October 28, 2021

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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CHICAGO • LONG BEACH • MICHIANA SHORES • GRAND BEACH • NEW BUFFALO • UNION PIER • THREE OAKS • LAKESIDE • HARBERT • SAWYER issue 43, volume 80

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Thursday, October 28, 2021

Grand Beach Village Council reviews draft short-term rental ordinance, sends it to village attorney PAGES 4-5 Learning to Ride: Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor teams up with Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation PAGE 9

Racing to the ‘Center of the World’ in New Troy PAGE 10

40 years of the chamber celebrated at Annual Dinner and Meeting PAGES 12-13 Chills and thrills out on the trails at New Buffalo Township Park PAGE 18

PHOTO OF JO ANN MOELICH IN HALLOWEEN REGALIA AT BARNEY’S. NEW BUFFALO, MICHIGAN USA. PHOTO BY ALEXANDER FATOUROS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

La Porte uses COVID funds for hefty pay increases

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BY STAN MADDUX

ederal COVID-19 relief dollars are being used in LaPorte to stop an alarming rate of police officers going elsewhere for higher pay.

The LaPorte City Council on approved a 17 percent salary hike for the police and fire departments Oct. 19.

Other city employees, for the most part, will see their paychecks go up by about 10 percent.

Mayor Tom Dermody said the increases were the largest in the city’s history but needed especially to stop the bleeding of manpower at the police department.

The loss of firefighters hasn’t been as great but when there are openings, low pay is cited for a noticeable drop in applicants.

“Police and fire are the cornerstone to building our community. If you don’t have that, nothing else matters,” Dermody said.

Dermody blamed the turnover on higher pay at surrounding police departments wanting to retain and attract officers because replacing them has become increasingly difficult from law enforcement as a career option dropping in popularity nationwide.

“When officers can go tomorrow and make $20,000 more in other communities, now we’re more competitive,” Dermody said.

Beginning Jan. 1, probationary officers will be paid $50,000 annually.

A patrolman will receive $55,000.

Pay also increases for every move up in rank to a maximum $75,000 for the police and fire chiefs.

Dermody said the loss of firefighters and other city employees related to pay hasn’t been as much but the idea is keeping those numbers from growing.

The salary increases over the next two years will cost $1.5 million.

The funds are being taken from the $11 million the city is receiving in federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act that was adopted by Congress and signed by the president in March to help communities impacted by COVID-19.

City councilman Tim Franke said he’s confident the higher wages can be maintained without a tax increase once all of the federal dollars are spent.

He said additional tax money generated from new developments, like the privately owned Northwest Health hospital and resort type apartments going up at NewPorte Landing, should cover the expense.

If not, Franke said cuts in the budget can be made to make up the balance.

“I feel comfortable that we’ll be able to find ways to pay for it,” he said.

All Art that’s significant is full of meaning.

— Dino

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FAREWELL TO THE WARREN CALCULATING MACHINE AT REGION OF THREE OAKS MUSEUM

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he most remarkable invention ever produced in Three Oaks is soon to leave town— but not without a proper send-off at The Region of Three Oaks Museum (TROTOM).

TROTOM will offer special programs on the “Warren Calculating Engine” at 12 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31 — the final day of the museum’s 2021 season, and the last day Michiana residents can see Frederic Parsons Warren’s extraordinary invention before it goes back to Michigan State University.

Notre Dame Computer Science Professor Jay Brockman and TROTOM Board Member Nick Bogert will guide visitors through the exhibit with PowerPoint programs on the science and the dramatic personal story behind the Calculating Engine.

Prof. Brockman will demonstrate how “pinwheel calculators” like Warren’s invention work. Bogert will describe how Warren raced against time to complete the machine before succumbing to tuberculosis in the spring of 1875.

Two of the three calculators Warren invented are at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, which calls Warren’s invention “one of the first, if not the first, calculating machine built in the United States.” The third and most advanced Calculating Engine has been on display at TROTOM since June 2021— its first appearance in Three Oaks since the 1950s.

The special Calculating Engine programs will be free to the public, though visitors will be encouraged to contribute something to the museum, an all-volunteer operation that relies on public donations to operate. The museum is located at 5 Featherbone Ave. in Three Oaks, and is open 12 to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, from May through October. — STAFF REPORTS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Local Government Meetings New Buffalo Times

Democracy Requires Transparency

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL LOU O’DONNELL, IV. MARK ROBERTSON, JOHN HUMPHREY, ROGER LIJESKI, BRIAN FLANAGAN City Council meets on the 3rd 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 CHUCK HEIT, PRESIDENT HEATHER BLACK, VICE PRESIDENT JOHN HASKINS, TREASURER LISA WERNER, SECRETARY JOYCE LANTZ, TRUSTEE FRANK MARGRO, TRUSTEE PATRICIA NEWSTON, TRUSTEE CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD DAVID BUNTE, PAULA DUDIAK, LIZ RETTIG, RICHARD SULLIVAN, BILL MARSKE Chikaming Board meets on the 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

Grand Beach Village Council reviews draft shortterm rental ordinance, sends it to village attorney

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BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

fter reviewing it, members of the Grand Beach Village Council agreed to forward a draft short-term rental ordinance to village attorney Sara Senica for her review at their Wednesday, Oct. 20, meeting.

Public input will then be solicited on the draft ordinance, which was approved by the Planning Commission at their September meeting. Council president Deborah Lindley said she hopes input can take place at the November meeting.

Per its official language, the ordinance would “provide for the registration and regulation of rental properties for the benefit of the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

The current short-term rental resolution states the village “primarily relies upon citizen complaints to investigate and prosecute rental violations when appropriate” and that the village zoning ordinance “provides that short-term rentals (less than one year) are only permitted as a special land use in our strictly residential zoning districts.”

