Volume 1, Issue 11 AUGUST 11, 2023
Sprinklez Delight is more than ice cream By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent Anyone who enjoys ice cream knows about “sprinkles”; just ask any kid, especially. That’s how the owners of the new “Sprinklez Delight” in downtown Mears actually got its name. “We wanted something catchy, different, for kids especially, they know sprinkles,” said Alfonso Lopez, who along with his wife Maribel Caldron are the owners of the newest business in town, located at 5657 West Fox Road in downtown Mears. The shop has been open since Memorial Day and has been a dream of Alfonso and Maribel for some time. “In Chicago, where we’re from, you see businesses like this on every corner. We wanted to do something similar here,” Lopez said. “This is the only place you can find some of the items on our menu.” From their parmesan peppery corn on the cob to their best seller “Mangoneadas”, or mangonada, a Mexican slushie, Sprinklez will tickle your tastebuds and have you stopping in for more. Sprinklez makes their mangonada with mango ice cream, chamoy sauce (a sweet and sour sauce made from dried fruit and chiles), and tajin chili powder, topped with fresh fruit and a tajin-coated straw for a refreshing option on a hot day. Everyone who has tried one loves it, according to Lopez. And their spicy sweet corn isn’t far behind. “People say they try to make it at home, but it doesn’t taste the same,” he said. He attributes the shop’s unique flavors to the special ingredients, ice creams and fruits he purchases specifically for his recipes. Sprinklez offers a full line of ice cream from their favorite suppliers, Country Dairy, MOO-ville and Ashby’s. Some of the more unusual flavors in his
Alfonso Lopez stands behind the counter of Sprinklez Delight, the newest business in downtown Mears. • Sharon Hallack/Echo ice cream case include Tequila, Gansito (ice cream with real pound cake mixed in), Pepino (cucumber), Chile, and four sorbets: pineapple, mango, watermelon and lime. “Lime sorbet is a big seller,” Lopez said. Jacked-Up Tennessee Toffee from Ashby’s is great if you’re looking for a coffee ice cream with a smooth toffee finish.
Lopez, a building contractor before opening the ice cream shop, has completely remodeled the former space, making it a fun and welcoming atmosphere, from its pink walls and doors to its bright checkerboard floor and chalkboard wall. Patrons may choose to dine in using the four available booths or take their edible creations with them. Sprinklez offers all of the regular ice cream favorites, from soft-serve and hard ice cream cones to sundaes and banana splits. Lopez and Caldron also pride themselves on their authentic Mexican snacks, which are not available anywhere else in the area. Unique menu items offer “chicharrones preparados” (a flat snack base made out of wheat, topped with pickled pork skin, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, and sour cream; hot sauce is optional), “dorielotes” (Doritos corn chips topped with corn, nacho parmesan cheese and hot sauce) and “dorilocos” (Doritos corn chips topped with nacho parmesan, spicy snack mix and pork skins). Looking for something on the lighter and less spicy side? Try one of their mixed fresh fruit cocktails, yogurts with fruit and granola or fresh fruit waters. Alfonso and Maribel will be taking Sprinklez Delight “on the road,” where they plan to have a booth at the Oceana County Fair and offer many of their specialties. They will also be on hand at the Mears 150th Celebration Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Mears Museum Complex, where they will be serving up vanilla and chocolate ice cream to go with the event’s homemade dessert buffet. The two are looking forward to meeting many members of the community, whether at the ice cream shop, the fair or the 150th celebration. Sprinklez is open every day from 1-9 p.m. with plans to stay open year round.
Deputy Tim Simon named Shelby Public Schools resource officer
PERMIT NO 62
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE
RESIDENTIAL POSTAL CUSTOMER PAID ECRWSS BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307
Effective Aug. 21, 2023, Deputy Tim Simon will be assigned to the Shelby Public Schools as their school resource officer. Deputy Simon is a 25-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and a 1993 graduate of Shelby High School. “Deputy Simon is committed to the community he has lived in his
entire life, and we believe he is going to do amazing things in the schools,” Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast said. Shelby Public Schools and the Shelby Police Department were originally awarded a Michigan State Police – Cops in Schools grant in January 2023. The grant is for $165,232.00 over three years. Chief Dean Roesler approached the Sheriff’s Office in June to see if they might be able to staff this
position, as he believed it was going to be difficult for the village to try to find a candidate for that position. “They, like many other agencies, are shortstaffed and unable to fill vacancies. The board of commissioners was unanimously supportive of this partnership with the village,” Mast said. “Deputy Simon is a well-known deputy in our community, where he currently lives with his wife and two sons.
“Deputy Simon has been in charge of our marine division for 19 years and does a fantastic job. (He) is also one of our car seat technicians and hunter education instructors. Deputy Simon has been an assistant varsity baseball coach, and it’s not a stretch to say he bleeds purple! There are not enough good things to say about Deputy Simon, and we know he will be a great member of the team in Shelby!
“Our goal with this program is to make another one of our schools a safer place for our students. There are SRO programs in Pentwater and Hart already, and we are excited that Shelby will also have a law enforcement presence. Establishing positive relationships with students and staff will be the number one priority. We are thankful for Mr. Olmstead and the SPS staff who have helped (with) this partnership.”
Deputy Tim Simon
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is Aug. 19
This is an annual call to clean out your basement and garage and look for old, unused, or mystery products that require safe disposal. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day (HHW) is scheduled for Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at three locations within Oceana, Mason and Manistee Counties. The collection site in Oceana County will be held at the Department of Public Works, located at 1010 State St. in Hart. The collection is open to county residents who wish to drop off household materials only. Hazardous waste will not be accepted from businesses except for pesticides, in which case pesticide users such as agribusinesses, greenhouses, and golf courses can use this service.
Accepted materials include used motor oil, automotive fluids, cleaners, adhesives, pool chemicals, pesticides, oil-based paints, varnish, electronics, medications, and more. Small appliances such as mini-fridges, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners containing Freon will be accepted for a mandatory fee. Materials are reused, recycled, or safely disposed of by certified contractors, ensuring that the waste stays out of our local soil and water. Items that are NOT accepted include tires, Styrofoam, latex paint, and large appliances, among others. For a full listing of materials accepted (and those that are not), go to www.OceanaConservation.org or visit your local township office and request a
brochure. The event is made possible every year thanks to financial support from Oceana, Mason and Manistee Counties, townships, and municipalities in the three-county area, as well as donations from supporting organizations and private donors. Donations at the time of drop off are encouraged! A suggested donation of $15 per car/truck load will help generate the additional funds needed to support this year’s collection. Volunteers are welcome to help load electronics and sort batteries. If you’d like to learn more about how to get involved as a volunteer or support the event as a sponsor, please call (231) 861-5600.