December 19, 2019

LIFE ON THE SANDY SHORES, THE FRUITFUL FARMLANDS AND THE MAGNIFICENT VINEYARDS

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CHICAGO • LONG BEACH • MICHIANA SHORES • GRAND BEACH • NEW BUFFALO • UNION PIER • THREE OAKS • LAKESIDE • HARBERT • SAWYER

issue 51, volume 78

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Thursday, December 19, 2019

New Buffalo City Council waives 2020 sewer rate increase PAGE 4

Student musicians, singers put on a very merry, musical performance PAGE 6 Lady Bison off to a fast start PAGE 9

New Buffalo Envirothon teams receive grant to aid in solar heat collectors construction PAGE 10

Record attendance estimated for Christmas at Pioneer Land PAGE 11 Regulated recreational marijuana sales debated at Village of Three Oaks meeting PAGE 14 New Buffalo Township tables Harbor Crossing decision until January PAGE 15

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE

STUDENTS SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER TO NEW BUFFALO CITY, TOWNSHIP HALLS — PAGE 12 —

PHOTO OF FIFTH GRADERS BUSY DECKING OUT THE NEW BUFFALO CITY HALL TREE BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

Whittaker St. bridge reconstruction basically finished

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BY STAN MADDUX

econstruction of the N. Whittaker St. bridge in New Buffalo is basically finished.

City Manager Dave Richards said landscape restoration in the spring is among a few punch list items that must be finished for the project to be entirely completed.

The slope of the land from the new guard rails on each side of the bridge has to be restored to the original grade and the ground reseeded, he said.

Other mop up work still remaining includes tree stump removal.

Grand River Construction out of Hudsonville, Michigan was the contractor for the $650,000 project entirely funded with casino proceeds. ‘’A lot of gratitude should be expressed to the Pokagon Fund for making those funds available and making the project possible,’’ Richards said.

Work on the 40-year bridge over the Galien River at the lakefront started on Labor Day. The two lane bridge was down to a single lane during the restoration.

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A traffic light was brought in to signal when drivers in each direction could proceed across it.

Both lanes reopened on November 15. ‘’I think it looks 100-percent better. I’m very happy with it,’’ Richards said.

The work was strongly recommended

by Abonmarche, a Benton Harbor based construction design firm uncovering structural problems like fallen chunks of concrete beside the metal pilings underneath the bridge during a 2018 inspection.

Without the reconstruction, Richards said an almost immediate lowering of the weight restriction on the bridge would have gone into effect.

Age and weather related damage to the surface, guard rails sinking into the ground and improper drainage were also uncovered during the inspection required by the state every two-years.

Richard said the never before maintained bridge probably had another 10-years left in it prior to the reconstruction. ‘’We figure we added another 20-years to the bridge,’’ he said.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

Local Government Meetings New Buffalo Times

DEMOCRACY REQUIRES TRANSPARENCY

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO CITY COUNCIL Meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30PM DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA) MEETING Meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8AM Thursday, December 19, 2019 CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS Meets on the first 1st Tuesday Quarterly at 7PM NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP 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 CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD Meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM Thursday, December 19, 2019 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 VILLAGE OF GRAND BEACH COUNCIL Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM MICHIANA VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM

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New Buffalo City Council waives 2020 sewer rate increase

BY THERESE DONNELLY

ity residents won’t see a planned increase in their water bills in the new year, thanks to credit due from sewage payments. While the Galien River Sanitary District continues to determine how much the city has overpaid, the New Buffalo City Council has waived the 2020 sewer rate increase.

For over a year, the city has tested its sewer lines to identify the cause of excessive sewage rates. While smoke tests did find a number of clear water infiltration points, they were not enough to explain rising costs. Eventually consultants from Abonmarche realized there was a discrepancy between meters and double billing inflating costs. While the GRSD is still determining the exact number, Mayor Lou O’Donnell said the city is due a credit of around $1 million.

Since the three percent sewer rate increase was planned in anticipation of rates that are no longer accurate, the Council at their December 16 meeting adopted Resolution 19.35, waiving the 2020 increase and keeping the rate at $5.65 per 1000 gallons.

To address some water infiltration, the Council also had a second reading of Ordinance 245, which allows the City or a plumber to inspect sump pumps and requires pumps connected to the sewer system to be disconnected by a licensed plumber. Non-compliant property owners may be fined $100 per month on their water bills.

Councilmember Liz Ennis asked how many sump pumps were connected to the city system. While City Manager Dave Richards said it was not clear how many, resident John Humphrey said many of older houses in the southwest end of the city likely had sump pumps.

The Council approved the second and third payment requests from Grand River Construction for the Whittaker Street bridge project, totaling $439,222.98. Abonmarche has been overseeing the work and Vice President of Development Services Tony McGee reported work is going well.

The Council approved a Special Use Permit to allow the YMCA to operate a day care in the former St. Mary of the Lake School. The SUP will allow use of up to five classrooms to care for infants and toddlers. The daycare will operate separately from the TriCounty Headstart program in the building.

Low-cost care will be available for families at the federal

poverty level and for families classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE), who earn above the poverty level but not enough to cover basic household expenses.

The YMCA daycare is expected to begin in the spring of 2020.

Richards said it was not clear if the building’s new purpose would change its tax exempt status.

Residents again used the public comment time to express support for Roger’s Wrecker and urge the city to resolve the matter in mediation.

Both Amy Fidler and Nancy Griffin had already been administered the oath of office for City Clerk and Deputy Clerk, respectively, but the city charter requires the Council to formally appoint the positions. With unanimous votes, the Council appointed both.

Ennis suggested that in the future, the Council receive a description of duties when appointing staff.

City employees will receive a higher year-end bonus than in previous years. Noting that employees had worked well despite a shortage of manpower and that the bonus has been $100 for over 20 years, the Council approved a $200 bonus.

Under a new, three-year contract, Domestic Uniform Services will provide facility services including floor mats, shop towels and other necessities. Richards said the city will save almost $10,000 over the length of the contract.

The Council approved a site plan amendment for New Buffalo Bill’s, 603 E. Buffalo St, for two lights in the south end of the business’ parking lot. The lights were not in the approved site plan but were included in the original construction. After a complaint from a resident, the owners agreed to shield the lights and have a final walkthrough by the Building Department to ensure code compliance.

The approved 2020 board meeting calendar will be posted on the city’s website.

The council had no board appointments but accepted Holiday Tarr’s resignation from the ZBA. Prior to adjournment, Ennis said she was happy to see holiday lights on the downtown light posts, but was unhappy to learn they had been donated by Jackie Chen, owner of Jackie’s Café. She said she did not feel the city should have accepted money from a hardworking business owner and made a motion to reimburse Shen.the cost of the lights. The Council approved the motion with a cap of $500.

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Members of Chikaming Township Board celebrate major MNR Trust Fund Grant award, ponder shoreline erosion solution

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BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

fter nearly two years of hard work in collecting financial pledges and support from the local committee and township, Chikaming Township is now closer to acquiring land that will expand the pristine township treasure known as Cherry Beach.

At the Thursday, Dec. 12, Chikaming Township Board of Trustees meeting, David Bunte, township supervisor announced that the township has been awarded a $2.475 million grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF).

