Website Visits (July 1 - 31) - Year 2023

July 1, 2023 = 149

Sunday July 2 (Independence Weekend) = 258

Monday July 3 (Monday before Independence Day) = 423

Total Visits = 8525 web visits (July 1 - 31)

Independence Day 7/4 = 439

7/5 = 539 web visits

July 6 = 448

July 7 = 501

July 8 = 436

July 9 = 227

July 10 = 117

July 11 = 32

July 12 = 88

July 13 = 16

July 14 = 11

July 15 = 79

July 16 = 32

July 17 = 17

July 18 = 940

July 19 =  1554

July 20 = 1289

July 21 = 566

July 22 = 15

July 23 = 30

July 24 = 23

July 25th = 40

July 26 = 110

7/27 = 30

Friday 7/28 = 30

Sat. 29th July = 9

7/30 = 6

Last day of Month (Monday 7/31) = 62

New "Move-Over" law for drivers -- state of IN highways and roads

As of July 1, 2023

a new law enforced by IN State Police

will require drivers to move over 

and reduce their speeds for 

disabled vehicles displaying "Hazard"

blinking lights on the side of roads & highways.

Violators of this new law could have their license

suspended for up to 2 years and have to pay $1,000

for the offense.

from ABC 57 dot-com "News" (June 30, 2023)

Holyrood Week - crowning of new monarch in Scotland (early July)

Scotland will celebrate the accession of a new monarch on 

Wed. July 5, 2023 during Holyrood Week which takes place 

annually and customarily sees the monarch travel to several 

regions of the country. SOURCE: CNN article

a People's Procession, a Royal Procession, 

and a national Service of Thanksgiving

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/30/uk/royal-news-newsletter-06-30-23-scli-gbr-cmd-intl/index.html

at St. Giles' Cathedral the Honours of Scotland 

will be presented to the King (crown jewels)

Severe Thunderstorm Watch (Thurs. evening)

until 8 p.m. Eastern Time

National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm

WATCH for N. Indiana and SW Michigan (including Berrien county)

after 6 p.m.   Be aware of changing conditions and how to take shelter

during weather extremes / high winds / hail.

Thursday June 29, 2023

Dense Smoke Advisory (June 28 -29, 2023); Air Quality Alert until Friday 12 a.m. Eastern

 Wed. 6/28

From 1 p.m. Wed. - 1 p.m. Thursday

A "dense smoke advisory" for Berrien County, MI has been

issued by the National Weather Service

Canadian wildfires are again bringing down U.S. Air Quality

 Wed. June 28, 2023 (The Hill online article)

Detroit Michigan's air quality reached unhealthy levels today --

the worst in the country.

EPA Air Quality Indicator marked the East Michigan metropolis' air

as "HAZARDOUS"

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4071209-detroit-reporting-some-of-worst-air-quality-in-usa/

Full Buck Moon - July 3, 2023

According to Old Farmer's Almanac

the July Full Moon will rise on Monday July 3, 2023

at 7:39 a.m. Eastern Time.

July's Full Buck Moon is technically bigger and brighter

as one of the supermoons of 2023.

https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-july

Henry VIII Prayer Book translated by his wife Katharine Parr had annotations/doodles

 Henry VIII who ruled from 1509 until his death 1547

made annotations in 1544 in "Psalms or Prayers" translated by his sixth

and final wife, Katharine Parr.

The doodles or annotations reveal the monarch's anguish over his death

and past actions.

He left marginalia called manicules and trefoils. . .

details SOURCE: CNN online article

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/henry-viii-doodles-scli-intl-gbr/index.html

4th of July weekend (Fri. - Tues 11:59 p.m.)

June 30, 2023 (last Friday this month)

until July 4 fireworks on a Tuesday this year

RedBud National Motocross (Buchanan, MI) weekend of July 2023

 Details of event history

https://promotocross.com/race/redbud-national/track

Silent auction for Carter Center work raises $2,392,385 for global peace & health work

 Online summary http://cartercenter.org/ 

https://cartercenter.org/news/pr/2023/carter-center-weekend-auctions-062623.html

Biggest ticket item was portfolio from supporters of human rights (Bob Dylan, et al.)

