May 25, 2023

New Buffalo mayor the target of another recall attempt PAGE 3

Grand Beach Village Council approves millage rate factor, budgets for 2023-2024 PAGE 4

Region of Three Oaks Museum breaks ground on expansion PAGE 6

New Buffalo school board adopts policy for transgender rights PAGE 8

RIP: Dee Dee

PAGE 18

Historical figures come alive at elementary school’s wax museum

New Buffalo Times

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New Buffalo mayor the target of another recall attempt

Another effort is being waged to remove from office the mayor of New Buffalo, who survived a recall attempt last year.

New Buffalo resident and business owner John Taylor has filed a recall petition to oust John Humphrey, who’s in the third year of his four-year term on the city council.

Humphrey has been appointed mayor by the city council in each of his first three years of his term.

Taylor said the recall attempt is over the “enormous” increase last year in water and sewer rates in the city.

Residents, on average, have witnessed about a 50% increase in their bi-monthly bills.

“This is just one more issue that clearly demonstrates his inability to be in the position that he is in,” Taylor said.

The Berrien County Election Board has scheduled a hearing for May 31 at 2 p.m. to decide whether to approve or reject the language on the recall petition.

The language would be the reason cited on the ballot when voters are asked to decide whether to retain or recall Humphrey.

If the language is approved, a required number of signatures from registered voters in New Buffalo would have to be obtained and validated by the election board for a special election to be called.

BY STAN MADDUX

Taylor helped gather signatures during last year’s recall attempt over Humphrey’s support of a ban on more short term rentals in residential areas of the city.

The number of validated signatures, though, fell short of what was required for a special election to be held.

Taylor said he’s optimistic about meeting the signature requirement this time because he and other detractors of Humphrey are more familiar with the process and plan to start approaching people on a list of who signed last year’s recall petition.

“It makes our job significantly easier because we’re going to revisit those individuals. I think we’ll be successful,” he said.

Humphrey said most of the rate hike is from increasing the ready to serve fee on sewer service from $14 to $60.

He said the increase was needed because rates hadn’t been raised enough since the late 1990s to keep up with the city’s share of the rising cost for operating and maintaining the waste water treatment plant.

“We have fixed it to protect the long term sustainability of our sewer system. People need to understand that,” he said.

New Buffalo, New Buffalo Township, Chikaming Township, Lake Township and Bridgman from the Galien River Sanitary District, which operates and

maintains the plant also serving Weesaw Township.

Humphrey said the city’s fund used for plant operation and maintenance had more than $300,000 in red ink annually in recent years because of inflation outpacing the amount collected in sewer fees.

Property tax revenue was allocated to cover the yearly sewer fund deficits, he said.

Humphrey said the sewer fund now has a surplus, which frees up property tax dollars serving the debt to go toward roads and other projects in the city. He also said removing him from office will not lower the water and sewer rates. “That’s the bottom line,” he said.

Humphrey claimed the same people involved in the previous recall petition are behind the most recent effort to remove him from office for personal reasons that include the new restrictions on short term rentals.

He also vowed to review every signature on the recall petition and challenge every one they believe is not legitimate.

“I think the public has had it with this group of people and I think you’re going to see a lot more public push back against this recall,” he said.

strong. Be confident. Be the star of your own life.

Estée Lauder

Local Government Meetings

New Buffalo Times

Democracy Requires Transparency

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO

JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL

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

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

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS

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

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOARD

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

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

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION

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

SHERIFF BERRIEN COUNTY

L. Paul Bailey, Sheriff

Chuck Heit, Undersheriff

NEW BUFFALO AREA

RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY

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

NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD

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

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD

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

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

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION

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

THREE OAKS

THREE OAKS TOWNSHIP BOARD

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

VILLAGE OF THREE OAKS BOARD

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

GRAND BEACH

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

MARY ROBERTSON, CLERK

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

MICHIANA

VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL

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

Grand Beach Village Council approves millage rate factor, budgets for 2023-2024

Members of the Grand Beach Village Council adopted a millage rate factor of 5.8278 mills for 2023, as well as adopted a resolution to adopt all budgets for fiscal year 2023-2024, at their Wednesday, May 17, meeting.

Council president Harry Walder said that they’re “not changing anything,” as the millage is state driven.

Council member Blake O’Halloran said that it’s important for people to know that the state continues to have the millage rate go down.

“At some point, it gets to where villages and municipalities can’t continue to meet the budget, so I want to make people aware at some point it needs to be addressed,” he said.

He added that it’s statewide situation and not just Grand Beach, with council member Peter Doerr adding that they have the lowest millage rate in the area.

Council members adopted a resolution to apply for grant funding for village streets.

Per the resolution, the village is applying for $223.083.25 in funding through MDOT from the Transportation Economic Development Category B Program to resurface/reconstruct Holiday Hills Road, Royal Avenue, Grand Beach Road, Crescent Road and Main Drive.

Walder said that these were the streets that were on last year’s list, with the addition of two streets, when they applied for the grant and that they’re the ones that are in the worst condition.

Streets and water commissioner James Bracewell said that, like last year when they didn’t receive the grant, if they don’t receive it this year, they’ll be in the “same position” and they’ll only have minor funds to patch the streets.

Council members also approved

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

transferring funds in the amount of $39,834.03 from a class action lawsuit to the Major Streets Fund. Bracewell said that, when he discovered that the village had benefited from two class action lawsuits to “the tune of almost $39,000,” he suggested to Walder that the funds be earmarked for the roads.

Council members discussed the possibility of doing swimming pool inspections, which have never been done before.

Walder said the village’s ordinance states that swimming pools be inspected “periodically;” however, he said they’d have to define what “periodic” means.

Building and zoning administrator Chad Butler said several items would be inspected, including checking to make sure the gate, the latch and the fence are being kept up to code, if the automatic cover is broken if there is one, if there are trip hazards and receptacles near the pool.

Walder added that the council needs to decide at what frequency they’d do the inspections and if a fee should be charged. If they don’t want to do inspections, then the ordinance should be revised.

The zoning renewal fees were approved: new house construction, $250; additions to existing homes, $100; new swimming pools, $50; fences, $50 and accessory structures, $50. The fees will be paid into the General Fund and used for funding the zoning administrator.

Council members approved refunding 70% of building permit fees when the work has not started within 180 days.

Walder said that the village doesn’t have a written policy on what to do when someone takes out a permit and then doesn’t start construction. The village has refunded the full amount in the past; however, once they get the permit

application, the village incurs the cost for the plan and zoning reviews that Butler must do.

Council members approved paying Butler $3500 per month from the building inspection fund for his services and $1,000 a month from the General Fund for his duties as the zoning administrator.

Council members received documents of proposed upgrades to the village hall and maintenance building. Walder said they can look them over and discuss it in a couple of months, as work won’t be done before the fall.

Council members approved a bid from Versaw Earthworks Excavating & Trucking in the amount of $6,450 as presented, contingent upon if the court action tells the village that it can proceed with the demolition of property at 48305 Rohde Court in week.

Councilmembers learned last month from village attorney Sara Senica that a civil infraction ticket had been issued and that they were waiting for the court to default. Currently, there’s a warrant on the residence at that address because previous tickets had been issued and one of them was a misdemeanor. With a civil infraction ticket, a judgement can be obtained against the property, where either the village or company hired by the village can go in and clean up the property, bringing it into compliance and tearing down the property.

Walder said if the owner of that property doesn’t respond to the court within a week, the village would be allowed by the judge to demolish the home and bring the property “up to site.”

Police training for Creo Brewster in the amount of $1,235 was approved.

and the mountains have become my landscape, my real world.

Georges Simenon

Region of Three Oaks Museum breaks ground on expansion

Shovels were in the ground Friday, May 19, to officially mark members of The Region of Three Oaks Museum Board of Directors taking big steps to prevent the museum from “drowning in history.”

As a result of running out of space to store the artifacts, photos, and documents that tell the rich history of Southwest Michigan, the museum has embarked on a capital campaign to raise money to build a 1440-squarefoot addition to the existing museum that will be located just to the south of the museum building.

The museum has raised more than $80,000; however, it still needs to get to $104,000 to completely pay for the expansion project. It was announced on the museum’s Facebook page that, at the groundbreaking, the museum received a check for $500 and pledges of $2000 more.

Judy Jackson, a founding member of the museum and volunteer, said that Ron Jelinek, a former state representative and senator who was a driving force behind the effort to bring a history museum back to the region, befriended the curator at the time at Michigan State University, where a lot of the collection from the former museum had gone.

The Chamberlain-Warren Museum,

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

which was in the building that houses Three Oaks Township Library, closed in 1952, after 36 years in existence. Several of the large items from the original museum are stored underneath the university’s football museum.

As a result of Jelinek’s efforts, the museum’s board of directors still has a “good rapport” with MSU. Recently, they were offered very large items to bring back to the museum: a small sleigh, a very large ornate mirror, which will go in Heritage Hall (which was purchased by the museum), a hears carriage that has carved wood curtains and a carriage with gas lamps.

“These are the types of things that we’re going to acquire from MSU – it’s matter of going to pick them up and we’re working on that right now, but we need a place to house these things and a lot of other artifacts that generous people have given us,” Jackson said.

Board member Nick Bogert added that there are also several items on the third floor of the library that they’d also like to store in the new addition.

He added that Beverly and Jerry Kohn, owners of Corvette Central, may offer some equipment to help move some of the items from MSU.

The entire endeavor has been a community effort. Vicky Gudas, a local

resident and former board member, has been writing grant proposals.

The Pokagon Fund awarded a $10,000 grant toward the project. Dan Petersen, executive director of the Fund, said the Fund recognizes “what a significant cultural and historical asset the museum is to the community and preserving all the memories that were made here and all the history that has taken place in Three Oaks.”

“As an outsider who came in walking through The Region of Three Oaks Museum for the first time it’s amazing what the museum has been able to preserve,” he said.

Lisa Cripps-Downey, president of the Berrien Community Foundation, which also gave the museum a $10,000 grant, said the project was the community’s way of showing how important the past is to them.

“The past informs our future and we should all learn about it and that you’re just taking such ownership of it as a community - it’s just wonderful,” she said.

The museum has partnered with the Village of Three Oaks, as it’s applied for the William J. Deputy Grant, which is only available to municipalities and local units of government.

“It’s amazing that Three Oaks has a

museum they can call their own, not too many communities are fortunate to have something like this and the support with everyone – volunteers, the Pokagon Fund and Harrington and Berrien Community Foundation - we’re glad to be part of it,” village manager Dan Faulkner said.

In a separate project, Kevin Harrington, owner of Harrington’s Photography in Three Oaks, took some old photos that had been “moldering” in the back of the library and restored them by making photos of the negatives that couldn’t be salvaged and prints of the ones that could. The photos were donated to the museum.

Bogert said the project’s timetable is 60 days.

Oatsvall Construction will be constructing the building. Ron Oatsvall, who built the museum, donated $1,000 toward the addition. Three Oaks native Art Klute, who used to sell shelving systems, helped the museum obtain museum quality, rolling shelving, through Mike Cavasin of Professional Systems Installation, which will be donating it to the museum.

Those who want to help the museum in their expansion efforts can send a check, made out to TROTOM, at PO Box 125, Three Oaks, MI 49125.

