The Oceana Echo - Volume 4, Issue 5, June 26, 2026 by theoceanaecho

Centuries of Pentwater's history carved in stone - part 2

By AnnaMae Bush The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

Last week, in the initial part of this article there was a promise of more cemetery information, a schedule of activities for the Friends of Pentwater Township Cemetery (PTC) and some interesting stories from Ron Beeber’s presentation.

Beeber’s virtual tour has approximately 50 stops where he shares commentary, including the headstones for Don Lamb, who was village marshal (chief of police) for many years; Charles Nickerson, who built the famous Nickerson Inn; Willie Brillhart, who died in 1860 at age 2 and was the first burial in the original cemetery; Florence Schrumpf, who wrote a detailed history of the village from 1853 to 1942; and Peter Lagesen.

Lagesen was one of several merchants who was also an undertaker as well as a furniture maker. Beeber explained the combination was common because furniture makers had coffins on hand for when they were needed. One of Lagesen’s advertisements said, “When death claims someone near and dear, and leaves a vacant chair… No human voice, nor human art, can that great loss repair…In a dread moment such as this, I am at your command…Arrangements for the funeral, I will make with tactful hand.”

Beeber’s information was gleaned from a variety of sources, including 20 years’ worth of Pentwater Historical Society newsletters posted on its website under the “Research” heading, a book published in 1860 about businessmen in Pentwater, the Pentwater Township website and the Friends of PTC Facebook page. The following are a few more notable graves that are part of his presentation.

One might suspect that the quaint and charming Village of Pentwater has a peaceful history, free from the violence that has marked larger urban areas. But the headstones of William B. O. Sands (plot 2/43) and the Minshall Family (plot 13/93) tell a

tragic tale from 1897.

William Sands was a wealthy businessman who served several years as the village president. He introduced an insurance agent, S. Minshall, to fellow merchants who then became clients of Minshall. Whether fact or fiction, Minshall suspected Sands of withholding funds from the policy sales he had helped Minshall to make. In his anger, Minshall followed Sands to his home after work one evening and shot him on his front steps, leaving him for dead. In fact, Sands survived the night but died the following day. Not wanting his family to suffer the fallout of his murderous deed, Minshall went home and took the lives of his wife, Eva, and their three children, Ruby (16), George (3) and Frank (2), before taking his own. Some surmise he is buried in the plot with his family, but his name is not included on the headstone.

Not far from the Minshall family plot is a headstone for Ralph Sandy (plot 13/125), a local hero who died at the early age of 29 in 1987. He spotted a 79-year-old man struggling to stay afloat in the frigid (36 degrees) Lake Michigan water and rowed out half a mile to pull the man to safety. After Sandy missed work for two days, his father went to check on him and found he had died. His death was attributed to exhaustion from his rescue efforts on top of an existing heart issue.

The Pentwater Historical Museum has a display of delicate and whimsical glass figurines made by resident Henry Carter Johnson. Johnson fashioned them from heated glass rods in the back of Bailey’s Hardware Store (now Craze). He is buried in plot 17/22.

And then there is Clyde Cross, another true hero, buried in plot 18/29. When the freighter Novadoc was destroyed in a storm near Juniper Beach, the Coast Guard declared conditions were too severe to assist. But Cross and two companions fought their way out and strung “a zip-line” from the shoreline, where onlookers watched, to the sinking ship and were able to rescue all but two of the crew members.

If this brief sampling of stories from Pentwater’s history captures your interest, there are opportunities to dig deeper into the history at the cemetery. The Friends of PTC are sponsoring a cemetery stroll on Friday, July 24, at 10 a.m., and the Pentwater Township Library has invited Beeber to share his slide presentation, “A Virtual Stroll Through the Pentwater Township Cemetery,” twice during Homecoming. Those presentations are scheduled for Aug. 11 at 1:30 p.m. and Aug. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the library.

Steve and Sue Thomas, members of the Friends of PTC, shared some of the group’s scheduled upcoming events. “America 250 Pentwater: From Revolution to Community” is the theme for the fall tours scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.; dedication of the Native American Marker is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10; flag placement on veterans’ graves occurs on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.; and Wreaths Across America Day is Dec. 19 with a ceremony at noon at the cemetery. The Friends of the PTC make sure each of the 376 veterans buried in the cemetery are honored with a wreath.

The Friends of the PTC work in concert

with the Dunes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Pentwater Township Office, both of which contribute funds needed for the cemetery. The township is responsible for maintaining the cemetery property, selling and keeping records of all the cemetery plots and scheduling internments. Township Clerk Maureen Murphy handles sales and records. Prices and a map of the cemetery are on the township's website, organized by sections and lots. She reports, “We average 25 internments a year. We currently have 144 columbarium niches, and three of our 25 blocks are reserved for cremains only since nearly 95% of internments are cremains as opposed to traditional burials.”

The cemetery sexton is responsible for groundskeeping and opening and closing gravesites. The current sexton is Chris Bailey. He shares, “My father (Roger Bailey) began serving as sexton in 1992 or 1993, after retiring from the DNR and moving to Pentwater in 1990. He held the position until the end of the 2000 season. He was 65 when he left the job…I took over the role in 2008.”

Bailey said he does his best to keep the grounds in beautiful condition. With scattered benches for resting and reflecting, it is a lovely place to stroll.

Following up on information in Part 1, Larson wished to clarify that Pentwater Township, not the Friends of PTC as was reported, purchases the veterans’ metal flag holders, and markers for the veterans of the War of 1812 were installed last year by the Stephen Preston Chapter, National Society Daughters of 1812. Larson also wanted to credit Murphy and Supervisor Lynne Cavazos for their role in working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain the headstone for Civil War veteran Justus Koon.

To locate gravesites, please contact Maureen Murphy at 231-869-6231 ext. 227. To participate in or financially support projects of the Friends of the PTC, contact Shannon Larson at friendsofpentwatertwpcemetery@ gmail.com.

Asparagus Queen Runner-up Sami Weesies is ready to grow in her new role

By Claire Marshall The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

Sami Weesies will be drawing from over a decade of experience in the horticultural world while serving as an ambassador for West Michigan asparagus alongside 2026 Asparagus Queen Shannon Beishuizen. As Asparagus Queen runner-up, the year ahead for Sami is no less jam-packed, and she’s well prepared to talk plants with the best of them.

Sami is eager to learn everything there is to learn about asparagus over the next year, already absorbing as much as she could during the Queen contenders’ tour of the MSU Extension Research Station, where they picked asparagus and even tried purple varietals for the first time (according to Sami, they’re actually quite sweet in comparison to their green brethren.)

After marrying into the Weesies family, the Twin Lake native has spent the last 10 years working at Up

as she made off with several recipe cards for dishes such as asparagus hush-puppies, soup, and - the Queen’s Choice - sour cream and onion asparagus chip dip. Sami and Shannon’s mutual love for the chip dip seems to already be a good sign for their Asparagus Queen camaraderie, insofar as flavor palate is concerned.

ios-Mendez]…and we’re like, ‘We need pins. Do you have them?’” Sami recalled. "To which Kendra produced handfuls, replying, ‘Oh, I have a stockpile specifically for this reason.’"

North Garden Center, most recently heading up their social media and marketing. “I think it definitely prepared me for this role,” Sami said of her decade being surrounded by plants 24/7, “and I’m definitely excited for what’s to come.”

The National Asparagus Festival (NAF) already had plenty to offer, with the Taste of Asparagus competition being a particular favorite,

Sami shared the Queens’ upcoming schedule, which includes the Country Dairy Ice Cream Social, White Lake’s Fourth of July celebration and Fremont's Gerber Baby Food Festival. The Gerber Festival is of particular interest to Sami, as it's the perfect opportunity to trade pins with other festival queens. That’s right, just like Disneyland or Comic Con, pin-trading between queens is a hot commodity.

“Our sashes end up full of everyone else’s pins,” Sami explained. In fact, she and Shannon already have Baby Food Festival pins, as the Gerber queens were quick to find them during the NAF weekend and asked to trade. “We went to go find [Queen Coordinator] Kendra [Lar-

While pin-trading at the NAF was certainly an unexpected highlight, as an educator at Hart Public Schools, perhaps the best gift Sami received was from her “little pirates” - a handmade gold, purple and green bracelet with a crown. There were even 10 of her 16 preschoolers in attendance at the Joan Glover Royale Parade to cheer on their teacher and take photos with her.

“That was super bittersweet because it was my first year teaching this year,” Sami said.

Even though the school year was finished, the bracelet she and her students made became her good luck charm throughout her interview and the following NAF festivities, a reminder of not only her success, but also of the next generation of asparagus enjoyers in Oceana County.

Ron Beeber has created a virtual tour of approximately 50 stops in the Pentwater Township Cemetery. Two notable graves in the tour are those of Don Lamb, above left, and Ralph Sandy, above right.

• AnnaMae Bush/Echo

Asparagus Queen Shannon Beishuizen and Runner-up Sami Weesies, above, could be seen on their float Saturday, June 13, in the NAF's Joan Glover Royale Parade. • Amanda Dodge/Echo

Commissioners approve OCSO optics upgrade

By Claire Marshall

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

Sheriff Craig Mast and Lieutenant Scott Bosley were in attendance at the Oceana County Board of Commissioners' June 11 meeting to present the board with a purchase approval for the long-awaited firearm optics upgrade for sheriff’s office deputies and correction officers.

The items purchased include Glock-17 pistols, with Aimpoint optics and Alien Gear retention holsters, the total cost of which is $48,975.89.

Mast said he believes the handgun upgrades are necessary for the department.

“It's been really obvious at the range that optics are the way of the future,” he noted, adding that Oceana County is one of the last counties in West Michigan to upgrade their optics in a similar fashion.

It was also mentioned that it is more fiscally responsible to upgrade the firearms overall than outfit the current equipment for optics. Another important aspect of the upgrade is that, as corrections officers (COs) are transporting inmates and need weapons to safely do so, many COs are outfitting themselves, and it is preferable “to have the entire department armed similarly.”

Commissioner Tim Beggs likewise championed the upgrade in optics, saying, “We’re not a county that thankfully has to use our firearms very often, but when the deputies need them, they need them right now.”

There are multiple funding mechanisms utilized by the sheriff’s office to ensure this purchase would be a budget-neutral item, including property auctions, commissary funds and - most notably - the auctioning of the seized and forfeited pickup truck introduced back in March. The office worked out a trade-in deal for existing firearms, however, deputies can purchase their previous weapon at the trade-in price if they choose to do so.

Chairman Robert Walker brought up a major concern regarding the county’s contract with the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) and the listed articles the county and sheriff’s office are required to supply - nowhere on which was itemized firearms for corrections officers. He also voiced that he considered it “disrespectful that nobody brought it to this board before we did it.”

Walker pointed out, however, he did not deny the “merits” of the upgrade, but would vote against the item, stating, “We have a contract, and our contract doesn’t allow us to do this.”

In response to Walker’s concerns, Mast explained that he and the sheriff’s office meant “no disrespect intended whatsoever.”

He further explained that, during POAM contract negotiations, the funding mechanisms had not yet been finalized and that “this project has moved much more rapidly” than expected. Beggs and Mast both continued on to point out that there are several items that corrections officers and sheriff’s deputies are furnished with that aren’t stipulated in the POAM contract that are not required - such as patrol cars for road patrol deputies - and that those items have not presented issues.

In a final statement on the matter, Mast, again, reiterated that no offense was intended. “We’ve tried to make this as budget-neutral as we can to bring this upgrade to the entire department. We’re trying to be fiscally responsible to find a funding mechanism so we don't have to come here and ask the board to partner with us on something we didn’t budget and didn't contract.”

At the regular meeting, Walker ended up voting in favor of the purchase, as did the rest of the board. As he explained following the rollcall vote, “The more I thought about it, it is not the concept and what we’re doing with it. It's the way it was gone about. It would have been improper

for me to vote against it when I believed in what we were doing.”

Drain Commissioner Michelle Martin approached the board with a request to authorize annual expenditures over $10,000 to go towards a $20,000 engineering study on the Lake Holiday earthen embankment dam, which separates Lake Holiday and Upper Silver Lake. The dam has shown signs of minor sloughing and seepage in the past several years, indicators of internal erosion due to soil collapse. Likewise, the toe drains - integral to controlling seepage in embankment dams - are not working as they should, and in fact, ground-penetrating radar, further exploration and the unprecedented April rainfall have revealed drains that were not previously in the dam’s plan.

There is no imminent danger of dam failure, but there is potential for high-level property damage (totaling in the millions of dollars) if it should. The major concern is rectifying the dam's deficiencies before the issues exacerbate and the cost of rehabilitation increases. The price of the project is, as yet, unclear. The costs associated with the dam will go back to the assessing districts, as well as an already existing bond earmarked for the dam.

In other business, back in February, Lake County had approached Oceana County regarding recent denials from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) for reimbursement for indirect costs related to indigent defense, proposing partnership in mediation with the state government for access to those funds. While the recent mediation rules were in favor of Oceana's and Lake County’s requests, MIDC decided it will not honor the decision. The likelihood of this result was discussed in February, and commissioners allowed the county administrator to move forward with litigation alongside Lake County. MIDC’s most recent denial was for $33,000 in indirect costs to Oceana County.

Farmers Markets

Lake Effect Artists to host annual Art Show in Stony Lake during July Fourth weekend

By Tom Rademacher

If you’re seeking a different sort of bang this coming Fourth of July weekend, consider ditching the fireworks and opting instead for the annual art show in Stony Lake.

It’s free of charge to attend, more pet-friendly than lighting off M-80s and you’ll have more to show for your effort than a ringing in your ears.

