NEW BUFFALO — The 2023 St. Mary of the Lake Family Festival took place May 25-29 in New Buffalo.

THREE OAKS — A visit to Paws for Humanity will likely begin with you being greeted by the sisters – a three dog-group of Great Pyrenees who came to the sanctuary as strays.

THREE OAKS — The 2023 Three Oaks Spring Stroll took place Saturday, May 27, featuring shopping, sipping, and socializing.

HARBERT — The 2023 version of the River Valley Garden Club’s plant sale took place Saturday, May 20, at Harbert Community Park

NEW BUFFALO — Issa Vibe Café has brought a one-of-a-kind coffee and dining experience to Harbor Country. “Our mission is to offer high quality coffee and food in an aesthetically unique dining environment that will appeal to both locals and out-of-town guests,” said owner Jeremy Gallo.

THREE OAKS — Ground was broken on May 19 for an expansion of the Region of Three Oaks Museum to provide 1,440 square feet of much-needed storage space.

THREE OAKS — Living History Wax Museum projects and reports from River Valley Elementary fifth-graders were on display as part of May 13 during “Super Saturday” events in Three Oaks. The portrayals of historical figures also were presented to third- and fourth-graders on the school playgroun…

BENTON HARBOR — High School theater programs throughout the Southwest Michigan and a portion of northern Indiana will be honored later this month when Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department presents the 2022-2023 WAVE Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater.

BERRIEN SPRINGS — The deadline for large animals to be exhibited at the 2023 Berrien County Youth Fair is June 1.

NEW BUFFALO — The 2023 New Buffalo Area Schools “Pirates of the Cure-i-bbean” 5K celebration involved all grade levels in racing to help eliminate cancer.

The 2023 Blossomtime Festival Grand Floral Parade brightened the springtime afternoon on Saturday, May 13, in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor with more that 100 entries.

NEW TROY — Two renovated rooms inside the New Troy Community Center were celebrated during a May 10 Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony and a Friends of New Troy open house.

THREE OAKS — The River Valley Drama Club presented “Clue” on May 6 and 7. The heart-racing, thrill-seeking adventure is based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. The farce-meets-murder mystery tale begins at a remote mansion, where six myst…

THREE OAKS — In the 1930s and ’40s, 6 East Linden St. in Three Oaks was not only a butcher, but a communal freezer, where residents could pick out cuts of meat and store them onsite.

THREE OAKS — The Region of Three Oaks Museum kicked off its 2023 season on May 4 by dedicating its exhibit on the area’s farming history in honor of former State Senator and longtime local educator Ron Jelinek.

NEW BUFFALO — River Valley Elementary pupils released baby salmon they had been raising in aquariums since late 2022 at Galien River County Park on Friday, May 5. In about three years adults will return from Lake Michigan to start a new generation.

THREE OAKS — The River Valley High School CTE Culinary Arts Class added plenty of flavor to a May 4 Evening with the Arts.

THREE OAKS — The Three Oaks Baseball Association held 2023 opening ceremonies on Saturday, May 6, at the Jim Vickers Baseball Complex in Watkins Park.

NEW BUFFALO — Edwin Velarde’s Epic Journey Against Diabetes “Windy City to Cereal City” bicycle ride made a stop in New Buffalo on May 2.

The Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade returns at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13, and officials have announced the planned line-up and route.

UNION PIER — The 2023 Harbor Country Art Attack showcased artistic and creative experiences such as visual arts, music, fashion, culinary arts, literary arts, and architecture on April 27-30.

NEW BUFFALO — The staff and students of New Buffalo Elementary bid a fond farewell to School Resource Officer Sgt. Michael Troup and welcomed incoming SRO Deputy Rick Edgerle on April 26.

BARODA — The Grace Effect, a family-owned farm stand at 9962 Holden Road in Baroda, recently opened for the first time this spring, as the Grace Effect brand celebrated its three-year anniversary.