Councilmembers Blake O’Halloran said that he’s for an ordinance although he wants everyone to remember that there are “bad apples in every bushel.”

“We want to try to take care of the people that are causing the nuisances if that’s the case, but we also have to keep in mind that there’re a lot of good renters and lots of people who don’t cause trouble at all,” he said, adding that rentals do “potentially bring in the next owners.”

He said an ordinance would allow the police to be able to handle those who rent

who aren’t doing property management the “proper way” and will give the police what they need to regulate them.

Issues that the councilmembers found in the draft ordinance that they will pass along to Senica include making the wording under Code Enforcement Officer under Definitions in Section 2 to read that a suggestion for the employee be submitted by the president and approved by the council and that the village be named as an additional insured in Section 3, Annual Rental Registration Application Exhibit A (which states that the property owner must “obtain and keep in force insurance covering short term rental use of the dwelling unit).

Councilmembers discussed the Minimum Rental Period under Section 2, which states that “no rental agreement shall be for less than six nights between May 1 and Sept. 30.”

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ost councilmembers agreed that the rental period could be around six or seven nights.

Councilmember Pete Doerr said that he’s seen no data that states that behavior of certain renters “improves because you rented a week and not three days.”

Paul Leonard said that there’s a “large market out there of families that are looking for a week ‘s vacation,” so he agreed with six or seven nights.

He added that what’s the “driving force behind the whole idea of regulation of short-term rentals is seagull renters” – ones who “fly in, make a lot of noise and

then fly off.”

Leonard added that the council could see how three nights works for a period and then revisit the ordinance if there are problems, as it can be changed.

O’Halloran said of the period between May and September that three-night minimum rentals could be in effect from Memorial Day weekend to the second week in June and then change to being six-night rentals through the second week of August, which is the “peak season,” when threenight rentals are more of a concern. The village could return to doing minimum three-night rentals from the second week of August through Labor Day and “everything else in between.”

Councilmember James Bracewell, who is an ex-officio member of the Planning Commission, said the document doesn’t address putting a cap on the number of rental units that would be available for rent or some type of zoning that would regulate the number of rentals in high, middle, and low-density areas in the village.

Bracewell said that the committee drafting the ordinance seemed to have “no interest” in these topics, so he “didn’t push it.”

During public comments, Angela Trainor, who said she thinks an ordinance is needed, asked why there’s a six-night minimum between May 1 and Sept. 30.

She added that she rented for three years, and she saw no “behavior difference” in renters whether they were renting for a week or a weekend.

“You’re really getting into nitty gritty - which I think is going to be hard to enforce,” she said.

VILLAGE OF THREE OAKS BOARD Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM GRAND BEACH VILLAGE OF GRAND BEACH COUNCIL Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7PM MICHIANA VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM

It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.

— Benjamin Franklin

mwww.newbuffalotimes.com Angela said that the ordinance was also getting into “nitty gritty” of parking and garbage being “lumped into short-term rental,” adding that the village already “has so many of those things outlined in your ordinances...You are kind of confusing issues.”

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oting that the important issue is “safety,” Brendan Duffner said of the issue of the “duration clause” is that if “you look at it from a perspective of business, it’s not stereotyping anybody, it’s a target market.”

“If you’re going to start taking money from people it’s a business… We’re going after a target market that suits the safety of our community and seven-day rentals, we’ve seen a lot less trouble with them, their initiatives are a little bit different,” he said.

Ed Trainor asked if vetting is going to take place “every time somebody lends their house to friends in the village that they have to stay here six nights.”

“Because that happens probably much more frequently than renters, that friends come and they use people’s houses for different periods of time.”

He said you’d still have the “same potential” for disturbance that you would with a rental.

“It happens often enough where somebody is in a house where they’re not renting and they cause trouble too,” he said.

Chuck Maroney asked why the owner of a short-term rental (where he said golf balls were being hit at 11 p.m.), which has had three complaints made against it, next to his residence hasn’t filed for an SLU permit yet.

He added that he thinks Layman’s “hands are tied” and he can’t enforce anything; however, Chuck, who was speaking from the standpoint of a taxpayer, said it needs to be enforced.

Lindley, who said the matter has been turned over to their lawyer, said that this is what served as being the impetus for moving forward with an ordinance.

“That’s what started this whole process because our lawyer says things don’t stand up in court the way they are,” she said.

Tina Shanahan said that when she rented in the past with her husband and two children, they didn’t “party” – which is what she said is being implied of people rent - although “all people in the neighborhood here party.”

“You can’t say people who live here can

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 stay up all night and swim in their pool but the people who rent can’t…I think if we work together, we can come up with a more positive way to move forward instead of an ordinance that’s so restrictive, people will say, ‘I’m not going to follow that,’” she said.

Councilmembers approved proceeding with a millage as well as to educate the voters on it and define what the funding would be used for within the village.

In 1979, the rate of 16.9 mills raised $88,246. Over the years, the millage has dropped to 6.0135 mils and generated $836,638 in taxes. An additional mil would raise $139,125.06 in taxes and cost the taxpayer $1 per $1,000 of taxable value for each additional mil.

“In the years since 1979, we have never raised the millage but always adopted the Headlee rollback, which gives us $10,000 to $11,000 per year,” Lindley said.

Grand Beach currently has the lowest millage rate in the county and “we’ve been able to keep it lower because we have the highest taxable valuation in area,” she added.

Lindley said that there are now more needs for the village, as well as a growing population and infrastructure that needs repairs.

Council members approved employee pay raises, which include giving the proposed 3 percent raises and an additional $3 an hour raise for Dale Powell from the maintenance department and an additional $1 an hour raise for police officer, Creo Brewster, as well as an additional $100 per month raise for superintendent Bob Dabbs during his period of training the new water department employee, which will then be transferred to the employee once he’s been trained and passes his test.

An expenditure of up to $2,000 for new radar in the police car was approved.

Council members approved the village contribute $500 toward a proposed Berrien County Bike, Hike & Paddle Trails Master Plan.

The transfer of Local Revenue Sharing Funds in the amount of $30,685.04 to the Capital Projects Fund, which will be put in the fund for nonspecific use and earmarked for a generator.

Councilmembers approved 2020-2022 budget amendments.

The transfer of $242,885 from the 20202021 General Fund to Capital Projects for the next budget year was approved.

Commissioners take auditor to court for non-payment

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The LaPorte County Commissioners are taking the LaPorte County Auditor to court for refusing to pay an entire legal bill submitted by the county attorney.

The petition seeking payment of a slightly more than $1,100 was filed Thursday, Oct. 21, in LaPorte Superior Court 3 against Auditor Tim Stabosz.

The court filing alleges Stabosz violated state law by withholding payment on claims submitted by attorney Shaw Friedman after they were approved by the commissioners during a public meeting Aug. 18.

The unpaid amount is about 10 percent of the total claim for services rendered from July 15 to Aug. 15, according to the petition.

The petition was filed after Stabosz on Oct. 6 was ordered by the commissioners to pay the balance or face legal action.

Insisting the law is on his side, Stabosz ignored the order.

Now, he’s vowing to defend in court what he feels is his legal and constitutional right as auditor to solely verify claims since his office cuts the checks.

Stabosz said he has concerns about the unpaid claims from Friedman and wants to confirm the work was legitimate before releasing payment.

He’s asked Friedman for more specifics on the billing statements at question but he has not provided him with the information, he said.

“My statutory authority is separate from the commissioners. They don’t get to order me to do anything,” Stabosz said.

The auditor has no legal authority to withhold payment, though, once claims have been approved by the commissioners, said Alan Sirinek, the Michigan City based attorney representing the commissioners in the legal dispute.

He said Stabosz should have

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approached the commissioners to try and resolve his questions prior to the unanimous vote approving payment.

“The statute is very clear. He shall release it once it’s been approved by the commission,” Sirinek said.

However, Stabosz said his ability to audit and decide payment is under no such boundary.

He said the auditor after payment is approved by the commissioners “may” pay a claim under state law.

“It does not say ‘must.’ Otherwise, the auditor would be little more than a functional rubber stamp for the commissioners with regard to billpaying,” he said.

Jennifer Gouger, chief of staff for the Indiana State Board of Accounts, said county auditors have authority to review and pay or not pay claims based on the findings of their investigation.

She said the commissioners also have authority to order payment of claims and pursue a court order, if necessary, to ensure payment.

However, Gouger said a judge will have to decide the matter because state law is not clear on who has ultimate authority.

Typically, she said commissioners and auditors work the process well together and rarely do things reach this point.

“There’s a nice little system of checks and balances, but what happens when that gets out of alignment? That’s what’s unfolding in LaPorte,” she said.

In February, Friedman filed a lawsuit in St. Joseph County alleging defamation of character against Stabosz.

Stabosz accused Friedman of running county government by having control over some of the elected officials.

Friedman is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit, which remains undecided. — STAN MADDUX

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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Lady Bison tuning up for the post season

BY STAN MADDUX

he New Buffalo High School volleyball team cruised to a three-set victory at home Monday, Oct. 25.

The Lady Bison seemed to overwhelm Countryside Academy at times, especially from the many power shots not returned successfully.

Especially potent were spikes and hard line drive serves for points by senior Ashley Hauseman.

Junior Shannon Dewit also racked up a lot of scores from punishing serves that made her opponents, at times, look helpless.

Sophomore Ava Johnson also struck the ball with authority, leading all servers with seven aces.

Johnson also had 15 assists.

Amanda Jones led all defenders with 12 digs in a game where both teams wore pink uniforms to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The score was 25-16, 25-10 and 25-11.

Head Coach Bruce Molineaux said he was pleased at how the team played, especially in the final two matches, because of not

having practice since Wednesday.

“We improved as the night went on,” he said.

Striking the ball at higher speeds has been a major focus in recent practices to get the team ready for a possible run in the upcoming conference and district tournaments.

The Lady Bison improved to 6-1 in their division of the Berrien Cass St. Joseph Conference with an overall record of 11-12-2.

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ust a handful of players from last year’s district championship team still undefeated until a first round loss in the regionals are on this year’s squad.

Molineaux believes this year’s team has a chance at success in the post season if his players can strike the ball harder for more points and limit mistakes.

Michigan Lutheran and River Valley are expected to be the other top contenders for post season honors.

The conference tournament at Eau Claire begins Saturday, Oct. 30.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

SPORTS

Raiders defeated

by Martin during last game of the season

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From the Bleachers

BY STAN MADDUX

he Red Arrow Raiders ended the football season on the wrong side of a shellacking by one of the best small school teams in the state.

Martin defeated the Raiders 55-0 at New Buffalo.

The first play on offense by the Monarchs was a 74 touchdown run on a keeper by speedy quarterback JR Hildebrand.

However, the Raiders came back on offense to notch four consecutive first downs on passes from quarterback Eli Thomas to wide receiver Michael Flick and a rush up the middle by running back Ben Coffeen.

The drive stalled at the 35-yard line of the Monarchs, who were then stopped on their next series of downs.

The Raiders started their next drive close to the 50-yard line but fumbled and Martin, after recovering the ball, scored a 51-yard touchdown on another quarterback keeper.

The offense for Martin immediately took the field again after recovering the ball from an onside kick.

Two touchdown runs followed but each play was called back from penalties.

Martin then marched into the end zone without a penalty on a 28 yard screen pass.

The Monarchs scored two more touchdowns in the second quarter, including a 90 yard run into the end zone by Hildebrand.

