Commissioners hear funding requests, approve further investigation on Crystal Valley Dam
By Brendan Samuels
Correspondent
HART – The Oceana County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, Oct. 10 to discuss several items, including funding requests and the hot button topic of Crystal Valley Dam.
The Finance and Administration Committee met first to discuss the agenda before any decisions were made in the Commissioners meeting.
An audit presentation was given by Ian Rees of Garbridge & Company, before Shelby Township Supervisor Richard Raffa-
elli stepped up to the podium to present two separate topics of discussion.
The first was a proposal to hire additional staff for the Oceana County Economic Alliance (OCEA). Raffaelli, along with OCEA President Phil Morse, spoke in favor of hiring staff to perform administrative tasks that are currently being performed by Executive Director Curtis Burdette.
“Our request is simple in nature, but complicated to execute,” Raffaelli said. “We need to continually drive a positive economic impact in Oceana County. The only way we’re going to do that is to hire additional support for Curtis.”
“I believe Curtis’ time is best spent meeting with business owners and getting to know more about what grant opportunities there are (for) the people in our area. We’re not utilizing him where he’s best gifted,” Morse said.
Raffaelli stepped back up to the podium after that discussion topic to give an update on the new 46,000-square-foot community sports facility scheduled to be built in May of 2025 in Shelby. The facility will be half turf, half courts and feature two basketball courts, six pickleball courts, four volleyball courts, a full-sized soccer field with batting cages, a full mezzanine with a three-lane running track, a bow simulator for hunters, multiple golf simulators and a rock climbing wall.
The facility, which will
Carol Waller recognized for 43+ years of service
By Sharon Hallack
The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
Above is a rendering of part of the proposed floor plan for the 46,000 sq. ft. indoor sports facility planned for the Shelby Township Community Park.
cost roughly $8.5 million, is almost fully funded by grants and donations.
Raffaelli did note that he’s still about $500,000 short but is fundraising. Raffaelli requested that the commissioners allocate $50,000 in ARPA funds for the project.
“I think the county can invest $50,000 of ARPA in a facility that is upwards of $8.5 million and, to be frank, will put us on the map with regards to sports,” Raffaelli said. “It will bring in different volleyball and basketball tournaments.”
No action was taken on either of those proposals, as Chairman Bob Walker suggested having a workshop before they make any decisions.
Walker then presented a proposal to replace
• Contributed photo
the scale at the Oceana County Transfer Station. New Commissioner Joel McCormick, who was selected to replace Commissioner Morse in September after Morse was named the Shelby village administrator, gave input on additional electrical work that would also need to be completed in order to get a new scale up and running.
The proposal to get a new scale in an amount to not exceed $170,000 was approved unanimously.
One of the largest and longest ongoing topics on the slate for the commissioners meeting was the possibility of fixing or removing the Crystal Valley Dam. Commissioner Paul Erickson has spearhead-
Monday, Carol Waller, was recognized for her over 43 years of service to Shelby Public Schools and the Village of Shelby. Village President Paul Inglis read a “Special Tribute” letter signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, which in part stated, “Carol’s unwavering dedication to the safety and well-being of generations of students has left an indelible mark on the community…Carol’s dedication to the safety of schoolchildren has been a driving force behind her advocacy for improved infrastructure around Shelby schools…she has championed a plan for better signage, lighted signals and extended reduced-speed zones near schools to protect children…Her lifetime of dedication to others is an inspiring example of selflessness and care, embodying the spirit of service and generosity.”
Besides over 43 years at Shelby Public Schools (founding Benona PTO in 1974, teacher aide, noon aide, and crossing guard), Waller was instrumental in launching the Oceana County La Leche League in 1976, founded the Shelby Tigers Athletic Boosters and was named “Mrs. Asparagus” in 1982. As the owner of “Carol’s Cuts and Curls” for 20 years and “Carol and Company” beauty shop since 2005, “Waller’s influence reaches across many facets of life in Shelby,” read the letter.
Following the reading of the tribute, Waller received a standing ovation from those in attendance. The Village of Shelby is deeply grateful to Waller for her many years of service to the community and wishes her all the best in her retirement.
The 2024 Hart Homecoming King Alex Hicks and Queen LexieBeth Nienhuis were crowned during halftime at this past Friday’s varsity football game. Hart took down Orchard View 44-14. • Brendan Samuels/Echo
Carol Waller is presented with a Special Tribute by Shelby Village President Paul Inglis. She was joined by three of her sons, Darin, Dustin and Kevin.
Juanita Pierman
The Oceana Echo Community
Mich.
St.
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
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Campfire tales of the not-deer
By Caleb Jackson
The Oceana Echo Community Columnist
Every year, around Halloween, it is nice to take a break from our regular historic content and examine something a little more fun. Things like ghost stories, urban legends and monster myths. Michigan in particular seems to have an abundance of such things. Those of you who were around last year may remember my article on the “Nain Rouge,” also known as the “Demon of the Strait,” a little red dwarf whose presence generally foretells some disaster. This year, I would like to discuss something a little further off the beaten path: the not-deer.
The myth of the not-deer is relatively new, and it seems to have originated in the Appalachian area but certainly extends up into Michigan. To describe it in the simplest way possible, a notdeer is any deer that maybe gives you the heebie-jeebies. At first, it seems normal, but upon closer inspection, or maybe when you think about the en-
counter afterwards, something seems a little… off. It gives the impression that maybe what you are looking at isn’t actually a deer, but instead something masquerading as one. Some descriptions of not-deer include things such as dead-looking or forward-facing eyes, unusually sharp teeth or bent and misshapen body parts. In terms of their behavior, they are often described as being unafraid of humans. Normal deer behavior would be to freeze and then bolt, but a not-deer does not run. They will simply stand there and stare out at you, and even your attempts to shoo them away will have no effect. Some claim that a not-deer can even stand on two legs, and it has often been said they lack the grace of typical deer, instead moving in jerky and unnatural-looking ways.
This myth quickly inflamed the minds of cryptozoologists. Hand-drawn artwork and Photoshopped photos of the not-deer are readily found all over the internet, not to mention the slew of “first-hand accounts” that are all over Reddit. Personally, I had never heard of
the not-deer until I moved to Michigan. I came from Florida, where deer are not as plentiful. Since being here, I have heard a few different discussions about it, with some people taking the myth more seriously than others.
It is worth mentioning that this myth and the deer population have grown hand in hand. Estimates in 2022 state Michigan’s deer population had grown by about 300,000 in the previous 10 years. Current estimations put the population of deer at about 2 million. This problem is not unique to Michigan either. With a lack of natural predators, such as wolves, and less and less young people taking up hunting, the deer population can grow largely unchecked. Even countries as far away as Japan have experienced similar issues. With more deer in the woods, the odds get higher and higher that someone will see a deer that is diseased or otherwise unwell, which may result in unusual behavior.
The myth of the not-deer may also share some DNA with American folklore. It bears a striking resemblance to
the wendigo, a creature from Algonquian legends, or it could be inspired by any of the shapeshifting myths from the first nations. Many Michiganders are familiar with the Skinwalkers. But, regardless of whether or not you believe in it, it makes for a good campfire story if you want to scare your friends this Halloween.
The Shelby High School Class of 1994 had their 30th reunion Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at the Shelby Township Community Park. Attendees included: on top of the duck, from left, Kim Kamrowski Morden and Alicia Streeter; and standing, from left, Jennifer Loughmiller-Cardinal, Kendra Schuchard, Cliff Burrows, Mary Gideon, Dan Brown, Dawn Hammersley, Rhiann Satterlee, Jessica Rabe, Theresa Goerbig, Kristen Bisard, Jacinda Bitely, Yuvanka Clark and Anita Winterhalter. Attendees not pictured: Ruth Elder-Locke, Troy Moore, Jon Hughes, Mike Mumper, Kelly Rivera Mumper and Rob Lamadline.
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)
The Pentwater Lake Association board of directors will meet Monday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Centenary Methodist Church at 82 N. Hancock St., Pentwater. The public is invited to attend, and asked to enter at the Hancock Street Hall entrance.
Membership in the Pentwater Lake Association is open to all individuals interested in the lake, its natural resources and water quality. Members do not have to own lake property in order to join the non-profit organization.
More details and past meeting minutes are available on the Pentwater Lake Association website at www.pentwaterlakeassociation.com.
First Responder Appreciation Breakfast is Oct. 19
First Baptist Church of Hart is hosting their annual First Responder Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. The free breakfast is open for all first responders throughout Oceana County and will be served from 7:30-9 a.m. Organizers welcome those who are willing to sacrificially serve our community to stop in, grab a bite to eat, a cup of coffee and allow them to serve you for all you do for our community. For more information, contact FBC at office@gofbchart.org.
Crystal Valley UMC to host Soup/Sandwich Supper
The Crystal Valley United Methodist Church invites the community to a Soup and Sandwich Luncheon, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is located at 1547 E. Hammett Rd., Hart, Mich.
Don’t worry about making Sunday dinner, bring friends and family, all are welcome. Enjoy a variety of homemade soups and sandwiches for a freewill donation. Freshly-baked and tasty baked goods will also be available for purchase. For questions, please reach out on Facebook to Dawn Riley or Kellie Payne.
Retirement celebration for Judge Lambrix Oct. 25
All are invited to join in the celebration of the retirement of the Hon. Bradley G. Lambrix Oct. 25 from 2-4 p.m. at the Oceana County Courthouse in the Circuit Courtroom, 100 State St. in Hart. Lambrix has served this community for many years as the county probate judge, presiding family court judge and chief judge pro tem.
Michigan Dunes Chapter, NSDAR to meet Oct. 19
The Michigan Dunes Chapter, NSDAR will meet Saturday, Oct. 19 at noon at the Oceana County Services Building, 844 Griswold in Hart. The meeting is hosted by Susan Thomas, with guest speaker Miss Sawyer.
Balance class offered at The Ladder in Shelby
Aging can zap one’s sense of balance and stability, but it doesn’t have to. The National Institute of Aging states that doing balance exercises two to three times per week can keep bodies strong and well balanced throughout one’s days. This fall, The Ladder Community Center in Shelby is offering adults a six-week class called Better Balance, which meets Oct. 29 through Dec. 5. Life without trips and tumbles requires strength, stability and coordination. This 30-minute class delivers on all fronts. Join in to improve strength and balance! Class meets Tuesdays from 12:30-1 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:45-10:15 a.m.
There is no cost for Ladder members; $10 for non-members. Sign up by Oct. 28 by calling The Ladder at (231) 259-0211 or emailing Sue Beckman at sue@theladdercommunitycenter.com. Visit theladdercommunitycenter.com to view all our upcoming events.
Attendees will be treated to an array of dance styles, including ballet, tap and the use of aerial rings to songs from “The Greatest Showman.”
Tickets are $10 for those 12 and up, $5 for children 6-11 and those 5 and under are free. Call 231-852-0054 to reserve tickets or they can be purchased at the door on the night of the event.
Birch & Blossom will have a table there selling bouquets as well. Proceeds from the sale will go toward creating a fund for dancers who can’t afford shoes or costumes for future recitals.
SADL to host a number of October events
The Shelby Area District Library, located at 189 Maple St. in Shelby, will host a number of special activities and events in October. The Local History Room will be open to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursday, Oct. 24, from 2-4 p.m. Tour the room and discover the historical documents, pictures and memorabilia in the collection. Historian Jeremy Gowell will be available to answer questions.
Local author and Shelby librarian Linda Ransom will be available Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 3-5 p.m. to answer questions about the writing and publishing process. She will also demonstrate Canva and the Atticus writing program and show her writing process. Library Director Tiffany Haight will teach a “It’s Fall Y’all” autumn-inspired canvas painting class on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. This event is for teens and adults and registration is required, as space is limited.
In honor of National Friends of Libraries Week, the Library Board of Trustees will host a Friends of the Library Appreciation Reception on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 4-5 p.m. Cake and apple cider will be served. The Friends of the Library will then meet for their quarterly meeting at 5 p.m. in the meeting room.
Story Hour with Miss Tiffany will be Friday, Oct. 18 and 25, with a special Halloween party on the 25th. At Story Hour, children listen to stories, sing and play. The weekly program is designed for preschoolers, but younger and older children are also welcome. There will be no Story Hour program in November.
The October fun continues with a Trick or Treat event at the library on Oct. 31, from 3-5 p.m. Children will trick or treat at stations located throughout the library. Library staff will be in downtown Shelby for Trunk or Treat from 6-8 p.m. handing out craft kits and treats. Residents can also sign up for a library card.
Shelby-Benona Fire Department Open House shares safety and snacks with community
ed efforts to save the dam, but received pushback from others on the board.
Erickson brought in engineer Jim Tiffany via Zoom, who gave a rundown on a plan that would save the dam. Tiffany said that an impermeable barrier would need to be built on the crest of the embankment in a direction transverse to the spillway to reduce the flow of water through the embankment. Soil remediation under the spillway would also be required.
Tiffany’s recommendation for moving forward was to finish the plans of possible repairs and submit them to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) for permitting. That process is expected to take several months per Tiffany.
Tiffany also recommended that the Commissioners identify a source of funds to accomplish the job, which is expected to cost somewhere between $600,000-700,000. That estimate does not include any dredging that might need to be done.
Erickson voiced his support for retaining the dam, noting that public sentiment in Crystal Valley is the same.
“The people of the valley don’t want to see this thing removed,” Erickson said. “The dam itself was built as a county park by the road commission. We have not exhausted funding possibilities—there may be federal dollars to save WPA projects in our country.”
Commissioner Tim Beggs stated that he does not agree with Erickson on the dam’s historical value as compared to the cost to fix it. Beggs noted that a separate study that was done came up with the same cost estimate on fixing the dam, while the cost to remove the dam would be $500,000 with funding options available.
“Regardless of what repair options we do, (the) Spicer (Group) has also indicated to us that with new incoming rainfall requirements for dams, our dam does not meet the proposed new standards,” Beggs said. “Will it survive? Probably. Can we fix this dam now at its current form and still get a thumbs up every year or five years from EGLE? We’re still going to have that deficit if the dam doesn’t meet the proposed requirements.”
Beggs noted that all repairs, dredging and removal costs would total close to $1.2 million and was unsure where the county would find that money.
In the end, the commissioners opted to move forward with submitting repair permits to EGLE for approval. This ensures that more research will be done, but no decision as to the fate of the Crystal Valley Dam was made.
The commissioners also approved the appointment of Golden Township Treasurer Connie Cargill to the Materials Management Planning Committee.
