The Oceana Echo - Volume 1, Issue 33, January 12, 2024

Volume 1, Issue 33 JANUARY 12, 2024

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

Shelby Acres subdivision takes shape

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

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SHELBY - Upon realizing the severe lack of affordable housing in Oceana County, retired teachers, farmers and founders of Peterson Farms Inc. and related companies, Earl and Linda Peterson, made plans to be a part of the solution.

In 2023, they founded the 501(c)(3) public charity, Oceana County Development Corporation (OCDC), and are excited to provide a number of updates and announcements. “It’s been uncharted territory for us. But we’re grateful to all the people of Oceana County who helped our businesses grow over the years,” Earl Peterson said.

Out of OCDC came the recently approved “Shelby Acres” subdivision, encompassing 59 acres of land previously owned by the Petersons. Located directly across from the new Shelby Elementary School on Oceana Drive, it is Oceana’s newest and largest housing development. The community has watched expectantly as the new development has taken shape these past several months. Very soon, interested home buyers will have the opportunity to tour model homes and put in offers for possible purchase. The plan is to have homes available to show prospective buyers

by June, with home sales in September.

“The development will be open to anyone,” Peterson said. “People do not need to work in Oceana County, but our goal is that the subdivision will include individuals from all walks of life and financial situations. That’s what Oceana County is—a mixed community.”

According to the Shelby Acres website, “Traditionally, housing developments are built by for-profit developers who seek to make as much profit as the market will allow. Shelby Acres is being developed by the non-profit OCDC to offer affordable living options to residents in Oceana County by providing them with an opportunity for homeownership while minimizing financial worries.”

The development is considered a “condominium association development” and will have its own Homeowners Association. The website goes on to outline three major condominium bylaw requirements for owning a home in Shelby Acres: “An individual’s Shelby Acres home must be their principal (Homestead) residence; ownership of multiple units within Shelby Acres will be prohibited; and renting or leasing of all, or a portion, of any home will be prohibited.”

Demand for the new homes is expected to outpace their availability; therefore, OCDC has set the following prospective buyer requirements: Potential buyers will need to attend a series of “buyer’s workshops” before being allowed to put in an offer. Each workshop will include the following topics, “Credit Report and Scores,” “Making a Monthly Spending and Savings Plan” and “Buying a Home.” Workshops will take place in both English and Spanish and be offered on different days of the week and at different times to accommodate as many people as possible.

Each will be led by Gaby Peterson, a licensed real estate agent, and Deana Fox, vice president and mortgage officer at Shelby State Bank. Prospective buyers must also be

Work continues on the Shelby Acres subdivision, at top, which is in Phase I of development with 21 homes currently under construction. Above is a rendering of what the homes will look like upon completion later this year. • Contributed Photos

pre-qualified by a mortgage lender. If they qualify, down payment assistance may be made available.

After taking the buyer’s workshops, prospective buyers who wish to apply for down-payment assistance will fill out an application. All applications will be reviewed by the OCDC Down Payment Assistance Committee to determine the level of assistance buyers may qualify for. “We (the OCDC) want to give down-payment assistance for those at the median income level or below. The lower someone’s income, the greater the percentage of assistance,” Earl Peterson said. “To receive down payment assistance, new home buyers will be required to maintain ownership of their Shelby Acres home for a minimum of five years.

“Upon application for down-payment assistance, prospective home buyers will need to choose the home style they are wishing to buy. And the price is the price. Individuals will not be able to offer the asking price plus an additional amount,” he said. Once offers have been accepted, the OCDC board will conduct a blind “lottery” for each of the three styles of homes, randomly selecting “winners” of each home on or about Sept. 1.

“The upcoming workshops will be free to everyone, even if they don’t plan to purchase right away. People can take the classes now and prepare

for future phases of the development. There’s education involved; I suppose that’s the old school teachers in us,” quipped Peterson. “It’s more than getting a loan. We want people to be successful.

“As we get further along in the project, the actual pricing of the three different styles of homes is still a moving number.

However, one thing we do know is that all homes, with included infrastructure and landscaping, will be offered at a predetermined fixed price for each model and will be well below cost and significantly below market,” he said.

The development is being conducted in four phases. Phase I is currently underway and consists of 21 single-family homes on 21 separate lots. Each home will have a porch, a garage (some attached,

some not) and a paved driveway. They will all be connected to the Village of Shelby water and sewer and be connected to underground electric, internet and natural gas. All lawns will be seeded with grass and include trees and shrubs.

Three different styles of homes are currently being built and will be available for sale in this first phase. The “Tamarack” will offer a total of 1,330 square feet of living space, while the “Elm” will offer a total of 1,446 square feet of living space. Both will feature three bedrooms, two baths, finished basements and a two-car garage. The “Aspen” will offer a total of 1,706 square feet of living space and feature four bedrooms, two baths, a finished basement and a two-car garage. The homes will have differ-

ent siding colors, with the garage located on different sides, so each home is unique. “Once we start showing homes in June, we’ll get a feeling for future demand,” Peterson said. “It’s a very unique and complex project, but we think it is going to be amazing for Oceana County.”

January Buyer’s Workshops will take place Saturday, Jan. 20, Tuesday evening, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 27. Those interested in participating should email Gaby Peterson at gabypetersonhomes@gmail.com or Deana Fox at dfox@shelbybank.com For more information on Shelby Acres, including photos and renderings, or upcoming workshops, please visit their recently developed website at www.shelbyacres.com.

At the December District Health Department #10 monthly meeting, two plaques were presented to the board. Deputy Health Officer Sara Oleniczak, above left, displays the first, a Public Health Accreditation for meeting the National Standards plaque. District #10 Health Officer Kevin Hughes, above right, displays the second, a Patriotic Employer Award he and the department received for supporting employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve Force.

• Paul Erickson/Echo

THE OCEANA ECHO JANUARY 12, 2024 2

A Faithful Focus: TLC Baby Pantry

By Sharon Hallack

• Sharon Hallack/Echo

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor The Trinity Lutheran Church, or TLC for short, also stands for “The Loving Church”. A very fitting name for a very active church that is making it their mission to meet the needs of their community. The church, located at 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd. in New Era has ministries focused on youth, men, ladies and everyone in between. Together, they have been sharing God’s love with the community for the past 159 years.

The TLC Baby Pantry is one of those ways, and through it, the church has been able to bless many growing families with baby supplies since 2018. Recently, they were blessed in return as the recipients of the Oceana County Women Who Care (WWC) chapter’s fourth quarter donation of nearly $14,000. “All of those monies will be used to purchase even more inventory for our monthly distributions,” Risë Racsh, WWC member and TLC Baby Pantry volunteer, said.

“I was able to share at our December meeting that from January 2023 to December 2023, the baby pantry served 342 families and 689 children.”

According to baby pantry coordinator Susan Christiansen, the baby pantry got its start when their church took a community assessment need survey about five years ago. They conducted a formal market analysis in the community, asking specific questions of different stakeholders to determine what the greatest needs were. “The top needs the survey revealed were transportation, home improvement projects, reading for grade school children and a baby pantry,” Christiansen said. “As a church, we asked ourselves, ‘Where can we make the biggest impact?’ We already had a very successful food pantry. We knew a baby pantry would fit with our church’s mission too and fill another community need.”

And in so doing, they’ve formed some great local partnerships. “They are so collaborative with the community,” Oceana Community Foundation Chief Executive Director Tammy Carey said. “They do a great job of keeping it local.”

And by partnering with the Oceana Community Foundation’s Read Early, Read Often program and the ESD’s (Educational Service District) “Talking is Teaching” programs, they have been able to put more books and parenting resources into the hands of children and families, which meets another huge community need: supporting area children’s reading goals.

When the baby pantry first began, families were invited into the church where the children could do a craft and have a story read to them while their parents filled out intake forms and received the supplies requested. However, as with many ministries, the Covid pandemic created a new normal. When the baby pantry reopened, they made it strictly a drive-through service.

“Covid had a huge impact on our families. Our baby pantry has grown from just six to 10 families to around 35 each time. Now we don’t have enough room in our basement to provide the craft and reading time for everyone like we did before the pandemic,” Christiansen said. “But we still provide books to every child, and the kids love the new books!

“For some families, I suppose it’s probably less intimidating than coming inside,” she said. “We have also started making special gift baskets or bags for the caregivers when possible. At Christmas, they re-

ceived a Christmas goody basket. Coming up, in addition to the regular baby pantry items requested, we will be providing every family with a chicken Alfredo meal kit. We’re trying to help the parents in any way we can. I feel strongly that anything we can do to make life easier for parents, it will ultimately help the kids.”

Funding for these special projects usually comes from a Thrivent grant. Christiansen explained that Thrivent is a Lutheran-based financial group, and anyone who is a member can apply for $250 grants for special projects. “We’ve used the grants not only for the baby pantry but for our backpack giveaway and for requested winter clothing,” she said.

Christiansen shared several personal stories that she says make all the effort worth it. “I had one mom who, after she’d gotten back on her feet, came in and gave the church a $100 donation. Giving that amount was probably a stretch for her, but the families want to give back. They will donate items too,” Christiansen says. There’s a big relationship between the church and their pantry families.

And just when she gets discouraged and wonders why she continues driving everywhere to fill up her car with diapers or heavy bottles of apple juice, God brings someone across her path.

“One time I was at Sam’s filling the back of my car when someone asked me what all of the diapers were for, and I told them for our baby pantry. Then they said, ‘Do you know without you, I don’t know what I would have done. You helped get me through a tough time. That gal is now running her own jewelry business.’ Another person at Walmart came up to me when I was loading my car, and when she heard I was from the TLC Baby Pantry, she said, ‘You helped me! I never would have made it without you.’ We had a dad share something similar, saying that the baby pantry had sustained their family when his three children were small. He was working, but his overtime had been cut. His wife was staying home because they couldn’t afford the cost of daycare,” Christiansen said.

These stories and many more make all the coordination and extra effort worthwhile, she added.

Receiving the WWC donation is another confirmation that they are on the right track. “God is making a way for this ministry to continue,” Christiansen said. “To restock after our monthly baby pantries used to cost $600 a month. Now the monthly cost to restock is $2,000. There are so many different types of formula and sizes of diapers,” said Rasch.

Pantry clients are mostly from Oceana County, often riding together to save on gas. TLC is happy to help anyone with a need, be it baby supplies, food or otherwise. Sometimes requests come in for a specific type of formula or item of clothing. Volunteers do everything they can to meet that need at the next month’s pantry distribution. “We try really hard to meet our families needs,” Christiansen said. “We’ve built relationships with them. I truly believe the more

OCEANA COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE ESTABLISHMENT OF EARLY VOTING SITE To All Qualified Electors in Oceana County

Notice is hereby given by resolution of the Oceana County Election Commission under authority granted in Public Act 81 of 2023, that the location of the early voting site for all federal and statewide election dates will be the following. A site may also serve as an early voting site for additional election dates if approved by the Oceana County Election Commission.

Oceana County Courthouse 100 State Street Hart, MI 49420 All qualified electors in Oceana County have the right to mark a ballot and deposit the ballot in a tabulator beginning the second Saturday before an election and ending Sunday before the election, and any additional days prior to the second Saturday before an election that the Oceana County Election Commission designates. Early voting will be available at the early voting site for the following hours: Saturday 8am-4pm

Sunday 8am-4pm

Monday 8am-4pm

Tuesday 8am-4pm

Wednesday 8am-4pm

Thursday 8am-4pm

Friday 8am-4pm

Saturday 8am-4pm

Sunday 8am-4pm

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Clerk’s Office at (231) 873-4328 or clerk@oceana.mi.us

The above notice has been provided by the County Clerk’s office for the general public’s knowledge only.

we can help them, the more successful the kids will be.”

