THANK YOU!
A huge thank you to all Great Lakes Energy customers who took the time to nominate us for the Great Lakes Energy Community Grant award being offered in June. We were not chosen as a semi-finalist, however, your votes of confidence and support mean so much to us. Please join us at our first “Evening with the Echo” Thursday, July 17, from 6-7 p.m. at Park Place in Pentwater to learn more about our nonprofit newspaper and how you can help keep us coming to your mailbox every week!
Congratulations!
Happy 70th Anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. Bill and Darlene Askins on June 18, 2025! The couple celebrated at an open house in their honor on Saturday, June 22, 2025, at the Shelby Congregational Church.
The Oceana Echo extends their congratulations to New Era Police Chief Roy Strait, who retired July 3. As part of his 61-year career, many in Oceana County have benefited from Strait’s undying dedication to this county. Stay tuned for an in-depth look at one of Oceana County’s “living legacies” in an upcoming publication.
Strange But True
With the high winds that blew through the Midwest at the end of June, two racing pigeons, one from Ohio and another from Illinois, ended up in Oceana County. Thanks to the identifying information on each bird’s anklet, their owners were located. Keep an eagle eye on a future publication of The Oceana Echo to hear more about these amazing avians and their wild adventures!
Churches
First Baptist Church’s youngest missionary ever, Boone Boundy, the four-month-old son of Connor and Madison Boundy, traveled to the Dominican Republic with his mother and a team of 14 others (among whom there were three other young children) to bring a Vacation Bible School to a partner church there. Despite language and cultural differences and without ever speaking a word, this babe in arms broke every barrier with just his smile. His unconditional love and trust spoke volumes to the team and to those they were ministering to. “Boone Baby,” as he became affectionately known by his fellow team members, won’t ever remember having taken the trip, however, the witness and impression he left with the people in the DR will not soon be forgotten.
Rothbury Community Church is pleased to announce they will begin holding worship services in their new auditorium starting this Sunday, July 13. Services begin at 10 a.m. All welcome!
Weather
Calvin Roskam’s Oceana Center Wx KMIHart17 weather station records as of July 8 show the following 2025 statistics: 12.83 inches of rain and a high temperature of 87.4 degrees on June 22, making it a “feels like” temperature of 101.9 degrees. Surprisingly, the average temperature for all of 2025 is only 43.1 degrees. (Just saying that ought to cool one off!) The maximum wind gust recorded so far in 2025 was 51.5 miles per hour on March 15. The Oceana Echo would love to connect with other county home weather station operators. Please contact us at the information at the end of this article.
One die-hard spectator was not going to lose his prime viewing spot for the Hart Sparks fireworks last Wednesday, July 2, in downtown Hart. He stayed seated under lightning and heavy rains that blew through the area shortly after 8 p.m. Thankfully the quick storm was over in 20 minutes, a double rainbow could be seen to the east, and festivities resumed, followed by fireworks at dusk.
Municipal
For those who may be wondering about the little orange flags on streets west of State Street in the Village of Shelby, Village Manager Phil Morse reported Frontier is currently laying fiber optic internet lines for the village. Some residents may also notice contractors working alongside their curbs in the coming days. Plummers of Caledonia is conducting a water distribution systems material inventory for the village in preparation for possible future water line replacement.
Local History
The historic Pioneer House Museum located in downtown Walkerville is undergoing a much-needed and requested facelift this month! Painting crews power-washed the historic structure last week and will be repainting it in the days to come. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for early August. The project is being made possible by grants from the Community Foundation of Oceana County and the Great Lakes People Fund.
Community Updates
The newly formed Southern Oceana Chamber of Commerce is pleased to report they have several new members and are currently working on bylaws for the organization. Those looking for more information or interested in joining this important group, visit the Shelby Area Chamber 49455 Facebook page.
Pete Roskam was one of 244 participants, and the sixth largest fundraiser, in this year’s Bike MS: West Michigan 2025, an annual fundraiser event held in Holland with the goal of raising money for Multiple Sclerosis research and support. Roskam’s personal fundraising goal was $5,000. He was able to personally raise a total of $7,452 of the total amount raised: $287,104.33! Thank you to everyone who had a part in this worthwhile cause.
It was another great Fourth of July weekend here in Oceana County. Executive Director of the Hart/Silver Lake Visitors Center Scott Beal recapped, “With the 4th on Friday and great weather, it was the busiest holiday in years. No hard stats yet, however, year over year, visitor statistics are up for Silver Lake/Hart. Pure Michigan had us host German travel writers/bloggers who were visiting Silver Lake on their tour of Michigan. Many followers watched the fireworks on our webcam. As posted on social media, our fireworks are so unique that it takes many people and logistics to put them on. And thankfully there were no serious accidents on the dunes.”
The Stony Lake Sparkler 5K was another huge success, according to Sally Malnor, one of the event’s organizers. There were 963 participants: 305 participating in the one-mile fun run and 658 participating in the 5K! The oldest participant in the 5K was 93 years “young,” Elaine Matthews!! Top awards went to: Male Overall, Jeffrey Weber of Traverse City (16:57.4); Female Overall, Eliza Schwass of Scottville (18:40.4); Male Master, Lee Schwass of Scottville (17:52.0); Female Master, Zuzana Tomas of Ann Arbor (20:14.1); Male Grand Master, Kevin Schaaf of Grand Rapids (21:36.7); and Female Grand Master, Kay Schneider of Westphalia (27:31.0). “Even in the rain we had a record donation to the Crystal Valley Care Fund of $30,174!” said Malnor.
Organizers wish to sincerely thank all of the sponsors and participants.
Like live music? Enjoy great tunes from a variety of artists and groups nearly every night of the week at numerous locations throughout the county during the summer. Be sure to check out area chamber of commerce websites for more details!
Your Turn!
Have a tidbit of news to share? The Oceana Echo is interested in hearing more and may include your submission in a future edition! Please contact Sharon Hallack at sharon@oceanaecho.com.
