May 4, 2023

Residents give input on a new and improved Sawyer PAGE 4

‘Save a Life Tour’ teaches students about results of destructive decisions PAGE 6

School track record not broken after all PAGE 6

Comeback baseball win for Bison over Mustangs

PAGE 9

RIP: Louisa Maria Kerhoulas PAGE 12

New Buffalo Times

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

— SINCE 1942 —

ETHICS

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM MICHIGAN PRESS ASSOCIATION MEMBER

PROPRIETOR

NEW BUFFALO TIMES, INC.

EDITOR

NEW BUFFALO TIMES INTELLIGENCE EDITORIAL BOARD

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

JOE DURK

REPORTERS/WRITERS

THERESE DONNELLY FRANCESCA SAGALA

LAWRENCE VON EBELER KURT MARGGRAF

ALEXANDER FATOUROS

SOPHIA ROSE FATOUROS STAN MADDUX

KRISTIN E. FATOUROS

NEW BUFFALO TIMES INTELLIGENCE NEW BUFFALO TIMES POLITICS GUESTS

QUOTES

DINO N. FATOUROS

PROOFING FRANCESCA SAGALA

BROADCAST/ADVERTISING

JANINE ADAMSKI (630) 370-0820 OR JANINEADAMSKI@GMAIL.COM

SUGGESTIONS, CRITICISM, IDEASMEDIA@NEWBUFFALOTIMES.COM

ADVERTISING MEDIA@NEWBUFFALOTIMES.COM

CLASSIFIED ADS

CLASSIFIEDS@NEWBUFFALOTIMES.COM

SUBSCRIPTIONS SUBSCRIPTIONS@NEWBUFFALOTIMES.COM

COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH NEW BUFFALO TIMES INFO@NEWBUFFALOTIMES.COM

Periodical Postage paid in New Buffalo, MI. Postmaster, please send address changes to

NEW BUFFALO TIMES PO BOX 369, New Buffalo, MI 49117

©2023 NEW BUFFALO TIMES, INC.

PUBLICATION NUMBER 377960

CIRCULATION 5,000+ WEEKLY NEW BUFFALO TIMES distribution:

Milda’s Corner Market • Customs Imports

Sawyer Garden Center • The Whistle Stop

Commissioners give ax to board president and county attorney

BY STAN MADDUX

The La Porte County Commissioners replaced their board president and attorney well before their oneyear terms expire Wednesday, May 2.

Joe Haney was ousted as president and replaced by Connie Gramarossa in separate 2-1 votes by Gramarossa and Rich Mrozinski in support of the move.

Gramarossa and Mrozinski were also in the majority in the decision to terminate Andrew B. Jones as county attorney.

The decisions seemed to represent a thunderous shift in power because it was Gramarossa siding with Haney in naming him commission president in early January.

That same day, Gramarossa and Haney voted to hire Jones to replace former county attorney Shaw Friedman.

The decisions came after Haney, acting on tips, learned Gramarossa drove a county owned vehicle to Chicago on March 16 without seeking permission from the commissioners to take it outside the state.

She was later operating the county owned 2021 Ford Escape when she struck the back end of a vehicle stopped for a red light on Halsted Street.

Haney also accused her of never telling the commissioners about the crash as required.

Instead, Haney said she began driving her personal vehicle to report for work at the commissioners’ office while the taxpayer owned car was nowhere in sight.

Eventually, Haney said he located the vehicle at a local body shop and estimated the damage at roughly $20,000.

According to a Chicago Police report, Gramrossa before 6 a.m. struck the back end of a vehicle stopped for a red light on Halsted Street.

During the meeting, Gramarossa said she took the car in a rush after receiving a phone call that her son was in a hospital in Chicago.

Gramarossa said no light was shed during the call on the condition of her son.

She said her sense of urgency was heightened because her son is still impacted by a traumatic brain injury suffered when he was younger and is deaf.

Gramarossa said she also felt a need to be there as quickly as possible as a sign language interpreter for her son and doctors to communicate.

“Like any mother would have I went in the first vehicle that was available to me. I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate to be at his bedside,” she said.

She said the accident happened early the next morning while heading back “sleep deprived and, frankly, still shaking from my son’s hospitalization.”

Haney expressed remorse over the circumstances, but felt there was no excuse for what he alleged was an attempted cover-up.

“We all make mistakes, but covering it up? It’s inappropriate,” he said.

The termination of Jones was tied to La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan’s request for all of the emails last year from the former prosecutor and several of his staff members.

Jones strongly advised to turn them over or risk being sued by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.

Amajority of the commissioners, who expressed concerns about privacy violations and political witch hunts, voted not to.

Jones said emails from a prosecutor’s office belong to the prosecutor who works for the state.

Later, Jones said he was contacted by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who asked if he could speak with Gramarossa and Mrozinski the following day about the matter.

Jones then contacted Gramarossa.

Gramarossa said he gave her the times Rokita was available to speak, but she rejected his invitation.

”He’s suing us and I didn’t think it was appropriate that our attorney would put us in jeopardy in talking to an adversary,” she said.

Jones accepted a request by the commissioners to stay on as county attorney until a replacement is appointed in two weeks.

My friend...care for your psyche...know thyself, for once we know ourselves, we may learn how to care for ourselves.

