The Oceana Echo - Volume 3, Issue 21, October 17, 2025
SUBSCRIPTIONS
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What surprises many people about us is that we are a very small crew. The Echo only has one fulltime staff member, and so does the Mirror. We have a
part-time office manager, a part-time in-house writer and a part-time proofreader. We also have seven freelancers, and some of them volunteer their stories to us.
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With questions or for more information, please contact us at 231-301-8149. We are so thankful for all of you and your faithful readership each week!
Pentwater Village faces more hiring
By AnnaMae Bush
The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
At the Oct. 13 Pentwater Village Council meeting, the Village Treasurer/Clerk Rande Listerman’s notice of retirement was received with regret. Her last day in the office will be Jan. 2, 2026. Council member Kathy O’Connor thanked Listerman for the leadership and the mentoring she provided during times of personnel turnover and transition in the office. In addition to
finding a replacement for Listerman, Manager Toby VanEss announced that he is looking for an experienced zoning administrator, and in the future he will be looking for a new DPW supervisor. Current Supervisor Jeff Gier’s last day with the village is very soon since he accepted an offer from the City of Ludington.
Correspondence to the village included a letter from Bill Fromm, who expressed concern about the increased costs to rental property owners. Dean Jessup sent a letter from the Pentwater Sportfishing Association with a gift of $1,000 for the upkeep of the fish cleaning station. During public comments, Ron Bach asked for action to be taken to remove three dead trees located on village-owned property that posed a serious threat to electric lines and the two homeowners on either side of village-owned easement. Via Zoom, Pentwater Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Eva Gregwer thanked the council and all village employees who had helped make Oktoberfest a big success on Oct. 11.
The treasurer’s report was received for information, and Listerman reported the audit was completed. The final au-
dit information will be presented at the Oct. 27 council meeting. President Mary Marshall read a proclamation for Citizen of the Year for Bart Zachrich, which council approved. Marshall is also looking for two new appointees to the DDA to replace the two members who have resigned.
Since there were no further reports and no unfinished business items, the meeting was turned over to Chet Janik, consultant from the Michigan Leadership Institute, and members of the Steering Committee for the Strategic Plan (Amy LaBarge, Dean Gustafson and Kyle Jansen). The group shared with council their first draft of a Mission Statement, a Vision Statement, Guiding Principles (meant for an internal document for staff use) and five Goals. An hour was spent in listening to the drafted material, discussing the thoughts behind the draft and wordsmithing the phrases. There was council support for the
list of potential goals, although a concern was expressed that the goals be strongly connected to the Pillars on which they are based. Janik reminded the group that pursuing the goals is a five-year process and quarterly updates with possible revisions are wise.
Community responses to the SWOT survey pointed to a lack of services for seniors, especially those who want to stay in the community as they age. O’Connor recalled that the community voted some years ago to dispense with the services Pentwater once had and to pay a millage for centralized senior services at the Oceana Council on Aging Center in Hart. She suggested, and several others agreed with her, that members of the Pentwater community are not aware of all the services and opportunities available in Hart. One step would be getting information and sharing it.
Marshall thanked Janik and the Steering Committee for their work. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Council attendance included Don Palmer, Karl Schrumpf, Marshall, Jared Griffis, and O’Connor. Dave Bluhm was absent and Dan Nugent missed the first half of the meeting.
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Hart selects finalists for next City Manager
The City of Hart convened on Oct. 6, 2025, to select finalists for the position of City Manager.
The discussion was led by Partner and Recruitment Lead with Double Haul Solutions (DHS) Mitch Foster, who outlined the recruitment process and presented each finalist to the City Council. Foster noted that applicants came from across Michigan and the region, representing diverse experiences in municipal leadership and community development.
After a preliminary review by the DHS team, candidates were presented based on their alignment with the desired characteristics outlined by the mayor, City Council and staff. These included skills in municipal leadership, communication, strategic planning, economic development and team management.
“The City Manager plays an essential role in shaping the direction of our city,” said Mayor Amanda Klotz. “As Hart continues to grow, we’re looking for a leader who values collaboration, transparency and community engagement—someone who can guide our organization through both opportunities and challenges with a steady and inclusive hand. Each of these finalists brings a unique perspective and proven experience that reflects those values.”
The following three candidates will move forward in the process:
• Connor DeYoung: DeYoung currently serves as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Ferrysburg and has spent more than a decade in public service with the State of Michigan. His work has included leadership in cross-departmental coordination, organizational improvement, and regulatory compliance. DeYoung holds both a Master's and Bachelor's of Social Work from Western Michigan University and a citizen planner certificate from Michigan State University. His professional background emphasizes community collaboration, team development and innovative solutions in public administration.
• Nichole Kleiner: Kleiner currently serves as Hart’s Interim City Manager and previously as the City’s Economic and Community Development Director. With more than 19 years of experience in local government, she has successfully managed numerous grants and partnerships, securing millions of dollars in funding for downtown improvements, infrastructure, and economic development initiatives. Kleiner has also played a key role in Hart’s collaboration with West Shore Community College to establish Oceana County’s first higher education campus. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing Hart’s community and business development goals.
• Samuel Demel: Demel most recently served as city manager of Purcell, Oklahoma, overseeing a $35 million budget and leading major infrastructure, capital improvement, and community development projects. He previously served as city administrator of Kiowa, Kansas, where he directed essential municipal services and managed an $8 million water infrastructure project. Demel holds a Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Public Finance from Wichita State University and is a Certified Economic Development Professional. His experience spans local government leadership, strategic planning and intergovernmental collaboration.
Next Steps:
Looking ahead, finalists will participate in on-site interviews with the City Council on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Hart City Hall (407 S. State St. #1, Hart, MI 49420).
Following the interviews, the City Council will deliberate and move forward with contract negotiations with the preferred candidate.
The public is welcome to come in for a meet and greet with all three candidates Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Hart Community Center located at 407 S. State St., Hart, MI 49420.
Commissioners seek out applicants for DHHS/OCMCF board vacancy
By Claire Marshall
The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
The Oceana County Board of Commissioners is currently seeking applicants to fill the recently vacated board member position for the Department of Health and Human Services/Oceana County Medical Care Facility Board. As of the Oct. 9 meeting, three people had put in a letter of interest for the appointment, one of whom introduced himself and his intention for applying during public comment.
While listed as an item on the agenda, Chairman Robert Walker voiced his intention to have the item as a discussion of what the board was looking for in an appointee at the current meeting and to wait to make a decision at the next. Walker hoped that by “mentioning [the opening] now, if there’s anyone else who wants to put in a letter of intent, they would know from the public meeting that we are accepting them.”
He was also concerned about voting on the item while Commissioner Joel McCormick (who is also the chair of the personnel committee) was absent from the meeting, as “this is one of the most important appointments that this board makes to another board; I would rather that all the board members be here.”
The remaining members were in agreement with the decision, with Commissioner Tim Beggs speaking of the importance to “do due diligence and ad-
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vertise that spot. Not that we have unqualified candidates. I think we have a couple of good options.”
Commissioner Paul Erickson wished for serious consideration for the appointment and to have as wide a pool as possible for qualified candidates. Doing so, he cited the resignation of multiple employees and county residents from the medical care facility, as well as the $12 million loss in revenue over the last two years. “I think it’s time that we do a very serious consideration with this board,” Erickson concluded.
In the effort to alert as many residents as possible to the available position, the commissioners decided to place a public notice in the paper. Interviews for applicants will be held at the next personnel committee meeting.
Also discussed were which follow-up budget meeting items the board should consider for decisions at the first (and only) November board meeting. Some of these items, such as various building repair and maintenance projects, were tabled due to their low priority or lack of quoted costs. Items the board will consider for decision in November concern county employee wages and a software service contract for the District Court. The considered
PUBLIC NOTICE
OCEANA COUNTY DHHS/OCMCF BOARD
The Oceana County Board of Commissioners is seeking individuals interested in serving on the Oceana County Department of Health and Human Services/ Oceana County Medical Care Facility Board. Additional information is available online at www.oceana.mi.us
Interested applicants must submit a letter of interest to the Administrator’s Office and attend the October 23, 2025, Board of Commissioners Committee Meeting at 10 AM. Oceana County Building 100 State Street, Ste. M-4 Hart, MI 49420
budget items will be subject to public hearing at the meeting.
Also at the meeting, Jon Bumstead, representative for District 32 in the Michigan Senate, paid a visit to the Board of Commissioners. While the visit was primarily to stop by and say "hello," Bumstead took time to remind the board that, while the state government had passed its 2026 budget and narrowly avoided shutdown, many items are not set in stone. “It’s kind of silly to do a budget at four in the morning; that’s how stuff gets left out… We’ll have to fix things, do some supplements over the next six months. So what you see is probably not what you get at the end of the day.”
Bumstead also reminded the commissioners to contact his office with any questions or concerns they may have, both with the state budget and otherwise.
Peterson Farms and family are focus of OCEA Annual Breakfast
By Paul Erickson The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
The Oceana County Economic Alliance (OCEA) Annual Breakfast took place at the Earl & Linda Peterson West Michigan Research Station in Hart last Friday morning. There was a full house in attendance to get an update, and celebrate 45 years of the OCEA.
Board President Phil Morse gave the welcoming remarks and introduced OCEA Executive Director Curtis Burdette. Burdette outlined the current mission of the OCEA, and identified ongoing projects throughout the county.
Senior Vice President of The Right Place Tim Mroz also gave an overview of the organization. The Right Place serves seven of the 13 counties throughout West Michigan, including: Kent, Ionia, Lake, Mason, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Oceana. "The Oceana County Economic Alliance is an organization created to assist business development needs in Oceana County with a mission to create a diverse economic environment by strengthening talent, leveraging resources, and supporting the retention, expansion, attraction, and creation of Oceana County businesses," according to The Right Place website.
Paul Inglis, a founding board member of the OCEA and former county administrator, gave
a detailed history of the organization from its inception in 1980 to date. Many names of those responsible for the organization were recalled by Inglis going through the early files, and it was a full roster of past and present businesspeople. These included B.K. Fitz, Harry Ruth, Anne Hardy, Gary Bailey, John Carlson, Sheila Gowell, Ron Steiner, Cliff Prince, Walt Urick, Ed Strong, Bill Hanna, David Hinze, Allen Porter, Harry Lynch, Lora Swenson, Chuck Persenaire, Willa Kenoyer and Jerry Frick. Assisting Kurdziel Iron was the first project of the OCEA.
The highlight of the breakfast was a slideshow of the formation of Peterson Farms, Inc. (PFI) and its path to becoming Oceana County’s largest employer. Earl Peterson and his wife, Linda, were present to tell their family history that spans four generations of fruit growers in West Michigan. Their parents, LeRoy Don and Marjorie Peterson, and Theresa Weaver, along with Vern and Jean Ann Lambrix were always in the background support-
ing the young couple. It is a story of family, faith and making good luck.
Their story is as much a story of success as it is a testament to a loving marriage. Linda and Earl graduated in 1965 from Hart High School, and then went on to Western Michigan University for their degrees. They returned to Hart to teach, with Linda at Hart High School and Earl at Elbridge Elementary. He eventually became the principal.
The first farm they purchased was in Elbridge in 1972 - a producing cherry orchard for zero money down. Cherry prices were depressed at that time, but a market swing was coming. By adding more cherry acreage, along with mechanical harvesting, they went from being a grower to becoming a processor in 1984. They also had a custom harvesting business they started in Benton Harbor, following the cherry crop to Northport and Old Mission, working long 14hour days that lasted from early
July to the end of August. Most small growers could not afford owning their own equipment, so the shaking business was in demand as hand labor disappeared.
Being a processor, they also became an innovator in the industry. From pit detection to color sorting, the Petersons were able to satisfy the most discriminating buyers. Sara Lee and McDonald's were key names in the growth of PFI. Along with that growth came blueberries, sweet cherries, asparagus and the ever important apple lines. Peterson Farms Fresh was established in 2004, and is responsible for making the Petersons leaders in the United States in the production of apple slices. They are found in lunches across the nation.
Ever present in the story was that of Earl telling of how he and Linda would manage every aspect of PFI together. Earl explained how they would identify opportunities and find solutions that worked. "Today, Peterson
Farms is a marketing leader of frozen fruits in the U.S., marketing over 150 million finished pounds of frozen fruits and 7 million gallons of single-strength apple juice/cider and juice concentrates," according to the PFI website. Satellite facilities in Florida and California have been acquired to position the Peterson Farms brand nationally.
Linda and Earl have three children who have all been active in the business. Sarah, Aaron and Mark all started at the bottom, learning every aspect of the business. Today Aaron acts as the president, with Sarah managing sales for the company. Mark is pursuing his love of the outdoors as the owner of World Wide Trophy Adventures.
The Peterson family has been directly involved in initiatives for housing, childcare and community projects. Oceana Acres and the Shelby Township Park are prime examples of ways they've given back to the community.
It must also be noted their philanthropic giving has benefitted Echo Publishing Inc., for which this writer will forever be indebted.
Paul Inglis
Earl Peterson
The Peterson Family: Aaron, Mark, Linda, Earl and Sarah
This page is brought to you by:
114 Dryden St. in Hart, Mich. 49420 (231) 873-2600
Postcards from the Past: Peachville pupils
By Claire Marshall
The Oceana Echo Community Columnist
Today’s postcard comes to us from just outside of Walkerville, specifically a little spot called Peachville, which used to be a stop along the Mason and Oceana counties’ logging railroad. The Peachville Stop served a logging camp about 5 miles north of Walkerville, which served as the terminus station of the line for many years before the track was extended further south to Maple Ridge, near Hesperia.
The Butters family of Mason County sponsored and built this railroad in 1875 to take advantage of the wealth of old-growth lumber throughout this area between the two counties, which had remained untouched due to the lack of waterways to service a large-scale logging operation. This method of transportation allowed tons of lumber to be transported from any camp along the route, from the far east reaches of Oceana County all the way to the sawmill at Buttersville on Pere Marquette Lake.
Though primarily used for lumber transport, by 1886 passenger cars for lumber work-
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
ers and their families also serviced the line. With the new industry in the area, communities like Crystal Valley and Walkerville (previously named Stetson) quickly grew in population, as did the smaller stops along the line - Riverton, Wiley, Fern, Peachville, Lake, Goodrich and Maple Ridge.
By 1906, however, lumber resources were already drying up in the area, leaving several stops abandoned. By 1908, the Butters Lumber Company had sold the line to the Grand Rapids & Northwestern Railroad Company, with plans to incorporate and extend the line into the existing web of railways throughout Western Michigan. Sadly, the following year a fire destroyed many buildings in Buttersville, and operations on the line quickly began to drop off. By 1912, the line had been abandoned and scrapped for parts, leaving nothing more than a long scar through miles of wilderness stripped bare for lumber.
