Off The Water - July 4-10, 2014

No bluffing

Full steam ahead Train performs at Four Winds........ p.3

Week of July 4-10, 2014

FREE

Krasl Art Fair next weekend.......... p.5

Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

Volume 6, Number 27

All aboard!

Greenbush, Sunset Coast team up to provide trolley service...p. 2

www.offthewater.com

Page 2 • Week of July 4-10, 2014

All aboard!

Off The Water, Michiana

FOCUS

Greenbush, Sunset Coast team up to offer trolley service

Submitted photo/Michael Kiser

Greenbush Brewing Company and Sunset Coast Trolley Company have joined forces to make it easy for folks in St. Joseph to get down to Sawyer for a craft brew and a meal.

By JILL McCAUGHAN jill.mccaughan@leaderpub.com

s

awyer—Tourists from all around come to southwest Michigan to enjoy the wineries and craft breweries that the area has to offer.

Sometimes, though, it can seem like just a little too much of a hassle for area residents to drive down to a different town to enjoy the nightlife, even though making the drive is definitely worth it once they get there.

That is why Greenbush Brewing Company is now offering a bi-monthly, round-trip trolley service from St. Joseph to Sawyer.

“After booking a trolley pub crawl for an event in Chicago recently, it dawned on us that teaming up with the Sunset Coast Trolley Company in St. Joe to essentially be the designated driver transporting groups of people to and from Greenbush on a frequent basis was bound to appeal to a lot of people,” said Greenbush’s marketing director, Jennifer Piotter.

Now, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, guests can catch a trolley at the Maids of the Mist fountain in St. Joseph and ride down to Greenbush Brewing Company. That fountain is locat-

ed at 200 Lake Blvd., across the street from the Veranda at the Whitcomb.

“It was my idea, and I got in touch with Dave Krock at Sunset Coast Trolley Company,” Piotter said. “We worked with him and Kristin Cornell at Sunset Coast to coordinate it.”

Round-trip tickets for the trolley, which

seats 32, cost $15 per person. Those tickets must be purchased in advance from the Sunset Coast Trolley Company website at www.sunsetcoasttrolley.com/events.

Pick-up time is 6:30 p.m. at the fountain, and the trolley will return riders to the fountain at 9:30 p.m.

“It’s a great way to get a few friends

together and head down to Greenbush for dinner and some drinks,” Piotter said.

The scenic trip down Red Arrow Highway to the brewery takes about 30 minutes each way.

“You’ll stay at Greenbush for 2 1/2 hours, which is plenty of time to have dinner and enjoy yourselves,” Piotter said.

“It’s very leisurely, and you won’t feel rushed at all. We tried to plan this on days when the brewery is not so crowded.”

The cost of the ticket also includes an optional Greenbush growler.

“They usually cost $4 in the taproom, and folks can fill it up on the way home if they want to,” Piotter said.

The dates for upcoming trolley rides are July 8, July 22, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26.

More dates may be added if the rides prove to be very popular.

“We just started offering them last Tuesday, and we’re pretty stoked about giving people an easy way to get down to Greenbush without having to worry about driving,” Piotter said. “We sold 17 tickets for the first one.”

More information about the trolley trips can be found on the Greenbush Facebook page under the events tab as well as at www.sunsetcoasttrolley.com/ Submitted photo/BEN PANCOAST events.

Region of Three Oaks Museum hosts appraisal event From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Satuday, Aug. 16, The Region of the Three Oaks Museum welcomes Leslie Hindman Auctioneers for an appraisal event.

Guests are invited to bring one to three items in the following categories: Fine Art, Fine Jewelry and Timepieces, Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts, Asian Works of Art, and Fine Books and Manuscripts. Specialists from Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will meet each guest to

privately evaluate each item on a complimentary basis. A $20 entrance fee benefitting the Three Oaks Museum will be collected at the door.

The Region of the Three Oaks Museum collects and displays historical artifacts, papers and records that tell the story of the historical heritage of the region. It serves the inhabitants of New Buffalo, Chikaming and Three Oaks Townships.

For over three decades, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers has been an indus-

try leader combining recognition as the Midwest’s leading fine art auctioneers with a global reach of buyers. Founded in 1982, sold to Sotheby’s in 1997 and reopen in 2003, Leslie Hindman has remained a force behind high profile auctions of everything from contemporary paintings and fine jewelry to French furniture and rare books and manuscripts, and always achieves the strongest prices while maintaining high levels or integrity and customer service.

Off The Water, Michiana

Week of July 4-10, 2014 • Page 3

SPOTLIGHT

Full steam ahead

By JILL McCAUGHAN jill.mccaughan @leaderpub.com

I

f you’ve been waiting on Train to release a new album, you’re not alone.

The members of the band have been waiting, too, and they are looking forward to Sept. 16 when “Bulletproof Picasso” finally comes out.

“It’s a difficult time, touring and waiting until the album is released,” said Jimmy Stafford, guitarist with the band. “We can’t really play a bunch of the new stuff because people aren’t familiar with it yet.

