Horizons 2012

HORIZONS

2012 31st annual edition

Southwest Michigan moves forward

Sam Adams Elementary Cassopolis Public Schools

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE! Cassopolis Public Schools provides extensive professional development for the Sam Adams Staff.

Programs are implemented based on “Best Practices” for student achievement. Our educational team has implemented the program Comprehensive Literacy which includes Reading & Writing Workshops. The Developmental Reading Assessment that is used is to inform instruction.

In the early primary grades Growing Readers (mini lessons) and Words Their Way are used. The guided reading lessons were developed using a K-6 guided reading library and classroom libraries for independent reading. The middle grades are using Making Meaning for read aloud and Around the Reading Workshop in 180 Days & Comprehension Lessons for mini lessons.

Words Their Way is also used.

Teachers have seen students excelling in their Guided Reading Groups, which allows them to read at their current reading level and above. To enhance our students’ education, the latest technology and websites are utilized to maximize learning at every grade level.

The Michigan State Standards are implemented at every grade level for every subject area. Testing such as; MEAP, NWEA, DIBELS, DRA’s and district curriculum testing is accumulated and used for evaluation to direct instruction for student achievement.

Sam Adams Elementary is dedicated to providing opportunities for students to excel. Math-A-Rama, Science Olympiad, Spelling Bee, Math Meets and Young Authors’ are just a few of the events in which kids can participate and demonstrate their abilities. They partake in these events with the communities in Cass County.

The mission of this Michigan Blue Ribbon School is to provide a quality education for all students and to provide the students with the skills to be leaders in successful learning, citizen preparation, and high achievement!

LEADERS IN POSITIVE BEHAVIOR! Sam Adams Elementary is leading Cass County in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports with the direction of MiBLSi framework. To start, Sam Adams has defined the school-wide guiding principle of teaching students how to demonstrate Ranger PRIDE (Positive, Respectful, Inclusive, Dependable, and Enthusiastic) throughout the school building. Specific Behaviors that represent the PRIDE characteristics have been identified and taught to all students at Sam Adams Elementary. These behavior expectations are reviewed frequently and provide common core values and guiding

principles for staff and students. There is also a positive acknowledgment system in place that serves to reinforce students for demonstrating the expected behaviors.

Furthermore, Sam Adams Elementary uses the Schoolwide Information System (SWIS) reporting process, they are able to pull specific data on misbehaviors filtering locations, time of day, type of misbehavior, grade level, even down to specific student reports. The data collected is used to make data based decisions with an emphasis on preventing misbehavior and adequately supporting staff where there are the most referrals.

With School-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports in place, it is time to focus on the classroom.

In conjunction with MiBLSi, the specific classroom management system being used is called CHAMPS. The goal of this method is to provide students with clear behavior expectations utilizing the CHAMPS acronym and acknowledging them when they meet these expectations. As with school-wide behavior expectations, teacher will have identified specific activities and transitions in their classroom and define specific behavior expectations for students in the following areas: C – Conversation: can students talk to their neighbor, do they have to raise their hand to speak, etc; H – Help: during this activity/transition how will students get help if needed; A – Activity: what activity is the student supposed to engage in; M – Movement: can students get up and sharpen their pencil, use the restroom, turn papers in, etc; P – Participate: how will the teacher know if the student is participate in the activity; S – Succeed.

Sam Adams Elementary is in the process of building capacity and working towards full implementation of CHAMPS throughout the building. There are five teachers receiving direct training and coaching during the 2011-2012 school year in order to build internal coaches. The entire staff will begin the implementation process in the fall of 2012 with Peer Coaching from the pilot group and the Behavior Team.

ENGAGING ALL STUDENTS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY Our school had several important goals with building a new school. Technology utilization was one of those goals. The goal is to create learning environments where students are actively engaged in the learning process.

Student engagement is one of most important factors that affect teaching and student motivation to learn.

When students are apathetic toward learning, a barrier to learning is created. One current method of delivering instruction that will assist with engaging students in the learning process is the use of interactive whiteboards.

Each room in our new school is equipped with an

interactive white board, projection and audio system with microphone capabilities.

Interactive white boards are used as an effective instructional tool on student engagement. The whiteboard can be used to deliver instruction in a variety of ways that may be categorized based on three modalities of learning. The first modality is visual learning. Visual learning through the use of a whiteboard can range from the use of text and pictures to the use of animation and video. Auditory learning is the second modality. Activities that involve auditory learning include the use of words orally for pronunciation, speeches, and poems. The use of auditory learning might also include listening to sounds or music. The third modality of learning is tactile. Allowing students to physically interact with the board can assist with meeting the needs of tactile learners. Numerous software programs can be used that involve user contact with the whiteboard. The extent to which each of these three modalities is incorporated into a lesson may determine the extent to which students are engaged in the learning process and, thus, are motivated to learn.

There are three different learning moralities that students are continuing to work through: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. All technology options these days provide a fabulous visual and auditory learning opportunity for students. However, of the three options (laptops, desktops, and the I-Pads) presented to our school district only one addresses all three modalities.

Students are entering a world of virtual, kinesthetic in which they can now manipulate information by touch and control in spatial design.

Our district has also purchased 110 Ipads. We have each classroom utilizing two Ipads throughout the day, Sam Adams also offer two carts with 30 IPads to use for whole class instruction. Why we decided to purchase Ipads instead of other types of devices is simple, learning style.

The gymnasium has a new projection and audio system that provides for easy viewing anywhere in the gym. We held our first assembly featuring the new projection and audio system when the Attorney General sent his Internet Safety message for the students. This new technology makes having assemblies much easier for the entire school to participate.

The building is well-fitted with security and video cameras for the most up to date safety for all students and staff. The entire building is on Wi-Fi and the classrooms also have access to 6 live Comcast channels streaming throughout the day. Each classroom has a telephone that uses Voice Over IP technology. The building has one cart of Laptops that is utilized for the computer lab.

Technology is being used to change the way teachers deliver instruction and to provide the best technology learning opportunities for our students.

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Worthy reading a table of contents Horizons 2012 puts the focus on progress in southwest Michigan

Agriculture ... Stories listed Page 5 Education ... Page 13 People Helping People ... Page 33 Business ... Page 61 Trends ... Page 87 Social Networking ... Page 103

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

Leader Publications’ reporters Aaron Mueller and Craig Haupert teamed up to chronicle Aaron’s visit to a variety of regional landmarks. Find Craig’s photographs of Aaron throughout the 2012 issue of Horizons and try to identify where they are. If Aaron stumps you, look to page 114 for help. Here is a photo to get you started ...

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HORIZONS

AGRICULTURE Page 6 Gathering nutrition: Community farming gains ground

PAGE 5 While farming is nothing new to Southwest Michigan, agricultural efforts are expanding online, moving in vertical directions and expanding into community efforts

Page 9

Page 11

On-time delivery: Produce finds its place in the kitchen

Centennial farm: Family foundations remain strong

Page 12 Vertical farming: Engineer launches indoor-growing operation

Leader Publications file photo

The Northside Child Development Center pumpkin patch sold $5,800 worth of pumpkins this year. Northside is the location of one of eight community gardens in Niles.

Freshly plucked

Girl Scouts, young parents and retirees are among those with green thumbs ready to contribute to community efforts at gardening ... page 6

HORIZONS: AGRICULTURE

PAGE 6

Mark VanTil is leading an effort that has sprouted from 14 to 130 members and grown from two to eight gardens

By AARON MUELLER aaron.mueller@leaderpub.com

Juan Ganum admits he didn’t know

exactly what he was looking for in Mark VanTil when he went to evaluate his gardening skills.

Ganum, a Detroit native and the Niles community development director, didn’t know a thing about gardening, but he did know community gardening is trending in cities across the country, so he was intrigued by the concept.

It took one taste, and he was sold.

When Ganum was visiting his gardens in Berrien Springs, VanTil picked an ear of corn, shucked it and handed it to Ganum and said, “Try this.”

“I said, ‘but it’s not cooked.’ He said, ‘boy, you don’t know anything,’” Ganum said. “It was the most delicious corn I’ve ever tasted. He was undoubtedly amused by this city boy’s reaction.”

After tasting a few more of the freshly plucked veggies, Ganum knew he had found his man to spearhead the community garden effort.

“The proof was in the pudding,” VanTil said with a laugh. “He tasted it.”

That was two years ago.

Now the community gardens group has grown from 14 people to more than 130 members and from two gardens to eight spread throughout the city.

“I’m amazed at how quickly it has taken hold and exploded,” Ganum said.

VanTil, on the other hand, is not surprised by the gardens’ success.

“Gardening is still one of the top five hobbies in the nation,” he said.

“And it’s grown even

more with the green movement and the slow food revolution. There are community gardens popping up all over the country.”

Community gardens are shared plots of land where members can grow food and flowers for themselves or for sale.

VanTil said more and more people are curious about where their food comes from, and interest in organic farming and sustainable foods is on the rise.

But the draw for many Niles residents is simple — the community aspect.

“It’s just fun for people, just plain fun,” VanTil said.

“New friendships develop. Several people have commented that one of the highlights was the interaction with their neighbors as much as digging in the dirt.”

The community gardens draw a variety of people. Girl Scouts, young parents and retirees are among the green thumbs; there is even a plot at the Berrien County Juvenile Center, where teenage boys are taught to garden.

The community gardeners also give back to the community through donating produce to lo-

“

Leader Publications file photo

Pictured is a sunflower garden at Northside Child Development Center in Niles. There are eight community gardens in the area and more than 130 members.

One of the highlights is the interaction with neighbors as much as digging in the dirt.

— Mark VanTil community gardener

”

VanTil

HORIZONS: AGRICULTURE Tayla Lane, left, 5, and Naomi Gilliam, 5, display pumpkins with their names carved in them at Northside Child Development Center.

cal food banks. They also gave the proceeds of a pumpkin sale from their patch to the Niles Community Schools district.

All the benefits of the community gardens

project have come at a low cost to the city, Ganum said.

The city allocated $8,000 in community block grant funding to the gardens last year and will kick in $10,000 this

PAGE 7

year.

“As community projects go, it hasn’t been a high-cost effort at all,” Ganum said. “We’ve gotten good bang for our buck.”

Looking to the future,

VanTil said the group hopes to have a community garden at every school in Niles in two years.

He also envisions starting a worm farm, employing local stu-

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Produce by mail To Your Door delivers fresh produce to busy households

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

As a small business owner and mother of four, Stepha-

nie Layman knows time is a valuable commodity.

There is rarely enough of it, and hardly any that could be considered free.

That is why she is trying to free up some time for others with her Niles-based produce delivery service, To Your Door.

Founded in 2004, To Your Door specializes in the delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables to local communities in southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana.

“The trend is people want things to be simple, and they want things to be easy,” Layman said.

“People need to eat, but they don’t always have the time or the desire to go to a farmer’s market or to a farm to pick their own produce.

“We can fill that need

and give them the time to do the things they want to do.”

Layman and her aunt, Sharon Boyer, developed the idea for To Your Door in 2004. At the time, Boyer had relocated to Michigan from Kansas after retiring from a career in the banking industry. Layman was a stay-at-home mother.

Fresh delivery Both wanted to start a company that would

What started as a small business delivering fresh berries has expanded into produce choices any consumer would love.

bring fresh produce to peoples’ doorsteps.

“We started by delivering raspberries and strawberries to friends at the ballpark,” Layman said. “People loved getting the fresh berries, and soon we realized there was a demand for it.”

To Your Door had just one customer when it launched. Layman remembers taking hours to create the first produce basket.

“It is comical for us to look back and see how long it took for us to put that first basket together — and it was just one basket,” she said.

To Your Door has a few more customers these days.

Strong growth The business serves more than 100 customers, but Layman expects that number to reach more than 200 by the end of the year.

“We’ve had some exciting new opportunities come our way, and we expect to grow quite a bit this year, but I don’t want to speak too soon about it,” Layman said.

The Laymans grew the majority of the produce they delivered in the early days of the business.

Now, they grow about 10 percent and get the rest from local farms.

The reason for the

Submitted photos

To Your Door sends custom baskets filled with fresh vegetables and fruits to the doorsteps of hundreds of customers in Michiana. change, Layman said, is customers began wanting a larger variety of produce.

To Your Door has gone from providing a few specialized fruits and vegetables to providing just about everything.

“Our goal is to provide our customers with their weekly produce needs.

In a lot of cases, we get

Stephanie Layman, owner of To Your Door produce delivery, holds her 3-year-old son, Matthew, while her daughter, Jessica, 10, stands by. Layman’s four children, including her twin boys, Austin, 14, and Dylan, 14, do their part to make the business work.

really close based on the response I’ve been given,” Layman said.

People can sign up to receive small, large or premium baskets on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The baskets are delivered during a 16-week season that begins in June and ends in early October. Baskets, which feature seasonal items, can be delivered to the

home or office.

To Your Door will customize baskets to fit a person’s needs.

“People can rate what items they like or don’t like so they aren’t getting a lot of things they don’t want or aren’t going to use,” Layman said.

People can sign up to See PRODUCE, page 10

HORIZONS: AGRICULTURE

PAGE 10

PRODUCE

To Your Door sends custom baskets filled with fresh vegetables and fruits to the doorsteps of hundreds of customers in Michiana.

Continued from page 9

receive baskets through the company’s website at tydproduce.com.

Layman, who grew up outside of Washington, D.C., and studied public relations at Michigan State University, said she never would have envi-

sioned running this company 20 years ago. She met her husband, whose family has been farming in Berrien County since the 1800s, while attending MSU. “I never had an interest in agriculture until I

met my husband,” she said.

“I was working at sports information at MSU, and that’s where my career path was headed.

“Things have changed since then.”

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HORIZONS: AGRICULTURE

PAGE 11

Family takes root

Farm heritage recognized

By JOHN EBY john.eby @leaderpub.com

Sesquicentennial farm host to Sparks’ endeavors

By JOHN EBY john.eby @leaderpub.com Lineage is everything to the Sparks family.

Penn Township farmers Lee and Carl Sparks are great-great-nephews of James E. Bonine, as in the Bonine House being restored on M-60 by the Cass County Underground Railroad Society.

Their mother was Lydia Rose Jones — Rose Sparks.

Rose’s father was Warner Jones, who died in 1967 at 97.

His father was Nathan Jones.

Nathan’s wife Lydia was a Bonine. In fact, Lydia’s brother was James E. Bonine.

Their parents were Isaac and Sarah Bonine.

Isaac came from Virginia by way of Tennessee and Indiana.

It’s the route the family’s centennial farm took before landing in the hands of Lee and Carl.

The farm’s official birthdate is somewhat ambiguous, even to the Sparks family, though they have a 1936 centennial farm certificate signed by Gov. G. Mennen Williams and Barbara Laing’s father, Prentiss Brown, suggesting 1836 with Isaac Bonine and 1987 sesquicentennial status, making it at least as old as Michigan.

Lee and Carl’s greatg r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r, George Jones, bought the land on which Lee’s house stands on Aug. 17, 1829, and died three years later at age 31.

The family figures the

state celebrated its sesquicentennial by honoring all farms at least 150 years old — even those that may have been older.

L e e ’s s o n K e n ’s 4-year-old son Kaden, playing with toys in the living room, represents the seventh generation.

The farmhouse where Lee lives has been his only home.

“I lived in the house of the first county agent and the last. Grandpa (Warner) Jones was the first” and his father, Harold, the last.

Ken lives on Quaker Street, where Rose lived a half-mile west of Penn.

That farmhouse is also known as the boyhood home of Capt. Iven Carl Kincheloe, the aviator for whom Dowagiac named Kincheloe Elementary School.

Kincheloe graduated from Dowagiac with the class of 1945. Rose taught at Kincheloe.

Penn, or Jamestown, in the geographic center of Cass County, was once a bustling community with a barrel factory and a grocery store.

Coming full circle Today, the Sparks farm continues to produce crops and hogs, but started a year ago in a back-to-the future move, to milk cows as a dairy niche on their 1,100 acres, “which isn’t enough to support everyone to farm. Land’s kind of tight,” Carl said. “Ken and his brother, Daniel, got into the pasturebased dairy system. We started milking cows

Cedarlee’s barn is shown in 1905 and in 2012. Cedar hedges on either side of the driveway aren’t visible in the 1905 picture, but they can be seen creeping into the present-day picture. A 1972 date refers to the age of the silo whose base can be glimpsed to the right of the barn.

March 1, 2011, as a way to expand the farm without having to buy more land.”

“Rotational grazing” is facilitated by dividing 150 acres of pasture into five-acre paddocks.

Cows move systematically to a new pasture after every milking.

Dairy is seasonal, with calving in the spring.

Michigan Milk Producers Association trucks pick up milk every other day.

The truck, out of northern Indiana, also serves Andrews University’s 800-cow dairy in Berrien Springs and hauls milk to Constantine or Benton Harbor.

Sparks milked 100 cows last year and will have more than 200 this spring.

High’s small herd at

the corner of Gards Prairie and Hoffman streets is the closest to them at about a mile and a half.

There’s another small dairy producer of 50 to 60 cows of about three years between Vandalia and Jones.

“There are still a lot of hog farms,” Carl said, “but you don’t see the hogs because they’re confined in buildings.

We don’t make babies and farrow little pigs anymore. We’re actually a contract feeder. We don’t own the pigs, we finish them, which is one reason they’re not outside — leanness” and without parasites associated with living outdoors in the once-familiar huts.

“Many years ago, this used to be a dairy farm,” Lee said. “I milked four Guernsey cows with a

milking machine” every morning before school in Dowagiac, where he graduated in 1961 with the last class at Central before Union High opened.

Historically, small family farms were less specialized than today.

“Every farm had chickens, hogs,” Carl said, to which Lee adds, “There are two apple trees left from the little fruit orchard.”

Cedarlee refers to the white cedars along both sides of the long drive and the fact the farm is on the “lee,” or west, side of them.

“There was a story that they were planting some of these cedars when they heard Abraham Lincoln was shot, so they stopped planting for a while,” Lee said.

While there is no intrinsic value in a centennial designation, a sign in the farmhouse front yard identifies inhabitants as among a relative handful in Michigan’s rich agricultural history to be tilling land that has never been out of production or owned by anyone except the founding family.

Emily Asbenson, education and awards coordinator for The Historical Society of Michigan in Lansing, listed 96 Cass County farms that were at some point certified by the centennial farm program through 2006.

The compilation names Sparks’ Cedarlee Farm in Penn Township as originating in 1836 with Isaac Bonine.

“The list, however, is neither accurate nor inclusive. Many of the farms listed may no longer meet the requirements,” she said. “They may have been sold out of the family or may no longer be farmed, even if that is not noted on the list.”

Requirements n Property must have been farmed without interruption for 100 years (centennial) or 150 (sesquicentennial). n Farm must be at least 10 acres. n Ownership must have stayed within the same family.

HORIZONS: AGRICULTURE

PAGE 12

A vertical turn

About Green Spirit Farms

An engineer takes farming to new heights

By KATIE ROHMAN katie.rohman @leaderpub.com

The concept

of traditional agriculture — hundreds of acres of soil, tractor equipment, pesticides, transportation costs — is being turned on its head.

An engineer and sustainability expert has sprouted an organic verti- Green Spirit Farms is renovating the former Plastic Masters building, which sat cal farming oper- empty for nearly 10 years. The goal is to eventually expand the operation by ation in a former adding more buildings on the property. manufacturing facal employment, Kluko W. U.S. Highway Meeting demand cility in New 18300 Cost savings in vertisaid.

12, New Buffalo TownBuffalo Town- ship, and approached the cal farming is minimal, GSF is marketing itship. owners about using but the focus is on local, self to grocers, superMilan Kluko, owner of Fountainhead Engineering in New Buffalo, has been experimenting with vertical farming around the U.S. and dabbled in hydroponics in the 1990s.

“I’ve been gardening since I was 10,” said Kluko, who speaks about sustainability issues nationwide and has worked in Antarctica and Europe through his civil and environmental engineering business.

“We are mostly known for innovative, sustainable approaches,” he said.

Vertical farming solves many of the world’s food-growing problems: lack of sun, too much sun, little rain, too much rain and not enough space.

“We are the urban farmers,” Kluko said.

Farming indoors Kluko had been eyeing a vacant building, formerly Plastic Masters, at

some of the property — just over an acre — for a vertical farming business. GSF gained a letter of support from New Buffalo Township in 2011.

Part of the building is home to a temporary tenant, so GSF is renovating more than 17,000-square-feet in the rear of the building.

Fifty wind turbines will power GSF. New Buffalo is ideal for turbines with wind coming off Lake Michigan.

“We enjoy the right type of wind that comes off the lake,” Kluko said.

Solar panels will be installed on the building’s flat roof. Any proposed future expansions would include geothermal heat.

When completed, the facility will house hundreds of vertical garden growing stations and employ as many as 15 people. One acre of indoor farming will be the equivalent of at least 20 acres of outdoor farmland.

organic produce and lo-

markets and restaurants

Leader photos/KATIE ROHMAN

Milan Kluko, owner of Fountainhead Engineering in New Buffalo and president of Green Spirit Farms, explains how GSF is testing two lighting technologies for its operation. within a 50-mile radius to meet the customer demand for local, organic produce, said Sandra Thompson, retail and distribution for GSF. “We’re reducing our carbon imprint” by only transporting produce in a 50-mile radius, Kluko said.

Demand is high for herbs such as basil and cilantro, an ingredient in the nation’s most popular condiment — salsa.

Once GSF has become more established, it will pursue the Chicago market. GSF also wants to educate children and adults about sustainable agriculture through its “Earth Campus.” Kluko would like to host school groups and an agriculture intern.

The first GSF harvest is slated for around July 4. Five to seven harvests are expected per year.

For more information, visit www.greenspiritfarms.com or call (312) 473-4730.

n One rotar y garden unit can hold as many as 80 plants. n One vertical garden growing station can hold six rotary garden units and as many as 480 plants. n Plants are fed organic nutrients twice a day and receive 16 hours of light per day. n Units are rotated every 50 minutes. n GSF is testing two lighting technologies: a 600watt, high-powered sodium light and a 200-watt induction lamp. n GSF uses 95 percent less water than traditional farming and 80 percent less than traditional hydroponics. n 345 square feet of tomato production using vertical farming equals one acre (43,560 square feet) of outdoor dirt farming. n First seeds germinated (Jan. 3-30) by GSF were lettuce, basil, cilantro, spinach, cucumbers, eggplant and peppers. n When fully commercial, GSF will create about 10 new jobs.

This rotary garden unit is growing eggplant, peppers and cucumber (shown).

Lettuce, far left, has been growing for less than two weeks in rock wool.

HORIZONS

EDUCATION

PAGE 13 Southwest Michigan offers a range of educational choices from private to public: No matter the path chosen to get there, many high school and college graduates are ready to face challenging economic realities

Page 15

Page 22

Page 29

Private pathways

Senior challenges

The real world

n Sharon Gregorski n Stacy Allen Smith n Michael Collins n Chris Baldinger

n Brandywine n Buchanan n Cassopolis n Edwardsburg n Niles

n Jacob Roy n Grace Ashenfelter n Josh Crothers n Ashley Connors

n Elissa Gray n Samantha Gerard n Josh Deubner n Kassandra Leitz

Niles CommuNity sChools Building a Foundation for Our Future www.nilesschools.org

M

aking a decision about where you send your child to school is about more than textbooks, bricks, and mortar. It is 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.

We offer: • The option of all day/every day kindergarten or half day/every day kindergarten • Comprehensive preK- 12 education and college preparation • W- A- Y Program: Students become researchers as they complete their high school credit at home or at school with an iMac workstation and Internet connectivity provided by Niles Community Schools; educational support 24/7, 365 days a year • Niles New Tech Entrepreneurial Academy offers one of the most exciting new concepts in secondary education with Project Based Learning and One- to- One Laptops • Niles High School offers Blended Classrooms which will combine face- to- face learning with instructors with an online learning experience that mirrors the college experience • Eastside Connections School is a magnet school grades K- 5 focusing on high student achievement and a rich culture of high expectations • Career Technical Education for school- to- work skills and employment preparation • Early College Academy where students can earn college credits while still in high school • Non-Traditional learning options. We partner with the Home School Community as well as continue to provide our award winning Alternative High School and Adult Education Programs Niles Community Schools offers the most innovative options in education. Please call us today at 269.683.0732. Stop in or arrange a visit to talk to us about what Niles Community Schools can offer you and your child and let us show you how we “inspire locally to excel globally.” Now, more than ever, Niles Community Schools is the right choice.

21st Century Learning....TODAY!

Dowagiac Union Schools “Building on a Tradition of Excellence” elopment ev D l a n io ss fe ro P m& Staff, Curriculu Degrees arly Progress rs; 70 with Masters

he equate Ye ❖ 131 full-time teac ate of Michigan’s Ad St e th t ee m to s ue in ❖ The District cont gthening Goals mediation and stren re , ng yi tif en id in le ceeded their ajor ro dent body met or ex ❖ NWEA plays a m stu r ou of t os m tes indica student skills—data ocesses owth goals gr ic e to Intervention) pr ns NWEA academ po es (R I RT d an sistant Teams) al students at each ❖ TAT (Teacher As ing needs of individu rn lea ic em ad ac e th are in place to meet grade level

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gh school ❖ Class of 2011 age of earning 535 hi nt va ad ok to s nt de igan College ❖ 115 stu South western Mich at s ur ho it ed cr ge and colle ucational plans d post-secondary ed ❖ 93% of seniors ha attendance = 95.3% ❖ District-wide daily nce = 94.9% avg.

Conference attenda er ch ea /T nt re Pa 5 ❖ KK-5 = 25.1 ❖ Average class size y Kindergarten ❖ Full time, every da ssey Academic Program covery, MiBliSi, Ody Re ❖ Strong Fine Arts g in ad Re ng di clu mming in rriculum ❖ Academic progra rporated into the cu co in e ar rooms er ak M s es corporated into class in Ware and Succ en be ve ha les nd nology and Ki ❖ Smart Board tech report cards K-5 P “test tracks” ❖ Standards-based hment classes, MEA ric en d an ng hi ac re-te ❖ PDCA program,

s Gr. 7-12 ie it n u rt o p p O r la u Extra-Curric Academic Clubs

ular activity s; 13 ❖ 35 Athletic Team least one extra-curric at in s ate cip recipients of the rti pa s dent ted as one of the 32 lec se s wa ll ❖ 75% of Gr. 9-12 stu be Ze ol senior athlete Craig ❖ Union High Scho ls in 2010-11 SAA Scholar Athlete Class B state semifina e Class B 2011-12 MH th d he l-State team ac re am te Associated Press Al e ys’ basketball th bo to ain ed m ieft na Ch s e wa Th ❖ Scanlon ht year, junior Brett ❖ For a second straig

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HORIZONS: EDUCATION

PAGE 15

Leader photo/KATIE ROHMAN

Students at St. Mary’s School in Niles attend a blessing of a community garden.

Private choices

While charter schools are headlinging the news, many parents are making quiet decisions to send their children to parochial schools ... page 17

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HORIZONS: EDUCATION

PAGE 17 Parents explain themselves Stacy Allen Smith Smith, of Niles, is a nurse and the mother of a daughter in first grade.

“We love St. Mary’s,” said Smith, who attended Dowagiac schools as Stacy Laubach. “It’s so small that it’s a real pleasure. She can walk down the hall, and everyone knows her name. She’s not a number.”

Smith, whose mother attended St. Mary’s, didn’t consider sending her daughter to public school because “the world is so fast and crazy” she wants her to have the grounding of a strong spiritual foundation. St. Mary’s smallness allows her to stay on top of what’s going on and her daughter to receive personal attention.

“Delighted” by the decision to add sixth grade, Smith wishes St. Mary’s could add a level every year. “(Principal) Sharon Gregorski is St. Mary’s biggest asset,” Smith said. “She’s a wonderful lady and positive. They’re lucky to have her.”

Leader photo/KATIE ROHMAN

Students at St. Mary’s School in Niles bless the community garden at Niles Community Schools Administration Building in September. The prayers for the garden are part of the Catholic school’s recognition of Rogation days. “It’s just to say thank you for the blessings,” said Sharon Gregorski, principal of St. Mary’s.

“

First and foremost, our mission here is to get the kids to heaven. Very close behind that is an excellent education to make them productive citizens, which doesn’t always mean money, but making the world a better place.”

”

— Sharon Gregorski, principal at St. Mary’s

By JOHN EBY john.eby @leaderpub.com Sharon Gregorski thought she was retiring June 14, 2010, after 38 years teaching public school in Buchanan. But God had another plan, which is why she is principal at St. Mary’s Catholic elementary school next to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 217 S. Lincoln St., Niles.

“There are no coincidences in life, just what’s meant to happen,” she said, recalling her auspicious start: “A secretary out with a broken foot, preschool teacher in the hospital, kindergarten teacher getting married that week-

end and an in-service I had to plan for that Friday. That was my first week.”

Gregorski, daughter to Dowagiac author Michael Collins, counts as her a former student Rich Frantz, chairman of the Dogwood Fine Arts Committee Visiting Author Committee.

“I also had an additional one year at Muskegon Catholic Central High School, so I was a teacher for 39 years before taking on this position,” she said.

Though primarily an administrator, she’s may teach a religion class for an instructor when out sick and keeps an eye out “for students who might need a little extra help.

Gregorski

“I like to stay in that arena. My first love is always the children and helping them to be the best person they can become.”

Her two daughters attended St. Mary’s, with which the Muskegon native has had a relationship since 1970, when h e r h u s b a n d ’s j o b

brought them to Niles, “where I’ve lived longer than in Muskegon. God wants us here, so we are here.”

St. Mary’s began the school year with 102 students and educates preschool through fifth grade.

It will add sixth grade next year.

Uniforms mandatory Students who attend are from Niles, Dowagiac, Buchanan and as far across South Bend as Ireland Road. Not all are Catholic. Students wear uniforms — navy blue pants and skirts and white, light blue or navy blue tops — which the principal “loves. It’s the best thing that could happen to education.

See PRIVATE, page 22

Michael Collins Collins, who moved his family to Dowagiac four years ago from Washington state, where he worked for Microsoft, to teach at Southwestern Michigan College, is in his second year as a St. Mary’s parent.

His oldest of four attends fifth grade.

The Collins clan started at St. John’s Lutheran School in Dowagiac until it closed.

“I’m not overly religious,” the author said, so he sometimes “pushes back” good-naturedly against Gregorski but appreciates the school’s intimacy.

“The small model works better in the early years,” said Collins, who is reminded of Catholic schools he attended growing up in Ireland before coming to the University of Notre Dame on a running scholarship.

Collins said St. Mary’s is like Irish education because its numerous schools are small and within walking distance and double-up grades much like St. Mary’s “Buddy” system.

“The structure of uniforms and prayer gives a sense of guidance and solidarity not found in public school,” he said. “They do a great job. Sharon has a dynamic, charismatic personality and knows each student individually.

“They have a great student/teacher ratio,” Collins said, adding he thinks his children will look back fondly on the experience as they get older.

Chris Baldinger Chris Baldinger’s 5-year-old daughter entered begindergarten due to her mid-December birthday. She attended Lydick, Ind., Methodist preschool since entering daycare at 12 weeks old.

Since she’s ready for kindergarten, St. Mary’s “turned out to be a better option.”

Baldinger, of Niles, started at Niles Community Schools and graduated from South Bend St. Joseph.

“I’m very happy I made the decision,” said Baldinger, a former teacher who now works in quality assurance for a website.

Baldinger visited St. Mary’s and liked the teachers’ openness and honesty and the behaved students all knew each other.

“It’s a contained community” where her daughter would be safe. “They watch the children like a hawk,” said Baldinger, who already knew Gregorski, which “settled my decision.”

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• A Tradition of Educational Excellence • Focusing on every student – every day • District of Choice and a district of choices • Offering single grade, looping, multi-age, and gender specific classrooms • College coursework on campus through Virtual University and other providers • Off campus opportunities: Southwestern Michigan College coursework, Southwestern Michigan College Academies, Berrien County Math & Science Center, Indiana University South Bend • Elkhart Career Center opportunities • Expanded Alternative Education coursework

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HORIZONS: EDUCATION

PAGE 22

What next?

G

Brandywine seniors

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

raduating high school can be an exciting and daunting time for southwest Michigan teenagers.

It is a time when young adults must start making difficult decisions about what they want to do with the rest of their lives and how they go about getting there.

For many students, college is the best option. For others, joining the military or going straight to the workforce is the preferred choice.

Joey Jena Joey Jena will joing the Navy after graduating from Brandywine High School this spring.

He is enlisted in the Navy as an air crewman but plans on going for Navy SEAL training if the opportunity arises.

He is considering pursuing a college education through the Navy.

“I did look at colleges — a lot of them — but none of them caught my eye as much as the military did,” Jena said. “I always thought that college was something you would fall into, like the normal thing, and the military was something different.”

Jena lives in South Bend, Ind., and has been attending Brandywine since his sophomore year. He originally went to St. Joseph Schools in South Bend.

“I always grew up in the Catholic school and wanted to explore more, get out there,” he said. “I love Brandywine.

They have co-op opportunities and doing all that stuff gives you a new outlook on what you can do. There are so many jobs I was introduced to I never knew about, like machine and tool classes.”

He has been volunteering at the Summer Special Olympics in Terra Haute, Ind., for the past 10 years.

Harper

Jena

Jordan Harper Jordan Harper plans to attend college after graduating from Brandywine High School this spring.

He narrowed his college choices to Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind., Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind., and the University of Notre Dame. Harper said the cost of college is probably going to determine where he goes.

“I hope to have most paid off with scholarships,” Harper said. “I’ve received some already from Bethel, which is my top choice right now.”

Harper’s goal is to become a pastor, but he plans on teaching and coching first. He enjoys volunteering with his church and might enter the Peace Corps after college.

Harper took two years worth of college courses while in high school and will enter college as a junior.

He has always been in the Brandywine School district.

“Brandywine does a great job of providing every opportunity possible,” Harper said.

“There is a lot of stuff we don’t have here because of how small we are, but I’ve gone to all these other colleges because Brandywine has paid for it and transported me.

“They’ve definitely met every request I’ve had.”

PRIVATE Continued from page 17

“It’s a great equalizer.

You can be you without being judged by the clothes you’re wearing.”

Gregorski attended public school through fifth grade, then entered Catholic school for sixth, graduating in 1967.

“I can remember like it was yesterday how the school mourned when one of our classmates from 1965 was killed in action in Vietnam.”

St. Mary’s employs five teachers, plus educators specialized in technology and library, art and music.

The music teacher is the only male.

“We have smaller classes in upper grades so children get a lot of individual attention,” Gregorski said. “This is family. Older ones take care of young ones. We have big and little buddies, pairing fourth- and fifth-graders with kindergarteners and young-

er students with preschool, forming relationships that are so important in life — learning how to live together, so to speak, and to take responsibility for projects.”

