Hastings Banner

Pastor shares view on tragedy

A special wish list for 2012

TK takes down Hastings in early conference clash

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See Editorial on Page 4

See Story on Page 12

THE HASTINGS

VOLUME 159, No. 51

NEWS BRIEFS Ball drop celebration will welcome in 2013 Live music, light displays, ice sculptures, face painting and precisely timed pyrotechnics will highlight the fourth annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Family Festival in downtown Hastings Monday, beginning at 9 p.m.

The intersection of State and Jefferson streets will be closed to traffic as disc jockey Jon Anderson and the Thornapple Jazz Orchestra keep the festivities hopping until the magic moment when Mayor Frank Campbell leads the crowd in counting down the closing moments of 2012. A newly constructed and lighting engineered New Year’s ball will again drop from atop the Walldorff Brewpub and Bistro into a fantastic light and sound display that will kick off the new year.

A rousing version of “Auld Lang Syne,” more music by the jazz orchestra, and a last round of hot chocolate will complete 2013’s first, big celebration in Hastings.

New year begins with nature hike New Year’s revelers may wish to keep the excitement of 2013 going by participating in the second annual New Year’s Day Hike at the Yankee Springs Recreation Area.

Walks guided by park staff and members of the North Country Trail Association will take hikers on scenic two- or four-mile legs through some of the prettiest back areas of Yankee Springs.

The event will begin with coffee and cocoa Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the winter sports parking area at 10060 Gun Lake Road. The first two-mile leg will stop at the Yankee Springs Inn Historic Site on Yankee Springs Road for more hot beverages. Rides back to the parking area will be available for two-milers, those moving on to complete the fourmile loop will receive a special commemorative gift.

For more information, call park headquarters, 269-795-9081.

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Call 945-9554 for more information.

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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Fracking top local story of 2012 As with most, 2012 was a year of contention and controversy, of hope and progress.

Being a part of it provided a unique perspective for the Banner’s news staff which, as each year comes to a close, sits down to select the top ten stories that impacted the Barry County area the most.

There was plenty of contention as fracking, our top vote getting story subject indicated.

There was controversy, too, with the Hastings Area Schools filing a plan with the state a to operate on a deficit budget, the second highest vote-getter amongst our staff.

But there was also hope and progress in the year just passed, chief being the pieces that polled third in our votes that covered the major bridge construction that Hastings enduring throughout the summer and much of the fall.

There were also the wonderful stories chronicling the hope that came with Bradford White’s opening of the International Technical Excellence Center, a story that finished sixth in our poll of news staffers and the promise that the new educational program in Maple Valley brought that came with increased enrollment and even the possibility of reopening a shuttered school, a story which finished ninth on our list.

There was also compelling news from the courts where County Prosecutor Tom Evans’ filing practices were publicly questioned by a defense attorney and a judge, a story that was given fifth place among our top ten newsmakers.

The court saga of convicted criminal sex offender Michael Terpening wound itself through a variety of twists and turns and took ninth on our list.

Animals occupied a lot of our readers’ interest and attention. As the county settled its difference over animal control and shelter operations, a story that took seventh place, all of Barry County became concerned about the mysterious viral death of deer, a ninth place story finisher, and that may have been due to the story that finished fifth, our equally mysterious weather that caused drought and loss of crops throughout the county.

It was a year of concern, interest, and entertainment. Our hope was that it was also a year in which our readers became informed, engaged and active.

In order, a synopsis of the top ten stories we tracked in 2012: 1. Fracking and leasing of mineral rights touched off protesters and supporters The process known colloquially as fracking, but more technically as horizontal hydraulic fracturing, and the auction on May 8, 2012 by the state of leases on 23,000 acres of state-owned lands in Barry County led to protests by opponents at various public and private meetings beginning in the spring and continuing throughout the summer of 2012.

Supporters say that the process provides new jobs and more gas and oil plus revenues to the state and owners of private lands. They maintain that Michigan's stringent environmental regulations and the level of supervision by the state are more than adequate to provide appropriate environmental protection. There is also the issue of the rights of private property owners to derive income from their property.

Opponents of the process say the risk is too high for any perceived benefits. The jobs are temporary; when the well has been exhausted, it is closed down and the jobs go away.

Contamination of aquifers, air, and soil would lead to major health issues. A major source of frustration for opponents was discovering that local governments including county governments were barred from using zoning regulations to prohibit drilling.

The largest lake in the county, Gun Lake, is located principally in Yankee Springs and Orangeville Townships. Tourism is the major source of income for many businesses.

Orangeville is also the site of Fish Lake, all of whose land area has been leased. Yankee Springs State Park with almost a million visitors a summer also contributes heavily to the local economy.

The single largest public meeting on the subject was held by the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. The institute's mission, according to executive director Michelle Skedgell, was to provide information to residents about what leases meant and what rights property owners

The expansion at Bradford White headquarters in Middleville and opening of the company’s International Technical Excellence Center was among the Banner’s top stories. (Photo by Julie Makarewicz) have when they are approached by a land agent. The meeting also dealt with the need for federal regulation. Currently, the chemicals used by well drillers are exempt from the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. The federal Environmental Protection Agency is not expected to issue regulations until sometime in 2015.

2. Hastings Area Schools approves deficit budget/submits deficit reduction plan to state

In June, the Hastings Area Schools Board of Education approved a deficit budget for the 2012-13 school year and submitted a deficit reduction plan to the State of Michigan, joining 50 other school districts across the state of Michigan that are also operating on a deficit budget.

The board’s original budget for the 2011-12 school year projected an ending fund balance of $312,886. However, by the board’s June

18, meeting the projection had changed and the district was expected to end the year with a $430,797 deficit, which is why the board of education unanimously approved a deficitreduction plan.

The Michigan Department of Education received and approved the deficit reduction plan. However, things have not been going exactly as the board of education planned.

See TOP STORIES, page 2

Honors, contracts and final numbers conclude 2012 business for county board

by Doug VanderLaan Editor Wrapping up business for 2012 took a little longer than Barry County commissioners anticipated Wednesday morning since the start of the year’s final meeting had to be delayed while awaiting a quorum of the eight-member board.

Sardonic applause greeted the arrival of Commissioner Ben Geiger minutes after the meeting’s scheduled 9 a.m. start, and the five presiding commissioners quickly moved through an agenda highlighted by a resolution to honor the service of departing County Prosecutor Tom Evans.

Reading from the resolution that capped Evans’ career, beginning with his stint as an assistant prosecutor in 2001, his first chief prosecutor’s position in Montmorency County, and then his return to Barry County as a chief assistant, an appointed, and then an elected chief prosecutor, Commission Chair Craig Stolsonburg noted some of Evans’ memorable accomplishments.

“Recognizing the anger and confusion of crime victims, he implemented the concept of vertical prosecution with one case, one prosecutor,” read Stolsonburg, who also noted Evans’ establishment of diversion programs, allowing some defendants a second chance. “[He] received the 2012 David M. Shieber Life Saver Award presented by the Michigan State Organization of Mothers Against Drunk Driving for prosecution of drunk drivers and providing justice for drunk driving victims, said Stolsonburg who concluded, “the Barry County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the citizens, extends a sincere thank you to Thomas E. Evans for his years of leadership and dedicated service.”

Evans will be replaced by Julie Nakfoor Pratt, elected in November to the prosecutor’s position.

In other business, the board approved: • A year-end budget amendment reflecting several adjustments to revenue and expenditure estimates made earlier in the year and previous to actual budget movements, allowing more accurate estimating at year end.

• A contract agreement with Professional Benefits Services Inc. until Dec. 31, 2013, to provide short-term disability administration for Barry County employees.

• The 2013 Barry County Annual Work

County Prosecutor Tom Evans was honored by the Barry County Board of Commissioners and county citizens Wednesday for his accomplishments and contributions.

Plan for MSU-Extension services, including one full-time clerical staff for the Extension Office, one half-time 4-H program coordinator, with an additional half-time 4-H program coordinator contingent upon continued United Way support at $27,500.

• An agreement for airport management services between the county, the City of Hastings and the Barry County Airport Commission with Mark Noteboom through Dec. 31, 2014.

• Transfers and disbursements in the amount of $91,242 and an authorization for auditors to transfer surplus funds from various 2012 county department budgets to the

following internal service funds: vehicle replacement, data processing and building rehabilitation.

The new 2013 county board will hold its first meeting Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 10 a.m. in the board chambers. An organizational meeting to elect officers and make committee assignments for the new board will precede a committee-of-the-whole meeting.

The new commission will be reduced to seven members. Newly elected members Jim DeYoung, Jim Dull Jon Smelker and Joyce Snow will be joining incumbent commissioners Geiger, Stolsonburg and Howard “Hoot” Gibson.

Page 2 — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

TOP STORIES, continued from page 1 The 2011-12 school year ended June 31, 2012 with the district $622,607 in the red.

This year’s budget is $3.2 million less than in 2011-12, however, the district hasn’t realized the savings in wages and compensation that it had hoped to gain through contract negotiations with the Hastings Education Association. Negotiations stalled in and were turned over to the state for fact finding in November, when the board and HEA could not reach and agreement as to whether the proposed six percent pay increase should be permanent, as the board proposed, or a temporary one-year reduction which could be renewed if necessary, as the HEA desired.

The deficit reduction plan presented by Hastings Area School’s financial consultant Don Sovey and approved by the board in June called for $1.6 million in compensation and position reductions starting with the 2012-13 fiscal year, the proposal the board approved Monday starts with $1,386,463 for 2012-13, increases to $1.5 million for 2013-14 and tops out at $1.6 million for the 2014-15 fiscal year.

“I think these budgets have been combed over and combed over so much that all the

where further reductions could come,” said Sovey. “So, it comes down to compensation and positions.”

Sovey explained during the hearing that districts spend 85 percent of their budgets on wages and benefits.

In an interview Dec. 14, Hastings Area Schools Director of Business Services Tim Berlin said that, because the board has not been able to come to an agreement with the HEA, the projected ending fund balance of $1,097,642 on June 13, 2013, would be reduced to anticipate an ending fund balance of $858,887.

3. Bridge construction The Thornapple River waters passing through Hastings weren’t as troubled as the two city bridges that pass over them in 2012.

Pressing city leaders into pulling logistical magic out of a hat, the Michigan Department of Transportation scheduled reconstruction of both the Michigan Avenue bridge and the South Broadway bridge for 2012.

In a series of articles and work progress photographs, the Banner followed what was

As of the wee hours of July 4, when this photo was taken, the Michigan Avenue bridge project was on schedule to open Aug. 10. It didn’t open until Aug. 22 just before Summerfest. Working at night is required during the hot summer months to aid in the correct curing of the bridge surface cement. Michigan Avenue was closed for nearly six months. The new bridge, which came with a $2.3 million price tag, is the fourth major structure to cross the Thornaple River at that site dating back to 1886.

2012 was the first full year of a special page in the Banner that featured photos of Barry County taken by readers or newsroom staff. Among the many featured photos was this one by Jeff Baurs, taken at Prairieville Township Park on the north side of Gull Lake. He captured streaks of lightning as they illuminated the sky Thursday evening, May 3.

Bridge construction worker Miguel Romarez of Lansing (front, center) who was pulled from the Thornapple River and resuscitated in August is joined by some of his rescuers at a Hastings City Council meeting in October (front row, from left) Rob Neil, Bill Belson, Roger Caris, Joe Huebner, Rick Krouse, (back) Joe Robertson, Rick Hilton, Cory Lutig, Cleon Brown and Bruce Coenen.

Shortly before noon Friday, Aug. 31, Romarez stepped into a deep hole in the bed of the Thornapple River while retrieving some painting equipment under the new Michigan Avenue bridge. The hip waders worn by the 57-year old Lansing man filled with water, and he was pulled under and downstream. After five minutes under water, his lifeless body was pulled out of the river about 100 feet downstream. Rescuers managed to resuscitate Romarez after about 20 minutes. He was taken away by helicopter but was able to return in October to thank his rescuers.

The Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament swished into town the last weekend in June, bringing with it fans and players from across the state. Teams of all ages endured the 90-plus-degree temperatures for their chance to compete. Here, a player is one of many competing for the $500 slam-dunk prize in the shadow of the Barry County Courthouse. Hastings was later named the 2012 Gus Macker Rookie Community of the Year, and plans are already underway to make next year’s event bigger and better. (Photo courtesy of Rose Hendershot)

The Thornapple River Expedition heads under the McKeown Street Bridge near Thornapple Manor Wednesday morning, Aug. 8, when nearly 100 canoes and kayaks make the journey by river from Charlton Park to Tyden Park. The paddlers began their sixday, 67-mile excursion from the Thornapple’s headwaters, east of Vermontville, to its merger with the Grand River in Ada. The main goal of the first Thornapple River Expedition was to bring awareness of the natural resource to residents of Barry County and beyond.

YMCA camp counselors posing after participating in the inaugural Dirty Dozen are (from left) Peter Beck, Matt Johnson, Miguel Martinez, Dexx VanHouten, Ian Beck, John James and Matt Cathcart. More than 350 participants braved the chilly weather, the warming waters of the 45-foot long super slide and 11 muddy obstacles just to say they took part in the Dirty Dozen event Oct. 28 organized by Pennock Health Services to benefit Barry County United Way’s Live United Fund drive. (Photo courtesy of Jon Anderson). other areas have been reduced, I don’t know

likely the biggest disruption of traffic in

Hastings history.

The $2.3 million Michigan Ave. project began on March 5 and initially used the fourlane bridge on Broadway as one temporary detour. However, when reconstruction of the Broadway bridge commenced on April 16, the reduction of traffic from four lanes to two caused, at times, massive backups but also produced wholesale rescheduling of household errands, school pickups and dropoffs, and personal tactical traffic planning.

City leaders installed signaled intersections and timing-adjusted traffic lights based on anticipated traffic flow to manage backup and to allow businesses along the Broadway corridor to remain open throughout the project.

The work drew the fascinated attention of hundreds of onlookers through the summer, especially when eight 100,000-pound concrete box beams were placed across the span

on Michigan Ave. to form the deck of the new bridge.

Though not commonplace, complications did cause some increased frustration and delay. In June, a portion of the city’s main intersection at State Street was closed for two weeks for storm sewer work and to allow telecommunication cables to be laid under the street. Underground utility work also produced delays though workers used evenings and Saturdays to move back to a schedule that eventually brought a ribbon cutting opening on Aug. 22 -- eight days ahead of the timetable.

The Broadway bridge was part of the larger M-43 improvement project which transitioned the four-lane city thoroughfare to a two-lane route with a center turn lane throughout its span from State St. to the north city limits near Indian Hills Drive.

As residents and travelers welcomed the return to efficient transport, the summer construction headache brought some heart-warming stories, too.

In August, Davis Construction worker Miguel Romarez stepped into a deep hold while retrieving painting equipment under the Michigan Ave. bridge. His lifeless body was found 100 feet downstream and he was flown by helicopter to Bronson Hospital.

Two months later, Romarez returned to Hastings and, at a City Council meeting, offered his thanks to the community for his miraculous rescue and full recovery.

4. Prosecutor’s document filing practice in question

Continued next page

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — Page 3

The north/south arteries through Hastings saw severe clogging after demolition of the Michigan Avenue bridge began in February, followed by repair work that led to lane reduction on the Broadway bridge in mid-April. Here, drivers get their first dose of congestion Wednesday, April 18, as north/south traffic on Broadway and Michigan is funneled down to two lanes. (Photo by Sandra Ponsetto)

TOP STORIES, continued from previous page

Diann Lemmen of Holland works on a painting of a pond with a group of whitebarked trees when the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan are invited by the Cary family and the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy to use the Cary farm, next to Hastings High School, for an outdoor painting expedition April 14. The painters arrived prepared for forecasted rain but were graced with only gray skies and hints of sunshine throughout the day. Nearby, high school athletic competitions were taking place, including track, baseball and softball. (Photo by David DeDecker)

One of the most talked about issues early in the year, certainly on the Banner’s “Letters to the Editor” page, occurred when the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office was taken to task

The battles were heated, but the woolen uniforms were even hotter when Historic Charlton Park hosted nearly 700 reanactors for the Civil War Muster July 21 and 22.

More than 1,000 spectators sought shady spots where they could watch history from 150 years ago come to life. (Photo by David DeDecker)

Grafitti artist Sam deBourbon of Lansing works on the large installation on the fence of 1st Ward Park in Hastings. deBourbon was a visiting artist during the first week of Art Park, a four-week handson art program sponsored by the Thoranpple Arts Council, Barry Community Foundation and the City of Hastings. (Photo by Sandra Ponsetto)

Emerald ash borers continue to kill off ash trees throughout the county. Here, a design left by the borers is exposed after bark falls from a tree in Tyden Park in Hastings. City parks lost more than 60 trees to the small green bugs. About a dozen trees at Fish Hatchery Park, 10 at Bob King Park and 42 ash trees at Tyden Park were removed during the year.

by defense attorney David Gilbert. Gilbert accused the Prosecutor of deliberately filing court documents late. The public forum which followed Gilbert’s accusations may well have cost Prosecutor Tom Evans his re-election and propelled Gilbert to his recently elected position of county prosecutor for Calhoun County.

A motion was made by Gilbert on Jan. 11 to strike the witness list and dismiss a criminal sexual conduct case, due to late filings of paperwork by the office of Barry County Prosecutor Tom Evans. Judge Amy McDowell heard the motion.

Gilbert said he found it hard to believe the prosecution was not aware they were not complying on time. In one of Gilbert’s legal briefs he states fairness requires that to convict someone of breaking the law, the law should be followed by those enforcing it.

Evans address the judge by contending, “Your Honor... certainly in a world where many of the things plead at pre-trial, it became a customary practice in this court, to not always attach a list.”

McDowell said, “You mean you made it a practice not to attach a list?”

“Your Honor, I’ve never, in the 10 years I have been here,” said Evans. “I believe I have shown, number one, Good Cause. As the court is aware that was a very hectic period,

and I was doing motions and things on that very case.

Gilbert then asked the Prosecutor, “How do I prepare for a case when you wait until the last minute to give me things that should have been given to me months before?”

After defense and prosecution had presented their arguments to the court, Judge McDowell replied.

McDowell said, looking at the documents, the defense’s request for a response to his motion was also not received within the proper time.

“That was not complied with either,” she said. “It certainly seems like there is a history.

That was not complied with and neither were several other things here. However, striking the list of witnesses is a very severe sanction.

And, there is a long list [of witnesses] here.

“I don’t find there is good cause, I can tell you that. Lack of planning is not good cause . . . You have four assistants, Mr. Evans, to help you. This seems to be a chronic problem. You have to understand the position Mr. Gilbert is in. I understand you were ill and the Christmas holiday, but you do have four people to help you. That’s why they are there, so you don’t have to take it all on yourself. But, that’s your decision.

“Mr. Gilbert, because it is a very heavy

A looming drought was the talk in town and on the farm in June and July, when continuous temperature readings above 90 degrees and weeks without rain caused crops in area fields to wither and curl. Here, Tim Spitzley of Lake Odessa examines a field of corn in mid-July. Rain began to fall in late July and early August, just in time to salvage this year’s field crops at slightly less than average yields. Farther south, however, in Indiana and even closer, in Branch and St. Joseph counties, redeeming rains arrived too late.

After a week of serious competing in oppressive heat, 4-H members compete in the Great 4-H Race the final day of the Barry County Fair July 23. (Photo by Julie Makarewicz) sanction to have a witness list stricken and because it was not overly prejudicial to your client, the court is denying your motion to strike the witness list as well as dismissing the case.”