Head Coach Matt Johnson said his team could have been more competitive had it not been for season ending injuries to key players, like starting quarterback Michael Bombin several weeks ago.

The injuries forced him to use several players, including freshmen, who were called up from the junior varsity program.

“I thought the kids did really, really well considering their experience level in a game like that,” he said.

Johnson also pointed out Martin never scored from driving the ball all the way down the field. He said their touchdowns were from big plays resulting from mistakes in execution by defenders lacking varsity experience.

The Raiders, despite their injuries and tough schedule, wound up with a 4-5 record.

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ne of the wins was from a forfeit by Bangor but Johnson said he was confident his team would have won had that game been played.

He also felt losses to solid TriUnity Christian, Lawrence and Maple Valley teams could have been victories had it not been for injuries and mistakes by players still learning the game.

The Raiders are losing Bombin, Coffeen, Flick, and Chris Israelite to graduation but return key players like Thomas and promising strong armed quarterback freshman Ethan Lijewski.

Lijewski suffering from a concussion was among the players who missed the last few games of the season.

Johnson said he’s also not losing any members from his offensive and defensive lines.

“We got some guys that will be able to fill those skill positions fairly well,” he said.

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COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

received my COVID booster shot Sunday and my most superstitious self hoped that getting the shot would “boost” the Bears chances of beating the defending super bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now, I can only hope the shot works better for its original purpose than my silly superstitions.

The Bears ended up walking the plank in their game against the Bucs, losing by a final score of 38-3. The saddest thing about the lopsided final score was that as bad as it was, it didn’t reflect how much better Tampa was than our Bears.

Tom Brady passed for four touchdowns, including the 600th of his fabulous career, while Bears rookie Justin Fields threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles.

I’m aware that Brady is the GOAT and Fields is just a rookie, so of course Brady would outplay him, but the way he was outplayed was concerning.

I’ve always liked Bears coach Matt Nagy even though his play calling leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve also been a fan of Ryan Pace, the Bears GM. I’m finally beginning to believe that they may not be the right men for the job. Hopefully they’ve learned from their experiences and if and when they get another opportunity, they succeed.

The Bears have gone through multiple coaches and GM’s in the recent past and successful franchises usually have continuity. The Patriots, Saints, Chiefs,Steelers, etc. have had the same people running the show for years. But in order to have continuity, you must have

some success.

The Bears front office and coaching staff started out strong, but they ran into some bad luck and haven’t been able to get back on the right track.

In basketball, the Chicago Bulls went through the same thing recently. In order to move forward and become relevant, the team had to move on from their front office and coaching staff. The new front office took their time and assessed the situation before hiring a new coach, making a couple of trades, and signing some free agents.

This season has Bulls fans coming back in droves. The preseason had the Bulls winning all four of its games and the first three games of the regular season have all been victories. Besides playing winning basketball, the team is playing an exciting brand of ball that’s really fun to watch.

They’re playing defense, and on offense the Bulls are running fast breaks and playing so unselfishly they’re almost making too many passes. I’m not sure if they’re ready to compete for a championship yet, but they’re certainly headed in the right direction.

The Blackhawks are going in the other direction and seem to be about ready to start over. Being a fan of Chicago sports is like taking a ride on a roller coaster.

Mae West said, “I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.”

Refuse hate. Talk to you next week.

Peace, love, and happiness.

I don’t have to jump up and smile just because TV wants me to. — Walter Payton

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Lovely Douglas grooms her horse before riding him

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Riders are led in a circle with the help of volunteers

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Riders gather around with their horses after class

Learning to Ride: Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor teams up with Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation

ovely Douglas’ first experience with riding a horse was a rocky one.

She said she rode one – “Buck,” he was called - in 2014, at a family reunion in Louisiana.

“First, I was scared, I was crying but then I calm ed down and I rode it – I was high up and I was tiny,” she said.

That was when she was 6 years old.

Now, at the age of 14, she’s much more comfortable.

“I know a little bit more now - how to take care of him, how to brush and groom, how to clean out the stalls…I learned what does it mean when it’s nervous, when it’s mad or calm, I know the faces it makes,” Douglas said.

Douglas credits her newfound confidence as a horsewoman to her experience with the Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation at Spring Creek Equestrian Center in Three Oaks.

For the past four weeks, eight girls from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor’s youth campus have been trooping over to Spring Creek to learn not only how to ride a horse, but also how to take care of one.

Before coming out to Spring Creek, Sherri Ulleg, marketing and communications manager at the Boys and Girls Club, said that the girls had only seen horses at the county fair.

“A lot of kids haven’t had the

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

opportunity to understand what really goes into caring for a horse,” she said.

The team at Spring Creek was more than happy to show them how, though.

“They took them through all the steps - they learned about the horse, they learned how to approach them, they learned how to care for them, how to clean the stalls, they learned how to make sure that they’re keeping the horses themselves clean, and how to tack them appropriately,” Ulleg said.

It didn’t take long for the girls to become acquainted with the horses.

Within the first week, some of the girls were even trotting.

“They were petting them and loving them and brushing them, they were willing to clean the stalls – they said it’s not their favorite thing, but they’ll do it,” Ulleg said.

Sally Bogert, a board member of the Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation, said the foundation raised the money to bring the children to Spring Creek. Bogert said she believes that the foundation can have 40 children go through the program before running out of the current funds.

The plan is to bring five groups of eight children each from the Boys and Girls Clubs to Spring Creek. Next, it’ll be the boys’ turn with the horses.

Bogert said the Boys and Girls Clubs will identify children who would be willing to come back next summer and ride

the horses in exchange for doing some volunteer work at the stable.

Allowing the girls to let the horses to enrich their lives was an important component to the program, Bogert said.

