Traditions
The 94th
Calendar: lots to do in Pentwater
Weekdays
There are lots of things to do at Park Place: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays:
Pentwater Fitness Pump, 8:30 a.m.
Tuesdays: Mahjong, 10 a.m.
Wednesdays: Knitting, 1 p.m. & Line Dancing, 6 p.m.
Second Wednesday: Bunco, 10:30 a.m.
Thursdays: Zumba Gold Toning, 9:30 a.m.
Full calendar can be found at: pentwatervillage.org/park-place-event-center.php
The 2024-2025 Sculpture Walk formally began June 1, 2024 and will go through May 31, 2025.
Mondays & Thursdays
• Pentwater Farmers Market, Village Green, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesdays
• Comedy Night at The Village Pub, 9 p.m.
Wednesdays & Saturdays
• Ensign Sailboat Races, Pentwater Yacht Club, Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:45 a.m.
Thursdays
• Civic Band Concerts on the Village Green, 7:30 p.m.
Sundays
• Music at the Marina, 2-4 p.m.
Friday, August 2
• Allendale Jazz Orchestra Concert, Pentwater Township Library, 7-8 p.m.
• Movies on the Green, rain make-up, 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 3
• “Teach A Kid Derby” Fishing Tournament, Pentwater Sportfishing Association.
• COVE 5K/10K Beach Walk/Run, Charles Mears State Park, 8:30 a.m.
• Charlie’s Marina Maker’s Market, noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, August 4
• St. James Episcopal Church Chicken Dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, August 8
• Pentwater Lake Association Strawberry Shortcake Sale on the Village Green, 6 p.m. until gone.
• Restorative Yoga + Reiki, 6-7:15 p.m., EnerG Fitness
• Les Bailey Memorial Band Concert on the Village Green, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 9
• Sand Sculpture Contest, Charles Mears State Park, 8 a.m.
• Interactive Storytelling, Storybook Village, 1 p.m.
• Pentwater Women’s Club Quilt Raffle, 3 p.m.
• Movies on the Green, 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 10
• Yoga & U Pick Flowers, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Up North Garden Center.
• Big Ten Tailgate Party, behind Village Pub, noon.
• Horseshoe Tournament, Audrey Horseshoe Pits, 1 p.m.
• Homecoming Grand Parade, downtown, 4 p.m.
• Homecoming fireworks at dusk, Charles Mears State Park.
Sunday, August 11
• VFW Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, August 15
• Pickle Ball Club Annual Dinner, Park Place, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, August 21
• Pentwater Historical Society Summer Dinner.
August 23-24
• Annual Merchants’ Pentwater Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, August 24
• Wooden Boat Show & Parade, Pentwater Yacht Club, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, August 30
• Gallery Stroll through Pentwater Art Galleries, 4-7 p.m.
Sunday, September 1
• VFW Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon.
September 13-14
• “Glow in the Park” Luminous Trail, Charles Mears State Park, 10:30 p.m.
Traditions is published by The Oceana Echo © P.O. Box 192, Mears, MI 49436 August 2, 2024 • All rights reserved. Writers: AnnaMae Bush & Caleb Jackson Advertising: Jan Thomas Traditions Editor & Designer: Amanda Dodge theoceanaecho@gmail.com Enjoy our free Pentwater magazine!
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By AnnaMae Bush Traditions Writer
Fifty years ago the Pentwater Service Club began selecting a “Citizen of the Year” and celebrating those residents for their outstanding service for the betterment of the community through civic, charitable, educational or other activities. With the award comes the privilege of being Grand Marshal of the Homecoming Grand Parade and a dinner in their honor to which their family members and close friends are invited. Some years, the Service Club selected individuals, and other years, they selected married couples. This year’s choice is Doug Bacon.
A quiet, unassuming person, Doug never calls attention to himself. But he has left his fingerprints on more objects and projects, more buildings and lives, before and after retiring to Pentwater than one can count. He is a fine artist, whose watercolors adorn the walls of his home. He is a craftsman whose fabricated light fixtures provide light in multiple spaces at the Oceana County Council on Aging Senior Center in Hart and whose whimsical metal sculptures enliven many yards and are sold at the Up North Market. He is an engineer, an inventor, an imaginative architect of space, an educator and a car enthusiast who follows the sport of racing and has constructed his own “rat rods.” He has exceptional organizational and motivational skills, which have enabled him to successfully spearhead large, complicated projects… and make friends while doing it. Because the marvel of it is that all his gifts and skills are embodied in a warm, friendly person with a compassionate heart and contagious smile.
