May 18, 2023

New Buffalo Times

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NEW BUFFALO TIMES NOTICE TO OUR READERS:

We are saddened, and would be remiss not to announce that a former publisher of the NEW BUFFALO TIMES, Mary "Dee Dee" Duhn, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023. We will have more to share with you in a future issue. RIP: Dee Dee ❤

Chikaming board discusses options for the gravel Cherry Beach Road

Areview of the potential conversion of Cherry Beach Road from gravel to chip and seal was discussed at the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees’ Thursday, May 11, meeting.

Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte said this was discussed for a number of years based on complaints the township receives on dust and traffic and public safety issues, such as when cars speed down the road and over its potholes. When the township’s road advisory committee found the money in the township’s road millage budget, Bunte said they decided it was time to “pull that trigger.”

Calling chipping and sealing the road a “happy medium,” Bunte said that paving the road would result in it being widened extensively and the removal of lot of foliage, which he didn’t find “acceptable.”

Berrien County Road Department Engineering Supervisor Kevin Stack said that the busyness of the road and connectivity, as they’re trying to connect all the side streets to Red Arrow’s nonmotorized path, also played a role in improving it.

The road would need to be widened if it was paved because

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

there would need to be enough space for cars to go by each other side by side. Stack said there would have to be a clear zone of a minimum of 7 feet off the side of the road,

“Asphalt may sound good –but I’m pretty sure you’re not going to want to remove three dozen trees,” he said.

Instead, Stack said they could do a prime and double seal, which involves oil and two layers of chips. The road would be sprayed with a dust stop, which would be followed by the spraying of another layer of thicker oil, put a half inch stone down and then the spraying of another layer of oil and putting a quarter inch of stone down.

In addition to cars speeding down the road, Stack said that dirt being tracked on Red Arrow is also a safety concern.

Another option would be leaving the road gravel and adding gravel to it, with Stack saying that this will involve putting down three-quarter inch stone with a sandy mixture in it. He added that this will build a base, hold any car or large truck coming down the road better and the road department will be able to grade it better.

Noting that Stack said the issue isn’t “time sensitive yet,” Bunte said that the project can

be removed from this year’s list of road projects until all the evaluations are done and they can really take a look at the environmental impact and what trees may or may not need to be removed.

Board members approved the re-submission of the Harbert Community Park Michigan Department of Natural Resources Spark grant application, with modifications. The township did three applications to the MDNR through ARPA funding for Spark grants in 2022 and the Harbert one, with a score of 77 out of 100 possible points, scored the highest. The township had committed 10% of the approximately $980,000 cost of the project, which includes expanding the walkways, putting in restroom facilities, installing two pickleball courts next to the dog park and other improvements.

Bunte will be working with Abonmarche, the landscape team and architect John Chipman on the modifications.

Upon recommendation from clerk and board member Paula Dudiak, board members came to the consensus that the cemetery

ordinance that was put out there be kept for now as the township’s rules and regulations instead of being put into ordinance form. Dudiak said this would give them time to ensure the changes that have been made to the rules and regulations “are going to be good instead of having to just all of sudden be law.” They will be posted on the township’s website. Board members approved increasing the application fee for special land uses from $750 to $100 due to increased costs associated with items such as the mailings to the public on the two required public hearings on SLUs and the publication fee for the hearings in the newspaper. After being approved by the Planning Commission, board members approved the following items: a special land use permit application for an accessory dwelling unit and a special land use permit application for a multifamily in commercial district at 12312 Red Arrow Highway and the combination of two adjacent lots under the same property owner to make them more conforming.

Board members approved Dudiak and board member Bill Marske spearheading a committee of 10-12 volunteers that will determine the future of the Lakeside Park Honor Board.

Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.

— Mark Twain

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

New Buffalo City Council cancels cannabis amendments

BY THERESE DONNELLY

Marijuana businesses won’t be appearing in city limits any time soon, as the New Buffalo City Council did not pass either of the two ordinance amendments created to establish parameters in zoning for marijuana-based businesses at their Monday, May 15, meeting.

Previously the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the amendments to Appendix A to address special land use for marijuana businesses inside city limits. At the May 15 council meeting, Mayor John Humphrey noted that the proposed amendments were tabled during the April council meeting because the council wanted to consider potential challenges the amendments might present. Humphrey said he still felt the ordinance meets the city’s needs.

Councilmember Mark Robertson added that the response to a public survey on allowing marijuana businesses in the city did not show ‘overwhelming’ support from the public. Robertson also said state marijuana revenues are down and he felt the market seems saturated.

The council voted 2-2 on a motion to reject the ordinance with Robertson and Humphrey voting in favor of the denial and councilmembers Vance Price and Brian Flanagan voting against. Councilmember Roger Lijewski recused himself from discussion and voting due to conflict of interest.

Humphrey acknowledged that some in the audience would be disappointed by the council’s decision, but said he felt the four of them should not be the ones making a decision that would have wide-reaching effects on neighboring property owners. He suggested the public create a referendum on the upcoming ballot to decide.

The council also had two brief public hearings on financial matters- one on the 2023-2024 truth in taxation and one on the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget. There was no comment from the public or council on either matter.

City Manager Darwin Watson explained that when inflation for the fiscal year is less than 5%, millage rates roll back, but this year there was no such change. The council approved small changes to the millage rates, with the general operating millage moving from 20 mills to 9.7631, the parks from .4599 to .4391 mills and the streets and roads from .2431 to .2386. Humphrey said that, while the millages have gone down, taxable property values have increased, leaving property owners’ payments roughly the same.

