The Oceana Echo - Volume 2, Issue 26, Nov. 22, 2024 by theoceanaecho

Thank

READER:

ATTENTION: We have an early deadline next week for The Oceana Echo and White Lake Mirror. We go to press Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Old Man Winter visits Oceana

New Hart City Council sworn in

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

HART - A new Hart City mayor and five city council members were sworn in at last Tuesday’s Hart City Council meeting, Nov. 12. A mayoral term is two years; while a council member’s term is four years.

Outgoing council members after this past election include James Evans, Kris Trygstad and Mayor Vicki Platt. A partial term left open when Fred Rybarz vacated his position in 2022, had been filled by Justin Adams, up until this spring when he moved from the city. This is the same seat resident Jim Cunningham was appointed to fill in early summer.

The first order of business was to accept the resignations of Cunningham and Amanda Klotz from their current positions. Following this, Klotz was sworn in as mayor and newly elected councilors Cunningham, Dean Hodges and Karen Thomson were sworn in.

With Klotz’s and Cunningham’s resignations from their current terms, two council seats remained open. The two write-in candidates from November’s election, Andrew Mullen and Betty Root, were also present. City Manager Rob Splane said the council could appoint the write-in candidates as new council members or advertise for others

if they wished to select from a wider field of candidates. However, after a few brief comments, the council agreed that given these individuals had volunteered to run and received votes from residents, they should be given a chance to serve. Both Mullen and Root were then sworn in and will fill out the aforementioned partial terms ending in November of 2026.

Later in the meeting Cunningham was nominated as Mayor Pro-Tem. Cunningham expressed his gratitude for the confidence the council placed in him, however, he didn’t want to take the position from someone with more seniority. Given no opposition, he was voted in unanimously.

Terms for current Council Member Catalina Burillo, newly-elected Mayor Klotz and newly appointed write-in candidates, Mullen and Root, will conclude in November of 2026. Terms for councilors Cunningham, Hodges and Thomson will conclude in November of 2028.

With the new council seated, Splane asked each to provide him, along with their contact and training option preferences, five short-term goals, five long-term goals and five concerns. In the coming weeks, Splane will meet with each council member to discuss their goals and determine which committee assignments best suit their schedule and interest.

Shelby Village President Paul Inglis bids farewell

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

SHELBY - At the close of their Nov. 11 village council meeting, outgoing Shelby Village Council President Paul Inglis bid farewell, recalling some of the village’s accomplishments and thanking the many he had the opportunity to work with during his tenure. Inglis was elected in November of 2014 and served five two-year terms as village president.

“It was never my intention to seek any public office after my retirement; however, after a great deal of thought and the desire to see the community that I was born and raised in grow and develop, I be-

came determined to do whatever I could….Some of the most important needs, from my perspective, were the complete makeover of Getty Park, redevelopment of the downtown business district, upgrades to the village’s infrastructure, additional safe and affordable housing, more effective blight control in our neighborhoods and improved employee morale,” Inglis said.

Over the course of his 10 years as village president, Inglis played an instrumental role in leading the council through eight different village administrator transitions, including: Aaron Desentz, Chelsea Deal, Bryan Mazade (Interim), Robert Widigan, Bill Cousins (interim), Brady Selner, Jae Guetschow (interim) and the current Village Administrator Phil Morse.

During that time he also had the privilege of serving with these fellow council members: Steve Crothers (current member), Bill Glover, Bill Harris, Mary Lulich, Ben Michalko, Damien Omness (outgoing member), Sharita Prowant, John Sutton (current member), Mike Termer (current member), Curt Trott (cur-

rent member), Jim Wyns and Dan Zaverl (current member).

“Much progress has been made, but not by just one person or group; rather, it has been a genuine collective effort of the village council and committee members, past and present, village administrators, department heads, administrative staff, the DPW, and police department personnel, engineers, consultants, business and civic leaders, the Community Foundation, Shelby Public Schools and Shelby Township,” Inglis said.

Council member Sutton was voted in as the new village president at the Nov. 5 general election.

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the Village of Shelby, who truly deserve to live, work and play in a safe and friendly small-town environment. I am hopeful that I did not disappoint them. I urge every council member, Village Administrator Phil Morse, each department head, and village employee to continue to follow my personal motto in work and in life: ‘If you are unable to demonstrate reliability, responsibility and accountability, then you become a liability.’ Always remain committed to and focused on what your obligations to the residents of our Village are. Create high but realistic expectations for the Village of Shelby and strive hard to achieve them,” Inglis concluded.

Residents across Oceana County were greeted by a wintry morning Thursday, Nov. 21 as the first snowfall of this season blanketed the area with a dazzling white. Above is a worm’s-eye view of the snow near Crystal Lake. • Brendan Samuels/Echo

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

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

What’s really in a name: Pentwater

By Caleb Jackson

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

Many of the villages and townships in Oceana have names whose origins are readily known. Claybanks was named for its massive banks of clay. Leavitt was named after an early settler, Hazen Leavitt. Walkerville was named after Fayette Walker, etc. This information persists in the history books about our county and was often recorded during the meetings that formally established our townships and villages. There is no mention, though, of who suggested the name “Pentwater” or why. On its nose, the meaning seems implicit. Pentwater means “pent up waters.” But even if this was the case, why do we have no record of who suggested this name? Perhaps the area we now call Pentwater was known as such long before there was a village there. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Let us first see what others have to say about the name.

The most obvious place to start is the Pentwater Historical Society. On their website, they mention that the name Pentwater was likely given by the Indians and that the name “presumably means penned-up waters.” They also suggest that “pent” could derive from the Greek word “penta” meaning five. Under this interpretation, the five waters would be the river, the flats, Pentwater Lake, the channel, and Lake Michigan. There is a book available at the Historical Society, put together by Florence R. Schrumpf, which details much of the early history of Pentwater. In it, Schrumpf echoes the former statement. According to her, “the name Pentwater was given, presumably, by the Indians and means ‘penned up waters.’” The idea that the name Pentwater comes from the Native Americans is very interesting, but there is only one problem. The words “pent” and “water” are entirely En-

glish. Schrumpf’s history of Pentwater begins with the removal of Indian tribes from the Pentwater region down to the Grand Haven area. She even tells us which tribes they were. “The Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatamie Indians…” All three of these tribes spoke varieties of the Algonquian language, the same language that gave Michigan her name, coming from “Michi” meaning great, and “Gama” meaning water. The Algonquian word “Gama” is noticeably absent in the name of Pentwater. But let’s take a look at some other sources.

“Michigan Place Names” by Walter Romig in 1973. Some interesting information can be found here. First of all, Romig tells us that Pentwater was incorporated “as the village of Pent Water in 1867.” The spelling was changed to its modern format as one word on May 23, 1894. He then tells us that “some take the name from the smallness of the outlet of Pentwater Lake, hence pent-up waters,” but he does mention another theory. “Others say it was a corruption of paint water, a name originally given from the dark color of the lake beside which the village was built.”

Going backward in time over 80 years, we have Hartwick and Tuller’s book “Oceana County Pioneers and Business Men of To-Day.” Readers of my column will know this book to be my de facto bible when it comes to Oceana’s history. Not only that, but this book was published in Pentwater by the Pentwater News Steam Print in 1890, so it is truly a piece of local history. According to them, “The name is undoubtedly a corruption of the words penned water, indicating the little lake upon the banks of which the settlement was made.” Even Hartwick and Tuller, it would seem, took the implicit meaning in the name Pentwater, but I would challenge their accusation of it being “a corruption” of good English. The earliest written record we have of

the word “pent” being used as an adjective, as it is in Pentwater, occurred in a Chaucerian text dating from 1542. You can find the written example of this in the Oxford English Dictionary. In Middle English the sentence was, “He nas nat alway in cloystre ypent,” and in modern English it translates as “He was not always pent in a cloister.” If Chaucer doesn’t count as good English, then I don’t know what does.

But much of Hartwick and Tuller’s book is indebted to an even older source, Page’s “History of Oceana County,” which was published in 1882. So, let’s see what this book has to say on the matter. Under a section with the heading “Nomenclature” Page states that “Pentwater was named from the water being penned up at the mouth of the lake by there being almost no channel at first.” However, in a later section of the book dealing more specifically with the history of Pentwater, it is mentioned that “At first the outlet was but a small, shallow stream, over which the first settlers could wade without difficulty, as the water was but a few inches in depth. Indeed, the Indian tradition is that, not long ago, there was no outlet to the lake.”

Now let’s review the facts. We just covered five different sources; the Pentwater Historical Society, Florence R. Schrumpf’s history of Pentwater, Walter Romig’s book “Michigan Place Names,” Hartwick and Tuller’s book and of course Page’s “History of Oceana County.” All five of these sources mentioned the idea that Pentwater is derived from “pent up waters.” In addition to that, we have two other theories, that of “paint water” and that of “penta water.”

Lastly, three of these sources hint that the name Pentwater has some prior connection with the Native Americans. Both the Historical Society and Schrumpf’s book state that it came directly from the Native tribes, and Page’s history, the oldest among the

source material here, claims that Native American legends hold that Pentwater Lake used to have no outlet at all. However, we know that the words “pent” and “water” are wholly English. If the name Pentwater is a borrowing from Native American tribes, then it must be a direct translation of what the First Nations called Pentwater Lake. However, this is difficult to research. Oceana was and continues to be a rather small county. The historical texts written about Oceana all tend to be concerned with the history of the region following the arrival of European settlers, and even when discussing the history of Native Americans, modern-day placenames are used. Another issue is the status of the Native American languages. Ojibwe, for instance, is considered to be severely endangered, with only an estimated 1,000 speakers left in the United States. If anybody reading this has some Native American heritage or has any knowledge of what the Native Americans may have called Pentwater Lake, please reach out. It would be fascinating to learn. If there are no prior ties to the Native American languages, then the name of Pentwater is likely as simple as it seems, meaning “pent up waters.”

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

Last chance to bid on holiday displays at SADL

The Shelby Area District Library is glistening with 70 holiday displays ready for silent auction bids. Large and small wreaths, themed life-like trees, table-top displays, ornament collections, and several gift baskets are among the many items accepting bids or for sale at a “Buy-it-Now” table.

“Volunteers with the Friends of Shelby Library have been working for several weeks to create beautiful displays, decorated trees, and unusual gift items that are suited for everyone on your shopping list!” said SADL Friends President Cindy McKinnon. “Enjoy homemade cookies while you browse the library and place bids or purchase some exquisite holiday décor to refresh your home this season. But don’t wait too long,” added McKinnon. “The silent auction ends at noon sharp on Saturday, Nov. 23.”

For a $10 donation to have your name personalized on a display ornament, you can be entered in a drawing for one of two baskets loaded with gift certificates valued at over $300 each. The Friends of SADL thank local businesses that have contributed gift cards, merchandise, or artwork to the “Celebration of the Holidays,” including: Shelby Hometown Pharmacy, Shelby Wesco, Stony Lake Inn, The Farm House Restaurant, Shelby Floral, Claybanks Pottery, Storybook Village, Cherry Point Market, professional photographer Matt Ferguson, Weesies, Woodland Farm Market, Shelby Pizza Factory, Blondies, Images, Birch & Blossom Florist, Affordable Auto, Peterson Farms, Lakeside Rehab & Family Fitness and local artist Bob Bauer.

Shelby Congregational UCC offers free breakfast

The Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ will be hosting a free Fifth Saturday Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 51 E. Third St. in Shelby. All are welcome!

Tree lighting at HighTower Lake set for Nov. 28

The lighting of the HighTower Lake Veteran’s Memorial Garden Christmas tree will take place the evening of Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. Everyone has the opportunity to put their ornament on the tree for their loved one starting Saturday, Nov. 23, up until Thanksgiving. This is open to anyone in the community who has a loved one who served past, present or fallen. The gate will be open during this time from 8 a.m. until dusk. Owner and artist at Riverside Decor & More Melanie Franklin will be available to make personalized ornaments for those who are unable to make their own. The charge for that service is $10, but it could increase in price depending on the lettering chosen. Franklin donated patriotic wind spinners, along with a geranium and shepherd’s hook for the garden last spring. Franklin can be reached on her business page via Facebook.

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.

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.

November

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

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

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-Wolf 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 - Tech Time, Hesperia Community Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Adult Craft Night, 6-7 p.m.

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

Nov. 27 - Adult Book Club, Hesperia Comm. Library, 2-3 p.m.

Nov. 29 - Sensory Play, Hesperia Comm. Library, 10-11 a.m.

Nov. 29 - Home for the Holidays, Lighted Christmas Parade, Downtown Hart, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 30 - Santa on the Green, Village Green, Pentwater, 5 p.m.

Nov. 30 - Free Community Breakfast, Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, 51 E. Third St., Shelby, 8-10 a.m.

