HARTFORD HIGH SCHOOL “Students of the Week” for Oct. 14 – 18, 2019 (from the left) are: 9th Grade – Jorge Liborio-Davila, student of Mario Liborio & Maria Davila; 10th Grade – Sergio Aguirre, student of Gerardo & Nora Aguirre; 11th Grade – Angellee Kraemer, student of Donna Morway; 12th Grade – Jessica Huaracha, student of Gustavo Huaracha & Blanca Rivera. Congratulations to these “Students of the Week” and keep up the great work!

Sunday is last day to register for 2020 Hartford royalty contests

The Hartford Pageant Organization is looking for all youth interested in becoming a member of their 2020 Royal Court of Honor. This includes those ladies and gentlemen looking to compete for the title of Miss Hartford or Mr. Hartford 2020. Miss Hartford and Mr. Hartford contestants must reside within the City of Hartford or Hartford Township, and be between the ages of 17 and 19 as of March 16, 2020, to be eligible to compete. In terms of all other royalty, the date of eligibility to compete is the contestant’s as of January 1, 2020. They must also reside in the City of Hartford or Hartford Township, or attend Hartford Public Schools. To compete for the crown of Miss Teen Hartford, contestants must be between the ages of 13 and 15. Contestants in the Miss Jr. Teen Hartford contest must be between the ages of 10 and 12, while Little Miss Hartford contestants must be between the ages of 6 and 9. On the boy’s side, Little Mr. Hartford contestants must be between the ages of 6 and 10. The last day to register is at the first practice on Sunday, Oct. 27 in the Hartford High School Auditorium. Little Miss, Little Mister and Junior Teen practice is from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Miss Teen practice is from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. and Miss Hartford practice is scheduled from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. The 2020 Miss Hartford Pageant is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in the high school auditorium. For more information, or to register as a contestant, please contact Amanda Williamson via email at hartfordpageantorg@gmail.com. The Hartford Pageant Organization can also be contacted on their Facebook page.]

Free youth mental health first aid course offered

Community members are invited to attend a series of free youth mental health first aid training courses on Monday, Nov. 11 and Wednesday, Nov. 13. Both classes will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in classroom A and B at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive. Participants must complete both four-hour sessions to obtain certification. The course is designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents and teaches participants how to assist young people experiencing a mental health crisis until appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves. Training reviews typical adolescent development, teaches a five-step action plan to help young people in crisis, and helps participants understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. A training manual and certification is provided upon completion. Preregistration is required; call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

Free pre-diabetes class in St. Joseph

Spectrum Health Lakeland is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels learn about lifestyle changes which may help them avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. The class will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pharmacy Conference Room at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph. During the first hour of the program, a registered nurse will guide attendees through the disease process of diabetes and introduce healthy lifestyle changes. The final hour will be spent with a registered dietitian who will suggest meal selections that can help you maintain health and manage weight. This program does not require a physician referral. Pre-registration for this free class is required, and class size is limited. For more information or to register, call 269-556-2868.

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY… Chemical Bank volunteers spruce up the concession stand at Watervliet High School as part of Chemical Bank Cares Day on October 14. Coloma Public Library was also a recipient of the service-related initiative by a team of Chemical Bank employees.

Concession stand at WHS benefits from Chemical Bank Cares Day

Volunteers from Chemical Bank spent their time Monday, Oct. 14 applying a fresh coat of paint to the concession stand at Watervliet High School Panther Stadium as part of their Chemical Bank Cares Day. Chemical Bank Cares Day is a company-wide volunteer initiative where all of their offices are closed for business so employees can participate in service-related projects within the local communities. This initiative is guided by the bank’s founding principles of improving the quality of life in the communities they serve. This is the 8th year of participating in Cares Day and in total there are more than 300 projects that their employees have taken part in throughout their footprint. Projects range from cleaning city parks, leading financial literacy lessons, organizing food pantries and just about everything in between! Locally, Chemical Bank also had teams at the Coloma Public Library, Benton Harbor – St. Joseph YMCA, Al-Van Humane Society, Berrien County Youth Fair, and Krasl Art Center among others. Volunteer workers at Watervliet High School were Kimberly Melrose, Nicole Olson, Vanessa Zech, Brandyn Wilkop, Mike Strasser, Maria Diaz, Derek Burton, Alyssa Bahr, Esther Stap, Susi Zarco, Kathy Lange, Kelly Gaston, Tieg Marvin, Kandyce Hays and Tonia Bobay.

Cardiologist to discuss future of wearable technology

Community members are invited to join cardiologist, Dennis Disch, MD, for a free educational seminar titled, “Keeping Tabs on Your Ticker–Can a Smartwatch Save your Life?” The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the conference center at Lakeland at Meadowbrook, located at 2550 Meadowbrook Road in Benton Harbor. During the seminar, Dr. Disch will discuss the future of wearable technology and its ability to detect and help treat heart-related conditions. Those in attendance will be entered to win an Apple Watch Series 4, which is equipped with an electrical heart sensor, notifications for low and high heart rate, irregular rhythm, fall detection and emergency SOS. “For people at high risk of heart disease, or a known cardiac condition, smart technology can be a game changer,” said Dr. Disch. Preregistration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. For more information, or to register, call 269-927-5361 or visit spectrumhealthlakeland.org/heartcare.