In 1913, today’s postcard example was sent. The photograph, washed out and sun-faded, shows a standard one-room schoolhouse in Peachville. The class of 19 students poses in front of the schoolhouse,
with their teacher placed at the far right. As to be expected, the class is a mix of ages and grades, with an almost even split of nine girls and 10 boys. Compared to other class photos we’ve seen from other communities in Oceana County, many children in the Peachville schoolhouse class were certainly less welloff. The girls’ dresses denote a mix of decades, hand-me-downs altered to fit the child, and current fashions as best they could. Many of the children are barefoot. Despite this, some accessorizing is done in order to “dress up” the children as best as possible. I’m specifically looking at the large hair bows on the girls and a combination of vests and neckties on the boys.
Postmarked May 28 in Walkerville, the card was sent to a Mrs. Ada Shirtum of Montague, Michigan, and reads as follows:
“Dear Mother: Here
Optimist Club elects new officers and directors
At its Oct. 1 meeting, the Shelby Optimist Club elected its officers for the 2025-2026 term. The new officers are Deana Fox, president; Ross Field, vice president; Greg Siebert, treasurer; and Travis McLouth, secretary. The Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term includes the newly elected officers as well as Jeremy Gowell; Chad Warner; Carmen Beemer; Noble Graham-Lattin; and Chris Griffin.
Founded in 1948, the Shelby Optimist Club serves the youth of Oceana County by raising funds to support academic, artistic and athletic programs in the local school systems, as well as the libraries of Oceana County and other organizations.
For more information about the club, visit www.shelbyoptimist. com or follow them on Facebook.
we come (only 10 are lacking) What are you folks doing this nice weather? Have you the silo yet? I had 2 new pupils yesterday. Just think only two more weeks after this. I will not try and come the 29. You come in June if you can. Went + saw Grace Sat. had a fine time. Nellie.”
Thankfully, someone had already identified Nellie Shirtum Seaver as the schoolteacher in the front photo, with a helpful little arrow and note written in pen. Nellie was born in Claybanks Township in 1894 and graduated from County Normal School. The recipient of her card, mother Ada Kimball Shirtum, was born in Buffalo, New York in 1858. She married German immigrant Peter John Shirtum (or Shetrum) in 1881 in Montague, before establishing a farm in Claybanks. Ada passed away in 1935, and Peter preceded her in death 28 years earlier in 1907. The nature of his
death was sudden, following “overexertion” on a trip out to New York to visit family, and his obituary highlights the distress felt by his wife and children. Nellie would have been 13 at the time of her father’s death.
Following Nellie’s graduation, she taught at a variety of schools in the county, including Flower Creek and Pine Grove as well as Peachville. She married Eveard Seaver (another son of German immigrants farming in Montague) in 1916. Nellie and Eveard had one son, Roger, whose collection the postcard came from. Besides teaching, she helped run Eveard’s general store in Rothbury and farm in Claybanks. She passed away in 1990, at the stunning age of 96.
This postcard is just a mere snapshot of her long teaching career, for which she is often mentioned in person-
al accounts. She would have been 19 in 1913, and likely Peachville was one of the first places she taught. While her brief note to her mother mostly focuses on Ada, the farm and her next visit - Nellie does take some time to mention her students, likely with some pride if she took the effort to send the postcard with their class portrait. I wonder if during their visits Nellie would tell stories about her students, and so perhaps the postcard was to provide some visual aid to her mother. Such as, “Oh yes, Johnny is an absolute menace; he’s the one in the front row, second from the left.”
While it doesn’t feel like it now, back in 1913 - especially with no train line remaining - going from Montague to Walkerville would have been quite the trek. Who knows the last time Nellie saw her mother before sending this postcard? I wonder if she got homesick, especially considering she was the youngest child and perhaps the last to leave home. I hope they were able to reunite in June.
The officers and directors for Shelby Optimist Club’s 2025-2026 term are pictured above, from left, Jeremy Gowell; Chad Warner; Carmen Beemer; Deana Fox; Ross Field; Travis McLouth; Noble Graham-Lattin; Greg Siebert; and Chris Griffin. • Contribtued Photo
Ongoing
3rd MON: OCDVA Coffee & Donuts for Veterans, Spouses and Veteran Widows, 9-11 a.m., Heritage Wedding Barn, Shelby.
TUES: Tech Time, Hesperia Community Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 - Tractors and Treats, West Michigan Research Station, 3-5 p.m.
Oct. 27 - NAF Annual Meeting, Hart Community Center, 6 p.m.
Mental health is the next topic of the Oceana Free Dive Mental health is a vital issue affecting individuals and families across Oceana County. The next Oceana Free Dive will focus on this essential topic — creating space for learning, sharing and collaboration. The event is set for Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 9-11 a.m. at the West Michigan Research Station in Hart. Organizers will explore the unique mental health challenges faced by this community, highlight local resources, and invite nonprofits, service providers and residents to share insights, needs and opportunities for collaboration. To RSVP, visit https:// forms.office.com/r/uxrnzzADdS
DAR meeting set for Oct. 18 in Hart
Michigan Dunes Chapter, NSDAR, will meet Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. inside the Oceana County Services Building at 844 Griswold St. in Hart. Shannon Larson will host State Insignia Chair Christine Hock. Snacks and water will be provided. The Zoom link for those who cannot attend in person is https:// us06web.zoom.us/j/83059398688?pwd=2ba4FVDc71vtW4k8Tkx9VpfSqGtbpj.1
Friends of SADL celebrate National Library Week Oct. 19–25
Friends of the Shelby Area District Library (SADL) will celebrate as part of the 20th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. A special reception with refreshments by the Shelby Library Board is planned for Thursday, Oct. 23 at 4:30 p.m. with a meeting of the Friends of SADL following at 5 p.m. The public is invited.
The Friends of the Shelby Area District Library was established in 1995 and has raised thousands of dollars for the library to date. Recently celebrating their 30th anniversary, the Friends rely on contributions of time, talent and monetary donations as they actively volunteer with fundraising efforts that include the Celebration of the Holidays Silent Auction in November, the Garden Sale in the spring and the Good Buy Used Book Sale every August. Many library activities are underwritten by the Friends, including art and craft workshops, author talks, and purchasing needed supplies, to name just a few of the many ways they help stretch the budget. Volunteers are always welcome. Learn more about this group and
help out with their next big event, “Celebration of the Holidays,” Nov. 18–22, by attending the Friends of SADL Meeting on Oct. 23.
“Our library is fortunate to have such an active Friends of the Library group,” said SADL Director Tiffany Haight. “The funds they raise definitely make a difference. I think most patrons would be surprised to learn how many of the services and programs they enjoy are supported by the Friends of SADL.”
Please contact the library at 231-861-4565 or visit www.shelbylibrary.org to learn more about upcoming events and to find out how to become a member of the Friends. National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit www. ala.org/united.
PUBLIC NOTICE
FERRY TOWNSHIP FALL CLEAN-UP
For Township Residents and Landowners
WHEN: OCTOBER 28TH, 30TH & NOVEMBER 1ST, 2025
During the Hours of 9am-3pm
To Qualify for Free admittance, you must bring proof of residency in the form of Driver’s License/ID or Property Tax Bill/Receipt
All trash MUST come from FERRY TOWNSHIP
(please make sure your load is secured during your travel)
If you have specific questions on what you can or cannot bring, please contact the Transfer Station at 861-6394 or visit https://oceana.mi.us/services/transfer-stationrecycling-center/ NO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OR TIRES
1901 Oak Ave., New Era, MI 49446
Hoeing ‘In the Garden’ Part 9: Accepting the Unacceptable
By Janet Van Gunst Hasselbring
The Oceana Echo Community Columnist
“The past is not dead; in fact, it’s not even past.” (Faulkner)
In this series, we’re delving into the soil of my mother, Ellen’s, life, searching for the key to her peaceful and victorious death.
Ellen, a city girl, was new to farm life. As she went about her daily chores, she became increasingly aware of the vulnerabilities involved in making a living on a small farm (present-day Country Dairy). A windstorm that destroyed Henry’s cherry crop was her first clue that their livelihood was totally dependent on the weather.
It was then, when her faith was severely tested, that her Lord found her, and she began to walk and talk with Him “in the gardens” of her life. (Oceana Echo - Oct. 3, 2025)
“…be Thou my strong Rock for a house of defense to save me.” Psalm 31:2
In 1937, their first child was born, the first of seven children to grace their home. With child-rearing, the duties of planting, nurturing and harvesting took on new meaning. Children made life busier, but as we grew, my brothers helped Henry with the farmwork, and we, girls, worked alongside Ellen, clearing the table, picking vegetables, doing dishes, ironing and changing bedding.
We imbibed scripture and prayer along with our food at every meal, attended church on Sundays and catechism during the week. Our mother encouraged us to read, go to college and pursue meaningful careers – to spread our wings and fly. And, then, before they knew it, the nest was empty.
As with most families, there were joys and sorrows, highs and lows, successes and disappointments, and though Ellen, a capable, intelligent, diligent woman, was learning that she couldn’t control or fix every situation, nothing could have prepared her for the tragic death of her daughter, my sister, at the prime of her life.
Parents never expect their children to die before they do. It isn’t natural. We were all in shock at the news, but my mother was stunned beyond belief. For a mother to lose a child carried in the womb and nursed at her breast, the pain is excruciating –a deep, gaping wound. As she struggled to comprehend the unthinkable, her spirit sagged and slowly ebbed away. She appeared dazed and lifeless. Finally, paralyzed by grief, she withdrew to her bedroom.
“The king was much moved and went up to his chamber and wept: ‘Oh my son, my son! Would that I died for thee, my son.’” (I Samuel 18:33)
An eerie hush descended on our home. We were grieving my sister; now we worried about my mother. My father guarded her privacy, but once, when he was leaving her room, I happened to pass by. My mother lay in a fetal position, facing the windows, the bedspread covering her like a shroud.
My family made funeral plans. We didn’t expect my mother to attend, but suddenly, on the third day, there she was! We were startled, even a bit frightened.
A noticeable peace and serenity emanated from her. She began doing household chores with a calm, almost detached manner. She attended the visitation and funeral, and carried herself with grace and graciousness, giving my sister’s life the dignity and respect it deserved.
As I reflected on this defining moment in my mother’s life, I imagined what took place during those three days she cloistered in her room – in the cleft of the Rock:
“For as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of a whale, so the Son of Man will be three days
White Lake UMC
and nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40)
“Ellen.” The voice is kind and gentle.
“My Lord…” her voice, barely a whisper, “my precious daughter…”
We can only imagine the ensuing conversation as Ellen struggled to accept the unacceptable; to accept God’s will instead of her own.
“He withdrew from them, knelt, and prayed, 'Father, if it be Your will, take this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done.” (Luke 22: 41, 42)
My mother was never the same after her daughter’s passing; she carried her grief to her death, yet serenity and a surreal sense of peace marked her personality from that time on.
“And the angel answered and said unto the women, ‘Fear not, for I know that you seek Jesus…He is not here, for He is risen, as He said.’” (Matthew 28:5,6)
*For information about the memoir, visit the author at janethasselbring23@gmail.com.
Internet Safety Training offered at NEBC
Parents and their children are invited to attend an internet safety training, Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the New Era Bible Church (NEBC), 5308 S. Oceana Dr., New Era, from 6-8 p.m. Christian Stanley, a U.S. missionary with the Alabama Ministry Network working to rescue individuals from human trafficking, will be the featured speaker.
The training, formulated to help parents understand the dangers their children encounter on the internet, will equip parents with the knowledge they need to protect their children online.
Youth involved with NEBC’s Wednesday night programming, Camp Quest, will receive age-appropriate online training at the same time in another room.
Anyone with questions about this upcoming training or NEBC is invited to contact the church at 231-861-5374 or pastormikednebc@gmail.com
In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors
obituaries
Robert ‘ Bob ’ Rider
June
26, 1932 ~ October 14, 2025
The Apple Man, Bob Rider, passed on to a Higher Orchard on October 14, 2025, with all of the love and devotion he inspired in his large and extended family, after a short residency at White Lake Assisted Living in Whitehall, Michigan. It would be hard to find anyone who would be more admired for his devotion to his wife, his family, and to his farm and love of growing fruit that would make people happy. At one time he was farming over 600 acres. Although he retired from farming and the Farmers Market in 2010, he continued with his gardening and his tomatoes.
Bob was born on June 26, 1932, across from Crystal Lake, near Hart, Michigan. His father, Seymour Rider, was a wellknown farmer and a wonderful collector of ancient artifacts from the local area. Bob was very helpful in later years in helping his collection to be donated to the City of Hart, where it is all on display for the public to enjoy. Seymour lived for 103 years, and Bob was very proud of him and a great inspiration to him all of his life.
When Bob was 3 years old, his mother, Iva Lois, aged 37, died, and Bob was sent to his aunt's home until he was 5 years old. He had six older siblings: Seymour Jr, Valeta, Betty, Doris, Willard and Gordon. Seymour never remarried. So Bob grew up as the youngest one in a house full of children with no mother on hand to even referee. His oldest sisters did their best.
Bob attended the Crystal Lake School located right on Seymour’s property. Later he attended and graduated from Hart High School. He was an avid runner and loved to play football. Many times he had to walk the three miles to the high school. He loved to swim and to fish and all outdoor activities. But he wanted to farm most of all, and after he graduated, he married Roberta (Bobbe) and started working and bought the farm from his father. They had three children: Rebecca (Harold), Debra (Mike) and Gary (Diana).
Bob was active in the State Farm Bureau Board for many years and an active member of the local farmers' Pomsters group. He budded and grew many thousands of cherry trees for many years. He was a great and enthusiastic farmer, and he loved it all. He gave fruit to anyone who walked by his stall at the market, and they all became his friends. Roberta passed on in 1989 unexpectedly, and Bob was assisted in the farm bookkeeping by his sister-in-law, Sharon Snider.
In 1991, Bob did a wonderful thing. He gave a Honeycrisp apple to a customer named Lloyce Tapken, who gave one to a friend named Laveryle (Verlie) Bosley. And Lloyce said, “You’ve got to go get some of these apples, Verlie,” and so she went and there he was! A year later they were married, and Verlie became the farm's main bookkeeper, apple picker, and all that goes with it. Her four adult sons, Steve, Randall, Alan (Tammy) and Martin (Robin), all became part of the extended family, which included his nephew, Lee Rider (Judy), assorted sisters- and brothers-in-law; 13 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren; and assorted nieces and nephews.
The farmers market became the focus of their life for the next 18 years. Countless customers depended upon the Apple Man to supply their many fruits for a long time. The friends working for Bob and Verlie in the stall were invaluable in serving the public, especially friend Carol Kludy for many years.
