White Lake Mirror - Volume 2, Issue 1, Nov. 15, 2024

White Lake Mirror White Lake Mirror

White Lake area commemorates delisting

This fall marks 10th anniversary of removal from environmental area of concern list

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — The Book Nook & Java Shop was the host site Sunday as several notable local people came together to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of White Lake being removed from the International Joint Commission’s list of areas of environmental concern.

It was the Book Nook where that original announcement was made, too, back on Oct. 30, 2014. Whitehall city council member Tanya Cabala emceed the celebratory event Sunday, which also included presentations by other local groups and a donation check from the White Lake Snow Farmers to

the White Lake Association in support of efforts to maintain the lake’s health.

The Snow Farmers’ John Hanson presented the $235 check to the WLA with funds raised by this summer’s Float-aPalooza.

That wasn’t the only finances-related item on the agenda. Jim DeBoer, the chief science officer for the WLA, was also on hand to present an overview of a new ‘smart buoy’ that will be placed in White Lake, with funding from a $40,000 Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) grant. The buoy will poke 2.5 feet out of the water at one of the deepest points in the lake, and it will be outfitted with water quality and sensors for wind and air temperature. These sensors will be able to monitor the environmental health of the lake, potentially alerting the area about future issues before they can be detected with the naked eye. It is being built by

the same company - Fondriest Environmental - that produced a similar buoy that is now in Muskegon Lake.

Among other speakers Sunday were Tom Lohman and Steven Salter, who are the mayors of Montague and Whitehall respectively, as well as WLA president Robert Smart and Chemours Environmental Impact Committee

Second Duck Creek Natural Area bridge completed, with a third planned

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

A second walking bridge was completed earlier this fall at the Duck Creek Natural Area, creating more opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy walking around the creek.

The new bridge goes over Scholes Creek and adds a mile of walkable terrain to the DCNA’s trails. This follows the first bridge, which connected the north and south ends of the natural area; prior to its completion, walkers couldn’t get from one side to the other.

It’s the second bridge to be completed in 2024; the first was done in the spring, with a dedication ceremony held in April. Dave Rice of the Friends of Fruitland Township Trails said a third bridge is in the works and will be completed when funds are available.

Luckily for the Friends, the White Lake Area Women gave them a $10,900 donation this summer to finance construction of the second bridge.”(We) had the funds to go for it,” Rice said. “We started Sept. 13 and we got people involved and we got a bunch of things ordered ahead of time. Then we got material and volunteers and we started working at it. We worked typically 2-3 days per week and did some other things in (between work

days) just to keep things moving.”

Rice was among a group of just under 10 who put in the labor to build the bridge; the donations covered materials but not labor. All but one of the volunteers are retired. They got together Wednesdays and Saturdays to complete the work, finally finishing Oct. 21. There’s still more to do in the surrounding area - Rice said a bench will need to be built and “a few things need to be tidied up” - but the bridge was ready for use as soon as it was done.

The new bridge is 24 feet long, with a boardwalk adding 175 more feet of walking for those who choose to utilize the extra space.

Rice said the Friends of Fruitland Township Trails are thrilled with the rapid progress being made on the planned bridge projects and the trails as a whole, which now offer up to five miles’ worth of walking. After the first bridge was completed this spring, the Friends were able to add crushed concrete and limestone on the southern half of the DCNA, making the trails more easily navigable for walkers. Rice is now moving forward with the process of securing funds for the third and final bridge, which will be downstream from the point where Scholes

New bridge continued on page 2

A new walking bridge was completed in the Duck Creek Natural Area in October. The bridge is the second one to be built this year by the Friends of Fruitland Township Trails.

• Courtesy Photo

John Hanson of the White Lake Snow Farmers (center) presents a check for $235 to the White Lake Association to help fund future monitoring efforts on the lake during Sunday’s 10th anniversary delisting celebration at the Book Nook. The event commemorated the 2014 removal of White Lake from an environmental areas of concern list.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Montague student deals with threats, insults after wearing pin on Election Day

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — A politically charged incident at Montague High School was the focus of the public comment period during Monday’s regular school board meeting.

According to public commenters, the incident in question took place on Election Day, when a boy wore a small pin to school in support of the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. The boy’s mother, Jen Hain, as well as the mother of one of the boy’s friends, Kelly Markley, spoke about the incident, with Montague library employee Ty Bortell also sharing what he heard from students discussing the incident later at the library.

According to all three, the boy was called a “baby killer” by at least one other student, was told to remove the pin under threat of physical violence,

and was told he should kill himself. The class’s teacher overheard the “baby killer” comment, referencing the Democratic ticket’s support of abortion rights, and told students they should not address political topics in that way, but nevertheless expressed that they too did not like the “baby killers.”

Hain reported that her son took the comments in stride because rhetoric like that has been common, which she said astounded her. She did report that the teacher later apologized to her son for their comment, and she also requested that in the future “the adults in the room” shut down such discussion before it reached the point it reached with her son. Additionally, she expressed pride in her son for standing up for his beliefs, which she said he’s come to have due to extensive research he does on history and international politics in his own free time.

As is board protocol during the public comment period, the board did not directly respond to any of the three comments, but superintendent Jeff Johnson said in a statement to the Mirror Tuesday, “Montague Area Pub-

lic Schools takes all reports of negative behavior seriously. We had already initiated a thorough investigation to understand what occurred and address any concerns. We are fully committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all students.”

Also at the board meeting, Johnson congratulated Cindy Francis for being re-elected to the school board; Francis said she has served on the board for 27 years, and her new six-year term will take her to 33. Emily Fullmer was also recognized for being elected to the board; she will replace vice-president Tom Johnson, whose term ends at the end of the year. Johnson did not seek re-election.

The board approved a purchase of a tilting skillet and combination oven from Douglas Equipment after putting the purchase out for bids. The two items together will cost just shy of $80,000 and will be funded by the food service budget. Jeff Johnson reported that the combination oven, as the name suggests, allows food service workers to cook multiple dishes at different temperatures at the same time, and the tilting

skillet also allows for a wide variety of different options that will help improve meal offerings for students.

During the monthly Meaningful Minute segment of the meeting, in which each building’s principal shares recent happenings at their school, Nellie B. Chisholm Middle School principal Jim Perreault thanked the board for its support of the school’s planned Chicago trip later this school year and reported that many students were signing up to go on the trip.

Johnson also gave interested parties a tour of the new arena next to the high school following the meeting. The courts have been placed in the new arena, and much of the construction has been completed. There is still work to do on preparing the interior of the new arena for hosting games, but the school is excited for the possibilities the larger space will offer. The official estimated completion date for the arena is next March.

Montague also officially approved two new hires - an Oehrli Elementary special education teacher who started last month and a food service worker.

By Andy

WHITEHALL — Whitehall city manager Scott Huebler informed the city council during Tuesday’s regular meeting that the Zellar Road work is set to be complete either at the end of this week or early next week.

The road work, which was necessitated by recent heavy rain damage, is being completed by White Lake Excavating at a cost of $80,440, the expense of which was approved at a Nov. 1 special meeting of the council so that the work could begin promptly.

Piping under Zellar Road will need to be examined to determine the extent of repairs necessary as well. The council approved a $32,000 bid from Plummers Environmental in Byron Center to assess and repair damage to the storm sewer.

The city will soon have to deal with another unexpected cost, as Huebler reported to the council that a Whitehall police car was recently totaled in an ac-

New bridge

and Duck creeks merge. This bridge will make it possible to walk over other wetlands in the DCNA and add another loop to the trails, making it possible to explore even more of the area.

“We’ve grown some funds already, so we’re hoping we can get some more funds over the winter, then in the spring we can start on the bridge,” Rice said. “This bridge will be 43 feet long, so it’ll be more impressive. We’ll work on the logistics of that over the winter. The boardwalk will be 600 feet long. We’d like to get the bridge done and the boardwalk started, and once funds become available, we will finish the boardwalk.

“It’ll give us a whole lot more exposure through the wetlands and let us explore more of that natural area. It’s quiet out there. You’ll hear the

Duck Lake fire station siren go off once in a while, but not much else. It’s a nice peaceful area right in the middle of Fruitland Township.”

Rice added that the Friends are grateful to

cident. Huebler said everyone involved was OK and that the police officer was not at fault in the accident. The council will be presented with pricing options at its next meeting. Another municipality, Huebler said, has a road-ready police car available to sell the city, and the nearby Fremont Ford dealership also has an available vehicle, but that one would require wiring work to be ready for police use and would not be ready for months.

The council unanimously (apart from councilman Jeff Holmstrom, who was absent) approved a Dec. 10 public hearing, to take place during the city council meeting, to discuss amendments to the Tax Increment Finance Authority and Local Development Finance Authority budgets.

Also Tuesday, the council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Whitehall District Schools regarding the use of a school resource officer (SRO). The SRO program has been in place for some time, originally funded by a

grant, according to Huebler, but since the expiration of that grant the arrangement had been informal. The MOU’s approval formalized the arrangement without a change to the involved finances.

The council praised the Department of Public Works employees for their work in leaf pickup to date. The DPW picked up those responsibilities from Lakeshore Leaf, which informed the city earlier this fall that it would be unable to fulfill a five-year contract it and the city agreed to last year. Councilman Scott Brown said the DPW is doing as good a job or better than Lakeshore Leaf did the year prior.

the township board for its support. He passes along frequent updates to the board, and the group’s Facebook page, Fruitland Trails, sees frequent additions as work continues at the DCNA.

”We’re happy with what we’ve done so far and looking forward to completing the bridge so people can enjoy this for a good long time,” Rice said.

Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Saturday, Nov. 16

Sip n’ Shop craft show @ Double JJ, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drink specials available at Curly Horse and Rustlers Roost throughout the day.

November Saturdays: Sound @ Muskegon Museum of History & Science. Experiment with seeing sound waves through their vibrations. Free for county residents.

Brian Fedewa performs @ Sawyers Brewing, 7 p.m.

Borrowed Time performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 19

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

Community Calendar

Family Storytime @ MADL Montague branch, 11:15 a.m. For kids ages 0 to 5 and their parents.

Digital Tutoring with READ Muskegon @ MADL Montague branch, 1-4 p.m. Get help with job searching, applications, websites, and understaning paperwork.

Wednesday, Nov. 20

Lunch & Learn with the West Michigan Symphony @ The Block in Muskegon, 12 p.m. Informal conversation with music director Scott Speck and special guests takes visitors behind the music.

Youth Open Studio @ ACWL-Nuveen Center, 3-5 p.m. Open to middle

and high school students. Students are welcome to bring in school art projects or anything they are working on and get help from ACWL-Nuveen staff.

Thursday, Nov. 21

Adult Open Studio @ ACWL-Nuveen Center, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring studio materials from home or explore available supplies in the classroom.

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

Original Dulcimer Players Club @ VAC, 1-6 p.m. All are welcome to listen and other acoustic instruments

are welcome to participate.

Friday, Nov. 22

Community Yoga @ Fruitland Twp. Hall, 10 a.m. Free to participate ($5 suggested donation), open to all ages and skill levels.

Holiday Walk begins, 2-8 p.m. Christmas tree lightings @ Artisan Market in Montague (5:30 p.m.) and @ North Mears Promenade in Whitehall (6:30 p.m.)

Tony Jarvis performs @ Sawyers Brewing, 7 p.m. The Murphy’s Law Band performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.

Echoes of History: Vessels - The Caleb Harrison

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor

The Caleb Harrison was built in 1854 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by E. Euniack and Thomas Davidson for C. Harrison of Milwaukee.

The schooner had two masts, was 93.9 feet in length, with a 20.9-foot beam and a depth of 8.1 feet.

On Oct. 20, 1875, the Caleb Harrison came ashore at Whitehall with a load of lumber. The schooner was bound for Pentwater, but with a storm coming up, Captain Dyke decided it would be advisable to make for port and wait for fair weather.

