The Oceana Echo - Volume 3, Issue 30, December 19, 2025

INSIDE

: Giving Tree brightens lives this holiday

Volume 3, Issue 30 December 19, 2025

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Treasured memories reveal the many joys of Christmas

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent This Christmas, we are grateful for the memories we've made and those our readers shared with us!

Those treasured moments reveal the impact that the special people in our lives have. Please enjoy these Christmas memories!

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Jack White, Hart - It was Christmas of 1984 or 1985. We had made the decision to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at our house. My in-laws were more than a little disappointed, as our children were their only grandchildren. My mother-in-law wanted to have the kids sleep by the tree and to experience Christmas morning at their house. We told them we would be down the day after Christmas to spend time with them.

Christmas Eve came and went at our house, and then on Christmas morning, everyone was wide awake and ready to go.

We opened presents and drank our hot chocolate from the little bunny mugs that were a family tradition. By noon, we

were pretty much settled in. At that time (I will take the credit) I said, "Let's leave now and surprise Grandma and Grandpa.

It took almost no time for everyone to get on board with the plan. We decided to really surprise them by not telling them we were coming early. We bundled everyone up in the old Ford LTD station wagon with the lousy heater and all the presents, and off we went. We got as far as Plainwell and found a restaurant that was open, so we stopped and got some supper. After we left there, we planned our arrival. We would turn off the headlights and come in from the north drive so they wouldn't hear or see us. We practiced singing Christmas carols as we drove. Once there, we silently got by the back door in the dark, rang the bell, and when my fatherin-law and mother-inlaw came to the door, we started singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

The look on their faces was worth all the effort.

As Priscilla and I settled down in bed that night, we realized that we had given her folks the best present we could have ever given them.

Audrey Veltman, Shelby - When our oldest son was five, our family Christmas party was lacking Santa due to sickness. My hubby stepped in and put on the Santa suit. When it was our son's turn to sit on Santa's lap and get his present, he looked down and exclaimed, "Hey Santa! You have shoes just like my dad!"

Sharon Hallack, Hart - I have so many wonderful Christmas memories, so it’s hard to select just one! And since I don’t get to write about myself very often, I’m taking advantage of the opportunity this week! Christmas was a hectic time around our house. Growing up as

Nathaniel Fitch makes a Christmas memory as he talks to Santa at the Hart Area Public Library, Monday, Dec. 15. the daughter of Jerry Slocum, partner in the Slocum Brothers Tree Farm, I didn’t see my dad much during the months of November and December.

He would put in many long days for weeks on end, and then shortly after Thanksgiving, he would take a load of trees to Columbus, Ohio where he and his brother Ted would spend the next several weeks operating a retail tree lot. At the invitation of their sister Waneita, who lived in Columbus, this was something they began doing in the early 60s, shortly after their first harvest of Scotch pine, and would continue for some 30 years. Dad would hug us kids and kiss my mother goodbye, and for the next month, the only communication we would have with him would be short chats on the phone when he would call. As Christmas Eve got closer and closer us kids naturally got more and more squirrely. It was all my mother could do to not go crazy, parenting five kids while maintaining things at home, as well as attending many Christmas events. By Christmas Eve day, Dad tried to start for home by late morning so he could be home before we all had to go to bed. By the time it got dark, the anticipation was palpable. We would look out the windows every few minutes for any lights

coming down our road.

Finally, Dad would pull in the driveway, and we would holler, “He’s here!” or “He’s home!” My mother probably breathed a sigh of relief and whispered a prayer of thanks.

I can remember years when we hurriedly pulled on our boots and ran out into the snow to get that first hug. He would laugh and gather as many as he could up into his arms.

One year when my sister Sarah was only three, after getting inside the house, he picked her up and she didn’t let go of him for over an hour! He sometimes looked a little like Santa because he hadn’t shaved or had his hair cut in a while. In the hour or two after he arrived, emotions were high. There was a lot of talking over each other as we all got reacquainted. To help take the edge off, there were two traditions we shared as a family that night: the opening of our care package from my mother’s English pen pal and the boxes of Cracker Jack Dad always brought (I’ll share the story of those memories next year.) By the time I was in high school, my father had stopped selling Christmas trees on retail lots, opting instead to take a couple of weeks to visit some of his larger buyers and collect payment. The Slocum Brothers Tree Farm, located in Elbridge Township, dissolved its

ATTENTION: We have an early deadline the next two weeks for the Oceana Echo & White Lake Mirror. We go to press Wednesday, Dec. 24 & 31 at noon.

partnership in 2011 after operating for more than 50 years. During that time the business shipped millions of trees across the United States, which could have never been done without the help of hundreds of local people, some of whom are probably reading this memory right now! One year my dad received a beautifully painted sign from a friend that read, “As long as there is Christmas, I’m in business,” which certainly described my life as the daughter of a Christmas tree farmer.

Irma Hinojosa, Hart - For me, growing up in a Hispanic family, Las Posadas has been a part of my Christmas tradition from as far back as I can remember. Las Posadas (translated “The Inns”) is a nine-day celebration, signifying the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy, commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph as they looked for shelter before the birth of Jesus Christ. Our church asks individual families to host the event in their homes on one of the nine days. Each evening includes the recitation of a special Rosary to the Virgin Mary, followed by a reenactment of the Holy Family’s search for lodging. The evening ends with a wonderful meal and a lot of visiting. It is a special time of fellowship and spiritual preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus. As chairperson of the Oceana Hispanic Center, one of my goals is to keep cultural events prominent and a part of our community for all to enjoy. The center usual-

ly signs up for one of the nine nights, and we usually have 40-60 people attend. It is not uncommon for individual families from the church to host 20-30 people. Last year, I left for Texas earlier than usual for Christmas and completely missed Las Posadas. It definitely felt different not participating in it. This year I made sure to time my departure so I wouldn’t miss out. If anyone is interested in attending one of the remaining Las Posadas nights, please call St. Gregory’s Catholic Church at 231-873-2660.

Bradley Youngstrom, Mears - Growing up, every Christmas Eve, all the family from my father's side would come back to the family farm to celebrate. My father's mom, aunts and uncles and all my cousins would enjoy a meal together. My father's parents were from Sweden, so we would have an array of food to try like Bond-ost cheese on very thin rye toast crackers, potato pancakes, Swedish sausage, Swedish meatballs, Lutfisk and Pepparkakor cookies, along with many other sweet treats. It was a joyful evening and maybe the only time of the year when everyone was all together.

I still remember the fun and joy of those evenings even though so much time has passed.

If these memories stirred some in you that you would like to share, please email us at sharon@oceanaecho.com to be included in next week's edition.

• Connie VanDerZanden/Echo

2 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE OCEANA ECHO

Living Legacies: Terry Cluchey retires after 40 years of fighting fires

By AnnaMae Bush The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent At its November meeting the Pentwater Township Board signed a Proclamation honoring former Fire Chief Terry Cluchey for 40 years of service in the Pentwater Township Fire Department.

The Proclamation drew attention to Cluchey’s “unwavering commitment and professionalism…his selfless service, often placing his own safety at risk for the welfare of others… his being highly effective as a first responder but also a dedicated mentor and leader…upholding the highest standards….”

Cluchey officially retired from active duty on Nov. 1, 2025, with respect from his peers and the greater community. The board offered appreciation on behalf of the township’s citizens and extended “best wishes for a long, healthy and joyous retirement.”

Cluchey joined the Pentwater Fire Department in 1985. “I joined out of a sense of civic duty, but there was also a social aspect because many of my friends were firefighters.

It was fun at the time to ride to a fire, hanging off the back end of the truck.

The camaraderie in the firehouse afterwards was rich.”

Back then the fire trucks had small cabs to seat only two firefighters. Cluchey said the trucks today have space for up to six firefighters in the cab, and everyone is required to be in a seatbelt for safety’s sake.

Over the years, Cluchey has served in a variety of ways. He was fire chief from 2000-2018 after having been the secretary.

He spent many years as head of the medical “first responders” team, and he was the treasurer the last four years of his service.

He noted several changes he has seen during his service. “The secretary used

to take meeting notes by hand. Now all meeting notes need to be sent by computer to the state for their records. Training for firefighters has become much more complex and every firefighter needs to go through an audit to ensure he/she has updated skills and information.”

He continued, “In my early years we responded to 30-40 calls for fires a year and 6-12 calls for medical help. But since then, the Pentwater and Hart fire departments made a mutual agreement to both respond to any call in Oceana County. Occasionally they even respond to calls in Mason County. That has brought our recent year totals to 400 calls for fire and medical combined.”

Being a lifelong resident of Pentwater means that Cluchey frequently knew the people to whose home he was summoned for fires or medical help.

What calls did he find most difficult? ”Hands down the hardest calls were any that involved a fatality. I remember a structural fire in a house that had only one door for entering and exiting. An elderly resident died because the fire blocked her way to the one door. That was disturbing because a second door might have saved her life.

I also found medical calls for infants very challenging.”

Not too many years ago the fire department had its own ambulance parked at the firehouse. But the administrative work for running an ambulance service was a real headache, and it was very expensive to maintain. A decision was made to engage the services of a large ambulance company (Life EMS) that answers calls for multiple municipalities. Along with other voting districts, Pentwater Township voted for a millage to cover the cost.

Cluchey said he sees advantages to that, but also some complications. The Free Samples!

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Terry Cluchey sits at the wheel of Pentwater's first motorized fire truck, a Model T purchased in 1922.

medics are highly trained, and several units can be dispatched when large fires or accidents require it.

But it can also mean a longer wait if an incident occurs when the units have been dispatched to a call that takes them a distance from the incident. The fire department is dependent on the service for transportation to a medical facility.

This increases the responsibility of the fire department’s first responders.

Perhaps the largest local fire in the past 20 years that Cluchey and many readers can remember is the fire that destroyed the Nickerson Inn. Fortunately, no lives were lost. The biggest challenge in fighting that fire was the lack of water. “The water tower had been drained for routine maintenance, and we had to call for pumper trucks from other departments to pump water out of the lake to extinguish the fire.”

Cluchey was familiar with the history of the department long before he joined it. “The first engine owned by the department was a steam-powered engine called the Oceana. In 1922 it was replaced by the first motorized fire truck, a Model T, that was used until sometime in the 1950s.

That truck still pumps water, and it is owned by a collector in Maryland.

He found the truck’s ownership history and called me for further information about the vehicle. He sent

me a current photo of it, and it looks very sharp yet.”

While many policies and guidelines have gotten tighter for the sake of safety, Cluchey mentioned one policy that has relaxed, and that is the residency requirement. Whereas the department once required all firefighters to live in the village of Pentwater, there is no such restriction today. Of the current department members, only two are residents of Pentwater. One of them is Aaron Boyko, who joined the department in 1999, the year before Cluchey was voted in as the new chief.

Boyko fondly recalls, “Terry has always been the guy who knew how every pumper, hose, valve (and) fire hydrant worked, along with a whole lot of other equipment too numerous to mention. The firehouse was and still is a place of great camaraderie between the young and the older firefighters… but Terry was and is ‘old school Pentwater’ with a history of tales and stories that would enlighten us on the past history of our fire years…and of Pentwater also. His presence reminds us of why we love giving back to our community.

Terry was part of saving many lives that I remember since I’ve been on. Up at all hours of the day and night is not for everyone, but Terry made it look easy because he cared for everyone, and we never will forget his laugh and smile at the officers' table.”

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When asked what he took most pride in over his four decades in the fire department, Cluchey replied he was grateful for the role he had in providing increased safety. He explained, “I’m referring to safety not only for the firefighters, but also for the residents involved in structural fires and the curious onlookers who could get too close or get in our way. Boundaries had to be marked and enforced.

Firefighters had to learn how to avoid updrafts by mistakenly opening doors that fed oxygen to the fire and built its intensity. Hip boots and long rubber coats were replaced by safer, insulated clothing.

Training became much tougher. Trucks today provide safer transportation for firefighters. All were much-needed improvements.”

Cluchey’s self-assessment was echoed in comments by Ray Hasil, another local now-retired firefighter. “As somebody that served under Terry in many capacities over the years, I would say that Terry was an agent of change that led Pentwater Fire Department into modern firefighting as we know it today through the adoption of safety, certification and training best practices. New members were required to complete firefighter certification. Under Terry’s years as fire chief,

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the membership grew smaller but was far better trained and equipped than ever before. A new Medical First Responder unit was started in 2006, and that unit responds to approximately 80% of the department’s calls today.”

Another quality Hasil appreciated about Cluchey was his lack of ego and willingness to support anyone’s suggestion that made sense. If Cluchey arrived on the scene after another department member arrived first and was doing well as the acting incident commander, Cluchey was happy to let that member continue and gain leadership experience. Hasil claimed Cluchey rarely missed a call and estimated he responded to about 5,000 calls in 40 years.

“Whenever somebody in Pentwater needed help, there was a pretty good chance they would be seeing Terry Cluchey during the response.”

It's not surprising that Cluchey, now 81, asserts that what he will not miss about his years in the department is getting up in the middle of the night to answer a call. “The older I got, the harder it was to wake up and respond to emergencies.”

Asked if she ever worried about Terry’s safety in his long career fighting fires, his wife, Marilyn, replied, “Not really. The only time I felt concern was when he responded to a very large fire. Then I told him to be careful.”

During this interview, his phone rang. He looked at it and said, “There’s a medical call to the Oceana Care Facility. Someone fell and needs assistance.”

He smiled and said he had asked to be left on the line for calls. “I may not have to answer the calls, but I like to know what’s going on.”

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THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER 19, 2025 3

Pentwater Township OCMCF administrator resigns, board moves forward Library becomes to seek his replacement Pentwater District Library After nearly two years of planning and collaboration, the Pentwater Township Library has officially become the Pentwater District Library, effective Oct. 17, 2025. This change was made through a formal partnership between Pentwater Township and Pentwater Public Schools under Michigan’s District Library Establishment Act of 1989, which allows two or more municipalities, including a school district, to join together to provide library service.​ “The Pentwater District Library is still your hometown library,” said Library Director Mary Barker. “Because our service area now follows the Pentwater Public Schools boundaries, we are pleased to include 729 residents of Weare Township in the district, and our new structure modestly increases our share of state aid and penal fines, which supports programs, collections and technology for

all our users.

The Pentwater District Library continues a tradition of library service that began in 1855 and recently celebrated 170 years of serving the community in early 2025. ​ “For our patrons, most things will look and feel the same—your library account, hours and services are not changing,” said Library Board President Valerie Church-McHugh. “Becoming a district library gives us a modern legal structure and a little more stability so we can keep serving Pentwater well.”​ “District status reflects years of thoughtful discussion at township, village and school meetings,” said Board Vice President Jennifer Gwillim. “It formalizes the way we already work together and keeps the focus on strong, accessible library services for everyone in our area.”​ Board member Linda Van Gills, who lives in

Weare Township, noted that the new district structure recognizes how residents across the entire service area already rely on and value the library, regardless of which local unit of government they call home.​ Under the new arrangement, the library will be governed by a seven-member appointed board— four members appointed by Pentwater Public Schools and three

by Pentwater Township —reflecting participation by multiple units of government while maintaining local control.

The district framework also positions the library to respond more flexibly to community needs and opportunities in the years ahead.​ For more information about the Pentwater District Library or this transition, community members are welcome to contact Barker or stop by the library during open hours with any questions.​

By Claire Marshall The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent The Oceana County Medical Care Facility (OCMCF) board accepted the resignation of OCMCF Administrator Kurt Sapp at a special meeting on Dec. 3. In attendance were Board Chair Linda East and members Larry VanSickle and Dale Danes, the latter of whom attended the meeting virtually.

Larry VanSickle moved to accept Sapp’s resignation “with regrets” and “wishing him well in future endeavors.” The motion was seconded by Dale Danes, and unanimously approved by all three board members.

Also present was Human Resources Manager Brenda Jones, who led much of the discussion regarding posting the job opening and finding an interim administrator. While Sapp’s notice was for 30 days, putting his leaving at the end of the year, it is possible the facility would require an interim administrator for up to two months when considering the length of the search for a permanent replacement and the transition time from one job position to another.