EUCHARIST – 10:00 am stpetersmontague@gmail.com
Above is a rendering from the proposed 46,000 sq. ft. indoor sports facility for the Shelby Township Community Park. Shelby Township Supervisor Richard Raffaelli presented this to the Oceana County Board of Commissioners Thursday, Oct. 11. • Contributed photo
• Amanda Dodge/Echo
In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors
obituaries
Gloria Pearl Russell
September 16, 1933 ~ October 11, 2024
On Friday evening, Oct. 11, 2024, Gloria Pearl Russell, 91, of Hart, peacefully moved to her Heavenly home, due to natural causes, surrounded by her loved ones. Gloria was born in Hesperia on Sept. 16, 1933, to Phil Eitniear and Lucielle (Skinner) Eitniear.
Gloria was a Godly woman who loved the Lord and her family. She set an example for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that will lead them all their lives of how to love unconditionally. She was married for 57 years to the late Wayne R. Russell.
Gloria loved Jesus with all her heart, and she loved God’s Word; she was a humble, gentle woman who never spoke an unkind word of anyone. Gloria was nonetheless a powerful prayer warrior, and only heaven knows what a wonderful and eternal impact all her many years of faithful praying have had on her family, her friends, and the world at large. She was a devoted member of the Hart Congregational United Church of Christ.
Gloria will be remembered for her kindness, grace upon grace, and the BEST hugs. She made everyone she met feel extremely special because they were to her. If anyone knew how to love like Jesus, it was Gloria.
Gloria is survived by: her sister, Ione (Bob) Fessenden of Hesperia; daughters, Anita (the late Mike) Mahan (Minnesota), Brenda (Mitch) Cunningham of Hart, Lorie (Craig) Cihak of Pentwater, Lisa (Mike) Hoffman of Mears, Kathy Gale of Shelby and Tammie (Jeff) Gebhart of Hart; grandchildren, Jeff Russell, Jason Coulier, Andrew Cunningham, Lindsey Rawert, Chad Cihak, Jamie Kaat, Kristy Schuitema, Rachel Hoffman, Kasey Gale, Sydney Ruggles, Conner Sayers, Cameron Sayers and Kendall Salgado; along with 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, Mich. 49455. Visitation was held one hour prior to services at the funeral home, with a luncheon immediately following at the Dunes Inn Express, 2248 N. Comfort Dr., Hart, MI 49420.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Crystal Valley Care Fund, P.O. Box 451 Hart, MI 49420, or to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 58, Jackson, Mich. 49204.
Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements. harrisfh.com
Donna Mae Will
February 23, 1930 ~ October 6, 2024
Donna Mae Will, 94, of Whitehall, Mich., passed away on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
Donna was born on Feb. 23, 1930, to Robert and Nora (Flynn) Critchett in Ferry, Mich. She graduated from Whitehall High School in 1947. In 1949, Donna married Richard Will, and together they had seven children.
After having children, she attended Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and received her Bachelor’s degree, and subsequent Master’s degree in Education.
Donna worked as an educator for Whitehall District Schools from 1968–1994. She began her teaching career as an elementary teacher and transitioned later to teaching math at the middle school level. She worked on many projects with the GVSU Math & Science Center, including a summer fellowship at Princeton University to write a middle school math curriculum.
Donna was the happiest when she was spending time with her family and being active in her community. One proud achievement was her role in establishing the current White Lake Community Library and serving as a member of the library board. She was an active volunteer for several local organizations, including White Lake Women’s Club, Hackley Hospital, Muskegon County Democratic Party, Michigan Education Association, P.E.O. Sisterhood and American Heart Association. In her retirement, she taught the Hazards of Tobacco program through the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Donna is survived by her children: Gary (Lori Blair) Will, Wendy (Andrew) Shalifoe, Mark (Mary Kay) Will, David (Karla) Will, James Will, Daniel (Judi Searing) Will and Joni Will. She has 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents, Robert and Nora; brothers, John, Walter and Douglas; sisters, Marjorie and Mildred, and great-grandson, Indiana.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m. at Lebanon Lutheran Church, 1101 S. Mears, Whitehall, Mich. The memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. at Lebanon Lutheran Church with Pastor Doug Ogden presiding. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. A family graveside service will be held prior to the memorial service at Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall, Mich.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lebanon Lutheran Church, the White Lake Community Library or the White Lake Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com
Katherine ‘Kathy’ DeGroot
October 31, 1960 ~ October 8, 2024
On Oct. 8, 2024, the life of a beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend was returned to the Merciful Savior Jesus Christ.
Mrs. Katherine DeGroot, better known as Kathy, lived a life filled with triumphs, trials, and tragedies beginning on Oct. 31, 1960.
Her parents were Robert and Hannelore (von Cotzhausen) Frazier. Kathy was born in Owosso, Mich., and later moved to Holt, Mich., where she spent her childhood.
In 1976, she made the individual move to California and resided there for roughly six years. From California, Kathy headed to Oregon, but this wasn’t meant to be her home. She yet again moved to Hesperia, Mich. only three years later. The small town of Hesperia is where Kathy settled with her four sons, Steven, David, Michael and Saul.
On Sept. 13, 1987, she married Daniel S. DeGroot and one year later gave birth to her only daughter, Danielle. This is only the foundation of Kathy’s memorable life. Throughout her years she served as a caregiver, worked as a cook in restaurants, one of which she owned in Grants Pass, Ore., a nursing home, and even owned her own ice cream truck, “The Goodie Monster.” Furthermore, Katherine had a best friend, Mrs. Relen D. Pickard, whom she actively served the Lord with through “Good News Club.”
All who knew Katherine would unanimously agree that no matter what trials were in place, she showed great strength, loved fiercely, always held the joy of the LORD firmly in her heart and she displayed this outwardly. Even when cancer began to take over her body, she radiated the face of Christ. Her favorite Bible verse, Ecclesiastes 7:8, accurately represents how Kathy, especially in her final days, viewed life; “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
Katherine impacted the lives and souls of many, and her constant beam of light, in a world so heavily darkened, will never be forgotten. She is survived by her husband of 37 years Daniel DeGroot of Hesperia; her children, Steven (Anita) Lotz; David (Elizabeth) Lotz; Michael (Brittanie) Lotz; Saul (Lisa) Frazier; Danielle (Caleb) Bradley: 12 grandchildren, Anthony, Jeffrey, Katelyn, Alexandria, Ryley, Ellie, Robert, Jonathan, Cadyn, Daniel, Wyatt and Greyson; one great-granddaughter, Iris; her siblings, Anne-Marie (Curt) Stevens; Earl (Lydia) Frazier; Christina Nestel; Steven (Marva) Frazier; many nieces, nephews, and “adopted” grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Hannelore Frazier; father and mother-in-law John and Jean DeGroot; sister, Sue Lynn Frazier; grandson, Zakarey Lotz; brother-in-law, Charles Nestell; her friend, Relen and her great niece, Madelynn Birchmeier.
Roger Lewis Simkins
June 13, 1945 ~ October 13, 2024
Roger Lewis Simkins, 79, of Hart, passed away Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. He was born June 13, 1945, in Saginaw, Mich.
Roger enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was a proud Marine throughout his life. After his time in the Marine Corps, Roger was a boiler maker for over 30 years for Boiler Makers Local 169. He was an active member in the Freemasons, Marine Corps League, Oceana County Grange, Crystal Valley Care Fund and the American Legion. Roger lived a large life; he was caring and his greatest pride was his family. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved traveling to his place in Harlingen, Texas, in the winter, where he enjoyed woodworking and socializing with many friends.
Roger is survived by: his children, Lisa (Frank) Uria, Christopher Simkins, and James (Kristy) Simkins; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Lois Hempfling.
Roger was preceded in death by: his brother, Paul Simkins; his parents, Margaret and Charlie Valley; and father, Evan Simkins.
A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge in Hart - Oceana Wigton Benona Lodge 200 F. & A.M., 2661 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Crystal Valley Care Fund, P.O. Box 451, Hart, MI 49420.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com
Death Notice ~ Nedra Louise (McLouth) Baron
Nedra Louise (McLouth) Baron passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. She was born Aug. 13, 1952, in Shelby, the daughter of Max and Ruth (Derenzy) McLouth.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, Mich., 49455. Visitation was held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
If you would like to place an obituary with us, please tell your arrangement specialist or email us at theoceanaecho@gmail.com.
• On Oct. 21, 1861, Union troops suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Ball’s Bluff in Virginia, the second major engagement of the Civil War, which produced the conflict’s first martyr and led to the creation of a Congressional committee to monitor the conduct of the war.
• On Oct. 22, 1797, the first parachute jump of note was made by Andre-Jacques Garnerin from a hydrogen balloon 3,200 feet above Paris.
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• On Oct. 21, 1861, Union troops suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Ball’s Bluff in Virginia, the second major engagement of the Civil War, which produced the conflict’s first martyr and led to the creation of a Congressional committee to monitor the conduct of the war.
• On Oct. 22, 1797, the first parachute jump of note was made by Andre-Jacques Garnerin from a hydrogen balloon 3,200 feet above Paris.
• On Oct. 23, 1998, Dr. Barnett Slepian was shot to death inside his home in Amherst, New York, by antiabortion radical James Charles Kopp. His killing marked the fifth straight year that an abortion-providing doctor in upstate New York and Canada became the victim of a sniper attack. Kopp, whose defense argued that he only intended to wound Slepian, was convicted of second-degree murder in 2003.
• There are many uses for empty Tic Tac containers. Here are three: Wrap with pretty paper and use as a tiny vase for a single-stem flower. Or, separate small scrapbooking supplies in them. Last, thread two needles with a length of thread — one white and one black. Poke the needles through a small square of paper and wrap the thread around the paper. Slip into the container for a travel sewing kit.
• Alcohol is considered a performanceenhancing drug in most shooting sports, as it calms your body down and allows you to shoot straighter.
• The universe has a color, but it’s not what you might think. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University took the average of light from over 200,000 galaxies. It turns out the universe is, on average, kind of beige. They named the shade “cosmic latte.”
• On Oct. 23, 1998, Dr. Barnett Slepian was shot to death inside his home in Amherst, New York, by antiabortion radical James Charles Kopp. His killing marked the fifth straight year that an abortion-providing doctor in upstate New York and Canada became the victim of a sniper attack. Kopp, whose defense argued that he only intended to wound Slepian, was convicted of second-degree murder in 2003.
• On Oct. 24, 1969, movie star Richard Burton dazzled his wife, actress Elizabeth Taylor, with a 69-carat Cartier diamond ring costing a cool $1.5 million after she responded to his allegation that her hands were large and ugly by saying that he’d better buy her the ring to make them look smaller and more attractive. In 1979, the nowdivorced Taylor put the ring up for auction and it sold for $3 million.
• On Oct. 25, 1980, AC/DC earned their first pop Top 40 hit with “You Shook Me All Night Long.” It remains their most popular single.
• On Oct. 24, 1969, movie star Richard Burton dazzled his wife, actress Elizabeth Taylor, with a 69-carat Cartier diamond ring costing a cool $1.5 million after she responded to his allegation that her hands were large and ugly by saying that he’d better buy her the ring to make them look smaller and more attractive. In 1979, the nowdivorced Taylor put the ring up for auction and it sold for $3 million.
• On Oct. 26, 1921, President Warren G. Harding delivered a speech in Birmingham, Alabama, condemning lynchings, committed mainly by white supremacists against Black Americans in the Deep South and elsewhere. The previous year, the NAACP had reported that such crimes claimed, on average, the lives of two African Americans each week.
• On Oct. 25, 1980, AC/DC earned their first pop Top 40 hit with “You Shook Me All Night Long.” It remains their most popular single.
• “Need your nails to dry in a hurry? You can use the cool setting on your hair dryer. It works really fast.” — L.E. in Georgia
• To get a couple more days out of your cat litter, clean the box out and mix in a cup of baking soda.
• Remove mildew from plastic shower curtains by spraying them with a mix of bleach and water, or just toss them in the washing machine with your next load of towels.
• “We have a playroom, and the kids argue about who made what mess and who should clean up which toys. We made a cleaning schedule for the room, having one or two children per day responsible to clean up at the end of the day. It was a rough start, but the kids have learned to clean up as they go rather than leave a big mess for someone else. (Pay back is not kind.)”
— A Mom, via email
• In a 2008 survey of British teens, 58% of the respondents believed Sherlock Holmes was a real person, while 20% said that Winston Churchill was not.
• When asked if her husband Abe had any hobbies, Mary Todd Lincoln responded, “Cats.”
• Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt once sneaked out of a White House event, commandeered an airplane, and went on a joyride to Baltimore.
• The Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, India, is home to 20,000 rats who are believed to be descended from an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Durga.
• According to NASA, it possibly rains glass on the planet known as HD 189733b.
• The first baseball caps were made from straws and worn by the New York Knickerbockers in 1849. A few years afterward, the first merino wool baseball caps were put into circulation.
• On Oct. 26, 1921, President Warren G. Harding delivered a speech in Birmingham, Alabama, condemning lynchings, committed mainly by white supremacists against Black Americans in the Deep South and elsewhere. The previous year, the NAACP had reported that such crimes claimed, on average, the lives of two African Americans each week.
• On Oct. 27, 1659, William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson, two Quakers who’d emigrated from England in 1656 to escape religious persecution, were executed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony for their religious beliefs. The men had violated a law passed by the Massachusetts General Court the year before that banned Quakers from the colony under penalty of death.
• On Oct. 27, 1659, William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson, two Quakers who’d emigrated from England in 1656 to escape religious persecution, were executed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony for their religious beliefs. The men had violated a law passed by the Massachusetts General Court the year before that banned Quakers from the colony under penalty of death.
• If your vacuum has a paper filter, spray it with your fave perfume or essential oil. It will blow into the air as you vacuum, leaving behind a pleasant scent.
Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
• Some traditions hold that walking backward while wearing your clothes inside out will allow you to see a witch on Halloween.
• In ancient Rome, lemons were used as an antidote to all poisons.
• One of the world’s largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons is located at a U.S. Navy base near Seattle, which is partially defended by trained dolphins.
• The highest mileage on a single car is over 3 million miles.
Cancer. Hearing the word alone can cause a flood of emotion and confusion.
Miracle. Hearing the word can also cause a flood of emotions…including indescribable joy and amazement.
You’d never guess sitting across the table from her today, full of life, beautiful, and caring, the flood of emotions Erin Stevens, of rural Montague, a 12-month stage 4 colon cancer survivor, has felt and the miracles she’s experienced along the way.
Her story begins in March of 2023, young, strong, in the prime of her life, wife to Rod Stevens, whose love and support fills the room, mother to daughters, Morgan and Isabel, grandmother to Ivy, and owner of a Blondies Hair Salon. Looking back, she said things started changing after a trip out west. An avid runner, she said, “I thought I’d pulled a muscle. I couldn’t run. I took three months off. I finally went to the chiropractor and felt great after two visits, so I ran all summer,” she said. “But I could never get into the ‘runner’s zone’. I felt bloated and even though I was running 20 miles a week, I gained weight. I ran 18.6 miles in the annual Ragnar last September, but felt run down afterward. I just figured it was because I was working 10-12 hours a day.”