While attempting to enter the channel, it became evident the wind would carry them onto the north pier. To prevent this from happening, the captain let go of his anchor, thinking to swing around, then slip the anchor and come in. At this critical time, the sea left them and striking on the anchor, a hole was made in the bottom of the boat which then filled with water and sunk, obstructing the channel.

Capt. Dyke undertook the job of getting her up and towing her back to Grand Haven. He succeeded in getting her partially clear once, but the

heavy sea carried her on the beach, this time leaving her on her side and breaking one of her masts. Capt. Dyke then sawed off the remaining mast and dredged around her. The big sea of the next night carried her inside the piers.

The tug American Eagle towed Harrison up White Lake to Cook’s mill. The vessel was eventually repaired and continued to operate.

In 1879 the schooner was listed as being owned by Joseph Bellhouse of Whitehall, with a home port of Grand Haven listed.

On April 4, 1879, it was reported that Joseph Bellhouse had painted and refitted Harrison into first-class shape and she was the finest craft in port. It appears that he owned the vessel for about five years.

Joseph Bellhouse was born in England in 1824. He immigrated to Canada and then made his way to Whitehall. By May 1868, he had been operating a restaurant for 11 years near the depot.

Joseph married Grace Carter March 14, 1847. They had no children of their own.

They first appeared in the 1870 census, where he was listed as a saloon keeper.

In the 1880 census, Bellhouse was listed as a vessel owner. He was living in Whitehall with his wife and adopted niece and two nephews: Anne Caster age 16, Arthur Caster, age 12, and John Bellhouse Caster age 9, as well as his mother-in-law.

His nephew John died June 16, 1881 among the logs at Covell mill. He was just 11 years old.

Joseph Bellhouse died Dec. 28,

1893 at the age of 69. The estimated value of his personal estate was $450. His real estate value was $500, which was left to his widow Grace. She died March 13, 1894. There is no indication where either of them is buried locally. There was no further mention of the schooner until Oct. 30, 1898, when the Harrison was ”swept out of existence” during a storm while loading lumber in Lake Michigan at Whitefish Bay.

Visit downtown library ‘branch’ at Holiday Walk

By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor

Did you know the library has a pick-up locker in downtown Whitehall? Come check it out during the annual Holiday Walk this year! The White Lake Holiday Walk is scheduled for Nov 2223, and it will feature all the usual delights of the season – carriage rides, cocoa, carols, tree lightings, Santa sightings, shopping specials, and more.

lockers are a simple and convenient way to pick up the library books (and magazines, movies, STEAM kits, etc.) that you’ve requested. There are three locations to choose from – downtown Whitehall, Fruitland Township Hall, and at the library.

On Friday night, you can also pick up a free goody bag from the library and try out our handy downtown pick-up locker. Follow the signs and join us at the library locker unit, which is in the North Mears parking lot near the entrance to the Arts Council of White Lake–Nuveen Center. Library staff will be on hand from 5-8 p.m. to give away holiday treat bags and show you just how easy it is to use the lockers. The

The Holiday Walk is a White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce event that has helped kick off the holiday season here for more than 30 years. The tree lightings are always among the highlights. This year, the Montague tree lighting event starts at 5 p.m. at the Artisan Market Village and the Whitehall one starts at 6 p.m. in the North Mears Promenade, not far from the library lockers. For a complete schedule of Holiday Walk events, please visit whitelake.org. Be sure to check out the many business sponsors who provide the free carriage rides, trolley rides, and cocoa. We are so lucky to live in such a generous community!

FUN FACT: In November 2020, a small owl was discovered in the Christmas tree being set up at Rockefeller Center in New York City. The owl had been nesting in the tree when it was cut down in Oneonta, N.Y., and

made the 170-mile trip hidden in its branches. She was treated for dehydration at a local wildlife center and successfully released just a few days later. You can read all about it in either of these picture books: The Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish, or The Little Owl and the Big Tree by Jonah Winter. Holiday Hours

The library will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28-29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., though! If your house is overflowing with guests for the weekend, come on over to the library where you can enjoy our two fireplaces, the jigsaw puzzle table, the children’s corner, fast Wi-Fi, and of course books and magazines for all ages, all without spending a dime. Bring your own coffee, or buy a cup here for just $1.

Looking ahead, we will be closed all day Friday, Dec. 6, for staff training. Deck the Shelves Craft Night Dec. 2

Let’s create some holiday magic together! Adults are invited to get into the holiday spirit on Monday, Dec. 2, from 5:30-7 p.m. Come to the li-

brary to create a charming Christmas tree decoration! In this fun and festive workshop, you will transform an old paperback book into a charming Christmas tree and decorate it with various ornaments so it shines brightly for the holiday season.

All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring any special decorations you’d like to use. Whether you’re crafty or just looking for an evening out and a good laugh, this program is perfect for you. Space is limited, so sign up today. For more information and to register, visit wlclib.org/calendar.

DeMumbrum

• Courtesy Photo

Lake Mirror Lake Mirror

NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE community

Revenge is a well-played game for Vikes

Whitehall avenges last year’s district defeat with win over Big Rapids, earns trophy

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

BIG RAPIDS — Revenge was the easy narrative for Whitehall going into Friday’s district championship game at Big Rapids, but the reason the Vikings came out with a 17-7 victory and the program’s third district trophy in 10 years was not that they were determined to avenge last year’s stunning district final upset. It was because they did their jobs.

“For our kids, the best revenge we could have had was playing a good football game, and we played good enough,” Whitehall coach Tony Sigmon said. “We had things we’ve got to clean up, but we played good enough...It’s really about celebrating us. It’s about our team, it’s about our family, our group, and honestly, the greatest gift of all is more time. We get to have more time with our kids.”

Not only do they get more time, they get to prepare for a home game. The Vikings (8-3) will host Grand Rapids South Christian - the team that knocked them out of the 2022 playoffsFriday night after the Sailors upset topranked and unbeaten Unity Christian in another district final.

Whitehall’s defense was the driving force of the night, shutting out the Cardinals until the game was essential-

ly decided and allowing only 193 total yards. Sigmon credited defensive coordinator Keith Stratton with a terrific game plan.

“Maybe it’s lessons learned from the past, things that we felt like we wish we would have done differently last year,” Sigmon said. “We really had some time to scheme up on that, feel comfortable with it and then the kids stepped up in a big way.”

Big Rapids’ best scoring chance prior to a late touchdown that ended the night’s scoring was extinguished in the third quarter when Corde Anderson ripped the ball from a Cardinal runner in the red zone and Camden Thomp-

District champs

continued on page 5

Volleyball season ends for Montague, Whitehall

Wildcats reach finals with comeback win over Spring Lake

By

MUSKEGON — Throughout the season, Montague coach Gretchen Schneider has put her team into scrimmage situations where one side of the team has to rally from a deficit against the other. The losers have to, as she put it, “do some running.” The idea is to eliminate the fear of playing from behind.

It’s safe to say that paid off last Thursday night in the district semifinals, as the Wildcats rallied from what looked like a doomsday situation to defeat Spring Lake 2025, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18. With the win, Montague advanced to face top seed Fruitport in the finals Saturday.

The ‘Cats (28-13-4), having already dropped the first game, trailed 20-10 in game two and appeared on the verge of a somewhat stunning upset loss. However, Montague got a huge boost

• Andy

Roberts/Mirror

from Ava Pumford at a somewhat unlikely spot - the service line.

“I’m not sure how many she scored,” Schneider said. “It was five, six, or seven in a row. I think that was the turning point for us, because it showed resolve. She’s not one of our strongest servers. You always cross your fingers when your middle goes to the back (row).”

Pumford’s serving got Montague back in the game, but it still trailed 23-19 when Gentry Knop stepped to the line and delivered an ace. Spring Lake responded with a point, but the Wildcats roared back with a flurry of kills,

Vikes get off to good start, but fall to Fruitport in semis

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MUSKEGON — Whitehall had the early ingredients cooking for an upset last Thursday against top seed Fruitport in the district semifinals; the Trojans made some early mistakes and the Vikings played with confidence, building a 12-7 lead.

Then Fruitport called timeout, and a different team emerged from its huddle. From that point on, it was the Trojans’ match, and Whitehall couldn’t slow them down, losing 25-18, 25-15, 25-13.

Montague’s Jordan Netcott (in gray) keeps the ball in play as teammates Maizie Collins (left) and Kendi Rachow look on during last Thursday’s district semifinals at Orchard View. The Wildcats rallied for a 3-1 win.

Whitehall’s Sidney Shepherd (left) gets to a ball as teammates Lou Mulder and Kailyn Skuse (13) look on during last Thursday’s district semifinal at Orchard View. The Vikings lost, 3-0. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall’s team hoists the district championship trophy after defeating Big Rapids 17-7 for the title Friday night. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall’s Cody Manzo (9) tackles Big Rapids’ Garret Foster during Friday’s district finals game at Big Rapids. The Vikings won, 17-7. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall’s Camden Thompson (12) leaps to intercept a pass during Friday’s district finals game at Big Rapids. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Montague to finals

including a terrific tandem block by Reagan Cederquist and Jaelyn Sundberg to tie it at 24. After an attack error by Spring Lake, Maizie Collins then finished the game off with a kill.

From then on, it was Montague’s night. Outside of a brief deficit early in game four, the Wildcats never trailed again. Seniors Collins, Pumford and Sundberg led the way, along with the junior Cederquist.

“We went in our huddle and we just came out realizing that for all of us seniors, this (could be) our last game, so we really wanted it more than them,” Pumford said.

Pumford, Collins, Jordan Netcott and Knop each tied for the team lead with 14 service points each. Collins was the ringleader of the offense, racking up 16 kills. Schneider credited her as the emotional driving force of the team.

“I think everybody in the gymnasium saw when Maizie Collins turned on the fire, so that was just exciting to watch her,” Schneider said. “She lights it up and the team follows right behind her. She turned the momentum for us.”

Montague seized control of both games three and four around the midway point and never looked back, enthusiastically celebrating each point.

The ‘Cats are not usually a raucous team on the sidelines, but Schneider said her players knew from their experience playing with and against several of the Lakers in club volleyball that getting loud would benefit them in the game.

“There was a lot of purposeful cheering,” Schneider said. “They wanted to cheer and almost grind it in a little bit. They wanted to have a little bit more celebration so that they drove home their point.”

The coach added that her players did a good job carrying out the moves and countermoves that were part of a chess match between her and Spring Lake coach Ed Bailey, a legendary coaching figure in the area.

Maizie Collins spikes the ball at Fruitport’s Addison Bordeaux during Saturday’s district finals match at Orchard View. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

“We adjusted according to what we were seeing them do, and pretty soon you’d see Spring Lake adjust and we would adjust to that,” Schneider said. “It was an entire game of adjustments, and we just outlasted them. We had a couple more tricks up our sleeve than they did at the end.”

Wildcats ousted in finals

MUSKEGON — Fruitport made Montague pay for not converting on a chance to steal game one of Saturday’s district final at Orchard View, dominating the final two games to earn a 25-22, 25-14, 25-9 sweep and advance to the regional round.

The Wildcats (28-14-4), led by a serving run from junior Gentry Knop, scored five straight points down the stretch of game one to tie it at 20 and put them in position to snag game one and put some pressure on the top seed. However, consecutive Montague errors put Fruitport back on top, and the Trojans closed out game one.

“We came out strong, we played strong and we knew that we were at the end of our rope,” Montague coach Gretchen Schneider said of game one. “We gave everything.”

District champs

son scooped it up.

The Vikings, up three points, then methodically worked their way down the field, delivering a crushing blow early in the fourth quarter when Thompson scrambled to his left and found Hunter Osborne for a 29-yard touchdown. It was the first of two scores for Osborne, and the last of a remarkable series of plays by the junior receiver, who was on the receiving end of three key third-and-long conversion passes from Thompson. He later ran in the Vikings’ second touchdown and ended the night with 95 total yards, all of them enormous.