The council also approved the adoption of the city’s annual budget, as required by the Michigan Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act and the city charter. Humphrey recommended residents review the proposed budget on the city’s website.

Before the council approved the budget, Watson addressed confusion over the city’s financial state. He explained the city has budgeted a planned deficit as part of its strategy for funding projects. Watson said the city is in good financial shape and the deficit is “planned from good fiscal decisions made years ago.”

Southwest Michigan Symphony received approval on a special events application for a pop-up concert on June 29. The free, outdoor concert will feature four or five musicians performing and interacting with the audience to share information about the music. Horizon Bank and the New Buffalo Arts Council will sponsor the evening.

Executive Director Jessica Ishmael explained the SMSO began pop-up concerts in order to perform during covid restrictions and this year would be the first time they will be outside St. Joseph.

The council approved the purchase of a new water heater for the city marina. Watson explained a pre-season inspection had revealed the current heater is leaking and it would be more effective to replace rather than repair the unit. City Water and Heating’s $9747 quote covers purchase, and installation of an 80-gallon commercial-grade water heater. Watson said the cost included “lots of plumbing and electrical work” and the installation of a pump.

The winter also proved to be hard on the street department’s 2011 International dump truck. The council approved a quote from Jacob Jones Auto for $6,114.96 for repairs. Watson said the repairs were extensive, but were far less expensive than purchasing a new truck, which he said would cost roughly $125,000 and there are long lead times for purchases.

Boelcke Heating and Cooling submitted the low quote for HVAC work at the city fire station at a total of $8,406. Aatson said there is a need for a mini split to provide necessary cooling in part of the station.

The council voted to appoint Marc Danesi, Chad Gradowski, Robert Kemper and Ben Smock to the Downtown Development Authority and Mark Joseph to the Planning Commission. Longtime DDA member and business owner Dee Dee Duhn was included in the reappointments on the evening’s agenda, but at the start of the meeting Humphrey shared with those in attendance that Duhn had passed away over the weekend.

antidote, get toxic people out of your life.

Humphrey praised Duhn’s contributions to the city and said she would be missed.

In order to comply with the State of Michigan’s Distribution System Materials Inventory Assistance, the city must create and maintain a Distribution System Materials Inventory (DSMI)- a comprehensive record of water line materials. Watson said municipalities are responsible for replacing lead and copper lines up to 18 inches into homes and property owners are responsible for everything further downline. Abonmarche Engineering will assist in the completion of the DSMI for $40,500.

Watson said identified lines will be replaced at a rate of five percent each year for 20 years.

During the March council meeting, there was a clerical error in the recital of Ordinance Amendment 236, using the words “Grand Haven” rather than “New Buffalo.” At the May meeting, the council approved a new second reading to correct this.

City attorney Matthew Zalewski the firm Rosati Schultz Joppich and Amtsbuechler, PC informed the council a request had been made regarding the city’s settlement agreement in the case of Nofziger et al vs City of New Buffalo. Zalewski explained the initial agreement entered on March 14, 2023 paid the plaintiff’s attorney’s fees, but the lead counsel had moved to a different firm and there was difficulty cashing the check. He said the firm was asking the city to take back the check and reissue payment to a third party.

Humphrey criticized the request, stating it was “direct evidence,” the lawsuit was funded by a hedge fund.

“It seems crazy to that we’re doing a favor for somebody who sued us,” Price noted.

Humphrey suggested those attending the meeting go home and look up the term “racketeering.”

The council voted unanimously to table the request, though Robertson said he would prefer to deny request.

The council went into closed session to discuss legal strategy with counsel.

Three Oaks Village Council good news on village audit

BY THERSE DONNELLY

The Village of Three Oaks’ most recent audit came back with good news.

Derek Hall, an auditor for the Michigan Department of Treasury’s Community Finance and Engagement Division, told the village council Wednesday, May 10, meeting that, despite disruptions following village treasurer Lois Jones’ retirement and shifts in personnel, the 2022 audit showed the village’s finances are in good shape.

Hall said the only issues involved reconciling bank accounts and correctly categorizing some expenses. Overall, he said the village is in good financial shape with an increase in the general fund from $1.6 million to $1.8 million. The village has paid off one of its two sewer bonds and the Downtown Development Authority was able to capture more revenue than in the 2021 fiscal year.

“You are in line to do whatever you need to do,” Hall told the council regarding planned projects for the sewer and water system and village hall.

After the council accepted the audit, Village Manager Dan Faulkner presented a proposal to compensate Jones for assisting with the audit after her retirement. Jones was elected to the council after her retirement and Faulkner explained a village ordinance prohibits councilmembers from accepting compensation without council approval.

“I know a lot of you do things for the village without pay,” Faulkner told the council.

The council approved the compensation, with Jones abstaining.

The village is in the final stages of purchasing the building at 21 North Elm Street from Berrien County for $1. Village President Dan Faulkner told the council he has received the purchase agreement and closing documents and the council authorized Village President Rich Smith to sign the paperwork.

Interviews are underway for a new village clerk. Council member Becky Thomas said there have been a few strong candidates and more applications are being reviewed.

Returning to a decision tabled at the April meeting, the council approved a quote from Boelke Heating and Air Conditioning for HVAC updates at the village police station.

The quotes from Boelke and Five Star were similar, but council member Jason Niemzyk noted Boelke included patching holes from removing existing duct work.

Council member Joe Hinman was unable to attend the council meeting, so there was no update on the proposed social district. Smith said no public meeting has been

scheduled so far.

