BAC opening new exhibits ............ p.2A New Year

Holiday lights set to music ............p.7Keeping the beat

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Week of December 18-24, 2014 Volume 6, Number 51Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

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Page 2 • Week of December 18-24, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

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All are welcome to worship with us.Cass Fellowship

Bible ChurchPastor Richard Doran

(269) 274-572664016 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031

(269) 445-2195Sunday School: Sunday 9:30 amChurch Service: Sunday 10:30 am and Wednesday 7 pm

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Inner Journey Healing Arts Center For those seeking harmony & healing

BUCHANAN — A public reception will be hosted

from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sun-day, Jan. 11 at the Bu-chanan Art Center.

The event will feature four new exhibits by lo-cal artists: “Birds, Bees, Dogs and Trees;” mixed media collage by Cath-erine Chmiel-Goetzinger in the Roti Roti Gallery; “Oil On Canvas, 2014,” paintings by Dorothy

Tristan in the Showplace Gallery, “Café con Leche, Por Favor,” watercol-ors by Tami McClellan in the Hess Library, and “Surface Reactions,” pot-tery selections by Lynda Price, Helen Kloswick, Janis Schibley and Ann Flannery in the BAC Showcases.

These exhibits open on Wednesday, Jan. 7, and run through Saturday, Feb. 21.

Presented in the BAC Showcases, Surface Reac-tions features the work of the JHL Eclectic Pottery group; led by retired art teacher and longtime BAC member Lynda Price.

The group, consists of Price, Helen Kloswick, Janis Schibley and Ann Flannery. Formed in 2011 by Price who invited this group of ladies to work with her in her studio, they are longtime friends from a

Bible study group and from Price’s work with horses. Always the teacher, Price motivates and educates.

Each member brings her life experiences and talents to their art in a unique way. They all work in clay but their surfaces are as var-ied as their forms and their methods of firing. They explore the soft crackle of raku glazes and underglaz-es, terra sigillata coatings and the obvara method of

coating and firing. From hand built sculpture to wheel thrown vessels, their work pushes the boundaries of low-fire technology.

The Buchanan Art Cen-ter is located at 117 West Front Street in Buchan-an, Michigan. The Center features three galleries and showcases with rotat-ing exhibits of regional artists’ works, a program of educational art classes

for all ages, and a gift shop offering works of lo-cal artists. Current hours are Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sat-urday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays. More information, including a schedule of classes, can be obtained at the Center by calling 269-697-4005, or by visiting their website at: www.buchananartcen-ter.org.

ON DISPLAY

Buchanan Art Center kicks off 2015 with new exhibits

Catherine Chmiel-Goetzinger (Birds, Bees, Dogs and Trees) is a mixed-media collage art-ist who uses the same basic approach whether creating with paper and or fabric.

Upcycling is not her main intent, but she does enjoy creating something beautiful from little cast-off pieces.

Chmiel-Goetzinger’s formal training was from Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. While there she received a BFA in painting and a BFA in printmaking.

Her informal training in sewing, embroidery and quilting came from her mother, maternal grandmother and a long line of craftswomen.

Love of gardening shows through in much of Catherine’s work. Her color palette and rich tex-tures come from nature and the garden. House and home are also common themes.

Catherine’s goal is for her work to be comfort-able, inviting, and maybe just a little bit fun.

Catherine Chmiel-Goetzinger

Painter Dorothy Tristan (Oil On Canvas, 2014) was a poor girl from the slums of New York who was sent when she was ten by the Herald-Tribune Fresh Air Fund to stay for two weeks with a wealthy family in Con-necticut.

The woman gave her a set of oil paints, and she started painting, and for years there was no turning back. She attended the High School of Industrial Art in NYC, and then the prestigious Art Students League.

After graduating from high school, she worked for six months as an industrial de-signer until she was picked up by Eileen Ford and became a top model.

She painted while modeling in Rome. Then, when she returned to this country and started acting, painting became more of an on-and-off thing, between movies and tele-vision shows. She played the female lead or large supporting roles in a number of feature films and television shows, working with Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, Al Pacino, and Gene Hackman. She is the author of five nationally-distributed feature films.

Dorothy has now started painting again, full time, and is completely engrossed in it.

Dorothy Tristan

Tami McClellan (Café con Leche, Por Favor) is a Buchan-an native who returned seven years ago to once again call this beautiful town home.

She is currently finishing her PhD in Counseling Psychology at Andrews University, where she has developed a deep love and appreciation for people, re-lationships, culture and diversity.

McClellan believes strongly in living authentically, being ac-tive in her community and loving people unconditionally. She pur-sued art in her undergraduate career and completed two years of art school where she excelled at watercolor, color pencil and pastel work.

Tami is known for her strong use of bold color and heavy use of medium. She is inspired by simple moments in life, and aims to uplift others with her work. This is her second art ex-hibit at the Buchanan Art Center; a place she says she loves and appreciates tremendously.

Tami McClellan

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember18-24,2014•Page 3

3

GET OUT!

NILES — Fern-wood Botanical Garden is host-

inga number of events to get everyone out of the house during the upcom-ing weeks, including the 52nd Annual Niles Area Christmas Bird Count this Saturday.

Niles Area Christmas Bird CountSaturday, Dec. 20

Are you a birder living in the Niles-Buchanan area? Do you enjoy feed-ing and watching the birds at your home feeders? Then become a part of the 52nd Annual Niles Area Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Contact Wendy Jones at Fernwood for more in-formation on how you can participate by counting birds at your home feed-ers.

Family Holiday Activities

Festive decorations, natural beauty, and family fun abound at Fernwood during December. Stop by for some holiday fun on the weekend of Decem-ber 20 and 21. Start with the Holiday Train Exhibit. See the train and landmark buildings made of natural materials in the Fern Con-servatory all winter.

Children can make a holiday craft from 1 to 4 p.m. both days, and story-teller Miss Cindy will be sharing Christmas stories from 1 to 2 p.m. Cocoa will be available for pur-chase 1 to 4 p.m.

Events are free with paid Fernwood admission.

Dave Baker Exhibit: Sentinels

“Sentinels” is the title of an exhibit in Fern-wood's Gallery of new works by St. Joseph artist David Baker. The exhibi-tion features 27 works in watercolor, charcoal, and

oil. The show continues through Jan. 25.

Gingerbread Houses Galore!

Beautiful gingerbread houses of all sizes and shapes made by children and culinary students from the area are now on exhibit at Fernwood. Cat-egories include youth and student. These colorful domiciles will be on dis-play at Fernwood for you to enjoy through Decem-ber 21.