“There’s not really much to say, but I did it for those boys that graduated last year,” Osborne said. “I just had to do my thing and step up for my team. I couldn’t do it without my linemen or my blockers or any of that. We played great defense and if we didn’t do that and execute...I’m just excited. I’m hyped. I’ve lost the words because it’s just a crazy moment.”

In all, Thompson converted five third-and-longs through the air (Whitehall was 10-of-19 on the key down overall) and while the Vikings only scored

three first-half points - Judd Musk booted a 28-yard field goal on Whitehall’s first drive - those conversions helped Whitehall limit Big Rapids’ field position. Thompson was 7-of-8 for 142 yards and that one touchdown, showing the growth he’s made as a quarterback.

“Credit him, because a really good quarterback will keep his eyes downfield, and that’s exactly what he did,” Sigmon said of the pivotal touchdown. “He’s done a really nice job progressing, and he’s done a really nice job of embracing his role. He’s a big part of why we’re here.”

Thompson also extinguished any hope of a comeback for Big Rapids, intercepting a deep pass on the first Cardinals’ play after Whitehall went threeand-out with a 10-0 lead. That set up Osborne’s touchdown run, which came on a fourth-and-goal from the 11-yard line.

For Sigmon, it was “a total team win,” and the defensive statistics certainly reflected that, as no one had more than four solo tackles. Hunter Peterson, thrust into action due to one of the many injuries afflicting the White-

Montague did rally from a 6-0 deficit in game two to take an 8-7 lead, but after that, Fruitport took complete command and was never threatened again.

Even as the match progressed, Schneider said, the team was aware that repeating its comeback from two days prior against Spring Lake was a much taller order this time around.

“You could see it in their eyes when they came back after that first loss,” Schneider said. “Even though that’s how it played out on Thursday night for us, this one had a little bit different feel to it...They were not going to make the mistakes that Spring Lake made.”

The ‘Cats were unable to slow down Fruitport’s Sadie Haase, a Grand Valley State commit who looked every bit the star of the show Saturday, less at the net than at the service line. Haase went on a lengthy serving run during game three that buried Montague in a 18-3 deficit much too large to climb out of.

“Sadie, their middle, is a difference-maker, and she just kept them in the game,” Schneider said. “She was on. My playmakers were a little off today, and every one of them knew it. We struggled.”

The ‘Cats didn’t look to be in sync, possibly because of the pressure Fruitport constantly forced on their side of the net. The Trojans were there to turn

back almost any good Montague sequence.

“You can’t take anything away from Fruitport,” Schneider said. “They are volleyball-driven. They’re seasoned. They’ve been here before. They know what it takes.”

Maizie Collins led Montague defensively with 12 digs. She and Ava Pumford had three kills each. Knop had four aces. Jaelyn Sundberg posted nine assists.

It was Knop’s serving that seemed to drive what success Montague did have in the match. Schneider said Knop has been a serving asset her entire time on the varsity.

“She’s been the go-to server,” Schneider said. “That’s what she was brought to the varsity team for,  was serving. She has often been in the gym alone just serving baskets and baskets full of balls.”

Collins, Sundberg, Jordan Netcott and Ava Pumford headline a senior class of six that ended productive and lengthy Wildcat careers Saturday. Six juniors, though, will return, and Schneider said all are in it “for the long haul” as Montague looks to continue its success.

“We love volleyball at Montague,” Schneider said. “We’re building the program.”

hall lineup, was “an unsung hero,” with a pair of solo stops. Corde Anderson had six assists on tackles and had a sack in addition to his forced fumble.

Gavin Craner contributed 71 rushing yards, and the Viking offensive line largely kept Thompson upright, though he was taken down while trying to scramble a couple of times.

“This is certainly the most resilient group I’ve been able to coach in my time at Whitehall, but maybe even in the history of Whitehall,” Sigmon said. “With all the injuries that we have, los-

ing the people that we have, being beat up and nicked up, for us to be able to go and (beat) two great football teams,... this group’s just special. They’re special for a lot of reasons.

“Everyone’s chipping in on this one, whether it’s a long snapper, whether it’s a linebacker, defensive and offensive linemen, everyone has really been able to put their hands on that trophy and say, ‘I contributed to this.’ I’m just absolutely proud of this team because this is a really, really good football team, and doing it the right way.”

Whitehall’s Corde Anderson (10) rips the ball away from Big Rapids’ Jack Bollman during Friday’s district finals at Big Rapids. The fumble was one of two Viking turnovers forced in a 17-7 win. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Montague’s Jaelyn Sundberg keeps the ball in play for the Wildcats during Saturday’s district finals match against Fruitport. Montague lost, 3-0. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Montague’s

Local golfers earn postseason all-state awards

Four local golfers earned all-state honorable mention after excellent fall seasons that ended at the state meet.

Montague put two players on the honorable mention list in Division 4 - Braylyn Bultema and Cadence Fox. Bultema and Fox guided the Wildcats to a sixth-place finish at the state meet with consistent play that peaked at the right time. Bultema joined Wildcat alum Orianna Bylsma as the only Wildcats to lead a state-qualifying Montague team in scoring at regionals, and Fox led the ‘Cats in scoring at state with a two-day total of 194.

Whitehall’s Grace McDowell and Reeths-Puffer’s Sophia McCollum each earned honorable mention in

Divisions 3 and 2 respectively. McDowell, a senior, was the Vikings’ most consistent player in 2024 and finished with a flourish, scoring a 174 in the two-day state finals to finish in 21st place. McDowell and Lexi Daggett also each earned individual academic all-state honors, a prestigious award for senior golfers who play in the required number of events and have a high enough GPA.

The Vikings earned academic allstate recognition as a team too, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.518.

McCollum emerged as the Rockets’ top player in 2024 despite being a sophomore, qualifying for state and

Vikes season ends

Fruitport unleashed Grand Valley State commit Sadie Haase throughout the match, and the Vikings (17-20) did their best, but struggled to slow her down.

Coach Ted Edsall said Fruitport’s serving, too, was a huge factor in the match.

“Our ball control just didn’t hold up,” Edsall said. “They served fantastic. I said (to the girls) at the end, ‘I’m glad you guys were passing and I wasn’t,’ because they served super tough.”

Edsall has always been a champion of the philosophy that you can’t have a functional offense without strong serve receive and passing, and the Vikings, though playing with great effort, were unable to deliver that often enough to keep up with Fruitport. Whitehall hit for an .038 average on the night, a figure that doesn’t beat many good teams.

“We could have got that first game even after they came back,” Edsall said.

“We just couldn’t get in system enough. They’ve got a great player (Haase) and a bunch of kids, and they played good defense. We hit a bunch of balls that I thought were kills that they dug. They were better, and that’s how it works.”

Aaliyah Jamison led the Viking defense with 16 digs, and freshman Braelee Fogus made an impact with three blocks. However, for Whitehall the night belonged to four-year varsity players Sidney Shepherd and Bella Fogus, who ended strong careers with solid performances. Shepherd had 11 assists, and Fogus posted 10 kills and 11 digs.

“Sid and Bella were fantastic,” Edsall said. “It’s great because I coached them both for four years, and we’ve had our moments. I’ve had my moments with both of them. That’s what relationships are all about. We hugged here for a long time because I care about them a lot and I think it’s mutu-

earning GMAA medalist honors. McCollum placed 17th at the state meet with a two-day score of 168.

The Rockets also earned academic all-state recognition as a team, with a cumulative GPA of 3.924 for its re-

picked up academic all-state honors as well.

al.”

The future could be bright for Whitehall, which apart from Shepherd and Fogus did not have much experience on the floor Thursday. Jamison’s emergence as a strong libero gives the Vikings a future building block, and four other underclassmen saw playing time in the match.

Edsall ended the match content with how the season played out, maybe not as much with the record, but with the players.

“All year, we fought, and we played hard, and we practiced well, and they liked each other,” Edsall said. “The outcomes aren’t always what you want, but it was a really good team to coach.”

Montague Twp. approves Henderson Road repaving

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer

The Montague Township board approved a repaving of Henderson Road at its monthly meeting Tuesday night.

The decision was made at the request of residents who live near the road. The project will cost $295,000, but the township will only be expected to pay half the total cost. They are beginning to reach out to contractors with the idea of completing the project next spring.

The board also announced a re-

Delisting

representative Claire Schlaff. Schlaff announced that Dec. 4 will be the date for the third and final ‘visioning session’ for local residents wanting to share their thoughts on the future of Sadony Bayou, one of the areas most affected by the environmental issues that were first uncovered in the 1980s.

Cabala said it is “a tragedy” that more is not known about Warren Gene Dobson, the original whistleblower who was able to publicize that a large quantity of toxic chemicals were leaking from a dump site owned by Hooker Chemical. He was working at Hooker at the time, and Cabala said Dobson lost his job as a result of the publicity. Dobson passed away in 1997. Former

cord voter turnout for this past election. The township received a total of 976 votes, 235 of them being absentee and 62 taking place at the early voting location in Muskegon. They thanked residents for being respectful of other voters and of the poll workers. The board also shared enthusiasm in the wide range of age groups who showed up to cast their votes. They said there appeared to be many young voters, including a handful of day-of voter registrations and some elderly voters who rarely would cast their ballots in

previous elections.

The township announced it will receive $11,000 from the senior millage that was approved in the August election. Board members will determine how to best utilize those funds.

Jay Goodrich reported updates from the fire board, stating that they’re looking at replacing the roof that is due for an update. He said they plan on doing a metal roof because they maintain good quality for a longer period of time. The total renovation will

cost $36,000. He also shared the fire department will look into purchasing a new vehicle, ideally a pickup truck that will have a snowplow attachment. This would allow the fire department to do its own plowing during the winter, as opposed to contracting a company. The new truck will act as a backup vehicle in case a second vehicle is needed while the first one is being utilized. He said although the cost will be extensive, the fire board feels it is an important purchase for the township.

continued from page 1

county commissioner Ken Mahoney, another speaker at Sunday’s event, called Dobson “the hero” of the White Lake delisting story.

“We have to be eternally vigilant,” Mahoney added, noting that the work isn’t done at White Lake.

Cabala expressed pride at the work of cleaning up White Lake being largely “self-directed” and emphasized that there are areas where the lake can still improve its health. She closed the presentation by noting that Tom Thompson, also of the WLA, and she had co-produced a short historical overview of the White Lake cleanup, which Thompson then handed out to attendees.

gional starting five. It marks the third straight season R-P was awarded academic all-state. Senior Rowan Bluhm

Whitehall’s Bella Fogus sends a ball over the net during last Thursday’s district semifinal match against Fruitport. The Trojans won, 3-0. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Bultema Fox

McDowell McCollum

Police activity this week

ately from previous calls. The woman is a dementia patient who for a time did not remember her husband. The officer assisted the woman back to her home.

Nov. 6

A business in the 500 block of Colby St. reported it was the target of an attempted fraud. The business received an e-mail from a client requesting a change in an automatic deposit. The business began preparing for the change when an alert bank employee flagged the change as possibly a fraud. They did their own investigation and found that the e-mail was a fraud and stopped the change before any money was lost.

A resident of the 1000 block of Livingston St. called police after someone in the area was setting off fireworks. The officer’s report on the 6:27 p.m. call noted he could see the fireworks in the air but they stopped shortly after and he was unable to locate the source.

Nov. 7

At 9:12 a.m. Whitehall officers were dispatched to a possible “domestic” in the 400 block of Hanson St. When the officer arrived, he located an elderly couple and recognized them immedi-

A Whitehall officer on his break assisted Montague Police in a retail fraud. The officer was outside Montague Foods at about 12:05 p.m. when employees from the business came out and pointed to suspects who had just stolen food and alcohol from the store. The Whitehall officer followed the suspects and contacted the on-duty Montague officer by radio. The Montague officer was nearby and made a traffic stop to recover the items. The suspect was arrested and other property, stolen from other businesses was also recovered.

