Ptw #4 by Oceana's Herald-Journal

Pentwater This Week JUNE 28 - JULY 5

Jewels of June

Ron and Cathy Alvesteffer are happy to be in the red

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PTW Photo by Andrew Skinner

Red, White & Blue

Contents 2 Jewels of June Ron and Cathy Alvesteffer are happy to be in the red

4 Village, township land swap nears completion

4 Levies set for Pentwater Village

PTW Photo by Andrew Skinner

5 Falcons’ Miller wins MLB

Pitch, Hit & Run state finals at Comerica Park

6 Chamber cancels scholarship pie contest/auction

8 Commemorative state

park beach bricks available for purchase Recognize family and friends while funding park improvements

9 Events Check the calendar

10 Pentwater portrait set

for Homecoming Saturday

12 Pentwater fireworks 14 Bluhm named to Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation’s Hall of Fame

16 L.A.S.S.I. Loop 5K ready to race through Pentwater

ptw Pentwater This Week • June 28, 2016

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

Sally and Bill Snyder with dog Tess

Welcome to Pentwater

Bill and I were married in December 1959 shortly after graduating from Indiana University. He later entered Indiana University School of Law (Indianapolis) and I worked as an editor for an association in Indianapolis. Shortly after the birth of our first child in 1961 we were invited –baby and all— to join my sister’s family and her in-laws at a rental home in Pentwater. Having enjoyed our visit to the area so much, we decided to spend a portion of each summer renting a home in the Oceana Beach community. That ened in the early 80s when we purchased our own place. Neither Bill or I had experienced vacations at the lake during our childhood. My dad operated a painting business, and we were unable to travel in the sum-

mer; his busy season. “Breaks” as our family called them were during spring vacation and to were used to visit relatives. Bill and his family would take short trips to visit relatives and friends. Since their first visit in 1962, the Snyders have missed only two summers in Pentwater. Bill and I have served on the Oceana Beach Board of Directors, each for nine years. I am active in bridge at the senior center and we are “summer” members of Pentwater Centenary United Methodist Church. Pentwater is a solice, a place of peace, where new friends multiply every year. What a joyful feeling to know that it’s waiting for us when the snow melts and we return.

Published May 24, June 7 & June 21 and weekly June 28 thru Aug. 30, 2016 Distributed free at Pentwater locations.

News items may be contributed by e-mailing ptw@oceanaheraldjournal.com; mailing to 123 State St., Hart MI 49420. Deadline is Tuesday noon for the following Tuesday edition.

Jim Young • Publisher, advertising manager Andrew Skinner • Editor

– Sally Snyder

Follow PTW: Pentwater This Week on Facebook to comment on stories and for a link to the PTW e-Edition.

PENTWATER THIS WEEK 1

JJeew weellss ooff JJuunnee

Ron and Cathy Alvesteffer are happy to be in the red BY AMANDA DODGE PTW WRITER

Tidy green rows upon beds of straw stretch far and wide at Alvesteffer Farms, however, if you get close enough, you will see the sweet, red jewels of June blooming in the glorious fashion that only strawberries can showcase. Ron and Cathy Alvesteffer, along with their children, Grace, George and Rosie, have a passion for growing strawberries and the joy they bring to so many. One would be hard-pressed to find two souls that are more kind and caring to the people that visit their farm, than the Alvesteffers. “Gracie was 2 years old when she told me she liked strawberries,” Ron said. “So we got a 2 PENTWATER THIS WEEK

large family garden packet and we put in 800 plants. The next year we had over 1,000 quarts of berries.” According to the Alvesteffers, the average lifespan of a strawberry plant is three to five years, but Cathy noted that some of theirs have lasted seven to eight years. “This was never meant to be a business,” Ron said, “It started out as a hobby with 80 foot rows. We just started really small.” “We had so many, we just could not use them all,” Cathy explained. “So we set up a little stand and can you just imagine a cute little 3-year-old selling strawberries, pumpkins and squash? My dad told us that we could put that kid through college.”

Cathy, a self-proclaimed “city girl” said that she was in business with her father in Toledo, Ohio for 25 years before meeting Ron at a Blackjack table on Easter Sunday at the LIttle River Casino in Manistee, Mich. and exchanging phone numbers. The two were married the next year, and being lucky in love has translated into many good harvests on the farm and delicious strawberries sent far and wide. Cathy’s late father, Merritt Sorenson, a fellow farmer, was instrumental in the move into where the Alvesteffer farm is today. The Alvesteffer U-pick patch is named Papa’s Patch in honor of Sorenson, who passed away in 2008. “If we needed anything, he was always there, even when he was dying of cancer. He JUNE 28 - JULY 5

