(Stanton, MI) – In a heartfelt tribute to longtime Montcalm CASA Advisory Board member Jane Anderson-Beach following the passing of her husband, Calvin Beach, the Montcalm Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Advisory Board has created a unique and lasting gift for the entire community—a wind phone to support those navigating grief and loss.
A wind phone is a symbolic, unconnected telephone placed outdoors—often near a bench or chair—where visitors can engage in one-way conversations with loved ones who have passed away. Originating in Japan, the wind phone offers a space for people to express unsaid words, process emotions, and find peace in moments of solitude. Though simple in design, the experience is deeply moving and can be powerfully healing.
CASA Program Coordinator Jamie Gorby introduced the idea during a board meeting, inspired to create something meaningful in Cal’s memory that would serve others. After watching a short CBS feature on the emotional power of wind phones, the board was unanimously supportive. Board President Dan Eagles offered his enthusiastic backing, and board member Gary Copp volunteered his carpentry expertise to bring the vision to life.
“We wanted to do something that reflected the compassion and community spirit Jane and Cal both embody,” said Gorby. “This wind phone is not just a tribute—it’s a gift of healing for anyone who needs it.”
The wind phone was designed as a traditional phone booth to offer protection from the elements. When presented with the concept, Jane was deeply touched and provided input on a commemorative plaque design—featuring a deer and fisherman to reflect Cal’s love of nature and sportsmanship.
Copp built the structure with care and attention to detail and collaborated with Montcalm Community College’s maintenance team to professionally install the phone along the college’s scenic nature trails. MCC holds special meaning for the couple, both of whom are alumni.
On May 22, 2025, the CASA Advisory Board joined Jane, her friends, and family for a quiet walk to the wind phone site for a dedication ceremony. Emotions ran high as Jane shared a quote from Lao Tzu: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” She reflected on how much Cal loved the outdoors and how meaningful it is to have this tribute in a place he would have cherished—overlooking a tranquil lake nestled within the MCC campus.
“We hope people come here, try the wind phone, and find some comfort in their grief journey,” Gorby shared. “It may seem like a small thing, but it has the power to help in ways you don’t expect. It’s a place to feel connected, to remember, and to heal.”
The Montcalm CASA wind phone is now listed on www.mywindphone.com, joining more than 260 other wind phones across the United States. A trail map showing its location is available to guide visitors to the site.
About Montcalm CASA
Montcalm CASA is a program administered by EightCAP, Inc., a Community Action Agency serving Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, and Montcalm counties. CASA trains and supports volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the Montcalm County Juvenile Court system. Volunteers are assigned to individual cases, advocating for the child’s best interests in court until a safe, permanent home is secured.
For more information about the Montcalm CASA program or to learn how you can get involved, please contact Jamie Gorby at (989) 831-3561 or montcalmcasa@8cap.org.