The TLC Baby Pantry takes place the second Saturday of every month in conjunction with the church’s bi-monthly food pantry. The church does need to collect basic contact information from every client as a requirement with Feeding America, however, no personal information is shared with the public. Both the food and baby pantries are open to anyone. Those wishing to donate to either pantries can visit the church Monday through Friday during office hours or the church’s website at www.tlcnewera.org.

Oceana Center Grange Agricultural Report for January 2024

By Phil Carter The Oceana Echo Agricultural Consultant It’s the new year in the land of Oceana! Agriculturalists always welcome the new year; many had hoped it would have ended much sooner. Some of 2023’s issues are still with us, but we look forward to the new opportunities’ forthcoming. Farming is usually 24/7/365, with work expanding to fill all available time. Fruit growers are trimming trees, ordering new trees and pushing out unmarketable varieties. Crop producers are marketing grains, buying inputs and repairing machinery for the coming year, and livestock guys are tending the herd or flock daily to get maximum productivity. There are many meetings to attend, and of course there is end-of-year tax paperwork to complete.

Last year was a disappointing time for many.

Weather challenged area growers to get the crop planted and off to a rapid start with limited moisture.

Overproduction of fruits, vegetables and grains led to lower market prices, and, in many cases, products were left unharvested. The USDA has said that 2023 farm income was 23 percent lower than last year. Winter and spring bring out farm auction activity, and ads for sales are appearing in farm media. A recent trend is online auctions, and auctioneers are telling me there are more buyers than live sales, and prices are holding or are better than live events.

The news media likes to highlight the top stories of the past year, and the ag media is no different.

Michigan’s top stories, in no particular order, could be: • Apples left unpicked due to lack of storage space • Cherry prices were below cost of production • H-2A labor costs rising to $18.50 per hour AEWR rate • Congress not passing a new farm bill • Green power solar farms and battery plants taking farmland out of production • Rising input costs for fertilizer, crop protection materials, fuel, etc.

• Weather challenges affect growers • Foreign ownership, especially China, of farmland Farmers seem to be eternal optimists, and while some will fail, most will proceed into the new year with the same determination that has been part of life for many past generations.

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Oceana Community Foundation’s Fall Community Grant Round supports all applicants

In its Fall Community Grant Round, the Oceana Community Foundation awarded $47,509 to 12 local schools and nonprofits!

All organizations that applied received funding, with six receiving full funding up to $7,500 and three receiving partial support.

Additionally, local nonprofits, government organizations and schools have received nearly $64,552 through the foundation’s Community Wish Lists so far!

“Often, we receive more applications than the foundation can fund. This season’s grant round marks a new milestone where we could support all grant applicants,” Oceana Community Foundation CEO Tammy Carey explained. “By supporting the foundation’s Community Investment Fund and field of interest funds, donors are investing in Oceana’s future for the long run.

Growing their endowments ensures that funds are available in perpetuity to support our community’s changing needs and our vibrant nonprofit partners.”

Nearly $30,000 of this season’s community grants come from the Community Investment Fund and field-of-interest funds, including $10,000 under the direction of the Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee and its Youth Fund. Field of interest funds establish endowments to

support specific charitable interests, like the Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund, which broadly supports health needs in Oceana County. Foundation donor-advised fund partners contributed an additional $17,500 in grants. Grant recipients included AgeWell Services of West Michigan, Family Promise of the Lakeshore, Hospice of Michigan, Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat, Oceana County 4-H, Oceana County Animal Friends, Oceana County Council on Aging, Oceana County Early Learning Center, Oceana County Medical Care Facility, Pentwater Public Schools, Fountain Hill Center for Counseling and Oceana County F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Team. The full list of grants, with project descriptions, is posted to the foundation’s website under the GRANTS tab.

Funds supporting this round of community grants include the Little Point Sable – Arts for Oceana County Fund, the Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund, the Homeless Prevention Endowment Fund, the Healthy Youth, Healthy Seniors Fund, the William R. Lathers Foundation, the Oceana Youth Fund, the Community Investment Fund and an anonymous donor.

The foundation’s donor-advised fundholders and community members have been tremen-

dous supporters of its Community Wish Lists. This holiday-centered opportunity is for local organizations to request funding for up to three specific projects beyond their operating budgets. This year was the largest in the foundation’s history, with over $182,000 in requests from 36 organizations.

Some organizations receiving full funding of their wishes include the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Oceana County, Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters (COVE), Hart Boy Scout Troop #1155, Oceana Conservation District, Village of Shelby, Oceana County F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Team, United Way of the Lakeshore and more. The wish lists are still posted to the foundation website under the GIVE tab for review – give us a call to assist you in being a wishmaker!

From the foundation’s Board of Trustees and staff, we are overwhelmingly grateful to all our community partners and send our thanks and wishes for a prosperous and peaceful 2024.

For more information about making a gift, now or through an estate plan, creating a named fund at the Foundation, or to learn more about Foundation programs and activities, call Carey at 231-869-3377 or visit the foundation’s website at www. oceanafoundation.org.

Key findings from Walkerville Community Assessment to be revealed at upcoming meeting set for January 25 A new year is also a new start for Walkerville’s future! The Walkerville Community Assessment conducted Nov. 30 was the fourth area assessment funded by the Oceana Community Foundation to gain local feedback towards developing positive change to meet community goals. The assessment was facilitated by the foundation and consultant Julie HalesSmith, with the support of Lake-Osceola Bank. After a month of compiling the feedback received during the full day of assessment activities, the foundation is now ready to report the findings to Walkerville area residents!

The report-out and planning meeting will take place Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Walkerville Wesleyan Church from 6-8 p.m. and is open to anyone interested in learning more. The consultant has prepared a comprehensive report and will lead community discussion around the top five priorities for Walkerville, along with next steps. During this meeting, partici-

pants will brainstorm a starting point toward reaching their shared vision and a roadmap for achieving that vision. Every person and every idea is welcome!

The assessment brought out 55 residents to participate in a series of focus group sessions with key stakeholders during the day and an evening town hall meeting. The focus groups centered around five specific sectors: youth, elected and appointed officials, seasonal residents, service providers and employers. Residents readily provided amazing feedback regarding their community’s vision and identified aspects of Walkerville they wish to protect and change.

The Oceana Community Foundation envisions an Oceana where everyone has access to resources to thrive. If anyone would like more information on the Walkerville Community Assessment, call AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator Cecelia Hopkins at 231869-3377.

The class, above, from left, Sharon DeJong, mentor Corlene Holmquist, Jan Gooding, Jodee Melsey, Shelley Blocher, Marilyn Thoresen and Stephanie Emms.

• Contributed Photos

How to make a snowman without snow

By Ron Beeber The Oceana Echo Volunteer Contributor

Although our area is just digging out from this winter’s first significant snowfall, some folks in Pentwater were making snowmen weeks ago. How? They are members of the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center (PALC) who attended a Felted Snowman Class taught by fellow member Corlene Holmquist of Cadillac.

Holmquist showed them the simple yet versatile handicraft technique of needle felting. It involves repeatedly stabbing a barbed needle into wool. Doing so tangles the fibers, resulting in felting. With just a few tools, one can make eye-catching felt creations that can be either simple or ambitious. Holmquist chose to have the six PALC member students learn the technique by making snowmen figures. Other examples of what can be made by needle felting can be found on the internet.

“I’m pretty much self-taught,” said Holmquist, “and have been doing this for a couple of years.” But it was a new craft for her students to learn. “They each received a kit and selected materials and colors from it to fashion their own needle-felted snowman.”

When someone thinks of a felt object, it’s often a favorite hat in the closet. Or they recall a parent or grandparent who wore one. The felt that’s most familiar to everyone is made by first rolling and pressing wool or another suitable textile, and then applying moisture or heat. This causes the fibers to mat together, creating a smooth, cloth-like surface that can be formed into something like a hat.

“Learning something new like this in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual support is what our Artisan Center is all about,” said Barb Davidson, who co-founded the PALC 22 years ago with her late husband, Gene. The Center’s ambitious goal to attract contributions to purchase, repair and replace needed equipment has just passed the $150,000 mark. The website for this extraordinary, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is found at pentwaterartisan.org. But Davidson makes a point of noting that the PALC attracts members from all over the area and warmly welcomes new ones.

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Oceana County Schools: Elbridge

By Caleb Jackson The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

Taking a step back from Hart, which had the most schools out of all the townships in the county, we now turn our attention to Elbridge, with a much more typical seven school districts.

First up is the Cedar school house. This school was first housed in a log building erected on the corner of East Tyler Road and North 128th Avenue in 1870. “The first Sunday school in Elbridge commenced in 1870, in the Cedar Schoolhouse by the American Sunday School Union,” Mort Wiegand has written. The log building would eventually be replaced by a frame construction, which unfortunately has not survived to this day. The school, however, did progress for some time. A clipping from a 1952 issue of the Hart Courier tells us the school was then getting a new stove, “the Cedar school installed an electric cook stove in the schoolhouse last week,” it stated. “Makes it a little easier to cook for 40 children than on an electric hotplate.”

Up next, in district number two, we have the Mooretown school. We don’t have a whole lot of information on this particular school. It doesn’t appear on any of the county maps before the 1913 one, and it was dissolved in 1954. An article appearing in the Pentwater News on Jan. 27, 1954, states that the school “…has been closed for a number of years and has been sending its school children to Hart.” Mooretown was originally located on the corner of North 120th Avenue and East Lever Road, but was later purchased and relocated to Jackson Road, almost two miles east of Oceana Drive, where it was used for storage. Some of the teachers who worked here included Alma Swartz, Esther Doolitle, Roy Engle and Doris VanBergen.

Third on the list is the Shaw school. This school was located on the corner of North 144th Avenue and East Polk Road. It can be found on the 1895 and 1913 county maps, but not the 1876 one. It was finally closed in March of 1958. The names of some teachers included Doris Billington, Alfred Weaver, John Fletcher and Norma Roth.

On the corner of North 152nd Avenue and East Harrison Road we have the Sayles school.

This school has its roots in a town meeting that was held in February of 1880, when the bid for a

new school proposed by Raymond Ross was accepted at the cost of $734. A 1974 article written

by Erbine Gowdy has this to say about the school: “The school site was purchased from Hans Ferguson for $10 and the Sayles School was opened for use on Dec. 13, 1880. L. H. Haight was hired to teach the first term of school at a salary of $24 per month…. The attendance in 1905 of 62 gives an insight as to the number of people now living in the district.” The article goes on to mention that a second room was added in 1908, and they had to hire on a second teacher.

Down where East Polk Road and North 116 Avenue meet, we have another school building that has survived to the modern era, the Sackrider School. This is another long-running and fairly successful country school that existed before 1876. Today, it exists as a private home. There is a poem written by one Ethel Popp titled “Sackrider School Days.” One poignant verse says, “Oh, sad ‘twill be to some of us when in autumn days so cool, we realize we’ve passed beyond our little country school.”

Moving on to district number six, we have the May schoolhouse. We know that in 1905, there were 56 students enrolled in the school, and the teacher was Cecil Fisher. The school was officially closed in 1958, and the building was demolished in 1980.