“They’re learning empathy, they’re learning to see things from a horse’s perspective…That plastic bag may just be a plastic bag to you but to a horse, that’s a monster, it doesn’t know what it is and it’s afraid and you have to look at the horse and say, ‘I have to understand why you’re afraid of that bag and work with you,’ so, they learn empathy and really gain so much confidence and teamwork,” she said.

G

irls who had gone through a previous program with the foundation the year before could be seen guiding the girls as they worked with

their horses.

On the last day of the program, 9-yearold Mia Cochran could be seen walking beside one of the riders as she rode on her horse around the stable.

Since coming to Spring Creek, Cochran said she’s gone on to take lessons as well as even show a few horses herself – which resulted in winning a few ribbons.

“I’ve been doing lessons for year now and I’ve been showing for a few months now – it’s fun to ride here,” she said.

Founded in 1998, Ulleg said the Boys

and Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor has five locations in southwest Michigan, with two in Benton Harbor (their “legacy sites”).

The youth campus serves 6- to 13-yearold children, who then transition to the teen center located across from the high school. The teen center serves children who are 14 years old and up until they graduate.

“We focus on academic success, and we also work with kids on living a healthier lifestyle, whether that’s through good mental health, good physical health, being active, good nutrition, we provide meals for our kids everyday – we also work on character and leadership development,” Ulleg said.

Barbara Jones, who will be celebrating her 18th year as a staff member with the club, likened it to being part of a family.

“When you’re missing, the next day the kids will ask where you were…When a kid is missing, we’ll ask a parent how a child is doing, what they’re doing, if they need anything…We’re so invested in our families and making sure everything goes well,” she said.

Founded in 2019, the Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation provides equineassisted learning programs on horse behavior, horse, and barn care, and how to ride to local, under-resourced children and adults. More information can be found at springcreekhorseshelp.org.

www.newbuffalotimes.com

10 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Racing to the ‘Center of the World’ in New Troy

E

xperienced as well as somewhat novice runners converged at the Center of the World in the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 23, for the Run to the Center of the World 5K, 10K and Half Marathon which was held at the Friends of New Troy Community Center in New Troy.

Madison Keegan, who said it was her first time running a half marathon, had her own personal cheering section: mom Jennie Keegan, her grandma, Mary Kay Pytel and roommate Annie Heeder.

“My family met me halfway between home and here to watch me run this - so I traveled a bit for it,” she said.

Keegan, who’s from Illinois and a student at Michigan State University, managed to be the female winner of the half marathon with a time of 1:45:58.5.

She said that she got into running while being a member of the Army ROTC at MSU. “We did a 10-miler last year and that kind of prompted my love for running and this year I was like, I’ll as just try and go for half, so I had time and trained for it – I really loved training for it,” Keegan said.

“I’m definitely competitive by blood – the race environment is good for me,” she added.

Jay Fast of Bridgman, who came in first place overall

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

and was the male winner in the half marathon with a time of 1:32:15.5, had run in the Chicago Marathon two weeks ago.

“The first two thirds were good but the last third I sort of fell apart - that’s another reason I just wanted to go out and have a fun run,” he said of giving this year’s Center of the World run a whirl.

Running is a hobby in the Fast family, as both of his daughters run on the Bridgman team (they were running in Kalamazoo that morning).

“When they were young, I didn’t force them to do it, but they’d see me go out and say, ‘Can I join you, Dad?’” he said.

B

oden Genovese, who took first place overall in the 5K with a time of 16:44.4, said he’s on both the cross country and track teams at Coloma High School, where he’s a sophomore.

While he’s been running for a while, he said it’s his first time doing this race.

“I didn’t have a race for two weeks, so I was just trying to find a 5K to do,” he said.

He credited his extensive training for his good timing that morning.

“When we’re not in season, I do a lot of my own stuff,” Genovese said.

Jody Brown of Plymouth, Indiana, who was the female winner for the 5K with a time

of 19:41.4, said this was also her first time running in New Troy.

Accompanying her were her two dogs, Flash, an Italian greyhound, and Dilly, a Dalmatian.

She said she began running with Flash six years ago on practice runs.

“He enjoyed it so much I started running with him at races that would let me run with dogs,” she said.

“They just love it so much – they make running more fun for me,” she said, adding that she runs 30 to 50 5Ks a year.

Lorraine Hanover, whose husband, Terry, is the president of the board of directors for the Friends of New Troy, said there were 68 runners this year.

She said a couple people who are newcomers to the race plan to spread the word about it.

“One man said it’s the best route he’s ever raced on and it’s the most beautiful and there are lots of things to look at and he’s going to bring back friends next year from Chicago and the surrounding areas,” she said.

Winners were given custom wood finishers medals made

by Terry and Lorraine’s business, Center of the World woodshop.

Proceeds from the run benefitted the New Troy Community Center, located at 13372 California Road in New Troy.

Madison Keegan nears the finish line

Terry Hanover welcomes everyone to the race

Lisa Kehoe, Megan Sukich, Angela Backus and Nancy Wineapple

Scott and Olivia with Jasper and Felix Schutze display their finisher’s medals

Jody Brown runs with her dogs, Dilly and Flash

Finish line volunteers Lorraine Hanover, Katy Harington, Jenny Gabbard, Marlene Newmiller, and Peggy Fanning

mwww.newbuffalotimes.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 11

Local real estate agent Hauseman honored at National Summit

M

ichigan real estate company’s most prestigious honors. agent Kurt Hauseman Agents like Kurt are why Lake Homes was honored with Realty is one of the fastest-growing the Aqua Award for companies in the country.” his achievements in Hauseman was also recognized for his real estate at Lake Homes Realty’s outstanding effort and performance by eighth annual National Agent Summit, receiving a Premier Agent designation, which was held which October 12 names him through 14. among the Hauseman brokerage’s sells lake homes top producers. and lots on Lake Lake Homes Michigan and Realty is other lakes in the nation’s the southern largest Michigan area. lake-focused The Aqua real estate Award is given company. to agents with Lake Homes total transaction Realty volume between provides $3.5 and $10 full-service, million between multi-state Sept. 1, 2020, real estate and August brokerage 21, 2021. services in Headquartered 34 states in Birmingham, and growing.

