Nathan Klein Story

 A Different Kind of Fast Food

Battle Creek resident Nathan Klein has made a name for himself in an obscure type of contest, finding success in the last seven years competing in food-eating competitions and challenges. Nathan, a Project Manager for Michigan CAT, lives in Emmett Township with his wife, Melissa, and their two children, Patrick and Grace. 

Nathan’s interest in joining the ranks as a food-eating competitor began more than twenty years ago. “I regularly watched the TV show Man versus Food back in the late 2000s,” Nathan explains. “The host of this show, Adam Richman, would travel the country searching for restaurants with some of America’s best-tasting foods and ultimate eating challenges.” This sparked Nathan’s curiosity. 

 A food competition consists of multiple participants competing to see who can consume the most of a specific food in a designated amount of time. A food challenge is put on by a restaurant or food vendor to challenge either individuals or a team to consume a specified amount of a food item in a specified amount of time. Nathan has competed in three hundred fifty food challenges and twenty food contests.

Nathan competed in his first food contest in 2018, hosted by Battle Creek’s Fox’s Pizza Den. The challenge, which Fox’s Pizza still offers today, consists of a two-person team eating a thirty-inch, four-topping pizza. To win the challenge, a team must devour the pizza in fifty-two minutes or less. Winners of this challenge are awarded one large pizza monthly for a year for each team member. “My brother-in-law, Tyler Lewis, and I teamed up for my first challenge at Fox’s Pizza, Nathan recalled. “We missed the fifty-two-minute cutoff with four pieces remaining.” With this being Nathan’s first attempt consuming a large amount of food in a short period of time, his body had not yet adjusted. “I felt awful physically after the first challenge and couldn’t eat anything for twenty-four hours,” Nathan said. In a last-ditch effort to prepare for this initial contest, Nathan went online to research what to do. He prepped his body, eating grapes and watermelon the day before. 

Eventually, Nathan would pick up steam and enter beast mode as a food-eating contestant, but it would not happen immediately. He talked about the timetable for his next contest. “After the first challenge, I kind of forgot about it for a while. About seven months later, my wife Melissa saw a post on Facebook for an eating contest hosted by Sweetwaters Donut Mill out of Kalamazoo.”  Melissa did a little nudging and convinced Nathan to enter Sweetwater’s competition, which consisted of ten participants. The participant who consumed a dozen donuts first or ate the most in twelve minutes would be the winner. Nathan prepared for this contest by simulating it as closely as possible. A few days prior, he brought home a dozen donuts from Sweetwaters to see how many he could eat in ten minutes, finishing off eight donuts. Nathan finished as runner-up, missing out on first place by just a few bites. 

Nathan was bummed in losing his first two contests. He sought redemption. A week after the Sweetwater competition, he attempted the hamburger eating challenge put on by McGonigles in Battle Creek, tasting success for the first time. This challenge consisted of eating a three-pound hamburger, including a bun, all the fixings, and an order of fries, in under an hour. He shattered the time limit, consuming everything in twenty-eight minutes. 

Completing McGonigle’s challenge lit a fire in Nathan. “Melissa and I started researching food challenges in the immediate area,” Nathan explained. “ I started going to restaurants to compete weekly.” Melissa and the kids joined Nathan on these excursions, serving as his cheering squad. Melissa would live stream many of the challenges. Nathan started getting a following. This led to him making YouTube videos. In 2019, he started his own YouTube channel and began traveling further to compete in challenges and competitions.

Nathan was racking up victory after victory and becoming more than a casual competitor. “I made a goal to win a challenge in every state in 2021, which I achieved three years later in February of 2024,” Nathan stated. “I have also won a challenge in Ontario.”

Pursuing his fifty-state goal required support at home. For many of these challenges, he traveled alone, and Melissa stayed at home to hold down the fort. Nathan would do an online search for challenges in each state and go to these destinations for a quick weekend. He also doubled up for many as he checked off cities for another goal. “I am a die-hard Detroit Lions fan and have been a season ticket holder since 2017,”  Nathan explained. “I have another goal of seeing the Lions play in every NFL stadium, so I have done a few food challenges for Lion’s travel weekends. So far, I have checked off ten stadiums.”