was a great man. He taught us the value of family and the value of quiet charity. My parents were married for over 50 years, my dad helped to grow the berries and my mom was quality control. He told us that we needed to set a strawberry patch.” Ron added that he knew things were starting to take off when Gale’s IGA told them they would take all the berries the Alvesteffers could give them. “They were our first major customer.” This year, they will be picking 10 acres of strawberries on their 40 acre farm and supplying over 40 wholesalers. Cathy said that they have had 12 to 13 acres of strawberries in the past, and Ron said he would like to put in another 10 acres, but jokes that Cathy tells him he will have to do that for his next wife. Cathy explained that one must rotate strawberries, as with any other crop, and Ron added that they are now growing sweet corn. They are also renting part of their land out and soybeans are being grown there. They both said that they do not grow pumpkins, squash or apples to sell, as they do not want to compete with their neighbors. They do grow a few other crops, as Cathy said that they try their best to be “self-sufficient.” Speaking of pumpkins, Ron said he grew them for 20 years, since 1990. Outside of their farm, Ron works full time at Alcoa, and has for the past 10 years. The Alvesteffers said that strawberry season begins every year on or right around June 5 and ends by the 4th of July. They added that they grow four different varieties, but 90 percent of their berries are of the Jewel variety. “They have good flavor. They are sweet with a little zing and they get big. It seems to be our favorite,” Ron said.

“Some days you just can’t grow enough,” — Ron Alvesteffer

“This variety holds its flavor all season. It has a glow and a shine.” “They really do glisten like a jewel,” Cathy added.

The other varieties one can find at the farm are: Earliglow, AC Wendy and AC Summer. The Alvesteffers know well that

growing strawberries comes with both its joys and challenges. “There is the excitement of who can find the first red strawberry of the season, and when the U-pick first starts each year,” Cathy said of the joys. Ron added that “frost protection at night and blow outs in the (watering) line,” are part of the challenges. Humorously adding that one year, when their son George was young, he unplugged some of the lines, during a time when water was harder to come by. Cathy said that they now keep their plugs taped down. One year, Ron said they had to do frost protection for 24 nights. “We still got fruit that year, when others did not get any. Some of the early ones rebloomed,” he said. “God has looked after this farm,” Cathy said. This can be shown in the fact that the Alvesteffers have never had a bad season, with Ron stating that only one time did they have a 50 percent crop, but that was still more than what many other farms were able to hang on to that year. The sign for their farm as one drives in showcases that this is truly a family affair, with all their names emblazoned upon it. “As the kids have grown, so has the responsibility,” Ron said. “We used to be a self-serve stand purely on the honor system. Now Gracie is 17 and can do deliveries.” “George is 13 and is very mechanical and good at fixing things. This is Rosie’s first year doing sales by herself,” Cathy interjected. “Some days you just can’t grow enough,” Ron explained. “Our business has changed from just supplying us and the locals to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Photos: On the cover, locally grown red, ripe and juicy strawberries from Alvesteffer Farms. Opposite page top, Cathy and Ron Alvesteffer display a pair of flats (8-quarts) of freshly picked strawberries. The Alvesteffers sell strawberries by the quart, flat and also have a U-pick option. This page above, a strawberry is picked from one of the plants that makes up the Alvesteffer Farm’s 10 acres of strawberries .

PTW Cover Photo by Andrew Skinner

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

PENTWATER THIS WEEK 3

G OVERNMENT Pentwater This Week

Village, township land swap nears completion

Levies set for Pentwater Village PENTWATER — Millage rates for the coming year were set by the Pentwater Village Council at its regular meeting June 13. The levies show no change from the previous year. The general operating levy was set at 8.0123 mills. The local street levy will be .5316 and the voter-approved friendship center levy will be .3468 mill. The debt retirement bond levy for the 1996 Hancock Street improvement project remains at 1.21 mills.

PTW Photo by Andrew Skinner

PENTWATER — A potential land swap between Pentwater Village and Pentwater Township might come up for Pentwater Village approval at its next meeting July 11. In May, the village council authorized village Manager Rob Allard to negotiate the swap on behalf of the village. The village seeks to trade a village-owned parcel along BR-31 across from the Lighthouse Lutheran Church for a township-owned parcel on both sides of BR-31 near the Pentwater tennis courts. Allard said at the June 13 council meeting he expects to have an agreement to present to council next month.

Seawall repair underway

With the help of a grant from the Department of Natural Resources waterways, repairs to the sea wall along the northern edge of the Pentwater Village Marina were underway Wednesday, June 22. The seawall was damaged when water run-off from firefighters battling a fire at the Dock Side restaurant last fall.