A barking dog was reported in the 300 block of Iowa St. at 7:14 p.m. The responding officer noted in his report that the dogs started barking only when he arrived and other dogs in the neighborhood also began barking. The first neighbor was contacted but no further action was taken.

Nov. 8

A resident noted what appeared to be someone building on a tree in Lions Park along the river. Concerned that it might be a hunting stand, the resident called police. The officer investigating the 10:27 call found what appeared to be kids building a tree house and a later call from another resident confirmed the suspicion.

At 5:50 p.m. Whitehall Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Muskegon Ave. on a complaint of an assault. When the officer arrived, he spoke with

the victim, who said her boyfriend had hit and pushed her. The officer noticed a mark above the woman’s eye, but also that she had great difficulty standing and appeared intoxicated. The man told the officer the woman had tripped on the rug and hit the coffee table. The case was sent to the Muskegon County Prosecutor for review.

Nov. 10

A Whitehall Township man was arrested and charged with OWI High BAC after being stopped for speeding at 12:17 a.m. An officer on patrol observed a vehicle on Colby Street near Division Street that appeared to be speeding and confirmed it with radar. The officer caught up to the vehicle and made the stop in the 3000 block of Colby, where the officer noted signs of impairment. After field tests, the 44-year-old was arrested and taken to the Muskegon County jail. A breath test was completed and based on the results the driver was charged with the enhanced offense and lodged.

Nov. 11

A family member of a group home residence called police after noticing the behavior of a caregiver there. The on-duty officer responded to the 1000 block of Alice St. at 8:30 p.m. and spoke with the caregiver. The officer noted signs of alcohol impairment and contacted supervisory staff for the home and notified them of the situation. The officer remained on-scene until other staff arrived.

Nov. 12

The routine check of a license plate led to a citation for DWLS. At 4:56 a.m.

the officer observed the vehicle on Warner Street and followed. The computer showed the car did not have insurance and the owner had a suspended license. Based on those offenses, the traffic stop was made on Market Street and the driver identified as a 31-yearold Whitehall man. The man’s license was suspended for failing to pay another citation. The officer cited the driver and transported the occupants of the vehicle to their residence.

A disturbance in the 1200 block of Colby St. led to a call for police. Whitehall officers responded at 1:15 p.m. and initially could not find a disturbance, but then one of the involved persons made a call. The situation involved two tenants who have a history of conflict. One resident was on their balcony while the other was in the parking lot as they exchanged threats and insults. The officer directed the two to work with the property management to work out their differences.

Whitehall Police responded to assist medical personnel on a call in the 100 block of E Muskegon Ave. The call was made at 7:25 p.m., when the man who resides there arrived home to find his girlfriend intoxicated. He told officers he had taken her identification so she could not buy alcohol but found that she had drank mouthwash to the point that a breath test showed her to be double the legal limit. The woman was transported to Trinity Hospital by ambulance and a referral for mental health intervention was also submitted to HealthWest.

White Lake Holiday Walk to kick off the season

The annual White Lake Holiday Walk will kick off the holiday season in the area and promote shopping at local businesses.

The event begins Friday, Nov. 22 from 2-8 p.m., highlighted by the annual Christmas tree lightings. The tree at the Artisan Market Village in Montague will be lit at 5:30 p.m., followed by the North Mears Promenade in Whitehall hosting a tree lighting

at 6:30 p.m. Both ceremonies will begin a half an hour ahead of the lightings and will include caroling from the respective schools, a visit from Santa Claus and complimentary hot cocoa. Children are invited to add ornaments to either community tree, including from make-and-take events at local businesses. Old-fashioned carriage rides will be available Friday from 5-8 p.m. near both Christmas

trees.

The fun continues Saturday, Nov. 23, with free trolley rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to travel to participating merchants in both Montague and Whitehall. Trolley pick up will be at the Artisan Market, but participants are welcome to wave the trolley down when they see it if they want a ride.

White Lake UMC hosting suicide prevention program

The White Lake United Methodist Church Health and Wellness Team will host a suicide prevention program Saturday, Nov. 23 at 12:30 p.m. at its Praise Center on Division Street in Whitehall. This will follow a 12 p.m. pizza and salad lunch.

HealthWest counselor Michael Pyne will be on site, introducing the suicide prevention programs available in Miuskegon County as well as previewing a free online program, QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade and Refer as three key steps in suicide prevention.

“(This) will give you some of the skills needed to help save the life of someone who is thinking about suicide,” reads the press release. “This evidence-based training helps to reduce the apprehension that you may feel when confronted with a person who wants to take their own life.”

HealthWest counselor Alecia Hughes, who works with families in local school districts, will describe her role. The Whitehall and Montague Hope Squads will also be part of the program, sharing their outreach stories, and Sandi Teichmer, who runs a local Held in Hope support group for those affected by suicide, will also describe her own outreach efforts.

hours: Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Office phone: 231-301-8149.

The Montague Artisan Market Christmas tree lighting, shown here from 2023, will be among the highlights once again at the White Lake area’s annual Holiday Walk, set for Nvo. 22-23.

• Madison Lajewski/Mirror File Photo

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NOW HERE’S A TIP #12345_20241104 FOR RELEASE NOV. 4, 2024

By JoAnn Derson

• On Nov. 18, 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax retired from baseball at age 30 due to chronic arthritis in his pitching arm and the fear that if he kept on playing he eventually would lose the use of his left hand. “In those days there was no surgery,” he said later. “The wisdom was if you went in there, it would only make things worse and your career would be over anyway.”

STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20241104 FOR RELEASE NOV. 4, 2024

By Lucie Winborne

• On Nov. 19, 2003, an arrest warrant was issued for singer Michael Jackson on child molestation charges. Though he was acquitted two years later of each criminal count on which he was tried, the “King of Pop’s” reputation still suffered many additional blows.

• On Nov. 20, 1820, the American whaling ship Essex, out of Nantucket, Massachusetts, was attacked by an 80-ton sperm whale 2,000 miles off the coast of South America. The 20 crew members escaped in three open boats, but only eight survived. Herman Melville’s classic novel “Moby-Dick” was partially inspired by the tragedy.

• On Nov. 21, 2019, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

• On Nov. 22, 1909, Clara Lemlich addressed a meeting at the Great Hall of New York City’s Cooper Union to consider a general strike in protest against poor working conditions across the garment industry. The ensuing months-long “Uprising of 20,000” eventually earned employees such concessions as a 52-hour workweek, four paid holidays a year and no fees for work-related materials.

• On Nov. 23, 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected president of Liberia, becoming the first woman to lead an African nation.

• On Nov. 24, 1928, the Federal Industrial Institution for Women, the first women’s federal prison, opened in Alderson, West Virginia. One judge described it as a “fashionable boarding school,” as the institution’s main purpose was to reform rather than punish the inmates, most of whom were serving time for drug and alcohol charges. Prisoners farmed the land and performed office work in order to learn how to type and file, and also cooked and canned vegetables and fruits.

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

• “I have to wear my hair tied back for work. With all the ponytails, I get lots of little broken hairs that stick up all over my head when it’s very dry or very humid, especially when I go from a wet, yucky outside to a dry, heated inside. I have tried lots of styling products that don’t work very well. Then a co-worker suggested a fabric softener sheet. I can’t believe it, but it works.”

— P.G. in Michigan

• If you have an ink stain on fabric, try blotting it with hairspray. Saturate the ink spot with hairspray and blot using a clean white cloth or nondecorated paper towel. Repeat until all the ink is gone. Make sure you test on an inconspicuous area first.

• For every degree you lower your thermostat during the heating season, you generally reduce your energy costs by 3% daily. Also, turn down the temperature setting on your hot water heater.

• Here’s a no-fail strategy for raking up leaves: Rake leaves into a single long line, preferably onto a sidewalk. Then turn a large garbage can on its side and sweep the leaf pile into the can, breaking to empty leaves into bags as needed. The raking goes much quicker when done in “stripes.” And bagging is faster as well.

• “I have one of those big wall calendars for work. When the year is over, the kids like to cut out the months into bingo cards. They use stickers to create both the bingo cards and the puller’s cards (the individual days and the different kinds of stickers). It’s a fun craft that uses their brain cells, plus recycles the paper calendar.” — Y.R. in Arizona

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

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

By Lucie Winborne

• The term “lawn mullet” means having a neatly manicured front yard and an unmowed mess in the back.

• Weird Al Yankovic wrote his parody song “The Saga Begins” before “Star Wars: Episode I” was released. Lucasfilm denied his request to see the film early, so he relied on internet spoilers for plot details.

• The human stomach can dissolve razor blades.

• In 1987, Steve Rothstein paid $250,000 for a lifetime unlimited first class American Airlines ticket. He even hopped on planes to get a sandwich or to go to a baseball game in other cities. It cost American Airlines around $21 million, and they ended his contract in 2008.

• In Italy, it’s considered bad luck to lay bread upside down — either on a table or in a basket.

• Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest drinking and pizza night of the year.

• When the Italian writer Umberto Eco visited Paris for the first time, he only walked down streets surviving from the Middle Ages. He was studying medieval history at the University of Turin at the time and was obsessed with the era.

• In an emergency, coconut water can be used for blood plasma, due to its high levels of sodium and low levels of potassium.

• There are beaches in the Maldives that glow in the dark.

• When pencils went into mass production in the 1890s, the finest available graphite to fill them came from China. Pencil manufacturers wanted everyone to know that they used only the best Chinese graphite, so they painted their pencils yellow, the traditional Chinese color of royalty.

***

Thought for the Day: “Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.” — Samuel Ullman © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Life EMS Ambulance opens third Oceana paramedic ambulance station to enhance countywide response

Life EMS Ambulance is pleased to announce the opening of a dedicated 911 paramedic emergency response location at 1616 M-20 in Shelby, aimed at enhancing service to the residents of eastern Oceana County.

The Oceana County Board of Commissioners, county administration, and other county leaders were invited to visit the facility following its Nov. 14 board meeting.

The station features 940 square feet of fully furnished living space, including a full kitchen/dining area, a workstation/office, a crew relaxation area and two bedrooms. An attached 728-square-foot heated garage provides ample storage for custom paramedic ambulances and is equipped with laundry facilities.

“It is critical we continue to ensure high-quality, reliable emergency medical care delivered with

skill and compassion for area residents and visitors when they become ill or injured, and this new location is symbolic of our continuing efforts to do that for Oceana County residents and visitors,” said Mark Meijer, founder and president of Life EMS Ambulance.

“As a locally owned and nationally known provider of paramedic ambulance care for 44 years, our

highly experienced EMS team is honored to continue bringing the skill and compassion that Life EMS Ambulance is widely recognized for in a highly reliable and cost-effective manner to area residents and visitors when they need it most,” added Meijer.

For more information, please contact Karen Kirchenbauer at (616) 450-8608 or visit www.lifeems. com.

Young leaders unite at Michigan Middle School Leadership Initiative at Miniwanca

About 40 students recently gathered for the Michigan Middle School Leadership Initiative, a youth empowerment program at Miniwanca in Shelby, Mich. In four days, they built a community and discussed how to create positive change at home, all through play, fun and reflection in the outdoors.

MMLI returned to Miniwanca this October for the first time since 2019. Students from four schools participated: Notre Dame Preparatory School in Pontiac, OJ DeJonge Middle School in Ludington, Pentwater Public School in Pentwater and Whitehall Middle School in Whitehall.

Miniwanca’s Michael Harter, who serves as Director of Conferences, Community and School Programs, said the goal of MMLI is to teach middle school students how to be active participants and agents of positive change in their local communities.

“By bringing together students from different schools in Michigan, our goal is to create an active community of middle school-aged leaders who are equipped with concrete leadership tools and ready to act should the opportunity present itself,” said Harter.

