim Gale, Lyle’s son, joins the agency to work out of the Hart office. Lawrence basin,” Pentwater’s Super1994 - A new agency office is built on State Street in Hart. visor Lynne Cavazos said. “This is a perfect opportunity for our small 1999 - Shelby State Bank acquires Gales Agency,Inc. The company continues to provide a township to collaborate with memfull line of insurance products as a subsidiary of the bank. bers of this large coalition, which includes small townships like ours and 2001 - Dan Gale, Harrison’s son, moves from Minnesota with 25 years in the insurance larger villages and cities. This memindustry and is hired to manage the Pentwater office. bership will provide us with access to 2003 - After 45 years, Lyle Gale retires as president of Gales Agency, remaining on grant writing assistance, educational the board of directors until his passing in 2019. and networking opportunities, and up-to-date information on strategies 2005 - Gales Agency opens a brand new office in Whitehall and hires Brad VanderLaan as for advancing projects important to manager. the Pentwater community as we seek to enhance the lives of our residents 2020 - Noah Gale, Jim’s son, joins the agency, working out of the Shelby office. and promote the economic develop2021 - Lighthouse Division, an Alera Group company, purchases Gales Agency from Shelby ment in our village.” State Bank. Pentwater Township has been described as “a little piece of heaven.” 2022 - The Gales Agency offices in Pentwater and Whitehall are closed by Lighthouse. Located on the shores of beautiful Pentwater Lake and Lake Michigan, 2023 - Noah Gale leaves Gales Agency for a position with a large international agency our community is enriched by sugbased out of Grand Rapids. ar-sandy beaches and an abundance 2023 - Jim retires in August from Gales Agency.

of open, fresh water. The wooded sand dunes stretch from north to south along the township’s six-mile shoreline, providing some of nature’s perfect habitat for white-tailed deer, fox, coyote, porcupine, squirrels and an amazing variety of land birds and waterfowl. The Township includes approximately 1,600 residents, with about half being year-round residents and the remaining half seasonal, part-time residents. First-time visitors often say they cannot wait to come back, and many express the wish that they could join our community for more than a short vacation. “Our organization is delighted to welcome Supervisor Lynne Cavazos to our team,” said Gino Moretti, Mayor of Saint-Anicet, QC and Chair of the Cities Initiative. “Cities and local governments are on the frontlines of the biggest challenges facing communities in the basin. Working together, we can better tap into economic transformation for our region and create new opportunities for residents and communities while averting the water crises and conflicts impacting other regions of North America and the world.” Every new member of the Cities Initiative is a testament to the importance that local governments in this globally significant basin place on preserving our freshwater resources, preparing our communities for the impacts of climate change, improving our aging water infrastructure and building sustainable local economies that leverage environmental initiatives to attract new jobs. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a binational, mayor-led coalition of U.S. and Canadian cities dedicated to the environmental and socioeconomic health of communities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. With more than 250 member cities, the Cities Initiative is the largest municipally driven organization in the basin, focused on issues impacting their residents.

2023 - Pete retires in December from Gales Agency.

End of an era

continued from page 1

Following the end of Covid lockdowns in 2021, Shelby State Bank sold Gales Agency to Lighthouse, an Alera Group Company. And as difficult as that transition was, by the end of 2023, the Gale family was proud to celebrate 91 years in the insurance business, continuing the legacy Newell Gale had started over nine decades ago. “I worked with my dad (Lyle) for 12 years before he retired,” Gale said. “He was a great example for me as I learned the business side—how to listen, respect and grow with my customers. It was an incredible journey; we were blessed with great staff and our customers’ loyalty, which supported our growth and success over the years.” “We live in a great community full of good, honest, hard-working people. I’m glad I managed to finish on my timeline. I’m proud to say Gales Agency has also been very involved in the community over the years, from the Chamber and Rotary to the Community Foundation. Even though Roskam is officially retired as an insurance agent, he offered this parting reminder to everyone: “It’s important to review your insurance every year or at least every other year, so you understand your coverages,” Roskam said. The entire community is invited to a retirement celebration for Roskam next Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 3-6 p.m. at The Avenue Event Center, located at 4747 First St. in New Era.

The Garden Club of Pentwater made 100 Cups of Cheer for Oceana Medical Care Facility and Cherry Blossom Manor on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Each is a beautiful little fresh flower arrangement in a coffee cup made with love to brighten everyone’s day. If anyone would like to join, they always welcome new people! No experience is necessary.

• Contributed Photo

Obituaries In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

Nancy Kay Dukes

February 11, 1937 ~ December 24, 2023 Nancy Kay Dukes, 86, of Shelby, passed away Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. She was born Feb. 11, 1937, the daughter of Roger and Ferrol (Bearss) Stevens. Nancy married William “Bill” Dukes, Aug. 20, 1952, and they settled in Shelby, later living near Stony Lake. After the youngest of their six children was in school, Nancy started college, working parttime to pay tuition. She received an Associates of Arts from Muskegon Community College and later a Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. She then taught elementary school for several years, first at Grace Lutheran in Muskegon and then in Green River, Wyo., where they had relocated for Bill’s work. Nancy and Bill returned to Michigan after Bill’s retirement and settled back in at Stony Lake. It turned out Nancy wasn’t ready to retire, and she worked almost 20 years at Keehne Hardware. She loved helping people, hearing about their families and what their latest projects were. You would never catch Nancy with a hair out of place or without her signature lipstick. She drank her coffee black, and if it wasn’t coffee, it was a can of Coke. If a restaurant didn’t have Coke, no, Pepsi was not okay. Nancy was a lover of pizza and famous for her deviled eggs. Nancy is survived by: her children, Roger Dukes, Norman (Delane) Dukes, Michaele (Chuck) Morgan, Kenneth (Jane) Dukes, and Jeffrey Dukes; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and sister Janice Dowling. Nancy was preceded in death by: her husband, William; son, Matthew Dukes; daughter-in-law, DeAnne Dukes; grandchildren, Robbie Dutton Dukes, Kevin Ernst and Kimberly Snyder; and brothers, Robert Erickson and Douglas Erickson. Memorial Service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2087 N. Water Rd., Hart, MI 49420. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Poppen Hospice House in Muskegon, Donate Now - Harbor Hospice (harborhospicemi.org), or Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2087 N. Water Rd., Hart, MI 49420. The Harris Funeral Home in Shelby is handling arrangements. www.harrisfhome.com

Barbara June Ellis

June 23, 1955 ~ February 1, 2024 Barbara June Ellis, 68, of Hart, passed away Feb. 1, 2024, after a very short fight against cancer. She was born June 23, 1955, to the late Beech and Ruth (McDonald) Ellis. Barb graduated from Hart High School with the class of 1973. She then went on to attend the University of Michigan for four years and Yale Law School, where she received her Juris Doctor degree. During her career, she clerked for a federal judge and worked for various law firms in New York City, Harrisburg, Pa., and Washington D.C. Her interests included playing flute in the HHS bands, ice skating, politics, and her loving cat, Talkie, who loved to hunt for gifts to present to Barb. Barb will certainly be remembered and missed by her friends and family. Graveside services will take place in the spring at Hart Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Barbara’s memory may be made to the Oceana County Animal Shelter, 2185 W. Baseline Rd., Shelby, MI 49455. Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com

Death Notice ~ Raymond Leroy Warner Raymond Leroy Warner, 91, of Pentwater, passed away Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludington.com.

THE OCEANA ECHO FEBRUARY 9, 2024 7

Larry Ray Draper

March 1, 1940 ~ February 2, 2024 Larry Ray Draper, age 83, of Hart, Mich., joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Feb. 2, 2024, in Muskegon, Mich. He was born March 1, 1940, to Ben and Nellie (Hall) Draper. On Oct. 2, 1971, he married Dorothy “Dottie” Kish in Muskegon, Mich. Larry worked as a supervisor at Seaver Industrial Finishing in Grand Haven and, after retirement, moved to Hart, Mich. He enjoyed ice racing, anything to do with cars, camping, day trips, and spending time with the love of his life, Dottie. He loved being with family, especially for special events and the holidays. He loved playing his guitar, salmon fishing in Lake Michigan, driving in the dunes, adventures in Mackinaw, a special cruise to Alaska and all the longtime friends he met along the way. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dottie; children: Jeff (Wendy) Draper and Barb (Tim) Jason; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Larry is also survived by his brothers: Jerry (Carol Gathright) Draper, Tom (Ellen) Draper, John (Krista) Schapka, and Chris (Patty) Schapka; sister, Gayle (Stephen) Darke; brother-in-law, Dan (Pam) Kish; sisters-in-law, Barb (Jim) Duram and Paula (Charlie) Hall; many nieces and nephews; and a dear cousin, Judy Draper. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laurie Draper; parents, Ben and Nellie Draper; and step-mom Kay Draper. Visitation with the family will be Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, from noon to 1 p.m., with a celebration of life immediately following at Mears United Methodist Church in Mears. Memorial contributions may be made to Mears United Methodist Church, 1990 N. 56th Ave, Mears MI 49436, or The Harbor Hospice Foundation, 1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400, Muskegon, MI 49441. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh. com. Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 726-5210.