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Falcons’ Miller wins MLB Pitch, Hit & Run state finals at Comerica Park BY ANDY ROBERTS PTW WRITER

Contributed photo

PTW Photo by Andrew Skinner

Pentwater freshman baseball player Glenn Miller made his mark statewide Saturday, June 25 taking first place in the Detroit Tigers’ club finals of the MLB Pitch, Hit and Run competition at Comerica Park. Miller, who qualified for the finals by having one of the top three sectional scores in the Tigers’ market, again found himself atop the standings when the scores were counted in the 13-14 age group. “It was really cool,” Miller said. “I knew it would be interesting going into it. It was even better when I finally stepped on the field.” Miller edged out an opponent by excelling at the running portion of the competition, which times runners in the 120 feet that comprises a trip from second base to home and includes rounding third base. He had tied for first among the competitors in the pitching portion of the competition, hitting a strike-zone target four out of six times from 45 feet away, and was a close second in the hitting portion, which measures distance and accuracy. The young Falcon said he was surprised to be announced the winner at the competition’s conclusion, having thought the second place in hitting would knock him off the leader board. However, it didn’t, and Miller received a plaque for his victory. Probably even better, Miller was honored on the field with the other age-group winners prior to Detroit’s Saturday game against

Pentwater High School student Glenn Miller, above left, competes in the batting portion of Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit & Run competition in Shelby earlier this year. Miller, above right, displays the plaque he received for winning the 13-14 age group of the Detroit Tigers’ club finals of the MLB Pitch, Hit and Run competition at Comerica Park Saturday, June 25. By winning the June 25 competition Miller was eligible to compete in the national Pitch, Hit & Run finals, taking place during MLB All-Star week at San Diego’s Petco Park in July but his final score didn’t qualify him to be one of the three national competitors in his age group.

the Cleveland Indians. “That was really cool,” Miller said. “I’ve never been on the field before a game like that. They announced all the kids that won and we waved to the stands. That was exciting.” By winning the Tigers’ club finals, Miller was one of 30 in his age group to be eligible to compete in

the national Pitch, Hit & Run finals, taking place during MLB All-Star week at San Diego’s Petco Park in July. While Miller’s name wasn’t one of the lucky few — only the top three scores nationally among club champions were chosen — the experience has been something he and his family won’t soon forget.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that before,” Glenn’s mother Donna Miller, who watched her son compete, said. “You had kids there that were a whole different caliber of baseball (player). The kids all loved it. They had an opportunity to shine in what they excel in. I was overwhelmed.”

“I knew it would be interesting going into it. It was even better when I finally stepped on the field,”

— Glenn Miller

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

PENTWATER THIS WEEK 5

Chamber cancels scholarship pie contest/auction

PTW file photo

Perspective bidders look over pie prior to the start of the 2015 Miller Scholarship Pie Constest auction. 2015 CFOC PTW_boater.pdf 1 6/30/15 9:01 AM

“Comin’ About! Somebody grab my drink!”

The Pentwater Chamber of Commerce will no longer be hosting the Miller Scholarship Pie Contest. The annual July 3 pie contest and auction had been raising money for student scholarships for the past 17 years. In recent years, the event, which took place on the Pentwater Village Green, had grown to include a raffle of goods from area merchants, pie by the slice sales and a pie eating contest for children and adults. According to a statement released by the chamber in its Pentwater Chamber of Commerce Member Update earlier this year, “The Pentwater Chamber of Commerce Board Members have decided to follow the Pentwater Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan which took cues from the membership 2014/2015 survey responses last fall. At this time, we feel the Miller Scholarship Pie Contest did not fall in this category.” The chamber encourage those looking to make donations to an area scholarship fund contact the Oceana CAN! (College Access Network) program, which supports all Oceana County students in post-secondary education attainment and success. Community Foundation of Oceana County is the fiscal agent for the Oceana CAN! and has two funds supporting the program - an operating fund and an endowment fund. Find more information at Community Foundation of Oceana County online at www.oceanafoundation.org.

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State park to host annual Independence Day bike parade Charles Mears State Park’s annual Independence Day bike parade is a wonderful way to show pride for our country. The park encourages those planning to take part to decorate their bikes, strollers, wagons and pets in red, white and blue. Participants are asked to meet at the park headquarters building at 9:45 a.m. Monday, July 4 where they will be divided into the following groups: 0-2 years old, 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old, 7-9 years old,and 10 years old and up. The park will be adding a pet category to this year’s parade. At 10 a.m. participants will be paraded through the park and past a trio of judges. Prizes donated by local business will be distributed in each age division. For more information please call the park at 231-869-2051.