Using all his gifts and skills for the benefit of others is what brought him to the attention of the “Citizen of the Year” selection committee. His contributions in Pentwater grew naturally from his life prior to his retirement to Pentwater. Bacon was born in Ann Arbor and lived in nearby Saline until he moved here. Employed as a power train engineer at GM for 30 years, he designed conceptual vehicles and traveled broadly as a liaison to Rolls Royce and Jaguar. Retired from GM, he became Director of Facilities for the Saline school district. “I don’t know how I got the job from among so many applicants,” he told me. “The district had 5,500 students, 800 staff, nine buildings, owned hundreds of acres, and at the time had the largest high school in three states.” During his nineyear tenure there, one of his biggest contributions was a complete revamp of the entire security system. Retired once again, he and his wife Ginny were ready for a move elsewhere.
During his youth, his parents had summered at a Bass Lake campground. For seven years, they permanently parked a motorhome at the Whispering Surf resort, and he had many fond memories of the area. He and Ginny decided to sell their home in
sman, shaPing Buildings and shaPing lives
Saline and build a custom home in Pentwater. Less than a year into their home in Madison Ridge, a fire totally destroyed it. Determined to stay in the area, they rebuilt on the same property.
Interestingly, at the same time Bacon moved to Pentwater, Mary Marshall also moved to Pentwater to become superintendent at Pentwater Public Schools. She had become acquainted with Bacon while she worked for the Dexter school district and he worked in the neighboring Saline school district. Marshall was one of several superintendents in Mason and Oceana counties who wanted to establish an alternative school for students with special challenges. Aware of Bacon’s abilities and achievements, she was instrumental in extending a request from the superintendents to him to “make the new school happen.”
Bacon accepted the challenge. “In 2012, he became a permanent member of the board to reconstitute ‘Journey,’ an alternative school for Mason and Oceana counties,” wrote GiGi (Margaret) Mitchell on her nomination form to the Citizen of the Year committee. She continued, “He spent close to five years fundraising and remodeling Foster’s Market in Scottville, now known as Gateway to Success Academy. He spent an additional six years as a board member and president, ensuring a solid facility for the students.”
senior population, those of retirement age, in Oceana County. When his wife Ginny was receptionist at the former senior center in Hart, she became aware of the struggle that the board was having to expand their facility. Sharing the board’s frustration, she finally said to Doug one day, “You really ought to help them.”
Mitchell wrote, “Bacon started assisting Oceana County Council on Aging (OCCOA) in 2012 – working to raise funding for a new building and working with the Board President to design, plan and actualize the current building on West Tyler Road in Hart.”
Wanting the building to constitute a desirable destination, Bacon reflected, “I encouraged the board to design a facility that reflected the agricultural community around it. That is how we came up with a barn-like structure.” He served as a general contractor for the building and was able to save thousands of dollars with his personal expertise, his connections with local companies and his organizational skills. He created and donated light fixtures, furniture and other furnishings. His utilization of farm antiques and implements richly enhanced the outdoor setting and indoor ambiance of the facility. Thanks to his intense and faithful search for an appropriate location, the facility is situated on 23 acres of farmland with extended views of fields and woods from windows in every direction.
Bacon can easily tear up when talking about Gateway. “It’s the closest thing to home many of the students know. Some have lived in cars, been homeless, known hunger or abuse, found normal classroom education unhelpful (and) not found success in any meaningful way. They have struggled to survive, let alone thrive. Gateway classrooms surround a central atrium lounge where students can socialize. When they come to school in the morning, the first thing many of them do is greet and hug each other in the lounge. Gateway has laundry facilities and shower facilities for students who otherwise have no access to those necessities.”
Including students from Lake County as well as Mason and Oceana counties, the education for grades 6-12 is project based and hands-on, with oral presentations replacing much written work. The students participate with enthusiasm. Bacon taught a welding class for middle school students and was amazed at what the students created.
The school facility uses garage doors in place of solid walls to enable easy expansion of classroom space. Bacon’s creative shaping of the building and his hospitable embrace of the students has unmistakably shaped their lives and provided avenues of success in a nurturing environment that is unique.
