The Oceana Echo - Volume 1, Issue 50, May 10, 2024

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

Golden Township treasurer elected 2024 president of Michigan Townships Association

Golden Township (Oceana Co.) Treasurer Connie Cargill has been elected president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Serving more than 99 percent of Michigan’s 1,240 townships—which includes more than 6,500 elected leaders plus tens of thousands of additional township-appointed officials, staff and volunteers—MTA is the largest municipal association in the state and one of the largest in the nation. Cargill was elected Association president by her township peers at MTA’s 2024 Annual Educational Conference & Expo, April 22-25 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme Township.

MTA president, I will work to help share the importance and value of township government in our state, and to continue to fight for local control and townships’ ability to serve our residents in a way that best fits what they want and need. Every township is unique, and yet we are all united in our dedication to our communities and residents.”

Cargill has served as township treasurer since 1995. She was first elected to the MTA Board of Directors in 2012, serving as director of MTA District 11—which encompasses Lake, Mason and Oceana Counties—until her presidency.

“Just as I am honored to serve Golden Township, I am honored to serve as 2024 president of this great association,” Cargill said. “As

Cargill previously served as township deputy treasurer and is retired from the Oceana County Drain Office. She is currently a member of the Oceana County Land Bank Authority Board and treasurer of the Oceana County MTA Chapter. Cargill also serves on the Silver Lake and Lake Holiday Improvement Boards and as a board member of the Oceana Agricultural Society.

Suspicious death in Mears under investigation

The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of 33-year-old Juan Carlos Lozano of New Era.

On May 1, 2024, at approximately 9 p.m., Mason-Oceana 911 received a call for help. The scene where Lozano was found is located in the 5800 block of West Taylor Road in Mears.

The death is being considered suspicious at this time and is still under investigation. The Michigan State Police mobile crime lab has been called to assist with the scene investigation.

The MSP-Hart Post, Hart Area Fire Department, Shelby Fire Department,

Life EMS and the sheriff’s office Victim Services Unit also responded to the scene.

“We owe it to the family and all those that have been affected by this to do our due diligence and make sure we are using everything we have available to do this investigation properly and fully too,” Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast explained. “With that being said, we are continuing to investigate

this situation around the clock. We have investigators assigned to do nothing but follow up on this situation. We are following up with interviews, following leads and even checking rumors for bits of truth or fact. Detectives are serving search warrants for digital and physical evidence of any nature as we speak.

“We have not yet gotten the final opinion from the medical examiner as for the manner of

death, but hope to have that information soon.”  Lozano was a 2009 graduate of Shelby High School, a 2015 graduate of Baker College and was currently teaching math at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools in Wyoming, Mich. A beloved educator and tireless volunteer, he was named Teacher of the Week by WZZM13 in September 2023 and Student Teacher of the Year in 2015.

Se investiga una muerte sospechosa en Mears

La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Oceana está investigando la muerte de Juan Carlos Lozano de 33 años de edad, de New Era.

El 1 de mayo de 2024, aproximadamente a las 9 p.m., el 911 de Mason-Oceana recibió una llamada de auxilio. La escena donde Lozano fue encontrado se encuentra en la cuadra 5800 de West Taylor Road en Mears.

La muerte se considera sospechosa en este momento y todavía está bajo investigación. El laboratorio móvil de la Policía Estatal de Michigan ha sido llamado para ayudar con la investigación de la escena. El MSP-Hart Post, el Departamento de Bomberos de Hart Area, el Departamento de Bomberos de Shelby, Life EMS y la Unidad de Servicios a las Víctimas de la oficina del sheriff también respondieron a la escena.

“Se lo debemos a la familia y a todos los que se han visto afectados por esto para hacer nuestra debida diligencia y asegurarnos de que estamos utilizando todo lo que tenemos disponible para hacer esta investigación correctamente

y plenamente también”, explicó el sheriff del condado de Oceana Craig Mast. “Dicho esto, seguimos investigando esta situación las veinticuatro horas del día. Tenemos investigadores asignados a hacer nada más que el seguimiento de esta situación. Estamos haciendo un seguimiento con entrevistas, siguiendo pistas e incluso comprobando rumores para ver si hay algo de verdad o de hecho. Los detectives están entregando órdenes de búsqueda de pruebas digitales y físicas de cualquier naturaleza mientras hablamos.

“Todavía no tenemos el dictamen final del médico forense sobre la forma de la muerte, pero esperamos tener esa información pronto”.

Lozano se graduó en 2009 en Shelby High School, se graduó en 2015 en Baker College y actualmente enseñaba matemáticas en Godfrey-Lee Public Schools en Wyoming, Michigan. Un educador querido y voluntario incansable, fue nombrado Maestro de la Semana por WZZM13 en septiembre de 2023 y Estudiante Maestro del Año en 2015.

Ty Schlukebir wins Ride with Pride grand prize car

By Stacia Erickson The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

The 2024 Ride with Pride Program finale in Hart was a huge success on Monday, despite everyone missing the presence of their “fearless leader” and program originator, Principal Troy Moran. The 46-year-old principal died unexpectedly a week ago. The program this year included much more than just prize giveaways; it also served as a tribute to the crowd’s fallen Hero. Four students read heartfelt essays summarizing their thoughts about Moran. Lexie Nienhuis called him “an incredible leader who only wanted the best for us and left behind a legacy. He just wanted to make the world a better place.” Eleventh grade student Eman Hertzler said Moran was “impactful” and taught him he should “lead by example, no matter your age.“ Senior Ally Sorensen said Moran won her over after initially being unsure about him. She went on to say he taught her to “live every day as if it’s your last, not selfishly, but with enough love to heal hearts.” And sophomore Addison Schiller remembered Moran as having infectious joy and teaching everyone his philosophy of “don’t wait, tomorrow isn’t promised.”

Bret Ramseyer’s American Literature students alternated between reading stanzas of his original poem, “Don’t Wait,” which they dedicated to Moran.

Interim Hart High School Principal Ken Byard addressed the crowd, saying it was an honor to be interim principal for his absent friend of 25 years. Byard told the crowd he’d give it “his all for the next five weeks,” and for everyone to remember, “at the end of the day, it’s okay not to be okay.”

After the remembrances honoring Moran, the grand prize drawing took place for 10 lucky lottery finalists. Of those, was eleventh grade student Ty Schlukebir, who won the 2017 Ford Fusion. Ty said he was very happy to win the fully loaded black car and was very much “looking forward to driving it!” Rilynn Porter was the second-biggest prize winner of the day with a large-screen Roku television.

Additional donations poured in after Moran’s sudden death, all earmarked in his honor. The Montague Police Department topped that list with a substantial amount of monetary and material goods! A lengthy list of varying local businesses and individuals was added to an already nice list of local donations, and altogether, it provided a large array of prizes from which students whose names were drawn could make their choice. Hart Police Detective Kevin Skipski was on hand behind three tables full of prizes. Skipski was instrumental in the program, helping Moran procure the grand prize vehicle. Skipski said Moran had grown to be a good friend, and he will always miss him and the presence he had become in the Hart school system.

C onnie C argill

• Stacia Erickson/Echo

Walkerville Spring Clean Up going on now to prepare for annual events

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner!  Residents and friends of the Village of Walkerville are encouraged to join the Rebuilding Walkerville Community Committee for the village’s annual Spring Clean Up going on now

through May 18, 2024. This community-led event is being organized in an effort to prepare the village for its annual graduation on Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m., and the village’s annual Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 27 at 9 a.m. at Fairlawn Cemetery east of town.

Everyone is invited to do their part, whether it be raking or mowing

yards and community spaces, planting flowers, weeding, picking up trash in their neighborhoods or hauling junk or trash to appropriate and acceptable locations. Some projects have already taken place, however, the Village Property Clean Up, May 11 at 9 a.m., starting at the village office, is still in need of volunteers.

Walkerville and surrounding townships will

Oceana Center Grange Agricultural Report for May 2024

By Phil Carter

The Oceana Echo Agricultural Consultant

Asparagus is “ripening” in the land of Oceana. The normal harvest begins on Mother’s Day. This coincides with degree-day models, which place us 10 days to two weeks ahead of “normal.” The first asparagus picking is spotty, meaning not all spears are emerging at the same time but that will quickly change. The recent cold weather has had little effect on asparagus. Most growers now use H2A labor, and these groups have been in the county for a little while.

Looking at fruit, apricots, peaches and sweet cherries are in or past petal fall, meaning the fruitlets are formed. Apples, pears and tart cherries are in full bloom (as of May 5), and weather conditions are somewhat favorable for bee activity. The recent frost event resulted in some damage, but not significant enough to cause major crop loss.

The recent rain events have growers spraying to protect the crop from fungal diseases like brown rot in stone fruit, and scab and powdery mildew in pome fruits. A pink insecticide spray has been applied

and targeted pome fruit insects such as the rosy apple aphid, green fruit worm and leaf roller complex. Warm, rainy and windy conditions can trigger fireblight infections. Fireblight is a bacterial disease that is countered with sprayable antibiotics, such as streptomycin.

Corn and soybean planting has started on the lighter, sandy soils. We are waiting for the heavier ground to dry out. Burn down herbicides have gone on when the wind is calm enough to prevent spray drift. Recent poor grain market prices have made growers less enthused about this year’s crop. We will see what the crop year and conditions bring, hopefully leading to an atti-

tude adjustment.

The news media is full of reports of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza), or bird flu, infecting some dairy herds nationwide. The USDA assures consumers that pasteurization kills the virus, and dairy products are safe to consume.

The growing season is in full swing, and producers are spending long hours on equipment, some of which can be found on our highways. As always, please watch out for slow-moving farm equipment and have some patience around us. Remember, we feed you three times a day, and at the end of the day, we want to return safely to our homes and families.

also have their annual dumpster days in the coming weeks. Eligible, tax–paying residents have already been notified as to time and place.

For items not accepted at annual dumpster days, please consider participating in these events sponsored by the Oceana Conservation District: Scrap Tire Collection for clean, rimless, car and truck tires only, will be available for all county residents, Saturday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oceana County Road Commission located at 3501 W. Polk Rd. in Hart. Those wishing to participate must register at https://www.oceanaconservation.org/oceana-events

Hazardous Waste Collection will take place Saturday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hart Department of Public Works, 1010 S. State St. in Hart. No pre-registration is necessary. For a list of all acceptable items, please visit https://www. oceanaconservation. org/household-hazardous-waste/

They call me the Little Beagle with a Big Heart!  I’m Shadow, the irresistible 3-year-old beagle on a quest to find my forever home. I’ve got a tailwagging personality that’ll light up your life faster than you can say, “Treats, please!” With a wagging tail and a nose ready for adventure, I’m always up for some fun.

Sadly, I was an owner surrender because my family was moving and they didn’t allow pets in the new location, but don’t you worry! I’ve got nothing but love to give to my new family. I’m like a sponge, ready to soak up all the affection and attention you can give.

I’m a beagle on a mission when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood or a hike through the woods, I’m your paw-fect companion. Lastly, I’m as friendly as they come, both with people and other furry friends. Playdates at the dog park? Yes, please! I’ll charm the socks off every pup and human I meet.

Tails of Hope Meet Shadow

Shadow is available for adoption from the Oceana County Animal Shelter. If interested, please call the shelter at 231-8615395. 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.

Craig Barter named next superintendent/principal of Pentwater Public Schools

The Pentwater Public Schools Board is delighted to announce their decision to extend a contract to Craig Barter, who is poised to become the district’s next superintendent/principal pending contract negotiations. The decision was made after a thorough evaluation of an impressive candidate pool, with Barter emerging as the standout choice due to his exceptional qualifications and alignment with the community’s values.

Currently serving as the assistant principal at Pentwater Public Schools and having grown up in the community, he knows what the expectations are of this position and will honor the rich traditions that are established in the community. Having already established relationships with all stakeholders, the transition to the superintendency is expected to be seamless.

Barter brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has almost 20 years as an educator and has been a classroom teacher, spe-

cial education teacher, and Dean of Students prior to coming back to Pentwater to serve as assistant principal.

During the interview process, Barter expressed his enthusiasm for leading Pentwater Public Schools, stating, “This is home for me and my family, and I plan on retiring from here. I will work hard to honor the traditions we have while also moving the district forward in meeting the needs of our students.”

The board was particularly impressed with his work ethic and ability to connect with all stakeholders.

President Mark Shotwell expressed his confidence in the board’s

decision, saying, “We are excited to have Craig stepping into the superintendent role. His positive energy and knowledge of the school and community will help lead us in a great direction.”

Barter added, “I am honored to be selected as the next superintendent/ principal of Pentwater Public Schools. As a native of the community, I understand the importance of this role to continue the high standards of education and provide the best opportunities for student success beyond our building. My family and I are thrilled to continue working with the students, staff and community of Pentwater. Go Falcons!”

Pending successful contract negotiations, Barter is expected to assume the role of superintendent/principal and lead Pentwater Public Schools into a future marked by educational excellence, community engagement and student success. The role change will start officially on Monday, July 1.

Heroes invited to Spitler Walkathon

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Spitler Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) invites the entire community to join them at their eighth annual “Walk with a Hero” Walkathon, Thursday, May 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the Hart High School track. All heroes—law enforcement, firefighters, first responders, ambulance crews and veterans, families and friends, including the entire school community—are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Every year, the school looks forward to this fun and free event where walking the track and having their pictures taken with local heroes is the highlight. Attendees will enjoy upbeat music, can purchase great food at the concession stand or bid on a variety of wonderful silent auction items.

The silent auction will include numerous gift baskets filled with goodies from local businesses as well as fun experiences such as riding in a fire truck in a local parade or going to lunch with a local deputy in his patrol car.

To build excitement for the event, the school will hold spirit days all next week and challenge each class to bring in as many coins as they can. Each class will have their coin collection jars at the walkathon as well. Classrooms collecting the most coins in each grade level will win a snow cone party for their class.

The end-of-the-year event is the school’s main fundraiser, with monies raised going to fund field trips, assemblies, classroom supplies and playground equipment. Organizers have set a goal of $13,000. Those wishing to contribute to may visit https://app. 99pledges.com/fund/spitler.