The third annual event is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5, adjacent to the north side of the Stony Lake Depot at 4189 S. Scenic Dr. in Benona Township. It will feature artists from as far away as Florida, specializing in everything from painting to photography to pottery to sculpture to jewelry making and plenty more.

“We’ve worked hard to provide an art show where people

will be able to select from a wide array of artists showcasing high-quality creations at a reasonable price,” says Jan Naimo-Jones, spokesperson for the Lake Effect Artists Collective, comprised of artists from all along the lakeshore.

“Our aim is to demonstrate that you don’t have to travel to a big city in order to take part in an art show where everyone can find something to their liking.”

This year’s event will debut a new category for “Emerging Artists,” designed to give current art students and recent art graduates the opportunity to participate, thanks to a grant that will cover their registration fee.

The show will include sales of gelato and slush drinks compliments of a vendor from Three Rivers. For more information, text Naimo-Jones at (616) 466-3699.

By Sharon Hallack

The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

SHELBY - Following a public hearing and discussion at their June 8 council meeting, Shelby Village Council voted to establish the village’s annual tax millage rates, which will go into effect July 1, 2026. Voting in favor were council members Steve Crothers, Curt Trott, Mike Termer, Samantha Gottschalk and Village President John Sutton. Voting in opposition was Dan Zaverl. Crystal Heykoop was absent.

At the request of council members, Oceana County Equalization Director Ed VanderVries attended the meeting virtually and was able to explain the calculation of millage rates and the importance of holding a Truth in Taxation hearing, as well as answer several questions posed by the council.

According to the Oceana County Equalization Department, total taxable property

value within the village totaled $46,449,288, an increase of $5,093,155 from 2025 values.

By holding a Truth in Taxation hearing and applying the Headlee Rollback computation of 0.9804, the 2026 operating millage rate will actually be reduced from 14.2658 to 13.9861 (9.9902 rate for Operating and 3.9959 rate for Local Streets).

With the newly set millage rate for 2026, the village should gain $56,460 ($40,328 Operating and $16,132 in Local Streets) in revenue for FY 26-27. That said, Village Administrator Phil Morse told The Oceana Echo in an interview following the June 8 meeting, “After a somewhat lengthy discussion, the goal of the council and myself is to one day get to a place where the village would be able to strategically reduce the millage rate while keeping a safe, well-maintained and appealing village.”

Full meeting minutes are available at www.shelbyvillage. org under the Government tab, then Meeting Packets, Minutes and Documents.

Village of Shelby approves millage HELP WANTED

Hart Police Department presents annual report

By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent

HART - At the May 12 Hart City Council meeting, the Hart Police Department (HPD) presented their 2025 Annual Report where it was noted the department had six full-time officers, one part-time officer and three pursuit-rated vehicles. The one part-time officer is also employed full-time with the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office.

The report stated the department continually strives to train and keep updated on new and changing laws. Each year, the department is required to fulfill a minimum of 24 hours of mandated training, with eight hours being Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards-designated training and 16 hours of agency-selected training. The department uses Police One Academy Online to assist in meeting some of the required mandates.

New in 2025 was the implementation of Karpel, a criminal case management platform that is utilized by prosecuting and district attorney offices throughout the United States. The platform eliminates and/or saves on the use of paper and decreases the time officers have to spend physically taking reports to the courthouse.

The report went on to say the police department continues to be involved in the following community programs - TEAM at Hart Middle School, the Bulletproof Vest Program, the Na-

tional Night Out event in Shelby Township, Hometown Heroes at Tractor Supply in Hart and Roy’s Kids Christmas gift distribution program.

In 2025 the HPD submitted 134 incident reports, not including vehicle violation reports, to the Oceana County Prosecutor’s Office for review. That total was the third-highest number of incident reports submitted in the county, behind the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police, Hart Post.

The department also reported it had 161 arrests and a total of 1,818 complaints or calls for service. These totals were down from the calendar year 2024. The top list of complaints included Traffic Violations (97), Obstruction of Justice (55), and Larceny (54).

The full HPD annual report can be found at www.cityofhart.org under Quick Links, Forms and Publications, City Council Meeting Packets and then May 12, 2026.

This page is brought to you by:

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

Pieces of home, ranking Michigan's many rocks

By Claire Marshall

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

It’s craft fair season! I think many of us can agree that we each have a favorite booth we like to check out - crochet, wood carvings, those upcycled beer-bottle wind chimes with Detroit Lions decals printed on the side. For me, I beeline straight away to the jewelry tents, particularly those that are made from Michigan beach finds. To say I like rocks is an understatement. A better statement is that I have an ever-growing collection of rocks that makes moving a pain in the neck. Among that collection includes a dozen Petoskey stones that I’ve found myself beachcombing up north, a very enviable collection for a non-retiree without a lake cottage, if I do say so myself.

But there’s far more than just beach glass and Petoskey stones on Michigan beaches to discover. Our great state has a wide variety of stones (and “stones”) unique to us. So, this week, let’s talk rocks - maybe even instigate some fights by giving them arbitrary scores based purely on vibes.

Isle Royale GreenstoneAlso known as Chlorastrolite, these are officially designated as Michigan’s state gemstone. They range in hues of moody green-blues with white fractal patterns, like turtle shells or cracking ice. They were formed during the Upper Peninsula’s volcanic past 1.1 billion years ago and polished into round

little pebbles of gravel by millions more years of Lake Superior waves. You can find them on the Keweenaw Peninsula and, as the name suggests, on Isle Royale - however, you cannot remove them from the latter as it is a national park.

Score - 9/10. They’re my favorite color, and I love the patterns (anything associated with turtles garners extra points), but minus 1 because they aren’t very big and I spent a very long summer vacation trying and failing to find them in the UP.

Yooperlite - A recent addition to the Michigan Rock-Hunters list, discovered in 2017 by Michigander and gem dealer Erik Rintamiaki after shining ultraviolet light on a rather innocuous grey rock. These syenite rocks are grey with dark speckles (sodalite deposits) until you shine your UV flashlight (which, of course, everyone has on hand), and their speckles glow a bright fluorescent orange. You can primarily find Yooperlite on Lake Superior beaches, but they’ve been known to show up all around the Great Lakes.

Score - 6.5/10. They look like magma or dragon eggs, but only under UV light! Why does my rock hunting now require extra steps? I mean, I guess there’s a metaphor in there somewhere about how something that seems unassuming can shine in the right circumstances?

Lake Superior agate - Considered some of the

MEETING NOTICE

CLAYBANKS TOWNSHIP

A special meeting will be held on July 13, 2026 immediately following the regular meeting starting at 6:00pm. This meeting will be to approve the August 4, 2026 Primary Election Inspectors and workers.

world’s oldest agates and also a relic of the UP’s Mesoproterozoic volcanic hotbed, Lake Superior agates are notable for their bright orange, red and white bands of color. Again, going by the name, Lake Superior agates can be found on the shores of Lake Superior as well as in glacial deposits throughout the Midwest.

Score - 8/10. Lake Superior agates come in a variety of patterns and each one looks like a satellite image of the surface of Mars. Minus 2 because I couldn’t find any of these either during the same vacation as described above for Isle Royale Greenstone. I’m starting to wonder if I should try again, but this time with a little more patience than when I was 11.

Michigan Puddingstone - A conglomerate stone consisting of quartz and jasper, this hodgepodge of rocks smooshed together was named as such because it resembles fruit pudding. I don’t recommend putting them in your mouth, though. There are a lot of varieties of puddingstones and an even greater variety of conglomerate rocks throughout the world - but these are ours. Well, ours as well as pockets of Ontario. These rocks are more likely to be found in glacial deposits or mines rather than on the coastline, with notable deposits found on St. Joseph Island and Drummond Island.

Score - 4/10. Not my style, sadly, but I respect the hustle of rocks stuck to other rocks.

A mere fraction of this author’s rock collection can be seen above and at right.

Leland Blue Stone - These are NOT natural gemstones but an industrial byproduct (also known as “slag”) resulting from iron smelting. They’re blue, of course, with patches of white and rusty red, and were produced in great quantities in Leland during the operation of the Leland Lake Superior Iron Company from 1870 to 1884. While not necessarily au naturale (but still a perfectly valid chemical reaction), that doesn’t negate how precious Leland Blues are to rockhunters across the state.

Score - 7/10. Listen, I am easily swayed if the rock is pretty enough. I don’t care if it is the result of Victorian-era industrial pollution rather than volcanoes!

Fordite - If the Leland Blues upset you, then Fordite will send you into a blind rage. Fordite is another example of industrial slag, this time in the form of hunks of enamel car paint cut and polished to look like an agate. They’re popular “rocks” to make jewelry out of and, due to levels of lead in the paint, cannot be sold in California.

Score - 7.5/10. I think it's neat to have a little time-lapse of the different colors of the automotive industry that's also slightly toxic.

Petoskey stones - I hope I’m not spoiling my final ranking by saying I’ve saved the best for last. Famously known as Michigan’s state stone, Petoskeys are the most organic on this list, made from fossilized coral and ground up by the momentum of glaciers across the state during the last ice age. Petoskeys are a grey-brown color, dull when dry, but reveal a honeycomb pattern when wet or polished. They’re primarily found along the beaches of northwest Michigan, particularly after a storm or during the spring thaw and are a favorite of jewelry makers across the state.

Score - 10/10. How can I deny our most iconic rock a perfect score? I’ve got several, highly complimented pieces of Petoskey jewelry that ensure I always have a little piece of home no matter where I go.

To Jim - I’ll always remember our beautiful wedding day on June 29, 1963. Here’s to 63 wonderful years with you.

- Your loving wife, Judy

Ongoing

The Ladder Community Center:

June 30 - Knitting Group, 10 a.m. to noon

June 26 - Strum It Club, 11 a.m. to noon

June 27 - Live Hymns, 6:30 -8 p.m.

6th-12th grade summer youth program, “Summer Break Out” M-F, 3-5 p.m.

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

MON: Women’s Bible Study, Galatians, 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

Donate returnable cans and bottles to the Hart VFW.

Drop off at the hall or call Steve at 231-873-1727 for pick-up.

Oceana Hispanic Center to host indoor yard Sale June 27

Bargain hunters will want to add the Oceana Hispanic Center’s “Indoor Yard Sale” to their calendars this weekend. The organization will host the sale this Saturday, June 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their office located at 11 Washington St. in downtown Hart. Everything will be available for just $5 a bag. Many great items, something for everyone and all for a great cause! Anything remaining will be donated to local thrift stores or the St. Simon’s Thrift Shop in Ludington. More information is available by visiting the OHC on Facebook or calling 231-742-2264.

El Centro Hispano Oceana organizará una venta de garaje bajo techo el 27 de junio

Los cazadores de gangas querrán añadir la “Venta de Garaje Interior” del Centro Hispano de Oceana a sus calendarios este fin de semana. La organización llevará a cabo la venta este sábado 27 de junio de 9 a.m. a 4 p.m. en su oficina ubicada en 11 Washington St. en el centro de Hart. Todo estará disponible por solo $5 por bolsa. ¡Muchos artículos geniales, algo para todos y todo por una gran causa! Cualquier cosa que quede será donada a las tiendas de segunda mano locales o a la tienda de segunda mano de St. Simon en Ludington. Más información está disponible visitando el OHC en Facebook o llamando al 231-742-2264.

The Ladder to celebrate 10 years with community event

Come celebrate 10 years of community, connection and God’s faithfulness at The Ladder Community Center in Shelby on Thursday, July 9!

Come and see what God is doing at The Ladder, as everyone — from grandparents and parents to kids and grandchildren — is invited to join us from 6-8 p.m. for a special evening to celebrate 10 incredible years of The Ladder serving our community and beyond.

Bring your family, your neighbors and your appetite! Feast on tacos and ice cream in between fun activities and games for all ages. Celebrate 10 years of memories, tour the beautifully transformed building, hear stories of lives impacted and discover the exciting vision for the future.

What was once an old gas station filling cars has become a place where lives are being filled with hope and purpose. The Ladder is a vibrant community center where children, teens, families and neighbors have found belonging, encouragement, hope and Jesus.

Whether you’ve been part of The Ladder from the beginning, stopped by once, or have never stepped inside, this celebration is for you! Come reconnect with old friends, make new ones and celebrate all that God has done — and all that’s still to come. Everyone is welcome. The Ladder is located at 67 N. State St. in Shelby.

IDEAS NOVEL IDEAS NOVEL

Summer Reading is in full swing at the library and it’s not too late to register for our reading program. Stop by to pick up a packet that has everything you need to track your progress this summer! We offer programs for youth, teens and adults. Prizes for reading will be awarded the first week in August.

Many special events are scheduled in July, including weekly craft workshops for teens and adults and weekly Toddler Storytimes on Fridays at 10 a.m. A full schedule of events is available at the library and on our website at www.shelbylibrary.org. Take-home Craft Kits are back and will be available on Fridays in July from 9 a.m. until kits are gone.

We will welcome the Outdoor Discovery Center on Monday, July 6 at 4:30 p.m. for a “Dinosaurs of Today” presentation. Meet live animal ambassadors, including feathered raptors, reptiles related to dinosaurs and even ancient bugs whose ancestors were around long before even the dinosaurs roamed the Earth! This fun and educational program is perfect for curious kids and families who love animals, nature and dinosaurs.

We are hosting a “One Book, One Summer” event with Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton as the featured book. Copies of the novel are available for checkout at the library (youth can read the junior novelization). Book Discussions are scheduled for Monday, July 27 (youth at 10 a.m., teens at 2 p.m. and adults at 4 p.m.) with activities and refreshments.

