Granger Gazette April 2021

APRIL 2021

Granger’s First Monthly Magazine

Happy Easter!

Granger Gazette • PO Box 16 • Granger, IN 46530 Kerry Byler, Editor • 574-277-2679 • fax 574-243-5891 grgazette@comcast.net

Granger Postal Customer Granger, IN 46530

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Granger Gazette, April, 2021

Granger Gazette, April, 2021

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Harris Township parks improvements and maintenance

By Christine Parkhurst Harris Township parks have been undergoing improvements, including seating and shade projects. At Harris Township Park at Elm Road, there are two rain gardens that have been growing in; these will remain fenced in while the plants mature. A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rainwater from a roof, driveway or street and allows it to soak into the ground.

Planted with grasses and flowering perennials, rain gardens can be a cost-effective and beautiful way to reduce runoff of excess water. Rain gardens can also help filter out pollutants in runoff and provide food and shelter for butterflies, songbirds and other wildlife. The rain gardens at Harris Park were created with the help of the St. Joseph Soil and Water Conservation District.

In a stretch of land adjacent to SR23, Ken Lindsay, Harris Township Trustee, commissioned a prairie restoration project using native plants.

“Decades ago the ‘Harris Prairie’ once existed in various nearby places, but it is mostly gone,” said Lindsay. Working with a couple of local nature enthusiasts, John Gensic, an award-winning biology teacher from Penn High, and the township’s landscape architect Lehman and Lehman together designed the restoration.

A year ago, they planted seed grasses and flowering plants to fill approximately three acres along SR23. Lindsay said it will take another year or two for the plants to be fully thriving.

“Eventually it should look very pleasant and provide a place for educational events and a buffer between SR 23 traffic and the places in the park where there are usually a lot of people. Sign markers are in place to designate the restoration area.

Current projects include seating areas with roofs for sun shading so people can enjoy a place to sit in the shade. This will come in

handy for parents bringing kids to play so they can find a place to sit sheltered from the sun. Shade trees as mature as they are available are also in the plan. Lindsay said it is estimated by Memorial Day there will be shade and various types of seating, and hopefully some nice smaller grassy areas where one can sit on a blanket in the park. No additional courts are being built and there are no current playground equipment improvements being built.

Lindsay said anytime additions are made to the parks, ongoing maintenance is a huge concern, as the township has no parks department.

“At Elm, everything is on a first-come, first-served basis because we can’t overwhelm the small space with organized sports and the resulting demand on parking and the inevitable need for cleanup.” A community meeting was held for input before the park was built and it was apparent that in the opinions of community members and neighbors, organized events would stress the park.

Linsday would like to ask the public’s help.

“It has been a juggling act to provide improvements while enduring the consequences of vandalism, littering, inconsideration and other nuisances.” He strongly encouraged everyone to be considerate and pick up their water bottles from the courts; there are convenient trash cans only feet away. Picnic tables have been routinely broken on purpose, fences are damaged, and people have let their dogs run freely on the mulch and elsewhere in the park. Please respect these public parks and the work that continues to go into them to maintain them so they can be enjoyed for years to come.

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Board of Commissioners names new county engineer The Board of Commissioners appointed Sky Medors, PE, to the position of county engineer. Medors received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Purdue University in 1996. Following college, he worked at a local civil engineering firm focusing on water resource projects in both Indiana and Michigan. In 2019, he joined St. Joseph County in the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Growth as the chief design engineer. In his time at the county he has worked on subdivision and plan review, drainage design and assisting with administration of the county’s federally funded projects that are administered through the Indiana Department of Transportation. Medors was also instrumental in the design and construction of the Timothy Road improvement and the Laurel Road Pedestrian Trail improvement project. He is a registered professional engineer in Indiana.

Medors succeeds Jessica Clark, PE, as county engineer. Clark, who held the position since 2007, voluntarily ended her employment with St. Joseph County in February to pursue other career opportunities.

Andrew Kostielney, president of the Board of Commissioners, stated, "We are thrilled to have a county engineer with such a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors. Sky is a wonderful addition to help lead our SJC Public Works team."

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Granger Gazette, April, 2021

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Harris Baseball Softball 2021 Registrations Harris Baseball Softball registrations for the 2021 season are now open. Register online at Harrisbaseballsoftball.com. Please see the Registration FAQ section below if you have difficulty registering.