A fish story that had sat quietly for decades grew a little bigger after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed that the nearly 70year-old state flathead catfish record had been broken. The late Elmer Rayner of Hastings had held the record since 1943.

He landed a 47.5-pound catfish on the Maple River in Ionia County, using a bamboo pole. Readers then brought in copies of the photo, one of the photos was labeled “Ration Stretcher.”

5. Weather In a year of extreme high temperatures, rainfall, though sporadic, ended up only about three inches less than normal, according to Dave McIntyre and the National Climatological Hastings Weather Station.

The irregular rainfall, coupled with the extreme heat, however, meant the water evaporated before it could get into the ground, leaving the area drier than normal.

The winter of 2011-12 saw only 48 inches of snow, compared to a normal 70 inches for the area. The thermometer registered below zero only one day in 2012. Jan. 20, the temperature register just 1 degree below zero.

March was warmer than usual, with five days of 80 degrees or above temperatures, the warmest being March 21 at 87 degrees. The month also saw many days in the mid- to upper 70s. On May 28, temperatures reached 91 degrees, the first 90-plus-degree day recorded for the year — but it wouldn’t be the last. June saw four days of 90 or above temperatures, with a high reaching 96 degrees June 28.

Temperatures soared even higher in July, with 17 days of above 90 degrees. July 6, the highest temperature of the year was reached with thermometers topping out 102 degrees.

July 5 saw a temperature of 100 degrees.

August had only six days of above-90 degree temperatures, reaching a high early with 95

See TOP STORIES, pg. 14

Page 4 — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Did you

see?

My special list for 2012

Just enough Snow fell briefly Monday afternoon and again during the night Tuesday, bringing sort of a white Christmas to area residents.

Most of the snow was gone by late afternoon Christmas day, but a light dusting remained on the bank of the Thornapple River in Tyden Park in Hastings, pictured here.

We’re dedicating this space to a photograph taken by readers or our staff members that represents Barry County. If you have a photo to share, please send it to Newsroom Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Please include information such as where and when the photo was taken, who took the photo, and other relevant or anecdotal information.

Do you

know?

Steppin’ up

Do you recognize this man? Do you have any idea why he is in a room with four ladders? What can you tell us about this photo?

The Banner archives have numerous photographs from the middle of the past century that have no date, names or other information. We’re hoping readers can help us identify the people in the photos and provide a little more information about the event to reunite the photos with their original clippings or identify photos that may never have been used. If you’re able to help tell this photograph’s story, we want to hear from you. Mail information to Attn: Newsroom Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; email news@j-adgraphics.com; or call 269-9459554.

Last week’s photo caught the attention of Pattie Lundquist and her sister Kristine (Gardner) Hanford, the latter of whom was

the baby sister in the photograph.

Hanford was the New Year’s baby for Barry County in 1949. The photo, which ran in the Dec. 29, 1949, Banner, was a follow-up on the nearly 1-year-old reigning baby. Hanford, who still lives in Hastings, was excited to see the photo and said she couldn’t resist sharing the original clipping, which reads, in part:

What do you

“Curiosity — Charming Miss Kristine Anne Gardner, Barry County’s New Year’s baby of 1949, peers questioningly at her first Christmas tree put up by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Gardner, in the living room of their home a mile east of the McOmber school [on Brogan Road near M37]. Kristine is pictured with her half-brother, Donnie [Stutz], who is as proud of the little Miss as her parents.”

think?

Here’s your chance to take part in an interactive public opinion poll. Vote on the questions posed each week by accessing our website www.HastingsBanner.com. Results will be tabulated and reported the following week, along with a new question.

Last week’s question: After the tragedy in Connecticut, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday vetoed a gun law that would have eliminated many gun-free zones. Should concealed weapons be allowed in hospitals, day care centers, churches, sports arenas and schools?

20% 80%

Yes No

For this week: As the ball drops on 2013, do you believe the new year will offer you more promise than 2012? q q

Yes No

Now that Santa’s been down the chimney, the presents are opened, and, hopefully, everyone’s had a blessed Christmas, it is time to turn our attention to a new year and reflect on the one nearly passed.

The year 2012 will be one for the history books, due, in no small part, to the economy about which experts remain cautiously optimistic as it shows signs of getting better. At the same time, we’re all watching Congress to see how elected officials handle the ongoing “fiscal cliff” talks.

Over the weekend, my wife and I watched Steven Spielberg’s movie presentation of Abraham Lincoln which focuses on the month of January 1865 and the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that proposed the elimination of slavery. The movie shows how Lincoln was engaged in day-to-day negotiations trying to get enough votes to pass the amendment and how he walked a tightrope between ending slavery and holding the Union together before the Confederacy surrendered.

“I am a firm believer in the people,” said Lincoln. “If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.”

As I come to my annual year-end awards in which I like to review some of 2012’s facts and poke a little fun at some community leaders, Washington, D.C., might be a good place to start the giftgiving this year. Remember, though, I don’t have enough time and space to recognize everyone on my list and my effort are good-intentioned. Keep Oscar Wilde’s comment in mind that “there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and this is not being talked about.”

So here we go with out annual farewell gifts for 2012: To President Barack Obama: Movie passes to “Lincoln,” to learn how a president was able to forge an agreement that would end a war, end slavery and bring the nation together.

To the 545 men and women responsible for America’s woes: A crystal ball to view the future and to see the impact that 100 senators, 435 congressmen, nine Supreme Court justices and one president have on domestic problems that plague this country.

To local lawmakers: The Cannonball Award to Rep. Michael Callton, Sen. Rick Jones and Lt. Governor Brian Calley for jumping into a pool of cold water at the Special Olympics fundraiser — and an invitation to run through the new spray park in downtown Hastings when its finished next year.

To Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf: A super-size roll of heavy-duty garbage bags for his next “special investigation.”

In addition, he will receive the newly released book, What is an Open Meeting?

To County Prosecutor Tom Evans: A copy of the book from the Dummies series, written by Judge Amy McDowell, How to File Documents on Time.

To Nashville’s Putnam District Library: Multiple copies of the best-seller, How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie and check-out reservation for the three Nashville village council trustees who resigned, the village president who was arrested, and the chief of police who tried to resign.

To newly elected Yankee Springs Township Supervisor Mark Englerth: A giant glass of fracking fluid to quench his thirst when he holds his next “special private ‘open’ meeting.”

To Hastings High School teacher Ed Domke: The Pitchfork Award for his hard work and support for the welding program for students and adults at the high school, as well as other industrial arts classes.

To Bonnie Hildreth, president of the Barry Community Foundation: The New Idea Club Award for bringing community organizations together under one roof and preserving one of Hastings’ oldest churches. (The New Idea Club was organized by Ida McCoy in 1925 to acknowledge good deeds in our community.)

To Carl Schoessel: A three-dimensional glass ball with his image printed in full color to be used every year during the city’s annual New Year’s Ball Drop.

To Barry County Board Chairman Craig Stolsonburg: The latest parliamentary procedure rule book written by former county commissioner Bob Houtman — after all, “it’s going to be a rough two years.”

To Commissioner Howard “Hoot” Gibson: A Taser to protect himself in the event that he’s attacked during a county board meeting.

To former commissioner Jeff Van Norwick: A pitchfork to go with his bib overalls, so, in retirement, he can keep prodding county government to stay on track.

To County Commissioner Ben Geiger: Platform shoes so he won’t have to look up to any of his colleagues in 2013.

To former commissioner Dan Parker: His own school bus, so he’ll always have reason to host his special holiday parties for TK school bus drivers.

To former commissioner Joe Lyons: Season basketball tickets to the University of Michigan — since his MSU Spartans look to be tripping up.

To County Administrator Michael Brown: A unicycle, an umbrella and a tightrope — to show commissioners it’s not just budgets that he balances.

To Hastings Superintendent Todd Geerlings: The latest edition of Negotiating Made Easy written by the late Richard Guenther.

To Valerie Byrnes, Barry Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development president: A limo and a cigar ... like all basketball stars get when they win an award like the Gus Macker Rookie Community of the Year honor.

To Don Haney, Thornapple Manor administrator: Bonus pay for teaching state inspectors how to better understand the use of computers so they know good administrative management when they see it.

For Hastings Mayor Frank Campbell: A copy of the hit rerun “Hastings Mayor, Again.”

For Hastings City Manager Jeff Mansfield: A copy of the best-selling book written by Gov. Rick Snyder, How I Got My Own New Bridge.

To Barry Intermediate School District Superintendent Jeff Jennette: A box of invitations for state education leaders inviting them to a forum to be held in Hastings titled “Progressive Education Programs Initiated in Barry County.”

To Hastings Women’s Club president Donna Brown: A new driver’s license with a birthdate showing she still can’t be eligible for the COA Senior of the Year Award she received in 2012.

For Hastings school board members: A copy of Charleton H. Sheets step-by-step real estate guide to selling property and avoiding losses, in light of selling Pleasantview School for $10,000.

To Judge Bill Doherty: My personal copy of the book, Controlling your Emotions at Auction Sales — it’s a fast read.

To Hastings High School teacher Vickie Sleevi: The Tempest in the Teapot Award. In recognition of her special abilities, she will receive one of our special Electra Taser units that puts out enough jolts to silence an entire angry mob.

To former Thornapple Township Supervisor Don Boysen: A replica township office building in recognition of more than 30 years of service and to make his village collection complete.

To Steve Youngs: A copy of the Thornapple Players’ newest production of “No Ordinary Guy” written by Norma Jean Acker.

To Sheryl Lewis Blake, CEO of Pennock Hospital: The latest report released by the Obama Administration on How to Save Patients at Half the Cost – it’s a must read for medical professionals.

To Hastings zoning officials: A copy of the new book found on the Walgreens newsstand Cornices Can Make a Building Appealing.

To Hastings Mayor Pro-Tem Brenda McNabb-Stange: The honor of having her name on a plaque at the entrance to the Hastings Riverside Cemetery, along with a copy of “Hastings, 100 Best Small Towns in America,” to better understand what makes small towns great.

To Hastings Councilwoman Jeri DePue: A leash so officials can reel her in when she gets out of control along with the book “100 Best Towns in America” to better understand small-town culture.

To the Barry County Humane Society: A ‘Leaf’ blower to be used when things get out of control at the animal shelter.

To Larry and Earlene Baum, Dick Groos, and Doug and Margaret DeCamp: A special tour on the Holly Trolley to view the impact they’ve made for generations to come throughout Barry County.

And as I come to the end of my list, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gives their time and talents throughout the year to make Barry County and all the activities we enjoy so successful.

As we begin 2013, let’s focus on the possibilities rather the difficulties we face in the new year.

Fred Jacobs, vice president, J-Ad Graphics

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — Page 5

State News Roundup Defense bill addresses Michigan Air Guard bases The final version of a federal defenseauthorizing bill would impose significant changes at Michigan Air National Guard bases located in Alpena and Battle Creek.

“We will continue A-10 and KC-135 flying operations at Selfridge and will continue to aggressively pursue the airlift mission in Battle Creek,” said Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, director and adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard in a Dec. 21 press release. “My goal now is to continue working with Gov. Snyder, the Michigan Congressional Delegation, the Council of Governors and my fellow adjutants general

from across the nation to find the most equitable solution that protects the strength and functionality of the Air National Guard.

Given the difficult budgetary challenges our country faces, it only makes sense to invest in the best value for America — he National Guard. Specifically, the Air Guard makes up 35 percent of the flying Air Force at only 6 percent of the budget.”

The National Defense Authorization Act calls for the U.S. Air Force to make equipment and organizational changes in its inventory across the country. Both House and Senate negotiators stripped language form the final version that would freeze proposed reductions, thus indicating that reductions will certainly be implemented, including at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena. CRTCs were uniformly cut across the Guard.

“I am committed to working with the governor and our congressional delegation to

retain our flying mission in Battle Creek,” Vadnais remarked. “It is the right thing to do for the state and the nation.”

“The National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force will provide at least some level of transparency to the development of future Air Force budgets. We look forward to the end result of this study,” added Vadnais.

The Department of Defense makes determinations regarding where inventory reductions occur and has the option of making significant reductions to the Michigan Air Guard Fleet. The final bill will be voted on this week.

New Year a great time to quit tobacco Local parish shares condolences with Newtown namesake From the time they learned of a church that shares a similar name in Newtown, Conn., parishioners of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hastings have felt a special tie to the community that experienced horrific tragedy Dec. 14 when a gunman opened fire at an elementary school. After all three masses at the Hastings church Sunday, parishioners were invited by Father Richard Altine (pictured here) to sign a four-by-six-foot banner that holds a photo of the local church and the lyrics to the spirit-filled song “Christ is Our Light.” The banner will be mailed this week to Monsignor Bob Weiss as a show of love and support in not only name, but also in spirit.

IURP RXU UHDGHUV DNR should have been involved in Pine Lake weed proposal These are the “chemical cocktails” often referred to.

Why not get a permit, provide education and supervision and help the residents to treat legally in the light of day? I am confident that the DNR would have helped with planning and education. If this had been done, I don’t believe we would be considering a special assessment district today.

The Weed Committee is back with another survey. The 2007 survey claimed 36 percent of the littoral zone was covered with milfoil.

The DNR found about 10 acres. the 2012 survey claims 38 percent milfoil, but the DNR was kept silent. The Aquatic Vegetation Assessment survey is required for the use of Sonar, or full-lake treatment. The survey must show a lake with weeds terribly out of balance and in need of radical treatment, since this treatment is so severe, it can only be repeated every three years by law. Our township must follow certain guidelines when approving a special assessment district. The special assessment district must be proven necessary and supported by facts. I think the survey is that proof. I don’t trust the survey, don’t think the assessment is necessary and don’t want full lake treatment.

The definition of necessary is “absolutely needed to accomplish a certain result, essential.” I hope our township board will not burden unwilling taxpayers with a $400 assessment over the next five years to control Eurasian milfoil when spot treatment by owners can most likely get the job done.

George Hoffman, Plainwell

Subscribe to the Hastings Banner.

Call 945-9554 for more information.

NOTICE

The minutes of the meeting of the Barry County Board of Commissioners held December 26, 2012, are available in the County Clerk’s Office at 220 W. State St., Hastings, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or www.barrycounty.org.

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Frazee-Wood, Jr. Nicole Frazee and Elwin Wood Jr. are delighted to announce their engagement. The union of their love will take place May 18, 2013.

Nicole is the daughter of Mr. George (Tom) Frazee of Comstock Park, and Sharon Frazee of Marne. Nicole graduated from NorthePointe Christian High School, received her Bachelor of Music from GVSU, and earned her Master of Music from East Carolina University in flute and piccolo performance. Along with being a free-lance flutist, Nicole owns Nikki’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice L.L.C. and is a business entrepreneur.

Elwin is the son of Mrs. Margie Wood and the late Mr. Elwin Wood of Hastings. Elwin attended Hastings High School and graduated from Michigan State University with his Master of Business Administration. Elwin is a business entrepreneur and owns Woody’s General Store in Hastings.

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UDSA REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURE SALE

77573289

1270 Norway Avenue Hastings, MI 49058

Minimum Bid: $18,000.00 (or best offer above minimum bid) OFFER MUST BE IN FORM OF CERTIFIED CHECK THE DAY OF THE SALE DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: 3BR, 1BA, 1 story w/full basement This description is believed to be correct to our best understanding DATE & TIME OF SALE: January 17, 2013 at 1:00 PM PLACE OF SALE: Barry County Courthouse, East Steps 220 W. State Street, Hastings, MI 48058

Dr Jason Gole welcomes dental hygienist Abbey McKeough as a provider at Gole Dental Group.

The doctors and staff from Gole Dental Group are pleased to announce that Abbey McKeough has joined our team as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Abbey is a 2006 graduate of Hastings High School and local resident of Hastings. She recently received her state license after passing her state hygiene board exam and completion of the Kellogg Community College dental hygiene program in 2011. She is currently accepting patients of all ages for weekday and evening appointments. Please make it a point to stop in and welcome her to our team!

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GET MORE LOCAL NEWS!

information, call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.

• Health care provider, who can suggest or prescribe counseling, nicotine replacement medication and referral to services.

• The Barry-Eaton District Health Department’s monthly Quit Smoking Workshop. This free program is a no-pressure, one-time workshop that shows individuals how to be smoke-free.

According to the American Cancer Society, the benefits of quitting smoking are immediate. Within 20 minutes, blood pressure drops, and within 24 hours a person’s chance of heart attack decreases. The benefits continue for years, including reduced risk of lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

“New Year’s Day is the single most popular day for giving up unhealthy habits.

Quitting tobacco use now provides benefits that last a lifetime, and it is the single best thing that you can do for your health,” said Goul, health educator at BEDHD. “There are tools and resources available to assist with quitting, and to help with becoming tobaccofree in 2013.”

For more information, call Goul, 517-5412624 or call the Michigan Tobacco Quitline at 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).

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To the editor: The first of two public meetings concerning a special assessment district for week treatment at Pine Lake in Prairieville will soon be held at Delton Kellogg High School.

It is my belief that the committee that researched and wrote the proposal purposely excluded the DNR from providing any input during the process.

This special assessment proposal asks the residents to pay $227,135 over a five-year period. This is enough money to provide for whole lake treatment with Sonar on year one, followed by spot treatments in the following years.

In 2008, there was disagreement among our residents concerning an aquatic vegetation assessment survey performed by ASI Environmental Technologies. The survey purported that 36 percent of the littoral zone of Pine Lake was covered with beds of Eurasian milfoil. The Prairieville Township Board asked the DNR to assess the milfoil problem in Pine Lake.

The DNR inspected our 660-acre lake and found about 10 acres of milfoil. The DNR recommended spot treating those areas. The DNR also recommended that Pine Lake not receive a full lake treatment due to the depth and extensive areas of sand, marl and gravel. I have checked with the DNR and the recommendation for no full lake treatment stands.

Four years have passed and neither the Pine Lake Association or any other group has organized a spring spot treatment program by owners. Most believe a number of owners have treated their own docks and shorelines.

In recognition of New Year’s resolutions to quit tobacco use, the Barry-Eaton District Health Department is encouraging area residents to take steps to make their resolutions successful.

Numerous proven and effective methods available to Michigan residents, said Tamah Goul, BEDHD health educator, including: • The Michigan Department of Community Health Tobacco Quitline, 800-784-8669, which provides free telephone coaching for the uninsured and those with Medicaid and Medicare, and free nicotine replacement medications for those who qualify. The Quitline includes extra help for pregnant and postpartum women. Information on quitting smoking and a free printable Michigan Smoker’s Quit Kit are available through MDCH by visiting www.michigan.gov/tobacco.

• BecomeAnEX.org , which is a free, interactive website that shows smokers how to relearn life without cigarettes. The site, developed by the American Legacy Foundation in partnership with Mayo Clinic, offers a free, personalized quit plan and an online support community to help people prepare to quit and remain off cigarettes.

• Tools from the American Cancer Society available to help with quitting. For more

FOR INFO CONTACT: 800-349-5097 x 4500 Or USDA Rural Development 1035 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079 For future foreclosure sales and inventory properties access our website:www.resales.usda.gov

121 W. WOODLAWN AVE. HASTINGS, MI 49058 269-948-2244

Page 6 — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

MSP reports decrease in fatalities over holiday weekend The Michigan State Police confirmed Wednesday that preliminary reports indicate four people lost their lives in four separate traffic crashes during the 2012 Lifesaver holiday weekend. In comparison, eight people died in eight separate traffic crashes during the 2011 Lifesaver Holiday Weekend.

