English as a Second Language offered on all LMC campuses

Registration is now open to the community for non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Lake Michigan College. Courses will run September 23 through November 14 on LMC’s Benton Harbor, Niles, and South Haven campuses. Students will learn about U.S. culture and American English language through instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing, as well as field trips throughout Berrien County. At the end of a class, students will be prepared to use their new language skills socially, in the workplace or to prepare for further study at LMC. Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level classes are available in the evening and day. Non-native English speakers over the age of 18 are welcome regardless of visa status or previous language training. Course instructors have credentials in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) and at least five years of experience teaching English to adults. “In comparison to last fall, we’re pleased to offer a wider variety of classes this September that meet the demands of non-native English speakers in the Berrien County area. Friends and relatives from abroad who are visiting family can benefit from our ‘Conversation and Culture’ classes. Newly hired employees or temporary workers in business can benefit from our ‘Email Writing’ class to help them better communicate in the work place. Those looking to apply to colleges and universities in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois as an international student can work on completing their applications by taking our ‘TOEFL iBT Test Preparation’ class. And most important of all – we’ll be able to offer beginner- and low-intermediate-level classes for those in the early stages of language learning,” said ESL Program Administrator, Daniela Ortiz. Most classes are eight-weeks long with two class sessions per week. Classes are scheduled either Mondays and Wednesdays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. or in the morning, depending on which class a student takes. For more information and registration, visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ esl-ce or contact esl@lakemichigancollege.edu or (269) 927-4557. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of completion from LMC. The registration deadline is Thursday, September 12, 2019.

Watervliet All Class Reunion reservations due August 9

Watervliet Public Schools All Class Reunion is Saturday, August 17 at Watervliet Middle School, 450 East St. Joseph Street. Social hour begins at 11:00 a.m., with lunch being served at noon. Anyone that graduated from, or attended the Watervliet Public School system is welcome to attend. Current and former school employees are welcome as well. Besides the social hour and lunch, tours will be available for the Middle and High School buildings and grounds. Reservations are $15 per person, and are due by Friday, August 9. A downloadable reservation form and more information may be found on the “Watervliet All Class Reunion” page on Facebook. More information is also available by calling Marsha Stennecke Cole at 269-463-3712, or Donna Gillard Curtis at 269-463-6680.

Author to present on Kalamazoo inventor at VBRGS meeting

Cynthia Jeffrey, author of the book “Kalamazoo’s Extraordinary Inventor Jay B. Rhodes 1865-1931” will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Van Buren Regional Genealogical Society on Monday, August 19, beginning at 7 p.m. Jay B. Rhodes, a former resident of Kalamazoo, is credited for over 230 patents, his earliest when he was just 13 years old. Yet little is known of the man who has come to be known as “Kalamazoo’s Edison” and “Patent King.” Cynthia’s extensive research has uncovered many stories, newspaper articles and photos which will be included in her presentation and many authentic Rhodes artifacts that will be on display. There will be copies of the book available for purchase. This meeting is free and open to the public – everyone is welcome! It will be held at the Van Buren Conference Center, 490 South Paw Paw Street in Lawrence. The VBRGS welcomes anyone with an interest in genealogy and local history. For more information about this and other programs, email vbrgs@yahoo.com, visit their website at vbrgs.org, or check out their Facebook page, VBRGS Southwest Michigan Genealogy.

4th Annual “Breastfeeding on the Bluff” event to celebrate breastfeeding in Berrien County