The board approved Jones to research the possible avenues of finding an interim, either through the Michigan Association of Medical Facility Professionals or other independent temporary hiring agencies.

It was the advice of East that the OCMCF department heads come together with HR and the board to create a search committee and that the search would be managed in-house and not outsourced to a recruiting agency. Any new administrator would need to be approved and hired by the board.

Sapp was hired in February of 2024 and was not present at the Dec. 3 meeting.

At the Dec. 15 regular board meeting, Sapp was present, while Danes was absent and excused by the board.

The final meeting of the year saw wage increases for all non-union employees of 4% and the approval of the 2026 budget.

OCMCF Financial Controller Cindy Leone noted the labeling of the 2026 budget as an "interim budget” to account for any changes the new administrator may want to make upon their hiring, as well as acknowledgement of ongoing union negotiations. After some examination and discussion of the estimated net operating loss and total facility revenue, both present board members approved the budget.

At the close of the meeting, East thanked Sapp for his efforts on the board’s behalf and wished him well.

VanSickle agreed, saying, “I appreciate the time you spent with us…I just feel really bad that we did not provide you with a climate that was easy for you to spend your career.”

4 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE OCEANA ECHO Visit us!

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

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Christmas cards - a time-honored tradition 1306

By Claire Marshall The

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist First let’s set the scene it's the mid-19th-century England. Charles Dickens writes "A Christmas Carol" and it becomes an instant classic, introducing an altruistic sensibility to and romanticizing a holiday that is enjoyed, but not yet the beloved spectacle of the western world. Queen Victoria introduces a Germanic tradition to England, and pretty soon the image of her family decorating an indoor evergreen tree becomes an idyllic embodiment of the holiday.

The onset of the Industrial Revolution likewise allows a great amount of cheap goods to circulate the market, affordable for the rising middle class.

Advancements in the UK’s Royal Mail introduce prepaid stamps, providing cheap and efficient mailing across the nation. Printing presses open left, right and center, producing not only written works, but also illustrations following the introduction of inexpensive lithography.

Those ingredients come together to create the spirit of Christmas we know today: philanthropy, cheer and goodwill spread amongst the family. Gifts and cards can

be sent far and wide, fast and cheap, leading to a part of the holiday hinged on the custom of giving and receiving material goods.

The first Christmas cards come to us from Victorian England, featuring a jolly-looking family celebrating their holiday libations, framed by vignettes of people aiding those less fortunate. Below, a printed greeting: “A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year To You.” From there, a template is born.

With hundreds of illustrators and printers flooding the market with paper goods, they all brought a variety of strange iconography. Such is the same in the United States, a burgeoning nation of immigrants all with their own cultural traditions. Basically, we hadn’t yet come up with a visual language to describe the holiday, and printers were throwing everything at the wall to see what would stick. This is where those bizarre cards emerge with dead robins, ice-skating frogs and a staggering amount

of anthropomorphized vegetables.

By the start of the next century, we managed to find a good stock of Christmas iconography - the angels, stars, holly, choo-choo trains and sleighs - and by 1915, the Hall brothers of Kansas City opened their greeting card company, creating a standard size and layout and thousands of designs for patrons to choose from. Now I hear the company also makes Christmas movies.

I took a trip through the Oceana County Historical & Genealogical Society’s archival box of vintage Christmas cards and pulled a handful that I found particularly noteworthy - either for their aesthetics or unique qualities.

Some showcase my favorite qualities of vintage cards:

minimalist styles with limited color palettes and simple shapes (bonus points for some gold or silver foil). Another popular motif of mid-century Christmas cards, one that still makes some appearances today, is bucolic little winter scenes set in the Victorian age, harkening back to that Dickensian nostalgia that first popularized the holiday. An-

other popular brand of card was those made for and sent by foreign service members.

I'm quite charmed by the little illustration of a G.I. and all the Parisian locales he’s visited. Finally, perhaps the most fascinating one I found in the collection was a Christmas card complete with a 45 rpm record of the sender's rendition of Silent Night.

SADL receives Oceana Community Foundation grant for new computers The Shelby Area District Library is pleased to announce it has received a $3,600 grant from the Oceana Community Foundation (OCF). These funds, awarded from the Oceana Youth Fund and the Community Investment Fund at the OCF, will support the purchase of new computers that will be available for use by the community and visitors to the Shelby area.

“As a library, it is our goal to provide useful services to our patrons and community. This grant will enable computer users to create resumes, research, access email and print documents on reliable and efficient computers,” says Library Director Tiffany Haight.

The OCF awards grants through a competitive library, visit www.shelbylibrary.org, call 231-861application and review process twice a year. Infor- 4565, or email tifhaight@shelbylibrary.org. mation on these grant rounds and how to apply can be found at https://oceanafoundation.org/grants/ About the Oceana Community Foundation applying-for-a-grant/ The Oceana Community Foundation envisions an Oceana where everyone has access to resourcAbout the Shelby Area District Library es to thrive. It receives and manages contributions The Shelby Area District Library’s mission is from people and organizations and has provided to provide the necessary resources, personnel, nearly $8 million in grants and scholarships back to and programming to meet the educational, in- the community since 1989. More information can formational, cultural, and leisure time needs of be obtained by calling Tammy Carey at 231-869the community. The library’s service area includes 3377, logging onto www.oceanafoundation.org, or the townships of Shelby, Benona, Ferry, Claybanks, following the Facebook page.

Otto, and Grant. For more information about the

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Ongoing

Dec. 19 - Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry, Shelby Elementary School, 5 p.m.

TUES: Tech Time, Hesperia Community Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Dec. 19 & 20 - Live Nativity, 2272 S. 96th Ave., Shelby, 6-8 p.m.

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

Dec. 19 - “North Pole’s Got Talent”, HMS production, Hart Schools Auditorium, 7 p.m.

TUES: Free Soup Dinner, Hart Christian Fellowship, 5-7 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 satellite please 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.

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

5th SAT: Free Community Breakfast, Shelby UCC, 8-10 a.m.

The Ladder Community Center: Dec. 20 - Christmas Worship (Live Hymns), 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 - Christmas Singalong, 1-2 p.m.

Dec. 23 - Gift Exchange, 9:30 a.m. (sign up by 12/19) 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. 30 - Knitting Group, 10 a.m. to noon MON: Women’s Bible Study, 1-2 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 st

Dec. 20 - “North Pole’s Got Talent,” HMS production, Hart Schools Auditorium, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Dec. 21 - Candlelight Vigil, New Era CRC, 6 p.m.

Dec. 23 - Ugly Sweater Day, SADL, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dec. 23 - Adult Book Club, Hessperia Community Library, 2-3 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Mass, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 4 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Family Communion, Shelby Wesleyan Church, 4-6 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Shelby Cong. UCC, 5 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Hart UMC, 5 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, Way of Christ Church (formerly West Golden Wesleyan), Mears, 5 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Mass, Our Lady of Fatima, Shelby, 6 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Bilingual Christmas Worship, Shelby Wesleyan, 6 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Newman Community Christian Church, Hesperia, 6 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, Rothbury Comm. Church, 6 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, FBC Pentwater, 6 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, Centenary UMC, Pentwater, 6 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Walkerville Wesleyan, Walkerville UMC and Crystal Valley UMC combined Candlelight and Communion Service, Walkerville Wesleyan 6 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Family Worship and Christmas Candlelight Service, St. Stephen’s Lutheran, Shelby, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Bilingual Candlelight Service, Hart Wesleyan, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Mass, St. Vincent’s Catholic, Pentwater, 7 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Mears UMC, 7 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, NERC, 7 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, Elbridge Comm. Church, 7 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Mass, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Rothbury, 7 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, Trinity Lutheran New Era, 7 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Mass in Spanish, St. Gregory’s Catholic, 9 p.m.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, FBC Hart, 11:30 p.m.

Dec. 25 - Christmas Day Mass, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 9 a.m.

Dec. 25 - Christmas Day Mass in English, St. Gregory’s, 9:30 a.m.

Dec. 25 - Christmas Day Mass in Spanish, St. Gregory’s, 11:30 a.m.

Village of Rothbury

OFFICIAL NOTICE Meeting Dates 2026

The Village of Rothbury Village Council meets at 7:00 PM on the third Tuesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Village Hall located at 7804 S. Michigan Avenue, Rothbury, Michigan unless otherwise noted.

2026 Meeting Dates are as follows:

Please join us December 20th for our Holiday Open House 11am – 2 pm

mber Includes 16 Refreshments, Gift Cards, Vendor Giveaways, e 11am –including 2 pm RC vehicles, bike stands & much more!

Get your favorite us on December 16Duner the gifts they really want! aways, & much pen House 11am – 2 pm

avorite s, Vendor Giveaways, want! cle, bike D stand &anD much uneL Off-ROaD CenteR, InC. rds! Get your favorite 1951 n. 24th ave, MeaRs, MI fts ter,they Inc.really want!

rs, MI

December

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

January 20, 2026 February 17, 2026 March 17, 2026 April 21, 2026 May 19, 2026 June 16, 2026

July 21, 2026 August 18, 2026 September 15, 2026 October 20, 2026 November 17, 2026 December 15, 2026

The Village of Rothbury Planning Commission meets on the second Tuesday of the month, at 5:30 PM. Meetings are being held at the Village Hall located at 7804 S Michigan Ave, Rothbury, Michigan 49452, unless otherwise noted.

2026 Meeting Dates are as follows: January 13, 2026 February 10, 2026 March 10, 2026 April 14, 2026 May 12, 2026 June 9, 2026

July 14, 2026 August 11, 2026 September 8, 2026 October 13, 2026 November 10, 2026 December 8, 2026

6 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE OCEANA ECHO

Shelby State Bank launches Tri-Share Child Care Program in partnership with Goodwill Industries Of West Michigan

Church Directory

Shelby State Bank is proud to announce its participation in Michigan’s innovative Tri-Share Child Care Program, a statewide initiative designed to make high-quality childcare more affordable for working families to serve employees in Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties. In partnership with Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, a designated regional facilitator hub, the bank will now offer eligible employees a groundbreaking benefit that divides the cost of childcare equally between the employee, the employer and the State of Michigan.

Launched as a pilot in 2021, Michigan’s Tri-Share model was created to help families who struggle with the high cost of childcare but do not qualify for traditional subsidies. By engaging employers directly, the program positions childcare not only as a family issue, but also as a workforce and economic development strategy.

“Shelby State Bank is honored to join this important effort,” HR Director at Shelby State Bank Erin Stark said. “We know childcare challenges impact our employees’ ability to grow in their careers, plan for their futures and balance work and family responsibilities. Participating in Tri-Share allows us to invest directly in our team members and strengthen our workforce in a meaningful way.”

Through the partnership with Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, employees will receive support navigating program eligibility and identifying licensed childcare providers. The Tri-Share model currently serves families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level, expanding access to middle-income households that often face the greatest affordability gaps.

Statewide evaluations of the Tri-Share program reported strong employee satisfaction, improved retention for participating employers, and increased stability for families. Many households have reported being able to take promotions, pursue new career opportunities, or save for major life goals—such as purchasing a first home—thanks to reduced childcare costs.

“Shelby State Bank’s support of the childcare needs of their employees expands opportunities to succeed in West Michigan,” Tri-Share Child Care Program

Manager at Goodwill Industries of West Michigan Catrina Rule said. “Having employers invest in their workforce demonstrates their support for the program and offering a creative and effective solution to address childcare challenges and will be the first appearance of the Tri-Share program in Oceana County!”

Today, Michigan’s Tri-Share program spans 59 counties, engaging over 200 employers, 550 employees and 371 childcare providers. Its success has drawn national attention, inspiring similar efforts in states such as New York, North Carolina, Kentucky and Ohio.

Shelby State Bank’s decision to join this growing movement reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting employees, attracting and retaining top talent and building stronger communities.

“Tri-Share is not a single solution to the childcare crisis, but it is a powerful piece of the puzzle,” Rule added. “We are thrilled to see employers like Shelby State Bank leading the way.” Other employers interested in participating in the Tri-Share program can contact Rule at crule@goodwillwm.org.

PENTWATER TOWNSHIP Synopsis of Meeting December 10, 2025

Supervisor Cavazos called the December 10th Regular Township Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with four of five Board members present. The meeting was conducted in person and via Zoom.

One staff member and three community members were present in person. One person was present via Zoom. The Consent and Meeting Agendas were approved as presented. Action/acceptance was taken on the following items: • Re-appoint Valerie Church-McHugh to Pentwater District Library Board • 4th Quarter Budget amendments • Approval of proposed road improvements for calendar year 2026

St. James Catholic Church Lighthouse A WELCOMING FAITH COMMUNITY Lutheran 5149 Dowling Street Montague, MI 49437 Church LCMS Mass Times: Saturday: 4 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m.

Tuesday-Friday: 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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

8786 N. Business US-31 Pentwater, MI • 49449 231-869-2527 Pastor John C. Hansen

A copy of the complete Minutes are available from the Clerk at the Pentwater Township offices, 500 N Hancock St. during regular business hours, via email, or online at www.pentwatertownshipmi.gov.

For more information, call 231-233-7703

- Maureen Murphy, Clerk

Sunday Worship - 11 a.m.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church

3000 Winston Road Walkerville Wesleyan Church Rothbury, MI 49452 Love our community toward Christ Mass Times: Sunday - 8:30 a.m.

Sunday 10:30AM Please call 231-893-3085 Streamed on for more information Contact Information stjamescatholicparish.org 231.873.5040 144 S Hamon St, Walkerville

Office@walkervillewesleyanchurch.org

Ferry Memorial Reformed Church

White Lake UMC

Worship God, Follow Jesus, Love & Serve all

Sunday Worship

First Methodist St. Joseph & St. Vincent Catholic Churches oF shelby (Formerly Shelby UMC)

9am Traditional Service We are an independent, local church serving our communities and reaching beyond.

11am Praise Band Service 11am Kids Church/Youth Class/Nursery SUNDAY WORSHIP: 11 AM Weekly Faith Groups for All Ages Shelby Congregational UCC building Choir and Handbells FMCShelby@gmail.com Mission Opportunities Find us on Facebook: Home of the White Lake Free Store First-Methodist Church Of-Shelby and The Gathering free meals MAiling Address Worship Address 8555 Cook Street Montague, MI 49437 8463 W. Shelby Rd., 51 E. 3rd St., (231) 894-5789 www.whitelakeumc.org Shelby Shelby

St. Peter’S-By-the-Lake ePiScoPaL church 8435 Old Channel

followers gathered. disciples scattered

4775 First St • 231-861-2501

Office: 231-873-5776

www.stjosephweare.org Check out our Facebook page

St. Joseph, Weare 2380 W. Jackson Rd., Hart Saturday Mass: 7 p.m.

Sunday Mass: 9 a.m.

St. Vincent, Pentwater 637 E. Sixth St. Saturday Mass: 4 p.m.

Sunday Mass: 10:30 a.m.

- Easter through October 82 S. Wythe St. in Pentwater Trail, Montague SUNDAY SERVICE: 9:30 a.m.

Barrier Free • Nursery Provided (231) 869-7351 Confessions: 1/2 hour before 616-894-0172 Children’s SS: 9:45 a.m.

Youth Group: Sundays 5-7 pm Join Us For Worship all Masses, except 10:30 Mass Nursery Provided SUNDAY EUCHARIST – 10 am 231.894.9415 Sundays at 10 a.m.

Rev. Phil Sliwinski, Pastor

Sunday Worship: 10:00 am

8637 Old Channel Trail Montague, Michigan

www.ferrychurch.org

joinus@stjamesepiscopalpentwater.org

We Believe That God Loves You - No Exceptions

Pastor Benjamin Oliveira stpetersmontague@gmail.com stpetersbythelake.weebly.com Coffee fellowship after service

Blessings Abound!

newerareformedchurch.org

Hart United Methodist Church Our independent, non-denominational church is committed to reaching and serving those in our communities.

