March 29, 2017 by New Buffalo Times

LIFE ON THE SANDY SHORES, THE FRUITFUL FARMLANDS AND THE MAGNIFICENT VINEYARDS.

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LONG BEACH • MICHIANA SHORES • GRAND BEACH • NEW BUFFALO • UNION PIER • THREE OAKS • LAKESIDE • HARBERT • SAWYER issue 13, volume 76

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

North Whittaker Phase One on schedule PAGE 4 Chikaming Township to hold focus groups, Township seeks further input for new Zoning Ordinance PAGE 4 DDA discusses Parking Plan PAGE 5 LRSB elects new officers PAGE 6

Board members hear about music in schools, peer-to-peer mentoring PAGE 8

MAD, MAD WORLD...

LIVELY GAMES, DAINTY DELIGHTS AT NEW BUFFALO LIBRARY MAD HATTER TEA — PAGE 12 —

March give-back dinner hits a high note PAGE 11

PHOTO OF HANNAH AND MARTIN TANNEHILL WITH ELIZABETH MCDONALD BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

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Zoning impacts EVERYONE FAB LAB GRAND OPENING Chikaming Township’s Zoning Ordinance governs the way our homes, businesses, farms, and land look and operate. The Township is starting the process of updating the ordinance, and we want to hear from YOU.

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If you are interested in participating, please call (269) 260-1676 or send an email to zoningfocus@chikamingtownship.org.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

PUBLISHER DEE DEE DUHN

CONTENT/NEWS EDITOR KRISTIN E. FATOUROS NEW BUFFALO TIMES INTELLIGENCE CREATIVE DIRECTOR JOE DURK

FROM THE PUBLISHER

ETHICS Society of Professional Journalism PROPRIETOR NEW BUFFALO TIMES, INC.

REPORTERS AND CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DEE DEE DUHN THERESE DONNELLY LINDA HENDERSON FRANCESCA SAGALA LAWRENCE VON EBELER NATALIE CACIOPPO KURT MARGGRAF ALEXANDER FATOUROS SOPHIA ROSE FATOUROS NEW BUFFALO TIMES INTELLIGENCE NEW BUFFALO TIMES POLITICS GUEST WRITERS PROOFER FRANCESCA SAGALA BROADCAST/ADVERTISING JANINE ADAMSKI (630) 370-0820 OR JANINEADAMSKI@GMAIL.COM INFO@NEWBUFFALOTIMES.COM LONG TERM BROADCAST CONTRACTS/AD PARTNERSHIPS PLEASE TEXT/CALL GUS 269-876-7452 SUBSCRIPTIONS

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COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH NEW BUFFALO TIMES INFO@NEWBUFFALOTIMES.COM Periodical Postage paid in New Buffalo, MI. Postmaster, please send address changes to: NEW BUFFALO TIMES PO BOX 959 New Buffalo, MI 49117 ©2017 NEW BUFFALO TIMES, INC. PUBLICATION NUMBER 377960

The NEW BUFFALO TIMES is easy to find now, as we have the selected drop spots closer to you. Milda’s Corner Market Customs Imports Sawyer Garden Center The Whistle Stop David’s Delicatessen Grand Variety Barney’s Knoll Bros. Bud and Elsie’s Redamak’s Flip’s Big C Lumber Between Casey’s and Nancy’s For the most convenient location, you can subscribe to get the NEW BUFFALO TIMES in your mailbox or inbox. Please email us for E-TIMES, info@newbuffalotimes.com.

APRIL SHOWERS MAKE HARBOR COUNTRY BLOSSOM! Be sure to let New Buffalo Times know about your community’s Easter egg hunt, so we can join in the fun! New Buffalo Savings Bank is getting a “ HOP” on Easter! Always a family favorite, along with a great photo op, is their annual Easter egg hunt, which is held at Harbert Community Park along Red Arrow Highway. I heard they have filled their vaults with Easter eggs and are waiting for the Easter bunny to make a withdrawal, so he can hide them in the park. He plans to have them well hidden, or maybe just barely in sight, so they are ready for the big search Saturday, April 8, at

LIBRARY TIDINGS NEWS AND EVENTS FROM THE NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP LIBRARY 11 a.m. Put it on your calendar, so you don’t miss this special day! Don’t forget Art Attack weekend will be here before we know it! Mark your calendars for April 28, 29 and 30. This is perhaps one of the best times of the year to explore Harbor Country and enjoy the artistic talent that embodies this community with gallery openings, workshops, events, and local shops presenting their exciting spring treasures. My Bali container, which is somewhere over the Pacific Ocean and headed to Customs, is right now filled with special pieces chosen just for Art Attack 2017! dee dee duhn

APRIL BOOK CLUB READ: HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET BY JAMIE FORD NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK: APRIL 10-15 YOUTH MAD HATTER TEA PARTY EVENT MARCH 25. Tickets are free, available in Youth Services.

SENATOR STABENOW STATEMENT ON FAILURE OF AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT

.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released the following statement after a vote on the American Health Care Act was cancelled in the House of Representatives: “After today, Republicans have a new opportunity to work with us to bring down the cost of premiums and copays for insurance, lower the cost of prescription drugs and make it easier and less expensive for our small businesses to provide health care to their employees. It’s time to come together in a bipartisan way to improve health care for middle-class families in Michigan and across the country, instead of this irresponsible rush to pass a bill that would have raised costs and reduced medical care for most Michigan families.” — STAFF REPORTS

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

Chikaming Township to hold focus groups, Township seeks further input for new Zoning Ordinance

RIDE-HAILING COMPANIES UBER, LYFT CAN OPERATE LEGALLY IN MICHIGAN

ecently, Governor Rick Snyder signed into legislation a new standard set of regulations for transportation network companies, limo carriers and taxi companies. The legislation was signed in December; however, it takes effect in Michigan this week. Among the new rules are a required criminal background check for drivers and vehicle inspections. Drivers with more than four recent traffic violations or any recent felony convictions will not be allowed to drive for a company. Companies are required to pay annual registration fees and have vehicle signage or decals approved by the state. Local municipalities will no longer regulate taxi companies and driving services, as they will now be regulated by the state. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will have oversight of transportation network companies. The legislation regulates insurance coverage and legalizes registered ride-hailing services, which previously operated outside the legal framework for similar for-hire transportation companies. — COMPILED BY LINDA HENDERSON

