The Oceana Echo - Volume 2, Issue 1, May 31, 2024

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

It’s our birthday, and what an incredible first year it has been! This amazing adventure would not be possible without the humbling generosity of our community.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to every donor, advertiser and reader who has invested in us these past 12 months and to those who plan to in the future. We love the positive comments you send us, the uplifting notes and emails and phone calls. We are trying to make a difference and this is truly a community effort.

A special thank you goes out to those who got us off the ground and have kept us going: Paul Erickson, Dave Hansen, Scott Rumsey and Earl and Linda

Peterson. Your dedication to our county is an inspiration that we hope to pass on to future generations.

We would also like to thank our entire staff, volunteers, printer and postal staff who help us get the newspaper out to you each week.

It is very important to us to keep both of our newspapers free for those very readers. It is our gift to a community that has given so much to us. We never want someone to not be able to know what is going on in our area due to an inability to pay. If you enjoy our paper, please consider helping us to uphold that mission with a tax-deductible donation in any amount sent to Echo Publishing Inc., P.O. Box 192, Mears, MI 49436.

Memorial Day in Oceana County

• Scott Kroepel, Sharon

Dodge/Echo

Village of Shelby contracts with OCSD for police coverage

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Tuesday, the Shelby Village Council unanimously gave their approval to a Shared Services Agreement (SSA) between the village and the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) for the purpose of contracting with Shelby Schools Resource Officer and OCSD Deputy Tim Simon to cover weekday shifts for the police department this summer.

In early 2023, Simon was hired as the Shelby Public Schools Resource Officer after the school received a three-year grant to fund the new position. Because the Village of Shelby Police Department was unable to provide an officer to fulfill the new position, the village formed a partnership with the OCSD, which assigned Deputy Simon to the role.

The SSA states that Simon will be assigned to a total of 40, eight-hour shifts this summer. He will be paid by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department, and the Village of Shelby will reimburse the OCSD at $43.26 per hour, the amount of Deputy Simon’s current hourly wage and benefits package. The total number of shifts may be renegotiated as needs for both departments arise. Overtime due to any complex investigations, court appearances etc. as well as holiday pay, would be paid at a rate one and a half times the hourly rate. The agreement states that

the amount paid by the village to the OCSD for this summer position will not exceed $18,187.60.

Due to the open full-time police officer position and lower than anticipated use of part-time staff this past year, Chief Dean Roesler told the council there is money in the budget to pay the OCSD for Simon’s time. His report stated that even if the open full-time position is filled prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, budgeted funds will cover the agreement. To date, the open position has resulted in $12,841 General Fund savings in wages (not including benefits).

“This is nothing but a win for us,” Chief Roesler told council Tuesday. He also told council that Simon plans to attend training related to his resource officer position this summer and does plan to take at least 10 days of vacation, but residents can expect to see him wearing his brown OCSD uniform and driving an OCSD patrol car while on duty for the village.

Roesler was hired full-time as the police chief in March 2023 after serving for a number of years as a part-time officer with the village. Since being named Shelby Police Chief, Roseler has served admirably, covering numerous open shifts as needed. He is hoping this arrangement will allow him to focus more on administrative duties, blight enforcement efforts, give him a chance to attend training and meetings outside of Shelby and cut back on the number of hours he works on a weekly basis.

City of Hart awards crop management bid

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

After receiving two sealed bids, the City of Hart awarded its Crop Management Contract, for management of 105 acres of hay, corn and soybean fields at its irrigation site east of Hart, to Forner Farms LLC of Hart. Forner Farms bid contained incremental amounts: $6,000 for 2024, $6,500 for 2025, $7,000 for 2026, $7,500 for 2027 and $8,000 for 2028. Robert Porter, of Shelby, bid $8,505 for each year, 2024-2028.

Councilors Justin Adams, Catalina Burillo, James Evans, Dean Hodges and Mayor Vicki Platt voted to award the bid to Forner, while Councilor Amanda Klotz voted against the motion. Councilor Kris Trygstad was absent.

Prior to the vote, the council reported their satisfaction with Forner’s work in the past yet voiced uncertainty as to how to proceed given Porter offered the higher bid. Hart City Manager Rob Splane told council that it was within their rights to award the bid to whomever they

wished, however, he added, “The council should give substantial reasons if you decide to award the bid to the lower bidder,” Splane said.

Given the fact that Forner has been the contracted crop manager for the past 12 years, and has property adjoining the wastewater treatment plant, Burillo said, “He has a vested interest.”

Adams said, “It is safer for your equipment and for the roads to go one-half mile versus 10 miles.”

Klotz countered with, “Then why a sealed bid?”

“The bid is more than just dollars,” Hodges added.

Splane added, “Not going with the highest bid may undermine the sealed bid process.”

The council asked Forner, who was in attendance, if he would like to add anything. “This is a tough spot. If Rob gets the bid, I’m going to call him tomorrow and see if he’d like any help. If I get the job, I’m going to call him and ask if he’d like to help me. The main thing is someone has to be responsible to the city.”

“The lease is not a standard crop lease, the

city kind of dictates when you can harvest your crop,” Splane explained after the meeting. “It takes coordinating with Paul (BioPure Superintendent) and his irrigation schedule. Harvesting is tricky.”

Adams asked Hart BioPure Superintendent Paul Cutter if there was any disadvantage to having Porter do the work. Cutter replied, “We taught Gayle; we can teach Rob. Why have a sealed bid if you’re not going to honor it?”  Hodges countered, “There’s value in experience.”

Klotz suggested that in the future the council consider having an auction-style bidding process. Mayor Vicki Platt said that given how the process played out this year, the city should probably consider changing the bid wording to give itself the flexibility to extend the contract if desired.

Since the May 21 meeting, The Oceana Echo was told by city officials that Forner and Porter have been in contact and have worked out an arrangement for fulfilling the city’s crop management contract going forward.

Area Memorial Day observances across Oceana County honored those who gave their lives for our freedom. Many residents gathered at Hesperia, at top; Walkerville, above left; Shelby, above right; and Ferry, Monday, May 27.

Hallack and Amanda

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Community

Fifteen children took advantage of a free bike rodeo Saturday, May 18 at the Hart VFW. Organizers wish to thank the Hart Police who handed out bike helmets and lights, and the Wood Shed Bike Shop of Mears for helping with repairs and tune-ups.

News and Notes

Service

Nature

ing said. For more information on Michigan black bears, please visit www.dnr.gov.

School

Along with the usual spring wildlife area, area residents have reported several black bear sightings in recent days. Pete Kailing, a wildlife biologist with Michigan DNR for Newaygo, Mecosta and Oceana counties, told The Oceana Echo that there is an expanding black bear population in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. As a protected and adaptable species, people are seeing more and more of them in the lower peninsula. Eighty percent of the state’s bear population is still located in the Upper Peninsula. Kailing went on to say black bears are very intelligent and have the “best nose in the woods.” They use waterways and forested woodlands to travel, feed and rest. They generally travel at night; however, during mating season (late June to early July) it is not uncommon to see them during the day. “They don’t like people. They are just looking for free food. They are attracted to bird feeders, pet and animal food and compost piles,” he said. He advises keeping those attractants secure and only putting your trash out the morning of pickup. He also says if you see a bear unexpectedly, like on a hike, to use your voice and let them know you’re there. Don’t run. Chances are, they will look at you and turn the other way. Big males are not afraid of humans, but don’t tolerate them in your yard. Put feeders away, and if they do come into your yard, Kailing says it’s best to bang pots and pans or hit your car alarm to scare them away. “Enjoy bears from a distance,” Kail-

Over a dozen Walkerville Public School classrooms recently visited the Village of Walkerville’s Pioneer House Historical Museum. Students were giddy at first, wanting to know if the old home was haunted. As they viewed the exhibits and asked questions, they were surprised to find many interesting artifacts, exhibits and historical information. Two items drew the most attention - the list of members from the Walkerville area who were in the military service and all of the old yearbooks. The entire community is welcome to visit the museum this summer, when it will be open two Saturdays a month.

Spitler Elementary School reports they exceeded their “Walk With a Hero” Walkathon fundraiser goal of $13,000 by $2,000! Spitler PTO will use the funds for field trips, assemblies, classroom supplies, March is Reading Month, educational experiences and more. They are also pleased to announce that Saturday, July 13, will be their “community build” day to replace the old wooden structure of Pirate’s Paradise with the new playground equipment they recently purchased.

“Mrs. Val” (Aiken) of Walkerville Schools chaperoned this year’s freshman class - Jennifer, Alexia, Nathaniel, Ayla, Izzy, Zander, Aiden, Larry, Kassidy, Sariyah, Paige, Lazarus and Alexia as they placed U.S. flags throughout downtown Walkerville prior to Memorial Day.

Community Groups

Looking for support in your weight loss journey or your road to better health?

Dune accident claims the life of Pierson mother

On May 26, 2024 at 11:37 a.m., Kadie Price, 33, of Pierson, Mich., and her family were outside of their vehicle to watch the action at the Drag Strip on the Silver Lake State Park Sand Dunes in the Vehicle Scramble Area. While they were watching, a red 1980 Jeep CJ, driven by a 64-yearold Michigan man was racing northbound on the drag strip. His name is not being released at this time pending further investigation.

As the Jeep accelerat-

ed rapidly, it lost control. When the Jeep lost control, it veered off the drag strip towards where the Price family was watching. The Jeep struck the Price’s family vehicle which then struck Kadie.  Just prior to her being struck she was able to push her 2-year-old daughter out of harm’s way, very likely saving her daughter from serious injury or worse.

Several bystanders attempted to assist Kadie, as did Oceana County Deputies, Silver Lake

Craft Show

June 22nd from 10-2

Looking for Crafters to Participate Call for Table Pricing: 231-578-9920 Leisure Haven Campground 3056 E. M20 in Hesperia

State Park Rangers, and staff. First aid was unfortunately unsuccessful.  Price did pass away from her injuries sustained during this crash. The investigation is open and will continue.

The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Silver Lake State Park Staff, Michigan DNR Officers, Mason County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigators, Life Ambulance Staff and Hart Fire Department. Please keep the Price family in your prayers.

MANY BLESSINGS Mkt

The Hart T.O.P.S. Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) invites the community to join them any Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Hart Wesleyan Church located at 3757 West Polk Road in Hart. TOPS Club Inc. has been helping millions in the U.S. and Canada “take off pounds sensibly” since 1948. Local member Jim Corliss has been a member for three years and shared that being part of the group on a regular basis has been a huge help in his weight loss. “At each meeting, we try to have a time of encouraging each other as well as a short lesson on health and nutrition. We do contests too. It helps us stay accountable,” he said. “It costs 25 cents a week to get weighed, and the money collected goes to the person who loses the most that week. After we weigh-in we take turns sharing. If someone’s gained, we say, ‘we’re glad you’re here’. If someone loses, we clap and cheer. You get to where you look for that and it helps.” Becoming a member of the national organization is very affordable and comes with some great perks. More information about the organization can be found on their website www.tops.org

Betty Corliss, Helen Fitzpatrick, Bob Gray, Jackie Haynes, Mary Lou Hannigan and Jim Corliss.

Walkerville fourth graders were just some of the several classes who recently visited the Pioneer House Historical Museum

Hart Police Chief is pictured with some of the participants at the recent Hart VFW Bike Rodeo.

Trail cam near 112th Avenue.

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: Rev. A. A. Darling

By Caleb Jackson

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

Today we are taking a look at the life of Ahaz A. Darling, or “that old pioneer preacher,” as he is often called. Darling’s name is one that crops up a lot in old texts about the county. Being a preacher in those days was no easy task. The demand for a holy man was high, and the road he walked in order to carry out the Lord’s work was often untraveled. And of course, Darling appears all over the pages of Hartwick and Tuller’s “Oceana County Pioneers and Business Men of To-Day.”

In the past few weeks, we have examined the lives of both Mr. Huston and Ira Jenks. Well, it should come as no surprise that Rev. Darling’s name comes up in the biographies for both men, as he was selected to deliver the sermons at their funerals. For Jenks, who was still living when the book was published, it is written, “Having been intimately acquainted with Elder Darling about 30 years, he has arranged with him to preach his funeral sermon, choosing for his text, Job 14:14: ‘If a man die shall he live again? All the days

of my appointed time will I wait till my change come.’”

Darling himself was born in Washtenaw County, Mich., in 1834 to Simeon and Nesiah Darling. He arrived on the shores of Lake Michigan in 1861 as a Methodist Missionary in Manistee. Then, in October of 1862, he came to Oceana. He settled in Pentwater and began to preach all over the place. He preached “at Lincoln and Claybanks in Mason Co., at Pentwater, two places in Weare, two in Hart, one in Ferry, four in Shelby, two in Benona, and two in Claybanks in Oceana Co.” He preached, to a congregation of fishermen and mill men, the first sermon in Ludington to be delivered by a Protestant minister. As previously stated, the road was not easy for a traveling minister, in those days, and Hartwick and Tuller tell us a bit about that.

Leaving his wife at home alone, he would start out upon his trips, fording rivers, lying in the woods over night when lost, and enduring hardships innumerable. He would ride a horse where possible and, when not, would make his way on foot, following Indian trails and the Government blaze on trees. There were no grist mills,

New Ag Barn Grand Opening set for June 15 at Mears Museum Complex

By Mort Wiegand The Oceana Echo Volunteer Contributor

This summer is shaping up to be a special one for the Oceana County Historical & Genealogical Society with special events on the horizon, as outlined in our June newsletter.

First though, over at the Chadwick-Munger House in downtown Hart., there were 11 guests and two inquiries of historical interest this May.

We have a busy June planned with our historical vehicles in the 51st National Asparagus Festival’s Joan Glover Royale Parade on Saturday, June 8

at 2 p.m.

This will be followed by the official opening of the Mears Museum Complex on Saturday, June 15. This day will also feature the dedication and grand opening of our new Ag Barn built by Blackmer Construction. This much anticipated celebration will take place from 1-3 p.m. and refreshments will be served. There will also be entertainment and guest speakers, so be sure to put it on your calendar to attend!

The complex and new barn are open on weekends throughout the summer months, from 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

We hope to see you there!

and when visiting a settler, he would take his turn at grinding wheat or corn in a hand mill. The people were universally kind and did what they could toward the support of the Gospel. Mr. Charles Mears, H. C. Flagg and wife, and Mr. S. Moulton, Mr. Darling especially remembers for their kindness to him. Many who were not noted for piety would put themselves out to do the missionary a favor.

Even though the work was hard, it would seem that Mr. Darling did it out of the goodness of his own heart. Hartwick and Tuller did write that “for the services that Mr. Darling rendered to the Pentwater mission, he received the magnificent salary of $300 per annum.” The meaning behind such a sentence can be a bit hard to parse out in the modern era. Is it sarcastic, or isn’t it? Well, if you adjust $300 in 1862 for inflation, it comes out to less than $10,000 a year in modern money. I think it’s safe to say the preacher was underpaid.

All said and done, though, Rev. Darling must have come to love Oceana County. He was “twice sent to better charges” but always requested to “re-

turn to the sandy shore of Lake Michigan and wilds of Oceana Co.” He served as both the supervisor of Hart Township and the superintendent of schools for the county. In 1860, he married Catherine M. Wilcox, and together they had six sons and two daughters. To borrow again from the words of our good authors, “He says, ‘wife and I are contented here,’ and what can a man have anywhere better than ‘sweet content?’”

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Ongoing

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

The Ladder Community Center:

M-F: The 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.

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

TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), Hart Wesleyan Church, Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

May-June

May 30 - June 2 - Silver Lake Sand Dunes Jeep Invasion

May 31 & June 1 - Thrift and Gift Crawl, Hart and Mears, 10 a.m.

May 31 - Sensory Play, Hesperia Comm. Library, 10-11 a.m.

June 1 - Garden sale and plant giveaway, Shelby Area District Library, 9 a.m. - noon.

Rev. Thomas Schmidt will be preaching at Hart Wesleyan Church on Sundays, June 2, 16, 23 and 30 at 10 a.m.

June 3-Sept. 2 - Pentwater Farmers Market, open every Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

June 6 - Versiti Blood Drive, West Michigan Research Station, 5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, 2-6:25 p.m.

June 6- Tween Night, Hesperia Comm. Library, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

June 7 - Story Time, Hesperia Comm. Library, 10-11 a.m.

June 8-9 - 51st National Asparagus Festival

June 8 - Pentwater Community-Wide Yard Sale, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Area concert lineups offer music all summer long

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Memorial Day weekend has just passed, and another Oceana summer has begun. For many, attending local outdoor concerts is a must. Thanks to many community organizations and entities, free community concerts featuring a variety of music styles and genres are held across the county nearly every night of the week.

Tuesdays, Golden Township Park, downtown Silver Lake, 6:30 p.m.

July 9 - Smokin’ Dobroleles

July 16 - Third Coast Swing

July 23 - Yesterday’s Wine

July 30 - Ravon Steel Drums

Aug. 6 - Silverado

Second and Fourth Tuesdays, New Era Farmers Market, located on the grounds of the New Era Christian Reformed Church, 1820 Ray Ave.

in New Era, 5-7 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket for an evening of free entertainment. Browse the Farmers Market, grab a bite to eat or dessert and enjoy the music.

June 11 – Season kicks off with the Smokin’ Dobroleles

June 25 – Truck Driver Bingo

July 9 – S G Wood

July 23 – Christmas in July with M & M and the Bryds

Aug. 13 – Chad Thompson

Aug. 27 – Acoustic Oasis

Sept. 10 - Hawks and Owls

Sept. 24 -Season wraps up with Westwinds

Every other Wednesday, Little Point Sable Lighthouse Concert Series (state park sticker required to park) 7 p.m. The lighthouse is also open for tours on concert nights.

June 26 - John Merchant & Greg Miller

July 10 - Blue Water Ramblers

July 24 - Lee Murdock

Aug. 7 - Steel Doin’ It

Aug. 21 - Chris Kennedy & Eric Michaels

Thursdays, Music on the Commons, downtown Hart, 7 p.m. Market Chalets open starting at 6 p.m. Anchor your boat in Hart Lake below the Commons for a unique concert experience.

June 27 - Three of a Kind

July 2 - (Tuesday) Whiskey Bound

July 11 - The Hackwells

July 18 - Silverado

July 25 - The Mickeys

Aug. 1 - Raven Rhoden

Aug. 8 - Tyler Roy Band

Aug. 15 - Serita Black Rose

Aug. 22 - Plain Jane Glory

Aug. 29 - Cold Leather Seats

Thursdays, Pentwater Civic Band “Concerts on the Green” starting at 7 p.m. Pentwater holds the distinction of longest-running outdoor summer concerts, having held them since be-

fore WWII. (Stayed “tuned” for a future article about the history of the band.)

Fridays, Hart Historic District Summer Concert Series, 7 p.m., Historic District lawn on the corner of Lincoln and Union Streets in Hart.

July 12 - “Silverado” - put on your dancing boots and join in with all your country favorites!

July 19 - “The Formers” - Americana acoustic and a vocal mix you won’t hear elsewhere.

July 26 - “Gina & Jordan” - you won’t find a more entertaining duo.  Aug. 2 - “County Parks” - a local favorite featuring original rock.

Aug. 9 - “Silverado” is back to round out the summer series.

Many local eating establishments throughout the county also feature live music on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Check local websites or social media for dates and times.

OCCOA offers many June events for area seniors

The following are OCCOA events for June. All activities take place at the Oceana County Council on Aging, located at 4250 W. Tyler Rd. in Hart, unless stated otherwise. Please call 873-4461 to sign up or make meal reservations.

Breakfast is available on Thursday mornings, 8:30–9 a.m. Cost: $3, reservations required.  Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program - during Open Enrollment; call 873-4461 to schedule an appointment.

Birthday Party: Wednesday, June 5; noon. Strength and Balance: Mondays and Wednesdays, June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 24 and 26; 10 a.m. Gentle Yoga: June 4, 11, 18 and 25 10:15 a.m.

Drum Fitness with Gwen: Fridays, June 7 and 21; 10 a.m.

Zumba: Fridays, June 7, 14, 21 and 28; 9 a.m.

Kayak Trips: Thursdays, June 6, 13, 20 and 27; 9:30 a.m. Contact front desk or Gwen at 231-873-4461 for a list of each week’s location and to sign up. Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid Class with Gwen: Tuesday, June 4; 4 p.m. RSVP at front desk or call 231-873-4461. Must register ahead of time.

Our Friends House Euchre Tournament Fundraiser: Friday, June 7; 5:30 p.m., $20 includes dinner. All Michigan Quilt Shop Hop: Wednesday, June 19; 8 a.m. Approximately eight quilt shops in one day.

See Mary for more information.

Mini Golf at Silver Town Mini Golf in Silver Lake: Tuesday, June 11; 1:15 p.m.

Mac Woods Dune Rides Extravaganza: Tuesday, June 18; 1:15 p.m.

Center Closed for Juneteenth: Wednesday, June 19 Strawberry Sundae on the Veranda: Friday, June 21; 1 p.m.

Shopping Trip: Friday, June 21; 9 a.m.

Mobility Clinic: Wednesday, June 26; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kalamazoo Air Museum: Tuesday, June 25; 8 a.m. Mini Golf and Ice Cream with Hannah: Friday, June 28; 1:15 p.m.

Beltone: Wednesday, June 26; by appointment.

Caregiver Support Group: Wednesday, June 12; 2 p.m.

Art with Bradley Youngstrom: Mondays, June 10 and 24; 10 a.m. Cost: $15, reservations required. Board Meeting: Tuesday, June 25; 1:30 p.m. Location: Oceana County Council on Aging.

Parmenter O’Toole Office Hours: Please call 8734461 for an appointment.

Lauren Eisenbarth, an elder law paralegal for Attorney Anna Urick Duggins of Parmenter Law, will offer a half-hour, no-charge introductory meeting from 2-4 p.m. at Oceana County Council on Aging.

Topics to discuss include elder law services such as estate planning, long-term care planning, Medicaid planning and VA aid and attendance.

Other Activities:

Farkle: Mondays at 10 a.m.

Mexican Train: Mondays from 9-11 a.m.

Walk With Friends: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:30 p.m.

Mahjong: Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Fitness at Hesperia American Legion: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9–10 a.m.

Euchre: Wednesdays from 10–11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Quilting: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Beltone Hearing Clinic: fourth Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 231-843-3039 for an appointment.

Bingo: Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure Checks: Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Bridge: Thursdays from 1-3 p.m.

Cribbage: Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Kaffeeklatsch: daily at 10 a.m.

Cards & Games: daily following lunch.

