Summer is here and it is time for farm markets, festivals, fairs and concerts in the parks. There is a great movement sweeping across Michigan to get out and experience the local communities, eat fresh local grown foods, shop local and also eat in your local restaurants. Remember you are not just a tourist when you visit state to state you are a tourist when you visit a neighboring community, then you have become a tourist for the day.
When you spend tourism dollars in a neighboring community and you stop in a local shop to buy a drink or a sandwich, the foot traffic increases to that shop and the shop owner will hire more employees. At this point the employee will need a place to live, a place to shop for food and other items, and will also spend money on utility needs for their home. Once this happens the tourism dollars have come full circle in that community. During these tough economic times your tourism dollars are much needed in the local community and so is your community support. Remember eat fresh local grown foods, shop local and also eat in your local restaurants.

June 1-4
Children’s Workshop – The Tin Shop Theatre in Buchanan is having a children’s workshop for ages 7-14 from 6 to 8 p.m. They will learn to put on a play from staging to costumes, make-up and technical theater. They will be participating in vocal and acting exercises, improvisation and choreography leading up to the auditions for the children’s musical, “A Year With Frog and Toad.” Openings are limited for workshop. Call (269) 695-6464.

Today
Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series – The Southwestern Michigan College Brass Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the bricked parkway at the corner of Front and Beeson streets in Dowagiac. Provides ample room for lawn chair seating. Call (269) 782-8212.

June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
Niles Bensidoun French Market – Open Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., indulge yourself and enjoy the best this area has to offer at the weekly open-air market in Niles. The Saturday market will focus on different mediums such as wood, fiber, metal and glass. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 3-6
Eau Claire Village Rummage Sale & Sidewalk Days – Take a drive through the Village of Eau Claire and you are sure to find some great bargains at the yearly Rummage Sale & Sidewalk Days. Maps will be available of all rummage sale locations at all of the local stores in Eau Claire and in the surrounding communities. Call (269) 461-6173.

June 3-6
8th Annual Bluegrass Festival – Come to the Riverfront Amphitheater located along the beautiful St. Joseph River in Niles and listen to various artists playing bluegrass music. Event includes food concessions, arts and crafts, workshops, pickers tent and contest, etc. Call (269) 687-4332.

Friday
Tree-Mendus Fruit Market (Eau Claire) Season Opening – Hours daily are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed on Tuesdays. After Labor Day, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Monday. Orchard closes at 5:30 p.m. through the season. Call (269) 782-7101.

June 5, 12, 19, 26
Cassopolis Farmers Market – Open air farmer’s market located in downtown beautiful Cassopolis on Stone Lake. The market is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. It offers a wide variety of produce, opening the season with asparagus and rhubarb. It also features handmade and homemade items like soaps, candles, animal calls, crochet items, purses, bird houses, honey, jewelry and much more. Don’t forget to look at the perennials and annual flowers for your home or business. Call (269) 687-2677.

June 5, 12, 19, 26
Buchanan Farmer’s Market – Located downtown at the commons every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market is committed to providing the community with fresh, local, fruits and vegetable and strongly encourages healthy living. Call (269) 506-3021.

Sunday
Gallery Opening: Paintings by Anthony Droege: “Nature’s Seductions” – Anthony Droege is nationally recognized for his still life, landscape and figure paintings. Now visitors have the opportunity to see his plein air paintings of Michiana on display in Fernwood’s Art Gallery in Niles. Over the years, Anthony has received numerous awards while exhibiting his paintings and drawings in one-person, invitational and competitive exhibitions. His work is represented in more than 1,200 public and private collections throughout the United States and abroad. See Anthony’s paintings in the Fernwood Art Gallery from June 6 through July 25, and meet Anthony at his opening reception on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Call (269) 695-6491.