Shovels are in the ground for the new addition

Judy Jackson shows photos of large items the museum wishes to acquire

Board member Nick Bogert welcomes supporters to the groundbreaking

SCHOLASTICS

New Buffalo school board adopts policy for transgender rights

Members of the New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education adopted a Student Rights policy, Policy 5106, “Transgender Students,” with immediate effect at their Monday, May 22, meeting.

Per the policy, the board “supports protecting the rights of all students to selfidentify and use the name, pronouns, and facilities that correspond with their gender identity” as well as “prohibits unlawful discrimination, bullying, and harassment on the basis of sex, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity.”

“The board further prohibits unlawful discrimination, bullying, and harassment on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, or gender-based stereotypes pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,” the policy states.

Interim superintendent Dr. Michael Lindley said that, in going to the Thrun policies, “they recommend to the board to consider an optional policy specific to the needs of transgender students.”

Two options were presented by the district’s legal counsel: to allow the access or students to any locker room or bathroom based upon their gender identity or to look at those issues on a case-by-case basis. Board members approved the latter option. Currently, there’re two gender neutral bathrooms in the middle school and two in the high school and another one is going in the area of the gymnasium by the end of the week. In the coming weeks, there may be facilities for big school events.

Lindley was also recommending that there be the development of a gender support plan. When he, high school principal Tracy Ripley and elementary school principal Adam Bowen met with several students, Lindley said the students

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

felt a plan as part of the policy “would be instrumental in trying to identify the issues and the potential outcomes that we can have to support not only our students directly covered by this policy but all students.”

The policy also directs the district to “comply with reasonable requests to amend a former student’s secondary education records, including diplomas and transcripts” and is obligated to allow current students to have their records changed to be based upon their gender identity.

The policy also requires staff training.

Student Ren Nash said a transgender student gender support plan established in 2020 was recently infringed upon due to “a transphobic ideologies held by a fellow student, “who then “expressed his transphobia directly to me, a nonbinary student, in the hallway”

An administrator’s response, which Nash said “left her in tears,” was that the student “clearly didn’t understand transphobia and needed to be taught the terminology.”

“When you vote, I ask that you please keep my aforementioned story in mind as I’m not the only student who has experienced this,” she said.

Board members adopted the 2023-2024 fiscal budget.

Business manager Pano Arvanitis said that, for 2023, 18 mills will be levied on all non-principal residence, non-qualified agricultural property, non-qualified forest property, non-supportive housing property, non-PSA-occupied property, and non-industrial property in the district to fund the majority of general operations. Estimated revenue generated by this levy will be $14,834,980, or 75% of the district’s revenues.

Regarding the general fund, the majority of revenues are from local sources at $16,435,480, with revenues from the state

being roughly $2 million, federal roughly $1.3 million and LRSB at $58,905 for projected total revenues of $19,885,549.

Payroll and benefits made up roughly 65% of expenditures. Projected expenditures are around $21 million, which includes all the expenditures of the Covid monies.

Board members certified the 2023 tax levy to the City of New Buffalo, New Buffalo Township, and Chikaming Township.

The resolutions complying with the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act (152) for the medical benefit plan coverage beginning July 1, which includes district employees paying 20% and New Buffalo Area Schools paying 80% of the premium, in lieu of capping the premium, were approved.

The 2023-2024 administrative work agreements were approved.

Board members heard an update on the district’s BASE (Bison After School Enrichment) program.

Director Madeline Selby said that, for the first trimester, there was a daily average of 100-110 students who attended BASE and 65-75 students for the third trimester.

This year, there were enrichments for kindergarten through second grade students, which included two hikes a week with the Harbor Country Hikers and Pat Fisher, story time with Kristy Good from the library, Yoga Club with Colleen Neubauer, and Daisies for kindergarten and first graders and Brownies for second and third graders.

New enrichments for third through fifth grades were Nail Art with Molly Sell, Book Club with Good, Cop Club with the school resource officer, hikes with Fisher, Chess Club with Carter Vravis and Playing with Food with Jocelyne Tuszynski.

Goals for 2022-2023 were maintaining

increased numbers of students daily, finding new enrichments and getting a full staff. Goals for 2023 – 2024 are to introduce more PBIS incentives for positive behavior, to plan more events hosted by BASE and to take small field trips and involve students in the community more.

Board members heard an update on athletics from Matt Johnson, athletic director.

This year, 114 out of 178 high school students participated in a sport.

Regarding the athletic handbook, the main issue is eligibility, which is based off a 2.0 GPA (cumulative starts the season and in-semester finishes season). Johnson said 105 out of 114, or 92%, of athletes had no eligibility issues.

Highlights this year include ending football, which is a co-op with River Valley and New Buffalo, with a 6-3 record (the best season for both schools since 2001); the eighth grade girls basketball team ending the season undefeated; getting new baseball scoreboard; upgrading the track hurdle and hiring a new athletic director administrative assistant.

Johnson said they also hope to get a new trophy case and touch screen historical/ team record board, form a potential co-op with River Valley in softball and girls’ basketball and maybe middle school soccer and start an athletic counsel consisting of him, athletes, parents and a board member to meet each season to discuss eligibility, parent conflicts and other issues going on.

Board members adopted the Michigan High School Athletic Association resolution. The administrative contract for David Kelly, for 2023-2024, was approved.

Board members employed Camille Bauer and Hannah Harrison as summer school teachers.

If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about answers. — Thomas Pynchon

New Buffalo Middle/High School recognized as a ‘Green School’

New Buffalo High School/ Middle School has been recognized as a Michigan Green School.

The Michigan Green School Program was established in 2006 and is given to public and private schools for their environmental efforts and ecological practices. This award shows that New Buffalo High School/Middle School has shown efforts to encourage students to sustainably use resources, create a healthy ecology around us and focus on environmental education.

