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: Christmas parade celebrates the season
Volume 3, Issue 29 December 12, 2025
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Silver Lake State Park goes from horsepower to ‘horse power’ By Jenny Cook Michigan Horse Trails Association VP
BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307 PERMIT NO 62
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In an area that is known for dune buggies, side-by-sides and four-wheel-drive vehicles, Silver Lake State Park has now gone from mechanical horsepower to true "horse power" for the month of November. There is nothing comparable to the wind in one's hair, breathing the fresh air, surveying the beauty of the dunes, the expansive sky, and amazing Lake Michigan while navigating this terrain on your favorite horse. Equestrians have always dreamed of riding their horses along the sandy shorelines and fresh waters of Lake Michigan, and now the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has made these dreams a reality by changing their Silver Lake State Park Management Plan to welcome people with horses during the month of November. The Michigan Shoreline Horseback Riding Season is available with a $10 per horse reservation and a Recreation Passport on one's vehicle. Participants must bring their own horse. There are currently no horse rentals available at this location. Please visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Shoreline Horseback Riding Season website for Michigan DNR Shoreline Horseback Riding Registration, parking and safety tips. https://www. michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/horseback-riding/shoreline-riding With a limit of 125 horses per day, there were over 2,400 horse reservations for the 2025 Shoreline Horseback Riding Season, indicating great interest in these opportunities. Many days during the first two weeks and most weekends were sold out.
People from throughout Michigan, the Midwest, and across the nation traveled with their horses to the Mears/Hart communities to enjoy these unique experiences of riding their horses across the dunes and along the sandy Lake Michigan shoreline. These opportunities are some of the best shoreline horseback riding in the world when one considers the preferred sandy shoreline, which provides excellent footing for horses. Horses can soak their legs in the cool, fresh water of Lake Michigan, take a drink and keep on running! The horses also thoroughly enjoy the open spaces where they can relax from the threat of predators, allowing them to give riders their full attention and run freely. Horses of all ages, breeds, colors, patterns, shapes, sizes and styles all enjoy the Michigan Shoreline Horseback Riding Season at Silver Lake State Park. On any day throughout November there were a variety of horses from polo ponies, show horses, trail horses, Western, English, Dressage and more, all enjoying these very unique riding opportunities along the Lake Michigan shoreline. These are also relationship- and confidence-building opportunities for horses and riders. Exposing horses to new terrains and waters develops added value for horses too. Another bonus from the Michigan Shoreline Horseback Riding Season is the positive economic impact generated as horseback riders travel from various areas of Michigan, surrounding states, and even across America to Oceana County. Riders stay overnight and camp at the Double JJ Ranch, the Oceana County Fairgrounds and many other horse-friendly campgrounds in the area. The Oceana County Fairground leaders are planning
• Photo contributed by J Co Media improvements such as new restrooms, developing horse-friendly trails and hosting campfires with BBQs. Riders also visit restaurants and purchase fuel and supplies, boosting revenue for businesses in Oceana County. Equestrians have expressed their thanks for the Michigan DNR Shoreline Horseback Riding Season. The following are some quotes from riders expressing their appreciation, as shared on the Michigan Shoreline Horse Friends Facebook Page: • “I look forward to this ride all year long! I feel like my horse loves it here as much as I do!” Julia C. • “The Shoreline Ride is one of my horse’s favorite rides. He loves diving his nose into Lake Michigan and having a nice long fresh drink. He loves standing in the cold water on his hocks and knees. Several times I caught him just soaking in the
scenery with us, breathing in the fresh air, and licking his lips with so much comfort and contentment.” Karen M. • “This was my first time doing this ride yesterday. I had so much fun! There were so many beautiful horses there and the people were friendly. This was the best time that I’ve had in I don’t know how long. I truly believe my horse has such a great time too! I couldn’t keep her out of the water. She just wanted to play in the water and was a happy camper. I am so looking forward to doing this again!” Connie M. • “100% My daughter and I were first timers, and we had a blast! It was amazing and so much fun. They did a great job setting everything up. We look forward to the next time!” Rhonda M. • “It’s magical!” - Terry R. • “Nothing short of breathtaking. A truly unforgettable experience creating lifelong memories.” - Kelly L. • “The sand, sky, and water are gorgeous!” - Kira G. • “We had the absolute best time! This has been a dream of mine for years!” - Kaylee B. • “The ultimate feeling of FREEDOM!” Veronica C. • “The Shoreline ride is an amazing opportunity to push boundaries and deepen trust between horse and rider.” - Dorothee K. • “Michigan Shoreline Ride will now forever be one of my favorites. It was so exhilarating and closest thing to heaven I could feel!” - Patricia l. To learn about more ride details, find places to camp with one's horses, and other locations to ride, visit the Michigan Horse Trails Association Website Shoreline page at michiganhorsetrailsassociation.com/shoreline/
New Wind Phone in Hart to help those experiencing grief By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent The holidays are upon us, and with them all of the activities, events, traditions and memory-making. But for some the holidays can be hard. Especially if a loved one has passed away since last Christmas. There are many helpful ways to deal with grief - journaling, talking to a trusted counselor or member of the clergy, or attending a support group. An unconventional mode of grief support, the “Wind Phone” is now available in many communities. A wind phone is a special phone booth equipped with a disconnected telephone and a bench or chair and may
include artwork and other comforting features. Wind phones are usually placed in secluded, natural surroundings. The purpose of the wind phone is to provide a space where people are able to “call” their deceased loved ones and talk to them. While perusing social media one Sunday in mid-November, Dodie Stark, of Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate in
Hart, read an emotional story about a family in the Muskegon area who had utilized a wind phone to help one of their family members deal with a recent loss. Sharing the story with fellow staff members the next day got them thinking. Could they set a wind phone up in Hart, and if so, where? Could they bring the gift of healing to their community this Christmas? Through the generosity of staff members and friends, a “The Healing Garden Wind Phone” was ordered shortly after and installed Friday, Nov. 28, in the Healing Garden of Main Street Spa, located at 302 Hanson St. in Hart. The first wind phone on record is located in Ōtsuchi, Japan, when in 2010 a man set up a “phone
booth” in his garden as a way to grieve the loss of his cousin. In 2011, following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the gentleman opened the booth to the public as a way to help others process the devastating losses of the event. Since then, wind phones have been installed all over the world. The Healing Garden Wind Phone comes equipped with a handicap-accessible door, a vintage telephone and a whiteboard for jotting down thoughts, shared Stark. “The wind phone is dedicated to the family and friends of Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate, but is open and available for anyone to use,” Stark said. “Please note, it is an enclosed structure, but it’s not heated, nor is
the path to it always shoveled.” The Healing Garden Wind Phone Facebook page headliner reads, "This phone will never ring. It is a Wind Phone, connected to nowhere and everywhere at once. It is for all who grieve someone they love and lost. It is to share memories, say 'I love you,' say 'I miss you' or to say the goodbye you never got to say. If you have words to send on the wind, pick up the handset and dial their number or spell their name.” According to mywindphone.com there are currently 391 wind phones in the United States, including the one installed in Hart. The next closest wind phones are located in Muskegon and Manistee.