O bituaries

In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

Ralph A. Burns

January 7, 1946 ~ May 26, 2024

Ralph Anthony Burns, 78, a longtime resident of El bridge township in Oceana County, Mich., departed from this world on May 26, 2024, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born in Rochester, N.Y. to Charles W. Burns and Miriam Papineau Burns and raised in Baraboo and Appleton, Wis. As a lifetime explorer, he carried the spirit of wanderlust, leaving footprints throughout the United States and Mexico.

With a passion for nature and history, he reveled in the symphony of birdsong. His binoculars were his constant companions, and he could identify any bird that graced his backyard. Known to be a walking encyclopedia, his adeptness for recounting information from the thousands of books that have been by his side was unmatched. His keen eyes and quick wit made him the most formidable of Euchre partners, always ready to steal the deal, no grandchild was safe.

For 44 years, Ralph founded and dedicated himself to The Bedroom Center, Inc., a family-owned and operated mattress specialty store with locations in Big Rapids and Fremont, Mich.

But it was Mexico that captured his heart. The cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende whispered secrets of centuries past. Ralph wandered its colorful alleys, sipped tequila and mezcal in lively cantinas, all while listening to mariachi melodies under star-studded skies. His soul resonated with the warmth of Mexican hospitality, and he became a traveler, not just passing through, but weaving himself into the tapestry of the land. He made and kept countless friendships with locals and fellow travelers.

He leaves behind a legacy of wanderlust, curiosity, and a love for life, along with his devoted wife of 58 years, Patricia Burns; two children: Jennifer Hutchinson (Rudy Stiver) and Michael Burns (Renee Laliberte); his grandchildren, Logan (Madison Richards) and Ryan Hutchinson and Erica and Raquel Burns; his great-grandchildren, Xavier and Harrison Hutchinson; and countless friends gathered throughout his travels in the United States and Mexico.

A celebration of life will take place at a future date.

May Ralph Anthony Burns travel eternally, and may his memories continue to inspire a passion for learning and reverence for the natural world.

Obituary Information:

City of Hart has public hearings, adopts rate at most recent meeting

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Tuesday, the City of Hart had two public hearings during their regular council meeting, the first a “Truth in Taxation” hearing related to the 2025 millage rates and the second related to the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. The council took action on two rate-related resolutions as well.

“By holding a Truth in Taxation hearing it allows us to keep our current tax rate the same instead of having to use the Headlee Rollback reduction,” City Manager Rob Splane explained during the public hearing. “Even though we have to publish it as a ‘tax increase’ it’s not an increase in tax, it’s maintaining the present rate.”

According to the written report provided to council Tuesday, the city’s voted millage rate for Operating was reported as 12.6364 (voted in November 1975 with an unlimited expiration); Roads as 1.9930 (voted in March 2020 to expire December 2024) and Cemetery as 0.4990

(voted November 2018 to expire December 2032) for a total millage rate of 15.1284. The current millage rate reduction fraction is 0.9871.

If no public hearing took place, the following millage rates would apply: Operating - 12.4733, Roads - 1.9672 and Cemetery - 0.4925, totaling only 14.9330 mills maximum allowable operating millage with the Headlee Rollback.

Splane’s report noted the city’s 2024 Unit Total Taxable Value, based on assessed evaluation, is $60,000,261, up from $54,046,055 last fiscal year.

During the FY 2025 budget hearing, Splane referenced a 28-page document listing multiple columns of numbers reflecting the city’s budget calculations. To provide a better understanding, Splane shared an additional document outlining the city’s FY2024 (July 1, 2023 - Jan. 31, 2024) accomplishments, FY2025 (July 1, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025) goals, and FY 2025 expected Revenues and Expenditures, Staffing, Utilities Rates and Fees,

Taxes, Grants and Debt.

Following the public hearings, the council officially adopted the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 Millage Rates as well as the city’s Electric, Water, Sewer and Solid Waste rates for residential, commercial and industrial customers for FY 2025.

During his report, Splane told council he recently met with seasonal campers at John Gurney Park to hear their concerns and suggestions, as well as with members of the Starting Block incubator kitchen, located in the Industrial Park, to discuss their future sustainability. He also reported that even after reaching out to the city’s attorney six times in the past month, he has seen no action on the documents and drawings required for the Creeks Condominium amendment passed months ago. Creeks HOA chair Dick Huntington, who has spoken quite frankly during public comment at numerous council meetings, along with Splane and the entire council, is beyond frustrated with the lengthy delay.

Daisy Mendez joins the team Oceana Community Foundation News

The Oceana Community Foundation is pleased to announce Daisy Mendez as our newest team member, bringing her expertise and passion for community development to our organization.

Daisy Mendez is excited to gain on-site experience in the marketing field upon graduating from Ferris State University on May 4. Mendez earned a degree in marketing with a minor in public relations. Her last requirement for her degree is an internship placement, which she will complete this summer through the marketing intern position at the Oceana Community Foundation.

Daisy graduated from Shelby High School in 2019. She completed an associate degree at West Shore Community College before transferring to Ferris State in 2022. Daisy initially envisioned a career in the medical field in nursing, but changed courses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Her goal is to work in social media or the non-profit

industry, which she will do this summer. She is delighted to return to the Oceana County area this summer to give back to her home community.

“I’m enthusiastic about this opportunity because I received a Foundation scholarship as a graduating high school senior. Growing up in Shelby, I feel like I understand the area, and I’m excited to apply my knowledge and experiences in my work,” Daisy said.

Daisy will complete a wide range of assignments to gain knowledge in the industry. Some of the internship’s responsibilities include social media management, content creation, event support, and involvement in a website redesign project.

“The foundation has hosted multiple AmeriCorps members and interns over the years. It is a great learning and development opportunity for the student and the Foundation gains added capacity, new ideas and the opportunity to support

career development. This position will allow Daisy to proactively seek opportunities to learn about different aspects of marketing/communications and how a foundation serves its community,” Oceana Community Foundation CEO Tammy Carey said.

The foundation was established in 1989 by community leaders who envisioned a bright future for Oceana County. The foundation serves as a vehicle to connect philanthropy with community needs or opportunities and envisions an Oceana where everyone has access to resources to thrive. For more information, visit https://oceanafoundation.org/

Ashley Guardiola welcomed

The Oceana Community Foundation is excited to announce that Ashley Guardiola has joined the foundation as a second summer intern serving the foundation and Oceana College Access Network (CAN)! Guardiola is excited to work alongside the staff and gain experience in graphic design and expand her creative efforts. She is currently attending Michigan State University as a rising sophomore this upcoming fall and is planning on graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in interior design, and a minor in graphic design. Guardiola is excited to bring her design skills into use and help create some new outreach tools for the foundation and the Oceana CAN!

Ashley graduated from Hart High School in May 2023 and is currently working on getting her bachelor’s degree in interior design, through the School of Planning, Design and Construction at Michigan State University. Her interest in design blossomed during her employment at Pixel Grafix Studio in Hart while still in high school. To gain even more creative and hands-on work experience, she interned at Hegg’s Gallery of Fine

Furniture to learn more about interior design and design concepts, which sparked her career interest.

“I am beyond excited to intern with both organizations. It almost feels like a full-circle moment, as I received a Foundation scholarship when I graduated, helping me to exceed and push me forward in my college education. In addition, my parents and I were part of the Exito Educativo Program during my senior year of high school, which helps Oceana’s Hispanic and Latino families in need of more college information. It feels nice to come back after a year and give back to my community, especially to help more Hispanic families and first-generation students like me,” Ashley said.

Ashley will also be working alongside the foundation’s other summer intern, Daisy Mendez, on a variety of projects. Guardiola will be gaining hands-on experience with responsibilities including social media management, content creation, event support, and will help to develop and launch a new podcast for both organizations.

“We were so lucky to have two exceptional candidates from Oceana

Spring Grant Awards announced

This spring, the Oceana Community Foundation awarded $41,700 in grants to 11 organizations, with most receiving full funding for their projects up to $5,000. While the foundation supports all types of community projects, most of these grants focused on environmental projects, infrastructure development and accessible healthcare. To see a complete list of grant awards, visit https:// oceanafoundation.org/grants/pastgrant-awards/.

“Twice a year, the types of applications the Community Foundation (receives) are a barometer for our area’s changing needs,” Foundation CEO Tammy Carey explained. “Last fall, community organizations were looking for support for arts programs, public healthcare, and nonprofit programmatic support. However, this spring, the focus shifted to investing in our local parks, educational opportunities, and increasing our neighbors’ access to essential healthcare, like palliative support for those in need or repairs for assistive devices. Our donor-advised fund partners and supporters of the Community Investment Fund allow the Foundation to be flexible to our partners’ needs.”

Some of the recent 11 grants include:

• $5,000 to Colfax Township to build an accessible picnic area at the Colfax Township Beach.

County apply for our open intern position. In the end, we decided to collaborate with Oceana CAN! to support both organizations and hired both of them,” Foundation CEO Tammy Carey exclaimed.

“We are excited for Ashley to join our network to provide a unique viewpoint as someone who has engaged in Oceana CAN! programming and is in the thick of her college journey. Her fresh perspective on how to communicate to students, families and community is going to be invaluable to our outreach efforts to get more people to complete education beyond high school,” Oceana CAN! Coordinator Alyssa Merten said.

The Oceana CAN! program was initiated by the foundation in 2012 as a leadership initiative, and the foundation continues to provide fiscal oversight to the network.

• $2,700 to the Oceana County Council on Aging’s Assistive Device Clinic to connect its residents with healthcare experts and advocates from the Disability Network.

• $5,000 to Walkerville Public Schools to support sending its paraprofessionals to a professional development training in Denver.

• $5,000 to the Village of Hesperia to construct a multi-use pavilion at Vida Weaver Park.

• $5,000 to the Grant Township Firefighters Association to purchase an inflatable house to educate the community on the importance of fire safety devices.

• $5,000 to the Oceana County Economic Alliance to support economic development efforts across Oceana County.

An additional $15,150 support came from the foundation’s field-of-interest funds and its Com-

munity Investment Fund, which supports the county’s most pressing needs. The Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund, the Oceana County Parks & Trails Fund, and the Oceana Youth Fund support specific interest areas like the environment, health, youth or the arts. The Youth Fund is overseen by local high school students and budding philanthropists. They meet monthly to discuss youth needs in our area and in the schools and how to address them through grantmaking and volunteering.

The foundation’s donor advisors play a large part in the success of meeting our bi-annual community grant round requests. Partners for this round included the Janie Denman Legacy Fund, the Edward and Evelyn Kolbe Fund, the Ordoobadi Family Fund, the Gail Paulus Family Fund, the Sparks/Ryan Memorial Fund, and the Randall and Linda Wagner Family Fund. “We’re immensely grateful for the steadfast support we’ve received from our 65 donor-advised funds –totaling over $150,000 in the last three years alone! Their generosity has been instrumental in our mission’s success and underscores the profound difference we can make together,” Carey noted.

While the 2024 Spring Competitive Grant Round is now closed, Oceana nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and community organizations are invited to apply for up to $5,000 in the foundation’s Fall Grant Round. The application will open on August 1 with letters of intent due on August 15 and full applications on August 30. In mid-October, applicants will be notified of their applications’ outcomes. For more information, potential applicants should reach out to the Foundation’s Program Officer, Hannah Naples, at 231-869-3377 or hannah@oceanafoundation.org. More information of the upcoming Fall Competitive Grant Round is available at the Foundation’s website.  For more information about making a gift, now or through an estate plan, creating a named fund at the foundation, or to learn more about foundation programs and activities, please call Carey at 231-869-3377 or email her at tammy@oceanafoundation.org.

D aisy M en D ez

a shley G uar Di Ola

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

• On June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop became the first person executed for witchcraft during the notorious Salem witch trials, after a trial lasting eight days. She had already been accused and declared innocent a decade prior to the hysteria.

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257

NOW HERE’S A TIP #12345_20240527 FOR RELEASE MAY 27, 2024

By JoAnn Derson

STRANGE BUT TRUE #DOC_ID_HERE FOR RELEASE MAY 27, 2024

By Lucie Winborne

• On June 11, 1509, England’s King Henry VIII married the first of his ill-fated wives, Catherine of Aragon. When she failed to produce a male heir, he divorced her against the will of the Roman Catholic Church, triggering the country’s Protestant Reformation. Catherine spent her last years in isolation and continued to consider herself England’s rightful queen until her death.

• On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen forced his way into Pulse, one of Orlando’s biggest nightclubs, and opened fire with an assault rifle on the predominantly gay crowd. Forty-nine people died and dozens more were injured in what was then the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.

• On June 13, 1805, having hurried ahead of the main body of his expedition to the Pacific with fellow explorer William Clark, Meriwether Lewis and four other men arrived at the Great Falls of the Missouri River, confirming that the party was headed in the right direction.

• On June 14, 1922, at the dedication of a memorial site for Francis Scott Key, composer of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Warren G. Harding became the first American president to have his voice transmitted by radio while addressing a crowd. It was not until three years later, however, that a president (Calvin Coolidge) would deliver a radio-specific address.

• On June 15, 1300, poet Dante Alighieri was elected one of six Priors (magistrates) of Florence, Italy, his native city. His political activities, which included the banishment of several of his rivals, led to his exile from Florence and separation from his family for 15 years, during which time he wrote his most famous work, “The Divine Comedy.”

• On June 16, 2012, China launched the Shenzhou-9 space capsule on a mission that included the country’s first female astronaut, military pilot Liu Yang. The crew spent a week at the Tiangong space lab to test systems and conduct experiments.

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

• If you keep aloe around for soothing your skin after being out in the sun, take this tip from J.C. in Florida: “Keep aloe in your fridge; it keeps it cool, and it feels even more refreshing.”

• Want to eat more fruits and veggies? Keep pre-cut fruit and easy veggie dippers like carrots, bell pepper strips and celery at eye level in seethrough containers in your fridge. The more you see it, the more you will eat it.

• WEDDING TIP: To create a beautiful garland for banisters, use white or light-colored tulle, draped in sections and gathered with a lovely bow. Twist the tulle around a string of clear lights for an even more dramatic effect.

• To create an easy resting mat for toddlers, sew three pillowcases together in a row along the long end. When needed, stuff three pillows in, and it creates a long mat, suitable for naptime or TV time.

• Use wide, flat rubber bands, such as you might find on a broccoli stalk, to identify your drinking glass. Write each person’s name in permanent marker on the band, and slip over the glass. Another benefit? It makes the glass non-slip!

• M.R. in Wisconsin writes: “Chalkboard paint is a wonderful creation for creative kids. If you rent and can’t paint, you can purchase large squares of smooth pressboard at a building supply store and paint those. Then just mount them to the wall using mirror clips. The kids absolutely love ours!”

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

By Lucie Winborne

• In 1925, a war between Greece and Bulgaria started after a stray dog crossed their border.

• During the 1917 siege of Jerusalem, the British, in an effort to capture the city from an entrenched Ottoman garrison, airdropped cigarettes filled with large doses of opium in the hope their opponents would be too stoned to fight. It worked.

• Holland, Michigan, has 168 miles of tubing coiled underneath its streets that circulates hot water in order to melt any snow on the ground.

• China’s Three Gorges Dam is so huge that it’s slowed the rotation of Earth.

• Hard-rocker Ozzy Osbourne once fell asleep during a driving test and woke up to find a note on the seat that said, “You have failed.” But give him credit for persistence: After 19 attempts, he finally managed to pass the test in 2009 at the age of 60, and then purchased a Ferrari.

• In Wisconsin, it’s legal for kids of any age to drink alcohol in a bar as long as they are with their legal guardian.

• Dwayne Johnson’s beard in the movie “Hercules” was made of yak testicle hair.

• The Aztecs regarded childbirth as a form of battle. Women who didn’t survive it were thought to rise to one of the highest heavens, the same one as for male warriors who died in battle.

• In 1986 a Soviet pilot made a bet with his co-pilot that he could land his airplane blind. He curtained all the cockpit windows and crashed the plane into the landing strip, killing 70 out of his 87 passengers.

***

Thought for the Day: “Life is like skiing. The goal is not to get to the bottom of the hill. It’s to have a bunch of good runs before the sun sets.” — Seth Godin

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Tails of Hope

Meet Haley, the purr-fect bundle of fun just waiting to spice up your life! At just one year old, Haley is bursting with energy and enthusiasm. With her playful antics and love for people, she’s guaranteed to bring endless laughter and joy into your home.

Haley’s motto in life is “play, play, play!” Whether it’s chasing after toys, pouncing on imaginary prey, or inventing her own games, she’s always up for a good time. Get ready to be entertained by her playful antics!

Haley adores human company and craves attention like a catnip addict craves... well, catnip! She’ll happily curl up in your lap for cuddles, purring contentedly as you shower her with affection. Don’t be surprised if she becomes your shadow, following you around with unwavering devotion.

Pentwater High School had its Honors Night for graduating senior students, Wednesday, May 15. The Pentwater Women’s Club was proud to recognize and award nine Pentwater High School seniors with a Pentwater Women’s Club Scholarship.

ning ticket drawn on the second Friday of August during Pentwater Homecoming weekend.   Congratulations to the Scholarship Awardees, the Pentwater Women’s Club is proud to support our school community.

Haley is available for adoption from the Oceana County Animal Shelter. If interested, please call the shelter at 231-861-5395. The adoption fee for cats is $35, and you receive certificates for $25 towards spay/neuter and $10 towards rabies if not already done. The adoption fee for dogs is $95 and you will receive a $50 certificate good for spay/neuter, if needed. Every dog should have an ID tag. L.A.S.S.I. provides free dog ID tags to all Oceana County residents.

Meet Haley

To request tags, send a text to 231-730-3906. Free tags are also available at the Oceana County Animal Shelter.

Since 1967, the club has awarded 211 scholarships to qualifying seniors for post-high school educational pursuits and earmarked $16,000 for the 2024year awards. In addition to Pentwater High School seniors, the club donates scholarship money to West Shore Community College for a returning female student.

The sources of the scholarship money are the annual Wine & Art Event and Quilt Raffle. This years Wine & Art Event was Sunday, May 19.  Pentwater Women’s Club quilters spend the winter months constructing a quilt for raffle, tickets are sold throughout the summer months, with the win-

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 selection and approval procedures 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

State Bound

Hart’s Kaden Bond qualifies in D3 golf Regional

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana

Echo Sports Editor

MONTAGUE – Things may not have gone smoothly for Hart’s golf team as a whole in Regional competition Tuesday, May 28, but individually, Kaden Bond had success.

Bond was the lone golfer from Oceana County from Division 3 to qualify for the State Finals, beating out a field of Shelby athletes among others.

With a final stroke count of 81 at Montague’s Old Channel Trail Golf Course, Bond finished his day in ninth individually. With the top three individuals that didn’t qualify as a member of one of the top three teams moving on, Bond guaranteed himself a spot at Katke

Golf Course in Big Rapids Saturday, June 8.

Bond was the second individual to qualify, coming in just behind Brad Jenkins of Belding who scored a 78.

Hart placed 10th as a team with Bond at the forefront. Braydan Baron (93) placed 53rd, Nikolas Michael (94) placed 57th, Luke VanderWilk (95) placed 60th and Aiden DuMont (122) placed 83rd.

One of the biggest surprises of the day was an unfortunate dip in scoring for Shelby freshman Titan Carter. Carter placed 25th individually, with a stroke count of 86. A pair of triple bogies on the front nine to go along with a quadruple bogey and two double bogies on the back nine.

Shelby’s team placed 12th overall. Carter was the top performer with his 25th place finish with Josh Neuman (88) coming in 36th. Rounding out the Tigers’ team were Rafael Davis (97), Treyjin Waller (101) and Ignacio Ortiz (104).

Still dancing

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – A new switch has been flipped for Shelby’s girl soccer team in the 2024 District Tournament, as the Tigers have yet to allow a goal through two games.

The Tigers started their postseason with a dominant 8-0 win over Brethren Thursday, May 23.

It was apparent from the start of play that the Bobcats simply weren’t at the same level as Shelby. The Tigers scored early and often in that contest, netting their first goal just 40 seconds into play.

Luz Mendieta was responsible for getting Shelby that 1-0 lead off an assist from Molli Schultz, but it was the efforts of Schultz and Kylie Brown that really broke the game open.

“That was good to get things going,” Shelby Head Coach Pete Peterson said. “Then it was kind of disappointing though because the next five minutes, we were stagnant and didn’t play well. We missed a lot of easy ones.”

Just five minutes after taking that initial lead, Shelby found a way to extend their advantage. Schultz took a shot at Brethren’s goal, only to see it rebound in front of the net. Brown was right there to clean it up, netting her first of four goals on the night.

Wanting to do more than assist Brown, Schultz got into the scoring column with just five minutes remaining until half-

time when she converted on an assist from Brylee Friedman.

Though Shelby owned a convincing 3-0 lead at the break, it was shocking that the Tigers didn’t have more goals as they left plenty of opportunities on the table. Those opportunities were converted at a much higher rate in the second half.

Similar to the start of the game, Shelby scored within the first 60 seconds of the second half. Brown struck for the second time, netting an assist from Hailey Jones. Brown added two more over the next 15 minutes, bringinging her total for the game to four – a hat trick with a little extra on top, something Brown wasn’t sure what to call.

“A hat trick with a bunny inside,” Brown joked after the game. “It’s going to be hard to adjust, playing this game and then having a break, but I think we’ll do a great job.”

Schultz found her second goal of the game with 17 minutes remaining while freshman

Lydia Soelberg ended the game with 15:45 remaining. A mercy rule win was just what the Tigers needed to boost their confidence, but retaining a home field advantage was just as nice.

The momentum Shelby had from that first win over Brethren carried right into their second matchup where they hosted Big Rapids Crossroads Wednesday, May 29.

The Tigers claimed a 4-0 win in that one with Brown and Schultz at the head of the attack once again. Brown scored three goals while Schultz had one in a game that proved to be a no-contest.

A great start to Districts is a welcomed sight for Peterson and his girls, considering the adversity they’ve faced throughout the year.

“All season we’ve been trying to figure stuff out,” Peterson said. “We lost our leading

(Above, top) Hart’s Luke VanderWilk watches a shot fly off his club. (Above, bottom) Shelby’s Titan Carter follows through as he eyes the fairway. • Andy Roberts/ ECHO

Shelby’s Hannah Frees battles through Brethren midfielders during an 8-0 Pre-District victory Thursday, May 23. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Shelby’s Kylie Brown handles a ball in front of the Big Rapids Crossroads keeper during a 4-0 win Wednesday, May 29. • Amanda Dodge/ECHO

Shelby Soccer

Hart ends successful season with eyes on the future

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

MANISTEE – Mixed results in a pair of District Tournament contests produced mixed feelings for Hart’s girls soccer team. One thing is for certain, however, the future of the program is in good hands.