New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

— SINCE 1942 30 N Whittaker St •—Open

30 N Whittaker St Open Daily

C North Whittaker Phase One on schedule

LINDA HENDERSON IN NEW BUFFALO

ork continues for Phase One of the North Whittaker Street Redevelopment Project, which has now been underway for the past four weeks. As a result of New Buffalo’s unseasonably good weather, crews have been able to keep the project on schedule. When work has been delayed, Payjay Construction Company, the site contractors, have added Saturdays, when needed, to their five-day regular work schedule to stay on target. Michael Morphey, Project Engineer and LEEP AP of Abonmarche, the overall project engineers, reported at the Friday, March 24, public tailgate meeting that multiple construction crews continue to work on East Mechanic and North Barton streets. During the week of March 20, the crews completed storm sewer replacement along East Mechanic Street, from Mechanic to Townsend streets. Concrete curbs and sidewalk replacement will follow, weather dependent. Water main replacement and storm sewer replacement along West Mechanic Street is scheduled to be worked on throughout this week. SEMCO Gas Company Dailywill continue replacement of gas mains along North Barton and West Mechanic streets. The anticipated work schedule is intended as a general summary of the work and is subject to change without notice due to weather, underground issues and other unforeseen circumstances. In addition to underground infrastructure replacement work, roadways, sidewalks, parking improvements and landscaping will also be installed throughout the project before its completion. The North Whittaker Street Redevelopment Phase One marks the beginning of a $4 million investment project in New Buffalo’s downtown. Planning for the project has been overseen by the City staff, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Abonmarche. Planning for the redevelopment has been underway for the past 14 years. This project was made possible, in part, due to a generous $1.6 million grant from The Pokagon Fund. Phase One of the project is scheduled to be substantially completed by May 23, 2017. Phase One began construction Monday, February 27. The next public tailgate meeting is Friday, March 31, at City Hall at 9 a.m. The Friday meetings are intended to keep those along the construction route who are directly affected by the construction activity updated on a weekly basis and to allow residents the opportunity to ask questions regarding the project. Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings. Abonmarche and the City are working closely with the construction crews to minimize any inconveniences to the public, residents and businesses during the three-month project. For more information on the North Whittaker Street Redevelopment, visit cityofnewbuffalo.org and click on City Projects.

Chikaming Township has scheduled four focus group meetings to gather additional input for the new Zoning Ordinance. The focus groups are intended to concentrate on topics raised by participants in the highly successful Open House, which was held last month. According to Township Supervisor David Bunte, the purpose of the focus groups is to “obtain a clear understanding of the key issues so they can be properly addressed in the new Zoning Ordinance.” Topics for the four focus groups are as follows: • FOCUS GROUP 1, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29: Approved Land Uses, which will include but is not limited to the following topics: medical marijuana, wind and solar facilities, agriculture and agricultural tourism, and high tech industry. • FOCUS GROUP 2, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12: New Zoning Districts, which will include but is not limited to the following topics: highway commercial, community centers, lakefront, and the Green Corridor. • FOCUS GROUP 3, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19: Zoning Regulations and Nonconformities, which will include but is not limited to the following topics: lot sizes, signs, composting and recycling, setbacks, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfast establishments. • FOCUS GROUP 4, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26: Amenities, which will include but is not limited to the following topics: sidewalks, bike paths, parking lots, bike racks, trees, landscaping, pollution control, dune protection, and wetlands. All four focus groups are scheduled to take place from 7 – 9 p.m. and will be held at the Chikaming Township Hall, which is located at 13535 Red Arrow Highway in Harbert, Michigan. Each focus group will be limited to a maximum of 15 participants. Township residents who are interested in participating should contact the Township Hall at (269) 4691676 or send an email to zoningfocus@ chikamingtownship.org. with their contact information to register. Registrants will be asked to specify the group they would like to participate in. If they have an interest in more than one, they will be asked to specify their order of preference. The Township will also be posting a summary of the results of the February 8 open house on the project website, chikamingzoning.com. As input is received from the focus groups, work will begin on drafting the new Zoning Ordinance. Northvillebased municipal services firm McKenna Associates is assisting Chikaming Township with this work. Progress on the new Zoning Ordinance can be monitored on the project website, chikamingzoning. com. — STAFF REPORTS

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

DDA discusses Parking Plan

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA IN NEW BUFFALO

“smart and simple” 2017 Parking Plan for New Buffalo was unveiled for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors at their rescheduled monthly meeting Thursday, March 23. With the start of the North Whittaker Street Redevelopment Project, parking within the downtown area has been of special concern for DDA members. Phase One, which involves the reconstruction of Barton Street (from Merchant to Mechanic) and Mechanic Street (from Barton to Townsend), is currently underway. Phase Two involves repairing North Whittaker Street (from Buffalo to Mechanic) itself and will commence this fall. Part of Phase Two involves changing the downtown’s current angle parking on both sides of North Whittaker Street to parallel parking, with several parking areas being created along the side streets on Barton and Mechanic to make up for any parking that will be eliminated with the new parking A current three-hour parking limit sign is layout. displayed along North Whittaker Street Doug Roch, chair of the DDA’s economic business development (EBD) subcommittee, explained that the plan was the result of meetings between different task forces. Among the plan’s highlights was an area devoted to enforcement, where Roch said they were proposing that a City seasonal employee/ ambassador in uniform patrol restricted parking areas in the downtown and beach flexible parking lot, that enforcement would be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Monday from June 1 through Sept. 4, that an enforcement software program be utilized to keep track of cars and that there be a way for visitors to pay tickets online if possible. Roch added that they were proposing that 15-minute parking spots be created outside of David’s Deli, Fresco, Stray Dog/Bridgewater Condo and New Buffalo Savings Bank ATM to “encourage more turnover” and create more spaces within the downtown, as Roch said people patronized these particular businesses in a more “in and out” fashion. Three-hour parking will exist year-round on Whittaker Street from Buffalo to Water Streets, Merchant Street from Barton and Thompson Streets, and Mechanic Street from Barton to Thompson Streets, and Roch stressed that it will be more enforced. It was also proposed that the current parking signs lining North Whittaker be lowered. Another portion of the plan was devoted to parking proposed in the beach and boat launch areas. Roch said a task force, which will include input from the Harbor Commission, DDA, Planning Commission and Park Board, was created to develop a boat trailer parking variance request. Roch said they were nearly finished putting together a brief with all the necessary information, and that they would be seeking the approval of the City Council for the brief. They would then hand it over to City Manager David Richards, who would be drafting the request and submitting it to the DNR/Waterways for approval in June. They also recommended that they utilize Parkmobile for fee collection technology. The creation of a shuttle service policy and permit processes for the City to manage the service is also being proposed, Roch said. DDA Chair Robert Kemper elaborated on the proposal, adding that the hope was for private parcels to be used for municipal parking lots with indemnification “without a huge cost.” The lots would provide all-day free parking and would be supported by a privatized shuttle service. One potential lot for municipal parking would be the City-owned site of the former hardware store on South Whittaker Street. He said privatized shuttle companies could approach the DDA for potential sponsorship participation along with other advertisers to “try to subsidize” the shuttle service. Board members approved recommending the 2017 Parking Plan to the City Council. Also at the meeting, Kemper said he was informed that a developer who did a variety of projects within the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area was interested in doing a multi-use condo commercial type of development on a couple parcels of land on North Barton Street. Seeing as how the development would lay within the downtown district, Kemper said he felt it their duty to become involved with the project. Board members agreed to hand the issue over to the EBD subcommittee, so they could look at the plan and discuss it with those involved with the Zoning Department and the Planning Commission. Board members agreed that design/visual impact subcommittee chair Ellie Mullins should check and see how much it would cost to maintain the North Whittaker Street planters for the upcoming summer season. Kemper said that if the cost was below $5,000, the City would be able to cover it; otherwise, they would have to go out for bid.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

