Election Day 2024
Lady Bison place third in conference volleyball tournament PAGE 7
Enrollment trending upward at New Buffalo Area Schools PAGE 8
Celebrating Halloween New Buffalo-style with annual parade PAGES 10-11
‘Leap of Faith’ to premiere at Vicker’s Theatre PAGE 12
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In the “Village council approves allowing stairs construction across boulevard” article on page 5 of the Thursday, Oct. 24, issue of the New Buffalo Times, it was incorrectly stated that the motion with regards to allowing lakefront homeowners to construct stairs across Grand Beach Boulevard was approved in 4-1 vote. The motion was approved in a 3-2 vote, with council members Blake O’Halloran as well as James Bracewell voting “nay.”
BY STAN MADDUX
The La Porte County Council has approved the 2025 budget despite grave concerns not all of the figures are accurate.
In a symbolic move, six of the seven council members also voted to express a lack of confidence in the monetary figures the La Porte County Auditor’s office presented to develop the over $56 million general fund budget.
Council President Randy Novak said getting accurate figures from the auditor’s office has been somewhat of a struggle in the recent past, but this year “everything has been kind of all over the road.”
“The numbers are not accurate,” he said.
Novak said the problem this year reached a point deserving of sending a message about the work of the auditor’s office and letting the public know the reason for financial snags that might result next year from any accounts containing fewer than expected dollars.
“It’s just frustrating to be the council whose job is to spend the money. It’s hard for us to do it when we don’t have accurate numbers to know what’s in the funds,” he said.
Novak said the budget was only approved to meet a deadline for having it filed with the state for a standard final review.
He said there were inconsistent figures presented throughout the summer while the budget was being developed.
There was also a discrepancy Monday night when the council was asked by a department head to approve a funding request.
“Their number was $100,000 more than what we were provided by the auditor’s office. That’s the kind of stuff that continually goes on,” he said.
The motion for a no confidence vote was made by Mark Yagelski, who said mistakes by the auditor’s office last year included a 10 percent raise for county employees left out of the budget.
Yagelski, a 20 year member of the council, said money to cover the raise had to be taken from other accounts.
“This budget year is the worst one I’ve dealt with,” he said.
Auditor Tim Stabosz said his office has made some errors with the numbers used
for preparing budgets for the upcoming year.
“We’re human beings and sometimes we all make mistakes,” he said.
Stabosz said part of the blame, though, rests with the council.
He said the council occasionally supporting requests for funding but doesn’t order the dollars transferred until weeks or months later, making the already complicated job of tracking daily expenditures more challenging.
“They reap what they sew to some degree. Can we do better? Yes, we can do better. Have we made mistakes in the auditor’s office? Yes, we have but, fundamentally, it’s the council’s job to look at the numbers and decide what they want to do,” he said.
Without accurate figures from the auditor, though, Yagelski said deciding the amount of funding to place into accounts for the following year is unnerving.
“I can’t work that way,” he said.
It all catches up with the narcissist because there is a huge price to pay for abusing people. There is a huge price to pay for fake smiles, deceit, misinformation, blowing up relationships, taking peoples empathy and concealing your continuous attempt to harm others socially and economically. The narcissist thinks he is the smartest person in the room. They think no one will ever figure them out. When you do figure them out, they will play the “victim” and they will play out their own lawyers, friends, the judicial system, and those in power. — Dino N. Fatouros
CITY OF NEW BUFFALO
JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL
MARK ROBERTSON, ROGER LIJEWSKI, 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, MICHELLE HANNON, PATTY IAZZETTO, JACK ROGERS
Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 4PM
NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM
SHERIFF BERRIEN COUNTY
Sheriff, Chuck Heit
Undersheriff, Greg Sanders
NEW BUFFALO AREA
RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY
Meets at 10AM on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month (odd) at New Buffalo Township Hall, 17425 Red Arrow Highway New Buffalo
NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD
LISA WERNER, JOHN HASKINS, DENISE CHURCHILL, BRADLEY BURNER, VANESSA THUN, STEPHEN DONNELLY, GREG VOSBERG
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 October thru March at 5PM EST
KIMBERLY WOLNIK, CLERK-TREASURER
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
City of New Buffalo
Voters can pick up to three nonpartisan candidates out of the following five candidates that are running for the four-year term on the New Buffalo City Council: Brian Tully Flanagan, Karen Jo Gear, Richard Lee Knoll, Roger Lijewski and Jacob Vravis.