The Berrien County Health Department, in partnership with the Berrien County Breastfeeding Coalition, will host the 4th annual “Breastfeeding on the Bluff” event occurring on Saturday, August 3 starting at 9:30 a.m. in Lake Bluff Park across from the St. Joseph Public Library in St. Joe. The “Breastfeeding on the Bluff” event taking place on August 3 is part of the “2019 Global Big Latch On”, a global breastfeeding awareness celebration, where moms across the globe are linked in simultaneous breastfeeding, which occurs annually during World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7). Mothers, fathers, families and breastfeeding supporters can start arriving at 9:30 a.m. for registration, before the “Big Latch On” occurs at 10:30 a.m. Breastfeeding support education and resources, gifts for moms, face painting for kids, a photo booth, and refreshments for the whole family will be provided. Transportation to the event is also available and can be reserved by calling the Berrien County Health Department. The Berrien County Breastfeeding Coalition has a mission to provide support for the community by identifying and growing opportunities for on-going breastfeeding support and promotion, normalizing breastfeeding in the community, and ensure that families have the resources needed to have a successful breastfeeding relationship. The Coalition has membership and support from a variety of community organizations, such as Lakeland Health, InterCare Community Health Network, and Michigan State University Extension, as well as representation from breastfeeding mothers and advocates. “This event is an opportunity to celebrate and support all breastfeeding families in Berrien County and encourage the community support of breastfeeding as a natural part of day-to-day life,” said Mistel de Varona, breastfeeding peer counselor coordinator at the Berrien County Health Department. In Michigan, 80% of moms initiate breastfeeding after birth; however, at 6 months of age, only 26% of babies are still exclusively breastfed. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization recommend at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding. Breastfeeding has been proven to have countless health benefits for mothers and babies, as well as long-term positive public health impacts throughout the community. As of 2014, Michigan mothers who nurse their children in public are protected from discrimination and prosecution. The “Breastfeeding Anti-Discrimination Act” gives women the right to nurse a child in any place that is open to the general public, including stores, restaurants and municipal buses. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/berriencountybreastfeedingcoalition or by calling 269-926-7121.

Spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Michigan Flywheelers Museum

Hungry for some homemade spaghetti? The Michigan Flywheelers Museum is hosting a homemade spaghetti dinner fundraiser Friday, Aug. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the American Legion in South Haven. Dinner includes spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, salad and dessert. The cost is $9 per adult and $4 for children 12 and under. Proceeds from the dinner are earmarked for the construction of a new addition to the Stephenson Barn on the museum property. The addition will allow more space for educational events and other programs. The South Haven American Legion is located at 129 Michigan Ave. For more information, contact the museum at 269-639-2010. As a reminder, the Antique Engine & Tractor Show at the Flywheelers Museum is Thursday, Sept. 5 – Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. Visit their web site at www.michiganflywheelers.org or on Facebook for more details.