LRSB elects new officers

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LINDA HENDERSON IN NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

he Pokagon-New Buffalo Area Local Revenue Sharing Board (LRSB) elected officers at their regular meeting Tuesday, March 21. In January of this year and throughout the year, new board members were appointed to fill the seats vacated by outgoing members, and new officers have been elected to the new board. At Tuesday’s meeting, which was initially chaired by City of New Buffalo Representative and tenured LRSB member Bobby Spirito, Township Representative Pete Rahm was elected chairman by a vote of four to five members, with County Board Representative Ezra Scott voting “nay.” Rahm replaces outgoing County Board Representative Andy Vavra, who was defeated by Scott in the November election. Spirito was elected Vice Chair and At-Large Representative, and Village of Grand Beach Councilman Jim Bracewell was elected Treasurer. Both officers were elected unanimously by the Board. The LRSB Board has experienced a total turnover of board members in the past 10 months. In June 2016, Spirito replaced outgoing City Representative Pete Weber, who resigned as mayor from the City Council. In August, Tribal Representative and former LRSB member Matt Weesaw replaced Steve Winchester. Following the November elections, Scott replaced Vavra, who was also the LRSB chair. Bracewell was elected in January 2017 to represent the eight remaining municipalities. He replaced At Large Representative Wayne Warner, the former Chikaming Township Supervisor who was defeated in the November elections. In January 2017, the New Buffalo Township Board elected Rahm to take over the seat held by New Buffalo Township Treasurer Jack Rogers. All five members on the LRSB Board hold elected positions in their respective municipalities. The at-large municipalities are comprised of and represented by the following individuals: The Township of Chikaming, Rick Sullivan; the Township of Three Oaks, George Mangold; the Village of Grand Beach, Jim Bracewell; the Village of Michiana, Ryan Layman; the Village of Three Oaks, Adam Umbrasas; Berrien County RESA, Dr. Kevin Ivers; Lake Michigan College, Dr. Robert Harrison and New Buffalo Area Schools, Pano Arvanitis. In January, Arvanitis was also elected to continue as the Alternate At-Large Representative. Also at the meeting, the Board approved the payment of an invoice from New Buffalo Township Attorney Dave Peterson in the amount of $486. Peterson attended the February meeting along with Pokagon Band Attorney Mike Phelan in order to address the board and review and clarify the LRSB bylaws, the State Compact Agreement and the Inter-local agreement. The Board also made a motion to meet quarterly, rather than monthly, in the coming year. They may also call any as-needed special meetings. This year, the regular meetings will be held the second Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. at New Buffalo Township Hall. The meetings will be held in April, June, August, October and November. The LRSB checking account signature forms were updated, and the Per Diem quarterly payments to board members were also approved. The next regular meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the New Buffalo Township Hall.

Easter Egg Hunt

VISIT WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

COMPILED BY LINDA HENDERSON

oin the fun on Saturday, April 8 at Harbert Community Park when New Buffalo Saving Bank hosts their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Starting at 11 .a.m., there will be two areas to hunt in, one for “LITTLES” and one for the “BIGS.” Each area will have six special Golden Eggs with gold dollars hidden inside, as well as other prizes, including a special prize for the collector with the most eggs. The Easter Bunny will pay a visit and pose with children for photos, so be sure to bring along a camera and collecting baskets are also a good idea to bring. This event is brought to you from the “Go To The Community” team at N.B.S.B. Harbert Community Park is located at 13538 Red Arrow Highway in Harbert, MI.

www.newbuffalotimes.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

CHALK BOARD scholastic news

B I S M g M B Movement with ChromaGen Vision. L Leslie said the program would be a partnership between the school system P and Smoke Vision Care in New Buffalo, s L as students would need an optometrist L to perform an eye exam on them before K receiving a ChromaGen exam. Arvanitis said that if they could “help one or two m kids,” then it would be worth it to try the program. The admission policy for home

Board members hear about music in schools, peer-to-peer mentoring

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA IN NEW BUFFALO

he New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education meeting started out on a musical note Monday, March 27. In honor of the conclusion of Music in Our Schools Month, New Buffalo Elementary School music teacher Chris Sokol and middle and high school band teacher Christina Baumann assembled a group of elementary, middle and high school students to perform the song “Power in Me” to an audience of Board members, parents and siblings. Sokol thanked everyone for their support for music education at NBAS, as she said that, a long time ago, there was a “fight” for it. “Now people recognize the importance of music in a kid’s education,” she said, adding that they were “so honored” to have such great resources and facilities to support them. Baumann also thanked the Board and community members as well as Sokol for preparing students for middle and high school music. She gave a brief update on the music program at the middle and high school level, saying they just finished the concert band season where the seventh and eighth grade band and high school band performed a concert band festival at Lake Michigan College and received “excellent reviews.” She added that, throughout the year, students also participate on their own at solo ensemble festivals on Saturdays in different locations. Baumann said for one of the band’s upcoming performances, students had been selected to perform Tuesday, May 9, on

the steps of the state capitol in Lansing, Michigan, around noon. Also at the meeting, Board members heard more about the high school’s Peer to Peer program. Special Education Teacher Jennifer Bauer outlined the program’s goal, which is to go into the classroom and peer mentor students with autism or who attend Special Education classes. Bauer said students receive high school credit for being involved in the program. The program was approved last summer by Board members. While Bauer said she’s certainly seen those who are being mentored perform better academically, she’s also seen a difference in the “culture,” and that students who have previously eaten lunch alone are now eating with a group of friends. “Now these students are feeling so accepted and embraced in our school,” she said, and thanked Board members to allow it in the school. Board members approved the addition of a Curriculum Coordinator position for next school year. Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Leslie said he’d been investigating how much work needed to be done in terms of curriculum and curriculum mapping and ensuring they met all the state