Nominations open for Pentwater Service Club’s 2024 Citizen of the Year

The Pentwater Service Club (PSC) is now accepting nominations for the club’s 2024 Citizen of the Year. The winner will be recognized at an Oct. 10 community dinner and program held in their honor at the Pentwater Yacht Club.

“Each year the club recognizes a Pentwater area citizen who has performed outstanding service for the betterment of the community through civic, charitable, educational or other activities,” said Ken Konyha, incoming club president. Konyha will serve as master of ceremony at the event.

Nominations may be submitted by anyone, regardless of where they live. Submissions must be in writing and submitted no later than May 17, 2024. All nominations will be considered; the candidate does not have to be a member of the PSC.

Nomination forms are available online at www.pentwaterserviceclub.org under the “forms” heading. Persons previously nominated are kept on file, so it’s not necessary to nominate them again.

Tickets to the 2024 Citizen of the Year celebration will go on sale Sept. 10, 2024, at Port View Wine and Spirits, Up North Market or from any PSC member.

ATTENTION

114 Dryden St. in Hart, Mich. 49420 (231) 873-2600

Visit us! The Oceana County Historical & Genealogical Society is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Private tours are available by appointment. oceanahistory.org

Early Pioneers: The Hustons

By Caleb Jackson

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

Today, let’s turn our attention away from Mears, and away from the Hansons, and the Phillips. Instead, let us crack open Hartwick and Tuller’s invaluable volume once again to learn about some other early pioneers, ones who are far less talked about, but nonetheless important to our little county. Let’s learn about the Hustons.

Adam Huston was born in Sanford, Maine, on Dec. 1, 1816. He had seven siblings; however, by the time Hartwick and Tuller got around to writing their book in 1890, only one of those siblings was still living. It would seem, however, that she too would settle in Oceana County. Mr. Huston was married in Boston to a lady named Eliza A. Lord in 1836. By 1852, the family had relocated to Claybanks. As our estimable authors put it, “It is needless to call attention to the fact that at the time this county was an almost unbroken wilderness and that it fell to his lot to endure his share of the trials and privations of those pioneer days.” Mr. Huston was a Republican and a “conscientious Christian.” He was a member of the Methodist Church. He is also described as being a “hard-working man, public-spirited and enterprising.” According to Hartwick and Tuller, Mr. Huston also cut the first logs to ever be sent down the White River. Given the debt our county owes to lumbering, that is quite an honor.

Earlier, we mentioned the difficulties and pri-

vations of the early pioneers. One such story, involving Mrs. Huston, is recorded in Hartwick and Tuller’s book. “Among the incidents of those times, one is especially remembered,” they wrote, “not because of the harm that came of it, but because of the fact that harm was escaped where dangers were all around. In 1854, while out berrying, [Mrs. Huston] became lost in the woods, where now is the northeast corner of Grant, and remained out all night, the woods being full of wolves, bears and even panthers.” Luckily, she survived.

The Hustons had seven children together. Three of their sons served through the Civil War. Only one returned. He was Orin E. Huston. At 16, he was the “youngest soldier carrying a musket in his regiment,” and he served in the battles of “New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Ga., Columbia, Duck River, Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville, Tenn., Fort Anderson, Town Creek and Wilmington, N.C.” Orin served for two years and three months, but he would ultimately return to Claybanks, where he would take the hand of Emma Tower, the daughter of Harvey Tower, who was another early and influential pioneer.

Adam Huston died from heart disease in 1886. He died on the farm that he himself located and cleared and he was buried in the Mount Hope cemetery in Claybanks. The conclusion to the paragraphs written about them in “Oceana County Business Men and Pioneers of To-Day” is so poignant and carefully phrased that I am forced to borrow their language once again, for fear of not

being able to do them proper justice: Such is a very brief sketch of the lives of two of Oceana County’s pioneers. Though they never trod the halls of princes or tickled the ears of a vain world with fine speeches, yet they are eloquent. Eloquent with good works and good results of honest labor; and when we look around us at the material prosperity we enjoy, let us not forget that to such as these we owe it.

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 Ladder is open for adults (18+) 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

M-F: The Huddle for 6th-12th grade youth, 3-5 p.m.

Saturdays: Celebrate worship gathering, 6:30 p.m.

Complete schedule at: theladdercommunitycenter.com

Knights of Columbus Bingo, 6 p.m.

St. Gregory Parish Center, 214 S. Peach Ave. in Hart Second & fourth Fridays, doors open at 4 p.m.

Pentwater Jr. Women’s Club - Feeding America West Michigan mobile food pantry, third Tuesday of the month, Pentwater Fire Department, 11 a.m.

Through May 29 - OCD Knee-High Naturalist Forest School Program

Preschool Story Hour, HAPL, Fridays at 11 a.m.

Wine & Art – A winning combination planned for May 19 in Pentwater

By AnnaMae Bush

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Marking its 17th year in 2024, the Wine & Art event will take place Sunday, May 19, from 2-5 p.m. at Park Place, 310 N. Rush St. in Pentwater. Wine & Art is a silent auction hosted by the Pentwater Women’s Club to raise funds for scholarships for graduating Pentwater students. The event also offers wine tastings and a delicious variety of hors d’oeuvres.

Auction items are donated by merchants from Ludington, Pentwater, Hart, Mears and Shelby, from local artists and the Artisan Center, and from many generous individuals. Items include indoor and outdoor furniture, wall art, garden art, clothing, toys, books and games, tools, food, flowers, handcrafted home décor and jewelry. There are also gift cards to restaurants, salons, stores and services.

This fundraiser grew out of a tradition begun in 1967 when the women’s club held a “Harvest Dinner” in the United Methodist Church fellowship hall to present a scholarship to one senior student at Pentwater High School. From its humble beginning, which provided one scholarship, the event has grown to raise over $17,000 and provide as many as 10 scholarships to Pentwater seniors, in

addition to two scholarships for women returning to school to further their education at West Shore Community College.

Originally founded in 1898 as The Ladies Literary Society, for the past 125 years the club, now known as the Pentwater Women’s Club, has contributed time and financial support to causes in the community – from a sidewalk to the cemetery, to a community center, to youth activities, to enhancing the Village Green, and now scholarships.

Tickets are sold by club members, by designated vendors or at the door. Most folks come to view and bid on the variety of auction items. Some may come to enjoy sampling the wines provided through Port View. Others are eager to taste the 17 different hors d’oeuvres contributed by the club members.

And then there are those attendees who come with great hope that their raffle ticket will be drawn to win the stunning king-size quilt made by quilting com-

mittee members of the club. Artfully crafted from 1950 separate pieces and 36 different fabrics, the colorful “Catch a Wave” quilt this year measures 80” x 96”. To avoid running out of tickets this year, 1,000 tickets were printed. Whatever one’s reasons for attending Wine & Art, the bonus is knowing that the event’s net proceeds provide scholarships to local students.

The Pentwater Women’s Club meets monthly, September through May, with various programs preceding short business agendas and a social time. Board members this year have been Claudia Ressel-Hodan, president; Kathy O’Connor, vice president; Linda Sloughter, secretary; Beth Russell, treasurer; and directors Judith DiMichele, Ann Krpichak, and Karen Way, and Juanita Pierman, ex-officio. The club currently has 66 active members. New members are welcome! Additional information can be found at the website, www.pentwaterwomensclub.org.

May Echo

May 10 - Hart Performing Arts Series Alexis Cole Quartet, Hart Public Schools Auditorium, Hart, 7:30 p.m.

May 10 - Last day for Hart High School Seniors.

May 10 - Story Time, Hesperia Comm. Library, 10-11 a.m.

May 10 - Oceana Community Foundation Feeding America Food Truck, Spitler Elementary, Hart, 5 p.m.

May 10 - Spitler Elementary “Boots & Bling” Daddy Daughter Dance, Hart High School, 6:30-8:30 p.m

May 11 - Walkerville Community Spring Clean Up Day, 9 a.m.

May 13 - Birding Field Trip, Camp Miniwanca, Shelby, 8-11 a.m.

May 13-17 - Spitler Elementary “Walkathon Spirit Week”

May 13-17 - Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Week

May 14 - Tech Hour, Hesperia Comm. Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

May 14 - Shelby High School Baccalaureate, 7 p.m.

May 15 - New Claybanks park deck ceremony, 11 a.m.

May 15 - New Michigan voting procedures town hall, 7 p.m.

May 16 - Matinee Movie, 1-3:30 p.m., and Family Fun Night, 6-7 p.m., Hesperia Community Library.

May 16 - Shelby High School Graduation.

May 17 - Story Time, Hesperia Comm. Library, 10-11 a.m.

May 17 - Spitler Elementary School, Annual Walk With a Hero Walkathon, Hart High School Track, 5-7 p.m.

Ceremony for new Claybanks park deck May 15

Subsequent to receiving a grant from the Oceana Community Foundation, donations from Midwest Industrial Lumber and labor from the Trinity Lutheran Church youth group, Claybanks Township Park was able to renovate and expand its Lake Michigan beach overlook deck over this past winter. Organizers are planning an appreciative ceremony at the park’s deck on Wednesday, May 15 at 11 a.m.

Shelby High School Baccalaureate set for May 14

The Shelby High School graduating class of 2024 will have their Baccalaureate Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. in the SHS auditorium. The public is welcome to attend this evening of seniors honoring God, their fellow classmates and the community that shaped them. The Shelby Tiger Jazz Band will perform at the event. Spanish translation will be provided.

New Michigan voting procedures town hall May 15

To help voters be more informed about changes in voting practices in Michigan as a result of the passage of Prop 2 in 2022, the Manistee League of Women Voters is sponsoring a town hall in Hart on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at the large conference room of the Oceana County Annex Building, 844 S. Griswold St. A half-hour slideshow reviewing the changes will be followed by a question-and-answer session with Oceana County Clerk Amy Anderson.

Sharing about All Pro Dads at The Ladder May 21

All are invited to The Ladder Community Center in Shelby on Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. for Share Our Stories (SOS). May’s SOS theme will be “All Pro Dad.” The mission of All Pro Dad is to “provide guidance and practical tips” to fathers in raising their children. Dennis Foley will share his experiences with the local All Pro Dad groups that meet regularly in our area schools.

SOS is a monthly event at The Ladder where people gather and share memories, photos, and other memorabilia from Oceana County. There is no cost for this evening event, though donations to The Ladder are welcome. Events are subject to change. To inquire about an event or have ideas for future topics of interest for SOS, call The Ladder at 231-259-0211. Visit theladdercommunitycenter.com to view all our upcoming events.

Medical Care Animal Show next Saturday in Hart

Bring your well-behaved furry or feathered friend to the Oceana County Medical Care Facility Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. to participate in an animal show. Our residents will be judging the animals in eight categories; Most Charming, Stellar, Clumsy, Handsome, Tiny, Trickster, Best Dressed and Resident Choice. Meet in the visitor entrance lobby. Residents and staff are excited to see everyone and their furry or feathered friends!

Sign up to participate by calling (231) 873-6618 or email heatherw@oceanamcf.org.

In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

Delores ‘Dee’ Jean Eitniear

December 16, 1936 ~ April 25, 2024

Delores “Dee” Jean Eitniear, 87, of Hart, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility. Dee was born Dec. 16, 1936, to Clifford and Doris (Pontius) Schmieding in Ferry Township. She married Laval “Allen” Eitniear on May 9, 1955, in Indiana.

Delores attended Ferry Wesleyan Church and was baptized on June 8, 2014, along with her husband. She retired from Brown’s Grocery Store in Shelby. Dee loved her flower gardens, animals and grandchildren. She had many talents with ceramics, country painting and beading, which kept her busy during Covid.

Delores is survived by: her children, Debbie (Bob) Collins, Doug (Janine) Eitniear, Laurie (Kelly) Delia, and Sanda Eitniear; daughter-in-law, Anna Eitniear; her sisters, Norma (Stan McWaters) Pierson and Evva (Glenn) Hoffman; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Delores was preceded in death by: her parents, Clifford and Doris; husband, Allen; son, Tim; son-in-law, Perry Booher; granddaughter-in-law, Emily Eitniear; brother, Richard Schmieding; and long-time family friend, Zella Ann Wade.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Oceana County Medical Care Facility for the care and friendships they gave mom for the past 7 ½ years.

Per Dee’s wishes, there will be no services.

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

Brian Lee Parker

October 23, 1961 ~ April 23, 2024

Brian Lee Parker, 62, of Walkerville, passed away Tues day, April 23, 2024. He was born Oct. 23, 1961, in Shelby, the son of Donald and Ellen (Misner) Parker.

Brian was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, gardening and going to deer camp with his sons. He loved camping and riding his lawnmower, even if the grass wasn’t ready to cut. His favorite pastime was watching football or hockey. Being able to spend time with his family was the best of all.

Brian was a great husband, an amazing dad and the best papa.

Brian is survived by: his loving wife of 33 years, Cyn thia (Frees); children, Joseph (Olivia Kendall) Parker, Lilly Parker, Zachary (Alize Anzaldua) Parker and Randall (Hailey “Two Dogs” Lopez) Parker; grandchildren, Carter, Colton and Dean; siblings, David (Gini) Parker, Donna Burmeister, Bruce Parker, Judith (William) Callendar and Edward (Roxanne) Parker; loving in-laws, Everett and Ruth Frees; many nieces and nephews.

Brian was preceded in death by: his parents, Donald and Ellen; siblings, Linda Rose and Robert Parker.

A family gathering to celebrate and remember Brian took place at noon, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 9370 Walsh Rd., Montague, Michigan 49437. Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements. www.harrisfhome.com

Stephen’s Lutheran Church (LC-MS)

7410 W. Johnson Rd. Shelby, MI 49455 231-861-2952

Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. Summer Outdoor Service Everyone Welcome

Sylvia Ann Talmadge Vanderleest

February 29, 1936 ~ May 5, 2024

Sylvia “Poochie,” 88 (22 in leap years), of Stony Lake, passed away peacefully, May 5, 2024. She was born Feb. 29, 1936, in Saginaw, Mich., to the late Walter Lodes and Wanda Ruth Reading.

