For some interesting reading and an update on work to develop a brewpub in downtown Constantine, check out Jef Rietsma’s story in the Sturgis Journal. To access the article online, click on the following link:  Constantine Brewing Co. to open this fall.

The Michigan Senate passed the fiscal year 2013-14 School Aid Budget Wednesday (May 29th) with increases to the per pupil fund for area schools. Senator Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale) and Senator John Proos (R-St. Joseph) voted in favor of the budget that will provide more funding to K-12 schools throughout Michigan.  According to a news release [...]

The Three Rivers Health System Board has approved a 60-day extension of a $2 million line of credit with Southern Michigan Bank and Trust and the terms for a new, 3 ½ million dollar loan from the bank. The actions came during the board’s May meeting Thursday morning (May 30th). The line of credit, which [...]

A Weekly Almanac Guide Plan, Do, Finish, Rest. Living in Harmony With Earth Weekend of June 1-2, 2013 Click on the link to access this feature from Larry-Michael and Becky Lynn Hackenberg – The Cycles of Earth – June 1, 2013

Unibrow Art in Three Rivers is pleased to present works by 83ism (formally ABCD 83). The dynamic artist collective from Chicago won the juried 3D competition at Art Prize in Grand Rapids last year with their installation “More or Less”.  Constructed entirely with found objects, reclaimed wood, beach detritus, etc., it had considerable attraction as [...]

A recently completed statewide survey of 33 known bat wintering sites in Michigan showed no sign yet of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that kills bats by causing them to burn up energy reserves prematurely during hibernation. The Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division, in conjunction with Dr. Allen Kurta and Steve Smith of [...]

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will conduct a public hearing on its proposed 2014 budget during a meeting Friday morning (May 31st). The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the budget will be a subject of the hearing.   The proposed rate is one mill to be levied over the [...]

Tuesday (May 28th) was the inaugural day of the revamped Three Rivers Farmers Market in Scidmore Park  – and it appears the decision to switch from Saturday to Tuesday was a good one. Many changes have been implemented this year to revitalize the Farmers Market – a new day (Tuesday) and new hours (2 p.m. [...]

A May 22nd groundbreaking ceremony signaled the start of a five-year renovation and improvement project for the White Pigeon Community Schools with initial work focused on Central Elementary School. A Grand Rapids Business Journal article highlights the role of Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., a Grand Rapids-based construction management firm in the work that will be taking place [...]

CENTREVILLE – The Glen Oaks Community College Athletic Department will host its annual foursome golf scramble on Fri., June 7, at Island Hills Golf Course in Centreville, Mich., 61089 Stonegate Drive, beginning at 12 p.m. The event will begin with a noon luncheon with a 1 p.m. shotgun start to follow. The $90 per person [...]

LANSING – The Michigan Senate passed the fiscal year 2013-14 School Aid Budget Wednesday (May 29th) with increases to the per pupil funding for area schools. Senator Bruce Caswell voted in favor of the budget that will provide more funding to K-12 schools throughout Michigan. The increases in per pupil funding include the foundation allowance, [...]

The 5th annual KeyStone Place Golf Scramble will be held on Saturday, June 22nd at St. Joe Valley Golf Club, with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.  This year’s event has great things in store for golfers of any age!  Every golfer will receive a hat, golf glove, a gift certificate for a free golf club, [...]

The Three Rivers High School Performing Arts Center was filled to capacity on Tuesday evening (May 28th) as the Vocal Music Department, directed by Joel Moore, celebrated the end of the school year.  Moore had high praise for the students who, at all levels of the program, received consistently excellent ratings in high school district [...]

DOWAGIAC – The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees accepted a $7,000 donation from Fifth Third Bank in support of the annual Steve’s Run race. This is the 39th year for the race which will be held on Saturday, July 27. “We are very grateful to have the support of Fifth Third Bank,” said SMC [...]

LANSING—After the Michigan Senate finalized on Wednesday (May 29th) the Fiscal Year 2014 state education budget including a $400 million increase for schools, Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, issued the following statement: “Education has always been one of my highest priorities, and this budget increases funding for every student in every Southwest Michigan school at [...]

Next month there will be an exciting new activity in Sturgis for young people aged 6 through 13.  The Trojan Youth Triathlon, conceived by Tom Shumaker and sponsored by several Sturgis businesses and organizations, will be held on June 22.  The triathlon will begin at 9 am with a swim at the Sturgis Community Pool [...]

Satori Fitness is now open in Three Rivers! The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce and members of its Ambassador Committee welcomed the new enterprise Tuesday (May 28th) with a midday ribbon-cutting ceremony. The business – owned by Kevin and Buffy Mallo – is located at 255 North US-131, behind Wendy’s. During an interview with [...]

Kalamazoo, MI – Michigan WORKS! is recruiting applicants for new jobs.  The position is for Propagation Laboratory Production Associates at Hark Orchids.  Hark Orchids is a German firm that announced their company’s expansion in Kalamazoo early October of 2012. In their first year of business they will be hiring 50 employees. The position of Propagation [...]

About a month ago, I made a couple of changes in my column. I decided to make the column a bit more personal. I did this by sharing some of my experiences, with hopes that some readers might have experienced some of the same. Every so often, I throw in a few trivial things that [...]