Baseball: $65 - 4U Instructional Coed (ages 3-4 as of April 30, 2021) $90 - T-Ball (age 5 as of April 30, 2021) $120 - Machine Pitch (ages 6-7 as of April 30, 2021) $120 - Minors (ages 8-9 as of April 30, 2021) $120 - Majors (ages 10-12 as of April 30, 2021) $120 - Seniors (ages 13-16 as of April 30, 2021) Softball: $90 - 6U (ages 5-6 as of Dec. 31, 2020) $120 - 8U (ages 7-8 as of Dec. 31, 2020) $120 - 10U (ages 9-10 as of Dec. 31, 2020) $120 - 12U (ages 11-12 as of Dec. 31, 2020) $120 - 14U (ages 13-14 as of Dec. 31, 2020) $120 - 16U (ages 15-16 as of Dec. 31, 2020) $120 - 18U (ages 17-18 as of Dec. 31, 2020) Families (same household) with multiple players will receive a $30 discount for each additional player after the 1st child is registered. High school players can play rec for only $50 once released from high school baseball or softball teams. Travel players are eligible for rec registrations at $75.

Registration FAQ Q. I have a returning child. Is their information already in the system? Yes, if you had a child in HTJBSA previously most of your registration information will already be uploaded to the website. To access your HTJBSA account go to “Edit My Account” and type in the email address you provided to HTJBSA. Within a few minutes you will receive an email at that address with a temporary password. Once you login you can change the password to whatever you like. If you provided multiple email addresses to HTJBSA, any of them will work. If the email address you provided is no longer valid, please send an email to webmaster@harrisbaseballsoftball.com and we can update your account with your new email address. If you believe your email address is correct but you did not receive a temporary password, send an email to webmaster@harrisbaseballsoftball.com.

Q. Once I register and choose to pay by check, am I registered? Your registration is not complete until payment is received.

Q. Should I check that the information from last year is correct? Yes, once you log into your existing account please take a minute to verify the information for each of the parents and children shown in your account. Also please consider adding any new information that we did not have in the past (e.g., cell phone or alternate email addresses).

Q. How do I add a new child to my account? Go to “Edit My Account” and select the “Add Child” link below the current members of your account.

Q. What if I am new to HTJBSA? Go to “Edit My Account” and type in your email address. Within a few minutes you will get a temporary password. Now you can login and start adding parents and children to your account.

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Granger Gazette, April, 2021

Granger Gazette, April, 2021

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Local pastor pens Amazon's #1 best seller

By Christine Parkhurst Granger pastor and author Lucas Miles is celebrated as #1 on Amazon's Best Seller List with his new book, The Christian Left: How Liberal Thought Has Hijacked the Church (Broadstreet Publishing, 5/4/2021). His new work addresses the growing deception of progressive Christianity and how “the American church has ended up on the brink of apostasy.” Miles reveals how liberal thought has entered America's sanctuaries, “exchanging the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the trinity of diversity, acceptance and social justice.” The work offers an in-depth look at church history, world politics and pop culture, exposing the rise and agenda of the Christian left.

Miles writes, “In this book you will find a solution that underscores historic Christianity as neither judgmental nor hateful. You will be able to see that the true gospel is able to fully speak to every issue that plagues humankind, even those that seem most complicated. But in order to effectively tackle such monumentally controversial doctrines, we must first address the source of the confusion—the distortion of biblical teachings through progressive ideologies.”

Readers will learn how to: • Identify and refute the lies of the Christian left • Uncover the meaning of love as Jesus defined it • Navigate controversial subjects such as abortion, gender identity and the doctrine of hell • Gain confidence in upholding biblical values • Come face-to-face with the person of Jesus, who is neither left nor right but the embodiment of truth and grace Mike Huckabee, American politician, Christian minister and political commentator who served as the 44th governor of Arkansas commented: “The Christian Left deftly captures the unique and subversive threat that Marxist thought poses to Christianity as well as to our great republic.” He praises Miles' efforts to bring light to “the sophistry of our clergy who have exchanged the gospel for an ideology that runs contrary to Christ.”

Miles will have a book signing May 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Monterrey Mexican Bar and Grill in Mishawaka. Open to the public, free admission, books will be available for purchase. The Christian Left is now available for pre-order wherever books are sold and will be released on May 4, 2021.

