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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
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LIFE IN NATURE ON THE SANDY SHORE
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CHICAGO • LONG BEACH • MICHIANA SHORES • GRAND BEACH • NEW BUFFALO • UNION PIER • THREE OAKS • LAKESIDE • HARBERT • SAWYER issue 20, volume 81
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Thursday, May 19, 2022
Corps of Engineers share May through October water level outlook PAGE 3 New Three Oaks’ farmers market to debut next month PAGE 4
New Buffalo City Council adopts new millage rates, approves 2022-2023 budget draft PAGE 5 Hurdle placed in front of recall attempt; Mayor denies second claim PAGES 7, 8
New Buffalo students honored with Service League scholarships PAGES 10-11
Injuries in garbage truck demolition of house PAGE 19
ALL HAIL...
BLOSSOMTIME GRAND FLORAL PARADE RETURNS FOR 2022 — PAGES 12-13 —
PHOTO OF THE BLOSSOMTIME ROYAL COURT BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
New manufacturer opens in LaPorte
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BY STAN MADDUX
manufacturer providing a finished wood grain look on cabinets and wall panels has begun operating in LaPorte. A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday, May 10, at Gravure Ink, which is occupying 60,000 square feet inside a privately constructed spec building at the Thomas Rose Industrial Park. The company is owned by Patrick Industries, a maker and distributor of components and building products for the recreational vehicle, marine and manufactured housing industries. Patrick Industries employs about 12,000 people at more than 170 sites in the United States, Canada and China. The Gravure Ink plant in LaPorte has 31 employees working strictly the day shift. Operations manager Hugo Gonzalez said the hope is increased demand for their products rises enough to operate two or three shifts per day. “We’re excited about continuing to grow the business here,” he said. Gravure Ink produces a laminate on thin paper containing various designs resembling primarily the grain on trees such as maple, hickory, cherry and oak. Gonzalez said the designed that are printed on paper are shipped in rolls to plants operated by Patrick Industries to be glued on plywood and particle board panels used in products like cabinetry. He said the cabinetry and wall panels are used in making RVs, manufactured homes and boats. What’s left is sold by retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe’s for home remodeling projects. “The laminate is the coating that goes into the panel. We give it color. Usually, it’s going to be a wood grain. We’ll make those designs,” he said.
Gonzalez said laminates on thin sheets of vinyl are made at another Patrick Industries facility in Bensenville, Illinois. The other half of the spec building recently constructed by Qualls Development Group is used for storage by American Renolit Corporation, which has a production facility in La Porte. The company makes films used in making various products like Fathead, the life sized cut outs of star athletes that stick to bedroom walls, and letters sticking to storefront windows to advertise sales or discounts. The spec building started going up before tenants were found for the space.
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ert Cook, executive director of the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership, said the odds of finding tenants seemed very good, though, based on market studies on interest from manufacturers in such a facility. He said gains in expanding the manufacturing base in LaPorte also helped lower the risk. “I think it was a fairly safe investment because they realized how robust our market was growing,” he said. The building is on 23 acres in an expanded area of the park equipped with roads and other infrastructure in 2016. Cook said other investors plan to put up two spec buildings for similar uses along Boyd Boulevard on the city’s east side. He said construction should begin sometime next year. “If you’re a private developer and you’ve seen someone else do this and have great success with it, it would only make you more inclined to make those investments,” he said.
Good government is good politics. — Richard J. Daley
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CORPS OF ENGINEERS SHARE MAY THROUGH OCTOBER WATER LEVEL OUTLOOK
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.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydraulics and Hydrology officials have forecasted Great Lakes water levels to continue their seasonal rise. From the shores of Lake Superior, Detroit District Watershed Hydrology Section Chief Keith Kompoltowicz discusses the latest six-month water level forecast in the seventh ‘On the Level’ video, available on the district’s YouTube page at www. youtube/imwYDUBbMd0. “Lake Superior’s water level in April was about an inch below its long-term average,” said Kompoltowicz. “Looking at the forecast for the next six months, Superior’s level should remain near average. In looking at the rest of the Great Lakes system, Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are above their respective long-term average levels, but well below the record high levels recently experienced.” Water levels follow a seasonal pattern. In the spring, water levels typically rise due to increased precipitation and enhanced runoff from snowmelt. The most recent six-month forecast covering months May to October is available on the Detroit District’s website at www.go.usa.gov/xFEWx. The full collection of ‘On the Level’ videos are available on the Detroit District’s YouTube page. — STAFF REPORTS
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
Local Government Meetings New Buffalo Times
Democracy Requires Transparency
CITY OF NEW BUFFALO JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL LOU O’DONNELL, IV. MARK ROBERTSON, JOHN HUMPHREY, ROGER LIJESKI, BRIAN FLANAGAN City Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30PM CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS to be determined 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 NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD CHUCK HEIT, PRESIDENT HEATHER BLACK, VICE PRESIDENT JOHN HASKINS, TREASURER LISA WERNER, SECRETARY JOYCE LANTZ, TRUSTEE FRANK MARGRO, TRUSTEE PATRICIA NEWSTON, TRUSTEE 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 DEBORAH LINDLEY, BLAKE O’HALLORAN, JAMES BRACEWELL, PETER DOERR, PAUL LEONARD, JR. MICHIANA VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM
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New Three Oaks’ farmers market to debut next month BY THERESE DONNELLY
hree Oaks’ farmers market is back and expected to be bigger than ever. At their Wednesday, May 11, meeting, members of the Three Oaks Village Council formally approved organizers’ request to close the parking lot on Elm and Oak streets from noon to 10 p.m. Thursdays in the summer for vendor stalls. Speaking to the council, organizer Cathi Rogers explained the market will operate from 4 to 8 p.m. but vendors will need time to set up and take down. She said the number of vendors will vary from week to week and 35 vendors have applied so far. Before approving the request, the council discussed possible alternative locations for the market. Nearby Carver Park has been considered, but councilmember Colleen Newquist said there were accessibility concerns. Councilmember Steve Graziano suggested closing a section of Oak Street for the market, but village president Dan Faulkner said doing so would block access to the electric car charging station and the village’s agreement states there will be constant access for the public. The council approved the use of the parking lot from June 2 through Sept. 29 but stated they will revisit the arrangement if issues occur. Councilmember Becky Thomas added she would like representatives from the market and the village to speak with management Big C Lumber as a courtesy, since employees often park in the lot. Faulkner recommended appointing administrative assistant and utility billing clerk Theresa Schmultz as village treasurer. Faulkner said she was “acclimating well” and has been exposed to all the treasurer responsibilities, except for bank reconciliation and payroll. He noted the goal in creating the utility billing clerk position was to ease someone into becoming treasurer. Because property tax billing is approaching, the council approved the position change effective June 13. Councilmembers continue to consider an offer to acquire the village administration building at 21 N. Elm Street from Berrien County for what has been described as “a nominal fee.” During the April council meeting, Faulkner was asked to find an estimated value for the building. At the May meeting, he said after talking with local realtors who compared it to similar public buildings, the building’s value is estimated at $720,000. As discussed in previous meetings, if the village
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does purchase the building, extensive work will be needed. The council approved a bid from Boelke Heating in the amount of $4870 for a new tube heater at the filtration plant. Councilmember Thomas noted that the bid from Don Hatfield Heating and Cooling was higher, and the bid included warranties Boelke did not list. The council approved Boelke’s bid on the condition the warranties were comparable. Faulkner recommended the village purchase two composite samplers to test biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels in the wastewater system as the village continues to track down sources for high concentrations. He said the water department already has one sampler, which needs a new bottle before being used. The samplers detect BOD levels, which the village needs to lower, as well as suspended solids. Faulkner said the equipment would allow the village to save several thousand dollars, as it currently pays Wightman and Associates $10,000 each week that it conducts similar tests. In discussion with the council, Faulkner said the tests would not pinpoint sources of high concentrations but would allow more testing locations. The council approved the purchase of one sampler in the amount of $4000, and a new bottle for the existing sampler.