New Buffalo Envirothon designs, builds and presents to the public solar heat collectors designed to heat in the winter. This reduces the use of fossil fuels contributing to global warming.

New Buffalo Area Schools uses a solar heat collector to heat the maintenance garage, which warms the equipment for easier engine starts. New Buffalo Area Schools installs and maintains energy efficient systems district wide. They also cover a unit on renewable energy in the Envirothon course.

New Buffalo High School is participating in activism regarding the environment.

Envirothon is a class offered to students to teach them how the environment functions and how to identify native and invasive organisms. Because of this class, students have spent lots of time outside observing the environment, and are able to make a positive impact in the surrounding area. Recently, students taking the class have been learning about invasive species and how to control them. One of the biggest forms of activism that New Buffalo High School has been involved in is taking students on field trips to help with beach clean-up, which lasts up to two days with two different class periods participating.

From May 10-11, Envirothon students picked up trash at New Buffalo Public Beach. Students discovered that trash pickup takes an enormous amount of effort and time.

Overall, Envirothon serves as a platform to promote environmental responsibilities and raises awareness of ecological issues.

New Buffalo High School has many initiatives that promote reducing, reusing and recycling, which ultimately teaches students the importance of reusing items.

The school has installed automatic water bottle fountains to reduce the number of plastic water bottles being wasted. Plastic salad containers from the school lunch are saved to grow plants to sell to collect funds for a cancer charity.

Solar heat collectors are installed in the maintenance building to heat the tractors and other ground equipment. These solar heat collectors are made by recycling 169 pop cans donated by community members, and the school offers a training session to teach the community members how to build energy-saving solar heat collectors themselves.

Recycled plastic, aluminum and paper are reused for other school based projects, including aluminum cans used in solar heat collectors. The plastic salad containers and breakfast cups are used to grow plants, which are sold to the community. Designated recycling bins, which middle school volunteers collect weekly, are abundant throughout the classrooms and hallways.

Students are well aware of the importance of recycling and use these frequently.

New Buffalo Area Schools engage in green practices through reducing, recycling, activism, energy conservation, and other Earth benefiting activities. These practices help the school by being more environmentally proactive, engaging students to be more self aware about the planet and the conditions of it. By helping students to use these skills now, they will be able to use them later on in life and to teach others how to live sustainably through reusing, reducing, and recycling.

NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS TO DEDICATE SKATEPARK

Students and residents will be ready to roll when New Buffalo Area Schools dedicates the skatepark, located across from the middle/high school at 1112 East Clay Street, at 4 p.m. Friday, June 2. A unique feature of the park will be five signs, with barcodes. The barcodes can be scanned, and skate boarders can learn about the physics “at play” in a skatepark. Richard Eberly, the high

school

physics teacher, and his students developed the signage. The skatepark construction crew, who travel the country and install skateparks, said they have never heard of this.

“In the New Buffalo Area Schools, we want to make play and education fun,” said a press release.

For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Lindley at 269469-6013 or at mlindley@nbas.org.

— STAFF REPORTS

Customers have final meal at beloved Louie’s Café

BY STAN MADDUX

Customers flocked to Louie’s Café to say goodbye Monday, May 22, not just to the food and service but people they considered like family at a downtown La Porte institution.

Longtime customer Kelly Nelson of La Porte had all of the waitresses stand together during the breakfast rush for a group picture she took to help keep alive her memories of the beloved restaurant.

“This is not about the food. This is our family. We’re going to miss them so much, all of these girls. We love them all,” she said.

Nelson and her husband, Terry, brought their granddaughter, Taylor, whose picture as a toddler at the restaurant was included in a display of other customer photos at the checkout.

Louie Vasilarakos was a manager in the restaurant business in Merrillville when he opened his own doors in the city in 1977, said his

son and current owner, Tom Vasilarakos.

Initially, he offered mainly sandwiches on the city’s east side and then had more of a traditional restaurant menu on the west end of the community.

In 1985, Louie’s Café moved to Lincolnway and Madison Street, where it’s been ever since.

Vasilarakos, who worked for his father since he was 15, bought the restaurant from his mother, Denise, after Louie passed away in 2013.

Eventually, Vasilarakos, 60, said he needed a change from working 12 hour shifts, six days a week at the restaurant.

He said none of his children wanted to take over the establishment and he tried selling it but couldn’t find a buyer.

Itching to move on, Vasilarakos said closing became the only choice to begin a new chapter in his life, which began Saturday with marriage to his bride, Diana.

He’s going to pursue other

passions, such as a career as a certified personal physical fitness trainer and operating a recording studio for bands to produce their music.

“It’s time to pursue other things and get into something that’s a little less stressful,” he said.

Nick Bernel was a member of the 1997 La Porte High School basketball team when the squad was treated to a spaghetti dinner there before their trip to Indianapolis to play in the state finals.

Bernel, now an architect and restaurant owner in Washington D.C., said he came home to visit his family a few days earlier than he originally planned so he could sit down for a final meal at Louie’s Café before it closed.

“It’s really sad but I’m glad he’s moving on and doing something else with his life,” he said.

Ed Snow and Art Smith had breakfast at Louie’s Café every Monday for the past 15 years and considered the restaurant sort of a home away from

home.

“It’s a good place to come in, relax. You can joke around and nobody gets offended. It’s family. It’s family. It’s going to be missed,” Snow said.

Mary Choromokos, a waitress at the restaurant for 40 years, fought back tears while serving a number of customers unable to keep themselves from crying.

“Very, very sad. This is home. Great boss. Everybody is great here,” said Patty Metheny, a waitress for 14 years at the restaurant.

Annette Voorhees was a customer for 38 years prior to becoming a waitress there over two years ago.

“I’m happy for them because they get to start a new adventure but I’m very sad about closing down. Very sad,” she said.