The Pirates started their District run Friday, May 24 when they headed to Manistee for a Pre-District meeting with the hosting Mariners. Hart had faced Manistee about a month prior in a West Michigan Conference (WMC) battle, coming away with a 4-3 win.

Déjà vu was in full effect the second time around as, once again, Hart claimed a 4-3 victory. With a winner takes all mindset on both sidelines, it was clear that each side was playing with a bit more edge than was present in the regular season.

“(Manistee) came in so strong in this game,” Hart head coach Joe Gilbert said. “We did well with possession, but they came out ready to fight and play. I wasn’t expecting that from them and they did a great job out there.”

Though Hart controlled possession of the ball for the majority of the first half, their shots weren’t quite precise enough to break a scoreless stalemate. Instead, it was Manistee that got the scoring started, netting the first goal of the game with 12:24 remaining in the first half.

Now chasing the Mariners from behind, Hart’s offense got a bit more aggressive. That paid off with 7:49 remaining in the same half as the Pirates earned a corner kick opportunity. Though the kick rebounded off the bodies in front of the net, the ball landed at the feet of freshman fullback Olivia Bradley. Bradley loaded up and sent a moonshot over Manistee’s keeper from 30 yards out to even things up at 1-1 heading into halftime.

There wasn’t much change in the style of play that Hart employed when the second half kicked off. The Pirates dominated possession once again, earning 14 shots on goal compared to Manistee’s two.

Unfortunately, Manistee was the first to score in the second half as well. The Mariners converted on a corner kick that created a scramble in front of the net, ultimately ending with a Manistee leg knocking the ball past Hart keeper Emma Jeffries.

With that goal coming at 9:39 remaining in the first half, Hart needed to find a way to knot things up again with the season on the line. A stroke of luck came with 5:39 remaining as Hart found themselves driving up field and a shot on goal was blocked by the arms of a Manistee defender, giving the Pirates a one-on-one penalty kick.

Senior striker Sydney Goodrich stepped up and calmly knocked the ball past Manistee’s keeper to tie things up at 2-2. Time ran out on regulation, bringing on an extra 20 minutes of soccer.

Overtime requires two 10 minute periods to be played in their entirety and, should a tie occur after that point, a penalty kick shootout would take place.

After the first 10 minute period, it looked as though that shootout might be inevitable as neither team was able to crack the tie. The second period moved much quicker as, for the third time, Manistee was the first to find a goal. It took just 30 seconds into that second overtime period for the Mariners to score, forcing Hart to lead a comeback effort once more.

“(We) were not expecting to concede in the first 30 seconds of second overtime,” Gilbert said. “When Manistee scored it was hurry up offense time, which is what we’ve been working on this past week.”

As they had been all night, Hart was up for the task. Just two minutes later, the Pirates tied things up on a goal from junior Brianna Arjona. Arjona was one of three Pirates to touch the ball in that sequence as freshman Lilliana Mena and junior Faith VanderVlucht both contributed to the scoring effort.

With five minutes remaining in the game, Hart claimed their first lead. After collecting a ball that had gone out of bounds, Manistee’s keeper set up a goal kick. The ball came off her foot and landed inside midfield with nobody in sight other than Hart junior Breslyn Porter.

Porter calmly stepped up, collected the ball and sent a high arching shot over the head of the keeper. The ball landed perfectly in net, giving the Pirates the lead and allowing them to run the clock out and claim a District Semifinal berth.

“For the whole team, we just had to strategize and go in for all of the 50:50 balls,” Porter said. “I definitely saw that (Manistee’s keeper) was coming out and she got low expect-

ing me to take a low shot. I just put it over her head.”

With their next opponent already decided, Hart had a long Memorial Day weekend to prepare for another conference opponent in Montague.

Unfortunately, that District Semifinal matchup with the Wildcats didn’t end on the same note.

The Pirates’ offense was off the entire game. Passes that had been precise the game prior, were now finding the feet of their opponents. That allowed Montague to intercept passes and get their offense going quickly.

10 minutes into the first half, Montague netted the first score of the game. Over the next 20 minutes, the Wildcats added three more to own a 4-0 lead as time ticked towards the break.

Hart was able to get on the board before the first half closed out. A pass from freshman Rilynn Porter on the right side of the field found junior Addison Kokx. Kokx sent her shot past Montague’s keeper and cut into the lead at 4-1.

Halftime did little to resurrect Hart’s offense as the Pirates conceded two goals and failed to score themselves, resulting in a 6-1 loss and an end to the 2024 season.

While the season is over, Gilbert and his team have plenty to be proud of and a bright future ahead

with only five seniors graduating and six freshmen seeing significant playing time.

“I was looking back and I don’t know the last time that we got to double-digit wins,” Gilbert said. “Some of the wins we got this season were fantastic. This was a huge success and these seniors came into a complete and total rebuild. To now be competing with the best, it’s fantastic for where our program has come from.

“Our freshman class is outstanding and we have another really good class coming forward.”

The Pirates finished their season at 12-9 overall with a 4-6 record in the WMC.

scorer because she didn’t love the game anymore and decided not to play. We had some other girls who decided they didn’t want to play, so they left. For the last 4-5 weeks we’ve been trying to figure that out and now Alyse Erickson is out with injury.”

Shelby moved to 8-9-1 with the win and while BRRC was at 8-8-1 entering the game, Peterson noted the context around their records were important.

“We play in the West Michigan Conference with Ludington, North Muskegon, Fremont, Montague and Hart. There are no gimme games in this schedule,” Peterson said. “It’s a murderer’s row.”

Next up for Shelby is a District Finals matchup with McBain Northern Michigan Christian who currently stand as the No. 15 ranked team in Division 4 in the state of Michigan. That contest

be

in

will

played

Lakeview tonight (Friday, May 31) at 5 p.m.

Hart’s Brooklyn Storms takes a shot from a Manistee defender in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Mariners Friday, May 24. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Shelby’s Molli Schultz dribbles the ball near midfield in an 8-0 Pre-District win over Brethren Thursday, May 23. Schultz scored two goals in the win. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

(Above, top) Hart’s Sydney Goodrich takes a free kick during a 6-1 loss to Montague in the District Semifinals Wednesday, May 29. (Above, bottom) Hart’s Emma Jeffries leaps into the air to block a shot on the Pirates’ goal. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo

Sports Editor

Shelby’s baseball team clinched second place in the West Michigan Conference (WMC) Rivers Division, defeating Ravenna in doubleheader action with wins of 5-2 and 7-2.

The doubleheader provided a unique situation as the two teams were originally scheduled to meet Tuesday, April 16. Three innings were played before the first game was suspended due to darkness.

Shelby and Ravenna picked the games back up on Tuesday, May 28.

In game one, Shelby led 3-0 through the first three innings of play. The Tigers were able to increase their lead in the fifth inning when Cam Smith notched a run batted in (RBI) to move Shelby in front 4-0.

Ravenna was able to score two runs in the fifth inning to cut into the lead, but would be unable to score again, thanks to solid pitching from DayDay Garcia. Garcia allowed just three hits and struck out four.

Shelby pushed their

lead to 5-2 in the seventh inning on singles from Smith and Trevor Weiss. Jaden Furman delivered a sacrifice fly RBI to end the score at 5-2.

In the second game, Shelby jumped out to an early lead again. Chase Simon delivered a two-run double that put the Tigers on top 2-0.

Then, with the bases loaded in the second inning, Simon struck again, clearing the bases on a double to bring his RBI total to five on the day.

With a 5-0 lead, Carson Stovall hit a double in the third which drove in a run and put

Shelby further in front at 6-0. Two runs for Ravenna in the sixth and seventh inning brought the Bulldogs closer, but the pitching of Shelby was just too good to handle for Ravenna.

Simon pitched the first three innings of the game, but it was Weiss who earned the win over the final four innings of play.

The Tigers advanced to 16-12 overall on the season and will now face Hesperia in the first round of Districts Saturday, June 1. That game will be played at 10 a.m. on the Panthers’ home field.

Hart baseball downs Pine River to put a cap on Senior Night

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

Hart’s baseball team ended its regular season with a 6-4 win over Pine River Wednesday May 29, celebrating Senior Night as well.

Four of Hart’s five seniors were able to start the game against the Bucks, with only Noah Smith sitting out due to a broken finger suffered in late April.

The Pirates split pitching duties on the mound, using an unusual rotation of four different players, something Head Coach David Riley mentioned was in anticipation of the District Tournament.

Fittingly, the seniors had the biggest impact in Hart’s win. Mitchell Slade had a base hit, Chase Gale hit a double and scored, Tyler VanderZanden earned the start on

the mound and Blake Weirich notched a run batted in on a groundout before hitting a double.

Weirich also got time on the mound, stepping in for the final inning and earning the save with two strikeouts.

While Smith wasn’t able to do much due to his injury, he was brought in to pinch run late in the game. Smith stole second base, advanced to

third on a balk and was able to score on a passed ball.

“The senior class this season has been one to remember without a doubt,” Riley said. “They have led by example and have made their mark on the baseball program in many positive ways. As a coach, it’s nice to see them earn a victory in their last home game, but I am even more proud of the years and work they have put into being a Hart Pirate.”

The win moved Hart to 15-13 overall on the year and matches the highest win total recorded since 2005.

Hart will turn their attention to Saturday, June 1 when they take on Mason County Central in the first round of the District Tournament. That game is set for 12 p.m. and will take place in Hesperia.

Shelby baseball clinches second in WMC Rivers with win over Ravenna Track All-Stars

Athletes from Oceana County competed in the West Michigan All-Stars Track Meet Wednesday, May 22. (Top left) Hart’s Payden Stone lunges forward while competing in the long jump. (Top right) Hart’s Shelbie Choponis tosses discus. (Bottom left) Shelby’s Carlos Hernandez kicks sand around after landing in the long jump event. (Bottom right) Shelby’s Trey Gauthier hands the baton to teammate Danyel White during a relay race. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Hart’s Kelsey Copenhaver hit her second homerun of the season in a win over Pine River Wednesday, May 29. Copenhaver is pictured above with Hart Softball Head Coach Dean DeVries. • Contributed

Reflections of our community

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Whitehall celebrates Class of 2024

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer

WHITEHALL — Whitehall High School’s class of 2024 graduated last Thursday at the Viking Athletic Center. The ceremony included a performance by the Whitehall High School chorale, singing “Lakeside Lullaby” by Jacob Narverud and a performance of Michael Sweeney’s “Out of the Shadows” by the Whitehall High School band. Whitehall High School Principal Brett Westerlund and 2024 Class President Lucy Zamojcin addressed the class with speeches, congratulating them on this major accomplishment.

“Let’s reflect on the journey that has led each one of us here, emphasizing the value of the memories, relationships and lessons learned along the way,” said Zamojcin. “Let’s not forget that we are each a patchwork quilt of those who have loved us, those who have believed in our futures, those who have shown us empathy and kindness, or told us

•

the truth even when it wasn’t easy to hear. Remember these people; family members, teachers, friends, coaches, admin, and thank them for pouring into the task of making us better people over these past four years.”

White Lake commemorates Memorial Day

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer

WHITEHALL — The White Lake VFW Post 3256 and American Legion Algot Johnson Post 69 joined together to honor veterans with a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 27. Each group started at the VFW and American Legion buildings, and marched to meet at Covell Park. “The Memorial Day Ceremony is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans,” said the White Lake VFW. “The Whitehall American Legion Algot Johnson Post 69 and White Lake VFW Post 3256 honor guards did an outstanding job of honoring the memories of our fallen heroes, and celebrating the courage and bravery of those who have served and continue to serve our great nation.”

