October 6, 2022

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House, truck destroyed by unknown fire

BY STAN MADDUX

Some type of electrical problem has been ruled the cause of a fire that destroyed a house outside LaPorte.

Barry and Shirley Pontius were fortunate, perhaps, to safely escape.

Mrs. Pontius said they were not aware of the late Friday morning fire until a man began pounding on their door at 302 W. 250 South.

It wasn’t long before flames engulfed the structure.

Scipio Township Fire Chief Eric Fenstermaker said the fire started in the attached garage but the damage was too extensive to determine exactly what caused the fire and precisely where it started.

“Due to the total destruction of the garage, I cannot pinpoint it to a single source,” he said.

The residence was also considered a total loss.

Fenstermaker said among the reasons for the blaze spreading rapidly were combustibles like gasoline inside the garage and “pretty strong” northerly winds fanning the flames.

A pick-up truck parked outside the attached garage also caught fire and was destroyed.

Pontius said she was doing paperwork for her husband’s business, “Barry’s Carts,” when they were alerted to the fire.

Her husband customizes and restores golf carts.

Fenstermaker said there were two golf carts, including an electrical one, inside

the garage. Whether the electric golf cart was plugged into a battery charger could not be verified because the power cord melted, he said.

Only parts of the frames on the golf cart remained.

Firefighters from multiple agencies were called to the structure fully engulfed in flames before noon.

Mrs. Pontius said her dog also made it out of the single story residence safely but felt her cat was still inside.

It appears the fire possibly started in the attached garage and spread to a pickup truck parked in the driveway of the residence.

Ray Wolff said he was more than a mile from the house when he saw smoke.

He was heading to the home of his parents who live close to where the fire occurred and was more than a mile away when he first saw smoke.

Wolff said firefighters acted quickly in doing what they could to try and save the house.

“The garage was fully engulfed. The truck in the driveway was fully engulfed pretty much,” he said.

The house appeared to be a total loss.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known but will be investigated by the Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Department.

S. Dixie Hwy.

S. Dixie Hwy.

N. Macomb St.

N. Monroe St.

Local Government Meetings

New Buffalo Times

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 Mondayof 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 Mondayof each month at 7PM

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

Meets on the 1st Tuesdayof 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 2ndThursday of each month at 6:30PM

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

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

THREE OAKS

THREE OAKS TOWNSHIP BOARD

Meets on the 2nd Mondayof each month at 7PM

VILLAGE OF THREE OAKS BOARD Meets on the 2nd Wednesdayof each month at 7PM

GRAND BEACH

Meets on the 3rd Wednesdayof 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 Fridayof each month at 1PM

Ribbon-cutting for New Buffalo’s new dune walk slated for this weekend BODY RECOVERED FROM LAKE MICHIGAN IDENTIFIED

The City of New Buffalo will hold a ribbon cutting event for the community’s new dune walk at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

The original dune walk, which had been an iconic community amenity and the home to countless lifetime memories - from prom photos to marriage proposals - had fallen in disrepair and become unsafe. In 2018, the City of New Buffalo began the process of planning for the funding, design and construction of a new dune walk.

Though a global pandemic, material shortages and the process of building in a less than ideal environment in the middle of a sand dune, the project team prevailed and created a new dune walk that is bigger, safer, and more accessible than its predecessor.

“It was very important that we not only made this beloved community amenity safe again, but make it better and more accessible than it previously was,” said New Buffalo Mayor John Humphrey,

the middle of the dune structure that is fully ADA compliant and accessible to persons of all abilities,” he added.

The project was managed by Abonmarche Consultants and made possible through funding commitments from the City of New Buffalo, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and The Pokagon Fund.

Abody recovered from Lake Michigan a few miles outside New Buffalo has been identified.

Jason Ryno, 48, of Joliet, Illinois, was identified from a fingerprint, according to the Grand Beach/Michiana Police Department.

“P

Though a global pandemic, material shortages and the process of building in a less than ideal environment in the middle of a sand dune, the project team prevailed and created a new dune walk that is bigger, safer, and more accessible than its predecessor.

rojects such as the Dune Walk, given its importance to the community and ability to create access to our community’s waterfront and natural resources for persons of all abilities and from all walks of life, are of critical importance to The Pokagon Fund,” said Judy Zabicki, chair of The Pokagon Fund Board of Directors. “The ability of the Fund to partner with our local communities increases the impact of what we are jointly able to do for area residents is of paramount importance to our staff and board of directors.”

“Not only were we able to replace and expand the existing dune walk across the top of the dune providing sweeping vistas of Lake Michigan, but we were also able to add a second walkway into

Cider and donuts will be served after the ribbon cutting and people will be able to explore the amazing ecosystem contained in the dune and see some of the best views of Lake Michigan from the new dune walk.

Police Chief Ryan Layman said how and where the man entered the lake and circumstances leading up to his death were not known, but the case remained under investigation.

No light was shed on cause of death, but foul play is not suspected.

Layman also said he was still waiting for the results of an autopsy before commenting on how long roughly the man had been in the water.

He also revealed the man had not been reported missing.

According to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, emergency responders about noon Tuesday, Sept. 27, were called to the 4000 block of Lakeshore Drive on a report of a body floating in the water.

Police said the body was described as a white or light skin black male with a medium build and about 6 feet in height.

The body was recovered with help from the New Buffalo Township Fire Department and Michiana Shores Fire Department.

Layman said the South Bend Police Department Crime Lab was able to use a fingerprint to make the positive identification.

The English think they are free. They are free only during the election of members of parliament.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

New Buffalo Fine Arts Council looking to bridge the gap between schools, community with art

Anorganization that has been dormant since the start of the coronavirus pandemic is now being revitalized to create an artistic connection between the school system and the local community.