The council voted to support the Berrien County Trails Master Plan. Falkner said the main priority is pathways along the shoreline, though council member Tyler Ream noted connecting Three Oaks to non-motorized trails is “up there” in the plan.

Rubbish rates will go up on the village taxes as of July 1. The council approved an increase from $156 to $161.40.

Ream reported the Parks and Recreation Board has prepared proposed ordinances for the village parks, including a ban on smoking and vaping and setting all park hours at 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ream said the current ordinance states parks close at 10 p.m., but does not include an open time, making it hard to enforce.

The proposed ordinances prohibited motorized vehicles except for mobility devices, but police chief Carl Krause noted Watkins Park includes a portion of the snowmobile trail, and vehicles are allowed in Carver Park during events such as the US-12 Garage Sale. Ream said the ordinance could be revised to allow vehicles with permission from the police chief or village manager.

Ream also said a program with the Harbor Country Rotary Club had distributed more than 40 free, native trees.

There has been discussion of neighboring municipalities combining police departments. Krause said there are still a lot of unanswered questions, and a feasibility study needs to be conducted.

Faulkner reported the most recent sewer samples were within state levels and pond discharge will happen soon.

The council heard from two property owners, Vida Giniotis and David Riggenbach, appealing a requirement they install sidewalks at their newly constructed houses on Tulip Street. Giniotis said she had not been notified about the requirement when construction began. She also pointed out no other houses along the block have sidewalks to connect to. Riggenbach said he would be happy to install a sidewalk when the entire block is included. Both asked the council not to attach a certificate of occupancy to the building of sidewalks. During the meeting, Thompson asked about a mention in the police report of a report of a suspicious person at village hall. Krause said a caller had reported a person inside the building after hours, but a responding officer cleared the building and found no evidence of forced entry. He said a figure was captured on security cameras, but was not identified.

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Traffic stop

yields 300 pounds of marijuana

LLa Porte County Police have made another major bust of a possible drug mule on the Indiana Toll Road during what’s been an ongoing crackdown. Close to 300 pounds of marijuana were recovered Monday, May 15, from a vehicle during a traffic stop near Rolling Prairie, police said.

The driver, Luis Dorantes Perez, 38, was arrested for level 5 felony dealing in marijuana.

About 10 a.m., police said an officer monitoring traffic stopped the eastbound vehicle for speeding and erratic driving.

The officer became suspicious when he spotted a blanket covering what appeared to be several bulky items in the back end of the vehicle and detected a strong odor of what he suspected to be marijuana.

Police said more than 50 plastic packages of partially vacuum sealed marijuana weighing five pounds apiece were discovered underneath the blanket.

So were over a dozen one pound packages of marijuana.

A bottle of fabric softener believed to have been used to try and disguise the smell of the marijuana also turned up during the vehicle search, police said.

Perez told the officer the marijuana was “from his work” and he was transporting it from the state of Washington where he resides to New York.

Police said receipts on the suspect’s possession indicate he drove a rent a car through states like Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Illinois before entering Indiana. Last month, La Porte County Police arrested three individuals from New York and Pennsylvania with more than two pounds of methamphetamine in their vehicle.

Police said they were on the Toll Road driving from Los Angeles to New York City when pulled over for speeding and tailgating.

La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen said there are no plans to stop a fruitful several year effort to catch drivers transporting large amounts of drugs.

Allen said the amount of marijuana seized weighed 294 pounds, exceeding any amount of the drug confiscated at one time by his department at least in recent memory.

“This is a large load,” he said. — STAN MADDUX

1870s farmhouse heavily damaged by fire

BY STAN MADDUX

Alate Monday morning fire heavily damaged a farmhouse built about a century and a half ago outside La Porte.

Carla Marhanka said she and her husband, Mitch, lived in the twostory home built around 1870 for more than 30 years.

Their two daughters were also raised at the residence.

Marhanka said nobody was home when the fire erupted.

“We were all at work,” she said.

Marhanka said she was in her third-grade classroom teaching at nearby Kingsbury Elementary School when notified about the blaze.

Flames were showing on both levels of the structure when firefighters were called to the home about 11 a.m. in the area of 400 South and 350 West.

Marhanka said learning about the fire then seeing it after rushing home gave her a sick feeling in her stomach.

“Nauseous,” she said.

Marhanka said she had a lot of old furniture inside the home and some of it belonged to her mother.

Most of all, she was grieving the possible loss of family pictures,

including photos of her daughters when they were babies and during their weddings.

“That, to me, is the worst thing. Everything we’ve taken for the last 39 years is in there,” she said.

The Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by volunteer firefighters from Kingsbury, Noble Township and Westville in putting out the blaze.

Scipio Township Fire Chief Eric Fenstermaker said it’ll be up to the couple’s insurance company to decide whether the home is a total loss.

He didn’t reveal, specifically, what items inside the home were destroyed but said much of the contents will be salvageable.

Fenstermaker said the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in the investigation to try and determine the cause of the fire.

Foul play is not suspected, he said.

Firefighters from Kingsbury, Noble Township and Westville assisted in putting out the flames.

Fenstermaker said there were no injuries.

EFFORT RESUMES TO IDENTITY BODY OF OLD JANE DOE

Police have resumed efforts to identify the body of a woman that washed ashore more than 30 years ago in New Buffalo.

Michigan State Police and New Buffalo Police are asking for any assistance in identifying the woman believed to be 40-to-60 years of age.

Police said she was 5’5” and 175 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. She was believed to be wearing a wig or extensions pulled up from the scalp.