The 2012 Lifesaver Holiday Weekend ran

from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, through midnight Sunday, Dec. 23.

Alcohol was a known factor in three of the four fatal crashes, and three of the four victims were not using seatbelt restraints.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the Michigan State Police as of 11 a.m. today,”

Worship Together…

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...at the church of your choice ~ Weekly schedules

BETTER BRIDGE IN BARRY COUNTY

said Capt. Kari Kusmierz, commander of the MSP Training Division in a press release issued Wednesday. “Even though these preliminary numbers show a decrease in fatalities from this same holiday period last year, the Michigan State Police continues to urge motorists not drink and drive, to always use proper restraints and to drive safely.

by Gerald Stein NORTH

Area Obituaries

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of Hastings area churches available for your convenience...

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH 8950 E. M-79 Highway, Nashville, MI 49073. Pastor Don Roscoe, (517) 852-9228.

Morning Celebration 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Fellowship Time before the service.

Nursery, children’s ministry, youth group, adult small group ministry, leadership training.

SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 408, (corner of Milo Rd. & S. M-43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204-9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Nursery and Children’s Ministry.

Thursday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1716 North Broadway. Rev. Timm Oyer, Pastor. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship Service 10:45 a.m.; Evening Service 6 p.m.; Wednesday Evening Service 7 p.m.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Dan Currie, Sr. Pastor; Josh Maurer, Youth Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages,10:30 a.m. Worship Service; 6 p.m. Evening Service: Jr. Youth Group 5-7 p.m. & Sr. High Youth Group 7-9 p.m.. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30 p.m., Awana, Bible Study, Praise and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information on MOPS, Children’s Choir, Sports Ministries.

WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main, Woodland, MI 48897 • (269) 367-4061. Pastor Gary Simmons. Sunday Worship 9:15 a.m.

PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead.

(616) 758-3021 church phone.

Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m.; Sunday School 11 a.m.; Sunday Evening Service 6 p.m.; Bible Study & Prayer Time Wednesday nights 6:30 p.m.

WELCOME CORNERS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3185 N. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Susan D. Olsen.

Phone 945-2654. Worship Services: Sunday, 9:45 a.m.; Sunday School, 10:45 a.m.

ST. ROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. Rev. Richard Altine, Pastor. Saturday Mass 4:30 p.m.; Sunday Masses 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Confession Saturday 3:30-4:15 p.m.

ST. CYRIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH Nashville. Rev. Richard Altine, Pastor. A mission of St. Rose Catholic Church, Hastings. Mass Sunday at 9:30 a.m. .

WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheelchair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information.

QUIMBY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH M-79 East. P.O. Box 63, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Rev. Bryce Feighner. (616) 945-9392. Sunday Worship 11:15 a.m.

GRACE BRETHREN BIBLE CHURCH 600 Powell Road, Hastings. Pastor Bob Wilson. Church Phone 269948-2330. Pastor’s Home 269-9454356. bjw1633@sbcglobal.net.

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.; Worship Service 10:45 a.m.; Sunday Evening 6 p.m. Wednesday 7 p.m.

NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH OF GOD 502 E. Bond St., Hastings. Pastor J.C. Crank cordially invites you to come worship with us each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and Tuesday evening Bible study 6 p.m. with Rev. Calvon Kidder. Interested in knowing more about our church? Please feel welcome to call one of these numbers.

Pastor Crank 269-979-8618; (313) 610-5730 or; Ed Blankenship (Local) 269-945-3327.

COUNTRY CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 9275 S. M-37 Hwy., Dowling, MI 49050. Rev. Ryan Wieland. Sundays - 9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service; 11 a.m. Contemporary Service; Sunday School and Nursery available during both services (Summer Schedule - Adult Sunday School: 9 a.m., Worship & Children’s Programs 10 a.m.) Youth Group, Covenant Prayer, Choir, Chimes, Praise Band, Quilting Group, Community Breakfasts and more! Call the church office at (269) 721-8077 (M/W/F 9 a.m.-12 p.m.), e-mail office@mei.net or visit www.countrychapelumc.org <http://www.countrychapelumc.org/> for more information SAINTS ANDREW & MATTHIAS INDEPENDENT ANGLICAN CHURCH 2415 McCann Rd. (in Irving).

Sunday services each week: 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer (Holy Communion the 2nd Sunday of each month at this service), 10 a.m. Holy Communion (each week). The Rector of Ss. Andrew & Matthias is Rt. Rev. David T. Hustwick. The church phone number is 269-7952370 and the rectory number is 269948-9327. Our church website is http://trax.to/andrewmatthias. We are part of the Diocese of the Great Lakes which is in communion with The United Episcopal Church of North America and use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer at all our services.

HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH M-37 South at M-79, Rev. Richard Moore, Pastor. Church phone 269945-4995. Church Website: www. hopeum.org. Church Fax No.: 269818-0007. Church SecretaryTreasurer, Linda Belson. Office hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 am to 2 pm. Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School; 10:45 am Morning Worship; Sr. Hi. Youth 5 to 7 p.m.; Sunday evening service 6 pm; SonShine Preschool (ages 3 & 4) (September thru May), Tues., Thurs. from 9-11:30 am, 12-2:30 pm; Tuesday 9 am Men’s Bible Study at the church.

Wednesday 6 pm - Pioneers (meal served) (October thru May).

Wednesday 6 pm - Jr. High Youth (meal served) (October thru May).

Wednesday 7 pm - Prayer Meeting.

Thursday 9:30 am - Women’s Bible Study.

COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 East Grand, Hastings; Floyd Hughes, Pastor; Myron Huebner, Music. Sunday Services: 10 a.m., Sunday School (all ages); 11 a.m.

Worship Service; 6 p.m. Evening Service; 7 p.m. Thursday, Bible Study and Prayer. Call 269-948-2673 for additional information.

ABUNDANT LIFE FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES A Spirit-filled church. Meeting at the Maple Leaf Grange, Hwy. M-66 south of Assyria Rd., Nashville, Mich. 49073. Sun. Praise & Worship 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m. Jesus Club for boys & girls ages 4-12. Pastors David and Rose MacDonald. An oasis of God’s love. “Where Everyone is Someone Special.” For information call 616731-5194 .

HASTINGS ASSEMBLY OF GOD 1674 S. State Rd., Hastings, MI 49058 Phone 269-945-2285.

Sunday morning service times: 9 a.m. with nursery and preschool available and 11 a.m. with nursery, preschool and kids’ church available.

North

East

South

HASTINGS FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 209 W. Green Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Don Spachman. Office Phone (269) 945-9574. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Sunday morning worship hours: 8:45 a.m.

Traditional Worship; 10 a.m.

Refreshments; 10:45 a.m.

Contemporary Worship. 5th Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. Sunday School for PreK-5th and Nursery Care (infants through age 4) is available during both worship services. Share the Light Soup Kitchen serves a free meal every Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m.

1K 2M Pass

Pass Pass Pass

1M 4M

HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH 2635 North M-43 Highway, Hastings. Telephone 269-945-9121.

Pastor Daniel Graybill, Pastor Brian Teed, and Youth Pastor Eric Gillespie. Sunday: Nursery and toddler (birth through age 3) care provided. Worship Services: 9:15 a.m. and Children’s Sunday School (ages 2 thru 5th grade). 10:45 a.m. & Children’s Junior Church (4 years through 4th grade). Junior and Senior High Youth Group 6:00 p.m., and several adult small group opportunities. Wednesday Mid-Week at 6:30 p.m.: Pioneer Club, 4 years through 5th grade. Adults: Marriage Enrichment Class, Women’s Prayer Group and a Men’s Bible Study.

Thursday: Senior Adult (50+) Bible Study at 10 a.m. and lunch at Wendy’s, 11:30 a.m. Third Thursday Brunch at 9:30 a.m.

LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price.

Phone: 269-948-0900.

Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m.

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Discover God’s Grace with us!

Holy Communion Every Sunday!

Sunday, Dec. 30 - Worship Service 10 a.m. Sunday School 8:45. Dec. 30- Worship; Men & Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous 7 p.m. Jan. 1- Church Office Closed. Location: 239 E. North St., Hastings, 269-9459414 or 945-2645, fax 269-9452698. Pastor Amy Luckey. http://www.discover-grace.org FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 405 N. M-37, Hastings, MI 49058.

(269) 945-5463. Rev. Dr. Jeff Garrison, Pastor. Sunday Services: 8:55 a.m. Traditional Worship Service; 11 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service. Nursery and Children’s Worship available during both services. Visit us online at www.firstchurchhastings.org and our web log for sermons at: http://hastingspresbyterian.blogspot.com.

Friday - 9 a.m. Pickleball. Saturday - 10:30 a.m. Praise Team. Monday 4 p.m. Pickleball; 7 p.m. Knit Wits.

Wednesday - 4 p.m. Pickleball.

770 Cook Rd. Hastings 945-9541

945-2471

102 Cook Hastings

945-4700

1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554

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118 S. Jefferson Hastings 945-3429

DELTON, MI - Garrold "Gary" Crapo, Delton, passed away at his home on December 25, 2012.

Gary was born August 14, 1943, in Battle Creek, the son of Robert and Stella (Belles) Crapo. Gary was a loyal employee of Hastings Fiberglass, working 40 years and eight days, retiring due to health issues in 2005.

Gary was a civil war enthusiast, reading whatever he could about the war. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and mowing his well manicured and perfectly cut lawn.

Gary was a very organized man, a place for everything and everything in its place was important to him. He loved his Ford Mustang, which he sold when his children arrived. Later he saved to get a Dodge Ram Pickup that he also loved. His great love was his family, especially his grandson Nate. He loved going to Nate's sporting events.

On October 21, 1967, Gary married the love of his life, Dawn Holtman, who survives.

Other members of his family include a son, Scott (Michelle) Crapo, of Hickory Corners; a daughter, Brenda (Brandt) Kearly, of Middleville; a grandson, Nathan Scott Crapo; a brother, Robert (Dianna) Crapo;, and several nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; an infant child; a sister, Beverly Madison; a niece, Barbara Madison; nephews, Rob and Brian Crapo; and a great niece, Wendy Keeler.

The family will receive friends, Saturday, December 29, 2012, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Hickory Corners Bible Church, where a memorial service will be conducted at 11a.m., with Pastor Jeff Worden officiating.

Private burial will take place in Cedar Creek Cemetery.

Memorial contributions to Hickory Corners Bible Church will be appreciated.

Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to view Gary's online guestbook or to leave a condolence message for his family.

Newborn Babies Isabella Marie, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 12, 2012 at 10:36 p.m. to Jessica Mann and Kevin Barcroft of Hastings. Weighing 6 lbs. 6 ozs. and 20 inches long. ***** Natalie Alexis, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 12, 2012 at 3:08 a.m. to Kathryn and Lucas Drury of Clarksville. Weighing 7 lbs.

11 ozs. and 19 3/4 inches long. ***** Noelle Elizabeth, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 14, 2012 at 2:42 p.m. to Colin and Andrea Randall of Hastings. Weighing 7 lbs.

15 ozs. and 21 inches long. ***** Louie Gabriella, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 14, 2012 at 9:51 a.m. to Loni Lefers and Alex Snider of Middleville. Weighing 6 lbs. 12.5 ozs. and 20 inches long. ****

Marriage Licenses Ivan Clyde Hahhan, Middleville and Melanie Kay Flynn, Middleville.

Curtis Matthew Norman Jr., Bellevue and Kelsey Maree Bodenmuller, Bellevue.

A85 K J 10 5 J73 QJ8

EAST N: Q 7 6 4 M: Q 9 6 4 L: 2 K: 9 7 5 3

SOUTH:

Dealer: West Vulnerable: Neither Lead: 10N

Fiberglass Products

1401 N. Broadway Hastings

Garrold “Gary” Crapo

CHURCH OF CHRIST 541 N. Michigan Ave., Hastings.

Minister Collin Pinkston. Phone 269-945-2938. Sunday School 10 a.m.; Worship 11 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study 7 p.m.

This information on worship service is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses:

Lauer Family Funeral Homes

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KJ A8732 AK6 K62

West Pass Pass Pass

As he walked back from his mailbox in southern Barry County, Captain M. North glanced through the huge stack of cards, flyers, requests, ads, and his favorite hometown newspaper, The Hastings Banner. With the Christmas season upon the area and the world, Captain North looked over the cards, knowing that most were from family and acquaintances wishing him a joyous and blessed Christmas Season. One card, however, struck his interest. “From Florida,” he spoke half-aloud. “Who do I know in Florida?” Captain North peered closely at the return address: “Destin, Florida? Who do I know in Destin?” Not making the connection immediately, Captain North saw the letters R and V at the top of the return address label. “Is someone trying to sell or rent me an RV for an extended stay in Florida for the winter? Hmmm…doesn’t sound like too bad of an idea.”

Captain North tore open the envelope but saw no advertisement for a Recreational Vehicle.

Instead, he read the following message: “Dear Captain North, Merry Christmas from the Gulf Coast! This is Rosy and Vera wishing you a Merry Christmas from the bridge clubs of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Pensacola, Florida. We are having a hoot down here playing bridge with all of the Snowbirds from Michigan, “Minn-na-so-ta,” and Wisconsin. We thought we would say hi and let you know about one of our most recent hands that we played with the LOL’s down here.”

Captain North scratched his head. “LOL means Laughing Out Loud, doesn’t it?” Then he understood. Vera and Rosy were having fun with him again. “Ah, Little Old Ladies! I get it.”

Captain North had to chuckle. Even when they were not here in Barry County floating down the Thornapple River on the Barry County Bridge Barge, they could still make him smile.

Captain North looked at the enclosed bridge hand, but there was very little commentary. All that was written at the end of the note were these words: “Captain North, we played North/South as we usually do. For this contract, with 14 tables, most teams opted for a small slam. What do you think we did with this hand, Captain North? By the way, the lead was the 10N.” It was signed Vera and Rosy, and that was all.

Captain North was amused. He constructed the bridge hand from Vera and Rosy on his kitchen table, and he prepared to see just what had happened and how Vera and Rosy had done down in the Gulf Coast region.

West led the 10N after North/South had reached an uncontested four-heart contract. South counted on North with the 1K opening to have at least three clubs and 12 high-card points. With South’s hand having 18 high-card points, the idea that that there might be a potential slam hand in the two hands came to the captain. When North responded with a 2M bid, showing four hearts and a minimum hand, South settled for the game contract in hearts.

With the 10N on the table, South was glad that he had restrained his enthusiasm for the North/South pair. With 12 points in the North hand and 18 points in the South hand, they had together 30 high card points, but not the 33 needed for a small slam most of the time. South was resolved to make the four hearts and call it a good bid.

With the 10N lead, South played low from the dummy and East rose with the QN. South captured the QN with the KN. South next led the AM and was instantly in for an unpleasant surprise. No hearts in the West hand, and four to the QM in the East hand. This called for a review of the plan. West had played a high diamond signaling that she had something in diamonds.

South played the 5M from the dummy, and East followed with the 4M. South next led the JN from his hand and played the 8N from the dummy with both East and West following on the second spade lead. South next led the 2K from his hand toward the dummy with the QK and the JK showing. West ducked the lead, and the QK held the trick for South. North then led the AN planning to discard the losing 6L on the AN. When East played a spade, South discarded the losing diamond.

Next, the lead from the dummy was the 10M, giving up the trick to East, but keeping control of the trump suit. East took the QM, and led her singleton diamond, the 2L, hoping to get a diamond ruff if her partner ever got back in. South was prepared for that lead, however, and promptly put up the KL with everyone following suit in diamonds.

South then led the 3M from the South hand to the KM in the dummy, taking another heart from East. Leading the JM next from dummy pulled the last trump from East. South then led a diamond from the dummy to his good AL, dropping the QL from the West hand. There was, however, no way to get back in time to use the good JL on the board.

Leading the KK from his hand was the finishing touch on a well-played hand. West took the AK, and led back a small spade, avoiding the good club on the board. South, however, trumped the spade lead with the last good heart, and led the 6K to the good JK on the board, making four hearts plus one overtrick for a strong score of 450 for the North/South team.

Captain North smiled to himself. Of course, Vera and Rosy had played it that way, and they had avoided the temptation to go on to slam when it was not there. In fact, when Captain North turned over to the back of Rosy and Vera’s card, he saw that he was right. “Nine tables tried slam and all failed. We were one of four tables to bid 4 hearts and make an overtrick for a top board on that round.”

“Congratulations, Rosy and Vera,” said Captain North. “See you in the spring on the Barry County Bridge Barge.” With a smile, Captain North finished opening the rest of his mail. ****** (Gerald Stein, an Accredited Bridge Teacher for the American Contract Bridge League, teaches bridge classes at local schools and bridge clubs. You can visit his bridge blog at: h t t p : / / betterbridgeinbarrycountymichigan.blogspot.com)

Ray L. Girrbach Owner/Director

328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058

•

269-945-3252

Serving Hastings, Barry County and Surrounding Communities for 45 years

•Traditional and Cremation Services •Pre-Planning Services •Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible •Serving All Faiths Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted •

Family Owned and Operated

www.girrbachfuneralhome.net

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — Page 7

Chamber prepares for a mid-century new year The following article appeared in the Feb. 2, 1950, Hastings Banner.

Appointment of six committees to augment the already functioning three divisions of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce in carrying out one of its most comprehensive programs, has been announced by Stanley F. Cummings, president.

Committees and their members are: New Industries, W.D. Campbell, chairman, Roman Feldpausch, Roger Wiswell, Paul Siegel, Charles Faul, Edward Goodyear, Homer Smith, Clifton Miller.

Governmental Affairs: Charles Annable, chairman, Adelbert Cortright, George Dean, Stuart Cleveland, Allan Hyde, Einar Frandsen, W.L. Patten, Norbert Schowalter, Leo Barth, Earl Boyes.

Cleanup - Paintup: Edward Storkan, chairman, Henry Thompson, George Lyndon, Carl Kaechele, C.F. Eckardt.

Community Relations: J. Franklin Huntley, chairman, J.C. Adams, Herman St. Martin, Gus Wingeier, George Van Houten, Fr. John Dillon, Rev. Leon Manning, Arthur Wingerden, Roy Hubbard, Edwin Taylor.

Membership: William Schilhaneck, chairman, T.S. Baird, Ray Olson, Thomas Taffee, Morton Bacon, Richard Loppenthein, Digory McEwan.

Streets and Highways: David S. Goodyear, chairman, George Charpenter, Charles H. Leonard, Roy Thomas, Ken Laberteaux.

A fourth unit, a rural-urban division, will be formed in the near future, Cummings said.

The three divisions that have already been established by the chamber under the direction of Enar A. Ahlstrom, manager, who has been supervising the chamber’s reorganization since last June are established industries, retail merchants and Barry County Tourist and Resort.

“We now have a solid working organization,” Cummings said, “and I am confident that this year will see the chamber of commerce chalk up one of the most impressive series of worthwhile accomplishments achieved by this organization in many years.”

Each division and committee has definite objectives and projects to be accomplished in 1950.

The Established Industries Division, comprised of members of the city’s manufacturing firms, is engaged in making an analysis of the various occupations and professions utilized in local industries.

Upon completion of this study, the division will collaborate with the high school in a program to acquaint students with the job opportunities that exist in local plants and will assist in providing proper training for those who wish to qualify for them.

