November 10, 2022

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

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Fire heavily damages manufacturing company

BY STAN MADDUX

Firefighters from the New Buffalo area helped put out a fire that heavily damaged a manufacturing company in northern LaPorte County.

The Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched before 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, to GTW Enterprises at 183 W. 800 North Street.

Springfield Township Fire Chief Steve Marvel said fire departments from throughout La Porte County, along with the City of New Buffalo and New Buffalo Township, were called to assist with the blaze about three miles east of Indiana 39.

Marvel said numerous tanker trucks were needed to keep shuttling water because the burning metal-sided facility contained about 300,000 square feet of space and the nearest hydrants were several miles away, he said.

Marvel said it also took extra time to reach those hydrants because the route to those sources of water was often curvy and required venturing up and down other roads.

“There was no straight shot,” he said.

Marvel said the fire also required two aerial trucks, which apply water from above in greater volumes than hoses on the ground.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered intense fire at the back of the structure, with some flames crawling across the ceiling into a longer building section.

Marvel said at least one of the several powerful explosions from tanks containing propane and other gas led to a large fireball going into the air.

Firefighters were at the scene for about seven hours.

No injuries were reported.

Marvel said roughly half of the building was destroyed.

He estimated the dollar loss, including contents like machinery, at “probably in the millions.”

Marvel said the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office was helping to investigate the cause of the blaze, which is standard procedure for industrial fires.

According to the company’s website, GTW Enterprises, founded in 1992, is family owned and operated.

The facility makes paper honeycomb products out of recycled paper for the packaging and shipping industries.

Tony Rodriguez, director of the La Porte County Office of Economic and Community Development, said more than 20 people are employed at the company, which has $2.3 million in annual revenues.

Corn lost in grain dryer fire

TAbout 1,000 bushels of corn were lost when the kernels caught fire inside a La Porte County grain dryer.

According to LaPorte County Police, smoke and flames were showing from the grain dryer when emergency responders arrived at the farm near Westville early Monday, Oct. 28.

Paul Herrold told officers he believed his batch of corn ignited from a timer failing to shut off the grain dryer, police said.

Herrold reported he observed the grain on fire after being called by a neighbor, who smelled smoke about five hours after loading the corn into the dryer, police said.

The corn was valued at $9,600.

His biggest loss was the grain dryer estimated to be worth $80,000, police said.

“Sometimes those fires just literally destroy the dryer because it’s so incredibly hot,” said Bill Field, a farm safety expert at Purdue University.

Field said heat generated from burning corn is actually hot enough to evaporate water from a garden hose or extinguisher before it reaches the kernels.

He said grain dryer fires should be addressed strictly by firefighters, who have the expertise, safety gear and high-water capacity hoses.

“You need something to put a lot of water on it quick,” he said.

He said there have been at least two other grain dryer fires in the state during the current harvest season.

Field said he’s not sure why but possibilities include corn following a dry summer coming out of the fields wetter than expected.

Corn with a high moisture content needs to be dried for it to be properly stored.

Field said some farmers could do things, like turning up the temperature too high on their grain dryers to evaporate water from the kernels quicker, to save on much higher fuel costs this year.

Corn when overheated, though, begins to caramelize and can ignite from prolonged exposure to heat.

Field said the first thing to do when corn becomes too hot is shut down the dryer, turn off the fuel and call 911.

He added farmers cutting corners on drying to save money on fuel can hurt themselves more financially because of the cost of a new grain dryer and having to take corn to an elevator to lower the moisture content.

“It’s devastating if you’re the farmer because it shuts you down if you got to dry grain,” he said.

— STAN MADDUX

If you get up in the morning and think the future is going to be better, it is a bright day. Otherwise, it’s not. — Elon Musk

Local Government Meetings

New Buffalo Times

Democracy Requires Transparency

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL

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

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

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETINGS

to be determined

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOARD

PETE RAHM, MICHELLE HEIT, JUDY H. ZABICKI, PATTY IAZZETTO, JACK ROGERS Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7PM

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM

NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD

FRANK MAGRO, LISA WERNER, HEATHER BLACK, DENISE CHURCHILL, BRADLEY BURNER, VANESSA THUN

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD

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

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

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM

THREE OAKS

THREE OAKS TOWNSHIP BOARD Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM

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

GRAND BEACH Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7PM MARY ROBERTSON, CLERK DEBORAH LINDLEY, BLAKE O’HALLORAN, JAMES BRACEWELL, PETER DOERR, PAUL LEONARD, JR. MICHIANA

VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM

Whitmer reelected governor of Michigan WALBERG DEFEATS GOLDBERG FOR FIFTH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

The following is an unofficial list of results for the state and local candidates and proposals from the Tuesday, Nov. 8, general election.

STATE Governor/Lieutenant Governor

• Gretchen Whitmer/Garlin D. Gilchrist II (D), 1,459,875; Tudor M. Dixon/Shane Hernandez (R), 1,446,886; Mary Buzuma/Brian Ellison (L), 28,003; Donna Brandenburg/Mellissa Carone (U.S. Taxpayers), 12,383; Kevin Hogan/Destiny Clayton (Green), 7,618 and Daryl M. Simpson/Doug Dern (Natural Law), 3,650.

Secretary of State

• Jocelyn Benson (D), 1,483,976; Kristina Elaine Karamo (R), 1,371,455; Gregory Scott Stempfle (L), 36,925; Christine C. Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers), 20,0001 and Larry James Hutchinson Jr. (G), 11,017.

Attorney General

• Dana Nessel (D), 1,394,138; Matthew DePerno (R), 1,435,352; Joseph W. McHugh Jr. (L), 46,993 and Gerald T. Van Sickle (U.S. Taxpayers), 23,580.

CONGRESSIONAL Representative in Congress

5th District

• Bart Goldberg (D), 109,176; Tim Walberg (R), 195,602; Norman M. Peterson (L), 5,060 and Ezra Scott (U.S. Taxpayers), 3,095.

LEGISLATIVE State Senator 17th District

• Scott Rex Starr (D), 34,379 and Jonathan Lindsey (R), 64,815.

