This past weekend, there was a recital at the Riviera Theatre in historic downtown Three Rivers. The participants were all members of the Three Rivers High School Vocal Music Department. The recital lasted about two hours and featured many talented students. Some were veterans of performing on stage, in front of an audience. Some had never performed in public before. My wife and I enjoyed each performer and were reminded of just how much talent exists here in the Three Rivers area. Kudos go to each of the people who had the courage to get up on that stage and sing. Accolades also go to Danielle and her staff at the Riviera for providing the venue at no cost. This was a fundraiser for the Vocal Music Department, so those attending could make a donation to a very worthy cause. Did I mention that admission to the Riviera was FREE?

Because this past Saturday was the last Saturday of the month, the Spirit Rhythms Coffee House, inside St. John’s Lutheran Church on Buckhorn Road, north of Three Rivers, hosted an evening’s worth of entertainment featuring The Gratitude Steel Band. The band out of Rochester Hills, Michigan entertained an audience of about twenty people for a little over two hours. I was even lucky enough to join the group and play a steel drum. I think I’d better stick to writing this column and driving a bus. Oh yes, delicious desserts and fair trade coffee and tea were available for purchase, but the concert itself was FREE. Prior to the concert, there was a fundraising dinner held at St. John’s for Spirit Rhythms. A more delicious meal would be hard to find. Of course the meal wasn’t free, because it was a fundraiser. The only unfortunate thing about the entire evening was that attendance at the dinner was minimal to say the least.

Next Sunday afternoon, September 5, from 1 until around 11 P.M., HarmonyFest takes over the downtown business district in Three Rivers. Main Street from Portage Avenue to Michigan Avenue will be filled with lawn chairs, picnic tables and lovers of good music. Countless entertainers will perform from the stage at Main Street and Michigan Avenue. Music lovers will clap their hands, sing along, and dance together to the music being played. This is an annual event that is held the Sunday before Labor Day. It is a celebration of the universal language called “Music”. Oh yes, this event is also FREE.

The Three Rivers Community Players present about four or five shows a year at the Players’ Theatre on Millard Road, just behind Dairy Queen. The productions are as good as, if not better than, any production you’ll find in the Kalamazoo area. Are they FREE? No, they aren’t, but if you’d like to see them for free, all you have to do is volunteer to usher, work the box office, or be a part of the backstage crew. If you’ve never volunteered for a theatre group, you have no idea of the fun you can have giving of your precious spare time.

I’ve also heard people say that they didn’t hear about an event that was about to happen. You have two options to choose from. You can purchase this newspaper, which sells for 50 cents at any newsstand, or you can listen to WLKM-FM, which is located at 95.9 on your FM dial. The Community Calendar is broadcast three times a day, seven days a week on WLKM.

It’s difficult to find anything free in this world. Even freedom was paid for by someone who paid the ultimate price. Next time you see an Armed Forces Veteran, thank her/him for the freedom you enjoy.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Giving blood is a very loving act. I can’t recall a time when there was enough blood available in St. Joseph County and a blood drive just wasn’t needed. It’s unfortunate that there will always be a tremendous need for blood. Just about every month, the JOCO Center, here in Three Rivers, hosts a blood drive. To Kadant-Johnson, I offer my thanks for making the JOCO Center available for this much- needed event. Pioneer Hi-Bred, in Constantine, has decided to follow suit, and will host a blood drive Friday, August 27 from noon to 5:45 P.M. Pioneer Hi-Bred is located on US-131, south of Constantine on the east side of the highway. Make time to give of yourself and help someone you’ve never met. Who knows? Perhaps someday you might need a transfusion.

Saturday, August 28, from noon to 4 P.M., a back-to-school celebration will take place at Three Rivers Middle School. This provides another perfect opportunity to take the entire family out for free games, food, school supplies, plus much more. If you’re lucky, you might find enough school supplies so that there will not be a need to shop elsewhere.

I don’t think there’s a season for cleaning out the basement or garage. I’m pretty sure that it’s a continuing chore and, if you’re smart, you’ll stay on top of the situation. As you’re cleaning out that musty basement or over-crowded garage, you might want to seriously consider recycling some of those items rather than hauling everything to the landfill. Here are several facts that just might convince you to start recycling:

For every ton of aluminum we recycle, we save 1554 gallons of oil and 10 cubic yards of landfill space.

For every ton of glass we recycle, we save 5 gallons of oil and 2 cubic yards of landfill space.

