Off The Water - January 24-30, 2014

FREE

Warming up winter

Fish Tales

Surfari Joe's breaks cold weather blues........................p.4

Lunker's hooks its customers.......... p.2

Week of January 24-30, 2014

Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

Volume 6, Number 4

Unusual name, unique taste bread+bar serves up tasty entrees.......p. 5

The Tartine Board served at bread+bar Submitted photo by Joshua Nowicki

www.offthewater.com

Page 2 • Week of January 24-30, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

FOCUS

Lunker’s hooks customers

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater @leaderpub.com

Edwardsburg—A “lunker” is a big fish, and Lunker’s is one big hunting, camping and fishing tackle store.

Actually, it’s a whole lot more than a store. It’s a hunting and fishing emporium, a restaurant and an aquarium—all housed under one roof at 26324 U.S. 12 East.

The owners, Danny and April Striz, want to offer something for everyone.

For that reason, they are in the process of implementing a number of projects that will further enhance the store’s appeal.

“It started out in 1985 as a bait shop. It just kind of took off from there, little by little. The owners started expanding it,” explained Randy “R.J.” Jesensky, a manager at Lunker’s. “The restaurant started out as a little counter where you could order a hamburger or a hotdog, and now it seats quite a few people.”

Some of the most recent changes in that restaurant, The Angler’s Inn, include a new menu with a greater emphasis on seafood.

“We’re doing a lot more with our fresh seafood buffets. That’s really taking off,” said April Striz, of the buffet that is available on Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m.

Daily specials are also available.

“The menu has changed significantly, but we want to continue to carry the things that we’re known for, like the Lunker Burger. That’s a 10-ounce burger,” Striz said.

The Angler’s Inn also hopes to cater to guests with lighter appetites.

“With our new menu, we’re offering both halfsize and regular-size salads because the full size is so big. We like to offer folks an alternative,” Striz said.

Beyond the changes in the menu, the interior of the restaurant has also undergone a physical transformation, including the addition of a sports bar.

“I can’t tell you how many times people say, ‘I haven’t been here for so many years, and it’s so different!’”

Striz said.

“There’s been a major change in the last few years. All of this interior, we’ve redone it in the last three years. We’ve added the big TVs to attract peo

Leader photo/JILL McCAUGHAN

The 600-gallon saltwater tank showcases vibrant tropical fish.

Leader photo/JILL McCAUGHAN

Lou Ann Smith and April Striz greet customers from behind the bar at the Angler's Inn. to come in here and watch the games, and people like doing that.”

Despite all of the changes, one of the most important aspects of the restaurant has remained relatively stable.

“Some of our cooks and managers have been here for over 20 years,” Striz said. “It’s pretty awesome to have a management staff with such longevity.”

One of the big attractions for both kids and adults who visit Lunker’s is the impressive collection of live fish, reptiles and amphibians that are housed in more than 20 aquariums.

“Kids love it around here,” Jesensky said.

“There’s a 600-gallon saltwater aquarium in the middle of the restaurant, and we’ve got a plethora of fish tanks—everything from turtles to tarantulas.

They’re pretty neat and something that most people don’t see every day.”

Lunker’s also has a large collection of mounts that attract the attention of both children and adults. They include a beaver, a wolf, a coyote, an ostrich, and an alligator, among others.

“They were donated by a gentleman that passed away,” Jesensky said. “He wanted people to enjoy some of the mounts that he

had, and he asked us if we would care to show them.”

A display of native fish, arranged to look like they are swimming in a river, can also be found in the area of the store where fishing tackle is displayed. That area of Lunker’s boasts approximately 16,000 square feet of fishing, hunting and camping gear.

“We want to make sure that the sportsman that comes here is taken care of and knows where to go, what to do, and the best possible way to do it,” Jesensky said. “We just try to help them a little bit, and if we can, then we’ve done our job.”

One way that Lunker’s does that is by holding an

annual Fishing Extravaganza. This will be its 23rd year, and it will take place from Feb. 28 through March 2. More information about the event is available at www.lunkers.com and on their Facebook page.

“We like to have a lot of the new items in then, with a lot of people to help the customers, and we try to get some speakers in here. That way, it’s fun for the whole family,” Jesensky said.

In anticipation of that event, the folks at Lunker’s have been working on repurposing one of the areas in the store.

“We’re currently in the process of changing an area into one for gifts and for kids. It’ll have pinball

Leader photo/JILL McCAUGHAN

Various mounts on display at Lunker's. machines and air hockey,” Jesensky said. “There will be gifts and greeting cards there, too.”

“It’s good because guys don’t mind bringing their wives in here. They know their wives can get some-

thing to eat and do some shopping while they go look at lures,” Jesensky explained. “A lot of people like coming here with their kids already because the kids love looking at the fish tanks.”

Nunemaker’s Coin Shop WE BUY • SELL • TRADE

Picture this!

• Buying all gold coins & silver coins • Old U.S. currency and old U.S. coins • Gold & diamond jewelry • All sterling silver items

Clothes they love... Prices you love. Right around the corner

A FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE 1962

• Kids’ Clothing Newborn to Teen • Formal Dresses • Baby Gear & Furniture • Maternity

Call 574-288-7464

Now Open Monday!

