April 19, 2018 by New Buffalo Times

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

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TH HE E O OF FF FIIC CIIA AL L N NE EW WS SPA PAP PE ER R O OF F N NE EW W B BU UF FFA FAL LO O •• S SIIN NC CE E 1 19 94 42 4 T

CHICAGO • LONG BEACH • MICHIANA SHORES • GRAND BEACH • NEW BUFFALO • UNION PIER • THREE OAKS • LAKESIDE • HARBERT • SAWYER

issue 16, volume 77

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Thursday, April 19, 2018

DDA Board discusses upcoming North Whittaker Street completion, outdoor café seating PAGE 4 City budget strives for surplus, includes possible lifeguard elimination; supports Pokagon Fund grant requests for Independence Day celebration PAGES 5, 15 & 22 Chikaming Township Board approves Cherry Beach motions, hears about Red Arrow Highway repairs PAGE 6 New Buffalo Township approves grant for Fourth of July fireworks PAGE 8

Local author, student celebrate book collaboration at ‘book warming’ PAGE 13

PRECIOUS JEWEL

Prom-bound New Buffalo students walk the blue carpet PAGE 14

SHANGPA RINPOCHE TALKS, SHARES WHAT HE THINKS IS THE PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE — PAGE 18 —

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAMES AUDRAIN

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

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LIBRARY TIDINGS

FROM THE PUBLISHER

NEWS AND EVENTS FROM THE NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

SEEKING INSPIRATION: It’s another April snowfall on another Monday morning! My inspiration for spring is nowhere to be found. I think I will go back into hibernation – that is, at least until Beer in the Buff on Saturday. My friends are headed back to Mexico and Florida. My sister just cancelled her road trip to Harbor Country from Durango, Colorado, because of road closures and cold weather in the Midwest. She has now scheduled it for June, when North Whittaker Street will no longer be a mud pit but an awesome gathering place for one and all. She will be here when the kayaks, boats and ships will all be back where they belong after a very long winter of being wrapped up in plastic, when the trees will open their leaves and when the geese will, once again, be doing their thing on the green grass at Lion’s Park. Until then… Think spring, sun and fun!

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An afterthought: Maybe trying Zumba tonight will inspire me. (You, too, can Zumba every Monday night at New Buffalo High School.)

NEW BUFFALO TIMES distribution: Milda’s Corner Market Customs Imports Sawyer Garden Center The Whistle Stop David’s Delicatessen Grand Variety Barney’s Knoll Bros. Stray Dog Infusco Coffee Roasters Black Currant Bakehouse The Marina Grand Redamak’s Flip’s Big C Lumber Between Casey’s and Nancy’s Sawyer Garden Center Sawyer Hardware The Harbor Grand Froehlics . Three Oaks Journeyman Distillery . Three Oaks The Acorn Theater . Three Oaks The Lakeside Inn . Lakeside 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.

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CORRECTION In the April 12, 2018 issue of the New Buffalo Times, an article written by Lawrence von Ebeler regarding the remodel of Luisa’s Cafe and the Swedish Bakery should have stated that the cafe and bakery are currently open Thursday through Monday, and they serve two types of coffee: Dagger Mountain and Intelligentsia. Pictured to the right is Vivian May with mother Luisa.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

BERRIEN TOWNSHIP YOUTH PETITIONED ON TERRORISM CHARGE

ichigan State Police troopers took a 15-year-old juvenile into custody and lodged him at the Berrien County Juvenile Center on a charge of Threat of Terrorism Wednesday, April 11. The juvenile, who is a Berrien Township resident, had been a student at Berrien Springs High School. While it is alleged a threat of violence was made, there was no information uncovered that suggested violence towards another or a school was imminent. The Juvenile Division of the Berrien County Family Court accepted the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office petition. The next court event will be an arraignment at a date to be determined. Agencies involved in the investigation in addition to the Michigan State Police were the Berrien Springs/Oronoko Township Police Department, the FBI and the Berrien County Violent Crimes Task Force. Since the charge is merely an accusation, the juvenile is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. — STAFF REPORTS

BERRIEN DEPUTIES COMPLETE TRAINING

ix Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies have recently completed a local corrections officer training academy. Deputies Heather Saberniak, Brittany Zabel, Nicholas Jewell and David Helfman attended the academy at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Deputies Victoria Doan and Amanda Tober attended the academy at Grand Rapids Community College. The four-week academy offers a comprehensive, interactive instruction program in various disciplines for jail deputies. Training topics include custody and security, defensive tactics, first aid (including CPR and AED procedures), suicide awareness, fire safety and interpersonal communications. Certified by the Michigan Sheriffs’ Coordinating and Training Council, the academy is an important element of providing the necessary skills for maintaining a safe, secure environment for jail staff, inmates and county residents. “I want to congratulate these deputies for their effort in completing this vital training. The skills learned at this academy will help them safely and effectively manage our inmate population,” said Sheriff L. Paul Bailey. “The training helps our deputies develop and practice the tools necessary to be successful in this high stress environment.” — STAFF

REPORTS

DDA Board discusses upcoming North Whittaker Street completion, outdoor café seating

Kral elected as Harbor Commission chair, Repacik elected vice chair

he City of New Buffalo is starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel with regards to the completion of the North Whittaker Street Redevelopment Project. At the New Buffalo Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors’ Thursday, April 12, meeting, Chair Robert Kemper announced that the project’s ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, between Mechanic and Merchant streets. The project is scheduled to be substantially completed by Memorial Day weekend. Phase Two of the $4.3 million project, which began last October, includes the reconstruction of North Whittaker Street from Buffalo to Mechanic streets, as well as sections of Merchant Street. Phase One, which was completed last spring, included the reconstruction of Barton (from Merchant to Mechanic) and Mechanic (from Barton to Townsend) streets. Kemper said that several people, including city staff members, are planning the ceremony. He distributed to board members the proposed wording and picture of North Whittaker Street that will be on a two-sided postcard spreading the word about the ceremony. Abonmarche, the civil engineering firm heading the project, has been assisting them with the postcard. Cathi Rogers, production manager of the New Buffalo Business Association, is helping with the ceremony and said that she reached out to local artist Roger Harvey to do a painting of North Whittaker Street that could be placed on programs or a souvenir, such as a felt flag or magnet, that would be distributed to guests at the ceremony. Another possibility was the painting on a limited-edition poster that would be signed by Harvey. Board members agreed to contribute up to $400 toward the postcard’s printing and production costs. Also at the meeting, board members heard about this year’s plan for shared outdoor café seating areas throughout the downtown. Member Ellie Mullins, who is also chair of the design/visual impact subcommittee, said that they invited downtown food and beverage businesses to a workshop with Abonmarche to discuss what they were seeking in terms of café seating. All cafe seating would be similar in style, she said. Mullins clarified that the outdoor seating was separate from the permanent benches, trash receptacles and other downtown amenities that were approved by the City Council as part of the project’s Phase Three, as the seating would be just for the little bumpout areas located within the downtown. The seating would be able to be moved and stored in the offseason. Mullins said that the city may possibly lease out the spaces, which would include the amenities, to businesses next year. For this year, it would be a shared public use scenario and the spaces would remain city property. Mullins said she hoped to soon have a recommendation on a seating package that would be put together by Abonmarche. Entrepreneurial business development (EBD) subcommittee chair Doug Roch said that there would be a meeting with the new owners of the former Gold’s Gym building on South Whittaker Street that afternoon. Currently, he said that the owners were taking a “slow and measured approach” with regards to finding what they planned to do with the building. He added that they were still looking to protect the building. Subcommittee members had discussed the city “testing” mobile parking for beach parking payments at the overflow parking lot at Lions Park this summer. At last month’s meeting, board members approved that EBD subcommittee members work with two mobile providers, Parkmobile and Passport Parking Solutions, to arrive at a solution for beach parking payments. Roch added that Passport Parking Solutions, which has an integrated enforcement application, will be debuting in St. Joseph this spring. Eventually, Roch said they’d be looking into possibly implementing mobile payments for the entire parking lot. New Buffalo Mayor Lou O’Donnell IV said that parking enforcement on North Whittaker Street would be occurring this summer. One of the caveats for approving parallel parking on the north and south sides of North Whittaker Street was that the three-hour parking limit be enforced to ensure a higher turnover of spaces. Subcommittee members agreed that having a mobile beach parking system in place could offset the cost of parking enforcement.

