A BEAUTIFUL NEW CHAPTER… With the sky a soft blue and heavy with plump rainclouds, the new sod freshly laid at the new Watervliet District Library Park as well as the new sign shines in the early morning. The park has recently been redesigned and renovated by the Library Board, including new brick walkways and plantings. Commemorative engraved bricks are available as a fundraiser for the project. Stop in at the library to purchase an engraved commemorative brick and visit the new park.                                    (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Watervliet Home Town Christmas Celebration, December 4

 It is a Home Town Christmas in Watervliet on Sunday, December 4 to celebrate the holiday magic. There are great events planned so mark your calendar!

To start things off, the Snow Prince & Snow Princess will be crowned at a ceremony taking place at Arclight Brewery, 544 N. Main Street. The ceremony starts at 4:00 p.m. There are 29 Watervliet Middle School students contending for this year’s royalty. Voting is taking place now until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, at B&B Outlet, Arclight Brewing and Watervliet Laundry/Cool Tan in Watervliet and Harding’s in Coloma.

Other events taking place at Arclight Brewery from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on December 4 include a chili cook-off. All entries must be set up by 4:00 p.m.; entry forms and information are available at the brewery. The winner will be announced at 7:30 p.m.

There will be a parade downtown starting at 5:30 p.m. from the Watervliet Fire Department. Mr. Mattson and his Watervliet Elementary Choir group will lead the parade and joining them will be Miss Watervliet and court along with Mr. & Miss Firecracker. Santa will end the parade arriving in his sleigh at Arclight Brewery to light the Christmas tree. Anyone wanting to participate in the parade must meet at the fire department by 5:00 p.m.

Following the parade, there will be sleigh rides if weather permits.

Live reindeer will be at the brewery from 4:00-8:00 p.m. for anyone wanting to take photos. Photographer Shawn Mead will be onsite to take pictures with Santa for purchase. The cost is $5 for digital download, $6 for printed 5×7 or $8 for both.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Anyone that wishes to donate cookies please drop them off at Arclight on Sunday between noon and 3:30 p.m. Panthers Grill food services will be available for celebration attendees to purchase food during the event.

Downtown businesses are encouraged to decorate their windows to add to the festive feeling in town for the Home Town Christmas Celebration.

Watervliet Snow Prince & Princess voting

 The voting has begun for Snow Prince and Snow Princess to reign over Watervliet’s Home Town Christmas Celebration. Voting can be done at Coloma Harding’s, B&B Outlet, Arclight Brewing and Watervliet Laundry/Cool Tan until 5 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2016. There are 29 Watervliet Middle School contestants this year.

Crowning will be Sunday, December 4 at 4:00 p.m. at Arclight Brewing to start off the Home Town Christmas Celebration.

All proceeds go toward the Home Town Christmas Celebration.

JnK Gift Shop off to a great start

 With only one month under their belt, Watervliet’s new retail store JnK Gift Shop has created quite a buzz with the local community and out-of-town visitors.  Topping customer’s interests are custom printed t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies, which customers have enjoyed selecting a design or bringing in their own design and having it printed on the spot, usually in less than 30 minutes.

The owners, Jeff Little and Kris Richardson, really enjoy the looks on each customer’s face when they see their very own, one of a kind shirt.

Customers also enjoy the local access to shirts and merchandise featuring local teams Watervliet Panthers, Coloma Comets, and Hartford Indians.

In-store custom printing includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, kid’s shirts, onesies, tote bags, mugs, mouse pads, stickers, post cards, and more to be added soon.

JnK Gift Shop’s local awareness has jumped with their weekly sales and promotions.  This week’s Veterans Day Sale (11/7-11/13) features 15% off Pure Michigan branded items and Michigan made items.  Military members and family with military ID as well as our senior community members 60 and over will get an additional discount, making their sale price 20% off.

And just to get in to the holiday spirit, JnK Gift Shop is having a Pre-Holiday Sale this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (11/11-11/13) with 25% off adult and kid’s t-shirts and sweatshirts and 25% off all kid’s items.

JnK Gift Shop is located at 8273 Arnt Blvd, just off Exit 41, across from Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott and Surfari Joe’s Indoor Waterpark.  Open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday and Monday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Keeler United Methodist Church turkey dinner, November 12

On Saturday, November 12 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. there will be a turkey dinner at the Keeler United Methodist Church located on the corner of CR 687 and Territorial Road East in Keeler.

The menu is to include roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, rolls, desserts and beverages.

The public is invited to attend; Donations accepted. Take-out is available.

Food is served in the basement of the church and the location is handicapped accessible with a chair lift.

This will be the last dinner at the Keeler location. Future dinners to be announced will be at the Hartford United Methodist Church.

North Berrien Senior Center upcoming events

 Friday, November 11, Veterans Day Potluck and Bingo at 12:00 noon.

Wednesday, November 16, Commodities pick-up (CSFP & TEFAP), 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Friday, December 9, Christmas Brunch, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

The North Berrien Senior Center is located at 6648 Ryno Road in Coloma. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Call 269-468-3366 for more information.

Family Dollar celebrates grand opening in Coloma

By Christina Gelder

After more than 20 years in downtown Coloma, Family Dollar has a new permanent home. The company built a new store right on north Paw Paw Street where the former Eco-Logical Cleaners building was located. The last weekend in October was their official ribbon cutting and grand opening at the new location.

Lisa Emmert, District Manager for Family Dollar says they are, “thrilled to stay in the community and build a new store.” She went on to say that she looks forward to them being there for a long time.

Construction on the new building was begun in May and progressed quickly through the summer. The building is 9,500 square feet which not only allows for bigger aisles but more options and merchandise. The 20 cooler doors have allowed for increased food selection making it a convenient stop for meal and snack choices.

Coloma Mayor Jim Polashak says it is nice to see the new store. “In the last two weeks,” said Polashak “I have had five ribbon cuttings in the area, it is nice to see.”