The grant will cover 60% of the estimated more than $4 million cost to acquire the approximately three-acre wooded dune (known as the Beidler Trust property) adjacent to and directly to the south of the township’s Cherry Beach Park. The township needed to supply a 40% match to the state in order to receive the grant. More than 900 community members pledged $1.65 million, and the seller pledged $150,000 and the township pledged $250,000.

Members of the Cherry Beach Committee headed the major project.

The township applied for the grant last year but failed to get it. Bunte said that he was told by MDNR officials that, had the township not increased the match amount from 25% (from 2018) to 40%, its chances of achieving wouldn’t have been possible.

Bunte acknowledged that the project had been in the works even before he became supervisor in 2016. He said that Janet Schrader, a park board member, first approached him about “getting the ball rolling” in acquiring the land.

Bunte also thanked members of the park board, the Cherry Beach Committee, and the community members who made pledges for making it possible.

“If this isn’t a testament to a community working together to accomplish something, I don’t know what is,” he said.

Bunte added that everyone still had a lot of “heavy lifting to do.” He received a letter from the Trust Fund listing the next steps for the acquisition to be complete, such as performing an appraisal on the property and collecting pledges – a process that may take just under a year, Bunte said.

Board members hired Forest Galanda as the new township sexton and facilities manager.

Bunte said that the personnel committee interviewed four out of six candidates for the position. A River Valley High School graduate, Galanda has been maintaining the Chikaming Country Club grounds for the last eight to nine years and also has his own landscaping business.

The full-time position includes the maintenance of both Riverside and Lakeside cemeteries as well as the maintenance of township center and water department facilities.

Bunte said that Galanda has “big shoes to fill,” as he’ll be replacing longtime sexton Kirk Schrader, who passed away last month.

Board members approved the following new cemetery fee structure for Lakeside and Riverside cemeteries: opening/closing fees to be $425, $475 and $525 for residents and $575, $685 and $740 for nonresidents as well as an increase in the foundation fees from .35 per inch to .40 per inch plus a 2-inch wash with a minimum of $75.

During that month’s discussion item, attendees broached the ongoing issue of shoreline erosion.

Bunte said that he’s heard the Army Corps of Engineers say that the condition of high lake levels will be the same if not worse next year. Up and down the coast, he said, stairs at beach accesses are washing up all over the place.

Bunte said that he was proposing that a committee be formed to address the issue of erosion affecting the township’s beach access points and that it can be formed through the park board and beach safety committee and can include a member of the township board and planning commission.

Schrader said that she’s working on a proposal for Chikaming Township as well as New Buffalo Township and New Buffalo City to do a shoreline cleanup in the spring.

Schrader said that there was no way to get the nails, concrete and lumber off the beach than by putting it on a barge. She added that she’s called Donkersloot and Sons and there’s talk of FEMA money to clean up the beach and “make it safe.”

With regards to the stairs at the beach access points, Schrader said that she was also looking into an aluminum stair system at Harbert Road that floats and can be reset every year or even every day that would sit on the sand and can be built into the sand.

Deborah Hall-Kayler, park board chair, and George Webb, who, as a result of having property in his family that’s north of Harbert be in danger of being lost to erosion has approached the township about using boulders to protect it, presented concept drawings from Abonmarche that illustrate a proposed sloped access path from Harbert Road to Lake Michigan Beach. The path would be similar to the one that was used in the same right-of-way in 1987 (the last time Lake Michigan was at this high-water mark) that allowed access for construction equipment on the beach. The sloped access path would be similar to the sloped Berrien Street beach access in Union Pier.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

Student musicians, singers put on a very merry, musical performance

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BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

or the second year in a row, members of the New Buffalo Bands and New Buffalo Bison Choir joined forces to give family and friends a musical program that boasted the sounds of the season in the New Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Members of the Beginning Band (which is comprised of sixth graders) opened the show, playing popular holiday tunes such as “Jingle Bells” and a variety of tunes in “Holiday Sampler” by John O’Reilly. The Blue and Gold Band (which is comprised of seventh and eighth grade students offered up their own musical Christmas cheer with “Christmas Magic” by Thomas Root and “Jingle Bells and Jungle Drums” arranged by Mark Williams. Members of the High School Band ended the performance on an upbeat note with songs such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” arranged by Larry Clary, “Brazilian Sleigh Bells” by Faith arranged by Lloyd Conley and “Going on a Sleigh Ride,” a musical arrangement by Sally Albrecht and John O’Reilly that they collaborated on with members of the choir.

Members of the High School Band recently journeyed down to Walt Disney World Thanksgiving week and marched down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving Day. “It was a really cool experience for me personally – I’ve been going to Disney with my family years and years and it was cool that the students got to be the featured act on Thanksgiving Day,” Christina Baumann, New Buffalo Bands director, said.

As a special treat, audience members were treated to a six-minute piece that the band members did while at Disney during a clinical with musicians entitled “Your Instrumental.” Students ran through a bunch of sight readings and did a piece that was coordinated with a scene from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

Choir members took center stage in between the bands’ respective performances, singing “Glow” by Terese Jennings, “That’s Christmas to Me” which was arranged by Audrey Snyder and “Yule by Swinging” arranged by Mac Huff.

Christina Beuschausen, the choir director, thanked members of the school district’s administration, as well as members of The Pokagon Fund, for their support.

“This is our second year I existence and we’re super proud of the progress that we’ve made,” she said.

Beuschausen said that some students are busy from morning to night on Tuesdays, when the one-hour rehearsals take place in the evenings.

“Tuesday nights my favorite night,” Beuschausen said, with the young singers chiming in.

The choir will be putting on its last performance of 2019 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Dooley’s Outdoor Holiday Market this Saturday, Dec. 21, at Dooley’s Lake House Pub, 310 W. Buffalo Street, New Ella Roch sings a solo during the Bison Choir performance Buffalo.

Members of the Bison Band spread Christmas cheer through song at the Performing Arts Center

The New Buffalo Bison Choir is in the spotlight in the PAC

Members of the Beginners Band perform at the PAC

Members of the High School Band close out the show

Members of the Blue and Gold Band stand to applause

Christina Beuschausen, choir director, updates the audience on the choir’s progress

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

BY STAN MADDUX

he New Buffalo High School girls’ basketball team rebounded from a season opening loss to win three consecutive games.

On December 13, the Lady Bison on the road defeated Countryside Academy 62-20.

Mary Mayer scored 14 points.

Mayer, a senior and co-captain of the squad, has been the leading scorer for New Buffalo in every game, so far, this season.

Kelsey Corkran and Jordan Bryk, both freshmen, were next in scoring with 12 points and 8 points respectively.

Junior Abby Vitale, the other co-captain on the team, dished out eight assists. ‘’She also had a number of steals and rebounds,’’ said head coach Scott Syme, who’s in his first season as head coach of the Lady Bison.

Aaron James, a sophomore, contributed 5 points and 6 assists.

The Lady Bison started the season December 2 with a 49-39 loss at Michigan Lutheran then defeated River Valley 41-39 on December 6 and Bridgman 47-29 on December 10.

Both of those victories were at home.

Syme said the team has worked hard adjusting to new players and a new head coach with new plays and different terminology for them to learn.