In 2009, son Gary Rider passed on unexpectedly, and then Bob decided to retire. He had a big auction, and then Bob and Verlie began to travel a lot more and eventually spent winters in a home in Zephyrhills, Florida.
After Covid they moved back to Hart, Michigan, where they enjoyed their lives in a more relaxed fashion, going for rides and enjoying their home together.
In September of this year, Bob entered the White Lake Assisted Living in Whitehall, Michigan. He was enjoying talking with other residents until he succumbed to a major stroke. His family came to be with him, and he passed on to that Great Orchard on Oct 14, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later time.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com
PUBLIC NOTICE
Pentwater Township
The Pentwater Township Transfer Station & Recycling Center will be open on the following days and dates from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. for:
Leaf and Brush Disposal Only:
Every Saturday in November 2025: 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/21 & 11/29
Recycling Only:
Once monthly November through March on the first Saturday of each month: 2025: 11/1 & 12/6 2026: 1/3, 2/7 & 3/7
• The Station is open to Pentwater and Weare Township residents and property owners only
• NO COMMERCIAL USERS
• Residents must obtain a permit from their Township Clerk to utilize the Transfer Station
• There is no charge for the disposal leaves and brush and a $3.00 fee for the deposit of recyclable materials
William Ashley ‘ Bill ’ Ensign
February 26, 1930 ~ October 11, 2025
William Ashley “Bill” Ensign, age 95, passed away Satur day, October 11, 2025 at his home. He was born February 26, 1930 in Newfield Township, Mich. to Emory J. and Elva (Potter) Ensign.
Bill was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marines and had served during the Korean War. On August 19, 1950, he married Joyce K. Walsworth in LaGrange, Ind. and she survives him. Bill worked as a production manager for American Coil Spring and retired in 1992 after 43 years. Bill was a longtime member of Mears United Methodist Church and the Marine Corps League. He was a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society and Oceana County Council on Aging. Bill and Joyce enjoyed riding motorcycles and took many trips throughout the U.S. and Canada. He also enjoyed the family snowmobiling trips and was an avid golfer. Bill will be long-remembered for his punctuality – always early to arrive so he was not late.
Survivors include his loving wife of 75 years, Joyce Ensign; one daughter, Pam (Earl) Geiger; one daughter-in-law, Cathy Ensign; five grandchildren, Carly (Patrick) LaFontaine, Ashley (Brett) Harper, Kelcy (Brian) McArthur, Matthew Geiger and Emily (Luke) Dedo; seven great-grandchildren, Grayson, Hayden, Liam, Lucy, Jack, Warrin and Kade; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his son, William A. Ensign II; his parents; and two infant sisters, Adabelle and Barbara Ensign.
A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Mears United Methodist Church, 1990 N. 56th Ave., Mears, MI 49436, with Pastor Bev Williams officiating and Rev. Ken Vanderlaan assisting. Military honors will be offered by the Marine Corps League Detachment 703 and the Honor Detail from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2025, at The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Oceana County Council on Aging, 4250 W. Tyler Road, Hart, MI 49420 (oceanacoa.com), Mears United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 100, Mears, MI 49436 (www.mearsumc.org) or Heartland Hospice – Fremont, 1053 W. Main St., Fremont, MI 49412 (www.gentivahs.com).
Sign the online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF HART - SPECIAL LAND USE REQUEST
The City of Hart Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Community Center at Hart City Hall, 407 S. State Street, Hart, MI 49420, to consider a Special Land Use Permit request submitted by West Shore Community College, 3000 N. Stiles Road, Scottville, MI 49454.
The request is for property located at 710 S. State Street, Hart, MI 49420 (Parcel ID: 020-736-001-10), zoned B-2 – General Business District. The applicant proposes to renovate the existing former grocery store into a mixed-use facility, including adult education space, a food club, and a café, and is requesting a special land use approval for a drive-thru window on the south side of the building.
The public is invited to attend the hearing and comment on the proposal. Written comments may be submitted to the City of Hart Clerk’s Office, 407 S. State Street, Hart, MI 49420, or by email to kswihart@cityofhart.org, prior to the meeting.
This notice is published in accordance with the City of Hart Code of Ordinances, Section 1256.03 and 1242.06.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, OCEANA COUNTY NOTICE OF CLOSEOUT PUBLIC HEARING FOR MICHIGAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDING FOR THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT GRANT
Shelby Township will conduct a closeout public hearing on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 6:00 pm at 204 N. Michigan Ave, Shelby, MI, 49455 for the purpose of affording citizens an opportunity to submit comments and receive a final report on the completion of the The Water Infrastructure Project CDBG grant.
The CDBG grant provided funding to assist in providing potable water to residents on the north end of Shelby Township in Shelby, MI. The CDBG project benefited at least 51% low to moderate income people; zero people were displaced as a result of the project.
Interested parties are invited to comment on the project in person at the public hearing or in writing through November 3, 2025, and addressed to Clerk at Shelby Township, P.O. Box 215, Shelby, MI 49455.
Citizen views and comments on the CDBG project are welcome. Shelby Township Clerk, Cathy Anderson Phone (231)861-5853
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CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT.
• On Oct. 20, 1967, the mythical Bigfoot was believed to have been filmed in northern California, firing the imaginations of numerous enthusiasts. However, when a prominent researcher sent the FBI a supposed hair sample, agents concluded that it was, sadly, of “deer family origin.”
• On Oct. 21, 1797, the USS Constitution launched in Boston Harbor. A 44-gun U.S. Navy frigate, it was constructed to fight Barbary pirates off the coast of Tripoli, and performed admirably during those conflicts. In 1805, a peace treaty with Tripoli was signed on the Constitution’s deck.
• On Oct. 22, 1895, a train with a faulty brake tore through the Gare Montparnasse in Paris and out the front before landing nose down in the street. Onlookers purchased train tickets just to see the damage.
• On Oct. 23, 1958, Boris Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for “Doctor Zhivago,” a romance set during the Russian Revolution and World War I. The book was banned in the Soviet Union, and the Soviet government forced Pasternak to renounce the honor, but his admirers smuggled the manuscript out of Russia in pieces and the CIA helped with distribution behind the scenes. Appearing in numerous translations around the world, it was hailed as a classic, but Pasternak was banished from the Soviet Writers Union, ending his literary career.
• On Oct. 24, 1921, in the French town of Chalons-sur-Marne, an American sergeant chose the body of the first “Unknown Soldier” to be honored among the approximately 77,000 American servicemen who died on the Western Front during World War I.
• On Oct. 25, 1964, Minnesota Vikings star defensive end Jim Marshall ran 66 yards in the wrong direction into his own end zone after recovering a fumble against the 49ers in San Francisco. Despite the gaffe, the Vikings won.
Oktoberfest in Pentwater
By AnnaMae Bush The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
The Pentwater Chamber of Commerce had a successful Oktoberfest event this past Saturday. The Classic Car and Hot Rod Show had the most entries ever, with 184 vehicles registered and displayed on the main street downtown. The “Best in Show” award went to Doug Irvine for his 1969 red Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500.
Had there been an award for the most unusual vehicle, Doug Bacon would have had a good shot at that with his rat rod made from various parts from multiple junkyard finds. “My grandkids call it ’Buford’ because it has a Buick engine and mostly Ford body parts.”
in which he installed a Chevy V8 engine. “It’s really fast,” he chuckled. “I have to be very careful when I drive it.”
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STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20251006
RELEASE OCT. 6, 2025
Lucie Winborne
Oceana County
ANIMAL SHELTER
At just 2 years old, Pinky is a beautiful Pitty mix with a heart as big as her grin — and oh, what a grin it is! Her smile could light up a cloudy day, and her gentle, loving nature makes her impossible not to adore.
Pinky happens to be deaf, but that doesn’t slow her down one bit. She reads love through your eyes, feels it in your touch, and shows it right back tenfold with tail wags and happy wiggles. She’s friendly as can be, loves everyone she meets, and seems to do well with other dogs — she just asks for a little meet-and-greet first to make sure the vibes are right.
Pinky is looking for a family who will cherish her uniqueness and celebrate her joyful spirit. In return, she’ll fill your home with unconditional love, warmth and smiles that never fade.
Pinky is available for adoption from the Oceana County Animal Control. 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 will receive a $50 certificate good for spay/neuter if needed. Every dog should have an ID tag. L.A.S.S.I. provides free dog ID tags to all Oceana County residents. To request tags, send a text to 231-730-3906. Free tags are also available at the OCEANA County Animal Shelter. Meet Pinky
• On Oct. 26, 1984, 19-year-old John McCollum was found shot to death on his bed in Indio, California. The boy’s parents believed that singer Ozzy Osbourne was responsible, because John was listening to Osbourne’s album “Blizzard of Oz,” which contained the song “Suicide Solution,” when he died, but the suit was dismissed in 1988.
• The atomic clock known as the NIST-F1 Cesium Fountain Clock, created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Colorado, is so accurate that it won’t gain or lose a second in 20 million years.
• Compared to the production of standard paper, recycled paper production reduces air pollution to up to 73%.
• The Towel Museum in Japan showcases a vast collection of towels from different countries, each with its unique designs and cultural significance.
• Lobsters pee out of their face.
• A crow funeral is much like a human funeral — the birds gather around a fallen fellow crow, call to each other and pay close attention to their late peer.
• The tradition of a wedding cake topper originated in ancient Rome, where figurines depicting the bride and groom were used for good luck.
• Female turkeys don’t gobble.
• Matthias Buchinger, known as the Little Man of Nuremberg, was born without hands or feet and was only 29 inches tall, but still managed to perform numerous magic feats and illusions, including the famous cups-and-balls routine.
• The first knitting union, founded in Paris in 1527, allowed only men as members.
• Will Shortz, a crossword editor for The New York Times, designed a degree program at Indiana University in enigmatology, or the study and science of puzzles.
• Ancient Romans gargled with urine to whiten their teeth.
• Since the prosthetics Heath Ledger wore on his mouth during filming of “The Joker” would loosen as he spoke, he kept them on by frequently licking his lips, a trait that suited his character and was therefore incorporated into the film.
*** Thought for the Day: “The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself —the invisible battles inside all of us — that’s where it’s at.” — Jesse Owens
The composite vehicle is a strange-looking tow truck. “It has a 1937 Buick straight-8 engine and a 1957 Ford rearend. I started with a junkyard vehicle that broke in half when I tried to load it with a forklift. I just had a lot of fun with it. It’s a real conversation starter, and I couldn’t count how many people stopped to take photos of it and talk to me about it.”
Bacon had a second entry next to his rat rod. It was a 1974 Porsche 914
Bacon remembered the very first Oktoberfest car show on the Village Green when about 15 cars were registered. “This show has come a long way since it started.”
Readers who missed this year’s show can see a video of it put to music on the Pentwater Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
The car show was one of many Oktoberfest features. The Stout Stumble 5K race was a fundraiser for the Chamber, and there was prime weather for it. Live music and the chili cookoff added to
the festive feel. For MSU football fans, there was a big outdoor screen to watch Saturday’s game against UCLA. Although not sponsored by the Chamber, two other weekend events were publicized with Oktoberfest. The annual C.O.V.E. Home Tour and a Quilt Show also brought many visitors to the community. Hancock Street was dressed for company with new flowerpots brimming with bright mums, and the bustling crowds created a vibrant scene.
Shelby students receive agriculture lesson at FARM Science Program
Recently, 449 students from Shelby Elementary School learned more about how their food is raised when they visited the Michigan Farm Bureau Food, Agriculture & Resources in Motion (FARM) Science Program.
Equipped with the latest teaching technologies and STEM-based lessons to increase agricultural awareness, the mobile classroom brought handson, field trip-type learning directly to Shelby Elementary School.
The FARM Science Program is facilitated by regional educators who’ve been trained on the current Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), who aim to expand participants’ horizons regarding science and agriculture.
Students learned more about careers in agriculture and science through experiential lessons, including Window Garden (K-2), Pioneering Sweetness (3rd), and Erosion (4th and 5th), helping them understand how agriculture impacts their daily lives so they grow into informed consumers.
“Agriculture affects all our lives every day, but many people don’t understand how healthy, nutritious food arrives on their tables; how fiber is produced to clothe them; or how agricultural products provide shelter,” said first grade teacher Kristen Bisard. “Michigan’s food and farm sector produces more than 300 commodities and generates more than $100 billion in economic activity annually. Not only is agriculture important to students personally, but it is also vital to our state and national economy.”
The FARM Science Program has visited more than 550 schools in Michigan since fall of 2017, impacting more than 79,000 students and 3,900 edu-
cators. The program is facilitated by regional educators who aim to expand the horizons of students regarding science and agriculture.
Stemming from an idea proposed by county Farm Bureau members, the FARM Science Lab was made possible by the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture. This FARM Science Lab was brought to life by the generous donations of our Farm Bureau members, 26 county Farm Bureaus, agricultural commodity organizations and other corporate sponsors.
Teachers or school districts can learn more about how to book a lesson by visiting miagclassroom.org.
Start of Stout Stumble 5K
Doug Irvine won Best in Show with his 1969 Ford Mustang
Former Hesperia coach Zeerip set for November induction into MWA Hall of Fame
By Andy Roberts
One of Oceana’s greatest wrestling coaches will receive the state’s highest wrestling honor next month when former Hesperia and Fremont head coach Craig Zeerip is inducted into the Michigan Wrestling Association Hall of Fame.
Zeerip will join another former Panthers’ coach, longtime colleague Doug Baird, in the Hall during its Nov. 8 induction ceremony at the Cornerstone University Gainey Conference Center. Tickets to the Hall of Fame banquet are $50 and are available until Oct. 24 by visiting cognitoforms.com/ MichiganWrestlingAssociation/MWAHallofFameBanquetTicketOrder2025.
“I think it’s a really humbling award from all your peers after spending a lot of time in wrestling,” Zeerip said, saying he found out he was to be inducted in May. “It’s great to be recognized.”
Craig Zeerip grew up on the family farm, Heritage Farms, which the family still owns and operates. He was talked into starting his wrestling career by his youth pastor growing up, Frank Dobos, himself a former wrestler at Ashland University in Ohio. Zeerip, who said his friendship with Dobos has endured to this day, “jumped in with both feet” once he found he enjoyed the sport.
“I liked the individual aspect, working as hard as you can and seeing what
you get,” Zeerip said.
Zeerip got quite a lot, starring at Fremont in high school and earning a collegiate spot at Ohio State University, where he was a letterwinner. After his on-mat career was over, Zeerip wanted to go into coaching, so he returned to Fremont and spent a couple of years learning the ropes from Guy Redinger.
Zeerip’s work as a Packers’ coach drew the attention of the late Dan Homan, who was stepping down as Hesperia wrestling coach after 12 years at the helm - he would continue coaching the Panthers’ football and softball teams for many years after - and wanted Zeerip to replace him. He helped mentor Zeerip as a young head coach.
It was a partnership that produced immediate success. In Zeerip’s first season, 1990-91, the Panthers, despite only having 19 athletes on the roster, made it all the way to the state semifinals before falling to eventual runner-up Pine River by just one point, 31-30. With a young roster the next season, Zeerip’s team was much less experienced, but the Panthers exacted some revenge on the Bucks by defeating them in the regional tournament,
ultimately bowing out in the quarterfinals to eventual runner-up Shepherd.
“From then on, Hesperia had such great tradition with so many people and families helping,” Zeerip said. “We had so much success, and it was humbling to see what everyone put into it.”
Hesperia enjoyed another great run of success under Zeerip starting in 1996, winning four straight regional titles. Capping that run was a trip to the 1999 state finals match, where the Panthers lost by just one point to Whittemore-Prescott, 33-32.
In 2004, Zeerip swapped spots with Baird, with the latter taking over as head coach while Zeerip became an assistant. Zeerip’s sons - Justin, Brandon and Collin - were about to enter high school, and Zeerip becoming an assistant enabled him to work more closely with them than he could as the varsity head coach.
Unbeknownst to most of the state, the three brothers were about to embark on three of the greatest careers in MHSAA history. Justin, the oldest, went an unbelievable 260-0 in his high school career, setting state records for career wins and pins, and Brandon and Collin also ranked in the top 10 all-time in wins in the state as of this February.
The trio went on to combine for nine individual state championships in their careers. On top of that, Brandon and Collin were part of the Panthers’ 2008 state champion squad, and Justin ran for the state champion 2006
Hesperia cross-country team. All three wrestled, ironically enough given the family’s Buckeye roots, at the University of Michigan.
Justin said he’s thrilled his dad is being inducted into the Hall of Fame and has many great memories of being “a coach’s kid.” Justin is himself coaching now; he and Collin took over the Whitehall program in 2018-19, and Justin remains the varsity coach. Like his dad, Justin has enjoyed great success, leading the Vikings to six regional titles and three state runner-up finishes in seven seasons to date.
“It was just really fun for me to grow up with a dad as a coach and go to different tournaments and competitions,” Justin said. “It was neat to see him devoted to wrestlers and develop relationships with them and help them achieve their goals on and off the mat. It was cool to see wrestlers, over time, graduate high school and go to college or go into their careers and come back and stop by the farm to check in with him.”
Justin said he got into coaching in large part because of that time spent with his father, and he continues to seek advice from Craig when needed.
“My dad taught me a lot about building relationships with kids, making those connections,” Justin said. “Each kid is different, so you try to
Zeerip induction
continued on page 10
Quick start propels Tigers to win over Manistee
By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
Echo community correspondent Amanda Dodge contributed to this story.
Shelby didn’t play perfectly Friday night against Manistee, but it played more than well enough to score a 4820 win on senior night and clinch the program’s first winning regular season since 2013.
The Tigers (5-2) led 16-0 after a quarter and fought off a feisty effort from the Mariners to get the win thanks to timely plays from their defense, which gave up yards but forced four turnovers and got several stops in the red zone. Brody Fessenden had two of those turnovers, picking off a pass and recovering a fumble, and racked up 16 tackles to boot. Max Hagstrom had 12 tackles and a fumble recovery, and Ethan Viterna totaled 11 takedowns, five of them for a loss.
Shelby’s offense was efficient, with Fessenden and Isaac Garcia each running for two touchdowns. Jaylin Henderson also went in for a score and had 117 total yards of offense.
“I just watched a bunch of dudes win a football game,” Shelby coach Phil Fortier said. “They were determined and unselfish and they were disciplined and they just gave such a great
effort. I’m just so proud of them. Shout out to that O-line, Alonzo Garcia and Ethan Viterna, and Axel Moritz and then those two tackles, Colin Fenton and Casey Lamblin. Those five guys have really started to jell.”
Garcia took care of the throwing for the Tigers, going 6-of-13 for 153 yards in addition to his 63 yards on the ground.
Maybe Shelby’s only serious miscue on offense was when the Tigers were called for illegally hurdling a Manistee player on the way to a touchdown; by MHSAA rule, players cannot jump over opponents who are standing up. Shelby was unable to punch it in on the drive.
A key sequence came early in the second half, when the Tigers were backed up into their own end and had to punt, giving Manistee good field position. However, an interception on the drive kept Shelby in command.
The win enabled the Tiger seniors to ring the victory bell at the north end of the stadium in their final home game.
“For our seniors to go out winners on their home field, we don’t know what’s in front of us, so we’re going to treat this like our last home game of the year,” Fortier said. “This senior group was a special group. They’ve played
a lot of football. They’ve done a lot of losing, and they’ve done a lot of work. They believed in each other, and they kept on fighting.
“It’s so fun to be coaching kids like this. They’re so together. They’re tight and they want to win and they do the work necessary to get that victory.”
Shelby would be in good position to make the playoffs with one more victory, though that won’t necessarily be an easy task. Mason County Central, the
Tigers’ next opponent, defeated Ravenna earlier this season, so it stands to reason the Spartans will be tough, and the final opponent, Orchard View, boasts an explosive offensive attack.
“It’s going to start with defense, and it’s going to start with running the football,” Fortier said of the keys to beating MCC. “That’s how you win football
HART • HESPERIA • PENTWATER
Shelby quarterback Isaac Garcia tries to break the tackle of Manistee’s Marcus Annis during Friday’s game at Shelby. Garcia threw for 153 yards and ran for two touchdowns in a 48-20 win. • Amanda Dodge/Echo
The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
Zeerip
Zeerip induction
push them to their limits, but you try to have fun with it and turn wrestling and sports into life lessons about working hard and how different things apply to different areas of your life.”
It was at Whitehall that Justin and his brother got the rare opportunity to coach against their father, Craig, who had since taken over at Fremont. The Packers reached out to Zeerip prior to the 2013-14 season for help increasing participation in their program; the team had only six wrestlers at the time. Zeerip successfully built up the program to the point where it won backto-back regional titles in 2021 and 2022, and the following season, Fremont joined the West Michigan Conference, where Whitehall competes. That meant father and sons would face off.
“We’d talk with our dad and we had
continued from page 9
an idea about his team,” Justin said. “When you go in and compete against them, it felt a little weird, but it was fun at the same time to have our teams wrestle each other. You definitely felt a lot different than any other dual because that’s your blood, your dad, coaching across the way from you.”
Craig stepped down as Fremont coach after the 2022-23 season, commuting back and forth to Arizona to help his father David take care of his mother Mary, who was suffering from dementia at the time. She passed away in August 2024. Craig still helps his dad while working remotely to help with the farm and said he’d like to get David back to Michigan at some point.
Like any great coach, Zeerip knows he didn’t do it alone. More important than anyone else, of course, are his family - wife Susan, his sons, and
Football results
games. You’ve got to run the football well and you’ve got to play good defense. They are playing some good football right now from what I hear. I haven’t gotten to look at them on film, but looking at some of their scores and what they’ve done, they’ve scared some people and beat some people. It’s going to be a dogfight.”
Hart drops heartbreaker to Orchard View
Hart came out on the short end of a tough defeat Friday against Orchard View, dropping a back-and-forth fight to the Cardinals 35-30.
OV scored the winning touchdown late in the third quarter on a 77-yard scoring toss from star quarterback Peyton Babbitt to his top target, Ca’mari Reese. Hart got inside the Cardinals’ 30-yard line twice after that, but was unable to turn those drives into points.
The Pirates (3-4) opened the scoring with an impressive touchdown drive on their first possession. Spearheaded by a 33-yard Kyle Greiner run on third down, Hart got in the end zone on a 16-yard carry by Greiner.
continued from page 9
The senior was the focal point of the Pirates’ second drive, too, ripping off a 55-yard carry before scoring a touchdown later in the possession to give his team a 16-7 lead.
Orchard View’s potent offense kept coming back, though, and the Cardinals grabbed a 21-16 lead with a pair of touchdown drives in the second quarter.
Greiner, though, wasn’t done yet. On a night where he ran for a whopping 264 yards and averaged 11 yards per attempt, Greiner scored again on a 16-yard run on fourth down early in the third quarter, putting the Pirates ahead 24-21. When the Cardinals responded, Hart came back with an impressive 13-play drive to the end zone, on which Greiner again had the biggest play, a 22-yard run. Kolton Rockwell bulled in for the score from two yards out. A missed two-point conversion left the Pirates’ lead at 30-28.
Babbitt, a Saginaw Valley State University commit, then hit Reese on OV’s next play from scrimmage for what turned out to be the winning score. Hart was stopped on downs at the Cardinals’ 27-yard line on its next
daughter Lauren, a star Hesperia athlete in her own right in basketball, cross-country and track (she helped the girls cross team to two state championships). The family has 12 grandchildren now, plus another on the way.
“My wife has been a big help all these years,” Zeerip said. “She’s like a coach right by my side and I can’t say enough about the great things she did.”
Fellow coaches have been part of Zeerip’s journey, too - Rich Brimmer, another former Hesperia coach, and wife Dora; Jeff Thome, who coached with Zeerip at Hesperia and Fremont, and his wife Barb; Baird, Zeerip’s longtime colleague; fellow 2025 inductees Tim Jones, the longtime Pine River coach, and Jack Richardson of Eaton Rapids and Grandville; Dennis Paquette of Bangor; Don Rinehart of Holton and Rockford; and more.
Others Zeerip felt deserved mention were Dr. Christopher Hudson; the Breuker family; the Slinkard family;
and Tee Ward, the Packers’ most accomplished wrestler under Zeerip. It’s safe to say wrestling had a profoundly positive impact on Zeerip’s life - on and maybe especially off the mat.
“It’s just been a super time,” Zeerip said. “You hit some bumps in the road, but overall we’ve been very blessed with success, and I’m so proud of so many kids for doing well academically and athletically. Wrestling really helps kids learn responsibility and to go to work and accomplish something. You have to go out there by yourself, work hard and good things will happen.”
Longtime official Edmundo Flores also set to be inducted Edmundo Flores, a longtime MHSAA wrestling official and Shelby High School alumnus, is also set to be inducted into the MWA Hall of Fame in November.
is pursuing a feature on Flores’
plishment to run in a future
possession, and its final chance ended with the Cardinals picking off a pass on third down at its own 25.
Halen Boos led the Pirate defensive charge with 10 tackles on the night, and Keaghan Monroe had six. Logan Jorissen recorded a pair of pass breakups.
Hesperia unable to slow down MCC
Hesperia struggled to slow down a potent Mason County Central attack Friday, taking a 49-20 defeat.
The Panthers dropped to 1-6 and 0-4 in the West Michigan Conference Rivers.
Tucker Bolles had a big night throwing the ball, completing half of his 24 attempts for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Eli Edens led the receivers with 140 yards and two of those scores.
However, the Panthers’ running game struggled. Leading rusher Ryan Fuentes managed 37 yards.
On defense, Noah Walker, Dominic Rivera and Evan Conkle each had five tackles.
Hart falls to Montague in pre-district match
By Andy Roberts
The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
HART — Hart entered last Thursday’s pre-district matchup with Montague hopeful that it could replicate a regular-season victory over the Wildcats, but two quick goals from Montague put Hart in a hole it couldn’t dig out of in a 2-0 defeat.
The Wildcats’ Noah Raeth managed to sneak a couple of long and well-placed shots past Pirate keeper Miguel Escamilla early in the game. The Pirates had been struggling to score goals in recent games, not going over two goals in any of the previous six games, so conceding early was a blow.
“(Raeth) had two amazing, really well-placed shots,” Hart coach Jonah Kelley said. “People don’t score on Miguel from that far out too often...Especially when we’ve been struggling to score, your job’s a lot tougher playing from behind. We just made a mistake up top with rotations and that left us pretty vulnerable on the left side.”
Hart (4-15-1) tried hard to rally back, but Montague was able to be aggressive to the ball on many occasions and maintained possession, making it more difficult for the Pirates to launch any sustained counter-attacks.
The Hart defense and Escamilla showed improvement throughout the season - the Pirates only allowed over three goals twice after the calendar hit September - and Kelley said the work that side of the ball put in was one of the things he was most impressed with from his team. Some late momentum in the midfield, unfortunately, couldn’t be sustained into Thursday.
“The defense stepped it up big time,” Kelley said. “We had pretty much all new guys back there. We went from very shaky at best to reliable, solid and tough to score on. We struggled in the midfield all year. We finally found some momentum, it feels like, in the last two games here, but we just couldn’t finish, unfortunately.”
In future seasons, Kelley said he hopes the team is able to enjoy the process more rather than worrying
about results, believing this year’s Pirates felt a lot of pressure to perform when the team got off to a slower start than the players anticipated. Still, he expressed pride in the Pirates’ season-long effort.
“I’m proud that we battled till the
end,” Kelley said. “I’m proud that these guys stuck it out with me and gave me their best effort. They had a lot of improvements throughout the season. We just ran out of time to improve, unfortunately.”
Hart’s Logan Dean fields the ball while being pressured by Montague’s Levi Beckman during last Thursday’s pre-district game at Hart. The Pirates lost, 2-0.
• Andy Roberts/Echo
Shelby’s Trevor Weiss tries to pull in a pass during Friday’s game against Manistee. The Tigers rolled to a 48-20 win to clinch a winning regular season.
• Amanda Dodge/Echo
The Echo
accom-
issue.
Hart teams win again, clinch WMC Rivers titles
By Andy Roberts
The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
Hart continued its reign over the West Michigan Conference Rivers Tuesday by polishing off league championships at the season’s final jamboree in Ravenna.
It marked the 10th consecutive conference title for the girls’ team and the ninth for the boys’. Both teams earned near-perfect scores, but the Pirate girls shone brightest by getting 18 points, just three away from a perfect score of 15. Hart had four of the first five finishers, with Natalie Rosema picking up the win in the race with a time of 20:33.9. Three Pirates finished within a second of each other to take third, fourth and fifth: Alaina Schaner (21:47.6), Luisa VanderZwaag (21:48.1) and Bryn Riley (21:48.7). Emma Miller closed the scoring with a time of 22:29.9, coming in ninth. Kenai Kokx rounded out the top 10 (23:17.5).
