Guy Miller, Berrien County Health Officer, Lisa Cripps-Downey, President of the Berrien Community Foundation, and Al Mussman, retired local businessman, presented information on The Rx…
Guy Miller, Berrien County Health Officer, Lisa Cripps-Downey, President of the Berrien Community Foundation, and Al Mussman, retired local businessman, presented information on The Rx…
Marla Schneider, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance, started her job at Cornerstone in January of 2025. Cornerstone Alliance is the longest-running economic development program…
Club Secretary Ashley Schulte presented several different service opportunities available locally and internationally.Β She included options from the American Empathy Project, the United Way, and…
St. Joseph Township Supervisor, Roger Seely, and Township Manager Denise Cook shared that St. Joseph Charter Township is a community of approximately 10,000 people on…
Alexandra (Alex) Newman, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging, Region IV, has been with theΒ agencyΒ for the past 3 years.Β The Area…
Our Speaker, Maureen Adams, Director of Berrien County Veterans Services, was named βMichigan Veteran Service Providerβ of the year in 2025. She won the award…
Co-ownerΒ andΒ Chef Aravind AleΒ was born in India, where his love of cooking started in his familyβs kitchen. He always believed in food and community and is…
Nick Culp,Β Senior ManagerΒ forΒ Government and CommunicationsΒ forΒ Holtec International, andΒ Mick Middaugh,Β DirectorΒ forΒ Community Affairs and Communications,Β gave us an update on the re-commissioning ofΒ Palisades Nuclear PlantΒ since their last visit to our…
Our guest speaker wasΒ Chris Mason, co-owner of theΒ Watermark Brewery Co.Β He and his partners,Β Jason ShullΒ andΒ David Cockel, shared a mutual interest in microbrewing and openedΒ Watermark Brewing Co.…
Our speakers wereΒ Danielle Grandholm and Sarah Kwak,Β who were inspired by her daughter, Sammie, who was born with a surprise diagnosis of Down Syndrome. In their…
Lt. Jovernor Jennifer GreenΒ shared that her goal for Division 13 in 2025-26 is βConnectiveness.β She would like us to be more cohesive as a division.…
Steve Neubecker, Public Safety Director for SJ,Β andΒ Emily Hackworth, City Manager for SJ,Β spoke on October 9, 2025. Steve told us that they now have a full…
Scott Sanford has been with the Public Defenderβs Office since its inception in 2017. He was named the Chief in March of 2023.Β Currently, he supervises…
Marcy is the Executive Director of βVisit 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, Tomβs wife, talked about her and Tomβs 501 (c) (3) organization, βHelping Hands for Vulnerable Children (HHVC)” in Uganda. It is home…
Lainie Adams, shown above with President Dave, is the Director of CorporateΒ Partnerships for LOGAN Community Services, Inc. LOGAN is a non-profit organization, based in the…
Pam Klyn,Β PresidentΒ of theΒ Whirlpool Foundation,Β reviewed many of theΒ Whirlpool FoundationβsΒ 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, Tessaβs 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 theΒ St. Joseph HarborΒ andΒ River, ensuring they remainΒ open for bothΒ 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 Holtecβs history with the Palisades Nuclear Plant. In 2022, Holtec bought Pallisades with the aim of decommissioning it. With…
Rhiannon has served asΒ DirectorΒ of theΒ BHCAΒ for the past five years. She informed us thatΒ BHCAΒ is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, operatingΒ under the direction of the County.…
Brian has been the B.C Administrator since 2020. Previously, he servedΒ as the City ManagerΒ of South HavenΒ for 20 years. During the pandemic, they recognized the need…
Chris is the Managing Director of Harbor Shores Community Development.Β 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 areΒ βlots 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.