WHO kNEW? consignment

Mon-Sat 10-5pm Thurs 10-7pm 119 S. Front St. • Dowagiac 269.782.9800 www.whoknewconsignment.com

2516 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, IN Open: Mon-Sat.

Free In-Store Appraisals!

www.nunemakers.com

Off The Water, Michiana

Week of January 24-30, 2014 • Page 3

SPOTLIGHT

'Tartuffe' takes stage at the Box Factory

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater @leaderpub.com St. Joseph—Audience members will be treated to a mixture of both old and new with the upcoming production of Moliere’s “Tartuffe.”

The classic comedy, which turns 350 years old this year, will be presented in a new translation by the Pigeon Creek Theatre Company at the Box Factory for the Arts on Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

“Our translator, Rosalind Srb, had this project in mind for several years,” explained Katherine Mayberry, an actor in the company. “As she worked on it, she thought of certain actors in certain roles.”

While this is the first time that the company will be performing a play by Moliere at the Box Factory, this will be their third visit to the Box Factory.

“The Pigeon Creek people have brought us two of Shakespeare’s plays, ‘King Lear IV, Part One’ and ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost,’ so it will be fun to see how they handle Moliere,” said Judith Sokolowski, a board member of the Berrien Artists Guild, which owns the Box Factory.

Although the play is set

Submitted photo

Moliere's "Tartuffe" will be performed by the Pigeon Creek Theatre Company on Feb. 2 at The Box Factory. in 17th century France, members of the theater company believe that the comedic action will appeal to a 21st century audience.

“The play is written in some beautiful language, but the plot also leads to some extremely funny moments on the stage,”

Mayberry said.

The title character, Tartuffe, is a common criminal masquerading as a pious man. While he is able to dupe the wealthy head of the household, Orgon, the rest of the family—and especially the servants—can see through

the charade, attempting desperately to unmask the conman before the family’s fortune and honor are lost.

“If people are familiar with Moliere, this is a great opportunity to see Moliere in performance,” Mayberry said. “It’s also a

Fabrics

Current Designer Closeouts & Excess Goods

Home Dec Fabrics • Trims Woollens • Linens • Silks • Bridal Laces • Veils 95% of Our Decorator & Upholstery Fabrics are 50% to 90% Off Retail

Lemon Creek Fabrics 119 W. Ferry St.

Downtown Berrien Springs, MI 49103 269-473-2201 Open Sunday thru Thursday Closed Friday & Saturday Call for hours

great introduction to Moliere—to experience him and the physical comedy, which is a bit bawdy.

Our audiences have just been loving it.”

Another new aspect of this performance is that the Box Factory will offer special VIP seating for the play.

“This is the first time we will have VIP seating for those who want to be up close and personal with the performance. I’m anxious to see how that works out, both for the actors and the audience members,” Sokolowski said. “We require prepaid reservations for the VIP seats because we actually will have tables set up close to the action.”

VIP tickets are $15, general admission tickets are $10 and senior and student tickets are $8 per person. Tickets can be purchased by calling at (269) 983-3688 or by visiting w w w. b o x f a c t o r y f o r t h earts.org. Wine and light refreshments will be available for purchase at this event.

The Pigeon Creek company is also looking forward to the performance because the new stage

arrangements will more accurately reproduce the types of venues where 17th century plays were often performed.

“We do a lot of historical research into the performances we put on, and that’s how many of the performances were done.

When they weren’t performing at theaters like the Globe, they were often performing in homes and other small, intimate spaces,” Mayberry explained.

“I love the fact that this is what we’ll be using when we perform this play at the Box Factory. It’s a really nice, intimate space,” Mayberry said.

“We let actors speak directly to the audience.”

The cast of “Tartuffe” includes Kathleen Bode, Kilian Goodson, Kat Hermes, Scott Lange, Katherine Mayberry, Megan Prangley, Sarah Stark, Brad Sytsma, Kate Tubbs and Kyle Westmaas.

“When we talk about us doing audience interactions, the people seated closest to the stage will receive the most of this interaction,” Mayberry said. “They should expect to be pulled into the play.”

Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

Produced and printed by Leader Publications 217 N. 4th Street, Niles, MI 49120

Support your local farmers!

Get locally raised beef at an excellent price through our custom butcher shop. We have a network of farmers that have anything from pure grass-fed beef, to pastured hormone & antibitioc-free beef, to a standard grain-fed beef. The advantages are you get a great quantity of meat with the cuts you like best all for a little more than the price of regular hamburger.

Also have hogs available. Call for more information

SPECIALS: 1/24-1/30

Whole boneless pork loins ............ 1.89/lb (free slicing)

Boneless rolled pork loin roast ..... 2.49/lb

USDA Choice Ribeye ......................... 8.99/lb Lacey Baby Swiss ..............................3.19/lb

Hard Salami ..............................4.29/lb Quality Cuts

Better Value.

59283 White Temple Rd • Vandalia, MI 49095

269.476.1126

http://www.BullseyeMarketplace.com

Off the Water is available throughout southwest Michigan and the greater South Bend, Indiana area.

