loss

Raiders show fight in season opening loss

BY STAN MADDUX

It was a tough start to the high school football season for the Red Arrow Raiders.

The team of players from New Buffalo and River Valley high schools was soundly defeated at home Thursday, Aug. 25, by Fennville.

Fennville, which featured several physical players with breakaway speed on offense, led 60-6 at halftime.

The final score was 68-28 in a game played at River Valley High School.

Head coach Matt Johnson said his players during the second half cut down on their mental mistakes and poor tackling, which he blamed for the first half struggles.

“Fennville is a very talented team but I feel if we would have executed better it would have been a more competitive game,” he said.

The Blackhawks returned the opening kick-off for a touchdown, but the Raiders came back to nearly score when sophomore quarterback Ethan Lijewski ran 37 yards to the three yard line.

The Raiders came away from the drive empty handed, though, after the ball was snapped over the head of Lijewski tackled for a 20 yard loss.

Fennville responded with a 66-yard touchdown run and then an interception on defense that led to a 35-yard run into the end zone by senior quarterback Ben Peterson.

The Blackhawks threatened to score again on their next series of downs but senior defensive back Cadden Krieger on a long pass knocked the ball away from the outstretched hands of a receiver near the end zone.

Krieger responded to his big play by catching a pass for a 31 yard gain.

However, the drive ended when a pass to Eli Thomas was broken up in the end zone.

The game was out of reach early in the second quarter when junior Aiden Swindle, who was off a screen pass, took the ball 60 yards for a touchdown and Peterson after the snap raced up the middle for a 44-yard gain into the end zone.

Both physically strong players didn’t seem phased much from the hits delivered by would be Raiders tacklers.

The Raiders came back to score on their next series of downs when Lijewski hooked up with junior Jaquan Pierce on a 24 yard touchdown pass.

Lijewski also ran for a 15 yard gain after connecting with Krieger and Thomas on passes for first downs in the drive prior to the touchdown.

Peterson displayed a strong arm when connecting on back to back 12 yard passing gains while on the run during a touchdown drive before halftime.

Johnson said the team has added several talented players to the roster but they don’t have a lot of football experience.

He said the key for the team reaching its potential is further developing the new players and continuing to work with their more experienced teammates on things like execution.

“We did some really good things. We just didn’t do it consistently enough to be competitive in that game. We got to be consistent,” he said.

More light shed in fatal shooting of woman

AA man charged with fatally shooting his girlfriend at her home in La Porte has been arraigned on the allegations.

John McCaw, 62, is charged with murder.

He allegedly delivered a single gunshot wound to the head of 57-year-old Nancy Ainsworth on Aug. 18.

During an Aug. 26 initial hearing, McCaw when offered a public defender said he wanted to try and hire an attorney to represent him in the case. La Porte Circuit Court Judge Tom Alevizos scheduled a hearing in two weeks for McCaw to report if he’s been able to secure private counsel or needs the court to appoint him a public defender. Alevizos scheduled the case for trial on Aug. 7. According to court documents, a man believed to be McCaw told a 911 dispatcher the woman shot herself in the head by accident and he was still inside the home with the victim. However, a neighbor’s surveillance system captured McCaw leaving the residence 10 minutes prior to the call, police said. Court documents also revealed McCaw was later stopped by police in Gary who knew he was a person of interest in the slaying. Ainsworth was pronounced dead not long after she was discovered on a living room couch in her home at 906 Ridge Street. Evidence at the scene indicates the shot was fired through a pillow judging by what appeared to be bullet entry and exit holes on the pillow located near a spent shell casing and the body. According to court documents, what police described as a suicide note apparently written by McCaw was found on a kitchen counter. Police said the letter contained an apology to his son for taking his life and revealed the suspect left everything he owns to his son. Blame was also placed on the victim in the letter announcing his intentions to commit suicide. “It’s time for me to be gone!” the words in the letter proclaimed. The letter also indicated McCaw was heading to Michigan to “say goodbye to my brothers.” No explanation was offered by authorities on why McCaw was in Gary, not Michigan, after the fatal shooting. Alevizos ordered McCaw to remain held without bond until the conclusion of the case. — STAN MADDUX

‘Some Enchanted Evening’ returning later this month

“Some Enchanted Evening II,” the School of American Music’s annual end-of-summer outdoor affair, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, on Spring Creek Stage, 14 Maple Street, at the edge of Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks.

The event is sponsored by Neil Hackler, a new Harbor Country resident with a commitment to the arts and community development.

Though the performance begins at 7 p.m., if last year is any model, eventgoers will arrive much earlier to set up elaborate picnic dinner spreads in a competition that brings settings ranging from theme-based formal dinner tables to picnic basket dinners on a blanket. The lawn opens at 5 p.m., and prizes are awarded for creative dining concepts. Details will follow in case of inclement weather.

This year, the event will feature Indo-Flamenco dance and music presented by the Surabhi Ensemble. A collective of music and dance artists with connections to the Indian, Spanish, Senegalese and Arabic cultures, the ensemble will depict the Andalusian Trail through world music including Flamenco, Indian, Arabic and West African beats. The Andalusian Trail is the path from India to the Middle East to North Africa and across the Mediterranean into Andalusia, Spain, that led to the foundation of Andalusian and flamenco music.

“Yes, this magical evening is back for a second year,” said event organizer Marco Chavarry. “We have a great show planned for your enjoyment, so please join us!”