Kurt Hauseman receives the Aqua Award Alabama, Lake LakeHomes.

Homes Realty com has more is the nation’s largest lake-focused real than 70,000 lake properties listed, estate company. totaling $30 billion. Inc. Magazine has “Kurt continues to impress with his ranked Lake Homes Realty as one of the hard work and dedication, year after fastest-growing companies for the past year, and we are proud to present five years. him with this major award,” said For more on Kurt Hauseman Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes and Lake Homes Realty, visit www.

Realty. “The Aqua Award is one of our lakehomes.com. — STAFF REPORTS

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12 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

40 years of the chamber celebrated at Annual Dinner and Meeting

T

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

he Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce has been through quite a lot during its 40 years of existence: the recession of the 1980s, the great market crash of 2009 and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Yet, the 501c (6) corporation has continued to thrive.

“The businesses and the people that make up Harbor Country have always met these challenges with amazing innovation and that determination to make a living while building a community that offers an unprecedented quality of life here,” Kimberlee Wendt, executive director of the chamber, said at the chamber’s annual dinner and meeting at Fairway Hall at The Woodlands Course at Whittaker in New Buffalo Thursday, Oct. 21.

Wendt said that this “quality of life” is what drives people to this area.

“We have all these new year-round residents and that’s one of reasons why this organization was built 40 years ago was to try and encourage that – and so this has happened now this year, it’s really increased and it’s great to see,” she said.

In 1981, Nadra Kissman and Dick Downing formed the Harbor Country Council because they “needed some type of organization or some type of vehicle to answer questions about our area or to promote our area,” Wendt said.

That same year, the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce was born.

In 1983, the first business directory was printed. The chamber was 150 members strong in 1984, when the first executive director was hired. Four years later, the first Harbor Country Chamber Guide was unveiled.

Today, the chamber has 401 active members.

As of that night, there were 189 Harbor Country entity members within its eight

communities (Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, and Sawyer).

Also as of that night, there were 42 nonprofit Harbor Country members, 68 members that are “neighbors of Harbor Country” (ones that are beyond the chamber’s eight borders), 23 additional Harbor Country businesses (which means they have one business already and are adding a second one for a membership), 22 nonprofit neighbors of Harbor Country (which are all from the chamber’s borders but are still nonprofit organizations), and 13 social members (members that aren’t businesses but want to be involved with the organization on a “social level”).

“So, we’ve come a long way,” Wendt said.

Wendt credited the application and forgiveness of two rounds of PPP (paycheck protection program) loans for allowing the chamber to “sustain” itself but to “also actually thrive,” as well as some “strategic spending” while the office at 15311 Three Oaks Road in Three Oaks was closed (it reopened in May), in the time of coronavirus.

A

ccording to an official report that was prepared by treasurer John Quackenbush, the first round of PPP loan of $15,975 “allowed the Chamber to maintain staffing levels during the 2019-20 fiscal year” and the second round of $15,490 “facilitated the same during the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The chamber did some staff restructuring during this time as well: elevating Wendt to executive director from her former position as member services manager, establishing a new part-time digital marketing manager position for Emily Hojara, and hiring Robin Garoutte as part-time office

Sara and Craig Jenkins-Sutton

Kim Murphy poses with the cake from Black Currant Bakehouse

Cynthia Marquard with Connie Stainko

Catherine Gallas with Joey DiMaggio

Don Savoie provides the live entertainment

New president Maggie Martin (far left) poses with past presidents Jen Thompson, Chuck Garasic,Rich Kochanny, Margaret Anderson, Greg Bubb, Cathi Rogers and (front) Nadra Kissman

mwww.newbuffalotimes.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 13 manager while “establishing budgeted payroll expense below 2018-219 levels” according to the report.

Chamber members listen during the annual meeting

Incoming president Maggie Martin accepts the gavel from past president Jenn Thompson

Chamber members enjoyed cocktail hour

Event organizers Alissa Johns and Ashlie Cordova

The 2021-2022 Board of Directors is sworn in

Georgia Gipson, Ken and Jean Schiffer, and Paula Dudiak

I

n her new role, Wendt said that Hojara has been able to be “fully engaged” on all the chamber’s platforms: Facebook (which has 5.5K followers), Instagram (2.8K followers + 30 percent), Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The chamber will also be looking at other apps “on the verge of opening,” such as NeXT Door.

As of that morning, the chamber has had 96,000 users to its new website, harborcountry.org, since launching it Jan. 1, 2020.

The Harbor Country © trademark, which needs to be renewed every 10 years, is up for renewal in 2022.

“Some people don’t realize that’s its actually geographically linked to our eight communities, so we don’t really allow anyone to use that Harbor Country trademark unless they’re in our perimeters or they have to require permission from us in order to do so,” Wendt said.

Wendt also gave recognition to the Harbor Country Guide, which has become a “really special piece” as well as a collector’s item.

This year, she began charging for shipping and handling for those who order it through the chamber’s website.

“I didn’t think anyone would prefer that and they would want to look at it online,” she said, adding that they received seven orders for it in the last month.

Past chamber presidents who were present at the dinner were given special commemorative wine bottles with labels on them: Nadra Kissman (1985-1986, Greg Bubb ((2008-2009), Margaret Anderson (2009-2010), Rich Kochanny (2010-2011 and 2015-2017), Chuck

Garasic (2011-2014), and Cathi Rogers (2016-2018).

Having served as cofounder of the chamber, Kissman said that it’s “hard to believe that we’ve gotten this far.”