Tails of Hope Cody is an adorable 1-year-old hound mix looking for a forever home filled with love and fun. With a wagging tail and a heart full of love, Cody has a friendly demeanor and unwavering affection for both people and other dogs. Cody’s tail never stops wagging when meeting new friends, be they furry or human! Ready for adventure and playtime, Cody loves toys, running around, and exploring new surroundings. Whether it’s a quiet cuddle session or an outdoor adventure, Cody is always up for a good time. Cody would thrive in a home where he can shower his family with love and where there’s ample space for playtime. Cody 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.

1820 Ray Ave. 231-861-5554 Sunday Services: 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. John Medendorp www.neweracrc.org

Church Directory

Growing in Relationship with God, with Each Other, and with Our Community.

Hi! It’s Cody

2500 W. Winston Rd. • 231-893-4965

9:30 a.m. Morning Service 11:15 a.m. Sunday Bible Classes 6 p.m. Evening Service (1st and 3rd Sundays)

Nursery provided Senior Pastor - James Enns Associate Pastor - Bryan Wolff Associate Pastor - Luke Craymer Adult small groups and family ministries every week Second Monday Food Pantry 9:15-11:30 a.m. www.rothburycommunity.com Becoming Committed Followers of Jesus Christ

Would you like to join our new Church Directory? Contact Jan Thomas jthomas@ oceanaecho.com

8 FEBRUARY 9, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO

By Lucie Winborne

• On Feb. 19, 1906, American indusS WEEKLY SERVICE, trialist WEEKLY W.K. Kellogg teamed with FROM KING FEATURES SERVICE, Charles C. Bolin to found the Battle ndo, FL 32803 Creek Toasted Corn Flake Compa628 Virginia Drive, ny, Orlando, FL 32803 now known as the multinational FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, food manufacturer Kellogg’s, after 25 800) 708-7311 EXT. years (800) of working for his brother, CUSTOMER SERVICE: 708-7311 EXT. John Harvey Kellogg, and buying out his 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 in-debt brother’s business. 257 • On Feb. 20, 1935, Danish345_20240205 CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. Norwegian explorer Caroline Mikkelsen became the first woman to set STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20240205 foot on Antarctica, though whether on 2024 257 the mainland or on an island is disputFOR RELEASE FEB. ed. 5, A 2024 small coastal mountain discovered that day is named for her. NOW HERE’S A TIP #12345_20240205 By Lucie Winborne • On Feb. 21, 1947, Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrated his instant camFOR RELEASE FEB. 5, 2024 era, called the Land Camera, which could produce a black-and-white photograph in just 60 seconds. Two years By JoAnn Derson later he put 57 Polaroid Land Cameras in Boston’s Jordan Marsh department store before Christmas, and they sold out within the first day after their demonstration. • On Feb. 22, 1989, Tina Turner won a Grammy award at age 49 for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for her album “Tina Live in Europe,” featuring recordings from her Private Dancer and Break Every Rule tours. • On Feb. 23, 2011, 77-year-old broadcaster Larry King announced plans to conduct a one-man comedy tour after retiring from his popular talk show on CNN. The new venture was set to begin in April of that year in Connecticut and end in June in Las Vegas. • On Feb. 24, 1836, showman P.T. Barnum exhibited an African American slave, Joice Heth, with the claim that she was the 161-year-old former nursemaid to George Washington. After her death from natural causes, and a public autopsy by a respected physician who claimed she was no more than 79 or 80, Barnum eventually admitted to the hoax, which was frequently mentioned by his critics and followed him for the remainder of his career. • On Feb. 25, 1993, the Florida Marlins introduced their 8-foot-tall, 250-pound mascot, Billy the Marlin. Reportedly, the team’s original owner, Wayne Huizenga, chose the name for the fan-friendly fish. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

• To get a really good shine on your windows, try using newspaper instead of a paper towel. Spray the window with your cleaner and just use the paper like a towel. Practically no lint! • “We save the bread ends and any too-hard or molding bread in our freezer until we can get down to the lake and feed the birds and fish. The ducks especially love it.” — E.F. in Wisconsin • Drop a couple of crackers (saltines) in your sugar canister if you have problems with clumping. The crackers will keep it from clumping. Just remember they are there if you dip a measuring cup in the canister. You don’t want a bunch of cracker crumbs in your sweet recipe! • To stretch your gravy, add a spoonful (or two) of bouillon mix to a glass of hot water. Add enough cold water to a tablespoon of cornstarch to make a loose paste, and add both the bouillon and the cornstarch to your regular gravy. Mix well. • If you have a hard time skinning fish that comes “skin-on,” like salmon, try freezing it just long enough to firm up the flesh in order to easily peel it off or trim it. • “Keep a container or baggie of wet wipes with your shoes so it’s easy to give them a quick wipe-down either before you put them on or before you put them away. They will always stay nice and clean.” — E.W. and V.O. Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

• A UCLA study determined that football players with lower jersey numbers are perceived as slimmer and faster than their teammates with higher jersey digits. • The Sullivan Ordinance of 1908 in New York City aimed to prohibit women from smoking in public places, sparking not just widespread debate about women’s rights, but marking a symbolic battleground for female activists dedicated to gender equality. The law was vetoed by Mayor George B. McClellan Jr. just two weeks later. • A study of over 10 million births revealed that children are 4.6% more likely to be born in the same month as their mothers. • When Kentucky Fried Chicken expanded its operations to China in the 1980s, the food chain’s iconic slogan — “It’s finger-lickin’ good!” — was mistakenly, if amusingly, translated in Mandarin to “Eat your fingers off.” • King Charles III was the first British royal to go to a traditional school. • During the Napoleonic campaigns in the early 19th century, French soldiers observed an odd condition among many local Egyptian men, who reported blood in their urine, leading to the misnomer label “the land of the menstruating men.” The actual cause was the parasitic disease schistosomiasis. • Some scientists make a habit of consuming the organisms they study, a practice that dates to Charles Darwin’s sampling of exotic animals such as pumas and iguanas during his voyages. • The word “gymnastics” comes from the ancient Greek “gymnazein,” meaning “to exercise naked.” • Are you a fan of Cheetos? If so, you might want to visit the town of Cheadle in Alberta, Canada, which is the proud possessor of a 20-foot statue of a … Cheeto. Bonus: It even lights up at night! *** Thought for the Day: “It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” — Lewis Carroll © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Phil is the father of Andrew White of New Era.

9 FEBRUARY 9, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO

SPORTS

HART • HESPERIA • PENTWATER • SHELBY • WALKERVILLE

Changing of the

‘G ua r d‘

Blake Weirich’s seamless transition to point guard peaks against Shelby with a familiar face looking on By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor HART – A gymnasium packed with waves of red and purple was the scene at Hart High School on Friday, Feb. 2 as boys basketball action featured 2024’s second installment of the Hart-Shelby rivalry. Student sections were raucous, Hart’s pep band played loud and parents and grandparents watched as the Pirates completed a season sweep of the Tigers with a 70-56 win. More impressive than the dominant win was the play of senior guard Blake Wei-

rich who posted a gamehigh 33 points. The stage obviously wasn’t too big for Weirich, but as he scanned the faces in the crowd, one in particular caught his attention. Seated a few rows up from midcourt was Weirich’s former Pirate teammate and current Hope College hooper, Parker Hovey. Whether or not Hovey’s presence in the crowd played into Weirich’s big night is anyone’s guess. Hart head coach Nick Bronsema however, joked after the game that a few plays made by Weirich appeared to be power moves equivalent to what might be featured in a nature

documentary. “It was kind of like (Weirich) was telling the alpha from last year that he’s the alpha now,” Bronsema said. One of those power moves made by Weirich came as time ticked away in the first quarter. After already accounting for 15 points in that frame, Weirich moved across mid court and sent up a prayer shot with seconds left in the period. The net flicked back as the shot buried itself through the rim and the crowd erupted. Weirich stepped back and without hesitation, turned his gaze toward Hovey. With the point of a finger in Hovey’s di-

rection and a smile added on, it seemed as though Wierich was saying “you like that?” “I was super energized and pumped up,” Weirich elaborated on his emotions after the shot. “That was a bank three from like half court. Then I just happened to turn and (Hovey) was right there so I pointed at him. It was a cool experience.” The second quarter slowed down Weirich’s scoring, but his impact on the court was far from over. Just as quickly as he found the bottom of

Weirich

continued on page 10

Rosema notches 100 th win, Pirates survive Norsemen

By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

HART – When Travis Rosema took over at the helm of Hart’s varsity girls basketball team in 2018, there wasn’t much to speak of in terms of recent success for the Pirates up to that point. 2012 was the last time the Pirates had boasted postseason success, making it to the district finals and

eventually losing. In Rosema’s inaugural campaign, Hart went 13-11, won a district title and were one game away from a state quarterfinals appearance. Now, six years later, Rosema has a whole roster of accomplishments to look at. The Pirates have only missed out on the regional tournament once in his tenure and are a combined 100-32 in that span. Win No. 100 came on Tuesday, Feb. 6 as the Pirates battled North Muskegon in a game that ended in a 55-37 vic-

tory for Hart. Rosema is a great coach and that’s evident not only by the schemes he draws up, but by his understanding of what got him to this point. In fact, the first thing Rosema talked about following his milestone victory was his gratitude to those that helped him along the way. “It feels great, but I wouldn’t be here without all of the support