$500,000

Also sold was an oil painting (2013) by former POTUS Jimmy Carter $225,000

$20,000 bid for signed guitar from Don Henley of the Eagles (Rock-folk group)

Risk of Severe Thunderstorm ; Tornado Watch (Berrien & Cass Counties)

National weather service warns of Severe Thunderstorm risk

today (esp. this afternoon) - Tornado Watch 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.

PREPARE to take shelter if necessary

Sunday, June 25, 2023

https://weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/0e37759eed8b33a20ea534c3cf5201d292dcc3e97b91ed3df88f8ad027a10da0#detailIndex4

35th Annual Car Show - Saint Mary's campus - Sunday 6/25/2023

35th Annual Brits Car Show for Michiana owners and fans

registration at the campus parking lots / Dollaway Field for the event 8 - 11 a.m.

Free Admission / Food Trucks 

Details here

http://www.michianabrits.com/annual_show.htm

Repaired portion of I-95 reopens early

The damaged part of Interstate (I-95) near Philadelphia, PA 

which collapsed Friday June 9, 2023

has been repaired and reopened 

according to Gov. Josh Shapiro (D- PA) 

"We showed the nation

what Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are all about."  

Six lanes have been opened to commuters and 

local motorists. . . MORE in CNN online article

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/us/pocono-raceway-jet-dryer-i95-philadelphia/index.html

2023 Kennedy Center Honoree Class of new inductees

Queen Latifah

Billy Crystal

Renee' Fleming

Barry Gibb

Dionne Warwick.

The concert/honoring event at the D.C. Performing arts center will take

place on 12/3/2023 and CBS will air highlights later that month.

John Cougar Mellencamp (June 23 & 24 only)

 Two live, in-person concerts in "Farewell Tour"

Friday June 23

Sat. June 24, 2023

at Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend, IN

8 p.m.

Tickets sold in advance $69.50 - $139.50

Platinum seating already SOLD OUT

Guests at Biden-Modi State Dinner (White House tradition) - June 22 evening

Story published by NY Times on Friday June 23, 2023

Indra Nooyi, former chief executive of Pepsi;

Mukesh Ambani, philanthropist billlionaire;

Vimal Kapur, chief executive of Honeywell;

Tim Cook of Apple / James Murdoch of media empire / Spkr. Kevin McCarthy + dau.-in-law

Steve Scalise (GOP leadership in House, Louisiana)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/us/politics/biden-india-state-dinner.html

Stuffed portabello and risotto (Main Course) - State Dinner at White House for India's P.M. Modi

 from National Public Radio (June 23)

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/22/1183685407/for-modis-state-dinner-the-white-house-is-elevating-the-mushroom

A gala dinner for 400 VIP Guests is the highlight

for Prime Minister Narenda Modi who is himself a vegetarian. . . Millet is a main feature in the menu

nodding to India's efforts to make 2023 the "Year of the Millet".

Coast Guard concludes that submersible on expedition to TITANIC imploded

 from  ABC News (local affiliate ABC 57, S. Bend, IN)

The TITANIC-bound submersible that went missing Sunday June 18, 2023

with a crew of 5 onboard suffered a "catastrophic implosion" killing 

everyone on board. . .Earlier Thursday (today) the Coast Guard 

located a debris field in the

search area near TITANIC that has been assessed 

to be from the external body of the submersible.

https://abc57.com/news/us-coast-guard-says-debris-field-discovered-within-search-area-for-missing-titanic-bound-submersible

Air Quality Alert (S. Berrien County, MI) - end of June 2023

Today and tomorrow (June 21, 22, 27, 28 and more dates)

Smoke and particulate matter from Canadian wildfires

Action Days for elevated levels of ozone.

Avoid activities like refueling gas into vehicles and gas-powered

mowers, using charcoal lighter fluid, and using gas-powered

lawn equipment.

Patients with asthma are urged to limit prolonged outdoor

exertion.

Until 12:01 a.m. EDT Friday June 23, 2023

Fort St. Joseph (Archaeology dig) at Niles, Michigan (1st Sat. August 2023)

 August 5, (Saturday) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Facebook page -- WMU Fort St. Joseph, Archaeology department

1415 Bond St., Niles, MI 49120

NPR coverage at Stonehenge, U.K. for Summer Solstice 2023

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/21/1183408306/summer-solstice-brings-druids-pagans-and-thousands-of-curious-people-to-stonehen

Curious alliance of druids, hippies, local residents, and tourists

gathered around a stone circle on a plain in southern England

to express their devotion to the sun. . .

