The Oceana Echo - Volume 1, Issue 9, July 28, 2023

Ed’s Orchard Market in Hesperia celebrates 80 years of serving the community

By Amanda Dodge The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

“We are a family here,” Scott Rumsey, owner of Ed’s Orchard Market in Hesperia, said about the employees at his business, which marks its 80th anniversary this year. And consequently, Rumsey is also in the family business, as his wife, Theresa, is the daughter of the store’s namesake, Ed Dean.

“My wife’s grandfather, Roland ‘Ron’ (Dean) worked for Kroger. He lived in Cedar Springs and managed stores in Grand Haven, Cedar Springs and Big Rapids,” Rumsey explained. “He worked for them and then kind of had an urge, or an inkling, that it might be a good idea to go out on his own.

“He had the knowledge and an opportunity to come to Hesperia…and in 1943 he opened a small store. It was actually located where the old variety store building is. There was, previous to that building, another huge building

there that housed a hardware and there were retail shops on the west side of that building. So, he had just a small store in there.

“My father-in-law was 8 years old. He tells the story often that he and his sister’s first job in the store was sorting potatoes. They got potatoes in 100-pound bins and sorted the bad ones out and bagged up the good.

“He said that was his auspicious beginning in the grocery business.”

Rumsey went on to say that they operated out of that first small store until a competitor in town purchased the entire building and kindly asked Ron to leave.

“So rather than leave town, he came across the street and bought a building that stood on the corner,” Rumsey said, adding that building can be seen painted on the front window of the store by Fremont artist Renae Wallace, framed in his office and also on one of the store’s walls.

“That building was originally being used by the order of Odd Fellows. He bought that building from them, and then it was two stories, so he gave them a lifetime lease for the second floor so they could continue to have their meetings, and he opened Hesperia Food Market in the late 1940s.”

Rumsey further explained that they

needed to expand at that location after being in business for a while, and so an addition was built on the north side of that building.

“In 1969 was when they moved down here to this location. They bought the building that housed the former Alpha Creamery that had operated in Hesperia for years, and basically tore that down all except for maybe one wall that’s still in our back room,” he said. “So that building was actually torn down except for the addition part, and the addition is what now is the Lion’s Den building that sits over there, and the lawn in front of the Lion’s Den - that’s where the

it even has its own Facebook page: Bakery Ladies at Ed’s Orchard Market.

“We are continually maintaining and upgrading,” Rumsey said. “We’ve added our smokehouse to our meat department. That was a huge addition. We’ve had that for a little over 15 years, and that’s added a pretty unique product mix that our customers have really come to enjoy.”

The most recent addition, he added, is their liquor section, which they began in February of 2022. Rumsey said that came about after a long application process and just adds another level of convenience for shoppers. “That’s one less stop they have to make, and that’s gone pretty well.”

store was.”

All of that history brings the store to where it is today, located at 75 W. Michigan Ave. Rumsey said the store opened in the spring of 1970, and has been added onto significantly three times. He said that the last addition was during 1996 and 1997 and added 15,000 square feet to the store, expanding departments, including the popular deli and bakery sections, and the back room capacity. That last addition brought the store close to 30,000 square feet, and it can now house 30,000 to 40,000 individual items for sale.

Their bakery section is a customer favorite, he added, and

Rumsey said he currently has around 50 employees, with around half being full-time, and many high school students can claim Ed’s Orchard Market as their first place of employment. “You can imagine somebody from pretty much every (local) family has worked here.”

And the family ties continue, as Rumsey said his sister-in-law, Rhonda Wright, is the scanning coordinator and has worked at the store since she was in high school.

