The Oceana Echo - Volume 1, Issue 15, Sept. 8, 2023

‘Honoring Our Elders’ Traditional Pow Wow highlights area Native American heritage

The 30th annual “Honoring Our Elders” Traditional Pow Wow was held at the Oceana County Fairgrounds, Sept. 2-3. There was plenty to do throughout the weekend for everyone involved. Those wanting to shop were greeted with vendors offering jewelry, furs, moccasins, cowhides and quilts. Participants of all ages were welcome to join in traditional dances. Annabelle Wilson, age 12, picuted above (top left) was a fancy shaw dancer. Makayla Eldridge (top middle), was one of Sunday’s circle dancers while Azriel, age 7, pictured above (top right), was a traditional dancer on Sunday. Many people from all walks of life were present as well. Clay Logan, pictured above (bottom right), is a New York State, Seneca tribe descendant – the tribe that the French labeled as the “Iroquois Confederacy” tribe. • Stacia Erickson/Echo

Dixon’s Violin Humankindness Tour will be at New Era Farmers Market

The final New Era Farmers Market celebrating the end of summer is Tuesday, Sept. 12. New vendors at this market will be Garden City Garlic, Weesies Brothers - with their delicious corn and beautiful perennials, and Oceana County Medical Care Facility - selling cookbooks.

Heads up, seniors! Agewell Services from Muskegon will be back issuing Senior Market Fresh coupon books. The KPOP Kids Club will meet from 4-5 p.m. with story time with Barbara Sims from Storybook Village in Pentwater. Then the children will decorate mini pumpkins to take home and be given a word scramble. A drawing will take place at 5 p.m. on the stage for a family farm tour for up to four people at Country Diary. Dixon’s Violin Humankindness Tour will begin to mesmerize us immediately

following the drawing. Dixon plays a 5-string violin like nothing you have ever heard before. Markets are from 4-7 p.m. MSU Extension Michigan Fresh Cooking Show will feature a Waldorf Salad recipe. There are multiple dinner selections to enjoy: Country Dairy will be serving old-fashioned (made from scratch) Sloppy Joes with a choice of sides, cookies, chocolate milk, pop and water, and snacks; Deb’s Cafe will be serving lasagna and garlic toast; and The Artisan will be serving nachos, wraps, burritos, and cucumber lime water. You can find our market on the grounds of the New Era Christian Reformed Church, located at 1820 Ray Ave., in New Era. Look for our mascot, Raye the scarecrow, on the corner of Oceana Drive and Ray Avenue with a sign directing you to the market.

Get in your element this fall with a library card

OCEANA COUNTY - September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when Oceana County libraries join the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind everyone about the valuable resources available with a library card.

From borrowing books, ebooks, and audiobooks to getting homework help, learning

new skills, or attending a book club, workshop, or story time, a library card helps everyone do more of what they enjoy. All without stretching their budget.

There’s something for everyone at your local library, and signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning for students. It’s

elemental, really— everyone should have one!  Shelby Area District Library is located at 189 Maple St. in Shelby. Hart Area Public Library is located at 415 S. State St. in Hart. Pentwater Township Library is located at 402 Park St. in Pentwater. The Walkerville Public School Library is located at 145 Lathrop Street in Walkerville.

PALC: the ‘P’ stands for ‘People’

By Ron Beeber The Oceana Echo Volunteer Contributor

As the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center’s (PALC) fundraising effort nears the $100,000 mark toward the $250,000 needed to properly equip it for the next 20 years, several members recently shared what they enjoy most about coming to the center.

“It’s the people,” said Juanita Pierman, former Pentwater village president. “It’s not only where you can carry out your hobbies in a well-equipped space, but you can do it while interacting with others. It’s a social center. I remember a past member who became confined to a wheelchair as he got older. He’d come here and help where he could, but it was really the social center of his life. Pierman explained that before the Artisan Center was built, she learned to make beaded jewelry at the home of Sue Hopp. Then, the original Artisan Center opened 20 years ago, with about half the floorspace available today. “We started making jewelry in the center’s upstairs loft that overlooked the woodworking area,” said Pierman. After the center was enlarged, jewelry making was relocated to the new addition in a much more comfortable work area. The artisans now fashion jewelry pieces out of wire and fused glass, besides beads.

Whitney Atchetee, a summertime resident from Louisiana, joined last year. “I’ve met so many nice people there. They have a wealth of knowledge. One person specializes in wood, another in welding, metal work, using a lathe. It’s just incredible.”

During his working years, Atchetee could come to Pentwater for only very short visits, but after retiring, he could finally spend more time here. “One

day my wife and I were walking into the Antler for dinner, and I saw pieces of purple-painted wood on the sidewalk. I asked about it inside. They said it was a broken bench, and they needed to find someone to repair it. I said I’d do it. So I brought the wood pieces home, but it couldn’t be repaired. But I had some wood in my shed, and so I headed to the Artisan Center, where Gene Davidson showed me around—just a wonderful place! So I joined and built the Antler a new bench.”