Michael Caldwell Publisher (269) 687-7700 michael.caldwell@leaderpub.com

Sales Donna Knight Classifieds (269) 687-7717

Ambrosia Neldon Layout Editor (269) 687-7713

donna.knight@leaderpub.com

ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com

lindsey.cloutier@leaderpub.com

Jill McCaughan Feature Writer (269) 687-7704 jill.mccaughan@leaderpub.com

Anne Johnson Creative Services (269) 687-7701 anne.johnson@leaderpub.com

Rhonda Rauen Accounting Manager (269) 687-7711 rhonda.rauen@leaderpub.com

Lindsey Cloutier (269) 687-7723 Mary Cooper (269) 687-7724 mary.cooper@leaderpub.com

Sherina Gonzalez (269) 687-7728 sherina.gonzalez@leaderpub.com

Phil Langer (269) 687-7725 phil.langer@leaderpub.com

Jenny Yarbrough (269) 687-7726 jenny.yarbrough@leaderpub.com

Cindy Klingerman Distribution Manager (269) 687-7727 cindy.klingerman@leaderpub.com

www.OffTheWater.com

Page 4 • Week of January 24-30, 2014

TOURIST FOR A DAY

Off The Water, Michiana

Discover the local destinations right in your own backyard

Surfari Joe’s helps heat up winter

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater @leaderpub.com

Watervliet—When you open the door to Surfari Joe’s, the heat and humidity almost makes it feel like you’ve stepped off of a plane in the tropics. The sound of kids splashing in the water fills the warm, moist air.

“It feels great in here, doesn’t it?” asked Jan Taber, director of sales at Surfari Joe’s. “The temperature is about 84 degrees all the time.”

In the dead of winter, Surfari Joe’s can provide a much longed-for oasis of weekend fun for the family—without the highpriced plane ticket.

“The people here are taking a little mini-vacation. They are wanting to get away for a couple days, but not using their whole life-savings for it,” Taber said.

Centrally located inside the Fairfield Inn on I-94 in Watervliet, Mich., Surfari Joe’s is a short drive from just about any location in southwest Michigan or northern Indiana.

“We see a lot of people from Dowagiac, South Bend, Granger. We’re just far enough away that they can get out and spend the day having fun,” Taber said.

“They come here, and they have a great time, and people tell us all the time that they’ve had as good a time here as they have had at Disney, fighting the lines and the crowds,” Taber said. “The kids are happy and content, and the parents get to relax, too.”

The waterpark has two levels, with water activities located on the main floor. These include “Pygmy’s Pond,” which is a shallow-water play area designed for smaller children. There, kids can enjoy several slides, water guns, and a big bucket that fills up and periodically dumps water on those playing there.

There are also two waterslides that both kids and adults can enjoy— Rhino’s Rage and Hippo’s Hollow. A “lazy river,” which can be ridden with or without an innertube, connects the landing zone for the slides to a “lagoon” where kids and adults can play in the water. A hot tub, complete with a waterfall, is also located on this

lower level.

The mezzanine level provides a full view of the main floor below, with ample seating for parents to use as they supervise their children below.

An arcade and a fullservice bar, “The Water Hole,” are also located on this upper level. The bar serves sodas, beer and mixed drinks, and guests can also order finger foods like pizza, quesadillas, and chicken tenders there.

Managers have taken several measures to ensure the safety of their guests.

Life jackets are available in both children’s and adult’s sizes, and from six to eight lifeguards are onduty at all times.

Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the winter, Surfari Joe’s offers visitors a number of different options for enjoying the indoor waterpark. Hours vary by the day.

First, families can come and enjoy the waterpark during one of the 3 ½- to 4-hour daily sessions, which run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3 to 6:30 p.m. or 6:30 to 10 p.m. (on Saturdays) for $13 per person. Or, they can spend the whole day playing in the park for $25 per person.

More information, including daily hours, is available by calling (269) 4637946 or by visiting www. surfarijoes.com.

For those who wish to celebrate a birthday or other special event, Surfari Joe’s offers three party packages, depending on the size of the group. All of the packages include park privileges, pizza, soda, cake, and a designated table on the mezzanine that overlooks the waterpark.

“We have a lot of local people who like to have their birthday parties here in the winter,” Taber said.

Alternatively, guests can buy a package that includes all-day waterpark passes and an overnight stay in the newly refurbished hotel.

Open for about four years now, Surfari Joe’s and the hotel have recently undergone a major overhaul.

“We’re working all the time to continually improve it. It was originally built as a Ramada.

Last summer, JS Capitol put $2.4 million into it to make it a Fairfield. We’re a very trendy, upscale,

Leader photos/JILL McCAUGHAN

Guests enjoy Pygmy's Pond at Surfari Joe's Waterpark in Watervliet. sophisticated Fairfield,” Taber said. “All the carpeting, the linen, the beds— every piece of furniture in the hotel was changed.

We’re really proud of it, and we hope that whole the community is also.”

While catering mainly to families, Surfari Joe’s is also open to community groups that wish to have activities there.

“We’re a great place for fundraisers. Youth groups love it,” Taber said. “We work with the community, and we’re a part of the community.”