The service included a speech by VFW commander Dondi Kowalski, a three-volley salute and a moment of silence. The salute is meant to “perpetuate the memory and history of the dead veterans, and to recognize the fallen comrades who gave all.”

Additionally, Montague High School and Whitehall High School marching bands joined to march with VFW and American Legion members, and to perform at the service. The performance included the playing of “Taps Across America.”

At

• Madison Lajewski/Mirror and Courtesy

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — The White Lake Community Library has had a story trail for years, but Wednesday marked a special occasion, as the library dedicated a permanent, paved trail in memory of Marie Herbert, a former White Lake Assisted Living resident who passed away in December 2022 at age 91.

The trail was made possible, in part, by funds donated by Herbert’s two daughters, Kathi and Frances. Herbert, a teacher for 30 years in her younger days, was an avid reader; Frances said when she moved to Whitehall from her previous facility in Spring Lake, she

made sure she got a library card before the move was even completed and became a regular patron of the library.

“When we found this, we discovered the wonderful walking path,” Frances said of the previous story trail. “As a second-grade schoolteacher, she loved the story trail.”

The dedication was special to the Herbert daughters, and especially poignant because they did not have a memorial service or any kind of grave marker for their mother, who willed her body to Michigan State University for scientific research.

White Lake Community Library director Virginia DeMumbrum cuts the ribbon to dedicate the new permanent story trail Wednesday morning. The new trail was presented in memory of former Whitehall resident Marie Herbert, whose daughters Frances and Kathi were part of Wednesday’s festivities. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Far left, the Whitehall class of 2024 tosses their caps and pops confetti in celebration of officially graduating high school at last Thursday’s graduation ceremony. Above, Whitehall senior Ava Garcia receives her diploma.

Madison Lajewski/Mirror

Above, a crowd gathers at Covell Park to commemorate Memorial Day Monday morning.

right, members of the White Lake VFW and Whitehall American Legion perform a salute in memory of those who died serving.

Photo

CEIC welcomes participation in coming public meetings to outline goals for Sadony Bayou restoration

White Lake area residents will have the opportunity to envision what the restoration of the Sadony Bayou in White River Township will look like and to determine the impact its flow of improved water will have as it empties near the channel into Lake Michigan, thanks to a $10,000 grant.

The White Lake Community Fund, a grant-making committee of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, made the award to the Chemours Environmental Impact Committee (CEIC) through the Muskegon County Environmental Coordinating Council.

The project’s main thrust will be to stage a trio of open-to-the-public “visioning” sessions at which the participants will share memories of the bayou’s halcyon days, identify issues that need to be addressed, and conceive of the potential that the bayou has and might look like in the years to come.

The first of these will take place July 10 from 5-7 p.m. at the White Lake Community Library, with the second and third on tap for September and December. Each will have a limited number of participants. To register for the initial July session, email CEIC at makeitrightchemours@gmail.com.

One of the moderators for each session will be Rebecca Marquardt, owner of Revery, a landscape architecture design studio with ecological restoration influence. Marquardt will help to harvest the community perspectives and

identify conceptual land uses and recreational options. Along with graphic designer Spencer High of Quercus Creative, they will act like courtroom sketch artists, producing graphics on the spot, and translate the visioning ideas into a series of illustrations and designs to inform the next steps towards restoration. The final product, a “Sadony Bayou Restoration Vision Plan,” will be shared with participants and the larger community.

The goal, says project manager Marty Holtgren of Encompass Socio-ecological Consulting, is to use “community values, scientific data, and engineering options” as components for a plan for a permitted, funded restoration of the bayou – to get it back to more of a former time when the bayou was healthy and functioning.

CEIC, a citizens group whose members hail from around the lake, was organized in 2018 out of concern about the environmental impact of the former DuPont chemical-manufacturing plant at its site in White River Township and on the adjacent Pierson Creek that ebbs into the bayou. It is CEIC’s belief this has contributed to the degradation of its recreational value, loss of flora and fauna attributes, and diminished natural beauty, along with other factors including the buildup of sediment, increasing water temperature, nutrient seepage and each summer’s algae growth.

The White Lake Community Fund

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Story trail

“It’s wonderful,” Frances said. “It helps with a little bit of closure. We had no idea they’d put up a special plaque. (Library director) Virginia (DeMumbrum)’s been really wonderful. She sent a couple designs.”

The trail has actually been available for a couple of months, but because Frances is from Vermont - Kathi lives near the area - the library arranged a formal dedication for when she could be part of it.

In addition to the trail’s now being paved, the new story trail is easier to use because the display cases for the books are angled up to make them easier to read.

“It’s much less labor-intensive,” DeMumbrum said. “We put the sign out and we don’t have to tear apart two storybooks, paste them on, laminate them, try to make them weatherproof. This is much more weatherproof, much more durable.”

Library youth services coordinator Beth Hall added that the stories will be changed quarterly. (White Lake is part-

nering with the Hackley and Muskegon district libraries, which also have story trails, and will likely share titles; Hall shared the next title will be Burger Boy.)

“Families love the story trail,” Hall said. “They are always wondering when the new story is coming out. They get excited to come out and read it. It helps the parents because we have questions on each page along the way, so it helps with engagement. It helps with early literacy skills. It’s more than just reading the story and telling the story. It’s interacting with it as well.”

DeMumbrum added that the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District helped with funds for the trail as well and the Whitehall Department of Public Works helped put it together. Whitehall Products also donated a plaque in Herbert’s memory that is at the head of the trail.

“She was a very creative person, and eccentric, and fun,” Frances said with a smile. “She never really retired. She just had a big heart for kids.”

grant will complement the objectives of a $36,711 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to the Muskegon Conservation District on behalf of CEIC. The EGLE grant is a building block to future major funding that will ultimately restore the bayou and its tributary into White Lake. The EGLE project, now underway, will pinpoint the water quality’s physical and chemical conditions, while also determining the hydraulic and biological needs for restoration. The two complementary projects will help guide engineering and design plans.

All interested persons – including community members, native plant aficionados, water resource specialists, public planners – are encouraged to participate in all three sessions, but may join any one session. Memories about the bayou from longtime residents of the area, who can recall when one could canoe the bayou and catch Michigan’s finest game fish until the 1960s, will be especially desired during the first session.

Thanks to the grant, there will be no cost to participants, although registration is required for each of the three sessions because light snacks will be part of the format for participants and space is limited. CEIC members are exploring the option of Zoom access for out-of-town participants, provided that they can assure that those joining

remotely will be able to be heard and to hear all speakers in the meeting room.

Participants will be invited to describe what they believe are the issues that need to be addressed to recreate a vibrant bayou, such as water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, navigability, public access, and recreational uses. It is recommended that they personally visit the bayou across from the Old Channel Inn to see its current status.

“The restoration visioning for Sadony Bayou will be a synergistic project that engages the community in guiding how it will be restored in a manner that is sustainable, and meets the needs of the human and non-human residents of the area,” Holtgren said.

He sees the process as the next level of environmental restoration.

“Too often in ecological restoration, the needs and wishes of the impacted stakeholders are not considered,” Holtgren said. “The outcomes are purely driven by best-management practices for the technical aspects of engineering and design plans.

“By engaging White Lake-area residents, the restoration will be ‘theirs,’ where their perspectives are gathered in a meaningful way and help drive the process. It should be a source of pride because they played a part in its recovery and its return to again being among the rich inventory of natural resources available in this part of Michigan.”

Whitehall council discusses grant requests, budget for 2024-25

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer

WHITEHALL—

During Tuesday’s meeting, Whitehall’s city council discussed the budget for the new fiscal year starting July 1.

City Manager Scott Huebler mentioned there is no money allocated for sidewalk repairs this year, but Department of Public Works director Brian Armstrong said they anticipated setting aside approximately $45,000 for repairs within the next two years.

Additionally, the city has submitted a grant request to Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources for $230,000. If received, the grant will go towards Funnell Field and Gee Park upgrades.

Whitehall will also be implementing a marijuana tax of $118,200 for the two provisioning shops to submit to the state. Huebler said the city should get a portion of the submitted tax dollars back.

Council member Scott Brown voiced concerns with the budget for the Whitehall Police Department. Based on his own research, he said Whitehall’s police budget is almost double that of communities of similar size. Whitehall’s current police fund is located

within the general fund of $895,000. The general fund balance has been based off of the recent cost of living increase of 4.5%, per the Detroit Consumer Price Index.

During the public comment portion, Patrick Nulty, new owner of

Mylan’s Waterfront Grille, has submitted forms requesting to become a part of the Whitehall social district. This would expand the area of the social district near Fetch Brewing Company and he hopes it will benefit both businesses.

(MASTERTAG) TOWNSHIP OF MONTAGUE, MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held on the application of Avery Products Corporation (MasterTag) for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate with respect to the construction of a 97,000-square-foot building expansion of their facilities located at 9701 US-31 in Montague Township. This is within the existing Industrial Development District. Said hearing will be held before the Township Board of the Township of Montague on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Township Hall, 8915 Whitbeck Road, Montague, Michigan 49437.

The applicant, the Township Assessor, township residents and a representative of the affected taxing units will be afforded an opportunity to be heard on said application.

- Drew Roesler, Clerk Township of Montague

Frances Herbert reads from the White Lake Community Library’s story trail Wednesday morning. Herbert and her sister Kathi donated funds for the new permanent trail in memory of their late mother Marie.

Feet on the Street to send locals downtown Sunday

The White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau, City of Montague and City of Whitehall will host Feet on the Street Sunday, June 2, from 2-7 p.m. in the North Mears Promenade in Whitehall. This event is sponsored by Luna Floral & Design, and Salon Peggy Sue.

Feet on the Street is an outdoor party to kick off summer in the White Lake Area with the Montague and Whitehall community, and neighboring friends and family. This free community event will be held open-house style, so attendees can stop by throughout the

event or stay the entire time. There will be live music, food trucks, activities and crafts from local businesses and organizations, and more. Check out the White Lake Area Chamber’s Facebook event page for details (food trucks, musicians and types of activities), visit www.whitelake.org or contact the White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau at 231-893-4585 or by email at info@whitelake.org.

Community Calendar

Saturday, June 1

Montague Farmer’s Market open every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Double JJ Sip & Shop Craft Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Back Forty. Shopping, snacks and adult beverages available. Arts, crafters, antiques and flea market vendors.

Kyle Brown performs @ Fetch Brewing, 7-10 p.m.

Tuesday, June 4

Steve Thielman performs @ Book

Nook & Java Shop, 10 a.m. to noon.

Playtime Power Hour @ Montague Library, 11 a.m. to noon. Informal literacy-based program for children to explore play stations at the library.

Wednesday, June 5

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.

Thursday, June 6

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.

Kayak Adventure Series kickoff event @ Montague Band Shell, 4-8:30 p.m. Live music, merchandise tents, kayak demos, food trucks and more. Friday, June 7

Community Yoga @ Fruitland Twp. Hall, 10-11 a.m. Free to participate, open to all ages and skill levels.

Echoes of History: The blizzard of 1918 (pt. 2)

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor

Once again, the train service was disrupted in the area. There were no church or Sunday school services.

Rural route carriers were unable to make their trips Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, they made an attempt again but could not complete their entire routes.

The farmers in the rural area were just getting the roads broken through when the second record-breaking storm set in, and it would take several more days before the roads were good for travel again.