Finally in mid-October, Erin made her first doctor’s appointment, but she never made it to the doctor’s office. She awoke Sunday, October 29, 2023 in extreme pain and went to the emergency room. After a number of tests and a CT scan, the ER doctor broke the somber news to Rod in the hallway, “This isn’t going to be a short trip for her, she’s full of cancer.”
Because there were no beds available in Muskegon, Rod took Erin directly to Grand Rapids where she would stay the next four days and have many other tests. A liver biopsy revealed she had Stage 4 colon cancer. Despite this devastating diagnosis, Erin returned to work the following Monday and continued to work for the next couple of weeks. She admits she didn’t want to tell everyone what was going on. She wasn’t even sure what was going on. Anyone who knows Erin personally knows this is how she rolls. She takes what life hands her and faces it with everything she’s got.
As her soulmate, Rod admits walking with Erin through this journey has in some ways been more difficult on him. Yet he took on the challenge; advocating for her, protecting her, laughing with her and crying with her every step of the way.
They vividly remember meeting with her cancer physician, Dr. Pounder, when he said, “If this were 12 years ago, I would have sent you home.” Stage 4 colon cancer used to be a death sentence. However, he pulled no punches when he said he was going to “kick her a**” and hit this cancer with everything he had. After hearing that and not totally comprehending all that meant, they went out to their car and finally broke down, Erin said. She admits that was the first time she really cried. “But I never thought I was going to die.”
Before her treatments began the two met with Erin’s surgical oncologist Dr. Chung. He didn’t come off as having much bedside manner, Rod
said. “He explained Erin would have six weeks of chemo, then have surgery followed by six more weeks of chemo. Once the grueling weeks of chemo started, her case became the ‘talk of the town’ at the hospital’s weekly meeting of the ‘tumor board’. Her case was advanced, but the chemo was working!”
So much of those weeks of chemo were a blur, “I literally slept for 20 hours a day,” Erin said. Meanwhile the community was surrounding them with everything they could think of. Erin’s dad came nearly every night and held her hand. “I cried at the generosity of people. That’s where the emotions were high. I looked forward to the mail every day,” smiled Erin.
In one of her first posts on CaringBridge, Morgan wrote, “My mother is a worker bee and is someone who shows up constantly for not only her clients, but she’s never shorted being there for her family and friends either….Show up for Erin, Because if you’re reading this I’m sure she’s shown up for you at one time or another. She’s tough…but we need your prayers and support more than anything.” In less than 24 hours hundreds of friends and family had responded, wishing Erin all the best, reminding her how strong she was, offering prayers and encouraging her to stay strong. Future posts were met with just as many, and more, friend and supporter comments to keep fighting.
With the chemo working beyond their wildest
imaginations, her doctor and the tumor board recommended postponing surgery and continuing with another six rounds of chemo. By February, while enduring her second half of chemo treatments, she confounded her doctors when she asked if she could walk on the treadmill. When they said ok, she asked if she could fly to Florida for a few days. To which Rod posted on CaringBridge, “I’m not sure how she does it, she is the strongest person I know. Not once has she said ‘why me?’ or felt sorry for herself. I think with the perseverance she has and the thoughts and prayers from all of you, (that) is why this cancer is leaving her body in a mass exodus.”
At their doctor appointment with Dr. Chung prior to having her surgery. Rod said the formerly reserved and unemotional Dr. Chung admitted, “This is the best CT scan that I’ve seen in forever.” Her eight- hour surgery took place June 6, where a part of her colon, and her gall bladder were removed, followed by a full hysterectomy. “The doctor originally talked about removing 40 percent of her liver. But when they got in there, the seven smaller spots seen on a previous CT scan were ‘missing’ and the two quarter-size spots were the size of peas, so the surgeon only had to zap those!” Rob exclaimed. A hepatic artery infusion pump was installed in her abdomen that would administer a special chemotherapy for two weeks at a time. In the three and half months since, she continues to heal, is doing amazingly well and is expected to complete those treatments in December.
Rod could hardly wait to share what Dr. Chung said immediately following Erin’s surgery, “He explained everything that was done in surgery and knocking his knuckles on the table said, ‘I couldn’t find anything, as of right now, she’s cancer-free.’”
The following day Rod posted this heartfelt update, “E is a miracle…this just has to be that all the prayers and thoughts from everyone have been heard by the Good Lord Above!! No other explanation makes sense?”
Even with this glowing report, Erin admitted, “I didn’t want to be overly optimistic.” But since then Erin continues to improve. While she’s had to take it easy, and is still recovering, it was a good summer for Erin. She started running again, and even ran one leg of the Ragnar with her team in September. This year’s team magnet appropriately was titled, “4E #eatdustcancer”. “It was a slow leg but I did it,” she laughed.
It’s definitely been a refining time for both of them. Erin actually returned to work part-time after Labor Day. “It feels good. It’s the new Erin. I love my job, but let’s have more balance,” she said. She admits before her cancer she couldn’t relax. She was always thinking about what needed to be done. “Now, I feel joyful. God is good. We’re so grateful.”
You can hear the joy and amazement in Rod’s voice when on July 8, after a follow-up doctor appointment, Rod posted this on CaringBridge, “She is definitely a living miracle by the Grace of God. I believe He heard every prayer.”
Rod and Erin Stevens
Places of Our Lives: Country Dairy
By Janet Hasselbring The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
I’m at the Country Dairy farm store. I’ve just finished my third bottomless cup of chocolate milk; I’d love another cup, but my stomach says “no.” Outside, in the parking lot, I give Bessie a love pat and head to my car. Memories wash over me as I look around and realize how much the farm has changed since I grew up here.
“Preserve your memories. Keep them well, for what you forget, you can never retell.” (Louisa May Alcott)
I wrote Country Dairy: Looking Back, Moving Forward (CD)* in memory of my parents, Henry and Ellen Van Gunst, because I wanted my children and grandchildren to appreciate the farm’s history and legacy. The memoir of my mother, In the Garden: An Ordinary Woman; An Extraordinary Life – Ellen, A Memoir, is a tribute to my mother’s faith, as she struggled to accept God’s will for her life, “in the garden.”
To the north, just over the hill, lies the house that Henry built for his bride, Ellen, and where he carried her over the threshold after their honeymoon in March 1936. Trees now occupy the space where the cherry orchard used to be; where I stood on the top of a 10foot ladder, on tippy-toes, straining to reach an elusive cherry overhead. My siblings and I communicated our picking prowess through pail levels - bottom thinly covered, bottom thickly covered, just under half, half, just over half, three-quarters full, level and heaping full. We emptied our heaping-full pails into containers, called lugs, and we competed to see who had the most lugs at the end of the day. My dad brought us morning and afternoon snacks, often staying to pick a few cherries himself, and to offer encouragement.
“The farm is bleak in March. A grim austere landscape greeted Ellen in late March, when she and Henry returned from their honeymoon and settled into their new home. Looking out the kitchen window, as the sun rose behind her in the east, she would have seen barren, scraggy trees dotting the yard. Sooty, stale piles of snow were reminders of winter’s frigid blast. Patches of green spotted the snow-covered pasture and a ring of water circled the frozen pond – hopeful signs that the bleak barrenness would not last forever. The pond wound
lazily uphill to the woods, a scruffy army of trees guarding the rear boundary.” (In the Garden, pg. 22)
I look to the east, where Dan and Daze, the draft horses, graze in the pasture - where the asparagus field used to be. I remember walking the rows, after school, in the spring, with my siblings, breaking off the stalks and placing them into my basket. My dad would bring us a snack and walk a couple of rows with us.
“Hinie loads the baskets into the truck, and drives to the asparagus field. He snaps off the tall, green, spindly stalks, then he’s off to market with his yield.”
(CD: Looking back, Moving Forward)
To the south is the little town of New Era, put to sleep by the expressway to the west. We went to church here, and walked the mile and a half to and from school each day. My parents are buried here. The grocery stores are gone, as is Jack’s Ice Cream, where I worked one summer. Sadly, my employment ended after I threw a lighted match into the trash bin, but, come to find out, that wasn’t my worst transgression. Someone I waited on that summer told me years later that I had forgotten to put bananas in his banana split! Not wanting to get me in trouble, he never mentioned it at the time. (That was before the trash bin debacle). Postema Hardware, owned by my grandfather and, then by his sons, my uncles, is now Veltman’s Hardware and the New Era Can-
ning Company was taken over by Burnette Foods, but Meyers Chevrolet still stands as a proud monument to the past.
“On the Sabbath, Hin’ and Ellen go to church, dressed in their Sunday best.
Then it’s home for chicken with all the trimmings, and an afternoon of rest. (CD: Looking Back, Moving Forward)
Looking west, I imagine my parents sitting on their front porch, taking a break from their chores in the midst of the day, and relaxing in the evening after their chores were finished. On a clear day, my father said he could see all the way to Lake Michigan.
“Many years passed, Hinie and Ellen were tired. It was time to pass on the torch.
They sold the farm to Wendell, their son, and went out to sit on the porch.
Birds are singing, crickets are chirping, with nature in perfect accord;
A breeze is blowing, the sun is setting: Perfect peace – with each other, and their Lord! (CD: Looking Back, Moving Forward)
A snort and neigh from Daze and Dan bring me back to the present. I say good-bye to the farm, but not to my memories. Though a part of me will always remain at the farm, the memories are part of who I am and they go with me wherever I may roam.
*Country Dairy : Looking Back, Moving Forward is available at the farmstore. **In the Garden: An Ordinary Woman, An Extraordinary Life – Ellen: A Memoir is available from the author at janethasselbring23@gmail. com More information about the author and her books at www.janethasselbring.wordpress.com. Information about Country Dairy is found at www.countrydairy.com.
Tails of Hope
Looking for a companion who’s always up for an adventure and will shower you with affection? Meet Jake, our 2-year-old Pit Mix who’s as sweet as a cupcake (without the calories!) and as friendly as your favorite barista.
Jake is the ultimate walking enthusiast. If walking was an Olympic sport, he’d have more gold medals than Michael Phelps. Whether it’s a stroll around the block or a hike through the woods, Jake is ready to lead the way with a wagging tail and a big smile. He’s the kind of dog who believes every blade of grass needs to be sniffed and every squirrel needs to be…observed (from a distance, of course).
PUBLIC HEARING
The Newfield Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing as part of its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 beginning at 7 PM at the Newfield Township Hall, located at 3890 S. 198th Ave., Hesperia, Ml 49421.
The purpose of this hearing is to obtain public comment on the final draft of the Newfield Township Master Plan.
Questions may be posed in writing by sending to the Newfield Township hall attention Planning Commission Chairman. The mailing address for the Township is PO Box 564, Hesperia, Ml 49421.
All comments must be received no later than Friday, November 8 at 5 PM. Copies of the Master Plan are available for public viewing when the Office is open for regular hours or by appointment.
Call (231) 854-4702 or email mjansma@newfieldtownship.org to make an appointment.
But don’t let his athletic side fool you – Jake’s also a master in the art of snuggling. After a good walk, he loves nothing more than curling up next to you on the couch, melting into your lap like a big, warm marshmallow. He’s got a heart as big as his paws, and he’s always ready to share it with anyone who gives him a belly rub.
Jake 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.
All Pro Dads returns to area schools
starting Oct. 23
“All Pro Dads”, a program of the Family First nationwide organization, and co-founded by former NFL coach Tony Dungy, will begin its second year beginning next week, Oct. 23. All Pro Dads, a character-based program, led by area co-captains, will meet before school the months of October, November, January, February and March in all Oceana County elementary schools. All dads and their elementary-age children are invited to attend this free program at their local schools.
The 30-minute gatherings will include a “pride moment,” when dads get to share why they are proud of their kids, followed by the introduction of a different character quality, a brief discussion, and question/ answer time. Each family will receive a take-home activity sheet to guide further discussion and relationship-building.
Dennis Foley, of Shelby, is excited to bring another year of All Pro Dads to Oceana. “We’ll meet just 30 minutes, five different times, before school, for some light refreshments and relationship building,” Foley said. “All Pro Dads was created as a way to strengthen communication and relationships between dads and their kids.”
The November meeting schedule will be:
• Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7:30 a.m., Oceana Christian School, 3258 N. 72nd Ave., Hart.
• Thursday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m., New Era Christian School, 1901 Oak Ave., New Era.
• Friday, Oct. 25, 7:45 a.m., Spitler Elementary at Diman Wolf ECC, 306 W. Johnson St., Hart.
• Thursday, Oct. 31, 7:20 a.m., Pentwater Public School, 600 Park St., Pentwater.
• Friday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m., Walkerville Public School, 145 E. Lathrop, Walkerville.
Homeschool dads interested in joining a chapter, people wishing to donate time or finances to the program, or who have other questions are asked to contact Dennis Foley at 561-762-5447 or dtafoley@aol.com. More information about the Family First organization and the All Pro Dads program is available at www. allprodad.com.
Friends of SADL seek participants for Celebration of the Holidays
Crafters, holiday decorators, school groups, families, businesses and artists of all kinds are encouraged to participate in the 29th annual holiday fundraiser to benefit the Shelby Area District Library. Decorated themed wreaths and life-like trees, table displays, holiday creations of all kinds are sought for the silent auction and sale to be held Nov. 19–23, 2024 at the library. Local businesses are also encouraged to participate with a display or donate gift certificates for inclusion in holiday baskets.
“This is our largest and most popular fundraiser of the year, with proceeds benefiting the Shelby Library,” says president of the Friends group, Cindy McKinnon. “We have had contributors from as far as Grand Rapids and Muskegon to Oceana County who have donated their time, talent and skill to help make this silent auction a success. Each year unusual and beautiful creations light up the Shelby Library. For those seeking original decorating ideas or gifts, our silent auction and sale table will showcase holiday items you won’t find in stores.”
Entry forms can be picked up at the Shelby Library, 189 Maple St., or by contacting McKinnon at cindymckinnon35@gmail.com. Bidding begins Nov. 19 and concludes at noon on Saturday, Nov. 23. Displays can also be viewed on the Shelby Area District Library Facebook site that week.
PFAS informational event in Walkerville Monday, Oct. 21
An informational event entitled “What’s the Problem with PFAS?” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) will be held Monday, Oct. 21 starting at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Walkerville Wesleyan Church, located at 144 S. Hamon St. in Walkerville. Light refreshments will be served.
This event is made possible by the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network (GLPAN), a coalition centered around and driven by people impacted by PFAS pollution. The GLPAN policy includes expanded testing of surface and ground waters, accountability and increased funding for PFAS prevention and cleanup.
A video that focuses on the impact PFAS can have on farms and their families will start the event at 6 p.m. There will be time for discussion and questions afterward and attendees will have the opportunity to take action to help bring attention to this issue.