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Commemorative state park beach bricks available for purchase Recognize family and friends while funding park improvements

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Now’s your chance to honor and recognize family and friends while funding the beach walkway and future improvements at Pentwater’s Charles Mears State Park. The purchase of one or more memorial bricks, installed in the renovated beach walkway, will permanently recognize the special people or pets that have been so instrumental in your life. Commemorative bricks have already funded several beneficial park projects, including portions of the beach walkway and in conjunction with local donations new playground equipment and a pair of accessible walkway to the water’s edge. Have ideas for improvements or additions that could benefit from the sale of commemorative bricks? Park staff would like to hear them. Memorial bricks come in three sizes and can be engraved with 3-5 lines, up to 12 letters and spaces per line. Memorial bricks will be installed in the beach walkway during the spring and fall of each year. Brick parices are $150 for a 4-by-8-inch brick with 3 lines of text, $300 for a 8-by-8-inch brick with 5 lines of text and $1,000 for a 16-by-16-inch brick with 5 lines of text For more information contact park Supervisor Manny Valdez at 231-869-2051.

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Calendar of Events This Week and Beyond

June 30

… Bingo (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.) every Friday Pentwater VFW Hall. … Sunday, folk music jam sessions, 1:304 p.m., Goodstuffs, downtown Pentwater. … Pentwater Township Library Story Hour, preschoolers -2nd grade Tuesdays through July 26 at 10 a.m.; and 3rd-5th grade Wednesdays through July 27 at 10 a.m. … Tuesday Night Comedy, 9 p.m., Village Pub & Cafe, Pentwater, through Labor Day. … Pickin’ in Pentwater, 7 p.m., Pentwater Village Green, Tuesdays through Aug. 30. … Pentwater Civic Band Concert, Thursdays, through Sept. 1, 8 p.m., Pentwater Village Green. … Pentwater Farmers’ Market, Mondays and Thursdays, June 6 through Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pentwater Village Green. … Pentwater Historical Society Museum , 85 S. Rutledge St., open 1-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday June through August and 1-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday September and October. Free admission.

… Bella’s Bouncing Buddies dog show, 6 p.m., Pentwater Township Library. Nancy Kaposky and the 4-H Club with Bella’s Bouncing Buddies will display their dogs skills with obstacle course, rally, agility and tricks.

Every week

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

Thursday

July 2 Saturday

… L.A.S.S.I. Loop 5K race, 8 a.m., Charles Mears State Park, Pentwater. Benefit for L.A.S.S.I. (Local Animal Shelter Support, Inc.). … Hart Sparks, fireworks over Hart Lake, music and more.

July 3 Sunday

… Fireworks in Pentwater, Charles Mears State Park, dusk. … Pentwater VFW pancake breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon, Pentwater VFW Hall.

July 4 Monday

… Independence Day Bike Parade, 10 a.m., Charles Mears State Park. Participants encouraged to decorate their bikes, strollers, wagons and pets in red, white and blue. … Thunder on the Dunes, fireworks over Silver Lake, dusk. … Monday night bike ride, a leisurely 3-mile

ride through Pentwater, meet at the top of the village green at 7 p.m. Hosted by the “Easy Peddlers” Division of the Oceana Cyclist Club.

July 9 Saturday

… Fine Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pentwater Village Green. Hosted by the Pentwater Jr. Women’s Club. … Pentwater Ladies’ Classic Fishing Tournament, 1 p.m. weigh-in at the village marina pavilion, hosted by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. … Soup & Sandwich Luncheon and Fair Trade Show, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church, 82 S. Hancock St.

July 10 Sunday

… St. Joseph’s/St. Vincent’s Ox Roast Dinner & Festival, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, 2349 W. Jackson Rd., Hart. Tickets are $12 and children under 12 eat free.

July 11 Monday

… Monday night bike ride, a leisurely 3-mile ride through Pentwater, meet at the top of the village green at 7 p.m.

Don’t Miss These Annual Events! Easter on the Green Saturday before Easter. Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m., services at marina, village green and township cemetery. Garden Club of Pentwater plant sale Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Start of Summer party first Sunday in June. Spring Fest arts and crafts fair third weekend in June. Community-wide garage sale second Saturday in June. Pentwater Civic Band Concerts Each Thursday, 8 p.m., village green, last Thursday in June, through Labor Day. Fusion Fashion Show last Friday in June, on the village green, 8 p.m. Fireworks over Lake Michigan July 3 each year. Fine arts fair second Saturday in July. Garden Stroll and “Blooming Arts” third Saturday in July. Pentwater Homecoming second full weekend in August (Weekends start Thursdays). MSU Tailgate Party The Saturday of Homecoming, behind the Village Pub. Pentwater Fall Festival Fourth weekend in September. Oktoberfest Second Saturday in October. Halloween on the Green Saturday before Halloween. Spooktaclular Halloween Parade Saturday before Halloween. Festival of Lights Saturday after Thanksgiving at the village green. Lighting of the community Christmas Tree and visits with Santa. Christmas Craft Fair First Saturday in December at the school.