Sunday Service: 10 am

Wed. Family Night: 6-8 pm Last FRI: Free Soup Supper, 5:30-7 pm

4075 S. 132nd Ave., Hesperia 231-861-5007

NEWMANC3.ORG

2500 W. Winston Rd. • 231-893-4965

231-873-3516 9:30 a.m. Morning Service 11:15 a.m. Sunday Bible Classes hartunitedmethodist.org 6 p.m. Evening Service (1st and 3rd Sundays) www.facebook.com/HUMCmichigan

Nursery provided Senior Pastor - James Enns Associate Pastor - Bryan Wolff Associate Pastor - Luke Craymer Adult small groups and family ministries every week Second Monday Food Pantry 9:15-11:30 a.m. www.rothburycommunity.com Becoming Committed Followers of Jesus Christ

Mears United Methodist Church

3757 W. Polk Rd. Hart, MI 49420 Do No Harm, Do Good, Stay In Love With God

Sunday Services

English: 10 a.m.

Spanish/Español: 12:30 p.m.

Clothing Closet: Every Wed. 4-6 p.m.

Family Dinner: 1st & 3rd Wed. 5-6 p.m.

(231) 873-0832

Full class schedule on our website:

hartwesleyanchurch.org

308 S. State St., Hart, MI 49420

1990 N. 56th Ave. Mears, MI 49436 10 am Service 231-873-0875 www.mearsumc.org Pastor Bev Williams

All Are Welcome

10:30 AM Sunday Service Pastor Cydney Idsinga

If you would like an appointment with Pastor Cyd, please call 231-873-3516

St. Stephens

1820 Ray Ave. 231-861-5554 Sunday Services: 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Rev. John Medendorp www.neweracrc.org

Growing in Relationship with God, with Each Other, and with Our Community.

Shelby

Congregational

Lutheran Church United Church of Christ (LCMS)

51 E. Third St.

231-861-4404 • shelbycucc@gmail.com 7400 W. Johnson Rd., on Facebook • website under development Shelby • 231-861-2952 Sunday Service - 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m.

Coffee time follows School (Ages 4-12) • Nursery available • Chancel Summer Outdoor Service Sunday Choir & Bell Choir meet Wednesdays • Adult Bible Studies - Thursdays, Fall - May • 5th Saturday - Free Breakfast 8-10 a.m. • Hearing Loop • Barrier Free Rev. Kurt Overway

www.ststephensshelby.org

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

5631 W. Stony Lake Rd. New Era, MI 49446 • 231-861-4059

office@tlcnewera.org • tlcnewera.org Rev. Sarah J. Samuelson Sunday Worship Service: 10 a.m.

Barrier Free Access

Nursery Provided

claybankS united MethodiSt church

Sunday WorShip 10:30 a.m.

A warm welcome is extended to all who worship here

9197 56th avenue Montague, Mi

231-923-0573

claybankSuMc@gMail.coM

THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER 19, 2025 7 In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

obituaries

Beverly Jean Eitniear

December 26, 1934 ~ December 11, 2025

Beverly Jean Eitniear, 90, of Hart, passed away Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility in Hart. She was born December 26, 1934, in Hart, the daughter of Monroe and Phronie (Wehry) Sutherland.

Beverly enjoyed crafting items for people and was skilled in knitting, crocheting and sewing. She also enjoyed playing games with family and friends, Cindy Fethke, age 62 of Shelby formerly of Hart passed whether it was cards or bingo, or taking a trip to the away Friday, December 5, 2025, at Trinity Health in Muscasino. Beverly loved to travel; she rode motorcycles kegon, surrounded by all of her loved ones. Cindy was and snowmobiles and took many trips north and south. born in Shelby and is the daughter of George and DarBeverly was also active in her faith and was a member lene (Gebhart) England. at Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ.

At the Pentwater State Park in the summer of 1979, Beverly is survived by: her children, Shelly (Dale) Cherry and Kevin (Max the cat) Eitniear; grandchildren, Kymberly (David) Woodman, Jennifer (Daniel) she met the man who would later become her husMellor, Heather (Michael) Schreibe, and Tamara (Chase) Cherry-Martinez; and band of 43 years and the love of her life, Scott Fethke. great-grandchildren, Alayna, Elizabeth, Raiden, Asher and Bennett.

They were married in 1982, and to pick out the best Beverly was preceded in death by: her parents, Monroe and Phronie parts of those years would be almost impossible. They Sutherland; husband, Duane ‘Wink’ Eitniear; brother, Ervin Sutherland; and truly just enjoyed being together no matter what they great-granddaughters, Zoey Kaylynn Martinez and Nadya Woodman. were doing.

Beverly’s family received friends from 3-5 p.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Their love was one of a kind. at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 N. 72nd Ave., For years Cindy worked side by side with her father, husband, and her nieces Hart, MI 49420.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Spring 2026 and interment at her father's trucking company, George England & Sons in Hart. She often said will be in Gale Cemetery, Newfield Township. those were some of the best years of her life.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arShe enjoyed flowers, baking and gardening, and picked up most of these pasrangements. www.beaconfh.com sions from her mother.

Cindy also worked over a decade in the nursing field taking care of the elderly, and she loved every minute of it.

Up until her very last breath, she spent her whole life loving, caring and helping raise her two nieces, Dracie and Crystal. Anyone that knew her knew that they were the beat in her heart.

Sara L. Bailey, 78, of Montague, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025.

Cindy was a dedicated wife, daughter, aunt, sister and friend. She always She was born September 4, 1947, in Beaver, Ohio, the daughter of Lawrence and made sure to tell everyone, even if she barely knew you, that she loved you... Leatha (Haney) Biggs. with all her whole heart.

Sara was a licensed cosmetologist and worked 23 years at Optalis Health and Cindy is survived by: her loving husband, Scott Fethke; mother, Darlene En- Rehabilitation, formerly SKLD Healthcare Facility in Whitehall. She retired in 2005. gland; brothers, Tim (Rob) England and Dave (Marian) England; brother-inSara is survived by: her loving husband of 54 years, Ron; children, Ronald law, Rick (Desiree Mufson) Fethke; nieces, Dracie Arquette (Burton) and Crystal (Marilee) Bailey and Gayle Bailey; grandchildren, Henry and Jack. Sara was pre(Andy) Quick; great-nephews, Trevir, Braden, Andrew, Lantz, Waylon and Elias; ceded in death by: her parents, Lawrence and Leatha; two brothers and a sister. great-nieces, Hailey, Avianna, Aria, and Maddie; great-great-niece, Alaya; and Please consider memorial donations to: Hospice of West Michigan, 6835 many other cherished family members and friends.

Hanna Lake Ave. SE, Caledonia, MI 49316 or Activities Department at Optalis, She was preceded in death by her father, George England; her grandparents, 916 E. Lewis St., Whitehall, MI 49461; or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 George and Lettie Gebhart and Hubert and Marie England; her father-in-law, Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.

Funeral services will be conducted at noon, Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Richard Fethke; her nephew, Brian England; her niece, Alese Gonzales; and her at White Lake United Methodist Church, 8555 Cook St., Montague, Michigan sweet dog, Lacy.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the 49437, with Pastor Tim Dibble officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Masonic Center, 2680 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420, with a luncheon and time Monday, December 22, 2025, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, Michigan 49455 and again from 11 a.m. until the time of services Tuesfor fellowship that immediately followed. day at White Lake United Methodist Church.

This obituary was written and supplied by the family of Cindy.

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

Cindy Fethke

September 15, 1963 ~ December 5, 2025

Sara L. Bailey

September 4, 1947 ~ December 15, 2025

James ‘Jim’ Prince

April 15, 1955 ~ December 11, 2025 Mr. James “Jim” Prince, age 70, of New Era was called home to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, December 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born April 15, 1955 in Ann Arbor to Clifford and Ellen (André) Prince. He met his wife, Ruth (Van Goor), at Calvin College, and they were married for 47 blessed years.

Jim joined the law firm of his father in 1981 and was a partner at Prince & Monton PLC (formerly Prince, Nicholas, & Burrows LLP) until his retirement.

Jim was a member of New Era Christian Reformed Church, where he was deeply involved and considered it a privilege to serve in many different capacities. Jim was proud to serve his community by being on numerous boards, including 40 years on the West Michigan Community Mental Health Board. He was an avid supporter of Christian education and showed his faith in all that he did. Jim and Ruth enjoyed traveling, especially camping with their many friends, and most of all, doting on their grandchildren. He will be greatly missed and remembered as a loving husband, cherished father and grandfather, and for his compassionate, loving and funny demeanor.

He is survived by: his wife, Ruth; four children: Mark (Jeanette) Prince, Daniel (Katie) Prince, Eric (Jessica) Prince and Jason (Alaina) Prince; six grandchildren: Willa Prince, Cameron and Aiden Prince, and Penny, Evie and John Prince; siblings Kenneth (Jane) Prince, Laura (Doug) Fessenden, Michael (Carol) Prince and Andrea (James) Karsten; Van Goor in-laws; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Ellen, and sister-in-law, Ruth Prince.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025, at New Era Christian Reformed Church. Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jim may be given to New Era Christian School or the Harbor Hospice Foundation - Poppen Residence.

Please sign the family's online guestbook at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services. sytsemafh.com

Otto F. Ernst

April 20, 1938 ~ December 5, 2025 Otto F. Ernst, age 87, passed away on December 5, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with dementia. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, April 20, 1938, to Otto J. and Kathryn Ernst.

When Otto was a year old, the family moved to Montague, where he spent the rest of his childhood.

After graduating from Montague High School, Otto enlisted in the Army and proudly served his country for two years, during which he traveled to Okinawa, Japan. Following his honorable discharge, Otto went to work in the Ernst family’s metal studio, Old Century Forge, before beginning a 28-year career as a supervisor at Howmet. He is fondly remembered there for his fairness, patience and remarkable ability to fix anything set in front of him.

In 1960, Otto married the love of his life, Judith Kemstra, and together they made their home in New Era, where they raised five daughters, affectionately known as “Otto’s angels.” Summers were filled with adventures aboard Ott’s Yott, the wooden boat he lovingly restored, as well as days spent on local beaches and trips up north. After his retirement, Otto and Judy built their dream home and enjoyed their remaining years back in Montague, surrounded by dear friends old and new.

Otto is survived by: his daughters, Linda (Randy) Hughey, Mary Jo Ernst, Sharon Ernst and Kathy (Tom) Oakes; son-in-law, James Harris; and his “adopted” daughter, Melanie (Michael) DuMonte; his beloved grandchildren, Eric and Erin Hughey, Irene and Nicole Skokna, Scott and Sean Harris, Brittney DuMonte, Kelly Meads and Emily Wehr.

Otto was preceded in death by: his wife, Judy; daughter, Connie Harris; parents, Otto J. and Kathryn Ernst; and his siblings, Susan Johnson, Kathryn Goeres, Ruth King, Thomas Ernst, John Ernst and Paul Ernst.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Gentiva Hospice and Harbor Terrace for the exceptional care and support they provided.

Memorial services will be held June 6, 2026, at Ferry Memorial Reformed Church, 8637 Old Channel Trail, Montague, MI 49437. A receiving of friends will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon with services immediately following. Interment will be in Hubbard Cemetery, Muskegon, Michigan.

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

8 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE OCEANA ECHO

By Lucie Winborne

M KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,

W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW

K, NY 10019

TOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. M KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, M KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW

ANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20251208 K, NY 10019 K, NY 10019

RELEASE DEC. 8,(800) 2025 708-7311 EXT. TOMER SERVICE: TOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT.

ucie Winborne

ANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20251208 ANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20251208 RELEASE DEC. 8, 2025 RELEASE DEC. 8, 2025

ucie Winborne ucie Winborne

OM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,

W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW

RK, NY 10019

STOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. OM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,

W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW

MENTS IN TIME #12345_20251208 RK, NY 10019

R RELEASE DEC. 8, 2025 STOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT.

OM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,

W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW MENTS IN TIME #12345_20251208 RK, NY 10019 R RELEASE DEC. 8, 2025 STOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT.

MENTS IN TIME #12345_20251208

R RELEASE DEC. 8, 2025

Oceana County ANIMAL SHELTER Daisy is a gentle, joyful 1-year-old Pitt mix who brings pure sweetness everywhere she goes. With her bright eyes and happy wiggles, she has a way of making every day feel a little lighter and a lot more loved.

She’s a playful girl who will happily chase a toy, bounce around the yard, or curl up for snuggles when she’s all worn out. Daisy is also a smart cookie—she already knows sit, shake and speak, and she’s eager to learn even more with her forever family.

This beautiful girl is well on her way to becoming the perfect companion. She’s looking for someone who will enjoy her playful spirit, her loving nature and her gentle heart.

Daisy is available for adoption from the Oceana County Animal Control. If interested, please call the shelter at 231-861-5395.

The adoption fee for cats is $35 and you receive certificates for $25 towards spay/neuter and $10 towards rabies if not already done.

The adoption fee for dogs is $95 and 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 Daisy

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OCEANA COUNTY her. She died in Auschwitz. © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc. NOTICE TO CREDITORS • On Dec. 28, 1917, writer/satirist Decedent’s Estate a histoH.L. Mencken published ry of the bathtub, including a claim Estate of Jason Thomas Campos that bathing was unlawful in Boston Date of 1845 Birth: and November 11, 1978 between 1862. The story, which was a spoof designed to test TO ALL CREDITORS: reader gullibility, was widely shared NOTICE TO by newspapers andCREDITORS: historians.

The©decedent, Jason Thomas 2025 King Features Synd., Inc. Campos, died August 14, 2025.

LEGAL NOTICE

Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Tara A. Pearson, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 100 S State Street, Hart, MI 49420 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice.

Dated: December 19, 2025 Attorney for Personal Representative: Tara A. Pearson, Law Offices of Parker and Parker 704 E. Grand River, P.O. Box 888 Howell, MI 48844-0888, (517) 546-4864 Personal Representative: Tara A. Pearson 704 E. Grand River, P.O. Box 888 Howell, Michigan 48844-0888, (517) 546-4864

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CONTINUATION OF A PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Benona Township Planning Commission

The Benona Township Planning Commission will continue the public hearing regarding the Conditional Use Permit Application submitted

by Vinke Properties, LLC on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Benona Township Hall, 7169 West Baker Rd., Shelby, MI 49455.

Vinke Properties, LLC have submitted a Conditional Use Permit Application for 8418 W. Buchanan, Shelby, MI 49455 (64-011-005-30002). The applicant is seeking approval of a Conditional Use Permit to construct a 300-foot communication tower. A conditional use permit is required to construct a communication tower in the Agricultural zoning district in Benona Township.

Please note that you may provide public comments during the public comments section of the meeting. You may also provide public comments for the Planning Commission in writing prior to the meetings by e-mailing Sara Bizon, Zoning Administrator at zoningadministrator@benonatownshipmi.gov, or by mailing comments to the Benona Township Planning Commission c/o Sara Bizon, Benona Township Hall, 7169 W. Baker Rd., Shelby, MI 49455, or by calling (231) 861-2154 prior to January 6, 2026. Applications and site plans are available for review at the Benona Township Hall.

Benona Township Planning Commission

SHELBY TOWNSHIP

PUBLIC NOTICE Please take notice that the Shelby Township Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 05, 2026, at 6:00 pm. The regularly scheduled board meeting will immediately follow, both will take place at the Township Hall, located at, 204 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan, for the purpose of adopting the proposed 5-year Parks and Recreation Plan.

Copies of the proposed 5-year Parks and Recreation Plan are available for public viewing during regular business hours at the Township Hall or on the township website, www.shelbytownshipoceana.com.

Written comments will be received at the following address until the night of the hearing: Shelby Township 204 N Michigan Avenue PO Box 215 Shelby, MI 49455 If you are planning to attend this hearing and are handicapped requiring any special assistance, please notify the Township Clerk by calling 231-861-5853.