Representative in State Legislator

37th District

• Naomi Ludman (D), 11,595 and Brad Paquette (R), 21,056.

38th District

• Joey Andrews (D), 19,166 and Kevin Whiteford (R), 18,768.

County County Commissioner 9th District

• Michelle Hannon (D), 3,283 and Alex R. Ott (R), 3,390. 10th District

• Mac Elliott (R), 3,532

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees (Two Open Seats)

Brian Dissette, 30,721 and John W. Grover, 29.747.

CITY

New Buffalo City Council (Two Open Seats)

• Nicholas Holevas, 134; Mick Lantis, 119; Jennifer Parello, 265; Vance Price, 451 and Mark Robertson, 368.

VILLAGE

Grand Beach Village Council (Three Open Seats with Four-Year Terms)

• Edward P. Brandes, 123; Peter Doerr, 131; Elizabeth Grim Vaughan, 92 and Harry Walder, 113.

Michiana Village Council (Three Open Seats)

• Four-year terms: Brian Cassidy, 83 and Michael Tolentino, 80.

• Two-year team: Timothy McCarthy, 87.

Three Oaks Village Council

• President: Richard J. Smith, 145.

• Three open seats: Lois Jones, 95; Colleen Newquist, 123; Jason A. Niemzyk, 99 and Becky Thomas, 123.

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education (Four Open Seats)

• One open seat with a six-year term: Denise Churchill, 1366

and Todd Tanksley, 742.

• Two open seats with fouryear terms: Bradley Brunner, 1,129; Ashley Grzywacz, 829; Patrick Kennedy, 756 and Lisa Werner, 1,339.

• One open seat with a twoyear term: Justin A. Baney, 769 and Vanessa Thun, 1,335.

River Valley Schools Board of Education (Two Open Seats with Six-Year Terms)

• Thomas D. Rosenbluth, 1,667 and Nikki Springer, 1,981.

PROPOSALS

Berrien County BERRIEN COUNTY

PUBLIC SAFETY MILLAGE PROPOSAL

• Shall the County of Berrien repeal the existing Public Safety Millage that will expire with the December 1, 2024 tax levy and replace it with a new annual Public Safety Millage, which will be increased by up to 0.45 Mills ($0.45 per $1,000 of taxable value) on all taxable property within the County for a period of five (5) years beginning with the December 1, 2022 tax levy (to expire after December 1, 2026 tax levy) to provide funds to pay the operating and capital improvement costs of providing Public Safety

— Larry J. Sabato

Every election is determined by the people who show up.

services within the County? 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. Yes: 27,458/No: 29.814.

TOWNSHIP CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP LIBRARY PROPOSAL

• Shall Chikaming Township impose an increase of up to thirty-five one hundredths mill ($0.35 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy it for the period of six years, 2023 through 2028 inclusive, for library services, which thirty-five one hundredths mill increase will raise an estimated $250,162 in the first year the millage is levied of which equal portions will be distributed to the Bridgman Public Library, the New Buffalo Township Library, and the Three Oaks Township Library? Yes: 1,094/No: 632.

PARK BOARD PROPOSAL

• Shall the elected Park Commission, known as the Park Board, of Chikaming Township be dissolved, effective upon certification of the election results by the board of canvassers, and upon dissolution, for all powers, duties, assets and liabilities of the Park Commission, known as the Park Board, be transferred to the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees as provided in the Section 6g of 1905 PA 157, being MCL 41.426g? Yes: 1,123/ No: 574.

STATE 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 TO 12 TOTAL YEARS IN LEGISLATURE

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

• Require members of legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general file annual public financial disclosure reports after 2023, including assets, liabilities, income sources, future employment agreements, gifts, travel reimbursements, and positions held in organizations except religious, social, and political organizations.

• Require legislature implement but not limit or restrict reporting requirements.

• Replace current term limits for state representatives and state senators with a 12-year total limit in any combination between house and senate, except a person elected to senate in 2022 may be elected the number of times allowed when that person became a candidate.

Should this proposal be adopted?

Yes: 1,818,401/No: 1,027,764.

PROPOSAL 22-2: A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ADD PROVISIONS REGARDING ELECTIONS.

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

• Recognize fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct;

• Require military or overseas ballots be counted if postmarked by election day;

• Provide voter right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement;

• Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections;

• Require state-funded absenteeballot drop boxes, and postage for absentee applications and

ballots;

• Provide that only election officials may conduct postelection audits;

• Require nine days of early inperson voting;

• Allow donations to fund elections, which must be disclosed;

• Require canvass boards certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast. Should this proposal be adopted? Yes: 1,619,992/No: 1,248,580.

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

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

• Establish new individual right to reproductive freedom, including right to make and carry out all decisions about pregnancy, such as prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion, miscarriage management, and infertility;

• Allow state to regulate abortion after fetal viability, but not prohibit if medically needed to protect a patient’s life or physical or mental health;

• Forbid state discrimination in enforcement of this right; prohibit prosecution of an individual, or a person helping a pregnant individual, for exercising rights established by this amendment;

• Invalidate state laws conflicting with this amendment.

Should this proposal be adopted?

Yes: 1,529,939/No: 1,377,814.

LaPorte County hit by red wave

BY STAN MADDUX

Aso-called red wave Tuesday, Nov. 8, swept over most of the major political races in LaPorte County including the ones for prosecutor and sheriff.

Republican Ron Heeg will become the next sheriff after beating democrat Andy Hynek by nearly 2,500 votes.

For nearly eight years, Heeg has been second in command as chief deputy under current sheriff John Boyd.

Boyd was not eligible to run again because of a two term limit.

Currently, Hynek is a supervisor in the patrol division.

Republican Sean Fagan defeated LaPorte County Prosecutor John Lake, a Democrat who was seeking a second term.

Fagan, a graduate of Valparaiso University and attorney for Indiana Department of Child Protective Services, won by nearly 1,000 votes.

He felt concerns about public safety was a factor in his victory.

“I think it was the messaging that crime is up in this county and that resonated at least with the people who voted for me,” Fagan said.