80 miles (128 kilometres) from London

events started at 7 p.m. Tuesday until 8 a.m. Wednesday

State Dinner (White House) - Biden to host President of India

 who: Narendra Modi

when: Thurs. 6/23/2023

before this S. Asian leader (biggest democracy on earth) is feted, since Jan. 2021 the Bidens have hosted

ally E. Macron of France

and Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea.

DETAILS in Politico online article

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/20/biden-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-modi-despite-concerns-over-human-rights-00102583

15 hours and 12 minutes

 Duration of sunlight (sunrise to sunset) on the significant date 

of SUMMER SOLSTICE 2023 (Wed. June 21)

Longest day of the year - light during day hours

First Day of astronomical summer 2023

Tribute Show - Lerner Theater, Elkhart, IN (Tina Turner singer-dancer)

 from WNDU TV web article (South Bend, IN NBC affiliate)

Tickets are now on sale for the Dec. 9, 2023 show at 7:30 p.m.

Lerner Theater is 410 S. Main Street, Elkhart, IN

It is a nationwide tour of "One Night of Tina" including popular

hits like: "Proud Mary,"

"What's Love Got to do with it"

"Private Dancer"

"Simply the Best".

https://www.wndu.com/2023/06/19/tina-turner-tribute-show-headed-lerner-theatre/

When is Michigan's Longest Garage Sale event this summer? U.S. 12 from Detroit to New Buffalo

 For 2023,

the dates are Friday August 11, Saturday Aug. 12, and Sunday August 13

See this "Heritage Trail" dot-org explanatory web posting =

https://www.us12heritagetrail.org/event.asp?ait=ev&eid=1023&cid=2

Today - Juneteenth at Niles, MI

 Plym Park

3 - 8 p.m.

Honoring black businesses like "She-Boss Oasis" (coaching and spa programming);

food, drink, music

For all ages

Juneteenth: history of a holiday

 NY TIMES online article/background piece

https://www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html

First observed in June 1865 at Texas

union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to tell

enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the

Civil War had ended.

Details at above weblink

2024 State Primaries to select Presidential "winner"

 the HILL website

article on SC (South Carolina's bid to become the first in the nation) choosing Feb. 24, 2024

Opposition will be forthcoming from IA and NH (Iowa and New Hampshire)

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/south-carolina-gop-sets-feb-24-date-for-first-in-the-south-presidential-primary/

U.P. man arrested after threatening mass shooting at E. Lansing (MI) synagogue

Friday June 16, 2023

Seann Pietila was charged with transmitting a threat to harm / injure others;

he had a NAZI flag, "11ish" guns including an AR-15. . .Details at MLive

https://www.mlive.com/crime/2023/06/fbi-arrests-michigan-man-suspected-of-planning-mass-shooting-at-synagogue.html

What does "Davy Jones" mean in PIRATE-speak?

Tobias Smollett wrote in Peregrine Pickel - he was a surgeon's Second Mate in the Royal Navy:

This same Davy Jones,

according to the mythology of sailors,

is the fiend that presides 

over all the evil spirits of the deep,

and is often seen in various shapes, 

perching among

the rigging on the eve of hurricanes, 

ship-wrecks, and other disasters

to which sea-faring life is exposed, 

warning the devoted wretch

of death and woe. . ."

From the ANNOTATED Treasure Island (2014) text by R.L. Stevenson and notes/intro.

by Simon Baker-Benfield ISBN is 9781937075019

Postal Rate increase (at July 9 up 3 cents to 66 cents for a "Forever" Stamp

 https://faq.usps.com/s/article/2023-Postage-Price-Changes#:~:text=On%20April%2010th%202023,63%20cents%20to%2066%20cents.

New Rates approved by Postal Commission to take effect July 9, 2023

Increase of 3 cents from 63 cents to 66 cents for a First Class FOREVER stamp.

Niles, MI "Homegrown Market" 1st Wed. July - Sept. // 2nd and 4th Sundays midday

first farmer's market is July 5 from 5  - 8 p.m.