Cathy Anderson, Clerk

SHELBY TOWNSHIP Synopsis of Meeting December 4, 2025

Regular meeting called to order at 6:00pm Present: Scott Meyers, Scott Beishuizen, Becky Griffin, Cathy Anderson, Richard Raffaelli and 7 members of the public Items approved: • Approved minutes from 11/03/2025 Board Meeting and minutes from 11/03/2025 Public Hearing Closeout CDBG Grant • Approved motion to hire Wayfinder GIS to manage the Cemetery Platform for Shelby Township • Resolution 251204-1 Reappointment of Planning Commission Members • Resolution 251204-2 Reappointment of Library Board Members • Ordinance 12042025-1 Ordinance to repeal and replace Shelby Township Zoning Ordinance • Resolution 251204-3 Impose 3% Late Penalty Charge • Resolution 251204-4 Open Bank Account for TACC and Shelby Park • Approved motion to pay invoices presented by Clerk Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm Copies of meeting minutes are available from the Township and approved minutes are on our website www.shelbytownshipoceana.com Cathy Anderson, Clerk

THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER 19, 2025 9

SPORTS

HART • HESPERIA • PENTWATER • SHELBY • WALKERVILLE

Pirates claim top spot at home invitational

By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor HART — The Hart Pirates defended their home mats Saturday by earning first place at the Mark Bosse Memorial Invitational, scoring 205.5 points.

Hart’s victory was especially noteworthy because of the caliber of teams it was able to outscore to earn the top spot. Lakewood, who finished second in the meet with 192.5 points, holds the No. 4 ranking in Division 3, and Whitehall, who was third with 182 points, is ranked No. 6. (The Pirates moved up to No. 7 in the rankings this week.)

Five Pirates took first place in their weight classes, including Sawyer Boos, who was wrestling for the B team and whose points at 113 pounds

did not count towards Hart’s team win. However, Boos’ performance was no less impressive, as he overcame a No. 10 seed entering the tournament to take the win. Boos was dominant in the bracket, scoring a technical fall and a 10-3 decision win in his first two matches before finishing with two pins, including a takedown of Whitehall’s Robert Belinger in the finals, the latter’s first loss of the season.

Hart veterans Kole Thomas (126), Logan Jorissen (144), Haegan Hansen (175), and Adrian Lara (285) also earned first-place finishes. Thomas made mincemeat of his bracket, scoring three consecutive pins to reach the top of the podium. His finals victory Sawyer Boos battles with Shelby’s Iziqiuel Picon during Saturday’s Hart Hart Invite Hart’s Invitational. Boos, wrestling for the B team and seeded 10th, earned first place at 113

continued on page 10 pounds as the Pirates’ varsity took the top spot.

• Andy Roberts/Echo

Shelby announces itself as top cats

Tiger defense limits Hart attack, leads to rivalry victory

By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

SHELBY — For four straight seasons, Hart was the bully on the block in the West Michigan Conference Rivers, winning every league game it played. Last Thursday night, it was rival Shelby that sent the message that it’s the Tigers’ time now, defeating the Pirates 49-38.

Jayna Burmeister scored seven consecutive first-quarter points on her way to a team-high 17 for the game to give Shelby a 9-2 lead in the first quarter. The Tigers never gave up that lead, swarming Hart ballhandlers and forcing the Pirates to act more quickly than they were comfortable doing.

Spearheading the Tiger defense were guards Ava Lamberg and Michelle Peterson, who made life difficult for top Hart scorer Rilynn Porter, though Porter still managed a game-high 19 points, seven of them in the fourth quarter as

Shelby’s Kylie Brown tries to overpower Hart’s Reese Smith to get to the basket during Thursday’s WMC Rivers game at Shelby. Brown’s defense was a key part of the Tigers winning the game 49-38, Hart’s first conference defeat since 2021.

• Andy Roberts/Echo

Shelby’s Jayna Burmeister (right) and Hart’s Leah Walker wrestle for the ball during Thursday’s game at Shelby. The Tigers won the game, 49-38. • Andy Roberts/Echo

Hart tried to overcome a double-digit deficit.

“Ava is just so good on defense,” Shelby coach Sarah Woilting said. “I don’t know if there’s anyone in the conference that is as good as she is. To guard, probably, the best guard in the conference,

and do what she did, she’s just so good. Shelly just sees the floor so well and an“I told her, ‘You’re going to pick up ticipated tips. Our defense is what I felt fouls, but know that your teammate won it for us tonight.” knows who to help.’ We were ready to The only thing that slowed the Tigers help. Jayna had to guard (Porter) for a little bit when Ava got in foul trouble.

Shelby tops Hart

continued on page 10

Pirates shake off early Shelby push, win big

By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Hart’s Caleb Ackley soars to the basket for a layup while Shelby’s Trevor Weiss defends during Friday’s game at Shelby. Ackley had another double-double for the Pirates in an 88-43 win. • Andy Roberts/Echo

SHELBY — Despite a game effort early on from Shelby, Hart dismissed the Tigers in Friday’s rivalry battle just as it had its previous four opponents, taking an 88-43 victory.

The Tigers shook off a quick early start by the Pirates and trailed only 1311 after Eli Kelley hit a three-pointer, but there was no denying Hart on this night as the Pirates lit up the scoreboard with 13 three-pointers.

“Credit to them, we knew they were going to play hard,” Hart coach Nick Bronsema said of Shelby. “We knew we were going to get their best shot early on, and they were knocking us around

a little bit. Credit to our guys for keeping their heads. Those guys on our bench really gave us a lift - Bryce Vander Kodde, Trevor Vander Kodde, Grant Ackley, and our foreign exchange student, Lorenzo Furlan.”

After Kelley’s trey made it a twopoint game, Hart quickly responded, highlighted by an and-one basket from Jagger Lenon coming off a steal. When Lenon missed the free throw, Bryce Vander Kodde grabbed the rebound and scored through another foul, converting the three-point play to make it 20-12.

The Pirates hit five treys in the first half, and then more than doubled that

Pirates win

continued on page 10

10 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE OCEANA ECHO

Hart Invite

over Grant’s Cameron Espinoza was Espinoza’s first defeat of the season.

Hansen also rolled through with three pin victories, beating Lakewood’s Vincent Risk in the finals to improve his season record to 8-0.

Jorissen had to work a bit harder, picking up a technical fall in his first match and then winning two more by decision. He edged Tri-County’s Xander Antor in the finals, 6-3.

Lara earned a close decision win in the semifinals in between two pins, including a victory over Ravenna’s Mason Carringer in the championship round.

Halen Boos also made the finals at 150, earning second place. Boos picked up a pair of pins before dropping the finals match to unbeaten Ke’yaun Bradford of Muskegon.

Two other Pirates earned top-3 finishes. Caden VanGelderen was third at 138, going 3-1 with a a pair of pins and a major decision, and Jordan Thies finished third at 113, scoring a pair of pins en route to a 2-1 day.

“I think we wrestled well Saturday in most areas, but have room for im-

continued from page 9 provement,” Hart coach Rocky Smith said. “It was a great tournament victory.”

Smith added that Hart will face another big test Saturday at the Freeland tournament, which includes the top three ranked teams in Division 2 Lowell, Three Rivers and Freeland - as well as two other ranked opponents Division 4 No. 2 St. Louis and Division 3 No. 9 Ogemaw Heights.

Shelby finished in sixth place at the tournament, scoring 124 points.

Three finalists highlighted the Tigers’ individual performances.

The Tigers’ two returning state qualifiers, Brody Fessenden and Jaylin Henderson, each finished in second place at 157 and 165 pounds respectively, moving their season records to 7-1. Fessenden scored a technical fall in his first match and controlled a 7-1 decision in his second, then fell just short of a championship in a hotly contested finals battle of unbeatens against Lakewood’s Bryson Boucher.

The match went to overtime before Boucher was able to score four points and earn a 5-1 win.

Shelby’s Brody Fessenden (left) keeps a tight hold on Whitehall foe Doug Verberkmos during Saturday’s Hart Invitational. Fessenden picked up a second-place individual finish as the Tigers took sixth. • Andy Roberts/Echo

Henderson pinned each of his first two opponents to reach the 165-pound finals and wrestled a competitive match against Whitehall’s Liam Leeke, who also entered the match unbeaten. Leeke came away with the win, 15-10.

Antonio Cano wrestled his first two varsity matches of the season for Shelby at 106 and also picked up a second-place finish. Cano received a bye to the semifinals and pinned his semifinal opponent, falling to Lakewood’s Dakota Harmer in the championship.

Cesar Cadena added a third-place finish for Shelby at 120, going 2-1 on the day. Cadena fought his way to a

Hart’s Julian Ponce (right) grapples with Mona Shores’ Brody Vaught during Saturday’s Hart Invitational.

• Andy Roberts/Echo

6-4 decision in his quarterfinal match, and after a close decision defeat in the semis, topped Hart’s Michael Chavira 10-1 in the third-place match.

Shelby tops Hart

continued from page 9

(2-0, 1-0 WMC Rivers) down was foul trouble, which can be a byproduct of the aggressive style of defense Shelby employed. Kylie Brown, the Tigers’ best post defender, picked up her third foul early in the second quarter and had to go to the bench for some time, during which time the Pirates managed to get as close as four points. Porter scored a three-point play, making an acrobatic basket while being fouled, to make the score 20-16 late in the second quarter.

A smiling Brown said that “it sucks” to go to the bench with foul trouble, but was thrilled the Tiger defense was so effective in the win.

“It’s great that we get to push the speed, push the tempo, take it to teams,” Brown said.

The Tigers were not perfect on offense, but were more efficient and decisive than were the Pirates. Shelby was less deadly from long range than it was in its season-opening win over Whitehall - the Tigers hit five three-pointers Thursday - but that was at least in part due to an apparent effort to attack the

basket.

That emphasis on getting to the rim was never clearer than early in the third quarter, when the Tigers were clearly determined to score from in close.

They ripped off a 17-4 scoring run in the third using the strategy and were never threatened again.

“That’s really where we’re best,” Wolting said. “Shelly and Jayna are best at attacking and finishing. Even (Annabelle Stark), she can dribble around so many people. We knew that if we got them in foul trouble, it would hurt them. Overall, I think we’re a little bit stronger around the hoop finishing, so we knew that’s what we needed to do.”

For Hart (1-1, 0-1 WMC Rivers), having to bounce back from a league loss is something none of the current Pirates have ever had to do. Coach Ron Williamson said he’s optimistic his team will respond in the right way.

“I hope it lights a spark under them,” Williamson said. “We preach to learn from our failures, and today we failed in areas, and that’s how you’re going to get

Pirates win

continued from page 9

total in the third quarter alone by knocking down six more on the way to an incredible 35-point quarter.

Hart has adopted an ethos of playing with speed at all times, and seemed to take it personally when it didn’t get off to the quick start it hoped for, turning the speedometer up even higher in the third quarter.

“Our goal is to run the whole time, because we know we have depth guys,” Bronsema said. “We have really good kids, and we know that in order for us to be where we want to be, we’ve got to play a certain way.

We want to run.

“We take pride in conditioning. We discuss it quite a bit, that if the way we play doesn’t work at first, we feel like eventually we’re going to hit a moment where we can break things open, so that’s what we’re searching for.”

Shelby, which boasts neither the size nor the raw athleticism present on the Hart roster, impressed coach Rick Zoulek with its first-half effort, but without the same depth Hart has, it wasn’t sustainable for 32 minutes.

“It wears you right down,” Zoulek said. “They’ve got a lot of different guys that can score and a lot of different guys that can rebound. If we try to concentrate

Shelby’s Kylie Brown (left) and Jayna Burmeister pursue a loose ball heading out of bounds during Thursday’s game against Hart. The Pirates’ Joselyn Flores looks on. The Tigers won the game, 49-38. • Andy Roberts/Echo

better, is through those experiences and how we respond to it. I’m expecting that we’re going to have a positive response and the season’s going to still be a positive season.”

Williamson said he felt the Pirates are better than they played against Shelby, and the team will have to work on turnovers to improve.

Shelby, meanwhile, takes over as the top cats in the WMC Rivers, and

just on rebounding, we forget about scoring. I was really pleased with how hard we played in the first half.”

Because the Tigers don’t have Hart’s size, Zoulek said they had to approach their possessions with a mindset of getting the best shot they can, knowing offensive rebounds were unlikely. However, as Hart pulled away, his team got sucked into playing Hart’s game.

“We started trying to play their style, so to speak,” Zoulek said. “They had more open shots. They had more open looks. We were forcing shots up.

“We don’t need to be deliberate, but we’ve got to be selective in our shots. We were trying to push it up for a while, and when we were attacking the basket, we were doing pretty well there in that first half. If we don’t have shots, we have to know enough to pull it out. And that’s the tough thing, because we don’t get a lot of offensive rebounds, whereas they do.”

The gym was raucous throughout the game, but maybe never louder than when Hart’s reserves stepped on the floor in the final minutes and enjoyed success, including a three-pointer by Allen Alcala that brought the house down. It was a sign of the strong team chemistry the group has developed, Bronsema said.

“This team, man, they’re pretty special because they care about one another,” Bronsema said. “I think in the second half, we got to be who we are more so on

Wolting wasted no time letting her players know the target is now on their back at least as much as Hart’s.

“We’ve got to get better before the next time we play them, because we know they’re going to get better,” Wolting said of Hart. “We’re not looking past anyone. We’re taking it one game at a time, focusing on what we’ve got to do against that team.”

Hart’s Miguel Escamilla and Shelby’s Isaac Garcia pursue a loose ball during Friday’s WMC Rivers game at Shelby.

The Pirates rolled to an 88-43 win.

• Andy Roberts/Echo

the offensive end....(Then, the starters) were so excited for Allen because they know a good kid like him deserves the moment almost as much as they do being out there.”

Lenon scored 23 points to lead all scorers, and Caleb Ackley notched another double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. For Shelby, Kelley led the way with 11 points.

THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER 19, 2025 11

Panthers come up just short at Montague

By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor MONTAGUE — A couple of empty spots in the lineup kept Hesperia from coming away victorious in Friday’s Assembly Dual at Montague, as the Panthers lost a 43-36 decision. However, the experience was unique and valuable - so much so that the two schools informally agreed to reprise the dual next year at Hesperia. The Panthers are also hosting one of their own later this season, Jan. 12 against Sparta.

Assembly Duals - midday meets students are able to attend during the school day - are one of high school sports’ fastest-growing trends. Friday’s wasn’t the first time Hesperia has wrestled in one, said coach Mark Arbogast, as the Panthers faced Chippewa Hills in a previous season.

The Panthers led the entire match until the final bouts, when Montague was able to pick up two forfeit wins at 190 and 215 pounds. Hesperia was unfortunately down George Goodrich, who was sick throughout the week and was unable to go Friday, and Logan Kammer, who missed the match with an injury.

Hesperia enjoyed a lot of success early in the dual at the lower weights - the match started at the lowest one, 106 pounds - which is maybe the strongest part of the Panther lineup.

Freshman Grayson Gould, who’s the

Hesperia’s Dain Kraus (foreground) tries to escape a hold by Montague’s Alex Breed during Friday’s Assembly Dual match at Montague. • Andy Roberts/Echo

younger brother of former Hesperia star Skyler Stalbaum, kicked things off with a pin victory, followed by veterans Carter Fuentes and Paul Winchel adding pins of their own.

“They were dynamite, ready to go,” Arbogast said. “They were chomping at the bit the whole week. They were excited to wrestle. We were really excited for those guys.”

Even Montague’s first win wasn’t one Arbogast was displeased with, saying first-year wrestler Raymond Vega, who fell to Montague freshman Chayse Maddox, “had a great match” in defeat.

Hesperia responded to the first few Montague efforts to cut into its lead, as Dain Kraus picked up a pin at 138 and Ryan Fuentes added one at 157 to

Pentwater and Hesperia players jockey for rebounding position during Friday’s game at Pentwater. The Falcons pulled off a double-overtime win over Hesperia in a classic game, 75-72. • Courtesy Photo

Hesperia’s Paul Winchel works toward a pin of Montague’s Tony Garcia during Friday’s Assembly Dual match at Montague. Winchel scored his pin, but the Panthers lost a close battle, 43-36. • Andy Roberts/Echo

make the score 30-22. The ‘Cats scored another pin at 165, but Brant Hutson answered with one at 175 for Hesperia’s last win of the dual.

The final bout saw heavyweight Noah Walker matched up with Montague’s Maverick Osborne with the team down four points. Walker needed a technical fall or pin to win, but Osborne wrestled conservatively and didn’t allow his Panther foe any openings to get one in what turned out to be a 3-2 win.