The Hart boys had 20 points, and their five scorers all placed in the top seven. Silas Ackley won the race in a time of 18:21.7, just a few seconds ahead of teammate Aiden Schaner in second (18:26.3). Trevor VanderKodde placed fourth (18:37.3) and Car-
At left, Hesperia’s Rokhaya Ruhstorfer (right) chases down Mason County Central’s Adison Thorne during Tuesday’s WMC Rivers jamboree in Ravenna. At right, Hart’s Carson Ackley celebrates as he approaches the finish line just ahead of teammate Timothy Wolff. The Pirates won both the boys’ and girls’ races to clinch conference titles, while Ruhstorfer finished 14th in the girls’ race for Hesperia. • Connie VanDerZanden/Echo
son Ackley was sixth (18:39.9). Timothy Wolff was Hart’s fifth scorer, in seventh (18:40.6). Mason Opalewski (18:50.2), Julian Lopez (18:50.5) and Owen VanderVlucht (18:50.9) took the final top-10 spots. Shelby finished third in the girls’ race, with Noel Parker leading the way in seventh place (22:24.8).
Kathryn Beyer finished 13th (23:37.8). Other Tiger scorers were Ava Lamberg in 20th (25:39.4), April Luna in 22nd (25:49.5) and Sydney Reed in 25th (26:25.2).
The Hart cross-country teams celebrated their WMC Rivers titles after Tuesday’s jamboree in Ravenna. For the boys team (left), team members include, left to right, front row, Donald Budrew, Julian Lopez, Silas Ackley, Trason Tucker, Tysen Bateson, Carsten Udell, Juan Guardiola-Parra and Robert Buchanan; second row, Reise Bateson, Noah Wolff, Carson Ackley, Rhet Johnson, Aiden Schaner, Caden VanGelderen, Leonard Udell and Martin Fetteroff; third row, Cole Slotman, Owen VanderVlucht, Mason Opalewski, Jack Slotman, Trevor VanderKodde, Bryce VanderKodde and Timothy Wolff. Girls team members (right) include, left to right, front row, Abigail Studer, Patricia Lopez-Guzman, Alaina Schaner, Viviana VanAgtmael and Kenai Kokx; second row, Ashlyn Smith, Luisa VanderZwaag, ElliAna Guikema, Baleigh Klotz, Lily Payne, Joselyn Flores, Emma Miller, Natalie Rosema and Bryn Riley. • Connie VanDerZanden/Echo
PUBLIC NOTICE
GOLDEN TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
In accordance with Section 18.6 of the Golden Township Zoning Ordinance the Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Golden Township Offices, 5527 W. Fox Road, Mears, to hear a request from Ross Hopkins, 7237 Homer Lake Rd., Shelby MI 49455, Property # 64-006-013-400-09 in the Commercial Industrial district to reduce the lot width from 200’ to 179.74’ & 150’.
Hesperia didn’t score in the girls’ race, but Rokhaya Ruhstorfer had a strong run in 14th place (23:45.4). Also finishing were Chloie Cryderman (40th, 30:24.1), Elyssa Wright (46th, 33:47.8) and Danielle Merritt (47th, 39:06.7).
In the boys’ race, Hesperia was third and Shelby was fourth. The Tigers’ Parker Weirich placed fifth in the race (18:37.7), with teammate Brycen Brown in 12th (18:54.8). Other scorers were Declan Waller in 41st (23:43.5), Brandon Mitteer in 50th (27:29.2) and Edmund Hayes in 51st (27:31.9).
Nate Ruhstorfer narrowly missed the top 10 for Hesperia, placing 11th (18:53.3). Andy Lopez-Garcia came in 16th (19:46.9) and his brother Tony was 29th (21:40.5). Hunter Tinkham (35th, 22:28.4) and Paul Winchel (36th, 22:53.7) scored for the Panthers as well.
PUBLIC NOTICE
WEARE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
Weare Township Planning Commission is having a Special meeting October 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM in the Weare Township Hall. Public is Welcome.
JOB POSTING
VILLAGE OF SHELBY VILLAGE HALL DEPUTY CLERK/TREASURER
The application and related documents may be seen at the Township Office at 5527 W. Fox Road, Mears. Written comments may be sent to the Zoning Board of Appeals at P.O. Box 26, Mears, MI 49436, fax 231-873-1413, or email, zoning@goldentownshipmi.gov and must be received by Monday the day before the abovementioned date.
GOLDEN TOWNSHIP
Synopsis of Meeting October 7, 2025
Regular Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM.
Present: Robert Draper, Connie Cargill, Rachel Iteen, Bill Kolenda, Doug Dykstra and 12 guests.
Items approved:
• Minutes of Last month’s Township Board Meeting
• Bills Approved for Payment
• Purchase of Signs for Mears Commercial Parking
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Copies of meeting minutes are available from the township and approved minutes on our website, www.goldentownship.org.
- Rachel Iteen, Clerk
The Village of Shelby is seeking applicants for a Deputy Clerk/Treasurer. The selected applicant will perform administrative assistance and general office support services for the Village Clerk/Treasurer, Village Administrator, and Police Chief. Research and respond to both routine and unique matters regarding a wide variety of Village matters. Serves as the first point of contact for Village residents visiting the Village Hall.
This position offers 28 hours a week with a flexible schedule, as it aligns with open office hours from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The ideal candidate will be able to provide clerical support including sorting and distributing mail, prepare letters and other correspondence, maintain office files, assist with preparing meeting packets, perform accounts receivable, acts as a receptionist, assist with accounts payable and payroll, manage website and social media, assists the Zoning Administrator in administering zoning and code enforcement, and in the Clerk/Treasurer’s absence, attends meetings, records and prepares official meeting minutes, and assures legal notices are published.
The compensation range is $16.36 to $21.47 per hour depending on qualifications. Applicants should submit a completed application and resume to:
Village Clerk Village of Shelby 218 N. Michigan Ave. Shelby, MI 49455 Or email: clerk@shelbyvillage.com
For questions, contact Village Hall at (231) 861-4400. Applications must be submitted by no later than FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025.
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Crystal Budde hired as Whitehall treasurer
Crystal Budde hired as Whitehall treasurer
Crystal Budde hired as Whitehall treasurer
Council also approves switch to even-year elections, starting 2028
Council also approves switch to even-year elections, starting 2028
Council also approves switch to even-year elections, starting 2028
White Lake Mirror Editor
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
By Andy Roberts
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
WHITEHALL — Whitehall's city council confirmed the selection of Crystal Budde as the new treasurer at its regular meeting Tuesday. Budde was previously clerk and treasurer for the Village of Shelby.
WHITEHALL — Whitehall's city council confirmed the selection of Crystal Budde as the new treasurer at its regular meeting Tuesday. Budde was previously clerk and treasurer for the Village of Shelby.
WHITEHALL — Whitehall's city council confirmed the selection of Crystal Budde as the new treasurer at its regular meeting Tuesday. Budde was previously clerk and treasurer for the Village of Shelby.
According to discussion during the confirmation, which was made 6-0 (Scott Brown was absent from the meeting), Budde will start at Whitehall Monday, Oct. 20.
According to discussion during the confirmation, which was made 6-0 (Scott Brown was absent from the meeting), Budde will start at Whitehall Monday, Oct. 20.
According to discussion during the confirmation, which was made 6-0 (Scott Brown was absent from the meeting), Budde will start at Whitehall Monday, Oct. 20.
Whitehall clerk Brenda Bourdon said the city conducted "quite a few interviews" before determining Budde was the best fit. Council member Jeff Holmstrom said he has known Budde for many years and from his discussions with other Shelby employees, Whitehall "stole a good one" in Budde.
Whitehall clerk Brenda Bourdon said the city conducted "quite a few interviews" before determining Budde was the best fit. Council member Jeff Holmstrom said he has known Budde for many years and from his discussions with other Shelby employees, Whitehall "stole a good one" in Budde.
Whitehall clerk Brenda Bourdon said the city conducted "quite a few interviews" before determining Budde was the best fit. Council member Jeff Holmstrom said he has known Budde for many years and from his discussions with other Shelby employees, Whitehall "stole a good one" in Budde.
The city has been without a formal
The city has been without a formal
The city has been without a formal
treasurer since Alyssa Seaver was demoted from the role in May by former city manager Scott Huebler, who has since retired. Huebler briefly took on those responsibilities prior to his retirement, but current city manager Dan Tavernier said the city charter does require someone to be in the treasurer role. A call to Tavernier had not been returned at press time.
treasurer since Alyssa Seaver was demoted from the role in May by former city manager Scott Huebler, who has since retired. Huebler briefly took on those responsibilities prior to his retirement, but current city manager Dan Tavernier said the city charter does require someone to be in the treasurer role. A call to Tavernier had not been returned at press time.
treasurer since Alyssa Seaver was demoted from the role in May by former city manager Scott Huebler, who has since retired. Huebler briefly took on those responsibilities prior to his retirement, but current city manager Dan Tavernier said the city charter does require someone to be in the treasurer role. A call to Tavernier had not been returned at press time.
Budde said Wednesday in a phone interview that she is originally from the White Lake area, having grown up in Montague and raised her children in Whitehall, so the ability to serve in her hometown community was appealing to her upon learning of the open position.
Budde said Wednesday in a phone interview that she is originally from the White Lake area, having grown up in Montague and raised her children in Whitehall, so the ability to serve in her hometown community was appealing to her upon learning of the open position.
Budde said Wednesday in a phone interview that she is originally from the White Lake area, having grown up in Montague and raised her children in Whitehall, so the ability to serve in her hometown community was appealing to her upon learning of the open position.
"Everyone was excited and eager to get things done," Budde said of her impressions of leadership in Whitehall. "They were welcoming in my interview and I was super comfortable with them. They seem to work really well together."
"Everyone was excited and eager to get things done," Budde said of her impressions of leadership in Whitehall. "They were welcoming in my interview and I was super comfortable with them. They seem to work really well together."
"Everyone was excited and eager to get things done," Budde said of her impressions of leadership in Whitehall. "They were welcoming in my interview and I was super comfortable with them. They seem to work really well together."
Budde said her adaptability will serve her well in her new Whitehall po-
Budde said her adaptability will serve her well in her new Whitehall po-
Budde said her adaptability will serve her well in her new Whitehall po-
Rolling through
sition; in nearly nine years working in Shelby, she worked with seven different village administrators. She was originally hired as treasurer, moved to the clerk position after a year, then took on both positions when the village council voted to merge them in April 2018.
sition; in nearly nine years working in Shelby, she worked with seven different village administrators. She was originally hired as treasurer, moved to the clerk position after a year, then took on both positions when the village council voted to merge them in April 2018.
sition; in nearly nine years working in Shelby, she worked with seven different village administrators. She was originally hired as treasurer, moved to the clerk position after a year, then took on both positions when the village council voted to merge them in April 2018.
"Being able to shift and adapt to how differently everybody works," Budde said of a strength of hers. "I'm wearing two different hats here, so I'm involved in a lot of different aspects of how things are run here."
"Being able to shift and adapt to how differently everybody works," Budde said of a strength of hers. "I'm wearing two different hats here, so I'm involved in a lot of different aspects of how things are run here."
"Being able to shift and adapt to how differently everybody works," Budde said of a strength of hers. "I'm wearing two different hats here, so I'm involved in a lot of different aspects of how things are run here."
Also during the council meeting, Whitehall confirmed a change to its election structure that will put city elections on the ballot in even years rather than in odd years, so the next elections after this November's will take place in 2028. As a result, current council members Tanya Cabala, Debi Hillebrand and Tom Ziemer, who were elected in 2023, had an extra year added to their terms, and the council members and mayor who are elected this November will also have an extra year added to their terms.
Also during the council meeting, Whitehall confirmed a change to its election structure that will put city elections on the ballot in even years rather than in odd years, so the next elections after this November's will take place in 2028. As a result, current council members Tanya Cabala, Debi Hillebrand and Tom Ziemer, who were elected in 2023, had an extra year added to their terms, and the council members and mayor who are elected this November will also have an extra year added to their terms.
Also during the council meeting, Whitehall confirmed a change to its election structure that will put city elections on the ballot in even years rather than in odd years, so the next elections after this November's will take place in 2028. As a result, current council members Tanya Cabala, Debi Hillebrand and Tom Ziemer, who were elected in 2023, had an extra year added to their terms, and the council members and mayor who are elected this November will also have an extra year added to their terms.
While the city charter calls for oddyear elections, Michigan Public Act 523, signed into law in 2012, allows municipalities to change their election dates by resolution. Tavernier proposed the change in August, saying it would save the city money to align with the evenyear elections that take place at the state and federal levels. Hillebrand added during discussion Tuesday that voter turnout is traditionally higher in even
While the city charter calls for oddyear elections, Michigan Public Act 523, signed into law in 2012, allows municipalities to change their election dates by resolution. Tavernier proposed the change in August, saying it would save the city money to align with the evenyear elections that take place at the state and federal levels. Hillebrand added during discussion Tuesday that voter turnout is traditionally higher in even
While the city charter calls for oddyear elections, Michigan Public Act 523, signed into law in 2012, allows municipalities to change their election dates by resolution. Tavernier proposed the change in August, saying it would save the city money to align with the evenyear elections that take place at the state and federal levels. Hillebrand added during discussion Tuesday that voter turnout is traditionally higher in even
Rolling through the fall with Pumpkinfest
Rolling through the fall with Pumpkinfest
the fall with Pumpkinfest
The
The White Lake Pumpkinfest brought hundreds to downtown Montague Saturday. Clockwise from left, the traditional pumpkin roll sent kids racing down the Dowling Street hill; children decorated their pumpkins; representatives of local robotics teams put on a demonstration; passersby enjoyed time at the Montague Artisan Market; and attendees flooded Ferry Street.
Lake Pumpkinfest brought hundreds to downtown Montague Saturday. Clockwise from left, the traditional pumpkin roll sent kids racing down the Dowling Street hill; children decorated their pumpkins; representatives of local robotics teams put on a demonstration; passersby enjoyed time at the Montague Artisan Market; and attendees flooded Ferry Street.
The White Lake Pumpkinfest brought hundreds to downtown Montague Saturday. Clockwise from left, the traditional pumpkin roll sent kids racing down the Dowling Street hill; children decorated their pumpkins; representatives of local robotics teams put on a demonstration; passersby enjoyed time at the Montague Artisan Market; and attendees flooded Ferry Street.
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
White River Twp. hits pause on event venues, data centers
White River Twp. hits pause on event venues, data centers
White River Twp. hits pause on event venues, data centers
Institutes 6-month moratorium to examine fits
Institutes 6-month moratorium to examine fits within ordinances
Institutes 6-month moratorium to examine fits within ordinances
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
MONTAGUE — The White River Township board unanimously instituted a six-month moratorium on approvals of both wedding venues and data centers at its regular meeting Tuesday, saying it wanted to spend time considering how either type of facility could fit within its zoning ordinances and master plan.
MONTAGUE — The White River Township board unanimously instituted a six-month moratorium on approvals of both wedding venues and data centers at its regular meeting Tuesday, saying it wanted to spend time considering how either type of facility could fit within its zoning ordinances and master plan.