Tom Demakas of Chesterton worked 40 years as a cook for his uncle, Louie, and later his cousin,

Tom.

Demakas, 73, said he felt good about being able to retire from what can be a tough yet fun business.

He also felt badly for their customers.

“We’ve been here a long time together. It’s like family. It’s going to be tough leaving but you got to retire sooner or later,” he said.

Vasilarakos said he started realizing today was the final day after reporting for work.

He felt biscuits and gravity will be the menu item most remembered by their customers.

He said the amount of sausage gravy that has to be made is about 30 gallons a week but increased to about 45 gallons a week recently after word spread about the restaurant closing.

“We’ve cooked a lot of meals for our community here and it’s been well appreciated. I couldn’t ask for a better town to get something going in,” he said.

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Students walk the red carpet for prom 2023

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

The traditional red carpet was rolled out in the gym for prom goers at New Buffalo High School Saturday, May 20. In front of an audience of family and friends, couples and groups of friends stepped onto the carpet (which was underneath a spotlight) and posed for a quick picture. Prom goers and chaperones then spun around and walked down the hall toward the waiting chartered buses, so they could get their night of dancing and socializing at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks started.

Amid the celebrating, the students watched as seniors Matilde Alessandrini and Haruki Eberly were crowned queen and king, and juniors Ava Johnson and Cameron Forker were crowned princess and prince.

Prom Princess and Prince Ava Johnson and Cameron Forker

Prom Queen and King Matilde Alessandrini and Haruki Eberly Prom goers pose for family and friends at the gym

Prom goers pose after walking the red carpet

Prom goers pose for family and friends at the gym

Prom goers walked the red carpet at the high school

Prom goers walk the red carpet at the gym

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

The current NBA season has been very interesting, with some unique things happening.

Because Chicago’s Bulls only made it to the play in tournament, I didn’t follow all of the news with as much fervor as usual, but when playoff time rolled around, I was all in.

The first thing I wanted to discuss is Ja Morant. Ja is one of the best young players in the league. He can do things on the basketball court that few have ever been able to do. He’s a young man with tons of talent, energy, and a lot of money.

During the season he was caught brandishing a gun at a strip club and was suspended and fined. He apologized for his actions and it appeared to be a one time mistake by a young man. Then he did it again. Hopefully Ja can get his act together and be mature enough to get back in the good graces of the league, his team, and his teammates.

Both conferences tried a new strategy this season.

In the East, the Miami Heat rested players regularly and played just well enough to reach the play ins. In fact, Miami came dangerously close to losing to the Bulls and missing out on the playoffs altogether. But their strategy is now paying off as they beat Milwaukee, New York, and are currently leading Boston 3 games to none.

In the West, the Los Angeles Lakers tried the same strategy, resting their stars, including LeBron James, regularly

throughout the regular season so he would be stronger and more rested for the playoffs. Initially it worked, and they beat Memphis and Golden State but then they ran into the powerful Denver Nuggets and are trailing 3-0.

The biggest problem with these teams holding out their players during the regular season is that people pay a lot of money to go to those games and if they don’t think their team is trying to win, they may not come until playoff time. Because of that, a bunch of new rules are being implemented for next season.

The finals are on the horizon and it will be great to watch Jimmy Butler and his supporting crew take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. The best in the West versus the 8th seed in the East. Denver will be favored but a few other really good teams have underestimated Miami and they’re now sitting at home.

Finally, the NFL begins their organized team practice activities ( OTA’s ) this week. The interest in the Bears is higher than it’s been in years. They probably won’t be ready to compete for a championship this year, but next year isn’t out of the question. Love them or hate them, it’s going to be a season of great interest.

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, “Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.”

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

Arson suspected in mobile home fire rescues

BY STAN MADDUX

Members of a construction crew in Michigan City quite possibly saved the lives of a woman and fouryear-old boy inside a burning mobile home in what police suspect was arson.

Pat O’Brien, 67, of Michigan City said he doesn’t consider himself a hero, though.

“I don’t know about that. I think instinct takes over. We just did whatever we had to do,” he said. Michigan City Fire Department spokesperson Tia Free said firefighters about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday responded to Dunewood Village Mobile Home Community along Indiana 212 on the city’s far east side.

A caller reported a residence on fire and two people along with a dog were trapped inside.

Before firefighters arrived, O’Brien and he and two members of his crew were pouring cement for driveways at several new homes in the trailer park.

O’Brien said they heard glass breaking then saw smoke and flames coming from the single wide mobile home.

He said they ran over and started yelling in hopes of drawing the attention of anyone who might be inside.

They also opened the front door to try and go inside but were driven away by intense heat and heavy smoke.

O’Brien said they started busting windows out of the home and continued to scream when they heard what sounded like someone inside the dwelling.

He said about half of the home was on fire with flames reaching about 10 feet high when, suddenly, a woman approached one of the broken windows.

The men reached in and grabbed her then carried the woman out through the broken window at the rear of the home.

Moments later, O’Brien said the boy

looking very frightened with soot on his face came to another broken window a short distance away.

He was also safely guided through the opening in the window frame.

After the boy nodded his head that he was thirsty, O’Brien said he ran to his truck and grabbed a bottle of water for him to drink.

“He was in shock, I’m sure. He was shaking pretty good,” he said.

The dog was also taken out of the home through a broken window.

Firefighters arrived a short time later.

“If we had waited for the fire department, I don’t think they would have made it,” O’Brien said.

Free said the 77-year-old woman, Sandra Root, was airlifted from Franciscan Health in Michigan City to a burn unit in Ft. Wayne.

The woman suffered burns to the inside of her throat from breathing heated air, she said.

Free said the boy was treated at a local hospital for undisclosed minor injuries and later released.