Longevity is a hallmark of Ed’s Orchard Market employees, with several having worked there for 15–20 years. Yet there is one that Rumsey said has been there since the 1960s, and that is Marie Videtich. “She was part of a polka band for years, play ing

Scott Rumsey, owner of Ed’s Orchard Market, is excited to celebrate the store’s 80th anniversary this year. He said that would not be possible without the family atmosphere there, which includes long-time employees and generations of customers. • Amanda Dodge/Echo & Contributed

Design ideas aplenty at Pentwater Sculpture Contest

This year’s Sand Sculpture Contest, scheduled for August 11, will draw sculptors of all ages that are now beginning to imagine their designs. Trophies will be awarded to 21 teams whose entries are judged to best reflect Pentwater’s 2023 Homecoming theme: “50 Years of Sand Sculpting.”

The 2023 annual contest is the 50th to be held at Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater. The Pentwater Sand Sculpture Contest was founded in 1974 by the late Al Ringquist who, at age 26, chose to make a life in Pentwater with his new wife, Alice. Ringquist opened the Leprechaun Shop and sold custom furniture and cabinetry. He also crafted small wooden toys and a few are on display in the Pentwater Historical Museum. Ringquist’s community involvement is best known from his idea to hold a contest at the State Park beach where folks would come and sculpt along the beautiful sandy shoreline. A few of the earliest participants remember the wonderful wooden sand castles Ringquist created and awarded to the children participating.

Always a part of Pentwater’s Homecoming activities, the Pentwater Chamber of Commerce continued the tradition Ringquist started and eventually the Pentwater Service Club assumed responsibility working closely with the Chamber. Contestants sculpt designs in the sand that demonstrate each year’s Pentwater Homecoming theme, such as “Picture Yourself in Pentwater”, “Hats off to Pentwater”, “Support Our Troups”, “Historic Pentwater”, “Sailing Into the Future”, “75 Years of Yachting in Pentwater”, “Pentwater Sunset”, “Sense of Summer”, and last year’s “Celebrating the History of Pentwater.”

Ann Sayles, who with her family has participated for 43+ years, has won an award several times. “I think it’s great fun for family and friends,” Ann says. She remembers the wooden sandcastles that Al Ringquist made and gave to children; her kids loved to play with them.

Sherry and Ray Kloostra describe their family’s involvement over the years. “Our kids and grandkids would arrive in Pentwater from different places, sit on the front porch the night before, and plan their design, sometimes pulling an all-nighter. “Our equipmentfilled wagon would be loaded and ready to go to the beach that morning.”

There are numerous possibilities for this year’s design including, perhaps, recreating favorite sand

sculptures that teams have created in the past. There are also plenty of sand sculpting ideas and tips online for using water spritzers, shovels, buckets, watering cans, spoons, putty scrapers, brushes, trowels, butter knives, and drinking straws.

There is no entry fee. Entering teams are assigned to either one of four age group categories; 1-7, 8-9, 1012, 13 and over (determined by the age of the oldest youth), or one of three group/family categories. The finished works are judged on four criteria: adherence to this year’s Homecoming theme, creativity, attention to detail, and neatness. Sculptures can only be decorated with naturally uprooted dune grass, feathers and driftwood found on the Charles Mears State Park beach. Judges will disregard when judging any decorating items that are foreign to the beach, or any just-pulled dune grass because it helps protect the shoreline from erosion.

Free registration at the State Park pavilion begins at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. Teams sculpt between 8 and 11 a.m., when judging begins and the public comes by to view the various entries. There’s a short awards program at noon with 21 trophies awarded to winning teams. Free parking is available at the Park for anyone with a State of Michigan Recreation Passport. For more information, check out the Pentwater Sand Sculpture Contest community page on Facebook.

• Contributed Photos

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Please join the OCH&GS for Pleasant Afternoon in downtown Mears, Sunday, Aug. 20, for the celebration of Mears 150th Anniversary.

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Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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A humorous story about Oceana’s first mule

By Caleb Jackson The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

Though Hartwick and Tuller aimed to create an accurate record of the early days of our County when they wrote “Oceana County Pioneers and Business Men of To-Day,” in 1890, they didn’t fail to throw in a handful of humorous stories as well. I would like to share one of these comical anecdotes with you now concerning the arrival of the very first mule in Oceana. I will also try to quote from the text when necessary, as it is really the authors’ way of writing that brings this story its charm.