Elaine Oomen of Pentwater reminisced while working on a piece she calls a gazing ball. “It’s a bowling ball! I cut stained glass into small pieces and then glued them on the outer surface. Next, I’ll apply grout and a sealer. When asked what got her started at the Artisan Center, she said it all began when her husband was at home with a sore

• Contributed Photos

back one winter. “I was retired and going crazy with nothing to do. So one day I walked into the Artisan Center, and Jennifer Lydey asked, ‘Do you want to work in glass?’ then I phoned my husband and told him ‘I think I’m gonna be late.’ I was a hairdresser, and so I really missed the social aspect of my work. I sure found it here.”

The Artisan Center was established in 2004 next to Pentwater Public School. It’s an 11,000-squarefoot, safe, well-equipped workspace that attracts year-round and seasonal residents from the surrounding area. The artisans primarily work in wood, metal, paint, stained glass, weaving and jewelry. They socialize, share their knowledge with others and learn new skills. Annual membership is $150. More information is found at pentwaterartisan.org/, or by calling 231-869-5323.

Elaine Oomen, far left, works on a gazing ball at the Pentwater Artisan Center. Whitney Atchetee, at left, rebuilt a bench for the Antler Bar at the PAC. Juanita Pierman made the fused glass pendant seen above.

News and Notes

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

• Shelby Public Schools is pleased to welcome several new staff members: Zach Fricke, Shelby High School Principal; Charlie Mollett, Secondary Guidance Counselor; Jill Squire, Shelby High School Special Education Teacher; Liana Maitland, Shelby Middle School seventh grade English Language Arts; Megan Swanker, Thomas Read Elementary third grade; Todd Graham, New Era Elementary fourth grade; and Anna Morales, New Era Elementary fifth grade.

• Shelby Public Schools is also excited to announce that annual Homecoming Week festivities will take place from Oct. 2-6, culminating at the third annual Shelby Harvest Festival that Saturday.

• The Village of Shelby Facade Grant application “window” is open now until Friday, Sept. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Interested business owners are encouraged to seek further information from the village offices, website and Facebook. Grants of up to $10,000 per business owner are available for any commercial property in the downtown district, as depicted in the village’s 2020 Master Plan. Grants will be paid for using the village’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds and donations from the Community Foundation of Oceana County.

• The following village stakeholders have agreed to sit on the Shelby Village Facade Grant Review Committee: Village Administrator Brady Selner, Council Members Damien Omness and Steve Crothers, Village Planning Commission Chair Ross Field, Shelby State Bank President Mishelle Comstock, Community Foundation Executive Director Tammy

Carey, and Shelby Chamber of Commerce President Tracy Blamer.

• A small group of Hesperia ambassadors are now publishing a quarterly newsletter, “49421: A Hesperia Newsletter. The July issue can be accessed at the Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or visiting hesperiachamberofcommerce.com/ community. This newsletter is another positive outcome of the Community Assessment funded through a partnership with the Community Foundation for Oceana County. Learn more about the assessment at https://hesperiachamberofcommerce.com/community-assessment/

• Here are some things to check out next time you’re in Hesperia: their beautiful downtown flower baskets (not sure any are as pretty in the whole county!), their new Bark Park located at Vida Weaver Park, which has a newly refurbished sign. The chamber has also developed a helpful downtown promotional map available throughout Hesperia.

• Oceana Conservation District (OCD) dune grass orders are due Monday, Sept. 11. According to their website, oceanaconservation.org, “Dune grass is often used as an erosion control plant for dune stabilization or on non-dune areas where soils are sandy and dry. Dune grass is attractive to many homeowners because it requires minimal maintenance-no mowing necessary, and once established, this native plant requires no irrigation or fertilizer.” Dune grass pre-orders may be picked up Friday, Sept. 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the OCD office located at 1064 Industrial Dr. in Shelby.

• The OCD will also be having its annual Beach Clean-up Saturday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Go to the district’s website to sign-up. Once signed up,

participants will be assigned a section of beach and given instructions.

• The OCD has been hosting Forest Schools for preschoolers for several years and will be offering its first Forest School for Grown-ups starting Tuesday, Sept. 29. The program will take place every Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. through Oct. 24. The cost is $120 for all six sessions. For more information, visit the district’s website, www.oceanaconservation.org and click on the “Education” tab.

• The community will have an opportunity to participate in an Oceana County Farm Bureau-sponsored tire recycling day Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at Wilber Ellis, located at 2797 N. Oceana Dr. in Hart. Farm Bureau members will be able to dispose of tires at a discount. Non-member fees will be doubled; however, individuals will be able to join Farm Bureau the day of the event and receive the discount. There is a limit to the number of tires each person may bring, but more space may be made available once RSVPs are determined. Organizers are asking people to RSVP by contacting Lynda Herremans at lynda.herremans@macd.org or 231-861-5600, Extension 3006, to register.

• The Shelby-Benona Fire Department ranked No. 18 in the state of Michigan for smoke detector installs! They are only one of three paid on-call/volunteer departments in the Top 20. If you or someone you know needs a smoke detector, please reach out to the department via their Facebook page or by calling 231-861-5525.