After years of being a stay-at-home mom enjoying her life at Stony Lake, Sylvia returned to work and retired from the Shelby State Bank. She attended Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.

Sylvia was an avid baker and was known for her delicious sugar cookies, lemon cake and blueberry buckle. She enjoyed a variety of music, especially Polka music and always enjoyed a good dance party. Sylvia also enjoyed traveling to the many University of Michigan football games.

Sylvia is survived by: her children, Norman (Patti) Talmadge, SueEllen (Jeffery) Larmore, Vernon (Sonya) Talmadge, Steven Talmadge and Kristi (Dan) Brogan; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Laurie Kilbourne, Bobbi Thompson and Kellie Lodes Krane; brothers, Walt (Butch), John and Greg Lodes; her loving cousin, Barbie Gajeski; and very special sister-in-law, Lois Nealey.

Sylvia was preceded in death by: husbands, Norman Carslake, Donald Talmadge and Gordon Vanderleest; brother, Arthur Reading; and grandson, Christopher Hutchins.

A Celebration of Life will take place from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, 413 S. Mears Ave., Whitehall, MI 49461.

Sylvia’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of SKLD of Whitehall for providing wonderful care to Sylvia for the last four and a half years.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial contribution to Hospice of Michigan.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com

Tad Lee Aebig

April 16, 1962 ~ April 30, 2024

Tad Lee Aebig, 62, of Shelby, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024, surrounded by family at home. He was born April 16, 1962, in Shelby, the son of Glenn and Clara (Rought) Aebig.

Tad was an educator for 25-plus years in both high school industrial arts and driver’s training, but his true loves were his family, farming and spending time with friends. He will be missed for his friendly demeanor and love for life.

Tad is survived by: his children, Jenna (Kevin) Beckman and Jordan Aebig; grandchildren, Cohen and Palmer Beckman; sister, Dr. Trudy Aebig, Ph.D.; and niec es, Sarah and Rachel Beaumont.

Tad was preceded in death by: his parents, Glenn and Clara. Visitation was from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2024, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, Mich. 49455. Graveside services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Mennonite Cemetery, 2052 S. 96th Ave., Shelby, Mich. 49455. A luncheon followed the burial at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 4535 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420.

Please consider memorial contributions to: Crystal Valley Care Fund, P.O. Box 451, Hart, Mich. 49420.

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

5 63 1 W. Stony Lake Rd. New Era, MI 4944 6 • 2 3 1 -86 1 - 4 0 59 office@tlcnewera.org • tlcnewera.org Rev. Sarah J. Samuelson Sunday Worship Service: 8 & 10 a.m. Barrier Free Access Nursery Provided

St. Peter’s-By-The-Lake Episcopal Church 8435 Old Channel Trail, Montague 616-894-0172

SUNDAY EUCHARIST – 10:00 am stpetersmontague@gmail.com stpetersbythelake.weebly.com Reclaim the Promise!

a.m.

Juan Carlos Lozano

December 25, 1990 ~ May 1, 2024

Juan Carlos Lozano, 33, of Shelby, passed away unex pectedly May 1, 2024. He was born Dec. 25, 1990, the son of Juan Lozano-Galindo and Angelica (Marquez) Lozano.

In 2009, Carlos proudly crossed the stage at Shelby High School, marking the beginning of his journey. But his thirst for knowledge and passion for growth didn’t stop there; in 2015, he added another milestone, graduating from Baker College.

Yet, beyond the accolades, what truly defined Carlos was his unwavering devotion to God and his unyield ing faith. His presence was like a beacon of joy, always adorned with a smile, always ready with a laugh or a joke to lift spirits. He possessed an extraordinary ability to find beauty and hope in every situation, radiating humility, kindness, and an innate willingness to lend a helping hand since his earliest days. His heart knew no bounds, overflowing with compassion and empathy, a source of solace and comfort for those around him.

His love for his family was boundless, finding joy in their gatherings and cherishing every moment spent with them. And alongside his beloved wife, he explored the world, indulging in the richness of different cultures through travel and culinary adventures, his sweet tooth a testament to his zest for life.

Always proud of his parents, who came from Mexico, with his dad having completed eighth grade, they have achieved remarkable success. Graduating alongside his mother from Baker College filled him with immense pride.

Carlos was a lifelong learner, eager to embrace new experiences and share his wisdom with others. His passion for education was evident in his pursuit of a master’s degree at Davenport University. His achievements, from gracing television screens to being honored as Teacher of the Week and Student Teacher of the Year, spoke volumes about his dedication and impact. He embraced every opportunity to inspire, whether speaking at prestigious events or mentoring aspiring educators.

But amidst his many accomplishments, Carlos remained grounded, finding joy in simple pleasures like playing soccer and tending to his lawn. His legacy, however, transcends the accolades and achievements; it lives on in the countless lives he touched, in the lessons he imparted, and in the love he shared with all who knew him.

Juan Carlos is survived by: his wife Lizeth Deblas-Arellano; their dog, Maxi Lozano; parents, Juan Lozano-Galindo and Angelica Lozano; siblings, Miguel Angel (Victoria) Lozano and Arianna Ruby (Klayton) Kudwa; grandmother, Silvia Galindo Martinez; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Juan Carlos was preceded in death by his grandmother, Felipa Valenzuela; cousins, Ray Rosales and baby Royce Tejada.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2024, at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 214 S. Peach St., Hart, MI 49420, with Fr. Juan Palomar presiding. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, MI 49455, with a praying of the Holy Rosary at 8 p.m. Visitation was also Thursday, one hour prior to services at the church.

Following Mass on Thursday, interment was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Shelby, with a luncheon at the church following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Gregory Catholic Church, 214 S. Peach St., Hart, MI 49420.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the messages, cards, flowers, texts and calls received during this difficult time.

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

Joan Decker Beyer VanderVelde

Joan Decker Beyer VanderVelde, 89, formerly of Shelby, passed away Nov. 23, 2023. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place, and a graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Norton Cemetery, 601 Airport Rd., Norton Shores, Mich. 49441, with Raymond Post officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the home of Nick and Char Beyer, 8016 E. Garfield Rd., Hesperia, Mich. 49421. Suggested Memorials: The Oceana County Humane Society, or The Ladder Community Center in Shelby.

You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com. Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

Commissioners vote to adopt enforceable laws for county parks

By Steve Gunn The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

For the first time in a while, the Oceana County Board of Commissioners has officially adopted a set of rules for people using the eight county parks and added an amendment to make sure the rules will be enforceable with penalties for violators going forward.

The rules have been in place for a long time and included several changes that were recently made to address firearms and fireworks in the parks. But they had not been official because the rules had not been presented to commissioners for formal approval in recent years.

That changed on Thursday, April 25, when commissioners voted unanimously to formally adopt the rules.

Interestingly, until now, the park rules were not enforceable by law, even if they had previously been adopted by the county board. That’s because, under the state constitution, county boards cannot make laws, according to Garry McKeen, chairman of the Oceana County Parks and Recreation Commission.

For the park rules to be enforced by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department as misdemeanors with the potential for fines and incarceration, they would have to be formally adopted as ordinances by the governing boards of the townships where the eight parks are located, and that has never been done.

However, County Commissioner Paul Erickson wanted to add some teeth to the rules. After talking to the county prosecutor, he suggested that violations of the park rules be considered civil infractions, as opposed to misdemeanors, with fines up to $100. That amendment was added to the county board motion and was adopted.

That means, for the first time, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department will have the power to actually enforce the park rules rather than simply ask violators to cease and desist.

There are eight parks owned and operated by Oceana County: Stony Lake County Park, Mill Pond County Park, Marshville Dam County Park, Gales Pond County Park, Doolittle County Park, Crystal Valley County Park, Cedar Point County Park and Black Lake

County Park.

The various parks are popular with the public for different reasons, according to McKeen.

Black Lake Park draws a lot of people to its 14-site campground. Stony Lake Park gets a lot of use for its boat ramp; Cedar Point Park gets good crowds in the summer for its Lake Michigan beach; Gales Pond is popular for its nature trail; Doolittle is extensively used to host nature education classes for children; and Crystal Valley Park has a pavilion that’s popular for social gatherings.

The Parks and Recreation Commission operates on a very small budget, and the parks are not patrolled or governed by any on-site county staff.

All of the parks have the same set of rules. Most have been in place for years, but two recent changes were on the list that was presented to the county board Thursday, April 25.

One is a partial addition to the weapons rule. An existing rule already states that “the possession, discharge and carrying of firearms or other weapons on Oceana County park property” is prohibited and says “no hunting, trapping or archery are allowed in county parks. This includes the discharge of air guns, gas guns, spring-loaded guns, slingshots, or bows and arrows.’

A new part of that rule was added, stating that the possession or use of these types of weapons “shall be governed by federal, state and local law.”

That addition is key because federal and state firearms laws exist and can be enforced at the parks, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. Adding the language to the park rule makes potential consequences clearer for people who use the park, he said.

“Any time there are firearms involved, the laws that govern them are going to play a part,” Mast said. “Firearms will be investigated and held to state and federal law

because there is existing law that covers that.”

The one completely new park rule states that “no fireworks of any type are allowed.”

There has not been a big problem with fireworks at the parks, according to McKeen and Mast. If they were a problem, authorities might be able to legally address them based on various local noise ordinances, Mast said. The remaining question was the enforceability of most of the park rules from a legal standpoint.

At the end of the list of park regulations, there has long been a statement saying that “Any violation of these regulations shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not to exceed $100 and/or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days or by both such fine and imprisonment.”

McKeen and Mast admit that the language is not technically accurate because the rules have never been formally adopted as ordinances by the townships where the parks are located.

That would be a lengthy process that would involve some legal costs, but it has not been necessary because most of the people who visit the parks tend to respect the rules, according to officials.

“Not very often,” Mast said when asked how frequently deputies have to respond to complaints at county parks. “We used to see some parties at the Stony Lake oval. We might get called for some after-hours things or some underage drinking once or twice a summer.

“But we don’t have a lot of problems. I think it’s generally pretty good. Mr. McKeen keeps a sharp eye on the parks, and he knows how to get a hold of me. He will let us know if there are problems.”

Commissioner Erickson’s amendment will guarantee that violations of the rules could lead to some form of punishment, however, because they will now be considered civil infractions that could lead to fines.

MANY BLESSINGS Mkt

Welcome 2024 Season! Our Mkt building is open as available We feature homemade jam, pie filling, honey, maple syrup and craft items Available: asparagus Coming soon: rhubarb Self-serve open 24/7 for fresh produce Located 1/2 mile E. of Crystal Valley on Madison Rd. Please call to confirm product or to place orders (231) 873-4844 • Jill Whitaker

Moran’s friend Byard steps in as interim principal at Hart High School

By Stacia Erickson

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

There are times when actions simply speak louder than words. When Hart Public Schools Superintendent Mark Platt called Ken Byard, asking if he might consider filling the void left by his late, dear friend Principal Troy Moran and serving as interim high school principal, Byard didn’t hesitate to respond in the affirmative. Although he’d recently retired from education to take a corporate job, he said he would take a leave of absence to honor his friend Troy and to help what had become Moran’s beloved Hart High School.

On Monday, Byard began his duties as  interim principal. In a note to staff Monday evening, he wrote, “I just wanted to say “Thank You” to all of you for making me feel so welcome and being so kind. All the staff, along with the kids I got to talk to today, were amazing. I am looking forward to our time together and the opportunity to continue Mr. Moran’s work.”

On Sunday, May 5, by way of introduction, Byard shared the following with HHS students, staff and parents via Facebook:

Pirate Nation —

My name is Mr. Ken Byard and I will be serving as the interim principal for the remainder of the year.

I was born in New Jersey and grew up a military brat who went to 12 K-12 schools while moving to California, South Korea, Germany, and Alabama. I ended up graduating high school from AuGres-Sims High School in 1992. I then attended Hope College from 1992-1996.

My first teaching job was at Montague, where I taught until 2005. I then moved to Mona Shores, where I was the middle school dean of students/AD/

AP. After nine years there, I accepted a position as the middle school principal at Orchard View Middle School for one year before becoming the principal of North Muskegon HS/MS. After six years there, I finished my educational career and am currently working for BSN Sports.

I live in North Muskegon with my wife, Jessica, and our four kids.

I met Mr. Moran about 25 years ago when we started working out together at the Thunderbolt Gym in Whitehall. From there, we became close friends as we had similar interests and a common profession. Mr. Moran and I worked at Mona Shores at the same time. I considered him one of my closest friends.

The one thing I most admired about Mr. Moran was his unapologetic authenticity and genuineness. What you saw is what you got. He stood firmly on his convictions and was kind to you if you thought differently. He truly was one of a kind.

I am looking forward to helping Mr. Moran’s legacy live on as the Hart family begins the healing process. I hope to display many of the attributes he did as a principal including his strongest attribute — connecting with people.

I am honored and humbled to have been asked to continue Mr. Moran’s work.

Sincerely, Mr. Ken Byard

It would appear that Byard knows the value of his late, close friend and that Moran chose his close friends wisely.

Spring at Shelby Acres!

As you drive on Oceana Drive, you might notice the progress of the much-anticipated homes in Shelby Acres. Shelby Acres hopes to help fill the void of our area’s housing shortage by providing quality, new construction homes at a reasonable market price. Shelby Acres has just listed their three model homes on the MLS and by early June, the three model houses will be available for viewing through a private showing or by attending one of our open houses. The new listings outline additional details about each model, such as the floor plan, the sale and lottery instructions and the Association Bylaws.

THE TAMARACK: $214,000 - Enjoy the cozy yet open layout with spacious, fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops, dining room, living room, and two main-level bedrooms, full bath, and plenty of storage. Downstairs, explore the additional well-lit space: recreation or living room, additional bedroom and bath, and laundry. The Tamarack has an attached, fully finished garage and could be your new home in Shelby Acres!

THE ELM: $224,000 - Here, functionality meets comfort in a home that is both light and open yet fully utilizes every square foot of space. The main level exudes natural light and functional living with two bedrooms, spacious kitchen, dining and living areas, and bathroom. The new appliances, granite countertops, abundant cabinetry, and ample storage radiates comfort and quality. The finished basement offers an expansive additional living area, another bedroom, bathroom, and laundry. Additionally, the attached fully finished garage, inviting neighborhood, and close proximity to Shelby Public Schools and downtown Shelby make this home the perfect place to set down some roots.