According to police, the body was recovered at the New Buffalo break wall April 8, 1988.

Police said her body was exhumed in 2021 to collect a DNA sample using newer methods and, during another examination of the corpse, the woman originally believed to be white was determined to be African-American.  The initial autopsy revealed she had undergone a hysterectomy.

Police also said the woman was also believed to have been higher up in the social and financial ranks judging by her excellent dental work.

In particular, police said the porcelain bridge replacing a front tooth was considered experimental at the time and probably occurred within five years of her death.

Police said there was no shirt on the body when discovered but the woman did have on a front-clasped heavy-duty brassiere.

The lower extremities were covered by men’s size-38 denim blue jeans with a wide double-ring striped-cloth belt along with a pair of red, white and blue shorts and full-length pantyhose.

Ankle boots were on her feet, police said.

Anyone with any information about the woman should call the Michigan State Police Niles Post at 269-683-4411 or the New Buffalo Police Department at 269-469-1500. — STAN MADDUX

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

The Chicago Blackhawks don’t usually get as much attention as the other professional sports teams in the city.

Their followers are relatively small in number but quite loyal. There are however a significant number of fair weather fans, who follow the team when they are playing well or in the playoffs.

I must admit that some of the shenanigans that have taken place over the last few years had moved me away from caring about them as much as I do the Bears, Cubs, Bulls, and White Sox.

That all changed this week when the Blackhawks won the draft lottery and the opportunity to draft one of the best prospects in decades.

Remember the name Connor Bedard. Right now he is, by far, the best amateur player in the world and the Blackhawks will draft him on June 28th. He’s still 17 years old, but will be the best Blackhawk player as soon as he signs his contract. The last time the team drafted first, they drafted Patrick Kane and that led to three Stanley Cup championships. Some things are already changing. The Blackhawks are estimated to have sold six to seven million dollars worth of season tickets, jerseys, and renewed interest in the team. This winter will be much more exciting for Chicago sports fans. The Bears are finished trying to lose and should be much better, the Bulls are an unknown entity, and the Blackhawks will have one of the most exciting players in a generation. I do love summer, and I’m not trying to rush winter, but when it comes I will be joining a bunch of Chicago

sports fans anticipating the upcoming seasons.

I suppose we should talk about the teams that are currently playing. The weekend series for both the Cubs and Sox were disappointing. They both lost two out of three and both teams are struggling.

The Sox were competitive against the Astros but their record fell to 14-28. With a quarter of the season gone, the Sox are nine and a half games behind the Twins.

Speaking of the Twins, they annihilated the Cubs over the weekend. After winning the opener 6-2, the Cubs lost 11-1 and 16-3. They now trail the Brewers by four games which isn’t too bad, but they are only three and a half games ahead of the Cardinals, and that’s a little scary. The Cubs record is now 19-21. Hopefully both teams will bounce back this week.

I had the opportunity to travel to Minnesota and watch two of my grandsons play baseball last week. The oldest is a junior on his high school team and I was amazed at how good these young men are. The younger one is an eight grader, and those young guys are really good too.

I also got a chance to see the young one compete in long and high jumps and a 400 yard relay and 100 yard dash. I must admit, I enjoyed watching my grandsons play more than I enjoy the professionals.

Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

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

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

The New Buffalo High School baseball team dropped below the .500 mark on the season after pounded in both games of a doubleheader at home on Tuesday.

The losses to Michigan Lutheran were the latest in a six game skid containing just one victory for the once upstart Bison.

New Buffalo (8-9-1) lost to

Skid continues for Bison in baseball

BY STAN MADDUX

the Titans 12-1 and 18-3.

Gio Sanchez-Perez was the starting pitcher for the Bison in the first game, which was competitive until the fifth inning when Michigan Lutheran went up 8-0 after scoring five runs.

The Titans led off the inning with a triple to right field and a hard hit single. The next batter walked then another run scored on a too hot to handle line drive off the glove of third

baseman Max Nikkel. Sam Wendell-Suppa, who took the mound in the fourth inning, walked another hitter then two more runs scored on an infield error.

The final run of the inning for the Titans resulted from a wild pitch.

New Buffalo came back to score a run after Nicholas Wolfe reached base on a catcher interference with the batter call by the home plate umpire.

Wolfe advanced to third base after the next two batters made outs and was driven home on a sharply hit single to left field by Axel Rodriguez.

Another single from Ethan Lijewski followed but the next hitter ended the inning with a strikeout.

Michigan Lutheran (12-7) scored four more times in the

final inning pitched by Wolfe, who walked four batters but showed good potential.

New Buffalo dropped to 5-6-1 in conference play while the Titans advanced to 8-2 in the conference.

The Bison scored just three runs but gave up 35 runs in their previous losses against Lawrence and Our Lady of the Lake.

The last victory for New Buffalo was a 5-2 win against Lawrence.

New Buffalo High School’s ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’ nominated for Lake Michigan College WAVE Awards

New Buffalo High School has been nominated for Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department

2022-2023 WAVE Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre for its spring production of “Into the Woods, Jr.”

The awards ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, at the Mendel Center Mainstage on the Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave.

Loosely designed after Broadway’s famed Tony Awards, the WAVE Awards recognizes, encourages, and promotes high school theater. Individuals and productions from participating schools were nominated in 13 acting and technical categories. Winners will be announced during the ceremony, and all students and production staff will receive written feedback from a panel of arts professionals. Nominees may also receive additional performance and scholarship opportunities.