Please email sharon@oceanaecho.com if you have any “news or notes” to share.

The shifting boundaries of Oceana County

By Caleb Jackson

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

As is to be expected with developing lands and communities, the actual shape of Oceana County has changed over the years. Hartwick and Tuller do a good job of describing some of the changes that have occurred in their book, “Oceana County Businessmen and Pioneers of To-Day.” In 1855, Oceana County was comprised only of three townships: Pentwater, Stony Creek, and Claybanks. This means it was absolutely necessary for several changes to take place before we got to the Oceana we know today. That, however, is not what I would like to discuss in my article today. I am instead more interested in what Oceana was like prior to 1855, as it would seem the name Oceana was in use long before there were any settlers to call it their home.

There are maps of Michigan from the year 1834 brazenly displaying Oceana County in a much more southern position, brushing up against Montcalm County. But this wasn’t a map error. This was Oceana County as it was laid out by the Territorial Legislature in 1831. Interestingly enough, Hartwick and Tuller point out that several of the early settlers of Oceana, as well as early texts concerning the early history of the county, seemed to believe that the original boundaries of the county in -

cluded the current boundaries and that the county must have simply shrunk as time went on. This was not true. The original boundaries described an entirely different portion of Michigan than what is currently called Oceana County.

By reference to the Territorial Acts of 1831, p. 872, Se. 8, it will be seen the name was given to territory lying south of this and including territory that at present forms four towns in Montcalm County, eight towns in Kent, eight in Newaygo, and four and a fraction of a town in Muskegon, but did not include any of the territory now embraced in Oceana County. The territory, originally named Oceana, embraced 834 square miles with only 17 miles of shore line. The present county has 582 square miles with 35 miles of shore line. (Hartwick and Tuller, 1890, pp. 15-16)

Furthermore, Hartwick and Tuller give us their own speculations as to why the boundaries shifted. “It appears that many who came from Milwaukee and other points... pushed through the narrow end and located in Mackinac County, supposing that they were in Oceana,” they wrote. This led to new legislation in 1850 that changed the boundaries of Oceana County in a way that didn’t help the issue at all. “All portions of Oceana County not embraced within the limits of White River in said county, and all the County of Mason be and the same is

hereby attached to the township of White River.” This act was described by our good authors as being “ineffectual to attach the territory intended to be covered.”

It wouldn’t be until 1855 that another act was passed, this time reorganizing the boundaries of Oceana to those that we are familiar with today, only a handful of years after John D. Hanson and others began their settlement at Claybanks. The other changes to take place, such as establishing new townships, moving, renaming, or changing the boundaries of existing townships, etc., would all take place within the same Oceana County that we know today.

O bituaries

In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and

Gary Lee Dean

March 3, 1951 ~ August 30, 2023

Gary Lee Dean, 72, of Hart, passed away unexpectedly August 30, 2023. He was born March 3, 1951, in Fremont, Mich., the son of Robert and Sarah (Rhoads) Dean.

Gary graduated from Hart High School in 1969, continuing his education at Ferris State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He and Ricki were married in Hart, Mich. July 31, 1970. Gary was an avid sportsman who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was a member of the Ludington Boat Club, American Legion-Post 248-Boat/Canoe Club and the Hart Fraternal Order of Eagles. Here, he spent time discussing John Deere, John Wayne and the latest Spartan score. Gary was quick to laugh, happy to help and his smile will be missed by many.

Gary is survived by: his wife of 53 years, Ricki; children, Troy M. Dean, Kaci (Steve) Lee Schwenk; grandchildren, Mary Kathryn Dean, Thomas Aaron Dean, Rubi Mae Schwenk; sisters, Nancy (Michael) L. Tate, Debra D. Dean, Denise K. Jeffries; and brothers, Robert (Charlene) K. Dean, Larry (Jan) W. Dean.

Gary was preceded in death by: his parents, Robert and Sarah; son, Aaron Robert Dean; and sister, Susan B. Aiken.

A celebration of life and visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until noon, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, Mich. 49455.

Memorial donations may be made to: First Responders Children’s Foundation, 38 E. 32nd St., Suite 602, New York, NY 10016-5566, https://1strcf.org/ make-a-donation/.

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

Jessie is about one year old, and she is a lab mix. Jessie would make a wonderful family pet. She is very loving and really enjoys going on walks. Jessie does very well on a leash.

Jessie is available for adoption from the Oceana County Animal Shelter. If interested, please call the shelter at 231861-5395. 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.

Tails of Hope Meet Jessie

Ongoing

events calendar summer

Hippie Fest set to groove this weekend at Val-Du

Hippie Fest is coming to Mears this weekend, Sept. 9-10 at Val-Du Lakes Resort. Hippie Fest is a family-friendly music and arts festival featuring vibrant entertainment for all ages. The festival includes live music, bohemian shopping, vintage hippie car show, DIY tie-dye, giant bubble garden, cirque performers, kids activities, delicious food, and so much more. Tickets are $30 for two-day admission and $20 for just a single day. Kids 10 and under free.

Friends of Shelby Library host Pet Photo Contest

Is your pet photogenic? Do you think your dog, cat, parakeet, or pet rabbit has the right stuff to win a photo contest? The Friends of the Shelby Area District Library are currently accepting 4x6 photos of pets for their Pet Photo Contest. Voting for the top pet photo will take place at the Shelby Library until Oct. 18 with patrons placing coins in jars for their favorite photos. Three prizes will be awarded in October including a gift certificate from Tri-County Feed in New Era, PetSmart, or a pet-themed tote bag full of goodies. Registration forms are due Sept. 15 and available at the Shelby Area District Library circulation desk. Only 30 entries will be accepted, so enter soon. One photo per family is allowed. Additional information about this contest is included on the registration form.

Register today for men’s“Fish On!” event

Men are in for an epic day Saturday, Sept. 30 at The Ladder Community Center in Shelby. This is The Ladder’s third HERO event, titled “Fish On! and will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The day will begin with donuts and end with a man-sized barbecue rib and chicken dinner. All activities and competitions will be fun for both seasoned fishermen and guys who have never fished before. You’ll leave with a full stomach and tons of loot and prizes. If you like to laugh, compete and eat, then you need to attend. The cost for “Fish On!” is $5. Bring your son(s) 12 years of age or older at no extra cost! This event is limited to 60 men, so register today on our website: www.theladdercommunitycenter.com/ hero, or visit The Ladder at 67 N. State Street in Shelby.

D.A.R. shares stories at the Ladder

The next Share Our Stories (SOS) event at the Ladder Community Center in Shelby will feature the Michigan Dunes Chapter of the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution). Join us at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 19 as members of the D.A.R. share the history of this patriotic group as they celebrate 40 years of existence in Oceana County. Come to learn the qualifications for membership and what activities they are presently pursuing. SOS is a monthly event held at The Ladder, where people gather and share memories and memorabilia from Oceana County. There is no cost for this evening event, though donations to The Ladder are welcome. Events are subject to change. To inquire about an event, or with any ideas for future topics of interest for SOS, call The Ladder at 231-2590211. Visit theladdercommunitycenter.com to view all our upcoming events.

] NOW SERVING BEER AND WINE!Z

September

Sept. 8-9 - Silver Lake Apple BBQ Festival

Sept. 9 - Hippie Fest at Val-Du Lakes Bar & Grill

Sept. 10 - Blessing of the Backpacks at Trinity Lutheran Church

Sept. 10 - Community Listening session with Grand Rapids Mural Artist, Hugo Claudin, 3-4 p.m. Please visit takemetohart.org for more information

Sept. 16 - Hispanic Heritage Days

Celebration at Hart Commons

Sept. 16 - New Era Fall Festival

Introducing our newest feature series

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

With Labor Day behind us and kids back in school, schedules are beginning to return to a more normal and predictable rhythm. It’s been a wild and crazy summer at the Echo, but one filled with a lot of great connections and memories. With fall on its way, I hope it is giving you a chance to catch your breath, possibly in some cooler air, and set some new goals. Over the past three months, I’ve met some amazing

people and heard some amazing stories. With that in mind, I’ve asked if I could introduce a new column, “Faith Stories.” Our editorial team has been hoping something like this would eventually come to be, and have wholeheartedly given it their blessing. In this column, you’ll hear stories written by a variety of authors about a variety of people in our community. While there are some who believe that no matter what happens in life, it’s just the way life goes or it’s nothing more than a coincidence, however, there are others who’ve experienced what could be called modern-day “miracles,” “God-sightings”

or “divine intervention”; happenings in their lives so special that there’s no way they could be coincidences. Happenings so special that they end up changing their lives for the better. They believe in a greater power and that everything that happens to them is for a unique purpose in their life, even if they don’t understand it at the time. You will most likely know the people we feature; they are your friends and neighbors, but you may not know their whole story. It is those positive, faith-filled stories that I can’t wait to uncover and share with you. Stay tuned!

A Faithful Focus: Michael Nabischt, barn painter

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

The word “hinge,” used as a noun, is defined as “a determining factor: a turning point. Artist Michael Nabicht, one of the featured member artists this month at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA), has entered a painting he has named “Hinged”. Coincidentally, Nabicht’s life story is a series of determining factors or turning points. His story is the perfect one to kick off our new “A Faithful Focus” column, and we thank him for sharing it with us.

Nabicht grew up outside Chicago, where his father was stationed in the Navy. As a child, he was always dabbling in art. Often, instead of taking his tests in school, he would turn the paper over and draw. As a teen, his family moved to Florida. Recognizing their son’s talent, his parents urged him to take art classes. He did eventually take some art classes where he enjoyed watercolor as his medium and excelled in perspective, shadowing, etc. “Following high school, I started at Daytona State College, but thought partying was more fun, (so I) eventually dropped out of college and hung up my art,” he said. “Then in 1983, after reading several tracts, I became born again and joined the Navy. But without regular Bible teaching and discipleship, I walked away from God.”

He met his first wife, Sharon, in the Navy, and together they moved to Pensacola, Fla., where he worked in road construction. Together, they joined a church and really grew in their relationship with the Lord and served in the church. Sadly, in 2000, they left due to some improprieties by the leadership.

“It was a painful time,” he said. “Shortly after, I began drinking and walked away from God again.” In the housing crisis of 2008, they lost their home and eventually moved to Oklahoma when a job in road construction opened up. They got settled in another church and rededicated their lives to God, promising to never walk away again. “It was at that time that I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and needed a liver transplant. Looking back now, I can see how God has woven His thread through my whole story. He closed a door in Florida but opened a door in Oklahoma. It took a long time to get on the list, but once on the list, within two weeks, a liver became available. I felt so blessed. There was never a need that went unmet. After my liver transplant, I had a new lease on life and promised myself I would pursue art again. But it took me two full years to recover.”

By 2016, he had begun working as a school bus driver near Oklahoma City. “It was a great job because it allowed me the afternoons to rest.” He credits Sharon with a lot of his healing. She was a great caregiver and even went back to

school and earned a medical degree so she could provide for the family during this time.

Sadly, in 2017, Sharon would be diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and pass away 18 months later. “We both had a strong faith in God. We both wanted healing for her, but our prayer through it all was that God would be glorified,” he said.

“The months after her death proved to be the most difficult time I had ever faced. We had been married for 31 years and raised four wonderfully successful children.” But despite his deep grief and mourning, Nabicht never drank alcohol again, saying, “It wasn’t fair to the person who donated their liver, to God who healed me with it, and it wasn’t fair to my family.” He admits to growing much in his faith following his liver transplant and his first wife’s death. I started praying. I wanted to remarry. I felt I had a lot of life to live and a lot of love to give yet.

“Behind every storm cloud is sunshine, and after every difficulty is a blessing. In February 2021, I joined a Christian widows and widowers group on Facebook. After several months of sharing my story and commenting on others posts, I caught the attention of a wonderful widow named Kathy (Lathers) Yutzy of Hart. We began texting each other, and soon that turned to phone calls and video chatting.

“In October of that same year, I flew up to Michigan to meet her. I proposed to her on the shore of Lake Michigan. We were married on Dec. 11, 2021. She says I’m her hero, but she’s mine. She’s always challenging me, encouraging me.”

At one time, he put his paint brushes down to build a career and raise a family. “It wasn’t until Kathy and I were serious about marriage that I finally rekindled my passion for painting. I started on my dining room table,” he said.

“I love Oceana County and its rural setting. It has provided me with a lot of subjects to paint, especially the barns. I have found that those and farm landscapes are my true passions. I’m mesmerized by old barns, standing majestically alone, almost as monuments.”

Nabicht became friends with fellow bus driver and Elbridge farmer Lance VanSickle. “Lance found out I liked painting barns and invited me to check out an old barn and outbuilding on some property their farm had recently purchased,” Nabicht said. “Since then, that barn has been the subject of two of my paintings.”

Early in 2023, while visiting LACA, Nabicht was invited to come and paint anytime. Seeing the quality of his work, the center invited him to participate in its “Love Ludington” exhibit this past June. Nabicht was honored, but there wasn’t much time. What would he paint? He knew there would be plenty of lighthouses and beach scenes. “I wanted mine to stand out,” he said. “Someone brought a newspaper to work,and I saw an article on the Pere Marquette Memorial. I drove out to the site one cloudy, dreary day. I took some pictures of the monument with a dead tree in the background,and it captured my heart. I went home and finished the painting in four days.”

“I credit Kathy for getting me to this point. God brought her into my life and

to this area for a reason,” he said.

Nabicht has sold three of his barn paintings this month. “Hinged” features an up-close perspective of an old barn door with a hinge. It is his most favorite barn painting thus far. “There’s just something about it,” he said. “February Farm” features a smaller barn behind the larger barn on Polk Road owned by the VanSickles. His third work, “Wedding Barn” was inspired by a barn on Lever Road. He recently exhibited and won “Best of Show” with it at this year’s Oceana County Fair.

Opening night of the LACA exhibition last Friday was more than he could have hoped for. Not only did he receive many compliments on his work, but he also sold his “Hinged” painting to a family in the Hamlin Lake area. He was also asked by someone from the “Art on the Town” gallery in Pentwater if he would be interested in selling some of his work there. Along with his exhibition originals, he has made prints available, which are for sale in the arts center gift shop.

“This is a brand new chapter in my life, and I am blessed that God brought me here to live with my wonderful wife and to fulfill my passion of watercolor painting again. Eventually I would like to be able to work full-time making and selling art,” he said. For now, Nabicht plans to continue enjoying the four seasons that give him many opportunities to paint barn scenes from early spring, to the colorful fall and snowy winter. What began with a few “hinges” looks to be the next exciting part of Nabicht’s journey.