Free with paid Fern-wood admission.

Holiday Wine, WreathsBring your holiday par-

ty to Fernwood! New this year, Fernwood is offering an exclusive holiday ex-perience you won’t soon forget, perfect for fam-ily, friends, and cowork-ers. You and your guests each will create a custom wreath with the help of

professional Fernwood instructors. Seasonal re-freshments and beverages are included. Gatherings may be scheduled be-tween 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. through Dec. 19.

Choose either the Holly Package or the Jolly Pack-age.

The Holly Package in-cludes one beverage and food item, and each per-son makes one wreath or holiday piece for $20 per person (up to six people), or $15 per person (six people or more). Couples can make one wreath or holiday piece for $30 per couple (up to six people) or $22 per couple (six people or more).

The Jolly Package is the ultimate festive expe-rience with a variety of beverages and food items included for $35 per per-son (up to six people), or $26 per person (six people or more). Couples can

make a wreath or holiday piece for $60 per couple (up to six people), or $45 per couple (six people or more). Contact Fernwood at (269) 695-6491 to make your reservation today.

About Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve

Fernwood is a special

place where nature blends with gardens and art to create an experience of wonder for all ages. Fern-wood comprises 105 acres on the St. Joseph River near Buchanan, Michigan, at 13988 Range Line Road, Niles. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Fern-

wood Café is open Tues-day through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.. Fernwood is closed on Mondays and will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Call (269) 695-6491 or visit www.fernwoodbotan-ical.org for more informa-tion and to confirm status of classes.

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. — South Bend Civic Theatre presents Neil

Simon’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning com-edy “Lost in Yonkers” Jan. 9-25 in the Warner The-atre, 403 N. Main Street in South Bend.

Hailed as “the best play Neil Simon ever wrote” by the New York Post, “Lost in Yonkers” tells the funny and poignant story of Jay and Arty, two teenage boys in 1942. When their re-cently widowed father has to take a travelling sales job, he leaves his sons to their grandmother in Yon-kers.

The boys find life chal-lenging and bewildering around their eccentric relatives: strict German immigrant Grandma Kur-nitz, child-like Aunt Bella, and mobster Uncle Louie. Simon’s play explores the hardship, pain, humor and love of these richly drawn characters.

Scot Shepley directs

Tucker Curtis, Noah Hick-ey, Noah Johnson, Mary Ann Moran, Crystal Ryan, Casey St. Aubin, and April Sellers.

Neil Simon’s play has been lauded by critics as “… a comedy, a drama, and a hit. With “Lost in Yonkers,” Mr. Simon has given us all three” (Wall Street Journal); “One of Simon's most impres-sive and funniest plays” (New York Daily News); “Laughter and tears have come together in a new emotional truth. There are moments in this play when you experience a new kind of laughter for Simon, a silent laughter that doesn't explode into a yuk but im-plodes straight into your heart” according to News-week.

Reserved tickets are $21 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sat-urday and 2 p.m. Sundays. For tickets, call the SBCT Box Office at 574-234-1112 or online at sbct.org.

SBCT’s Warner The-atre Series is sponsored by Nyloncraft and the show sponsor for “Lost in Yon-kers” is Schindler, Olson, and Currey.

South Bend Civic The-atre, an award-winning and nationally ranked the-atre, is the oldest continu-ously operating communi-ty theatre company in the South Bend/Mishawaka area. Founded in 1957, it staged most of its produc-tions from 1968 to 2007 at The Firehouse, a local historic landmark located at 701 Portage Ave., in the city’s historic Park Av-enue neighborhood. Since 2007, SBCT’s 50th Anni-versary year, SBCT’s pro-ductions are held in their state-of-the-art theatre located at 403 N. Main St. SBCT features the 209 seat Wilson Theatre, flex-ible seating “black-box” Warner Theatre and caba-ret style configured Fire-house Theatre.

South Bend Civic presents hit play

SPOTLIGHT

SOUTH BEND Ind. — Potawa-tomi Zoo invites the commu-nity to come visit with Santa

on Dec. 20 just before the Christmas holiday and enjoy the winter scenery while strolling through the Zoo and maybe watch the animals frolic in the snow.

The Zoo will be open Dec. 20 from noon to 3 p.m.

Admission for December Winter Days is $5.50 per person, 2 and under are free, and admission for Potawa-tomi Zoo members is also free. The indoor Learning Center will be open with a “build your own snow globe” activity available and face painting for children of all ages (small addi-tional charge for both).

Don’t forget to bring your camera

for pictures with Santa too. “Visiting with Santa at the Potawa-

tomi Zoo is an excellent break from your Holiday shopping and a great way to spend an afternoon with your kids at the Zoo,” said Marcy Dean, executive director of the Zoo.

Potawatomi Zoo keeper staff will be hosting a bake sale in the Learn-ing Center in support of the Animal Enrichment Fund. Staff will be sell-ing Adopt-an-Animal packages and annual memberships. The Jungle Gifts gift shop will be open. The Po-tawatomi Zoo Train will not be run-ning this day.

Additional Potawatomi Zoo Win-ter Days this season will be Jan. 3, 7 and 31, Feb. 14 and 28 and March 14.

Zoo offers winter hours

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember18-24,2014•Page 5

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SBCT’s Warner The-atre Series is sponsored by Nyloncraft and the show sponsor for “Lost in Yon-kers” is Schindler, Olson, and Currey.

South Bend Civic The-atre, an award-winning and nationally ranked the-atre, is the oldest continu-ously operating communi-ty theatre company in the South Bend/Mishawaka area. Founded in 1957, it staged most of its produc-tions from 1968 to 2007 at The Firehouse, a local historic landmark located at 701 Portage Ave., in the city’s historic Park Av-enue neighborhood. Since 2007, SBCT’s 50th Anni-versary year, SBCT’s pro-ductions are held in their state-of-the-art theatre located at 403 N. Main St. SBCT features the 209 seat Wilson Theatre, flex-ible seating “black-box” Warner Theatre and caba-ret style configured Fire-house Theatre.

South Bend Civic presents hit play

This recipe is one of the reasons I had to go on strict healthy eating plan to get ready for Christmas in Key West. I ate so many over Thanksgiving it was as if I was on a whoopie pie con-sumption mission.

However, it’s the holi-days and everyone is shar-ing their cookie recipes, so I want to put some of these yummy vegan options out there. Also, everyone has been asking for the recipe since I posted some photos of these around Thanksgiving.