Community Calendar

Saturday, Aug. 3, 8:30 a.m. “GLAD-PEACH 5K RUN/WALK” in Coloma. Sign up at www.runsignup.com Saturday, Aug. 3 “TAKE AN ADULT FISHING DAY” Check out michigan.gov/fishing and look for the Family Friendly Fishing Waters link in the Where to Fish section. Sunday, Aug. 4, 2 p.m. “WATER SKI SHOW” on Paw Paw Lake. Can be viewed from boats or Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club, 5099 Shoreview Dr., Coloma. Food and drinks available for donation from 1:30-3 p.m. Cash bar for cocktails and beer. Sponsored by Paw Paw Lake Association. August 5-9, 9 a.m.-noon “SOCCER CAMP” at Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Hwy, Watervliet, for kids ages 5-10. FREE. Pre-register at www.midwayministries.org Thursday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m. “NATURE NUGGETS” Sarett naturalists presentation and book signing at North Berrien Historical Museum, 300 Coloma Ave. No RSVP required; cash only book sales Saturday, Aug. 10, 12 noon “TRENT MCKINNEY MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING” at Pipestone Creek Golf Course. $65/per person includes carts and steak dinner. Deadline to register is August 4. Contact Travis McKinney, 269-308-1177 or travisc.mckinney@gmail.com; or Nicole McKinney,,269-308-1176 or niki.mckinney@gmail.com. August 8-10 “VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL” at Calvary Pentecostal Church, 13 South Haver St., Hartford. Thursday & Friday 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday Fun Fair 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information contact Kerri Archie at (269) 254-5929. Friday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. “COMMUNITY GOLF MIXER” hosted by NB Community Development & Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce at Paw Paw Golf Club, 4548 Forest Beach Rd., Watervliet. 4-person scramble; $60/person. RSVP to Chana Kniebes at 269-757-2457 or chana@coloma-watervliet.org by Aug. 1 Saturday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “BACKPACKS FOR GOOD” school readiness event at Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Highway, Watervliet hosted by Berrien Community Foundation. Event includes backpack give away, free vaccinations by Berrien County Health Dept., a mobile food pantry and more. For more information, call 983-3304. Saturday, Aug. 10, 4 p.m. “CHS CLASS OF 1979 REUNION” at 10023 Rose Hill Rd, Berrien Springs. RSVP required. For more information contact Debbie Becker, debbecker@rocketmail.com or Debbie (Ory) Beckert, debbeckert@gmail.com. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2 p.m. “VB HISTORICAL MUSEUM SPEAKER” is Tyler Sleep presentation on Van Buren County police agencies. Call 269-621-2188 Wed., Fri., or Sunday for more information, noon to 5. Admission is $5 for 12 and up, $2 for 5-11. August 12-17 “BERRIEN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR” Visit www.bcyf.org for more information. Thursday, Aug. 15, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. “SILVIQUE JEWELRY SALE” at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet sponsored by the auxiliary. Friday, Aug. 16, 5-8 p.m. “SPAGHETTI DINNER” hosted by Michigan Flywheelers Museum held at South Haven American Legion, 129 Michigan Ave. $9/adult & $4/children 12 and under. For more information, contact the museum at 269-639-2010. Saturday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m. “WATERVLIET ALL CLASS REUNION” at Watervliet Middle School, 450 E. St. Joseph St. Social hour 11 a.m.; lunch served at noon. $15/person registration due Aug. 9. Anyone that graduated from, or attended the Watervliet Public School system is welcome to attend (also current & former employees). More information is available by calling Marsha Stennecke Cole at 269-463-3712, or Donna Gillard Curtis at 269-463-6680. Saturday, Aug. 17, 12-4 p.m. “AGRICULTURE HISTORY DAY” at North Berrien Historical Museum, 300 Coloma Ave., Coloma. For additional information contact the Museum at (269) 468-3330 or Info@northberrienhistory.org. or visit www.northberrienhistory.org under events Saturday, Aug. 17, 3:30 p.m. “ARCFEST: BEER RELEASE & MUSIC FESTIVAL” at Arclight Brewery, 544 N. Main St., Watervliet. Tickets are $12; kids under 12 are free. Tickets and more information are available at Arcfest.net. Saturday, Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m. “WHS CLASS OF 1974 REUNION” at Surfari Joe’s Indoor Waterpark at M-140 & I-94. $20/person; RSVP with payment to Penny Sempert, 2620 Friday Rd, Coloma MI 49038; due by Aug. 1 Friday, Aug. 23, 10:30 a.m. “PARCOURSE GRAND OPENING” at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet Saturday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m. “65th BIRTHDAY PARTY” for Watervliet High School Class of 1972. Cookout with live music & games. $10/person. BYOB and dish to pass. Money due July 31 to Freda Foster, 67828 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford 49057 – phone 921-4128 for more info or go to WHS Class of 72 Facebook page. Saturday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m. “50-YEAR CLASS REUNION” for Coloma High School Class of 1969 at Coloma F.O.P. Lodge, 470 Angling Rd. For more information, email nmessal@att.net, call 630-464-8287 or check out the Facebook page of Coloma High School Class of 1969 50th Reunion. RSVP required. Sunday, Aug. 25 “MURDER MYSTERY” at the Van Buren County Historical Museum, 58471 Red Arrow Hwy., Hartford. Clues given out all day. Call 269-621-2188 Wed., Fri., or Sunday for more information, noon to 5. Admission is $5 for 12 and up, $2 for 5-11. Sept. 5-8 “ANTIQUE ENGINE & TRACTOR SHOW” at Michigan Flywheelers Museum, 06285 68th Street, South Haven. Cost is $7; children 12 and under are free with paid admission. Watch for more information on www.michiganflywheelers.org or Facebook. Sunday, Sept. 8, 9:30 a.m. “CONSIGNMENT AUCTION” fundraiser at Michigan Flywheelers Museum during Antique Engine & Tractor Show. For auction information, contact Mike at 269-369-9500. Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “FESTIVAL OF FAMILIES” hosted by Berrien RESA at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds, Berrien Springs.