According to Hartwick and Tuller, our county’s first mule first arrived in Pentwater in 1858 and “his prominent features and musical voice at once captivated Mr. H. C. Flagg.” That is, Henry Flagg who worked as foreman for Charles Mears, a man of great import to our county. Flagg was so captivated in fact, that he traded his own pony for the “absolute title in his muleship,” as our authors put it. Unfortunately, the previous owner is not named in the text, so we don’t know who to thank for actually bringing the mule to Oceana.

Now in the early days of Oceana, the Board of Supervisors was composed of four people, and they would hold their meetings at Whisky Creek, as that was the county seat in those days. As it turns out,

Ed’s

accordion and keyboard,” he said. “She started working here when she was in high school, and she graduated in 1969. She went to college, got a teaching degree, and came back to continue to work at the store. Her mother worked here too. (Marie) still works eight to 10 hours a week. She takes care of my general merchandise and health and beauty aids.”

Rumsey said that they are always looking to improve their customers’ shopping experience.

One of those things to do just that was his purchase of the laundromat next door seven years ago. Rumsey said, “it compliments our business.” He added that it had gone through several changes of ownership and was in danger of closing, and he did not want the community to not have a laundry facility. “We get a lot of people that will be there doing laundry and come over to shop, he said. “It has worked out really, really well.”

Community is extremely important to Rumsey, and so he serves as president of the Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce and president of the Hesperia Athletic Boosters. He is also on the Hesperia Community School’s Board

Flagg was the Supervisor of Pentwater and so he decided to ride his newly acquired mule to the board meeting. There is perhaps more than one friendly stab taken at Mr. Flagg in Hartwick and Tuller’s book at this point and so I would like to share the scene as they describe it.

Mr. Flagg was Supervisor of Pentwater, and thinking to add somewhat to his influence upon the Board by the exhibition of a little style, saddled and bridled his new purchase, booted and spurred, mounted it and started down the beach road to Whisky Creek to attend the annual meeting. Happy in the thought of possessing an animal the like of which had never been seen in these parts, he jogged along humming snatches of Indian love songs and maturing plans for the removal of the county seat to Pentwater. (Hartwick & Tuller, 1890, p. 415)

Before too long he arrived at the crest of a hill, which was “quite steep and a long distance to the bottom,” upon which the mule simply stopped. In an effort to get him moving again, Flagg stuck him with his spurs and “that mule, true to the characteristics of his race, instead of starting just elevated his posterior members and Flagg at the same time.” The result was that Flagg fell off the mule and tumbled all the way down the hill. Our authors seemed to be quite enjoying this part of the story, so I will once again turn you over to them.

Being on an inclined plane with its head pointing

of Education, treasurer of the Oceana County Economic Alliance, a board member of the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone, and serves on the board at his church.

His wife is also very involved in the local community, serving as their church organist and teaching English at Hesperia Community Schools, where she started the very successful AP English program. The two have deep roots in Hesperia, with Rumsey’s family going back over 100 years. He and Theresa were high school sweethearts, attended Alma College and just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.

Rumsey went to college for business and became a CPA, adding that Theresa got her first teaching job in Charlevoix, and he joined a CPA firm in Petoskey. In 1995, they had the opportunity to move back home and take over the family business.

Scott and Theresa have two daughters, Claire and Isabelle, and one granddaughter, Cloe.

As part of their anniversary celebration, Rumsey said they are currently doing an 80 Days of Ed’s promotion where shoppers can put their name in an entry box at the service counter and

downwards, Flagg could not keep his seat, but went right out in the air, going down, down, down, his arms and legs trying to perform the offices of wings, and at last struck sand at the bottom… Looking back he could just discern the mule disappearing over the brow of the hill. (Hartwick & Tuller, 1890, p. 416) Flagg was resigned to walk the rest of the way. Several people looked for the mule, but could not find it. Then, “at the end of nine days… the mule without a saddle or bridle, quietly walked into town and thenceforth was used for mill duty.”

one winner is drawn each day. He added that all of the signage in the store has been converted to their anniversary signage, which depicts a tree logo that was designed by employees in the store to express how Ed’s has supported the community and been supported by it.