It was pointed out by the division’s executive committee that students do not realize the variety of occupations and professions needed by local industries. The division believes if they are made aware of these opportunities and trained to accept them, it will not be necessary for many young people to seek their livelihood in other cities.

Members of the Established Industries executive committee are Ernest Edison, Grand Rapids Bookcase & Chair, chairman; Joseph Skinner, Consumers Power, vice chairman; William G. Bradford, Hastings Mfg. Company, secretary-treasurer; Roy Thomas, Hastings Burial Vaults; John Armbruster, Kist Ice Cream and Beverage Company; Richard Gilbert, Pet Milk; Richard Compton and Lawrence Herrick, E.W. Bliss; Willard Gonyou, Royal Coach; Richard Cotter and John Lennon, Metal Tile Products; and Don Siegel, Hastings Mfg. Company.

The chamber’s Tourist and Resort Division is nearing completion of its program, announced last fall. The group has already sent to the printers a Barry County Vacation Map, designed by the division’s executive committee.

A total of 10,000 maps have been ordered for distribution through its tourist bureau at the chamber office and through other sources.

The “lure book” on the county as a vacationland, also sponsored by the division, will be ready for distribution within a few weeks.

Other projects undertaken by the division will be completed before the tourist season begins.

Projects undertaken by the newly appointed committees, who will function under the supervision of the Chamber’s board of directors, are many and varied.

This photo, which was published in the May 4, 1950, Hastings Banner, shows the symbolic cleanup effort of the city. The chamber announced earlier in the year its comprehensive program that included a city cleanup.

Sweeping Up - Focusing attention on the week-long Cleanup, Paintup, Fixup campaign to make Hastings one of the cleanest cities in the country. City fathers helping to “spark” the drive included Mayor Jack Hewitt, (left foreground), Aldermen David L. Christian and Maurice Ingram, (background) Bob Klevorn, K-B Supply Company, and Gus Wingeier, of Roth Furniture and president of the Kiwanis Club. – Photo by Leo Barth.

Among them are plans for the establishment of a Labor-Management-Citizens Committee, patterned after the Toledo, Ohio, committee that has gained national prominence. This project is being handled by the Community Relations Committee, which will also seek establishment of a community calendar of coming events to be handled through the chamber’s office.

A city-wide cleanup, paintup, fixup campaign is being formulated jointly by the chamber’s committee and a similar committee to be named by the local Junior Chamber of Commerce. The campaign will be staged sometime this spring.

A study of governmental and legislation action at all levels – city, county, state and national – is being undertaken by the Governmental Affairs committee. The group will focus its attention primarily on matters that affect business and industry locally, but intend to expand its scope as it progresses.

A drive for new members is being planned by the membership committee, and the streets and highways group has been given specific objectives toward which to direct its efforts.

Each committee and division will submit

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quarterly progress reports and recommendations to the board of directors.

Additional committees will be named as their need arises.

LEGAL NOTICES MORTGAGE SALE This is an attempt to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Please contact our office at the number below if you are in active military duty.

Default has occurred in the conditions of a mortgage made by RONALD K. HARNEY and JODI L. HARNEY, husband and wife, Mortgagors, to INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CO. WEST MI, with offices at 4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, Mortgagee, dated January 8, 2007 and recorded January 9, 2007 in Instrument No. 1174850 and Modification Agreement recorded in Instrument No. 201004190004052 of Mortgages, Page which was assigned to INDEPENDENT BANK of 4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Assignment recorded in Instrument No. 2012-005873. By reason of such default the undersigned elects to declare the entire unpaid amount of said mortgage due and payable forthwith.

At the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due for principal and interest on said mortgage the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND THREE and 14/100 ($116,003.14) dollars including interest at the rate of 5.0% per annum. No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by said mortgage or any part thereof.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided and to pay said amount with interest as provided in said mortgage, and all legal costs, charges, and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, said mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the mortgaged premises at public vendue to the highest bidder at the east door of the Barry County Courthouse, the place of holding the Circuit Court within the County of Barry, City of Hastings, Michigan, on January 17, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., local time.

Pursuant to Public Act No. 104, Public Acts of 1971, MCLA 600.3240, MSA 27A.3240, the redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of the foreclosure sale, unless the property is determined to be abandoned under MCLA 600.3241a; MSA 27A.3241(1), in which case the property may be redeemed during the 30 days immediately following the sale or expiration of statutory notice period.

The premises covered by said mortgage are situated in the Township of Castleton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, described as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point on the East and West 1/4 line of Section 33, Town 3 North, Range 7 West, Castleton Township, Barry County, Michigan, distant South 89 degrees 51'07" East 218.82 feet from the West 1/4 corner of said section; thence North 00 degrees 03'57" West 305.27 feet; thence South 89 degrees 51'07" East 325.84 feet (also described as 325.64 feet); thence South 00 degrees 03'57" East 305.27 feet to said East and West 1/4 line; thence North 89 degrees 51'07" West 325.64 feet along said 1/4 line to the point of beginning. Except and subject to an easement for public highway purposes for Highway M-79 (formerly Scott Road) as described in the document in Liber 238 of Deeds on Page 77.

INDEPENDENT BANK, Assignee of INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CO. WEST MI SCHENK, BONCHER & RYPMA Curtis D. Rypma P44421 601 Three Mile Road, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49544-1601 (616) 647-8277 77572899

AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NOTIFY US AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. MORTGAGE SALE - Default having been made in the terms and conditions of a certain mortgage made by ELMER L HOLBROOK, JR. , A SINGLE MAN, Mortgagors, to Bank of America NA, Mortgagee, dated the 12th day of June, 2006 and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, for The County of Barry and State of Michigan, on the 16th day of June, 2006 in Liber Instrument No. 1166074 of Barry County Records, page , said Mortgage having been assigned to Green Tree Servicing LLC on which mortgage there is claimed to be due, at the date of this notice, the sum of Ninety Three Thousand Two Hundred Eleven & 41/100 ($93,211.41), and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity having been instituted to recover the debt secured by said mortgage or any part thereof. Now, therefore, by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, and pursuant to statute of the State of Michigan in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that on the 3rd day of January, 2013 at 1:00 PM o’clock Local Time, said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale at public auction, to the highest bidder, at the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, MI (that being the building where the Circuit Court for the County of Barry is held), of the premises described in said mortgage, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the amount due, as aforesaid on said mortgage, with interest thereon at 7.125% per annum and all legal costs, charges, and expenses, including the attorney fees allowed by law, and also any sum or sums which may be paid by the undersigned, necessary to protect its interest in the premises. Which said premises are described as follows: All that certain piece or parcel of land, including any and all structures, and homes, manufactured or otherwise, located thereon, situated in the Township of Castleton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and described as follows, to wit: THE EAST 51 FEET OF LOT NUMBER 69 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, ALSO, A PARCEL OF LAND DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 69 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST 51 FEET; THENCE NORTH TO THE SOUTH BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER; THENCE EAST ALONG THE BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER TO A POINT NORTH OF THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. ALSO, A PARCEL OF LAND DESCRIBED AS COMMENCING AT A POINT WHICH LIES 232 FEET EAST OF THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 67 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE EAST 53 FEET; THENCE NORTH TO THE SOUTH BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER; THENCE WEST 53 FEET; THENCE SOUTH TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING During the six (6) months immediately following the sale, the property may be redeemed, except that in the event that the property is determined to be abandoned pursuant to MCLA 600.3241a, the property may be redeemed during 30 days immediately following the sale. Pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the mortgagor(s) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: 12/6/2012 Green Tree Servicing LLC Mortgagee FABRIZIO & BROOK, P.C. Attorney for Green Tree Servicing LLC 888 W. Big Beaver, Suite 800 Troy, Ml 48084 248-362-2600 GTSD FNMA HolbrookElm (12-06)(12-27) 77572873

Page 8 — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Lake Odessa Financial FOCUS Furnished by Mark D. Christensen of

by Elaine Garlock Tonight’s open house at the Congregational parsonage is on Fourth Avenue, not Sixth Avenue as printed in last week’s column.

Sunday, retired pastor Rev. Joe “Graby” Grabell and wife Sue (Krebs) of Leland attended services at Central United Methodist Church. They were glad to see five of their Decker relatives in attendance also. Other visitors at the church included Doug Darling of Texas, a Curtis cousin of Sharlene Goodemoot, the Casey McDonalds of Grand

Rapids, Matt Singh of Grand Blanc and Kalamazoo, the parents of Pastor Karen Sorden from Grant. The senior Mrs. Sorden was observing her 80th birthday anniversary on that day.

Guests at the Garlock home Saturday came from Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Hastings for an evening meal following the arrival of the MSU grads in the group who had attended the afternoon basketball game on campus.

HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Dec. 27 — Movie Memories finishes the Christmas season with “The Great Rupert,” starring Jimmy Durante, 5 to 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 28 — no preschool story time.

Monday, Dec. 31 — library closed New Year’s Eve. Tuesday, Jan. 1 — library closed New

Year’s Day. Wednesday, Jan. 2 — 1st to 3rd Club has fun with snow, 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.; no library book club this month.

Call the Hastings Public Library for more information, 269-945-4263.

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE IF YOU ARE A BORROWER ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the circuit court at the request of the plaintiff. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, as determined by the court. Barry County Circuit Court Case No. 10-618CH NOTICE OF JUDICIAL SALE JUDICIAL SALE IN PURSUANCE and by virtue of Judgment(s) and/or Order(s) of foreclosure in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, State of Michigan, made and entered on the 12th day of January, 2012, in a certain cause therein pending, wherein HSBC Mortgage Services, Inc. was the Plaintiff and Jeff Schantz was the defendant. The aforementioned Judgment(s) and/or Order(s) established a debt owing to Plaintiff in the amount of $127,979.10, plus post-judgment interest at an annual rate of 8.125% and other amounts recoverable pursuant to said Judgment(s) and/or Order(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in order to satisfy said Judgment(s) and/or Order(s), in whole or in part, the property described below shall be sold at public auction, by an authorized sheriff / deputy sheriff or county Clerk/Deputy county Clerk, to the highest bidder, at the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, on the 24th of January, 2013 at 1:00 PM, local time. On said day at said time, the following described property shall be sold: property located in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan, particularly described as The West 1/2 of Lots 1302 and 1303 of the City, Formerly Village of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof.. Tax Parcel ID: 08-55-201-447-00 More commonly known as: 227 W South St, REDEMPTION PERIOD IS SIX MONTHS. For more information please call 248.642.2515. Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48334-2525 T# 329389L02 77572736 (12-06)(01-10)

SCHNEIDERMAN & SHERMAN, P.C., IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (248)539-7400 IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by ADAM P. KITELEY and BETH A. KITELEY AKA BETH A. OWENS, HUSBAND AND WIFE, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated March 22, 2010, and recorded on March 31, 2010, in Document No. 201003310003378, and assigned by said mortgagee to THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, as assigned, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Two Cents ($134,879.72), including interest at 5.375% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, At the East doors of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan at 01:00 PM o'clock, on January 17, 2013 Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: A PARCEL OF LAND IN THE NORTHEAST 1 / 4 OF SECTION 22, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTH 1 / 4 OF SAID SECTION 22; THENCE EAST 748.4 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 41 DEGREES 05 MINUTES EAST 610.01 FEET TO THE BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 41 DEGREES 05 MINUTES EAST 220 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 57 DEGREES 25 MINUTES WEST 200 FEET; THENCE NORTH 41 DEGREES 05 MINUTES WEST 220 FEET; THENCE NORTH 57 DEGREES 25 MINUTES EAST 200 FEET TO THE BEGINNING. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with 1948CL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 600 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C. 23938 Research Drive, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 HMC.001573 FNMA (12-20)(01-10) 77573329

GERNER & KEARNS, PLLC, IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (216) 583-0660 IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Ileta L. Campbell, A Single Woman, Martin O. Disbrow and Denise Ann Disbrow, Husband and Wife, to Fifth Third Bank, Mortgagee, dated February 27, 2008, and recorded on March 14, 2008, in Instrument Number 200803140002391, in BARRY County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Eighty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Seven Dollars and Twenty Eight Cents ($86,977.28), including interest at 4.2% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, at the place of holding the circuit court within BARRY County, Michigan at 1:00 PM o’clock, on Thursday, January 17, 2013. Said premises are located in BARRY County, Michigan and are described as: City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan: The South 1/2 of Lot 73 of the original plat of the city, formerly village of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof.

Property Address: 211 South Market Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 Tax ID No. 55-001-24700 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If this property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Fifth Third Bank (Western Michigan) Mortgagee/Assignee Gerner & Kearns, PLLC 526 Superior Avenue East, Suite 630 77573126 Cleveland, OH 44114 (12-13)(01-03)

SCHNEIDERMAN & SHERMAN, P.C., IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (248)539-7400 IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by CHARLES D. MIDDLETON RN, A SINGLE MAN, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated April 19, 2007, and recorded on April 24, 2007, in Document No. 1179691, and assigned by said mortgagee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as assigned, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Seventy-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($77,830.77), including interest at 7.000% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, At the East doors of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan. at 01:00 PM o'clock, on January 24, 2013 Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE NORTHEAST 1 / 4 OF THE NORTHWEST 1 / 4 OF SECTION 35, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 9 WEST FOR A PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE EAST 325 FEET; THENCE NORTH 260 FEET; THENCE WEST 325 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 260 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with 1948CL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 600 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C. 23938 Research Drive, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 77573417 JPMC.001127 FHA (12-27)(01-17)

EDWARD JONES

Five reasons not to be a ‘do-it-yourself’ investor These days, you can go online and invest, for modest fees. You can also visit various websites for research and watch numerous cable shows for investment recommendations. So, why shouldn’t you be a “do-it-yourself” investor rather than work with a financial professional?

Actually, there are at least five good reasons why a financial advisor can help make you a better investor.

A financial advisor can: Ask the right questions — If you try to invest on your own, you may find yourself asking the wrong questions, such as: “What’s the ‘hottest’ investment out there?” A financial professional can help frame better questions, such as: “Given my individual risk tolerance and long-term goals, which investments should I consider to help me build a balanced portfolio?” In other words, a financial professional can help you ask the questions that can lead to better results.

Look at your situation objectively — No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to take all the emotion out of your investment choices. After all, your investment success will play a large role in some key areas of your life, such as your ability to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Consequently, if you think you’re not making the progress you should with your investments, you may be tempted to make a hasty decision to give your portfolio a “jolt.” Frequently, though, such choices can backfire. When it comes to investing, it’s better to invest with your head, not your heart. A financial advisor can analyze your situation, assess your risk tolerance and make appropriate recommendations.

Show a deeper understanding of investment

research — You can look up many types of financial data on your own. But do you know how to put all these pieces together into a cohesive picture? A financial professional, with years of experience and training, is generally more capable of finding the research sources and making the most sense out of the results.

Put experience to work in making portfolio recommendations. Even if you’ve been investing for many years, you might be surprised at all the underlying influences that should go into making investment decisions.

But a financial professional understands market patterns, the nature of diversification and other factors necessary in helping you make the right choices for your situation.

Spend time looking for opportunities — Even if you enjoy the process of investing, the chances are quite good that you can’t spend as much time on it as a financial professional. That means, among other things, you aren’t constantly on the lookout for new investment opportunities. Nor are you always looking within your own portfolio for opportunities to rebalance or make other adjustments that can help you move forward toward your goals. But when you work closely with a financial advisor, he or she is exploring the financial markets for new investment prospects while regularly reviewing your portfolio for possibilities of upgrading quality, increasing diversification or making adjustments in response to changes in your life.

The “do-it-yourself” route may be fine for home repairs. But when it comes to managing your investment situation, there are benefits to working with a professional.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. If you have any questions, contact Mark D. Christensen at 269-945-3553.

STOCKS

The following prices are from the close of business last Tuesday. Reported changes are from the previous week.

Altria Group 31.66 -.93 AT&T 33.74 -.60 BP PLC 41.72 -.30 CMS Energy Corp 24.51 -.07 Coca-Cola Co 36.73 -.55 Eaton 53.47 -.41 Family Dollar Stores 62.83 -2.90 Fifth Third Bancorp 15.04 -.04 Flowserve CP 144.46 -.23 Ford Motor Co. 12.40 +.73 General Mills 41.00 -.77 General Motors 27.66 +2.17 Intel Corp.

20.64 +.32 Kellogg Co. 56.14 -.46 McDonald’s Corp 89.29 -1.23 Pfizer Inc. 25.08 -.56 Perrigo Co. 103.56 -.18 Ralcorp 89.30 +.13 Sears Holding 40.37 -3.93 Spartan Motors 5.10 -.04 Spartan Stores 15.87 -.25 Stryker 55.87 -.48 TCF Financial 12.27 unchanged Walmart Stores 68.57 -.93 Gold $1,658.80 -13.10 Silver $29.87 -1.77 Dow Jones Average 13,139 -211 Volume on NYSE 266M -507M

Middleville council says ‘yes’ to raising chickens in village

by Julie Makarewicz Staff Writer Chickens will rule their own roost in the village of Middleville.

By a 4-to-2 vote last week, village council members approved an ordinance amendment allowing the fowl to reside within village limits, so long as strict criteria are met by the property owners.

The chicken debate has been continuing for nearly a year after residents Stacey and Ruben Campos first brought it to the village council.

They simply wanted the right to raise a few chickens in their backyard.

Ironically, after the Campos have pleaded and worked with the village for months, they may still not be allowed to raise chickens even with the new ordinance approved.

The Campos live in Bryanwood Estates, and, while they could meet the village requirements, neighborhood deed restrictions may prohibit farm animals.

“I’m not sure what we have to do, but I’m just glad the village has approved this step,” said Stacey Campos. “It’s been a long time.

We’ve learned a lot, and we’re very happy to have gone through the process. We just have to take it one step at a time.”

Jim Ciluffo of Bryanwood Estates urged the council to deny the ordinance amendment.

He presented what he believes are valid deed restrictions for Bryanwood Estates at an earlier meeting.

Ciluffo said he fears allowing chickens will open the gates for requests for other animals and that he moved to Middleville to live in a residential area, not a farming area.

The issue was heavily debated many times by the village council and the planning commission over several months.

Council members Ed Schellinger and Mike Lytle voted against the ordinance Dec. 18 “I’m not for it,” said Lytle, who said he thinks it will be hard to monitor. “There could be four chicken coops that I have to look at from my backyard.”

Schellinger voiced concerns about odors, increase of rodents and other pests, and possible diseases from the birds.

Zoning Administrator Catherine Getty said a number of provisions in the ordinance allow the village to closely monitor the chickens.

Before anyone can have the birds, a permit must be approved by the village which includes an inspection of the property and the chicken enclosure.

Getty said that if complaints are made by neighbors, she or the zoning enforcement officer will investigate, and the permit could be revoked.

“Some discretion is a good thing,” said Getty, “but if it becomes a habitual occurrence, then it could be subject to revocation of the permit.”

Schellinger argued that the odor from the chickens will be noticeable especially after rains.

“You can’t clean it up every day,” maintained Schellinger, “you’ll repeatedly have that odor.”

Stacey Campos reminded village council members that the ordinance will allow each property no more than four chickens and no roosters.

“They do not make noise like a dog,” said Campos. “We live in a village that is not immune to farm life. In the spring and fall you can’t deny odors from neighboring farms outside the village.”

Council member Joyce Lutz said having four chickens would probably be less of a disturbance to neighbors than four large dogs.

“This is an up and coming thing that is happening in a lot of places — even New York City,” commented Lutz. “I think we should

give it a try.”