School-aged youth comprise one segment of the population Bacon has served. But he has also served the
Photo by AnnaMae Bush
Bacon gave me a tour of the spacious building and told me with pride, “They bake their own bread here every day, and they serve lunches that include fresh food donated by local farmers.”
This, too, is a building that reflects his imagination and shapes the lives of residents in our community. It offers daily meals at a modest price, free exercise and health classes, space for meetings, exciting opportunities for day excursions and out of town trips, a variety of group games and a hospitable space around a fireplace to socialize. What more could seniors want?
Involved with two major projects, Bacon has still found time to use his mechanical skills in helping neighbors with car problems. As a Pentwater Service Club member, he participated in various community endeavors, and he constructed a trailer for the Pentwater Water Taxi Boat. “Don’t forget to mention he made his own ice cream machine,” my neighbor said. “He would bring it to the Channel Lane Park picnics on a wagon, and everyone would be so excited to see the wagon. They knew it meant we would enjoy some great ice cream.”
Doug Bacon is well deserving of the Citizen of the Year award. Grateful for all his contributions to our community, we hope he and Ginny can enjoy time this summer with their grandchildren, aged 4, 7 and 10. We say, “Thanks and best wishes as you and Ginny celebrate Homecoming 2024 with your family.”
new Book Consignment store oPens in Pentwater
By AnnaMae Bush Traditions Writer
There’s a new bookstore in Pentwater: Books on Hancock. It is one of four consignment stores owned by Timothy Lux in four lakeshore locations, and it offers unusual options not found in most bookstores. He carries used books that date back to the 1800’s as well as new books from printing overruns or books that didn’t sell in other bookstores. Some of his books are also available on Amazon, but his prices are guaranteed to be lower than Amazon’s prices. Customers can purchase his books in person or online and can also bring him books they want to sell. Lux reports, “The majority of the books we have in stock are sold on consignment. One-third of the net sale goes to a person’s account as store credit, or they receive a cash payment that is 15 percent of the net sale if they prefer.”
The books are shelved by category and by author. I noticed some favorites from my childhood: a complete copy of the Hardy Boy book series in plain sight.
Lux has some interesting connections to Pentwater. His great-grandfather’s family moved to Pentwater from Prussia (now a part of Germany) and settled
Yoga & U-Pick Flowers
here in the 1850s. There were some of his family members still living in Pentwater a century later. Lux had a bookstore in Pentwater from 2008 until 2017, when family health issues forced him to close, and then COVID intervened. It took him several attempts over the last few years to find a place in the village to relocate. He shares, “I am very happy to be back in Pentwater. It is our busiest location. My plan is to stay open until the end of October, when I hope to ship my books to a location in Florida for the winter months, returning to Michigan in the spring.”
Books on Hancock has a comfortable seating area where folks can relax and read or visit with a friend. The bookstore occasionally hosts book signings for local authors. It also has a program to give free books to kids from a portion of its proceeds. Lux said, “Last year we gave away $6,000 worth of free books, and we expect to give away $8,000 worth this year.”
sand sC ulP ture Contest
August 10 • September 7
Families and friends will again convene from places across America to compete in the 51st Sandcastle Sculpting Contest (SSC). Sponsored by the Pentwater Service Club (PSC) since 1973, this year’s event will be held from 8 a.m. until noon on August 9, 2024, at the Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater.
The competition is open to anyone, regardless of their age or place of residence. “For more than five decades, the SSC has been a summertime tradition for families across the state and beyond,” said Glenn Beavis, who manages the event for the PSC. “We see families, friends and individuals from all walks of life competing for trophies and bragging rights, all while creating amazing works of art on the shore of Lake Michigan,” Beavis said.
According to Beavis, it takes dozens of PSCvolunteers to organize and judge the scores of entries. Many families who participated as children now bring their own children and their grandparents to keep the family heritage alive.
“This is truly a ‘feel good’ event where everyone leaves with a smile, a trophy and a pledge to return next year,” said PSC President Steve Russell. According to Russell, the SSC is the PSC’s most popular event of the year. “If you enjoy laughter and creating natural art with loved ones in a postcard-beautiful setting, it just doesn’t get any better than this,” Russell proclaimed.
t he s truggles of m r . J ennings
By Caleb Jackson Traditions Writer
We, in this modern era, rather intuitively understand that the early settlement of Pentwater must have been a trying ordeal for most people. After all, they lacked most, if not all, of the conveniences of modern life, and beyond that, the community was smaller, the number of predators greater, and the application of medicine was not as well developed as it is now. Still, we know that these early settlers succeeded. Pentwater now stands bold and successful. The proof is in the pudding. However, it is maybe a bit of naivety to think that the settlement went off without a hitch. There is, included among the pages of Page’s History of Oceana County, a settlement story so unfortunate that I thought I must share it here. So, without any further ado, let me tell you about Mr. Jennings.