Everything has been leading up to the big anniversary celebration that is planned for August. Rumsey said there will be two weeks of special sales, along with a Customer Appreciation event Aug. 17 with music, a bounce house, brats, hot dogs, an ice cream social and more.

“The thing that matters most to us is people, so you see, there are our customers, and we’ve served generations of families. Those people have supported us for 80 years. It’s not typical to find a store of this size in a place the size of Hesperia. The only way we stay open is by taking care of our customers who have been loyal to us all these years,” Rumsey said. “Our employees have gone on to do some pretty amazing things too, and we couldn’t do anything without those people. So, we value those that are here and try to take care of them as best we can.”

In-Season Tastes

Zucchini Relish & Zucchini Squares

It’s zucchini season! Once they start it’s all you can do to keep them picked! Here are a couple of recipes I’ve found to be great ways to use them up, especially some of the larger ones that get away from you!

Zucchini Relish (recipe given to me by Esther Ginther of Hart back in the 90’s).

10 cups chopped zucchini

4 cups chopped onion

3 T. pickling salt

Layer zucchini, onion, sprinkling salt over each layer. Let stand overnight. Doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Drain and Rinse.

Add:

• 3 cups chopped bell pepper (any color)

• Four cups sugar

• Three heaping tablespoons of cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)

• ½ T. nutmeg

• ½ T. dry mustard

• ½ T. turmeric

• 2 ½ cups white vinegar

• Dash of red pepper

Boil mixture for three minutes, pack in hot jars. Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Makes 6 pints.

Zucchini Squares (recipe says Lorna Anderson, Old Highway 99, Montague. I think it was published in Great Lakes Energy’s Country Lines

magazine years ago)

Filling:

• 1 large zucchini

• ⅔ cup lemon juice

• 1 cup sugar

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ cup mix (below)

Mix:

• 4 cups flour

• 2 cups sugar

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 ½ cups butter (3 sticks)

Mix the above ingredients together for a crust.

Peel zucchini, remove seeds and slice as for an apple pie. Cook in lemon juice until tender. Do not overcook. Add sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and cook 2-3 minutes longer on a simmer. Cool. Add ½ cup mix to thickened filling. Pat one half of the remaining mix on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool, then add filling mixture; sprinkle with remaining mix and top with cinnamon. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and cut into squares.

Team Percy Pet Center Wants to help you!

Do you have a dog that’s a little out of control? Are you tired of your dog jumping on people, barking at the mailman, or pulling on the leash?

If so, then you need to attend Team Percy Pet Center’s free dog training workshop! This workshop will cover everything from, basic puppy socialization and obedience to major behavior issues.

The next workshop will take place August 6th, 9 AM to 3 PM

Scan the code above to learn more!

231-867-0489

teampercytraining@gmail.com

POTTERY SHOW

19th Annual, August 5, 10-4. 4270 Scenic Dr., Shelby (1 mi. north of Stony Lake/M-20).

One day only, rain or shine. Beautifully hand-thrown functional pottery by award-winning Stony Lake artist Cheryl K. Jordan. Casseroles, bowls, pitchers, mugs, berry bowls, vases, etc. Also quilts and quilted items.

810-288-4184

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Ongoing

Free Community Breakfast in Shelby

The Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ is offering their 10th Free Fifth Saturday Community Breakfast Saturday, July 29th. It will be served from 8-10 a.m. by church members and friends who are committed to serving good food and offer a warm welcome. There have now been over 720 meals served and the goal is still 1,100 by the end of the year. There are two more Free Fifth Saturday Breakfasts to reach that goal, July 29th and September 30th. The December Breakfast has been canceled because of the Holidays. July’s menu includes scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, tortillas, chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers, shredded cheese, different salsas, fresh fruit salad, cold cereal, pastries, hot and cold drinks. The Breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Hall at 51 E. Third Street, Shelby. The purpose is to share Blessings and show Community Appreciation. Everyone is welcome. For further information contact the church at 231-861-4404.