The Harbor Commission elected 2018/2019 officers at their rescheduled Thursday, April 12, meeting. Elected to serve as chair was member Doreen Kral, who formerly served as secretary. Kral replaces longtime chair Nancy Smith, who recently resigned from the Commission. George Pepecik was re-elected to serve as vice chair and Jim Votava was elected secretary. Linda Henderson was welcomed as a new alternate member. As of March 20, Pepiscak said the Emergency Dredging Fund (EDF) balance is $253,265.42. The following nine harbor entities contribute annually to the EDF: Dunewood Condominium Association, Harbor Point Shores and Harbor Landings Condo Associations, Lake Michigan Yacht Club, Oselka Marina, Pleasure Isle Marina, South Cove Condo Association, The Moorings Condo Association, The Peninsula Home Owners Association and the City of New Buffalo. Kral reported that the US Army Corp of Engineers has been contacted to perform their annual soundings of the harbor. Due to the recent inclement weather, no date was given for the soundings. Members learned that the Marquette Greenway trailhead will not be located at the Transient Marina, which is what was previously reported by the Downtown Development Authority and Greenway committee. Instead, the trailhead will potentially be located at Smith and Mechanic streets, on a city right-of-way street end. Member Brian Callahan spoke of the need to remove sand at the end of the city boat launch ramps as well as the need to repair some of the boat ramp piers to ensure safety for the boaters. The proposed public washrooms that would be built and installed at the Transient Marina was also discussed. Members questioned what security would be provided for the visiting boaters and for the adjacent condominiums, especially during the evening hours. The next meeting of the Harbor Commission is Thursday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. — LINDA

HENDERSON

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

City budget strives for surplus, includes possible lifeguard elimination

uring the New Buffalo City Council’s Thursday, April 12, budget review meeting, treasurer Kate Vyskocil presented a two-year projected draft budget for a period lasting from 2018 to 2020 and highlighted some good news and some changes that may need to be made within the city. The final approval of the requested $3,009,252 budget for the 2018/2019 fiscal year will not be made until the May City Council meeting. Among the budget’s high points are the completion of the twoseason long North Whittaker Street Redevelopment Project, the upcoming resurfacing of neighborhood streets and the reconstruction of Clay Street and planned public washrooms at the municipal marina. Receiving public attention was the elimination of lifeguard salaries at the city beach this year, although a final decision on that matter has not been made by the City Council. Vyskocil stated that this year’s budget and the two-year projection has the city on track for a surplus in the General Fund, which it has not had since the 2013-2014 fiscal year. She stated that a surplus is important, adding that it is “not to spend” but to “maintain a correct fund balance.” “The surplus builds a solid financial footing and maintains a responsible fund balance,” she said. Vyskocil added that by providing a two-year projected budget, the city will have better forecasting to plan for expenditures and that its bond rating will improve. (A two-year projection has not been done in previous years.) The city projects a $216,164 surplus for the 2017-2018 fiscal year with an ending General Fund balance of $886,959. During a two-year period from 2014 through 2016, the city had a negative General Fund balance, which was primarily due to excessive legal expenses. In 2015-2016, which was the highest year recorded for legal expenses, the city paid $325,280 in legal fees. With the hiring of a new law firm and the managing of its legal expenses, the city’s year-to-date legal costs have been greatly reduced to a projected $36,955. The new city attorneys are Dickinson Wright PLLC of Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The city has also taken advantage of the legal advice that has been offered by the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA), their municipal insurance provider. The one item that received a lot of attention from the public as well as from the news media that was present was the elimination of lifeguards from the city beach this summer. Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project (GLSRP) members addressed the council and

LINDA HENDERSON IN NEW BUFFALO

were interviewed following the meeting by four area television news crews. City Manager David Richards also spoke about the decision to eliminate the lifeguard expense from this year’s budget. He stated that the city’s risk management company (MMRMA) had advised them of the liability risks that they faced for providing lifeguards last year. “We are creating an illusion of safety on the beach, which I don’t think is fair to the community or to the beach users…we are risking the lives of the lifeguards because they are understaffed,” he said. Richards added that it is difficult to get lifeguards to work on the weekends and on holidays. Many of them call in sick, which results in the city being understaffed. “We cannot get sufficiently trained lifeguards in sufficient numbers to run on a part-time basis,” he said. Richards said that during the busy times this season, the parks personnel will be at the beach and the police will be patrolling it. The city will post daily warning signs and flags, which will be visible to the public. Richards added that many other beaches, including all of the Michigan state parks, have eliminated lifeguards. Nearby Michigan City, Indiana, employs full-time guards and Silver Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan, which is a Berrien County-funded beach, provides guards at that city beach only. Grand Haven’s Lakeside Beach also has lifeguards; however, their city beach does not, and no one else on the western Lake Michigan shoreline has lifeguard service. This includes the Indiana Dunes State Park, Warren Dunes State Park and the cities of Bridgman and Saugatuck. Last year, the city reduced the lifeguard staff from having a daily presence on the beach to being there on weekends and holidays only. This cut the cost by approximately one-half of the previous year’s expenses. Richards said that in 2016/2017, the city paid $130,000 in lifeguard salaries and expenses. In 2017/2018, the budget for lifeguards was $60,000. Dave Benjamin of Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) also spoke at the hearing regarding the position taken by the organization on the need to provide safe swimming environments. Benjamin said he has seen lifeguards save lives in New Buffalo and that the average beachgoer doesn’t know enough about water safety. “If there are no lifeguards and someone doesn’t know what drowning looks like, it’s going to go unnoticed until they realize someone is missing,” he said. Benjamin added that he felt that they “need first responders there, as

in lifeguards, to make the response so that when paramedics arrive, first aid is already being given.” He added that “having no lifeguards at the beach makes it a lot less safe.” With no guards on duty, the potential rescues will be the responsibility of the police or fire departments, who are not stationed at the beach. “On a long enough timeline, I don’t believe it is not if we will have a drowning - it is when will we have a drowning,” he said. Benjamin said that the beach in New Buffalo has two unique features: the pier or jetty and the federal channel adjacent to the beach area. He stated that when the waves hit the pier, they go out and around, which can cause dangerous and strong rip currents or undertow. When the lifeguards are on duty, they can warn people to stay away from that area. In the past, lifeguards have said that the area off the break wall’s rocks is the most problematic and has prompted the most rescues. In a 2017 interview, New Buffalo lifeguard Emily Richards said, “My sister and I have rescued 17 people this year.” Her sister, Kelly Richards, was also a certified lifeguard at the New Buffalo beach. The sisters have worked as lifeguards for more than 10 years and received lifeguard training through the Salk Creek Beach program in California. For the past two years, they have been stationed at the New Buffalo beach. The sisters have also both received water safety training and board rescue technique training from GLSRP organization members Bob Pratt and Benjamin. For years, Pratt and Benjamin and the GLRSP have been involved in training and conducting water safety practice seminars for beach guards and students in New Buffalo and other Great Lakes communities. In another cost-cutting directive, the city police boat will be used on an as-needed basis, rather than as a daily patrol boat. This will cut costs in both manpower requirements and operating costs. Additionally, the Berrien County Sheriff Department has a marine boat docked at the municipal marina for both patrols and emergency response.

major city improvement that is budgeted for $300,000 with a hopedfor DNR grant of $150,00 are new public restrooms that are estimated to cost $450,000. The new restrooms are planned to be constructed as an addition to the building located at the Transient Marina. The majority of these funds will come from the parks improvement millage. Other projected park expenses are renovations to the Little League fields at Oselka Park, marina repairs and additional repairs at Oselka Park.

The city plans to add one full-time employee to work 60 percent for the Parks Department, which currently has one full-time employee, and 40 percent for the Street Department in the offseason. Also in the budget is a line item to increase all staff salaries by 3 percent. The cost of healthcare will minimally decrease in the 2018-2018 fiscal year because employee contributions have been increased from 10 percent to 20 percent. Annually, the insurance costs historically rise approximately 8 percent. There will also be a reallocation of police department staff and scheduling and a reduction in beach staffing. Other expenses planned for this year are a new roof for City Hall, which is budgeted at $55,000 and the painting of both the inside and outside of the water tower (a DEQ maintenance requirement), which is projected to cost $200,000. There are also plans to repave the fire department parking lot in the amount of $40,000. In 2017/2018, the city purchased a new leaf vac and leased a John Deer loader, which requires an annual payment in the amount of $28,278; this is a seven-year payoff. Additionally, there are three-year lease payments for two police cars in the amount of $20,466. New costs were also shown for the city’s Lighthouse Creek Drain assessment in the amount of $85,238, which will be a continued annual payment for the next 20 years. Since there was no new property development in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) district last fiscal year, no new taxes were captured by the DDA. Another item of concern was the expense budgeted for waste/garbage pick-up. The current three-year contract for waste collection with Lake Shore Recycling is $272,266. City residents are billed for waste collection on their bi-monthly water bills; however, the rate billed falls short of the expense to the city. The city is projected to receive only $207,175 in revenue from the residents this year. The city has also seen steady increases in costs from the Galien River Sanitary District (GRSD). From 2014 -2015 to date, the costs have gone from $361,503 to a projected $775,00 in 2017-18 and the coming year, 20182019 is budgeted for $800,000 in GRSD costs. Revenue from property billing is projected to be $375,000 in 2017-2018. The city raised the sewer fees charged to properties in December 2017, which was the first increase that was passed in seven years. The budget will be adopted by the City Council in May. A possible future public hearing may be scheduled regarding the lifeguard decision.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