Chikaming Township
Running unopposed for the fouryear term of Chikaming Township supervisor is incumbent David Bunte. Running unopposed for the four-year term of clerk is incumbent Paula Dudiak (R) of Sawyer. Running unopposed for the four-year term of treasurer is incumbent Liz Rettig (R) of Three Oaks. Voters can pick up to two candidates from the following three candidates that are running for two open seats, each with a four-year term, as trustees: Arthur H. Anderson (D) of Harbert, Rich Sullivan (R) of Harbert and Deborah Hall Kayler (no party).
New Buffalo Township
Running unopposed for the fouryear term of New Buffalo Township supervisor is Michelle Heit (R). Running unopposed for the four-year term of clerk is Michelle Hannon (D). Patricia Iazzetto (R) is running for
COMPILED BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
the four year term of treasurer. Voters can choose up to two candidates from the following three candidates, who are running for two open seats on the board of trustees that carry four-year terms: Barb Anderson (D), Howard Males (D) and Peter G. Rahm (R).
Three Oaks Township
Running unopposed for the fouryear term of Three Oaks Township supervisor is Philip Smith (R). Running unopposed for the four-year term of Three Oaks Township clerk is Marcie B. Miles (R). Running unopposed for the four-year term of Three Oaks Township treasurer is Kathleen Osburn (R). Running for two seats as trustees, which carry four-year terms, are Christian Mitchell (D) and John Swanstrom (R).
Weesaw Township
Running unopposed for the four-year term of Weesaw Township supervisor is Gary Sommers (R). Running unopposed for the four-year term of Weesaw Township clerk is Erika Burcham (R). Running unopposed for the four-year term of Weesaw Township treasurer is Michelle Tackitt (R).
Voters can pick up to two candidates for the four-year term of Weesaw
James Pelletier (R).
Running for two open seats, which are four-year terms, as councilmembers on the Grand Beach Village Council, are John Grace and Edward Sebastian.
Running for three seats, which are four-year terms, on the village council are George Botelho, Timothy McCarthy and Nancy Thill. Running unopposed for a partial term as council member is Michael Mumper.
Running unopposed for the two-year term of village president is Steven Graziano. Running for three open seats as trustees, which carries a fouryear term, are Joseph Hinman, John Kramer, Michael Springer and Dennis Wojtczak.
Voters can pick one candidate from the following two candidates who are running for the four-year term as county prosecutor: Trevor J. Maveal (D) of St. Joseph and Amy Byrd (R) of Benton Harbor.
The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions. — Leonardo da Vinci
Voters can pick one candidate from the following two candidates who are running for the four-year term as sheriff: Chuck Heit (R) of New Buffalo and Al DiBrito (no party affiliation) of St. Joseph.
Voters can pick one candidate for county clerk, which has a four-year term: Jessica Ashley Jackson (D) of Niles and Stacy Loar-Porter (R) of Stevensville.
Incumbent Shelly Weich (R) of Baroda, is running unopposed for county treasurer, which carries a fouryear term.
Incumbent Lora Gnodtke Freehling (R) of Stevensville is running unopposed for the four-year term as register of deeds.
Drain commissioner
George McManus III (R) of Benton Harbor is running unopposed for the four-year term as drain commissioner.
Incumbent John Kamer (R) of Eau Claire is running unopposed for the four-year term as surveyor.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
District 9
Voters can pick one of the following candidates for this four-year term: Janet Henderson (D) of Union Pier and incumbent Alex Ott (R) of Sawyer.
10
Incumbent Mac Elliott (R) of Buchanan is running unopposed.
Voters can pick one of the following candidates for the two-year term as state representative: Angela Jones (D) of Niles and incumbent Brad Paquette (R) of Niles.
38th District
Voters can pick one of the following candidates for this two-year term as state representative: incumbent Joey Andrews (D) of St. Joseph and Kevin Whiteford (R) of South Haven.
Lake Michigan College
Running unopposed for seats, which carry six-year terms, as Lake Michigan College board members are Joan Smith of Benton Harbor and Mark Weber of Niles.
New Buffalo
Running for three seats, which carry six-year terms, on the New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education are Stephen Donnelly, John Haskins and Gregory Vosberg. Running for two partial terms on board are Vanessa Thun (term ending Dec. 31, 2028) and Jennifer Medina-Summers (term ending Dec. 31, 2026).
an estimated $120,060 in the first year of the levy.
New Buffalo
Voters can choose to renew the city’s five-year, 0.4599 mill millage to fund park improvements, which would raise an estimated $138,409 in the first year of the levy.