To date, Nathan has won three hundred and forty-six challenges, losing in only seven. One hundred and seventy-five of those wins have come in his home state, claiming the most victories in Michigan as well as the most victories for any individual in one state. Competitive eating is not a high-stakes money-making sport. Nathan gave details about his prize winnings. “The biggest cash prize I have won is  $685. I have won roughly $5000 altogether from challenges and contests. Other winnings include shirts, hats, gift cards,  free food, and knick-knacks.” Nathan has also earned some money from his YouTube following. The bulk of Nathan’s wins came between 2019 and 2023, in which he was commonly participating in a challenge each week. He still competes now, but not nearly as often.

Klein competed in the world’s most famous food challenge, the Seventy-Two Ounce Big Texan Steak Challenge in Amarillo, Texas, inhaling the steak in just under thirty minutes, well within the hour cut-off time. Klein offered details about some of his most cherished challenges. “My most delicious challenge was a chicken fried steak challenge at Kendall’s Restaurant in Noble, Oklahoma, which included chicken fried steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, salad, green beans, and a cinnamon roll.”  Klein finished this challenge in 15 minutes, well within the hour cut-off time. ”I have done about 25 ice cream eating challenges, including one in which I teamed up with my daughter Grace. Fortunately, I don’t get brain freeze.”  His most memorable challenge was one of the ice cream challenges. He offered details about this challenge. “Several years ago, I traveled to Channing, Michigan, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to compete in an ice cream challenge hosted by Midtown Bait and Tackle. I had contacted the owners ahead of time to let them know that I was coming. Little did I know they had announced to the entire town about when I would be there. This little town in the middle of nowhere had a ton of residents come out to watch me. It was a nice surprise.”  Other notable challenges that Klein mentioned are those in his hometown, including Fox’s Pizza, McGonigles, and Arlene’s Truckstop.

Although each challenge is unique, there are common characteristics and strategies. “For competitions, I typically focus on myself and ignore the other participants. For challenges, I focus on my timer to let me know how I stand. Beverages are allowed to wash down food at challenges, with soda or water being my go-to. I have choked on food for a few of the contests, which is always unpleasant, but fortunately, there was never a life-threatening situation.”

At this point in his journey as a competitive food eater, Nathan has scaled back. His current goal is to complete the remaining twenty challenges in Michigan that he has not checked off yet for 2025.

 

Physically, Nathon does not look like someone who consumes large calories in one sitting. He has implemented a workout routine since he started competing. He stands five foot nine inches and weighs one hundred eighty pounds. 

Nathan’s wife and kids make up his favorite fan club. His daughter Grace shared the following. “I like it because sometimes it makes me hungry after watching.” 

Patrick stated, “It’s interesting how Dad can win so much cool stuff.”

Melissa shared how she feels about Nathan’s achievements. “I get a sense of pride that I can say I am married to someone that set his mind on a goal and accomplished it.” Melissa’s words are a great synopsis of Nathan’s accomplishments. As unique as his goals are, focus and drive have been a been a key to his success, as is common in reaching any goal, with many memories made along the way.

 

Joene Joostberns Story

 “Home is where we should feel secure and comfortable.”

—-Catherine Pulsifer

The end of an era is on the horizon for Wattles Park Elementary School (WPE) when classes resume in August. Third-grade teacher Joene Joostberns will begin her first school year as a retired teacher. She has been a long-time member of the Wattles Park (WPE) and Harper Creek family, starting in 1974 when she was four years old. Joene’s time at WPE began in kindergarten and continued through sixth grade. Following elementary school, she attended Harper Creek Middle School and then Harper Creek High School, from which she graduated in 1988. Joene transitioned to college after high school to pursue her teaching degree, only to return to WPE, where she would spend her entire teaching career. 