— Socrates

Local Government Meetings

New Buffalo Times

Democracy Requires Transparency

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO

JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL

MARK ROBERTSON, ROGER LIJESKI, JOHN HUMPHREY, BRIAN FLANAGAN, VANCE PRICE

City Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30PM

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS

Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 5:30PM

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOARD

PETE RAHM, MICHELLE HEIT, JUDY H. ZABICKI, PATTY IAZZETTO, JACK ROGERS

Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7PM

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION

Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM

SHERIFF BERRIEN COUNTY

L. Paul Bailey, Sheriff

Chuck Heit, Undersheriff NEW BUFFALO AREA

RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY

Meets at 10AM on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month at New Buffalo Township Hall, 17425 Red Arrow Highway New Buffalo

NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD

PAUL KELLER, LISA WERNER, JOHN HASKINS, DENISE CHURCHILL, BRADLEY BURNER, TRICIA NEWTON, VANESSA THUN

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD

DAVID BUNTE, PAULA DUDIAK, LIZ RETTIG, RICHARD SULLIVAN, BILL MARSKE

Chikaming Board meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION

Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM

THREE OAKS

THREE OAKS TOWNSHIP BOARD

Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM

VILLAGE OF THREE OAKS BOARD

Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM

GRAND BEACH

Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7PM

MARY ROBERTSON, CLERK

HARRY WALDER BLAKE O’HALLORAN, JAMES BRACEWELL, PETER DOERR, EDWARD BRANDES

MICHIANA

VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL

Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM

Residents give input on a new and improved Sawyer

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Diagrams of the proposed Sawyer Road Streetscape Enhancement Plan that were being viewed by members of the public Monday, May 1, at Section House in Sawyer were the “culmination of about six months of work,” Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte said.

Opinions from the public on what they’d like to see in the Sawyer corridor, which is from Flynn Road to Red Arrow Highway, were solicited through a public meeting last November as well as a survey on the township’s website.

Comments were also being solicited that evening.

We’ll take it all and then we’ll combine it again, make whatever tweaks may be necessary and then we’ll continue on in the process,” Bunte said.

The project is being led by Chikming Township. Eric Neagu, managing principal of Antero Group, said that they’re also working with the Berrien County Road Department, since what they’re proposing to do with the landscape is within the county’s right of way.

Currently, the road department is doing construction on Sawyer Road from the railroad tracks to Flynn that’s anticipated to be completed by Memorial Day. Next, construction will be done from the tracks west to the highway.

Goals of the streetscape project were to look at both private and public parking, pocket parks and wayfinding, which will indicate where parking spots are as well as businesses and nearby attractions.

Results from the survey were taken into account when creating the proposed design of a new Sawyer. Vita Khosti of the Antero Groupo said that they tried to preserve the characteristics of the following three “character areas:” the downtown, the interchange area (near the truck stop) and Red Arrow Highway.

Traffic counts were also done and sidewalks in the downtown were studied.

Parking was also analyzed. It was noted that the street parking isn’t very clearly marked and is very close to the driveways of the business’ entrances.

Currently, downtown Sawyer, not including its on street parking, has 232 parking spaces.

Parking proved to be the biggest issue that was identified in Sawyer in the survey. Residents indicated that they most liked Sawyer Road for its businesses and “small town charm.”

Michelle Kelly of Upland Design said the proposed Sawyer streetscape includes a lot of wood, Corten steel and a “little bit” of both brick and concrete.

Highlights of the plan include spotlighting the

corner where vehicles first enter Sawyer Road coming off Red Arrow Highway. Calling it the “first gateway” to Sawyer, Kelly said it’s being proposed that there be a piece of artwork with Corten steel there, signs with the words “Sawyer” on them on both sides and a large landscape bed with grasses, roses and little evergreen plants. Also down at that end on the west side, the shoulder area would be built extra wide, so there’s access for cyclists and pedestrians, along with some trees where there aren’t any. Coming up further to the east by Travel Centers of the America would be a 6 foot wide concrete walk that will begin where the current 5-foot one is located. When pedestrians are crossing a drive, there will be stripes, which will take them off the shoulder as they enter the “more commercial area” and onto the sidewalk.

Coming off the highway from the eastbound side would be a Sawyer sign, with the sidewalk continuing on the east side and crossing over the railroad tracks into downtown. The entry to downtown would have features on both the west and east side, with one side having a Sawyer sign and another having landscaping on it. It’s also proposed that there be pedestrian lighting on both

sides. Kelly said that on the right side, there would be a wood pole and then a light fixture “aimed down,” so it’ll only be lighting the sidewalk and not the whole road.

Benches would be scattered throughout the downtown.

Kelly said that when people first open their car doors, it’s proposed that there be a 2-foot brick band for them to “easily enter into the streetscape zone” and also to indicate it’s a “pedestrian space.”

The entrances at the four corners of the proposed Sawyer Square, which is located at the site of the former fire station, will remain but everywhere there’s cars and drives would be “buffered.” Kelly said the goal is for visitors to come into the space and feel like it’s an “oasis,” with seats and picnic tables scattered throughout it. The very center would be open, making it a “flexible space.”

Neagu said putting together the streetscape plan was made possible through grant funding. Last year, the township received a United States Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development grant. More federal funding is now becoming available.

“We wanted to make sure we got something down that we could use as a tool to apply for those funds as they become available,” he said.

‘Save a Life Tour’ teaches students about results of destructive decisions

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

At first, it was all fun and games for students at New Buffalo High School when they hopped into the seat of the Distracted Driving or Impaired Driving Virtual Reality Driving simulators that had been set up in the gym as part of Matrix Entertainment’s international Save a Life Tour.

After a while, it wasn’t so much fun.

According to Omar Love, one simulator focuses on texting and driving, while the other one focuses on drunk driving.

For the texting and driving one, a phone has been programmed to send students messages as they drive. Students respond, which makes them act out “the act of texting and driving - ” which will, ultimately, cause the vehicle to crash.

With the drunk driving one, a virtual reality program causes students to feel “abnormal” and “kind of tipsy” while driving, which will also cause the vehicle to crash.

Even though it’s just a simulator, the act of riding on one has a profound impact on the students.