If you are interested in what District Health Department #10 has to offer, you can chat with Grace, a Health Educator who primarily works in substance use prevention education and harm reduction efforts, on Wednesday July, 8 from 2-4 p.m. in our reading room.

You are invited to stop by the library during library hours to view art by Karen Antrim and Frank Galante, as part of the Pentwater Arts Council’s Featured Artist Exhibition.

The library will be closed on Saturday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

J une - J uly

June 27 - Tacos & Trek for the Trail, Pentwater Village Green, 11:30 a.m.

June 28 - STG/OLF Taco Lunch, St. Gregory’s Parish Hall 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June 29 - Adult Craft Night, Hesperia Community Library, 6-7 p.m.

June 29 - Hesperia Community Schools BOE, School Media Center, 7 p.m.

June 30 - Hamilton Sing-Along America 250, Hesperia Comm. Library, 1-5 p.m.

June 30 - Tween Night, Hesperia Community Library, 3-5 p.m.

July 1 - Family Movie Matinee, Pentwater District Library, 4:30 p.m.

July 1 - Teen Night, Hesperia Community Library, 4-6 p.m.

July 2 - Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Pentwater Village Green, 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

July 2 - Family Fun Night, Hesperia Community Library, 6-7 p.m.

July 2 - Hart Sparks, Downtown Hart, 6-11 p.m.

July 2 - Civic Band Concert, Pentwater Village Green, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 - Pentwater Fireworks, Charles Mears State Park, 10 p.m.

July 4 - Annual Youth Bike Parade, Charles Mears State Park, 10 a.m.

July 4,5 - The Lake Effects Summer Art Show, adjacent to Stony Lake Depot, Shelby, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

July 4 - Thunder Over the Dune Fireworks show, Silver Lake

July 5 - Stony Lake Sparkler 5K, downtown Stony Lake, 8 a.m.

Oceana Men’s Golf Fellowship is open to new players

The Oceana Men’s Golf Fellowship invites area men of any age to join them for weekly golf every Thursday from now until Oct. 15. Summer tee times are 5:30 p.m. and rotate between four of the county’s golf courses each week: Golden Sands, Grand View, Oceana and The Colonial. Men can attend any week and can pay week to week at each course.

“The group’s been around quite awhile,” said Mark Baker of Pentwater Baptist Church. “Shelby Road Baptist Church originally sponsored the group, but now it includes players from all across Oceana. We’re not a league, but each course gives us the league rates. They’ve all been really kind and generous. Guys just show up when they can. We’re not a bunch of pros. We’re mostly retired and even have a 93-year-old who’s actually one of our better players.”

“And you don’t have to be a Baptist to come,” quipped Baker. “All denominations are welcome.

The schedule for the next four weeks will be: July 2 - Oceana Golf Club; July 9 - Grand View Golf Course; July 16 - The Colonial Golf Course; and July 23 Golden Sands Golf Course.

For full schedules or for further questions, please contact one of the following golfers: Carl Schuchardt at Shelby Road Baptist Church at 231-861-6144; Mark Baker at Pentwater Baptist Church at 231-869-5149; or Chris Spanding at First Baptist Church of Hart at 231-873-2514.

Children Trust Oceana and Mason County Council invites local groups to apply for child abuse prevention funding

The Children Trust Oceana and Mason County Council, led by Trinity Health Muskegon, is pleased to announce the release of its FY2027 Request for Proposals, inviting organizations to apply for funding to support child abuse and neglect prevention efforts in local communities.

Funding is available for programs and initiatives that strengthen families and promote the well-being of children through prevention-focused strategies. Priority will be given to projects that align with one or more of the following focus areas:

Increasing protective factors in families;

Decreasing risk factors for child abuse and neglect; and/or

Increasing community awareness related to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

The FY2027 application emphasizes the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework and encourages applicants to demonstrate how proposed activities, outcomes, and evaluation efforts contribute to preventing child abuse and neglect. Both evidence-informed and evidence-based approaches will be considered.

“We know that preventing child abuse and neglect begins with strengthening families and communities,” said Holly Alway, Injury Prevention Coordinator, Trinity Health Muskegon and Coordinator for the Mason and Oceana County Children’s Trust Michigan Council. “These local funds provide an opportunity to invest in programs that build resilience, connect families to support resources, and help children thrive.”

According to the state of Michigan, nearly 27,000 kids were the victims of maltreatment in 2020. In 2024, thanks in part to advocacy efforts across the state, that number dropped to 22,634. While the steady decline has been encouraging, more work needs to be done to ensure as many children as possible are protected.

In 2025, Children Trust Oceana and Mason County projects reached more than 6,000 local families, working with community partners to ensure resources reach those who need them most.

Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to review the application materials and eligibility requirements available on the Council’s website:

https://childrentrustoceana.org/

Applications must be submitted by June 29, 2026.

For additional information, please contact Holly Alway at alwayh@trinity-health.org.

Easter Afterglow: Part 3 - Walk in the Spirit – What do you think about most?

By Janet Van Gunst Hasselbring

The Oceana Echo Community Columnist

We’ve seen how “to be filled with the Spirit” means “singing and making melody in your heart" in the relationship with ourselves, “giving thanks always to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ” in our relationship with God, and “submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord” in our relationships with others.

To be filled with the Spirit is to walk in the Spirit. The walk of a believer is the time between becoming a follower of Jesus and meeting Him in Heaven –time to develop our faith, time to learn obedience, time to submit our egos to God’s will, time in which we strive to become more like Jesus and time to obey His command to be witnesses of His saving grace to the ends of the earth.

“…but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” - Romans 8:5

Some of the core concepts that spiritual leader Emmet Fox wrote about are that one’s mind is called "The Se-

cret Place," with the council chamber where the dealings and arrangements of our lives are made and a drafting room where the destiny of our lives is formed.

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” - Proverbs 23:7

In her devotional "Jesus Calling," Sarah Young writes that the mind is the most unruly, restless part of mankind, e.g., long after you have learned the discipline of holding your tongue, your thoughts defy your will and set themselves up against your good intentions.

Our deepest thoughts, beliefs and intentions shape our characters, our actions and ultimately our destinies. The connection between our inner lives and outward reality is demonstrated in three ways:

1. The Building of Character – our ac-

tions are simply the outward expression of our internal thoughts. Over time, the things we allow ourselves to dwell on form our habits and moral dispositions.

2. The Power of Focus – what you focus on expands. If you harbor negative thoughts, you tend to see the world – and act – negatively. Conversely, cultivating positive, virtuous thoughts directs your “walk” toward growth and success.

3. The Necessity of Self-Awareness

– Because your thoughts drive your reality, evaluating your internal dialogue is vital. We cannot control what thoughts drift in and out of our minds, but we can control what we do with them. Actively redirecting negative or destructive thoughts can transform our lives by changing our

mindset.

This is why A.W. Tozer included this question in his rules for self-discovery: Rule 3: What do I think about most? Our lives force us to dwell on many ideas throughout the day. We have to think about our work, our bills and our family, among many other things. But there are times when we are lying in bed trying to sleep or driving down the road that our minds are free to wander. In those moments, what do we think about? Do we plan our futures of fame and fortune? Do we rehash an argument in our heads, contemplating what we could have said differently to get the final word? “It is more than likely that our thoughts will cluster about our secret heart treasure, and whatever that is will reveal what/who we are,” Tozer wrote.

Mastering the mind is the key to mastering one’s life. Realizing this power can bring us out of the Land of Egypt and the House of Bondage. It can lead us over the River Jordan and bring us to the Promised Land.

“The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” - Romans 8:6

Be filled with the Spirit; walk in the Spirit.

Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day

2100 N. Ridge Rd., Mears graceadventures.org/summer-worship

Walkerville Wesleyan Church Love our community toward Christ Sunday 10:30 am Streamed on Safe Haven: Every Wed. 3-5 pm Open gym and showers available 231.873.5040

144 S Hamon St, Walkerville Office@walkervillewesleyanchurch.org

In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

obituaries

James Kelley Watkins

March 25, 1930 ~ June 17, 2026

Heaven has welcomed another Tigers fan. James Kelley Watkins, MD, was born to Georgia Kelley Watkins and Ralph Nelson Watkins in Milford, Michigan, on March 25, 1930 and died peacefully in his sleep at his beloved cottage on Stony Lake in Shelby, Michigan, on June 17, 2026.

He was a three-sport star and class valedictorian at Milford High School and a member of the Milford High School Hall of Fame. He then matriculated at the University of Michigan, where he lettered in basketball (1949) and majored in history, kindling a lifelong interest in the subject and treasuring his subscription to "Michigan History" magazine.

During the Korean War, he served with honor as a naval officer in the Mediterranean on the Admiral's ship, honing his legal skills representing midshipmen charged with all manner of infractions and playing basketball against other ships' teams. He returned to attend Michigan's medical school, trained at the Cleveland Clinic and practiced urology in Grand Rapids for many years, serving a term as the President of the Kent County Medical Society as well as on the boards of many other nonprofits. He was proud to have been a part of the original kidney transplant team in West Michigan at St. Mary's Hospital, beginning in 1973.

To celebrate his retirement in 1994, he rode his bike from Disneyland to Disney World, raising money for Hospice of Grand Rapids. He and his wife Janet continued to bicycle with friends all over the country, including a memorable ride through all five boroughs of New York City. He was an altar boy from second grade through his senior year of high school but always enjoyed a bawdy joke! His faith community, especially in his later years at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Claybanks, was always central to his life.

He was a scratch golfer, an ace handball player, a nice tennis player and an intrepid skier and even became an accomplished competitive rower. His proudest accomplishment was his family. He embraced each of his children's and grandchildren's interests and the sports they competed in – none of which he played – soccer, hockey, field hockey and lacrosse. He became an art lover with Janet's encouragement and enthusiastically supported her involvement in the Grand Rapids Art Museum. His optimism and friendly nature made him the dad his children's friends adored.

Thanks to his son-in-law and granddaughter, he was able to attend his reunion of the University of Michigan's basketball players in February. A Tigers fan from at least kindergarten when he listened in class to the Tigers win the 1935 World Series over the radio, 91 years later he went to sleep one final time listening to a Tigers game. When you root for the Tigers, roar for the Lions and cheer for the Wolverines with a frosty glass of beer, know Jim is right there with you.

James is survived by: his wife of almost 70 years and his greatest prize (his words), Janet Weber Watkins; his daughter Kathy Harrison (Robin); son Bill (Gale Richards); son Chris (Hilda Salgado); son-in-law Stephen Hannock; granddaughter Kelley Saros (Jimmy); granddaughter, Mary Crawford (Jack); grandson William Watkins; granddaughter, Georgia Hannock; and great-grandchildren Jimbo, Teddy, and Rose Saros and Katie Crawford.

James was predeceased by and finally reunited with his daughter Bridget Hannock.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry, 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd., New Era, MI 49446 or Dégagé Ministries, 139 Sheldon Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, S. 50th Ave., Montague, MI 49437. Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is assisting with arrangements. www.harrisfhome.com

Celebration of Life – Charles 'David' Keith

A gathering for David will take place on July 10 at Montague Township Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a story and have a snack.

Terry Lee Shaw

August 27, 1948 ~ June 2, 2026

Terry Lee Shaw, 77, passed away peacefully on the after noon of June 2, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born August 27, 1948, in Ludington, the son of Robert and Ruth (Yeck) Shaw.

Terry was raised in Ludington, Michigan, and was a proud Michigan State University alumnus, receiving his doctorate from the University of Indiana. He devoted his life to honoring his community by serving on many local boards and as Prosecuting Attorney for both Mason and Oceana Counties. He was honored for achieving 50 years of membership in the State Bar of Michigan for his service to the legal profession and pub lic.

He is survived by: his wife, Marcia Shaw; children, Kimberly (Tim) Harris, Misty (Chuck) Persenaire and Amber Shaw-Rogers; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Terry was preceded in death by: his parents, Robert & Ruth Shaw; brother, Greg Shaw; and son, Shane Shaw.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 3258 N. 72nd Ave., Hart, Michigan 49420, with Pastor Ryan Vander Zwaag officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2026, until the time of services at the Church. A luncheon will be provided. He will be forever remembered for his kindness, wisdom, faith and love for his family.

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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

The Township of Crystal in Oceana County is searching for a person to fill the upcoming vacancy in the Township Supervisor position. Longtime Supervisor Lee Hyslop will be retiring from this post soon. The applicant must live in the township and be a registered voter.

STATUTORY DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Moderates board and annual meetings

• Secretary to Board of Review

• Township’s legal agent

• Must maintain records of supervisor’s office

• Develops township budget

• Appoints some commission members

• May call special meetings

• May appoint a deputy

Those interested in serving their community should send their letter of interest/resume to:

Lee Hyslop, Supervisor Crystal Township 1499 E. Hammett Hart, MI 49420

PENTWATER TOWNSHIP

Synopsis of Meeting

June 10, 2026

Supervisor Cavazos called the June 10th Regular Township Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with five Board members present. The meeting was conducted in person and via Zoom. One staff member and five community members were present in person. One person was present via Zoom. The Consent Agenda and Meeting Agenda were both approved as presented. Action/acceptance was taken on the following items:

• Support of Pentwater Chamber of Commerce Fireworks

• 1989 GMC Sierra Cemetery truck to be placed up for competitive sealed bid

• Michigan Township Association annual dues

• Approval for investigative remote televising of Monroe Road Storm Sewer

• Support of Act 57 to join “West Mich Fire Authority”

• Appointment of Supervisor Cavazos to represent Pentwater Township to “West Mich Fire Authority” Board

• Approval of bank reconciliation process as recommended by auditor

• Approval of Great Lakes Energy Cooperative Electric Franchise Ordinance as drafted by Township Attorney

• Approval of tuition reimbursement for Township Treasurer

• Approval of one-time Cemetery Walking Tour scheduled for July 24th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

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.