The fuel situation in Montague got serious as several families were either out of fuel or had a very scant supply. All the local coal dealers had exhausted their supply and were waiting for

the trains to get through with more.

A carload of coal originally intended for the Iron Works was confiscated and was being distributed to the needy. With that source nearly depleted, if another car of coal wasn’t received in the near future, there would be actual suffering among the citizens in want of fuel. The roads were so bad, and the snow so deep, it was very difficult for teams taking wood to those in need to get through.

Although the Iron Works was disappointed in not getting their coal supply, they resorted to burning wood to keep the shop open. A group of men were working north of town chopping up stump fences and fallen timber which had been purchased by the company.

Bone-chilling temperatures were also reported in the area during this time. On Jan. 31, the temperature

dropped to 16 degrees below zero. On Feb. 1, the United States Coast Guard in Muskegon recorded a temperature of 24 degrees below zero. Tempera-

tures finally warmed up in February and eventually things returned to normal again.

Arts & Crafts Festival set for Father’s Day weekend

The White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau presents the 45th annual Arts & Crafts Festival Father’s Day weekend. Artists and crafters will come together at this popular juried show Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 16 from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Those attending can peruse and purchase an assortment of handmade

arts and crafts, such as jewelry, fine art, packaged foods, Michigan items, wood furniture, metal yard items, leather goods, floral designs and much more.

A strong lineup of musicians will perform, including favorites Mike Snell and Renee Cherry, Tommy Foster and Grayson and Jenna Barton. To satisfy those with a craving, food trucks will

offer a variety of tasty treats. Some vendors will also offer an eclectic mix of home-made foods to take home.

There will also be inflatables for the kids, along with a children’s activity put together by the Arts Council of White Lake-Nuveen Center, the Montague Branch of the Muskegon Area District Library and the White Lake Community

Library. Spend a leisurely day in beautiful Whitehall at Goodrich Park. It’s the perfect spot to meet up with friends you haven’t seen for a while, and you can uncover some one-of-a-kind finds together. You will also be able to enjoy some talented musicians with the relaxing ambience of a sunny day in late spring.

By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor

Get your summer off to a great start at the community-wide block party Sunday, June 2! It will be held in the North Mears Promenade from 2-7 p.m., and the library book bike will be there with free books and a fun activity for the kids. There will also be food trucks, live music, activities and crafts for all ages, and of course, lots of friends and neighbors to visit with.

Feet on the Street is hosted by the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Montague, and the City of Whitehall. Sponsors include Luna Floral & Design and Salon Peggy Sue. In case the name isn’t familiar yet, the North Mears Promenade is the parking lot and picnic area at the top of the sledding hill by Fetch, Mylan’s, and Bell’s Furniture.

Walk the Beat

Not to be confused with Feet on the Street, Walk the Beat is an amazing music festival returning to the White Lake area July 20. The third annual event will feature 38 musical acts at 19 different venues in Montague and Whitehall. Everyone is invited to “walk the beat” from venue to venue and enjoy live music at

every stop. There is no charge to attend, and everyone can enter free door prize drawings at each venue.

The library is one of several local nonprofits selling raffle tickets for Walk the Beat. The raffle features a total of $5,000 in prize money divided among three lucky winners. Tickets cost $10 each, with half the proceeds staying with the nonprofit and the other half being used to support local music education and provide instruments to children in our community. What a great way to support two great programs at once, and maybe even win a prize! To see what other groups are selling tickets, visit

walk.thebeat.org/whitelake.

FUN FACT: $6,000 in scholarships, lessons, and musical instruments were awarded to 43 local students at the Playhouse at White Lake April 30. The funds were the result of the 2023 Walk the Beat raffle ticket sales.

Fairy House Tour and Storytime

There are just a few spots left for the fairy-themed storytime at 11 a.m. June 11. This pop-up storytime event is part of the Summer Reading Program. It will be held at the home of Patti Townsend and will include a tour of her fairy gardens. Over the years, Patti has created her fairy dwellings from clay and other materials and has wonderful stories to go along with them. Due to parking limitations, registration is required for this event. To reserve your spot, visit the library calendar at wlclib.org.

A view of Colby Street in Whitehall looking east, Jan. 14, 1918. • Courtesy Photo

DeMumbrum

Mirror

Pelton leads Montague past Hart, into finals

• Brendan Samuels/Mirror

Junior star scores 4 goals in win; ‘Cats to face Fremont

Montague junior Ava Pelton poured in four goals Wednesday night to pace the Wildcats to a 6-1 win over Hart, earning them a date with top seed Fremont in Friday’s district final. Pelton scored both second-half goals in

‘Cats can’t

the game after Montague controlled the first half en route to a 4-1 lead at the break.

Lilly Rice and Braylyn Bultema also scored for the Wildcats in the game, and Addison Pranger was strong for Montague in goal.

Strong first-half effort not enough for Whitehall in loss to top seed Fremont

Whitehall pushed West Michigan Conference runner-up Fremont for the first half of Wednesday’s district semifinal in Manistee, but the Vikings couldn’t hold off the Packers’ attack forever, and eventually they broke through to eliminate Whitehall 7-1.

After conceding the first goal of the game, Whitehall came back just a few minutes later and put in a goal itself when Kate Beda assisted Ava Garcia with a crossing pass for a goal.

“To come back within five minutes and have that ball go across and the volley put in, they thought, ‘we have a chance now,’” Whitehall coach Adam Prince said. “When you have a

bunch of young kids and they see that now we can play be-

District semis continued on page 6

sustain strong start at regional

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Montague was unable to sustain a terrific start at the Division 3 regional tournament on its home course Tuesday, ending its season with a solid score of 350 and a sixth-place finish.

Coach Brad Tate said the Wildcats played great golf early on and were in third place through 12 holes, which had them in position to qualify for the state meet. However, things got away from them in the latter portion of the tournament.

“I believe that we were not sure that we belonged near the top, and we began to think about what we could shoot instead of what our next shot required,” Tate said.

Montague tied with Tri-County for

sixth place, holding the spot due to the fifth-score tiebreaker.

Facing some terrific oppositionthe three teams that did qualify, all Grand Rapids teams, were Covenant Christian, West Catholic and NorthPointe Christian - the Wildcats got five solid rounds from its five players, none of whom scored any higher than a 91. The team’s best round came from Owen Raeth, the lone Wildcat senior to play Tuesday, who got off to a great start by scoring par on each of his first 10 holes. However, Raeth struggled with a couple of holes later in the round and settled for an 85, finishing just three strokes out of the last individual qualifying spot.

Jack Bailey, Montague’s #1-seeded

Montague regionals continued on page 5

McDaniel dazzles for Rockets in pre-district win

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

NORTON SHORES — Reeths-Puffer knew who to turn to after Mona Shores ripped off three first-inning runs in last Thursday’s pre-district game - the same pitcher that’s led them all year, sophomore Lainey McDaniel.

McDaniel came in from right field to take the circle to start the second inning and bedeviled the Sailors every pitch from there, dazzling for six perfect innings to lead the Rockets to a 10-3 victory. The win advanced R-P to the district semifinals Saturday at Grand Haven, where the Rockets will face Muskegon before a potential matchup with the host Buccaneers, a consistent heavyweight program.

Coach Sarah Bayle said there was

never any panic from her team after Shores got the early jump with a few line drives and grabbed a 3-0 lead.

“We learned from our mistakes last year,” Bayle said, referring to the Rockets’ 2023 district defeat to Shores. “We just talked. They had a really good demeanor, and so did the coaches. We just looked at them and we said, ‘Hey, I love what you’re doing right now. You have a good mindset. It’s all over your face; you believe it. We’re going to be fine.’”

McDaniel certainly inspires that level of confidence; Bayle said in O-K Green Conference games, the sophomore’s earned run average was around 0.20, and her full-season ERA isn’t much higher. Shores was off balance at the plate from the moment she stepped

into the circle.

“I was just feeling loose,” McDaniel said. “I was feeling ready to go...I’ve gotten good sleep and made sure I stayed ready in case my team needed me.”

Thirteen of the 18 outs McDaniel recorded were by strikeout, and the Sailors didn’t hit the ball hard off her once.

It took until the third inning for R-P to time up Mona Shores’ pitching, but once it did, the results were impressive. The Rockets’ last three hitters in the batting order all singled in succession to lead off the inning, and the hit parade continued from there. Brook

Reeths-Puffer and Mona Shores go through

Rockets’ win in the pre-districts at Shores.

Andy Roberts/Mirror R-P hurler fires 6 perfect innings in relief as Rockets pound Sailors, 10-3

Montague’s Owen Raeth chips onto the green during Tuesday’s regional tournament at Old Channel Trail. Raeth’s 85 led the Wildcats to a 6th-place finish.

Andy Roberts/Mirror

At left, Montague keeper Addison Pranger dives into traffic to make a save during Wednesday’s district semifinal against Hart in Manistee. At right, Lilly Rice makes her way upfield against the Hart defense.

Whitehall’s Aaliyah Jamison (left) races Fremont’s Tori Ward to a loose ball during Wednesday’s district semifinal in Manistee.

• Brendan Samuels/Mirror

Montague’s Kennedy Johnson can’t resist call to MCC softball

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Montague senior Kennedy Johnson thought and thought, and while it took her longer than some athletes, she came to a common conclusion: She doesn’t want to be done playing her sport just yet.

That’s why Johnson made a late decision to play softball at Muskegon Community College, celebrating her signing at the high school Tuesday afternoon.

“I visited MCC this summer and I wasn’t quite sure,” Johnson said. “I was kind of looking for other options, and this just fell together a couple weeks ago. It was very sudden.”

In the end, the lure of the Promise scholarship, which gives free MCC tuition to any qualifying senior at a Muskegon County high school, plus the chance to continue playing the game she loves, was too enticing to turn down.

“There were some thoughts of not playing after high school but then it (felt like), I can’t not,” Johnson smiled.

Johnson is excited to join some club teammates from her travel team, the SaberCats, at MCC. Coincidentally, she’ll play on the same field where she accidentally pegged coach Randall Mikkelsen’s knee with a batted ball earlier this season.

That foul-up aside, it’s been another impressive season for Johnson, who was expected to be a key cog in the Wildcats’ attack and has not disappointed. She earned her second consecutive all-West Michigan Conference Lakes first team nod this season.

Before she heads south to play for the Jayhawks,

Andy Roberts/Mirror

Johnson hopes to achieve something she hasn’t yet in her career - a district championship. It’s a very tall task, as top-10 ranked Ravenna lurks as a potential finals opponent, but the Wildcats are optimistic that if they can limit the blow-up inning, they have a chance.

“That’s definitely been the biggest thing,” Johnson said. “We have those bad Innings where everything falls apart, but I think that if we eliminate that one inning, we could be good.

“I’m not ready for it to be over, but I’m excited. I think it’ll be a good matchup this weekend.”

Montague regionals

player, was right behind Raeth, scoring an 86, and Bucky Aney also cleared 90, shooting an 88. Aney also got off to a quality start, scoring par on five of his first eight holes with bogeys on the other three before some struggles hit later.

Trevin Silvers and Brayden Bultema each carded a 91 for the Wildcats. Bultema had the distinction of scoring the team’s only birdie for the day, scoring one on the par-4 ninth hole.

With its four returning players from the regionals set to be seniors, Tate said the Wildcats could turn their late struggles into a positive next spring.