Second Street Parking Lot, Niles City Hall vicinity

nightly hours at July , August,  September

First Wednesday evenings

facebook.com/nileshomegrown

2nd and 4th Sundays 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Second st. Parking lot, Niles Downtown

Sacred Art Show - June 10 - 20, 2023 Grand Rapids First UMC

MICHIGAN UMC Online article

https://michiganumc.org/sacred-art-show-celebrates-49-years/?mkt_tok=MDc4LUpYUS02NDMAAAGMX7kadNaBHtZldRv6adOqwDsynZyseqCWTSC-UsAszNdQ3JzTZGQqcnLr-KkABW4QXpQHhN70IM1IEyby9Te-QtznT-xymQ2zv5BmC3HTBxWT3w

"Celebration of the Arts" since 1974

Visual and performing arts

any work that expresses a sacred or spiritual quality

Grand Rapids, MI

Pope Francis - leaves Rome, Italy hospital

 News from Vatican City

Pope Francis, 86, has left the hospital following treatment June 16, 2023; his audiences

for the weekend of June 17-18 are cancelled.  Nine days of treatment for a incisional hernia.

Details / source at New York TIMES:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/16/world/europe/pope-francis-hospital.html

World blood donor Day - June 14 annually

 Today Wed. June 14 is "World Blood Donor" Day; its motto is

Give Blood, Give Plasma, Share Life, Share Often

SALUTE today blood donors and ask others to join in support

of local and regional blood supplies!

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day/2023

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

American author of novels (settings in American West) - died in Santa Fe, NM

The family and publishing employees for the award winning author

Cormac McCarthy

have announced that he passed away on Tuesday June 13, 2023.

Obituary for the 89-year-old and private funeral details to be announced when finalized.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/books/cormac-mccarthy-dead.html

Flag Day

 Annually the day to honor the American Flag is;

June 14.

Last Day of School Year: Edwardsburg, Benton Harbor (SW Michigan districts)

 today, June 14 is the final day for school required attendance at

Cass County district: Village of Edwardsburg

Berrien County district: City of Benton Harbor

6/14/2023

Secretary Buttigieg visits Philadelphia scene of Bridge collapse (I-95)

 https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/u-s-transportation-sec-buttigieg-to-tour-site-of-i-95-collapse/3584605/#:~:text=U.S.%20Transportation%20Secretary%20Pete%20Buttigieg,repaired%20as%20soon%20as%20possible.

NBC TV web article (June 13, 2023)

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg promised to help repair the East Coast's main

North-South highway as quickly as possible.

PENN DOT (Dept. of Transportation) expects to present a reconstruction plan

for I-95 on Wed. 6/14/2023

Who is Todd Blanche?

Attorney for the twice-impeached, today indicted Former president Tr*mp

He said in Miami (FL) federal court today, "We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty."

source = Washington POST website 

Former President twice-impeached today Arrested and Indicted re:37 counts of mishandling

 from CNN (June 13, mid-afternoon)

place: Federal Courthouse in Miami, FL

Tr*mp is to be arraigned on charges of mishandling secret, classified documents

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/donald-trump-indictment-court-appearance-06-13-23/

His and aide's (Walt Nauta's) mug shots will not be immediately available, under DOJ Rules.

PA's governor Josh Shapiro to issue emergency declaration after weekend collapse of I-95 bridge

 details at CNN article

On Monday June 12, the disaster declaration by the PA governor will expedite federal assistance

The collapse was from a truck / transport carrying petroleum that caught on fire

Only one vehicle and an unknown number inside are the injured/ killed citizens.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/12/us/philadelphia-i95-collapse-fire-monday/index.html

Sundae Fun Day (Downtown Niles, MI Merchants) June 11

 noon - 4 p.m.

Paint your own sundae dish at Bee Crafty (Main Street merchant)

and get FREE Ice Cream the way you like.

Purchase required.

Part of Downtown Merchant Crawl 2023

June 11 midday

Flag Day 3 p.m. Parade (prior weekend) - June 11 this year

 Three Oaks, Michigan annual townwide event honors:

American Flag, Veterans, Active military.

Check-in and line-up 1 p.m.

3 p.m. at corner of Buckeye and Elm streets

http://threeoaksflagday.com/parade.html

Berrien County mid-June 5K Run / Walk ($40 registration)

 9 a.m. Associated with Three Oaks, Michigan Flag Day celebration

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/ThreeOaks/FlagDay5KRun

Carver Park

corner of Locust and Nel's Drive

Free Parking; T-Shirt; Refreshments; Finisher medal; Top Male/Female award

Timing and scoring by Mac's Sports Timing

to.flagday5K.gmail.com/ 

Free Fishing Weekend (June 10-11)

 The Michigan Dept. of Nat. Resources has announced

at State Parks there will be a "Free Fishing Weekend"

on Sat. and Sun. June 10-11, 2023.