I made these whoopie pies for my family’s Thanksgiving celebration since a vegan dessert is always my responsibility. They were gone in a flash, so the recipe is surely worth sharing.

I adapted this recipe from one my friend Wade

sent me this fall. He made them for a dinner party and they were a huge hit. The recipe he sent wasn’t vegan or gluten free, but I didn’t have too hard of a time converting it. The recipe is actually surprisingly easy to make, and if you aren’t pumpkin-ed out yet these are a sure crowd pleaser.

Kat Barry, a St. Joseph, Michigan native, is owner of Kat’s Hot Cakes vegan catering, and co author of “The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat Free Recipes from America’s Veggie Diner.” She also develops recipes for eHow.com, where you can find over 30 of her vegan instructional cooking vid-eos. She is also a certified yoga instructor. Kat cur-rently resides in Chicago, and in her free time she

enjoys practicing yoga, sampling local spirits, lis-tening to live music, and getting outdoors. Follow @katshotcakes on twitter. Kat can be reached via email at: kat@katshot-cakes.com.

A vegan cookie option

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies with Maple Coconut Icing

Yield: about 2 dozen whoopie pies

Cookie Ingredients:3 cups gluten free flour mix (I used Bob’s Red Mill)1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda2 teaspoons sea salt2 teaspoons cinnamon¼ teaspoon ground cloves½ teaspoon ground ginger½ teaspoon nutmeg¾ cup coconut oil2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree2 teaspoons vanilla extract½ cup sliken tofu¾ cup carob or vegan chocolate chips (optional)

To make the cookies:Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, and spices in a medium bowl until combined.In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the oil and the brown sugar. Then beat in the silken tofu, pumpkin, and vanilla. Beat on medium until well mixed. Next, slowly stir in the dry ingredients scraping the sides of the mixer bowl. Turn up the speed a bit and beat until well mixed then add the chips. The batter will be runnier than normal cookies. It will be more like cake batter consistency. Preheat oven to 375, then, using a 1 teaspoon scoop, place the dough in uniform balls on parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake about 10-15 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean and the cookies are springy.Remove from oven and carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack. They will stick to the parchment pretty easily, especially if you use the chips, so you have to be quick.

To make the icing:Place oil in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Slowly add powdered sugar and almond milk a little bit at a time. Be sure to scrape sides often. Add the maple syrup and vanilla and whip on high until peak form. Add sugar and milk until desired consistency is reached.

To assemble the woopie pies:Using a small rubber spatula or spoon, place about 1 ½ tablespoons of icing between the flat sides of two cookies. Place on a tray and repeat until all the cook-ies are gone. Enjoy!

Maple Coconut Icing Ingredients:½ cup coconut oilAbout 4 cups organic powdered sugar (sifted)About ½ cup almond milk1 tablespoon pure maple syrup1 teaspoon vanilla extract

COLUMNIST

Kat BarryKat's Hot Talk

Page 6 • Week of December 18-24, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

6

shop downtown st. joseph

special somethings for those on your list …

and a chance to visit with Santa too!

sponsored by the herald-palladiumSanta will be in his house thurs. dec.18-tues. dec.23.

visit StJoeToday.com for hours.

Wednesday, December 24thChristmas Eve Worship

† 5:30 pm

9 S. 4th Street, Niles, MI 49120Corner of 4th and Broadway

trinityniles.org269.683.6060

Trinity Episcopal Churchwelcomes you and your family

Sunday Worship 9:30am

Wednesday Healing Service 5:30pm

Saturday Free Community LunchIn 11:30am

Join Us For

O Little Town of

Bethlehem† Candlelight Service† Communion† Children’s Story† Christmas Sermon

By GREG WRIGHT

THREE OAKS — Look-ing for an afternoon full of Christmastime ac-

tivities? Need a break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping? The Journeyman Distillery Christmas Party in Three Oaks might be your an-swer.

“We are hosting the event as a fun way to celebrate the holidays with the community,” said Nick Yoder, media repre-sentative at Journeyman.

The Journeyman Distillery Christmas Party is a free event with no admission fee or cover charge. This Saturday, Dec. 20, Journeyman Distillery will have plenty of activities for the whole family. The Christmas party runs from noon to 11 p.m. and is for all ages.

“The first half of the day is more geared towards families while the second half is aimed at the 21+ crowd,” Yoder said. “Our owner, Bill Welter, want-ed to come up with an event that got the entire family in-volved in celebrating the holi-days.”

Welter will be dressing as Santa from noon to 3:30 p.m.

and children of all ages are welcome to visit the Journey-man version of St. Nick. Dur-ing this time there will also be Christmas craft activities for the kids, and while they are constructing crafts, parents can enjoy a fine selection of special holiday cocktails.

The second half of the event (for adults 21 and older) kicks off at 5 p.m. with the Ugly

Sweater Party. This is actually an ugly

sweater contest, so the staff at Journeyman encourages ev-eryone attending to wear their ugliest sweaters for a chance to win a prize. The person with the best (or worst) sweater will win a $100 gift certificate.

During the contest there will be live music (band TBA). The winner of the contest will be

announced at 9 p.m. “People should come because

we always have a great time at the distillery,” Yoder said. “They’ll get to enjoy great spir-its and food and have a chance to win a gift certificate.”

Journeyman Distillery is only a short drive for most of Michiana, located at 109 Gen-erations Dr. in Three Oaks.

For those who have never

attended before, the Journey-man Distillery Christmas Party might just become a new tradi-tion. Yoder and his cohorts at Journeyman Distillery encour-age everyone to bring family, friends, and significant others along for a new holiday oppor-tunity to let Journeyman Dis-tillery get them into the Christ-mas spirit.

Celebrate the season with JourneymanCUISINE SCENE FOCUS

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember18-24,2014•Page 7

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attended before, the Journey-man Distillery Christmas Party might just become a new tradi-tion. Yoder and his cohorts at Journeyman Distillery encour-age everyone to bring family, friends, and significant others along for a new holiday oppor-tunity to let Journeyman Dis-tillery get them into the Christ-mas spirit.

NILES — Local Tech-nologies has part-nered with the City

of Niles to create a choreo-graphed lighting show at the historic Chapin Mansion.

The Chapin Mansion is adorned with over 45,000 energy efficient lights tied to 250 separate control cir-cuits all synchronized to 30 minutes of festive holiday music.

Ken Kuespert, owner of TPC Technologies, and the staff at TPC designed the light show and accompany-ing music.