“Golf is not a forgiving sport, and to shoot really good scores in the biggest moments requires mental toughness,” Tate said. “I believe that we will learn from today and hopefully use it as motivation for next season.”

continued from page 4

Brayden Bultema follows through on a tee shot during Tuesday’s regional tournament at Old Channel Trail. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Rockets 10th at regional meet

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MUSKEGON — Reeths-Puffer got off to a slow start, but finished strong at the Division 1 regional meet Wednesday on its home links, Lincoln Golf Course.

The Rockets finished 10th, posting a team score of 344 - two shots ahead of rival Mona Shores.

Dylan Panozzo led R-P with an 80 and scored three birdies over his final 10 holes. He was two over par for his final nine holes and finished in 17th place overall - four strokes from the last state qualifying spot.

Freshman Kristian Brown also had a good finish to his round. After struggling to seven over par during his first six holes, Brown played his last 12 holes at just three over, ending the day with an 82. In one seven-hole stretch, Brown was one under par, making

Reeths-Puffer’s

Wednesday’s

•

a birdie on the par-4 first hole and scoring par on the other six.

“The team had some guys get off to slow starts today,” Rockets’ coach Matt Pallett said. “I was

Sports in Brief

Baseball

Reeths-Puffer 3 North Muskegon 1

R-P won a thriller against Division 3’s top-ranked team when Trent Reichert smashed a walk-off two-run homer in the 9th inning. Reichert’s heroics capped a terrific game for the senior, who had 4 of his team’s 7 hits. David Brooks pitched a great game on the mound, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 8 in 7 innings, and Jack Yonkman worked 2 shutout innings to earn the win.

Reeths-Puffer 3 Kenowa Hills 1

R-P pitching again came up big in Tuesday’s pre-district matchup, advancing the Rockets to Saturday’s semifinal against Mona Shores. Jaxson Whitaker took the ball and never relinquished it, allowing only 4 hits and no walks while striking out 8. Trent Reichert got 3 hits, Holden Earnest collected a pair, and Brayden Mitchelson tripled and scored.

West Ottawa 6-10

2-4

Softball

Morley-Stanwood 10-15 Montague 6-14

The Wildcat bats were solid in a non-conference doubleheader, but Montague came out on the short end of a sweep. The Mohawks hit 8 home runs against Montague pitching on the day.

Whitehall 15 Newaygo 0

Unity Christian 1 Reeths-Puffer 0

4 hits.

Montague 19-24 West Ottawa 11-14

The Wildcats grabbed a sweep in a high-scoring doubleheader. Greta Auch led the offensive attack with 4 hits, and Kennedy Johnson scored 5 times. Hayden Boutell had 3 hits and Sophia Beishuizen had 2 hits and 4 RBI. In game two, Beishuizen and Reagan Cederquist each had 4 hits and 4 RBI. Kayden Johnson had 2 hits and 4 RBI.

Track

Golf

Whitehall 17th at regionals

Whitehall ended its season with a tough day against tough competition at the Division 2 regional meet, taking place at Cedar Chase. The Vikes scored 382 as a team, with Braedon Bond’s 93 the top score. Brady Tate shot a 94, Trenton

Lacrosse

Rockets win

Buchan, Kaylee Jones and McDaniel all had RBI singles, and the team scored six runs in all.

R-P kept up the heat in the fourth, scoring twice more, including a Jones home run to left center field.

“I think we had a lot of confidence that we just needed to time up the pitcher and we’d be fine,” McDaniel said. “We were just working with the pitches we were given.”

Bayle said the adjustment period came in part from the difference in speed between Shores and Zeeland West star Alexa Brott, who limited the Rockets in a doubleheader split between the teams last week.

R-P is now at the doorstep of a postseason run it’s been eyeing all season. The Rockets have blown past program records in several categories, most notably wins and runs scored, but it’s a district trophy they feel would mark true validation for their program.

“I think it will show people who maybe still have some doubts about us that we are capable,” Bayle said. “I think it will prove to the girls everything we’ve been believing all year long, that we are capable of doing some pretty great things. There’s gonna be a lot of tears if that happens, happy tears, because they have worked so hard for it.”

Montague’s Kennedy Johnson (center) signs to play softball for Muskegon Community College Tuesday. With Johnson in the front row are mom Elizabeth and coach Randall Mikkelsen, and in back is dad Rick.

Montague’s

proud of how the guys battled through some of those slow starts

Dylan Panozzo connects on an approach shot during

regional meet at Lincoln Golf Course.

Andy Roberts/Mirror

R-P regionals

continued from page 5

and put some good stretches of golf together.”

Pallett considered the regional tournament something of a microcosm of the season, where the Rockets were always competitive but could never seem to put their four best rounds together in a day.

Jake Lee scored a 90 for R-P, and Aiden Waggoner had a 92. Like his teammates, Waggoner played better as the round progressed, going one under par over his final four holes, including a birdie on the par-4 third hole. Ayden Hartzell shot a 94.

“The last event of the season is always tough,” Pallett said. “I have two seniors who will be moving on. Dylan has been a four-year varsity player and will be playing at Muskegon Community College next year. Jake Lee is in his second year of golf. Jake really started to play some good golf at the end of his career. He is hoping to play at Muskegon Community College as well next year.”

District semis

cause the ball went in the back of the net, that creates hope. That’s what we tried to preach all season, was to play 80 minutes because it can change around.”

Even after Fremont went ahead 2-1 by halftime, Prince said he felt his team had the advantage possessing the ball in the first half, and with the wind in the Vikings’ favor in the second half, the team was optimistic of its chances at an upset.

However, Fremont took command of the game after the break, led by stars Mia Clemence and Riley Chase, who each scored three goals in the game. Inexperience helped keep the Vikings from battling back into the contest.

“That’s one of the biggest things we’ve dealt with all season,” Prince said. “The heart of our team is pretty much five freshmen, two sophomores and a couple seniors. When they’ve had to deal with adversity of giving up a couple of goals, it’s hard for them to have the maturity enough to rebound. That’s on me, because I should be getting them back in the frame of the game... especially in a situation like this, at the district where it’s win or go home.”

The Vikings will return many of their top players

next season, and with the athletes on hand, hopes will be high.

“Our goalie (Clare Westerlund) has played six games (in goal), the first six she’s played in her career,” Prince said. “She’s never played goalie. She’s a basketball player and she’s got athletic ability. A lot of our girls have that. Some of our girls have played competitive soccer outside of here, and I think they’re going to be pretty good.”

Police activity over past 2 weeks

Behind the Badge

Whitehall Police Report

May 15

The principal of the middle school reported a student had spray painted on the boys’ bathroom wall at 1:03 p.m. The principal told the SRO a student reported the damage to him after witnessing another student do the damage. The 13-year-old suspect was questioned by the principal and later sent home. The case will be sent to the juvenile court for charges.

May 16

An officer on patrol at about 8:29 p.m. checked license plates in Goodrich Park and one showed the owner’s license was “not valid” and there were warrants for his arrest. When the vehicle was seen exiting the park a short time later, the officer stopped the vehicle and identified the driver. When asked for his license, the 41-year-old Montague man admitted he did not have a license and identified himself as the wanted person. He was taken into custody. The officer also identified the passenger, a 43-year-old Montague man, and found he was also wanted on six outstanding warrants in southeast Michigan. He also was taken into custody, and both were lodged at the Muskegon County jail.

May 17

At 6:18 a.m. Whitehall Police were called to the 500 block of Division St. The caller reported a deer had its ant-

lers caught in their volleyball net and could not get away. The officer arrived and was about to approach when the deer was able to free itself. The deer fled to avoid charges of damage to property.

A 13-year-old student was cited for trespassing on school property the day after he had been kicked out of school and banned from the school. The middle school principal reported the incident that occurred the day prior when the student was attempting to get into the building. The principal confronted the student, who said he didn’t care about being banned because he wanted to find his friend. The student was located at his home and served the citation.

May 18

Two vehicles had only minor damage from a traffic crash in the 300 block of Thompson St. Both vehicles were traveling north on Thompson when the vehicle in the inside lane attempted to change lanes. That car, driven by a 37-year-old Whitehall woman, sideswiped the car next to her in the blind spot. That car was driven by a 60-yearold Whitehall man. There were no citations issued in the 1:43 p.m. crash.

Whitehall Police were dispatched to the 1000 block of Colby St. on a report of indecent exposure. One of the residents of the motel reported a 53-year-old had come out of his room with his pants around his ankles and ,while sitting on a bench, had defecated and urinated. When the officer arrived, the man had returned to his room and after an extended time of knocking, the man answered the door. The police report noted the man appeared intoxicated and unable to care for himself. The man was later transported to the hospital for an evaluation and a warrant was sought for indecent exposure and a Sex Offender Registration violation.

May 20

One driver was injured in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Alice Street and Peterson Road. The crash was reported at 2:50 p.m. and the investigating officer learned a car, driven by an 18-year-old New Era man, had been traveling south on Peterson and stopped at the sign. The driver failed, though, to notice a car traveling west on Alice and pulled out in front of it. An 18-year-old Montague woman was driving the second vehicle and she was treated at the scene for minor injuries. No citations were issued.

May 22

A Montague woman driving south on Franklin Street did not see a vehicle traveling west on Hanson Street and struck the second vehicle in the rear fender. The crash occurred at about 7:18 a.m. as the 29-year-old started into the intersection from the stop on Franklin. The second car was driven by a 46-year-old Whitehall man. No one was injured in the crash.

May 24

Two people were arrested after police were called to a disturbance in the 100 block of N Livingston St. When the officer spoke with the caller about the 6:42 p.m. incident, she said she was in her backyard with her grandchildren when the neighbor woman came outside and began shouting obscenities at them. As the officer spoke with the caller, the neighbor could be heard continuing to shout obscenities in the alley. When the officer approached the neighbors’ house, he spotted a man with a known arrest warrant. The officer attempted to take the 66-year-old into custody as the 64-year-old woman continued to shout obscenities. The woman was then also told she was under arrest but attempted to run from the officer. After being caught, she continued to resist and kicked the officer several times as she was put into the

patrol car. The warrant charge on the man was for indecent exposure and the woman was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting police. Both were lodged at the Muskegon County jail.

May 26

Whitehall Police were called to a family dispute in the 1000 block of Division St. Officers were dispatched at 8:03 p.m. after a 911 call from the woman. While speaking with the couple, the officer was told the man had attempted to hug the woman but she did not want to be touched. This led to an argument. The woman said the call to 911 was accidental. The police report noted there had been no assault between the two and that both appeared intoxicated. No further action was taken.

May 28

At 5:08 p.m. Whitehall Police were called to the 1600 block of Peach St. for an assault report. During the investigation, the officer was told the incident had started as a prank but led to the victim’s shirt catching on fire and causing burns to the victim. The case is still under investigation.

A 5:48 p.m. traffic crash led to the arrest of one of the drivers for OWI. The crash occurred at the intersection of Mears Avenue and Spring Street. A 36-year-old Montague man was traveling east on Spring and had stopped for the sign at Mears. The man then pulled out in front of a southbound car, causing the crash. The second car was driven by a 21-year-old Twin Lake woman. While the officer was speaking with the woman, he noted the odor of intoxicants and questioned the woman about drinking and had her perform sobriety tests. After the tests, the woman was arrested for OWI and taken to the Muskegon County jail for a breath test. That breath test showed the driver to be over the legal limit and she was lodged at the jail.

Whitehall’s Reese Hesse fires a free kick towards the goal during Wednesday’s district semifinal against Fremont. • Brendan Samuels/Mirror