Miniwanca is one of two outdoor education facilities owned and operated by the American Youth Foundation, a youth development nonprofit. MMLI is funded through a combination of generous donations from local community

partners like the Oceana Community Foundation, individual school funding and the American Youth Foundation.

Whitehall teacher Aaron Boyd returned to Miniwanca for his 11th MMLI. “It’s a great opportunity for schools to get outside of their walls and explain how to go about student leadership,” he said.

Miniwanca staff facilitate four days of community building and leadership develop-

ment activities specifically developed for students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Advisors from each school observe the activities or partner with Miniwanca staff to aid in the curriculum, tailoring it to meet their students’ needs.

“The favorite moments are definitely watching the kids laugh and engage in their positive communities,” Boyd said.

MMLI lays the foundation for continued leadership opportunities when the students

return home. “During MMLI, each school group creates a plan to address a community need,” Harter said. “The Miniwanca team meets with each school quarterly to follow up on those projects, debrief and reconnect on lessons learned at MMLI.”

Pentwater teacher Kelly Sisung said her students plan to create a support group that, with the aid of a counselor, helps their peers navigate

stressful situations and resolve conflicts. This was the first year Sisung experienced MMLI and Miniwanca, and she was impressed at how much the program impacted her students.

“The confidence my students gained in themselves has stayed with them and the staff, and I see it in their daily interactions with the rest of their peers,” she said. “They are more willing to listen to others before they speak, and when they do speak, they do it in a way that reflects that they heard what the other person said.”

Harter said Miniwanca is thrilled to bring MMLI back to west Michigan, and he looks forward to welcoming more students next year. “As we are rebuilding the program, we hope to add more schools in 2025,” he said. “I encourage any interested schools to reach out for more information.”

Sisung hopes to bring more Pentwater students to MMLI at Miniwanca next year and urges other schools to join, too.

“Other schools should consider sending their students to MMLI because seeing your students in a different environment is an incredible opportunity,” she said. “As a result of being in that different environment, they sometimes show hidden aspects of themselves. They then bring that back to school and can be a catalyst for change.”

To learn more about MMLI, contact Harter at mharter@ayf. com.

Students and faculty from four schools joined Miniwanca staff to participate in teambuilding activities, canoeing and more at the Michigan  Middle School Leadership Initiative in Shelby. • Photos courtesy of the American Youth Foundation

New Pentwater village manager is following a childhood passion

By AnnaMae Bush The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

One might say that the new Pentwater Village Manager, Rachel Witherspoon, is following a path that began in her childhood.

“As an elementary student, I begged my parents to take me to city council meetings. What I found intriguing was boring to them, and they were not surprised that we were the only observers time after time.”

When her parents discovered they could tune into council meetings on the television, they were happy that Rachel was content to watch the proceedings from home.

Rachel’s interest in local government continued after her graduation from high school in Livonia, Mich. She attended the University of Michigan, Dearborn, for undergraduate degrees in both Economics and Business Administration, a minor in Political Science, and an MPA in Public Administration and Policy.

Her work in local government began already while she was a student in 2018-2019. She worked for a local council member who was deployed as a member of the National Guard. He attended meetings virtually, but she did things on his behalf and communicated with him frequently about constituent concerns. “The experience reinforced what I

already thought – that local government is the best form of government. It enables you to meet with constituents face-to-face, help them personally and see the impact your work has on their lives.”

While she was working on her MPA during Covid, the professor who was her program director became aware of an internship opening in Milford city government and encouraged Rachel to apply for the position. Milford was only 30 minutes away from Livonia, and she thought she could handle both a job and her studies, so she applied. Her supervisor in Milford became her mentor. The internship was only a yearlong position. But the Milford City Council was so pleased with her work that they created a position for her and asked her to continue working with them. She was serving as assistant city manager in Milford when she heard about the opening in Pentwater.

Some family factors came into play. “I come from a very close-knit family with two sisters and a brother. Although we lived in southeast Michigan, our hearts were always in West Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan. Our vacations were spent on Lake Michigan, usually in Silver Lake; and we would visit Pentwater whenever we could. My sister recently married into a family who owned a home in Silver Lake. What could be more beautiful than working in a community on Lake Michigan?”

She decided to apply, content to pray about it and wait to see what would happen. Invited to an interview, she was delighted. Offered the job, she was thrilled. She accepted the offer and began her official duties on October 21. Currently renting space above a downtown store, she hopes to purchase a home in the next year.

Rachel has wasted no time in immersing herself in her new job and her new community. She has met with key people and reportedly handled several issues well. She attends small group meet-

Village of Walkerville receives grants to help paint the Pioneer House

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

WALKERVILLE - The Village of Walkerville is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the Oceana Community Foundation to go toward the painting of the historic Pioneer House Museum, located in downtown Walkerville.

In last fall’s Community Foundation Community Assessment, stakeholders from across the Walkerville community expressed a desire to see the Pioneer House repainted. Since then, a Rebuilding Community Committee has formed and grants were applied for in hopes that enough funding would become available to preserve the museum’s exterior. The house was last painted 30 years ago.

“I would like to thank everyone that was involved with getting this grant, especially Sharon Hallack, who came to us with the idea. I’m excited about getting the Pioneer House refurbished. It will add to the life of the building for

years to come,” Walkerville Village President Mark Metts said.

“The Pioneer House Museum houses many wonderful Walkerville-related artifacts and historic documents. It is a hidden gem,” Hallack said, who volunteers on the Rebuilding Community Committee.

The Village of Walkerville got its start back in 1868, when Fayette Walker, who had moved to Leavitt Township from Warsaw, N.Y., felt Section 8 of Leavitt was a good place to start a village. As one of the oldest communities in Oceana, many area residents can trace their lineage to this pioneer settlement. Like any town, Walkerville has had its share of ups and downs, but it is also a community focused on the preservation of the place they call home.

“Having roots in Walkerville, as well as being the District 4 County Commissioner, I was very pleased with the turnout for the assessment. Working hand in hand with our foundation has made way for a better understanding of our

challenges. This grant to improve the Pioneer House is most welcomed! It is a good day to be a Wildcat!” said Paul Erickson.

“I am proud of everything that has been done in our little village in the last few years. We’ve gotten a couple new businesses in town, replaced streets and sidewalks, redone our park and our cemetery buildings too. I would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this happen. It has taken a lot of manpower and volunteers, and I appreciate each and every one of them,” concluded Metts.

Those interested in finding out more about the Walkerville community, its local business and what projects and activities are underway, are invited to visit https://walkervillethrives.org.

The Oceana Community Foundation awards grants through a competitive application and review process twice a year. Information on these grant rounds and how to apply can be found at https://oceanafoundation.org/grants/apply -

ings whenever possible, including the recent Pentwater Lake Improvement Board meeting. “I have felt warmly welcomed by so many members of the community. I look forward to working with the village staff, village council, local organizations and the community at large to maintain Pentwater’s charm while improving services and opportunities.”

When asked what she likes to do in her free time to relax, she smiled and replied, “Jigsaw puzzles. In fact, I started a practice here that I took with me from Milford. In my office in Milford, I always had a jigsaw puzzle in progress on a large table. I found that it encouraged staff to spend their break times engaged in non-threatening conversation about local concerns they might otherwise find difficult or awkward to talk about. It helped to increase cooperation and camaraderie. It was not a distraction from work.” This is to say, no one should not be surprised to find a puzzle in some state of assembly in the village office if theyn stop by. Rachel invites all to consider putting a few pieces in to help them!

ing-for-a-grant/.

The foundation envisions an Oceana where everyone has access to resources to thrive. It receives and manages contributions from people and organizations and has provided nearly $8 million in grants and scholarships back to the community since 1989. More information can be obtained by calling Tammy Carey at 231869-3377, logging on to www.oceanafoundation.org or following the Facebook page.

Rachel Witherspoon

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

The lonely beginnings of Greenwood

By Caleb Jackson

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

In the early days, Oceana was divided into just three townships: Pentwater, Stony Creek and Claybanks. Of course, a big pull for our region was the lumber trade, and so many of the early settlements in Oceana were centered around the earliest lumber mills built in the county. And as the lumber in those regions was depleted, lumber companies would shift to different regions of the county, creating new settlements, and ultimately leading to the development of new villages and townships. Greenwood is a prime example of this.

What we now call Greenwood used to be a part of Claybanks. The township was organized by the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 28, 1857, one of the earliest townships to be split off from the original three. The name of Greenwood is about as straightforward as they come and very apropos for a lumbering town. In “Oceana County Business Men and Pioneers of To-Day,” Hartwick and Tuller tell us that the name was selected “as being expressive of the appearance of her forests.”

The first supervisor of Greenwood was a man named Oliver Swain, and when names for the township were first discussed, Swain suggested it be called Oliver, after himself. However, another early settler, B. F. Moe suggested the name Greenwood instead, not only for the aforementioned reason but also because there were no other post offices with the name “Greenwood” in the state of Michigan at that time.

One thing that rings true for every early settlement is the sense of isolation, and that seems to have been even stronger for the settlements on the fringes of the lumbering region, such as Greenwood. The first settler was a man named H. D. Clark, followed by L. McCallum, A. McCallum, Amos Wright, L.T. Brown. B. Ish and “others.” Then came Oliver Swain and Judge Camp, settling in a different region of the township, and finally B. F. Moe, who situated himself between the two budding settlements.

Page’s History of Oceana gives us a glimpse of the isolation experienced by Greenwood’s earliest settler, H. D. Clark. He arrived in Greenwood in 1855 and built “a rude shanty of score blocks and bark…” It is then written that “after about five weeks of lonely blessedness, he

heard, one evening, the welcome sound of a human voice—that of Amos Wright, who asked if he wanted company. One may be sure that never was Robinson Crusoe so delighted at finding Friday, as Clark was to hear the cheery sound of a human voice, and to grasp the hands of Wright and that of the sturdy, honest Scotchman who accompanied him, Mr. Lachlan McCallum…” We are also told that when the time came for Clark to raise his log house, “he had to scour the country for nine miles around to get men enough to assist in the raising.”

Page’s History of Oceana also discusses the difficulties by which the early settlers arrived in Greenwood. It is first noted that the township was settled very slowly, “as it was a dense lumbering region, and only as the lower portions of the country, bordering on White River, began to be exhausted of their timber, did Greenwood begin to be sought out by the early lumberers.” To arrive in Greenwood, the settlers and their belongings were transported over the rapids by pole boats, and then brought to their future homes by oxen, “or oftener, by forest trails, on the backs of settlers and their obliging neighbors.” Sometimes, though, the early settlers were “dumped down” on the

Ever wonder what it would be like to share your life with an undercover cuddle agent? Meet Ruth, a pint-sized tabby detective who’s got the art of sneaking up for snuggles down to a science. At first glance, Ruth may come off as a tad shy – she’s like the quiet one at the back of the class, watching everything with those big, curious eyes. But give her a minute, and you’ll realize she’s just plotting her purr-fect moment to wiggle her way into your heart.

If you’re ready to adopt Ruth, remember: you’re not just getting a kitten – you’re signing up for a lifetime membership to the Tabby Snuggle Society.

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

L.A.S.S.I. provides free dog ID tags to all Oceana County residents. To request tags, send a text to 231-730-3906. Free tags are also available at the Oceana County Animal Shelter.

north side of Muskegon Lake. From there, they would have to walk to the White River post office, and from there, take pole boats up the river, or travel by a team of oxen, “and often in fording the streams they stood in imminent danger of drowning.”

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Greenwood township was 1,175 as of 2023, a far cry from the privation felt in the early days of the township, and a liberty we get to enjoy because of the original settlers who lived through that isolation.

Ongoing

MONDAYS: Free yoga, Lakeside Rehab Family Fitness, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

TUESDAYS: TOPS, Hart Wesleyan Church, 5 p.m.