PENTWATER THIS WEEK 9

Pentwater portrait set for Homecoming Saturday The Pentwater Arts Council will host its second annual “Homecoming Portrait” at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Pentwater Village Green during Pentwater Homecoming weekend. The arts council invites all area residents and visitors to take part in this free event that is sure to create memories for years to come. Pentwater area photographer Dayna Hasil will again take this year’s picture with a little assistance from Mike Russell and his bucket truck. “Hasil will take a few photos of the entire group and we will choose the best one,” arts council board member Pamela Burdick said. “We will be selling posters with the picture at the (homecoming) parade and after for $10 each.” Posters can also be mailed for an additional $5.75. The posters will be captioned “Pentwater 2016” and will be suitable for framing. All funds

will go toward supporting the Pentwater Arts Council, which actively supports the arts in the Pentwater area via its summer gallery strolls,

the student art show, summer and fall concerts, The Ramp Gallery and Corks and Canvas Wine Tasting.

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PENTWATER THIS WEEK 11

Pentwater fireworks Independence Day fireworks in Pentwater will take place Sunday, July 3 along the Lake Michigan Shoreline at the Charles Mears State Park beach, 400 W. Lowell St., in Pentwater. Watch them from Charles Mears State Park, the Pentwater pier, the Pentwater Village Green or from your boat in Lake Michigan. Bring your lawn chair, beach blankets, friends and family. Pentwater will host an additional fireworks display Saturday, Aug. 13 during the village’s annual Homecoming celebration. Both firework displays are made available for all to enjoy through donations from local businesses, friends and families. Make sure to be on the lookout for donation cans placed throughout the village to help support and keep alive this fun family tradition along the lakeshore. 108 THREADS PTW2015.pdf

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Crafts galore

PTW Photo by Andrew Skinner

Over 70 items created at the Pentwater Artisan Center, left, were raffled off during the Pentwater Chamber of Commerce’s annual Spring Fest Arts, Crafts & Antique Fair on the village green. Bottom left, a vendor plays his guitar between sales. Shoppers, above, browse a large selection of new and antique decorative hooks for sale. A decorative plant arrangement, far middle left, was just one of the many creative items on sale.

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Adjacent to Hill & Hollow Campground

Galley Cafe

Located Next Door Open to the Public! Serving Breakfast & Lunch PENTWATER THIS WEEK 13

Bluhm named to Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation’s Hall of Fame BY AMANDA DODGE PTW WRITER

During a luncheon in Bluhm’s honor Monday, June 20 at the Pentwater Yacht Club, current PYC Commodore Doug Nelson presented past club commodore’ with a special nametag. He saved Bluhm’s for last, which stated that he not only was a past commodore, but also a LMSRF Hall of Famer. Nelson then invited Bluhm’s son, David, up to introduce his father. “This is a testament to his contribution to sailing, the youth and to the Pentwater Yacht Club,” David began. “He sailed the Northern Light from 1975 to 1981 and a lot of the youth of this club lived on that boat. My dad was the father for all those kids. We learned a lot on that boat.” David went on to recall a time in the late 1970s during the Chicago to Mackinac race. “There was a bad thunderstorm that came on fast. There was only time to drop the sails onto the deck and sit on them to ride out the storm. My dad did a headcount, he was meticulous, to make sure all were there. I don’t think the parents would have liked it if one of their kids fell into Lake Michigan,” David said. “He is committed to teaching the youth and bringing them up to be the sailors they are today.” After David concluded, Gene McCarthy of the LMSRF explained the Hall of Fame inductee process. “When a person is nominated, they are on that list forever. The committee is a secret committee made up of five sailors of Michigan,” according to McCarthy. Gail Turluck read Bluhm’s extensive and impressive biography. “After two tours 14 PENTWATER THIS WEEK

of service in the United States Navy on board a destroyer, Bill enrolled and subsequently graduated from the University of Michigan and had a distinguished career as an educator in both teaching and administration.” Turluck added that Bluhm finalized his time in the workforce as the Superintendent of Pentwater Schools. She then highlighted Bluhm’s love of sailing, his passion for teaching children to sail and his time racing, including many racing wins and his time as captain of the Northern Light. This was followed by his purchase of the award-winning and highly-pedigreed yacht Condor. After many successful racing seasons the Condor was taken over by his sons, David and Stephen, and it will be back in the water this year. Turluck also noted how he “embarked on a year-long sailing adventure of a lifetime by sailing around the Great Lakes, down the Erie Canal and inter-coastal waterways to the Bahamas,” in 1987 with his late wife, Gail. At the conclusion of reading his biography and inductee statement, Bluhm was invited to the stage to receive a plaque denoting his new honor and was asked to share a few words about the honor. Funny and poised, Bluhm said that this endeavor “started a month ago when I was called in to the commodore’s office and the door was closed.” He jokingly added that he felt like he was back in school and in trouble. “This is a total honor,” Bluhm said. “To me, sailing is fun, and even though we had hard nights, the next day always turned out to be a better day. I’ll try and live up to what’s on the paper they read. I’m looking forward to when my sons get Condor into the water and to get all of you on it.” Bluhm then received a welldeserved standing ovation from the crowd, whom several had lended their support to nominate Bluhm for the LMSRF Hall of Fame. Writing in his nominating documents, “The membership of the Pentwater Yacht Club cannot think of a more fitting nominee to the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation’s Hall of Fame than William ‘Bill’ Bluhm for his distinguished sailing career and lasting mark he has left with the members and youth of our club over the past 45 years.”

