Image above is of a foot bridge over the “old channel” at what is now Life Guard Road, c1900
This is the image used in the Remembering White Lake History Facebook group
When you sit down with Barbara Bedau Brow and Laura Connell, one thing becomes immediately clear: history is alive in their voices, their stories, and their tireless dedication. Together, the two White Lake women have become pillars of local memory—ensuring that the region’s past is not lost, but instead passed along to new generations in ways that are both engaging and accessible.
Deep Roots in White Lake
Both women’s personal histories are intertwined with the White Lake area. Barbara traces her connection back to her grandparents’ cottage, where she first arrived as a baby just 10 days old. She spent summers there until eventually making it her permanent home over 20 years ago. She and her late husband built their retirement home on that very site, and today she treasures the lakefront as her haven.
Laura’s story runs equally deep. Raised locally and a Montague High graduate, her family has farmed and lived in the region for generations. On one side, her great-grandparents settled farmland along Fruitvale and Old 99. On the other, her family came from the east side of Michigan, migrating to White Lake for work. “It’s always been special to me,” she says. “The land, the families, the history—it’s all still here.”
Keeping History Alive Online
The pair are best known for their work running two thriving Facebook groups: Remembering White Lake History and White Lake West Michigan/Muskegon County. Between them, the groups have drawn thousands of members who share photos, stories, and questions about local history. What began in 2018 as a way to make sure the area’s history wasn’t lost has blossomed into a living archive, where community members collaborate to piece together stories and preserve memories.
Moderating and maintaining the groups is no small task. Laura spends much of her time approving posts, weeding out spam, and keeping discussions on track, while Barbara contributes deeply researched articles. “I never really liked history in school,” Barbara admits with a laugh. “But now, I love finding a picture, digging into old newspapers, and weaving the story together.”
Beyond Social Media: The Historical Society
Both women are also active with the White Lake Historical Society, which celebrates its 50th anniversary soon. Their involvement has connected them to a wider network of people equally passionate about preserving the region’s legacy. They’ve helped organize presentations, contributed research, and partnered on projects that range from documenting old streets and businesses to digitizing photos and newspapers.
“I didn’t want us to lose our history,” Laura says. “When Tanya Cabala stopped doing her Tanya Topics column, I was afraid it might fade. So I started the history group. And here we are.”
Stories that Connect Generations
Their passion is contagious. Barbara and Laura light up when recalling old Whitehall fires that reshaped the town, cottages built along the “old channel,” or families whose names still echo in the community. They’ve uncovered century-old photographs, church buildings that were literally moved across frozen lakes, and family trees that unexpectedly linked lifelong friends as cousins.
The joy comes not just in discovery but in connection. Group members often post photos with questions—“Who is this?” or “What year might this be?”—sparking threads of collective memory. “I love it when someone says, ‘I didn’t know that!’” Barbara says. “That means we’re doing our job.”
Preserving for the Future
The work is not without challenges. Old records have been lost to fire, newspapers have gaps, and many stories still live only in people’s memories. Barbara and Laura are determined to capture as much as they can while those voices remain. They’ve taken on the role of caretakers—collecting, preserving, and sharing.
And they know the importance of succession. “Someday, someone else will have to take this on,” Laura reflects. “But for now, we’ll keep going as long as we can.”
A Labor of Love
Neither woman does this for recognition. In fact, they both chuckle at being called “celebrities” in the White Lake community. For them, it’s about ensuring that history is not forgotten. Their Facebook groups, society work, and countless hours of research are, at their core, a labor of love—for their families, for their neighbors, and for the White Lake area itself.
As Barbara puts it: “History is our connection. It tells us who we are, where we came from, and why this place still matters. That’s worth saving.”