The Echo’s Sports Section is Sponsored by Family Owned 231-873-3774 and Operated: 231-873-3774 info@swihartsseptic.com

Century mark

continued on page 10

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10 FEBRUARY 9, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO

Century mark from parents, fellow coaches, people in the school administration and my wife,” Rosema said. “I’ve really been blessed to have players that want to come in and get better. It feels great to accomplish it, but it’s a team effort – not just me.” Getting to the century mark was likely the furthest thing from Rosema’s mind on Tuesday night as his focus remained on the task at hand. North Muskegon was equally as focused and that showed in the game’s opening frame. After jumping out to a 9-2 lead, Hart’s offense went a bit stale. The Norsemen quickly took advantage, finding ways to break through the Pirate’s press defense that had given them trouble to that point. Rattling off nine unanswered points of their own, North Muskegon jumped in front and held on for a 16-12 lead heading into the second quarter. Junior Kelsey Copenhaver was a big piece to sparking that initial lead for the Pirates. Copenhaver accounted for a third of her team’s points in the first quarter alone. North Muskegon simply could not keep that same pace in the game’s second quarter. Hart tightened up on defense and allowed just six points, scoring 11 of their own on the back of Addi Hovey and Rilynn Porter primarily. With a 27-22 lead exiting halftime, Copenhaver once again flexed her ability to score inside. Precise passes from teammates found Copenhaver in advantageous positions in the paint and led to a six point output in the third quarter alone. “A lot of people had really good passes but you’ve got to cut and then it’s my other teammates helping get me open,” Copenhaver said. “Hard strong passes really help.” Once again, Hart’s defense managed to silence the Norsemen allowing just five points for the opposing offense. The lead sat at 12 for the Pirates heading into the final frame of the evening. That lead continued to swell in the fourth quarter as good ball movement by Hart’s offense allowed for a more complete scoring spread. Six different Pirates found the bottom of the net to allow their team to cruise to the 55-37 victory. Hovey played at an all star level all night and it showed in the stat column. The Pirates’ junior star recorded a gamehigh 19 points to go along with 12 points and eight steals in a double-double performance. Copenhaver and Porter were

continued from page 9

Weirich

the net, Weirich turned into a facilitator, dishing out passes and setting his teammates up for high percentage shots. Opting to get others going offensively translated into complementary pieces like Jesse Jacobs and Brendan Hiddema making shots. It seemed as though moving the ball up the court and finding his teammates was second nature for Weirich, but that wasn’t always the case. In 2022 Hart went off on a 22-0 run through the regular season with Hovey playing the point guard position. Hovey often led the team in scoring, but his ability to make plays for those around him was what set him apart. One of those teammates that benefitted from Hovey’s play-making ability was Weirich. With Hovey now graduated, Hart needed a similar player to fill his shoes and keep the fast-paced system they run on the tracks. Weirich was the obvious choice to step up, but being the type of vocal leader required of a point guard wasn’t something that came naturally to him. Putting in hours of work in the offseason helped and now the Pirates are gelling at the perfect time with Weirich as their general. “(Weirich is) playing with confidence. In a rival game you have that nervous energy and anything could happen. It was nice to see him play like he has been,” Bronsema said. “The next step for him is ball handling and facilitating. He understands that we’re better when other people are contributing.” “It’s definitely been an adjustment going to a totally different position,” Weirich said. “Working over the offseason at bringing the ball up. When other guys are screening for other guys, I’m paying attention to that.” Bronsema wasn’t the only one who took notice of the strides Weirich had made. How fitting it was that with quite possibly his best performance of the season happening, Hovey had a front row seat to witness the development of a former teammate. “Compared to playing wing last year and receiving passes from me, watching him facilitate and use ball screens was really impressive,” Hovey said. “He did a great job at finding his teammates and getting everybody involved. It was all imHart junior Addi Hovey drives inside pressive. The night just kept getting more and the three-point line during a 55-37 win over North Muskegon on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Hovey scored 19 points to lead the Pirates. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO right behind with 12 points each while Reese Smith added an impressive effort on defense with six steals. Though it was all business for Rosema before and during the game, when players ran out on the court with balloons and signs commemorating his milestone, it was hard not to show a bit of emotion. Hovey and senior Abby Hicks made a point to lead the charge on the celebrations, as both have spent a lot of time with their head coach. “(Rosema) puts in a lot of time. Over the summer he’s been in the gym every Sunday – we all come in,” Hovey said. “He really loves the program and he’s built us up to where we are now and that just shows how great of a coach he is.” Hart (10-3 overall, 7-0 WMC Rivers), is right back to that all business mentality as they have a game with big implications in front of them. The Pirates will travel to Scotville tonight (Friday, Feb. 9) for a meeting with Mason County Central. With a win, Hart will all but secure its third straight conference title. “It’s always fun to play in big games. The atmosphere is more exciting and those games are easier to get ready for,” Rosema said. “We’re looking forward to seeing if we can go in and win at Mason County (Central). If we can do that – obviously there’s still some games after that – but if we can beat Mason County on Friday, it goes a long way to winning the conference.”

Hart Snowcoming

Hart High School crowned their 2024 Snowcoming King and Queen at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game with Shelby on Friday, Feb. 2. The Pirates’ court consisted of, from left to right, Chase Gale, Gabby Schmieding, Noah Smith, Lynessa Fielder, Aiden DuMont, Sam Trojanowski, Jesse Jacobs and Abby Hicks. Smith and Fielder were named King and Queen. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

continued from page 9 more impressive for Weirich and the Pirates. By the end of the third quarter, Hart had a 56-38 advantage over Shelby, helping them cruise past the Tigers for a win. Every quarter of basketball seems to build confidence for Bronsema and his team and although they’re not enjoying the undefeated season they did a year ago, a 6-2 mark in the conference feels good. With just four games left in West Michigan Conference Rivers Division play, the Pirates will continue to push in hopes of reaching full stride when the district tournament arrives. For Weirich, the final stat line on the night read 33 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, four blocks and three assists. One thing that won’t show up is the gratifying feeling of putting it all together in front of a friend and mentor. “Seeing (Hovey) play this position really helped,” Weirich said. “He was always there to give me confidence. He’s good at what he does, so when he talked I listened. I’m taking that good information as I go and putting it toward the goals I’ve been working towards.”

Former Hart Pirate Parker Hovey cheers on Blake Weirich. Hovey took a break from playing basketball for Hope College to cheer on his former teammate on Friday, Feb. 2. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

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Hart grapplers leave no doubt, claim yet another district championship By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor HART – For the sixth consecutive season Hart’s wrestling program captured a district title, defeating Shelby and Mason County Central (MCC) in back-to-back duals on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The Pirates were the clear favorite to walk away with the hardware entering the district tournament, having taken care of business against the Tigers and Spartans multiple times over the course of the season. That didn’t stop both Shelby and MCC from putting up a fight.

Starting off the night, the rival Pirates and Tigers took to the mat for the semifinals and the right to advance and face MCC. Hart took control early, scoring 11 points in their first two matches on a technical fall from Aiden Schaner and a pin by Kole Thomas. Shelby answered back with a hard -fought victory for Christian Wright over Hart’s Michael Chavira in a match that ended by sudden victory in a 4-3 decision. Still, the Tigers only scored three points to their total with that win, leaving room for the Pirates to increase their lead. That’s exactly what happened as the Pirates rattled off eight straight wins, starting with a Logan Jorissen pin over

Ben Cederquist of Shelby. Ty Thomas and Joseluis Andaverde each followed up with minor decision victories while Emmanuel Ortega added a pin of his own. Kai Miller, Chico Salgado, Haegan Hansen and Alex Hicks all won via forfeit and in an instant, Hart had a 54-3 lead over the Tigers. Shelby continued to fight, breaking Hart’s string of victories with a pin by Ivan Fessenden over Hart’s Adrian Tice. The Pirates closed out the dual with two pins by the brother duo of Ivan and Adrian Lara to take a 65-9 win. Advancing to take on the Spartans, Hart was every bit as dominant. Three straight pins for the Pirates courtesy of Jose Chavira, Caden VanGelderen and

Kole Thomas had the Pirates on top 18-0 early. Jorissen and Ortega each fell by minor decisions to leave MCC hanging around, but that didn’t last long. Ty Thomas, Andaverde, Salgado, Hansen, Hicks, Ivan and Adrian Lara all recorded pins to put themselves firmly ahead. Miller was the only other Pirate to drop a match in that dual, losing by pin. Eman Hertzler added a victory via forfeit for Hart, finishing the night at 66-12 in favor of the Pirates. Hart advances to the regional tournament where they’ll take on Chippewa Hills in the semifinals. That dual will take place at Sanford Meridian High School in Midland on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