Dec. 2 - Friends of the Hesperia Community Library Photo Contest Winners Announced.

Dec. 3 - Tech Time, Hesperia Comm. Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 - Oceana Singers Christmas Concert, Hart United Methodist Church, 4 p.m.

Love INC

in Shelby to host Black Friday Sale

There will be plenty to see next Friday, Nov. 29 at Love INC’s (In the Name of Christ) Black Friday Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their resale shop located at 186 N. Michigan Ave., in downtown Shelby.

Everything will be 25 percent off storewide, with a chance for an additional savings of up to 50 percent off purchases at checkout.

Shoppers can browse a huge selection of clothes and housewares along with plenty of shoes, winter boots, coats, holiday decorations, dishes, books, toys, DVDs, records, CDs, jewelry, as well as some antique and vintage items. All proceeds will benefit various programs and services available as part of the Love INC ministry.

A homecoming visit Tails of Hope

By Eileen Harris

A reader of The Oceana Echo from Lapeer, Mich.

Autumn has come to the Harris home. Plate rails and sideboard decorated with pinecones, family photos, and copper serving pieces. Russet, gold and cornflower plaid tablecloth completes the picture. A flourish of gold and burgundy-leafed garlands says “Autumn” in the other rooms. A perfect time of year for a photo op, right?

I had just brought granddog “Marlo” home for a few days of Nana-time. He’s a real lover – if he knows you.

I’m at the tail end of four small projects in the house running concurrently. The dining room table is strewn with family photos being sorted for a small photo album. The contents of the hall closet lay in a pile on the floor for sorting – we don’t need ALL those hats, gloves and ear warmers! The kitchen counters are covered with stuff - a dirty old 30-gallon coffee pot resurrected from the garage that needed cleaning, its box sitting on the floor; stuff in various stages of readiness to go to the cabin. I am just about to put some salmon in the oven for dinner. And doesn’t salmon always smell lovely?

A car pulls up in the driveway with four people in it looking very interested in our house. Marlo alerts me to the impending danger. I go out to see who’s here while Marlo barks his warnings from the house.

The car window rolls down, and a very nice lady said she and her brother

grew up in this house and wondered if they could see what it looks like now. Their family of ten lived here from 1957 to 1970, a good portion of their childhood. What could I say?

I took them on a tour around the exterior of the home, and they reminisced on how it was back then. “We played hockey with golf clubs over there. That’s where the hen house was. Mom had a huge garden over there.” They pointed to the lot next to ours and shared a story or two of playing with their cousins next door. That house is gone now.

After putting Marlo in the garage, the salmon in the fridge, and hastily tossing a pile or two of stuff in the closet, I brought our guests inside to tour the home. They were delighted to see how it looked now and shared with me how “Dad built mom a sewing room right there by the dining room window, the kitchen table was right there.” “Dad put the basement toilet behind the furnace for privacy.” They explained the reason for the kitchen and bathroom in the basement – it was grandma’s apartment. When I told the brother that we saved an ashtray we found attached to the wall next to the commode, he said, “Oh yeah, that was dad’s.” I gave it to him as a memento.

As they prepared to go, pictures were taken to send to their siblings, and we exchanged phone numbers. I came back inside, and suddenly I felt the happy echoes of that family in all the rooms and, somehow, our little house grew just a little bigger and a lot warmer.

Meet Joey – The Bulldog Buddy You Never Knew You Needed!

Let’s get one thing straight: Joey may have the body of a bulldog, but he’s got the soul of a lazy Saturday afternoon. Friendly? Oh, you bet. Joey’s never met a human he didn’t want to befriend, a couch he didn’t want to conquer or a snack he didn’t want to “borrow” (it’s a bulldog thing).

Joey’s Top Qualities:

- House-Trained Hero – No accidents here, folks! Joey’s a gentleman through and through.

- Nap Enthusiast – All he needs is a cozy corner, and he’s off to dreamland (with the occasional snore).

- Social Butterfly – Whether it’s people, other dogs, or even cats, Joey’s got that universal charm. Fun Fact: Joey’s biggest daily challenge is deciding between snoozing in the sunbeam or curling up by your feet. And yes, he’ll happily be your shadow wherever you go – mostly in hopes of dropped snacks and belly rubs.

So, if you’re looking for a low-energy, big-hearted friend with a face only a bulldog lover could adore, Joey’s here and ready to bulldoze his way right into your heart. Just be warned – once he’s there, he’ll never leave (and neither will his drool)!

Joey 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.

Meet Joey

In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

obituaries

Gregory ‘Greg’ Alan Frick

April 17, 1967 ~ November 18, 2024

Gregory “Greg” Alan Frick, 57, passed away unexpect edly, Nov. 18, 2024. He was born April 17, 1967, in Hart, the son of Jerry and Verla (Draggoo) Frick.

Greg was a man whose family always came first. Whether it was fixing something around the house or simply being there when they needed him, caring for his loved ones was his number one priority. His deep love for his niece and nephews was especially evident—he would travel far and wide, dropping everything to help and support them.

Greg’s generosity didn’t stop with his family. His heart extended to the entire community and farther. As the Walkerville Fire Chief, he worked tirelessly with fire and rescue teams and served as an EMT, always ready to lend a hand whenever he was needed. Greg also devoted time to mission trips, where he helped repair homes and support communities that had gone through natural disasters. His willingness to serve and make a difference was a testament to his big heart.

Growing up in the family business, Walkerville Well Drilling, Greg practically learned the ropes before he could even walk. After graduating from GVSU, he proudly joined the business full-time, becoming the fourth generation to carry on his family’s legacy—an accomplishment that filled him with immense pride.

Greg is survived by: his parents, Jerry and Verla (Draggoo) Frick; sister, Angela (Mike) Slowik; niece, Kaylee (Frank) Acosta; nephews, Kevin (Allyson) Slowik and Nathan Slowik; and many other extended family members.

Greg was preceded in death by: his paternal grandparents, Lyle and Leona Frick; and his maternal grandparents, Myrl and Lucile Draggoo.

In accordance with Greg’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and a visitation will be held from 2–4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at the Walkerville United Methodist Church, 189 E. Main St., Walkerville, MI 49459.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Acts 20:35, the disaster relief organization Greg spent much of his time pouring into, via mail: Team Acts, Attn: Charlie Moore, 143 Hadley Rd., Jaffrey, NH 03452; online at www.teamacts.org/ or on the Team Acts 20:35 Facebook page.

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

“I won’t cry because it came to an end, but I will smile because I truly have lived long enough to live forever in the hearts of my family & friends.

Trudy Jane Sibley

December 8, 1944 ~ November 16, 2024

Trudy Jane Sibley, 79, passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, after a long, hard battle with cancer, at her home in Hart, surrounded by loved ones. Trudy was born Dec. 8, 1944. Trudy is the wife to Gerald Sibley; the two got married in 1963, and Gerald was the love of her life. Together, they shared 61 beautiful years creating a family of their own. They also built a dairy farm, which was a life milestone for them.

Trudy was born in the small town of Hart, Mich. She is the daughter to Phyllis Creve Wambaugh and George Thomas Wambaugh. She started working at Western Union and later Gales IGA making cakes, but most importantly a homemaker to her six daughters. She was a very dedicated 4-H leader for 44 years.

Trudy had many hobbies, which included baking wedding cakes, crocheting, sewing, arts and crafts, raising dairy cattle, putting puzzles together and most of all she loved spending time with her family. She will always be remembered for her unconditional love of life, kindness and her way of loving everyone.

Trudy is survived by: her husband, Gerald Sibley; sisters; Katherine (Bruce) Waslusky, Diane (Larry) Rasmussen and Paula Vanderputte; brother, Mike (Joan) Wambaugh; her children; Jane (Bob) Sietsema, Cherie Timmons, Karen (Ed) Pankow, Tara (Steven) VanderNaalt, Sarah (Tim) Iteen and Tricia (Keith) Bennett; grandkids, Ashley Sietsema, Heather Kinnunen, Trevor Timmons, Kelly Timmons, Katie Jeffries, Steven Miller, Cassandra Manthei, Scott Pankow, Jonathan VanderNaalt, Emily VanderNaalt, Ella VanderNaalt, Kyle Iteen, Breanna Iteen, Keith Bennett, Ciara Bennett, Dominic Bennett and Katelyn Hall; and great-grandkids, Kolton Jeffries, Langston Jeffries, Emma Miller, Hunter Miller, Jayden Miller, Jordan Timmons, Carter Timmons and T.J Timmons.

Trudy was preceded in death by: her parents, George and Phyllis Wambaugh; brother, Larry Wambaugh; sister, Loretta Bailey; and son-in-law, Steven John Miller. She has always given her unconditional love to all her family and friends; she will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Gerald Sibley 2135 W. Lever Rd. Hart, Mich. 49420

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, in Hart. Burial was at North Weare Cemetery in Pentwater.

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

Mary Getty Morningstar

July 19, 1923 ~ November 19, 2024

Mary Getty Morningstar, 101 years young, of Shelby, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. She was born July 19, 1923, in Shelby, the daughter of Arthur and Gwenith (Getty) Butler.

Mary loved reading, camping, knitting, bicycling and her church family at Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ.

Mary is survived by: her children, Dennis (Katie) Morningstar of Three Rivers and Lois (John) Bishop of Cadillac; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by: her parents, Arthur and Gwenith; and her husband of 63 years, Norman.

There will be no funeral, as many of her friends and family have passed away, with the remaining family not living close by.

Please consider a memorial in Mary’s name to: Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, 51 E. Third St., Shelby, MI, 49455, or Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding SE, Ada, MI 49301.

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

Gloria Elaine Burch

April 8, 1941 ~ November 13, 2024

Gloria Elaine Burch, 83, of Whitehall, peacefully tran sitioned on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, surrounded by family and friends that she deeply loved. She was born April 8, 1941, in Robinson, Ill., to her late parents, Vernon G Culp and Jennie M (Brubaker) Culp.

Beloved wife of the late Francis B Burch Sr., they spent 64 beautiful years in marriage. Gloria is survived by: her sister, Virginia Hall; brother, Robert (Barbara) Culp; son, Francis (Anita) Burch Jr.; daughter, Gail (Rocky) Kalbrener-Mazzeo; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Gloria enjoyed many years as a florist in Lakewood Club and Whitehall. She also spent many years as a homemaker. She enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, baking, cooking large family meals, and painting. Her many paintings, whether it was on wood, canvas or rocks, were presents to family and friends. She was always very generous and kind that way. Known as “Ma” Burch to many in the Whitehall sports circle, she remembered everyone’s name. Gloria was also a lifelong member of the Fox Lake Rod and Gun Club.

Always determined and with diminished health, her greatest wish was to fly for the very first time to Washington state in September to see her granddaughter Zanna’s wedding, and to see her grandson Zachary’s two baby boys, her greatgrands. She did it!

A Celebration of Life will be held at noon, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at the White Lake Eagles, 1204 S. Lake St., Whitehall, MI 49461.

Memorial cards and honoraria can be sent to: Gail Kalbrener-Mazzeo, 515 E. Alice St., Whitehall, MI 49461.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com

Michael Allen Herlein

February 22, 1971 ~ November 11, 2024

Michael Allen Herlein, 53, passed away peacefully, Nov. 11, 2024. He was born Feb. 22, 1971, in Portsmouth, Va., the son of Charles Herlein and Kathleen (Regan) Lesausky.

Michael was the kind of guy who loved being outdoors—hunting, fishing and tearing around on his 4-wheeler were some of his favorite ways to spend time. He took real pride in his lawn, always making sure it was well kept. As a cook, he was second to none, especially when it came to grilling—his meals were something to look forward to; a true grill master.

More than anything, Michael was a fun-loving, goofy guy who brought joy to everyone around him. He had a heart for helping others and would do anything for the people he cared about. If there was one thing you could count on, it was his stubbornness, in all the best ways.

He worked at GHSP for 22 years, dedicating much of his life to his job and the people he worked with. At home, he was never without his two loyal dogs, Jake and Bandit, who he loved deeply. Michael’s love for life, his generosity, and his playful spirit made him unforgettable to all who knew him.

Michael is survived by: his life partner, Katelynn Brischke; parents, Charles (Barbara) Herlein, and Kathleen (John) Lesausky; daughter, Destiny (Ally) Sy; brother, Robert (Christina) Herlein; sister, Dawn Donelly; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

Memorial Services will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at 85 S. Madison Ave., Custer, MI 49405, with Father Dan DePew presiding. A receiving of friends will be held one hour prior to services at the church, and a luncheon will immediately follow services at the Custer VFW, 2022 State St., Custer, MI 49405.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Newaygo County Compassion Home, 20 S. Stewart Ave., Fremont, MI 49412. Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements. www.harrisfhome.com

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia

CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311

By JoAnn Derson

By Lucie Winborne

• On Nov. 25, 1990, following a severe thunderstorm on Thanksgiving Day, Washington State’s historic Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge broke apart and sank to the bottom of Lake Washington. Its disintegration was slow enough for news crews to capture the entire event on camera and broadcast it to a fascinated audience throughout western Washington.