Lutz, Charlie Pullen, Phil VanNoord and Sue Reyff voted in favor of allowing chickens. Council member Shannon Endsley was absent for the vote.

The ordinance amendment also carries strict guidelines concerning the types of structures for the birds and setback requirements that must be met. Not every property within the village will be able to meet the setback requirements.

Before the ordinance takes affect, it must be published and the village council must set a permit fee for permit applicants. Council members said they’ll discuss the permit fees at their January committee-of-the-whole meeting.

SOCIAL SECURITY COLUMN

Expert answers questions about income, benefits and more I applied for a replacement Social Security card last week. When should I expect to receive my new card?

On average, it takes approximately 10 to 14 days to receive your replacement Social Security card. However, if we need to verify documents you present as proof of identity, it could take longer in some cases. For more information about your Social Security card and number, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

What can I do if I think someone has stolen my identity?

You should do several things, including: • File a report with the local police or the police department where the identity theft took place and keep a copy of the police report as proof of the crime.

• Notify the Federal Trade Commission (877-ID-THEFT or 877-438-4338); • File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; and contact the fraud units of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax (800-525-6285); Trans Union: (800-680-7289); and Experian: (888-397-3742).

Learn more by reading our publication, Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html.

I’m reaching my full retirement age and thinking about retiring in early 2013. When is the best time of year to apply for Social

Security benefits?

You may apply as early as four months prior to when you want your monthly benefits to begin. If you are planning to retire in early 2013, you may apply now. To apply, just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire.

Applying online for retirement benefits from the convenience of your home or office is secure and can take as little as 15 minutes.

My wife and I live in Michigan, but plan to spend the winter in New Mexico. My wife will turn 62 while we are out West. Can she apply for benefits in New Mexico, or do we have to wait until we get back home to apply for retirement at our local Social Security office?

These days, you don’t even have to be near a Social Security office to apply for benefits.

Regardless of where you and your wife are living, you may apply for retirement benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire. It’s so easy to do, and it can take as little as 15 minutes to complete and submit the application. If she prefers, your wife can file a retirement benefit application at any Social Security office — including the one closest to you in Michigan, New Mexico, or wherever you happen to be.

I am about to apply for Social Security disability benefits. I have two children, ages 9 and 12. If my application is approved, will they get benefits, too? Or do the children also have to be disabled to qualify for benefits on

See SOCIAL SECURITY, pg. 11

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — Page 9

LEGAL NOTICES IF YOU ARE NOW ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY OR HAVE BEEN IN THE PRIOR NINE MONTHS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 248-502-1400.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Judy McMillan and Ronald McMillan wife and husband, to Centex Home Equity Company, LLC, Mortgagee, dated October 26, 2005 and recorded November 9, 2005 in Instrument Number 1156026, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Soundview Home Loan Trust 2006-2 by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand Seven Hundred Eleven and 50/100 Dollars ($176,711.50) including interest at 8.8% per annum.

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the Barry County Circuit Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan in Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 p.m. on 01/03/2013.

Said premises are located in the Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: The following described premises situated in the Township of Assyria, County of Barry and State of Michigan: The Northeast 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 15, Town 1 North, Range 7 West.

EXCEPT: The North 544.5 feet of the East 400 feet of the Northeast 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 15, Town 1 North, Range 7 West.

Subject to an easement for public highway purposes over the Northerly 33 feet thereof for Cox Road, and over the Easterly 33 feet thereof for Guy Road.

This property may be located within the vicinity of farm land or farm operation. Generally accepted agricultural and management practices which may generate noise, dust, odors, and other associated conditions may be used and are protected by the Michigan Right to Farm Act. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period.

If you are a tenant in the property, please contact our office as you may have certain rights.

Dated: December 6, 2012 Orlans Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Servicer P.O. Box 5041 Troy, MI 48007-5041 File No. 306.4731 (12-06)(12-27) 77572885

FORECLOSURE NOTICE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for this purpose. If you are in the Military, please contact our office at the number listed below. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by: Russell M. Peasley, a married man to Union Federal Bank of Indianapolis, Mortgagee, dated November 19, 2004 and recorded December 15, 2004 in Instrument # 1138757 and modified by agreement dated February 7, 2012 and recorded March 20, 2012 in Instrument #201203200002855 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage was assigned through mesne assignments to: CitiMortgage, Inc., by assignment dated January 23, 2010 and recorded February 5, 2010 in Instrument # 201002050001068 on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twelve Thousand One Hundred Two Dollars and Thirty-Four Cents ($112,102.34) including interest 4.375% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, Circuit Court of Barry County at 1:00PM on January 17, 2013. Said premises are situated in Township of Maple Grove, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southwest one-quarter of Section 25, Town 2 North, Range 7 West, Maple Grove Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Beginning at a point on the West line of said Section 25 , distant North 00 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds East 931.62 feet from the Southwest corner of said Section 25; thence North 00 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds East 220 .00 feet along said West Section line; thence North 88 degrees 38 minutes 54 seconds East 650.32 feet; thence South 00 degrees 41 minutes 27 seconds West 220 .05 feet; thence South 88 degrees 38 minutes 54 seconds West 648.70 feet to the point of beginning. Model Year 1999 Make/ Model Crystal Valley Patriot VIN/Serial#: CV819ABIN Commonly known as 8797 S. Clark Rd., Nashville MI 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 or MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(17) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: 12/20/2012 CitiMortgage, Inc., Assignee of Mortgagee Attorneys: Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 811 South Blvd. Suite 100 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 (248) 844-5123 Our File No: 12-72844 (1220)(01-10) 77573324

FORECLOSURE NOTICE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for this purpose. If you are in the Military, please contact our office at the number listed below. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by: Diane Dallas, A Single Female to Option One Mortgage Corporation, Mortgagee, dated October 25, 2002 and recorded November 25, 2002 in Instrument # 1092382 and corrected by affidavit dated November 19, 2012 and recorded November 29, 2012 in Instrument #2012-007635 Barry County Records, Michigan Said mortgage was assigned to: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Option One Mortgage Loan Trust 2003-1 Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-1, by assignment dated July 20, 2007 and recorded July 30, 2007in Instrument # 200707300000298 on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twenty-One Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Four Dollars and Fourteen Cents ($121,864.14) including interest 7.5% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, Circuit Court of Barry County at 1:00PM on January 17, 2013 Said premises are situated in Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the Northeast one-quarter of section 28, Town 3 north, range 8 west, described as, commencing at the intersection of the north line of said section and the centerline of Nashville Road (highway M-79) which is 1094.5 feet west along the North line of said section from the northeast corner of said section, thence south 23 degrees 45 minutes east 200.71 feet along the centerline of said road, thence southeasterly 410.72 feet along said centerline on a 1227.77 foot radius curve to the left, the chord of which bears south 33 degrees 20 minutes East 408.80 feet, thence south 42 degrees 55 minutes east 127.71 feet along the centerline of said road, thence south 47 degrees 05 minutes west 834 feet more or less to the east line of the west onehalf of the northeast one-quarter, thence South along the East line of the West one-half of the Northeast one-quarter 1447 feet more or less to the southeast corner of the west one-half of the northeast one-quarter, thence west along the east and west one-quarter line 313.5 feet more or less to the southwest corner of the east 19 acres of the west one-half of the Northeast one-quarter, thence north along the west line of the east 19 acres of the west one-half of the Northeast one-quarter 2640 feet more or less to the North line of said section, thence East 532 feet more or less to the place of beginning, subject to the right of way for highway purposes over the north 33 feet and over that part lying northeasterly of a line which is 33 feet southwesterly from and parallel with the centerline of Nashville Road (highway M-79) Commonly known as 1890 Nashville Rd, Hastings MI 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 or MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(17) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: 12/20/2012 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Option One Mortgage Loan Trust 20031 Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-1, Assignee of Mortgagee Attorneys: Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 811 South Blvd. Suite 100 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 (248) 844-5123 Our File No: 12-66766 (12-20)(01-10) 77573313

IF YOU ARE NOW ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY OR HAVE BEEN IN THE PRIOR NINE MONTHS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 248-502-1502.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Warren Searles, Charlotte Searles, husband and wife and Thomas J. Alvey and Christina N. Alvey, husband and wife, to Fifth Third Mortgage - MI, LLC, Mortgagee, dated August 10, 2005 and recorded October 20, 2005 in Instrument Number 1154900, and , Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Mortgage Company by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Nine Thousand Eighty-Five and 59/100 Dollars ($109,085.59) including interest at 6.25% per annum.

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the Barry County Circuit Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan in Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 3, 2013.

Said premises are located in the Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: The land referred to is situated in the Township of Hope, County of Barry, State of Michigan, is described as follows:Parcel C: That part of the South 64 rods of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 27, Town 2 North, Range 9 West, described as: Commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 27; thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West on the South Section line 867.54 feet; thence North 0 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds East 534.59 feet; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 30.26 feet to the Place of Beginning of the parcel of land herein described; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 491.48 feet; thence South 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds East parallel to the South Section line 481.53 feet; thence South 1 degree 15 minutes 00 seconds West 491.40 feet; thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West parallel to the South section line 498.34 feet to the Place of Beginning. Together with and subject to an easement for ingress, egress and public utilities over a 66 foot wide strip of land the centerline of said easement being described as commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 27, thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West 867.54 feet to the Point of Beginning of said easement; thence the centerline of said easement runs North 0 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds East 534.59 feet; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 250.56 feet to the Point of Beginning.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period.

If you are a tenant in the property, please contact our office as you may have certain rights.

Dated: December 6, 2012 Orlans Associates, P.C..

Attorneys for Servicer P.O. Box 5041 Troy, MI 48007 File No. 12-510737 77572910 (12-06)(12-27)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Default having occurred in two mortgages both made on July 31, 2007, by Michele E. Pare, a single woman, to Union Bank, and both recorded on August 7, 2007, in the Barry County Register of Deeds at Document 20070807 - 0000592, and at Document 20070808-0000654, respectively, on which mortgages there is claimed to be due and unpaid as of December 5, 2012, Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand, Eight Hundred Seventy Nine Dollars and 89/100 Dollars ($219,879.89) principal and interest; no suit or proceedings at law or in equity have been instituted to recover the debt, or any part of the debt, secured by the above mortgages, and the Power of Sale contained in the mortgages having become operative by reason of such default and pursuant to the statutes of the State of Michigan.

Notice is hereby given that on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings, MI, 49058, that being the place for holding the Circuit Court of Barry County, there will be offered for sale and sold to the highest bidder the property described in this Notice, at public sale, for the purpose of satisfying the amount due and unpaid on the mortgages, together with an interest rate at 10.75%, the expenses and charges of sale, including reasonable attorney fees, provided by law and in the mortgages, and also any sums which may be paid by the Mortgagee necessary to protect its interest in the premises. The parcel will be sold as one unit, as allowed by the mortgages unless otherwise selected by Union Bank.

The land and premises in the mortgages mentioned is described as follows: LOTS 50 AND 51 OF ALGONQUIN LAKE RESORT PROPERTIES #1, ACCORDING TO RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 2 OF PLATS ON PAGE 56, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS The Real Property is commonly known as 2359 Old lroquois Trail, Hastings, MI 49058.

The tax identification number is 08-13-050-05500.

The length of the redemption period wilt be six months or shorter if deemed abandoned pursuant to law.

If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale pursuant to this Notice, then under MCLA 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person that buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

MORTGAGEE: Union Bank Prepared By: Peter A. Teholiz (P34265) THE HUBBARD LAW FIRM, P.C. 5801 W. Michigan Avenue Lansing, MI 48908-0857 77573303 Telephone: 517-886-7176

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Chadwick M. Castine, a single man and Sharon Sinkler, a single woman, original mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., Mortgagee, dated December 24, 2004, and recorded on December 29, 2004 in instrument 1139383, and assigned by said Mortgagee to Bank of America, N.A., successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P. fka Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, L.P. as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seven Thousand Four Hundred Sixteen and 75/100 Dollars ($107,416.75).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on January 3, 2013.

Said premises are situated in Township of Thornapple, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, described as: Commencing at the intersection of the centerline of Finkbeiner Road and the North line of said Section which is 748.40 feet North 88 degrees 53 minutes 45 seconds East for the North 1/4 corner of said Section; thence South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 410.00 feet along the centerline of Finkbeiner Road, thence South 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds West 260.00 feet; thence North 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds West 410.00 thence North 47 degrees 48 minutes 15 seconds East 260.00 feet to the place of beginning: Except that part of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 corner of said Section; West thence North 88 degrees 53 minutes 45 seconds East 748.40 feet along the North line of said Section thence South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 256.0 feet along the centerline of Finkbeiner Road to the place of beginning; thence continuing South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 154.0 feet along centerline; thence South 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds West 260.00 feet; thence North 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds West 154.0 feet; thence North 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds East 260.0 feet to the place of beginning. Subject to highway right of way for highway purposes over that part lying Northeasterly of a line which is 33 feet Southwesterly from and parallel with the centerline of Finkbeiner Road The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: December 6, 2012 For more information, please call: FC X (248) 593-1302 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #412369F01 77572750 (12-06)(12-27)

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Lisa Stocks, unmarried, original mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated November 8, 2007, and recorded on January 17, 2008 in instrument 200801170000545, and assigned by said Mortgagee to Wells Fargo Bank, NA as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Five and 88/100 Dollars ($97,375.88).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on January 10, 2013.

Said premises are situated in Charter Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lots 45 and 46, Melody Acres, according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 21, Barry County Records.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: December 13, 2012 For more information, please call: FC D (248) 593-1309 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #216699F03 77573121 (12-13)(01-03)

FORECLOSURE NOTICE RANDALL S. MILLER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. MAY BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICEMEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY NOW OR IN THE PRIOR NINE MONTHS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE. Mortgage Sale - Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Richard Popenhagen And Rachel Popenhagen, Husband And Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Novastar Mortgage, Inc., Mortgagee, dated January 3, 2007, and recorded on January 24, 2007, as Document Number: 1175527, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust, Series 2007-1 NovaStar Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-1 by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 01, 2012 and recorded October 11, 2012

by Document Number: 2012-005616, , on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twelve Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Five and 22/100 ($112,485.22) including interest at the rate of 8.62500% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, at the place of holding the Circuit Court in said Barry County, where the premises to be sold or some part of them are situated, at 01:00 PM on January 17, 2013 Said premises are situated in the Township of Johnstown, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PREMISES SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF, COUNTY OF BARRY AND STATE OF TO WIT: BEGINNING AT THE EAST QUARTER POST OF SECTION 27, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 87 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 21 SECONDS WEST, ALONG THE EAST AND WEST QUARTER LINE OF SAID SECTION 27, A DISTANCE OF 664.55 FEET; THENCE NORTH 02 DEGREES 22 MINUTES 01 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE WEST LINE OF THE EAST HALF OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 27, A DISTANCE OF 1335.21 FEET TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION; THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 34 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST ALONG SAID NORTH LINE, 205.17 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 02 DEGREES 20 MINUTES 09 SECONDS EAST, 284.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 34 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, 460.14 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF SAID SECTION 27; THENCE SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST SECTION LINE, 1047.27 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO EXISTING ROADWAY EASEMENT FOR HUTCHINSON ROAD ON THE EAST AND HICKORY ROAD ON THE SOUTH. SUBJECT TO ALL EASEMENTS, RESERVATIONS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, AGREEMENTS OF RECORD, IF ANY. Commonly known as: 14300 Hutchinson Road If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower(s) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. If you are a tenant in the property, please contact our office as you may have certain rights. Dated: December 20, 2012 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust, Series 2007-1 NovaStar Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-1 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, 248-335-9200 Case No. 12OMI01272-1 (12-20)(01-10) 77573308

SCHNEIDERMAN & SHERMAN, P.C., IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (248)539-7400 IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by RICHIE L. SMITH and FAYE L. SMITH, HUSBAND AND WIFE, to UNITED COMPANIES LENDING CORPORATION, Mortgagee, dated September 11, 1998, and recorded on September 17, 1998, in Document No. 1018002, and assigned by said mortgagee to The Bank of New York Mellon, f/k/a The Bank of New York, as successor-in-interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities Trust 2006-2, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-2, as assigned, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Forty-Five Thousand One Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars and Sixty-Seven Cents ($45,148.67), including interest at 9.750% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, At the East doors of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan at 01:00 PM o'clock, on January 17, 2013 Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST 1 / 4 OF SECTION 1, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 9 WEST, RUNNING THENCE NORTH 50 RODS; THENCE WEST 48 RODS; THENCE SOUTH 50 RODS; THENCE EAST 48 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT THE EAST 330 FEET OF THE SOUTH 330 FEET THEREOF. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with 1948CL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 600 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. The Bank of New York Mellon, f/k/a The Bank of New York, as successor-in-interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities Trust 2006-2, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-2 Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C. 23938 Research Drive, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 JPMC.001103 CONV 77573318 (12-20)(01-10)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. MORTGAGE SALE: Default having been made in the conditions of certain Mortgage made by JUDITH L. MILAN, a single woman, of 1270 Norway Avenue, Hastings, MI 49058, to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, with its Office being located at 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., Building 105, FC215, St. Louis, MO, 63120, the Mortgagee, the Mortgage being dated May 8, 1996, and recorded May 10, 1996, in Liber 659, Page 988 in Barry County Records, and the borrower having assumed a mortgage between ARCHIE L. LEATHERMAN and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, the Mortgage being dated May 3, 1993 in Liber 570, Page 865, Barry County Records, such Mortgage being given to secure Promissory Note payable to the Government, and by reason of such default the Mortgagee elects to declare the entire unpaid amount of such Mortgage due and payable forthwith, on which Mortgage there is claimed to be due as of December 6, 2012, for principal, interest and other charges, the sum of SIXTY NINE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX AND 92/100 ($69,986.92) DOLLARS, and no proceedings having been instituted at law or equity to recover the debt now remaining secured by said Mortgage, or any part thereof, whereby the power of sale contained in said Mortgage has become operative; Now, Therefore, Notice is Hereby Given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in said Mortgage and in pursuance of the statute of the State of Michigan in such case made and provided, the said Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the premises therein described, or so much thereof as may be necessary, at public auction, to the highest bidder, at the east steps of the County Courthouse at 220 W. STATE STREET, in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, Michigan, that being the place of holding the Circuit Court in and for said County, on THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., local time, and said premises will be sold to pay the amount due as aforesaid on the Mortgage together with 6.75% interest, legal costs, attorneys' fees and also any taxes and insurance that said Mortgagee does pay on or prior to the date of said sale; which said premises described in said Mortgage are situated in the State of Michigan, Barry County and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southwest onequarter of Section 2, T3N, R9W, Described as: Beginning at the Southeast corner of Lot 70 of the Plat of Smith’s Lakeview Estate No. 1 as recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 2 in County Records, and running thence North 00 degrees 08 minutes East 109.48’ to the Southernmost corner of Lot 65 of said Plat; thence North 49 degrees 51 minutes East 167.19’ to the Easternmost corner of said Lot 65; thence South 40 degrees 09 minutes East 100’; thence South 49 degrees 51 minutes West 219.31’; thence North 88 degrees 42 minutes 30 seconds West 24.90’ to the POB. Being a part of outlot L. Rights of the public and of any governmental unit in any part thereof taken used or deeded for street, road or highway purposes. Right of way in favor of Consumers Power Company, recorded in Liber 356, Page 354, and in Liber 356, on page 520.