Now in its second year at LMC, the WAVE Awards has grown to include students and art educators from Berrien, Van Buren and Cass counties in Michigan and St. Joseph County in Indiana. This year, nine high schools were evaluated by 12

adjudicators. About 550 students participated in the musicals that were reviewed.

“It is astonishing how the arts community has rallied around this idea. In just one year, we have more than doubled the number of participating schools and have seen tremendous growth in returning schools,”

said Kristopher Zook, LMC dean of Arts & Sciences and founder of the WAVE Awards. “Our goals are to continue to embrace educational and creative growth, provide opportunities for youth, build enthusiasm and networking in the arts community, and give recognition and exposure to some

hardworking and extremely talented students and staff.”

Wednesday’s event will begin with red carpet arrivals at 6 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony, including musical production numbers from Bridgman, Dowagiac, Paw Paw, St. Joseph, and Penn high schools, as well as Children’s

Music Workshop and Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts.

New Buffalo High School was nominated for the following categories:

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Dwayne Whitmyer; Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Deb Rancatore; Outstanding Choreography in a Musical, Holli Sommerfeld; Outstanding Musical Direction in a Musical, Chris Beushausen; Outstanding Featured “Special” Cast Member, Milky White (New Buffalo Robotic Club - Rich Eberly); Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Rapunzel’s Prince (Ian Sokol); Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Jack (Henry Gadiel) nd Outstanding Direction in a Musical, Chris Beushausen.

The event is free and open to the public. Parents, friends, fans, teachers and school administrators are all encouraged to attend. For more information, visit www.lakemichigancollege. edu/wave, email Mindy McCaffrey at mmccaffrey@ lakemichigancollege.edu, or call the Visual & Performing Arts office at 269-927-8876.

The cast of Into the Woods, Jr.

Blossomtime Grand Floral

Parade

celebrates region’s agricultural roots

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Community queens and kings and other parade participants returned to their roots during the “Blossomtime Salutes Our Agricultural Roots”-themed Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Saturday, May 13.

The 117th annual parade featured over 100 units, including bands, floats, clowns, costumed characters, antique cars and tractors, unicycle teams, equestrian units, bands and color guards from area schools, and the famed Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team (which opened the parade, as was tradition).

Special guests included Grand Marshal Sam Monte, City of Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad, City of St. Joseph Mayor Laura Goos and state representatives and senators.

This year, the New Buffalo Royal Court garnered the Board of Directors award for their “Honey Bee-” themed float. A Community of New Buffalo event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Converge Community Church in New Buffalo, during which members of the community can hop aboard the awardwinning float, dance to music with DJ Jason “Law Dawg” Long, interact with the 5535 Bionic Bison’s 2023 competition robot and enjoy a meal of grilled chicken or seasoned beef tacos with rice and beans and cupcakes and drinks for a suggested $10 donation .

The 2.5-mile parade begins at Pearl and Main streets in St. Joseph and runs along Main Street to Ship Street before continuing over the Bicentennial Bridge into Benton Harbor, where it heads down Main Street and ends at 5th Street.

South Haven royalty waves to the crowd

Parade participants perform daring stunts

Sam the Wheeler performs a daring stunt Coloma royalty ride atop their Deer Forest-themed float

Costumed characters took part in the parade

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Division

Bangor royalty waves to the crowd

Grand Marshal Sam Monte rides in the parade

New Buffalo royalty rides in their “Honey Bee”-themed float

Niles royalty waves to the crowd

Mayor of St. Joseph Laura Goos rides in the parade

Performers entertain at the parade

Mayor of Benton Harbor Marcus Muhammad rides in the parade

State Rep. Aric Nesbitt waves to the crowd

Buchanan royalty waves to the crowd

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team opens the parade

Bridgman royalty waves to the crowd

Eau Claire royalty rides atop their float

Scooby Doo characters wave to the crowd

Three Oaks and River Valley royalty ride aboard their float Costumed characters made an appearance

Blossomtime Festival Royalty waves to the crowd

Students, staff ‘race for the cure’ at annual school wide 5K

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

With the end of another school year comes the time for students and staff at New Buffalo Area Schools to put on their running shoes and “race for the cure” around the track (and Oselka Park) at New Buffalo Middle/High School.

Students and staff members converged on the multiplex field Monday, May 15, for the annual all-school 5K, which was hosted by the school district by the high school’s student senate.

The event began in 2016 to honor Marie Churchill, a thirdgrade teacher at New Buffalo Elementary School, as she fought her own battle with cancer.

Churchill, who was one of the race’s leaders, continues to be cancer free seven years after her surgery.

“She travels twice a year to the Mayo Clinic for testing but has been able to get back to running and working –two of her favorite things. We are blessed to have her here with us today to kick start our event and to continue to be an inspiration to each and every one of us,” middle school teacher Lisa Knoll said during the pre-5K ceremony.

This year, proceeds from the event went toward Angels of Hope which, according to its website, provides “critical support to Michigan families directly impacted by cancer,” with a goal to “help ease the burden caused by the disease, its treatment and its devastating effects – both financial and emotional.”

Funds raised through a “March’s Mustache” vote, the purchase of T-shirts and paying to dunk a teacher in the dunk tank (with the New Buffalo Township Fire Department filling the tank), snack purchases during advisory periods at school and plants purchased through sales from Envirothon went to the organization.

Students also participated in a “Coins for Cancer” campaign. The middle school raised $621, with the sixth grade achieving first place status at $278. The high school raised $430, with the seniors taking first place at $275. The event was coordinated by the middle and high school student senates, SADD and the Future Educators of America.