Voters will also be asked to choose if the city should add a millage of up to 2.25 mills for 20 years through 2044 which, if approved, would raise an estimated $727,786 in the first year of the levy for the purpose of constructing, improving, repairing and maintaining the city’s public roads.
The village is seeking to amend Section 33 of the village’s Revised Charter to change the village’s fiscal year from beginning Nov. 1 to a July 1 beginning date in 2025.
River Valley
Running for two seats, which carry six-year terms, on the River Valley School Board, are Jennifer Alderink and Jennifer Strefling.
Millages
Three Oaks Township
Voters can choose to renew a fouryear, 1.423 mills fire protection millage, which would raise an estimated $180,103.00 in the first year of the levy.
Voters will also be asked to choose to renew an four-year, 0.9486 mill ambulance millage, which would raise
New Buffalo Area Schools is seeking an operating millage of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. The remaining 1.875 mills are only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a reduction required by the Headlee amendment and will only be levied to the extent necessary to restore such reductions. If approved, the overall six-year millage would be 19.875 mills. If approved, the estimated revenue the school district will collect and if the 0.2037 mill is levied in 2025 is about $196,276, and about $18,548,151 if 18 mills are levied in 2026. 30 N Whittaker St
New Buffalo Middle and High School would like to welcome local veterans for an honorary ceremony to recognize their service at a Veterans Day Assembly in the Performing Arts Center, which will take place from 10:45-11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11.
The community is invited to join the school district as it honors our hometown heroes. A complimentary snack will be served immediately following the program in the cafeteria commons. — STAFF REPORTS
BY STAN MADDUX
After their first high school football victory of the season, the Red Arrow Raiders were hoping for a better end of the season outcome at Bridgman.
However, the Raiders lost to the Bees 50-0 Friday, Oct. 25.
Head Coach Matt Johnson said the offense moved the ball early in the game but some of the drives stalled because of penalty flags, lack of execution at critical moments and fumbles.
Unable to take advantage of early opportunities proved even more costly because of the size and of the Bridgman players and their better execution of plays on both sides of the ball.
“They were more physical than we were, which didn’t help, and they executed and we didn’t,” he said.
The Raiders went into halftime trailing 30-0.
“It was just too big of a hole for us to dig out of,” he said.
The Raiders (2-7) looked impressive the previous week in defeating Eau Claire at home 44-20.
Their only other win of the season was by forfeit from TriUnity Christian being unable to field a team this season.
The Raiders are losing key starters quarterback Ethan Lijewski, running back and
safety, M’Nason Smothers, along with offensive and defensive lineman David Nicely and Adam Slavens to graduation.
However, Johnson said the prospects for next year look promising judging from the success of the junior varsity squad and the attitude of their players.
The JV team won four games this season.
More importantly, perhaps, is the grit and positive attitude Johnson cited in the players coming up from the ranks.
“If you have those two components you can go a long way,” he said.
Johnson said hurting the team this year was injuries and lack of experience in many players, which led to breakdowns too often in execution on offense and defense.
He’s hoping more of his players next year are better prepared before the season begins.
“We got to build our mental focus better. I think a lot of that comes with just being willing to put in the work during the offseason so they don’t have to spend a lot of time working on things that should have been done months ago,” he said.
COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO
can’t really explain exactly how I feel about baseball, as compared to the way I feel about football.
Sunday’s football game between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders was a really interesting, and unusual game.
Washington completely dominated the early going and led nine to nothing at halftime. The third quarter saw more of the same.
The Commanders kicked another field goal to go ahead 12 to nothing before the Bears running back, D’Andre Swift, broke off a beautiful 56-yard touchdown run to bring the Bears within five.
The fourth quarter saw the Bears drive to the one yard line and were ready to take the lead when they used a lineman, like they did with the fridge (William Perry) back in the day, to try to take the lead.
Unfortunately, the lineman fumbled and Bears fans everywhere cursed. All was not lost, and the Bears got back to the goal line once more.
This time, they handed off to an actual running back, and Roschon Johnson made it into the end zone to give the Bears their first lead with only 25 seconds remaining in the game.
Bears players and fans were ecstatic because it looked like the team had pulled a victory out of the jaws of defeat.
Unfortunately, the Commanders threw a Hail Mary pass on the last play of the game, and somehow, the Bears lost. The excitement and sadness in those final 25 seconds was very intense.
Baseball, at least in Chicago this
year, was sad but completely lacked excitement.
The two teams that many Chicago fans despise the most are in the World Series, and interest is minimal.
The opening game between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers was Friday night, and in many ways, it was just like most ballgames.