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

PAMPER

yourself

Visit our Full Service Salon & Spa Today!

Welcoming our 6 Magical Season in Downtown Pentwater! th

Voted in the top 14 Children’s Book Stores in the Nation!

Come & Step Inside a Story!

• Discover New Storytelling Treasures throughout the Store • Play in our Dramatic Play Centers • Meet our Newest Puppets • Dress in Dreamy Dress Ups • Become a Star in our Daily Theatre Productions Theatre & Creative Arts Activities Every Hour beginning June 1st. Check our website for daily activities and special events!

FREE Crystal Package Wrap for Gifts!

Across fromVillage Marina

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3 blocks from Lake Michigan and 1 block from downtown! Perfect Pentwater location Private baths ~ WiFi

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560 S. Hancock • Pentwater

231-869-3120

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Home of the Notorious

“Bear Burger”

Full Menu • Full Bar Lunch & Dinner SpeciaLS 2nd Level Seating & Balcony Overlooking Downtown & The Village Green

278 S. hancock ~ pentwater

(231) 869-5444

2nd Location: 147 Michigan, SheLby

(231) 861-5014

Open 7 Days • Take-Out Credit Cards Accepted

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

Visit the Pentwater Historical Museum 85 S. Rutledge St. (@ First St.) Free Admission-Donations Welcome 1:00-4:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday in June - Aug. Thursday-Saturday in Sept. - Oct. Take Video Tour at www.pentwaterhistoricalsociety.org PENTWATER THIS WEEK 15

L.A.S.S.I. Loop 5K ready to race through Pentwater Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater will play host to the annual L.A.S.S.I. Loop 5K Run and Walk Saturday, July 2 at 8 a.m. The 3.1-mile course winds through the village of Pentwater and finishes near the Lake Michigan shoreline at the Charles Mears State Park beach. The course is flat, fast and fun. All proceeds benefit L.A.S.S.I. (Local Animal Shelter Support, Inc.) providing veterinary care for abandoned, abused, injured and neglected companion animals of Oceana County and the Oceana County Animal Shelter. For more information on L.A.S.S.I. visit www.LassiPets.com. Registration fees for the 5K are $30 for the run and $20 for the non-competitive walk (leashed pets are welcome to participate). A Recreation Passport is required to park in the state park. Contact the park or visit www.michigan. gov/recreationpassport for more information. Packet pick-up and registration will be avail-

Pentwater

Township Library 402 East Park • 869-8581 Mon. & Thurs. 9-8:30; Tues., Wed. & Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-2

Photographic Journey July 13 @ 7 p.m. Karen West & Susan Ford, United Methodist Church 16 PENTWATER THIS WEEK

able at the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center, 780 Park St., in Pentwater, Friday, July 1 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Race day registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. at Charles Mears State Park. Awards will be distributed to the race’s overall female and male winners as well as the race’s overall masters (40 and over) female and male winners, overall senior masters (60 and over) female and male winners and first and second place male and female winners in age divisions: 0-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 6064, 65-69, 70 and over. Race timing and results will be provided by Newton Timing & Race Services. The race will be using ChronoTrack Systems, featuring the disposable Btag that remains attached to the race number bib. Results will be posted continuously during the event for review. Complete results will be posted promptly after the event online at www.lassiloop5k.com/.