For every ton of steel we recycle, we save 151 gallons of oil and 4 cubic yards of landfill space.

Those who did not attend Mendon’s Riverfest missed a chance to celebrate with a neighboring community. There was plenty of free entertainment, lots of great food, a parade, plus an abundance of other fun things to do for the entire family. The festival was capped off by a spectacular fireworks display, preceded by the announcement of the 2010 Riverfest Idol. Congratulations to Sean Morrison, a 2010 TRHS graduate, who sang his way to the honor. Mendon is just down the road from Three Rivers and is a warm and friendly community. Riverfest is an annual celebration and one that should not be missed. A great deal of work and a lot of volunteering go into making Mendon’s Riverfest a festival that provides some quality time for the entire family.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

AX OF MURDER opens this Thursday, August 19, at 7 P.M. at the Players’ Theatre on Millard Road, just behind Dairy Queen, in Three Rivers. This two-act production will have additional performances August 20, 21, and 22. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances start at 7 P.M., and the Sunday matinee begins at 2 P.M. These four performances are the only ones for this production. Tickets are $13 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are now available at Beam Sound and Video in Three Rivers. Phone Rodney at (269)279-6251. Tickets will also be available at the door, but if you are a regular patron at the Players’ Theatre, you are aware that advance ticket purchase is always recommended. Live theatre is alive and well here in Three Rivers. Attend a performance and witness the talent that abounds here in St. Joseph County.

Fall can’t be too far away when you start hearing about high school football games. The Three Rivers High School Wildcats have been practicing their skills, plus spending a lot of time indoors going over plays and strategies for the last month or so. Thursday, August 26, they officially open their season against Allegan here at Armstrong Field. They’ll play a total of nine regular season games, with the last game of the regular season against the Vicksburg Bulldogs in Vicksburg on October 22. The first two games will be played Thursday evenings, and then the usual Friday night games will resume for the remainder of the season. The Wildcats can always use the support of their fans, so it would be great if everyone could do their best to get out and cheer them on to victory. If you are unable attend a game, you can always set your radio dial to 97.1, WRCI-FM, and let Tim and Jason give you the play-by-play.

I come from a family of huggers. Some hugs are longer than others, so I guess the length of the hug would depend on how long it’s been since you’ve seen the person you are hugging. If I hug a guy, I usually start out with a firm handshake, followed by a quick hug. Leo Buscaglia lectured on the art and practice of hugging. Hugging is good for the soul and should be done more by everyone. If you are not a hugger, try hugging at least two people a day, not including your significant other when you leave for work each day. Remember, a hug is like a boomerang. You get it back right away.

I’m out and about every day, so I see a lot of people who work outside for a living. Working outside can be quite difficult, especially during the summer months. I have a couple of friends who deliver mail, and I always try to wave to them as I pass by. If I may, I’d like to offer a simple suggestion. If you know the approximate time your mail carrier comes by your home, you might consider offering her/him a cold glass of lemonade or iced tea. S/he might not accept your offer, especially if the last ten people on the route made the same offer, but I’m sure s/he’d appreciate the gesture. I know I would.

Good luck Wildcats, and I’ll see you Out and About.

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

I’m pretty sure this is the final cancer walk of the year. This one is a little different from most, in that it involves the family dog. “Bark for Life”, the American Cancer Society’s dog relay, will take place Saturday, August 14. It was originally scheduled for sometime in June, but had to be postponed due to weather. I faintly remember having some unpleasant weather this past June. Anyway, “Bark for Life” was created because some of the participants in the “Relay for Life” complained because they couldn’t take their dogs to the regular relay. Meyer-Broadway Park is the setting for this relay. Registration will begin at 9:30 A.M., and the walk will run from 10 A.M. until noon. The main difference between this relay and the regular one is that this one is done with individuals rather than teams. Oh yes, awards will be given for best dressed dogs, and a “Bark for Life” t-shirt will be given to anyone who brings in $100 or more. It’s amazing that cancer affects not only humans, but dogs as well.

You might not be aware of this, but the Commission on Aging (COA) has a medical equipment loan closet. The closet contains items such as walkers, commodes, canes, and hospital beds to name a few, and they are all available on a loan basis to individuals in need. The COA is in need of some equipment to fill the loan closet. If you happen to have a hospital bed, bath seats, or a wheelchair sitting around in good condition and clean, give Mildred a call at the COA. Mildred’s phone number is (269)279-8083 or 1-800-641-9899; she is the go-to person if you are one in need or if you have something to give them for someone else to borrow.