The match isn’t part of the West Michigan Conference season, Arbogast said, though the two teams were

clearly evenly matched.

Despite the outcome, Arbogast said he’s really enjoyed working with this team early in the season, as there’s been a willing focus on getting better every day.

“The room’s atmosphere has been wonderful,” Arbogast said. “Not that I’ve ever really had a bad year in the room, but the guys are just willing to work, and they’re eager to learn, and they want to get better. There’s a little more hunger to get better. I’m super pumped to work with them all year. It makes it very much a delight to come into the room.”

Walkerville’s Isabel Babbin holds the ball at the top of the key while Pentwater’s Lauren Davis defends during Tuesday’s game at Walkerville.

• Connie VanDerZanden/Echo

Pentwater ekes out double-OT Pentwater pulls away late for rivalry win over Walkerville win over Hesperia in classic

By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor Pentwater and Hesperia played an instant classic game Friday, with the Falcons coming away with the win in double overtime 75-72.

“It was a game where neither team deserved to lose,” Hesperia coach Scott Warsaw said. “(It was) a night of basketball that felt more like a battle of wills than just a game, as neither team was willing to back down,” Pentwater coach Ashley Lubera said.

There was no big comeback in the 40-minute battle, because neither team ever really created separation from the other. Two points was the biggest lead either team had at one of the quarter breaks.

Both team’s defenses held up at the end of the first overtime, as each squad had an unsuccessful chance to win the game. Finally, it was the Falcons (1-1) who eked out the win in the second overtime period. Wy-

att Roberts hit the game-winning three-pointer for Pentwater, and Jacobo Martin made 2-of-4 free throws to stave off Hesperia.

Brody Austin led the way for Pentwater on the night, totaling 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and “providing steady leadership in the game’s biggest moments,” Lubera said.

Martin was the game’s statistical standout, narrowly missing a triple-double. Martin had 18 points, nine rebounds and 10 steals. Roberts chipped in 17 points and nine boards, and Abram Kieda had 10 points and seven rebounds.

“This was a game defined by toughness, heart, and refusal to quit,” Lubera said. “Both Pentwater and Hesperia showed why they are evenly matched, but on this night, the Falcons found a way to soar just a little higher.”

Malakai Sellers paced the Panthers (1-2) with 20 points, and Nate Ruhstorfer had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

By Andy Roberts

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor Pentwater defeated Walkerville in a hard-fought West Michigan D League county battle Tuesday night, 42-32, with three Falcons providing the bulk of the scoring.

Aubrie Adams led the way for Pentwater, stuffing the stat sheet with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals. Adams scored six of the Falcons’ first 10 points, said coach Brandon Knoll, getting the team’s offense going early.

“Walkerville played very physically against us and made us work for every basket,” Knoll said. “In the third quarter, we battled some foul trouble that continued to keep us out of our offensive rhythm.”

The Wildcats hung tough with Pentwater for the first three quarters using their tough defense, but ultimately the Falcons pulled away for the double-digit win, with two three-pointers from Emma Werke-

Pentwater’s Emma Werkema-Grondsma lines up to attempt a free throw during Tuesday’s game at Walkerville.

• Connie VanDerZanden/Echo

ma-Grondsma proving pivotal for the team.

Adding to Adams’ scoring effort, Lauren Davis posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding five steals. Werkema-Grondsma had 11 points and six boards.

Walkerville coach Mandy Achterhof said the Wildcats struggled shooting, keeping them from taking advantage of solid defensive play.

Marrison Simpson led Walkerville with 10 points and six rebounds, and Grace Riggs added nine points and seven boards. Jamari Carter was a force on defense with four steals.

Volume3,3,Issue Issue66 DECEMBER DECEMBER19, 19,2025 2025 2025 Volume

THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER 19, 2025 12

Total Raised: $107,181.25 Lead this Legacy REFLECTIONSReflections OF OUR COMMUNITY Reflections ofour ourcommunity community community of

White Lake Mirror White YOUR LOCALLYOWNED OWNEDAND ANDOPERATED OPERATEDNONPROFIT NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE YOUR LOCALLY OWNED NEWS SOURCE YOUR LOCALLY AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE

GivingTree Treebrightens brightenslives lives this this holiday holiday Giving

Health and Rehabilitation.

This Christmas season, with the Health and Rehabilitation.

ThisChristmas Christmasseason, season,with withthe theHealth and Rehabilitation.

This The White Lake Giving Tree recommunity’s assistance, the White The White LakeGiving GivingTree Treererecommunity’s assistance, the White The White Lake community’s assistance, the food White ceived donations of toys, clothing, Lake Giving Tree provided and ceived donations of toys, clothing, Lake Giving Tree provided food and ceived donations of toys, and clothing, Lake Giving Tree provided food and handmade hats, scarves, quilts, gifts for 311 households who live in the handmadehats, hats,scarves, scarves,and andquilts, quilts, gifts for 311 households who live in thehandmade gifts for 311 households who live in the which were included in several famMontague and Whitehall school diswhich were included in several famMontague and Whitehall school diswere included in several famMontague and Whitehall school dis- which ilies' gift boxes.

Canned goods tricts. ilies' gift boxes. Canned goods and and tricts. gift boxes. Canned goods and tricts.This ministry comes togeth- ilies' other nonperishables nonperishables were were collected collected This ministry comes togeth- other This ministry comes togethotherMontague's nonperishables were collected er

by Montague's Oehrli Oehrli Elementary, Elementary, loloer through through the the cooperation cooperation of of many many by by Montague's Oehrli Elementary, loer area through the cooperation of many cal churches, churches, and and White White Lake Lake Catholic Catholic area churches, churches, schools, schools, businesses, businesses, cal cal churches, and White Lake Catholic area churches,individuals schools, businesses, groups, parishioners. groups, and and individuals to to help help brightbright- parishioners. parishioners. groups, and individuals toneighbors help brightThe en Christmas for many who The students students from from Whitehall's Whitehall's en Christmas for many neighbors who The students from made Whitehall's enare Christmas foratmany neighbors who Shoreline Elementary struggling this time of year.

The Christare struggling at this time of year. The Shoreline Elementary made ChristElementary made Christarerecipient struggling at thisconsist time of year.

The Shoreline mas cards cards that that were were distributed distributed to to the the recipient families families consist of of senior senior citcit- mas mas cards that were distributed to the recipient families consist of senior citrecipient families.

Ferry Memorial izens, single people, families with chilizens, single people, families with chil- recipient families. Ferry Memorial The izens, single people, and families with chil- recipient families. Ferry Memorial dren The White White Lake Lake Giving Giving Tree Tree was was able able to todistribute distributeaagreat greatdeal dealof ofgifts giftsand andfood foodto tolocal local dren of of all all ages, ages, and some some residents residents The WhiteinLake Giving Tree was able to distribute a great deal of gifts and food to local families need this year thanks to business and community donations. dren of all ages, and someand residents at SHAWL Apartments Optalis families in need this year thanks to business and community donations. at SHAWL Apartments and Optalis families in needPhoto this year thanks to business and community donations.

• Courtesy at SHAWL Apartments and Optalis continued continued on onpage page22 • Courtesy Photo continued on page 2 • Courtesy Photo

Giving tree Givingtree tree Giving

Whitehallstudents studentsrecognized recognizedin inVFW VFWessay essay contest contest contest Whitehall By

By Andy Andy Roberts Roberts By Andy Roberts White White Lake Lake Mirror Mirror Editor Editor

fantastic fantastic job, job, and and that's that's something something that that fantastic job, and that's something that as long as I'm here and able as long as I'm here and ableto todo dothese these asthings, long as I'm here and able to do these White Lake Mirror Editor things, we're we're going going to to continue continue to to work work WHITEHALL WHITEHALL — — Once Once again, again, Brian Brianthings, we're going tothe continue to work with the VFW and Legion."

WHITEHALL — U.S. Once again,classes Brianat with the VFW and the Legion."

Milliron's honors history Milliron's honors U.S. history classes atwith the VFW and the Legion."

This This year, year, the the theme theme of of the the contest contest Milliron's honors U.S. history classes atin Whitehall Whitehall High High School School participated participated in was This year,Are theYou theme of thePatriotism contest "How Showing was "How Are You Showing Patriotism Whitehall High cases, Schooltook participated in and, and, in in three three cases, took the the top top spots spotswas "How Are You Patriotism and Support for Our Miland Support forShowing Our Country?"

Country?"

Miland, in three cases, took the top spots at the local level in the Veterans of Forat the local level in the Veterans of For-and Support for Our Country?"

Milliron's list of winners was especially liron's list of winners was especially at eign the level in the Veterans of ForWars' annual Voice of eignlocal Wars' annual Voice of Democracy Democracy liron's list of winners especially poignant, because the first-place winpoignant, because thewas first-place wineign Wars' annual Voice of Democracy essay contest.

Milliron's classes essay contest. Milliron's classes have havepoignant, because the first-place winner was his own daughter, Mayson. ner was his own daughter, Mayson. essay Milliron's classes been constant presences at top beencontest. constant presences at the thehave top of ofner was his ownher daughter, Mayson.

Mayson based essay her Mayson based her essay around around her been constant presences at the top of the local level pyramid as he attempts the local level pyramid as he attempts Mayson based her essay around her grandfather, Larry Bacon, who served grandfather, Larry Bacon, who served use contest to theto level pyramid as hestudents attemptsextolocal use the the contest to help help students ex-grandfather, in Navy.

She seeing him who served in the the U.S. U.S. Larry Navy.Bacon, She said said seeing him their patriotic identity poto plore use the contest to help students plore their patriotic identity -- and andexpo-inparticipate in the veteran's appreciathe U.S. Navy.

She said seeing him participate in the veteran's appreciaWhitehall students, from left, Mayson Milliron, Maddie Betz and Ethan Sylvester were the tentially scholarship plore their earn patriotic identitymoney.

- and poWhitehall students, from left, Mayson Milliron, Maddie Betz and Ethan Sylvester were the tentially earn scholarship money. tion nights basketparticipate inthe theWhitehall veteran'sgirls appreciatop three students, finishers at theleft, local level inMilliron, the VFW's annual essay contest. tion nights the Whitehall girls basketWhitehall Mayson Maddie Betz and Ethan Sylvester were the "Whitehall's got some great kids, tentially earn scholarship money. top three finishers from at the local level in the VFW's annual essay contest.

"Whitehall's got some great kids,tion ball team hosts is aa great honor. nights the Whitehall girls basket- top • Andy Roberts/Mirror three finishers at the local level in the VFW's annual essay contest. ball team hosts is great honor. and they're hard-working kids, and "Whitehall's got some great kids, • Andy Roberts/Mirror and they're hard-working kids, andball team "It's such an honor to Roberts/Mirror "It's hosts such is ana great honorhonor. to bring bring him him • Andy this is honors U.S history, so these are and they're hard-working kids, and just state-level this is honors U.S history, so these are to"It's these things see stand up justschool, school,but butsports sportsas aswell." well." such an and honor tohim bring him state-level scholarship scholarship winners. winners. SzeSzeto these things and see him stand up sophomores," Milliron said.

"They're this is honors U.S history, so these are Taking second place was Maddie just school, but sports as well." gda, Milliron said, won $1,000 and state-level scholarship winners.

Szesophomores," Milliron said. "They'retofor these people," Mayson said. "(He's Taking second place was Maddie these things and see him stand up gda, Milliron said, won $1,000 and for these people," Mayson said. "(He's Betz, in AP History. sophomores," Milliron "They're and in third was Ethan Taking second place was Sylvester.

Maddie isis now studying the University of gda, Milliron said,at won $1,000 and in aa pre-AP pre-AP setup setup for forsaid.

AP US US History.fortold) me that he didn't know if he was Betz, and in third was Ethan Sylvester. these people," Mayson said. "(He's now studying at the University of told) me that he didn't know if he was Betz, year, I have them do two essays in Each a pre-AP setup for AP US History.

Each was awarded a backpack and a Michigan.

Szegda was on Milliron's and in third was Ethan Sylvester. is now studying at the University of Each year, I have them do two essaystold) going to be able to get to this point in Each was awarded a backpack and a Michigan.

Szegda was on Milliron's me that he didn't know if he was going to be able to get to this point in Each they can money for: Each havescholarship them do two essays miniature American flag. quiz teams, said was awarded a backpack and a Michigan. was on coach Milliron's theyyear, canI get get scholarship money for:going the to home miniature American flag. Milliron's Milliron's quiz bowl bowlSzegda teams, and and the the coach said to be able get to to come this point into the world, world, to be betoable able to come home to miniature This one, and one with the Gerald R. they can getand scholarship for: R. me, essay will move on to the district level American flag.

Milliron's quiz bowl teams, and the coach said This one, one with money the Gerald to our family.

(I love) being able to essay will move on to the district level the world, to be able to come home to me, to our family. (I love) being able to essay Ford Presidential Once in the contest, and she's lucky, she This one, and one Museum. with the Gerald R. will move on toififthe district level Ford Presidential Museum.

Once again again be him through, not the contest, and she's lucky, she me, our and family.

(I love) able to betohere here and honor honor himbeing through, not inthe working with the VFW, these kids did a continued on page 2 join 2023 alum Liam Szegda Ford Presidential Museum.

Once again contest, and if she's lucky, she working with the VFW, these kids did abe here and honor him through, not incould continued on page 2 could join 2023 alum Liam Szegda as as working with the VFW, these kids did a continued on page 2 could join 2023 alum Liam Szegda as

VFW awards VFWawards awards VFW

White River Twp. solar application scrutinized White River Twp. solar application scrutinized

Brown led his report by criticizing the special adapt provided the sound levels did not affect their By Brown led his report by criticizing the special adapt provided the sound levels did not affect their

By Andy Andy Roberts Roberts use application its lack specifics. the "(It is) lack- adapt abilityprovided to communicate.

White Lake Mirror Editor Brown led hisfor report by of criticizing the sound levels did not affect their By Andy use application for its lack of specifics. "(Itspecial is) lack- ability to communicate.

White LakeRoberts Mirror Editor ing information, lacking detail...Not taking into acMcClelland, too, brought notable credentials to use application for its lack of specifics. "(It is) lackability to communicate.

White— Lake Mirror McClelland, too, brought notable credentials to MONTAGUE Two moreEditor Michigan-based ex- ing information, lacking detail...Not taking into acMONTAGUE — Two more Michigan-based ex-ing count the impactlacking on the detail...Not community," Brown said.

"It hisMcClelland, report, including 45 years notable of experience and work information, taking into actoo, credentials to 45 years of experience and work perts took their—turns reports aboutexthe count the impact on the community," Brown said. "It his report, includingbrought MONTAGUE Two delivering more Michigan-based perts took their turns delivering reports about thecount seems like it's just there to check a box." with a brownfield authority in Grand Traverse Counthe impact on the community," Brown said.

"It his report, including 45 years of experience and work with a brownfield authority in Grand Traverse CounLakeside Solar turns specialdelivering use permit application the seems like it's just there to check a box." perts took their reports about to the Lakeside Solar special use permit application to theseems Brown, board-certified in the field by the with ty. a brownfield authority in Grand Traverse Counlike it'swho justis there to check a box."

Brown, who is board-certified in the field by the ty.

White River Township planning commission at its Lakeside Solar special useplanning permit application to the White River Township commission at its Institute Noise Control Engineering, said by modeldid not address Lakeside Solar's Brown, of who is board-certified in the field the ty. McClelland Institute of Noise Control Engineering, said modelMcClelland did not address Lakeside Solar's regular meeting Tuesday night.

White River Township planning regular meeting Tuesday night. commission at its Institute ing inputs used in the study cited by Lakeside Solar claims of it being financially impractical to construct of Noise Control Engineering, said modelMcClelland did not address Lakeside Solar's used in the study cited by Lakeside Solar claims of it being financially impractical to construct The planning commission at the end of the ing inputs regular meeting Tuesday night. stated The planning commission stated at the end of theing were of concern and that there wasn't sufficient cona solar energy facility in the renewable energy disinputs used in the study cited by Lakeside Solar claims of it being financially impractical to construct meeting that it commission will formally vote on the end special use were of concern and that there wasn't sufficient con- a solar energy facility in the renewable energy disThe planning at the of the meeting that it will formallystated vote on the special usewere textofgiven in the information it provided.

