KUTE KIDS…

THESE “KUTE KIDS” ARE… Madelyn and Mallory Quinn, age 4, twin daughters of Nicholas and Amanda Quinn. They helped their Aunt Amy Quinn, daughter of Rich and Pam Quinn, set up a tribute to the fallen fire fighters/police/ EMS of 9/11 in the front yard of Rich and Pam’s home in Watervliet. Each flag had individual names of the fallen.

WATERVLIET SCHOOL CALENDAR

Thursday, September 15

High School Picture Day; JV Football, Home vs. United, 6:00 p.m.

Friday, September 16

Varsity Football at United, 7:00 p.m.

Monday, September 19

MS Volleyball at Lawton, 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 20

WHS Freshman Vision Screening, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.; JV Volleyball, Home vs. Saugatuck, 5:00 p.m.; Varsity Volleyball, Home vs. Saugatuck, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, September 21

Morning Preschool Open House, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.; Afternoon Preschool Open House, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.; MS Volleyball, Home vs. Hartford and MS Football at Martin, 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 22

First Day for Preschool; JV Volleyball Quad at Lawton w/ Schoolcraft and Varsity Volleyball Quad Home vs. Lawton & Schoolcraft, 5:00 p.m.; JV Football, Home vs. Fennville, 6:00 p.m.

Friday, September 23

Elementary PTO Walk-A-Thon (details TBA); Varsity Football at Fennville, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 24

Cross Country at Bangor Invitational, 10:30 a.m.

Falls Prevention Awareness Day

 Region IV Area Agency on Aging, along with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and its Falls Free Coalition, is celebrating the 9th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 23. The organization helps support ready, steady, and balanced lifestyles. “Older adults want to stay active, independent, and safe in their homes, but many worry about their risk of falling,” said Christine Vanlandingham, Fund and Product Development Officer at the Area Agency on Aging. “In fact, one in three Americans over the age of 65 falls every year. However, falling is not a normal part of aging. We’re working to help older adults have the knowledge and power to prevent a fall.” Across the country, partners are hosting classes and seminars, performing thousands of falls risk screenings, and educating older adults about this year’s theme, Ready, Steady, Balance: Prevent Falls in 2016. The theme highlights three goals that all older adults have the power to achieve. Be ready: Education is the most important step to being ready to prevent a fall. Online and at thousands of community organizations, there are resources to help older adults understand their risk of falling. They also can enroll in evidence-based falls prevention programs to learn how to address their fear of falling and what they can do to sustain their strength. Be steady: Older adults can be steady if they take simple steps to prevent falls. These include talking with a doctor about medications, getting hearing and vision checkups, and assessing living spaces for hazards. Be balanced: “Falls prevention is a team effort that takes a balance of education, preparation, and community support,” said Kathleen Cameron, Senior Director of NCOA’s National Falls Prevention Resource Center. “Falls Prevention Awareness Day is an opportunity to take a look at the world around us, be aware of falls hazards, and think about how we can make changes that will help our parents, grandparents, aging neighbors, and even ourselves safe from falls.” Locally, fall prevention classes called A Matter of Balance are scheduled throughout the tri-­county area. The 8-week class series is proven to help older adults increase activity levels and reduce their risk of falling. Visit AreaAgencyonAging.org or call (800) 654-2810 to find a class. To find more falls prevention resources, go to ncoa.org/FallsPrevention.