Joene reflected on her childhood growing up a mile down the road from WPE. “I was born in 1970, the youngest child of Gary and Kay Pearson. My brother Jeff is the oldest. My twin sisters Jana and Jeannie were next, and I am the baby. We grew up on Keathley Drive in Emmett Township, not far from WPE.” Like Joene, her siblings also attended WPE and Harper Creek Schools. Many of Joene’s and her siblings’ classmates lived in the area surrounding their home. She talked about the fun times growing up. “There were lots of kids who grew up in our neighborhood. It seemed like we were always outside playing. Winter memories were created from ice skating on Hoffman’s Pond. Our summer days started outside first thing in the morning, where we spent much of the day playing before coming back in before bedtime.”  

Joene enjoyed the hours outside with her friends, but she also appreciated her time in school. She gave details about her elementary years. “Mr. Hughes, our principal, was still at WPE when I began my first year of teaching in 1995. WPE was always so much fun. I remember my 3rd-grade teacher, Mrs. Rabbit, hosting a class party during the school day at the end of the year. All of her students walked to her house just a few blocks away. Mrs. Dilno, my 4th-grade teacher, also had an end-of-the-year celebration at her house with a sleepover pool party for the class.” Joene’s class missed out on one of the highlights of the entire elementary school experience. She reflected on this. “The only disappointment during my elementary years was having to miss out on 6th-grade camp. It was an experience that everyone always looked forward to.” During the early 1980s, Harper Creek Schools experienced a short-term financial crisis, which resulted in the cancellation of 6th-grade camp for a few years, including the year Joene was in 6th grade.

Joene was shy as a child, and transitioning from elementary to middle school was a little bumpy initially. She would eventually make new friendships and enjoy the experience in a new building with new classmates and teachers. Sports were something that took up her free time after school hours, and it was part of what made school such a positive experience for her. Her first time with organized sports was with the Wattles Park Men’s Club League, participating in basketball and softball during her elementary school years. She gave details about her involvement in sports starting in the 6th grade. “In middle school, I played basketball, volleyball, and ran track. In high school, I played basketball and volleyball pin my freshman and sophomore years and then transitioned to tennis during my junior and senior years. Tennis was my only sport for my last two years. Our team qualified and participated in the state tennis tournament in my senior year.” 

Joene’s career in becoming a teacher was inspired by her mom and her best friend from school. She talked about this influence and the process of choosing teaching. “Mom was a teacher in Iowa before our family moved to Michigan. I can remember playing school when I was younger and pretending to be a teacher. Later, Mom was the director at Little Friends Day Care Center. Initially, when planning what I might want to study in college, I considered being a daycare director like Mom, but these plans would be adjusted. Unfortunately, Mom passed away just after I graduated from high school. She had survived cancer when I was younger, but the cancer returned during my senior year, and she was very sick. I planned on enrolling at Kellogg Community College (KCC). My best friend, Kim Evans, had also enrolled at KCC in hopes of getting an elementary education degree. After Mom passed away, I decided to follow Kim’s lead.” Joene and Kim took classes at KCC for two years and then transferred to Western Michigan University (WMU). They roomed together and graduated from WMU in 1993.

While at WMU, Joene met Randy Joostberns. “Randy and I met in 1991 and began dating”, Joene said. “We got married in 1992. Randy lived in the WPE neighborhood and was raising his two daughters, Jenny and Rachel, as a single parent. When Randy and I married, I moved in with them. Jenny was attending WPE, and Rachel started kindergarten there a year later. Randy and I were blessed with the birth of our son, Kameron, in 1993. With the circumstances of living near WPE, Jenny attendng school there, and Rachel and Kameron going to school there in the future, I thought the perfect scenario would be for me to get a teaching job at WPE.”

After graduating from WMU, Joene sent out her application to only Harper Creek. This was her home, and it was where she wanted to teach. “After finishing at WMU, I began subbing at other area schools, but mainly Harper Creek, for one year,” Joene recalled. “ I got my first full-time job at Wattles Park in 1995, teaching 2nd grade. After one year, I moved up to 4th grade. I taught 4th grade for many years and eventually moved to 3rd grade, the grade I would teach the remainder of my teaching career.”  

