Berrien County health officials urge COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents

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Visit tcunet.com/CreditCards to learn more. Berrien County health officials urge COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents

VACCINES OFFER SAFE, EFFECTIVE PROTECTION FOR YOUTH AGES 12 AND UP

The Berrien County Health Department and Spectrum Health Lakeland are urging parents of adolescents 12 years and older to have them receive the COVID-19 vaccine. With families turning their attention to the start of the next school year, it is important to send students back to the classroom with the safe, effective protection the COVID-19 vaccine provides.

Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection against the virus, including more contagious variants, such as the Delta variant. Currently, no COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for children younger than 12. Clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of the vaccines in younger children are underway, and a vaccine for younger children could become available as early as late fall. Across the United States, approximately 38 percent of adolescents ages 12-17 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to date; in Berrien County, approximately 30 percent of this same age group has initiated vaccination.

In addition to receiving the protection against the virus, fully vaccinated students will not have to miss out on school, sports games and practices, and other extracurricular and social events if they’re identified as a close contact to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, according to current CDC recommendations. An unvaccinated student who is identified as a close contact will still need to quarantine and refrain from all school and sports activities during their quarantine period.

“Getting your child vaccinated for COVID-19 is a big decision and it’s understandable that parents have questions,” said Anne Dudley, DO, pediatrician, Spectrum Health Lakeland. “As a pediatrician, I encourage all my patients ages 12 and older to get vaccinated. The vaccine has been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history and is proven to provide safe and effective protection against COVID-19. As children head back to school, being fully vaccinated allows them the opportunity to return to a sense of normalcy as they safely participate in events and activities they may have previously had to miss out on.”

Achieving higher levels of COVID-19 vaccination among eligible students as well as teachers and staff is one of the most critical strategies to help schools safely resume operations.

“We all know that in-person learning is the best place for kids to develop academically, grow in social skills, and build emotional resilience,” said Rex Cabaltica, MD, MPH, medical director, Berrien County Health Department. “Our goal is to protect this ability to attend school in person for as many kids as possible during this upcoming school year.”

The Pfizer vaccine is widely available in our community, including at several Spectrum Health Lakeland and Berrien County Health Department locations.

More information is available at www.bchdmi.org/COVID19 or www. spectrumhealthlakeland.org/vaccine

Staff Reports

LIBRARY REVAMP COMMITTEE BEING FORMED

Several members of Friends of New Troy convened recently to brainstorm how the library in the New Troy Community Center could be updated and improved to make it more pertinent and valuable to the community. Among the goals developed are plans to redesign and renovate the facility to include age-appropriate learning stations, a curated book collection, and upgraded computer equipment. Program development is also a priority.

The first step toward accomplishing these goals is to gather together a group of people to re-imagine the library. Anyone with an interest in one or more of the following areas is invited to participate: • Facility design • Age-appropriate learning stations (pre-school, early elementary, adolescent, teen) • Information technology (computers, printers, gaming) • Curating the book collection • Forming a book club • Grant writing • Program development (readings, workshops, speakers)

If you are interested in participating, please contact FriendsOfNewTroy@yahoo.com or leave a message at the Community Center 269-426-3909. — STAFF B HCS seeking singersMichigan’s Longest Garage Sale to take place next weekend Back together after all the Covid cancellations of the 2020 season, Harbor For bargain hunters and treasure seekers who love shopping and searching for hidden treasures, this journey is for you: the US 12 Heritage Country’s community chorus is seeking new members. An informal, open HCS information session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, on the Spring Creek Stage behind the School of American Music’s Arts Trail Garage Sale or, the name it’s and Education Center, 14 Maple St. in Three known by, “Michigan’s Longest Garage Oaks, Michigan. Sale.” The Harbor Country Singers, a program Every year, individuals clean out their of the School of American Music, was attics and stake out their front yards established in 2016 by musician Cindy along the US-12 corridor stretching over Dryden. In addition to performing on SAM’s 200 miles from New Buffalo to Detroit. Spring Creek Stage, the chorus rehearses You will find everything from antiques, and performs for seasonal concerts and collectibles, furniture, dishware, fresh community events throughout the year. garden produce, homemade jams and Their venues have included area churches, jellies, live entertainment and much the iconic Acorn Theatre, as well as the more. The sales can be found along the sidewalks of downtown Three Oaks. highway at homes, farms, businesses, “Harbor Country Singers is made up of parking lots and fields. Some areas will people like you, people who like to sing, have large numbers of vendors while who appreciate choral music and who others may be scattered. Perhaps even are unafraid to try something new,” said more interesting than the “treasures” are Dryden. “We don’t require that you have the people you will meet along the way. had experience singing in choral groups. We As you drive the country roads on your don’t require that you can read music. Put quest, you will be privy to incredible simply, if you can carry a tune, you’re in!” stories related to the individuals and In the summer, HCS sponsors free the items they sell and see a plethora of monthly summer Sing-Alongs of themeitems that only your grandmother could based music. The next Sing-Along, which will love. Most importantly, most come feature folk songs, is scheduled for Tuesday, to see the unusual and socialize. It is Aug. 24, at 6:30 p.m., on the Spring Creek Americana at its best. Stage.

Preparations are underway in many In the colder months, a highlight of homes, organizations and businesses the holiday season each year is the HCS across US 12 for Michigan’s Longest Christmas concert, which has become a Garage Sale that will take place on holiday tradition for many families. Regular August 13, 14, and 15 (Friday through rehearsals in preparation for this event will Sunday). US-12, the nation’s second begin at the end of September or beginning oldest highway, it is an old Native of October on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. American trail from Detroit to New All are invited to add their voices to this Buffalo on the state’s southwest coast. wonderful group of Singers! It is one of 16 Michigan State Scenic For more information about HCS Byways, designated by the State and its programs, contact Cindy Dryden Legislature to preserve the state’s at the School of American Music at historic highways. Since the sale started schoolofamericanmusic@gmail.com, 269in 2003, it has taken place during the 409-1191, or visit SAM’s website, www. second weekend of every August. schoolofamericanmusic.com.