Mr. Jennings initially homesteaded somewhere along the northern branch of the Pentwater River. As our dear author puts it, Jennings “went onto his land without a cent in his pocket, but with a heart full of courage.” The courage, presumably, served him very well, as he needed it in spades to endure what he did. To even begin his homestead, Jennings had to walk three miles through the woods with his stove on his back. And this isn’t even the worst of it. He somehow managed to get lost along the way, and “laid out all night with his stove.” Personally, a stove would not be my campfire companion of choice, particularly one that I spent all day carrying. After arriving upon his lot, Jennings
needed to begin the construction of his shanty. To do this, all of the boards and supplies also had to be carried three miles through the woods. At least he seems to have memorized the path, as Page doesn’t mention him getting lost again. According to Page, by the time Jennings was done with his shanty, “the skin was all worn from his shoulders.” Immediately following this, Mr. Jennings noticed a rather threatening-looking tree nearby. He decided, with his good, clean wisdom, to cut it down before it became a serious issue, and “it gave another practical example of the total depravity of inanimate things by falling directly across his cabin, knocking everything into the direst confusion.”
Now this is probably where Mr. Jennings should have called it quits, but he did not. He turned away from the mess of the cabin in disgust and simply started walking. After about half an hour, he cooled off and returned. Yet, “every attempt that he made to improve his condition while he remained in this location seemed equally unfortunate.” He bought six yearlings and gave one of them to Charles Dumaw for helping ferry them across the river. Within a year, the remaining five were lost.
He bought a yoke of cattle. Two days after returning home with them, he discovered the best of the two drowned in a creek. He kept the second for a time before he too went missing. It was eventually found mired in a bog. The cattle was pulled out of the bog only to discover that he was skin and bone. Mr. Jennings assumed it must have been stuck there for a week. Over time, the cattle recovered and was allowed to go out again. It immediately got lost again. This time, Jennings gave it up as a lost cause.
Mr. Jennings attempts to settle this little spot along the Pentwater River were so wrought with misfortune, he eventually decided to give it up altogether. He sold his land and “joyfully bade adieu to the black flies and mosquitoes, which had been his only visitants….” He instead went a few miles south, where he eventually “struck into the tide of prosperity” and became one of the most respected citizens in the township. However, it would seem the hand of fate had one last misfortune in store for him. After he sold his lands and was crossing the river to get to his new lands, he “managed to fall off an overhanging tree, and got a thorough wetting.”
homeComing: a 94-Year tradition
By AnnaMae Bush Traditions Writer
“Homecoming – in August? School is not even in session.” I thought Homecoming was a high school dance connected with a sporting event and the crowning of a king and queen. If not connected with school, then maybe the return of soldiers from active duty. But I discovered a different definition of “Homecoming” after purchasing a cottage in Pentwater 22 years ago.
In Pentwater, Homecoming is a four-day celebration of the entire community when multiple generations of families who have lived in the village or township return to the family homestead to enjoy once more everything that makes this lakeshore gem sparkle in their memories. Annually scheduled for the second full weekend in August (Thursday–Sunday), the event highlights family activities, local traditions, and the spirited rivalry between University of Michigan and Michigan State University alumni residents. Nearly every street and driveway are filled with parked cars, confirming that the normal summer population has temporarily doubled to 10,000 because not only former residents but also many tourists have arrived to enjoy the festivities.
This year marks the 94th annual Homecoming celebration. The Pentwater Historical Museum has a file of newspaper clippings, brochures and photos that date from 1930 to the past decade. “Unfortunately, the material has not yet been digitalized,” Beth Russel from the Pentwater Historical Society informed me. This meant it took hours to sort, review, copy, and photograph selected material for an article on the history of the event. It is impossible to do justice to 94 years of history in two or even three pages. But a view from 500 feet up will have to suffice for our purposes here. So, we will take a look at what has endured through the years and what has changed over time.