Like it had been since she started kindergarten, WPE became her home away from home with her students, their families, and her co-workers becoming her tribe. She and Randy moved from their home on French Lane the same year she started teaching, purchasing a house on Keathley Drive just a few doors down from where Joene grew up. She and Randy raised their three children in their home on Keathley Drive, and they still live there today. 

Being a teacher for thirty years has been a blessing for Joene. Joene reflected on what this journey has meant to her. “I have enjoyed watching kids learn, and have always liked teaching the content. Curriculum demands have increased through the years, making it more of a challenge to do some of the projects that I did in the beginning of my teaching career, but I have always tried to make learning fun for my students. I have evolved over the years and have tried to get to know each student as a whole child, not just as a learner. Teaching has also been a great career for raising my children.”  Being a teacher has been something that Joene has appreciated, but spending her entire career at WPE, her home, has meant the world to her. She shared her thoughts about this. “I have made friendships with teachers. WPE has always been my social outlet and my family. Many of the people I have taught with have turned into my friends. I have learned from many of the teachers I have worked with. It feels bittersweet knowing that my time at WPE is done. I’ve always felt pride in being a teacher at WPE. I love seeing my students out in public. Wattles Park has been my home for many years, and I feel lucky to have been a student and teacher here, and to live in the WPE neighborhood all of these years.” One of Joene’s 3rd grade teaching partners, Angela Taft, has witnessed the deep connection that she has with Harper Creek and the influence she has had on others. “When I think of Joene, the first thought that comes to mind,” said Angela, “is the Harper Creek pride that runs deep inside of her. She has been a part of the Harper Creek community for most of her life. When I came to Harper Creek, she took me under her wing.” Beyond teaching her students the elementary curriculum, Joene has modeled to students and staff her values of making healthy choices. “She works out daily, hosts workouts for staff, and brings in healthy snacks to share with co-workers,” Angela stated. 

With Joene’s retirement, WPE will lose one of its long-time family members. She has hinted that she will visit and might even sign on to substitute teach at WPE, but it won’t be the same as having her there every day. It will mark a huge change for both WPE and Joene.

Ed Greenman Story

 Harper Creek High School principal Ed Greenman is set to retire at the end of the current school year, ending an illustrious 40-year career. Through the years, he has filled several coaching roles, served as athletic director, and become a Harper Creek icon. He stepped into his current position as principal three years ago. Ed was born and raised here in Battle Creek, and played sports throughout high school for St. Philip High School. He talked about his career as a student athlete. “During my high school years, I played football and basketball all four years. I participated in track and field my first three years, and played baseball as a senior.” Ed and his football teammates competed at a high level, qualifying for the playoffs in his senior year and making a run all the way to the semi-finals.

Ed’s experience at St. Philip was positive and paved the way for his future. “Mike Hume, St. Phillip’s athletic director (AD) at the time, was also my government teacher and football coach,” Ed explained. “He had a huge influence on my life at that time. It was because of Mike that I wanted a career in education.” Ed graduated from St. Philip in 1979 and went on to Albion College, where he played football and was a member of the track and field team, competing in the triple jump. He initially thought he would pursue a degree in education but had concerns about salaries for educators. He enrolled at Albion in the fall of 1979, seeking a business degree, but after one semester, he abandoned this. He reflected on this decision. “I realized that it didn’t matter to me if I could make more money in the business field. I knew I wanted to work with kids, so I followed my heart and transitioned to education classes.” 

Ed earned his BA degree in physical education from Albion in 1983 and moved on to Central Michigan University (CMU) for graduate school. During his time at CMU he was a graduate assistant and taught some undergraduate classes. He also gained his first experience coaching as a member of the CMU football staff. Ed graduated from CMU with an MA degree in physical education in 1985. He reflected on his time as a member of the CMU football coaching staff. “I learned a lot about coaching from Herb Deromedi, CMU’s head coach. There were several coaches on that staff with whom I am still friends. Working with Herb and the entire coaching staff laid the foundation for my coaching career for years to come.” 

