Community Calendar

Published 11:06 pm Wednesday, April 2, 2008

By Staff
Today
The Four Flags Snowmobile Club will meet today at 7 p.m., at the Chamber of Commerce Building (lower level, enter from alleyway), 321 Main St., Niles. This will be the last meeting of the 2007 – 2008 season. New members are always welcome. Contact: Reid Heibel at 269-684-5375, for additional information.
Thursday
The Niles Arts Association presents its Spring Reemergence show at LMC, Bertrand Crossing with an opening reception on Thursday, April 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. with live music and refreshments free to the public. The show runs through May 3. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4p.m. on Friday.
Four Flags Toastmasters Club meets every Thursday morning 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Niles Township Hall, 320 Bell Road, Niles. Contact Margaret Dyer 683-5743 for more information.
Thursday night Toastmasters Club meets every Thursday evening 6 to 7 p.m. at the Niles Township Hall, 320 Bell Road Niles. Contact Margaret Dyer 683-5743 for more information.
An American Red Cross blood drive will be held on Thursday, April 3, at the Buchanan Center, 131 S. Oak St., Buchanan, from noon to 5:45 pp.m.
Friday
The 16th "Discover Gourds' Hidden Treasures" show will be held April 4-6 at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds, Ironwood Road, South Bend, Ind. Visit www.indianagourdsociety.org
Michiana Christian Home Educators 14th annual Home School Convention will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5 at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. Visit www.mche.net for more information.
Saturday
The Board of Governors of Barn Swallow Theatre will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 5 at the Lutheran Church, 305 W. State Street (Pokagon Highway), Cassopolis. Plans for summer productions, a dinner theatre, fund raising plans for the building of a new Barn Swallow Theatre will be discussed. The public and any one interested in the future of Barn Swallow is invited to attend. Call (269) 445-2511 for information.
Sunday
Twenty campus clubs representing cultures from around the world will come together on Sunday, April 6 from noon to 7 p.m. for the 44th annual International Food Fair at the Johnson Gym on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs. This reflects a date change from the previously announced date of Sunday, March 30.
Upcoming events
Andrews University is hosting a computer and TV recycling event sponsored by the Berrien County Resource Recovery Department on Wednesday, April 9, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Andrews University Transportation Department. County residents, institutions and businesses of all kinds are invited to correctly dispose of old computer equipment, televisions and cell phones during this event. Items that will be accepted at the recycling event are: computers, CPUs, keyboards, computer mice and cords, laptops, speakers, scanners, tabletop printers, cell phones, phone chargers, VCRs, stereos and speakers, typewriters and televisions. Some items, such as computer monitors and televisions, will be accepted for a small fee. For a complete list of items that will be accepted, visit www.berriencounty.org/recycle/ and choose "Electronic Recycling Collections" in the left column.
Barn Swallow Theatre will hold auditions for "You Can't Get There From Here" on Wednesday, April 9 and Thursday April 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 209 S. Rowland, Cassopolis. Needed are five females ages 20 through 50 and two males, one mid 20s and one in 50s. Performance dates are June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22. Call (269) 445-2511 for further information.
On Thursday, April 10, Buchanan High School will be hosting the Lakeland Conference Fine Arts Festival. There will be groups of students representing each of the Lakeland Conference schools in the areas of band, choir, art and drama. Student check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. and they will have events throughout the day, culminating in an art show which is open to the public beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, and a concert beginning at 7 p.m. in the Buchanan High School Gymnasium.
The Brian Parker Memorial Foundation Fish Fry will be held on Friday, April 11 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Niles Eagles. Donations are $7 and include fish, coleslaw, baked beans and homemade desserts.
The 2nd Street Gallery presents its Spring Salon, a collection of
recent works by local gallery artists Jeromy Kelley, Sharon Kruger,
Wendy Waterhouse Harding, Sue Coultas, Heather Pletcher, and Kari Black.
Included are works in pastels, oils, acrylics, water colors, ceramics,
jewelry and folk-art. Opening reception is Friday, April 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The show runs through May 31. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church, Fifth and Broadway streets in Niles is holding a rummage sale for its pipe organ fund on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to noon.
A Dance for the South Bend Parents without Partners, Chapter No. 194 will be held on Saturday, April 12 at ZB Falcon's Hall located at the corner of Western and Sheridan in South Bend, Ind. between 8 p.m. and midnight. Admission is $7.00, Music will be by Sandy Cockrun – Line Dance Lessons will be held between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Contact Nancy at 574-234-4567. To join the organization, contact Jo at 574-286-3000.
St. Mary's Church Boy Scout Troop No. 579 will hold a paper and recyclable aluminum drive on Saturday, April 12 from 8 a.m. to noon. No magazines, but they will accept old cell phones and used printer ink cartridges.
The Niles District Library will be holding a Food For Fines Food Drive April 14-19. We will accept canned goodds and nonperishables for your overdue fines or you may just donate. Bring your items to the circulation desk during regular library hours. All proceeds will go to St. Mary's Food Bank in Niles.
The public is invited to the 25th annual Cass County Spelling Bee on Monday, April 14, at Southwestern Michigan College in the Lyons Building and Mathews Conference Center in Dowagiac.
The South County Democratic Club will meet on Monday, April 14, at 7 p.m. and every second Monday of the month at the Buchanan Moose Lodge, 101 S. Redbud Trail, Buchanan. For more information call 695-7232, or visit www.southcountydems.com.