For anyone not familiar with the location of the PFAS contamination in the Walkerville area, a quick tour will start at 5 p.m., leaving from the church parking lot. Questions can be directed to the event organizer, Emma Kirwin, at (231) 873-3559.
Mettler speaks at DAR meeting
Pam Mettler, who is the new State Chair for DAR Museum Outreach, presented her program at the Michigan Dunes, NSDAR September 2024 Chapter Meeting. She is a member of the Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton Chapter and lives in Spring Lake, Mich.
Mettler’s presentation emphasized the significance of teaching women to sew and showcased a variety of quilts and embroidery styles, each with diverse applications. She arrived wearing a beautiful dress from the 1800s and shared fascinating information about the museum. Her presentation was very enjoyable.
The meeting’s hostess was Susan Thomas.
A Faithful Focus: The Coopers
By AnnaMae Bush
The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
Following a long interview process with several candidates, the congregation members at First Baptist Church in Pentwater voted unanimously on Sept. 29 to extend a call to Associate Pastor candidate Peter Cooper and his wife Lydia to join the Pastoral Team at First Baptist Church. The Coopers enthusiastically accepted the invitation and plan to move from their current location in Ohio to Pentwater in early November.
Peter and Lydia are both graduates of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and Peter is a graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill. They met as students at Moody and married after graduation. Interested in working with youth, they have had part-time positions as youth group leaders at several churches since getting married. “We have been praying for discernment to know where God wants us to be in full-time ministry,” they told the church’s search committee. “We were watching the job postings at Moody when we saw the position opening at First Baptist in Pentwater. Lydia got excited because she was familiar with Pentwater, having been there several times. We responded to the announcement to begin a dialogue.”
The Coopers spent two weekends in Pentwater, one weekend in interviews with the search committee and the second one in meetings with the congregation. They interacted with church members at a dessert social on Saturday, Sept. 21, and were interviewed by Pastor Mark Lillie publicly during the Sunday School hour on Sept. 22. They participated in the Sunday morning worship service after Sunday School and enjoyed fellowship with congregation members at an expanded coffee social hour following worship. After all the interviews and interaction with the congregation, they shared, “We felt strongly that God was leading us to Pentwater.” They were both grateful and joyful
Cost is $20 All Supplies Included Learn how to decorate cupcakes, cookies and pretzels just in time for your Halloween festivities. Please bring an apron and container for your goodies. Reservations Required - Please call 231-869-3032
when the church called to confirm what they felt. Peter’s job title will be Associate Pastor of Family and Youth Ministries, and Lydia will be a supportive partner in youth activities and in offering hospitality to local families. In view of the challenge of finding housing in Pentwater and wanting a youth pastor’s home to be close to the school, the church had purchased an appropriate home in the past year. The home is on Park Street, a few blocks from the school, and is being prepared for the Cooper family to move in. The Coopers have three young children named Emma, Deacon, and Willa and are expecting their fourth child in February. The church community is eager to welcome them all.
NEWFIELD TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS
All flowers and trinkets need to be removed by October 31st, from the following cemeteries in Newfield Township: Gale, West Hesperia, and the Catholic.
Thank You, Nancy Conley, Clerk
Peter, Lydia, Emma, Deacon and Willa Cooper
Susan Thomas, Pam Mettler and Michelle Hanks
Pentwater slides past Buckley for pre-district win, falls to Glen Lake in the semifinals
By: Brendan Samuels
The Oceana Echo Sports Editor
PENTWATER – Winning had become the norm for Pentwater’s boys soccer team when they entered a pre-district matchup with Buckley Friday, Oct. 11. The Falcons had won three of their four games prior and kept it rolling with a 1-0 win over the Bears.
The early going of Pentwater’s first postseason action was rather uneventful. Neither the Falcons or Bears were able to gain much momentum before the other snagged it back for themselves.
Pentwater did seem to find more opportunities at the net than their opponents in the first half, however. Senior
Will Werkema-Grondsma was a bully in Buckley territory, fighting through defenders and finding a few quality shots.
Unfortunately, nothing found the net for Werkema-Grondsma and the Falcons, leaving a scoreless game at halftime.
It didn’t take long for Pentwater to get rolling in the second half, due mostly to a change in the lineup. Major contributor Jonny Arnouts had remained on the bench for the first half, but was inserted at forward for the second. Immediately, Arnouts took control. Receiving the ball at midfield, Arnouts quickly turned and dribbled the ball toward the left sideline.
SPORTS
From uncertainty to dominance: Hart football rolls to homecoming win over Orchard View
By: Brendan Samuels
The Oceana Echo Sports Editor
HART – Doubt has been swirling around Hart football for the three weeks leading into its 44-14 beat down of Orchard View on homecoming, Friday, Oct. 11.
It wasn’t the play of the team or their playoff hopes that stirred the uncertainty, however. Instead, it was a move made by Holton’s varsity team that created a domino effect throughout the community. Originally, Hart was scheduled to play the Red Devils last weekend.
That changed when, during the Pirates’ game with Shelby, it became clear that Holton was
seriously considering canceling its 2024 varsity campaign.
Those considerations turned to certainty within days, leaving Hart High School Athletic Director Tim Hertzler in a mad scramble to make arrangements for homecoming. Ideas were tossed about, including a possible move to a later date, but ultimately the Pirates decided to keep their original homecoming date and play a JV contest instead – similar to what Shelby had decided to do.
Hertzler had been in contact with Orchard View about a possible schedule rearrangement. The Cardinals were originally scheduled to play a team on the east side of the state.
With plenty of maneuvering however, OV agreed to play Hart with just under a week until game day.
That left Hart football Head Coach Joe Tanis with a bit of a dilemma. The varsity guys
had been taking it easy, knowing that they likely would be getting a week off from game preparation. Now, with an unfamiliar non-conference
Hart soccer gets revenge over Shelby, advances to district semifinals
By: Brendan Samuels
The Oceana Echo Sports Editor
HART – Just one week prior to their meeting in the district quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, Hart dropped a rivalry contest with Shelby in shocking fashion. On Tuesday, Oct. 15 the two teams met in a win-or-go-home match that ended with the Pirates getting their revenge in a 1-0 victory.
Shelby has often been a thorn in the side of the Pirates’ boys soccer program, so much so that Hart hadn’t claimed a win in the series since 2017. Thursday’s fight changed that as Hart came out with a renewed focus that allowed them to take control of the
game.
“That first game (against Shelby), people want to call it an upset because we had a better season,” Hart Head Coach Joe Gilbert said. “When you look at the record between Shelby and Hart, they’ve beaten us more times than we’ve beaten them – for sure since I’ve been here. I told the boys that we were the underdogs and we had to play like that. We had to chase, be physical and play hard because we’re the ones that have everything to fight for.”
Unlike their first meeting, it was Hart that showed aggression from the opening whistle. The Pirates took possession of the ball and rarely let Shelby maintain any quality looks of their
own.
“We were on our field, which is the actual size for a pitch. We had the space to play the way we want to which helps us out tremendously,” Gilbert said. “We made a couple of personnel tweeks and talked about changing formation to counter (Shelby). That worked out tremendously.”
Adan Cruz and Emmanuel Ortega were vital pieces in the Pirates’ game plan, as they served as the distributors through which the offense flowed. Shelby struggled to keep those two in check, resulting in plenty of mismatches in the midfield.
HART
HESPERIA
WALKERVILLE
Hart junior Kyle Greiner finds a lane through a group of Orchard View defenders. Greiner led Hart with 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 44-14 win over Orchard View, Friday, Oct. 11. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO
Shelby sophomore Brandon Rojas attempts to clear a ball away from his net while Hart senior Tyler Larios-Mendez tries to slide tackle. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO
Hart senior Eman Hertzler prepares to launch the football downfield. Hertzler plays running back, but was used as a quarterback a few times in the Pirates’ 44-14 win over Orchard View. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO
Pentwater senior Jonny Arnouts makes a run down the field, leading to the Falcons lone goal in a 1-0 pre-district win over Buckley. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO
Revenge
“One of our changes was moving Emmanuel Ortega – who’s a bit quicker and more physical – back into the holding mid spot and moving Rivaldo (Gonzalez) up a little further,” Gilbert said. “(We wanted) to control their opportunities a bit more to give us better space to transition into.”
At 21:29 remaining in the first half, the Pirates were able to strike first. Hart senior Tyler Larios-Mendez sent a cross pass to the back post where junior Adrian Belmares was able to collect and finish past the Tigers’ freshman keeper Josh Vega.
From that point on, Hart dictated the pace of the game with long stretches of possession, making it hard for the Tigers to find any opportunities in front of the Pirates’ net. Hart’s defense kept Shelby to just one shot on target, thanks in part to a defense led by senior Carter Ramseyer.
That led to a 1-0 finish in which neither team found a way to put more points on the board. Hart punched their ticket to the district semifinals where they set up a matchup with state-ranked Elk Rapids in Manistee.
Shelby finished their season at 4-132 overall in the first year under head coach Damian Gonzalez. Gonzalez was proud of his team’s efforts in a year where they took their fair share of lumps.
“I’m proud of how the season went in the sense that the majority of us didn’t throw our hands up and quit when things were getting rough,” Gonzalez said. “After we played Orchard View, something clicked and we turned things around. Towards the end of the season we were playing pretty good soccer. I’m still hungry though and I’d like to see how we respond to this and how we show up in the offseason.”
Pentwater Soccer
After making a few Buckley defenders miss, Arnouts turned on his speed and drove in close to the net. With a one-on-one situation with the keeper, Arnouts put an easy shot through and gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead.
That’s where the score would remain for the final 30 minutes of play, pushing Pentwater to a win and advancing them to a district semifinal appearance.
Awaiting the Falcons in that semifinal game was Glen Lake, the host team of the district tournament. Pentwater traveled north Tuesday, Oct. 15,
continued from page 12
for what turned out to be a thriller of a game.
Both the Falcons and the Lakers traded shots throughout regulation, leaving the score knotted up at 4-4 when the final whistle sounded. That meant overtime was in store.
Unfortunately, Pentwater was unable to keep up the pace with Glen Lake, allowing three goals without finding one of their own. The Falcons fell by a final score of 7-4 and saw their season come to a close.
Pentwater ended their year with a 9-7 overall record.
Weather a factor in district semifinal loss for Hart soccer
By: Brendan Samuels
The Oceana Echo Sports Editor
MANISTEE – Facing the No. 10 ranked team in division three wasn’t the ideal matchup for Hart boys soccer in the district semifinals Tuesday, Oct. 15. Neither was the consistent flow of wind gusts directly into their net.
Both of those factors combined to devastating effect for the Pirates as they fell to Elk Rapids, 3-0.
A brutal wind blowing from the south end of the field figured to pose a challenge for whoever ended up in the north net. That team ended up being Hart, forcing them
to exert a great deal of energy in the first half.
That advantage kept the ball on Hart’s defensive side of the field for the majority of the game. That turned into plenty of scoring opportunities for the Elks, including a shot that found the back of the net just two minutes into play.
“The whole game plan we had pretty much went out the window when (Elk Rapids) was attacking with the wind first. We were looking to trap them at a couple key spots and make that work for us,” Hart Head Hart Soccer continued on page 14
Hart Football
opponent, the timeline for constructing a game plan was reduced.
“We came into the week thinking we were going to be preparing for a future opponent. I told the guys (that we picked up a game with Orchard View) and there was some initial shock,” Tanis said. “They were thinking they’d have an easier week, so we had to re-focus and re-adjust. That’s exactly what we try to preach in our culture. Our guys came out and responded with a great week of practice.”
Any uncertainty Hart headed into the week with, quickly disappeared once the ball landed in their hands on their first offensive drive. On the first play of the game, the Pirates reached into their bag of tricks.
Senior Eman Hertzler took a handoff from quarterback Halen Boos, but instead of moving upfield as he usually does, Hertzler dropped back and eyed receivers. Ty Schlukebir came uncovered deep down the field and Hertzler dropped the ball right into his hands, allowing Schlukebir to give the Pirates the lead from 55 yards out.
“We’re 2-4 and (Orchard View) is 1-5,” Tanis said. “We wanted to start fast and we thought we’d come out and take a shot and swing big early to steal some momentum and shift in our favor. Our guys came out and executed it perfectly. We had two seniors, Eman (Hertzler) and Ty Schlukebir, making big plays and it was just great to see that for those guys.
“We’ve been on the road for what feels like forever, so to come home and start off like that, it was great.”
That initial touchdown came just 18 seconds into the game and put Hart on top 8-0 following a twopoint conversion by Alex Hicks. It wasn’t until the final minutes of the first quarter that the Cardinals found
an answer themselves, using a deep pass connection to set up a 23yard touchdown. That evened the score at 8-8.
The Pirates piled on two more touchdowns in the second quarter to give themselves a commanding lead at halftime. Kyle Greiner and Keaghan Monroe both notched rushing touchdowns and a pair of successful two-point conversions had Hart in front 24-8.
Hart’s defense was particularly impressive, adjusting to the speed and athleticism of Orchard View’s offense.
“Orchard View has a very talented offense, but they’re young,” Tanis said. “We were very worried about their speed and athleticism, but our guys really came out well. We had Eman Hertzler back on defense (this week) and that made a world of difference for us. It was a team effort defensively and everyone did their job. We really only had one play call all night and everyone just had to do their job. It was a lot of fun to see our defense execute at that level.”
Greiner and Boos added a rushing touchdown each in the third quarter as Hart used a methodical approach to chew clock and extend their lead. By the final frame of the game, the Pirates had a 36-8 lead.
Each team snagged a touchdown in the
continued from page 12
final quarter with Julian Vazquez taking it in from two yards out for Hart and OV snagging their second score through the air.
Greiner was Hart’s top weapon on the night, taking 19 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Hertzler was 1-for-2 passing for 55 yards and a touchdown to go along with 62 yards on the ground and 20 yards receiving.
Defensively, Brody Clark led the team with seven tackles and one pass breakup (PBU). Greiner also had a PBU and six tackles while Kaden Bond had the team’s lone sack.
With the win, Hart moved to 3-4 overall and remained 1-2 in the West Michigan Conference (WMC) Rivers Division. The Pirates have just two games remaining on the schedule, and they’ll need to win both if they want a shot at another postseason appearance. Even then, Tanis acknowledged that his team would be on the bubble at 5-4.
“This game really helped us (to stay in the playoff hunt). If (Orchard View) can get one more win this year – and I think that’s possible – it’ll give us a much better shot than a Holton forfeit would have,” Tanis said. “We’re going to be close to the bubble. In the last three years, if we were to win out we would be in, but we don’t control that.”