The most controversial seat going to a Republican, perhaps, was on the La Porte County Commission.

Connie Gramarossa defeated incumbent Democrat Sheila Matias by nearly 4,000 votes after losing to her by close to 800 votes in 2018.

Matias was a two-term mayor of Michigan City in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed but the people have spoken,” she said.

Gramarossa has vowed to pair up with Joe Haney on the three member commission to replace Shaw Friedman as county attorney.

Support for Friedman by Matias and commissioner Rich Mrozinski has been a major source of nearly two years of almost constant political fighting.

The fighting has been extreme enough to produce several lawsuits, including one for defamation of character brought on by allegations of corruption.

A grand jury assembled to investigate the claims recently decided the allegations were unfounded.

Gramarossa said she felt her promise to be more of a full time commissioner than her opponent was among the reasons for her victory.

“They want a public servant that they can actually see, talk to and be with,” she said.

]The 2023 Bud Prince and Princess, Miss Jr Teen and Miss Teen Blossomtime crowned

There were 34 children between the ages of 6 and 15 who competed Sunday, Nov. 6, for the titles of Blossomtime Bud Prince and Princess, Miss Jr. Teen and Miss Teen Blossomtime at the Lakeshore High School Auditorium.

The theme for the show was “Down on the Farm” and the contestants performed a dance to the song “Cotton Eye Joe.”

The pageant was emceed by Lindsay LeValley. The pageant sponsor was Fusion Center for Dance.

This year’s show producer was Christine Waterhouse. The Fusion’s dancers also provided entertainment for the show.

The Blossomtime Festival Bud Prince and Princess, Miss Jr. Teen and Miss Teen is a time-

honored tradition that began in the 1930s. These young titleholders will take an active role in the festival by serving as grand marshals of the Youth Parade and riding on the Bud Prince and Princess/ Jr. Teen/Teen Float in the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade Saturday, May 13, 2023, and will participate in many other Blossomtime events, including the Coronation Ball, the Blessing of the Blossoms, attending many community pageants and being introduced on stage at the Mr Blossomtime Pageant April 17, 2023.

The 2023 Bud Princess is 9-year-old Avry Schmidke of Stevensville. The daughter of Brianne and Joshua Schmidke, Avry attends Trinity Lutheran School and enjoys doing competitive

gymnastics, traveling and listening to Kids Bop.

First runner-up to Bud Princess is 6-yearold Greta Soule of St. Joseph. The daughter of Melissa and Judson Soule, Greta attends Lincoln Elementary and enjoys going to different parks, playing soccer and doing dance/gymnastics.

Second runner-up to Bud Princess is 8-yearold Aubrie Genther of Coloma. The daughter of Whitney and Cameron Genther, Aubrie attends Brown School and enjoys horseback riding and taking care of her horse Romeo.

The 2023 Bud Prince is 8-year-old Cameron Johns of St. Joseph. The son of Mandi and Jason Johns, Cameron attends Brown School, where he enjoys playing football, Robotics

and reading Big Nate books.

First runner-up to Bud Prince is 8-year-old Riggens Kivela of St. Joseph. The son of Rachel and Scott Kivela, he attends Brown School and enjoys playing tennis, golf and taking art classes.

The 2023 Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime is 11-yearold Kaelyn Jacobs of Coloma. The daughter of Loretta and Tony Jacobs, she attends Coloma High School and participates in softball, soccer and enjoys horseback riding.

The first runner-up to Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime is 10-year-old Melina Moore of Benton Harbor. She is the daughter of Tiffany and Cory Moore and participates in gymnastics, Girl Scouts and softball.

Second runner-up to

Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime 2nd Runner-up is 12-yearold Vivienne Kittleson of St. Joseph. The daughter of Eden Scherer and Cary Kittleson, she attends Berrien Springs Middle School and participates in volleyball, choir and Project Lead the Way.

The 2023 Miss Teen Blossomtime is 15-year-old Lillian Smith of Stevensville. The daughter of Kim and Christopher Smith, Lillian attends Lakeshore High School, where she participates in cross country, Varsity competitive cheer and is on the Lakeshore Academic Honor Roll.

First runner-up to Miss Teen Blossomtime is 15-year-old Nia Gorman of Benton Harbor. The daughter of Lisa Gorman-

Burton and Duane Burton, Nia attends Berrien Spring High School, where she participates in tennis, competitive cheer, and plays the guitar.

Second runner-up to Miss Teen Blossomtime is 15-year-old Allison Ramirez

15-year-old of Stevensville. The daughter of Debbie & Remie Ramirez, she attends Lakeshore High School where she participates in band, Varsity sideline cheer and is the freshman class secretary.

The 2023 Miss Teen Blossomtime, Congeniality is 13-year-old LillieAnna Hew Len of Coloma. The daughter of Amanda Hew Len, she attends Our Lady of the Lakes and participates in basketball, Interact Club and band.

The Three Oaks/River Valley Queens Committee is excited to announce the crowning of the 2023 Three Oaks/River Valley courts will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the River Valley Middle/High School Auditorium. Tickets are available pre-purchase through the committee or contestants or at the door for $20.

“The participants this year as in every year are having fun, gaining more self-confidence, and are doing great in perfecting their communication skills,” chairman Brittney Sherrill said. “I’m so excited to continue the legacy of this scholarship program with a 2023 royalty.”

The program will include the Miss and Mr. Three Oaks/River Valley program as well as a Miss Teen and Little Miss program. All these royalties will be crowned at the end. Throughout the year the royalty will be present in the community at events, such as the Christmas Parade, Flag Day and more.

“We are so excited to be crowing our new royalty,” said cochairman Sandra Keen. “We’ve been blessed with amazing contestants again this year and it is exciting to see who will be representing our community at Miss and Mr. Blossomtime this spring.”

