Out and About – Week of July 26th

We have passed the half-way point of summer vacation for the school students. It won’t be long before the school bell will ring and the children’s dreams of spending days in the classroom will be fulfilled. Mothers will be in a state of depression, because their little ones are away from home for most of the day. They will be beside themselves, because they are left with nothing to do. School teachers will be elated to be back in the classroom, where they will, once again, be able to pass on their wealth of knowledge to eager-to-learn students. Oh, to be young again and have that chance to live life over. Perhaps I might consider that, if I could go back, knowing what I know now. Otherwise, NO THANKS!

While on the subject of school, here’s a heads-up for you teachers. Ninth Street United Methodist Church will host a “Teacher to Teacher Sale” on Saturday, August 7, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. The church is located at 700 Ninth Street, in Three Rivers. You’re invited to come and shop for needed teacher-tested educational items at bargain prices. There is a $1 per person entrance fee, and a Sloppy Joe lunch will be available for $5. The lunch includes a sandwich, chips, beverage, and dessert. If you are interested in being a seller, reservations for tables are still being taken. The cost for a table is $15. Everything that you make at the sale is 100% your profit. If you have anyquestions or are interested in reserving a table for selling your items, phone Connie at (269)506-0469 or e-mail her at cdlteach2@yahoo.com.

A week from today is the day to vote. There are some candidates out there that could really use your support. The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority (CTA) has a millage that they would like to have renewed. This really is a very important voting day. For some it’s a primary election and for others it’s the final vote. By the way, the CTA provides FREE transportation to each polling place in St. Joe County, whether they are on the ballot or not. Personally, I won’t tell you how to vote, but I do strongly recommend visiting the polls and doing your patriotic duty. I’ve said it before, and will repeat it again. Far too many have made the ultimate sacrifice so that you are free to cast your ballot.

A big “Thank You” goes out to those volunteers who took the time to get Out and About and pick up the litter along some of our highways. Over the past couple of weeks, volunteers have given of their spare time and worked together to pick up trash that inconsiderate morons throw out of their vehicles. About three times a year, various organizations walk along the highway shoulders and pick up everything from pop cans to soiled diapers. I’ve done this chore, and it’s hard work, but it needs to be done. To those who volunteer their time to pick up the litter, I say thank you. To those ignorant others who cast their litter by the roadside, I wish you to wake every morning with the breath of a camel.

The annual Ron Reece Memorial Golf Outing takes place August 6 at high noon. Sauganash Golf Club is the venue for this worthwhile event that raises money for the Ron Reece Educational Scholarships Fund. Registration begins at noon with a shotgun start at 1 P.M. Cost is $70 per player or $280 per team and includes 18 holes of golf, with cart, snacks, and dinner at 5:30 P.M.

Are you interested in a pulled pork dinner? Three Rivers Eagles #2303 will host a pulled pork dinner, which will benefit “Stepping into School with New Shoes”. The date to remember is this Saturday, July 31, and the dinner will run from 1 to 7 P.M. The cost is $7 per meal and includes pork, of course, baked beans, salad, and dessert. You’ll even have a chance to win some cash, because there will be raffles and 50/50 drawings. Three Rivers Eagles is located at 715 East Hoffman, Three Rivers, across from the Middle School.

The German Band, one of the area’s favorite musical groups, is the featured entertainment at the Spirit Rhythms Coffee House this Saturday, July 31, at 7 P.M. Admission at Spirit Rhythms is always free, but donations are graciously accepted. Fair trade coffees and teas will be available for purchase, along with delicious desserts prepared by Mark Kinney. Spirit Rhythms is located inside St. John’s Lutheran Church, just north of Three Rivers on Buckhorn Road.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of July 19th

Nothing planned for Friday evening, July 23? The Three Rivers Art Hop will run from 6 until 9 P.M. in historic downtown Three Rivers. The downtown merchants will have special hours to accommodate anyone who might wish to stop in and browse. It will be like a trip back about forty or fifty years, when the downtown area was bustling with activity. You might even see a few vintage cars, and you’re very likely to run into friends that you haven’t seen for years. The Riviera Theatre will be the venue for Smokestack & the Foothill Fury that evening at 9, and his performance is FREE. It has been reported that Smokestack is a one-man band with enough energy for a quartet. He comes armed with a small arsenal of guitars, his foot-driven rhythm section, and a knack for telling a story. By the way, in August, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” comes to the Riviera. Watch this newspaper for dates and times.