• On Nov. 26, 1864, Oxford mathematician Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known to us today by his pen name, Lewis Carroll, sent a handwritten manuscript called “Alice’s Adventures Under Ground” to 12-year-old Alice Liddell. One of the earliest stories written solely to amuse rather than teach children, it became a beloved and much-adapted classic and is still the author’s best-known work.

• On Nov. 27, 2005, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, along with rapper 50 Cent and other notable music celebs, took to the stage as featured performers in New York City’s Rainbow Room at the $10 million bat mitzvah of 13-year-old Elizabeth Brooks.

• On Nov. 28, 1582, 18-year-old William Shakespeare and 26-yearold Anne Hathaway paid a 40-pound bond for their marriage license in Stratford-upon-Avon. Their first child, daughter Susanna, followed six months later.

• On Nov. 29, 1942, coffee was added to the list of rationed items in the U.S. in spite of its record production in Latin American countries, due to high demand for the bean as well as shipping needed for other purposes.

• On Nov. 30, 1954, a 7-inch meteorite weighing eight and a half pounds crashed through the roof of Elizabeth Hodges’s house in Sylacauga, Alabama, bounced off a radio, and struck her hip as she slept on her living room sofa. Although badly bruised on her hip and leg, she was not permanently injured.

• On Dec. 1, 2020, South Korea, which normally requires its men to enlist in the military by the time they turn 28, passed a law to defer such service until age 30 for K-pop stars who have “elevated the country’s cultural influence around the world.”

• “I have added an additional shower curtain bar in my tub. I hang up my towels and washcloths there to air dry, and they are out of sight behind the shower curtain. It’s very convenient.”

— A reader

• “I have small candy dishes out in my home, and I like to keep them filled with goodies throughout the year, but now, when I have little children over, I put them up high and let parents know that they and the children are welcome to have as much as they like. The parents appreciate this, as the children sometimes like to overindulge.” — D.A. in Rhode Island

• Unexpected company on the way? Throw clutter in a laundry basket and stash. Clear the sink of dirty dishes; take out the garbage; clean the faucets, sink and mirror in the bathroom most likely to be used; and, finally, sweep or vacuum the floors. This should not take long, but these moves will maximize the feeling of cleanliness in your house.

• Here’s another use for a bandanna: In-a-pinch earmuffs. Tie around head and position over cold ears to keep winter winds at bay.

• “When traveling, let your host/ hostess know of any serious health problems or allergies you may have and what to do in case of an emergency.” — M.W. in Saskatchewan Canada

• One great item to have on hand in your pantry: jarred peppers and olives. They can be used to make a quick but sophisticated appetizer, and they add a lot of flavor for their price. They are very stable on the shelf, so you can keep them around just in case.

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

By Lucie Winborne

• NASA’s first interplanetary CubeSats, a pair of briefcase-size spacecraft called Mars Cube One, or MarCO, which flew by Mars in 2018, were named for the Pixar characters Wall-E and EVE.

• Figure skate blades were originally made of animal bones.

• Dolphin calves are typically born tail first, so they don’t drown during the birthing process.

• Christian Louboutin manufactured a limited edition shoe for brides. They had baby-blue soles to give the bride “something blue,” but the company ceased production after copyright issues.

• It takes Pluto 248.09 years to make one orbit around the sun.

• And speaking of shoes … England’s Queen Elizabeth II had hers broken in for her by her personal assistant and senior dresser. The idea was that she couldn’t afford for her shoes to be uncomfortable or give her blisters while on official business.

• Jim Henson made his first Kermit puppet using his mother’s old coat and two halves of a ping pong ball.

• Bacon was used to make explosives during World War II.

• Peter Pan creator James Barrie used to act as if he were his dead brother, David, to cheer his mother by dressing in his brother’s clothes and whistling like his sibling used to do. On one such occasion, his mother thought for a moment that David had actually returned from the dead.

• Automobile tires were originally white.

• The Caesar salad was actually invented in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1927. Hotel Caesar owner Caesar Cardini wanted to make dinner for friends but didn’t have a lot of available options, so he tossed lettuce into a bowl with a dressing made from whatever he could find at the moment.

***

Thought for the Day: “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.”

— Lily Tomlin

Peterson Farms to expand operations with $250,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Program grant

Peterson Farms is proud to announce the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved a $250,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grant to Peterson Brands LLC, a subsidiary of Peterson Farms. This grant will support the company’s $30 million project to enhance its juice production facilities, storage capabilities, and existing operations in Shelby, Oceana County.

This transformative project includes the installation of a new juice cup line, the construction of a storage

facility, and significant renovations to the current facility. With the expansion, Peterson Farms expects to reduce transportation-related emissions and costs by streamlining production closer to its markets. Furthermore, the company has adopted more sustainable energy practices at its Shelby location, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally conscious operations. These advancements are projected to create 82 new jobs and provide substantial economic benefits to the local community.

“Our mission has always been root-

VILLAGE OF SHELBY NOTICE OF ADOPTION

TO: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Please take notice that on November 12, 2024, the Village Council of the Village of Shelby amended Chapter 296 “Noise and Nuisances” of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Shelby, summarized as follows:

Section 296-7 Littering.

(a) Depositing, etc., on street, etc.

(b) Transporting or dumping so as to litter stream, etc.

Section 296-8 Graffiti.

(a) Purpose and Intent.

(b) Definitions.

(d) Notice to abate - generally.

(e) Emergency abatement by Village, charging cost.

(f) Right of entry of enforcing officer, etc.

(g) Appeal of Assessment.

Section 296-9 Accessory Structures and Fences.

(a) Nuisance structure or fence.

(b) Notice to abate.

(d) Emergency abatement by Village; charging cost.

(e) Right of entry of enforcing officer, etc.

(f) Appeal of Assessment.

Copies of the ordinance may be viewed and purchased at reasonable cost at the Office of the Village Clerk at 218 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan 49455, during regular business hours.

This ordinance amendment is effective ten (10) days from the date of this publication.

Published: November 22, 2024

ed in supporting Michigan’s agricultural community,” said Chief Operating Officer of Peterson Brands, LLC, Richard Rafaelli. “This project is a testament to that commitment, creating opportunities for Michigan farmers, strengthening local supply chains, and bringing economic growth to Oceana County. We’re grateful for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s support in making this vision a reality.”

- Crystal Budde, Village Clerk

In 2024, Peterson Farms expanded further with the acquisition of King Brands, now Peterson Brands LLC, which broadened its product offerings and opened new markets. The increased processing capacity made possible by the FAIP grant will allow Peterson Farms to meet this growing demand with Michigan-grown fruit, ensuring continued support for the state’s agricultural sector.

Peterson Farms thanks the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development for their ongoing efforts to foster innovation, sustainability, and growth in Michigan’s agriculture sector.

VILLAGE OF SHELBY NOTICE OF ADOPTION

TO: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Please take notice that on November 12, 2024, the Village Council of the Village of Shelby adopted AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A CODIFICATION AND REVISION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF SHELBY, COUNTY OF OCEANA, STATE OF MICHIGAN; PROVIDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SAID CODE; REPEALING AND SAVING FROM REPEAL CERTAIN ORDINANCES NOT INCLUDED THEREIN; ESTABLISHING A PENALTY FOR ALTERING OR TAMPERING WITH THE CODE; AND MAKING CERTAIN CHANGES IN PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED ORDINANCES), summarized as follows:

1. § 1-3. Adoption of Code.

2. § 1-4. Code supersedes prior ordinances.

3. § 1-5. Copy of Code on file.

4. § 1-6. Amendments to Code.

5. § 1-7. Publication; filing.

6. § 1-8. Adoption; when effective.

7. § 1-9. Code book to be kept up-to-date.

8. § 1-10. Sale of Code book.

9. § 1-11. Altering or tampering with Code; penalties for violation.

10. § 1-12. Severability of Code provisions.

11. § 1-13. Severability of ordinance provisions.

12. § 1-14. Repeal of inconsistent legislation.

13. § 1-15. Ordinances saved from repeal.

14. § 1-16. Provisions deemed continuation of existing ordinances.

15. § 1-17. Effect on prior offenses or rights.

16. § 1-18. Changes in previously adopted ordinances.

17. § 1-19. References to Michigan Compiled Laws.

Copies of the ordinance may be viewed and purchased at reasonable cost at the Office of the Village Clerk at 218 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan 49455, during regular business hours.

This ordinance amendment is effective ten (10) days from the date of this publication.

Published: November 22, 2024 - Crystal Budde, Village Clerk

Shelby Village approves Wi-Fi at Getty Park

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

SHELBY - Monday, Nov. 11, after spending two meetings discussing the pros and cons, and surveying the community to get their feedback, the Shelby Village Council voted 4-2 to go ahead and install publicly accessible Wi-Fi at the newly renovated Getty Park. The public survey saw 31 people respond, with 20 in favor of installing Wi-Fi and 11 not in favor of it. Those opposed felt it defeated the purpose of a “park” and that it could cause more harm than good, while proponents felt it might provide families with an extra level of security to be able to contact someone in an emergency, as well as provide users the ability to work or study outdoors. The internet is needed to operate the security cameras on site. Once the service is operational, it will be accessible only during park hours, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In other business, Shelby Village Administrator Phil Morse asked for and received the council’s blessing to pursue the possibility of hosting a “wood-carving festival” next July. With the council’s go-ahead, he will research the opportunity in the coming weeks with the hopes of bringing professional woodcarvers to the village for a weekend event. Morse said from what he’s learned so far, woodcarvers come to town, spend two days carving their creations and then auction them off at the end. A percentage of the money raised goes toward the hosting organization. Morse suggested it could go toward economic redevelopment efforts in the village. More information will become available in the coming months.

OCS still has openings for preschool

Oceana Christian School (OCS) has announced they have openings in their three and four-year-old preschool programs. Children can be enrolled at any time for the school’s state-licensed kindergarten-readiness programs or their kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms.

Four-year-olds must be four years old by Dec. 1, and parents have the option of enrolling their child in the school’s Two-Day Program that meets full days on Tuesdays and Thursdays or the school’s Four-Day Program that meets full days Monday through Thursday. Both options run from 8:15 a.m. to 3:05 p.m., and school ends for both on May 15, 2025. Class size is limited to 12 per class.

Three-year-olds must be 33 months old to attend the school’s three-year-old program, held every Monday and Wednesday from 8:15-11:15 a.m. and concludes for the year on May 14, 2025. The school limits the class size to 16 students.

Parents interested in enrolling their child will need to provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate, health appraisal and current immunization record. Free breakfast is available for all students. Free hot lunch is available for all students four years and up. Hart Public Bus transportation is available and can be arranged by contacting the HPS Transportation office.

More information about the school, tuition or online enrollment is available at the school’s website, oceanachristianschool.com or by calling the school at 231-873-2514.

VILLAGE OF SHELBY NOTICE OF ADOPTION

TO: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Please take notice that on November 12, 2024, the Village Council of the Village of Shelby adopted Chapter of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Shelby by adopting Ordinance 03-24(Vendor Trucks), summarized as follows:

1. Definitions - Contains definitions of various words and phrases for the purposes of the Ordinance.

2. License Requirements and Exceptions - Contains license requirements and any exceptions to those requirements.

TO: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Please take notice that on November 12, 2024, the Village Council of the Village of Shelby amended Chapter 430 “Streets and Sidewalks” of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Shelby, summarized as follows:

(a) Cost of Replacement.

(b) Exceptions to Cost of Replacement.

(d) Cleanliness.

(e) Snow and Ice Removal.

(f) Notice to Abate.

(g) Abatement by Village.

(h) Emergency Abatement by Village.

Copies of the ordinance may be viewed and purchased at reasonable cost at the Office of the Village Clerk at 218 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan 49455, during regular business hours.

This ordinance amendment is effective ten (10) days from the date of this publication.

Published: November 22, 2024 - Crystal Budde, Village Clerk

3. Application Process - Contains the application process for vendor trucks and the necessary information that will need to be provided.

4. Fee - Contains information about how the fee is established and any exemptions to the fees.

5. Conditions of doing business - Contains the conditions of doing business in the Village of Shelby.

6. Enforcing Officer - Contains details of who is responsible for enforcement.

7. Exceptions - Contains details of any exceptions to the ordinance.

8. Violations and Penalties - Contains details of violations and penalties.

Copies of the ordinance may be viewed and purchased at reasonable cost at the Office of the Village Clerk at 218 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan 49455, during regular business hours.

This ordinance amendment is effective ten (10) days from the date of this publication.