It was interesting to note that the celebration was originally called a Water Show and Homecoming Event. Many activities in earlier years took place on the lake. Larry Konopka recalls small hydroplane boat races, waterskiing demonstrations and long Venetian boat parades. “There were a couple of families (the Bates and the Todds) with teenagers and young adults who performed shows on a par with the shows you would see at Cyprus Gardens in Florida. I don’t know how they developed skills such as making a pyramid on one another’s shoulders or how their parents allowed such risks. But it was very popular
and ended when those youths moved on.” It is not clear when Water Show was dropped from the title, shortening it to simply Homecoming.
Current residents and participants may find some of the older practices surprising. Like the high school tradition of crowning a king and queen, the title of “Little Miss and Master Homecoming” was awarded to a pair of young children (aged 3-5) who were given special recognition in the annual Homecoming parade. This event was still listed in the activity schedule of the Homecoming 1985 brochure, as were a cake walk, a teen dance, a bed race and a children’s carnival. Similarly, there were years when a “Miss Pentwater” competition took place, and the winner was crowned and honored in the parade. The museum has a photo of seven young women in bathing suits who competed for the honor in 1968. The winner was Chris Carlson, 17, who was entering her senior year at Pentwater High School. She was crowned by the then mayor, Mr. Edward Schimke. Chris Carlson Stigailo is still in town, and she chuckled when she told me she was “Little Miss Pentwater” in 1955 at the age of 5, and “Miss Pentwater” again in 1968. The competition in 1968 was simple. It consisted of a promenade up the stairs and onto a stage where each contestant had to respond to a different question not given ahead of time. Carlson recounted, “My question was ‘Who do you admire the most?’ and my answer was, ‘Betty Ford, because of her work with addictions.’ I guess the judges liked my answer.” Three or four individuals, all from outside of Pentwater to avoid partiality, served as judges. Records indicate that for a brief period there were both a “Miss Pentwater” and a “Miss Summer Pentwater.” Contestants for both those awards were required to be between the ages of 15 and 18, with the first being a resident of Pentwater and the second being a seasonal visitor to Pentwater.
The most exciting feature for families was the carnival that was set up on the Village Green on the level area in front of the Yacht Club. Children could ride the Ferris wheel, the carousel, or the tilt-a-wheel and older youths could compete in the shooting gallery or the dart-throwing game to win prizes. Event planners decided to eliminate the carnival after years of extra traffic on the Village Green took a heavy toll on the landscape.
Larry remembered another event that occurred on Saturday mornings of Homecoming weekend for several years. “Mike Castor, who used to own a kite and toy store on Hancock Street, had a connection with an organization that rescued raptors which had been injured. The group would come to the Village Green with several of their resident animals for
a demonstration. Kids could see the huge birds up close on the trainers’ hands. That was a memorable experience.”
Caroline Denlar remembered a log rolling event on the lake in which people tested their balance to see who could stand on their log the longest. “And the fire department had 2 teams and used the water from their hoses to see which team could stay standing the longest! …on the Village Green.”
Museum records indicate the originators (1930) of Homecoming were individuals, primarily a woman named Ann Flagg, whose purpose in the earliest celebrations was a reunion of all Pentwater High School graduates. There were approximately 300 participants in the first such celebration. Flagg was the oldest of three Jepsen sisters, and she was a “mover and shaker” in today’s lingo. Flagg’s youngest sister was Florence Jepsen, who was Larry Konopka’s grandmother, and Flagg’s daughter was Madonna (Flagg) Shaw, who figured prominently with her husband Harold Shaw in the Homecoming Parade for many years. The museum had a photo of the Shaws in one of the costumes for which they were known.
As the event grew in size and complexity, it required more organizational work, and it became a project of the Chamber of Commerce. Dean Gustafson’s parents owned a large import and gift shop in Pentwater, and his father was very active in the Chamber. Dean recalled, “I remember there were some tough years when it was hard to get a president for the Chamber because the job entailed chairing the Homecoming event. That was so much work and required missing many days at one’s own business. Not too many businessmen wanted to do that.” Today, there are as many as 10,000 event attendees, and leadership responsibilities are shared by the Chamber of Commerce with several local organizations. Homecoming features that have endured through the years include the strawberry shortcake social, band concert, horseshoe tournament, golf outing, sand sculpture competition, Big Ten Tailgate Party, Grand Parade, fireworks and Sunday morning pan-
cake breakfast. Some of the features have remained unchanged, while others have undergone minor alterations. The Scottville Clown Band has been a part of the event since the earliest years because the founders of the Pentwater Civic Band were youthful bandmates with founders of the Clown Band. The earlier Grand Parades had a larger presence of veterans and guest bands than in more recent decades. Pentwater sent 111 men to the Spanish-American War of 1898, and the veterans marched in the Grand Parade as long as they were able. Larry described one memorable guest band as a Drum and Bugle corp. with delightful fifes out of Detroit.