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uring the council’s April meeting, a report from Wightman showed a surge released into the wastewater system during testing north of village limits, along Three Oaks Road, where only a few residences and one warehouse are on the system. At the May meeting, Faulkner told the council he had visited the warehouse and the owners were cooperative. He said he found no floor drains or signs of runoff that would indicate a source for the surge. The council tabled a decision on changes to the Downtown Development Authority. Ordinance 227 proposes to increase the DDA from an eight-member board to a 10-member one. DDA board member Tom Pauley told the council the DDA had not made any decision on such a change. Councilmembers noted the increase may make it difficult to reach meeting quotas, and it may be hard to fill future vacant seats. Before adjourning, councilmember Joe Hinman reminded those attending that the “Three Oaks Bulletin” Facebook page is not an official village site, and messages to village officials sent to the volunteer-run page may not reach the intended recipients. The village’s official page is “Village of Three Oaks.”
There’s loyalty to Humanity and then there’s loyalty to a Tribe, one is Real the other is a Gang. — Dino N. Fatouros
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
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New Buffalo City Council adopts new millage rates, approves 2022-2023 budget draft BY THERESE DONNELLY
ity property owners may Area Recreation Authority, the council see a drop in their property approved vacating an undeveloped taxes after the New Buffalo right-of-way between Clay and Detroit City Council approved new streets, alongside New Buffalo Area millage rates for the 2022Schools’ track and football field. The 2023 fiscal year. NBARA stated in its request that the During the May 16 regular meeting, trees in the right-of-way pose a potential city manager Darwin Watson told the threat to people using the west end of council the city was using a new, “better the field. calculator” to set millage rates. Under Councilmember Roger Lijewski said the new system, the general operation when he served on the New Buffalo Area millage, originally set at 20.0 mills, will Schools Board, tree be reduced to 9.7631; roots from the right-ofThe council also the parks millage, way caused damage to approved the 2022-2023 originally voted for at budget draft. Watson portions of the track. .4599, will be .4391 said this year there will The NBARA is and the streets/roads be a planned deficit, due also in the process millage, originally to Covid-19 restrictions of updating a fivevoted for at .2431, will that caused delays in year recreational be .2386. several projects due plan, as the current to supply chain issues The council also one runs out in and difficulty hiring approved the 2022August. Abonmarche contractors. Humphrey 2023 budget draft. noted the city has Engineering Watson said this more than nine months submitted a proposal year there will be a of operating costs in to do update planned deficit, due to surplus- much higher work on the plan. Covid-19 restrictions than the recommended Abonmarche’s total that caused delays in three-month surplus. proposal is $34,500, several projects due to with each entity in the supply chain issues and difficulty hiring NBARA paying one third of the cost. contractors. Humphrey noted the city The council approved the proposal, has more than nine months of operating with the city’s portion totaling costs in surplus- much higher than the $11,500. recommended three-month surplus. In order to improve its technology To comply with the State of Michigan system, the council approved a contract Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act, with the City of South Haven for IT the council approved the 2021-2022 services. Police Chief Rich Killips amended budget. explained that the current IT contractor Watson informed the council that provides good service, but is not the city council meeting procedure familiar with the specialized needs rules needed to be amended as some of a municipality. South Haven has a pertinent state laws have changed dedicated staff that knows government since the rules were last updated in requirements, he said. 2016. The rules were compiled to give As part of the contract, South Haven councilmembers a reference guide. will provide up to 16 hours of onAt the request of the New Buffalo
site work per week, and use of some hardware assets. The city will pay South Haven $42,500 for the annual contract. Killips said the South Haven staff has experience in dealing with government technology issues such as ransomware. The city will renew its lease with New Buffalo Development Properties, LLC for the use of four lots in the downtown area. As part of the effort to alleviate parking issues, the city will change existing parking on East Mechanic Street to three-hour parking. One of the leased lots will be used for paid parking and another as parking for employees at downtown businesses. The other two lots will be used as parks or event space. The lease is at no cost to the city. The Department of Public Works has reported issues with unauthorized people coming onto the Jefferson Street lot. Humphrey said there has been damage, including a stolen catalytic converter. To deter trespassers, the council approved a $6,642.12 bid from Fence Masters to install a gate on the north end of the site. Watson said the fence would not completely encompass the property but would prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering.
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he council approved a bid from Payjay Construction in the amount of $164,450 to construct a sediment basin to address the city’s part in a sediment deposit into a boat slip. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources identified the city sewer system as one source of heavy sediment deposit in the marina. Tony McGhee of Abonmarche told the council the contracted work will resolve the problem.
As a way to streamline the process the city uses for commercial boat launches, the council approved a non-exclusive license agreement with Service 1 Marine. Rather than paying each time the business launches a boat, instead it will pay the city $7,500 at the beginning of the season and another $7,500 at the end of the season and pay $20 per boat per day for staging at the transient marine. Service 1 is estimated to launch 150 boats each season. The contract does not include electrical or water hookup. Councilmember Brian Flannagan asked that the contract stipulate when enterprises can and cannot launch. Lijewski asked if the contract will affect other commercial launches, with Watson explaining other businesses will receive similar licenses. Watson informed the council that there has been little response to the city’s request for proposals for a new city attorney. He suggested contacting some firms directly, as at least one had stated it did not receive the city’s RFP. The council spoke about complaints many councilmembers had received about speeding on residential streets. The council discussed possible measures including additional signage and enforcement. Humphrey asked Killips to increase patrols along some areas.. Lijewski asked if steps were being taken to lighten city clerk Amy Fidler’s workload while Deputy Clerk Nancy Griffin is on personal leave for several months. Watson said the search has begun for a temporary, part-time employee, and with election in August and November he hopes to find someone with a specialized skillset.