Thursday, Oct. 10:
Friday, Oct. 11:
Hart keeper (99) battles with an Elk Rapids striker after a corner kick. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO
Hart senior quarterback Halen Boos rolls out to his right before launching a pass. • Brendan Samuels/ECHO
Hart 1, Orchard View 2
Hart 1, Onekama 1
Hart 2, Hesperia 0
Hart 2, Orchard View 0
Hart 2, White Cloud 0
Shelby 0, Cedar Springs 2
Shelby 2, Manton 0
Hart 44, Orchard View 14
Shelby 14, Manistee 62
Hesperia 13, Ravenna 50
Hart (JV) 20, Holton 2
Shelby (JV) 32, Manistee 16
CHRIS GRABOWSKI MEMORIAL
Hart Boys - 1st, Girls - 1st
Shelby Boys - 7th, Girls - 5th
Pentwater Boys - 10th
WMD CHAMPIONSHIP
Pentwater Boys - 3rd
Pentwater 4, Glen Lake 7 (OT)
Hart 0, Elk Rapids 3
Pentwater 1, Buckley 0
Hart 1, Shelby 0
Hesperia unable to stop run game in loss to MCC
By: Brendan Samuels
The Oceana
Echo Sports Editor
Mason County Central (MCC) has a star in their backfield and Hesperia quickly learned that in a 50-13 loss for the Panthers, Friday, Oct. 11.
The Spartans’ Peyton Merz has been the catalyst for what is turning into a very impressive season for MCC. Merz continued to pile onto his rushing stats, recording 268 yards on the ground.
It seemed as though Hesperia was up to the task early, trailing by just eight points at the end of the first quarter. MCC quickly erased all hope for the Panthers however, piling on until they held a 50-7 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Panthers found the endzone once in the fourth quarter to add some points to the board, but at that point it was purely cosmetic.
Statistical leaders for the Panthers were senior quarterback Blake Sayer who
was 7-for-15 through the air for 108 yards and two touchdowns along with eight carries for 32 yards on the ground. Senior Skyler Stalbaum took 13 carries for 68 yards while senior Ian Fox had two catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.
Zach Loughridge also added two catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Sayer led with 10 tackles while Thor Klaus had eight and Stalbaum had six.
The Panthers fell to 2-5 overall on the year with the loss.
Hart Soccer
Coach Joe Gilbert said. “As soon as they had the wind they could just send it with their speed and go forward. How we held there was spectacular.”
Despite allowing that initial goal, Hart’s defense tightened up. Senior Carter Ramseyer was his typical dominant self, clearing balls away and even making runs up the field by himself.
Junior keeper Miguel Escamilla also notched a handful of saves to keep the game within reach heading into the half.
The Pirates hoped that the wind at their back in the second half would give them more opportunities. It did, but Elk Rapids didn’t lose a step, forcing Hart to chase.
“Elk Rapids was able to just turn the screw,” Gilbert said.”We played so
continued from page 13
well in the first half, but I told the guys that typically the team that’s chasing is going to play really hard for the first 10 (minutes).Then, the leading team takes some time to adjust, but if there’s no score, they can just start controlling the game.”
The Elks added two more goals in the second half, giving them a commanding lead and eliminating the Pirates from postseason play.
“What (this group of seniors) has done is way more than just establish a good program,” Gilbert said. “They’ve played better soccer than Hart had been playing and they’ve established a culture of guys that want to fight for perfection. “
Hart ended the season at 12-9 overall.
Manistee football rolls to blowout win over Shelby
By: Brendan Samuels
The Oceana Echo Sports Editor
Shelby football was unable to shake off the rust after two weeks without a varsity game, falling to Manistee on the road, 62-14.
The Tigers had a chance to get
things going early, leaning on junior quarterback Isaac Garcia to push the ball down the field. Unfortunately, that initial drive stalled out, giving the Mariners the ball at their own 34-yard line.
Manistee punched the ball over the goal line on that drive and continued to bulldoze Shelby, owning a 28-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers became turnover prone after that, throwing two interceptions and losing a couple of fumbles as well. That only helped push Manistee’s lead out further.
Garcia went 4-for-13 passing for 65 yards and a touchdown to go along with three interceptions. Jaylin Henderson was on the receiving end of that touchdown pass from Garcia, also
adding 56 yards on two carries and a touchdown.
Defensively, Max Hagstrom recorded six tackles while AJ Melchor had five of his own. Brody Fessenden led the way with 12 total tackles.
The Tigers fell to 3-4 overall with the loss and will host Mason County Central Friday, Oct. 18.
Homecoming parades take it through the downtown
Hart, Hesperia and Shelby
Reflections of our community
White Lake Mirror White Lake Mirror
White Lake Mirror
White Lake Mirror White Lake Mirror
YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS
YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE
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With perfect weather, Pumpkinfest a hit
With perfect weather, Pumpkinfest a hit
Area residents flock to downtown Montague for annual autumnal celebration
residents to Montague for annual autumnal celebration
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
MONTAGUE — Postcard-worthy fall weather greeted festival goers Saturday for the White Lake area’s annual Pumpkinfest, highlighted as always by the traditional pumpkin roll.
MONTAGUE — Postcard-worthy fall weather greeted festival goers Saturday for the White Lake area’s annual Pumpkinfest, highlighted as always by the traditional pumpkin roll.
Ceremonially kicked off by members of the Whitehall Middle School robotics team, which decorated a robot to look like Frankenstein’s monster for the occasion, the pumpkin roll saw dozens of local children chase their chosen gourds down the Dowling Street hill.
Ceremonially kicked off by members of the Whitehall Middle School robotics team, which decorated a robot to look like Frankenstein’s monster for the occasion, the pumpkin roll saw dozens of local children chase their chosen gourds down the Dowling Street hill.
But the roll was just part of the festivities, which also featured hayrides, a slew of booths distributing free samples and selling their wares, fresh apple cider at the far end of Ferry Street, and many attendees enjoying the autumn spirit.
But the roll was just part of the festivities, which also featured hayrides, a slew of booths distributing free samples and selling their wares, fresh apple cider at the far end of Ferry Street, and many attendees enjoying the autumn spirit.
It was a full day of fun at Pumpkinfest Saturday. Clockwise from top left,even the pups were in the spirit of the season, like this one wearing a pumpkin costume; a group of kids pursue their
as they roll down the Dowling Street
a photo op for Pumpkinfest inadvertently put a Sawyers customer in the spotlight during the celebration; pumpkins galore were available for purchase by anyone who wanted to participate in the pumpkin roll; and kids of all ages were invited to decorate their pumpkins prior to sending them down the hill. •
It was a full day of fun at Pumpkinfest Saturday. Clockwise from top left,even the pups were in the spirit of the season, like this one wearing a pumpkin costume; a group of kids pursue their pumpkins as they roll down the Dowling Street hill; a photo op for Pumpkinfest inadvertently put a Sawyers customer in the spotlight during the celebration; pumpkins galore were available for purchase by anyone who wanted to participate in the pumpkin roll; and kids of all ages were invited to decorate their pumpkins prior to sending them down the hill.
Roberts/Mirror
Andy Roberts/Mirror
Whitehall prepares for Zellar Rd. repair project
Whitehall prepares for Zellar Rd. repair project
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
The City of Whitehall will soon have to undertake a new repair project on Zellar Road, city manager Scott Huebler said at the Oct. 8 regular council meeting, due to pipe damage from recent heavy rainfall.
The City of Whitehall will soon have to undertake a new repair project on Zellar Road, city manager Scott Huebler said at the Oct. 8 regular council meeting, due to pipe damage from recent heavy rainfall.
The rain, Huebler said, caused pipes under the road to separate in four dif-
The rain, Huebler said, caused pipes under the road to separate in four dif-
ferent locations, which sucked soil down and dropped concrete. The base of the road remains solid, but repairs need to be done.
ferent locations, which sucked soil down and dropped concrete. The base of the road remains solid, but repairs need to be done.
Huebler said the city’s preferred option, due to its significantly lower cost, is to use backfilled asphalt to repair Zellar. He said the city has “put a fire under” its civil engineering company, Prein and Newhof, to get information together and solicit bids from compa-
Huebler said the city’s preferred option, due to its significantly lower cost, is to use backfilled asphalt to repair Zellar. He said the city has “put a fire under” its civil engineering company, Prein and Newhof, to get information together and solicit bids from compa-
nies for the project, which he estimated will cost about $110,000.
nies for the project, which he estimated will cost about $110,000.
Another key reason for the asphalt being a preferred option, rather than a concrete-based plan, is that using asphalt would enable the project to be completed in November, whereas using concrete could take much longer. Huebler said the engineers and contractors he’s been talking to are “extremely confident” asphalt would adequately repair
Another key reason for the asphalt being a preferred option, rather than a concrete-based plan, is that using asphalt would enable the project to be completed in November, whereas using concrete could take much longer. Huebler said the engineers and contractors he’s been talking to are “extremely confident” asphalt would adequately repair
the road. The city will solicit bids and present them to the council for consideration at the next meeting Oct. 22.
the road. The city will solicit bids and present them to the council for consideration at the next meeting Oct. 22.
The city’s other major financial discussion revolved around the purchase of trucks from Lakeshore Leaf, which was unanimously approved. The company signed a five-year contract with
The city’s other major financial discussion revolved around the purchase of trucks from Lakeshore Leaf, which was unanimously approved. The company signed a five-year contract with
Zellar Road
Zellar Road
continued on page 2
continued on page 2
Harwood Flats on course for January opening
Harwood Flats on course for January opening
By Madison Lajewski
By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer
White Lake Mirror Writer
WHITEHALL — Almost one year ago, on Halloween, Veneklasen Construction broke ground on the new $8.5 million Harwood Flats project in Whitehall. The building, located across from Goodrich Park, will provide 35 new apartments conveniently close to downtown. The idea of Harwood Flats is to introduce additional housing to the White Lake community, the lack of which has been a hot topic at both Montague and Whitehall city councils
WHITEHALL — Almost one year ago, on Halloween, Veneklasen Construction broke ground on the new $8.5 million Harwood Flats project in Whitehall. The building, located across from Goodrich Park, will provide 35 new apartments conveniently close to downtown. The idea of Harwood Flats is to introduce additional housing to the White Lake community, the lack of which has been a hot topic at both Montague and Whitehall city councils
within the last couple of years.
within the last couple of years.
“The purpose of it is to bring residents living in downtown Whitehall and further activate the community,” said Veneklasen Construction CEO Chris Veneklasen. “Bring people living
“The purpose of it is to bring residents living in downtown Whitehall and further activate the community,” said Veneklasen Construction CEO Chris Veneklasen. “Bring people living
Harwood Flats
Harwood Flats
continued on page 2
continued on page 2
The Harwood Flats building is on schedule to open next January, and local residents can see work being done on the building each day.
The Harwood Flats building is on schedule to open next January, and local residents can see work being done on the building each day.
• Madison Lajewski/Mirror
• Madison Lajewski/Mirror
pumpkins
hill;
Montague school board approves deal with MISEC
By Madison Lajewski White Lake Mirror Writer
MONTAGUE — The Montague school board approved the Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative rate at its Monday meeting. The cooperative says on its website that it has worked with school districts in the state for over 25 years to provide natural gas and electricity.
MISEC representative Jessica Pantano presented the new rates, saying the use of solar power would present the opportunity for schools to save $68,000.
Board members expressed concerns of having the rate fluctuate, should energy costs increase or decrease in the future.
Pantano said no matter what, Montague Area Public Schools would be locked in at the rate they originally signed for.
Zellar Road
the city to handle leaf pickup last year, but recently informed the city it would not be able to honor the remaining four years. Instead, the company offered to sell its fivetruck fleet to the cities of Whitehall and North Muskegon, with which it also had a leaf pickup contract, for a total of $225,000. The cities will each purchase two trucks and split the cost of the fifth to use as a backup for either one if needed.
Huebler said the city’s Department of Public Works employees will handle the leaf pickup this fall
without another company able to pick up the workload on such short notice (leaf pickup lasts from Oct. 28 through Nov. 23). He conceded the department will be stretched thin as a result, but leaf pickup will be made a priority and other items will draw attention as needed. In the future, the city could return to contracting out the leaf pickup services.
The council also approved a lot split of the land Eastbrook Homes recently donated to the city, which it said will facilitate public access
There were also concerns about if something were to happen to the solar farm.
Superintendent Jeff Johnson said per contract, MISEC would be required to find the schools another energy source.
The board approved the purchase of a new Kioti tractor within the general fund, as the district’s current tractor has been consistently having issues and breaking down recently. The boardbe-
to White Lake. The council lent its moral support to an Eagle Scout project by Margaret Derby, who said she plans to build a staircase from the library parking lot to the bike path to replace a man-made shortcut between the two that she said is currently covered in roots, branches and leaves. Councilman Jeff Holmstrom, who said he is a former scout himself, made the motion to support the project and all were in favor.
New Vintage Salon owner celebrates ribbon-cutting
By Andy Roberts
MONTAGUE — New owner Madison Bond, a Whitehall High School alum, has been at the helm of the Vintage Salon in downtown Montague since the summer, but she celebrated her new business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony during Saturday’s Pumpkinfest.
Bond moved up from North Muskegon, where she was operating a onechair salon called Studio 86 that she took over from her grandmother when she retired a few years ago. She said she is thrilled to be back in the White Lake area.
“It’s so wonderful,” Bond said. “It’s so good to feel like I’m local again. North Muskegon is not that far away, but just being in the community again is so nice.”
Due to the one-chair nature of her prior salon, Bond had to run it herself with no one else to talk to besides her customers. With the extra space afforded her by the Vintage Salon, which has several chairs, she can spend time with employees in between appointments or walk-ins, the latter of which she said are welcome and common.
“I’m just very happy to have co-workers and just people to talk to with similar mindsets,” Bond said. “It was just me at the oth-
er salon, so I did feel very lonely at times, but I still loved it. Getting new clients, having co-workers and employees, it’s just a whole different ballgame, and it’s exciting.”
Bond said it has al-
ways been her dream to run her own salon, and it feels “surreal” that she’s able to do it where she grew up, in the White Lake area.
“Every day feels more and more natural and less chaotic,” Bond said. “It’s going really well...I’m just excited to see how it can grow from here, and I’m not really sure what that means yet. I’m very open-minded to growth, whatever that means.”
lieves Kioti is the best option in terms of quality and price. Additionally, the board approved the purchase of weight room equipment for the new athletic center currently being built next to the high school and slated to open by next spring.
Johnson also announced and welcomed new hires Krystin Hall and Denise Powell as bus drivers.
Harwood Flats
and shopping, eating to the downtown area. To provide housing in that area as well.”
Veneklasen added he hopes the new development will benefit surrounding businesses and help aid in people with new job opportunities or local families not having to rely on surrounding cities to find close and available housing.
Harwood Flats is expected to be finished by January 2025.