Molly Sell, president of the New Buffalo Fine Arts Council as well as art teacher at New Buffalo Elementary School, said that members of the council are currently “trying to get it built back up and get members going again.”

Last year, the council funded a proposal that brought in area musicians to come in twice a week and work with New Buffalo High School Band members for solo and ensemble as well as middle school students.

Sell said that workshops will be funded by the council on bowl making for next year’s Empty Bowls event that takes place at the middle/high school, with middle/ high school art teacher Ashely Jager bringing in more community members to have a high school students teach them how to make bowls.

Recently, a proposal of Sell’s was funded to get some frames in the entryway of Brewster’s. Currently, there are now five frames that are hanging there, and Sell said she’ll quarterly go down and switch it out and put elementary art there.

“At this point, we’re building up small projects of things we as the

fine arts department area and the schools have noticed that are needs - but we’re really hoping to get more community members to come and fill out proposals and give us ideas,” she said.

She added that while the council was given back to the school to revitalize it, the intention is to be a “partnership between the schools and community.”

Currently, the council has members of the fine arts area in the schools on it: herself; Jager; Dwayne Whitmer, the director for the Performing Arts Center; Christina Beushausen, music teacher at the elementary school, and Ayrielle Holt, the band director.

But councilmembers would like “to get some outside perspective, outside feedback other than just the school, so it can be a good combination of ideas.”

perspective,” she said.

Sell said they’re hoping to set another meeting within the next couple of weeks.

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA OPINIONS

Ideas that were offered at the meeting included different ways to involve the New Buffalo Business Association (NBBA) and pairing up and partnering with that organization as far as performances or displays as well as putting together a fund for scholarships for students to have exposure to artistic experiences outside of school.

There’s also be discussion of how the council could have a role in the “a’ part of the new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) building going up on Clay Street across from the middle/high school and how that space can be utilized.

GLOBAL OPINIONS On The Soul

OPINION BY DINO N. FATOUROS

Ameeting

was recently held, during which parents, other staff members from the school and community members with a passion for the arts offered a range of ideas.

“Honestly, I think it would be really cool to have people who are not necessarily artistic but really just with a passion for supporting the arts and supporting people with that creative brain because we really need people with all mindsets – so whatever their talent is, whether it’s artistic or not, we’d love to have that

Since councilmembers hope to fund a wide range of artistic experiences – such as visual arts, musical experiences and even theatrical or dance experiences - Sell hopes that they can recruit others with a range of backgrounds.

“That’s where we really need people in the community and excited individuals to come and give us ideas and tell what experiences they want – we’re more than happy to fund those things,” she said.

Those who are interested in the New Buffalo Fine Arts Council can follow New Buffalo Area Schools Fine Arts Department on Facebook or email Sell at msell@nbas.org.

Eventually small parts of humanity will set the example again, that Ancient Greece showed the world: to regard individuals highest in society as ones that love and practice excellence in reasoning, virtue, opinion, and judgment. And for acting kindly no matter the circumstance? As opposed to valuing highest in society money, power, strength, beauty or their combination? Wisdom alone is Magnificense, Infinity? Aaahhh—to show the example and unleash human nature’s infinite potential despite the human condition, desire and misunderstood supreme value for its body? The soul alone is Magnificent. .

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

After a two-year hiatus, trick or treaters will once again be marching down the streets of downtown New Buffalo this spooky season when the New Buffalo Community Halloween Parade makes its return Sunday, Oct. 30.

Tricia Mayer Bowden, the chair of the parade, said that she doesn’t think she can “smile any harder” at its return.

“It’s emotional because I love Halloween – it’s just a great holiday, you get to be a kid, at any age, for one day a year,” Bowden sad.

Costumed children will line up in the 100 block of North Thompson Street; however, this year, parade goers will go west on Merchant Street and come up north on Whittaker Street before going west again on Mechanic Street and heading toward the city fire station for their treat bags.

Treat bags will be packed by members of the student senate at New Buffalo Elementary School. This year, Bowden said they will be filling 700 goodie bags.

Judges will arrive at 1:45 p.m. in a “judges corral.” The gathering of children will begin at 2 p.m., with judging beginning at 2:15 to 2:30 p.m. The parade will step off at 3 p.m. Per usual, the parade will be led by a New Buffalo City fire truck, followed by the youngest age group. The New Buffalo Township fire truck will bring up the rear of the parade.

Trick or treating in the city will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

This year, there will be 10 age categories: Baby (1 day old to 24 months); toddler (2 years old to 4 years old); kindergarten (5 years + or -); first grade; second grade; third grade; fourth grade; fifth grade;

middle school (sixth through eighth grades); and New Buffalo Band Members.

Children in each age category will have the chance to win first, second and third place in each of the following categories: Unique/Funniest/Cutest; Scariest/Bloodiest/Horrific and Artistic/Creative/ Colorful. Winners will receive medals as well as the following monetary awards: first place, $5; second place, $3 and third place, $2. The Best of Group winner, who is the best of the three individual group first place winners, will receive a small trophy and another cash prize envelope of $10. All 10 of the Best of Group winners will be escorted to the front of the parade to lead the parade. There, they will be entered into the Grand Prize Keefer Award and

have the chance to receive a Witchy trophy as well as another cash prize of $20.

If there are multiple children in a winning group costume or paired costume, there will be extra medals and cash envelopes.

Bowden said there will be around two to three judges per group. The Keefer Award will be judged by Tracy Ripley, the principal at New Buffalo High School, and her husband, Brian.

The Keefer Award is named after Bonnie Keefer, who began the parade in 1975. She chaired the parade until she died in 2016.

“Bonne was a rarity…She did it for almost 40 years, that’s a rarity in any com to have the same person to do a function,” Bowden, who entered her first Halloween parade when she was 3 years old, said.