You will want to get the family up Saturday morning, July 24, so that you can stop by the Fabius- Park Fire Department, 15149 West Broadway in Three Rivers. Between the hours of 10 A.M. and 2 P.M., they will have their firehouse open for your inspection. You will have the opportunity to tour the fire station and view equipment and displays from local fire/rescue departments, police and emergency service providers. As an added treat, you will have the opportunity to talk with representatives from Air Care, AEP, Baker Towing, Approved Fire Protection, West Shore Fire, and many others. Make sure to take the kids, because there will be activities for children, including a “safe house” and items relating to teaching children the importance of fire safety.

Also on Saturday, you’ll want stop by Huss School, located on the corner of East Broadway and Eighth Street in Three Rivers. The Huss Future Festival runs from 8 A.M. until 4 P.M. and will feature a rummage sale, tours of the building, art by local artists, live music, coffee, and much more.

We’ve been experiencing some very hot and humid days lately. Because of this, I feel that it is important to remind you of the dangers of heat related to your pet. I really don’t understand why some dog owners think it’s cute or the “buddy” thing to do to take the family dog with them when they run errands. Some might say, “I’ll leave the windows down, so that Fido will stay cool.” Leaving the windows down might create a dangerous situation. The dog could bite a passerby, when provoked or scared. You would then be the one held accountable. If the dog has its head out the windown while the vehicle is moving, a piece of dirt or debris could fly into your pet’s face, causing serious injury or even blindness. Your dog could also leap out of the open window and become lost or struck by another vehicle. Incidents like these could really ruin your day.

If you see a pet in a vehicle on a hot day, make note of the car make and license plate number. Go to the nearest store and ask someone to page the owner. If this is unsuccessful, call local enforcement authorities. The police have the capability to enter the vehicle and rescue the animal. According to St. Joseph County 9-1-1 Central Dispatch, officers handled 25 calls for animals left in vehicles during 2009. So far this year, 2 calls have been handled for this reason. If one animal expires due to neglect by the owner, that is too many. 

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of July 12th

We have about a month and a half before Labor Day weekend and HarmonyFest 2010. This is the last holiday weekend of summer and the last free community gathering of the summer season here in Three Rivers. This summer is slipping away faster than we’d like, and Labor Day weekend will be here before we know it. To insure that HarmonyFest is the success that it always is, Pub 21 will hold a Shotgun Scramble to benefit HarmonyFest. This golf outing will take place at Sauganash Golf Course on Saturday, July 31, with registration starting at 8 A.M. The big fun starts at 9 A.M. Registration is $50 per player and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, food, some beverages, and lots of fun for a good cause. For information on registration, you may contact Pub 21 at 279-0021, or you might want to e-mail Gordon at kymehunn@yahoo.com. If you haven’t heard of HarmonyFest, it’s a free daylong music festival celebrating community diversity through the common language of music. It is always held the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, on Main Street, in historic downtown Three Rivers.

I’ve mentioned the community garden located at Huss School, located on the southeast corner of Broadway and Eighth Streets in Three Rivers. Well, their garden is continuing to grow at an amazing rate, and many of the vegetables will soon be ready for harvest. The volunteers behind the community garden are in desperate need of canning jars, because they have over 58 tomato plants that will soon be ready for canning. If you have canning jars to spare, you may drop them off at the Harvest Festival, Saturday, July 24 at Huss School, or any Tuesday or Thursday evening at the school. Other locations include Brenda McGowan’s office at 2 North Main Street, World Fare downtown on North Main Street, or Eagle Glass Concepts, located just south of the St. Joseph River on South Main Street. All of these locations are in Three Rivers.

Lately, we have experienced some very hot and humid weather. Everyone should take precautions when weather like this is in the Three Rivers area. Here are some precautions you might consider as far as the family pet is concerned:

Leave your pet at home on extremely warm days.

When taking trips with your pets, take plenty of fresh drinking water and a bowl.

Don’t let dogs ride loose in pick-up truck beds. The hot metal can burn a dog’s paws, and sun and flying debris can also hurt the dog. The animal can be accidentally thrown out of the truck during sudden stops or he/she could jump out if scared or if spotting something to chase.

Here are a few more facts about recycling that you might find interesting. For every ton of plastic we recycle, we save 577 kilowatts of energy, 7 cubic yards of landfill space, 1000 gallons of oil, and 30 pounds of air pollution.