In the last district, number seven, we have a few schools to mention. Up first is the Houk school, located on North 128th Avenue somewhere between the roads Filmore and Taylor. The school started out as a log cabin built “in the late 1800s,” but a new brick building was already under construction by 1896. Wiegand has some interesting notes on the file for this school, including a photo of the students from the 1941–1942 school year.

The surnames of these students include “Lohman, Strait, Bower, Baldwin, Herrygers, Hovey, Howard, Carnes, Munson and Lewis.” But, interestingly enough, there seems to have been another school not too far form Houk. “According to the 1895 Atlas, about a mile North of the Houk School, it lists an Evans school. A few newspaper articles tell of this.” But, one of my favorite notes related to the Houk school is an undated one which simply says “The Houk school has extended its potato digging vacation a week.”

In more recent memory, we have the Elbridge

school, located on East Polk Road. The building currently serves as the Elbridge Township Hall.

The school opened in 1958 and closed in 2003.

Articles of the time give us some details about the newly opened school. “It has six classrooms, an all-purpose room, kitchen and utility room with an oil-fired hot water heating system.” Also, “The one central school replaces the Sayles, Shaw and Sackrider schools.” The new school also hired on teachers from the previously mentioned schools.

“These include: Mrs. Anna McKenzie of the May school…Mrs. Vera Jane Ford, Sayles school…Mrs. Rachel Boulanger, Sackrider… Mrs. Genvieve Simpson, Cedar…Mrs. Ruth Holmes, Shaw…and Mrs. Muriel Bevan, Houk.”

And lastly, we have to make mention of the several Native American schools established in the township by the American government. The three schools were the Paw-baw-me school, the Genereau school and the Cob-moo-sa school.

These are among some of the oldest schools in the county. In Wiegand’s notes she has written, “Agreement for four school houses were built in about 1860 at a cost of $1,500 each by the government. Three in Elbridge and one in Crystal. These school houses were built with living quarters for the teachers.” All that exists of these schools now are markers where they once stood. Some of the teachers included James Haley, John Smith, D.W. Crosby and Eliza Foote.

The Oceana Echo © is published weekly at P.O. Box 192, Mears, MI 49436 • All rights reserved.

theoceanaecho@gmail.com • January 12, 2024 • Volume 1 • Issue 33 Office hours (Old Town Hall in Mears): Mondays: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

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.

2023 January-February Jan. 12 - Play & Learn Group, Storybook Village, 9 a.m.

Jan. 12 - Story Time, Hesperia Community Library, 10-11 a.m.

Jan. 13 - Baby Pantry, Trinity Lutheran Church, 8:30-10 a.m.

Jan. 13 - Party Club, “Mid-Winter Party,” children ages 5-12, The Ladder Community Center, 1 p.m.

Jan. 14 - Broomball Tournament, John Gurney Park, 6-8 p.m.

Jan. 15 - After School Movie, Hesp. Comm. Library, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 - Mobile Food Pantry, Pentwater Fire Dept., 11 a.m.

Jan. 16 - Share Our Stories, “Being Born,” The Ladder, 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 - Tech Time, 1:30-2:30 p.m.; Library Board Meeting, 4:30 p.m.; Adult Book Club, 6-7 p.m. Hesperia Comm. Library,

Mid-Winter Party at The Ladder tomorrow All children ages 5 to 12 are invited to The Ladder Community Center once a month for Party Club! Tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 13, join us for the “Mid-Winter 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 serving in every region of the world. All teachers and helpers have been trained and screened to ensure your child’s protection. Parents are welcome to attend.

The Ladder is located at 67 N. State St. in Shelby.

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.” Join us Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 1:30 p.m. for guest speaker Maggie Bowman, a certified doula and assistant to local midwives. We will discuss what it’s like to work with expectant families, new moms and babies in a variety of locations. Those in attendance will be invited to share their birth stories.

SOS is a monthly event 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 and older. 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.

Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee for grades 4-9 to take place January 27 at St. Gregory’s in Hart Please consider enrolling your child in the 2024 Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee. The local bee will take place Saturday, Jan. 27, in the St.Gregory Parish Hall at 314 S. Peach Ave. in Hart. This location is new for 2024, as previous spelling bees took place at the former Knights of Columbus Hall located on Washington Street in downtown Hart.

There is also a new start time, with sign-in beginning at 11:30 a.m. Contestants will compete in two age groups. The Level 1 competition for fourth, fifth and sixth graders will begin at noon. The Level 2 competition for seventh, eighth and ninth graders will follow. Winners are eligible to compete at the regional level in Hart on Feb. 10. Regional winners will then be eligible to compete for the state championship.

Another important change for 2024 includes new word lists, which take effect this year. Please scan the appropriate QR code at right for a link to the 2024 word lists. Please call Nathan Kroon at 231-845-5436 to register your child.

Jan. 18 - Matinee Movie, 1-3 p.m.; Family Fun Night, 6-7 p.m., Hesperia Community Library Jan. 19 - Story Time, Hesperia Community Library, 10-11 a.m

Tails of Hope This is one very handsome boy. His name is Duncan, and he is 3 years old. Duncan weighs 80 pounds and is friendly with people and most other dogs. Duncan enjoys playing with toys and going for walks. Duncan is currently undergoing treatment for heartworm and is expected to fully recover. LASSI is covering the costs of all heartworm treatments.

Duncan 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.

Hi! It’s Duncan

NOTICE OF ADOPTION Level 1 Word List

Village of Rothbury

Please take notice that on December 12, 2023, the Village Board of the Village of Rothbury amended the Mass Gathering Ordinance of the Village of Rothbury Code, summarized as follows:

Level 2 Word List

Storybook Village hosts Play & Learn Groups Great Start Collaborative for Mason-Lake and Oceana Counties’ Play & Learn Groups offer free, fun and interactive activities for families to enjoy with their children from birth through third grade at Storybook Village, 560 S. Hancock, in Pentwater. Playgroups take place at 9 a.m. and include a variety of activities following the “Talk, Read, Sing” and “InspiREading” early learning principles.

Play & Learn dates for this year include: Jan. 12, Jan. 26, March 8, March 22, April 5, April 19, May 3, May 17, May 31, June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23, Sept. 6 and Sept. 20

• That Section 3(D) be amended to allow the Village Board to issue a permit for up to fifteen consecutive years. Further that no permit shall be issued for any mass gathering that is to take place later than fifteen years after the date the application is submitted.

• That Section 4(A)(2) be amended to allow the organizer to submit an application for up to fifteen-years on an annual basis.

Copies of the ordinance may be viewed and purchased at reasonable cost at the Office of the Village Clerk in the Village Hall, 7804 S. Michigan, Rothbury, MI, during regular business hours.

- Brandy Williams, Village Clerk The above notice has been provided for the general public’s knowledge only.

THE OCEANA ECHO JANUARY 12, 2024 6

SPORTS

HART • HESPERIA • PENTWATER • SHELBY • WALKERVILLE

Fight for the Throne

hart boys and girls basketball teams fight with top conference opponents Hart’s boys and girls basketball teams were both sitting atop the conference standings for their respective sports. Each matched up with a team that was also undefeated in the conference on Friday, Jan. 5 for sole possession of first place. Abby Hicks (above right) led the girls to a win over MCC while Kaden Bond (above right) and the boys team were knocked off by North Muskegon. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

hart girls take coNtrol of coNfereNce staNdiNgs with wiN over mcc By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor HART – A heated rivalry between Hart and Mason County Central’s (MCC) girls basketball programs was renewed Thursday, Jan. 4 as the Pirates defeated the Spartans 42-31.

Hart and MCC are no strangers to each other as they’ve fought for positioning at the top of the West Michigan Conference (WMC) Rivers Division since it was formed two years ago. As was the case when the two met in 2022, Thursday’s matchup had a bit extra on the line other than bragging rights.

With the win, Hart now has a leg up on the Spartans in a race for the conference title. The teams still have one more meeting in February, but the Pirates are clear favorites after the first round.

“Obviously we have Shelby as our cross-town rival, but Mason County Central is always a tough physical battle,” Hart head coach Travis Rosema said. “It’s come down to us and them for the past couple of years and we knew we wanted to make a statement tonight. We wanted to remind everyone that the WMC goes through Hart.”

That message rang true by the time the final buzzer sounded last Thursday, but it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Pirates early on. MCC looked as though they had an edge in the game’s first six

minutes, piecing together a 9-6 lead on the backs of Wren Nelson and Mallory Miller.

Hart struggled to find consistency in the first quarter, but their stars emerged enough to put them in front 12-9 at the end of that frame.

With just a three point lead, the Pirates added some fuel to the fire in the second quarter. Senior Abby Hicks and junior Kelsey Copenhaver provided consistent pressure on the Spartans’ defense, allowing more chances for others to score. Freshman Rilynn Porter and sister Breslyn Porter both found the bottom of the net, keying Hart to a 22-15 lead at halftime.

“We kind of figured out what they were doing (in the second quarter) and how to overcome their height,” Copenhaver said. “They’re a lot bigger than us but we’re more aggressive. (Wren) is definitely taller so it forces you to play more strategically.”

There wasn’t much in the way of scoring when the two teams returned from the break. A combined 15 points between them made for an evenly matched third quarter. Hart still managed to increase their lead by a point, taking a 3022 advantage into the final quarter.

Once again, MCC threatened Hart in the game’s finale. After Hart scored the first five points of that period, the Spar-

Hart Girls BB

continued on page 7

NorsemeN offeNse too much for hart boys By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor HART – A meeting between the top two teams in the West Michigan Conference (WMC) Rivers Division wasn’t quite as close as expected as Hart’s boys basketball team lost in a 72-35 blowout to North Muskegon on Friday, Jan. 5.

The Norsemen jumped all over Hart early, dominating the pace of the game early on. North Muskegon went on a scoring frenzy, scoring 15 unanswered points before Hart was able to find their footing offensively.

Senior Jesse Jacobs, along with Blake Weirich and Emiliano Escamilla, found points to chip into North Muskegon’s lead, but it did little to keep them in the game. At the end of the first quarter, the Norsemen already owned a 23-7 lead. “(North Muskegon’s hot start) is on me as a coach,” Hart head coach Nick Bronsema said. “Through film, I thought maybe we could run man-toman (on defense). Our mindset was hopefully we could defend every person and keep the ball in front. We just couldn’t keep them in front and they still made shots.”

Hart’s defense was able to clamp down North Muskegon in the second quarter, allowing them to score just nine points – a vast improvement from the prior eight minutes. Unfortunately, their offense did not experience the same resurgence as they only managed to double their scoring output, putting them behind 32-14 at halftime.

After a break to clear their heads, Hart managed to get their offense going in the third quarter. The Pirates scored 14 points, matching what they’d produced in the first two frames alone.

Not to be outdone however, North Muskegon returned to form. That included knocking down five three-point shots – three of which came from the same player on consecutive possessions. “(North Muskegon) made around 14 threes tonight,” Bronsema said. “Being young, part of it is we go over a scouting report. Let’s say that (a North Muskegon player) is open over and over again in the same spot, we need to use our court sense and know where he is at that moment so he doesn’t get that shot. (North Muskegon) made three shots right in a row from the same spot and we’re working at having that better court sense.”

Down 57-28 entering the fourth quarter, the Pirates crawled to the game’s finish. Hart closed out the night with six more points added to their total and a sour taste in their mouth. The outcome of the game prompted some unusual proceedings afterwards.