“They’ll all come excited to drive because they think it’s regular racing game, but they don’t understand it’s been tweaked – ‘This has been tweaked to make me feel drowsy’ - that excitement kind of goes away,” Love said.

He added that students will soon realize that they aren’t “speed racing today - I’m actually here to learn something.”

“I like when they crash because I’ll be like, ‘Okay, you’re learning something’ because they’ll get off the seat and tell me, ‘I don’t think I’ll drink and drive because that’s terrible’” Love, who said he travels the country with the simulators “trying to help as many students as I can,” said.

Love said the simulator for texting while driving will have the same effect on students: ‘Wow, I’m never texting and driving’ and I’ll go, ‘That’s good.’”

According to a press release, the Save A Life Tour provides safe driving educational services to The Department of Defense, Connecticut D.O.T., New

Hampshire Highway Safety, New York STOP-DWI, Missouri D.O.T., Michigan Highway Safety, Tennessee Highway Safety and more to inform students on the dangers of driving impaired and distracted.

The tour is a “comprehensive high impact safe driving awareness program that informs, educates, and demonstrates the potentially deadly consequences resulting from poor choices and decisions made by the operator of a motor vehicle.” It places emphasis on the following driving situations: Impaired Driving, Distracted Driving, Driver Experience, Improper Driver Behavior and Seat Belt Usage.

Nicole Bowen, health teacher at New Buffalo High School and student advisor of the school’s chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), said that she tries to time the arrival of the simulators for this time of year.

“We try to do an event at the end of year leading up to prom and with graduation parties and things going on - just to kind of remind students of these things before the year ends,” she said.

She added that she tries to have the program come to the school every two years - “so students get it at least once while in high school, if not twice.”

Students sign a card at the end, pledging not to make destructive decisions when they’re on the road.

“They’re all signing it and reading and talking about it, so it’s good,” she said.

Love said it’s important to remember that it’s not always just the students themselves who my cause an accident as a result of destructive decisions.

“It might be someone who’s coming but because you’re looking at your phone, you’re not quick enough to react and something might happen,” he said.

For more on the Save a Life Tour, visit www.savealifetour.com.

Officer Holly Higgs talks to the students about the dangers of vaping

Students tried out the simulators in the gym

Students gather around the simulators in the gym

Students tried out the simulators during the Save a Life tour

Students tried out the simulators in the gym

Gas, golf drawings to be offered at job fair

JJob seekers looking for a great job in the coastal communities of Harbor Country will want to attend the Harbor Country Hires Job Fair from 4 -7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at The Woodlands Course At Whittaker, which is located at 12578 Wilson Road in New Buffalo.

Fifteen employers from Harbor Country and surrounding communities from the hospitality, dining, lodging and sales industries will be taking applications.

Applicants can enter drawings for a chance to win a $300 gas gift card and for a Foursome Golf Package at The Woodlands Course at Whittaker. The package will include Greens Fee for four, two golf carts, practice bucket and a Hot Dog and your choice of beverage. They do not need to be present to win. Many employers will offer discounts. All attendees can enjoy complimentary refreshments while applying for their desired position.

To view a list of the employers who will interview that day and details, please visit Harbor Country Hires Job Fair on www.harborcountry.org.

The event is hosted by the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce and coordinated by the Harbor Country Hires Job Fair Task Force.

For more information, please contact the organization at 269-4695409 or chamber@harborcountry.org.

Meer fails in bid for office

BY STAN MADDUX

Aformer mayor in Michigan City has failed in his bid to reclaim the seat he once held for two terms.

Ron Meer received slightly over 14% of the vote in Tuesday’s primary election.

Angie Nelson Deuitch, who’s currently a member of the city council, received 51% of the vote.

La Porte County Councilman Mark Yagelski and former city councilman Johnny Stimley finished with slightly more votes than Meer.

Meer won the Democrat party nomination in 2019 but narrowly lost his attempt for a third consecutive term

to current mayor Duane Parry in the general election five months later.

Parry, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination, will face Deuitch and Mike Walker, a Libertarian, in November.

Before a room full of spirited supporters, Deuitch said she overcame some negative campaigning and vowed to keep having a positive message on the campaign trail in the months ahead.

“This is all about positive imaging and we’re going to keep that energy going,” she said.

Young driver killed in head on crash

BY STAN MADDUX

A21-year-old man was killed in fiery head on collision outside LaPorte.

Miguel Angel MelchiBeltran of Michigan City was pronounced dead at the scene, according to La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson.

La Porte County Police said emergency responders early Friday, April 29, were called to the area of U.S. 35 and 400 North.

Police said the head-on collision resulted after one of the drivers crossed the center line.

After impact, the Chevrolet passenger

vehicle operated by the deceased burst into flames, police said.

La Porte County Police said the other driver, Kevin Baker, 37, of La Porte was extricated from a Chrysler min-van and airlifted to a regional hospital.

Authorities were still waiting for blood tests results to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident.

Swanson said it could be two weeks or longer before the test results are known.

So far, police have not shed light on which driver was at fault in the crash.

Swanson said the victim died of blunt force trauma, with extensive burns the secondary factor in his death.

NEW BUFFALO LIBRARY TO PRESENT PRIMER ON JACQUES DERRIDA AND DECONSTRUCTION

Albert Fernandez, professor emeritus of cultural history and humanities at North Central College, will discuss Jacques Derrida and deconstruction at a presentation at 6:30pm Tuesday, May 9, at the New Buffalo Township Library.

Deconstruction is a mode of critique, originated by Derrida, that exposes concealed contradictions and weak spots in literary and philosophical texts. Deconstructive practice supports Derrida’s central claim that meaning, signification, is always shifting and in motion, and that what he calls “presence,” which is the opposite of signification, is an illusion, along with stable and evident identities, in language as well as in the world. Derrida is also famous for the way he writes, which, in keeping with his philosophy, is almost impenetrably dense and elliptical.