About Lucas Miles: Michiana native Lucas Miles is a trusted voice in the American church who has consistently addressed some of the most challenging topics in theology, politics and culture. He is the host of Faithwire’s The Lucas Miles Show and a cohost of The Church Boys podcast, where he has interviewed some of the biggest names in media, such as Jim Cavaziel, Kathie Lee Gifford, Mario Lopez and Candace Bure. Lucas and his work have been featured in books and on TV and radio programs as well as syndicated in articles across political and religious news outlets such as The Blaze, The Stream, Faithwire, Fox News, CBN, Bible Gateway and The Christian Post. He is author of the Amazon bestseller The Christian Left: How Liberal Thought Has Hijacked the Church and also the critically acclaimed book Good God: The One We Want to Believe In but Are Afraid to Embrace.

Lucas and his wife Krissy live in Granger.

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Collaboration of local artists brings Pier Park back to life South Bend Venues Parks and Arts (VPA) is eager to announce a new collaboration with local artists GIIIVENS (Cara Givens) and Eli Kahn, who will be bringing Pier Park back to life using their individual artistic expressions.

Pier Park, located next to the Century Center at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Colfax Avenue, is the midpoint between Century Center’s Island Park and Plaza Park.

As part of the My SB Parks and Trails Initiative, the park is close to seeing general deferred maintenance upgrades as well as additional connectivity. In addition to these improvements, the park will soon become the recipient of an immersive installation of physical and auditory experiences for visitors, the first of its kind in the world.

“This not only extends the destination appeal of the South Bend River Lights, it’s an opportunity to highlight local artists while improving blighted spaces,” said VPA Executive Director Aaron Perri.

Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Community Foundation – St. Joseph County ArtsEverywhere helped facilitate the funds needed to see the project from conception to reality. VPA was awarded the grants based on sustaining the integration of arts, culture and design to strengthen the community. The physical aspect of the art installation titled “Aether’s Requiem,” or infinity mirror, will span the entirety of the parks’ long tunnel wall leading to the DoubleTree Hotel. The design was led by general project lead GIIIVENS (Cara Givens).

“My hope is that our immersive installation will help to spark an artistic renaissance within South Bend and places beyond and lead to more creative endeavors that exemplify beauty in a world that has recently and continuously been ravaged,” said GIIIVENS. The audio installation was created by local composer/musician Eli Kahn and was designed for visitors to have an experience unlike any other. Immersive sounds will be played across four speakers that surround the listener, allowing different elements of sound to travel around the park in various directions.

“My portion of the installation is essentially a soundtrack to GIIIVENS’ visual piece,” said Eli Kahn. “I wanted to create something that felt like you are being transported through a portal that leads to infinite realms better than the one in which we reside, free of hate, racism, pain and sickness. I spent a lot of time this past year contemplating what it means to ‘be’ in our world as it is now, and this piece is meant to represent a relinquishing of attachment to our thinking about our current world as we hopefully move towards a better one.”

A completion date is estimated for the end of April, and an opening event showcasing the complete art installation will be announced at a later date.

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574-261-2352 Granger Gazette, April, 2021

Granger Gazette, April, 2021

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Granger Gazette, March, 2021

Harris Township and fire protection

By Kenneth E. (Ken) Lindsay, Harris Township Trustee If a primary responsibility of townships is to provide fire protection, why isn’t there an entity named the Harris Township Fire Department?

It’s a fair bet that most people think the fire department that would be dispatched to their home is pretty important. That department also protects businesses, responds to car accidents, handles suspected COVID-19 cases, and addresses various hazards. In Indiana, in places where a city does not exist, fire protection is the responsibility of the local township.

As a refresher, there are 13 townships in St. Joseph County, with Harris Township (HT) located in the northeast corner.

“Granger” is not a city, and while the City of Mishawaka extends into parts of Harris Township, there are plenty of places outside city limits. Unsure where you fit? If your address contains five numbers, you’re not in the city.

The township saw a lot of change over the past few decades.

Not too long ago it was mostly rural, with many farm fields and a volunteer fire department. While the City of South Bend’s population shrank, Granger’s grew rapidly, fueled in large part by new housing subdivisions. Such growth can put stress on services like fire protection, and the nature of government finances can complicate funding them. During the height of the growth, the Harris Township Fire Department was funded by an emergency loan process.

In 2010, Harris Township joined two other townships in a fire protection “territory.” The state-sanctioned model provides for one entity to serve multiple government units, in this case (east to west) Harris, Clay and German townships, along with the towns of Indian Village and Roseland. Harris Township holds two seats on the Clay Fire Territory’s Fire Commission, a fiveperson board that provides leadership and oversight. Harris board member Jeff Broadwick and Trustee Ken Lindsay are serving in those roles.

The Clay Fire Territory (CFT) is managed day-to-day by Clay Township, thus the name. Under the direction of Fire Chief Timm Schabbel, CFT is responsible for fighting fires plus administrative functions including hiring, procuring equipment and technology, managing fire station operations, securing insurance, and processing payroll. Two of the territory’s five fire stations are in Harris Township, at the corners of Elm and 23, and Bittersweet and Anderson Roads.

A major challenge is the lack of city water, and therefore fire hydrants in HT. (For a similar reason, HT also relied on septic systems, as opposed to a sewer system.) Over the years, the City of Mishawaka expanded, bringing sewer and water to a few places in HT, and a small sewer capability was implemented closer to “downtown” Granger.

CFT maintains an aggressive water strategy which combines advanced fire apparatus, and strategically placed water sources.

Within the last few years, the HT board approved funding for two new fire wells - one on either side of the railroad tracks.

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Harris Township and fire protection

By Kenneth E. (Ken) Lindsay, Harris Township Trustee Meeting the water challenge is just one of many things done very well by CFT. They've regularly been recognized as a top-performing fire department, including by an independent rating agency whose opinion matters to many insurance companies— meaning insurance premiums were reduced for some residents.

Emergency medical services (or EMS) are also provided by the territory utilizing advanced life support systems, and highly trained personnel. There is a paramedic ambulance stationed at the Elm Road station.

Various mutual aid agreements result in cooperation, not competition, between “neighbors” including, at times, those across county and state lines.

Fast response with quality service, utilizing advanced technology (that we’ll explore in a subsequent article)—all are goals of the hard-working members of the Clay Fire Territory, and the supporting Harris Township board and trustee.

To learn more, CFT’s website is www.clayfd.com.

Discovery’s 8th grade girls’ basketball team wins Big 11 Discovery Middle School’s eighth-grade girls’ basketball team got off to a hot and fast start with six consecutive victories to start the season. A mid-season mini-slump saw the Lady Archers lose four

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of their next five contests. However, the team would not lose another game as they finished the regular season strong and cruised into the championship game with victories over Jimtown and Concord.

The championship game featured the Archers vs. the undefeated Northridge Raiders at beautiful North Side Gym in Elkhart. To say the Archers started slowly out of the gates in the championship game would be a monumental understatement. The Raiders scored the first 15 points of the game to take a commanding 15-0 lead with two minutes left in the quarter.

The slow start didn’t stop the resilient Archers’ squad. After an adjustment on the offensive and defensive ends of the court, the Archers began to chip away at the Raiders’ lead. Finally catching the Raiders in the third quarter, Jessa Troy, who scored a teamhigh 30 points in the championship game, finished off the Raiders with two free throws with seven seconds left giving the Archers a 43-39 victory and the 2020-2021 Big 11 8th Grade Girls’ Tournament Championship.

Troy scored 264 points for the Archers during the season, which is good for a 17.6 point per game average. Ch’Rya Newman was the leading rebounder while getting much help on the boards from her front court teammate Megan Harnidge. Camille Biever and Lucy Salwin, part of the starting back court with Troy, made several cluch fourth-quarter jump shots in late-game situations.

Salwin had a personal season high of 16 points in the semi-final game against Concord. A strong bench included Sofia Ugwoke, Tonyae Wilson, Abbi Gingerich, Manseerat Turna and Mackenzie Siet. Student managers are Adriana Aquilla and Mya Thompson.

The head coach is Chuck Sowders.

Granger Gazette, April, 2021

Granger Gazette, April, 2021

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Discovery 8th grade boys’ basketball team claims Big 11 The cancellation of six regular season basketball games, a Saturday tournament, and several practices still were not enough to keep the determined and talented eighth-grade Discovery Middle School boys’ basketball team from winning the 20202021 Big 11 championship. Discovery trounced the Northridge Raiders in the finals 38 to 23, which was held at historic North Side Gym. The championship game blowout was the final piece in lopsided contests throughout the Archers’ Big 11 title run.

Schmucker was the victim in the semifinals (41-25) while Northwood took it on the chin from the Archers on opening night (43-24).

Alexander Hawthorne led the champs in scoring this season. His 19.5 points per game scoring average is the highest in school history. Reece Stewart scored 19 points in the championship game, which included four three-pointers. River Pecina was the team’s leading rebounder, while Ethan Good led the Archers in assists from the point guard spot. Will Barnes and Ben Rohm provided strength in the paint while David Guaracci’s inspired play off the bench often sparked the Archers.