THE ASPEN: $249,000 - This home exhibits classic country charm from the moment you step onto the front porch. Enter into a bright living space with cathedral ceilings, equipped kitchen, separate dining area, two main-floor bedrooms and full bathroom. Designed for comfortable living: new appliances, quartz countertops, walk-in kitchen pantry, and bountiful natural light. As you head downstairs, it is well-lit and well-designed, offering additional finished living space for an entertainment or recreational room, as well as two complete bedrooms, a full bathroom, laundry and mechanicals. The Aspen also boasts a detached garage and is located in a neighborhood close to Shelby Public Schools and the welcoming downtown.

As a reminder, if you are interested in becoming a candidate for the lottery, the prospective buyer must attend one of our workshops. To be added to an upcoming workshop roster, please email one of the instructors: gabypetersonhomes@gmail.com, dfox@shelbybank.com or Mreyna@shelbybank.com

Saturday 5/18 9:00 am

Thursday 5/23 6:00 pm Thursday 5/30 6:00 pm Thursday 6/6 6:00 pm Thursday 6/13 6:00 pm Saturday 6/22 9:00 am

K en B yard

Shelby Acres

Down to the wire

S helby S occer

S core S late in up S et win over rival h art

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

HART – On paper, it seemed like Shelby’s girls soccer team was in for a rough night when they headed to Hart for the annual rivalry matchup Monday, May 6. The Tigers took that notion and flipped it on its head, winning a 2-1 nailbiter.

The evening started with a tough battle between the JV teams that saw Hart come away with a 2-1 win. That game was knotted up at 1-1 in the first half before Hart freshman Natalie Rosema netted a shot midway through the second half that would ultimately give the Pirates the win.

With many of Hart’s best players contributing at both the JV and varsity levels, it seemed as though the second game of the night would mirror the first.

Hart took control of the game almost immediately, dominating in both time of possession and shots on goal. Unfortunately for the Pirates, it seemed like they were one touch away from finding goals for a majority of the first half.

Shelby took advantage of their limited scoring opportunities in the first half. Just inside the 19 minute mark, Hart’s keeper Emma Jeffries made a mental mistake that allowed the Tigers their first real shot at the net.

Jeffries stepped out of the goal in an effort to clear a ball away from oncoming Shelby strikers. Instead, Jeffries panicked and grabbed the ball outside of the penalty area, resulting in a yellow card that not only gave Shelby a free kick, but forced Hart to put an inexperienced keeper in to attempt a save.

Hannah Frees stepped up to take that free kick for the Tigers, sending a high shot toward the net. The ball bounced off the hands of Hart’s keeper and took a backward angle into the net to put Shelby on top 1-0.

“Emma (Jeffries) had that lapse of judgment where she should have just let the ball roll into the box and pick it up,”

Hart Head Coach Joe Gilbert explained. “Instead she ran out to kick it and then had to react and grab it and got the yellow card. Shelby got really lucky on that and we had to put in a highly inexperienced keeper.”

White Cloud at Ken Smith Memorial Tournament

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

HESPERIA – A dominant trio of performances from Shelby’s baseball team proved fruitful on Saturday, May 4 as the Tigers exited Hesperia with some hardware, winning the Ken Smith Memorial Tournament with wins over Hesperia and White Cloud.

In their first matchup, Shelby dispatched the Indians of White Cloud with ease, leaning on superior pitching from sophomore DayDay Garcia. Garcia has become Shelby’s ace this season as

his brother Lalo Garcia suffered an injury to his throwing arm that forced a position change. DayDay stepped up to the mound and delivered on Saturday. In a 10-3 victory over White Cloud – the first meeting between the Tigers and Indians – DayDay put in five innings of work, allowing just two earned runs and striking out two batters while only throwing 65 pitches. Trevor Weiss stepped up in relief in that game, striking out one batter in his sole inning of throwing to pick up the save. Shelby found themselves trailing through the first 2 and ½ innings of play with White

Cloud picking up three quick runs. The Tigers battled back though, tying up the score at 3-3 in the third before pushing past the Indians with a steady influx of runs over the remainder of the game. The bats of Evan and Garrin Waller were working well on offense for Shelby as the pair both notched a multi-hit game. Evan went 2-for-4 while Garrin was 2-for-3 with a run batted in (RBI). Kamiron Sparks, Eli Kelley, Cam Smith and Carson Stovall each recorded one

Weirich has career game, Hart baseball splits with

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

HART – A tale of two games saw Hart and Hesperia baseball split a doubleheader Wednesday, May 8. The results of the games weren’t as noteworthy as the individual performance of Hart senior Blake Weirich, however.

In the first of two games, Weirich was a standout performer on the mound where he earned the start and pitched a whale of a no-hitter. Through a complete five innings of work, Weirich pitched a perfect game. Only facing 15 batters, Wei -

rich sat all 15 down in order without allowing a single run to cross the plate. 10 of those 15 batters went down on strikes.

With Hesperia not registering a single base hit, it didn’t take much for Hart’s offense to gain an advantage. Weirich and company didn’t take their foot off the pedal however, scoring 13 runs to end the game by mercy rule.

Weirich was once again a standout for Hart, this time at the plate. Weirich notched extra base hits on each of his three at bats. His first hit came on the first pitch of the game

Shelby’s varsity baseball team poses with their newly acquired plaque after defeating Hesperia and White Cloud to claim first place in the Ken Smith Memorial Tournament on Saturday, May 4. • Contributed

Shelby surrounds Hannah Frees (1) after the senior netted a free kick that put the Tigers ahead 1-0 in a 2-1 win over Hart on Monday. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Rivalry upset Ken Smith Tournament

RBI as well, but it was Chase Simon who led the team with two in Shelby’s first action.

The Tigers met a familiar foe in game two as they took on conference opponent Hesperia on the Panthers’ home field.

That semifinal matchup between the Tigers and Panthers was all purple as the Tigers rolled to an 11-0 shutout victory. Weiss got the start on the mound after producing a save in the game prior, throwing five innings while only allowing three hits and striking out five.

Shelby’s offense was equally up to the task as they forced the Panthers to go through two pitching changes.

Hesperia started with Noah Walker on the mound, but after allowing eight earned runs through one and ⅓ innings, Walker was replaced by Michael Fekken. Fekken fared much better, surviving

two innings with just one earned run before Hudson Schmitz came in to close, striking out five batters.

Sparks was the top hitter for the Tigers, going 3-for-4 and producing two RBIs while being a terror on the base paths with two stolen bags. Lalo went just 1-for-4, but he made the most of his lone hit, driving in three runs.

Garrin Waller added two RBIs as well for Shelby in the win.

Advancing to the championship round, Shelby met White Cloud for the second time with one difference from the first meeting – a trophy on the line.

Shelby took no time to get going, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning and steadily adding to their advantage throughout. By the time the Indians scored their first run, the Tigers already had owned a 6-0 lead with just two innings of play remain -

ing. By the end, Shelby claimed a win and the trophy with an 8-2 victory.

Kelley was on the mound for Shelby, becoming only the third pitcher to throw for the Tigers. Kelley, like Weiss before him, threw a complete game. Through seven innings of work, Kelley only allowed four hits and had no earned runs to go along with seven strikeouts.

Lalo and Simon were the top hitters for the Tigers in their championship win. Lalo was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base while Simon went 2-for-3 with one RBI. Smith joined Lalo with a team-high two RBIs while Evan Waller added one as well.

The trio of wins for Shelby pushed them over the .500 mark in wins on the year as they advanced to a 10-7 record overall.

“This just shows us that someone other than people we’re missing right now can score the ball,” Shelby Head Coach Pete Peterson said. “I don’t care who shoots or scores the goals, it doesn’t matter. We’ve just got to have shots because the only way you’re going to win games is by scoring goals and you can’t score goals if you don’t shoot. They’re all buying into it now.”

After that initial goal from the Tigers, Hart went right back to dominating the game in every area other than the score. The Pirates drove the ball upfield and found good shots on multiple occasions, but simply couldn’t get anything to tickle the twine.

That changed with just one minute remaining in the first half. After a ball bounded out of play off the leg of a Shelby defender, Hart’s Devyn Adams set up a corner kick from the left side of the field. Adams swept the ball up in the air with an arc that landed directly in front of Shelby’s goal. Sydney Goodrich got in position underneath the ball, never letting it touch the ground. Instead, Goodrich executed a perfect header and redirected it past Shelby keeper Biloxi Lee to even things up at 1-1.

“That was a really nice play on their part and we didn’t cover it right,” Peterson said. “We thought that it was going to be 1-0 at half. Kudos to them for hitting that header.”

Being so late in the first half, the score stayed knotted up as the two teams headed to the sideline for a 10 minute break before resuming play.

That second half wasn’t nearly as exciting as the first. Each team took turns pushing the ball over midfield, but neither were able to find anything promising enough to break the tie.

Then, with just over two minutes remaining in the game, Shelby struck for the second time.

The Tigers found themselves deep into Hart’s defense as time continued to tick away.

Multiple Shelby strikers charged down the left wing where they were met with Hart’s defense.

The Pirates halted the charge initially, but after contesting Shelby they were unable to gain possession of the ball, watching it roll around in front of the net instead.

Jeffries came out in an effort to secure the ball, but Shelby’s Kylie Brown was just fast enough to tap the ball to her right.

The quick thinking left Jeffries scrambling to get back in front of the net.

Before that could happen, Hailey Jones found Brown’s pass and sent it screaming into the net for her second-ever varsity goal, putting her team on top 2-1 in the process.

“We had no communication on the back. Emma (Jeffries) ran out to grab another one and

didn’t call her defender off,” Gilbert said. “Our own mistakes (hurt us).”

Hart made a last ditch effort to find something dangerous enough to earn a tie, but were unable to work the ball deep enough before the clock hit all zeroes.

The Tigers walked off the field with smiles as big as the upset they’d just completed.

“For us, this was a big win,” Peterson said. “We’ve been so close in so many of these games. I think we probably have four or five one goal losses this year. We just haven’t been able to get that last goal so that we can be the team that walks off with the win. (Hart) has that and they’ve been doing it all season. Today that was us.”

With the win, Shelby moved to 5-7-2 overall and now sit at eighth in the West Michigan Conference (WMC) with a 2-4-2 record in league play.

Hart’s loss did little to hurt their standing in the WMC as the Pirates (9-7, 3-5 WMC) remained in sixth, just behind Whitehall.

“We dominated that entire game and anybody who looks at this game on paper is going to look at it and say ‘oh, Hart won that game,’” Gilbert said. “We dominated shots, chances, possession and in the last five minutes (Shelby) ran a little harder. We had a game plan and it worked, we just weren’t clinical.”

Carter continues standout season, Shelby places fifth at Benona Shores Invitational

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – A spectacular freshman season for Shelby’s Titan Carter has seen him finish in the top five in six of the eight golf meets he has competed in. Carter has been particularly impressive on his home courses and that was on display when he took second place at Benona Shores Golf Club on Thursday, May 2.

Among a field of 82 athletes from Manistee, Fremont, Oakridge, Pentwater, Shelby, North Muskegon, Muskegon Catholic Central, Mason County Central, Ravenna, Bear Lake,

Ludington, Holton and Newaygo, Carter placed second individually.

Carter finished six over par (66), falling just one stroke shy of tying Manistee’s Jacob Sharp (65) for a first place finish.

Starting on the front nine, Carter was stellar, recording three pars on the first three holes before posting a birdie on hole four. A trio of bogeys paired with two more pars rounded out the front, leaving Carter just two strokes over par.

The back nine is where Carter really started to struggle. After recording his sixth par on hole 10, Carter was hit with back-to-back bogeys before a triple

bogey on hole 13 pushed him eight strokes over par. An eagle on hole 14 helped put him back into a competitive state as he rounded out the back nine with three pars and a bogey.

Other top finishers for Shelby were Treyjin Waller (78) in 23rd and Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Ortiz (80) in 28th. Zach Horton and Josh Neuman both shot an 83, tying for 38th individually while freshman Rafael Davis (90) placed 55th.

As a team, Shelby finished fifth with a total stroke count of 307.

Pentwater places third as a team

Pentwater’s golf team had a very lucra -

tive outing at Benona Shores, shootin 294 as a team, just one stroke behind Manistee who finished in second.

The Falcons featured four athletes that finished with a stroke count in the 70s. Seniors Alivia Kolenda and Hunter Cornelisse led the way, both finishing at 71 and a seventh place finish. Nathan Macher (74) finished in 17th and Mikey Carlson (78) finished in 23rd.

Pentwater sophomore Bode Powell (82) finished in 33rd and senior Aubriana Foster (93) rounded out the Falcons’ roster with a 64th place finish.

Shelby’s Titan Carter displays his second place medal, earned at the Benona Shores Invite. • Contributed

Shelby’s Lalo Garcia slides head first into home plate as the White Cloud catcher tries to field a throw and tag Garcia out. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Bateson, Hicks catch fire as Hart softball sweeps Hesperia

By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

HART – A West Michigan Conference (WMC) Rivers Division matchup between Hart and Hesperia proved to be a no-contest as the Pirates swept the evening with two wins.

Neither team got off to a hot start as the first two innings saw just one run scored between the two. That run was scored by Hart in the bottom of the first inning when Abby Hicks drove in Mackenna Carrier on a ground out to Hesperia’s Molly Norris.

Norris and Hart’s Gabby Quijas were dueling in the pitcher’s circle in the early going, a big reason scoring was hard to come by.

Quijas threw just seven pitches in the first inning – not allowing a single hit –before sitting down the Panthers in order in the second inning with two ground outs and a strikeout. Norris worked her way out of a tough spot in the bottom of the first inning, allowing one run before

rebounding in the second inning thanks to a double play from herself and freshman Sarissa Conkle.

The Pirates broke through in the bottom of the third inning. Maryn Klotz started things off with a single before Carrier was walked and Caydence Bateson singled to load the bases. Hicks stepped up once again, driving in three runs with a triple to put Hart up 5-0. The Pirates would score two more before the inning ended, owning a 7-0 advantage.