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
Chikaming Township Board approves revised library agreement, tables zoning ordinance text amendment
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embers of the Chikaming Township Board approved a revised library services agreement at their Thursday, May 12, meeting. The agreement states that it will last for one year – from July 1 to June 30, 2023 – as well as that the library services of New Buffalo Township Library, Three Oaks Township Library, and Bridgman Public Library will work jointly, meaning that residents will not have to pay a service fee for each library and that the $25 card they’d get from New Buffalo or Three Oaks could be used at either of those libraries and at the Bridgman one. Penal fines will continue to be split between the three libraries and Chikaming Township will continue to pay the $30,000 annual fee ($10,000 per library). Board members approved tabling a text amendment to the zoning ordinance. At their May meeting, members of the Chikaming Township Planning Commission had recommended to the board amending the text in the Union Pier Corridor Standards portion of the Union Pier Districts Development Standards Table for First Floor uses in Article 5 Section 5.01 (H) (3) (e) (i), which currently reads that “commercial first floor shall extend for the entire width of the front of the building as viewed from the adjoining public street.” An amended text would read: “Commercial first floor shall extend for the entire width of the front of the building as viewed from Red Arrow Highway.” In the same meeting, planners also approved the site plan designated as Alternate Two for the Union Green development (at the corner of Goodwin and Red Arrow Highway). Planners also passed another motion approving Alternate One if the township board didn’t pass the amendment. In March, the project was denied a variance by the ZBA that would allow 76% residential use on the first floor along Red Arrow and 100% residential use on the first floor along Goodwin Road. Alternate One includes two office spaces along Goodwin Road, while Alternate Two involves reverting the spaces back to residential. Chikaming Board Trustee Rich Sullivan said that there’s “no urgency” to approve the amendment that night, adding that if it were to pass it would look like “to the public it’s all about the developer (of Union Green) and not about a community of good neighbors.” He read from a letter from Grace Rappe, who resigned from the Planning Commission when it approved the revised site plan in February, during which she states
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
the following: “I believe that the question you should be considering is whether it is the role of the Planning Commission to enforce the zoning ordinance and ensure fidelity between it and the Master Plan, or whether it should instead serve as an advocate for the developer whose proposal does not meet those requirements.” Sullivan also said he believes that the Planning Commission should compile a list of other “discrepancies” in the ordinance.
for 27. Barbara Price said that residents were “shocked” that it would have 50 bedrooms and 18 units, adding that the public answered questionnaires when the ordinance was being revised and “one of the top ingredients people asked for is maintaining a rural character - this is an urban development.” Nick Martinski said approving the text amendment would be “just another example of the Planning Commission accommodating the builder - rather than him conforming to the rules, they’re changing the rules to conform to him.” Board members refused the request of a donation of a parcel to the township located at the corner of Berrien and Isobel streets (across from The Whistle Stop) and to send a letter of appreciation to the owner.
B Lt. Brandon Jones with police chief Todd Taylor
“I think we owe it to the public…If we want to do it right and if we want to set a precedent of how we’ve done it in the past, this board should be saying we need a group of four or five people to relook at these new things that (ZBA chair) Mr. Anderson’s been trying to get addressed,” he said. Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte said that between now and the June meeting, concerns can be investigated from the public and be given to the zoning administrator and some type of public meeting or “summarization” can be held. “So, it gives an opportunity to address these things - we’re not trying to discount them and sweep them under the rug and say, ‘There’s nothing we can do about it,’ that’s not fair,” he said During public comment, Bob Beemer said that he doesn’t see density being addressed in the Union Pier Development Standards portion of the ordinance, adding that he understands the Union Green development has 50 bedrooms and that R-3 only allows
unte said the park board did their “due diligence” and investigated whether the parcel would be a good fit for the parks system and voted to recommend acquisition for the lot for park status. He added that while the township is always looking to preserve or add green space, other concerns, such as its financial implications to the township, location, traffic, useability, and the numerous conditions that are attached to the property, also need to be considered. Treasurer Liz Rettig said while she would love it to be a green space, some of the conditions “that are imposed here are more than the township can handle.” “We’re stretched on our budget to the limit as it is, we can’t even put any dollars toward future maintenance,” she said. Sullivan said that they’d be “doing a disservice to the public if we accepted this and took it off the tax rolls.” He added that the space is already a “zoo” in the busy summer months and the township has already been aware of issues regarding parking and garbage in the area. Upon recommendation of the Public Safety Commission, board members approved promoting Sgt. Brandon Jones to lieutenant. Board members approved hiring Laura Hooker as part time first responder. Board members adopted a resolution for a petition of the maintenance and improvements of the Tiffany Drain. Board members also approved the PAR (the Michigan Township Association Participation) plan grant application for two body worn cameras for the police department.
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‘CLICK IT OR TICKET’ CAMPAIGN RUNNING THROUGH MEMORIAL DAY
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s the Memorial Day holiday approaches, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers about the importance of seat belt use. This annual campaign is part of the national “Click It or Ticket” high-visibility enforcement period, which runs from May 16 to June 5. The national seat belt campaign runs concurrent with the start of the busy summer travel season with the goal of reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries. “During the ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across the state to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers to buckle up,” said Sheriff L. Paul Bailey. “We cannot overstate the importance of wearing a seat belt. It’s the law, but more than that buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash. “We see the results of not wearing a seat belt all the time. We see the loss of life. So often, it could have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt.” In 2020, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 228 people killed in Michigan traffic crashes were not wearing a seat belt. In Michigan, the seat belt usage rate in 2021 was 92.6%, down from 94.4% in 2019. The national seat belt usage rate in 2021 was 90.4%. Men make up the majority of those killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 65% of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed were men. Men also wear their seat belts at a lower rate than women do — 51% of men killed in crashes were unrestrained, compared to 40% of women killed in crashes. In addition, young adults are at a higher risk of being killed because of riding unrestrained. In 2019, more than half (57%) of young adults 18 to 34 years old killed while riding in passenger vehicles were not buckled up. For more information on the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa. gov/ciot. — STAFF REPORTS
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
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Hurdle placed in front of recall attempt
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n effort is being made to derail an attempt to recall New Buffalo Mayor John Humphrey and City Councilman Brian Flanagan. Approval of the language in the recall petitions by the Berrien County Election Commission on May 3 is being appealed by Humphrey and Flanagan in Berrien County Circuit Court. Among the reasons cited in the recall petitions are Humphrey and Flanagan on Nov. 23 “actually voted in favor of an ordinance to prohibit new short-term rentals in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zoning districts.” No further explanation was given. Humphrey said the language on the surface is accurate but doesn’t reflect the truth or reasons behind the decision. “I feel it lacks context and misleads the public,” he said. Humphrey said he attempted to present the chain of events leading up to their votes to members of the election commission but was not allowed to prior to the language in the recall petitions being approved. He said permits to operate short-term rentals were issued under the previous administration despite no language existing in
BY STAN MADDUX
local zoning laws allowing homes to be used for such purposes. Humphrey said the previous city council placed a moratorium on short-term rental permits in response to increasing complaints from full time residents about parties, loud noise and other disruption from the dwellings. Another reason cited for the moratorium was to buy time for deciding whether to change local zoning laws to allow short-term rentals and, if so, adopting restrictions to govern their use since there was nothing in the books about homes used for vacations or weekend getaways. Ultimately, the zoning laws were amended to allow homes used as short-term rentals in the past to continue welcoming guests as long as a permit was obtained and use of the property abided by newly adopted restrictions. He said only additional short-term rentals in residential districts were prohibited. “There was never a legal right in our zoning ordinance to short-term rent. This was a special use unlawfully granted to people from the previous administration,” he said. He also said approval of the amended zoning laws is what lifted the moratorium. Lifting the moratorium without amending the zoning laws would
have meant the city being in violation again for allowing a use not specifically covered in the books. “They were never legal to begin with,” he said. Even though shortterm rentals were not mentioned in the previous books, Humphrey said they were illegal because local zoning prohibits commercial activity in single-family residential neighborhoods. “A family unit is not large groups of people. Period,” he said. Humphrey said the people behind the recall attempt mostly live outside the city whose interests are driven strictly by money.