“Next week, we have a school field trip coming in where kids will learn about velocity and water pressure. So, it’s a teaching time, and then they get to go in the water, and they’re going to have pizza,” Taber said.

Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday party, a fundraiser, or a family outing, Surfari Joe’s provides a place for kids and adults to have fun in a safe atmosphere.

“It’s nice because we see that great side of families. We get to see them having fun and the kids not wanting to go home, and telling us they’ll be back soon,” Taber said.

“We want to be about families making memories together.”

Off The Water, Michiana

Week of January 24-30, 2014 • Page 5

CUISINE SCENE

bread+bar: Unusual name, unique menu

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater @leaderpub.com

Benton Harbor— Thoughtful food served in a thoughtful atmosphere.

From locally-sourced cheeses and homemade dressings, to a custommade zinc bar and cobalt blue Italian water glasses, NTim and Pat Foley have carefully considered every detail that colors the bread+bar experience for their guests.

“What we do and our approach to food—our approach to service, our approach to the bar—every little thing is important to us here,” said Tim Foley.

“Thought is put into every single thing.”

That careful approach has helped to create a casual yet elegant atmosphere for the restaurant that offers a gorgeous view of the St. Joseph River from 645 Riverview Dr. “It’s really about doing something different and trying to step outside of the box. All of our food is made from scratch,” explained Foley. “We try to offer fresh food and not processed food, so that when people eat here, they feel good about eating here, and their bodies feel good after eating here.”

Much thought has also gone into the service that customers can expect when they visit bread+bar, whether it is for lunch, dinner or cocktails.

“You only have a certain amount of time for lunch. So, we designed our menu such that there’s not a lot of long-cooking things,” Foley explained.

“So, it’s usually an 8- to 11-minute ticket time, so people come in and they get served quickly.”

In the near future, the

owners of bread+bar plan to make it even more convenient for their guests to eat a healthy, freshly-prepared lunch by offering ready-made sandwiches so customers can “grab and go.” “Fun” options are also available for younger diners.

The dishes on the dinner menu have also been chosen with care, but the Foleys are not content to rest on their laurels.

“The menu is evolving.

We’re very into changing things as we go. Every few weeks, we add a few things, or take some things off,” said Foley.

“ We try to do things that are a little bit more on the healthy side, but not like ‘boring healthy.’”

One of several current favorites is the tartine board.

“A tartine is basically ‘an open-faced sandwich’ in French,” Foley explained. “It’s served on a wood board, and it’s like grilled bread with various toppings, so we give you a choice of six different toppings, and you get three of those on the board. We do a smoked whitefish, we do a Spanish Serrano ham with a tomato jam and a manchego cheese, we do

a fig and brie, so we do a lot of nice, different things.”

While the whitefish for the tartines is smoked onsite, the cheeses are supplied by Reny Picot in Benton Harbor. Chef Luke Caenepeel prepares other dishes with maple syrup from a farm in Niles, or kale from Green Sprit Farms in New Buffalo. All of the breads and desserts are supplied by Bit of Swiss, which the Foleys also own.

Bread+bar will be offering a special menu for the weekend of Valentine’s Day, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 12 “Our wine dinner is on Thursday the 12th, so we’re doing a wine dinner with a winery out of Oregon, Breeze Estate, and then after that, we’re going to have that same menu available on Friday and Saturday if people want that. We want to offer people something a little bit different,” Foley said.

Ruth Ryberg, certified sommelier and owner of Don’t Whine Do Wine, works with bread+bar to present monthly wine dinners

such as this one, as well as monthly wine tastings.

“It’s really nice to have Tim to partner with,” Ryberg said. “This month, we’re going to feature four wines with a four course dinner at 7 o’clock.”

Also in February, Don’t Whine Do Wine plans to facilitate a wine tasting event called “Bootstrapping Reds” at bread+bar. More information on this and other monthly events can be found at www.breadbarbh.com and on their Facebook page. Their phone number is (269) 757-7219.

“We’re about creating something for the community,” Foley said.

“It’s about introducing them to different wines that they normally don’t have, and also having our kitchen produce something different from our normal menu.” bread+bar also offers a full-service bar for those guests who wish to stop in for a cocktail, a glass of wine, or one of the craft beers that

Submitted photos/JOSHUA NOWICKI

ABOVE: The grilled tailgate lamb chops served at bread+bar. BELOW: The meat and cheese board.

they serve.

“We have a lot of specialty cocktails, things that are a lot of fun, but are outside the box and out of the ordinary,” Foley said.

“We’re also very proud of our wines by the glass.” bread+bar is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through

Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

“I think we’ve been pretty well received,” Foley said. “People get into habits, and we want to be an option for that habit. If people come in, I think they’ll realize that there is a difference here.”

WHITE SALE! 20% OFF ALL WHITE BALSAMICS Featuring 12 White Balsamics, over 90 oils and balsamics in our gourmet tasting room.

For a Limited Time, offer valid for in store purchases only at:

424 Phoenix Rd, South Haven, MI 421 State Street, St. Joseph, MI

www.OliveCart.com

Marketplace

Page 6 • Week of January 24-30, 2014

6 MARKETPLACE

Off The Water, Michiana

S J w m c e L a

GOT SOMETHING TO SELL? LIST IT HERE FOR ONLY $10. CALL (888) 725-0108 General Notices

106

WRONGLY DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS?