After shaking hands and going into the locker, the Pirates returned to the floor moments later. Each player lined up on the baseline and ran a number of ‘suicide’ sprints under the direction of Bronsema and the coaching staff.

Bronsema was clear that he didn’t force his team to run, but rather made

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Hart Boys BB

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THE OCEANA ECHO JANUARY 12, 2024 7

Hart Girls BB tans went on a 6-0 run. That was quickly answered by the Pirates, keeping them in control all the way to the end.

“We missed a lot of layups in the first and second quarters but we stayed with our effort,” Rosema said. “When Wren (Nelson) was out we had to attack the basket and that was what we tried to do.”

Leading Hart in scoring was Addi Hovey with 12 points with six rebounds and three steals on top. Hicks notched a double-double, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds. Rilynn Porter was the only other Pirate to achieve double figures in points as she finished with 10.

continued from page 6 The win pushed Hart to 4-2 overall and kept them a perfect 3-0 in the WMC Rivers. With the win, the road to another conference title is paved. Still, there will be those who doubt Hart, something to which the Pirates don’t take to kindly.

Rosema continually defends his team against any disrespect pointed at them – something that’s been a constant since last year. The Pirates were consistently doubted in 2022 leading up to a postseason meeting with the No. 1 team in the state in the playoffs. Yet, Hart came out on top and moved on to the state semifinals.

(Above, left) Hart’s Addi Hovey prepares to drive down the baseline after receiving a pass. Hovey led Hart with 12 points in a win over MCC. (Above, right) Hart freshman Rilynn Porter dribbles the ball down the court looking to make a pass. Porter had 10 points in the Pirates’ win.

• Brendan Samuels/ECHO

That doubt arose again when the Pirates traveled to the southern border of Michigan to take on Niles-Brandywine – the No. 10 ranked team in the state Tuesday, Jan. 2. While they may have lost, Rosema knows they’ll be stronger for it.

“We know who we are. I feel we get disrespected throughout the state,” Rosema said. “People don’t give us enough credit for what we have in this locker room and the program we have. The girls are confident internally because of the work they put in during the offseason.”

raise the banner

Hart’s 2023 Girls Track & Field State Championship team was honored at halftime of the boys basketball game with North Muskegon on Friday, Jan. 5. The team was presented with their trophy and a new banner that will hang in the gym to honor their accomplishment. The Pirates also honored several athletes that set new school records in the sport. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Hart Boys BB continued from page 6

it a group decision. Only one player (Ty Schlukebir) sat out, but that was because Bronsema had to hold him out after Schlukebir didn’t play due to minor injury.

“We talked about how we are sometimes worried about outside things. I had them run not for the sake of making them look bad, but because when we get on the court we should be focused on each other and that’s all,” Bronsema said. “I told the kids, ‘it’s not something you have

to do, but if you are with me, you’re going to come out.’ It wasn’t a ‘have to’ and they all came out.”

Weirich led Hart on the night, scoring nine points and adding 11 rebounds.

Jacobs added eight points and four rebounds as well.

The Pirates fell to 3-6 overall on the year with the loss, but still sit at 3-1 in the conference standings. North Muskegon pulled ahead to a perfect 5-0 in the conference and now sit alone at the top of the standings.

Two Pirates Commit

Two Hart female athletes made clear their intentions to compete at the college level last week. Alyson Enns (pictured above left, with Hart track and field coach Calvin Ackley and former Hart cross country coach Terry Tatro) signed on to run both cross country and track at Cedarville University on Friday, Jan. 5. Enns will follow a long line of family members who have run at Cedarville, including her sister Audrianna Enns and her cousin Savannah Ackley who are currently on the Yellow Jackets’ roster. Abby Hicks (pictured above right with Hart girls basketball assistant coach Bailey Draper, Hart girls basketball head coach Travis Rosema and Hart girls basketball assistant coach Doug Pretty) signed on with Alma College Thursday, Jan. 4 where she’ll play basketball.

• Brendan Samuels/ECHO Phil is the father of Andrew White of New Era.

Hart senior Blake Weirich fights through a North Muskegon defender on his way to the hoop. Weirich led the Pirates with nine points in a 72-34 loss to the Norsemen. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

8 JANUARY 12, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO

Obituaries Daniel ‘Dan’ Joseph Thomas

• If you lose a contact lens, you can try turning off the lights and using a flashlight held perpendicular to the floor. They sort of reflect the light, and as you move the beam of light across the floor, it will flash. This has helped me many times. I am a little clumsy when I put my contacts in. Thanks! — R.E. in South Carolina • Great diet control tip: When serving dinner, portion out the meal, then pack up the leftovers right away. You won’t be as tempted to go back and have seconds, nor stuff a few more mouthfuls in when cleaning up later.

• I have a medicine that I take with every meal. Surprisingly, it’s difficult to remember whether I took it already when I’m eating on the go or out with friends. I keep small containers in my purse labeled “lunch” and “dinner,” each with one pill inside. Before I eat, I look in the container. If a pill is there, it means I forgot to take it. Then I refill the container when I get home and it’s ready for next time.

• Last year, I had a large wall calendar at the office. It was a wet-erase calendar with the year on one side and a “planning space” on the back.

When the year was over, I needed a new calendar, but the blank side was still usable. I took it home and cut it to fit inside my kitchen cabinets. I have a handy space to jot notes and such. — R.W. in Colorado • This is a fun game for kids to play with cookies: Stamp the alphabet letters into the top of mini cookies, or use a kebab skewer to write words.

Then let the kids spell out their name or make sentences or silly phrases. — B.D. in Mississippi Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

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• Fireflies are the most efficient producers of light in the world.

• Tong Aonan solved 840 Rubik’s cubes, then used them to create a portrait of his crush and declare his love for her. Sadly, she rejected him • A runaway tortoise in Putnam County, Florida, covered a span of five miles in three and a half years before ending up at Florida’s Wildest Animal Rescue, where a staff member was able to determine its identity and reunite it with its owners.

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• A bookstore in Australia wraps its volumes in paper with short descriptions attached so potential buyers won’t “judge a book by its cover.” *** Thought for the Day: “How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” — Anne Frank © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

May 27, 1965 ~ January 7, 2024

Daniel “Dan” Joseph Thomas, 58, passed away peacefully, Jan. 7, 2024, at his home in Bitely, surrounded by family.

He was born May 27, 1965, in Holland, the son of Joseph and Shirley (Konklin) Thomas.

Dan retired from Hanson Cold Storage after 27 years of dedicated service. Throughout his life, and especially in his retirement, Dan was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. His proudest hunting moment was in 2011, when he took down a black bear while hunting in the UP. Dan was very proud of all his children and enjoyed spending time with them.

He is survived by: his wife of 25 years, Karla (Hansen) Thomas; son, Joshua (Britni) Thomas; daughters, Tara (Jeremy) Ford, Kristal (David) Herevia, Amanda (Troy) Lutzke, and Brenda (Wade) Holt; sister, Deb (Larry) Dolezan; brother David Schroeder; and 18 grandchildren.

Dan was preceded in death by: his parents, Joseph and Shirley (Konklin) Thomas; brother, Jimmy Schroeder; and sisters, Laura Schroeder and Vonda Stillson.

In accordance with Dan’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and no services will take place at this time.

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

William Dale Smith

March 13, 1952 ~ January 2, 2024 William Dale Smith, 71, of Rothbury, passed away at home after a short illness Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. He was born March 13, 1952, in Muskegon, the son of Robert and Dorlene (Featherly) Smith.

Bill married Karen (Abbatoy) Smith Sept. 21, 1975, in Eustis, Fla. and they were married 48 years.

Bill enjoyed spending time in nature and was an avid hunter and fisherman, once catching a state record-breaking brown trout. In his early married life, he fed his family mostly with wild game he hunted or caught. Bill worked for many years as an HVAC installer and could build or fix anything. He built his family home from the ground up by himself.

Known to his friends as “Wild Bill or Captain,” he enjoyed sitting outside, drinking a beer with his friends around a campfire. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.

Bill is survived by: his wife, Karen (Abbatoy) Smith; daughters, Erica (Matthew) Cederquist and Shannon (Paul) Charbonneau; grandchildren, Aiden Bouc, Kaya Bouc, Sara Cederquist, Tony Cederquist, Sam Cederquist and Ben Cederquist; sister, Carolyn Morey; brother, Irvin (JoAnn) Smith; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by: his daughter, Sergeant Tanya Smith, USMC; grandson, Josh Charbonneau; parents, Robert and Dorlene Smith; and siblings, Robert Smith, Cathy Finkler and Jane Morin.

A private graveside service and celebration of life will take place in the spring.

The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is handling arrangements. www.harrisfhome.com

Barry Francis Vanas

April 13, 1958 ~ January 10, 2024 Barry Francis Vanas, 65, of Hart, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Jan. 10, 2024. He was born April 13, 1958, in Ludington, the son of Leroy and Grace (McGinnis) Vanas.

Barry was an avid golfer, playing with all his buddies at Lakeside Links in Ludington. In recent years, he journeyed on mission trips to Honduras, where the most sophisticated chicken coop was built for their feeding program. Barry had a servant’s heart and loved to help others. He loved his church family at the New Era Reformed Church and cherished each relationship made.

Barry is in his happy place now, playing golf with Jesus.

Barry is survived by: his loving, Irish wife, Mary Rose Vanas; sister, Kathie (George) Smith; brother, Jeff (Robin) Vanas; cousins, Clancy (Geri) Dietz and Charlie (Janey) Dietz; daughter, Nichole (Rick) Claude; son, Adam Lee (Sarah) Vanas; step-daughters, Michelle and Lizzie; grandson, Isaiah; granddaughter, Aurora; and many extended Irish family.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Grace (McGinnis) Vanas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Danish Brotherhood of Ludington Scholarship Fund, 1014 S. Madison St., Ludington, MI 49431.

Memorial services will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at the New Era Reformed Church, 4775 1st St., New Era, MI 49446. There will be a barbeque luncheon immediately following services, and the family encourages all to attend and share in the celebration of Barry’s life.

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

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Death Notice ~ Eileen Frances Cockerill Eileen Frances Cockerill, 105, passed away peacefully Jan. 7, 2024. She was born in Oceana County Nov. 28, 1918, the daughter of Harvey and Myrtle (Beckwith) Huston. A celebration of Eileen’s life will take place in the spring at the White Lake United Methodist Church in Montague. Interment will follow in Hubbard Cemetery.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements. harrisfhome.com

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2.99 Pringles Party Stack Potato

Snacks

6.84-7.16 oz.

Sel. Var.

$

$

Tide Simply Liquid Laundry

2.99 Quaker Life

Cereal

2.99 Velveeta Skillets

3.49 Pearl Milling Co.

One Pan

Syrup

Dinner Kit

24 oz., Sel. Var.

11.5-13.6 oz.

Sel. Var.

1.89 Hidden Valley

3.99 Hidden Valley

Ranch Dip or Salad Dressing

Ranch Dressing

16 oz., Sel. Var.

Each

$

Each

21 oz., Sel. Var.

13 oz., Sel. Var.

11.9-16 oz., Sel. Var.

Pancake Mix

Each

15-45 oz., Sel. Var.

Betty Crocker Ready To Spread Frosting, Cookies,Brownie or Cake

3.79 Pearl Milling Co.

Each

$

Each

2/$

Select Varieties 18.1-19.7 oz.

$

12.08-18.71 oz., Sel. Var.

Each

2/$

Cereal

5

Nabisco Family Size!