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pponents of the ban on future short-term rentals argue it infringes on their rights as property owners. However, Humphrey disagrees. “They don’t want our zoning enforced. When you buy a piece of property, you’re entering into a contract with that municipality to abide by its zoning rules and regulations. Just because you want to do something doesn’t mean it’s legal or fair,” he said. Humphrey and Flanagan were elected to their first terms in November 2020 after campaigning against the growing number of short-
term rentals. Taking a seat on the council at the same time was Roger Lijewski, who also voted in favor of the ban. There’s no attempt to recall Lijewski, though. Humphrey said supporters of the recall wouldn’t be able to drum up enough support for the recall attempt if they also tried to have Lijewski removed. Lijewski was the leading vote getter in 2020. Humphrey and Flanagan were the second and third leading vote getters for the three open seats but still defeated their opponents by a near two to one margin. “Putting Roger in the same boat with us makes their chances of getting signatures less likely,” Humphrey said. Recall supporters must obtain 219 signatures on their petitions for a recall election to be held in November if the appeal by Humphrey and Flanagan fails. Humphrey also said the recall attempt is a way to overturn a decision by a democratically elected council that was done legally and reflects the desire of most of their constituency. “You must have fairness and equity in the election process or you can’t have democratic elections and that’s what they’re trying to stop,” he said.
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
Mayor denies second claim in recall attempt
Global Health Security’ Covered in Chicago
BY STAN MADDUX
REPORT CALLS FOR MORE WHO EMPOWERMENT
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ew Buffalo Mayor John Humphrey denies he instructed a police officer to remove a citizen from a city council meeting and claims to have proof. That’s the other reason behind his appeal of a May 3 decision by the Berrien County Election Commission to approve the language in a second petition seeking his recall. The second recall petition states Humphrey at a city council meeting on March 21 “instructed a New Buffalo Police officer to remove an individual while she was speaking during her allotted time at the session of the meeting reserved for public comment.” Humphrey said he has a copy of a police report that shows he did not order the person from the meeting. According to the police report, realtor Carie O’Donnell, who’s opposed to the city’s ban on additional short-term rentals, was gaveled and advised by Humphrey that she was out of order and would be asked to leave if she didn’t stop. O’Donnell continued to speak and raised her voice talking over Humphrey while he repeatedly warned her to try and regain order, police said. According to the report, Humphrey then stated “Rich” to New Buffalo Police Chief Rich Killips. In her report, officer Courtney Severn said Humphrey mentioning her police chief’s first name combined with O’Donnell’s disruptive behavior caused her to walk to the podium where the woman was speaking and escort her out of the meeting. “She was screaming and yelling at the top of her lungs. Never at any point did we say throw her out,” Humphrey said. Humphrey also said he suspects her behavior judging from the police report was staged to fuel a recall attempt his opponents were planning to file. In the report, Killips said O’Donnell before she began speaking was pacing in and out of the meeting room.
Killips also said O’Donnell told him she felt like she was going pass out and “I can’t believe I’m about to do this,” according to the report. “All of this led me to believe that a crime or some sort of political act was about to take place,” Killips wrote in the report. Had he ordered her removed from the meeting, Humphrey said his actions would have complied with the city’s longstanding rules on behavior at council meetings. “I took an oath to uphold those rules. You can say anything you want but there’s a limit on civility on how you do it,” he said. A number of other realtors, along with people wanting to convert their homes into short-term rentals, have expressed strong opposition to the ban and dislike for Humphrey at public meetings He said many of those people live outside the area but have in interest locally in short-term rentals.
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umphrey said a select number of people might be hurt financially from the cap but there’s been no harm to the “greater
public.” “In my opinion, this is a cohesive effort to try and limit or remove power from the people that live here and give it to the other people that don’t,” he said. No hearing date has been set for the appeal to be heard by Berrien County Circuit Court Judge Donna Howard. If the appeal fails, supporters of a recall must submit 219 valid signatures to have a recall election in November, where Humphrey and Flanagan would face opposition. “We’ll proceed through the process and see what they say. Either way, we will use our rights forwarded to use by law to challenge any signature submitted and we’ll see if this makes it to the ballot or not,” Humphrey said.
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BY MARK ANDERSON
hite House global health official Raj Panjabi and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark told Chicago Council of Global Affairs (CCGA) host Ann Veneman for a May 16 virtual program that stopping “future pandemics,” overcoming covid “complacency risks,” and “boosting covid testing and vaccinations” are on the agenda in global-governance circles. The program’s chief sponsor was Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois-based multinational health care and medical devices company founded by a Chicago physician in 1888. Its pharmaceuticals branch, Abbvie, frequently sponsors CCGA programs. So, there is some question as to the objectivity of the Council’s covid presentations. Liberian-born, Harvard-educated physician Raj Panjabi, the U.S. National Security Council’s senior director for biodefense and global health security, told Veneman that, in his view, “there are still too many unvaccinated people in the world” and that covid reportedly is still sickening and killing “thousands of people every week.” Panjabi stressed that a G20 task force and a “World Bank awareness fund” are preparing to deal with possible new variants—presumably “every four to six months”—and for possible “new pandemics.” “We need more testing now to track the level of virus in the community,” Panjabi said, adding that developing a new vaccine “within 100 days of the next pandemic” would be ideal from his perspective—along with rapid diagnostic tests. He did not specify whether such tests are the common PCR tests whose late inventor, Kary Mullis, is on record saying they’re
unreliable as a diagnostic measure and are prone to false positives. Panjabi added that improving the vaccination rate and boosting testing is one of five major parts of President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 pandemic preparation plan, regardless of whether the next pandemic that may come along is “accidental, natural or deliberate,” as he phrased it. Other parts of the FY2023 plan include: modernizing and streamlining regulations; and increased biosecurity in case of a pathogenic attack. Former PM Clark, who remarked that “populism, political polarization, fake news and complacency” may become obstacles to battling covid, commented: “If we take our eye off the ball, we’ll be blindfolded again.”
