Sara

Hi! My name is Sara and I am a female black lab mix. I am about three years old and have already been spayed. I weigh about 50 pounds and am very sweet and loving. I may be house-trained, but I’m not sure. I know I can learn that because I know how to sit. Please come and give me a new, loving home. I am available to adopt right now. My Docket # 11387, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 E. Main St., Centreville, MI. Animal Control is open Monday – Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Their phone number is 269-467-6475. Up-Cycled Pets needs reliable foster homes so some pets can leave the shelter and learn more about living in a safe home before adoption. Go to www.upcycledpets.com for more information about how to help this group. Please visit the Animal Rescue Fund website at www.arfund.org to see more adoptable pets. Oliver the cats, is still at AC and would love to find a home. NOTE: Starting May 1, and through August, Animal Control is open until 7:00 pm on Wednesdays for adoptions. Come and see us all.

Out and About – Week of April 29th

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been fortunate to travel throughout our state of Michigan. On many of the major highways, we’ve noticed full trash bags placed along the shoulders. They are full because there are still too many travelers who feel that the highways are their own private dumping grounds for litter. There are laws against littering, and the fines can be quite stiff if you’re caught throwing your garbage out of your vehicle’s window. Unfortunately, our law enforcement personnel are too busy ticketing those drivers who insist on driving 90 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone. Kudos to those volunteers who give up their time to keep our highways clean. If you happen to see these volunteers out there, please slow down and give them some space.

Congratulations go out to Carol Boulette for being selected as this year’s Citizen of the Year by the Three Rivers Lions Club. A banquet honoring Carol will be held Tuesday, May 14, at Belle Epoque, located on Railroad Drive in Three Rivers. The celebration begins at 6 PM with a social time, followed by the dinner/banquet. Tickets for the gala event may be purchased for $20 at the downtown office of Southern Michigan Bank and Trust. Please see Sharon Bachinski for tickets.

Lately I’ve had several people ask me if the Lions Club still takes used eyeglasses. Sight and hearing have always been the main concern of Lions worldwide, so the answer is a definite “yes”. There are many drop-off points here in Three Rivers, for those wishing to donate their old or worn-out eyeglasses. They are:

City Hall lobby

Fred’s Pharmacy

Lowry’s Books and More

Three Rivers High School principal’s office

Three Rivers Community Center or Commission on Aging

LA’s Coffee Cafe stairway

Three Rivers Health Specialty Clinic (at the west end of the hallway)

Sussex Vision

Three Rivers Lions Club

I don’t know too many people who don’t like yard sales and flea markets. It’s just part of being a true American, I guess. If you’re a fan of antique tractors and steam engines, you’ll want to set aside some time this next weekend to attend the 29th Annual Michiana Antique Engine and Tractor Swap Meet on Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4. As always, the venue is Boot Hill Ranch, one and one-half miles east of Jones on Bair Lake Street. Admission is still only $1 per person. If you’re a vendor, set-up fee is $15. For more information, please contact Steve Ammer at 269-651-8478, Bert Shirk at 269-244-5669, or Dawn Everett at 269-816-2264.

There are many things we must do that are difficult. Here are three things that are pretty much impossible to do:

You cannot count your hair.

You cannot wash your eyes with soap.

You cannot say the letter “P” without separating your lips.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Willow

Hi! My name is Willow and I am a female beagle mix. I am a young adult dog and am sweet and friendly. I am good with both dogs and cats, very curious and love attention. My family did not have room for me, so they brought me here hoping I will find a loving home. The ladies say I have a very delicate, small beautiful face and my eyes are huge and round. I am not very big. Come and see me. I know you will like me. I am available to adopt right now so please come and see me. My Docket # 11365, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 E. Main St., Centreville, MI. Animal Control is open Monday – Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Their phone number is 269-467-6475. Up-Cycled Pets needs reliable foster homes so some pets can leave the shelter and learn more about living in a safe home before adoption. Go to www.upcycledpets.com for more information about how to help this group. Please visit the Animal Rescue Fund website at www.arfund.org to see more adoptable pets. Oliver and Kermit, the cats, are still at AC and would love to find a home. NOTE: Starting this Wednesday, May 1, and through August, Animal Control will be open until 7:00 pm on Wednesdays for adoptions. Come and see us all.

Out and About – Week of April 22nd

Growing up in Three Rivers during the fifties, I remember going with my parents to the Civic Theater in Kalamazoo. We’d have a stylish dinner at Schensul’s Cafeteria and then take in a play. I don’t recall the names of any of the plays, but I do remember the event as being very special.

Three Rivers had two movie theaters at the time, but if you wanted to see a stage play, then you’d have to wait for the Junior or Senior play at Three Rivers High School. Mrs. Zelda Voorhees was the play director. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the cast in both my junior and senior year.

Over thirty years ago, a group of talented thespians put together a group of individuals interested in putting on stage productions here in Three Rivers. I joined this group when I returned to Three Rivers in 1996. The Three Rivers Community Players now have their own theatre located on Millard Road, just behind Dairy Queen, in Three Rivers. From what I’ve heard, they put on productions equal to what you can find at the Civic Theater in Kalamazoo. There is so much talent right here in St. Joseph County and all you need to do is attend one of their shows and decide for yourself.

Guys and Dolls opens at the Players’ Theatre on Friday, May 3, at 8PM. It will run for two weekends, with performances on May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12. Curtain time for the Friday and Saturday performances is 8PM and the two Sunday matinees start promptly at 2PM. There are several ways that you may secure your tickets. You may order them at Beam Sound and Video by phoning 269-279-6251, you may also purchase them by visiting the Players’ website at www.trcommunityplayers.org, or you may, of course, buy them at the door. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $13 for students and senior citizens. I strongly suggest advance purchase of the tickets, due to the popularity of the show and the limited seating. It can be disappointing to show up at the theatre, only to be told that the show is sold out. The Players have done their best to make ticket purchase as easy as possible for their patrons.

