Horizons 2015 by Leader Publications

NILES COMMUNITY SCHOOLS www.nilesschools.org

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Making a decision about where you send your child to school is about more than textbooks, bricks and mortar. It’s about providing the vital preparation necessary to ensure success as they take their place in the world. At Niles Community Schools, your child is important to us. You are important to us. We will work together with you for the best education for your child.

Horizons 2015

Northside School

Eastside Connections School

Howard/Ellis Elementary

Ballard Elementary School

Northside Child Development Center

PreK-K experience for our GSRP Preschool, Early Childhood Special Education, Montessori and Kindergarten children. We partner with our local day care providers for training and collaboration.

Eastside Connections School

K-8th grade magnet school experience with endorsed Problem-Based learning instruction and an expectation of 100% parent involvement.

Oak Manor 6th Grade Center

Howard/Ellis

K-5th grade experience where leveled reading, multi-age classrooms, and integration of the latest technological tools are used for instruction. K-1st grade children attend Ellis and 2nd-5th grade attend Howard.

Ballard

K-5th grade experience with opportunities for whole brain learning with an emphasis on engaging through active learning.

Oak Manor 6th Grade Center

Designed to help transition students from the elementary experience to the “middle school” experience. Teachers embed technology applications within their lessons as students enjoy one-on-one laptop use. Increased related arts offerings and advanced math options for select students.

Ring Lardner Middle School

Ring Lardner

Students are placed on teams and spend two years working with the same group of core teachers, allowing us to better address the unique academic and social needs of middle school students.

Niles High School

Where options for learning include: Early College Academy, Professional Health Careers Academy, Math/Science Center, Career & Technical Education, Accelerated & Advanced Placement, Special Needs Services, Award Winning Fine Arts Programs, Extended Day Tutoring/Athletic Study Table, Career & College Center, Extra Curricular- Athletics, Musicals & Plays, National Honor Society, Service & Competition Clubs.

Alternative Education

Niles New Tech

9 - 12th grade experience combining problem-based learning with a culture built on trust, respect and responsibility.

Alternative Education

W-A-Y & W-A-Y Forward: 6-12th grade virtual experience combining project-based and online learning with personalized face-to-face instruction. Home Schooling: Partnership allowing flexible scheduling and non-intrusive enrollment requirement. Cedar Lane: 9-12th grade opportunity giving young adults an opportunity to learn in a classroom environment with lower student/teacher ratios, allowing for improved relationships and focused achievement. Niles Adult Education: 16-adulthood experience providing a high school diploma, GED preparation testing, and adult basic education.

Niles High School & New Tech

Horizons 2015

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• 24/7 controlled, keypad access to Beckwith Hall. Swipe card entrance key to each suite and secure bedroom entrances • Regular patrols by campus and community security personnel • Lighted parking areas close to entrances • On-site staff includes two full-time resident staff members and an RA on each floor

an inside look

at classes and student life

Horizons 2015

s t n e t n o C HORIZONS 2015

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Superheroes in disguise

Area students spotlighted for excellence

On the home front

Military family finds strength in each other

What makes a hero?

Sam Adams kindergartners weigh in

Five hours in a police car

Community editor journals ride-along

A pictureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth 1,000 words

A pictorial history of Fort St. Joseph

Lost & found

Edwardsburg man shares story of first car

Living with lupus

Teacher overcomes life-altering disease

Page turner

Niles man logs more than 2,200 books read

Girl power unleashed

Female wrestler breaks barriers

Main Street Bridge through the years A timeline of the Niles span

An indescribable bond

MSP officer explains canine handling

1,000 years of history

Pokagon Band details struggles, triumphs

Humble heroes

Volunteer firefighters total century of service

Winning off the field

Eddiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; superfan came out of shell with spirit squad

Match that baby

Can you name the local celebrity?

The ultimate fighter

Cancer survivor makes career of finding the cure

Made in Michiana

Lyons family details business history

Do you believe in ghosts?

Local couple investigates the paranormal

Like father, like sons

Dowagiac family all in public safety

So fresh, so clean

Artist opens unique soap business in Niles

A life of football

Michigan State coach thrives in sport he loves

A legacy of leadership

Mathews brothers follow different paths to success

History lives on

Underground Railroad Society preserves knowledge

Unsung Heroes

Outstanding community members honored by peers

Horizons 2015

Superheroes in disguise Stories by AMBROSIA NELDON

Photos SUBMITTED

Two engineers, a biologist, a psychologist and a journalist: it may seem like a team of superheroes from a comic book, but these are the next generation of leaders, and they’re right in our backyard. Each year, Leader Publications asks principals at area school districts to complete a difficult task: To choose a student who they believe epitomizes their school’s mission. These students have strong academic histories, are active in extra curricular activities, volunteer in their communities and are always there to lend a helping hand to their classmates. The choice was a tough one for the educators, but nonetheless, each selected one student to honor. All are bright, talented, charismatic individuals with promising futures. They are our communities’ superheroes in disguise.

Horizons 2015

Alec DeJonge

Brandywine

Alec DeJonge has spent a good portion of his life on a golf course. Since he was 6 years old, the now 17-year-old senior at Brandywine has been following his father around the green, learning to play the game that would eventually lead to his unique career choice. “When I was younger I was really into golf. I’d always go out with my dad, and then I realized all the different types of golf clubs. So I looked into what it takes to make a golf club, and I thought that was pretty cool,” Alec said. Next year, Alec plans to attend Calvin College where he hopes to not only play golf, but also study mechanical

engineering in order to learn how to make his dream career of designing golf clubs become a reality. In his extensive golfing career, Alec has a long list of achievements, including being captain of the golf team. “I’ve won local tournaments and golfed in national tournaments. I’ve been first-team all-conference all three years that I’ve played so far, and I hope to be first-team all-conference again this spring,” he said. “Last year I was only one stroke away from advancing to state.” Alec’s passion for golf is matched by his dedication to his education. He encourages all students to work hard from the first day they walk in the door.

Ian Tyler For some students, having a parent working in the same school they attend would be a nightmare. Ian Tyler, on the other hand, feels having his mother as a teacher (and now principal) at Buchanan High School has made him a better student and classmate. The 18-year-old senior said he has a greater appreciation for teachers because of his mom’s 15-plus years of teaching Spanish, so he finds himself going above and beyond teachers’ expectations. “I know teachers have to deal with a lot of bad situations and it can be frustrating to teach kids who just don’t care,” Ian said. “So if I get an assignment, I usually go over what is expected. I try to give them that shining paper that they want to see.” Ian said he learned at a very young age how students should behave and what they should expect from their teachers because he saw what his mom dealt with in the classroom. Because of this, he also tries to help classmates who are having trouble understanding material. “If I have a well enough concept of what’s going on, why not help others?” he said. Ian said if he could talk to an incoming freshman, his advice would be simple: “Study hard. Do your homework. You can have fun, but only after the important stuff is done.” The “important stuff” for Ian (in addition to his academics) includes a wide array of activities. Ian is the captain of the tennis team and an avid member of the Robotics Club. He has also participated in National Honors Society, Science

“Don’t just slack off and think, ‘it’s my freshman year. It doesn’t matter what grades I get.’ Those grades follow you through high school. When you try to get into college, it will be difficult if you didn’t do well freshman year.” Alec said he works hard to get good grades, and appreciates the challenges some of his teachers have given him. In fact, Alec touts one of his toughest teachers, Jim Derucki, as his role model at Brandywine. “With his chemistry classes, he’s always giving us really hard tests and really pushing us to do our best. I appreciate that,” he said. Alec is also the senior class president and a representative for Bran-

Buchanan

Olympiad and Spanish Club. He plans to visit Costa Rica this March with a group of classmates for a school trip. The Buchanan Robotics Club, which was just started in 2014, has been hard at work since last year’s competition preparing for this year’s contest, a “Recycle Rush,” where teams from all over the region will be asked to stack totes with robots. The group spent their vacation fundraising for equipment and materials, and members have spent much of their free time this year acquiring robotics skills. “We don’t get the goal or the game of the competition until January-ish, so we just plan to try and get materials and program software to get ready for it,” he said. Once he graduates high school, Ian plans to follow up on a lifelong interest in swords by studying material science and metallurgy. “I’m going to do some pre-requisite work for a class [at Oakland University in Rochester] and I’m going to eventually transfer to Michigan Tech,” he said. Although it has made for a busy four years, Ian is happy he has been as involved in as many facets of Buchanan High School as he has. “Throughout my four years I’ve gone through a lot of different clubs and organizations, and I think I’ve dipped my fingers in quite a few pies,” Ian said. Ian will graduate from Buchanan High School with four semesters’ worth of credits from Lake Michigan College and a GPA close to 3.95, if all goes as planned.

dywine on Michigan Gateway Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council, a Buchanan-based philanthropic group for youth from all over Berrien and Cass counties. With athletic and academic careers he and his family are understandably very proud of, Alec looks forward to starting the next chapter of his life at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. “I’m excited to finally be getting to take classes that really matter — things I’m really interested in, and not just required classes and all that,” Alec said. “Oh, and playing golf in college. I’ve been talking to their coach for awhile, and I’m really excited about that.”

If I have a well enough concept of what’s going on, why not help others?

Horizons 2015

Tabatha Hart

Cassopolis

Tabatha Hart’s time at Ross Beatty High School has taught her a lot about life. Unlike many of her classmates, Tabatha is able to compare the small school atmosphere to her experience attending a large school, as she transferred from Goshen when she was in middle school. “I generally really like our school. A lot of people complain about it because we don’t have a lot of resources. I try my best to use the resources I have. I do the best I can and I guess I think a lot of my teachers acknowledge that,” she said. Tabatha appreciates the fact that she can receive individual attention from her teachers. “I came from a school that was so big that the teacher didn’t have time for each student. It’s really nice to have those relationships,” she said. Because she attends a small school, Tabatha is able to be involved in several different activities. She is the student body secretary, participates in business-ag robotics and is a member of the National Honors Society. She also played tennis for two years and was a cheerleader for one year. Tabatha said she really enjoyed being able to take the new psychology and sociology classes

at Ross Beatty, which led to her decision to pursue her chosen career path. “Through SMC I did dual enrollment. I took sociology and psychology classes, so that kind of helped,” she said. “I’ve always been fascinated with how people interact and how people think. I’ve always known that I wanted to help people, so psych was a nice fit for me.” Between all of her extra-curricular activities and her job at McDonald’s, Tabatha enjoys reading. “I’m really a huge nerd. In all honesty, I really like Harry Potter books and anything in that genre,” she said, adding that a teacher has encouraged her to begin reading psychology books, so she has begun to broaden her choices. Tabatha believes she was chosen as a “superhero in disguise” because of her desire to help others. If she could give an incoming freshman one piece of advice, it would be to not be afraid to take chances. “Who you are right now isn’t the person you’re going to be your senior year,” she advised younger students. “It’s OK to make mistakes and do different things. That’s the only way you’re going to grow as a person.”

When they see us doing positive things, it makes them want to do positive things, too.

Photo by Tucker Creative Photo and Teaching Studio

Sydney Brooks Dowagiac It would be difficult to match the love Sydney Brooks has for her community. The 17-year-old Dowagiac Union High School senior has spent the majority of her high school career sharing that hometown spirit with everyone around her — bridging the gap between the students and the residents of the Grand Old City. In 2012, the now four-year cheerleader was instrumental in starting her high school’s spirit club, The Chieftain Heart. The club’s student section was recently recognized as one of five finalists in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Battle of the Fans contest. “It’s so cool to see how much [the organization] has grown. It’s really awesome to know that we just started this a couple of years ago and so many things are happening from it,” Sydney said. Sydney said the primary focus of The Chieftain Heart is to unite the entire community. “I think it makes everybody a lot more happy and a lot more excited to go to the school and the games, and really to be involved in the community,” she said. In addition to the cheering section, The Chieftain Heart coordinates several events including dances and summer day camps. During the school year Sydney said mem-

bers of The Chieftain Heart plan events to promote positivity among classmates. “We basically just try to show others that we care,” she said. Just as she does with The Chieftain Heart, Sydney likes to share her optimistic attitude with as many people as possible. In her spare time away from The Chieftain Heart and the varsity cheerleading squad, Sydney has spent a lot of time in high school giving back to the community she loves. She has volunteered at breakfasts hosted by the Dowagiac Conservation Club, cheerleading clinics for younger girls, backpack packing with the United Way and sock drives through “Socktober” to benefit the homeless. When Sydney graduates in the spring, she hopes to still be ranked third in her class. Next year, Sydney plans to stay close to home as she continues her studies at Southwestern Michigan College. She plans to continue her studies in biology to eventually pursue a career as a pharmacist, geneticist or other type of scientist. No matter where she ends up, it is safe to say Sydney has left her mark on Dowagiac. “We are a small town, but I think we are becoming more united now with the community — we’re becoming a lot more positive,” Sydney said.

Olivia Bachteal Edwardsburg

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Although she has only been attending the school for two years, Olivia Bachteal feels like she has made her mark on Edwardsburg High School. The senior transferred from Penn High School her junior year after her family moved across the state line from Granger to the Cass County bedroom community. Olivia said while she missed the wide selection of classes at Penn, she has enjoyed being part of a community where everybody knows everybody. “I’ve also been able to be involved in more things at a small school,” Olivia said. Olivia is the secretary of National Honors Society, the treasurer for student council and this year’s yearbook editor. After being chosen as Most Valuable Player on Penn High School’s softball team, Olivia played one season for the Eddies and decided to take her senior year off to dedicate more time to her studies. “I’m very grade-oriented. It sounds silly, but when I transferred from Penn to Edwardsburg, there were no weighted grades, so my GPA went from 4.0 to 3.99,” Olivia said. As of late winter, Olivia is ranked second in her class with a 3.99214 grade point average. “When I was little, both my parents were very grade-oriented. We would sit at the breakfast table and do multiplication and division tables,” she said. “My dad calls me a perfectionist, but really I do what I’m told. I like to succeed.” Olivia also likes to help others succeed. “I preach to my friends to take harder classes and challenge yourself,” she said. “I volunteer with a lot of kids at Eagle Lake [Elementary]. I mentor them.” Olivia said she finds joy in watching her students’ progress as she helps them with reading or anything else they need assistance with. Eventually she’d like to translate her experience helping children into a career in pediatrics. “I like the idea of helping kids. If I can help them get better, they have their whole lives in front of them,” she said. To prepare for a medical career, Olivia participated in a “mini-med” program in which she learned about taking care of patients. “I got to sit in on surgery with a gentleman. Usually only college students and residents get to sit in on surgeries. People thought I was one of them,” Olivia said. “I have a little cousin who has Down Syndrome. When we were at U of M Medical Center around the kids, to see them get better was inspiring, so I decided I wanted to do that.” Olivia plans to volunteer in the pediatric unit at Memorial Hospital soon, and is choosing between pre-med programs at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Olivia said she is fortunate for her time at Edwardsburg and for all the people she has met in the last two years. “We have a lot of qualified people, and we have a lot of kids who have stayed here all 12 years, and the fact that [the principal] chose me [as a ‘superhero in disguise’] was pretty honorable,” she said. “I’m thankful.”

Horizons 2015

Andrew Merica Niles

Photo by Lori Baxter/ Lori Diane Photography

Andrew Merica has high hopes for his future, and he is determined to accomplish any goal or overcome any obstacle put in front of him. The 17-year-old aspiring political journalist is currently waiting to hear back from a number of prestigious schools including Northwestern University, George Washington University, Columbia, Yale and the University of South Carolina. He has already been accepted to the University of Michigan. Andrew said he chose universities of this caliber in hopes that the clout he will receive if accepted to any of them will give him the extra push toward making his big dreams come true. The Niles High School senior chuckled as he explained exactly what his plans entail. “My dream job is to host ‘Meet the Press,’” he said. To prepare for journalism school at the next level, Andrew has spent a lot of spare time over the past few years producing newspapers for Niles High School. This year is his second year as Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, the Viking Journal. “Niles doesn’t offer a journalism class, so journalism is entirely extra-curricular,” Andrew said. “I put a lot of hard work into that, which is why I ended up in my career path.” Andrew is also heavily involved in the band program, where he plays trumpet and is serving as head drum major for the third year. Andrew said that because of a recent change of directors, he feared a drop in participation in the school’s popular marching band, so he took the initiative to help in smoothing that tradition. “We are gaining numbers rapidly. Next year I think we’ll

be breaking 100 [members],” he said. In addition to the newspaper and band, Andrew is involved in Key Club, the Kiwanis Club, National Honors Society and the N-Club. “My dad graduated form Niles High School in 1974 and some of his fondest memories were from high school. He’s always telling me to be as involved as possible,” he said. Andrew shares his passion for Niles High School and all it has to offer by serving in the N-Club. Although the organization is traditionally for varsity athletes, Andrew has become an important member of the group, working to bridge the gap between the student section and the pep band. The group has put a lot of time into making the Niles Nightmare (the cheering squad) more positive than in years past. “Several of the N-Club officers plus me, plus one of the designates from the cheerleading squad attended a sportsmanship conference earlier this year,” he said. “We’re trying to do a lot of fun combined stuff, mostly coordinate the cheerleaders and the crowd and the band in a positive way.” Andrew feels he has made the best of his high school career and thinks, like his father, he will remember countless fond memories of his time at Niles High School. “High school is a big place. NHS has upwards of 800 or 900 kids in it,” Andrew said. “Every single kid has something that makes them who they are. A lot of them are too shy and don’t show what that is, but I think it’s so important that you show it. I think the sooner you give in and show people you love what you love, tremendous opportunities will open for you.” Andrew says that is exactly what high school is all about.

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On the

home front Cass County family describes struggle, benefits of having a father in the military Story by AMBROSIA NELDON | Photos by AMBROSIA NELDON/SUBMITTED

DWARDSBURG — Not long after receiving her crown, Miss Edwardsburg 2013 was introduced to the leaders of her community at a special ceremony where she received a key to the village. Megan Halgren stepped up to the microphone to give a brief speech, glancing around at the room full of people. As poised as a princess, Megan thanked the community for the opportunity and promised to serve the village well. Then, choking back tears, the then 17-yearold turned her back to the audience to gain her composure. When she turned around, every person in the

room was on their feet and clapping, a standing ovation in honor of the queen’s strength in a difficult moment. “These are the kinds of things that happen to military kids,” Denise Halgren said as her daughter recalled the experience. Megan had grown emotional during her speech when she realized that neither of her parents were able to make the ceremony. Her mother, a teacher at Edwardsburg Public Schools, was tied up putting on the first-grade program her students had been working on for weeks. Megan’s father was quite a bit farther away, serving a tour of duty for the U.S. Air Force

in Europe. “This type of thing happens to military kids sometimes,” Denise said. “When there’s only one parent left at home and that parent is busy, there’s nobody there.” Although her husband, Master Sergeant Dave Halgren has taken dozens of tours and trips during his 19 years in the Air Force, Denise said it is always difficult when he leaves. “It’s similar to being a single parent in a lot of ways, except when you’re single parenting, you know where the other one is. With the military, you don’t always know where they are, if they’re safe or what they’re doing,” she said. “It’s very stressful.”

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Horizons 2015

Enlisting a family within our family. We have to be very in-tune with what everyone else is feeling and After practically a lifetime together, Denise said she and her husband have been needing,” Megan said. “It really has given us an appreciation for each other. We feel wholeheartedly committed to making their relationship and their family work with each other instead of for each other.” despite the challenges presented by the military. Macey agreed that her family is closer than many families, partially because of “We’re high school sweethearts. We’ve always been together since we were her father’s position in the military. babies,” Denise said. “He never mentioned the military until we got married.” “I think it’s because we cherish our time together because we don’t know when With a baby on the way, Dave decided joining the Air Force was a good decision he’s going to be deployed,” she said. for his new family. Denise said some of the hardest times are when Dave can’t make it to an event or “I think it was me,” Megan said. “He wanted more misses an important moment because he is away. for me.” Of course, leaving is always hard for the entire For several years the Halgrens lived on a military family, no matter how long the tour. base in Langley, Virginia. Like the girls and their teddy bears, Denise and “We have to be very in-tune with “It was nice being surrounded by people who knew Dave have an unintended ritual whenever Dave what we were going through,” Denise said. “We had leaves. what everyone else is feeling and a family support system in Langley.” “Every time he goes, a light goes out. It never Macey, now 16, was born during a hurricane in fails,” Denise said, explaining that she is too short needing. It really has given us an Langley. to change the light bulbs easily. “He checks every “I went into labor and had a 3-year-old I had to last one of them before he leaves, but every time appreciation for each other. We feel pick up on the way to the hospital. Our house was he goes, a light goes out. I’ll text him when he’s halfway under the water. Our shed was rolling down on the plane and he’ll know exactly why before he with each other instead of for each the Chesapeake Bay. You don’t see that in Michigan,” opens the text.” other.” Denise joked. Five years later, the Halgrens decided to move back Looking for the positives home to Michiana to be closer to their family. For the Despite the stress of having a father in the — Megan Halgren last 11 years or so, the Halgrens have lived in Niles military, the Halgrens all agree that there are some (almost to Edwardsburg). benefits. For example, much of Megan’s tuition at Since they have been home, Dave has taken dozens Baker College is funded by Dave’s GI Bill. When of tours ranging from weekends to months, sometimes Macey goes to college in a couple of years, she in the U.S. and sometimes overseas. Over the years, the will receive the same benefit. Halgrens have found ways to cope with the anxiety of Dave’s deployments. More valuable than any monetary supplement the Halgren women could ever receive, though, is the benefit of the enormous pride they share for their father and Growing together their country. Megan, now 19, agreed that the experience of sending her father away for months “Having a dad in the military has taught me loyalty, just appreciating what you at a time never gets easier. have,” Megan said. “You feel fear, worry, every time,” she said. “But I always tell myself, ‘he came Dave has been recognized several times for his service, earning a Hometown back last time. He’s always been safe. He’ll come back again.’” Hero recognition two years ago, and people often walk up to him on the street Early on in his career as an airman, Dave began purchasing stuffed teddy bears simply to thank him for his service. for Megan and Macey whenever he would go on a trip. What began as a coping “My dad is a hero because he’s courageous,” Macey said proudly. “He goes above mechanism so the girls would have something to squeeze when they missed their and beyond the call of duty.” father has become a family tradition. With 19 years of service all over the country, the Halgrens have plenty to be proud “I have at least 30 teddy bears now,” Megan said. Macey has a matching collection of and are fortunate to share a bond tighter than many families, much to the credit of that she keeps in her bedroom. Dave’s job in the Air Force. For all the challenges, Denise said she wouldn’t trade it. Now 19 and a student at Baker College in Muskegon, Megan comes home to visit “I love my man in uniform,” Denise said. “He’s an awesome dad, he’s an awesome husband. He’s doing what he does because he loves God, he loves his frequently on the weekends, taking advantage of the time they have together. “I think [having a father in the military] definitely has strengthened the bond country and he loves his family.”