THREE OAKS VILLAGE COUNCIL RECEIVES POSITIVE AUDIT REPORT, HEARS ABOUT STREET WORK AT MEETING

ccording to state auditors, the Village of Three Oaks finished its latest fiscal year in solid shape. Derek Hall from the Michigan Department of Treasury’s Community Engagement and Finance Division presented the annual audit results during the village council’s Wednesday, April 11, meeting. He explained that changes in the state’s property tax policies affected how revenues broke down, but the village’s overall totals were close to the previous years’. “You guys have always done a good job of keeping things balanced,” he told the councilors. Hall added that the five major funds were all in good shape. Three Oaks’ fiscal year runs from September to September, with most of the year’s money coming from property taxes collected through Sept. 15. Hall noted in his report that the completion of Watkins Park freed up budget money for equipment purchases and future projects. The Downtown Development Authority is now capturing funds. While some fund balances, such as the local and major streets funds, were down, Hall said the money was spent on improvements for which it was intended. During the meeting, the council voted to approve a contract with Walsh and Kelly, Inc. for resurfacing work on village streets, including Oak, Hickory, Cherry, Indiana and Palm. Councilmember John Pappa noted that North Elm Street was in need of patching, which Village Manager Dave Grosse said would be done through the village’s Department of Public Works. Work is expected to be completed before Flag Day events in June. Councilmember Darlene Heemstra informed the council the Planning Commission has been working on the newest version of the Master Plan, which needs to be updated for grant applications and potential developers. She noted the current Plan uses information from the 2000 census. Census data is not made public for two to three years after the census is taken, Heemstra said, but new demographics are needed for development. The council approved $18,600 for costs associated with McKenna and Associates, public meetings and other research that was needed for the updated Plan. The council approved the closing of North Elm Street for Flag Day festivities, including the annual parade. Speaking for the Flag Day Committee, Karen Cummings told the council they planned to have a firework display after dusk Saturday, June 16. Angela Reichert, Karrie Lintner and Colleen Newquist were all reappointed for four-year terms to the DDA. Greene told the council the search for a new water superintendent continues. He said another municipality in west Michigan is also looking for a water superintendent with few responding candidates. A contractor is running operations following the retirement of long-time superintendent Bruce Hauch. The village can terminate that contract with seven days’ notice; however, Greene said he would like to keep the contractor until two permanent employees are hired. — THERESE DONNELLY

Chikaming Township Board approves Cherry Beach motions, hears about Red Arrow Highway repairs

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

hikaming Township Board members approved a six-year, 1.0 mill road millage that will approved some motions with regards pay for the maintenance, upkeep and construction to the ongoing Cherry Beach Expansion of the township’s local roads. Project at their Thursday, April 12, Even though it’s a primary, or county, road meeting at Chikaming Township Center and wasn’t a part of the millage, Dudiak said that in Harbert. concerns were expressed over the deteriorating Currently, the township is trying to acquire the Red Arrow Highway. Dudiak said that after Labor approximately three-acre Beidler property that is Day, work would begin on a stretch of the highway adjacent to Cherry Beach. The township recently starting at the BP gas station in Bridgman by the submitted a Michigan Department of Natural 1-94 overpass and going down to Browntown Resources Trust Fund Grant application that could Road. She added that the rest of the highway may potentially cover 75 percent of the project’s cost, be completed in three to five-mile “chunks” and which is estimated to be that it would be spread $4.4 million. Members out financially over of the Park Board and time; however, there are Cherry Beach Committee currently no solid plans in are working to raise the place. remaining 25 percent Bunte gave an update through private donations on the Zoning Ordinance and other grants. Steering Committee, Negotiations are also which is revising the currently underway with township’s zoning the property’s seller. ordinance, and said that Board members a revised draft of the approved Cherry Beach ordinance should be on Committee member Sue the township’s website by Chikaming Township Police Chief Todd Taylor (left) Phalen being the official the end of the month or presents a Law Enforcement Purple Heart to officer liaison from the committee early May. David Wyman to the Township Board on the expansion project. oard members approved requesting that Township Supervisor David Bunte explained Park Board members decide on whether that Phalen would give the Township Board “direct or not they will accept two parcels in Lakeside, Michigan, into the parks access” to “timely and accurate” information on the system; they would be maintained by committee’s and Park Board’s fundraising activity. the Lakeside Association. Board members also approved recommending One parcel, located at Pier Street and Lakeshore that the Park Board hire a fundraising project Drive, has some green space. The other, located manager for the expansion project. at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Red Arrow Bunte said that this individual would manage Highway, has a gazebo on it. If Park Board the Cherry Beach Committee “going forward.” He members agree to manage the parcels, Bunte said was recommending that the Park Board conduct he would then “engage” Berrien County Board a search of potential individuals and come back of Commissioners in exploring the possibility of to the Township Board with a recommendation at having them being deeded back to the township. their Thursday, May 10, meeting. Police officer David Wyman was presented with Board members approved retaining the Berrien a Law Enforcement Purple Heart by police chief Community Foundation as fiduciary for the Cherry Todd Taylor. Beach Expansion Project based upon their initial On Nov. 12, 2017, Wyman was struck by a vehicle estimations and costs. While no actual money was at Exit 12 of Eastbound I-94 while helping pull out being collected this year from project donors, the a vehicle that had been involved in a car crash from Foundation would be responsible for reaching out a ditch. He was getting ready to clear the scene and collecting pledges. when he was hit. Board members also authorized Bunte to sign Taylor added that the purple heart symbolizes a Memorandum of Understanding between the the risk that officers take when they put their lives township and Chikaming Open Lands (COL) for on the line every day protecting the public. COL to “provide assistance” to the township in “Officer Wyman was injured in the course the “identification and control of invasive species” of performing his duties; therefore, I’d like to on the expansion property for the next five years. honor him with the sacrifices he’s made for this The memorandum would go into effect when the township,” he said. property’s transfer of ownership was made to the Board members approved designating Dudiak township. as the member representative to the Michigan Also at the meeting, Clerk Paula Dudiak, Participating Plan. who serves as the trustee representative to the Board members approved the $12,000 purchase township’s Road Advisory Committee, gave an offer from the Lake Gogebic Volunteer Fire update on the committee’s March 20 meeting, Department in Marenisco, Michigan, for the where they were introduced to Berrien County township’s retired 1992 Pierce Fire Truck. Road Department Director Jason Latham. A bid in the amount of $750 from Lakeshore Dudiak said that nine roads are currently a Roll-off and Demolition for the recycling roll-off part of the 2018 road improvement schedule. behind Township Center was approved. Township residents can find more details An approximately $9,595 bid from Wendorf about how township funds will begin to be put Asphalt for parking lot repairs and resurfacing at to use by visiting the township’s website at Township Center was approved. chikamingtownship.org. Last November, residents

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espite the freezing temperatures and a continuing spring snowfall, Pajay crews continued to work throughout the day Monday, April 16. The new, pedestrian-friendly, 16foot wide sidewalks and the new ADA accessible ramps in front of some retail establishments are slowly taking shape. New concrete was beginning to be poured on the west side of Whittaker and Mechanic streets Wednesday, April 11, when temperatures cooperated and reached 65 degrees. Sections were being poured in a southerly direction. As of Friday, April 13, half of the width of the new sidewalks have been installed in front of Nancy’s Hot Dog Stand all the way to the corner of Merchant Street. The sidewalks on the south side of West Merchant Street, in front of Brewster’s Cafe and west to Barton Street, were also poured and are open to pedestrian traffic. All of the old sidewalks on the east side of North Whittaker Street, from Mechanic Street to Buffalo Street, were removed along with all of the underground concrete storm sewers and old water pipes. The new light pole pedestals are also being installed during the sidewalk installation. Pajay crews continued with the installation of the curbs along the north and south sides of East and West Merchant Street throughout this week, which marks the 27th week of the redevelopment project’s Phase II. The pouring of concrete is a weather-dependent activity. The ideal temperature must stay above 40 or 50 degrees for a period of days, which has not been the case recently in New Buffalo. Precautions can be taken to pour concrete in colder weather and maintain concrete temperatures above 50 degrees for a period of three to seven days. The use of thermal curing blankets or heated enclosures will maintain concrete temperatures and prevent freezing. During this week’s concrete installation phase, Abonmarche is asking everyone to please keep off of the blanketed concrete areas that have been recently poured. The installation of the underground conduit has been completed on the west side of North Whittaker Street and continues to be installed on East and West Merchant streets. The individual conduit lines will service electric feeds for the light fixtures and the other conduit lines will provide for the irrigation system to service the landscape areas. During the coming weeks, the foundations for the new light fixtures will be installed on both sides of the street and the electric company will continue to remove overhead wiring, where needed. The overhead electrical lines will be permanently removed to allow clear views of Lake Michigan. Although not a part of the North

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

Whittaker Street scoops

Whittaker Street Redevelopment Project plan, Amtrak is replacing the railroad crossing on North Whittaker Street, which has resulted in full street closures throughout this week. Full-block roadway closures will also be required during the weekdays on North Whittaker and Merchant streets; however, business access will remain open. (All of the old sidewalks have been removed on the east and west side of Whittaker Street.) In the few past weeks, curbs have been poured along the west side of North Whittaker Street and all of the new water connections and the retaining walls located in some sidewalks areas on Whittaker Street have been completed. Pedestrian traffic has been challenging during the curb and sidewalk installation phase of the project; however, the new curb installations have given folks a feeling for the soon-to-be, new 16-foot wide, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. One may notice some areas where the sidewalk slopes and is set back from the outer sidewalk by retaining walls. Those areas have been carefully engineered to provide ADA access to all shops and restaurants along the streetscape, which naturally slopes downward toward the lake. Previously, many of the buildings had steps at their entrances that made it difficult for those with disabilities to enter them; however, all of the stepped-up entryways have been eliminated in this project. With the opening of the street to vehicle traffic, over the past two weekends, visitors were parallel parking along the west side of Whittaker, despite the fact there is no pavement and no marked parking spots. As construction advances into the final weeks, most of the roadway within the project limits will be closed to through traffic during the weekdays. In addition, intermittent sidewalk closures will be necessary for constructing the new sidewalks and the streetscape. The street lights have been removed on the west side of the street and new lighting fixtures are not expected to be installed until May; however, temporary lighting will be in place before the poles on the east side of Whittaker Street are taken down. They will remain in place until the new light fixtures are installed and operable. Notices will be distributed to businesses on a block-by-block basis as work continues. Access to several businesses will be impacted throughout the ongoing concrete work. Two restaurants that may require use of side entries but will remain open are