I can help. (269)473-2370

Business Oppor200 tunities NOW OPEN

Earn $500 - $1500 a month as part of the largest nutrition company in the world.

68943 Gateway Dr Edwardsburg, MI M-F 8am-3pm

Help Wanted 300 MULTIPLE JOB OPENINGS (269) 408-1980 Three Oaks Assembly Welders Pick and Pack Reliable Applicants APPLY TODAY!

www.stjosephmi.expresspros. com

DRIVER TRAINEES!

GET FEE-PAID CDL TRAINING NOW! Learn to drive for US Xpress New Drivers can earn $800/wk & Benefits!

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Be trained & based locally!

1-800-882-7364

SILVERBROOK NILES

Houses for Sale 500 IDEAL RECREATIONAL PLAYGROUND

Skilled Nursing Facility Offering Short or Long Term Care & Rehab to Home Call to Schedule Tour 269-684-4320

Instruction & 309 Training NILES COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Taking School of Choice applications thru Jan 17, 2014 for winter semester.

College & career readiness programs on/off campus.

269.683.0732 www.nilesschools.org

Apartments 412 HAMILTON SQUARE APARTMENTS 315 N. Lowe, Dowagiac Nice Country Setting 1-2 Bedrooms Starting at $400 (269)782-4637

PAWATING VILLAGE

1 Fort Street- Niles 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Apartment available Now! 1/2 off First 2 Month's Rent Call Today 684-4500!

RIVER OAK APTS

1729 Oak St., Niles (269)687-8340 1-2 Bedrooms Heat, Water, Hot Water & Trash All Paid Ask About Our Move-In Specials www.coreleases.com

For Rent

418

Cassopolis- 313 Johnson St.

2 BEDROOM HOUSE

dining room, living room, kitchen, 1 bath, fenced in yard, no pets, $400/month. $600 security deposit (269)445-3871

Office Space for Rent

427

OFFICE SPACES FOR RENT

Elderly Care 307 KARE SERVICES

Compassionate Home Care Services (269)684-1984 (574)292-2900 email:KKaidanRay@aol.com www.KAREService.com

1st office space has dual entrances off 4th & Sycamore in Niles and has 1 large office or can be divided into 2 smaller offices. Lease includes heat, gas, water, sewer, $800/month for both offices or $450/month for one. 2nd office space has 1 entrance off 4th St. in Niles and has a reception area plus 2 offices, $350/month. Call or email mike.caldwell@leaderpub. com.

(269)687-7700

Custom Built Home 79 acres with Stocked Ponds Edwardsburg Schools $510, 000 Call or Text Chris Moore (269)362-5665 Freedom Realty (269)687-8484

OVER 20 ACRES

18699 Williams St. Cassopolis, MI of natural beauty in Michigan! 7 minutes from Elkhart. Open split bedroom floor plan offers over 2500 sq.ft. with 6 bedrooms/4.5 bath including guest quarters. Barn, pool, creek, pond, and horse/dirt bike trails. Edwardsburg schools This house is a must see! $410,000 Visit www.SoGoodToBeHome.com for photo tour or call Coldwell Banker, RWG Patty Lauten (574)340-4271 (269)663-8800

WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING

Integrity Real Estate Professionals would love the opportunity to serve you. Call any of our agents for professional service you expect and deserve.

269-684-5030 Integrity Real Estate Professionals

Manufactured 502 Homes HOMES FOR SALE IN DECATUR

3 Bed, 2 bath homes ready to be moved into. Lease Options at starting at $621.00 per month (includes lot rent, insurance, water, trash) Call 269-4237024 or visit www.phelpscommunity.com to view pictures

UPDATED HOME

Only $490/MO! 2 bd/1 bth, Newer appliances, New flooring throughout, Call Riverside Estates Buchanan, 269-695-3119

Auctions

603

************

YOU NEVER KNOW AUCTION HOUSE AH:21000020

53847 N. Park Ave. Elkhart, IN. Every Fri. at 5:30p.m. Now taking clean big & small consignment.

Drop off merchandise SatThurs Daily 10-5. Pick-up available. Someone here at all times. For more details call David (574)522-1020 or Trish (574) 206-6296 #AU01042788

Things to Do 637 CASS DISTRICT LIBRARY http://cass.lib.mi.us (269)445-3400 Check out our online services: Freegal, Learn4Life, and more! Call for more info.

51625 SR 933, South Bend (574) 277-2131

Household Mer642 chandise FOR SALE

Accepting only winter outwear Nov. - Jan. Call for appointment.

Who kNew Consignment 269-782-9800

MK CONSTRUCTION

Pole barn & other garages specialist. Roofing Siding, M Framing and more. Over 25 e Used & reconditioned years experience. Licensed.c washers, ranges, dryers, re- Contact Michael N. KneppleM frigerators & freezers.