Originally, Bowden said the parade started in Lakeside. The community served as a central location, as local homeowners that were there every weekend had a lot of children in New Buffalo or Three Oaks schools. After the Slater Gym at New Buffalo High School (where children would meet afterward) was built, the parade moved to downtown New Buffalo.

Bowden said that money that’s raised every year goes toward putting on the parade the following year.

“We’ve never been let down by the city of New Buffalo...Business owners, private residents donate out of pocket very easily, they know how much this means to the kids of the town - and the area, really,” she said.

LETTERS TO THE NEW BUFFALO TIMES

New Buffalo Times

FANTASTIC WORK...

Icongratulate all the people involved in planning, designing, funding and building the new beach walk and lookout in New Buffalo. Just walked it this morning, and it’s perfectly perfect! Great views all around, and lots of places to sit and enjoy. After living here for more than 30 years, I predict the beach will become even more of a magnet for all of us who love living here.

— KAY HARTMANN, MICHIANA SHORES

GET OUT THE VOTE...

This November, every right embedded in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness depends on who we elect to offices. It is therefore incumbent upon each of us to be prepared – know the issues, have the facts, and vote our values. Voting records are the best evidence of values. Go to https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/, enter the bill number, read the legislation and voting details.

Reproductive Rights:

H.R. 8296, Women’Health Protection Act of 2022 prohibits governmental restrictions on access to reproductive healthcare: Huizinga and Walberg voted Nay.

H.R.8373 To Protect A Person’s Ability to Access Contraceptives. Fred Upton

voted yea, Huizinga and Walberg voted Nay.

Voting Rights:

H.R. 1 The For the People Act provides for disclosure on donors of dark money in politics, strengthens ethic rules on elected officials, and institutes fairness in access to voting. Fred Upton voted yea, Huizinga and Walberg voted Nay.

H.R. 4 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 creates laws to protect the rights of voters: Huizinga and Walberg voted Nay.

Gun Legislation:

H.R.7910 Protecting Our Kids Act prohibits the sale or transfer of certain semiautomatic firearms to individuals under 21; establishes a framework to regulate ghost guns, and prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of large capacity devices. Fred Upton voted yea, Huizinga and Walberg voted Nay.

S. 2938 Bipartesan Safer Communities Act expands background checks, establishes new legal offenses and supports access to mental health services. Fred Upton voted yea, Huizinga and Walberg voted Nay.

Civil Rights:

H.R. 8404 Respect for Marriage Act provides statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. Fred Upton voted yea, Huizinga and Walberg voted Nay.

Get out and vote. Vote your values. Be willing to leave your party designations at home with the TV remote.

— KEN NEUMANN, GALIEN FOR OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE’S...

Voters in the upcoming election for the four open seats on the New Buffalo Area School Board are faced with a clear choice between two very different groups of candidates.

One group – Brad Brunner, Denise Churchill, Vanessa Thun, and Lisa Wernerare strongly committed to promoting a supportive, inclusive, and academically excellent education for all children. They are also strongly committed to serving all New Buffalo stakeholders –students, teachers, parents, and administrators - with reason, patience, and an emphasis on collaboration.

The opponents of these candidates are followers of a group that goes by the name of “We the Parents”. This group advocates for parents to dictate what public schools can and cannot teach, based on the “moral guidance of the parents.” They fail to mention that different parents have different views about what constitutes “moral” and “immoral” teaching. For example, some parents believe it is immoral for

their children to learn about any form of racial injustice, including slavery and Jim Crow segregation, and oppose any teaching about these subjects. Other parents believe that same-sex marriage is immoral and want their children to be taught this lesson.

Contrary to the beliefs of the “We the Parents” group, the best education occurs when teachers and parents collaborate. Brunner, Churchill, Thun, and Werner will bring significant expertise to the board, along with their belief in constructive collaboration. Their skills and perspective will enrich the education of all students in the New Buffalo Area schools.

I am the daughter of Lisa Werner, and I have a daughter myself who’s future depends on decisions that are made by all of us right now. I’ve watched my mom put so much into her position on the school board for the last 18 years. She handed me my diploma when I graduated in 2008. I envy her and all that she does as a business owner, school board member, mother, daughter, and a Nana. Her strong and dedicated personality amazes me. She has done so much to make the best decisions for our school, and we need to continue forward with all the progress that has been made. Please don’t take this election lightly, this is for our children’s future’s.

Run to the Center of the World 5K registration still open

RRegistration is still open for Run to the Center of the World 5K Run/ Walk.

The 11th annual race will be held Saturday, Oct. 22, on the beautiful, paved rural roads surrounding New Troy.

All finishers will receive a carved wooden medal, and overall winners’ names will be engraved on bricks to be mounted in the Community Center Garden. A free grab-and-go breakfast will be provided to all participants and volunteers.

Those who register before Oct. 8 will also receive a free tee-shirt. Because Friends of New Troy is an advocate of the reduce, recycle and reuse philosophy, extra shirts will not be ordered this year, so register early to be sure you get one.

The race starts and ends at the New Troy Community Center at 13372 California Road in New Troy. Proceeds will benefit the community center, which receives no government funding and is supported entirely through memberships, donations, grants and fundraising events. The event is hosted by Friends of New Troy, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the community center.

Information, a link to register online and a form that can be downloaded and printed are available at ww.friendsofnewtroy. org/run-to-the-center-of-the-world.

Registration forms may also be picked up at the community center. Entry fee is $25.

For more information, email runtothecenteroftheworld@gmail. com or call 269-426-3909.

Raiders back on winning track

BY STAN MADDUX

The Red Arrow Raiders rebounded from a disappointing performance in spectacular fashion with a 66-24 win at Bloomingdale Friday, Sept. 30.

The Raiders (3-3) scored first when quarterback Ethan Lijewski scampered through a gaping hole created by his offensive line for a 32 yard touchdown run.