Maureen Murphy, Clerk

just one night there, however, as he was granted bail the next day. His conviction was later overturned.

• On June 29, 1967, Rolling Stones

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY

• On June 30, 1908, a fiery explosion flattened 800 square miles of forest in Siberia’s Tunguska region, believed to have been caused by an asteroid or comet. It remains Earth’s biggest recorded cosmic collision.

300 W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW

guitarist Keith Richards faced charges stemming from the raid of his Redlands estate five months earlier. No drugs were found but he was sentenced to a year in prison, spending just one night there, however, as he was granted bail the next day. His conviction was later overturned.

By Lucie Winborne

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,

300 W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW

CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. 257

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 300 W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10019

• On July 1, 2003, a female employee at a Colorado resort filed sexual misconduct charges against basketball star Kobe Bryant. Bryant was questioned by authorities, provided a DNA sample and eventually admitted to what he insisted was a consensual encounter. In early March 2005, he and the accuser settled her civil lawsuit for an undisclosed sum.

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

YORK, NY 10019

STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20260615 FOR RELEASE JUNE 15, 2026

• On June 29, 1967, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards faced charges stemming from the raid of his Redlands estate five months earlier. No drugs were found but he was sentenced to a year in prison, spending just one night there, however, as he was granted bail the next day. His conviction was later overturned.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT.

By Lucie Winborne

257

CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. 257

STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20260615

NOW HERE’S A TIP #12345_20260615

FOR RELEASE JUNE 15, 2026

By JoAnn Derson

By Lucie Winborne

• On July 2, 1977, Hollywood composer Bill Conti, a relative unknown in Hollywood, scored a No. 1 pop hit with the single “Gonna Fly Now” (the theme from “Rocky”). The film went on to launch both his and Sylvester Stallone’s careers.

• On June 30, 1908, a fiery explosion flattened 800 square miles of forest in Siberia’s Tunguska region, believed or comet. It remains Earth’s biggest recorded cosmic collision.

FOR RELEASE JUNE 15, 2026

STRANGE BUT TRUE #12345_20260615 FOR RELEASE JUNE 15, 2026

By Lucie Winborne

The Township of Crystal in Oceana County is searching for a person to fill the position of Township Clerk. They must live in the township and be a registered voter. Basic responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Payroll and Accounts Payable

• Quick Books accounting/Budget forecasting/ management

• Elections Management (includes training)

• Maintain official township records and documents

• Maintain/manage the township cemetery records

• Attend and record all township board meetings minutes

• Prepares and files monthly, quarterly, and annual tax reports, including W-2s, 1099s, etc.

• Ensures records are audit-ready and assists during audits

• Runs QuickBooks reports for township board members

Flexible hours vary from month to month and can increase during election seasons. Minimum of 4 office hours weekly, with an annual salary of $12,056. Flexibility is essential.

Please send letter of interest and resume to: Lee Hyslop, Supervisor Crystal Township 1499 E. Hammett Hart, MI 49420

• “The best way to get a bloodstain out of clothing is by dousing the stain with hydrogen peroxide and washing as usual. For clay stains, you absolutely must have a Fels-Naptha bar. It looks like a bar of soap, and you wet the material and rub in the soap. It’s magical. This, coming from a softball mom whose daughter loves to slide.” — A.A. in Florida

• Unlike some genocides in which victims could sometimes avoid persecution by converting to another religion, Nazi Germany generally defined Jews by ancestry rather than personal belief. Under the Nuremberg Laws, a person’s classification depended largely on the religious affiliation of parents and grandparents, so conversion to Christianity usually did not exempt someone of Jewish ancestry from anti-Jewish persecution.

• Turtles can see well underwater, but on land they are nearsighted.

• In one of his occasional efforts to improve public relations, Chicago gangster Al Capone opened a soup kitchen during the Great Depression.

• On July 3, 1988, during U.S. naval operations in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. Navy cruiser Vincennes shot down an Iranian passenger jet that it mistook for a hostile military aircraft, killing everyone aboard. The U.S. Navy report blamed crew error caused by psychological stress on men in combat for the first time, and in 1996 the U.S. agreed to pay $62 million in damages to the families of those who died.

On July 2, 1977, Hollywood composer Bill Conti, a relative unknown in Hollywood, scored a No. 1 pop hit with the single “Gonna Fly Now” (the theme from “Rocky”). The film went on to launch both his and Sylvester Stallone’s careers.

• Add these to the list of items to eliminate the odor of cooking cabbage: a heel of bread, a whole walnut or a pinch of baking soda.

• On July 4, 1965, more than two dozen LGBTQ activists showed up in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall for the first “Reminder” gay rights demonstration. While it drew little media coverage, it is now considered a precursor to the wider gay liberation movement.

• It’s easy to make your own spreadable butter. Simply whip 1 pound of softened butter and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Slowly add 1 cup of olive oil. Beat up to 5 minutes to add air and increase volume. Pour into two 1-pint containers and refrigerate. It’s economical, spreads like soft margarine, tastes great and you get the benefits of olive oil in a natural product.

• Turtles can see well underwater, but on land they are nearsighted.

• In one of his occasional efforts to improve public relations, Chicago gangster Al Capone opened a soup kitchen during the Great Depression.

• During the pre-WWII drafts, an illiterate gentleman hoping to avoid military service asked his wife to write the draft board and explain how much he was needed at home. The plan backfired when his lady instead requested that her husband be taken because he was a “no-good” alcoholic who didn’t help around the house.

• In one of his occasional efforts to improve public relations, Chicago gangster Al Capone opened a soup kitchen during the Great Depression.

• Beer is the third-most popular drink on Earth, after water and tea.

• An Ohio State University study found that women who reported stress in the previous 24 hours burned 104 fewer calories than nonstressed women after a high-fat meal.

• On July 5, 1937, George A. Hormel & Company debuted a canned luncheon meat called Spam, which not only gained rapid popularity for its convenience and affordability, but eventually launched annual festivals such as the wittily named Spam Jam and Spamarama.

• On July 4, 1965, more than dozen LGBTQ activists showed up in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall for the first “Reminder” gay rights demonstration. While it drew little media coverage, it is now considered a precursor to the wider gay liberation movement.

• “Before I go to the beach, I freeze an ice-cube tray full of lemonade. Then, we use the cubes in our travel cups. It keeps the lemonade cool, and as it melts (which tends to be quickly), it doesn’t water down the drink.” — K.H. in South Carolina

• To save money on electricity costs, hang jeans and other heavy clothing to dry first. White or light towels and garments especially love the sun. When it is mostly dry, pop it in the dryer to fluff.

• “Always be on the lookout for sale items that can be given as gifts. You can also check the sale rack for children’s clothes. Sometimes, I buy up to a year in advance for my child, since the deals can be so good. Just be sure that the clothing is the right season when your child will be able to wear it.” — Matt in New Mexico.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 1800 Pembrook Dr., Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32810.

OC ANIMAL SHELTER

Looking for a walking buddy by day and a couch companion by night? Bella may be your perfect match! At 7 to 8 years young, this beautiful 73-pound Malamute/German Shepherd mix has traded puppy chaos for the finer things in life: leisurely strolls, spa-quality brushing sessions and finding the comfiest spot in the house for an afternoon nap.

Bella is a sweet, gentle soul who enjoys getting out for walks and taking in the sights and smells of the world around her. On warmer days, you might even catch her cooling off with a casual stroll through the shelter's splash pad to keep things interesting!

Like many distinguished ladies, Bella has a few creaks and groans in her hips, so she'd love a family willing to provide daily joint supplements and, most importantly, a soft couch worthy of her royal status. Bella is available for adoption from the Oceana County Animal Control. If interested, please call the shelter at 231861-5395. The adoption fee for cats is $35 and you receive certificates for $25 towards spay/neuter and $10 towards rabies if not already done. The adoption fee for dogs is $95 and will receive a $50 certificate good for spay/neuter if needed. Every dog should have an ID tag.

L.A.S.S.I. provides free dog ID tags to all Oceana County residents. To request tags, send a text to 231-730-3906. Free tags are also available at the OCEANA County Animal Shelter.

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

– N. LIGHTHOUSE DR.

Public Hearing of the Golden Township Board/Road Committee will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 11:00 am at Golden Township Hall 5527 W Fox Rd., Mears MI 49436 to receive public opinion on the Natural Beauty Road, widening, and reworking North Lighthouse Drive from Termite Bridge to Lighthouse State Park. Rachel Iteen Golden Township Clerk

• Beer is the third-most popular drink on Earth, after water and tea.

• Geneticists believe that the same segment of DNA in the human genome is responsible for the development of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

• Beer is the third-most popular drink on Earth, after water and tea.

• An Ohio State University study found that women who reported stress in the previous 24 hours burned 104 fewer calories than nonstressed women after a high-fat meal.

• The first female golfer was Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1567).

• Geneticists believe that the same segment of DNA in the human genome is responsible for the development of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

• In the U.S., graduating nurses take an oath called the Nightingale Pledge, named after Florence Nightingale and adapted from the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors.

• Geneticists believe that the same segment of DNA in the human genome is responsible for the development of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

• The first female golfer was Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1567).

• In the U.S., graduating nurses take an oath called the Nightingale Pledge, named after Florence Nightingale and adapted from the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors.

• After his first son’s birth, Claude Monet attempted suicide by jumping into the Seine. He was poor, estranged from his father and disappointed in the French art scene. Fortunately, he survived and later helped found the Impressionist movement.

• In the U.S., graduating nurses take an oath called the Nightingale Pledge, named after Florence Nightingale and adapted from the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors.

***

OC ANIMAL FRIENDS

Meet Lainey, a gorgeous dark gray kitten with a soft, beautiful coat and an even sweeter personality. This lovely girl is incredibly affectionate, playful and full of life. She brings joy and laughter to everyone she meets and loves spending time exploring, playing and then curling up for snuggles.

Lainey’s gentle nature and charming spirit make her a wonderful companion for any home. If you’re looking for a kitten who will brighten your days and fill your home with love, Lainey is the perfect match.

If you would like to adopt Lainey, please fill out an application through the OCAF Facebook page: Oceana County Animal Friends or online at: oceanacountyanimalfriends.wordpress.com. To volunteer or for more information, please call OCAF at 616-8225552. OCAF is open by appointment or during visiting hours:

Meet Bella

Meet Lainey

Shelby's new Tiger Athletic & Community Center to house OAM + i’move clinic

OAM + i’move announced the opening of their 13th physical therapy clinic, located inside the newly constructed Tiger Athletic & Community Center (TACC) in Shelby Township. The 65,000-square-foot indoor sports and recreation facility, located next to Shelby Township Community Park, officially opened in June 2026.

i’move, the integrated rehabilitation division of Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon (OAM), provides hands-on, movement-based physical therapy designed to help patients recover from injury, improve function, and return to the activities they love. Together, OAM + i’move offer a seamless continuum of care — from orthopaedic evaluation and treatment to personalized rehabilitation.

The new i’move clinic is conveniently located just inside the main entrance of TACC and features a 900-square-foot space with a full wall of windows and capacity for two therapists. The Shelby Township location expands access to high-quality physical therapy services for patients across northern West Michigan.

The clinic’s location within TACC provides patients with access to a unique rehabilitation environment, including indoor turf, basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts, as well as fitness and performance training

areas. Specialized rehabilitation options, such as golf simulator and archery training, are also available to support individualized treatment programs.

“This space gives us an incredible opportunity to treat patients in a more active, functional environment,” said Clinic Director Matt Zahl. “Being inside TACC allows us to deliver more specific, tailored rehabilitation and better bridge the gap between rehab and real-world movement. We’re excited to serve the Shelby community and build this into a top destination for rehabilitation.”

“OAM has always been committed to improving access to high-quality orthopaedic and rehabilitation care across the communities we serve,” said Dr. Edward J.W. Shields, M.D. of Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon. “The growth of i’move as a fully integrated part of our organization allows us to extend that commitment beyond the clinic and into environments like TACC, where patients can experience a more complete and functional recovery.”

With the addition of the Shelby Township clinic, OAM + i’move now serve patients across Cascade, Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon, Rockford, Shelby, Spring Lake, and Whitehall.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.imovedaily.com.

KemperSports Venues opens Shelby Township’s Tiger Athletic & Community Center

65,000-square-foot indoor recreation and community facility opened June 22 and expected to become a premier destination for sports, fitness and family entertainment

KemperSports Venues, a division of KemperSports, and a leading provider of sports, recreation, and hospitality management experience services, today announced it has been selected to manage and operate the new Tiger Athletic & Community Center (TACC), a state-of-the-art indoor recreation facility in Shelby Township, Michigan.

“Shelby Township is excited to be able to provide a world-class sports and community facility to the residents of Oceana County and beyond,” said Shelby Township Supervisor Richard Raffaelli. “KemperSports emerged as the leader during the bid process, and Shelby Township is thrilled to have them as our partner at the TACC. The group will inevitably exceed all expectations.”

The Tiger Athletic & Community Center, which opened June 22, is located at 4101 W. Buchanan Rd. in Shelby. The approximately 65,000-squarefoot, two-level complex is designed and built by Shelby Township to meet a growing regional need for year-round indoor athletic, recreation and community gathering space. The facility will provide athletes, families and residents with access to sports, fitness, entertainment and special event opportunities close to home, particularly during Michigan’s winter months.