Published: November 22, 2024

Oceana 4-H teen awarded $2,000 MSU Pre-College Scholarship

By Jennifer Payne Oceana County 4-H Program Coordinator

Lillian Wasson, a 9th-grade student at Hart High School, has been awarded a prestigious $2,000 Michigan State University (MSU) Pre-College Scholarship. This scholarship was open to students in grades 8–11 during the 2024–25 academic year who participated in an MSU summer pre-college program in 2024. Lillian earned this recognition through her involvement in 4-H Exploration Days, one of several pre-college programs offered by MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development.

During Exploration Days, Lillian contributed as a co-instructor, helping lead a session on Draft Horse Fitting and Showing. Her active engagement in teaching and learning exemplifies the handson educational approach of MSU pre-college programs.

These programs are designed to help youth explore potential career interests, engage in fun and educational experiences, and connect with university faculty and resources. They also provide participants with the tools to plan their high school courses strategically, preparing for future college success.

The selection for this scholarship was based on an application process, including a student essay. The $2,000 award will be applied to Lillian’s tuition during her first year as a degree-seeking student at MSU.

MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development offers several annual pre-college programs, including:

4-H Capitol Experience

4-H Exploration Days

4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp

4-H Animal & Veterinary Science Camp

Lillian and Prince

World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute

For more information about these programs and other MSU pre-college opportunities, visit Spartan Youth Programs at http://www.spartanyouth. msu.edu.. These programs are a fantastic way for youth to develop valuable skills, form new friendships, and get a taste of college life.

If you’re interested in joining 4-H or learning more, contact Oceana County 4-H Program Coordinator, Jennifer Payne at wassonj3@msu.edu, for details.

News and Notes

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent Parks & Recreation

An interim board for the Hart Historic Preservation Group, which oversees the Hart Historic District located on Lincoln Street, was appointed at its meeting in September. Several board members are no longer able to serve, however, no volunteers have come forward either. “I would hate to lose the group’s nonprofit status. If that happens, the property would go back to the city, and the Hart Historic District would lose a lot of tax advantages,” City Manager Rob Splane said. Agreeing to serve on an interim board were Noble Graham-Lattin as president, Russ Robbins as vice president, Gwenn Adams as secretary and Rob Splane as treasurer. Longtime board member Mike Stevens will continue to serve on the board. According to Splane, the plan going forward is to collaborate and envision with the board, the Parks & Rec Department and the community for what the future of the district could look like.

Municipal

At its Sept. 26 Administrative Board meeting, the Hart Area Fire Department voted to raise the pay for regular volunteer firefighters from $15 per hour for training and $20 per hour for fire calls to $25 per hour across the board. Fire Chief Dwight Fuehring announced that all training meetings, along with medical and fire calls, will receive the pay increase. The compensation for probationary firefighters will be $20 per hour. Fuehring said his department currently has 20 regular volunteer firefighters and two probationary firefighters who are still attending fire academy. The pay raise will take effect Dec. 1, 2024. Fire departments across the county are always looking for interested firefighter and rescue personnel candidates. Please reach out on each individual jurisdiction’s website or social media account for more information.

Congratulations to City of Hart Treasurer Karla Swihart, who recently received her Michigan Certified Professional Treasurer designation from the Michigan Municipal Treasurer Association this past June. This certification is the culmination of a three-year effort to become certified. Well done Karla!

Holiday Activities

Friday, November 29, 2024 through Saturday, December 21, 2024

The 2024 Lighted Christmas Parade is Friday, November 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Hart!

Downtown Hart will be decorated for the Holidays!

Greet the holiday season with an evening out at the Lighted Christmas Parade in Hart. This is part of the Chamber’s “Home for the Holidays” event. Enjoy the lights and sounds of Christmas beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Hart Schools and traveling through downtown. Afterwards, gather with friends and family at Hart Commons for tree lighting and a visit with Santa.

NEW THIS YEAR: a visit from Mrs. Claus!

2024 Lighted Christmas Parade presented by Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area Chamber of Commerce

Friday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

Line-up from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at Hart Public Schools.

Christmas-themed entries welcome. Free to march; must sign a waiver the day of the event.

Parade Participants must register!

Parade Route: Hart Public Schools to Johnson Street, to State Street, to West Main Street, to Water Street, to Johnson Street and back to Hart Public Schools.

Visit with Santa at after the parade at the Community Tree Lighting at Hart Commons.

Hart Community Tree Lighting Friday, Nov. 29 at Hart Commons directly after the Lighted Christmas Parade.

Witness the season come aglow at the Community Tree Lighting at Hart Commons at the corner of State and Main Streets in Hart.

Santa on the Green • Nov. 30, 5-6:30 p.m. Santa will be escorted to the Village Green in Pentwater by fire truck, and will be available for visits and photos.

Small Business Saturday in Hart • Nov. 30 After the fill of Thanksgiving and the thrill of Black Friday, show your “love for local!”

Pentwater Christmas in the Village Weekends - Dec. 7, 14 and 21

Shop many unique boutique shops, dining, carriage rides, merchant events, hot drinks, bonfires, holiday music and much more. Check out their Facebook page.

SPORTS

3,706 kills

ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

Shelby’s Gauthier sets new mark for career kills in the state of Michigan

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – Breaking records was never something that Navea Gauthier set out to do. Perfecting her craft in an effort to win as many games as possible and bring hardware back to Shelby was always the top priority.

That dedication lined the trophy cases at Shelby High School (SHS), and the banners that hang in the gym have been receiving annual updates. Since joining the varsity volleyball team as a freshman in 2021, Gauthier has helped the Tigers to three conference titles (2022-24), four district titles (2021-24) and a regional championship (2022).

Now, in the midst of her final chance to contribute to team ac-

colades, Gauthier is setting individual milestones that will live in the record books for years to come.

As Gauthier entered her season season in August, her head coach at Shelby, Tom Weirich, was well aware of where she stood in her career kills tally. Each week, Weirich would add more and more to the total, watching history unfold before his eyes.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, Weirich and the Tigers traveled to Sparta for weekend tournament action. In between battling Greenville and Kent City, Gauthier surpassed 3,685 career kills, moving her into the top spot in Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) history.

“We were counting the days until (Navea) showed up as a freshman,” Weirich said. “She was going to change the course and

complexion of our program for a while. Her freshman year she had over 700 kills and then she went back-to-back 1,000 kill seasons. That puts her in a very elite group of athletes.”

That elite group of athletes includes the former record holder, Alisha Glass Childress.

Glass Childress set a mark of 3,684 kills at the end of her high school career at Leland Public School in 2006.

Glass Childress has a long list of accomplishments herself, including three national championships at Penn State University, multiple World Championship medals and an Olympic Bronze medal from the 2016 Rio Games.

A decorated career in the sport of volleyball made Glass Childress the obvious choice as a role model for Gauthier

Record setter

continued on page 13

HART • HESPERIA • PENTWATER • SHELBY • WALKERVILLE

Shelby’s varsity volleyball team poses with signs commemorating Navea Gauthier’s new Michigan record for career kills. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

• Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Record setter

from an early age. Little did she know how many times their paths would cross in the coming years.

“People ask me who I look up to and I sometimes say Serena Williams, but really it’s Alisha Glass,” Gauthier said. “Not a lot of people know of her but she’s just a great person all in all. Sometimes you get people that are (famous) but they aren’t great people. Alisha is just a great person, mother and daughter. She’s great in all aspects of her life.”

Gauthier’s fascination with Glass Childress began in the fifth grade when she modeled a school project after the volleyball mogul. From that point, Gauthier and Glass Childress met twice in person. The first was at the MHSAA state finals where Glass Childress looked on as her mom coached Leland. With future teammate and self-proclaimed best friend Audrey Horton by her side, Gauthier got the chance to meet Glass Childress. The result was a signed state finals ticket and a photo to go along with it – something that has been a mainstay in Gauthier’s room since that day.

“Alisha is the epitome of a wonderful woman. She came out and talked to Navea and Audrey (Horton) and signed their state finals ticket,” Navea’s mom Becky Gauthier said. “Of course, I got it framed and that’s been in Navea’s room ever since. Ever since then, Alisha has been who she wants to be and not just as an athlete. I think she identified with her as a person of color and as a strong woman who had a mom as a coach as well.”

Years later, Gauthier and Glass Childress met once more – this time the conversation had a bit more meaning.

“Grand Rapids Far Out Volleyball club had a women’s symposium last year just before the season started,” Becky Gauthier said. “Alisha Glass was one of the women that was on the panel talking to all these young women. Somebody brought Navea to meet Alisha and she looked at Navea and said ‘so I hear you’re trying to break my record.’ Navea told her that was the plan and Alisha told her to go break that record.”

Navea did that and more, cruising past Glass Childress’ mark in 2024, finishing her high school career with 3,706 kills. That finishes second in the all-time rankings nationally as Kryssi Daniels from Alabama holds the record with 4,019. Her runner-up status comes with a bit of serendipity as any personal accolades Navea has collected to this point, come second to what Shelby accomplishes as a team.

“Navea’s freshman year, when I handed her that first (district championship) medal… as I handed it to her, she goes ‘one of four coach,’” Weirich said. “During her sophomore year she remembered we talked about it and she said ‘two of four’ and then ‘three of four’ last year. She always talks about the team awards before any individual stuff. She would trade (her individual record) for a state championship, I promise you that. That’s what separates her. She wants to lead that legacy of putting four wooden trophies in that case with her name on all four of them.”

While Shelby was unable to reach that state finals game – finishing with a 3-0 loss to Roscommon in the 2024 D3 regional semifinals – Navea did deliver on that promise to her coach. Shelby claimed their fourth consecutive district title, taking down Hart to make the trophy their own.

During that district run, Shelby took time to celebrate Navea. The crowd donned signs of her face, an announcement was made congratulating her and cake

continued from page 14

was served in the cafeteria. The best form of acknowledgement however, came from Glass Childress herself.

A personalized video from Glass Childress made its way to Navea, congratulating her on the new record and expressing excitement for her future in volleyball.

“It means a lot. I’ve seen her at the state finals a couple of times and gotten to take pictures and talk with her a bit,” Navea said. “Having someone that’s gone through everything that I’ve gone through… she’s really just a great role model for anyone.”

Now, with her high school career in the rearview mirror, Navea has turned her focus to preparing for a career with the Buckeyes at Ohio State University. As she does that, she can’t help but laugh at where her journey has taken her.

“I’ve been making my highlight reel for the state individual awards and it’s cool to see me as a freshman and the growth that I’ve made,” Navea said. “I think a lot of it comes from the weight room. I was kind of a scrawny little freshman that didn’t hit the weight room much. Coming in as a freshman, I was a little unsure. I hadn’t played a sport with these girls. I didn’t play middle school volleyball, so trusting my training was huge. Coming in day to day and working with my teammates helped push us to the next level.”

That’s been the story for Navea. Focus on the present, always pushing toward that “next level.”

Gauthier signs with Ohio State University

By: Brendan Samuels

The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – Navea Gauthier is officially headed to Ohio State University to continue her volleyball career after the Shelby senior signed her national letter of intent, Friday, Nov. 15.

In front of friends, family, coaches and teammates, Gauthier declared herself a Buckeye with the swift motion of a pen. The move has been in the works for some time, with Gauthier verbally committing months ago.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” Gauthier said. “It’s special to be here doing it with everyone around me. I enjoyed all four teams I was on (at Shelby) and they supported me along the way. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Transitioning from high school to college figures to provide challenges for Gauthier. Standing at 6-foot-1-inch, Gauthier is undersized for a hitter at the D1 level. Ohio State houses several athletes at

the same position, with several standing taller than 6-foot-3-inches.

“I’m considered an undersized pin hitter when I get to the B1G (Big Ten Conference), so working on being able to jump and stay consistent throughout the conference schedule (is key),” said Gauthier.

Ohio State’s volleyball program has experienced plenty of recent success.

The Buckeyes made backto-back appearances in the Sweet 16 in 2020 and 2021, finishing with a combined record of 43-10 over that span. In 2022, Ohio State advanced to the Elite 8, finishing their season at 22-10.

The Buckeyes have

struggled to return to that form in 2023 and 2024.

Last year, Ohio State failed to make the postseason after posting an 11-18 overall record. Standing at 12-14 this year, the Buckeyes will finish their season next week, with their last regular season game being played Friday, Nov. 29. Gauthier will depart for Ohio State in January and is aware that nothing is guaranteed going forward.

“Nothing’s guaranteed obviously. Everyone’s good,” Gauthier said. “(I’m going to focus on) figuring out what I need to work on for the next two months before I leave.

Jazwinski signs with N.C. State University

By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – Jessica Jazwinski signed her national letter of intent to run cross country and track at N.C. State University, Monday, Nov. 18, becoming the second Shelby athlete in the span of four days to declare for a D1 college.

