08-08-2019 School news & Calendars

Maurissa LaGrow furthers education at National Youth Leadership Foundation in Advanced Medicine and Health Care and gains entry into the National Honors Society

In June, Maurissa LaGrow from Coloma joined other outstanding high school students from across the nation to take part in a unique academic and career oriented development experience at Johns Hopkins University, where she studied for two weeks in Advanced Medicine and Health Care techniques.

Maurissa LaGrow

The Advanced Medicine and Health Care Program is one of the Envision family of programs (www.envisionexperience.com) that enable students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom. Maurissa was nominated to attend the program by her doctor. In addition to participating in student government and being an ambassador for the Michigan Arthritis Foundation, Maurissa is also passionate about sports and plays varsity volleyball and softball. With dreams of becoming a pediatrician, Maurissa looked forward to gaining the hands-on medical experience that the program provides. She was able to learn how to retract a broken bone, draw blood, perform a physical, perform suturing techniques, and worked in the University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center along with many other skills in real-life medical facilities and virtual labs at Johns Hopkins University. Maurissa also received recognition from the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma for successfully completing a course in “Stop the Bleed” presented by the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, Maurissa was selected to become a member of the esteemed National Society of High School Scholars. “On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that Maurissa has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence,” said Chairmen Chase Nobel. “Maurissa is now a member of a unique community of scholars – a community that represents our very best hope for the future.” This summer she donated time to help organize and prepare backpacks for students who will return to school in September and she furthered her education at Johns Hopkins University. “As an alumna of Envision myself, I am excited for Maurissa LaGrow to meet, work, and collaborate with other high-aspiring students from across the country and the globe,” said Amanda Freitag Thomas, SVP for Envision. “Hands down, my favorite part of attending an Envision program was being with motivated students in an environment designed to help us challenge our assumptions, meet new people, and grow. Creating that same learning environment is a central focus for all of our programs. At the National Youth Leadership Forum, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel at college and in the workplace. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges, and with new people, which, given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation, are essential skills for success.”

Watervliet Public Schools Calendar of Events

Monday, August 12 – Wednesday, August 13 Little Panther Cheer Camp at WHS, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Monday, August 12 HS Football, Boys Soccer, & Cross Country begin; Board of Education Meeting, HS Media Center, 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 14 HS Volleyball & Cheer begin; W-A-Y Watervliet HS Graduation Ceremony, HS Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 17 All Class Reunion in MS Gym, 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 20 6:00 PM Fall Athlete/Parents Meeting, HS Gym, 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 23 Fall Sports pictures, 9:00–11:00 a.m.; 1st Annual Sports Panther Community Volunteer Day, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 21 MS Football & Cross Country begins Monday, August 26 MS Volleyball begins; Board of Education Tour of School Buildings Tuesday, August 27 Back to School Night – All School Buildings, 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Learn what qualifies as an assistance animal

Disability Network Southwest Michigan is holding a free workshop titled “Do’s & Don’ts: Assistance Animals.” The workshop will be held on Friday, August 23, 9 – 10:30 a.m. at Disability Network’s office located at 2900 Lakeview Avenue in St. Joseph. Attend this workshop to learn the difference between service animals and emotional support animals. There is a lot of confusion about what qualifies as a Service Animal and how they differ from Emotional Support Animals. Participants will learn about the specific laws regarding what type of assistance animals are allowed in different places and whether an establishment can deny access to an assistance animal. The workshop is free; however, pre-registration is required. For those interested, register on line at bit.ly/ddaa2019 or contact Miranda Grunwell at (269) 345-1516 x120. This is a fragrance-free environment. Please do not wear perfume, cologne or other scented products to this event.

Coloma/St. Joseph KOA earns perfect score during annual quality assurance review

The Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday has earned another notch in its belt as an award-winning campground in the system of Kampgrounds of America (KOA). The momentum that has been evident over the past three years since the ownership of Mark and Karla Lemoine has now earned them a perfect score in KOA’s annual quality assurance review. The KOA Quality Review process is the result of input from KOA owners, market studies, industry best practices and trends. It is a process that evolves to meet the needs of a changing marketplace, and focuses on the campground’s amenities and brand position. KOA Corporate located in Billings, Montana, dispatches four Quality Assurance teams across the country to visit every park each year and partner with owners to bring ideas, support and solutions to ensure KOA campgrounds continue to meet its goal to be the leader in the camping industry by meeting guest’s expectations. “We fully support the quality assurance program and celebrate this achievement with our awesome staff who have worked so hard to help us achieve this milestone,” said Karla. “As an independently owned and operated campground within the KOA family, we share the commitment with KOA Corporate and other exemplary franchisees to providing our guests with exceptional camping experiences,” added Mark. “Our success is found not only in this recognition, but comes from our guests who have made us their ‘go-to’ location for camping, often multiple times a year and even bringing back other friends or family with them,” he added. Located in Hagar Township, this southwest Michigan campground destination is the closest KOA campground to Lake Michigan and offers guests 130 sites for tenting, RVs, twelve cabins and three luxury “glamping” tents. Find them online at www.stjosephkoa.com or “Like” them on Facebook.

Coloma Lioness Lions Club Trivia Night fundraiser August 16

On Friday, August 16 Coloma Lioness Lions Club is having a Trivia Night fundraiser at the Coloma FOP #147, 3470 Angling Road. Proceeds go back into the community. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the first round begins at 6 p.m. Cost is $100 per table of 10 players. Represent a favorite decade for team prizes! Best Theme, Best Dressed, Best Table. There will also be raffles and a cash bar. Space is limited so reserve a table today! Call or text Rochelle at 269-876-8592.

Community Calendar

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, 3-5 p.m. “100 YEAR CELEBRATION OPEN HOUSE” at Watervliet Fire Department 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. Saturday, Aug. 10, 9 p.m. “INSECT PROGRAM” by Carl Strang at Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Rd, Benton Harbor. Non-member adults are $5 and kids are free. Please call to register at 269-927-4832. 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, 9 a.m. “SUPERHERO MUD RUN” hosted by youtoo. nonprofit at Hartford Speedway, 301 Bowie St. $40 participation fee includes T-shirt and medal. Dress in superhero costume and prepare to get dirty. Proceeds go to patient gift bags at local children’s hospitals. More info at @youtoocompany Facebook page. 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, 12-4 p.m. “BOAT WALK” hosted by Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dyckman Ave., South Haven. Cost is $15/ person (ages 14 and up) and can be purchased at the event or in advance at the Museum Ship’s Store, through the Museum website, at the South Haven Visitor’s Bureau, and the South Haven Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/events/ or call 269-637-8078. 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, 4 p.m. “PEACH FESTIVAL” at Twelve Corners Community Church, 3902 Hicks Ave., Benton Harbor. Program by Sarett Nature Center. 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 Saturday, Aug. 17 6 p.m. “TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER” hosted by Coloma Lioness Lions Club at Coloma FOP $147, 3470 Angling Rd. $100/table of 10. Reserve table by calling or texting Rochelle at 269-876-8592. 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.