Hesperia continued their offensive struggles throughout the remainder of the game only recording a single hit from Norris in the top of the fifth.

Carrier, Bateson and Gabby Schmieding all recorded hits in the fourth inning, pushing Hart’s lead to nine. The Pirates earned the last run needed to end the game by mercy rule in the fifth inning on Bateson’s third hit of the night.

Bateson led Hart in that game, going 3-for-4 and recording two runs batted in (RBI). Hicks had just one hit, but produced four RBIs. Klotz was the only other Pirate to record a multi-hit game,

Shelby and Hart golf place top three at WMC meet, Scott leads Hesperia

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo

Sports Editor

HART – Hart hosted six additional teams, including Shelby and Hesperia, at The Colonial Golf Course Wednesday, May 8 for a West Michigan Conference Rivers Division meet. The Tigers and Pirates finished neck and neck with second and third place team placements.

A single stroke separated Hart and Shelby in team scores as the Tigers took second with a 181 stroke count while the Pirates came in just behind with 182.

Leading the way for Shelby was freshmen duo Titan Carter and Rafael Davis. Carter placed second individually, shooting 42 through nine holes while Davis finished in ninth with a 44. Carter struggled to find consistency, scoring four bogeys and a double bogey while also notching four pars. Davis saw much of the same struggles, scoring two bogeys, two double bogeys and a triple bogey while also tallying three pars and a birdie.

Closing out Shelby’s top six were Trey Waller (47) in 13th, Josh Neuman (48) in 14th, Zach Horton (49) in 19th and Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Ortiz (50) in 22nd.

Hart’s top individual finishers were junior Kaden Bond and sophomore Braydan Baron,

both of which finished in seventh place with a score of 43. Bond and Baron each shot four pars on their home course.

Aiden DuMont and Nikolas Michael finished close behind in 14th with each shooting a 48. Luke VanderWilk (49) finished in 19th while Jack Thompson rounded out the day for Hart in 30th with a score of 58.

Also in attendance was Hesperia’s golf team, though they didn’t fare as well in team play.

The Panthers finished in last with a 227 stroke count, though they did see some good golf out of sophomore Alex Scott.

Scott finished the day in 22nd individually, shooting a 50 that included three pars. Scott’s

score took a major hit on hole seven where he shot six over par.

Following Scott for Hesperia was Evan Fuentes (56) in 28th, Jared Tanner (60) in 31st, Vincent Lound (61) and Timmy Hoaglin (61) in 33rd and Logan Kammer (64) in 37th.

going 2-for-3.

Quijas finished her night strong, pitching a complete game with just one hit allowed and three strikeouts. Norris’ early success fell off as the game progressed, finishing the game with 11 hits allowed, eight earned runs and four batters walked.

The second game of the night was much more lopsided than the first as Hart was relentless in a 15-1 mercy rule win.

Things got going almost immediately as Hart loaded the bases with their first three batters. Schmieding stepped up to the plate and knocked in two of the three, before Hicks scored on a wild pitch and Kelsey Copenhaver knocked in one more on a ground out. One more run was scored by the time the top of the first inning ended, giving Hart an early 5-0 lead.

Conkle showed promise for Hesperia in their first opportunity at the plate, leading off with a double. Unfortunately, the next three batters were sat down in order by Quijas, leaving Conkle stranded.

A scoreless second inning was highlighted by a lone hit for each team as Hart’s Bateson and Hesperia’s Alana Nadjovic each singled.

Hart caught fire again in the top of the third inning. A pair of walks and a sin-

gle from Reese Smith loaded the bases for the Pirates before Leah Walker drove in one on a single. Hart scored five more runs on mistakes from Hesperia, leading to an 11-0 lead.

Hesperia was able to get on the board after that. Back-to-back-to-back singles from Kassondra Ellis, Abby Joppich and Olivia McGahan ended the inning at 11-1 in favor of the Pirates.

Hart finished things off in the fifth inning, capitalizing on Hesperia mistakes once again to bring four runs across the plate.

Quijas again pitched a complete game, allowing six hits, one earned run and striking out three through five innings. Top hitters for the Pirates included Bateson who went 3-for-4 as well as Schmieding, Copenhaver, Klotz and Nora Chickering who each brought in two RBIs.

Joppich picked up the loss for Hesperia with six earned runs and 15 hits allowed through five innings. Conkel led the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-3 while McGahan drove in Hesperia’s only run.

Hart advanced to an 18-6 overall record with the win and now stands at 5-3 in the WMC Rivers.

Hesperia fell to 3-10-1 on the year and have yet to win a conference game with an 0-6 WMC Rivers record.

Hart Baseball

and saw him land on second base with a double. The other two soared over the fence, notching Weirich his third and fourth home run of the season.

Two solo shots would have been impressive, but Weirich not only brought himself across home plate, but several teammates as well. The first of two home runs was a two run shot and the second came with the bases loaded, earning Weirich a grand slam and bringing him to six runs batted in (RBI).

Joining Weirich in his offensive hitting spree were Halen Boos, Aiden Coker and Avery Guikema, each of which went 2-for-3. Boos was also effective with ducks on the pond, bringing in two RBIs.

The impressive offensive performance for Hart meant that Hesperia had a rough night on the defensive end to accompany their disappointing offensive output. Noah Walker started the night pitching for the Panthers, but only got one inning of work in before being pulled. Walker allowed three hits, five runs (two earned) and walked four batters.

Ethan O’Neil was brought in to spell Walker, getting two and ⅓ innings of work before exiting the game. O’Neil allowed seven hits and had six earned runs. Hayden Wright finished off the game in relief.

The second game of the night was a much different story for both teams. A defensive battle saw Hesperia claim victory by a 2-1 score.

With Blake Sayer pitching, it comes as no surprise that Hart’s bats slowed down a bit. Sayer, like Weirich in game one, threw a complete game. Lasting into extra innings, Sayer faced 30 batters through eight innings, only allowing one run on five hits and striking out three.

Hart had a duo of arms see time on the mound in game two. Ty Schlukebir went through seven innings only allowing one run and three hits with 14 strikeouts. With the game tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation, Weirich was

brought in to finish off the game. Unfortunately, Weirich’s second stint on the bump wasn’t as lucrative. Weirich faced five batters in the last half innings, ultimately allowing the winning run as the Panthers walked it off.

O’Neil started the eighth inning with a single into left field before Ian Fox followed him up to get two guys on base. In an effort to avoid one of Hesperia’s top hitters, Hart intentionally walked Sayer, loading the bases in the process. With two outs, Harrison Schmitz was the Panthers last chance to claim victory.

Schmitz stepped up to the plate, watched three pitches go by and never had to take a swing before the winning run crossed home. O’Neil took advantage of a wild pitch from Wierich, sprinting down the third base line and finishing the game at 2-1.

Fox was Hesperia’s lead hitter, going 2-for-4. Sayer, O’Neil and Vicente Cruz each recorded one hit each to round out the Panthers’ offensive efforts.

Tyler VanderZanden led Hart with a 2-for-3 effort and one RBI. Weirich, Coker and Clayton Riley all had one hit in the loss.

The split decision moved Hart to 1011 overall on the season and 3-5 in the West Michigan Conference (WMC) Rivers Division.

Hesperia now sits at 5-13 overall and 1-7 in the WMC Rivers.

Hesperia’s Alex Scott tees off. • Brendan Samuels/ ECHO

Hesperia’s Blake Sayer takes direction from his coaches in the dugout. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Pentwater eighth grader Chase McGuire-Vangills broke the Falcons’ middle school record in the 100-meter dash, finishing with a time of 12.34 at a West Michigan D League jamboree in Mesick on Monday, April 22. • Contributed

White Lake Mirror White Lake Mirror

MHS senior unveils selfserve bike repair station in front of WaterDog

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer

WHITEHALL — Montague High School senior Tavian Caszatt unveiled his Life Scout project, a bike repair station on the bike path in front of WaterDog Outfitters, Wednesday afternoon. This service project is a requirement that will grant Caszatt the opportunity to become an official Eagle Scout.

“When I was younger, we used to walk the rail trail in Shelby and they had a bunch of exercise stuff,” Caszatt

said. “I knew we didn’t have anything like that near here, and I wanted to offer something that would be helpful to the community and better it.”

Caszatt was excited to have the opportunity to officially open the bike repair station when he did, as he is leaving town shortly after his high school graduation to join the U.S. Navy.

“I hope the bike repair station encourages more people to get out and walk and ride the trails,” said Caszatt.

Local music fan? Joe Stidham knows where to go

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

A musician himself, area resident Joe Stidham is a regular at local musical performances. Until recently, though, Stidham noticed there was no one-stop shop online to seek out when and where those performances were occurring. So he made one himself, and it’s now a Facebook page - White Lake Music Review.

“I’d have to go to these individual Facebook pages just to figure out who was playing where,” Stidham said. “If I wanted to see who was playing at Sawyers, I’d have to go to their site, and if I wanted to see who was going to play at the Red Rooster Tavern, I’d go to their events page. I just thought it’d be nice if someone had all the shows going on in the White Lake area in a given week, so I just started doing it.”

Stidham has been posting his com-

pilations of area musical performances since last summer to various locally focused Facebook groups, and in February he launched the solo page to get the word out about local musical performances. So far he’s gathered 229 followers on the page.

Stidham’s day job, as a buyer for a large food company in Kalamazoo, enables him to work from home, so he has some flexibility in seeking out who he wants to see play and when. He is also a performer in a local band, The Formers, and plays bass at his church as well.

Stidham didn’t become a performer until, he said, six years ago, although he’d always played guitar and been interested in the possibility. He recalled that while in college at Ferris State in the early 1990s, he’d see a show and imagine what it would be like to play in one.

“I just wasn’t ready,” Stidham said of the time. “At a certain point I decided I was getting better, and I would go to people’s houses and have jam sessions. I’d think, what’s stopping me

Montague native finds joy in giving away books

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Embrace Books announced earlier this year that it gave away over $1 million worth of books in 2023, though founder and director Taleah Greve said that mark wasn’t arrived at scientifically.

“The number we come up with is an average number,” Greve said. “We don’t ask people to tabulate the number of books they’re taking. We come up with an average of 80,000 books (the amount given away in 2023) times the number of people who come in, at about 15 books per person. We have people who borrow shopping carts or hand carts to take books home. It’s probably much more than we even know.”

The dollar figure isn’t relevant to Greve, a Montague native who runs the nonprofit out of All Shores Wesleyan Church in Muskegon, which donated the space. Greve said she founded Embrace in 2014 after her husband Jeff asked her what she’d want to do if money were no object.

“I said that I’d love to give books away,” Greve said. “He probably regrets it now, but he said, ‘Go do it.’”

Greve collected about 1,000 books through donations to get started, and things have continued to grow from there. Embrace has so many books now

that its space organizes them by genre.

“We give books to families and seniors and day care providers and teachers and community organizations, like Hope Project and Muskegon Rescue Mission,” Greve said. “It’s a lot bigger than I ever imagined.”

Greve welcomes all manner of book donations during all open days, which are the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Embrace gets most of its donations from private givers, but it also has partnerships with some library branches and local schools that produce donations as well.

The joy of providing reading has kept Greve going since opening the doors nine years ago. There have been many interactions with customers that have given her joy in that time, but she still thinks back to one of the earliest ones.

“We were just getting started and seeing 15-20 people come through the door,” Greve said. “There was a little girl who saw our signs up and wanted to know what we were doing. She took about 10 minutes and looked through the books and said, ‘This one’s for my mom and this one’s for my sister who’s having a birthday, and these three are for me.’ She said, ‘I’m so excited because I only have one book at home.’ She just skipped out the door and I just cried,

because I have 15 books on my bedside table. I have the privilege of access to that. To think someone just didn’t have access to books in their home, for whatever reason...(I love) the ability to give that gift to someone else.”

Greve is aided by a team of volunteers; no one

from being in a band and performing at a venue? It happened in my late 40s

A look inside Embrace Books, a free bookstore located at All Shores Wesleyan Church in Muskegon. Montague native Taleah Greve runs the bookstore, which distributes free books two Saturdays per month. • Courtesy Photo

Montague High School senior Tavian Caszatt unveiled his new self-serve bicycle repair station in front of WaterDog Outfitters in Whitehall Wednesday.

• Madison Lajewski/Mirror

The band Distracted performs at Pub One Eleven April 20. Joe Stidham, a local musician and music fan, reviewed the performance for his White Lake Music Review Facebook page, which promotes local musical acts. • Courtesy Photo

Music review

and not my 20s, and I don’t mind that at all. I’m just thrilled it happened. It’s one of those better-late-than-never things.”

While the page is called the Music Review, Stidham does not fancy himself a music critic and said he has no intention of posting anything negative about any artist - many of the shows he attends are performances by bands he already knows he likes or is sure he will, given his sensibilities. His goal is to drive interest in local music, and to let those already interested know where to find it.

Stidham finds the local music scene impressive, especially given the relatively small size of the area. Even in slow weeks, he finds there is usually at least one performance going on in a given day.

“It might be a pianist performing at the Book Nook at 10 a.m., or it might be an open mic night,” Stidham said, “but there are a couple places in town that have events at least once a week. Sawyers has events Friday and Saturday nights. Pub One Eleven has events Saturday nights. A light week right now is 10 to 12 (events) spread across six venues. It’s never just been two or three shows. It’s amazing how much we have going on in our small community.

“There have been some really good weeks where I’ve played on a Friday night, and Saturday night I’ve gone out to see another band, and Sunday afternoon there’s someone performing at Sawyers. There are days I’ve had three music days in a row,and it’s a neat experience.”

Musicians often are inspired with new ideas based on things they see

continued from page 1

from other musicians, and that’s no different for Stidham. It’s not why he does the reviews, but seeing fellow performers in action is a way to, for lack of a better phrase, stay sharp.

“Maybe one band is really good with bantering with the crowd, and you think maybe we could do that,” Stidham said. “Our band is Americana music and a little different, so I don’t know if there are songs where I’d say I wish I could do that song. But some people are really good about interacting with the crowd, or maybe someone did a great guitar part I might be able to pick up.”