Monday
Novelist Dennis Lehane – Dennis Lehane was born and raised in Dorchester, Mass. He has written eight novels, “A Drink Before the War,” “Darkness, Take My Hand,” “Sacred,” “Gone, Baby, Gone,” “Prayers for Rain,” “Mystic River,” “Shutter Island” and “The Given Day.” Many of these novels have been New York Times best-sellers. Mr. Lehane has become one of our most heralded mystery writers. “Mystic River” was a finalist for the PEN/Winship Award, and won both the Anthony Award and the Barry Award for Best Novel, as well as the Massachusetts Book Award in Fiction given by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. Two of his novels, “Mystic River” and “Gone, Baby, Gone,” were made into Academy Award-nominated movies. Another novel, “Shutter Island,” was recently made into a movie directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Kingsley. His latest novel, “The Given Day,” is currently in development for the big screen. Lehane also won awards for his work on the HBO series, “The Wire.” He will visit the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center. Call (866) 490-2847.

June 8-11
Summer Day Camp at Fernwood (Niles), “Nature’s Sensors: 4-Year-Olds” – Children explore the natural world with their five senses from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Members are $50 and $60 for the public. Call (269) 695-6491.

Wednesday
Niles Summer Concert Series – SMC Jazz Band will perform at Riverfront Park Amphitheater in Niles at 7 p.m. This concert is free. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 10
Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series – Rare Combination will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the bricked parkway at the corner of Front and Beeson streets in Dowagiac; provides ample room for lawn chair seating. Call (269) 782-8212.

June 10
Niles Summer Concert Series – Parrotheads in Michiana Night will feature The Whistle Pigs at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater in Niles at 7 p.m.  Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 11, 18, 25
Free Movies in the Park – Free Movies in the Park starts at dusk behind the Wonderland Theatre in Niles. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 12
Mosaic Birdbath Workshop (Niles) – From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., design a one-of-a-kind mosaic birdbath in this workshop taught by local mosaics artist Martha Branson-Banks. This birdbath is similar to the one seen in the October/November 2009 issue of Birds & Blooms magazine. The simple design is composed of two terra cotta pots and one terra cotta saucer. Bring a saucer and your choice of mosaic material to the workshop (a materials list is provided upon registration) and go home with a completed birdbath top. Martha will provide all of the instruction and advice to make your birdbath special. Fee $45 (members $35). Register by June 10. Call (269) 695-6491.

June 11-13
Michigan Quarter Horse Association Summer Series – This is event is located at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds, 9122 Old U.S. 31, Berrien Springs. Enter grounds through Gate 1. For event times contact the fairgrounds: (269) 473-4251.

June 13
Niles Summer Concert Series – Jypsi will perform at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater at  6 p.m. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 13
Second Sunday Classical Concert Series – Come to Fernwood on the second Sunday of each month (May through September) at 4 p.m. for their WAUS Classical Concert Series featuring Peter Aglinskas, guitarist.  For more info, visit  www.fernwoodbotanical.org or call (269) 695-6491.

June 14
“Your Health, Your Life, Your Choice” – Hospice at Home is hosting a community forum on End-of-Life Issues that affect us all. Visit the YMCA at 7 p.m. for an educational forum where a panel of experts will discuss end-of-life care in our community and how to work to improve awareness and access to this care. This meeting will answer questions and give community members an opportunity to openly discuss what is important to them related to end-of-life care. This event will be located at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 Front St., Niles. Call (269) 683-1552.

June 16
Veterans Tribute Ride – Escort the Vietnam Memorial Wall through Berrien County. They will begin the day by arriving at the Four Winds Casino at 7 a.m. June 16 and end up at Saint Joseph High School Stadium. Registration is required by June 9 at 7 a.m. Arrive at Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo between 7 and 8 a.m. for breakfast provided by Four Winds Casino; 8 to 8:30 a.m., Native American Honor Ceremony Drum by Ribbon Song; 8:30 a.m., depart Four Winds Casino (Ride will be police escorted.) They will travel a 100-mile route. There will be two stops along the route. They will travel through the following communities: from New Buffalo up Red Arrow Highway; Bridgman, Stevensville, St. Joseph on Business I-94 (Lakeshore Drive); continue on to Red Arrow Highway to Coloma (first rest stop); continue to Watervliet M-140 south to M-62 then west to Eau Claire; south on Hochberger to Deans Hill Road to Berrien Springs; turn left onto Old U.S. 31 to Niles (second rest stop); Niles-Buchanan Road to Buchanan; west on Main Street to Bakertown Road; south to U.S. 12 to Galien; north on Cleveland Avenue to St. Joseph, High School Stadium. 1 p.m., Arrive in St. Joseph, High School Stadium. Call (269) 876-2923 or visit www.lestweforgetusa.org.