David’s Deli and Rosie’s Cafe. When possible, North Whittaker Street and the sidewalks will remain open and passable for vehicles and pedestrians; however, additional and ongoing closures are expected. At a recent public meeting, Abonmarche said that they “will continue to work with residents and businesses to the extent feasible to minimize disruptions. We ask for your cooperation and patience as we work to complete this exciting project for New Buffalo.” The following is an approximate outlook for April and May: Week of April 16: The city will remove the evergreen tree at the corner of Mechanic and Whittaker streets to make room for the planned sculpture installation. Amtrak will replace railroad crossing on Whittaker Street, resulting in road closure. Curb and sidewalk installation, utility work, landscaping Week of April 23: Sidewalk installation, crosswalks/pavers, landscaping Week of April 30: Sidewalk installation, cross walk /pavers, landscaping Week of May 7: Sidewalk installation, paving, landscaping, restoration Week of May 14: Paving, landscaping, restoration, furnishing install

he streetscape plan has reached the final approval stages, with chosen benches, street lighting and landscaping having been approved by the City Council for spring installation. The irrigation system work has begun. The city awarded Nature’s Way the landscaping contract on Feb 20. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is still reviewing details regarding informational signage and outdoor cafe seating. The next public tailgate meeting is at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 19, at New Buffalo City Hall. This standing weekly meeting is intended to provide construction updates and to allow residents the opportunity to ask questions regarding the construction process. The redevelopment plan called for the sanitary sewer to be laid in the middle of the street. The new water service main lines are on the west side of the street, with lateral lines connecting to the east side, and the storms sewers are running along the east side of North Whittaker Street. All of these installations have been completed. Phase II work continued throughout the month of March with the

replacement of gas lines and the burying of the electrical lines. New cubs and retaining walls were also installed. Throughout April crews have been completing the curb and sidewalk installations, performing the final site grading and installing light pole foundations. In May, new lighting will be installed along with final roadway paving, landscaping and site amenities. The project is scheduled to be substantially completed by Memorial Day weekend, which begins Friday, May 25. A ribbon-cutting celebration is in the works and is planned to be held in June for all to celebrate and enjoy the new Whittaker Street and pedestrian-friendly downtown. The City of New Buffalo, in partnership with the New Buffalo Downtown Development Authority (DDA), is in the final phase of making much-needed improvements to the community’s downtown area. The work underway on North Whittaker Street reflects the final portion of the $4.3 million investment in the downtown, which began in the spring of 2017 on East and West Mechanic and North Barton streets. This work will result in not only the much-needed replacement of water and sewer lines but in an entirely new streetscape for the downtown. The Pokagon Fund also provided a $1.6 million dollar grant toward the project. The City Council approved going for bid on Phase III of the project at their Jan. 16, 2018 council meeting. Phase III includes the amenities package, such as benches, bike racks, waste receptacles and trees and landscaping. Pajay crews scooped their first shovelfuls of asphalt and dirt for Phase II Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. The crews will strive to keep the roadway open, where possible, after construction hours and on the weekends. Parking on adjacent streets has been developed to serve the downtown area while North Whittaker Street is impacted due to construction. Parking is available on North Barton Street, at the Barton and West Mechanic streets parking lot, on East and West Mechanic Street and at the city lot on the corner of Buffalo and North Whittaker Street and on North Thompson Street. Parking is available on North Whittaker Street when the road is open to traffic. All construction schedules are subject to change without notice due to weather, underground issues and other unforeseen circumstances. Paver bricks from North Whittaker Street are available while supplies last to residents at the boat launch parking lot. No heavy equipment is allowed to sort or load the vintage bricks. For further information, visit www. cityofnewbuffalo.org. — COMPILED BY LINDA HENDERSON, ABONMARCHE AND THE CITY OF NEW BUFFALO

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SEEKING CRAFT FAIR VENDORS

pplications are now being accepted for the fifth annual arts and crafts show hosted by the LaPorte First United Methodist Church. Artists and crafters are invited to showcase their handcrafted items at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds Saturday, Sept. 29. More than 100 vendors will be featured at the indoor show.For information on booth space, call 219-393-4093 or email ddev48@hotmail.com. — STAFF REPORTS

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New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

LIABILITY VS. RISK: THE CASE FOR LIFEGUARDS...

ost people do not realize that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of four in the U.S. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of fourteen in the U.S. Lake Michigan is the most dangerous of all the Great Lakes. Half the drownings on the Great Lakes take place in Lake Michigan. And half those drownings take place at the south end of the lake; you will find lifeguards at beaches from St. Joseph, MI all the way to Milwaukee, WI. Unique to New Buffalo, Michigan City, and St. Joseph are piers and a jetty which are known to cause dangerous currents. New Buffalo is no exception with north winds causing a quick drop in depth next to our jetty on the public beach side, along with dangerous rip currents. In a local newspaper article last August 29, 2017, two New Buffalo lifeguards interviewed, stated that they made 17 rescues over the summer, including a 250-pound man. According to our lifeguards, most injuries occur in and around the rocky breakwater. Although all lifeguards must have Red Cross First Aid, CPR, AED and Lifeguard certifications, the New Buffalo lifeguards have also had training the last several years from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, who have trained numerous lakefront community guards. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project states that most people don’t recognize the signs of drowning; in a study done by the Red Cross, 53% of people in the U.S. do not know how to swim, let alone recognize and rescue a swimmer in distress. PREVENTION is the key to water safety and qualified, experienced people are our first responders on the beach. Our lifeguards have been trained to recognize the ever-changing currents and sandbars off the New Buffalo Public Beach. One solution mentioned by the City would be Lifesaving Stations. However, it can take as little as three minutes to

drown. The first minute, a swimmer’s head is back trying to get air, with a stair step - like grabbing under water. The second minute, the swimmer usually submerges and by the third minute, breathing stops. How quickly can you act to find a Lifesaving Station and know what to do with equipment? How fast can you find your cell phone, call 911 and have them make their way to the waterfront? Can you pinpoint exactly where the swimmer went down especially if there are currents moving about? Or if you decide to try to rescue a person in distress, do you how to do so without that person taking you down in the process? Our lifeguards are the eyes and ears of our beach; they are the prevention needed at New Buffalo’s # 1 commodity. We cannot balance our budget on the back of the lives of swimmers! — NORA SLAVIN HOWE

OVERDOSES ARE HAPPENING EVERYWHERE, ALL OVER THE COUNTRY....

n our current society, the streets are filled to the brim with ultrastrong heroin that’s often mixed with fentanyl and a multitude of its analogues, making life saving efforts, like Narcan, futile when trying to reverse an overdose. The thing is, overdoses don’t just happen in the bathroom or bedroom at home. In fact, many people who overdose do so in public areas. Overdoses can happen in the grocery store, in the car, at a shopping mall… just about anywhere. Overdoses happen when a person has taken more opiates (or opioids) than their body can handle. They can happen absolutely anywhere and it’s really important for everyone to know the symptoms of an overdose because then, the appropriate actions can be taken to save a person’s life. For more information on the opiate syndemic, visit hwww.narconon-suncoast. org/blog/how-to-recognize-signs-of-anopiate-overdose.html. If you are in need of a referral to a treatment center, call us at 877-841-5509