Details at Leader Pub dot-com (Berrien & Cass counties)

https://www.leaderpub.com/2023/06/07/free-fishing-weekend-saturday-and-sunday/

John Wesley and the Great Tradition - June 22, 2023 - United Theol Sem. Dayton

 What was John Wesley's relationship to Early Christianity? How was Wesley's work

shaped by his study of historic Christianity? 

Thurs. June 22, 2023 Noon - 1 p.m.

Prof. Justus Hunter of UTS - Dayton, OH

Interactive webinar filled with learning and discussion time with an

outstanding Wesley Studies Scholar.

$15 for registration - email confirmation and Zoom link for the webinar

https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=FiRdiq&mkt_tok=MDc4LUpYUS02NDMAAAGMO6zrUdgX8CWtBYBdD1AixCBlP9Suc2kS6-0vP9ybDi2Q45b4DeFvlU2N5XKdZ0qkcekHBTsdtHZpHGpjAuiwlnb43UaJLhHcmCw2MA9K2SaOjQ

Air Quality Alert (Southern Berrien county)

 June 8 - 9 (until noon Friday), 2023

Michigan dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

has declared that all day Thursday and friday until noon

to be an ACTION DAY

for elevated levels of ozone.

Avoid activities like refueling vehicles, using gas-power equipment, using charcoal lighter fluid.

www.michigan.gov/EGLE

Blood Drive (Wed. June 21) - Versiti

 Noon - 5:30 p.m.

Lakeland Hospital, Niles MI 

Large meeting room

Register ahead by calling 866-642-5663

Donate blood to keep local and area hospitals supplied

for surgical transfusions, bleeding disorders, and other uses of blood supply

Brandywine (Niles Township, MI) school district begins break

 Last day of 2022 - 23 school year is Thursday June 8 for

Brandywine Elementary, Middle, and High School

students and staff.  Have a good summer until Labor Day

return to classrooms and learning with your teachers

and staff.

A Time of Love, a Time of Peace (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

 web page to help you find needed information

https://www.igrc.org/ac2023

Annual Conference 2023

IL Great Rivers Conference (central and entire Southern IL churches

of United Methodist affiliation

Plenary sessions and worship (Annual conference 2023 for IL Great Rivers, Un. Methodist)

 Use this web page to click on the 

regular session June 8 - 10 (Thurs. - Sat.) 2023

beginning 10 a.m. June 8

and concluding Noon Sat. June 10 with Bishop Beard

preaching and conducting Ordinations/Commissioning

https://www.igrc.org/ac2023live

Where is St. Anselm's Institute of Politics (site of political announcement) - former Gov. of NJ

 St. Anselm College

100 Saint Anselm Drive 

Manchester, NH

It was founded on the premise that an educated citizenry is vital

for a healthy democracy.

Institute founded 2001; founded by the Order of St. Benedict

IUSB sponsors at June 17, 11 a.m. "Pride Festival"

 Celebrate Pride with Indiana Univ. South Bend! Stop by our Potawatomi Park

table to learn more about our programs and resources from alumni

and resource staff.

11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

https://events.iu.edu/southbend/event/1004298-south-bend-pride-festival

Care Talks :Raising Children with Disabilities / Keeping your child safe

IUSB (Indiana University at South Bend IN)

sponsored by Human Resources

1 - 2 p.m. Tuesday June 13, 2023

Event is free and concerns:

Tips on protecting children from abduction, abuse,

and school violence.

Second of seven CARE.com lectures in 2023 series

Summer Session (June 2023)

 When does Univ. of Notre Dame have "Summer School"?

Monday June 12 is the first day of attendance (courses are compacted

and assignments / exams are done over 5-day scheduling rather

than twice a week (M W & Tu Th) as in usual semester.

June 12 - July 21, 2023

six week session (include Friday July4)

Davenport, Iowa Building Collapse (discovery of all three who died May 28) remains located by June 5

Three who dieed in Davenport Apartment building

Brandon Colvin, Sr.