Sharing faith Gregorski said there are different challenges between Catholic school and public school, but “now I can openly speak about faith. We bless the children in the morning (at 7 a.m.) before they go off to their classrooms, we pray for the teachers to impart wisdom and have patience and, at the end of the day, we also have a dismissal prayer.

“First and foremost, our mission here is to get the kids to heaven. Very close behind that is an excellent education to make them productive citizens, which doesn’t always mean money, but

making the world a better place. We pray for the sick, those who have cancer and the homeless.

We try to make them very much aware that the world is more than their family, this school or this parish.”

Compared to public schools, St. Mary’s offers smaller classes and has parents “readily available to us for transportation to field trips because we do not have busing. We have a lot of parent involvement because in addition to the tuition ($2,390 to $5,325, depending on the number of students), dollars have to be earned by the parent group to balance the budget.

“It’s a parent’s heartfelt decision to send their child here. Teachers are not paid anywhere near what public school teachers are paid. For my teachers, it is their ministry. They have to

love what they’re doing to work here. They’re not in it for the money, but many of them are in it for the long run because it is extremely rewarding.”

There is a golf outing, sales of greens and candles, a fish fry Feb. 24 and a St. Patrick’s gala with dinner, dancing and a silent auction on March 17 in the gymnasium, which will hold Mass the next morning while the church is being plastered and painted.

Field trips required “I’m a firm believer field trips are important because the world is the greatest classroom there happens to be,” Gregorski said. “This past fall, we made an attempt to get to musical theater” — “ C h r i s t o p h e r ’s Christmas” for younger students, “The Nutcracker” for older pupils — at St. Mary’s College,

where they also have attended symphony performances. Sports are not part of the package, so students play Niles Optimist soccer or exercise at the YMCA. The building has existed since 1953, but the school has been a presence in the community since the late 1800s.

Stained acoustical tiles last summer were removed from the ceiling to expose wood.

“We were also blessed with two bequests that we were able to put in new windows — the first since 1953 — and doors.

“We hope in the future to be able to air-condition the school and run some summer workshops and academies.”

Enrollment “is on the increase,” Gregorski said.

“I‘m very thankful for that. In addition to people paying taxes which

go to public schools, they are willing to support this school for their child’s future.”

In Buchanan, Gregorski taught physical education, English, speech, acting, careers and science in sixth through 12th grades.

Her master’s degree is in physical education administration, with undergraduate degrees in English, speech and physical education.

“Students always need love, even ones who come from good families. We all seek that,” she said.

“Students are different here than public school because they want to help one another.”

St. Mary’s had a block carved into a cross at Hunter Ice Festival.

“I wanted it to reflect a lot of light because that’s what schools are supposed to do,” the sculptor told her.

HORIZONS: EDUCATION

PAGE 23

Buchanan seniors

Brandywine seniors Ariel Paholski Ariel Paholski plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College in Niles after graduating from Brandywine High School this spring.

She lives in a Niles apartment with her two small children. She plans to enroll in the nursing program.

“I would have liked to go to a bigger college, but I have two kids right now and have to stay close to Niles,” Paholski said. “I am still undecided, but I think that is what I am going to do.”

Paholski is interested in nursing because her daughter was diagnosed at birth with cystic fibrosis. Paholski said she has enjoyed working with the doctors and nurses who are helping treat her daughter.

“I would like to make a difference in someone’s life like they have with my daughter,” she said.

Paholski wants to continue working at Long John Silvers in Niles while she is in college. She said distance to college determined where she would go more than the cost of college.

She planned on taking college courses while in high school, but couldn’t when she had her second child.

She has been in Brandywine schools since the first grade.

“I think this is one of the best schools there is so I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” she said. “If I’ve had a problem, they’ve always been there to help me.”

Paholski

“

Funk

I would like to make a difference in someone’s life like they have with my daughter.

— Ariel Paholski

”

Audrey Funk Audrey Funk plans to attend Central Michigan University after graduating this spring from Buchanan High School.

She wants to major in biology and eventually work as a teacher or in a laboratory setting.

She is the class valedictorian.

She was worried at first about the cost of college, but said she believes she can afford it through a combination of financial aid and scholarships.

She visited the University of Michigan and Michigan State University but decided they weren’t a good fit for her.

She enjoys volunteering and plans to volunteer when Central Michigan hosts the spring Special Olympics.

She said she hopes to find an on-campus job while at college.

Funk has been in the Buchanan school system since preschool.

“Starting out in freshman year, they had assemblies that talked about how important it is to start thinking about college,” Funk said.

“They did a good job of helping you prepare and start thinking about your future at a young age.

“Even in middle school, a little bit we did this thing called career cruising that made you think about what you would want to do when you are older.”

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HORIZONS: EDUCATION

Buchanan seniors

Long Sarah Long Sarah Long plans to attend Grand Valley State University in Allendale after graduating this spring from Buchanan High School.

She wants to study psychology and, after graduating, apply to medical school to become a psychiatrist.

Long said cost played a big role in determining where she would attend college. She wanted to attend the University of Michigan, but it was too expensive and she would have to retake the ACT test for a third time.

“I had to think about cost because my parents aren’t helping me, but I knew that I could get scholarships and I have been applying for every scholarship possible,” she said.

Long wants to work on campus, but will find something else if she has to in order to pay for college and living expenses.

Long will compete in the Miss Michigan 2012 pageant in September.

She has been in Buchanan schools since preschool.

“It is a close community setting here so it is easier to get that one-on-one time with teachers,” Long said. “I think it has prepared me well enough to know when to ask for help and when to come to a professor for help. I’ve taken every possible advanced course here so I know what I’ve learned will help me in college.”

Long said she will have about 14 college credits when she graduates.

Devin Roberts Devin Roberts will enter basic training with the Army in July after graduating from Cassopolis High School this spring.

Roberts will be a cavalry scout.

“With that, I can do anything from relaying weather to scouting out the opposite side to see if we are outnumbered,” Roberts said. “I can go out and set mines in front of enemy tanks. Part of training is to learn to use the Humvees, turrets and other big vehicles. I can either go out with a platoon or by myself.”

Roberts chose the military because he eventually wants to work in law enforcement with the DEA or search and rescue. He wants to work with dogs.

“The advantages to going this route is if I decide to get out after my three years I have a better chance of getting into law enforcement,” Roberts said.

While in the Army, Roberts said he plans to enroll in Ball State University’s (Ind.) online law enforcement program. He said the Army would pay up to about $80,000 toward education.

“That is a really nice thing about the Army,” Roberts said.

Roberts has been in Cassopolis schools since the second grade.

“All the teachers are willing to help you.

You just have to be willing to ask questions,” he said. “The diversity of the school helps a lot, too, because you aren’t going to go to a place that is one race and one gender. The world is a melting pot. Every race, every religion, every gender. And we have a large mix of each here.”

PAGE 24

Cassopolis seniors Desirae Massey Desirae Massey plans to pursue missionary work after graduating from Cassopolis High School this spring.

She will travel to California for four months to attend a missionary training school with Youth With A Mission, an evangelical missionary group. From there, Massey will likely head to a foreign country for two months of additional missionary work.

When she returns to the United States, Massey will attend Southwestern Michigan College to get her associate’s degree. She wants to obtain her bachelor’s degree at Northern Michigan University in Marquette and her master’s degree in speech therapy at Michigan State.

“I would love to own my own practice someday,” Massey said.

She said cost did not play a role in her choice of what to do after high school.

Massey has been in Cassopolis schools since kindergarten.

“Cass has really benefited me in a lot of ways including from a non-academic standpoint,” she said. “From a social aspect they have really improved my skills with diversity.

If you look around our school it is very diverse. It is just a really diverse area. Academically, it is the same thing. I feel like I’ve been able to grow as a student and mature here.”

Roberts

Massey

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America facing 'interesting times'

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By JOHN EBY Dowagiac Daily News

‘We borrowed from ourselves’ A bubble economy grows only to inevitably fall.

“Private debt is higher than it's ever been,” he said, “but recently surpassed by college debt. Being told they have to go two weeks without a paycheck would devastate most families. Aftershock is when bubbles pop so fast the economy crashes. In the 1930s, in the Depression, nobody had a lot. They made do with what they had and saved. We had no choice but to get into World War II. Government spending went through the roof, but we borrowed from ourselves with war bonds.

"From 1950 to 1980 were pretty good times, but we've spiked.

There's going to be a period, according to the authors, where things crash. The whole psychology of our society is going to change from borrow and spend to saving.”

What happened in ’80s?

Cripe said baby boomers (1946-

Cripe 1964 births) came of age and Ronald Reagan became president.

"They are an extremely significant generation by sheer numbers,” he said. “They had the civil rights movement and felt they could change the world. But 10 years later, those born in 1955 are 25 years old and done partying. They want a second home and to take nice vacations. They start borrowing. Reagan comes in off the Carter years of high inflation. He did lower taxes, but he didn't cut government spending, he increased it. Reagan’s was the first administration to advocate deficit spending. We learned we could live on borrowed money and the world didn't fall apart. A scary thought.”

Civil War lesson Cripe is reminded of the “greatest turmoil our country has gone through” in the 1860s Civil War. “They could have said, ‘Let's get together, sit down and work this out,’ or they could have a fouryear war with one in 10 Americans killed, lots of property destroyed and terrible feelings between North and South. Then, they sat down at a table and moved forward. That's human nature.

“To get through financial crisis, all of us have to have the idea of living within our means, lower expectations, work when we're able, take care of our health and help others when we can. Or, we as a society can choose war, anarchy, clinical depression, alcoholism and drug abuse. Then, we're still going to come back to the (unresolved problems). Psychological change is not going to be easy, but it's (preferable) to the worst-case scenario.

“At the same time government is going to have to increase taxes and decrease services to pay off the national debt, organizations like Rotary, churches and United Way on a local scale need to replace government programs to help those in need. Life will slowly get better if we choose to not make it worse. But expect a rough 15 to 30 years.

"When I watch shows like ‘Doomsday Preppers’ (on National Geographic Channel), what a shame. They're getting ammo and practicing escape routes. Instead of talking about ‘The Biggest Loser’ or ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ how about discussing this?

"Open our minds, open our hearts and hold hands like crossing the street in kindergarten.”

JIM D’s BODY SHOP

Daily News photo/JOHN EBY

From left: Stacia Gallegos, Patrick Hamilton; Levi Penning, Kincheloe; Joshua Ralston, Patrick Hamilton; Makenna Staley, Kincheloe; Nathan Hammond, Patrick Hamilton; and alternate Sidney Lencki. Stacia and Sidney spelled off for the fifth spot.

By JOHN EBY Dowagiac Daily News Fourth-graders competed Thursday morning at Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center for five spots on the team going to the 29th annual Cass County Spelling Bee

Feb. 27 at Southwestern Michigan College.

With Supt. Mark Daniel pronouncing words and principals Heather Nash of Patrick Hamilton, Gretchen Hart of Sister Lakes and Dawn Conner of Kincheloe judging, spellers went at it through 10 rounds — four from the white list, four from the blue list and the fi-

nal two after a break from the toughest red list.

While Sister Lakes and Justus Gage wore black T-shirts and Kincheloe came clad in yellow, Patrick Hamilton sported pink, which Nash said students selected.

Glenn wins Cass County Tea Party vote CASSOPOLIS — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Gary Glenn of Midland Tuesday night won the support of the delegates a Cass County TEA Party group will send to a statewide convention of 55 such groups later this month where they will endorse and unite behind one candidate in the GOP Senate primary.

Glenn, who visited Dowagiac in October, won the support of the Cass County 912 Tea Party, who will send their delegates to vote for Glenn at the Michigan 4 Conservative Senate statewide TEA Party convention on Feb. 25.

In an e-mail to the U.S. Senate candidates, Cass County 912 TEA Party leader Scott Davis reported results of the vote: Glenn 68 percent, Clark Durant 22 percent and former nine-term Congressman Pete Hoekstra 9 percent.

In an interview at Zeke's Glenn,

Gary Glenn 53, said he supports state and national Right to Work laws as central to his campaign. The former

Idaho county commissioner from Hickory, N.C., has lived in Michigan since 1998 and served 12 years

as president of the non-profit American Family Association of Michigan and co-authored the Marriage Protection Amendment state voters passed in 2004.

"There are thousands of TEA Party patriots across Michigan who deeply love America and are committed to the hard work that's required to bring our country back from the brink of socialism," Glenn said. "I will be both humbled and proud to fight alongside them to defeat one of the most liberal U.S. senators in the country (Debbie Stabenow) and help preserve a free country to pass on to our children."

Last week, Glenn won the support of the Kalamazoo-based VanKal TEA Party Patriots, who will send their delegates to vote for Glenn at the MI4CS convention.

In December, Glenn was endorsed by Fox News host and former Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Pokagon Twp. supervisor elected to treasurer office Pokagon Township Supervisor Linda Preston was elected treasurer of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) at the Association’s 59th Annual Educational Conference & Expo Jan. 25-27 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.

Preston was appointed supervisor of Pokagon

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Township in 2004, and was elected to the MTA Board in 2005. Prior to her position as supervisor, Preston served as the township’s clerk from 1984 to 2004.

She also represents township officials in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties as MTA District 22 director on the MTA Board.

In addition to her involvement in township government, Preston has been involved with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, Michigan Association of Regions, 4-H, Michigan State University-Extension Steering Committee, Cass County Rental Association and Silver Creek United Methodist Church.

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Horizons 2012

New Magazine Format. Look for your edition February 23rd.

Midwest Energy employee family supports regional sports complex

The employees of Midwest Energy Cooperative and Midwest Propane provided a $500 donation this week to the Edwardsburg Sports Complex (ESC) through the Midwest Employees Give Back (MEGB) fund. The request for support was made by Jenna Zache, administration and finance support specialist.

ESC was created to provide safe and wellkept facilities for community sports in Edwardsburg and the Midwest region. It will allow for the growth of other athletic opportunities and new sports leagues, and promote health, fitness and well being for adults and children alike.

Plans ultimately include at least six baseball/softball fields, eight soccer fields and two football fields. There will also be concession stands, fitness trails and playgrounds.

The $500 MEGB donation will specifically support insulation and weatherization efforts

February 2, 2012 USPS 169080

More than $16,000 was pledged by the collective employee family in the first year of the program. Employees determined that twothirds of the collected money would be split between Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan and the American Cancer

Society Relay for Life, and the remaining onethird of the funds would be reserved for distribution to local organizations and individual efforts as requested by members of the employee family and approved by the Employee Involvement Committee.

Dentist restores piece of Americana

By JOHN EBY Edwardsburg Argus CASSOPOLIS —Dr. Roger Pecina nails details in recreating a Sinclair gas station where there never was one on the bluff overlooking Stone Lake.

His pursuit of authenticity has consumed three years.

Pecina remembers old-fashioned service stations of the 1950s and ’60s already lost to Americana.

“I loved gas stations growing up” in Michigan City, Ind., “and I spent so much time there. It was a big part of my life, mowing the grass for a buck and a half, pumping gas, washing windshields, doing oil changes and busting your knuckles on the tire machine. I always thought it would be cool to have my own gas station.

“There are two, three generations now who have no idea what a gas station is. It’s gone.

Now, it’s a convenience store.

"I’ve got kids in their 20s and 30s, and they’ve got no clue things like this ever were. By restoring it and letting people see it, not only does it nurture memories of people my age, but it allows other generations to see a piece of history, like any other museum.”

Sinclair, with its trademark green dinosaur Dino on all kinds of products, from road maps and calendars to paint and inspect spray, is particularly popular with collectors.

Pecina, a dentist who built 90-employee Afdent clinics, allowed only two reproduction pieces inside the DX

Edwardsburg, Michigan

75 cents • Since 1875

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seats stashed in his warehouse.

“Furniture, believe it or not,” he said. “I refinished furniture and collected bicycles. I had a small bicycle shop and repaired them and painted them for kids in the neighborhood. We actually put on bicycle thrill shows with ramps.

I went through a burning wall of fire.”

The men’s restroom contains a condom machine, a Boraxo powdered hand soap dispenser and a brand of kitchen cleanser which scrubbed sinks of that era.

The pop machine dispenses 10-cent soft drinks to wash down free ice cream.

A row of trophies caught his eye at a yard sale.

The guy selling them grew up around racing, which is why there is also a photo propped there of A.J. Foyt.

Hardest to get were original doors with glass panes. Over the years, they had been replaced with “junky aluminum” doors.

“Part of the allure of the old station to me is the glass door so you can see inside.”

In fact, with overgrown vegetation cleared away behind, a mechanic at a tool bench would enjoy a view of ice fishermen spread out across Stone Lake beneath him.

An array of pumps are all restored originals — 49 cents a gallon, reads one; 34, another.

There’s a station wagon dragster from Massachusetts parked in a bay.

There’s that dinging bell hose that alerts an attendant when a vehicle pulls in.

Pecina created a private office in back where his overalls hang next to his leisure suit.

“I get a lot of donations,” he said. “People come by and say, ‘My dad had this sitting in the garage. You might like to have it.’ ” Founded in New York in 1916 and reincorporated in Wyoming in 1976, “There are still Sinclair stations out west.”

Jon M. Badur, CFP®, AAMS® Financial Advisor

www.edwardjones.com

Cassopolis Vigilant

Vigilant photos/JOHN EBY

Roger Pecina recreated this long-dormant filling station. With glass overhead doors and windows along the back, it affords a scenic view of Stone Lake — especially for Dino on the roof.

Doctor recreates piece of Americana for a new generation

By JOHN EBY Cassopolis Vigilant Photo provided by Tanda Stiffler

Dr. Roger Pecina nails

Presbyterian church members made this quilt, the first place raffle prize at the church's annual salad smorgasbord. details in recreating a Sinclair The Presbyterian women are busy again this year preparing for the annual salad smorgasbord and style show with this year’s theme, “Grandma’s Kitchen," Thursday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsburg High School Gymnasium. Cost is $8 per person and ticket sales will start Feb. 26 at 11:30 a.m., immediately after worship service in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church on Lake Street.

This year’s theme is a reflection and remembrance of our grandmas working in the kitchen with their aprons on baking pies, cookies and cakes. Decorations will take us all back to the era when most women stayed at home and wore house dresses and aprons to get their

Knights of Columbus chili cook-off Feb. 18 Knights of Columbus from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 24832 U.S. Highway 12 East, Edwardsburg, host their third annual chili cook-off Saturday, Feb. 18, beginning at 6 p.m.

The menu includes all-you-can-eat chili, cornbread and refreshments.

There will be 12 chefs claiming to make the best chili in the area and asking for your vote.

The suggested donation is $6 for adults, $4 for kids 5-12 and under 5 free.

In addition, there will be a silent and live auction with more than 100 items to bid on.

Edwardsburg fourth grade students to honor veterans Wednesday Edwardsburg Intermediate fourth grade is excited to honor American veterans at their concert Wednesday

District champions: Niles, Brandywine win team wrestling titles Page 8

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gas station where there never church and church friends to makewas one on the bluff overour event such a huge success. looking Stone Lake.

This year the cookbook will have His pursuit of authenticity many of the salad recipes with thehas consumed three years. hot chicken salad recipe on the first Pecina remembers oldfashioned service stations of page.

The hot chicken salad recipe isthe 1950s and ’60s already what started the women’s salad smor-lost to Americana. gasbord some 41 years ago. A group “I loved gas stations growing up” in Michigan City, of women got together for a potluck Ind., “and I spent so much lunch and everyone was enjoying thetime there. It was a big part of hot chicken salad and discussionmy life, mowing the grass for soon was into making plans to have aa buck and a half, pumping fundraiser with the hot chicken saladgas, washing windshields, being the main course. doing oil changes and busting To this day more than 400 ladiesyour knuckles on the tire come to the salad smorgasbord formachine. I always thought it would be cool to have my the hot chicken salad.

Tickets sales chairwomen areown gas station.

Noelle Stohler 663-8249 and Patty “There are two, three generations now who have no Patzer 699-7552. idea what a gas station is. It’s gone. Now, it’s a convenience store.

"I’ve got kids in their 20s and 30s, and they’ve got no clue things like this ever were.

Twelve other presenters from the at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts By restoring it and letting community will volunteer time and Center. people see it, not only does it Public is welcome. Admission is share expertise about their own chonurture memories of people sen career paths. free. my age, but it allows other All seventh grade students will be Students will be performing the generations to see a piece of exposed to and given the opportunity Armed Forces Medley. history, like any other museDuring the song, veterans will be to explore the six Michigan career um.” asked to rise as their military branch is pathways endorsed by the state Sinclair, with its trademark Department of Career Development.green dinosaur Dino on all represented. kinds of products, from road This is the third year for this presmaps and calendars to paint entation, which has always been welland inspect spray, is particureceived by the community. larly popular with collectors.

When asked in class who invited a Pecina, a dentist who built veteran, a majority of students’ hands 90-employee Afdent clinics, shoot up.

The Edwardsburg Area Chamber of allowed only two reproducMichelle Gruver, music teacher, is Commerce will have its annual dinner tion pieces inside the DX staproud of how eager students are to at 6 p.m. Feb. 29 at Our Lady of the tion vacant for 30 years — a show their gratitude to veterans.

Lake Catholic Church, 24832 U.S. Roger’s Garage sign “since Highway 12, Edwardsburg.

1952,” the year he was born, and a personalized can. A The speaker is David Lorenz, manyardstick came from ager of public and industry relations Atkinson’s Chevrolet dealerfor Travel “Pure Michigan.” He will ship next to the 1899 courtspeak about the campaign’s positive house. impact on Michigan’s economic state.

Dinner will include appetizers, A radio to listen to baseEdwardsburg Middle School’s ball, a Life magazine with Dr. choice of Swiss steak or ham and side Martin Luther King on the annual career day will be Friday, Feb. dishes. cover, a sign promoting S&H 24, with Notre Dame assistant head Cost is $20. Tickets available at the green stamps, are all true to football coach and defensive coordi- Chamber office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the nator Bob Diaco featured guest Wednesdays or call (574) 343-3721 or period.

There is a dispatch desk speaker.

663-2244. with a 1952 calendar, CB radio, book matches and a Check us out online atservice board chalking appointments for service or edwardsburgargus.com repairs.

In the summer, a wrecker is BODY SHOP stationed “on the point” by a Complete Collision Service vintage police car and other TRAINED TECHNICIANS X X “Collision service vehicles.

Repairs Are Our “People are in and out of Business” here all day,” he said. “It’s a Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM • Sat By Appointment picture stop,” with a midget ESTIMATES CHEERFULLY GIVEN “ALL WORK GUARANTEED” racer for children to sit in.

M-51 South Pecina started collecting at 782-2728 Dowagiac 13, but not baseball cards, though he is a White Sox fan with Comiskey Park seats stashed in his warehouse.

chores done.

The recipes when baking or cooking were from Betty Crocker cookbooks or family handed down recipes. Our grandmas did a lot of gardening and canning.

Doing laundry was much different using wash boards or the old ringer type wash tubs. Clothes were hung out on the clothes line to dry. The Presbyterian women quilted a beautiful “Grandma’s Fan Quilt” this year, which is the first place raffle.

For this year only the women will have a wonderful cookbook of salads on sale the evening of the event for $5 each.

Each year the salad smorgasbord is an array of many types of salads and the "famous" hot chicken salad.

Salads are made by the women of the

Edwardsburg Chamber annual dinner Feb. 29

Notre Dame coach to speak at Edwardsburg career day

JIM D’s

Bumping & Painting Glass Installed Ins. Work Welcomed Certified Technicians

During the summer, this red wrecker sits outside Stone Lake Sinclair with a vintage police car. People are in and out all day taking pictures, including a midget racer children pose in.

Cassopolis Public Schools Board of Education Monday night interviewed 24-year veteran Tracy D. Hertsel as a potential successor to retiring Supt. Greg Weatherspoon.

Hertsel, a Donnell Lake native who graduated from Ross Beatty High School with its first class in 1980, is in his second year as one of three co-principals of Ross Beatty Junior/Senior High School.

Hertsel, who has also been a firefighter since 1982, first for Penn Township (until 1990), then for Cassopolis (since 1991), is instructional leader for more than 500 students and 50 professional and non-professional staff.

This school year he worked with Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood to establish an on-site resource officer and implemented a new seven-period day.

Twice, March-July, 2005, and February-April, 2004, he served as interim superintendent.

Board members spent about an hour and a half posing more than 40 questions, first from a prepared questionnaire, then follow-ups offered by individual members, in the library.

President Christine Locke said the board would vote on its next step Feb. 13.

Hertsel listed the “proactive” response to persistently lowest achieving

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Priorities in his first 100 days would be the budget — the toughest challenges are still ahead — student achievement and better marketing to tell success stories and to build on them, such as the 22-member robotics team through collaboration with Niles.

To be creative, he has turned to pastors to “push from the pulpit” information he needs circulated.

Hertsel, who “bleeds blue and white,” earned a master's degree in education in 1991 and a bachelor's degree in education in 1986, majoring in physical education coaching and minoring in economics, both from Western Michigan University.

He graduated from Southwestern Michigan College in 1983 with an associate degree in general studies.

Hertsel served as principal of Frank Squires Early Elementary School from 1997 until 2010 and as special education director from 2004 to 2010.

He was dean of students for the school in 1996-1997 after fulfilling the same position at Sam Adams Middle School in 1994-1996.

Before becoming an administrator, Hertsel taught grades 1-4 physical education and eighth grade economics, law and literature and seventh grade social studies at Squires and Sam Adams.

“I'm well-rounded, with

www.nilesstar.com

Hertsel

(PLA) status as his proudest professional achievement.

Cassopolis was shocked Aug. 16, 2010, that the school made the Michigan Department of Education’s list of 92 PLA schools.

“It felt like getting punched in the stomach repeatedly,” he said. "It hurt a lot, we were angry and we want off that list. The high school staff feels the same way.”

A formula used schools' seventh and eighth grade MEAP scores and 11th grade MME scores, with student proficiency levels, whether a school made AYP (adequate yearly progress) and if a graduation rate fell below 60 percent factored in.

“The response we gave and the results we got in one year, I just hope we can sustain it,” said Hertsel. “We shot for the moon to get on top of it. We tried for a New Tech High School, but, unfortunately, the money did not come. The system is not fair.”

already served. She must also spend 120 days on alcohol tether after her release.

Rickey was driving intoxicated May 28 when her car ran into a road commission sign. She registered a 0.39 percent blood alcohol content level, nearly five times the legal limit.

Both Prosecutor Victor Fitz and Judge Michael

Dodge said it was one of the highest levels they had ever seen in their careers.

"She wasn't just driving drunk. She was driving almost embalmed," Fitz said.

In the pre-sentence report, Rickey said she doesn't have a drug or alcohol problem.

Dodge wasn't buying it.

"There's no way it would be possible for you to achieve

4-H club to host Farm Toy Show at Brookside Feb. 11 The Drafted! 4-H Club, in partnership with the Cass County Tractor Pullers Association, will host its fourth annual Farm Toy Show and NASCAR Feb. 11 at the Brookside Learning Center, 61662 Dailey Rd., five miles west of Cassopolis.

Show hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and vendors will be able to set up starting at 6 a.m.

The Farm Toy Show will

Buchanan students thriving in Professional Health Careers Academy like they’ll be ready for anything.

“Rather than going into college blind and seeing weird stuff for the first time, you are actually seeing it now,” said Pierce, who wants to be an anesthesiologist or a sports medicine doctor. “You can say, ‘I’ve seen that and I’ve done that.’”

Devlaminck, Pierce and Briggs are three of 24 area students enrolled in the Professional Health Careers Academy. The academy gives juniors and seniors in southwest Michigan a chance to see what life is really like for people working in the medical field.

Since starting the academy in September, students have been tak-

“Engagement is a huge piece,” he said, “ probably the most challenging we face every day” between intact families where both parents work, single-parent families or grandparents rearing chilDaily Star staff report seph Boardman. “With dren.

“Technology and e-mailour partners in Michigan, Areabutresidents willpull findpeo-we will extend this 110 help, you can't theirtogether train trips to and ple like PTOs usedmph service from Kalamfrom Chicago to behave a little to because people got soazoo to the state’s central quicker.on their plates,” heand eastern regions in the much Amtrak and the Michi- coming years.” said.

Amtrak began raising ganWhether Department Transhis ofleadership portation have beenor given style is "flexible” “deci-speeds on the Kalamazoo federal approval to insive” depends on the situa-to Porter corridor from 79 creasebecause maximum tion he speeds wants tomph in 2001 to 90 mph in of Amtrak trainsasonpossible 97 2002 and to 95 mph in involve as many miles track west to get of solid factsinand steer2005.

Michigan and northern clear of “hearsay.

I want to Sustained operations at Indiana 110 miles hear it tofrom folks per being110 mph will shave 10 minutes off the 95 mph hour. affected.”

The changes will take schedules and about 20 effect after installation minutes off the 2001 and testing of a positive schedules.

The Amtrak Wolverine train control safety system on Amtrak-owned Service, with three daily track between Kalamazoo round-trips between Pontiac and Chicago via Deand Porter, Ind. Amtrak and MDOT are troit and Ann Arbor, and p l a n n i n g a n e v e n t the Amtrak Blue Water, to having celebrate. aWednesday 0.39 without a drink-with a daily trip between is the first expaning“This problem," Dodge said.Port Huron and Chicago sionachieve of regional "To that youhighhave tovia East Lansing, use this speed rail outside the Am- corridor. be an alcoholic." trak-owned Northeast Defense attorney Lawrence Incremental Train ConCorridor,” said Quigley asked for Amtrak a local sen-trol System (ITSC) inPresident and CEO Jo- thestalled on the track has tence so Rickey could get drug and alcohol treatment that she wants and needs.

For her part, Rickey apologized and said she hasn't had a drink since the incident.

See ACADEMY, Page 2

By AARON MUELLER Cassopolis Vigilant

been developed by General Electric Transportation Systems with assistance from Amtrak, MDOT and the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration. Amtrak extended ITCS coverage to the western and eastern ends of the line between New Buffalo and Porter and between Oshtemo and Kalamazoo last year.

The successful deployment of ITCS on the Amtrak-owned segment in western Michigan sets the stage for the expansion of 110 mph service from Kalamazoo to near Dearborn on the track segment being purchased by MDOT from Norfolk Southern Railway.

Boardman also pointed out this is the first of two 110 mph “spokes” from the Chicago hub with Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation partnering on similar plans on the ChicagoSt. Louis corridor.

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Criminal charges not filed in case of underage drinking party

"That $17 probably wasn't worth a felony conviction," said Judge

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30 minors written up for possession of alcohol

By JOHN EBY Niles Daily Star

Daily Star photo/AARON MUELLER

Larue Messenger American Legion Post 26 building may be sold as membership has dropped to about 100 members.

American Legion building may be sold Membership drops drastically

By AARON MUELLER Niles Daily Star

Amtrak trains passing through the station in Niles will be picking up the pace as

Home made SpecialS

Bumping & Painting Glass Installed Ins. Work Welcomed Certified Technicians

Daily Star photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Buchanan High School students, from left, Kelsie Devlaminck, Zack Pierce and Jeremiah Briggs are preparing for a life in the medical field by learning in the Professional Health Careers Academy in Niles.

Amtrak picks up the pace

Michael Dodge.

Defense attorney Anthony Miller was speeds are being Lawrence Quigley called raised. able to pawn the DVD maximum player he stole from the it a "serious lapse in Cass County Department judgement."

Prosecutor Victor Fitz of Human Services for $17. He'll be paying hun- said it was a childish dreds of dollars in court crime.

"Anthony Miller needs fees and spending the next 18 months on probation as to grow up fast," Fitz said.

For his part, Miller said a result.

That was the Dowagiac he was going through man's sentence Friday in tough financial times at Cass County Circuit court the time of the incident on an attempted larceny in but now has a job and steady income. a building conviction.

Complete Collision Service X

ing introductory-level classes like medical terminology, CPR and anatomy at Lakeland Hospital in Niles. Students are shadowing doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians and others while they work in their respective fields.

“It is giving you a little taste of what you can do in your career,” said Devlaminck. “If you decide you don’t want to be in something, you can change and see something else.”

Pierce, Devlaminck and Briggs all want to pursue careers in the medical field, a requirement for

Man who pawned stolen DVD player for $17 sentenced to hundreds of dollars in fines, probation

not only highlight all the great new farm toys from outstanding vendors from near and far, but will include a special area for model farm displays.

Prizes will be awarded for outstanding displays in both youth and adult categories.

For toy vendor registration information or to reserve a spot for a farm model display, contact Tim Wallace at (269) 362-4417.

Entry fee is $3 for ages 11 and over.

Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day.

Niles, Michigan, established 1886

Hands-on health care

perception of the whole district,” he said. “My greatest strength is acting quickly on my feet.” Trying to do too much himself and not delegating would be an area to further develop — although

By CRAIG “the board needs toHAUPERT underNiles Daily Star stand that this district has been cutting resources for moreBUCHANAN than 10 years.” — Kelsie Devlaminck justthere a senior at BuchanNot onlyisare more an Highrequirements, School, but the reporting but aspiring nurse has already removed staples Hertsel’s multi-tasking from a setting patient’sout stomach. includes microZack also a senior, has phones for Pierce, board meetings. been in the back of speeding Budget limitations with ambuon the service way toconthe hospital the lance state pushing with a head-trauma patient. solidation make sharing Jeremiah a junior, was a resources, suchBriggs, as a curricua doctor carefully relumwitness expert, to essential, Hertsel from behind saidmoving to an gel audience whicha patient’s retina. included Lewis Cass By the time the three Intermediate School DistrictBuchanan students to college, they feel Supt.

Robertget Colby.

Cassopolis woman jailed for DUI had five times the legal limit of alcohol in her system

Vendors, model toy displays wanted Sinclair promoted its brand with a green dinosaur named Dino. him.

An array of pumps are all restored originals — 49 cents a gallon, reads one; 34, another.

There’s a station wagon dragster from Massachusetts parked in a bay.

There’s that dinging bell hose that alerts an attendant when a vehicle pulls in.

Pecina created a private office in back where his overalls hang next to his leisure suit.

“I get a lot of donations,” he said. “People come by and say, ‘My dad had this sitting in the garage. You might like to have it.’ ” Founded in New York in 1916 and reincorporated in Wyoming in 1976, “There are still Sinclair stations out west.”

February 2, 2012 home Cassopolis,35¢ Michigan

By JOHN EBY Cassopolis Vigilant

A Cassopolis woman, facing her fourth drunken driving offense, was sent to jail Friday.

Jeri Rickey was sentenced in Cass County Circuit Court to 180 days in jail and two years probation. She will received credit for 15 days

The garage is home to a dispatch desk with a 1952 calendar, CB radio, book matches and a service board chalking appointments for service or repairs.

USPS 92880

Hertsel candidate for district job

By AARON MUELLER Cassopolis Vigilant

“Furniture, believe it or not,” he said. “I refinished furniture and collected bicycles. I had a small bicycle shop and repaired them and painted them for kids in the neighborhood. We actually put on bicycle thrill shows with ramps. I went through a burning wall of fire.”

The men’s restroom contains a condom machine, a Boraxo powdered hand soap dispenser and a brand of kitchen cleanser which scrubbed sinks of that era.

The pop machine dispenses 10-cent soft drinks to wash down free ice cream.

A row of trophies caught his eye at a yard sale.

The guy selling them grew up around racing, which is why there is also a photo propped there of A.J. Foyt.

Hardest to get were original doors with glass panes.

Over the years, they had been replaced with “junky aluminum” doors.

“Part of the allure of the old station to me is the glass door so you can see inside.”

In fact, with overgrown vegetation cleared away behind, a mechanic at a tool bench would enjoy a view of ice fishermen spread out across Stone Lake beneath

Niles Daily Star

69045 M 62 Ste C Edwardsburg, MI 49112 269-663-3130

Annual smorgasbord paysStation preservation homage to grandmothers

In brief Argus photo/JOHN EBY

Roger Pecina recreated this long-dormant filling station. With glass overhead doors and windows along the back, it affords a scenic view of Stone Lake — especially for Dino on the roof. station vacant for 30 years — a Roger’s Garage sign “since 1952,” the year he was born, and a personalized can. A yardstick came from Atkinson’s Chevrolet dealership next to the 1899 courthouse.

A radio to listen to baseball, a Life magazine with Dr. Martin Luther King on the cover, a sign promoting S&H green stamps, are all true to the period.

There is a dispatch desk with a 1952 calendar, CB radio, book matches and a service board chalking appointments for service or repairs.

In the summer, a wrecker is stationed “on the point” by a vintage police car and other service vehicles.

“People are in and out of here all day,” he said. “It’s a picture stop,” with a midget racer for children to sit in.

Pecina started collecting at 13, but not baseball cards, though he is a White Sox fan with Comiskey Park

1

Lorie Bowers, Agent Wednesday & Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm 69045 M-62 Saturday by Appointment Edwardsburg, MI Like a Good NeiGhbor State Farm iS there® 49112-9150 Bus: 269-663-7015 StateFarm.com® • State Farm Insurance Companies

Volume 138, No. 5

Jenna Zache, Midwest Energy Cooperative administration and finance support specialist, presents the Midwest Employees Give Back award to Ed Patzer, chairman of the Edwardsburg Sports Complex board of directors. for office and building space used in managing and maintaining the facilities.

MEGB is the charitable giving fund operated, governed and funded by the employees of Midwest Energy Cooperative and Midwest Propane.

1

To schedule your complimentary financial review, call or visit today.

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“Life will slowly get better if we choose to not make it worse. But expect a rough 15 to 30 years.”

— Dr. Matt Cripe

B

Jon M. Badur, CFP®, AAMS® Financial Advisor

Edwardsburg Argus

since 1897

Fourth-graders spell it out

Cripe discusses economics book

ubblequakes and “Aftershocks.”

America’s woes in times of wrenching global flux have festered for 30 years.

Economists see another 30 to tame a $15 trillion debt.

Uncle Sam spends $3.5 trillion annually, with $2 trillion covered by taxes and $1.5 trillion borrowed.

“If we paid half a trillion a year, with no interest, it's going to take 30 years to pay off — and that assumes we don't borrow any more money,” Dowagiac dentist Matthew Cripe warned Rotarians Thursday.

To subtly impress his point at Elks Lodge 889, Cripe relied on an old-fashioned easel, black marker and white art paper rather than a PowerPoint presentation for a program titled “Interesting Times.”

Quoting the book “Aftershock” by economists David and Robert Wiedemer and Cindy Spitzer, Cripe defined bubbles as asset values subjected to temporary booms due to changing investment psychology rather than fundamental economic drivers.

"We really have no other option than to confront our fundamental problems and to make significant changes to government and society,” the authors write.

Cripe said he could not recall a time with more “massive groups of concerned, frustrated citizens motivated to demonstrate with a sense of urgency” across the political spectrum, from the Tea Party on the right to Occupy on the left.

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The

THURSDAY SPECIAL

1

Friday Feb. 10, 2012

Facing declining membership, the Larue Messenger American Legion Post 26 in Niles may be selling its building.

The post is holding a special meeting Tuesday to discuss an offer made by a party interested in purchasing the property at 1707 Miller Drive.

John Sly, vice commander for the post, said the post’s officers have been considering selling the property for a while.

The post closed the bar

three years ago, so it is now used just for meetings and bingo events.

Membership has dropped drastically as of late, according Sly. He said there are currently about 100 members but only a handful will show up at the post’s monthly meetings. Just as recently as last May, the post had more than 500 legionnaires.

“A lot of it is that the younger ones, the vets nowadays, don’t join organizations like this anymore,” he said.

“And the older generation is getting to where

they just don’t go out much anymore.”

Sly, 50, said he isn’t sure why veterans coming home from Iraq aren’t joining the Legion or how to draw them to the post.

“If I knew, I would be doing it,” he said.

“I’ve been pushing it on Facebook, asking questions how others are doing it.”

Declining Legion membership and posts closing are a national trend with so many World War II veterans passing away.

Still, Sly is hopeful the Niles post will be able to survive as younger veterans figure out the benefits of Legion membership.

“American Legions are

here to help the veterans.

For instance, we’ve got a service rep if they have medical problems,” he said.

The comradery is also important for veterans, Sly said.

“If you have a problem, someone else in the post will be able to help you work things out,” he said.

“We also tell war stories.”

Sly said he is hoping to get as many members as possible to the meeting next week. “ We n e e d a p p r o v a l from the legionnaires,” he said.

“We can’t sit there as officers and just say we are going to sell it. We need their input also.”

As of Wednesday, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz has not decided whether to file criminal charges in the Eagle Lake Yacht Club drinking party where Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg Police reported charging 30 minors with possession of alcohol.

Chief Kenneth Wray said officers were sent to investigate a parking problem in the area of Eagle Lake Marina.

Police found the parking problem resulted from a large gathering at the yacht club, with 50 to 60 minors gaining unlawful entry and covering windows so lights were not visible from outside. No adults were present.

“We need more followup,” Fitz said. “Investigation is continuing.”

The prosecutor said police apparently resolved many of the rounded-up revelers by writing tickets. His office

See PARTY, Page 2

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HORIZONS: EDUCATION

PAGE 26

Dowagiac seniors Jacoya Brookins Jacoya Brookins plans on attending Western Michigan University after graduating from Dowagiac High School in the spring.

She wants to study occupational therapy.

“Working with the elderly, like when they have a stroke, would be very rewarding,” Brookins said.

“It could be anybody, like someone in a car accident. You help them get back on their feet and into normal everyday activities.”

Brookins enjoyed attending a medical camp at Michigan State University over the summer. She really wanted to go to Michigan State University, but could not afford it.

“

She wants to be certified in phlebotomy in order to work as a phlebotomist while at college.

She has taken numerous college courses while in high school and will graduate with about 23 college credits. She learned she did not want to pursue a career as a physical therapist after taking an Allied Health class at the Van Buren Technology Center last year.

Brookins has been in the Dowagiac school system her whole life.

Dowagiac is like a community so if you need anything you just have to ask and people are willing to help,” she said. “I am very happy with the education here.

Working with the elderly ... would be very rewarding.

Paloma Medina

Brookins

Paloma Medina plans on attending college after graduating from Dowagiac High School in the spring.

She wants to transfer to Western Michigan University after going to Southwestern Michigan College for one year.

“I want to study in the health field and become a physical therapist,” Medina said.

Cost was a factor in her choice of a college. “ I would love to just go straight to Western, but I can’t really afford it so I have to go to SMC and get a part time job and save up money,” Medina said. “I have some money saved up now and I

“

I believe I have what it takes to go into college and be successful.

” Discover Success Medina

hope through scholarships I can go to SMC for a lot less than paying full price. Then I’ll save up even more that year so I can go to Western.”

Medina speaks Spanish in addition to English. She volunteers as an English teacher with her church.

Medina will graduate with around 20 college credits.

“I like how Dowagiac offers college credit so you don’t have to jump right into it after graduating,” Medina said.

“You get a taste of it while you are in high school still.

So that is really helpful. I believe I have what it takes to go into college and be successful.”

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HORIZONS: EDUCATION

PAGE 27

Edwardsburg seniors Kyle Slack

T.J. Bond T.J. Bond plans on attending Western Michigan University after graduating from Edwardsburg High School in the spring.

He wants to pursue a double major in composition and music education in order to become a music teacher or composer.

“Hopefully, with music education I can go all the way to doctorate,” Bond said. “I would like to become a college professor of music.”

Cost didn’t play a significant factor in Bond’s decision to choose a college. He said the majority of his education would be paid for with scholarships.

“If music doesn’t work out

“

for me, chemistry is where I will be going,” Bond said.

Bond thought about going to Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind., but after doing more research decided Western Michigan was a better fit.

“Bethel isn’t as focused as Western is as far as the music and arts programs,” he said.

Bond will graduate with several college credits and has been in the Edwardsburg school system since third grade.

“Edwardsburg has done a good job of preparing me for real-life situations,” he said.

“They’ve done a really good job recently of helping supplement the arts programs that I enjoy.”

If music doesn’t work out for me, chemistry is where I will be going.

”

Bond

Slack

Apply online at: www.hcc-nd.edu

Kyle Slack plans on attending the University of Toledo (Ohio) after graduating from Edwardsburg High School in the spring.

Slack wants to major in premedicine and become a doctor.

He will pitch on the school’s baseball team next year.

“I am really looking forward to going to college,” he said.

Slack narrowed his college search down to Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and the University of Toledo.

Cost played a role in the de-

“

cision.

“The chance to play early in baseball was also a big factor,” said Slack, who wants to get a summer job in addition to taking college courses during the summer. He plans to finish college early.

He has been in the Edwardsburg school system his entire life.

“I think they’ve done a great job,” he said. “They have so many things you can choose from, opportunities, different groups you can be a part of and everybody is willing to work with everybody else.”

I am really looking forward to going to college.

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HORIZONS: EDUCATION

PAGE 28

Edwardsburg seniors

Niles seniors

Taylor Kanaby Taylor Kanaby plans on going to college after graduating from Edwardsburg High School this spring.

She is deciding between Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids and Spring Arbor University near Jackson.

“Cost is going to be the deciding factor, which will give me the most financial aid or scholarships,” Kanaby said.

“I’ve been applying like crazy right now for scholarships. I did consider Hope and Calvin, but they were too expensive and didn’t fit my needs.”

Kanaby wants to pursue an education degree and teach math at the middle school or high school level.

She will look for an on-

“

Stephanie Vernier

campus job in order to pay for daily expenses.

She has been in Edwardsburg schools since kindergarten.

“I really like the opportunities they give to go to SMC and the Berrien County Math and Science Center,” Kanaby said. “They allow us to branch out and experience higher-level education and that really helps prepare students for college. I know Andrews University, where the Math and Science Center is, has really opened my eyes to what a college setting would be like since it is on campus and we are doing college-paced courses.”

I’ve been applying like crazy right now for scholarships.

”

residence Life At

iU soUth Bend

Kanaby

Vernier

Stephanie Vernier will attend college after graduating from Niles High School in the spring.

She has been accepted to the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

“I like Lexington a lot and it is the perfect distance away from home,” Vernier said. “I think I will study nursing, but I am not set on it. I never wanted to go to college with my high school friends. I always wanted to go somewhere different.”

Cost played a role in her decision on where to go to college.

“I really wanted to go to Alabama, but that would have

“

been really expensive,” she said. “I figured Kentucky was a nice compromise with my parents.”

Vernier said her parents will pay for a couple years of college, and she’ll pick up the rest. She plans to join a sorority and get a part-time job while at college.

She will graduate with a couple college credits and has been in the Niles school system her whole life.

“College should be interesting,” Vernier said. “I think here in Niles we’ve been sheltered compared to how college will be, but I believe I am ready. I am excited to go, but nervous to leave my parents.”

I think here in Niles we’ve been sheltered compared to how college will be.

”

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HORIZONS: EDUCATION

Beyond college

business, doing various minor construction jobs.

“Ultimately, I’d like to run my own construction company,” Roy said.

Roy will graduate with about $12,000 worth of student loans to pay back. He is happy about his decision to attend Southwestern Michigan College.

“Our program has developed nicely here,” Roy said. “I’ve learned a lot in two years and feel like I am prepared to go out and find a job.”

Elissa Gray will graduate from

By CRAIG HAUPERT Leader Publications

W

ith the economy lagging and jobs still scarce, 2012 is not the best time for students in southwest Michigan to graduate from college.

Leader Publications interviewed eight students from area colleges to find out what they will do after college and how confident they are about finding a job. Many students are opting to further their education in hopes of a better job, while others are going straight into the marketplace.

Jacob Roy Jacob Roy will graduate from Southwestern Michigan College this May with an associate’s degree in construction trades and green technology.

Roy, 20, is undecided on what he wants to do after college although he has several options.

He might look for a job in construction or get a job with his brother, who works for a framing company in Stevensville. Roy won’t rule out going back to school to further his education.

“If I can’t get a good job, I might go back and get a bachelor’s degree in order to

PAGE 29

Ellissa Gray

Roy make myself more marketable,” said Roy, who is confident he can find a job because he says he has a great work ethic.

“I have a serious drive for perfection and always do the best I can at whatever I do,” he said.

Roy also has his own small

Lake Michigan College in May with an associate’s degree in applied science nursing.

Gray hopes to find a job in a local hospital.

“I don’t have any particular one I want to work at, but I want to work somewhere nearby,” Gray said.

Gray, who is in her fifth year at Lake Michigan College, hasn’t started looking for a job yet as she is focusing on her school work.

She said she knows some other students who are already looking

for a job and others that have found one already.

That helps her maintain a positive outlook.

“I’d give myself about an 80 to 90 percent chance of finding a job because of the fact that I’m in nursing,” Gray said.

“There seem to be more nursing jobs in our area, but not as many jobs in other fields.

Nursing is so versatile and viable right now.”

Gray will graduate with about $12,000 in student loans to pay back.

“I consider that a small price

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

Niles seniors Ava McKeel Ava McKeel plans on attending college after graduating from Niles High School in the spring.

She hopes to be accepted to Michigan State University, but her second choice is Grand Valley State University.

“I want to be a nurse, but I am not 100 percent on that decision,” McKeel said.

Cost was a big factor in her decision to choose a college.

“I have an older sister in college and I am not trying to put my parents in real debt,” McKeel said. “I wanted to try and stay in state to keep it somewhat reasonable. I was planning on going to Purdue University with my boyfriend I’ve had since sixth grade, but out-of-state tuition is so much more than in state, so I steered away from it.”

She wants to join a sorority while in college and get a job during summer break.

She has always been in the Niles school system.

“I think college will be a big wakeup call for how the real world is,” McKeel said.

“No matter how hard you think high school is, it is probably harder in college. I am scared. Even though I feel like I am prepared, I also feel like I could really struggle just because it is going to be hard.”

McKeel

“

Gray

I think college will be a big wakeup call for how the real world is.

See answers, page 114.

HORIZONS: EDUCATION to pay for getting trained for a future career,” she said.

Gray regrets waiting two years after high school to go to college.

“Other than that I am extremely happy with my decision to go to college at LMC,” she said. “I’d scream it from the hilltops.”

Grace LuEllen Ashenfelter Grace LuEllen Ashenfelter will graduate from Southwestern Michigan College this year with an associate’s degree in the arts and a focus on music education.

Ashenfelter, 21, plans on transferring to a four-year university to continue her education. She is looking at going to Butler University in Indianapolis, Goshen College and Central Michigan University.

Ashenfelter’s tuition bill for this semester was around $5,200. She is the recipient of a Pell Grant, but said it doesn’t amount to much. The rest of the cost of her tuition is covered by a student loan and a scholarship.

“I have not found a job,” Ashenfelter said. “At this point, I am OK with that because I would like to further my education.”

Ashenfelter was born in Kalamazoo, but moved to Three Rivers at age 5. She graduated form Three Rivers High School in 2009.

Ashenfelter should graduate from college in May. “I would not want to do these past two years over again,” she said. “It took me a while to figure out that I wanted to be in music education. I honestly still doubt myself sometimes because it is such a

Ashenfelter

tough field. I look forward to furthering my education from here, but looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Samantha Gerard Samantha Gerard will graduate from Lake Michigan College in May with an associate’s degree in the arts.

Gerard’s situation is unique because she is currently a senior at Buchanan High School.

She is scheduled to graduate from college before she graduates high school in May. Gerard plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pre-chiropractic at Missouri State University after college. From there she wants to attend Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa to get her doctorate.

“I am going to become a doctor and open up my own chiropractic practice,” Gerard said. “That’s where I see myself in 10 years. I’ve known that’s what I wanted to do since I started going to a chiropractor three years ago.”

Gerard has been a full-time student at Lake Michigan College since her junior year in high school.

She said the high school paid for most of her classes a Lake Michigan College, but she had to pay for some summer classes.

“My associate’s will be all paid off so I won’t have any debt from that, but after I finish my doctorate, I will have debt that I hope to work off,” she said.

Gerard said she has enjoyed her experience at Lake Michigan College.

“It was a good growing experience for me to get into a college environment before

Crothers

Gerard

going off to Missouri,” Gerard said. “I should be prepared for it.”

John Crothers John Crothers will graduate from Southwestern Michigan College with an associate’s degree in applied science and

“

It isn’t the best time to be trying to drum up some work, but there are people out there that need things done.

”

— John Crothers

Connors

PAGE 30 an associate’s in graphic design.

Crothers, 42, plans to oen a graphic design/photography studio upon graduating.

He said he believes he has a good chance of finding work after college.

“I do have a couple weddings lined up for the summer, taking photos, and I’ve done quite a bit of freelance graphic design work while I was in school,” he said. “I am just building up that base right now.

“It isn’t the best time to be trying to drum up some work, but there are people out there that need things done.”

Crothers will not graduate with any debt thanks to a combination of grants, scholarships and other sources.

“It’s really nice,” he said.

Crothers said his only regret was spending two years in the college’s nursing program only to realize it wasn’t for him.

“I just didn’t feel it, and I figured, at my age, I might as well do something I enjoy doing,” Crothers.

“It will probably be the last thing I do in my working career.”

Josh Deubner Josh Deubner will graduate from Southwestern Michigan College with a trio of associate’s degrees this May. He’ll have his associate’s in art, applied science fire science and applied science paramedic.

Deubner, 22, plans to find a full-time job as a firefighter after graduating. If he can’t find one, he will look for a paramedic job. He doesn’t have a job lined up yet.

“I am fairly confident at

Deubner

least in finding a paramedic job, but firefighting jobs are harder to come by,” he said.

“I’m confident I will be able to find something.”

If Deubner goes the paramedic route and likes it, he might go back to school to become registered as a nurse.

He’s spent five years at Southwestern Michigan College.

“When I first got to college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I took a lot of general classes,” he said.

“Then I learned about applied science fire science and paramedic and others like that.

I probably could’ve finished in three years if I was more decisive.”

Deubner will have no debt when he leaves college. He worked for his dad’s masonry company while in college.

“I can say that I’ve had a very positive experience here,” Deubner said.

“They’ve always been there for me and answered all my questions. They have a nice facility, especially for the paramedic program. They have an ambulance there and you can work inside the ambulance during class.”

Ashley Connors Ashley Connors will graduate from Lake Michigan College this year with an associate’s degree in the arts.

Connors, of Niles, plans to transfer to Western Michigan University to finish a degree in political science.

“I am still waiting to see if I get in,” Connors said.

When she is finished with her degree, Connors said she hopes to find a job as a teacher or work in international relations. She doesn’t think finding a job in this area will be easy.

“This isn’t exactly an international hub, and it is hard to find a teaching job anywhere,” Connors said. “It would be nice to find something nearby, but it is all going to depend on the economy.”

Connors will graduate with a “couple thousand dollars” of student loans to repay. She won’t have to start paying them back until six months after receiving her bachelor’s degree as long as she stays in school.

“I wouldn’t change anything about my time at LMC. I love it here,” Connors said. “The staff is very helpful.”

HORIZONS: EDUCATION Kassandra Leitz

Leitz

Kassandra Leitz graduated from Southwestern Michigan College in December with an associate’s degree in nursing.

Leitz, 21, has been interviewing for nursing jobs at

area hospitals, including Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. She is confident about getting a job and said she might have one by the time this article comes out.

“There are quite a few positions open for nurs-

ing,” Leitz said. “If I can’t find one around here, I would be willing to try outside the state, but, for now, I am looking in Michigan.”

Leitz said if she were to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing it would allow

PAGE 31 school so I would’ve gotten done with college faster,” she said.

Leitz took out one student loan for $2,000. She said it would be paid back if she finds a job in the nursing field within one year of graduating.

her to get paid more and enable her to pursue a position as manager.

She said she wouldn’t change anything during her 3.5 years at Southwestern Michigan College.

“If anything, I would’ve taken more courses in high

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HORIZONS

PAGE 33

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE Page 33

Page 37

Horse sense: Therapeutic animals

Steve’s Run: Volunteers keep the pace

Page 36

Page 45

Nonprofit leadership:

Rob Herbstreith: Super trooper

n Bobbie Jo Hartline n Carol LIne n Kathryn Rossow n James Ward

Page 50 Donna Ochenryder: Woman of history

Page 53

Underground Railroad Society of Cass County:

n Mike Moroz n Cathy LaPointe n Rick Williams n Beverly Young

Page 57 Roaming the hallways

n Deb Sokoloskis n Susanne Hunsberger n Ray Klomes

Southwest Michigan offers a range of volunteer opportunities from digging up history to promoting the arts to lending a hand to those in need

Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Jackson Riedel pets one of the horses during TEC’s We Can Ride program at Stockbridge Equestrian Center in Watervliet.

Therapy on four legs Horses find a path to giving others new confidence ... page 35

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HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

PAGE 35

Volunteer Beth Drollinger helps special needs student Nautica Allen during TEC’s We Can Ride program at Stockbridge Equestrian Center in Watervliet.

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

Leader photos/CRAIG HAUPERT

“

”

The bulk of the work is done by people who want to come out and help touch people’s lives.

— Autumn Zick, speech pathologist

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

Missy isn’t your typical child ther-

apist.

She doesn’t speak English. In fact, she doesn’t speak at all. She walks on all fours, swings a tail and weighs about 1,400 pounds.

That hasn’t stopped the 23-year-old Belgian mare from positively affecting the lives of several hundred special needs children since 2007.

Missy is one of six horses used by the Therapeutic Equestrian Center at the Stockbridge Equestrian Center in Watervliet.

Autumn Zick, who teaches speech pathology at Blossomland Learning Center, said she believes horses such as Missy can have profound impact on the lives of not just children, but anyone.

“Being able to get out and ride and just to focus on the experience of riding makes you forget about what is going on at the office,” said Zick, who has been riding since she was a child.

“Some people jog or run

or ride a bike — it’s the same sort of thing. But a horse can interact with you in a way a bike can’t. They can read your emotions much like a dog or a cat. They can see if you are in a good mood as soon as you walk in the door.”

Zick is one of the founding members of the Therapeutic Equestrian Center, a non-profit service organization providing therapeutic horse-related activities to people with special needs.

The organization depends on its many volunteers, without whom there would be no TEC. “It is a pretty labor-intensive program, so we

need a lot of people to make it work,” Zick said.

“We have a few paid staff, but the bulk of the work is done by people who want to come out and help touch people’s lives.”

In addition to riding the horses, students who visit the equestrian center learn how to clean the stalls, brush and take care of the horses.

These actions have been linked to improvements in behavior, motor skills and confidence in riders.

Sarah Johansen has seen the improvements in her own two children, Keiran, 6, and Braeden, 4. Keiran is autistic and Braeden is speech delayed.

Sarah said Keiran has gained strength in his hands by holding onto the horse’s reigns. That has translated to improved handwriting as Keiran has had trouble holding onto a pencil.

“It is also helping him articulate directions better and to gain more confidence because he is taking charge of the

Trever Stauffer lets out his inner cowboy during a riding session at TEC’s We Can Ride event at Stockbridge Equestrian Center in Watervliet. horse,” Sarah said.

Braeden’s confidence is also improving. Both kids look forward to going to work with the horses.

“Keiran is a little detached, but he realizes what he is doing and he likes it,” Sarah said.

“Braeden talks about it all week long. People ask them and they know the horses and they know the names and they ride them. They are very into being there and taking part in it.”

Watching children such as Braeden and Keiran have fun and

grow with the program is one reason why TEC volunteers do what they do.

“Working with TEC, I realized how blessed I am to have an able mind and able body,” said volunteer Kaitlyn Grapis, “and God gave that to me for a purpose — to bring glory to his name.

One of my outlets for that is by volunteering.”

For more information about the TEC, visit the organization’s website at tecfarm.org.

It can also be reached by phone at (269) 4290671.

See answers, page 114

HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

PAGE 36

Profiled

Leader Publications asked local heads of nonprofits what it’s like to work for such organizations. They explained some of the biggest challenges and rewards and told us some success stories as well.

Name: Bobbie Jo Hartline City of residence: Dowagiac Nonprofit organization: Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Location of nonprofit: Dowagi-

ac, 207 Commercial St.

Job title: Festival secretary

15 Years of Beautiful Smiles for Children in Need.

How long employed/volunteered with nonprofit: A volunteer

since 1995, 17 years; employed since 2001, 11 years

Job description: As the only employee of the festival, I have the opportunity to help all the committees and board directors. I get to meet and serve our patrons: answer their questions, coordinate volunteer opportunities and fulfill event ticket sales. I act as a secretary to the board members and event chair people and maintain the festival headquarters.

Biggest rewards of this job: It is exciting to provide fine art and music experiences to my community and surrounding area. However, the biggest reward to my job is something very few people get to see. It is the behindthe-scenes “ah-ha” moments. A student meets an artist or musician that he connects with or admires, and I get to see the inspiration and self-confidence grow in a young person. I get to talk to patrons as they order tickets or arrive at an event. They usually share their stories of why or how they found our event. And I get to prepare them for the wonderful time they are about to have and the wonderful people in our town they will meet.

Biggest challenges of this job:

There are so many forms of art. The festival includes dance, music, theater, literature, storytelling, visual arts and culinary arts. Do you pursue jazz, country, folk, classical or drama, fiction or biographies — it is hard to choose. Some years, it is what’s popular. Some years, it is something we have never done before, and the costs vary tremendously.

Hartline If $1 million were donated to your nonprofit, how would that make a difference? Longevity and

Dr. Richard Beckermeyer, DDS, P.C.

continued education. As much fun as all of us have preparing and participating in the festival and events, it is the next generation that we build it for.

We invest today, anticipating the fruit that that will be harvested down the road. Building a strong foundation for the organization and its programs, grooming volunteers and leaders, providing educational experiences to area youth — all of these things contribute to the growth of each of us and our children, resulting in a stronger more involved community.

has exhibited his passion for giving children healthy smiles on his many missions to dental clinics all over the world.

Here in our community, Dr. Beckermeyer annually participates in the ADA Foundation’s National “GIVE KIDS A SMILE!” program.

What inspires you? That is an easy question ­— the people I work with and for. Our volunteers, chairs and board are imaginative and energetic. Our patrons come from all over the country, arrive with such anticipation and love to share their own stories with us. The students I meet do not remember a time when they have not been exposed to great art and artists.

The synergy produced makes for a great place to work and inspires me every day.

Each year, on the first Friday in February FREE dental cleanings for children 18 and under are offered as a service to the community.

Tell us a success story: Success can be measured so many ways. I have had the opportunity to see so many success stories: students pursuing a Richard L Beckermeyer, D.D.S., PC dream of music or writing and, years www.drbeckermeyer.com See HARTLINE, page 38

269.683.6461 123 Marmont Street, Niles

thy WHERE YOU CAN FIND YOUR “PATHWAY TO Heal SMILES!”

HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

PAGE 37

Leader file photo

Steve’s Run draws more than 1,000 participants to Dowagiac annually.

Running strong

Steve’s Run develops a following that returns year after year

By SCOTT NOVAK scott.novak @leaderpub.com For the past 37 years, runners from around the state of Michigan, the Midwest and the United States have been coming to Dowagiac to spend a Saturday morning running.

Originally called the Road ’n Trail Race, Steve’s Run has been named one of Michigan’s top races.

It annually draws more than 1,000 runners, many of which have been competing in the annual event for years.

In some cases, generations of runners flock to Dowagiac each July for a chance to run the traditional cross countrystyle course that combines roadways, a golf course, trails and even a cemetery.

Part of what brings runners back year after year is the attention to

detail Ron Gunn, the race’s director, and his army of volunteers pay to the event: everything from the music to the aid stations to the unique design of the T-shirts and handcrafted awards. No detail is left unattended.

Earl Weaver of Niles is one of those volunteers who has spent a great deal of time making sure runners enjoy the experience of Steve’s Run. He and his wife joined the Monday Night Running Club. Besides their own events, members of the club were instrumental in the development of Steve’s Run. Weaver became a member in 1980, when it was still the Road ’n Trail Race. He participated in races until 1985, then he turned his attention to volunteering for the event.

“We used to have a kind of a saying or thought that you should

run one race and work one race,” said Weaver, who turned 93 in June, had been timing races as part of the Monday Night Running Club and working with Gunn in that capacity. Being nearly a generation older than most of the members of the Monday Night Running Club didn’t really make a difference, although he admits he had trouble keeping up with those guys some of the time.

He calls the annual event “the best thing my wife and I ever got into for health-wise.”

Eventually, he was put in charge of the four aid stations, strategically placed throughout the event.

“We would load up one of the vans with all the tables, equipment that we needed,” Weaver said. “Then I would get up there about 6 or 6:30 a.m. to distribute the stuff so that we didn’t have it laying around overnight.

“We had a lot of help.

I would have at least 40

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK

Earl Weaver of Niles looks over the Steve’s Run checklist. Weaver is a former participant in the annual road and trail race. He has also been in charge of the aid stations for many years.

“

You have runners

come up from Notre Dame, and they are running times.

And there are people push-

”

ing a stroller with kids or grandkids in it.

— Earl Weaver, volunteer

people working the stations. We had club members working, and we had volunteers from the hospital. They (BorgessLee Memorial) would do a lot down at the park, but they also worked the aid station out on Mathews Road. I would leave them tables, but they had their own supplies.”

Weaver said, by having competed in the race, he had a good idea of what runners needed.

“It was a lot of work,” he said. “Especially in the cemetery, which was the first aid station, because they are grabbing water and sponges and then dropping them, and we have people who would have to clean them up because we didn’t want to leave a mess in there.”

Like many of the former participants, Weaver marvels at how loyal people are to Steve’s Run. Year after year, runners return to Dowagiac, many of them eventually bringing their spouses and children to take part.

“A lot of people I only see once a year, and that’s at the race,” he said. “I think actually Ron Gunn has touched more lives in this area than anyone I can think of.”

Another of the interesting things about Steve’s Run is the fact the race has both a competitive side and a family component.

“You have runners come up from Notre Dame, and they are running for times,” Weaver said. “And there are people pushing a stroller with their kids or grandkids in it. I think it’s a great asset to Dowagiac and the college.”

With the switch from the Road ‘n Trail Race to Steve’s Run to honor the late Steven Briegel, who died in 1990 after a courageous battle with cancer, the event has only grown in stature.

“You can go anyplace there are runners, and they know about Steve’s Run,” Weaver said.

HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

HARTLINE

Job description: As executive director, my responsibilities at Fernwood entail directing the development and operation of Fernwood’s facilities, grounds, collections and programs, in keeping with the institution’s mission and policies.

Of course, this happens by working closely with Fernwood’s board of directors, staff, committees and volunteers.

Line

Each morning, I get to drive to a botanical garden to work with and meet amazing people who care about the environment and recognize the value of public gardens. I feel I have the best possible job that anyone could imagine, and for almost 30 years, I have worked in the field I love. I cannot imagine doing anything other.

People come to Fernwood with an expectation of beauty and culture — to be enriched by nature and to have a pleasant experience. I get to work with

Time is M

We’ll

Name: Carol Line City of residence: Buchanan Nonprofit organization: Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve Location of nonprofit: 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, near Buchanan along the St. Joseph River

Job title: Executive Director How long employed/volunteered with nonprofit: More than

Follow our Progress!

We’re putting the finishing touches on our new location at 227 S. Front St., in Dowagiac.

Watch for updates on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/CassCOA Look for our Grand Opening this spring!

269-445-8110 www.casscoa.org

Cass County

Council on Aging Horizons quarter page.indd 4

Biggest rewards of this job:

four years

Continued from page 36

later, holding a copy of their first CD or novel or having former students or patrons come to the office requesting to volunteer.

One of my favorite memories was sitting in a workshop consisting of underserved students from all over Cass County. The workshop was being led by one of our musicians performing that night. One of our students was a young man, small in size compared to his peers and very quiet in class. He had a childhood spinal disease and moved a bit slower than the rest of the group. Even though he was not always the first active participant in some of the class activities, he was intently listening.

That night during the concert, his group of students was recognized by the performer and invited on stage to enjoy the music and dance. I think he moved so fast, he was the first one on stage. As the music built, I saw him leap and pirouette in midair with the biggest smile I had ever seen. I felt like a proud parent whose child took his first steps, or learned to tie a shoe or was heading off to college. Whatever limitations that young man, or society, had perceived for him were shattered.

PAGE 38

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Biggest challenges of this job: A constant concern for me is finding necessary financial resources to keep the organization moving in a forward, pos-

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PAGE 39

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of the Following Questions?

1) Do you have difficulty understanding speech of your communication partners?

2) Do you ask others to repeat?

3) Do you need to turn up the volume on the television to hear?

4) Do you have difficulty hearing on the telephone?

5) Do you avoid social situations you used to enjoy?

6) Do you have ringing in your ears (tinnitus)?

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8) Have you been exposed to loud noises at work or during recreational activities?

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Southwest Michigan’s Retinal Specialist, Dr. Wes Heroman, wants you to know: Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older adults. Symptoms include blurred, wavy or distorted vision and a blind spot in the center of vision.

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America facing 'interesting times'

• Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois

since 1897

By JOHN EBY Dowagiac Daily News

‘We borrowed from ourselves’ A bubble economy grows only to inevitably fall.

“Private debt is higher than it's ever been,” he said, “but recently surpassed by college debt. Being told they have to go two weeks without a paycheck would devastate most families. Aftershock is when bubbles pop so fast the economy crashes. In the 1930s, in the Depression, nobody had a lot. They made do with what they had and saved. We had no choice but to get into World War II. Government spending went through the roof, but we borrowed from ourselves with war bonds.

"From 1950 to 1980 were pretty good times, but we've spiked.

There's going to be a period, according to the authors, where things crash. The whole psychology of our society is going to change from borrow and spend to saving.”

What happened in ’80s?

Cripe said baby boomers (1946-

Cripe 1964 births) came of age and Ronald Reagan became president.