Berrien RESA to host 2016 Festival of Families

This fall, Berrien Regional Education Service Agency (Berrien RESA) will be hosting its fourth annual countywide event for families and children wishing to learn more about educational programs offered in their community.  The event, the Berrien RESA Festival of Families, will be held on Saturday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds in Berrien Springs.  The Festival of Families will feature a resource expo where families can learn about a variety of community programs and services designed to help their children thrive.  “This event continues to grow each year!” said Berrien RESA Superintendent Dr. Kevin Ivers.  “The Festival of Families provides a networking and resource opportunity for hundreds of people throughout Berrien County.  If you are looking for information about early child development, K-12 education, advanced programming, transition services, special education opportunities and higher education, this event is for you!”  Through conversations with their constituents, Berrien RESA learned that families are seeking a one-stop source for information and tools to help their children be successful in all areas of their development.  Families said they wanted to learn more about community athletic opportunities, financial literacy, Career and Technical education, resources about transitional needs, and occupational and volunteer opportunities. Therefore, Berrien RESA established the Festival of Families, providing such a resource for families of children ages 0-26.  The Festival of Families will also feature carnival games and activities that are accessible to children of all abilities.  During the event a variety of local entertainment acts will perform, face painters and a balloon artist will be on site.  Children will be able to create make-it/take-it art projects, visit with animals from Sarett Nature Center, enjoy hands-on activities offered by the Curious Kids Museum as well as participate in a communitywide “Arts for All” painting project.  New this year will be free lunch and ice cream for the first 500 children in attendance.  Lunch is being generously sponsored by the Meijer stores of Stevensville and Benton Harbor.  Additional items may be purchased from a select menu being offered by Baja Gringo Taco Truck and Wagner’s Ice Cream.  Event sponsors include Berrien RESA, First Student Inc., Meijer of Stevensville/Benton Harbor, Berrien County Youth Fair, Chemical Bank of Berrien Springs, Honor Credit Union, Art & Image, Renaissance Athletic Club, Lakeland Health, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Beaudoin Electrical Construction, Competitive Edge, St. Joseph Today, United Federal Credit Union, Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., The Mark III Restaurant and Lounge, Silver Beach Carousel Society, Silver Beach Pizza, New Country 99.9 and Jimmy John’s of Niles.  The event and all activities are free-of-charge. Pre-arranged shuttle service throughout Berrien County will also be available (at no cost to families) thanks to the continuous support of First Student Transportation.  The shuttle service is door-to-door and can accommodate riders needing wheelchairs or car seats.  Please contact Karen Heath at (269) 471-7725 ext. 1147 to request transportation.  For more information about the Festival, please visit www.berrienresa.org.

Communnity Calendar

Sponsored by Orchard Hill Landfill

 Saturday, Sep. 17, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. “ICE CREAM SOCIAL” at the Hartford Public Library. Learn about upcoming programs.  Saturday, Sep. 17, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. “ROAST PORK DINNER” at the Keeler United Methodist Church located on the corner of CR 687 and Territorial Rd. East. Free will offering accepted; take-out available.  Sunday, Sep. 18, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. “HERITAGE DAY” at VB County Historical Museum, 58471 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford. Admission $5/adults, $2/students, children under 5/free.  Sunday, Sep. 18, “MISS/MR. COLOMA INFORMATIONAL MTG” at the Coloma Twp. Hall, 4919 Paw Paw Lake Rd. 1:00 p.m. for Miss and 3:00 p.m. for Mr. Must be 17-20 years old and accompanied by parent or guardian.  Saturday, Sep. 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. “BERRIEN RESA FESTIVAL OF FAMILIES” at BCY Fairgrounds, Berrien Springs. Free event for countywide families. More info at www.berrienresa.org.  Saturday, Sep. 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. “WIRX BIKE BASH” at LMC’s Mendel Center. More info at wirx.com  Sundays, 8 a.m. to noon “BREAKFAST” at the Coloma Rod & Gun Club.  Tuesdays through November, 10:30 a.m. “TODDLER TIME” at the Watervliet District Library. 30-minute class for toddlers, 18 to 36 months old. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. “STORY HOUR” at Coloma Public Library for preschool aged children accompanied by an adult. No sign-up or fee required. For questions, call 468-3431.  Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. “STORY HOUR” at Watervliet District Library for 3-5 year olds. Sign-up required, call 463-6382 for information.  Wednesdays through December 14, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. “GRIEF SHARE” at Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Hwy, Watervliet. Cost is $20/book. Child care available. Meets every week until December 14.  Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. “TINY TOTS LEGO STORYTIME” at Hartford Public Library for children four and younger. Every week during the school year.  Thursdays 6 p.m.–10 p.m. “Trap shooting” at the Coloma Rod & Gun Club.  Third Monday of every month, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. “FOOD BANK” at Central Assembly of God, 6801 Ryno Rd., Coloma, 468-8422.