MONTAGUE — The White River Township board unanimously instituted a six-month moratorium on approvals of both wedding venues and data centers at its regular meeting Tuesday, saying it wanted to spend time considering how either type of facility could fit within its zoning ordinances and master plan.
Data centers have made news statewide recently as they are used for artificial intelligence, and several such facilities have been approved or constructed in Michigan. Of particular interest to the area, WWMT-TV reported in September that one such facility has been proposed in rural Kalamazoo County.
Data centers have made news statewide recently as they are used for artificial intelligence, and several such facilities have been approved or constructed in Michigan. Of particular interest to the area, WWMT-TV reported in September that one such facility has been proposed in rural Kalamazoo County.
Data centers have made news statewide recently as they are used for artificial intelligence, and several such facilities have been approved or constructed in Michigan. Of particular interest to the area, WWMT-TV reported in September that one such facility has been proposed in rural Kalamazoo County.
The wedding venue addition had roots in recent events; a township landowner applied for a special use permit earlier this year to construct a wedding venue, sparking objections from nearby residents, before ultimately withdrawing the application and putting the
The wedding venue addition had roots in recent events; a township landowner applied for a special use permit earlier this year to construct a wedding venue, sparking objections from nearby residents, before ultimately withdrawing the application and putting the
The wedding venue addition had roots in recent events; a township landowner applied for a special use permit earlier this year to construct a wedding venue, sparking objections from nearby residents, before ultimately withdrawing the application and putting the
property up for sale.
property up for sale.
property up for sale.
Trustee Deborah Harris, the board's liaison with the planning commission, said the six-month moratorium will be helpful given the work the commission is also doing with the master plan and the parks and rec plan, among other things.
Trustee Deborah Harris, the board's liaison with the planning commission, said the six-month moratorium will be helpful given the work the commission is also doing with the master plan and the parks and rec plan, among other things.
Trustee Deborah Harris, the board's liaison with the planning commission, said the six-month moratorium will be helpful given the work the commission is also doing with the master plan and the parks and rec plan, among other things.
On the topic of the master plan, deputy clerk Lauren Wackernagel reported that the commission has received an updated master plan from Williams & Works and a special meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28 to review it. There will also be a public hearing regarding non-
On the topic of the master plan, deputy clerk Lauren Wackernagel reported that the commission has received an updated master plan from Williams & Works and a special meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28 to review it. There will also be a public hearing regarding non-
On the topic of the master plan, deputy clerk Lauren Wackernagel reported that the commission has received an updated master plan from Williams & Works and a special meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28 to review it. There will also be a public hearing regarding non-
conforming structures and short-term rentals in November.
conforming structures and short-term rentals in November.
conforming structures and short-term rentals in November.
Wackernagel also submitted a request, which the board unanimously approved, for the township to enter into a contract with McKenna, a Michigan community planning company, to review potential land uses. The cost of the contract will not exceed $50,000, and the money will come out of an escrow check recently submitted by Lakeside Solar as part of its solar energy facility application.
Wackernagel also submitted a request, which the board unanimously approved, for the township to enter into a contract with McKenna, a Michigan community planning company, to review potential land uses. The cost of the contract will not exceed $50,000, and the money will come out of an escrow check recently submitted by Lakeside Solar as part of its solar energy facility application.
Wackernagel also submitted a request, which the board unanimously approved, for the township to enter into a contract with McKenna, a Michigan community planning company, to review potential land uses. The cost of the contract will not exceed $50,000, and the money will come out of an escrow check recently submitted by Lakeside Solar as part of its solar energy facility application.
Crystal Budde
White
Crystal Budde
Crystal Budde
New state budget good news for Montague schools
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
MONTAGUE — Montague superintendent Jeffrey Johnson happily reported the new Michigan budget and its effects on the school district during Monday's regular board meeting.
The budget, which was approved last week and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after legislators agreed to a brief extension to avoid a government shutdown, set the per-pupil funding for districts at $10,050. According to a state press release, that is a record high.
Johnson added that the budget included a 25% increase in funding to
help at-risk students. While the district is still digging into all the numbers, the new budget provides stability for the 2025-26 school year after local districts had to approve their own budgets this summer without knowing how much state funding they would receive.
Further good news came from the recent completion of student count day. Johnson reported that the district has 1,268 students in all, which is a decrease from a year ago but 42 more than the amount it had budgeted for.
Also on the topic of finances, the board unanimously approved a renewal of its summer property tax collection from the City of Montague and White
New treasurer
years.
Odd-year elections could still take place for things like millage requests, but the bodies making the request would then be responsible for paying for election costs.
The council also approved Clifford Buck Construction out of Muskegon as the contractor to construct the West Colby Promenade. Clifford Buck had the low bid of $1,485,518 for the project. That figure far exceeded the budgeted $815,000, but the resolution noted that the project can save $440,000 by omitting a planned bandshell and bath-
continued from page 1
room. The resolution also says the city can sustain the other overruns by borrowing against future contributions to the Tax Increment Finance Authority.
Tavernier received approval from the council to use sewer and water funds for cost sharing as he applies for grants to help defray costs for the replacement of a lift station, a portion of Lake Street and 2,100 feet of wastewater force main. Up to $1.7 million from those funds, each of which has unencumbered balances of over $1.7 million, will be available to use as cost-sharing.
Moratorium
There was, as usual, discussion of the facility during public comments, with township landowner Paul Schroeder expressing support for the project while several residents objected to it. Melissa Lorenz, one resident against the facility, expressed disappointment that in her view, Lakeside Solar has expressed no willingness to work with the township regarding the size of the facility, which its application said will be over 1,500 acres.
Lakeside Solar representative Kendra Harrington reported during public comment that an interactive map of the proposed facility has been posted to the project website and that she is continuing to meet with township landowners about the project.
The board unanimously approved the hire of Steve Smith as plumbing inspector and Jim Hoppus as mechan-
continued from page 1
ical inspector. Supervisor Ron Bailey said the township's unnamed previous plumbing and mechanical inspector, who was doing both jobs, has caused recent issues due to an inability to reach them. Smith has been plumbing inspector in Oceana County, Fruitland Township and Norton Shores, while Hoppus has done mechanical inspection in Fruitland Township, as well as North Muskegon and Egelston Township.
Laura Anderson, the board representative on the White Lake Ambulance Authority, reported that Fruitland Township is planning to join the WLAA's service area next month. Anderson also discussed the WLAA's millage renewal that is on the November ballot. The renewal would extend the current cap of 1.9 mills, which is set to expire in 2026, through 2030.
River Township. Johnson said the district has done this since 2011, paying the city and the township a small amount of money - $3 per parcel - in order to collect tax revenue from those municipalities in the summer rather than the winter. It is normal for other townships in the district to disburse their property tax revenue in the winter, but collecting from those two in the summer eases cash flow issues for the district and provides access to funds that would otherwise need to be met by borrowing.
The meeting also featured a presentation by Montague FFA officers Jenna Woller, Dane Roesler and Elle Moran, who shared various activities and accomplishments by the chapter over the last year, including the national chapter award it won last spring. This spring will mark the 95th anniversary of the Montague FFA, one of the oldest chapters in the organization. Moran said several
special events are planned to celebrate the occasion, with more information to come in the coming months.
The district also received its audit report from Vredeveld Haefner, with partner Mike Vredeveld reporting a clean audit. Johnson and board president Brent Raeth each complimented director of business affairs Stacey Brown for her work on the audit.
Three female Montague students spoke during public comment, requesting the district return to allowing white caps and gowns as an option for graduation. The district used to have male graduates wear blue and females wear white, but have since switched to all blue. The students did not ask that the white gowns be gender-specific, but merely offered as an option to graduates. They stated that with order forms being due Friday, it was a timely request.
Whitehall Aldi plans Oct. 29 soft opening, grand opening events the following weekend
The Whitehall Aldi grocery store, under construction throughout much of the last year, will open Wednesday, Oct. 29, the company announced this week.
The store will host a soft opening that day before a grand opening Thursday, Oct. 30. The grand opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremo-
ny at 8:45 a.m. prior to store opening. Customers will be able to enter to win a $500 gift card through the following weekend, and if they are among the first 100 shoppers Oct. 30, they can receive a goodie bag and a golden ticket potentially worth up to $100. Shoppers will receive a reusable shopping tote while supplies last.
Saturday, Oct. 18
Vanquish the Vampires spookythemed cleanup and winterization event @ White Lake Community Garden, 1 p.m. Bring work gloves - tools will be supplied, along with vampire teeth to get in character. Snacks and treats afterward to celebrate.
Winston Speedway Fall Event, 3-6 p.m. Meet the new owners and management team. Free popcorn and hay rides around the track for the kids.
AcoustiCats perform @ Wayside Bar and Grill, 7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 20
Family Storytime @ White Lake
Community Calendar
Community Library, 9:30 a.m. Open to kids of all ages and their caregivers.
Live trivia @ Red Rooster Tavern, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 21
Baby Time @ White Lake Community Library, 9:30 a.m. Stories, songs and play time. Intended for babies ages 0-2 and their caregivers.
Toddler Storytime @ MADL Montague, 9:30 a.m. Intended for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caregivers.
Steve Thielman performs @ Book Nook & Java Shop, 10 a.m. to noon.
Pretty Fun trivia @ Book Nook & Java Shop, 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Youth Open Studio @ ACWL-Nuveen Center, 3-5 p.m. Bring in projects you’re working on or start something new with help from staff.
The Oat Bran Boys perform @ North Grove Brewers, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 23
1-2-3 Play with Me @ White Lake Community Library, 5:30 p.m. Designed for caregivers and children, the program includes an early childhood specialist to answer parenting questions. Registration required @ wlclib.org.
Live trivia @ Pub One Eleven, 7
p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24
Play & Learn @ White Lake Community Library, 9:30 a.m. Stories, songs and playtime for kids 5 and under and their caregivers.
Afternoon Hang @ White Lake Commuinty Library, 2 p.m. Tweens 10 and up are invited to play video games, do crafts, eat snacks or just hang out!
Trunk or Treat @ White Lake Shopping Center (Ace plaza), 6-8 p.m.
Group Therapy performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.
Echoes of History: The Apple Cider Gang (pt. 2)
By Tom Eitniear Volunteer Contributor
Part 1 of this story ran in the Oct. 10 issue of the White Lake Mirror.
Isaac L. Lanford joined Mr. Rutledge as a partner in 1903, and together they bought out the remaining half interest in the company held by William Lobdell. Rutledge and Lanford operated the cider mill until September 1907, whereupon they sold the mill to E. L. Prussing for $1,500. Mr. Prussing was the president of the Western Cider and Vinegar Company located in Chicago, Illinois. He had a branch factory in Indiana and now had a branch in Montague. Walter Prussing, who was the vice president of the company at the time of purchase, as well as the son of E. L. Prussing, assumed management of the mill.
Walter Prussing hit the ground running, grinding up all the available apples in the area and receiving shipments from other areas, such as Brunswick and Rothbury. Apple providers received 40 cents per 100 pounds of apples if delivered to the cider mill. A successful season wrapped up in January 1908 and the cider mill was closed
with plans for extensive improvements and alternations.
In August 1908 the cider mill received the planned improvements and was ready for the upcoming apple season. A new press and hydraulic pump were installed along with several huge storage tanks that kept the cider free from exposure, improving the cleanliness of the product. Cider vinegar and boiled cider were the leading products, and the improvements allowed the mill to produce 2,000 gallons a day.
Many farmers in the area were probably pleased to have a market for their lower quality apples but may have been disappointed when they learned that they would only receive 25-32 cents per 100 pounds of apples during the 1908 season.
Walter Prussing continued operation of the cider mill, and in 1910 his company branched into the business of canning pork and beans. Establishing a canning factory in Chicago proved to be very successful, and in March 1911 he proposed to establish a factory in Montague and move the cider mill from the North Hill if a free site and building were provided. Similar to previous efforts to establish a canning
factory, this proposal did not materialize, and the cider mill was never put back into operation again.
On Aug. 22, 1913, an electrical storm moved through the Montague area and the cider mill caught fire. When discovered, it was completely engulfed in flames and beyond salvation. Walter Prussing & Co. still owned the mill, and it was reported by one newspaper that the building was not
insured, while another paper reported that the mill had not been occupied for a number of years, and that the loss was estimated at $2,000 but fully insured. The cause of the fire was unknown. Some speculated that it was struck by lightning while others were suspicious of an incendiary device. Regardless of the cause, the cider mill had a productive 25-year life span and went out in a blaze of glory.
Two new clubs coming to the library
By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor
Whether you express your creativity with a pen or a crochet hook, the library has a group for you! Two new clubs are forming, with regular meetings already scheduled. The first is a knit/crochet club, and the second is a writer’s group.
Knitters and crocheters are invited to connect, create, and unwind at the library every Monday from 3–5 p.m., beginning Oct. 20. Whether you're experienced or just curious to learn, this casual meetup is a great way to connect with others, share ideas, and enjoy good company. Bring whatever you’re working on; there’s no formal agenda or registration needed, just a welcoming space. Come create something beautiful with yarn and with community!
Writers of all levels and genres are invited to the library for the first meet-
ing of our Writer’s Group on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 5:30–7 p.m. Bring a short writing sample (no more than three pages) to share for friendly feedback and inspiration.
How We Got Here - Chapter 4
With the Whitehall City Library slated to close and the county blocking the formation of a new district library in the White Lake area, the Library Citizens Committee was running out of options. How could they achieve their dream of providing outstanding library services to the community when every path they tried was blocked?
The answer lay in a loophole of sorts in the District Library Establishment law. It allowed a school district to create a public library service area without requiring any other county or township boards to approve the action. It had never been done before in Michigan, but it was now their only hope.
In a unanimous vote in September 1997, the school board approved the formation of a public library service area within their boundaries, and went further to endorse the formation of an independent district library. That school board action was crucial, but
it wasn’t the end of the story. The residents still needed to vote - not once, not twice, but three times - to bring the new library into existence.
The first vote, in December 1997, was simply to decide whether or not a district library could be formed. With that hurdle cleared in an overwhelming vote of 484-122, the new library was formally recognized by the state in March 1998 and the first library board was sworn in April that year.
It took another long year of work to get to the next two elections. A site had to be selected, an architect hired, and countless other decisions made in order to put two funding requests on the ballot in April 1999. The first was a millage request of 0.7 mills for operating funds for the new library, and the second was a $1.75 million bond proposal to construct the new library. Both passed with margins of more than 2 to 1, and the new White Lake Community Library opened its doors to the public in October 2000.
And the rest, as they say, is history!
FUN FACT: Ruth Grenell was serving on the school board when the library issue came before them back in 1997. While still serving on that board,
she was appointed to the library board in 2012. Though she has since resigned from the school board, she continues to serve on the library board today.