Stidham is pretty set on keeping his page tuned to local music rather than expanding to Muskegon to the south or Oceana County to the north, though he enjoys both scenes; his band, in fact, sometimes performs in Pentwater. However, he likes the idea that someone from those places, or beyond, could notice what his page is doing and be moved to start a similar endeavor in their own community.

In the meantime, he’d like to think his page is helping, in some small way, to grow the local music scene.

“It might just be me, but I think I’m seeing more and more people at the shows,” Stidham said. “The other thing I’ve noticed is...venues are starting to realize if they don’t post events, they’re missing out. I think people are taking notice. I think because of that, some venues are running their event pages a little better. A few of these venue owners have reached out to me saying they missed posting something and asking if I can add it to my list. That’s kind of what made me start the page.”

Mobile food pantry returns May 18

White Lake Congregational United Church of Christ in Whitehall will host the Feeding America-West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry event Saturday morning, May 18 from 10-11:30 a.m. The food pantry program provides a variety of groceries to people in need. There is no cost to receive food. Reg-

istration will begin at 9:30 a.m. No ID is needed. More information may be obtained by visiting Facebook.com/ uccthebikepath or contacting the church office Monday-Wednesday mornings at 231-893-3265.

Free books

makes money from Embrace.

“We have no income coming in,” Greve said. “Word of mouth is the way we advertise and the way we market... We just want to be connected with the community.”

Those interested in donating to Embrace monetarily can visit embracebooks.org and click the ‘donate’ link. Embrace also maintains an Amazon wish list for those who wish to support that way.

continued from page 1

“One of the great predictors of future success is access to books and reading in the home,” Greve said. “It thrills me to bits to see people excited about books. My favorites are local senior centers where people will have read all the books in their library 10 times over and someone gets in touch with us to donate those books, and then we send them home with boxes of new books to read.”

Area voters give nod to WLFA millage request

Local voters approved a millage request by the White Lake Fire Authority Tuesday by a margin of 57 to 43 percent, with 1,127 voters saying yes to the request.

The approval raised the base millage rate taxpayers will pay to the WLFA from 1.5 mills to 2.25 mills - from $1.50 to $2.25 per $1,000 in taxable property value - though in total, taxpayers will see a decrease from what they have paid the last few years. This is because a special 1.65-mill levy that helped pay for

the construction of the new fire station on Duck Lake Road expires this year. The new rate will be in effect for the next 15 years and along with helping keep pace with the rising costs of operating the department, chief Pete McCarthy told the Mirror in April that it will help fund two new full-time positions. This will enable the authority to staff both stations in the area around the clock; to date, only the station in the city of Whitehall had been staffed 24 hours a day.

Dirt Dauber club to meet May 21

Prepare to unearth a treasure trove of greenery and generosity as The Dirt Dauber Garden Club announces its highly-anticipated Plant Auction fundraiser! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 21.

The auction starts promptly at 6 p.m. and goes until every green gem finds a new home. This lively event will take place at White Lake United Methodist Church (8555 Cook Street, Montague), promising an evening brimming with botanical wonders and community camaraderie.

This year’s auction showcases an array of plant donations, featuring perennial beauties, indoor foliage, and an assortment of garden and plant-related contributions including gift cards, pots, and decorative items. Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist or just beginning your gardening journey, there’s

something for everyone to cultivate and cherish.

“We’re thrilled to extend a warm invitation to plant enthusiasts and community members alike to join us for a night of greenery and goodwill,” shared Sue Levy, President of the Dirt Dauber Garden Club. “Bring your friends, bring your family, and let’s nurture our local gardening endeavors together!”

Proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the ongoing maintenance and expansion of community gardens throughout Whitehall and Montague, as well as support vital garden and plant education initiatives in the area.

Stay updated and learn more about this and other summer garden events by visiting the Dirt Dauber Garden Club Facebook Page at https://fb.com/dirtdaubergc.

A new library website is coming soon

By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor

We are excited to announce the launch of our new website later this month. The new site will be more user-friendly, with easier navigation and a cleaner look. The address will stay the same – wlclib.org – but visitors will find some great new features plus better accessibility for those with vision impairments. One new feature is an online card application that issues a valid library card to local residents, providing instant access to digital offerings like Libby and Hoopla even when the library is closed. The new site will also increase the library’s transparency, making it easier to find basic information about library governance, such as board meeting agendas, annual operating budgets, annual financial audits, and more.

We look forward to hearing your feedback once the new site goes live. Please also let us know what you think of the new mobile app we launched earlier in May! In the app, just go to ‘settings’ and choose ‘share

feedback’. If you haven’t tried the app yet, simply search for LP2 in your app store and log in with your library card to get started.

FUN FACT: So far this year, our website was visited 15,459 times. Our Digital Collections page logged 1,352 visits, with our Calendar page close behind at 1,147 visits. In all of 2023, there were 46,606 visitors to our site.

Electronics Recycling Event

Saturday, May 18

Not sure what to do with your old TV or that box of old phones, batteries, and cords? Bring it to the Montague Farmers Market between 2-4

p.m. Saturday, May 18! Volunteers will be on hand help you unload your items and sort them for recycling through Goodwill Industries. This event is open to all White Lake area residents and businesses. The suggested donation to cover recycling costs is $2 for the first 10 items or $5 for a load of more than 10 items. For a complete list of what you can bring to this event, please visit bit.ly/goodwillewaste. Cathode ray tube TVs, large appliances, and air conditioners will not be accepted. This recycling event is sponsored by the City of Montague and the White Lake Area Climate Action Council, the same folks who manage the library’s household battery recycling station. Can’t get your old batteries to the event on Saturday? Bring them to the library and drop them in the bucket in the lobby anytime

during open hours.

Pollinator Paradise Garden

Kick-off May 30

Join us for an evening of pollinating ideas and planting seeds of action as we kick off a new Pollinator Paradise Garden project at the library with Sarah R. Filley Thursday, May 30 from 6-7 p.m. Explore the urgent needs of our bees and butterflies, bats and birds for native pollinator plants. Then imagine the possibilities of increasing biodiversity in the White Lake area, starting with your plant choices for your own backyard. Spread the word, bring your friends, and let’s create a buzz about pollinator paradise together! There is no cost to attend, but registration is appreciated at wlclib.org/calendar.

This event is part of a Pollinator Stewardship Certification demonstration project at White Lake Community Library. Generous funding provided by The Community Foundation for Muskegon County. For more information or to donate or volunteer, visit sarahrfilley.com.

DeMumbrum

Echoes of History: Whitehall libraries & librarians (pt.

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor

In July 1946, Nina Landberg was appointed librarian by then-Whitehall mayor Alfred C. Woller. Nina Cecelia Landberg was born in Whitehall June 14, 1884. She attended Whitehall High School and Ypsilanti Normal School. She taught school most of her life, nearly all the time in the Detroit school system. She specialized in teaching art. After her retirement in 1937, she returned to Whitehall to live.

In February 1949, suggestion boxes were placed in the library for the patrons having suggestions, requests, criticisms or favorable comments that could be made.

In 1946, story hour was started. For fourth-grade pupils, it was held at 3 p.m. Fifth-grade pupils were also welcome to attend. Story hour for first through third grades were held Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m.

In 1954, there were talks of combining the Whitehall city library with the school library. After studying the idea for some time, it was decided not to go ahead with the idea.

In June 1955, librarian Nina Landberg became ill and retired shortly after.

In September 1957, assistant librarian Mrs. Marguerite Alfredson was named librarian, replacing Nina Landberg. She had been the assistant librarian since 1956.

In June 1960, the city library was moved from the second floor of the old fire barn/city hall to the first floor of the former Gee funeral chapel behind the Klinefelter store on north Mears Avenue. The move eliminated the steep flight of stairs which for years had made it difficult for many older people to access the library, and at the same time gave the library a great deal more space.

In September 1960, Miss Vivian Freeman was appointed as head librarian in charge of the Whitehall City Library. She replaced Mrs. Alfredson, who agreed to act as assistant if needed. Vivian was born April 6, 1889 in Illinois. She died Feb. 20, 1986 in North Muskegon.

Story hour was reinstituted in March 1961 and was held on Saturdays at 10 a.m.

In 1961, the Whitehall City Library Board was composed of six Whitehall residents appointed by the city council. Chairman was Mrs. Leonard Blomdahl, city councilwoman. Secretary was Mrs. John Jacobs, elementary teacher, and

State police warns of attempted abduction in Montague

The Michigan State Police this week reported a pair of attempted abductions locally, which it believes were connected. The first took place in Oceana County Monday evening, and the second took place in Montague Tuesday.

The police reported that a white male appearing to be in his 40s with a mustache, along with an older white female, attempted to pick up juveniles

in both cases.

The Hart Post’s X account originally posted a photo of a vehicle believed to be the one involved in the incidents in question, but later clarified that the pictured vehicle had been cleared of suspicion in the incidents. Nevertheless, the post requested that anyone with information regarding either of the two incidents contact the post at 231-873-2171.

White Lake Historical Society announces May meeting

The May meeting of the White Lake Area Historical Society will take place Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. and will feature a presentation by Jack Greve, contact person for Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association. Jack will share unique features and history of the majestic lights which have guided ships along Lake Michigan’s shoreline for more than 100 years.

In addition, a brief look at the rigorous and ceaseless tasks of maintaining

the lights will deepen appreciation for the 47 years of care given by Capt. Wm. Robinson, who served the White River Light Station until 1919.

Closing the meeting is a visit with an area couple who spend one month each summer as modern-day lighthouse keepers/tour guides.

For questions regarding the meeting, please call 231-893-5545.

third year on the board. Other members were Mrs. George Barefoot, John Klinefelter, George Schaaf and Robert Langkawel, city manager.

Joyce Wilkins became the next Whitehall city librarian in 1963, replacing Vivian Freeman. Joyce was born Joyce Weber July 19, 1926. She married Lloyd Arnold Wilkins May 11, 1946. They had four children: Patricia, Mark, Bruce and Wendy.

During her tenure, Joyce was instrumental in persuading the library board to join the Lakeland Library Cooperative. She also oversaw the computerization of the library’s entire collection at that time. Wilkins held the position for over 21 years.

In October 1986, the library formed a group called Friends of the Library. The purpose of the group was to focus public attention on the library, receive and encourage gifts and bequests to the library and support and cooperate with the library in developing and sponsoring programs.

In spring 1996, the city announced plans to defund the library and suggested that if “a passionate need” for a local library became obvious, they might be willing to participate in a solution to provide one. They did not propose a plan themselves.

In late March 1998, the White Lake Community district library was officially recognized by the state. The new district library was established within the public school boundaries of Whitehall District Schools. Bette Carson, who had been involved with the library since about 1986,

was named as the new administrator of White Lake Community Library. In 1999. voters went to the polls and approved two bond issues, one to build the White Lake Community Library and another to operate it. The community vote succeeded by nearly a two-to one margin to approve the borrowing of 0.47 mill to build and provide 0.7 mill in perpetuity to operate the system. The cost of the approximately 10,000 square foot library was to be paid over 20 years. The new library was nearly three times the size of the one at the time. And the design of the library easily allowed for expansion if needed in the future.

On Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999, at 8:30 a.m., the public was invited to attend the official groundbreaking ceremony, which took place on the four-plus acre site donated for use by the former Howmet Corp. The library is no longer a cityowned facility. Rather it is a separate taxing entity, collecting revenue from residents within the Whitehall school district boundaries. Additional revenue comes from penal fines and state aid.

The official open house for the new White Lake Community Library was held at 11 a.m. Oct. 7, 2000.

With the formation of the White Lake Community Library in 2000, Bette Carlson became the library director, a position she held until 2011. She was replaced by Shelley Williams in 2012. Current library director Virginia DeMumbrum has been with the library since August 2000 and became its director in January 2019.

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NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

“It’s

a great day to be a Rocket”

Baseball’s thrilling victories over Shores and N. Muskegon cap day of GMAA championships for Reeths-Puffer

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MUSKEGON — You’re not always rewarded for sweat equity, but Reeths-Puffer’s players were Saturday, pouring a lot of themselves into the GMAA baseball tournament and coming away with the program’s first title in 19 years.

Facing three high-octane opponents that entered the day with fewer than 10 losses between them, the #2-seeded Rockets defeated Muskegon Catholic 5-0, hung on for a thrilling 3-2 win over Mona Shores, and capped it off with an 8-7 win over Division 3 #5 North Muskegon. Right fielder Landyn Wilson made a diving catch on a line drive to save the final game in the seventh inning.

“I’m kind of speechless,” R-P coach Butch Attig said. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy about this, not just because we won the tournament. It’s about what these guys put in and the hard work that they put in and I’m just ecstatic for them. I’ve got some emo-

Reeths-Puffer’s Brayden Mitchelson tries to tag out a North Muskegon baserunner on a pickoff play during Saturday’s GMAA finals at Marsh Field. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

tion, because that’s a grind of a day.”

The Rockets, who had pitched out of jams in each of the last two innings against Mona Shores, found themselves in another tough spot in the finals after Logan Slimko slammed a two-run home run in the second inning.

That didn’t last long, though, as Trent Reichert, who opposed Slimko on the mound, avenged the homer with a two-run line-shot double to tie it up. Courtesy runner Ethan Muskovin scored the go-ahead run later in the inning on a wild pitch.

“Baseball’s a matter of mindset, so we just kept the energy up, we got the

hits going and just fought right back,” Reichert said. “They’re a really good baseball team, so we had to look at one another and just say, let’s get this done, and let’s get the W.” R-P added two more runs in the

Baseball

Softball continues outstanding season with trio of wins to improve to 23-2-1

Abbie Critchett slides into third base for a triple during Saturday’s GMAA Tier 1 finals against Ravenna. The

won, 3-0. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MUSKEGON — Reeths-Puffer has enjoyed a banner season so far, and the Rockets added to their trophy case Saturday with a dominant performance in the GMAA tournament. The Rockets blanked Ravenna in the Tier 1 finals, 3-0, adding to the program’s single-season record for shutouts, which they already blew past despite the season having weeks still to go.

