The Oceana Echo - Volume 3, Issue 28, December 5, 2025 by theoceanaecho

Hart hears update on new WSCC facility

By Claire Marshall

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

West Shore Community College (WSCC)

President Scott Ward presented the Hart City Council with the college’s vision for the new WSCC Hart Facility and Community Center, which will be going into the old Gale’s IGA storefront. Ward cited their success with another satellite facility in Manistee, which was rehabilitated from a similar “obsolete and dilapidated” building in 2019 and opened in 2021, and has exceeded expectations as a dedicated community center. Ward said that the college envisioned the same for Hart, with a concept to “bring partners together to improve their community and look at the college for more than just an academic resource. We are also an economic development entity, (and) we are also a social agency.”

The building will house a food bank provided by the Lakeshore Food Club, a community gathering space, an office suite and flexible

classrooms and lab areas for the college to utilize. The office suite will function as space for nonprofit organizations, with Michigan Works! already lined up as a tenant. The plans - conceptual designs were provided for the presentation - also boast a drive-thru extension of Stella’s coffee shop and improved downtown streetscaping.

The project is funded through West Shore Community College, with $2.5 million coming in from outside funding sources along with a $1 million grant from the State of Michigan. For Ward, to be awarded this grant is “an outstanding testament to this project and the needs in Oceana County.”

Construction is set to start in January, and the facility is expected to open in fall 2026.

Following the presentation, Ward fielded questions from the board regarding the facility and the expected impact for Oceana County citizens of having a WSCC satellite in the area. Councilmember Jim Cunningham asked if Hart High School (HHS) students enrolled in the college’s CTE program would still need to travel to the main campus in Scottville. Ward clarified that, while the bulk of college

classes will still be held in Scottville, classes operating in the flexible classrooms at the Hart facility may relieve some HHS CTE students.

Cat Burillo asked if the addition of the satellite facility would expand the college district and allow more Oceana County students to receive in-district tuition costs. Ward said that, while the facility would not affect the college district, which is informed by voting districts, the facility will still act as a great service to Oceana County as a community center and food bank.

Andrew Mullen had no questions, rather commenting on how his HHS FIRST Robotics Club students were excited to see the plans and eagerly await the opening of the facility.

Resolutions numbered 2025-53 through 2025-58 were all passed unanimously by council, authorizing the purchase of snowblowers, sale of property and awarding of contracts. Resolution 2025-54 saw the turning back of a portion of State Street from MDOT with $2.45 million to fund improvements. The planned improvements will be incorporated into the Downtown Hart Streetscape project at no added cost to the city.

Resolution 2025-53 saw the expansion of duties for the Deputy Clerk Laci McAuliffe, who will now also fill an HR role. As City Manager Nichole Kleiner explained, the city saw a gap they wished to fill, and the Personnel Committee believes McAuliffe’s attention to detail, accuracy and communication with City of Hart staff will lead to her success with her new duties. For other hirings, the Hart City Police is seeking a temporary patrol officer in preparation for two consecutive upcoming short-staffings expected over 18 months.

The city is seeking bids for right-of-way correction on a dirt road portion of South Plum Street to follow the pow er lines. While a survey of the area showed that the dirt road would need to be corrected regard less to align with correct property lines, Kleiner wished to show the council visuals of how much the realignment would affect residents. This alignment is in anticipation of the Safe Routes to School project. Residents along the affected area have been informed of the correction and were invited to attend an information session, which very few did.

Please send us your favorite

It’s December again, and besides dealing with lots of snow, it’s a month of parties and programs, Christmas lights, baking and a host of other fun things to do. It’s also a month of making memories with family and friends. While the Oceana Echo and White Lake Mirror keep busy reporting a vast array of community news, we also en-

joy sharing about your family as well.

In preparation for our Dec. 19 and 26 issues, we invite all Echo and Mirror readers to share some of their holiday memories with us. Or if you’d rather, feel free to share any goals or hopes you have for the New Year! With almost 14,500 households receiving our paper on a weekly basis, there’s plenty, we’re sure! Please email Sharon Hallack at sharon@ oceanaecho by Monday, Dec. 15. You don’t need to be a writer to share! Just send us a few details, and we can reach out for clarification if needed! We can’t wait to hear from you and will try to print as many memories as we can!

• Connie VanDerZanden/Echo

Pentwater Police Department invites public comment

By AnnaMae Bush

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

The Pentwater Police Department has been working for several years toward receiving accreditation from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. This association has established a Standards Manual for the Michigan Law Enforcement Program and evaluates individual police departments on the basis of their adherence to the standards set forth in the manual.

Pentwater Police Chief Laude Hartrum has announced that the last step in the accreditation process will be an on-site visit from the association’s assessment team on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Department employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team by telephone or email. Calls (no longer than 5 minutes) will be accepted at 231-742-5536 from 9-11 a.m. on Dec. 9. Emails can be sent to ppdaccreditation@pentwatervillage.org.

Comments and emails must relate to the local agency’s compliance with standards in the state’s manual. For that reason, it is important to know what those standards are. Chief Hartrum has made that possible by posting a PDF of the standards manual on the front page of the village website, pentwatervillage.org. The manual is 88 pages long, and the first two chapters deal only with internal department functions, but chapters 3–6 deal with external situations that the public can appropriately address:

• Chapter 3 deals with arrest and interview procedures, communications, responses to field calls, traffic safety and incident security.

• Chapter 4 covers investigating, crime scene processing, evidence storage, juvenile cases and special investigations.

• Chapter 5 describes standards for arrests, processing and housing of detainees.

• Chapter 6 has to do with school safety. Accreditation is a proven way of enabling police agencies to evaluate and improve their performance. “Accreditation is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.”

The Pentwater police agency must comply with 108 standards for accreditation. Hartrum recited the benefits: “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”

One further way to support the Pentwater Police Department is to send written comments to the Accreditation Program manager, Matt Silverthorn, at msilverthorn@michiganpolicechiefs.org or write to the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864.

Chief Hartrum added that he is grateful for all expressions of public support.

Community Meetings

3rd Mondays: Pentwater Lake Association, Centenary United Methodist Church, Pentwater, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays: Shelby Rotary, Shelby Congregational Church, 51 E. Third St., Shelby, 12:10 p.m.

Tuesdays: TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), Hart Wesleyan Church, 5 p.m.

2nd Tuesdays: Hart-Silver Lake Area Chamber, Visitor Center, 2388 N. Comfort Dr., 8:30 a.m.

2nd Tuesdays: Pentwater Arts Council, via Zoom November-March; April-October Park Place in Pentwater, 9:30 a.m. No December meeting.

2nd Tuesdays: Friends of the Hart Area Public Library, Hart Community Center, 407 State St., 11:30 a.m.

2nd Tuesdays: Hart Historic Preservation Board Meeting, Historic District Heritage Hall, 7:15 p.m.

3rd Tuesdays: Oceana County Historical & Genealogical Society Board Meeting, Chadwick Munger House 114 Dryden Street, Hart, 2 p.m.

3rd Tuesdays: Pentwater Garden Club, various locations, 2:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: Hart Rotary, Hart United Methodist Church, 308 S. State Street, Hart, 12 noon.

1st Wednesdays: Walkerville Fire Department Board, 134 S. East St., Walkerville, 7 p.m.

3rd Wednesdays: Pentwater VFW meeting, 8440 Business US-31, Pentwater, 7:30 p.m.

Every other Wednesdays: Shelby Optimist Club meetings, Stony Lake Inn, 7-8 p.m. (Sept-May)

Thursdays: Pentwater Service Club, Centenary United Methodist Church, 82 S. Hancock St., Pentwater, 11:30 a.m.

2nd Thursdays: Pentwater DDA, Park Place, 8 a.m.

2nd Thursdays: Friends of the Shelby Area District Library, Library Conference Room, 5 p.m.

2nd Thursdays: Southern Oceana Chamber of Commerce, Different location each Month, 4 p.m.

2nd Thursdays: Pentwater Chamber of Commerce, Shelby State Bank conference room, 388 S. Hancock St. Pentwater, 9 a.m.

2nd Thursdays: Pentwater Jr. Women’s Club, Centenary UMC, Pentwater, 7 p.m. (with exception of December)

3rd Thursdays: Friendship Ring Quilt Guild, New Era Reformed Church - Jan-Mar 11:30 a.m. April-November 7 p.m.

4th Thursdays: Hart Fire Command Board, Hart Fire Station, 7 p.m.

2nd Fridays: Pentwater Women’s Club, Park Place, Pentwater, 1:30 p.m.

WEARE TOWNSHIP

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The Weare Township Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Monday December 15, 2025, at 6 pm. The meeting will be held at the MSU AgBioResearch West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center 5185 N. Oceana Drive, Hart Michigan.

The purpose of this meeting is to consider adopting the Solar Ordinance for Weare Township. The public is urged to attend.

There will be copies of the Solar Ordinance available that can be downloaded off the Weare Township webpage or picked up on Sunday December 7th and 14th at the Weare Township Hall 6506 N. Oceana Drive Hart, Mi from 12:30 to 3:30pm. There will also be a few copies available at the meeting.

You can send in your questions or comments to wearedptyclerk@gmail.com if you are unable to attend.

Please contact the Township Clerk if you need any special accommodation prior to the meeting. We hope to see you there.

Area food pantries and free dinners

Mondays & Thursdays: Hesperia United Methodist Church, 187 E. South Ave., Hesperia (red brick building behind church), Mondays 9-11 a.m. And Thursdays 4-6 p.m.

2nd Mondays: Rothbury Community Church, 2500 W. Winston Rd., Rothbury, 231-893-4965, food distribution hours are 9-11:30 a.m. (number system).

3rd Tuesdays: Pentwater Jr. Women’s Club - Feeding America West Michigan mobile food pantry, Pentwater Fire Department, 486 E. Park St., Pentwater, 11 a.m.

Wednesdays: Bread of Life Food Pantry, a ministry of St. Gregory/Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Churches, 11 Washington St., Hart, 231-873-2660, 3-5 p.m. food pickup.

Wednesdays: Community Dinner, September through May, Centenary United Methodist Church, 82 S. Hancock St., Pentwater, 4:30-5 p.m., call 231869-5900 to reserve a takeout meal, 5-6 p.m., dine-in, no reservation required. Frozen meals are available at no charge and can be picked up during church hours Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday during the community dinner, noon to 6 p.m.

Wednesdays: Christ the Rock World Harvest Church, 6985 Indian Bay Rd., Montague, 231-8938900, noon to 6 p.m.

1st & 3rd Wednesdays: Hart Wesleyan Church, 757 W Polk Rd, Hart, free meal, 5-6 p.m., free clothing closet, 4-6 p.m.

2nd & 4th Wednesdays: First Baptist Church-Pentwater Community Food Pantry, 101 S. Rush St., Pentwater, 231-869-5149, also basic clothing and household needs offered, doors open at 9 a.m., register by 9:30 a.m.

3rd Wednesdays: New Hope Community Church, 244 79th Ave. Shelby, 231-861-0536, 6 p.m., food pantry (closed in January & July), turkey giveaway - November, ham giveaway - December.

1st Saturdays: Trinity Lutheran Church Baby Pantry, 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd., New Era, 8:30-10 a.m. 2nd & 4th Saturdays: TLC Food Pantry, 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd., New Era, 231-861-4059, 8-10 a.m.

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

Weather

News and Notes

who donated and everyone who attended!

November 2025 weather included a little bit of everything: sunny warm days and frigid cold nights, as well as rain and snow. And how about the northern lights on Nov. 13? If you were fortunate enough to be awake before midnight that night, I hear they produced quite a show! In other weather happenings, Hart and Pentwater public schools logged their first snow day on Nov. 11, after Oceana County received its first major snowstorm of the season on Nov. 10. However, by the opening day of firearm deer season on Nov. 15, all of the snow had melted, and it became quite breezy later in the day. Overall, November daytime temperatures averaged 46.2 degrees, with the highest temperature, 62 degrees, recorded on Nov. 16. The lowest temperature recorded was Nov. 10 and 11 when the temp dropped to a chilly 19 degrees overnight (which by January and February will feel warm). As far as precipitation, 2.4 inches of rain and 17.83 inches of snowfall were recorded in Mears for the month, giving snowplows everywhere a workout. Thanks to Radio Bob of WEEH-FM for sharing his monthly weather statistics with the Echo and Mirror communities.

Community

The Oceana Community Foundation (OCF) Wish Lists are now live! Every fall the OCF invites county nonprofit organizations to submit three wishes, one for each of three different amount ranges: $0-$499;

$500-$1499 and $1500+. According to the OCF December newsletter, this year over 170 wishes from over 60 nonprofits totalling over $283,000 have been submitted. Visit https://oceanafoundation.org/community-wish-lists/ to find out how you can grant a wish to one of Oceana’s many worthy nonprofit organizations this holiday season. Partial donations toward a certain wish are welcome, as are group gifts! Consider joining with family, friends, neighbors or coworkers, to share in granting one of the many worthwhile requests!

The 25th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Shelby was deemed a success! “It was the best dinner that I have ever gone to. Everything went so well, and the food and hall decor were amazing,” Mark Gaultney, volunteer coordinator, exclaimed. The kitchen crew, headed up by Melissa Flanagan and Crystal Heykoop, estimated there were about 150 meals served, mostly in-person diners with some to-go orders, Gaultney said. Former dinner coordinator Mary Ann Carey reached out to The Oceana Echo following the article published on Nov. 21 and wished to recognize two ladies who were a huge help to her while she was involved with dinner coordination. “Janet Schulz did all of the shopping when she and I were coordinating the dinners. Sometimes I think she did more than I did,” Carey shared. “Also, Alice Thompson would pick up all the (frozen) turkeys and then distribute them to church kitchens all over the area so they could defrost in time for roasting.” Truly these and many other volunteers over the years are who have made this annual event truly about “community.” Thanks go to everyone

The Oceana Echo hears from readers on occasion that they did not receive a copy of The Oceana Echo and White Lake Mirror that week. The best thing to do is to call your post office and let them know. Once newspapers have been delivered to area post offices, issues with delivery are out of our hands. We are unsure why people may not receive their copy of the paper, but we sincerely apologize. It encourages us that you want to continue receiving your copy every week! Thank you for your support!

