THIS KUTE KID IS… birthday boy Lucas Jackson. He turned 1 year old on October 5. Celebrating with him are his parents Nicole Johnson and Jedediah Keagan-Eschman of Sister Lakes. Lucas has two older sisters, 8-year-old Jayden and 5-year-old Kiki. His proud grandparents are Julia Wesaw Stanhiser and Tory Stanhiser of Berrien Springs.

Watervliet District Library hosts paranormal group

Interested in stuff that goes bump in the night? The Watervliet District Library invites the public, once again, to hear from some of Michigan’s dedicated amateur experts about their paranormal adventures, Thursday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. The West Michigan Paranormal Team, located in Spring Lake, have investigated several locations throughout the Midwest, and lived to tell the tale. Hear all about their experiences, take a look at their equipment and spend an unforgettable evening with stories of the unknown. No registration is required. Doors will open at 6 p.m. For further information, please contact the library at 269-463-6382, info@wdlib.org, www.watervlietlibrary.net or visit the library’s Facebook page.

HHS HOMECOMING 2019… Hartford High School celebrated Homecoming 2019, Friday, Oct. 4 with a varsity football game against Mendon. Student activities leading up to the Friday game included (upper left) sophomores fighting the good fight during tug o’ war, but fell to the Junior Class who ran literally the table, winning the Pep Assembly games, Spirit Week competition and they built the winning float featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (upper right). Great weather brought out a huge crowd (lower right) to witness the crowning of Homecoming Royalty (lower left from the left): King Joe Beebe, Queen Jessica Cardoso, Prince Andres Cardoso, and Princess Katalina Soria. (TCR photo by Jon Bisnett)

Paranormal investigators return to Van Buren County Museum

On Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 at 7 p.m., the Michigan Paranormal Research Organization (MiPro), under the leadership of Carl Wickett, will be at the Van Buren County Museum. The Museum, located at 58471 Red Arrow Highway, Hartford, will host Carl and his crew as they tour trying to locate the sounds and voices from the past. Call Tad at 269-621-2546 to register for this event; payment of $20.00 is due at the door. Please bring a flashlight and a jacket (no heat).

STEPICH STEPS DOWN… Paw Paw Lake Association outgoing president Joe Stepich was honored at the October 5 Association meeting as he served his last meeting in that role. Stepich announced a few meetings prior that he would be stepping down from that position. Following the business portion of the meeting Stepich welcomed the new members and provided some parting words of wisdom. “Do what you feel is right, don’t care who gets the credit, maintain and build good relationships, and keep in mind that the Paw Paw Lake Association represents all property owners so do the right thing for all or most of them.” Stepich received a parting gift. Pictured are (from the left): Seated – Glen Giannetti, Joe Stepich, and Kent Wolczak; Standing – John Gibson, Ken Krengel, and Charlie Pater. (TCR photo by Annette Christie)

Drivers needed in Van Buren County

Senior Services of Van Buren County is looking for volunteer drivers to take seniors to medical appointments. They offer 60 free medical rides a month through their Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and many of their clients have no other way to get to appointments. RSVP offers the following to volunteers age 55 and older: a choice of the amount of time and days to volunteer; mileage reimbursement; supplemental insurance; recognition events. Call Senior Services at 269-655-8000 and ask for RSVP to learn more and how to help.

VAN BUREN COMMISSIONERS VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE… as they participated in the White House Regional Conference for County Commissioners from Michigan, Kentucky and Ohio. The day started out with a tour of The White House, then on to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building where commissioners (from the left) Kurt Doroh, Dick Godfrey and Hartford’s Mike Chappell listened to presentations from many different departments within the Federal Government. More than 80 county leaders from three states took part in the Oct. 3 event which is part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to solicit local views on public policy challenges. The first such conference at the White House came in the summer of 2017. Featured speakers included Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos; Andrew Wheeler, Head of the Environmental Protection Agency; Lawrence Kudlow, Director of the National Economic Council; and Jim Carroll, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.