The Raiders quickly reached the end zone again when Josh Seifert caught a short pass from Lijewski and ran the rest of the way for a 42 yard touchdown.

Eli Thomas later took a hand-off from Lijewski and ran up the middle for a 50 yard touchdown before Lijewski on another quarterback keeper rushed for a 72 yard touchdown.

Other first half highlights for the Raiders included a 55 yard punt return for a touchdown by Thomas and a 28 yard touchdown pass from Lijewski to Cadden Krieger.

The Raiders leading 46-0 at halftime played their junior varsity players for most of the second half.

“It was a good opportunity

for them to get some good game experience,” said Head Coach Matt Johnson.

The remainder of the scoring resulted from a five yard touchdown catch by Vaugh Nikkel, a 10 yard touchdown run from Travion Floyd and a 58 yard run into the end zone by M’Nason Smothers.

Johnson said the level of play was much improved from the previous week in a 52-12 loss at Wyoming Tri Unity Christian following an impressive two game winning streak.

He credited better execution and fewer turnovers from his players along with Bloomingdale lacking experience at some positions.

Johnson also felt jumping out to a big lead early was a factor.

“When you don’t dig yourself a hole early, it’s easier to stay ahead when you’re ahead,” he said.

The Raiders play again Saturday, Oct. 8, against the Twin City Sharks.

It’s a home game for the Raiders at River Valley High School.

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

Seasons come and seasons go.

Major League Baseball season is three games away from concluding its regular season, and many of the usual suspects are headed toward the post season. Missing from the playoffs are the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers.

The White Sox had the most disappointing season. They started the season with hopes of winning the World Series, and could never get any traction. They had great pitchers, but injuries and inconsistency really hurt. Their offense was supposed to be formidable, but injuries and a surprising power shortage made it impossible to put together winning streaks. Perhaps the most disappointing aspects were defensive, base running, and what appeared to be a general lack of hustle. Many of these shortcomings were attributed to their manager. I felt, and still feel, that the talent on the Sox is capable of winning 100 plus games. The team, with a new manager and a couple of new players, should contend for the championship again next year, and Sox fans can start forgetting 2022.

Being from Chicago, I don’t follow the Tigers very closely, but because they signed Javier Baez as a free agent, I learned a bit about them. The Tigers had been rebuilding for a few years and this year they expected to start to turn things around. Unfortunately, things didn’t go the way they hoped and Baez didn’t really help much. When the Tigers get good again and their attendance improves, I expect Javy will get good again too.

Finally, the Cubs. They were expected

to be bad this season, and of the three teams discussed, they were the only one that lived up to their expectations. There was a rotating cast of characters playing and pitching for the team, many of whom probably will never see the big leagues again. However, a few of them turned out to be pretty darn good. They seem to be going in the right direction, winning eleven of their last twelve games. The promise of spending some money on some free agents this off season in addition to a few minor leaguers who are ready to start contributing bodes well for the future. One thing that doesn’t have to change for the team is their manager, David Ross. The Cubs were seriously behind most Major League teams in terms of talent this season. Ross was a steadying influence for the more than sixty players that put on a Cub uniform this season. He definitely deserves to be a part of it when the ownership decides to spend some money for major league players. Some parting words about ex-Cub players. Schwarber, who they gave away, leads the National league in homers with 44 and his team made the playoffs. Rizzo, hit 32 homers for the Yankees, who are also in the playoffs. Bryant was hurt most of the year and underperformed when healthy, and Baez year was forgettable. In retrospect, trading those players ( except Schwarber ), was the right thing to do.

Mark Twain said, “I like to think that to one in sympathy with nature, each season, in turn, seems the loveliest.”

Be careful out there. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

New Buffalo volleyball team defeats Berrien Springs in home match

BY STAN MADDUX

The New Buffalo High School girls’ volleyball team looked sharp in defeating Berrien Springs at home Monday, Oct. 3.

The Lady Bison (16-11-3) took the match by winning the first three games 25-17, 25-20 and 25-18.

Head Coach Bruce Molineaux said it wasn’t quite the best performance for his team this season but he was pleased, overall, with their improved level of play.

He said most of his “big hitters” are sophomores beginning to strike the ball hard over the net more consistently, which is

something he’s been working them on during practice.

“It’s getting them more timing on their swings. We’re getting more chances for points,” he said.

Jane Funk led the Bison on offense with 15 kills and six aces while Ava Johnson dished out 16 assists.

Benita Puskinigus contributed 10 kills and two aces.

Defensively, Amanda Jones racked up 15 digs while Liz Schmock added eight digs.

The Shamrocks trailed 14-12 in the first game but the Lady Bison scored eight of the next 12 points largely from a series of kills by Funk and Puskinigus. Another point from Johnson

hustling on defense to keep a returned ball from striking the floor seemed to further the momentum.

The game winning point was scored from a hard strike of the ball at the net by Cassidy Saunders.

Both teams kept sharing the lead during the second game until late when the Lady Bison went ahead for good on a point from a block at the net by Ellie Cybulski.

New Buffalo went on to score five of the next six points to win the game.

The third game was also close until the Lady Bison began

pulling away on back to back points from kills by Funk set up by Johnson.

An ace from Amanda Jones and a well-placed two handed put back of a ball at the net from Puskinigus followed to extend the lead to four points.

The Lady Bison then cruised to victory on a string of points off serves from Josie Humphrey.

Molineaux said putting Humphrey and Saunders into the starting line up recently seems to be making a difference with a mostly young team he believes has potential to make a post season run.

“I’m pleased at the moment but there’s a ways to go yet,” he said.

‘The Acorn Grows’ gives sneak peek at improvements to The Acorn LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts in Three Oaks is growing.