"They are an extremely significant generation by sheer numbers,” he said. “They had the civil rights movement and felt they could change the world. But 10 years later, those born in 1955 are 25 years old and done partying. They want a second home and to take nice vacations. They start borrowing. Reagan comes in off the Carter years of high inflation. He did lower taxes, but he didn't cut government spending, he increased it. Reagan’s was the first administration to advocate deficit spending. We learned we could live on borrowed money and the world didn't fall apart. A scary thought.”

Civil War lesson Cripe is reminded of the “greatest turmoil our country has gone through” in the 1860s Civil War. “They could have said, ‘Let's get together, sit down and work this out,’ or they could have a fouryear war with one in 10 Americans killed, lots of property destroyed and terrible feelings between North and South. Then, they sat down at a table and moved forward. That's human nature.

“To get through financial crisis, all of us have to have the idea of living within our means, lower expectations, work when we're able, take care of our health and help others when we can. Or, we as a society can choose war, anarchy, clinical depression, alcoholism and drug abuse. Then, we're still going to come back to the (unresolved problems). Psychological change is not going to be easy, but it's (preferable) to the worst-case scenario.

“At the same time government is going to have to increase taxes and decrease services to pay off the national debt, organizations like Rotary, churches and United Way on a local scale need to replace government programs to help those in need. Life will slowly get better if we choose to not make it worse. But expect a rough 15 to 30 years.

"When I watch shows like ‘Doomsday Preppers’ (on National Geographic Channel), what a shame. They're getting ammo and practicing escape routes. Instead of talking about ‘The Biggest Loser’ or ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ how about discussing this?

"Open our minds, open our hearts and hold hands like crossing the street in kindergarten.”

JIM D’s BODY SHOP

Daily News photo/JOHN EBY

From left: Stacia Gallegos, Patrick Hamilton; Levi Penning, Kincheloe; Joshua Ralston, Patrick Hamilton; Makenna Staley, Kincheloe; Nathan Hammond, Patrick Hamilton; and alternate Sidney Lencki. Stacia and Sidney spelled off for the fifth spot.

By JOHN EBY Dowagiac Daily News Fourth-graders competed Thursday morning at Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center for five spots on the team going to the 29th annual Cass County Spelling Bee

Feb. 27 at Southwestern Michigan College.

With Supt. Mark Daniel pronouncing words and principals Heather Nash of Patrick Hamilton, Gretchen Hart of Sister Lakes and Dawn Conner of Kincheloe judging, spellers went at it through 10 rounds — four from the white list, four from the blue list and the fi-

nal two after a break from the toughest red list.

While Sister Lakes and Justus Gage wore black T-shirts and Kincheloe came clad in yellow, Patrick Hamilton sported pink, which Nash said students selected.

Glenn wins Cass County Tea Party vote CASSOPOLIS — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Gary Glenn of Midland Tuesday night won the support of the delegates a Cass County TEA Party group will send to a statewide convention of 55 such groups later this month where they will endorse and unite behind one candidate in the GOP Senate primary.

Glenn, who visited Dowagiac in October, won the support of the Cass County 912 Tea Party, who will send their delegates to vote for Glenn at the Michigan 4 Conservative Senate statewide TEA Party convention on Feb. 25.

In an e-mail to the U.S. Senate candidates, Cass County 912 TEA Party leader Scott Davis reported results of the vote: Glenn 68 percent, Clark Durant 22 percent and former nine-term Congressman Pete Hoekstra 9 percent.

In an interview at Zeke's Glenn,

Gary Glenn 53, said he supports state and national Right to Work laws as central to his campaign. The former

Idaho county commissioner from Hickory, N.C., has lived in Michigan since 1998 and served 12 years

as president of the non-profit American Family Association of Michigan and co-authored the Marriage Protection Amendment state voters passed in 2004.

"There are thousands of TEA Party patriots across Michigan who deeply love America and are committed to the hard work that's required to bring our country back from the brink of socialism," Glenn said. "I will be both humbled and proud to fight alongside them to defeat one of the most liberal U.S. senators in the country (Debbie Stabenow) and help preserve a free country to pass on to our children."

Last week, Glenn won the support of the Kalamazoo-based VanKal TEA Party Patriots, who will send their delegates to vote for Glenn at the MI4CS convention.

In December, Glenn was endorsed by Fox News host and former Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Pokagon Twp. supervisor elected to treasurer office Pokagon Township Supervisor Linda Preston was elected treasurer of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) at the Association’s 59th Annual Educational Conference & Expo Jan. 25-27 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.

Preston was appointed supervisor of Pokagon

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Township in 2004, and was elected to the MTA Board in 2005. Prior to her position as supervisor, Preston served as the township’s clerk from 1984 to 2004.

She also represents township officials in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties as MTA District 22 director on the MTA Board.

In addition to her involvement in township government, Preston has been involved with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, Michigan Association of Regions, 4-H, Michigan State University-Extension Steering Committee, Cass County Rental Association and Silver Creek United Methodist Church.

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Horizons 2012

New Magazine Format. Look for your edition February 23rd.

Midwest Energy employee family supports regional sports complex

The employees of Midwest Energy Cooperative and Midwest Propane provided a $500 donation this week to the Edwardsburg Sports Complex (ESC) through the Midwest Employees Give Back (MEGB) fund. The request for support was made by Jenna Zache, administration and finance support specialist.

ESC was created to provide safe and wellkept facilities for community sports in Edwardsburg and the Midwest region. It will allow for the growth of other athletic opportunities and new sports leagues, and promote health, fitness and well being for adults and children alike.

Plans ultimately include at least six baseball/softball fields, eight soccer fields and two football fields. There will also be concession stands, fitness trails and playgrounds.

The $500 MEGB donation will specifically support insulation and weatherization efforts

February 2, 2012 USPS 169080

More than $16,000 was pledged by the collective employee family in the first year of the program. Employees determined that twothirds of the collected money would be split between Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan and the American Cancer

Society Relay for Life, and the remaining onethird of the funds would be reserved for distribution to local organizations and individual efforts as requested by members of the employee family and approved by the Employee Involvement Committee.

Dentist restores piece of Americana

By JOHN EBY Edwardsburg Argus CASSOPOLIS —Dr. Roger Pecina nails details in recreating a Sinclair gas station where there never was one on the bluff overlooking Stone Lake.

His pursuit of authenticity has consumed three years.

Pecina remembers old-fashioned service stations of the 1950s and ’60s already lost to Americana.

“I loved gas stations growing up” in Michigan City, Ind., “and I spent so much time there. It was a big part of my life, mowing the grass for a buck and a half, pumping gas, washing windshields, doing oil changes and busting your knuckles on the tire machine. I always thought it would be cool to have my own gas station.

“There are two, three generations now who have no idea what a gas station is. It’s gone.

Now, it’s a convenience store.

"I’ve got kids in their 20s and 30s, and they’ve got no clue things like this ever were. By restoring it and letting people see it, not only does it nurture memories of people my age, but it allows other generations to see a piece of history, like any other museum.”

Sinclair, with its trademark green dinosaur Dino on all kinds of products, from road maps and calendars to paint and inspect spray, is particularly popular with collectors.

Pecina, a dentist who built 90-employee Afdent clinics, allowed only two reproduction pieces inside the DX

Volume 138, No. 5 Edwardsburg, Michigan

75 cents • Since 1875

• Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois

seats stashed in his warehouse.

“Furniture, believe it or not,” he said. “I refinished furniture and collected bicycles. I had a small bicycle shop and repaired them and painted them for kids in the neighborhood. We actually put on bicycle thrill shows with ramps.

I went through a burning wall of fire.”

The men’s restroom contains a condom machine, a Boraxo powdered hand soap dispenser and a brand of kitchen cleanser which scrubbed sinks of that era.

The pop machine dispenses 10-cent soft drinks to wash down free ice cream.

A row of trophies caught his eye at a yard sale.

The guy selling them grew up around racing, which is why there is also a photo propped there of A.J. Foyt.

Hardest to get were original doors with glass panes. Over the years, they had been replaced with “junky aluminum” doors.

“Part of the allure of the old station to me is the glass door so you can see inside.”

In fact, with overgrown vegetation cleared away behind, a mechanic at a tool bench would enjoy a view of ice fishermen spread out across Stone Lake beneath him.

An array of pumps are all restored originals — 49 cents a gallon, reads one; 34, another.

There’s a station wagon dragster from Massachusetts parked in a bay.

There’s that dinging bell hose that alerts an attendant when a vehicle pulls in.

Pecina created a private office in back where his overalls hang next to his leisure suit.

“I get a lot of donations,” he said. “People come by and say, ‘My dad had this sitting in the garage. You might like to have it.’ ” Founded in New York in 1916 and reincorporated in Wyoming in 1976, “There are still Sinclair stations out west.”

Jon M. Badur, CFP®, AAMS® Financial Advisor

www.edwardjones.com

Cassopolis Vigilant

Vigilant photos/JOHN EBY

Roger Pecina recreated this long-dormant filling station. With glass overhead doors and windows along the back, it affords a scenic view of Stone Lake — especially for Dino on the roof.

Doctor recreates piece of Americana for a new generation

By JOHN EBY Cassopolis Vigilant Photo provided by Tanda Stiffler

Dr. Roger Pecina nails

Presbyterian church members made this quilt, the first place raffle prize at the church's annual salad smorgasbord. details in recreating a Sinclair The Presbyterian women are busy again this year preparing for the annual salad smorgasbord and style show with this year’s theme, “Grandma’s Kitchen," Thursday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsburg High School Gymnasium. Cost is $8 per person and ticket sales will start Feb. 26 at 11:30 a.m., immediately after worship service in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church on Lake Street.

This year’s theme is a reflection and remembrance of our grandmas working in the kitchen with their aprons on baking pies, cookies and cakes. Decorations will take us all back to the era when most women stayed at home and wore house dresses and aprons to get their

Knights of Columbus chili cook-off Feb. 18 Knights of Columbus from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 24832 U.S. Highway 12 East, Edwardsburg, host their third annual chili cook-off Saturday, Feb. 18, beginning at 6 p.m.

The menu includes all-you-can-eat chili, cornbread and refreshments.

There will be 12 chefs claiming to make the best chili in the area and asking for your vote.

The suggested donation is $6 for adults, $4 for kids 5-12 and under 5 free.

In addition, there will be a silent and live auction with more than 100 items to bid on.

Edwardsburg fourth grade students to honor veterans Wednesday Edwardsburg Intermediate fourth grade is excited to honor American veterans at their concert Wednesday

gas station where there never church and church friends to makewas one on the bluff overour event such a huge success. looking Stone Lake.

This year the cookbook will have His pursuit of authenticity many of the salad recipes with thehas consumed three years. hot chicken salad recipe on the first Pecina remembers oldfashioned service stations of page.

The hot chicken salad recipe isthe 1950s and ’60s already what started the women’s salad smor-lost to Americana. gasbord some 41 years ago. A group “I loved gas stations growing up” in Michigan City, of women got together for a potluck Ind., “and I spent so much lunch and everyone was enjoying thetime there. It was a big part of hot chicken salad and discussionmy life, mowing the grass for soon was into making plans to have aa buck and a half, pumping fundraiser with the hot chicken saladgas, washing windshields, being the main course. doing oil changes and busting To this day more than 400 ladiesyour knuckles on the tire come to the salad smorgasbord formachine. I always thought it would be cool to have my the hot chicken salad.

Tickets sales chairwomen areown gas station.

Noelle Stohler 663-8249 and Patty “There are two, three generations now who have no Patzer 699-7552. idea what a gas station is. It’s gone. Now, it’s a convenience store.

"I’ve got kids in their 20s and 30s, and they’ve got no clue things like this ever were.

Twelve other presenters from the at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts By restoring it and letting community will volunteer time and Center. people see it, not only does it Public is welcome. Admission is share expertise about their own chonurture memories of people sen career paths. free. my age, but it allows other All seventh grade students will be Students will be performing the generations to see a piece of exposed to and given the opportunity Armed Forces Medley. history, like any other museDuring the song, veterans will be to explore the six Michigan career um.” asked to rise as their military branch is pathways endorsed by the state Sinclair, with its trademark Department of Career Development.green dinosaur Dino on all represented. kinds of products, from road This is the third year for this presmaps and calendars to paint entation, which has always been welland inspect spray, is particureceived by the community. larly popular with collectors.

When asked in class who invited a Pecina, a dentist who built veteran, a majority of students’ hands 90-employee Afdent clinics, shoot up.

The Edwardsburg Area Chamber of allowed only two reproducMichelle Gruver, music teacher, is Commerce will have its annual dinner tion pieces inside the DX staproud of how eager students are to at 6 p.m. Feb. 29 at Our Lady of the tion vacant for 30 years — a show their gratitude to veterans.

Lake Catholic Church, 24832 U.S. Roger’s Garage sign “since Highway 12, Edwardsburg.

1952,” the year he was born, and a personalized can. A The speaker is David Lorenz, manyardstick came from ager of public and industry relations Atkinson’s Chevrolet dealerfor Travel “Pure Michigan.” He will ship next to the 1899 courtspeak about the campaign’s positive house. impact on Michigan’s economic state.

Dinner will include appetizers, A radio to listen to baseEdwardsburg Middle School’s ball, a Life magazine with Dr. choice of Swiss steak or ham and side Martin Luther King on the annual career day will be Friday, Feb. dishes. cover, a sign promoting S&H 24, with Notre Dame assistant head Cost is $20. Tickets available at the green stamps, are all true to football coach and defensive coordiChamber office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the period. nator Bob Diaco featured guest Wednesdays or call (574) 343-3721 or There is a dispatch desk speaker.

663-2244. with a 1952 calendar, CB radio, book matches and a Check us out online atservice board chalking appointments for service or edwardsburgargus.com repairs.

In the summer, a wrecker is BODY SHOP stationed “on the point” by a Complete Collision Service vintage police car and other TRAINED TECHNICIANS X X “Collision service vehicles.

Repairs Are Our “People are in and out of Business” here all day,” he said. “It’s a Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM • Sat By Appointment picture stop,” with a midget ESTIMATES CHEERFULLY GIVEN “ALL WORK GUARANTEED” racer for children to sit in.

M-51 South Pecina started collecting at 782-2728 Dowagiac 13, but not baseball cards, though he is a White Sox fan with Comiskey Park seats stashed in his warehouse.

chores done.

The recipes when baking or cooking were from Betty Crocker cookbooks or family handed down recipes. Our grandmas did a lot of gardening and canning.

Doing laundry was much different using wash boards or the old ringer type wash tubs. Clothes were hung out on the clothes line to dry. The Presbyterian women quilted a beautiful “Grandma’s Fan Quilt” this year, which is the first place raffle.

For this year only the women will have a wonderful cookbook of salads on sale the evening of the event for $5 each.

Each year the salad smorgasbord is an array of many types of salads and the "famous" hot chicken salad.

Salads are made by the women of the

Edwardsburg Chamber annual dinner Feb. 29

Notre Dame coach to speak at Edwardsburg career day

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District champions: Niles, Brandywine win team wrestling titles Page 8

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During the summer, this red wrecker sits outside Stone Lake Sinclair with a vintage police car. People are in and out all day taking pictures, including a midget racer children pose in.

Single Volume 140, No. copy 5

price 50¢ home delivered Cassopolis,35¢ Michigan

Priorities in his first 100 days would be the budget — the toughest challenges are still ahead — student achievement and better marketing to tell success stories and to build on them, such as the 22-member robotics team through collaboration with Niles.

To be creative, he has turned to pastors to “push from the pulpit” information he needs circulated.

Hertsel, who “bleeds blue and white,” earned a master's degree in education in 1991 and a bachelor's degree in education in 1986, majoring in physical education coaching and minoring in economics, both from Western Michigan University.

He graduated from Southwestern Michigan College in 1983 with an associate degree in general studies.

Hertsel served as principal of Frank Squires Early Elementary School from 1997 until 2010 and as special education director from 2004 to 2010.

He was dean of students for the school in 1996-1997 after fulfilling the same position at Sam Adams Middle School in 1994-1996.

Before becoming an administrator, Hertsel taught grades 1-4 physical education and eighth grade economics, law and literature and seventh grade social studies at Squires and Sam Adams.

“I'm well-rounded, with

Thursday, February 9, 2012

www.nilesstar.com

Hertsel

(PLA) status as his proudest professional achievement.

Cassopolis was shocked Aug. 16, 2010, that the school made the Michigan Department of Education’s list of 92 PLA schools.

“It felt like getting punched in the stomach repeatedly,” he said. "It hurt a lot, we were angry and we want off that list. The high school staff feels the same way.”

A formula used schools' seventh and eighth grade MEAP scores and 11th grade MME scores, with student proficiency levels, whether a school made AYP (adequate yearly progress) and if a graduation rate fell below 60 percent factored in.

“The response we gave and the results we got in one year, I just hope we can sustain it,” said Hertsel. “We shot for the moon to get on top of it. We tried for a New Tech High School, but, unfortunately, the money did not come. The system is not fair.”

already served. She must also spend 120 days on alcohol tether after her release.

Rickey was driving intoxicated May 28 when her car ran into a road commission sign. She registered a 0.39 percent blood alcohol content level, nearly five times the legal limit.

Both Prosecutor Victor Fitz and Judge Michael

Dodge said it was one of the highest levels they had ever seen in their careers.

"She wasn't just driving drunk. She was driving almost embalmed," Fitz said.

In the pre-sentence report, Rickey said she doesn't have a drug or alcohol problem.

Dodge wasn't buying it.

"There's no way it would be possible for you to achieve

4-H club to host Farm Toy Show at Brookside Feb. 11 The Drafted! 4-H Club, in partnership with the Cass County Tractor Pullers Association, will host its fourth annual Farm Toy Show and NASCAR Feb. 11 at the Brookside Learning Center, 61662 Dailey Rd., five miles west of Cassopolis.

Show hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and vendors will be able to set up starting at 6 a.m.

The Farm Toy Show will

Buchanan students thriving in Professional Health Careers Academy like they’ll be ready for anything.

“Rather than going into college blind and seeing weird stuff for the first time, you are actually seeing it now,” said Pierce, who wants to be an anesthesiologist or a sports medicine doctor. “You can say, ‘I’ve seen that and I’ve done that.’”

Devlaminck, Pierce and Briggs are three of 24 area students enrolled in the Professional Health Careers Academy. The academy gives juniors and seniors in southwest Michigan a chance to see what life is really like for people working in the medical field.

Since starting the academy in September, students have been tak-

“Engagement is a huge piece,” he said, “ probably the most challenging we face every day” between intact families where both parents work, single-parent families or grandparents rearing chilDaily Star staff report seph Boardman. “With dren.

“Technology and e-mailour partners in Michigan, Areabutresidents willpull findpeo-we will extend this 110 help, you can't theirtogether train trips to and ple like PTOs usedmph service from Kalamfrom Chicago to behave a little to because people got soazoo to the state’s central quicker.on their plates,” heand eastern regions in the much Amtrak and the Michi- coming years.” said.

Amtrak began raising ganWhether Department Transhis ofleadership portation have beenor given style is "flexible” “deci-speeds on the Kalamazoo federal approval to insive” depends on the situa-to Porter corridor from 79 creasebecause maximum tion he speeds wants tomph in 2001 to 90 mph in of Amtrak trainsasonpossible 97 2002 and to 95 mph in involve as many miles track west to get of solid factsinand steer2005.

Michigan and northern clear of “hearsay.

I want to Sustained operations at Indiana 110 miles hear it tofrom folks per being110 mph will shave 10 minutes off the 95 mph hour. affected.”

The changes will take schedules and about 20 effect after installation minutes off the 2001 and testing of a positive schedules.

The Amtrak Wolverine train control safety system on Amtrak-owned Service, with three daily track between Kalamazoo round-trips between Pontiac and Chicago via Deand Porter, Ind. Amtrak and MDOT are troit and Ann Arbor, and p l a n n i n g a n e v e n t the Amtrak Blue Water, to having celebrate. aWednesday 0.39 without a drink-with a daily trip between is the first expaning“This problem," Dodge said.Port Huron and Chicago sionachieve of regional "To that youhighhave tovia East Lansing, use this speed rail outside the Am- corridor. be an alcoholic." trak-owned Northeast Defense attorney Lawrence Incremental Train ConCorridor,” said Quigley asked for Amtrak a local sen-trol System (ITSC) inPresident and CEO Jo- thestalled on the track has tence so Rickey could get drug and alcohol treatment that she wants and needs.

For her part, Rickey apologized and said she hasn't had a drink since the incident.

See ACADEMY, Page 2

By AARON MUELLER Cassopolis Vigilant

been developed by General Electric Transportation Systems with assistance from Amtrak, MDOT and the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration. Amtrak extended ITCS coverage to the western and eastern ends of the line between New Buffalo and Porter and between Oshtemo and Kalamazoo last year.

The successful deployment of ITCS on the Amtrak-owned segment in western Michigan sets the stage for the expansion of 110 mph service from Kalamazoo to near Dearborn on the track segment being purchased by MDOT from Norfolk Southern Railway.

Boardman also pointed out this is the first of two 110 mph “spokes” from the Chicago hub with Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation partnering on similar plans on the ChicagoSt. Louis corridor.

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Criminal charges not filed in case of underage drinking party

"That $17 probably wasn't worth a felony conviction," said Judge

Jumbo STUFFED CABBAGE

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30 minors written up for possession of alcohol

By JOHN EBY Niles Daily Star

Daily Star photo/AARON MUELLER

Larue Messenger American Legion Post 26 building may be sold as membership has dropped to about 100 members.

American Legion building may be sold Membership drops drastically

By AARON MUELLER Niles Daily Star

Amtrak trains passing through the station in Niles will be picking up the pace as

Home made SpecialS

Bumping & Painting Glass Installed Ins. Work Welcomed Certified Technicians

Daily Star photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Buchanan High School students, from left, Kelsie Devlaminck, Zack Pierce and Jeremiah Briggs are preparing for a life in the medical field by learning in the Professional Health Careers Academy in Niles.

Amtrak picks up the pace

Michael Dodge.

Defense attorney Anthony Miller was speeds are being Lawrence Quigley called raised. able to pawn the DVD maximum player he stole from the it a "serious lapse in Cass County Department judgement."

Prosecutor Victor Fitz of Human Services for $17. He'll be paying hun- said it was a childish dreds of dollars in court crime.

"Anthony Miller needs fees and spending the next 18 months on probation as to grow up fast," Fitz said.

For his part, Miller said a result.

That was the Dowagiac he was going through man's sentence Friday in tough financial times at Cass County Circuit court the time of the incident on an attempted larceny in but now has a job and steady income. a building conviction.

Complete Collision Service X

ing introductory-level classes like medical terminology, CPR and anatomy at Lakeland Hospital in Niles. Students are shadowing doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians and others while they work in their respective fields.

“It is giving you a little taste of what you can do in your career,” said Devlaminck. “If you decide you don’t want to be in something, you can change and see something else.”

Pierce, Devlaminck and Briggs all want to pursue careers in the medical field, a requirement for

Man who pawned stolen DVD player for $17 sentenced to hundreds of dollars in fines, probation

not only highlight all the great new farm toys from outstanding vendors from near and far, but will include a special area for model farm displays.

Prizes will be awarded for outstanding displays in both youth and adult categories.

For toy vendor registration information or to reserve a spot for a farm model display, contact Tim Wallace at (269) 362-4417.

Entry fee is $3 for ages 11 and over.

Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day.

Niles, Michigan, established 1886

Hands-on health care

perception of the whole district,” he said. “My greatest strength is acting quickly on my feet.” Trying to do too much himself and not delegating would be an area to further develop — although

By CRAIG “the board needs toHAUPERT underNiles Daily Star stand that this district has been cutting resources for moreBUCHANAN than 10 years.” — Kelsie Devlaminck justthere a senior at BuchanNot onlyisare more an Highrequirements, School, but the reporting but aspiring nurse has already removed staples Hertsel’s multi-tasking from a setting patient’sout stomach. includes microZack also a senior, has phones for Pierce, board meetings. been in the back of speeding Budget limitations with ambuon the service way toconthe hospital the lance state pushing with a head-trauma patient. solidation make sharing Jeremiah a junior, was a resources, suchBriggs, as a curricua doctor carefully relumwitness expert, to essential, Hertsel from behind saidmoving to an gel audience whicha patient’s retina. included Lewis Cass By the time the three Intermediate School DistrictBuchanan students to college, they feel Supt.

Robertget Colby.

Cassopolis woman jailed for DUI had five times the legal limit of alcohol in her system

Vendors, model toy displays wanted Sinclair promoted its brand with a green dinosaur named Dino. him.

An array of pumps are all restored originals — 49 cents a gallon, reads one; 34, another.

There’s a station wagon dragster from Massachusetts parked in a bay.

There’s that dinging bell hose that alerts an attendant when a vehicle pulls in.

Pecina created a private office in back where his overalls hang next to his leisure suit.

“I get a lot of donations,” he said. “People come by and say, ‘My dad had this sitting in the garage. You might like to have it.’ ” Founded in New York in 1916 and reincorporated in Wyoming in 1976, “There are still Sinclair stations out west.”

February 2, 2012

Volume 125, Number 31

By JOHN EBY Cassopolis Vigilant

A Cassopolis woman, facing her fourth drunken driving offense, was sent to jail Friday.

Jeri Rickey was sentenced in Cass County Circuit Court to 180 days in jail and two years probation. She will received credit for 15 days

The garage is home to a dispatch desk with a 1952 calendar, CB radio, book matches and a service board chalking appointments for service or repairs.

USPS 92880

Hertsel candidate for district job

Cassopolis Public Schools Board of Education Monday night interviewed 24-year veteran Tracy D. Hertsel as a potential successor to retiring Supt. Greg Weatherspoon.

Hertsel, a Donnell Lake native who graduated from Ross Beatty High School with its first class in 1980, is in his second year as one of three co-principals of Ross Beatty Junior/Senior High School.

Hertsel, who has also been a firefighter since 1982, first for Penn Township (until 1990), then for Cassopolis (since 1991), is instructional leader for more than 500 students and 50 professional and non-professional staff.

This school year he worked with Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood to establish an on-site resource officer and implemented a new seven-period day.

Twice, March-July, 2005, and February-April, 2004, he served as interim superintendent.

Board members spent about an hour and a half posing more than 40 questions, first from a prepared questionnaire, then follow-ups offered by individual members, in the library.

President Christine Locke said the board would vote on its next step Feb. 13.

Hertsel listed the “proactive” response to persistently lowest achieving

By AARON MUELLER Cassopolis Vigilant

“Furniture, believe it or not,” he said. “I refinished furniture and collected bicycles. I had a small bicycle shop and repaired them and painted them for kids in the neighborhood. We actually put on bicycle thrill shows with ramps. I went through a burning wall of fire.”

The men’s restroom contains a condom machine, a Boraxo powdered hand soap dispenser and a brand of kitchen cleanser which scrubbed sinks of that era.

The pop machine dispenses 10-cent soft drinks to wash down free ice cream.

A row of trophies caught his eye at a yard sale.

The guy selling them grew up around racing, which is why there is also a photo propped there of A.J. Foyt.

Hardest to get were original doors with glass panes.

Over the years, they had been replaced with “junky aluminum” doors.

“Part of the allure of the old station to me is the glass door so you can see inside.”

In fact, with overgrown vegetation cleared away behind, a mechanic at a tool bench would enjoy a view of ice fishermen spread out across Stone Lake beneath

Niles Daily Star

69045 M 62 Ste C Edwardsburg, MI 49112 269-663-3130

Annual smorgasbord paysStation preservation homage to grandmothers

In brief Argus photo/JOHN EBY

Roger Pecina recreated this long-dormant filling station. With glass overhead doors and windows along the back, it affords a scenic view of Stone Lake — especially for Dino on the roof. station vacant for 30 years — a Roger’s Garage sign “since 1952,” the year he was born, and a personalized can. A yardstick came from Atkinson’s Chevrolet dealership next to the 1899 courthouse.

A radio to listen to baseball, a Life magazine with Dr. Martin Luther King on the cover, a sign promoting S&H green stamps, are all true to the period.

There is a dispatch desk with a 1952 calendar, CB radio, book matches and a service board chalking appointments for service or repairs.

In the summer, a wrecker is stationed “on the point” by a vintage police car and other service vehicles.

“People are in and out of here all day,” he said. “It’s a picture stop,” with a midget racer for children to sit in.

Pecina started collecting at 13, but not baseball cards, though he is a White Sox fan with Comiskey Park

1

Lorie Bowers, Agent Wednesday & Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm 69045 M-62 Saturday by Appointment Edwardsburg, MI Like a Good NeiGhbor State Farm iS there® 49112-9150 Bus: 269-663-7015 StateFarm.com® • State Farm Insurance Companies

Jenna Zache, Midwest Energy Cooperative administration and finance support specialist, presents the Midwest Employees Give Back award to Ed Patzer, chairman of the Edwardsburg Sports Complex board of directors. for office and building space used in managing and maintaining the facilities.

MEGB is the charitable giving fund operated, governed and funded by the employees of Midwest Energy Cooperative and Midwest Propane.

1

To schedule your complimentary financial review, call or visit today.

Monday: 9:00am to 7:00pm Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00am to 5:30pm

69045 M 62 Ste C Edwardsburg, MI 49112 269-663-3130

edwardsburgargus.com

Fourth-graders spell it out

“Life will slowly get better if we choose to not make it worse. But expect a rough 15 to 30 years.”

— Dr. Matt Cripe

B

Jon M. Badur, CFP®, AAMS® Financial Advisor

Edwardsburg Argus

Cripe discusses economics book

ubblequakes and “Aftershocks.”

America’s woes in times of wrenching global flux have festered for 30 years.

Economists see another 30 to tame a $15 trillion debt.

Uncle Sam spends $3.5 trillion annually, with $2 trillion covered by taxes and $1.5 trillion borrowed.

“If we paid half a trillion a year, with no interest, it's going to take 30 years to pay off — and that assumes we don't borrow any more money,” Dowagiac dentist Matthew Cripe warned Rotarians Thursday.

To subtly impress his point at Elks Lodge 889, Cripe relied on an old-fashioned easel, black marker and white art paper rather than a PowerPoint presentation for a program titled “Interesting Times.”

Quoting the book “Aftershock” by economists David and Robert Wiedemer and Cindy Spitzer, Cripe defined bubbles as asset values subjected to temporary booms due to changing investment psychology rather than fundamental economic drivers.

"We really have no other option than to confront our fundamental problems and to make significant changes to government and society,” the authors write.

Cripe said he could not recall a time with more “massive groups of concerned, frustrated citizens motivated to demonstrate with a sense of urgency” across the political spectrum, from the Tea Party on the right to Occupy on the left.

Family is Why WE DO IT ALL

To schedule your complimentary financial review, call or visit today.

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Monday: 9:00am to 7:00pm Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00am to 5:30pm

Lorie Bowers, Agent Wednesday & Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm 69045 M-62 Saturday by Appointment Edwardsburg, MI Like a Good NeiGhbor State Farm iS there® 49112-9150 Bus: 269-663-7015 StateFarm.com® • State Farm Insurance Companies

The

THURSDAY SPECIAL

1

Friday Feb. 10, 2012

Dr. Michel Listenberger • Dr. Jeffrey Becraft • Dr. Deb Searles

Facing declining membership, the Larue Messenger American Legion Post 26 in Niles may be selling its building.

The post is holding a special meeting Tuesday to discuss an offer made by a party interested in purchasing the property at 1707 Miller Drive.

John Sly, vice commander for the post, said the post’s officers have been considering selling the property for a while.

The post closed the bar

three years ago, so it is now used just for meetings and bingo events.

Membership has dropped drastically as of late, according Sly. He said there are currently about 100 members but only a handful will show up at the post’s monthly meetings. Just as recently as last May, the post had more than 500 legionnaires.

“A lot of it is that the younger ones, the vets nowadays, don’t join organizations like this anymore,” he said.

“And the older generation is getting to where

they just don’t go out much anymore.”

Sly, 50, said he isn’t sure why veterans coming home from Iraq aren’t joining the Legion or how to draw them to the post.

“If I knew, I would be doing it,” he said.

“I’ve been pushing it on Facebook, asking questions how others are doing it.”

Declining Legion membership and posts closing are a national trend with so many World War II veterans passing away.

Still, Sly is hopeful the Niles post will be able to survive as younger veterans figure out the benefits of Legion membership.

“American Legions are

here to help the veterans.

For instance, we’ve got a service rep if they have medical problems,” he said.

The comradery is also important for veterans, Sly said.

“If you have a problem, someone else in the post will be able to help you work things out,” he said.

“We also tell war stories.”

Sly said he is hoping to get as many members as possible to the meeting next week. “ We n e e d a p p r o v a l from the legionnaires,” he said.

“We can’t sit there as officers and just say we are going to sell it. We need their input also.”

As of Wednesday, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz has not decided whether to file criminal charges in the Eagle Lake Yacht Club drinking party where Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg Police reported charging 30 minors with possession of alcohol.

Chief Kenneth Wray said officers were sent to investigate a parking problem in the area of Eagle Lake Marina.

Police found the parking problem resulted from a large gathering at the yacht club, with 50 to 60 minors gaining unlawful entry and covering windows so lights were not visible from outside. No adults were present.

“We need more followup,” Fitz said. “Investigation is continuing.”

The prosecutor said police apparently resolved many of the rounded-up revelers by writing tickets. His office

See PARTY, Page 2

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HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE Name: Kathryn Rossow

LINE

If $1 million were donated to your nonprofit, how would that make a difference? Fernwood has a

small endowment that was established by Lawrence and Mary Plym during Fernwood’s early years. Fernwood relies on the endowment each year to augment revenue received through admissions, memberships, grants and contributions.

Our endowment decreased in value in recent years due to the downturn in the economy. Over the past four years, we have withdrawn a smaller percentage from our endowment to be fiscally responsible to Fernwood and to ensure that Fernwood will be here for years to come.

To answer your question, a $1 million increase in our endowment would enable us to conservatively address additional areas in need and to find more ways to reach the community through free and discounted programming.

What inspires you?

I love gardens and nature and am grateful each day to work in this field. I am surrounded by staff and volunteers and members and visitors who love Fernwood and nature and gardens and art. They inspire me in the work I do, thus I try each day to inspire others through our efforts.

Other inspiration? My colleagues in the public garden world also are

an investment account would allow Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass to grow our programs without the uncertainty of being able to sustain them financially.

City of residence: Buchanan

Continued from page 39 foundations and special friends for many projects in recent years: railway garden, nature adventure garden, herb garden and conservatory renovations, sculpture exhibit, signage and labels, etc., yet these special funds do not fully cover the much-needed dollars for necessary day-to-day operations.

PAGE 43

great sources of inspiration. I am so proud of the work being done in public gardens each day across the country and beyond in the areas of education, conservation, preservation, collections, natural resource management, horticulture and design.