“With 45,000+ lights and 250 control circuits, 30 minutes of choreographed music means that our team made over two million on/off decisions to keep the lights in tempo with the mu-sic,” Kuespert said.

Kuespert, who is also the mastermind behind Lights on Bell Road at 185 Bell Road in Niles, notes that “Families can plan a fun holiday evening visiting the show at the Chapin Mansion

and the Lights on Bell Road show.”

The Chapin Mansion light show will run evenings, 6-10 p.m., from now until January. It will be divided into four parts, each lasting 15 minutes.

The first part will start at the top of the hour and in-clude the animated lights set to music. The second part will focus on the Christ-mas lights inside the Chapin Mansion. The third part, starting at the bottom of the hour, will include the ani-mated lights set to a differ-ent holiday music program. The fourth part will again be focused on the interior light-ing of the mansion.

The Lights on Bell Road show will run evenings 5-10 p.m., from Dec. 7 until Jan-uary. This year’s production includes over 60,000 Lights and 20 minutes of music.

TPC Technologies has over 100 years of combined experience with sound, light-ing and video, offering both rentals and installations.

Holiday lights set to musicFOCUS

Submitted photo

The Chapin Mansion in downtown Niles provides a unique holiday experience for all who pass with lights set to Christmas music.

Page 8 • Week of December 18-24, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

8

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HOLLAND, Mich. — Holland, Michigan-based craft brewery and artisan distiller, New Hol-

land Brewing has announced the opening of a new merchandise store and tasting room called Sidecar.

Sidecar opened on Dec. 8 in the retail space next to New Holland’s Pub on 8th at 72 E. 8th Street in Downtown Holland.

Sidecar is a 1600 square foot storefront that will house New Holland’s full line of merchandise, branded apparel, hand-crafted items from BarrelWorks Project, as well as an assortment of beer and spir-its to go.

The tasting room will be up and run-ning later in December and offer beer and spirits samples, as well as flights and draft beer by the glass.

“This is a great opportunity for us to move our merchandise to an adjacent space where people can browse without feeling crowded,” says VP of Retail Op-erations Dave White. “Additionally, it’s a great place for customers to hang out and grab a drink if they’re waiting for a table at the pub.”

Sidecar will be open seven days a week, feature a direct route to the Pub on 8th,

host plenty of space for browsing and beer and spirits release parties, as well as employ an educated staff to answer ques-tions about their products.

“Aside from the logistical reasons this growth accommodates,” says White, “Sidecar is about providing our custom-ers with an atmosphere to Stop & Taste with us in a relaxed and welcoming envi-ronment. We can’t wait to share the space with the community.”

Sidecar opened its doors at 11 a.m. on Dec. 8th and will announce the launch of the tasting room in coming weeks.

About New Holland Brewing Co.New Holland Brewing Company’s deep

roots in the craft industry go back to 1997. Their role as an integral member of the artisan approach is something they take seriously, yet engage lightheartedly. They believe the art of craft lives in fostering rich experiences for their customers, through creating authentic beer, spirits and food while providing great service. Recognized for their creativity and artistry, their mis-sion to improve the lives of craft consumers everywhere is seen in their diverse, bal-anced collection of beer and spirits.

TOURIST FOR A DAY Discover the local destinations right in your own backyard

A new tasting experienceHolland brewery expands with 'Sidebar'

Submitted photo

Guests visiting New Holland Pub will now be able to shop and taste-test some brews in addition to the opportunity to try some of Michigan's best local beer choices .

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember18-24,2014•Page 9

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JOIN THE GATEWAY TEAM

We have openings in bothBerrien and Cass Countiesfor associates interested inhelping individuals withdisabilities and barriers intheir homes, communitiesand on-the-job.

We are seeking:Job Developer [FT]: As-sessing and identifying in-dividual’s abilities, andplacing them in the ap-propriate job. Then, ensuretheir success by trainingthem at the employmentsite.Skills Trainer/Job Coach[FT/PT/On Call]: Sup-porting, training andmonitoring participantsstriving to accomplish in-dividual goals such aslearning to grocery shop,cook meals, on-the-jobtraining, etc.Executive Assistant [FT]:Perform a wide range ofadministrative and officesupport activities forManagement to facilitatethe efficient operation ofthe organization, (personalmanagement skills relativeto organization, prioritizingand multi-tasking abilities,including showing initiativeand able to communicateeffectively, both internallyand externally). Must beexperienced in MicrosoftOffice Suite.Case Manager (SuccessCoach) [FT]: Provides casemanagement support withthe goal of obtaining andmaintaining employmentfor Felony Court Parti-cipants. Serve as a pro-gram liaison with othercomponents of the criminaljustice systems includingjudges, attorneys, paroleofficers, court personal,and service providers. For a complete descriptionof openings and to apply,please visit our website at

www.gatewayvro.orgLEADER

PUBLICATIONS ROUTES

AVAILABLESee our ad under businessopportunities

Kenneth Smith, Inc.Truck Drivers Pulling

Dump Trailers WantedDRIVERS NEEDED:

Class A CDL and Dumptrailer exp. preferred. Tri-state area, Home nightsand weekends, Fuel Sav-ings Sharing Program,Safety Bonus, Health Be-nefits.

Apply in person2596 Detroit Road (M-60)

in Niles, MIor call 269-684-5960to request application

www.kennethsmithinc.com

NOW HIRINGFULL-TIME

HOUSEKEEPERThis is a 37.5 hours/weekposition. Full Benefitspackage. Will work everyother weekend.

Send resumes toenvironment@nwvmemory.c

om or call 574-247-1866and talk to Henry Borr

WELDER WANTEDAl-ko Axis is hiring for awelder. See the larger ad intoday's paper.

Elderly Care 307KARE SERVICESCompassionate Home

Care Services(269)684-1984(574)292-2900

email:KKaidanRay@aol.comwww.KAREService.com

Instruction & Training

309

P.D.K.Firearm Instruction

Concealed Pistol LicenseContact Paul:

269-462-2584 orKelly: 269-783-6570

pdkfirearms.com

Apartments 4122 BEDROOM

Apartments Available$565/month

(269)684-4500tanglewood-niles.com

CassopolisSTONE LAKE MANORSenior Apartments. 2months free on select units.Spacious, two bedroomlocated on beautiful StoneLake, Intercom entrybuilding, elevator, emer-gency pull cords. Seniors 62years or older. Rent starts at$631.00 (based on income).Please call Toni at 269-445-3333 or stop by today at145 Stone Lake St. for moreinformation. Equal HousingOpportunity. TDD 1-800-649-3777 American Pre-ferred 1-800-968-1792

• SWIMMING POOL

• AIR CONDITIONING

• 24 HR. MAINTENANCE

• COMMUNITY ROOM

• SECURITY ACCESS INTERCOM SYSTEM

• PLAYGROUND

Stop in for a tour!M-F 8am-5pm

1615 N. 5TH St.• Niles, Mi 49120

(269) 683-1850

Arbor TrailsWe Have Spacious 3 Bedroom

Townhomes with Full BasementsStarting at $635/mo.

