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Welcome to March 2011. February, which is the shortest month, seemed at times to be the longest, because of the weather. This month we’ll set our clocks ahead one hour, fine tune our figures for the tax man, celebrate St. Patty’s Day, and put away the snow shovels, because we’ll not get any more snow. If you believe that, I have a bridge I’d like to sell you.
The Carnegie Center for the Arts announces the recipient of the People’s Choice Award from the Regional Arts Competition. This year’s recipient is Illene Oetman from Otsego. Ms. Oetman’s oil painting, “Jerry Feeding Sheep”, was the people’s choice. This painting also received Best of Show honors at the Allegan County Fair.
Tranzon-Bippus will sponsor the next Carnegie exhibit, with an opening reception on Sunday, March 6, from 2 to 4 P.M. The reception will take place at the Carnegie Center for the Arts in historic downtown Three Rivers. This exhibit will feature works of the St. Joseph County High School art students, The Great Lakes Pastel Society, and Sharon Sargent Eckstein, illustrator, along with Tom Holmes, author, with their new edition book, Parts Work: An Illustrated Guide to Your Inner Life.
The Carnegie Center is located at 107 North Main Street in Three Rivers. For a complete calendar of Carnegie exhibits and events, please call (269)273-8882, or visit their website at www.trcarnegie.com. You may also e-mail the Carnegie at donna@trcarnegie.com. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., with Saturday hours 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Visiting the exhibits is FREE and can be quite educational.
Fundraising dinners are becoming quite popular. They are needed and provide another excuse to get Out and About with the family for very little expense for both the givers and recipients. Spaghetti is probably one of the more popular entrees, because of the cost of preparation. The Constantine High School Band seems to agree with me, because they will host their Third Annual Constantine Band Homemade Spaghetti Dinner at the high school this Saturday, March 5 from 5 to 7 P.M. The price for adults is $6; children 10 and under will pay $4 for the dinner, which I’m sure will include the usual sides. For more information, please contact Karen VanderWall at (269)816-0529.
One of my favorite ways to spend an evening is to attend a dinner/auction. One can have a nice meal and possibly go home with that item you’ve been seeking from the auction. Immaculate Conception Church, on South Douglas in Three Rivers, will host their 15th Annual Dinner/Auction this Saturday, March 5. The multi-purpose building will be the venue, with doors opening at 5 P.M. Dinner will be served at 6, and the silent auction will close at 7:45 P.M. A live auction will follow. The cost is $10.
As a child, I attended Ruth Hoppin School here in Three Rivers. For years this school has been hosting an ice cream/pie social, and a week from today, Tuesday, March 8, they will celebrate their 56th Annual Pie Social from 5 until 7:30 P.M. This will be a great time to stop by and visit the science fair, play a few games, enjoy some pie and ice cream, and even take home a few homemade pies to enjoy later. Miss Crocker, Mrs. King, and Miss Cline have passed away and will not be attending, but you parents should gather the family and pay a visit. Ruth Hoppin School is located in the 400 block of North Main Street in Three Rivers, directly across from Lafayette Park.
Directly across Bennett Street, on the same side of North Main as Hoppin School, you’ll easily find Trinity Episcopal Church. Also on Tuesday, March 8, from 5 until 7 P.M., they will host a pancake supper in celebration of Shrove Tuesday. The menu consists of pancakes, sausages, applesauce and several beverages to choose from. The cost for adults is $5, and for children, it’s only $2. Tickets will be available at the door. The difficult thing to decide is whether you prefer breakfast at Trinity Episcopal, or dessert at Ruth Hoppin. Be like me and stop in at both events. So many options.
If you can’t think of anything to do here in the Three Rivers area, you’re not paying attention to this Out and About column.
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
