Friday, April 5

Fish Fry

5 to 7 p.m.

St. John’s United Church of Christ will host a Fish Fry from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 5 at the corner of Sixth and Sycamore streets in Niles. The dinner will include fish, French fries, homemade coleslaw, rolls and dessert. Cost: $9 for adults, $4 for children 5 to 12 and free for children 5 and under. For more information, call the church at (269) 683-4420.

Beef Manhattan dinner

5 to 7 p.m.

The Dowagiac Eagles, 101 E. Railroad St., Dowagiac, will host a beef Manhattan dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. April 5. Cost: $10.

Saturday, April 6

Rusty Hook’s Bait & Tackle

6:30 a.m.

Rusty Hook’s Bait & Tackle will host the inaugural Chrome Classic. The event will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6 on the St. Joseph River and its tributaries, excluding the Dowagiac River. There will be a divided 50 percent payout. A weigh out will take place at 3:30 p.m. Cost: $30 entry fee. A hog roast after the weigh in is included in cost. Tickets and sign up at the Rusty Hook’s, 209 E. Main St. in Niles (269) 683-3474.

Fandom Fest

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The third annual Fandom Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 6 in Lake Michigan College’s Grand Upton Hall, in the Mendel Center. Fandom Fest is the largest multi-library sponsored pop-con in the Midwest, organized by 12 Berrien and Cass county libraries. It is a non-profit, free entry convention, which is dedicated to creating an inclusive celebration of comics and popular art forms that provide an ongoing contribution to art and culture.

Dark sky celebration

8 p.m. to midnight

In honor of the week, the Cass County Parks Department will host a Turn off the Lights, Turn on the Stars event from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Dr. T.K. Lawless Park. Visitors will be able to look at the stars and learn how to fight light pollution, according to event organizers. Cost: $2 per person.

Spring bazaar and food drive

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Mary’s, 217 Lincoln Ave., Niles will host a spring bazaar and food drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 6. Crafts and baked goods will be available at the event. Visitors are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the CSC food pantry. Waffles, hot dogs and BBQ will be available for purchase from Boy Scout troop 579. Info: call (269) 684-0637.

Community garden sign up

1 to 3 p.m.

The Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., Niles, will host community garden sign ups from 10 a.m. to noon March 9, 1 to 3 p.m. April 6 and 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 9. Info: Call: (773) 573-4285.

Swiss Steak Dinner

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Ladies Auxiliary will host a Swiss Steak Dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at 1117 E. Bertrand Road in Niles. Cost: pre-sale $12 or $14 at the door. Pre-sale ends April 1. To get tickets or more information, call (269) 240-8671.

FRIDAY, April 12

Fish Fry

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring their annual “Tyner Oddfellows” Lenten Fish Fry from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, in the social hall of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 24832 US-12 E., Edwardsburg. The dinner will include all you can eat fish, salads, mac-n-cheese, baked potatoes, coleslaw, rolls, desserts, and beverages. Cost: $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free.

Thursday, April 11

School preview day

9 a.m. to noon.

All prospective first through grade students are invited visit Niles Adventist School, 1105 Grant St., Niles, from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 11 to attend class and experience school at NAS. Parents can stay with their child if they wish. A free lunch will be provided for guests, including parents.

Kindergarten preview day

1:30 to 2:45 p.m..

All prospective kindergarten students are invited visit Niles Adventist School, 1105 Grant St., Niles, from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Thursday, April 11 to meet the teacher and experience school at NAS. Parents can stay with their child if they wish.

Saturday, April 13

Pancake and sausage breakfast

8 to 11 a.m.

Just in time for Easter, the Edwardsburg Lions Club is hosting their annual pancake and sausage breakfast with the Easter bunny and the Lions Club mascot. The event will be hosted from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Edwardsburg American Legion on U.S. 12. Free Project KidSight Vision Screening will be available to children from the ages of 1 to 17. Cost: $5 per adult, $3 for children under 12 and free for children under 2.

Drive-Up and Drop-Off Shred Event

9 a.m. to noon

Integrity Real Estate Professionals will host a Drive-Up and Drop-Off Shred Event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13 in the parking lot of 1501 S. 11th St. in Niles. People are invited to bring their documents to shred for free. For more information, contact Integrity Real Estate at (269) 684-5030.

Chili and baked potato dinner

4 to 7 p.m.

First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac, will host a chili and baked potato dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. April 13. Donations will go toward organ repairs.

Reds, whites and flights

4 to 7 p.m.

The Miss Dowagiac Scholarship program will host a Reds, Whiles and flights fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. April 13 at Vineyard 2121, 4110 Red Arrow Hwy, Benton Harbor. The event will feature live music, and 15 percent of all  wine, cider and merchandise sales will go toward the scholarship fund.

Board of governors’ meeting

10 a.m.

The Barn Swallow Theatre will host its monthly Board of Governors Meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 13 at the theatre, 22334 US-12, Edwardsburg. New members are always welcome.

Tuesday, April 16

Cass County Historical Society meeting

7 p.m.

The Cass County Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the Cass  District Library, M-62 W. Cassopolis The program will be ‘One Room Country Schools’ and presented by Allen Butchbaker and Barbara Burton.  Former students and teachers of one room country schools are invited to attend and share their experiences.  Nomination and election of officers will take place.  Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Info: call (269) 782-5884.

Thursday, April 18

Senior luncheon

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Dowagiac High School Spring Senior Citizen Luncheon is on April 18 at the Dowagiac High School. The location is in the foyer area connected to the new gymnasium. There will be two lunch sessions: 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m. Lunch will be chili and corn bread with a side salad and Madison’s award winning cupcakes for dessert.

Friday, April 19

Good Friday service

6 p.m.

A.C.T.I.O.N. (Area Churches Together In One Network) will sponsor a community Good Friday service at the Federated Covenant Church, 202 Center St. in Dowagiac. Fellowship time begins at 6 p.m., and worship begins at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 20

Easter egg hunt

1 p.m.

Fairland Christian Church of Niles, 1811 River Bluff, Niles, will be hosting a Community Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. This event is made available to children through age 12. Info: call Tom Gamble, Minister, at (269) 683-8211.

Benefit for Mrs. Horton

5 to 7 p.m.

The Amvets will host a dinner to benefit Mrs. Horton, who is battling breast cancer. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Amvets, 1117 E. Bertrand St. in Niles. The dinner will include pulled pork sandwich, pickle spear, coleslaw, chips and dessert. Cost: $8 per plate, children 3 and under eat free. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, call the Amvets at (269) 683-8558.

Saturday, April 27

Spring fling dinner and bake sale

4:30 to 7 p.m.

Community of Christ Church, 110 S. Cleveland Ave., Galien, will host a spring fling dinner and bake sale from 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 27. The dinner will include Swiss steak and salad bar. The bake sale will begin at 10 a.m. Cost: Adults are $9. Children ages 5 to 11 are $5.

Saturday, May 9

Community garden sign up

6 to 7:30 p.m.

The Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., Niles, will host community garden sign ups from 10 a.m. to noon March 9, 1 to 3 p.m. April 6 and 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 9. Info: Call: (773) 573-4285.

Sunday, May 19

Walk-a-Thon

1 p.m.

The Western Michigan Gold Star Mothers will host a Walk-a-Thon at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 19 starting at the Veteran’s Memorial in Riverfront Park. The 2.2-mile walk will seek to bring awareness about veteran suicide rates. All proceeds benefit Working Dogs for Vets. For more information, call Shelly at (269) 683-4897.

Send calendar items to the newsroom at news@leaderpub.com, or drop them off at the office, 217 N. Fourth St., Niles.