04-19-2019 Paw Paw River County Park contractor begins Watervliet project; marking trails on island;

Paw Paw River County Park contractor begins Watervliet project; marking trails on island

By Annette Christie The new park coming to North Berrien has begun to show activity in its new home as scheduled. Contractor TJM Services of Allegan has been on the site, located on the east side of M-140 in the City of Watervliet, and have shown progress. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey said the access to the island has been established, the island trail has been flagged and tree trimming has begun. In addition, material has been installed to prevent erosion. The park development includes approximately 20 acres, one mile of Paw Paw River frontage, and is directly across the river from Hays Park. The plans for the park include improvements to the river frontage, a pedestrian bridge connecting to the island, mature trees, birding, fishing, scenic walking trail on the island and other recreational opportunities. The park will connect Watervliet directly to the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan on the designated Paw Paw River Water Trail. This location will be a trailhead for the water trail with an ADA kayak launch, hard surface walkways, a parking area, security lighting, trash and recycle bins and bench seating which will enhance recreational opportunities for the region. The estimated cost of the project is $646,321. The funding for the project came about by Berrien County receiving a $296,000 grant from the State of Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and a generous $25,000 donation from the “Friends of Paw Paw River County Park.” Berrien County will be funding the balance of the project. This is the first county park in the northern part of the county. Other county parks include Silver Beach in St. Joseph, Rocky Gap in Benton Harbor, Galien River in New Buffalo, Madeline Bertrand in Niles, and Love Creek in Berrien Springs. The park project coming to Watervliet nicely compliments the local and state initiative to clean debris out of the Paw Paw River Water Trail. The 68-mile water trail begins in Waverly Township in Van Buren County and flows through Berrien County converging with the St. Joseph River just above its mouth at Benton Harbor. The Paw Paw River offers a scenic view to kayakers or canoeists through heavily wooded areas. Currently there are 22 access points where paddlers can get on the river, including the Paw Paw River campground, and Watervliet’s Hays Park. Another access point will be included at the Paw Paw River County Park.

4-H Spring Achievement celebrates Berrien County youth at fairgrounds

The 2018 4-H Spring Achievement Program will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20 at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds in the Horticulture and Wonders of Birth barns. Youth participants in 4-H will showcase their projects and conduct demonstrations that they have been working on throughout the 4-H year, in order to educate the public about the Berrien County 4-H Youth Program. Spring Achievement is the only all 4-H exhibition in the county that showcases the accomplishments of 4-H members in Berrien County. This free event is open to the public on Saturday, May 19. Visitors will be able to view exhibits such as sewing, quilting, animal science notebooks, veterinary science, photography, woodworking, crafts, cake decorating, and more on the 19th, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. One should not be surprised to catch a glimpse of a 4-H goat, chicken, llama, miniature pony or rabbit along the way! Saturday will include special highlights; 4-H’ers will host a 4-H Dog Project Evaluation demonstration that includes Canine Good Citizenship from noon to 3:00 p.m. A leathercraft demo will be conducted during noon to 2:00 p.m.; an educational demonstration on horse care and a String Art project as well. Also on Saturday will be a 4-H talent show at 3:30 p.m. in the Youth Memorial Building. The 4-H Spring Achievement Information Booth will be staffed by 4-H volunteers and members that will answer questions about 4-H and the 4-H Spring Achievement event. Lastly, to round off Saturday, they will end with their traditional 4-H Style Review in the Youth Memorial Building at 5:00 p.m. 4-H members will be modeling sewn, personalized, knitted, and crocheted garments and accessories, which they have constructed. Everyone is invited to join them for a wonderful weekend of 4-H experiences! More information on the 4-H program can be received by calling the Berrien County MSU Extension Office at (269) 927-5674.

Democratic Congressional Candidate Forum at the Citadel

On Saturday, April 28, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., the Berrien County Democratic Party will sponsor a forum featuring the candidates for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress from the Southwest Michigan 6th Congressional District. The candidates will answer questions about their qualifications and positions on the issues. Democratic candidates for State Representative and Senate will also be available to talk with attendees. Light refreshments will be served. The Candidate Forum will be held in the Oak Room at the Citadel, 91 Hinkley St., Benton Harbor. This event is free and open to the public.

Gorenflo announces candidacy for 79th District State Representative

Bruce Gorenflo has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for 79th District State Representative. Also a Republican candidate for 79th District State Rep. in 2010, Gorenflo is seeking the office currently held by Kim LaSata, who is seeking the Republican nomination for State Senate, 21st District.

“I look forward to discussing the wide range of issues so important to the residents of our district during this campaign, and expect to make many new friends along the way. So many folks still share the same concerns that were so important in 2010, such as public education funding, economic prosperity (including the need to ensure that every neighborhood in every community in our district can succeed), and the renewal of our infrastructure, particularly our roads, water lines, and bridges. These issues are joined by a new urgency to deal with public school safety and security issues, the need for automobile insurance reforms to rein in insurance premiums among the highest in the nation, and a public health issue (opiate addiction) that is not only a serious problem in the 79th District, but throughout our nation. Of course, tourism and agriculture (and their crossing of paths through agri-tourism) are of tremendous importance in Southwest Michigan, and I am committed to doing what I can to promote these industries. Last, and certainly not least, we need to protect our precious Great Lakes—from invasive species such as Asian carp and others, from pollution derived from by-products of plastics and other industrial and waste products. Gorenflo, 60, is a Senior Technical Writer/Product Communications Coordinator with nearly 40 years of experience in private industry in the district, of which he is a 50-plus year resident. He is a member of the Berrien County Republican Party Executive Committee, and has served as Precinct Delegate, City of St. Joseph Precinct #2, since 2014. He is also Secretary of the Board of Directors of Christian Involvement in Service (CIS), a Twin Cities-based Christian missionary organization dedicated to the training and funding of native Pastors, church planters, and directors of medical facilities, orphanages, and drug rehabilitation centers in Russia and Ukraine; Secretary, Board of Deacons, Napier Parkview Baptist Church, Benton Harbor; and Director of Choral Music, Napier Parkview Baptist Church. He has also served as a volunteer at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. He is a graduate of St. Joseph High School, Lake Michigan College, and Western Michigan University. He is married to Christine Gorenflo, has three grown sons, and resides in St. Joseph.