It’s an amazing field with inspirational people everywhere.

Tell us a success story: When I arrived at

Fernwood more than four years ago now, Fernwood board and staff and I set about to reach more people in a positive way — members and visitors.

It was a process — is a process. The process includes increased and fresh educational programming — new and expanded but still true to our mission. The process also reflects a fresh marketing approach that includes our monthly enewsletter, a new print newsletter and a new website designed and recently launched by Precept Partners in Buchanan.

Add to the process quality, year-round food service in our cafe, our beloved Railway Garden about to celebrate its fourth year, a Fernwood photo contest, a soon-toopen Nature Adventure Garden for kids funded by the Huizenga Family Foundation of Niles and Sculpture Fernwood, and I have named a few of the pieces. I could go on.

The point to my Fernwood “success story” is the decision to build and grow incrementally while remaining true to our mission and true to all the many people close to Fernwood. By doing so, our memberships and visitation have increased over recent years. This increase enables us to expose more people to the Fernwood experience.

Nonprofit organization:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass

Location of nonprofit:

Niles

Job title: Executive Director How long employed/volunteered with nonprofit: Three

years

Job description: As execu-

tive director, I help the board of directors carry out the mission of the organization. I like to think of it as being an orchestra conductor of sorts in that I make sure that all the parts are working as one – kind of like one of Ed Sullivan’s (I’m dating myself here!) juggling acts when the guy gets three or four plates spinning on top of poles all at the same time.

The programs must run efficiently while the finances, the board dynamics and future strategic direction are all in place and working well.

Biggest rewards of this job: When we as a staff and

board can see the positive results of our work, we know that we are headed in the right direction.

We are so very grateful to the over 130 volunteer mentors – the Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers who make all the difference in these children’s lives. We are also rewarded when we know that children in our care are growing in self-confidence;

Rossow

when their school performance improves – and especially when we see the big grins on their faces when they meet with their Bigs. Children are fragile – we need to treat them with loving care.

Tell us a success story: SucBiggest challenges of this cess stories come to us in small job: The biggest challenge of but powerful increments. Noththe job is finding enough mentors to meet the needs of the children on our waiting list (23 at present.) We are also always aware of the uncertainty of our financial condition going into the future.

If we didn’t have to spend such a large portion of our time on fundraising, we could focus our full attention on the children we serve and on the wonderful adult mentors who make all the difference.

If $1 million were donated to your nonprofit, how would that make a difference?

What a great segue from the last question! While I think I have already answered it, I will say that having funds like that in

Name: James Ward City of residence: CassopNonprofit organization:

Cass County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

Location of nonprofit:

Cass County, 120 N. Broadway, Suite 215, Cassopolis

Job title: Executive Direc-

How long employed/volunteered with nonprofit: Three years, six months

Job description: CASA volunteers are appointed by Judge Susan Dobrich to watch over and advocate for abused

ing happens overnight around here.

One of our Lunch Buddies (volunteer mentors who spend just one lunch period a week with a child at school) was concerned that she was having little or no impact on her Little Sister. She was brought to tears one day, however, when her Little Sister related that she and her mother had had to flee their home the night before because of domestic violence.

The only thing that the Little Sister grabbed on the way out of the house was a picture of herself with her Big Sister. The feeling of security and trust that children gain from having a mentor in their lives is hard to measure, but seen in many small ways. closed, and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. As director, I am responsible for the development of the CASA program.

This involves the training, supervision and coordination of volunteer service. I operate under the direction of the board of directors.

Additional responsibilities include resource development, program planning, community relations, human resources management and fiscal management.

olis

tor

What inspires you? Our volunteer mentors who generously share their time and enthusiasm with our children inspire me.

The children inspire me.

This southwest Michigan community inspires me in that every month we hear from wonderful people who want to volunteer to make a difference in the life of a child.

And, last but not least, I am inspired by the words “When you change the world of a child, you change the world.”

Ward

and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal system and social service system or languish in an inappropriate group of foster home. They stay until the case is

Biggest rewards of this job:

Seeing abused and neglected children returned to their family after the issues that brought the child into care have been successfully addressed, or finding a new safe, permanent home for the child that may be willing to adopt them.

See WARD, page 45

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• Over $1.8 million to child abuse prevention programs raised during Roofsit • Over $500,000 to churches, schools and other non-profit groups with our “Food Funds” fundraising program • College scholarships annually for employees and children of employees • Plus, ongoing support to area food pantries, little leagues, and many other community non-profit organizations!

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WARD

Continued from page 43 Biggest challenges of this job: Finding more volunteers

to make a difference in a child’s life. Cass County has approximately 125 children in foster care. We currently advocate for 35 children. Additionally, we need diversity in our program. We must recruit more men, African Americans and Native Americans to support the demographics of our county.

PAGE 45

A real trooper Rob Herbstreith of the Michigan State Police chooses to serve community

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert @leaderpub.com

W hen

Rob Herbstreith was a juvenile officer with the Michigan State Police about 10 years ago, he was handed a case he still remembers fondly today.

If $1 million were donated to your nonprofit, how would that make a difference?

Most children in foster care have a safe, loving home. But because of the economics, many do not have the same opportunities other children have.

Additional funding could assure kids more and better foster care, training opportunities, continued education and support after they age out of foster care and become adults in the community.

What inspires you? I am inspired everyday by three things. First by the strength, creativity and long hours of difficult and emotional work CASA volunteers are willing to spend to be an advocate for their child. Second, by the determination and resiliency that many of these children demonstrate in spite of their difficult past. Third, that time and time again we make a difference.

Tell us a success story:

CASA has been working with a child for over three years.

The child is the victim of sexual abuse and neglect, and both parents are deceased. When we were assigned to the case, the child was grieving, emotionally needy and had poor grades in school. This child has had numerous case workers, therapists, foster homes, and relatives in and out their life, but the CASA advocate has been the one constant. Today, this child is a well-adjusted teen, makes A’s and B’s in high school, is active in extracurricular activities and has many outside interests.

This child is a joy to watch, and we have great expectations for the future.

Submitted photo

Before joining the Michigan State Police, Rob Herbstreith was a military police officer in the U.S. Army for almost 10 years.

It involved a young Niles man who got caught breaking a farmer’s window with a rock while out with his friends. The boy was brought before Herbstreith, who decided to give the kid an option.

He could work 10 hours for the farmer to offset the cost of the broken window or he could go through the court system. The young man took the first option.

“The kid was with the wrong crowd at the wrong time out goofing around, and I thought that was the best way to go about it,” Herbstreith said.

About a year later, a young man approached Herbstreith at a grocery store. Herbstreith didn’t recognize him at first, but, sure enough, it was the boy who had been caught damaging the farmer’s property.

The young man thanked Herbstreith for what he did, saying the court diversion program had positively changed his life. When he was done working off the 10 hours, the farmer was so See TROOPER, page 46

HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

As a community service trooper, Rob Herbstreith visits Northside Elementary School to mentor students.

TROOPER

impressed by the kid’s work ethic he hired him as a farm hand to work the rest of the summer, that winter and the following summer.

The boy’s grades improved at school, and he was signing up for college.

“It was just a great thing to hear, and one of those things that I’ll never forget,” Herbstreith said.

Moments such as that are the reason Herbstreith loves his job.

The 49-year-old Niles man has been in the Michigan State Police Niles Post since June 1993 and has been a community service trooper since 1998. In that role, Herbstreith is essentially the face of the state police in his district.

He acts as the school liaison, visiting schools to educate and mentor students. He helps peo-

Herbstreith has been a Michigan State Police trooper at the Niles Post since 1993.

Submitted photos

Continued from page 45

ple organize neighborhood watches, attends community-service programs and assists local churches in creating security programs.

Herbstreith also writes a weekly column for the Niles Daily Star called “Ask Trooper Rob,” which allows him to provide answers to law-related questions posed by the community.

“I’ve gotten all positive response from it,” Herbstreith said. “I get people coming up to me at church saying I’m a religious reader of your article, so it’s been great.

There are no opinions in it, everything comes straight from what the law says.”

In addition to writing the column, Herbstreith also submits information to the paper for “Niles’ Most Wanted.” The police already caught one fugitive thanks to a reader’s tip last year.

PAGE 46

When Herbstreith isn’t doing police work, you can find him hitting the road on his bicycle. Riding is one of his hobbies.

“I asked him (the fugitive) if he saw his picture in the paper,” Herbstreith

said. “He said ‘no, but I got a phone call from someone saying I was in

Who is Trooper Rob? Here are some little-known facts about Niles’ favorite state trooper. n Favorite movie: “Serpico.” “Not only the time it was made, but the behind-the-scenes stuff. The ethics and the integrity. That is what started me off.” n Favorite music: “I am a classic rocker. Ted Nugent, the Eagles, the Beatles. Yes, I still have vinyl.” n Favorite book: “I love Sherlock Holmes books. Using forensics back in the 1800s. I find that fascinating.” n Favorite hobby: Bicycle riding. He completed the One Day Ride Across Michigan from Muskegon to Bay City, about 150 miles, in eight hours. n Religion: He just completed a three-year tour as a deacon for Hope Community Church.

“Religion helped make me who I am.” n Dislikes: Snakes. He once had to remove a 13-foot Burmese python from a local credit union parking lot. It isn’t a day he remembers fondly.

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

See answers, page 114.

the paper. Mom went out to get the paper and the fugitive team was right there waiting.’”

Herbstreith, who grew up in Lake Odessa, knew he wanted to be a cop since completing a career report in the sixth grade. At that time, he loved watching police shows on television such as “Starsky & Hutch,” “Baretta,” “Police Story” and “Serpico.”

“I thought this sounded exciting, and, from then on, I knew what I wanted to do,” said Herbstreith, who kept his nose clean through his teenage years and joined the U.S. Army after graduating from high school in 1983.

“

He spent nearly 10 years as a military policeman and did two tours in Germany from 1983-86.

He left active duty in 1992 to join the Michigan State Police.

Herbstreith remains a trooper today and has been a crime scene technician for 16 years. He’s worked more than 40 crime scenes, and his goal is to retire from the crime lab.

“It’s been a very rewarding career, and I’m looking forward to a lot of career left,” he said.

“If I get out at 25 years, I only have 6 1/2 years to go. But I don’t foresee that ending at 25. I’m having too much fun.”

It’s been a very rewarding career and I’m looking forward to a lot of career left.

— Rob Herbstreith, Michigan State Police trooper

”

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HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

PAGE 50

Donna Ochenryder: Her family album tells the story of Niles

By KATHIE HEMPEL Leader Publications

Donna Ochenryder’s photographic

“memory” churns out more information in an hour’s discussion than most could recall given cue cards and a few days in a quiet room with no distractions. Beneath her soft demeanor lies a ferocious passion for the hours she has spent compiling her history as well as that of Niles.

“The most rewarding part of my work is knowing I’m doing my mission; I’m doing what the Lord wants me to do,” said Ochenryder, 78. “During a near-death experience in 2007, I saw the Lord’s hand poised in front of a brilliant light and heard an urgent ‘not yet, not yet.’

This is my work, he gave me the talent and the will and I must finish it.”

Donna Joyce Turtle Ochenryder was born on the Terminal Farm, located down the road from the railroad terminal yards on Terminal

Road, on May 16, 1933.

Her parents are Alice Schau, of English and Danish descent, and Edward Marion Turtle, who was half-French and half-Cherokee. She remembers her father’s discussions with her grandmother as they spoke French and identified strongly with her French and Indian background.

Downtown Niles and the businesses and people became part of Ochenryder’s personal history and family album. Most of her early years were spent on Front Street, living in

two different apartments between 1939 and 1940 and again from 1943 to 1954, long before urban renewal changed the landscape of Niles beginning in 1970 with the demolition of the Riveria Theater, where she was an usher at 16 and where she met her future husband.

When she was 8, she was sent to live with relatives who ran a home bakery at 424 Fulton St. in Buchanan. It was there she heard Roosevelt on the radio: “Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941; a date which will live in infamy...” The words were received with terror by the 8-year-old, who knew what World War I and its mustard gas had done to her father, destroying his health and eventually separating their family.

Her world became a place where she emotionally recorded every detail and when, at 10, she returned to her second Front Street address, she began to cata-

Front Street before urban renewal was a much different place. This view turning north off Broadway onto the split of Front and Second streets shows men standing in front of Riverview Inn owned by Acklee “Buster” King. Donna Turtle lived in the cold water flat above the establishment from age 10 to when she was married in 1954. The building beyond Buster’s housed Jarmin’s Poultry house where 7-year-old Donna plucked chickens.

The sunroom of the Ochenryders’ home holds an abundance of Niles’ history that would put many a community library or museum to shame. Three bookcases hold most of the collection while binders of newspapers along with other artifacts are housed in the couple’s basement.

Her computer area houses shelves with thousands of pictures saved in computer files.

“

When Donna Turtle married Herb Ochenryder (shown with his mother) in 1954, they celebrated with Maurice Hahn, CPA co-worker, Helen Rose (1) and friends who worked with the company’s clients.

Jeannie Mascio (2) and Joan Hardy (3) were legal secretaries with White, Klute and White Attorneys.

Ardell Emmons (4) was bookkeeper for Reynolds Hardware. Hahn’s was located in the Masonic Temple building at 210 E. Main St.

Should anyone want to see my family album, I have to tell them my family album is filled with the store owners and buildings of downtown Niles.

— Donna Ochenryder

”

HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE log every detail of life in Niles, first in memory, then in photographs and finally archiving volumes of the city’s history and the changes made to its landscape.

Years of war War and recording the stories of those who served is a vital part of Ochenryder’s work. Her works on Private Francis Marion Rook, her great, great-grandfather, tells the story of the Civil War in a very personal way. When the planes hit on 9-11, she spent days glued to the computer, distraught that war might again affect the world, recording every moment in a three-inch binder she later copied and bound in an edition she sent to President George W. Bush.

Her high school years impressed on her the need to know and preserve her history in very special way.

The junior high and

senior high of the day were connected by a long tunnel. Whenever possible, a claustrophobic Ochenryder would ‘take the high road’ between the buildings, by going upstairs and through the auditorium.

There, she would study a large 12-by-27-inch painting by Harry Lydick, depicting a white man and woman exiting Fort St. Joseph on the shore of a river with a Native American watching from under a tree some distance away.

“I would study that painting. Wondering, what if I had been raised following my native heritage?”

Her grandfather ’s name had been removed from the Indian rolls after he married a white woman, leaving the reservation, and an act of U.S. government in 1907 made his reinstatement a key source of his family’s history impossible to recover.

She graduated with the Class of ’51. Although she collected old photos for much of her adult life, it was her 50th class reunion in 2001 “that really got the ball rolling. I was gathering photos for a reunion book. My stepbrother Tom Crocker, who had been a principal at Niles High School, suggested that I get hold of Roger Hargreaves who had saved all the old photos off the walls of the old Central High School before it was torn down.

“I scanned 300 to 400 of these into the computer and printed them out on photo stock so that every mother’s son’s face could be seen clearly. Herb, (Donna’s husband of 58 years) went over to Bob Miller’s in South Bend and got eight large side-by-side refrigerators, cut out the tops and the bottoms and painted them gold. Then I matted all the photos on navy blue stock and

PAGE 51

mounted them on the four sides of each of our new homemade easels.”

These large displays were “placed in the middle of the dance floor at Knollwood Country Club and the entire 50th reunion revolved around them.”

Updating history Ochenryder realized just how important history was to others. Every five years, she gives each attendee of the Class of ’51 reunion an updated version of the book.

Niles High School 1914 to 1955 sports team’s photos and stories were compiled in a 250page sports book. She sent letters to 40 former Niles sports stars and asked them to tell her what their experience in Niles sports had meant to them. Twenty-seven of the men replied.

When one of the wives reminded her of the importance of cheerleaders

At 9, Donna Turtle had no idea she would one day be the custodian of major historic archives of her hometown of Niles. to the teams, Ochenryder added their photos and memories along with those of the pep and marching bands. If it was important to others, it became part of the work.

More and more people began to send Ochenry-

der their photo memories. Another wellknown Niles historian, Patricia Benson Bachman, gifted her collection of Niles history to the growing Ochenryder archives.

See HISTORY, Page 52

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HISTORY Continued from page 52

She has three large bookshelves overflowing with local history. The basement of her home contains binders filled with past years of the Niles Star. Her computer screen contains tens of thousands of files with photos and bits of information about Niles.

Ochenryder was “armwrestled” onto the Niles DDA design committee by director Lisa Croteau and Tim Batton. They wanted her help in recording what was happening on Main Street, beginning in 2003.

Record it she did.

Ochenryder took more than 18,800 photos until the built-in flash on her seven-year-old Sony camera gave out. She even mounted a raised fire truck platform, parked by the old YMCA on State Street for her 112-foot aerial

shot of Main Street. All the demolitions and renovations that changed the face of Main Street are pictorially saved and catalogued because she has donated her time and effort.

Giving to community From her collections and work, Bob Christensen, of the State Historical Preservation Office, drafted the petition that led to the designation of Niles Main Street as a historic district. She is gathering before and after photos of businesses in downtown for a second historic business district application.

As a volunteer, she is a member of Friends of Silverbrook and gives talks, financial support and adds to the monthly “Silverbrook Legacies” that appear in the Niles Daily Star. A member of

Support the Fort and Fort St Joseph Historic Association, she designed two historic trail signs located in Riverfront Park, one explaining the importance of the Big Four Railroad to the city and another featuring the Parrott Canon and the Civil War. One was donated by Ochenryders and the other was paid for by the Association. She is a member of Four Flags Garden Club whose work at Niles’ historic train depot maintains and preserves its famous horticulturalist John Gipner’s grave and history.

Demolishing downtown Much of her work documents her early “home territory” torn down during the urban renewal project.

“Urban renewal took out so many buildings

and changed Front Street forever. It came about after a study by a South Bend firm was commissioned by the city. Joann Sporleder wrote the findings in a two-page pullout letter in the Niles Star saying not to tear it down, but to fix and restore it all. The city fathers of the time went against her advice, and now all we have are the photos.”

Ochenryder was devastated by the demolition.

Her collection includes a volume with Kawneer in-house newsletters from 1942 through the late 1950s. They document many of the wartime stories of Niles’ veterans. Her family histories and other records are used to help those seeking out their history.

She helps authors with their books, individuals

PAGE 52 with their histories and even supplied the wall photography for the new Paris Soda Shop. There are few instances today where depicting Niles’ history is without Ochenryder’s influence.

When the painting that mesmerized her at the old Central High auditorium was removed from its home in the cafeteria of Ring Lardner Junior High School; Ochenryder saved the massive work from being hidden away where it could have been forgotten in the crawl space of Ring Lardner. It is now part of her archive.

For Ochenryder, the work has become a fulltime job. Her husband supports her by taking over much of the household chores.

She is bothered that the climate-controlled history room at Niles District Library, constructed from a t$2 million donation made by Jennie Plym to house her

historic collection, has been converted to a computer room with the fragile historic documents moved into the library’s open space. The Ochenryder collection will not find a home there.

The Ochenryders have some decisions to make about where to bequeath her expansive collection.

They are considering the Museum at Berrien Springs or one at Southwestern Michigan College in Cass County, but for now there is still work to be done.

To Ochenryder her reward comes when she sees she has tweaked the memory of others or helped newcomers see Niles through her eyes.

She continues her mission closing her public presentations with Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”

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HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

PAGE 53

Digging up the Underground A core group of volunteers follows a growing vision

By JOHN EBY john.eby@leaderpub.com

A contractor, a counselor, a pastor

and a politician.

These board members could be border pieces framing the jigsaw puzzle that is the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County.

By themselves, they don’t provide a complete picture but give a guideline for fitting the pieces together.

The URSCC is a developing picture, associated closely with the Bonine House restoration, but with visions for translating historic preservation into economic development.

While the politician, Vandalia Village President Beverly Young; the pastor, Rick Williams; and the counselor, Cathy LaPointe orbit Cassopolis, URSCC President Mike Moroz calls Dowagiac home. Why does he have a horse in this race?

“This is everybody’s story,” Moroz said. “It’s mostly about the people in the South who needed to be free. After that come the free blacks and the Quakers. It’s a perfect story for what America should be.”

Mike Moroz “The Underground Railroad Society will hopefully have many facets, like other houses or other projects,” Moroz said. “The first thing it’s about is the Underground Railroad. That’s our claim to fame. After that, we’re restoring the Bonine House because it’s such an integral part of the history of the Underground Railroad. The Carriage House (across M-60) as well.

“I’ve lived in Cass County all my life. We were taught about the Underground Railroad as

a kid, and I always thought that was something to be proud of, that our community had a part in this.

“This is an opportunity to work on both the story and the house. I love old houses, I’ve worked on them for many years as a contractor, including Dorothy Armin’s on Green Street, and I own one myself in Dowagiac.

When I joined in 2009, I wanted to be a behindthe-scenes guy. This is going to be quite a project, but it can be done.”

In fact, Moroz lives in the restored Bock home adjacent to Oil Can Alley, which belonged to a businessman who owned a hotel located where Ridge Co. is today.

Homes of Quakers Stephen Bogue, Zachariah Shugar, Josiah Osborn and Ishmael Lee doubled as “stations of much importance,” according to early county histories.

The Bogue house still stands at M-60 and Crooked Creek Road.

Quaker abolitionist William Jones’ house at See RAILROAD, page 54

“

While the Bonine House is my passion, it’s a focal point for telling the story of the Underground Railroad.

LaPointe

” “

— Cathy LaPointe

Williams

This is everybody’s story.

It’s a perfect story for what America should be.

”

— Mike Moroz

Young

Moroz

Underground Railroad Society of Cass County The mission of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County (URSCC) is to provide a focal point for exploration into the origins and activities of the Underground Railroad; the unique role the people of Cass County played throughout its existence; and how it impacted local, state and national history.

Goals n Preserve and restore the James E. Bonine House and Carriage House as outstanding examples of Victorian domestic architecture. n Create a museum, learning center and community meeting house as the focal point for understanding the role Quaker, African-American and other abolitionist groups played in the Un-

derground Railroad. n Create a cultural tourism destination for Underground Railroad enthusiasts that will bring visitors and tourism dollars into the community. n Preserve and restore the James E. Bonine House and Carriage House as outstanding examples of Victorian domestic architecture.

HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

RAILROAD Continued from page 53

M-60 and Gards Prairie Road is also a noted station.

It is claimed that more than 1,500 freedom seekers passed through Cass County en route to Canada on a route through Schoolcraft, Battle Creek, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Detroit and, finally, Windsor, Canada.

There was so much Underground Railroad activity around Vandalia; it was known in Washington, D.C., as “that hotbed of abolitionism.”

Cathy LaPointe LaPointe moved here in 2000 for lake living.

Her first exposure was a Juneteenth celebration in Calvin Township, where she heard a talk by Dr. Veta Tucker.

“Unlike Mike, I’m not particularly drawn to old

houses, but that story is so fascinating.”

She was drawn in further by knowing Ruth Andrews and Marty Kaszar, who were involved in the Minority Coalition Kentucky Raid mural project, from WAND (Women’s Action for New Directions).

“Ruth and Marty invited me to a meeting at the museum (at Southwestern Michigan College),” LaPointe said. “(Former County Administrator) Terry Proctor was there and they were transitioning from the general experience to saving this house. There were historians and scholars. I came out thinking it would be unconscionable to not save this house. That did it for me.

That’s when I lost my fear.

“Saving Bonine House is my passion. The story is absolutely essential.”

LaPointe “loved that we couldn’t get the house for a year and a half to two years because that allowed us to discover the story,” she said.

“It has to be a focal point for Underground Railroad education. Our vision is to have community events and meet-

ings downstairs” while unfolding the story “in all those bedrooms upstairs. The Carriage House can be a fantastic museum for large exhibits. That group evolved into URSCC.” Involved early on were historians Carol and Dave Bainbridge.

“I can say without a doubt that we wouldn’t exist without them,” LaPointe said. “Carol

PAGE 54 obtained our 501(c)(3) and she actually expanded the driving tour to 10 sites. Lin (Pollard) and I redid the map and published it as a self-guided tour. Dave brought in experts to determine the age and period of the Bonine House and Carriage House.

“His expertise was and is invaluable. They stepped back from active roles late in 2010, just

before we purchased the house, but they both laid the groundwork for what’s happening today, and we’re very grateful.

“I didn’t know anything about the Underground Railroad beyond (such national figures as) Harriet Tubman. I had a counseling referral business and I’m an entrepreneur. I’ve had an enSee SOCIETY, page 56

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HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

SOCIETY Continued from page 54

ergy management business, so I have some business background. I have a vision about” the Greek Revival farmhouse with an adjacent grove where Bonine Elk Park became the state Department of Transportation’s first state park and a favorite roadside picnic spot.

Long-lost Ramptown, a settlement of cabins and a school, was located on land Bonine owned west of Calvin Center Road at Bonine Street.

Soon after the Civil War the farmhouse was enlarged and done over in the flamboyant Second Empire style with double doors, tall arched windows and a central mansard tower surmounted with a a highpitched roof.

A porch wrapped

around the front, overlooking showplace gardens.

Long-rumored tunnels have yet to be verified.

Chain Lake Baptist Church, established in 1838, played an important role in Underground Railroad activities and is one of the oldest African-American churches in Michigan.

Rick Williams Williams’ family has owned property on Hospital Street for more than 40 years.

“We always knew our history,” he said. “We knew where our parents came from in Memphis, Tenn., and northern Mississippi. We can take our family back to 1798. We had family members who owned land in 1872 in Mississippi and we knew of that migration

into Chicago. One of my father’s good friends owned the property we purchased.”

Ever since he was a teenager, they have talked of Williamsport Heritage Farm and telling the Underground Railroad story and “the importance of making that trek through Kentucky, into Indiana and up through the north. A cousin wrote several books about the Underground Railroad.”

Williams came to Michigan in 1985 and worked for Oakland County Administrator L. Brooks Patterson. A friend, a former Pontiac mayor, wrote a play about the Underground Railroad.

“Cass County, Mich., boasts the highest percentage of mixed-ancestry relationships in the state,” Williams said.

“(His friend) started learning in his research about free blacks in the area. When I moved back here permanently in April, I had an opportunity to check out the Underground Railroad Society.

“I really enjoyed what they were talking about, and I don’t have any problem with the Bonine House because I believe it’s a magnet where we can have a museum. The Bonine House wasn’t a primary Underground Railroad hiding place, but they hid in the Carriage House.”

“Some people get conflicted about focusing on the house but it draws people on all sides of the story of the Underground Railroad movement here in Cass County,” Williams said. “I’m interested in learning how and why Quakers and Amish and others were motivated to become abolitionists. That story wasn’t told in my

PAGE 56 family growing up in Chicago.

“But I came down here and now I attend Penn Friends Church, sitting there with folks whose families were part of this movement. There are generations of free blacks who are still here.

How can I use my years of experience in government, private sector and ministry to use my latter years to provide some service to tell this story?

I’m drawn to the house because it opens the door” to understanding the Underground Railroad.

Williams believes the story can help explain “why we have such a vibrant, dynamic community right now and going forward. I think the URSCC offers some unique things that are going to open our eyes and really challenge us.

“We could have re-enactment dinners inside the Bonine House” like Civil War societies rec-

reate the 19th century.

The Kentucky Raid of 1847 confrontation could be replicated — perhaps with a mock trial.

The Michigan Bar Association in 1995 placed a milestone plaque outside the 1899 courthouse, which brought former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer back to his hometown.

“This could be an international destination right here in Vandalia and Cass,” Williams said. “I am a pastor, but behind the cloth I’ve owned a number of businesses,” including Famous Amos cookie franchises in Milwaukee and a wire fabricating company in Norfolk, Va. “I’ve been blessed to b e o n U n i t e d Wa y boards in a couple of cities, on college boards of trustees and nonprofit groups in addition to government. I want to bring that experience to the organization,” Wil-

HORIZONS: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE liams said. “This is personal because it reflects my heritage and affects the heritage of so many people. Moses Simba came all the way from Kalamazoo and gave an entire paycheck because he was so pleased that somebody was doing something that affected his life. That’s truly inspiring.”

Beverly Young “I’ve been here 64 years,” Village President Beverly Young said, “and even growing up I don’t remember learning a lot about black history or slavery days in school” on White Temple Road, Vandalia, which she attended until 11th grade and shifted to Cassopolis.

“I went to school with the Wrights, so I can remember them living in the Bonine House,” Young said. “I never confronted racism in Vandalia, only when I grew up and was looking for a job in Elkhart. Our schools were mixed and we were all friends who grew up together. I never heard (the n word).”

Vandalia started Underground Railroad Days, coming up on its third year in July.

“It draws 700 or 800 people, and our population in Vandalia is only 300.”

“It’s interesting to me that Cathy is so excited about everything,” Young said. “I learn a lot from her.

Cathy enthuses me.”

Young, going on 10 years as village president since 2002, retired from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, for which she served as a corrections officer transporting prisoners to court appearances.

The grandmother was village treasurer and assessor for almost 20 years before taking a six-year break from politics.

PAGE 57

Volunteer enjoys ‘lightbulb’ moments Deb Sokoloskis takes action to underscore importance of education

By JOHN EBY john.eby @leaderpub.com Deb “Mrs. S” Sokoloskis has been helping in her grandson Terry George’s classes since he was in Head Start.

Her grandson, 11, is now in fifth grade, one of teacher Margie Brosnan’s 19 students at Justus Gage Elementary School.

Sokoloskis wants to continue at Justus Gage next year, even after Terry “graduates” to Dowagiac Middle School.

“Deb loves the kids and enjoys helping them,” Principal Marcy Hendress said. “She especially enjoys watching the lightbulb come on when they have struggled and then master something they have been trying to learn. Deb has made a positive impact on the lives of many, many students.

“Deb is extremely committed to our students and the school,” Hendress said.

“Last year, the children were in safety position for quite a while due to a tornado warning. Deb braved the weather (“I got soaked up to my ankles because the parking lot was flooded”) and came to Justus Gage to help us comfort the students and assist if needed.”

“I wanted my grandson to have a good day at school,” said Sokoloskis, whose only clue to her volunteer status is an identification badge dangling around her neck.

“They keep threatening to get me my own badge,” she said, “but I

Deb Sokoloskis helps in her grandson’s class at Justus Gage Elementary School. keep telling them they don’t have to do anything special. I try to think of simple things that might help them. To watch that lightbulb come on, it’s a good feeling.”

“First grade at McKinley was tough. He had a seasoned teacher, but the kids pushed and were busy, and he was quite hyper, too. I’d sit right next to him” and keep him and other students on task and “in line.”

“I’m an odd duck sometimes,” she said, “but to prove to my grandson that it’s all about the kids, I have to be willing to prove it to him. The way trends are going, even when you get a good education doesn’t mean you’re going to get a job.”

She has a niece who teaches special education at DMS who’s “bugging” Deb to switch buildings, so “I’m torn. I love it here,” where she volunteers days off from her day job at BorgessLee Memorial Hospital.

She has been an EMT specialist with the emergency room for 14 years.

One week, she logged Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at the hospital, so she volunteered Tuesday and Friday morning

at Justus Gage before work at noon.

Her own school days took place in Decatur.

“I’m a bookworm who loved school,” she said.

“A middle-class farm kid who got picked on sometimes. I was pretty secure in myself. One time, I found a sign on my back that said ‘pig farmer,’ but it didn’t get my goat, so they quit picking on me.”

As a mother, Sokoloskis oversaw the educations of two daughters and a son in Dowagiac.

She now has eight grandchildren.

Sokoloskis, who lives on East Division Street, crochets and “loves rocks” and gardening, so for her birthday one year Bud, her husband of 13 years in May, got her a boulder.

When another teacher needed cans for Valentines, Mrs. S. emptied her coffee cupboard into temporary Tupperware containers because “you don’t want a kid to go without. Title I, I’m on the parents advisory committee because they didn’t have any parents volunteer and I didn’t want them to lose their money.

“If I was retired or won the lottery, I’d be here all the time.”

Volunteers in action Susanne Hunsberger Susanne Hunsberger, originally from Niles, married a Cassopolis man and settled in Dowagiac to be near their jobs.

The hairstylist with a home-based salon spends each Tuesday at Patrick Hamilton Elementary School, where her two sons attend second and fourth grade.

She also assists first-grade teacher Jon Leazenby, whose wife, Rachel, 27, of Niles, was killed in a Jefferson Township crash on Christmas Eve 2008.

She always encouraged her husband to recruit volunteers and it “just stuck,” Hunsberger said.

“I just like doing it,” said Hunsberger, who files, makes copies and takes students aside for tutoring.

“Some of them just need someone to care,” she said.

“They’re happy to see me any time I show up” — especially trailing her “luggage,” in which she hauls treat bags of healthy snacks, such as pretzels and grapes.

Ray Klomes Former Patrick Hamilton principal and Dowagiac superintendent Peg Stowers helped Ray Klomes’ son when he was little, so when he took early retirement at 50 from managing a computer center in Chicago, Klomes wanted to repay the kindness.

“I just enjoy” tutoring math at Justus Gage Elementary School, first for Cari Soderbloom and now for Kim Deering’s third-graders and Ashley Horvath’s fourth-graders.

“Mr. Klomes is a faithful volunteer,” according to Principal Marcy Hendress. “He is willing to help out any age student. Ray is often found in the hall with an individual student or small group working on math facts or solving math problems.”

Jimbo…“ALL IN”

T

here is no such thing as can’t. This was “a difficult concept for a 4 year old to comprehend,” says Jim’s son and business partner, Mike. “I can remember debating the issue with Dad as a quizzical 4 year old would do, but Dad’s philosophy on this, and lots more, stuck with me then, and still permeates Shelton Farms today.”

Jim Shelton proudly opens his first doors Jim Shelton, commonly referred to in the fall of 1971. Prior to this, Shelton’s as “Jimmy” or “Jimbo” is an owner of ‘Fruit Stop’ was a seasonal open air fruit Shelton Farms in Southwest Michimarket. gan along with his brother Joe and son Mike. At 81 years young, Jim is the picture of hard work, determination, success, and fun. Jim’s philosophy of providing people with premier quality produce and unsurpassed customer service (and having fun while doing it) set the tone for Shelton Farms in 1947, and remains the backbone of daily operations at Shelton Farms today.

Jimmy, as his mother Rose called him, was born in 1931 near Reform, Alabama. An extremely shy boy, Jim grew up on a rural farm with his mother and father (Rose and Ethan), his older brother Ron, older sister Jean (Marston), younger sister Martha Ann (Webber), and younger brother Kenneth (who passed away in 1983). They had no electricity, no plumbing, drew their water from a well they dug, and kept the milk (from the cows they milked) cool in the creek a quarter mile down a path from the house.