• Brendan Samuels/ECHO

2nd Annual Tin Man Open

Hart Winterfest took place on Saturday, Feb. 3 and Sunday, Feb. 4 with several events available for the community to take part in. Several groups made their way out to Hart BioPure’s irrigation site to hit the links - sort of. The 2nd Annual Tin Man Open is a golf-inspired outing that features some interesting hole designs and swaps out a traditional golf ball with a tennis ball, making it larger, brighter and easier to hit. One of those interesting hole designs included teeing off from a more than 10-foot pile of snow with stairs carved in for golfers to make their way up. In addition to the event itself, competitors were treated to hot food courtesy of Hansen Foods. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

16 FEBRUARY 9, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO

Panthers’ scoring woes continue in loss to Holton By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

Snowmobiles on Display Saturday Feb. 3’s Vintage Snowmobile Show at the Oceana County Fairgrounds in Hart saw an impressive turnout despite a lack of snow. Many machines were displayed, and vintage parts were traded. Those who attended shared stories of the sportband relived “the glory days.” The show was part of the Hart Winterfest 2024. • Paul Erickson/ECHO

HESPERIA – In their last six games, Hesperia’s girls basketball team has only scored more than 20 points once. That one occurrence was a 57-21 loss to Holton on Thursday, Feb. 1. The Panthers’ scoring droughts have significantly hindered their ability to stay competitive in games. Against the Red Devils, Hesperia scored just five points in the opening quarter and added two more in the second quarter to leave them in a 28-7 hole by halftime. Compounded with a lack of scoring was a struggle stopping Holton from getting free in the post. The Red Devils had a clear size advantage over Hesperia in the paint and with the Panthers failing to stop passes from getting through to that area, Holton scored early and often down low. “Our primary focus of the night was packing the paint. We didn’t want to give up any easy layups or easy shots,” Hesperia assistant coach Ty Yakel said. While that focus didn’t go well early, Hesperia did do a much better job shutting down Holton’s attack in the second half. Unfortunately, the Red Devils were able to

pivot to jump shots and convert on several free throw attempts that placed them firmly in front. Hesperia was led by Grace Weberg, who scored six points, and freshman Sarissa Conkle, who added eight points. With two additional losses to Fruitport Calvary Christian and Shelby, the Panthers now sit at 3-13 on the year and have yet to record a conference win. Hesperia will hope to snap a seven-game losing skid when they host Ravenna tonight (Friday, Feb. 9). “There’s no quit in this team. These girls will play four quarters for us day in and out,” Yakel said. “We’re going to emphasize the good things we did today and try to clean up the bad things.”

• Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Lack of focus behind Hesperia boys’ loss to Manistee The Oceana Echo Sports Editor HESPERIA – From the beginning of Hesperia’s 68-36 loss to Manistee on Monday, Feb. 5 it was clear that something just wasn’t clicking for the Panthers. The Panthers struggled to get anything going offensively early, scoring just six points in the opening quarter and allowing Manistee to run wild. The Mariners scored 13 un-

answered points to close out the first, giving them a 22-6 advantage that Hesperia wasn’t able to match. “I don’t think we played our best game and we weren’t mentally there,” Hesperia head coach Scott Warsaw said. “(Manistee) sure took us out of our game really fast. They beat us, but we contributed. We had so many turnovers and to be honest, before the game I told the team we are not mentally here and we are not ready to play tonight.”

Hesperia’s Nicholas Guarnieri blitzes toward the net on a fast break opportunity for the Panthers. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

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White Lake Mirror YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

North Grove challenge conquered Competitive eater Randy Santel the first to take down North Grove’s “Knockout Challenge” By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer MONTAGUE — North Grove Brewers introduced their “knockout challenge” a few months ago, and until competitive eater Randy Santel arrived, it had proven to be nearly impossible to finish. With only two groups having unsuccessfully attempted the challenge to date, co-owner RJ Nordlund had the idea to submit the challenge to Santel, who has 1.67 million subscribers on YouTube and over two million on Facebook. Santel narrowly completed the challenge Monday evening, finishing with only 20 seconds to spare: 44 minutes and 40 seconds. The challenge consists of four full-sized pizzas of the challenger’s choice and the brewery’s Rocky IV sandwich. (The names of menu items incorporate the popular boxing movie series throughout, with character names and references.) Santel dedicated the final pizza of the challenge to the memory of Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the series and passed away Feb. 1.

Competitive eater Randy Santel gets fired up to take on North Grove Brewers’ “Knockout Challenge” Monday. Santel, a YouTube personality with 1.67 million subscribers, is known for conquering restaurants’ eating challenges and was the first to successfully complete North Grove’s. • Madison Lajewski/Mirror

If the challenge is completed, the challenger gets a series of prizes, including a $50 gift card, and their name on the Knockout Wall of Fame, along with their meal being free. “It’s hard,” Santel said. “Not just the 45-minute time limit, but the amount of pizza and food in general, it’s a lot of food. They said it was about seven

and a half pounds, and I feel every ounce of it. It’s definitely a challenge. I don’t know how beatable it is for normal people, but as we showed today, it is winnable.”

Eating challenge continued on page 2

Whitehall teacher, students presented VFW awards By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor WHITEHALL — The White Lake VFW presented awards to Whitehall U.S. history teacher Brian Milliron and three of his students last Thursday for their participation in the VFW’s annual essay contest. Milliron was named district teacher of the year by the VFW for the third year in a row; the district consists of 10 counties for the contest’s purposes. Students Sophia McCreedy, Graden McGahan and McCreedy Kaiden Holdeman were the top three finishers in the class in the contest, whose theme was “What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?” Each of the trio received a backpack, a medal and a scholarship check from the VFW, presented by local post commander Dondi Kowalski. McCreedy and Holdeman had prior commitments so were unable to be at the ceremony. Milliron said this is the first year Whitehall High School has had an honors U.S. History course in addition to the advanced placement (AP) courses he was previously teaching. Twenty-nine sophomores at the school are enrolled in the honors course.

Whitehall teacher Brian Milliron (right) accepts his district teacher of the year award from White Lake VFW post 3256 commander Dondi Kowalski last Thursday.

Montague senior Isaiah Atchison (center) celebrates signing with Central Michigan Wednesday at the high school. With Isaiah, from left, are brother Jeremiah, mom Belle, dad Mark and Wildcats’ coach Justin Dennett.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Wildcat star Atchison makes “I’m hoping to feed (these stuit official with CMU football dents) into the AP U.S. History (course), • Andy Roberts/Mirror

which will allow them to get some college credit,” Milliron said. “Sophia McCreedy’s just one of those kids. I had her brother Ryan last year on the Quiz Bowl team. They’re a great family, great group of kids. Sophie does a great job being able to balance everything as well.” Milliron said his teaching is informed by the veterans in his family; among others, his father-in-law served in the U.S. Navy. It makes participation in the VFW contest a no-brainer for his class. “We have a lot of kids whose (family have) been veterans as well,” Milliron said. “It’s a great motivator for them.

VFW awards

continued on page 2

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor MONTAGUE — Even after an injury robbed Isaiah Atchison of most of his junior season at Montague, and even after a run-heavy offense kept him from putting up a flashy stat line, you can’t teach his height (6-8) and athleticism. Those qualities earned him an offer from Central Michigan University, which he immediately accepted after it was made last year. He made it official Wednesday, signing with the program. Atchison told WZZM-13 that he will ‘grayshirt’ at CMU, a practice where prospects do not enroll until the second semester of their freshman year; it’s commonly used to allow college football teams to stay under the NCAA’s

85-scholarship limit. The extra time should allow Atchison to get bigger and stronger in preparation for the added grind of major college football. Atchison said CMU immediately made him feel like part of the team during the recruiting process, especially when he attended one of the Chippewas’ camps, making it an easy choice for him to accept their offer. “For me, I like that bonding,” Atchison said. “So the one-on-one texting that we have been doing forever now (is great). At the camp, (Coach McElwain)...was just with me and went to go find a quarterback and (they were) working with me, by myself. It felt awe-

Atchison signs continued on page 2

2 FEBRUARY 9, 2024 THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR THE OCEANA ECHO FEBRUARY 9, 2024 18

Eating challenge

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Santel was joined in the challenge by fellow competitive eater Wayne Johnson. Johnson completed just over half of the challenge (two pizzas and the grinder), but waved the white flag. He has only been eating competitively for less than a year, but had to take a recent hiatus due to surgery. This was his first challenge back since recovery and although he did not complete the entire thing, the diners of North Grove cheered him on every bite of the way. Santel started eating competitively in March 2010 and has successfully completed approximately 1,225 challenges. He got his degree and became a licensed dietitian last November.

When he completes 1,500 challenges, he plans to retire from competitive eating, and teach his current online audience about nutrition and weight management. He has completed challenges in all 50 states and 40 countries. He’d like to visit 10 more countries before retiring. “I think this restaurant and brewery is really neat,” said Santel. “It’s a big atmosphere. Sometimes I do food challenges with a lot of people that they fit into a small space. This had a big area, and everybody was able to sit comfortably and watch.”