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Horizons 2015

hero? What makes a

Sam Adams kindergartners weigh in on best qualities

“Helping people.” — Aaron Anderson

“Helping a lot of people out.” — Aleah Dahlgren

Story and photos by SCOTT NOVAK

hirteen kindergarten students in Cheryl Rogers’ class at Sam Adams Elementary in Cassopolis were asked, “What makes a hero?” After giving the question just a few minutes of thought, the 5- and 6-yearold’s answers ranged from actual superheroes like Superman to their teacher. The most prevalent answer was “helping people,” but some had more extensive explanations.

“When they are brave.”

“Helping people.” — Shelena Braziel

— Taylor Nolen

“Being brave.”

“Abraham Lincoln.”

“Helping people in need.”

“Our teacher helps people.”

“A hero is a guy who helps people and makes people happy.” — Taeler DeBruine

“A fireman helps save people.”

“Superman saves people. Superman fights bad guys.”

— Annabelle Westpahl

— Ethan Tubbs

“When somebody is hurt, someone can come save them.” — Khalia Danzy Renya

— Khloe McGrew

— Olivia Hayden

— Landon Dunifin

— Linzey Hogan

“Superman.”

— Lucas Williams

Horizons 2015

Dear Commu nity Member s,

Special Education

Brookside Learning Center, North Pointe Center and six classrooms housed in the Cassopolis Public Schools, provide Special Education programs for Cass County residents ages 3 through 26. LCISD also provides therapy and diagnostic services to all local districts in the county. We target skills that lead to gainful employment and independent living for students with special needs.

Instructional Services

Advancing achievement and success for Cass County students through professional development, school improvement and leadership training for educators in the four constituent districts and beyond, while at the same time broadening student opportunities by organizing the Cass County Spelling Bee, Elementary Science Olympiad, Math-A-Rama, Young Writers’ Day, Middle School Math Meet and hosting special events such as the MSU Spartan Marching Band Clinic & Exhibition.

Career Technical Education

Prepares students with necessary academic, technical and occupational skills to enter, compete and advance in their education and careers. CTE programs introduce students to career options allowing them the opportunity to make informed educational choices. Most programs offer early college credit creating a seamless transition to post secondary education.

Family & Children Services

The Family and Children Services Department includes the following programs: Families First of Michigan (Berrien), Family Reunification (Berrien), Tri-County Family Reunification (Cass, Van Buren & St. Joseph), Wraparound (Berrien), In-Home Family Services (Cass & St. Joseph), Families Together Building Solutions (Berrien) and Families Together Building Solutions (St. Joseph). All Programs are strength-based and are geared towards building assets in the lives of each participant. Furthermore, they are flexible to meet the participants’ needs at their scheduled time or in time of crisis.

Great Start Collaborative/Readiness Preschool

Do I deserve a Great Start? My mom says that I am the future, that with great childcare, great healthcare, great in-home support services and great preschool, I will be much more likely to graduate from high school, be fully employed, escape the dependency trap and offer future leadership to my community. “Fighting for every child in Cass County to have a safe, healthy and eager start to school and life.”

On behalf of all our staff and ou r Board of Educ express our than ation, I want to ks to the greate r Cass County your continued community for support. We ar e pleased to se cational service rv e as the eduagency for our schools and co know that as w m m unity. Please e go about our business of serv needs of our lo ing the essentia cal school distric l ts, we recogniz important functio e there is no m n than to suppor ore t learning for AL L. Our general educ ation support an d professional de tiatives look to be velopment iniour best effort at student achievem We promote a re ent for ALL. search-based, be st-practice appr in the effective sc oach, steeped hools research that will help ou the highest qual r schools maint ity instruction an ain d a focus on stud for the long term ent achievemen . t Our involvemen t with Career an d Technical Educ high school stud ation for our ents allows us to maintain a level in a rigorous co of relevance re curriculum ke eping options an open for all type d opportunities s of learners an d all career path ways. The single larges t responsibility of Lewis Cass ISD special needs st is serving our udents and thei r families. Our staff provide se special educatio rvices to over a n thousand learne degrees of uniq rs with varying ue needs.

This is just a pe ek at what Lew is Cass Intermed District is all ab iate School out and the thin gs we do. Plea more of the spec se read on to le ific educational arn initiatives that w behalf of all lear e promote on ners in the coun ty. Together, w mission of “Pro e commit to ou viding Services r Today for a Bet ter Tomorrow”. Sincerely, Robert E. Col by, Superinte ndent

Transportation

Lewis Cass Intermediate School District provides handicapped accessible transportation for special education students to Brookside Learning Center, North Pointe Center, Squires (Adult Education), Sam Adams Elementary, Ross Beatty Jr/Sr High School, Berrien Springs, and programs in local school districts that students attend outside of their resident school district. We have 26 vehicles that travel over 520,000 miles a year servicing our Cass County students.

Lewis Cass Intermediate School District

61682 Dailey Road, Cassopolis, MI 49031 | Phone 269 445 3891 | Fax 269 445 2981

FIVE HOURS

IN A POLICE CAR Story and photos by CRAIG HAUPERT

hat is a night on the job really like for a Niles City Police officer? That is the question I set out to answer as I signed up for a ride-along with the city’s police force on the evening of Friday, Jan. 30. My tour guide was Officer Nathan Adamczyk, a clean-cut 34-year-old graduate of Brandywine High School who joined the force three years ago after cutting his teeth as a member of the department’s reserves for several years. Adamczyk’s shift was from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., but I stuck with him from 6 to 11 p.m. — enough time for me to get a snapshot of what a Niles Police Officer does on a typical shift. 6 p.m. — I arrive at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex and am taken to a room where officers meet at the end of one shift and the beginning of another. I learn that the city has three officers who work the night shift, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are two reserve officers also this night. 6:10 — I meet Adamczyk, who shows me how to put on a bulletproof vest. It is surprisingly lightweight and fits comfortably under my jacket. I learn it protects an area from the top of my chest to around my belly button. 6:30 p.m. — Adamczyk takes me to his police car, which he explains is his office. He spends 12 hours a day in it unless he is outside doing other police duties, like asking for a person’s driver’s license during a traffic stop or serving a warrant. He spends a good five minutes checking to make sure all the equipment in his car works, from the computer to the indash camera to the microphone on his belt and the lights on the roof. When things are all good, we leave. 6:35 p.m. — Adamczyk doesn’t have any calls to respond to at the moment so he is on “free time,” meaning he can run traffic stops and tend to other business. We drive past an apartment complex in the 600 block of South Third Street looking for a person who has a warrant out for his arrest. The person isn’t there.

comes traffic stop st r fi r u O — cked 7:47 p.m. a for a cra H a H ew er r near the B . The offic st u a h ex d u nd lo is windshield a river’s license d ’s n so r pe e as no finds that th a and he h n ia d In f a o t u k writes him suspended o zy c m a d A oof rance. se and no pr proof of insu en lic ’s r to a r o ope tive ticket for n ing for defec n r a w a d n a come of insurance also had to er iv r d e h the jail. He had equipment. T to o g r o 0 bail up with $5 money.

Horizons 2015

Horizons 2015 6:45 p.m. — An SUV is idling and partially blocking the road near South Fourth and Hickory, an area Adamczyk says is known for drug activity. He runs the license plate and learns it is expired. Before he can contact the driver, Adamczyk gets his first call of the night — malicious destruction of property. The person making the complaint is at the Law Enformcement Complex, so we head back there. 6:50 p.m. — A young woman said she returned to work at a local hair salon to find her clippers broken. Other equipment was also allegedly damaged. She suspects a co-worker, who has a problem with her for one reason or another. She estimates the damage at $400. Adamczyk tells the woman he will follow up by going to the hair salon. 7:10 p.m. — We arrive at the hair salon where Adamczyk learns the suspect is not on shift. He gets her schedule so he can talk to her later. 7:24 p.m. — Adamczyk sees a pedestrian illegally crossing South 11th Street and stops him near Long John Silvers. The guy said he was staying at the nearby Niles Inn and going to meet someone at McDonald’s. He gets off with a warning. 7:30 p.m. — As we are leaving the parking lot, Adamczyk notices an open door in a building just north of Long John Silvers. He investigates and determines the building is vacant. 7:43 p.m. — Adamczyk is ready to demonstrate a traffic stop and parks by Schilling’s Auto Wash on South 11th. A traffic stop, he said, is a great way to make “contact” with people in addition to improving the safety of motorists. Making “contact” is one good way police can find people who have a warrant out for their arrest, have drugs or other paraphernalia. 7:44 p.m. — Adamczyk’s personal philosophy on speeding is “9 you’re fine and 10 you’re mine.” School zones are an exception. Other officers have different philosophies. 7:47 p.m. — Our first traffic stop comes near the Brew Ha Ha for a cracked windshield and loud exhaust. The officer finds that the person’s driver’s license is suspended out of Indiana and he has no proof of insurance. Adamczyk writes him a ticket for no operator’s license and no proof of insurance and a warning

17 for defective equipment. The driver also had to come up with $50 bail or go to jail. The man had the money and paid it. 8:15 p.m. — We cruise around the northeast side of Niles near the Ferry Street Resource Center. Adamczyk said it is an area that gets a lot of drug activity. He says some people who live there call it “C” side, although he’s not sure why. It’s a good place, he said, to make contact with people walking in the street or make traffic stops.

Adamczyk explains how he watches the driver’s face in the side rearview mirror to see how he is reacting. This guy seems calm. A warning is given. 10:15 p.m. — Adamczyk gets a call to be on the lookout for a red truck near Save-A-Lot, so we head there. While parked at United Federal Credit Union, Adamczyk chats with another officer. He sees a vehicle crossing the train bridge over the St. Joseph

8:20 p.m. — Adamczyk points out a structure in “C” side police believe is a drug house. He shows me an area where he recently chased down a person who had a gun. 8:30 p.m. — Adamczyk checks out a van that has its back door open and is partially blocking the road in the 700 block of Oak Street. The driver explains he is unloading supplies and is unable to back all the way into the driveway because the hitch on the van will scrape the concrete. Adamczyk knows one of the people there. 9:10 p.m. — Dinner at a fast food place. I learn officers get a nice discount when the price of my meal is about half of what it normally would cost. 9:43 p.m. — Adamczyk pulls over a person for speeding near the car wash. The person pulls over in the turn lane in middle of the South 11th, which Adamczyk said is both dangerous and not advised. The driver gets off with a warning despite giving him attitude. 10:05 p.m. — Another car is pulled over for speeding near Parkview Apartments on North 17th Street.

River and the other officer heads in that direction while we stay in the parking lot. 10:40 p.m. — Adamczyk pulls over a car that has an unreadable license plate on North Lincoln Avenue near Union Street. The driver, who calls Adamczyk “sweetie” has an expired license and is issued a ticket. 10:45 p.m. — I get a call from my wife, who says our 11-month-old daughter is awake. She needs help because she has to get up for work at 2:15 a.m. I tell Adamczyk its time for me to go. 11 p.m. — Adamczyk drops me off at the LEC and invites me back in the summertime, when police get a lot more activity. I say, “Count me in.”

Horizons 2015

A picture’s worth a thousand words

Story and photos by CRAIG HAUPERT

1691-1761 LaSalle’s Expedition Robert Cavelier de La Salle was a French explorer whose goal was to explore the Mississippi River valley from Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico and establish French fur trading posts, forts and colonies throughout the area. The trading posts and colonies would provide badly needed income for France and in turn make LaSalle a rich man. In this scene, LaSalle and his party are on the way to the portage that will lead them to the Kankakee River. They have stopped at an area along the St. Joseph River, in present day Niles, where the river is shallow enough to be forded and where all the Native American trails in the area converge. This spot, he thinks, would be an ideal location for a fort. Here, LaSalle is carrying the French flag. A Franciscan priest, Father Membre, is dressed in a black robe and Frenchmen are paddling canoes.

French Era In 1961, Ensign Augustin Legardeur de Courtemanche, by order of the Governor General of New France Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, established a military post on the St. Joseph River. LaSalle had discovered that the St. Joseph River was a link in the water route to the Mississippi River, which flowed to the Gulf of Mexico, making the St. Joseph River of vital interest to New France’s flourishing fur trade. Fort St. Joseph, as it was known, was created primarily as a military and commercial center to trade with French-allied Indians and ensure their support against English invasions, with whom France was at war.

Fort St. Joseph at its Peak Shown here, Fort St. Joseph is at its peak with an active community of men, women and children. Military personnel were there to maintain peace and keep the fur trade going. Some of the officers had their wives and children with them at the fort. Merchants and fur traders lived outside the fort and often had their families with them as well. Some of the women were French Canadian and others Native American. The Jesuit priests who operated the mission were also an important part of the fort community. Native Americans, mainly Potawatomi, also lived close to the fort for protection and for access to trade goods. Voyagers who arrived by canoe with supplies also became part of the community for at least a short time.

Winter at Fort St. Joseph Life during the winter at Fort St. Joseph was probably rather boring with the long nights and short daylight hours. Oil lamps, candles and fireplaces would have provided the only light during nighttime hours. The fort residents engaged in a number of activities to help relieve boredom. They played games, carved wood and bone, told stories, sang songs and played whatever instruments they had. Some had books to read. Undoubtedly the children played in the snow and skated on the ice of the river.

Horizons 2015

Exhibit brings history of Fort St. Joseph to life

Pieces of history

ort St. Joseph was a trading post along the St. Joseph River in Niles from 1691 to 1781. Four flags (France, Britain, Spain, U.S) flew over this fort before it was vacated in 1781. The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project is a partnership between Western Michigan University and the City of Niles that seeks to explore the history of New France. Janet Seaman created the murals depicting the fort through the years. Seaman passed away in December of 2014, leaving a legacy in her paintings, which are on display at the Fort St. Joseph Museum in Niles, along with other artifacts and pieces of history. The information contained in this article comes from the museum, which is located at 508 East Main St. in Niles. The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is always free.

Cilice

This cilice, a device worn to induce pain as a sign of repentance, was unearthed at the site of Fort St. Joseph. It is not complete, but it is possible to see how it might have fit around an arm or leg. Experts believe it belonged to one of the Jesuit missionaries who served at the fort.

Bale Seals

Bale Seals are lead discs, which were attached to bundles of fur pelts for purposes of identification. They were made in one or two pieces and were marked with cast or embossed designs and characters.

Ceramic Game Pieces

1761-1781 British Era The British military assumed command of Fort St. Joseph in October 1761. The fort was garrisoned with a detachment of 13 or 14 soldiers from the 60th Royal American regiment under Ensign Francis Schlosser. Most of the soldiers and officers were from Protestant German and Swiss families and therefore spoke German. The fort continued as a fur trading post and mission, but the British treatment of the local Indians was very different than that of the French. The British discontinued the practice of giving the Indians gifts and, in general, treated them with contempt and disrespect. In 1763, the Indian anger and frustration over this situation erupted in Pontiac’s Rebellion.

1763 Attack On May 25, 1763, Fort St. Joseph was attacked by a large group of Potawatomi. Thirteen soldiers were killed while the commanding officer, Ensign Schlosser, and three others were taken prisoner. The French traders and other non-military people were left alone and uninjured. The prisoners were marched to Detroit where they were exchanged for two Native American prisoners. Fort St. Joseph was only one of many forts attacked throughout northeastern America. The attack plan was devised by Ottawa chief Pontiac and nearly succeeded in destroying the British forts. After the attack, the British did not re-garrison Fort St. Joseph. Instead, they had a local French fur trader by the name of Chevalier act as the “King’s man” to continue the fur trade.

1781 Spanish Control The so-called “Spanish Raid” on Fort St. Joseph did not, in fact, consist of any ethnic Spaniards. It was instigated by Indians who wanted to plunder the goods held there and Frenchmen who wanted to avenge English raids of St. Louis, Missouri, which had once been a French town but changed to Spanish control in 1769. A party of 65 French militiamen and 60 Indians took Fort St. Joseph at 7 a.m. Feb. 12, 1781. All were taken prisoner. Captain Eugene Poure, who led the raid, raised a Spanish flag and proclaimed the region for the King of Spain. The fort was looted. The fort ceased to be considered a military outpost following the raid. During this period, the local population consisted of a mixture of British military personnel and traders, a few American soldiers, Native Americans and a few French Canadians. Trade remained active at the fort from 1781 to 1820.

These are good examples of the reuse of objects. The cup, plate, etc. that these came from was broken so the owner took the pieces and made them into something else.

Flintlock Gun

Although this was not excavated from the Fort St. Joseph site, it resembles weapons of the period.

British Military Buttons

One is from the British 60th regiment stationed at Fort St. Joseph. The button marked K 8th is from the King’s 8th regiment stationed at Michilimackinac. Military personnel from there were occasional visitors to Fort St. Joseph.

Trade Items

These are some of the items used by the French and British for trade with the local Native Americans.

Horizons 2015

LOST&FOUND An Edwardsburg man’s nearly 40-year love affair with his first car Story by CRAIG HAUPERT | Photos by CRAIG HAUPERT / SUBMITTED

hris Hall loves his car. A lot. So much so that the Cass County man can recite from memory the car’s vehicle registration number like most people would their social security number. “I had the silly notion that I’d memorize the VIN in case it was ever stolen, so I could get it back,” he said. “I memorized it and to this day I can prattle it off without thinking — 242379B164347. Just something poetic about it, if I may.” It’s a good thing he knows the VIN, too. Hall and his Matador Red 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge have been together and apart several times throughout the years due to unforeseen circumstances. Like any true love though, they always seem to find each other again.

LOVE LOST

The story begins in Niles in 1977. Hall was 17 and looking for something special to cruise around Niles in with his girlfriend of six months, Donna. After some searching, he found what he was looking for: a bright, blood-colored Matador Red 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge. It had black interior, a 400-horse power engine and a fourspeed transmission.

“It literally took my breath away. It looked like it was speeding just sitting still,” Chris said. “Of course I had to have it.” The proud owner of a fairly limited edition vehicle, Chris said he drove the car hard and fast with little regard to its potential collectability, mainly because it seemed like everyone had a muscle car back then. After graduating, Chris and Donna began to focus on their future together. Knowing Donna could not drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, Hall decided to sell the car to a local family and find a more practical vehicle — one they both could drive. “If there had been a way to keep that car and get another I would have, but extra money and being 18 just don’t go together,” Chris said. It did not take long for regret to set in. Chris was knocking on the buyer’s door within a week, begging to get back the Judge. It didn’t work. “No deal,” Chris said. “They were happy and really enjoying their new toy, just like I had for the last year and a half.” Chris and Donna got married in 1980 and moved to Texas. Whenever he came back to Niles, Chris said he would knock on the buyer’s door and ask for his old car back. He got the same answer each time. “No deal, no dice,” Chris said.

Horizons 2015

1977 Love returned The Halls moved back to Niles in 1990 and, for the next 15 years, Chris said he watched in agony as the Judge slowly deteriorated from lack of use and exposure to the elements. He continued to try to convince the family to sell it back to him, but nothing seemed to work. In the meantime, Chris drove other cars he considered to be his “toys,” like Chevy Novas, an old Cutlass and even a 1957 Chevy. It wasn’t the same as being behind the wheel of the Judge. “Everything was a substitute — it was a cheap imitation,” he said. “They were always just a placeholder until I could get it back.” The chance to get the car back finally came in 2005. The Halls came into some money after selling a house and Donna came up with a plan: Offer them cash. “Well, that was a new idea,” Chris said. “Another reason to love her.” Chris brought the family the cash and made an offer. They agreed. “After I picked myself up off the floor and regained consciousness I, after 27 incredibly long, lonely years, had the Judge back in my hands,” Chris said.

Love lost, again

Unfortunately for Chris, the Judge was not in good shape. Years of neglect had left the once beautiful machine a shell of its former self. To get it up and running, Chris said it would have cost between $60,000-$75,000. He didn’t have the know-how to do it himself or the money to have it done by someone else, so the Judge sat unused in his pole barn for three years.

2005 The only thing he could do was get behind the steering wheel and make “vroom vroom” sounds, he said. Once again, Chris made the difficult decision to sell the Judge in 2008, in order to see it fully resurrected. “Yeah, I’ll admit, if it wasn’t for Donna to lean on, I would have cried like a big baby,” Chris said. They sold the Judge to a qualified muscle car restoration expert in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the promise that he’d keep in touch and update Chris on the progress of the restoration project. Chris called monthly for the first three months and then found, to his dismay, that the number had been disconnected. “His work address was listed as unoccupied with no forwarding number,” Chris said. “I thought the car was gone forever.”

Love found, again

For the next five years, Chris searched the Internet in hopes of finding the Judge on a car collector site or Ebay or anywhere. He went without a sniff of the car until he Googled “GTO Judge for sale” on his birthday in June 2013. There it was. A listing for a four-speed Matador Red GTO Judge. Black interior. Fully restored. The seller event listed the VIN number. It was a match. Chris called the owner, who was living not too far away in Vincennes, Indiana. “(I) practically shouted his ear off for an hour about the Judge’s history, my attachment to it, my eternal quest to find it again, and how I’d give my left arm to come see it again,” Chris said. “He was really pleasant but I’m sure he thought I was either in need of some serious psychiatric help or just completely drunk.”