“This was a big decision for me because I’m super close with my family and N.C. State is very far away from (them),” Jazwinski said. “It feels like a (second) family to me down there, so that made the decision a lot easier. I knew I wanted to go there right away because coach Laurie Henes is one of the most amazing coaches I’ve ever talked to.”

Jazwinski has gone through a fair share of hardships in less than a year’s time. While enrolled in Hart Public Schools in 2023-24, Jazwinski had her junior track and field season cut short when she was diagnosed with mono. Forcing her to miss the state finals, Jazwinski focused on individual training in

the offseason.

Unfortunately her clean bill of health didn’t last very long. Jazwinski then came down with pneumonia. Amidst struggles with illness, Jazwinski and her family made the move to Shelby Public Schools.

“I’ve definitely gone through a lot of struggles in the past year and there’ve been a lot of setbacks,” Jazwinski said. “I just feel that those make me stronger and they make our family stronger.”

Intent on competing for the Tigers in her senior year, Jazwinski was told by the MHSAA that transferring schools would result in her not being able to run in the fall or spring. With the move already decided upon, Jazwins-

ki practiced with Shelby this fall, but was unable to suit up and race with her teammates.

“It was definitely a huge change. I’m very happy about our decision to move because Shelby has welcomed us so well. It means so much because we live in Shelby and it was hard to see (friends) that go to Shelby, but our family is not part of that district. Now to be a part of it, it’s great.”

Jazwinski will join the Wolfpack in Raleigh, NC for the fall of 2025. N.C. State owns a highly successful women’s cross country team that recently claimed their eighthstraight NCAA Southeast regional title.

Flashback: Shelby seniors Audrey Horton (left) and Navea Gauthier (right) pose with Alisha Glass Childress (middle) after watching an MHSAA state finals battle. • Photo Courtesy of Becky Gauthier

From left to right, Brent Gauthier, Navea Gauthier, Becky Gauthier and Trey Gauthier celebrate as Navea signed her national letter of intent to Ohio State Univeristy. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Shelby’s Jessica Jazwinski (center) signs her national letter of intent to run cross country and track at N.C. State University in Raleigh, NC. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO

Reflections

Reflections of our community

White Lake Mirror White Lake Mirror

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

A new way to travel at the library

Whitehall student Maggie Derby completes walkway as Eagle Scout project

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

— Whitehall senior Maggie Derby didn’t join the Scouts BSA until she was in high school, having previously been in the Girl Scouts. But once she was in it, she wasted no time getting things done.

WHITEHALL — Whitehall senior Maggie Derby didn’t join the Scouts BSA until she was in high school, having previously been in the Girl Scouts. But once she was in it, she wasted no time getting things done.

The evidence can be found just outside the White Lake Community Library, where Derby recently led a project to build a walkway that acts as a shortcut from the parking lot to the nearby bike/walking trail. That project will earn her her Eagle Scout badge, and despite joining later than many others, she’ll be among the first in Troop 1048 to do so.

“I am really proud of my achievement,” Derby said. “I joined later than all of the other girls who are in my troop, and I’m finishing before most of them. I’m very proud of that.”

Derby long knew she wanted to help the library with her Eagle Scout service project. She has been coming to the library from the time she was a baby, when her mom would bring her to the story time programs geared towards the youngest local residents, and it’s a very special place for her.

“I’ve always been a really big reader, and it’s just been a really comfortable place to come and read, come and check out a couple books, hang out, all that kind of stuff,” Derby said.

Luckily for Derby, when she ap-

walkway near the White Lake Community Library with a vintage license plate from her father’s collection, choosing one that had her initials and the current year. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

proached director Virginia DeMumbrum and asked what she could do for a project that would aid the library, DeMumbrum didn’t have to think twice. She’s wanted a walking shortcut to the bike path for years; in fact, 15 or so years ago, another Scout proposed such a project before it fell through. However, the thought never totally left DeMumbrum’s mind, and she knew the project would be perfect for Derby.

“I’d seen a couple of those (projects), so I knew what they were going to be looking for,” DeMumbrum said. “I thought this would help her check all the boxes, and she handled it beautifully. She came in and kept me informed, regularly provided updates, walked me through everything I had to sign. She did a really great job.”

It was the first time in her memory, DeMumbrum said, that a youth-led project was completed that benefited the library. Several adult-led projects have occurred over the years, of course, but Derby was the first student she remembered to lead one.

Working on service projects is far from new for Derby; she said she and her parents have collaborated on several at the Owasippe Scout Reservation in Twin Lake. She enjoys being in Scouts and serving the community, and added that it gives her a chance to be around several school friends who are in her troop.

Derby spent a couple of months on the project, starting at the end of summer after the Scouts’ summer camp was over. As is typical with Eagle Scout projects, Derby enlisted help from peers, getting nearly 20 hours’ worth of assistance from classmates who are members of the National Honor Society. She also got a helping hand from her father, who has construction experience, and received a $200 donation from the library to purchase materials she would need, including the railroad

ties that line the path.

“This is all recycled railroad ties,” Derby said, noting the wooden borders of the path. “We got this from an auto parts store in Hart, transported it here and then used as much of it as we could.”

Her efforts came off swimmingly, and the only real issue she said she faced was lining up communication with the adults and friends that helped

Derby also had to solicit approval from the Whitehall city council to pursue the walkway, which the council enthusiastically gave her earlier this fall. The council even discussed helping pay for the project, though it was unnecessary as the library had already donated the money she needed. Her efforts came off swimmingly, and the only real issue she said she faced was lining up communication with the adults and friends that helped

Her efforts came off swimmingly, and the only real issue she said she faced was lining up communication with the adults and friends that helped

Whitehall schools bid fond farewell to McDowell

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — It was a happy yet emotional scene at the Whitehall school board’s monthly meeting Monday, as the board and community bid farewell to superintendent Jerry McDowell, who is officially retiring at the end of the year.

A large group of local people, many of them Viking administrators and teachers, turned out to wish McDowell well in his next job, as executive director of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association. The outgoing superintendent, who was hired in 2011 after previously being an elementary school principal in the West Ottawa district, was presented gifts from each of Whitehall’s schools as well as the board. He was obliged to sit in front of the board, decked out in a Viking helmet, as board members and principals shared their memories of working with him over the years.

Treasurer Jimmy TenBrink was among those who shared glowing thoughts about McDowell, recalling

that at the time he was hired, there was some local unease about the direction of the district. TenBrink shared that he was considering sending his kids - ages seven and five at the time - to another district prior to McDowell’s hire, but upon meeting him could tell McDowell was “all in,” one of the superintendent’s favorite phrases. Each building principal, board member and administrator who followed TenBrink offered similar praise.

Among the gifts McDowell received were a griddle and a plaque from the board and framed tokens of appreciation from Whitehall students, including an array of decorated popsicle sticks in his honor from Shoreline Elementaryone from each student.

Once each administrator and board member had shared thoughts, McDowell himself stood and addressed his family - wife Sandi and kids Jack, Grace and Jones - saying “being the family

•

of a superintendent isn’t always easy,” and thanking them for their support. He then thanked the community - “I’m glad you consider me a Viking,” he said -

on page 2

Whitehall senior Maggie Derby (right) and White Lake Community Library director Virginia DeMumbrum show off the walkway Derby recently led the construction of as an Eagle Scout project. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Maggie Derby

Staff from Ealy Elementary School displays a banner thanking Jerry McDowell for his time as superintendent during Monday’s school board meeting. Each Whitehall school building presented McDowell with gifts as he stepped down to become executive director of the state elementary and middle school principals’ association.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Retiring Whitehall superintendent Jerry McDowell dons a Viking hat and sits in front of the school board during Monday’s meeting. McDowell, who is retiring at the end of the year, was toasted by board members and administrators during the meeting.

Andy Roberts/Mirror McDowell continued

Whitehall student Maggie Derby ‘signed’ her walkway near the White Lake Community Library with a vintage license plate from her father’s collection, choosing one that had her initials and the current year. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

WHITEHALL

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall student Maggie Derby ‘signed’ her

Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

Whitehall Schools fields questions, comments in first planned community engagement night

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — Some 40 Whitehall District Schools parents and stakeholders turned out Wednesday, Nov. 13 to participate in the first of at least two planned community engagement nights as the school attempts to address local concerns.

The engagement nights were made public following November’s operations non-homestead millage renewal being voted down by district voters, though interim superintendent CJ Van Wieren said a steering committee had the evenings in the works prior to the election. Another event took place Thursday, Nov. 21 and Van Wieren said there may be a third in December if the committee deems it would be beneficial.

Van Wieren has stated multiple times since taking on his new position that he’s deeply invested in making Whitehall’s schools as successful as he can, in part because he has three children of his own who are or will soon attend them. However, he noted he wants all kids to have a great experience at the school.

“That’s really, really hard to achieve, but it’s worth trying,” Van Wieren said. By a large margin, the most common issue discussed at the meeting was communication, as Van Wieren and meeting attendees alike considered the

best ways to reach local people. This was a discussion point in part because several meeting attendees shared that they did not even know a millage renewal was on the ballot until they saw it there, and others didn’t realize how crucial the renewal is to the school budget; Van Wieren said the non-homestead millage - which could return to the ballot as soon as May for another chance at approval - accounts for about 20% of it.

Showing how fragmented the communication landscape has become, some said that social media did not work for them as they did not have Facebook, while others said mailers to keep them informed would be unlikely to work as many people do not read unsolicited letters in the mail. Van Wieren noted that it costs the district about $1,500 to send a mailer to each home.

Some parents expressed continued dissatisfaction with the school board and district leadership that dates back to a spring 2021 incident in which an email with a link to material many district parents found inappropriate was sent to all students. Some parents have maintained ever since that their voices were not adequately heard during the ensuing controversy, and it was mentioned by those in that corner that the board’s composition is largely the same as it was at that time. Some said they believe district leadership took on an “us versus them” posture when dealing with public dissatisfaction with the in-

Maggie Derby

her out.

“Getting to do all of that communication was hard, but having people come and donate the railroad ties, the rebar that holds everything in, the wood chips, everything like that, it was amazing to see how the community came together to help me,” Derby said.

In a nifty final touch, Derby ‘signed’ the project with a vintage license plate. Her father collects

McDowell

and praised the district for what it can do for kids.

“Whitehall is one of those places where if you come here, you can be anything you want,” McDowell said. “It’s because of this place.”

Prior to the toast of McDowell, there was business to attend to for the board, including an approval of a combined $39,400 expense to replace the upper and lower roofs at the district’s school bus garage. TenBrink said in his motion that the expense was being approved “because (the roof) was falling in,” and interim superintendent CJ Van Wieren added that the roof has been leaking and causing damage to interior ceilings.

The board also ap-

continued from page 1

them, and she placed one with the plate MD2024 near the bottom of the walking path. It didn’t take long for her new path to get used; Derby said while her group was packing up materials just after finishing the walkway, someone came by and used it to get to the bike path, expressing their approval.

The work also earned Derby a part-time job; the library need-

from page 1

proved a $56,090 request from the Muskegon

cident.

Van Wieren, who was middle school principal when that event took place, conceded there were mistakes at that time and emphasized that an open line of communication was one of the priorities he has now that he is leading the district. Other members of the steering committee concurred and hoped parents and staff alike will be able to put the issue behind them going forward; White Lake Fire Authority chief Pete McCarthy, who’s on the committee, said of these public meetings, “There doesn’t have to be an elephant in the room anymore.”

A few attendees questioned why no members of the school board were at the meeting, though it was noted that

ed a substitute clerk at the time she was working on the walkway, and one day as Derby was about to leave, DeMumbrum asked her on the spur of the moment if she was looking for work. The stars aligned, and Derby now works the front desk when she’s needed.

DeMumbrum and library patrons alike are thrilled with the walkway and look forward to seeing Derby around regularly now that she’s part of the family.

“We’re just really happy with it and really proud of her,” DeMumbrum said. “I can’t wait to see what she does next.”

Community Foundation for the operational expenses for Hilt’s Landing in Whitehall Township.

The district is leasing the property from the foundation, and helping pay

if a quorum - at least half of the board - is present at any public event, it is required to be considered a board meeting.

Going forward, parents also hope building facilities are addressed, with things like security and even bathroom soap dispensers mentioned by name as things that need attention. (At least one parent did mention that those are items that a millage request from the school that was twice voted down over the past year could have affected that.) McCarthy pointed out that the current maintenance staff for the district is only a few people, and adequate personnel is essential to ensuring facilities are operating as they should.

Next week’s Mirror will go to print Wednesday due to the Thaksgiving holiday. Please submit any material by Tuesday evening. Thank you!

for its upkeep was part of the agreement. It was noted that the district hopes to utilize the property in positive ways going forward.