He also credited Mayer, Vitale and Claire Workman, the other senior on the squad, for helping their younger teammates along in the process. ‘’We are a young team. When you have that many young players you have to have good leadership and strong leadership. They’ve done a great job of telling and showing the underclassmen what’s expected of them not just in playing but what’s expected at practice and how to carry themselves and represent the program,’’ he said.

LaLumiere cruises to stay undefeated

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ARENA

Lady Bison off to a fast start

BY STAN MADDUX

a Lumiere eyeing another national championship in high school boys’ basketball cruised to a victory at home Saturday to remain undefeated on the season.

The Lakers ranked 9th nationwide in the Xcellent 25 Writers Poll defeated Bowman Academy out of Gary 73-41.

Senior guard Wendell Green, Jr. had a lot to do with the fast start for the Lakers who led 27-4 at the end of the first quarter.

The speedy 5’ 11” Green turned several offensive rebounds into field goals and drove the length of the court for a bucket early in the game.

Jeremy Sochan, a 6’ 8” junior forward, was overpowering with six of his 13 first half points coming from near the rim.

A three-point shot by Sochan following a dunk from 6’ 4” senior guard Jaden Ivey gave the Lakers at 45-10 halftime lead.

Ivey, who has committed to play next season

at Purdue University, added a second dunk and a couple of buckets off steals during the second half.

Head coach Patrick Holmes said he was pleased at how the team of mostly juniors and sophomores keeps improving at creating shots for each other. ‘’I thought we did a pretty good job at sharing the basketball. That’s kind of what we’ve been preaching all year. Driving it and kicking it and making the extra pass,’’ he said.

Holmes said the team is similar to the 2017-18 squad which qualified for the Geico Nationals tournament after losing a lot of seniors from the previous national championship season.

The Lakers finished second in last year’s Geico national tournament. ‘’A little bit younger physically so it just takes some time to mature but they’re really skilled. We got a good group and they like playing with each other,’’ he said.

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sports

From the Bleachers COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

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f you read he column last week, you’ll know that my fantasy football team was playing for the championship Sunday. Well, thanks to all of you who were rooting for me because, for the first time in quite a while, my team won the championship!

Unfortunately, the Bears didn’t quite beat the Packers, but they played well. Once again, I will look forward to football next year, even though there are plenty of important games still to play this season.

The remainder of this column was going to be about the baseball winter meetings, but for the local teams, there wasn’t much activity. Instead, let’s talk about the story of a young man who should be an inspiration to us all.

The young man we’ll be talking about is Pete Frates.

Before last week, I had no idea who he was, but his story has inspired me like few others. Pete was a very popular kid who was also a terrific athlete. In high school, Pete was the captain of the hockey, football, and baseball teams and he went on to play baseball in college. He once hit a homer in Fenway Park. As good as he was at sports, he seemed to be even better at making friends. His then girlfriend, Julie, said that when he introduced her to his friends he would always say this is my best friend...After meeting around 14 of Pete’s best friends Julie asked him about it and Pete told her he had many more.

So far we have a young man who is smart, popular, driven, and athletic. Those who knew him best remember his friendship, leadership, determination and kindness.

He had everything going for him, and one day he started feeling ill. Pete went to the doctors in March of 2012, and after undergoing a series of tests, the doctor told him he had a terrible diagnosis. Unfortunately, Pete had ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that has no cure.

The world, as he knew it, had come to an end.

So did Pete give up? Rather than feeling sorry for himself, he wondered what he could do to help others.

He asked the doctor and the doctor said to raise a billion dollars, so Pete set out to try to do just that. Remember how we were all dumping buckets of ice on our heads about five years ago? Well Pete, with the help of hundreds of his best friends, championed that cause. Before they were through they had helped raise 220 million dollars, an amazing accomplishment. Even though he was ill, Julie married Pete and they had a daughter. His story made me realize how much more we could all accomplish with the right attitude. Pete died last Monday after an eight year battle. His courage certainly inspired me.

Pete Frates said, “Be passionate, be genuine, be hardworking, and don’t be afraid to be great.” Be kind to one another. Keep smiling. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

That excitement on the court, I’m the same way off the court. I like to have fun, meet people; I like to give high-fives to the kids courtside. Just have fun. That’s kind of my personality, that’s how I’ve been.

— James Harden

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

Camille Czech, Dru Larimer, and Romario Arana are guided by Richard Eberly (right) on constructing solar heat collectors

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Matt Fidler works on the step-by-step process of making a solar heat collector

Students stand by their solar heat collector, ready to be installed at the maintenance building

New Buffalo Envirothon teams receive grant to aid in solar heat collectors construction

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

ew Buffalo High School students have come a long way with their solar heat collectors since the construction of their first one seven years ago.

Recently, Richard Eberly, New Buffalo High School science and smart lab teacher, and the school’s Envirothon teams were awarded a $1,000 Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals (MAEP) Environmental Education Grant to build solar heat collectors throughout the community. In addition to being used for the Envirothon’s annual community outreach project, the solar heat collectors will also be used for students to compete in the Lexus Eco Challenge. Students Sarah Eberly and Jesse Arp will also be presenting with Eberly at the Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) annual conference in March, where they’ll be showing 100 teachers how to make their own heat collectors.

According to the grant application, approximately 60 students in robotics engineering and Envirothon classes will participate int eh design and construction of the heat collectors.

Ashton Jacobs-Golebiewski, who was part of the grant-writing process, said that funding was received to build the heat collectors in 2012, when an Envirothon team began the process.

By building heat collectors on local homes as well as sharing with others how to build them, Jacobs-Golebiewski said he hopes that others will see an “eco-friendly” and less costly option for

heating their homes.

“We have rough winters and pretty bad summers…it (the heat collectors) helps different families in the community” especially those who may have limited funds, he said.

“This doesn’t take anything off your electric heating bill,” he added.

According to Ashton-Golebiewski, the solar heat collectors have a 77% return rate, meaning that after the first year, homeowners have already made 77% money back in savings that they would’ve spent on a heating bill that year.

Sarah Eberly said that she looks forward to actually giving others a stepby-step process on how to construct the heat collectors.

In addition to presenting at the conference, Richard Eberly added that the students will be presenting how to build the heat collectors through the Lexus Eco Challenge, which encourages students to show ways they can make a difference in their local communities.

In the past, students have presented at Fernwood Botanical Garden, New Buffalo City and New Buffalo Township.

“They’re going to find some forum to present to the public how to build solar heat collectors and heat people’s homes without burning fossil fuels and reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas effect,” Eberly said.

“The plan is to try to create as many heat collectors as we can until the funding runs out…I’m hoping to teach the community rather than just build them with the funding,” Sarah said.

Eberly said the students have come a long way in building the heat collectors since their humble beginnings in 2012.

“We’ve gone through five engineering cycles on these heat collectors, so they’re getting very easy to build, very efficient and very effective,” he said.

Back in 2012, Eberly said it took 20 students two weeks to design and build the first heat collector, with each student painting the cans individually.

Now, two students can put one together in four hours.

“They’re far more efficient, far more eloquent – they’re a much better product, a lot lighter, cheaper,” he said.

T

his year, Eberly said they hope to put in a “modulization system” into each heat collector.