If a community business or event would like to have the 2023 royalty at their event, please reach out to Brittney at brittneysherrill2@gmail.com. — STAFF REPORTS

Lexie McCarty, Camille Czech, Gabriel Pauff, Ellie Lumley, Macey Springer (middle) Hazel Bross, Addyson Fraizer, Ava Ledesma, Mikayla Falzone, Lexie Jaspering and (front) Marlee Wesaw, Alyssa Wilson, Lilly Sokolowski, Payton Monroe, Skiler Ott

Lady Bison lose district opener

BY STAN MADDUX

It was an early exit from the post season for the New Buffalo High School girls’ volleyball team hoping to advance deeper in the District 4 tournament.

The Lady Bison were defeated by Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School, which later defeated River Valley for the district championship.

New Buffalo (21-17-3) split the first two games with the Lakers but lost the next two games 2518 and 25-19.

Head Coach Bruce Molineaux said the match was decided by the Lakers making fewer mistakes especially in the final two games and the ability of Nora Proos to strike the ball hard and accurately at the net.

Proos, who’s just a sophomore, had 23 kills for the Lakers.

“She’s the real deal,” Molineaux said.

It took almost two hours to play the match because of the number of long rallies between the two evenly matched squads.

“We played good. They just played a little better than we did,” he said.

Previously, New Buffalo lost to the Lakers in a five game match in August but later in the regular season defeated them in a three game sweep.

Sophomore Jane Funk led the offensive attack for the Lady Bison with 18 kills while junior Ava Johnson dished out 25 assists.

Senior Amanda Jones led all New Buffalo defenders with 18

digs.

Senior Ellie Cybulski contributed seven kills and three blocked shots.

Hard striking sophomore Benita Puskinigus added three kills and five aces.

The loss was disappointing for a still young, much improved squad hoping to go deeper into the tournament.

However, Molineaux pointed out there were four teams in the tournament with more than 20 regular season victories, including Michigan Lutheran, which hosted the tourney.

He considered Michigan Lutheran the favorite to win the district title but the Titans were defeated by River Valley.

The outlook for the Lady Bison next season looks bright, with core players like Funk, Johnson and Puskinigus eligible to return.

Sophomores Josie Humphrey and Cassidy Saunders are among the other varsity players with potential to become major contributors.

Molineaux said about a half dozen members of the team are going to further hone their skills playing club volleyball during the off season.

He also likes what he sees in some of the junior varsity players expected to reach the varsity level next season.

“We should do better next year,” he said.

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

While he’s still a work in progress, I believe Justin Fields is the answer to the question that Bears fans have been asking since Sid Luckman retired 72 years ago.

Yes, Justin Fields is turning into what everyone in Chicago hoped he would, a great quarterback. Justin throws accurate passes, has a strong arm, is big and tough, and boy can he run. Sunday, he ran all over and around the Miami Dolphins, gaining 168 yards on the ground to set a league record for quarterbacks.

He also passed for three touchdowns and was the best player on the field that had many great players, mostly on the Dolphins. The Bears lost the battle, but seem to be winning the war. Since Luckman retired in 1950, my research shows me that before Fields took over, 62 men have tried their hand at being the team’s quarterback. Some, like Jim McMahon, Jay Cutler, Billy Wade, and Eric Kramer, have been okay, but most have been mediocre to bad.

]Because the Bears have scored more points in their last three games than they did in their first six, I’m extremely excited about the Bears future. Next year they have a lot of money to spend and a lot of draft choices. Even more importantly, I think their coaching staff is outstanding and their general manager is top notch. But most importantly, the Bears have a quarterback that I think will lead them back to the championship game on his

way to breaking all of Sid Luckman’s records.

Look out Packers.

NASCAR is a subject that I know very little about as car racing just doesn’t interest me very much. On the other hand, my nephew is a big fan. We got together last week and he asked if I had seen the race. Of course I hadn’t, and he suggested that I go to YouTube and check it out, which I did. I searched for Ross Chastain and found a video that said riding the wall. I had no idea what that meant so I played the video. I’m not really sure what I expected to see, but what I saw was one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen.

Apparently, Ross Chastain needed to pass five other drivers on the final lap to avoid playoff elimination. He tried doing the only thing he could think of to accomplish this feat. He put his car next to the wall and floored it. Like a slingshot or video game, Chastain went flying around the track and right before the finish line, he passed the car he needed to pass In order to move on in the playoffs.

He was going so fast that it looked like a cartoon. Truly an amazing finish.

Henry Ford said, “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

Keep smiling. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

The true competitors, though, are the ones who always play to win. —Tom Brady

Film group to discuss ‘Being There’ for November meeting

The Film Group, sponsored by the Friends of the New Buffalo Library, will screen and discuss “Being There,” a 1979 comedy starring Peter Sellers, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at the library.

Group leader Eve Moran calls “Being There” “a brilliant comedy that considers a childlike man whose entire life consists of tending to a garden and watching television. When circumstances force him into the outside world, his simple thoughts are embraced as profound in high society and political circles.”

The film is based on a novel by Jerzy Kosinski and stars, in addition to Sellers, Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas. In his review, Roger Ebert gave “Being There” a four-star rating. A final sequence in the film is sure to spark a rich discussion among the audience, Moran said.

All are welcome at Film Group meetings, and there’s free popcorn for everyone. The New Buffalo Township Library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. —

STAFF REPORTS

Library program on astronomy on tap for next week

Learnabout the night sky in “Astronomy for All” at the New Buffalo Township Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Mike Latus, well-known for his astronomy sessions at Warren Dunes, will discuss what there is to observe, how to observe it and how you can learn more. Weather permitting, the program will end with views from the library parking lot through Latus’s telescope.

Latus was a math and science teacher at River Valley schools for many years. He also worked for Warren Dunes State Park as the summer naturalist. His talks on geology, botany, astronomy and more are legendary.

Latus’ presentation is part of the Friends of the New Buffalo Library’s Community Forum series. Forum programs are free and open to all. The New Buffalo Township Library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. — STAFF

REPORTS

Orders being taken for annual Fudge-raiser

Fudge lovers can now preorder fudge for Jackie’s Café’s annual Fudge-raiser for River Valley Senior Center and Harbor Country Rotary Foundation. Order a pound (or more) of the fudge, with the cost being $15 per pound. Those who preorder now can pick their fudge up by Tuesday, Nov. 15.