12th Annual Blueberry Fun Festival set for July 29

The Fruitland Evangelical Covenant Church will host its 12th Annual Blueberry Fun Festival in Whitehall Saturday, July 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be the Fruitland 5K Trail Run/Walk and Free Kids Run, and participants can register at runsignup.com/fruitland5K. This fun family event starts with an allyou-can-eat blueberry and plain pancake breakfast with sausage, orange juice and coffee. Adults are $10, youth 6-12 are $5 and those 5 and under are free. Cash or credit cards will be accepted, and advance ticket sales are available online.

There will also be free children’s activities  from 9 a.m. to noon featuring inflatables, a petting zoo, balloon twisters, face painting and a foam penny scramble put on by the White Lake Fire Authority after noon. The event will also have live music and entertainment from 8:30 a.m. to noon in their Chapel in the Pines.

Local artists and artisans will be selling their creations. The fun festival will also have baked goods for sale, gift basket raffles, craft and vendor booths, a popcorn and beverage tent and fresh blueberries available for purchase. For more information on how to purchase breakfast tickets in advance, please visit the Fruitland Covenant Church website at www.fruitlandcovenant.org or check out its Facebook page. The church is located at 4238 N. Weber Rd. in Whitehall.

M.M. Lindvall at Pentwater Township Library

The Pentwater Arts Council and the Pentwater Township Library will co-host an evening with authors Michael Lindvall and his daughter Madeline Lindvall Radman on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 6:30 pm in the Library at 402 E. Park Street, Pentwater. The writing duo will discuss their recently published book, Ashes to Ashes, a gripping whodunit with subplots addressing spiritual and moral issues. Michael and Madeline have spent many summers in Pentwater and weave the locale into the mystery. Michael is a New York Times best-selling author and Senior Minister Emeritus of the Brick Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Madeline is a freelance writer, producer and director, specializing in the documentary and true crime genres.

Hart High School class of 1956 reunion planned

The Hart High School class of 1956 will be having a reunion Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. at Open Hearth Grille in Mears. Reservations are not necessary. Those that come will be order off the menu and pay for themselves. Attendees are asked to let Charlene Birkman or Lois Greiner know they will be there a few days before the reunion.

July

- Strut Your Mutt 5K at Up North Farm Market, 9-11 a.m.

- First Responders Appreciation BBQ at Sun Retreats Silver Lake, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 31 - Travel Back in Time Pentwater History Presentation at Pentwater Township Library, 11 a.m.

Oceana MSU Extension plans Summer Sale

The Oceana MSU Extension announces a new Oceana County 4-H vendor event with its new Summer Sale Saturday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. a the Oceana County Fairgrounds. This event will be taking the place of their annual community yard sale. Organizers are wanting to incorporate a yard sale for the community in a different way. Vendors, businesses, crafters, yard sale, tack booths, ‘mom to mom sales’ and more are welcome. All monies raised via booth rentals will be for Oceana County 4-H. There will also be a bake sale for The Crystal Valley Care Fund. The registration form is available at https://www.facebook. com/events/892875025108299/. They are taking registrations until July 24.

“Good Buy Book Sale” at Shelby Library

The “Good Buy Book Sale at Shelby Library has been announced for Saturday, Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come young, come old to the “Good Buy Book Sale” hosted by the Friends of the Shelby Library. The public is invited to donate books, CDs, DVDs, board games and puzzles. All donations can be brought to the library Aug. 1-18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please do not donate encyclopedias, condensed readers digests or text books. This is a great opportunity to recycle your home library and check out the book-themed gift baskets. For early bird shoppers, the library will be open the Friday before from 5-7 p.m. A $5 donation at the door will get you the first opportunity to purchase at our “good buy” prices (most hardcovers - $1 and three paperbacks $2).