After graduating from CMU, Ed had two job offers to consider. He was offered a job as defensive backs coach for Saginaw Valley University’s football team and also had a job offer from Harper Creek, which included duties as assistant AD, assistant for the community school program, boys’ track coach, and head football coach. Coaching football at the college level for Saginaw Valley was an attractive offer, but Ed decided to come back home to Battle Creek.  “I chose the Harper Creek job because my fiancée, and soon-to-be wife, Beth Bauman, was working in Battle Creek already, and our families were also here,” Ed said. “As I reflect on my career, I know in my heart that I made the right choice taking the job offer from Harper Creek.” 

With all the roles that Ed has filled over the last four decades, being the Beavers’ football coach is what he is known most for. The program has experienced much success under his guidance, but as Ed explained, it didn’t start off with a bang. “When I started at Harper Creek, Ralph Kenyon was our AD. My relationship with Ralph was great. He was an amazing mentor, and I don’t know what my life would be like without him. In my first two football seasons, we were 0-18, but Ralph stood by me.” The football program began to right the ship in Ed’s third season, finishing with a regular season record of 7-2 in 1987 and 9-0 in 1988. Ed reflected on the first chapter of his coaching career. “The 1987 and 1988 teams set the tradition. My first few years were not always easy, but we were patient, we had great athletes, and we were blessed with a very supportive group of parents. The kids bought in and always put the team first. It snowballed in a positive way.” 

The wins, playoff runs, and conference championships provided great memories and affirmation regarding the work put in by the coaches and players, but these wins weren’t the biggest source of satisfaction. The wins wouldn’t have meant anything without the relationships built with coaches and players. Ed considers all of these relationships to be blessings in his life. Ed mentioned a few coaches who have made an impact on the football program, including Dennis Stansbery, Mike Seedorff, Jeff Williams, Dave Ponscheck, Chad Dishaw, and former players, including Alex Nicholich and  Craig Grable, who came back to help coach. Ed talked about what these relationships have meant to him. “As I look back on my coaching career, each assistant coach has played a pivotal role. All of my coaches have loved Harper Creek and loved our kids. They have always been committed to our program. Surrounding yourself with good people is important for success in life. This has been the theme with the coaches I have worked with.” Each team that Ed has coached through the years holds a special place in his heart. He shared his thoughts on this subject. “The 1988 team was probably the most special with players like Kevin Stansbery, Torrell Humphries, Tony Mitchell, and Alex Nicolich. This group set the tone for the future of Harper Creek football. We have made several deep runs in the playoffs, making the semi-finals four different times. One thing that I am proud of is our teams going undefeated in the regular season in 1994, 1995, and 1996.” Former players coming back as assistant coaches speaks to the culture that has been developed within Harper Creek’s football program. One of these players, Alex Nicolich, reflected on playing for and coaching with Ed. “Ed is not only a mentor to the Harper Creek students and athletes, but also a role model for everyone he comes in contact with. Of all of the individuals who have come through Harper Creek, I can’t think of anyone who made a more positive impact.”

Ed transitioned from assistant AD to head AD in 1998. Being the head football coach and the head AD at the same time wasn’t always easy. He credits his two administrative assistants during that time, Sandy Yeck and Melissa Feasel, with keeping things manageable. In 2014, after 30 years of coaching football, Ed retired from coaching. He was content with this for a few years but felt the itch to get back in it and returned to the football team as one of Mike Seedorf’s assistant coaches for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. They made a run to the semi-finals of the playoffs in 2017.

For 37 years, Ed was tied to the Harper Creek athletic department, coaching football for three decades and short stints as the boys’ track coach, girls’ assistant basketball coach, and boys’ golf coach. In 2022, after a search for a new principal didn’t land a candidate to fit the job, Superintendent Rob Ridgeway asked Ed to step in on an interim basis. There was a learning curve for Ed, but it became a perfect fit. After three years, he appreciates ending his career as a principal.

Ed is most revered as a successful football coach, but his legacy runs deeper than this. His presence has touched teachers, coaches, students, and the Harper Creek community. Ryan Renner has worked under Ed’s leadership as a coach and teacher for Harper Creek. He shared his thoughts. “Ed is a man of high character and believes in doing what is right even if it doesn't win a popularity contest.  He's always very positive with everyone he comes in contact whether it is a coach, athlete, student, parent, or teacher.”