For those interested in viewing Michael’s paintings, LACA, located at 107 S. Harrison St. in downtown Ludington, is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. Award-winning Pentwater photographer and former editor of Oceana’s Herald-Journal is the Executive Director there. For more information on the Ludington Area Center for the Arts visit www.ludingtonartscenter. org.

M ichael and K athy n abicht

Shelby stunned by Manistee late in wild finish

By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

SHELBY – In a rematch of last year’s district semifinals, Shelby’s boys soccer team hosted Manistee on Wednesday, Sept. 7. The results were just as heartbreaking this time around, as the Tigers lost a wild 3-2 match.

Just a year ago, Shelby and Manistee were battling it out through rain, sleet and frigid temperatures for the right to face Hart in the district finals. The Mariners came out victorious in that one, winning by a slim 1-0 margin.

It seemed like a case of possible déjà vu for the Tigers in the first half.

After battling for possession the majority of the first 20 minutes, both Manistee and Shelby were able to find scoring opportunities. It was Manistee who capitalized on one of their chances, using a well placed corner kick to get past keeper Ismael Valdez.

That 1-0 lead would last the remaining 18 minutes of the first half and both teams broke to their halftime huddles. For Shelby, head coach Jairo Coronado was pleased with what he saw, but plead-

ed with his guys to give more effort if they wished to remain unbeaten in the West Michigan Conference (WMC).

“In the first half we were playing OK, but we weren’t where we wanted to be,” Coronado said. “We were right there, but it wasn’t anywhere close to the level we wanted to be at. At half, we talked about it and decided to step it up. We wanted to play our game.”

Coronado’s message was heard loud and clear as the Tigers came out of the break with fire in their bellies. Desperate to tie the game, Shelby was aggressive in their pursuit of the net, taking chances and hoping their speed would lead them to points.

That speed, along with perfect timing, set up Shelby’s first goal of the game at the 14 minute mark. After cutting into the box, Alan Arreola sent a shot at the Manistee keeper that was deflected in front of the goal. Trey Gauthier happened to be waiting nearby and punched it in for the 1-1 tie.

No longer worried about avoiding the loss, the Tigers looked free on the pitch. That ability to play their own game allowed them to notch another goal seven minutes later.

Again, Gauthier was the recipient. This time, he took off at a dead sprint through a gap in Manistee defenders. A through pass from teammate Ignacio Ortiz found his feet in stride and he was able to place a ball out of the keeper’s reach.

“Trey made very good runs to the open spaces and we were able to find him,” Coronado said. “He was able to

capitalize on two of those opportunities, which is great for him because he’s still young. He has a lot to learn, but it was a great game for him individually.”

Now with a lead, the Tigers began to celebrate. Only five minutes remaining

Weekly rundown: Run game sparks Hart to 2-0 record

By: Brendan Samuels The Oceana Echo Sports Editor

Just like that, we are closing in on a finale to the first third of the 2023 high school football regular season.

Last week I traveled to Fremont where I watched Hart outlast the Packers in a true old school game of football that relied heavily on the run game and defensive stops. The Pirates are once again in the spotlight this week for their convincing win over White Cloud on Friday, Sept. 1.

Shelby and Hesperia were both in action as well, but in the interest of keeping my vehicle’s mileage as low as possible, I went with the closest team.

The Tigers traveled to Ludington for a matchup at the newly renovated Oriole Field. Hesperia on the other hand, made their way to the middle of the state to take on St. Louis (which is a town in Michigan, not just a big city in Missouri).

As always, I’ll dive into what happened in each contest. We’ll start with the Pirates:

Hart vs. White Cloud

Final score: Hart 52, White Cloud 28

HART – What a difference a week can make. After struggling to cap off their drives with points against Fremont – apart from a first quarter touchdown for Joseluis Anaverde – Hart’s offense came alive when White Cloud came to visit.

To the surprise of nobody who has watched Hart

since head coach Joe Tanis took over, the Pirates used their run game to slice through the defense. Spreading the love was the name of the game, with five different guys carrying the ball throughout the night.

The result was 557 yards on the ground for Hart, an almost unbelievable number.

“Our offense came out and played well tonight, other than the penalties,” Tanis said. “I felt like we were able to move the ball. We rotated a ton of guys tonight and a lot of different guys carried the ball for us tonight. We’re early in the year and we’re just trying to find our gel and our pieces and how they best fit together.”

Anaverde was at the forefront of the Pirates’ attack, showcasing why he’s affectionately known as “Beast Mode” when he puts the pads on. Trucking through defender after defender, Anaverde racked up 259 yards on 27 carries, including a 30-yard touchdown jaunt to get the night going for Hart.

Alongside him was the lighting to his thunder in junior speedster Eman Hertzler. Hertzler was the most efficient of Hart’s runners, taking 10 carries for 163 yards and three scores. That’s an average of 16.3 yards per carry and a touchdown coming on one-third of the plays that Hertzler was handed the ball. Wow.