The Yankees scored in the 10th inning to take a 4-3 lead and things looked grim for the Dodgers. They rallied and loaded the bases, but there were two outs when a gimpy Freddie Freeman came to the plate.
In the long history of Major League Baseball, no one had ever hit a grand slam walk-off homer in a World Series game, but Friday night, Freddie Freeman did. Even though I don’t have a horse in the race, when Freeman took that magical swing and the ball took off for the bleachers, a feeling of joy washed over me.
It totally reminded me of 1988 when Kirk Gibson, also on a gimpy leg, hit a homer to win the game for the Dodgers.
While football has its intensity and is a truly great sport, the game of baseball tugs at my heartstrings and at least to me, will always be the greatest sport of all.
Hank Aaron said, “Well, it took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball, and I did it in one afternoon on the golf course.”
Amy Rigby wrote the lyrics and sang “Hey, I love you, You’re perfect, Don’t ever change. Share those words with those you love.”
Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.
BY STAN MADDUX
The New Buffalo girls’ volleyball team finished in third place in their conference tournament.
The winner of the Berrien Cass St. Joseph tournament on Saturday was Michigan Lutheran School, which upset state ranked Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School in a two set sweep.
The tournament was played at New Buffalo High School.
Bruce Molineaux, head coach of the Lady Bison, said his team played well but was not quite up to par especially on defense from Meagan Fatter playing with a back injury.
“She didn’t play as well as she normally does,” he said.
He said setter Riley Tertel was also a little under the weather on the court.
The Lady Bison opened the tournament with a close two set victory over Eau Claire then lost to Michigan Lutheran with each set decided 25-21.
New Buffalo trailed by two points late in each set but Michigan Lutheran scored a majority of the final deciding points.
“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” Molineaux said.
New Buffalo (23-12-3) went on to easily defeat Grace Christian then lost their final match in three sets to River Valley.
The first two sets against the Mustangs went down to the wire but New Buffalo lost the deciding set 15-5.
Offensively, the Lady Bison were led by Josie Humphrey and Benita Puskinigus who scored 20 and 19 points respectively on kills during the entire tournament.
Cassidy Saunders contributed 14 kills and led the defense with 27 digs.
Tertel had 60 assists, 15 digs and had the most points from unreturned serves with seven.
The Lady Bison are now preparing for the District 4 tournament next week at River Valley High School.
New Buffalo opens the tournament Monday, November 4 against Grace Christian.
A victory will mean a Wednesday match against Our Lady of the Lake.
Molineaux said he wants to focus during practice this week on his players returning to the level of energy they showed during their first place finish in the Bridgman tournament and victories over River Valley and Berrien Springs during the regular season.
He also wants to work on correcting a slight uptick in mistakes his players have been making recently on the court.
“We’ve had a good season. The players are playing hard. They’re working hard. We just got to get over this little bit of inconsistency,” he said.
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
Members of the New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education heard some positive news with regards to enrollment numbers at their Monday, Oct. 28, meeting.
Superintendent Adam Bowen had asked Devinnie Wysocki, administrative assistant to the superintendent, to compile PowerSchool data with regards to comparing trends from the past three years for student enrollment.
“On a positive note, it looks like we’re up 16 students total in the district,” Bowen said.
Per data, the elementary school is up by two students, the middle school is up by 10 and the high school by four.
This year, 28 students are tuition ones and 54 are School of Choice ones. Overall, the district total is 545 students.
“As you know, our enrollment has been on the downward trend for the past 10 plus years, so that’s a big win,” Bowen said.
Per the chart, the district had 531 students for the 2022-2023 school year, with 20 tuition students and 43 School of Choice ones. There were 529 students last year, with 25 tuition students and 51 School of Choice ones.
Trustee Denise Churchill asked what the “drivers are” with regards to numbers going down in high school from year to year. Wysocki said that the add/drop report could give “clarification on who’s actually leaving.”
She added that there have been “situations where if the student is lacking in credits, they will put them in a different grade until they recoup those credits.”
The Access Control Change Order from Moss Technology for $134,095.14 was approved.
Bowen said that the district is about 95 percent done with the original bid that came to the district from Moss a few weeks ago. Upon inspecting all the doors that were included in the original scope of work in the district, Bowen, finance director Pano Arvanitis and Jacob Stella discovered that there were “quite a few items” that weren’t taken care of during the initial proposal. Also included in the
quote are the parts and pieces that had to be taken over to the middle/high school to complete the elementary school project and additional work that needs to be done on the ADA buttons.
