By Staff
My friends called me Sunday with the news – the Cass FFA team won second place in the nationals. Even though she didn't have a child on the team, she was excited for Cassopolis and the students.
Actually, three of the team members are from Niles, as their school doesn't have a program.
Adviser Carrie George was also excited when I talked to her Monday. For 10 years she has brought teams to compete and do beautifully at the regionals, but this was the first time a team from Cassopolis was in the final four.
It sounds like a sport. Actually, the team practices presenting a meeting. The students at the competitions are given a theme and must quickly present a pretend meeting using Roberts Rules of Order.
The first time I saw a team do a practice presentation I only wished all of our township, county and school boards would have had this background. Then meetings would be much quicker and more could be accomplished.
Tiffany Rogers, the daughter of Dave and Cheryl Rogers of Niles, was also honored as she was named the best chairman in the country.
She told me being in the FFA has been a wonderful part of her life and has influenced her to become an agri-lawyer.
She will be attending Michigan State University after she graduates this year from Niles High School.
All of the team and their advisers and coaches deserve a round of applause.
They have worked hard to accomplish this goal and they are excellent representatives for our communities.
They did us proud.
Another friend and I have been busy these last few weeks sewing items for coming craft fairs in our area. I hope that when people think about Christmas presents they might give these bazaars a look as there will be many beautiful handmade items made by people right in their community.
This weekend, on Saturday, Nov. 1, there are two holiday bazaars in Edwardsburg, at Our Lady of the Lake Church on U.S. 12 and on M-62 at the Mobile Home Estates. Both start at 9 a.m. and will serve lunch and will end at 3 and 2, respectively.
Next Saturday, Nov. 8, St. Mary's Arts and Crafts, food drive and bake sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Mary's School gym, 217 S. Lincoln Ave., Niles. Admission is a non-perishable food item.
The St. Paul Lutheran Holiday Potpourri, hosted by the Ladies Circle of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 305 W. State St., Cassopolis, is Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The weekend before Thanksgiving is the 12th Annual Arts and Craft Show in Dowagiac held in conjunction with Dowagiac's Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dowagiac Union High School, 701 W. Prairie Ronde.
Lots of unique arts and crafts will be available as well as lunch and a bake sale.
This weekend we also finally turn back our clocks Saturday night.
Please remember to also check your smoke alarms.
If you don't have one, don't let another day go by without installing them.
Finally, Tuesday is election day. We have been bombarded with campaign promises, calls, debates and literature in our mailboxes.
Remember, isn't it great we are free to vote for whomever we wish?
She can be e-mailed at marcia.steffens@leaderpub.com.