Through the partnership, KemperSports Venues will leverage its industry-leading expertise across facility operations, staff management, membership development, facility rentals, event booking, league and tournament operations, guest experience, marketing and community partnerships to support the successful launch and long-term operation of Tiger Athletic & Community Center.

“We are excited to partner with the Tiger Athletic & Community Center team and help bring this exceptional facility to life,” said KemperSports Executive Vice President Andrew Fleming. “The center has been designed to meet the needs of athletes and families of all ages while creating a vibrant community gathering space. We look forward to

delivering outstanding guest experiences and establishing the facility as a premier destination for sports and recreation in the region.”

Tiger Athletic & Community Center features a diverse mix of athletic, fitness, and entertainment amenities, including:

• An indoor walking track

• Two basketball courts that can be converted into four volleyball courts or six pickleball courts

• An indoor turf field designed for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports

• A fitness center

• A rock climbing wall

• An indoor archery simulator

• A golf simulator

• Batting tunnels

• An arcade

• A children’s playscape

The versatile design will allow the facility to host youth and adult sports leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics, fitness programming, special events, facility rentals, and community gatherings throughout the year.

“Our vision for Tiger Athletic & Community Center is to create a place where people can compete, stay active, connect, and have fun,” said TACC General Manager Vanessa Fernandez Torres. “We are bringing industry-leading expertise and operational excellence to the facility, ensuring an exceptional experience for every guest who walks through our doors.”

The center is expected to become an important economic and community asset for Shelby and the surrounding region, attracting local participation while drawing visitors for tournaments, events, and recreational programming.

Additional information about programming, memberships, operating hours, and grand opening activities will be announced in the coming weeks. More information will be available at TigerAthleticCommunityCenter.com.

Family ties bring Price to Hesperia to coach

Former Reed City player to build Panthers after successful run in Jacksonville area

By Andy Roberts

HESPERIA — New Hesperia boys basketball coach Jason Price knows a thing or two about program-building. Combine that with his prior experience in Oceana County, and his hire was seemingly a no-brainer.

Price, who will also teach physical education at the school, grew up in Reed City, graduated from Western Michigan University, and was briefly athletic director at Walkerville before moving just outside Jacksonville, Florida in the late 2000s and taking over as boys coach at the brand new Oakleaf High School, which opened in 2010. Price built the program into a strong one that won three district championships and qualified to play in nine regional tournaments through a power rating system similar to the one used to seed Michigan districts. Price’s overall record was 241-166, highlighted by a 24-2 season in 2022-23.

It helped Price’s - and Hesperia’s - case that he had family on his side in Panthers’ girls coach Ty Elenbaas, whose cousin Chrissy is Price’s wife. The family - Jason and Chrissy have three kids, a son in middle school and twin three-year-old daughterscame back to the area to be with extended family.

“I got a call from him saying, ‘I’m thinking about coming back and taking a job here,’” Elenbaas said. “Through conversations of basket-

• Andy Roberts/Echo

ball with him over the years, I’m beyond excited. You look at his resume and he’s a phenomenal coach. He knows his stuff. A rising tide is good for everyone. Him coming in was great. I did whatever I could to put in a good word, because you talk basketball with him for five minutes, he knows his stuff.”

At Oakleaf, Price coached in a much different environment than in Hesperia. Families were more transient, owing to the nearby naval air station that brought kids in and out as service members were transferred around the country and even the world. Because Oakleaf opened in 2010, there wasn’t the same type of historic community atmosphere as exists in western Michigan. Still, Price enjoyed success, coaching dozens of collegiate players and even a couple of players who played in the

NBA - Nassir Little, a first-round draft pick of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Jonathan Bryant, who was briefly part of the Chicago Bulls organization. Both now play overseas.

While the circumstances are far different in some ways as Price moves into his second act as a varsity coach, there are also similarities to what he is stepping into at Hesperia, whose last winning season was 201516.

“I think it’s structure,” Price said of what he hopes to apply in Hesperia. “In basketball, you have five people on the basketball court, but it takes more than that. We have to coordinate stuff from the junior high level, the elementary level, the high school level. You’re going to have waves up here. Down where we were at, we might not have had as many of those. It’s one of the things that I enjoyed about my growing up and be-

ing in this area, is being able to take a kid like we had in camp that might be a fourth or fifth-grader and see him develop and come all the way through in high school.”

Despite the Panthers’ lack of wins the last several years, Price sees some ingredients for success. The players are young and hungry. The facilities are in place; Price noted there’s never a lack of gym space to play in, and the locker rooms are being redone this summer. And already the Panthers are seeing evidence that putting in the work can produce improvement.

They saw that evidence at a team camp in Albion earlier in June, just weeks after Price accepted the job. In one scrimmage during the camp, Hesperia tangled with Tri-Uni-

New coach continued on page 11

Shelby takes title in Whitehall’s JV girls league

Tigers

By Andy Roberts

WHITEHALL — With so many players available that they played the regular season of Whitehall’s summer JV girls basketball league with two different teams, Shelby rolled to the league’s championship in Monday’s single-elimination tournament.

The Tigers dispatched Whitehall, Hart and Ludington, all by double-digit margins, in the tournament. (Games were played in two 20-minute halves with a running clock outside of stoppages inside the final minute of each half.) They played with two different teams - a Purple and a White team - during the league’s regular season to give the league an even 12 teams. Shelby, Hart and Hesperia all played in the league, as did White-

• Andy Roberts/Echo

hall, Montague, Reeths-Puffer, Ludington, North Muskegon, Hart, Hesperia, Fremont, Oakridge and Mona Shores.

Hart defeated Hesperia in the tournament quarterfinals (Hart got a bye while Hesperia beat Fremont in round one) before the Tigers bested the Pirates in the semis. Each team was largely composed of incoming freshmen and sophomores. Bringing the two groups back together for the tournament was an interesting challenge, said Mark Pe-

terson, who coached the Tiger JVs along with Kevin Burmeister, but a good one.

“It’s a good challenge, because for the first time in a long time in Shelby, we’ve got numbers,” Peterson said. “We had enough to do two teams versus trying to struggle together to get one, so we split up our posts and guards and had both

teams equal, which really helped because it put everybody in a position they normally don’t get to (play), and they play a lot of minutes.”

Shelby wasted no time grabbing big leads in each of its tournament games with its aggressive defense -

continued on page 11

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

Hesperia boys basketball coach Jason Price works with his son on a post drill during Hesperia’s youth camp Friday. Price is taking over at Hesperia after a 16-year run at Oakleaf High School in Florida. • Andy Roberts/Echo

The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

beat Hart in semis en route to title; Hesperia also played in league

Hesperia boys basketball coach Jason Price works on dribbling with a youth camper during the school’s camp Friday.

Shelby’s JV team celebrates winning the Whitehall JV league championship Monday after defeating Ludington in the tournament finals. • Andy Roberts/Echo

Shelby defenders surround a Whitehall ballhandler during the teams’ quarterfinal game in Monday’s JV league tournament.

Hesperia builds enthusiasm at hoops camp

By Andy Roberts The Oceana Echo Community Contributor

HESPERIA — Hesperia girls basketball coach Ty Elenbaas has said before that the Panthers’ main obstacle to major success is less about a lack of talent and more about a lack of enthusiasm from students for basketball, which suppresses turnout. He aimed to help fix that last week when the middle school gym played host to a youth basketball camp supervised by both Elenbaas and new Hesperia boys coach Jason Price.

The camp brought in players, both boys and girls, entering grades 3-8. Turnout was solid for the middle school group, but Elenbaas said it was even better for the younger set, which practically filled the gym. Varsity players from both the boys and girls teams helped run some of the skill drills during the three-day camp.

“(That) is not just great for the high schoolers, but it’s great for the kids to see someone older to look up to and have those connections with,” Elenbaas said.

The focus was working on skills that students could take home with

them and work on throughout the summer, like dribbling and shooting. The program, like many other basketball programs in the area, will host open gyms in the summer so current and aspiring players can get into the gym and work on their skills.

The camp wasn’t just about getting better through skill work, though, but also about having fun through games and competition. Full-court scrimmages were plentiful during the camp. At the end of Friday’s session, the middle school campers were divided into two

teams for a layup competition. The rules were simple; starting at midcourt, one player from each team drove to their assigned hoop and tried to make a layup before their counterpart. The players enjoyed it so much - and the competitions were so close - that it became a bestof-3 affair.

“For me, the number one thing is try to get kids to fall in love with basketball,” Elenbaas said. “If you can get kids to fall in love with basket-

ball, they’ll go get better at basketball. Just trying to make everything we do fun, high-energy, excitement, and then give them some things to take home with them.”

As an additional treat, local businesses donated some prizes, including gift cards, for the campers to enjoy this summer.

“Across the board, from community support to the kids being here, it was perfect. It was really good,” Elenbaas said.

Three more golfers make aces at local courses

JV league

and more impressively, the Tigers maintained those leads even as their opponents tried to claw their way back into the games.

“We lead by defense, and our intensity really gets us up early,” Peterson said. “That allows for more players to get in, but every player on the bench expects the same thing. It’s defensive intensity and then rebounding.”

The Tigers’ continuity - Peterson said players have been running the same system for a few years, since they were in middle school - minimized the difficulty of splitting the team into two squads.

“We’ve been running the same play sets,” Peterson said. “They’ve played with each other, even though we’re combining two grades. For our guards to be able to get more timein a normal game, maybe they only get five or six minutes, but in this setting, they could get more playing time. It’s just big, because as a younger player, you just need more court time.”

continued from page 10

“The more variety of schools that we can play, (the better,) just because everybody plays a different type of defense, different inbounds (plays), and all that does is help with basketball IQ,” Peterson said. “The more things you can see during the summer, the better.”

Having an option close to home to get the Tiger JVs some game action without spending a bundle was a boon to county teams, who don’t always have that many chances to do so.

“Especially for younger teams, JV teams, to have something like this, just because scrimmages are so tough (to find),” Peterson said. “Everybody wants to go to a varsity (event,) but they don’t have usually enough girls to do JV. With Whitehall putting this on, it’s been great the last couple of years. It’s really helped for our team bonding, especially because it’s 15 minutes away so everybody can make it.”

The league also created the opportunity for smaller schools such as Shelby to be exposed to larger-school teams like Ludington and Shores, giving them a look at a wider variety of play styles.

New coach

ty Christian, which made it to last year’s Division 4 final four and lost in overtime to eventual state champion Concord - a game Price, not knowing he would soon be coaching against the Defenders but a basketball junkie nonetheless, was watching down in Florida. Price said his team led Tri-Unity after the first quarter of the scrimmage and ended up losing a close battle by 11 points.

“This is what we’ve done after six practices,” Price told the team afterwards. “What can we do after six months? What can we do after a year? What can we do after two years? I think that type of belief is what’s important. The support from the athletic director and the community is that they want something like that. Our AD (Kaden Seelye) comes from Rockford, a state championship team in basketball. We were talking and we’re just straight down the line on what good basketball programs

continued from page 10

should look like and how we need to go about developing it and growing it and investing your time.”

Price has enjoyed the welcome from the community, saying he’s been stopped several times by Panthers’ alumni in town offering well wishes. It evokes memories of his time playing for Reed City.

“These small towns sometimes are great places because they have people that are starved for real success for this school, because they really do care about it,” Price said. “The school here is the community. They really rally around the football team, the baseball team, the basketball team, and if they have any type of success, it’s such a really great feeling to be a part of it. At Oakleaf, you were part of 65 schools in the greater Jacksonville area...It’s a little different when you can do it in these types of communities.”

A Hesperia youth camper tries to knock the ball away from a varsity Panther while working on his dribbling skills during the school’s camp Friday. The camp ran over three days, from Wednesday to Friday. • Andy Roberts/Echo

Hesperia youth campers work on their dribbling during a drill Friday. The camp ran over three days, from Wednesday to Friday. • Andy Roberts/Echo

Three different county courses were the sites of recent holes-in-one. From left, John Perko aced the 6th hole at Golden Sands Golf Course using his hybrid during Monday’s Ole Duffers Scramble; Grant Meister made a hole-in-one on the 5th hole of Oceana Golf Club using an 8 iron on June 5; and Mallory Baffi aced the 15th hole of Benona Shores Golf Course on June 3 using a 5 hybrid. • Courtesy Photos

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Area set to celebrate America's 250th

Next week, the White Lake area will celebrate July 4, and this one is special, as it will mark the semiquincentennial of the United States - its 250th anniversary.

Due to the sky-high demand for fireworks shows for the July 4 holiday creating cost issues, the White Lake Fireworks Committee will host the area's fireworks show Friday, July 3 at dusk. The fireworks will be viewable from throughout the causeway bridge area in both Whitehall and Montague.

The celebration will continue Saturday, July 4 with the annual parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. with over 90

festive entries. The parade will follow its traditional route from the Whitehall City Hall to the Montague City Hall and will include dozens of floats, community groups, fire trucks, police cars, classic cars and much more.

The celebration will continue Saturday, July 4 with the annual parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. with over 90

A limited number of White Lake Area 4th of July commemorative buttons are available to the public, first come first served, while supplies last. These buttons are typically reserved for parade participants, but there are extras this year. Pick yours up at the White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau offices during business hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Wyatt Chevrolet cuts ribbon, hosts car show

Wyatt Chevrolet GMC in Whitehall hosted a ribbon-cutting and a car show Saturday to celebrate its being part of the White Lake area.