Bowen said the goal is that, if there were ever an event at the school, a panic button at specific locations at the school would disable specific access and allow only emergency personnel, which requires additional cabling. Additional cabling is also needed with a couple other Wi-Fi areas and Wi-Fi will also be put in the bus garage for the buses’ software upgrade.
Event timers will also be put in strategic locations in the building.
Bowen said over 40 additional key card accesses were also added and some key fobs were eliminated.
The proposal from B.E.R. for Tech Data Room Equipment for $33,800 was approved. Bowen said that the original cooling system is on its “last leg” and that, with the addition of more technology in the data room, more heat would be created with the electronic key card system.
Board members authorized middle school teacher Mary Cooper to submit a $2,500 Pokagon Fund Grant application in support of a visit from Christopher Paul Curtis, author of “The Watsons Go to Birmingham,” to New Buffalo.
Board members approved the School Resource Officer summer contract with the City of New Buffalo. Bowen said that the SRO will be present during the district’s summer day camp and summer school.
Recently, the first meeting of the New Buffalo Area Schools Foundation Committee took place. Bowen said that committee members will be establishing the foundation’s main goals and long term priorities, which could fit the district’s strategic plan in terms of bringing the community together. Members are waiting to meet with and have questions answered by Lissa Crips-Downey, president of the Berrien Community Foundation, of which the NBAS Foundation is a subcommittee.
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
As was tradition, the streets of downtown New Buffalo and the surrounding neighborhoods were populated with ghosts, princesses and other colorful creatures for the annual New Buffalo Community Halloween Parade Sunday, Oct. 27.
Costumed characters, who were eager to scoop up some sweet treats, stood on North Thompson Street, which was where the costume judging took place. From there, they marched down South Whittaker Street and onto West Mechanic Street to the city’s fire house. There, the trick or treaters received one of the 600 treat bags, which were packed by members of the New Buffalo Elementary School Student Senate, before dispersing onto the streets of New Buffalo for trick or treating.
Treats were also distributed by business owners, with children in costume scoring a free ice cream cone at Oink’s Dutch Treat.
The parade was started in 1975 by Bonnie Keefer, who chaired the parade committee before she passed away in December
2016.
Tricia Mayer, who’s been the parade’s chairperson for the last six years, said that Keefer was her Girl Scout leader.
“She wanted somebody local to take it over, not an association or group - she just wanted somebody who cared enough to do it,” Mayer said.
Now, Mayer will be handing the reins over to Ryan Kumpf, who will be chairing next year’s parade.
A resident of New Buffalo who moved here in 2014, Kumpf said that his son won an award in the parade in the “ugliest/scariest” category in 2018.
He said he first learned of the need for a chairperson when he happened to meet Mayer at a party.
“She was talking about needing someone to hand this over to - so, that’s why I’m here,” Kumpf said.
The annual parade is made possible by donations from the local community, with money that’s raised every year being used to put on the parade the following year.
“L‘Leap of Faith’ to premiere at Vicker’s Theatre
eap of Faith,” a documentary that debuted in theaters last month and was partially shot at Goldberry Woods in Union Pier, will be premiering at The Vicker’s Theatre this weekend.
The documentary chronicles 12 diverse Christian leaders, who find hope and fellowship at a series of boundarybreaking retreats in Grand Rapids.
A film by Nicholas Ma that was produced by Morgan Neville, “Leap of Faith” chronicles five women and seven men, who were brought together by Michael Gulker of Grand Rapids-based Colossian Forum, and their struggle with some of today’s most contentious issues,” a synopsis from leapoffaithmovie.com said.
“Leap of Faith” was shot at Goldberry Woods in May 2023. Nicholas, the son of the cellist Yo-Yo Ma, filmed the retreats and pulled pastors aside for one-on-one interviews in Goldberry Woods’ Cedar Log Suite.
Nicholas was the producer of the 2018 movie, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” As a child, he appeared on “Mister Rogers” twice with his father.
According to a press release, Goldberry Woods hosted the final retreat and “had the privilege of watching this incredible director and kind and intentional pastors in action.”
“When Nicholas Ma arrived, he had been pouring through all of the previous footage and told us that he wouldn’t know what the actual story would be until the third retreat was completed,” the release said.
Goldberry Woods was approached by Jenny Steele, the project manager for the “Leap of Faith” project.
“After the first two retreats, she really wanted to find somewhere situated in nature. She told them that she was quite discouraged that she couldn’t find the right spot for their third retreat and vented her frustration to her husband. She decided to pray for clarity.”