This presentation will attempt to translate deconstructionist thought into terms that make it more understandable without blunting its challenges. Time permitting, the talk will conclude with an example of deconstructive criticism.

Fernandez’s presentation is free and open to all. It is supported by the Friends of the New Buffalo Library.

The library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. — -STAFF REPORTS

Students, staff bid Sgt. Troup good-bye, welcome Dept. Edgerle as SRO A

FOND FAREWELL

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

“Don’t cry because it’s over – smile because it happened.”

Coined by Dr. Suess, this phrase, which was said by Spanish teacher Karen Mucky Martinez during Sgt. Michael Troup’s farewell ceremony at the New Buffalo Elementary School gym Thursday, April 27, encapsulates the five years that Troup spent at the school as its school resource officer (SRO).

New Buffalo Elementary School Principal Adam Bowen told Troup he’ll never forget how nervous Troup was to take on this new role at the school.

He also told him he remembers how “badly he wanted the position.”

“Just as you were nervous to take on the SRO role, the same is for your new position as emergency operations commander. We all know you will do well in your new position based on your past experiences here at the school… We also know that we are in good hands because you will be overseeing many of the safety operations in Berrien County,” Bowen said.

Noting that Troup always put the students’ safety “first” and that he “defined and shaped what a school resource officer is” throughout his time at the school, Bowen said that Troup’s role evolved into being more than that of someone who kept them safe every day; it also evolved into being a friend.

“The relationships that you have

built over the years are strong bonds that can never be broken. We had a lot of fun…We were very silly most of the time, but when things become serious, we accomplished great things,” Bowen said.

To Troup, Bowen said: “Not only have we established a strong working relationship, but I earned a new life-long friend.”

Armed with thank-you gifts for his time he spent with them, students lined up in front of Troup. Madeline Selby, director of the Bison After School Enrichment (BASE) program, gave him a “survival kit” that was stocked with items to help him in his new position: Life Savers “because you are one,” Starbursts for “bursts of energy” and pencils to “keep you sharp and focused.”

Calling Troup a “shining example of what safety is,” Michelle Hannon of the New Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) presented him with a tribute from the state of Michigan, which was signed by state Rep. Joey Andrews (DSt. Joseph), state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen), Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

But for Troup, it was the students, parents and staff who should be thanked.

“You guys opened up your arms to me, you showed your hearts...I appreciate every single one of youyou guys have helped me down the road and words really can’t express all you have done,” he said.

In addition to saying good-bye to

Troup, students and staff were also welcoming their new SRO: Deputy Rick Edgerle.

“We know that you’ll continue to put the priority of safety first for our students and staff. We’re looking forward to what spin you will bring to the school resource officer position,” Bowen said to Edgerle.

Edgerle has been in law enforcement for over 20 years, having spent seven years in Buchanan and 16 at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. For the last 10 years, he’s been on the sheriff’s office’s patrol for New Buffalo Township.

Calling him a coworker as well as a friend, Edgerle said he’s known Troup for many years.

For the past few weeks, he shadowed Troup, so he’d know how to take on his new role. It was an experience that brought the time he’s known Troup to a full circle.

“When I was in Buchanan, I trained Troup when he first become police officer. Now, he’s training me how to do this position,” he said.

As SRO, Edgerle hopes he can make some kind of an impact, no matter how small, in a student’s life.

“If I can help one kid throughout their school career, when they turn of adult age, I want to be that one –‘You know what, I remember Dept. Edgerle, he did this for me’ - I hope I can do that,” he said.

Madeline Selby gives Sgt. Michael Troup a farewell gift

Members of the PTO present Sgt. Michael Troup a tribute from the state

Sgt. Michael Troup waves to students from the New Buffalo Township fire truck

Sgt. Michael Troup passes the “torch” to Dept. Rich Edgerle Students give Sgt. Michael Troup a farewell hug

Sgt. Michael Troup addresses the students one last time

Students bid farewell to Sgt. Michael Troup

Students present gifts to Sgt. Michael Troup

Students wish Sgt. Michael Troup farewell before he rides away in the fire truck

Sgt. Michael Troup and Adam Bowen display their “Partners in Crime” shirts

School track record not broken after all

BY STAN MADDUX

Roger Lijewski remains the all-time king in the pole vault at New Buffalo High School after breaking the school record in 1975.

The school mistakenly announced during an April 26 home track meet that Jack Lantz was the new school record holder after he cleared the stick in the pole vault at 11’ 6”.

Lijewski opened one of his scrap books containing newspaper articles and pictures about his many achievements as a three-sport star athlete for the Bison.

He did so after his youngest son, Payton, a member of the track team, informed him about the announcement when he returned home after the competition.

Lijewski saw the clipping about his school pole vaulting record established when he cleared the stick at 12’ 4” as a sophomore and had it shown to New Buffalo High School Athletic Director Matt Johnson.

Johnson said the mistake was from not having complete records dating back that far in the pole vault.

He said pole vaulting was no longer offered as a sport at some point after Lijewski graduated in 1978 and returned to the program roughly 10 to 15 years ago.

He said history will be corrected to reflect Lijewski’s record jump unless someone else who went higher on the stick has proof to verify it.

“It was an honest mistake,” Johnson said.

In the meantime, Johnson said an effort is already underway to fill as many gaps in the record books as much as possible in all athletics.

“There’s a couple of sports where we’re trying to piece together some of the missing data,” he said.

Lijewski, a former member of the school board and current member of the city council, might be able to help the most in the history gathering.

He was given a number of record books for sports when the old high school on Whittaker Street closed about 20 years ago.

Lijewski said he plans to turn those over to Johnson as soon as possible.