Now, to match its growing popularity among the greater Harbor Country community and beyond, The Acorn will also be growing physically within the next couple of years.

“The Acorn is stronger than we’ve ever been and our commitment to mission driven programming, community engagement and having a positive economic impact on our community is at our core…

Indeed, it’s the mission of the Acorn Center for the Performing Arts, our dedicated board, the talented staff we have, our amazing volunteers - we all have a burning passion for this place, as we know you all do too, and we are committed to steering the Acorn

forward to ensure there is magic and enjoyment for everyone in the future and for everyone who walks through The Acorn’s doors and has a nice time under our stars,” said Laura Jolly, board chair of The Acorn Board of Directors, during an Acorn Grows event Sunday, Oct. 2.

The event was held at Spring Creek Farm, which is owned by Lynn and Allen Turner (for which the Turner Stage at The Acorn is named after).

Jolly said that visitors may have noticed subtle changes to The Acorn, which have included “increases in the variety of our programming we feature on The Turner Stage and a strong commitment to further engagement with our neighbors and our community.”

Visitors to the farm that day were invited to view

renderings provided by Kil Architecture & Planning of ideas under consideration.

Phase 1 was set to begin Oct. 4 Noting that the building is over a century year old, Jolly said that, in the coming weeks, tuckpointing and roof projects will begin, which will allow for the necessary “TLC” to “seal the envelope” of the building.

She added that these endeavors are expected to take the next six to eight weeks.

Greg Kil, principal architect at Kil Architecture & Planning, said that after the completion of the fall masonry and roofing projects in Phase One, the next phase will involve an upgrade to the electrical system, HVAC (“With

David Finke thanks the audience for their support of The Acorn over the years

Guests take a look at the renderings

Janet Davies, co-chair of the event, welcomes the audience

Supporters of The Acorn gather in the barn

Guests mix and mingle and enjoy light appetizers

an emphasis on the AC,” he said), creating backyard performance space and utilizing upstairs space previously unavailable as theater space.

He added that there will also be a “higher level of accessibility to the building.”

Now that the pipe organ has been removed, more space is available to “take advantage and to apply the programming.”

Adding that this “hasn’t been finalized,” Kil said that they’re seeking input and “funding is critical.”

Plans for an outdoor theater space on the far west side of the building is also part of the improvements.

Amid all the vast improvements, Kil said that the “retaining all those special things that really is The Acorn” remains a goal.

“We’re not going to be tripling the seating, we’re not going to be putting in a bunch of fixed seats - we want that flexibility in order to make sure you can accommodate school groups, theater groups, also dinner theater – all the other different things you do, from comedy to music performance, potentially drama and dance,” he said, adding that the back of house, such as the green room, needs upgrades.

“Our team is humbled and honored to be allowing to see The Acorn grow and to take that vision further,” Kil said.

Bob Murphy, a member of the board of directors and marketing committee chair , said that The Acorn received some grant money to help get going on the backyard project, which will start in 2023.

“As we move into 2023, we’ll start looking at a lot of

the other renovations in terms of a new bar location, a new green room…There’s a whole area about 10,000 square feet on the second floor that is not being used so it’s just storage – we want to turn that into some sort of space for the community, maybe educational space,” he said, adding that this will begin toward the end of 2023 and into 2024.

In May, The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts became owner of The Acorn Theater with the sale of the building from founder and previous owner, David Fink.

Fink said that in 1998, he and Kim Clark had a bed and breakfast in Union Pier and did sold-out live show at The Vicker’s Theater and more shows the following year at what’s now Staymakers in Journeyman Distillery.

Soon, they decided to sell the bed and breakfast and use the money to start a theater, with John Vicker telling them that, if they do it in Three Oaks “I’ve got the movie theater, I’ll help you build an audience.”

“Kim saw the place that is now The Acorn, it had a hole in the roof, the wood was rotting, there was no paved street in front of The Acorn it was just dirt, there were rusted cars,” he said.

Nonetheless, after two years of construction, they bought the building in 2001 and had their first show Memorial Day Weekend 2003.

“That was the beginning – it’s been going on since 2003 of lots and lots of shows, so thank you for supporting,” he said.

Supporters mix and mingle on the farm

Allen Turner welcomes everyone to his and his wife’s Spring Creek Farm

Kil Architecture & Planning rendering of The Acorn outdoor space

Laura Jolly, chair of the board of directors, updates the crowd on The Acorn improvements

Art, animal lovers unite for second annual ‘Fall into Art’

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

For the second year in a row, art lovers and animal lovers alike were invited to take a tour down the winding country roads of southwest Michigan and northern Indiana to get a behindthe-scenes glimpse into the creative process of local artists.

This year, the following nine of those artists opened the doors of their studios for the “Fall into Art” fundraiser for the Michiana Humane Society (MHS), which took place Saturday, Oct. 1: Frank Kurland, Andy Mahoney, Dave Knoebber, Linda Hoffhines, Floyd Gompf, Roger Harvey, Rick Ott, Colleen Newquist and Michael Weiss.

After the tour, the art lovers and artists gathered for an afterparty at Color Pop Salon in New Buffalo for cocktails, appetizers and a live auction that was led by Janet Davies, a former ABC 7 Chicago reporter.

During the Fund a Paws portion, MHS Executive Director Johanna Humbert challenged everyone to make a straight

donation to the shelter to help pay for veterinary bills, which are “going up.”

This year, she said the shelter has had “extraordinary” sick or injured animals coming through the shelter. The shelter takes in over 1,000 dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs – it even once had a hedgehog – a year.

“Whatever comes in our door - if we have place to house it, we keep it and care for it - we give it vet care, we get them spayed and neutered,” she said.

Humbert added that it costs $250 to get the rabbits spayed and neutered but they adopt them for $50 “because that’s what the market will bear.”

In addition to opening their studios to guests, the artists also donated artwork toward the live auction.