“If the electronics goes out, instead of having to take the solar heat collector off the wall, we’d have more of a box cut out where you’d slide out a module inside the building and then plug in two little cords …pop in the module and replace the electronics all at one time,” he said.

The $1,000 will be used to build at least five solar heat collectors. Students already installed a heat collector on the school’s maintenance building the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Students decided to participate in the Lexus Eco Challenge because it was in line with their community outreach in building the solar heat collectors.

Besides the grant, Eberly said that students also put in a proposal to present to the MSTA to lead teachers in

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a workshop.

“The idea of the grant is to get as many people exposure to the solution as possible, to get people to know they can do something about climate change,” he said.

“It’s an easy way to get kids not just talking about climate change but acting on it and doing something to try to reduce it,” Eberly added.

Building the heat collectors also meets the new Next Generation Science Standards, which requires students to accomplish some engineering projects while in school.

Arp said that the solar heat collectors are worth investigating by homeowners.

“They’re a better alternative instead of using your furnace - each time you use one, it puts out the same output as a furnace,” he said.

The heat collectors are also cheap to make, as they are basically wood, electronics and paint. Recycled items, such as pop cans, are also used.

Evan Spriggs said the solar heat collectors also increase the use of solar energy.

“They’re not solar heat panels but they collect energy from the sun,” he said.

Elizabeth Schmock also looks forward to spreading the word about the alternative energy source.

“If we’re able to get these out to the community, people in other communities will hear about it and that’s really going to help the environment,” she said.

New Buffalo Times

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

11

Cherry Beach Project in Harbert awarded large state grant MORE THAN 900 COMMUNITY MEMBERS PLEDGE $1.65 MILLION TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE

C Record attendance estimated for Christmas at Pioneer Land

P

BY STAN MADDUX

eople who’ve been here before at Christmas keep returning while first timers vow to come back.

Attendance for the 22nd annual Christmas at Pioneer Land at the LaPorte County fairgrounds set a record.

An estimated 8,000 people showed up December 7th and 8th or roughly 1,000 more than the previous record from 2017, said Dick Reel, one of the founders of Pioneer Land started in 1995 with a log cabin and two other buildings.

There are now 13 buildings in the early 1800’s type village.

As always, lights were strung on the buildings for the occasion while Christmas music played on dulcimers softly filled the air.

Draft horses were as busy as ever pulling wagon loads of people.

Brent and Elizabeth Vanhook of Rolling Prairie bring their children, Grace, 8, and Matthew, 6, every year. ‘’The kids love it. We have such fun and they’re so excited to come back,’’ Elizabeth said.

Christmas here is an even longer tradition for Phil Favia of La Porte who now brings his grandchildren. ‘’We have a lot of fun,’’ he said.

About 40 volunteers dressed from the period did everything from serve free hot cider and cookies in the log cabin to giving history lessons about Pioneer life in the one room school house.

There was nothing fancy about the cookies all made from scratch with ingredients common among the pioneers. ‘’So we don’t have any chocolate chip or peanut butter or coconut in our cookies. Just oatmeal, molasses, raisins. Things they might have had in the 1800’s,j’’ said Becky Jensen, a volunteers.

Close to 100 gallons of hot chocolate in the Farm Bureau, Inc. cabin were also gone through.

State Representative Jim Pressel of Rolling Prairie helped fill cups almost as fast as they were grabbed. ‘’It’s just nice to see families come out and spend some family time together,’’ he said.

Ashley Chapman and her three-year old daughter, Lola, along with Jennifer Flynn and her children Kaylee, 6, and Matthew, 5, all of LaPorte, were among the first time visitors. ‘’This is awesome,’’ Chapman said. ‘’It’s been a lot of fun,’’ Flynn said.

So many people come out now that Santa this year was moved to the traditional barn to the much larger artisan barn so the line to see him wouldn’t stretch outside the front door.

At the beginning, Reel said he did not expect Pioneer Land and the response to it to be nowhere close to this magnitude.

“I’m glad people appreciate it. It’s just a great thing for everybody,’’ Reel said.

hikaming Township announced last week that The Cherry Beach Project has been awarded a $2.475 million grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF).

According to Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte, the township will now have the financial means to acquire the pristine wooded shoreline next to Cherry Beach park that it has long wanted.

“Without our community’s generous help in raising the 40% match to qualify, this grant from the state would have been impossible,” said Bunte. “There are still some important items to complete that come with finalizing a real estate transaction this large and complex. But if everyone honors their pledge and no major surprises arise, we expect the acquisition to move towards closure in 2020.”

The existing Cherry Beach Park was donated to Chikaming Township by the Warren Family in 1922. The adjacent three-acre parcel contains old growth forest along a critical dune with more than 400 feet of beachfront. It has never been developed and is being sold by a private individual for an estimated project cost of $4.125 million. This acquisition will increase the park’s current public beach from 253 feet to 657 feet. There are seven miles of lakefront in Chikaming Township.

Currently, only 2% is public.

“We would not have succeeded in securing this critical grant without the perseverance and dedication of the Cherry Beach Committee,” said Bunte. “This is our second attempt at applying for the grant. With the committee’s tenacious fundraising efforts, our qualifying match grew from 25% in 2018 to 40% in 2019, thereby almost ensuring the grant award.”

Bunte also applauded four other important area organizations that each significantly contributed towards the project’s success: The Conservation Fund and Peg Kohring, who managed negotiations with the seller; The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s Marcy Hamilton, who guided the committee through multiple grant submissions; The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and its executive director Pete D. Ter Louw, whose early belief in the Cherry Beach Project enabled it to qualify for a $250,000 matching grant from The Carls Foundation; and The entire staff at The Berrien Community Foundation (BCF), who enthusiastically jumped on board to help manage financial pledges and facilitate the project’s ultimate award of two other important grants.

“This collective effort demonstrates what can be achieved in a public/private partnership,” said Lisa Cripps-Downey, president of the Berrien Community Foundation. “We are thrilled to be a part of this project to expand public access to our community’s beautiful beaches. It took an incredible volunteer force to make this seemingly impossible dream possible.”

BCF will follow up with individual donors who have pledged financial support in order to convert those pledges to actual donations. Those must be sent to BCF

by April 15, 2020. Timely receipt of those donations will make the acquisition possible.

The Cherry Beach Committee is a grassroots group of concerned citizens who organized to help the township and its park board raise public awareness and funds for the purchase of this three-acre land site.

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund exists for the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. Final grant recommendations are made by the MNRTF Board to the state legislature each fiscal year for final funding approval. — STAFF REPORTS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

Students spread Christmas cheer to New Buffalo city, township halls

Students deck out the tree at New Buffalo City Hall

Fourth grade students pose with Santa and Mrs. Claus at New Buffalo City Hall

S

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

tudents from New Buffalo Elementary School were busy decking the New Township and New Buffalo City halls the week of Monday, Dec. 9.

Like elves being dropped off by Santa’s sleigh, students in kindergarten through second grade got off the bus and trooped to New Buffalo Township Hall Monday, Dec. 9. Shortly after placing their homemade ornament on a place of prominence on the tree in the back of the room, students became engaged in playing a variety of Christmas games (which included fishing for candy canes) as well as in making several Christmas crafts.