Being a part of the Harper Creek family for 40 years has blessed Ed in many ways. He reflected on his career. “It’s hard to believe how fast forty years have flown by. I’ve met so many people along the way who have become lifelong friends. There isn’t anything that I would have changed. It has been a great place to work. Harper Creek is a truly special place. Our identity comes through our school. The Harper Creek community has done a great job of supporting our school system through academics and athletics.” 

Looking ahead to retirement, Ed will not forget about the Harper Creek community. He and his wife, Beth, don’t have plans set in stone but will be spending some time in Italy, where their only child, Kevin, works as a professor at the Catholic Institute of Technology. Kevin and his wife Aline recently became proud parents with the birth of their son Sebastian. Ed and Beth are looking forward to spending time with Kevin, Aline, and Sebastian.

Dog Therapy Story

 More Than a Pet

“Our therapist has four paws.”

Kids may not deal with the same day-to-day responsibilities as grown-ups, but this doesn’t mean that anxiety doesn’t exist in their lives. There are many things that children have no control over, with the majority of decisions that impact their lives made by adults. School can create a contradiction for students. The structure of the school day offers peace of mind, letting kids know what to expect, but it can also create stress with the demands of academic mastery. All schools do their best to put interventions in place to keep anxiety at bay. Riverside Elementary has added an extra layer of support with the addition of a therapy dog.

River, a Yellow Lab, joined Riverside’s family at the start of the 2023 school year. Principal, Tara Rice reflects on her transition to Riverside coinciding with River’s initiation as a therapy dog. “When I was hired as principal, a year and a half ago, one of the conditions for me accepting the job was being assigned as handler for a new therapy dog. Prior to River joining us, Lucy was our school’s therapy dog. Lucy belonged to one of our teachers and was trained to work at our school but shortly after completing her training, school was shut down due to COVID. She had a difficult time making the transition back to school, ending her time as our therapy dog.”

River went through ten months of training at Wing and Shot, a facility out of Ortinville, Michigan. Lakeview School District has committed to equipping all four of their elementary buildings with dogs trained by the handlers at Wing and Shot including Ohana at Prarieview, Captain Sully at Minges Brook, and Shelby at Westlake. Wing and Shot provided each dog which came with the price tag of the training. The trainers felt that the Yellow Lab breed was a good breed for working at an elementary school. 

River has been an integral part of the school climate at Riverside early on. Tara talks about the involvement of everyone in naming their new therapy dog. “Each classroom teacher submitted a name and our students voted from this list of names.” River is a unique name for a dog but fits her working at the school she is named after.

Although River is not on the payroll she is a valuable part of the staff at her school. “Her temperament is perfect for our students,” explains Tara. “She is part of our resilience work at Riverside and is one of our building’s sensory stations, providing an opportunity for students experiencing anxiety to have a reset. She is a friend for each student to share their secrets and feelings with, whether it be emotions of sadness or thoughts of anger.” River spends much of her day in the nurse’s office where students come to cuddle with her when they need a break. Tara shares one of the unexpected benefits that River has provided. “When we have students who are dropped off by a parent and are struggling with separation anxiety, we will have a staff member walk River out to the car to greet the child. This has worked every time in getting reluctant students to enter our building.” A big part of River’s training involved learning how to comfort people. She has a sense of when someone needs an emotional boost. She will put her paw on an individual as a way to offer encouragement. Tara describes how River’s ability to comfort helps with the ultimate goal of school. “Many social and emotional things become barriers for kids to learn. River helps to bridge this with her ability to calm students, making them more ready to learn.”

Students and staff helped River celebrate her second birthday earlier in the school year with a birthday party. As part of this celebration, shirts were printed with the phrase, “Our therapist has four paws.” The profits made from the sale of these shirts are being used to help with ongoing expenses related to the care of River.

