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Volume 3, Issue 37 February 6, 2026
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Pentwater Winterfest offers fun new feature this year Superintendents weigh By AnnaMae Bush The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
• Contributed by Joe Primozich
BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307 PERMIT NO 62
Lydey, Craig Chambers and some nearby onlookers. “While throwing snow on it to weigh it down, we joked about what it would look like if it took off and flew up to the water tower…” Joe Primozich laughed. “…Sort of like a trapped magic carpet.” Using a pumper truck over several days, Joe Malburg, Adam Kokx and Katie Kokx sprayed five individual layers of water over the tarp for a solid ice base. The biggest challenge was the amount of snow that fell almost daily. Primozich reported, “We hired Turning Leaf for one snow clearing with their leaf blowers. But other times we relied on volunteers.” Roose, Jack Provencal, and Primozich helped to clear the ice and their efforts were enhanced by Bruce and Kathy Ortman, Mike Russel and Massa who brought their snowblowers to the rink. Williams said, “We had to be careful that the machines didn’t damage the
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In New York City there is ice skating at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. In Grand Rapids there is ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle. And this year in Pentwater, there's ice skating at the Village Green for residents and visitors alike. The project started when Ryan Williams (who owns Port View) had the idea and pursued a way to make it happen, needing funding and approvals. So, he approached the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) with the idea and a request for financial support. They were willing to provide the funding with the requirement that the rink be located in the village. With finances in hand, Williams attended the January Pentwater Village Council meeting and asked for approval to locate the rink at the Village Green in time for Winterfest. Having received majority council approval, Williams engaged Joe Primozich’s help to enlist volunteers for designing and constructing the rink. After several intensive conversations with the Artisan Center director in the space of two days, the project was in motion. Williams ordered the materials needed. Daryl Massa (a civil engineer) drew up the project blueprint. Massa and Barry Freed from the Artisan Center built the 12-inch tall sides from lumber for the 32-foot-by-64-foot rink. Tom Roose (electrical engineer and construction manager) helped Massa and Freed install the frame. The bottom and sides were then covered by a thick tarp. It was a very windy day when the tarp was laid out and it started to lift up with the wind. To prevent its flight, help was recruited from Theresa Roose, Judy Primozich, Dean
tarp on the sides of the rink.” Two weeks after construction started, the rink was ready for skating. On Sunday, Feb. 1, the rink saw 30 skaters. “Fourteen of them were children, and that for me was the mark of success,” Primozich remarked. Residents who grew up in Pentwater may fondly remember the ice skating rink that once was on Park Street close to the library. As students, they often left school to skate before going home. “Those fond memories are inspiring residents to bring their children and grandchildren to the new ice rink to make new memories of fun on the ice.” The project goal was to provide six weeks of skating. If the cold temperatures hold and the ice keeps until the first of March, Williams will consider the goal achieved. Williams shared, “We hope to see the ice used for broomball and hockey in addition to family skating. Future investment may include benches for putting on skates and goal nets for games.” He wished to also thank Sue Bainton for the use of support frames for beginner skaters and Brian Prescott for his willingness to hold loaner skates at Green Isaac’s, where prospective skaters can borrow them. “It took the whole Village to make this happen - we had collaboration with the DDA, the village manager, the Artisan Center, the Pentwater Service Club and the Pentwater Fire Department. Thanks to all the volunteers involved. Apologies for any names that may have been unintentionally forgotten,” Williams said. All are welcome to come to skate, or just to enjoy watching the action!
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The Pentwater Falcons celebrated their Homecoming Friday, Jan. 30. Before the varsity boys basketball team took on the Walkerville Wildcats, the following royalty were crowned before a packed gymnasium: King Brody Austin and Queen Lauren Davis, above left, and Princess Lila Merrill and Prince Chase McGuire-VanGills, above right. • Connie VanDerZanden/Echo
in on number of snow days this winter By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
With all of the wintry weather so far this season, local schools have already accumulated several snow days. Superintendent Mark Platt of Hart Public Schools and Superintendent Mark Olmstead of Shelby Public Schools weighed in on this matter with the following helpful information. As of Jan. 29, Hart Public Schools has had a total of nine days of cancelled classes. And as of Feb. 2, Shelby Public Schools has had a total of seven days of school cancelled. When asked how schools decide when to call off, both superintendents shared similar protocols. “Decisions about whether to hold school during winter weather are based on several key factors, including temperature, snowfall, wind and road conditions. We closely monitor National Weather Service information and rely on firsthand reports. Our transportation coordinator is on the roads early, checking known problem areas along district bus routes. These decisions are never easy, but when conditions exceed the limits of what is reasonably safe for West Michigan winter travel, we prioritize student and staff safety and cancel classes,” Olmstead said. “I mainly work with our transportation director and look at multiple forecasts. The superintendents communicate with each other as well and with the WSESD,” Platt added. While snow days can be fun and break up the monotony of winter, the fact of the matter is that after a certain number of days, some lost time will need to be made up. Olmstead relayed, “If the district exceeds the allowable number of snow days, Shelby would most likely need to add school days beyond the current scheduled last day of school, Friday, June 5.” “The state has rules and options for us to follow. We (Hart) will apply for a waiver of three additional days, so basically we’d go from six (allowed) days to nine days. After that we add to the end of the school year,” Platt said. Obviously the decision whether to cancel school due to weather comes with important considerations and creates certain consequences, but it is one school districts take very seriously. In the case where school is open after a snow day, but students can’t get to school, some parents worry about truancy. Platt said, “We simply want people to make safe choices on days where we run, but maybe their road hasn't been plowed yet. The district tries hard to work with families in these situations.” Most cancelled or postponed events are in the process of being rescheduled. It is recommended families and students visit their school's building or athletic websites, district apps or respective Facebook pages for updated dates and times. As far as regular academics, each district and individual teacher will have their own procedures for what will need to be required following a weather cancellation. Parents are urged to stay in touch with their children’s teachers via each district’s student portal systems so they can experience success despite missed time in school.