We’re dying to play it for somebody. We can’t wait to play it!”

The current tour will bring Train to Mt. Pleasant’s Soaring Eagle Casino on July 10 and to the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo on July 11. Later this summer, they will be playing two shows at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. Tickets for those shows can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com.

“Right now, we’re just doing a lot of promo stuff. A lot of it is just set-up work for the record that will be released in September,” Stafford said. “At the concerts in Michigan, we’re definitely going to be playing the new single. We’re also going to rely heavily on the back catalogue, and maybe play a song or two off the new album.”

That new single, “Angel in Blue Jeans,” has already been released, and it can be heard at www.savemesanfrancisco.com. Last week,

Submitted photos

The two remaining original members of Train, Jimmy Stafford and Pat Monahan have been playing together for 20 years. the band was in the desert outside of L.A. shooting the video for the song. “‘Bulletproof Picasso’ is another song on the record, and it could possibly be the second or third single off the new album,” Stafford said.

“It’s one of my favorite songs on the album, and it just sounded like a cool name for the record when I heard the lyric.”

Monahan and Stafford, the only two remaining original members of Train, are now embarking on their 20th year of playing together.

“It’s pretty great that, after all these years, people still want to listen to our music,” Stafford said. “I feel like this new record is the best we’ve done. It’s great to know that we’re not just phoning it in. The band is still playing at its best.”

Stafford feels that the upcoming album represents

the best of what Train is all about.

“I’ve probably said this about every one of our albums at one time or another, but truly, from start to finish, this is our best batch of songs that we’ve put on an album,” Stafford said.

“There are no filler songs.

Every one could be a single, and I’m really proud of it.”

When Train isn’t in the studio or on the road, they can often be found supporting their company, Save Me, San Francisco, which takes its name from one of their most popular albums. “‘Save Me, San Francisco’ was an album that came after taking a three-year break from the music. We didn’t know if anybody would still care about us or want to hear our music,” Stafford explained.

“It was kind of a plea to our hometown, to San Francisco, where the band started back

Train still going strong after 20 years

in 1994, to ask them to save us—to save our careers.”

San Francisco and the rest of Train’s fans must have heard that plea loud and clear because the response to the album was phenomenal. “‘Hey, Soul Sister” was a song on the album, and it became such a big hit, we decided to do something for a charity,” Stafford recalled.

“We’ve always been involved with charities— mainly ones about kids, but with this, we wanted to focus and make sure the money was really being put to use for the kids and not just going into a big void.

The company’s name just seems sort of symbiotic with the album.”

Save Me, San Francisco produces wines and chocolates, and the proceeds from their sales go to supporting Family House. Their mission, according to their website at www.familyhouseinc.org, is to serve “as a home away from home for families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing physical comfort and emotional support, free from financial concerns.”

“A portion from the wine and all of the money from the chocolate goes to Family House,” Stafford said. “It’s really taking off.

We sold over one million bottles of wine last year, and we hope to double that this year. It’s a way to give back.”

Another activity Train has been involved in is hosting “Sail Across the Sun,” a music, food, and wine festival that takes

place on a ship.

“We started doing the Sail Across the Sun cruise last year,” Stafford said.

“You book a cabin, get on a ship with us and a bunch of other bands, and you hang out with us for a week and have a great time.”

With so many different projects going on, Train just keeps on rolling along.

“We’ve been a band for 20 years, and we’re just excited to still be playing to sold-out shows. It’s amazing that people still care about us and love our music,” Stafford said.

“We’re super proud of this album and we can’t wait for people to be able to hear it.

Hopefully, we’ll put some smiles on some faces.”

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Page 4 • Week of July 4-10, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

CUISINE SCENE

Leader photo/SHERINA GONZALEZ

Following a dream he has had since he was a teenager, Paul Lagodney has returned to take the reins at the meat market his family has owned for more than 30 years.

New generation takes over

By JILL McCAUGHAN jill.mccaughan @leaderpub.com

S

OUTH BEND—It used to be that when one generation decided to retire from running a family-owned business, the next generation would automatically step up and keep it going.

Nowadays, though, it seems more common for a small business — even a very successful one — to close its doors or be bought out by the competition when the founding generation

decides it is time to move on to a new phase in life.

Fortunately for the dedicated customers of Eby’s Old Fashioned Meat Market, located at 56977 S. Mayflower Rd., that business will stay in the family and continue its traditions under the ownership of Paul Lagodney, nephew and son of the current owners, when he fully takes the reins in August.

“My uncle started Eby’s in 1983, and shortly after that, my father joined him,” Lagodney explained.

“They are brothers-in-law

and friends, and they’ve been very successful for the last 30 years.”

Lagodney first started working in the family business when he was 14 years old.

“I remember the day that I first went to work there. It was July 2. I was just hanging out at home with nothing to do, so my dad took me to work with him. I just started washing pans and carrying out groceries for customers, and I thought, ‘This is really cool!’”