After restarting her search the next morning, Goldberry Woods “popped right up on her browser.”
Steele introduced the project to Goldberry, via typed email, in the foll owing way:
“Iwork with a non-profit called The Colossian Forum, which helps churches and schools learn about conflict transformation, with the main idea being that personal and spiritual growth can both occur when conflict is done well, and we don’t need to turn away from it or shut one another down. We work with churches and, more recently, schools, to help during times of division and polarization, to help people walk toward one another and listen well, rather than walk away.
A filmmaker learned about TCF and was wanting to do a documentary on topics similar to those covered by TCF, and so the filmmaker and TCF have partnered for a year and have created a unique community of pastors. We are gathering 11 diverse pastors three times over the course of a year, and inviting them to engage hard topics with one another and learn more about our resources, and then taking those resources back to their own churches between the gatherings.
Our first gathering was in August, and while there was a great deal of hard
work involved, we didn’t anticipate how much the pastors would truly grow to care for one another. They don’t agree on everything by any means, but they are all tired and burned-out from the last two years and found understanding and empathy in one another in beautiful ways.
I’ve been looking for a space that would honor them well for our last gathering, where they can have space to roam and wander, soak in the beauty and peace of nature, and feel spoiled with good food. Having water nearby was something I was hoping for, but not counting on, and then I found your space last night.
We are all working together to answer the questions, “Is there hope for the Church during an era filled with division and polarization? Can the Church really provide an embodied alternative that matters for our fragmented world?” It’s been an amazing journey so far and I’m hoping we can wrap it up in May at Goldberry Woods!”
“Leap of Faith” will be showing at The Vicker’s Theatre Friday, Sunday and Tuesday, Nov. 1, 3 and 5, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2, at 4:30 p.m. — STAFF REPORTS
“AWoman Under the Influence,” the 1974 Oscar-nominated movie from director John Cassavete, has been chosen for the November meeting at the New Buffalo Township Library of the Harbor Country Film Group, which takes place at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11.
The meeting will begin with a brief introduction by Eve Moran, film group leader, followed by the film and discussion.
“Writer and director John Cassavetes had the ability to make deeply personal movies entirely on his own terms and still win the admiration of the Hollywood film Industry,” Moran said. “’A Woman Under the Influence’ is one of his major works. Powerful actors Peter Falk and Gena Rowlands provide us with an honest and unflinching look at love, rage, mental illness and other struggles within a marriage.” Rowlands won an Oscar nomination for her performance, and Cassavetes was nominated for best director. Film critic Roger Ebert’s initial review in 1974 gave the film four stars. It was the subject of his “Great Movies” essay.
The New Buffalo Township Library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. Film group meetings are open to all and there is no cost to attend. As usual, free popcorn will be served. The group is sponsored by the Friends of the New Buffalo Library. — STAFF REPORTS
BY STAN MADDUX
Business has picked up at Bare Bones since the downtown La Porte gastropub announced it was closing.
Over the past three weeks, there have been customers wanting a meal along with a craft beer or glass of wine at least one more time before the final curtain closes.
People, who’ve been meaning to try it out, are also strolling in before it’s too late to have anything from a Bare Bones Burger, Jackfruit Taco, White BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich and a Shrimp Po’boy.
Various drinks made with vodka, rum, gim, tequila and other hard liquor such as bourbon are also offered.
“It’s really delicious,” said Tami Gonzalez, a first time customer enjoying a French onion grilled cheese sandwich and what’s called a “garage beer.”
Jay Williams and Angie Schroeder have been coming
together on a regular basis for about four-years.
“It’s kind of heartbreaking that they’re closing. It’s a fantastic place. We’re going to miss them,” said Williams.
At the beginning, Bare Bones at 518 Lincolnway was viewed as a catalyst for bringing more people into downtown given the popularity of such establishments but their lifespan is coming to a shorter than expected run on Nov. 9.
Co-owner and Executive Chef Blake Murray said the decision was “far from easy” because of the passion he had for keeping the doors open and effort he put into it.
Murray is a partner in his family owned Burn ‘Em Brewing, which relocated several months ago to a new, much larger facility along U.S. 12 in Michigan City.
He said his heart, though, was especially into Bare Bones as the only family member in charge of it.
“I did not want it to happen
this way,” he said. For while, Murray said he managed to stay afloat despite inflation putting a pinch on people’s ability to eat out then business really dropped last fall after other restaurants opened in the area.
He tweaked the menu and made other adjustments but saw the handwriting on the wall after business during the summer wasn’t nearly enough to get by at least through winter.
