Easter Events

Easter Egg Hunt at Coloma Rod & Gun Club, April 1

 On Saturday, April 1 an Easter Egg Hunt for the Tri-City Area youngsters will be held at Coloma Rod & Gun Club, 6145 Angling Road in Coloma.

The fun begins with pictures taken with the Easter Bunny starting at 10:30 a.m. The first 20 children in line will get a free frame for their picture. Also, the children will get to decorate cupcakes.

At noon there will be a hot dog and chips lunch with the Easter Egg Hunt to follow at 1 p.m. All activities are free of charge and open to the public.

In the event of rain, the activities will be held on Sunday, April 9.

Easter Egg Hunt in Ely Park, April 8

 On Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. the Van Buren Sportsmen’s Club is sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt in Hartford’s Ely Park. The hunt is for kids 10 and under. In the event of rain, the hunt will be held on Saturday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m.

Freshwater Community Church Easter Egg Hunt on Easter morning

 Sunday, April 16 at 10:00 a.m. the Freshwater Community Church is having an Easter Egg Hunt at Coloma Upper Elementary following an 8:00 a.m. sunrise service. Everyone is invited. There will be lots of great prizes!

Watervliet Free Methodist Church Holy Week services

 Watervliet Free Methodist Church will celebrate Holy Week beginning with a Community Service on Good Friday, April 14, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday will feature Sunrise Service at 8:45 a.m., breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and worship of our Risen Lord at 10:30 a.m.

Everyone is invited to attend. The church is located at 7734 Paw Paw Avenue, Watervliet.  Please call 269-463-8280 or email watervlietfmchurch@gmail.com for more information. You can also visit the church website at www.wfmchurch.org.

New exhibit in the works for North Berrien Historical Museum

By Christina Gelder

The North Berrien Historical Museum recently spent a couple of days moving some very heavy machinery to their Coloma location in anticipation of a new exhibit that is being built.

In 2014, the Monte Family of Monte Packaging in Riverside donated their museum full of historical basket making equipment to the North Berrien Historical Museum. Due to the difficulty that would come with operating two locations the museum is now working to make a permanent display on their campus in Coloma at 300 Coloma Avenue.

Twenty-two machines have been moved with the oldest dating back to 1890 and the newest from 1952. Also, appealing to the local museum is that the basket making equipment was made here in Southwest Michigan by St. Joe Iron Works or Saranac Machine Company.

Now that the heavy lifting is complete, look for the unveiling of the exhibit in a couple of months. Museum Director Jack Greve says that they hope to have it open sometime in June.

Bainbridge Township attorney resigns due to Supervisor Hodge’s law suit

By Angela Stair

The Bainbridge Township Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on Monday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m.  Prior to the regular meeting a legal annual Budget Hearing for the 2017-2018 Budget was held at 6:30 p.m.

The Township Board was apprised of a letter received from Straub, Seaman & Allen, P.C., Attorneys at Law, stating “The law firm has represented Berrien County and Bainbridge Township in the past. Recently, a conflict of interest between the Township and the County involving Supervisor Hodge has come to the firm’s attention.”

It went on to say, “In light of this conflict, Straub, Seaman & Allen will no longer be able to represent Bainbridge Township until the Berrien County case involving Supervisor Hodge has been resolved.”  It was signed by attorney David M. Peterson and was made effective at noon on February 28.

Supervisor Bill Hodge has taken Berrien County to court over his removal from the Berrien County Road Commission.  When Hodge became Bainbridge County Supervisor, the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution which declared that the position that Hodge filled on the Road Commission was vacant due to the Incompatibility of Offices Act (MCL 15.181 et seq).

Hodge said he was entitled to, but never received, due process which would have been a written notice and a public hearing with his attorney present to present the reasons he did not feel the two positions were incompatible.  Berrien County Trial Court Judge John Donahue is looking at the briefs on Hodge’s road commission seat now.  Judge denied a preliminary injunction for lost pay and related costs.