His own trict the township established last fall, but said based concern andinformation that there wasn't sufficient solarthe energy facility in the renewable energy disin the it provided.

Hisconown a trict township established last fall, but said based application a special meeting Thursday, Jan.use 8 at text given meeting that itat formally vote on the special application atwill a special meeting Thursday, Jan. 8 attext research, based on available itdata, suggested itown was trict on the the township 632 acresestablished of Chemours land thatsaid were part given in the information provided.

His last fall, but based research, based on available data, suggested it was on the 632 acres of Chemours land that were part NBC Middle than aThursday, week before application at aSchool, specialless meeting Jan.its 8 Jan. at NBC Middle School, less than a week before its Jan.research, likely thebased 129 homes that sit within 1,000 feet of the of the district, it's possible a facility could produce on available suggested it of was acresit's of possible Chemours land that were part likely the 129 homes that sitdata, within 1,000 feet the onofthe the632 district, a facility could produce 14 deadline to do so.

NBC Middle School, less than a week before its Jan. 14 deadline to do so. proposed facility would be affected by thefeet sound lev- ofupthe to district, 95 megawatts of energy (Lakeside Solar said likely the 129 homes that sit within 1,000 of the it's possible a facility could produce The commission spent the past month hear- proposed facility would be affected by the sound lev- up to 95 megawatts of energy (Lakeside Solar said 14 deadline to do so. has The commission has spent the past month hear-proposed els it would produce.

Brown said he usually recomits proposed 1,500-plus acre facility would produce facility would Brown be affected sound lev- upitstoproposed 95 megawatts of energy (Lakeside Solar said produce. said by hethe usually recom1,500-plus acre facility would produce ing specialists in different fields els it would Thepresentations commission from has spent the past hearing presentations from specialists in month different fieldselsmends there be a buffer of at least that size between 150 megawatts).

While some of the land would likeit would produce.

Brown said he usually recomits proposed 1,500-plus acre facility would produce mends there be a buffer of at least that size between 150 megawatts).

While some of the land would likethe application, with eachinreaching coningabout presentations from specialists differentthe fields about the application, with each reaching the con-mends properties and a similar facility for sound-level realy be unavailable for such a facility due to the envithere be a buffer of at least that size between 150 megawatts).

While some of the land would likeproperties and a similar facility for sound-level realy be unavailable for such a facility due to the enviclusion the application is incomplete andconlackabout the that application, with each reaching the clusion that the application is incomplete and lack-properties sons. areas for of concern present, 475 enviacres and a similar facility for sound-level rea- lyronmental be unavailable a facility duethe to the sons. ronmental areas of such concern present, the 475 acres ing in details.

Tuesday's reports were delivered clusion the application is incomplete and lack-by ing inthat details.

Tuesday's reports were delivered bysons.Brown did add that it was likely some people ronmental of land that would be available, McClelland said, areas of concern present, the 475 acres Brown did add that it was likely some people of land that would be available, McClelland said, consultant of K&S Engiingprincipal in details.

Tuesday'sDarren reportsBrown were delivered by principal consultant Darren Brown of K&S Engiwould get used to the additional sound and adapt, wouldn't be prohibitive to build on.

Groundwater Browngetdid addtothat it was likely some people ofwouldn't land thatbewould be available, McClelland said, would used the additional sound and adapt, prohibitive to build on.

Groundwater neering, who tackled the issue of the proposed solar principal Darren Brown K&S Engineering,consultant who tackled the issue of theofproposed solar would but suggested an sound idea of howadapt, they'd and soil issues in the areatowould major issues get used those to the wanting additional prohibitive buildnot on.be Groundwater those wanting an idea ofand how they'd wouldn't and soil be issues in the area would not be major issues development's sound levels.ofMac Consulting Ser- but suggested neering, who tackled the issue the proposed solar development's sound levels. Mac Consulting Ser- be affected travel to the heart of a similar facility and beyond requiring construction workers taking meathosetowanting of how they'd soil issues in theconstruction area would not be major issues besuggested affected travel the heartanofidea a similar facility and and beyond requiring workers taking meavice owner Mac McClelland gave his review of the but development's sound levels. Mac vice owner Mac McClelland gaveConsulting his review Serof the experience the atmosphere for themselves. sures to avoid soil-to-skin contact, such as wearing affected travel to the heart for of athemselves. similar facility and beyond requiring construction workers taking meathe atmosphere sures to avoid soil-to-skin contact, such as wearing alternative site analysis Lakeside Solar published, beexperience vice owner Mac gave hisSolar review of the alternative siteMcClelland analysis Lakeside published, Asked about how township wildlife may be af- long pants and sleeves. atmosphere for themselves. avoid soil-to-skin explaining why it did not pursue the township's re- experience Askedthe about how township wildlife may be af- sures longto pants and sleeves. contact, such as wearing alternative site analysis Lakeside published,re- fected by the sound levels, Brown said his work foexplaining why it did not pursueSolar the township's Askedbyabout how township wildlife be afnewable energy overlay, comprising Chemours land, fected the sound levels, Brown saidmay his work fo- long pants and sleeves. explaining it did not pursue the township's recuses on human response, so he wasn't qualified to newable why energy overlay, comprising Chemours land, fected soundresponse, levels, Brown hisqualified work fo-to for its proposed facility. cusesbyonthe human so he said wasn't newable energy overlay, comprising Chemours land, say, but guessed that most animals would be able to for its proposed facility. continued on page 2 cuses he wasn't qualified say, on buthuman guessedresponse, that mostsoanimals would be abletoto continued on page 2 for its proposed facility. say, but guessed that most animals would be able to continued on page 2

Lakeside LakesideSolar Solar Lakeside Solar

13 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE OCEANA ECHO THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR DECEMBER 19, 2025 2

Local Christmas services Seeking a Christmas service in the White Lake area? Local churches welcome all to worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. St. James Catholic Church, Montague - 4 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Christmas Eve; 10 a.m. Christmas Day. St. Peter's-By-the-Lake Episcopal Church, Montague - 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. Evangelical Covenant Church, Whitehall - 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Christmas Eve. Rothbury Community Church - 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. New Beginnings Church, Whitehall - 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. Lebanon Lutheran Church, Whitehall - 7 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Rothbury - 7 p.m. Christmas Eve. St. James Lutheran Church, Montague - 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Christmas Eve; 10 a.m. Christmas Day. Faith Lutheran Church, Whitehall - 7 p.m. Christmas Eve; 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Day. White Lake Congregational United Church of Christ, Whitehall - 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. Fruitland Covenant Church, Whitehall - 8 p.m. Christmas Eve and 7 a.m. Christmas Day (Christmas Day service outdoors by the fire).

White Lake United Methodist Church, Montague - 11:30 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Lakeside Solar

McClelland added that the adjacent Occidental property having been established as a renewable energy district by Montague Township could boost the development possibilities for clean energy in the area.

Following these presentations, the commission shared economic impact studies it had found that seemed to contradict Lakeside Solar's statements that effects on home values due to nearby solar energy facilities are negligible. The commission cited a 2025 Virginia Tech study that showed sale price declines near such facilities, with the effect larger the closer to a facility the home was located. Commission chair Lauren Wackernagel said it's found that 2,205 homes, if the facility is constructed, will be located within 2.5 miles of it.

The commission also cited feedback from White Lake Fire Authority deputy chief Keith Heidelberg regarding fire hazards due to BESS buildings; Heidelberg, according to the commission, also recommended a third-party inspector be hired to provide reviews at least annually to ensure proper mitigation procedures are being followed.

Jennifer Jermalowicz-Jones, principal limnologist at Restorative Lake Sciences, additionally provided feedback stating that the presumed loss of natural capital, like wildlife and farmland, that comes with the solar facility would not be aligned with the township's master plan.

Commissioner Stephen Niezgoda spoke later in the meeting and harshly criticized Geronimo's lack of response to township questions, comparing its

statements implying it did not have sufficient time to do so to the large amount of documents it gave to the commission with a 120-day time limit to approve its special use application.

Niezgoda quoted a November Minnesota Star Tribune article about a data center Geronimo is developing on rural farmland there - one the article states could use as much electricity as up to 1 million homes - and questioned whether the company isn't seeking to utilize the township's renewable energy overlay because it plans to do the same here. (Lakeside Solar's Kendra Harrington, who attends township meetings but rarely comments, stated later that the company has no such intention here.)

Niezgoda capped his comments by stating he does not believe Lakeside Solar is acting in good faith and does not believe it has any intentions of doing so.

Several public commenters echoed criticisms of Lakeside Solar and the special use application. One, Mary Jo Ernst, said after researching the state's Renew Michigan program that provides reimbursements for brownfield redevelopment (McClelland cited the program in his presentation), she feels the program "is a gift and an opportunity" to make renewable energy a possibility in the renewable energy district.

Another, Craig Smith, cited the several experts that have characterized the Lakeside Solar application as incomplete and rhetorically asked, "If this is the best they can do on the application, how bad will the project be?"

VFW awards some old quizzers plan to get together for trivia at the Red Rooster Tavern Monday to dust off their skills.

Mayson chuckled at the idea that there was extra pressure on her to produce a quality essay because her dad was teaching the class, saying Brian pushes her to succeed.

"Do I treat her a little bit differently, push her a little bit more, and does that upset her? Yes, yes and yes," Brian Milliron laughed. "I always tell

continued from page 1

my kid and all my kids, whether they're my basketball players, my Quiz Bowl kids or my kids in class, 'Try your best. If you guys try your best, you're going to have happy teachers and happy coaches.'"

Mayson said she hopes the contest inspires Whitehall students and local people to support their veterans. The girls basketball veteran's appreciation night is scheduled for Jan. 9 when the Vikings take on Manistee in the first half

continued from page 1

County airport announces increased service to Chicago

The Muskegon County Airport announced Dec. 12 that its partner Denver Air Connection is increasing the number of weekly flights to and from Chicago's O'Hare Airport from 24 to 38, beginning Jan. 2.

Three flights will travel from the Muskegon airport to O'Hare five days a week (all but Tuesday and Sunday).

On those days, flights will take off from

Giving tree

Church donated 110 turkeys. Nestle Gerber (Fremont) donated baby food valued at over $3,600. Food was also purchased at a discounted price from Montague Foods and Feeding America (Grand Rapids).

Montague High School, Whitehall High School, Lebanon Lutheran Church, St. Peter’s-by-the-Lake Church, St. James Catholic Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Our Lady of the Assumption Church (Rothbury), White Lake United Methodist Church, St Mary of the Woods Chapel (Lakewood Club), White Lake Congregational Church, White Lake Eagles and Hilite International took gift tags to purchase Christmas gifts for children.

One individual donated over $500 in toys to be gifted to children.

Hope Bible Chapel collected various sizes of bedding that was gifted to families. The White Lake Chamber LEADS Group volunteered to wrap Christmas gifts.

Coldwell Banker, Greenridge Realty of Montague, a local Girl Scout troop, New Beginnings Church, and parishioners from White Lake Catholic churches adopted families, providing all the food and gifts for them. St. Mary of the Woods in Lakewood Club hosted a turkey dinner and donated the proceeds.

The White Lake Eagles also hosted a turkey dinner and a bakeless bake sale and donated the proceeds.

Monetary donations were received

Muskegon at 9:35 a.m., 4:35 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. Tuesdays will see flights leave Muskegon for O'Hare at 9:35 a.m. and 7:20 p.m. and Sundays will include takeoffs from Muskegon at 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m.

"The first and last flights of the day are now just $49 each way, down from $69," the airport announced in a Facebook post revealing the news.

continued from page 1

from St. John the Baptist Chapel (Claybanks), Our Lady of the Assumption (Rothbury), the Knights of Columbus and the Knights Auxiliary, White Lake Catholics Quilting Ministry, American Legion Auxiliary, the Dirt Dauber Garden Club, White Lake Methodist's ‘Women in Faith’ group, Claybanks United Methodist Women’s Group, Erdman Machine, Seaver’s Lawn Service, The Homestead restaurant, and many other individuals from the community.

West Michigan Family Dentistry and Ferguson Family Dentistry donated toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Montague Foods provided a discount on laundry soap, shampoo chicken, ham, potatoes, butter, cheese, eggs, bread, oranges, and various canned food. Country Dairy supplied milk at a discounted price. Menards provided a discount on laundry baskets which were gifted to families.

There were many individuals and groups that worked tirelessly for months to pull all this together. Their goal was to share their time and talent to ease the stress and brighten Christmas for others in our area.

To everyone who contributed to the White Lake Giving Tree - be it food, gifts, time, money, braving the frigid weather on delivery day, or prayers - thank you. You are the heart of this ministry.

PUBLIC NOTICE WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS ADOPTION

On December 9, 2025, the White River Township Board adopted amendments to the White River Township Zoning Ordinance as follows: Amendment #1: Short-term rentals and road access. This amendment revises Section 3.46(C)(7) of the White River Township Zoning Ordinance to allow for short-term rentals to be accessed by a joint driveway or private road if certain requirements are met. Such requirements include a minimum width of such private road or drive, a turnaround point, sufficient fire truck accessibility, and a rental agreement for tenants acknowledging such access.

Amendment #2: Nonconforming buildings and structures. This amendment modifies Subsections 19.02(A)(5) and 19.02(C) of the White River Township Zoning Ordinance to eliminate the 50% enlargement or extension limitation for nonconforming buildings and structures and allow for Zoning Administrator approval of nonconforming setback extensions under certain circumstances.

Whitehall student Mayson Milliron receives her firstplace award certificate from White Lake VFW member Jerry Brandenburg.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

of a girls/boys basketball doubleheader.

The new amendment language and the Zoning Ordinance may be obtained, inspected, purchased or reviewed at the Township Hall, 7386 Post Road, Montague, Michigan 49437, during regular business hours (Mondays and Wednesdays: 9 a.m. until noon).

The new zoning amendments will become effective upon the expiration of 7 days after this Notice of adoption appears in the newspaper.

Julie Goericke Clerk, White River Township (231) 894-9216 7386 Post Road, Montague, Michigan 49437

3 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER 19, 2025 14

Community Calendar Saturday, Dec. 20 Serita's Black Rose Duo performs Nook & Java Shop, 10 a.m. to noon.

Java Shop, 6:15 p.m.

Santa Claus will be in his Santa @ Fetch Brewing, 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 22 Friday, Dec. 26 House outside Montague City Hall, Live trivia @ White Lake Eagles, 7 Live trivia @ Red Rooster Tavern, 7 Billy Ryan performs @ White Lake 1-3 p.m. p.m. p.m.

Eagles, 7 p.m.

SmittyVision performs @ North Group Therapy performs @ Pub Tuesday, Dec. 23 Murphy's Law Band performs @ Grove Brewers, 7 p.m.

One Eleven, 8 p.m.

Steve Thielman performs @ Book Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.

The Formers perform @ Wayside Sunday, Dec. 21 Nook & Java Shop, 10 a.m. to noon.

Bar and Grill, 7 p.m.

Steve Thielman performs @ Book Pretty Fun trivia @ Book Nook &

Echoes of History: History The life of Annie Dowling (Pt. 1)

By Tom Eitniear Volunteer Contributor Annie Wilson was born in Scotland to William Wilson and Catherine (nee Carlyle) Wilson. The family unit was comprised of the parents and 3 children: Robert (born Nov. 21, 1841), Elizabeth (born May 9, 1843), and Annie (born Oct. 4, 1848).

William Wilson embarked on a journey to the United States from Liverpool, England, in 1848 on the ship “Georgiana” with the intent to seek his fortune and then bring his wife and children over soon after. During the voyage the ship encountered a fierce storm and sunk to a watery grave, with no survivors. Catherine, hopeful for word from her husband, waited for a year and then accepted what the cruel hand of fate had delivered to her.

Knowing her children would have little to no memory of their father, she faced her situation bravely, and in 1849 she and her children voyaged to the USA. The family made it to the eastern seaboard, but that was not their destination. They continued their voyage to Grand Haven, Michigan, where they were met and befriended by Reverend William Montague Ferry. This meeting was probably the most favorable stroke of fortune that Catherine could have experienced at this time in her life since William Ferry was one of the most influential individuals in Michigan.