Harwood Flats will feature one, two and three-bedroom apartments, each with one or two bathrooms. Each unit will feature in-unit laundry, central air conditioning and stainless steel appliances. Select units will also have balconies. The building will be pet-friendly, with a limit of two per household. With the apartments being new, modern and located close to White Lake, rent prices will range from $1,295 to $1,900 per month.
Fishing Report
Here is this week’s fishing report provided by the Michigan DNR.
Grand Haven - Pier anglers were catching a few steelhead using salmon spawn.
Muskegon - No steelhead were reported by anglers fishing from the pier.
Ludington - A couple steelhead and coho salmon were reported to have been caught from the piers while using spawn.
White Lake Mirror Editor
Vintage Salon owner Madison Bond (center) cuts the ceremonial ribbon Saturday afternoon in Montague to celebrate her taking over the business. Bond, who graduated from Whitehall High School, has run Vintage Salon since the summer and is enjoying being back in the White Lake area. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
Saturday, Oct. 19
Montague Farmer’s Market open every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Trade Night @ Bill’s Lakeshore Golden Cards & Collectibles, 6 p.m.
Tiered raffle, door prizes and pizza.
Brian Fedewa performs @ Sawyers Brewing, 7 p.m.
BonFire Rose performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.
Community Calendar
Monday, Oct. 21
Community Yoga @ Fruitland Twp. Hall, 10 a.m. Free to participate ($5 suggested donation), open to all ages and skill levels.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Youth Open Studio @ ACWL-Nuveen Center, 3-5 p.m. Open to middle and high school students. Students are welcome to bring in school art projects or anything they are working
on and get help from ACWL-Nuveen staff.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Fetch Cycling Group meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. All levels welcome.
Free general admission every Thursday @ the Muskegon Museum of Art, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Adult Open Studio @ ACWL-Nuveen Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring studio materials from home or ex-
plore available supplies in the classroom.
Friday, Oct. 25
Community Yoga @ Fruitland Twp. Hall, 10 a.m. Free to participate ($5 suggested donation), open to all ages and skill levels.
Mike Snell and The Substitutes perform @ Sawyers Brewing, 7 p.m. Group Therapy performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.
Echoes of History: Citizens - David W. Covell
By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor
David Wilmot Covell was born Oct. 21, 1851 in Bentley Creek, Pennsylvania, the son of Calvin T. and Elizabeth (nee Coleman) Covell. He came to Whitehall in 1866, where he entered into the employment of Albert Mears as a clerk in his store while attending the local school. Later he became foreman at his brothers’ mill, the A. J. & C. E. Covell sawmill. He was also a deputy sheriff of the county and Village Marshal for several years.
On Nov. 15, 1874, David married Emma E. Hobler, and they had a daughter, Belle (1876-1920). They later divorced. It seemed that Emma would come home late at night “smelling strongly of drink” and that she threw
chairs and a music box at David. This was the information provided in depositions in his divorce action against Emma from Emma’s sister, Eunice, and Lucinda Gregson, who worked as a servant girl in the David Covell house.
In February 1877 he was appointed Village Marshal. On June 7, 1878 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and was appointed again in 1879.
On April 25, 1883, he married Lucinda Gregson, who by then was working as a cook in a lumber camp located in the southeastern part of Oceana County. They had eight children: Maude E (1884-1959); Andrew Jackson II (1885-1962); Lyman Townsend II (1887-1959); Luella (1890-1972); David Wilmot Jr (1892-1965); Lawrence Gregson (1894-1964); Alvin L. (1897-
1964); and Marvin L. (1902-1965).
In 1886, David and his wife moved to a farm in Fruitland Township where they made their home until spring 1918, when they moved to North Muskegon to be near their family.
While David was attending the stock on his farm in March 1887, one of the cows hooked him in the face, the point of one of the horns entered the flesh on the right side of his nose. Had the wound been a bit higher, Mr. Covell would undoubtedly have lost one of his eyes.
David died at his home in North Muskegon Jan. 1, 1920. In 1930, Lucinda married Christopher Sparrow. He died in 1938. Lucinda died at the home of her daughter in Whitehall Oct. 30, 1944. David and Lucinda are buried in Oakhurst Cemetery.
Rothbury council continues discussion of potential Kuerth’s recycling contract
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
ROTHBURY — A very short Rothbury city council meeting - 25 minutes - included little in the way of action items, but continued discussion among the village about the chances of moving forward with a contract with Kuerth’s Disposal to provide reycling services to residents.
The company has provided trash pickup service to Rothbury residents through a village-wide contract since
earlier this year, and at the time it said it would be interested in providing recycling if enough people would participate in the program. As a test run, several recycling bins were placed next to the village hall for residents’ use.
Clerk Brandy Williams said the village is attempting to solicit feedback from residents to present data to Kuerth’s that enough people are using the recycling bins next to the village hall that it would be worthwhile for the company to provide the service door-
to-door. However, those efforts have not yet yielded results.
The council agreed that the bins are constantly being used, noting that after each twice-monthly pickup, they are quickly filled up again. So full are the bins, Williams said, that she worries that it’s actually discouraging their use, as residents don’t feel like filling their vehicles up with recyclables only to find there is no room to put them.
The council said Kuerth’s has offered the use of a dumpster-style bin
for more space to place recyclables, but it would cost $225 per month. Currently, each individual bin the company provides to the village costs $6 per month.
During the police report, chief Ethan Walker reported to the council that the new police radios whose expenditure was approved last month have been ordered. Walker added that he’s been told to expect a 6-9 month lead time for delivery.
The library loses one of its champions
By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor
We were deeply saddened to learn that Donna Will passed away earlier this month at the age of 94. She was an amazing woman with many accomplishments and claims to fame during her long life, but I will always remember her most for her tireless efforts on behalf of the library. My husband and I moved here with our young children in 1997, right around the time the city announced it would stop funding the city library, and I soon found myself working on a district library campaign committee with Donna. Thanks to her and a
whole host of dedicated individuals, the Whitehall City Library became the White Lake Community Library in 1999. Donna was one of the eight founding board members, and continued to serve on the board through 2007. She was a true champion of the library, and I was fortunate to have her as a role model. She will be missed.
Senior Millage Services
Survey Now Open
If you are a City of Whitehall resident age 60 or older, or you care for someone who is, the city wants to hear from you! The Muskegon County Senior Millage was recently renewed by voters, and the Whitehall City Council is looking for input on how best to use the city’s portion of the revenue. Please take a few minutes to complete a short survey at bit.ly/whitehallseniorsurvey. Printed copies are also available at City Hall, the Viking Athletic Center, the White Lake Senior Center, and the library. The deadline
for returning completed surveys is Nov. 15. The library was invited to participate on the committee that prepared the survey, and we look forward to seeing the results. We are especially interested in exploring ways to tailor our programs and services to help meet the needs that are identified.
FUN FACT: According to 2020 census data, the City of Whitehall has 2,935 residents within its 3.2 square miles. That’s a population density of over 900 people per square mile! Approximately 26% of city residents are aged 60 or older, so there are about 760 senior residents. (Wouldn’t it be great if all 760 filled out the survey?)
Franken-STEAM Family Night with Robo Vikes
Get ready for an evening of creativity, innovation, and fun at the library Thursday, Oct. 24. Join the Robo Vikes, the Whitehall Middle School robotics team, in the meeting room from 5:30 to 7 p.m. They will be demonstrating
their latest projects and sharing their passion for STEAM. In addition to the demonstrations, they will be offering a variety of hands-on exploration stations for the full STEAM spectrum of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. While all ages are welcome, the activities are geared for kids in grades K-12. There is no charge to attend, and registration is not required.
• Courtesy Photo
DeMumbrum
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Montague finally reaches district summit
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
MONTAGUE — Several years ago, Montague senior Lucas Husband would come to the Wildcats’ home field to watch brother Robbie play varsity soccer, and when he faced high-caliber opponents, more often than not the results were not pretty.
Now, Husband is part of a group of Wildcats that have changed that script forever, winning their first ever district championship by beating Fremont 1-0 Wednesday night.
“I’d watch him get (mercy-ruled) by Whitehall and all these other teams that we took care of this year,” Husband said of his brother. “For it to be my senior year and for it to be with these boys who I’ve played with my whole life, it means the world to me. I’m so happy.”
The atmosphere among the Wildcats (17-5) and the crowd made clear how much it meant. With Husband the emotional center of the team - he exhorted the crowd to get louder numerous times - the ‘Cats kept pushing long after it seemed like Fremont was running low on fuel.
Perhaps that extra energy is why Montague was able to get on the board in the 71st minute of play. Trevor Trevino, who draws so much defensive attention, managed to find a one-on-one matchup as the ‘Cats moved down the field and got enough space to fire
from one side of the net to the other, beating the Packer keeper.
“We knew we could get those balls in there,” Montague coach Brandon Mahoney said. “We watched the Fremont film (from the regular season), where they beat us...We knew Trevor could get that angle. We’ve watched him score from that deep tight angle that a lot of people will be like, ‘There’s no way he’s scoring.’ We were hopeful that he just kept driving in. He kept his head about him and everybody stayed positive.”
Even after a scoreless first half, the Wildcats felt great about where they were because they’d had
better scoring chances. Javari Aldridge’s late first-half shot in particular required a diving save by Fremont keeper Caleb Vissia, and a later shot by Isaiah Towne sailed just over the crossbar.
“You get two or three breakaways in that first half and you don’t finish one of them or the person crashing isn’t there, and you can get frustrated,” Mahoney said. “But the boys didn’t. They stayed positive. The bench was completely hyped, The crowd was amazing tonight. I couldn’t ask for a more
‘Cats
are champs
continued on page 7
Full health not enough for Whitehall in semifinal defeat
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
MONTAGUE — Despite finally having a fully healthy roster and playing a strong first half against Fremont in Monday’s district semifinal, the Whitehall Vikings were turned away 3-0, ending one of the more injury-plagued seasons Whitehall coach Adam Prince can recall.
“It’s been one of the strangest seasons I’ve ever been a part of,” Prince said. “This is the first time since before Labor Day that we’ve been fully healthy. That’s what hurts the most. We’re finally fully healthy and finally a full team again...We had six guys that played today that didn’t play the last time we played them. That’s the most frustrating thing. We were finally healthy and we thought if we could make it by this one that we had a chance.”
Semifinal defeat
continued on page 6
Wildcats outgun Fremont in historic shootout
70-64 final score is highest-scoring game ever for Montague, 8th-highest in state history
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
MONTAGUE — One thing was for sure after Montague put its brand-new scoreboard at risk of being broken due to overuse in a 70-64 win over Fremont Friday: Everyone who played in the game would sleep well that evening.
Calling the game a track meet wouldn’t even do it justice; the contest featured a slew of plays of 30 yards or more, two onside kick returns for touchdowns, an interception return for a touchdown, and, according to the MHSAA, the eighth-most total points in the history of high school football in the state. It also, as you’d assume with so much scoring, lasted longer than most high school games - nearly three hours.
The offensive headlines for Montague (3-4, 3-2 West Michigan Conference Lakes) belonged to sophomore
running back Devlin Dean, who has seized the starting role and displayed the talents that made that possible Friday. Dean sliced and diced the Packer defense to the tune of 335 yards on 39 carries, with five touchdown runs.
“He’s a sophomore, and we’ve known he’s our most explosive player,” Montague coach Justin Dennett said. “He’s our fastest kid. He’s really strong. He’s a hard runner. He just had to learn. There’s a lot of stuff he had to learn. It’s different than JV; you can’t just bounce everything (outside) and run around the edge. He started showing progress. That’s why we gave him the role the last couple weeks, and he showed tonight that he’s a special talent.”
At the same time, Dean’s emergence wouldn’t be possible without the original starting running back, Fletcher Thommen, gracefully ceding his carries, and Dennett gave Thommen credit for doing just that. The junior, in fact, has shifted to an H-back role and was lead blocker for many of Dean’s yards.
“I’m really proud of Fletcher for just being selfless and doing what’s best for the team,” Dennett said.
“His technique has taught me a lot
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
and I definitely look up to him,” Dean added of his teammate. “He’s really smart.”
The Wildcats, of course, moved the ball at will much of the night, but early on things weren’t quite as easy. Eli Petersen made a pair of clutch fourthdown throws in the first quarter to keep drives alive, and both those drives end-
ed with Dean touchdown runs. Petersen went on to throw for 111 yards, including a pair of touchdown throws to Ryver Jarka, both pretty, arcing tosses that gave Jarka the chance to run underneath them.
The junior quarterback did throw
Whitehall’s Andon Palmer (left) and Fremont’s Taylor Rowe pursue the ball during Monday’s district semifinal at Montague. The Vikings lost the game, 3-0.
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
Montague’s Devlin Dean (with ball) blows past Fremont’s Seth Zerlaut on a long run during Friday’s WMC Lakes game at Montague. Dean had many long runs Friday, going for 335 yards and five touchdowns in a 70-64 Montague win.
Montague’s Giovani Franco doesn’t let Eddie Springstead keep him from getting to the ball during Wednesday’s district final against Fremont. The Wildcats won, 1-0, to win their first ever district title.
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
Vikes beat O’s, secure 4th straight conference title
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
Whitehall pulled away late behind another terrific performance from its running game Friday night and dispatched Ludington 47-10, ensuring at least a share of the West Michigan Conference Lakes title, the fourth straight conference crown for the program.
The Vikings (5-2, 5-0 WMC Lakes) wore the Orioles down over the course of the game, mostly with Gavin Craner. The senior running back tore through the Ludington defense for 238 yards on 20 carries, with four touchdowns.
Coach Tony Sigmon said Craner’s game Friday was “more workmanlike” than his similarly gaudy numbers from a week prior against Oakridge, where two huge carries of well over 150 yards beefed up his total.
“Credit to our offensive line, we
had holes to run through and we were getting anything between 5-20 yards a carry,” Sigmon said. “After the first couple of drives, it was obvious that would be a strength for us, so we leaned into it.”
The game remained somewhat close early, and Whitehall led just 13-3 at halftime. The Orioles were able to steal a possession by recovering a pooch kickoff, and holding penalties submarined a Viking drive late in the second quarter.
However, Whitehall knew it could command the lines of scrimmage, and continued to do so throughout the second half.
“They had a lot of guys on the perimeter and throwing windows were tight,” Sigmon said. “We were able to take advantage of our offensive and defensive lines.”
A short touchdown run by Camden Thompson to open the second half made it 20-3 Vikings, and it was smooth sailing from there as Whitehall rang up 459 yards of total offense. Thompson passed for a touchdown and ran for two, accounting for 149 yards in all. Hunter Osborne had a 44-yard touchdown catch.
Defensively, Thompson and Blake English led a balanced effort with five tackles each. Jack Ambrose and Colton Kyser each had a tackle for loss and Doug Verberkmoes recovered a fumble.