Lagodney continued to work at Eby’s through high

school, but when he graduated, his father told him it was time to leave the nest.

“My dad told me that if I wasn’t going to go to college, I needed to go out into the real world and find out what it’s like to get a job,” Lagodney said. “He told me, ‘You have to work for what you want.’”

So, Lagodney applied for a job at Martin’s Supermarkets.

“I started out as a cleanup kid and apprentice, and I worked my way up over 20 years there to become the meat manager,” Lagodney said. “When they asked me to become the meat manager at the Heritage Square store — that’s their premier store — I knew then that I was successful, and I had made it on my own.”

Although Lagodney loved working for Martin’s, he always dreamed of returning to Eby’s.

“Leaving Martin’s was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, even though it was always my dream to go back to Eby’s and work with my dad and uncle,” Lagodney said. “It’s really awesome to come back and work with them — the two

guys I’ve always looked up to. It always made me proud when they would come in and say ‘Hi’ to me and see what I was doing at Martin’s.”

Now that Lagodney has returned, he wants customers to rest assured that they will continue to receive the same quality of service and the homemade products that they’ve come to love.

“The big thing with our market is that all of our stuff is homemade,” Lagodney said. “Polish sausage is our specialty. I’ve known that Polish sausage recipe and the other secret family recipes since I was 14 years old, and nothing is changing.”

That includes Eby’s Salisbury steak and meatloaf recipes as well as the recipe for stuffed peppers that was handed down from his “great-busha,” or greatgrandmother.

“You can’t get that anywhere else in the South Bend area,” Lagodney said proudly.

Coming from a younger generation, Lagodney has implemented a few new ideas at Eby’s while retaining the quality and service that customers have come

to expect.

“I’ve already been trying to put a few new things in place, like the Facebook page, and we’re doing some new advertising in the Sunday paper,” Lagodney said, noting that Eby’s Facebook page already has 2,000 followers. “I’ve also added some new items like pre-marinated items and ready-to-cook items.”

Nonetheless, the focus will continue to be on the homemade sausages and hand-cut meats that people travel hundreds of miles to buy from Eby’s.

“We have customers who come from as far away as Tennessee and Florida to buy our Polish sausages,” Lagodney said. “People keep asking when we are going to start shipping our products. That’s how popular they are!”

Eby’s also carries other grocery items as well as fresh produce, and customers can visit the Facebook page to see what the specials will be each week.

They are typically open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., and they can be reached at (574) 287-3586.

Off The Water, Michiana

Week of July 4-10, 2014 • Page 5

ON DISPLAY

No bluffing

By JILL McCAUGHAN jill.mccaughan @leaderpub.com

S

T. JOSEPH — For the 53rd year, the Krasl Art Center’s Art Fair on the Bluff will be returning to St. Joseph’s Lake Bluff Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 12 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 13.

The weekend’s festivities also include a “Friday Night Kick-Off,” taking place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 11, and a “Smooth Jazz at Sunset” concert by 98.3 The Coast at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night at the Shadowland Pavilion.

“An art fair is one of the few places where you can see the art, meet the artist, and sometimes even see the artist doing a demonstration,” said Sara Shambarger, director of art fairs at the Krasl. “Each year, we look for the best possible fine art and fine craft that we can deliver for our community.”

The nationally-ranked art fair includes artwork that will be displayed at 216 booths, all of which are included in the Art Fair’s guidebook, which is currently available at the Krasl and at area restaurants.

“We have 32 states represented as well as a Canadian artist,” said Shambarger, who has been involved with the art fair for 19 years. “We received 978 entries for about 170 openings. We invite about 30 percent of our artists back each year based on the scoring in 19 categories that is done on the first day of the art fair.”

While art of such high quality can be expensive, organizers have tried to make sure that there will be art that is affordable for

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everyone, and they have several suggestions for ways to fit art purchases into one’s budget.

“A lot of artists have what they call ‘bread and butter’ items,” Shambarger said. “Those are pieces of art at smaller price points.

There will certainly be some art under $25.”

Shambarger herself was able to purchase a smaller, original oil paining for $100 last year.

Another method by which patrons can purchase art at the fair is to use Krasl Bucks, which not only come with special perks, but also help to support the Krasl Art Center itself.

“When you purchase Krasl Bucks and use them to purchase art at the art fair, you get some art fair amenities, close-by parking, a goody bag and an art fair poster,” Shambarger said. “Patrons purchase the Krasl Bucks in $25 increments with a $100 minimum, which includes a $25 donation to the Krasl.”

Shambarger also recommends setting up payment plans with artists if patrons wish to purchase pieces of work that are priced beyond their immediate budgets, something she herself has done in the past.

“Artists want to sell their work. They want to negotiate how it is paid for, but not its price,” Shambarger explained.

“It’s insulting to artists to try to bargain with them.”

Another program that enables children to purchase affordable art is the Children’s Art Purchase Program, or CAPP. “Artists can voluntarily participate in this program, and their booths are marked with orange flags. They sell art for $10 or less to children 14 and under,” Shambarger said. “It

encourages children to enjoy art, have art and purchase art during the art fair.”