The family engaged the last leg of their journey to Courtland Township, Kent County, Michigan to settle with John and William Carlyle, who were brothers to Catherine. John and William had established farms in Section 33 and 34, and when Catherine ar-

rived her family was split apart. The 1850 Michigan Census for Kent County showed that 27-year-old Catherine and 3-year-old Annie were part of the Philo Beers household, 6-year-old Elizabeth was living with John and Maria Brewer, and 9-year-old Robert was in the John Carlyle household. This family split was not that significant since they were geographically close to each other and could see each other quite regularly.

The 1860 census of Kent County showed that Robert had taken up residence with Aaron Beman Turner in the third ward of the city of Grand Rapids and was a printer’s apprentice. Aaron Turner was the owner and editor of the Grand Rapids Eagle and in 1872 would become Robert’s father-in-law when his daughter Ellen married Robert.

Catherine and 12-year-old Annie were residing at the Brooks Hotel in Newaygo, Michigan, according to the 1860 Michigan Census, where Catherine worked as a cook. It is probable that Annie learned a good deal of information at this place of residence that would serve her well in the future.

It is unknown where 17-year-old Elizabeth resided at this time, but she would marry Samuel Hart Row Sept. 14, 1863 in Sharon, Washtenaw County, Michigan, and spend her life living in Lansing, Michigan.

The Reverend Ferry, his son Edward, and George Dowling as resident manager established the Ferry Dowling & Co. sawmill at the head of White Lake in 1865. Shortly thereafter, a town was surveyed and aptly named “Montague.” Settlers started moving to this area and by 1870 more than a dozen homes had been erected.

The 1870 Census showed that at some point in time between 1860 and

1870 Catherine and Annie moved from Newaygo, Michigan to the newly established settlement of Montague. Catherine was boarding at the residence of James Santon and gave her name to the census taker as Mary Catherine Wilson, and that she was retired.

No record of Annie was found in the 1870 Census, but there was a 20-yearold Scottish born woman boarding at the residence of J. D. Pullman named “Annie Walton.” It is possible that this woman was Annie Wilson, and that when she responded to the census taker in her Scottish accent it was heard and written as “Walton.” Additionally, the residence of J. D. Pullman was a mere 3 blocks from Annie’s place of employment, the Ferry Dowling & Co. boarding house.

There is a photo of Annie Wilson in 1870 standing in front of the Ferry Dowling & Co. boarding house. It is the author’s belief that she was employed by the lumbering firm to provide domestic services to the boarding house tenants, as she appears in an apron that is reminiscent of a cook. It is also the speculation of the author that she was fully qualified for such a position since she most likely assisted her mother with similar endeavors when they resided at the Brooks Hotel in Newaygo.

Additionally, it could be possible that the Reverend Ferry, due to his friendship with Catherine, encouraged her to move to Montague where a job was provided to Annie in the firm’s boarding house. The Reverend Ferry passed away Dec. 30, 1867, so if this theory is true Catherine and Annie would have moved to Montague sometime between 1865 and 1868.

Annie’s move to Montague allowed

Annie Dowling circa 1875.

• Montague Museum/Courtesy Photo

her to meet George Enoch Dowling, the resident manager of the Ferry Dowling & Co. firm, and on Saturday, April 10, 1875, they were united in marriage at the residence of her sister, Elizabeth Row, in Lansing, Michigan.

The 26-year-old Annie Dowling had just wed one of the wealthiest men in the White Lake area and the firm subsequently made the decision to shut down the boarding house in which she worked. On May 20, 1875, they moved into the handsome home that George built, and she assumed the duties of “keeping house.” Annie must have marveled at her good fortune and felt like her life was going in a positive direction, and indeed it was as on May 16, 1876, she gave birth to her first child, John William Dowling, who was referred to as “Willie.”

Library introduces access to Freegal Music

By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor You can now enjoy ad-free streaming music with your library card! Freegal Music+ is available online at wlclib. freegalmusic. com, or by downloading the Freegal Music app from your app store.

You’ll have access to a collection spanning over 20 million songs from more than 93,000 music DeMumbrum labels worldwide including Sony Music, Epic, RCA, and Columbia. You can take advantage of this new service to listen to all your favorite music, create custom playlists, discover new artists, and more. Anyone with a White Lake Community Library card is

eligible for eight hours a day of ad-free streaming, plus three downloads per week that you can keep forever. Check it out now and explore all the holiday music albums and playlists you can stream while you’re making your holiday preparations!

Visit wlclib.org/digital-collection for more information or to start streaming music, and read on to find out more about all the holiday movies you can watch on Kanopy when you’re done streaming holiday songs.

Home Viewing for the Holidays on Kanopy Snuggle in, grab some cocoa, and enjoy free holiday viewing with your library card! Kanopy’s “Home Viewing for the Holidays” collection features festive films, cozy classics, family-friendly favorites, and winter-themed stories perfect for movie nights at home. Whether you're looking for heartwarming dramas, cheerful comedies, or titles to watch

together during school break, Kanopy has something for every mood. Start streaming at no cost. Just sign in at Kanopy.com with your library card and make your holidays a little brighter.

FUN FACT: According to an IMDB. com list, It’s a Wonderful Life is the most popular Christmas movie of all time, followed by Home Alone and then Die Hard. A 1951 version of A Christmas Carol is in 4th place, with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 5th. Miracle on 34th Street is listed in 9th place, with A Charlie Brown Christmas all the way down in 21st place.

January Series Returns Jan. 19 Mark your calendars for the return of Calvin University’s award-winning January Series presentations Jan. 1930. As in past years, you can watch the lectures on the big screen at the library each weekday at 12:30 p.m. You can also choose to watch them on your own computer or mobile device by reg-

The

Bookworm

Bulletin

istering at calvin.edu/january.

The 2026 lineup features athletes, physicians, authors, and more -- former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, commentator David Brooks, and National Park Service administrator Tom Medema, just to name a few. The speakers will continue to challenge you, help you view a subject in a new way, and wow you with a rich variety of topics. For a full list of speakers and topics, visit calvin.edu/january.

community 15 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE OCEANA ECHO THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR DECEMBER 19, 2025 4

e Mirror

SPORTS WHITEHALL • MONTAGUE • REETHS - PUFFER

Montague reaches new heights NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE Wildcats win first Assembly Dual in new arena

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor MONTAGUE — Wrestling matches during the school day - Assembly Duals - are one of high school sports' fastest-growing trends, and Montague was able to celebrate another one Friday, hanging on to edge Hesperia 43-36 in the Wildcats' first-ever match in its new home gym.

Montague hosted an Assembly Dual last year against Grant, and it sounds as though it will be a regular feature of the team's schedule. Coach Kris Maddox said after Friday's match that Montague and Hesperia have informally agreed to reprise Friday's dual at Hesperia next season, and the Wildcats are set to visit Grant for one this week, with the two pairs of teams planning to swap home matches in future years.

The atmosphere was sizzling for Friday's dual, which brought high school students into the gym to cheer on their classmates. So fired up were the wrestlers that after Chayse Maddox picked up a pin victory at 126 pounds to get Montague on the board, he leapt a few feet in the air to celebrate.

Coach Maddox, Chayse's dad, said Chayse and his brother Gavyn, who scored an 8-0 win during the dual, were both nervous going into the match, understandable given all the newness at hand.

"When you throw a lot of things at them and you wrestle in front of your own students, in the new gym for the first time on a brand new mat, against a good quality team, there were a lot of nerves playing into that," Maddox said.

The match came down to the final bout, in which heavyweight Maverick Osborne faced Hesperia's Noah Walker. (By this time, students who rode the school bus had to leave, but a small group stayed behind to keep the intensity going in the gym.) Up four points thanks to two voided weight classes in Montague's favor leading up to his bout, Osborne just had to avoid disaster, and he did, earning a 3-2 victory to

Montague's Chayse Maddox leaps into the air in celebration after scoring a pin victory over Hesperia's Raymond Vega during Friday's Assembly Dual match at Montague. The Wildcats won, 43-36. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

lock up the team dual.

Maddox said the topic of the team score did not come up as he prepared Osborne to face Walker.

"I'm sure he looked at the score and had that in the back of his head," Maddox said. "We try to calm ourselves and focus on the things we can control. I think I told him, don't force anything and just take what comes and take advantage when that opportunity happens. He got that nice big bear hug in the James DeYoung battles with Hesperia's Carter Assembly Dual Montague's Fuentes during Friday's Assembly Dual in Montague. The continued on page 5

Wildcats won, 43-36. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Offensive struggles hamper 'Cats in loss

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor MONTAGUE — Montague struggled offensively throughout Monday's game against Newaygo, but the Wildcats' defense kept them in it most of the way - until they ran out of time in a 43-35 defeat.

Newaygo outscored the Wildcats 11-4 in the final quarter. Montague was hurt by untimely misses at the free throw line, where it was 2-of-7 in the fourth.

Montague seemed to be in good position at halftime, when the game was tied at 16 despite the team only having seven players available to play in that span. (Coach Nick Thaler called it an "in-house" matter.) Some of the Wildcats' better offensive players weren't on the court in the first half, but with defense and rebounding, they were able to keep pace with the Lions.

"I'm proud of the guys that started the game for us and gave us good minutes to start the game," Thaler said. "I thought that JJ Atchison played some good minutes in that first half, getting

Montague's Cole Moss has his shot blocked

by Newaygo's Miles Wormmeester during Monday's game at Montague. Moss had 8 points in the Wildcats' 43-35 loss.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

rebounds and diving on the floor. It was good to get those guys some minutes. Unfortunately, we did not make anything to start the game off."

Montague held Newaygo without a field goal for the first five minutes in each of the first two quarters, and a putback basket by Atchison gave the Wild-

Montague's Cole Herremans attempts to weave through a Newaygo defender during Monday's game at Montague. Herremans scored 14 points in the Wildcats' 43-35 loss.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

cats an 11-9 lead in the second quarter. second half, Montague's offense sputCole Moss drilled a three-pointer that tered early in the third thanks to a zone extended that lead to 15-10 before Newaygo rallied to tie it up at the break. continued on page 5 Despite being at full strength in the

Montague hoops

16 DECEMBER DECEMBER19, 19,2025 2025 THE THEWHITE OCEANA ECHO 5 LAKE MIRROR

Whitehall drops game to W.M. Christian

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor WHITEHALL — Whitehall dropped a 45-32 decision to Western Michigan Christian Friday, fading offensively after a strong start.

The Vikings (0-2) scored eight straight points - six of them on three-pointers by Peyton Schultz - to end the first quarter with a 10-4 lead. After going into the halftime locker room down 16-14, Whitehall opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run, sparked by a banked three-pointer by Kate Beda, to take a 21-16 lead.

The Warriors, though, locked down the Viking attack the rest of the way and got 26 points from Maddy Folkema to get the win. WMC outscored Whitehall 19-9 in the fourth quarter to pull away.

"Senior Emma Decker had the best game of her high school career and was solid on both ends of the court," Whitehall coach Brian Milliron said, referring to Decker's eight points and five rebounds.

Whitehall's Clare Westerlund closes in on the basket during Friday's game against Western Michigan Christian. The Vikings lost, 45-32. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Schultz's nine points led the Vikes, and Clare Westerlund also had eight points and five boards.

Janie Fagan led the team with six rebounds.

Andy Roberts/Mirror

Assembly Dual first period and got a takedown, and that was huge. I think he went a little too passive after that.

I would've liked to see him stay on his offense and try to open the score up a little bit more, but it was good to see him do what he had to do to win."

The Wildcats stormed back after falling behind 18-0 and 24-12.

Gavyn Maddox's 8-0 win started the run for Montague, and Fletcher Thommen followed with a pin to pull the Wildcats within two points, at 24-22. Michael Jones answered a Hesperia pin with one of his own, and that set Montague up to benefit when Hesperia, due to injuries and illnesses, was unable to field wrestlers at 190 or 215 pounds. Isaac French and Edwings Rosas-Hernandez took forfeit wins at those weight classes.

In addition to Chayse Maddox's pin, Gibson Smith also secured a pin victory.

Maddox said the volume of pins in the match worked out for the Wildcats this time, but he's tried to impress upon the team the value of losing close rather than getting pinned. In higher-stakes matches, those hidden points can

continued from page 4

Sports in Brief Boys Basketball Whitehall 64 Middleville 52 Corde Anderson had a big night for the Vikings, with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Pierce Westerlund scored 14 points, and Elijah Smith added 12 points and grabbed 8 boards.

Grand Haven 67 Reeths-Puffer 53 The Rockets were outscored by 3 points the final 3 quarters after falling behind 15-4 in the first. Marvin Moore led the team with 26 points.

Marquette 72 Reeths-Puffer 54 Marvin Moore led the Rockets with 24 points. Sophomores Artis Williams and Rodney Walker had 11 and 10 respectively.

North Muskegon 54 Whitehall 41 The Vikings struggled on offense, shooting 33% from the field. Evan Thomas had 12 rebounds and 8 points for Whitehall, and Hunter Osborne scored 9 points.

Montague's Gavyn Maddox grapples with Hesperia's Aiden Smith during Friday's Assembly Dual. Maddox won his match to help Montague take a 43-36 win.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

be the difference between winning and losing.

"You don't always have to pin to win and by the same aspect, you don't always have to win your match to win the dual," Maddox said. "We've really been trying to preach that and talk about that in practice. The last couple years, we've either been a pin team or we're getting pinned, and that's unfortunate. I'd like to see good losses, the 5-4s and the 3-2s."

With the win, the 'Cats moved to 7-1 in duals early in the season.

While there's growth to be made, Montague boasts upperclassmen experience aplenty with the likes

Montague hoops defense Newaygo threw at it. One early possession lasted for about a minute until Cole Herremans who scored five first-half points - made a three-pointer, which tied the score at 19. However, the Wildcats couldn't capitalize on that boost. This was in part, Thaler said, due to a lack of ability to get offensive rebounds. Newaygo's Miles Wormmeester was a factor on the inside, keeping the Wildcats at bay and occasionally disrupting shots as well.

"It's hard to build momentum when you're getting one shot and they're clearing the possessions," Thaler said. "You're basically getting one shot and you're out. That puts more pressure on your defense to get that additional stop trying to get out in transition, and we couldn't get anything manufactured in transition."

Taking advantage of Montague's struggles, the Lions broke

Whitehall's Emma Decker tries to get through defense from Western Michigan Christian's Kasey Folkema (10) and Eveline Derdowski during Friday's game at Whitehall.

Despite Decker's best career game, the Vikings fell 45-32. •

a 24-24 tie with five straight points and got their lead out to seven before Herremans and Moss each made a trey down the stretch of the third quarter, pulling the Wildcats back within a point. Unfortunately, the offense stagnated in the fourth quarter, and with only one field goal - a driving basket by Kyle Earnest - Montague was unable to get over the top.

Thaler was pleased with the team's defensive effort on the whole but said a loss of technique late in the game hurt Montague and helped the Lions.

"We bailed them out at the end with some undisciplined fouls when they were going to the basket, just reaching in there instead of being disciplined and playing with good technique," Thaler said.

"That's something we've got to fix."

While the lack of wins to date for Montague is surely frustrat-

of Thommen, Jones, French and Osborne among others, giving the Wildcats a strong base - and good role models for the younger wrestlers.

"In the middle part of our lineup, there are some guys that have been putting points up for the last couple of years," Maddox said.

"They talk to the young guys, just stick with the process. It might not be this year. It might not be next year, but trust the process and good things are going to happen the next couple of years, and these upperclassmen are a testament to that."

Sparta 59 Reeths-Puffer 54 R-P was only 6-of-15 at the free throw line in the game compared to 18of-26 for the Spartans. Marvin Moore totaled 24 points.

Girls Basketball Orchard View 36 Montague 28 OV raced to a 21-4 lead at halftime. Gentry Knop led the Wildcats with 18 points, and Annelyse Schneider added 6.

Reeths-Puffer 36 Zeeland East 33 R-P erased an 8-point first-half deficit to come back and pick up its first win of the season. Raquel Walker scored 16 points for the Rockets.