(269)476-9777 Geiger Refrigeration Service 841 Carberry Rd. Niles MR. MAINTENANCE (269)687-8639 FREE ESTIMATES

TAX SEASON IS HERE

BILL'S USED APPLIANCES Washers, Dryers, Stoves, Fridges for all budgets, start at $100. Inventory always changing. 2559 S. 11th St. Niles (269) 591-7922

Merchandise for 643 Sale YOUR E-CIG EXPERTS

Vaporizers & e-hookah Over 50 liquid flavors.

US 31 Tobacco 50552 US 31 N, South Bend (574) 271-0333

Wanted to Buy BUYING

672

Roofing, Siding & Windows, Light Hauling & SpringS Clean-Ups, No Inside orS Outside job too big or small.E Low affordable rates.w (269)591-1403 s

a

Tree Service 725 a PAYNE'S TREE p C SERVICE

Tree Trimming & Removal.G Stump Grinding & Firewood.C Bobcat & Concrete Work.J Insured. (269)663-8091 W

Recycling Service

S

743 m

CA$H 4 JUNKERS

repairable scrap and unwanted vehicles, top dollar paid. Call or text for a free quote today. Free towing.

Turn that Junker in your yard Kevin (817)437-0450 to cash in your hand WANTED TO BUY 801 Carberry Rd, Niles 269-687-5865 Cash paid for small &

size

refri-

working or not, gas & electric Mission Hills Memorial ranges. Call (269)687-8639 Gardens. $1,000 or best WE WILL BUY offer. (574)273-0272 your junk car. We haul for free. Paying up to $1500 Consignment 625 cash. Please call anytime Turn your Closet into 269-687-8098

CASH

Over 25 years of experience,s tile work, kitchens, bath-w rooms, additions, decks &h porches, windows & doors,R window wrapping, siding,C fascia & soffit. Insured! Call s Randy (269)782-3139 1 (269)208-9838

A r Home FurnishJDS HOME 641 d ings IMPROVEMENT M Repairs, Replacement, New MICHIANA'S LARGEST Small Jobs welcome.f selection of artwork, Licensed/Insured. Call Johnv lamps & more (269)445-7005 b Whims & Wishes f

Cemetery Lots 617 medium 1 LOT WITH 2ND gerators INTERMENT RIGHT washers,

Kids' clothing: newborn to teen, Baby gear & furniture, Maternitywear

A

HOME REPAIRS & t w REMODELING

Home Improve700 ment FRYMAN’S ROOFING

Misc. Services 747 KLIMEK ENTERPRISES

Electrical Contracting, No Job Too Big or Small. Free Quotes.

Affordable Pricing, Licensed & Insured. (269)684-6290 or (269)470-4097.

WEAVER CONCRETE

And masonry, driveways, porches, patios, tear out/replace, all repairs, brick, block, stone, fireFRYMAN'S SEAMLESS places. Will fix wet baseGUTTERS & SIDING Your home exterior experts. ments big or small, inside Quality guaranteed! Locally and out. All remodeling siding and Owned for 50 years. (269)782- windows, doors.Aaron (269)655-4158 5008 (David & Terri Fryman)

Off The Water, Michiana

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

Now - Jan. 30

Artists are being solicited to design and paint plywood panels that will be secured over doors and windows of abandoned homes by the Neighborhood Resources Corporation and CStackStudios. Deadline to sign up is Jan. 30 and Feb. 15 for design submission.

Accepted artists will receive $100 for their design and time painting on March 8-9. Email springforward14@gmail.com or visit the https://www.facebook.com/springforwardsb for more info

i

southbendart.org or call (574) 235-9102.

Jan 9. – Feb. 27

Winter Yoga at Fernwood.

Thursdays with Greta Hurst. Walk-ins are welcome. $10 (Members $8).

Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, MI 49120. For more info, visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org or call (269) 695-6491.12:15 to 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 17-Feb. 2

“Leading Ladies,” South Bend Civic Theatre, Wilson Theatre, 403 N. Main St., South Bend, IN. Tickets are $18 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and $15 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Performance times are 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays through Now - Jan. 31 Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets available online at www.sbct.org or Michigan Apple Committ- by calling (574) 234-1112. ee’s amateur apple recipe contest. More info at www.

Jan. 21 – Mar. 18 MichiganApples.com Dec. 6-Feb. 2

South Bend Museum of Art Student-Faculty Exhibition. View the artwork 100 local artists— students and teachers—of all ages who have created art in our studios during the past 12 months. Jerome J. Crowley Community Gallery. SBMA, Century Center, 120 South Saint Joseph Street.

Open Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5 p.m. For more info, visit www.

Winter Adult & Youth Classes at ARS Arts & Culture Center, 147 Fifth St., Benton Harbor, MI. Adult classes include: Italian Culture & Language, Mosaic, Wine Education, Cabernet and Canvas, The Art of Buying Art, MixedMixed Painting. Youth classes include Saturday Studio Art and Winter Clay Start date, meeting days, times and fees vary by class. Call (269) 208-4409 or visit www.annarussoart. com/index.php?classes for details.

INSURANCE RATES!