River Valley Senior Center and Harbor Country Rotary Club Foundation will receive 100% of proceeds from Jackie’s sale plus funds from The Larry Bubb Endowment and Nora Duffy.

Order and pick up at Jackie’s Café, which is located at 801 W. Buffalo Street in New Buffalo. The café can also be contacted at (269) 469-1800.

Payments must be made by cash or check only. Checks should be made payable to River Valley Senior Center or Harbor Country Rotary Foundation. Payment is due at the time of pick up at Jackie’s Cafe. — STAFF REPORTS

Region of Three Oaks Museum launches campaign for addition

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

It’s “Three Oaks Against the World: Take Two” for The Region of Three Oaks Museum (TROTOM), which has launched a capital campaign to raise funds for much-needed storage space.

The proposed storage addition would be 36 by 40 feet and located on land that’s already owned by TROTOM to the south of the museum toward the railroad tracks.

The “Three Oaks Against the World” motto is an ode to that time when residents rallied to acquire the Dewey Cannon.

“We won the cannon and now we’re kind of doing the same thing: We’re competing with other communities and other nonprofits for grants,” Chuck Sittig, president of the museum’s board of directors, said to supporters for the first kick off to

the campaign at the museum Friday, Nov. 4.

The year was 1899. Residents had raised the most money per capita of any community in the United States to acquire the cannon.

At the time, that was $1.41 per person – which today, Sittig said, is the “equivalent buying power of almost $30 per capita.”

Sittig, along with board member Randy Miller, have built an arch – with the words “Three Oaks Against the World” emblazoned at the top - for the museum’s entrance that’s a replica of the one that stood at the corner of Linden and Elm streets at the turn of the century.

While guests had gathered at the front of the house for that night’s reception, Nick Bogert, a member of the board of directors, said the campaign was focused on the back of the house – where the

accessioning takes place and items are stored.

An entry form is filled out for an item that’s donated, and research is conducted on it. When people offer to donate items, the item is evaluated on four criteria: its significance to the local area, the use that you can put the item to, its uniqueness and the replaceability of the item.

Once in house, items are assigned a unique number, which is entered into a computer program called Past Perfect, which was purchased through a Pokagon Fund grant along with a new computer. Items are then placed into a location (preferably grouped with similar items) that can be accessed on the computer.

Bogert said that some of the shelves don’t have space for the items – which is becoming a “little bit

Chuck Sittig and Nick Bogert kick off the capital campaign

Supporters gathered in the museum for the first kick off event

Dental equipment from the dentist’s office in Three Oaks has been on display in the museum for the past couple seasons

Nick Bogert gives presentation on the capital campaign

of a problem and it’s getting worse.”

“The good news is because we’re getting more donations, people are more aware of the museum…I think demographically, some of the Baby Boomers are finding when their parents pass on, they have a whole attic full of stuff and there’s a lot of good history,” he said, adding that they don’t want to “start turning it away.”

Dr. Lee Strohl has a desk from the Horness Company, which manufactured chairs in the old Featherbone complex and dissolved in 1978. Bogert found a photo of the Featherbone offices that appeared to have the same desk (although there could’ve been more than one) in it.

Dental equipment for the dental exhibit that was lent by Dr. Debra and Dave Mannia (Dr. Debra practices at the dental office where the equipment had been in storage) is now being offered to the museum for keeps.

Due to the lack of storage space, though, Bogert said that it’d be hard to find space for a desk or all that equipment.

He added that the attic of the Three Oaks Township Library (the library was the original location of the museum) also has items that have “migrated up there,” such as sections of wooden water pipe that was made in Three Oaks.

“We think all those things ought to come home from the attic of the library – we’d like to bring it all home under one roof,” Bogert said.

The proposed addition would have a cement floor, be insulated and have a shingle roof and heat.

“We’ve had a couple contractors look at it and bid on it,” Bogert said, adding that they were given a “roundish figure” of $90,000.

The museum board has already committed $20,000 of the museum’s own reserves toward the project and several thousand dollars has already been contributed

The museum will also be having a series a of fundraising events and a Go Fund Me-style online campaign.

The museum has already applied for grants through the Berrien Community Foundation, The Pokagon Fund and the Upton Foundation and will be applying to more over the next several months.

The United States Institute of Museum and Library Services won’t fund the construction, but Bogert said it’s hoped they can apply there for money for the shelves, which will be another $15,000.

Sittig hopes the new addition will put the museum in line with other ones, where it’s 90% storage and 10% display.

“With our funds originally, we were the other way around,” he said.

Checks for donations to the museum can be made out to The Region of Three Oaks Museum at PO Box 121 Three Oaks MI 49128.

Mixing and mingling at the museum’s kick-off event

Carolyn Drier and Chuck Sittig stand under the replica of the archway that once hung in Three Oaks in the 1800s

Chuck Sittig shows postcards of the former archway

Dr. Lee Strohl shows a picture of his desk next to a similar one that was found in the Featherbone Factory

Giveback pushes Marquette Greenway closer to the finish line

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

An effort to connect the lakeshore towns in three states – Illinois, Indiana and Michigan – was kicked into high gear Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Bentwood Tavern at Marina Grand Resort in New Buffalo.

More than 200 supporters of the Marquette Greenway, a planned 58-mile, nonmotorized trail along the south shore of Lake Michigan from Calumet Park in Chicago to downtown New Buffalo, gathered for a giveback dinner, during which 50% of all food and beverage sales went to the construction of the trail.

Today, 54 of 58 miles of the Marquette Greenway has already been built or fully funded. A local group of individuals has been working to fund and build the four-mile Michigan portion of the trail, which is from the Indiana state line to a planned trailhead on Smith Street in New Buffalo.

According to Marcy Hamilton, deputy director/senior planner at Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, $5.6 million needs to be raised to build the two phases of the Michigan portion: The first phase, which will begin at the Amtrak railroad crossing at Grand Beach and come all the way to New Buffalo (which includes the trailhead) and the second phase, which will come from Grand Beach all the way down to the Indiana border.