Kurland had donated an original acrylic piece from his “Dreamscapes” series (his artwork currently adorns the walls of Color Pop).

Enjoying the afterparty at Color Pop

Frank Kurland (left), Jen Powell and Andy Mahoney auction off their Cowboy Cookout with Janet Davies

Chef Jen Powell of Silly Sausage and Plenty Catering discusses her auction item with Janet Davies

Rick Ott stands beside one of his paintings in his new studio on Three Oaks Road

Colleen Newquist in her studio in Three Oaks

Keek Bielby and Bob and Kim Murphy enjoy the afterparty at Color Pop

The crowd enjoys the live auction in Color Pop

Artist Rick Ott touts one of his paintings for auction with Janet Davies

An artist for six years with a long background in graphic design and marketing and advertising, Kurland said he and his husband, John Maggiore, were on the committee to help organize that day’s event.

“So, I helped come up with the name and identity and marketing pieces, so it felt I was really invested in it - so it’s just been a joy and just meeting people as they come through today is wonderful,” he said as he greeted guests to his New Carlisle studio.

Harvey was also a graphic designer in Chicago for years before he and his wife moved to New Buffalo and had a bed and breakfast, Bauhaus on Barton Bed and Breakfast, for seven years.

After that closed, he turned some space in the back part into a gallery. After seven years there, he opened his current gallery in Sawyer.

Known as one of Harbor Country’s most recognized landscape painters, one of Harvey’s paintings of a barn was up for auction.

Harvey said everyone who

visited his studio that day were “really wanting to see the studio” and to “talk about the art.”

“People are really curious about what you do and how you do it – and you’re building your client base because, sooner or later, they will decide to buy one of your paintings,” he said.

Hoffhines was another artist who had left the busy city streets (where she had to lug 1,000 pounds of clay from the street to her third-floor studio) in favor of setting up shop in Harbor Country.

She was a press photographer for her whole adult life before attending graduate school in sculpture and moving to Chicago, where she taught at Loyola University. Now Hoffhines enjoys working in her Union Pier studio, with her husband, Gompf, working nearby in his studio nearby in Lakeside.

“It’s really such a good idea –I’m a pet lover and I’ve gotten many pets at the humane society,” she said of welcoming people into her studio that day.

Michael Weiss displayed his ceramic vessels in his Three Oaks studio

Paula Deleharty shows off a watercolor of New Buffalo painted by Dave Knoebber (left) at his New Buffalo studio

MHS Executive Director Johanna Humbert discusses the shleter with Janet DaviesJanet Davies moderates the auction

Janet Davis moderates the auction in Color Pop

Frank Kurland stands beside an acrylic painting in his New Carlisle studio

Linda Hoffhines with Rocky outside her Union Pier studio

Fire engulfs vacant neighborhood factory building

An early fire Wednesday, Oct. 4, destroyed a several hundred-foot-long vacant factory building in LaPorte’s downtown area.

Flames lighting up the sky above the old American Rubber plant at 315 Brighton Street after midnight were still visible more than eight hours later.

Kellyanne Harwood of 414 Brighton Street said she was getting ready for bed when she heard the approaching sirens of numerous emergency responders.

“I never seen anything like that in my life. They were just blasting the flames with water and the flames just kept getting higher and coming out of the building,” she said.

Josh Montemayor owns nearby Mickey’s Bar on Tipton Street.

He witnessed parts of the fire ravaged building cave in after learning about the blaze from customers walking

BY STAN MADDUX

into his establishment and going to the scene.

“The building started collapsing on the front end. Just now on the back end it started collapsing,” he said.

At one point, the fire threatened a water tower in the middle of the horseshoe shaped former industrial complex in a residential neighborhood along the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks.

LaPorte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said the heat from the flames was so intense it could have caused parts of the steel structure to melt.

The tower was kept cool from being hit constantly with water and didn’t appear to be damaged, he said.

Snyder said there were no indications yet on what caused the fire but the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted to assist in the investigation.

The fire spread rapidly because the building was used to store plastic bottles containing hand sanitizer.

Snyder said there were numerous pallets of hand sanitizer inside different areas of the structure and being alcohol based fueled the flames.

There were skids of it. They were skid stacked on each other and they were for the length of the building in a couple of different bays, he said.

People going by to see the fire and damage were advised to stay at least 30 feet away from the structure to avoid possible injury should other parts of the building collapse.

Several people living nearby claimed seeing people frequently breaking into the structure in recent years.

Snyder said whether any homeless people were living there had not been confirmed.

That›s something the investigation will have to look into as they move forward, he said.

REAL ESTATE

A Day in the Life

COVID-19 AND ILLNESS: ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DOLLAR?

BY LAWRENCE VON EBELER

It used to be that when you sprouted your second tooth, you’d get a dime or a quarter (in our modest home way back then). Nowadays, it would be more like a five-dollar bill; however, I got none of this for my next physical incident!

I had trouble getting out of bed because my knees were so weak. It took 10 or 15 attempts before I got this old body up and on its feet! This was a new phenomenon, and it frightened me a little. I went ahead with fixing my coffee and toast and proceeded to my desk with the cane. I got as far as the desk before I realized I still had weak knees and stumbled and threw the tray with the coffee and toast all over the floor and desk! I spent the next hour attempting to reach my cell phone that was on my desk, without any success, and knocking over the photo table and smashing frames and glass (which upended one of the Wassily chairs). Finally, I did reach my cell phone and had my old friend John in California call an ambulance.

The nice crew loaded me up and took me to the Summit Hospital. After several tests and doctors, they determined that it was my diabetes that caused the dramatic change in my strength!