The name of the boy was not released.

Authorities said the unharmed dog was placed into the custody of Michigan City Animal Control.

The mobile home was considered a total loss.

“There’s not much left inside of it. It was pretty far gone when we got there,” Free said.

According to police, the initial findings of the ongoing investigation revealed the fire was intentionally set.

So far, police have not shed light on exactly how they believe the fire was started.

Local law enforcement detectives and investigators from the fire department are working together on the case, police said.

How did a Midwest industrialist form a lasting connection with a Mideast Christian sect, bringing a vast collection of ancient artifacts to Three Oaks?

The story of E. K. Warren and the Samaritans is as fascinating as it is unlikely, and will be told at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 26 at Three Oaks Heritage Hall (8 E. Linden Street).

Tad Boehmer, curator of rare books at Michigan State University’s Stephen O. Murray & Keelung Hong Special Collections, has read much of Warren’s correspondence regarding the Samaritans. His illustrated talk will

include images of the manuscripts and artifacts Warren collected (one is more than 1,0000 years old) and displayed in his hometown, despite objections from some in the Samaritan community.

Admission is $5 for members of The Region of Three Oaks Museum, $20 for non- members (admission includes a membership).

The Region of Three Oaks Museum is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the area.

— STAFF REPORTS

Lake Michigan College to seek millage renewal on August ballot

Lake Michigan College has announced that it will place a millage renewal proposal on the Aug. 8 ballot.

The current millage expires with the 2023 tax levy. The proposal would renew the millage for another 20 years. The current millage generates nearly 25% of LMC’s total operational budget.

“This is a renewal of critical funding that the community has previously voted to support,” Lake Michigan College President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke said. “This millage allows LMC to respond to the needs of community partners and employers by offering innovative programs such as workforce development and our new police academy. It is important to note that we are not seeking any tax increase. This proposal would freeze the LMC tax rate for district residents for the next 20 years.”

A millage is the rate at which property taxes are levied on real estate or other property. The millage rate is the number of dollars of tax assessed for each $1,000 of property value. A mill is one-thousandth of a dollar or one-tenth of a cent. LMC’s renewal proposal is for 0.8804 of a mill.

“Lake Michigan College has a demonstrated 76-year history of financial accountability, responsibility, and commitment to the community,” LMC Board of Trustees Chair John Grover said.

“We offer more than 75 academic programs taught by accomplished, knowledgeable, and dedicated faculty. We offer affordable tuition, with many in-district students qualifying for free tuition through

the LMC Foundation, as well as access to Early College for high school students. LMC also remains a community destination through the Fab Lab, the Welch Center, and the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, the largest performing arts center in the region. This millage renewal allows us to continue LMC’s impact on our students, area employers, the local economy, and the community.”

According to a 2021 study by Lightcast, LMC’s positive economic impact on the community totals more than $400 million a year. This includes the economic and social impact of LMC alumni, workforce training, and college operations. LMC is a leader in higher education, community and employer partnerships, workforce training and retraining, and serves as a cultural hub for Southwest Michigan.

“As the labor market continues to change, Lake Michigan College is the choice for employers and workers, helping to strengthen the regional economy,” Kubatzke said.

“The number one issue for economic development is workforce and people, and LMC plays a key role in enhancing and expanding training to attract and retain quality employees and good paying jobs.”

For more information about the millage renewal, visit www. lakemichigancollege.edu/millage or contact Al Pscholka, LMC executive director, community & governmental relations, at apscholka@ lakemichigancollege.edu or 269-8613092.

THE REGION OF THREE OAKS MUSEUM TO PRESENT ‘E. K. WARREN AND THE SAMARITANS’

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

HOROSCOPE

MAY 25-31, 2023

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT

You are not one that is considered inhibited but this week you will hold back on rushing through things. You may be strongly attached to an idea, feeling, or person but you will not be willing to invest all your time and effort into something or someone who is not giving you back what you need or want.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

There is a heaviness around certain people this week. You are being asked to do more than your share and will be put into a position where you will have to make some tough choices. If this person is a family member consider the long-term effects. If it is just a friend, they will understand.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

This is your time to shine. You will be attracting many good opportunities this week and will be making some important moves that will open up a lot of future accomplishments. Take full advantage of this prosperous period by releasing inhibition and fear. Abundance and joy are yours.

CANCER JUNE

22—JULY

22

Expect to have a lot of conflicting information coming in about other people. You may think you have a clear picture on the motives and forces behind other people’s actions but you may be quite mistaken about the true intentions of others. Trust that the right information will surface.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

There will be a lot of activity behind the scenes and you are going to be an integral part of the driving force in this project. You may be forced into taking the lead without realizing it. You are the right person for the job and many people will be happy to see you in charge. You have many admirers.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

It is time to consider long-term commitments and investments. You are moving into a period where many ideas and situations will be changing. It is important that you maintain a level of balance in your emotions and attitude. Refrain from passing judgement till you are sure you have all the facts.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22

Your social life will be in a dramatic up swing this week. You are not going to be spending much time alone and you will be sought after both professionally and personally. Take advantage of this opportunity to move into a more rewarding view of your family and friends. It is time to celebrate.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

What was once considered a long shot will be coming into view again. You may have let this opportunity go in the past but now you will see that now you are ready for this change and will embrace this opportunity fully. Do not let fear of failure or feelings of inadequacy hold you back.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER22—DECEMBER21

Your personality will soften this week and you may find yourself caring for people in unexpected ways. You are going to be in the position to save someone from much heartache and hard-work. Without intention you will be a life-saver and will be in the right place to help others.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

Much of your time and effort has been going into creating beauty and harmony in your family and home. It is time to take some of that energy and put it into your career and finances. Taking time to focus on money can be stressful but you have a career move coming up so get ready.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

If you are considering getting into a new relationship now is the time to try a new approach. Most importantly do not rush into a commitment, you do not have all the facts and you may not be seeing people and situations as they really are. If you are currently involved it is time to spice it up.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

Career and money matters are going to be taking center stage this week and you will come across some interesting leads in the business world. It is important you don’t show all your cards in upcoming meetings. Holding back that information will prove to be advantageous in the long run.

