Out and About – Week of May 20th

Backyard BBQ chefs will be happy to hear about a new attraction to this year’s Water Festival. It’s a Backyard BBQ Competition. All backyard chefs are invited to compete in this event on Friday, June 14, from 2 until 9 PM. Century Bank and Trust has agreed to sponsor this first-time ever competition. The entry fee is $55, which covers fees, awards, prize money, and three racks of ribs used for the competition. The entry deadline is 5 PM on June 1. The first twenty contestants to contact and secure their deposit will be accepted into the competition. To register, contact Jay Vazquez at 269-615-7781.

Next weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Many of you will be traveling, so please do so defensively and be safe. Those staying home in Three Rivers should make sure to take in the Memorial Day parade. The parade normally isn’t very long, but it is memorable and is great to watch. The fire trucks and ambulances will have their lights flashing, but they will not blast their sirens, because the parade is a silent and solemn tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Thanksgiving is a day when we pause to give thanks for the things we have. Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have.

If you stand along the parade route to watch the parade, please do two things: stand when the colors pass by and then follow the parade to the cemetery for the ceremony. You’ll still have time to feast on the hamburgers and hot dogs from your charcoal grill, and to enjoy the company of your family and friends. Too many have given their lives so that you can enjoy yours. They deserve an hour of your time to be remembered.

Congratulations again to Carol Boulette, who was chosen as this year’s Citizen of the Year by the Three Rivers Lions Club. A banquet was held in her honor last Tuesday evening at Belle Epoque in Three Rivers. About seventy guests were present to hear Lion George Cole and Mary Kay Todd pay tribute to Carol, who has served the community of Three Rivers. At age 96, she has no plans to retire, because there are still a lot of things that need to be done for those in need. Carol’s next task is to be a part of this year’s Water Festival Parade. When she was told about riding in a Corvette during the parade, she was curious to know if she would be able to keep the car. After all, she still does drive herself around town. Congratulations, Carol! The Three Rivers Lions thank you for all you have done.

Hopefully you will read this early enough so that you can participate in the blood drive being held today, Tuesday, May 21, at Three Rivers Health, 701 South Health Parkway, Three Rivers. The hours for donating blood are from 2 till 6:45 PM. The donation of much needed blood is an act that will definitely give you that warm, fuzzy feeling.

If you have a few minutes, stop by the Three Rivers Commission on Aging, 103 South Douglas Avenue. While there, take in the art exhibit created by the home-schooled students of St. Joseph County. It’s another example of the talent that abounds right here in your neighborhood.

If you mail items such as books, film, printed music, CDs and DVDs, you might want to check with the postal clerk before you send these items parcel post. Media mail is available for these items at a lower cost. An example would be sending a one-pound item from Maryland to New Mexico which would cost $5.60 via parcel post. Sending the same item via media mail would cost only $2.47. Pennies add up.

Here are a few more items that might be related to items from Murphy’s Law:

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of twelve people who weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.

The things that come to those who wait may be the things left by those who got there first.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of May 13th

We are all mortal, which means that we are all terminal and our days on earth are limited. I will, on occasion, mention the passing of friends in this column. I don’t do this to be morbid, but I do it because these individuals meant a lot to me, and I’m sure they meant a lot to many readers.

Dan White was killed in an accident a week or so ago. Dan owned Main Street Cafe in historic downtown Three Rivers, and you could usually see him working the grill, or even doing the dishes. His favorite thing was to mingle and talk with the patrons that frequented his establishment. He didn’t have much time to do this, because the restaurant was a popular place to go for good food, good service, or just meet with friends for that early morning cup of coffee. If he’d notice our arrival, he’d always call out “NORM!!” Dan, Darlene, Crystal, and the rest of the staff always made us feel welcome.

Dan was community minded. Whenever I’d stop in to see if he wanted to take out an ad in our Lions Christmas paper, or make a donation to Lions, he’d always oblige us. During HarmonyFest or the Water Festival Car Show, you could count on Dan to have his table out there, so he could make hot dogs available to the attendees.

If you read his obituary, you’d know that he was a teacher and wrestling coach in White Pigeon. He also worked with Santa Claus in Santa’s restaurant.

If there’s a heaven, and if I’m lucky enough to someday pass through those pearly gates, I’m pretty sure Dan will be there. I’ll know for sure, if I hear a voice call out, “NORM!!”. Thank you, Dan, for all that you did for me and the community of Three Rivers.