I assumed incorrectly that the ambulance would take me back home that night...Wrong, wrong, wrong. I had to find someone to pick me up. I had talked to my brother and he and my niece arranged for my niece from Evanston to come and get me. That would be almost a two-hour drive for her (at that point in time, it was 1 a.m.)! I thought we were talking about that night for my being picked up. I was quickly corrected to the actual morning exit and arranged for a friend to do the honors the next morning. That

would make it Sunday morning and my friend Donna did me the honors - bless her heart! She took me back to the house and when I was getting out of the car, I slipped and fell backwards on the paved driveway. (I was coming to realize that this was not my day.) Three neighbors came to help me up and, finally, we got my old carcass back on its feet. I was so glad to get back to my little domicile and dog that it didn’t matter to me that I’d received a bump and scrapes from the fall. I was home - my home sweet home!

The next day, a nurse came and discovered, among other things, that I had contracted COVID 19! For gosh sake, I thought, I never get sick - what’s with this rash of illnesses I was having? My chest was congested, I could not deny, and I began coughing a lot. The nurse gave me her inspection, checked me out and then left me to my misery. My niece and my brother took over the nursing and care factor. Boy, did they do that! I couldn’t get rid of their smothering phone calls (one after the other). Both were on conference at one time, and both were unrelenting - like I was on the verge of checking out! They even got the doctor to call me with his sentiments about my diagnosisand then he called them back. It was a case of overkill as far as I was concerned; however, I was glad to be the recipient of all this caring, to tell the truth.

So, I am now quarantined as expected, and feeling more human every day. I cough a lot and have little appetite (for me), but I feel human and ready to get up and go places.

It’s the nature of the beast.

HOR0SCOPE

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

The energy coming your way this week is all about getting the enthusiasm and productivity back in a partnership. Whether this is a work or intimate relationship, this is the time to work more closely with one another. Now, you will come together in a way that is mutually beneficial.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

Take some time to retreat from stressful relationships and hectic work schedules. This is the time to get in touch with what makes you happy. Put the focus on yourself and then you will make progress both professionally and romantically. There is an element in your life that may need pruning.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

Get your friendships cleaned up this week. Whether you need to get some issues out in the open or just need more like-minded people around you, take the initiative. Once you start the conversation, the ideas will flow and the possibilities will open up. Make the plan and it will happen.

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

Put your faith and resources into your career and building things for the future. Avoid getting caught up in crazy schemes and stick to the things you already excel at. Perfect those skills and prepare your space for the next chapter. Leave outside opinions and negativity at the door.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

The energy coming your way this week is all about getting out in the world and doing your own thing. Forget what the kids at school say or the gossip around the water cooler, it’s your thing and you have to do it. The people that really get you will totally understand and support you.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

This is the time to get serious about your commitments and close personal relationships. Hammer down on paying and negotiating debt. Talk about the details in relationships that go unspoken. Put your cards on the table in a way that honors the privacy of all parties and you will succeed.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22

The energy coming your way this week carries with it a sense of detachment and independence. Dig into your sense of self and take care of business. Once you fulfill the commitments and promises you have made to yourself, you will reunite. Air signs need space; take it.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

This is the time to set some different patterns and actually put some physical work into some of those projects you’ve had on the back burner. Dig into the things you have been planning on or wanting to do but have avoided because of what others may think. Lean into yourself and be it.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21

Get ready to feel a very uplifting and confident vibe, this week. Use it to its fullest by getting out there and talking to people. This is when you will get pertinent information from the most unusual or unassuming people. If you are a photographer, you’ll get some dramatic shots now.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

It’s important to maintain your sense of space and keep your environment neat and tidy, this week. This is the time to make creative changes using the things you already have. Put up those shelves up and get organized. Hang that art work you have had laying around.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

Get to the point when communicating this week. Stick to the important details and avoid getting lost in hypotheticals. The cosmos is filling you with some very expansive ideas that could ultimately move you into better territory. The important thing is to listen, learn and ask questions.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

Really reign in your spending and be more frugal. It’s important that you stand on your own and invest in things that will make you feel happy and secure. Spend your money on things that you can use. Put your focus on investing in the future and push it forward down the field.

Welcome mat rolls out to electric vehicle battery manufacturer

The door has opened for a maker of electric vehicle

to build a plant employing about 1,700 people outside New Carlisle.

The St. Joseph County Council on Sept. 27 unanimously approved tax abatement on the proposed $2.5 billion project by Ultium Cells, LLC.

It’s now up to the company to decide whether to construct the facility at a 680 acre site used for raising corn and soybeans or build the plant elsewhere.

St. Joseph County Economic

Development Corporation Director Bill Schalliol said at least one other unknown community is in the running for the project.

He expects site selection to be final before the end of the month.

The company wants to start building what would be its fourth production facility before the end of the year.

“If they’re going to choose us and be under construction they got to get going soon,” Schalliol said.

In August, the company affiliated with General Motors and LG Energy Solution

BY STAN MADDUX

opened its first electric vehicle battery making operation in Warren, Ohio.

Two other Ultium Cells, LLC plants are under construction in Lansing, Michigan, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Schalliol said one tax abatement for 10 years is on the projected $645 million cost of the new structure and land.

The estimated $1.85 billion in new equipment for the building is under a 15-year tax abatement.

Schalliol said the company would save close to $260 million over the duration of

both tax abatements.

He said anywhere from $3.7 million to $5.7 million in property taxes annually would still be paid from the site during the abatement period.

Schalliol also pointed out the site would produce more than $75 million annually in payroll.

In comparison, Schalliol said the land now generates close to $31,000 a year in property taxes.

“It really is a good win on a whole lot of levels,” he said. Such a large operation would make a positive

regional impact in areas like job creation during and after construction, said Tony Rodriguez, director of the LaPorte County Office of Economic and Community Development.

He said new suppliers and housing could also go up especially in bordering counties to serve the company and some of its employees.