Chikaming Open Lands celebrated Earth Day at the Robinson Woods and Flynn Woods preserves a day after New Buffalo Elementary pupils explored the outdoors while participating in a COL Mighty Acorns session.

NEW BUFFALO — The Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce revealed its 2023 Guide during a festive April 20 gathering that also celebrated host Ghost Isle Brewery’s fourth anniversary.

THREE OAKS — The Flag Day Hog Roast fund-raiser took place Saturday, April 22, at American Legion Post 204 in Three Oaks.

BARODA — A new English pub-style restaurant is set to open this May in the former Baroda Tap & Grille building.

BENTON TOWNSHIP — The 2023 Blossomtime Royal Court includes two community queens with ties to Bridgman High School.

NEW BUFFALO — The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians held a ribbon-cutting for its new Rolling Embers cannabis retail store at 19279 Kinst Road in New Buffalo on Friday, April 14.

THREE OAKS — Jackson Family Cycle, a new full-service shop at 110 North Elm St. in Three Oaks owned by Ben and Victoria Holt that can meet bicyclist’s needs for repairs, supplies, rentals and a new ride, celebrated its Grand Opening on Saturday, April 15.

Area Easter egg hunts were held in communities including New Buffalo, Lakeside and Three Oaks, with plenty of candy and colorful eggs to be discovered, Easter Bunnies and horses to meet, and beautiful spring weather to be enjoyed.

NEW TROY — Longtime Weesaw Township Clerk Wanda Green officially retired after saying a heartfelt farewell during an April 10 special meeting of the Township Board.

THREE OAKS — The village of Three Oaks has long been an official “Tree City,” famously named after a trio of oaks visible from passing trains.

NEW BUFFALO — A Greek Bake Sale took place April 7 and 8 at Annunciation-Agia Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in New Buffalo. Tours of the church also were offered.

BRIDGMAN — Bridgman Public Library is extending a special invitation to the public to visit the library (4460 Lake St.) April 17 - 29 to help celebrate the launch of a new logo.

THREE OAKS — Royalty for the 2023 Three Oaks Flag Day celebration was chosen Sunday, April 2, on the Turner Stage in the Acorn Center for the Performing Arts.

STEVENSVILLE — Stephanie Harrah has worked at many locations during her career in hospitality, but she keeps coming back to donuts.

BRIDGMAN — The Bridgman Public Schools Drama Department presented “Shrek The Musical Jr.” Friday, Saturday and Sunday March 31-April 2 in the Performing Arts Center at Bridgman High School.

HARBERT — The March 21 meeting of the River Valley Garden Club featured a talk on annuals and perennials from Phil DeRuiter of DeRuiter Greenhouse.

NEW BUFFALO — The New Buffalo High School Bionic Bison FIRST Robotics team has qualified for state for the second straight year following a strong showing at the March 25-27 “FIRST ENERGIZE CHARGED UP” district competition at Battle Creek Lakeview.

BUCHANAN — A piece of Buchanan’s history has been listed among the National Register of Historic Places.

NEW BUFFALO — “When the mist dies and the Smiling Man comes walking, you must avoid large places at night. Keep to small.”

THREE OAKS — Kids from the Bridgman location of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan participated in a March 21-24 Spring Break with Horses program at the Spring Creek Equestrian Center.

GRAND BEACH — Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce members explored The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach while enjoying four local varieties of pizza during a March 21 mixer.

LONG BEACH, Ind. — The 3rd annual Notre Dame School St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk took place March 25 in Long Beach, Ind.

NEW BUFFALO — The New Buffalo Railroad Museum will re-open for the 2023 season on Saturday, April 1, and will be open through Oct. 29 on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. (Eastern time).

NEW BUFFALO — The New Buffalo Theatre Department presented “Into the Woods Jr.” Friday, Saturday and Sunday March 17-19 in the Performing Arts Center at the Middle/High School.