1&2 Bedroom Apartments and 2&3 Bedroom Townhomes

Available!

FREEWiFi

For Rent 418LOOKING FOR

Housemates to share housein Niles quiet country set-ting, 3 bedroom, 2 bath,3,000 sq. ft., 2 levels, 2acres, $500 per month, rentpossibly negotiable.(269)240-8800

SHARP 2 BEDROOMNiles ranch home with 1 cargarage, fenced back yard,quiet location, $625/month(269)695-5839

Rent-Lease, Misc. 442OFFICE SPACE

For rent, approx. 750 sq ft,corner office, securebuilding, indoor parking,reasonable rent. Call RogerTracey (269)683-2211

Houses for Sale 500

6423 Long Lake Rd.,Berrien Springs, 4 bed-room, 2 1/2 bath, 4.4acres, 2 fireplaces, polebarn $269,900

Call Mike at(269)470-2995

FOR SALE

Niles Twp Home3 Bedroom, 2 BathLarger Corner Lot

Eligible for 100% FinancingCall or Text Chris Moore

Freedom Realty(269)362-5665(269)687-8484NEW PRICE!

1420 Oak St., Niles 3 Bed/2 Bath, 1690 sqft

Lots of new updatesCarolee Dalrymple

Pier Realty616-634-2358RECENTLY

FORECLOSEDSpecial Financing Available,

Any Credit, Any Income2BD, 1BTH, 696SqFt, loc-

ated at 19790 MetcalfCourt South, Edwardsburg,

$29,900. Visit www.ro-selandco.com\DMD,

Drive by then call(866)351-1234

WHETHER BUYINGOR SELLING

Integrity Real EstateProfessionals

would love the opportunity toserve you. Call any of ouragents for professionalservice you expect and de-serve.

269-684-5030Integrity Real Estate

Professionals

Manufactured Homes

502

GREAT HOME!GREAT PRICE!

2 Bd/2 Bth, air cond.,Vaulted ceilings, $488/MO*Buchanan, 269-695-3119

HOMES FOR SALE IN DECATUR

3 bed, 2 bath homes readyto be moved into. Leaseoptions starting at $599 permonth (includes lot rent, in-surance, water, trash) Call(269)423-7024 or visitwww.phelpscommunity.comto view pictures

STUNNING HOME!GREAT PRICE!

3 bd/2 bth, A/C, garden tub,Thermopane Windows,

New flooring throughoutCall 269-695-3119Riverside Estates

Collectibles 602NILES FLEA MARKET

111 E. Main St, Niles MINew vendors bringing manynew items weekly. OpenHouse Nov 28th-30th! ComeChristmas shopping with us!(269) 262-4333

Auctions 603NILES COMMUNITY

AUCTION HOUSEAntiques, collectables,furniture, & tons of newitems! Antique AuctionDecember 20th, 4pm.

802 Fort St, Niles MI(269) 635-0271

Cemetery Lots 6172 PLOTS & 2 VAULTSin Mission Hills MemorialGardens in Niles, valued at$4,600, asking $1,600negotiable, will pay transferfees! (219) 393-1977

Page 10 • Week of December 18-24, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

10 HALF CLASS10 HALF CLASS

Good Things to Eat

636

Sweet TexasOranges

5 lbs/$3.5018lb/$12.00

#1 HONEY CRISP.99/lb

$20/half bushel•#2 Honey Crisp $10/half bushel •Other Varieties

$7/half bushel & up•Red, White &

Russet Potatoes10lbs. $1, $20cents/lb.,

•Sweet Potatoes $12/half bushel .49/lb.

•Jumbo Walla WallaSweet Onions

.35/lb., $16.50/50lbs.•Texas Ruby red grapefruit

5 lbs/$2.5018 lbs/$9.00

•Honey1 1/2 lbs. $7

HOURS:Mon. - Sat. 10-5,

Sun. noon-5Hunky Fruit Stand

2054 M140Benton Harbor, MI 49022

(269) 944-3025

Household Mer-chandise

642

BILL'S USED APPLIANCESHOLIDAY SPECIAL!!

Starting Black Friday, thruthe month of December,

10-20% off!Hours: Mon-Fri. 10a-5pm

Sat. 10a-3pmClosed Sunday

2324 S. 11th St. Niles(269) 340-5952

FOR SALE•Used and Reconditioned

Appliances•Washers & Dryers

•Ranges•Air Conditioners

•Refrigerators841 Carberry Rd. Niles

(269)687-8639

Tools & Machin-ery

663

TOOLS FOR SALERetired machinist sellingtools. (269)845-7779 leavemessage

Wanted to Buy 672ADAMS JUNKERS

Adam buysJUNK CARS

Adam BuysRepairable CarsFixable Cars Wanted

adamsjunkers.comAdam Pays the most!!

FREE PICKUP7 days a weekTitle or not!!(574) 300-6556

ALWAYS PAYINGtop dollar for junk cars,trucks & farm equipment.Also buying repairables. Paulbuys junk cars & trucks.(574)993-1131

BUYINGrepairable scrap and un-wanted vehicles, top dollarpaid. Call or text for a freequote today. Free towing.Kevin (817)437-0450

WANTED TO BUYCash paid for mediumsize refrigerators, workingor repairable. Also gas &electric ranges. Call(269)687-8639

WE WILL BUYyour junk car. We haul forfree. Paying up to $1500cash. Please call anytime269-687-8098

Home Improve-ment

700

FRYMAN'S SEAMLESSGUTTERS & SIDINGFRYMAN’S ROOFING

Your home exterior experts.Quality guaranteed! LocallyOwned for 50 years. (269)782-5008 (David & Terri Fryman)

HOME REPAIRS &REMODELING

Over 30 years of experience,tile work, kitchens, bath-rooms, decks & porches,windows & doors, windowwrapping, siding, fascia &soffit. Call Randy (269)782-3139 (269)208-9838