$

$

9.5-13 oz., Sel. Var.

6 General Mills

Each

Each

$

$

$

$

4/$

Each

Zesta or Krispy Saltine Each 16 oz., Sel. Var.

18.6-21.4 oz., Sel. Var.

32 oz., Sel. Var.

Each

$

$

Each

$

15 oz., Sel. Var.

$

$

$

Hormel Canned

Each

12 ct., Sel. Var..

Each

$

$

Maxwell House

$

$

Heinz Tomato

$

Kellogg’s

$

Each

Each

$

16 oz., Sel. Var.

99 $ 00 $

$

Mix

.4-1.1 oz., Sel. Var.

2.99 Kellogg’s

Nutri-Grain Bars 8 ct., Sel. Var.

Hormel 4/$ Compleats

10

Microwave Meals 7.5-10 oz., Sel. Var.

2/$

7

Frito-Lay Doritos

Chips

9.25-10.75 oz.

Sel. Var.

2.99 Act II

2.99 Best Choice

¢ 89 Best Choice

Popcorn

Cheese

Dinner

Microwave

6 ct., Sel. Var.

Grated Parmesan

Macaroni & Cheese

8 oz., Sel. Var.

5.5-7.25 oz.

Sel. Var.

12 JANUARY 12, 2024 THE OCEANA ECHO

bakery

6 Pretzilla 2/$

Burger Buns or Sausage Buns 4 ct.

FRESH BAKED!

16.99

9” Caramel BAKERY FRESH! 2.99 Apple Walnut Pie White Breadbakery 18.5 oz.

Dietz & Watson

deli

Maple Smoked Ham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 .99 lb .

Honey Maple Turkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 .99 lb .

Monterey Jack Cheese . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .99 lb .

Old Tyme Savings Virginia Smoked Ham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .99 lb .

Pepper Jack Cheese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .99 lb .

Cookies & Cream

12.99

Dessert Cake.

Hansen’s Homemade

New! Gyro Bowls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 .99lb .

New! Asian Sticky Ribs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .99 lb .

BBQ Ribs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .99 lb .

1/2 Slabs or Whole Slabs

Dill Pickle Cheese Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 .99 lb .

Sundried Tomato & Feta Spread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .99 lb .

Amish Mac Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 .99 lb .

2/$

5 Michelina’s 4/$

8 Pack 12 oz.

Bottles Plus Deposit

5 Healthy Choice

8

Dinners 9-20 oz.

Sel. Var.

Snapple

Bagel Bites

Cafe Steamers

Stouffer’s Large Size

4.99

2.49

2/$

2/$

2/$

7 Up

Entrees 4.5-8.5 oz.

Sel. Var.

11

BEVERAGE

6 Pack Bottles

7 oz.

Sel. Var.

9.25-10 oz.

Sel. Var.

6 Stouffer’s 2/$

Entrees 8-12.75 oz.

Sel. Var.

11

7 Up

10 Pack 7.5 oz. Cans Plus Deposit

2/$

14 Pepsi

12 Pack Cans Plus Deposit

8 Sparkling Water Bubly

2/$

8 Pack Cans Plus Deposit

5.99

Body Armor Super Drink

Flavored Water 6 Pack 20 oz. Bottles

2/$10

Coke

6 Pack .5 ltr. Bottles Plus Deposit

6.99 Body Armor Water

6 Pack 1 ltr. Bottles

THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR JANUARY12, 12,2024 2024131 THE OCEANA ECHO JANUARY

Reflections of our community

White Lake Mirror YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

White Lake Free Store supplies needs Ruth Grenell helms store, located at Whitehall’s UMC

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor WHITEHALL — To see Ruth Grenell walking through the White Lake United Methodist Church on a Thursday evening or a Saturday afternoon is to see someone exactly where they know they’re supposed to be; in Grenell’s case, helping people.

For two and a half years, Grenell has run the White Lake Free Store, which distributes clothes, toys, hygiene products and more to those who need them the most.

“I’m a very privileged middle-class white female that has always had a love for other people, but never really a strong understanding of their life,” Grenell said. “The two things I’ve learned about (people in) poverty... they have two things that they hold in high esteem. That’s relationships and things. I can help with relationships, but I wasn’t able to give them the things they needed.

“It’s just really filled a need in this (area). Whitehall probably has one of the higher (rate of ) low-income rentals (in terms of people who live) in the city. I think there’s an awful lot of people that say, ‘Let them go to Hope’s Closet and spend $10 or $5,’ or something. They might not have it. So they come here.”

Grenell, who was a nurse at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon for 40 years

The White Lake Free Store in Whitehall offers a variety of goods at no charge for those in need.

Ruth Grenell, who runs the White Lake Free Store out of the United Methodist • Andy Roberts/Mirror Church in Whitehall, poses for a photo with some of the available goods. For before retiring in 2005, launched the Grenell, running the store is something of a full-time job. free store in July 2021. Located at the • Andy Roberts/Mirror White Lake United Methodist Church in Whitehall, it came about after most of that money - about 70 percent, a full-time job. But you won’t hear her Grenell learned of a similar service according to Grenell - has been spent complaining. For her, the free store is the church’s now-retired pastor, Mike just 18 months later. Grenell got a boost a calling.

“I’ve had some health issues,” Riegler, was part of in Mount Pleasant. late last year when the White Lake Area Grenell said. “I’ve had a lot of back surCommunity Fund gave the free store The store ran solely on community geries, and I’ve had cancer in the past, another $5,000 grant. donations (both physical and moneand my faith’s just brought me through While the free store is inside the tary) for over a year. After having been all of it.

I thought, ‘I’ve still got some church, Grenell said it maintains indein operation for a year as a 501(c)3 good years to give to something.’ This pendent operations.

The church’s curnonprofit, the free store was able to get is my something, and I love it. I love the rent pastor Tim Dibble, is counted as a traction seeking grants. Her first big people, and I have a feeling they like us big supporter of the store. grant, worth $10,000, came from the a little bit too.”

Between seeking grants and stockWhite Lake Area Women Who Care.

Grenell doesn’t just stock the free When Grenell received that grant, she ing the store - seemingly every constore, either. She’s a self-described versation Grenell had last Thursday thought it would keep her store going Uber driver for a handful of city resiat the free store included mention of for years, purchasing diapers, bathwhere she had picked up one product room supplies and any number of othor another - what began as a hobby er things. continued on page 2 Inflation changed that, though, and has turned into something more like

Free store

White River Twp. board expresses support for Chemours cleanup

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

A memorial was placed on Skeels Road this week after the death of 16-year-old Holton Township resident Kari Miller Friday. Miller and her brother were riding their bicycles westbound when an SUV, traveling the same direction, hit them.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Skeels Rd. crash claims life of local teenager, hospitalizes her brother A 16-year-old girl died, and her 17-year-old brother suffered serious injuries, after a car struck their bicycles at 6:30 p.m. Friday on Skeels Road east of Montague, the Michigan State Police said.

An obituary posted at the Kroeze-Wolffis funeral home’s website identified Kari Miller, a Holton resident, as the girl who died in the crash.

The collision took place on Skeels Road, with both the car and the bicyclists traveling westbound. The car, an SUV, was driven by a 35-year-old female, MSP’s Sixth District reported on its X page.

Both teenagers are members of the Amish community. The X posts said more information will be released as it becomes available.

MONTAGUE — The White River Township board unanimously approved a letter of support for the cleanup of the former DuPont property now owned by Chemours at Tuesday’s board meeting.

The letter was drafted in preparation for the Jan. 25 public meeting, set for 5:30 p.m. at the township hall, with representatives from both Chemours and the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) scheduled to attend.

The reason for the letter is that, according to the Chemours Environmental Impact Committee (CEIC), public support is considered a major factor in cleanup decisions. CEIC hopes to push Chemours to clean up the 1,300-acre property that housed a DuPont manufacturing plant from 1956-96.

The board also discussed moving forward with a bid process for a public

access point for a 66-foot-wide stretch of lakeside land at the end of Hancock Road. The county’s chief judge pro tem, Kenneth Hoopes, recently ruled in support of White River Township, saying that stretch is public property. The board did not take any action on the process at the meeting but discussed installing a staircase leading to the lake and emphasized that the goal will be to not inconvenience the property owners on either side of the public access point. The Muskegon County Road Commission has given the township permission to move forward, but the financial responsibility for the installation will fall on the township.

The board unanimously approved a pair of new hires at the meeting. Following interviews of a few prospective candidates for a new zoning enforcement officer position, John Howell was selected for the position. Supervisor

White River Twp. continued on page 3

2 JANUARY 12, 2024 THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR

Free store

dents who lack transportation to get to the free store, whose hours - 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturdays - coincide with those of the twice-weekly free meals the church serves with help from community volunteers. The meals bring in roughly 60-70 people on Thursdays and 40-45 on Saturdays; not everyone who gets a meal goes to the free store, and vice versa.

Grenell has also helped those she could tell needed it. She counts a woman named Betty, whom she met in Grand Rapids and needed help, as a dear friend. She helped Betty, whom Grenell said had been in and out of various public systems and was never adequately educated, receive counseling and a case worker at HealthWest in Muskegon, and helped her move to Whitehall. Betty is now a regular with Grenell at the free store, which helped furnish her apartment and wardrobe.

“Every person I meet has a story,” Grenell said when she received her WLCF grant. “If we open our eyes to these stories, these are good people...

The free store gives them back a little bit of their dignity.”

Grenell has help, of course. A half-dozen women help Grenell sort through the donations received at the free store twice a week, and Whitehall’s Pat Schmoekel helps with the store’s operations.

When the store started and pickings were slim, there were strict limitations

THE OCEANA ECHO JANUARY 12, 2024 14

continued from page 1

on what was taken. Grenell recalled at one point, six items of clothing was the maximum amount allowed.

“Then you have a mom walk in who has five children, and six items mean nothing to her,” Grenell said.

There remain limitations on some things - for example, diapers, women’s hygiene items and other things that cannot be purchased with government assistance - simply for availability reasons. Other toiletries, such as shampoo, deodorant, etc. are stocked once a month, usually around the 15th of the month. However, as a whole, the store is stocked enough now that it doesn’t need to be as strict about everything.

“They’re pretty picked over today,” Grenell said during a visit last Thursday. “We had a crowd come swooping in here a little bit ago.”

Grenell is the mayor of those crowds. She spreads the word about the White Lake UMC’s offerings, and people follow.

“People, when they first come, they don’t meet people, then they meet people, and it’s really good,” said Whitehall native Bernice Switanowski.

“I belonged to (St. James) Catholic 42 (years), but I lost my husband (Ernest) 10 years ago. It’s hard to do things that I used to do with him that he’s not here to do. I know Ruth, and when she told me about this, I had to come.”

As the store has become more wellknown, the quality of the items donated has increased too. Grenell said

Local residents enjoy a meal at the White Lake United Methodist Church in Whitehall. The White Lake Free Store’s hours coincide with the twice-weekly meals served at the church.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror when the store first started, donations were often delivered in trash bags, and the quality of items would usually befit the delivery method. Now, though, donations can be quite generous. The batch delivered last Thursday - three truckloads’ worth - included a new toaster oven and a quality bedding set, both still in their packaging.

“I think that as people know what we’re doing with it, the quality’s picked up a lot,” Grenell said.

When Grenell’s helpers sort through donations, they make sure items are in good working order and don’t have “a bad odor” on them. Donations that don’t make the cut are sent along to other donation spots in the area.