We would like to inform our readers that the 20232024 Echo Publishing Inc. Annual Report will very soon be posted to The Oceana Echo and White Lake Mirror website, www.theoceanaecho.com and www. whitelakemirror.com. Other website content is in the process of being brought up to date as well. Please check back soon and often to find up-to-date sports, news and information you need and want to know.

Veterans

Veterans Day may have come and gone, but veterans and veteran organizations work hard yearround to help our community in a number of ways. Please consider supporting any one or all of these important organizations with your financial contributions or physical attendance so they can continue supporting others.

• 1st Mondays: Shelby American Legion, 122 Ferry Street, Shelby, Dinner 6 p.m.; Meeting 7 p.m.

• 2nd Mondays: (November through April) Hart American Legion, Hart Community Center, 7 p.m.

• 3rd Mondays: OCDVA Coffee & Donuts for Veterans, Spouses and Veteran Widows, Heritage Wedding Barn, Shelby, 9-11 a.m.

• 2nd Thursdays: Hart VFW, 802 S. State St., Hart, 7 p.m.

• 3rd Thursdays: Pentwater VFW, 844 Business US-31, Pentwater, 7:30 p.m.

• Contributed photo by Tom Spees

This page is brought to you by:

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

Postcards

By Claire Marshall The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

I don’t know about you all, but when I’m snowed in and chilly, I like to watch movies set in picturesque, balmy locales and scroll through my camera roll of more tropical vacations. If I were willing to brave the icy roads and stroll through an antique mall, I’d be browsing through postcards from the Caribbean or Pacific Islands or anything with even half a palm tree.

Unfortunately for my piña colada dreams, the Historical & Genealogical Society’s postcard collection only includes pictures of Oceana County. However, what they lack in cabanas they make up for in historic photos of snowbanks as deep as the Grand Canyon.

I think it’s fair to say that most born and bred Michiganders have lived through at least one snowstorm where they can stare into the middle distance as they recollect miles of unending snow. I for one remember how we got a whole extra week off of school following winter break in 2014. With little prompting, my dad will spin a yarn about the infamous “Blizzard of 1978” and the month he had off of school.

If you typed “Michigan snowstorm” in Google, the autocomplete function would populate a variety of years notable for significant blizzards: 1967, 1978, 2014, 2019 and (most ominously) “Michigan snowstorm coming.”

While perusing the OCH&GS's postcard collection, I found multiple postcards documenting two storms: 1936 and 1918.

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

The one from 1918 has a photograph that shows the Pere Marquette train traversing through a field of snow, the bank so deep it covers the wheels and lower fourth of the caboose. Looking closer, you’ll notice four engines.

Four engines, four coal cars, and one caboose. I’m no train expert myself, but those more locomotively minded than I will note that having multiple engines on a train increases its speed and pulling power. I’d venture a guess that the caboose pictured is not nearly heavy enough to warrant the extra horsepower, but rather the multiple engines paint a picture of how much power was needed to just get the train moving down the track through the ice and snow.

The caption below the photo reads “Worst Snow Storm in Years on P.M.R.R. - Hart - MICH. Jan 15, 1918” along with a photo credit to R.M. Bedell.

Another postcard also utilizes a mode of transportation to convey scale, with the automobile positively dwarfed by the snowbanks crowding either side. Honestly, I am struggling to tell how anyone could get in or out of it with how little leeway is given. I imagine you could easily hop from the

crest of one snowbank onto the top of the car and make it to the opposite snowbank with little trouble.

The photo’s caption reads, “Seen on Highway M.46, Mich. Feb. 1936.

February 1936 saw a tremendous snowstorm hit the Midwest, with a northwest gale bringing in 45 mph winds and record low temperatures. In fact, that February is the coldest average on record for the entire contiguous United States. For six consecutive weeks in Western Michigan, the daily highs did not even reach above zero degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, none of this was helped by the lake effect snow, which dumped snow as deep as 10 feet in some places. And of course, the summer of that same year saw the worst heat wave in North America in the 20th century.

And to answer the most important question regarding the 1936 photograph - no, I don’t know what model of car that is. I’ll take a stab in the dark and say it's a 1930-something Ford V8, and I do expect someone to hunt me down to correct me.

Neither of these postcards had been written on, let alone sent through the mail, and while I did find plenty of postcards in the collection with winter scenes that had messages, most of them were postmarked in summer and bragged about all the swimming and fishing the senders were getting up to while on vacation. Lucky ducks.

Local, community news is a gift to all, please donate or subscribe today

The Oceana Echo and White Lake Mirror are delivered free to over 14,500 mailboxes across Oceana County every Friday. It is also made available at local businesses and organizations for those not on a delivery route. But did you know we also mail our newspaper out of town for those interested in reading their local hometown news? We currently have subscribers in six states and Canada!

A membership to the Oceana Echo and White Lake Mirror is not only a little piece of home, but also provides a lot of local information needed to stay upto-date on what's happening in our area. Subscriptions are available for $75 for 12 months.

Consider giving the gift of quality, community news to those hard-to-buy-for people on your gift list this year. We appreciate your support! Together

we are providing the news and information Oceana County wants and needs.

We also would like to ask those within our free mailing area to consider donating the cost of a subscription to us to help cover the printing and postage to your home for a year. Please call our office at 231301-8149 to subscribe or donate, or consider mailing a check to P.O. Box 192, Mears, MI 49436. Thank you!

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.

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

1st & 3rd TUES: Tech help, Pentwater Twp. Library, 1-2 p.m.

3rd TUES: Pentwater Jr. Women’s Club - Feeding America

W. Mich. mobile food pantry, Pentwater Fire Dept., 11 a.m.

WED: Love INC and TrueNorth Housing Assistance satelliteplease call 231-861-4880 to make an appointment.

1st & 3rd WED: Free community dinner, 5-6 p.m., Hart Wesleyan.

1st & 3rd WED: Hart VFW Post 1329 Burger/Chicken/Brat/ Ribs Night, 5-7 p.m., dine-in or carry out.

* Donate returnable cans and bottles to the Hart VFW. Drop off at the hall or call Steve at 231-873-1727 for pick-up.*

2nd & 4th WED: Pentwater Community Food Pantry, First Baptist Church, Pentwater, 9-10:15 a.m.

WED: Line Dancing, Park Place, Pentwater, 6:30-8 p.m.

THURS - "Harts 'n Homes" Women's Fellowship, Faith Christian Fellowship, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

1st FRI: Free Soup Supper, Ferry Comm. Center, 5-7 p.m.

FRI: Story Time, HCL, 10 a.m.

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

1st SAT: Baby Pantry, Trinity Lutheran Church, 8:30-10 a.m.

The Ladder Community Center: Christmas Worship (Contemp.) - 12/13, 6:30 p.m.

The Huddle: 6th-12th grade after-school program, M-F 3-5 p.m.

Adult Hours: M-F 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec 2, 16, & 30 - Knitting Group, 10 a.m. to noon

Dec. 5 & 12 - Strum It Club, 11a.m. to12 p.m.

MON: Women’s Bible Study, 1-2 p.m.

TUES: Pit Stops for Men Age 12+, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

TUES: Men’s Bible Study, 10:30 a.m. to noon

SAT: “Celebrate” Worship Service, 6:30 p.m. Complete schedule at: theladdercommunitycenter.com

Registration continues for the 2025 Toys for Tots program

The following are the correct remaining dates, times and locations to register for the 2025 Toys for Tots program. Families interested should attend one of these to fill out a registration form, where a date and time for gift pick-up will be provided.

Friday, Dec. 5 - Pentwater VFW, 3-6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6 - Pentwater VFW, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 8 - Family Dollar, Walkerville, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 9 - Dollar General, Rothbury, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 10 - Ferry Community Center, Ferry, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 10 - Family Dollar, Hesperia, 1-3 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 11 - Pentwater VFW, 2-6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12 - Pentwater VFW, 3-6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13 - Pentwater VFW, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Toy distribution will be BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Dates and times will be provided to families at registration sites. Toy donations are being accepted for all children from birth to 16 years of age. Toys and gift items for older children would be especially appreciated.

Toy drop-off locations include:

Hart and Mears - Family Financial Credit Union, Oceana Eagles, Hairporte, 5/3 Bank, Huntington Bank, Open Hearth Grille, Dollar General (State Street and Polk Road), Gray & Company, Shelby State Bank, Hart VFW, Hansen Foods, Ivy Rehab, Family Dollar, Hart Public Schools, Michigan State Police Post, Golden Eatery-Mears, Hometown Pharmacy (Oceana Pharmacy) and Big Hart Brewery.

Shelby and Stony Lake - Shelby State Bank, Cherry Hill Supermarket, Woodland Farm Market, Images Salon, Shelby Pharmacy (Hometown Pharmacy), Shelby Public Schools and Stony Lake Store.

New Era - Meyers Chevrolet, Dollar General and Hometown Pharmacy Corporate Office.

Pentwater- Pentwater Public Schools, Bella Designs Salon, Dollar General, Supergoods, Pentwater Convenience Center and Port View.

Rothbury - Rothbury Hardware, Dollar General, VanPatten General Store and Double JJ.

Hesperia - Taylor Bridge Store, Family Dollar and Hesperia American Legion.

Walkerville - Family Dollar, Walkerville Schools and Dollar General.

For more information or to donate online, please visit https://hart-mi.toysfortots.org/. Checks may also be made out to “Toys for Tots” and mailed to Jim Carlson, 4093 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420.

D ecember

Dec. 5 - Feeding America Mobile Pantry, Walkerville Public Schools, 5 p.m.

Dec. 5 - Crafts and Cocoa with Santa, The Avenue, New Era, 6-7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 - HPA, Sinta Quartet, Hart Schools Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 - Old Newsies Paper Sales, across Oceana, 8 a.m.; Danny Z’s Rothbury Tavern Pool Tournament, 2 p.m.

Dec. 6 - Pentwater Band Craft Fair, Pentwater School, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 6 - 23rd Annual Tiger Craft & Vendor Show, SHS, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dec. 6 - Family Storytime, Shelby Area District Library, 4:30 -5:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 - Holiday Stroll from Shelby Library to Getty Park, 5:30-5:45 p.m.

Dec. 6 - Christmas Tree Lighting, Getty Park, Shelby, 6 p.m.

Dec. 6 - Photos, Cookies & Cocoa with Santa, Getty Park, Shelby, 6:15-7 p.m.

Dec. 7 - Old Newsies Auction & Bake Sale, Hightower Bar & Grill, 2 p.m.

Dec. 7 - “It’s Christmas” Oceana Singers Concert, Hart UMC, 4 p.m.

Dec. 8 - Adult Crafter Afternoon, HCL, 1-2:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 - Friends of the HAPL meeting, Hart Community Center, 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 9 - Adult Book Club Movie, HCL, 2-4:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 - Walkerville School Boosters Annual Gingerbread Night, Walkerville School Gymnasium, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 - Downtown Shelby Redesign Overview presentation, The Ladder Community Center, Shelby, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 - “Sounds of Advent and Christmas,” WSCC Concert & UMC Bell Choirs, at St. Joseph, Weare, 7 p.m.

Dec. 11 - Teen Night, Hesperia Community Library, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Dec. 11 - Friends of the Shelby Area District Library meeting, 5 p.m.

Dec. 12 - “Be the Light” Night Hike with Oceana Conservation District, Charles Mears State Park, Pentwater, 5-6:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 - “Behold the Lamb of God”, FBC of Hart, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Cookie Sale, New Era, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Dec. 13 - “Behold the Lamb of God”, RCC, 6:30 p.m.

Pentwater Band Holiday Craft Fair set for Dec. 6

The Pentwater Band is hosting its Holiday Craft Fair at Pentwater Public School, Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be many local vendors and holiday crafts, along with live music to help get shoppers in the holiday spirit.

OCCOA offers many December activities for seniors

The following are Oceana County Council on Aging (OCCOA) events for December. All activities are held at the OCCOA, located at 4250 W. Tyler Rd. in Hart, unless stated otherwise. Please call 873-4461 to sign up or make meal reservations.

Breakfast is available on Thursday mornings from 8:30-9 a.m. Cost is $3, and reservations are required.

SAIL Exercise Class: Mondays and Wednesdays, Dec. 8, 10, 15 and 17; 10 a.m.

Chair Volleyball: Tuesdays, Dec. 9, 16, 23 and 30; 9 a.m.

Drum Fitness: Tuesdays, Dec. 9, 16, 23 and 30; 10 a.m.

Medical Yoga: Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17; 4 p.m.

Zumba: Fridays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19; 9 a.m.

Natural Winter Arrangement: Monday, Dec. 8; 10 a.m.

Christmas Craft with Kay: Tuesday, Dec. 9; 10 a.m.

Board Meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 9; 1:30 p.m. Location: OCCOA.

Movie and Snack at OCCOA: Fridays, Dec. 12 and 26; 1:15 p.m. Horrocks and Christkindl Market in GR: Friday, Dec. 12; 9 a.m.

Cookie Decorating: Monday, Dec. 15; 10 a.m.

Cookie Exchange: Monday, Dec. 22; 5:30 p.m.

Beltone: Wednesday, Dec. 17; Call Beltone to make an appointment.