Rodriquez said existing companies could also become suppliers given the volume of materials needed for production.

“Very exciting,” he said.

PUBLIC NOTICES

NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS SOLICITATION OF BIDS FOR DEMOLITION SERVICES

Property Number 11-13-0016-0012-01-6 Address 12332 Lubke Road

New Buffalo Area Schools is soliciting bids for demolition services at address 12332 Lubke Rd. New Buffalo, MI 49117. Bids should include pricing for demolition of all buildings, foundations, and concrete pads. Removal of all materials including foundations. Capping off all water and sewer lines. Fill for all areas to grade with clean fill.

Bidders must be bonded and insured. Please include this information with bids.

All complete and sealed bids must be received at Central Administration Office 1112 E. Clay St. New Buffalo, MI 49117 by 10/14/2022, 12:00 pm. Opening of bids will commence at 12:15 pm at the Central Administration Office conference room (Door 21).

Winning bidder will be contacted after bids and contractors are vetted. Demolition should be scheduled with Central Administration immediately after contract is awarded. All questions should be emailed to dwysocki@nbas. orq or phoned to 269-469-6010.

following offices:

Governor & Lieutenant Governor; Secretary of State; Attorney General; U.S. Senator; Representative for U.S. Congress; State Senator; State Representatives; State Board of Education; University of Michigan Regents; Michigan State University Trustees; Wayne State University Governors; Justice of the Supreme Court; 3rd District Court of Appeals; 2nd Circuit Court Judge; 5th District Court Judge; County Offices; and Local Offices, including Village Council members and School Board of Education members.

Please note that the following proposals will also appear on the ballot:

State Proposals

Proposal 22-1: A proposal to amend the state constitution to require annual public financial disclosure reports by legislators and other state officers and change state legislator term limit t0 12 total years in legislature

Proposal 22-2: Amend the state constitution to add provisions regarding elections

Proposal 22-3: A proposal to amend the state constitution to establish new individual right to reproductive freedom, including right to make all decisions about pregnancy and abortion; allow state to regulate abortion in some cases; and forbid prosecution of individuals exercising established right

County Proposal

Berrien County Public Safety Millage Proposal:

To repeal the existing Public Safety Millage and replace it with a Public Safety Millage of 0.45 mills for a five year term. If approved and levied in full, this millage will raise an estimated $3,992,955 in the first calendar year of the levy based on taxable value.

Valparaiso Art Walk & Talk to feature Sawyer artist Martha Cares

The City of Valparaiso will host an Art Walk and Talk at 4 p.m. CDT Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Valparaiso Art Walk, located at Cumberland Crossing near the Valparaiso Family YMCA.

The Art Walk is a free outdoor sculpture exhibit appealing to all ages. Artist Martha Cares, creator of the current over 40-piece exhibit, will share insights and lead the free Walk & Talk event. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and meet near the BikeShare bike rack on Cumberland Crossing, just south of the YMCA parking lot. Light refreshments will

be served, including coffee provided by Biggby Coffee.

The Valparaiso Art Walk is in its 11th year, thanks to the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission and generous community sponsors. The current exhibit by Cares of Sawyer, Michigan, will be on display through May 2023. Cares is gaining acclaim in the world of Pop Art for the simplicity, spontaneity and honesty of her work. Her iconic red My Rescue Dog is recognized nationally as a symbol of rescue education and awareness. The exhibit at Valparaiso’s Art Walk features pets and rescue animals.

New Buffalo Service League Arts & Crafts Show on tap for next weekend

NOTICE OF ELECTION

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP nOVEMBER 8, 2022

To the qualified electors of the Township of New Buffalo, Berrien County, Michigan, notice is hereby given that an ELECTION will be held in the following precinct on Tuesday, nOVEMBER 8, 2022. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The election will be held at the following locations:

New Buffalo Township Pct. 1 Township Hall, 17425 Red Arrow Hwy.

For the purpose of electing candidates to the

Full text of the county ballot proposition may be obtained at the Administrative Office of Berrien County, 701 Main Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085; telephone (269) 983-7111.

To comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), voting instructions will be available in audio format and in Braille. Arrangements for obtaining the instructions in these alternative formats can be made by contacting the township clerk in advance of the election. All polling locations are accessible for voters with disabilities.

Absentee Voter ballots are available through your local township clerk’s office.

The signs of fall are here – crisp, cool weather, emerging brilliant fall foliage colors and the

New Buffalo Service League

Arts & Crafts Show, which is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in the gyms at the New Buffalo High School/Middle School located at 1112 E. Clay Street in New Buffalo.

More than 100 arts and crafts booths will be offering handcrafted items for the home, yard and holidays as well as beautiful wearable art items and delectable edibles, toys and floral décor.

Members of the service

league will be having their famous bake sale, with a mouth-watering variety of home-baked goods (you’ll want to make sure you get there early). In addition, members will be offering their luncheon menu (complete with homebaked apple slices - get your very own before they sell out) for busy shoppers and crafters. Proceeds of the show are dedicated to the Mary Ann Frey Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarship awards to area high school seniors each year.

Admission to the show is $2 and the building is handicap accessible.

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.

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 or 2 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.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED

Carpentry drywall flooring tile setting windows doors and decking. Must be 18 years or older with valid drivers license. Heavy lifting involved. 219-808-1329. johnrtaylor1953@gmail.com.

SERVICES

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.

month, we’re honoring

fought the

the

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As we observe this important time of year, we reflect on the impact this disease has on the lives of women in Michigan and all across America. We remember and honor these women, their families, and all those they love. Our staff members at all Starks Family Funeral Homes are wearing pink to support those who survived, and more importantly, to honor those who did not.

seen firsthand the terrible effects of breast cancer

our own families.

has

a

you’ll join us in honoring and remembering

we hope you’ll

we strive to provide