On the humble 200 acre Alabama farm, the family raised their own food; sweet potatoes (taters), white potatoes (Irish taters), turnip greens, and various vegetables including peas and corn. After harvesting their corn, they would take it to the mill, giving the mill half of their bounty to grind it. What they didn’t use to feed their few cows, hogs, and chickens, they used for cornbread (a Shelton family staple eaten at nearly every meal). The “money crop” on Shelton’s farm was cotton. They raised cotton in the fields they had terraced with mules. They hoed it, watered it by hand with water from the creek, and harvested it. They could trade it in town for salt and other essentials. Jim recalls not having a tractor on the farm and having to plow with mules. “When I was about eight,” says Jim with a laugh, “Ron was plowing and I wanted to try. When Dad came home from his job as a barber in town, he told Ron that some of the furrows looked a little crooked. Ron told Dad that I had plowed those rows. With that information, Dad turned on his heel and went into the barn.

He promptly came out with a saw in his hand, walked directly to the plow, and cut the handles down to my size. I did most of the plowing after that.”

Jimbo and his brother Ron learned to hunt and fish at a very early age. Besides swimming at the swimming hole in Coalfire Creek, this is what they did for recreation. The obvious benefit of this pastime was it also put food on the table. They ate a lot of squirrel, rabbit, fish, and even a possum or two. This was after they caught one live, put it in a pen, fed it corn for a few weeks, and Aunt Ada cooked it her special way. While not too tasty, raccoon was one of their favorite critters to hunt (whenever the dogs would get one tree’d).

“Whenever I talk to my Dad,” says Mike, “his most vivid and fondest memories were from that farm in Alabama, though they didn’t even have two nickels to rub together.” Times were tough for this “Depression Family” but life was good. They had each other, enough to eat (most of the time), and dreams of a better life. It was there that Jim learned to work hard and to do “whatever it takes” which has become one of many “Jimbo-isms.”

Hardly a day goes by that Shelton Farms

Jim doing his annual apple crop estimate and inspecting maturity with his ever present pocket knife. 2011.

does not apply Jimbo’s “whatever it takes” philosophy when dealing with a tough situation or a customer service opportunity. Fresh, perishable produce is a tough, demanding business.

The days on the farm in Alabama ended abruptly when an illness of Jim’s infant brother, Kenneth, forced the family to move to Chicago to get Kenneth the special medical attention he needed. In Chicago, the family operated a small neighborhood grocery. Chicago was short-lived as Ethan and Rose quickly discovered that Chicago was not the place they wanted to raise a family. They narrowed down their next move to the woods and pastures of Wisconsin or the fertile fruit belt in Southwest Michigan. The family actually voted and Michigan won out. Ron had visions of the good hunting in Wisconsin, but as Jim relates, he didn’t want to be shoveling manure the rest of his life. So Ethan and Rose bought a 40 acre farm (“weed patch”) in Berrien Center, Michigan, and moved the family.

As a teenager, Jim worked and helped the farm survive those first very tough years. He recalls picking pickles because they discovered that pickles were the only crop they could still plant and harvest the first year.

They needed those pickles and raised the finest crop that the processor in Eau Claire had ever seen. Jim would haul them to the market after dark on a trailer pulled a by an old crank-start Allis-Chalmers tractor, using a flashlight as his beacon to see where he was going and to make sure he didn’t get run over. He did this daily that first summer… pick pickles during the day and haul them after dark.

“The thing about Jimbo,” says Joe Shelton, Jim’s youngest brother and

business partner, “is that no matter what he does, he goes after it with 110% effort and sees it through to completion.

We currently farm about 60 acres of grapes and nearly 100 acres of apples and getting here didn’t come easy, ” says Joe. “We cleared the land, removing woods, stumps, and lots and lots of rocks by hand. Then we needed apple Left: The Sheltons. Ethan, Martha Ann, Jean, Rose, trees. We had no money so Jim, and Ron. Alabama, circa 1940. we literally ‘made’ the trees Top: Watching Point Guard Grandson, Michael. 2012. by planting root stock one Right: Jimbo and Miss Betty. 2012. season, budding selected tree Bottom: Jimbo attacking his desk. 2012. varieties to them the next year then transplanting the newly created tree the next. We did thousands of trees this way.

We also literally made our grape plants by rooting cuttings and then transplanting them into our new vineyards. We even cut, hauled, and split the posts for the grapes.”

“The farm needed Jim,” says Joe. He completed 8th grade in Chicago, but did not return to school after the move to Michigan – he had work to do. Although Jim stopped attending school, he didn’t stop learning. “For that matter,” says Joe, “Jim is probably one of the best read people you will ever know. Whether it’s politics, religion, current events, sports, or business, Jim is an authority. You will never beat Jimbo in a war of words. He will out talk you and make you think you like it. He is basically self-educated and epitomizes the meaning of being a self-made man.”

Following in the footsteps of his brother Ron, Jim enlisted in the Paratroopers. He was stationed in Fort Campbell Kentucky where “Weekend Passes” lead him to Paducah, Kentucky.

Here, he met “Miss Betty,” his bride-to-be. He and Miss Betty maintained a long distance romance, and were married at the end of his stint in the army. Then Jim promptly moved back to the farm with his new bride.

Jim rejoined his father on the fruit farm in Berrien Center, Michigan, and the farm grew from 40 to nearly 300 acres. But the farm wasn’t all that was growing. So was Jim’s family!

He and Miss Betty added five children in the next five years. Mike, Patt, Kim, Kevin, and Jon all worked on the farm or in the market as they grew up, learning lessons from Jim’s example along the way. Mike remembers that as a kid, he could make a man’s wage splitting logs into posts with a sledgehammer and wedges. “Dad somehow made this hard physical work fun by nurturing competition between my cousins Dan (now of Shelton’s Construction) and Don (wholesale buyer for Shelton Farms). We would often hear one of his Jimbo-isms – ‘It’s okay to hurry!’”

On the farm, Shelton’s grew a variety of apples, grapes, strawberries, peaches, plums, and pears that were sold under the shade of three giant white pine trees. Jim also peddled produce to the many markets located on Old US31 between Niles, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana.

As the farm grew, Jim’s vision was to open his own retail farm market and “get closer to the people.” In 1959 Jim’s father, Ethan, in good faith, purchased a small lot south of Niles

“There is no such thing as can’t.” and remodeled it into Shelton’s Fruit Stop. The market was the thirteenth between Niles and Roseland. Jim says, “That was a big step and the other retailers were betting amongst themselves that Shelton’s wouldn’t last a year.” Well, that was over 53 years ago and all the others are long gone, and Shelton Farms is still here, in the same location, and still growing. “Primarily,” says Jim, “because while the others were trying to make a quick buck, we were focused on providing the freshest quality produce and taking care of our customers as if they were family.”

Some things never change…

Jim was back and forth between managing a growing farm and supplying a growing market. Miss Betty was juggling running a growing business and raising a growing family. Needless to say it was a very hectic time.

But they made it work, because it was what needed to be done. And they enjoyed it. “No one can ever appreciate or ever imagine how hard Mom and Dad worked during those years,” says Mike. “It was not unusual for them to work 80 to 100 hours week after week. There was a job to do and they did it.”

“Dad’s work ethic is unmatched.” says Mike. “But the neat thing is that he has always made work fun. I was put on the payroll at age 5 at a nickel an hour. Looking back, my job was to follow Dad around on the farm... and I have been doing so ever since,” says Mike with a grin.

Today, the three divisions of Shelton Farms consist of the farms in Berrien Center, the retail market in Niles, and the food service division which distributes to many of the finest restaurants, retailers, colleges and institutions in all of Southwestern Lower Michigan and Northern Indiana, a 150 mile radius. Shelton’s employs nearly 100 people. Although most of the employees are not blood relatives, many are long-term employees, and they feel like family. Jim’s older brother Ron retired a few years ago.

Ron’s son David manages the farm operations and his son Don is head buyer for Wholesale. Currently there are three generations of Sheltons working in the business since Jimbo’s grandson Nick has recently rejoined the family business, bringing fresh energy to the team and fast-tracking to learn the time-proven systems and becoming, as Jimbo would say, a good “Fruit Peddler.”

Even today, at age 81, Jimbo still works every day. If he is not on his forklift moving trees in the garden center or in retail chatting with customers and packing apples from trees he “made” years ago, he’s in the office buying nursery stock for Shelton’s Garden Center that he restocks each year from all corners of the United States.

When asked about his age or if someone says they think he may be getting older, Jimbo responds with, “My Daddy doesn’t think I’m old!” (Grandpa Ethan is 108 and still very active – he and Joe played a dozen rounds of golf last summer!)

But don’t think its all work and no play for Jimbo. On the contrary, he enjoys reading and fishing, and he loves playing cards. You can find him in a good poker game a couple nights a week (yes, he is up early the next day for work!).

If he is not working or playing cards, you will find him spending time with his kids and grandkids. He especially enjoys attending their sporting events. The week of this writing he and Miss Betty attended 4 away basketball games watching his grandchildren (Mike’s kids)

Michael and MacKenzie play. Jimbo has been following local teams for over 50 years.

Jim and Shelton Farms have always supported the community. It’s not some- Left: Jim, serving his country as a paratrooper. 1950. thing they talk about much, Top: Miss Betty harvests grapes on the farm, circa 1960. but since 1947 the contribu- Bottom: Jim, Mike and Joe rest after building the tions have been significant world’s largest apple display in 1991. It included 1,700 and heartfelt. bushels and 68,000 lbs. of apples That said, Jim’s biggest contributions to the community are intangible. He has touched the lives of many, many people from the area, both young and old. He provided the first jobs for hundreds, including engineers, attorneys, nurses, business owners, and entrepreneurs. Their return visits, gracious thanks, and success stories are a testament to Jimbo’s positive guidance and influence. He continues to inspire and often gives life lessons without making them too obvious. He demonstrates a “whatever it takes” attitude. He leads by example, and most of all, he makes it fun!

Jimbo is convinced that in life it is not the cards you are dealt – rather it is how you play ‘em.

And Jimbo is “All In!”

Right: 3 generations of fruit peddlers, Grandpa Jim, Nick and Mike.

2011.

Bottom: It is not the cards you are dealt - it is how you play ‘em.

2012.

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HORIZONS

BUSINESS Page 61 Craft beer industry: The stein runneth over

Page 65 Career change?

Here are the state’s hottest jobs

PAGE 61

Southwest Michigan residents dig deep for business opportunities ranging from breweries to direct sales, from party stores to llamas

Page 75 Direct sales: Businesses make it personal

Page 81 Party stop: Brothers known for chain of stores

Page 83 Loving llamas: Farm couple go exotic

Beer boom

The Michigan craft beer buzz is in full effect

By AARON MUELLER aaron.mueller@leaderpub.com

With 110 breweries in the state,

Michigan ranks in the top five nationally. And with 18 more in the works, the arrow is still pointing up — or the mug is still being filled — for the craft beer industry in the state.

Despite the tough economy, the craft beer movement is in full force, according to beer expert and Michigan Beer Guide Publisher Rex Halfpenny.

“In Michigan, it’s been one of the silver linings in a horrible economy,” he said. “Beer consumption as a whole is declining, but the growth of the microcraft industry is

increasing.”

Southwest Michigan has helped lead the charge. There are 12 beermakers within an hour and a half drive of Niles.

Greenbush Brewing Co. in Sawyer and Patchwork Brewing in Decatur, for example, opened just last year and are enjoying early success.

See BOOM, page 63

Brooke Rosenbaum opened Patchwork Brewing Co. last summer. In addition to serving beers, she cooks, serving up organic and vegetarian sandwiches and pizzas.

Leader photo/AARON MUELLER

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HORIZONS: BUSINESS

BOOM

Southwest Michigan

Beer Boom

Continued from page 61 Glass half full The Michigan beer boom has been fueled by a larger trend, known as the slow food revolution, Halfpenny said.

“There has been a change in the American consciousness,” he said.

“And it’s not just beer.

It’s coffee, food, chocolate.”

Community gardens, interest in organic farming and cooking and rejecting fast food and canned products are among the trends. And craft beer is just another.

Brooke Rosenbaum, owner of Patchwork Brewing Co. in Decatur, is part of the movement.

Not only does she brew more than 10 varieties of beer, but she also has developed a line of natural, organic and vegetarian dishes at her brewery. “ O u r par ents and grandparents were the microwave dinner generation,” she said. “People are wanting to go back to natural things, gardening and organics, and this is part of it.”

Halfpenny says when people taste a good craft beer, they immediately notice the difference.

“It’s like once you discover all-wheat, all-grain bread. White bread just doesn’t do it anymore,” he said. “Or when you first taste fresh-roasted coffee, Folger’s doesn’t cut it.”

Rosenbaum said many of her local customers are new to the craft brew scene, although she does get beer connoisseurs that on beer tours.

“We’ve had a few locals complaining about the beer prices or the taste,” she said. “But I’m sure they’re used to drinking Coors or Miller Light or PBR or something. A lot of people have come to really like it and are glad to have some different options in Decatur.”

Halfpenny said craft beers are more filling

and flavorful and have more color, a better finish and aftertaste. And they are better for you.

“They are a healthier product. Craft beer is not pasteurized, not filtered.

It’s packed with all the vitamins and minerals,” he said.

Glass half empty While the number of breweries has skyrocketed in recent years, there is still a long way to go in the craft brew industry in Michigan, Halfpenny said.

In 2010, only 3.5 percent of all beer sold in Michigan was made in the state.

“We have 110 breweries in Michigan, but 80 percent of sales come from the big four — Budweiser, Miller, Coors and Pabst,” Halfpenny said.

And while the 3.5 percent figure is triple where it was just a few years ago, Michigan can look to some states out west for motivation, such as in Oregon, where the in-state consumption percentage is in the double digits.

Michigan brew pubs and microbreweries produced more than 90,000 barrels of beer in 2010 but Anheuser-Busch alone pumped out 3.4 million.

“It sounds like a lot (of local beer),” Halfpenny said. “But we’re tiny compared to the big leagues.”

Little guys back it up Mention Michigan beer, and most people think of Bell’s Brewery, in Galesburg, which produced 68,400 barrels last year. But Halfpenny says to not look past the small-town microbreweries such as Patchwork and Greenbush.

“They have staying power, provided they have a quality product,” See BEER, page 64

Paw Paw Brewing Co. 929 E. Michigan Paw Paw

Biblo’s Pizza 3307 Stadium Kalamazoo

PAGE 63 OVERFLOWING — Breweries big and small are popping up all over the state and Southwest Michigan is no exception.

There are 12 within a one and a half-hour drive of Niles.

Olde Peninsula Brewpub 200 E. Michigan Kalamazoo

Arcadia Brewing Co.

By AARON MUELLER aaron.mueller @leaderpub.com

103 W. Michigan

Battle Creek

The Livery 190 5th St. Benton Harbor

Darkhorse Brewing Co.

Patchwork Brewing Co. 103 N. Phelps Decatur

511 S. Kalamazoo Marshall

Illustration by Aaron Mueller

Greebush Brewing Co. 5885 Sawyer Rd Sawyer

Round Barn Winery 10983 Hills Rd. Baroda

Old Hat Brewery 114 N. Main Lawton

Bell’s Brewing Inc. 8938 Krum Galesburg

DeweyCannon Winery/Brewery 9 N. Elm St. Three Oaks

On tap ...

Southwest Michigan is hopping with good breweries. n Greenbush Brewing Co., Sawyer 1825: A Belgian golden ale Anger: A black india pale ale Closure: Features a different hop variety each time it’s brewed Distorter: Is it a stout or is it a porter, who can know?

Dunegras: Justly hopped india pale ale Red Bud: Copper wheat ale Retribution: Belgian-style ale brewed with brown sugar, raisins and honey Traktor: A blonde-ish kream ale n The Livery, Benton Harbor Anvil IPA: North American malt and Pacific Northwest hops; The Livery’s hoppiest beer Red Canoe: A deep red beer with maltiness and North American hop bitterness Steel Wheels: Brewed with oat malt and dry hopped with cascade hops Steep Canyon Lager: A hoppy, golden pilsner n Patchwork Brewing Co., Decatur Patchwork Pale Ale: A smooth, light beer with floral finish Old Swamp Double IPA: Owner Brooke Rosenbaum’s favorite; bitter yet smooth Ira’s Revenge Double IPA: Hopped like an IPA but brewed

Patchwork ready for business

with darker malts; at 9.6 percent ABV, it doesn’t mess around Lakes of the Woods Belgian IPA: Belgian/IPA combo Redlight Barleywine: Perfect winter beer; also great for wine lovers looking for a sweeter taste Charlie McCarthy’s Chocolate Stout: Strong stout with chocolate flavor Liquid Breakfast Oatmeal Stout: Brewed with oatmeal, fermented with coffee and a touch of maple syrup n Dewey-Cannon Winery & Brewery, Three Oaks Captain Easy: Medium-bodied Irish-American pale ale Dewey-Cannon IPA: Medium-bodied IPA with caramel and a smooth nutty finish Chucker: An Irish-style brown ale with four types of malted barley and hints of cocoa, dates and toasted almonds Dublin Porter: An Irish porter brewed with five varieties of European malted barley n Round Barn Winery, Baroda Amber Ale: Deep, copper ale with notes of caramel Barodinger Weisse: A sour wheat beer with hints of tropical sour fruit Cocoa Stout: A black body and tan head with notes of barley, coffee and chocolate Oak Aged IPA: A classic American pale ale Kolsch Style: Golden-blonde ale with subtle maltiness

When Brooke Rosenbaum opened Patchwork Brewing Co. last summer, it had been a long time coming.

The 32-year-old Buchanan resident bought the 100-year-old building in downtown Decatur in 2007, knowing that it would be quite a project to restore it.

The building was brought up to code in stages — or one could say, it was patched together. Rosenbaum said the business was also named after the patchwork curtains she sewed for the windows of the building.

First, the old flooring was ripped out and new wood installed. Then Rosenbaum had the original tin ceiling sanded and painted gold. A multicolored checkeredwood bar, built by Doyle Construction in Berrien Springs, was installed.

She brought in art and posters from her home to create a warm, homey yet hip environment in the cozy 1,600-squarefoot space.

“My home is basically bare now,” Rosenbaum said with a laugh.

Located on the corner of M-51 and Phelps Street, Rosenbaum said it’s an ideal location because “everyone can see it.” The business draws a fair number of tourists and the Chicago crowd, and she’s expecting a big summer now that her brewery is on the Michigan Beer Guide map.

Rosenbaum began brewing beer 10 years ago after tasting the difference between craft beer and a typical BudSee BREWING, page 64

HORIZONS: BUSINESS

PAGE 64

BEER

Continued from page 63 Halfpenny said. “If someone buys a good beer, they are tasting the water, the malt, the hops, the yeast and not the chemical compounds that I would consider a flaw.”

Scott Sullivan and Justin Heckathorn, who started Greenbush Brewing, know good beer means good profits.

They began brewing at home for friends. And because it was so good, they were encouraged to sell it.

The moment they opened a tap room last summer, they were turning a profit. And now more than 400 loyal mug club members later, it’s clear the reason for the success — the quality of the beer.

“We have great relationships,” Jill Sites, an employee at Greenbush, told Leader Publications in October. “But we back it up with the beer.

And thank God, the people love beer.”

Hopping along With the growth of the craft beer industry, an interest in homegrown hops has also bloomed.

The Pacific Northwest

has long been the national hotspot for growing hops. But Ed Dohm, owner of Michiana Hops in Niles, said Michigan has a surprisingly good climate for growing the crop.

“Our climate is pretty ideal for hops growing with the lake and the milder winters,” Dohm said.

Dohm, who runs the two-acre farm with his son, Joe, grows cascade and chinook hops. Cascade hops are commonly used in American ales, while chinook is a stronger, bittering hop used in stouts and porters.

Halfpenny said he is encouraged by the hops farms popping up in the state but said Michigan will never be a huge player in the hops growing industry.

“We can make great hops here,” he said. “But local Michigan hops will never compete price point with the Yakima Valley. It just has the perfect climate.”

Come a long way It was 15 years ago when Halfpenny left his job in “corporate America” to pursue his beer

passion.

“I don’t have the perks and benefits of corporate America but I can sleep at night,” he said.

He completed the Sensory Evaluation of Beer program in Chicago, became a nationally approved beer judge and later helped to lead the effort to legalize home brewing in Michigan. He began publishing the Michigan Beer Guide 15 years ago.

Once Michigan legalized home brewing and microbreweries in the early ’90s, Halfpenny saw “incredible potential” for craft beer in the state.

“I knew there had to be more people out there looking to explore a better glass of beer,” he said. “We’ve made some great inroads.”

Halfpenny said the craft beer movement in Michigan is creating a new type of beer drinker.

“They are willing to spend more on a beer than a generation ago, despite the economy,” he said.

“They are happy with a six-pack of good beer rather than a 24-case of Budweiser.”

ter a road just outside of town.

“It’s a really super hoppy beer,” she said.

“The primary hop is chinook, which is kind of a citrusy taste.”

Also popular is the Redlight Barleywine, which is great for the wives of beer drinkers who prefer the sweeter taste of wine, Rosenbaum said.

The Liquid Breakfast Stout is another intriguing option, brewed with oatmeal, coffee and maple syrup.

She has more than 10 listed beers but with only five taps and a one-

barrel brewing system, she has to cycle them.

Rosenbaum uses her cooking skills in the Patchwork kitchen as well, serving organic and vegetarian sandwiches and pizzas.

Since opening the brewery, Rosenbaum has developed an interest in the history of brewing.

“Obviously in the 1800s, they weren’t shipping their beer in,” she said. “They were making it so every town had its own different kind of beer.”

Rosenbaum is certainly doing her part in restoring flavor in Decatur.

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Continued from page 63

weiser.

“I like to make things from scratch,” she said, “like baking, cooking, sewing. So I bought a book on how to brew beer.”

After some successful batches, she decided to pursue her childhood dream of opening her own business.

Many of her concoctions, which have names such as Old Swamp IPA, Ira’s Revenge and Liquid Breakfast Oatmeal Stout, were the results of trial and error.

Rosenbaum’s favorite beer is the Old Swamp IPA, which is named af-

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HORIZONS: BUSINESS

Hottest jobs

New models in manufacturing technology lead the way

By JOHN EBY john.eby @leaderpub.com

Manufacturing technology is a leading area in which employers need skilled workers.

This is not manufacturing the way it used to be, but the new model of automated manufacturing that requires highly trained and skilled employees in areas such as CNC and robotics programming.

“This is what we call Precision Production Technology, or PPT,” a two-year degree that used to be called machine tool, according to Diane Chaddock, executive vice president and CEO for Southwestern Michigan College, Dowagiac.

Other areas of job growth are computer and internet security, hospitality and accounting.

SMC, long known for its nursing program, branched into pharmacy technician, phlebotomy and medical records.

“We try to keep track of what’s out there and what are the growing occupations,” she said.

“When we can, we try to create programs for those.

“There are construction trades jobs for people in our area because there is a fair amount of construction going on,” she said. “Nowadays, with all the certifications you have to have for asbestos, insulation and green homes, you have to have at least some college to do those jobs well — brick masons, electricians, carpenters, that sort of thing.”

“There are quite a few jobs in manufacturing, we hear from our Advisory Committees, but they’re not ‘old manufacturing’ jobs, they’re ‘new manufacturing’ jobs,” Chaddock said.

“They’re angry at us be-

PAGE 65

Occupations with largest number of job openings through 2014 Occupations

Photo provided

The newly approved Energy Production Technology/Line Worker Certificate of Achievement program is a direct outgrowth of the non-credit Line Worker program LMC offered in 2010. Pictured are students from the Line Worker Rodeo in October 2010 on the Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles demonstrating skills learned in class.

LMC offers new programs

By JOHN EBY john.eby@leaderpub.com

Logistics may not sound like something you need to study in college, but consider: “South Bend/ Niles is one of the biggest logistics hubs in the country,” says Ken Flowers, technologies department chair man and M-TEC director for Lake Michigan College.

In January, the LMC Board of Trustees approved two one-year certificate of achievement programs in logistics and in energy production technology/line worker. The latter grew from having a nuclear plant nearby.

Both programs are based at Bertrand Crossing Campus of Niles.

“The logistics and line worker programs got their start because area employers came to us and said that they had a need for graduates with cause we’re not pumping them out fast enough.

Not button-pushers, but people who set up programs for computerized machines. The problem is perception. Most people perceive there are no jobs in manufacturing,

skills sets in these areas, and we responded,” according to LMC President Robert Harrison. “By being in tune with our local workforce needs, we provide our students with training and education that positions them well for local job opportunities.”

Logistics manages the flow of goods, information and other resources between the point of origin and the point of consumption.

The certificate of achievement in logistics is a 30-credit-hour program that gives students background in domestic transportation, warehousing, inventory control and purchasing, along with knowledge of technologies and regulatory requirements.

Flowers said LMC developed the program with the guidance of several area logistic companies, including Express-1, Whirlpool Corp., Hanson See PROGRAMS, page 67

that manufacturing is going away and that manufacturing is dirty, manual work. Those things aren’t true anymore, but it’s hard to dispel those old perceptions. And it pays well.”

Every SMC occupa-

tional program has an advisory board that consists of employers who meet twice a year to review curriculum and serve as internship sites.

“Network security is becoming really big,” she said. “Even SMC

Annual openings

Cashiers Retail salespersons Waiters, waitresses Combined food prep/serv wrkr, incl. fast food Registered nurses Farmworker/laborer, crop/ nursery/greenhouse Team assemblers Janitor/cleaner, excl. maid/ housekeeping cleaners Sales reps, whlsl/mfg., excl. tech/sci products Elementary school teachers, excl. special ed Laborers, freight/stock/ material movers, hand Office clerks, general Stock clerks, order fillers Secondary school teachers, excl. spec/voc ed Teacher assistants Bookkeeping/accounting/ auditing clerks Secretaries, excl. legal/medical/ executive Landscaping/groundskeeping workers Nursing aides, orderlies, attendants Child care workers Machinists Maids housekeeping cleaners Maintenance/repair workers, general Receptionists, Information clerks Food preparation workers

has to have network security so no one can get into our system and get student names or student information.

“Any system that has any sort of private information needs to have that security person, whether it’s a team or part of a person. Internet security is evolving into a whole new career on the espionage side, tracking where people go. Ferris has a new pro-

157 124 124 97 74 58 57 49 46 44 44 42 37 36 36 35 33 33 31 31 30 30 29 29 28

gram that’s very popular.”

For hospitality, SMC offers two programs, hotel management and special events planning.

“We are seeing students get accounting jobs,” Chaddock said.

“They say there is demand for nurses, but there have been a lot of (hiring) freezes locally.

Our graduates get jobs, See JOBS, page 67

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“

Mom and Dad want to know the major and whether there are jobs in that.

It’s much more careerconnected now than it used to be. I talk to colleagues across the nation, and we’re all seeing the same thing.

HORIZONS: BUSINESS

JOBS

Careers uppermost “It used to be students were very comfortable (coming to college) and being blase about what they were going to do and not necessarily tying their education to a career,” Chaddock said.

“You don’t see that anymore. Mom and Dad want to know the major and whether there are jobs in that. It’s much more career-connected now than it used to be. I talk to colleagues across the nation and we’re all seeing the same thing.”

SMC enrollments in computer science are “way up,” she said.

“Surprisingly, they’re

” PROGRAMS — Diane Chaddock, SMC

Fastest-growing occupations through 2014 for Cass, Berrien and Van Buren counties

Continued from page 65 but not like they used to.

It takes them longer, they have to work harder to get them and they may have to drive further. Logic dictates that since Michigan has had more of an exodus, we don’t necessarily match national trends. But certainly, health care, we have an aging population — more so than a lot of states. Hiring freezes are gradually loosening up.”

also up in math and science. Kids are starting to think about science careers now, and they didn’t for a long time.

We have an energy auditor who comes in here, and there are jobs related to that. You have to be certified, and we offer that. It’s pretty new and pretty hot. The struggle community colleges have is that we can’t create programs if there aren’t jobs.

“We can’t say we’re going to have an alternative energy program if there is no place for our students to go when they graduate. We look for where jobs are growing and can we offer the training to prepare students for those jobs.

Most of the time we can.

With culinary arts, we found we couldn’t afford it.”

When the college discontinued aviation maintenance, it redirected those resources into its automotive offerings.

“We had a chemical technology program where they would hire our graduates on the oth-

er side of the state,” Chaddock said, “but there was no one here hiring, so we closed that program as well.”

All SMC associate and applied science degrees build in internship requirements, so “a large percentage of those students end up getting jobs where their internship is — especially in computer science. Employers get a chance to preview students and what they know.”

Base skills Employers seek personnel who show up on time, work well with others, computer literacy and communication skills more than knowledge of their particular business.

“Employers increasingly tell us, ‘We will train them to do the actual work we want them to do.’ Soft skills are important and (job-seekers) don’t always have them.

Letting someone go and finding someone else gets expensive. They want someone they can keep,” Chaddock said.

sure that this program best serves area employers’ workforce needs.”

Flowers said about a dozen students started taking individual logistics courses and will now be enrolled in the program on a graduation track.

The certificate of achievement program in energy production/line worker provides a new area of specialization in LMC’s energy production technology program, joining six other concentrations.

Overall, the concentrations prepare students for careers in the nuclear, coal-fired, wind ener-

Occupations

Percent growth

Network systems, data comm analysts Physician assistants Medical assistants Network/computer systems administrators Art/drama/music teachers, postsecondary Industrial engineers Registered nurses Dental assistants Dental hygienists Mechanical engineering technicians Amusement/recreation attendants Special ed teachers, pre/kinder/elem school Mechanical engineers Dining room/cafeteria attendant/bartender help Directions, religious activities and education Fitness trainers, aerobics instructors Education teachers, postsecondary Home health aides Health specialties teachers, postsecondary Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary Computer systems analysts Medical records/health info technicians Self-enrichment education teachers Hosts/hostesses, restaurant/ lounge/coffee

44.4 34.1 28.0 27.5 22.6 21.8 21.6 21.3 20.7 20.2 20.1 19.2 18.7 18.7 18.1 17.8 17.6 17.6 17.4 16.9 16.8 16.5 15.8 15.6

Source: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth

Continued from page 65

Logistics, Bounce Logistics and Towne Air Freights.

Individuals from each of these companies are part of a program advisory board at the Benton Township-based college.

LMC piloted an introductory logistics course in 2010. Since then, additional courses have been offered, with positive response from students and employers.

“We’ve taken a conservative, but steady, approach to developing the logistics program,” Flowers said. “We wanted to see what our successes would be and build on those to make

PAGE 67

gy and energy delivery industries.

The line qorker concentration teaches students the basic skills needed to maintain the intricate grid of power and communication strands weaving across the American landscape.

It prepares graduates for jobs with utility, phone and cable companies, as well as local municipalities which employ their own utility workers.

LMC anticipates annual enrollment of as many as 24 students for the 36-credit-hour program.

Flowers said the Energy Production Technolo-

gy/Line Worker Certificate of Achievement is an extension of a noncredit pilot program the college conducted in 2010 with support and guidance from Indiana Michigan Power.

In November 2009, I&M made a $25,000 gift to LMC to cover program start-up costs.

I&M also shared its line mechanic training curriculum with the college, facilitated purchase of equipment for the program and assisted with setting up the pole climbing yard at the Bertrand Crossing Campus.

Students who graduate with the certificate of

achievement in either logistics or energy production technology/line worker can apply those credits toward an associate’s in general studies or an associate’s ingeneral technology degree.

It’s like a technological twist on the old notion underpinning the classic liberal arts education.

Flowers advises students who come in asking, “What should I do to make the most money?” to start with strong “core knowledge,” which will naturally open opportunities in

specialized fields. Blueprint reading or AC/DC electricity, for examples, translate into a broad array of possibilities.

Logistics companies approached LMC, Flowers said, because before there was a local training program, they had to recruit employees to the area, which could take 18 months to “get up to speed. They can cut their training time in half.”

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HORIZONS: BUSINESS

Heart of a sale

Sue Stevens of Elkhart organizes her Simply Said display at a My Time Tuesdays event in Niles. A nurse by day, Stevens began selling the home decor after seeing a catalog. “I said, ‘Man, that looks like a great business,’” she said.

Consultants cultivate business, develop relationships

By KATIE ROHMAN katie.rohman @leaderpub.com Sue Stevens, a nurse by day and “a seamstress at heart,” says she found her dream job in her direct selling business, Simply Said.

The Elkhart resident learned about the customizable home decor business through a catalog.

“I said, ‘Man, that looks like a great business,’” she said.

After a $199 investment, Stevens became consultant No. 347.

“My life forever changed,” she said.

With only 34 consultants in Indiana, “the potential for growth is great.”

Stevens hosts about six to eight Simply Said parties per month.

“The compensation plan is the best around,” she said. “It’s an incredible opportunity.”

‘It’s just a shakeup’ Home-based businesses — in many cases, direct selling — have exploded since the days of Avon and Tupperware.

No longer are the consultants all stay-at-home moms and retirees.

According to the Direct Selling Association, 15.8 million people in the U.S. are involved in direct selling, and 74 percent of U.S. adults have purchased products from a direct seller.

Today, the people who have home-based businesses are as diverse as the products sold. Some

want supplemental income; some are unemployed and need cash.

Still others are just passionate about their products or like the social opportunities. Men and women, teens and senior citizens sell.

Jody Divjak saw this boom in home-based businesses as an untapped opportunity.

Divjak, a Granger resident who worked at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center for 13 years, has sold Scentsy wickless candles for two years; she has more than 100 customers. She also hocks ViSalus weightloss products.

She believed in both of these businesses.

Her father was a firefighter, so she understood the importance of having flameless candles in homes.

She lost 11 pounds in three weeks with no exercise while drinking ViSalus shakes.

When Divjak was diagnosed with spinal meningitis, she knew her life had to change.

“I told the big guy in the sky, ‘If you let me live, I’ll be a giver,’” she said.

Divjak quit her longtime job and pursued not just her home-based businesses, but joining the community. Her goal was to get a variety of home-based sellers under one roof.

My Time Tuesdays (MTT) started in June 2011 and met at Main Street Village apartments in Granger.

See SALES, page 79

PAGE 75

Traci Lee Smith talks to customers browsing her Watkins products, Avon products and fruit butter booth at a My Time Tuesdays event at the Niles Senior Center. “I’m building relationships,” she said. “I’ve made some incredibly close friends through this.”

These handmade flower pins are sold by Circle of Friends, a nonprofit group of about 15 area women who fundraise for students’ scholarships.

Leader photos/KATIE ROHMAN

Facts about direct selling n 77 percent of sellers have been with their company 1-plus years. n 80 percent of sellers say direct selling meets or exceeds their expectations. n 85 percent of sellers report a good, very good or excellent experience with direct selling. n $28.56 billion in total U.S. sales n $117 billion sales worldwide Source: Direct Selling Association

Jody Divjak of Granger sells Scentsy candles and ViSlus weight-loss products. She is the founder of My Time Tuesdays, a monthly event in Granger, and also now in Niles, that brings home-based business vendors into one venue.