Are you interested in volunteering, helping kids, and making new friends? Consider joining Kiwanis! We meet every Tuesday at noon for lunch & a speaker at the Elks Club in BH. We have volunteer opportunities year-round to be part of and give back to our community and kids. Send us a message if you'd like more info! ... See MoreSee Less
Program Presenters
Rx Kids Program
Guy Miller, Berrien County Health Officer, Lisa Cripps-Downey, President of the Berrien Community Foundation, and Al Mussman, retired local businessman, presented information on The Rx…
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Rx Kids Program
Guy Miller, Berrien County Health Officer, Lisa Cripps-Downey, President of the Berrien Community Foundation, and Al Mussman, retired local businessman, presented information on The Rx…
Read More…
Rotary Representative Dick Sammisha
Dick Sammisha has been a criminal defense lawyer in Berrien County for more than 40 years. He has also been a member of Lakeshore Rotary…
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New K-KIds Club
Our speaker for the day was Erik Webb, owner of βThe Little Things Play CafΓ©.β He was accompanied by Cynthia Garcia, the cafΓ©’s manager.Β Erik…
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Cornerstone Alliance
Marla Schneider, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance, started her job at Cornerstone in January of 2025. Cornerstone Alliance is the longest-running economic development program…
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Service Opportunities
Club Secretary Ashley Schulte presented several different service opportunities available locally and internationally.Β She included options from the American Empathy Project, the United Way, and…
Read More…
Update on St. Joseph Township
St. Joseph Township Supervisor, Roger Seely, and Township Manager Denise Cook shared that St. Joseph Charter Township is a community of approximately 10,000 people on…
Read More…
Area Agency on Aging, Region IV.Β
Alexandra (Alex) Newman, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging, Region IV, has been with theΒ agencyΒ for the past 3 years.Β The Area…
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Assistant Superintendent of SJ Schools Amy Dirlam
Amy shared that teacher development is an important and prominent part of the SJ Schools’ current Strategic Plan that aims to:
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Veterans ServicesΒ
Our Speaker, Maureen Adams, Director of Berrien County Veterans Services, was named βMichigan Veteran Service Providerβ of the year in 2025. She won the award…
Read More…
Intalia Bar, Restaurant & Pizzeria
Co-ownerΒ andΒ Chef Aravind AleΒ was born in India, where his love of cooking started in his familyβs kitchen. He always believed in food and community and is…
Read More…
Palisades Nuclear PlantΒ Update
Nick Culp,Β Senior ManagerΒ forΒ Government and CommunicationsΒ forΒ Holtec International, andΒ Mick Middaugh,Β DirectorΒ forΒ Community Affairs and Communications,Β gave us an update on the re-commissioning ofΒ Palisades Nuclear PlantΒ since their last visit to our…
Read More…
Senior Care Kits
At this meeting, we gathered to finish up the Senior Care Kits. The Lakeshore Key Club Officers joined us for lunch and helped to assemble…
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Mike Hildebrand, Hildebrand Fruit Farms
Mike is the 4th-generation owner of the farm. Adolph Hildebrand, who immigrated from Ukraine in 1912, started the farm with 40 acres on Garr Rd…
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Senior Care Kits
Giving comes in many forms. ISo, instead of a speaker, several Kiwanians arrived early and stayed late to assemble Senior Care Kits. Our task was…
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Watermark Brewery
Our guest speaker wasΒ Chris Mason, co-owner of theΒ Watermark Brewery Co.Β He and his partners,Β Jason ShullΒ andΒ David Cockel, shared a mutual interest in microbrewing and openedΒ Watermark Brewing Co.…
Read More…
Rising Kites Coffee ShopΒ
Our speakers wereΒ Danielle Grandholm and Sarah Kwak,Β who were inspired by her daughter, Sammie, who was born with a surprise diagnosis of Down Syndrome. In their…
Read More…
Installation of 2025-26 Board
Lt. Jovernor Jennifer GreenΒ shared that her goal for Division 13 in 2025-26 is βConnectiveness.β She would like us to be more cohesive as a division.…
Read More…
Steve Ross
Steve Ross, owner of the accounting firm, Stephen Ross & Company, Β 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 Districtβs tax rate at 3.7 mills, the…