As thanks for spending the day with them and donating their ornaments to the tree, staff members and members of the New Buffalo Township Board gave students a bag full of popcorn and other goodies and let them visit with two special guests: the jolly old man himself and Mrs. Claus.

The student elves in third through fifth grade were dropped off at New Buffalo City Hall Thursday, Dec. 12, where they got busy decorating the city hall tree in the commons area with their own homemade ornaments.

Next, it was onto the meeting chambers, where students were treated to cookies and hot chocolate and entertained

by Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as their elves, officer Mike Cluster and deputy Michael Troup (when Cluster’ Christmas spirit meter sensed that Troup was at the level that it should be, students were instructed to sing “Jingle Bells” to him).

Students were gifted with a Christmas-style Rubik’s cube and were allowed to get messy when they dipped their hands in green paint and decorated a giant tree outline with their green handprints.

Students place their green handprints on the outline of a tree at City Hall

Jack Rogers leads students in a craft at New Buffalo Township Hall

Students are led in a craft at New Buffalo Township Hall

One of Santa’s elves (Officer Mike Cluster) has some fun at New Buffalo City Hall

Students fish for candy canes at New Buffalo Township Hall

New Buffalo Township Clerk Judy Zabicki guides students through a Christmas craft

Fun Christmas activities abounded at New Buffalo Township Hall

One of Santa’s elves (Deputy Michael Troup) visits with Santa at New Buffalo City Hall

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

Regulated recreational marijuana sales debated at Village of Three Oaks meeting

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BY THERESE DONNELLY

ith recreationally marijuana use now officially legal in the state of Michigan, the Village of Three Oaks continues to research allowing regulated sales in the village. While recreational marijuana has officially been legalized in Michigan few municipalities in southwest Berrien County have opted to allow it. The Three Oaks Marijuana Committee has spent months researching the matter and getting feedback from residents and business owners. The committee report has been presented to the Planning Commission and is available on the village website, http://www.threeoaksvillage.org/public_notices/index.php. While the Village Council has not yet made a decision on the matter, they have heard differing opinions from residents, including at their regular meeting on December 11.

The Planning Commission is reviewing the report and will make a decision at a later date. Councilmember Colleen Newquist, who is on the Committee, said the Commission is also reviewing the Master Plan’s future land use section.

At the Council meeting, Newquist reported that the current zoning ordinance does not include penalties for violations, leaving little way to enforce ordinances.

In response the Planning Commission has outlined proposed penalties, including a $75 fine for first offenses and a $350 fine for third offenses.

While the village searches for a new manager, the Council appointed Village Manager David Grosse to serve as interim manager with a rate of $2000 per month. The motion was made effective retroactively to November 27, the date former manager Mike Greene left to accept a position elsewhere.

Planned upgrades to Chamberlain Path are continuing. The Council accepted a bid from L.E. Barber Inc. for $77,112.15 for excavating work on the path. With engineering and other costs, the project is expected to cost just over $107,000.

Village President David Grosse said with grants from the USDA and The Pokagon Fund, the village’s share of costs will be about $15,500. Project managers at Abonmarche announced they have identified an additional potential $5000 grant with Projects Through Public Spaces, nonprofit planning, design, and educational organization.

The Council voted to renew the village’s lease with Berrien County for use of the building at 21 N. Elm St for administrative offices. Under the five-year lease, the County pays utilities. The Council also approved the purchase of a replacement server for the village office in the amount of $2,189. Grosse said the current server is 10 years old and the software is obsolete and no longer supported.

Village employees and board and council members will receive a Christmas bonus. Part-time employees and council and board members will receive $50 and full-time employees, except the village clerk, will receive $100.

Towards the end of the meeting Councilmember John Pappa asked if the Village had any updates from the Department of Environmental Quality regarding work on the village seage ponds. Grosse said the DEQ would likely give “broad terms” of their requirements soon. He also noted the village cannot follow any Industrial Pretreament Plan until the ponds have been upgraded to accept the level of waste set in the IPP. “We have to get a real handle on costs before seeking finances.” he told the council.

Pappa noted the sludge in the ponds is, “the biggest issue” and he believe erosion on the banks and other smaller matters could be addressed over time.

Grosse said the latest discharge tests have “passed with flying colors.” The initial discharge, he said, passed with much lower levels because the tested pond had been isolated during dredging, causing levels to drop more than normally.

Videoing the sewer lines will not take place until the ground is either dry enough or frozen enough to support the weight of the equipment.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

15

New Buffalo Township tables Harbor Crossing decision until January

T

he New Buffalo Township Board of Trustees won’t be making an official motion on the proposed planned unit development know as Harbor Crossing until the new year.

After a public hearing during the township’s Monday, Dec. 16, meeting, New Buffalo Township Supervisor rMichelle Heit said that she would like more time to “take a deeper dive” into the proposed project.

“Hearing some of the comments, there’s a lot to take in - my feeling is I’d like to take a little more time to investigate it and really consider some of the comments of the public,” she said.

Board trustees voted to table the following items until their January meeting: if the proposed project site at 19701 Kluver Rd. should be rezoned to PUD zoning (Resolution ZO 100) and if the project’s preliminary development plan should be approved.

At the Tuesday, Nov. 7, meeting, the New Buffalo Township Planning Commission recommended the preliminary development plan to the township board and that the site be rezoned to PUD zoning.

At the Dec. 16 meeting, Bob Fink, a principal with Harbor Crossing LLC (the project is being managed

by Four Leaf Properties), said that the proposed Harbor Crossing would bring in all-new, single-family manufactured homes at “attainable prices” to the area (a need that’s stated in the township’s revised master plan) and more than 60 acres of open space.

The preliminary development plan includes 210 units (the original plan called for 282 units) and lot sizes not less than 6,000 square feet and a 40foot landscape buffer on the north and south and a 50-foot buffer on the west.

The proposed site is 150 acres located off Kluver Road south of Wilson Road and bordered on the north and east by Whittaker Woods nGolf Course and on the south by the Indiana state border at 1000 North, with existing farmland to the west.

During the public hearing, Blagica Bottigliero said that the concerns that a sudden influx of students that the community could bring to the district would be too much to handle are unfounded. She said that the Bison Educational Trust isn’t at risk, as there is currently $4.7 million in the account right now and it’s made about $100,000 in compound interest. She said that if “you extrapolate data

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

and assume how may kids take the scholarship funds” plus take into account the “replenishment of funds every year” at 1.1 mil, then there are enough funds.

Bottigliero added that students who have been grandfathered into the fund will graduate in 2022 and 2023, so fewer students will be “in the system” and those who moved into the district now and are School of Choice students won’t be getting the funds.

According to the school district’s website, eligible students are given “$5,000/year maximum for five years within a 10-year period, not to exceed $25,000.” All students enrolled during the 2009-2010 school year were eligible for the funds regardless of residency and if they were continuously enrolled in grades 9-12. Beginning with 2010-2011, new non-residents didn’t qualify.

Melissa Seiler, owner of property immediately to the south of the proposed development in Indiana, said that the Berrien County Planning Commission disapproved of the proposal because of the “failure of the New Buffalo Planning Commission to follow its own master plan and ordinance.” The master plan requires the planning commission to study all options for attainable housing, which hasn’t happened, she said. Per the zoning ordinance, if wetlands are on a property, even if it’s not actually developed, it’s required that the developer obtain wetland delineation or a wetlands assessment and present it to the commission prior to a public hearing.