Whatever happens, patience, gladness, virtue. This is the solution, the only solution. — Dino N. Fatouros

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.

YARD SALE

Fri. May 26 from 9am-3pm & Sat. May 27 from 9am-1pm @ 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, MI.

OBITUARIES

a former owner and publisher of the New Buffalo Times newspaper. She was a firm believer in supporting her community. She loved the town of New Buffalo and worked diligently to constantly improve its business climate as a member of New Buffalo’s Downtown Development Association.

Dee Dee was born on May 1, 1951, in Macon, Missouri and grew up on her parents’ farm. She graduated from Macon High School in 1969, and studied fashion merchandising in Kansas City and Europe. Shortly after completing her coursework, she embarked upon a successful career with Estée Lauder which left her well-prepared for her role as a retail business owner.

Mary Dee “Dee Dee” Duhn

1951 – 2023

Mary Dee “Dee Dee”

Duhn, age 72, of Michigan City, IN (Michiana Shores), passed away on May 15, 2023. She is survived by her sister, Carla Branson (nee Duhn), her life partner, John G. Stamos, her numerous beloved cousins, and her New Buffalo, Michigan family of loyal and true friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Evelyn Duhn, and her father, Carl M. Duhn.

Dee Dee was the founder, owner, and operator of the retail establishment, Customs Imports, in downtown New Buffalo, MI, and was

Dee Dee’s adventurous spirit was legendary and her business acumen was peerless. But what was most remarkable about Dee Dee was her integrity, her kindness, and her gentle soul. She championed the underdog, loved animals, and adored her parents, her older sister, her significant other, and her dear friends. And she always kept her word.

Dee Dee will be dearly missed. There will be a private religious ceremony for family and loved ones in her garden at home on Monday, June 12. A Celebration of Life gathering, organized and sponsored by a group of her dearest friends, will be held at the New Buffalo Yacht Club from 4-7 PM (EST) on Tuesday, June 13. Those who knew and loved Dee Dee are invited to attend.

Memorial contributions in Dee Dee’s memory may be made to the Michiana Humane Society, located at 722 IN-212, Michigan City, IN 46360, and www.michianapets.org.

30 N Whittaker St Deli by day

30 N Whittaker St Bar by night

30 N Whittaker St Bar by night

Scissors removed from body cavity of offender

BY STAN MADDUX

Police are investigating a pair of scissors located inside an individual getting booked into the La Porte County Jail.

La Porte County Police said everyone arrested must take part in a body scan before released into the jail.

In this case, the scanning device produced the image of a metal object inside the anal cavity of the offender on May 17.

Quickly, the object was confirmed as a pair of scissors during a second scan of the person, police said.

Police said the scissors, measuring over eight inches in length, were safely removed from the individual a short time later without injuring the offender.

The body scanner was purchased in 2017 for about

$100,000 in response to drugs finding their way into the jail.

Ever since, drugs and even tattooing equipment have been among the items recovered from inside offenders being checked in, police said.

This time, La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen says the scanner kept a potential weapon out of the jail.

“It’s proven time and time again to prevent foreign material from making their way into the jail and, ultimately, ensuring the safety and security of all, not just inmates but staff,” he said.

Allen said the motive for concealing the scissors in that manner remains investigation.

The name of the offender was not released.

Police snare fentanyl dealer on john

BY STAN MADDUX

An alleged fentanyl dealer from Michigan City was exposed by law enforcement on a public toilet.

Armon Sanders, 24, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with multiple counts, including dealing in a narcotic drug.

He could face a potentially lengthy prison sentence but he’s lucky to be alive considering he concealed a large amount of fentanyl inside a body cavity, police said.

According to court documents, he fled from the passenger side of a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation on May 13 and continued to run despite repeated commands by police for him to stop.

Police said he was spotted placing a backpack and jacket into a trash can behind a residence in the 100 block of Orchard Street before grabbed by law enforcement.

He was taken in for questioning at the police department, where he expressed a need to use the bathroom.

A short time later, an officer suspecting he was trying to dispose of drugs asked him to stand up from the toilet.

Police said Sanders grabbed a plastic baggie from the toilet and tried placing it back into his rectum.

According to court documents, police were able to take

possession of the baggie, which contained 75 tablets containing fentanyl.

Sanders is also accused of having about a half pound of marijuana elsewhere on his possession.

There have been instances where people have overdosed just from their hands coming into contact with money and other items containing just trace amounts of residue from drug.

In this case, Sanders was protected from absorbing the fentanyl by the plastic but he likely would have died had the baggie somehow punctured or became untied while inside of him, authorities said.

NEW BUFFALO LIBRARY TALK TO EXAMINES EASTLAND DISASTER

Apresentation at the New Buffalo Township Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, will examine the Eastland disaster, the 1915 sinking of a ship bound for Michigan City that killed 844 people.

Docked in the Chicago River, the S.S. Eastland carried 2,500 Western Electric employees and their families headed for an annual picnic in Washington Park. Moments after boarding, the ship rolled over on its port side in 20 feet of water, trapping passengers inside.