Parents and community members gathered Wednesday, Nov. 13 for a community engagement night, with stakeholders giving feedback to Whitehall interim superintendent CJ Van Wieren and steering committee members about the district.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Saturday, Nov. 23

Holiday Walk continues, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Montague and Whitehall. Free trolley rides throughout the area to promote local shopping.

November Saturdays: Plaster Painting @ Muskegon Museum of History & Science, 1-3 p.m. Coloring plaster casts of trilobites. Free for county residents.

Justin Avdek and a guest TBA per-

Community Calendar

form @ Fetch Brewing, 7 p.m.

Isaac Berkowitz performs @ Sawyers Brewing, 7 p.m.

John Merchant Duo performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 26

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

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. 27

Tommy Foster performs his traditional Thanksgiving eve concert @ Fetch Brewing, 7 p.m.

BonFire Rose performs @ Pub One Eleven, 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 29

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

The Moonshine Runners perform @ Sawyers Brewing, 7 p.m. Witchcraft Lemonade performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.

Echoes of History: Historic Homes - The S. H. Lasley house

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor

The property on which this house was built was originally owned by Ophir Goodno in 1875. However, he lost the property in 1876 for not paying the taxes. Edward P. Ferry then bought the land from the Auditor General in October 1876.

Samuel Henry Lasley was born in Muskegon Nov. 21, 1840. His mother, who was part-Native American, was also born in Muskegon in 1812. His father was a Frenchman and pioneer lumberman, having built one of the first lumber mills in Muskegon. Lasley received his early education in Grand Haven and attended college in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Lasley came to Montague in fall 1866 to take charge of the mercantile business of Ferry, Dowling & Co. The following spring he was admitted as a partner, continuing until 1872, when he took a larger interest, and the firm was called S. H. Lasley & Co. Edward P. Ferry and George Dowling had a lesser interest in the firm. In July 1885, he sold the business and became cashier of the First National Bank in Whitehall. He continued in that position in 1894, when it became Whitehall State Savings Bank. The bank failed and closed in 1897.

Lasley married Mrs. Isabelle A. (nee Lewis) Rumsey June 10, 1874 in Albion, MI. At the time, she had a young daughter named Charlotte.

As Ferry and Lasley were friends, they must have had a gentlemen’s agreement whereby Lasley could begin building his house in 1879 on land Ferry owned. Lasley actually purchased the land from E. W. Ferry June 14, 1880 for $422.98.

The Italianate Victorian house Lasley built is very similar in design and style to the Edward Payson Ferry house in Grand Haven located at 514 Lafayette Street. The stone foundation is Indiana limestone, which was brought as ballast on returning lumbering boats. The house has three sitting rooms, a dining room, kitchen, pantry and laundry room, wood room, bathroom, sun room and large front entry on the main floor. Upstairs

are four bedrooms and a bathroom. There is also a maid’s room, which has its own stairway from the kitchen. There was a two-story barn behind the house on Mead Street.

In December 1892, it was reported in the local paper that Lasley had sold his house for $3,000 to Abel T. Page of Grand Rapids, who planned to make it their summer home. At the time it had 38 apple trees surrounding the house. Across Prospect Street (now Old Channel Trail), there were grapes on the slope to White Lake, and a vegetable garden spot. Other garden details included lilacs and pussywillows, and a watering system. There was a huge pump down on the lake flats that supplied water for many of the houses along Prospect Street. There was also a ram in Coon Creek that pumped water into a storage tank. This supplied water for the greenhouse porch on the south side of the house. Cisterns caught rain water which was used for laundry and bathing. A hand pump at the well furnished drinking water.

Since the Pages were going to use the house as a summer home, they allowed the Lasleys to remain in the house. In March 1893, a reception was held for the Lasleys at their home before they left for Muskegon. At the time, it was one of the largest social events ever seen on White Lake. The spacious home was filled with upwards of 200 people. While a resident of Montague, Lasley was elected register of deeds. He also served as supervisor of the township and president of the village.

In 1900, S. H. Lasley and his wife were listed as residing in Muskegon. His stepdaughter “Lottie” was teaching school at the Pillsbury School in Muskegon. In 1920, Lasley was living in the “Old Folks Home” in Muskegon. He died at Hackley Hospital March 21, 1921. His wife Isabelle died Aug. 5, 1921 in Battle Creek. They are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Muskegon.

Abel Town Page acquired the Lasley house in 1892. Around 1896 Mark Covell acquired the house and sold it to J. W. Steffe for $1,400 in November 1896. They owned the house for a short time before sell-

ing it to Mr. & Mrs. C. D. Burdick in March 1897 for $1,900. In May 1909, William Sweet bought the house for $2,000 from Mr. & Mrs. Burdick when they moved to Grand Rapids.

In September 1909, while the Sweets were living in the house, an alarm was sounded and the fire department rushed up the hill to the house. As it turned out, a stove brush and rag behind the kitchen stove caught fire and created quite a smudge.

In April 1913, a party of about 40 merrymakers descended on the Sweet home, bringing a delicious supper with them. It was a complete surprise to the Sweets, who were busy packing and getting ready to move to their new home.

J. D. Wilson of the Wilson & Hendrie Foundry bought the handsome residence in 1913. He lived there until his death in December 1915. Then his wife died while living there in 1940, leaving it to their daughter Jessie, who died in February 1941.

Since September 1941, the Edward Scharmer family has owned and lived in the house. Scharmer was elected the mayor of Montague in 1947, a position he held until he resigned from the office in 1958 to seek a position on the Muskegon County Road Commission.

Edward C. Scharmer, Jr. was born in Muskegon Jan. 20, 1901, and graduated from Muskegon High School. In 1920 he went to work for the Muskegon Road Commission and became a specialist in highway development. In 1945 he left the road commission to open a private survey office in Muskegon.

Ed married Esther Mae O’Connell in Grand Rapids June 28, 1930. They had two children: Sue Ellen (1931-2015) and Roger Phillip (1934-). Ed died of an apparent heart attack while tending his garden at his home in Montague Sept. 14, 1975. His wife Esther died in Muskegon Aug. 31, 1989. They are both buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

In 1995, the back two-story kitchen and service wing were converted into a two-floor apartment with its own private terrace and garden area. The front portion of the house is occupied by Roger Scharmer.

Check out Kanopy Kids during the holiday season

By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor

Have you had a chance to check out Kanopy, the new library streaming service? In addition to the outstanding collection of movies and shows for adults, there is a whole section just for kids. Better yet, there are no caps on how many things the kids can borrow! Just go to kanopy. com, set up an account with your library card, and watch as many great shows on Kanopy Kids as you like.

I highly recommend the Weston Woods collection, which turns picture books into minimally-animated videos. I have such fond memories of watching them with my own children 30 years ago, back when we borrowed the VHS tapes from our local library

in Wisconsin. I sat down last week to watch “Owl Moon” and “Goodnight, Gorilla” with my grandkids, and they did not disappoint. The stories are timeless, and the pace of the videos is slow and calm. What a delightful way for you to take a break together with your kids over the holidays, or to entertain them for just a few minutes while you take care of one last holiday chore.

Kanopy Kids also offers videos in multiple languages, including French, Spanish, and American Sign Language. You also have free access to Muzzy, the BBC’s language-learning series for children. This popular educational series immerses children in a foreign language, engaging them with simple stories so they pick up the new language the same way they learned their first language – by hearing it. Check it out today!

FUN FACT: There are 34,038 different videos available to stream on Kanopy. The most popular video on the platform last week was Golden

Years, about a newly retired German couple on a Mediterranean cruise that becomes an unexpected journey of self-discovery. The second most popular was The Old Oak, a moving drama about loss, fear, and the difficulty of finding hope, set in a once-thriving mining village in northern England. Gingerbread Workshop Donations Welcome

We are really looking forward to hosting an in-person Gingerbread Workshop Thursday, Dec. 12, from 3-7 p.m. We are busy buying mountains of graham crackers, buckets of frosting, and piles of paper plates and napkins. We are also gratefully accepting donations of new, unopened candy items kids can use to decorate their houses. If you would like to contribute candy canes or gum drops or other delights, just bring them to the library by Saturday, Dec. 7. You can see a list of needed items on the website at wlclib.org.

Deck the Shelves Craft Night Dec. 2

There are still a few seats left for

the upcoming craft night! Adults are invited to get into the holiday spirit Monday, Dec. 2, from 5:30-7 p.m. We’ll supply everything you need to create a charming Christmas tree decoration out of an old paperback book, but you are also welcome 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. For more information and to register, visit wlclib.org/calendar.

DeMumbrum

Lake Mirror Lake Mirror

NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE community Vikings fall just short of regional title

G.R. South Christian outduels Whitehall in close battle, 28-21

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — Whitehall coach Tony Sigmon invoked Duke basketball coaching legend Mike Krzyzewski Friday night, saying all a coach wants is for a season to end with either “tears of joy or tears of sadness,” because it means his players were deeply invested and gave the season everything they had.

It would be hard to find a Viking team that has given more than the 2024 squad, whose season marked by injuries and a resulting perseverance came to a disappointing end in the regional championship game with a 28-21 heavyweight fight against Grand Rapids South Christian, followed by those tears of sadness.

“I am so incredibly proud of our football team,” Sigmon said. “There were a lot of times that our kids, during the course of the season, could have folded up shop. They could have said, ‘Oh gosh, we lost this kid. We lost that kid.’ The only thing that this group did was get tighter and tighter and tighter as a group. It really goes to show you what value a strong football team can have.

“It didn’t happen the way we wanted it, obviously, but I’m telling you right now, our kids played their hearts out tonight.”

The Vikings (8-4) lost many key players to injury over the course of the season, including but not limited to two-way stars Ryan Goodrich and Parker Mott, as well as key pieces on the lines. Yet there Whitehall was, playing its first-ever regional home game Friday.

The final score was the same one as the teams’ previous meeting, in the 2022 regional finals. That Sailor team went on to win the state championship, and this one could too.

That’s in no small part due to their quarterback, Carson Vis, who like his counterpart, Camden Thompson, is

Regional defeat

continued on page 5

Senior keeper helped lead the ‘Cats to glory

Robby Smith joined soccer team for first time this season

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Montague’s historic success on the soccer pitch in 2024the team set a program record for wins in a season and won its first-ever district title - had many authors, but maybe none more of a pleasant surprise than senior Robby Smith, who took over as keeper for the Wildcats and helped spearhead the team.

Almost any good keeper is vocal in running the back end of the defense, but for a player with as little experience as Smith had - it had been the better part of a decade since he’d played competitive soccer - his leadership stood out.

“He may not be a captain of this squad, but he definitely portrays that,” Montague coach Brandon Mahoney said after the Wildcats’ September win over Oakridge. “He is acting like a captain, saying the right things, getting people fired up, making everybody work.”

Montague knew it would need a keeper to accomplish its goals after

the graduation of Eli Bunton, who was a first team all-West Michigan Conference player last season. The Wildcat coaches weighed several options, among them shifting defenseman Lucas Husband into the net, but as it turned out, the answer was yet to come.

Smith was interested in playing soccer after previously being part of the football team. Coach Brandon Mahoney called up Smith during the offseason and invited him to an informal training session, or a “4-on-1.” (By MHSAA rule, there are parts of a sports offseason where coaches are not permitted to have in-person contact with groups of players larger than four, hence the name.)

“He called and was like, ‘Do you want to come for a 4-on-1? If you don’t enjoy it, you don’t have to play it,’” Smith said after that Oakridge game. “I went and I really enjoyed it, so I switched from football to soccer and here we are.”

Smith pursued the keeper position, but without expectation of becoming the starter. However, he won the job by wanting it the most.

“We had a couple besides Robby who were interested in playing keeper,” Mahoney said. “We did some stuff

at the township (complex) preseason with all three of them, giving them a kind of run-through. Robby was genuinely, out of the three of them, the most interested (in playing keeper). Maybe it’s because he was brand new.

“He wanted to know what he could do...the little stuff that inexperienced keepers (struggle with). We did a few things with him. I gave him a few vid-

eos to watch and he asked for some more stuff. He was very interested and willing to do the schoolwork, put in the time, watch the videos, and understand positioning.”

The crash course paid off, and by the end of the season Mahoney said

WHITEHALL • MONTAGUE • REETHS - PUFFER

Montague keeper Robby Smith (on ground) dives to make a play on the ball during the Wildcats’ Oct. 22 regional game against Kingsford. Teammates Trevin Silvers (4) and Lucas Husband look on. Smith, a first-year varsity player, took on the keeper spot.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Robby Smith

Whitehall’s Camden Thompson (12) soars in to break up a pass intended for South Christian receiver Owen Burgess during Friday’s regional finals game at Whitehall. The Vikings fell just short, 28-21. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall running back Gavin Craner drags South Christian tacklers with him to the turf during Friday’s regional finals game at Whitehall. Craner scored a touchdown in the Vikings’ 28-21 defeat. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall’s Cody Manzo (left) closely defends Grand Rapids South Christian’s Owen Burgess on a pass play during Friday’s regional finals game. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Regional defeat

headed to Western Michigan University next year to play basketball. Vis was the centerpiece of the Sailors’ game plan, with an overwhelming amount of the offensive design being, effectively, snap it to Vis and let him keep the play alive long enough to make magic happen.

