THIS “KUTE KID” is… Anthony Thomas Gagliardo who celebrated his 1st birthday in March. His proud parents are Justin and Jennifer Gagliardo of Watervliet. He has two older sisters Alyssa and Chelsea. His grandparents are Tony and Sue Gagliardo of Watervliet, Tom and Nancy Faino of North Muskegon and Darryl and Lyn Sample of Muskegon. Anthony enjoys the outdoors, riding and climbing on his toys and opening cupboards.

Watervliet Public Schools Calendar of Events

Thursday, April 12 MME Testing – Juniors; Berrien RESA Playgroup at South School, 9:30 a.m.; Varsity Softball & Baseball, Home vs. Martin, 4:30 p.m.; MS Track at Gobles with Fennville, 4:30 p.m.; JV Softball vs. Martin at Hays Park, 4:30 p.m.; JV Baseball vs. Brandywine at Hays Park, 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 13 South School Spirit Day; MS Dance, MS Gym, 3:00-5:00 p.m.; Varsity Track at Marcellus Co-ed Relays, 4:30 p.m.; JV Softball & Baseball, Home vs. Centreville, 4:30 p.m.; Varsity Softball & Baseball at Centreville, 4:30 p.m.; Choir at MSVMA State Solo & Ensemble at Allendale HS Saturday, April 14 Choir at MSVMA State Solo & Ensemble at Allendale HS; 9th & 10th Grade Track at Hartford Invitational, 10:00 a.m.; Varsity Softball at Dowagiac Invitational, 10:00 a.m.; Varsity Baseball at Bethel College vs. Brandywine, 10:00 a.m.; Varsity Soccer, Home vs. Bridgman, 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 16 Board of Education Meeting, HS Media Center, 6:00 p.m.; JV Baseball, Home vs. Hackett, 4:30 p.m.; Varsity Softball & Baseball at Hackett, 4:30 p.m.; Varsity Soccer at Fennville, 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 MS Track, Home vs. Saugatuck, 4:30 p.m.; JV Softball, Home vs. River Valley, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 2-Hour Early Release, All Buildings (Teacher Professional Development); Varsity Track at Lawrence SAC meet, 4:30 p.m.; Varsity Soccer, Home vs. Saugatuck, 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 19 JV Softball & Baseball at Lawrence, 4:30 p.m.; Varsity Softball & Baseball, Home vs. Lawrence, 4:30 p.m.; MS Track at Gobles Invitational Relays, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, April 20 Optional Lifetouch Spring Picture Day (Pre-paid only); Varsity Track Watervliet Relays Invitational Meet, Home, 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21 Varsity Softball at Schoolcraft Tournament, 9:00 a.m.

Four area choirs unite for Choral Showcase at LMC and SMC

Four area choirs will unite to perform two free, public events in April. The Choral Showcase will feature voices from Lake Michigan College, Southwestern Michigan College, The Southwest Michigan Symphony Chorus, and Chorllenium, a new choir collaborative of area teachers and professional vocalists. The first Choral Showcase will be hosted by Lake Michigan College on Sunday, April 15, 6 p.m. at The Mendel Center Mainstage, 1100 Yore Avenue in Benton Harbor. Visit www.TheMendelCenter.com for more information. A second Spring Choral Concert will be hosted by Southwestern Michigan College on Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. at the Dale A. Lyons Building, 58900 Cherry Grove Road in Dowagiac. Visit www.swmich.edu/boxoffice for more information. Performances will include Jake Runestad’s “Nyon Nyon;” Z. Randall Stroope’s “Odysseus and the Sirens;” John Rutter’s “Requiem;” and Mendelssohn’s “Verleih Uns Frieden,” or “Grant Us Thy Peace.” “It’s wonderful when these choirs from different parts of our community come together,” said Lake Michigan College’s choir director, James Kraus. “Last years’ choral showcase concert with the school choirs and Symphony Chorus was a great success and we have high hopes for this year, too.” Contact the Lake Michigan College performing arts department at (269) 927-8876 or visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/arts to learn more about the college’s performing and visual arts programs.

Lakeland Health recognized for excellence with Chest Pain Center Accreditation

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Lakeland hospitals in Niles and St. Joseph for their demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process including a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack and monitoring for sustained success. Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. They have streamlined their systems from admission to evaluation to diagnosis and treatment all the way through to appropriate post-discharge care and recommendations and assistance in patient lifestyle changes. “Both of our Niles and St. Joseph hospitals have been accredited since 2001, offering community members access to nationally-recognized heart care, right here in southwest Michigan,” said Bart Berndt, Executive Director Diagnostic Services, Heart Center. “As leaders in heart care, we have a dedicated team of first responders, doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff committed to providing the best course of treatment in less time, with the hopes of saving valuable heart muscle and helping people return to their normal daily activities as soon as possible.” “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to bestow Chest Pain Center Accreditation on Lakeland Health,” said Abraham Joseph, vice president of ACC Accreditation Services. “We commend Lakeland for its demonstrated commitment to providing southwest Michigan residents with excellent cardiac care.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting.