Hinkelmans celebrate 65 years

Carl and Donna Hinkelman of Benton Harbor celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on April 16, staying at home due to the coronavirus, reminiscing on their years together. Carlyn Hinkelman and the former Donna Haak were married April 16, 1955, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. Their children are Carlyn Hinkelman of Windemere, Fla., Jon (Diane) Hinkelman of Watervliet, Beth Anne (Rick) Martin of Coloma, Karen (Randy) Olds of Lawrence and Jayne (Fred) Cook of Suttons Bay, Mich. They also have 14 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Carl retired after 31 years at Clark Equipment Co. as computer operations manager, and later as a farmer. In his retirement, Carl enjoys his woodshop and working on his yard. Donna retired from Benton Harbor State Bank. She also owned and operated Donna’s Ceramics and Bainbridge Bears. She still sews teddy bears as a hobby. They are members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet, where Donna served as a Eucharist minister and prepares food for funerals. They are also members of Welch Food Co.

EARNS DEGREE… In 2015, Annabelle Hernandez of Hartford was accepted to Cornell University’s Summer Small Animal Medicine Program. Through scholarships from Cornell and Hartford Public School Foundation, Annabelle spent three weeks in Ithaca, New York learning more about the career path she had chosen for her future. Annabelle graduated from Hartford High School in 2016. In High School she participated in the Early College program through Lake Michigan College and graduated with an associate’s degree in biology in the spring of 2017. She then transferred to Michigan State University and was accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine Technology Program and will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology on May 1, 2020.

Watervliet Library has resources for “Learning From Home”

The Watervliet District Library staff is working from home to streamline their catalog, plan, create and post virtual programs, and to assist with ebook access to their online collection. Please don’t hesitate to contact them. Their facility is closed through May 15. The library’s Facebook page has posting for weekly events, games, book talks and entertainment. The weekly schedule includes Make-It Monday @ Home, Trivia Tuesday, Celebrity Story Times on Wednesdays, Foodie Friday, and Saturday Surprise. Library staff can be reached through Facebook, or email (info@wdlib.org). To speak to the director, call the library at 463-6382 and follow the prompts. For information about the COVID19 crisis, unemployment and business support during this time, visit their website at www.watervlietlibrary.net. Also, the library is connected to a world of online books and audio books through Overdrive. A link is provided on their webpage. Anyone that needs to do research for school or work from home can try mel.org, the state wide database resource. MEL includes a huge selection of articles, journals and ebooks for curious minds of all ages, and contains a link for tools to help kids and parents, under Learning From Home. These are available to all Michigan residents.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIRLEY… Saturday, April 25, numerous police officers, several Watervliet school buses, along with Shirley’s family and close friends lined up at Midway Baptist Church to surprise Shirley on her 74th birthday with a parade. Shirley Cheshire, 74 of Watervliet, was in complete shock when the parade of some 30 vehicles rounded the corner on her street. She is a longtime community member and North School Secretary retiring from North School in 2017. Former Principal and Superintendent Kevin Schooley even made the trip down from South Haven to wish Shirley well. Happy Birthday Shirley!

Hagar Twp. okays budget; Appoints new treasurer

By Jon Bisnett Monday, April 13, 2020, the Hagar Township Board held its Annual Meeting, Annual Budget Public Hearing, followed by the April regular Township Board meeting, all from remote video conference via Zoom, as was done in March. Following discussion and public hearing, the Board approved a balanced, debt free comprehensive budget of $1.1 million for the fiscal year 2020-21. Business The 2020 road improvement projects in the Township will exceed $800,000, with $619,000 to be funded by the Berrien County Road Department with the Township’s local share at $116,000. Primary road work includes Hagar Shore Road, Riverside Road and Blue Star Highway; while $181,000 will be spent on local roads – Pier, Bundy, Fikes, Central, and Maple Lane. In other business, the board contracted with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to implement the maintenance and promotion of the Paw Paw River Trail in Hagar Township in the amount of $1,900 for the year 2020. The board also authorized funds for engineering plans for storm drainage improvements to Hampton and Coloma roads.

Compensation adjustments Approval was granted for a 3% increase in pay for the Township’s two employees. A 3% raise for Deputy Clerk to $17 per hour and the same 3% raise for Deputy Treasurer with an hourly rate of $16.15, also including an annual benefit of 23 hours paid leave. Acting on a recommendation and motion from Clerk Sarah Rodriguez, the board subsequently approved an increase in compensation to election workers: Election Inspectors previously $200 per election – increased to $15 per hour; Precinct Poll Chairpersons will receive an increase to $17 per hour. Treasurer The board formally accepted the resignation of Treasurer Marlene Davis, with regret, effective March 31, 2020. Acting on the sole application for the position of Treasurer, the board appointed Susan Herrmann as the Treasurer of Hagar Township, filling the vacancy until the General Election in November, 2020. Herrmann, a longtime Township resident, has an expansive business background, and has combined administrative experience, with both Hagar Township and Berrien County. Her educational background includes CPA courses, a bachelor’s degree in Science and Agriculture, and a master’s degree in Business Administration.

Parks Following discussion on the vacancy created by the recent passing of Dale Davis, Parks Director Beth Raiser was tasked to create and post a job description seeking a Maintenance Supervisor for the Township with return date of May 7, 1:00 p.m. Referencing communications and recommendations from resident John Nadeau regarding a quote to repair dunelands at Roadside Park, the board took no action until multiple bids can be sought per bid policy. Having no further business, Supervisor DiMaggio wished all to stay safe and continue to follow Berrien County Health Department best practices, as he adjourned the meeting. The Board meets next on Monday, May 11.

Memorial Day Parade in Watervliet falls victim to pandemic

Watervliet V.F.W. Post 1137 has announced they have unfortunately had to cancel the annual Memorial Day Parade for Watervliet due to the restrictions put in place to stop the mitigation of COVID-19. Should an alternate plan be made an announcement will be published with details according to Watervliet VFW Commander Corky Openneer.

North Berrien Senior Center has limited services during Covid-19 virus outbreak

The North Berrien Senior Center, 6648 Ryno Rd., Coloma is temporarily closed for regular and special activities in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Orders. To continue to serve the senior population in northern Berrien County the Senior Center is available for meals (pickup and delivery), commodities pick up, limited transportation, loan closet, and nurse and staff assistance via phone only. Call 269-468-3366 to speak with the staff and make arrangements for these limited services. They plan on opening the doors to the public for “limited regular activities” as soon as the local, state and federal governments feel it is safe.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan rises up to serve girls amid COVID-19 crisis

With the world coming to a screeching halt, it seems that everything has been canceled. Girl Scouts, however, is never canceled. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan has pivoted their program model to allow all girls to participate in virtual Girl Scout programming, including badge earning activities and the Cookie Program. Content posted daily on their Facebook page provides activities, education, and fun for girls ages 5-17. Girls are enjoying this wide array of virtual activities, while planning for in-person adventures, troop activities, field trips, and community service projects, when all is safe for interaction. As part of that planning, girls are continuing to participate in the cookie program, the largest entrepreneurial program for girls in the world! Girls throughout Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan have digital cookie stores, from which you can order cookies to be shipped right to your door. You also have the chance to donate to the girl’s Hometown Hero effort, which supports the purchase of cookies for local frontline healthcare workers and first responders. These purchases support girls right in our community, and ensure that girls reach the goals they have set for themselves and their troops. Anyone interested in purchasing cookies from a girl right here in our community can email gshom@gshom.org.