Out and About – Week of March 8th

A reminder from last week’s column concerning Embarr, an acoustic-music ensemble based in Kalamazoo. This Irish-themed group will perform at the Riviera Theatre this Saturday, March 13, at 7 P.M. Embarr’s focus is based upon both traditional and new interpretations of songs and ballads from Ireland, Scotland, and England. All tickets are $5 and are available at the Riviera Theatre and at the Carnegie Center for the Arts. This performance is open seating, so you are advised to arrive early. For more information, you may contact the Riviera at 278-8068 or the Carnegie Center for the Arts at 273-8882.

While on the subject of the Carnegie, the “Spring Sampler” had its opening last Sunday afternoon. This art exhibit features St. Joseph County high school artists, plus art students of Susan Teague. The high school students’ exhibit is on display in the museum and students of Susan Teague have their work on display in the lower level of the Carnegie. As an extra attraction, some of Fred Grunert’s work is in the mezzanine. The “Spring Sampler” runs through Saturday, April 10. This exhibit promises to be one you won’t want to miss.

I feel it necessary to mention from time to time that the purpose of this column is to make readers aware of certain events going on in and around the Three Rivers area, events that you might not hear about otherwise. My address is listed at the bottom of this column, so please feel free to drop me a line and I’ll do what I can to spread the word. Mrs. Claus, Santa’s wife, called me the other day, and because I want to stay near the top of Santa’s list, I offered to help her spread the word. Please check out the next paragraph.

It seems that Dick and Betty Meyer have fallen on some bad luck. You might know Betty better as “Nurse Betty”. Anyway, last fall Dick took a serious fall and is currently in rehab at a local nursing home. As luck would have it, around the same time their home sustained some serious damage, caused by a furnace malfunction. Not only did they require a new furnace, but the interior of their home needed a great deal of remodeling just so they could live there. Because of this misfortune, the Mendon and West Mendon United Methodist Men’s Group have joined forces and plan to host a Swiss Steak Benefit Dinner for Dick and Betty. The dinner takes place Sunday, March 21, from noon until 2 P.M. at the West Mendon United Methodist Church, 22994 Portage Lake Road, Mendon. You have some great options to choose from as far as prices are concerned: Adults $8; Children under 12, $5; Family of four or more, $25; and Children four and under eat for FREE. If you’d rather take your food home and eat there, take-outs are also available. You may phone 496-7364 if you need more information.

I think my friend Vic is a farmer-at-heart. In closing this week, I’d like to share a few more good words of advice from my farmer friend.

• A bumblebee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

• Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.

• You cannot unsay a cruel word.

• If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.

• If you get to thinking you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else’s dog around.

Thank you Vic, and thanks also to the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging for putting this good advice in your newsletter. You all do great work, and I thank you for sharing.

See you Out and About!