Christmas Lights and Dinner: Thursday, Dec. 18, 4:30 p.m.

Holiday Kids Connect Corner in collaboration with Read Early Read Often Oceana: Friday, Dec. 19, 11-2

Christmas Holiday Center Closed: Thursday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, January 1,

Dinner Club: Once a month, we will gather as friends at a different restaurant for a meal.

Monday, Dec. 29; 5:30 p.m. at La Fiesta Parmenter O’Toole Office Hours: Please call 873-4461 for an appointment.

Lauren Eisenbarth, an Elder Law Paralegal for Attorney Anna Urick Duggins, of Parmenter Law, will offer a half-hour, no-charge introductory meeting from 2-4 p.m. at Oceana County Council on Aging. Topics to discuss include Elder Law services such as Estate Planning, Long Term Care Planning, Medicaid Planning and VA Aid & Attendance Other Activities: Farkle: Mondays at 10 a.m.

Mexican Train: Mondays from 9-11 a.m.

Cribbage: Wednesdays at 1:30

Walk With Friends: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 1:30 p.m. Mahjong: Tuesdays at 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Fitness at Hesperia American Legion: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 a.m.

Euchre: Wednesdays at 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Quilting: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Bingo: Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure Checks: Thursdays 11 a.m. to noon.

Bridge: Thursdays at 1-3 p.m.

Kaffeeklatsch: Daily at 10 a.m.

Cards & Games: Daily before and following lunch

Performing Arts Series presents Sinta Quartet this evening in Hart

The Hart Community Performing Arts Series will present the Sinta Quartet (SQ) in concert on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hart Public Schools Auditorium, located in the Hart Middle School at 308 W. Johnson St. in Hart.

“Virtuosic to the core” (Textura) and hailed as “a tight-knit ensemble exploding with power and virtuosity” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), the SQ is on a mission to bring the versatility, homogeneity and excitement of the saxophone to audiences everywhere. Strengthening an already palpable connection with its audience by performing entirely from memory, the quartet provides a fresh take on chamber music that is at once beautiful, virtuosic and a completely interactive experience.

Having performed in some of the world’s great halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Hall and the Beijing Center for the Performing Arts, the SQ also injects music and fun into the air in nontraditional venues. Since forming in 2010 as soloists for a tour of China with the University of Michigan Symphony Band, the quartet has concertized in nine countries, 38 states,

and two Canadian provinces, giving diverse audiences a chance to experience a classical saxophone quartet for the first time. The SQ made history in 2013 as the first saxophone ensemble to win the Victor Elmaleh First Prize from the Concert Artists Guild Competition and continued to achieve success on the competition circuit, winning the Gold Medal at the 2018 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, First Prize at the 2017 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition, the Alice Coleman Grand Prize at the 2013 Coleman Chamber Music Competition and 1st Prize at the 2012 North American Saxophone Alliance Competition.

The quartet’s programming takes the audience on an adventure through time, geography and genre, often mixing classics from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries with commissions by

today’s composers and rollicking inhouse arrangements from various folk traditions. In addition to their live performances, the quartet recently released their third album, "Sinta Quartet Plays Beethoven," featuring three of his string quartets. The first two, "Collider" (2019) and "Ex Machina" (2020), included predominantly recent commissions and winning pieces from SQ’s annual National Composition Competition. "Collider" was hailed as, “An exciting ride! The ensemble, intonation and technique in this recording are beyond question” (The Saxophonist Magazine), and "Ex Machina" was praised as “tightly performed and flawlessly recorded in generous, in-your-face sound” (Musical America).

All four members of SQ are also passionate and dedicated teachers and relish the opportunity to play for and work with students of all ages. They carefully craft and curate programs

designed for all levels of public school students and every type of community venue. They also run an annual saxophone quartet intensive for high school and college saxophonists called the Sinta Quartet Institute at the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham, Mass.

While Dan, Zach, Joe and Danny all grew up in drastically different parts of the country (N.Y., Texas, Mich. and Calif.), they met at the University of Michigan, where they studied with the legendary saxophone professor, Donald Sinta, and decided to name the group after him for the profound influence he had on each member and the inspired coaching he gave to the group during their student years.

Managed by General Arts Touring, Inc., SQ’s members are all Selmer-Paris Artists and perform exclusively on Selmer saxophones.

Tickets for this concert are available at the door or online at hartseries.org.

Tickets available for Trinity Lutheran quilt raffle

Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting a quilt raffle fundraiser through Dec. 13. Tickets are available at the church or from members and are $5 each or 3 for $10. It is not necessary to be present to win. The drawing will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11:30 a.m. at the church, 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd. in New Era.

8:30 a.m.

Phone: (231) 893-3085

Office Hours: M–Th 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pastor: Rev. Ron Hutchinson stjamescatholicparish.org

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church

Entries sought for K of C Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest

All kindergarten through eighth grade boys and girls are invited to participate in the 2025 Knights of Columbus Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest. Posters are due by Friday, Dec. 19. First place winners will be awarded $25 for each grade group (K, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8). Winning posters progress to regional, state and international judging. Entry forms are available to homeschool and public school parents by contacting Nathan Kroon at 231-845-5436.

3000 Winston Road Rothbury, MI 49452

Mass Times: Sunday - 8:30 a.m.

Please call 231-893-3085 for more information stjamescatholicparish.org

In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

obituaries

Martha Gene Collis

February 21, 1947 ~ November 25, 2025

Martha Gene Collis (Barchak), 78, of Muskegon, Michi gan, was called home to the Lord on November 25, 2025. She was under the care of Hospice for terminal health conditions. Her loving husband, Roger; daughters, Karen and Bonnie; son, Richard; sons-in-law, George and Ron; and granddaughter Nicole were by her side.

Martha was born in Fruitport Township on February 21, 1947 to Ethel Lorraine Barchak (McCulley) and Anthony Joseph Barchak. She was the third born of five girls. She had two older sisters, Sue and Maxine, and two younger sisters, Toni Jo (Dodie) and Robin (Sue). Martha spent most of her childhood and early adult years in the Whitehall/Montague area and graduated from Whitehall High School. In 1963 she married her first husband, Richard J. Yager, and together they conceived two children, son Richard Yager Jr. and daughter Karen Yager. After only a few short years of marriage, her husband Richard was tragically taken in a vehicle accident. In December of 1968, she started dating her current husband, Roger D. Collis. They married on July 2, 1970. Together they conceived daughter Bonnie Collis-VanderMolen (Collis) and son Anthony Collis, who unfortunately passed during childbirth.

Martha was a fierce woman who was loved by so many people, and she made a positive impact on so many more. She identified the most with her Hungarian heritage from her father’s side of the family and introduced herself as “Hungarian American.” In 1985 she was “saved” when she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into her heart and held that life-changing moment in high regard. There are many paths that she walked in her professional life, and there are a few she was most proud of. In her earlier years, as a waitress, she had the honor of serving Johnny Cash and his band. Later in life, after she was “saved,” she volunteered at local rescue missions and similar organizations. She received her Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate and worked for Child and Family Services in 1987 until a back injury took her out of the workforce in the early 90’s. Religion, family and friends were the biggest parts of her life and what she was the most proud of. In her senior years she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Martha and Roger were also very active in the church community. She loved to play card games with her husband and their friends in the evenings. She loved to travel to visit her daughter in California. She also loved an occasional trip to the casino and shopping at local retail shops and thrift stores.

Martha’s dedication to her family, friends and the Lord will be severely missed. They broke the mold when she was brought into this world. There will never be another person like her, and her tenacious spirit and determined disposition have left a significant impact on all those who loved her dearly.

Martha is preceded in death by: her mother, Ethel; father, Anthony; sisters, Sue and Maxine; brother-in-law, Harry Cooley; daughter-in-law, Leeann Yager; and first husband, Richard.

Martha is survived by: her husband, Roger Collis; her four children, Richard Yager, Karen Yagersmith (husband George Smith), Bonnie Collis-Vandermolen (husband Ron Vandermolen), and stepson Scott Gant (wife Tatiana Gant); her two sisters, Robin (Sue) Cooley, and Toni Jo (Dodie) Barchak. Through Richard, five grandchildren: Nicole, Elizabeth, Zachary, Kenneth and Melissa. Through Karen: two grandchildren, George and Erin. Through Bonnie, seven grandchildren: Christopher, Tori, Amanda, Austin, Jordan, Brennen and Camren. At the time of her passing, she had 26 great-grandchildren.

Rev. Ronald Weber

March 2, 1947 ~ November 22, 2025

Rev. Ronald Joseph Weber, age 78, died on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 at OSF St. Katherine Hospital in Dixon, Il linois. Ron was born March 2, 1947 in Hart, Michigan, the son of John J. and Margaret E. (Christian) Weber, attended grade school in a two-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Hart High School with the class of 1964, a year younger than his peers. When he was around 16 years of age, he and his friend Eric Metzler rode their bikes by themselves from Hart to the Mackinac Bridge and back, a trip of about 476 miles roundtrip. As a teen, he also took up raising homing pigeons and sending messages with them. Before entering Central Michigan University, Ron worked for the Oceana County Road Commission.

Ron enlisted in the army in 1966 and served during the Vietnam War. On October 5, 1968, he married Sandra Lou “Sandy” Melchert in Free Soil, and they celebrated 39 years together before Sandy preceded him in death on October 29, 2007. Ron retired as a Master Sergeant for the Army in 1986 and began a second career working in the civilian sector as a mainframe computer technician for TRW and Storagetek until 2008. On April 19, 1997, Ron became a Permanent Deacon of the Chicago Archdiocese, and following the death of his wife, Sandy, entered the seminary in March of 2008, where he obtained his Master of Divinity and was ordained a Catholic priest in the Belleville Diocese in May of 2012. Ron was a priest-in-residence in Belleville, then an associate pastor at Saints Peter & Paul in Waterloo, a parish administrator at Saint Joseph Church and School in Olney, and finally, Pastor of Saint Lawrence in Lawrenceville, before retiring in August of 2019. When he retired in 2019 from the priesthood, he got permission from the Rockford and Belleville dioceses to sub in for local priests in the Rockford Diocese; saying masses wherever he was needed. Ronald was also an Ecclesial priest for the Northern Illinois Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement. After retirement he moved to Mt. Morris, Illinois, where he could be closer to his family.

Along with his wife, Sandra Lou, Ron was also preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Andrew Jonathan “AJ” Ruiz; and his siblings John Weber, Margaret Weber and Rita Weber.

Ron will be greatly missed by his daughter Rebecca “Becky” (Mark) Miller of Dixon, Illinois, and son Ronald (Traci) Weber, Jr. of Elk Grove Village, Illinois; his siblings Ramon Weber, Charles Weber and Christian Weber; his grandchildren Alexander (Valery) Breckenfelder, Melody Breckenfelder, Cole Weber and Audrey Weber; and his great-granddaughter Adalee Breckenfelder.

The Funeral Mass is being celebrated for Ron on Friday, December 5, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Oregon, Illinois.

A time of visitation will be held for Ron on Sunday, December 7 from noon to 2 p.m. at Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville, with burial and Honor Guard rites to follow at Grant Township Cemetery in Free Soil.

A memorial fund has been established in Ron’s name at the Diocese of Belleville for the Education of Seminarians. Donations can be sent to Diocese of Belleville, ATTN: Finance Office, 222 S. Third Street, Belleville, IL 62220.

Marilynn Nancy Engeman

January 19, 1937 ~ November 26, 2025

Marilynn Nancy Engeman, 88, of Ludington, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2025. She was born Jan uary 19, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Howard and Lucille (Mischke) Alfrejd.

A longtime supporter of 4-H as both a leader and judge, Marilynn excelled in sewing, quilting and other handcrafts. She had a varied career, spending many years working for the Oceana County MSU Extension office, St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Hart and Wheeler Farms. Marilynn and her husband, Tom, opened, owned and operated House of Flavors in Hart and Pentwater.

Marilynn enjoyed several years wintering in Lakeland, Florida and volunteering at the Detroit Tigers spring training games. She had a passion for gardening and was a certified master gardener. Marilynn was well known for her delicious fruit pies, jams, and award-winning soup! Most recently she had been volunteering through St. Simon’s Church in Ludington and crocheting mittens and hats for children in need.

Marilynn is survived by: her daughters, Jane M. Engemann of Lawton, Oklahoma and Judith K. (Gregory) Sting of Linwood, Michigan; sister, Lucy Carlson of Whitehall, Michigan; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Marilynn was preceded in death by: her husband, Thomas F. Engemann; sons, Peter H. Engemann and Paul T. Engemann; and grandson, Edward T. Vargo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marilynn’s honor to the American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org, or St. Simon’s Bargain Center in Ludington, to be distributed among the charities that they support, 702 E. Bryant Rd. Ludington, MI 49431. Please make checks payable to St. Simon’s Parish with a memo designating funds to the bargain center.

Per Marilyn’s wishes, private memorial services were held and interment will be in Hart Cemetery in the spring.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 300 W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,

300 W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10019

• On Dec. 8, 1985, The Byte Shop opened in Mission Valley, California, selling the first 50 Apple-1 computers at a price of $666.66. Nowadays, collectors shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars for them.

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257

STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20251124

NOW HERE’S A TIP #12345_20251124 FOR RELEASE NOV. 24, 2025

By JoAnn Derson

• If you are traveling with pets, you know to bring something for them to drink out of. If you have ice in a container, they can lick the ice to stay hydrated, but it doesn’t slosh around or spill easily.

By Lucie Winborne

• The blocks of the Washington Monument are held together by gravity and friction, rather than mortar.

• On Dec. 9, 1979, scientists announced that smallpox had been eradicated. Carrying about a 30% risk of death for those infected, it remains the only infectious disease affecting humans to have officially been eliminated.

FOR RELEASE NOV. 24, 2025

By Lucie Winborne

• On Dec. 10, 1869, Wyoming granted women the right to vote. Some male supporters were motivated by loneliness as much as or more than justice, since the territory had more than 6,000 adult males but only 1,000 females, and it was hoped the latter would be more likely to settle in the area if they could vote.

• On Dec. 11, 1934, following a 13-year struggle with alcohol addiction, stockbroker Bill Wilson took his last sip of booze. The following year, he founded Alcoholics Anonymous, which aimed to treat alcoholism as a disease and not a moral failing.

• On Dec. 12, 1899, George F. Grant, an African American dentist from Boston, received a U.S. patent for the world’s first golf tee. He gave away a few copies of his creation, but was neither a professional marketer or inventor, and made no money on his product before his death.

• On Dec. 13, 1942, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels detailed in his journal his contempt for the relatively humane treatment of Jews in Italian-occupied territories, stating that, “The Italians are extremely lax in their treatment of Jews. They protect Italian Jews both in Tunis and in occupied France and won’t permit their being drafted for work or compelled to wear the Star of David.”

• On Dec. 14, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announced a grant of amnesty for his sister-in-law, Emilie Todd Helm, the widow of a Confederate general, under the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, which allowed former Confederates amnesty if they took an oath to the United States. While Helm received the pardon, though, she never took the required oath.

Oceana County

ANIMAL SHELTER

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live with a caffeinated cloud, Rocket is here to demonstrate. He’s 9 months old, 100% husky, and approximately 10,000% energy. This boy isn’t just active—he’s the lead runner of the “Zoomies Across America” Tour. Rocket would definitely benefit from a household with Husky or northern-breed experience. You know…people who understand the language of dramatic sighs, sudden howls, escape artistry and the daily battle between “I love you” and “Why are you like this?”

If you’re ready to upgrade your life to Expert Level Husky Mode, Rocket is ready to blast off into your heart and maybe your yard.

Rocket 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 Rocket

• For moister and softer cookies, use honey as a substitute for a third of the sugar in your cookie recipe.

• Ancient Romans gave a hard “no” to the practice of eating butter, with Pliny the Elder referring to butter as “the choicest food among barbarian tribes.” Why? Mainly because they used it for treating burns and thus thought of it as a medicinal salve rather than food.

“At a party, a cup of red wine spilled on one of my throw pillows. I love the pillow, since it is just the right size and really soft, but I could not get the stain out. So I covered it with a new fabric. I ended up doing all the assorted pillows in the same fabric, and it made a big change in the room. I wish I had done it sooner.” — I.F. in Pennsylvania

• For moister and softer cookies, use honey as a substitute for a third of the sugar in your cookie recipe.

• “At a party, a cup of red wine spilled on one of my throw pillows. I love the pillow, since it is just the right size and really soft, but I could not get the stain out. So I covered it with a new fabric. I ended up doing all the assorted pillows in the same fabric, and it made a big change in the room. I wish I had done it sooner.” — I.F. in Pennsylvania

• “Keep venetian blinds from sticking to one another and discourage dust by rubbing them down individually with a sheet of fabric softener. This effect will last at least a month in my experience.”

— S.F. in Alabama

• “Have a headache? Try drinking a couple of glasses of a sports drink. This works for me and my friends. Maybe we just need to be drinking more water, but the sports drinks get us back on track more quickly than medicine most times.” — E.L. in Colorado

• Bringing some plants indoors? Use Styrofoam packing peanuts in the bottom of pots when planting. They aren’t as heavy as rocks, and they do just as good a job. The pots will be easier to move around should you need to move them.

• Pencils have never been made from lead.

• The leather diamond patch on the outside of backpacks, called a “lash tab,” was initially used by mountaineers to secure their gear.

• Harvard University is older than calculus.

• Some research has shown that up to 40% of a worker ant colony may remain idle while their comrades soldier on with the labor. But before you label them lazy, one theory, based on scientific observation, is that keeping a team of workers on standby allows the colonies to stay productive.

• Heinz Ketchup has a “speed limit” of .028 miles per hour, set by the company as an indicator of the product’s consistency.

• “Watching paint dry” is an actual occupation for some folks, requiring an observation of the changing colors and particles of the substance as it dries, both on walls and under a microscope.

• Manhattan, New York’s most popular transportation hub, Grand Central Terminal, is radioactive.

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

• The tradition of serving ham at Christmas comes from the Norse festival of Yule, where a boar was sacrificed to honor the deity Freyr.

***

Thought for the Day: “A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It’s a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity.”

Jimmy Carter

The Monarch Yoga and Community Movement Studio opens in Hart

Article contributed by Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema

The Monarch Yoga and Community Movement Studio has opened its doors at 408 S. State Street in downtown Hart. This glass-encased, community wellness studio is housed in the former 1956 Hart Congregational Church Day School. This space is dedicated entirely to yoga and dance, exploring living and traditional arts, intergenerational wellness and the creation of community through movement. They’ve begun operations with a full schedule of 20 classes per week for all ages and stages of living, from preschool mini movers classes and elementary dance to chair yoga.

Local Hart native Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema won the entrepreneurial campaign, “Pitch for Parcel,” held by the Hart TIFA this spring. As part of winning that award, Davis-Dykema took on a lease for the building in mid-September with the intention of creating the studio for public use. In the past nine weeks, with the help of many community members, the former “Robinson building” has been renovated into a community space that honors the mid-century modern architecture.

This creative thinker’s competition also earned Davis-Dykema the chance to purchase all three historic buildings at the Hart Congregational Church, a process that is underway by The Monarch in Hart, LLC, with plans to renovate and restore the 140-yearold historic campus for multiple purposes in the future. Current expansion plans, once renovations and accessibility have been funded and completed, include using all three venues to host many types of community events and organizations, theater, music and dance programs, family reunions, weddings, movement programs and retreats at the 1885 historic Pentwater brick church. Partnering lodging will eventually be available through the original 1887 parsonage onsite, and access to farm foods will support local growers as part of a farm stand model that starts as part of Stage 2 at the yoga studio in the spring of 2026. Phase 1 included a complete reflooring, which was partially funded by the Happy Farmers Art of Living support funds.

Current weekly class offerings at the studio include 20 classes offered by over a dozen of the area’s movement guides. Featuring gentle movement for all ages, along with strength-building classes, Zumba and Zumba Gold, restorative yoga that focuses on cultivating relaxation, yin yoga which targets the connective tissue and joint health as well as cultivating presence and the very popular Chair Yoga for All Ages, which supports bodies that may need additional accommodation or struggle with limitations or are recovering from injury or surgery. Preschool Mini Movers and elementary dance are being offered through the Creative Kids Movement Network on Friday afternoons, and sliding scale dance programs begin in January.

Additionally, for those new to yoga or movement, Davis-Dykema offers a Beginning Yoga class on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 that focuses on the mind, body and spirit connection, with evidence-based insights for whole-self wellness. A more individualized therapeutic mode of Beginning Yoga is offered on Thursdays at the same time

by yoga therapist Rob Eschbach. This class works from the Medical Yoga Manuals and is a unique offering from many traditional modern yoga classes and local yoga studios.

Classes range in price from donation for Qigong to $8 for Zumba Gold, $10 for Chair Yoga and Zumba and $13 to drop-in for yoga, with class passes available at a discounted rate of $11 when bought in groups of five or 10. The Monarch in Hart is an inclusive and welcoming space to all that aims to create community bonds, born from the opportunity to engage with neighbors and friends regularly as we work towards community care and community wellness. Their mission is to celebrate the uniqueness of Oceana County and their historic site, which is an iconic community building with connections to many local citizens, all as they work to strengthen community ties through connection to the arts and accessibility to movement and wellness.

As such, classes are made deeply accessible to meet everybody who enters the room while making students feel warm and welcomed and perfect exactly as they are, and teachers are willing to work one-on-one with all students to ensure their involvement despite times of injury or financial difficulty. Anyone interested in learning more about the reciprocity, donation classes or pay-what-youcan options can reach Davis-Dykema directly at themonacrhinhart@gmail.com Registration is currently onsite, with advance registration systems being built for online and advance registration, which should be available in the weeks ahead.

“We are humbled by the opportunity to build The Monarch in Hart in our hometown, where I graduated just 25 years ago. There are so many wonderful people in Oceana County, and we love to be in community with our neighbors. It has been an honor to begin work on transforming these community landmarks into venues aimed at even more social engagement and health and wellness in the future for every generation in Oceana County. From preschool movement classes to chair yoga and everything in between, we truly offer something for everyone at the studio. We hope that everyone in Oceana County will find a way to make The Monarch a part of their lives, and we hope to be here for a very long time into Hart’s future,” said Davis-Dykema.

The Monarch in Hart Yoga and Community Movement Studio is hosting a Jazzy Open House at the studio on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., free and open to the public, with no need to register. There will be live jazz music from vocalist Shelby Mason and snacks as well as raffle prizes donated from Craze in Pentwater. There is no need to register in advance for yoga or for the open house, and more information is available about booking private yoga, about public events, the class schedule and pricing at theMonarchinhart.com or by reaching out on social media at The Monarch in Hart on Facebook or Instagram.

PUBLIC

NOTICE

Newfield Township Board Meeting Dates 2026

January 20

February 17

March 17

*April 28

May 19

June 16

July 21

August 16

September 15

October 20

November 17

December 15

Peterson Brands announces acquisition of Country Pure Foods

Peterson Brands, LLC, a leading provider of high-quality fruit and vegetable beverages, part of the Peterson Farms Family of Companies, announced Dec. 2 the acquisition of Country Pure Foods, a leading U.S. producer of portioned and multi-serve juices, plantbased beverages and frozen novelties. This acquisition strengthens Peterson Brands’ position in key beverage categories and expands its presence across both retail and foodservice markets.

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Country Pure Foods operates multiple manufacturing facilities across the United States, including locations in Akron, Ohio; Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida; Ellington, Connecticut; and DeLand, Florida. The company brings a broad portfolio of trusted brands—such as Ardmore Farms, SideKicks, VBlend, FUN!, VitaMost and Glacier Valley—along with extensive private label and co-manufacturing capabilities. Country Pure Foods serves a diverse customer base in K-12 schools, healthcare, restaurants and retail, providing beverage solutions that meet evolving nutritional and menu needs.

“We are excited to welcome Country Pure Foods into Peterson Brands,” Chief Executive Officer of the Peterson Farms Family of Companies Aaron Peterson said. “Country Pure Foods’ product expertise,

channel strength and long-standing customer relationships make them a natural addition to our organization. Together, we will expand our ability to deliver high-quality, innovative beverage solutions to customers nationwide.”

Peterson Brands, LLC operates within the broader Peterson Farms Family of Companies, headquartered in Shelby, Michigan, which also includes Peterson Farms Inc., Peterson Farms Fresh, Lakewood Organic, and Fresh Innovations California. Collectively, the family of companies serves retail, foodservice, K-12 and industrial markets across processed fruit, fresh-cut produce, branded beverages, organic juices and functional nutrition.

The acquisition of Country Pure Foods meaningfully enhances Peterson Brands’ manufacturing and distribution capabilities. During the initial integration period, day-to-day operations at Country Pure Foods will continue without immediate changes. Both organizations will work together to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition for employees, customers, and partners.

“This acquisition represents a long-term investment in people, capabilities and innovation,” added Peterson. “We look forward to combining the strengths of both companies to create new opportunities for the customers and communities we serve.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

In accordance with Section 19.4 of the Golden Township Zoning Ordinance a Public Hearing will be held 6:30 P.M. Tuesday December 30, 2025, at the Golden Township Offices, 5527 W Fox Road, Mears, to take public comment on:

Zoning Ordinance amendment for #14C Solar Ordinance to create a workable ordinance with State Public Act 233.

To hear a request for a Special Use Permit from Oceana County Historical & Genealogical Society to renovate Red’s House to a Historical Park “Welcome Center” at 5833 W Fox Rd. Lots 5 & 6 Village of Mears, Block 23 parcel # 64-006-733-005-00

The proposed amendment, along with the Special Use application and related materials may be seen at the Golden Township Offices during normal business hours or by contacting Shelly Peel 231-8734413 for an appointment. Written comments will be accepted until Noon on Monday the day before the above noted meeting date by mail, Planning Commission, P.O. Box 26, Mears, MI 49436, Fax 231-873-1413, or email zoning@goldentownshipmi.gov.

Frenetic pace propels Pirates to big win

Hart leads 28-6 after a quarter, finishes first half strong en route to victory

By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

MONTAGUE — Hart coach Nick Bronsema’s team has been putting in a lot of work since last season’s district finals defeat, and Tuesday night the Pirates were able to show off the results of that labor.

Hart raced to a 12-point lead within the first couple minutes of its season opener at Montague and put away the Wildcats with a late first-half scoring run, cruising to a 74-41 win.

The Pirates played a fast-paced, inyour-face style on defense that threw off the Wildcats backcourt and led to a lot of turnovers and easy fast-break baskets for Hart. The Pirates enjoyed a 28-6 advantage after the first quarter.

“Our mindset is that defense turns into offense,” Pirate sophomore Kolton Rockwell said. “If we stop them on defense, that leads to fast break layups, and the easiest bucket in basketball is a layup. Getting in their face just makes them feel uncomfortable.”

It was Rockwell whose three-pointer turned back the Wildcats’ best surge. After Montague scored to cut Hart’s big early lead to seven points, 30-23, late in the first half, Rockwell drilled a trey that sparked the Pirates to a 12-0 run to end the half. Hart never let the Wildcats threaten again.

Bronsema said he’s been around

Hart’s Kolton Rockwell battles against a Montague defender during Tuesday’s game at Montague. Rockwell’s big 3-pointer in the 2nd quarter turned momentum the Pirates’ way in a 74-41 win.

• Andy Roberts/Echo

teams that go at opponents on defense before, recalling his time at Mona Shores, but has never gone as all-in on the plan as these Pirates have. The team’s depth and conditioning are what enable Hart to keep up the pace for large portions of the game.

“Normally, I’ll pull off, but credit to our guys, what we do in practice is extremely hard,” Bronsema said. “They don’t get breaks, because we don’t have many subs. In a game, it’s actually easier because we have more subs. The way we want to play should be very tiring, and what we like is that it should get a lot more people involved on our bench, so we can play more people.”

That depth paid off early in the sec-

Hart’s big win continued on page 11

•

• Andy Roberts/Echo

Pirate girls have new coach, same expectations

Hart plans to continue emphasis on defense and high energy in hopes of continuing recent success

By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Hart has enjoyed its best extended run of play in program history the past seven seasons, and the Pirates expect to continue to be successful with Ron Williamson moving into the head coach position.

Williamson is taking over the program following Travis Rosema’s resignation at the end of last season. Rosema helped the Pirates reach the final four at the Breslin Center in 2023 and won five district titles. Williamson has been part of that run as well as an assistant coach, and now he takes over the head chair.

“I’ve seen firsthand the commitment and culture that defines this program, and I’m looking forward to leading a group that works hard, plays together, and represents our community with pride,” Williamson said.

Williamson said he will emphasize defense, teamfirst play, and high energy, all staples of the Pirates’ recent run of championships.

Hart has a tough task this year as it replaces three star players - Addi Hovey, Breslyn Porter and Kelsey Copenhaver - who graduated last year. Williamson said filling those gaps will be very difficult, but also presents an opportunity.

“Their departure opens the door for new voices and opportunities for others to grow,” Williamson said. “We’ll rely on our depth and versatility to keep our style strong. Defense, tempo, and unselfish play will continue to be our identity...We have several experienced players ready for bigger roles this season, and some younger athletes who will bring energy and skill to the floor.”

Hart is hardly operating with a bare cupboard, of course. Juniors Rilynn Porter and Reese Smith, both all-West Michigan Conference Rivers talents a year ago, are back to lead this team, and second-year players Natalie Rosema and Macey Riley are slated for bigger roles this year. The Pirates also welcome a foreign exchange student - Aurora Virtanen from Finland - who will play a part. Seniors Addison Schiller and Leah Walker will provide leadership as the oldest players on the team.

Hart is also bringing in reinforcements from last season’s JV team, which posted a 21-1 record. Juniors Ava Johnson, Zoily Sarabia and Caydence Bateson and sophomores Joselyn Flores join the varsity this season.

“We expect to have 10-11 girls who will all play valuable minutes,” Williamson said. “And yes, there’s something special about having three coaches’ kids (Rosema, Porter and Schiller) on the team. It adds to the family atmosphere we value so much.”

It will be another tough West Michigan Conference Rivers, and Hart’s matchups with Shelby will no doubt have a lot to say about who wins the league. Hart’s Jan. 23 home game with Shelby will be a Coaches vs. Cancer event, which will add to the atmosphere of that

night. Williamson said most of the rest of the teams in the league have new players, new coaches or both, so there will be much unknown going into those games.

“Every game matters, and we’re preparing for all of them,” Williamson said. “We also have strong non-conference tests that will help prepare us for the postseason...Our focus is on growth, teamwork, and representing Hart with pride. We’re excited for the challenge and can’t wait to get started.”

Hart’s Caleb Ackley tries to get a shot up after colliding with a Montague defender during Tuesday’s season-opening game at Montague. Ackley had 17 points in a 74-41 Pirates’ win.

Andy Roberts/Echo

Hart’s Bryce Vander Kodde can’t stop a ball from going out of bounds during Tuesday’s game at Montague. The Pirates had a lot more success stopping Montague in a 74-41 win.

Hart’s Rilynn Porter dials up a three-pointer during a game against Spring Lake last season. • Echo File Photo

Veteran, talented roster gives Tigers sky-high expectations

By Andy Roberts

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Shelby enjoyed a terrific season last year, posting a 19-5 record buoyed by an excellent group of young players. With the entire roster set to return, Shelby is aiming for the top spot in the West Michigan Conference Rivers - a spot occupied last year by county rival Hart.

“This group has a lot of goals that will take the whole team to accomplish,” Shelby coach Sarah Wolting said. “The whole team buying into the goals and working hard every day with those goals in mind will be the main key to accomplishing them.”

Jayna Burmeister and Michelle Peterson, both freshmen last year, made immediate impacts that were recognized with spots on the all-WMC Rivers first team. They are expected to be even better this year. Teammate Kylie Brown plays a big role for Shelby defensively.

“Michelle and Jayna bring our majority of the scoring,” Wolting said. “They definitely are our go-to girls on offense.”

Last season, Hart went unbeaten in the league and Shelby was the only opponent that provided much resistance, losing two close games in the regular season. Wolting thinks this year’s Rivers will be more competitive top to bottom.

instant

during a

last year,

this

for a

The Tigers’ high expectations are reflected in their non-conference schedule. Shelby will face six of the seven WMC Lakes schools in cross-division play, and matchups with Fremont and Ludington should in particular be measuring sticks for the team. Late-season clashes with Newaygo and Covenant Christian will no

Hart’s big win

ond half. With seniors Caleb Ackley and Miguel Escamilla in foul trouble at halftime, Bronsema did not start them in the second half, but the Pirates didn’t miss a beat.

Maybe just as importantly, the Pirate leaders accepted the move, Bronsema said, and supported their teammates from the bench to start the third quarter. Both re-entered the game later and continued to play well.

“They were every bit as happy for the other guys who got to start the second half and contribute and do well,” Bronsema said. “We didn’t miss a beat in that area, and it was really cool to see that they were excited for the other players.”

As good as Hart was on defense, it was just as effective on offense. The Pirates knocked down four three-pointers as a team and got to the basket in both the fast-break and the half-court offenses. Jagger Lenon led the way with

Hesperia girls hope lessons learned produce improvement

By Andy Roberts

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Hesperia had offensive struggles a year ago amid a trying campaign that saw the Panthers go 0-20. Coach Ty Elenbaas hopes the lessons learned amid those struggles pay off with better results this year.

The Panthers were on the short end of tough matchups against a loaded West Michigan Conference Rivers last winter, and now have players that got a good look at what top competition in the area looks like. They’re ready to put that education to work.

“Last year forced our players to grow up fast, and it showed them that competing every possession matters,” Elenbaas said. “Because of that, we’re going into this year with a much higher level of maturity and confidence. We have returning experience, we have young players who have put in time in the gym, and we believe we can take a real step forward.”

Much of the Panthers’ improvement this year will revolve around returning honorable mention all-conference player Sarissa Conkle. Conkle is in her third year on the varsity and can threaten opponents with her quickness and athleticism.

“Sarissa can be as good as she wants,” Elenbaas said. “She has the athleticism and the basketball IQ to impact every facet of the game. When she plays with aggression, she opens the floor for everyone else. Her ability to attack, defend, rebound, and push the pace sets

the tone for how we want to play.”

Some young teammates will help supplement Conkle’s efforts. Emily McCallum and Chloe Rickard come up from the JV, though they also got some varsity minutes a year ago through the MHSAA’s “fifth-quarter” rule that allows players to participate in five total quarters of basketball between JV and varsity games in a given day. The growth they took in from those minutes should improve their games. Freshman Maddie Bolles is already turning some heads with her talent and she’ll have a big impact.

“She competes at a high level, has surprising poise for her age, and brings a diverse skill set we haven’t had in our program in a while,” Elenbaas said of Bolles. “She’s strong, skilled, and fearless.”

The Panthers know they’re looking up at the rest of the conference entering the season, and certainly at county rivals Hart and Shelby, the two top teams from last winter. The opportunity to measure themselves against some of the area’s best teams gives the Panthers a chance to see the improvements they’ve made.

Whether conference or non-conference, our mindset is the same: Every game is an opportunity to show improvement, compete harder, and build something long-term,” Elenbaas said. “We’re building something here. Our players are putting in time, they’re committed, and they’re hungry. It might be a young group, but it’s a group with talent, character, and drive.”

Panther boys start fast, finish strong in opening win

By Andy Roberts

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

doubt keep the team sharp for the postseason. The highlight of the schedule is of course the two scheduled matchups with Hart.

continued from page 10

21 points, Ackley had 17 and Rockwell had 16.

Lenon, always a dangerous shooter, drew even more praise from Bronsema for adding a rim-attacking dimension to his game. He got Hart going with eight first-quarter points and had 12 in the first half.

“He showed everybody that he can get to the rim, and that’s what he’s really been putting in time (doing),” Bronsema said of Lenon. “He’s added that dimension, which makes it even harder to guard. He doesn’t settle as much as he used to because he knows he can do that.”

“We’ve got inside scorers and outside scorers,” Lenon added. “We feed into each other. It’s going to be hard for teams to stop us.”

If the Pirates continue to play with the kind of fire they showed Tuesday, it would be hard not to see good things

Hesperia topped Mason County Eastern 63-51 in Tuesday’s season opener, turning back a third-quarter run by the Cardinals that briefly gave them the lead.

The visiting Panthers raced to an early 13-4 lead behind strong pressure defense, but MCE used its own defense to work its way back into the game in the second quarter, and even grabbed the lead in the third. However, coach Scott

Warsaw credited Nate Sherburn for getting the ship back on course and the Panthers were able to go back ahead.

Malakai Sellers then helped close the deal for the Panthers with 12 fourth-quarter points, ensuring the win.

Sellers tied with teammate Keegan Roberson for the Panthers’ lead with 14 points, and Sherburn added 10 “and played a strong floor game,” Warsaw said. Roberson grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double.

MCE’s Milo Shoup hit five three-pointers and led all scorers with 17 points.

coming in their future.

“We try to control the things we can control, like with our effort, attitude, and being a good teammate. That’s our

core three that we follow,” Bronsema said. “We’re far from a finished product, but it’s good to see that we do have energy, and we’re getting after it.”

Hart’s Jagger Lenon doesn’t let Montague defenders Logan Hansen (44) and Karter Johnson deter him from getting to the basket during Tuesday’s opening game at Montague. Lenon scored 21 points in the Pirates’ 74-41 win. • Andy Roberts/Echo

Shelby’s Jayna Burmeister powers to the rim

game against Hart last season. An

star

Burmeister will be a key source of scoring for the Tigers

winter. • Echo File Photo

Shelby’s Kylie Brown gets to the basket

layup during a game against Potter’s House last season. Brown’s defensive ability will be a major asset for Shelby this year.

• Echo File Photo

Reflections of our community

White Lake Mirror White Lake Mirror

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE Reflections

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Providing free hugs and a friendly ear

White Lake UCC pastor

Donna Morton spends Wednesdays at Colby's to offer company

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

If you're stressed out this holiday season and just want a friendly face - or a hug - White Lake United Congregational Church of Christ pastor Donna Morton is eager to provide both.

For "a few months now," she says, Morton has spent a couple of hours on Wednesday mornings (10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.) at Colby's Cafe and Brew with a handmade sign that says "Free Hugs," offering comfort and conversation to those who need it. She's not been especially busy at most of these visits, but to her, that's not the point.

"My board and I have talked about ways to reach outside the church walls, and Colby's Cafe just seemed like a natural gathering place," Morton said. "Everyone goes to Colby's now. We decided it was a good way to reach out to

the community."

Morton said she gets maybe a couple visitors each Wednesday, and some days no one takes her up on her Free Hugs sign. But when she does get some company, it makes the whole effort worth it. She said one highlight of her recent ministry was when a Whitehall girls sports team - she was unsure which one - came into Colby's and, en masse, descended on her table for their free hug. She also regularly gives out hugs to Colby's staff members.

"I think (a hug) is better even than conversation, because sometimes it can be intimidating to talk to a pastor," Morton said. "I know I could use a hug sometimes."

Roger Wendt of the White Lake UCC noted that in a world that's more connected than ever, "social media is anything but social. Many are more isolated than ever before and would just like to sit down and talk with someone."

While Morton and the church emphasize all are welcome to worship there, she said there's no obligation to attend services if someone wants to

spend a Wednesday with her at Colby's, and she's happy to take her usual booth there as long as people are interested in company.

"I'll keep going as long as I can get feedback," Morton said. "My hope is for people to come and engage from

outside the church. That's why the hug is such a great thing, because people are more apt to hug than to talk right now."

Solar application needs more, commission says

White River Twp. expresses concern with "lack of engagement" from Lakeside Solar

By Claire Marshall White Lake Mirror Writer

MONTAGUE — The White River Township planning commission prepared a statement during Tuesday's special meeting, expressing "significant concern" with the special land use permit submitted by Lakeside Solar, a Geronimo Power subsidiary, for its planned solar energy facility.

The commission conducted a review of the application, which “identified many instances of incomplete and incorrect information” which it said were required by White River Township ordinance and Public Act 233, under which the company is seeking the permit.

Commission chair Lauren Wackernagel read the statement to begin the meeting. It addressed what the commission feels is Lakeside Solar’s “continued lack of timely engagement and good faith effort,” which is a “significant concern for our due diligence process.”

Wackernagel’s statement said, “the planning commission is charged with a huge decision that will change the character and structure of our entire township. It is important that we understand the full scope of this complex project so that we can make an informed decision.”

The commission invited presentations from several experts and consultants, who will also be presenting at the regular planning commission meeting scheduled for Dec. 16. These presenters were Civil Engineering Solutions owner and licensed engineer Leslie Zawada, forestry consultant Dave

Francis, and horticulturist and educator Connie Cranser.

Zawada discussed the follow-up questions her and her CES colleagues prepared for Lakeside Solar, primarily pertaining to facility preparedness such as events of fire, stormwater, flooding, topsoil removal, and decommissioning the land following the end of the facility’s operations. Of the questions asked, Lakeside Solar responded to many with the opinion that answers were not required by PA233. At multiple points, Zawada shared her disagreement with that assessment.

Francis and Cranser - both Montague residents - provided reviews of the vegetation management plan included in Lakeside Solar’s application, agreeing that the plan lacked necessary biodiversity, was vague regarding how the plants would be delivered and grown, and provided outdated sources of information. Cranser said she did

not find that the plan adhered to best vegetation management practices.

Nearly 30 White River Township residents attended the meeting, of which six gave feedback during public comment. Many addressed their issues with Lakeside Solar’s lack of answers, long-term plan for the land, and thanked the planning commission for being thorough and doing their due diligence.

One resident voiced disappointment over Lakeside Solar’s lack of communication, despite earlier claims at public hearings that they were committed to working with the community. Another said, “I think… we [in White River Township] have always been respectful, and we have not gotten that back. As far as I’m concerned, every question that the planning commission has should be answered.”

Check your trees for hemlock woolly adelgid

The Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development encourage those who have eastern hemlock trees on their property to take time this winter to inspect the trees for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid – tiny, soft-bodied insects that consume the trees’ stored nutrients, slowly sucking the life from the trees.

Anyone taking to the woods also can help by looking for signs of this invasive insect while hunting, hiking or enjoying other outdoor activities.

cies prevention and response specialist.

“Cooler temperatures trigger feeding activity,” Miller said in a press release. “As the hemlock woolly adelgid feeds, it secretes a white, waxy material that creates ovisacs. The presence of these small, round, white masses makes it possible to identify infested trees.”

Anyone taking to the woods also can help by looking for signs of this invasive insect while hunting, hiking or enjoying other outdoor activities.

Winter is the best time to look for evidence of an infestation, according to Robert Miller, MDARD’s invasive spe-

These insects are considered invasive because they are not native to the state and can cause significant harm to Michigan’s estimated 170 million hemlock trees.

Infestations of hemlock woolly adelgid have been confirmed in 11 Michigan counties, including Muskegon and Oceana.

These insects are considered invasive because they are not native to the state and can cause significant harm to Michigan’s estimated 170 million hemlock trees.

Throughout the winter, survey crews from the DNR and multiple cooperative invasive species management areas, or CISMAs, will look for signs of hemlock woolly adelgids. Crews will focus their efforts along the northern edge of the infestation, conducting surveys within a five-mile border along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Infestations of hemlock woolly adelgid have been confirmed in 11 Michigan counties, including Muskegon and

Woolly adelgid

continued on page 2

Hemlock trees displaying white ovisacs like those pictured may have been infested with the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid.

• Photo courtesy Michigan DNR Woolly adelgid continued on page 2

• Photo courtesy Michigan DNR

White Lake Congregational UCC pastor Donna Morton offers free hugs and conversation each Wednesday at Colby's Cafe and Brew in Whitehall.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

White River Twp. expresses concern with "lack of engagement" from Lakeside Solar

Oceana.

Hemlock trees displaying white ovisacs like those pictured may have been infested with the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid.

White Lake Congregational UCC pastor Donna Morton offers free hugs and conversation each Wednesday at Colby's Cafe and Brew in Whitehall.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Hemlock trees displaying white ovisacs like those pictured may have been infested with the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid.

Photo courtesy Michigan DNR

White Lake Congregational UCC pastor Donna Morton offers free hugs and conversation each Wednesday at Colby's Cafe and Brew in Whitehall.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

White River Twp.

expresses concern with "lack of engagement" from Lakeside Solar

Oceana.

Whitehall council authorizes leaf truck purchase

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — The Whitehall city council authorized the $286,000 purchase of a new leaf truck at its Tuesday, Nov. 25 meeting, with hopes that the new truck will not be in the repair shop as often as the three the city currently uses. The truck was set to be available for use one week after its purchase.

In 2024, the city purchased two used leaf trucks and teamed with North Muskegon on another. Two of those trucks are 1987 model years and one is a 1997, city manager Dan Tavernier said, and they "keep breaking." In fact, one of them currently has a hole in the engine. Tavernier said he felt putting more money into these trucks would not be the best idea, and the popularity of the city's leaf pickup program means that service isn't going anywhere any time soon. Additionally, he said he looked into how much renting vehicles like that would cost and found it would be in the neighborhood of $150 per hour, which would be far more expensive, given its usage rates, than purchasing one.

Don Bond of the Whitehall Department of Public Works said that North Muskegon is having similar issues to those Whitehall is having with their trucks and that purchasing a newer one will set the city up to get at least a couple of years of use without non-routine maintenance being necessary. Tavernier joked that Bond is a mechanic and if the truck needs maintenance, he plans on utilizing that skill set whenever necessary.

The council also gave unanimous approval to an ordinance change suggested by Whitehall police chief Brandon Mahoney that will create a new Municipal Ordinance Violation Bureau, which will change payment locations for traffic tickets to the city's police department rather than the circuit court. He viewed the change, which will take effect Jan. 1, as a win/win for the city and for drivers, as the city will now take in more money from citations issued while drivers also pay less. Additionally, by the removal of the court system from the process, drivers would not be charged points on their record for in-

Woolly adelgid

Because hemlock trees can be protected from these insects with proper insecticide treatments, infested trees and any other hemlocks within the area will be mapped and tagged, then prioritized for summer treatment.

Though dozens of staff will assist in the surveys, they won’t be able to check every hemlock. If you have hemlocks on your property, whether it’s within or beyond the five-mile shoreline border, take some time to look for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid.

Anyone spending time outdoors is encouraged to do the same. Remember to take precautions and wear hunter orange during hunting seasons.

In Michigan’s northern forests, hemlock trees are found in moist soils along streams and riverbanks and along coastal dunes. Hemlock also is popular as a

landscape tree in parks and residential areas.

Since these adelgids feed and form ovisacs only on eastern hemlock trees in Michigan, it is important to distinguish hemlocks from other conifers like pines or spruces. Look for:

Cone- or egg-shaped trees up to 75 feet tall; drooping or feathery branches; flat needles growing individually from the sides of twigs; needles that are dark green on top with two parallel, white stripes underneath; papery cones about three-quarters of an inch long that hang downward from branches.

Up close, ovisacs look like tiny cotton balls and may appear alone or in clusters.

Report infested hemlock trees by using the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network, available online at

surance purposes.

Mahoney said he got the idea from a recent chiefs' meeting in which Roosevelt Park chief Shawn Bride shared what he felt was a successful implementation of an MOVB in his city.

As an example, Mahoney cited a $140 citation for running a stop sign under the current system, of which the city receives $46.20, with the county taking the rest. The new fee schedule will charge drivers $80 for the same infraction, with the city's general fund receiving all of it. Officers still could refer citations to the court system in the case of repeated infractions, he added, and if a driver elected to contest a citation, they could still do so through the courts. Staff recommendations will be considered regarding the fee schedule in the future.

The council also continued its recent discussions about the planned West Colby Promenade and Goodrich Park, mostly about the latter's bathrooms, though no specific decisions were made. The original promenade plans called for additional bathrooms to be constructed, but the council voted

MISIN.MSU.edu or as a downloadable smartphone app. The MISIN smartphone app will take a GPS location point if a report is made at the site; it also will allow you to upload photos with a report. Reports also can be made by email to MDA-Info@Michigan.gov or by phone to MDARD’s Customer Service Center at 800-292-3939.

Identify the location of infested trees

Nov. 11 to remove those from the plan for cost reasons. However, all seemed eager to address the current Goodrich bathrooms, which mayor Tom Ziemer said were "creepy" due to their messy current state and the lack of lighting. Replacing the bathrooms, Tavernier said, would cost over $200,000, though that didn't deter council member Scott Brown from recommending the bathrooms be gutted and rebuilt as unisex facilities, a suggestion to which Tanya Cabala shared her agreement.

The promenade's stage was also addressed following the Nov. 11 removal of a "shade sail" from the project's plans. Bryan Mahan said he'd still like to see some sort of shade made available for the stage, and Tavernier replied that he's in the process of obtaining cost estimates on those items and would report back.

The lone public comment came from Pitkin owner Ryan Briegel, who shared his concerns about the state of the Lake Street road and asked the council to consider addressing it in the next fiscal year's budget.

and, whenever possible, take one or two pictures of infested branches to help confirm identification. To avoid spreading the insect, do not collect sample branches or twigs.

Without treatment, infested trees will die within 4-10 years. A qualified arborist, such as one certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, can diagnose and assist with treating infested trees.

Jean Carpenter

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Near-blizzard conditions Monday night didn't stop Brickley DeLong's Eric VanDop from delivering the City of Montague's audit report during a special meeting of the Montague city council.

After review of the 2024-25 fiscal year budget, the city received what VanDop called "a clean opinion," the highest it offers clients, saying the city appears in good financial condition.

The audit showed a decrease of about $94,000 in the city's fund balance, but the city retains a healthy $2.1 million general fund reserve. VanDop said based on the city's books, that amounted to about 10 months' worth of money, which he did not feel was excessive after being asked about it by the council.

There was a sharp decrease in revenue - about $710,000 - for the 2024-25 fiscal year, though there was a simple explanation; the White Lake Fire Authority paid extra money to the city the previous year to pay off bonds. Expenses also decreased significantly, by about

Montague receives clean audit for 2024-25 fiscal year

$284,000, as the debt service on those bonds was wiped off the books.

Retirement pension funds and retiree health care were areas in which the city, VanDop said, has shown significant improvement after taking steps to address shortfalls over the past 10 years. According to the city's books, city pensions are nearly 92% funded, and retiree health care is in fact overfunded.

"You're seeing the dividends," VanDop said, of the city's efforts to address those areas.

The auditor said the city may want to keep an eye on the sewer fund - its balance is still strong, with $737,000-plus in unrestricted funds on hand, though it's been decreasing in recent years, with a $54,000 decline this past year. The water fund has seen the reverse, as funds have steadily increased.

There was a slight city budget overage in the area of roads, but that was not a surprise and was a result of the city carrying over some budgeted money for the Park and Hunt street intersection project from the previous year's budget, as the project was not yet complete before the 2024-25 fiscal year began.

Saturday, Dec. 6

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Montague hosts its free monthly community breakfast, 9-10:30 a.m. All are welcome for great food and fellowship.

Live trivia @ White Lake Eagles, 7 p.m.

Smitten performs @ Red Rooster Tavern, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 7

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

Monday, Dec. 8

Live trivia @ Red Rooster Tavern, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

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

Pretty Fun trivia @ Book Nook &

Community Calendar

Java Shop, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Mandala Hands @ MADL Montague, 3 p.m. A fun and creative way to learn to be in the moment. No distractions, competition or grades. Just you connecting with your thoughts and emotions through words, colors and art. Registration required @ madl.org.

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, Dec. 11

Adult Open Studio @ ACWL-Nuveen Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring studio materials from home or explore available supplies in the class-

room.

Taylor Swift Extravaganza @ MADL Montague, 5:30 p.m. Celebrate Taylor’s birthday in syle. Make friendship bracelets, listen to her music, enjoy a sweet treat, and craft yourself into a Lavender Haze. Come Bejeweled in your favorite era for extra fun. Registration required @ madl.org.

Live trivia @ Pub One Eleven, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12

Afternoon Hang @ White Lake Community Library, 2 p.m. Tweens 10 and up are invited to play video games, do crafts, eat snacks or just hang out!

Christmas Tree Festival @ White Lake UMC in Montague, 4-8 p.m. Featuring decorated trees from community organizations, visits with Santa,

special music and food, and other activities for all ages. The festival will also take place Saturday, Dec. 13.

Winter White Lake Music Series continues with a lecture from Bob Swan about The World's Greatest Christmas Music Through the Ages @ White Lake UMC in Montague, 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted and shared between the Chamber Music Society and the church.

Troy Kaley performs @ White Lake Eagles, 7 p.m.

Gentleman's Night @ WaterDog Outfitters, 7 p.m. Food provided by the Gnarly Heifer, drinks, and storewide discounts.

Bar Code performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.

Echoes of History: The Old Channel (Part 1)

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor

Construction of the existing manmade White Lake channel began in 1867 and was not completed until 1871. The light house was built in 1875. The United States Life Saving Station was built across the channel from the light house in 1887.

Prior to the creation of the channel in 1867, there was a natural channel that flowed from White Lake northwestward for about 3,550 feet and emptied into Lake Michigan in the area best described as near the present Old Channel Inn. A settlement was started in this area sometime in the late 1840s and flourished for nearly 40 years.

Through the years, the area was known by a variety of names such as “Stump” or “Stump Post Office”, “Ferrysville”, “White Haven”, and more familiarly as the “Mouth”. The first name, “Stump”, may allude to the fact that a hollow stump was used as a repository for the mail that was brought up the beach from Grand Haven. S. J. B. Watson acted as the Postmaster. In 1854 the government established a post office there, the first one on the lake, and they named it the White River Post Office, with A. A. Caine as Postmaster. In 1850, the first steam mill was

built by Rev. William M. Ferry of Grand Haven on the east side of the channel just south of the present cement bridge across the Old Channel. There was also a company store and several shanties where the mill workers lived. This small hamlet was known as “Ferrysville”.

On the west side of the channel was a small settlement which was inhabited mostly by a company of Irish fishermen and some coppers who made barrels for packing the fish they caught. This settlement was known as “White Haven”.