& 24hr Towing llc

Week of January 24-30, 2014 • Page 7

WHAT'S HAPPENING? Jan. 23

Alive.” Curious Kids’ Museum 415 Lake Blvd., St. Joseph, MI. Join us for a live animal program with “wild tracks/tom moore,” featuring many species of reptiles. For more info, call (269) 983-2543 or visit www.curiouskidsmuseum. org. Free with museum admission. 12-4 p.m.

Placement auditions for Advanced Dance classes with the Berrien County Dancers will be held from 3:15-4:45 p.m. Contact Theresa Graziano, Artistic Director, at (269) 4281402, Ext. 2099 or grazianodance@gmail.com.

Please include the student’s name, phone number, and experience level in phone Nerf gun wars. The State messages and e-mails.

SB, State Theater, 214 1/2 S. Michigan St., South Jan. 24-Jan. 25 Bend, IN. Cost: $5. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. are kids’ hours; 9 p.m.-12 a.m. are adults’ 3rd Annual Thrill on the hours. Runs start at the top Hill, downtown Buchanan, of the hour and run 40- 45 MI. Family tubing runs from minutes. Please arrive early 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on 1/24. so rules can be explained Adult tubing from 11 p.m. to and arms and ammo passed 1 a.m. More family tubing out. For more info, call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on (801) 209-2987 or visit 1/25. Little Thrill includes a https://www.facebook.com/ play area for the kids and the events/ 1404022669835940/ Burrr Cave. There will also ? r e f _ d a s h b o a r d be DJ Ron Cornelius, danc- filter=upcoming ing, warming stations, a snowman contest and more.

Wristbands cost $3 for the regular Friday and Saturday South Bend Civic Theatre sledding sessions (each) and will hold auditions for “The $5 for the Midnight Run Clean House” at 11:00 a.m. event. Call (269) 695-3844 in the Warner Theatre, 403 or visit www.buchanan.mi. N. Main St., South Bend, us for more info.

IN. The play performs in the Warner Theatre 3/7Jan. 25 23/14. Call (574) 234-1112

for script availability and for more info.

17th annual Hunter’s Rendezvous. Dowagiac Conservation Club. Free and open to the public. Cross country ski with Event focuses on hunting Sarett at Muskegon State and fishing with a special Park at 10:00 a.m. There is focus on youth. For more a $7 trail fee and $10 transinfo, see this week’s “Get portation (from Sarett) fee.

Out!” in OTW. 12- 6 p.m. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor, MI. Family program: “Animals

Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, MI 49120. For more info, visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org or call (269) 695-6491. 2-4 p.m.

Berrien County Dancers will offer a variety of 45-minute dance and fitness classes for adults and children, ages 5 and up, at their Dance Marathon.

Lakeshore High School, 5771 Cleveland Ave. in Stevensville. No prior experience is required. The cost is $5 per class or $20 per person for unlimited classes. For more info, visit www.BerrienCountyDancers. com or call (269) 428-1402, Ext. 2099. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Kids on Stage Glee Club.

Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI. Ticket prices are $10 general admission; $8 students and seniors; children 12 and under are free. For more info, visit www.boxfactoryforthearts. org. 7:30 p.m.

i

New Troy Indoor Flea Market, New Troy Community Center. Local food products, plants, tools, antiques, books, jewelry, photography, crafts, furniture and other housewares, and more. Community Book Store and Furniture Store will also be open. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Jan. 26

i

Blossomland Gem and Mineral Society monthly meeting. 5th/3rd Bank, CLASSIFIEDs west side entrance, 3rd Painting Service Autos for Sale 754 Motorcycles & 945 Discover Winter Nights. floor, 830 Pleasant St., St. Movie Night. $2 admission Joseph, MI. Free and open 915 2010 HYUNDAI ATV’’s per person for cross-coun- to the public. 1-4 p.m.

ELANTRA try skiing, sledding, 15% OFF! 4 Door Sedan refreshments, and other Installation of Officially Very nice activities. A small parking Licensed H-D® products 46K Miles J.M. HUNT through Feb. 28th fee is also charged. Dr. T.K. 1st Annual Hunter’s No credit checks ENTERPRISES, LLC McDaniel's Harley Davidson, Lawless Park, 15122 Rendezvous Squirrel Hunt.

0% Interest Painting & Drywall. Insured. 1910 Lincoln Way East, SB Monkey Run St.,Vandalia, Dowagiac Conservation Call Scarlett's Free Estimates.

Family (574) 289-6650 MI. Call (269) 445-4456 or Club. For more info, see 269-461-4197 Owned & Operated for Over visit www.casscountymi. this week’s “Get Out!” in MUST SELL! 50 years. 269-683-4442.

Auto. Service927 Moving out of state. 2008 o r g / C o u n t y P a r k s / Off The Water.

Insurance Ser758 Repair Mitsubishi, 2 door con- DrTKLawlessPark.aspx for LOWER YOUR Wallace Auto Repair vertible, GS Spider, clean, more info. 5 to 9 p.m.

Home - Auto - Health - Life We do the shopping for you!