Ryan Hitchcock

Daniel Prien.

All resided at the Davenport IA Apartments ( a 6-story building built in 1916)

Details covered in DES MOINES REGISTER online article

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2023/06/05/3-bodies-recovered-from-davenport-iowa-building-collapse-branden-colvin-ryan-hitchcock-daniel-prien/70288943007/

Pickle Festival (mid-June 2023) Berrien Springs, MI (Berrien county)

 Pickle Run and Walk (5K)

June 18 - from downtown to Andrews Univ. campus

T-shirt & finisher's medal to all pre-registered

Pickleball Tournament - Sunday 6/18

3 p.m. at high school Tennis courts

Scavenger Hunt, Vendor Alley, Pickle fling, Big Wheel,

Pickled Piper Tasting Room. more

https://abc57.com/news/third-annual-berrien-springs-pickle-festival-preview-weekend-and-auxiliary-events-announced

Nature Get-aways in Michigan

 Author Ron Rademacher will present a talk on Monday

June 5 at the Niles District Library community room from 6 - 7 p.m.

This lecture / travel presentation will be free to adults 18+

He is a blogger and web celebrity with

michiganbackroads, upNorthMichigan dot-com

and TravelIn Michigan magazine (monthly)

DISTRICT LIBRARY is at 620 E. Main St. Niles, MI 49120

Sunburst 2023 -- benefits Beacon Children's Hospital

 June 2023

Saturday June 3, at Century Center, South Bend IN

Half Marathon (13+ miles), 10K, 5K, 5K walk-run

details in S.B. Tribune online website

https://wsbt.com/news/local/sunburst-race-south-bend-indiana-half-marathon-10k-5k-fitness-walk-century-center-beacon-childrens-hospital-running-exercise#

Normandy, France spectacular Abbey reaches 1,000th birthday

Mont-Saint-Michel (on a rocky island linked to the mainland only by a narrow causeway)

marked this week the 1,000th anniversary since the laying of

the first foundation stone.  French President Emmanuel Macron will make a speech

and view the 30 objects of heritage, including a restored statue

of St. Michael.   The Romanesque abbey is a UNESCO world heritage site (more details

at ABC News online article)

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/frances-spectacular-abbey-mont-saint-michel-celebrates-1000th-99834582

Who is Nikola Jokic?

 Serbian national who plays professional basketball (NBA)

for the Denver (CO) Nuggets

He is 28 yrs. old, 

6'11" in height with a 7'3" wingspan

Salary is in line with MVP honors = for 2023 $32.48 million

He excelled in play for the NBA playoffs Game 1, finishing with 27 points, 10 rebounds,

14 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal.  :The Thurs. June 1 match with Miami Heat

was a win for the Nuggets 104-93

Midsummer Day

 In Sweden and other northern European countries the solstice holiday of

Midsummer is celebrated on June 24 annually.

Historically this date marks the midpoint of the growing season,

halfway between planting and harvest.

Midsummer Eve (June 23) is on or near the shortest night of the year.

Dancing, feasting, bonfires, and general merrymaking are hallmarks

of the night.

https://www.almanac.com/content/midsummer-day

Hurricane Season 2023

 Meteorologists have announced the beginning of the Summer Season

on June 1, 2023.

The first named tropical weather event was named "Arlene" that began 

on June 1 and ended later on the weekend.

What Robert Oppenheimer read (CNN article)

 https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/04/opinions/oppenheimer-ai-human-extinction-opinion-column-carr/index.html

Jane Greenway Carr (Journalist for CNN) discovered this list =

works by Plato

Bhagavad-Gita (700-verse Hindu Scripture)

mathematician Bernhard Riemann

works by Michael Faraday

Dante's THE DIVINE COMEDY (Inferno, Purgatory, Paradise)

Shakespeare's play HAMLET

Baudelaire Les Fleurs du Mal

T.S. Eliot THE WASTELAND

John Mellencamp

 Final concerts of tour that began at Bloomington, IN (IU: Indiana University)

June 23 - 24, 2023

The Morris Center (downtown major venue for performing artists, acting productions)

https://www.visitsouthbend.com/event/john-mellencamp/3410/

8 p.m. both nights

Presented by longtime producer AEG Presents and funded by Turner Classic Movies

Mellencamp a Hoosier native,

is a member of the Rock & Roll Songwriters Hall of Fame among other tributes

(e.g. The Woodie Guthrie and The John Steinbeck awards)

FLOTUS Birthday

 Happy Birthday to Dr. Jill Biden!

