By Staff
Today
A Hollywood Trivia Night Fund Raiser will be held at the St. Mark's Parish Hall, 3 N. 19th St., Niles on Saturday, April 26. for more information call 684-1100. Doors open at 6 and the games begin at 7 p.m.
Michigan Community Blood Centers will hold a blood drive on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Martin's Supermarket, South 11th Street, Niles.
The F.O.P. Niles Little League Baseball will have its opening day parade on Saturday, April 26 at 9 a.m. beginning at the corner of French and State streets in Niles.
The Michiana Male Chorus is hosting a concert on Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m., at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Ind. Tickets are $12, or $10 for seniors, call (754) 272-90443 or the box office at (574) 235-9190.
Niles Service League's First Annual Crop for Kids will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Pages in Time in Granger for a full day of scrapbooking, food and fun to raise money to provide scholarships, camperships and clothing for deserving children in the Niles and Buchanan area. The cost of the crop is $30 and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day and entry into a drawing to win several great prizes including a Sizzix Big Kick machine and Alphabet Die Cut Set, a Stamp'n Up gift basket and other fun scrapbooking supplies. To register call Pages in Time at (574) 272-5500 and tell them you want to sign up for the Niles Service League crop on April 26. Space is limited. For more information contact Michele Thompson at 687-7085.
Rhema Riders, the South Bend Chapter of the Christian motorcyclists Association, will hold its meeting on Saturday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at Honker's restaurant, 211 E. Day Road, Mishawaka, Ind. Call Charley or Janice Coy at (574) 968-4049 for more information.
Hope United Methodist Church in Edwardsburg will present its fifth dinner/theatre on Saturday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the church, 69941 Elkhart Road. For more information call Shirley 663-2686 or email sandrews2@comcast.net.
A food drive hosted by the Niles High School Spanish Club and the Salvation Army will be held Saturday, April 26 at the Niles Wal-Mart from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Donate non-perishable food items. Contact Emily Sossoman at 683-5282 with any questions.
All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner will be held Saturday, April 26, at Faith United Methodist Church, in Buchanan from 5 until 7 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $5.000 for adults, $3.00 for kids 5-12. Dinner includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and beverage. Takeouts will be available. Proceeds will benefit their church ministries. For information or directions to the church call (269) 695-3261.
Sunday
The Michiana Gem and Mineral Society meets at 2 p.m, Sunday, April 27 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 805 S. 29th St., South Bend, Ind. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The program for this month is "Flintknapping by David Peltz." Members are encouraged to bring arrowhead displays.
Upcoming events
Cass County Research and Recovery Metal Detecting Club will meet on Tuesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. at Treasures Down Under Metal Detector Shop (in the basement) at 104 S. Broadway St., Cassopolis. Call (269) 445-2799 and ask for Tim for more information or visit www.treasuresdownunder.com.
The Brandywine High School Choirs are forming a group of community voices and Brandywine Alumni who love to sing. This Community Chorus will be under the direction of Denise Boger, Brandywine's Vocal Music Director and they will perform with other choirs on Tuesday, April 29 at the "Brandywine Community Choral Night." The concert will be at the Brandywine Jr./Sr. High School at 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of Readers Theatre at the Howard Branch of Cass District Library on Tuesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. The group, Voices of Youth, will be performing "Funny Stuff," a selection of humorous short stories.
The Howard Branch is located at 2341 Yankee St. Selections of short stories include: My Mother Says I'm Sickening, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Gregory and the Magic Noodle Pot, Snowball, In the Bookshop and more.
Michigan Community Blood Centers will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, April 29, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Buchanan Fire and Police Department, 105 Front St., Buchanan.
On Wednesday, April 30, Hacienda at Grape Road in Mishawaka, Ind. will be hosting a Hacienda Gives Back Fiesta Night, in which 20 percent of purchases will be donated to Brandywine Project Graduation. A coupon is required to participate. In addition, gift cards can be purchased through Brandywine Project Graduation prior to April 30, and 20 percent of the gift card value will also be donated by Hacienda to Brandywine Project Graduation. Coupons and gift cards can be obtained by contacting Penny Zelasko at (269) 362-1804, or can be requested or arranged by email to brandywinepg2008@sbcglobal.net. Hacienda Gift cards will be delivered after April 30.
Four Flags Toastmasters Club meets every Thursday morning 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Niles Township Hall, 320 Bell Road, Niles. Contact Margaret Dyer 683-5743 for more information.
Grace Christian School, 325 N. M-140, Watervliet, announces its annual kindergarten program and open house on Thursday, May 1, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information call (269) 463-5545.
Thursday Night Toastmasters Club meets every Thursday evening 6 to 7 p.m. at the Niles Township Hall, 320 Bell Road Niles. Contact Margaret Dyer 683-5743 for more information.