Brandywine kindergarten registration will be held on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. at Meerritt Elementary Gym, 1620 LaSalle Ave., Niles. For more information call 684-6511.
Oncologist Dr. Bilal Ansari of Hematology-Oncology, South Bend, will speak on "New Treatments for Breast Cancer" at 2 p.m. at the Wednesday, April 16 meeting of the Breast Cancer Survivors Support Group of Niles at the First Baptist Church, 1446 E. Main St., Niles. Persons who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are welcome to attend. The purpose of the group is to provide education, comradeship, and support for those dealing with breast cancer. For further information contact Cathy Bair at 269-683-2959.
The Berrien County Genealogical Society will hold it's monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 16, at 7 p.m at the LDS Family History Center, 395 Jakway, Benton Harbor. The subject for this month's meeting will be a workshop on "How to Use Online Message Boards, Lists, Chat LInes, Chat Rooms etc. Jake Toering will walk us through the maze. Cheryl Schulte will share her success using an online blog. The Berrien County Genealogical Society events are always open to the public.
An American Red Cross blood drive will be held at St.. Johns United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore, Niles, from noon to 5:45 p.m.
Niles Community School will conduct kindergarten registration at Northside Child Development Center, 2020 N. Fifth St., Niles, on Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. for more information call 683-1982.
Stop in Restaurant will host a benefit for the Niles Elite Cheerleaders on Saturday April 19. The cheerleaders will be on site serving and performing routines from 10 a..m. to 3 p.m. All proceeds from the day will go towards the Niles Elite Cheerleaders going to China June 15-25. The team of 21 local cheerleaders will be performing in a pre-Olympic ceremony. The team will also be performing for the Olympic Committee as the first step of many to begin the process of considering Competitive Cheer in the Olympics. The cost per person to make this trip is $3,000.
The Cass County Council on Aging Board of Directors will hold its annual meeting Wednesday, April 23. Five board members have been nominated for re-election at that time: Ben Bement, Virginia Bontrager, Eleanore Flowers, Ken Krause and Gail "Happy" Russell. Community members who are interested in joining the COA Board should call Bob Cochrane at (269) 445-8110 or (800) 323-0390 for more information. The Cass COA is located at M-60 and Decatur Road in Cassopolis.
Niles Service League's First Annual Crop for Kids will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Pages in Time in Granger for a full day of scrapbooking, food and fun to raise money to provide scholarships, camperships and clothing for deserving children in the Niles and Buchanan area. The cost of the crop is $30 and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day and entry into a drawing to win several great prizes including a Sizzix Big Kick machine and Alphabet Die Cut Set, a Stamp'n Up gift basket and other fun scrapbooking supplies. To register call Pages in Time at (574) 272-5500 and tell them you want to sign up for the Niles Service League crop on April 26. Space is limited. For more information contact Michele Thompson at 687-7085.
On Wednesday, April 30, Hacienda at Grape Road in Mishawaka, Ind. will be hosting a Hacienda Gives Back Fiesta Night, in which 20 percent of purchases will be donated to Brandywine Project Graduation. A coupon is required to participate. In addition, gift cards can be purchased through Brandywine Project Graduation prior to April 30, and 20 percent of the gift card value will also be donated by Hacienda to Brandywine Project Graduation. Coupons and gift cards can be obtained by contacting Penny Zelasko at (269) 362-1804, or can be requested or arranged by email to brandywinepg2008@sbcglobal.net. Hacienda Gift cards will be delivered after April 30.
The 2008 Hearing and Vision Clinic will be held Monday, May 5, at Northside school. If your child will be entering pre-school or kindergarten they must have their hearing and vision tested before entering school. This is a free clinic sponsored by the Berrien County Health Department and PSI IOTA XI sorority. If you would like to make an appointment or need more information please contact: Joni Flynn (chairman) at: 683-9299 or wrmheart@comcast.net.
Pennies for Patients, the 19th annual fund raiser for the Berrien County Cancer Service will be held on Thursday, May 8. Bring your pennies to 227 1/2 E. Main St., Room 202 Masonic Building, Niles, from noon to 2 p.m. Tour the agency. Refreshments will be served.
The volunteer Jefferson Township Community Awareness Group's annual bake sale will be held in conjunction with the township clean-up day, Saturday, May 10.
Announcements
AA and AL-ANON meetings are held at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in the basement, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles. Alcoholics Anonymous questions, call (269) 684-5304. For AL-ANON questions, call (269) 684-6118 or (269) 782-9561.
AA and NA meetings are provided at New Beginnings Recovery House, 1112 N. Eighth St., Niles. The Alcoholics Anonymous daily meetings at noon and 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (269) 68-SOBER, or (269) 687-6237. Narcotics Anonymous meetings are Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. A 12-Step Recovery program follows.
Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – HOW is a 12-step program for people with eating disorders. For more information about meetings in this area, call (269) 687-6074.
The Pregnancy Care Center, at its new location at 311 E. Main St., Niles, is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The office is also open Monday and Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Call (269) 684-6200 any day to schedule a caring, confidential appointment. Crisis walk-ins welcome. Pregnancy tests are always free.
Corrections
The Niles Daily Star wants to make sure our calendar items are correct. Contact us should you find an error at the Niles Daily Star, 217 N. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120, (269) 683-2100, or fax them to (269) 683-2175.