R-P previously rolled to wins over Holton (10-0) and Mona Shores (10-2) in the tournament.

“It’s awesome,” R-P coach Sar-

ah Bayle said. “I won one city (meet) when I was a player, I believe in my senior year, so I feel so good for these seniors (Megan Barmes, Natalie Kunnen, Kaylee Jones and Mady Snyder). These seniors have been on varsity for four years and for them to go out with this, they so deserve it. They’ve been working their butts off.”

The Rockets didn’t get Ravenna at full strength, as Bulldogs star hitter Emma Herremans was injured early in the game on a collision at first base.

Softball title continued on page 6

“Captain Kirk” steers ship to another Vikes title

3rd straight boys GMAA title highlighted by Earvin’s school record in 200 meters

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Especially for folks who were around back when Star Trek was at its cultural peak, every kid named Kirk probably heard it at least once growing up - the nickname “Captain,” in reference to the leader of the U.S.S. Enterprise. For those who grew up to be track coaches, like Kirk Mikkelson, the connection offered a readymade quote to dole out as motivation to his teams: “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”

Mikkelson’s team-first philosophy squares with the well-known Mr. Spock maxim, and the Whitehall Vikings showed off their adherence to that philosophy again Friday, romping to a third consecutive GMAA champion-

ship behind several contributions from athletes outside of their best events.

“I’ve been listening to that for the past two years, and whatever (event) he puts me in, I know it’s for the best of the team,” senior Malcolm Earvin said. “I know that whatever we need to do will help the team win in the end.”

The big guns delivered where they were expected to, of course, including Earvin, who was referring to running the 300-meter hurdles a few days prior in the team’s home tri even though he’d never done so before this year. He didn’t run the hurdles Friday - Mikkelson said Earvin has the talent to take aim at a state title in the event with some work on technique - but what he did do was not only win the 200-meter race, but break a record held by

Whitehall Sports Hall of Famer Tony Fountain to do it, finishing in 21.70 seconds. It was, in fact, one of three school records set in that very race: Isaiah Atchison of Montague broke the

Wildcats’ 200-meter record, coming in fourth place with a time of 22.31 sec-

Reeths-Puffer teammates mob right fielder Landyn Wilson (center, hat off) after Wilson’s diving catch preserved the Rockets’ 8-7 win over North Muskegon in the GMAA finals at Marsh Field. It was R-P’s first GMAA title since 2005. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall’s Malcolm Earvin crosses the finish line with the win in the 100 meters during Friday’s GMAA meet in Montague. Earvin won both sprint events and set a new Whitehall school record in the 200 meters. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Reeths-Puffer’s

Rockets

GMAA track

onds to snag the record from 2018 grad Jake Jancek. Runner-up Jerry Wiegers of North Muskegon broke the Norsemen record in the event too, at 21.91 seconds.

“(Assistant Coach) Tommy (Lauterberg) and I talked about it for years. It’s just one of those records that you’re going, ‘I’m not sure we’ll see that get broken,’ and it did,” Mikkelson said. “Malcolm’s worked hard, and he’s fast. He’s very talented. He got out hard in that first 100 (meters), and Tommy and I said it’s the fastest we’ve seen him get out in that race ever. Then he had good competition, which is important. He’s got Jerry right there on his wing pushing him to the finish line.”

Earvin and Stewart Waters were two-time winners Friday. Earvin set a PR in the 100-meter race and finished in 10.84 seconds; he said he drew extra motivation from facing Muskegon star Destin Piggee in the race, though Piggee unfortunately went down injured soon after the gun. Waters took the top spot in both distance events, with marks of 4:40.7 in the 1,600 meters and 10:21.1 in the 3,200.

“I was kind of hoping that the WMC kid, Matthias Morris, was running,” Waters said. “He’s dealing with some injuries right now. I just went out there and competed.”

Other wins came from Camden Thompson, Caden Bowyer, Kal Koehler and Ca’Mar Ready in field events, as well as Trannon Aylor, who held down the fort in his state champion event of the 400, with a time of 49.96 seconds.

Thompson made his outdoor season debut in high jump after being unable to do it the past month because of an ankle injury. He leapt a solid 6-3. He also continued to impress in discus, finishing second with a mark of 134-1, though his teammate Bowyer got him with a strong toss of 136-0. Ready continued his strong season in pole vault with a winning height of 12-6, and Koehler did the same in long jump, going for a mark of 20-9.5.

All told, Whitehall scored in 14 of the 17 events, and it probably would’ve been 15 but for a DQ in the 400-meter relay. It was the kind of effort the Vikes have become known for in recent years.

“We talked about swamping events and getting two or three kids in the finals and placing at

one time, and the points just start rolling (in),” Mikkelson said.

Hunter Parsons closed out Whitehall’s top-3 finishers in the meet, earning a PR of 10:41.9 in the 3,200 to finish third.

Reeths-Puffer finished third in the boys GMAA meet, highlighted by two wins - Tate Bradley in the 800-meter race, with a PR time of 2:02.3, and a win in the 1,600-meter relay. Marvin Moore, Jezsiah Sims, Mason Darke and Caiden Bolduc took the win with a time of 3:29.9.

Bradley took second in the 1,600, earning another PR time of 4:43.3, and Darke also finished third in both hurdles events, setting PRs in each one - 15.54 in the 110 and 42.26 in the 300. Bolduc took third in the 200, with yet another PR, 22.20 seconds.

Montague’s boys were sixth. Atchison’s school record was the highlight, but it wasn’t his best finish of the day; he was second in the high jump with a mark of 6-2.

Noah Raeth set a PR of 4:47.1 to finish 3rd in the 1,600, and Isaac French was third in the shot put.

Whitehall topped local schools in the girls meet, finishing fourth. The Vikings were a point ahead of

Reeths-Puffer, which in turn finished a point ahead of Montague.

Cami Kraai paced the Vikings with impressive wins in both the 800 and 1,600 meters. She set a PR in the 800 - 2:22.0 - and posted a time of 5:24.9 in the 1,600. Adalyn Britton took third place in the 800, Arianna Black was third in the high jump and Aaliyah Jamison finished third in the shot put.

The Rockets earned one win in the meet, from the 400 relay team of Amani Starr, Savannah Lockwood, Madilynn Smith and Brooklynn Tornes. The quartet had a time of 52.01 seconds. Tornes also finished second in the 100, Jersi Bilek was second in the 800 and Gabrielle Chevez set a PR of 12:49.96 in the 3,200 to finish second as well. Isabella Smith was third in the pole vault.

Addison Smith and Annelyse Schneider each earned PRs on the way to wins for Montague. Smith’s mark of 8-3 topped the field in pole vault, and Schneider won in long jump with a 15-8.5. Trisha Beckman was second in the discus, setting her own PR with a mark of 92-2. Amanda Cederquist added a third-place in the 100 hurdles.

Sports in Brief

Baseball

W.M. Christian 9-6 Montague 1-6

The Wildcats played shorthanded due to several players attending the funeral for former principal Troy Moran. The games were scheduled 5-inning affairs because the teams met the next day in the GMAA play-in game. Jack Degen had 2 hits and 3 RBI in the game two tie and Chase Kurtzhal had 2 hits. Kurtzhal and Cole Moss each had 2 hits in game one.

Reeths-Puffer 14 Union 1

R-P romped to another O-K Green win, scoring 8 times in the 4th inning to secure the mercy-rule triumph. Jaxson Whitaker had a RBI double and Colton Bessinger had a 2-run single in the inning. Lukas Johnson had 3 hits and scored 4 times in the game, and Whitaker and Cayden Theisen each had 2 hits. Jack Yonkman picked up the win with 4 strong innings. Montague 4-10 Manistee 3-5

The Wildcats stormed back from a 5-1 deficit to complete the sweep. Bryton Belinger had 3 hits and Ryver Jarka had 2. Jarka struck out 9 and allowed just 1 hit in 5 1/3 innings. Montague held off a Manistee rally to win game one. Eli Petersen and Jack Degen each had 2 hits.

Whitehall 6-11 Orchard View 2-1

The Vikings continued to benefit from strong pitching. Brock Morningstar struck out 10 in game one to secure the win, and he also got 2 hits. Kyle Stratton got 2 hits too. Game two lasted 5 innings, and Ryne Christensen struck out 5 in the win. Morningstar again got 2 hits with 2 RBI, and Isaac VanAmberg had 2 hits and 3 RBI.

Softball

Sparta 8-15 Whitehall 7-17

The Vikings split two close battles with Sparta. Whitehall scored in every inning of game two, with Bella Fogus’ 4-hit performance leading the charge. Fogus had 3 extra-base hits, scored 4 times and drove in 3 runs. Janie Fagan added 3 hits and 3 RBI. In game one, the Vikings put the tying run at 2nd base in the 7th inning but fell just short. Annabel Kevwitch, Taylor Ottinger and Kierra Hyrns each had 2 hits.

Whitehall 19-24 Orchard View 4-9

Whitehall’s bats were on point in a sweep. The team had 5 extra-base hits in game one, and Bella Fogus and Janie Fagan each had 3 hits and 3 RBI. Megan LeaTrea allowed 3 earned runs in the win. In game two, the Vikes scored 12 times in the 4th inning to end the game. They again had 5 extra-base hits. Annabel Kevwitch and Kierra Hyrns each had 3 hits and 3 RBI. Alison Schaeffer also drove in 3 runs.

Girls Soccer

Montague 7 Newaygo 0

The Wildcats avenged a 2023 district finals loss with a dominating performance. Elle Moran had 2 goals, and 5 other ‘Cats scored once each. Claire Aebig earned the shutout win in goal.

Fruitport 2 Whitehall 0 Both goals in the game were scored in the second half. The Viking coaches credited the team with strong defensive play despite the loss.

Reeths-Puffer 0-2 at East-West Showcase

The Rockets dropped a 4-1 decision to Salem and lost 4-2 to Berkley.

Ravenna 3 Montague 2

Ava Pelton had both goals in the game for Montague, but Ravenna was able to overcome 23 shots on goal to pull the upset.

Whitehall 2 Oakridge 1

Aaliyah Jamison and Kate Beda had 2nd-half goals as Whitehall scored a big win. Natalie Kotecki and Morgan Garcia recorded assists.

Montague 7 Manistee 1

The Wildcats bounced back from a loss to Ravenna with a strong effort. Ava Pelton led the scoring barrage with 4 goals. Adilynn Peterson added a goal and 2 assists, and Addison Pranger had a goal and an assist. Whitehall 4 Ravenna 1

The Vikings scored 4 unanswered goals after falling behind 1-0. Kendall Osborne and Aaliyah Jamison each had 2 goals in the win, and Kate Beda had 2 assists. Clare Westerlund made 6 saves to earn the win. Spring Lake 6 Reeths-Puffer 0 Division 2 top-ranked Spring Lake was too much for the Rockets in a non-conference shutout. Statistics from the game had not been reported at press time.

Golf

Whitehall T-2nd, ‘Cats 4th at Montague Invitational

Whitehall scored a 340, edging Montague by 2 strokes, at the Wildcat Invitational. Brady Tate picked up medalist honors for Whitehall, shooting an impressive 75, including a birdie on #17. Mason Mulnix shot an 82 for Whitehall. Brayden Bultema and Owen Raeth closed out the individual top 10 with scores of 83 and 84 respectively.

Whitehall T-3rd at Big Rapids Invitational

Whitehall posted a team score of 336, the best score of the 5 Division 2 teams to compete. Brady Tate led the Vikings with an 80, tying for 3rd place overall, and Trenton TenBrock was right behind him with an 81. Tate scored 3 birdies during his round.

Reeths-Puffer 4th at Holland Jamboree

The Rockets dropped back to 4th place in a close O-K Green match, finishing 5 strokes out of 2nd place. Dylan Panozzo led the team with a 39, good for 2nd place overall. Kristian Brown was 4th and shot a 40.

Tennis

Reeths-Puffer 7 Zeeland West 1 R-P won all 4 doubles matches en route to an impressive O-K Green win. Winning doubles pairs were Hope Latsch/Olivia Smith, Emma Fraser/ Lauren Matz, Malania Eilers/Gabrielle Borgeson and Ava Dietz/Laura Tejedor. Brooke Titus, Olivia Harris and Mylie Neel won in singles play.

Spring Lake 7 Whitehall 1 Brianna Bentz/Akeelah Martin scored Whitehall’s lone win of the match at No. 1 doubles, winning a third-set tiebreaker 11-9. Coopersville 6 Whitehall 2 Viking victories came from Brianna Bentz/Akeelah Martin at No. 1 doubles and from Izzy Gould at No. 3 singles. Both were hard-fought 3-set wins. Alivia DeWildt and Addy Broton each fell in 3-set matches. Whitehall finishes T-3rd in conference tournament Whitehall scored 7 points in the tournament, tying with Manistee for 3rd place behind North Muskegon and champion Ludington. The Vikings won a match apiece at 7 flights. Grace McDowell, Alivia DeWildt, Izzy Gould and Addy Broton each won a singles match, and doubles pairs Brianna Bentz/Akeelah Martin, Sophia McCreedy/Emily VanDam and Arianna Marsala/Ella Sumerix also won a match each.

Whitehall’s Andon Palmer clears a hurdle ahead of teammate Wyatt McFerren during the 300-meter hurdles finals at Friday’s GMAA meet in Montague. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall’s Ca’Mar Ready reaches out to accept the baton from teammate Kal Koehler during the 800-meter relay at Friday’s GMAA meet in Montague. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Montague’s Britta Johnson and Reeths-Puffer’s Brooklynn Tornes grab the batons from teammates during the 800-meter relay at Friday’s GMAA meet in Montague. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Softball title

However, Ravenna is the Division 3 #6-ranked team for more than one reason, and Bayle was impressed that her team was able to keep the Bulldogs off the board.

“Ravenna is, regardless of their division, a phenomenal team, and I give them all the credit in the world,” Bayle said. “That’s a great team and we were excited to beat them today.”

Lainey McDaniel was brilliant in the circle, striking out six without walking a batter and allowing just four hits. The sophomore lefty has been having success against just about every opponent all season. She gives a lot of credit to catcher Tessa Ross, as well as the defense behind her.