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standards. Having a coordinator, he said, would also allow for the school system to focus on “each and every individual student.” President Pano Arvanitis said he was pleased that they were now talking about “personalized curriculum,” and that while a specialized curriculum did exist for Special Education students, there needed to be one for the rest of the student body as well. The reason

p m h

Students perform Power in Me for Board members

for their small class sizes, he said, was to give every student “personalized attention.”

oard members approved a requested Leave of Absence for Nicole Bowen for the remainder of the school year, with a return date of August 28, 2017. Board members approved entering into a Vision Examination Pilot Program on Word and Number

athletic events was also briefly discussed. The policy allows New Buffalo residents to gain free entrance to the games due to being tax payers and supporting the operation of the schools, although Leslie said it had come to their attention that those who were in charge of collecting tickets at the entrances were experiencing difficulty differentiating who was a resident and who wasn’t. He proposed that they possibly create some kind of Bison pass for homeowners.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

ARENA

NBES releases Second Trimester Principal’s List

ecently, New Buffalo Elementary School has announced the names of the students who made its Second Trimester Principal’s List. The list is comprised of third through fifth grade students who have achieved all As and Bs for the second trimester of the 2016-2017 school year. Third grade students who made the list include: Michael, Brown, Mona Dali, Olivia Dupre, Charlotte Humphrey, Jesse Kelly, Khyra Lakin, Isai Lopez, Gabriel Medina, Samantha Newton, Jordan-Leigh Richards, Lieve Siewert, Max Gotcher, Madison Grzywacz, Nick Haskins, Emily Lambert, Ava Mancini, Erica Palmer, David Sheldon, Samuel Tripp and Alisun Yanz. Fourth grade students include: Erick Gaeta, Josette Humphrey, Ethan Kishta, Elizabeth McDonald, Benita Puskunigis, Cassidy Saunders, Ella Vyskocil, Lily Wulff, Lucas Behzadi, Shang Berk, Mia Ciccarelli, Nicollette Durham, Addy Lamport, Ethan Lijewski, EllaMarie Lonske, Deonna McGrew, Vaughn Nikkel, Jared Oselka, Olivia Plis, Ellen Ripley, Aiden Sokol, Riley Tertel, Ava Totzke and Ben Tripp. Fifth grade students include: Hagen Davis, Rylan Gibson, Ava Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Libby Lamport, Christopher, McDonald, Myra McKee, Tim Raykovich, John Riley, Laura Wamser, Emerson Barnes, Lauren Gradowski, Jack Lantz, Lily Morse, Kaitlyn Rainwater and Spencer Siegel. New Buffalo Elementary School would like to congratulates all the students who made the list and wish them good luck in their third trimester. — STAFF REPORTS

Dunes Learning Center to bring environmental literacy experiences to students

hanks to a $27,625 grant from Foundations of East Chicago, students will have an opportunity to benefit from innovative, STEM-based experiential learning opportunities provided by Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s education partner, Dunes Learning Center. “Students from East Chicago have been attending immersion programs at Dunes Learning Center since 2004,” said teacher Linda Padilla. “For many, the trip is their first genuine encounter with nature. Students engage in hands-on lessons that make science real, relevant, and memorable.” “Financial and cultural barriers limit the scope of experiences that these kids have to draw upon,” said Dunes Learning Center Executive Director, Geof Benson. “Many have grown up just a few miles from Lake Michigan, but have never stood on a beach or climbed one of our iconic sand dunes. Thanks to this investment by Foundations of East Chicago, hundreds will benefit from a personal connection to nature, and gain a better appreciation for the unique ecosystem in which they live.” The programs being offered vary, from professional development opportunities, to curriculum that enhance classroom learning, to five-day summer camps for students ages nine to 17. Parents, teachers, coaches, counselors, and social workers can nominate East Chicago students for a 2017 summer “campership” by completing a short form found at www.duneslearningcenter.org/eastchicago before Friday, April 7. East Chicago residents are invited to attend one of the following two Dunes Camp Information Open House events: Wednesday, April 12, at 5 p.m. at Lincoln School, and Thursday, April 13, at 5 p.m. at Carrie Gosch School. Visit www.dunescamp.org to learn more about year-round environmental education programs in the Indiana Dunes. — STAFF REPORTS

integrity • experience • success

new BuffaLo 269-469-8440 chicago 312-642-4414 toLL free 877-500-1965

sports

From the Bleachers COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

ast weekend was our umpteenth annual fantasy baseball draft and once again, I had more fun than you could shake a stick at. One who doesn’t participate in fantasy sports may have trouble understanding my passion for this game; however, those of you who do play know just what I’m talking about. The festivities began on Saturday morning, when a couple of great friends arrived. Prior to the draft, we had spent varying degrees of preparation time to get ready to choose the players we wanted to represent us on our teams this year. Last year ended unceremoniously for me as I finished ninth in a 10-team league. The “real” Cubs success made it a great baseball season anyway; however, but it would have been even nicer if my fantasy team had been competitive. I resolved to do my homework so that I could field a good team this year. We have a 10-team league and the luck of the draw gave me the second pick. Out of all the players in the major leagues, I chose Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs. That choice, which was a semi homer choice, paled in comparison to my third choice. I chose Kyle Schwarber and, after the draft was complete, the scouting report told me that choosing Kyle so early was the biggest reach of the entire draft. Even though my heart was telling me he may have been the best hitter in baseball this year, I probably should have waited a little longer to pick him. Unbelievably, I refrained from choosing another Cub until the 10th round, when I chose Wade Davis, their new closer. When all was said and done, I felt I had a competitive team, but the scouting report has me near the bottom of the league again. Being a Cub fan, I’m used to being an underdog, but that never has dampened my enthusiasm. With the season opener less than a week away, I have complete confidence in the Cubs and my fantasy team. Almost stealing the spotlight from our fantasy draft was the NCAA Basketball tournament. Friday night, I met a group of old friends in Wrigleyville, right across from Wrigley field. We had a couple of beers, talked about the good old days, and settled back to watch some great college basketball. South Carolina destroyed Baylor and Florida barely survived, defeating Wisconsin by a single point. The final four games appear to be evenly contested, with South Carolina against Gonzaga and Oregon challenging North Carolina. I believe the underdogs will prevail, and South Carolina will play Oregon for the national championship. Please don’t allow me to influence your decision on who will emerge victorious, for I’m not a very good prognosticator. I’m looking forward to going to the McDonalds high school allAmerican contest at the United Center this week. I’ll share my experience with you next week. Let’s close this week’s column with a Yogi Berra quote: “ It ain’t over till it’s over.” Be careful out there. Make good choices. Keep smiling. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

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Few friendships would survive if each one knew what his friend says of him behind his back. — Blaise Pascal

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

2017

Tire Recycling Collection

Recycling Events

Berrien County Residents Only - No Businesses

Coordinated by Berrien County Parks Department

May 11, Thursday, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. May 12, Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. County Road Commission, 2860 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, corner of Napier & Yore Ave. Enter at 3rd gate from the corner.