3rd TUESDAYS: Pentwater Jr. Women’s Club - Feeding America W. Mich. mobile food pantry, Pentwater Fire Dept., 11 a.m.

WEDNESDAYS: Love INC satellite open, Walkerville Wesleyan Church, 144 S. Hamon St., noon to 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS: Good News Club, Faith Christian Fellowship, Hart, 4-5:30 p.m.

1 st & 3 rd

WEDNESDAYS: Free community dinner, all are welcome, 5-6 p.m., Hart Wesleyan Church.

1st & 3rd WEDNESDAYS: Hart VFW Post 1329 Burger/ Chicken/Brat/Ribs Night, 5-7 p.m., dine-in or carry out. Every other WEDNESDAY: Shelby Optimist Club meetings, Stony Lake Inn, 7-8 p.m., (September to May)

2nd & 4th WEDNESDAYS - True North Housing Assistance satellite open, Walkerville Wesleyan Church, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

FRIDAYS: Preschool Story Hour, HAPL, 11 a.m.

1st FRIDAYS: Free Soup Supper, Ferry Community Center, 5-7 p.m.

2nd & 4th FRIDAYS: Knights of Columbus Bingo, 6 p.m., St. Gregory Parish Center, 214 S. Peach Ave. in Hart, doors open at 4 p.m.

1st Saturdays: Baby Pantry, Trinity Lutheran Church, 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd., 8:30-10 a.m. (note new date)

The Ladder Community Center: M-F: The Ladder is open for adults (18+) 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays: Celebrate worship gathering, 6:30 p.m. Complete schedule at: theladdercommunitycenter.com

Great Start Play & Learn Groups at DWECC

Parents of children ages birth to four years old are invited to participate in three upcoming “Play & Learn” groups being offered by the Great Start Collaborative of Mason, Lake and Oceana Counties. These casual gatherings will be held every other Friday, Nov. 22, Dec. 6 and Dec. 20 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Room 10 of the Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center, located at 306 W. Johnson St. in Hart.

Early Head Start teacher Katy Cook has been instrumental in getting the group going again. which hasn’t been active since covid, said Center Director Andrea Degen. The playgroups are open house style and offer a variety of different fun and engaging stations for all ages of preschool children.

“The group is not only great for kids, but it gives moms a chance to connect as well,” Degen said. “By having the group located in our preschool building, it familiarizes parents and children with our center and district. We can also connect with them to see if they need other resources,” added Degen.

There’s no need to register; parents and children can just show up. All playgroups have preschool staff present and available to assist and answer questions. For more information, parents are invited to visit facebook.com/greatstartmlo or call the ECC office at 231-873-6201.

PLA Board Meeting set for Nov. 18

The Pentwater Lake Association board of directors will meet Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Centenary Methodist Church at 82 N. Hancock St. in Pentwater. The public is invited to attend and asked to enter at the Hancock Street Hall entrance.

Membership in the Pentwater Lake Association is open to all individuals interested in the lake, its natural resources and water quality. Members do not have to own lake property in order to join the non-profit organization.

More details and past meeting minutes are available on the Pentwater Lake Association website at www.pentwaterlakeassociation.com.

Give thanks supper and worship event at The Ladder

The Ladder Community Center in Shelby invites everyone to join them Thursday, Nov. 21 as they gather to give thanks. They will begin at 6 p.m. sharing a simple Fellowship Supper of soup and bread. Sign-up is required for the supper. Please sign up by 5 p.m. Nov. 15 by calling (231) 259-0211 or visiting The Ladder’s office. Those who would like to bring a gratitude dish to share, please indicate the type of dish (dessert, fruit, etc.) when signing up. Please know, one is not expected to bring a dish. Your presence is their joy! From 7 to 8 p.m., they will sing and share testimony of God’s goodness. Sign-up is not needed for this portion of the event. If anyone is unable to join them for the supper, they will miss out, but their presence is welcome at 7. The Ladder Community Center is located at 67 N. State St. in Shelby. For questions, call The Ladder at (231) 259-0211.

Sharing Stories of past traditions at The Ladder

We invite all adults 18 and up to join us at The Ladder Community Center in Shelby on Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for Share Our Stories (SOS). This month’s SOS theme will be “Traditions from the Past.” Share your memories of customs that are rarely or no longer practiced, such as shivaree (wedding hazing), schoolchildren secretly hanging May baskets on neighbors’ doors, or other traditions practiced by your family, school, church or community.

SOS is a monthly event held at The Ladder, where people gather and share memories, photos, and other memorabilia from Oceana County. There is no additional cost for registered adult members 18+. Events are subject to change. To inquire about an event, or if you have ideas for future topics of interest for SOS, call The Ladder at 231259-0211. Visit theladdercommunitycenter.com to view all our upcoming events.

November

Nov. 1-23 - Poets’ Houses art installation by Karen Antrim and Frank Galante, Ludington Area Center for the Arts.

Nov. 15 - Feeding America Food Truck, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Oceana County, Shelby Middle School, 525 N. State St., Shelby, 5 p.m.

Nov. 18 - After School Movie, Hesp. Comm. Library, 3:30-5 p.m.

Nov. 19 - Red Cross Blood Drive, Hart VFW, 802 S. State St., Hart, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Nov. 19 - Tech Time, Hesperia Comm. Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Board Meeting, 4:30-6 p.m. and Preparing for Retirement Workshop, Community Room, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Nov. 19-23 - Shelby Area District Library “Celebration of the Holidays, 189 Maple St., during regular open hours.

Nov 20- All Pro Dads, Oceana Christian School, 3258 N. 72nd Ave., Hart 7:30 a.m.

Nov. 20 - Adult Book Club Movie, Hesp. Comm. Library, 5-7 p.m.

Nov 21- All Pro Dads, New Era Christian School, 1901 Oak Ave., New Era, 8 a.m.

Nov. 22 - Matinee Movie, Hesp. Comm. Library, 1-3:30 p.m., Family Fun Night, 6-7 p.m.

Nov 22- All Pro Dads for Spitler Dads, Diman-Wolfe ECC, 306 W. Johnson St., Hart, 7:45 a.m.

Nov. 22 - Story Time, Hesperia Comm. Library, 10-11 a.m.

Nov. 22-24 - Hart High School Drama Club, “A Wrinkle in Time,” Hart Auditorium, Nov. 22-23, 7 p.m. and Nov. 24, 2 p.m.

Nov. 23 - Friends of the Library Book Sale and Photo Contest Popular Vote end, Hesperia Comm. Library, all day.

Nov. 23 - Harvest Hustle 5K and Fun Run, to benefit Relevé Dance Performance Team, 2248 N. Comfort Dr., Hart, 9:30 a.m.

Nov. 23 - Pentwater Athletic Boosters Pie Pickup, 600 Park St., Pentwater, noon.

Nov. 25 - Versiti Blood Drive, West Michigan Research Station, 5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, 8 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

Nov. 26 - Pentwater National Honor Society, Blood Drive, PPS library, 600 Park St., 10:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 26 - Praise ‘n Pies Thanksgiving Service, St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 7410 W. Johnson Rd., Shelby, 6:30 p.m.

Preparing for Retirement workshop in Hesperia

Do you wake up at night wondering if you’ve saved enough for retirement? Ease those worries at Hesperia Community Library on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m., from Patsy Jud, MBA, Investment Advisor Representative at Anchor Wealth Advisers. In this informational session, learn how much money you’ll need to retire as well as how to decide the best time to retire. Hear about the greatest risks to your retirement and ways to invest. Registration appreciated but not required. Please call the Hesperia Community Library to register at (231) 854-5125.

29th Annual Holiday Fundraiser to begin at SADL

This year the 29th annual Friends of Shelby Area District Library fundraiser, “Celebration of the Holidays,” will take place Tuesday, Nov. 19 through Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Shelby Library with over 50 displays, table decorations, gift baskets, wreaths and themed life-like trees available for silent auction bidding. The community is invited to view the beautiful displays during regular Shelby Library hours and place bids until noon on Saturday, Nov. 23, or call the library at 231-861-4565 to place bids by phone. The holiday displays may also be viewed on the Shelby Area District Library Facebook page. A “Buy it Now” table will have priced holiday items for sale. Proceeds from this fundraiser assist with the purchase of new books, materials for programs like Storytelling, Princess/Pirate parties, upgrades to the library and arts/crafts activities.

“Many unique items will be offered for sale or silent auction that you won’t find online or in stores,” said Cindy McKinnon, president of Friends of S.A.D.L. “If you are looking for an unusual gift or want something that will refresh your home décor, this holiday sale has so much to offer with proceeds benefiting the Shelby Library!”

The Friends of Shelby Area District Library are also sponsoring a chance to win a beautiful holiday basket. For each donation of $10 or more, an ornament with the donor’s name (or anonymous) will be on display in the Shelby Library with the donor’s name entered into a drawing for a Friends Gift Basket filled with gift certificates and holiday goodies valued at more than $250! Local businesses participating with gift certificates and merchandise include Woodland Farm Market, Artisan Restaurant in New Era, Pizza Factory, Birch & Blossom Florist, Images, Blondies, Lakeside Rehab and Family Fitness Center, Stony Lake Market, Affordable Auto, Storybook Village, Stony Lake Inn, The Farmhouse Restaurant, Claybanks Pottery and more. To participate, pick up an entry form at the library and leave a donation of cash or check made out to Friends of S.A.D.L. or mail your donation to: Friends of Shelby Area District Library, 189 Maple St., Shelby, MI 49455. Drawings for two Friends Holiday Baskets will be Dec. 19 with winners notified by phone.

Poets’ Houses on display at LACA through Nov. 23

Places of Our Lives in Oceana County

Country Dairy: Looking Back… Part I

By Janet Hasselbring

Poets’ Houses is a collaboration between ceramic artist Karen Antrim and pastelist Frank Galante that provides an opportunity for young people and art lovers to experience images, objects and words. The exhibition, which is currently on display at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts through Nov. 23, consists of works that explore 2D and 3D compositional strategies, constructing a visual expression of the world that inspired some of the English language’s most treasured poetry. The images and objects in this exhibit are the distillation of readings, photos and visits to the poets’ houses, far and wide, in England and America.

The images and sculptures of houses included in this project are those of Walt Whitman, Sylvia Plath, Maya Angelou, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Theodore Roethke, Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, John Keats, Lord Byron, Dylan Thomas and T.S. Eliot. The artists said that there are so many others deserving attention, but at present, these were the most accessible as motifs.

If possible, Antrim and Galante would like to reach out to local educators in hopes of making this a multidisciplinary, immersive experience for local students, with poems posted and possibly readings in the gallery (lectures, poetry readings, etc.) along with the visual works. They believe such a multi-faceted project will be a delight and of real cultural benefit to the community.

“Though I enjoy painting in oils, pastel is my preferred medium, and landscape and still life painting are my preferred subjects.  Structures in my landscapes have always functioned as compositional elements, with an emphasis on rhythm and harmony. I then let the work speak for itself, as it is my firm belief that art picks up where words leave off,” Galante said. “Though these are indeed somewhat accurate renderings of poets’ houses, their primary value to me are as works of art. I leave it up to the viewer to attach their own narratives to my images, if indeed narratives are necessary. All that is needed is a love of beauty.”

“As a 3-dimensional ceramic sculptor, creating works for the Poets’ Houses exhibit has presented me with artistic challenges that are both unique and appealing. Having traveled extensively throughout the world and being attracted to the antiquities, I have naturally gravitated to the historic districts and rural settings,” Antrim said. “It is among the architectural gems they contain that I find inspiration in the early homes and buildings found there. The creation of clay sculptures of the houses for his exhibit presents an ideal opportunity to express the influence of these experiences on my artistic vision.”

For more information please visit www.ludingtonartscenter.org.