As was tradition, students also paid tribute to departing teachers or staff members: high school math teacher Ed Fidler, who Knoll thanked for spending 20 years of “helping us trying to understand math, for greeting us every morning, for racing us to the cafeteria and for making memories for us after school” and elementary school teacher Kristie Pinette, who, for the past 24 years, has “taught so many lives” and “has guided, inspired and cared enough to help everyone around her shine.”

Retiring math teacher Ed Fidler is honored at the 5K

Middle school principal Dan Caudle takes a turn in the dunking booth Students enjoy free ice cream from Nancy’s

Racing for a cure in the multiplex field (1)

Students and staff race for a cure around the track

Students make big bubbles with wands in the multiplex field

Students and staff race for a cure in the multiplex

Students play interactive games in the multiplex field

Kids play games during the annual 5K

Dunes Arts Summer Youth

Dunes Arts Summer Theatre is now registering young people for three sessions of youth theatre education programs.

All programs take place at the historic summer theatre campus at 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michiana Shores, where young people have discovered the joys of theatre arts for more than 70 years.

The first three-week session, “Creative Drama and Play Creation,” will be held June 12-28 for students ages 8-12. Classes will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. CST.

Students will develop basic theatre skills, group collaboration and creative expression through theatre games and storytelling. No previous performance experience is required. Tuition is $200 and some scholarships are available.

The second three-week session, “Introduction to Musical Theatre,” will be held July 10-26 for students ages 8-12. Classes will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. CST.

Students will develop musical performance skills, including vocalization, song interpretation and movement. No previous performance experience is required. Tuition is $200 and some scholarships are available.

The ”Youth Theatre Mentoring Program” will be offered for the first time this year for students 13 years older. The program is designed for students with previous theatre experience who want to refine their skills by working on monologues, songs, etc. for auditions and college admissions. Six sessions of individual or small group instruction will be scheduled with professional actors.

Tuition is $200 and some scholarships are available.

A “Student Showcase” for family and friends will be held at 11 a.m. CST Aug. 10.

Michael Fallon, a music arts educator, is coordinating the Dunes Arts Summer Youth Theatre programs. He has 30 years of experience as a teacher, conductor, director, and performer.

Fallon has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education.

Lili Galluzzo and Khyel Roberson will teach the “Creative Drama and Play Creation” session.

Glluzzo creates curricula for grades 3-5 students at the Chicago Actor’s Training Center and is pursuing a BFA in musical theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Roberson is a Chicago-based professional theatre performer with extensive experience in productions such as “Sweeney Todd,” “Rent,” “Dreamgirls” and many others. Dunes Arts Summer Theatre audiences will see both Galluzzo and Roberson in this season’s productions.

Danielle Kerr will teach the “Introduction to Musical Theatre” session. Kerr teaches play creation and creative drama at Mudlark Theatre in Evanston and writes drama curricula for www.onestopdramashop.com. She is a veteran of Dunes Arts Summer Theatre and will perform in multiple productions this season.

Registration for the summer theatre classes and scholarship applications are available at www.dunesarts.org. For more information contact Elise Kermani at contact@dunesarts. org.

The Dunes Arts Foundation, which operates Dunes Arts Summer Theatre and Education Programs, was incorporated in the State of Indiana in 1951 and is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Nestled within the woodsy dunes of Michiana Shores, Dunes Summer Theatre is located at about a half mile from the Indiana Dunes and the Lake Michigan shore at 288 Shady Oak Dr, Michigan City, Indiana.

As northwest Indiana’s longest-running summer theater program, Dunes Summer Theatre has provided professional theater productions for more than seven decades. This one-of-a-kind experience is a highlight of Harbor Country’s cultural fabric, promoting community spirit and embracing inclusivity, diversity and accessibility in all areas of operations.

For more information or to purchase individual tickets ($35) and season subscriptions ($150), visit www.dunesarts. org or call 219-879-7509. Follow along on social media @dunesartsfoundation. — STAFF

HOROSCOPE

MAY 18-24, 2023

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

You have an innate ability to turn a challenge into a useful commodity and some of your greatest achievements this week will be born from your frustrations. You will see clearly now what is wrong and you will come to the right conclusions. A turbulent time is coming to a successful end.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

Even though you may feel uncertain now as to which way to handle career and money situations you will be successful in navigating the straits in business matters or financial negotiations and/or you will suddenly come into love or money through the affections of a generous admirer.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

The focus is on controversial matters this week. There will be many unforeseen developments that will change your plans for the better. This is actually the beginning of a new order and if the unexpected didn’t happen you would miss the turn of fortune fate has in store for you.

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

You will be surprised by your unexpected progress, good fortune or “arrival” in business or financial matters. Also, you will surprise yourself by making a major “yes” decision you have been putting off. Accept that which is coming your way and don’t delay! Strong masculine energy is here.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

Your first response is to quit or run away or evade the issue but the best response is to deal with it. It is only through participation in all life (the good, the bad, and incomprehensible) that we find the answers which enable us to correct ourselves or better understand the workings of the Universe.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

A situation will arrive that will lure, entice, or beckon you on a very tempting offer. Your wish for a union will soon be fulfilled. It is important that you think the situation out before you approach it. If you’re sincere you will get any and all the support you need. If not, you will run into obstacles.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22

You’re in for a struggle and there will be more work or problems ahead than you are aware of now. Consider the source and avoid dwelling on the negative side of things. Don’t allow an inconsistent attitude to get the upper hand. Use positive affirmations and count your “wins.”