“We had a drastic drop of about half of our sales from our previous July, previous August,” he said.
Mike Riehle, president of the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association, said talks were held with Murray to see if there was anything else the city could do to help keep them from closing.
Under an incentive program, Bare Bones was allowed to operate from the UEA owned building at no cost as long as the business made
a certain amount of capital improvements to the three story structure.
After meeting those terms, UEA lived up to its promise and transferred ownership of the property to the family once Bare Bones passed the five year mark for staying in business.
Riehle said Bare Bones was chosen for the incentive program under a belief the same type of success the family has had in Michigan City would be duplicated here.
He said the gastropub didn’t become a long term fixture as imagined but the effort was successful to a certain extent.
“I think, for the most part, they’ve been a very big part of our downtown and it’s unfortunate that we have to see them go,” he said.
Burn ‘Em Brewing, which offers a similar food and drink menu, started 10 years ago in a house owned by the family on
Freyer Road.
Murray said the ability to host outdoor live music events across the street was among the reasons Burn ‘Em Brewing was able to have more success and grow.
He said another benefit of Michigan City is more visitors at the lakefront community to draw from during the summer.
“They get a lot more of that tourism climate coming through from Chicago and stuff,” he said.
The Burn ‘Em Brewing brand of craft beer is made and served at the Michigan City facility and at Bare Bones.
The beverage is also canned there for retail distribution throughout Indiana and into Michigan.
“We’re heartbroken for the chapter of Bare Bones to come to an end in our lives, but are proud of the space we were able to carve out in La Porte for the time we could,” he said.
OCTOBER 31-N0VEMBER 6, 2024
ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19
You will spend a lot of time wandering graveyards and hiding out in abandoned houses. Your main goal this week will be to get away from brain eating zombies. Whatever you do, do not allow the recently departed into your home and the best way to stop them is to simply chop off their heads.
TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20
It is likely a package containing a doll, with a spirit of a Zuni warrior trapped inside, will be delivered to your house this week. Do not open it! If you’re not careful, you could be chased around the house by this psychotic doll. Best advice, throw it under the broiler and cook the son of a gun.
GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21
Be sure to check under your bed, before you go to sleep tonight, that way the creature hiding in the closet won’t think you are on to him. It is not a figment of your imagination, or a result of drinking too much antifreeze. There is something living in there and it prefers bologna to salami.
CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22
Avoid walking in the woods this week, as you could be devoured by wolves or worse be bitten and put under a curse, the curse of the wolf. When the wolf bane blooms and the moon is full, only a man who is pure of heart can resist this change. Be sure to keep those silver bullets handy.
LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22
You will be awakened by strange chanting, this week. Don’t worry, it is just those blackeyed children playing in your back yard again. Whatever you do not offer them food. Even if it is your Aunt Susie’s fruit cake, which by the way has only caused diarrhea, never permanent paralysis.
VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22
Some of your more daring experiments will be coming to life, that poor lab assistant won’t know what hit him. It is a good idea to burn down the lab and destroy all evidence, linking you to this experiment. This can never happen again. For God’s sake, doctor, destroy the creature! Save us!
LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22
This is your lucky week. Everything you thought was real will turn out to be fake, and those things you thought fake, will turn out to be real. The voices in your head are really coming from a small mouth on the back side of your skull. That should be a load off your mind.
SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21
A beautiful dark stranger will be making your acquaintance this week. Avoid looking directly into their eyes. Do not invite them into your home. Pay special attention to how they react to mirrors, and crosses. No matter how alluring and sensual they are, they will suck your blood. Eat more garlic.
SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER22—DECEMBER21
Expect a lot of strange activity with electronic devices this week. Your phone will be ringing off the hook. Loud voices and screaming will be heard, even when you do not answer it. Know that the call is coming from inside your head.
CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19
It is time to come to terms with the high cost of your experimentations. That electric chair could be the cause of your high energy bills. An iron maiden works just fine, and requires no electricity. Why not donate all that left over flesh to the local food pantry. Everyone loves eyeballs.
AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18
If you see strange lights in the sky, or if you hear loud humming type noises, run immediately. Take time to check yourself over in the mornings for any unusual lumps as they could be signs of tracking devices implanted by beings from another planet. You have been warned, Earthling.
PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20
Do not go into the Lake! Stay off the beaches! If you dare approach the water, keep your buoy knife at the ready. A creature has been spotted. It appears to be a large reptile, walking on hind legs, with large black eyes, and whistling show tunes. If you see this creature, call the DNR, immediately.
think it matters whether someone has a good heart.