The Wyatt group, who also own a dealership in Manistee, recently purchased the former Don Rypma dealership. From left at the ribbon cutting are: Bart Luft, Brian Stroke, Pam Sievert, Mat Johnson, General Manager Asher Braatz, Nick Payne and James Fackler.

Wyatt Chevrolet GMC in Whitehall hosted a ribbon-cutting and a car show Saturday to celebrate its being part of the White Lake area. The Wyatt group, who also own a dealership in Manistee, recently purchased the former Don Rypma dealership. From left at the ribbon cutting are: Bart Luft, Brian Stroke, Pam Sievert, Mat Johnson, General Manager Asher Braatz, Nick Payne and James Fackler.

• Claire Marshall/Mirror

Historic Dowling House owners share story

Carla and Ward Heaton bought home in 1999, have worked to restore it ever since

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

By Andy Roberts

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

White Lake Mirror Editor

MONTAGUE — Carla and Ward

MONTAGUE — Carla and Ward Heaton, owners of the historic Dowling House in Montague, hosted last Thursday's White Lake Area Historical Society meeting in the house's front yard to share their story of restoring and refreshing the home.

Heaton, owners of the historic Dowling House in Montague, hosted last Thursday's White Lake Area Historical Society meeting in the house's front yard to share their story of restoring and refreshing the home.

street

of the

A street view of the Dowling House in Montague, which Carla and Ward Heaton purchased in 1999 and have worked to restore ever since.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

The Heatons purchased the home from Carla's parents, Ted and Elaine Stembol, in 1999; Carla grew up in the home with her five brothers and sisters after her parents bought it from prior owners Murray and Eloise Burch. The Burches took ownership of the home after the Buttleman family owned it and used it as a boarding house in the 1930s. Prior to that, Annie Dowling lived in the home after the death of her husband George, and her nephew Charles Row inherited the home from her. Dowling built the home in 1875, and it has been continuously occupied ever since.

Ward

their ongoing story of restoring the home with the

during its meeting last Thursday. •

While the house, located on Sheridan Street, is among many others now, Carla said when her family first moved in in the 1960s, most of the houses on their block had not yet been built. After buying the home, the Heatons set about restoring it, a process that took more work than they realized they were getting into at the time. Only two years after buying the home, they had

in in the 1960s, most of the houses on their block had not yet been built.

While the house, located on Sheridan Street, is among many others now, Carla said when her family first moved

After buying the home, the Heatons set about restoring it, a process that took more work than they realized they were getting into at the time. Only two years after buying the home, they had

While the house, located on Sheridan Street, is among many others now, Carla said when her family first moved in in the 1960s, most of the houses on their block had not yet been built.

After buying the home, the Heatons set about restoring it, a process that took more work than they realized they were getting into at the time. Only two years after buying the home, they had

to replace the roof because they found icicles in the eaves. Shortly after that, when they did some molding work on the interior of the house, the company

Carla and

Heaton, owners of the historic Dowling House in Montague, shared

White Lake Historical Society

Andy Roberts/Mirror

The annual July 4 parade will again be a highlight of the White Lake area's celebration of the holiday. The fireworks show will take place Friday, July 3.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror File Photo

Carla and Ward Heaton, owners of the historic Dowling House in Montague, shared their ongoing story of restoring the home with the White Lake Historical Society during its meeting last Thursday. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

The annual July 4 parade will again be a highlight of the White Lake area's celebration of the holiday. The fireworks show will take place Friday, July 3.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror File Photo

The annual July 4 parade will again be a highlight of the White Lake area's celebration of the holiday. The fireworks show will take place Friday, July 3.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror File Photo

view

Dowling House in Montague, which Carla and Ward Heaton purchased in 1999 and have worked to restore ever since.

Whitehall council approves bypass pump purchase

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — The Whitehall City Council Tuesday evening approved the purchase of a used bypass pump for just under $60,000 that will serve as a "band-aid," City Manager Dan Tavernier said, for issues the city is having with a lift station sewage pump.

The council approved the purchase 5-0; council members Bryan Mahan and Roger Squiers were absent.

The pump purchased, Tavernier said, is lightly used for a used pump its size, having logged about 1,540 hours of use. Other options included spending more for a new pump or renting one for $9,000 per week, an option the city quickly dismissed as not being financially sensible.

Tavernier reported that the Department of Public Works has been keeping the existing sewage pump, which at over 30 years old is well past its expected usage life, going "with what feels like bottlecaps and gum," and the city needed a solution, if only a temporary one. The used pump, which allows currently failing pumps to continue operation, can be used until a better option becomes available, at which point it could be kept as a backup in case of future issues.

Tavernier expressed frustration with the progress, or lack thereof, of the West Colby Promenade, saying he is "wildly disappointed" with the speed of work being done. The city had already been aware the restrooms and shade sail would not be ready by the July 4 weekend, but the plan had been for everything else to be in place. The public will still be able to use the space, he said, but there will be areas cordoned off so as not to be damaged. Concrete flatwork and topsoil will be completed this week, but other work will have to take place in July and the space will not be fully complete until mid-September, when the shade sail is slated to be installed.

The council voted 5-0 to reject a request by state House of Representatives candidate Angel Coon to close off an alley - she had suggested the pocket park or the North Mears Promenade - for a Rock the Vote-style event she was calling Rally in the Alley that would have taken place Sunday, July 5. The five present council members unanimously expressed unease with closing the alley for what they felt amounted to a political action, saying if Coon and other candidates (Curt VanderWall currently holds the seat Coon is seeking) had teamed up for a nonpartisan event they might have felt differently. The council

said Coon is welcome to go through the process for renting city space if she'd like to host the event.

The council approved a budget amendment that effectively closed the book on the 2025-26 fiscal year and included several changes. The resolution noted that many of the changes revolved around the city manager search that ended late last summer with the hire of Tavernier. There were also changes relating to the Playhouse budget, which Mayor Tom Ziemer and council member Scott Brown questioned. Tavernier said he inherited the Playhouse's budget and wouldn't necessarily have had the same budget had he been in charge of it. However, in all, the final city budget, he said, had changed from a $70,000 deficit when first enacted to a surplus of over $80,000.

The council did not bring to a vote a proposal that would have accepted a $40,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign to install an outdoor fitness court, likely at Funnell Field, that would have been free to the public. The total cost of the project would have been over $200,000 with the city providing the rest of the cost. No one seconded a motion to bring the proposal to the floor for discussion or a vote, so it was not considered.

The council will consider a recom-

mendation at its next meeting to sell a 2.8-acre parcel near HarborLight Credit Union to Armstrong's of White Lake for $7,500. The parcel was split from another five-acre parcel to facilitate a sale earlier this year, and Tavernier said he had anticipated the city holding onto it for lack of interest from buyers, but the city was approached by Armstrong's, and he recommends going forward with the sale.

No vote was made on a proposed creation of a Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act district that would have enabled a tax abatement to be granted to designated properties, effectively freezing a property's tax rate for up to 12 years to incentivize their improvement. The abatements can only be offered through the end of 2026, says the Michigan Economic Development Coalition, as the act will not be renewed, but those granted by then can continue until they expire. The council discussed how large the district should be, though Clerk Brenda Bourdon said the council could approve the district and then change its parameters later. The district would aid the owner of the Dollar Castle/Family Video building, Ray Issa, in improving the property after purchasing it earlier this year. The issue will likely continue to be addressed in future meetings.

Senior millage recipients share program info

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — Three recipients of Whitehall Township's senior millage funding spoke during Monday's regular township board meeting, detailing some of the programs the senior millage funds help to support.

Pastors Donna Morton and Tim Dibble of the White Lake Congregational United Church of Christ and the White Lake United Methodist Church respectively, and White Lake Senior Center director Christi Marsh, each expressed gratitude for the township's millage support.

Morton and Dibble discussed the millage's support of free meals that are distributed at their churches. The White Lake UCC periodically hosts the Feeding America mobile food pantry through the millage, and the pantry distributes food to those in need whenever it visits. Any leftover food remains in the community through partner-

ships with White Lake UMC and Lebanon Lutheran Church. At the White Lake UMC, community free meals, known as The Gathering, are hosted Mondays and Thursdays, with local organizations, businesses and schools sponsoring the meals. Bag lunches are also distributed on Saturdays.

Marsh said the Senior Center sees, on average, 45-70 people per day, and activities include games, meals and much more, promoting social interaction among a group of people often vulnerable to isolation. She added that the Senior Center activities are self-funded; the millage support pays for insurance on the building, which the city leases to the Senior Center.

The board approved an initiative that will allow Muskegon County to create a Tax Increment Financing district at the in-progress Hickory Place Planned Unit Development, which will help fund current and future infrastructure at the site. The county board

Dowling house

they contracted with had to order special knives to complete the task. When the Heatons hired an electrician to perform electrical work, he reported that he'd never in his career seen a fuse box like the one they have.

Everywhere the Heatons looked, they found a time-consuming project. One summer they repainted the exterior of the house, a process Ward described as "trial and error." It ended up taking them months to complete; he said the process began May 19, they finally got the exterior primed around July 4, and then the parties took a break before finishing the work later in the summer.

There are 13 total rooms in the house, including five upstairs bedrooms, the Heatons said. There's one bathroom upstairs and one downstairs, as well as one additional bedroom

continued from page 4

downstairs. The bathrooms are both located in the back of the house, with one atop the other for ease of plumbing. There are also 41 windows and four storm windows, most of which the Heatons say are original to the home. The trim is also original.

Like any older house, there are quirks that give away its age. Carla said she was flummoxed when she first discovered a small square hole in the dining room floor - until she found an article online about an on-floor button some older homes included that enabled their owners to summon the in-home servants. The small hole was where that button used to be. Another quirk is the steam heat; the pipes that deliver the heat, Carla said, travel through pipes that come in contact with wood, which results in the occasional clunk or noise.

would then handle oversight of the TIF district. The county board, if it approves the creation of the district, would then refer it back to the township board for final approval.

Supervisor Dennis Kroll said the TIF districts are a common mechanism used by municipalities to make new business initiatives like the Hickory Place development affordable for developers, reducing the barrier to entry. He added that by the county overseeing the TIF district, it would provide more continuity than if oversight was left to the township, given the increased turnover at the township government level by comparison. Jennifer Hodges, Muskegon County's housing coordinator and also the supervisor of Muskegon Charter Township, was present at the meeting and said she would be involved with the oversight.

During public comment, a question was raised about what sort of homes were being built at the Hicko-

"If you didn't know better, you'd think it was a ghost," Carla said.

Another quirk: Carla discovered one year while laying insulation in the attic that the home had gas lighting fixtures in the ceilings. The spots where they once were enabled the Heatons to seamlessly install ceiling fans in the house.

Carla also shared a story about oilcloth wallpaper being in the basement. While the basement is not technically considered living space in the home, the Heatons believe the wallpaper may mean that when the Buttlemans owned it and used it as a boarding house, they rented out the basement.

While the exterior work is now largely done, the Heatons said they are continuing to restore parts of the inside of the home, including the first-floor bathroom and hallway and the living room parlor, which Carla said has never been painted going back to when her parents bought the house.

All this work might seem excessive

ry Place development. Kyle Zack, developer of the site, was at the meeting and noted that the development will be single-family homes of 1,200 square feet or more (homes near the Hickory Village Golf Course will be larger), and the intended price point of the homes will be between $325,000-$340,000. Also during the meeting, White Lake Ambulance Authority director Jon Degen gave a year in review presentation to the board, similar to one he gave to White River Township's board earlier this month. Degen said the WLAA is doing very well financially and if Fruitland Township voters approve an August millage request to rejoin the authority, everyone's millage rate should be able to be reduced in coming years due to the increased tax base. He added that the authority is pleased with its current lease arrangement at the Suburban Propane station and plans to continue it as long as the company would like.

to some, given the cost and effort necessary to do it. However, the Heatons both say they feel a responsibility to maintain the house given its history.

"We see ourselves as being in a long line of caretakers" of the house, Carla said.

That said, the Heatons, who are of retirement age and are empty-nesters now, do plan to leave the home someday. In fact, Carla joked that they are on year seven of a five-year plan to ready and sell the home. However, it's clear they love the place, and due to its size, Carla said, it hosts the Heaton family Christmas gathering each year. While the idea of selling outside of the family isn't necessarily the most exciting given how long it's been in Carla's family, she conceded that the Heatons don't want to "burden" family with the work necessary to keep the home in good condition unless the family really wants to do it.

Saturday, June 27

Montague Farmer's Market is open, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fruitland Township Senior Palooza @ Fruitland Twp. Hall, 10 a.m. Activities, music, vendors and, for seniors, a free luncheon.

Free carnival @ River of Life Fellowship Church in Twin Lake, 1-5 p.m. Carnival games, prizes, inflatables, hot dogs, cotton candy, face painting and much more.

White Lake Knitting Club meets @ Book Nook & Java Shop, 1 p.m.

SmittyVision performs @ North Grove Brewers, 7 p.m.

Spike the Media performs @ Pub One Eleven, 8 p.m.

Robert Wahr performs @ Red Rooster Tavern, 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 28

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

White Lake Ukulele Club meets @ Book Nook & Java Shop, 1 p.m.

Monday, June 29

A Dinosaur Play @ MADL Montague, 10:30 a.m. A short interactive live theater production with an opportunity to make a dinosaur craft afterwards.

Community Calendar

White Lake Community Library welcomes knitters and crocheters for a weekly gathering, 3 p.m. Knitters and crocheters are invited to bring whatever they're working on to this casual meetup, a great way to connect with others, share ideas, and enjoy good company.

Fetch Brewing Running Group meets at 6 p.m. All are welcome to participate at their own pace and distance. Strollers also welcome.