With federal, state and foundation grants and local municipal support, over $5

million has been secured.

At the beginning of the event on Nov. 3, there was $230,000 that still needed to be raised by Dec. 31.

Hamilton said a “matching grant challenge,” which will double donations, has been donated by an anonymous donor: Between now and when the project starts (which should be next spring), donations will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $120,000.

She said that they’ve been letting people who come in that night know that every donation they give is going to be doubled (for someone who gives $100, it’s $200).

The night’s goal was to raise $25,000. Thanks to the anonymous donor, the event raised more than $60,000.

Last month, members of the New Buffalo Township Board signed the Amtrak easement for 15 feet of property for almost two miles.

“Now that that’s done, we feel we can enter into this public fundraising stage,” Hamilton said.

That night, anyone who had dinner at Bentwood could sign up to win an Avenue model electric bike from Pedego Electric Bikes Harbor Country in New Buffalo.

Taylor Lindstrom, who owns Pedego with her partner, Steven Brooker, said that they would be “so excited” if the trail was completed.

Gary Wood and Marcy Hamilton greet guests to Bentwood

Matthew Kleihege and Taylor Lindstrom with Pedego’s Avenue model electric bike being raffled off

Chad Gradowski rallies diners to give to the Marquette Greenway

Guests mix and mingle at the entrance to the Marina Grand Resort

“On our ebikes, with the batteries, they would go the full 58 miles on one charge,” she said.

Robert Kemper, managing director of Marina Grand Resort as well as chair of the New Buffalo

Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors, said that another benefit of the trail is that, for the first time, it will allow people located in the lakeshore communities south of New Buffalo – Forest Beach, Michiana and Grand Beach - to enter the city without having to get in their cars.

“We knew early on when doing Whittaker Street, we all knew the answer to prosperity in New Buffalo and quality of life was trails and paths, whether sidewalk or bike trails – it makes it a more charming, small community,” he said.

Gary Wood, president of Friends of Berrien County Trails Board of Directors, said the $120,000 match challenge grant will be a real boost to their fundraising efforts.

“I’m really confident that we’ll be able to raise the funds by the end of year so that we can start working in the spring… Everybody who is coming is enthusiastic about the trail and think it’s really important, a lot of them want to use the trail,” he said.

Wood added that a lot of

diners also understand the trail will be a “connector.”

“We are the gateway to Michigan and it’s nice to see when you look at the amount of money that’s been given by the federal government, the state government and the local towards this project, which is for four miles in Michigan, from the Indiana state line to New Buffalo, it’s a $5.6 million budget - we have raised already $5.3 million and now we’re on our way to wrapping it up,” he said.

Kemper said the trail will appeal to diehard as well as recreational cyclists.

One of these diehard cyclists is Leigh Weber, who left downtown Chicago at 5:30 a.m. CST and biked for 85 miles to arrive at 4 p.m. in New Buffalo for the giveback.

He said trails and greenways are a “great way to get some place, either by bike or by foot, without having the noise of traffic and also gets you a little more in nature.”

On his ride from Chicago, he was greeted with scenes from nature – the sunrise, birds and stags by Wolf Lake – as well as by fellow cyclists waving hello.

“The Marquette Greenway, especially being so close to the lake, we’ll have the opportunity to have much better views,” he said.

Sharon and Roger Vink with Susie and Tony Ashbaugh enjoying dinner at Bentwood

Arlene and Arnie Feinberg, Dawn Marie Smith, Leslie Wood, Vineeta Raketich and Gary Wood enjoy dinner

Jennifer Swenson and Mary Birkeland enjoy dinner

Future cyclist Nova Lauricella enjoys dinner on Bentwood’s patio

Guests put their names in a drawing to win an Avenue model electric bike

Members of Calvary Chapel, local students pack shoeboxes for children

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

For the past few weeks, members of Calvary Chapel New Buffalo, along with members of the New Buffalo High School chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), have been busy gathering and packing shoeboxes to inject a ray of hope into a child’s life.

A project of Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Relief, Operation Christmas Child invites people to pack shoeboxes with school supplies, fun toys, clothes and hygiene items to be distributed to children around the world.

National Collection Week is Monday, Nov. 14 through 21, during which people can drop off boxes at Calvary Chapel, located at 1615 E. Buffalo Street in New Buffalo.

Nicole Bowen, the SADD advisor, said that boxes have been set up at the high school’s entrance and that students, teachers and parents have been welcomed to bring in items to fill them.

Students will be packing the boxes with the items the week of Nov. 14, donating any extra items to area churches.

A couple of years ago, Bowen helped

the middle school student senate also pack shoeboxes.

“I think it’s so great that something so small – how it can be so big for a child who doesn’t have anything,” she said, adding that the project alerts students to ways they can get involved in their community.

Cathy Pera, wife of Calvary Chapel pastor Len Pera, said the students are shipping out their boxes through Calvary Chapel.

The crates of shoeboxes go to South Bend, where they go to the regional collection center (about the size of a couple football fields) in Chicago. There, they’re sorted by workers to ensure that certain items, such as toothpaste and food (unwanted items are sent to homeless shelters), aren’t in them before being repackaged and going to Boone, North Carolina.

From there, they travel across the world, from Mexico to Ukraine to refugee camps in Poland, as well as across the country, such as at Indian reservations.

According to a press release, since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 198 million gift-filled shoeboxes to

children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Some shoeboxes go down rivers by canoe to villages. Some, even, travel to non-disclosed areas.

Tammy Ohl, a member of Calvary Chapel, said that last year, the church packed 1,021 boxes.

Pastor Len Pera said members of the church make items, such as a wooden Tic Tac Toe game that was made by one member, or a marble game that was made by one family. One family made fishing kits.

Due to inflation, costs of certain items went up. Ohl said that, since stuffed animals were hard to come by this year, more people made them. Someone showed up with totes of Beanie Babies.

“A lot of these kids may not know what love is or how to receive it or give it and those little stuffed animals help them start to learn that,” Ohl said.