Pentwater’s Own

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House of Flavors 231.869.4009 210 Hancock - Across from the Village Green JUNE 28 - JULY 5

29th Season

Haircuts Hair Color Manicures Pedicures Waxing

231-869-2111

42 W. Second St. • PO Box 33 Pentwater, MI 49449

6 Rooms with Private Bath, Air Conditioned, Color Cable TV, Full Country Breakfast, Complimentary Bicycles Open: May - October Wi-Fi John & Mary Jo Neidow 438 E. Lowell St. • P.O. Box 392 • Pentwater, MI 49449 (231) 869-5967 • www.candlewyckhouse.com

Petri Gallery

• Paintings • Prints • Pottery • Jewelry • Sculpture • Wood • Glass

Ken AdAms & sons Excavating total Excavating SErvicES

• Dredging, Hauling & Disposal • Excavating • Helicoil Installation • Gravel & Sand • Dozer & Loader • Land Clearing • Basement Excavating

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231-869-5928 Fax 869-4620 PO Box 413 • 8770 N. Oceana Drive, Pentwater JUNE 28 - JULY 5

1st St

44 2nd St. Gallery

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Art Classes Custom Framing Now in two locations in Pentwater

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231-869-5008 PENTWATER THIS WEEK 17

JEWELS OF JUNE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

PTW photos by Andrew Skinner

picking up a new wholesaler every year. When we started, there were lots of other sellers, but supply to the area became low, but the demand was still there.” “A few days ago, we got a call from Wisconsin, asking if we could ship strawberries across on the S.S. Badger,” Cathy said. Ron noted that they sell to all corners of Michigan and people come from all of those corners to buy them.“Johnny Gebhart is 97 and he still sells for us at the Muskegon Farmer’s Market. We get people from Flint, Grand Rapids, Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs.” In terms of real expansion, Ron said they “are trying to sustain what we have.” Yet, they do have plans to increase the size of the U-pick part. “Hiring crews to pick and pack is a lot of work. It is very costly to pack berries.” This year, Cathy said they ran into some difficulties since asparagus season ran long, and they do not supply migrant housing, so they work hard to make sure they have a crew and they are well taken care of. “We have professional pickers out of Florida. We have done that for the past three or four years. They are out of Plant City, Fla. and the crews will move onto blueberries in South Haven when we are done here,” Ron said of the crew of 30 that work for the them. Two of the crew members are a husband and wife team that have been married for 60 years and they have no trouble keeping up with the rest of the crew. Members of the workforce can pick 30 flats in five hours, Ron said; adding that 20 to 25 flats can be picked from each row and they pick a field every three days. “My dad said that we would be picking 100 flats a day,” Cathy said. “Our biggest day ever was 700 flats.” On average the crew at Alvesteffer Farms

Red ripe strawberries wait to be picked in the Alvesteffer Farm’s U-pick patch.

pick 300 flats a day and the busiest day of the season will have them picking 500 flats. “We try not to overpick and we always try to have berries until 5 p.m. If we have any left over we sell discount flats to our jam lady,” Ron explained, adding that they do not sell the previous day’s berries. “Hot weather is hard on the berries, we try not to overwater as it mushes them. We have 200 sprinkler heads pumping out over 1,000 gallons per minute.” Alvesteffer Farms, 1179 W. Monroe Rd., Hart

“Our business has changed from just supplying

us and the locals to picking up a new wholesaler every year. When we started, there were lots of other sellers, but supply to the area became low, but the demand was still there,” — Ron Alvesteffer 18 PENTWATER THIS WEEK

(east of Pentwater) is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday and on occasion have to close up in the afternoon if they run out of berries.“People are keeping the U-pick up,” he said. “As we see berries ripen, we bring in more people and then slowly let them go until it is just back to our family.” “Our kids are up at 6 a.m. and like to help,” Cathy said. “We try to keep our little part of the world back in the Mayberry days. Generations of strawberry picking brings special memories.” As for some of those that visit the farm, Cathy said, “You would be surprised at how many people think that strawberries grow on trees.” She also recalled that they recently had an 80-year-old man come to the U-pick patch and he had great difficulty walking, and though many children offered to help him pick, he re-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 JUNE 28 - JULY 5

JEWELS OF JUNE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 fused, because he had picked strawberries as a boy and being able to do it again brought back wonderful memories and was something he treasured. Cathy and Grace both noted how much they enjoy seeing children in the patch and how excited they get. “I love when the Headstart crew comes. The kids keep saying ‘I’ve got the biggest one,’” Cathy said. Another fun find on the farm are the delicious king berries, which are three berries that have grown as one. “We like to put those at the bottom of a quart for a nice surprise,” Ron said. “They are harder to pack because they get so big.” “You would think that you would get sick of eating strawberries but you don’t,” Cathy said. The Alvesteffers said that they do their best to give back to the community that has given them help when in need, one example being that they host their church’s annual social. “Three years ago, we almost lost Ron. It was May 13 and he was incapacitated in the hospital for 10 days with a trach,” Cathy said.“Area farmers came and helped spray and brought hay and helped us so much at that trying time.” “It’s been an adventure,” Ron said.“We just have fun with it. We meet a lot of good people, and we try to point that out.” “We do this for the lessons it teaches our children,” Cathy said.

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PTW photos by Andrew Skinner

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One of the Alvesteffer’s 30 strawberry pickers carefully places berries into quart containers in the field. After being picked the strawberries are then sorted and repackaged before being sold.

347 South Hancock Street, Suite 201 Pentwater, MI 49449

(231) 301-3305

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347 S. Hancock, Ste. 204 PO Box 71 Pentwater, MI 49449 www.pentwater.com

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

Securities and advisory services offered through SII Investments, Inc. (SII), member FINRA/ SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor. Platinum Wealth Management Group, Inc. and SII are separate and unrelated companies. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, in the U.S. SII Investments, Inc. and Platinum Wealth Management Group, Inc DO NOT provide legal or tax advice.jsg

PENTWATER THIS WEEK 19

Bella’s Bouncing Buddies to visit library

Jilly’s GALLERY

Pentwater Township Library will present Nancy Kaposky and her 4-H Club “Bella’s Bouncing Buddies” for a dog show at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 30 at the library, 402 Park St., in Pentwater. Club members and their dogs will display skills on the obstacle course, rally, agility and several tricks. The program is free and open to the public.

yf b c yd y m y , cu m c ti y yd y - f- - yd g ft Jillyy y y y g mu , y J y

y.c m

231-869-2100

Our Complete Deli & Ice Cream Shop

n o w o p e n !!

Check out the new face of an old friend, a new shop in an old favorite. See website for details www.pentwaterantiques.com 189 Hancock St • Pentwater, MI 49449 231-869-5026

• Liquor • Gas • Beer • Wine d Goods • Locally Made Bake m Crea • Ice Box Brand Ice Open at 7am • 231-869-3220 9580 N. Bus-31, just North of Downtown Pentwater

Owners, Chris & Ron Hammack

MI West shore realty

at www.MWSRealty.com

Saturday, July 2nd 1-3pm

151 CLYMER ST PENTWATER, MI

VERY PRIVATE PENTWATER VILLAGE LOCATION! 4 BED 2 Baths. Quality built home with finished walkout. Right next to a Stream. Open floor plan ranch style home with a walkout basement. Beautiful oak floors in the dining & kitchen area. Brick Natural Fireplace. Great room on lower level. PRISTINE CONDITION. $284,900. Call Mary Blohm 231233-2101. MLS 15050322. Directions: US 31 To Monroe Road west to the Village. Right on Clymer btw 2nd & Lowell.

5420 WEST G STREET , AN EASY WALk TO BASS LAkE

BEAUTIFUL HOME WITH LARGE STORAGE BARN! Room for the family & all the toys. Plus walk for a swim. 3 Bed, 2.5 Baths. Open Plan in Pristine Condition. Lovely wooded views + attached 2 car garage & storage barn. Priced RIGHT. $225,000. Call Quintus Renshaw. Directions: US Bus 31 North out of Pentwater to South Lake Shore Dr. N to Our Open House Sign.

LAkE MI SHORES HOME with 700’ OF Lake MI Access. 4706 N Lakeshore Drive, Mears, MI 49436

Beautiful year around home located in Lake Michigan Shores. 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths in excellent condition. Set on two wooded lots with 700 ft. of Lake MI. beach access. Home features a two story great room, wood burning fireplace & an open floor plan.$325,900. Call Dick Lound 231-861-4235. MLS 15059134. Directions: Hart exit west on Polk Road to 56th Ave. North to Deer Road, west to B-15, north to N. Lake Shore Dr, to cottage on east side of Lakeshore.

112 S. Hancock St. • Pentwater • 231-869-5706 • Open for Business All Year Long!

20 PENTWATER THIS WEEK

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary!!!

Retro Candy • Frozen Hot Chocolate • Famous Popcorn 168 Hancock St, Pentwater 7944 N. Hazel Rd, Silver Lake 231-869-4852 www.pentwaterpopcorn.com 231-873-3900

COLDWELL BANKER WOODLAND SCHMIDT the Sign of a HART • 231-873-5600

Sue Payne

Brie Lorenz

Janet Dodge

Brad Clark

Shanda Castillo

Katie Arnouts

DeNaze Wharton

120 E 1st St $269,900

Charming Pentwater Home 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths Open Living & Dining area Covered Front Porch, Carefree Deck Landscaped, Fenced Corner Lot

Steve Bruce

rci

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Gary Gibson

50 E 2nd St $149,000

Business Opportunity Awaits! Historic Downtown Pentwater Spacious & Open 3,833sqft Carriage House Antique Mall Bldg

20 E Park St $299,000

Exquisite 5 Bed, 4.5 Bath Home Pentwater Village location, Extra Lrg Lot Mt Baldy close, Only 4 Blocks to Lake Michigan Large Rooms, Rental History

www.CBGreatLakes.com 2332 N. Comfort Dr.Hart, MI 49420

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4/19/16

10:36 AM

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DEQ Assistance

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(231)869-6841