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n Abbott representative who commented at the start of the CCGA program recalled that the company, in March 2021, launched the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition, comprised of 14 scientific-public health entities on five continents that “hunt” for viral threats—via tracking and testing. Interestingly, Clark did not mention her leadership role on the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparation and Response. In the Panel’s recent report, “Covid 19: Make it the Last Pandemic,” pages 45-49 contain recommendations that call for a significant transfer of national authority to the World Health Organization, including calls for: • A more “independent” World Health Organization; • A world pandemic treaty; • A senior Global Health Threats Council; and • Creating a “Framework Convention” to address “gaps in the international response” to pandemics.
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
SPORTS From the Bleachers COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO
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hen I was 11 years old, one of my little league coaches taught me how to throw a curveball. Years later, the coaches instruction would have been frowned upon, but back when I was a kid, everything was okay. So by my twelfth year I was close to six feet tall, could throw hard, and could throw a curveball that had most of the other little leaguers knees buckling. We won our league championship and my confidence grew not only in sports but in life. Unfortunately for me, I did hurt my arm, but I wouldn’t have traded that championship season for anything. Because of my newfound confidence, I was able to transition into basketball where my sore arm didn’t matter very much. The fact that I had grown to 6’4” by then surely didn’t hurt either. I started high school playing basketball where I learned to be part of a team. I was a starting forward, but not the star of the team. Some sixty years later, the friends I made playing basketball are still my friends today. While there is certainly some crossover, of my eight best male friends, I met six through basketball and two through baseball. I give you this background to emphasize how important sports has been in my life. Playing on championship or last place teams, being the star, a part of the team, or a benchwarmer. Playing baseball, basketball, or football. Later in life coaching, and currently writing about sports, I have learned many of life’s lessons through sports. How to be a gracious
winner or a good loser. How to compete. Learning how to be a good teammate. Learning how to keep on fighting when things appear to be lost. You name the situation, and there will be an answer you can take away just by playing a game. When I was a kid, we could go just about anyplace at anytime and have a pickup game. The kids would have to figure things out on their own, with no adult supervision. Sadly, in many areas, it is no longer safe to do so. That makes the adult responsibility even more vital than it has ever been. Besides keeping kids safe, adults must know when to allow kids to figure things out by themselves and when to guide them. With a little bit of luck and a lot of people with pure intentions, maybe we can use sports to channel some of the misplaced aggression our society is currently dealing with. Hopefully, people can start taking their aggression out on the playing field instead of at a concert, or the mall, or the grocery store. Nelson Mandela said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sports can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.” Be careful out there. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.
I showed that once again a guy from the ‘favela,’ from the community, it taking over the world. — Charles Oliveira
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10 THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
New Buffalo students honored with Service League scholarships
I Grace Kenna holds her basket
Eliza McGinn thanks the League
Wayne Butler introduces Ben Coffeen
Georgia Arvanitis recieves the Mary Ann Frey Scholarship
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
n the words of Irene Brinkman, a former chair of the New Buffalo Service League Scholarship Committee who passed away in 2021, member Amy Hunt-Reimann gave this year’s scholarship recipients some last-minute advice before stepping out into the world. “We’re very proud of you - have fun, study hard and thank you,” HuntReimann, who served as cochair of this year’s scholarship fund with member Barb Coffman, said during this year’s ceremony at the New Buffalo Yacht Club Wednesday, May 11. This year, the League gave out scholarships to six seniors from New Buffalo High School. Funds for the scholarships are raised through the league’s annual Arts and Crafts Show, which is held in the two gyms at the high school every October. The recipient of this year’s Mary Anne Frey Scholarship, which is worth $1,500 and was named in honor of the valedictorian of New Buffalo High School’s class of 1962, was Georgia Arvanitis. Arvanitis will be attending the University of Michigan, where she plans to major in movement science. Arvanitis’ name will appear on a plaque (which contains several extensions) next to the high school’s media center with honorees of the scholarship, which began in 1962. Recipient of this year’s $1,200 Irene Brinkman Memorial Scholarship was Zoe Price, who will be majoring in marine biology with a concentration in biology at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. Members had voted to honor Brinkman, who had also served as chairwoman of the arts and crafts show for many year, with the scholarship in 2018. The following students were recipients of the league’s $1,000 scholarships: Eliza McGinn, who will be majoring in literature at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids; Michael Bombin, who will be majoring in mechanical engineering and specializing in automotives at Michigan
State University; Ben Coffeen, who will be majoring in chemical engineering at Purdue University; and Grace Kenna, who will be double majoring in neuroscience and Spanish and who plans do something research-based at the University of Michigan. In addition to the scholarships, students also got a proper send-off with laundry baskets, which member Liz Rettig said weighed about 50 pounds each, that were full of all items donated by the league members that will make college their home away from home next year. The laundry basket effort was spearheaded by Rettig and member Elaine Rozycki. Students also received a couple more keepsakes: customized laundry bags in the students’ respective future school colors made by member Joan Putzke and customized stockings (also made in their school colors) by Kathey Mitchell.
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ew Buffalo High School Principal Wayne Butler, who’s retiring this year, also received a gift from the league. “On behalf of all the families and students and of the school, thank you to the ladies of the service league - you do wonderful work,” Butler said. New Buffalo Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Leslie said he enjoys the partnership the school has with the league, calling their crafts show “one of the highlights of our school year.” “This is a little bit of a glimpse and quality of the students we have here in New Buffalo - when I hear about some of the things they’re looking to do, like a lot of research, a lot of science -based engineering, that’s just a phenomenal tribute to teachers in the science and math departments we have well represented here, so I’m looking forward to what you all can do,” he said. Leslie added that he also thanks the parents for their support because “no child gets to this stage without some help.”