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2013 The Halls traveled on July 4 to see the Judge for the first time in five years. “Honestly, it was better than I ever remembered or hoped it would be,” he said. “It was that bold, majestic Matador Red again, the interior was crisp, clean and brand new, and the engine rumbled like it was 1977 all over again.” It turns out that the seller had bought the Judge restored from the person Chris had sold it to. The current owner told Chris he drove it just three times in three years after realizing it wasn’t his taste. Chris and the owner haggled over the price over the next several months before settling on a figure. “I talked to Donna and I agreed that if I forego my birthday, Christmas and anniversary presents from now until about 2037 we could swing it,” Chris said. The deal done, the Halls came into possession of the Judge for the third and final time in October 2013.

Reunited

As can be expected, the Halls spent a lot of time cruising around Niles in the Judge this past summer. “You have this vision in your mind that is so perfect and so wonderful that you can’t describe it,” he said. “I tell everyone that having it back and driving it isn’t even close to that. It is way, way better.” One of their favorite stops is the Dairy Queen on Oak Street where, back in the late ‘70s, Chris would buy Donna ice cream in an attempt to impress her. “Something about being in my high school car and being with the love of my life, my high school sweetheart, is just a feeling that can’t be described,” Chris said. “It truly is just like going back in time.” Now that Chris has the car back, will he ever sell it again? “Not willingly.”

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Horizons 2015

City of Real People, Real Community, Real Opportunity As you explore Dowagiac, you will begin to appreciate its progressive creativity and deep roots. Enjoy a vibrant downtown with specialty shops, flavorful restaurants, abundant public art and family entertainment. Immerse yourself in the area’s rich history, stately architecture and captivating museums. The citizens of Dowagiac are dedicated to saving and building on our historical heritage, while at the same time embracing and encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit that creates opportunities for all of her citizens.

With excellent schools, an outstanding community college, a quality full service hospital, a healthy industrial and commercial base and a community wide commitment to the arts, Dowagiac has all the amenities of a city many times its size while retaining and enjoying its small town warmth and charm. Whether you’re a first time visitor or someone who knows us well, we invite you to take a little extra time to get to know us better. We are confident you’ll be impressed with Dowagiac’s commitment to building a better future on the solid foundation of a remarkable heritage.

www.CityOfDowagiac.com

Horizons 2015

Living with

LUPUS

Niles teacher overcomes life-altering disease Story and photos by SCOTT NOVAK

ILES — Being diagnosed with lupus used to be a death sentence. Over the past decade or so, advancement in medicines and an understanding of the disease means that patients can live longer lives. While the diagnosis means big changes for the individuals with lupus, dealing with the effects of the autoimmune disease that attacks various organs becomes the focus instead of preparing for the inevitable. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans have the disease. And although lupus strikes both men and women, about 90 percent of those who are diagnosed with it are women, mainly between the ages of 15 and 44. Such is the case for Niles Community Schools teacher Sally Irons. Systemic lupus comprises approximately 70 percent of all cases. In almost half of those cases, the disease attacks a major organ such as the kidneys, lungs, heart or brain. Irons was diagnosed in the fall of 1995. She was struggling with what she thought was a circulatory problem. “My hands and feet were swelling up,” she said. “I had a real red complexion, what they call the Mylar rash (butterfly rash) on my face. So I went to my doctor and because of the hands and feet swelling, I said ‘I think I have a circulatory problem because my body is just not acting right.’” That was in the spring of 1995. Over the course of the next couple of months she was given medicine to treat high blood pressure and went through several other types of treatments with no success. Irons had finally had enough. “I said, ‘this is not working,’” she said. “His answer was ‘I have nothing more to offer.’ So I said ‘fine’ and I gave up on it.” A horrible chest cold in the fall of 1995 led to the proper diagnosis. “I wound up over at Granger Family Medical Clinic on a Saturday,” she recalled. “I met Dr. Jesse Hsieh. So he treated me aggressively for the bronchitis and said, ‘I want to see you back in two weeks.’ “I went back for the follow-up and as I was leaving, I said, ‘Doc, what is with this red face?’ And he goes, ‘Lupus. Have you ever been tested?’” The physician put in a request for the blood work and confirmed that Irons had lupus. She was transferred to a rheumatologist, which she could not get into see until January of 1996. “By now I am freaking out,” Irons said. “This was early, when the Internet was just coming alive and everything I am reading says there is a 10-year life expectancy and all kind of issues. So I go to the doctor’s office and ask them to give my some info on lupus.” At first the rheumatologist’s office was reluctant to give her information until after she was seen. Despite her growing concerns, Irons waited until her appointment to find out exactly what was going to happen. “So I finally get in there and I find out that I am very lucky because although I have two forms of lupus — discoid (which affects the skin) and systemic (which is the most common and considered the most dangerous) — mine

“When I first was diagnosed, my mother was like ‘Sally you have to slow down. You are sick, you need to slow down.’ My personality and my mentality has always been if I slow down I am going to give it a chance to bite me in the butt. So I keep going. I am very independent and I try not to ask for help even when I need it.” — Sally Irons, Niles

Horizons 2015

A parent’s perspective By SCOTT NOVAK

affects the blood cells that destroy viruses and bacteria that gets into our system. “Well my version of lupus attacks the antiphospholipid antibodies, which basically means it is the blood cells that help to prevent heart attacks and strokes. So what could happen to me, if my lupus flairs up bad enough, it could trigger a heart attack or a stroke.” Irons has to be closely monitored and she visits the rheumatologist every six months so they can monitor her blood work. So far, Irons has not had an issue with her systemic lupus. She is on a regimen of prescription drugs to keep the disease under control. While Irons has not tried to make too many adjustments to her regular routine, there are times that she struggles with the disease because it makes her tired. She also struggles with the perception of the disease, even among family members. “When I first was diagnosed, my mother was like ‘Sally you have to slow down. You are sick, you need to slow down.’ My personality and my mentality has always been if I slow down I am going to give it a chance to bite me in the butt. So I keep going. I am very independent and I try not to ask for help even when I need it.” Being a mother of four and a wife, Irons does not even slow down at home until the weekend when she tries to recharge herself and get ready for the following work week. One of the keys to coping according to Irons is to find something that drives you. “It is like with any disease, whether it is drug addiction, alcoholism, you have got to find something that gets you up and moving,” she said. “Whether it is a job, a volunteer program or a friend, you have got to say, ‘come on, let’s go, I am not taking no for an answer.’ Because that is what keeps you moving. “My personality is such that I am driven to help others and that is what keeps me going.”

OWAGIAC — As a parent of a young child dealing with a life-threatening disease such as lupus, you can only hope to provide them with the best treatment and as much support as a family can muster. It is extremely difficult and frustrating for both the child and the parents as they first try to cope with the facts that this disease could prematurely end their child’s life. Then there comes the frustration of watching he or she battle with the medications and the complications that come with having lupus. My daughter Kirsten Novak, now 21, was diagnosed just before the start of her senior year at Dowagiac Union High School. She found out that she had lupus after another doctor had discovered something strange with her blood work. She was put on an aggressive treatment for her lupus nephritis, which means it attacked her kidneys. Due to the severity of the lupus, doctors were concerned with saving her kidneys first and then she was sent to the rheumatologist to address the lupus. Trying to grasp all the information that was being thrown at our family, it was difficult for both myself and Kirsten to explain to others. There were times when she felt like her classmates were avoiding her because she had this “disease” despite the fact that she could not pass it on to them. As her parents, Carol and I tried to do the best we could to get the correct information to Dowagiac Union High School’s administration so that she could be afforded the time make up her school work because she was missing classes due to doctor’s appointments for treatments and check-ups. In addition to the change in schedule, Kirsten had to completely change her diet. She was allowed only 2,000 grams of sodium or less per day. It was tough at first trying to figure out how to accomplish that goal because once we started reading labels, it did not take long to realize just how much sodium is in products sold at the store. Luckily she enjoyed fresh vegetables and rice, which made up a lot of her diet in the early stages of the disease. Kirsten takes a variety of medications to combat the disease and some of those continue to change three years later as they battle to keep the lupus under control. One of the biggest issues she still faces is a lack of energy, which can be overwhelming at times. “There are days I do not want to get out of bed,” Kirsten said. “I just do not have the energy.” Kirsten also has fibromyalgia, which adds to the lack of desire to face the day, but she continues to fight it. She is attending Southwestern Michigan College and has a part-time job at Harding’s Friendly Market in Dowagiac. My daughter told us that anger was the first emotion she felt when she got the diagnosis. She also was afraid that she might die at a young age, a fear she admits she still has to this day. It is tough to hear your daughter tell you, “I think about dying when I have a really bad flair. I wanted to go home because the world was coming to an end.” Her toughest adjustment was to her sleep pattern. “You can’t sleep,” she said. “The medicine I was taking made it difficult to sleep, so when you have to get up and go to school you have no energy.” Despite the changes in her diet, her sleeping habits and how she goes about everyday activities, Kirsten continues to try and live as normal a lifestyle as possible. “I try to get things done earlier, take my medicine when I am supposed to and do things I enjoy doing,” she said. For Kirsten, it is important that people know that having lupus is no longer a death sentence. If she continues to follow her doctor’s care, take the medications that are prescribed, she feels that she has a lot of years to look forward to.

PAGE 26

Horizons 2015

TURNER Story by MICHAEL CALDWELL

hen John Willis flipped open the turquoise spiral-bound notebook on Jan. 1, 1976, and wrote the words “Harpo Speaks,” he never really thought about how far it would go or that he would achieve an impressive feat nearly 40 years later. No, it was for a far more practical purpose that he began cataloguing the titles of the books he reads. He simply wanted to keep track so he didn’t pickup something twice. But now, John’s “interesting project,” as he calls it, has become something much larger. At least to everyone who learns about it, although

John downplays it as no big deal. On the February day he took the time for a phone interview, the 67-year-old Niles resident was reading book 2,222 — “Spy: The Funny Years,” a historical look at the popular satirical magazine from the late 1980s. By the time you read this he will certainly have surpassed that number, with each neatly cataloged in an expansive list that includes the title, author, start and stop date. “I’m interested in anything that is going to educate me a little more,” John said. “I am not so much looking for entertainment as education.” John reads just about every day, often before bed. Some books take him a couple of days, some a couple of weeks. All sorts of genres fill the list, which migrated to

Avid reader tops 2,200 books read over nearly 40 years

a digital format about a year ago. They range from non-fiction to historical accounts to trivia books to computer manuals to Americana to pop culture and beyond. Favorite authors include Clive Cussler and James Mitchner. With such a long reading list, it is difficult to pick a favorite. A few that stand out in his memory range from a novel about an elephant and the man hunting it to the history of pop culture staples like Silly Putty, Monopoly and Bingo. What you won’t find on the list is lots of novels, science fiction or the quote-unquote classics that are the staples of every English class. “I hated to read in high school because I was told what book to read,” John said. “Once out on my own and I could select my own books, I fell in love with reading.”

Horizons 2015

Having lived almost his entire life in Niles, this passion took root at a young age while he was hanging around at Majerek’s bookstore on Main Street. He visited at least a couple times a week and liked browsing the new stuff on the shelf. He helped out when he could and was eventually asked to write short reviews or synopses to help readers find what they were looking for. His passion for reading and learning was also beneficial to his professional career in computers. Willis worked for Kawneer and others before retiring from Whirlpool after 14 years. He has found a second calling of sorts as a teacher in the fabrication lab at Lake Michigan College that taps into the same desire for knowledge that reading springs from. “It is a place where people can come in with an idea and we have the tools to make it,” he said. “LMC has turned out to be a wonderful second career for me. I love to keep myself busy. I hate to just sit around.” His career has changed with the times but his format preference has not. John said he has no plans to make the jump to a Kindle, Nook, or other type of e-reader. “I have to have the book in my hands. I have to turn the pages,” John said. “With the exception of a few books I borrowed, I still have every one of these books.” Willis has battled health issues in recent months but that has done nothing to diminish his love for reading. He has no plans to slow down any time soon or give up his hobby. “If you look at what is on TV now it is a total waste of electricity. There is so little entertainment value on TV anymore,” he said. “I find reading is much more beneficial for me.”

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An important part of our mission is recognizing that every child has strengths, talents, and interests to be encouraged and developed. With the piloting of a blended learning, technology-rich curriculum this Spring, each child at St. Mary’s School is able to work at his or her own pace mastering academic concepts with enthusiasm. No longer is the student “tied” to a specific age-based grade level as in the traditional school paradigm. Teachers are now “guides on the side”, working with students one-on-one or in small groups. Through data-driven analysis, teachers are better able to tailor the curriculum for student success. Equally important is the commitment to an educational approach which nurtures the whole child in an environment of spiritual development, academic excellence, moral values, respect, and safety. St. Mary’s School provides an environment where your child is treated as a gift from God who will flourish with individual care and attention.

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Horizons 2015

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Horizons 2015

UNLEASHED ‘Punk Rock Rag Doll’ defeats obstacles to break mold of female wrestling Story by AMBROSIA NELDON | Photos SUBMITTED

aving a rough night in the ring, professional wrestler “Heidi Lovelace — The Punk Rock Rag Doll” is living up to her name, her opponent tossing her around like a child’s toy. She reaches out to the crowd, hoping for some cheers to pump her up. What she sees instead provides more motivation than clapping or shouting ever would. In the front row, a little girl is holding up a homemade poster that simply reads, “Heidi is my hero.” For Michiana native Dori Prange, moments like these are the highlight of her career. “It makes it all worth it,” the 2009 Brandywine graduate and Edwardsburg native said in a phone interview on the way to a show. While still a student at Southwestern Michigan College, Prange got her start in wrestling when she visited a benefit for pancreatic cancer with some old friends who were wrestling fans. “I saw two women doing it and thought, ‘wow, they’re doing a good job,’ but I knew I could do it better. I thought, ‘this is something I can get into,” she recalled of that day. “I talked my friend into training me so I could give it a shot. I did it one day and fell in love, and

I’ve been doing it ever since.” Prange said, ever since the beginning of her career, she has worked hard to be a role model to girls of all ages. Aware of the challenges she would face and the stereotypes of female wrestling, Prange made up her mind early on to break the mold of the industry and do things her own way. Her first step in accomplishing this goal was creating a character that was much different than most of her female opponents.

Making a name

“Basically the idea that I had when coming up with the kind of character that I wanted to be and the message I wanted to send as an entertainer was to show young girls that they didn’t have to dress sexy or do sexual things to try to get noticed in the entertainment business,” she said, pointing out that she chose her moniker — Heidi Lovelace, the Punk Rock Rag Doll — in contrast to the typical Barbie doll look to which many would argue girls are encouraged to aspire. To embody her character and maintain her morals, Prange chooses outfits with bright colors covered in stitches and tears, but makes sure she is appropriately covered.

“When I would watch wrestling when I was younger, I noticed early on that a lot of the stuff you would see on TV was very provocative,” she said. “Female wrestlers are looked at as sex objects rather than serious professionals, and that’s something I’ve always been determined to stay away from.” Prange credits a lot of her success in the wrestling industry with her experience as an actor, having performed lead roles in several musicals in high school at Brandywine. Her competitive streak and participation in athletics helped tremendously as well, she said. Today, she spends a significant part of almost every day in the gym or going to boxing classes. She frequently goes to the chiropractor to realign her back, and spends a lot of time visiting doctors and physical therapists to make sure her bones and muscles are healthy, just like any other professional athlete. Prange said it is not abnormal for her to bounce across the country in one weekend, pointing out one weekend in particular where she was in Philadelphia one night and in a ring in Chicago the next. An exciting life to be sure, wrestling is not without its challenges.

Overcoming obstacles

A female working in a predominantly male world, Prange has faced a number of barriers. At 5’6”, the 130-pound 23-year-old is much smaller than a lot of the people she faces in wrestling matches, but, like the rest of the challenges she faces, she refuses to let that stop her. “For every 100 of them (male wrestlers), there are five of us. From the get-go

Horizons 2015

it’s been a hard road,” she said. Prange said there is a stigma associated with female wrestling in general, even when women are fighting each other. “Women’s wrestling has kind of a bad taste because there’s not a lot of great women’s wrestling out there,” she said. “What I try to do is get the audience to forget they’re watching a woman in the ring, but instead just watching a smaller competitor.” Prange receives much more blowback from the audience when she is fighting men than when she is fighting women, though. “It’s like women trying to be football players. It’s difficult to be taken seriously,” she said. “That’s one of the biggest hurdles I have to face. They feel like they can’t lay a hand on me, or like I’m not a viable opponent.” Prange said dealing with men who are afraid to wrestle her is frustrating because she wants to be treated like any other wrestler, regardless of her gender. She said she understands that men are raised to not hit girls, but with wrestling being primarily an entertainment industry, she has a difficult time when her opponents don’t treat her as an equal. “They can face a man that is the same size and weight as me, but because I’m a female, they don’t want to put their hands on me,” she said. “It’s a constant battle.” On top of staying fit and healthy and working as a secretary at a construction company, Prange spends the majority of almost every weekend traveling the country to wrestle at various tournaments and events, which she books herself. “It’s certainly a balancing act,” she said. In her career, she has had a lengthy list of injuries, among the worst of which were a broken foot and a torn lateral collateral ligament in her knee.

Horizons 2015

“The adrenaline is so high during my matches that I don’t know I hurt myself until I’m done,” she said. As soon as her injuries were healed, Heidi Lovelace was right back in the ring. With the stress of a heavy load and the potential for serious injury worse than those she has already experienced, Prange said her family and friends often worry about her. “My parents support me, but they have a hard time with it because they’re afraid I’m going to get hurt,” she said. “Every time I go for a show they wonder if I’m going to come home with a concussion or bruised ribs.” Prange compares these obstacles to her experiences of being bullied while transferring from school to school. “The odds were against me then as well, so it’s something I’ve struggled with before,” she said. “There will always be people who judge you before they get the chance to know you or what you’re capable of, which is what a lot of kids run into in schools.” Like she learned to do as a teenager, Prange refuses to let others judge her and continues to follow her passion for wrestling no matter the hurdles. “I take being underestimated as a challenge,” she said. “Not only to prove to my opponent what I can do, but to myself as well.” Regardless of her line of work and the skepticism and stereotypes associated with it, Dori Prange hopes she is considered a role model for men and women of all ages. She is a prime example of what it means to defeat the odds to pursue a dream.

Bowstring Bridge Era

Horizons 2015

MAIN STREET

BRIDGE T H RO U G H

T H E

Y E A R S

Donna Ochenryder Collection

Another image of the bowstring style iron bridge is shown here in the winter of 1897. Story by CRAIG HAUPERT | Photos SUBMITTED

he Main Street Bridge in Niles has taken many forms in its long history, which can be traced back to the mid-1800s. Currently, the Michigan Department of Transportation is in the middle of a $10.6 million project to replace the current bridge, which was built in 1919. The new bridge should be operational by November 2015. The first bridge was a wooden structure built in 1845 by Henry Holmes. A second wooden bridge replaced it in 1854. Pictures of the two wooden bridges have yet to be found by local historians. However, there are many pictures of the two bridges that came afterward: an iron bowstring bridge built in 1868 and the current concrete span built in 1919. The new span will more closely resemble the bowstring bridge. What follows are pictures of the bridges throughout history.

Donna Ochenryder Collection

The current Main Street Bridge is under construction in this photo dated June 28, 1919. It was taken from the roof of the former city hall on 8 E. Main St. The cost of the current bridge was $80,914.

Donna Ochenryder Collection

The construction of the current bridge is shown here in 1919.

Leader file photo

An ambulance travels east across the Main Street Bridge in 2014. MDOT slated the bridge for replacement because it was concerned about the amount of erosion seen on the pillars extending into the water.

Horizons 2015

Donna Ochenryder Collection

Another view of the bowstring bridge is shown in this Nov. 15, 1898, photo. A horse drawn carriage is crossing. The Michigan Central Railroad bridge crossing can be seen north of the Main Street Bridge.

Image taken from “Niles A Pictorial History” by D. Wayne Stiles and Nancy Watts-Stiles

The Main Street Bridge is shown here in August of 1900. People are traveling across it on the way to see Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show. The bowstring style bridge was constructed in 1868 and remained until 1919, when the current bridge was built.

1919 Reconstruction

Donna Ochenryder Collection

Construction of the new Main Street Bridge to replace the iron bridge begins in 1919. The signs indicate Peerless Portland Cement and Niles Lumber Company were contractors employed for this project.

Donna Ochenryder Collection

A man watches as construction takes place on the concrete bridge Oct. 14, 1919.

Donna Ochenryder Collection

The construction of the current bridge is shown here in 1919.

Modern Construction

Donna Ochenryder Collection

A year before demolition, leaders in the city of Niles hosted a Bridge Bash complete with games and fun to celebrate the future project.

Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

The Main Street Bridge officially closed in October 2014 for a year-long replacement project.

Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

The first arch of the bridge was demolished by crews in January 2015.

Horizons 2015

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Horizons 2015

AN INDESCRIBABLE

BOND The joy and heartache of canine handling

Story and photo by CRAIG HAUPERT

rooper Joel Service, of the Michigan State Police, believes he has the greatest job in the world. As a canine handler with the Niles Post, he gets to track down bad guys using man’s best friend. “I love dogs. To me they are the perfect creature. It is indescribable the bond that you have with your work dog,” he said. “When you are looking for someone who could be armed or dangerous, there is that element of we have to look out for each other. I think that strengthens the bond over and above what a pet owner would experience. You are relying on that dog for your life for the most part.” During the 18 years he has been a canine handler, Service and the five dogs he has partnered with have helped close many cases. The thrill of the hunt and the bond with the dog are the two things he loves the most. “When you track somebody down and catch them — and it doesn’t happen as much as you’d like — but when you have someone at the end of that track, it is a huge adrenaline rush,” he said. “It is fun to be out there with the dogs, to watch them work.” For all the joy he has gained from the job, Service experienced the negative side of working with canines early on. His first dog, Aiko, was killed while tracking a robbery suspect in Flint in 1998. Aiko remains the only MSP canine officer to be killed in the line of duty. It was Service’s second year on the job. “We were on a track and the guy was hiding in the brush and we were looking for him,” Service said. “The dog found him before we realized he was there and he shot my dog in the neck and killed him. He died probably a minute or two later.” While the experience was difficult, Service said he never questioned remaining a canine handler. “It was rough, it really was. I had just gotten this dog I love and we were finding a lot of people in Flint and having good success and boom — he was gone,” he said. “I look at it from the other side that he did his job — like it or not — which was to take a bullet for his handler. If it had been me or another police officer out there, they wouldn’t be going home to their families. We just had a little baby at the time, so it could’ve had a lot worse effect than it did.”

Horizons 2015

A good sense of smell

Service currently has two dogs: A tracking dog named Pitch and an arson dog named Ki. They stay at his home in St. Joseph but are kept isolated from his family, kenneled in a separate area. Service used a sports analogy to explain the MSP’s policy for this practice. “When they are at home they are on the bench and not in the game. When they are with us out on the road that’s when we want them to be ready to go and hyped up and wanting to work,” he said. “Another good example is getting paid. When we are going to work we are going to get a paycheck. When the dogs go to work they are going to work for that ball or that toy or that chance to play. If they get that at home for free, why would they want to do any work for it? It is just something to increase that work drive and make it a little stronger.” MSP canines go through 14 weeks of training before they are ready for assignment. In looking for a good candidate, Service said they need a healthy dog with a friendly personality and a strong drive to play. The more a dog likes to play, Service explained, the easier it is to train because it will do just about anything to get that ball. “You play with them after they successfully track during training,” he said. “That builds the desire for the job to want to track.” Ki is one of only three MSP arson dogs in the state. The others are in St. Ignace and Bay City. Ki is trained to sniff out petroleum-based products like gasoline, diesel fuel or charcoal lighter fluid. If Ki detects an accelerant at the scene of a fire, an arson investigator can search that area for evidence. Pitch, on the other hand, is trained solely to track suspects using a sense of smell more than 40 times greater than that of a human being. “They can put their nose to the ground and smell where someone has walked. That’s tracking right there,” Service said. How does a dog do this? Service explained that when someone walks through a yard, their footsteps disturb the vegetation, releasing an odor slightly different from vegetation that is untouched. “It’s like when you mow grass — you smell it. That’s disturbed vegetation,” he said. A dog can detect that tiny difference in smells and deduce where a person has been. Dogs also detect skin rafts, or the scent-carrying skin cells that people are constantly shedding, to help track suspects. “They are doing something that we, as humans, can’t,” Service said. “They help us find people that otherwise wouldn’t have been found.”

Retirement

Canine officers typically work between 8 and 10 years. They are owned by the state, but handlers, like Service, act as their primary caregivers. Handlers often adopt their dogs once they retire, which is understandable, since the officers spend so much time with their dog every day over the course of several years. “There are many days when I’ve spent more time with the dogs than I did my family,” Service said. If a handler doesn’t keep his or her dog, the MSP finds them a suitable home. “There’s usually no shortage of people willing to adopt a police dog,” Service said. Service’s last tracking dog, Dodger, is currently living in St. Joseph with the Service family. Dodger began working in 2006 and retired in 2013 after what Service described as a very successful career. “Dodger was a great tracking dog,” he said. The Services also have a rescue dog at home, bringing their total to four when counting the two canine officers. “It can get to be a bit much some days,” Service said.

“When you are looking for someone who could be armed or dangerous, there is that element of we have to look out for each other. I think that strengthens the bond over and above what a pet owner would experience. You are relying on that dog for your life for the most part.” — Trooper Joel Service, Michigan State Police

Horizons 2015

A pAthwAy to Healthy SMILES Dr. Richard Beckermeyer, DDS, P.C. has exhibited his passion for giving back to the community and those who serve it. Dr. Beckermeyer participates in these local organizations:

• Transitional Services for Homeless Veterans of War • Donated Dental Services for the handicapped Richard L Beckermeyer, D.D.S., PC

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• MI Child – for under served children • Give-Kids-A-Day Foundation • Mission of Mercy

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BOB MOODY, Vice Chairman â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Pokagon Band

Horizons 2015

A thousand years of

HISTORY The history of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Story and photo by TED YOAKUM

he Dowagiac area means a lot of things to a lot of different people. For students attending classes at Southwestern Michigan College, it’s a place to learn, to chart the course they will follow for the rest of their professional lives. For the business owners of the stores and restaurants lining the streets of downtown, it’s a place where people make a living, with more than 200 years of history at their backs. For the people of Pokagon Band, it’s the land they’ve called home for a millennium. From the mascot of the Dowagiac Union Schools’ athletic teams to the name of the city itself, this subset of the Potawatomi Indian nation’s influence on the region is undeniable. The band remains at the heart of the community, whether through donations to local schools with funds from the Four Winds chain of casinos or with cultural celebrations such as their Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Pow Wow, held during Labor Day weekend on Rodgers Lake. Like many Native American tribes, though, the path to prosperity was fraught with hardships. Despite fending off attempts at relocation, the Pokagon Band spent many years overcoming their own set of trials, from reuniting its people both physically and culturally, to a protracted fight with the U.S. government for recognition and sovereignty.

The beginning

The origins of the band are tied with the rest of the Potawatomi nation, which, at its peak, stretched from lands in what is present-day Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit. Though most stories say that the tribe lived in these lands for at least 1,000 years, many differ in their accounts in how they actually arrived there. “We have a lot of different stories, which depend on which region you came from,” said Marcus Winchester, the historic preservation officer with the Pokagon Band. “I’ve heard stories around here that we’ve always been here. If you ask other Potawatomi, they’ll tell you that we migrated here along with the Ojibwe and Odawa from the East Coast along the St. Lawrence River. That’s probably the most generally accepted [account].” The Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa nations were joined together in a loose alliance known as the Three Fires Confederacy. Once united as a single tribe, each nation split off into their own sovereign nation, but continued to serve a specific function to the other members of the confederacy: the Ojibwe were known as the “Keepers of Tradition,” the Odawa as the “Keepers of Trade” and the Potawatomi as the “Keepers of the Fire.” “When we pray, we put tobacco into a fire, and the smoke goes up,” Winchester said. “Our prayers go up to the Creator, we believe, so the fire helps with that. The Keepers of the Fire is a real spiritually important role amongst our people. We take that very seriously, that name.” The greater Potawatomi tribe was a similar loose conglomeration, with

leaders only assembling in rare occasions to deal with matters that affected the entire tribe, Winchester said. For the most part, the people assembled into autonomous villages, which came together during the summer months before each family went their separate ways during the winter. “To be the leader of a village, all you had to do was be influential,” Winchester said. “You had to catch people’s ears and get some followers. If you had you and your family, and two other families join you, you had a village. It could be as little as that, or as many as a couple thousand. The more influential leaders were able to get that many.” Settlers of the southern Michigan area generally lived similar lifestyles. While popular culture portrays most Native Americans as hunter-gatherers, the truth is that most villages thrived off crops generated through farming, supplementing the game, fish and berries harvested from the forests and rivers spanning the area. Ironically, the lands that host the Pokagon Tribal offices today were once unsettled, with its abundance of natural resources used in another manner. The name “Dowagiac” is derived from the Potawatomi tongue, roughly translated to “where to go fish” or “where to gather/ harvest.” “We didn’t have too many villages up this way,” Winchester said. “This is where we would come to pick or gather.” The Potawatomi’s first contact with the Europeans wouldn’t occur until the 17th Century, when French explorers from the Quebec area encountered people of the “nation of fire,” around the Green Bay area. The members living in southwest Michigan met the French during the 1860s, when Claude Jean Allouez established Fort St. Joseph in the Niles area. While the language and cultural barriers naturally created some conflict between the natives and the explorers, both sides would benefit from the exchange of ideas and goods resulting from fur trading that would flourish for the next several decades. “They were constantly creating and recreating this social space they had created around the fur trade,” Winchester said. “They were constantly negotiating with each other on how to interact. But they were more or less able to meet on the middle ground.” One of the customs that the French adopted during their deals with the Potawatomi was that of gift giving, which was a central tenet of hospitality within the tribe, Winchester said. As a result, guns, fabrics and other products of European design were introduced to the people living in the area, given to them as a sign of goodwill by the visitors. This tradition would set the stage for Pontiac’s Rebellion in 1763, where the Potawatomi and their allies with the Three Fires Confederacy would join with other Great Lakes tribes to expel colonists from Great Britain, who had usurped the French as the main European power in the region following their victory in the French and Indian War earlier that year. British traders refused to honor the customs established in years of trade with the other European power, sparking the three year conflict.

Becoming America

Following the end of hostilities, the British adopted a model based off the Franco-Native trade, leading to an era of relative peace between the two nations. This relationship continued even following the American Revolution and the creation of the United States. “In the War of 1812, some Potawatomi fought with the British, and some fought with the Americans,” Winchester said. “But they never ever fought each other. If they went on the battlefield and they saw there were Potawatomi on the other side, they would back away from the fight.” It was during this period of interaction with the expanding American nation that the Pokagon Band saw its genesis. In 1795, in Greenville, Ohio, Potawatomi leaders were among those of several other tribes who signed what would become the first of several treaties with the U.S. government. In exchange for portions of their land, the tribes received yearly grants of federal money and fabric, establishing what would later be known as the annuity system.

Fighting for rights

The U.S. followed a policy then of “civilizing” Native Americans living in these lands, teaching them European farming techniques, converting them to Christianity, and other methods of assimilating them to their culture. However, this policy of integration fell through following the recommendations of missionary Isaac McCoy, who believed that relocating the tribes out west to establish their own state would improve this process. This led to the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Treaty of Chicago in 1833, which paved the

Horizons 2015

way for the relocation, often at gunpoint, of the Potawatomi from the lands they called home for generations. The trip west killed nearly one in 10 of the 500 people forced from their homes, causing it to be known as the Potawatomi Trail of Death. A small village of Potawatomi living in what is now Bertrand Township in Niles, though, managed to retain their lands thanks to ingenuity and dedication of their leader, Leopold Pokagon. Pokagon was among several tribal leaders who convinced the Catholic clergy located in the Detroit area to establish a mission near their village, to show their commitment to integration. “At first, they weren’t going to do it,” Winchester said. “Because of our long history with the French in the area, and because we had a Catholic presence here throughout the 1700s, some of those older prayers had been passed down and converted from English into Potawatomi. The story goes that Leopold had started reciting one of those prayers in the old language, which blew the guy away in Detroit.” Contrary to the reports that McCoy would send to Washington about other Potawatomi tribes, the villagers in Pokagon’s care quickly developed a deep faith in Catholicism. “The Potawatomi were picking and choosing what worked and fit for them” Winchester said. “They weren’t accepting all English customs and abandoning all Potawatomi ways.” In 1836, Pokagon successfully petitioned to have his people remain in the Great Lakes area, though they still had to relinquish their present lands. The leader relocated his followers to Silver Creek, using funds given to them from previous treaties to purchase the land.

Despite that, local Michigan leaders attempted to force the population from their land shortly thereafter, once again forcing the aging Pokagon to travel East to secure the safety of his village. He was able to secure a written judgment from Michigan Supreme Court Justice Epaphroditus Ransom, who ruled that the treaty signed earlier allowed them to stand their ground. “When the militia shows up at Pokagon’s village to remove everybody, Pokagon gives them that letter,” Winchester said. “They never bothered them again.” The strong leadership provided by Pokagon would eventually fade, though, following his death in 1841. Without anyone able to unite the village like he was able to, many of Pokagon’s charges began to spread out, settling in lands around Bush Creek and Rush Lake. Despite the physical separation, the Pokagon Potawatomi continued to remain united, keeping in contact throughout the next two centuries. They waged legal wars with the U.S. government during the late 1800s to secure annuities that were still owed to them, Winchester said. “It wasn’t just about the money, it was about our leaders making sure the government knew we were still here, and they still had their obligations to us,” Winchester said. “We were still a nation, and we weren’t going to let them forget about us.”

A future of freedom

By the turn of the century, though, this sense of unity had begun to wane, as many Pokagon members began to move closer to major cities, with the new generation forgoing practicing ancestral cultural traditions altogether, Winchester said.

Horizons 2015

The government passed the historic Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which provided tribes across the U.S. with resources to establish tribal governments. The Pokagon Band was dealt an additional blow following the passage of the law, though, as the Bureau of Indian Affairs lacked sufficient funding to help the tribe establish its own sovereignty, with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe being the only one from the lower peninsula of Michigan to receive federal recognition. In the spirit of the man they were named for, this challenge spurred members of the tribe to overcome this obstacle. For the next 60 years, a number of Pokagon citizens and volunteers would fight for federal recognition and the sovereignty that came with it. Beginning shortly after the passage of Indian Reorganization Act all the way up to the early 1990s, the Pokagon Tribal Council waged a war with the Washington bureaucracy in their struggle to gain the rights and privileges given to federally recognized tribes. “The goal was to be able to take care of our people, and to take care of them in a way that satisfied health issues, educational issues, assistance issues,” said Bob Moody, vice chairman of the Pokagon Band Tribal Council. “We really wanted our people to live at a standard that was the same as everybody else.” Moody first joined the fight for recognition as part of the tribal council during the early ‘80s, he said. Thirty years earlier his grandfather had fought the same battle, also serving on the council. For years, the tribal leaders argued their case for recognition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, though they were met with stringent requirements for establishing proof of their tribe’s history and ongoing governance, Moody said. Leaders spent countless hours pouring through old records and files to prove their claims, only to br rebuffed by additional requirements.

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Horizons 2015 “Washington wanted a lot of information, at the time, (that) we couldn’t really lay our hands on,” Moody said. “That didn’t mean that information wasn’t there, we just had to dig for it. When we did find it, and thought we could sit back and breathe a little bit, we’d get 10 more questions back.”

A dream realized

After decades of attempting to argue their claim with the bureau, the tribal council decided to take another approach, enlisting the help of U.S. Representatives Fred Upton and Tim Roemer to create a peace legislation in Congress that would recognize the Pokagon Band as a sovereign tribe. On Sept. 21, 1994, the combined efforts of the tribe and the legislators finally paid off when President Bill Clinton personally signed the bill establishing the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi as a federally recognized Native American nation. “It was an occasion of great joy, but also an awful lot of emotion as well,” Moody said as he recalled his feelings at the time. “It was like maybe a week later when I felt that a big mountain had been moved off my shoulders. It took about that long for it to really sink in.” Twenty years later, the Pokagon Band is stronger than ever. Headquartered on Sink Road in Dowagiac, the tribe continues to grow. In addition to its three casinos, the Pokagon Band operates its own economic development corporation, Mno-Bmadsen, which currently owns three businesses across southwest Michigan. In December, the tribe opened up its new $13 million health and wellness facility, located on the Rodgers Lake Campus. “This is where our homelands are,” Moody said. “We work here, we play here, we live here. We’re a part of that community, and we want to add to that community in what ways we can.” The one success that Winchester finds the most encouraging is the revival of the traditions that his people celebrated on these lands, 1,000 years ago. “My generation, and my parents’ generation, were extremely pivotal in bringing back the culture, and instilling it back in our lives,” Winchester said. “Thanks to our parents, this is all we know.”

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Horizons 2015 • Electrical

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Horizons 2015

MATT REMMO

Horizons 2015

Humble

HEROES

Four volunteer firefighters commit nearly 100 years to Bertrand Township Story and photos by AMBROSIA NELDON

ERTRAND TOWNSHIP — What makes a hero? Most people would use words like “courageous,” “selfless” and “tenacious” to describe people deserving of such a title. It goes without question that these words also describe firefighters, but when confronted with these descriptors in reflection of their own work, four Bertrand Township firefighters with a combined nearcentury of service shy away from the word. “I’m not a hero,” said Assistant Chief Jim Pastryk, who celebrated his 20th anniversary as a volunteer fireman with Bertrand Township Fire Department two days before being interviewed, and has since retired from the force. “I don’t think that I am. I really don’t. I’ve never once thought that.” Volunteers Jon Norton (20 years), Craig Miller (24 years) and Captain Matt Remmo (23 years) shared the sentiment, visually embarrassed by the comparison. Each of the men cited different reasons for their original decision to join the fire department decades ago. Pastryk recalls chasing the water trail left behind by old fire trucks when his father would jump on the back of a truck on the way to a fire. “We’d hop on our bikes and chase that water line, or we’d follow the discarded pieces of uniform, because back then you could ride on the

back and they would jump on as they were suiting up,” Pastryk said. “I can remember running around with a hockey stick in a raincoat pretending to be a firefighter. It’s always been in my blood.” Several of the others have followed in the footsteps of family members by joining the fire department. “Mine is just the family roots,” Miller said, listing several family members who have also been firefighters, including his grandfather, who was on the department when it started. Despite the reasons for their original call for service, all four men agreed that the brotherhood they have grown into is what has kept them around. “The fire department is just that place where if something’s going rough or something is not going the way it should at home, the fire department is just that place you can come and get away for a little bit,” Pastryk said. “You can trust the fact that someone is going to be here to listen to you and that you’ll have someone to talk to. You can always rely on that.” The firefighters said the family dynamic spreads much farther than just the Bertrand Township Fire Department, expressing connections to men in uniform all over the country.

Horizons 2015

CRAIG MILLER

Pastryk said that because the department is always traveling for training, they have built friendships with firefighters all over Michigan, and have become as close to some of those friends as they have to volunteers in their own department. “When tragedy strikes in your life, these guys show up at your door,” Pastryk said, recalling a personal tragedy in which men from northern Michigan traveled all the way to Buchanan to comfort their “brother.” “And just like they did, when tragedy strikes for them, without a moment’s notice we’re jumping in the car and driving to their aid,” he said. In the line of work that the men work in, they feel it is especially important to have this level of companionship, and said that oftentimes the only people who truly understand their feelings are those who have experienced similar situations. Remmo explained the fear that often washes over him when he hears a call on the route a friend or family member takes to get to work or school, and then the comfort that overcomes those feelings knowing one of his “brothers” will be there to take care of it if he cannot. Similarly, he said his wife and children often feel safer when they are out and one of the firefighters is present. When their own family members are out on a call though, the wives and children of firefighters are often afraid, never sure what kind of danger their husbands and fathers could be in when called to service. The firefighters rest assured that they are prepared for all situations thanks to their constant trainings and practice. “We will make some hard decisions if need be for the greater good of everything. Does that mean that we’d never put ourselves in a situation where we might sacrifice ourselves?” Remmo said. “No. Because I know everybody around here, depending on the shape of that building, if you see that little kid in that window on the second floor, you’re going in, no matter how much my wife would be mad later.” In addition to the physical risks that come with fighting fires, rescuing people from accidents and protecting the community in whatever way necessary, the men and women who dedicate their time to the force have to face a lot of emotional turmoil. In their decades of service, all four men said they have seen plenty of scary things. Firefighters are often haunted by memories of the tragedies they attempt to resolve. Each man has witnessed his share of heartaches from loss of homes to loss of loved ones. “It never gets easier,” Norton said. They agreed that having each other to lean on after those tragedies, though, helps to alleviate the pain. “Grief counselors come in and it helps sometimes, but what really helps is just hanging out with each other,” Miller said.

Horizons 2015

“You know, just standing out back smoking a cigar, sometimes that’s what you need,” Pastryk added. Despite the gravity of the career, plenty of situations make it all worth it. “Nothing beats the feeling when you’re able to save the house full of memories for somebody,” Remmo said. “We’ve been able to get boxes upon boxes out before they’re ruined, or go in and get that special item that you want. And there’s no better feeling than when weeks or months later you see that person and they thank you, all because you put in that little bit of extra effort.” While there are some situations that cannot be prevented and there are plenty of tough decisions to make, plenty of successes make the career worth it. For that reason, Remmo, Norton, Pastryk and Miller all agreed that they wouldn’t trade their service for anything. “To me, I don’t look at what we do as heroic. I look at guys in other countries getting shot at. To me, that guy is a hero,” Pastryk said. “Me, you know what we do? To be honest with you, I’m helping out the community I love and having fun. That other guy over there, he’s worried about keeping his head down. That’s not fabricated. That’s how I feel. This is fun. This is what I love. “I don’t have to worry about somebody shooting at me, but this is what I’ve been called to do. When that alarm goes off, it doesn’t matter what I’m doing or what’s going on. I drop — and I go.”

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Horizons 2015

WINNING

OFF THE FIELD Eddies’ biggest fan came out of shell with spirit squad Story by CRAIG HAUPERT | Photos by AMELIO RODRIGUEZ

DWARDSBURG — Before a big game, Keith Boeker will pack his vehicle with a bunch of friends and get in the right mindset by blasting Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” through the speakers. They don’t say anything while the song plays. They don’t even sing along. When the drum solo hits, Boeker said he is ready to conquer an opposing fan base, a big test — anything that comes his way. “It gets me pumped up and ready — it’s like a meditation thing almost,” Boeker said. “That’s my big tradition.” It is just one of the many ways the Edwardsburg senior demonstrates that he is his school’s biggest fan. Boeker leads the student cheering section and has been to just about every major varsity sporting event since he was a sophomore. He had to miss one game this year after his wisdom teeth were pulled. “I really wanted to go but my mom wouldn’t let me,” he said. “It has to be really dire circumstances for me not to go.” Boeker has not always been this way. After moving from the Clay School District in South Bend, Indiana, to Edwardsburg Community Schools to start his freshman year, Boeker said he was shy and reserved, only showing his true self to a close circle of friends. His school spirit — and personality — was finally unleashed when he traveled to South Haven to cheer on the Edwardsburg football team in his sophomore year. The student section was quiet, he said, and lacking the “rah rah” spirit needed to give his squad a boost. “Me and my friends were like, ‘You know what? We drove all the way out here so let’s have some fun,” he said. “I started leading chants and was having a good time. I lost my voice that night and very rarely do I leave a sporting event with my voice intact.” From that point on, Boeker has been the outgoing, positive kid he remains today. Just ask Principal Jeff Leslie. “Keith has done a phenomenal job of being a great student leader, especially from a school spirit standpoint,” he said. “He’s got a lot of energy and his peers really respect him. He helps out with the whole climate of the school.” Boeker is known for wearing over-the-top costumes to games and pep rallies. He dressed up as Ron Burgundy from the popular comedy “Anchor Man” when a local television station visited in early February. He shakes the hands of coaches and wishes them luck before each game. Teachers and principals often ask Boeker what he has planned for the big game.