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Steve NeubeckerΒ and Emily Hackworth
Steve Neubecker, Public Safety Director for SJ,Β andΒ Emily Hackworth, City Manager for SJ,Β spoke on October 9, 2025. Steve told us that they now have a full…
Read More…
Chief Public Defender for Berrien County.Β
Scott Sanford has been with the Public Defenderβs Office since its inception in 2017. He was named the Chief in March of 2023.Β Currently, he supervises…
Read More…
Marcy Simpson
Marcy is the Executive Director of βVisit Southwest Michigan.” The majority of members are Hotel owners and other business owners who focus on tourism with…
Read More…
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, Tomβs wife, talked about her and Tomβs 501 (c) (3) organization, βHelping Hands for Vulnerable Children (HHVC)” in Uganda. It is home…
Read More…
Lainie Adams, LOGANΒ
Lainie Adams, shown above with President Dave, is the Director of CorporateΒ 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,Β PresidentΒ of theΒ Whirlpool Foundation,Β reviewed many of theΒ Whirlpool FoundationβsΒ 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…
Read More…
St. Joesph Lighthouse
Tess Ulery, a St. Joseph City Commissioner, and Kate Ulery, Tessaβs mom, have both been integral to resuming the popular North Pier Lighthouse tours since…
Read More…
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…
Read More…
Greg Weykamp, President and co-owner of Edgewater Resources,and Mike Morphey, Chief Engineer and co-owner.Β
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 areaΒ 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 βLest We Forget.β
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…
Read More…
Dan Fette, Community Development Director for Berrien County
Dan reviewed all the activities needed for maintaining theΒ St. Joseph HarborΒ andΒ River, ensuring they remainΒ open for bothΒ 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 Cornerstoneβs goals for the next year are:Β
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Amy Byrd, Berrien County Prosecutor
Amy discussed the workings of the Prosecutorβs Office, which cover:Β
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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…
Read More…
Nick Culp, Holtec’s Communications Director & Mick Middaugh, & Public Relations Director
Mick gave us a review of Holtecβs history with the Palisades Nuclear Plant. In 2022, Holtec bought Pallisades with the aim of decommissioning it. With…
Read More…
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. βWe are…
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Rhiannon Cizon, Executive Director for the Berrien County Historical Association (BCHA)
Rhiannon has served asΒ DirectorΒ of theΒ BHCAΒ for the past five years. She informed us thatΒ BHCAΒ is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, operatingΒ under the direction of the County.…
Read More…
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 AdministratorΒ
Brian has been the B.C Administrator since 2020. Previously, he servedΒ as the City ManagerΒ of South HavenΒ for 20 years. During the pandemic, they recognized the need…
Read More…
Chris Cook
Chris is the Managing Director of Harbor Shores Community Development.Β Currently, development in the Benton Harbor Parcels includes 137 homes and apartments. That accounts for $…
Read More…
Bonita Mitchell and Iris Watts, ISM.Β
Bonita Mitchell is the Executive Director of βIβm Saving Myself (ISM)β, 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 areΒ βlots of exciting things…
Read More…
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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.
Kiwanis welcomes the 2026 Blossomtime Court πΈ ππΊπ Congratulations to all of these upstanding young people who represent our communities with such grace and enthusiasm! #blossomtime #Wearthecrownwithpride #timeofyourlife ... See MoreSee Less
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Are you interested in volunteering, helping kids, and making new friends? Consider joining Kiwanis! We meet every Tuesday at noon for lunch & a speaker at the Elks Club in BH. We have volunteer opportunities year-round to be part of and give back to our community and kids. Send us a message if you'd like more info! ... See MoreSee Less
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Spring time Pancake Day coming up! ... See MoreSee Less
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