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HORIZONS: BUSINESS

PAGE 79

SALES

Continued from page 75 “Our first, we had 200 people,” she said.

The event is held one evening a month. About 50 vendors on average attend My Time Tuesdays.

One vendor from each company is allowed a booth for a small fee.

The public can browse the selection of home and health products, jewelry, food, decor, cosmetics and other products without attending or hosting a party.

“We love coming to this because it’s just a shakeup,” Divjak said.

MTT was such a resounding success she decided to start a second event at the Greater Niles Senior Center in Niles.

MTT is on haitus for the winter and is scheduled to return in April.

Divjak said during a MTT event in Niles that

the reasons people start one of these businesses is not often what people think.

It’s “definitely not a hobby, not in today’s economy,” she said.

“They have to like people. They believe in the product they are selling.”

Building relationships Tracy Lee Smith of Niles is one of those sellers who is passionate about her products. She sells Watkins, Avon and locally made fruit butter.

“I use most everything of what Watkins produces,” said Smith, who has been selling the health remedies and household products since 2008.

She is in her second year of selling Avon cosmetics and accessories.

Smith said the company supports breast cancer and domestic violence causes, which appeals to

her.

“I love the jewelry. I love the lipstick. I love the idea of what they support,” she said.

Smith holds parties and attends public events to sell her wares, but said what she does is “more hobby based” for her.

“I’m building relationships,” she said. “I’ve made some incredibly close friends through this.

“I like the idea of getting out and meeting people,” Smith said. “I want to see people succeed.”

Pam Marshall of Niles has been selling Dove Chocolate Discoveries for more than a year.

“I’m a social worker by education,” she said.

“The agency I was working for at the time found out its funding wouldn’t

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HORIZONS: BUSINESS

By AARON MUELLER aaron.mueller @leaderpub.com Step into any convenience store in Niles and you are bound to run into one of them.

Bhola, Dave, Charan and Dilsher Singh run six party stores in the city and seven in surrounding locations, including Dowagiac, Buchanan, Vandalia, Berrien Springs, South Haven, Bridgman and Keeler.

Each of their stores offers a full line of beer, wine, smokes and grocery items and have enjoyed success despite a down economy, they say.

The brothers were born in Punjab, India, before moving to America in the 1990s.

Bhola, the eldest and the owner of all the stores, moved to Los Angeles after a brief stay in Germany in 1992, looking for a “better opportunity.”

He began working as cleaning boy at a 7/11 convenience store, working his way up to stocker, cashier and eventually manager.

“I could hardly speak English when I came to America,” he said. “But I picked it up pretty quickly.”

Adult language classes

PAGE 81

Success story

aided in the process, and he picked up Spanish as well due to the large Hispanic population in Los Angeles.

In 1997, he got a call from a friend who lived

in Vandalia, encouraging him to buy a property there to run a convenience store.

It was another case of culture shock for Bhola and his family, moving

from a metropolis to a village of about 400 people.

Bhola said he and his brothers, who moved to Michigan in the late 1990s, faced some rac-

ism early on.

“Some people would come in and say, ‘You (expletive), you need to go back to your country,’” he said.

“There was a time

when I thought I made a mistake … But everyone knows us now and the kind of people we are, and everyone keeps coming back.”

Bhola found success with his first store and soon began expanding, purchasing several in Niles and later throughout southwest Michigan.

The four brothers work seven days a week to make sure all the stores are running smoothly, Bhola said.

And if that isn’t enough time together, the Singh brothers and their families all live in the same Vandalia home.

“Every night, we don’t eat until all four of us are together,” he said.

The Singh’s employ more than 60 people between all their Michigan stores — they also operate a few in Indiana. Bhola said because they run a “100 precent true family business,” they have no trouble finding good workers, many of whom have worked for them for several years.

Bhola credits his success to the hard work of his family and the support of the Niles community.

The brothers know many of their customers by name.

“We have very good relations with the Niles

late sales was a nobrainer for her — women love chocolate.

“It’s usually women 35 and up with some disposable income,” she says of her clientele.

“We’re about easy and elegant entertaining.”

chiana nonprofit raises money for local student scholarships.

The 15 members — from Niles, Buchanan, Granger, North Liberty, South Bend and Granger — sell handmade crafts and baked goods at public events and give about two $500 scholarships a year.

“A lot of times we’ll have a garage sale,” she said.

Circle of Friends, started five years ago, has also helped giftwrap at the former Bor-

ders bookstore in Mishawaka and the University of Notre Dame bookstore.

Cindy Coleman of Niles started her business, Coleman Cakes, 15 years ago.

“My bakery is in my basement,” she said.

Coleman learned the trade by starting with wedding cakes, then by reading library books.

“I’m 100 percent selftaught,” said Coleman, who entered a gingerbread contest in 2007 and placed in the top 21 of the 1,000 entries.

“It was just more as a hobby,” Coleman said.

A former pilot, she decided to pursue her cake business and installed a commercial kitchen in her house.

“From there, it was just continuous making cakes for friends,” Coleman said. “I do more business from word-of-mouth than anything.

“It’s gone from an idea to a full-time business,” she said.

Coleman works six hours a day, five or six days a week making

cakes, pastries and muffins to fill orders for individual customers and local businesses.

“I don’t have a 9-to-5 job,” she said.

Coleman acknowledges that even though she can never really physically leave her workplace at the end of the day, she is fortunate to be her own boss and be successful at it.

“I have a lot of friends who are losing their jobs, and they say, ‘I wish I had the guts to start my own business,’” she said.

Leader Publications photo/AARON MUELLER

The Singhs, from left, Dave, Bhola and Charan, manage 13 party stores.

in a land of opportunity

DIRECT

Continued from page 79

be renewed.”

Marshall saw the company featured in Gourmet magazine.

“I inquired, and that’s how I got into it,” she said. “At the time, it was only 1-1/2 years old. The market wasn’t saturated yet.”

Marshall prepares a dessert and serves a drink, such as a chocolate martini, at her home parties. Mousse and chocolates are best sellers, but the company also sells cocoa rubs and barbecue sauce.

Marshall said choco-

Not a 9-to-5 job Not all home-based businesses are direct sales companies.

Many, such as Circle of Friends, make handmade goods and sell them.

Nancy Winland of South Bend said the Mi-

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HORIZONS: BUSINESS

PAGE 83

Leader photos/SCOTT NOVAK

Larry Stoker gets a little loving from one of his llamas. Stoker and his wife Kawanna have 10 llamas on their farm, while they have several more they share with a LaPorte, Ind., woman that they use for breeding.

Love at first sight

Llamas turn farm on its heels, acting as pets, security guards and teachers

By SCOTT NOVAK scott.novak@leaderpub.com

It was probably love at first sight

for Kawanna and Larry Stoker, owners of K & L Farms near Dowagiac.

What was it that Kawanna fell in love with? A llama.

The couple first saw a llama in Kansas. A few years later, Kawanna saw in the newspaper there was going to be a llama show and sale at the Kalamazoo Fairgrounds.

“We went up there, and we bought our first one there,” she said.

“We made friends, and

now we have 10 here (at their farm on Dewey Lake Street) and I coown breeding males with another lady in LaPorte (Ind.).”

At the fairgrounds, there was a moment when the two of them felt as if they were not going to be able to afford a llama.

“They were going through and they were selling for $5,000 or $6,000, and I’m thinking we aren’t getting a llama,” Larry said. “Then one came through, and we paid like $1,500 for her. She was kind of cute.”

“I really liked her,” Kawanna said. “So I asked him if I could bid on her and he said yes.

So I think I bid twice, and I got her.

“We didn’t have any way to haul her home.

We didn’t even bring a trailer. He kept saying ‘We’re not going to buy one.’ This went back and forth with this. We didn’t really have a place to put her that night when we got her home. She got out on us in the field and we had to chase her See LLAMAS, page 84

Larry and Kawanna Stoker are the owners of 10 llamas on their K & L Farms, located on Dewey Lake Street near Dowagiac.

HORIZONS: BUSINESS

LLAMAS

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

Continued from page 83

down in the dark. It was a real fiasco there for a while.”

Security guards The Stokers really got their llamas in the beginning to guard their sheep.

“We got them to protect the sheep from stray dogs, and now we have a problem with coyotes,” Kawanna said. “They do a good job of that.”

The practice of using llamas to protect livestock actually began in the 1980s in North America. Many ranchers in the western region of the United States use the animals to fend off larger prey such as coyotes and wolves. Llamas are perfectly suited to protect such animals as sheep and goats because they form a bond with the animals.

Plus, according to Kawanna, “they can see up to two miles away.

When you see them all lined up looking in one direction, you know you better check it out because something’s not right.”

Llamas make good pets as well. According to Larry, they like children and elderly people.

“Some people take them in their houses,” he said.

And each llama has its own personality.

“Once you get a halter on them they are pretty docile,” Kawanna said.

“Sometimes getting a halter on them can be a pain,” Larry added. “But once you get it on them, you can lead them anywhere.”

The Stokers’ knowledge of llamas has allowed them to share it with others.

“A lot of kids in 4-H take them and show them,” Kawanna said.

“We have been working with them for a lot of years. We show them how to get them cleaned up and trimmed.”

PAGE 84

See answers page 114.

Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another.

Author Unknown

Leader Publications photo/SCOTT NOVAK

Llamas, which are herd animals, can be used for protection of livestock, make good pets and like children and the elderly.

The 4-H kids then take their llamas through obstacle courses.

“It’s a lot of fun working with kids,” she said.

Curiosities Llamas are also curious by nature, and they will walk up to someone and sniff them. Unlike alpacas, they are not necessarily spitters, although they are known to spit in the right situation.

The male llamas are more people friendly and curious than the females.

Kawanna also uses their wool to produce items. Although not as sought after as the wool of alpacas, she took spinning classes in order to learn how to use her llamas’s wool.

“We like to use their wool to make shawls and hats,” she said.

Since llamas are herd animials by nature, it wasn’t long after they purchased their first one

that they knew they were going to have to get at least one more.

“If you are going to get into llamas, you should get two so that they have company,” Kawanna said.

“They will run with other animals, too, but you should really have at least a pair. We got her and one of the ladies we met there had two, a mother and daughter.

She kept telling me you really ought to have two so you have company for that one. So we wound up buying the next two. We ended up buying four or five altogether. The rest of them we’ve bred and raised here.”

Llamas are also fairly easy to care for. They don’t eat a lot of food, nor do they need a special diet.

“They eat junk hay,” Larry said. “We feed them llama food which you can get any any feed

store. They have llama pellets. They don’t eat a lot like horses or cows.”

Like pets, people get attached to their llamas.

They become part of the family just like a domesticated pet or a horse.

“We thought about selling them, but I just can’t let them go,” Kawanna said. “We have sold a few, but you just get so attached to them.

You want to make sure they are going to a good home, too.”

Ready to share The Stokers have gotten used to people slowing down along Dewey Lake Street to view their herd of llamas. Some people even stop, pull in and ask to get a closer look.

So don’t be shy, they don’t mind visitors and Larry and Kawanna will be glad to answer questions about their llamas and introduce you to them.

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Trends Page 87 Foodies forage: Cooking delights

Page 90 Staying healthy: Zumba to Pickleball

HORIZONS

PAGE 87

Baby boomers continue to impact culture by resurrecting vinyl records, growing pot and digging into family histories — but there is more: Going vegetarian, the quest to stay fit and bestowing pets with more attention than they may deserve are driving forces Page 93

Marijuana takes root: Battling pain

Page 96 Furball forecast: Pampering pets

Page 98 Vegetarian lifestyles: Finding health

Page 100

Page 102

Finding family: Satisfaction in genealogy

On vinyl: Business gives records a turn

Crossing boundaries of taste Meet Dowagiac’s newest authorities on second servings: Carol and David Heflin

C

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

arol Heflin likes to believe there is a foodie in all of us.

Carol and her husband, David, own and operate a relatively new restaurant called, appropriately, Foodies, in downtown Dowagiac.

It is safe to say the Heflins are pretty good authorities on the subject.

“We know a thing or two about food,” Carol said.

There are many definitions of what a “foodie” is.

The Heflin’s definition of the word hangs on the wall of their restaurant for all to see.

It reads, “A person keenly interested in food, its freshness, and above all… taste.”

It is a word and definition the Heflins base their life around.

David has worked in the food industry since 14, Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Dowagiac restaurant owners Carol and David Heflin know a thing or two about what it means to be a foodie. They have the definition hanging on their wall.

See TASTE, page 88

HORIZONS: TRENDS

TASTE

A resource for foodies

Continued from page 87 doing everything from dishwasher to server to bartender to cook. He grew up in a family that used food instead of hugs to express love and affection.

“My parents cooked a lot and ate and shared a lot of food,” he said.

“Everything was done around the kitchen table and food was just a central part of the community that was our family.”

Carol and David carried on that concept to their own family. Carol said it wasn’t unusual to have 30 people at their house for dinner on a typical Sunday.

“We have six kids and they all have friends that would come over,” Carol said.

During these family dinners, the Heflins would make new food

PAGE 88

and ask everyone to try it.

Carol said a willingness to try new and different foods is an essential part of being a foodie.

The Helfins try to instill that message in their restaurant. Many of their dishes are improvisational, including the Heidi wrap, which was created on a whim for a vegetarian named Heidi.

As the story goes, the Heflins had a food booth during Dowagiac’s Summer in the City last summer prior to opening Foodies. A young woman named Heidi came to the booth and asked for something vegetarian. The Heflins didn’t have anything vegetarian on the menu, but Carol told the woman to trust her and

whipped up something.

“So I invented this sandwich, which has never been made again because it is different every time we make it,” Carol said.

So what do you get if you order a Heidi sandwich? It depends on the day. Carol said it always includes black beans, feta cheese and spinach, but from there anything goes.

That’s half the fun, said the Heflins.

“Being a foodie is all about creativity and not being afraid to extend those boundaries,” David said. “Just tear them down.”

Want to learn more about the Heflins and their idea of what it means to be a foodie?

Visit them at their restaurant at 113 S. Front St., Dowagiac.

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

If you want something done right, sometimes you have to do it yourself.

Michele Scherpenberg took that message to heart when she decided to create South Bend Foodies, a resource for finding local, independent restaurants, bars and specialty food businesses in Michiana.

Scherpenberg believes the local, independent food scene is a reflection of who and what Michiana is and the foods that are the culture of the community.

“My goal is to create a local food revolution that encourages developing a food culture, gets the community excited and helps local businesses receive recognition for their menus and overall dining experience,” she said.

Scherpenberg created South Bend Foodies in January 2010.

Using the moniker Ms. Foodie, Scherpenberg has developed a loyal following via Facebook, a website, social media and a monthly dinner where foodies meet and

dine together.

Scherpenberg said she believes there is a void in acknowledging the local, independent food scene in Michiana and has taken the lead in filling that void.

“I just seem to have a fascination with individuals who have a dream, formulate the business idea, find capital and open their dream,” Scherpenberg said.

For those wanting information on the local food scene in Michiana, South Bend Foodies is a great place to start a search.

The website, southbendfoodies. com, contains a comprehensive list of local breweries, wineries and restaurants in the area.

South Bend Foodies’ Facebook page, which is updated daily, is a good place to connect with food lovers in the area.

Another way to connect with local foodies is to attend What’s For Dinner, a monthly event where food lovers get together for a dining experience at a local restaurant.

A schedule of upcoming What’s For Dinner events can be found at southbendfoodies.com.

HORIZONS: TRENDS

PAGE 89

BRAISE your skills Many are finding cooking classes offer an entertaining night out

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

In a down economy, sometimes the

best way to get great food on the cheap is to make it yourself.

To that end, Martin’s School of Cooking at Heritage Square in Granger, Ind., is offering several classes for all levels of aspiring chefs.

“It’s a great opportunity to try new foods, explore cuisines and learn practical applications for your kitchen,” said Elise Kunkel, cooking school coordinator at the Heritage Square Martin’s Super Market.

Martin’s offers classes each week taught by chefs from local restaurants, culinary schools and catering companies.

The classes range from demonstration to a full hands-on experience.

Kunkel said classes also make for a fun night out.

“Sometimes, people get stuck in a rut doing the same thing like going to the movies.

“Taking a cooking class is a unique way to

Chef Carrigan

get out of the house,” she said.

Martin’s School of Cooking at Heritage Square isn’t the only place in Michiana offering cooking classes.

More classes can be found at the Martin’s School of Cooking in Stevensville.

Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve in Niles also offers some culinary classes. A list of classes can be accessed via its website at fernwoodbotanicalgarden.org.

Lake Michigan College also offers several cooking classes throughout the year through community education.

Upcoming classes include, Wheat & Gluten Free Entertaining, Traditional Southern Food and Perfect Pies.

Visit its website at lakemichigancollege.edu for a full schedule of upcoming classes.

Who’s up for a cooking class? Martin’s Super Market’s School of Cooking at Heritage Square in Stevensville (shown) and in Granger, Ind., offers several types of cooking classes, from group to business to private.

Fernwood Botanical Garden cooking class

Cost: $10 (Members $8) No charge for accompanying adult.

Register by March 1.

What: Orchid Day at Fernwood. Kids work with Chef Tim Carrigan to make cookies using a favored orchid extract — vanilla.

When: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., March 3

Chef Tim Carrigan n Carrigan attended culinary school at Grand Rapids Community College. n He has worked as a chef at Knollwood Country Club.

n He was culinary department chair at Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend and taught culinary classes at Buchanan High School. n He has competed in the Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, N.C., and he placed seventh in 2008.

n Carrigan does catering and makes wedding cakes, ice sculptures and chocolate sculptures. n He is going into his fifth year as chef at Fernwood. n Reach him at cafe@fernwoodbotanical.org or by calling (269) 695-6491.

HORIZONS: TRENDS

PAGE 90

A good workout is nothing new, but many are finding new ways to ....

break a sweat

By KATIE ROHMAN katie.rohman@leaderpub.com

Pumping iron, pounding a treadmill

or cycling on a stationary bike may work for some people looking to slim down or improve their health, but for others, those methods are tired and boring.

Enter the exercise class. But these aren’t your grandmother’s or even mother’s aerobics classes.

More people are thinking outside the box to get others motivated about exercise. Modern, upbeat music, varied workouts and acceptance of all athletic abilities have made some classes more appealing.

And no Spandex or high-tops are required.

Zumba heats up According to zumba. com, since its inception in 2001, Zumba has grown to become the world’s largest dance-fitness program, with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in more than 110,000 locations across more than 125 countries.

Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program. It doesn’t require participants to even know how to dance. It only requires the desire to burn calories and learn the steps.

The class is offered by Zumba-certified instructors, and classes can be specific to senior citizens, water exercise, cir-

cuit training and toning.

Nearly every community in Michiana has at least one Zumba class available. Instructors and class participants span all ages.

Debbie Hassinger teaches Zumba classes twice a week at the Cass County Council on Aging in Cassopolis.

The Cassopolis resident began taking Zumba classes more than a year ago. Four months later, she was pursuing instructor certification.

Hassinger is certified in basic and Gold Zumba, which is more lowimpact for older participants.

Each class has about a half-dozen people. Hassinger said some people

Leader photos/KATIE ROHMAN

About a dozen Niles-Buchanan YMCA members participate in a Power Beat class, pictured above and right. Missy Rodgers is one of two instructors who teaches the classes.

Karen Smiecinski, of Vandalia, participates in a Zumba class at the Cass County Council on Aging in Cassopolis.

“

Aerobics or the machines can be very dull.

This is bottom line, exercise.

— Debbie Hassinger, Zumba instructor

The machines get a workout at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA.

HORIZONS: TRENDS

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Hassinger uses Zumba videos in addition to her personalized guidance.

The classes are catered to older citizens who may not want the cardio level of the basic Zumba.

“I’ve got a few who’ve been with me since day one,” she said. “I don’t care if it’s just two of

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Lorraine Howard, 12, of Niles, upper left, is one of the youngest participants in the Power Beat class at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA.

will try the class and quit before the session is over; others will love the high-energy music and stay with it.

“I actually feel like there’s a lot more enjoyment in a music exercise,” she said. “Give yourself a chance. There is no wrong way with Zumba. You’re not coming in as a dancer.

“Aerobics or the ma-

drumsticks to hit stability balls to the beat of music.

Brenda Lewis, a personal trainer, teaches two morning Power Beats classes at the Y in addition to other classes such as core training, boot camp and kickboxing. She is certified by Drums Alive, the program on which the class is based.

“It’s supposed to work different parts of the brain,” she said.

“There’s a lot of upper body, but you can put some lower body in as well.

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HORIZONS: TRENDS

Good sports Leader Publications photos/KATIE ROHMAN

About 30 people have begun playing pickleball at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Teams of two or four play this paddle sport, which is suitable for children to senior citizens.

YMCA sees upswing in pickleball

By KATIE ROHMAN katie.rohman@leaderpub.com

A

new activity in Niles is piquing the curiosity of Niles-Buchanan YMCA members and pingpong and racquet sport enthusiasts.

Niles resident Myles Nugent — a snowbird for part of the year — became involved in pickleball, a paddle sport. His Arizona community has about 500 players, and Nugent wanted to bring the sport to Niles. He became the Niles ambassador to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA).

YMCA members and non-members began playing pickleball in the indoor volleyball courts in September. The players are not

part of a club or organized league and do not pay team fees, but nonmembers of the YMCA must pay $10 per day to use the facility.

Most players bring their paddles — usually made of graphite or composite — but the YMCA supplies some plastic ones. The YMCA also purchased two nets for the players, even though it is not an official YMCA activity.

Diana Clark, of Niles, serves as the assistant to Nugent when he is living in Arizona.

“I’ve always liked racquet sports,” she said. “This is a nice alternative.”

The game is played with two or four players and a net similar to those used in badminton. The paddles are longer than pingpong paddles, but do not have holes like tennis racquets. Plastic balls with holes, similar to wiffle balls, are used.

Rich Hocker, of Niles, serves the ball during a pickleball game at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. The players, who are not part of a club or organized league, started playing in September.

PAGE 92

Ryne Willis, 24, of Niles, reaches for the ball during a pickleball game at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. “The rules are pretty similar to tennis,” Clark said.

Serves are hit underhand, and each team must play the first shot off the bounce. After the ball has bounced once on each side, teams can either volley the ball or play it off the bounce. No volleying is permitted within the seven-foot volley zone — “the kitchen” — in each side of the net.

“You don’t want to ‘stew in the kitchen,’” Clark said.

Men and women of all ages and athletic ability play, but the teams at the YMCA are usually for adults only. The youngest player was 19 and the oldest was 80 during games played Wednesday morning.

About 30 people regularly play at the YMCA. “We’re trying to grow it,” Clark said.

“It’s all ages. I really would like to see a kids’ pickleball.

“It’s people who just want to have fun and exercise,” she said.

Some players are planning to attend their first competition — a USAPA-sanctioned tournament — June 23-24 in Grand Rapids.

How to play pickleball n Serving: The serve must be hit underhand and each team must play the first shot off the bounce.

After the ball has bounced once on each side, teams can volley the ball or play it off the bounce. n Volleying: No volleying is permitted in the sevenfoot non-volley zone (“the kitchen”) on each side of the net. n Scoring: Both players on the serving team are allowed to serve, and a team can score points only when serving. Games are played to 11 points and teams must win by two points.

Points are lost by hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the net, stepping in the kitchen and volleying and volleying the ball before it has bounced once on each side of the net.

Source: www.pickleball.com

HORIZONS: TRENDS

WORKOUT Continued from page 91 “It’s great fun. It also can incorporate the wellness part — the cooling down, the relaxation part,” she said.

“It’s kind of like going through yoga for the mind.”

Lewis usually has eight to 12 people in her classes. Most are older women, but that is common with early morning classes at the Y. “From the feedback I’ve heard, they try it because it’s different … the music is usually a little more dancey,” she said.

Lewis learned about Drums Alive a couple years ago, before it was introduced in the U.S. She became certified in Drums Alive last May in Chicago.

Lewis trained Melissa Rodgers, who also teaches Power Beats at the Y. About a dozen people attended one of her Wednesday classes, held in the second level of the Y, inside the track. When the music started and Rodgers began shouting her commands, the class participants started beating in perfect rhythm.

Rodgers was not a fitness instructor when she was approached about teaching a Power Beats class.

“I’m having a blast with this,” she said. “I never thought I would be teaching an exercise class.”

Her half-hour class included women of all ages and one man, her husband.

Power Beats just started in September and has only recently gained a large following at the Y. “These big classes just started,” she said. “I think a lot of people are really surprised.”

Twelve-year-old Lorraine Howard of Niles loves the Power Beats class.

“It’s fun to get more healthy and stuff,” she said.

By JOHN EBY john.eby@leaderpub.com

Geoffrey Hurst of

PAGE 93

A grassroots movement in medical

Galien would like nothing better than to open a medical marijuana dispensary in New Buffalo and fund a squad car bearing a bumper sticker like he used to see in Chicago.

“Instead of saying ‘paid for with illegal drug money,’ it would say, ‘paid for by medical marijuana.’ When they buy themselves a new police car, they put that on the back bumper. I’d like to get Galien a fulltime police officer instead of having to have someone run over from Buchanan or Bridgman. We can’t afford a police force out there,” Hurst said.

“But I bet we could with a local dispensary with a tax on it.

As far as I know, I’m the only one who literally jumps up and down at the state capitol going, ‘Tax me! Tax me!’ ” Hurst is former president of the Southwest Michigan Compassion Club, a local chapter of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association that serves the dual purpose of supporting and advocating for program participants and being an information and education resource.

He firmly believes logic snuffs political opposition since 63 percent of voters supported passage in 2008.

“I don’t understand the opposition when you talk logically about this,” Hurst said.

“They really don’t have a leg to stand on.

They come up with things designed to hamper, hinder or just plain defeat this program.”

Matt Abel, a Detroit attorney whose fourattorney firm exclusively handles marijuana cases, said in January, “The government is not letting up or acquiescing to the will of the people to allow the Michigan medical marijuana law to be implemented properly. Our signature requirement is 332,609. We expect to file half a million signatures before the deadline in July.”

The issue could land on the November ballot with groups such as NORML circulating petitions in Cass and Berrien counties to “repeal Prohibition,” drawing parallels to the unsuccessful ban on alcohol that Michigan was first to repeal.

In the past year, the program was turned over from the Department of Community Health (MDCH) to LARA, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Most licensing products take 10 days to process, but medical marijuana cards take at least 150 days for renewals and 200 days for new applications.

“

Hurst

I’m the only one who literally jumps up and down at the state capitol going, ‘Tax me! Tax me!’

— Geoffrey Hurst

Hurst is waiting for his renewal submitted in September.

Amsterdam apprentice Hurst lived in Amsterdam for three years in his 20s to learn cultivation as an apprentice.

“It won’t be illegal for adults over the age of 21,” he said. “You could grow it in your garden like tomatoes. All the Americans going to Amsterdam to smoke pot will come here for Pure Michigan vacations. I wish I could take all the politicians over there to talk to police officers, who work in manwoman pairs. Across the board, the bars were more of a problem. I think some police officers like arresting marijuana smokers more than other people because they’re calm and nonviolent. We’ve been at this drug war for 40 years. Do you see a victory in sight? The definition of stupidity is to keep doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

We have to change tactics.”

In the Netherlands, where adult possession and purchase of small amounts are allowed under a regulated system, rate of marijuana use by both teens and adults is lower than the United States, as is use of hard drugs, such as cocaine.

Under a regulated system, licensed merchants have an incentive to check ID to avoid selling to minors.

The Committee for a Safer Michigan says, “Marijuana/cannabis prohibition causes far more problems than it solves and results in the needless arrest of hundreds of thousands of otherwise law-abiding citizens each year. Remember, the most unsafe thing about cannabis is getting arrested in Berrien and Cass counties,” where residents complain of paramilitary-style raids and forfeiture laws which can confiscate property without filing charges.

“A lot of that comes from Attorney General Bill Schuette’s stance toward medical marijuana,” Hurst said. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to recall him. We’re just going to have to wait out the four years. I think we’re going to see a backlash in November against Republicans, like the backlash against the Democrats (in 2010 midterms) because Obama didn’t really deliver on hope and change.

“Medical marijuana, an industry that’s growing, literally and figuratively, they’re trying to stomp on. There are over 300 hydroponic shops in Michigan, and I guarantee every single one of them is selling over 75 percent of their product to marijuana growers.”

Hurst cares for five patients besides himself.

“They were taking (high) levels of prescription painkillers because they built up a tolerance over the years. When it actually passed, I was a licensed electrical contractor in Chicago for 10 years and did fairly well until the economy collapsed. My wife’s uncle was one of the people See MARIJUANA, page 94

HORIZONS: TRENDS

PAGE 94

This 12-plant medical marijuana grow operation in Niles was described as in “bloom stage, the most interesting and beautiful time of the growing cycle.”

MARIJUANA Continued from page 94

strung out on Oxycontin for pain from multiple back reconstructions. I had an injury where I fell off a ladder about 20 feet up and landed backward across a fence and they’ve never been able to make it better.

Painkillers are the response a lot of people get when they’re hurt in a car accident or some-

thing like this.”

Hungry, happy, sleepy To get a card, a patient must present medical records to a doctor.

“Lakeland and Bronson health care networks both prohibit their doctors from signing recommendations even if a patient is qualified,” Hurst said. “Things prescribed

for mental conditions or to help you sleep all have side effects. Negative side effects of marijuana are hungry, happy, sleepy. I challenge anyone to find one case where someone overdosed and died from marijuana, a plant that’s safer than water, aspirin or alcohol. Alcohol, cigarettes and perhaps caf-

feine are the gateway drugs. I’ve personally used cannabis to treat alcohol and hard-drug addictions. I know a lot more functional potheads than functional alcoholics.”

Hurst doesn’t understand why cash-strapped governments aren’t anxious to tax and regulate the job-producing medi-

cal marijuana industry.

“They have the opportunity right now to regulate. I’m aware of one closed-down dispensary in Lansing that just received a $19,000 tax bill from the state based on what they paid last year,” he said. “It’s a huge jobs issue. When you look at the number of people able to legally

supplement their income by providing a service to a patient, an extra $200 coming into your household can make a big difference. That’s groceries for us. I’m allowed to have 12 plants for each person. I keep mine under 48 just to make sure I won’t have an issue.

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HORIZONS: TRENDS would like you to think, growing quality marijuana is not easy.

Most people try and fail miserably. I know 200 people growing it in Berrien and Cass counties and can count on one hand those whose product I would consider. My standards are high. It’s a medical product.

Hemp seeds contain all the amino acids and, very high in protein, it’s an excellent food source.

“You can make flour from it. Hemp, by volume, has more oil than corn, which makes ethanol.”

Courts weigh in In August, the first dispensary case reached the Court of Appeals.

A three-judge panel, on an Isabella County case, where medical marijuana cardholders sold pot to each other through Compassionate Apothecary in Mount Pleasant, ruled dispensaries violated the state’s public health code.

“However, we had another case in Barry County that said patient-to-patient transfers of 2.5 ounces or less are legal,” Hurst said. “A month’s supply, I’d say. If you’re cooking it down to make a concentrate to treat a cancer, that might only be a week or a couple of days.

There have been some astounding results regarding colon cancer and cannabis, so I know people who have been making suppositories with a hash-oil-like substance. One, her cancer is gone.

“There are many studies from Europe — none from the U.S., of course, because we don’t allow the study of cannabis unless your hypothesis is that it is negative. I prefer ‘cannabis’ because it is the scientific term for the plant.”

PAGE 95

Niles couple beat back the pain Laws an impediment to gaining relief from medical condition

By JOHN EBY john.eby @leaderpub.com John and Teri Mumaugh of Niles relied on the medical marijuana program for relief from her hepatitis C. Medicating daily helped control nausea and maintain her appetite.

She’s not sure how she contracted the incurable liver disease.

Perhaps through tattoos. A routine blood test detected it.

Her symptoms were so bad in 2005, a nurse practitioner suggested cannabis.

The Mumaughs married almost 20 years ago in May 1992 and recovered from addictions.

As Berrien County NORML activists, they are circulating petitions (including at Dowagiac’s Ice Time Festival) to repeal cannabis prohibition in November, her for south Berrien County and him for south Cass County.

After spider mites wiped out a fourth crop, they completed an Oaksterdam seminar in Ann Arbor. John, who grew up in Indian Lake and graduated from Dowagiac Union High School, experimented with cannabis oil on his skin for a month and found it cleared up moles. People with arthritis rub it on their gnarled knuckles.

Though they no longer

drink, John and Teri met in a tavern “during the years of alcoholism. We found recovery in 2002 from alcohol and a little cocaine. I think I did cocaine so I could drink more, but I definitely had a problem with both.

I still go to meetings,” John said.

John ran afoul of the law and got arrested because he thought the 1.6 pounds he possessed a “reasonable amount to assure her uninterrupted supply,” as stated in one part of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, but “they don’t recognize 8, they recognize 4, 2.5 ounces, even though I grew the 12 plants. I thought I was doing the right thing as a caregiver.

My conviction made me guilty of delivery and manufacturing, though I just grew medical marijuana for Teri. But when I got into court, they treated me like a Mexican cartel.

“The minute I was guilty, I lost my caregiver’s license. We sold our place in Sarasota because we don’t know when the Department of Corrections will let me leave the state. I didn’t have a driver’s license for 30 days. I’m on probation from a four-year sentence. I don’t miss smoking cannabis as much as I miss mastering growing. Bales of pot like were around in high school contained mold and bug poop. You

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

Answers on page 114.

“

John and Teri Murmaugh of Niles support the legalization of marijuana.

I thought I was doing the right thing as a caregiver.

”

— John Mumaugh

were not doing yourself a favor smoking it. Now there’s ‘clean cannabis,’ like ‘clean coal.’ It’s good stuff. I’m a true believer cannaboids in your body help avoid cancer. ” Teri said, “The courts will not allow me to use

marijuana, but when I went through treatment I was very nauseous, no appetite,” Teri said. “I lost about 25 pounds.

John got me some marijuana off the street because in 2005 it wasn’t legal. I used cannabis during the last couple months of my treatment.

Since I got my license, I’ve also been diagnosed with nerve damage in my hips from shingles. I have chronic pain that shoots across my hips.

They’ve put me on many drugs with terrible side effects. Medicating is the best thing to do. It makes the pain tolerable so I can walk.

“With hepatitis C, there’s a lot of fatigue and tiredness. When John and I farmed, I was strong and could outwork him. I can hardly carry the laundry basket

down from upstairs. The older I get, my ability to function and take care of the house is deteriorating. Last year, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia on top of it.”

Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has longterm, body-wide pain and tenderness in joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissue. It has been linked to fatigue, sleep problems and headaches.

Teri is prohibited from medicating until her probation ends because she was convicted as John’s co-defendant of a high misdemeanor, “rolling dope house,” while traveling to Oklahoma.

“Then, I’ll quit pharmaceuticals and go back to medicating,” she said, “hoping that the pills didn’t damage my liver.”