Horizons 2015

KEITH BOEKER

Horizons 2015 If things start to get quiet in the stands, Boeker is often the first one to break out a chant. “I have this motto where I want our team to win on the field, but it’s my job to win the game off the field,” he said. “If there is an opposing student section, it’s my job to make sure that we beat them.” Boeker said his cheers are often spontaneous. For instance, he said he recently started chanting “USA” anytime his good friend and fellow patriot, Isaac Vite, went to take a free throw in a basketball game. “It’s great. I love it,” Vite said. “It’s funny because every time he chants it I’ve never missed a shot. It’s kind of lucky, so that’s our thing we like to do.” During Edwardsburg’s run to the state football championship game this past year, Boeker started a tailgate party at home games, pitching a tent and using his own money to purchase hot dogs and other items for his fellow Eddies’ fans. “I’d set up wherever they let me. We’d play cornhole and throw the football. I play music out of my truck,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun.” Why go to all this trouble? Boeker believes, like many fans do, that he can help change the outcome of a game. “One-hundred percent,” he said. “They feed off of our energy as much as we feed off of their energy.” He also believes being a good fan is part of the fun being a high school student. “It’s is nice to bring the community together because everyone has to go to high school every day so you might as well make the best of it,” he said. “I want to make the most of what I have here because I love this town.”

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Horizons 2015

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Horizons 2015

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Horizons 2015

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Horizons 2015

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Horizons 2015

The ultimate

FIGHTER Cancer survivor dedicates professional life to finding a cure Story and photos by AMBROSIA NELDON

t’s not uncommon to hear whooping and hollering at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA — at least not when Toni and Jay Mayberry are working out. The Niles couple shares a ritual they implemented last spring during an especially uplifting day at the gym. “An associate of mine was there and we were working out next to each other. Jay had decided to come with me, and he lifted a three pound weight,” Toni said, smiling at the memory. “We both screamed really loud.” Since then, the Mayberrys have decided to repeat the tradition with each other and for anyone else who may be working out near them. “We cheer for each other, and we don’t care that people are watching,” Toni said. “Once they learn our story, they’re cheering along with us.” The couple’s encouragement during this simple activity is symbolic of so many other aspects of their lives together. While lifting three pounds seems like an easy feat, lifting the weight was a big achievement for Jay, who had not been able to lift weights for some time because of a battle with what is now stage four metastatic melanoma. Unfortunately, Jay is just one of many people in the Mayberrys’ lives who was (or is still) fighting cancer. Thirteen years earlier, Toni began a battle with breast cancer. In late 2014, the couple’s niece lost a battle at just 17 months old. After experiencing cancer as an outsider and firsthand, Toni decided to do what she always does when faced with a fight: take it head on. Today, Toni not only experiences cancer at home when taking care of her husband, she

“We cheer for each other, and we don’t care that other people are watching. Once they learn our story, they’re cheering along with us.” — Toni Mayberry

also helps other people in their battles through her job as the Harper Cancer Institute’s Tissue Bank Coordinator.

Her own battle

Just one year after her mother passed away from breast cancer, Toni found out she had the same disease. After finding several cysts and expe-

riencing a number of scares, she decided to stop doing self-exams. After a mammogram in 2002, a doctor found a tumor that turned out to be cancer. “He felt something, and it was one of those weird things. I just knew it was it,” Toni said. “I got the call on May 31 at 6:30 at night. Amy (her daughter) had one of her friends over and we

were all just chilling out when we got a call from the doctor’s office saying the doctor wants to see you right now. You don’t get those calls on a Friday night unless there’s bad news.” Toni said she cried all the way to the doctor’s office, but her tears were a sigh of relief. Braced for the knowledge of what was to come after watching her mother battle cancer for years, Toni had already made up her mind about how she wanted to handle the cancer. “I only had cancer in my left breast, and I chose to have both removed immediately with no reconstruction,” Toni said, adding that her doctors were opposed to her decision, but she stood her ground. Toni said she has never really had an issue with losing her breasts. “Being a theater person, I wear my prosthesis when I need to. I work in the medical field, so I didn’t wear them at all then. I wore scrubs. I had a lab coat on. Who cares?” she said. More than a decade cancer free, Toni continues to fight her battle, constantly dealing with the aftermath of the disease. Not long after her double mastectomy, Toni discovered she had lymphedema, a condition common in cancer patients that occurs when lymph nodes are damaged during treatment. “I was working third shift and sleeping one day and someone knocked on the door and it startled me, so I went to go down the stairs, but couldn’t because my legs were so numb,” Toni said. “Someone finally realized I was swollen everywhere.” To reduce the lymphedema, Toni was put on a shot that stopped her cycle and caused weight gain.

Horizons 2015

58 “I gained 70 pounds, and I still have 50 pounds to lose. People say, ‘you’d be so skinny.’ But my goal weight isn’t just a goal — that was my pre-cancer weight,” she said. Because of the change in her body after the loss of her breasts, Toni struggles to find clothes that fit properly, even with her prosthesis. She said she is more self-conscious now than ever before because of the change in her body and the swelling due to lymphedema. Additionally, Toni continues to battle other physical maladies. Two years after the mastectomy, Toni had a hysterectomy. “Another problem I’ve had with breast cancer is that breast cancer is now linked to colon cancer,” Toni said. “I didn’t have cancer, but I did have diverticulitis — a perforated colon.” Because of a lack of communication from one doctor’s office to another, Toni’s doctor did not know that she had experienced severe pain and vomiting. “You’re supposed to be dead after 12 hours. I laid for 48 hours in my bed and then finally got to the hospital,” Toni said. “Five years ago [that summer] I spent the entire summer either in the hospital or on the couch staring at the ceiling.” Today, Toni continues to live a healthy lifestyle, eating right and working out when she is able to, but she still experiences a number of issues that stem from the original bout of cancer. “It’s kind of really a part of that equation where you’re fine, then you have breast cancer, but then you gain weight, which causes a whole bunch of other health issues,” she said. “It’s a constant battle.”

Becoming a caregiver (again) Toni’s husband, Jay, was originally diagnosed with cancer 18 years ago. After nearly two decades in remission, Jay found out the cancer had returned and was diagnosed with stage four metastatic melanoma. “He lost the use of his left arm because of some of his cancer cells, and he’s left-handed,” Toni said. “He’s an engineer, so I’d tell him, ‘you have to find a different way.’ I’d give him homework if I had to leave. I’d say, ‘How are you going to put your shirt on a different way?’” Having experienced cancer herself, Toni is able to provide a level of support for Jay that she may not have been able to without having fought the disease. “I didn’t choose chemotherapy, so it’s a little different for him because there’s what you call ‘chemo brain’

Horizons 2015

where you forget things and so we write things down a lot,” Toni said. “But I’m there to cheer him on, to tell him to just keep fighting, to get his strength back.” Just like Jay was there for Toni during her fight with cancer, Toni is there by Jay’s side, determined to help however possible.

Fighting back After being surrounded by cancer most of her life, Toni refuses to succumb to the slippery slope of anger and depression. Instead, she spends time doing what makes her happy, determined to make the best out of life. “Being around our grandchildren helps a lot. We have nine and the 10th is on its way. That’s the best medicine,” Toni said, adding that she spends as much time as possible with family and friends. Toni has also never given up her love for gardening. Just days after the mastectomy, she was out in her garden

pruning plants. Surrounding herself in the beauty of nature while getting her hands dirty provides another type of invaluable medicine. Perhaps highest on Toni’s list of pleasures in life is the career she calls her “dream job,” where she literally spends her days helping to find a cure for cancer. On the days that Toni isn’t in the lab helping with research, she spends her time giving presentations about the Harper Cancer Institute at Notre Dame, meeting with doctors and consenting patients for tissue donation. Unlike most tissue banks, the Harper Cancer Institute does not have a university hospital where doctors automatically give samples to the research firm. “We basically go and beg,” Toni said. “We found out that most of the cancer patients are seen in a clinical environment. There are like 20 percent seen in these teaching facilities, so that’s 80 percent of the population we’re not

getting tissue from that’s not getting researched. That’s why when people ask, ‘why don’t we have a cure,’ that’s part of it. That’s a big number.” Toni’s extensive experience with cancer has prepared her for this job in a number of ways. “When I interview someone, I always have my survivor button on,” Toni said. “[Being a survivor] just makes me more passionate about what I do. I think that my job is directly helping find the cure.” Despite the gravity that could accompany constantly meeting people who are terminally ill or even just extremely sick, Toni said she believes this is her purpose, and she couldn’t be happier with her line of work. “I just feel like I’m this warrior, that I need to make people see they have the resources they need. This job has opened so many doors. It allows me to do what I’ve always done,” Toni said. Professionally and personally, Toni keeps on fighting.

Horizons 2015

“I just feel like I’m this warrior, that I need to make people see they have the resources they need. This job has opened so many doors. It allows me to do what I’ve always done.”

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MADE IN MICHIANA LYONS INDUSTRIES

a Dowagiac industrial powerhouse Story and photos by TED YOAKUM

OWAGIAC — For much of the city’s first century, the Round Oak Stove Company was the heart of Dowagiac’s economic prosperity. Opening its doors in 1871, the manufacturer was responsible for not just employing countless locals throughout its nearly 80-year history, but for becoming one of the pillars of Dowagiac’s culture. The names “Round Oak” and “Beckwith” (Philo D. Beckwith was the company’s founder) are still present throughout the city today. Even in the wake of its closing in 1946, industry continued to serve as an integral part of the city’s fabric. However, one name has risen to become the one of Dowagiac’s preeminent manufacturers, with a legacy that continues to grow to this day: Lyon’s Industries. Located on the outskirts of town on M-62, the plastics manufacturer is responsible for creating some of the most important products that nearly every American uses at least once a day: showers, bathtubs, whirlpools and sinks. Fiberglass bath and kitchenware sporting the Lyons logo line the shelves in hardware stores such as Lowes and Menards across the country. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that in its nearly 50 years of existence, only three men have presided over the company, all bearing the name Lyons.

Horizons 2015

Like many American success stories, the origins of the company are found within the basement of a home sitting on what was called Pleasant Lane in 1966. It was that year that Dale Lyons and his twoperson team (consisting of his wife, Doris, and son, Larry) entered into the plastic molding business, creating small plumbing ducts that would eventually become a standard in the mobile home business. “They were these injection molded plastic pieces, that were about 3 inches tall, 2 inches in diameter,” said Lance Lyons, Dale’s grandson and current president of the company. “They replaced the vent pipes that were traditionally installed on mobile homes. It resulted in huge savings for manufacturers.” A few years later, Dale’s other son, Don, took over leadership of the fledging company, moving out of his father’s basement to a space downtown, where Beeson Street Bar and Grill sits today. The company ran into stiff competition during the late ‘70s, though, as Dale’s former business partner had failed to secure a patent for their popular product. When the option between evolution or extinction came before the young business owner, Don chose the former. “At this time, he had a product that was worth about 49 cents,” Lance said. “He asked himself ‘what can I make that I can sell for $49?’” The answer came in the form of vacuum-formed bathtubs and shower stalls. In 1977, Don moved production into a sevenacre property formerly occupied by a fiberglass boat factory on M-62. More than 30 years, four expansions and millions of shipped plastic tubs later, Lyons remains a stalwart in Michiana manufacturing. Since taking over as president in

2006, Lance (Don’s son) has kept the ball rolling. Coming off several years of strong sales, the company completed its latest expansion of the shipping dock last spring. The company also made some additions to its workforce last year, bringing the company up to 150 employees. Lyons continues to modernize the manufacturing process as well, installing a computerized robotic arm to assist with the application of fiberglass for the products. With employees working two 10-hour shifts five days a week, the factory produces an average of 2,000 products a day. The process of taking a single sheet of plastic, molding it into shape, applying and smoothing the fiberglass coating and finally packing it for shipment takes around an hour, Lyons said. “We’re very busy now [winter] into April,” he said. “Business picks up in the fall as well, before dropping off until it picks back up in January again.” In an era of decline for many manufacturers in the Dowagiac area, Lyons Industries continues to succeed. Its president attributing to the lessons his father has learned over the past 40 years of business. “We can react very quickly when the economy changes,” Lance said. “We can downsize and upsize as necessary. That ability to react keeps us surviving and growing.” With demand from established clients continuing to increase and new ones being added on a constant basis, Lyons is looking forward to the road ahead. “The future is very bright for us, with the changes we’ve made, our capacity to take on more business, and our ability to react quickly to whatever happens next,” he said.

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BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? Horizons 2015

Niles couple investigates paranormal activities

Story and photos by SCOTT NOVAK

aty Smith has turned a childhood experience into a lifetime passion. The life-long Niles resident knows that there is life after death. After all, she has experienced some things she is unable to explain. But that does not mean she does not want to. Smith and her husband Darren are not “ghostbusters,” nor are they ghost hunters like the ones on television. They merely enjoy researching and investigating the paranormal. And apparently, there is plenty to investigate in and around southwest Michigan. “I got involved just being around other people who are interested in it,” Smith said. “But for me, it was a personal. I grew up in a haunted house. I never saw anything, I don’t like to call myself an empath, but I have always been sensitive to those types of things. “As a kid I never saw anything, but I felt like something was there and being terrified, so I would be up at night. My mom always thought I just wanted to stay up and watch television or be downstairs.” She lived at the time in a house that was more than 100 years old. She and her sister’s bedrooms were upstairs. “I would sit at the top of the stairs and cry,” Smith said. “I was just terrified to sleep in my bedroom, but I didn’t know why. She was like ‘you are just wanting to stay up and watch TV.’ I was like, ‘no, I feel like there is something in my room.’ It didn’t seem to bother my sister as much, but it always bothered me.” Following the death or her grandfather, little electrical mishaps would occur around the house. “My grandpa was an electrician and he helped my mom pick that house out,” Smith said. “So we would joke, ‘that’s grandpa coming around to say hi or whatever.’ Since a very young age, I have always known there was ‘something’ there.” And because she is the type of person who wants an explanation for everything, Smith has continued to pursue the paranormal. “That is what got me into this,” she said. “I wanted an answer. So for me,

it is not that I think everything is haunted. I want a logical explanation for what is going on so I can say it is not haunted.” By going into other homes and doing investigations, she has been able to confirm her childhood fears. Smith and her husband did their first real investigation in that childhood home in 2010. “My mom still lives there,” Smith said. “She had gone out of town for a wedding. She would never let us investigate the house. I wanted to way before that. She called me up and told me that she was leaving for a wedding and gave me permission. We could go in there and do whatever we were going to do. “We don’t do Ouija boards or any weird stuff like that,” she said. “We do straight investigation. She was like, ‘whatever you find, I don’t want to hear about it.’” What they found during the investigation cemented the beliefs she had as a child. “I did a lot of research on my mom’s house,” she said. “I did not want to go in there blindly and talking to the air. Luckily, my mom had an abstract dating back to the 1830s. Through that reason I was able to discover there was a family named the Benjamins. Ironically enough they had seven children and my mother was friends with a woman named Peggy. She used to go over to Peggy’s and play cards. Come to find out when my mom bought her house, her step-dad said he was born in that house and his name was Robert Benjamin. “I was able to do more research and I found out in the 1930s they had a series of tragedies that happened in and around that house. The first one, Justin Benjamin, the patriarch of the family, died very suddenly of a heart attack in the house. Shortly after that, their grandson Keith was outside at the corner of Oak (Street) and 15th and he got hit by a gasoline truck.” Smith said in talking to the family, she does not believe Keith was brought into the house. As if that was not enough, another son was hit and killed in a motorcycle accident on US-31 and a daughter passed away. In the 1960s, the mother, Jessie Benjamin passed away in the house. “To have that to go on, maybe that was what was in the house,” she said. Besides feeling like there was a presence there, Smith witnessed several events she cannot explain.

Horizons 2015

“One Christmas, I was in our little sitting room and we had our Christmas tree on,” she said. “We were just sitting there watching TV and these white Christmas lights started glowing like they were hot. We just thought it was something wrong with our electric. It never happened before and just as we were going to unplug it, it stopped. It never happened again. “One time I was home alone watching television and I was thinking about my grandpa and it was Christmas time. He reminds me of Nat King Cole. I was thinking about my grandpa and the radio in the kitchen, which was way far away from me, the radio turned on by itself. The CD player had Nat King Cole in it and it

was one of his songs playing. Still to this day I want to believe the cat jumped up there and bumped it, but I ran out of there right away and the cat was laying on the table and was nowhere near the CD player. The biggest event involved her sister. “You have to know my sister because she is not a storyteller,” Smith said. “She is not one to get really expressive. Things do not scare her very much. It was 2003 and we both found ourselves at my mother’s house again. It was very brief. We only lived there like a couple of months, but it was in December, she said that the entire week she had this wind chime on the back of her door that kept swaying back and forth. There was no draft because it was winter and we had everything shut up.” It progressed from there. “She had lace curtains across the closet instead of a door and she said it was almost like little kittens were playing in the curtains,” she said. “But there were no kittens in the room. Then it was like someone grabbed the curtain, lifted it up and then dropped it. She said it happened a couple of times.” Then one night, despite being a heavy sleeper, her sister awakened in her dark room to see what appeared to be smoke. “It startled her because she thought her room was on fire,” Smith said. “So she looked behind her to see if there was a fire and she saw a man at the foot of her bed. She said it looked like he was sitting on a barstool. He looked like he was in a bathrobe and pajamas. So she closed her eyes and when she opened them again he was next to her. He was walking toward the couch. It was like he was floating toward the couch and faded into the wall. “She froze. She was too scared to get up and too scared to move. So she pulled the covers over her head and tried to go back to sleep.” Had Smith not found anything in her family home during the investigation, she is not sure she would have continued pursuing her theory. “This is just something I wanted to do to calm my fears of things I was afraid of as a kid,” she said. “But because we did find some things. That is what kind of fueled it.” At the time she did her investigation

in her mother’s house, Smith had just started dating Darren. He had just returned from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where he had wanted to work for the Gettysburg Paranormal Society, but did not because, as he says, they were a fraud. Darren is a historical artist who loves the Civil War. “He loves history just like I do, so that is why we do it,” she said. During that investigation, they captured the image of a man in her sister’s room as well as a recording. “I asked, ‘is anybody here?’ You hear Darren clicking the camera like mad and then you hear ‘yes.’ It is very faint, but you could hear it. You could not hear it with the naked ear, but when I got home I could hear it on the tape recording.” Downstairs, they also picked up some audio when Darren said the name Keith, the child who was killed by the gas truck. “You can hear ‘hi’ and then again ‘hi’ in this really weird, almost mechanical sounding hi,” Smith said. “We also got a bunch of orbs in the backyard. Just little odd things like that.” A month later, her mother called her up and said that things were going on in the house. “Since then we have had really cool experiences,” she said. “We have investigated houses and the downtown area seems to have a high concentration of haunted homes. Maybe it is because of all the historic homes, but we have had a lot of experiences on this very street (Sycamore).” Because of their experiences and investigations, the couple launched the Haunted Niles Facebook page in order to help collect the stories from this area. “I have gotten a lot of stories,” she said. “There are a lot of business owners in this area who believe their establishments are haunted. I have offered to do investigations there, but it never gets organized to where I can do it. People have told me about their homes and certain buildings that are haunted. “I can’t say for sure if they are haunted because I have just heard stories. That is what mostly the Haunted Niles page is. You don’t know if they are stories or if there is something to them. I try to follow up with people who write me who seem legit.” Smith said she does not deal with anything that would be demon oriented. She is not equipped to do that. “But if it is a historical thing, I am all over it,” she said. Although the couple currently is not doing any investigations, Smith said anyone is more than welcome to contact them through the Haunted Niles Facebook page. Who knows, maybe she and her husband will come out and investigate your home.

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Horizons 2015

Like father,

like sons

Three men carry on family firefighting legacy Story by TED YOAKUM | Photos by TED YOAKUM/ SUBMITTED

OWAGIAC — For nearly 40 years, Dowagiac’s Bob Jones has selflessly put his life on the line to protect his community as a volunteer firefighter. He was just 17 years old when he joined the ranks of the Sister Lakes Fire Department, where he volunteered for nearly a decade. After serving his country as a member of the Marine Corps, Jones returned to Dowagiac and joined the Indian Lake Fire Department in 1988, where he continues to serve as assistant chief to this day. Still, when his son Justin enrolled in fire training classes when he turned 18 years old, no one was more surprised than his father. He was even more astonished when his youngest son, Robert, followed suit when he turned 17. “I never thought my children would ever get involved in firefighting,” Bob said. “You’re dealing with a dangerous profession, and it’s not for everybody.” For nearly 10 years, both Bob and Justin have worked together, both serving as volunteers at Indian Lake and Pokagon Fire Departments. Robert, meanwhile, has served the past seven years as a firefighter at his father’s former post, Sister Lakes Fire Department. “He’s always marched to the beat of a different drummer, so he went to another department,” Bob joked. All three men are continuing the legacy of service to the people Michiana left by Jones’ father, Robert, who served as a firefighter with the Benton Harbor Fire Department for 25 years. When he was just in kindergarten, his family lived only a block-and-a-half away from the station, where Bob became a regular visitor, like many other boys his age. “As a young kid, if I ever got in trouble, my mom just pointed me down the road

and said ‘go see your father,” Bob recalled. “I didn’t make a whole lot of those trips, but when I did that block sure seemed like it went for a mile.” When Bob got older, the family moved near Round Lake in the Sister Lakes community. He eventually landed a summer job with Pitcher Plumbing and Heating, which was then owned by Pat Pitcher, who also served as the chief of the Sister Lakes Fire Department. “Whenever we would hear the sirens go off, the rest of the guys, who also served on the department, jumped in the van and headed toward the station,” Bob said. “It only took a few times of that happening for me to say, ‘this is stupid for me to sit here by myself. I guess I might as well join them and make myself useful.’” His father, though, was not exactly thrilled with the prospect of his son continuing the family business, especially on a volunteer department, which had a lot looser training standards back in those days, Bob said.