“I’m hearing the developer say that the extent of research on the wetlands was to look on the computer and see where the wetlands are,” she said.

Architect Donald C. Westphal added that the plan is to avoid the wetlands “if at all possible” due to the significant permitting process. The reduced number of units will also help avoid the wetlands. Fink said that the developers planned on doing full engineering on the property after receiving preliminary approval.

Gary Radtke agreed that certain studies, particularly a traffic study, should’ve been completed before the project was brought to the planning commission. A 210-unit development could produce 300 to 400 cars every morning at the intersection of Wilson and Kluver roads, which already sees traffic from the nearby Four Winds Casino.

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John Humphrey said that there was a “sickness” in New Buffalo.

“People aren’t paying attention right now, out of 600 homes in the city, 300 of them are for rent,” he said.

“Our town in slipping away right before your eyes and you don’t notice because you aren’t worried about having a 12-month economy,” he added.

H

umphrey added that when the average home price in New Buffalo is $440,000, the district “can’t bring new students into this town” and that “25% to 33% of the student body is School of Choice and not paying tax dollars in our district.” The district had a thousand students in it 20 years ago; now, it has around 540.

Michael Bingen, counsel for Whittaker Woods, said that the development involves manufactured housing being purchased and placed on leased lots, where there’s “inadequate protection to the consumer.”

“When a manufactured home is purchased by a personal loan and then placed on a leased lot, there’s no protections that are afforded when it’s leased land under REESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act), there’s no regulation over the cost of financing, added interest rates, and there are simply no adequate regulations that would protect against potential predatory lending practices,’” he said.

Mark Miller, who was representing the Whittaker Woods Development LLC, a neighboring subdivision, said that, after talking with Dr. Jeff Leslie, New Buffalo Area Schools superintendent, he learned the schools could expect .7 students for each manufactured home, which is 147 new students for 210 manufactured homes.

New Buffalo Area Schools is an outof-formula district, meaning it gets no money for adding in-district students.

“According to Dr. Leslie, to maintain the current level of education, NBAS will likely need to hire one elementary assistant principal and eight new teachers at an estimated annual cost of $725,000,” Miller said, adding that the elementary school is currently at capacity and would “need to be expanded.”

Leslie said that he received the state accountability index, which is how schools are judged based on student

New Buffalo Times

growth and achievement, and that the elementary school state account index is 99.4 (the highest is 100). The school with the lowest accountability index just won the National Blue Ribbon Award (the high school).

“We get some of those results because we have small class sizes,” one-to-one computing and other benefits, he said.

Leslie said the educational trust fund is projected to have a balance of $5 million by the end of the fiscal year; however, the district “doesn’t get graded based on the educational trust fund, we get graded based on student growth and achievement.”

Also at the meeting, board members approved the first big payment on the Exit One project to Grand River Construction in the amount of $266,650.75.

The resignations of Ryan Layman and Ed Lijewski from the planning commission were accepted.

The following board reappointments were approved: the reappointment of Traci Lauricella to the planning commission with a term to expire Dec. 31, 2021; and Steve Nesci and Carol Schmidt’s appointment to the planning commission with terms ending Dec. 31, 2021; Chad Butler to the zoning board of appeals with a term ending Dec. 31, 2022; and Chuck Baran to the Corridor Improvement Authority with a term ending Dec. 21, 2023.

A motion for board members to attend the annual Michigan Township Association conference from April 2730, with conference, lodging and meal fees included, was approved.

Board members approved Pat Donnelly, parks director, attending the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association Conference Jan 28-31 for the following costs: $335 for a hotel; $228 for food, and funds for fuel for approximately 446 miles.

Board members approved the following 2019 health savings account contributions for township employees: $1500 for one person and $3,000 for families of two or more.

Board members approved Resolution Public Act 152, which exempts the township from the requirements of P.A 152 of 2011 for the year 2020.

Salary adjustments for the township supervisor, treasurer and clerk were approved.

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— Voltaire

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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PUBLIC NOTICES The Zoning Ordinance is available online at the cityofnewbuffalo.org and at City Hall.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING The City of New Buffalo Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. at New Buffalo City Hall, 224 West Buffalo Street on a request made by Evan LeDuc, Abonmarche Consultants, for 1112 E. Clay Street, New Buffalo MI 49117.

The applicant is requesting a variance to make a series of improvements to the area directly across the street from the middle/high school, which is located at 1112 E. Clay Street.

This request involves to Article 6 R-1 Section 6-3 Single Family DistrictUses permitted by special land use-A. Educational institutions, Section 14-1 Schedule of Regulations, R-1 Single Family Residential, Percentage of Coverage (35%), Article 17-Special Land Uses Section 17-8 Item G Educational institutions of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.

Said property is located at 1112 E. Clay Street, New Buffalo, MI. Property Tax Code No: 11-62-8200-0203-04-4, 11-62-8200-0206-02-7, 11-62-82000207-04-0, 11-62-8200-0207-02-3.

The Zoning Ordinance is available online at cityofnewbuffalo.org and City Hall.

This meeting is an open meeting.

This notice is posted in compliance with Open Meeting Act, Public Act 267 of 1976 and the Americans with Disabilities 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.

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NEIGHBOR BY NEIGHBOR (NBYN) seeks a full-time MSW community practice social worker for a case manager position in southwest Berrien County. NbyN assists lowincome residents access resources and services, as well as addresses barriers to improving their lives. Pay commensurate with experience.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The City of New Buffalo Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing during their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., in the New Buffalo City Hall, 224 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

The purpose of this public hearing is to allow outside seating at 19 N Whittaker Street, 11-62-0340-023700-5 for applicant, Warner Vineyards, who is requesting outside seating at tasting facility. This pertains to Article 10 section, 2 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.

This meeting is an open meeting.

The notice is posted in compliance with Open Meeting Act, Public Act 267 of 1976 and the Americans with Disabilities 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.

All written comments pertaining to this request must be received by Thursday, January 2, 2020, Attn: City Clerk. All interested parties are urged to attend.

AMY FIDLER CITY CLERK

04-0, 11-62-8200-0207-02-3. This pertains to Article 6 R-1 Section 6-3 Single Family District- Uses permitted by special land use-A. Educational institutions, Section 14-1 Schedule of Regulations, R-1 Single Family Residential, Percentage of Coverage (35%), Article 17- Special Land Uses Section 17-8 Item G Educational institutions of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.

The Zoning Ordinance is available online at the cityofnewbuffalo.org and at City Hall.

This meeting is an open meeting.

The notice is posted in compliance with Open Meeting Act, Public Act 267 of 1976 and the Americans with Disabilities 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.