— JASON GOOD

New Buffalo Township approves grant for Fourth of July fireworks

LINDA HENDERSON IN NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

he New Buffalo Township Board approved a number of items, including a grant for the Fourth of July fireworks display at the city beach and the repaving of a section of Clay Street, at their Monday, April 16, meeting. As the meeting opened, state Rep. Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs) addressed the board and the audience and gave an overview of Lansing activities. He said that he felt the state was becoming more business friendly and was beginning to do good things for business. He stated that he serves as the chair of the Judicial System Committee. which is in charge of the operations of the 30 state prisons that house more than 39,000 inmates. He said that the prison population was currently down, which he attributed to better programs at the local judicial level. Pagel added that the prison system is now more pro-active in providing education and training so that when inmates are released, they can successfully return to society and not the prison system. Pagel announced that he will be seeking election as a state senator. After serving three terms, he has termed out as a representative. He added that he will be replacing Senator John Proos (R-St. Joseph), who has completed his two-term limit. Pagel has served in government for more than 24 years and has been in business running Pagel Produce in Berrien Spring, Michigan, for more than 40 years. Berrien County Sheriff Sargent Juli Flick gave the February Township call report. She reported that 105 complaints were answered, four citations were issued and seven arrests were made within the township. Fire Chief Jamie Flick stated that the three high school firefighters who are enrolled in training school will complete their training soon and be ready to join the department. He reminded residents to obtain burn permits if they plan yard clean-up B work and to be mindful of wind and weather conditions. The fires must be out before l r dark, he said. r Under new business, the board approved an invoice from Donkersloot & Sons in the amount of $2,017.30 for repairs to the Glassman Park kayak launch. The launch a was damaged during the February flooding that occurred throughout Berrien County. t It was stated that water in areas of the township was well over the 100-year flood mark. In the future, Supervisor Michelle Heit stated that the township will remove the p launch during winter months. Board members adopted an update to the Administrative Policies and Procedures, S which requires all bills be approved by the board prior to payments being made, with r p the exceptions being payroll, utility payments and bills subject to penalty. a They approved renewing the Pitney Bowes lease for the postage machine, which 8 Heit said was more than 20 years old. The board approved $6, 988.77 for resurfacing a section of East Clay Street from approximately the fire station to US 12. This work will be performed in conjunction s with the City of New Buffalo Clay Street construction project. This small portion of Township roadway will complete the street project which begins at South Whittaker e P Street in the city. The board approved hiring the following four seasonal park department employees, a with three of them having served in that capacity in the past seasons: Marissa Bardusk, $10.50 per hour; Mike Garrison, $10 per hour; Carlee Harrington, $11.50 t c per hour; and a new employee, Cooper Harrington, $10 per hour. The board unanimously approved applying for a Pokagon Fund grant to support the July Fourth fireworks in the amount of $6,000. The funds will come from the Township municipal allocations from The Pokagon Fund and will match the City of New Buffalo contribution. The cost of the fireworks display at the city beach will be $12,000; in the past, the Township has contributed to this cost. Heit stated that although the grant application deadline was this past Sunday night, the Pokagon Fund had agreed to extend the deadline for the Township application to be submitted. Supervisor Heit stated that is was “a good community event.” T In response to an item of concern raised by Township resident Chuck Heit, the board made a motion to support a resolution which will request the Berrien County f t Road Commission to re-institute Wilson Road as a no through-truck traffic route. Heit explained that for many years that had been the case; however, when the Forrest r Lawn Land Fill closed, the through truck restrictions were lifted. He said that truck F traffic on Wilson Road, from M239 to Lakeside Road, has drastically increased. He 1 added that this route is a way for the trucks to avoid the scales on I-94 and the trucks c d also add extra stress to Wilson Road. e Heit stated that as the MDOT bridge rebuilding continues, and the township is awaiting their permit approval for their portion of the project. New Buffalo Township l plans to add lighting, a welcome sign and landscaping to beautify the exit, which is W the Gateway to New Buffalo and the Gateway to Michigan. Heit stated that she is C optimistic that the permit, which includes all of items in the township’s $900,000 M project, will be approved by the state. Trustee Pete Rahm urged everyone to use caution when crossing the bridge at Exit C 1, which is one lane. He stated that the lighting at night is poor and clear vision in the w area is difficult. The next regular meeting of the New Buffalo Township Board is Monday, May 21, A M at the Township Hall.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

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Smooth Traveling CLAY STREET RECONSTRUCTION AND STREET RESURFACING UNDERWAY

he City of New Buffalo started two roadway and resurfacing construction projects this past week. Both road projects began on Monday, April 9, 2018. The first and largest of the projects, includes the complete reconstruction of Clay Street from South Whittaker Street to East Buffalo Street/US-12. The project will be split into two (2) phases to accommodate local and school traffic. Construction began on Monday, April 9, 2018 with the removal of the road bed on East Clay. The plan calls for the road to be completely rebuilt starting the road base approximate two feet below the former road grade and rebuilding it to accommodate the heavy vehicle and bus traffic. Northern Construction Services, Corp. the lowest pf three bidders, was awarded the project. Their bid was $1,343,633.00 for the 1.2 mile major reconstruction project. Phase 1, of the reconstruction, includes Clay Street from South Whittaker Street to Bronson Street. It includes reconstruction of curb and gutter, sidewalk ramps, driveways, and the complete roadway. During this phase, a detour was in place along East Detroit Street between South Whittaker to Bronson Street and is anticipated to be underway and continue from Monday, April 9 until Friday, June 8. During construction, residents are asked to please park along adjacent side streets if access is restricted at their property. Phase 2, of the Clay Street construction, will start on Monday, June 11 and is expected to be completed in August, before school opens for the 2019 school year. Phase 2 includes East Clay Street from Bronson to E. Buffalo/US-12. The City of New Buffalo will also be completing street resurfacing as part of a Street Resurfacing Project for 2018. The limits of street resurfacing include the following locations. These locations are subject to change depending on construction progress and weather conditions. â&#x20AC;¢ Water Street from Willard Street to west of Eagle Street â&#x20AC;¢ Eagle Street from Water Street to Buffalo Street/US-12 â&#x20AC;¢ Willard Street from Water Street to Washington Street â&#x20AC;¢ Oselka Drive from Willard Street to S. Whittaker Street â&#x20AC;¢ Clay Street from Willard Street to S. Whittaker Street â&#x20AC;¢ Merchant Street from N. Thompson Street to Wilson Road â&#x20AC;¢ Norton Street from Buffalo Street/US-12 to E. Clay Street The neighborhood Street Resurfacing Project started on Monday, April 9, 2018. The award contractor is Reith Riley Construction Company, who bid $783,873.09 for this road project. Work began on Water Street, Eagle Street, and Willard Street the week of April 9 and included the removal of non-ADA compliant sidewalk ramps and the realigning of the sewer/man-hole caps and grading improvements. Full depth roadway milling and resurfacing is scheduled to begin the week of April 16. The contractor will be utilizing flag control and temporary detours during construction. Access to properties should be accessible at the end of each working day. Most of the roadway resurfacing work is scheduled to be completed by the end of May. If not completed in May, work will continue in the summer on remaining locations. Once the work is competed on W. Water Street, North Eagle and North Willard Streets, the construction crews will move to South Willard Street and West Clay Street. Following the completion of those areas, the work will move to East Merchant St. South Norton and Jameson will not be underway until Northern Construction starts that phase of the Clay Street project. The roadwork in that area will be coordinated between the two contracting firms. For additional information regarding the projects, please contact Tony Ashbaugh, City of New Buffalo at 269-469-2781 or Project Engineer Jason Marquardt, Abonmarche, at 269-926-4565. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; PROVIDED BY ABONMARCHE

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APRIL 19, 2018 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017 R U O SS H E C 24 C A

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From the Bleachers

“D

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

on’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” Jim Valvano uttered these words at the ESPYS, ESPN’s version of the Oscars. At the time, Valvano was suffering from cancer, and the former coach of North Carolina State was still able to give one of the most inspirational speeches I had ever heard. I was reminded of Valvano’s speech by my favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. On Saturday, as I was trying to organize my basement, my phone kept giving me updates on the game between the Cubs and the Atlanta Braves. Unfortunately for me, all of the action was coming from the Braves. Ding...ding...ding....the Braves kept scoring. When I finally checked to see exactly what was happening, I was saddened to discover the score was 10-2 in the sixth inning in favor of the Braves. So, what did I do? I put my phone aside and went about my work, never once thinking that the Cubs had a chance to win the game. That’s right - I gave up on my team. Therefore, I was unaware that the Cubs had scored three runs in the seventh inning to make the score 10-5. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even look at my phone until after the Cubs had scored nine more runs in the eighth inning to win going away, 14-10. In the history of Major League Baseball, only three teams have come back from a 12-run deficit, so while the Cubs’ comeback wasn’t historic, it was very impressive. The win evened their record at seven and eased the minds of Cub fans (at least for a little while). The baseball season has gotten off to a rocky start for many teams. The combined records for the six teams favored to win their division as of Sunday was 44 wins and 44 losses. The Cubs, Yankees, Nationals and Dodgers are all underperforming and even though it’s very early in the season, fans are easily frightened. Much of the poor play early in the season can be attributed to the weather (which I believe is going to improve shortly). We are going to have a spring this year, right? Have you been by the friendly confines lately? I had the pleasure of meeting a friend at the new Hotel Zachary last week, and it is a very nice addition to the neighborhood. There are several new restaurants, many of them being a little more upscale than the places that they replaced. For any of you who happen to be from the south side, a new Aurelio’s pizza place is opening soon, just a block north of the ballpark. The area surrounding Wrigley Field is changing as much and as rapidly as the Wrigley Field itself, and it’s all good. Valvano said, “Time is very precious to me. I don’t know how much I have left and I have some things I would like to say. Hopefully, at the end, I will have said something that will be important to other people too.” Be kind to one another. Make good choices. Keep smiling. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