“She’s such a great catcher,” McDaniel beamed of Ross. “I could go on and on about her. Her framing, I wouldn’t get half the calls I get (without her) and I’m very grateful for her behind the plate.”

The Rockets were coming off their only losses of the season to date against #2-ranked Hudsonville, though even in those games R-P saw positives. The first game was a 2-0 defeat in which R-P went toe to toe with the Eagles, and the Rockets led 4-2 in the fourth inning of the second game before things went haywire due to fielding miscues. Hudsonville had 10 unearned runs in a 15-5 decision.

“We learned that we really are capable,” McDaniel said. “If we play clean defense and can get our bats woken up, we can hang in there with anyone.”

R-P had both those factors in its favor Saturday, certainly in the championship game. The Rockets jumped ahead 1-0 in the first inning on a run-scoring single by Abbie Critchett, and in the third, she ripped a triple into the left-center field gap, running through

Baseball title

fourth, which the Norsemen answered on another home run, this one by Ben Meyers. The Rockets came right back with a two-run double by Holden Earnest in the fifth.

Earnest took the mound in the sixth after Reichert hit his pitch limit for the day, and the Norsemen were able to make things interesting late, but the R-P defense stepped up when it mattered most as Wilson made the winning play.

“Off the bat, I was just (thinking) ‘get ball’, and then once I left my feet had to kind of pray that I had it, but I had a good feeling,” Wilson said. “I could feel it in the pocket, but I was really hoping I had it.”

Attig gave Reichert and Jaxson Whitaker, who started the Shores game before Reichert came on for the save, credit for their gutsy performances on the mound.

“I’m proud of every one of them, but I have to give a little bit more kudos to Whitaker and Reichert, who have been with me for four years and understand the expectation is when I hand you the ball, to go to the mound. And they performed. I’m just ecstatic.

“We got on their back for two games and they said, ‘Let’s go. I’ll bring you there. Give me a couple runs and I’ll finish this up.’ It was spectacular.”

R-P eked out a win over Shores in the semifinals, pushing across two runs in the fifth inning to go ahead for good. Whitaker was outstanding on the hill, allowing no earned runs while striking out seven in 6 1/3 innings. Reichert delivered two clutch outs with runners on to get the save.

Against Catholic, Ethan Frang collected three hits, and Brayden Mitchelson and Earnest teamed

Bayle’s stop sign to go to third base. The risk paid off when Mady Snyder brought her in on a sacrifice fly for the game’s final run.

“I told them it would’ve been a different story if it didn’t work,” Bayle laughed of the team twice successfully blowing through her stop signs in the game.

R-P’s early runs also carried it past Shores. The Rockets scored twice in the first inning, getting two runners on base with infield hits and bringing them both in. Critchett mashed a triple, narrowly missing a homer, in the third inning of that game to drive McDaniel in, and Snyder and Barmes each had RBI singles later in the inning. Kunnen had a two-run single later in the game. Jones had three hits, and McDaniel, Critchett, Kunnen and Barmes each had two.

Critchett parked a home run against Holton in the day’s first game, one of her two extra-base hits in that one. (McDaniel had three hits.) Her power stroke has been a welcome addition to the Rockets, earning her the #3 spot in the batting order.

“She’s been really consistent all year,” Bayle said of Critchett. “We moved her up to the #3 spot and she’s just been consistently getting RBIs that we need in the right moment. She’s been pretty clutch for us.”

R-P has several more trophies it wants to get, and believes it can get, but bringing home the GMAA trophy for the first time in five years was a great start to what might become a fruitful stretch run.

“The atmosphere is really good,” McDaniel said. “We know that we still have to work and get the kinks out, but I think we do have a lot of confidence in what this team can do.”

In GMAA Tier 2 action, Whitehall earned a thrilling 7-6 comeback win over Montague before fall-

continued from page 4

Above, Reeths-Puffer’s Jaxson

Whitaker connects with the ball during Saturday’s GMAA finals game at Marsh Field. At right, Whitaker reels in a throw at second base as Bryce Colbert of North Muskegon pulls in. The Rockets won the game, 8-7.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

up on an impressive four-hit shutout.

Attig said the wins should give the Rockets a lot of confidence heading into a tough district that features the Sailors, as well as perennially tough Kenowa Hills and Grand Haven.

“When we circle up at the end of practice, and I look at them and I say, ‘I love you guys,’ I mean I love those guys,” Attig said. “I love what they bring to practice. I love the grind. I love what they do, and I knew they could do it. They just had to believe in themselves, and today they did. They showed that they belong.”

Earlier in the tournament, Montague gave North Muskegon all it could handle in the quarterfinals before falling short, 2-1. The winning run scored on a passed ball in the sixth inning. Eli Pe-

Reeths-Puffer’s Lainey McDaniel (right) slides in safely for a run during Saturday’s GMAA game against Mona Shores. The Rockets beat Shores and later topped Ravenna for the title. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

ing to North Muskegon 10-8 in the finals. The Vikes scored three times in the seventh to steal the win, with Janie Fagan’s RBI double the winning hit. Bella Fogus scored the winning run after doubling in the inning, one of her three hits. Annabel Kevwitch had two hits and three RBI, including a run-scoring double in the frame. Megan LeaTrea also had two hits and picked up the win in the circle. Kennedy Johnson had two hits, including a home run, for Montague. The Vikes rallied from down 8-2 to tie the Norse in the sixth inning before allowing the winning runs. Evelyn Darke and Taylor Ottinger had RBI doubles in the comeback. Fogus, Darke and Fagan had three hits each.

Montague closed the day with a 12-3 consolation win over Orchard View, led by a 4-for-4 day from Abby Thommen. Johnson and Sophia Beishuizen each had two hits, and Hayden Boutell drove in four runs.

tennis team poses for a photo after winning the GMAA championship Saturday. It was the Rockets’ first-ever GMAA title in tennis, boys or girls.

• R-P Athletics/Courtesy Photo

R-P tennis wins 1st-ever GMAA

Reeths-Puffer brought home its first-ever GMAA tennis championship Saturday, scoring 48 points to edge Mona Shores by four for the top spot.

tersen pitched very well, striking out six and allowing four hits and one earned run. Kellan Francis had three hits. The Wildcats beat Western Michigan Christian Friday, 12-2, in a play-in game, scoring four runs each in three innings behind two-hit efforts by Ryver Jarka, Petersen and Cole Herremans.

Whitehall, too, dropped a tough game in the tournament, falling 3-2 to Mona Shores. Ryne Christensen pitched 5 1/3 strong innings, allowing only three hits and one earned run.

The Rockets reached the finals in seven of the eight flights, with Emma Fraser/Lauren Matz taking the No. 2 doubles title. Their performance and that of the six runners-up was enough to earn R-P the historic championship.

Whitehall finished fifth in the tournament with 28 team points.

Fraser/Matz edged Mona Shores’ Isabella Sobczak/Lauren Hall 6-2, 7-5 in the No. 2 doubles finals.

All four Rocket doubles pairs reached the finals. Hope Latsch/Olivia Smith, Gabrielle Borgeson/Malania Eilers and Laura Tejedor/Ava Dietz were runners-up. Brooke Titus, Olivia Harris and Mylie Neel secured second-place finishes in singles play.

Molly Matz, at No. 3 singles, finished in third place with a 2-1 record. That hers was the Rockets’ lowest finish showcased the team’s depth.

For Whitehall, Grace McDowell, Alivia DeWildt and Izzy Gould each went 2-1 at the top three singles flights. Brianna Bentz/Akeelah Martin went 2-1 at No. 1 doubles.

Reeths-Puffer’s

Wild Rockets’ comeback falls short vs. Jenison

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MUSKEGON — A long scoring drought cost Reeths-Puffer a chance to take complete control of the O-K Tier 3 Conference race last Thursday night, and the Rockets lost a 13-12 heartbreaker to Jenison.

The defeat ended a nine-game win streak for R-P and knocked the Rockets into a first-place tie in the league with Jenison. The Rockets previously beat the Wildcats on the road.

Jenison ripped off a 10-0 run over a nearly two-quarter span as R-P was unable to get many scoring threats.

“It wasn’t even so much the offense, it was just getting from defense to offense,” R-P coach Josh Robidoux said. “What’s frustrating tonight is that they were making some mistakes that we knew they shouldn’t have made.”

Reeths-Puffer’s Carson Cooper (center) winds up for a shot during last Thursday’s game against Jenison. The Rockets lost a close battle, 13-12. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

The Rockets’ offensive struggles, Robidoux said, were as frustrating as in any game this season, not least because of the stakes of the game.

However, Kyler Brainard finally ended the R-P drought in the final minute of the third quarter. The goal was the 100th of his varsity career, an impressive milestone for a player who’s been around the program for many years.

“He’s a great player, comes from a great family that has invested a lot into this lacrosse program,” Robidoux said. “He’s a kid that’s worked hard for years now. He’s been on varsity since he was a freshman. He got to play with his

Community Calendar

brother (Caden). He was always a passfirst player. He’s unselfish.”

The goal sparked the Rockets, who’ve displayed a knack for comebacks this year, to storm back into the game. R-P went on an 8-1 run starting with Brainard’s goal, with Cooper, Cohen Beck and Brooks Johnson contributing.

R-P twice got within a goal, but the Wildcats were able to hang on. At one point the Rockets appeared to be on the verge of a tying goal, but Jenison was able to knock the ball loose and prevent a clear shot.

“They don’t care that they’re down by eight goals, because they find ways to make it close somehow,” Robidoux said of his team. “That’s an admirable trait for a team, but that admirable trait isn’t going to keep us playing at the end of the year. We’ve got to find a way to convert it, too, and get those wins every time.”

Sunday, May 12

Moms get free tours at the Hackley & Hume Historic Site in Muskegon for Mother’s Day, 1-4 p.m. Moms also get a complimentary gift.

Tuesday, May 14

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

Wednesday, May 15

Lunchtime guitar with Eric Michaels and Chris Kennedy @ Book Nook & Java Shop, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

Free health seminar at Healing Tree Natural Health in Whitehall, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Learn how to target

body fat, achieve health goals and maintain a healthy weight.

Thursday, May 16

Free general admission every Thursday @ the Muskegon Museum of Art, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fetch Cycling Group meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. All levels welcome.

Friday, May 17

Community Yoga @ Fruitland

Twp. Hall, 10-11 a.m. Free to participate, open to all ages and skill levels. Ride United presentation @ Muskegon Museum of Art, 6 p.m. Hear from Christine D’Ercole, a renowned motivational speaker, cyclist and trainer. Free, but registration required at MADL.org.

Police activity this week

May 1

At 2:57 p.m. Whitehall police were dispatched to a report of an assault. When officers arrived at the address in the 900 block of Warner St., they spoke with the caller, who reported she had been pushed by her mother-in-law. The caller explained the house is divided into two sections with the in-law living in the lower section, while her family lived in the upstairs. The mother-in-law had been babysitting the caller’s three-year-old child, and when the victim entered to get the child, her mother-in-law became upset. The situation escalated from an argument to the push. The case report was sent to the Muskegon County Prosecutor for review.

May 3

A dog bite incident was reported to

police in the 800 block of Benston Rd. The caller reported that earlier in the day, she was outside with her own pet when a neighbor’s dog came into the yard, biting and injuring her dog. The injured dog had already been treated at the veterinarian for its injuries. The caller reported the neighbor’s dog was not confined or restrained prior to the incident. The neighbors had already spoken together about payment for the bills. The biting dog’s owner did not have a license or proof of vaccination for her own dog and a quarantine order was issued, but no further action was taken.

May 4

Whitehall police were called to the 1200 block of Colby St. on a report of loud music. When officers arrived at the 8:38 a.m. call, the victim stated the upstairs tenant’s loud music had awoken her. Officers spoke with the offending neighbor, who while claiming that the music was not loud, agreed to turn it down. No further action was taken.

At 12:43 p.m., Whitehall police received a call of a disturbance in the 1100 block of Colby St. The responding officer reported when he arrived at the apartment, there was food and water thrown about in the room. When speaking to the caller’s 13 year-old son, he reported he was upset because no one remembered his birthday the day before. The young man told the officer

he had calmed down, and there would be no further problems.

May 5

An officer on patrol at 4:25 a.m. made a traffic stop on a vehicle for an extremely loud exhaust. A check of the license plate also showed there was no vehicle associated with the plate. The officer questioned the 23-year-old driver, who claimed he owns several cars of similar make and model, and believed the registration was correct. As the investigation continued in the 700 block of Mears Ave., the officer found the plate on the vehicle was in fact improper. The Fruitport Township man then told the officer he must have accidentally registered the wrong vehicle. The driver was cited and released, and the vehicle was impounded.

A resident of the 300 block of S. Baldwin St. called police to report dogs were running loose in the neighborhood. The responding officer was able to locate the dogs and recognized them from several contacts previous to the 9:19 a.m. call. The officer contacted the owner and cited them for their dogs running loose.

At 3:24 p.m., Whitehall officers were notified of a check well-being request. A caller reported receiving a message from a woman who made suicidal statements. The victim was located in the 100 block of Thompson St. and was later transported to Trinity Health for

an evaluation. Whitehall Police assisted the Montague Police department in locating a dementia patient who had walked away from their home. The officers responded to the 11:10 p.m. call in the 9000 block of Whitbeck Rd. The Montague officer was able to identify the location of the victim and directed the Whitehall officer to that location. The man was found about a half-mile away and the 63-year-old was then transported back to his home and family.

May 6

A resident of the 100 block of N. Livingston St. reported a neighbor was shouting obscenities at them at 4:32 p.m. The officer responding to the call spoke with the victim, who was able to provide a recording of the rant, which lasted approximately five minutes. A copy of the report, and the recording will be sent to the Muskegon County Prosecutor for action.

A routine check of a license plate led to the owner being cited for having an expired drivers license. An officer on patrol at 9:22 p.m. checked the plate and found the owner’s license had been expired for over two years. The 45-year-old driver told the officer it was only recently she was able to get an appointment with the Secretary of State to renew her license. The Muskegon woman was cited and released.

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