Tires Accepted & Fees - car/small truck tires ($1 each), car/small truck tires on rim ($2 each), semi-truck tires ($5 each), tractor/oversize tires ($10 each) from RESIDENTS only. Businesses are not permitted to participate in this event. Fees due at event. Cash or check.

April 12, Wednesday, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Day Lake Michigan College, 2755 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, ACCEPTED ITEMS: Household Chemicals (see full list below); Electronics (fee of $10/computer monitor & $20/television, payment due at the event); Magazines & Catalogs; Books (soft & hard cover); Shoes (all kinds); Polystyrene/Styrofoam (ice chests, foam cups, foam â&#x20AC;&#x153;to-goâ&#x20AC;? containers, egg cartons, foam blocks; NOT ACCEPTED packing peanuts, soft foam, or building material); Eye Glasses; Bicycles; Plastic Grocery Bags (must be clean and completely empty); Personal Documents for Free, On-site Shredding (residents only, no businesses allowed).

May 20, Saturday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Household Chemicals, Electronics, & Document Shredding

Southeast Berrien County Landfill Recycle Center, 3200 Chamberlain Rd., Buchanan

June 17, Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Household Chemicals & Electronics

New Buffalo Township Fire Station, 17655 Clay St., just South of the intersection of Red Arrow Highway/Route 12/Clay Street, New Buffalo

August 16, Wednesday, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Household Chemicals & Electronics

Love Creek County Park , 9292 Huckleberry Rd., Berrien Center

September 23, Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Household Chemicals & Electronics

Silver Beach County Park, 101 Broad St., below the bluff, St. Joseph

October 14, Saturday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Household Chemicals, Electronics, & Document Shredding

Friends of New Troy

Electronics & Tire Recycling Berrien County Residents Only - No Businesses

July 15, Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. New Troy Community Center, 13372 California Rd., New Troy

Electronics Accepted & Fees - computers, monitors ($10 each), televisions ($20 each), small & large appliances, printers, anything with a cord or that is battery operated. Fees due at event. Cash or check. Contact 269-426-3002

Medication Disposal Prevent misuse and abuse of medications and protect environmental health by bringing unwanted pills and other home medical waste to the Household Chemical collection events listed on this page or use the 13 permanent pill drop boxes around Berrien County. Pill drop boxes are coordinated by the Berrien County Health Department, local law enforcement and host collection sites. See a list of permanent pill collection locations at www.berriencounty.org/recycle.

Southeast Berrien County Landfill Recycle Center, 3200 Chamberlain Rd., Buchanan Household Chemicals Include: Home, Garden, & Garage Chemicals from residents only, used motor oil & filters, gas, antifreeze, oil-based paint (latex paint is NOT accepted), stain, varnish, household & car batteries, yard chemicals, cleaners, paint thinner, mercury items, unwanted medications, medical needles/sharps, fluorescent light bulbs, photo chemicals, pool chemicals, & more. Electronics Waste Includes: Anything that has a cord or runs on battery, such as computers, monitors ($10/monitor fee), televisions ($20/TV fee), telephones, cell phones, printers, large/small appliances, window air conditioners, DVD/VCR players, power tools, dehumidifiers, cameras, etc. Electronics recycled by Green Earth Electronics Recycling, 3621 Tennis Court, St. Joseph, 269-326-1232, www.greenearth1.com.

See a full list of items that are accepted and not accepted at the website, www.berriencounty.org/recycle.

Contact Berrien County Parks Department 269-983-7111 x8234 www.berriencounty.org/recycle

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

Juli Westergren and Lee Bloom with Amy and Jerry McKeown

Executive Director Nanda Dantischek with Tiffani Martin

March give-back dinner hits a high note

T Board Presrident V. Michael Drayton with Hoosier Star Chair Cherri-Blair Drayton and Executive Director Nanda Dantischek and Conductor Philip Bauman

Sara Thomas on cello and Stan Shepard on violin

Bill McCollum with Diane Pyshos and Jim Howe

Alexis Bratsakis on keyboard

LINDA HENDERSON IN NEW BUFFALO

he LaPorte Community Symphony struck a high note with attendance at the Bentwood Tavern give-back dinner held for their benefit Wednesday, March 22. A musical trio greeted guests as they entered the restaurant. Musical numbers were performed by three orchestra members: Stan Shepard on violin, Sara Thomas on cello and Alexis Bratsakis on keyboard. Guests enjoyed the peaceful melodies while dining on the fine artisan cuisine and mixing and mingling with friends in the dining room facing the harbor. LCSO Board President Michael Drayton said he was “very happy” with the turnout, and that proceeds from the evening will help support future symphony endeavors. The symphony’s next event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (CST) Saturday, April 8, where they will be performing a concert version of South Pacific at La Porte Civic Auditorium, which is located at 1001 Ridge Street in La Porte, Indiana. Similar to the last two years, LCSO will also be performing during this year’s New Buffalo’s Business Association’s Independence Day Celebration, which is held on the lakefront in Lion’s Park. For a calendar of future events, visit www.

lcso.net. Their offices are located at 307 Kingsbury Avenue in La Porte. Once a month during the winter, one area non-for-profit benefits from the dinner and cocktail revenues at Bentwood Tavern when they give back 50 percent of all food and beverage revenue from a designated evening. Crafted by chefs Jenny Drilon and Alberto Ilescas, the full menu of artisan comfort cuisine is available for dining and the bar is always open for cocktails and mingling with friends. The April dinner will be Wednesday, April 26, and will benefit the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, which is located in Michigan City, Indiana. Managing Director Robert Kemper and his wife Collette started the giveback program in 2008 to help raise funds for a local school’s students’ trip to Washington, D.C. To date, the Marina Grand Resort/Bentwood Tavern has donated more than $90,000 through this program to more than 46 non-profit organizations and community initiatives throughout Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana. Reservations are always suggested. Please visit www. marinagrandresort.com or call 269469-9900. The Bentwood Tavern is located in the Marina Grand Resort at 600 West Water Street in New Buffalo.