Pentwater Sculpture Walk 2023

The Sculpture Walk is in its second year of a three year commitment to the Village of Pentwater presenting impassioned examples of sculpture art to residents and visitors while drawing attention to the ultimate discussion of this art form. This year there are six sculpture exhibitions scattered throughout the village, all walkable within a four block radius. The selected artists range from as far away as Oregon, Georgia, Maryland, Illinois, and locally in Michigan. At each sculpture location there is an interactive QR code feature that accesses the artist’s biography, a self description of their work, a map with the sculpture locations and allows the viewer to vote for their favorite art piece. The Sculpture Walk event will calumniate in mid October with an Artist’s Reception when awards for the People’s Choice and the Juror’s Award will be presented. All sculptures are for sale by the artists and following the reception will be removed from the village unless privately purchased. Lastly, in addition to the six 2023 sculptures, two permanent donated 2022 sculptures remain within the village and can be viewed.

The Pentwater Arts Council is also sponsoring a Gallery Stroll in the Village of Pentwater, on the last Fridays in the months of July and August from 4-7 PM. Participating galleries include Art on the Town Gallery, Jilly’s Gallery, Painted Frog Art Studio, Oldewick Post and located on South Hancock Street; also participating is Kook’s Eye Gallery, located on West Second Street. Visit and support the local studios and galleries to view their various works of art. Appetizers will be provided at each location.

Living Legacies: New Era Farmer’s Market

2370 N. 136th Avenue • Hart at Elbridge Community Church

Saturday, August 12th 12 - 4 p.m.

Silent Auctions & 50/50 Raffles!

Tickets are $13 for adults and can be purchased from any Elbridge Church member or at the door. Children ages 6-10 by donation, children ages 5 and under are free. We encourage buying tickets before the event so we can be sure to accomodate everyone!

• Contributed Photos by Kevin VanDyke

Historic farming operation is building things the old fashioned way

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

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

What do you get when you have seventeen 5th through 8th graders from across the West Shore Educational Service District (WESD) and Career Tech Education (CTE) instructors Erika Fatura of Pentwater and Shelby Hughes of the CTE program meet up for four days at the West Michigan Research Station (WMRS) on Oceana Drive - four days of eye-opening and fun AgriScience Day Camp!

By Lucie Winborne

Tom Page, Communications Specialist with the ESD shared that in addition to indoor and outdoor classroom-like learning at the research station, students were able to take in several field trips off-site including Peterson Farms apple plant, Lewis Farms for a look at agri-tourism and the campus of West Shore Community College to tour the ESD’s CTE AgriScience Program facilities. These ag-focused field trips brought students directly to ‘real-world’ experts and environments and gave them a chance to see agricultural careers in action.

The annual camp, sponsored by the WSESD and hosted by the WMRS for the past three years, was held Monday through Thursday, July 10-14; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.

“Students come in not knowing one another well on Monday and leave as friends by Thursday,” said instructor Fatura. One of the main goals of the camp is getting kids out of their comfort zones and communicating. Just learning to communicate, in the light of all the technology used today has been a huge thing, especially since covid. We break them up into teams and give them experiments to work through. It is very rewarding watching their young minds struggle, figure things out, create solutions together and then celebrate success. And even if they never go into an agri-science career, the practice of working together on a team is invaluable. We all have to do that at some point in our lives.”

“Agri-science careers are often misunderstood. People tend to have a very narrow scope, thinking it just means becoming a ‘farmer’. My goal in teaching this camp every year has been to broaden the students’ view to look past just production agriculture. Having grown up on a farm I appreciate the hard work involved. But our overarching goal is to expose students to the many opportunities available to them and to help them understand more about where our food comes from,” Fatura said.

“The West Michigan Research Station is an incredible facility for hosting a camp of this type. Not only is it a great place for educating – it is also inspirational as it promotes the wide range of livelihoods and positive benefits AgriScience provides to the region, from production to processing to the consumer marketplace,” said Page.