MKCONSTRUCTION

Pole barn & other garagesspecialist. Roofing Siding,Framing and more. Over 40years experience. Licensed.Contact Michael N. Knepple(269)476-9777

MR. MAINTENANCEFREE ESTIMATES

Roofing, Siding & Windows,Light Hauling & SpringClean-Ups, No Inside orOutside job too big or small.Low affordable rates.(269)591-1403

WILLIAMS HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Repairs, Remodel, Windows,Siding, Additions, Painting,Plumbing & More. SeniorDiscounts. Free Estimates(269)635-1527

Heating 703

OUTDOOR WOODFURNACE

Robert Flory, Sr.Phone: (269)423-8458

Cell: (269)655-5291

Tree Service 725PAYNE'S TREE

SERVICETree Trimming & Removal.Stump Grinding & Firewood.Bobcat & Concrete Work.Insured. (269)663-8091THE CUTTING EDGE

PRO TREE CAREComplete Tree ServiceSAME DAY ESTIMATES

Insured, Competitive Rates.269-687-4972

Antenna Service 737

WHY PAY TO WATCH TV?

Dozens of Free HD & Digitalchannels, use your ownwiring, complete installation& repair, tower removal,packages with antenna, ro-tor & amp starting at $340.Free estimates.

(269)357-6352antennasplus1.com

Concrete Service 739DEPROW CONCRETE

Concrete, bricks, blocks &stonework. Any type of tearout & replace. Basementrepairs, landscaping, bobcatwork. No job too small. 35years experience. Concrete$2.20 a sq. foot. Insured.Jerry (269) 352-4010

Recycling Service 743CA$H 4 JUNKERS

Turn that Junker in your yardto cash in your hand

801 Carberry Rd, Niles269-687-5865

Snow Removal 745SNOW PLOWING

Residential & Com-mercial. Free Estimates.Reasonable Rates. CallLarry at C & C Concrete(269)228-1163

Misc. Services 747HANDYMAN JOE

& WIFERetired electrician will doelectrical repairs, re-placements & other elec-trical needs, also painting,general house cleaning,garage & basement cleaning& light carpentry.

LET US DO IT FOR YOU!Call between 9am-7pm

(269)340-2064 or(269)340-2365

KLIMEKENTERPRISES

Electrical Contracting, No JobToo Big or Small. Free Quotes.Affordable Pricing, Licensed &Insured. (269)684-6290 or(269)470-4097.

Painting Service 754

J.M. HUNTENTERPRISES, LLC

Painting & Drywall. Insured.Free Estimates. FamilyOwned & Operated for Over50 years. 269-683-4442.

Trucks, Vans, 4-Wh Drives

942

1993 FORD F250Ext. cab, Diesel, 4x4, 8 ft.box with contractors cap,198,000 miles, everythingworks, $4,500 OBO. Also redfiberglass Tonneau cover,fits 2007-2013 GMC-Chevy2500 long box, $400 OBO.(269)782-3139

Autos for Sale 945

04 Mini Cooper $8,88806 Pontiac G6 $10,685

07 GMC Canyon $13,88811 Jeep Cherokee $27,988Call (574) 264-1174 today!2006 Dodge Dakota Quad

Cab (Red)Engine: V8, 4.7 Liter

City 14/Hwy 19/Comb 16MPG

116k milesComfortably Seats 5 people

$7,500.00Call Scarlett Auto Sales

(269) 461-41972010 Hyundai Elantra GLS

46k grey in ColorGuaranteed 30 MPG/hwyFront Wheel Drive 4 Door

SedanNo Credit Checks

No InterestLow down Payment

Low monthly payments!!Free 6 month Warranty!

Call Scarlett Auto for moreinformation!

(269)461-4197

WHAT'S HAPPENING?i

CLASSIFIEDS

Dec. 18

Everyone is invited to come meet two, live reindeer on Friday, Nov. 28, noon to 5 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 18, 4 to 8:30 p.m. at the Silver Beach Carousel. Entry is $1 per person (children 2 and under free) into Santa’s Christmas Cor-ral in the Shadowland Ballroom where you can pet these friendly, gentle animals of North Pole fame. Have a profes-sional keepsake photo taken with your family for just $3.

Dec. 19

The Lake Michigan Col-

lege Mendel Center is giving the gift of laugher this holiday season with the Ha! Ha! Holidays Show – A Comedy Ex-travaganza on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. as part of its new Hanson Living Room Series. Tickets for the Ha! Ha! Holidays Show – A Comedy Ex-travaganza are $15, and $10 for Mendel Center Mainstage series ticket holders, students, and seniors. They are avail-able by calling the LMC Mendel Center Box Of-fice at (269) 927-1221 or visiting www.lmcmain-stage.org. For informa-tion about group rates, pre-show party options, and other special ar-rangements, contact

Mike Nadolski at (269) 927-8109 or mnadol-ski@lakemichigancol-lege.edu.

Dec. 19-21

For the first time ever, the Twin City Players (TCP) will bring one of its season’s productions to the Lake Michigan College Mendel Cen-ter Mainstage. Perfor-mances of the holiday musical The Christmas Schooner, book by John Reeger, music and lyrics by Julie Shannon and directed by Paul Mow, will be on Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.

Dec. 20

New Troy’s popular In-door Flea Market is back for a new season! The flea market will take place Saturday, Decem-ber 20 and Saturday De-cember 27, and continue on the last two Saturdays of every month through March. It is open from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission is free.

The Saturday before Christmas, founder Rob-ert Swan will bring to-gether four of the finest opera singers you could wish to hear, including Acorn favorite Christine

Steyer, who has per-formed at The Acorn numerous times. This year is Bob’s 10th year producing his Christmas Show! The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Acorn. Tickets are $25 each.

Dec. 21

Worship services be-gin at 9:30 am Sunday morning at Fairplain Presbyterian Church, fol-lowed by refreshments and education hour at 11 am. Following the edu-cation hour this Sunday, December 21, Fairplain Presbyterian Church will host lunch with Benton Harbor First and Niles Presbyterian churches

and then share caroling with homebound mem-bers. After caroling the group will head to First Presbyterian for refresh-ments. Please join us on Christmas Eve for a worship service at 4:00 pm which also includes a pageant.