He said he feels for Lantz and the emotional letdown he must have experienced when he was told about the mistake.

However, Lijewski said he hopes Lantz does break his record before he graduates next year and feels he has a chance if he keeps practicing.

Lijewski said he was a pole vaulter every year in high school and he never topped 12 feet again. He said his next highest jump was just 2 or 3 inches above the height Lantz achieved recently.

The longtime owner of Roger’s Wrecker Service in New Buffalo was also the school record holder with more than 2,000 career rushing yards in football until his son, Adam, exceeded the mark in 2002.

“You like to see your sons knock you off the top of the list and there’s more Lijewski’s coming up. That’s the great thing,” he said.

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

Can you believe it?

The Chicago Bears went ahead and drafted the positions that most of the experts said they would instead of taking my advice and making more glamorous choices like running back and wide receiver. Now that the draft is complete, I suppose that I’m happy that the Bears fortified their offensive and defensive lines. Taking those big guys isn’t very sexy, but it is important if you want to win football games in the fall.

When your team is good, they draft near the end. When your team is mediocre ( like the Bears are most of the time ) they draft in the middle. So when your team is bad, they draft at the beginning. Last year, for the first time in a long time, the Bears were the worst, giving them the opportunity to draft first. They passed on that opportunity twice, giving them more chances to choose from the mediocre stack of players. It’s really not that simple, but it does kind of work that way.

The Bears General Manager, Ryan Poles, has a lot of confidence in his ability to choose the best players and he is also confident in the coaching staffs ability to get the best out of the players they draft. So far, so good, but this year’s choices are extremely important. The added bonus of the Green Bay Packers trading quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the Jets gives Bear fans great expectations for the future.

I would like to share with you a couple of personal experiences from the past week. I saw the movie Air, which is basically the story of how Michael Jordan and Nike

ended up being partners. The movie really is excellent, and despite what I thought, it’s not very much about basketball. Go see it if you get a chance. Finally, I had the great fortune of seeing Graham Nash in concert at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Mr. Nash was a member of the Hollies and maybe the biggest American rock group of the 1960s and 70s Crosby, Stills, and Nash. The group made beautiful harmonies and sold millions of records. They got together in Laurel Canyon, near Los Angeles, and hung out with a lot of other musicians, and they all inspired each other. Graham Nash ended up marrying Joni Mitchell sometime after she broke up with his band mate David Crosby.

The group’s dynamic wasn’t the best, but when they made music, it was great. Back to Graham, now 81 years old, playing in Chicago last week. His voice was still strong, his stories were fascinating, and the two young men that accompanied him were excellent. They played old songs and new ones, and nobody in the audience wanted the show to end. All in all, it was a delightful experience.

Graham Nash wrote, and co-wrote many memorable songs, one of which was Teach Your Children. The bridge goes like this: “Don’t you ever ask them why/If they told you, you would cry/So just look at them and sigh/And know they love you.”

Be kind. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

You can’t be a PPV star if you don’t put on an exciting performance. — Gervonta Davis

Comeback baseball win for Bison over Mustangs

Asingle scoring two runs late in the game proved to be the winner in a 7-6 comeback win for New Buffalo over River Valley in high school baseball.

Ethan Lijewski sealed the victory Tuesday, May 2, at home by allowing no runs in pitching the final two innings in relief.

Vaughn Nikkel, whose one out single in the bottom of the sixth inning put the Bison on top for good, said he was prepared for the moment.

“First pitch strike I knew it was coming,” he said.

River Valley scored first with one run in the third inning.

Four more Mustang players crossed the plate when the first three batters in the fourth inning reached base on singles and being hit by a pitch.

Kyran Collis drove in a run with a single. Another run followed when a ground ball to the infield was thrown over the head of the catcher on a force out attempt at the plate.

Another run came home from a single to right field by Sean Driscoll.

The Bison scored their first two runs after Nikkel led off the fourth inning with a bunt single.

He was driven home on a double over the head of the right fielder by Braden Huffer.

BY STAN MADDUX

Huffer advanced to third base on a single by Nicholas Wolfe then scored on a wild pitch.

River Valley added a run in the fifth inning but New Buffalo in the bottom of the inning came back with three more players crossing the plate.

Gio Sanchez-Perez and Max Nikkel each hit slow rolling ground balls gloved by the third baseman and beat the throws to first base.

Vaugh Nikkel drove both of those runners home with a single to left field then scored on a single from Huffer.

The Mustangs failed to add to their one run lead after Lijewski came in at the top of the sixth inning and struck

out the first two hitters before recording the final out on a ground ball.

Ryder Wolnik, who was the starting pitcher for the Mustangs, was still in the game when the first two hitters for the Bison in the bottom of the sixth innings failed to reach base.

Wolnik, though, gave up an infield single then walked the next hitters before giving up the game winning hit.

The second game of the doubleheader ended in a 4-4 tie.

New Buffalo went to 5-4-1 on the season while the Mustangs

moved to 5-9-1.

New Buffalo Head Coach

Adam Lijewski said he felt the offense in the first game was helped by facing the best starting pitcher for Michigan Lutheran the previous week.

He said that allowed his hitters to be used to the similar speed from the ace of the Mustangs pitching staff.

“All of those nerves are gone. Even the bottom of the order made contact,” he said.

Nikkel said it felt “pretty awesome” to come through with the game winning hit for a team that keeps getting better.

“The team is playing as a team,” he said.

Celebrating ‘All that is Art’ at Art Attack 2023

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Once again, visitors to and residents of Harbor Country could get an up-close view of those who throw their passions into creating a variety of art – painting, pottery, music, textiles, jewelry and different kind of cuisine - during this year’s Art Attack, which took place Friday through Sunday, April 27-30.