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

Country Dairy, a Centennial Farm + 25 years, traces its beginning to 1901, when my grandfather, Andrew Van Gunst, purchased 40 acres of virgin land a mile and a half north of New Era, Mich. Andrew emigrated to America from Friesland; however, within a year of arrival, his parents and sibling died, leaving him an orphan. He lived with rel atives, working for his room and board, until the age of 21, when he struck out on his own. He married Jane Grin wis; they had four children – three daughters and a son, Henry, my father, born in 1909. The farm, now 80 acres, consisted of six dairy cows, a team of horses, a few ap ple trees, grassland, and lots of weeds to cull and trees to cut down. Over time, Andrew would plant cherry trees and raise corn, potatoes, and hay.

As a child, Henry helped milk the cows and worked in the fields with the horses. He picked cherries in the summer and potatoes in the fall. He helped his mother with their flock of chickens; money from the eggs they sold was used for groceries.

My father loved to tell stories about growing up on the farm:

On wintry, snowy Sundays, Andrew would harness his spirited filly, Belle, to the cutter and drive the family to church. Henry recalls his mother, Jane, tossing the children, one by one, into the cutter as Belle circled the yard. Finally, free to run, Belle hit the open road, covering the mile and a half to town in less than 5 minutes. He also remembered the time Jane’s relatives visited. One of the men wanted to take Andrew’s 1917 Dodge for a spin; however, the gas lever on the Dodge worked just the opposite of the one on his Model T Ford, so when he tried to stop, he accelerated instead. Confused, he drove furiously around and around the yard,

circling an apple tree. He finally slammed into the tree, bringing down an avalanche of apples and seriously damaging Andrew’s car. He was white with fright, but not injured.  Henry married Ellen Postema, a city girl, in 1936. They were a dashing couple. Henry may have been from the country, but he was no bumpkin. Tall, dark and handsome, he was often compared to the evangelist, Billy Graham. Ellen, too, was bright, talented and determined. Nothing in her life, growing up in a comfortable well-to-do home in New Era, could have prepared her for the stark reality of living on (and off) the land, and though she lived only a mile and a half from the farm, it could have been a hundred miles, so great was the contrast between her leisurely, bountiful life in town and the life she would experience on the farm; yet, Ellen threw herself into her new life with determination and optimism, for she loved Henry with all her heart and she was totally committed to their life together.

When they returned from their honeymoon in the Wisconsin Dells, and Henry, the romantic, scooped up his petite bride (all 5’4” and 90 pounds of her) and deposited her gently over the threshold onto the kitchen floor, their life together officially began.

Their lives would be shaped and fashioned by the farm, but, in return, the farm would forever bear the stamp of their presence. An indication that their legacy is felt on the farm today? Grandpa’s Vanilla and Grandma’s Chocolate were the first two flavors of ice cream that Country Dairy produced.

Stay tuned for Part II

*Much of the content of this article comes from “In the Garden, Ellen: An Ordinary Woman; An Extraordinary Life,” the memoir I wrote of my mother and her time on the farm, where she found God’s plan for her life. The book can be purchased by contacting the author at janethasselbring23@gmail.com

Henry Van Gunst and Ellen Postema circa 1933

The Warren G. Varney Memorial Veterans Day 5K

Shelby Optimist Club volunteer members inducted as 2024/2025 club officers and board members include, standing from left to right: Chris Griffin, Jeremy Gowell, Rob Splane, Deana Fox, Greg Siebert, Travis McLouth, Matt Williams, Ross Field and Austin Garcia. Eric Fox, far right, presided over the ceremony.

Shelby Optimist Club inducts officers, board members

In addition to the regular meeting of the Shelby Optimist Club on Oct. 9, 2024, nine members were inducted to serve in leadership roles for the club.

Officers for the 20242025 service year include: Travis McLouth,president; Deana Fox, vice president; Chris Griffin, secretary; and Greg Siebert, treasurer. Board members for the upcoming year are: Ross Field, Austin Garcia, Jeremy Gowell, Rob Splane and Matt Williams. Presiding over the induction cer-

emony was 30-plus year member and past president of the club, Eric Fox. Erin Stark will be sworn in as a board member at a later date.

The Shelby Optimist Club has served its community for over 75 years as a nonprofit membership organization created and operated by volunteers to be a “Friend of Youth” in Oceana County. Proceeds from membership dues, fundraiser events and rentals of the Shelby Optimist Club building are donated to support Oceana youth

obituaries

Cheryl Edna Holden

November 15, 1956 ~ November 5, 2024

Cheryl Edna Holden, 67, of Hart, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. She was born in Flint on Nov. 15, 1956.

Sherry enjoyed family dinner gatherings and time with friends. She loved music, dancing, and singing in the car.

Cheryl is survived by: her children, Nicole and husband Corey Owens of Mt. Morris, Mich., Chris and wife Sarah Andritisis of Holton, Mich. and son, William Agy of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Korena, Nicholas and Seth; mother, Carol Martin of Pentwater, Mich.; siblings, Randy Holden and wife Debby of Co lumbia, Tenn., Brad Holden of Flint, Mich., and sister Sue Payne of Hart, Mich.; many nieces and nephews; her dear friend, Patricia Huffman; and her faithful dog, Alphie.

Cheryl was preceded in death by: her father, Bernard Holden; grandparents, Ralph and Hulda Holden and Francis and Edna Gauvin.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Hart United Methodist Church, 308 S. State St., Hart, MI 49420, with a luncheon to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to: the Oceana County Council on Aging or the Hart United Methodist Church.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com

Sherron Marie Desik

Sherron Marie Desik, 82, of Pentwater, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her children. She was born May 15, 1942, in Flint, Mich.

Sherron was a remarkably skilled self-taught seamstress. She was also talented with cross-stitch, knitting and crocheting; many will continue to be blessed through the many crafts that she gifted throughout the years.

Sherron also enjoyed excursions with the ‘girls,’ rides to the beach and going out to eat. She was an avid reader and had a love for plants. Sherron was known to be a strong-willed and straightforward woman, as well as a loyal friend. Above all, her family was the center of her world, and she loved them deeply.

and related activities, events and organizations.

New members are always welcome. The club meets every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Stony Lake Inn, unless otherwise indicated. For information about the Shelby Optimist Club, visit shelbyoptimist.com or follow them on Facebook.

Sherron is survived by: her children, Kelly (Ken) McClane, Kerrie (Tim) Goode, Keely (Terry) Williams and Steve (Amanda) Cavazos; grandchildren, Steven (Heather), Steve (Kelly), Sara, Tilar (Andrew), Mason (Karen), Gabe and Eli; great-grandchildren, Kenley, Hannah, Jase, Charley, Benjamin, Terry and Stella; brothers, Gary (Carla) Wilson and Howard (Marcia) Wilson; and her faithful companion, Maggie, who never left her side.

Sherron was preceded in death by: her husband, Bruno Desik; her father, Howard Wilson; and mother, Irene (Stanley) Mikula; and sisters, Dawna and Wendy.

In accordance with Sherron’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com

NOTICE:

The Golden Township Board is looking for residents of Golden Township who would be interested in serving on the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, the Board of Review, Road Committee, or Park Committee. The Township hopes to recruit individuals who are interested in preserving and promoting the future of Golden Township both environmentally and economically. If you would like to become an active member of the community, please submit your letter of intent by Dec. 1, to Golden Township Hall, PO Box 26, Mears, MI 49436. Please include why you are interested in the position. Please contact the Golden Township Hall at 231873-4413 for more information.

- Rachel Iteen, Golden Township Clerk

• Brendan Samuels/Echo

Hart High School to present ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ Nov. 22-24

By Stacia Erickson and Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema The Oceana Echo Community Correspondents

Hart High School will proudly bring the 1962 classic “A Wrinkle In Time” to life in their upcoming stage production.

Olivia DeBrot, a senior at Hart High School and veteran actor with 10 shows to her credit, portrays the lead character, the stubborn, young heroine “Meg Murry.” Readers may remember that the character of Meg joins forces with Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, alongside her brother Charles Wallace, who is played by Carson Jensen, who has an equally impressive theatrical resume to his credit.

Calvin O’Keefe, played by Asher Zost - a freshman new to the program - along with other memorable characters, join forces with a fun cast of characters as they work to battle the forces of evil to rescue Meg’s father, save humanity and help Meg find herself. By the end of the show, the audience will come to realize two things: love can overcome evil, and there is such a thing as a tesseract (which is defined in this way as a fifth-dimensional bridge that allows the characters to travel through both space and time).

This one-hour-long production offers families with young children, along with audiences of all ages, a

masterfully retold story in a fresh yet enduring style. An amazing cast of 16 high school students and a tech team with another four constitutes a cast and crew consisting of 20 teenage thespians to provide audiences with a fabulous pre-holiday entertainment opportunity!

Directed by Hart High School Drama Club alumni (Class of 2000) Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema, this fall production is her return to the Hart theatre family. Davis-Dykema has a long-held passion for youth theatre education and worked for many years under the famous Hart theatre creator Tom Kirk’s mentorship in the Oceana Summer Youth Theatrical program. Cindy Beth said she is honored to return to share her love

of theatre and arts leadership in her hometown community of Hart. She is currently the arts education director for White Lake Youth Theatre and assistant manager of The Playhouse at White Lake and runs the year-round youth arts education program in the 108-year-old theatre.

Hart High School Theater and Programs Coordinator Phil DeBrot said this performance of “A Wrinkle In Time” is “creatively told by an ensemble who narrate the story with their movement and create their own sound effects and voices. Design aspects were also chosen by the teens themselves!”

Shows will be held Nov. 22, 23 and 24, with evening performances on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday

CAST OF “A WRINKLE IN TIME” Meg- Olivia DeBrot

Charles Wallace - Carson Jensen

Calvin - Asher Zost

Mrs. Whatsit - Faith Vander Vlucht

Mrs. Who - Beverly Wagner

Mrs. Which - Anaya Vander Zwaag

Father & Red Eyed Man - Deegan Symons

Mother - Izabela Hernandez

ENSEMBLE CORE COMPANY

Cole Reigler, Elizabeth Barnum, Zaleigh Smith-Holewinski, Chloe Seymour, Vanessa Wagner, Izabela Hernandez and Alliah Hall

Ensemble additions for various scenes

Samuel Escamilla- Dennys/Little Boy Ashlyn Smith - Sandy (brother to Meg) Singing/Voiceover

TECH TEAM

Sound Design: Kayla Kumzi

Stagehand: Alex Rieger

Lights: Aidan Oomen

Artistic Direction: Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema

Technical Director: Phil DeBrot

at 7 p.m., and a 2 p.m. matinee show on Sunday.

To reserve seats, tickets can be purchased online at https://cur8. com/16650/project/127093

Tickets will also be sold at the door until one hour before showtime on the day of the performances.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students

Learn more at https:// www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100085916053653

Pentwater falls to Big Rapids Crossroads in district finals

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

PENTWATER – Taking down one of the West Michigan D League’s best proved to be too tall an order for the Pentwater Volleyball team. The Falcons fell to Big Rapids Crossroads Charter Academy (BRCCA) in the Division 4 district finals, Friday, Nov. 8.

The first set between the Falcons and Cougars was dominated by the latter. BRCCA continually found ways to paint the perimeter of the court with serves and tips that pushed them out to a 6-0 lead. Pentwater was able to cut the lead to within five points on multiple occasions, but never got closer than that as BRCCA ran away with a 25-11 win in the first game.

Set two started much

like the first, with BRCCA pushing the tempo and taking a 9-5 lead early. Great defensive efforts from Pentwater were not enough to keep them close as the Cougars built their advantage to ten before the Falcons made a late rally. Fighting back from a 24-13 deficit, Pentwater brought it to 24-18 before BRCCA shut the door and took a 2-0 set lead.

Battered and bruised, Pentwater found a good start to the third set. After dropping into a 3-0 hole initially, the Falcons came back within a point. BRCCA noticed the shift and took their own play to an entirely new level, snagging control and taking advantage of mistakes by Pentwater to cruise to a 25-8 win and a 3-0 sweep.