Sara Thomas with Stan Shepard enjoy a break

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017 Conner Stocks-McElligott, Kristy Miller, Julie Grynwich and Courtney Kliss decked out for the tea

Charlee Churchill sips her cup of tea

Kids show off their dancing skills during a dance-off

Lively games and dainty delights at Mad Hatter Tea BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

IN NEW BUFFALO

Mona Dali enjoys a cupcake

Maddox Baldwin tries her luck at the ring toss

hildren and parents were invited to crawl through the rabbit hole for an afternoon of light refreshments and lively games and crafts at New Buffalo Township Library’s Mad Hatter Tea Saturday, March 25. Tables crowded with platters of blue frosted cupcakes and Mallow Pops and cups of pink lemonade were set up in one corner of the library’s Pokagon Room. On the other side, children could enjoy a variety of crafts, such as one where they could create their own outrageous hats for donning during the festivities. Children also tried their luck at the Alice in Wonderland-themed games Life-Size Checker and Croquet, complete with pink flamingo croquet mallets inspired by the Queen of Hearts’ game.

Blue frosted cupcakes and Krispy Treats were among the snacks enjoyed at the tea

Hannah and Martin Tannehill (left) and Elizabeth McDonald play some Life Size Checkers

Kristy Miller (right) hands a Mallow Pop to Lola Radovich

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FANDOM FEST MENDEL CENTER’S “COMIC-CON” STYLE EVENT

andom Fest! Calling all geeks, nerds, and fans of subcultures. Bridgman Public library and 7 other local libraries are hosting Fandom Fest at the Lake Michigan Mendel Center. This “comic-con” style event will host artists, exhibiters, a gaming space, maker activities, a LARPing demo, costume contests and more. Don’t miss out on this unique event. Sat. April 1 and April 15 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Family time from 11-1. For more info on this unique, free event, call 269-4653663. — Staff Reports

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Be Red Cross Ready Tornado Safety Checklist A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornado intensities are classified on the Fujita Scale with ratings between F0 (weakest) to F5 (strongest). They are capable of completely destroying wellmade structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Although severe tornadoes are more common in the Plains States, tornadoes have been reported in every state.

Know the Difference Tornado Watch Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans, and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Tornado Warning A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Tornado warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Go immediately underground to a basement, storm cellar or an interior room (closet, hallway or bathroom).

What should I do to prepare for a tornado?

What should I do if a tornado is threatening?

❐ During any storm, listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about watches and warnings.

❐ The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.

What do I do after a tornado?

TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT INVITES PUBLIC TO OPEN HOUSE

ew Buffalo Township Fire Department is hosting an Open House at its new location, 17655 East Clay Street, Saturday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include kids’ games, a bouncy house, hot dogs and door prizes. Special guests will include McGruff and members of Medic One and the Berrien County Sheriff Department. — Staff Reports

PRESENTATION TO CHRONICLES POKAGON HISTORY

representative of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi will explore their history in the St. Joseph River Valley at a presentation taking place at The History Museum at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 5. A tour of Native American artifacts as well as paintings of Native Americans by the artist Van Sanden, on view in Our Amazing Cabinet of Curiosities: Keepers of History for 150 Years, will be offered. The exhibit explores the past through themes that include medicine, armaments, technology, communication and art, as well as features unique artifacts from The History Museum’s collection. Admission is $3 or $1 for members. Reservations are required by Monday, April 3. For more information, call (574) 235-9664 or visit www. historymuseumSB.org. The History Museum is located at 808 West Washington Street in South Bend, Indiana. — Staff Reports

❐ Know your community’s warning system. Communities have different ways of warning residents about tornados, with many having sirens intended for outdoor warning purposes. ❐ Pick a safe room in your home where household members and pets may gather during a tornado. This should be a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. ❐ Practice periodic tornado drills so that everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching. ❐ Consider having your safe room reinforced. Plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection can be found on the FEMA Web site at http://www.fema.gov/ plan/prevent/rms/rmsp453.shtm. ❐ Prepare for high winds by removing diseased and damaged limbs from trees. ❐ Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile. ❐ Watch for tornado danger signs: • Dark, often greenish clouds—a phenomenon caused by hail • Wall cloud—an isolated lowering of the base of a thunderstorm • Cloud of debris • Large hail • Funnel cloud—a visible rotating extension of the cloud base • Roaring noise

❐ If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative. • Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes or other severe winds. • Do not seek shelter in a hallway or bathroom of a mobile home. • If you have access to a sturdy shelter or a vehicle, abandon your mobile home immediately. • Go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately, using your seat belt if driving. • Do not wait until you see the tornado. ❐ If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter: • Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. • If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort: • Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible. • If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.

❐ Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. ❐ If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so. ❐ Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes when examining your walls, doors, staircases and windows for damage. ❐ Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately. ❐ Stay out of damaged buildings. ❐ Use battery-powered flashlights when examining buildings—do NOT use candles. ❐ If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly and call the gas company or fire department. ❐ Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims. ❐ Use the telephone only for emergency calls. ❐ Keep all of your animals under your direct control. ❐ Clean up spilled medications, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids that could become a fire hazard. ❐ Check for injuries. If you are trained, provide first aid to persons in need until emergency responders arrive.

• Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances.

Let Your Family Know You’re Safe If your community experiences a tornado, or any disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Web site available through RedCross.org to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you don’t have Internet access, call 1-866GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.

Stock No. 658592

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

FREE FOOD FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS OF CHIKAMING, NEW BUFFALO, THREE OAKS TOWNSHIPS

arbor Country Progress will be hosting Feeding America West Michigan’s mobile pantry truck on Tuesday, April 4th at the Chikaming Township Fire Station, 13535 Red Arrow Hwy, Harbert, MI. The distribution starts at 3:30 p.m. and is sponsored by The Pokagon Fund. — STAFF REPORTS

MORE HARBOR COUNTRY SINGERS WANTED

urrently, Harbor Country Singers is looking for more singers. Recently, HCS performed at an event at the Acorn Theatre with Celtic Thunder’s Emmet Cahill. No previous experience is necessary to join. All that is required is a love of music and a teachable heart. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, April 12, from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Arts and Education Center on Maple Street in Three Oaks. Rehearsals will be held weekly throughout the month of May. Those who are new to the group are invited to come at 6 p.m. to talk with the director and get their music. For questions, visit their Facebook page or email schoolofamericanmusic@ gmail.com. HCS is a non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. — STAFF REPORTS