Whitehall has two regular-season games left, and while the first is against another WMC Lakes foe (Fremont) the Vikings will be heavily favored to beat,
Sigmon said the team can’t afford to be unfocused due to its current playoff position.
“We’re in that playoff mode right now,” Sigmon said. “We have to be. Next week is a really big deal because it gives us a chance to get more playoff points, win the conference outright and get that sixth win. We want to set ourselves up for week 9, but also week 10.”
The coach added that he’s proud of his varsity team’s performance this year but also the growth he’s seen from the underclassmen in the program, setting the team up for future successes.
“I knew we could have a good year as a varsity football team this year, but we’re also excited for the growth of our entire program,” Sigmon said. “We’re excited for the success of our team in the coming years. As a head coach, it makes all the difference.”
Rockets unable to hold up in tough loss to Muskegon
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
Injuries continued to do damage to Reeths-Puffer’s high hopes Friday night, as the Rockets had to shuffle players all over the place against defending state champion Muskegon, and the results were unfortunately predictable in a 47-7 Big Reds win.
The Rockets (2-5, 1-3 O-K Green Conference) had already rejiggered their lineup to move their top blocking back, Sage Secrest, to quarterback to account for Mason Darke’s Achilles tendon injury and were playing Ethan Muskovin in place of Marvin Moore, who was hurt last week and unavailable Friday. To make matters worse, two-way starter Sam Hillin, who was playing blocking back and linebacker, got hurt early in the game too, and so did Muskovin.
Epic shootout
an interception just before the end of the first half, but Dennett said Petersen continues to improve.
“Eli overall had a really good game,” Dennett said. “There were a couple decisions before the half that just come with experience that he’s got to clean up but overall, really happy with how he played too.”
The Wildcats led 28-24 at halftime, a high-scoring half but barely a hint of what was to come in the second half. Only three possessions in the entire second half (and six overall) did not result in touchdowns.
Ironically, the first score of the second-half avalanche of touchdowns belonged to the defense. With Fremont driving to go ahead, Kellan Francis snagged a quick out from Fremont quarterback Brayden Crosley and raced 98 yards the other way for a pivotal score that made it 35-24. The Packers, of course, responded with a touchdown, but Montague got the next two, building an advantage it would hold on to the rest of the night.
Fremont kept coming back, boosted by an incredible 8-for-8 showing on two-point conversions that enabled it to claw back points even while giving up touchdown after touchdown. The Packers got to within a possession with 4:46 to go - after Riley Mulder returned an onside kick for a touchdown - on a long run by Khai Noordyk, who
“Because of those injuries, we had a difficult time being competitive,” R-P coach Cody Kater said. “Some of that’s on the coaches, and it’s a learning moment for our entire program.”
The Rocket defense held up admirably considering the circumstances. Despite the offense being hampered by those injuries and struggling to move the ball, R-P trailed only 7-0 after a quarter, and it took nearly halfway through the second quarter for Muskegon to find the end zone a second time.
However, eventually the dam broke and the Rockets were unable to plug all the holes they needed to.
“We were already pretty thin, and we were having to play guys out of position just to try to give ourselves a fighting chance to move the ball on the offensive side, and playing guys that have never had defensive reps,” Kater said. “It was a perfect storm for us.”
continued from page 4
had a huge game for Fremont. They cut it to seven after the teams traded scores in the late minutes, and after Cooper Bradley followed Mulder’s lead with a score on an onside kick, they got it to six after yet another score and conversion. However, the Wildcats dove on the final onside kick with six seconds left to finally secure victory.
Dennett said he would have to watch the film to get to the bottom of why the Packers had so many big plays against the Montague defense. He noted that while the Wildcats may have been physically wiped due to all the two-way players on the team, the same should have been true of Fremont.
“There’s a ton of things we
need to clean up in the secondary and up front as well, because they ran the ball all over us too,” Dennett said. “Hats off to them. They had a really good game plan and did some good things to take advantage of our weaknesses.”
Nevertheless, the Wildcats will take the win. The playoff picture is murky, but Montague may have to win both its remaining games against Manistee and Ravenna to feel secure in its playoff positioning.
“We had a losing streak there for a little bit, but we definitely got back on track with this,” Dean said. “We’re just going to build off of this and hopefully do well in the next game.”
Muskegon led 26-0 at the half and took the second-half kickoff back for a touchdown, a backbreaking score. Later in the third, Secrest found the end zone to provide the Rockets’ only score of the night.
Kater said the team will reassess its injuries and see what it has to work with next week before another very difficult test in rival Mona Shores, which beat Muskegon earlier this season. It’s unknown what chances remain to make a playoff run, but the Rockets are focusing inward rather than worrying about that.
“We have to figure out a way to finish this season on a high-character note,” Kater said. “We don’t know if we have the opportunity to extend our own season just because of the playoff points and being on the outside looking in, but all the things we’ve talked about the last couple years, character driving the process and responding in the face of adversity, we’ll continue to have opportunities like that in life and we just have to continue to prepare for them. Those are the conversations we’re having, and we’re going to continue to provide life lessons.”
Sports in Brief
Reeths-Puffer 3 Muskegon 0
The Rockets experimented with their lineup against the struggling Big Reds and picked up their first conference win. Madilynn Dyer had 17 assists and 5 aces, and Alissa Klopp led the offense with 6 kills.
Whitehall 3 Orchard View 0
The Vikings celebrated senior night with an impressive win to move to 4-2 in conference play. Bella Fogus had 15 kills to lead the team, as well as 19
Whitehall boys win at Oakridge Jamboree Stewart Waters won the boys’ race for Whitehall as the Vikings earned their 1st jamboree win of the season. Several local runners set personal bests in the race. Hunter Parsons (4th) and Drew Boeringa (9th) also placed in the top 10. Cami Kraai led Whitehall’s girls, who took 3rd place, by placing 4th in the race. Montague’s top finishers were Noah Raeth (6th) for the boys and Grace Torsch (14th) for the girls.
Caledonia 3 Reeths-Puffer 0
The Rockets struggled against Caledonia star and Milwaukee commit Josie Noble. Madilynn Dyer had 7 assists and 5 digs for R-P.
Montague 3 Oakridge 0
Montague ended the WMC Lakes regular season in 2nd place after an easy win. Jordan Netcott had 36 digs, and Maizie Collins added 22. Ava Pumford led the offense with 9 kills, and Jaelyn Sundberg had 26 assists.
Montague’s Ryver Jarka beckons the football into his waiting arms on a 19-yard touchdown catch from Eli Petersen during Friday’s game against Fremont. Packers’ defender Tritan Corrigan can only watch. Jarka had 87 yards receiving and a pair of touchdowns in a 70-64 win. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
Rockets repeat as GMAA champion
Whitehall edges Montague for 2nd place; eight from area are top-10 placers
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
WHITEHALL — Once again, only a stroke separated Reeths-Puffer’s top players, Sophia McCollum and Rowan Bluhm, but at Monday’s GMAA meet, that was a great thing for the Rockets.
The duo earned the top two spots on the leaderboard at White Lake Golf Club, shooting an 83 and an 84 respectively, to propel the Rockets to a repeat in the county event. The team shot a 361, which was enough to hold off season-best scores from both Whitehall (369) and Montague (371), the second and third-place finishers respectively.
A week prior, McCollum beat Bluhm in a one-hole playoff at regionals to determine the final individual qualifying spot for state. McCollum was atop the leaderboard again Monday - the difference was her birdie on the par-3 seventh hole - but Bluhm was able to end her high school career on a high note by helping her team defend the GMAA crown.
“It definitely turns my frown upside down,” Bluhm said with a grin.
With Paige Anderson, who starred at R-P the last few years and now golfs at Ferris State, at White Lake Golf Course to see her former teammates repeat as champions, the Rockets showed off how deep the program remains.
The finish was one last show of gutsy play from Bluhm; coach Matt Pallett said the senior aggravated a wrist injury she’s dealt with on and off this season while warming up and played the round through the injury.
“She’s a class act,” Pallett said of Bluhm. “She’s an unbelievable young lady...It was a gutsy effort. We’re really proud of her.”
The GMAA was originally scheduled to take place in September, but had to be postponed due to heavy rainfall the night before the tournament. After some discussion among the coaches, Monday was settled on as a reschedule
Reeths-Puffer’s Sophia McCollum connects on an approcah shot during Monday’s GMAA tournament at White Lake Golf Club. McCollum led the Rockets to the team title and was GMAA medalist, shooting an 83. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
date, which for those teams with state qualifiers worked out great, as those players got a competitive round in before heading to the finals.
“When this got rained out and they were looking for dates, we threw it out there,” Montague coach Phil Kerr said, noting that in past years Montague sought out invitationals between the regional and state meets. “(We thought) it would be a great thing for everybody to go get a competitive round in.”
McCollum and Bluhm’s closeness on the scoreboard has been a big factor in the Rockets’ success. Pallett ran the numbers prior to Monday’s round and said the difference between them in scoring average is less than two-tenths of a stroke per round. McCollum, a sophomore, will golf at state this weekend at Forest Akers East, the site of her career-best 74 earlier this season. Another performance like that this weekend would have McCollum high on the leaderboard when it’s all said and done.
Her emergence has been one of the stories of the season for R-P, but McCollum is quietly confident and said she’s known all year what she could do.
“I haven’t taken myself by surprise,” McCollum said of her 2024 season. “I know what I can shoot, and I know what I’m capable of shooting...I’m hoping I can shoot around the high 70s or low 80s both days (at state).”
The leaderboard was dotted, in fact, with area players. Counting a tie for the #10 spot, eight area golfers earned top10 finishes. R-P’s Olivia Ambler was one of them, posting a 93 to tie for eighth place. Ella Voorhies was the Rockets’ fourth scorer, with a 101.
For Whitehall, freshman Riley Shafer continued her late-season surge with an 86, finishing third overall. She had only two holes that were worse than a bogey, and none worse than two over par. Grace McDowell carded a 90, Kelsie McClure had a 95 and Felicity Dingman shot a 98, giving the Vikings four scorers in double digits.
“We had a few too many strokes to come in first, but I think the girls battled it out and played well,” Whitehall coach Bill Borgman said. “The long game was the better part of our game today. The short game is always going to win events, so we still need to work on those types of things, but overall they did really well.”
Montague had three top-10 finishers of its own, and the last of themBrynlee Kessler, who tied for 10th with a 94 - joined Addi Smith’s personal best 96 as the chief reasons the Wildcats had a season-best score.
“They’re the real reason we were even in contention at all,” Kerr said.
“(This round) definitely got the juices flowing and gives us a good positive mindset going into state.”
The Wildcats’ top two players, Braylyn Bultema and Cadence Fox, were their usual strong selves. Bultema shot an 88 and Fox had a 93. Between the two of them, the ‘Cats have had four consecutive rounds where their top player made it under 90.
“It’s nice knowing that either one of them could shoot our best score at any time,” Kerr said. “Cadence was on a heater. She had three under-90 (rounds) in a row and now Braylyn has had two under-90 (rounds) in a row. They’re both playing really good golf going into state, which is all you can ask for.”
Both Whitehall and Montague have goals of placing in the top 10 at the state meet. At least according to the state coaches’ rankings, Montague would seem to have the better chance at it -the ‘Cats ended the season ranked #6 - but anything can, and often does, happen at the finals. For R-P, McCollum will go to state alone, but has proven capable of taking on the best, especially at the Forest Akers course.
“She’ll have a chance to do really well,” Pallett said of McCollum. “She’ll be right there. She’s one of the better players in the state.”
Trio of local runners take top-10 in both GMAA races
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
Local runners dotted the top end of the leaderboard Saturday at the GMAA race, which took place this year at Fruitport’s Rycenga Park.
Whitehall’s boys team earned the highest team finish among local squads, placing second. The Vikings finished only seven points behind winner Western Michigan Christian. Montague finished third in the race, and Reeths-Puffer placed sixth.
Three Vikings placed in the top six individually, led by Stewart Waters, who was third with a time of 16:52.2. Hunter
Parsons took fourth and had a time of 17:03.9, and Drew Boeringa placed sixth in a time of 17:24.2. Montague’s Nolan Kessler also picked up a top-10 finish, placing eighth in a time of 17:33.2.
The Wildcats’ Noah Raeth earned a 12th-place finish and had a time of 17:59.4, closely followed by Alix Draves in 13th (18:00.6). Rex Pumford of Whitehall finished 14th (18:01.1). Blaine Berson closed the Whitehall scoring in 30th place (19:18.2), and Bucky Aney (19th, 18:18.2) and Matthew Leatherman (27th, 19:11.5) finished up Montague’s scoring for the boys’ race.
Reeths-Puffer top four runners all finished within 34 seconds of one an-
Semifinal defeat
The Vikes (7-10-1) had a full game of Mason Mulnix after the senior and team leader in goals came off the bench and delivered two dramatic extra time goals to win the first-round game against Oakridge last week. With that surge of momentum, the Vikings
continued from page 4
felt like they controlled the first half of play, but Fremont cashed in one of its best opportunities on a goal by Deagan Klimek. Down 1-0 late in the half, Whitehall avoided a bigger deficit when the ball got away from the defense in front of the net and Tyler Van
other. Dylan Sturr led the Rockets in 24th place (18:38.9), followed by Jack Yonkman in 25th (19:05.3) and Samuel Perez in 26th (19:11.3). Jamie Neel was the fourth Rocket to finish, coming in 28th (19:12.2). Gage Bouwman finished up the scoring, in 52nd place (22:11.2).
In the girls’ race, Jersi Bilek finished third for Reeths-Puffer in a time of 20:16.3, leading the Rockets to third place as a team. Whitehall was fifth, and Montague placed sixth.
Whitehall’s Cami Kraai was fourth right behind Bilek, with a time of 20:22.2. The Vikings’ Adalyn Britton finished ninth (20:43.3), and R-P’s Gabrielle Chevez just missed the top 10,
Antwerp made a big play to knock the ball out of the danger zone.
However, the Packers started the second half quickly, scoring off a corner kick when Klimek was able to get free and knock the ball into the net.
Prince said the Vikings did not do a good enough job keeping Klimek from having a free run at the net on the play.
“He just had an open lane to the front of the goal and put it in,” Prince
coming in 11th (21:42.7).
R-P’s three remaining scorers were Kaitlyn Durow (17th, 22:26.0), Adrienne Fluette (21st, 22:49.96) and Charli Belinger (23:28.2). For Whitehall, Kassie Sapp (23rd, 23:13.3), Samantha Mead (27th, 24:02.3) and Kassidy Parmley (31st, 24:57.1) contributed to the scoreboard.