Participating local businesses, which were in the communities of Three Oaks, New Buffalo, Harbert, Lakeside, Union Pier, Sawyer and Bridgman, hosted the artists throughout the weekend long celebration of the arts. The celebration was officially kicked off Thursday, April 27, at The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts in Three Oaks, with the “Celebrating Women Artists” event featuring a panel discussion moderated by Allen Turner, Three Oaks resident and former board chair at The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Goodman Theater and Columbia College, with Three Oaks artist Elizabeth Coyne; Janet Bloch, director of The Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City; Reyna Larsen, from the band Lazy Susan, and Helyn Goldenberg, past chair of the Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Following the discussion Reyna and Lazy Susan brought their high energy music to the stage.

Art Attack was sponsored by The Acorn,

Ariel Dooley performs at Elsie Earl Studios

Thomas Allen Pauly stands by his new Harbor Country posters in his A Drawing Room gallery

Justin Johnson displays his woodwork at The Pokagon Art Gallery

Heidi Smith, Megan App and Richard Clark mingle at A Drawing Room Saturday night

Frank Wayland had his acrylics on display at Heritage Hall in Three Oaks

Elizabeth Nuti stands in front of one of her paintings at P & E Bottle Shop

A panel of women artists at The Acorn opens Art Attack weekend

Martha Bloom poses with a cat sculpture from Martha Cares

Jackie Baker displays her jewelry at Local Color Gallery

David Baker works on a painting at Local Color Gallery

Mike Mikottys works on an acrylic painting at Courtyard Gallery

Local Color Gallery and WVPE Radio 88.1. It’s put on by Rita and Jennifer Cochran, who own Local Color Gallery in Union Pier.

Rita said the event was “well received this year.”

“I think we had quite an eclectic mix again this year,” she said.

This year, a few businesses in Bridgman entered the Art Attack fold, so Rita said the celebration wandered “a little further north.” Over 30 businesses participated.

‘We’re getting to the point where we might have to go an extra day, so you can go to all the events,” she said, adding that having so many businesses participating keeps art lovers “going up and down the Red Arrow.”

While it’s now looked upon as an event to herald the warm-weather season, Art Attack’s roots can be traced back to the dead of winter: February, when it first began.

Now, it’s held the last weekend in April –the time of year it has occupied for several years.

It’s the perfect spot for it, as Rita said this time of year is “still the off-season but close enough to ‘the season.’”

Businesses benefit from the celebration, too.

“All the business people are excited – it’s almost like spring cleaning, it’s time to get rejuvenated for the summer season,” she said.

The hallmark trait of Art Attack, though, is getting to see the artists in action and inquire them about their work.

“Its rejuvenating for the artists, too, to actually get to talk to people about their art work as opposed to (it) just hanging in a gallery and someone purchases it who they never get to see and interact with,” Rita said.

Those who want to follow Art Attack and get a preview of next year’s celebration can now visit its new website, https:// michiganartattack.com.

Rita said they’ll have to plan something big for next year, which will mark the event’s 30th anniversary.

Granor Farm Chef Abra Berens signs her cookbook at Goods and Heroes

Fritz Olsen stands his “It’s in the Bag” sculpture display at his Sawyer studio

Lee Rice poses with her photography at The Pokagon Art Gallery

Diane Wallenius works on a painting at Vintage Goods Guests mix and mingle in A Drawing Room Saturday night

Olga Soaltys demonstrates Ukrainian egg painting at Courtyard Gallery

Angie Rice poses with her jewelry at The Pokagon Art Gallery

Bonnie Lalley displays her multi-layered work at Granor Farm

Ruthi and Jana Saldivar display their artwork at The Pokagon Art Gallery

Gwen and Rebecca Jones, Kevin O. and Leslie TidabackHilmer mingle at A Drawing Room Saturday night

Nancy Christine Francis

1934-2023

Nancy Christine Francis, 88, of Three Oaks, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023, in the comfort of her home.

Her life began September 28, 1934, in Michigan City, Indiana, one of six children born to Charles H. and Christine F. Vollman. She married James M. Francis October 11, 1952, in Three Oaks, Michigan. After forty-one years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 1993.

Nancy will be remembered as loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She was a member and former organist of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Three Oaks. She was a teacher’s assistant for many years with the River Valley School District. She was a longtime member of the Town and Country Pinochle Club which extended into the Red Hats Society. She was devoted to her fitness and health, often walking several miles a day and following a healthy diet. Nancy loved to read, especially history and autobiographies. She was extremely interested in Genealogy and traced her

OBITUARIES

family history back several centuries. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing for her children and siblings. Others often took notice of her beautiful work and would commission her to make items for them.

Nancy will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her four children, Susan “Susie” or “Sue” (Jerry) Haan of Lansing, James “Jim” (Sherri) Francis of Three Oaks, Mark (Amy Samson) Francis of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bryan (Melissa) Francis of Newport; three grandchildren, James “Jimmy” (Mica) Francis of Las Vegas, Nevada, Shelby (Nathan) Billman of Jacksonville, Florida, Samantha Francis of Newport; three sisters, Margery Taylor of Birmingham, Mary Ferguson of Olathe, Kansas, Ann (Wayne) Weberg of St. Joseph; two brothers, Charles (Carol Ann) Vollman of Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, Tom Vollman of Chicago, Illinois; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, James, and two brothers-in-law, Kenneth “Ken” Taylor and James “Jim” Ferguson.

Family and friends gathered Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, 106 Ash Street East, Three Oaks. A Celebration of Life was held Monday, May 1, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

Nancy will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

The family prefers contributions in memory of Nancy be made to the Three Oaks Township Public Library, 3 North

Elm Street, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online at www.wagnercares.com.

