On Monday, July 25, the Lakeland Health Board of Directors evaluated and approved funding for the $160 million medical facility expansion at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, located at 1234 Napier Avenue. The Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion is slated for completion in 2020 with a ceremonial ground breaking to occur in October.  “Top-tier healthcare organizations need to continually invest and innovate in order to stay top-tier,” said Daniel Hopp, Chair, Lakeland Health Board of Directors. “Through our long-range capital facility plan we have carefully evaluated, planned, and executed to ensure that we remain a health system equipped to serve the next generation of our friends and neighbors.”  Plans for the pavilion include five floors featuring new state-of-the-art medical and surgical suites, a short stay unit, imaging centers, an intensive care unit, and education and community rooms. A new main entrance to the facility will focus on visitor amenities including areas designated for healthy living and additional outreach programs.  “Every decision made in regards to this project has been with our patients, team members, and community in mind and how we can provide them with the best overall experience possible,” said Loren B. Hamel, MD, President and CEO, Lakeland Health. “Our hope is that through modernizations and the latest technology we will be able to save more lives, restore health to more patients, and provide the quality health care our community needs while remaining close to home.”  Additional patient experience considerations include private corridors for patient transport within the hospital, ease of access and way finding both inside and outside the hospital, and generous natural light, offering a healing environment.  For more information about the project, visit www.lakelandhealth.org/pavilion.

Community prayer vigil for Michigan Law Enforcement 

TOP READERS…in the Hartford Public Library summer reading program. There are five children in the young read-to-me category and five children in the independent readers. (from the left) Front row: Kaydence Buchanan, Remington Sexton, Aubry Ackerman, Evelyn Barrientos and Rene Barrientos; Back row: Anya Sexton, Rowan Rumley, Ethan Rumley and Aleah Sexton. Not pictured Sulan Alvarado.

 A community prayer vigil for Michigan Law Enforcement will be held Monday, August 22, 2016. The event is organized by Living Word Church of God. It will take place at the church, 6993 Red Arrow Hwy, Coloma.  It is an open house between 6 – 7 p.m. This is no agenda or format, just praying for our law enforcement: City, County, Township and State. For questions or more information please contact Pastor Windle or Denice Davis at 269-468-3881 or thelivingword5141@sbcglobal.net.

Senior Services

Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main St., Hartford

 On Monday, August 22, lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.; bingo and cards/Euchre at 1:30 p.m.  On Tuesday, August 23, lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.; exercise and cards/Euchre at 1:00 p.m.; computers with Emma, and knitting at 1:30 p.m.   On Friday, August 26, Euchre tournament at 10:00 a.m.; lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.; cards/Euchre at 1:00 p.m.; and knitting/crocheting/needlework at 1:30 p.m.  All seniors, age 60 and older, residing in Van Buren County are eligible to participate in these programs and activities.  Rides are available through Van Buren Public Transit with no less than 24-hour advance notice at 269-427-7921.

Annual brush spray program to begin

 The Daltons, Inc., its main office at 8857 N. Syracuse-Webster Road, Syracuse, IN, a licensed commercial applicator, has been contracted by the Van Buren County Road Commission to perform custom chemical (herbicide) vegetation control maintenance services along the right-of-way on various primary roads and local roads throughout Van Buren County.  The control of brush along the roadsides is critical so as to maintain safe roadside vision.  Locations to be sprayed include bridge approaches and overpasses, guardrail sections, intersections, and other selected areas within the county road right-of-way, excluding platted or urban areas, orchards and grape vineyards and certified organic farms that have been registered on the Michigan Specialty Crop Site Registry (DriftWatch).  This application will be completed by September 17.  The herbicide materials to be applied are EPA-approved Alligare Triclopyr and MSM 60 (metsulfuron).  Additional information may be requested by  contacting Lex Dalton at 888-267-7511.  Property owners may contact the Van Buren County Road Commission to request that their property be omitted from the treatment.  Call 269-674-8011, or email jillbrien@vbcrc.org

Community Soup & Salad Supper September 9

 A “Community Soup & Salad Supper” will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 9, 2016 at the North Berrien Senior Center, 6648 Ryno Road, Coloma.  The menu includes soup, salad, bread, dessert, and beverage.  Cost for adults is $5; $3 for children up to 12 years of age; and free for children under 3.  The public is invited.  Proceeds will go to the North Berrien Food Pantry.  First Congregational UCC of Coloma will host this month’s “Community Soup & Salad Supper.”

Coloma Library News

Donna Lee Gauntlett visits library

The library is pleased to host a book signing with Watervliet native, Donna Lee Gauntlett on Tuesday, August 23 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Gauntlett’s memoir, “Finding Pockets of Happiness: an Illustrators Memoir” along with her creative coloring journal, also titled “Finding Pockets of Happiness” will be available for purchase during the event. Gauntlett is offering a free art print with the purchase of any of her books. Please visit donnaleegauntlett.com or call Donna Gauntlett at (941) 587-3255 with any questions.

Book Club

 The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting for a book discussion on Thursday, September 1 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “1 Dead in Attic           ” by Chris Rose.  Generally, depending on demand there are titles available for check-out at the front desk. The book club regularly meets every other Thursday and is always looking for new members. For more information please stop in the library or call 468-3431.