With those two leading the way, Hart took a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Indians found a mismatch in the second quarter when their quarterback began to connect on deep balls down the sideline. One of those passes set up a short yardage touchdown for White Cloud that brought them

Football: Week two

continued on page 13

Hart junior Eman Hertzler makes a cut upfield on a big run. Hertzler led his team with three touchdowns on the ground to go along with 163 rushing yards.

• Brendan Samuels/Echo

From left to right: Shelby’s Ignacio Ortiz, Alan Arreola, Trey Gauthier and Mauricio Castillo celebrate a goal from Gauthier. Gauthier scored both of the Tigers’ goals in a 3-2 loss to Manistee on Wednesday, Sept. 6. • Brendan Samuels/Echo

continued from

within striking distance.

After Alex Hicks punched in a touchdown from a few yards out, the Indians stormed back again. Utilizing their quarterback’s mobility, White Cloud often rolled out their signal caller which freed up receivers downfield. That exact method led to a 66-yard connection near the end of the half, cutting Hart’s lead to 20-13.

“We knew going into this game that (White Cloud) had two or three receivers that were legit,” Tanis said. “You had guys catching balls in double coverage and tipping it to themselves tonight. Really there’s no defense for that. We made some adjustments and did our best, but their quarterback had some big plays throwing the ball.”

Hart continued to spread the ball around in the second half, getting touchdowns from Austin Martinez, Connor Edwards and Hertzler.

A third quarter fumble from Anaverde nearly spelled disaster for the Pirates, but White Cloud’s defense was not able to stop the Pirates long enough for it to matter. In fact, Hart’s defense ended up making two big plays to end the night with Edwards and Chase Gale each coming down with interceptions.

“Connor Edwards is a dude. He’s worked his butt off this offseason and really brought the standard of what the work ethic should look like to us,” Tanis said. “It’s great to see a kid who works so hard have that success. He’s earned it.”

Hart (2-0) is in good shape in the early going for a team with playoff aspirations, but they’ll need to pick up some big conference wins to get there. Next up for them will be the battle for the Blood, Sweat and Tears Jug when they hit the road to face archrival Shelby on Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.

Shelby at Ludington

Finalscore:Ludington55,Shelby6

A great effort from Shelby in their 13-12 loss to White Cloud in week one was not enough to propel them to a win over Ludington. The Tigers fell by a large margin, 55-6.

In Shelby’s defense, Ludington’s student body is more than double that of Shelby, meaning the talent gap and number of athletes available definitely plays a factor. I’m sure that means little to the Tigers however, as head coach Phil Fortier leads his squad to play with heart, no matter what opponent they face.

It’s not the start that Shelby had hoped for in 2023, after winning back-to-back games in 2022 for the first time in nearly a decade. There are, however, a few bright

Football: Week two Tigers

continued from page 12

left Manistee with little chance of breaking their stride.

That chance wasn’t quite zero however, as the Mariners gathered all their strength and turned it into back-to-back goals. The former of the two came off a scramble in front of Shelby’s net while the latter was a well-placed free kick that rolled over the line.

With just seconds left, Shelby watched their hopes of an unbeaten conference record expire with the clock. The Tigers came up just shy against Manistee, just like they did in 2022.

Shelby, now 5-2-2 and 2-1 in the conference, still feel they control their own destiny, as Ludington currently holds the only record better than them in WMC play. The Tigers will have to suit up and see how the rest of the year goes, starting with Oakridge on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

spots lurking in the shadows of these losses.

The first is that Shelby nearly beat White Cloud in week one, a team that posted a 6-4 record last year that included a 40-20 win over the Tigers. The second thing is the promise of AJ Melchor in the backfield.

After amassing 105 yards on the ground against the Indians in week one, Melchor turned in another solid outing against Ludington. 64 yards on the ground and Shelby’s lone touchdown belonged to Melchor and with two solid weeks in his back pocket, he should be someone the Tigers rely on as the season progresses.

Speaking of the season progressing, Shelby is now 0-2 to start the year and heading into a matchup with Hart that features plenty of history. The two teams have met 72 times in their history and Shelby hasn’t captured a win over the Pirates since 2019.

Hesperia at St. Louis Finalscore:St.Louis16,Hesperia6

After a promising 22-0 dismantling of Muskegon Heights Academy in week one, Hesperia experienced a setback in their 16-6 loss to St. Louis last week.

The name of the game for Hesperia in that loss was maintaining possession of the ball. The Panthers struggled mightily to hang onto the football and a big reason why was the pressure that St. Louis was able to apply.

Sophomore quarterback Kohen Witte was under siege for a majority of the night, forcing him into bad throws that resulted in four interceptions on the night. Witte went for 111 all purpose yards and a passing touchdown.

Emerging as a favorite target for Witte was junior receiver Ian Fox who hauled in four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. Thor Klaus was reliable from his tight end spot as well, bringing down five catches for 20 yards. Defense is where the Panthers really shined, keeping St. Louis from running up the score after going up 16-0. Klaus led the way from his linebacker spot, recording six tackles. Blake Hernandez, Skylar Stalbaum, Wyatt Roberson and Eli Edens all had five tackles.