On the north side of the channel, near where the Old Channel Inn is now, there were a couple of stores, Bruce’s Saloon, and a few other smaller buildings. On the opposite side of the bayou were the Cain’s and Hobb’s hotels.

Nothing was done in the way of piers until 1855, when the Ferrys made slab piers in the old natural channel. Jesse Pullman took the first poles, about eight inches in diameter, and put slabs across them to hold them, making a crib three feet wide and 80 feet long, loaded so as to draw 18 inches of water. This was done at the Ferry mill. A lighter was loaded with slabs and accompanied a raft which would be sunk when it was in position. Upon comple-

tion of the channel, it was reported to be eight to nine feet deep and 85 feet wide between the slab piers, and extended 150 feet into Lake Michigan. A light on the channel was maintained by the ship owners.

Before this, large rafts had to be towed by oxen along the shore or taken out by lighters to schooners out in the deeper water on Lake Michigan.

A lighter is a shallow-draft boat or barge, usually flat-bottomed, used in unloading (lightening) or loading ships offshore. This required extra handling and thus extra time and expense. It isn’t any wonder that the lumbermen wanted a proper channel constructed, and construction began in 1867.

No steamboat ever passed through the Old Channel and all the sailing craft to pass were of shallow-draft, scow-type construction. After the completion of the present channel, the Old Channel soon filled in with sand so that in four years, no ship could pass. The Ferry mill was the largest mill operating on White Lake at the time. In 1860 it employed 35 men at the mill and 60 men in logging. Because the milling process required warmer weather and logging occurred in the winter, most of the mill employees probably also worked in the woods during the winter. The mill produced five million board feet of lumber that year.

Donations welcome for gingerbread workshop

By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor

We heard you loud and clear! In a recent community survey, you let us know that you would really like an ad-free streaming music app provided by the library. We signed the contract last week and expect to have Freegal launched and ready to go before the end of the year! Watch for more details soon about how you can take advantage of this new service to listen to all your favorite music, create custom playlists, and discover new artists. There is no cost to you, and you can stream your music ad-free for up to 8 hours a day. (P.S. If

you have a Muskegon Area District Library card, you already have this service! Check it out at muskegon.freegalmusic.com.)

formation on how to add all 15 partner library systems to your app, please visit bit.ly/libby15.

Gnome Crafting Event

The results were less clear on the Mango Languages program and the Wall Street Journal and New York Times subscriptions. We are still reviewing the data - and the budget - to decide which other service(s) make sense for our community. If you would like to provide input but haven’t taken the survey, please go to bit.ly/wlclquiz25 and let us know what you think!

FUN FACT: More than 95% of Michigan’s public libraries now participate in the (nearly) state-wide reciprocal borrowing program with the Libby reading app. That means you have access to the Libby books and audiobooks at more than 300 individual libraries! The newest partner to join is the Bay County Library System. For in-

Rescheduled for Dec. 15

Winter weather won last week, and we postponed the wooden gnome crafting program until Dec. 15 at 5:30. Here’s hoping the weather cooperates this time! There are still a few seats available, so register right away at wlclib.org/calendar if you would like to join in this creative holiday event. Each attendee will receive two wooden triangles to transform into festive gnomes using paint, accessories, and a touch of imagination. All supplies and plenty of inspiration will be provided— just bring your holiday cheer!

Don’t Miss the Gingerbread Workshop - Dec. 11

It’s almost time! The biggest library event of the season is set for this Thursday, Dec. 11, from 4-6:30 p.m. Bring

the whole family to come create tasty holiday decorations and happy holiday memories. You’ll find plenty of graham crackers, frosting, and edible decorations to create your masterpiece - we provide everything but the imagination! There is no charge to attend and registration is not required. Just drop in when you can and plan to spend about 30 minutes making your gingerbread house.

DeMumbrum

Circa 1860s – A view of the Mouth showing the log boom (in the foreground) in what is now Sadony Bayou. The natural channel to Lake Michigan is just beyond the buildings in the upper left. • Courtesy Photo

Mirror Lake Mirror

NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE community Turnovers doom Montague in opener

Wildcats' 2nd-quarter surge not enough in opening defeat to Hart

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Montague made a brief push in the second quarter of Tuesday's season opener against Hart, but the Pirates, playing with frenetic pace and physical effort on defense, proved too much for Montague in a 7441 defeat.

The Wildcats trailed big early - the score was 28-6 after a quarter - but stormed back in the second quarter after adjusting to a breakneck pace of play coach Nick Thaler said the Pirates did not show when the teams scrimmaged over the summer.

"We played them in the summer, and it was not like that," Thaler said. "A lot of newer guys are playing some different roles for us and learning a lot of new things, and they punched us in the mouth early and set the tone for how they wanted the game to go. We'll play that way, but we just turned it over too many times."

Montague went on a 17-2 run to cut the Hart lead to seven points, capped by a layup from Cooper Bradley. Six different Wildcats contributed to the scoring run. However, the Pirates' Kolton Rockwell responded with a three-pointer that sparked Hart on a 12-0 run to end the first half - fueled by Montague giveaways.

"They came right back and turned us over, I think it was five times in a row at one point," Thaler said. "Then they're scoring off those turnovers,

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

which is back-breaking. Those are turnovers for touchdowns, which we talked about. You just can't give a team like that - a veteran team that's very good - those opportunities."

The Wildcats were unable to sustain a threat to Hart in the second half, despite Cole Moss contributing eight of his team-leading 10 points in the half.

In addition to their style of play, the Pirates threw a lot of physical challenges at Montague, including a backcourt that boasts more height and length than the Wildcats are used to seeing.

The team's veteran experience at the guard positions was a factor as well, as the Pirates are able to match or even exceed Montague in that department.

Montague opener

continued on page 5

Rocket offense ignites in big win

By Andy Roberts

Lake Mirror Editor

MUSKEGON — It's been a very busy start to Reeths-Puffer's season, not just in the number of games played - seven in 20 days - but in how difficult those games have been. The Rockets have played games that have been against top-10 teams, were extremely competitive, or both.

Wednesday marked a chance for the Rockets to cut it loose a bit, and the team took advantage, scoring early and often and picking up a 9-1 mercy rule win over the Kalamazoo Eagles.

The game ended after the second period. The Rockets nearly were forced to begin a third period, but Dom Switzer responded to a late Kalamazoo goal by firing one in himself in the final minute, securing the mercy rule win.

Not only did the Rockets (3-3-1) score a lot, but they spread it around; eight different players got on the board. Chase Strunk was the only Rocket to score twice, finding the net twice in a span of just over three minutes early in the second period.

Adding in players who recorded at least one assist, 10 different players found themselves in the score book at

the end of the game.

"We've had a tough start. We've had some really tough games," R-P coach Bill Zalba said. "Our first six games, we played two teams in the top 10...We've had a lot of tough games early on, and we've had to put a lot of minutes on a lot of our senior players. It was nice to get home and be able to spread the ice time out and get guys into the game that haven't been out there as much."

R-P only scored once in the first 10 minutes, and Zalba said slow starts at home have unfortunately been the norm. This time, though, once the Rockets got going there was no slowing them down. The Rockets scored three times in the final five-plus minutes to take control of the game.

Each goal came a different way, which showed the team's versatility. Eli Cuti opened the scoring with a nice shot from the face-off circle to beat the Kalamazoo goaltender close to the first period's halfway mark. Later, Tyler Cuti got into traffic and forced the puck in the net, and Sheldon Frederick deflected a shot by teammate Connor Anderson, which came all the way from the boards, to add another goal. Hayden Taylor finished the first period scoring

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

by lighting the lamp just moments after his team had completed a penalty kill.

A lot of the names, though, were consistent for the Rockets despite the number of players to score. Eli Cuti assisted three goals, and Rohan Moyer, who scored a second-period goal, assisted four to run his season total to eight. Anderson also assisted three goals. (Freshman Michael Flanagan, Montague's lone representative on the team, had an assist and is up to three on

the season.)

Zalba views the top lines' job as changing the numbers on the scoreboard, and they certainly proved effective at it Wednesday.

"It's always great when those guys can be productive," Zalba said. "We expect that. We expect them to go out there and do their job.That's their job, is to fill the score sheet. It's also nice

Montague's Jeremiah Atchison tries to maneuver between Hart defenders Kolton Rockwell (left) and Bryce Vander Kodde during Tuesday's opening game at Montague. The Wildcats lost, 74-41. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

White

Montague's Cole Moss puts up a jump shot over Hart's Luke VanderWilk during Tuesday's opening game at Montague. The Wildcats lost, 74-41.

Reeths-Puffer's Dom Switzer storms toward the net during Wednesday's game against Kalamazoo. Switzer was part of a nine-goal outburst by the Rockets in a 9-1 win.

Montague's Noah Raeth tries to get away from Hart's Bryce Vander Kodde during Tuesday's game at Montague. The Pirates won the game, 74-41.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Montague opener

"They've got a veteran team, a lot of seniors on that team," Thaler said. "Those guys have been playing together for a while. We knew coming in that it was going to be a challenge...Hart's a team that's going to win a lot of games. If they were in our conference this year, they'd be right near the top, no doubt in my mind."

The defeat gave Montague a clear look at some of the areas it needs to work on in order to improve later in the season, and that's just fine with Thaler.

"It's better that we have a game like this to start, so there's an improvement piece that we can build on, versus (if our outcome) was on the other

continued from page 4

end of the spectrum and we're riding high, thinking that we've got nothing to work on," Thaler said. "This part of the season, I would think everyone's got something that they want to work on. That's the approach that we're going to take.

"We've got another game on Friday, a conference game with Manistee, which will be another tough test. Our guys will be ready to go, and hopefully from this, they learn how they have to start out the game."

In addition to Moss' 10 points, Cole Herremans scored eight points and Noah Raeth added seven, all in the first half.

Young R-P team looks to build for bright future

By Andy Roberts

Reeths-Puffer enters the season with high hopes, thanks to a pair of returning all-conference performers and some promising athletes hoping to bolster a five-win team from a season ago.

The Rockets had some terrific highs last year, such as a win over the Muskegon Big Reds, but this year they hope to build consistency.

"We're looking forward to having a really good season," R-P coach Rodney Walker said. "We're hoping to have some strong team chemistry. Our biggest focus is to challenge ourselves to get better and compete with the best teams in our conference."

Sophomore Raquel Walker, the coach's daughter, enjoyed a terrific freshman campaign on her way to first team awards in the O-K Green Conference. Coach Walker downplayed the idea of her having added pressure to lead the team; her success will come from being herself.

"She's still very young, being in 10th grade and playing on varsity, regardless of her talent," coach Walker said. You have to have a team in order to be productive."

Junior Ashlyn David, who was second team allleague last year, will help provide some of that supplementary scoring for the Rockets. As the most seasoned player on the team - she's in her third varsity season - she'll be in a de facto leadership role.

Three other returning players are slated to be big factors for R-P and could help propel the Rockets to the next level if their offseason work translates to the court. Abrianna Do tops the list; her work over the

Rockets win big

when you get other players who get an opportunity to go out and show what they can do as well."

The Rocket offense dominated, peppering the Kalamazoo net with 32 shots on goal and making life pretty easy on netminder Bear VanDyke, who faced only eight shots.

R-P's ability to keep the focus on the moment was also impressive. The Eagles are 0-4 and came into the night with only one goal scored all season, and it would be easy for a high school team to overlook such an opponent. The Rockets plainly did not do that.

"It's high school hockey," Zalba said. "I'm a true believer that any team can beat any team anytime they come out every night. There's not just one dominant team that comes out here, and you've got to treat everybody with respect and come out and play the game the right way. That's a great-coached team over there. They're a young team, and they're developing. I have tremendous respect for their coaching staff and their team."

summer makes her a potential breakout player, Walker said.

"She's put in the time and work ethic in to improve her skills and support our vision as a team," Walker said.

Along with Do, Grace Tindall and Trinity Moore also return after getting a taste of varsity play a year ago. Tindall brings defensive skill and a dynamic shot to the team, and her versatility in being able to play three positions on defense will be a big asset. Moore, a sophomore, is a physical presence on the inside and her shot is good enough, Walker said, that the team might have to talk her into letting it fly more often.

Jaslynn Kops is another potential breakout player. Her soccer chops make her willingness to get physical if needed obvious, and she has a good eye to find an open teammate.

"Her defensive intensity and her ability to see the floor and hit open players and make the game easy for others playing guard, her and Raquel are interchange-

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Zalba said before the season that he viewed this campaign as a process, integrating some young players into an experienced lineup. The weekend's results - R-P went 1-0-1 at a high-level showcase tournament in Traverse City - showed the progress the team is making.

"We've got a bunch of young kids coming in that are eager and hungry to play, and it's going to take time to get everybody on the

same page," Zalba said. "At Traverse City, we had a great weekend there, playing some really tough teams. Coming back home we wanted to take care of business and keep pushing forward.

"We've still got a lot of work to do, but I think that guys are finding their role on the team. That's what we need to find, is we need to find where guys fit, what skill sets they have that are going to help us be successful."

able," coach Walker said of Kops. "She'll bring intensity on both ends of the floor. She's solid at getting to the basket and knocking down the mid-range shot."

Coming up to the varsity from the JV ranks are Mariyana Spears, Addison Mitchelson and Olivia Ambler, each of whom is expected to make an impact. Walker never shies away from early tests on the schedule and this year will be no different as the Rockets open with consecutive road tests against Grand Haven and Zeeland East. The Buccaneers are defending regional champs, and should be a formidable opponent despite the loss of a couple of key senior graduates. R-P will also participate in the Cornerstone University holiday tournament, facing off with Grand Rapids South Christian and Grand Rapids Christian. In conference play, Walker expects the Big Reds to again be among the favorites, though defending league champ Caledonia and crosstown rival Mona Shores will no doubt have something to say about that.