HORIZONS: TRENDS

PAGE 96

Pet

obssessed

Pet product sales rise by more than $2 billion within one year

By KATIE ROHMAN katie.rohman@leaderpub.com

Some have an expensive weekly

beauty regime. Others have a closet of color-coordinated outfits. Many now have a strict, organic diet.

These aren’t high-maintenance Americans. These are cats and dogs.

Annual pet product sales rose by more than $2 billion from 2010 to 2011, with $50.84 billion spent last year on food, supplies, veterinary care, live animal purchases, grooming and boarding, the American Pet Products Association reported.

The number of groomers, boarders, breeders, trainers and pet product retailers has grown substantially in Michiana recently.

With business names such as “Bunk and Biscuit,” “Shampoochee,” “FuzzyButz,” “Mutterly Love” and “Rub a Dub Doggie” now gracing the Yellow Pages, there’s no question local residents love their pets.

Pet pampering Customers at Elaine Rohdy’s small salon are greeted by the sound of buzzing sheers and vacuums and groomers in hospital scrub attire. A basket of colorful nail polish — dog polish, to be exact — sits on the counter.

Rohdy, a Dowagiac resident, has owned Rub a Dub Doggie Pet Salon

for 10 years off Main Street in downtown Niles.

She employs two people, but services a nonstop clientele of dogs from open to close five days a week. Customers come from Buchanan, Dowagiac, Granger and South Bend as well as Niles to have their dogs clipped, sheared, bathed and manicured.

“I see a lot of Shih Tzus and cockers,” Rohdy said.

Coincidentally, she and another groomer were getting started on Toby, a friendly, patient Cocker spaniel whose tongue hung out during his grooming, and Mason, a Shih Tzu who reacted little but to occasionally bare his under bite or yawn.

Although these mildmannered pooches are frequent customers — many dogs come every six weeks — some dogs have no patience for it.

The average visit takes two hours, and dog-owners are not allowed to hover during their appointments.

Some dog owners bring as many as four at

Leader photos/KATIE ROHMAN

Groomer Elaine Rohdy of Rub a Dub Doggie Pet Salon in Niles blows excess hair off a Shih Tzu, Mason, who yawns. The salon’s most frequent clients include Cocker spaniels and Shih Tzus.

Leader photo/AARON MUELLER

Fuzzy Butz Pet Bakery in St. Joseph sells unique dog treats and pet supplies.

Tobi, a German shepherd, looks up at his owner, Roni Hoff, during a demonstration at Tri-Star K-9 Training Academy in Edwardsburg. a time.

The average visit costs $30 to $35, but it depends on the dogs’ size,

cut and how well they are cared for.

Rohdy said her clientele has changed over the

years.

“Before, it was more just elderly (customers),” Rohdy said. “We have more young people now. It’s not just families who own them (dogs).”

Doggie delicacies Cakes, donuts, fries, pretzels, cookies — hu-

mans love them, so why not dogs?

That’s the logic behind some specialty dog treat businesses. Although the food is not palatable to humans — for example, dog-safe chocolate substitutes and little sugar and salt are used — it is still an indulgent way to spoil man’s best friend.

HORIZONS: TRENDS At Fuzzy Butz Pet Bakery in downtown St. Joseph, the shop offers freshly made peanut butter fries, “bark-be-que” chicken, canine cannoli, peanut butter blossoms, puppy pretzels and doggie donuts. The store also carries other pet supplies, including dog collars, harnesses, toys and catnip.

Kate Russell started Pavlov’s Pet Treats of Niles in 2010 to sell human-grade, no preservative, gluten-free treats online and at farmers’ markets and shops. She uses ingredients such as apple, cinnamon, garlic and cheddar in her recipes, which she bakes in her home kitchen.

“They are not intended to replace your regular (dog) food,” she said.

“They are carnivores.”

Nurturing need Roni Hoff, owner of Tri-Star K9 Dog Training Academy on U.S. Highway 12, Edwards-

burg, said about 70 percent of her clients are animal shelter dogs.

Many of those dogs were returned to shelters after being adopted because the owners didn’t know how to deal with behavioral issues.

In fact, according to Hoff, 47 percent of dog owners relinquish their animals within three months.

“There’s a huge percentage that don’t even teach the simple commands,” Hoff said.

“We’re becoming very individualized and we don’t think in a community aspect anymore,” she said. “We’re really getting away from that.”

Hoff, an Elkhart, Ind., resident, competes internationally with dogs and has worked with law-enforcement canines and hunting dogs. She is also the training director for a prison program in Coldwater, where inmates learn to teach shelter dogs commands so they

can be adoptable.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Hoff said. “The family is started way ahead of the game. It has a significant impact on these inmates.”

At Tri-Star, Hoff offers boarding; footprint tracking classes; dog show-specific training; “puppy confidence” classes; “complete dog” training; and individual sessions for dogs to tackle aggression issues or “just something fun for the dog.”

“Dogs learn best under a quiet environment,” she said. “I can create that environment here.”

H o ff s a i d p e o p l e sometimes cave into emotion when adopting or purchasing a dog. It’s a cute puppy, or it looks like it has been neglected.

“We have a need. It makes us feel good,” she said. “Where are we getting our nurturer need?

Animals can fulfill that part.”

PAGE 97 Our love affair with pets

n According to the 2011-2012 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 72.9 millions homes. n In 1988, the first year the survey was conducted, 56 percent of U.S. households owned a pet as compared to 62 percent in 2008. n For 2011, it estimated that $50.84 billion was spent on pets in the U.S. In 2010, $48.35 billion was spent.

Pet supplies Food Supplies/medicine Vet care Live animal purchases Services: grooming, boarding

Billions spent in 2011 $19.53 $11.4 $14.11 $ 2.15 $ 3.65

2010 $18.76 $10.94 $13.01 $ 2.13 $ 3.51

n According to the 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, basic annual expenses for dog and cat owners in dollars include: Basic expenses Surgical vet visits Routine vet visits Food Kennel boarding Vitamins Travel expenses Groomer/grooming aids Food treats Toys

Dogs $407 $248 $254 $274 $ 95 $ 78 $ 73 $ 70 $ 43

Cats $425 $219 $220 $166 $ 43 $ 48 $ 34 $ 41 $ 21

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HORIZONS: TRENDS

PAGE 98

Beyond S.A.D.

(Standard American Diet)

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

When Susan Sakara was in her

early 30s, a trip to the doctor literally changed her life.

The owner of Lipstick Jungle Spa in Niles learned she had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all because of genetics.

She was advised to go on medication, an opinion she did not like hearing. At the time, Sakara was on what she calls a S.A.D., or Standard American Diet. Like most of us, she was eating processed foods, meat and fast foods.

She decided something needed to Submitted photos change. She chose to change her diet Susan Sakara, owner of Squeeze juice bar in Niles, offers a variety of raw vegand became a vegetarian. an products at her business.

Want to try something raw and vegan?

Start with this salad submitted by Squeeze owner Susan Sakara. She got the recipe from Nell Finch.

1 c. almonds 1 c. sunflower seeds 1/4 c. cashews 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 c. lemon juice (approx. 4 lemons) 1 c. celery (chopped) 1 c. onion (chopped) 1 c. green pepper (chopped) 1 c. raw dill pickles (chopped) Soak all nuts over night.

Process in food processor.

Mix together chopped ingredients.

Squeezed fruit and vegetable juice drinks are as pure and natural as they come.

“Within six weeks, my blood pressure went down, my cholesterol went down. That fast. It was amazing,” she said.

More and more people are following the same path.

Buchanan couple Krista and Adam Parin gave up meat for Lent about four years ago.

They cooked their meals during Lent using recipes from “Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook” and found it to be easy. They also saw positive changes in their health during that short time.

When Lent was over, they chose to stick with the vegetarian lifestyle.

They’ve been faithful to it ever since.

“I feel so much more healthy, so much more alive, and I have so much more energy,” Krista said.

“I never have that gross full feeling. I wake up and am ready to go. I don’t need a cup of coffee. I just feel like my whole system is more cleansed and healthy.”

While the Parins stopped at vegetarianism, Sakara took her quest for a healthier life to the next level.

Sakara moved from vegetarian to vegan, and then from vegan to raw vegan.

Vegetarians don’t eat meat, but still consume animal products such as eggs, fish and cheese.

Vegans do not consume any animal products, but still take in processed foods and refined sugars.

Raw vegans eat no processed foods, just fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Nothing they eat is cooked to more than 115 degrees.

Sakara said the difference between vegan and raw vegan is night and day.

“When you start eating raw you can start to virtually reverse aging,” Sakara said. “Your cells start to perk up, you’re nourishing yourself and getting oxygen back into your body. You are try-

HORIZONS: TRENDS

PAGE 99

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

Raw vegans do not consume any animal products.

They stick to foods such as fruits, vegetables, granola and macaroons. ing to get away from chemicals and that is the bottom line.”

Sakara brought her raw vegan lifestyle to Niles last year by opening up Squeeze, a raw and vegan juice bar at 404 E. Main St. Squeeze offers juice detox programs in addition to its raw and vegan products. The store also holds a raw vegan potluck on the first Monday of every month.

“We get a huge turnout for the potluck,” Sakara

said. “It is free. You just bring a dish to pass that is raw vegan food.”

Sakara and the Parins, like many vegetarians and vegans in southwestern Michigan, do a lot of their shopping at Apple Valley Natural Foods in Berrien Springs. The full-service natural foods store is exclusively vegetarian.

Apple Valley Natural Foods has seven locations, including Mishawaka, Grand Rapids and Battle Creek.

Answers on page 114.

“I’m getting Medicare information in the mail all the time and I don’t understand any of it.”

“My company is increasing my rates all the time.”

“I don’t know if I’m getting the best insurance value for the premium I am paying now.”

Southwest Michigan’s Retinal Specialist, Dr. Wes Heroman, wants you to know: Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older adults. Symptoms include blurred, wavy or distorted vision and a blind spot in the center of vision.

Dr. Heroman is specially trained to treat retina diseases.

His specialized care allows patients to have treatments performed close to home.

Please call our office today if you think that you might benefit from an evaluation of your eyes.

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HORIZONS: TRENDS

PAGE 100

Finding family

Many residents are taking up the challenge of sifting through the past

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

Where did I come from?

It is a question that has been asked by countless numbers of people throughout the course of history.

In terms of family history, it is a question that is easier to answer today than at any other time. Websites such as Ancestry.com are making filling out a family tree as simple as clicking a mouse.

One just has to have the desire and drive to start looking.

“It is addicting,” said Candace Skalla, whose husband, Tim, sits on the Niles City Council. “The more brick walls you hit, the more you want to keep searching.”

Skalla, who is the president of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, said she learned her love of genealogy from her grandparents.

She remembers accompanying her grandmother to a cemetery in Kentucky as a child where they would clean up the family plot.

When her grandfather had a stroke, she would write in his journal for him as he told of stories from the past. Most of the stories involved his family in North Carolina and Tennessee.

“The love of it formed from there,” Skalla said.

“I think when you lose loved ones you try to keep their memories alive and you do that through story telling and sharing.”

Skalla has researched most of the family history on her husband’s side.

She says it was easy because his family came to

Niles in the 1850s.

“We have a wonderful library that has wonderful genealogy on local history and the local area,” she said.

Bob Cooley, of the Berrien County Genealogical Society, spends much of his time publishing books on local cemeteries. He also does restoration work on the headstones in Berrien and Cass counties.

He said now is as good a time as any to start searching for your family history. He said Ancestry.com is a good place to begin. Libraries are also a good place for people to find resources.

The Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., is holding a “Tree Climbers” genealogy group from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of every month.

The free meeting is open to everyone, regardless of experience.

Organizers say it is a good way to pick the brains of fellow genealogists, many of whom have been researching for years.

Esther is holding baby Roy. Esther is Alice’s sister and came to help with the family restaurant until Alice had the baby in November.

Niles genealogist uncovers startling history

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert @leaderpub.com When Bob Nightingale began researching his family history more than 10 years ago, he never could have imagined where that research would lead him.

The Niles man and webmaster for the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery website learned his grandfather on his mother’s side of the family had been held in an alien enemy internment camp from 1942 to 1945.

Nightingale’s grandfather, Bruno V. Stiller, came to the United States from Germany in the 1920s. At the time of World War II, the United States government viewed German Americans like Stiller as potential threats.

Nightingale said in May 1942 Stiller was arrested in his home in Prairie View, Ill., for possessing a shortwave radio. He was taken to an internment camp, or large detention center. There was an order at the time, Nightingale said, stating that immigrants could not have short wave radios, among

other things.

From there, Stiller was shuttled from camp to camp across the United States until being released on May 8, 1945 — Victory Day in Europe.

“It was just incredible to find out this information,” Nightingale said.

Perhaps just as incredible is how Nightingale came to learn of his family history.

While at a family reunion in 2001, Nightingale was handed a family tree made by one of his relatives. Nightingale found some faults in the family tree and, upon returning home, decided to make his own. Through his research, Nightingale formed a close relationship with his mother’s sister, Alice Stiller, who lived in Illinois.

When Alice Stiller died in 2010, Nightingale attended the estate cleanup. It was there that he found boxes filled with letters addressed to Bruno Stiller while Bruno was being detained in the interment camps. The letters — about 200 of them — were written by Bruno’s wife, Alice, and contained information about how Alice was coping with life while

A letter from Thursday, Oct. 1, 1942 This is the second letter today.

Dearest Bruno, I got back home from Libertyville and Esther is hanging out the laundry.

Yesterday sales, after no sales Mon., Tue $6.75, Wed. was $21.60 and Esther did it all by herself. I was busy cleaning up upstairs.

We threw out a bunch of old shoes and clothes. Some of it accumulated for years you know.

We must have made and served about twenty barbeques with French fries last night.

It has warmed up a lot and today it is quite comfortable with no coat outside. All the corn is in dry and yellow now.

Roy gained one pound in about 3 weeks so he is still doing good.

We are on the way to the doctor’s office today with the specimen I’m supposed to bring.

I‘ll find out if I‘m alright or not.

My veins are in a very, very bad condition.

I hate to think what will happen. They just keep getting worse.

So long the doctor doesn’t worry about them, I won‘t either. He is supposed to be a good doctor and surgeon. Dr. Grady and he is too old to go to war. He was in the last war so I won‘t have to worry about him being gone at the wrong time.

Enclosed is a picture they forgot to give me and I got it when we had reprints made. The grass needs cutting.

This was taken from the back of the juniper trees.

Loads of love, Alice.

See FAMILY, page 101

HORIZONS: TRENDS

Marked land Can you identify these landmarks?

3.

PAGE 101

2.

1.

4.

5.

More landmarks on page 114.

The answers are on page 109.

FAMILY

Continued from page 100 her husband was away.

“The letters were like gold to me,” Nightingale said. “The volume of information from one day to the next, it was almost sequential. Most were still in the original envelopes and included telegrams and photographs.

“These aren’t just family heirlooms, these are pieces of history. They can teach us something most of us didn’t know about our country.”

Nightingale used the information contained in the letters to write a book “Camp Letters: 19421945.” It is available at local bookstores.

Bob Nightingale, of Niles, uncovered hundreds of old letters and photos addressed from his grandmother to his grandfather, who was being detained in an alien enemy internment camp during World War II. Pictured from left are Alice E. Stiller (pregnant with a son), Sue, Roy and Alice C. Stiller.

HORIZONS: TRENDS

PAGE 102

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ...

Aaron?

Vinyl wave

Matt Shaver runs Rumor Has It in Niles.

Rumor Has It rides resurgence in record sales I

By AARON MUELLER aaron.mueller@leaderpub.com

s it a record renaissance, a marketing ploy or just another hipster fad?

No matter what you call it, Matt Shaver is pretty stoked about the vinyl record resurgence.

Find answers on page 114.

Shaver opened Rumor Has It, a record and vintage goods shop in downtown Niles, with perfect timing last year.

According to statistics released by billboard.

com, vinyl record sales in 2011 jumped to 3.9 million from 2.8 million — a 39 percent leap.

This came after a 14 percent increase in 2010.

A lifelong LP lover and owner of some 60,000 records, Shaver definitely saw it coming.

“Collectability has gone up a lot in the past six, seven years,” he said. “And then with labels pushing new vinyl and re-releases, it’s really kicked it up a notch.

The popularity is insane.”

Shaver, who owns one of just three record stores in the Michiana area, is reaping the ben-

efits of the increased popularity.

“We’ve been doing really well,” he said. “It’s a superior sound. And then there’s the cool factor.”

Everyone from Bieber-crazed teenagers to middle-aging hipsters are eating up Rumor Has It’s wide selection of vinyls.

“The Andrews University kids are all over this,” he said.

“We have everyone

from 30-somethings to 13-, 14-year-old kids that tear up my $5 and $1 section. A lot of girls will buy them just to hang up the covers on their walls.”

Shaver is expecting a customer to pay more than $20 for a scratched up Beatles’ “Abbey Road” record just for the famous cover art.

But it’s not just the vintage records that music lovers are after. Artists such as Radiohead, Vampire Weekend, the Black Keys and even Jay Z have released albums on vinyl.

Labels will often package the LP with a poster, CD copy and a free digital download, Shaver said.

“CD sales have gone way down. Kids don’t buy them anymore,” Shaver said. “So labels are trying to figure out a way to get full albums sold. This was their method.”

Shaver is expecting another uptick in sales on National Record Store Day April 21, when dozens of artists will release LPs exclusively to record stores.

“I have had a ton of phone calls about it,” he said.

“Everybody wants to know what we’ll have.”

Rumor Has It sells not only records, turntables and audio equipment but also vintage clothing and other goods.

Take a listen What: Rumor Has It, a record and vintage clothing store Where: 216 E. Main St., Niles Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 2-6 p.m.; Friday, 2-10 p.m.; Saturday 2-8 p.m.; call to set up an appointment o u t s i d e re g u l a r hours Contact: (269) 684-5615; facebook.com/RumorHasItStore

HORIZONS

PAGE 103

SOCIAL NETWORKING Social media has become a part of the fabric of southwest Michigan, where schools, businesses and job

Page 105

Page 107

Campus connections: Schools teach students how to navigate online

Page 11

Reaching out: Small businesses promote community

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HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING

PAGE 105

Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Alyse Hoyt, graphic arts teacher at Niles High School, is using the social media program, My Big Campus, in her classes this year. The program allows students, such as seniors Trey Purvis, left, and Jason Shipley, to connect with other students in the school and across the world.

My big Niles campus Students apply themselves to My Big Campus in lieu of Facebook, Twitter

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com

Social media sites such as Face-

book and Twitter might be banned from most local schools, but that isn’t keeping teachers from finding other forms of social media to keep their students engaged in learning.

At Niles High School, graphic arts teacher Alyse Hoyt is using a pseudo social media program called My Big

Campus in her classes.

Hoyt said My Big Campus is very similar to Facebook in its look and application. It is de-

signed to connect students all over the world in a safe online learning environment.

“I think it is something students can relate to,” said Niles High School senior Michelle Briand.

“There are calendars and activity boards. If you have problems or questions, you can message other students or the teacher for help. I think it’s pretty awesome.”

Hoyt said she began using the program at the

beginning of the school year.

She is testing the program to see if it is something that could be used in other classrooms.

“At first, it took a little getting used to because it was new, but because it is so similar to Facebook the kids were able to figure it out pretty quickly.”

My Big Campus allows Hoyt to collaborate with teachers across the See BIG, page 106

The Israel connection

By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com At Edwardsburg High School, students in Jeff Kozinski’s first-hour economics class will be speaking directly to students in an English class in Nazareth, Israel.

This connection is made possible through a virtual youth exchange program offered by the Global Nomads Group.

See CONNECTION, page 106

HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING

PAGE 106

CONNECTION Continued from page 105

Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Teachers in southwest Michigan are using social media programs to help students learn.

BIG

Continued from page 105 world in coming up with new, innovate ways to teach.

Students can turn in assignments online, blog, post discussions and comment on discussions.

Right now, Hoyt is using the program to facilitate a discussion on how the first semester went.

“All the students are posting what they enjoyed about the semester and ways to make it better,” Hoyt said.

“All the students can read it, so it is almost like the Facebook wall. It’s been going really well.”

The site is available 24 hours, seven days a week, so

students can have instant access to assignments, criteria and resources from home or in the classroom.

Hoyt said it is safe, too.

“I have administrative rights, but the company overall can monitor things, and, if there is abuse, they lose the privileges,” she said.

Students from both countries will meet through videoconference and private/secured social networks to share their similarities and differences, learn about each other’s cultures and understand their peers more than 6,000 miles away.

Edwardsburg High School will be talking to students from Galilee Experimental Municipal School via videoconference once a month for the next four months beginning in February.

Kozinski is excited about the opportunity for his students.

“We’ve textbooks that can teach kids and the internet that can teach kids — both are good resources,” he said.

“But it is not every day that these kids can get face-to-face experience with people from another culture.”

Kozinski and his class did a one-day videoconference with students in Hong Kong last year.

He said his current students wanted to do something similar.

That’s how the Israel connection

came about.

“It is a challenge to set this up and execute it and I let my students know that. It is good to see 16- and 17-year olds step up to the plate and say they want to learn more,” Kozinski said. “It excites me the way they are looking forward to this.”

For the first meeting, Kozinski said one of his female students would put together and present a video to the Israel students showing some of the important places in Edwardsburg, such as Lunker’s and the museum.

Students on both sides will share things about their daily lives and explore the differences between countries on issues such as human rights, women’s rights, trade regulations and exchange rates.

“This is a really unique opportunity for the students,” Kozinski said.

“The hope is that they come away from it with lifelong lessons they can share with others for years to come.”

HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING Facebook tips Here are some tips from Your Business Needs Fans: n Make it a business page: This is rule No. 1. Don’t use a personal profile to promote your business. There are many added features to business pages. Among those applications are a “shop now” button that allows customers to buy products straight from your Facebook page. n Add a welcome tab: A welcome tab increases traffic by 47 percent, according to Bachert. n Manage your time: Time is money in the business world. You don’t n e e d to s p e n d more than two to t h re e h o u r s o n Facebook per week to effectively use it. n Evaluate the goal of your page: “You need to stop and think about what this page is going to be all about,” Bacher t said. n The 80-20 rule: For a Facebook business page, 80 percent of the time is about interacting and giving back to the community and customers, and 20 percent is about selling. n Make it fun: If you aren’t having fun, chances are the people following your business are not either. Post videos, photos and creative status updates to keep people interested in your products.

PAGE 107

Niles businesses tap into Facebook pages

By AARON MUELLER aaron.mueller @leaderpub.com Almost half of small business owners in America are using social media as a way to promote their businesses, according to a 2011 Zoomerang survey, “Marketing in a Digital World.”

Downtown Niles businesses are no exception.

Niles Main Street Director Lisa Croteau said more than 60 business owners who are a part of Niles DDA Main Street are active on Facebook.

Croteau has encouraged every business downtown to create and regularly update a Facebook page.

“It’s a wonderful way to advertise,” she said.

“You can do so much more with Facebook than other advertising outlets. It’s like a magazine about yourself.”

Croteau, who is on Facebook regularly throughout the business day, reposts statuses, photos and videos of downtown businesses to her 4,000-plus followers several times each day.

Growing clientele Pat Starr opened her jewelry business, Inspired by You, in September and said Facebook has helped grow her client base.

“I’ve seen a little uptick in business,” Starr said. “I post something and it gets reposted, and it snowballs a little bit. I notice people coming in the shop and say they found me on Facebook.

Really, the majority say they found us on Facebook.”

Starr says she will post photos of her jewelry on the page to pique people’s interest.

Starr said the advantage to marketing on Facebook is “the continuity I can establish.”

“You don’t get as much feedback from regular advertising. With this, I get immediate feedback. People can post publicly what they think about the items they bought here,” she said.

Personal connections For Bryan Williams, owner of Trailhead Mercantile, the Facebook page is mainly about making “a personal connection” with customers and potential customers.

“I post videos and photos related to the outdoors, let customers post pictures of fish and deer,” he said. “Any outdoorsman likes to see fish and information about the outdoors. It’s a way of relating to my customers.”

Williams said it also helpful in networking with other business owners and promoting downtown as a whole.

“While some of the businesses don’t have anything I’d buy, I’ll still like them on Facebook.

It promotes camaraderie.

When one business is successful, it’s good for everybody.”

Many Niles businesses are even getting some coaching on the best ways to use social networking.

Your Business Needs Fans is a consulting business aimed to do just that.

The South Bend-based business, now a year old,

has worked with 400 companies across the country, including several based in Niles.

Karen Bachert, who co-owns the company, said she spends at least 15 hours a week on

A few more tips

Facebook to stay up-todate on the latest features and trends so she can train business owners on all things Facebook.

n Reach beyond your social network circle: Make sure to “like” and interact with other small businesses in the area. n Take a training course: Your Business Needs Fans offers workshops and training seminars to help small businesses navigate Facebook. For more information, visit www.yourbusinessneedsfans. com or facebook. com/YourBusinessNeedsFans. n Provide virtual customer service: Interact with people asking questions and making comments on your page.

See FACEBOOK, page 108

Our Passion is PIZZA and Pleasing Customers Like YOU! y For 25 years Pizza Transit has been handtossing great pizzas in Niles. Pizza Transit’s owner Sarah Brittin, has continued in her father’s footsteps making homemade dough, sauce, and bread. Over the years there have been many additions to Pizza Transit’s menu like salads, calzones, wings, and their famous whole wheat crust. Quality ingredients, creative pizzas, and outstanding customer service won Pizza Transit the title of Best Pizza in Michiana 2011. This spring be sure to check out their next step as they move to 215 E. Main Street where you can enjoy dining in! Keep up with what’s new by liking Pizza Transit on Facebook and visiting www.pizzatransit.com.

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HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING

Voted “Best Museum” & “Best Place to Take Kids” in Southwest Michigan

PAGE 108

FACEBOOK Continued from page 107

Bachert said Facebook is an important tool for any business for marketing purposes, being a resource to customers about products and services and promoting community.

“Anybody can do it,”

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“You don’t have to be a techie person to run an effective business page, and you don’t have to put a lot of money into it.”

One of the keys to a successful Facebook

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HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING

Social media opens job market

By AARON MUELLER aaron.mueller@leaderpub.com

C

an Facebook really land you a job?

Bob Argue seems to think so.

For more than a year the 50-year-old Bridgman resident has been unemployed and on the job hunt.

So Argue, who has worked in nonprofit management for much of his adult life, recently turned to social networking in his job search, which is a growing trend among job seekers.

“I’ve gotten some good leads,” Argue said.

He follows professional groups on Facebook and LinkedIn to find leads and to network with his peers. Argue has also been able to reconnect with old friends and co-workers to let them know he is searching for a job.

Argue is not alone in being unemployed and looking for creative ways to get noticed in the job market.

The average unemployed person in America has been looking for

“

work about 40 weeks, and the median successful job search is about 10 weeks, according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics.

Megan McCausland, director of community relations for Michigan Works! Association, said officials at the workforce development association refer job searchers to LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to network with professionals and find leads.

Gone are the days of blindly posting resumes

on Monster.com, pouring over the classifieds in the daily paper and daily checking company websites for openings.

“You have to remember 60 percent of jobs are found through networking, knowing someone,” McCausland said.

“So when searching for jobs online, you need to think ‘Where am I getting the most bang for my time?’

“This is why social networking platforms have been useful and really revolutionized the way people have found jobs.”

More and more employers are telling Michigan Works! they are using social media to find job candidates, including some who use social media to do all their recruiting, McCausland said.

Michigan Works! also aids job seekers by retweeting and reposting job leads from its Twitter and Facebook pages.

But just like any method of job searching there are certain do’s and don’ts, McCausland said.

See her tips at right.

When searching for jobs online, you need to think ‘Where am I getting the most bang for my time?’

— Megan McCausland, Michigan Works! Association

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

Answers are on page 114.

”

Do’s and don’ts Follow these tips when searching for a job online: n Be selective in your photos: The picture of yourself drunk, kicking back beers with your “Beer Pong Champion” T-shirt is probably not the best idea for attracting potential employers. Or as McCausland puts it, make sure your Facebook photos are “career appropriate.” n Don’t post everything: Just because Facebook asks you what’s on your mind, it doesn’t mean you should.

A recent study by Reppler, a social media monitoring service, found that 91 percent of employers use social networking sites to screen prospective employees.

The biggest turnoff to employers, according to McCausland, is complaining.

“It’s shocking how many people complain on social networking, even those who have jobs complain about work,” she said. “Employers aren’t looking for complainers. They’re looking for go-getters and problem-solvers.” n Be relevant to your field: Posting interesting articles and thoughts on your career field shows employers that you are serious about your work.

“Someone might see that post and see you as an appropriate fit for an open job,” McCausland said. n It’s called social networking for a reason: Use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to reconnect with past colleagues and ask them if they have heard of any openings. n LinkedIn is still tops: Even though employers are beginning to use Facebook and Twitter to do recruiting, LinkedIn is still the most popular stop for recruiters.

“People are looking at that site with hiring in mind,” McCauslin said.

Make sure you fill out as much information as possible on your profile to paint a complete picture of yourself as a person and a worker.

Argue has been at the job search for a while, but he isn’t completely discouraged, thanks in part to interaction with friends and other unemployed people on social networks.

“It’s also helped let me know that people are still looking out for me and giving me some emotional support as well,” he said.

PAGE 109 Marked land

These are the landmarks pictured on page 101.

1. The James E. Bonine House, Penn Road and M-60, Vandalia.

Purchased by The Underground Railroad Society of Cass County in 2010, the Bonine House is in the progress of an extensive restoration.

When returned to its 1840s appearance, it will become an Underground Railroad education and community events center.

2. Our Lady of the Lake Church, 24832 U.S. Highway 12, Edwardsburg. The church began as a mission church in 1923. It was erected near Eagle Lake because owners of summer homes wanted a nearby Catholic church.

Kenneth Considine of South Bend donated this grotto in memory of his daughter, Margaret, who died in an auto accident.

The statue was donated

by John Grohowski of Edwardsburg in memory of his late wife, Elaine.

3. Cass District Library Local History Branch, 145 N. Broadway St., Cassopolis. This building, home to the former LaGrange Township Library donated by Andrew Carnegie, was built in 1909. It now holds a collection of books about genealogy and Cass County area history.

4. The Beckwith The-

atre Company, 100 New York Ave., Dowagiac.

See ANSWERS, page 112

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HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING

Marked land

PAGE 111

6.

Can you identify these landmarks?

7.

8.

9.

10.

Answers on page 112

HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING Marked land answers

4. (cont.) The Beckwith Theatre, built with Round Oak Furnace Company funds, attracted an array of national talent, including John Philip Sousa, who directed a performance of “The 1812 Overture”

and his own “Stars and Stripes Forever” in 1911.

A group of Dowagiac area residents formed The Beckwith Theatre Company in 1990.

5. Kincheloe Memori-

al Park, M-60, Penn Township. Iven Kincheloe Jr., who grew up in Cassopolis, is known as the “first spaceman” for

being the first to fly a plane above the Earth’s atmosphere. He died on July 26, 1958, when his F-104 suffered an engine failure at Edwards Air Force Base.

6. “Touching Earth II”

eagle sculpture, Main and Walnut streets, Dowagiac. The 13th sculpture unveiled in the city since

1995, it was sculpted by Bob Guelich and donated to Dowagiac in 2011.

7. The Carey Mission monument is located at Philip and Niles-Buchanan Road, Niles. The Carey Mission was established by Isaac McCoy, a Baptist missionary, among the Potawatomi tribe on the St. Jo-

SOCIAL

8. Edwardsburg Athletic Complex, Edwardsburg High School. The school has about 775 students in grades 9 through 12.

9. Bench park, Main Street, Edwarsdsburg.

The Edwardsburg Uptown Improvement Association organized a community effort to build public benches in the village a couple years ago.

10.

Fulkerson Park, Fulkerson Road and 17th Street, Niles Township.

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PAGE 112

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HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING The 4.2-acre park includes tennis and basketball courts, a small ball field, playground equipment and picnic tables.

11. Woodcarver Dayle Lewis sculpted this viking statue for Niles Community Schools on the playground at Eastside Connections School, at the corner of

15th and Ferry streets, in 2011. A walnut tree was used for the statue.

12. The Old Rugged Cross Church, Vermont Street, Pokagon. Built in 1862 as a hops barn, the building was sold to a Methodist Episcopal congregation; it was only an operating church for 39 years. Traveling

evangelist the Rev. George Bennard penned the famous hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” in Pokagon and it was sung at the church. Now privately-owned, it is under an ongoing restoration process.

13. Smith Chapel, 29858 Redfield Rd., Milton Township. This

“Good Times...Good People”

PAGE 113

privately-owned church is the oldest-known church building Cass County and likely the oldest in southwest Michigan. It was built in 1840 by settlers from Delaware. No longer regularly used for worship, it is rented for weddings and funerals.

14.

Pucker Street

Dam, M-51, Niles Township. It is located adjacent to the 13-acre Losensky Park on the Dowagiac River and named after the late Charles Losensky, a Niles Township trustee.

The long-dormant dam is owned by the City of Niles.

15. Pioneer Log Cab-

in Museum, M-60, Cassopolis. The museum displays handmade quilts, dolls and historic farm equipment.

16. The Navy Mothers donated this clock on Main Street to the City of Niles. Former Veni’s Sweet Shop owner Albert Marazita contributed to its restoration in 1999.

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HORIZONS: SOCIAL NETWORKING

Marked land

PAGE 114

11.

Where’s Waldo ... ahem ... Aaron?

Answers: Here is where Aaron has been Page 2: Aaron’s image is reflected at the Cass County Historic Courthouse, Cassopolis.

Pag 24: Aaron takes off at Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport, Niles.

Can you identify these landmarks?

Page 29: Aaron scores a touchdown at Niles High School football field.

12.

Page 35: Aaron salutes the flag at Lest We Forget Memorial at Edwardsburg Musuem then moves to the interior of the Niles Train Depot and lastly tours the tracks outside the depot.

Page 46: Aaron visits the Pioneer Log Cabin and Museum at Stone Lake in Cassopolis and then is intimidated by the tank also at Stone Lake.

13.

Page 84: Aaron stands on a momentous sculpture in Dowagiac.

Page 95: Aaron pays a visit to Santa on the St. Joseph Rive r at Lakeland Hospital in Niles and then admires a big rock at Fort St. Joseph, Niles.

14.

Answers on page 113.

15.

16.

Page 99: Aaron sees as far as he can see at Island Park in Niles then waves at the mural on State Street in Cassopolis.

Page 102: Aaron avoids getting his hair cut at Tru Barbers on Main Street in Edwardsburg, visits Lunkers while in town then travels to the statue of an eagle in Dowagiac.

Page 109: Aaron takes a lunch break at Maple Cafe in Edwardsburg and takes a moment to spotlight equality at the Kentucky Raid Mural on Broadway Street in Cassopolis.

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