Whitehall police makes arrest in arson case stemming from December car fire at City Hall The suspect in an arson at the Whitehall City Hall was taken into custody Saturday. Daniel Guerra was arrested in Kent County by a deputy who located Guerra parked in his car. The suspect was turned over to Whitehall Police at about 12:52 p.m. in Coopersville and taken to the Whitehall Police office as part of the investigation. A warrant was issued Friday by the Muskegon County Prosecutor for one count of arson and two counts of preparing to burn, all felony charges. Guerra, a resident of the Rothbury area, is accused of burning a car in the parking lot at City Hall Dec. 21, 2023 at about 12:41 p.m. A city hall employee was leaving for lunch that day when they spotted flames

coming from the hood of their car. Video from city hall showed a person approach the car on a bicycle and after pouring liquid on the car, the suspect threw a burning article on the car. Guerra An investigation by Whitehall Police pieced together video and tips, along with other evidence to identify the suspect. The evidence collected by the police included fingerprints and debit card purchases associated with the crime. Guerra is being held at the Muskegon County jail.

Atchison signs some.” Camps were the best way to get Atchison recruiting attention after he missed most of his junior season with a leg injury. Coach Justin Dennett said he “hopefully” helped by getting the word out about Atchison, but said CMU and his wideout’s mutual interest was clear very early in the process. “He knew right away that if he got an offer from them, that’s where he wanted to go,” Dennett said. “That’s pretty cool, that he knew going into it that that was where he wanted to end up and it worked out. I’m really happy for him.” Dennett credited Atchison with being a good teammate despite being in a run-heavy Wildcat offense that completed only 67 passes in 10 games. Atchison had 12 of those catches, second on the team, and scored three touchdowns. He also did well blocking as a receiver. “Whatever we asked of him, he could do,” Dennett said. “That’s what I learned about him, is that he’s a team player. He was bought into the team. There were moments that he showed

Montague senior Isaiah Atchison (left) hugs dad Mark during Wednesday’s signing ceremony at the high school.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

his true potential and I think that’s what we’re going to see at the next level.” Atchison said he’s looking forward to improving both as a person and on the gridiron in Mount Pleasant and thinks the added competition for snaps will bring out the best in him. “I feel like that will make me grow and just be a better me,” Atchison said.

VFW awards We’ve had some fantastic participation for this over the years. Liam Szegda made the state (level in the essay contest in 2022). We’ve just got some really great kids, and some kids who understand the reality of how lucky we are to be here in this country and everybody that sacrificed for it.” Milliron noted that he is the district’s

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representative for the Michigan Council for the Social Studies as well, and the council’s own event - the Social Studies Olympiad - carried similar themes. “It’s something that I look forward to each year and the kids do as well,” Milliron said. “We’re able to honor some kids today and some money for scholarships helps, too.”

Police activity over the past 2 weeks Behind the

Badge Whitehall Police Report Jan. 25 A single-vehicle crash on Colby Street led to the arrest of the driver for OWI. At 3:15 p.m. Whitehall Police were dispatched to the crash, where a vehicle that was westbound went off the road, into the snowbank and struck a road sign. When the officer arrived, he noticed that the driver staggered even while standing still and he had the strong odor of alcohol on his breath. After performing only a few sobriety tests, the Whitehall man was arrested and transported to the Muskegon County jail. There, a blood sample was taken for testing at the State Police crime lab and the 56-year-old was lodged at the jail for OWI High BAC. Jan. 27 Video from a Ring brand camera led to the arrest of a 49-year-old on felony charges. A resident of the 200 block of S Division St. called police at 10:44 a.m. after waking up and seeing a man standing outside her door who

was completely naked. The short video was turned over to police, who located the suspect and took him into custody. The suspect was later lodged at the Muskegon County jail for Aggravated Indecent Exposure. Jan. 29 A neighbor’s complaint of a loud argument led police to a suspect wanted on an outstanding warrant. At 9:41 a.m. Whitehall Police were called to the 1200 block of Colby St. to investigate and knew that a person who was wanted for failing to appear for a probation hearing might be there. During the investigation, they did locate the 55-year-old suspect and he was taken into custody without incident. The Whitehall man was taken to the Muskegon County jail and lodged. Feb. 1 Whitehall Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Colby St. on a report of “road rage”. A Laketon Township woman told the officer responding to the 10:34 a.m. incident that the situation started near North Muskegon and carried all the way up US-31 to Whitehall. She told the officer another vehicle passed her and then started “brake checking” her. After a time, the vehicle got behind and followed her onto Colby Street from the exit. At the light near Walgreens, the car pulled alongside her and started yelling at her. Using the plate from the other vehicle, the officer contacted the occupants, who initially challenged the officer about their involvement but when shown video provided by the caller ,admitted to being a

part. The two men, both from Norton Shores, claimed the woman was also to blame for the situation. The officer told all involved that they should behave like adults in the future. Feb. 3 An officer on patrol observed a vehicle he knew from past experience had an expired plate and the likely driver had a suspended license. After confirming the plate on the computer, the officer stopped the car in the 100 block of Warner St. at 9:10 p.m. As in the past, the driver was a 50-year-old Whitehall man and it was confirmed his license was suspended and he had previous convictions for DWLS. The driver was cited and released to walk home, with the vehicle parked in a nearby lot. After observing a vehicle speeding on Alice Street, an on-duty officer stopped the car and later arrested the driver for OWI. The officer was on patrol at about 11:57 p.m. when the stop was made in the 800 block of Benston Rd. While speaking with the 47-yearold driver, the officer noted signs of intoxication and asked the Dalton Township man to perform sobriety tests. After the testing, the officer arrested the suspect for OWI and he was transported to the Muskegon County jail for a breath test. The test did show a BAC over the legal limit and the driver was lodged at the jail. Feb. 5 Whitehall Police were called to the 200 block of S Franklin St. on a family dispute. According to the police report, officers arriving at the 8:59 p.m.

call spoke to a woman who was visibly intoxicated. She told the officers she had been arguing with her roommate over dogs and family. A man inside the house told the officer the woman was intoxicated and would not leave him alone. While officers were still on scene, the man’s parents arrived and took him to their home and the woman remained at the house. There was no assault alleged and no further action was taken. Feb. 6 An officer finishing a traffic stop quickly made a second stop, leading to an arrest for OWI. A Whitehall officer had made a stop that carried into the city of Montague, and while returning to Whitehall observed a vehicle directly in front of him driving erratically. The on-duty Montague officer was out of position and gave permission for the Whitehall officer to make the stop. The car was stopped in the 5000 block of Old Channel Trail at 7:42 p.m. During contact with the 65-year-old driver, the officer noted the odor of intoxicants and the driver admitted to drinking two glasses of wine. When performing sobriety tests, the Montague man was unable to complete most of the tests. The driver was arrested and taken to the Muskegon County jail. There a breath test was administered that resulted in a charge of OWI – High BAC. The driver was lodged at the jail and also cited for having open alcohol in the car.

THE OCEANA ECHO FEBRUARY THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR FEBRUARY9,9,2024 2024 19 3

Echoes of History: History Train stations & agents (pt. 3) By Barbara Bedau Brow three children, and they were Volunteer Contributor Sarah Tucker died Oct. 1, 1911. In 1920, Tucker was living with his married son and family in Golden, Oceana County. He suffered a stroke and died March 28, 1928 in Shelby. Michael Tucker and his wife Sarah are both buried in Oak Grove Cemetery. C. S. Wilkins – In January 1911, it was announced that C. S. Wilkins had transferred from Jenison to Montague. He immediately took charge of the station, the book and accounts, finding them to be correct and all in order. Mrs. Wilkins assisted him until he got acquainted with the new order of things. He appeared to be quite a hustler, as well as pleasing and courteous. After the Tuckers packed up their personal belongings and moved to Jenison, the Wilkins’ moved into the Tucker house. It does not appear, however, that Wilkins remained very long as the Montague railroad agent. By March 1911, it was reported that O. N. Wells was the new agent. O. N. Wells – In March 1911, Orlin Newton Wells became the new railroad agent for Montague. It was reported then that he went to Evanston, Indiana, to get his wife and

settling into their new home in the former Tucker house. Orlin Newton Wells was born Jan. 25, 1880 in Elk Prairie, Jefferson County, Illinois. He married Letta Potter Aug. 18, 1903 in Owensville, Illinois. They had three children before coming to Montague: Dorothy (1904-1998); Hilda (19061996); Walton (1909-1982). A fourth child, Winona (19122000), was born in Montague. By spring 1913, Orlin had left the employment of the railroad and was the Secretary and Manager of the Montague Mill & Supply Company. That position did not last long, and he and his family moved to Zeeland, where he went back to work for the railroad again. Orlin and his wife divorced Feb. 3, 1937. He continued working for the railroad for the rest of his life. He died Sept. 18, 1971 in Holland. His wife had remarried in 1944 and she died in Holland in 1963. They are buried in Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Holland, Michigan. E. A. Pillman – Station Agent from 1912 to 1926 when the Montague and Whitehall depots were closed and he was transferred to Helena, Michigan. Earl Alfred Pillman was born April 6, 1889 in Porter,

Earl A. Pillman, Montague train station agent from 1913-26.