NAMING RIGHTS ANNOUNCED FOR ROOFTOP APARTMENT DECK AT FOUR WINDS FIELD

ecently, Andrew T. Berlin, owner of the South Bend Cubs, announced that United Federal Credit Union is the naming rights sponsor for the new Rooftop Apartment Deck at Four Winds Field. “United Federal Credit Union is excited to expand our successful relationship with the South Bend Cubs, an organization that knows, like we do, how special the South Bend community is,” said Terry O’Rourke, president/CEO of United Federal Credit Union. “Forging this partnership with the team is just one example of our continued commitment to this community and improving the lives of those who live here.” Opening in June, the United Federal Credit Union Rooftop is a distinctive feature of the new Ivy at Berlin Place apartment building #2. Positioned just over the left field wall at Four Winds Field, it will feature space for 300 fans with a full bar, food service and grandstand. “We’ve designed this to give South Bend Cubs fans the same type of rooftop experience that you can have at Wrigley in Chicago,” added Andrew Berlin, owner of the South Bend Cubs. “It’s exactly 435 feet from home plate. And, it’s great to have a partner like United Federal Credit Union be a big part of the baseball experience in South Bend.” An illuminated United Federal Credit Union sign will be displayed on the south face of the building and other United Federal Credit Union branding will be featured throughout the stadium. “The rooftop space is going to be amazing and we are very much looking forward to sharing it with the community. This space will be used for both game nights and private parties,” said Joe Hart, president of the South Bend Cubs. “Typically, most of our hospitality areas are only available for corporate rentals but with the partnership of United Federal Credit Union, we will set aside two games per month in which the public will be able to buy tickets and experience this first class space.” Berlin, who is investing $23 million in the Ivy at Berlin Place apartments, will now have his own apartment at Four Winds Field. Set to open in mid-summer, the Ivy at Berlin Place features soundproofing throughout and shatter-proof glass. “We’re even removing the fog horn that’s typically used when someone hits a homerun” said Hart. “This will be the place to be, but we do understand that people who live here will sometimes want a little quiet in their apartments.” Last May, United Federal Credit Union announced that it would be expanding its footprint by opening six new locations in St. Joseph County over the next three years. The organization broke ground on two branches last October with locations at the southeast corner of Main Street and Edison Lakes Parkway in Mishawaka and the northeast corner of Ireland and Lafayette Boulevard in South Bend. They are looking forward to opening the doors at both branches this summer. The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 30 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles (most recently in 2005) and has captured 12 division titles. In 2015, the team was named Ballpark Digest’s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC, whose sole shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago. More information is available at www. southbendcubs.com. — STAFF REPORTS

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

Local author, student celebrate book collaboration at ‘book warming’

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

hen the time had come for Pam Feeney to hire an illustrator for her latest story, she knew exactly how to go about finding one. Feeney said she marched right into New Buffalo High School. There, she entered fine art teacher Jacob Zapor’s classroom. “‘I need an illustrator – whom do you suggest?’” was what Feeney asked a group of students. When Feeney requested a student artist, sophomore Sonja Heath said that Zapor recommended her right away. Pam Feeney and Sonja Heath pose with their book Heath, who was a freshman at the tiem, said, “He pointed at me and said, ‘She could do it.’” Before they knew it, Feeney and Heath had joined forces and were hard at work on Feeney’s third self-published book. Family and friends celebrated the finished product, “Willow and Wren: Feeney Family Day Off,” at a “book warming” in the Pokagon Room at New Buffalo Township Library Saturday, April 14, where both Feeney and Heath were present to discuss their joint creation. According to the official book description on Amazon, “Willow and Wren” is the tale of “a family finding fun in doing simple things, together!” Translated by Rosie Said, the book appears first in English and then in its entirety again in Spanish. Feeney said the book’s main characters are based on three of her seven grandchildren. A retired educator who taught English for 44 years, she said it was her grandchildren who inspired her to launch a second career as a children’s book author. A second book, “Peaches and Posey’s Big Adventure,” is about her twin grandchildren in Iowa, while a third book, “Big Ted: Mi Amigo,” is based on her grandson and his teddy bear from when he was a little boy. Feeney said the latter two were illustrated by Thomas Graham, a former student of hers at Kalamazoo Valley Preliminary sketches for Willow and Wren are displayed at the book warming Community College. “I’m very proud of them,” Feeney said of her books. For “Willow and Wren,” Heath said she first drew several preliminary sketches on paper, which she proudly displayed during the book release party. She then transferred the sketches to her computer by drawing them digitally on a tablet, which she connected to her computer. Heath said that being encouraged to flesh out her ideas on both paper and the computer Sonja Heath gives Ethan Gilpin some tips helped her grow more as an artist. on drawing at the book warming Sonja Heath autographs a book for Victoria Hoadley “Doing this project pushed my art – it helped me practice and I got a lot more experience doing it,” she said. Since second grade, Heath said she’s loved to draw. Being creative runs in her family, she said, as her uncle is an animator who has worked on the renown Walt Disney films “Frozen” and “Tangled.” Heath said that she, too, wants to someday work in animation. Since animated films mostly cater to a younger audience, she said that she figured that lending her talents to a children’s book would be a good way to jumpstart her future career. “I loved doing it [illustrating the book] – I’d definitely do it again,” she said. “Willow and Wren,” along with Feeney’s other two books, is currently available on Amazon. A teddy bear sits next to Pam Feeney’s book, Big Ted, at the book warming

Pam Feeney and Sonja Heath pose with Fenney’s family

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

Prom Prince and Princess Max Folino and Allilyn Purcell with Prom King and Queen Andrew Thomas and Emily Keller — Photo supplied

Patrick Roberts and Annabelle Yanz walk the blue carpet

Conner Thorn with Miranda Maddox

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Prom-bound New Buffalo students walk the blue carpet

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

s was custom, the traditional blue carpet was rolled out in the Gold Gym at New Buffalo High School for students to stroll down for a prom “red carpet” event the evening of Saturday, April 14. Families and friends watched from the bleachers as the students walked the blue carpet, which was surrounded by white balloons and lights. Jimmy Butler, who served as emcee for the evening, gave a special thanks to Elizabeth Ditto, Jennifer Bauer and Suzanne Cramer for organizing the event. After posing for some quick pictures in the gym, the students then traveled to the Shadowland Pavilion at Silver Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan, which served as the venue for this year’s prom. There, they danced the night away, rode the carousel and watched Emily Keller and Andrew Thomas get crowned this year’s prom queen and king and Allilyn Purcell and Max Folino get crowned prom princess and prince.

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Aliana Maniscalco with Josh Kaminski

Kyah Nielson and Daisy Fox

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Prom Queen and King Emily Keller and Andrew Thomas — Photo supplied

Felix De Simone and Lexi Moser make their way down the blue carpet

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City Council supports Pokagon Fund grant requests for Independence Day celebration

he New Buffalo City Council held a special Friday, April 13, meeting to review and authorize applications for Pokagon Fund grants to help fund this year’s Fourth of July celebrations at Lions Park and the beachfront. A symphony concert at Lions Park followed by a firework display over the lakefront is a longstanding Fourth of July tradition in New Buffalo. In past years, the event was coordinated and launched by the New Buffalo Business Association (NBBA); however, funding was provided by the Pokagon Fund Discretionary Fund and private donations, along with contributions from the City of New Buffalo and New Buffalo Township’s Pokagon Fund municipal allocation funds. In a recent turn of events, the city learned that a formal grant application needed to be written and submitted to acquire the funding for this popular, familyfriendly event. In past years, a letter requesting $5,000 from the Pokagon Fund’s discretionary account was what was required by the Pokagon Fund Board of Directors from both the City and Township. Both the City and the Township had split the $10,000 fireworks cost, with In a recent turn of events, the Pokagon Fund Board of Directors the city learned that a supporting the symphony cost. formal grant application Since the deadline for the grant needed to be written and submittal was Sunday, April 14, the submitted to acquire the council took immediate action to ensure funding for this popular, this year’s celebration will be funded. family-friendly event. In past After a very confusing discussion years, a letter requesting regarding the amount of money that was $5,000 from the Pokagon needed to support the event and why Fund’s discretionary account it had become a last-minute issue, the was what was required by council voted to submit two different the Pokagon Fund Board grant requests: one that would help fund of Directors from both the the symphony and another one that City and Township. Both the would help fund the fireworks display. City and the Township had The city will also contact New Buffalo split the $10,000 fireworks Township to seek their 50-50 financial cost, with the Pokagon support for the community celebration. Fund Board of Directors Cathi Rogers, event director for the supporting the symphony NBBA, stated that $32,000 was needed cost. to put on the event. She stated that the NBBA does this event as a passthrough, which means that it generates no revenues for the organization, and her professional time is pro bono (no charge). Rogers added that the symphony fees are $20,000, plus rental fees for the tent, tables, chairs, utilities, portable toilets, fencing, marketing and support staffing requirements, as well as police and fire department fees. Similar to past years, the fireworks display is an additional $12,000. Last year, she said that many local firms and individuals donated money to support the celebration; however, she said that this year’s fundraising has just begun and as of right now, no guaranteed money is available. City Manager David Richards stated that the city did not have the funds in their budget to contribute to this event. He said that without the financial support from the Pokagon Fund, there would not be an Independence Day celebration this year. “We obviously want this popular community event to continue,” he said. At one point in the meeting, Mayor Lou O’Donnell IV stated that he did not feel comfortable moving forward with all of the confusing information. Councilman Mark Robertson responded by saying that “this is as clear as mud.” After council members heard from John Krsul, special liaison to the (Pokagon) Board, they agreed to apply for the two grants. At this time, Krsul said the Fund’s Board of Director had taken no position on supporting the event; however, he said he felt “... the symphony was an important cultural event for the community.” He also stated that the Pokagon Fund Board had stated last year that they would not fund the fireworks in the future from the Discretionary Fund. The city will apply for up to $12,000 to be used toward the fireworks display and up to $10,000 to be used toward the symphony. The funds are to come from the city’s Municipal Fund allocations. The NBBA will also apply for a $10,000 grant for the symphony expenses, which is the maximum allowed under their non-forprofit status. In addition, the city will also seek shared funding from New Buffalo Township.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