June 16
Niles Summer Concert Series – Carole & Kaye’s Dixieland Jazz Band will perform at  Riverfront Park Amphitheater at 7 p.m. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 17
Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series – The Mickey’s will perform 7:30 p.m. at the bricked parkway at the corner of Front and Beeson streets in Dowagiac; provides ample room for lawn chair seating. Call (269) 782-8212.

June 17
Niles Summer Concert Series – Peach Tree Otis will perform at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater at 7 p.m. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 18-19
Berrien County Youth Fair (Berrien Springs) Antique Tractor & Car Show – Tractor pulls, Michiana Two-Cylinder (antique tractors), BCYF All-Color Tractor Show, toy tractor show, BCYF Open Car Show (rain or shine), garden tractor pull, kids’ pedal pull, parade, etc. Call (269) 473-4251.

June 19
Fernwood’s Annual Garden Party – Enjoy a relaxed evening in the garden featuring cocktails and dinner prepared by Fernwood’s executive chef, Tim Carrigan at 6:30 p.m. Bid on live and silent auction items while enjoying musical entertainment. Meet the special guest, renowned landscape architect, Doug Hoerr, of Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects in Chicago. Doug is known for designing the Michigan Avenue streetscape along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and the Tiffany Celebration Garden adjacent to Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain, as well as many other commercial and residential projects. As chairman of Mayor Daley’s Green Roof Committee, Doug stands out as a leader in the greening of the City of Chicago. Show your support for Fernwood, and make your reservations by June 15. Call (269) 695-6491.

June 19
Berrien Springs/Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing -Save the date for the Annual Berrien Springs Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing. It will be held at Pipestone Creek Golf Course. Visit www.bsechamber.org or call (269) 471-2484.

June 19-20
Buchanan’s Great Community Wide Garage Sale – The Chamber’s annual garage sale will have more than 100 sites. You’re sure to find a great deal. Hosted by the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce and supported by the City of Buchanan. Begins at 8 a.m. each day and free maps will be available both days at the Duck Pond. Call (269) 695-3291.

June 20
Tryon 4-H Horse Club Show (Berrien Springs) – This event is located at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds. Enter through Gate 1. For more information call, (269) 208-7414.

June 20
Niles Summer Concert Series – Special Consensus & Stevie Coyle will perform at Riverfront Park Amphitheater at 6 p.m. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 20
26th Annual Father’s Day Festival and Corvette Show – Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs will host its 26th Annual Father’s Day Festival and Corvette Show. Doors open at Noon and the music runs from 1 to 6 p.m. In addition, the Corvette Coventry of Southwest Michigan will be on the grounds displaying over 80 classic Corvettes. Grilled food provided by Outdoor Kitchen will be available for purchase, along with wine tasting and hayrides. Kids’ games run hourly, so feel free to bring the whole family and join the circus. This event is open to public and admission is paid at the door. Band to be determined. Cover charge for ages 21 and over includes admission, souvenir wine glass and wine tasting ticket for $7. Call (269) 471-1321.

June 20-27
Tom Powers Horse Show (Berrien Springs) – This event will take place at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds please enter through Gate 1.  For more information call, (616) 262-2836.