• Courtesy Photo

Indiana. He married Ruzena Johanna Stewart Nov. 4, 1911 in Charlevoix, Michigan. Pillman took over the Montague station in 1912 when the former agent, O. N. Wells, resigned to take a job as secretary and manager of the Montague Flour Mill. In October 1914, the Pere Marquette Railroad company eliminated the services of George Wing, who carried the mail between the depot and the post office. By eliminating this position, it now required the station agent to leave the station to make the trip to the post office. This left no one to look after business at the depot, and consequently patrons wanting freight and express

services suffered the inconveniences. Six passenger trains and four freight trains came into Montague every day and although Pillman’s duties were scheduled for an eight-hour day, he seldom made it in less than 12. There were three stoves in the depot that had to have fires built – one for each of the two waiting rooms and one for the office. Pillman had to be on duty by 7 a.m. to get the fires started. If the temperature was zero, Pillman would freeze until about 11 a.m. and the waiting passengers never did get sufficient heat. You will find one of the depot’s last stoves, like the one pictured, in the

Montague Museum. Pillman’s wife taught 8th grade at Montague school during this time, later serving as principal and also three years as superintendent. Earl died Aug. 7, 1978 in Traverse City, as did his wife May 3, 1979. They are buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery in East Jordan, Charlevoix, Michigan. In 1931, the Goodrich Transit Company ended all the steamship service to White Lake. After that, the closest passenger depot was in Muskegon and travelers had to use buses or automobiles to get back and forth from Muskegon to White Lake. Over the years, and after much back and forth with the railroad company, they eventually donated the depot to the community in 1978. Renovations then took place, and it became home to the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in 1981. The caboose, which was built in 1924 by the Standard Steel Company, was purchased from the Muskegon Railroad Historical Society, and added to the landscape in 1987. The train track that ran along the side the depot was removed in 1998 and the area is now part of the bike and walking trail.

Libary hosting Pokemon scavenger hunt this month By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor Some of Professor Oak’s Pokemon have escaped and are hiding in the library! Find them all and collect your reward! Drop in anytime from Feb. 20 through Feb. 24 to play. The Pokemon scavenger hunt is just one of three special events planned for school-aged children at the library this month. Join us at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, to celebrate the live action release of Avatar: The Last Airbender with family-friendly bending games and crafts. Then, on Thursday, Feb. 29, join us at 4 p.m. for a Leap Day celebration full of silly songs, games, and crafts featuring things that leap! There is no charge to attend these programs, and registration is not required. Solar Eclipse Presentation Are you ready for this spring’s so-

The

Bookworm

Bulletin

lar eclipse? NASA Solar System Ambassador Joe Dermody will visit the library Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. to share his knowledge in a presentation for all ages. Attendees will each receive a pair of eclipse glasses courtesy of StarNet and the Space Science Institute. Children’s activities related to the eclipse will also be available.

White Lake UCC welcomes all to Ash Wednesday service In the Christian calendar, the 40 days preceding Easter is known as Lent, observed with reflection and sacrifice. It begins on Ash Wednesday, when, at 6 p.m., all are welcome to participate in a solemn service of contemplation and prayer. A light supper (free-will offering) will follow, along with a Lenten study program. White Lake Congregational UCC is located at 1809 S. Mears Ave. in Whitehall. For additional information, please call (231) 893-3265 or visit: facebook.com/ UCCthebikepath/

St. James hosts Friday fish frys St. James Catholic Church in Montague will host the first of its 2024 Friday fish frys this Friday, Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. Meals are $16 and include your choice of fish, choice of potato, coleslaw, a dinner roll, a beverage and dessert. For this week’s dinner, veterans and first responders can eat for only $7.

There is no charge to attend, but for planning purposes we ask that you register for this event at wlclib. org/calendar. FUN FACT: 31 million people in the United States live in the path DeMumbrum of totality for the April 8 solar eclipse. White Lake area residents are not among them – we would need to travel a bit, perhaps to Cleveland or Indianapolis, to see the total eclipse. We will still be able to see a partial eclipse from right here at home (unless it’s cloudy, of course). Libby App Class Rescheduled Would you like to listen to audiobooks on your phone or read ebooks

Faith Lutheran Church LCMS

707 Alice St. in Whitehall Pastor Gunia

on your tablet—all for free with your library card? The Libby App Beginner Workshop that was cancelled due to a power outage has been rescheduled. Join us at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, to get help setting up and using Libby on your own device to borrow and read ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. Please visit wlclib. org/calendar for more information and to register for this free class. Library Closed Feb. 19 The library will be closed for a staff in-service day Monday, Feb. 19. Among other projects that day, we will be working on a community-wide survey to help guide the library’s strategic plan. Watch for the survey to come out in late March, and plan to share your thoughts with us on how the library is doing and where it should be heading.

St. James Lutheran Church LCMS

8945 Stebbins St. in Montague, Pastor Gilson

Feb. 14: Ash Wednesday, 7 p.m. Feb. 14: Ash Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. Mid-week services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Faith Lutheran, followed by a light luncheon and 5:30 p.m. at St. James Lutheran followed by a dinner. Palm Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday, 8 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Maundy Thursday, Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m. Good Friday & The Vigil Good Friday, 1 p.m. of Easter, Saturday, 7 p.m. Easter Sunday, Easter Sunday, 10:30 a.m. 7 a.m. & 10 a.m.

Come and join us for Worship

community 420FEBRUARY 9, 9, 2024 WHITE LAKE MIRROR FEBRUARY 2024THE THE OCEANA ECHO

e Mirror

SPORTS WHITEHALL • MONTAGUE • REETHS - PUFFER

Vikings to another district title NONPROFIT NEWSroll SOURCE Title is Vikings’ 12th in 13 years, sets up another date at regionals By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor WHITEHALL — Whitehall shrugged off any extra motivation from the previous week’s rules issue-induced forfeit against Montague Wednesday and simply let its work on the mat do the talking. The Vikings dispatched the rival Wildcats, 65-7, before rolling past Orchard View, 69-9, to earn their fourth consecutive district title, and 12th in 13 years. Whitehall now advances to the Feb. 14 regional, hosted by the winner of Thursday’s Belding district. Whitehall’s Ryan Goodrich said the Viking wrestlers allowed the setback last week to weigh on them for only an evening before getting back to work. They rolled to the title at the West Michigan Conference tournament Friday and were in fine form Wednesday. “Our goal has never been to win every single conference dual,” Goodrich said. “We just put it behind us, because we’re in the postseason now. You can’t change anything now. All of our goals are right in front of us.” Whitehall trailed for only a brief moment against Montague after Chris Aebig earned a major decision over Caden Varela to put the Wildcats up 4-3. Whitehall ripped off 32 straight points over the next six bouts, racking up bonus points along the way. Ryne Christensen, Blake English, Goodrich and Gavin Craner had pins during the run, and Darnell Mack added a technical fall. Cody Manzo later added a pin, and Whitehall earned several wins by forfeit later in the match. Liam Leeke

also picked up a win. Montague’s highlight came at 190 pounds, where Isaac French fought off Trenton TenBrock in an exciting 15-8 win that got the Wildcat bench on its feet. Coach Kris Maddox said the two had split their previous four meetings, so the team was rooting hard for French to break the deadlock. “It helps going into this Saturday,” Maddox said, referring to the individual district tournament. “I’m sure they’re going to see each other a couple more times, and hopefully all the way to the state tournament. They’ve gone back and forth.” The Wildcat girls were on hand, but did not dress for the match. Maddox wryly said they weren’t happy with Whitehall celebrates its district championship after defeating Montague and Orchard the coaches, who made the decision to View in Wednesday’s tournament. • Andy Roberts/Mirror give them rest heading into their own postseason, which begins Feb. 19 with the regionals. Whitehall’s win over Orchard View was also inevitable, especially given the four forfeit wins the Vikings had baked into the game plan. Whitehall won the first seven bouts, scoring 39 points, before OV got on the board. Along the way, Leeke, Christensen, English and Craner picked up pins to move to 2-0 for the night. Mack scored his second technical fall, and Goodrich won a major decision. Blake Morningstar also won by pin, and Kolten Weiler provided one of the emotional highlights for Whitehall by scoring a pin of Aquilla Payne, a wrestler coach Justin Ryan Goodrich (left) goes for a takedown against Orchard View’s Darius District champs Whitehall’s Flowers in Wednesday’s district finals match at Whitehall. • Andy Roberts/Mirror continued on page 5

Whitehall delivers win in big-time home matchup By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor WHITEHALL — After a season spent playing high-octane non-league opponents away from home, the Whitehall Vikings finally got one on their turf Friday, and they delivered an atmosphere worthy of the occasion to earn a 67-59 win over Covenant Christian. The Vikings (16-0) took command of the game in the third quarter, shredding the Chargers on the fast break, and held off a late run by Covenant to avenge a Charger win in Grand Rapids last season. Coach Christian Subdon said trying to outrace Covenant was the game plan all along and credited his team with sticking to the plan even when the Chargers hung tough early on. “That’s kind of the way we play,” Subdon said. “We fast break, fast break, fast break, and it just kind of breaks you down, and then it finally hits home. When it hits home it’s usually an uncontested layup, and that’s what happened tonight. Credit to our guys to continue the game plan, and continue

to do the things that weren’t necessarily working in the first and second quarter.” As usual, junior Camden Thompson was the engine for Whitehall, going for 28 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, but it was Kal Koehler who sparked the Vikings early on, knocking down a pair of open three-pointers to give his team an early lead. Koehler drilled an open trey early in the third quarter to get his team out on the right foot in the second half as well. He had 17 points in the game. “He works his absolute butt off and it shows,” Subdon said of Koehler. “He’s gotten stronger. He’s going to lift right now. It’s what he does. He does the things right and he finds himself in a position where our guys trust him to take the shots.” Thompson picked up the baton from Koehler and controlled much of the rest of the game. Normally not prone to showing much emotion on the court, Thompson got fired up a couple of times during the game, especially when converting and-one baskets. The Vikings’ forward was coming

Whitehall’s Camden Thompson gets a shot up in traffic during Friday’s game against Covenant Christian. Thompson had 28 points and 14 rebounds in the Vikings’ 67-59 win.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

off struggling from the field against Mona Shores, and that, plus the memories of losing to the Chargers last year, fueled him during the game. “Throughout the game, I was just thinking how they got us last year, and they were talking a little bit,” Thompson smiled. “I just wanted to put num-

bers on them and show that we’re a different team this year. We’re about it this year. I just felt it coming within me and I just started doing what I do, just trusting my team.”