Vis did exactly that on two of the biggest plays of the game in the first half. He threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Chuck DeHaan on the first drive of the game on fourth-and-4, and on the last play of the first half, scrambled around long enough to find Tyler Brinks for a 20-yard score. Both were pinpoint passes that beat decent coverage by the Viking defense, one that hadn’t had to deal with a passing threat like Vis all season but appeared up to the challenge most of Friday’s game.

Vis accounted for 283 total yards in the game, 228 of them in the air.

“We initially had very good coverage, but credit him and credit their skill kids because they do a wonderful job, and they’ve done it all year long, of extending the play and being at the right spot,” Sigmon said. “That’s wellcoached and well-executed.”

Thompson delivered his own impressive heroics during the game. He ran for two touchdowns, one in the first half and one in the second, and it was that second one, his final varsity touchdown, that summed his season up. The senior broke several tackles and maneuvered his way through traffic with sheer effort and athleticism to keep his team alive with 6:20 to go, making the score 28-21.

The Viking defense came up with the stop it needed to get one final shot with the ball, but after Thompson threw a near-perfect long bomb that was dropped, the drive went south, and Whitehall ended up falling short

on a wild fourth-and-17 conversion attempt. The Sailors then ran out the clock.

A pivotal play came late in the third quarter after South Christian took a 21-14 lead (with help from another fourth-down conversion pass from Vis). The Sailor defense, already having intercepted a pass in the half, came up huge early in the Whitehall drive when Rowan DeKam ripped the ball away from the Vikings just before a play ended and took it back for the touchdown to make it a two-score game.

“It was an unfortunate play,” Sigmon said. “I think some would argue that he was down, but I know the officials were in a very good position to see it. Obviously there was a big scrum there and they made a decision, and it was against us, and it was for them, and it is what it is.”

Whitehall’s best drive of the game was its first of the second half, as the Viking front line opened big holes for running back Gavin Craner, who ripped off several big gains on his way to 119 yards on the night. Craner finished off that drive, too, with a twoyard run that tied the score at 14 and seemed to snatch back the momentum after the Sailors had seized it with the end-of-half score.

That momentum seemed even more in Whitehall’s favor after the Vikings got a defensive stop in the red zone - aided by a flying pass breakup from Thompson in the end zone. Unfortunately, the Sailors recorded an interception on the next possession, the only one thrown by either team.

“They made some crucial plays at the right times,” Sigmon said. “Credit them. There’s something to be said about being able to do that. You can scheme all that, but it’s another thing

to execute it, and they did a wonderful job doing it.”

Regardless of outcome, the Vikings had a proud coaching staff Friday, and the staff wasted no time telling the team so after the issue was decided.

For the second time in three years, the team brought home a district trophy, this one perhaps holding even more meaning because of all the Vikes overcame to get it.

“You hope that your kids are invest-

ed to play at a high level and to have each other’s backs and to be coachable and to represent their community and their families the way that our kids did tonight,” Sigmon said. “It doesn’t always happen the way you want it at the end, but there is going to be a time for us to look back at this season and appreciate everything our kids gave us and to respect them and to honor them.”

A dozen local players earn all-conference first team

Nick Clemens named third team all-state; Trevor Trevino honorable mention

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

It was a big year in local soccer, and a dozen area players were awarded first team all-conference, with two earning mention on the all-state teams.

The two to pick up those high honors were Reeths-Puffer senior Nick Clemens, who capped a four-year career in which he started every possible game on the varsity, and Montague senior Trevor Trevino. Clemens was named all-state third team in Division 1, and Trevino was all-state honorable mention in Division 3.

Montague, which won its first-ever district championship and was in the West Michigan Conference title chase right up to the last regular-season game, had four all-WMC first teamers, including Trevino. The senior star was the centerpiece of the Wildcats’ offensive attack, pouring in goal after goal even after it became clear other teams would do almost anything to stop him. Once he had opponents’ focus, Trevino proved an adept passer, assisting on several other goals.

Trevino was joined on the first team by midfielder Noah Raeth and defensemen Rylee Onstott and Lucas Husband. Montague’s back end of the lineup receiving so much attention was fitting given the Wildcats’ success there. They gave up multiple goals in only six games out of the 23 they played.

Midfielder Hunter Phipps gained honorable mention on the WMC team as another key part of

that defensive unit.

Whitehall placed three players onto the all-WMC first team, led by senior Mason Mulnix at forward. Mulnix missed most of the season with a broken hip, but in storybook fashion came off the bench in his first game back, the district opener against Oakridge, to score two goals in overtime and deliver the Vikings a spectacular win in his final home game. He was still the team’s leading scorer for the season despite missing most of the games.

With Mulnix on the first team were defensemen Tyler Van Antwerp and Royce Freed, both seniors who did a remarkable job anchoring the back end of the lineup despite the Vikings’ struggles to score goals with Mulnix out of commission. Teammate Andon Palmer, who started the year at the keeper spot, received honorable mention as a forward.

With Clemens on the all-O-K Green Conference first team for Reeths-Puffer were Gavin Wright, Owen Ritsema, Cohen Beck. and Ian Wright. (A photo of Ian Wright could not be obtained.) The quintet paced a Rocket squad that got off to a sizzling 4-0-1 start to the season and finished strong with four straight wins prior to a district final defeat to eventual regional finalist Fruitport.

Ni. Clemens Beck

Onstott

Mulnix

Freed

Raeth Husband Ritsema

Van Antwerp

Trevino

G. Wright

Whitehall’s Camden Thompson dives for the pylon to score Whitehall’s first touchdown of Friday’s regional game against Grand Rapids South Christian. Bryce Kenyon looks on for the Sailors. South Christian won the game, 28-21.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Grand Rapids South Christian’s Chuck DeHaan (left) hauls in a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone while Blake English defends for Whitehall during Friday’s regional game at Whitehall. The Vikings lost, 28-21.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Montague no longer pursuing curbside leaf pickup

The Montague city council and staff announced on Facebook Wednesday, Oct. 30, that it will abandon further discussion of instituting a curbside leaf pickup plan after survey results showed most respondents to a survey were against the monthly fee that would accompany it.

The full results of the survey were made available to residents at Monday’s city council meeting.

Of 206 respondents, 144 said they would not be interested in paying a $6.20 monthly fee to have curbside leaf pickup. Interest in paying a fee dropped even lower when combined with the possibility of not having access to the current drop-off site, which is located at the corner of Cook and Bowen streets. A hundred of the 175 to answer whether they used that dropoff site said they did.

The survey also went into detail on residents’ preferences regarding July 4 celebrations. The council has been considering the future of the celebrations because of scheduling and financial issues.

A majority of respondents expressed that the July 4 fireworks were an important part of the area’s holiday celebration, but did display a degree of flexibility on the date. Of 132 that responded to a question asking if the fireworks needed to be on July 4, only 58 said that was absolutely necessary. Fifty-seven said the day before or after was alright, and 37 said if one of those days fell on a weekend, it would be OK to have the fireworks then.

The majority of respondents - 110 of the 130 to answer that question - said they did not care if the boat launch was unavailable for other uses the day the fireworks are displayed. The council has discussed moving the fireworks to other sites.

City residents also expressed a desire to continue funding the fireworks at current levels. As of now, the cities of Montague and Whitehall each contribute $5,000 per year to the fireworks, with the local fireworks committee working to raise the remainder of the money.

Muskegon Museum of Art gears up for Festival of Trees

The Muskegon Museum of Art will offer visitors a look at some nostalgic holiday collections with its Festival of Trees exhibit, which begins Wednesday, Nov. 27 and will last through Sunday, Jan. 5.

Vintage ornaments and trains, holiday-themed Barbie dolls and a forest of bottlebrush trees will be part of the exhibit, giving guests a boost of holiday spirit.

An annual tradition and fundraising event at the museum, the Festival of Trees also includes holiday-themed activities live music, an auction, teddy bear check-ups and more. A full schedule of events, including the Nov. 30 Teddy Bear Trail, the Dec. 7 holiday concert and the Dec. 14 Hot Cocoa Hop, is available at muskegonartmuseum.org/festivaloftrees.

Tickets to the exhibit are $17 for adults and $13 for seniors. (Seniors can also participate in Senior Tuesday Mornings, with early access to the museum from 10-11 a.m. and $2 off admission.) Museum members can purchase tickets for $5. Thursday tickets are $5 for all.

Rothbury council authorizes removal of leaf pile

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

ROTHBURY — The Rothbury village council unanimously authorized Department of Public Works director Scott Beishuizen to have the large leaf and brush pile next to the bike trail hauled away at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

The council has previously discussed contracting with White Lake Excavating to remove the pile, which is growing large as residents have deposited their leaves into it. The council said there have been dead animals found in the piles.

The council also unanimously voted to remove the Greenlawn mobile home park from the village’s garbage account with Kuerth’s Disposal; the village pays for most residents’ trash service. The move was made because by law, the mobile home park must provide trash service for its tenants. Also on the subject of garbage, the village recently put new Kuerth’s recycling bins next to the hall that residents

are welcome to use. The village would still like to add recycling service for residents to its Kuerth’s account, but the company is requiring more homes to report participation in recycling before it will provide bins to homes.

Rothbury will donate $1,500 to the Newsboys nonprofit organization to aid in cleanup of the intersection of Winston and Michigan roads.

A Dec. 7 dedication ceremony has been tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. for the new Czarny Park sign, which was constructed as an Eagle Scout project by local scout Jaden Furman. The council said it will confirm Furman is available to be part of the ceremony before locking in the date and time.

Councilman Dylan Zuniga offered his assistance in putting together a community survey the planning commission is working on to solicit resident feedback for updates to the master plan. Zuniga said he could help with putting the survey on Google Forms, which is free to use and could increase participation in the survey.

Electric Forest announces dates; public ticket sales begin Dec. 6

Electric Forest officially announced its 2025 dates, June 19-22, with a Wednesday announcement to its social channels.

The Forest is taking place one week earlier than it normally does. The Rothbury village council recently approved a request from the festival to move up the dates due to various scheduling issues.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public Friday, Dec. 6 at noon. More information is available at electricforest.com. The festival also has a smartphone app that can be found on your operating system of choice.

Robby Smith

he’d argue to anyone that Smith was the WMC’s best keeper. The senior possessed a fearlessness to attack the ball rather than wait for it and a fire that kept his defense motivated.

“I have my moments when we get scored on, and (I’m) obviously not happy about it,” Smith said. “When I get a save, it’s not just me. My defense gets really excited. We exchange yells and stuff, and that really ignites the team and gets them going.”

Fittingly, Smith delivered a shutout against Fremont in the district final, avenging a regular-season loss to the Packers and helping the team make program history.

Smith’s most impressive quality was his knack for turning back the most difficult shots to save. He made a one-handed save of a deflected ball against Oakridge and was remarkably good at denying penalty kicks - a skill he displayed three different times in the WMC finale against North Muskeg-

on, despite the team losing the game. Twice Smith saved Norsemen PKs, and a third attempt went too high, which Mahoney attributed to Smith stonewalling the first two.

The success Smith enjoyed didn’t just help the Wildcats this season; because of his immediate impact, the soccer team will be able to use his example to bring in other athletes for years to come.

“He’s something special,” Mahoney said. “It was funny, we were walking off the bench (after beating Oakridge) and there was a kid that’s a junior. He said, ‘Coach, I think I want to come play for you next year...I hear you’ll need a keeper.’

“He’s kind of shone that light. You don’t have to be a four-year soccer player to come out here and make a difference and really support the team. He’s been phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for someone better at keeper.”

Sports in Brief

Hockey

Reeths-Puffer 7 G.R. Christian

The Electric Forest announced its 2025 dates Wednesday, with tickets to the general public going on sale Friday, Dec. 6. • Brendan Samuels/Mirror File Photo

A Muskegon Museum of Art visitor takes in the scene at the holiday-themed Festival of Trees exhibit, which begins Nov. 27. • Courtesy Photo

Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency makes presentation at Montague council meeting

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Samyrah Mohon of the Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency presented to the Montague city council at Monday’s regular meeting to let local residents know of options available to help those facing financial stress.

Mohon, who did a similar presentation at a Hart city council meeting earlier this fall, said during her presentation that the agency can help families with income levels at up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines with various needs, including property taxes, water bills, weatherization, and even installation of ramps for those who may otherwise not be able to stay in their homes. She added that the agency works with Department of Housing and Urban Development-certified counselors that can aid people looking to purchase a home.