Fireworks are now exploded over Lake Michigan, but they were previously shot over Pentwater Lake from the downtown marina. Caroline Denlar commented, “A negative result was that we had holes burned into our sails from the sparks.” One year, the wind took an unexpected turn and blew the fireworks over the Oceana Beach Association. No fires were ignited in woods or homes, but the homeowners’ fears and complaints motivated the move to a safer location. There is consensus that Homecoming fireworks are a greater display than the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve fireworks. Funds for fireworks are collected in local stores and by Pentwater Service Club members during the Grand Parade for the following year’s fireworks.
The sandcastle competition produces some unbelievably good works of art and some highly entertaining entries. Prizes are awarded for multiple age groups and various categories, and one category is how well the sculpture fits the theme, which changes every year. The theme for 2024 is “Floating in Pentwater.”
Homecoming promotes family cooperation by inviting families to enter their own floats in the parade and their own sculptures in the sandcastle competition. Planning their entries can take families the better part of a year. With consistently high attendance, it appears the 94-year-long tradition of Homecoming is healthy and will continue far into the future.
national sPotlight shines on Pentwater
By AnnaMae Bush Traditions Writer
If teachers received awards the way winning Olympic athletes do, a local teacher would have at least two gold medals in her collection. In 2013, the State of Michigan High School Science Teacher of the Year was none other than Pentwater Public School’s Erika Fatura. In 2024, the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT), a national organization, selected Fatura from teachers nationwide to honor in its Spotlight for the Month of June. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Fatura has been the mentor for the Green School’s Club and coached both the Track & Field and Cross-Country teams.
The AACT Newsletter, dated June 6, included a conversation with Fatura about her work, providing a window into what makes her an exceptional teacher. The interview, reprinted with permission from the AACT, follows here:
AACT: Tell us about yourself.
EF: I am a science teacher for grades 8-12 in a very small K-12 district. We graduate on average about 20 students a year. I am the only member of our science department and teach eight different preps on a rotating basis. Those include chemistry, advanced chemistry, biology, physical science, earth science, forensic science, anatomy and
physiology, and applications of STEM. Having so many preps is definitely a challenge, but the positives are endless. I am able to teach the same group of students for many years. As we know, building relationships with students is so important, and this allows for meaningful connections.
In addition, I coach varsity/middle school cross country and varsity track. In a small school, we wear a lot of hats. So, I am also the prom advisor, green schools club advisor, student of the month coordinator, NHS faculty council member, and serve on many other school committees. It is a lot of work, but at the end of the day, I would not have it any other way. The family feel of our school and the amount of personal attention our students receive makes it so worth it!
AACT: Why did you become a teacher? Did you always want to teach?
EF: I never had the thought of becoming a teacher. I don’t have anyone in my family who is a teacher, so it was just never on my radar. My initial plan was to go into veterinary medicine. I went to MSU and studied pre-vet while working for many years at a couple different veterinary hospitals. I loved working with animals, but as it got closer to the time to apply for veterinary school, I started to have second thoughts.
Upon reflecting on my time as a veterinary technician, I realized that what I truly enjoyed was the aspect
sC ienC e teaC her erika fatura
of teaching. I found immense satisfaction in answering questions and educating clients about test results and treatment options. This realization led me to change my path and apply to the College of Education instead. While I still have a passion for working with animals and continue to volunteer at our local animal shelter on a weekly basis, I have found that many of the concepts I teach can be directly applied to my experiences in the veterinary field.
AACT: What is your approach to building a meaningful relationship with your students and their parents?
EF: As previously mentioned, the intimate size of our small school greatly facilitates the development of strong connections with students and their parents. One of the most influential factors in fostering these relationships is demonstrating genuine interest and concern for their pursuits and passions beyond the classroom. By actively participating in events, supervising dances, and supporting their extracurricular endeavors, we can greatly bolster our rapport with students. It is important to acknowledge that there is nothing more valuable than investing time in our students, and they truly appreciate seeing their teachers present at their special occasions and activities.