June 22-24
Berrien County Sheriff’s Kid’s Camp – The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is announcing the fourth annual “Sheriff’s Kid Camp” in Berrien Springs. This camp will be an action-packed, three-day event that will provide your children with safety talks and hand-on demonstrations by law enforcement, fire and EMS professionals. A sample of programs include bike safety, fire safety, Internet safety and a tour of the Berrien County Courthouse and justice system. The camp is open to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders. The camp is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so the first to register will be guaranteed placement. Space is limited to the first 40 who signup; deadline is June 6. The cost is only $25 per child which includes great lunches, a free T-shirt, water bottles, sling bag, goodie bag and a graduation certificate upon completion. Sheriff L. Paul Bailey and McGruff the Crime Dog will be the special guest. Registration and information is available at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department in St. Joseph and Niles Courthouse or you may contact the Berrien County Crime Prevention Unit at 983-7141 ext. 7221.  The camp will be held at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds.

June 23
Niles Summer Concert Series – The Balos Family will perform at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater at 7 p.m. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 24
Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series – Otsego Jazz Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the bricked parkway at the corner of Front and Beeson streets in Dowagiac; provides ample room for lawn chair seating. Call (269) 782-8212.

June 24
“Sharing Nature with Children” (Fernwood Nature Preserve)  – Kids love to be outside in the summer, so now is the perfect time to share the magic of nature with them! Ideal for parents, grandparents and other caregivers, naturalist Wendy Jones offers basic natural history information and ideas on how to open little eyes to the world around them. Dress for walking the trails. Fee $15 (members $12). Call (269) 695-6491.

June 24
Niles Summer Concert Series – Wildcat will perform at Riverfront Park Amphitheater at 7 p.m. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 26-27
Relay For Life – The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated. Show your support for Relay For Life. This event is located at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds in Berrien Springs. Enter through Gate 2. Call (269) 473-4251.

June 26 and 27
National Wildlife Federation Backyard Campout – Be a part of the NWF’s Backyard Campout by spending the night at Fernwood! Pitch your tent on the green, take a guided night hike and learn about nature with your family. Tents, dinner, snack and breakfast provided; showers are not available. Visit www.nwf.org/backyardcampout.com for more information on this national event, or call naturalist Wendy Jones at ext. 220 for more details on Fernwood’s overnight. Adults $40, children $20. (adult members $30, children members $15). Call (269) 695-6491.

June 26
JD’s Truck Stop (Niles) Backyard BBQ Competition – Are you the king of the grill in your neighborhood? Then come to JD’s Truck Stop for a Backyard BBQ Competition. This is an amateur competition. There will be four categories: pork ribs (bone-in), chicken, pork butt and beef brisket. Each category will be judged individually as well as an overall winner. Entry form and money must be received by June 23. Call (269) 683-9558.

June 26
Art In Motion A Celebration of the Arts – Fifth-year interactive art event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Niles. Paint the Art Car, watch 5 tons of sand be sculpted, participate in the Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest and lots more. This will be the date for displaying your Fanciful Flamingo. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 26
Michiana Regional History Day (Buchanan) – This event is to provide participating organizations with a means to share news and activities of their work with the public and each other. This event is free to all. Call (269) 695-6450.

June 27
3rd Annual Womanless Woman Pageant (Berrien Springs) – This event is part of the Relay for Life event. Each Relay team can enter one guy from their team (this event is limited to the first 25 guys). This will take place at the event stage. There is an entrance fee of $5. Contact Team Mamma Mia’s Dalai Lamas in advance if you plan on participating. Call (269) 876-9071.

June 27
Niles Summer Concert Series – Fillmore’s Ladder will perform at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater at 6 p.m. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

June 27
Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast – The annual Chapter 865 Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. until noon in the hangar on the east side of the Niles airport. Cost is a $6 donation and  kids 5 to 12 are $3. All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, sausage gravy and biscuits, regular and decaf coffee, real orange juice and milk. Door prizes, public welcome, free parking. Visit www.eaachapter865.org or call (269) 684-0972.

June 30
Niles Summer Concert Series – Chris Young, Elvis impersonator, will perform at 7 p.m. at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater. Free to attend. Call (269) 687-4332.

Also take a visit to your local senior center they offer a wide variety of events, trips and activities.  There are many groups that meet day and evening at your local senior center. You don’t have to be a senior citizen to enjoy your local senior center.
Be sure to check all of your local li