June Programs Kick Off Summer at Fernwood
Along with the seasonal beauty of the gardens and natural areas, Fernwood has an exciting lineup of youth camps, programs, classes, and events this summer. The garden just wrapped up their first of three youth camp sessions. The next, called “Habitat Heroes,” is scheduled for July, followed by “Art and Mindfulness in Nature” in August. Summer day camps are generously supported by a grant from the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. Learn more and register at
WATERFRONT HOUSE OF FRAMING AND FASHION TRANSITIONS OWNERSHIP
Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion, a cherished downtown St. Joseph destination for unique art, expert custom framing, and women’s boutique fashion, is proud to announce a change in leadership. Founder and long-time owner Valerie Byrnes has entrusted the business to local entrepreneur Corey Carolla, following the exciting news of Valerie’s recent appointment to a leadership role with the Independence Chamber of Commerce near Kansas City, MO. For the past six years, Valerie, along with her daughter Emily
City of Benton Harbor, Cornerstone Alliance, and Partners Celebrate Official Launch of Downtown Social District ?and New Redevelopment Tool
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Andrew Haan P: (269) 352-2345 ahaan@cstonealliance.org June 16, 2025 City of Benton Harbor, Cornerstone Alliance, and Partners Celebrate Official Launch of Downtown Social District and New Redevelopment Tool BENTON HARBOR, MI – June 16, 2024 – The City of Benton Harbor, in partnership with Cornerstone Alliance, Benton Harbor Arts Association, and the Downtown Development Authority, is proud to announce the official launch of the Benton Harbor Downtown Social
2025 MAAC Award Winners
2025 MAAC Award WinnersHeather Boersma's "Year of Jubilee" won Best of Show Award winners have been announced for the 2025 Michiana Annual Art Competition (MAAC), now on display at the Box Factory for the Arts. Voting for the People’s Choice is still open to the public.MAAC in the Box is a juried, fine art exhibition designed to recognize and reward excellence of artists in southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana. More than 150 original works by 120 artists were selected for the
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Ziker Cleaners Celebrates Southwest Michigan Additions
Ziker Cleaners, a trusted name in garment care for over a century, is proud to announce their expansion into downtown St. Joseph. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at 425 State Street, and the public is invited to join local leaders, customers, and the Ziker team to celebrate the occasion. With 108 years of local ownership and industry-leading innovation, Ziker Cleaners brings its legacy of quality service and community commitment to the St. Joseph market.
Watermark Brewing Co. Celebrates 9 Years with a Pirate-Themed Bash Presented by Honor Credit Union
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Chris Mason Co-Founder / Business Maneuverer chris@watermarkbrewing.com www.watermarkbrewing.com (269) 930-0380 Watermark Brewing Co. Celebrates 9 Years with a Pirate-Themed Bash Presented byHonor Credit Union For Immediate Release: June 9, 2025 Stevensville, Michigan – What started as a bold idea shared over a table at Honor Credit Union nearly a decade ago has grown into one of Michigan’s most beloved breweries. This summer, Watermark Brewing Co. is
Outstanding Musician of the Year Finds Musical Renaissance at Lake Michigan College
Marcia Blake of St. Joseph has been selected by the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department as the 2025 Outstanding Musician of the Year Award recipient.The Outstanding Musician of the Year Award is a long-standing tradition at LMC, started in 1974. Each year, the music faculty surveys the prospective music graduates and, if a qualified candidate is identified, presents the award to the student who best exemplifies leadership in performance ensembles and has demonstrated significant
Great Strides Underpin Palisades’ March to Restart
Great Strides Underpin Palisades’ March to Restart We are pleased to report that the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert Township, Michigan, continues to advance, with several recently achieved milestones reinforcing confidence in the facility’s near-term return to service. From hands-on maintenance and training areas to regulatory approvals and self-governing industry association assessments, the scope and pace
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First Church of God Opens New Community Space, The Commons Leadership Invites Non-Profit and Communi
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO info@smrchamber.com 269-932-4042 First Church of God Opens New Community Space, The Commons Leadership Invites Non-Profit and Community Partners to Utilize Space For Immediate Release: June 5, 2025 St. Joseph, Michigan – Nearly 100 individuals gathered on Monday, June 2nd at First Church of God for a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber celebrating the grand opening of The
Honor Credit Union Announces 2025 Community Commitment Scholarship Winners
Honor Credit Union is excited to announce the recipients of its 2025 Community Commitment Scholarship program. Each year, this program honors Michigan high school seniors who go above and beyond in their dedication to community service while also excelling academically. Through a blind selection process, twelve outstanding students have been chosen to receive a $2,500 scholarship to support their continued education. The 2025 recipients exemplify what it means to lead with purpose, serve others,
The GhostLight Theatre’s 2025 summer production season kicks off with Jonathan Larson’s award-winning Broadway musical “RENT” – June 12th-29th in Benton Harbor
The GhostLight Theatre continues its 2025 Theatre Season with RENT – a musical written by the late Jonathan Larson, & directed by Spencer Ryan Diedrick (Once, Lewiston/Clarkston). Rent will mark the 3rd production of The GhostLight Theatre’s 6th season, and it will be presented in the GhostLight’s Black Box Theatre space from Thursday, June 12th through Sunday, June 29th. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, curtain is at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at 101 Hinkley Street in Benton Harbor. General
Lake Michigan College announces 2025 winners of WAVE Awards celebrating high school musical theatre
Edwardsburg High School's "Newsies!" led the way, taking home four awards, during the fourth annual WAVE Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre held May 21 at Lake Michigan College's Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre. Presented by LMC's Visual & Performing Arts Department and loosely designed after Broadway's Tony Awards, the WAVE Awards recognize high school theater students and arts educators from Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass Counties in Michigan and St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in
Zo’s Mini Donuts Announces Grand Opening, Bringing Sweet Tradition to Southwest Michigan
Zo’s Mini Donuts, the beloved local donut venture founded by sisters Zoey and Lydia Heyn, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Southwest Michigan. The celebration will take place at 508 Pleasant St, St Joseph, MI 49085 on Friday, June 13th, with festivities running from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Guests can look forward to trying their award-winning hot and fresh donuts and a chance to meet the founders behind this rapidly growing community favorite. Their season will run June 13th
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Competitive Edge: Staying Rooted in the Community, Reaching New Heights, Ribbon Cutting & Open House Planned for June 11th
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO info@smrchamber.com 269-932-4042 Competitive Edge: Staying Rooted in the Community, Reaching New Heights Ribbon Cutting & Open House Planned for June 11th For Immediate Release: June 2, 2025 Saint Joseph, Michigan – Competitive Edge recently brought the company's headquarters back to its original stomping grounds, setting up shop in a spacious new warehouse and office facility right here in St.Joseph. After selling their
Greater Bridgman CGA Announces Return of the Street Dance
Greater Bridgman CGA Announces Return of the Street Dance Beloved Tradition Returns as Part of Celebrate Bridgman on July 12th For Immediate Release: May 29, 2025 Bridgman, Michigan – The Greater Bridgman Area Chamber and Growth Alliance (CGA) in partnership with Classic Catering & Events, Indiana Michigan Power an AEP Company and the greater Bridgman community is excited to announce the Street Dance will return as part of Celebrate Bridgman on July 12th. For many years hundreds of individuals
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ST. JOE TODAY COMMISSIONS A TEMPORARY MURAL FOR THE BLUFF STAIRS 2025
St. Joe Today is happy to announce the installation of another temporary mural on the stairs leading up to Lake Bluff Park and downtown St. Joseph. St. Joe Today was able to bring this project to the community with support from the Schalon Foundation. St. Joe Today started the mural project in 2018, the week leading up to Chalk the Block, with a permanent mural on the back of the Welcome Center building and continued in 2019 with a temporary mural on the bluff stairs, both pieces commissioned and