TCU Insurance Agency Call Deb Asmus today (269) 683-6700 x5901

Best rates in town 67218 Cassopoils Rd Cassopolis, MI Call 269-699-5374

retail price $10,125 or best offer. (269)921-3315

Curious Coyotes: Winter Exploration. Children ages 6-10 learn about all that makes winter special: snow, animal tracking, active birds at the feeders, and more. Dress for walking the trails. $10 (Members $8). Fernwood Botanical

LEGEND

Alcohol

Art

Business

Family

Community

Focus

Crafts

Music

Food

Religious

Information

Tourist

Nature

Theatre

i

Parting Shots

Winter

Sarett Nature Center will present a virtual tour of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons National Parks on at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for adults. 2300 Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor, MI (269) 927-4832

8th Annual No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament (License #M84803) to benefit the Soup Kitchen of Benton Harbor. 5 O’clock Sports Bar, Stevensville, MI. $60.00 Entry. Maximum 200 players. Must be 18 years or older to play.

Cash bar/menu available.

Cash games available 1-7 p.m. For more information or to register, contact Ken Clark at (269) 3133912 or clarkk58@ yahoo.com. Check-in/ registration begins at South Bend Civic Theatre 12:30 p.m. Tournament will hold auditions for The starts at 2 p.m.

Wiz from 3-5 p.m. in the Social Hall at First United Methodist Church, South Bend, IN. Please enter “Elvis Lives,” The Ultimate through the West Door into Elvis Tribute Artist Event. the basement. For more The Morris Performing info, visit www.sbct.org or Arts Center, South Bend, IN. 3 p.m. call (574) 234-1112.

Page 8 • Week of January 24-30, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

ON DISPLAY

A Conversation with an Artist: John Lidecker

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater @leaderpub.com Niles—Recently, I had the opportunity to sit and talk with artist John Lidecker over a cup of coffee at the Olfactory Hue Bistro in Niles. Here are some excerpts from that conversation.

OTW: John, you call yourself “the world’s most ‘unfamous’ artist.”

How do you judge that?

JL: I’ve been kind of like a recluse about marketing my art, and through my lifetime and through my career, I have art pieces placed throughout the world and throughout the states, and I’ve never really pushed it. My own personal art that I keep, they’re like children to me, and I’ve always been very reluctant about letting them go until recently.

OTW: What has changed that you are now more willing to let them go off on their own?

JL: I need retirement.

(Laughing.) Part of it was that I was doing an event. I think it was that. The first time that I did it—the technique that I use—I was performing it in front of an audience here in town, and I got into it so much, and so did the audience. And then I found myself going deeper into it and thinking, “I want to let it go now. I want to give it, or sell it, or whatever.”

OTW: You mentioned that you were doing things that were rather Jackson Pollack-esque, and you’ve sort of moved beyond that.

Now, you are doing something new. Can you describe that?

JL: This all began in 2012.

I was doing a painting, and I didn’t like the painting, so I re-did it three times. And I was working on it, and I

finished it up one evening, and I just kind of stepped back, and I looked at it, and I still had a brush in my hand, and I just said “That’s it.” And, when I did that, I flipped my brush, and the brush had paint on it, so it just sort of splattered all over the painting, and I looked at it for a moment, and I just started throwing paint on it.

And, I just set it off to the side.

Then, a friend of mine came over one day, and she saw the painting sitting in a corner. She said, “Oh my god, how much?” I said, “I can’t sell it,” but she said, “How much?” I said, “Take it.” And she said, “I can’t do that,” so I said, “Make me some cookies.”

So, she made me some cookies, and she got the painting, and she said “You really need to do something with this,” and that’s how it started.

OTW: What inspires you?

Where do your paintings come from? Or is that a silly question?

JL: No, it’s a tough question. It gives me a reason for being. The feelings become so strong and intense that I can find myself being every elated or very depressed, and I have to get that out in front of me.

So, when I see it before me, it’s the end product of what I was feeling at that time. …But, it’s like a part of me that is there. That’s why there’s the reluctance to let it go—because there’s a lot of emotion packed into that canvas.

OTW: Who are some of the artists that you are inspired by?

JL: I think my hero is Picasso, and I think I have a similar journey. He started out doing life paintings and there was a lot of control, conformity and so forth, and then he started experimenting with other artists, and then, of course, it got to the point where he was just taking everything, and it’s just become an obliteration and an abomination of what was acceptable. He and Pollack.

Understanding Pollack, and there’s that kinship one can find, and especially I with Pollack, because his

mind—he was so tormented by what was going on in his mind, and for what he did, it was just an escape, and that was his outlet.

OTW: Do you typically paint in acrylics or oils or something else?

JL: Acrylics. Most of the paintings are done in acrylics and latexes and so forth.

The only oils I use are Rust-Oleum. What I’ll do is, I’ll soak the canvas in a latex paint, and then I’ll shape it, I’ll give it some form, maybe ripples, wrinkles, whatever, and I’ll let it dry, and then I’ll paint with the Rust-Oleum because the Rust-Oleum will harden and keep those wrinkles permanent.

OTW: Do they have titles?

JL: Most of my paintings do not have a title because paintings are seen by other people, and if you title it, you’ve lost what they can see in it. Not everybody interprets an image as everybody else does—not in the same way.

OTW: If people would like to see your work, how could they see it?

JL: People could come and visit me personally. They can call me at (574) 276-1497.