“They do take children’s clothes home to wash them, because we really

are low on kids’ clothes,” Grenell said.

“This (donation room) is where they do all their magic.”

Donations are accepted any time, and Grenell said clothes, particularly baby and toddler clothes, are a huge emphasis for the store given how quickly they are snatched up.

The free store continues to grow, and Grenell said she’s in the early stages of what could become a partnership with Mission for Area People out of Muskegon to host a satellite office for them. (A call to MAP was not returned.)

The core mission to help people, however, will not change.

“It just makes my heart feel so good,” Grenell said. “We all have so much stuff, and these people don’t have a lot of stuff...I love it.”

ACWL-Nuveen kicks off 2024 exhibition season with wide-ranging Studio Art Showcase

The ACWL-Nuveen kicked off the 2024 exhibition season this week with its second annual Studio Art Showcase, taking place Jan. 9-27. The show proved so popular that the ACWL-Nuveen contacted all of its art instructors and students who took classes in 2023 and asked them if they would exhibit their artwork that was inspired by or made in class. The Showcase exhibit features a wide range of art media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry - and presents work from artists of all ages.

The ACWL-Nuveen provides yearround opportunities for the community to get creative. Teachers offer instruction in both traditional craft and fine art techniques for beginning and

more experienced students. Some of the classes are offered most semesters including Ceramics, Drawing Studio, and Masterstrokes: a mixed-media painting class. These repeated classes allow the student to take a deeper dive into honing their skills and expression.

Evidence of this creative growth is on display in our 2024 Studio Art Showcase!

The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a free public reception Saturday, Jan. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. Snacks and drinks to celebrate the artists and instructors. An art activity will be provid- Lillie Sheridan (left) teaches a class at the Arts Council of White Lake-Nuveen ed for all ages - decorating lunch sacks Center. Students from the council’s various classes are having artwork displayed at the center through Jan. 27. • ACWL-Nuveen/Courtesy Photo to support the Kids Food Basket.

By Virginia DeMumbrum

Jr. Day has been celebrated on the third Monday of January for 37 years. This year it happens to fall on the late Dr. King’s actual birthday – Jan. 15. The library will open on this federal holiday so that we can host a DeMumbrum livestreamed lecture about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement he led. Read on for more information about the lecture.

January Series Starts Monday We are looking forward to another great year of January Series lectures from Calvin University. Join us for the livestream at the library each weekday at 12:30 p.m., Jan. 15 through Feb. 2.

Free Creativebug video classes for all ages Volunteer Contributor

The library is thrilled to announce a new service for all the creative folks in our community. Creativebug is a huge collection of instructional videos on crafting and creating available to anyone with a library card. Choose from thousands of award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.

There’s even a section devoted to kids’ crafts with plenty of projects to keep kids busy when the weather outside is frightful! With everything from sewing and jewelry making to bookbinding and animatronics, there is truly something for everyone.

All you need to get started is your library card! If you have a tan White Lake Community Library, visit wlclib.

The

Bookworm

Bulletin

org and look for the Creativebug link. If you have a yellow Muskegon Area District Library card, visit madl.org. Either way, you will enjoy unlimited access to the videos and find inspiration for new projects to keep you creating and crafting all year long!

FUN FACT: Martin Luther King

Bring a lunch if you like; we’ll supply tea, coffee, and water. If you prefer to watch from the comfort of home, you can sign up on the Calvin website and receive a link to watch anytime between 12:30 p.m. and midnight the day of the lecture.

The series kicks off this year with a talk by Lerone Martin entitled “Soul Force: The Challenge of Martin Luther King”. Martin is an associate professor of religious studies at Stanford University and an award-winning author. He will highlight his book, The Gospel of J. Edgar Hoover, and discuss the historical and legal context of government surveillance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., its implications for the civil rights movement, and lessons learned to be considered for today’s social justice efforts.

THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR JANUARY 12, 12, 2024 2024 15 3 THE OCEANA ECHO JANUARY

Echoes of History: History Oak Grove Cemetery (pt. 1)

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor This area was used as a burial ground as far back as about 1856 but did not become a recognized cemetery until the mid-1870s. In 1875, Montague Township voted to spend $300 for the cemetery. The land was purchased from Henry Staples. In October 1877 arrangements were made to lay out and fence the cemetery grounds in a proper shape. It was officially surveyed and plotted out in 1878.

In November 1877, the cemetery was given the name Oak Grove Cemetery. Before that time, it appears it was simply referred to as the Montague Cemetery.

The oldest headstone in the cemetery dates back to 1856 and is for a young boy named Frank Murden.

According to the information on the stone, he was the son of B.F. and G. A. Murden and was five years, six months and 14 days old at his passing May 5, 1856. By calculating his age at the time of his death, it indicates that he was born Oct. 20, 1850. According to records, however, his father did not purchase the plot until 1878.

A search of B. F. and G.A. Murden revealed that they were Benjamin Franklin Murden and his wife Gertrude Ann (nee Solomon) Murden. Benjamin was born in New York around 1818. His wife Gertrude was born around 1826, also in New York. They were married in

Middlesex, New Jersey, Dec. 16, 1846.

His occupation was listed as a minister. They had six children during their marriage.

The 1850 census shows them living in New York with a two-year-old daughter, Mary S (1848-1927). They were not found in the 1860 census. By 1870 they were living in Canton, Wayne County, Mich. with their other three children: William (1853-77), Henry (1855-?) and Anna (1859-78). By 1871, they had made their way to Montague.

B. F. was the first minister to move into the new Ferry Presbyterian Church parsonage, which was completed by May 1875.

In February 1877, his son William died at the age of 22. A news item reported Rev. Murden had purchased a monument for him from the Muskegon Marble Company for $100, from which the company deducted $25. Oddly, there is no monument in Oak Grove for William or any record of him.

A daughter Anna reportedly died in Montague March 3, 1878. His wife Gertrude died Dec. 21, 1888 following a brief illness. After the funeral, a large group of family friends followed the remains to their last resting place, which is unknown.

Benjamin died in Montague April 14, 1891, but his burial location is also unknown. In his obituary, it stated his family consisted of the wife and six children, all of whom were dead, ex-

Rothbury extends Electric Forest permit approval through 2035

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor The Village of Rothbury approved an extension of the gathering permit for the Electric Forest music festival through the summer of 2035 at a special meeting last Thursday. This came on the heels of the village amending its mass gathering ordinance last month to allow for 15-year permits, up from the previous 10.

AEG Presents, the company that

puts on the Electric Forest in Rothbury each year, thanked the village for its approval of the permit. The length of the extension also creates the possibility of additional music and site upgrades for the festival in the future.

Although the demand for tickets for the Electric Forest is massive each year - the 2024 festival sold out in December, over six months in advance - AEG Presents’ Alexandra Dunne said there are no plans to increase the number of tickets sold “for the foreseeable future.”

Montague re-elects school board officers, sets meeting schedule

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer MONTAGUE — Montague Board of Education voted during Monday’s meeting for its roster of officers to remain the same. Brent Raeth will continue as president, Tom Johnson as vice president, Cindy Francis as secretary and Amanda Dahl as treasurer.

The board confirmed the new meeting schedule for 2024, with all meetings taking place the second Monday of each month.

Additionally, the board voted to approve the hiring of John Merten and Bea Vanderstelt to the transportation department.

White River Twp.

Oak Grove Cemetery in Montague dates back to 1856, though it wasn’t recognized as a cemetery for close to 20 years after that. • Courtesy Photo cept his oldest daughter, Mary S. Chaffee, who survived him and was living in Pontiac. She died in 1927 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac. A check of that cemetery did not reveal any other Murden family members being buried there.

Several other old headstones in Oak Grove include that of John Easterling, who was born Dec. 4, 1842 and died June 6, 1864 at the age of 22, when he was killed during the Civil War at the Battle of Lake Chicot, Arkansas.

Another old headstone belongs to John Herren, who died in 1864 at the age of 37, while in Andersonville Prison during the Civil War. Some records seem to indicate he died July 3, while his headstone indicates he died Aug. 28, 1864.

It is the final resting place of Job Sargent (1794-1882), who was a veteran of the War of 1812.

In May 1910, all interested members of the Cemetery Association met at the home of Mrs. G. H. Mason and an election of officers was held, with the following elected: Mrs. Ella Hawks, President; Mrs. G. H. Mason, Vice President; Mrs. S. A. Gritzner, Secretary; Mrs. Annamae Grow, Treasurer.

In August 1910, the ladies of the Cemetery Improvement Association met with the town board and submitted their plans and specifications for the improvement of the cemetery and asked for an appropriation to assist in defraying the expenses. The town board voted for $100 to be turned over to the Association. The improvements were along a practical line. A gasoline engine and force pump were to be installed. A pavilion on the grounds was used for the pump house. The grounds were then piped, and water provided for sprinkling.

Whitehall council approves permits for upcoming festivals

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer WHITEHALL — Whitehall is gearing up for the various popular events that will take place again this summer, like Walk the Beat and Feet on the Street. Both summer street events had their permits approved for food trucks and their spaces during Tuesday’s city council meeting, along with White Lake Winter Wanderland. Winter Wanderland will be taking place the weekend of Feb. 2-4. The event will feature activities for residents of all ages, including a cardboard sled race, snowshoeing, a snow sculpture contest and more. Participants will have the opportunity to win prizes, eat at food trucks, enjoy free hot cocoa, support local businesses and celebrate winter in White Lake.

According to their website, “White Lake Wanderland exists to benefit and enhance the quality of life for residents

and businesses in the cities of Montague and Whitehall by organizing and providing enriching activities for all.”

Residents interested in volunteering for Winter Wanderland can sign-up on their website, whitelakewanderland.com.

During the work session prior to Tuesday’s meeting, councilman Steve Sikkenga pitched the idea that cameras be placed around the tunnel across from Goodrich Park. Concerns were raised because of new “art” continuing to appear on what used to be the public art wall. The art wall was recently discontinued due to numerous White Lake residents’ frustration of seeing profanity and inappropriate items constantly being painted on the wall, along with the Michigan Department of Transportation taking over, claiming that the tunnel belongs to them. Sikkenga believes the city council “owes citizens this.”

White Lake Chorale invites new members for spring season Ron Bailey noted that despite the title meetings and other relevant news from of the position, it would be more focused on working towards agreeable solutions for all parties in the case of a zoning issue than it would be about “gotcha” type enforcement. Also, resident Mark Grattafiori was approved for an hourly maintenance position. The board noted Grattafiori, the owner of Martech Enterprises, is an experienced and licensed technician in various fields.

The board discussed the possibility of setting up a social media page to disburse information about upcoming

continued from page 1

the township. Bailey, who has promoted getting more people involved in local government, expressed support for the idea and noted Facebook seems to be the preferred social media service.

It was discussed that should a page be created, residents would expect responsiveness from the page if they had a question about something. Also, there was discussion of limiting or disabling comments on posts from such a page, to prevent arguments and misinformation.

White Lake Chorale reconvenes on Monday, Jan. 15, at Lebanon Lutheran Church, 1101 S. Mears Avenue, Whitehall, for the kickoff to its spring session. From 6:30 to 7 p.m. Chorale members will be greeting new singers and having open chats. Commitments to the group are not required on the first night, so come and talk with current members to get your questions answered. Prospective members are invited to join a first rehearsal to get to know the Chorale before making any decisions. From 7 to 9, music se-

lections for the session will be sampled and an opening rehearsal will occur.