River has scheduled bathroom breaks during the school day, one of those coming when third-grade teacher, Jennifer Ryan takes her students outside for recess. Jennifer reflects on the impact River has had on her students and all kids at Riverside. “ When I started the year, I volunteered my class to take River out for recess. My kids loved her so much that we have taken this on for the entire year. She has a calming effect on my students. All the kids at school love River. Having a dog in the building has created a universal happy feeling for everyone.” A few of Jennifer’s students summarize the appreciation they have for River. “She always wants to be near me if I am sad. She is a good dog and loves my hugs!” says Kevin Robertson. “She is the BEST because she cheers us up!” exclaims Gabe Payne.

Tara is River’s primary caregiver. River stays in her home when she is not at school. She has become a beloved member of Tara’s family. Tara is amazed at how River can distinguish between her roles of working during the day and being a family dog at night. She describes what she has observed from River in her interactions at school compared to her interactions with her family. “She wears a vest at school that identifies her as a therapy dog for Riverside Elementary. River understands that when the vest is on she is at work, and when she is not wearing her vest she can be more playful.”

Other area school districts also understand the impact therapy dogs can have on student mental health and learning. Pennfield has therapy dogs in four of their buildings including Brody at the High School, Waylon at the Middle School, Indi at North Penn Elementary, and Maverick at Purdy Elementary.  Harper Creek’s Beadle Lake Elementary’s therapy dog is an Australian Shepherd named Boone. Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center therapy dog, Hero, roams the halls, providing a calming presence for students.

River’s presence at Riverside Elementary has helped to enhance the community that exists among staff and students. The training that she has received coupled with her demeanor has been instrumental in easing the anxiety that exists in many children. She is one of many tools in helping to maximize student learning. River is more than just a pet. 

Calhoun Coutnty Sherriff's Mounted Unit Story

 The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit has served the Sheriff’s Office and local community for half a century. During this time, this group has provided support for crowd control with deputies on horseback while also promoting positive public relationships with law enforcement. Like all facets of our society, law enforcement has evolved over the years, adapting to ongoing changes in the needs of keeping our communities safe. Technology has streamlined this process, but there are still benefits to be gained from old-school approaches. “The Mounted Unit has a rich history in law enforcement,” explained Calhoun County Sheriff Steve Hinkley. “Their presence in our community at various events helps to keep this history alive.” The role of the Mounted Unit in Calhoun County goes beyond the history of law enforcement patrol on horseback. Hinkley offered more details. “The Mounted Unit is its own entity. Each deputy owns their horse and everything they need to perform their duties. They are similar to a volunteer fire department. They have an advantage over officers in a squad car or on foot in situations of crowd control. Being seated on a horse allows them a vantage point, helping to scan the area more efficiently.” Hinkley also touched on how the members of the Mounted Unit help to promote a positive perception. “They are by far the best community relations component that I see from my department. The horses seem to draw the public in. They do a fantastic job of fostering positive experiences with community members. I appreciate all that they bring to the community and the sheriff's department.” Although the Mounted Unit is its own entity, it does not exist on an island. Communication and support from the Sheriff’s Office are critical. Mounted Unit Deputy Jeff Adams summarized this partnership. “Our liaison officer, Lieutenant Chris Young, is instrumental in making sure that we are all up to date on our training and certification. He is the go-between for us and the Sheriff. Chris has done an outstanding job in supporting us, and without his support, it would be difficult for us to exist.” 

The Mounted Unit currently consists of 8 volunteer deputies. Adams is the longest tenured deputy, dating back to 2015. He discussed why he joined the Mounted Unit. “I have been a public servant all of my adult life as an EMT, firefighter, and elected official for Newton Township. Growing up, my kids were involved in 4-H, so every summer I would see the Mounted Unit at the Calhoun County Fair. This experience made me realize that being a mounted deputy was something I wanted. My career in public safety and time spent riding horses and taking care of them helped to fuel this interest. Finally, in 2013, I decided the time was right, so I completed an application. I have enjoyed this opportunity and plan on continuing as long as my body will allow me to get up on the horse, hopefully at least another 10 years.”