Right of way to Michigan Bell Telephone Company recorded in Liber 354, Page 329. Also described as: Lot 81, Amended Plat of Part of the Northwesterly Portion of Outlot E, Smith’s Lakeview Estates No. 1, according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 6 of Plats, Page 46, Barry County Records. During the six (6) months immediately following the sale, the property may be redeemed unless the property is abandoned, in which case the redemption shall be thirty (30) days from the date of sale. According to MCL §600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

For further information with regard to this foreclosure, contact USDA - Rural Development, Centralized Servicing Center, Foreclosure Centralization Initiative, 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., Building 105, FC-215, St. Louis, MO, 63120, telephone (800) 349-5097 ext. 4500. Dated: December 6, 2012 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through the Farmers Home Administration (now Rural Development), United States Department of Agriculture, Mortgagee Michael I. Conlon (P43954) Running, Wise, Ford, P.L.C. 326 E. State Street, P.O. Box 686 Traverse City, MI 49685-0686 (1206)(12-27) 77572892

Page 10 — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT HEARING TO:

77573280

THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that as a result of petitions of property owners within the Township signed by the record owners of land constituting more than fifty (50%) percent of the total area of the hereinafter described proposed special assessment district, and upon motion of the Township Board of the Township of Prairieville, the Township Board proposes to undertake an aquatic plant control project in Pine Lake in Prairieville Township and to create a special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefitted therein.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the District within which the above-mentioned improvements are proposed to be made and within which the cost thereof is proposed to be assessed is more particularly described as follows: The properties indicated by tax parcel numbers: 12-005-001-00 12-005-003-00 12-005-004-00 12-005-006-00 12-005-200-00 12-006-003-25 12-006-003-26 12-006-003-30 12-006-003-40 12-006-005-60 12-006-006-00 12-006-007-00 12-006-008-00 12-006-009-00 12-006-010-00 12-006-011-00 12-006-012-00 12-006-013-00 12-006-014-00 12-006-015-10 12-006-015-20 12-006-016-00 12-006-016-05 12-006-016-10 12-006-016-20 12-006-016-30 12-006-016-40 12-006-016-50 12-006-016-60 12-006-017-05 12-006-017-10 12-006-017-15 12-006-017-20 12-006-017-30 12-006-017-35 12-006-020-00 12-006-021-10 12-006-025-00 12-006-026-00 12-006-027-00 12-006-028-00 12-006-029-00 12-006-031-00 12-006-036-00 12-006-037-00 12-006-038-00 12-006-039-00 12-006-040-00 12-006-041-00 12-006-042-00 12-006-043-00 12-006-044-00 12-006-045-00 12-006-046-00 12-006-047-00 12-006-048-00 12-006-049-00 12-006-051-00 12-006-052-00 12-006-053-00 12-006-054-00 12-006-056-00 12-006-057-00 12-006-058-00 12-006-060-00 12-006-061-00 12-006-063-00 12-006-063-10 12-006-064-00 12-006-068-00 12-006-069-00 12-006-070-00 12-006-071-00 12-006-072-00 12-006-073-00 12-006-074-00 12-006-075-00 12-006-076-00 12-006-077-00

12-006-078-00 12-006-079-00 12-006-080-00 12-006-081-00 12-006-082-00 12-006-083-00 12-006-084-00 12-006-085-00 12-006-086-00 12-006-088-00 12-006-089-00 12-006-343-00 12-007-001-00 12-007-002-00 12-007-003-00 12-007-004-00 12-007-005-00 12-007-006-00 12-007-006-10 12-007-006-40 12-007-006-45 12-007-006-50 12-007-006-65 12-007-006-70 12-007-006-81 12-007-006-95 12-007-009-10 12-007-009-20 12-007-009-30 12-007-009-40 12-007-011-00 12-007-012-00 12-008-001-00 12-008-002-00 12-008-003-00 12-008-004-00 12-008-005-00 12-008-014-00 12-008-015-00 12-008-015-10 12-008-016-00 12-008-017-00 12-008-018-10 12-008-018-35 12-008-018-40 12-008-019-00 12-008-020-00 12-008-021-00 12-008-321-00 12-008-324-00 12-090-001-00 12-090-002-00 12-090-003-00 12-090-004-00 12-090-005-00 12-090-006-00 12-120-001-00 12-120-002-00 12-120-003-00 12-120-004-00 12-120-005-00 12-120-006-00 12-120-007-00 12-120-008-00 12-120-009-00 12-140-001-00 12-140-002-00 12-140-003-00 12-140-004-00 12-140-005-00 12-140-007-00 12-150-001-00 12-150-002-00 12-150-003-00 12-150-004-00 12-150-006-00 12-150-008-00 12-150-008-10 12-160-001-00

12-160-003-00 12-160-006-00 12-160-007-00 12-160-008-00 12-160-009-00 12-160-010-00 12-160-012-00 12-160-013-00 12-160-014-00 12-160-015-00 12-160-016-00 12-160-017-00 12-160-019-00 12-170-001-00 12-170-002-00 12-170-002-10 12-170-002-20 12-170-003-00 12-170-004-00 12-170-005-00 12-170-006-00 12-170-007-00 12-170-008-00 12-180-000-00 12-180-001-00 12-180-001-10 12-180-002-00 12-180-004-00 12-180-005-00 12-180-006-00 12-180-007-00 12-180-009-00 12-180-010-00 12-180-011-00 12-180-013-00 12-180-014-00 12-180-015-00 12-180-016-00 12-180-017-00 12-180-018-00 12-180-019-00 12-180-020-00 12-180-021-00 12-180-021-10 12-180-022-01 12-180-023-01 12-180-023-10 12-180-024-00 12-180-025-00 12-180-026-00 12-180-027-00 12-180-028-00 12-180-029-00 12-180-030-00 12-180-031-00 12-180-032-00 12-180-033-00 12-180-034-00 12-180-035-00 12-180-036-00 12-180-037-00 12-180-038-00 12-180-039-00 12-180-040-00 12-180-041-00 12-180-042-00 12-180-043-00 12-180-044-00 12-180-045-00 12-180-046-00 12-180-047-00 12-180-048-00 12-180-049-00 12-190-001-00 12-190-002-00 12-190-003-00 12-190-004-00 12-190-005-00 12-190-006-00

12-190-007-00 12-190-008-00 12-190-009-00 12-190-012-00 12-190-013-00 12-190-014-00 12-190-015-00 12-190-016-00 12-190-017-00 12-190-018-00 12-190-020-00 12-190-021-00 12-190-022-00 12-190-022-10 12-190-022-20 12-190-023-00 12-260-000-00 12-260-001-00 12-260-002-00 12-260-005-00 12-260-006-00 12-260-007-00 12-260-008-00 12-260-009-00 12-260-010-00 12-260-011-00 12-260-012-00 12-260-013-00 12-260-014-00 12-270-001-00 12-270-002-00 12-270-003-00 12-270-003-05 12-270-004-00 12-270-005-00 12-270-005-10 12-290-001-00 12-290-002-00 12-290-003-00 12-290-004-00 12-290-005-00 12-290-005-10 12-290-006-00 12-290-007-00 12-290-008-00 12-290-010-00 12-290-011-00 12-290-012-00 12-290-013-01 12-290-014-01 12-290-015-00 12-290-016-00 12-290-017-00 12-290-018-00 12-290-019-00 12-290-020-00 12-290-021-00 12-290-022-00 12-290-023-00 12-290-024-00 12-290-025-00 12-290-027-00 12-290-028-00 12-290-031-00 12-290-032-00 12-290-032-10 12-290-033-00 12-290-034-00 12-290-034-20 12-290-034-35 12-290-035-00 12-290-036-00 12-290-037-00 12-290-038-00 12-290-039-00 12-290-039-20 12-290-040-00 12-290-042-00 12-290-044-00

12-290-045-00 12-290-046-00 12-290-047-00 12-290-048-00 12-290-049-00 12-290-049-10 12-290-050-30 12-290-050-35 12-290-053-00 12-290-054-01 12-290-054-02 12-290-055-01 12-290-056-00 12-290-056-10 12-290-057-00 12-290-058-00 12-290-059-00 12-290-060-00 12-290-061-00 12-290-062-00 12-290-063-00 12-290-064-00 12-290-065-00 12-310-001-00 12-310-002-00 12-310-003-00 12-310-004-00 12-310-005-00 12-310-006-00 12-310-006-90 12-310-007-00 12-310-008-00 12-310-009-00 12-310-010-00 12-310-011-00 12-310-012-00 12-310-013-00 12-310-014-00 12-310-015-00 12-310-016-00 12-310-017-00 12-310-018-00 12-310-019-00 12-310-020-00 12-310-021-00 12-310-022-00 12-310-023-00 12-310-024-00 12-310-025-00 12-310-026-00 12-310-120-00 12-320-001-00 12-320-001-40 12-320-001-60 12-320-002-00 12-320-003-00 12-320-004-00 12-320-006-00 12-320-007-00 12-320-008-00 12-320-010-00 12-320-010-30 12-320-011-00 12-320-012-00 12-320-013-00 12-320-014-00 12-320-015-00 12-320-016-00 12-320-017-00 12-320-018-00 12-320-019-00 12-320-019-10 12-320-020-00 12-320-020-10 12-320-021-00 12-320-021-10 12-320-024-00 12-320-026-00 12-320-026-10

12-320-026-20 12-320-026-40 12-320-026-60 12-320-029-00 12-320-029-10 12-320-029-20 12-320-030-00 12-320-031-00 12-320-032-00 12-320-033-00 12-320-035-00 12-320-036-00 12-320-037-00 12-320-038-00 12-320-040-00 12-320-041-00 12-320-042-00 12-320-043-00 12-320-044-00 12-320-045-00 12-320-046-00 12-320-046-10 12-340-001-00 12-340-002-00 12-340-003-00 12-340-004-00 12-340-005-00 12-340-006-00 12-340-007-00 12-340-008-00 12-340-009-00 12-340-010-00 12-360-001-00 12-360-002-00 12-360-003-00 12-360-004-00 12-360-005-00 12-360-006-00 12-360-007-00 12-360-008-00 12-360-009-00 12-360-010-00 12-360-011-00 12-360-012-00 12-360-013-00 12-360-014-00 12-360-015-00 12-360-017-00 12-360-020-00 12-360-021-00 12-360-022-00 12-360-023-00 12-360-024-00 12-360-024-10 12-360-025-00 12-360-026-00 12-360-027-00 12-360-029-00 12-360-030-00 12-360-031-00 12-360-031-05 12-360-032-00 12-360-033-00 12-360-034-00 12-360-035-00 12-360-036-00 12-370-001-00 12-370-002-00 12-370-003-00 12-370-004-00 12-370-005-00 12-370-006-00 12-370-007-00 12-370-008-00 12-370-009-00 12-370-010-00 12-370-010-10 12-370-011-00 12-370-012-10

12-370-013-00 12-430-001-00 12-430-002-00 12-430-003-00 12-430-004-00 12-430-005-00 12-430-006-00 12-430-007-00 12-430-008-00 12-430-009-00 12-430-010-00 12-430-011-00 12-430-012-00 12-430-013-00 12-430-014-00 12-430-016-00 12-430-017-00 12-450-001-00 12-450-001-10 12-450-001-20 12-450-001-30 12-450-001-50 12-450-001-55 12-450-001-70 12-450-001-90 12-450-002-00 12-450-003-00 12-450-004-00 12-450-005-00 12-450-006-00 12-450-007-00 12-450-008-00 12-450-009-00 12-450-010-00 12-450-011-00 12-450-012-00 12-450-013-00 12-450-014-00 12-450-015-00 12-450-016-00 12-450-017-00 12-450-018-00 12-450-018-10 12-450-018-20 12-450-018-30 12-450-018-40 12-450-018-50 12-450-019-00 12-450-019-10 12-450-020-00 12-450-021-00 12-470-001-00 12-470-001-20 12-470-001-30 12-470-001-50 12-470-001-60 12-470-001-70 12-470-003-00 12-470-004-00 12-470-005-00 12-470-006-00 12-470-007-00 12-470-008-00 12-470-008-10 12-470-009-00 12-470-010-00 12-470-011-00 12-480-001-00 12-480-002-00 12-480-004-00 12-480-006-00 12-480-007-00 12-480-008-00 12-480-009-00 12-480-010-00 12-480-013-00 12-480-014-00 12-480-015-00 12-480-016-00

12-480-018-00 12-480-019-00 12-480-021-00 12-480-022-00 12-500-000-00 12-500-001-00 12-500-004-00 12-500-005-00 12-500-006-00 12-500-007-00 12-500-008-00 12-500-009-00 12-500-010-00 12-500-011-00 12-500-012-00 12-500-013-00 12-500-014-00 12-500-015-00 12-500-016-00 12-500-017-00 12-500-018-00 12-500-019-00 12-500-020-00 12-500-021-00 12-500-022-00 12-500-023-00 12-500-024-00 12-500-025-00 12-500-026-00 12-500-027-00 12-500-028-00 12-500-029-00 12-500-030-00 12-500-031-00 12-500-032-00 12-500-033-00 12-500-034-00 12-510-001-20 12-510-002-00 12-510-003-30 12-510-005-00 12-510-006-00 12-510-007-00 12-510-009-00 12-510-010-00 12-510-011-00 12-510-012-00 12-510-013-00 12-510-014-00 12-510-015-00 12-510-016-00 12-540-001-00 12-540-002-00 12-540-003-00 12-540-004-00 12-540-004-10 12-540-005-00 12-540-005-10 12-540-007-00 12-540-008-00 12-540-009-00 12-540-010-00 12-540-011-00 12-540-012-00 12-540-013-00 12-540-014-00 12-540-015-00 12-540-016-00 12-540-017-00 12-540-018-00 12-540-019-00 12-540-020-00 12-540-021-00 12-540-022-00 12-540-023-00 12-540-024-00 12-540-025-00

See also accompanying map.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans describing the improvements and locations thereof together with an estimate of the cost of the project in the amount of $227,135, has placed the same on file with the Township Clerk and has passed a Resolution tentatively declaring its intention to undertake such project and to create the afore-described special assessment district and has further tentatively found the Petitions for the project to be in compliance with statutory requirements.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the petitions, plans, cost estimate, and special assessment district may be examined at the Office of the Township Clerk from the date of this Notice until and including the date of the public hearing thereon and may further be examined at such public hearing.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that, in accordance with Act 162 of the Public Acts of 1962, as amended, appearance and protest at the hearing in the special assessment proceedings is required in order to appeal the amount of the special assessment to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his or her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his or her appearance or protest by letter and his or her personal appearance shall not be required.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in the event that written objections to the project are filed with the Township Board at or before the hearing described herein, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than twenty (20%) percent of the total area within the hereinbefore described proposed special assessment district, the project to be funded by that special assessment district cannot be instituted unless a valid petition has been or is filed with the Township Board signed by the record owners of land constituting more than fifty (50%) percent of the total land area in that special assessment district as finally established by the Township Board.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing upon such petitions, plans, special assessment district and estimate of costs will be held at LGI (Large Group Instruction) Auditorium at Delton-Kellogg High School at 327 N. Grove Street, Delton, Michigan, commencing at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 7, 2013.

At such hearing, the Board will consider any written objections to any of the foregoing matters which might be filed with the Board at or prior to the time of the hearing as well as any revisions, corrections, amendments, or changes to the plans, estimate of costs, or to the aforementioned proposed Special Assessment District.

All interested persons are invited to be present and express their views at the public hearing.

Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed material being considered at the hearing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days notice to the Prairieville Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Prairieville Township Clerk.

Ted DeVries, Clerk Prairieville Township 10115 South Norris Road Delton, Michigan 49046 (269) 623-2664

COURT NEWS James Michael Grantham Jr., 19, of Alto was sentenced Dec. 19 in Barry County Circuit Court for assault with a dangerous weapon. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Grantham to serve 12 to 48 months in prison with credit for 99 days served. He must pay $198 in court assessments and have no contact with the victim. Charges of carrying a concealed weapon and habitual offender, second offense, were dropped by the Barry County Prosecutor’s office.

Donald Duane Barnes, 38, of Battle Creek was sentenced in Barry County Circuit Court Dec. 19, for operating under the influence of liquor, third offense. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Barnes to serve 71 days in jail with credit for 71 days served. Barnes must pay $1,948 in court assessments and serve 36 months on probation. He must pay $120 per month toward assessments, participate in drug court and day reporting. Charges of operating with driver’s license suspended, revoked or denied, second or subsequent offense, and unlawful use of a license plate, registration or title were dropped by the prosecutor’s office.

Dustin Michael Kopf, 31, of Hastings was sentenced Dec. 19 in Barry County Circuit Court for breaking and entering with intent.

Judge Amy McDowell ordered Kopf to serve 12 months in jail with credit for two days served. Kopf must pay $1,448 in court assessments and serve 36 months on probation. The last six months of jail his jail time will be suspended pending successful completion of probation. A work release was granted. He must pay $100 a month toward assessments. Charges of home invasion, second degree; conspiracy of a legal act in an illegal manner; and receiving or concealing stolen property of $1,000 to $20,000 were dropped by the Barry County Prosecutor.

Levi Kenneth Pinks, 25, of Plainwell was sentenced in Barry County Circuit Court Dec. 19 for a probation violation and charges of home invasion, second degree; unlawful drive-away of a vehicle; and operating with driver’s license suspended. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Pinks to serve 23 to 180 months in prison with credit for 295 days served. He must pay $2,493 in court assessments.

LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate FILE NO. 2012-26269-DE Estate of KENNETH L. BELL. Date of birth: 0820-29.

TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, KENNETH L. BELL, died 7-2-12.

Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Patrick S. Hirzel, 835 W. Golden Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49014, named personal representative or proposed personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, MI 49058 and the named/proposed personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice.

Date: December 21, 2012 Patrick S. Hirzel P23884 835 Golden Avenue Battle Creek, MI 49014 269-963-8484 Patrick S. Hirzel 835 Golden Avenue Battle Creek, MI 49014 269-963-8484 77573422 SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012 -7:30 P.M. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance.

Present: Greenfield, Walters, Carr, Bellmore, Hawthorne, Hanshaw, Flint Approved the Agenda as presented.

Approved the Consent Agenda as presented.

Reappointed Bellmore to the Planning Commission.

Appointed A. Muma and reappointed R. Schaubel and M. Anger to the Board of Review.

Adopted Resolution #2012-159, 2013 Board Meeting and Holiday schedule.

Adopted Resolution #2012-160, 2013 Compensation Resolution.

Adopted Resolution #2012-161, 2013 Budget Resolution.

Approved a prepayment to Professional Lake Management for Algonquin Lake Weed Control.

Appointed Siegfried Crandall for the 2012 Audit.

Authorized Supervisor Carr to list the remaining parcels owned by the township with a realtor.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:22p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Jim Carr, Supervisor www.rutlandtownship.org 77573340

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — Page 11

Community leader shares perspective on troubling event

by David DeDecker Staff Writer Because of his years of experience and service in the areas of faith, education and healthcare, Michael Anton, retired pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Hastings, provides an intriguing perspective on today’s world and, specifically, on the tragic events of Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn. His observations during a recent interview with the Banner, adds illumination to a difficult retrospective.

“I think beyond the gut reaction as a human being, citizen, and member of this national community, as a religious leader and, particularly, as a leader in a congregation that is part of the tradition of Christian faith, it would be really important number one, to be present,” says Anton, “and not to provide any type of supposed rationale for why this incident took place.”

Anton, who continues to serve churches as a substitute clergy when the need arises, says comments by politicians such as “Newtown happened because we have taken God out of the schools, etc.” is not appropriate during a crisis such as this. Nor, says Anton, is telling a person, “This is God’s plan and all you need is faith.”

“Be respectful of all the people who are directly involved,” says the pastor who’s also served his community in other capacities including terms on the Hastings Board of Education and the Pennock Health Board of Directors. “Be respectful of their feelings.

Acknowledge their feelings. Don’t try to change their feelings. Recognize these are real feelings.

“If the people are saying they don’t believe in God and don’t believe God could do something like this, just listen. Just be there, this is not a time for theological speeches, lectures and sermons. Be with them and allow them to evolve in their own process of healing, and let them express their feelings of pain. When they are ready to talk about their faith or God again, you will be there to listen and be responsive. That for me, from a pastoral standpoint, would be primary.”

The type of act which took 26 innocent

lives and claimed the life of the shooter is beyond comprehension says Anton. He expressed his concern about people using simple answers for such a complex situation.

“Anybody with quick answers, quick solutions, or someone who simply says we are going to end this type of violence forever, is so unrealistic,” observes Anton. “It doesn’t speak to the needs of the people. My guess is there were many negative sermons in churches across this land.

“The causes of this kind of evil machination are rooted in multiple corners, pushing both reasons and preventative solutions towards an ‘all of the above’ response.”

Anton says one of the things a pastor needs to address with people is how we emotionally react to the acts of violence such as the most recent tragedy, to guns, and to gun control. He says there is no universal point of view on the matter within religious groups. One of the ways a congregational leader can help people, says Anton, is to lead a discussion. Anton explains that, when leading the discussion, recognizing family dynamics is critical.

“I think many people are asking the question, ‘Why did his mother have an assault rifle?’ and maybe we will learn more or maybe we won’t.” he says. “Given the fact that there was a separation in the household, once he killed her, were the school children an extension of her? Were his feelings about his mother that negative? People need help recognizing how complex situations are and there are not just simple things to say or do.”

Anton wonders how many suicides or homicides have been prevented by having easily accessible mental health services available. He says it is probably more common than the general public realizes and healthcare and mental health workers would agree mental health services are a vital resource within any community.

“One of the upsetting factors in listening to the culture around you,” points out Anton, “is that some of the voices are so extreme. I remember when President Obama was elected in 2008 there was a statistical report that indicated firearm sales had increased many fold,

POLICE BEAT BEA Thief even takes the empties

Service rep asked too many questions

Hastings Police responded Dec. 11 to a building in the 600 block of Hannah Lane for a reported larceny from a motor vehicle. Officers learned the caller’s vehicle was parked in her apartment parking lot, and when she returned, she noticed several items missing, including jewelry, cash, medication and empty pop cans. Police were told the vehicle had been left unlocked. There are no suspects at this time.

A woman called deputies Dec. 12 to report that her ID had been stolen and someone had used her credit card to purchase items. The merchandise was sent to a Chicago address. According to the woman, her credit union called her Dec. 9 to inform her of many purchases made on the credit card. The credit union representatives said $671 of purchases had been made at Walmart online, and another $53 purchase was made from T-Mobile. The woman told deputies prior to the fraud she had been talking to a person at the Menards’ toll-free number about a purchase, and the person was asking a lot of unusual personal questions. When she confronted the phone sales representative, she said he got nervous and stopped asking those questions. A police report was filed, but the case is closed pending leads.

Electronics get the brunt of argument Barry County Sheriff deputies were called to a residence on Cloverdale Road near Delton Dec. 4 for a domestic dispute.

A 23-year-old Delton woman said she and her boyfriend had gotten into an argument and the 25-year-old man had shoved her into the wall. She told deputies she picked up their stereo and threw it. Reportedly, the man then picked up the television and threw it. She said when she began to walk out, the man picked her up to prevent her from leaving. According to the woman, the man then hit her in the face twice and she hit him back. She told deputies she tried to use the phone, but could not find it so she left the house and went down the road to a store to call her mother. The man told deputies there was some shoving, but no hitting. The case remains open and has been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.

Logging equipment may be scrapped A man reported Dec. 14 a number of items missing from his trailer on Bridge Park Road in Hastings. He told deputies two sets of logging chains valued at $500, a $250 come-along, and metal car ramps valued at $100 were taken from the trailer.

There were no suspects, but the complainant told deputies he would be checking with Padnos about the items being sold as scrap metal. The case is inactive pending more information.

Mom, daughter Teenager spices have different recall things up Deputies were called to a Bowens Mills Road home Dec. 17 for possible domestic assault. An adult daughter told deputies her mother had asked her to move out of the house, and she had started to pack up her belongings. She said her 52-year-old mother kept yelling at her and had pushed her.

She told deputies it wasn’t a hard push, but she felt assaulted. Reportedly, that’s when the daughter grabbed as many of her belongings as she could and left the house to call 911. When deputies spoke with the mother, she said her daughter had come into the house yelling and trying to pick a fight.

She said her daughter was out of control and would not stop yelling. The mother said she asked her daughter to leave and denied laying hands on her daughter. The case remains open and has been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review.

Deputies were called to a South Marsh Road address in Shelbyville Dec. 4 for a possible narcotics investigation. In the home’s kitchen, a mother told deputies her 17-year-old son had thrown a plastic bag of “Spice” in the garbage can. She had told her son she didn’t want any drugs in the house, and he had thrown the baggy in the trash.

He told his mother he didn’t want anything to do with it anymore, and that if he was acting weird it was because he had had 15 energy drinks that day. The teenager admitted to deputies he had purchased the substance as “Herbal Smoke” in Kalamazoo and smoked some. He said that after smoking a little bit he could not move. The unknown green substance was confiscated and sent to the Michigan State Police laboratory for analysis. The case has been turned over to the prosecutor’s office for review, and is open pending lab results.

because there was conviction that the government was going to take guns away.

“I could only look at that and not know whether to laugh or cry. Not in America -- it’s not going to happen. People are screaming about Socialism taking over and big government. Those are indeed issues of discussion, but nobody is going to take guns away.

Particularly after the Supreme Court ruled the Second Amendment is inclusive of that right, whether or not everyone agrees with it. It’s not going to happen and nothing was done on gun control over the past four years. I do think there is a move to make better regulations, but that extreme voice seems so unnecessary to me.

“Evil is a reality. However you think it originated, why it exists, or who started it. it’s here. People can call it by various names, but it’s here. Until that changes within human kind, it’s very sad to say, but Newtown is not the last. I think that’s a reality.

“Now, what can we do to try to help alter more Newtowns? It seems to me there are so many complicating factors. Complex factors that enter into this such as family life, education, spirituality, and the legal side in terms regulation reform.

“I am not a hunter. I don’t own a gun, but I am certainly not opposed to hunting or guns.

What bothers me a great deal is a kind of macho American right ‘to own anything I want to own.’ I understand freedom, individual freedom, ends when it intrudes on another person’s freedom. My freedom essentially ends where it may potentially do you harm.

Drawing an exact line is not simple or easy and I don’t know how we get that right. I am ignorant of the exact laws which regulate guns, they vary from state to state, but it seems it may be a place to start. There is a price for freedom, it is not free. Individuals are not just simply free to do whatever they want to do.”

It’s been nearly 20 years since Anton served on the Hastings Area Schools Board of Education and he wouldn’t speak to the state of security in area schools today. He did concede that school security two or three decades ago was not locally a major concern.

“Not anything like it has to be right now,” says Anton. “If we are to achieve some sort of

Rev. Michael Anton served his community not only as a pastor, but as a school board member and as a trustee of the Pennock Hospital board. Even in retirement, his perspective is still widely sought. gun regulation is that going to solve it all? No. Locking school doors doesn’t obviously solve it all, even though it makes a more secure system. I talked to an elementary teacher from TK this week and she said they lock their classroom doors. That may be a more standard practice than I know. The young man [Sandy Hook Elementary] blasted his way through the locked door, but you do what you can do.”

As the conclusion of his interview with the Banner nears, Anton observes, “Some of these shootings have occurred in churches. I am sure that if that happened to a congregation I was part of, I might very well have different feelings, but to think about security to the point of locking the door and having passwords [to get into church] would be very difficult for me. I know there are congregations which exist, particularly in high crime areas,

that do have that type of security.”

After the Dec. 20 interview, the Banner received an email from Anton explaining how he had just received an email update on the Concealed Weapon Bill from Gov. Snyder’s office.

Anton wrote, “As I said, he [Gov. Snyder] might well have signed SB 59 if it had offered an exchange of deleting the right to carry weapons openly for the prohibition of concealing the same in gun-free zones. What I forgot was his requirement that the right to carry openly would be determined by the public or private property owners involved. That sort of ‘decision by individual or group’ would surely create a most confusing maze of ‘where I can’ and ‘where I can't,’ but his view advocates for that possibility. It’s a moot point now, but may surface later.”

SOCIAL SECURITY, continued from page 8 my record?

If you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, your children may receive dependent’s benefits based on your work record, even if they’re not disabled themselves. As long as you receive benefits, their benefits will continue until they reach age 18, or until age 19 if they are still in high school. If your children are disabled, however, at the time that they reach age 18, they may be able to continue receiving benefits into adulthood.

For more information, visit our website on disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

I am 57 years old and I currently receive Social Security disability benefits. Can I still get my regular Social Security retirement benefits when I reach full retirement age?

If you are still receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach your full retirement age, we will automatically switch you from disability benefits to retirement benefits at that point. The money amount will remain the same. For more information, visit our website on disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

I’m 38 years old and have been approved to receive Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. I was surprised to learn that my payment will be reduced because I live with my mom. Why is that?

SSI is a needs-based program, so any other income you receive — including non-monetary income such as help with your bills or other expenses — can have an effect on your benefit payment. Your SSI payments may be reduced if you are receiving food, shelter or monetary assistance. If you move, or if the situation in your mom’s household changes, be sure to contact Social Security. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi.

‘Smuggling ring’ discovered in county jail Deputies at the Barry County Jail saw an inmate on garbage detail retrieve a book of matches in a plastic bag next to the jail’s dumpster. The matches led to an investigation of four jail inmates receiving tobacco from a man on the outside.

Smoking and chewing tobacco were being placed near the jail’s dumpster to later be retrieved by inmates during kitchen detail.

Arrangements were made by phone by an inmate. The first drop was the tobacco, but a second drop was needed for matches.

A recorded phone conversation revealed details of the smuggling arrangements. The smuggler would not talk with deputies until a lawyer was present.

The case was turned over to the prosecutor’s office.

I am trying to save up for a truck. I have $1,200 in the bank now and need a little more.

How much cash can I have in the bank without affecting my Supplemental Security Income eligibility?

The resource limit is $2,000. Unless you have other valuable resources, this means you could save up to $2,000 before you would become ineligible for SSI. We generally do

not count your primary car, the home you live in or certain amounts set aside for burial expenses as resources. In some cases, if the vehicle you’re saving for is part of a plan to return to work, you can have higher resources — but Social Security would need to approve your plan in order to exclude those resources.

For more information, visit our webpage about SSI at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.”

Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980.

The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

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Page 12 — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Trojans topple Saxons in early conference clash

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor The meetings between Thornapple Kellogg junior Austin Sensiba and Hastings junior Joe Siska in their team’s conference and district duals ended the same way last winter - with Sensiba on his back.

Not this time.

Now seniors, Sensiba took it to Siska Wednesday, outscoring him 9-4 in their 140pound bout during their OK Gold Conference dual. That win was a part of a four match run for the Trojans to start the dual, giving them a 13-0 lead, and TK went on to a 41-20 victory over the rival Saxons in Middleville.

“That was a huge match and it’s something that Austin has been looking forward to I know,” said Thornapple Kellogg coach Scott Szczpanek.

The Trojan coach has seen his senior 140pounder take some big strides since last winter.

“He finishes a lot more. He doesn’t get to every position and think he’s got to end up with the guy on his back,” Szczpanek said.

“He can move from one thing to the next thing. He can move in five different steps rather than just thinking we’re on our feet I’ve got to put him on his back. He has a much better game-plan I think.”

TK started the dual with Ryan Flynn topping Zach Wilcox 5-1 at 125 pounds, Nick Flynn beating Ethan Haywood 6-2 at 130

The Saxons’ Joe Siska (bottom) begins to try and work his way out of the grasp of Thornapple Kellogg’s Austin Sensiba during the first period of their 140-pound match Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) pounds, and Paul Haney besting Bret Thomas with a 12-3 major decision at 135. Hastings didn’t have a single take down in any of the first four bouts.

Following Sensiba’s win, the Saxons rat-

Hastings’ Ken Cross (left) takes down Thornapple Kellogg’s Cole Gahan during the third period of their 160-pound match in Middleville Wednesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

tled off three consecutive wins, getting a 4-1 win from Stephen Kendall over Nick Iveson at 145 pounds, a 14-4 major decision from Jason Slaughter over Nick Glowe at 152 pounds, and a 16-8 major decision from Ken Cross over Cole Gahan at 160.

TK still led 13-11 after those three matches, and kept the lead all evening long thanks to consecutive pins from Dan Dykstra at 171 pounds, Pete Westra at 189 and Chad Geers at 215.

“215 was also a big match,” Szczpanek said. “Chad Geers, this is his first year in the varsity line-up, but he’s a four-year wrestler.

He’s just not had a spot, so it was kind of a little nervous seeing what his reaction would be.

But he’s been doing a great job in the practice room and he wrestled like he does in practice which is tough and under control.”

TK clinched the win over the Saxons when Ronaldo Sambrano scored a 14-1 major decision over David Hause in the 112-pound match. Even though the team victory was secure before he took the mat, TK state medalist Chris Poland still celebrated his pin of Nick Schaffer 22 seconds into the 119pound match with a clenched-fist roar towards the home crowd.

Hastings added points thanks to Nate Pewoski’s pin at 285 pounds and Mitchell Sarhatt’s 8-6 win over Ryan Gorton at 103 pounds. The Saxons were without a couple of heavyweights, 171-pounder Chase Huisman and 189-pounder Cody Newton, but head coach Mike Goggins wasn’t sure their presence would have been quite enough to make up the 20-point difference.

TK is now 10-1 overall this season, and 10 in the OK Gold Conference. Hastings is 1-1 in the league and 9-3 overall.

The two teams met in one of the final duals of the conference season each of the past few years, making it a bit different for them to be meeting in December, but each of the coaches thought that was a bigger thing for the spectators than for their teams.

“That’s just with the way the rotation works,” Goggins said. “It keeps getting moved forward farther and farther. It would have been the same kind of match (in January), maybe we would have had two in and they would have had two out, you just don’t know that.

“The conference usually comes down to us two. We want to win the league. That doesn’t change. We can still win the league. We might be co-champions instead, but nothing has changed tomorrow that would have been.

We’re going to practice tomorrow the same way we would have practiced whether we’d won or lost.”

There should still be a big dual with major implications on the conference championship at the end of the league season. The Trojans will go to Grand Rapids Catholic Central Jan.

30, two days before the conference tournament, for a dual that was originally scheduled for last Wednesday.

“Catholic Central, now the fortunate thing, we wrestle them before they get all the transfers that they’ve recruited into the building in,” Goggins said. “Middleville wrestles them afterwards, so it’s possible we could come into the league meet with the three of us all with one loss, then it’s a league meet then.”

Hastings hosts Catholic Central Jan. 9.

Szczepanek isn’t looking quite that far ahead yet. He said he gets just as anxious for league duals with Wayland and Ottawa Hills as he does for ones with Hastings and Catholic Central.

“We need to make sure that we continue to do things that got us to this place, and we need to be better on December 20 than we were on December 19, and January 1 better than we were December 20,” Szczepanek said.

TK returns to action Jan. 5 at Forest Hills Central High School. The Saxons will host the annual LH Lamb Tournament Jan. 5.

The Saxons’ Mitchell Sarhatt tries to hold down the Trojans’ Ryan Gorton during the third period of their 103-pound match Wednesday, which Sarhatt eventually won 8-6 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

Lakewood edges Cavaliers by two in league dual

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor There were wins, there were losses, and there were losses that were really wins for the Vikings.

Lakewood’s varsity wrestling team improved to 2-0 in the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division with a 39-37 victory over Corunna at Lakewood High School Wednesday.

Lakewood trailed 25-6 after the first six matches of the dual had been wrestled, but then scored five pins and one victorious decision in the next seven matches to clinch the victory.

Senior Lars Pyrzinski finished off the Cavaliers by pinning Corey McKay 1 minute and 15 seconds into their 285-pound match, giving Lakewood a 39-31 edge with one bout left to be wrestled.

Lakewood had Markus Temple score of pin of Zack Beach 2:40 into the 215-pound match, Garrett Phelps pin Cody Conklin 2:59 into the 171-pound match, Jordon Bennett pin Alex Hart 2:13 into the 152-pound match, and David Bibbler pin Mike Parker 1:09 into the 145-pound match.

In all, the Vikings had six pins on the night.

The Cavaliers had five. Both teams won half of the 14 bouts, seven each.

Lakewood also had Justin Kietzman pin Dillion Birchmaier 3:57 into the 130-pound match.

The only Viking to go six minutes for a win was Jack Tromp at 189 pounds. He decisioned

Tyler Thayer 5-2.

Avoiding a couple of pins at other flights was key to the Vikings’ scoring what head coach Bob Veitch thought of as an upset win.

Logan Thomas was a conference champion for the Cavaliers last year, but couldn’t finish off Lakewood’s Dustin Johnson in the 119pound match. Johnson stayed off his shoulders to hold Thomas to a 10-0 major decision.

At 140-pounds, Corunna state qualifier Dylan Cunningham was given fits by the Vikings’ Jeremy Innes before securing a 5-2 decision.

Veitch also thought Phelps’ pin of Conklin was a big upset win for his team.

“They just stepped up and did it for us, otherwise we wouldn’t have won that one,” Veitch said.

Corunna got pins from Emillio Campos (112 pounds), Dylan Wibert (125), Dylan Cannon (135), Devin Robinson (160) and Tristan Sherbus (103) in the dual as well.

The Vikings’ trip to Williamston Jan. 16 will be the biggest dual remaining on the league slate this season.

The Vikings celebrated Veitch’s 600th career victory Wednesday, although he is well past that number once all of Lakewood’s postseason victories are added to the tally.

“It takes good kids, a patient wife and a lot of years” to get that many victories, said Veitch.

Lakewood is off now until heading to the LH Lamb Tournament in Hastings Jan. 5.

Springport hands Maple Valley ladies their fifth loss Maple Valley’s varsity girls’ basketball team is 1-5 after a 48-23 loss to visiting Springport Friday night at Maple Valley High School.

The Lions were held to just two points in the opening quarter, as the Spartans ran out to a 13-2 advantage.

The Lions outscored the Spartans 8-6 in the second quarter, but the hole had already been dug.

Springport came out in the second half and matched its point total from the entire first

half, pushing its lead from 19-10 at the break to 38-19 heading into the fourth quarter.

Ciara Sundermann led the Spartans with 13 points. Sam Bates had 12 and Kim Keeler eight.

Olivia Ricketts, Timara Burd and Johanna Kyle had seven points each for the Lions in the loss.

The Spartans improved to 5-2 with the win.

The Lions are off now for the holildays and will return to action at home against Kalamazoo Christian Jan. 4.

Lakewood 130-pounder Jordan Kietzman (top) works to put Corunna’s Dillion Birchmaier on his back during their match Wednesday at Lakewood High School.

Lions finish December 5-0

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lions knew a sweep of their December schedule for a 5-0 start was possible. They just had to go out there and prove they could do it.