United Way seeking submissions for volunteer recognition event

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nited Way of Southwest Michigan is seeking nominations for their Volunteer Recognition Event, which recognizes and celebrates the outstanding volunteers in Berrien and Cass counties. The night will include the presentation of the prestigious lifetime achievement award, the Margaret B. Upton Volunteer Leadership Award. The honor is given to one volunteer in Berrien County who demonstrates a longstanding history of volunteerism of more than 10 years and a diversity of volunteer experience with multiple organizations or a significant contribution to a single organization, as well as someone who exhibits teamwork and leadership experience through various levels of volunteer experience that includes physical, clerical and/or service at the board level. The winner will receive $3,500 to donate to the non-profit organization of his or her choice. Two runners-up will also be chosen to receive $750 for donation purposes. The deadline to submit nominations for the MBU award is Friday, May 11. “There were over 15,000 United Way volunteer hours tallied in 2017, equaling more than $365,000 in service,” said Anna Murphy, president of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “Volunteers are a driving force behind improving the common good in southwest Michigan. Our Volunteer Recognition Event gives us a chance to recognize some of the extraordinary work being done in our communities.” Live United Youth scholarships, which recognize one person from Berrien County and one from Cass County who demonstrates a commitment to volunteerism through innovation, dedication, and advocacy for community improvement, will also be presented. Each winner will receive a $1000 scholarship made out to the college on their behalf. Only current high school seniors are eligible to apply. Both winners must be able to attend the event. The nomination deadline is Friday, May 4. The Sustaining and Emerging Volunteer awards recognize volunteers from Berrien and Cass counties who show a commitment to United Way’s goals in the areas of education, income, health or basic needs. These volunteers have elevated an organization to new levels. The Emerging Volunteer Award winner will have the opportunity to direct $300 to the non-profit organization of their choice, while the Sustaining Volunteer will be able to direct $500. The nomination deadline is Friday, May 11. To submit nominations or to apply, visit www.uwsm.org/nominate-avolunteer. For any additional information that is not found on the website, please contact Julee Laurent at julee.laurent@uwsm.org. United Way of Southwest Michigan invites volunteers to sign up with area organizations through its new online portal at uwsm.org/volunteer. United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in southwest Michigan by living united, by forging unlikely partnerships, by finding new solutions to old problems, and by mobilizing the best resources. To join the fight, visit www.uwsm.org. — STAFF REPORTS

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APRIL AT THE HISTORY MUSEUM

his month, The History Museum will be offering two special events. In conjunction with the museum’s exhibit, “Tiffany: Luminous Masterworks,” Tom Wester, renowned collector of Tiffany glass, will explore the art and innovation of Louis Comfort Tiffany during a lecture on Tiffany Glass from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21. Wester, of The Wester Gallery in Roswell, Georgia, will also discuss the Art Noveau style and the enduring appeal of Tiffany stained glass. This lecture is free with admission and allows admittance to the exhibit. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets can be reserved by visiting www.historymuseumSB. org or calling 574-235-9664 ext. 233. A guided tour of Oliver Mansion will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28. On this behind-the-scenes tour of the 38-room Oliver Mansion led by Curator of Copshaholm Kristie Erickson, guests will learn about the evolution of the historic house’s technology. The current electrical project is showcased. Visits to the pump house and lower levels of both the mansion and Carriage House show how light, heat, and water made the mansion a comfortable place to live throughout the years. The tour if limited. Reservations are required. To buy tickets, visit www. historymuseumSB.org or call 574-235-9664, ext. 233. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for the general public. The main entrance to The History Museum and the Studebaker National Museum is located on Thomas Street, which is between Washington Street and Western Avenue (one block south of Washington Street) in South Bend, Indiana.

— STAFF REPORTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

Berrien County dispatchers receive Dispatcher of the Year award

t the meeting of the Board of Commissioners Thursday, April 12, held at the Berrien County Administration Building, the 911 Dispatcher of the Year awards were presented. This year, there were six dispatchers nominated for their extraordinary efforts and abilities while dispatching 911 calls: Ryan Lucker, Kristina Burks, Lanny Duffel and Curtis Howard of the Berrien County Consolidated Dispatch and Eric Ruth and Nicole Murdock of the Niles City Dispatch. The Dispatcher of the Year awards were presented by Chikaming Township Police Chief and 911 Advisory Committee Chairman Todd Taylor. This year, two dispatchers were selected to be recognized as BC Dispatcher of the Year: Eric Ruth (Niles Dispatch) and Lanny Duffel (Berrien County Dispatch). Ruth is credited for his calm and well-controlled execution of a pursuit involving a stolen motorcycle. The suspect crashed and radio contact between the officer and dispatch was lost for a time while the suspect and another individual (the suspect’s brother) assaulted the officer. Ruth coordinated other police units for back-up and alerted the duty supervisor. Two good Samaritans came to the aid of the officer and freed him from the grasp of the attackers. Back-up officers arrived on scene, and the officer was able to gain control of the suspects and take them into custody without further incident. Duffel is valued by his peers for his reliability in skillfully and effectively processing countless emergency calls “within the trenches.” He possesses an excellent work ethic applied with a great sense of humor. His friendly and professional demeanor aids him as he interacts with panicked callers or with the team to mobilize emergency responders. He is consistently thinking on how to improve critical information sharing during operations. In commemoration of 9-1-1 Week, director Dave Agens provided information about free Public Safety Apps available in Berrien County. More information about the following apps are also available on the Berrien County website, www.berriencounty. org: Smart911- On this application, citizens can build their own private/household profile to share only with public safety personnel for when they call 911. It is nationwide and will go anywhere the mobile phone goes. Smart911 provides information to dispatchers that citizens may not be able to provide during the time of a stressful 911 call. RAVEFacility – On this application, a business can build a facility profile for their organization that will provide public safety personnel with important location directions, facility contacts and hazardous materials lists, even when 911 is called by a mobile device in the facility. BWARN! – Citizens can register to receive priority notifications regarding the Berrien County locations that a citizen may be most interested in during a local emergency and can pre-register for special needs services during a disaster. — STAFF

Celebrate Earth Day at Fernwood

Eight New Buffalo students are named as Service League Honors Scholars

REPORTS

ernwood Botanical Garden will host an Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 22, with a variety of activities. From 1 to 4 p.m., visitors can make and take a seed bomb to plant in their garden, learn more about turtles at a Nature Station and make a recycled craft. The event is free with Fernwood admission. Presented by the St. Joseph Valley Daffodil Society & the Indiana Daffodil Society, the Southwest Michigan Daffodil Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of these groups and the American Daffodil Society, as well as private growers, come together to exhibit their private collections of one of the world’s favorite flowers – the daffodil. In between viewing these beautiful collections of award-winning flowers, guests can enjoy a free program from 1–2:30 p.m. to learn more about daffodils from some of today’s top experts in the field. The event will be free with Fernwood admission. Guests can also attend Kokedama: A Centuries-Old Art from 2 to 4 p.m., where Josephine Fowler of Puddingstone Farms will demonstrate and construct two to three Kokedama utilizing simple and easy-to-care for plants and herbs. Guests can learn about the technique and history of this centuries-old Japanese art and create their very own table top herb garden Kokedama. Instruction on taking cuttings to start new plants as well as care and maintenance will also be provided. All materials and plants will be included. He cost is $40 and $3 for members $32. Register online or by phone by Wednesday, April 18. Fernwood is a special place where nature blends with gardens and art to create an experience of wonder for all ages. Fernwood comprises 105 acres on the St. Joseph River near Buchanan, Michigan, at 13988 Range Line Road, Niles. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Café hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Call 269-695-6491 or visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org for more information and to confirm status of classes. — STAFF REPORTS

Eight New Buffalo High School seniors were named as the recipients of the New Buffalo Service League scholarships for the 2018/2019 school year on Monday, April 9. The students will receive the scholarships and other items at the annual scholarship dinner, which will be held Wednesday, May 9, at the New Buffalo Yacht Club. The recipients are selected by the Service League Scholarship Committee based on the following criteria: academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, teacher recommendations, family need and an essay that is submitted by each applicant. For the past 55 years, the New Buffalo Service League has awarded a scholarship in memory of Mary Ann Frey, the New Buffalo High School Class of 1962 valedictorian. Three weeks before graduation, Frey was killed in a car accident. The scholarship began as a $100 award; however, it has grown over time to $1,500. Additional $1,000 scholarships have been added over the years and the number of recipients varies each year, depending on the success of the organization’s yearly fundraising events. Honored with the $1,500 Mary Frey Scholarship is Emily Keller, who plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall. Felix De Simone, who plans to attend Oberlin Collage, received a $1,200 Honorary scholarship named in honor of Irene Brinkman, the longtime scholarship and craft fair chair. The following six students were awarded $1,000 scholarships this year: Natalie Blumberg, who plans to attend Grand Valley State University; James Butler, who plans to attend Lake Michigan Collage; Sophia Giannetti, who will attend Western Michigan University; Trevor LaBerge, who is attending Purdue University Northwest; Jill Patel, who will possibly be attending Michigan State University; and Abigail Randall, who plans to attend Michigan State University. The New Buffalo Service League’s major scholarship fundraising event is the annual Arts and Craft Show, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at New Buffalo High School. — LINDA HENDERSON

