INSIDE
Volume 3, Issue 7 July 11, 2025 Total Raised: $62,690 Lead this Legacy
: Montague teacher takes the plunge into writing
REFLECTIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY
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YOUR LOCALLYOWNED OWNEDAND AND OPERATED OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE YOUR LOCALLY NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE Thank you to this week’s donors towards our Lead this Legacy Fundraising Campaign READER:
Kevin Finnery
Eric R Fox
Therese Andrysiak
Rev. Christopher Haughey
Evelyn Lathrop
Oceana mourns the tragic loss of Cindy Lewis Evenings with the Echo begin July 17
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Oceana County is mourning the July 6 loss of Cindy Lewis, the beloved visionary behind Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo in New Era. The Lewis Farms Team posted the following statement on their Facebook page, July 7: "We are heartbroken to confirm the tragic passing of our beloved co-owner, Cindy Lewis, in an incident that occurred onsite while the farm was closed to the public. Cindy was not only a cherished leader of Lewis Farms, but also a devoted wife, mother and friend to so many in our community. Her sudden loss is devastating beyond words. "To those who have reached out with kind words, stories and cherished memories of Cindy, thank you. Your messages have brought comfort in this dark time and have helped keep Cindy’s memory alive in the most beautiful way. She touched countless lives, and the love being shown in her honor is a reflection of the incredible person she was. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our community. Please join us in continuing to honor Cindy’s life by treating one another with the same kindness, grace and dignity that she so effortlessly shared with the world. "The Lewis family, our
staff and everyone who knew and loved Cindy are experiencing profound grief. This is an incredibly painful time for multiple families, and we ask for space, compassion and respect as they navigate this unimaginable loss together. Out of respect for the family and the integrity of the official investigation, we will not be commenting further at this time." A July 7 media release from the Oceana County Sheriff's Office provided further details: On Friday, July 4, 2025 at 7:46 a.m., deputies received a call for a personal injury accident (at) Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo for a report of a person who had been struck by a vehicle. The accident involved business owner Cindy Lewis, a 56-year-old female, (who) suffered multiple injuries and later died at Trinity Health in Ann Arbor July 6, 2025. (The) driver of the vehicle was a 61-year-old New Era woman, who was also an employee at Lewis Adventure Farm. The original caller to Mason-Oceana 911 told dispatchers that a person had been struck by a vehicle and was still trapped under it. When deputies arrived on scene, they found the victim had been extricated from under the vehicle, and rescue personnel were attending to her injuries. Mrs. Lewis was transported by Life EMS to Trinity Health-Muskegon (and) later airlifted to Henry Ford Hospital-Detroit. "We do not believe al-
cohol or drugs to be any factor in this accident. Deputies conducted a thorough investigation of the accident and driver involved," Undersheriff Ryan Schiller stated. "It appeared as if the driver of the vehicle didn’t see Mrs. Lewis as she was entering the parking lot. The incident and investigation will be turned over to the Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for their review. "Mrs. Lewis was a positive, energetic pillar of our community, integral in the continued growth and development of the family business. We extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Lewis family. This is a tragic loss for our community, and we know that this tragedy will affect not only our community but many others. Please keep the Lewis family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate these difficult days." The release also listed that those responding to the scene were the Shelby-Benona Fire Department, Life EMS and the sheriff's office was assisted by Mason-Oceana 911. Later on Monday, the Lewis Farms Team posted an additional statement on their Facebook page: "It's impossible to fully express what Cindy Lewis meant to Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo - she was the very heart of the adventure. Cindy poured her soul into every aspect of the farm, from caring deeply for the animals to generously sharing her infectious spirit
with employees and guests alike. "Second only to the love she had for her family was the joy she found in working alongside them to build Lewis Farms. Through her vision and unwavering dedication, a humble roadside fruit stand blossomed into a beloved zoo and agritourism destination. "Cindy's joy could be felt in every corner of the farm. On busy days, she cheerfully bounced from task to task, lending a hand wherever it was needed. On quieter ones, she could be found visiting her cherished animals and checking in with staff. Her generosity was boundless - perhaps her most remarkable trait. Few have given so freely, so often, and so thoughtfully to those they loved. From unexpected gifts and treats to joyful celebrations, Cindy made everyone feel seen, valued, and cared for. "While most people build routines around themselves, Cindy's days were centered on her animals, her family, and her friends. She was selfless, kind, and radiant in all she did. "To say she will be missed is a profound understatement. Lewis Farms will never be the same without her. Yet we know she would want us to carry on, to work hard, and to continue bringing joy to the families who visit. Her legacy will live on in every smile, every laugh, and every shared moment at the farm she so dearly loved."