Being a mounted deputy is voluntary and not a full-time job, but it does require more than showing up at events with a horse. Adams discussed the lengthy process required to become a part of the Mounted Unit. “Each of our deputies must be trained as a reserve deputy law official to represent the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department. During the certification process, each candidate must attend a series of evening training sessions. It is a condensed version of a full law enforcement academy.” Each deputy goes through 180 hours of training over a 6-month period of time. The commitment also requires another 10 hours on the shooting range and 40 hours of ride-along time with a deputy who is certified to be a training officer. “Those who desire to be a part of our program must be equestrians willing to dedicate their time,” Adams explained. “These individuals need to come to us with experience and knowledge on how to ride a horse in a crowd.” The training goes beyond teaching future deputies. Horses must go through desensitizing training annually and go through a battery of tests each year to qualify. “Horses must be trained not to let certain things stress them out,” Adams explained. “Examples of stressors for horses include loud noises, streamers, and plastic bags swept away by the wind. The purpose of the desensitizing training is safety for the horse, the rider, and the crowd. Bill Richey, a world-renowned horse trainer and desensitizer, comes to Calhoun County each year to desensitize our horses.” Preparing each horse for becoming comfortable in large crowds is just as important as the training required of the deputies. The pricetag for bringing in Bill Richey for training each year is $2500. Like all other items associated with the Mounted Unit budget, no tax dollars are used. They are completely self-sufficient financially, with costs coming either out of pocket from each member or from fundraising events that they organize.

Calhoun County is fortunate to have a Mounted Unit. Currently, approximately only ⅓ of Michigan’s counties have this luxury. To have a mounted patrol presence for various events in our county has been something that many in the law enforcement sector appreciate. Having longevity for 50 years has allowed the Mounted Unit to evolve over time while having a continual cycle of veteran Mounted Unit deputies and those new to law enforcement, working together and learning from one another. Calhoun County's most experienced mounted deputy, Bill Bammer, served the community for 47 years in this role from 1976 to 2023. He reflected on his years of service. “The Mounted Unit initially started in Calhoun County for a couple of reasons. Horseback patrol at the Calhoun County Fair was one of the initial needs, but having a mounted patrol to help with search and rescue was probably an even bigger need.” You can still see the Mounted Unit out at the county fair each summer, assisting the Sheriff’s Department. Other events where their presence is common include local parades and other community events. Bammer talked about some of the other huge gatherings they have been called to over the years. “We helped with crowd control when the KKK held a rally in Hillsdale back in 1995. We also assisted with crowd control on the campaign trail when Donald Trump came to Battle Creek in 2020, and in 2004 when George W. Bush was in town.” Enjoying the time on horseback may have been part of why Bammer stayed on for so long, but he explained how this wasn’t his main calling card. “I continued as a member of the Mounted Unit for so many years because I have always felt that the service that we provide is important.”

The common theme for why the Mounted Unit’s current group of deputies invests of their time is centered around the opportunity of weaving a passion for horses into providing a positive support for the community. Kathy Fischer, who is in her second full year as a Mounted Unit deputy, reflected on why being a part of this group is important to her. “It has been something for me to do in this stage of my life that I enjoy. I love being able to support our community and create a positive image of law enforcement for kids, in particular. It is a job that we take seriously, but we also have a lot of fun.” Husband and wife, Angie Solomon and Steve Funk, who reside in Hastings, have shared their passion for being a part of a Mounted Unit for many years. They have been a part of Calhoun County’s Mounted Unit since 2022. “Both Steve and I were with the Eaton County Mounted Unit for seven years,” Angie said. “They disbanded in 2019, but Steve and I really wanted to continue working as mounted deputies, so we decided to apply to Calhoun County. Being a prior law enforcement officer, I have seen some of the negative perceptions that the public has of law enforcement. Horses help to bridge the gap with this perception.”  

“I am a retired firefighter for Delta Township,” Steve added.  “Both Angie and I also currently volunteer for the Freeport Fire Department. We enjoy volunteering our time for a good cause. Being a part of the Mounted Unit is a way to give back. When you can give back to the community with a horse, it makes the experience better.” 

The Mounted Unit will be out at the Calhoun County Fair again this year, celebrating its 50th year of serving Calhoun County. You can see them as they patrol or by stopping by their booth in the Merchant’s Building for more information about what they do.