The agency serves Michigan residents in several counties throughout central and western Michigan and has offices in Muskegon and in Hart. Council member Susan Newhof thanked Mohon for her agency’s work, noting that about 100 local families receive food through the program. More information is available at mmcaa.org.

The council also unanimously approved several agenda items during the meeting. Among them were some

midyear budget amendments, which accounted for local assessing services transitioning to the county level, an increase in water testing prices, and the cost of tree removal stemming from the summer storms that hit the White Lake area. There was also a slight increase in general fund appropriations attributed largely to sidewalk construction projects going on in the city.

The council also approved a dangerous animal ordinance, which will give local law enforcement the backing to deal with scenarios involving them if they should arise. City manager Jeff Auch noted the police department is pleased with the ordinance.

Auch also added that he’s been working with Frontier Communications to decommission some old systems in preparation for the coming installation of fiber optic cables. He estimated it would be a years-long process as people move over to the new system and old equipment is shut down.

There are plans in the works to remove an aging pedestrian bridge on Old Channel Trail and install a culvert to improve water flow. If weather permits, a sidewalk will be installed over the culvert in coming months, but if not alternate means will be used to ensure the area is passable for pedestrians in the meantime.

Dalton Twp. inducts new township firefighter

By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer

Dalton Township officially inducted Justin Keech into the township’s fire department during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12, after Keech completed his probationary period of employment.

The meeting would normally have taken place Monday but was pushed back a day due to the Veterans Day holiday.

Dalton Township Fire Chief Alan Styles announced there were 475 attendees during the fire department’s annual open house in October. He thanked everyone who came and the fire department for their participation. He shared that the department is on course to surpass 1,000 calls or reports by the end of this year. He also announced the department has received a jet-ski that will be used for rescue missions when necessary. Muskegon

County Sheriff Michael Poulin delivered it for free. He said the department was anticipating this to be a large purchase - over $10,000 - and in the end, it will cost only a few hundred dollars.

The township board approved a five-year contract with PLM Land and Lake Management to control exotic plant growth in Dalton Township’s lakes - West Lake, North Lake, Middle Lake and Twin Lake. The five-year contract protects the township from future inflation that may take place and would increase the cost.

The board also approved an application from KEPS Technologies to install fiber-optic cable in the township. Due to the existence of the Metro Act, which governs the use of public rightsof-way by telecommunication providers, supervisor Jeff Martin consulted with a lawyer before Tuesday’s board meeting to ensure the approval would not put the township in violation of the act.

Christmas parade!

Over 50 festive entries are expected for the White Lake area’s annual Christmas parade Saturday, Dec. 7.

Many local businesses, as well as local nonprofits, fire and police departments, and more will be participating in the annual event. The grand finale, of course, will be the visit from Santa Claus.

To sign up to participate, visit whitelake.org.

The White Lake area’s Christmas parade is set for Dec. 7. • Madison Lajewski/Mirror

CEIC recounts recent developments in White River Twp.

There have been major new developments relating to the cleanup of the Chemours, former Dupont, property in White River Township. On July 9, 2024, after more than 3 decades of investigations, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and Chemours signed a document, the Corrective Action Consent Order (CACO), that gives EGLE the authority to direct Chemours to complete certain actions that are required by law, and to enforce timelines.

Also, a new study is underway to determine if there are residual toxic organic vapors in the soil that can migrate to the surface from contaminated soils and groundwater, and concentrate in enclosed spaces. The report on findings from this evaluation are now expected to be completed by the end of November 2024, along with the Corrective Measures Study (CMS) Report from a work plan initiated back in 2018 to complete unfinished investigations and analyze what technologies would be appropriate for each of the 19 landfills and areas of concern on the property.

Deadlines matter. The final cleanup plan, the Corrective Measures Implementation (CMI) Work Plan that will detail what will be done in the cleanup and when it will be done, is due to EGLE by February 2025. That document will be the subject of a public hearing. Public acceptance of the work plan factors into its implementation.

Now that an enforceable document is in place with deadlines for submission of reports, the Chemours Environmental Impact Committee (CEIC) has kicked into high gear on the two goals they set when they formed in 2018 as an authorized committee of the White River Township board of trustees: the cleanup of the Chemours property, and conservation of the White Lake Shoreline and uninterrupted forests on the property that provide essential habitat for wildlife.

Over the past 6 years, in addition to monitoring and advocating for cleanup of the site, CEIC has attempted to devel-

op partners and plans to conserve this valuable natural landscape. Key concerns are the protection of vulnerable White Lake shoreline and the forested areas of the property. CEIC recently met with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan (LCWM) in Grand Rapids, seeking guidance in this effort.

Meanwhile, we all need to do our homework. EGLE’s Chemours-Montague Facility Corrective Action Information website is open to all, and reports will be posted there in the coming months. Chemours’ Quarterly Progress Reports will contain information that may prompt us to respond even before the public hearing.

For updates on the cleanup and conservation of the Chemours property, contact makeitrightchemours@ gmail.com and ask to be added to CEIC’s email list, or visit Make It Right Chemours on Facebook.

A bit of history:

The DuPont plant opened in 1955 to produce acetylene, neoprene, other polymers and Freon. Within three years, the first of several unlined landfills was dug into the sandy soil and, by 1961, taste and odor problems were detected in residential wells and studies confirmed contamination. The plant ceased operations in 1996.

Over the years, some steps have been taken to limit human exposures, such as interceptor wells to remove chemicals that have leached from the landfills into the groundwater flowing from the former manufacturing area, and chain link fences around two landfills. Removal of lime from the giant lime pile has been going on for decades.

Into the 1990s and the dawning of the new millennium, there were studies, reports and negotiations between the property owner and state environmental agencies, but after 60-plus years, CEIC contends there has been no cleanup of the landfills and other sources of contamination at the site now under the control of the Chemours Company, a DuPont spinoff enterprise.

Dalton Twp. firefighter Justin Keech (second from right) receives his pin and becomes an official township firefighter at the Nov. 12 board meeting. • Courtesy Photo

Police activity this week

Nov. 15

Behind the Badge

Whitehall Police Report

Nov. 13

What started out as a good deed by an officer ended up in the officer arresting the person involved. An officer on patrol at 6:37 p.m. saw a man struggling with several bags of groceries and offered him a ride home. The officer began his report after dropping the man off in the 300 block of Lewis St. and when entering the name, saw the 60-year-old was wanted on two outstanding warrants. The officer returned to the residence to make the arrest. When told he was being arrested, the man started to walk away from the officer, who talked the suspect into surrendering without incident. The man was lodged at the Muskegon County jail.

Nov. 14

A resident of the 200 block of S Livingston St. reported a mini-bike had been stolen from the front porch. The victim told the officer he had left the home for a bike ride and when he returned at 8 p.m., the motorized bike was gone. There were no witnesses and there were no video cameras located in the neighborhood. The case remains under investigation.

A good citizen came to the Whitehall Police office at 9:16 a.m. and turned in some cash found at the McCormick’s convenience store on Whitehall Road. A Facebook post resulted in the owner coming and claiming the money.

The City of Whitehall was the victim of a check fraud. In the early morning, city hall employees noted a discrepancy in its accounts and began to investigate, then contacted the police department. A check that had been sent to a business appeared to have been “washed” and the payee and amount were changed to over $40,000 and deposited to a bank in Florida. Thanks to the alert staff, the payment was stopped. The criminal investigation continues.

Nov. 16

Deer on the move resulted in a car-versus-deer crash in the 500 block of Benston Rd. The crash occurred at about 4:15 a.m. as a 48-year-old Whitehall man was on his way to work. The deer ran in front of the car and then ran off after causing damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was driven away from the scene after the report.

Nov. 17

An officer on patrol after midnight noticed a pickup with a large item in the back leaving a parking lot and began to follow. The truck drove through several parking lots and even down a dead-end street. The officer, suspicious of the activity of the vehicle and driver, made a traffic stop in the 1000 block of Colby St. During contact with the driver, it was discovered that the item in the truck was not stolen but that the 29-year-old had a suspended license and was just trying to avoid the officer. The vehicle was impounded and the

man was taken home and released.

At 5:39 a.m. Whitehall Police were dispatched to a domestic dispute. The officer responding to the 100 block of E Muskegon Ave. discovered the man and woman there had been sleeping separately and the woman, who had been drinking, tried to wake the man. When the man didn’t respond, the woman began throwing her things from the bedroom into the living room. There was no assault and the officer convinced them to separate for the rest of the night.

Nov. 18

Whitehall Police were called by a DHS worker who was trying to check on a client. It was noted there were animals in the home on King Street but no one was answering the door. The worker and the officers were concerned for the well-being of the resident, and while considering the next action a relative arrived and notified them the resident was in the hospital. No further action was taken on the 2:16 p.m. call.

A window that was broken on the 11th was reported to police on the 18th. The window was on the non-street side of a third-story apartment in the 100 block of W Colby St. The resident told the investigators they had heard a noise on Monday but didn’t find the damage until Wednesday the 13th. She showed the officer where there was a stone still between the two panes of glass of the window. There are no suspects in the active investigation.

A domestic dispute was reported at 9:08 p.m. The on-duty officer responded to the 800 block of Alice St., where the couple live. During the investigation, the officer learned that the woman had checked the man’s phone and found conversations with other wom-

Community invited to VanLoon’s retirement party

The White Lake Chamber and Visitors Bureau will host an open housestyle retirement party for executive director Amy VanLoon Sunday, Dec. 1 at The Playhouse at White Lake. The entire community is invited to be part of the celebration.

The event will take place from 4-8 p.m. Live music from The Substitutes

will begin at 5 p.m., and a group toast to VanLoon will take place at 6. Light refreshments will be served, and a cash bar will be available.

VanLoon is retiring from the Chamber after 20 years in her role. Earlier this fall it was announced that the Chamber board had selected current director of events Stephanie Ware to succeed Van-

Loon as executive director.

Photos or memories of VanLoon’s time in her role, or any words to share with her, can be sent to the Chamber at info@whitelake.org. To RSVP, visit whitelake.org/retirement or call the Chamber office at 231-893-4585.

en. The man simply wanted his phone back and that was when the woman told the officer the phone was shut off and she threw it out of her car window while driving along another street. The report will be sent to the Muskegon County Prosecutor for review. Nov. 19

The SRO was called to the middle school after the principal caught a student with a marijuana vape device. The vape was discovered after students reported to the principal that another student told them he was “high”. The student surrendered the vape to the principal, who also initiated school discipline. The SRO tested the device which had a positive field test for THC (marijuana). The student was cited and the parent notified.

A Whitehall police officer, who is also deputized, was on Colby Street at Whitehall Road when he observed a vehicle run through the red light there without even slowing down. The officer followed the car onto southbound US31 and made a traffic stop at 11:29 p.m. In his report, the officer noted the driver would only roll the window down partway and roll it back up. With his suspicions raised, the officer requested the woman leave the window down and he began to smell the odor of intoxicants coming from the car. The officer continued his investigation to include sobriety tests on the 37-year-old, who initially denied drinking. After the field test, the Muskegon Township resident was arrested and taken to the Muskegon County jail for a breath test. The breath test results were above he legal limit and the suspect was lodged at the jail. Family arrived on scene and took custody of the vehicle.

White River Twp. swears in new clerk, treasurer

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — White River Township swore in its new clerk and treasurer, Julie Goericke and Mary Kriesel, at its regular monthly board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Goericke is being elevated from deputy clerk after Debbi Sargent’s term ended as clerk. Sargent was clerk for a decade and has decided to move on. Kriesel, who was deputy treasurer, is replacing Deb Harris as treasurer; Harris was re-elected to the township board

this year but will now be a trustee.

Supervisor Ron Bailey and trustee Laura Anderson, who were each re-elected this fall as well after running unopposed, also took the oath.

Sargent reported a record voter turnout in the recent elections, including a 98% return rate on absentee ballots. Over 500 township voters cast their ballots in person.

The meeting included an update from Marty Holtgren of the Chemours Environmental Impact Committee on recent Sadony Bayou visioning ses-

sions. The update was a refresher for those who were not part of the sessions, but Holtgren did say that after the final visioning session takes place - Dec. 4 - work will begin on a report that will be available early next year, discussing what the community wants from the bayou and examining ways to get to that point.

CEIC got more good news recently, said Anderson during her monthly report, when it received a $15,000 grant from the Charles Evenson Foundation. She said the foundation learned of

CEIC from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and found CEIC to be “overachievers,” which led to the grant.

Sargent and trustee George Dufresne, who did not seek re-election to extend his term that ends this year, were both honored by the board for their service to the township.

Planning commission chair Don Kline said work on an updated master plan for the township continues. He said he anticipates a plan being ready within a few months.