The disaster wiped out entire families and shocked Chicago and the nation. It remains the greatest loss-of-life event in Great Lakes history. The presenter will be James Retseck, past president of the Michigan City Historical Society and the Old Lighthouse Museum. The New Buffalo Township Library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. The presentation is free and open to all and is part of the Friends of the New Buffalo Library’s Community Forum series. — STAFF REPORTS

HIKERS PLAN DUNE CLIMB AT WARREN DUNES

The Harbor Country Hikers will hike up and over one of Warren Dunes State Park’s famous sand dunes during a June 3 hike. In brief introductory comments, leader and hikers president Pat Fisher will explain how nature builds dunes and anchors them with plants. The hike will get underway at 10 a.m.

The first stretch is a climb on mostly hard surfaces. There’s a great view of Lake Michigan from the dune crest. The trail to the beach is loose sand, and challenging. The Hikers recommends participants wear long pants, a sun hat, sturdy shoes or boots and insect repellent, and bring plenty of water.

Hiking distance is two miles, and physical difficulty is rated moderate to difficult. Though membership is preferred, all are welcome at this hike. For more information, including directions and parking instructions, visit harborcountryhikers.com or Harbor Country Hikers on Facebook. — STAFF REPORTS

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN

ORDINANCE NO. 260

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 5-5, “ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE,” OF ARTICLE II, “PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE,” CHAPTER 5, “BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION,” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CLARIFY PROSECUTION PROCEDURES

THE CITY OF NEW BUFFALO ORDAINS:

Section 1. Amendment of Section 5-5 of the Code of Ordinances.

Section 5-5, “Adoption of International Property Maintenance Code,” Article II, “Property Maintenance Code,” Chapter 5, “Building and Construction,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Buffalo is amended to read as follows:

The International Property Maintenance Code, 2015 Edition, as promulgated and published by the International Code Council, is adopted by reference as the property maintenance code of the City of New Buffalo, and made a part of this subject to the following modifications:

A. Section 101.1. Insert: “City of New Buffalo.”

B. Section 102.3.1. Add section to read:

References to Other Codes.

Whenever the “International Building Code” or “building code” is referenced in this Code it shall mean the Michigan Building Code. Whenever the “International Mechanical Code” is referenced in this Code it shall mean the

PUBLIC NOTICES

Michigan Mechanical Code. Whenever the “International Plumbing Code” is referenced in this Code it shall mean the Michigan Plumbing Code. Whenever the “International Electrical Code” or “NFPA 70” is referenced in this Code it shall mean the Michigan Electrical Code. Whenever the “International Zoning Code” is referenced in this Code it shall mean the New Buffalo Zoning Ordinance.

C. Section 103.5. Amend to read:

Fees.

The City Council shall, by resolution from time to time, establish a fee schedule for permits under this Code.

D. Section 106.3. Amend to read:

Prosecution of Violation. Any person failing to comply with a notice of violation or order served in accordance with Section 107 shall be deemed responsible for a municipal civil infraction, and the violation shall be deemed a strict liability offense. If the notice of violation is not complied with, the code official shall institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate such violation, or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful occupancy of the structure in violation of the provisions of this Code or of the order or direction made pursuant to this Code. Any action taken by the City of New Buffalo on such premises shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate.

E. Section 111. Amend to read in its entirety as follows: Construction Board of Appeals. All appeals under this Code shall be brought before the City’s Construction Board of Appeals, which Board is

authorized and has jurisdiction to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the code official relative to the application and interpretation of this Code, using the rules of procedures adopted by the Construction Board of Appeals. Appeals of notice and orders (other than Imminent Danger notices) shall stay the enforcement of the notice and order until the appeal is heard by the Construction Board of Appeals.

F. Section 112.4. Amend to read: Failure to Comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop-work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be in violation of this Code and responsible for a municipal civil infraction.

G. Section 302.4. Insert: “6 inches.”

H. Section 304.14. Insert: “April 1 to October 31.”

I. Section 602.3. Insert: “October 1 to April 30.”

J. Section 602.4. Insert: “October 1 to April 30.”

Section 2. Publication and Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City, and shall be effective 20 days after its enactment or upon publication, whichever is later.

YEAS: Robertson, Lijewski, Flanagan, Price, Humphrey NAYS: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:

ORDINANCE DECLARED ADOPTED.

CERTIFICATION

This is a true and complete copy of an ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of New Buffalo, Berrien County, Michigan, at a meeting held on May 15, 2023.

JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR ANN M. FIDLER, CLERK

Historical figures come alive at elementary school’s wax museum

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Historical figures, such as George Washington, Pocahontas and Queen Elizabeth I, came to life when they lined the hallways and commons areas at New Buffalo Elementary School Friday, May 19.

It was all part of the school’s first wax museum, which was put on by its two fifth grade classes.

Decked out in historically accurate costumes (some of which included wigs) of their chosen figure, students remained as still as statues – that is, until someone pressed the “button” on the floor in front of them. Then, students came alive to deliver a memorized speech about how their historical person made their mark in American history and to answer questions about them.

Morgan Edquist, one of the fifth grade teachers, said the around two-week project was part of their social studies unit.

“Throughout social studies, we cover everything historically, from indigenous people through the Revolutionary War – so they had to choose someone who stuck out to them for the whole time period and research them,” she said.

Students then were tasked with incorporating the most important parts of the person into a speech, coming up with a costume and then symbolizing the person in a backdrop behind them.

“They went all out for it,” she said.

Barb Reed, the other fifth grade teacher, said some of the students bought costumes from Amazon, while some made them themselves.

“There’s a lot of creativity for sure,”she said.

Makenna Bowers poses as Phyllis Wheatley

George Brunner poses as King George III Fifth graders pose as historical figures

Shaya Doran listens to a speech from Collin Ogilivie as Paul Revere

Michelle Hannon listens to a speech from the students

Fifth graders pose as historical figures

Fifth graders pose as historical figures in the commons area

Annabelle Gross poses as Deborah Sampson

Maya Lopez poses as Pochahantus