All written comments pertaining to this request must be received by Thursday, January 2, 2020, Attn: City Clerk. All interested parties are urged to attend.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

AMY FIDLER CITY CLERK

The City of New Buffalo Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing during their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., in the New Buffalo City Hall, 224 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

The purpose of this public hearing is to consider approval to make a series of improvements to the area directly across the street from the middle/high school which is located at 1112 E. Clay Street. The eastern portion of the development will be home to a new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) facility. The new building will include a robotics field, performing arts storage, work shop, metal shop and work shop areas and a garage to store equipment and the robotic trailer. The building will be supported by the construction of new sidewalks and the rehabilitation of the existing parking lot next to the proposed building. These improvements will create full accessibility to the new building. Improvements to the western parcel of the project area will focus on recreational activities. The proposed plans call for an expansion of the existing uses on site including adding six (6) new pickleball courts, making improvements to the skate park and removing the existing pickleball courts and converting the half basketball court to a full basketball court. A new pavilion and restroom building are proposed near the west end of the recreational parcel. Students are expected to park in the main school parking lot and walk to the site. Stormwater management will include a new retention area to the east. Applicant, Evan LeDuc, Abonmarche Consultants, who is requesting approval to make a series of improvements to the area directly across the street from the middle/high school which is located at 1112 E. Clay St.11-62-8200-0203-04-4, 11-628200-0206-02-7, 11-62-8200-0207-

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 245 OF 2019 ORDINANCE NO. 245 Authorizes Sump Pump Connection Inspections and Surcharge for NonCompliance This ordinance will (1) permit inspections by the City or a licensed plumber, (2) require property owners to disconnect their sump pumps from the City’s system by a licensed plumber, and (3) sanctions a surcharge of $100 per month to be added to water bills for owners who refuse to comply.

This ordinance was approved by affirmative vote of the New Buffalo City Council on December 16, 2019 and takes effect 20 days after publication. Full copies are available upon request of the City Clerk.

CERTIFICATION Ann M. Fidler, Clerk Approved: December 16, 2019 Published: December 19, 2019 Effective: January 7, 2020

New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

SHOP AMAZON OR ...

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

REAL ESTATE

PROPERTIES • SHOWCASED LISTINGS • LAKE FRONT

Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.

— Edgar Allan Poe

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30 W. Buffalo St. New Buffalo, MI 49117 11236 RIVIERA DRIVE, NEW BUFFALO $849,000 - 0BD, 0BA

18636 FOREST BEACH DRIVE, NEW BUFFALO $650,000 - 5BD, 4BA

11516 RIVIERA DRIVE, NEW BUFFALO $575,000  3BD, 3BA

13892 LAKEWOOD DRIVE, HARBERT $524,900 - 4BD, 3BA

19443 DOGWOOD DRIVE, NEW BUFFALO $450,000  2BD, 2BA

1501 W WATER STREET #69, NEW BUFFALO $340,000  3BD, 3BA

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

Your Homegrown Realtor

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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‘Shop with a Cop’ spreads spirit of giving to local children, families

he Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit held its annual “Shop with a Cop” program Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Niles area Walmart.

Kimberly Fedison and Katie Bauer, members of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit, spent countless volunteer hours organizing this event. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit was able to obtain more than $6,000 in donations to cover the costs of this event.

This year, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit partnered with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Chaplains, the Berrien County Animal Control Office, the Berrien Springs – Oronoko Township Police Department, the Saint Joseph Department of Public Safety, the Benton Harbor Area Boys & Girls Club, and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office’s sworn deputies to make this year’s “Shop with a Cop” program a success.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit, along with the partner agencies and organizations, assisted eight families and 22 children by allowing the children to shop for Christmas gifts for themselves, their family members and their friends. In addition to providing the funding to allow the children to shop, the Berrien

County Sheriff’s office Reserve Unit also provided holiday food baskets, Christmas trees, and gift cards to the eight families, so they could enjoy a wonderful holiday feast, have a wonderful holiday celebration with gifts under the tree and purchase a “special gift” for their entire families to enjoy.

The eight families and children were from the Niles area, the Berrien Springs area, the New Buffalo area, and the Benton Harbor area.

The “shopping” consisted of the families and children being adopted by law enforcement officers and then proceeding through the entire Walmart store to select and purchase the gifts they desired for themselves and their loved ones.

After the shopping spree, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit members and the members of the partner agencies and organizations took the children and their families to Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles for snacks and gift wrapping with members of Michiana Christian Embassy.

The eight families and their children were referred to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office by various schools and civic organizations, who felt they could use the assistance this year.

Prior to conducting the shopping

spree, the children also had the opportunity to have their picture taken with McGruff the Crime Fighting Canine.

The following businesses and/or civic organizations donated money, goods, and services to this function: Niles area Walmart, Pike Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Michiana Christian Embassy, Honor Credit Union , Wightman & Associates, D.A. Dodd Lane Automotive, Michiana Recycling & Disposal, Midwest Waste Solutions, Milano Pizza of Niles, Thrive Psychology, Conybeare Law Office, Red Bud Recreation Inc., Fort Miami CrossFit, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit, and Friends for Berrien Springs.

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ithout these donations, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit, along with the partner agencies and organizations, would not have been able to assist the eight families and their children The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit deputies take great pride in assisting families that need assistance, especially during the holiday season. The smiles of gratitude on the

faces of these children and the “hugs” provided by the adults and children to the deputies and officers are something that the they will always remember.

Sheriff L. Paul Bailey and the administrative staff at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office are extremely proud of the efforts put forth by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit for this wonderful cause as well as all of their volunteer hours they donate to Berrien County and the local municipalities throughout the year to ensure that the county, its local communities, and the surrounding areas are a wonderful place to reside and visit. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Personnel and all local law enforcement and first responders are proud to serve and protect their communities on a daily basis by protecting and serving, as well as providing support at times individuals need assistance.

The members of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, the Berrien County Animal Control Office, the Berrien Springs – Oronoko Township Police Department, the Saint Joseph Department of Public Safety, and the Benton Harbor area Boys & Girls Club want to wish everyone “peace and joy” this holiday season. — STAFF REPORTS

SERVICE DIRECTORY

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

HOLLYSCOPE DECEMBER 19-25, 2019

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19 All those business connections you made over the past year will pay off bigtime now. Be proud of all the hard work and energy you dealt out over the past twelve months.

The rewards and gifts are coming in now.

This will be a joyous and abundant holiday for Aries.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22 This is going to be a wonderful holiday for Libra. Go all out on those decorations. Start cooking up a storm because your home is going to be filled with love and abundance this season. Prepare for unexpected visitors and get ready to receive some bountiful gifts of joy and peace.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20 Put a candle in the window, Taurus, because the need to roam is here. Know that the light will always be there to guide you back home. Trust that there will be great reward in going out on your own and finding your purpose. Discover your gifts so, you can share it with the ones you love.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21 This holiday season is ripe for gathering with old school chums and running into the old gang from the neighborhood. Don’t be afraid to have heart to heart talks and let go of hurt or disappointment. Also, you can expect an old flame to be reignited and your heart to be mended.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21 Be sure you take some time for yourself this season. Get in touch with your feelings and deal with your dark side. This is the time to bring light and love into your heart and release negative or obsessive emotions. The energy is there for you to make changes and start anew.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21 This is a very financially rewarding time for the Archer. The money and opportunities to advance are here. The important thing is to show up and follow through. All those contacts you made over the last year will prove to be very beneficial now. So, be sure to return those calls.

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22 This is a beautifully romantic season for the Crab. Open your heart and you will see that love and friendship has been there all along. It hasn’t been the easiest of years and this Christmas you will be blessed with an enduring partner or friend.