Louisa Maria Kerhoulas

1934-2023

Louisa Maria Kerhoulas, 89, of New Buffalo, MI, passed away on Thursday – April 27, 2023. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sommerfeld Chapel – 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, MI.

Louisa was born in Sparta, Greece on January 25, 1934 to the late Spiro and Marika (Nikolopoulos) Papaeliou. She married Michail Theodore Kerhoulas on May 8, 1960 in Tripoli, Greece. Shortly after their wedding they moved to the United States.

Louisa was an active member of the Annunciation & Agia Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in New Buffalo. Louisa had a strong faith in God and persistent involvement with the church. She was a member of the Philoptochos Society and taught Greek and Sunday

school for over twenty years. She was also active in the public schools as a room parent, chaperone and involved with the PTA. Louisa was the office manager at the family business of Kerhoulas Insurance Agency and Lakeshore Realty for over 50 years. She enjoyed helping others and was a friend to all. Louisa was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and will be greatly missed.

Louisa is survived by her husband Michail; her children – Ted (Sherri) Kerhoulas of New Buffalo, Vicky (Dino) Yotides of Purchase, NY, and Maria (Basil) Danos of Wadsworth, IL; grandchildren – Jaimee Shah, Catherine Schaetzle, Christina Yotides, Peter Danos, Michail Danos and Kristina Danos; great-grandchildren Noah Shah and Stefanos Schaetzle; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews both here in the U.S. and in Greece. Louisa is preceded in death by her brother Nick Papaeliou.

Services for Louisa took place on Monday – May 1, 11:00am, at the Annunciation & Agia Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in New Buffalo, with Rev. Fr. Paul Martin officiating. Visitation with the family preceded the service from 10:00-11:00am at the church. Burial followed at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo.

Memorial contributions in Louisa’s memory may be made to the Church or to the donor’s favorite charity. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www. sommerfeldchapel.com.

School of American Music to present piano, violin classics house concert

Please join The School of American Music for its first House Concert in 2023 t 4 p.m. Sundy, June 4. Back by popular demand is Aglaja Petrova on piano and special guest Carly Paris on violin. The piano and violin together make some of the most beautiful music imaginable. We hope you can join us for this small intimate concert in a private home in Harbert, Michigan. All ticket proceeds go toward the School of American Music Future Fund, which ensures music education for underresourced communities and students. Once you purchase a ticket, the address will be sent to you. The $250 per person tickets are tax deductible and all proceeds will be matched 100% by an anonymous donor.

Aglaja Petrov is a classically trained pianist who is passionate about sharing her love of music. A recent graduate of Indiana University Bloomington Jacobs School of Music, she studied with French Classical pianist Jean-Louis Haguenauer. Aglaja has a zeal for rts dministration discovered through her minor in rts management from the O’Neil School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU. Petrov hopes to explore this

further at her upcoming summer internship at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. As a former piano instructor at the School of American Music, she has broadened her musical knowledge by preparing students of all ages to perform. She hopes to pass on her adoration of music to past and future students. This will mark Petrov’s third concert to support the School of American Music.

Born and raised in Concord, Massachusetts, Carly Paris began playing violin at the age of 10. She is currently a senior at the Eastman School of Music and studies violin with Professor Renée Jolles. Recently, she performed in Eastman’s Kodak Hall as the concertmaster of the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performing, Pris has been teaching violin for six years and has a passion for making music education more accessible to all. For more information nd to purchase tickets, please visit www. schoolofamericanmusic.com or contact the School of American Music at schoolofamericanmusic@gmail.com or 269-409-1191. — STAFF REPORTS

8 kids a day are accidentally killed or injured by FAMILY FIRE.

FAMILY FIRE is a shooting involving an improperly stored gun, often found in the home. ENDFAMILYFIRE.org

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

HOROSCOPE

MAY 4-10, 2023

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT

The energy coming towards you this week will be of the hasty, impatient, and restless kind. Caution against foolhardiness and daredevil moves this week. You have a strong flare for originality and will be “sportin’ it” which will get that special someone to take a definite interest.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

Even if you sense you are being let down your warm sense of humor matched with true sincerity will get you where you want to be. Use this chance to get ahead. There may be a lot of stop and go movement but when all is said and done you will be ahead of the game.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

A strong appetite for food spiced with flirtation is what’s coming your way. You could get an unusual offer of friendship this week. It is also a highly creative time for you. Hidden talents could surface that you never knew existed. They could also bring you some extra cash, now.

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

At the start of the week the focus will be on romance and relationships and you will be caring for a loved one more. Mid-week the focus will shift to health and nutrition, where you will be outlying an eating program and exercise regime. Late week, you will turn to work and meeting deadlines.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

You have a strong need for friends and family this week. You will find that there is a lot going on with other people that you didn’t know about. Listen up and you could get a real ear full. Give the best advice you can and stay detached. Remember to take care of yourself first.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

Naturally a hard worker, you’ll give it all this week. Your stamina and motivation are inspiring and you will be getting a lot done. You may have a hard time focusing on relationships and on other people’s needs now. There is a lot going on with others so, take time for them.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22

Tactful and diplomatic, you put people at ease. You have a way of getting things out of people and helping them identify what the real issues are. This week you will find yourself the peacemaker by doing just thatcalming people down and getting them clear on their issues. Good luck.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

You are in the middle of a three-month Saturn influence. This influence has the tendency to create negative feelings which may cause you to be uncharacteristically depressed and dispirited. This is actually having a positive effect on your long-term goals and dreams. Call it Divine Discontentment.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER22—DECEMBER21

This is not the time to shy away from any challenges or conflicts. Counter any self-doubt or self-sabotaging with spontaneity. Do things as soon as you think of them. Tell people how you feel right away. The flow around you is positive and powerful so, go with it.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

You may feel like your progress is being blocked by forces out of your control. Be it the late arrival of goods or technology not working properly things just are not where you want them. This is actually the time for you to see what you don’t really need anyway. So let it go.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

Fiercely independent you want things your own way. This is hard for people to understand when you are generally so detached. It is that you have a strong desire to win now and will not allow anything to get in your way. Your strong personal drive will put you on top.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

This is a week of opportunity whether it is personal or professional it will be exactly what you need to build up your self-esteem and personal power. You may have been feeling alone out there swimming by yourself but your big break is coming and that special someone is there.