Another way that the Krasl Art Fair caters to younger patrons is the Krasl Kid’s Zone, located on the grounds of the art center.

“There is a make-andtake craft that the children can make, and it’s based on this year’s art fair poster that shows a blown-glass

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Above: The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff will include 216 booths from which to purchase fine arts and crafts. Left: Participants in the art fair, Douglas and Renee Sigwarth’s blown-glass vase was chosen as the subject for this year’s art fair poster.

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53rd Krasl Art Fair will have something to offer for everyone

vase by Douglas and Renee Sigwarth,” Shambarger said. “Once they finish the crafts, they can exhibit them during the fair and then take them home when they leave the fair.”

The Kid’s Zone will also have a stage for performances that children and families will enjoy, as well as an emerging artists’ booth where teenage and college-age artists can display their work.

“Any teenagers can participate, and we still have space for more,” Shambarger said. “Teens can contact Cindy Jakeway by calling the Krasl if they are interested in participating. Fired-Up students from Water Street Glassworks will also have their artwork for sale at the Kid’s Zone.”

“The Krasl Kid’s Zone

is a fun place, and it’s really cool to have a creative outlet for the kids,” Shambarger said. “It’s important to get them involved because these kids will become our future patrons and collectors.”

With more than 500 vol-

unteers working to make the Art Fair on the Bluff a success, both patrons and artists are sure to enjoy the weekend. More information about the event is available by visiting www. krasl.org or by calling (269) 983-0271.

Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

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Page 6 • Week of July 4-10, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

Small town has big city outlook For the second year in a row, I was invited to attend the Whirlpool PRIDE Network’s annual Celebration and fundraiser at the World of Whirlpool in downtown Chicago. For those of you unfamiliar with the corporation’s extensive outreach programs, I am really proud to say that as a native of Southwestern Michigan,

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Whirlpool Corporation has been named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality for 10 years in a row. This is an amazing accomplishment for any company, especially one from a small, historically conservative community like ours.

The Pride Celebration benefits the Out Center in Benton Harbor, which is committed to provide support and advocacy for respect, understanding, and nondiscrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied persons and their families in Berrien County, Michigan. This year the PRIDE Network event raised a record $40,000 for the Center!

It’s no surprise this party was such a lucrative endeavor. The World of Whirlpool is a gorgeous space on the top floor of a historic building overlooking the Chicago River. I’ve been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time there shooting cooking videos for eHow.com.

You step out of the elevators to walls of windows with Chicago skyline views,

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ties and equality.

A personal highlight each year is the vegan drag queen Honey LaBronx. Honey has made a name for herself as a vegan chef by using online TV and radio shows to make healthy cooking light, sexy and fun. Her sassy approach is not only memorable but engaging.

Also, her recipes are incredible! The first dish she made us was a gluten free mac and cheese with a cheese sauce made from scratch in minutes. She used coconut milk to evoke the rich and creamy flavor essential to a good mac while keeping it clean.

Honey also shares stories of growing up in a Milwaukee family known for its baking prowess. Like most of us Midwesterners, she grew up watching the women of

the family buzz around the kitchen and has close ties to food. It was really fun for me to hear her present the plantbased principles in such a relatable and lighthearted way.

Oh, and the dishes she created were smash hits.

I highly encourage you to check out vegandragqueen. com and bigfatveganradio. com for a sample of Honey’s flavor and recipes.

During one of her demos, I looked around at the crowd in this packed luxury space and a huge smile spread across my face. A vegan drag queen doing a cooking demo at a swanky corporate party?

It really doesn’t get much more all-encompassing than that.

KitchenAid and Whirlpool have also been so supportive of me in helping to promote veganism, but it is even more

touching to see such a large corporation can devote so much time and energy to making all types of people feel welcome. Their support of the Out Center, the LGBT workplace outreach, the alternative lifestyle of veganism, and all of it helps all those who might otherwise feel like complete outsiders have a community to turn to.

It can be hard to come into your own identity in a tight knit community, so thank you to all of you out there who work daily to break down boundaries and expand horizons.

Kat Barry, a St. Joseph, Michigan native, is owner of Kat’s Hot Cakes vegan catering, and co author of "The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat Free Recipes from America’s Veggie Diner." She also develops recipes for eHow. com, where you can find over 30 of her vegan instructional cooking videos. She is also a certified yoga instructor. Kat currently resides in Chicago, and in her free time she enjoys practicing yoga, sampling local spirits, listening to live music, and getting outdoors. Follow @katshotcakes on twitter. Kat can be reached via email at: kat@ katshotcakes.com.

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Off The Water, Michiana

Week of July 4-10, 2014 • Page 7

GET OUT!

Diamond in the rough Rocky Gap Park could shine even more with proposed improvements

By JILL McCAUGHAN jill.mccaughan @leaderpub.com

B

E N T O N TOWNSHIP—Just a few miles north of St. Joseph off of M-63, Rocky Gap County Park is tucked away from the crowds and hubbub of the more popular beaches in southwest Michigan.