“I’m so proud of everybody who’s had a part of it…I just hope we can go on for another 40 years and I think we will,” she said.

The following members were sworn in as the 2021-22 Harbor Country Board of Directors: Margaret Martin (MAK Salon and Spa), the newly appointed president; Jennifer Thompson (Chikaming Open Lands), vice president; John Natsis (Tom Hemingway-ReMax Real Estate), secretary; John Quackenbush (social member), treasurer; Kurt Hauseman Lake Home Realty and New Buffalo Inn and Spa), director; David McNabb (Edward Jones), director; Erika Milovich (Bluefish Vacation Rentals), director; Eric Neagu (Antero Group), director; Jessica Nance (Red Arrow Roasters), a newly appointed director; and Colleen Neubaurer (social member), a newly appointed director.

S

ponsors for that evening’s event were The Antero Group, Fifth Third Bank, Teacher’s Credit Union, New Buffalo Business Association, New Buffalo Railroad Museum, Property Concierge (which provided the dessert table), and Moersch Hospitality Group (which provided the commemorative wines).

Members of the “small but mighty” event task force were Alissa Johns and Ashlie Cordova, owners of Belle Mare Wedding and Events; Brianne Schmidke, owner of Properti Concierge; Hojara, and Garoutte.

www.newbuffalotimes.com

14 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 15

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16 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

HORR0RSCOPE OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 3, 2021 AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT

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.

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.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

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.

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.

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!

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

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.

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.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

Avoid walking in the woods this week, as you could be devoured by wolves or worse 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I believe you have to be willing to be misunderstood if you’re going to innovate. — Jeff Bezos

mwww.newbuffalotimes.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 17

Fairgrounds to be ‘magical’ for the Holidays

W

BY STAN MADDUX

ork has begun on stringing more lights than anyone has ever seen, perhaps, at one location during the

holidays.

“Magic of Lights” will be a drive thru event with close to a million lights along a 1.5 mile route at the La Porte County fairgrounds.

Festive scenes will include the “12 Day of Christmas,” “Tropical Holidays,” “Santa’s Mountain,” and the “Enchanting Tunnel of Lights,” according to Magic of Lights officials.

The lights will burn from 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 19 through Jan. 2.

“It should be absolutely incredible,” said La Porte County Council President Randy Novak.

The cost for advanced tickets is $17 per car load through Nov. 2.

Ticket prices are as much as $40 per car load on weekends as it gets closer to Christmas and the new year.

Limousines and Party Buses will be charged $40 in advance and $50 at the gate on weekdays and $55 at the gate on weekends.

The cost for buses will be $80 in advance and $100 at the gate.

Novak said the display will be much larger than the storied Festival of Lights, which has made Washington Park in Michigan City a regional destination for the Christmas season over the past 30 years.

He said some of the lighted displays at the fairgrounds will be more than 30 feet tall and 100 feet long.

There will also be an area for people to pull over and get out of their vehicles to take pictures, have a cup of hot chocolate and gaze at a 40 foot tall

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

lighted Christmas tree.

“I think everybody will be pleasantly surprised,” Novak said.

Magic of Lights is presented at more than a dozen locations in the U.S. and Canada during the holidays.

The displays are as far away as California, Florida and Connecticut and as close as downstate Noblesville and Clarksville, Michigan.

“We are excited to bring Magic of Lights to the La Porte community for the first time ever and hope it becomes an annual holiday tradition,” said Ken Hudgens, owner of Magic of Lights.

Novak said Magic of Lights was booked after the not-for-profit Fairgrounds Management and Events Corporation approached Duff Entertainment, Inc. for ideas on upcoming events to host.

Magic of Lights was among the offerings and a deal was struck to bring it here.

FMEC was created by LaPorte County officials in 2019 to make the fairgrounds more of a destination not just during the summer but year round by scheduling more activities like concerts.

Novak said Magic of Lights is paying rent to LaPorte County government, which owns the fairgrounds, and providing a slight cut of the proceeds to FMEC if revenue from ticket sales exceeds a certain amount.

Magic of Lights, which sees potential to attract people from as far as Illinois and Michigan, also intends to give some of the profits to local charities and causes.

“We’re hoping it’s going to draw from all over,” Novak said.

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18 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Chills and thrills out on the trails at New Buffalo Township Park

A

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

fter three years, the spooky creatures were back to haunt the winding trails at New Buffalo Township Memorial Park during the “Spooky Trails” event Saturday, Oct. 23.

The free event was put on by the New Buffalo High School International Club.

Students in the club got decked out as various creepy creatures and offered friendly, scary fun to little goblins who wandered down the path (with a scarier show being put on for the older set later in the evening).

Later, the young goblins were invited to color a Halloween picture underneath the park’s pavilion, as well as enjoy apple cider and other sweet treats.

According to Karen Mucky-Martinez, who teaches Spanish at New Buffalo Elementary Marta Baughman School, the event was with Kaitlyn Jones being held so the students could earn community service hours for a trip to Spain next April.

Since 2013, New Buffalo High School has been participating in biannual exchanges with Spanish students (students weren’t able to go last year due to the coronavirus pandemic). Students from the high school stay with an exchange family one spring, and then welcome students from Spain the following fall from The English Business in Seville, Spain.

Having served as senior director of The English Business, Mucky-Martinez was largely responsible for the exchange program. She was hired by New Buffalo last spring.

According to a press release from 2019, more than 100 New Buffalo students visited Spain and more than 50 Spanish students traveled to New Buffalo throughout the program’s six-year existence.