Also providing depth on the roster were Lincoln Minzey, Dylan DeDario, Michael Basney and Owen King. Student managers were Colton Rerick and Caleb Mann. The coach is Chuck Sowders.

Park offers Dream Catcher Program Join Pokagon Band citizen Jefferson Ballew IV to make your own dream catcher from natural, locally harvested materials at St. Patrick’s County Park. The program will also include storytelling and history of local Potawatomi traditional lifeways.

The Dream Catcher program will take place in the Hurwich Shelter on Saturday, April 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. There is a $15/person fee. Advance registration and payment are required by April 12. For more information or to register, call 574-654-3155.

St. Patrick’s County Park is located on Laurel Road, north of Auten Road and west of U.S. 933 in South Bend.

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Granger Gazette, April, 2021

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St. Joseph County legislators: Free advice available on paying down student loan debt STATEHOUSE – Hoosiers working to pay down their student loans can receive free financial help to tackle their debt, according to St. Joseph County lawmakers.

State Rep. Dale DeVon (R-Granger) said borrowers can work one-on-one with an INvestED counselor during a "Student Loan Checkup" to analyze the types of loans a borrower has along with the interest rates, monthly payments, and repayment length and terms. During this checkup, Hoosiers can seek advice and use INvestED's savings calculator to determine the best course of action.

"Student debt can really start to add up, and some may feel like they are never going to be able to pay it all back," DeVon said.

"INvestED can help Hoosiers develop a game plan based on their unique needs and financial situation. It's a great opportunity to get some professional input."

State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-South Bend) said meeting with professionals provides Hoosiers opportunities to receive recommendations, including refinancing for a lower monthly payment, consolidating federal loans, or paying off a loan sooner. INvestED is an Indiana nonprofit offering free, confidential and exclusive advice to Indiana residents on avoiding and reducing student loan debt "Taking advantage of this free help could mean getting out of debt faster," Teshka said. "Whether you are a young graduate who has no experience with loans, or you are an older borrower with a mortgage, car payment and credit cards, some advice from experts could make a big difference in better managing your finances."

"INvestED wants to be accessible to all Hoosiers, and they are ready to help," Wesco said. "It's a free service, whether calling, emailing or chatting online."

Hoosiers can seek advice anytime through INvestED's helpline at 317-715-9015, emailing outreach@investedindiana.org or accessing the online chat function at investedindiana.org. To learn more about scheduling a checkup appointment with INvestED, visit Investedindiana.org.

Park offers free guided “Hidden Gem Hikes” each Tuesday in April For every packed local trail, there is a hidden gem less traveled.

Join the St. Joseph County Parks for guided tours through their lesser-known county parks and co-managed areas. Explore these stunning locations and make new discoveries along the way.

These guided hikes will occur on Tuesdays, April 6, 13, 20 and 27, at 10 a.m. in the following locations: • April 6: Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park - Baugo Station • April 13: Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve • April 20: Spicer Lake Nature Preserve - Visitor Center • April 27: Beverly D. Crone Restoration Area Registration is recommended. Call Bendix Woods County Park at 574/654-3155 to register. Happy trails!

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Granger Gazette, April, 2021

SBN awards Partners Of The Year The St. Joseph County Airport Authority Board of Directors has presented two Partner of the Year awards at its board meeting.

The Partner of the Year award is bestowed to business partners who have made significant accomplishments within the past year that have contributed to the ongoing success and services offered at SBN. 2020 was a year like no other. It started with a third year of consecutive double-digit passenger traffic growth. Then the COVID19 pandemic hit. The St. Joseph County Airport Authority team members faced the challenges head-on by exhibiting its values of service, accountability and teamwork. Their unwavering commitment to the vision to pursue continuous improvement in adverse and uncertain times made each member of the team a Partner of the Year. As recognition, each member has been personally thanked and awarded a small token of appreciation of a complimentary meal from SBN’s concessionaire South Bend Chocolate Company.

“I cannot express my gratitude enough to our team members,” said Mike Daigle, CEO and executive director of SBN. “Their passion for the industry and the work they do can be seen daily.”