The White Lake Chorale is not an audition group. The only requirements are being of high school age or older, and being able to carry a tune.

Those who cannot attend on January 15, are invited to Montague High School the following Monday, Jan. 22.

Rehearsal time there is 7 to 9 p.m. Session sign-ups and payment of the $30 session fee will begin at 6:30, Jan. 22, prior to the rehearsal. Payment plans and scholarships are available.

community 4 JANUARY LAKE MIRROR 16 JANUARY12, 12,2024 2024 THE THEWHITE OCEANA ECHO

e Mirror

SPORTS WHITEHALL • MONTAGUE • REETHS - PUFFER

Whitehall out thriller over Ludington NONPROFIT NEWSekes SOURCE Kal Koehler makes winning free throws with 5 seconds to go

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor LUDINGTON — Whitehall junior forward Kal Koehler has had some big moments during his Vikings’ career, but likely none bigger than when he grabbed an offensive rebound with just five seconds left in a tied game at Ludington Friday night.

A less confident player might have kicked the ball out for an outside shooter. Koehler, though, was already enjoying one of his best career games, and he had the confidence to go up with the shot himself.

He was fouled, and after a Ludington timeout to ice him, coolly knocked down both free throws, giving himself 20 points on the night. Teammate Camden Thompson then stole the inbounds pass to secure a thrilling 64-62 victory.

“One of the things I’m most proud of him for is taking the shot that he got fouled on,” Whitehall coach Christian Subdon said. “He could have turned that ball over, and they (had) a time out to burn too. But he decided to take the shot and give us a chance.”

The clutch free throws capped one of Koehler’s best varsity games. He ended the night with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Thompson had 14 points, 15 boards and six assists.

“I was extremely confident,” Koehler said of his mindset at the line. “Me and my dad put in the work every day at the free throw line, getting work in after practice.”

Koehler’s heroics were only neces-

Whitehall’s Brock Morningstar attacks the basket during Friday’s game at Ludington.

The Vikings won, 64-62.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall’s Camden Thompson eyes the rim while being defended by Ludington opponents during Friday’s WMC Lakes game at Ludington. Thompson made the gamesary due to an impressive fourth-quar- clinching steal in the final seconds of a 64-62 win. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

ter comeback by Ludington. The Vikings (9-0, 4-0 WMC Lakes) held a 52-40 lead after three thanks to a 14-2 run to end the frame. The hosts, backed by a raucous crowd, responded with some clutch shots to open the fourth quarter, including a couple of treys by Spencer Holmes. The second of those shots gave Ludington a 59-58 lead, setting the stage for a thrilling final stretch.

“Credit Ludington,” Subdon said.

“There were many opportunities for them to give in and they didn’t. We thought we had them broken and they didn’t (break). We took the foot off the gas, a couple bad play calls on my part, a couple clutch (shots) on their part. It was just good, all-around basketball.”

Whitehall called timeout on its next possession, and Thompson fed Koehler for a go-ahead basket with 1:52 to play. Then David Shillinger, Ludington’s all-time leading scorer, drilled a huge three to put his team back on

top, 62-60, giving him 18 points for the game. Thompson responded with a tying jump shot.

After a defensive stop, Koehler’s big second-chance points gave Whitehall the win.

It was a win made all the more impressive because Thompson, a 20/20 machine so far this season, didn’t have to carry as much of the load. Naturally, though, he still made the game-clinching play.

“If that’s (him) not playing well, I’ll Whitehall’s Kyle Stratton (left) tries to get take it,” Subdon smiled.

“Shillinger is the guy, so of course a shot past Ludington defender Gage Jones they’re going to try to get the ball back during Friday’s game at Ludington. The to him,” Thompson said, breaking Vikings won, 64-62.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror down the steal. “I just anticipated and able crunch-time reps in a hostile envigot pretty lucky.”

Not only was the Vikings’ win a ronment. The Vikes hadn’t faced such massive one in the league race - the a situation this year prior to Friday. two teams tied for the conference title last year, only losing to one another - it also enabled Whitehall to gain valucontinued on page 5

Thrilling win

Whitehall sputters against Fremont defense Turnovers bedevil Vikings in tough defeat at home

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor WHITEHALL — Unsurprisingly given its inexperience, Whitehall has taken steps forward and backward over the course of its eight games so far. Wednesday was the latter, as the Vikings struggled to combat Fremont’s length and athleticism and dropped a 45-28 decision in West Michigan Conference Lakes play.

From the opening moments, the Packers flustered Whitehall with its full-court press, forcing a slew of turnovers. Whitehall was able to play strong enough defense to stay in the game despite the giveaways, even leading at a couple of points in the first half.

However, Fremont scored seven straight points late in the half to take a 21-13 lead. Clare Westerlund scored at the buzzer to get the Vikings back to within six, but Whitehall (2-6, 1-4 WMC Lakes) never got any closer.

Whitehall’s Allie Van Antwerp (10) tries to pass off to a teammate as Fremont’s Jessica Bennett defends during Wednesday’s game at Whitehall.

Whitehall’s Taylor Ottinger (left) tries to get to a loose ball during Wednesday’s WMC Lakes game against Fremont. The Vikings fell to the Packers, 45-28.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

“Obviously, credit to Fremont,” Vikes’ coach Brian Milliron said.

“They run around. They’ve got four girls on this side and if we just keep our head up a little bit, maybe we can get some layups, but we did not han-

dle the pressure well. We need to do a better job with that.”

Milliron said he believes in the guards on the team. With the exception of Kendall Osborne, though, most are still inexperienced at the varsity

level, and the group hasn’t yet developed the on-court chemistry needed to break through in tough situations.

The coach has seen it in practice,

Vikes drop game continued on page 5

THE OCEANA ECHO JANUARY THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR JANUARY12, 12,2024 2024 17 5

Thrilling win Subdon was hoping to encounter situations like that when he put together this year’s schedule, which included only seven home games out of 22.

“We’re trying to put ourselves in situations that are not friendly to us,” Subdon said. “We do that to prepare for Fruitport (and the

continued from page 4

districts). This looked just like it sounded (last year at Fruitport), it’s just that it was orange and black rather than navy. We’ve just got to keep getting better. We can’t put our hat on this record. We’ve got to continue to grow.”

Whitehall, though, was able to take the evening to enjoy its most

Vikes drop game

though, and believes it is coming.

“We had a similar situation last year where practices were going real well, and we were not having game translation,” Milliron said. “We eventually figured it out a little bit last year. This year, we’re going to have to.”

The Packers made things more difficult with their attacking mentality on defense. Jessica Bennett in particular was a thorn in the Vikings’ side, rejecting several shots in the lane and even swatting a three-point attempt at one point.

That couldn’t have helped with whatever on-court jitters there may have been.

“She’s a real tough player,” Milliron said of Bennett, who had eight first-half points and 10 for the game. “The whole team is long. They play the same way in basketball as they do in volleyball. They’re scrappy. They don’t

have any 6-2 kids on this team, but they play like they are. They get after it.”

The Vikings fell behind by double digits in the third quarter, but Milliron said the team was not yet out of the game - at least not as much as he thought they felt they were. Developing game toughness will be a focal point as the season moves on.

“Obviously the building, on a snow day, was quiet, but we’ve got to figure out, from the 10 of us and the coaches, some love and some passion and some energy and create our own,” Milliron said. “That’s something that we’re going to talk about at practice tomorrow.”

The coach credited Clare Westerlund, who had a team-best seven points, with making an impact on the team. Though only a freshman and still splitting time

taxing win yet, with the knowledge that the experience has made them even better.

“I just think it’s a win we deserve,” Koehler said. “We gained the ability to work better as a Whitehall’s DJ Jamison tries to get past Ludington’s Robby team...We earned it.”

Killips during Friday’s game at Ludington.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

continued from page 4

Boys Basketball Fremont 52 Montague 43 (OT) Montague played without an injured Owen Raeth and struggled with turnovers in OT. Isaiah Atchison and Paul Olson each scored 11 points.

Reeths-Puffer 69 Mona Shores 53 Travis Ambrose went off in the Rockets’ win, with 32 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots. “It was a great way to start league play for us.

Mona (Shores) came in 6-1 and had won decisively against opponents we have in common,” R-P coach Nate Aardema said.

Reeths-Puffer 62 Holland 30 Whitehall’s Clare Westerlund tries to get a pass past Fremont’s Khaila Noordyk during Wednesday’s game.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

with the JV through the MHSAA’s five-quarter rule, Westerlund is forcing her way into the varsity lineup with her effort level and production.

“She plays hard on both ends,” Milliron said. “Clare’s been a very nice, pleasant surprise for us.

She’s integrated in. The kids have accepted her. Sometimes that’s tough for freshmen. She’s done a great job with that.”

Shorthanded Montague drops game to visiting Kent City

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor MONTAGUE — It might be fitting, given new Montague coach Jess DeBruin’s expertise in athletic training, that the Wildcats are dealing with player absences so often early in her first season as a head coach. That doesn’t mean she, or the Wildcats themselves, are enjoying that experience.

Having just gotten Braylyn Bultema back from an early-season injury, the ‘Cats were without fellow forward Amanda Cederquist in last Thursday’s game against Kent City, and that was a big absence in a 4728 defeat.

Montague’s game plan, with Cederquist, would have been to take advantage of how much more height it would’ve had on the floor.

“They didn’t have any height,” DeBruin said. “We had the height, and (with Cederquist) we could’ve taken advantage of it. That was the game plan.”

Even playing shorthanded, Montague got off to a good start, taking an 8-7 lead in the first quarter.

However, Kent City, fueled by star Madelyn Geers, ripped off the game’s next 14 points, and the Wildcats never recovered.

“We got tired, and we didn’t rotate,” DeBruin said. “We started to not talk. We didn’t communicate. When you don’t communicate on the floor and play defense...Then the offense doesn’t come.”

Geers had 14 first-half points for Kent City and ended up with 18 for the game. The Wildcats hoped to slow her down, but without Cederquist there to help lock down the lane, Geers was able to get to the rim consistently.

“The game plan was to stop her and she got her points,” DeBruin said. “She played well.”

Bultema was the bright spot of the game for Montague, opening the game with a three-point play on her way to a team-best six. While the production probably wasn’t what she hoped, Bultema didn’t appear to show any ill effects from her injury, which she suffered against Whitehall in game two of the season.

Maizie Collins was one of the Wildcats called upon to play more minutes in Cederquist’s absence,

Sports in Brief

The Rockets dominated early, leading 37-7 at halftime, and were able to empty their bench late. Travis Ambrose had 17 points, and Jaxson Whitaker chipped in 15. Antrel Jones had 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Montague 72 Kent City 31 Every Wildcat reached the scorebook in a dominating performance.

Owen Raeth led the way with 24 points. Kellan Francis added 14.

Girls Basketball

Whitehall 43 Oakridge 31 Lexi Daggett scored 19 points, 11 in the fourth quarter, and Kendall Osborne played good defense on Oakridge star Anna Lundquist to help the Vikings earn their first WMC Lakes win.

Reeths-Puffer 38 Mona Shores 33 (OT) The Rockets opened league play with their 2nd straight win. Brooklynn Tornes had 17 points to lead all scorers, and Irelyn Niklasch had 10.

Reeths-Puffer 57 Holland 31 The Rockets raced to a 19-3 lead after a quarter en route to the win.

Brooklynn Tornes was a sparkplug on both ends of the floor, scoring 28 points and swiping 11 steals. Irelyn Niklasch grabbed 9 rebounds.