FrankenSTEAM Night
Come on over to White Lake Community Library Tuesday, Oct. 28, between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. for some hands-on fun hosted by the Whitehall Middle School Robo Vikings. Try your hand at interactive STEAM stations featuring simple science experiments, creative engineering challenges, and cool tech demonstrations directed towards K-12 visitors. It’s a great way for kids and families to discover the fun of science, technology, engineering, art, and math - together!
DeMumbrum
Circa 1901 Cider Mill – Located on North Hill bounded by Stanton, Cook and Lincoln streets. • Photo Courtesy of Montague Museum
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SPORTS SPORTS
Vikes tie for 3rd at regionals, earn spot at state
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
WHITEHALL — Whitehall entered the season with an ambitious goal of returning to the state finals despite losing five starters to graduation from the team that made it last year. Friday saw the Vikings accomplish that mission.
Whitehall finished in a three-way tie for third place in Friday's Division 4 regional meet, which it hosted, and secured a bid to state.
"To back (last year) up with a season like we did and to have three freshmen on the team, no sophomores, and just two juniors, that's pretty impressive," Whitehall coach Greg McManus said.
The state meet will take place Oct. 20-21 at the Midland Tennis Center.
The day didn't entirely play out as McManus thought it might, with unexpected struggles at the No. 3 singles and doubles flights, but the Vikings got some big-time performances from William Burger at No. 1 singles and the No. 2 doubles pair of Adam Sikkenga/
Remington Whelpley, among others, to make up for it.
Sikkenga/Whelpley, who earned the No. 2 seed in the bracket, battled through a difficult quarterfinal match against Nate Bolkema/Nolan Walcott of Calvin Christian - a matchup McManus said the duo had lost just a couple days prior in a scrimmage - to come away with a 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-2 win and advance to the semifinals.
There, the Viking pair dominated their No. 3-seeded Western Michigan Christian foes, Levi Leffring/David Ritzema, 6-3, 6-0, to reach the finals. In the finals, they played well against top seed Jaben Bell/Hudson Tolsma before falling short 6-2, 7-6(2).
Burger had another clutch performance at No. 1 singles. It hasn't been the easiest year for the senior - McManus said he's battling a partially torn meniscus that kept him out of the conference tournament - but he stepped up to the challenge when NorthPointe Christian's Noah Dapprich took a second-set lead in their quarterfinal
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
match. Burger rallied to win the set and sweep the match, 6-2, 7-6(3), bowing out to top seed Kaden Bartolameolli of North Muskegon in the semis.
"That was a huge swing in our favor,
because NorthPointe Christian was a school we were competing with (for a state spot)," McManus said.
O's stonewall Whitehall, lock up league title
Vikings' string of WMC Lakes champonships ends at three
By Andy Roberts
White Lake Mirror Editor
LUDINGTON — For the last three years, Whitehall has dominated the West Michigan Conference Lakes with impressive line play, speed at the skill positions and terrific quarterbacks. It was fitting, then, that the Vikings' threeyear run of league titles ended Friday because they ran into a team that boasted all those same things.
A second-quarter fumble recovery enabled the host Orioles to score a goahead touchdown just before halftime, which they followed with a scoring drive to open the third quarter on the way to a 32-7 victory. Ludington won at least a share of the WMC Lakes with the win and only needs to beat Orchard View in week eight to take the league outright.
Oriole quarterback Cam Gun-
sell, a Ferris State University commit, showed his athleticism, toughness and elusiveness on several key plays, maybe none more so than his 51-yard run that sparked the Orioles' third-quarter touchdown drive that made it 20-7 and created a very tall task for the Vikings.
"You've got to credit them, because I think they're an excellent football team," Whitehall coach Tony Sigmon said. "I think that's really where it starts. I thought Cam played exceptional. He was as good as advertised. Their skill kids are very good, and I thought that they did a really nice job being physical on both sides of the ball. They made more plays than us and our kids played their hearts out."
The big shift came late in the second quarter, with Whitehall (4-3, 3-2 WMC Lakes) on the verge of getting to halftime tied at seven. Unfortunately, a miscue on the snap led to the ball coming loose, and Ludington grabbed it in Vikings' territory. Whitehall's defense did
what it could to hold Gunsell and his teammates back, but the quarterback connected with Mikey Hines for a goahead five-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left. Ludington was able to double up by scoring again out of halftime.
"When (we thought it would be) 7-7 going into halftime, I felt like that was probably a game-changer for us as
continued on page 5
'Cats strike early, shut out Hart in districts
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
HART — Two early goals by Noah Raeth proved to be the difference for Montague last Thursday as the Wildcats defeated Hart 2-0 in a pre-district matchup.
With the win, Montague moved on to face Kingsley in the second round in a game that will take place in Kingsley.
While Raeth's goals, which were both very well-placed and came off nice passes from teammates, were key to the Wildcats' win, it was driven as much as anything else by Montague's strong defensive play. The shutout marked Montague's second straight, and coach Brandon Mahoney said that's not a co-
incidence, as his team has determined its optimal defensive alignment - Michael Jones and Tyson Schattenberg in the middle, with Austin White and Emerson Hedrick on the wings.
"Those guys are just strong, physical soccer players, and they can hold their own against anybody," Mahoney said of Jones and Schattenberg. "The last couple matches we've had them side by side, and it is tough to get through them...Emerson was kind of that missing piece for our defense, We tried a few other people, and now he has stood up way bigger than you'd expect from a sophomore."
Montague's Michael Jones considers his next move with the ball during last Thursday's pre-district game against Hart. The Pirates' Jorge Tapia Lopez looks on. Montague won the game, 2-0. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
Whitehall quarterback Cole Essebaggers (2) winds up to throw downfield while Ludington's Logan Sloan pressures him during Friday's game at Ludington. The Vikings lost, 32-7. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
Whitehall drops game
Whitehall's Ian Sampson (left) rises up to return a shot as No. 1 doubles teammate Evan Thomas looks on during Friday's regional meet at Whitehall. Sampson and Thomas won the regional title in their flight to help the Vikings earn state qualification.
Montague blanks Fremont for season's 1st shutout
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
Montague picked up its second consecutive victory Friday by blanking Fremont 35-0, and the Wildcats felt like they left some points on the field.
There were a few drives Montague submarined itself by fumbling the ball, coach Phil Koops said, though the 'Cats were so effective on the ground, rushing for a whopping 360 yards on over seven yards per carry, that they were able to overcome the miscues.
"We went to halftime up 14-0 and we felt like we had dominated them physically and it should've been 28-0," Koops said. "In the second half, we got a little better but we still put the ball on the
ground and ended drives, just things you can't do. You wish you could score every drive you get the ball. Sometimes your opponent stops you and that's OK, but tonight we stopped ourselves sometimes."
Montague's defense, meanwhile, came to play, allowing under 150 total offensive yards and picking off two passes, both by Cole Moss. It was the Wildcats' first shutout of the season.
Koops was impressed with the Pack-
ers' Karter Frens, who managed 87 yards rushing despite good defensive line play from his team, but other than Frens, the Packers didn't have a lot of success on offense.
"They're a one-win team, so there's some of that that helps," Koops said. "We defended them well. They couldn't get it going on the ground and we covered well."
On offense, Moss had another big night, running for 146 yards on only 13 carries, including a touchdown, and Eli Petersen also got to triple digits with 111 yards on 15 attempts. He ran for two scores and threw for 14 additional yards, all to Cooper Bradley, who also chipped in 68 rushing yards.
It's Moss, though, who's rapidly
making a name for himself as the player other defenses have to plan to stop.
"He's our home run hitter, definitely," Koops said of Moss. "It helps when you can snap it once, score a touchdown and not have to snap it again."
The Wildcats (3-4, 2-3 West Michigan Conference Lakes) have their eyes on the playoffs and appear to be in good position to make the field, especially if they can beat Manistee and Ravenna in consecutive home games to end the regular season.
"We laid it out to the kids when we were 1-4," Koops said. "We told them we're going to get these next 3-4 games, go to the playoffs and get pretty hot. We got two of the four, and now we've got to get the third against Manistee."
Reeths-Puffer stumbles early against Byron Center
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
Reeths-Puffer's offense sputtered on two red-zone drives Friday against Division 2 No. 10-ranked Byron Center, and against a team the caliber of the Bulldogs, those were damaging errors in a 42-7 defeat.
The host Bulldogs were able to move the ball much of the night against R-P, and the Rockets did keep up for a time - but stalled drives inside the five-yard line and inside the 20 created a deficit too big to overcome.
"We're very surprised by the way we executed," R-P coach Cody Kater said. "We had a good week of practice, got into the game, and we had some injuries, but it was one of those things where we looked like we were in panic mode at times."
The lynchpin of what offensive success the Rockets (2-5, 1-3 O-K Green Conference) did have was senior receiver Mason Darke, who had 148 receiving yards and his team's only touchdown. His move to the receiver spot from quarterback has seemingly produced the desired results.
"He's a special athlete," Kater said of Darke. "He has a competitive spirit to him that shows up on Friday nights. Our thing here is we don't want to have good or bad surprises on Friday nights; we want to execute like we did all week. He's like that. What he does on Friday is what he does Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm hoping our young guys are seeing that and can apply that to their own work ethic."
Braylon Swain also played well at quarterback, Kater said, going for 193 yards through the air.
Whitehall drops game
much as anything else," Sigmon said. "When they got two scores ahead of us, it became a heck of a lot harder."
Gunsell was the centerpiece of Ludington's efforts, going 11-for-11 for 126 yards through the air and rushing for 157 more. The Orioles wasted little time showing off their belief in Gunsell when they had him leap over the top of the line on a fourth-and-1 from their own 12yard line on their first drive.
That drive ended when Cody Manzo jumped on a Ludington fumble, giving the Vikes the ball in scoring range. Whitehall cashed that chance in early in the second quarter when Liam Leeke ran it in from four yards out, a few plays after Cole Essebaggers converted a fourth-and-3 with his legs.
That was Whitehall's last serious scoring threat, which was just another day at the office for the Oriole defense; in fact, the seven points the Vikings scored were a season high against Ludington by a league opponent, and the 25-point margin of victory was the Orioles' closest game of the season.
Liam Leeke managed a workmanlike 78 yards rushing, and Essebaggers had 66 yards of offense. On defense, Corde Anderson starred with nine tackles, three of them for a loss, and Hunter Osborne chipped in seven.
Outside of two blocked extra points by Whitehall, it was a struggle to find an area of the game at which Ludington didn't excel. Sigmon has been fortunate to see some great teams, and he was effusive in praising the Orioles.
"There were a couple of times that as far as the point of attack, we had three guys right where we needed to be, and (Gunsell) was able to cut backside and then turn what, probably for everybody else, is a two-yard loss into a 12-yard gain," Sigmon said. "That kind of stuff is really hard to defend. Believe me, at Whitehall, after having the quarterbacks that we've had, I know how hard that is to defend that. We've just been on the positive end of it for so many years. Now it's their turn.
"They have a really good football team in every phase. There were times that we made some plays defensively, but the way they played defensively, we could never really get our offense going."
Despite consecutive losses, though, Whitehall still remains in solid playoff position. Another win will all but secure a playoff berth, and one-win Fremont is on deck. The focus will be on cutting
down on mistakes; Whitehall had three turnovers Friday.
"That's my challenge to our kids the next two weeks," Sigmon said. "We've had times where we've looked really dominant, and then we'll have what I call a gaffe... If we get that fifth win, looking at playoff points, we're in the playoffs. That's a big thing. When the playoffs happen, everyone's 0-0 again."
Injuries are making things difficult for an already inexperienced Rockets' roster; Cole Piper was one of the latest to get "banged up," Kater said. All the team can do is keep fighting with two more tough matchups to go, especially next week against powerhouse Muskegon.
Prior to the season, Kater said his focus for 2025 was to make sure his players focused on self-improvement rather than being hung up on wins or losses, believing the results will take care of themselves. There has been progress to that end, but not quite to the degree Kater hoped.
"Every time we take the field, we want to be able to show people this program is worried about the work and not the result," Kater said. "That was our goal for this year and I don't know if we're there yet...We're all very frustrated, players, coaches, parents, community members, and we're still aiming towards being that team that focuses on the process. That's still our mission and our goal."
Sports in Brief
Soccer
Reeths-Puffer 3 Cadillac 0
Zac Sampson, Owen Ritsema and Evan McHugh each scored a goal in the pre-district win. The Rockets allowed only 1 shot on goal.
Reeths-Puffer 2 Ludington 0 (OT)
After 80 scoreless minutes, Owen Ritsema and London Carpenter got on the board in overtime to send the Rockets to the district final. Liam Copenhaver stopped six shots to extend his season shutout record.
Manistee 2 Whitehall 1 (OT)
The Vikings grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the second half but were unable to hold on, falling in the district semifinals.
Montague 4 Kingsley 2
The Wildcats broke a 2-2 tie when Austin White scored a penalty-kick goal to put the 'Cats up for good in the district semis. Isaiah King had Montgaue's 3 other goals to send the team to the finals.
Volleyball
Montague 0-2 at Sparta Tri Montague lost two-game matches to Sparta and Oakridge, coming closer to knocking off the Eagles (25-20, 25-23). Statistics were not reported.
Byron Center 3 Reeths-Puffer 0
R-P couldn't keep up with one of the conference's best, losing 25-10, 2513, 25-11. Kate Tindall had 12 assists and 10 digs.
Jenison 3 Reeths-Puffer 0
R-P played a solid match in defeat, especially on defense. Carlee Bowen had 8 digs, and the team served 6 aces. Kate Tindall notched 10 assists.
Fremont 3 Whitehall 0 Whitehall fell just short of extending the match to a 4th game, falling 2516, 25-15, 25-22. Lou Mulder had 11 assists, and Braelee Fogus and Clare Westerlund each had 4 kills. Mulder also had 4 digs.
Manistee 3 Montague 0 Montague lost a conference match, though the Wildcats put up some solid deensive numbers. Gentry Knop had 22 digs and Reagan Cederquist added 20. Jenna Woller posted 15 assists.
Cross Country
Reeths-Puffer girls 4th, boys 5th at O-K Green finals
Jersi Bilek was the Rockets' top finisher, coming in 9th in the girls' race. Dylan Sturr paced the boys, finishing 38th.
Montague 3-1 at Battle Creek Central Invite
The Wildcats won the Silver bracket title with consecutive wins over Muskegon Heights and Battle Creek Central. Montague lost to White Pigeon and beat Battle Creek Central in pool play. Ava Crowe and Peyton Short, both freshmen, stepped in due to injuries and each had 12 aces; Jenna Woller had 15. Gentry Knop racked up 77 digs on the day.