Once the box has been filled to the brim with items, it’s wrapped with a rubber band and a label is placed on it specifying if it’s for a boy or girl and what age. A QR code also allows

someone to follow their box on its journey.

Ohl said there’ve been blessings “on this side of the box” as well as the other one.

“They (the box recipients) don’t understand how someone who doesn’t even know them why they pack them this gift and a lot of times it’s the first gift they’ve been given and then they hear ‘Jesus loves you’ – that’s the best gift in all these boxes,” she said.

In that week’s church bulletin, Cathy said there’s a story of a 9-year-old boy in Brazil, who was promised a toy if he followed a gang and accepted a tattoo. Then, after receiving his Operation Christmas Child box and the teachings about Jesus, he told a church worker: “The mark that Jesus puts on us doesn’t hurt, because His love is perfect.”

Then there’s the difference that’s felt by those on the other end – the ones who are packing the boxes.

“Especially in these times, they do feel like a lot of stuff is out of control and times are hard - but being able to do this for someone else, it makes people feel happy and feel like they can contribute and make a positive difference in this world,” Ohl said.

Chicago Processing Center

Calvary Chapel New Buffalo OCC shoe box packing stations

Jimmie & Mindy

Married February 14, 2016

Jimmie was fired from her job as a teacher because of who she loves.

In 31 states in this country, it’s legal to discriminate against LGBT Americans. That means you can be fired from your job, evicted from your home, or even denied medical services because of who you are or who you love.

Everyone has the right to marry. Not everyone has basic rights.

Local History Museum to host woodcarving demonstration

Terry Hanover, master woodworker, will demonstrate how artisans created their art using just a few simple hand tools before numerically controlled routers and computers changed the world of woodcarving at “Gather for A Woodcarving Demo” from 10 a.m. to noon in the New Troy Community Center’s Local History Museum Saturday, Nov. 19.

In a replica 1860s wood shop, using the only tools that were available to artisans for hundreds of years, Hanover will demonstrate the process of hand carving a wooden sign. Visitors will learn about basic chisels and how to sharpen them, as well as how to use them in the art of woodcarving.

Coffee and pastries will be provided. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge to attend, although donations will be accepted.

In addition to the replica wood shop, the Local History Museum holds a collection of photographs, books, and memorabilia related to New Troy and the surrounding region, including several of the Marxochime musical instruments that were once manufactured just down the road, and classroom desks from the one-room schoolhouses that used to serve the area’s children. The Museum is open to the public Monday through Wednesday, from 4-6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The New Troy Community Center is located at 13372 California Road in New Troy. Owned and operated by Friends of New Troy, a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, it receives no tax dollars, and is supported entirely through memberships, donations, fundraisers and grants.

For more information, please contact FriendsOfNewTroy@yahoo.com or call 269-426-3909. — STAFF REPORTS

Hikers plans visit to Grand Beach Nature Preserve

The Harbor County Hikers (HCH) will hike the recently created Grand Beach Nature Preserve and the adjacent Grand Beach Marsh Preserve at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19.

The Grand Beach Nature Preserve was dedicated this past July and consists of a little over 40 acres acquired by the village from Grand Beach Land Development through state grants and private donations. The parcel had previously been leased to the village for $1 a year.

The Grand Beach Marsh Preserve is an 11-acre area donated by the same company years ago to The Nature Conservancy and now owned and maintained by Chikaming Open Lands. Both preserves feature sand prairies and mesic forests along a rare coastal plain marsh. Bob Mueller, treasurer of HCH, will give a brief history of Grand Beach before the hike, and Pat Fisher, president of HCH, will lead the group through the preserves.

Though membership in the group is preferred, all are welcome at this event. Those who attend are advised to dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring plenty of water. An all-terrain rollator--a wheeled walker with oversized tires for use on unpaved surfaces--is available on request on a firstcome, first-served basis by emailing harborcountryhikers@gmail.com.

For driving directions and parking instructions, visit the group’s website, harborcountryhikers.com, or its Facebook page, Harbor Country Hikers.

STAFF REPORTS

HOROSCOPE

NOVEMBER 10-16, 2022

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

The energy coming your way this week is ripe with opportunity to overcome any fears or apprehensions you have surrounding your career and future stability. On the surface things may appear very challenging but this is the time to push forward. You are not alone; your reinforcements are gathering.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

It is time to get your relationships in order and functioning properly. It is important to start linking up with people who are more in sync with your lifestyle. Avoid forcing collaborations. Things will flow naturally with the right person. It may not be easy but let people meet you halfway.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

There is a very strong emotional current coming towards Gemini this week, bringing with it the opportunity to get more connected and deeper to yourself. Understand that there may be things that set you off or block your progress but they are merely occasions to deal with insecurities.

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

Let a fun-loving vibe settle in. Use any disruptions or roadblocks to be spontaneous mixed with bravery.

There may be some bumps in the road and crazy hairpin turns on this journey but if you just lean into the transitions and keep your eyes focused on the joy ahead, you will get there with ease.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

Enjoy the healing and nurturing vibes that are coming your way. Channel this energy into aligning your health and day to day activities with a state of positive expectation. Get serious about receiving the best possible outcomes. When the heart and head are in agreement, magic happens.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

Get more involved in relationships that promote creativity and a sense of free spiritedness. Trust that little bump in your energy levels that you get when you’re around people you really vibe with. Trust your ability to sense out the people and places that would be better to avoid.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22

Lady luck is shining on you. This is the time to go after things that make your space feel more luxurious and cozier. Put your money to good use by going for things that have carry a big return over the long haul. Trust in your ability to know which things will increase in value over time.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

Rise and shine. It’s time to get focused on who you are and where you are headed for the next year. Let go of social conditionings and the trappings of your career. Really dig into where your best opportunities and talents are and create the space for them to flourish and grow.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21

The early morning hours will be very powerful and productive for you now. Start utilizing this time by getting up early and visualizing how your daily life will play out. After you mentally create the day with a win-win attitude, the Universal flow will do the rest. Put that ocean in motion.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

Get back in the groove of socializing and networking. It’s time to let your hair down. Let connections and genuine friendship develop by being more vulnerable and open for intimate conversations, even with people you may not have known for a long time but feel instantly connected to.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

The energy coming towards you now is ripe with opportunities to expand your career and make more of an impact in the world professionally. This is the time to start putting out more content, creating a hotter brand and making yourself more available publicly.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

Raise your anchor and set sail. The winds of change are blowing and it’s time to go with the flow. No other sign better understands and can utilize strange and unusual emotional motivations more than the fishes. Trust in your ability to see the connection in all things and how it dances.