Those interested in next year’s agri-science camp should contact Hughes at shughes@wsesd.org for further information.

Dates: Sun. July 30 Th. Aug. 3

Daily: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church of New Era is hosting a Vacation Bible School called Operation Restoration: Mending God’s World. During this exciting weeklong program, kids learn to be menders of the Earth as they explore the daily themes of Feed, Heal, Forgive, Pray and Rest.

TLC is located at 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd. in New Era This VBS is open to ages K through Adult Bible Study Dinner Provided. Register by July 29th.

To learn more or register, call: 231-861-4059, email: office@tlcnewera.org or visit: www.tlcnewera.org

By Lucie Winborne

• The blobfish gets its nickname from its saggy appearance when it’s brought to the surface from the deep part of the ocean where it lives. Because it has no skeleton and very little muscle, water pressure that would crush human organs gives the animal physical structure at that depth.

• To maintain the historical accuracy of the American Colonial era, Disney World’s Liberty Square was built without any restrooms. (But no, you won’t find any outhouses, either.)

• And speaking of restrooms, there are public toilets for dogs in China.

• The character of cross-dressing Corporal Klinger on the TV series “M*A*S*H” was allegedly influenced by comedian Lenny Bruce’s claim that he was discharged from the Navy for saying he had “homosexual tendencies.”

• Eberhard Anheuser, cofounder of the Anheuser-Busch brewery, got his start in manufacturing with soap and candles.

• Due to a technical glitch in his debit card payment processing, a man was accidentally charged 23 quadrillion dollars. As if that wasn’t bad enough, since he didn’t have the amount in his account, he was also charged a $15 overdraft fee!

• Carnauba wax, which is used on cars, is the same type of wax used to give gummy candy its sheen.

• Neptune’s moon, Triton, orbits the planet backward.

• To add authenticity to a fictional criminal underworld, Rockstar Games hired real-life gang members to voice background characters in Grand Theft Auto V.

• One-third of men’s fragrances sold are actually worn by women.

• Amethysts got their name from the ancient Greek word “amethystos,” meaning “not drunk.” They were once believed to prevent intoxication.

• The “little black dress” was compared to the Ford car when it debuted in 1926, for its practicality and simplicity.

***

Thought for the Day: “Never rob your character to enrich your pocket.”

— James Lendall Basford © 2023 King Features

Synd., Inc.

Navea Gauthier: Serving up something special

By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Reporter

SHELBY – Ever since Navea Gauthier was in the eighth grade, top college volleyball programs have been anxiously awaiting the day she’d finally be able to make a decision. That day finally came a few weeks ago when the incoming Shelby junior announced she’d be taking her talents to Ohio State University (OSU).

It wasn’t always going to be volleyball four Gauthier however. In fact, the 6-foot-2 middle hitter started out loving basketball far more than the sport she eats, sleeps and breathes now. It was a change in the level of competition during middle school club volleyball seasons that pushed her to want to be even better than she already was.

“I’ve been playing volleyball since I was a kid, but back then I never really liked it. I was always more focused on basketball,” Gauthier said. “As I got older, I started to get better (at volleyball), but I still didn’t want to do it. When I hit middle school, I got frustrated seeing opponents in club volleyball getting better than me because I wasn’t working at it. I ended up quitting basketball my freshman year and ever since then I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Navea picked the perfect moment to commit to the sport. With Shelby’s gymnasium serving as the backdrop, she excelled right from the jump. As a sophomore last year, Gauthier put up 936 kills, 498 digs, 133 aces and 58 blocks.

That success is something she attributes to the help she’s gotten from important figures in her life. At the top of that list is her mom, Becky, who not only sits beside Tigers head coach Tom Weirich on the bench, but also spends her days as a guidance counselor at the high school.

Having a mom, coach and someone Navea can fall back on for mental strength is of the utmost importance to her.