So, get out there. Love is waiting.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19 So much has changed around you, yet here you are, still going. There have been a lot of ups, but mostly downs for the old goat over the past year. But now, my friend, you are definitely on the way up. Get ready for a wonderful birthday season. The good times have arrived.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22 There will be much to celebrate this holiday season for Leo. That job, promotion or recognition you’ve been waiting for is here. You can also expect a clean bill of health and a vibrant energy to lift you out of the doldrums and into a livelier energy field. Shine on fuzzy baby.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18 This Yule season it’s important you spend some time in solitude to refresh your mental states and pamper your body. Whatever you can do to get some downtime, do it.

Time spent in quiet contemplation will really help you feel loved and fulfilled. Turn off the devices and rest.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22 Your heart will be full of hope and promise this season. Your visions are powerful and will come to fruition now. As you see the fulfillment or culmination of the things you have worked hard on, you will understand how powerful your ideas are, and it will push you to continue and prosper.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20 You will feel the support and love of the team this Holiday season. La Maison du Poisson will be teaming with life this Christmas. so be sure you have stocked the shelves with all the essential holiday provisions.

Get ready for visitors of all kinds, not just family.

A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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SUDOKU To solve the Sudoku puzzle, your challenge is to fill each empty cell with a number 1 through 9, so that each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box contains all the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats. Good luck solving!

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

EVENTS Reach 5,000 + unique Event goers each week. Please send your Event you wish to publish including the number of times in Advance of your Event that you wish to Advertise to Media@NewBuffaloTimes.com Additionally, please mail $28 for each time you wish your Event published to New Buffalo Times P.O. Box 369 New Buffalo, Michigan 49117 Thank You Reaching 5,000 + unique Event goers each week.

DAILY EVENTS

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP LIBRARY See weekly library events on page 3.

EVERY MONDAY

ZUMBA 6:30PM. New Buffalo High School High Gymnasium/Dance Studio. 111 E Clay St. New Buffalo. 219-614-8847.

Teacher is Marie Crist. $7 per class.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

STORY TIME AT THREE OAKS LIBRARY 10:30AM. www.threeoaks.michlibrary.org.

CREATIVE EDITORIAL MARKETING

DESIGN

CALL TODAY! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

219-331-9230

KNITTING AT THE DELI 2-4PM. David’s Deli.

All are welcome.

EVERY THURSDAY

TRIVIA NIGHT At dooley’s 7-9PM. Dooley’s Lake House Pub. 310 W Buffalo St. New Buffalo. 269-469-2247. www.dooleyslakehouse.com.

EVERY THURSDAY & SUNDAY OPEN TRAP PRACTICE 6:30-9:30PM. New Buffalo Rod and Gun Club. 10487 Kruger Rd. New Buffalo.

Open to the public. Contact Bob Kruger at 269-612-0983.

LAST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

HARBOR COUNTRY BOOK CLUB 6:30PM. New Buffalo Township Library.

EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC at night AT DOOLEY’S 8PM. Dooley’s Lake House Pub.

EVERY SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

GENIUS NIGHT AND OPEN MIC 6:30-9:30PM. Elsie Earl Studios.

200 W Buffalo St. New Buffalo. www.elsieearlstudios.com.

The night will feature local and area literary performance and visual artists sharing their unique talents before an audience. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided. The cost is $5.

EVERY SATURDAY

YOGA AT THE PARK 9AM. New Buffalo Township.

SECOND AND THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

NEW TROY INDOOR FLEA MARKET 9AM-3PM. New Troy Community Center.

13372 California Rd. New Troy. 773-803-9773.

Hosted by New Troy Flea Market and the Friends of New Troy, the market lasts until April.

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

FUDGE-RAISER TO BENEFIT RIVER VALLEY SENIOR CENTER Jackie’s Café of New Buffalo has chosen the River Valley Senior Center as recipient of this year’s “Fudge-Raiser,” donating 100% of proceeds to RVSC plus 100% in matching funds from The Larry Bubb Endowment. Pre-order now and pick up after Thanksgiving at Jackie’s Café, 801 W Buffalo St., New Buffalo. Contact the café at 269-469-1800 or RVSC at 269-469-4556.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20-21

THREE OAKS AFTER DARK 11AM Friday-8PM Saturday. Downtown Three Oaks.

For two evenings, the Three Oaks merchants are staying open late to help you with lastminute gifts that might still be on your list.

Hosted by Three Oaks Merchants.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

HARBOR COUNTRY SINGERS PRESENTS ‘CHRISTMAS COLLAGE’ 7PM Saturday. The Episcopal Church of the Mediator. 14280 Red Arrow Hwy. Harbert. 7PM Friday. St. John’s Church.

10 W Ash Street. Three Oaks.

Both concerts will include dance, children’s performances and instrumental music, in addition to choral music.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21-22

DOOLEY’S OUTDOOR HOLIDAY MARKET 1-5PM. Dooley’s Lake House Pub. Bring the kids to visit Santa, Elsa, and Buddy the Elf. Holiday artisans will be selling gifts, treats, food and more. Enjoy the outdoor wonderland with warm fire pits, carolers, s’mores, hot cocoa, ice sculptures and crafts. Admission is free.

SATURDAY, DECEMEBER 21

CHRISTMAS AT THE ACORN 8PM. Acorn Theater. 107 Generations Dr. Three Oaks. 269-756-3879.

www.acornlive.org.

The Saturday before Christmas, founder Robert Swan will bring together five of the finest singers you could wish to hear, including Acorn favorites Martha Cares, Susan Nelson, Warren Moulton, and Dominique Frigo. For tickets, visit the website or call the Acorn Theater.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

SANTA’S HOUSE 1-5PM. St. Joseph Today. 301 State St. St. Joseph.

Picture perfect holiday fun will be available this weekend in downtown St. Joseph.

Santa’s house will be located on the corner of State and Pleasant Streets.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27

OPEN MIC NIGHT WITH HOST ALVIE ELLENWINE AND THE SWEET SENSATIONS 8PM. Acorn Theater. 107 Generations Dr. Three Oaks.

Elvis tribute artists Alvie Ellenwine and the Sweet Sensations keep Elvis Presley’s music alive by taking you on a musical journey through three decades of the King’s music. No admission fee, but donations are encouraged.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

ROARING ’20 NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY 8PM. The Inn at Harbor Shores. 800 Whitwam Dr. St, Joseph. 269-983-1111.

Ring in the New Year, roaring ’20 style, at the Inn at Harbor Shores. Dinner, dancing, fireworks over the harbor, and more. Base price of ticket is $80. Ticket is for dinner and party.

ACORN NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY 9PM. Acorn Theater.

Featuring tunes from Erly Band, delicious small bites to snack on, a champagne toast at midnight plus a balloon drop and noisemakers. General Seating is $40 and Reserved Seating is $65. Open to those who are 21 and older.

The information for these events is correct, as of the Tuesday before publication date. Please contact the events listed with any questions. Please send us any events at events@newbuffalotimes.com.

Deadlines are the Fridays before the following week’s publication.

My heroes are the ones who survived doing it wrong, who made mistakes, but recovered from them.

— Bono

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019

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