Deborah Lynn

October 10, 2022. She lived her life with strength, courage, and grace until the very end.

Deborah Lynn

“Debby” Dudeck, 57, of LaPorte, Indiana passed away Monday,

Her life began October 16, 1964, in Watervliet, Michigan, born to David Bailey and Kathleen Curry. She married the love of her life, Dave Dudeck, June 27, 2017, in LaPorte, Indiana, after dating for five years. Dave and Debby had been friends for thirty years when life finally brought them together. Her greatest joy was spending time with Dave and his family.

Debby was a 1983 graduate of Watervliet High School.

Her working years were spent as an administrative assistant for Leco, KPMG, and Plante Moran. She resided in St. Joseph, Michigan prior to moving to Laporte, Indiana. She loved the beach life but learned to love the peaceful country life even more. Debby loved gardening, cooking, and baking. She enjoyed going to NASCAR races and camping in the infield with her big brother Randy. She was a very artistic and creative person and always found a way to add a special touch to everything she did.

Debby will be greatly missed

by family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Dave Dudeck of LaPorte, Indiana; brother, Randy (Diane) Bailey of Bangor; father-in-law, Norm Dudeck of Three Oaks; stepson, Phillip (Keegan) Dudeck of LaPorte, Indiana; fur babies, Reilly, Riggs; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; mother-in-law Jeanne Dudeck; sister-in-law, Debra Dudeck; and aunt, Betty Drier.

Family and friends will

gather, for a time of sharing memories and stories, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2022, Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, 106 Ash Street East, Three Oaks. The family prefers contributions in memory of Debby be made to Studio 1 Boutique, 2540 Paulmar Avenue, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online at www.wagnercares.com.

Librarian charged in prison sex scandal

BY STAN MADDUX

Alibrary supervisor at Westville Correctional Facility is looking at potential time in prison on allegations of having sexual encounters with an inmate.

Janna Knocke, 38, is charged in LaPorte Circuit Court with level 5 felony sexual misconduct and level 6 felony official misconduct.

According to court documents, the investigation began in late October from an exchange of messages and pictures indicating an inappropriate relationship between her and a male offender.

Initially, she denied the allegations.

However, she confessed after shown a picture the offender received of her wearing black lingerie along his messages to her about their two alleged sexual encounters in the bathroom of the library while she was working late at night.

According to authorities, they were able to have contact with each other from the offender being a clerk at the library under a rehabilitative work program.

The offender is serving a close to three year sentence for possession of methamphetamine, prison officials said.

Knocke was suspended from her job as supervisor of the prison’s law library pending further investigation.

The Gary woman posted $1,500 cash bond following her arrest. Knocke could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence on the most serious charge.

A Day in the Life

SPRING FORWARD, FALL BACK

BY LAWRENCE VON EBELER

There’s trouble in this house. Last week I got all ready for church and thought I’d be good and wait outside. After waiting for a long time, I went back inside and called to see where Fred was anyway. He answered the phone, and I asked if he had forgotten me. He said, “Larry, this is Saturday.” It’s kind of bad when you don’t know the day of the week. Is this a sign of old age? It’s one of the first questions asked when a doctor does a quick cognitive test.

I was talking to my good friend in California and told him it was Sunday. He was shocked and argued with me briefly. I got my calendar and confirmed it was Sunday. He subsequently called and railed on several of his employees for not getting back to him on an important assignment he had given to them. When I called to say I had made a mistake and it was only Saturday, he was mortified because he had really been unusually rabid about their not getting back to him. To make it up to them, he gave them time off and a raise to boot. So much for my credibility.

He’ll never believe anything I ever tell him again.

I was getting a ride to church with my friend Lou in his snappy little Audi sportscar. I was ready on time (for once) and was standing outside waiting for him to arrive. When 15 minutes had passed and he still wasn’t there (he’s always on time), I went back inside and called him. I asked if he had forgotten to pick me up. His answer was simple and direct: “Larry, I think you forgot to re-set your clocks, I still have another half hour to pick you up.”

It’s not easy getting old.

Since our trash man comes every Tuesday morning, I must take the dumpster out to the road every Monday night or get up way early Tuesday morning to do it. I often

forget that little responsibility.

This old age stuff is getting on my nerves.

I had some friends coming for dinner and needed some groceries, which I order from Harding’s for them to deliver. I called to place the order with them; however, they reminded me that they don’t deliver on Fridays. After sort of panicking and thinking about what I could do, I came up with the notion that the cleaning ladies were coming, and I could ask them to go to the grocery.

I called Wanda and asked what time she was coming. She quickly apologized that she wouldn’t be coming because she had to attend a funeral. With that news, I called Olive, the other cleaning lady, to see what time she would arrive. She said about 2:30, which, while a little late, would do if I worked speedily to get the roast in the oven that I intended to buy.

She arrived late (which was unusual for her) and didn’t get here until 3:10. I already had my hat, coat and scarf on when she came. When she asked why I had my coat on, I told her to go shopping, of course! She replied, “You are not allowed in my car, it’s a company rule.” It goes without saying that I went berserk.

So those are a few stories about my failing brain. It’s not easy getting up in years, but I am lucky most of the time. To make certain that my luck is sustained, I never miss church - even when I choose to go on the wrong days and at the wrong time.

The dinner party went okay, with my substituting the roast with the chicken thighs I had in the freezer. To make them different, I added bacon and sausages on top of the big roaster with vegetables, barbecue sauce and vegetables and wine. It was delicious (or so they said).

It’s a small comfort for a chaotic cook.

For these reasons and more, I go to church every Sunday.

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