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

Many social opportunities will come your way and someone will enter your life in whom you will be very interested (a professional type person) and you will more than likely meet this person close to your home, if not outside your front door. This person may train you, teach you, or guide you.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER22—DECEMBER21

Though the worst is over in a romantic situation but anguish will continue because you won’t be able to bury the past or start anew. You will vacillate between “Do I want it or don’t I?” and the moment you try to pin anything down or make a firm decision and things will change. Wait things out.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

You’re going to have to go it alone for the time being, fighting your own battle your own way, and the past will provide nothing to lean on or sustain you. If you fall down, get back up, and dust yourself off. Refuse to be beaten by life and you won’t be. Stay on purpose with your best intentions.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

You will feel that your partner’s not holding up his or her end, participating enough, or willing to sustain the relationship by applying effort toward maintaining it. No matter what you have suffered in the past, you’ll be on purpose and your hope and determination will renew the relationship.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

There will be no union or total commitment with the one you love or want to be with until you resolve an inner dispute first (like getting clear on what it is that you want or need). Communicate your needs, then let go and see what happens. Continual pushing and forcing will not work with this person.

The mountains are calling and I must go. — John Muir

Friends of New Troy board members cut the ribbon on community center renovations

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Having reached their goal of raising funds to turn the Friend of New Troy Community Center’s library into a fullfledged media center and to renovate the meeting room a mere few months ago, members of the Friends of New Troy (FONT) Board of Directors, as well as members of the community, were ready to celebrate the fruits of their labor when they hosted the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting on the recent renovations Wednesday, May 10.

In February, FONT reached its goal of $43,550 to renovate the meeting room and convert the existing library into a future Activities & Media Center in the center, which is located at 13372 California Road in New Troy, through grants as well as donations from community members.

“I’m Terry Hanover, the president of the Friends of New Troy and I’m quite proud to say that – especially today,” Terry said before the ribbon was cut.

The former library, now called the Activities Room, includes books that can be checked out from a curated collection (which includes “Staff Picks”) as well as activities such as board games, air hockey, Legos and jigsaw puzzles.

A dedicated preschool area includes wallmounted toys and a corner reserved for Miss Ollie’s Wiggles and Giggles story hour on Tuesday mornings, a toddlers’ Legos table and children’s iPads.

There are also 20 Chromebooks that can be checked out for use at home or inhouse. Victoria Petroff, vice president of the FONT Board of Directors, said that they were given to them during the pandemic, when Comcast did a lift zone project at the center to install free Wi Fi throughout the building.

“The whole concept of this room is to have a little place for everybody - but everybody stays together,” she said.

The Meeting Room is now equipped with multiple Chromebooks, a large-screen Macintosh computer, Bluetooth, wallmounted television, and black-out blinds. This room can be rented for meetings and movie screenings but is also freely available to those in need of a quiet place for work or study.

Terry gave credit to his wife, Lorraine, who spearheaded the whole renovation and wrote the grants for it.

Lorraine called the project a “culmination of two years’ work.”

“It could not have been done without the financial support of so many people in this room tonight - from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” she said.

Those who contributed financially toward the project are listed on a chart against the window in the media center. In the entryway, there’s a plaque listing the major donors.

Lorraine added that it took a “lot of hands and creative minds and teamwork” from the renovation committee to create the space. She also thanked the volunteer hosts, who are a “true joy to work with –they’re industrious, they have a great mix of talent, they’re a lot of fun.”

She added the volunteer hosts come out every week – voluntarily – throughout the year to open the center and staff it.

“A lot of people have been doing this for years - that’s really a lot of commitment, that’s impressive and they’re so appreciated,” she said.

“I think you’re going to see what we have here is really a true community and it’s wonderful to be part of it - so welcome to our community.”

For more information on the community center and events, visit www. friendsofnewtroy.org.

The ribbon is cut on the media center

Miss Ollie’s Wiggles and Giggles story corner in the media center

Guests gather in the new meeting room

Mark and Barb Pries, who donated $10,000 to the renovations

Kelly Ann Fields 1958-2023

Kelly Ann Fields, 64, Sawyer, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, April 26,2023 at 1:17 am in Michigan City, IN as a result of a car accident.

Private family services will be conducted. The Ott/ Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, IN is handling arrangements.

She was born August 17, 1958 in Chicago, IL to the late Paul and Doris (Cudnohoski) Fields.

Surviving are her sister, Paula Fields-Mowen of Elgin, IL; brother, Dave (Jill) Fields of Westville, IN; four nephews, Zachary (Joslyn) Mowen, Mackenzie Mowen, Jack (Jenny) Fields and Benjamin Fields; and great-nephew, Morgan Mowen.

Kelly grew up in Elmhurst, IL where she graduated from York High School and then from Elmhurst College in 1981 with a bachelor of science degree. She had worked in advertising . Kelly loved her nephews and was such a fun, loving and creative aunt. She also loved animals and her family.

To sign a guest book and leave condolences online, visit www.otthaverstock.com.

A Day in the Life

MEALS ON WHEELS OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN IS LOSING LINDA...

BY LAWRENCE VON EBELER

The venerable Meals on Wheels Executive Director Linda Strohl is retiring!

When she arrived here from California to our Harbor Country, few would have known that she was suffering from one of life's greatest tragedies: the loss of her young, beloved husband. Few knew this because we have only known her for her stability and indeed her focus and her deep dedication to her work and her staff and volunteers. Despite her personal loss, she displayed an astute appreciation and dedication to her work. Her extraordinary effort to bring an outstanding service to our aging seniors, for whom she had so much empathy and respect, prevailed over her grief, as she had critical fronts that she had to resolve immediately.