Montague’s top scorer was Grace Torsch, who finished 24th (23:14.8). Grace Reavey placed 29th (24:40.96). Erica Hansen (36th, 25:30.0), April Howard (37th, 25:45.0) and Lilou Ruch (40th, 26:30.2) scored for the Wildcats.
said. “I give Steve (Vissia, Fremont’s coach) a lot of credit, because he coaches them to make sure that they finish those. Every year he gets (that) out of them. They pick up on people’s mistakes and then they finish them.”
Fremont got another goal off a set play later in the half, when Joey Mansfield got possession of the ball off a free kick following a Viking foul and fired it in.
Whitehall’s Grace McDowell lofts an approach shot towards the green during Monday’s GMAA tournament at White Lake Golf Course. The Vikings finished in second place behind three top-10 finishers. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
Vikings come up clutch to qualify for state
By Andy Roberts
White Lake Mirror Editor
With two flights still to be decided at last Thursday’s Division 4 regional tournament in Holland, both entering the semifinal rounds, Whitehall needed three more wins to qualify for state as a team. The Vikings got them.
With a clutch 6-4, 6-2 win over top seed Evan Disselkoen of Holland Christian in the No. 3 singles championship match, Evan Schuitema secured his team’s place at state, as the Vikings won a three-way tiebreaker for third place at the regionals, therefore earning a state spot for the first time since 2019. The finals will take place Oct. 21-22 at the Midland Tennis Center.
The Vikings scored 12 points and won a tiebreaker over Western Michigan Christian and North Muskegon, who also hit that number behind state qualifiers Holland Christian and Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Whitehall coach Greg McManus said the tiebreaker came down to set winning percentage. The Vikings, who went 18-15 in sets played, earned the edge over North Muskegon, which had a .500 record (16-16) in sets played.
“I brought (the players) back behind the courts to talk to them and let them know after I officially found out,” McManus said. “Because it was a tie and no one knew what was going on, I let them know. They were extremely excited, jumping up and down and screaming.”
In past years, only the top two teams at a regional meet qualified for state. This year, because fewer schools statewide were playing tennis, the number of regionals in each division dropped from eight to six, and now the top three
teams from each regional can qualify.
In addition to Schuitema’s two wins - he also defeated No. 3 seed Toby Minnema of NorthPointe Christian, 7-5, 6-1 - the No. 3 doubles pair of Evan Thomas/Elijah Roberge won a semifinal match over Caleb Kooistra/Arend Clark of NorthPointe Christian, 6-4, 6-4 to earn a pivotal 12th point.
Both Schuitema and Thomas/ Roberge were seeded second in their flights, the highest seeds earned by any Viking.
McManus said he talked to both flights before their semifinal matches, letting them know the team could make it to state if they won their matches but trying to do so in a way that kept the pressure off them.
“’I don’t want you to think it’s on you if we don’t (make it),’” McManus said he told his players. “’If you play your best and you lose, that’s fine, and if you play your best and you win, we have a shot.’ I tried to take the pressure off them, saying, ‘You have to keep doing what you’re doing and we’ll see what happens when it’s done.’”
Schuitema’s regional title at No. 3 singles is the result of significant improvement over the course of the season. McManus said Schuitema has worked very hard at cultivating a scrappy, defensive style of tennis; the coaches noticed early in the season that he had a knack for putting the right spin on the ball to keep opponents off balance. The junior will likely work to add more offensive skill in the offseason in anticipation of moving up in the singles lineup next year, but for 2024, his best chance to be successful was on defense.
“He bought in, and it’s working,” McManus said. “That’s how he beat a Reeths-Puffer kid (Cory Judd) at the
‘Cats are champs
perfect night.”
Despite the high energy and the emotions - Montague played with a borderline reckless ambivalence to their own safety at times and drew a couple of late yellow cards as a result - the Wildcats, on the field, seemed to consistently make the right plays. The game was not too fast to fluster them even in the most stressful of situations - even, in fact, when Husband had to come in for keeper Robby Smith twice. Once Smith drew a card, and another time he briefly had to leave after getting collided with on a save.
“We had experience winning these big games,” Husband said by way of explanation. “Early on (this season), we came back against Shelby in the last 10 minutes. We beat Whitehall. We had a nail-biter with Oakridge. We have experience with this. We know what to do.”
Husband even made a save when Fremont was awarded a free kick following Smith’s card, drawing celebratory yells and a bear hug from Smith when he reentered the game.
Smith has drawn plaudits all year from his teammates and coaches, but recording a shutout in the district final was his magnum opus.
“To have Robby come out as a senior, never played keeper, not played soccer since he was six and performed the way he has performed this season, it is the reason we’ve had so many wins and so many shutouts,” Mahoney said. “He’s a phenomenal athlete. He’s put so
much work into that position.”
The Wildcats’ reward is a Tuesday night trip to Clare for a regional game against either No. 4-ranked Kingsford or Grayling, who play in a district final Saturday.
“Is that right?” Husband said with a wide grin. “That sounds good. I like it.”
Montague defeats Orchard View in semis
MONTAGUE — Montague took almost no time at all to ensure it would reach the first district final in modern program history, scoring in the first minute of what became a 3-0 win over Orchard View in Monday’s semifinal.
Trevor Trevino was again the focal point offensively for the ‘Cats (16-5). The senior has dominated the scoring column for the team all season and provided all three goals Monday, two from over 25 yards away. Noah Raeth assisted Trevino on his second goal, and the third was the result of a teammate’s shot deflecting off the post and all the way back to him. Trevino quickly fired off a laser of his own that went in.
“We passed the ball well,” Trevino said. “We were aggressive from the start and we really brought it today. I’m really proud of us. I’m really happy with this one.”
Orchard View nearly answered Trevino’s first goal in the 11th minute when a long shot deflected off the post, but that was the last serious threat the Cardinals mounted, as Montague con-
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
city meet that he’d previously lost to. Once he bought into that, he’s been really tough.”
Schuitema struggled early in his first match against unseeded Kyle Carpenter of Grand Rapids West Catholic. The match went to a third set, and Carpenter was leading it 4-1 when McManus checked in with Schuitema and reminded him of that defensive mindset. That mentality carried him through the rest of the day.
“I wanted him to focus mentally on one more ball, not on what was at stake,” McManus said. “I wanted him to focus on defense and keep hitting one more ball. (In the finals, Disselkoen) kind of ran out of answers. He was trying to overpower (Evan) and he couldn’t sustain it...(Schuitema) got him off his game and ended up rolling over him in the second set.”
Also for Whitehall in the regionals,
Brady Tate, who was seeded fourth at No. 2 singles, won a second-round match in straight sets - he received a first-round bye - to reach the semifinals.
The Vikings’ other wins came from No. 1 singles player William Burger, No. 2 doubles pair Jon Hall/Myles Welch, and No. 4 doubles pair Adam Sikkenga/Remington Whelpley. Each were unseeded and won a first-round match.
McManus said the team is hoping for a top-10 finish at state, and believes it’s achievable with high-level play and a little matchup luck.
“Hopefully the (No. 3 flights) can get seeded somewhere and we can have some luck with the draw,” McManus said. “We have a good team, so if we go out and play like we’ve been playing and have a little bit of luck, I don’t think top 10 is out of the question.”
trolled possession. Coach Brandon Mahoney said ball control was a huge focus of the team in preparation for the game and it followed a similarly effective game plan from the Wildcats’ firstround win over Grant.
“We did a Sunday practice, team dinner, and we came out here in the rain for an hour and practiced possession, possession, possession,” Mahoney said. “That’s when we’re the best, honestly. If we can possess the ball, then the other team breaks down and we get opportunities.”
Trevino’s goal-scoring numbers are remarkable, but Mahoney also credited his star with being a good distributor, saying he created several chances that weren’t quite finished.
The game became increasingly chippy down the stretch as both teams began throwing their weight around - literally. There were several hard collisions and a few cards were issued. Mahoney said the Wildcats are comfortable playing that style of game.
“He’s playing either left wing or the center midfield for us and you saw tonight that he had a couple of great crosses,” Mahoney said. “Nobody finished them, but we were right there. You look back at the Whitehall match and that’s how we won against Whitehall. They were triple-marking Trevino, he passes inside and Javari Aldridge finishes. Everybody’s a weapon out there. Everybody can score.”
“Our guys definitely can play physical,” Mahoney said. “I liked how they played tonight...I don’t love either team getting a lot of cards. A couple cards are OK. That still sounds like people are playing within themselves and not playing reckless.” continued from page 4
The Whitehall tennis team, pictured in this team photo taken in September, reached the Division 4 state meet with a 3rd-place regional finish last Thursday. The team includes, left to right, front row, Jon Hall, Israel Lewis, Chandler Culp, Myles Welch, Liam Nicholas, Remington Whelpley, Landon Dean and Cameron Cook; second row, Adam Sikkenga, Ian Sampson, Max Schneider, Aiden Strandberg, Elijah Roberge and Ryne Nicholas; third row, Assistant Coach Jared Vanderleest, Patrick Cole, Brady Tate, Evan Thomas, Evan Schuitema, William Burger and Head Coach Greg McManus.
Montague keeper Robby Smith (left) and teammate Trevin Silvers keep Fremont’s Joey Mansfield away from the goal during Wednesday’s district final at Montague. The Wildcats won, 1-0. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
Police activity this week
his boat trailer was missing from the 200 block of Lake St. The victim had his boat at a local marina, but five years ago moved his boat to a marina in Grand Haven. When he was winterizing his boat, he realized he did not have the trailer. The marina could not locate the trailer on their property and its whereabouts now is unknown. A computer check did not locate any action on the trailer and a report on the missing trailer was taken.
Oct. 11
Whitehall Police Report
Oct. 9
Whitehall Police were called to the Viking Athletic Center on a family dispute. The officer responding to the 5:25 p.m. call located the caller, who was reporting an incident between her daughter and the daughter’s boyfriend, but there was no assault. The mother and daughter began to argue and the daughter wanted to leave, but the mother believed the boyfriend was wanted for an outstanding warrant. The boyfriend was located but was not wanted and a fourth party came and gave the couple a ride. No further action was taken.
Oct. 10
A Spring Lake resident reported
A Whitehall officer acted as a peace officer in a civil dispute between a mother and son. The mother was attempting to serve default papers on the son, who had failed to make payment on a home she had sold him on a land contract. The officer arrived in the 1300 block of King St. at 2:54 p.m. and knocked on the door but no one answered. When looking in the window, the officer could see the man but he would not come to the door. The mother and officer left without making contact.
At 6:08 p.m. Whitehall officers were dispatched to a noise complaint in the 1200 block of Colby St. When the officer arrived, he stood outside the door of the offending unit several minutes but could not hear any noise. The of-
Fire Prevention
Last Thursday’s fire prevention open house in Grant Twp. included a fire demonstration (left) and rides on the fire truck. Andy Roberts/Mirror
R-P tennis 4th at regionals
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
Reeths-Puffer ended its season by finishing fourth last Wednesday at the Division 2 regional tournament played at Forest Hills Northern, scoring 14 points.
The Rockets did not have a player make the finals, but six of their eight flights advanced to the semifinals, including all four singles players.
Ethan Frang, Quinn Alderink, Cory Judd and Adam Miller each received a first-round bye and all four easily won their second-round matches, surrendering only six total games in eight sets. In doubles play, Cade Paugh/Holden Earnest advanced to the semifinals with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win at the No. 1 flight after receiving a first-round bye, and No. 4 flight Henrik Ketner/Erik Trulsen pulled out a three-set win in the second round to also reach the semifinals.
Five of the six R-P semifinalists fell to the top seed in their flights, with Miller bowing out to the No. 2 seed in his bracket.
R-P’s No. 2 and No. 3 doubles flights each won a first-round match before losing in the second round. Trent VanDam/Leo Kretschmar played the No. 2 flight and Adam Schrumpf/Jackson Baldus was the No. 3 Rocket doubles pair.
ficer did locate the unit resident, who denied making noise and said she was only talking on the phone.
Oct. 12
A report of children crying in an upstairs apartment sent the Whitehall Police to the 1200 block of Colby St. The officer responding to the 5:40 p.m. call spoke with the unit resident. who does have children but the officer noted they appeared healthy and in good spirits. No further action was taken.
Oct. 13
A 45-year-old Muskegon resident was involved in a single-car crash at 10:22 a.m. The crash occurred on Mears Avenue near Gibbs Street when the northbound vehicle left the roadway and struck a mailbox and tree. When the officer arrived, the man was unresponsive and the officer spent several minutes trying to wake the man and get his door open. The driver did not have any apparent injuries, but was disoriented and did not know where he was or how he got there. The officer observed the man appeared intoxicated, and later some suspected drugs were found in the car. The officer followed the suspect to the hospital and while preparing a search warrant, the suspect left the hospital. The case remains under investigation with possible drug
Crowning of the ‘Cats
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
charges pending results of laboratory tests.
Oct. 14
There were no injuries in a crash at the intersection of Warner and Lewis streets. According to the police report, a 64-year-old Montague man was westbound on Lewis and had stopped at the sign, but failed to notice a southbound vehicle driven by a 46-year-old Whitehall man. The Montague man started to go through the intersection but struck the second vehicle, which was a City of Whitehall DPW truck and driven by an employee. There were no citations issued in the 11:46 a.m. crash.
Oct. 15
Whitehall Police are investigating a hit and run crash that occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Peterson Road near Colby Street. The second driver came to WHPD to make the report of the crash, which resulted in minor damage to the front bumper of his car. The 34-year-old Montague man said that he was northbound on Peterson and stopped behind a first vehicle that had moved into the intersection.The first driver then started to back up but also struck the Montague man’s vehicle. When confronted, the first driver fled the scene. A suspect was identified in the ongoing investigation.
MSU/Michigan tailgate party at Adelaide Point
The Muskegon Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce will host a Michigan State vs. Michigan tailgate party Oct. 26 at Adelaide Point Event Center on Western Avenue in Muskegon.
The party will be WDCC’s next fundraising event and its first with a sports theme. WDCC, a nonprofit organization, uses funds raised to fund other local nonprofits as well as beautification projects and scholarships.
Doors will open for the party at 5:30 p.m., two hours before the 7:30 kickoff, and traditional tailgate food will be provided along with a cash bar featuring beverages courtesy of the Muskegon Brewing Company. Dave Lorenz, the recently retired vice-president of Travel Michigan, is event host.
Tickets to the event are $60 per adult, and each adult ticket also admits one child age 12 and under. Tickets are $25 for students ages 13-17. To purchase tickets, go online to https://womensdivision.org/ tailgate-fundraiser.
JETTY LIFE RINGS
The 3 Life Rings on the west end of the White Lake Channel Jetty, located on the North and South sides of the channel, will be removed by the 1st of November 2024. They will be replaced in the spring of 2025. WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR FRUITLAND TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR
Montague seniors David Myers and Adilynn Peterson were crowned as the school’s homecoming king and queen at halftime of Friday’s 70-64 victory over Fremont.