SBN’s second Partner of the Year award was presented to United Parcel Service (UPS). UPS has invested almost $850,000 into its SBN operation to facilitate the transition of a Boeing 757 to a larger aircraft, the Airbus 300. This investment includes ramp improvements, tailstand and towbar, crew stairs, drivable belt loader, tow tractor, fuel stand and glycol tank. In 2020, the Airbus 300 operated from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4, 2021, to accommodate holiday cargo through SBN. Since Jan. 4, 2021, the Airbus 300 continues to operate at SBN during peak cargo periods. This investment and increase in cargo throughput has occurred during a time when the aviation industry is struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The St. Joseph County Airport Authority recognizes the valuable partnership with United Parcel Service as they work together towards mutual success. Diana Baker, industrial engineer supervisor/air planner, accepted the award. “We are incredibly grateful for UPS’s investment at SBN as it helped us land over 100 million pounds of cargo in 2020,” said Daigle. “As a result, we will receive additional federal entitlement funds which will be invested back into airport.”

About South Bend International Airport South Bend International Airport’s four air carriers provide nonstop flights to 13 cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York City/Newark, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, Sarasota/Bradenton and Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg with connections worldwide. South Bend International’s multi-modal terminal serves over one million air and rail passengers each year. According to the 2012 Economic Impact Report from the state aviation association, Aviation Indiana, South Bend International’s total annual economic impact on South Bend and surrounding communities was in excess of $1.7 billion.

For additional information, please refer to www.FlySBN.com or get social with SBN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FlySBN), Twitter (@SBNairport) or Instagram (@SBNairport) to stay informed about the airport and the carriers that serve the South Bend region.

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Spring Events

By Christine Parkhurst Are you looking for something to do with mom for Mother's Day? Or just wanting to get out and enjoy the season? Check out these events happening in the community this spring.

J A Wine and Beer Festival Enjoy an evening out at spacious Four Winds Field in South Bend, May 14, from 6 to 8pm. Featuring unlimited samples of over 75 varieties of wine, beer and hard seltzers, with live entertainment, a photo booth, and fun yard games for an evening to remember. The main event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m., VIP ticket holders get in at 5 p.m. VIP tickets give exclusive access to the VIP tents, sponsored by First Merchants Bank and RSM, where there will be heavy appetizers and complimentary samples of high end wines from the Frank Family and Aquitaine Wine Imports, as well as spirits from Coppercraft Distillery. Join the After-Hours Party, sponsored by Gibson, 9-11 p.m., where there will be a DJ and cash bar. The After-Hours Party is an additional $10 and is purchased separately along with VIP or GA tickets at the online checkout. After-hours tickets will also be sold in-person during the main event; however, there is a limited number available so it is strongly encourage that you purchase this in advance. New this year are event t-shirts in limited quantity, available for purchase; you can pre-order your size when buying your online event ticket. Shirts will be available for pickup at the event. Admission fees: VIP admission at 5 p.m. - $75, general admission at 6 p.m. - $35, designated driver - $10-20, after hours add-on - $10, T-shirts - $20-22. Visit www.southbendwineandbeer.com to buy tickets. Four Winds Field is located at 501 W South Street in South Bend. For more information, contact Dani Elgas at 563-676-6200.

Campfire Trivia Event at St. Patrick’s County Park Brown Barn On May 13 from 6 to 9 p.m., test your knowledge with a game of trivia by the campfire, enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores.

Admission fee is $10 per group of up to six people. Registration and payment are required by May 7. Register online with St. Joseph County Parks, or for more information call Andrea Williamowski at 574-654-3155. This event is located at 50651 Laurel Road in South Bend.

Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike through Bendix Woods County Park On May 9 from noon to 4 p.m., take mom on a hike through the forest and see the beautiful wildflowers bursting into bloom.

Stop along the way for some fun conversation questions. After hiking, enjoy some hot cocoa by the fire. Admission is free, however there is a gate fee in effect. Located at Bendix Woods’ Hardwoods Picnic Area, 56960 Timothy Road in New Carlisle.

Contact Andrea Williamowski with questions at 574-654-3155.

Coffee with the Eagles at St. Patrick’s County Park On May 13 from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., join a group of women for an outdoor spring adventure. Enjoy coffee and a breakfast snack with a view of the bald eagles’ nest. Park staff will share an introduction to eagle biology while you watch the eagles bring food to their nest. Registration and payment are due

by May 10, admission is $8 per person. Contact Andrea Williamowski at 574-654-3155 for more information. Located at the ND-LEEF Morrison Family Pavilion, 50651 Laurel Road in South Bend.

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