FAN Club @ Fetch Brewing, 7 p.m. Free music performances in the parking lot.

Tuesday, June 30

Baby Time @ White Lake Community Library, 9:30 a.m. Ages 0-2 welcome for songs, music, and movement.

Grandmothers Group meets @ White Lake Community Library, 9:30 a.m. All women welcome.

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

White Lake Community Library hosts Pop-Up Storytime @ Whitehall City Hall, 11 a.m. Join Library Beth for stories, songs, rhymes, and activities.

Dino Soap Bars @ MADL Montague, 3 p.m. A fun and creative

soap-making workshop where you will craft a colorful bar of soap with a hidden dinosaur inside. Registration required @ madl.org.

The ACWL-Nuveen Free Summer Concert Series continues @ Montague Bandshell, 7 p.m. Kyle Brown & the Human Condition performs.

Wednesday, July 1

Artists on the Sidewalk @ Dune Grass Gallery in Montague, 11 a.m. Bring your own art project, supplies, chair, and umbrella and get tips and tricks from other artists.

Eric Michaels & Chris Kennedy perform @ Book Nook & Java Shop, 11:30 a.m.

White Lake Kid Crafters welcome to bring their best creativity and imagination to "unearth" some awesome creations @ White Lake Community Library, 1 p.m.

The Oat Bran Boys perform @ North Grove Brewers, 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 2

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

Brian Fedewa performs @ The

Picker's Patch in Twin Lake, 5 p.m.

America Celebration @ White Lake Community Library, 5:30 p.m.

The dinosaur theme takes a break for a week at Family Night as the library celebrates the coming July 4 holiday.

Fetch Cycling Group meets at 6 p.m. All skill levels welcome.

Friday, July 3

Outdoor Explorers @ White Lake Community Library, 9:30 a.m. Play outdoors no matter the weather. Bring water, sunscreen and appropriate clothing.

Mahjong at the Library @ White Lake Community Library, 10 a.m. Beginners and experienced players welcome - bring your own sets if you like.

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

Big Daddy Fox performs @ North Grove Brewers, 6:30 p.m.

The Formers perform @ Pub One Eleven, 7 p.m.

White Lake Fireworks Show at dusk.

Echoes of History: Maritime historical highlights

By Barbara Bedau Brow Volunteer Contributor

Part 1 of this article ran in the June 19 issue of the Mirror.

A number of new attractions were offered along with the return of popular tried-and-true events at the 1988 Maritime Festival which was scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 21.

The Miss White Lake Pageant returned, and children’s games and activities included a puppet theatre production and free pony rides. Other returning activities included a fishing contest, photo contest, free water thrill show and a softball tournament.

Angela Mary Hyatt of Whitehall was

crowned Miss White Lake 1988. She was one of seven contestants vying for the title. Melinda Sue Lam of Montague was first runner-up and Kristin Lee Schlarp also of Montague was second runner-up. Rounding out the competition were Stacee Crebassa of Whitehall, Angelique Danyle Kowal of Montague; Charmen Lynn Larson of Montague; and Lori Anne Skinner of Whitehall.

That year’s Maritime Festival was sponsored by the White Lake Area Elks, Lions and Rotary Clubs in cooperation with the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, White Lake Civic Council, Arts Council of White Lake, White Lake Community Education, White Lake Lanes, Graphic Arts and Printing, WPBK-AM, White Lake Area Sportfish-

ing Association, Lake Land Outfitters, White Lake Beacon and other organizations and businesses.

The 1989 celebration kicked off Wednesday night, Aug. 23 with a teen dance from 7-11 p.m. Additional entertainment for the festival included a country music show, comedy ventriloquism team and a well-known jazz band.

On Thursday night, Aug. 24, a pig roast and fireworks were held. Alex Houston & Elmer comedy team performed two shows. The first show, at 6 p.m,. was geared for children, while the second show, at 7 p.m., was for persons 21 and over. The Shrimp Boil was Friday, Aug. 25. Marcus Belgrave and J.C. Herd Band entertained on Friday night from 8

p.m. to midnight. The ever-popular Fish boil was held Saturday, Aug. 26.

The softball tournament at Montague Township Park was held Thursday through Saturday.

At half-hour intervals trolley rides were available from the Misco Plant 3 parking lot. For just the cost of a dime, the trolley took riders along a scenic route with several stops along the way in Whitehall and Montague.

There were children’s games in the park and a children’s dog contest. An arm-wrestling contest was also held.

Carmen Hatch was hired by the three sponsoring organizations to bring in new events and pump life back into the festival.

America 250 events at library on July 2 & 6

By Virginia DeMumbrum Volunteer Contributor

We are taking a break from Dinosaurs for the next Family Night, and having a Birthday Bash for America instead! Join us at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, for patriotic crafts and snacks and lots of hands-on fun! All ages are welcome, and registration is not required.

Keep the patriotic spirit going with the fireworks and parade over the weekend, then cap off your Fourth of July and America 250 celebrations with American Folk: Old Time in the Current Times, a lively evening of music and history at the library July 6 at 5:30 p.m. with Michigan musician Ben Traverse.

“Old time” music is rooted in a deep and complex story shaped by working-class traditions and pow-

erful cultural exchanges, especially with African-American music. Traverse brings this story to life through song. Featuring guitar, banjo, mountain dulcimer, and autoharp, the program explores the genre’s rich influences, evolving sound, and enduring legacy. All are welcome; registration is appreciated at wlclib.org/calendar.

Library OPEN July 3, CLOSED July 4

Don’t come to the library Saturday, July 4 – we’ll be closed all day. Instead, be sure to watch for the library’s book bike at the annual Independence Day parade! Brian Hosticka, the vice-president of the library board, will be riding the bike and bringing along a patriotically-dressed Clifford. The parade starts at 10 a.m., and will go from the Whitehall City Hall on Colby Street to the Montague City Hall on Ferry Street. This annual family-friendly event is organized by the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

The library is open Friday, July 3. We close at 5 p.m., though, which gives everyone plenty of time for a cookout or a swim before Friday

night’s annual fireworks display over White Lake. This year’s show is being put on by the White Lake Fireworks Committee. It will start at dusk, as always, and is another great tradition in our community.

FUN FACT: Wondering why the fireworks show will be on the 3rd instead of the 4th this year? Blame the nationwide America 250 celebrations! This year, the cost for our local show on the 4th would have been $40,000 to $45,000, compared to $25,000 for the 3rd. Now you know!

Civic Season Collection

Now on Libby

Have you heard of Civic Season? It’s an annual tradition celebrated between Juneteenth and July 4 - our newest and oldest federal holidays. Now in its sixth year, Civic Season brings communities together to learn history, build civic skills, and connect with each other. And this year, you can take part just by checking out the Civic Season Collection on Libby! This specially-curated collection of books and audiobooks defines, challenges, and reimagines the American experience across gener-

ations, cultures, and genres. With nearly 70 stories that explore identity, history, and what it means to be part of a community, you can find something for everyone. The list was created primarily by and for young adults, but everyone is invited to participate - especially this year, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence!

If you haven’t tried Libby yet, just download the app and log in with your library card number and your PIN (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number) to get started.

DeMumbrum

Down and dirty at the Run-A-Muck race

The Run-A-Muck race at Scholl Farms in Montague brought over 100 runners to participate in the 5K and 10K races and get dirty. Runners (above) get ready to take off from the starting line; Nora Inman (below left) splashes down into a pool of water on the course; a trio of participants (below right) race in the three-person, four-legged sack race; and Gabriel Caratini (far below, left of photo) and Abram VanderWeele power through the water. • Claire Marshall/Mirror

The Run-A-Muck race at Scholl Farms in Montague brought over 100 runners to participate in the 5K and 10K races and get dirty. Top to bottom in photos at right: Murray Andree, Gus Parling and Rachel Orange navigate the tall mound of dirt leading into a water obstacle; Bobby Jazwinski, fresh off a Whitehall record performance in Pennsylvania, won the 10K race; and, from left, Tanya Fairchild, Ayla Kokx, Brooke Scheidel, and Isabella Max battle through the water.

• Claire Marshall/Mirror

Whitehall hosts JV girls basketball league

Montague reaches semis in league tourney; Vikings fundraise for program with league

By Andy Roberts White Lake Mirror Editor

WHITEHALL — As far as the Whitehall girls basketball program is concerned, this month's JV league, which brought 12 groups of mostly incoming freshmen and sophomores to the Viking Athletic Center, was a win-win for all parties involved.

Whitehall was able to use admission costs to help defray the cost of its annual trip to a college basketball summer camp, which this year will be at Hope College. Participants got to play games with and against friends. And programs got an opportunity to keep their players sharp during the summer without traveling very far or paying exorbitant sums of money, which can be an issue for

Montague (left, in blue) and Whitehall (right) players were among athletes from 11 schools to participate in this month's JV girls basketball summer league at the Viking Athletic Center. Monday marked the end of the season with a single-elimination tournament, which Shelby

after the Wildcats and Vikings were eliminated in the semifinals and quarterfinals respectively.

• Andy Roberts/Mirror

schools and families.

The league capped its season Monday with a single-elimination tournament, which ended when Shelby defeated Ludington in the finals. Montague fell to the Orioles in the semifinals, and an exceptionally young Whitehall team - much of the team will be eighth-grad-

ers this fall - was bounced by Shelby in the quarterfinals. Reeths-Puffer also participated and lost their quarterfinal game against Ludington.

"We had 12 teams here, and they're all within shouting distance of Whitehall," Whitehall varsity coach Brian Milliron said. "My girls have played AAU, and they've gone all over the state and all over the Midwest, and it's expensive. I think we do a good service here by keeping it local. We keep it inexpensive and just give opportunities for the

WHITEHALL • MONTAGUE • REETHS - PUFFER

won

Jazwinski notches another Whitehall record

Sets 3,200m record at New Balance Nationals; Reeths-Puffer grad Darke shines in hurdles at Nike national meet

Soon-to-be senior Bobby Jazwinski continued his rewriting of the Whitehall distance running record book last week at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Championship meet at Franklin Field in Philadelphia,setting a new school record in the 3,200-meter run.

Jazwinski had been pursuing the record, which stood for 48 years, all season, but finally was able to capture it with a time of 9:00.5 at the meet Friday. He placed 11th in the country in the event.

JV league

With the record, Jazwinski now holds all the long-distance records at Whitehall - the cross-country 5K record, the 1,600 and 3,200-meter individual record, and with teammates Jevon Hilliard, Rex Pumford and Javi LeBlanc, the 3,200 relay record.

Also on the national track and field scene, 2026 Reeths-Puffer graduate and Indiana State University signee Mason Darke comted at the Nike Outdoor National meet in Eugene, Oregon in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles, placing well in both. Darke finished 13th in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 53.63 seconds, and was 14th in the 110 hurdles, lowering his personal best timewhich is also the Rockets' school record - by finishing in 13.90 seconds.

kids to get some reps in and play with, literally, their friends from across the river in the Montague-Whitehall situation.

"Ludington, I think, is our furthest school. These are guys and gals we get to see over the course of the basketball season, and we get to see them this summer. These are really dedicated coaches that are good at their job. They're doing it for all for the right reasons, which is pretty awesome to see."

Besides the three area schools, Ludington and Shelby, other schools in the league were North Muskegon, Hart, Hesperia, Fremont, Oakridge and Mona Shores. Shelby had so many players available that it split into two teams during the league's regular season, but the two groups were reunited for the single-elimination tournament.

Because of the league and other fundraising efforts, Milliron said, the Whitehall program was able to cut the cost of attending this summer's Hope camp, originally $235 per player, by more than half.

"We usually alternate with the kids because I want them to see (different places)," Milliron said. "I want my kids to go to school if that's what they want to do, and so we don't go to the same camp every year. We

•

usually alternate: Hope, Grand Valley (State), Central (Michigan), we've gone a number of places...I'm not asking a parent for $235. I just won't do it. Thanks to our fundraising efforts and doing stuff like this, we can cut that."

On the court, the Vikings defeated North Muskegon in a first-round tournament game before facing what proved to be a Shelby buzzsaw; the Tigers won each of their three games in the tournament by double digits. The experience, Milliron said, was good for the incoming eighth-graders, which made up about half the Whitehall team.

"They didn't win today, but I think they all got better and saw the stuff that they need to work on, and I think they will," Milliron said. "It's a really good group of kids and really good families coming up, and I'm excited about it."

New Montague varsity coach Lauren Ross helmed the Wildcat JVs, which easily handled Oakridge in the quarterfinals before falling to Ludington in a close game. It has been a whirlwind experience for Ross, whose hire was only announced late last week before she jumped right into coaching the Montague JVs Sunday and Monday, as the Wildcats don't yet have a JV girls coach in place.

"I just want to get in the gym with them," Ross said. "I feel like we had a little bit of growing pains tonight just because I'm still learning their names and their

faces and their strengths and what they know and what they don't know. I haven't been able to have a true practice with them...I think we'll be just fine. This freshman class has a lot of potential."

Milliron said having the VAC is a major asset to the program, as tournaments like this would not be staged as easily without it.

"Having this facility to be able to do it (is great)," Milliron said. "Summer ball up in Buckley, where I went to school, is not air-conditioned. To be able to have an air-conditioned environment that we have and this facility that we have, we're very fortunate at Whitehall."

So many Rockets sign, it takes 2 weeks to honor

day

• Joe Lane/Courtesy Photos

Whitehall's Bobby Jazwinski (left) rounds a turn at the New Balance Nationals Friday. Jazwinski set the Vikings' 3,200-meter record in the meet, placing 11th overall.