"We want it well-known that the O-K Green is a tough conference," Walker said. "I'm looking forward to being part of the strength of the conference and that people look forward to playing us."

Sports in Brief

Boys

Basketball Spring Lake 62 Whitehall 46

Vikings had won the previous 3 regular-season meetings in the series. Corde Anderson led Whitehall with 13 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocked shots, and Elijah Smith added 12 points. Reeths-Puffer 48 Zeeland East 44 Top returning scorer Marvin Moore paced the Rockets with 24 points, and the team played good defense, recording 8 total steals.

Wrestling

Montague 2-0 at Grant Quad

Montague edged Kenowa Hills 39-38 and defeated Newaygo 69-12 to open its season. Chayse Maddox, Gavyn Maddox, Fletcher Thommen, Kaiden Jeffery, Kaiden French, Maverick Osborne and Gibson Smith each posted 2-0 records at the quad.

Reeths-Puffer 2-0 at Zeeland East Quad

R-P edged the Trojans 41-36, winning 4 straight bouts late in the match to hang on for the win. Clay Rozycki, Landon Learn, Travis Henderson, Cory Judd, Hunter Eek, Tanner Cowles, Jake Rozycki and Aiden Neal each posted 2-0 records for the Rockets.

Hockey

Reeths-Puffer 2 Gabriel Richard 2 (OT) Rockets' goaltender Bear VanDyke made 29 saves to salvage the tie in a tough matchup. Chase Strunk and Jordan Benkert each scored a goal. Reeths-Puffer 3 Bay Reps 2 (OT)

The Rockets went to overtime for the 2nd time in 24 hours, this time getting out with the win. Jordan Benkert scored the game-winner, and Dom Switzer and Hayden Taylor had a goal each in regulation.

continued from page 4

Montague's Cooper Bradley looks for a teammate while Hart's Lorenzo Furlan defends during Tuesday's game at Montague.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Reeths-Puffer's Tyler Cuti winds up to take a shot during Wednesday's game against Kalamazoo. Cuti scored a goal in the Rockets' 9-1 win.

White Lake Mirror Editor

Reeths-Puffer's Raquel Walker goes up for a layup during a game against Hart last season. Walker, an all-conference player as a freshman last year, will be a top contributor for the team in 2025-26. • Andy Roberts/Mirror File

Reeths-Puffer's Jaslynn Kops leaps to save a ball from going out of bounds during last year's game against Hart. • Andy Roberts/Mirror File

Whitehall Twp. purchases DPW director's computer

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — The Whitehall Township board unanimously approved the purchase of Department of Public Works director John Duff's computer from Duff for $1,275.95 during its Nov. 24 meeting. The purchase was made so Duff's computer can be outfitted with

the township's security measures and used more safely for township business.

Supervisor Dennis Kroll said that Duff was using his own computer for township business, and after consulting with legal representation, the board determined the township should not be using personal property for its business. That led to the decision to buy the computer.

The board also approved the installation of Duff's new position as DPW director as a pensioned position. Duff was previously in the role of deputy supervisor, which was a pensioned position, so Kroll felt it made sense to carry it over to his new role.

After the second reading of the policy updating late fees on sewer payments in the township from 1% to 3%, the board

unanimously approved the change. During board comment, trustee Chuck Schmitigal shared that after some deliberation on whether Fruitland Township would join the White Lake Ambulance Authority on a provisional basis, the township had decided not to make the move. The topic will be revisited next year, when it can be put on the ballot for voter approval.

Stuff a Blue Goose toy collection event Dec. 13

The Michigan State Police's Grand Rapids post will host its annual Stuff a Blue Goose event Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Whitehall Walmart.

Troopers will be on site collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit the Salvation Army.

MSP is once again clearing out patrol cars to make room for new toy and non-perishable food donations collected.

“Our department is built on tradi-

tion, and the Stuff a Blue Goose donation drive is a favorite,” said. Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP, in a press release. “With tremendous community support, we are able to help make a difference in the communities we serve. Our hope is the toys and food we collect make the holiday season a little brighter for everyone.”

The Stuff a Blue Goose events, which get their name from the nickname for the department’s patrol vehicle – the Blue Goose - got its start

Tommy Foster and the FAN Club perform at Playhouse Dec. 15

Longing for the feeling of summer on these cold, mid-December days as we lean into the darker months? Those who find themselves missing warm Monday nights at Fetch Brewing Company with the popular musical act, the FAN Club and sitting alongside friends enjoying great music and conversation can come to The Playhouse Monday, Dec. 15 from 6-9 p.m. to relive those great moments and maybe sing along with a few holiday favorites as well.

The evening will feature local musicians and performers Tommy Foster, Justin Avdek and Scott Nesbit (the "FAN" of the FAN Club), as well as vocalists and musicians Shelby Mason, Justin Wierenga, Ben McNeil, Dan Gi-

acobassi, Stephen Ogden, Jeffrey Niemeier, and more.

Make an entire night of this weeknight with a meal by The Gnarly Heifer for $10. Cash only for food purchases. Tickets are available in advance and at the door, $10 for kids and $20 for adults. The Playhouse will also be serving as a Toys for Tots drop-off site that night.

Learn more at theplayhosueatwhitelake.org or by stopping by the City of Whitehall to purchase your tickets during their office business hours. Tickets are also available for purchase 24/7 from the website or from social media.

during the holiday season in 2009 when a trooper at the former White Pigeon post learned there was a growing need in his community. Members at the post had purchased items for families in the past but expanded the effort that year to include three posts and encourage residents to Stuff a Blue Goose for Christmas. The community response provided enough donations to stuff 10 patrol cars.

Now in its 16th year, in 2025, there are more than 30 Stuff a Blue Goose

events happening across the state. Items collected stay in the local area and are distributed to area charities who then then give them to families in need.

In 2024, thanks to the kindness of Michigan residents, troopers collected more than 12,000 toys, 4,000 pounds of non-perishable food and $50,000 to support families in need.

Hear the account of a Lake Michigan crossing

Join surfski paddler/racer Rob Hartman at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Montague branch of the Muskegon Area District Library as he discusses his August 2025 80-mile solo Lake Michigan crossing from Racine, Wisconsin to Holland on a windy day. What started as an all-day downwind

surfing joyride slowly turned into an emotional journey as problems mounted and the focus on ultimate speed gave way to taking one stroke at a time.

This is a free event, but registration is required at madl.org.

Free events surround Dec. 6 Christmas parade

A free community breakfast and a pajama giveaway will take place Saturday, Dec. 6 surrounding the White Lake Area Christmas Parade.

The United Auto Workers Local 1243, located at 1116 S. Mears Ave. in Whitehall, is hosting a pajama giveaway from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6. The event will

also include visits with Santa Claus and the Grinch. Also Saturday, the Whitehall National Honor Society will host a free community breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at Lebanon Lutheran Church, 1101 S. Mears Ave. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, milk and orange juice. Santa Claus may just make an ap-

pearance at the breakfast as well.

St. Peter's-by-the-Lake Episcopal Church is also hosting its monthly free community breakfast from 9-10:30 a.m.

Area nonprofit hopes to improve fish habitat

The White River Watershed Partnership has a goal of the removal of the dams at White Cloud and Hesperia, which it says is crucial to the stability of the fish habitat in the area.

Stretching across a diverse watershed, the White River is home to extensive cold-water habitat vital for trout and salmon reproduction. However, the WRWP said the impoundments at White Cloud and Hesperia warm the water to levels unsuitable for reproduction of cold water fish. To maintain fishing opportunities, tens of thousands of brown trout are stocked between White Cloud and Hesperia annually.

Upstream of White Cloud, no stocking of trout is necessary due to natural

reproduction. Similarly, the North Branch sub-watershed supports large, self-sustaining populations of trout and salmon — a living example of what could be possible throughout the main branch if warm water barriers were removed.

The proposed future for the White River is a cool, free-flowing waterway from source to mouth. The WRWP said this requires overcoming four major impediments: Impoundments that warm the water and block fish passage; runoff from industrial, agricultural, and urban sources; substandard roadstream crossings; and soil erosion from poorly managed land use.

Actions the WRWP suggested include removing obsolete dams to re-

store natural flow and temperature; implementing agricultural setbacks to protect riparian zones; eliminating

point-source pollution; and replacing inadequate culverts with fish-friendly crossings.

The White River Watershed Partnership, whose stated goal is the improvement of fish habitats in the river, said removing impoundments in White Cloud and Hesperia is crucial to its efforts. • Courtesy Photo

• Courtesy Photo

Recent Whitehall police activity

Badge

Whitehall Police Report

Nov. 26

On-duty staff, along with the detective sergeant, were contacted at 4:23 p.m. to investigate a forgery-related complaint. The reporting party owned a business in the 100 block of W. Colby St. and had learned that two of the recent checks she had written to one of her employees cleared her business account for a higher dollar amount than what she had written them for. She explained that the checks were written for $200 each but cleared her account of $2,000. Upon examination of the electronic copies of the checks, it was learned that the dollar amounts had been altered and then the checks

electronically deposited into the suspect’s bank account at Chase. The Det. Sgt. conducted additional follow-up over the course of several days on the case, which included gathering video evidence and conducting an interview of the suspect. Upon being confronted with the evidence, the suspect, a 33-year-old female from Montague Township, confessed to altering the checks and depositing them into her account. Charges are pending for two counts of Forgery/Uttering and Publishing.

At 5:42 p.m. the on-duty officer called a subject reporting a suspicious occurrence. The caller stated they resided in the 1000 block of E. Colby St. and while inside their residence they heard a tree branch break and fall. She then looked outside and observed a subject, who she was unable to describe, smoking what she believed to be crack. The involved officer advised the reporting party they would check the area. Nothing was located upon the officer check.

At 6:11 p.m., on-duty staff responded to a single-vehicle, car-versus-tree crash in the 1000 block of E. Colby St. Upon contact with the driver, the officer learned the vehicle was in motion

DNR Stuff a Truck at Whitehall

Walmart Saturday

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting its seventh annual Stuff a Truck holiday toy collections statewide, and one such stop will be at the Whitehall Walmart on Holton Whitehall Road.

New, packaged toys (no wrapping or decorations) will be accepted Saturday, Dec. 6 from 12-3 p.m. at Walmart. Donations will go to the Salvation Army.

The drive, hosted by DNR

conservation officers, collects new, packaged toys, as many as it takes to “stuff” the back of a conservation officer patrol truck. All collected toys will be donated locally to ensure more children have gifts to open Christmas Day.

Stuff a Truck started in Detroit on Belle Isle in 2019, with all toys donated to the Detroit Police Department’s Sergeant Santa program.

traveling westbound on E. Colby St. when a tree fell partially into the roadway, striking the reporting party’s vehicle. The officer examined the vehicle and noted minor damage. Muskegon County Road Commission was contacted and removed the tree debris that was partially blocking one of the westbound lanes.

Officers were dispatched at 7:27 p.m. to the intersection of S. Division Street and Gibbs Street for a single-vehicle, car-versus-tree crash. The responding officer contacted the vehicle operator, who advised she was traveling eastbound on Gibbs when a tree fell on her vehicle. While investigating the crash, the responding officer observed significant damage to the involved vehicle and verified the driver was uninjured by the tree. Staff from the Whitehall Department of Public Works responded and removed the tree from the vehicle and the roadway. The responding officer then cleared the scene.

Nov. 28

While on regular patrol, the on-duty officer was contacted regarding a possible prowler call near the 100 block of E. Alice St. The reporting party described seeing a subject with a flash-

light in the backyard of a neighbor’s property. Officers responded to the involved location and located nothing suspicious. The officer also noted the parties that resided at the involved residence were home and it appeared as “business as usual” for the individuals.

Nov. 29

At 1:51 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of S. Elizabeth St. on a report of an active domestic disturbance. The reporting party indicated two males in the home had taken narcotics, including psilocybin mushrooms (aka magic mushrooms), and were “freaking out.” She also indicated to dispatch that an assault had occurred. Once on scene, the officers located the two subjects, who were under the influence of narcotics, and attempted to calm the parties down. One of the male subjects, a 21-year-old from Whitehall, was ultimately arrested for domestic violence and during the arrest, the subject resisted officers' attempts to take him into custody. This subject was additionally charged with one count of Resisting/Obstructing a police officer and was lodged at the Muskegon County Jail.

Giant holiday bubble show coming to Playhouse Sunday

The Holiday Bubble-Bration is coming to The Playhouse at White Lake, providing a 60-minute whirlwind of holiday magic, circus artistry, and world-class bubble wonder from Circus Pop.

The show will take place Sunday, Dec. 7 and tickets are available for $10 online at theplayhouseatwhitelake.org or at the Whitehall City Hall.

Created and performed by internationally acclaimed bubble artist Logan Jimenez, this show blends bubble artistry, circus stunts, magic, comedy and live music into a holiday experience for all ages. Audiences will be mesmerized by giant 20-foot-long bubbles, enchanted by a bubble snowman that soars over the audience, and delighted by a special appearance from Santa Claus himself.

Joining Logan is vocalist Corey Suesakul. Corey’s credits include performing with legendary rock band The Eagles on their Hotel California Tour and debuting new works at Carnegie

Hall.

Jimenez’s talent has taken him around the world, including a touring stint with the legendary Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. His bubble circus

productions have twice been recognized in USA Today’s “50 Things to See in America” Bucket List.

scanning the QR code at right

Echo

Circus POP, the giant bubble show, is coming to The Playhouse at White Lake Sunday, Dec. 7. • Courtesy Photo

Michigan DNR conservation officers will collect donated toys at Stuff a Truck events throughout the state this weekend, including at the Whitehall Walmart. • Courtesy Photo