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.
The School of American Music is pleased to announce its intention to hire its first part-time, salaried Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the facilitation of all
organizational and administrative aspects of the organization including friendraising and fundraising, financial management, venue management, communications, marketing and public relations, human resources, and working with the Board on the strategic growth of the organization. The ideal candidate will have nonprofit management experience and a keen interest in music.
To apply, please send cover letter and resume to kkissman@hotmail.com. Deadline is November 15, 2024.
Real Estate, Business Law, Commercial Transactions, Injury Law
New Buffalo: (269) 469-8440 Chicago: (312) 642-4414
This five-month-old male black cat is Gold. He is so special, but he was even more special to his foster mom. He loves human attention, and will let you know if you have not given him enough treats. Gold has gotten along wonderfully with his four foster cat-siblings and one dog-sibling. He is neutered, and his vacciantions are up-to-date.
THREE OAKS – Nicholas Fulbright, Jr., 64, of Three Oaks, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks.
Contestants for the 2025 Miss New Buffalo Pageant are (front row) Zoey O’Conell, Lexi Jaspering, Blake Troxell, Quinnie Garrison and Lily Jaspering and (back row) Kayden Hall, Sierra Shawver, Ekolu Brown, Jackie Marquez-Hernandez, Gia Berquist, Emily Beck and (not pictured) Ellen Ripley and Jamie Funk
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
Fans of the Miss New Buffalo Scholarship Pageant are sure to have a good time at this year’s pageant, which is set to take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, in the New Buffalo Performing Arts Center at 1112 East Clay Street in New Buffalo.
Tickets for the “Laissez Les Bons Temp Rouler (Let the Good Times Roll) in Baton Rouge”-themed pageant are $20.
The pageant will be co-chaired by Angela Dupre and Tracy Tanksley, with Amber Schroder also serving as a member of the pageant committee.
A nonprofit organization, the Miss New Buffalo Scholarship Program is focused
this year on raising funds for outreach throughout the year.
“They (the contestants) do a lot of community service - they donate a lot of effort back into the community,” Schroeder said.
Throughout their reign, members of the royal court volunteer at New Buffalo Township’s Public Safety Day, the fire department’s Pancake Breakfast and the Fired Up 5K; distributing meals during the holidays for local families; karaoke with the queens, which benefits local New Buffalo children with a toy drive at Roma’ Pizza; Blossomland Learning Center for special needs children; reading at New Buffalo
Elementary School for March is Reading Month and New Buffalo’s Memorial Day service.
Schoeder added that the float, which travels to St. Joseph for the Blossomtime Parade, Three Oaks Flag Day Parade and miscellaneous community events, takes a month or longer of parents’ and court members’ time to put together.
Funds from a contribution toward the program go towards scholarship funding; the parade float; financial support for the youth to attend specialized events, such as the Blossomtime pageant;
activities to support the community, such as events with the Michiana Humane Society, Ronald McDonald House and providing meals to local people in need during holidays and pageant operational expenses.
To donate, checks can be made payable to: Miss New Buffalo Scholarship Program and mailed to PO Box 301, New Buffalo, MI 49117, through Venmo @missnewbuffalo, advertising sales through the contestants and fundraising sales through the contestants.
More information can be found by emailing missnewbuffalo@gmail.com or mailing PO Box 301, New Buffalo, MI 49117.
We are a non-denominational church teaching through the bible line by line Sunday service 1015 ET
Thursday bible study 7pm ET
Saturday men’s bible study 915 ET in person and zoom
Saturday women’s bible study 1030 ET on zoom 1615 E Buffalo St. New Buffalo, Mi
I am running for County Commissioner because South County has been neglected for too long. We need serious-minded, practical solutions to our shared challenges - not empty rhetoric.
Instead of focusing on the serious issues facing our county, incumbent Alex Ott promotes extreme ideas - like defunding the sheriff for following gun safety laws and criminalizing teachers - and promises tax exemptions to seniors and veterans that he can’t deliver. We can do better.
My volunteer work in Harbor Country inspired me to run for office. My years as a business lawyer taught me that problem-solving requires an open mind and a commitment to results.
As your Commissioner, I will work for:
• Economic development to build a year-round economy that works for all of us, not just out-of-state visitors
• Training for skilled trades that create good-paying jobs for our hard-working residents
• Attainable housing so those who work in our communities can afford to live in our communities
• Protection of our lakefront and natural resources
• Public transportation that will connect our local businesses and communities