GARDENERS INVITED TO SEMINAR

he Chikaming Planting Field, a community garden in Chikaming Township, is hosting an organic gardening seminar Saturday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the New Buffalo Township Library. Linda Whitlock, an educator with MSU Agriculture Extension, will give a talk on organic home gardening and answer questions. All interested gardeners are invited to attend. For more information, call Arthur Anderson at 269-586-4315. Community Garden Plots are available for rent in the Chikaming Planting Field, a community garden in Chikaming Township. Please contact Anderson or email arthurhanderson@aol.com for more information. The plots are located at the Chikaming Park and Preserve and are 20 feet by 20 feet. — STAFF REPORTS

Bookworms invited to Design a Bookmark

he Friends of the New Buffalo Library would like to remind all school-age students in New Buffalo and New Buffalo Township that the deadline for entries in the first Friends of New Buffalo Township Library’s Design a Bookmark Competition is this Friday, March 31. Open to children in kindergarten through 12th grades, the contest is a class project at New Buffalo Elementary School; however, St. Mary of the Lake pupils and New Buffalo Middle and High School students are reminded to enter on their own. Monetary awards of $25 for first place, $15 for second place and $10 for third place will be presented in April in three categories: kindergarten through fourth grade, fifth through eighth grade and ninth through 12th grade. Entry forms and card stock design forms cut to approximate bookmark size will be available at area schools and at both circulation desks at New Buffalo Township Library. Artwork can be submitted in pen, crayon, ink, magic marker, colored pencils, water colors or paint. Only one entry per student will be accepted. Artwork should be strictly or loosely based on a favorite character or theme from a favorite book; however, no trademarked images or computer art will be allowed. For example, a tracing of a trademarked Harry Potter character image is prohibited. Judging by a panel that will include a local artist and Friends members will take place in early April, which will be followed by a short awards ceremony at the library on a date to be determined. All entries will be displayed at the library, space permitting. First-place bookmark winners will have their entries laminated and made available to library patrons, while supplies last. — STAFF REPORTS

Local aviation history presentation at New Buffalo Library

local twist to the history of aviation will be presented during the “Pioneers of the Sky” presentation Monday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m. at New Buffalo Township Library. The early history of flight, from the experiments of Hiram Maxim and Clement Ader to Samuel Langley and the Wright Brothers, will be presented by Historical Society of Michigan’s Bob Myers, a popular speaker at the Friends of New Buffalo Library Community Forums. Included will be an account of St. Joseph resident Augustus Herring’s airplane flight over Silver Beach in 1898. Upcoming free Community Forum programs include: “The Day Lincoln Died” Tuesday, April 18; “Hummingbirds: Small and Feisty” Tuesday, May 2; “What IS That? A Guide to Beach Glass, Fossils, Whale Burps and Other Beach Treasures” Tuesday, May 16; “Estate Planning for Everyone” Monday, June 12 and “Exploring Lake Michigan: A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach,” Monday, June 19. All programs begin at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s Pokagon Community Room. For further information, call the library at 269-469-2933, follow the Facebook link at newbuffalotownshiplibrary.org or email new.buffalo.FOL@gmail.com. New Buffalo Township Library is located at 33 North Thompson Street in New Buffalo. — STAFF REPORTS

United Way seeking submissions for volunteer recognition

nited Way of Southwest Michigan is seeking nominations for the prestigious Margaret B. Upton Volunteer Leadership Award. This honor is given to one volunteer in Berrien County who demonstrates a longstanding history of volunteerism of more than 10 years and a diverse volunteer background with multiple organizations. The winner will receive $3,500 to donate to the non-profit organization of his or her choice. Deadline to submit nominations is Friday, May 12. To submit nominations or to apply, visit www.uwsm.org/nominate-a-volunteer. For any additional information not found on the website, please contact Jan Radde at janet.radde@uwsm.org. — STAFF REPORTS

COMING FALL 2017

BE more

Michigan receives $3.8 million for emergency preparedness, special pathogen response

www.marquette-hs.org

Michigan has received $3.8 million in federal funding to help strengthen emergency preparedness in healthcare which will be distributed to hospitals identified in Michigan’s Special Pathogen Response Network (SPRN). The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Trauma and Preparedness, established SPRN in 2014 to strengthen Michigan’s emergency response to any new or emerging threat to public health, such as Ebola virus disease. The network is a collaborative group including: MDHHS, Michigan hospitals, Life Support Agencies, local health departments, and regional healthcare coalitions. “As Michigan has worked to prepare for new, emerging public health threats, I commend all Michigan hospitals for their partnership, as well as the training and education they’ve undertaken to protect against the spread of infectious diseases,” said Dr. Eden Wells, Chief Medical Executive with the MDHHS. “With new infectious diseases being identified around the world, this serves as a reminder of the importance of having prepared healthcare facilities and partners for quickly responding to these threats.” Every hospital with an emergency department in Michigan has a designated tier in the SPRN. Tier 1 hospitals will back up and support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated region V center, the University of Minnesota Medical Center, for the treatment of residents ill with a special pathogen, such as Ebola-positive patients. All Tier 1 hospitals have the capacity to identify, isolate, test and treat residents who are ill with a special pathogen, and may receive transfers from both in-network and other facilities. Like Tier 1 facilities, Tier 2 hospitals are also treatment centers but will accept innetwork transfers only. Michigan has identified three Tier 1 hospitals: DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit; Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids; and St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor. Michigan also has three Tier 2 hospitals: Beaumont, Wayne; Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit; and St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. These facilities have committed to more extensive training and preparation to support Michigan’s emergency response to special pathogen preparedness and will receive this additional funding. As assessment facilities, Tier 3 hospitals are designated to identify, isolate, test and provide care while awaiting test results. Screening hospitals have a Tier 4 designation and the capacity to identify, isolate and transfer patients for testing. All Michigan hospitals have participated in the robust emergency preparedness and response structure and will be receiving funding to strengthen the SPRN based on their tiered level. For more information about Michigan’s healthcare system emergency preparedness and response, visit www. michigan.gov/depr. — STAFF REPORTS

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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017