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B:11.5” T:11.5” S:11.5”
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 11
Zoe Price (with Amy Hunt-Reimann and Wayne Butler) recieves the Irene Brinkman Honary Scholarship
Discover the unsearchable Discover the forest Michael Bombin recieves his basket from Liz Rettig
Amy Hunt-Reimann thanks Wayne Butler for his support of the League
Find a trail near you at DiscoverTheForest.org Scholarship recipients stand by their cake
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12 THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade returns for 2022 Louie the Lightening Bug from American Electric Power
Antique Car 1934 California Kid Coupe
The St. Joseph High School Band
Lest We Forget - Those Who Have Served makes an appearance
Plymouth Fife and Drum
Dicycle and Unicycles from Cirque Amongus
Stilt man from Sam the Wheeler
The Benton Harbor High School Marching Band closed out the parade
The St. Joseph Fire Department
Travis Worden, Blossomtime Volunteer of the Year
The Niles High School Color Guard
Miss and mr. St. Joseph Royal Court
The Miss Three Oaks and River Valley Royal Court stands by their award-winning float
Miss and Mr. Three Oaks and River Valley royalty wave from their Uniquely Circus float
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BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
ommunity queens and kings and other parade participants put on quite a show during this year’s “The Greatest Show”-themed Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade, the first one since May 2019, in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Saturday, May 14. The 116th 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 U.S. Rep. John Upton (R-St. Joseph), City of Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad, City of St. Joseph Mayor Laura Goos, and Blossomtime Volunteer of the Year Travis Worden. The following communities received the following awards for their respective floats: Sweepstake’s Award, Hartford; President’s Award, Bridgman; Board of Director’s Award, Berrien Springs; Mayor’s Award, Three Oaks/River Valley; Queen’s Award, Eau Claire/ Sodus; Twin Cities’ Award, Watervliet; Chairman’s Award, St. Joseph; Parade Committee Award, Buchanan; and King’s Award, Hartford. 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. The 117th parade is set to take place, Saturday, May 13, 2023.
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 13
Berrien Springs royalty
The Baroda royalty float makes its way down Main Street
Slappy from Kalamazoo Wings Hockey
Berrien County Sheriff’s Honor Guard
Journeyman Distillery antique vehicle
The Jr. Teen Blossomtime and Bud Prince and Princess float
The Bridgman Royal Court waves
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team opened the parade
Boy Scouts of Southwest Michigan Troops 696, 603, 614, 623 and 624
U.S. Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) drives by in the parade
Bobby Backward, Robert Rosenthal
The Spirit of Bridgman Marching Band
Edwardsburg royalty waves to the crowd
Blossomtime royalty waves to the crowd
The River Valley High School Band and Color Guard
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14 THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 15
OBITUARIES Mark Nicholas Florian
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nephew, Tyler. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Randy. The family will observe a private remembrance. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online at www. wagnercares.com.
1960-2022
ark Nicholas Florian, age 62, of Three Oaks, Michigan died Friday, April 29, 2022. His life began March 2, 1960 in Aurora, Illinois, to Adolph and Betty
Florian. Mark was raised in a big city, but had the good fortune of having grandparents that owned a house in Three Oaks. He spent a great deal of time in the area, and grew to love the Three Oaks community. So much so, that he later made it his home. He worked for SealMaster in Aurora, Illinois for eighteen years and held the position of Plant Superintendent. Hockey was a big part of Mark’s life, as a player and a fan. He also enjoyed landscaping, especially planting and nurturing many trees. He loved his dog Jake and his cat. Mark will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by one sister, Beth (Jeff) Guenzler of Aurora, Illinois; one niece, Amber Ellison; and step
Joseph Chester Putnam
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1956-2022
oseph Chester Putnam, age 66, of Three Oaks, MI, passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Joe is survived by his wife, Pat (Edwards) Putnam; children: Kristy Putnam, Matthew (Corin Erwin) Putnam, Cassandra (Kory Gouwens) Putnam; and brother, David (Kim) Putnam, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. Joe was preceded in death by his parents: Chester and Marjorie Putnam; and sister, Claudia Hannah. He was born in Greenville, KY, growing up there and
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in Freelandville, IN. He spent most of his adult life in Merrillville, IN. Joe was a Fire Marshal in the Indiana Department of Homeland Security for 3 years, before retiring. Prior to that, he was the fire inspector for the town of Merrillville for 14 years. Over the previous years, he worked as an auto mechanic, small engine mechanic, truck driver, courier driver, and underground coal miner. He was a member of the Merrillville/Ross Township Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years, as a volunteer master firefighter, fire inspector, fire investigator, haz-mat technician, and EMT. He attended Purdue University and University of Missouri Rolla School of Mines. Joe was a devoted member of the Merrillville United Methodist Church, where he served as the youth group leader for several years. Joe loved sports, paintball, and snowmobiling. During snow storms, he would drive around to pull cars and trucks, even a semi once, out of ditches with his Subaru. Joe was a gifted mechanic who could fix almost anything that was broken. He will be dearly missed. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Geisen-Pruzin Funeral & Cremation Services, 6360 Broadway Ave., Merrillville, IN 46410 from 12:00 PM CDT until the time of service at 3:00 PM CDT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Joe’s name to your favorite charity, or plant a sugar maple tree per Joe’s request. Visit Joe’s online guestbook at www. geisenfuneralhome.com or call 219-663-2500.
New Buffalo Times
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16 THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022
GUEST SPEAKER BOB GILLESPIE TO VISIT CALVARY CHAPEL NEW BUFFALO
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ob Gillespie, missionary, and apologetics speaker from “Reasons for Hope,” will join Calvary Chapel New Buffalo for two presentations Sunday, May 22. The first presentation “Age Matters – A Young Earth,” will take place at 10:15 a.m., with a potluck lunch to follow. The second one, “Christian Morality and Values,” will take place at 12:30 p.m. For questions, call Pastor Len Pera at 269548-9980. Calvary Chapel is located at 1615 E. Buffalo Street in New Buffalo. — STAFF REPORTS
MISSING GIRL IN DROWNING IDENTIFIED
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3-year-old girl pronounced dead after being pulled from a body of water in Michigan City last week has been identified. Ivy Allen was found along the shoreline of Clare Lake in the area of U.S. 12 and Karwick Road near Long Beach during a search for a child reported missing on May 12. Attempts were made for several hours to revive the girl by paramedics rushing the girl to the hospital and doctors at the medical facility, police said. She was last seen at her home in the 400 block of Long Beach Lane not far from the lake. LaPorte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said the cause of death revealed during an autopsy was drowning. She said there were no signs of trauma on the girl’s body. Michigan City Police have not shed light on the findings of the investigation. However, Swanson revealed the girl’s mother explained the last time she saw her daughter was when she was watching television after breakfast. The mother said she left the room to begin cleaning up and at some point her daughter apparently went out the back door, according to Swanson. The mother explained she didn’t know her daughter left the residence because the alarm on the door wasn’t working properly. The search began after police were called about the missing girl about 11:30 a.m. — STAN MADDUX
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 17
HOR0SCOPE MAY 19-25, 2022
AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19
You may want to get a pot of coffee on, as your home will be the spot for long talks with family and friends. Your understanding of another’s past experiences, and early influences will be crucial in giving the advice or support loved ones need. Some of the conversations may not require words.
LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22
SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21
You may be reluctant to share all your thoughts with others this week and may try to work things out on your own rather, risk exposing your emotions. This may be because your thinking is heavily influenced by past experiences, or unconscious memories. Sort out your feelings by talking it out with friends.
An understanding of some deep mystery will be revealed to you this week. Expect to have a religious truth revealed to you through divine revelation. Pay attention as these things are easily missed, and are usually explained away by logic. Trust that where ever you are, God is, and all is well.
TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20
Your mind will be a sponge for information this week. You will be able to retain, and recall crucial facts others may forget, or put aside. Whether you are working on specific projects or dealing directly with people your knowledge and memory will be very useful and appreciated.
VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22
CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19
Your friendships will be influenced by the intellectual similarities you share. It is important you are engaged with people who enjoy having intelligent conversations once in a while. When you start brainstorming with the right teammates, you can create some very original and inventive ideas.
Marriage and partnerships will require a lot of verbal give-andtake this week, and you may find yourself up late, talking away. It is important that you and your partner are both on the same page intellectually, and speak directly and honestly. Take this opportunity to really expose your feelings.
GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21
Focus on getting creative with your hands this week. Take the time to work on hobbies or projects that put your dexterity to good use. You may be surprised at the extra income you can earn with your own two hands, or the joy you can bring someone by mending their fence. Handypeople rule.
LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22 You will have no trouble communicating ideas to others and will do so in a way that is very intellectually stimulating and memorable. This is the week to share historical based stories or family sagas with younger people, as you will be very captivating. Sharing the past prepares us for the future.
AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18
CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22
SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21
PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20
This week you may have to deal with some mental challenges, or situations that require immediate decisions. Mental challenges, and executive type decisions require quick thinking and confidence, luckily for Cancer, you’re going to feel much more alert and ready for the challenge. Get’ em tiger.
Learning and higher education are on the agenda this week. You may find yourself having to learn a new computer system or new accounting technique this week. Don’t worry, reading, and studying will come easily to you now and you will retain and recall new information readily.
Stay focused on doing good work and providing quality service to your clientele this week. You will have a special knack for figuring out exactly what people want before they tell you, which will put you ahead of the competition. Don’t be afraid to show people your work or share your ideas.
It is time to change things up. So, if you have been feeling stagnant or tired, move the furniture around, paint, or redecorate, and get ready for a dramatic increase in your energy levels. Small changes in the physical areas of your life can lead to dramatic changes on the energetic plane.
It all comes down to how we value anything. — Dino N. Fatouros
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18 19, 2022 22 THURSDAY, THURSDAY, MAY AUGUST 19, 2021
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Injuries in garbage truck demolition of house
t least one person was seriously injured when a garbage truck belonging to a New Buffalo company demolished the side of a house Tuesday, May 17, in LaPorte County. Miraculously, perhaps, a woman and her baby inside the single story residence were not seriously injured. The crash happened about noon on U.S. 35 near 400 South at Kingsbury. La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd said it appears the driver’s side front tire blew on the southbound garbage truck. The truck belonged to Lakeshore Recycling and Disposal based at 139 N. Whittaker Street. According to police, the truck after blowing the tire veered across the grassy median and both northbound lanes before demolishing the south side of the single story residence. Dylan Seely, 23, lived in the house with his 22-year-old wife, Simone, and their 11-month-old
BY STAN MADDUX
daughter. Seely said he was at his job in Westville when he received a phone call about the crash from his wife. “She said a truck went through the house and I got here as fast as I could,” he said. Mrs. Seely told investigators she had her baby in her arms when she looked out the front window and saw the truck crash through her residence directly in front of her, police said. According to police, the driver, Jeron Higgins, 41, of Stevensville was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to the hospital complaining of pain over the entire left side of his body. Two other members of the crew, Clyde Fuller, 26, of Galien and Chris Haverstock, 22, of LaPorte were also taken to the hospital. Fuller’s face was covered in blood. He also complained of pain to his face and shoulder, police said. Haverstock complained of pain
to his left leg. One of the men was transported by helicopter to a trauma center at an outside hospital, police said. Seely said his wife also wound up at the hospital where she received stitches to one of her knees after being struck by some sort of debris. The baby was not hurt, he said.
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oyd said a dog inside the home was injured and taken to the clinic of a nearby veterinarian for
treatment. “It certainly could have been a lot worse than what the crash was,” he said. Seely said the damage to the house his family rented for about a year didn’t seem real. “It’s crazy,” he said. The northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 35 were entirely blocked to traffic for a while to allow emergency responders to go about their work safely.
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New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —
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New Alapash Mercantile to kick off open house party The Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce will perform a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, to officially welcome the new business, Alapash Mercantile, at 111 N Elm St, Three Oaks Michigan. The public is invited to the open house party that will follow the kick-off. Alapash Mercantile is an extension of the main store, Alapash, located at 14 N Elm St, Three Oaks. The focus of the new adventure is to offer a fun selection of indoor plants, pots, apothecary, everyday house objects and home accessories. The eclectic store is housed in the historic Featherbone boiler house that appropriately was once used as a greenhouse. Both locations are owned by Marco Chavarry, a Peruvian transplant that made the village his home and base for his home décor stores. Alapash Mercantile offers him the opportunity to draw from his past as the owner of a successful Chicago shop that offered terrariums and plants. “I wanted to return to my roots and create an authentic experience for my customers. The Alapash Mercantile embodies everything I’ve loved since I was a child: plants, color and art,” Chavarry said. For more information, please visit www.alapash.com or call 269-2319990. — STAFF REPORTS
St. Mary of the Lake Festival returning next weekend
A
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
longtime tradition to herald the summer season is returning to New Buffalo. The St. Mary of the Lake Festival will be taking place over Memorial Day weekend, Thursday through Monday, May 26-30, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, located at 718 W. Buffalo Street in New Buffalo. Festival hours will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 26; from noon to midnight Friday through Sunday, May 27-28; and from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, May 30. The festival will be sponsored by The Knights of Columbus 14366. Grand Knight Ken Przystup said they were happy to step in and make it happen again. “It’s been missing for two years we’re hoping for a big turnout,” he said. Jeff Zochalski, also a member of the Knights, said that when the original carnival company didn’t work out, fellow Knight Dan Cortese found another one, Anderson Midways. “We all worked together as a team to bring it back,” he said. Zochalski said that the festival will feature local as well as out of state bands, including Jammin’ with Jerry, which he said was especially requested and has played at many area events. The following is the band line-up: Flashback from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday; Generation Gap Band from 8 to 11:45 p.m. Friday; Rhythm Giants from 8 to
New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —
11:45 p.m. Saturday; John Kenna from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday; and Jammin’ with Jerry from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday. There will also be food vendors, including two local ones: “Dogfather” (featuring Chicago style dogs and naked dogs) and LaChula (featuring Mexican food). There will also be games, rides, and a beer and wine tent. As is tradition, the St. Mary of the Lake Altar and Rosary Society will be hosting its bake sale in the festival tent after Mass on Saturday and Sunday until items are sold out.
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icket prices are $20 before the festival or $25 at the carnival. Pre-event tickets can be purchased at St. Mary of the Lake Parish Office Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by calling 269-469-2637 until May 26. (Cash or checks payable to the Knights of Columbus.) Zochalski said they’re also looking for volunteers, adding that students can count any volunteer time they put in working at the festival toward community service hours. More information can be found at https:// stmarynewbuffalo.org. The Knights do many events throughout the year, such as the parish’s pancake breakfast and a golf outing, as well as are involved with the Harbor Country Food Pantry. They’re also involved with national causes, such as Pennies for Priests and the Coats for Kids program.
