Hello Berrien County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A downtown main street overhaul, a T-Rex tea party, and hands-on dinosaur STEM + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A downtown overhaul ahead: MDOT will rebuild downtown St. Joseph’s Main Street in 2027, timing major work outside peak summer months. Detours will use Hilltop, M-63, Napier, and M-139, with safer crossings planned -- see the Main Street plan.
Summer of local history: Niles History Center will host free summer events for America’s 250th, starting with a Declaration of Independence reading and Frontier to Freedom screening, then a Rails to Trails tour -- see the full event lineup.
New leadership for housing: On June 22, Cornerstone Alliance announced hiring Tiyanna Williams as director of housing advancement after a county study found housing shortages, to build partnerships and expand access countywide -- meet the new housing lead.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local green reset: Need a quick sanity upgrade this week, close to home? Carronde Park is the kind of easy, no-fuss green space where you can squeeze in a walk, let the kids run themselves tired, and sneak a picnic without turning it into a whole production.
Easy local fun, unlocked: Need an easy win for the family or a low-stress hang with friends? Hidden Pointe Fun Park & Event Hall packs mini-golf, go-karts, batting cages, Jumpshot basketball, and post-round ice cream into one seasonal local escape that requires almost zero planning.
Hidden gem for gatherings: Between the twinkle lights, polished setup, and a team that actually helps you pull it off, Secret Garden At The Harbor in Benton Harbor makes showers, birthdays, reunions, and big yes-days feel easy. Put it on your this-week to-do list, then relax knowing the vibe is handled.
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04 — Our recommendations
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🏺 Unearthing Fort St. Joseph @ Niles District Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 1:00 PM – Got a history-curious tween or teen? For ages 10-18, they’ll channel their inner archaeologist in a hands-on mock dig that unearths Fort St. Joseph’s stories, artifacts, and 1700s daily life, all in the Community Room. Real discovery vibes, dirt optional, your yard spared.
🚗 Olde Boys Toys Car Club Cruise In @ Riverfront Park (Niles) | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Grab a lawn chair and head to Niles Riverfront Park for a free cruise-in series from the Olde Boys Toys crew. Expect gleaming chrome, a DJ, door prizes, and awards, plus stories that start with they do not make them like they used to.
🦖 Hands-on STEM: Build Foam-Fossil Dinos @ Watervliet District Library | Thursday (6/25) at 1:00 PM – Summer at the library means hands-on STEM with Dino Builders, as kids design and build foam fossil dinosaurs to take home. They get creativity, engineering, and dinosaur lore. You get sweet AC, smug educational points, and a peaceful lap around the stacks.
🦖 T-Rex Tea Party @ Buchanan District Library | Friday (6/26) at 11:00 AM – Whether your kid or grandkid roars or sips with pinky raised, this T-Rex tea party brings the Miss Buchanan Royal Court, friendly dinos, and plenty of stories, games, tea, and snacks. Costumes encouraged, dignity optional, adorable chaos guaranteed in the Community Room.
🦖 Roz Puppets: Dinosaur Pirates @ Bridgman Public Library | Friday (6/26) at 1:00 PM – The library is setting sail with Dinosaur Pirates, a Roz Puppets romp where T. rexes chase treasure and manners, because of course they do. Expect music, antics, and plenty of audience shenanigans. Perfect for burning kid energy, preserving adult sanity, and scoring grandparent points.
🎉 Celebrate Red Arrow Trail Days @ Red Arrow Trail (Benton Harbor) | Saturday (6/27) at 6:00 AM – Whether you’ve biked Red Arrow since mile one, or you just stroll it for coffee and gossip, this is your weekend. Walk or bike between Sawyer and US12 at New Buffalo, duck into shops, and rack up raffle entries for swag baskets, steps, and stories.
🐶 Dog Days @ Fernwood Botanical Garden (Niles) | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats a calm garden stroll with the dog, and Fernwood is finally letting the four-legged critics in. On select Saturday mornings, wander the paths with fellow locals, trade polite nods, and let your pup inspect native blooms, dignified squirrels, and meticulously curated mulch.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Berrien County report Weather forecastToday — High: 77°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 40%
A chance of rain showers between 1pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 75°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 17%
A slight chance of rain showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis custom-built, one-owner home sits on 5.53 private acres in Buchanan and comes with Buchanan Promise eligibility. With 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and an open-concept layout filled with natural light, it balances comfort and function beautifully. Fresh updates, a full basement, and peaceful acreage add even more appeal, all with easy access to Niles, South Bend, and major routes.
Take a peek inside → |
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