Dec. 24

The Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Harbert, Michigan will host its Christmas Eve services on Wednesday, Dec. 24 with a Family Service and Children’s Pag-eant at 5:00 p.m. The late service will begin at 10:30 p.m. with Christ-mas carols followed by

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember18-24,2014•Page 11

11

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME

DIRECTOR’S NAME

AGE (18 OR UNDER)ADDRESS

CITY

STATEZIP

TELEPHONEEMAIL

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FESTIVAL?

FILM TITLE

CATEGORY ¢ LIVE ACTION/NARRATIVE ¢ DOCUMENTARY ¢ ANIMATION FILM YEARRUN TIME (MUST BE UNDER 12 MINUTES)

MINUTESSECONDS

SCHOOL PROJECT? ¢ YES ¢ NO SCHOOL NAME (OPTIONAL)HAVE YOU MADE FILMS BEFORE? ¢ YES ¢ NO IF YES, HOW MANY?DID YOU COLLABORATE WITH FRIENDS? ¢ YES ¢ NO (IF YES, PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAMES OF ALL COLLABORATORS) :

PLEASE WRITE A PARAGRAPH TELLING US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FILM (IF YOU NEED MORE SPACE, FEEL FREE TO USE A SEPARATE SHEET):

The 5th Annual Coastline Children’s Film Festival invites you to submit your best short film(s) to the Young Filmmakers Competition. Entry is free and open to anyone 18 and under. Categories include Narrative/Live Action, Documentary and Animation. Films will be judged on creativity, originality and artistic/technical mastery. A number of films will be selected for screening–with awards going to the top three. All juror decisions are final. Questions? Contact Leslie Sullivan | atouchofgreatness@hotmail.com.

participantinformation

j a n u a r y 2 0

d e a d l i n e :

2015

∙ Films created between 2012 and 2015 are eligible.∙ Total running time (including credits: 12 minutes or less.∙ Work alone or with friends/classmates. ∙ Little-to-no help from an adult is great. If they want to do more, tell them to make their own film!∙ Render and burn your full-frame project to a DVD for

standard playback or upload your full-resolution video file (.mp4, .mov, .wmv, .mkv, etc.) to Dropbox and send a link to thomasallenonline@gmail.com.∙ Having difficulty? Need technical assistance? Do not

panic. Send an email to thomasallenonline@gmail.com. He’s nice and will help you (even if he is an adult)!∙ Complete & mail this fancy entry form and send it to YFC 2015 ∙ c/o 4151 Bundy Rd ∙ Coloma, MI 49038 ∙ One film per entry form.

filminformation

This stylized image comes from the Ishihara Color Blindness Test that is used to detect visual color deficiency. On this particular plate, developed by Japanese ophthalmologist Shinobu Ishihara in 1917, the number 5 can be detected by all viewers.

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME

DIRECTOR’S NAME AGE (18 OR UNDER)

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

TELEPHONE EMAIL

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FESTIVAL?

FILM TITLE

CATEGORY ¢ LIVE ACTION/NARRATIVE ¢ DOCUMENTARY ¢ ANIMATION FILM YEAR

RUN TIME (MUST BE UNDER 12 MINUTES) MINUTES SECONDS

SCHOOL PROJECT? ¢ YES ¢ NO SCHOOL NAME (OPTIONAL)

HAVE YOU MADE FILMS BEFORE? ¢ YES ¢ NO IF YES, HOW MANY?

DID YOU COLLABORATE WITH FRIENDS? ¢ YES ¢ NO (IF YES, PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAMES OF ALL COLLABORATORS) :

PLEASE WRITE A PARAGRAPH TELLING US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FILM (IF YOU NEED MORE SPACE, FEEL FREE TO USE A SEPARATE SHEET):

The 5th Annual Coastline Children’s Film Festival invites you to submit your best short film(s) to the Young Filmmakers Competition. Entry is free and open to anyone 18 and under. Categories include Narrative/Live Action, Documentary and Animation. Films will be judged on creativity, originality and artistic/technical mastery. A number of films will be selected for screening–with awards going to the top three. All juror decisions are final. Questions? Contact Leslie Sullivan | atouchofgreatness@hotmail.com.

participantinformation

j a n u a r y 2 0d e a d l i n e :

2015

∙ Films created between 2012 and 2015 are eligible.∙ Total running time (including credits: 12 minutes or less.

∙ Work alone or with friends/classmates. ∙ Little-to-no help from an adult is great. If they want to do more, tell them to make their own film!∙ Render and burn your full-frame project to a DVD for standard playback or upload your full-resolution video file (.mp4, .mov, .wmv, .mkv, etc.) to Dropbox and send a link to thomasallenonline@gmail.com.∙ Having difficulty? Need technical assistance? Do not panic. Send an email to thomasallenonline@gmail.com. He’s nice and will help you (even if he is an adult)!∙ Complete & mail this fancy entry form and send it to YFC 2015 ∙ c/o 4151 Bundy Rd ∙ Coloma, MI 49038 ∙ One film per entry form.

filminformation

This stylized image comes from the Ishihara Color Blindness Test that is used to detect visual color deficiency. On this particular plate, developed by Japanese ophthalmologist Shinobu Ishihara in 1917, the number 5 can be detected by all viewers.

Questions? Contact Leslie Sullivan

atouchofgreatness@hotmail.com

for more information, or to download guidelines & application

We invite you to submit your best short film(s). Entry is free and open to anyone 18 and under.

2513 N. 5TH STREET, NILES • 269-684-5015

Happy Holidays

from our familyto yours!

WHAT'S HAPPENING?ithe Midnight Candle Lit Holy Eucharist at 10:45 p.m. All times are (EST). There will be no service on Christmas Day. The public is welcome. The church is located at 14280 Red Arrow High-way, midway between Lakeside and Harbert

Dec. 26

Join Funk Harmony Park and Moveable Types for a #DAXmas or “Day After Christmas” benefit con-cert on Dec. 26, at 8:00 p.m. at The Brick in down-town South Bend to ben-efit Big Brothers Big Sis-ters of St. Joseph County. Funk Harmony Park will also be playing a free acoustic show on Dec. 17 at Bare Hands Brew-ery in Granger to benefit the local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. In previous years they have raised a total of $15,000 in donations.

Whole Foods in Misha-waka will host a Com-munity Support Day for Unity Gardens, where 5 percent of after-tax profits of one day’s sales at Whole Foods Market Mishawaka goes to this community organization. Whole Foods Market is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 26.

Dec. 30

Weather permitting, kids (7 years and older) can sled on Pear Hill with Sarett Nature Center on December 30 at 1 p.m. Cost is $1. Please call (269) 927-4832 to reg-ister.