Holiday Blues program offered in St. Joe

Community members are invited to join Caring Circle for Holiday Blues, an annual program that provides an opportunity for individuals, family, and friends to participate in meaningful sharing and gain renewed strength to walk through grief during the holiday season. The program is Tuesday, Nov. 12 at noon at Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Lane in St. Joseph and is free. To register or for more information, call Caring Circle at 269-429-7100.

Community Calendar

Friday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m. “DIG PINK VOLLEYBALL GAME” at Watervliet High School gymnasium. Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser game with Lady Panthers against Hartford Indian volleyball. Free admission; donations being collected Saturday, Oct. 26, 1-3 p.m. “FALL HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL” hosted by the Hartford Library at the Hartford Bible Church gym, 65418 Red Arrow Hwy. The event is from 1 to 3 p.m. with free games, candy, prizes and face painting. Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “FALL BOOK SALE” at Coloma Public Library. Purchases support literacy programs in the library. Saturday, Oct. 26, 205 p.m. “KIDS HALLOWEEN PARTY” at Coloma FOP, 3470 Angling Rd. Free event; costume contest at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, 3-5 p.m. “HALLOWEEN IN THE PARK” Community Halloween celebration in Baker Park downtown Coloma. Includes Trunk-or-Treat, music, games, hotdogs, popcorn, juice, apples. Also included is a Pumpkin Derby at noon, with pumpkin weigh-in at 11:00 a.m., and a costume parade beginning at the fire station at 3:00 p.m. Call Lion Brian Smith at (269) 468-4153 for derby registration and kit purchase. Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-6:30 p.m. “HARVEST DINNER” at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4071 Naomi Rd., Sodus. $12/dinner; menu includes Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, squash, green beans, dessert and beverages. Call 269-927-3454 for tickets. Saturday, Oct. 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. “HALLOWEEN AT SARETT” spooky trails to explore, hayrides, treats and crafts for families. Cost is $5 per person; no reservations necessary Monday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. “VB REGIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEETING” at Van Buren Conference Center, 400 S. Paw Paw St., Lawrence featuring Adam Oster from Library of Michigan. Free event open to the public. Thursday, Oct. 31 “WATERVLIET TRICK-OR-TREAT” Downtown 3-5 p.m.; City-wide residential 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m. “TRUNK OR TREAT” at Hartford Middle School parking lot Thursday, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m. “COLOMA TRICK-OR-TREAT” City and Township neighborhoods Thursday, Oct. 31, 5-8 p.m. “HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR” free event at Hartford Fire Department for all kids Friday, Nov. 1, 5-6 p.m. “COMMUNITY SOUP & SALAD SUPPER” at North Berrien Senior Center, 6648 Ryno Rd., Coloma to benefit H.O.P.E Resources Food Pantry. Menu includes soup, salad, bread, dessert and beverage; public is invited. Cost for adults is $5; $3 for children up to 12 years of age; and free for children under three. Thursday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. “TRICK-OR-TREAT” in Hartford City and Township Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “SUPPORT THE TROOPS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE” at American Legion Post 568, 3093 Johnson Rd., Stevensville. Patriotic program at 11 a.m. Help make Christmas special for our troops by packing boxes with the Blue Star Mothers of America #177. Donations may be sent to Blue Star Mothers, P.O. Box 76, Stevensville, MI 49127. For more information, please call 269-925-4123 or 269-468-5182; or email CharlesBaldwinBSM@yahoo.com. Monday, Nov. 4, 6-7 p.m. “POTAWATOMI TRAVELING TRUNK SHOW” at Watervliet District Library presented by North Berrien Historical Museum – public invited Thursday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m. “TWO RIVERS COALITION ANNUAL MEETING” at the Van Buren Conference Center, Lawrence, located at 490 S. Paw Paw Street. For more information, go to www.tworiverscoalition.org. November 7 & 8 “RAKE A DIFFERENCE: DAY OF ACTION FOR SENIORS” United Way of Southwest Michigan organized event for assisting senior residents of Berrien, Cass & Van Buren counties with fall yard work. Volunteers sign up at uwsm.org/rakeadifference by October 11. Seniors sign up by calling 211 or 844-875-9211 by October 17. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2 p.m. “VETERANS DAY PATRIOTIC CONCERT” performed by Southshore Concert Band at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center hosted by Lest We Forget. Tickets from Stevensville & St. Joe Martin’s Supermarkets and LWF members are $10. Tickets from LMC Box Office are $12. Children 17 and under are free. Monday, Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m. “AUTHOR VISIT & BOOK SIGNING” by Rosanne Bittner at Watervliet District Library Saturday, Nov. 23, 3 p.m. “MISS TEEN COLOMA PAGEANT” at Coloma High School Auditorium, 300 W. St. Joseph St., Coloma Sunday, Dec. 15 “MISS HARTFORD PAGEANT” at Hartford High School Auditorium