The did.

Maple Valley’s varsity boys’ basketball team is still undefeated after a 61-53 victory over visiting Springport Friday night.

The Lions ran out to a 12-point lead in the first half, saw the Spartans battle back before the break, and then held them off in the second half.

“Our full-court man-to-man pressure kind of made it very tough on Springport all night,” said Lion head coach Chris Ewing.

Sam Benedict and Micah Bromley led that defensive charge. Benedict had eight steals in the contest and Bromley six. As a team, the

Lions had 21 steals and forced 28 Springport turnovers.

While the Lions put pressure on the Spartans all night, they put a little too much pressure on themselves in the second quarter.

The Lions were up 12 with about three minutes to go in the first half, but turned the ball over seven times in a two minute span and went into the half up just four at 28-24.

“We were just pushing the ball way too fast.

We were out of control, and kind of forgot to bring the ball with us sometimes,” Ewing said.

The Lions got settled down and it all worked out in the end.

Maple Valley earned 30 free throws in the contest, and finished off the Spartans with a 10-of-17 performance at the line in the fourth quarter.

Austin Gonser led the Lions for the night

with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Garret Mater had 13 points, Bromley 11 and Tommy Mudge nine. Benedict added seven points, seven assists and seven rebounds to his impressive steal total.

Springport got 18 points from T.C. Clark and 14 from Zach Keeler.

The Lions are off now until Jan. 4 when they will play host to Kalamazoo Christian in a Kalamazoo Valley Association contest.

Maple Valley is currently 3-0 in the conference.

Ewing isn’t worried about any rust building up over the break. He thinks it will be good for some of his guys to rest up and heal for a while, and then get into smoothing some of the team’s rough edges before getting into the meat of the KVA season.

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — Page 13

TK digs out of hole, but Bulldogs hold on to win

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor At first glance, the hole the Trojans dug themselves in the first quarter was just too much to climb out of.

But it wasn’t. The Trojans did climb out.

They just couldn’t stay out against Byron

Trojan guard Tommy Hamilton crashes into Byron Center’s Quinn Humphrey as Humphrey’s teammate Cameron Shooltz (23) comes over to help out. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

Center Friday night in Middleville.

The Byron Center varsity boys’ basketball team scored a 51-47 win over the host Trojans in non-conference action. The Bulldogs led 23-10 late in the first quarter.

“We dug ourselves a hole in that first quarter,” said TK head coach Mike Rynearson.

“We just didn’t come out. They pressed us a little bit, and we looked like we’d never seen a press before and turned it over. We didn’t play with any kind of energy. We couldn’t stop the ball. Basically they did what they wanted to do.”

The Trojans fought back though, pulling ahead 28-27 with 54 seconds left in the first half on a three-pointer by Louis Koepke which capped an 11-0 run by the Trojans. The Bulldogs raced the other way for a quick two points by Brandon Dinsmore though, then went on a 13-4 run in the fourth quarter to take control of the game back.

Koepke’s three, which put his team up momentarily was one of seven threes TK hit in the ball game, on 25 attempts - a few too many for Rynearson.

“Once they decided they wanted to start playing, we held them to six points there in the second quarter and got it right where we wanted,” Rynearson said. “Then we came out in the third quarter and they went to that 1-22 zone and we just, we got some looks out of it, but the bottom line is, we went to the free throw line four times. We didn’t do anything to try to go to the basket. We shot 25 threepointers, made seven of them, but basically what’s happening is we’re just chucking it up and we’re not getting second chances on those. They’re getting the rebound and running.”

Grant Allison and Tommy Hamilton did try to attack the basket a bit. Allison had a bit of a tough time finishing, and Hamilton was in foul trouble all evening in large part because he was whistled for a charge three times.

Hamilton still tied Cole Cronkright for the team lead with ten points. Allison, Clay Francisco and Koepke had eight points each.

Byron Center got 13 points from both

from the outside. We’ve got some young post players and they’re not real big, but we’ve still got to get them some touches. More people have to touch the ball. Right now, it’s too much one-on-one and quick shots, not enough touches and too many quick shots.”

TK has some time to work out its kinks before it plays again. The Trojans are off until a contest against Plainwell Jan. 8.

The Trojans are now 2-4 on the season.

Byron Center’s Brandon Dinsmore (3) has to leap up to lob a pass over the trap of TK’s Grant Allison and Cole Cronkright (right) during the fourth quarter Friday night.

(Photo by Brett Bremer) Sawyer Smith and Garrett Cross. Quinn Humphrey chipped in nine points for the Bulldogs.

TK found its game a bit again in the fourth quarter. The Trojans though couldn’t hit another shot after Hamilton’s three with 49

seconds to play cut the Bulldog lead to 49-47 despite a handful of chances.

“That’s the thing with these guys, they’ll and get all over the place, and they’ll trap, and they’ll hustle, and they’ll dive on the floor for loose balls. I just think we shoot too much

The Trojans’ Clay Francisco puts a short jumper up over Byron Center’s Cameron Shooltz during the first quarter Friday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

Pressure defense gets TK ladies a couple wins

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans’ ‘chaos’ press did what it’s supposed to do Friday night.

It caused turnovers - a lot of turnovers.

Those turnovers turned into plenty of points for Thornapple Kellogg’s varsity girls’ basketball team as it scored a 52-32 non-conference victory over visiting Byron Center.

“It’s something that they like to run and when you find something your kids like to run, I mean they ask me to run chaos,” said TK head coach Jessee Bays. “If I tell them that we’re not going to run our press, they get kind of down. They love to run it and we have athletes this year that can run it, so that makes a big difference.”

The Trojans really took over a couple minutes into the second quarter. The Bulldogs clipped TK’s 11-6 lead from the end of the first quarter down to 13-11 with a little run to start the second, but from that point on it was all Trojans. TK outscored the Bulldogs 32-9 in the final six minutes of the first half and the third quarter combined, a 17-5 run to close out the half followed by a 15-4 run in the

third.

The Trojans scored with Kelli Graham attacking the basket and Crystal Smith doing some of that and also knocking down a few jump shots. A pair of threes by Smith boosted the Trojan run in the second quarter.

Smith finished with a game-high 23 points.

Graham had 22 points, including a 10-of-14 performance at the free throw line.

“I didn’t even know they had that many (points),” Bays said. “I thought some other people, because they played so well, that they had scored more points than they did. They are our two big guns. We need them to do that, but we need other people to score as well. I didn’t know it was that imbalanced, but I’ll take it.”

Grace Possett and Erin Scheidel provided some ferocious defense, and Syd Krol had a solid night in the post for TK. Byron Center was led by Molly Babbs’ 12 points. Staci Brower added seven points for the Bulldogs.

The Trojans improves to 4-3 with the win.

TK is off now until Jan. 8 when it will visit Plainwell.

TK girls earn a tie with the Wayland girls’ bowling team Wayland’s last throw could have given the Wildcats a win, but it didn’t total enough pins to top TK’s Sandra Gerou’s 192 in the second regular game at the Middle Villa Inn Wednesday.

The Wayland and Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls’ bowling teams had to settle for a 15-15 tie.

The two teams split the two Baker Games, with TK winning the first 122-118 and the Wildcats taking the second 155-151. That put the overall pin-count for the two contests at 273 each.

TK fell to the Wildcats in the first regular game, 633-555, but got team points from Samantha Churchill’s 143 and the 94 from Cyhann Cross.

The Trojans rallied to win the second regular game 659-599, with Churchill scoring

with her 169, Gerou scoring thanks to her 192, and team points coming from Megan Reineer’s 142 and Abby Daugherty’s 79 as well.

TK’s boys fell 26-4 to the Wildcats, getting their only points from a 195-158 win in the first Baker game.

TK’s boys had good scores throughout the afternoon, but they were just outbowled by the Wildcats. Wayland took the second Baker game 229-157, with a final overall pin-count of 387-352 in the Bakers.

Wayland took the first regular game 1,012 to 858, then the second 865 to 712.

TK had a number of solid performances in the first game, including a 190 from Matt Miller, a 175 from Derek Chandler, a 174 from Jonathon Campbell, a 172 from Israel Torres and a 147 from Daniel Jousma.

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Thornapple Kellogg’s Erin Scheidel (right) puts pressure on Byron Center’s Jillian Nickels during the third quarter Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

Trojan guard Kelli Graham pushes past half court after a steal, while the Bulldogs’ Marisa Spetoskey gives chase, during the third quarter of their non-conference contest in Middleville Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer)

Lakewood girls have as many turnovers as points

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood girls have dropped five in a row after a season opening victory.

Viking varsity girls’ basketball coach Denny Frost called Friday night’s 49-24 loss at Corunna “a step back.”

His girls had as many turnovers as points.

“We were not ready to play. We were very sluggish, and it showed with 24 turnovers.

Not sure if it was the long bus ride or the weekend before Christmas, but we just didn’t show up. I was confident that we were ready with our game preparation, but I really misread the team. We have to show up and play hard or we will not be in a game. Corunna is one of the better teams in the league, but they are not that much better then we are.”

The Cavaliers led throughout, after holding the Vikings to just four points in the opening quarter. Lakewood also scored just four points in the third quarter. Corunna had a 2413 lead at the break.

Corunna was led by Payton Birchmeier’s 18 points. Sam Lawcock and Lauren Ruess had six points each.

Lakewood got 12 points from Emily Kutch and six from Brooke Wieland, but that pair combined for 14 turnovers as well.

“We will go back to work and try to make some corrections and get better,” said Frost.

The Vikings won’t have much chance to practice before its next contests, games at the Jackson Parma Western holiday tournament

Thursday and Friday.

Lakewood is now 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the

CAAC-White.

Vikings turn it over 30 times in conference loss at Corunna

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings can look forward to a lot more full-court pressure after Friday night.

Lakewood’s varsity boys’ basketball team turned the ball over 30 times against the Cavaliers’ diamond press in a 75-48 Capital Area Activities Conference White Division loss at Corunna High School Friday.

“We just turned the ball over left and right,” said Lakewood head coach Wayne Piercefield. “They pressed, like we knew they were going to. We knew exactly what they were going to do, and we for some reason kept throwing it to the other team. Then, it snowballed from there.”

The Cavaliers built a 20-13 lead in the opening quarter. They scored at least 20 points in each of the first three quarters, adding 22 points in the second and 23 in the third.

The Vikings had the Cavalier lead down to three points at one point in the second quarter, but that’s when the snowball really got

rolling. Corunna pushed its lead back up to 17 points by the break. Corunna then outscored the Vikings 23-7 in the third quarter.

M.J. Myles led Corunna with 21 points.

Mikhail Myles had 17 points and Josh Fattal had 15.

Lakewood got 13 points from Daniel Sauers, 12 from Colin O’Mara and eight from Alex Caudy.

Piercefield said he was pleased with Sauers’ play off the bench against the Cavalier pressure, and that he was happy to see Caudy show off his athleticism in the contest.

Lakewood will play in the holiday tournament hosted by Jackson Parma Western this Thursday and Friday. They’ll open play in the tournament Thursday against Concord at 4:30 p.m. If the Vikings win that game, they’ll play at 7:30 Friday night. If they fall to Concord, the Vikings will play Friday at 4:30 p.m.

The Vikings are now 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the CAAC-White.

Page 14 — Thursday, December 27, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

TOP STORIES, continued from page 1 degrees Aug. 3.

So far, for the 2012-13 winter, the area has seen only 1 1/2 inches of snow. That includes two-tenths of an inch in October, none in November and one and a half inches in December.

As the summer drought lingered here, farmers and consumers alike were concerned over the possible fallout of the dry weather on crops and food prices. Even the arrival of the Barry County Fair, which annually tends to bring at least one epic storm, remained dry and brown due to dead grass. However, the rains started in late July and picked up in early August, just in time to save most of this year’s field crops, which were slightly below average.

Tree fruits, however, were nearly non-existent in the state. Hot temperatures in March caused buds on fruit trees to blossom, only to be killed by normal below-freezing temperatures in April.

6. Bradford White expansion and opening of International Technical Excellence Center Bradford White’s expansion of its manufacturing site in Middleville and the opening of the International Technical Excellence Center put Barry County’s leading employer on the Top 10 list.

Gov. Rick Snyder visited Middleville for the grand opening of the iTEC center Nov. 30.

“This is a great made-in-Michigan story — it’s a leading edge company,” said Snyder.

Snyder toured the facility, along with township and village officials. The center will host tradesmen, companies and distributors from around the world to train and learn about the Bradford White water heaters and systems.

While that state-of-the-art facility is completed, work continues on expansion of the manufacturing site. Bradford White Executive Vice President and General Manager Eric Lannes calls it “the largest single change we’ve ever done.” The additional 99,000 square feet and extra 117 parking space for trucks and trailers involved rezoning of several residential lots for the industrial site.

Lannes said the expansion is needed for Bradford White to comply with new federal regulations governing how water heaters are made and distributed. The new regulations must be met by April 2015.

7. Animal care issues lead to restructuring, hiring of animal shelter director Few issues proved more frustrating and political than those revolving around the care of animals in Barry County in 2012.

In what the Banner described as long-simmering acrimony, the Barry County Board of

A new sewer line was critical to the Michigan Avenue Bridge construction. After the old one was removed, the new one was laid and progress picked up speed.

Commissioners voted 5-3 on June 19 to recommend an ordinance amendment that reassigned animal control responsibilities and duties from the county sheriff’s department to a newly created department to be led by a director who would report to the county board.

One week later, Commissioner Ben Geiger, citing projected 2012 budget issues, changed his vote and the proposal failed on a 4-4 vote.

The double take outraged many in the community and even some commissioners like Joe Lyons who referred to “different factions” and the money concern as nothing more than a cop-out.

The political impasse was characterized by some as having started between Commissioner Robert Houtman and County Sheriff Dar Leaf who disagreed on with whom authority for animal control should lie.

Houtman addressed Leaf at a June 26 meeting, saying, “this is not a personal vendetta against you, Dar. This is about doing what the community asked for and paid for 12 years ago,” when it funded a new animal shelter building to be staffed by volunteers who had been displaced by Leaf.

Commission Chair Craig Stolsonburg fashioned a compromise of sorts with a motion to split responsibilities with the sheriff’s department retaining the duties of animal control

with animal shelter and care to be the responsibility of a newly created department to be led by a director reporting to the commission.

The motion was approved, 8-0.

Nov. 27, the county board recommended the hiring of Diana Newman of Battle Creek as its new animal shelter director.

8. First of three Terpening cases decided and sentenced Troopers and detectives from Michigan State Police Hastings Post arrested Michael Terpening on criminal sexual conduct charges on Aug. 24, 2011. The charges involves multiple teen victims. Terpening, a then 32-yearold Bellevue man, is the former director of Earth Services Youth Home. Terpening was bound over on 12 sex-related charges.

On Dec. 27, 2011, a 19-year-old key witness recanted his testimony against Terpening and, on Feb. 2, Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Payne filed a motion for a gag order. Payne told the court as soon as the case was charged, statements started to be made about the victims in the criminal sexual conduct cases.

On Friday Feb. 10, the case took a stunning turn when a representative from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office stepped in to take over the Terpening cases, citing “some sort of conflict of interest for the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office.”

Assistant AG Angela Povilaitis argued Terpening broke bond when he attended a party on March 17 with one of the victims and minors present and was prohibited from having contact with either. On August 24, District Court Judge Michael Schipper made it clear Terpening was not to have any contact with any named persons in the cases.

Povilaitis was again in Barry County Circuit Court on June 22 to present, on the record, a plea deal to the defendant to which the defense did not respond. Terpening’s trial on the twelve CSC charges began on Oct. 22.

Jurors found Terpening guilty on eight of 12 criminal sexual conduct counts after a 10day trial. Povilaitis won the case by proving to the jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Terpening had indeed committed the acts of which he was accused.

Attorney Thomas Schaeffer and co-counsel Joseph Eldred represented the defendant by attempting to poke sufficient holes in the prosecution’s case. The defense diligently combined inconsistencies in witness memories, blurred event timelines, and tarnished victim histories to discredit testimony and weave doubt into the minds of the jury.

Friends and family of convicted sex criminal Michael Terpening gathered in Barry County Circuit Court on Dec. 13 to hear McDowell pronounce a 10 to 15 year sentence on the 33-year-old Bellevue man. Six other charges on Terpening garnered 66-day sentences and he has received credit for 66 days served. All the sentences are to be served concurrently. He is eligible for parole in 10 years.

Looking forward, Terpening will take this case to the Michigan Court of Appeals. He also faces another trial in late winter for an insurance fraud charge, and yet another trial in early spring for a thirteenth criminal sexual conduct charge. These cases have been assigned to a special prosecutor from the Kent County Prosecutor’s office and not the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

9. New programs launched within Maple Valley Schools this year have increased enrollment and may be a catalyst to open the recently closed Maplewood School in Vermontville.

Pathways Academy is a virtual school that offers on-site mentoring to non-traditional students, including homeschoolers, those transitioning from the classroom to online and adult students, including inmates.

“This is not a one-size-fits-all [program]” said Pathways Academy Director Kristine Stewart. “We will be asking ‘How do we get you to the diploma?’”

The current facility housing Pathways in

the administration offices is too small, and evening hours have been added. The growing enrollment has doubled from the original goal of 40 earlier in the year to more than 100.

Maple Valley Academy, the second program offered in the district, combines kindergarten and first graders in a classroom that focuses on the individual, and students move at their own paces. The philosophy is based on the principles in the book Delivering on the Promise — The Education Revolution.

Maple Valley Academy is expected to incorporate higher grade levels and as a result is anticipated to outgrow its current home at Fuller Street Elementary in Nashville.

10. Fatal virus spreads among deer In early September, Barry County residents began calling wildlife authorities about the alarming number of dead deer found around local ponds, creeks and lakes.

The deer were victims of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, a virus transmitted from deer to deer by a biting fly called a midge. The midge is killed by a heavy frost.

“The frost should have put an end to the EHD cycle for this year,” said DNR Biologist Sara Schaefer in October. “Reports have slowed down, and many of the deer hunters and farmers are coming upon dead deer as they are out doing other things. The carcasses are well decomposed. So far, the Department of Public Health has not been concerned about the carcasses.”

As of Oct. 8, Ionia County still led the state in reported EHD cases in whitetail deer, at 2,077. Kent County followed with 1,073, and Barry County had nearly 913 reported cases.

The state total as of Oct. 8 was 8,671, according to the state’s emerging diseases website.

EHD had been reported in 33 of Michigan’s 83 counties.

Eric Pessel, director of environmental health services for the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, said the virus is not communicable and does not spread to humans. He said the decaying carcasses present no danger to the public as a whole, even though many deer are found dead in one location. Pessell said the deer are not dying in public places, and they are more likely to die in rural areas on larger open tracts of land.

Deer die-offs have been identified and recorded as EHD since 1955. Written reports of die-offs date back to the 1890s. Additional Michigan die-offs attributed to EHD occurred in Michigan in white-tailed deer in 1974, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. All documented outbreaks of EHD have occurred from August to October and ceased abruptly with the onset of frost.

2013 RULES: 1. Parent(s) must be resident(s) of Barry County for at least six (6) months of 2012.

2. Parent(s) must notify The Hastings Banner by calling 945-9554 within 48 hours of birth.

3. Exact date and time of birth must be verified in writing by attending physician or midwife as being the first baby in 2012 born in Barry County.

4. Gifts must be claimed within 90 days with certification letter from the Hastings Banner.

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