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

Shangpa Rinpoche talks, shares what he thinks is the purpose of human life

peaceful refuge, Manjushree Hermitage sits on a wooded parcel just outside of Grand Beach, Michigan, a serene retreat set back from the bustle of US 12 and everyday life. From a cozy apartment above the meditation hall on a snowy April afternoon, Shyangwa Tulku Lama, the Second Shangpa Rinpoche, founder of Manjushree Hermitage, sat down to talk about the teachings he is offering this weekend, the ideal circumstances for meditation, and his vision for the Michigan City, Indiana Tibetan Buddhist Center. The term rinpoche, literally means ‘precious jewel,’ and is defined as an honorific term for an incarnate lama or highly respected teacher. Shangpa Rinpoche is both - he was recognized before the age of two as the incarnate of Shangpa Rinpoche. Not long after that, he and his widowed mother were forced out of Tibet by the Chinese, fleeing across the Himalayas into Nepal. At the age of nine, he went on to the monastery to begin his formal training. At 17, he went on to study and receive even more training in India. He has been a leader since a young age, has opened temples and centers in Nepal, including a nunnery, a center in Denmark, Manjushree in Indiana, and his latest work has been the completion of a six-story center in Singapore.. Rinpoche has come to the United States to share his knowledge, offering lojong teaching (mind training) Friday and Saturday April 19 and 20, and a Green Tara Empowerment Sunday April 21. Asked why these teachings were being offered at this time, Rinpoche said he had decided upon lojong teaching because he saw an interest in meditation, which helps “keep away from stress, develop a onepointedness, a peace and calm state of mind.” He felt that the meditation and lojong coincide, as “in the Buddhist way of teaching, one of the main important trainings is to try to develop loving compassion toward everyone.” Rinpoche went on to emphasize that the lojong teaching stresses that others are more important than oneself, and lojong helps develop this mental attitude, a non-attachment to oneself. “This mind training teaches how to develop loving compassion toward others, and helps one to see that others are more important than oneself.” Developing this mindset, says Rinpoche, will give one a “much more calm state of mind.” He says that currently, we are often focused on our own needs, but the lojong helps us to realize that everyone has needs, “I have to sacrifice for others to gain.” During the lojong, in addition to meditations, some breathing exercises are learned that “help us share our happiness with others.” Rinpoche says, too often, we are lacking compassion and loving kindness toward others, focusing too much on our own needs and

wants. The method he will teach during lojong helps increase concern for others. Often in Tibetan meditation, no figures or symbols are used, the focus is within the mind. However, The Green Tara Empowerment uses a figure, the form of a female, where “you try to merge and you will recognize the true primordial wisdom of yourself, the nature of the mind that is inseparable from the nature of the Buddha.” The teachings and empowerments are seen by Rinpoche as a guide, to which students can

follow up with their practice and meditation. Some may feel that taking a teaching from a Rinpoche is beyond their ability, something only for experienced meditators. Rinpoche assured that the teachings are basic, and “everybody can start from here. Buddhist teachings are generally very simple.” The difficulty lies in continuing to practice. That challenge may be met with the help of Manjushree Hermitage. Rinpoche says his original intention was to help create a place that will offer a gradual guide for people to learn meditation. As far as the location, he says it was not chosen, “it just happened.” His primary goal there is meditation. As a counter to societal problems, meditation techniques are “so wonderful that it really can touch on all kinds of problems and resolve them.” He says meditation can keep the mind calm and at peace, so “everybody can have some kind of blissful mind, compassionate mind, loving mind.” A second objective at Manjushree, following care of the mind through meditation, is care of the body through traditional Tibetan healing. Rinpoche would like Manjushree to be a place of physical healing via Tibetan herbal medicine and techniques in self healing. Third in his original vision for the hermitage is some type of yoga offering. Rinpoche sees these three working harmoniously: meditation for the mind; traditional healing for the body; and yoga, combining both health and meditation. The New Buffalo area, being such a natural space, with the expansive lake, open land and forests, is

advantageous when it comes to meditating, because it provides a conducive environment. Rinpoche says meditation is done best when there is quiet, which leads to calmness, and a lack of pollution, or clean quality, which leads to clarity. He added that pollution can come in many forms, not just the air. Practicing in a non-polluted and quiet environment, “your mind can be more alert and fresh, and together with that it can be more calm and peaceful.” Now that the work on his center in Singapore is finished, Rinpoche hopes to spend more time at this base in the U.S. - he says he enjoys the United States, and, he says, “it suits me.” He would like to spend more of his time at Manjushree working on his own practice as well as sharing his knowledge. A final proposal from Rinpoche: when we see others in need, we act. “Temporarily, what can you do to benefit others? And ultimately, what can you do to benefit others?” If we do what we are able to, without hesitation, with a loving and caring attitude, this is a principle of Buddhist practice and will “give you the most satisfaction within your life. How long we live we don’t know, but while we live, we must do something meaningful not only for oneself, but mainly to others…I think this is the purpose of life.”

he trainings are as follows, note all times are Central Standard Time Thursday (4/19) Evening teaching 6.30pm: Rinpoche will finish the rest of last years teaching of 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva Friday (4/20) Teaching 1-6pm: Lojong (mind training) Rinpoche will include breaks Saturday (4/21) Teaching 10am-12pm & 2-4pm: Lojong (mind training) Sunday (4/22) morning 10am: Teaching or meditation program. afternoon: Tara empowerment and explanation Standard donation price per day is $45, sponsor* donation price is $90. Donation prices include teachings, lunch, and dinner. Thursday night regular donation price is $20, sponsor* donation price is $40. In order to set up the meditation room to accommodate all participants and plan meals that provide for all who attend while avoiding food waste, they ask people to sign up/register via email at manjushreehermitage@gmail.com when they know they are coming. Cabins and rooms will fill up as people sign up for the program. Donation prices are to cover the program, Rinpoche’s travel expenses, meals, and accommodations, but do not include any donation to Rinpoche for his teaching. There will be a special donation box for appreciation gifts to Rinpoche. Manjushree Hermitage is located at 10103 N Why 12 E, Michigan City, Indiana, 46360. The phone number is 219-879-7940 and the web address is manjushreefoundation.com. — KRISTIN FATOUROS IN MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA

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Library to host annual Veterans’ Day of Honor

he Benton Harbor Public Library invites all veterans and their families and friends to its fifth annual Veterans’ Day of Honor from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 28, in the library’s second floor auditorium. Guests of honor are all veterans who will be recognized by their branches of service and the conflicts in which they served. In addition to these roll calls and a moment of silence for those who cannot attend, the program will include a visit from one of the K-9 teams of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Jason Haskins has been with the department since 2005 and has served on the tactical response team, in the jail, on road patrol, and narcotics. His partner, Rico, is a Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands who is trained in narcotics detection, tracking and suspect apprehension. The event is free and open to the public; however, attendees are encouraged to call Jean Lambrecht, program director, at 269-926-6139 to reserve seats. — STAFF

REPORTS

LTAC announces April 21 workshop for artists with disabilities

ichigan artists with disabilities will have the opportunity to attend a free Saturday, April 21, workshop focused on art promotion and marketing and special needs planning. LTAC Arts, the nonprofit arm of the Legacy Trust Award Collection, will host its first workshop in advance of its May show at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The three-morning sessions will focus on topics such as valuing and marketing art, benefits protection and special needs planning. Sponsored by Trivalent Group, the workshop will be held at 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 134, in Grand Rapids. Artists may submit completed artwork and registration forms prior to the start of the sessions. The planning sessions are open to all Michigan artists with disabilities, as well as any interested family, caregivers or other members in the community. Now in its ninth year, LTAC is a statewide competition open to artists with disabilities that seeks paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, collages, mixed media and other works of art. Four wining artists will be entered in ArtPrize 2018. Chris LaPorte, 2010 ArtPrize winner, and Erin Nemastil, ADAC Automotive communications manager, will lead “Valuing and Marketing Your Art.” The Arc of Kent County’s Maggie Kolk will lead “Protecting Your Benefits While Selling Your Art.” The Arc of Kent County ensures that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are valued and able to contribute to their community. Mark Periard, director of wealth management at Grand Rapids-based investment and wealth-management firm Legacy Trust, will lead a session on Special Needs Planning session. Art drop off will be between 8 and 9 a.m. and sessions will begin at 9:15 a.m. A light breakfast will be provided. RSVP to LTACarts@gmail.com or call 616-6492818 by Thursday, April 19. Spouses and caregivers are welcome to attend. More information on LTAC is available at www.LTACArts.org. Join the conversation on Facebook facebook.com/LegacyTrustAwardCollection and Twitter with #LTAC. — STAFF REPORTS DINE IN • CARRYOUT • CATERING EVENT SPACE • GOURMET GROCERY DOWNTOWN THREE OAKS

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