“(My mom) has just been super helpful. If I’m ever struggling with anything volleyball related, she’s got the keys to the gym and with her being a coach, she can always come in and help me with anything,” Gauthier said. “She’s also a counselor, so she’s always making sure my mental health is good and that I’m in the right head space to play because I’m more than just a volleyball player.”

Focusing on her mental health is a key piece of the equation, especially with a schedule as jam-packed as Navea’s. Her year is full of volleyball and it starts with her work as a Shelby Tiger from August until November. Depending on how far she makes it in the postseason there, she’ll take a few weeks off before she’s back in the gym with the Far Out Volleyball Club in Grand Rapids.

During her time with Far Out, she’ll practice two days a week while spending another three days at SportHouse Athletic Center in Norton Shores working out. The last two days of the week should be a time for

her to kick her feet up and enjoy the weekend, right? Wrong. That’s when Gauthier hits the road for tournaments and sees the practice and workouts she’s put in, start to pay off.

As if all that wasn’t enough, Gauthier spends time with the USA National Team Development Program quarterly. While there, she gets the chance to compete with 50-75 of the top players in the country. Some of the best coaches in the nation are present as well, which is where Gauthier was able to meet some of the OSU staff.

“(The USA National Team Development Program) taught me a lot, especially in the beginning,” Gauthier said. “I didn’t realize there were other girls like me out there. Working with them pushes me to be better because every point and every rep matters.

“I started building a relationship with Brian (Wright) who is one of the assistant coaches at Ohio State and someone that was with me at my first USA Team training. So I’ve always had a relationship with him. Then, I ended up going to a volleyball camp at OSU and they took us around their campus. I just fell in love with the girls, facilities and most of all the culture they have there.”

While nobody can deny that OSU is a great athletic school, Gauthier received plenty of grief over her decision – all of it coming in good fun. After all, for an athlete raised in Michigan, picking the Buckeyes is like siding with the enemy.

“We can’t have contact with (college) coaches until June 15 heading into our junior year, but people I know would walk past me and say things like ‘go green, go white’ or ‘go blue,’” Gauthier laughed. “Deep down I had a soft spot for those colleges, but in the end it was always going to be Ohio State.”

While Gauthier is verbally committed to the Buckeyes, she does have a few years before she can officially put pen to paper. With the college landscape seeing recruits jump ship so often, it’s worth noting that she’s not locked in by any means.

Just don’t mention that to her.

“I’m 100 percent sure I’ll be at Ohio State,” Gauthier said. “The only time I’ve ever second guessed that is when I had to tell other schools that I’d made my decisions. Even then, I knew that I was making the right choice.”

Along with that ever-changing college landscape comes the opportunity for Gauthier to turn her athletic prowess into cold hard cash. With the NCAA allowing athletes to benefit from NIL deals, Gauthier landing at a division one school likely becomes even more important for her.

Ultimately, Gauthier knows that opportunity is out there, but she’s focused on one thing and one thing only: winning.

“I’ve definitely thought about (NIL deals) and building a name for myself,” Gauthier said. “When I first get to college, that won’t be on my mind as I get into the groove of things. I’ll save that for later in my career.

“Right now I just want to win a state title at Shelby, earn a starting spot when I get to Ohio State and win a

national championship. If I’m still in love with volleyball after that, I really want to make it a career.”

Volleyball seems to be everything for Gauthier on the outside looking in, but that’s not the case. Gauthier has aspirations of graduating college and studying exercise science. On a less serious note, she’s also talented in the kitchen – with baked goods in particular.

“My friends are always asking me to bake them something,” Gauthier said. “Chocolate chip cookies are always a favorite. That’s probably the ‘Navea special.’” Only time will tell where Gauthier will go. For the time being she’s a Shelby Tiger with a future in Ohio just around the corner.

Incoming Shelby junior Navea Gauthier has been dominant since she stepped on the court for the Tigers. All of the above photos are various shots from her sophomore campaign. Now she’s eying a college career with her recent verbal commitment to Ohio State University. • Brendan Samuels/echo