Few would have known, too, of her immediate efforts to keep Meals on Wheels’ service in the Harbor Country area! They were in deep trouble. Few would have known of the sleepless nights, the scores of pivotal decisions she had to make for continuing their service. Her people skills and perseverance created a loyal atmosphere for maintaining the staff and the near golden volunteers and for preparing and delivering the hundreds of meals served daily - rain, or shine. It is a behemoth of an operation!

It was also a challenge for her to maintain the service through the nightmare pandemic months. Her exceptional management skills and human nature for the services to her seniors made it seem like “life goes on as usual” - and no one was the wiser. The fact is, it took a Herculean effort that none of the seniors ever knew to maintain the muchappreciated meals. Linda, in effect, had adopted her seniors and her perseverance was viewed remarkable by all who were involved. She held firmly to her standards as it was, and all who witnessed that were amazed and worked harder to keep the service exceptional.

The news of her retirement has a greater impact than meets the eye. The standards she maintained were highly regarded by the board, and recognized as superlative by the local media, as well as nationally. She was a star!

She has the good wishes of the entire Meals on Wheels staff, as well as her volunteer troops. God bless her and may she and her darling “Malo” dog live the full and free life that she deserves as she retires to her cottage in the woods that she so loves. Her staff and volunteers wish her well and they will be thankful and enjoy her legacy and her kind, always masterful touches every day.

30 N Whittaker St Deli by day

PUBLIC NOTICES

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO 2022 WATER QUALITY REPORT

Please be advised that the 2022 Water Quality Report is available online at: www.cityofnewbuffalo. org/documents/water-qualityreport-2022/

A paper copy will not be mailed unless requested by calling City Hall at 269-469-1500.

NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2023-2024 BUDGET

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on May 22, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., at 1112 E. Clay Street, New Buffalo, Michigan, the Board of Education of New Buffalo Area Schools will hold a public hearing to consider the District’s proposed 2023-2024 budget.

The Board may not adopt its proposed 2023-2024 budget until after a public hearing. A copy of the proposed 2023-2024 budget, including the proposed property tax millage rate, is available for public inspection during normal business hours at 1112 E. Clay Street, New Buffalo, Michigan and/or available online at www.nbas.org.

The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing.

This notice is given by order of the Board of Education.

BRAD BRUNNER, SECRETARY

Dune Walk bench dedicated to late city manager

BY STAN MADDUX

He died from COVID-19 before realizing a final dream but his memory is being kept alive on the new handicapped accessible Dune Walk he helped launch at the public beach in New Buffalo.

A new totally handcrafted wooden bench on the Dune Walk was dedicated Saturday, May 13, in memory of David Richards, who was city manager when he succumbed to COVID-19.

Richards was 69 when he died in late December of 2020.

The more user-friendly Dune Walk opened to the public last fall.

“This project was very important to Dave. He said to me, personally, he started it and he really wanted to see it through its’ completion. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but I know he’s here today in spirit,” said New Buffalo City Clerk Amy Fidler.

A small plaque containing the names of Richards and New Buffalo resident Mary Rose Roberts, who ordered and paid for the bench, is on the front of what’s also viewed as a work of art.

Roberts, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few years ago, said she wanted a bench for all people with physical challenges using Dune Walk to be able to sit down and enjoy the view of the surrounding landscape and water.

Her idea stems from being unable to keep up with family members while hiking Warren Dunes State Park because of how her progressive condition weakens her legs.

Roberts said the bench provides a place for people with physical limitations to still get out with loved ones and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while waiting for them to return from their hiking.

“I’m just really looking forward to people enjoying this bench for a lifetime,” she said.

Roberts said dedicating the bench in memory of Richards was an idea from City Hall after she reached out looking for someone to dedicate it to.

She felt honored to do it for him after learning more about Richards personally.

“They mentioned how much the city staff loved Dave Richards. How he dedicated his life to community. It’s just such an important

thing for me that we all focus more on our communities and doing the best we can,” she said.

She commissioned Eric Trowbridge, the owner of a wood working company in Elkhart, Indiana, for the job and donated the $5,000 in supplies.

The maker of customer cabinetry and other things like furniture didn’t charge for much of the 150 hours invested in designing and assembling the bench made from bending white oak and mahogany slats.

The bench rests on a metal base colored in a variety of blues, greens and browns from applying chemicals to the surface to create an aging effect.

“It kind of correspondents with the lake and the sea grass and the sand,” Trowbridge said.

Trowbridge said the slats and stain used on the wood were selected to reflect the rolling textures of the sand and different color the sand takes on at the shoreline from contact with the water coming in from the lake.

Mayor John Humphrey said the Dune Walk is much improved over the old one, which was narrower, steeper and contained more stairs.

The old Dune Walk was also closed to the public because of disrepair brought on by age before it was torn down and replaced at the same location at a cost of nearly $900,000.

Humphrey said the project was funded primarily with federal and state dollars along with a monetary contribution from the Pokagon Fund.

He said Dune Walk and the bench reflect conversations between him and Richards during the final months of his life about the need to return the city to a path of investment in municipal best practices and the need to support continued reinvestment in community.

“The last time I spoke to Dave on ZOOM from his hospital bed he reaffirmed both of those needs to me and told me don’t worry, John. You’re doing the right thing. So, this bench can be a testament to my relationship with Dave, to me personally. It can be that to each of his friends and family,” he said.