PROOS COSPONSORS BIPARTISAN HIRE MI HEROES LEGISLATION

Stirring the Coffee

WHY DO ACTORS HATE ME

BY GAIL ISAACSON

fter majoring in theatre the University of Illinois in the nineteen seventies, I went on to start my career, which meant auditioning practically every day. To get a role you had to try out for every show you could. What a bummer! I told myself, this is not what I want to do – get my ego chopped up every day by nasty directors who have all the power. I figured out early that actors are pawns. Boy, directing a play is easy street. I decided to cross the theatrical street and become a director. This career also didn’t work for me for a completely different reason: actors hate me. Nice actors I’d met in social settings became defensive and insecure when I was their director. I brushed aside thoughts that all this scorn had anything to do with me. After all, I was an actor too. I totally understood their angst. Who, I asked myself, would be more understanding? The first show I directed was a collaboration; a musical revue of the witty, poignant songs written by Thom Bishop - a singer songwriter who often appeared at Chicago’s “Earl of Old Town.” The “Earl” was the center of the folk music movement in the early seventies featuring the songwriter, Steve Goodman and such other folk luminaries as Michael Smith and Bonnie Koloc. I had imagined this musical revue as a four person show, two men and two women. We named the show “Suburbs of Heaven,” after the opening number. Don’t ask me what it means. Even Thom Bishop, who wrote the song, is not completely sure. “Suburbs of Heaven” was a musical about young love and how stupid young lovers could be. Take my word for it, enough hearts were broken to fill a heartbreak hotel. From my director’s chair, I envisioned each song as a little one-act play. Thom Bishop and I produced (put up the money) for this show. Nobody got paid, not the actors, the producers, the director or the bar where it was performed (now called “Shuba’s”) on West Belmont. The bar made out better than Thom and I did - at least they could sell drinks. After auditions, where this time I ruled, I cast four actors. Their singing wasn’t bad considering they all had colds. My first hint that directing wasn’t going to be a cakewalk arrived in a song named “Jumping Through Rings.” It was sung by a daft young woman about her boyfriend, who tried to control her. My interpretation of this song was all about a whip. This young woman really gave him what he deserved. She stamped angrily around the stage cracking the whip for punctuation. Let me say that this particular actress, Nancy, wasn’t exactly a team player. She openly challenged my direction, cracked the whip tentatively and tried to hide it under her skirt. Everyone in the cast urged her to follow my lead. Not only did Nancy refuse to implement my ideas, she became more tentative at each rehearsal. This behavior got so bad she was barely cracking the whip at all; it dragged behind her limp and looking suspiciously like a rat’s tail. This resulted in me taking the song away from Nancy and giving it to the Cheryl, the other woman in the show. Cheryl was happy to crack the whip. She said it made her feel important. Alright, Cheryl’s singing left much to be desired but she had just had her tonsils taken out and I ask you, what can you expect from

a singer who was working for free anyway? Nancy retaliated by quitting the show, one week prior to opening. Believe it or not, I was able to find a MUCH BETTER singer to replace her. Nancy’s name was whisked off the poster. Speaking of the poster, Thom Bishop’s name was above the title, mine was featured in a box “entire production staged and directed by Gail Isaacson.” In the theatre world, your name above the title doesn’t have half as much prestige as your name in a box. A box is reserved for people like famous director, Jerome Robbins, whose name lounges in a box on the album cover of “ West Side Story. When your name lounges within a box, you’re really somebody. The somewhat talented cast would have a higher opinion of me when they saw my name in the box. Opening night was scheduled for January 13, 1979. The cast was all ready and eager to debut our show. Then we ran but ran into a most unfortunate incident. The Great Chicago Blizzard of 1979. On January 13–14, 1979, the channel two weatherman, Harry Volkman, forecast two inches of snow. “Two measly inches,” mused Mr. Snowstorm, “I’ll show that Harry Volkman what a historic blizzard looks like.” And so, it snowed and snowed - for 38 hours straight. Chicago’s snow removal crew lost their vigor as the white stuff came down faster the more they shoveled. The City of Chicago couldn’t keep up with the blizzard. This angered the people who were mostly looking for their buried cars and maybe an open grocery store. Giant mounds of whiteness cowered everywhere, as the great blizzard of 1979 completely shut down the city. As you might imagine, Chicagoans were in no mood to see a romp about young, dumb love. It didn’t look good for our opening. No one would be able to get to the theatre, including the cast. We had no choice but to postpone opening night till March. I felt sorry for myself and secretly blamed the actors for the blizzard. But my blizzard downer was nothing compared to Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic’s bad mood. He lost his next election over what looked like paltry snow removal, even though he kept the city crews shoveling at a whirlwind pace. This prompted Tribune columnist Mike Royko to call him “The human snow shovel.” “Suburbs of Heaven” did open in March. It ran for a month at Shuba’s and another month at “Travel Light Theatre.” The show received favorable reviews calling me “an up and coming director.” Thom and I wound up breaking even, but only after we schlepped the show to summer festivals like Chicago-fest. In case you’re wondering, the actors still hated me. It was so unfair! Just because they were talent-less toads, why was it my fault? “Suburbs of Heaven” was definitely a bad omen for me. It gave me an early taste of my ill-fated directing career. I blame it on the blizzard and the fact that those ingrate actors didn’t take my direction. But I guess it doesn’t matter today. I rarely run into anyone from the cast of “Suburbs of Heaven.” I did see Nancy (the reluctant whip girl) at the circus, where she is presently a lion tamer. I was furious. After the show, I waited to remind her that she’d be nothing without the whip, which was MY idea. She still hates me, even though she had no trouble stealing my idea. Go figure. Copyright  2017 by Gail Isaacson

NEW BUFFALO TIMES

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE • SINCE 1942

ichigan small business owners who hire unemployed veterans could soon be eligible for tax credits under bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Sen. John Proos. “We owe our veterans a tremendous debt for their selfless dedication and the enormous sacrifices they made in defense of our freedoms,” said Proos, R-St. Joseph. “The ‘Hire MI Heroes’ initiative would enlist Michigan’s jobcreating small businesses in the effort to give our veterans a chance to live the American Dream that they served honorably to protect.” Senate Bill 89 would provide Michigan small businesses that hire an unemployed veteran with a one-time tax credit of 25 percent of the veterans’ compensation up to $4,000. “When our veterans return home they often face real challenges transitioning into new careers,” Proos said. “This is about standing up for our veterans, and I am proud to co-sponsor a proactive plan to encourage job creators to hire Michigan’s heroes.” To ensure accountability, SB 89 includes several safeguards, such as enabling the state to reduce or terminate the credit if the veteran the business hired to receive the credit is laid off within a year. “During my time in the Senate, we have achieved much to assist veterans entering the workforce by removing unnecessary barriers to getting a job in Michigan,” Proos said. “This initiative would build on our continued efforts to help thank our veterans for their service to America.” SB 89 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee, which Proos serves on as a member. — STAFF REPORTS

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LAKEFRONT • NEWS • BANKING STATISTICS FOR LEASE • NOW FOR SALE • CONSTRUCTION

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