A spaghetti dinner and silent auction is planned to benefit the Jeff Crowder family on Friday, May 2, form 5 to 7 p.m. at the Niles Senior Center, 1109 Bell Road, Niles. Crowder lost his battle with cancer. Tickets are $5 per person for everyone 5 and above. Call Renee Manry at 684-7535 or Sue Anderson at 687-8380. A few tickets will be available at the door. Carry-out or dine-in.
The First Christian Church Women's Fellowship will be having its annual luncheon on May 2 at noon at 121 Oak Street, Dowagiac. The speaker will be Beetty McWiliams, who has had a heart transplant and will talk about organ donation. Come and bring a friend. For reservations call the church at 782-6220.
The 24th annual Michiana Antique Engine and Tractor Meet will be held Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at the Boot Hill Ranch, one and a half mile east of Jones, on Bair Lake Street. Vendor space is $15, with no electricity. There is no admission charge. For more information call 683-9537.
The Lighthouse Chorus will be performing at the First United Methodist Church of Buchanan, on Saturday, May 3 at 6:59 p.m. The Lighthouse Chorus is a premiere Men's Barbershop Chorus, having won the Best Small Chorus Award for the state of Michigan for three consecutive years. In 2004, they represented the Pioneer District in the Small Chorus Contest at the world-renowned Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio. They are led by Gene Hanover, a professional voice teacher and performer for over 25 years. Tickets for the concert are $10 and include a light meal preceding the concert. All proceeds from the concert will go to the First United Methodist Church's Youth Mission Trip with Appalachia Service Project. Call the church office to reserve tickets (269) 695-3282.
The Dale Blunier for District Judge Campaign Committee is hosting a dinner on Saturday, May 3, at the American Legion in Edwardsburg on U.S.-12. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with a Polish buffet at 7. Tickets for $25 per person may be purchased at Underwoods Shoes in Dowagiac and H &R Block in Edwardsburg, or call Heidi Behnke at (269) 806-5875, Gail Dohse at (57) 215-6977, or Wendy Elsie at (269) 816-2837 for tickets.
Hope United Methodist's Church is having a rummage sale on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 1 everything is $1 a bag. We are accepting donations of sellable items starting on April 30. You can also rent a table to sell your own items for $10, contact Kelly Long 663-8133. The church is located on Elkhart Road east of Edwardsburg at Garver Lake Road.
The Pokagon United Methodist Church will be holding a pancake breakfast on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. There will also be a silent auction at the church. Proceeds will go to the Relay For Life campaign for the American Cancer Society. Tickets are $5 at the door or available from any Pokagon United Methodist Church member, or by calling the church at 683-8515 or Kutter's Unlimited in Niles at 683-9848. The Pokagon United Methodist Church is located on Kansas Street, between Dowagiac and Niles, at the north end of Barron Lake Road.
A Grand Opening of the "The Ranch of Hope" ministry will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 2390 Lake Street in Niles at 2 p.m. Visit the ranch, meet the staff, horses and sign your child up for a session at the ranch. You child will have one-on-one attention, learn about grooming and saddling, "ranch work" and ride a horse. Most importantly, prayer and the truth of Jesus Christ will be incorporated in it all.
Christian Motorcyclists Association's Fifth Annual Rhema Riders CMA South Bend, Chapter 813's "Run For The Son" to be held on Saturday, May 3. Registration will be held between 9 -10:45 a.m. Their ride will begin at 11 a.m. 100 mile m/c ride rain or shine. Donations: $15 single or $20 couple. Starting point Fire Fighter's Local No. 362 at 4025 Lincoln Way West in South Bend, Ind. Coffee and Donuts wil l be provided before the ride. Lunch will be provided after the ride. There will be door prizes. For further information call (574) 968-4049.
The cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph will host the 2008 Grand Floral Parade on May 3, with the parade to start at 1p.m. one hour later than last year. Road closures for the parade have not changed and will go into effect at 10 a.m. Traffic from the north entering St. Joseph will be detoured west onto Port St. and then south on Lake Boulevard. Traffic wishing to continue south on M-63 will turn east onto Jones St. or continue south on Lake Boulevard for BL-94. Traffic coming from the south into St. Joseph will be diverted at westbound Jones St. and will follow the same route in reverse. The detour will stay in effect until the end of the parade which will be approximately 3:30 p.m. Blankets or chairs in St. Joseph will not be allowed on the parade route until 6 a.m. on the day of the parade.
The next Church of Niles Service will be Sunday, May 4 at 6 p.m. The service will be held at Michiana Christian Embassy, 1922 E. Main St., Niles.
The 2008 Hearing and Vision Clinic will be held Monday, May 5, at Northside school. If your child will be entering pre-school or kindergarten they must have their hearing and vision tested before entering school. This is a free clinic sponsored by the Berrien County Health Department and PSI IOTA XI sorority. If you would like to make an appointment or need more information please contact: Joni Flynn (chairman) at: 683-9299 or wrmheart@comcast.net.
Franklin A.M.E. Church, 811 Sycaore St., Niles, will have a free musical concert on Monday, May 5, from 7 until 8 p.m. featuring Gerald L. Hayden of Niles. he will be accompanied by Genaida Benson, a pianist from Andrew University.
The 46th Annual Spring Luncheon at the Cass County Medical Care Facility will be held on Tuesday, May 6 at noon, 23770 Hospital St., Cassopolis. Wayne Martensen, a singer, will entertain. Price for the breast of chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, California vegetables, crescent roll, salad, cheesecake and beverage is $7. Contact Joyce Settle at 445-3198 for lunch or raffle tickets: $100, $75, and $50. You need not be present to win. This fund raiser is used only to purchase items that make the residents lives more pleasant. Annual membership is only $5.
Pennies for Patients, the 19th annual fundraiser for the Berrien County Cancer Service will be held on Thursday, May 8. Bring your pennies to 227 1/2 E. Main St., Room 202 Masonic Building, Niles, from noon to 2 p.m. Tour the agency. Refreshments will be served.
The Berrien County Cancer Service, Inc., is reminding all residents of Berrien County to save their pennies for the 19th annual "Pennies for Patients Day celebration." The Niles Cancer Service office, 227 1/2 E. Main St., Room 202 will collect pennies and have an open house from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 8.
The volunteer Jefferson Township Community Awareness Group's annual bake sale will be held in conjunction with the township clean-up day, Saturday, May 10.
A Dance for the South Bend Parents without Partners, Chapter No. 194 will be held on Saturday, May 10 at ZB Falcon's Hall located at the corner of Western and Sheridan in South Bend, Ind. between 8 p.m. and midnight. Admission is $7.00, Music will be by Sandy Cockrun – Line Dance Lessons will be held between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Contact Nancy at 574-234-4567. To join the organization, contact Jo at 574-286-3000.
The Riverfront Optimist Club in conjunction with the Niles Community School System will host the Seventh Annual Niles Youth Performing Arts Festival at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater on Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. IDDFAR, Inc. will hold its annual Spring Fling at the Amphitheater beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The Niles Garden Club and the Four Flags Garden Club will each have a perennial plant sale on Saturday, May 10 at the Niles Riverfront Park from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. This sale is in conjunction with the Optimist's Club Youth Spring Festival.
The 32nd annual Mother's Day Open Horse Show sponsored by the Cass County Sheriff's Department Mounted Division will be held Sunday May 11 at the Cass County Fairgrounds on North O'Keefe Street in Cassopolis, beginning at 8 a.m. There will be a gate fee of $1 and class fees at $3 each. There are 27 halter, showmanship, pleasure, horsemanship and English riding classes and 12 gymkhana classes. Gymkhana will start at 2 p.m. Current coggins tests are required and will be checked at the gate. Food is available on the grounds. For more information, call Gloria Sobieski at 269-782-8219.
Ring Lardner Middle School will hold a band concert and Port-a-Pit Chicken sale at the Riverfront amphitheater on Wednesday, May 14, with set-up beginning at 3 p.m.
Babylon The Musical will be performed at Mendel Center Lake Michigan College, Saturday, May 17. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Socrates afterschool tutoring program and other local charities. Babylon: an exhilarating apocalyptic tale of faith and hope. Providing a glimpse into the unknown future, the book of Daniel foretells the fall of the nations and the Second Coming of Christ. The excitement and drama will capture your imagination. For ticket information visit: www.babylonthemusical2008.com or they are available at Red Shoe Jewelry &Apparel, 216 E. Main St., Niles.
The American Legion LaRue Messenger Post No. 26 will conduct the annual Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26 beginning at 10 a.m. starting at the corner of State and W. Main streets in Niles.
The Lupus Alliance will hold its 10th Annual Walk on Saturday, June 14 with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the walk at 10 at the Red Barn Shelter at St. Patrick's Park, 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend, Ind. For more information call (800) 705-6677.
Announcements
AA and AL-ANON meetings are held at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in the basement, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles. Alcoholics Anonymous questions, call (269) 684-5304. For AL-ANON questions, call (269) 684-6118 or (269) 782-9561.
AA and NA meetings are provided at New Beginnings Recovery House, 1112 N. Eighth St., Niles. The Alcoholics Anonymous daily meetings at noon and 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (269) 68-SOBER, or (269) 687-6237. Narcotics Anonymous meetings are Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. A 12-Step Recovery program follows.
Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – HOW is a 12-step program for people with eating disorders. For more information about meetings in this area, call (269) 687-6074.
The Pregnancy Care Center, at its new location at 311 E. Main St., Niles, is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The office is also open Monday and Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Call (269) 684-6200 any day to schedule a caring, confidential appointment. Crisis walk-ins welcome. Pregnancy tests are always free.
Corrections
The Niles Daily Star wants to make sure our calendar items are correct. Contact us should you find an error at the Niles Daily Star, 217 N. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120, (269) 683-2100, or fax them to (269) 683-2175.