AACT: What do you do to remain current and bring the latest science into the classroom?
EF: This is definitely important in science, as with the
advancement in technology, new discoveries are happening all the time. I like using News ELA for articles and Ted Ed for videos to show current schools of thought. Another program I really enjoy is called Skype a Scientist. It is a free program meant to connect scientists in the field with classrooms. My goal is to have each of my classes meet virtually with a scientist twice a year. I am always blown away by the research and careers these scientists have. It is a great way to show students new career opportunities and interests!
AACT: What fuels your passion for science and teaching?
EF: I am deeply passionate about the art of teaching science, as I believe it presents an unparalleled opportunity to captivate young minds. Regardless of their future career paths, all of my students must develop vital thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Science offers a myriad of chances to cultivate these abilities. This forms the cornerstone of my teaching philosophy and the focal point of my dedication. I firmly advocate for engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that instill the necessity for creative problem-solving and foster effective communication and collaboration among students.
THE
Pentwater Historical society MuseuM
THE PRESIDENTIAL YACHT SEQUOIA, HAS DOCKED
We invite you to see her, our newest museum exhibit. Hear the stories of glitz, sequins and cigars…of history making Presidents…Hoover, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Nixon who boarded her to get away, to make major decisions for our nation’s future during times of war and peace. Yes, you will learn of a time when the men and women of immense power gathered on her decks to guide our nation through those important moments that changed history. We are extremely proud that the PHS Museum is the owner of this artifact, the only exact model of the Sequoia Presidential Yacht in existence, and we are proud to share the story it played in our nation’s history with our visitors. An exhibit that we believe you too, will find outstanding.
So we invite you to visit our ship. The Sequoia, that legendary boat from times past. Yes, we possess her, we own her, our own 104” model of white, mahogany, brass, pomp, and circumstance. That grand yacht which captured the hearts, the imagination of our villagers, who viewed her majestically entering our tiny Harbor that summer day of 84’.
Voted the “Best Thing” to do on a Rainy Day... We’re open June through October, Tuesday-Saturday from 1-4 p.m., with extended hours Saturday 11 AM-4 PM beginning July 2 thru August 10 85 S. Rutledge • pentwaterhistoricalsociety.org • phstours@pentwaterhistoricalsociety.org
So come to the museum…See this magnificent vessel up close. The Sequoia will be on permanent display at the PHS Museum beginning June 24, 2024.
meet interim village manager steve BroC k
By AnnaMae Bush Traditions Writer
Steve Brock is serving as the interim Village Manager in Pentwater while the Village Council searches for a permanent replacement. He has spent his entire career in municipal government positions in Wisconsin and several locations in Michigan. He served in Farmington Hills (a community of 82,000 people) for 27 years and retired from that job in 2015. Although he has a permanent residence in Florida, Brock spends nearly half the year at his cottage on Hamlin Lake in Ludington, so he is very familiar with our area. Beginning in 2018, he has taken interim positions in Ludington, Scottville and Traverse City. When his former boss notified him of an interim contract available in Pentwater from June 1 through November 1, Brock was intrigued.
Kathy O’Connor, a member of the Village Council, says, “The village is very fortunate to have Steve in the interim position. His wealth of experience has already been extraordinarily instrumental in handling a number of challenges facing the village. It’s been great to see Steve out fostering relationships with residents, business owners and the township. I wish he could stay, but am grateful that he will be hands-on with onboarding the new permanent manager and ensuring a smooth transition.”
What has he found to appreciate about the community since coming to work here? “I really appreciate the interconnectivity of the community. There is a lot of shared history and a sense of community pride.”
What message does he have for the community? He made it very clear when he applied for the interim position that he is not a candidate for the full-time position, and the end of the contract in November is clear.
He likes Pentwater; the work is located close to his cottage in Ludington, and he is always interested in learning opportunities. When asked what specific challenges he faces here, he replied, “water source issues, wastewater issues, short-term rentals and use of the Village Green.” When asked how he is prioritizing his tasks, he said, “I am trying to tie up loose ends, to finish work that was started and has a deadline for being finished. I can’t think about any new projects until those tasks are completed.”