June 3

Downtown Crawl - vendors at Niles, Michigan businesses

Downtown NILES, Michigan

Businesses across Downtown area (Main Street near River Park)

will each have a few vendors in their locations

Noon - 4 p.m. Sunday

June 11, 2023

More details at FaceBook page for UncoverNiles "Events"

Crisis Averted

 Friday June 2 -- Oval Office address by POTUS 46 (Biden)

Suspends until 2025 the debt ceiling beyond $31.4 trillion

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-give-prime-time-address-debt-ceiling-deal/story?id=99787806

Fruit crop highly diminished

Georgia peaches will be harder to find this summer; bad weather wiped out pretty much

of this year's crop. SOURCE: NPR

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/01/1179524175/bad-weather-dealt-a-heavy-blow-to-georgia-peach-crops

Suspension of Horse Racing at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY

 SOURCE: CNN (June 3, 2023)

The racetrack that hosts the Kentucky Derby

Temporary suspension by owners of the track

From June 7 to July 3 the end of the Spring Meet

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/02/sport/churchill-downs-suspension-horse-deaths/index.html#:~:text=Mage%2C%20No.%208%2C%20crosses,%2C%202023%20in%20Louisville%2C%20Kentucky.

South Bend, IN tradition since 1983

 Sunburst Race

2023 is a re-designed course and now permits 

participants in 5K to push strollerss

June 3, 2023

first run/walk begins at 7 a.m.

https://wsbt.com/news/local/sunburst-races-beacon-childrens-hospital-new-route-jefferson-bridge-century-center-downtown-notre-dame-stadium-high-temperatures-hydration-ambulance-medical-tent-runners-south-bend-indiana#

Townwide Garage Sales Day (June 3, first Saturday)

June 3, 2023

all day

Camp Point, IL (Adams County in W. IL)

hours vary at home and group locations

Niles Bluegrass Festival (riverfront Park, Niles, MI) - June 1 - 4, 2023

 see Facebook Pages

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Niles%20Bluegrass%20Festival

Christian worship service on final day (Sunday 6/4)

begins at 10 a.m.

School Term last day of attendance

 For the 2022-23 school year,

Niles, MI Community (K-12) schools have a final 1/2 day on Friday June 9;

South Bend, IN Public schools have their final day TODAY on June 2, 2023

Juneteenth - third Monday - Freedom for enslaved persons originated from History of Texas

 Anniversary (Federal Holiday)

of FREEDOM Declaration to formerly enslaved persons and family members

June 19, 2023

(third Monday of June annually)

National Doughnut/Donut Day (June 2 annually)

 Dunkin' Donuts will offer a free donut with purchase of a beverage

on Friday June 2, 2023. Also, Krispy Kreme will give away a free donut.

Thunderstorm (Berrien County, Michigan USA)

 Clusters of scattered thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Berrien County) through

3:15 p.m. Doppler radar was tracking clusters of storms nearby S. Bend, IN. 

Hazard: Pea-sized hail

affected area: Buchanan, Niles, South Bend

Chess Tournament

1st Saturday monthly

Niles District Library hosts Chess Federation tournament

All Ages - must be Federation members (See rotunda managers)

admission is free; no pre-registration necessary

June 3, 10:30 - 2 p.m.

Michigan State Parks- opening date and burn ban

 June 22, 2023

Upper and lower peninsula public and private camping recreation sites

are restricting burn of yard debris even though some campfires are allowed.

Michigan Live! details

https://www.mlive.com/weather/2020/06/dnr-restricts-burn-permits-campfires-still-allowed-during-dry-weather-spell.html#:~:text=The%20DNR%20is%20taking%20preventative,though%20campfires%20are%20still%20allowed.

Summer Solstice

 June 21, 2023

10:58 a.m.

Sun at highest point in the sky for the longest day of the year

https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-summer-summer-solstice

Niles High School (Niles, MI) - graduation Class of '23

 June 1, 2023

Tonight at 7 p.m. at the high school (17th street)

the Graduation ceremony for the class of 2023;

The Baccalaureate service (local church) was held at

Michiana Christian Embassy,  1922 E. Main St. in Niles Michigan