I like the tea from Piru, 93404 … and the walking, in mountainous Los Angeles. — Dino N. Fatouros

Berrien County Youth Fair exhibitor handbooks, online entries available

Exhibitor handbooks for the Berrien County Youth Fair are now available.

This year, Andrews University sponsored and printed the 2023 Exhibitor Handbooks. Books and entry forms may be picked up at the Fair Office in Berrien Springs, all Berrien County public libraries, the Berrien County 4-H office and the following Berrien County businesses (equine forms will be available at the libraries and fair office only):

• Baroda City Mills in Baroda

• Country Heritage Credit Union in Buchanan

• Tractor Supply Company and Rural King in Niles

• Watervliet Fruit Exchange in Watervliet

• Siefert’s Farm Supply in Three Oaks

• Tractor Supply Company in Stevensville

Exhibitor handbooks can also be viewed online by specific department or the full book can be viewed at www.bcyf.org. Exhibitor handbooks contain information on how to exhibit, exhibitor rules, registration deadlines and a complete listing of all classes available. Exhibitors must be 5 to 20 years of age to exhibit all animals, including livestock and still exhibits (crafts, home economics, horticulture and flowers). Age is determined as of Jan. 1 of the current year.

Once registered (each year you will create a user name and password – it can be the same as last year’s), exhibitors can return to the program and add more entries up until each entry deadline, except for equine. The exhibitor’s printed email confirmation will serve as the traditional yellow copy of the entry form and is required on entry day, just as the yellow copy of the

traditional entry form is. The link for online entries can be found at www. bcyf.org.

In most cases, your school project can be exhibited, and you get paid for exhibiting. Each exhibitor will receive an exhibitor season pass for free admission to the fair for the entire week. Each exhibit will be judged and given an A, B or C award. Exhibitors will receive a ribbon and monetary award (premium) that corresponds with the award. Ribbons will be distributed when exhibits are picked up at the conclusion of the fair and premium checks can be picked up at the entry office as well from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 or from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20.

Registration deadlines are as follows:

• June 1: Large animals (beef breeding, dairy, sheep, goats, swine, llamas/alpacas and equine);

• July 1: Small animals (rabbits, poultry, cats, dogs, pocket pets) and

• Aug. 1: Still exhibits (crafts, home economics, flowers, horticulture, variety classes).

No entries will be accepted after the deadline. Entry forms can be turned in anytime from May 1 until the appropriate deadline date.

Entry forms for equine and llama/alpaca are customized printed forms. Exhibitors will need to pick up their equine or llama/alpaca forms at the Fair Office in Berrien Springs. Llama/ alpacas can be registered online, but equine must be registered with the customized printed form.

Animal identification rules from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) include the following:

DAIRY AND BEEF:

• must have official USDA identification tag – Tag Hotline 888-565-8626 or registered breed tattoo accompanied by breed registration papers; (dairy cattle can use a DHIA tag as official id (Dairy Herd); Improvement Assoc.);

GOATS:

• must have official USDA Scrapie identification tag – tag hotline 517-337-4705 or registered breed tattoo accompanied by breed registration papers;

SHEEP:

• must have official USDA Scrapie tag – Tag Hotline 517-337-4705 and

SWINE:

• must have an 840 tag – Tag Hotline 888-565-8626.

The USDA tag number must be on the entry form when it is turned in to the Fair Office by the June 1 deadline, so youth need to order their tags as soon as possible. Call the Fair office for clarification of any tag questions. The Fair Office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. A special drop box is located just outside the office doors and contains a supply of books and entry forms. Completed entry forms may be left in the slot of the drop box, mailed to the Fair Office, P.O. Box 7, Berrien Springs, MI 49103, or hand delivered during office hours. Registrations will be accepted from now until the appropriate deadline date.

Early registration is encouraged so deadlines are not missed. Contact the Fair Office at 269-473-4251 by phone or at entry@bcyf.org by e-mail with questions.

This year’s BCYF theme is “Summer Safari.” Fair dates are Aug. 14-19. —

PUBLIC NOTICES

VILLAGE OF GRAND BEACH 2023-2024 BUDGET

The Village of Grand Beach will adopt the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget and the 2023 millage rate at its regular council meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. (CST) – 7:00 P.M. (EST) at the Village Hall, 48200 Perkins Blvd., Grand Beach, MI 49117.

THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE A SUBJECT OF THE MEETING.

A copy of the complete budget is available for public inspection at the Clerk’s Office located at 48200 Perkins Blvd., Grand Beach, MI.

MARY J. ROBERTSON CLERK/TREASURER

685 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 | (269) 983-0325 | passarokahne.com 17656A US Highway 12, New Buffalo, MI 49117 | (269) 469-5297 | Fax: (269) 983-0328

• Business/TaxLaw

• EstatePlanning

• Medicaid&Long-Term CarePlanning

• RealEstate

• SpecialNeedsPlanning

• ProbateandTrust Administration

CALVARYCHAPELNB.ORG

We are a non-denominational church teaching through the bible line by line - come and see!

Sunday service 1015 ET

Thursday bible study 7pm ET

Saturday men’s bible study 915 ET in person and zoom

Saturday women’s bible study 1030 ET on zoom