Regarding the new well and water line expected to run under the channel, he reported that no construction will happen until next year. The well tests look good so far in terms of quality and quantity. He is currently looking for contracts and finances.
Is there any way the community members can be helpful to him? “I encourage residents to contact me directly with any concerns. I do not conduct business through social media interactions. I prefer to give honest answers to people on the phone or in person. Residents can call me at 231-869-8301 x 1 or email me at sbrock@pentwatervillage.org.”
Eager to learn more about Pentwater while he works here, Brock signed up to take a pontoon boat tour of Pentwater Lake hosted monthly by the Pentwater Lake Association to educate participants about the native and invasive vegetation and the shoreline issues on the lake. After the tour, he decided to become a member of the PLA. He shared, “I’m interested in helping the PLA change village owned road ends into natural shoreline areas.”
Pla hosts Youth fishing Contest through august 11
The Pentwater Lake Association (PLA) is hosting its seventh annual Youth Fishing Contest this summer. The contest is open to all those under 17 years old. This enables them to fish under their parents’ fishing license for free. At age 17, the state requires youths to purchase their own license. The contest ends on the Sunday of Homecoming Weekend, which is August 11 this year. There are 50100 contest participants each summer.
The PLA recognizes 17 different species of fish that are available in the summer months in Pentwater Lake. The participant who catches the largest fish in each species wins a trophy. The fish species include Perch, Rock Bass, Small and Large Mouth Bass, Crappie, Sunfish (pumpkinseed), Bluegill, Northern Pike, Sheepshead, Walleye, Gar Pike, Carp, Sucker, Bullhead, Catfish, Dogfish (Bowfin) and White (silver) Bass. The fish must be caught between the end of the pier and the bridge over the south side of the lake (on Longbridge Road). Entry rules are simple: Take a photo of your fish on a ruler or measuring tape and text it to one of the following numbers and then call to confirm your entry. Measure the fish from the tip of the nose (or lower jaw) to the tip of the tail in a straight line. Indicate the name and age of the angler and a contact person and number to confirm the entry. Catch, measure, and release are encouraged. Text or call one of
the following: Joe Primozich at 231-742-6339; Dave Peterson at 630-533-1009; Tom Walters at 231-250-9817; Rich Pugsley at 586-255-2642 or Andy Kruger at 269716-0305. The contest expenses are paid annually from the Dave Rose memorial fund. Dave was a former PLA board member. The PLA is grateful to Dave’s family and friends who were so generous.
Last year, there were three Master Anglers among youth contest participants, and there were six Master Anglers in 2021. What is a Master Angler? The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) determines the minimum size of each species that qualifies as an exceptional catch. Any person who catches a fish that meets or exceeds that pre-determined size is awarded the Master Angler title and given a beautiful, embroidered patch from the state. In addition, the PLA voted to award a special PLA sweatshirt to each Master Angler. There are 17 trophies available, and only to those under 17.
P la offers eduCational lake tours
By Beth Provencal Pentwater Lake Association Secretary
On July 9, the Pentwater Lake Association offered the second Pontoon Boat Tour of the season. These are scheduled once a month. The next one is on August 13, weather permitting. These are free tours open to the public. Anyone interested in going next month should call Tom Walter (231-869-3217) or Joe Primozich (231-869-8681) to reserve a spot. The tour runs approximately one hour to one hour and 15 minutes, depending on the number of questions folks have. The trips are limited to seven people per boat, and there are four boats available. One PLA member is the boat captain, and another PLA member points out areas of interest and answers questions the participants have. This is the first year
the PLA is offering these monthly summer tours with the intention of educating the public regarding shoreline and lake health. Areas of weeds are identified as native or invasive,and the leader explains what is being done regarding the invasives and what more can be done. The Pentwater Lake Improvement Board includes weed management as part of their lake management plan and budget. It’s a wonderful new endeavor the PLA has begun with the hope that many folks will take the time to learn more about Pentwater Lake.
Celebration
August 8th-11th
HThank you to all who contributed to the Fireworks!
Thank you to all who contributed to
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Jean Russell
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Ken Adams & Sons Excavating Inc.
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100% of donations go to the Fireworks Fund. Donations accepted all year at pentwater.org or more
homas 94th Annual
100% of donations go to the Fireworks Fund. Donations accepted all year at pentwater.org
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Anchors Aweigh!
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7652 W Stony Lake Road, New Era, MI
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