06-13-2019 Community promoter Chana Kniebes to be Watervliet Parade Grand Marshal; Museum presents p

THIS KUTE KID IS… sent in by Bob & Lenny Becker of Watervliet. Winston Becker is the first child of their grandson, Nabil and his wife Katharina, which makes Winston their first great-grandchild. He was born last fall and resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Winston, like a true Floridian has taken to the beach and surf. Little Winston loves his swim lessons and probably in a few years will accompany his mom and dad on his first dive in the Keys.

Community promoter Chana Kniebes to be Watervliet Parade Grand Marshal

By Annette Christie Coloma High School graduate turned community promoter Chana Kniebes will be in her very first Watervliet Independence Day Parade at this year’s event. She will be serving as the Grand Marshal. Kniebes, the Community Development Coordinator for the North Berrien Community Development and Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce has been assisting new businesses with making their home in the communities of Watervliet and Coloma for 19-20 years.

Following her Coloma High School graduation, Kniebes chose to make her home in the community. She and her husband Robin raised their three daughters here. Once all three were in school, Kniebes stumbled upon a job opening with the then Coloma Area Chamber. The part-time job was perfect to accompany her family life. While the highlights of her career have been many, Kniebes enjoys ribbon cuttings the most. “I love being with those that are in a new beginning, starting a new journey,” Kniebes said. She has held 54 ribbon cuttings which show that people are choosing Watervliet and Coloma to host their business and the communities are growing. “This has been very rewarding for me,” Kniebes said. In addition, the annual business recognition, which began in 2007, is one of her favorite things to be involved in. What once was the Coloma Area Chamber has morphed into a multi-community organization that services all of Coloma and Watervliet, cities and townships alike. The organization’s revolving loan fund has provided that little last bit to make someone’s dream come true. “Sometimes that is all that they need,” Kniebes said. While Kniebes may think that is all they need the communities of Watervliet and Coloma know that it is with her expertise and experience that is helping to point businesses right here knowing first-hand what the area has to offer. For all she has done for the North Berrien communities, this Coloma girl will lead the parade at the annual Independence Day Celebration in Watervliet. This year the Grand Parade is on Saturday, June 29 at 1 p.m.

Museum presents program on Hagar Twp. Jacobia, June 18

The Jacobia Estate in Hagar Township was the brainchild of Henry William Jacobs—inventor, entrepreneur, aeronautical enthusiast—who foresaw Southwest Michigan’s potential to become a tourist mecca. The centerpiece of Jacobs’ eponymous resort was a 160-foot water tower with an observation deck. The 180-acre retreat upon which this structure stood was located along the shore of Lake Michigan and also included cottages, barns, a chapel, a dance pavilion, and a 150-foot stairway to the beach known as Jacob’s Ladder. Although Jacobia only existed for a handful of years in the first quarter of the twentieth century, the legacy of its founder and his vision of Southwest Michigan’s tourism potential still endure. Using research and images, Peter Cook, the Programs Director at the North Berrien Historical Museum, will detail the rise and fall of Jacobs and his towering ambition on Tuesday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. No RSVP is required for this free program. The North Berrien Historical Museum is located at 300 Coloma Ave., Coloma. For questions, please email peter@northberrienhistory.org or call the Museum at (269) 468-3330.

Celebrate generations of industries from North Berrien and beyond, June 22

The North Berrien Historical Society will present a day of remembrance and learning at the Industry History Day Open House Saturday, June 22, taking place at 300 Coloma Ave. From 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m., guests will be encouraged to look through the museum’s collection to identify photos, spark conversation, and remember or learn how we got to present day industries. The Watervliet Paper Mill collection will be the primary focus of the day but other collections such as Tru-Point and CAYO will be available as well. Starting at 1:00 p.m. and again at 3:00 p.m., kids will have an opportunity to learn through action while they understand what an assembly line is and put their new knowledge to the test by creating rubber band cars at the Assembling the Past: Michigan’s Automotive Industry for Kids program. Kids age 6-12 will take a journey to a time when a customer could have a car painted any color they wanted as long as it was black. Snacks and refreshments will be offered to all guests that attend this FREE event. Donations are always appreciated. No RSVP required. For more information, contact the North Berrien Historical Museum at (269) 468-3330 or Info@northberrienhistory.org.