Reeths-Puffer 43 Marquette 41 (OT) The Rockets surrendered a late 7-point lead but bounced back to win in overtime. Ashlyn David scored 14 points and Raquel Walker had 12.

Whitehall 42 Orchard View 22 Clare Westerlund had 16 points to lead the Vikings in the big win. Mari DeRose and Isla Dykman each scored their first varsity points.

Montague 38 Oakridge 37 Gentry Knop hit a clutch 3-pointer late to give the Wildcats their first win of the season. Knop had 16 points, with Annelyse Schneider adding 8.

Reeths-Puffer 32 Sparta 19 The Rockets locked in on defense to secure the win. Raquel Walker led the way with a double-double - 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Wrestling Reeths-Puffer 2nd at Hartland Duals The Rockets went 4-1 at the meet, sweeping pool play matches before falling to Division 1 No. 4-ranked Hartland in the finals. Landon Learn had a huge day for R-P, going 5-0 with 4 wins by pin. Travis Henderson and Jake Rozycki each added 4-1 records.

continued from page 4

ing for the team, in the long term Thaler remains optimistic the Wildcats will see results. He cited Monday's being the fourth consecutive game in which Montague has been competitive, a stretch not often equaled during last year's trying campaign, as well as a young roster still in the process of developing together.

"We've just got to come together as a group and keep battling," Thaler said. "We're right there in a lot of our games. They just haven't gone our way. In basketball that does happen, where you'll have some teams that hit some skids, and they turn it around. For our guys, a lot of our guys played football, so it was later in the year for them. We're still getting used to having a different ball in our hands and still learning how to play.

"We'll get there. It's just going to take time."

Montague girls compete at Kent County Classic Three Wildcat girls' wrestlers competed at the event, highlighted by Zaniya Meza's 3rd-place finish. Emma Trevino went 2-2 at the meet, and Alex Dugan posted an 0-2 record.

Montague goes 2-0 at home quad The Wildcats defeated Fremont 56-23 and Manistee 78-6. Montague's 2-0 wrestlers were James DeYoung, Chayse Maddox, Gibson Smith, Gavyn Maddox, Fletcher Thommen, Kaiden Jeffery, Michael Jones, Isaac French and Maverick Osborne.

Whitehall 2-0 at Ludington Quad The Vikes cruised past Ludington 70-6 and beat Orchard View 64-6. Vikings to go 2-0 were Robert Belinger, Blake Wallace, Dom Zygmuntowski, Cody Manzo, Max Krukowski, Wyatt McFarren, Kolten Weiler, Colten Kyser, Liam Leeke, Tanner Woodworth and Billy Darke.

Hockey Reeths-Puffer 4 Midland Dow 2 R-P never trailed in the first game of the Bay City Showcase. Eli Cuti and Jordan Benkert each scored 2 goals for the Rockets, and Bear VanDyke made 31 saves as the R-P goaltender.

Chippewa Valley 7 Reeths-Puffer 4 Chippewa Valley scored the final 4 goals of the game in the 3rd period to nullify the Rockets' lead. Hayden Taylor scored 3 goals for R-P.

Reeths-Puffer 9 East Kentwood 1 Hayden Taylor had a huge scoring night for the Rockets, pouring in 4 goals. Dom Switzer had 4 assists. Eli Cuti had a goal and 2 assists, and Connor Anderson had a goal and an assist.

Bowling

R-P boys 4th, girls 9th at Mona Shores Invite The Rocket boys finished 4th in qualifying and reached the semifinals before falling to top seed Greenville. Liam Copenhaver rolled a 3-game series of 605 and finished 6th, and Ryleigh Beebe was 9th with a series of 593. Joslyn Wynsma paced the girls' team with a 392 series.

THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR DECEMBER19, 19,2025 2025 17 6

Vikings take 3rd at Hart Invitational

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor HART — Whitehall took third place Saturday at the Mark Bosse Memorial Invitational in Hart, scoring 182 points.

Two ranked opponents, Division 3 No. 7 Hart and No. 4 Lakewood, took the top two spots (the Vikings are ranked No. 6).

Whitehall had two first-place finishers - Max Krukowski at 138 pounds and Liam Leeke at 165. Krukowski easily rolled through his bracket, picking up a pin and a technical fall in his first two matches before dispatching Tri-County's Isaac Gitchel in the finals, 8-2.

Leeke also dominated his first two opponents, both by pin, and then faced off with Shelby's Jaylin Henderson in a battle of unbeatens in the finals. In a very competitive match, Leeke came away with a 15-10 victory. Leeke hit a career milestone during the meet by picking up his 100th victory.

Robert Belinger took second place for the Vikings at 113, battling his way through a pair of decision wins to make the finals, 6-3 and 5-3. Belinger's seven-match win streak to start the season ended in the finals when he fell to Hart's Sawyer Boos.

Three more Vikings finished in third place, with one (Wyatt McFarren) scoring points for the Whitehall B

Whitehall's Easton Wisniewski doesn't let one covered eye stop him from going after Mona Shores' Davis McFarland during Saturday's Hart Invitational.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Whitehall's Blake Wallace (top) tries to complete a takedown of Tri-County opponent Jordan Compagnari during Saturday's Hart Invitational.

team. McFarren was third at 150, going • Andy Roberts/Mirror 2-1 with two victories by pin.

Also for Whitehall, Dom Zygmuntowski took third at 126, going 3-1. Zygmuntowski picked up two bonus-point wins to start his day, one by technical fall and one by major decision, and the Viking freshman scored an 8-4 win in the third-place match.

Zygmuntowski ran his record to 9-1 on the season.

Cody Manzo rounded out top-3 finishes for Whitehall, finishing third at 132. Manzo went 2-1, winning his first match by technical fall and his thirdplace match by pin.

Whitehall's Cody Manzo (left) looks for more instruction as he seizes Mona Shores foe Cordyn Twining in a hold during Saturday's Hart Invitational.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Montague council accepts land donation

The city also has been recommended for a Council establishes $400,000 Department of Natural Resources Trust Caluwaert Park in honor Fund grant for its Cullen Fields improvement project, DNR announced Friday, Dec. 12. Auch presented of local philanthropist's the the project to the council earlier this year. Planned donation of 14.5 acres improvements include paving the gravel parking lot

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor MONTAGUE — The Montague city council unanimously approved the reception of a land donation from former Ravenswood Resort owner and current city resident Chick Caluwaert during Monday's regular meeting, and subsequently approved naming the park that the donation will create Caluwaert Park.

The gift completes the transfer to the city of 40.46 acres of undeveloped land once owned by Caluwaert on Old Channel Trail. Most of the 40.46 acres had previously been acquired by the city over time, with Monday's gift providing the city access to the remaining 14.5 acres.

Caluwaert is a longtime Chicagoan and now a White Lake area resident. He owned and operated the old Ravenswood resort in Montague from 1981 until he sold it to Mike and Sue Summers in 1998.

The resort permanently closed in 2004.

For the moment, the intent is to leave the area as open green space, but it could be developed into a full city park down the line.

As a condition of the donation, the city would only be able to sell the land by a 'supermajority' council vote - five of seven members - as well as approval by city voters in an election.

City manager Jeff Auch said an appraisal of the land was completed Nov. 13, and the council delivered its approval of the gift after seeing the results.

During discussion, council member Paul Schultz said Caluwaert did not ask the park be named after him; the city made that decision. Fellow council member Ken Mahoney said once the formal donation is completed, the city should provide Caluwaert a note of thanks.

next to the fields, adding Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking spaces, a storm drain that would prevent water overflow from leaving the park, a set of pickleball courts near the fields, and some parking next to those courts.

The council unanimously approved two ordinance changes regarding the US-31 business route and pedestrian crossings. The first was a state-mandated change regarding yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks, and the second is similarly based on the city's traffic code and added a provision making it illegal for people to use white walking canes with a red bottom unless they are blind or partially blind. The provision is being put in place to protect blind persons, allowing a simple way to identify vision-impaired folks walking on sidewalks or crosswalks.

Council member Laura LaGuire asked if there was a way the city could install auditory indicators at the Water and Dowling Street intersection that could alert blind pedestrians that it was safe to cross, referring to similar indicators she's seen in other places.

Auch said such an addition could be made, and he will look into the cost of doing so.

The council confirmed several mayoral appointments to boards and commissions, many of them reappointments. Greg Johnson was reappointed to a new three-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals, on which he serves as chair, and was also reappointed to a three-year term on the planning commission, of which he is also chair. Sarah Riehl was also appointed to the commission as a new appointment, and Busy Bee Cafe owner Miranda Combs was appointed to a three-year term on the Downtown Development Authority to replace a seat vacated by

This diagram shows the land recently donated to the City of Montague by local resident Chick Caluwaert. The blue area is land once owned by Caluwaert that the city previously acquired, and the green area is the newly donated land.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

Martin Bennett. Additionally, Bruce Froelich was reappointed to the White Lake Ambulance Authority for a new two-year term.

All appointments were confirmed unanimously except for Combs', which was made 6-1 with Schultz dissenting. Schultz confirmed before the vote that the DDA requires members to own a local business or property (or to be on the city council), but not to reside in the city.

The White Lake Fireworks Committee was unanimously granted a charitable gaming license after the city council received specifics on what sort of raffles the committee intended to pursue. The request had previously been tabled due to a lack of those specifics. The committee intends to stage a 50/50 raffle, potentially a kayak giveaway raffle, and a raffle that would sell 100 tickets for $100 each with multiple drawing dates to award prizes to winners; ticket buyers would potentially be able to win more than once, as stated at the White River Township board meeting the previous week. The license will be effective for one year.

Feeding America food pantry to return Dec. 27

The Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry will visit Whitehall Congregational Registration (no ID required) begins at 8:30 a.m. with distribution from 10United Church of Christ Saturday, Dec. 27. The pantry provides groceries at no 11 a.m. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For updates and more cost to anyone in need of emergency food. Food boxes will be distributed drive- information, visit the church's page on Facebook or telephone the office at 231through style in the parking lot.

893-3265.

7 DECEMBER 19, 2025 THE WHITE LAKE MIRROR THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER 19, 2025 18

Recent Whitehall police activity Behind the

Badge Whitehall Police Report Dec. 12 Officers were called to a residence in the 900 block of S Mears Ave. at 11:10 p.m. after the homeowner noticed footprints on his roof. Officers took note that the area where the footprints were found leads to an upstairs bedroom that has an exit door to the roof.

From the footwear, it appeared someone had been coming and going on a regular basis. The owner said a teenage

boy normally lived in the home but that he was currently staying with another family member. The footprints appeared to go north towards Lewis Street. It did not appear anything was taken, and it was unclear if the footprints were connected to the teenage resident.

At 11:25 p.m., officers on regular patrol near the 900 block of Lakeview St. observed a vehicle stuck in a snow bank. As officers made contact with the male driver, they noted that his driver's side window had been smashed out and he had a bloody hand. The driver said he was on his way to work when he lost control of the vehicle and slid into the snow bank, then accidentally locked himself out of the car when he exited it to see if there was any damage.

At that point he smashed the window with his elbow in order to get back in.

It was also noted that he had blown a tire due to repeated efforts to extricate himself from the snow bank. Officers

were concerned the driver may be intoxicated due to his unusual behavior, but a Breathalyzer test showed no alcohol in his system.

Dec. 14 Officers were called to the 200 block of W Obell St. at 12:28 p.m. in response to a crash. The crash involved two vehicles, one of which was an Amazon delivery vehicle. There was only minor damage to each vehicle, so officers merely documented it for an incident report. Neither party was injured.

Dec. 16 Officers were arriving for their 6 a.m. shift at 5:34 when they were approached by two individuals who said they'd found a female subject walking in the road. The subject was a 25-yearold from Fremont who was not dressed appropriately for the weather. She indicated her boyfriend had driven her to the Whitehall area and dropped her off.

Officers determined she needed a ride back to Fremont and had no family or

friends that could assist, so they drove her to a Wesco location in Fremont.

Dec. 17 Officers were contacted by the Muskegon County Dispatch at 12:43 p.m. in reference to a 43-year-old subject from Holt who was being held in the Ingham County Jail for an outstanding warrant based in Whitehall. Two Whitehall officers drove to Ingham County, retrieved the subject and took him to the Muskegon County courthouse for sentencing.

At 6:58 p.m., officers located a vehicle that was familiar to them from prior contacts due to a previous attempt to drive with a ficititious tab on the vehicle. This time, the driver, a 43-year-old female from Dalton Township, was driving with no tab on her license plate and had no insurance. As she was a repeat offender, the subject was cited for a misdemeanor for driving without insurance and for the expired plate. The vehicle was impounded.

Fruitland voters will have final say on WLAA decision

By Claire Marshall White Lake Mirror Writer WHITEHALL — The Fruitland Township board unanimously approved a May 2026 election resolution at its regular meeting Monday that will leave the decision of whether to join the White Lake Ambulance Authority to township voters.

Trustees Christopher VanOosterhout and Mike Holman were absent, but the remaining board members unanimously approved adding the ballot item, with treasurer Justin Roggero saying, “This aligned with the overwhelming majority of people saying it needed to go to a public vote... leave it up to the people to decide.”

Clerk Alexa Steffes agreed, "The best way for us to not take control out of the hands of the residents is to put it into the hands of the residents.”

This decision comes after debate among residents over whether the WLAA is a necessary addition to services provided in Fruitland, and whether it is worth the resultant property tax increase.

The WLAA previously hosted a September open house meeting to assure residents that the organization could handle the 350 calls it estimated Fruitland would make per year were it a WLAA member.

Currently, Fruitland is serviced

by Trinity Health EMS, which sees response times ranging from 22-48 minutes. WLAA previously offered a year-long trial run of the service, which was estimated to cost $200,000,

which would have been paid through the township’s contingency fund and then assessed back to the township for $56.27 per parcel. However, after community feedback, the board tabled the idea.

In an email from WLAA, the township was advised that the ballot should include a millage up to 1.9 mills, which is the current rate paid by other municipalities; however, if Fruitland joined, the cumulative revenue increase could enable the rate paid by all participants to drop to between 1-1.5 mills.

However, WLAA disclosed that these were estimated numbers and that a firm amount could be determined if the millage passed. Should it pass, the increased millage would not go into effect until winter 2026.

Several public commenters, both in person and on Zoom, expressed dissatisfaction that the trial run option was no longer presented.

Also at the meeting, Sabrina Huizenga led a presentation on behalf of the Muskegon Conservation District on the end of the Sustain Our Great Lakes grant provided through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which funded efforts to treat hemlocks in Muskegon County parks for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, an invasive insect threatening the trees.

In total, the MCD treated thousands of hemlock over the course of three years, with almost 6,000 individual trees assessed in Fruitland Township alone. MCD also planted a variety of 2,600 seedlings of native Michigan

trees to replace where hemlock were unable to be saved and subsequently removed.

The board agreed to suspend Robert’s Rules to allow question and answer between Huizenga, the board and the audience on the topic of hemlock protection. Huizenga advised residents on how to identify HWA (the insect appears like white spider egg-sacs which sticks to the needles) and referred contacts for local arborists and MCD forester Lance McCarty, who may assess trees and provide spraying.

The board also discussed the recent DNR Passport grant the township

received, which will fund the construction of accessible pathways at Nestrom Park. The grant is for $82,300, with the township providing a $27,000 match, with the total construction cost quoted for $109,000. The board has received no word yet on whether that initial quote has increased following the initial application. Regardless, the board unanimously approved the receiving of the grant, with trustees commending supervisor Jeff Marcinkowski on his work organizing and applying for the grant.

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THE OCEANA ECHO DECEMBER 19, 2025 19

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP Synopsis of Meeting December 9, 2025

Regular Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM. Present: Robert Draper, Connie Cargill, Rachel Iteen, Bill Kolenda, and 11 guests.

Absent: Doug Dykstra Items approved: • Minutes of Last month’s Township Board Meeting • Bills Approved for Payment • Channel Park Drain Repair • Ordinance Updates Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

Copies of meeting minutes are available from the township and approved minutes on our website, www.goldentownship.org.

- Rachel Iteen, Clerk

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