As much as Hesperia turned the ball over, they also forced their opponent into some drive-killing plays as well. Trevor Weiss and Fox each intercepted a ball, while Roberson recovered a fumble.

Hesperia drops to 1-1 on the season and has a capable opponent awaiting them this week in White Cloud. The good news for Hesperia is they’ll face the Indians on the Panthers’ home field, which should give them even the slightest advantage as they look to move back into a winning record.

Brendan’s Players to Watch

OFFENSE: Eman Hertzler - RB

Hertzler ran wild last week. I think that continues against Shelby. Expect him to make his mark on the ground and as a returner on special teams.

DEFENSE: Connor Edwards - DB

Through two games, Edwards has intercepted three passes. All three of those plays have come in crucial situations for the Pirates.

OFFENSE: AJ Melchor - RB

Melchor leads Shelby in rushing yards and after a week one performance that saw him go over the century mark, I like his chances at a big season.

DEFENSE: Isaiah Garcia - LB

Garcia is a senior and a leader on Shelby’s defense. That was evidenced against White Cloud when he led the team in tackles. Expect him to do the same.

Hart Shelby Hesperia

OFFENSE: Ian Fox - WR

Fox has become somewhat of a favorite target for young quarterback Kohen Witte. Last week he had over 50 yards and a touchdown. That bodes well for this week.

DEFENSE: Blake Martinez - DL

Martinez is a senior anchor on Hesperia’s defenseive line. He was near the top of the Panthers lineup in tackles last week with a sack to boot. More big plays will come.

Hesperia volleyball falls 3-0 to North Muskegon

Hesperia’s varsity volleyball team kicked off conference play on Tuesday, September 5 with a matchup against North Muskegon. The Panthers played well in the first set, sticking with the Norsemen before ultimately falling 25-13. The second set saw a dip in the effort and intensity level for Hesperia, leading to a 25-10 win for North Muskegon. In need of a good final set, Hesperia did well handling an experienced foe, but just couldn’t seem to find consistency. The third set went in favor of the Norsemen, 25-15. The Panthers lost a lot of experience and felt the effects of that. They’ll be hoping to grow as a team with promsing young pieces joining upperclassmen like Kayla Rumsey, Alana Ndajokvic and Kaley Cousineau. • Brendan Samuels/Echo

Shelby’s Alan Arreola controls a ball in the midfield as he looks to make a pass. • Brendan Samuels/ ECHO

• When I need to dust the ceiling, I don’t have a fancy contraption; I just use my broom. If you have popcorn ceilings, you can rubber band a feather duster to the end of your broom. Look around your house, and maybe you’ll find a sneaky cleaning purpose for everyday items.

• Dirty candles can be cleaned up quickly with a leg of panty hose. Slip the candle in the hose, rub the outside of the candle and release.

By JoAnn Derson

By Lucie Winborne

• “Rub banana on CDs with scratches. Wipe the excess off with a soft towel and make sure all of the banana is gone before you put it in your player. It usually does the trick for me.” — E. in Maine

• You can use a coffee filter to clean the screen of your television. It’s not scratchy and non-static. Be sure not to press down hard into today’s screens. And use only approved cleaners for your flat-screen and plasma television sets.

• “I purchased a medium-size colander with a handle at the dollar store. I have it hanging on a hook in the kids’ bathtub. It’s much easier for them to scoop toys out of the water, and more fun too, I think.” — A.C. in Nebraska

• Need to clean your iron? Scrub the face with salt. Then heat it and run the iron over the salt. I pour the salt on foil for even more heat effect.

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

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

By Lucie Winborne

• In 2014, there was a school in Turin, Italy, that had just one teacher and one student. Though the latter admitted to being lonely, officials decided to keep the school open as long as at least one pupil was enrolled.

• Altocalciphilia is the medical term for a shoe addiction.

• Embryonic bats go through a stage called “peek-a-boo,” when their wings grow to cover their eyes.

• Muhammad Ali’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the only star that is not on the sidewalk, but on the wall of the Kodak Theatre, to honor the boxing champ’s request that he “did not want to be walked on.”

• Pennies are used to adjust the time in London’s famous Big Ben clock tower. A single cent can change the pendulum’s center of mass and alter the time by 0.4 seconds per day.

• Michael Bay filmed Megan Fox washing his Ferrari as her audition for “Transformers.”

• Halley’s Comet has two correct pronunciations. It can rhyme with “daily” or “valley” since its discoverer, Edmond Halley, spelled his name six different ways during his lifetime.

• The 2003 invasion of Iraq was originally dubbed “Operation Iraqi Liberation” but quickly changed due to the fact its acronym spelled out “oil.”

• After learning that her husband had been killed in World War II, Mariya Oktyabrskaya sold everything she owned to donate a tank to the Soviet Red Army, with the condition that she be allowed to drive it. When the tank was hit by gunfire, she would not only risk her own life to jump out and repair it, but ended up becoming the first female tanker to receive the Hero of the Soviet Union award. ***

Thought for the Day: “Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” — Malcolm Forbes

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.