PROGRAM ON ASSASSINATION OF JAMES GARFIELD SCHEDULED FOR MAY 24
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im Moore, a history instructor at Lake Michigan College, will present a program on the assassination of James A. Garfield at the New Buffalo Township Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24. Garfield was shot at a Washington, D.C. railroad station in July 1881 by a disgruntled office-seeker. Despite the fact that Joseph Lister had introduced antiseptic surgical procedures and published the results in the previous decade, his ideas weren’t yet generally accepted, and Garfield’s doctors probed his wounds with unwashed fingers and unsterile instruments for a missing bullet without much regard for possible infection--and without success. The doctors even tried using a recent invention of Alexander Graham Bell, in effect a metal detector, to locate the projectile. (The first medical x-rays were still 15 years in the future.) Newspapers published optimistic reports about the mortally wounded president, even as his condition worsened. Garfield died on September 19, partly of massive infection, after serving as president for only six months. The program is part of the Friends of the New Buffalo Library’s Community Forum series and is free and open to everyone. The New Buffalo Township Library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. — STAFF REPORTS
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CLASSIFIED ADS Please submit your classified ad via email at classifieds@newbuffalotimes.com. New Buffalo Times can now accept online payments with a credit card or paypal. Go to our website, www.newbuffalotimes.com, and submit $14 per week for a classified ad of up to 160 characters. Deadline is Friday 5PM before the following week’s publication.
PUBLIC NOTICES
FOR RENT
NEW BUFFALO RETAIL US 12 high-visibility rental & pop-up spaces next to popular yoga studio. Great parking. 700-2,000 SF. Call to view/rates @ 312-259-4011. NEW BUFFALO Rent Year Round in New Buffalo. 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments starting at $800 per month. Quiet living—no pets. For more information call 269-469-1364.
HELP WANTED
LOVE WORKING OUTDOORS AND IN THE TREES? Awesome, outdoor, low covid exposure, summer work. C&A Arborists, your local tree care professionals, are looking for help!! Drivers license required, CDL preferred. Please call 269-756-2571, mail jamietreephilosophy@gmail.com. FULL TIME COOK POSITION IN LAPORTE 1 Year Experience. Call Oak Woods Manor for more details. 219-362-6600. 30 N Whittaker St CONSTRUCTION WORKERS EXPERIENCE PREFERRED day Carpentry drywall flooring tile setting windows doors and decking.Deli Must by be 18 years or older with valid drivers license. Heavy lifting involved. 219-808-1329. johnrtaylor1953@gmail.com.
SOUS CHEF/LINE COOK — PRIVATE CLUB We are looking for a professional Sous Chef/Line Cook to be the second in command in our newly renovated kitchen, following our Executive Chef’s specifications and guidelines. The successful candidate will employ its culinary skills to play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing our customers satisfaction. Enjoy the benefits of working for a private club. Weekend availability required. Yearround employment. Competitive Wages and Seasonal Bonus. Please e-mail Ryan at Ryannbyc@gmail.com. Open 6 days davidsdeliandcoffee.com KITCHEN ASSISTANT — PRIVATE CLUB We are looking for a motivated individual to help assist the Executive Chef with menu preparations, maintaining a clean kitchen, and dishwasher. Enjoy the benefits of working for a private club. Competitive wages and Seasonal Bonus. No experience required, will train. Weekend availability required. Year-round employment. Please e-mail Ryan at Ryannbyc@gmail.com.
CITY OF NEW BUFFALO 2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT Please be advised that the 2021 Water Quality Report is available online at: www.cityofnewbuffalo.org/documents/ water-quality-report/ A paper copy will not be mailed unless requested by calling City Hall at 269-469-1500.
30 N Whittaker St Deli by day
30 N Whittaker St Bar by night
Open 6 days davidsdeliandcoffee.com
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CHICAGO, IL • NEW BUFFALO, MI
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FISH FOR STOCKING Most Varieties Pond and Lakes. Laggis Fish Farm 269-628-2056 Days, 269-624-6215 Evenings. ELDERLY CARE NEEDED? Compassionate help available to care for your loved ones. Experienced and Dependable. Call Diane 219-344-2265.
ATTORNEY AT LAW MLAROSE@LAROSEBOSCOLAW.COM CONTACT US NEW BUFFALO 269-469-8440 CHICAGO 312-642-4414 TOLL FREE 877-500-1965
REAL ESTATE: Full Service Residential, Commercial, Easements, Beach Rights BUSINESS LAW: Corporations, Partnerships, LLCs, Sole Proprietorships INJURY LAW: Serious Injuries, Wrongful Death, Accidents
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Best live music
in Harbor Country
UPCOMING SHOWS Al Stewart with The Empty Pockets FRI 5/13 8 P.M. ET
The Linda Ronstadt Experience SUN 5/15 7 P.M. ET
Matt Schofield FRI 5/20 8 P.M. ET
Trust It To Be Wonderful
Whittaker Street 11 N.N.Whittaker Street Suite A A Suite NewBuffalo, Buffalo, MI MI 49117 New 49117
RESTAURANT
269.469.3636 269.469.3636
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___________________________________________________________________ 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
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Feel at Ease with McGhee’s
Sypian Family Band and Andrew Fisher Quartet SAT 5/21 8 P.M. ET
Cash Box Kings FRI 6/10 8 P.M. ET
Robbie Fulks FRI 6/17 8 P.M. ET
FInd more events at
acornlive.org
SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION EMERGENCY SERVICE • LICENSED & INSURED
FREE Ecobee 3 Thermostat, Aprilaire Media Air Cleaner & First Year C.A.R.E Club Membership
WHEN YOU MENTION THIS AD WITH THE INSTALLATION OF AN AIR CONDITIONER UNIT WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Join our C.A.R.E. Club Maintenance Program We service all brands and provide “Air Quality” Products Facebook “f ” Logo
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Sunday 10:15 am
Do you have a growing to-do list? A Home Equity Line of Credit can help! Apply today at tcunet.com/HomeEquity ©Teachers Credit Union. NMLS# 686706. All loans subject to equity qualifications, credit approval and membership requirements.
IN PERSON SERVICE Nursery and Childrens Church PARKING LOT SERVICE OPTIONAL
Find Us On search: Calvary Chapel New Buffalo
Listen In Your Vehicle At 89.1 FM
Visit calvarychapelnb.org for current updates, weekly bulletin & bible study information.
1615 East Buffalo St • Pastor Len Pera • 269-548-9980
AVA I L A B L E 5 P M 8 C L O S E walk-ins encouraged and limited reservations available
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362 journeymandistillery.com | downtown three oaks | 269-820-2050 |