On Thursday, April 11, we lost another comedian. Jonathan Winters passed away. The younger folks probably don’t recall him, because he hasn’t been active for over twenty years. At one time, he had his own television show, and I had a couple of his record albums. He enjoyed being and working with Robin Williams. They were very spontaneous and could work off each other, what seemed like endlessly. So long, Jonathan. So long, Maudie Frickert. You made me laugh, and we all could use more laughter.

The next time you visit Scidmore Park in Three Rivers, make sure to check out the eighty-foot mural located on the west end of the park on Spring Street. The mural was prepared by the mentors and mentees of Three Rivers Area Mentoring (TRAM). Supplies needed to construct the mural were donated by Home Depot and the Three Rivers Sherwin-Williams store. Local artist/graphic designer Kathy Bingaman drew the outlines of the frogs and also provided space for information on how to help save the frogs from a huge extinction crisis that is occurring worldwide.

The mural project is part of the celebration of “Save The Frogs Day”, an organized celebration that is expected to be observed in 300 communities in 40 countries this year. Three Rivers will celebrate the special day at the Farmers’ Market pavilions in Scidmore Park, Saturday, April 27, from 11AM until 2PM. For more information on saving the frogs, please visit savethefrogs.com.

Most of us have heard of Murphy’s Law. I’ve experienced it first hand more than once or twice. Here are just a few that I’d like to share with you:

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.

God gave you toes as a device for finding furniture in the dark.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Kermit

Good day! My name is Kermit and I am an 8 month old male tabby. My family is moving and brought me here to hopefully find a new, loving home. I am very affectionate and like to be held. I will purr when you love me. The ladies say I have a very pretty face and cute, tufted ears. I am available to adopt right now so please come and see me. My Docket # 11289, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 E. Main St., Centreville, MI. Animal Control is open Monday – Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Their phone number is 269-467-6475. Up-Cycled Pets needs reliable foster homes so some pets can leave the shelter and learn more about living in a safe home before adoption. Go to www.upcycledpets.com for more information about how to help this group. Please visit the Animal Rescue Fund website at www.arfund.org to see more adoptable pets. Toby, the dog and Oliver, the cat are still at AC and would love to find a home. Please come and see us all.

Out and About – Week of April 15th

A little over two weeks ago, we celebrated Easter. We thought we’d try something a little different and have Easter dinner with relatives at Gun Lake Casino, south of Grand Rapids. I was surprised to find out that the casino was open on such a holy day, but it was, and from what I gathered, a bunch of people had gone to church early, because the establishment was not hurting for business.

Anyway, we had a delicious ham dinner, which included mashed potatoes, carrots, and a dinner roll. The open-face meatloaf looked good, but it was Easter, so we opted for the traditional ham.

After dinner, we strolled through the casino. I was surprised to see patrons smoking. Evidently the casinos are not under the law of “No Smoking in Public Places”. I’m sure I would have had that issue explained to me, if I had asked.

Now, I lived and worked in Las Vegas for around two years, prior to returning home to Three Rivers, so I’ve been in a few casinos. Besides the Gun Lake Casino, I’ve been to one other, and that was in St. Ignace. Casinos have changed over the years, or perhaps it’s just that the casinos in Las Vegas are different from the others owned by Native Americans. I just don’t understand the slot machines. I’m used to playing the Video Blackjack, or Video Poker. I didn’t see any of those up north. The machines now deal with different symbols and characters. It doesn’t require any skill to play the slots, in my mind. It all deals with chance. Playing the Blackjack Tables does require some skill and concentration. The secret is playing with the knowledge that you are going to lose. As we used to say, “Las Vegas didn’t become the attraction that it is, by losing money.”

Please don’t think that I’m talking down Gun Lake, because we did have a good time, and it was fun to watch the patrons spend their social security. I just hope that the Native American owners are making a profit and that they aren’t giving the U.S. Government more than they deserve. Oops! Who brought that soapbox in here?

I love parades! I get choked up watching a marching band pass by. When the fire trucks appear, I get goose bumps, because I have so much respect for the firefighters and public safety personnel. I even thank the Auxiliary Police officers directing traffic along the parade route. Whenever I see an aerial flyover during a parade, I get weak in the knees. Let me get to the point here. Water Festival happens over Fathers’ Day weekend in June. The theme this year is “TR’s Wild West”, and the fun begins with the parade on Thursday evening, June 13, with a 7 PM step-off. Those interested in being a part of the parade should make sure they have the Parade Entry Form filled out and turned in by Friday, May 17. Forms may be picked up at the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce office, 57 North Main Street, in historic downtown Three Rivers. I must thank my buddy Dean for this reminder.

If you enjoy a good murder mystery, and if you enjoy a satisfying dinner, then here’s something you might want to consider attending. Three Rivers Eagles #2303 will host a murder mystery dinner this Saturday, April 20, at their lodge, located at 715 East Hoffman Street, on the east side of Three Rivers. Dinner starts at 5PM and lasts until it’s gone. If you are wondering what’s on the menu, you must remember that it’s a mystery dinner, so you’ll just have to go and find out. Everything is pretty much a mystery, except for the fact that you will meet Marilyn Monroe, George Burns, Bruce Lee, and even Elvis. Sounds like an exciting evening to me. If this frightens you, take a friend with you. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. This is open to the public.

Here’s something that you probably didn’t know. Because of the speed at which Earth moves around the Sun, it is impossible for a solar eclipse to last more than 7 minutes and 58 seconds.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

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