Three Rivers isn’t the only community where there are a lot of fun things to do for a minimal amount of cash. This next weekend, Vicksburg will have their Summer Fest. The community recreation area, located just north of Vicksburg on Sprinkle Road, is the venue for the Vicksburg Lions Club annual Summer Fest celebration. There will be live music, plenty of food and drink, and volleyball and other team sporting events to watch or be involved in. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 15 through 17, are the dates, and Vicksburg is the place for fun. The Vicksburg Lions Club will be happy to show you a good time, and it’s all for a very good cause. Like all Lions clubs, the Vicksburg Lions will put monies they take in right back into the community. “We Serve” is the Lions’ motto, and the Vicksburg Lions will be happy and eager to serve you.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of July 5th

The Fourth of July holiday is now in the history books. It was a full weekend to say the least, with pancake breakfasts, parades, fireworks, picnics, and time spent with family and friends. These are just some of the things I enjoy about living in a community like Three Rivers. There’s a lot that can be said about living in small-town America. Wouldn’t it be great to have a general store in the area? I’m thinking of a place where you could go for some of your necessities, grab a pickle out of the pickle barrel and perhaps have a game of checkers with a friend. A free cup of coffee would be available, with perhaps a donation can nearby in case you’d like to contribute. I’m afraid those days are gone forever. I’m happy having the local barbershop. Every couple of weeks I stop in for a haircut. I usually have to wait a few minutes, because there are always a couple of guys ahead of me. I don’t mind, however, because this gives me time to get caught up on local current events. Doug, my barber, is more than someone who cuts my hair. He always seems to know what’s happening or what is going to happen in the community. I knew about Wal-Mart coming to town before a lot of others knew. I’m still waiting for the Menards store to open. I must be careful what I say about Doug, because he has scissors, and he knows how to cut hair. Three Rivers might not have a general store, a place to gather and gossip, but we do have a local barbershop. Doug says that he’s never planning to retire. I’ll never question that.

Thanks go out to Danielle, Bruce, and anyone else who was responsible for bringing the Artie Shaw Orchestra to the Riviera Theatre. It was the perfect summer evening. “Stardust” and “Dancing in the Dark” are still going through my mind. The highlight for me was the drum solo in the first set. I thought for sure there would be a standing ovation. I felt that it was definitely deserved.

Still a few weeks away, but worthy of advance notice, is word that the Three Rivers High School class of 1965 invites everyone in classes of 1960 through 1969 to spend an evening getting re-acquainted in historic downtown Three Rivers. The date to remember is Friday, July 23, starting at 6 P.M. Everyone is invited to visit the Riviera Theatre and other downtown merchants, plus enjoy some of Three Rivers’s own classic cars. This gathering happens annually the fourth Friday of July.

This Saturday, July 10, the Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) will host their third Annual “ARF” Golf Outing at Pine View Golf Club. The shotgun start will be at 9:30 A.M. Registration fee is $50 per person and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, hole events with prizes, and food after the game. Proceeds from this event will benefit the St. Joseph County Animal Rescue Fund. Registration forms can be downloaded from ARF’s website at www.ARFund.org; they are also available at Pine View Golf Club, located at 52065 Pulver Road in Three Rivers. Return the completed forms to ARF, P.O. Box 593, Centreville, MI 49032. Space is limited, so it is advisable to register as soon as possible.

Recycling is very much a part of our daily lives. Those of you who recycle are to be commended. Here are some recycling facts that you might find interesting. For every TON of paper we recycle, we save: 17 trees; 4100 kilowatts of energy; 7000 gallons of water; 3 cubic yards of landfill space; 84 gallons of oil; and 60 pounds of air pollution.

Some more “Laws of Ultimate Reality”:

LAW OF THE RESULT – When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will.

MURPHY’S LAW OF LOCKERS – If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

WILSON’S LAW OF COMMERCIAL MARKETING STRATEGY – As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it. 

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of June 28th

This past weekend was most definitely a very busy one. I’m pretty sure that I predicted that in a previous column. Relay for Life, the reception at the Carnegie Center for the Arts, the concert in Lafayette Park, and Covered Bridge Days were just some of the activities that attracted a lot of attention. Kudos to all who participated in “Cowboy Kickin’ for a Cure” at Armstrong Field; Phil and Doris Halverson for hosting at the Carnegie; Hohner Funeral Home, Knapp Roofing, and the City of Three Rivers for giving us a wonderful Friday evening in a park filled with music. I must not forget the Apple Crate Kids for their outstanding performances at the Players’ Theatre. Fiddler on the Roof Jr. played to six sold out houses this past weekend. Generosity and talent abound here in the Three Rivers area

Each of the activities I just mentioned deserves everyone’s attention and attendance. Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to participate in them all. I’ll continue to do my best as far as keeping you informed of opportunities to get Out and About. It’s important to pick and choose and be a part of as many community events as you can. Being a participant is what makes the Three Rivers community what it is today.

The Fourth of July will be celebrated this next weekend. I’ve always been a fan of parades, so I’ll be in the best of moods for the next week. I’d like to share a poem with you that I received from a faithful reader of this column. It pretty much expresses my feelings about parades and Old Glory.

ON YOUR FEET, ON YOUR FEET!

THE FLAG IS COMING THIS WAY.

