“Kute Kids”… THIS “KUTE KID” is… 5-year-old Calla Eubanks. She got her face painted at Fandom Fest held this summer at LMC’s Mendel Center. Calla is Super Girl in disguise as a cat! Calla’s proud mom is Hillary Eubanks of Sodus. Her loving grandparents are Cliff and Annette Eubanks of Sodus, Larry and Susan Joyner of Watervliet, and Douglas and Rosemary Waterhouse of Waipahu, Hawaii. Share a photo of your “Kute Kids” with your friends, neighbors, and relatives who read the Tri-City Record. Make sure you write your kids’ names on the back of the picture and include any other information about it you would like to see in the paper, including mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, and so on. Send the “original” photo to the Tri-City Record, P.O. Box 7, Watervliet, MI 49098 or email it with your information to record@tricityrecord.com. Pick up your photo after it appears in the paper or include a stamped, self-addressed envelope and we will mail it back to you. Where are your “Kute Kids”?

Water screening available for private drinking water wells in Van Buren County The Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD) will screen drinking water well samples for nitrates on August 13-17 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The screening is sponsored by the VBCD and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). MAEAP and the water screening program are paid for by funds generated from Michigan pesticide and fertilizer registration and tonnage fees. There is no cost to residents to participate in this service. The water screening is open to all Van Buren residents that are on private water systems (non-municipal) for drinking water but is limited to 150 samples for the week. The screening is for Nitrates and Nitrites which commonly appear in drinking water around agricultural communities. Nitrates and Nitrites in drinking water can result in nitrogen use on farm fields or treated lawns. To sample your well please follow these directions: Pick a tap that supplies water that has not run through any treatment devices (water softener, carbon filter, RO system, etc.). An outdoor faucet often works well. Run the water for 20-30 minutes before collecting the sample. This will give the pump time to flush the water pressure tank and plumbing so you can collect a valid sample. Disconnect any hoses before collecting the sample; do not sample through a hose. Rinse the sample bottle and lid thoroughly in the water to be sampled; then fill and cap the bottle. Label the bottle clearly with your name, the sample date, and the well name using a waterproof pen. Samples can be taken in any clean container, such as a baby food jar, water bottle, or other capped container. Deliver the sample within 24 hours and keep the sample dark and cold until it is dropped off at the VBCD office at 1035 East Michigan Ave. in Paw Paw. Any questions about water screening, water collections, nitrites/nitrates, or the MAEAP program can be directed to Kyle Mead, MAEAP Technician, at 269-657-4030 ext5.

Tickets available for Hood Farms Family Dairy Breakfast on the Farm Michigan State University Extension and the Hood Farms Family Dairy are ready to welcome visitors to Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 in Paw Paw. The event’s self-guided walking tour runs from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a pancake breakfast featuring Michigan grown products served until noon. Hood Farms is located at 41488 County Road 358 in Paw Paw. BOTF events are free; however tickets are required to eat breakfast. Tickets are available online at https://events.anr.msu.edu/BreakfastontheFarm2018/​and at the following area businesses upon request: Benton Harbor MSU Extension, Covert Branch Library, Lawrence Branch Library, and Southwestern Michigan Feed in Lawrence. Tickets are also available in Paw Paw at Biggby Coffee, Farm Bureau Office, Honor Credit Union, MSU Extension and Tractor Supply Company. BOTF attendees will learn more about how farmers take care of their animals, protect the environment and produce nutritious food. Come experience how a modern family farm operates and get a first-hand look at how the Hood family cares for nearly 500 cows and 900 acres of corn, silage and alfalfa. This is the second BOTF event to be held at Hood Farms Family Dairy – the first event took place in 2015. Due to such a positive experience the first time around, the family volunteered to host a second breakfast. “We volunteered to host Breakfast on the Farm again because seeing the visitor’s face just gave me such a good feeling,” said Tim Hood, Hood Farms Family Dairy owner. “I hope if you attended our last Breakfast on the Farm, you had such a great time you’ll want to come back.”