Horizons 2015

Despite his father’s warning, Bob signed up for the department, setting him on his career of firefighting that continues to this day. “There’s an old saying: if not you, then who?” he said. “There’s just not that many people who have the time or desire to commit so much of themselves to the job.” Like their father, Justin and Robert can’t even remember a time they weren’t surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Indian Lake Fire Station. They spent so much of their youth around their father’s second-job that Justin said he learned how to operate a fire engine by the time he was 12. “We were always around,” Justin said. “It was like our second home. Whenever Dad was here, we were here as well.” Already living, eating and breathing the firefighter lifestyle, when the brothers became old enough to sign up for basic training they leapt at the opportunity to join their father’s ranks. Despite their father’s warnings (similar to the one their grandfather gave him years earlier) they both were determined to serve their community. “There was never any doubt in my mind,” Robert said.

Experiencing firsthand the extreme heat, billowing smoke and other dangers of a raging fire has given the Jones brothers a new understanding of what their father faced, of what he was doing during all the evenings he sacrificed when the brothers were children. “You’re going to someone’s worst day and you’re trying to make it better,” Robert said. Their passion for service continues to burn as bright as ever. One needs to simply look at the tattoos of the Maltese cross on their left arms to see that. “We don’t see a penny for the work we do, and we’re proud of that fact,”

Justin said. “It’s for the community.” With both of his sons becoming third-generation public servants, Bob realizes how his own father must have felt, knowing his flesh and blood are putting themselves in the same dangers he has faced for most of his life. As Indian Lake, Pokagon and Sister Lakes Fire Departments are typically all on scene whenever a major fire breaks out, it’s not unusual for all three Jones men to be together at once, dealing with a crisis. “It scares the hell out of you the first time you’re dealing with a dangerous fire and you know your kids are there

as well,” Bob said. Even when performing different tasks on the field, the family keeps an eye on each other whenever possible, Justin said. “It’s also something in the back on your mind,” he said. “Alright, where’s my brother? What’s he doing?’ Unfortunately, the situation can go wrong very quickly.” It’s not just the physical risks that firefighters contend with in the line of duty, though, as they must also deal with the emotional toll the job takes as well when dealing with accidents involving victims who are killed or seriously injured. “When dealing with cases like that, you want to take the hurt away, not just from the people you save but from your fellow firefighters, especially when they’re your kids,” Bob said. Despite his worries, Bob feels more pride in his sons’ service than anything else. Seeing their growth, as both firefighters and as people, has been a tremendous experience for him. “It’s been really nice,” he said. “Most fathers bond with their kids playing catch; I bond with mine fighting fires. It’s a pretty unique experience.”

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ILES — An orange plastic bowl is filled to the point of overflowing with a special creation Lisa Miller likes to call her “Voodoo Soap.” With two Xs for eyes and a mouth that looks like it has been stitched on, the human-shaped soap is made for people who want to wash away their boss, ex-boyfriend, overbearing mother-in-law or anyone else who has gotten on their bad side. “You don’t even need a pin for that,” Miller said. “You can just wash off an arm or a leg or a head.” Don’t worry, Miller is not a practicing voodooist. Her talent lies in crafting the thousands of delightfully eclectic soaps that adorn the walls and tables at Forever Clean Soap Works in Niles. Her colorful creations make the place look more like an art gallery than a purveyor of bath and body products. Miller said some of her customers have trouble using her soap because they don’t want to wreck its appearance. “They say ‘it is too pretty to use them,’” she said. “I tell them I will make an ugly one and you can use that. “Life is too short to put it on the shelf — use it.” Even so, Miller admits there is an art form to making soap. “Instead of just being a plain bar of soap I like to make them colorful and pretty,” she said. “When I got to cut that huge loaf (of soap). I never know what I’m going to get. That’s the fun part. To see what kind of colors I can mix and the swirls I can do.”

Horizons 2015

While it would be tempting to judge Forever Clean’s products by their exquisite covers, Miller said their worth goes beyond just skin deep. All of her handmade soaps are created from all-natural soap bases, including oils and butters. They are also free of skin-irritating detergents like Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which are found in most retail hair and body products on the shelves of big box stores. A lot of people come into Miller’s shop thinking soap is what is irritating their skin, but Miller sets them straight. “Real soap doesn’t dry out your skin,” she said. “Most people don’t have a reaction to it.” In fact, the opposite is true. Forever Clean’s soap is full of glycerin, a natural byproduct of the soap-making process. Glycerin, she explained, draws moisture into the skin, leaving most feeling fresh and hydrated. If that doesn’t work, Miller sells unscented “Naked Soap” made from goat’s milk, which contains alpha hydroxy. “It is a very gentle soap,” she said. “There’s more in here than just for women,” she said. They also sell detergent free laundry soap and laundry butter “It’s super cleansing. It’s so good,” she said. For more information about Miller’s products, visit the store at 1011 Broadway St., call (269) 449-0542, go online at forevercleansoapworks.com or find them on Facebook. Miller also makes products for men, like shaving soaps, beer soaps and Max’s Manly Mud Soap, which is good for getting grease off the hands.

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Horizons 2015

A life of

FOOTBALL Story by SCOTT NOVAK | Photos SUBMITTED

t was obvious early on that coaching was in Mark Staten’s blood. After all, the Michigan State offensive line coach — who hails from Dowagiac — grew up around football. His father Jerry, who played at Miami of Ohio for the late coaching great Bo Schembechler, was a high school football coach. Staten recalls breaking down plays as he and his father watched football on Saturdays and Sundays. “When I was a kid, I would take my football cards and put them in formation as I was watching teams and I would try to mimic the play that was going on the TV screen with my football cards,” he said. “I tried to make blocks happen, and if I did not have — like if the Bears were playing the Lions and I did not have the Lions’ defensive line I would just put a duplicate down there. “I would try and arrange them into a certain formation or a certain defensive

front and then dad and I would watch football on TV and try and figure out what they were trying to do. Then we would call the next play the way we could call it, and it was a lot of fun.” But coaching would have to wait for Staten. First, he had to try out the game inside the helmet. After a brilliant four-year career at Dowagiac, where he garnered looks from many colleges (including Michigan State). Staten chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and attend Miami of Ohio, which is known as the “Cradle of Coaches” as it has produced the likes of the late Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Schembechler and Randy Walker. The college program has also produced current coaches Jim Tressel, Ron Zook, John Harbaugh and Sean Payton. Playing primarily offensive line in high school, Staten switched to the defensive side of the football to become a standout for the Redhawks. He was a four-year starter at Miami, earning All-Mid-American honors his senior year.

Horizons 2015

Staten was signed as a free agent to the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad in 1993 and was picked up by the New England Patriots in 1994. The following year the Barcelona Dragons of the World Football League drafted him, but a career-ending knee injury turned his focus back to coaching the game he had loved his entire life. “I kind of took a roundabout way to coaching,” Staten said. “When I got to the business side of it (professional football) I learned that a lot of it is still based on opinion. So I needed to step away from it after the injury. Once you are done with something and you can’t play it any more, it is hard. “So I took three years and totally got away from it. I kept being drawn back into it and then, at that point and time, I realized that what I thought that I wanted to do as a kid was still in me.” His coaching career began at the high school level in 1999 at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California. The following year, he returned to Miami of Ohio to become a student assistant coach. The next year he was elevated to graduate assistant and completed his bachelor’s degree in elementary education, graduating cum laude. Staten continued to work on his master’s degree in sports exercise science while coaching at Miami. In 2004, he took a graduate assistant position at Ohio State University and won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2002. While at Ohio State, Staten worked with defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio, who added him to his staff when he became the head coach at the University of Cincinnati. Staten spent the next three years as the tight ends/tackles coach and recruiting coordinator for the Bearcats. When Dantonio accepted the job at Michigan State University in 2007, Staten moved to East Lansing.

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Going back to football and becoming a coach was an easy decision for Staten, who again followed in his father’s footsteps. “It was huge,” Staten said. “I remember in the ‘70s and we were out at the house there on McKenzie Street. We were out in the yard and this station wagon pulls up and this couple gets out. The guy asks if ‘this is where Jerry Staten lives?’ I said, ‘yeah, that is my dad.’ He said he played for my dad down at West Carroll, which was one of my dad’s first jobs. “He asked if he was around and that he just wanted to stop by and tell him ‘thanks.’ That always stuck with me. This was back before the Internet. It stuck with me that someone took the time because they were going through Michigan, to find little Dowagiac on the map, know that my father was living with his family on McKenzie Street, search him out and say thanks for him helping this young man out when he was in junior high or early high school. That was like ‘wow.’ That was great.” Staten’s life has come full circle with his coaching at Michigan State. It truly is a dream come true, and he is not ready for the dream to end any time soon. “I don’t know yet,” he said. “Back in the day I was recruited to play at Michigan State. But I wasn’t afforded the opportunity. Now, 19 years later, I am in East Lansing. So I went from a recruit watching the Rose Bowl my senior year at Kathy Judd’s house to being here and, seven years later, helping win a Rose Bowl championship. “Dreams are goals. You need to set goals. Dreams are goals with wings. You know that with hard work, dedication, effort, toughness, resiliency, all those things that kind of surround us and our program at Michigan State, success will happen. My dream is not over yet. I don’t plan on waking up for a while, so I am going to keep dreaming.” Staten also points out that he is very fortunate to have found a wife who is all in when it comes to him being a football coach. “I realized that this is what I wanted to do,” he said. “Thankfully, I married up. I outkicked my coverage, as they say there, and she was all for it.” Staten and his wife, Dana — who have two children, Quinn and Maximus — are looking forward to continuing that dream and looking forward to what the future has in store for them.

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Horizons 2015

A legacy of LEADERSHIP Mathews brothers experience success in collegiate, business worlds Story by TED YOAKUM | Photos SUBMITTED

t was 1964 when Dowagiac’s Fred Mathews led a group of other Cass County men and women to achieve what many thought impossible: the establishment of an institution of higher learning in a largely rural community. Celebrating its 50th anniversary last fall, Southwestern Michigan College has grown to not only be one of the cornerstones of Cass County, but to be one of the premiere community colleges in the country. In a time when many schools are in a state of free-fall, the Dowagiac college continues to thrive, earning consistently high marks in student achievement, enrollment and other metrics. For the last 50 years, Mathews served as the president of SMC’s Board of Trustees, making him the longest serving college chair in the country before stepping down in January of this year. While these accomplishments are things that any person would envy, Mathews’ greatest legacy is not the one he created with his fellow board members in 1964; it’s the two he and his wife, Thelda, have devoted much of their lives to raising, teaching and mentoring, even before the birth of SMC: their children, Scott and David. Today, the Dowagiac brothers have established themselves as accomplished leaders in their own rights, each in their own world: one in academia and one in business. In David’s case, it’s right here where he grew up, as the president of the college his family helped create. As for Scott, it’s on the country’s west coast, as president of one of the largest digital automotive advertising firms in the world, Cobalt. While the Mathews’ brothers took wildly different paths to end up where they are today, their stories began together in Dowagiac. Both are graduates of Dowagiac Union High School, with Scott earning his diploma in 1977, followed by his younger brother a year later, in 1978, graduating as valedictorian of his class. The two would continue to chart similar courses to one another, both

choosing to study at Michigan State University, albeit in different fields. It was at this point when their journeys began to diverge. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Scott attended classes at the University of Chicago, where he received his MBA. “Like many people coming out of school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next,” Scott said. “I got an interview with General Electric right out school. I ended up working with them for the next 14 to 15 years or so.” His long stint with the multi-national corporation set the stage for his career in managing the intersect between traditional business and the emerging technology industry. Coming out of college into technical marketing and sales management, he later became a leader inside GE’s Healthcare division, overseeing projects relating to medical systems. After graduating from MSU in 1982 with his science degree, David took a radically different path from both he and his brother’s original plans to attend medical school. Bitten by the “skydiving bug” a few years earlier, he decided to enlist in U.S. Army, hoping to become an Airborne Ranger. “I always had a sense of patriotism, a love for our country, and the idea of going into the military always appealed to me,” David said. “Plus, the idea of joining one of the military’s most elite groups holds an attraction to a lot of young men.” Commissioned as an officer after going through basic training, David served 16 months in Korea, where at one point he was one of two officers

“I always had a sense of patriotism, a love for our country, and the idea of going into the military always appealed to me. Plus, the idea of joining one of the military’s most elite groups holds an attraction to a lot of young men.” — David Mathews leading the American presence inside the two nations’ demilitarized zones. Following his extensive tour of duty, he went through Special Forces training, and eventually came to lead his own units of paratroopers. Changing Course Despite achieving a tremendous amount of success in their respective fields, both brothers eventually decided to take new paths in their careers, leaving their employers to embark on the next chapter of their lives. David left the armed forces in the mid-1980s, and Scott retired from GE more than a decade later, in the late ‘90s. “I never wanted to be a career officer,” David said of his decision to leave. “What I wanted to be was a special forces team leader. I had set my heights high, and I obtained it. Now what?” That “what” became teaching, as David decided to enroll in North Carolina State University, where he obtained his doctorate in mathematics. “I came to the realization that college had been a positive experience for me,

and I knew that I wanted to be on the other end of that experience,” David said. He spent the next decade teaching and consulting around the nation. He devoted much of career to studying methods on how to more effectively teach college students high-level mathematics, leading teaching workshops on the subject. After meeting with so many fellow educators, though, another realization dawned on David, which would eventually cause him to change courses yet again. “I had to make a decision: I can have a really productive career in consulting, and make a small difference nationally; or I can try to make a really big difference in one place,” he said. As fate would have it, the decision to become an administrator led him back to his hometown, to the college which he and his brother had witnessed the birth of more than 30 years earlier. David became a dean at SMC in 1999, before ascending to the presidency in 2001.

Horizons 2015

Since then, SMC has grown to tremendous heights, with the school currently encompassing 15 buildings across two campuses in Dowagiac and Niles. In addition to growing its academic programs, the president has focused on creating what he calls the “total college experience” for SMC’s students, building three student dormitory complexes and enhancing the school’s student recreation center. “College, at its best, is more than just classes,” David said. “It’s a time of growth and learning new things about yourself. That’s why part of the mission of SMC is to give people these new opportunities, so they can figure out what they would like to do in the future.” For Scott’s next act, he decided to turn his attention away from large conglomerates like GE, shifting his attention toward the rapidly booming tech startups emerging on the west coast during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. After working with several companies in the Seattle area, he got a call in late 2001 from the leadership at Colbalt, who wanted to bring the veteran aboard their growing ship, where he would serve as chief operating officer. “We’ve been building what has become one of the largest marketing companies in the digital space since then,” he said.

The Mathews brothers join their father at a groundbreaking for Southwestern Michigan College in 1965.

Currently a division of CDK Digital Marketing, Colbalt works with partners like Google to provide marketing to companies such as GM, Lexus and Hyundai. “We help automotive dealers and manufacturers to market their cars digitally, using the Internet,” Scott said. “Over time, more and more digital alternatives are emerging, such

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as mobile apps on tablets and smartphones. We leverage all kinds of Internet technologies and apply them for our customers.” Ascending to the presidency this fall, Scott oversees the operations of the 1,200 employee company, which is on track to become worth $1.2 billion in the coming years. “I get to be the coach of a really

good team,” Scott said of his role in the company. “Most of my direct reports have been here for a long time.” The company was recently featured in Seattle Business, winning the magazine’s 2014 Tech Impact award in marketing, featured alongside major corporations like Microsoft and TMobile. Despite the burdens of their daily jobs and the hundreds of miles separating them, the two brothers continue to talk to each other often. In spite of the image of intense sibling rivalry that is often seen in the media, neither Scott nor David said that is the case in their relationship. “As soon as he became a green beret, I quit trying to wrestle with him,” Scott joked. They both have expressed admiration at each other’s accomplishments, as well. “We came at it from very different routes and perspectives, but he [David] is an amazing leader,” Scott said. “I learned a lot from him. At the end of the day, what we do is very different, but it’s also the same.” “I think neither of us had a clear picture of where we would end up when we were kids, but we always expected a lot of out ourselves, to do the best we could,” David said. “It turns out that had benefits you can’t even imagine.”

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HISTORY Horizons 2015

Horizons 2015

Underground Railroad Society shares knowledge with younger generations Story by SCOTT NOVAK | Photos by SCOTT NOVAK/ SUBMITTED

ASSOPOLIS — When one mentions the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County a few things come immediately to mind. There is the historic Bonine House and carriage house on the corner of M-60 and Calvin Center Road, the Underground Railroad Days in Vandalia each summer and Christmas at the Bonine House each December. But there are many parts to the society, whose mission is to help preserve the origins and activities of the Underground Railroad and the role that the people of Cass County played in helping slaves escape to freedom. While the James E. Bonine home and carriage house are a visible symbol of that history, collecting, preserving and teaching that history for future generations is another significant goal of the organization. Ruth Andrews is the URSCC education chair. She is helping make sure that future generations of Cass County residents know about the history of the Underground Railroad. “Part of the goal of the education committee is to teach children our unique local history,” she said. “There are two really good ways to do that. One is the wax museum, which we have been doing for three years. And now, Jessica Mark, a fifth-grade teacher (at Sam Adams Elementary) is incorporating that into the classroom, which is ideal. “The other away is participating in Michigan History Day. Last year was our first year to do that. It is a wonderful thing. It is actually part of National History Day. Michigan History Day is channeled through the Michigan Historical Society and schools can participate.” Students grades four through 12, are eligible to participate in Michigan History Day. They can choose one of five categories to compete in. They can write a paper, develop a website, create an exhibit, film a documentary or put on a performance. The students from Sam Adams are doing a performance. “We had about 20 kids participate last year and I think we will have about the same this year,” Andrews said. “Last year our fourth and fifth grade team were the state champs. We have two kids on this team that

were part of that team last year. We hope to repeat.” Andrews believes deeply that history needs to be preserved. Two of the members of their performance team have ancestors who participated in the Kentucky Raid. “So it is live stories from their families,” she said. “They don’t always know a lot about that. They don’t know how exciting that was, so we bring that to life. Even for kids who don’t have that kind of ancestry, their ancestors were involved in something. We just don’t know what or where that was. “It is such an exciting local history and it makes history come alive. The way this project is set up, the kids have to learn to think like historians. They have to go to sources. They have to develop a bibliography

that contains primary and secondary sources and they have to know the difference. After they perform, the judges quiz them to see if they really know their history.” Andrews has been a member of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County since the beginning. She has been the education chair the past two years. When the society was formed, the Bonine home and carriage house, as well as their history, were on the verge of being lost. “They were a few months away from ruin,” she said. “I think we have had incredible growth since the very beginning when we started with nothing. We have so many members now.” Andrews is also pleased with the growth of the Underground Railroad Days, which draws people from other states.

Looking forward, the URSCC is trying to get the Bonine property on the National Historic Register, restore the carriage house and build a museum within the Bonine House. For more information about the Underground Railroad Society or to become a member, visit the website at www.urscc.org. Bill and Brenda Beadenkopf, both Quakers, are not only URSCC board members, but are on the research/history committee helping preserve the oral history of the Underground Railroad in Cass County. “Part of what we have been doing is trying to capture some of the stories that people have in their memories,” Bill, who handles the history, said. “We have been interviewing and videotaping people with their stories to tell. People who heard a story from a family member like a grandparent. They want to pass this on before it gets forgotten.” The 40 people who have been interviewed so far either have ancestors who were involved in the Underground Railroad or they live in or are owners of

Horizons 2015

a historic house that has stories to tell. “Their ancestors often built it and they are still living in it and that is really fun because they are exited about this house,” Brenda, who is the researcher, said. “Some of them had 300 year old beams down underneath. We got to see these things that were built so long ago. Before the Civil War, so it is exciting.” Quakers played a key role in helping slaves escape north to freedom. According to Brenda’s research, “fugitives on the Underground Railroad came up two lines that joined in Cass County — one from Illinois and the other called ‘the Quaker Line’ from Indiana. Many freedom seekers were sent from Levi Coffin in Fountain City, Indiana (called Newport then), south of Fort Wayne. Coffin was known as the ‘president’ of the Underground Railroad. He visited and was impressed by the community in Cass County.” The Beadenkopfs credit Mary Anne Bonine for helping get the research and history committee off

to a great start. “She contributed so much,” Bill said. “She researched 40 families, Quakers and free blacks, and compiled stories in binders and donated that to the Underground Railroad Society.” Many in Cass County know her story, but did not know what great lengths she went to in order to preserve history. “This kept her alive,” Brenda said. “She was very, very sick with cancer. And when she was done with all this research, doing all this in a great amount of pain, she died. It is such an amazing story of her dedication. But she felt like she had to get this done. We are planning to put this all in the future library that we are planning for the Bonine House.” The Beadenkopfs stressed that they are researching both the Quaker background and the free African American side of the story. “Both sides are very important and we were both raised as Quakers,” Brenda said. “I was very immersed in the Quaker culture and its history.”

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Horizons 2015

n o s p m i S y Larr

By MICHAEL CALDWELL

ow in its second year, Leader Publications’ “Unsung Heroes” is exactly what the name states: a way to recognize the men and women in our community who go above and beyond to serve others and make our region a better place to live. Everyone nominated was included unless they refused to participate. A few nominees did not want to be photographed or were unavailable. Rather than Leader staff choosing these individuals we ask our readers to tell us about these individuals who are making a difference but maybe don’t get the recognition they deserve. This is truly just representative of the whole region. And we know there are countless other individuals working behind the scenes to make our communities thrive. All show humility, sacrifice and commitment by leading as an example. Here are your 2015 “Unsung Heroes.”

