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This week, the village of Centreville comes alive with the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. As mentioned in last week’s column, this year’s fair is a bit different from years past. Normally, the fair runs Sunday through Saturday, with the big-name entertainment taking the stage on Saturday evening. This year, however, the fair will open a day early and entertainer Darius Rucker takes the main stage Wednesday evening at seven o’clock. The weather looks promising for the rest of the week, so plan to take the family to the center of St. Joe County and enjoy Michigan’s finest county fair.
In case you haven’t noticed, Michigan, along with the rest of the United States, is experiencing some tough times economically. The Conservatives blame the current administration, and the Liberals claim that the problems of today were inherited. It doesn’t matter who’s at fault, but the fact of the matter is that we’re in a pretty deep hole, and the only way out is to work together. A little prayer wouldn’t hurt, either. In fact, that’s just what the area churches are planning to do. A group of churches in the Three Rivers area is planning a community prayer service. Everyone who has been affected by the down turn of the economy should plan to attend this community service at the First United Methodist Church, 215 North Main Street in Three Rivers. Sunday, September 27 is the date and the praying starts at 7 P.M. The service will last about an hour and will be followed by light refreshments in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Organizers request that those attending would please take some canned food, which will be given to local food pantries.
September has passed much too quickly. It seems as though we were experiencing HarmonyFest just a week ago. This Saturday is the last Saturday of the month, which means that the stage at Spirit Rhythms comes alive Saturday evening at seven o’clock. This month’s entertainment features The Grooveside, a popular group who is no stranger to the Spirit Rhythms’ stage. Spirit Rhythms is located inside St. John’s Lutheran Church on Buckhorn Road, just north of Three Rivers. The evening’s entertainment is FREE, although donations are graciously accepted and appreciated. Along with the excellent entertainment, refreshments will be available for purchase. Refreshments include fair trade coffees and teas along with mouth-watering desserts. Laura Shrock will provide this month’s delicious treats.
The Three Rivers community is fortunate to have Gray’s Community Band in the area to provide musical entertainment for a very reasonable price. Their concerts are FREE and are usually planned according to the season. Rehearsals started September 8 and are held every Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 P.M. at the First Church of God, 17398 M-86, Three Rivers. New members are needed and welcome. The band’s performances for 2009 include October 25 and December 13. Next year’s schedule includes performances on March 21 and June 19. Concerts include music of varying styles. You’ll want to check this newspaper for locations for upcoming concerts. If interested in joining the band, or if you’d like more information, please contact Andrew Hagenbuch at (269) 244-1014.
As with all local events, when traveling to Centreville for the fair, take along a few dollars, a happy disposition, and some patience. Leave your rudeness and bad manners at home. The county fair is another one of those venues where the family dog would not have a very good time. Leave her, him, or it at home.
See you Out and About at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