United Way of Southwest Michigan Adapts Funding Cycle in Response to Changes in Funding Landscapes
ST. JOSEPH, MI (May 28, 2025) – In a bit of a ‘perfect storm’ scenario, United Way of Southwest Michigan President & CEO Anna Murphy said changes in the economy & workforce locally coinciding with the changes to federal, and eventually, state budgets, are making things exceptionally challenging. “Everything around us is quickly adapting and changing, so our organization’s sustainability mission for the future is to be agile and nimble with our processes. Whether that’s raising funds or making funding
Armor Physical Therapy Opens New St. Joseph Clinic
Armor Physical Therapy is excited to announce the ribbon cutting ceremony for its newest outpatient orthopedic and sports physical therapy clinic in St. Joseph. The event, hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, will take place on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., with an open house happening until 6:00 p.m. Community members, local leaders, and healthcare professionals are encouraged to attend to meet the team, tour the facility, and learn more about the specialized services
See Winners of the MAAC Art Competition on Exhibit at the Box Factory
Award winners have been announced for the 2025 Michiana Annual Art Competition (MAAC), now on display at the Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St. Voting for the People’s Choice is still open to the public.MAAC in the Box is a juried, fine art exhibition designed to recognize and reward excellence of artists in southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana. More than 150 original works by 120 artists were selected for the exhibit.Awards were presented at the opening reception in eight categories and Best of
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LAKE BLUFF ARTISAN FAIR RETURNS TO LAKE BLUFF PARK ON MAY 31ST
Over 50 regional artisans and crafters will share their talent at the Lake Bluff Artisan Fair, held in Lake Bluff Park from 10:00a-5:00p on Saturday, May 31. Event attendees will find one-of-a-kind handcrafted, homemade goods such as home décor, furniture, jewelry, candles, clothing and more. St. Joe Today invites the community to enjoy this eclectic artisan fair that overlooks Lake Michigan. 2025 show dates are May 31, July 19, August 16 and August 30. While you are downtown, be sure to EAT, SHOP, STAY
2025 SWMI & National April Housing Market Slipped from the Robust Sales in March
“Southwest Michigan’s housing market sales in April 2025 slipped from the robust results in March. Sales and the average selling price declined. Only the median selling price increased above that in March.” stated Luke Jeffries, Association Executive, Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS®, Inc. Jeffries continued, “The number of houses sold in April fell 20 percent to 196 from 245 in April 2024. Year-to-date, the number of houses sold was down 1 percent (744 vs. 752).” The good
MEDC Announces $8.8 Million in Grants for Organizations Supporting Under-Represented Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMAY 21, 2025 Contact: Otie McKinley517-930-8049mckinleyo@michigan.org MEDC Announces $8.8 Million in Grants for Organizations Supporting Under-Represented Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs The Trusted Connector Grant and Entrepreneur Support Grant, administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, provide funding to support
Allegiant Announces New Route to Fort Lauderdale with One-Way Fares as Low as $59*
The Airline Offers New Low-Cost Travel Options to Popular Destinations in Eight Cities Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announced five new nonstop routes to eight cities around the country. To celebrate, the company is offering one-way fares on the new routes as low as $39.* The routes, launching this fall, will provide the only nonstop service between these cities. Additionally, the airline added an intrastate route for travelers in Tennessee. "This expansion caters to passengers and
Coloma Frozen Foods Celebrates 100 Years of Excellence in Frozen Food Production
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Bradley Wendzel President 269-876-5934 Coloma Frozen Foods Celebrates 100 Years of Excellence in Frozen Food Production For Immediate Release: May 19, 2025 Coloma, Michigan – Coloma Frozen Foods, Inc., a leader in premium frozen fruits, vegetables, and juice concentrates, proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary. Founded in 1925 as Coloma Co-operative Canning, the company has grown from a cooperative supporting local growers into a trusted name in the food
