🌱 Berrien County remembers longtime Fernwood Botanic Garden staffer Ramona Hines

Good morning Niles! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Berrien County remembers longtime Fernwood Botanic Garden staffer Ramona Hines

Also on today's calendar: EARTH MONTH CELEBRATION - YOUTH CHALK ART CONTEST — Fernwood Botanical Garden.

Today's riddle: What's the difference between a hippo and a Zippo? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Monday: Breezy and much colder, with a high of 38 and low of 24 degrees.
• Tuesday: Considerable cloudiness, temps: high: 53, low: 38.
• Wednesday: Cloudy, a shower; warmer, with a high of 67 and low of 46 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Ramona Lee Hines (wsjm.com) — Longtime Fernwood Botanic Garden staff member Ramona Lee Hines, whose work helped shape the beloved Niles-area garden, has died at age 94. Raised in Illinois, she later settled in Berrien County, devoted to family, church, music, and nature. Her family suggests memorials to Fernwood or local churches instead of flowers.
   

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📸 Around Niles

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Niles

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday March 30

• Trivia Night at Niles Brewing Company
  Niles Brewing Company, 206 E Main St, Niles
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Saturday April 18

• EARTH MONTH CELEBRATION - YOUTH CHALK ART CONTEST — Fernwood Botanical Garden
  Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd, Niles
  12:30 pm

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📣 Niles Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday March 24

• Sturgis JV Baseball @ Edwardsburg
  Edwardsburg High School, 69358 Section St, Edwardsburg
  6:00 pm

Wednesday March 25

• Public Works Meeting Cancelled
  Berrien County, MI Calendar
  9:30 am
• Public Works Meeting
  Berrien County, MI Calendar
  9:30 am

Thursday March 26

• Land Bank Authority Meeting
  Berrien County, MI Calendar
  1:00 pm
• O/U Nature & More Book Club - March 2026 — Glendora Bookshop
  Glendora Bookshop, 110 E Front St, Buchanan
  5:45 pm

Friday March 27

• Native Plants Presentation — Berrien County Conservation District
  Berrien Springs Community Library, 215 W Union St, Berrien Springs
  12:00 pm
• Live Music with Trixie's Mistress
  Flat Rock Grill, 68973 M-62, Edwardsburg
  8:00 pm

Monday March 30

• Kids Spring Break Clay Camp
  Roti Roti Art Center of Buchanan, 117 W Front St, Buchanan
  9:00 am
• Settle Into Stillness
  River of Life Yoga LLC, 113 Main St, Buchanan
  6:00 pm

Saturday April 4

• Passion Play 2026
  Andrews University, 8975 Old 31, Berrien Springs
  9:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• There is an emergency vehicle on I-94 E reported...
  There is an emergency vehicle on I-94 E reported at 10:04 AM. "Michigan State Police ahead, please slow down and move over" (Nextdoor )
• There is road construction on I-94 W reported at...
  There is road construction on I-94 W reported at 12:24 PM. (Nextdoor )

• Bonnell Aluminum posted a job opening for Aluminum Extrusion Die Technician in Niles. Apply here.
• Papa John's posted a job opening for Papa John's Restaurant Team Member in Niles. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Niles here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Berrien Springs

• Devin Roy Bidwell (wsjm.com)

Dowagiac

• 6 Hidden Gems In Michigan That Will Stop You Dead In Your Tracks (familydestinationsguide.com)

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Ok Niles! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: One's very heavy. The other is a little lighter. (Thank you Nancy V. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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