Dec. 31

Welcome in 2015 at The Acorn with the re-nowned and infamous Super Happy Funtime Burlesque troupe from Grand Rapids. Post show includes cham-pagne toast and yummy nibbles. A bit outra-geous, wonderfully en-tertaining and an alto-gether great night. Must be 21 or older.

Jan. 2

i Kids (6 years and older) can Celebrate Winter with Sarett Nature Cen-ter on Jan. 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The morning session ($3) will include learning about animals in winter, snow and win-ter survival. The after-noon session (additional $3) will be spent snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing. Children should dress appropriately and bring a lunch. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.

Jan. 3

The Elkhart County Parks and the South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society are calling upon volunteers for the annual Elkhart County Christ-mas Bird Count, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3. Bird watchers can pre-register by contact-ing the Elkhart County Parks at (574) 535-6458 or e-mail rdecaire@elkhartcounty.com to register their name, ad-dress, and phone num-ber and e-mail to receive further directions for the bird count.

Jan. 10

The artistry and time-honored tradition of epic storytelling through dance will delight audi-ences at the Lake Michi-gan College Mendel Center Mainstage when the Russian National Ballet Theatre presents Don Quixote on Satur-day, Jan. 10, 2015, at 4 p.m. Tickets for the Russian National Ballet Theatre presents Don Quixote start at $34 and are available by calling the LMC Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 927-1221 or visiting www.lmcmainstage.org. Spe-cial rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For information about group rates, pre-show

party options, and other special arrangements, contact Mike Nadolski at (269) 927-8109 or mn-adolski@lakemichigan-college.edu.

Artist and Pokagon Po-tawatomi tribal citizen Jason Wesaw will con-duct a workshop outlin-ing his unique process of producing work with clay directly harvested from the Great Lakes. Learn about historical native pottery while creating your own one-of-a-kind artworks alongside the artist. Participants will use clay harvested in and around South Bend. Early bird tuition is $80 before Dec. 10. After Dec. 10, tuition is $100.

Jan. 11

South Bend Civic The-atre is creating new op-portunities for bringing onstage and backstage talent to their produc-tions in 2015. On Sun-day January 11th and Tuesday January 13th, SBCT will hold audi-tions for four upcom-ing shows: Spamalot, A Behanding in Spokane, Venus in Fur, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Ac-tors will have the op-portunity to list their preference of shows to be considered for in this new format. The audi-

tions will begin prompt-ly at 6 PM and will be held at the Scottish Rite building (across the parking lot from South Bend Civic The-atre on Main Street). More information, in-cluding casting break-downs for all shows and downloadable sides are available at sbct.org.

Jan. 25

BrewFest, an annual beer sampling event hosted by Century Cen-ter will be held on Sat-urday, Jan. 24, 2015, in downtown South Bend. The collaboration be-tween Century Center

and Transpo comes as an effort to promote safety and responsible practices amongst Brew-Fest participants.

Jan. 30-31

Thrill on the Hill will start on Friday the 30th with a 5-9 p.m. run and then an adult “midnight run” from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. Then all day Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Unlimited runs for $3! We provide your sled-ding tube! Contact City Hall at 269-695-3844 for more details. Or click the picture above for the Thrill’s Facebook page.

Nature

Community

Crafts

Food

iInformation

Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

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$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

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Crafts

Food

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Family

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Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

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Crafts

Food

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Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

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Crafts

Food

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Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

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Crafts

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Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

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$

$

Shopping

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SummerCamping

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Community

Crafts

Food

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Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

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Alcohol

LEGEND

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$

$

Shopping

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Art

Business

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$

$

Shopping

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Holiday

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Page 12 • Week of December 18-24, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

12

By SCOTT NOVAKscott.novak@leaderpub.com

CASSOPOLIS — When Darin Boyles had a chance to pur-

chase the original Cass County courts building in downtown Cassopolis, he jumped at the chance.

Boyles, of Edwardsburg, had a vision of providing the Village of Cassopolis some-thing it was in need of — an events center.

So he took what was ba-sically a shell of a building and turned it into the Turtle Lodge Event Venue, which sits across the street from the historic Cass County Court-house on North Broadway.

Boyles is a landscaper by trade, but he also buys prop-erty to restore and rent.

The Turtle Lodge was built in 1860 and used as a courts building. In the early 1900s it was a laundry before becom-ing a Masonic Temple.

It was at that time that the Masons added the large banquet-style room onto the back of the building.

Boyles has fully restored the building using reclaimed items and vintage pieces from all over the country.

He added a 30-foot tall stone fireplace, panoramic windows with stained-glass panes from a church and vintage-style lighting. There is also a dry bar, light show equipment, dance area, event stage, food staging area and a prayer-healing garden.

“Over the years, I watched the building and it sat vacant,” Boyles said. “I went and talk-ed to the county and ended up buying it from the county be-cause the previous owner had stripped it down to the walls. They had taken antiques and the woodwork. It was stripped down to just the bricks.

“I got it from the county and I had a vision because I am an architect as well. I envisioned what it would look like when we restored it to the best of our ability. We did a little bit here and a little bit there and it took about a year to do the downstairs.”

So how did he come up with the name?

“It is named the Turtle Lodge because I name all my properties turtle something,” he said. “I am half Native American and half Irish. I am a huge nature and animal ad-vocate. So, it is part of who I am and I thought that would

be a fitting name for it.”Boyles also envisioned us-

ing the facility mainly for non-profit events such as community functions and potlucks. “Eventually we are going to do a free movie night, bingo and things like that.”

The Turtle Lodge is cur-rently the home of the com-munity potlucks every third Sunday of the month.

It will host the Christmas potluck on Dec. 21 begin-ning at 3 p.m. There will be food, music, dancing and ka-raoke.

The Turtle Lodge will also host its first New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31.

The event will have free snacks and drinks, karaoke, dancing and more. Those who attend must be 21 years old and identification is re-quired.

“I wanted it to be a feel good, positive building and it really has turned out to be that,” Boyles said.

The Turtle Lodge can also be used for weddings, re-ceptions, holiday parties, re-unions and graduations.

For those looking to rent the facility, call Boyles at (574) 302-0997.

Edwardsburg man transforms former courts building into event venue in Cassopolis

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAKDarin Boyles turned the former Cass County courts building and Masonic Temple into the Turtle Lodge Event Venue. It took Boyles nearly a year to complete the renovation of the 1860 building. It is now being used to host community potlucks as well as being rented out for wedding receptions, company parties and more.

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