By AnnaMae Bush
The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent It's a summer full of milestones and celebration for The Oceana Echo. Last month, your trusty, local paper marked its second year Park Place in Pentwater serving our community, and next month will have delivered 1,500,000 issues! Echo Publishing Inc. Vice President Amanda Dodge enthuses, “We are really excited about these accomplishments! We love what we do and are so thankful to serve our community.” In honor of these achievements, the Echo staff is hosting a number of “Evening with the Echo” events in multiple locations where the papers are delivered every Friday. Each “Evening with the Echo” will include a presentation about the Echo, a Q&A with Echo staff and an opportunity to give feedback, refreshments from a local establishment, a photo contest with live voting and an opportunity to support the Echo with a donation. “We would love to hear from our readers as we continue to raise funds to keep the Echo and Mirror coming free to almost 15,000 area homes each week,” Dodge said. "We are looking forward to the photo contest as well." Rules for the photo contest are as follows: it is open to anyone, with one photo per person, and the photo must be of the community in which the “Evening with the Echo” event is held. Photos can be submitted via email to Brendan Samuels at brendan@oceanaecho.com or turned in the night of the event. The photos must not have appeared in any other publication, and the photographer must be present in-person at the event to sign a release for potential use in the Echo should their photo win the contest. Two photos from each community will be chosen and featured in the Echo (one for the live community vote that evening and one by Echo staff members). Winners will receive their photo featured in the Echo or Mirror. These special community events will take place from now through October. This month's are: July 17 - Thursday, 6-7 p.m. at Park Place in Pentwater July 24 - Thursday, 6-7 p.m. at the Hart Community Center July 29 - Tuesday, 6-7 p.m. at the Mears UMC July 31 - Thursday, 6-7 p.m. at The Ladder in Shelby Dates and locations for events in Walkerville, Hesperia, Ferry, New Era, Rothbury, Montague and Whitehall will be announced as they are confirmed. If you enjoy reading the local news featured in the Echo and Mirror, be sure to attend an “Evening with the Echo” when it comes to your neighborhood, and support our nonprofit newspaper with your contribution towards this gift to our community.
Boy rescued after being buried in the sand dunes on July 4
According to a press release from the Oceana County Sheriff's Office, on Friday, July 4, at 9:29 p.m., deputies received a call for a child who was buried in the sand near the turnaround area of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. The caller reported that the child had been buried for approximately three to five minutes and that there were about 30 people digging in the last location that the child was seen. Multiple deputies who were staging in Silver Lake in preparation for the fireworks detail that was scheduled that evening responded to the scene. The accident involved a 9-year-old male from Fenton, Michigan. Like many others, the child and his family were up in the sand dunes to watch the fireworks. The family had parked in the ORV parking lot and walked up the steps into the dunes to the pedestrian area. Conservation Officer Logan Turner and Park Ranger Cody Anscombe overheard the radio call from the ORV area parking lot. They
responded to the scene in their side-by-side UTV and located the caller. When Officer Turner arrived, the child had been removed from the sand and was blue in color with no pulse. Officer Turner and Ranger Anscombe began CPR when a physician also arrived on the scene. They did approximately 80 CPR compressions when the boy began to cough. "When deputies arrived on the scene, DNR officers were attending to the needs of the child and making arrangements to meet Life EMS in the staging area," Undersheriff Ryan Schiller stated. "The great working relationships that we have with all of the agencies in our area (are) absolutely key!" The patient was transported by Life EMS to Trinity Health – Muskegon for treatment. A very similar incident occurred last year on June 9, 2024 with a 12-year-old Petoskey boy. That incident also had a positive outcome, but not without some serious complications and hurdles along the way. "We are extremely thankful that this situation had a positive outcome. We encourage
anyone who may take children to the sand dunes to talk with them about the dangers of digging in the dunes," Schiller added. "Digging in the dunes is inherently different than digging anywhere else. The sand is much more unstable and can quickly cave in around a person. This not only happens to children, but can easily happen to adults as well. "The holiday weekend was extremely busy anywhere near the lakeshore, specifically the sand dunes. While we had large crowds all weekend enjoying the water and outdoor activities we only had two injury related accidents, and none were determined to be serious in nature. We are grateful for the work that Think Dunes, Silver Lake Recreation Association and MiDNR are doing to promote a safe experience for dune enthusiasts." Responding to the scene were Michigan DNR – Law Enforcement Division, Parks & Recreation Division, Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Hart Area Fire Department, Life EMS and Schiller said they were assisted by Mason-Oceana 911.