Anyone who is interested in hosting The Harbor Country Singers is a program a garage sale is encouraged to register of the School of American Music and is his or her sale for free on the new supported by a grant from the Pokagon US 12 Heritage Trail website www. Fund. For more information, visit the School us12heritagetrail.org. If you register of American Music’s website. — STAFF your sale online, it will be a part of REPORTS

the list of sales will be included in the interactive online map and a page listing all the sales, which can be viewed and printed prior to the sale. Items of all shapes and sized items that are sold along the route. There is no cost to register your sale on the map, so register today.

For those who need a place to set up, there are also rentable locations available throughout the US 12 Corridor Sale route. Visit the website to contact folks who offer spaces for rent. Another way to find a spot is to keep an eye out for signs advertising vendor spaces while you are driving along the route. If you want to list your location as a space to rent a garage sale, then register your sale on the website for free today.

Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale continues to grow in popularity with people in Michigan and the surrounding states. Visitors and people who are hosting sales are encouraged to upload stories to the US 12 Heritage Trail website about their experiences.

As an outdoor event, there should be more than enough space to allow for social distancing outdoors at the US 12 Garage Sale. With the help of all participants, this event will go on while protecting the safety and health of everyone. For the safety of all participants, it is your responsibility to follow state and local guidelines that are in place Aug. 13 through 15.

Everyone is reminded to please drive safely and to slow down while traveling US-12. Please pay special attention to pedestrians while driving, when parking, exiting your vehicle, and visiting the sales during the weekend.

For more information about Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale and other attractions visit the US 12 Heritage Trail website at www.us12heritagetrail. org and like us on Facebook @ US 12 Heritage Trail.

— STAFF REPORTS

Sounds of guitar jazz, blues fill park at inaugural jazz concert

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Those who

gathered in front of the Spring Creek Stage of the School of guitarist Mike Stern and musicians Alex Bugnon and Elvin Bishop, to name a few, and is fluent in jazz, blues/ rock and almost anything American Music (SAM) at Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks the evening of Friday, July 30, were in for a “rare treat,” Ron Spears said.

Music lovers had gathered for SAM’s first jazz concert, which featured headliner the Dale Prasco Trio and opening act Livia Gazzolo and Matt Berger (who accompanied her on the guitar).

Spears, who sits on SAM’s board of directors and teaches guitar there, said that he studied Prasco for three years.

“He’s taken me to weeds I didn’t even know existed and he’s pointed out that it’s a journey that keeps going and going and going,” he said.

SAM founder Garth Taylor thanked Spears, who was the underwriter of the free event, for convincing him the inaugural concert was a good idea.

Taylor said that Spears said, “Well, let’s have a jazz concert on a Friday night” to which he replied, “Nah.”

Dale Prasco studied jazz guitar at the Berklee School of Music and has been playing the jazz and blues circuit in the greater Chicago region for over 30 years. He has worked with else he can coax out of his electric guitar. Members of the trio are Prasco on guitar, Charles “Rick” Heath IV (one of the most in-demand drummers in the Chicago area) on drums, and Ron Hall (who’s also been a member of the Poi Dog Pondering band since 1999) on bass guitar. Local jazz vocalist Gazzolo has performed at various esteemed venues in Chicago.

Despite her

experience, though, she still expressed some surprise at the size of the crowd for that night’s performance. “Now my vibrato is just going to come from my nerves,” she said after a man from the audience graciously offered her his brown jacket to keep her warm (“I was waiting for someone to offer a jacket to match my outfit,” she quipped). For more on upcoming events, join the mailing list at www. schoolofamericanmusic. com.

Dale Prasco Trio is (left to right) Ron Hall, Charles Heath and Prasco

Livia Gazzolo performs with Matt Berger on the Spring Creek Stage

Berrien County woman an Olympic medalist

BY STAN MADDUX

It seemed like the entire community came out to watch a Berrien County woman compete for a gold medal in the summer Olympics.

Hannah Roberts of Buchanan came away from the games in Tokyo with the silver medal in the Women’s BMX finals.

An estimated 1,200 people turned out Saturday evening to watch her compete on a Jumbotron at Buchanan Common, the city’s outdoor amphitheater in the downtown.

Just over 4,000 people live in the city about 20 miles east of New Buffalo.

Her parents and other family members sat in the front row as spectators wildly cheered her on.

“It was just really a pinnacle moment for one of the great American small towns,” said Richard Murphy, the city’s director of Community Development.

According to the TEAM USA website, Roberts began riding at age 9 after recovering from a fractured vertebra.

Her cousin, Brett Banasiewicz, is a professional BMX rider.

The 2019 graduate of Buchanan High School fell short of winning the gold medal by just 1.5 points.

Murphy said he was most impressed by how she complimented her fellow medalists after being favored to win the Gold Medal.

“I was just proud of her,” he said.

Roberts didn’t express any disappointment in a statement on her Facebook page.

“I’m so pumped to walk away with second. I felt so good on the bike and had so much fun,” she posted.

Murphy was almost speechless in describing the reaction and support of the community to the public viewing of her competing in the final round of her sport in the Olympics.

Many of the spectators remained to see her awarded the medal during the presentation ceremony less than two hours later.

“Her parents were planning for about 50 people. That kind of a moment for a small town really doesn’t get any better than that,” he said.