Addison Stover with Olivia Schroeder

Lauren Nash with Carys Gallas

Elaborate decorations abounded at Township Park

Pailsey Walburn (as Repunzel) colors a spooky picture

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 19

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20 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING The City of New Buffalo Planning Commission will hold a Special Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at New Buffalo City Hall, 224 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

The purpose of this meeting is a site plan review request by Damon Marano, owner of 1 North Whittaker Street New Buffalo, MI 49117. The applicant requests a site plan review for a proposed restaurant and retail space located at 1 N. Whittaker Street New Buffalo, MI 49117. The zoning district is CBD “Central Business District”.

This location, 1 N. Whittaker Street, current tenant is the Pharmacy. Building to be renovated for several future tenants. All appropriate construction permits would be required.

Said property is located at 1 N. Whittaker Street, New Buffalo, MI. Property Tax Code No:11-62-0340-0233-01-8. The Zoning Ordinance is available online at cityofnewbuffalo.org and City Hall.

This meeting is an open meeting. The notice is posted in compliance with Open Meeting Act, Public Act 267 of 1976 MCL 15.261, et seq., and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids should contact the City Clerk by writing or calling the following: Amy Fidler, City Clerk, (269) 469-1500, 224 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, MI 49117.

AMY FIDLER, CITY CLERK CITY OF NEW BUFFALO

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AT A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING The City of New Buffalo has scheduled a special City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at New Buffalo Fire Station, 35 N. Harrison Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

The purpose of the meeting is as follows: • Conduct a Public Hearing in accordance with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, MCL 125.3401(4) on proposed ordinance to amend sections 2-3, 6-2, 7-2 and 8-2 and add a new section 20-8 to the New Buffalo Zoning Ordinance to prohibit short-term rentals in the R-1, R2 and R-3 zoning districts; and • The second reading of the proposed ordinance to amend sections 2-3, 6-2, 7-2 and 8-2 and add a new section 20-8 to the New Buffalo Zoning Ordinance to prohibit short-term rentals in the R-1, R2 and R-3 zoning districts.

This is an in-person meeting only. There will be no video teleconference options.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting at 35 N. Harrison Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117. If planning to attend this meeting and NOT fully vaccinated, the City of New Buffalo recommends observing the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. These include wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and avoiding crowded indoor spaces.

This meeting is open to the public and this notice is posted in compliance with Open Meeting Act, Public Act 267 of 1976, MCL 15.261, et seq., and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids should contact the City Clerk by writing or calling the following: Amy Fidler, City Clerk (269) 469-1500, 224 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

AMY FIDLER, CITY CLERK CITY OF NEW BUFFALO

Hikers to visit Galien River County Park

T

he Harbor Country Hikers will hike the trails and marsh boardwalk at Galien River County Park in New Buffalo starting at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 6.

The hike is the group’s third visit to Berrien County parks this fall. In October, the Hikers explored Madeline Bertrand Park in Niles and Love Creek Park in Berrien Center.

The Galien River Park hike begins in the parking lot with a 10-minute introduction by a county park naturalist, who will also lead the hike.

The Park includes a mix of upland and wetland habitats. The wetland area is part of the large Great Lakes Marsh that formed along the Galien River upstream from its mouth at Lake Michigan. The marsh is home to many protected birds and a resting stop

along a migration path for others.

The hike is about one mile long and trails include a boardwalk over the marsh and onto the overlook platform and are paved with gravel elsewhere. It is rated easy to moderate, and portions of it are flat and easy to navigate for those who have mild difficulty walking. The Harbor Country Hikers has an all-terrain rollator available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Details about the rollator and the hike are on the organization’s website, harborcountryhikers.com, and on its Facebook page.

Hikers are advised to wear long pants, a sun hat, sturdy shoes or boots and insect repellent, and to bring plenty of water. The Harbor Country Hikers follows federal and state Covid guidelines, and masks are currently optional. — STAFF REPORTS

Michigan City Messiah announces 2021 dates, venue change

T

he 56th annual performance of Michigan City Messiah will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and at 3 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 19.

The venue for the presentations will be the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center at 1200 Spring Street in Michigan City.

There will be no open dress rehearsal on Saturday morning.

Maestro Philip J. Bauman will welcome a nearly 100 voice chorus, full orchestra with Nic Orbovich as concertmaster and four professional soloists. The soloists for this year’s performances are Kimberly Jones, soprano; Kristin Gornstein, alto; Matthew Daniel, tenor; and Bill

L O C AL IN TE L L IG E N C E

McMurray, bass.

In keeping with the long-standing commitment of MC Messiah to provide a professional level performance to the entire community and region, all seats will be free admission and general admission and no ticket will be necessary. For the first time, you will not need to pick up tickets in advance to attend. Just choose your performance and attend. Since the Holdcraft PAC holds over 700, there will be plenty of room for all who wish to attend and room as well to social distance, if necessary.

For more details about this year’s presentations, visit www.mcmessiah. com. — STAFF REPORTS

New Buffalo Times

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 21

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New Buffalo Times

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 23

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP LIBRARY TO HOST ‘LEARN AND DINE’

Whittaker Street 11 N.N.Whittaker Street Suite A A Suite NewBuffalo, Buffalo, MI MI 49117 New 49117

T

he New Buffalo Township Library will be hosting a demonstration of the preparation of Salmon en Croûte by Jackie Shen at a “Learn and Dine,” which will benefit the library’s Technology Fund, Sunday, Nov. 7, in the library’s The Pokagon Room.

The event is spons ored by the Friends of the Library.

Doors will open at 4:45 p.m.

The demonstration will begin at 5 p.m.

The event will include a wine tasting and a boxed dinner of Salmon en Croûte with Scallop Mousse to enjoy at the event or at home.

The cost is $50 per person, which can be paid by cash, check, or card on the day of the demonstration. Seating limited to 50. Those who are interested can sign up at New Buffalo Township Library or at Jackie’s Café, in person or by phone. The library can be contacted at 269-469-2933 and is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in New Buffalo. — STAFF

REPORTS

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