Tickets for the event can be purchased online at schoolofamericanmusic.com or by calling 269-4091191. Proceeds benefit the School of American Music’s Future Fund, the fundraising campaign to establish an endowment for the school. Every dollar donated to the Fund is matched by the Michiana Arts Foundation. SAM is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all contributions are taxdeductible.

For more information or to donate, visit www. schoolofamericanmusic.com. — STAFF REPORTS

FUNDS NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY CENTER LIBRARY RENOVATION

Friends of New Troy (FONT) has launched a fundraising drive to renovate the New Troy Community Center’s library and meeting room.

While serving the community well for more than a decade, organizers say, the library’s offerings of donated computers and donated books have not kept pace with changing needs. FONT’s goal is to offer educational and engaging programming and technology for all ages in a bright, updated and welcoming space. Here, the community will be able to use or borrow computers, check out books from a curated collection, play games, socialize and attend special programs.

The following age-appropriate areas are planned for the library: a preschool play area with children’s iPads, wall-mounted toys and early childhood Legos; a Story Hour/youth section with craft table and supplies and a youth to adult section with computer/gaming tables and multiple Chromebooks, a Macintosh computer for creative work, chess/checker table, Legos table and puzzle table.

Kindergarten-size toilets and a decrepit sink will be replaced with secure storage and an efficient staff station. Mismatched, scavenged bookshelves will be replaced with new, movable units. Aged carpeting and curtains will be replaced with cleanable surfaces in both rooms, and all remaining fluorescent lights will be replaced with LEDs.

The projected cost of the renovation is $43,500, including labor. FONT plans to fund the project through events, grants and donations. To date, $10,500 has been raised or committed. To contribute to the effort, please visit www. friendsofnewtroy.org/donate and use the link, or mail a check to Friends of New Troy, P.O. Box 125, New Troy, MI 49119. Please be sure to specify that your donation is for the Library Renovation Fund.

The New Troy Community Center is owned and operated by Friends of New Troy, a non-profit 501C (3) organization. It receives no tax dollars, and is supported entirely through memberships, donations, fundraisers and grants.

For more information, please contact friendsofnewtroy@yahoo.com or leave message for Lorraine Hanover at 269-405-6857. — STAFF

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

The focus of this column has

been, and will continue to be, professional sports with particular attention to the teams based in Chicago.

That will be the case again today but first, let’s talk about kids. Some are obsessed with sports and some could care less, but almost all of them will kick or throw a ball, or a rattle, or their food, before they can walk or talk. When I was a kid, I spent most of my waking hours playing baseball, basketball, football or some other game. In the morning, I would grab a ball, go to the park, meet some friends who had the same idea and play until dark. Some of us were good and some of us just loved playing. We learned how to win, how to lose and how to act no matter what the outcome. We policed ourselves, argued and occasionally fought; however, when it was time to go home, we went home friends.

What made me reminisce about my youth today? Yes, my friends, it was the Little League World Series. The youngsters from Hawaii were one of the best little league teams I’ve ever seen. They started off the championship game with backto-back homers and never looked back. They beat Curaçao via the mercy rule, 13-3. They never lost a game during the tournament and outscored their opponents by a combined score of 60-5. A lot of people prefer college sports over professional because of the unbridled enthusiasm of the players and fans. I’ll take little leaguers anytime. From the kids in the local park to the champions from Hawaii, there is no agenda, just pure love of the game. My love of these games began at the park, and continues to this day.

Back to basics: The Bears may finally have themselves a quarterback, and a coach and general manager to boot. Although it’s only the preseason, the Bears have outperformed even their most optimistic fans’ expectations. Justin Fields looks so much better than he looked last year. The coaches are putting the team in positions to succeed, and the GM drafted and brought in players who seem to be much better than most fans and media members thought they were. It probably won’t be this year, but I don’t think it will be long before the Bears return to the Super Bowl.

The White Sox remain snake bit, suffering so many injuries it’s almost unbelievable. The healthy players keep making fundamental mistakes and the manager doesn’t seem to be holding anyone accountable for their mental errors. It’s been a very disappointing season for Sox fans. The Cubs are beginning to change my mind. Hopefully, after this season, they can compete again and be finished with being as bad as they can be. There have been some individual bright spots this season, and I am now optimistic about the near future.

David Weaver said, “Broken crayons still color.” Be careful out there. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

Smash somebody, knock somebody out.

I’m born for this. — Khamzat Chimaev New Buffalo High School Alum Emily Keller is Fulbright Scholar

After a challenging few years for international engagement, nine Michigan State University students and alumni have been awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for the 2022-23 academic year and four additional candidates have been named as alternates.

More than 9,300 applications were submitted in this cycle, according to the Institute of International Education.

As Fulbright participants, grantees will study, conduct research and teach abroad for the 2022-23 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in an open, meritbased competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement and record of service.

The 2022-23 MSU Fulbright U.S. Student Program grantees are:

Research or study project awards

Marlo Buser, Serbia – Ph.D., History, College of Social Science

Amelia Cole, Indonesia – B.S., Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Nicolei Gupit, Philippines – MFA, Art, Art History, and Design, College of Arts & Letters

Zachary Sneed, Israel – B.A., Linguistics, College of Arts & Letters

Mayson Whipple, Portugal – Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering

English teaching assistantship awards

Kaylah Jetton, Laos – B.A., Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities, College of Arts & Letters

Emily Keller, Spain – B.A., Spanish & Secondary Education, College of Arts & Letters

Emily McHarg, Germany – B.A., International Relations, James Madison College

Mariam Sayed, Morocco – B.S., Physiology, College of Natural Science, B.A., French, College of Arts & Letters

— STAFF REPORTS

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