This is the time of the year that some people dread the most, for the “Tax Man” is wide-awake and on the move. Some will pay additional money by April 15, and some may have already received a tax refund. If you are among the latter, and are having difficulty deciding what to do with this unexpected gift from Uncle Sam, I have just the solution for you. Christmas is still ten months away, but it’s not too early to give a donation to Firefighters for Santa. If you remember, for the last two years on Christmas Eve, firefighters from the Three Rivers Fire Department spent the afternoon and evening delivering food and presents to some forty families in need in the Three Rivers area. For some of these families, these gifts were the only gifts they received, and they were greatly appreciated. It’s all very simple. Make a check payable to “Firefighters for Santa” and drop it off at the Three Rivers City Hall. This is a tax-deductible donation and you’ll make many less fortunate children very happy. There are no administrative costs, so every penny is put to good use. The local firefighters are there for you in time of need 24/7. I can’t think of a better way to put your extra tax dollars to work.
Cindy Books, Training/Route Manager for the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority (CTA), announces that starting on March 1, the Three Rivers Circle Line will have a few changes in the Circle Line schedule. The Circle Line will continue to be a “Flex” route, which means that, even though there are designated bus stops throughout Three Rivers, residents can call ahead for a pick-up at or near their home when the bus is scheduled to be in that area. Books goes on to say that the Authority has seen the number of riders grow since the Circle Line started in December 2008. Because of the overwhelming response to this service, they must make some modifications in order to be successful and keep the Circle Line route an hour, while at the same time staying on time. The designated stops that will be eliminated from the original schedule are Save-A-Lot, TR Rural Health Clinic/TRHS, First Presbyterian Church, and Walgreens. The bus can still be called to “flex” each of these previous stops, but requires a rider to call ahead to request the pick-up. As always, when a rider is picked up, s/he can also request a “flex” drop off that is near the designated Circle Line route, even if it isn’t a designated stop. The Three Rivers Circle Line runs from 7 A.M. until 5 P.M. For more information, please call the CTA at (269)273-7808.
The Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of St. Joseph County will sponsor an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet on Saturday, February 27 from 4 until 8 P.M. The venue for this “Pizza for Paws” benefit is The Country Table, 714 West Chicago Road, White Pigeon. The price for adults is $10 and it’s only $8 for children. Please note that these prices do not include beverages. All proceeds from this benefit will be reinvested back into St. Joseph County for animal welfare in the county.
This next weekend is the last weekend of the month. This means that it’s time for the Spirit Rhythms stage lights to light up. Music students of Jeffrey Keefer provide February’s entertainment. Everyone is invited to come out and support these budding artists on Saturday evening beginning at 7. The concert is free and, as always, fair trade coffees and teas will be available for purchase along with some mouth-watering desserts provided by Laura Shrock. Spirit Rhythms Coffee House is located inside St. John’s Lutheran Church on Buckhorn Road, just north of Three Rivers.
Before we put away that inexpensive bottle of peroxide, here, as promised, are a few more uses for this wonderful addition to your medicine cabinet:
Put together a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water. Tilt your head back and spray into your nostrils whenever you have a cold or plugged sinus. It will bubble and help kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose.
For foot fungus, spray the same 50/50 mixture on the infected area every night and let dry.
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman