Our guest speaker was Chris Mason, co-owner of the Watermark Brewery Co. He and his partners, Jason Shull and David Cockel, shared a mutual interest in microbrewing and opened Watermark Brewing Co.…
Our guest speaker was Chris Mason, co-owner of the Watermark Brewery Co. He and his partners, Jason Shull and David Cockel, shared a mutual interest in microbrewing and opened Watermark Brewing Co.…
Our speakers were Danielle Grandholm and Sarah Kwak, who were inspired by her daughter, Sammie, who was born with a surprise diagnosis of Down Syndrome. In their…
Steve Neubecker, Public Safety Director for SJ, and Emily Hackworth, City Manager for SJ, spoke on October 9, 2025. Steve told us that they now have a full…
Scott Sanford has been with the Public Defender’s Office since its inception in 2017. He was named the Chief in March of 2023. Currently, he supervises…
Marcy is the Executive Director of “Visit Southwest Michigan.” The majority of members are Hotel owners and other business owners who focus on tourism with…
CEO and co-founder James Gutner shared that the organization empowers men to thrive through community, education, and resources. James emphasized the importance of Dad being present…
Dr. Prudy Barrett Nelson, Tom’s wife, talked about her and Tom’s 501 (c) (3) organization, “Helping Hands for Vulnerable Children (HHVC)” in Uganda. It is home…
Lainie Adams, shown above with President Dave, is the Director of Corporate Partnerships for LOGAN Community Services, Inc. LOGAN is a non-profit organization, based in the…
Pam Klyn, President of the Whirlpool Foundation, reviewed many of the Whirlpool Foundation’s activities. She said that the Foundation uses a House and Home framework to guide its global giving. House…
Tess Ulery, a St. Joseph City Commissioner, and Kate Ulery, Tessa’s mom, have both been integral to resuming the popular North Pier Lighthouse tours since…
In 2009-2010, the city’s emergency manager merged the Police and Fire Departments, causing Police Officers and Fire Fighters to become cross-trained. However, the fire school…
Edgewater Resources is a global, full-service engineering company specializing in coastal and marina engineering, established in 2010. Greg states that, as they attempt to solve…
Luke reviewed the purpose of SWMAR, which includes being an advocate for realtors, providing education, offering training, and ensuring oversight. He provided a review of…
Dan reviewed all the activities needed for maintaining the St. Joseph Harbor and River, ensuring they remain open for both commercial and recreational boating. The Corps of Engineers is responsible…
Katie Woodard, Lakeshore Key Club Advisor, welcomed us to lunch at the High School. Then the Key Club Officers gave a PowerPoint presentation of their…
Mick gave us a review of Holtec’s history with the Palisades Nuclear Plant. In 2022, Holtec bought Pallisades with the aim of decommissioning it. With…
Rhiannon has served as Director of the BHCA for the past five years. She informed us that BHCA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, operating under the direction of the County.…
Brian has been the B.C Administrator since 2020. Previously, he served as the City Manager of South Haven for 20 years. During the pandemic, they recognized the need…
Chris is the Managing Director of Harbor Shores Community Development. Currently, development in the Benton Harbor Parcels includes 137 homes and apartments. That accounts for $…
Al is the Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing, and Government Relations at Lake Michigan College (LMC). He told us that there are “lots of exciting things…
What is Kiwanis? We are an eclectic mix of ages, genders, occupations, backgrounds, and interests. We are all passionate about making our community and the world a better place for children so they can thrive.
Program Presenters
Watermark Brewery
Our guest speaker was Chris Mason, co-owner of the Watermark Brewery Co. He and his partners, Jason Shull and David Cockel, shared a mutual interest in microbrewing and opened Watermark Brewing Co.…
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Watermark Brewery
Our guest speaker was Chris Mason, co-owner of the Watermark Brewery Co. He and his partners, Jason Shull and David Cockel, shared a mutual interest in microbrewing and opened Watermark Brewing Co.…
Read More…
Rising Kites Coffee Shop
Our speakers were Danielle Grandholm and Sarah Kwak, who were inspired by her daughter, Sammie, who was born with a surprise diagnosis of Down Syndrome. In their…
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Installation of 2025-26 Board
Lt. Jovernor Jennifer Green shared that her goal for Division 13 in 2025-26 is “Connectiveness.” She would like us to be more cohesive as a division.…
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Steve Ross
Steve Ross, owner of the accounting firm, Stephen Ross & Company, reviewed some of the tax changes that occurred with the recent passage of the…
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Kristen Bawks, Supt. of St Joseph Schools
Kristen talked about the Bond Proposal coming up on the November 4th ballot. The proposal will keep the District’s tax rate at 3.7 mills, the…
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Steve Neubecker and Emily Hackworth
Steve Neubecker, Public Safety Director for SJ, and Emily Hackworth, City Manager for SJ, spoke on October 9, 2025. Steve told us that they now have a full…
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Chief Public Defender for Berrien County.
Scott Sanford has been with the Public Defender’s Office since its inception in 2017. He was named the Chief in March of 2023. Currently, he supervises…
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Marcy Simpson
Marcy is the Executive Director of “Visit Southwest Michigan.” The majority of members are Hotel owners and other business owners who focus on tourism with…
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Present Pillars
CEO and co-founder James Gutner shared that the organization empowers men to thrive through community, education, and resources. James emphasized the importance of Dad being present…
Read More…
HHVC
Dr. Prudy Barrett Nelson, Tom’s wife, talked about her and Tom’s 501 (c) (3) organization, “Helping Hands for Vulnerable Children (HHVC)” in Uganda. It is home…
Read More…
Lainie Adams, LOGAN
Lainie Adams, shown above with President Dave, is the Director of Corporate Partnerships for LOGAN Community Services, Inc. LOGAN is a non-profit organization, based in the…
Read More…
Welch Center of Wine and Viticulture
Kiya Hudson, Welch Center Manager, was our host and guide on August 5, 2025. Kiya grew up in Van Buren County and received a degree…
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Greg Eding, Lakeshore Schools Superintendent
Greg, pictured with President Dave, graduated from Hope College and pursued graduate studies at WMU and UM. He was at Zeeland West High School for…
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Pam Klyn
Pam Klyn, President of the Whirlpool Foundation, reviewed many of the Whirlpool Foundation’s activities. She said that the Foundation uses a House and Home framework to guide its global giving. House…
Read More…
Jim Grandholm
Jim is the Owner and President of Green Earth Electronics Recycling on 4200 Niles Rd in St. Joseph. He also owns Maverick Asset Solutions in…
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St. Joesph Lighthouse
Tess Ulery, a St. Joseph City Commissioner, and Kate Ulery, Tessa’s mom, have both been integral to resuming the popular North Pier Lighthouse tours since…
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Dan McGinnis, Director of Public Safety for Benton
In 2009-2010, the city’s emergency manager merged the Police and Fire Departments, causing Police Officers and Fire Fighters to become cross-trained. However, the fire school…
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Greg Weykamp, President and co-owner of Edgewater Resources,and Mike Morphey, Chief Engineer and co-owner.
Edgewater Resources is a global, full-service engineering company specializing in coastal and marina engineering, established in 2010. Greg states that, as they attempt to solve…
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Laurie Marciniak, Executive Director of the Curious Kids Museum
Laurie grew up in the Sister Lakes area and worked as an electrical engineer for Zenith for 27 years. Upon her retirement, she took on the…
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Larry Wozniak, President of “Lest We Forget.”
Larry was drafted into the army in 1969 and enlisted for a three-year term as a cook. He went to Vietnam in May of 1971…
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Luke Jeffries, CEO of Southwest Michigan Realtors Association (SWMAR)
Luke reviewed the purpose of SWMAR, which includes being an advocate for realtors, providing education, offering training, and ensuring oversight. He provided a review of…
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Dan Fette, Community Development Director for Berrien County
Dan reviewed all the activities needed for maintaining the St. Joseph Harbor and River, ensuring they remain open for both commercial and recreational boating. The Corps of Engineers is responsible…
Read More…
Marla Schne
Marla is the new President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance. She shared that Cornerstone’s goals for the next year are:
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Amy Byrd, Berrien County Prosecutor
Amy discussed the workings of the Prosecutor’s Office, which cover:
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The Lakeshore Key Club
Katie Woodard, Lakeshore Key Club Advisor, welcomed us to lunch at the High School. Then the Key Club Officers gave a PowerPoint presentation of their…
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Nick Culp, Holtec’s Communications Director & Mick Middaugh, & Public Relations Director
Mick gave us a review of Holtec’s history with the Palisades Nuclear Plant. In 2022, Holtec bought Pallisades with the aim of decommissioning it. With…
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Donna Sauers, Executive Director of the Water Street Glassworks (WSG) and Jordan Rose, Studio Manager
Donna was recently appointed as the Director. WSG is a school, studio, and gallery dedicated to the fine arts of glass and metal. “We are…
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Rhiannon Cizon, Executive Director for the Berrien County Historical Association (BCHA)
Rhiannon has served as Director of the BHCA for the past five years. She informed us that BHCA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, operating under the direction of the County.…
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Glenn Youngstedt
Glenn is the newly elected Lincoln Township Supervisor. He plans to be responsive to all the citizens of the townships. He reviewed the current state…
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Cathy Yates
Cathy took over the job as Supervisor in 2019. She discovered that the agreement with St. Joe for sewer treatment was set to expire in…
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Brian Dissette, Berrien County Administrator
Brian has been the B.C Administrator since 2020. Previously, he served as the City Manager of South Haven for 20 years. During the pandemic, they recognized the need…
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Chris Cook
Chris is the Managing Director of Harbor Shores Community Development. Currently, development in the Benton Harbor Parcels includes 137 homes and apartments. That accounts for $…
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Bonita Mitchell and Iris Watts, ISM.
Bonita Mitchell is the Executive Director of “I’m Saving Myself (ISM)”, and Iris Watts is the BH Supervisor of ISM. Bonita started a program in…
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Al Pscholka
Al is the Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing, and Government Relations at Lake Michigan College (LMC). He told us that there are “lots of exciting things…
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Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph Benton Harbor
What is Kiwanis? We are an eclectic mix of ages, genders, occupations, backgrounds, and interests. We are all passionate about making our community and the world a better place for children so they can thrive.