“We don’t track the number of users there, but use of this park is much less frequent than that of Silver Beach,” said Brian Bailey, director of Berrien County Parks.

Located on Rocky Gap Rd., the park provides visitors with 1,100 feet of whitesand beach access as well as a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph lighthouses to the south.

A parking lot sits directly at the entrance to the beach, so the walk from one’s car to the water is quite short compared to that of some other beaches. That can be a big plus when one is carrying lots of beach equipment or taking smaller children to the beach. Dogs are not permit-

ted at Rocky Gap. “I like Rocky Gap because it’s easy to access,” said area resident Terry Ives.

“I like the out-of-the-way beaches. You can walk the beach and swim there. I love it.”

Although Rocky Gap is one of the Berrien County parks, visitors to the park do not need to pay a fee to park and use the beach.

“There is no entrance or parking fee at this park,” Bailey explained. “The $35 annual pass is not needed there.”

That makes Rocky Gap a great beach to visit for shorter periods of time.

While Rocky Gap provides visitors with an easily accessible and free way to enjoy the beach, the park does lack some facilities, including restrooms.

“It’s a wonderful park, but we know some improvements could be made,” Bailey said.

For that reason, the County has submitted a $600,000 grant application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for improvements to be made at

Leader photos/JILL McCAUGHAN

Rocky Gap County Park provides families with an easily-accessible beach. the park.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website, The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund began as the “Kammer Recreational Land Trust Fund Act of 1976.”

“The money comes from mineral rights in the State of Michigan, mainly oil and gas, and the money is earmarked only for natural resource acquisition — that is, buying property — and recreational development,” Bailey explained. “No tax dollars would be used for

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It was through this type of funding that Berrien County acquired and developed both Silver Beach and the new Galien River County Park.

The park improvement plan, which can be viewed at www.berriencounty.org/ Parks/RGImprovementPlan, separates Rocky Gap into two areas, an upper and a lower section.

The upper section, located on higher ground north of the current beach access area, is currently a large gravel parking lot. However, planners envision an area there

that would include a viewing platform and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy.

“We’d like to build a viewing platform in the upper area. That would provide visitors with a place to eat lunch and see the lake,” Bailey explained. “With the platform, you’d be able to see the North and South piers and the lighthouses.”

That upper area would also include a place that could accommodate small weddings of 40 to 50 people.

Parking for 18 cars and several “picnic pads” would also be built there, some of which would be wheelchair accessible.

“We don’t want to change the park atmosphere, but we want to provide better viewing opportunities,” Bailey said.

Improvements to the lower section of the park would include a paved ramp that leads to the water’s edge.

“One of the main improvements would be a barrier-free access road in the lower part of the park. That would allow emergency vehicles to access the water, it would allow beach-cleaning equipment to get down there, and most importantly, it would allow wheelchairs to access the water,” Bailey said.

In addition, restroom

facilities would be built, as would curved overlooks with benches and a sandbox for toddlers to play in on wavy days when their parents might not want them too close to the water. That sandbox would also serve as an efficient place to collect sand from the parking lots.

As the plans for Rocky Gap are still in the design phase, the implementation phase would not begin until the fall of 2015 or the spring of 2016, provided that the plan is approved by the trust fund and the funding is granted.

“The governor and the legislature would have to authorize that funding,” Bailey said. “If people want to see the plan put into effect, they can contact the legislators for their communities and let them know that they support the improvement plan.”

Even without the planned improvements, Rocky Gap remains a beautiful, secluded and peaceful place to spend some time by the lake.

However, as Bailey noted, there are no lifeguards at Rocky Gap. “Think ‘safety first’ when you’re near the water,” Bailey cautioned. “Never swim alone, and be sure to observe the water safety signs.”

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Page 8 • Week of July 4-10, 2014

TOURIST FOR A DAY

Off The Water, Michiana

Discover the local destinations right in your own backyard

Food, fun and a history lesson

V

By JILL McCAUGHAN jill.mccaughan @leaderpub.com

ANDALIA—From July 11 through 13, the Village of Vandalia will host the fifth annual Underground Railroad Days, providing visitors with an exciting “opening night” program and two full days of food, fun, music and history.

“This is our fifth year for Underground Railroad Days,” said Cathy LaPointe, treasurer of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County. “It’s gotten bigger every year.”

Co-sponsored by the Village of Vandalia and the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County, this year’s activities will include many favorites from past years as well as some new additions to the schedule.

Started in 2010, Underground Railroad Days was originally the idea of Bill Ayers, a Quaker and the director of public works for the Village of Vandalia.

“Bill was very taken with the history of the Quakers in Vandalia. It was actually his brainchild,” LaPointe explained.

“Tragically, Bill had a heart attack and passed away in May of that year, and we were left to carry out his idea. He is now one of the guiding spirits of the festival.”

The weekend kicks off with an opening night program at Sam Adams Middle School in Cassopolis.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the evening’s program will include a staging of the Sam Adams Middle School students’ play, “The Kentucky Raid in Ten Minutes.” That play won this year’s Michigan State Youth Performance Award for Michigan State History Day. Their play will be followed by a dramatic reading of Dr. Von and Fran Washington’s Underground Railroad play, “A River to Cross.”

On the following two days, Milo Barnes Park, located at the corner of State and Water Streets, will be one of the main focal points for the festival’s events.

Guided van tours of Cass County’s Underground Railroad sites will begin and end there on Saturday and Sunday, and tickets for the tours can be obtained there.

In addition, a replica of a Ramptown

Submitted photo

Students from Sam Adams Middle School will be performing their award-winning play, “The Kentucky Raid in Ten Minutes” on July 11 as a part of the Underground Railroad Days celebration. cabin will be set up on the grounds of the park, and many activities will be taking place there.

“We added the replica of a Ramptown cabin last year,” LaPointe said, explaining that Ramptown was a small African American settlement on the Bonine property. “They were allowed to live there in exchange for clearing the land.”

An Underground Railroad Society information booth will be set up in the

park, and a number of free concerts and other presentations will be taking place there as well.

“There will be music, poetry, choirs, art and everything going on all day long at that cabin,” LaPointe said. “The cabin’s become almost symbolic of the festival.”

Other highlights of the festival include a classic car show on Saturday, a “soul food dinner” available on both days, a number of arts and craft booths, guided

tours of the Bonine House, and a Civil War living history encampment.

“The Michigan 1st and the 102nd Colored Troops will be involved with that,” LaPointe said. “These are all Cass County folks, and many of the 102nd Colored Troops are from right around Vandalia.”

Several informative presentations will also take place on Saturday.

“One is about Cass County in the Civil War by Keith Harrison, and one is about two early African American pioneer families, the Sanders and the Allen families.

That will be presented by Maurice Sanders,” LaPointe said, noting that those would take place in the Village Youth Center at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.

Later in the day, at 5 p.m., Mary Charlotte Bonine Roberts will be at the Bonine House to talk about what it was like to grow up in the house during the years from 1934 until 1953 when the family moved.

Sunday’s activities will begin with a community church service 11 a.m. in Milo Barnes Park. Then, at 1 p.m., the students from Sam Adams Middle School will present their “Cass County Underground Railroad Wax Museum” in the Youth Center.

“The premier speaker is AnnaLisa Cox. She’s a nationally-known author, and she will be speaking at 3 p.m. on Sunday about African American migration in Cass County and Southwest Michigan,” LaPointe said. “A lot of our families here are the descendents of those people.”

With the exception of the soul food dinner, all of the activities, presentations and tours during Underground Railroad Days will be free.

However, as LaPointe noted, “Donations will be happily be accepted for the tours and the presentations at the middle school.”

More information about Vandalia’s Underground Railroad Days, including a complete schedule of events, can be found at www.urscc.org. Information on booth space and car show entry is available by calling Vandalia Village President Beverly Young at (269) 476-2344. Other questions can be directed to info@urscc.org or to (269) 445-7358.

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Off The Water, Michiana

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Part-time, Edwardsburg. Call: 574-215-3549 or e-mail StateLineLaw@aol.com with Silverbrook Manor is now resume, references and hiring. See our larger ad in cover letter. today's paper.

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NOW OPEN NILES FLEA MARKET Wed.-Sat. 10a-5p Sun. 12p-5p 111 E. Main St A few Vendor spots still available. For more info call 574-323-4187

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HOMES FOR SALE IN DECATUR

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Wanted to Rent 439 WANTED TO RENT

RN’s and LPN’s and CNA’s - We have openings on all shifts for full-time, part-time or PRN nurses and CNA’s. All candidates must be licensed/certified by the State of Michigan.

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS NEEDED PT/FT to assist individuals with developmental disabilities with daily living skills. Starting pay $8.25/hours. We will train.

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Candiates must have current RN license by the State of Michigan. Previous experience working in a long-term-care facility as an MDS Coordinator preferred.

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Week of July 4-10, 2014 • Page 9

Kids' clothing: newborn to teen, Baby gear & furniture, Maternitywear Accepting Spring & Summer wear Call for appointment.

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Page 10 • Week of July 4-10, 2014

Submit calendar events to Jill McCaughan, feature writer, by email at jill. mccaughan@leaderpub. com or offthewater@leaderpub.com or visit the Leader Publications office at 217 N. Fourth St., Niles.

July 3

This year, the Four Flags Chamber of Commerce is planning an entire evening of family fun at the 29th Annual Fireworks Display and Open Stage Fun Fest at the Four Flags Area Apple Festival Fairgrounds, 1740 Lake St., in Niles.

New activities include live music, kiddie bounce houses, more vendors, craft projects for children and games. The fun begins at 6 p.m. Donations

i

are encouraged to help continue the event in the future.

Learn about the Frogs, Toads and Salamanders of Sarett Nature Center on July 3 at 3 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults.

WHAT'S HAPPENING? Island Park in South Bend will host a holiday party from 5:30 to 10 p.m. There will be grilled goodies and beverages.

Tickets are $5 at the gate. Children 12 and under will be admitted for free.

July 3-4

Round Barn Winery throwing a party and rocking out to live music with Alligator Blackbird at 5:30 p.m. and ET and Elephant Rescue at 8:30 p.m. ET, during Baroda’s annual fireworks show. The outside bar will be set up for convenience as visitors enjoy live tunes and the fireworks show. $5 entry fee.

Off The Water, Michiana

The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra will present its two annual Independence Day beach concerts starting at 8:30 p.m. July 3 at Lions Pavilion Park in New Buffalo, followed by a performance at Shadowland Pavilion in St. Joseph at 9 p.m. on July 4. Each concert will conclude with a finale

including a fireworks display accompanying the symphony. The July 3rd New Buffalo concert is free to the public, while tickets to the July 4th St. Joseph concert start at $15. Doors open at 6 p.m.

for an appointment.

The Acorn Theatre will host a free puppet workshop at 2 p.m. This is a Three Oaks Theatre Festival event for the entire family.

July 4

July 4-27

Lakeside Michigan has planned a new 4th of July parade for 2014.

The parade starts at noon, Michigan time, at the lake end of Pier Street in Lakeside.

Marchers should just show up and they will be welcomed to be a part of the parade. Parade participants can walk, pull wagons or ride bicycles, but motorized vehilces are not permitted.

Award Winning Photographer Susan K. Johnston’s “Nature’s Palette” will be on display at Tabula Rasa Gallery, 8918 First St., Baroda from July 4 through the 27. he artist’s reception will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on July 19th. Photos in this exhibit showcase Southwest Michigan food, flowers and the Lake.

The gallery open Friday through Sunday from 125, or call (269) 422-2642

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The Box Factory for the Arts will host The Duo Project with guitarists David Youngman and Derek Brown. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket prices are $10 general admission; $8 students and seniors; children 12 and under free.

The Acorn Theatre will present “A Piano with Two Tales” at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. as part of the Three Oaks Theatre Festival. Tickets are $15. In this production, a classical piano recital masquerading as

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puppet show, young audiences experience masterworks by monumental composers for the instrument, not to mention an enthralling tune for toy piano by living composer Stephen Montague. To register, visit threeoaksfestival. com.

Learn about the federally endangered Mitchell Satyr Butterfly at Sarett Nature Center on July 5 at 2 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults.

July 6

There will be an allyou-can-eat pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon at the Indian Lake Volunteer Fire Department, 33104 M62 West, Dowagiac. Adults are $6 and children half-price.

Carry-out will available.

Volunteers will be selling luminaries, and fire department equipment will be open for viewing. Info: Carol Goodell, (269) 782-5673, or Jean Rowe, (269) 782-2769.

Kayak the Kalamazoo River with Sarett Nature Center on July 6 at 1 p.m. The $25 fee includes transportation and all equipment. Preregistration and prepayment are required.

Please call (269) 9274832 to register.

When they’re not playing in front of thousands as members of Wilco, John Stirratt and Pat Sansone create their own music filled with smooth harmonies and melodious guitar playing See them live at the Acorn Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

July 7-11

i

Curious Kids Museum will host a five-day day camp entitled “Reaching For The Stars” for children ages 7 to 12. Campers will explore universe as they plunge into astronomy. They will spend time identifying these same constellations and their functions that serve people, as well as learn

i

how to use star maps to find constellations in the planetarium sky, and ultimately in the real night sky. Cost is $150 for members and $170 for nonmembers.

July 11-13

The Twin City Junior Players (TCjP) will perform its the final mainstage production of the 2013-2014 season, the Tony Award winning drama “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, directed by Christy Sloan and Lloyd Bolick.

Performance dates are July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20. Tickets will be $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for children (12 and under).

Group rates are also available. All seats are reserved. Reservations can be made by calling the TCP box office at (269) 429-0400. TCP is also offering online ticket purchases for the first time at twincityplayers. org. Performance times are 8 p.m. for Friday and Saturday evening performances and 4 p.m. for Sunday matinees.

All performances take place at the Twin City Players Playhouse located at 600 West Glenlord Road in St. Joseph.

WHAT'S HAPPENING? concert-goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to enjoy the show. Tickets will be available at the Coast Studios at 580 E. Napier Ave. in Benton Harbor and online at www.smoothjazzatsunset.com.

On July 12 Isola Jones returns in Isola Jones and Friends, joined on stage by tenor John Concepcion. Tickets at $25 are available online at harborcountryopera.org, at David’s Deli, Michigan Thyme and New Buffalo Savings, or by calling (269) 2310027.