IT STANDS FOR BROKEN BODIES AND SHATTERED MINDS

SACRIFICED ON BATTLEFIELDS FAR AWAY.

DUTY – HONOR – COUNTRY, THREE HALLOWED WORDS

REPEATED, AS THEY’D PRAY

THEIR COURAGE, LOYALTY, FAITHFULNESS, LOVE,

AND WE CAN STAND HERE FREE,

PRAISE ALMIGHTY GOD, AND THOSE WHO’VE SERVED.

THEIR DEDICATION’S NO MYSTERY.

YOUNG AND OLD; TALL AND BENT,

EXPRESS YOUR THANKS TO THOSE WHO WENT

ANSWERING THE CALL OF AMERICA,

FOR ALL, THOSE YEARS WERE SPENT

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, OLD GLORY WE SAY.

THE SYMBOL OF THESE WE HONOR TODAY.

ON YOUR FEET! AT OUR FEET THEY LAY

THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY EVERY DAY.

ON YOUR FEET! THE FLAG IS COMING OUR WAY!

As we move into the month of July and celebrate the birth of our great nation, please remember the true meaning of the Fourth of July. Remember, he who comes forth with a fifth on the fourth, may not come forth on the fifth. Have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. If you travel, please be safe and watch out for the idiot coming your way in the other lane. It’s against the law to text while driving and just plain stupid to use your cell phone while driving.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of June 21st

Despite the weather cancellation of the parade, this year’s Water Festival went over very successfully. The weather definitely had an effect on the turnout, but as the old saying goes, “Everyone complains about the weather, but no one can do anything about it.” Three Rivers sustained some damage from the storm, yet everyone seemed to be able to participate and celebrate ”TR Down on the Farm.”

I would like to mention one more thing before Water Festival 2010 makes its journey into the history book. Many people worked very hard to make Water Festival work. The logistics of this annual event takes many people working together to make it happen. I would personally like to commend Deb Herring, of the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, for spearheading Water Festival. Every year, for the past seven or eight years, she has chaired Water Festival, and without her leadership, this community gathering would never happen. Her patience, imagination, and her ability to choose the right people for the right task are second to none. It is a pleasure to work with such a fine person, and it is an honor and a joy to be a part of Water Festival. Kudos to you, my friend.

This next weekend is Relay for Life. It runs from noon on Friday until noon on Saturday. The relay takes place at Armstrong Field, just west of Three Rivers High School. “Cowboy Kickin’ For a Cure” is this year’s theme, and everyone is invited to go to the field and be a part of this worthwhile event, whose goal is to help find a cure for cancer. If you’ve never attended or participated in a relay, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss this one. The experience tugs at your heartstrings and, at times, will open the tear ducts. There’s a lot to do at relay, and is the perfect opportunity to get some much-needed exercise by walking a mile or two.

Here’s a reminder from Three Rivers Community Players: Fiddler on the Roof Jr. opens Thursday , June 24, at 7 P.M., at the Players’ Theatre on Millard Road, directly west of Dairy Queen. This Apple Crate production runs June 24, 25, 26.and 27. Performances are at 7 P.M. and there will be additional 2 P.M. matinee on June 26 and 27. For ticket prices and availability, please contact Beam Sound and Video at (269)279-6251 in Three Rivers. This is a well-known show with a cast of very talented young people, so advance ticket purchase is highly advised, even though tickets will be available at the door. In addition, this production only runs one weekend, so if you hesitate, you could very well lose out.

If you don’t receive the Penny Saver, here’s an event you might not know about. Light and Life Wesleyan Church, 15765 Hoffman Road, is having a church-wide yard and bake sale on Saturday, June 26, from 9 A.M. until 4 P.M. As many of you know, you can find many treasures at a yard sale, and you can’t beat a church bake sale. Leave your credit card and checkbook at home, because they will only accept cash. If you’d like more information, please contact Mary at 279-9184.

Saturday is usually the day of the week that is set aside to get some of the household chores done. The Three Rivers High School Vocal Music Department would love to help everyone by washing their car for them. The car wash takes place at the Three Rivers Fire Station starting at 9 A.M.

The Artie Shaw Orchestra is coming to the Riviera Theatre, in historic downtown Three Rivers, Wednesday, June 30 for a 7 P.M. concert. The concert is in celebration of Artie Shaw’s 100th birthday. Artie will not be there, but the sound of his music will be. For tickets, contact the Riviera Theatre at (269)278-8068, or you may, of course, visit their website at www.trriviera.com.

A few strange but true facts that you might find interesting:

The average person’s left hand does 56% of the typing.

We shed 40 pounds of skin in our lifetime.

Brains are more active when we are sleeping than when we’re watching TV. 

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

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