Whitehall's Caden Bowyer (78) and Jamison Jeffery try to chase down Ludington quarterback Cameron Gunsell as Gunsell lofts a screen pass during Friday's WMC Lakes game at Ludington. Gunsell had 283 yards of offense in his team's 32-7 win. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
Cedar Springs 1 Reeths-Puffer 0
The Rockets surrendered a second-half goal and were unable to come up with a tying score in the district finals, ending a successful season.
Moss
Whitehall's Corde Anderson tries to fight through Ludington tacklers during Friday's game at Ludington. • Andy Roberts/Mirror
Jazwinski, Viking boys dominate at GMAA
Team eyes first state meet as a group since 2013 season
By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor
It's been a remarkable season so far for the Whitehall boys cross-country runners, with their latest and maybe most impressive chapter coming with a victory in Saturday's GMAA meet at Muskegon Community College.
The Vikings posted a score of 33 to outdistance runner-up Western Michigan Christian by 30 points, an impressive performance by any measure.
All five Viking scorers ran their season best times, and four of them set new career bests; Hunter Parsons' only faster time came at last year's regional meet.
"It was amazing," junior Bobby Jaziwnski said Tuesday. "It was just a great day. Everything kind of clicked for everyone on the team that day. Our goal is to win, but we didn't know we were going to win by that much, so we were very, very happy that we won it.
Jazwinski continued to lower his seemingly unbeatable school record at the meet, notching a time of 15:05.5. Every other runner was over a minute behind, but the closest was his teammate Rex Pumford, who came in with his own personal best of 16:16.7.
"Everyone on our team went out in the mile 10 or more seconds faster than usual, and I went out in 4:26 there," Jazwinski said. "Everyone was just super happy to go out and perform to the best of their ability."
Parsons was sixth (16:49.4), and Justin Jensen was the Vikings' fourth top-10 finisher, in 10th (17:26.6). Ian Dennis took 14th (17:38.7), edging teammate Scout Freiheit by five seconds for the last scoring spot. Freiheit too ran a personal best, and so did Matthew Badley, who was 21st.
The glut of personal bests was indicative of a fast course, but Jazwinski said another reason he performed so well was that his dad, Robert Jazwinski, told him for the first time all season to cut it loose at the GMAA meet. Robert and Katie Jazwinski, both star runners in their school days, now run Lakeside Family Fitness in Hart and host an annual running camp for middle and high school runners.
"My dad has been telling me to do a certain tactic because I've had a lot of competition at these big invitationals, and we haven't been really looking for time and haven't been going for a crazy-fast time," Jazwinski said. "Finally on Saturday, he said I can just go out and give it all I've got. So, I went out and gave it all I got that first mile, and I think I paid the price a little in the last mile, but I was happy to go out and push the max that I could."
The Jazwinski family previously ran for Hart - Bobby's sister Jessie won two individual state cross titles and now runs for North Carolina State University, and Bobby was all-state as a Hart freshman - before leaving
Regionals
Less unexpected but no less impactful was the success of No. 1 doubles pair Ian Sampson/ Evan Thomas, who earned the regional championship with three straight-set victories. They beat back second-set challenges from both Sawyer Volkers/ Arend Clark of NorthPointe and Kylan Nielsen/Bobby Gaston of North Muskegon to pick up the regional title.
Cameron Cook/Elijah Roberge won a quarterfinal match at No. 3 doubles, and Lukas McKee/Jonathan Roberge advanced by default in their first-round No. 4 doubles match.
Getting out of a region populated by Grand Rapids-area private school powers is an accomplishment for Whitehall, and McManus is hopeful his team isn't done yet.
"My goal is top 10," McManus said, adding the last time
the program. Bobby was unable to run at the school level last year due to MHSAA transfer rules, but is pleased to have found a home in Whitehall.
"This is the best program, school and kids on a team that I could have asked for," Jazwinski said. "It's a great group of guys that want to go to the best of their ability every race, and it's just a great atmosphere to be around."
With Tuesday's being the final regular-season meet of the season, the Vikings' eyes are trained on the state meet. Jazwinski is the favorite to win the state championship, and the team would also like to qualify to state as a group for the first time since 2013.
Jazwinski, who with Pumford and Parsons has formed a formidable top trio, thinks the team can do it if it remains focused on training. He'll certainly be doing so as he pursues a state title.
"Just keep training as best I can and do all the little things - lifting, core, eating right, getting all my sleep, and focusing on the team a lot on trying to get us to qualify for state," Jazwinski said. "That'd be amazing to have my team there with me."
Also in the boys' race, Montague finished in fifth place and Reeths-Puffer was seventh. For the Wildcats, Brock Hunter (18:01.2) and Wesley Mair (18:03.4) led the team with 19th and 20th-place finishes respectively, both running personal bests. Matthew Leatherman was 24th (18:25.3), Jonathan Mueller took 43rd (19:51.3) and Carson Jasick was 50th (20:38.4). Mueller broke 20 minutes for the first time, and Jasick slashed nearly two and a half minutes off his previous PR.
Rocket scorers, in order, were Dylan Sturr (31st, 18:44.0), Landon Learn (35th, 19:00.1), Gabriel Luna (36th, 19:08.2), Kyron Novak (44th, 19:53.8) and Kasyn Novak (45th, 20:15.1). Each of the final four scorers set PRs.
R-P had the best local finish for the girls, placing third. Whitehall was fifth, and Montague was unable to score.
Jersi Bilek was the top local runner and finished third for the Rockets with a time of 20:00.2. Kaitlyn Durow was 14th (21:51.0) and Darcy Keefe was 17th (22:22.8). Charli Belinger (18th, 22:34.96) and Sidney Shackelford (40th, 26:13.5) each ran PR times and closed the scoring.
Reese Hesse led the Vikings with a 16th-place finish, posting a time of 22:14.2. Ryanne Ellsworth was close behind in 19th (22:55.99), and Ella Nicholson took 26th (23:58.98). Each of the three ran personal bests; Hesse later topped herself at the Whitehall jamboree. Kassidy Parmley (33rd, 25:14.4) and Kassie Sapp (51st, 27:27.9) closed the scoring.
Montague finishers, all in personal best times,
continued from page 4
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
the Vikings accomplished this was 2018. "I strongly believe we're a top 10 team. The rankings show we're No. 9, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. If we can end up in the top 10, that'd be a big deal.
"We have some pretty strong flights. I think we'll have a few seeds in the tournament, which definitely helps...We're looking to practice hard and put our best foot forward next Monday."
were Erica Hansen (21st, 22:58.1), Carmen Howard (25th, 23:56.4), Carlee Gillis (46th, 26:57.5) and Willa Van Loon (49th, 27:11.2).
Whitehall boys win again at home jamboree
WHITEHALL — Whitehall picked up another West Michigan Conference Lakes victory Tuesday in the season's final league race, which took place on its home course.
The team edged Fremont by 10 points, led by another dominant win from Bobby Jazwinski. The junior posted a time of 15:11.3, winning the race by over a minute.
Jazwinski was the first of three Vikings to place in the top 10, as Hunter Parsons finished third in a time of 16:51.5 and Rex Pumford took seventh in a time of 17:04.1.
Justin Jensen narrowly missed the top 10, finishing 11th in a time of 17:33.2, and Ian Dennis closed the scoring in 21st place (18:26.2).
The Montague boys were fifth, led by Gibson Smith's fourth-place finish and time of 16:56.7. Nolan Kessler finished 13th and had a time of 17:54.6. Also scoring for the Wildcats were Matthew Leatherman in 23rd (18:30.2), Brock Hunter in 24th 18:32.7) and Jonathan Mueller in 36th (20:07.5).
In the girls' race, Montague finished fifth, led by Erica Hansen, who took 28th place (26:14.4). Teammates Carmen Howard (26:27.99) and Carlee Gillis (27:37.2) were the next two finishers in the race. Arianna Mueller finished 40th (29:52.5) and Peyton Sweet was 41st (30:18.1) to close the scoring.
Whitehall could not score as a team but did have the highest individual finisher for local squads - Reese Hesse, who took ninth (21:42.7). Ryanne Ellsworth placed 15th (23:37.8), Kassidy Parmley was 18th (24:12.4) and Kassie Sapp was 35th (28:46.9).
District win
It took longer, Mahoney conceded, than he or anyone wanted to figure out what the right lineup was for the team, but the Wildcats (414-1) were working to replace the most decorated senior group in program history after it led the team to its first district title a year ago, so growing pains weren't too surprising.
"We replaced 12 seniors last year, 10 of which were starters, and so to try to fill that void and figure out where everybody fit, it took some time," Mahoney said. "We know where people go, and we've got a lot of young kids stepping up. We've got a lot of sophomores on the squad, and they're playing like seniors. It's great to see."
Hart was never able to sustain much of an offensive threat, and the Wildcats attacked the ball aggressively, winning more than its share of 50/50 balls. Mahoney credited a deep fleet of assistant coaches with building the mentality of the team, including his son Carter as an offensive assistant and Nik Lipka, another former player of Mahoney's, on the defensive side.
"'You guys have to penetrate, and you've got to be aggressive up top,'" coach Mahoney
continued from page 4
said, describing Carter's message to the offense. "I think he was a big motivator to get that stuff done today...Having all those guys there and having some of those alumni show these guys what you can do, and how to strike the ball right (is great). I'm a 50-year-old dude, and I am not going to strike that ball right."
The 'Cats maintained a calm approach throughout the game, driven by the confidence of their first goal. Mindful of keeping possession, Montague did not rush its passes and was able to prevent any game-changing miscues. It can be difficult to manufacture scoring chances when the other team isn't making mistakes, and that was a mindset the Wildcats were successful with.
"If we can start scoring, we get confidence," Mahoney said. "We get that possession in the middle and it's hard (for opponents). If you just play long ball, we can take that away from you, and we did that tonight. You become a one-dimensional team, and it's easy to defend. We are very fortunate that we had probably the best game of our season tonight, so we're pretty excited about that."
Whitehall's Hunter Parsons (left) and Rex Pumford race alongside Fremont's Isaac Romero early in Tuesday's WMC Lakes jamboree at Whitehall. Parsons and Pumford each finished in the top 10 as the Vikings earned first place.
• Andy Roberts/Mirror
Jazwinski
Whitehall's Evan Schuitema lines up a shot during Friday's regional meet at Whitehall.
A little Texas autumn from a Michigan heart
By Margaret Heaton Volunteer Contributor
Welcome to our little home in the hill country of Texas. We arrived here in late September, pulling behind us our 42-foot fifth wheel — our home on wheels. When we left Michigan, the air was crisp and cool, the first hints of fall color just starting to paint the trees. By the time we arrived Tuesday evening, Sept. 30, we had traded 60-degree days for a balmy 103. Thankfully, it’s cooled off slightly since then, hovering in the mid-90s. We’ll only be here a few weeks before pointing our wheels north and heading home again.
We came south for a purpose: My husband Ken is building a classroom addition onto an existing building that will serve as a nursery and pre-K room. The little ones here are absolutely bursting at the seams. It’s funny how a space can feel roomy until you add eight energetic 3- to 5-year-olds and a couple of adults. Suddenly, the walls seem to close in. This new classroom will be a blessing for them and for the teachers who guide them each week.
The area around us is experiencing a drought — which is hard to believe given the devastating flooding we saw on the news just weeks ago. Kerrville, Texas, not far from here, was hit especially hard. The river left behind a bed of rock and debris as the floodwaters receded. We recently visited Kerrville to see friends affected by the storm,
and the contrast was striking: first, the raw power of a sudden downpour, and now the parched ground of drought. Nature is humbling — a reminder of the awesome power of God’s creation.
Equally humbling is the resilience of God’s people. The cleanup is ongoing, but much has already been accomplished — not only by official crews, but by ordinary citizens who rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Groups from across the country have shown up to help, including the Cajun Navy from Louisiana — a volunteer group that first formed after Hurricane Katrina when neighbors had to rescue neighbors. Even one of our locals, Neal Martell, spent a week down there operating heavy equipment to help clear the riverbed. The human capacity for kindness, especially when there’s nothing to gain in return, is a beautiful thing to witness.
While Ken works on the construction project, I’ve been leading women’s Bible studies on Sunday mornings and spending my weekdays writing. I also brought a little piece of Michigan with me — a bushel and a half of Bush’s apples. So
far, I’ve tucked applesauce into the freezer, dehydrated slices for winter pies and long-term storage, and even baked a few batches of muffins. I still have enough left for a batch of apple butter and a bit more applesauce. Before we left home, I managed to put up six bags of freezer apple pie filling — a sweet taste of fall to enjoy when the snow flies.
If you’d like to make your own apple pie filling for the freezer, here’s an easy recipe: Freezer Apple Pie Filling
6 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ cup water
Whisk everything except the apples together until smooth. Add the apples and cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and the apples begin to soften — about 5-7 minutes. Cool completely, then spoon into freezer bags, label with the name and date, and freeze. I try to use mine within six months.
With the Texas sun blazing
White Lake UCC plans Halloween Trunk or Treat
The White Lake United Congregational Church of Christ will host a Trunk or Treat Friday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
HELP WANTED - IMMEDIATE NEEDS
Looking for ELECTRICIANS AND MILLWRIGHTS (multiple openings) for 2nd and 3rd shift opportunities in Muskegon, MI area. Full-Time/Permanent positions. $65K to start with OT around $80-90K+. Please send resumes to jobs@synergystaffing.com or call 412-904-5300 for immediate consideration.
most days, I don’t often feel like turning on the oven. This is Crock-Pot weather — perfect for fix-it-and-forget-it meals.
My friend Cindy shared a recipe with me that’s become a favorite, and she’s graciously allowed me to pass it along to you. It’s a simple, hearty potato soup — just right for a chilly Michigan evening or a hot Texas afternoon when you’d rather not heat up the kitchen. Pair it with a crusty bread for dipping, and dinner is served!
Cindy’s Creamy Potato Soup
1 (20 oz.) bag Simply Diced Fresh Potatoes (Signature Seasoned)
28 oz. chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup ½ cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup Kentucky Legend Hickory Smoked Diced Ham
¼ tsp black pepper
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, bacon, sliced green onions, sunflower seeds
In a slow cooker, combine potatoes, broth, soup, onion, pepper, and ham. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. If the potatoes are still in large chunks, cook a bit longer. They’re ready when they begin to break down. Add the cream cheese and cook for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until melted and well combined.
Cindy’s tip: Place the block of cream cheese on top of the slow cooker lid for 30-45 minutes before adding it to the soup. It softens beautifully and melts into the soup much faster.
Decorated car trunks and pickup beds will delight children of all ages, and of course little ghosts and goblins will receive treats for visiting. For updates and more information, visit the church's page on Facebook - www.facebook. com/UCCthebikepath - or call the office at 231893-3265.
Cindy's creamy potato soup is the perfect way to warm up on cool Michigan autumn day. • Courtesy Photo
