Photos: Brush Strokes and Beats benefits Three Rivers Promise

*Amanda Culbertson played the guitar as she sang ‘House of the Rising Sun’ during Brush Strokes and Beats. (Photos by Frank Stanko|Watershed Voice)*

Brush Strokes and Beats, which included an art auction and celebration of everyone from painters to dancers, raised more than $14,000.

“Thanks to the fantastic turnout and support from our community, we sold every piece of artwork on display,” Three Rivers Promise wrote after the Saturday, November 9 event.

Held at A Place in Time in downtown Three Rivers, Brush Strokes and Beats included Mayor Tom Lowry and WBET News Director and Operations Manager Mike Stiles sharing more about Three Rivers Promise.

“This is a group that very much believes in education and the children of our community, both now and in the future,” Lowry said.

Three Rivers Promise seeks to grow an endowment to benefit local high school graduates going on to college or trade education.

“Post-secondary training and education for students paves the way for a successful and fulfilling life, planting the seeds of possibility for the next generation and beyond,” Stiles said. “Three Rivers Promise believes every student should be awarded the opportunity to pursue their hopes and dreams for the future, regardless of their financial resources.”

Jeanne Pawlowski was unable to attend Brush Strokes and Beats. Nevertheless, the retired Three Rivers High School art teacher was thanked for having such an ecclectic collection of student-created pieces, which Saturday’s auction was built around.

Check out Watershed Voice‘s photos from Brush Strokes and Beats.

*Volunteers Bridget and Rob Griffioen, Three Rivers.*

*From left, Toby Gose, Judson & Idy Stemaly, and Erin Gose, all from Three Rivers*

*Pastor James and Nicole Smith, Trinity Episcopal Church in Three Rivers.*

*WBET News Director and Operations Manager Mike Stiles.*

*Glen Falk, Three Rivers Middle School band teacher.*

*Margaret O’Dell created this fused glass pendant.*

*Bill Welty painted downtown Three Rivers.*

*From left, Becker’s Dance Arts dancers Anna Talsma, Aliyah Monzon, Mackenzie Gose, Brynn Batten, and Evalie Arnold.*

*Jada Friese, Becker’s Dance Arts, shows off her ballet skills.*

*Cian Monroe, a senior at Three Rivers High School, is the student liaison with Three Rivers Promise.*

*Ray Lowry, Three Rivers, and Teresa Chartrand, Portage.*

*Yolanda McNary and Josh Myers, both Three Rivers.*

Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.

Michigan lawmaker explores changes to public notice rules, raising transparency concerns

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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March 26, 2026

Municipalities pay newspapers to publish these notices, with costs varying based on the number and length of postings.

According to recent Three Rivers City Commission agenda packets, the city paid $740 to the Three Rivers Commercial-News for fiscal year 2026 public notices. A separate payment of $290 for the same category was recorded February 13.

If lawmakers pursue changes, they could alter where and how notices are published, potentially shifting some requirements away from newspapers. However, state Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) has said she is not seeking to eliminate public notice requirements altogether.

Photos: Brush Strokes and Beats benefits Three Rivers Promise

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