This past May 3 and 4, the Three Rivers Lions held their White Cane Days. This is an annual project that takes place in late April or early May, and it’s one of my favorite projects. The Lions station themselves outside of Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and Harding’s. My wife and I usually pick Harding’s to seek donations, because it’s close to home, and it’s busy enough to keep us alert and awake. We enjoy doing this, because we enjoy people watching, and White Cane gives us the opportunity to do just that. I’ve had my attitude adjusted a bit as a result of dealing with the public. An example would be the young gentleman who pulled into the parking lot with his radio blasting, accompanied by the constant whoomp, whoomp from his speakers. My judgment of him changed when he dropped about five dollars in change into my White Cane bucket. First impressions can be wrong, and it seems that those individuals who least can afford it donate the most, and those who can afford to donate never make eye contact. On behalf of the Three Rivers Lions Club, I’d like to thank everyone who donated to White Cane. Because of you, others less fortunate will receive proper eye care.

I apologize for not mentioning this earlier, but when Mike the mailman mentioned it, it was too late for me to add it to the appropriate column. This last Saturday was the day when your mail carrier would accept non-perishable food items for the food bank. No need to worry, because you may take your donation to the Emergency Care Network location on Railroad Drive, south of Lowry’s Books. I’m pretty sure that every mail carrier left cards notifying everyone about this annual event. Kudos to the mail carriers for doing another good deed. Good thing we have Saturday mail delivery.

We shop for groceries once a week. My wife has a clipboard with items listed that we usually buy. We grocery shop at Hardings and Meijer, and she has the items listed by aisle, which works great for us. Food shoppers spend about 50% more than they planned because of impulse buys, according to researchers. Restricting yourself to one weekly trip instead of three could save you hundreds of dollars a year. She also has at least two of every item in our cupboard. When we use one, she adds it to her grocery list. That way, we never run out. We also try to eat before we go shopping. This also cuts down on impulse shopping. Someday I’d like to figure out where those hundreds of dollars we save by shopping this way have gone.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of May 6th

We have experienced eighty degree temperatures, I’ve mowed our lawn, the tree outside my office window is in full bloom, and my Gator is my main mode of transportation around town, so it must be springtime in Michigan. This is probably my favorite season of the year, because the days of high humidity haven’t arrived yet. It won’t be long before someone starts complaining about the heat.

Sunday is Mother’s Day. You still have time to order flowers, make dinner reservations, or plan something special for the lady who gave you life. Mothers have changed over the years. My mother didn’t have any tattoos, her dress attire was usually a house dress and apron, and if I misbehaved, she didn’t hesitate to give me a swat on my backside. She could do that without fear of me calling the police. One thing that hasn’t changed is that Mothers like to know that they are appreciated and loved. That’s why there is a Mother’s Day. It’s been said that every day should be Mother’s Day. I can’t find anything wrong with that. If your mother is still living, make sure she knows that she has not been forgotten, and remind her how much you appreciate her giving you life.

I love ice cream. It’s my favorite dessert. It’s a fact that if you eat ice cream standing up, the fat won’t go to your stomach. Your big toe might get larger, but that’s all you need to worry about. Anyway, as a kid, we used to go to Lee’s Drive-In, at the corner of West Michigan Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, right here in Three Rivers. It was great, but if you wanted “real” ice cream, Miller’s had it all. Miller’s was located right downtown, and it was a popular place to see or be seen.

Today, you can still get ice cream when you’re Out and About. Real ice cream might be harder to find now that Goldie’s is closed, but LA’s Coffee Cafe just received some new flavors and I’ve sampled a few of them. That’s right, I said sampled. Stop in sometime and look through their display case. You can get an ice cream cone, or a cup, and it’s real ice cream, not soft-serve.

We’re into the second week of May already. The 57th Annual Water Festival is next month, so if you’re planning to be in the Water Festival parade, you have until May 17 to get yourself registered. The Parade date is Thursday, June 13, with a 7 PM step-off. If we have stormy weather, the parade will be Friday, June 14. Parade registration forms may be picked up at the TR Area Chamber of Commerce office, 57 North Main Street, in historical downtown Three Rivers. The theme for this year’s Water Festival is “TR’s Wild West”, so dust off your cowboy boots and ten-gallon hat, and get ready to have some fun.

This coming weekend is a busy one. Besides celebrating Mother’s Day, it’s also Prom Weekend, a special time for our high school students and a special time also for the parents of prom goers. A lot of pictures will be taken and a lot of trust will be given to the boys doing the driving. Parents, please let your kids know that you wish them a good time and that you trust them to use good judgment.

I’ll close this week with six helpful hints to make your life easier. Please feel free to share these with your friends, especially if they work for you.

Remove crayon marks from TV or computer screen with WD-40. It also works on walls.

Store bed linen inside one of their pillowcases. It means no hunting for a match.

Baby powder gets sand off your skin. Take it with you to the beach.

When you pack a suitcase, store shoes inside hotel shower caps for no rubbing on clothes.

Create a window box veggie patch using guttering.

Use egg cartons to separate and store Christmas decorations (This should have been already).

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

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

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

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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