Lake Michigan College Community Education offers English as Second Language Lake Michigan College will begin offering English as a Second Language (ESL) community education classes this fall. The first courses run September 17 through November 20 on LMC’s Benton Harbor campus. Students will learn about U.S. culture and American English language through instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Graduates will be prepared to use their new language skills socially, in the workplace or to prepare for college. Classes are offered from basic to advanced levels, and all non-native English speakers are welcome regardless of previous training or ability. Course instructors have master’s degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) and at least five years of experience teaching English to adults. “LMC has received many requests over the years for ESL courses. We’re thrilled to help people in our communities communicate more effectively in their daily interactions and in their careers,” said Dean of Arts and Sciences Education Dr. Gary Roberts. Each course is ten-weeks long with two evening classes per week. Classes are scheduled either Mondays and Wednesdays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m., or 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., depending on which class a student places into. For more information and registration, visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/esl. The cost is $300 and includes textbooks. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion from LMC. The registration deadline is September 7. Contact Director of English as a Second Language, Monique Yoder, at yoderm@lakemichigancollege.edu or call (269) 927-4557.

Friday, Aug. 10, 9 a.m. “COMMUNITY GOLF MIXER” hosted by North Berrien Community Development & Coloma-Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce at Paw Paw Lake Golf Club, 4548 Forest Beach Rd., Watervliet. $60/person includes breakfast, lunch, cart and green fees.

Saturday, Aug. 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. “HERITAGE DAY” at Van Buren County Museum, 58471 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford. Craftsmen, vendors, demonstrations, tours, bake sale. Freewill offering.

August 13-18 “BERRIEN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR”

Friday-Sunday, Aug. 17-19 “VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL” at Watervliet Free Methodist Church, 7734 Paw Paw Ave. Times: Fri. 6-8:15 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun. 9:15-11:30 a.m. PK-5th grades; call 463-8280 to pre-register.

Saturday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. “PADDLE THE ST. JOE RIVER” with naturalists from Sarett Nature Center. Cost $20/person includes transportation, equipment & guides. Call 927-4832 for more information.

Saturday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m. “WATERVLIET 40 YEAR CLUB” annual meeting/luncheon at the Watervliet Middle School, 450 E. St. Joseph St. $15/person due Aug. 3. Reservation form available on group Facebook page or call Marsha Stennecke Cole at 269-463-3712, or Donna Gillard Curtis at 269-463-6680.

Saturday, Aug. 18, 4 p.m. “CHS CLASS OF 1963 REUNION” at The Friendly Tavern, 206 N. Paw Paw St., Coloma. Call Chuck or Sharon (Tacy) Watts at 925-6521 for more information.

Saturday, Aug. 18, 5 p.m. “PEACH FESTIVAL” at Twelve Corners Community Church, 3902 Hicks Ave., Benton Harbor. Features John Schindler’s musical ministry; variety of peach treats following program. Free event open to the public.

Thursday, Aug. 23, 7a.m.-4 p.m. “SILVIQUE JEWELRY SALE” hosted by Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet Auxiliary in Classroom C at the hospital. Jewelry for men, women and children at 50% off retail price.

Saturday, Aug. 25, 4-7 p.m. “BAKE SALE & GOULASH DINNER” at Coloma American Legion #362, 351 E. St. Joseph St., Coloma. Dinner served from 5-6:30; cost is $6 and includes one refill.

Wednesday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m. “QUARTER AUCTION” hosted by Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet Auxiliary at the Coloma FOP, 3470 Angling Rd.

Sep. 6-9 “ANTIQUE ENGINE & TRACTOR SHOW” at Michigan Flywheelers Museum located on 68th Street in South Haven. Cost is $7; children 12 and under are free. For more info visit www.michiganflywheelers.org

Thursdays thru summer, 3 p.m. “WILDLIFE WONDERS” at Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor. Admission is $5 for adults, kids are free.

Mondays, 7 p.m. “PUB THEOLOGY” at Arclight Brewery. Public is invited to join in discussions. Hosted by St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.

Thursdays, 6 – 10 p.m. “Trap shooting” at the Coloma Rod & Gun Club.

Second Thursday of each month, 3 – 5 p.m. “BERRIEN COUNTY PARKINSON SUPPORT GROUP” at Lakeland Healthcare Frederick S. Upton Education Center rooms 5 & 6, 1234 Napier Ave. For info, contact Michigan Parkinson Foundation at 800-852-9781 or bcpdsupport@aol.com.

Third Monday of each month, 3 – 6 p.m. “FOOD BANK” at Central Assembly of God, 6801 Ryno Rd., Coloma.