Bainbridge Township has hired the law firm of Banyon, Banyon, Fette & Campbell, PLLC.  Currently the attorneys represent six municipalities in Berrien County, including Benton Charter Township, Watervliet Charter Township, the City of Watervliet, and the City of Coloma.

Contracts signed: Ordinance Enforcement Officer, Assessor, & mowing

The contract between Bainbridge Township and Ordinance Enforcement Officer David Dent was approved.  All of his duties and responsibilities were listed.  He is paid hourly and one of his responsibilities is to keep accurate time records and shall submit monthly invoices to the Township and compensation will be paid monthly.

The Property Tax Assessment Contract between Bainbridge Township and Scott Anderson was approved.  Along with a listing of duties and responsibilities his compensation for services was listed as $21,216.00 for one year, payable in twelve equal monthly payments.

A mowing service contract between the Township and Fardello’s Mowing Service was approved.  They are to provide mowing and trimming as needed or requested at Bainbridge/Byers Cemetery ($150.00), Boyer Cemetery ($135.00), New Hope Cemetery ($85.00) and the Township Hall and Ball Field ($55.00).  An itemized invoice for each property must be presented to the Township Clerk each month.

Other Business

The Township Board approved the Poverty Guidelines and Asset Test Resolution. The Board also approved the paying of bills for February in the amount of $6,373.97, payroll in the amount of $6,831.76, liabilities in the amount of $1,467.16 for a total of $14,672.89.

Watervliet Independence Day Celebration 2017 meeting, April 3

 Members of the Watervliet Independence Day Celebration (WBA) committee are planning to meet again on Monday, April 3 at 6:00 p.m. at the Watervliet Fire Department.

This year’s festival is slated for June 30, July 1 & 2, adding Friday night events back into the weekend celebration. Many new and exciting activities are being planned for this year’s festival including a decorated golf cart contest and parade. Also, a pro wrestling event, a garden tractor pull and a meet and greet with the Mid American Rodeo Cowgirls are all on Friday night.

Saturday will be packed full with its regular crowd pleasers: car show, pancake breakfast, Bednarowski Cherry Walk/Run, Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker crowning, vintage baseball game, Grand Parade, July 4X4 Mudd Run, fireworks and much more. Sunday will host the ever popular Ping Pong Ball Drop, the Duck Race and a multi-denominational church service.

There are several areas that need chair people for this year’s festival and we need your help to make this all happen. Come to the meeting, it is not too late to get involved.

Hartford United Methodist Church Swiss Steak dinner, April 1

 A Swiss Steak Mission Benefit will be held this Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Hartford United Methodist Church. It is prepared by members formerly of Keeler United Methodist Church known for their good meals.

The church is located at 425 E. Main Street in Hartford across from the fire station.

Dinner cost is by donation and includes Swiss steak, real mashed potatoes, gravy, roll, dessert & drink.

Take-out and delivery without drink is available. Call 621-4103 for deliveries.

Biblical discussions at Coloma Library

 Milton D. Hardin VDM will be conducting biblical discussions, Come Let Us Reason Together Isa. 1:18, Pastoral Bible Institute at the Coloma Public Library. These discussions will be from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday; they began March 28, 2017.

Everyone will receive a free booklet titled “No Collections Ever Taken” for attending.

Call Milton D. Hardin VDM at (586)431-7366 for more information.

Purses 4 Purpose – Coloma UMC Missions Committee fundraiser, April 8

 On Saturday, April 8, 2017 the Coloma United Methodist Church Missions Committee is holding a fundraiser called Purses 4 Purpose. This event is from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Coloma United Methodist Church, 144 S. Church Street.

Are you a fashionista? Don’t miss this event. Shop for gently used and new purses; all purses priced to sell at unbelievable prices. And as always, there will be food, folks, and fun.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Watervliet Backpack Program and Kids Hope USA Mentoring Program.

Donations are being accepted and can be dropped off at the church. For more information, call 269-468-6062.

Paw Paw Lake Association meeting this Saturday

 The first meeting for 2017 of the Paw Paw Lake Association will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at the Watervliet Charter Township Hall.