Pentwater ended their year with a 9-16 overall record.

SPORTS

Shelby volleyball downs Hart, claims fourth straight district title

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – For four years Shelby volleyball has housed the talent of Navea Gauthier and, for four years the Tigers have claimed district titles. The latest for Shelby came on their home court in a 3-0 sweep over rival Hart, Thursday, Nov. 7.

Hoisting that trophy and collecting individual medals were far from surprises for the Tigers, that’s always been the expectation. In 2021 when Gauthier first shook Head Coach Tom Weirich’s hand after a district finals win over Hesperia, she looked at her coach and made a promise – three more years of district titles to come.

“Four years of it and tonight again, she looked at me and told me ‘there’s our fourth baby’,” Weirich said. “She’s known exactly

what she wanted to do since she picked up a volleyball.”

As tight as things got when Hart and Shelby matched up at the start of September, the Tigers seemed to find a way to push through in the end. The same sense of resilience wasn’t needed quite as much in the second meeting between the two.

Shelby came out in the first set and rode the right arm of Gauthier to a 6-1 lead early. Before Hart could recover, Shelby doubled their lead and owned an 11 point advantage. For every point that the Pirates scored, Shelby poured on multiple in response which helped propel them to a 25-11 win to start the night.

The second set worked even better for the Tigers. Gauthier was still the centerpiece for Shelby’s attack, but there were several nice swings made on the opposite side of the net by freshman Jayna Bur-

meister.

“They chant (‘she’s a freshman’) in the stands, but Jayna Burmeister is absolutely not a freshman anymore,” Weirich said. “She delivered pretty big for us on the right side tonight. The defense – especially in game one and two –was suffocating. It was fun to watch.”

Hart struggled to answer Shelby in the second set, falling by an even larger margin than the first set, 25-9.

With their backs against the wall, the Pi-

rates had no choice but to claw their way back from a 2-0 hole if they wanted to extend their season. The team did exactly what they needed to, fighting Shelby to a 9-9 tie to start the third set. Hart wasn’t content with a tie however, claiming a 16-13 lead late and holding off a Shelby rally to stay in front at 20-18. After allowing Shelby to tie them at 20-20, Hart took

Staunch defense and ‘relentless pursuit’ advance Hart to district finals

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – Amanda Van Sickle did not mince words after the Hart volleyball team defeated Manistee 3-2 in the district semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 6. “They’ve had their eye on playing Shelby in the district finals for a while now,” Van Sickle said. “We talked about it. You can’t look past Manistee. We have to get a win to be able to (move on and face Shelby.) They came

into a little too confident and cocky knowing that we’ve beat (Manistee) before.”

Having watched Shelby defeat Mason County Central 3-0 in the game prior to theirs, one couldn’t blame the Pirates for having the Tigers on their mind. Any thoughts of what a district finals bout with a rival might look like, quickly dissipated as Manistee came out and tested Hart early.

The Mariners were fresh off a narrow 3-2 victory over Hesperia the night before, but showed no sign of struggles

in the first two sets with Hart.

After battling even to start the first set, Manistee snagged a 9-6 lead over the Pirates. With several rallies lasting up to 40 seconds, each team took their turn grabbing points, only to hand the momentum to the other team.

The lead the Mariners’ had accrued worked to their benefit, keeping them ahead late into the set.

Facing a 22-18 deficit, Hart worked their way back to a 24-24 tie, assuring

HART • HESPERIA • PENTWATER • SHELBY • WALKERVILLE

Shelby’s varsty volleyball team poses with the student section to celebrate their fourth-straight district title after defeating Hart 3-0, Thursday, Nov. 7. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Shelby senior Navea Gauthier plays defense on Shelby’s back line. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Pentwater’s Karina Olivarez receives a serve from the other side of the net in a 3-0 loss to Big Rapids Crossroads Charter Academy in the district finals. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Hart sophomore Reese Smith elevates for a ball suspended in mid-air during a 3-2 win over Manistee in the district semifinals. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

a one point advantage, only to watch it disappear as the Tigers rolled to a 25-22 win.

The late push from Hart came as no surprise for Weirich and Shelby.

“No matter what (Hart) looks like on paper or in the gym, it’s always going to be a close game,” Weirich said. “Somewhere along the way, they’re going to make a run. We came out pretty fired up in game one and two, but the energy kind of went out of the gym for a while. That’s when (Hart) sneaks in and makes it interesting.”

Gauthier led Shelby in kills with 33 along with 22 digs while Audrey Horton led in aces with four and assists with 39. Burmeister added four kills and three blocks and Brylee Friedman had a team high 24 digs.

Horton surpassed 3,000 career kills on the night as well, and is now the all-time leader in career assists at Shelby. The team took a minute

Four Straight Comeback Kids

to celebrate the achievement after the game – just one night after Gauthier celebrated surpassing the MHSAA AllTime career kills record.

“(Audrey Horton) knew since she was a fifth grader that she wanted to set Navea in high school,” Weirich said. “She put in some time to make it all work, doing club stuff and getting in the weight room in the summer. She’s grown as an athlete and a leader.”

Hart had standout performances from sophomore libero Alayna Schiller (16 digs), Ca-

continued from page 17

lyn Eisenlohr (four assists, seven digs), Kelsey Copenhaver (nine kills, 12 digs) and Reese Smith (15 digs, two kills).

The Pirates finished their season at 26-14-2 and a third place finish in the WMC Rivers.

“Many milestones were achieved this season,” Hart Head Coach Amanda Van Sickle said. “Kelsey Copenhaver had numerous triple-doubles and Reese Smith had multiple double-doubles. We started four sophomores who stepped up to the plate and did a phenomenal job.”

Sluggish start dooms Shelby volleyball in regional semifinals

By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

HOUGHTON LAKE – A perfect storm of outside elements proved to be too much for Shelby volleyball to overcome, falling 3-0 in the regional semifinals to Roscommon Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Originally scheduled to start at 7 p.m., Shelby’s matchup with the Bucks didn’t see first action until 8:15 p.m. due to a hotly contested battle between McBain and Beal City that lasted five sets. Pair that with the fact that all three teams opposite the Tigers had travel time of less than an hour to the neutral site gym, whereas Shelby had to travel two and a half hours, it was no surprise that things didn’t go to plan.

“As many excuses as we want to make about it – we drove the furthest, we sat here forever because of that first match – at the end of the day, that team was better than us,” Shelby Head Coach Tom Weirich said.

ing a 22-22 stalemate before rolling to a 25-22 victory to complete a three set sweep over Shelby.

extra points would be needed to finish the set. Once more, the teams took turns trading leads, but it was Manistee that came out on top, 28-26.

In the second set, Hart looked much more composed to start. The Pirates gained a quick 6-0 lead, only to watch it fade. A series of ties ended promptly when Hart jumped back on top at 2016, but Manistee stole all momentum at the end, pushing them to a 25-23 win and a 2-0 advantage overall.

With their backs against the wall, Hart found their footing in the third set. Facing elimination the rest of the way, Hart had to play near perfect volleyball to keep themselves alive.

The Pirates, similar to the second set, jumped out to an early lead. This time, Manistee didn’t even stand a chance at climbing back in as Hart promptly slammed the door on any attempt the Mariners made, en route to a 25-18 win.

A huge piece of that third set victory was the Pirates’ aggressive play at the net. Brynn Russell, Leah Walker, Maryn Klotz, Jenna Babbin and Kelsey Copenhaver all had impressive plays that either resulted in points off a defensive block, or savvy ball tracking that allowed them to tip 50/50 balls to the ground on Manistee’s side of the court.

“That was huge. It builds the momentum and the back row feeds on that,” Van Sickle said. “When we have those tight balls at the net and you’re able to just pound it down and put it away, it carries the momentum for the next few points.”

That aggressive play at the net carried into the fourth set, allowing Hart to run away with a 25-11 victory.

Now even at 2-2 overall, Hart and Manistee entered the tie-breaking fifth set with both teams visibly exhausted.

“Relentless pursuit has been our motto the last couple of weeks,” Van Sickle said. “That really showed tonight on the court. We noticed that

continued from page 17

(our girls) were getting tired, but we told them they had to push through, right here, right now.”

Just 15 points shy of a district finals berth, both the Pirates and Mariners turned up the intensity in the final set.

The score stood even at 3-3 early, but Manistee broke ahead with a three point lead. Hart was quick to fight back, once again evening the score, this time at 6-6.

Manistee took multiple one-point leads in the middle of the fifth set, but Hart had an answer each time they did. Finally, the Pirates snagged a 10-9 lead and didn’t look back, claiming a 15-11 overall win to advance them to the district finals.

The Pirates were led by the efforts of Reese Smith (33 digs) and libero Alayna Schiller (26 digs) on defense. Russell and Babbin also chipped in three blocks each at the net. Copenhaver stuffed the stat sheet with 20 digs, 17 kills, 10 assists and three aces while Calyn Eisenlohr was the most effective offensive distributor with a team high 13 assists. Smith led the team in kills with 20.

The first set between Shelby and Roscommon was riddled with uncharacteristic mistakes for a usually composed Tigers team. Serves into the net or out of bounds, mishandled attacks defensively and off-target swings dug the Tigers into a 7-2 hole in the early going.

Roscommon used that early lead to hold Shelby at arm’s length for the majority of that set. The Bucks claimed a 22-14 lead and only allowed one additional point from the Tigers before closing things out, 25-15.

The second set of the night played out in an almost identical fashion, finishing with a Roscommon 25-15 victory and sending Shelby into a 2-0 hole with elimination on the line in the third set.

“That’s a really good team we played and they punched us in the mouth early,” Weirich said. “It wasn’t until that third set that we got any kind of consistency. Any time we got a big swing, we’d miss our next serve and we just couldn’t get a rhythm going.”

Shelby woke up in that third set, battling the Bucks even at 4-4 early. From that point, the Tigers jumped in front and maintained a four point lead for a majority of play. That lead was cut to two points when Shelby reached 20, allowing Roscommon an opportunity to gain momentum.

The Bucks seized that chance, forc-

“At least in that third set, I got to see Shelby Tiger volleyball for the last time this season,” Weirich said. “(Roscommon) made some pretty spectacular plays and when the ball is falling like that, there’s not much you can do other than tip your hat and try again next year.”

Shelby senior Navea Gauthier finished the night with a team-high in kills (18), blocks (2) and aces (3). Brylee Friedman added two kills and 13 digs while freshman Jayna Burmeister had a block and an ace. Audrey Horton had 21 assists.

While it will be scored as an upset for Roscommon over the No. 10 state ranked Tigers, the Bucks were far from underdogs. Roscommon had been named an Honorable Mention team in those same rankings.

The loss ends Shelby’s season and brings a close to the careers of Gauthier and Horton. Gauthier finishes with 3,706 career kills – an MHSAA All-Time record and the second most All-Time in the national rankings – while Horton finishes with 3,113 assists which is a record for the Shelby volleyball program.

“Navea is an all-time record setting kid and Audrey is Shelby’s all-time assist leader,” Weirich said. “Those are (impressive) numbers and they’ll leave here, but always be a big part of what we base ourselves off of here.”

Gauthier will sign her letter of intent to play for Ohio State University in the Shelby High School Cafeteria Friday, Nov. 15 at 11:30 a.m.

Shelby senior Audrey Horton celebrates surpassing 3,000 career assists. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Shelby’s Jayna Burmeister (10) and Kylie Brown (4) jump up to block an attack by a Roscommon outside hitter. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Shelby junior Brylee Friedman swats a ball into the outstretched arms of two Roscommon defenders during the regional semifinals.. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Hart sophomore Jenna Babbin blocks a ball at the net in a 3-2 win over Manistee in the district semifinals. • Brendan Samuels/ ECHO