We are in the prime watermelon season here in the Three Rivers area. Nothing tastes better than a slice of ice cold watermelon on a warm August evening. I prefer mine with a touch of salt. It tastes even better knowing that it’s good for you. Watermelon is loaded with lycopene. As a matter of fact, watermelon juice actually gave tomato juice a run for the money in a recent study of lycopene levels. As I’m sure you know, lycopene may be a cancer crusher. I am particularly fond of watermelon, because I’ve learned that it can make your skin pretty, because it is loaded with a key compound credited with helping skin’s healing and regenerative processes. Watermelon is practically calorie-free, with as few as 50 calories in every cup. Finally, as long as you haven’t sliced it, you’ll want to leave the watermelon out. However, after it’s cut, it should be stored in the refrigerator for food-safety reasons.

Once again, we have a busy Saturday ahead of us. The First United Methodist Women will conduct a rummage sale this Saturday, August 14, from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. in the church’s parking lot at the corner of North Main Street and Kelsey in Three Rivers. Remember the old saying, “One person’s castaways are another’s treasure.”

I am always looking for items of interest, or things to do here in the Three Rivers area. I can mention your newsy stuff in this column as long as you are a non-profit group. There are some exceptions, so your best bet is to send me your information, and I’ll do what I can do to get it published in “Out and About”. Thank you also for your kind words. They are very much appreciated.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

As I get Out and About, I am pleased to see so many bicyclists out getting some good exercise and having fun while doing it. I offer a friendly reminder, if I may. Bicyclists have rules to follow, and I’m sure most are unaware of them. Two examples would be that if you are riding a bike and approach a stop sign, you must stop, just as you would if you were driving a car. The other rule that I notice is ignored would be the one concerning bike riding on the sidewalk downtown. It is even painted on the sidewalk at both north and south ends of the downtown business area. Both of these rules will probably go un-enforced until someone gets hurt or killed. Bike riding is fun and I should probably do it more often, but I can’t seem to get my bike down off the hook in the garage.

Every year I mention this and I’ve always done my best to get out there and attend the St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association Antique Tractor and Engine Show. This family event will, once again, take place at Boot Hill Ranch, one and one-half miles east of Jones. The show itself begins Friday, August 6 and runs through Sunday, August 8. Those interested in being a part of the Fifth Annual Tractor Tour might like to know that it will leave the grounds Thursday, August 5, at 9 A.M. It’s a 65 to 70-mile trip, so be sure to take a cushion for your tractor seat. Duane Hollister is the man to contact if you’d like to join the tour. He can be reached at (269)683-9537. Anyway, the show officially begins on August 6, and there will be activities for everyone. “Deadwood” will perform Friday and Saturday evenings, and Lisa and Mark Woolever will provide the entertainment on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Admission to this three-day event is $3 per person, but if you are turning fifty years old this year, your admission is FREE, in honor of this being the 50th Annual show. If you need further information, please contact Brian Boerman at (269)683-9537, or Daisy Wagner at (269)435-7241. You’ll want to do this by tomorrow, August 4, because after that, Daisy and Brian will be onsite having fun.

The Commission on Aging (COA) will host their “Fabulous Fifties” picnic this Friday, August 6 at Meyer Broadway Park in Three Rivers. The festivities begin at 10 A.M. and will run until 2:30 P.M. It is by reservations only, and the non-refundable cost is $4 per person, which includes a box lunch, entertainment, bake sale, Bingo, 50/50 drawing, games, and prizes. Be sure to watch the weather reports, because if it looks like rain or high humidity, you’ll need to call the COA office. If bad weather does occur, the picnic will be held at the Three Rivers Community Center, 103 South Douglas, in Three Rivers. For reservations or more information, please contact the COA at (269)279-8083 or 1-800-641-9899.

Tickets are now available for the Three Rivers Community Players production of AX OF MURDER, with performances scheduled for August 19, 20, 21, and 22. There will only be four performances for this production. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday curtain times will be 7 P.M. The Sunday matinee, and final performance, has a curtain time of 2 P.M. Tickets for adults are $13, and for students and senior citizens, the tickets are $12. Tickets are available at Beam Sound and Video in Three Rivers. Phone Rodney at (269)279-6251. Tickets will also be available at the door. The Players’ Theatre is located at 15526 Millard Road in Three Rivers, directly west of Dairy Queen.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

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

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

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

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

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