Whitehall wins again continued on page 5

THE OCEANA ECHO FEBRUARY THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR FEBRUARY9, 9,2024 2024 21 5

District champs Zeerip said had beaten Weiler previously. “He’s been ranked throughout the year,” Zeerip said of Payne. “He’s a tough opponent. Kolten had lost to him a couple of times. The kids were excited to see him flip that result. It was a great match for him, a great confidence booster.” Zeerip, who said last week’s miscue with the weigh-in sheet that led to the Montague forfeit was his fault, added his pride at how his team responded to the af-

termath. “It was just a little bump in the road and we just moved on from there,” Zeerip said. “I’m just proud of our team and how they handled the adversity. They showed a lot of high character in how to handle it with class.” With that issue now handled, the Vikings can turn their attention to their near-annual date at regionals, as well as individual postseason runs. Now ranked #2 by Michigan Grappler, Whitehall’s expectation is clear- to wrestle in

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the last match of the season again, likely with superpower Dundee on the other side. “Anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” Zeerip said. “Every single match matters, and as we get through the tournament, every bonus point matters. We’re just stressing to every individual to do their job and get bonus points or limit (the opponent’s) bonus points or whatever their job may be. I thought they did a good job of that tonight.”

Whitehall wins again

Whitehall built its lead close to 20 points before the Chargers stormed back, getting the margin down to seven and forcing a couple of Viking timeouts along the way. Subdon pulled Thompson and Kyle Stratton off the bench at one point during the run to stem the tide. “Credit to them, they played really hard from the start to the finish,” Subdon said of Covenant Christian. “We took our foot off the gas - a couple bad play calls on my part. We started getting a little tight, not necessarily trying to up the lead, just keep the lead. Live and learn. I’m still a young coach, so we’re learning.” Both Subdon and Thompson said they loved the crowd noise at the game. Whitehall fans filled up most of their allotted sections, and a spirited group from Covenant inspired them to keep the noise up throughout the contest. “It was great,” Thompson said. “We don’t really get big crowds like this popping out, so a game like this with a lot of people here, it’s great we can fill this place up. I feel like it makes us play better too.” When Whitehall put together its ambitious non-conference schedule, the goal was to get better for the postseason, not necessarily to go undefeated. However, the Vikings feel they have accomplished both.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Sports in Brief continued from page 4

Boys Basketball Montague 59 Orchard View 58 The Wildcats held off a tough effort from OV to even their WMC Lakes record at 4-4. Paul Olson and Owen Raeth each had 13 points for Montague, and Kellan Francis added 10.

Reeths-Puffer 62 Mona Shores 47 R-P locked down the Sailors on defense until the game was long decided, building a 50-23 lead after 3 quarters. Jaxson Whitaker had 22 points to lead the Rockets, and Travis Ambrose had 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Whitehall 75 Big Rapids 27 It was another lopsided win for the Vikings Monday night. Camden Thompson had 21 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists, shooting 9-of-11 from the field. Brock Morningstar had 17 points and Kal Koehler had 13.

Reeths-Puffer 67 Holland 64 The Rockets staved off a tough effort from the Dutch to remain unbeaten in league play. Jaxson Whitaker had a huge game, scoring 31 points, and Brayden Mitchelson added 16. Travis Ambrose was out due to injury.

Montague 50 Shelby 43 Whitehall’s Ca’Mar Ready makes his way to the basket during Friday’s game against Covenant Christian. The Vikings won the game, 67-59. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

“That’s our word, is compete,” Subdon said. “It’s written in our locker room. There’s a reason for it. We want to compete our butts off, and that’s what they’ve done. They did it in the summer and then they’ve continued it. We always say, that loss to Fruitport (last year) has to mean something. It doesn’t bring our seniors back, but it means that we don’t want to have that happen this year.”

Vikes fall to Ludington, but show growth from 1st meeting between teams

Montague jumped ahead early with an 18-8 first quarter and maintained that edge the rest of the game. Owen Raeth scored 18 points, and Isaiah Atchison added 16, incuding a high-flying dunk.

Girls Basketball Whitehall 51 Manistee 47 The Vikings held off a late run by Manistee to pick up a win at home. exi Daggett scored 20 points and had 7 rebounds, and Kendall Osborne had 13 points and 13 boards. Clare Westerlund had 8 points.

Ludington 39 Montague 31 The Wildcats played a solid game in defeat against the WMC Lakes’ top team. They held a 13-11 halftime lead before the Orioles rallied. Braylyn Bultema had 9 points. “I am very proud of how we played tonight,” said Montague coach Jess DeBruin.

Mona Shores 42 Reeths-Puffer 40 R-P battled back from a double-digit 2nd-half deficit, but fell just short. Brooklynn Tornes carried the Rockets’ offense with 23 points, and Irelyn Niklasch grabbed 11 rebounds.

Grant 48 Montague 34 Montague roared back into the game in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Grant 21-9, but struggled to score after that. Braylyn Bultema and Addison Pranger each had 9 points for Montague (3-10).

Fremont 55 Montague 45 The Wildats (3-11) put up a solid effort against the WMC Lakes leader. Addison Pranger led the Wildcats’ attack with 19 points.

Reeths-Puffer 65 Holland 23

By Andy Roberts

It was another huge night for Brooklynn Tornes as the Rockets romped over the Dutch. Tornes had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 8 steals in the win. Megan Barmes added 12 points for R-P.

White Lake Mirror Editor WHITEHALL — Whitehall did not bring back a win from Tuesday’s battle against Ludington, losing a hard-fought game 4437, but the Vikings showed how much they’ve grown since December. The first game between the teams did not go well for Whitehall, which allowed “the first 20 points” that night, coach Brian Milliron said. Tuesday was far different; Whitehall led 13-12 after a quarter. “Eight kids from last year’s team are not there, so it took a while to mesh,” Millron said. “We’re meshing. We’re peaking at the right time. We had pieces, but it takes a while for pieces to become a unit, and they have.” The Vikings rode perimeter shooting to that early lead, making three first-quarter three-pointers; in fact, their first two-point field goal came in the final minute of the quarter. Ludington took the lead in the second, but the Vikings were able to hang in the game with tough, active defense. Milliron credited Lucy Zamojcin, who spent much of the game assigned to much taller Ludington star Jordyn Anderson, with

Montague’s Jimmy Thommen and Whitehall’s Nolan Taranko get tangled up during the first bout of Wednesday’s district semifinal match at Whitehall. The Vikings won, 657, on their way to a district championship.

Wrestling Reeths-Puffer earns O-K Green tourney title The Rockets edged out Zeeland East by 1.5 points to secure the conference championship for the 2nd straight season. R-P had a finalist in 8 of the 14 weight classes. Jake Rozycki and Ian Cook, who each have only 1 loss on the season, were among the Rocket champs, as was Nathan Reeves. Nathan Stafford, Sage Secrest, Andrew Corradin, Arin Maynard and Mason Goodno each placed 2nd for R-P.

Montague girls 4th at Midland Invite The ‘Cats again held their own against much larger rosters. Savannah Winkleblack (110), Emma Pendell (145) and Ava Pelton (155) each took 2nd place in their weight classes, and Trisha Beckman (235) added a 3rdplace finish in another strong Wildcat effort.

Rockets fall to #5 Rockford in district final Whitehall’s Kendall Osborne shoots over Ludington’s Jordyn Anderson during Tuesday’s game at Whitehall. The Vikings lost, 44-37, despite 11 points and 10 rebounds from Osborne. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

terrific defensive effort. Anderson managed eight points. Whitehall did take one last lead late in the third quarter on a free throw, preceded by a tying putback layup from Clare Westerlund. However, the Orioles briefly caught fire from the arc themselves in the fourth quarter and built a big enough lead that Whitehall couldn’t catch up. It was simultaneously frustrating and heartening for the Vikes that they could point to a couple of key areas in which the game got away from them. Whitehall struggled at the free throw line, shooting 9-of-19, and allowed

The Rockets defeated Muskegon in the semifinals, 46-24, led by pins from Owen Schab and Devin Welch, but the 5th-ranked Rams were too much for R-P in the finals in a 54-9 defeat.