Manistee 44 Montague 43 Still shorthanded, the Wildcats got a big night from Addison Pranger (19 points) but fell just short. “I am very pleased with how we played tonight,” Montague coach Jess DeBruin said. “The effort was there.”

Wrestling

Reeths-Puffer 2nd at Grand Haven Invite Trio of Rockets take top spot against top competition R-P scored 174.5 points, edging Grand Haven for 2nd place. Ian Cook (132 pounds), Jake Rozycki (120) and Owen Schab (165) were weightclass champions. Sage Secrest (190) and Nathan Stafford (285) each finished 2nd, and Arin Maynard (106) was 3rd.

Montague finishes 3rd at Ravenna Invite Whitehall, R-P send B team wrestlers to meet Montague finished only 5 points behind runner-up Kent City. The ‘Cats had 4 finalists, including champions Brock Hunter (106 pounds) and Fletcher Thommen (150). Chris Aebig (132) and Isaac French (190) were runners-up. Local B team wrestlers to reach the finals were Lyric Stewart of R-P (165), who took first, and Whitehall’s Jason Sheaffer (120) and R-P’s Devin Welch (215), who placed second.

Whitehall romps twice at Shelby Quad Whitehall earned easy wins over North Muskegon (71-6) and Oakridge (79-0) at the quad. Five Vikings earned two pin victories - Nolan Taranko, Liam Leeke, Darnell Mack, Ryan Goodrich and Gavin Craner.

Reeths-Puffer drops league match to Zeeland East

Montague’s Ella King puts up a shot on the drive during last Thursday’s game against Kent City. The Wildcats lost the game, 47-28.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

The Rockets’ quest to repeat as O-K Green champions will be more difficult after a 46-30 loss to the Chix. R-P defeated Coopersville in its other match Wednesday, 42-25.

Cheer Vikes, ‘Cats compete at Comstock Park Invite Whitehall finishes 8th, Montague 10th Montague earned a strong score of 230.5 points in round three, 6th among Division 3 competitors. Whitehall had impressive performances in each of the first 2 rounds of the meet.

Bowling Whitehall teams roll over Mason Co. Central The Vikings dominated both the boys and girls matches, winning 29-1 and 30-0 respectively. Felicity Dingman rolled the girls’ top score, a 160, and Phoenix Hoffmeyer led the boys with a 200.

Whitehall knocks off Holton The Viking girls won 22-8 over Holton, and the boys won 21-9. Each team had a 200-plus scoring game, as Phoenix Hoffmeyer rolled a 221 for the boys, and Ava Garcia posted a 209 for the girls.

Montague’s Addison Pranger tries to find a teammate to pass to during last Thursday’s game against Kent City. The visiting Eagles won, 47-28.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror and she managed four second-half points. JV callups Jocelyn Rodriguez-Perez and Emily McCombs also were part of the group DeBruin put on the court to fill the gap.

DeBruin said Cederquist will be back within a couple of weeks. In the meantime, Montague will need to continue to adjust to another rejiggered lineup in order to put more wins in the scorebook.

“We practiced without her over the last couple days, and we had the game plan,” DeBruin said. “We just didn’t execute it.”

Reeths-Puffer boys wallop Muskegon The Rocket girls picked up a win by forfeit, and the boys rolled to a 30-0 shutout of the Big Reds. Carter Hekkema, Tanner Bahr, Liam Copenhaver and Quinn Alderink picked up 2 wins each in singles play.

Hockey Reeths-Puffer 6 Canton 1 The Rockets opened their Lakeshore Sports Centre weekend tourney with a big win. R-P scored 4 first-period goals and took advantage of 10 penalties on the Bulldogs. Six different Rockets scored, and Jaxon Stone had two assists on top of his goal. Eli Cuti had 3 assists.

Clarkston 7 Reeths-Puffer 4 The Rockets dropped a high-scoring game to end the Lakeshore Sports Centre weekend tournament. Clarkston scored 2 late empty-net goals to hold off R-P. Jaxon Stone had a goal and an assist in the game.

Reeths-Puffer 5 Sparta 2 The Rockets avenged a December defeat to the Spartans to make it a race in the O-K Fischer Conference. Each team now has 1 league loss. Avery Freeland and Jaxon Stone each scored a pair of goals for R-P.

18 JANUARY12, 12,2024 2024 THE THEWHITE OCEANA ECHO 6 JANUARY LAKE MIRROR

Whitehall’s MacArthur named Whitehall, Montague cheer BCAM coach of the week squads in midst of new season

By Andy Roberts

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

White Lake Mirror Editor

Whitehall assistant coach Emily MacArthur has been named the Basketball Coaches Assocation of Michigan (BCAM) Coach of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday. The Detroit Pistons sponsor the weekly honor.

Vikings’ head coach Brian Milliron nominated MacArthur for the award, noting she came back to Whitehall to help counsel the team through the loss of former teammate Ava Vanderstelt and ended up joining the coaching staff. MacArthur is also a school social worker, previously working in the same capacity at Fruitport.

“I’ve been so privileged to have three awesome groups of student-athletes to work with the past three years and they’ve made my job so easy,” MacArthur said. “I love that they are buying into changing the culture of Whitehall girls basketball and that they show up and want to work hard every day.”

Milliron said the nomination process was quick and easy and was pleased BCAM “made a good choice.”

“She makes me look good when it comes to a lot of things and I lean on her a lot,” Milliron said. “She’s going to

Karlie Sika is excited to put her stamp on the Whitehall cheer program in her first season leading the competitive squad.

That stamp has involved several changes - instituting twice-weekly weight training, bringing in a tumbling expert (former Hope College cheerleader Josh Kraft) once a week, and choreographing the Vikings’ routines herself. Those changes aren’t coming out of the blue, as Sika has leaned on her former boss (and neighbor), longtime Grandville coach Julie SmithBoyd.

“I was super blessed to get to coach under Julie Smith-Boyd,” Sika said.

“She’s the best mentor I could’ve had.

That’s been a great foundation. She’s a legend.”

Sika might have coached sooner, but she was busy the last couple years getting married - her husband is former Vikings’ wrestling state champion Steven Sika - and welcoming the couple’s son in 2022. The timing lined up last year, and she took over the sideline team in the fall prior to leading this season’s competitive cheer squad.

The Vikings attended a summer camp at Grandville last summer and were able to compete at the Bulldogs’ invitational early in the season, building a relationship Sika is excited to see grow.

The new coach also hopes to see growth in the program. She’s been able to count on seniors Claire English and Kenzie Johnson to lead the team, but they’re hardly alone.

“There are a lot of girls who have been really awesome,” Sika said. “I couldn’t say I have single people this year. Every single person on the team is as important as the other people.”

Due to inconsistencies brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple coaching changes, the Vikings haven’t had the success they want in the recent past, but Sika is looking to build modestly, with achievable goals.

“Our goal every single week has been to do better than the last time,” Sika said. “I don’t want to give overwhelming goals or set overwhelming goals. If we can do better than we did before, we’re doing something right.

We just want to keep moving forward.”

At the same time, she wants to make clear to her team what she hopes they can be. While the Vikings always look forward to West Michigan Conference meets, Sika is enjoying the chance to introduce the team to top competition from Divisions 1 and 2 at larger meets, showcasing where she believes they can go with time and hard work.

One meet she is very excited for is the state coaches’ association scholarship meet at Byron Center Jan. 24, at which athletes can apply for scholarships and potentially attract attention from collegiate coaches.

Whitehall assistant coach Emily MacArthur eyes the clock during a timeout in Wednesday’s game against Fremont. MacArthur was named BCAM coach of the week this week.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror take my job whenever I leave and be good at it, because she knows the kids and connects well with the kids. She knows the game. She’s the total package.”

“Coach Milliron’s words in his nomination are so kind and I could say the same times 10 about him,” MacArthur said. “I never saw myself getting into coaching; it happened by accident and I’m so glad it did. Working with this sport and these kids is the best part of my day every day.”

Thommen joins 100-win club for Montague at Hesperia Quad

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor Montague wrestler Jimmy Thommen earned his 100th career victory Wednesday night at the Hesperia Quad. The Wildcats split their two matches, falling to Orchard View, 4530, and beating Mason County Central, 45-33.

Jimmy’s brother, Fletcher, was the lone Wildcat to win both his matches on the night. Coach Kris Maddox said the team intentionally sought out more difficult individual matchups in the match with MCC. “We put our best three up against MCC’s best three, bumping all three up a weight class,” Maddox said. “We chased the competition tonight and just didn’t go our way individually.

Montague wrestler Jimmy Thommen (second from right) and his family celebrate his 100th career victory at Wednesday’s Hesperia Quad.

• Chris Aebig/Courtesy Photo However, Tyler Risch came in clutch with a huge pin at 175 to seal our dual win against MCC.”

White Lake Congregational UCC announces pair of January events

The White Lake Congregational United Church of Christ announced this week it is sponsoring two events this January. On Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, it will host a drive-up mobile food pantry in cooperation with Feeding America West Michigan. Wholesome supplemental groceries will be provided at no cost to anyone in need. A simple registration is all that is required.

Additionally, the American Red Cross will be on site for a blood drive Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. An appointment is needed; phone: 1-800 RED-CROSS. White Lake Congregational UCC is located at 1809 S. Mears Ave. in Whitehall. For additional information, please telephone the church office Mon.-Wed. mornings at (231) 893-3265 or https://www.facebook.com/UCCthebikepath.

The Montague cheer team consists of, left to right, front row, Addisyn Munoz, Allee Eppard, Lauren Wright and Emma Trevino; second row, Paige Ramthun, Allyson Balder and Kiley Miller; third row, Assistant Coach Ally Scott, Addy Dean, Chloe Stout and Head Coach Penny Grinage-Guy. Whitehall’s team photos have not yet been taken.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror “Getting the girls involved in college cheer and the opportunities they could have is exciting,” Sika said.

Montague preview

Montague has a small team - only nine athletes as of December - but coach Penny Grinage-Guy has the Wildcats believing they are “mighty.”

Montague had a strong 2022-23 season, bouncing back from finishing behind Ludington at every West Michigan Conference meet to knocking the Orioles out at the district meet. Six are back from that team, and Chloe Stout also returned after not competing last season.

“We’re small, but we’re learning,” Grinage-Guy said. “We have a good core of girls. They’re a pleasure to coach. They’re a very good group of kids working hard, and a pleasure to be around.”

Stout and Addy Dean are the team’s two seniors, and freshman Allee Eppard has been a pleasant surprise in early practices, but with so few team members, Grinage-Guy said everyone’s role is important.

“Every day, someone else is getting better and better,” Grinage-Guy said. “The girls have been through a lot, with people not coming out that they thought were coming out, or people coming out and then quitting after a week. They’ve been through quite a bit and they just want normalcy, and to settle down and see what we can do.”

The Wildcats hope to challenge for the WMC title, but just as important to them is how they live up to this year’s “three C’s,” Grinage-Guy said - communication, commitment and compassion.

“Those three C’s are kind of what we’re trying as a team to develop - to be better people, to be better teammates, to be better students, to be better everything,” Grinage-Guy said. “We want everyone to know, we’re small, but mighty.”

The White Lake Mirror © is published weekly at P.O. Box 192, Mears, MI 49436 • All rights reserved.

whitelakemirror@gmail.com • January 12, 2024 • Volume 1 • Issue 9 Office hours: Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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