The Harbor Country Opera will feature Isola Jones and Friends at 8 p.m. at the New Buffalo Performing Arts Center, 1112 Clay St. in New Buffalo. Tickets at $25 are available online at harborcountryopera. org, at David’s Deli, Michigan Thyme and New Buffalo Savings, or by calling (269) 2310027 July 13

July 11 - Aug. 3

“The Producers” performs in the Wilson Theatre at South Bend Civic Theatre July 11 to Aug. 3, 2014. Performance times are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $21 Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and $18 Wednesdays and Thursdays. To purchase tickets call the SBCT Box Office (574) 2341112 or go to sbct.org.

July 12

Jazz sensation Jessy J will headline the 12th Annual Smooth Jazz at Sunset concert in conjunction with the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff. A limited number of reserved seats priced at $30 in advance, $35 day of show will be available beginning Friday, March 28, as well as general admission seating, $25 in advance, $30 day of show. General seating

Week of July 4-10, 2014 • Page 11

Learn about the federally endangered Mitchell Satyr Butterfly at Sarett Nature Center on July 13 at 2 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for adults.

July 14-17

At Curious Kids Museum’s “All Aboard” camp, campers will build a Thomas the Train Tanker to play in throughout the week. It’ll be exciting to learn about the different kinds of trains and their functions each day.

We’ll be reading a different train book every day as the campers make fun train crafts to take home. A train parade throughout the museum will delight the campers and guests. Cost is $75 for members and $95 for non-members.

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July 14-18

Curious Kids Museum will host a five-day day camp entitled “Abraca-

dabra.” Campers will spend hours learning how to create magic under the watchful eye of Master Magician, John Dudley. John has been performing magic and comedy for over 39 years. Each day throughout the week they will learn different tricks — culminating in a performance for family, friends and museum guests on Friday, July 18, at 11 a.m. In addition to the magic activities, daily beach play, lunch on the bluff and water play will be taking place during the week. Each camper will be taking home the book by John Dudley, “Magic Tricks To Fool Your Friends,” a magic wand, and tricks to share with others.

Cost is $150 for members and $170 for nonmembers.

As part of its Summer Theatre Boot Camp series, Kids On Stage is offering music theatre camp for students going into 1st-10th grade in the fall. The camp will culminate with one performance of Disney’s “101 Dalmatians.” The two-week camp will take place Monday through Friday, July 14-18 and 21-25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. “101 Dalmatians” will be performed Friday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Classes will take place at the Kids On Stage Theatre located at the Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor.

July 18-20

The Twin City Junior Players (TCjP) will perform its the final mainstage production of the 2013-2014 season, the Tony Award winning drama “The Crucible”

by Arthur Miller, directed

by Christy Sloan and Lloyd Bolick. Performance dates are July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20. Tickets will be $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for children (12 and under). Group rates are also available.

All seats are reserved.

Reservations can be made by calling the TCP box office at (269) 429-0400. TCP is also offering online ticket purchases for the first time at twincityplayers. org. Performance times

are 8 p.m. for Friday and Saturday evening performances and 4 p.m. for Sunday matinees.

All performances take place at the Twin City Players Playhouse located at 600 West Glenlord Road in St. Joseph.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 general admission; $8 students and seniors; children 12 and under free

July 19

The Twin City Players will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 7 p.m. at the Whitcomb Terrace, located at 509 Ship St. in St. Joseph.

The performance is open to the public, but there is a suggested $5 donation.

Organizers of the Outdoor French Market in Harbert, Mich. are seeking vendors for their event to be hend on July 19th at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, 14280 Red Arrow Hwy. The group is accepting space reservations now. Contact the market committee for details at mediatorfrenchmarket@gmail.com or call Jeannine Totzke on (269) 921-1127.

Athletes from across the Midwest will compete in the Sister Lakes Triathlon and Relay July 19.

Participants will swim Round Lake, bike the smooth and rolling terrain of country roads and run a course that takes them around Big Crooked and Dewey lakes and many residential areas of this summertime Mecca.

The two-transitional event which features both Olympic and Sprint distances begins at 8 a.m. On-site registration takes place at Sister Lakes Lions Clubhouse, where post-race festivities are held. For on-line registration, visit www3Disciplines.com

The Episcopal Church of the Mediator will host the 2014 Annual French Outdoor Market at the church, 14280 Red Arrow Highway in Harbert, Michigan. Organizers are accepting space reservations now. Contact the market committee for details at mediatorfrenchmarket@gmail.com or call Jeannine Totzke on (269) 921-1127.

July 23

July 25

Elkhart County Parks will be presenting a program which will explore the wonderful world of amphibians and reptiles on at 1:45 pm. at the Heritage Park Stage during the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. This will be a fun, hands on program featuring a variety of live amphibians and reptiles.

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Page 12 • Week of July 4-10, 2014

PARTING SHOTS

IN THEIR HONOR

Hundreds of people visited Niles this weekend as the city welcomed an 80-percent replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The wall was escorted into town with a parade all the way to Niles High School, where visitors could go find the names of their loved ones who were lost in the war.

Photos by CRAIG HAUPERT

Submit Your Shots!

Send your photos to offthewater@leaderpub.com and they may be published in a future issue.

Off The Water, Michiana