Courtesy Photo

Reeths-Puffer hosted

massive signing

event May 15 to celebrate 14 athletes signing to play college sports. Among the 14 were, clockwise from top left (all athletes seated): Cohen Beck, Aquinas College lacrosse; Blake Kiel, Muskegon Community College soccer; Liam Copenhaver, MCC soccer; Mason Darke, Indiana State University track; Makayla Disselkoen, MCC track; and Jersi Bilek, Saginaw Valley State University track. Stay tuned next week for more R-P photos.

Montague (in blue) defeated Oakridge in the quarterfinals of Monday's tournament that capped the JV girls basketball league season in Whitehall. • Andy Roberts/Mirror

Keep it hot, keep it cold, and pass the cookies

By Margaret Heaton Volunteer Contributor

Summer has finally arrived. After throwing a few last-minute tantrums, spring has finally loosened its grip and stepped aside.

And do you know what arrives with summer?

Potlucks.

Covered dish dinners.

"Bring a dish to pass" gatherings.

Whatever name you call them, they are one of the great traditions of summer.

These gatherings are as much a part of summer as mosquitoes, bonfires, and trying to remember where you put the citronella candles.

Potlucks bring people together in a way few other events can. Folks have time to visit beyond a quick greeting in the church foyer. Children can run and play without being reminded every three minutes to use their indoor voices. Cornhole tournaments, horseshoes, three-legged races, and lawn chairs scattered beneath shade trees all seem to say, "Summer has arrived."

But if you're one of the millions of people loading up a casserole dish and heading to a gathering this summer, I'd like to have a quick conversation with you.

Not a lecture.

Not a scolding.

Just a friendly reminder from someone who has spent a lot of years cooking for groups of people.

Food safety matters.

Every year, people become seriously ill from food that wasn't kept at safe temperatures. Most of the time, nobody intended for it to happen. Someone simply left a

dish sitting in the sun too long, forgot the cooler, or assumed everything would be fine.

Sometimes it isn't.

If you're bringing a cold dish, keep it cold - 40 degrees or below. Pack it in a cooler with plenty of ice. If necessary, set your serving dish inside a larger pan filled with ice. Your potato salad may not appreciate the extra effort, but your guests will.

If you're bringing a hot dish, keep it hot - 145 degrees or higher. Don't guess. Use a thermometer. Crock-Pots are one of the greatest inventions ever created for church potlucks. They're right up there with folding tables and volunteers who stay afterward to help clean up.

Hot foods need to stay hot.

Cold foods need to stay cold.

The problem is that bacteria love warm temperatures. While we're enjoying fellowship and another helping of macaroni salad, bacteria are enjoying a summer picnic of their own if food isn't kept at safe temperatures.

And trust me, food poisoning is not the souvenir anyone wants to take home from a church picnic.

If you have doubts about a dish that has been sitting in the heat for hours, it's perfectly okay to pass it by. Better to offend a casserole than spend

the next two days regretting your decision.

Now, before you think I'm against potlucks, let me assure you that couldn't be further from the truth.

I've attended dozens of potlucks around the country. One of my favorite things is finding that one unusual dish that makes me ask, "What on Earth is in this?" Those discoveries have led me to some wonderful recipes over the years, including my beloved celery salad recipe.

I also enjoy watching the cook who is trying very hard not to reveal the secret ingredient while everyone else is trying equally hard to figure it out.

But I will confess something.

If I lift the lid on a casserole containing meat, pasta, cheese, and a cream-ofsomething soup that has been sitting out for an uncertain amount of time, I'm probably going to keep walking.

Under the right conditions, I'm sure it's delicious.

But if it's been sitting in the summer heat for hours, I'll politely admire it from a distance.

So enjoy those summer potlucks.

Just remember one simple rule: Keep hot food hot. Keep cold food cold.

No one wants food poison-

Playhouse summer festival continues in July, August

The Playhouse at White Lake will continue its summer theatre festival in July after taking the July 4 weekend off.

The festival will resume with the all-female version of “The Odd Couple,” a well-known comedy by playwright Neil Simon, running the new schedule of two evening and two matinee performances between the dates of July 10-12.

Avid music lovers will then appreciate the return of the White Lake Walk the Beat, with free music at the Playhouse and across over a dozen venues from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, July 18, followed by the White Lake Music Society family, matinee, free with the children’s classical concert, The Story of Babar the Elephant and Paddington Bear’s First Concert Sunday, July 19.

July also brings a brand new original play written by Playhouse Managing Director, Beth Beaman, HERstory of Animation: A Musical Celebration, featuring the untold stories of the earliest female illustrators, running the weekends of July 24 and Aug. 2 as a continued partnership with the Muskegon Museum of Art exhibition of the

same title. Patrons are encouraged to visit the museum as part of this exciting creative collaboration.

Finally, the hit musical Always, Patsy Cline chronicles the deep friendship between Patsy and a longtime fan and friend, which continued through the years of Patsy’s early career even as Cline’s fame skyrocketed. Cline is played by Playhouse Musical Arts teacher Shelby Mason. That musical is sure to sell out, so early ticket sales are encouraged with box office opportunities at the door of seats remain, and it will run for two weekends, closing out the festival Aug. 7-16.

In addition to extending their traditional season length, the Playhouse has added double matinees with reduced pricing and Pay What You Can options for at least one show of every offering. Discounted flex-pass season tickets allow for more entertainment at a lower price, when purchased in bulk and both passes. Individual tickets are available at theplayhouseatwhitelake.org as well as at the City of Whitehall offices.

ing to be the most memorable part of the day.

As for me, I often play it safe and bring cookies. Cookies don't require a thermometer, they're generally happy sitting in a covered container, and somehow there's always room on a crowded potluck plate for one more cookie.

Marry Me Cookies

2 sticks butter

1¼ cups packed light brown sugar

1⁄2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda

3⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped nuts, optional

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low-medium heat until foamy. Stir constantly and cook until it’s brown and smells nutty, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for 2-3 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown and white sugars. Add the browned butter and whisk it by hand until blended and smooth. Place the bowl in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.

When the brown butter and sugars have cooled, add the eggs, and vanilla and whisk well until fully combined.

In a separate bowl, stir the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to distribute

Cookies like the ones Margaret shares the recipe for this month are always a safe bet for summer potluck gatherings.

• Courtesy Photo

the ingredients evenly. Add half of the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir with a spatula until it's mostly combined. Then, add the rest of the dry ingredients, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts (if using), and stir until just combined.

Portion the cookie dough into two tablespoon balls. Arrange them on one parchment-lined baking sheet (without spacing), cover with plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line a second baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the firm cookie dough balls between the two sheets, leaving at least two inches between each one. For thicker cookies, leave them as is. For thinner cookies, flatten them slightly with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden around the edges.

Let the cookies cool on the baking trays until they're firm enough to move. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool.

County airport selected to host maintenance facility

Denver Air Connection has selected Muskegon County Airport as the home of its northern regional maintenance operation, further strengthening the airline's commitment to reliable service and long-term growth throughout the Midwest.

The new maintenance facility will support regional maintenance teams based at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Thief River Falls, Minnesota, providing enhanced operational support and improved responsiveness across the network.

The hangar, scheduled to be operational by Aug. 1, represents another milestone in Denver Air Connection’s growing partnership with Muskegon County Airport. The investment underscores the airline’s confidence in the airport’s infrastructure, workforce, and strategic location as it continues to expand service throughout the region.

“Muskegon offers the ideal combination of location, infrastructure, and aviation expertise to support our growing maintenance operation,” said Cliff Honeycutt, Chief Executive Officer of Denver Air Connection, in a press release. “This investment not

only strengthens our ability to provide safe and reliable service across our northern network but also reflects our commitment to building lasting partnerships within the communities we serve. We’re excited to continue growing alongside Muskegon County Airport and contribute to the region’s thriving aviation industry.”

“This is exactly the type of aviation growth we’ve been working toward,” said airport director Ken Efting in the release. “Denver Air’s service is already critically important, but the long-term future of MKG also depends on building a strong aviation business environment around them. Bringing more high-demand, skilled aviation jobs to the airport reinforces that vision and creates real economic momentum for Muskegon County.”

Efting added that the expansion highlights the strategic advantages MKG offers aviation businesses, including available infrastructure, uncongested airspace, business-friendly operating conditions and direct access to local aviation suppliers and support services.

Potential parks millage presented at Fruitland

By Claire Marshall White Lake Mirror Writer

WHITEHALL — Aaron Bodbyl-Mast, Chair of the Muskegon County Parks Commission, was in attendance at the Fruitland Township Board regular meeting Monday, June 15 to introduce and inform the board on a parks and trails millage the parks commission and Muskegon County Commissioners are considering for the November ballot.

This possible ballot item comes in response to feedback received over many years by the parks commission requesting a greater attention to the natural spaces abundant throughout the county.

As Bodbyl-Mast explained, “People want more parks and more natural spaces… but there’s limited capacity to meet that at the county and often at the local level…” especially when considering that many of those staffing area parks are volunteers.

The proposed millage request is for 0.5 mills for 10 years - expected to generate $3.6 million annually - in order to “meet the perceived demand of the public, the mission and goals of the county park system, and help meet the needs of the local park systems.” The revenue from that millage will be divided, with 70% going to the county and the remaining 30% dispersed to the local municipalities on a per capita basis.

Bodbyl-Mast admitted the local

municipality returns might not seem like much, but assured it would add up over time and help supplement their individual parks and recreation budgets, especially with additional matching grants that could be pursued. He also discussed the return on investment the millage would provide in regards to tourism, property value, and the physical, mental and social health of residents.

For Fruitland Township specifically, the millage could be mutually beneficial between the township and county considering the potential for connecting "critical trails,” such as the Berry Junction and other bike trails between state parks.

A public hearing regarding the millage will be held at the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners meeting July 16. According to Bodbyl-Mast, the ballot item will help determine the reality of Muskegon County’s interest in improvements to parks and trails, “[The millage] is our interpretation of what the public wants. Our goal is to find out from the public if that's true.”

The board approved Resolution 2026-18 to allow the Muskegon County Water Resource Commission to perform maintenance and repair work on Fruitland #1 Drain. The project received a bid from Quantum Excavating in the amount of $21,360.30. The township will also receive about $10,000 from the water resource commission to go towards the project. The assessed

percentage Fruitland Township will pay for the project is 10%, Muskegon County 20%, and residents within the region the remaining 70% (determined by parcel size and use). Water Resources Commissioner Stephanie Barrett was in attendance to field questions from the board prior to the unanimous approval.

Other resolutions approved included specialty funds for township cemetery maintenance, purchase of a trailer for a township maintenance truck, and personnel changes to the township planning commission. Twenty percent of each cemetery plot sale will now be earmarked for continued maintenance of the cemetery, as proposed by Township Clerk Alexa Steffes. The bid from Monroe Truck and Auto Accessories for $2,995 was awarded for the purchase of a new work trailer for the township’s recently purchased maintenance truck.

After 20 years of service, Trustee Mike Holman will be retiring from his spot on the township planning commission, with Trustee Chris VanOosterhout to take his place. The motion was made by Supervisor Jeff Marcinkowski, enthusiastically supported by Holman and approved unanimously.

The township’s search for property adjacent to the Duck Creek Natural Area continues, with eyes now set on the property of the late Charles Canson, which includes 5.5 acres adjacent to the natural area and the township

fire barn. The property, as of the meeting, was not yet listed, but the township had been approached by Canson’s daughter to gauge interest.

The township would need to remove three structures from the property alongside the expected cleanup, estimated to cost $10,000. In discussion with the board, Marcinkowski proposed that the township should not consider an asking price over $50,000 for the property, which would likely come from the township’s strategic fund. The board agreed to consider the purchase when it comes up for sale and schedule a special meeting prior to the July regular meeting to discuss further.

During public comment prior to the meeting’s adjournment, several attendees, including Barrett, encouraged the board to consider the property and work expeditiously towards its purchase. Said one attendee, a member of the Friends of Fruitland Township Trails, “That sort of opportunity [to purchase land] does not come around often, and it’s so strategically placed,” especially in regards to school bus access for future educational programming at the DCNA.

Finally, ahead of the summer heat, Marcinkowski and the board wished to remind residents that the township hall is open during regular business hours as a location for emergency cooling-off should there be power outages during heat waves.

VFW requests flag etiquette be followed at July 4 parade

Members of the White Lake VFW Post 3256 ask local attendees to follow U.S. flag etiquette when attending the area's annual July 4 parade, which begins at 10 a.m.

The colors, presented by members of the Whte Lake VFW as well as the Whitehall American Legion, will lead the parade as is tradition. Post members ask that attendees stand quietly and place their hands over heir heart until the colors pass.

If you are a veteran, a salute to the flag is appropriate as it passes. Small handheld flags are handed out prior to the flag passing by. The VFW asks attendees to remind children not to put these in their goodie bags but to instead wave them when the flags are near and then place their hand over their heart. Although the U.S. celebrate its independence, the VFW and American Legion hopes celebrants will remember the price paid for that freedom.

Summer reading in full swing at White Lake Library

The White Lake Community Library is hosting Unearth a Story-themed events all summer long, highlighted by Thursday night family nights. Last Thursday, the library hosted a "Touch a Truck" event, bringing several vehicles that perform services for the White Lake area for kids to check out. Last Wednesday, the White River Rock Club's Chris Rogers stopped by to introduce kids to some particularly interesting findings. Library events can be found at wlclib.org, and Muskegon Area District Library summer events - at the Montague branch and elsewhere - can be found at madl.org • Andy Roberts/Mirror Photos

FILER CREDIT UNION

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