Cheer Reeths-Puffer 2nd at O-K Green finals The Rockets scored 737.52 points, finishing less than 10 behind Mona Shores. R-P excelled in the final round, scoring a meet-best 306 points.

Bowling

Whitehall girls defeat Oakridge The Viking girls earned a 22-8 victory, led by a high game of 175 from Jersey Pierson and 168 from Ava Garcia. Whitehall’s boys dropped a 27-3 decision. Phoenix Hoffmeyer won 2 games, rolling a 186 and a 179.

Whitehall’s Clare Westerlund tries to hang onto the ball against defense by Ludington’s Madelyn Kenyon during Tuesday’s game at Whitehall.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

too many offensive rebounds for Milliron’s liking, though he noted Ludington’s height advantage.

Vikes lose close continued on page 6

Whitehall teams romp over Mason Co. Central

Both Viking teams earned 29-1 victories. Mason Slaughter rolled Whitehall’s high game, a 191, and Mason Inglis had a 182. For the girls, Felicity Dingman led with a 170, and Haylie Barrett bowled a 157.

Hockey Reeths-Puffer 6 Caledonia 3 R-P fell behind 3-0 early but stormed back with 6 unanswered goals. Tyler Tindall led the barrage with 2 goals and an assist. Jaxon Stone had a goal and 2 assists. Mark Stewart made 42 saves in goal.

Reeths-Puffer 4 West Ottawa 3 Four different Rockets scored in the win, with Hayden Taylor’s thirdperiod tally being the game-winner. Jaxon Stone, Connor Anderson and Croix Klint also got on the board for R-P (14-7).

22 FEBRUARY9,9,2024 2024 THE THEWHITE OCEANA ECHO 6 FEBRUARY LAKE MIRROR

Stratton, Mulder make signing day decisions By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Whitehall’s Darnell Mack grapples with Oakridge’s Jordan Guerrero during Friday’s WMC tournament in Whitehall. Mack was one of seven Vikings to win individual titles as Whitehall earned another WMC championship.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall on top again as WMC tourney champs By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor WHITEHALL — The West Michigan Conference tournament had a new venue Friday - the Viking Athletic Center - but the same result, as Whitehall took home the league championship for the 9th season in a row. The Vikings scored 270.5 points, outpacing second-place Hart by 62.5. Montague posted 94 points and finished seventh of the 13 competing schools. Of Whitehall’s 14 wrestlers, 13 placed in the top four and 10 reached the finals. Vikings Kolten Weiler, Gavin Craner and Blake Morningstar won all

their matches by pin to earn weightclass championships at 113, 175 and 215 pounds respectively. Ryne Christensen, Ryan Goodrich and Darnell Mack picked up titles at 138, 150 and 165 respectively. Nolan Taranko added a title at 126. Runners-up for the Vikings were Cody Manzo (106), Max Krukowski (120) and Jason Smith (285). Liam Leeke (144) and Blake English (157) finished in third, and Caden Varela (132) placed fourth. Chris Aebig led the Wildcats’ effort in the tournament, taking the top spot at 132. Jimmy Thommen (120) and Isaac French (190) took third place.

Montague tabs veteran coach, official Schneider to lead spikers By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Montague announced Monday that it has hired Gretchen Schneider as its new volleyball coach. Schneider will replace Shawn Bectel, who announced on Facebook earlier in the offseason that he and the district had mutually agreed to part ways after 12 seasons at the helm. “MHS wanted to find a coach who would care for the student-athletes, be a positive role model for them, and provide opportunities for the players and program to grow,” athletic director Jay Mulder said in a statement. “Gretchen meets all of these expectations and more. Coach Schneider and MHS are excited to get to work and begin preparing for the upcoming season.” Schneider is no stranger to Montague, as a graduate of the school, nor to the sport of volleyball, which she has been involved with for decades in various capacities. Schneider has been a head coach before, at Beal City and at Oakridge, most recently in 1998. She has also coached at the JV and middle school levels since then. Schneider also officiated the sport for the MHSAA for 27 years, including working a pair of state final fours and 12 quarterfinal matches. So why jump back in now? Schneider “is an empty-nester now” after daughter Lauren graduated from college; she’s always felt like she’d end up

back in coaching, and the timing lined up perfectly with the Montague opening. “There was never a question in my mind that I was coming back to coaching,” Schneider said. “Whenever I was officiating and saw something new, I just made a little note of it. You get to spend a lot of time with the coaches interacting with them. That just kept me on fire for the sport. I never really lost the passion for it. We looked for new opportunities (to get involved) every year, whether I was officiating or coaching. Those officiating opportunities were almost like opportunities to scout, to see what the latest and greatest is, what are the new tricks of the trade. “I’ve got a few unique situations I’ll put my girls in and we’ll see if we can use that as a little secret weapon.” More than X’s and O’s, though, Schneider said she hopes to bring an infusion of excitement to the program. She feels the ability to see the sport from the perspective of a coach, a player’s parent, and an official will bring results for the Wildcats. “I think if we get that passion back and the skills (Bectel) honed through being a tough coach, we’ll have a successful year coming up,” Schneider said. “We’ll have a solid senior core and a lot of promising juniors coming out. This isn’t me stepping in and creating a winning team. They’ve put in the work.”

WHITEHALL — Whitehall got in on the National Signing Day festivities Wednesday morning by celebrating a pair of athletes moving on to college. Football star Kyle Stratton signed with Taylor University in Indiana, while volleyball star Kayla Mulder inked with Concordia University Ann Arbor. Both are NAIA schools. Stratton will leave Whitehall as the most decorated quarterback in school history, having led the Vikings to three conference championships and four playoff wins, including the 2022 district title, during his three seasons taking the snaps. Stratton’s father, Keith, has been defensive coordinator throughout head coach Tony Sigmon’s 11 seasons at the helm, so Kyle literally grew up on the Whitehall sidelines. “There’s very much this ‘such is life’ kind of moment there,” Sigmon said. “We’re just proud of him, and we’re proud of all of our kids and we’re excited that he gets to chase a dream. I think he’s going to do a wonderful job there, talking to the coaches and everybody involved. He’s ready for that next step.” Stratton said Taylor visited his home early in the recruiting process, which stood out to him, and campus visits for games impressed him as well, particularly the atmosphere. During remarks at the ceremony, Keith described the Taylor coaching staff as a staff that reminded him of the Vikings’ own, making him confident in sending his son to play for them. Stratton, who is listed at 5-9 but played much bigger, said he grew more comfortable playing his style of football as he gained more experience at Whitehall. “That’s just the way I was made,” Stratton said. “I’ve always had to do what I can with what I’ve got. I feel like I’ve gotten better at that...I’m glad they took a chance on me and I hope it pays off.” Mulder, who is home-schooled but played for the Viking spikers, credited coach Ted Edsall with getting her into the outside hitter spot during her time playing club volleyball at Inside Out.

Whitehall QB Kyle Stratton (front, center) celebrates his signing to Taylor University Wednesday at the high school. With Stratton in front are Taylor assistant coaches Adam Langvardt and Josh Flannery, and in back are Stratton’s parents, Keith and Jodi.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall volleyball star Kayla Mulder (front, center) celebrates her signing to Concordia Ann Arbor Wednesday at the high school. With Mulder in front are parents Julie and Brad, and in back is Vikings’ coach Ted Edsall.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

She’d previously played libero, but excelled and played all six rotations for Whitehall. Mulder, like Stratton, said love for the game inspired her to pursue playing in college and added CUAA was the school she visited that felt most like home during the process. “The girls were nice,” Mulder said. “The coaches were welcoming. It’s (a) Christian (school). I just felt warm as soon as I left.” Edsall said Mulder, who plans on majoring in a business or finance field at CUAA, will be tough to replace on the Whitehall roster and said it’ll probably take multiple players to do it. He added that she’s well prepared to take the next step as a player. “She’s been tremendous,” Edsall said. “She’s a nice kid, a very good teammate. People respected her. We’ll really miss that also.”

Vikes lose close “I thought that we moved the ball extremely well, and we had people with touches throughout,” Milliron said. “I thought we were able to do some things that we wanted to. We’ve just got to clean up some small stuff against a very, very good Ludington team. “In the second half, it just felt like they just had multiple possessions (a lot). You give a team like Ludington, and Coach (Warren) Stowe does a fantastic job with them, multiple chances

continued from page 5

on their side in a tight game, that’s not a good formula for success.” Still, given Whitehall’s current trajectory, the possibility of challenging Spring Lake, the acknowledged district favorite, is one the Vikings can entertain. “We have to do a better job of blocking out so we don’t give up offensive rebounds,” Milliron said. “If we clean that up, we’ll be tough to beat moving forward.”

whitelakemirror@gmail.com • February 9, 2024 • Volume 1 • Issue 13 Office hours: Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Office phone: 231-301-8149, or for breaking news, please call 231-923-0751.

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