“L

arry is not only an Unsung Hero but also an angel of mercy. It was during the worst, snowiest days of last winter, we had no way of getting my husband to the doctor in Niles and the hospital in St. Joe, Michigan, until Larry. Then it was my turn for eye surgery, same circumstance, here was Larry assuring us not to worry and he would not accept any financial gratuity. I’m sure God sent us his angel in our time of need. Larry, God bless you! We will never forget you.” — Rachel Francis

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Horizons 2015

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“I

met Boo at Hope Community Church while she was a deaconess. I wanted to start a luncheon for people in need. Boo got things going and we now offer lunch on the second Saturday of each month, with other churches offering lunches on different Saturdays. Boo is always managing people and food donations. She talks to people attending and offers hope to those in need. It is a lot of work but she does it without blinking. We are now at about 100 people who attend our lunch.” — Anonymous

fter a great span of 37 years of marriage, I lost my wife in December 2007. Since 2008, I have been dating a truly amazing and outstanding lady, Carol True. After being friends with Carol and her husband Gill (who passed in 2004), for several years, we connected and have now been seeing each other ever since. We were both involved with the Sumnerville Pokagon Days, which started in 1981, to raise funding for the Area 17 Special Olympics. We have shared our views and concerns with each other and even though we disagree on several items, we have learned to agree to disagree. Carol was a Marine brat to William ‘Bill’ Tuttle, who was one of the original flag-raisers at Iwo Jima in 1945. She has used that discipline to guide her through some tough times; raising four sons, having two brothers and a sister with whom she shares a home. While nearing retirement at Blossomland in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where she teaches special education, she has just assumed guardianship of her stepgranddaughter at age 11. While assuming the role of ‘mom’ again, Carol is also in uncontrollable love with her many grandchildren. Carol is one of the most caring persons I’ve had the good fortune to know; she truly is my Unsung Hero.” — John Parker

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Horizons 2015

Edward Lenaway

“T

he Unsung Hero I’m nominating has proven himself a selfless servant and protector of our community for the past 32 years. He began as a volunteer firefighter on the Howard Township Fire Department and currently he is chief of the department. Also, he is a medical first responder and helped with implementing this program in our township. He responds to emergencies on sometimes a daily basis. If the tones go off, he drops whatever he is doing to rush off and help someone in need. It doesn’t matter if its during a meal at home, at a restaurant, or even during a holiday celebration with his family. Not only does the fact he’s done this for so many years on a volunteer basis qualify him as heroic, but I’ve never witnessed him seeking recognition for his deeds. He truly is a humble servant. I’m very proud that this “Unsung Hero” also happens to be my father. I do think that only those closest to EMS responders who volunteer can understand what his/her loved one sacrifices for the love of others. Very recently, he was the first to arrive on the scene of a semi-truck carrying propane that was heavily on fire in our community. Homes had to be evacuated all around this scene because of the potential for such a catastrophic disaster and the highway was closed for hours. The media wasn’t even allowed near the scene. I can only imagine what it’d have felt like to know there was such a risk of the tanker exploding before the flames were extinguished, and knowing that in the blink of an eye you might be face to face with your creator. Everyone involved in that call will tell you it was the scariest they’ve been involved with in all their years of service. It wasn’t until hours after the event that I learned about this fire, and the information didn’t even come from the mouth of my own father whom I speak with on a daily basis. This is just one example of my father’s servanthood without need for recognition. Furthermore, I cannot imagine the horrific, devastating things he has witnessed in his years of service, or the number of disasters he’s ran into while everyone else was running the opposite way for their own safety. I’m so thankful for all of our EMS responders and ALL the firefighters on Howard Township Fire Department. I’m so thankful that my son will get to grow up with a true hero for a grandpa. All of my life I have witnessed first hand such selfless acts in order to benefit our community, it is my goal to shed a small amount of light on how my Unsung Hero, my father, has sacrificed and contributed to the greater good.” — Ashley Wentz

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Horizons 2015

Karen Brink

“I

Lin Pollard

“L

in Pollard has been with the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County since its beginning in 2009, spending thousands of hours creating our public face. Lin has designed our logo, banners, brochures, flyers, Power Points and our 14-site UGRR driving tour. She designed, constantly updates and expands our website www.urscc.org. Lin is an active, engaged URSCC board member who always says, ‘I’ll help.’ She is creative, enthusiastic, patient and unfailingly willing to do what is needed. I am so happy to have this opportunity to thank Lin publically. URSCC would not be where we are without her.” — Cathy LaPointe

am a disabled Vietnam veteran who believes in trying to meet my challenges by being physical and socially active. I am active with a hiking group from Dowagiac that is comprised of hikers from different backgrounds; however, many are from the health care field. In 2011 an urologist prescribed me an antibiotic for an internal infection they detected. One year later, while I was in the Northern part of the Lower Peninsula, I became sick. The local doctor wanted me to stop taking this antibiotic because my system was becoming unbalanced causing me to become ill. I started to feel better in a couple of days and the urology department in Fort Wayne instructed me to be examined and made an appointment. The results of the examination prompted the urologist to prescribe me a different type of antibiotic for the infection. In late 2012, I was hiking with a group of nurses and they asked about how healthy I appeared. I briefly told them about my infection. They wanted to know how long I’ve had this infection and what was prescribed. The nurses were upset that this treatment was taking so long to stop the infection. One of the nurses, Karen Brink, insisted that I receive a second opinion. She asked if I was familiar with Mayo Clinic and told me how I could get an appointment online. She insisted how important this appointment could be for my health. She took a leave of absence from her job and drove me to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. After being seen by several doctors and having a biopsy, the results were that I have a type of cancer that will need special treatment. After three months in treatment at Mayo Clinic, I am recovering from this terrible disease. Nurses are heroes for just taking charge for those who need assistance and Karen Brink is an ordinary nurse who went beyond the call of duty to do me this extraordinary service. She has compassion along with a positive attitude. Karen Brink has earned mutual respect from her peers as a role model. It has been and continues to be a tremendous privilege to know and be acquainted with this person. If I waited for my infection to be cleared up I would be waiting in one of the local cemeteries.” — David Fish

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Horizons 2015

Mandie Cybulski

“T

he person that came to mind as someone I would nominate for her volunteer service is Mandie Cybulski. Mandie has volunteered at Cass District Library Edwardsburg Branch for several years. She helps with cleaning our DVDs. Mandie is at the branch almost every Tuesday ready to work. She takes pride in what she does to help us and it shows. Each branch of the Cass District Library is unique in its own way. The patrons that come in regularly become part of our extended family, as do the volunteers that help out.” — Shirley Hartley

Brenda Jacobs

“B

renda is the salt of the earth. Her friends can find her famous chicken and noodle dinners and her family anytime there is an illness, death or a need for comfort food. Her cookies are the first to arrive at the various local fish fry benefits and are the first to disappear. She is selfless in volunteering her time and culinary skills for the monthly community luncheon at Trinity Episcopal Church. Brenda’s quick smile and generous nature endears her to all who come in contact with her. She is truly an earth angel.” — Ginger Brawley

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Horizons 2015

Military Personnel

“F

or me, the Unsung Heroes are our men and women who are fighting, or who have fought, for our freedom, both the ones who are still fighting and the ones who have come home. We, those of us who haven’t fought for our freedom, owe those brave men and women more than words can say. A simple ‘thank you’ seems so little but is most heartfelt. I would like to offer a thank you to their families, who are also fighting the fight. Sometimes, we get too wrapped up in our own worlds and we take our military members and veterans for granted. Thank you to our Unsung Heroes of the military and may you and your family feel our prayers.” — Linda J. Wood

Ursula Gustav

“I

would like to nominate Ursula Gustav as a local Unsung Hero. She volunteers in my 3rd grade classroom at Patrick Hamilton Elementary School three days a week. She has an amazing gift for making our children each feel special. She is a child survivor of WWII. She survived being burned as a student during the fire-bombings at the end of the war in Germany. She is a citizen and wears an American flag pin every day. She speaks to the children almost daily about their good fortune of living in this country. Before she began volunteering in my classroom, she volunteered in Judy Bussler’s classroom until Judy retired. She had also spent many hours volunteering at The Timbers nursing home. She is faithful in her service to our community’s children. She deserves special recognition.” — Gloria Staten

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Horizons 2015

Lois Karasek

“L

ois is from Dowagiac and she is involved with the Animal Service League. ASL helps people with their animals. The main purpose is to have pets spayed/neutered but the organization will help with numerous other pet problems. Lois has found long-term homes for countless pets. She is no longer able to take animals into her own home but assists with helping find great homes for pets. With the help of ASL, she has rescued countless cats and dogs. Personally, in a very quiet way, she has helped many people with non-pet problems. She has done numerous things to help pets and people and you will never hear a word about it from her. Lois is a true Unsung Hero.” — Anonymous

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Horizons 2015

Ruth Starkweather

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“R

uth Starkweather is well deserving of the spotlight as an Unsung Hero. She has been faithfully volunteering at Redbud Area Ministries in Buchanan for many years. Ruth is someone who can always be called on whenever we need help. She comes in several times per week for regular volunteering and then comes in extra whenever extra chores need to be done or if someone has donations. She has many contacts in town, which is very beneficial for a nonprofit organization and is responsible for ordering food at local stores to keep our shelves always stocked with basic food items. Ruth never asks for recognition and treats everyone with love and respect. She is self-motivated to do what needs to be done to keep Redbud Area Ministries helping the needy in our community. Ruth is an amazing volunteer!” — Kristina McPherson

Enhancing the Lives of Veterans, Military Members, & their Familes. We are here for our community. Learn all the ways the American Legion can serve you.

American Legion Post 26

104 N. 3rd St., Niles • 269-357-1411

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Horizons 2015

Bob Nelson

“B

ob Nelson is a lifelong resident of Dowagiac. His mother and step-father are Louise and Michael Sadowitz of Edwardsburg and his father and step-mother are Robert (Bob, Sr.) and Linda Nelson of Dowagiac. He also has a brother Bill and sister Beth. He is a 1982 graduate of Dowagiac Union High. He attended Southwestern Michigan College to get his firefighter certificate and became certified at age 20. He and his wife, Guadalupe, live in Dowagiac. Bob is an amazing human being. He is selfless, caring and has a huge heart. Bob is employed by the city of Dowagiac as a firefighter and also by Clark Chapel & Cremation Services as a Funeral Associate, and also heads up all the maintenance for them. Bob began his firefighting career at the Dowagiac Fire Department as a volunteer in 1986, he was 18

years old. He got a full-time position four years later in the Firefighter Emergency Response and was a medical technician working as an ambulance EMT. Bob worked with the emergency services for 15 years. Bob was also instrumental in the building of the new fire station in Dowagiac. Among other things, Bob goes to the Dowagiac schools and teaches fire prevention to children. Also, he used to be in charge of the Christmas Tree sales at the Fire Department. He donated a lot of his time to help raise funds for the department. Bob enjoys Christmas time because he gets a chance to be part of the Toys for Tots event as well as taking needy children to buy Christmas gifts during the holiday and has volunteered with police and firemen with other like projects. He enjoys and loves to see children shop for Christmas presents. While working a full-time job with the Dowagiac

Fire Department, he worked as a volunteer for the Wayne Township Fire Department for six years. Bob hardly ever misses a fire call, even in hazardous winter storms or in the middle of the night, he manages to make the emergency response calls as fast as he can. Bob is usually one of the first ones to be on a fire response call to the scene. There have been times when he goes back to work with just a couple hours of sleep. He never misses work or stays home when he has been sick. Duty comes first. Lastly, Bob is a wonderful human being. He is always there for his friends and family and he will help anyone without expecting anything in return. He is loved and appreciated by many people in the community.” — Hal Shue

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Horizons 2015

Tammy Long

“T

ammy is the registered nurse at the Niles Senior Center. Her many duties there certainly keep her busy, but she takes the time to help people in need ‘above and beyond’ her job. I live alone and, when I broke my leg, Tammy appeared. She checked on me daily, brought me food and books and helped with medical equipment. She shoveled snow, ran errands and helped me with reducing prescription costs. She even took my laundry home with her and did it! Tammy is never “too busy” to help or just talk. She is a real angel who truly cares about people.”

Steve Grinnewald

— Mary Cole

“Steve is one of the ‘good guys’ who always seems to be there to help anyone in trouble. He was there for us when we needed help!” — Marilyn Fry

Home of the

Pizza of the Month!

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DINE IN

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Voted Best Landscaping Business in Michiana

Thank you for 6 great years! Niles Styles is the only upscale Women’s Boutique in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan offering the newest fashions at affordable prices.

• Property Maintenance & Lawncare • Landscaping • Irrigation & Fertilization

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Specializing in “Made in the USA” clothing. Wed-Thurs-Fri: 11am-5pm Sat 11am-3pm Closed Sun-Mon-Tues

269.684.8484 224 E. Main St • Niles, MI www.nilesstyles.com

Thank You for voting us Best Grocery Store since 2009

Dine In • Drive Thru • DQ Cakes • Miniature Golf State Line Dairy Queen

3135 S 11TH ST., NILES, MI 49120-4735 • 269-684-0202

Horizons 2015

Gold Standard in Ambulance Service • Fully Licensed & Experienced Paramedics • Municipally Owned & Operated • Non Emergency & Transfers • Medicare & Medicaid Approved

Main Library 319 M-62 North Cassopolis, MI 49031 269.445.3400

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Non-Emergencies & Transfers: 925-2141 Administrative & Business Calls: 925-2143

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Celebrating

Edwardsburg Branch 269.663.5875

Howard Branch 269.684.1680

Local History Branch 269.445.0412

Mason/Union Branch 269.641.7674

Thank You For 22 Wonderful Years!

Over100 years in business FAMILY DINING

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Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

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2596 Detroit Road, Niles, MI

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Celebrating 75 years! Thank you to our employees and community for their service.

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Pool & Spa Stores 2015

Thank you for 94 Great Years! Family owned since 1921

SALES & SERVICE

Association Pool & Spa Professional-Certified Loop-Loc Saftey Covers, Baby-Loc Fencing, Vinyl Liner Installs.

Celebrating 28 Years!

st Main Gardens Ea1521 E. Main St. • Niles, MI

2564 Coquillard Dr. • Niles, MI • 269-684-8792 206 E. State St. • Cassopolis, MI • 269-445-0108

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Horizons 2015

Member Owned, Member Friendly. Savings, Checking, & IRA Accounts Auto, Home, & Personal Loans

1012 S 11th St. • Niles, MI 49120

www.FourFlagsACU.com fouflagsacu@sbcglobal.net

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Sundays 9:00 am Niles YMCA No membership needed

Child care and Children’s classes available We also offer a Real Life Friends adults with special needs class

Pastor: Jared Eckerley Phone: 269-362-5415

Trinity Episcopal Church Worship Sunday at 10 a.m.

Sunday Worship @ 9:30 Wednesday Healing Service @ 5:30 Saturday Lunch In at 11:30am

First Presbyterian Church

269- 423-4981

119 East Delaware Street, Decatur, MI 49045 • See Us on Facebook

Michiana Christian Embassy

Our Service Times Sunday School

(Christian Life Academy)

Sunday Worship Sunday Night

9:45am Wednesday

7:00pm

Powerhouse (youth)

11:00am Warriors (age 7-12) 6:00pm Bible Study (Adults) www.michianachristianembassy.com

1922 E. Main St., Niles, MI 49120 • (269) 683-3518

9 South 4th Street, Niles - Corner of 4th and Broadway 269-683-6060 • trinityniles.org

Founded in 1870

St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School Rich in faith, heritage, and history. Come Celebrate With Us!

Mass Times

Saturday 4:30 pm Sunday 8:30 & 11:30 am 6:00 pm (Spanish)

Confession Saturday 3:30-4:00 pm

Parish Office 683-5087

St. Mary’s School 683-9191

CSC Food Pantry 684-0637

On the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Clay Street in Niles

Horizons 2015

’ ’ Adam s unker s Adam s unkers ’

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Cash MI: for wrecked/repairable cars, farm equipment, & scrap metal 269.252.2239 whether its stuck in a backyard or ready to pull away! E: –cashforcars29@gmail

adamsjunkers.com Web: us Contact to request a quote or Request one Online! IN: 574-300-6556 • MI: 269-252-2239 cashforcars29@gmail.com

WE PAY CASH! For Wrecked and Junk Cars, Trucks, Vans, Farm Equipment & Machinery

Free Estimates!

DOWAGIAC AUTO SERVICE Affordable, Quality Service that You Can Depend On!

JT Recycling call (574) 276-7094

We are dedicated to providing you with the quality service that you deserve. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and with a clean, comfortable shop and fast, friendly service, there simply is no better choice for auto services than

Dowagiac Auto Service! Specializing in: Exhaust systems • Brake and steering • Full service oil change • Any make or model • Minor and major repairs • Diagnostic and electrical work

269-782-5643 • 57748 M-51 S. • Dowagiac, MI

Matt Marsh

Tune ups • Brakes • Tires • oil change • BaTTeries • and More

269-262-0756

Fax 269- 262-0840 LOCATED AT Bertrand and 11th St., Niles, MI Mon-Fri. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm, Sat. 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

Is your vision out of focus?

*Restrictions apply.

giac Curves of Dowa-78 2-0303

230 S. Front Street • 269

Cataracts (Clouding of the lens inside your eye) may be the cause. Easy outpatient surgery may help you to see more clearly.

Your Local Pharmacy

www.GreatEyeCare.com

Runs through March 31, 20 15

Helping people love life! • Relationships • Pregnancy • Parenting

Free & Confidential Services include: Pregnancy Testing Limited Ultrasound Options Consulting Parenting & Pre-Natal Education Post Abortion Recovery

Free Delivery Service Available

All Insurances Accepted

(269) 684-6400 • TOLL FREE: (800) 424-2393 St. Joseph • Niles • South Haven

Join for $0 * when you dona te $30 to ACTION or bring in a bag non-perishabl of e food.

69045 M62 Suite G Edwardsburg, MI 49112

269-414-4554

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm Sat 10am-2pm

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Scan this!

527 East Main, Niles • 269-684-6200 • www.pccniles.com

Horizons 2015

Hahn

Auctioneers Inc. 1203 Market St. Napanee, IN 46550-2246

574-773-8445

LICENSE # AC39800021

ALLEGAN ANTIQUE MARKET 400 QUALITY DEALERS AT THE ALLEGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS RIGHT IN ALLEGAN mICHIGAN! 2015 DATES 8 am to 4 pm

APRIL 26 • MAY 31 • JUNE 28 JULY 26 • AUG 30 • SEPT 27

Always the last Sunday of the Month

Rain or Shine

MICHIGAN’S LARGEST ANTIQUE MARKET!

Hidden Treasures Antiques, crafts and more 57470 M51 South, Dowagiac Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-7pm

Booths available for rent, various sizes and prices Come see all the Hidden Treasures!

HIAN IC

AREAS LARGEST!

MALL

Thousands of items to choose from.

$4 Admission - Free Parking - Food - Picnic Camping - No Pets Info 616-453-8780 • 616-735-3333 www.alleganantiques.com

Something for Everyone! Michiana Antique Mall 2423 S. 11th St. • Niles, MI 49120

269.684.7001 Open 10 am - 6 pm Daily

Call 269-462-9247 or email HiddenTreasures57470@gmail.com

Reit’s Flea Market Michigan’s Largest Outdoor Flea Market

Located in PawPaw, MI 45146 Red Arrow Hwy.

(269) 657-3428

Open Every Saturday & Sunday And Holiday Weekends OPEN MEMORIAL DAY! Mid April – End of October Vendors Wanted ($15 Space Rental)

A little piece of Heaven, right here on Earth!

CHESTNUT TOWERS

Apartments start at $450/month

Independent Senior Living

1 and 2 bedroom apartments • 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses • Swimming pool • Air conditioning • 24 hour maintenance • Community room • Internet access • Playground • Free WiFi

1 bedroom apartments available. Rent is based on income with utilities included. Laundry facility on site, small pet friendly. Move-in immediately to those who qualify.

Arbor Trails

Apply at 100 Chestnut Street Dowagiac, MI 49047

1615 N. 5th St.• Niles, Mi 49120

(269) 683-1850

INDIAN HILLS APARTMENTS/ TOWNHOUSES QUALITY HOUSING AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE To suit your needs we have the following types of units: Section 8 and 236 one, two, and three bedroom townhouses Section 8 and market rate one and two bedroom apartments

Fairview Apartments in Cassopolis & Maplecrest Apartments in Three Rivers 1 & 2 Bedrooms Available • All Utilities Included

269-273-7841

Spacious Layouts Pet Friendly • Free Heat Free Hot/Soft Water

Griffin Estates

Stop in or Call

HUD subsidized Independent Living for those that qualify. Physically Disabled age 55 and over. Senior Citizens age 62 and over.

www.mrdarpartments.com

335 W. State St., Cassopolis, MI

griffinestates@mrdapartments.com

TDD/TTY: 1-800 649 3777 Or stop by the Management Office at: 400 Cleveland Rd., Dowagiac Michigan

Stone Lake Woods

Brea at (269) 687-1000 1721 Bond St. Niles, MI 49120

To arrange a visit call

269-782 5603

269-445-8040

1 & 2 Bedrooms • Quiet country living • Laundry Central location • Free water/trash • Elevator

Starting at

465

per month

24010 Hospital Street, Cassopolis, MI • 269-445-2929

Horizons 2015

Cut Above Wood Designs

B-Dry® System

LIFETIME

WARRANTY

of Central & West Michigan, Inc. IN HOME CONSULTATION

Basement Waterproofing Foundation Repair

MK CONSTRUCTION

www.bdrywestmichigan.com

We also install Metal Roofing, Siding and More. Over 40 years experience • Licensed

Pole Barn & Other Garages Specialist

Contact Michael N. Knepple at 269-476-9777

1-800-237-2379 • (269) 345-2900

We do any part of a Pole Barn you don’t want to do

Post Frame Specialist

www.mikeknepplebuilders.com

An Independent Licensee of B-Dry System Inc.

C & S Marsh Tree Service Trees, brush, stump removal, high lift work, insured.

(269) 362-4331 • (269) 683-1065 Leave Message

ROHDY’S

Heating & Cooling Residential & Commercial Service & Installation Licensed • Insured 29575 M-62 West • Dowagiac, MI 49047

Phone: (269) 783-0440 Fax: (269) 782-5552

2536 Detroit Road • Niles,MI (269) 687-7166 www.cutabovewood.net

Quality Custom Cabinetry and Furniture

Andrew Martin

574-862-4457 Little Red Barn Trusses, Houses & Post Barns, Lean-Tos, Garages, Laminated Posts

We have the appliance you want.

• Tree Trimming & Removal • Stump Grinding & Firewood • Bobcat & Concrete Work • Insured

(269) 663-8091

Sears of Dowagiac Sears ofDowagiac Dowagiac Sears of

Your Hometown

John Fox (owner) John Fox John Fox(owner) (owner) 56153 m51 South 56153 m51 South • 269-782-1953 56153 m51 South• •269-782-1953 269-782-1953

Premier Store 56153 M51SearS South • Dowagiac

Sears of Dowagiac 269-782-1953 John Fox (owner) 56153 m51 South • 269-782-1953

Serving Cass, Dowagiac and Niles Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

Rick Cozzolino Owner

Satisfaction guaranteed! Will We bring the Clean! beat any competitors estimates! Call 269-470-9507 or 269-470-9498

Relax! Enjoy! MIDWEST ROOFING Family Owned Since 1984

Open Year Round We do service & repair on all spas!

Lifetime Warranty Shingles, Flat Roofs & Gutter Covers Call (269) 684-7199

MICHIANA MASONRY & CONSTRUCTION All your Masonry needs!

Your Hometown Your Hometown Your Hometown SearS Premier Store SearS Premier SearS Premier Store Store

Free Estimates. Insured. Fast & Dependable Service.

Payne’s Tree RICK’S POWER WASHING RVs • Homes • Decks • Cement Sidewalks service • Driveways • Small Commercial Jobs

MARTIN TRUSS MFG. 62332 C.R. 1 Elkhart, IN 46516

Specializing in Flatwork of all types; Seawalls, Stamped Concrete & Bobcat Service.

Chimney Cleaning Insured & Bonded • Senior Discounts

269-362-1566

Bill’s Used Appliances Save BIG On

Stoves, Dishwashers, Freezers, Refrigerators, Microwaves, Washer & Dryers, – and SO MUCH MORE!

20+ Years Experience! 2324 S. 11th St. Niles, MI • (269) 340-5952

Mon – Fri: 10am - 5pm • Sat: 10am - 3pm • Closed Sundays

Horizons 2015

Meat available from 1 pound to quarters & halves

Great Burgers, Hand-Carved Steaks & Tex-Mex Cuisine

A local favorite since 1972! 4179 M-139 • St.Joseph, MI

269-429-2941 We Take Reservations

Mon-Thurs: Open at 3:30pm • Fri & Sat: Open at 11:30am • Closed Sunday

Kaminski Farms Meats

All Natural • Corn Fed • Hormone Free

• BEEF • PORK • LAMB • CHICKEN

Eat • Drink • Be Merry! Daily Specials & Entertainment at Waterford Estates Lodge

Call for hours 269-756-7457 or 269-930-7458

52890 SR 933 N. South Bend, IN

16682 Schwark Road • Three Oaks, MI • www.KaminskiFarms.com

www.TheBendPub.com

Visit our store!

f PIES-CAKES-BREADS COOKIES-MUFFINS & More! 574-210-8910

email: Crumbcrossing@gmail.com

404 E. Main St. at 4th Street in Niles

Near Amtrak Station

269-684-4175 Daily Food & Drink Specials • Karaoke Every Friday

Mon-Fri 6:30am-1:30pm • Sat & Sun 7:00am-1:30pm

Take This to Your next Party We Offer a Variety of Deli Trays• Deli Sandwiches & Wraps • Macaroni & Potato Salads • Chips & Snacks • Eckrich Deli Meats • Variety of Cheeses •Great Selection of Wines

The

Manor Mini MarT

107 W. Railroad St. • Dowagiac, MI

269-782-3744

BEER • WINE • LIQUOR

Deprow

Construction Concrete • Bricks • Blocks • Stonework Tearout and Replacement of Concrete Basement repairs • Bobcat work

Repairs, Remodel, Windows, Siding, Additions, Painting, Plumbing & More!

(269) 635-1527

402 Wayne Street Niles

Williams Home Improvement Certified Mobile Home Work. Senior Discounts.

& G r il

Breakfast & Lunch Anytime

WOOD FIRE Crumb Crossing Bakery

(574) 272-5220

The Wood Fire Features fine Italian cuisine with more than half the menu baked in our traditional wood oven. Yet we don’t live by food alone. Our EVENTS are important for the heart and soul and the Wood Fire! We enjoy a fantastic line-up of events monthly. The excitement is infectious, celebrate with us at the Wood Fire, a sweet routine in your busy week. Romance for the two of you, or a birthday to savor for your party. Let Us make your evening special. We’ve tailored the EVENTS to celebrate romance and a wonderful meal. The Wood Fire is like nothing else.

134-136 S. Front Street • Dowagiac, MI (269) 782-0007 • www.woodfiredining.com

No job too small (269) 684-5004

35 years of experience i Insured i

269-352-4010

Horizons 2015

Gold Standard in Ambulance Service Non-Emergencies & Transfers: 925-2141

Administrative & Business Calls: 925-2143

EMERGENCIES - DIAL 911

Compassionate Home Care Services Home Care - Private Duty Staffing Expert Healthcare Consultants Offering Your Parent:

• Independence • Quality of Life • Wide Range of Support Services • Well Trained Assistance • Socialization

269-684-1984 574-292-2900 email: KKaidanRay@aol.com www.KAREService.com

Fully Licensed & Experienced Paramedics Medicare & Medicaid Approved

For a Safer Healthier Community

For All Your Wheelchair Needs 7 Days A Week

Since 1977 • www.medic1ambulance.org

810 Rynearson Street

Visit us on Buchanan, MI Facebook www.BuchananAreaSeniorCenter.com (269) 695-7119 Serving the Community Since 1972

1 or 2 months free on select units

31 N. St. Joseph Avenue• Niles, MI 49120 • 269.687.1462 Hot & cold meals are prepared through Lakeland Community Hospital-Niles.

Independent lIvIng • assIsted lIvIng • MeMory Care

6330 N. Fir Road • Granger, IN • (574)243-5557

IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY. Spacious one and two bedroom apartments. These beautiful apartments are loaded with every amenity. Community room with fireplace, library, craft and fitness rooms. Stunning water and wood views. Intercom entry building. Emergency pull cords. Elevator. Professional on-site staff. Barrier free apartments available. Seniors 62 years or older, disabled (regardless of age). Rents start at $541 per month. Rent based on income if qualified.

www.TheHearth.net

Please call 269-445-3333 • TDD# 800-649-3777 or stop by today at 145 Stone Lake St. for more information. EHO

Does this sound familiar? My dad needs a lot of assistance at home; I can see that my mom is exhausted trying to provide the care he requires. ” Whether you or your family need tips on handling the medical and physical aspects of a loved one’s care, are concerned about emotional or spiritual issues, or simply want to know about legal and financial decisions, Hospice at Home can help. If you know someone who needs help, Hospice at Home cares for people at all stages of a serious illness.

Together, we can help sort out your choices. Call (800) 457-1603 today for a free consultation

www.hospiceathomecares.org

Weekday meals are delivered by volunteer drivers to clients who are unable, due to medical or physical condition, to prepare nourishing meals.

To receive meals or to volunteer, contact Office Facilitator at Lakeland Hospital, Niles

269.687.1462

ALWAYS READY TO SERVE

American Dream Tours

901 Lincolnway E. • Plymouth, IN 46563 • (574) 936-5677

SEE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL WITH US! April 14th ...........................The Church Basement Ladies The Last Potluck Supper - Wabash April 18th ...........................The Jersey Boys - Ft. Wayne May 7th...............................Show Me The Money - Chicago May 18th–21st ...................The Bourbon Trail - Kentucky June 10th–13th ..................4 Day Mystery Tour June 11th ...........................Pat & Debbie Boone - Shipshewana June 15th–18th ..................The Beautiful Apostle Islands June 29th–30th ..................Experience Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens, Gerald R. Ford Museum & more July 6th –12th ....................The Excitement of New York City: Broadway, 911 Memorial, Statue of Liberty & More July 13th–15th ...................3 Day Mystery Tour - Get Lost In The Fun July 22nd ...........................A Day of Fun July 25th–Aug 2nd ............Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park Aug. 4th..............................Naval Station Great Lakes and U505 Tour - Chicago Aug. 9th–12th ....................Charming Thunder Bay & Beautiful Petoskey Aug. 16th............................All Shook Up - Theatre At The Center - Munster, IN Aug. 23rd–Sept 2nd ..........Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands & More Sept. 14th–17th .................Heros & Legends in Tennessee Sept. 19th–25th .................The Beauty & History of Cape Cod Sept. 30th–Oct. 1st............2 Day Mystery Tour - We’ll Make Your Dreams Come True Nov. 30th–Dec. 3rd ............Celebrate Christmas at the Greenbrier Resort Dec. 9th–11th .....................Red, White & Blue Musical Christmas Join us April 10th & May 8th for South Bend Coffee’s at Trinity Evangelical Free Church. Located at 61770 Miami Road, South Bend

Visit our website for a full list of tours! www.AmericanDreamTours.biz

Horizons 2015

THe sign you wanT, The agenT you need!

Tina Holloway Call to list or buy today!

www.tinaholloway.com • 269-845-0708

Thank You for Voting me as a

Mill Pond Apartments 1 Bedroom Apartments For Seniors and Disabled Persons

Located within walking distance of shopping, banking and medical offices. Laundry in each building. Community Room available for residents to gather and relax. Adjacent to Buchanan Area Senior Center.

Phone: 269-695-0475

Best Realtor! Julie Capron

REALTOR®, Broker Manager 1439 Oak St. • Niles, MI

17 Years Experience Call me to see why! (269) 357-3525 Cell

juliecapron@cressyeverett.com • cressyeverett.com/juliecapron

Meridian Title is Proud to Facilitate Your Real Estate Transactions Locally, Regionally and Nationally!

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 12:30pm - 5:00pm

Rent Based on Income

0 years Over 3 g the servin nity! commu

800.777.1574

Farm • Residential • Commerical • Lake

Susan Loux

Contact one of our Southwest Michigan offices today for more information: Edwardsburg, New Buffalo, Niles, South Haven, St. Joseph

800 E. Smith Street • Buchanan, MI 49107 TDD: (800) 649-3777 • Fax: 269-695-1057

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

LOUX & HAYDEN REALTY Certified Residential Appraiser License # 1201002510

125 S. Broadway Cassopolis, MI 49031

Office: 269/445-2633 Fax: 269/445-8293 Toll Free: 269/545-2633 wloux@louxhaydenrealty.com

meridiantitle.com

Becky Gushwa Mobile: (574) 250-5952 beckygushwa@aol.com

Brian: 269-362-4029 Debbie: 269-362-2599

Brian & Debbie Floor

REALTORS®, ABR, GRI, e-PRO

Debbie@DebbieFloor.com 1441 Oak St. H Niles, MI 49120

We Keep Memories Alive

Buy and sell with peace of mind.

Call Jennifer today!

269.782.5300

Francee Foster Owner Jennifer Stoops

29601 Amerihost Dr • Dowagiac, MI 49047

Associate Broker – ABR, GRI

leisure-living.com

1439 Oak St. • Niles, MI 49120

Relax...

Our communities are thoughtfully designed to cater to the unique needs and demands of today’s seniors. Our care programs are designed specifically for each individual, providing the highest level of service when it’s most needed. As your needs change, we change with you. It is our privilege and honor to share in life’s journey.

Call us today for your personal tour!

Real Effort. Real Results.

Modern Realty, Inc.

(269) 313-2233

603 E. Main St. • Niles, MI JenniferStoops@remax.net

Licensed in Indiana & Michigan Francee@FranceeFoster.com

574.876.8570

Jeff Foster

Indiana Licensed Assistant Jeff@JefferyDFoster.com

574.993.5333

68925 M-62 Suite C • Edwardsburg, MI 49112 • 269.663.0100

100

Horizons 2015

Put Experience In Your Corner

Dowling Law Office

Timothy K. Dowling 25 N. 4th Street ~ NileS, Mi

269-683-3976 www.attorneytimdowling.com

• Stamping - Die Making • Production Turning • Tooling Machine Repair • Special Machines

(269) 782-5378 Crist & Sons Self Storage provide affordable self-storage. We are providing quality service to the area of Dowagiac. Our locally and family owned business serve the residential areas.

Your satisfaction is our top priority! About Crist & Sons Self Storage: Easy • Drive Up Access • Affordable Monthly Rates 3 sizes available: 3x5 • 10x10 • 10x20

Storage services offered: Drive up units • Long and Short term storage accommodations • Ground level units • 24/7 access

www.CristAndSonsSelfStorage.com Crist & Sons Self Storage • 28101 M-152 • Dowagiac, MI 49047

A Great Name to Know When You Need a Mortgage! We Know Insurance. You Know Us.

Let’s Talk. 815 East Main Street, Suite B, Niles, MI 49120 Office:269.340.5925 | Fax: 269.262.4146

Ron Rogers Senior Loan Officer, NMLS: 1064148

19801 Old 205 • Edwardsburg, MI 49112 (269) 641-7998 • www.minlandmachine.com

269.449.0754

Knowing Is…a Strong Foundation Cassopolis 269-445-2425 800-228-7855 kemneriottcass.com

ron.rogers@ruoff.com | www.ruoff.com/ronrogers

g tin ! sS 9 ge 9.9

DAVID W. GRISSOM, JR.

r ta

Attorney At Law

CRIMINAL DEFENSE 123 W. Madison St., Ste. 1700, Chicago, IL (312) 345-0850 (312) 282-2655 dwgrissomjr@sbcglobal.net Lcensed in Michigan & Illinois

k ac

FRESH H T TANNING

25% off any monthly package

New Customers

1 FREE TAN! Try before you buy!

The hottest place around!

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm • Saturday 9am - 3pm • Closed Sunday

705 Spruce Street • Dowagiac, MI • 269-782-4100

We Bring Helping Hands To Your Home!

Your Hometown Credit Union, Providing Full Service Solutions. • 1 hour to 24 hour total care • Referrals • Personal Care & Grooming • Nutrition • Cleaning & Cooking • Home Modifications • Home Repair & Maintenance

All Needs Senior Services, LLC Concealed Pistol License Classes Contact Paul (269) 462-2584 or Kelly (269) 783-6570 pdkfirearms.com

P.O. Box 221 • Niles, MI 269-687-9556 • 269-684-3280

allneedssrsvs@aol.com or www.allneedsseniorservices.com We Accept Medicaid, Insurance - Private & Community Pay, Area Agency Service Provider

Branch Locations: 507 E. Main St. • Niles, MI • (269) 684-6005 1050 E. State St. • Cassopolis, MI • (269) 445-1951 68925 M-62 • Edwardsburg, MI • (269) 414-4327

www.gncfcu.org

Horizons 2015

101

Business Index Automotive

Financial Services

Medical

Auto Directory...................................................... 94 Clark’s Service...................................................... 89 Concord Cars........................................................ 63 Division Tire & Battery........................................90 Jim D’s Body Shop................................................60 Lochmandy Motors...............................................67 Zolman Tire............................................................85

1st Source Bank.....................................................60 Chemical Bank.......................................................41 Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union.................87 Four Flags Area Credit Union............................. 93

Health & Fitness Directory................................. 94 Dr. Richard Beckermeyer, DDS, PC....................37 Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.........................34 Buchanan Family Medical.................................... 77 Cassopolis Family Clinic Network...................... 71 Great Lakes Eye Care........................................... 50 Lakeland Health, Niles Hospital........................102 Medic 1 Ambulance/ Wheelchair Express............................................. 92 Southwestern Medical Clinic............................102

Apartments & Real Estate Apartment Directory............................................95 Real Estate Directory......................................... 100 Riverside Estates..................................................90 Tanglewood of Niles/ Pawating Village............. 22

Church Church Directory................................................. 93 5 Pines Ministries.................................................. 55 Hope Community Church................................... 93 New Day Community Church............................. 88 Silver Creek United Methodist Church............. 22

Food & Entertainment Best of Best Directory...........................................91 Food & Fun Directory...........................................97 American Dream Tours....................................... 99 The Boulevard Inn & Bistro.................................37 Buchanan Farmers’ Market................................90 Fernwood Botanical Garden............................... 88 Four Flags Area Apple Festival........................... 88 Fort St. Joseph.......................................................80 Martin’s Supermarkets.........................................47 Pizza Transit.......................................................... 42 Silver Beach Pizza.................................................. 77 St. Joe Today..........................................................60 Wings Etc................................................................ 55

Community Business Pillars of the Community.................................... 92 American Legion Post 26..................................... 89 Berrien County Sheriff’s Department................67 Cass County Library............................................ 92 City of Dowagiac....................................................23 City of Niles Utilities Department....................... 13 Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce............81 Niles District Library........................................... 63 Niles Mainstreet.................................................... 93 Niles Steel Tank.................................................... 69 Sister Lakes Area Business Association.............23

Education Brandywine Community Schools...................... 28 Edwardsburg Public Schools............................... 51 Indiana University South Bend.......................... 28 Lake Michigan College............................................3 Lewis Cass Intermediate School District.......... 15 Moored Beauty Schools........................................74 Niles Community Schools..................................... 2 Southwestern Michigan College.......................103 St. Mary’s Catholic School...................................27

Home Improvement Home Improvement Directory.................. 96 & 97 AmeriGas............................................................... 63 Cass Outdoor Power............................................ 63 Custom Awning.....................................................27 Dowagiac Heating & Air Conditioning...............76 Flo-N-Grow Hydroponics Company.................. 77 The Granite Shop..................................................67 GreenMark Equipment.........................................43 Hales True Value....................................................53 Hannapel Home Center.......................................90 Howell Electric, LLC............................................ 66 J & H Oil Co...........................................................60 Judd Lumber Building Supply & Rental Center....43 Michiana Fence......................................................76 Midwest Energy Cooperative........................... 104 MK Construction...................................................59 Mr. Maintenance.................................................. 83 Patio Enclosures..................................................... 9 Roberts Service Company....................................53 SCI Alarm............................................................... 84

Professional Services Professional Services Directory......................... 98 AAA Insurance, Cindy McCall............................ 66 Bunk & Biscuit Pet Retreat................................. 86 Insurance Management Services........................ 11 Kemner-Iott Agency of Cass County..................76 Lorie Bowers, State Farm Insurance................. 89 Scott Stewart, State Farm Insurance................. 89 Tom Rasler Insurance Agency, LLC................... 86 Paws to Wash Grooming.......................................73

Retail Historical Treasures Directory............................95 Allegan Antique Market....................................... 88 The Dugout Sporting Goods............................... 84 The Marshall Shoppe...........................................60 Nunemakers Coin Shop........................................85 US 31 Tobacco/Stateline BP..................................34 Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop.....................74

Senior Living Senior Living Directory............................99 & 100 Acoustic Audio Hearing Service.......................... 77 Forever Learning Institute.................................. 69 The Hearth at Juday Creek.................................... 8 Heritage Point......................................................... 9 Hospice at Home.................................................. 99 Riveridge Manor....................................................73 Silverbrook Rehabilitation & Nursing Care Center........................................ 77 Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services.............................52 West Woods of Niles Nursing Center.................. 71

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Never a Good Time for an Emergency A long wait can seem unbearable when you need help. You will be seen by a medical provider in 29 minutes or less! The Emergency Department has expanded to 18 exam rooms, and is equipped with modern amenities designed for patient comfort.

29 MINUTES

LES

Accredited Chest Pain Center Certified Primary Stroke Center

www.lakelandhealth.org/niles

Quality Care for the Entire Family Southwestern Medical Clinic has proudly served the local residents of Niles, Michigan for the past 40 years. Located at: 2002 South 11th Street Niles, MI 49120 ~ Adult/Pediatric Medicine ~ Walk-in Clinic no appointments necessary Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

(269) 687-0200 www.swmc.org

New degrees at sMC W W

PsyChology

W W

MiChigaN state UNiversity is Now at sMC.

iNtiMidated by the thoUght of College?

CertIfICAteS Are offereD IN: Agricultural operations

SMC has everything you’ll find at a state school—campus housing, great academics, thriving student life, a sprawling campus— on a smaller scale and a cheaper price tag.

fruit and Vegetable Crop Management

Don’t take our word for it.

A psychology degree can get you started on a career as a psychologist, therapist, counselor, social worker or researcher. In-depth studies provide a comprehensive framework of psychological principles in human behavior, learning, development, mental health, perception, emotion, adjustment and more.

Now you can earn a MSU certificate at SMC’s Dowagiac campus.

Viticulture

W W

sPorts MaNageMeNt

Love sports, but can’t compete? Consider a degree in sports management. It’s basically a business degree centered on sports. It can lead to careers in stadium operations; sports team management; recreational programming; athletic coaching, scouting and representation; parks and recreation; sports sales and marketing; sports media and more.

Visit swmich.edu to schedule a tour and check it out yourself.

Applied Horse Science Landscape Management Plus you can earn a SMC associates degree in Agricultural technology that transfers to MSU and other Michigan universities.

SMC can get you started in almost any field of study at half the average cost of universities. Visit swmich.edu for more information.

Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. www.higherlearningcommission.org

104

Horizons 2015