INSIDE
: Hope Squad hosts first Wildcat Wellness Walk Volume 3, Issue 44 March 27, 2026
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Many honored at Agriculture Medical Care Facility provides & Natural Resources Banquet numerous positive updates By Sharon Hallack
By Claire Marshall The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
Area ag producers, industry specialists and several friends of agriculture gathered Thursday, March 19 for the annual Oceana County Agriculture & Natural Resources Banquet at the West Michigan Research Station in Hart. Prior to the dinner, MSU Extension District 5 Director and Master of Ceremonies James Kelly introduced various industry partners who presented their annual reports to the group. Oceana Conservation District (OCD) Executive Director Laura Ackerman reviewed the district’s conservation priorities for years 2022 through 2027, highlighting their activities in 2025 to enhance the county’s water quality, manage invasive species, protect/improve wildlife habitat, improve forest health/management and protect greenspace/farmland. Mary Sheppard of the Oceana County Farm Bureau highlighted their activities over the past year, announced winners of this February’s annual ice fishing contest and stated that this fall they plan to
The Oceana County Medical Care Facility (OCMCF) Board of Directors was introduced to the new Director of Nursing (DON), Lindy Stokes, at their March 23 meeting. An employee of OCMCF, Stokes worked first as a floor nurse before progressing to the role of a unit supervisor and started as DON on March 16. Said Facility Administrator Sally Choponis of the appointment, “We’re excited about adding (Stokes) to our leadership team and confident that she will bring value to our organization.” Interim DON Kristina Wilson-Rapson will stay on to aid Stokes in her transition. In celebration of Nursing Home Week, upcoming in May, OCMCF is planning to hold a facility-wide spirit week, complete with recognition of employees and pins for staff to display milestones based on the numbers of years in service. Choponis also extended an invitation to the board. In a similar vein, the facility is planning to introduce further celebrating of employees through a monthly “Spotlight of Excellence,” to, as Choponis explained, “bring recognition to a staff member whose actions reflect our standards and values.” This recognition is similar to, but will not be replacing, the facility’s Employee of the Month and will be determined through monthly department reports. This month’s Spotlight shines on Tara Bateson, R.N. Bateson is being recognized for “outstanding nursing care and clinical excellence. She demonstrated exceptional assessment skills, sound clinical judgment and timely intervention while caring for an acutely ill resident of ours.” Choponis also went on to say that her actions in this situation allowed
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The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
Jade and Nate McMackin
David Rabe and Phil Carter
hold a “Venison Drive” to help fill people’s freezers with some of Oceana’s plentiful deer supply. West Michigan Research Station Manager Justin Adams shared about the number of grower education programs the research center has hosted over the past year and invited everyone back for the asparagus farm tours held during the National Asparagus Festival or to stop in and sample some of the many new fruit varieties they are working with. Following a hearty meal catered by Dave’s Country Kitchen, District Conservationist Heather Varboncoeur presented this year’s Conservationist of the Year award to Nate and Jade McMackin of Tuck Away Acres Farms in Claybanks - Benona Township for their conservation efforts related to their grass-fed beef and free-range hog operations. CTAP (Conservation Technical Assistance Program) Technician Lynda Herremans honored Oceana County Farm Bureau with this year’s 2025 MAEAP (Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program) Award for their 20-plus years of collaboration efforts with the district. District Educator Kari Wilson was pleased to present Fred McHugh and Valerie ChurchMcHugh with the dis-
trict’s “Volunteers of the Year” award for their steady presence, dedication and financial support of the many conservation programs sponsored by the OCD every year. David Rabe, of Rabe Farms, shared a heartfelt description of this year’s “Friend of Oceana Agriculture” before naming Shelby fruit grower Phil Carter, of Carter Farms, as this year’s recipient. Instead of an engraved plaque, Carter received a personalized framed and matted photo collage. He thanked those gathered, saying, “To be recognized by one’s peers is the highest honor.” The featured speakers for the evening were 4-H members Kenai Kokx, Alayna Hammerle and Lillian Wasson, who provided a recap of the “Citizen Washington Focus” conference they attended this past summer in Washington, D.C. They shared about how they enjoyed tours of many historic sites and meeting with local representatives and being able to participate in sessions designed to help them better understand and engage with the government and their communities back home. The evening concluded with the announcement that the votes cast throughout the evening re-elected both Sheppard and Denny Payne to the two open seats on the OCD board of directors. Other OCD directors include Eric Herrygers, Garry McKeen, Larry Byl, Nancy Mathews, and John Stephens.
Emma Waatti, Fred McHugh, Valerie Church-McHugh and Kari Wilson
Farm Bureau members
the patient to be transferred to receive a higher level of care, resulting in a positive case outcome. “Tara’s actions reflect a deep commitment to resident safety, advocacy and excellence in nursing practice.” This month saw 31 outpatient therapy members, with 17 receiving occupational therapy and 17 receiving physical therapy treatments. OCMCF also saw a patient census average of 96, exceeding expectations for the month. Between outpatient therapy and resident censuses, OCMCF is maintaining similar numbers to the previous month. The facility issued 43 denials in the month of February, with the majority having health insurance coverage not yet accepted by the facility - it is an ongoing goal for OCMCF to see this number decrease - with notable denials regarding wanting to preserve the peace, safety and comfort of staff and other residences. The new facility boiler has been installed in working order, passing a recent inspection. Also passing inspection is the facility’s water softener system for the first time in five years. Backup generators are also in working order, as displayed through two recent power outages. Several lights and PA systems are awaiting updates expected in the very near future. Finally, for operational updates, OCMCF is seeking bids for HVAC systems in anticipation of replacing some of the older units at the facility. OCMCF hosted three resident birthday parties in the past month, as well as took residents on outings to church services and the matinee performance of Hart High School Drama Club’s production of “Cinderella.” OCMCF continues to host monthly 4-H dog club meetings, which residents are invited to attend and to meet participants and
OCMCF updates continued on page 2
Hart Rotary names Garry McKeen as its Citizen of the Year Garry McKeen was named Citizen of the Year for 2025 by the Hart Rotary Club. This honor is annually conferred on a non-Rotarian who has made a significant contribution to the betterment of the Hart Rotary Club’s service area. Garry was honored for his long-standing membership and work on the Oceana Conservation District Board, Oceana County Parks and Recreation Commission, Oceana County Planning Commission and the Oceana Community
Austin Garcia and Walt Urick present Garry McKeen, at center, with the Citizen of the Year award. Foundation. Garry also works with the DNR identifying and removing invasive species in our state parks and is an
active supporter of the Hart Performing Arts series. Garry and his wife Julie live in the Mears postal area.