05-18-2017 The “Perfect Mom” wins the annual Tri-City Record contest honor given to mothers; Club So

The “Perfect Mom” wins the annual Tri-City Record contest honor given to mothers

By Annette Christie

Described as many things that add up to being the perfect mom, Betty Lull was named this year’s Best Mom for the Tri-City Area.  The Bainbridge Township woman enjoyed her Mother’s Day with her two daughters, Jamie Walter and Mary Cooper for a nice quiet celebration honoring her, this wonderful woman that they call mom.

BEST MOM…Betty Lull

Betty Lull grew up near Twelve Corners in Benton Harbor.  She met the man that she would be married to for 75 years this July, at the common hangout for that time, the Crystal Palace.  She and Jim, the man she described as being pretty cute, went on to spend many fond years at the Crystal Palace. “We saw every one of the bands from 1938 – 1960, except when I was in the service,” Jim said.  Betty chimed in that it was bobby socks and the jitterbug at that time and one of the biggest nights of all was when the Eddie Howard Band played and filled the place with over 3,200 paid admissions.   “They were a good band,” she remembers fondly.

The two would decide to elope and Jim says with admiration, “We were married on a Saturday afternoon and in the apple orchard on Monday.  She came with only one suitcase.”  Five years later they would have their first child, followed by the second one seven years later. Their family has expanded over the years adding three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Betty, 93, described as a “forward moving woman” by her daughters, was a mover and a shaker in business before it was common for women to be such.  She worked outside of the home and away from the family farm, earning her mark with a 32-year career at I&M.  She was the first female service representative in their history. “I could do whatever the men could do,” Betty said.

As she reflected over the years, she described seeing and doing many things.  Always making things happen in her life, she traveled across the country at 14 with her younger brother, attended college, worked at an Army base, managed to get on the ship that her husband was on even though that wasn’t allowed, volunteered for 4-H and sang in the church choir for 50 years.  She has lived through the depression, multiple wars, and witnessed the changes in civil rights and women’s rights.

Always knowing that she would be a mom, Betty had many strong female family members to show the way.  She brags that she has never had an argument with either of her daughters and never ever had to spank either of her children.  She taught her children to rise above and they would persevere, always finish what they start, and supported them in everything no matter what.  Both Mary and Jamie mentioned that both their parents were there for everything they were involved in, a support they have also given to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  “We never missed them,” Betty said.

Of motherhood Betty says, “Live your life and don’t give up, because it is hard,” adding, “Don’t lose your independence, your own self, because that is what makes you happy down inside.”

Given the letter that Betty’s two daughters wrote nominating her for this honor, she clearly understands how to be a successful mom:

Dear Editor,

Life is now about watching the birds out the front window; our mother marks down in a notebook the day each type of bird arrives in the spring. Today the beautiful orange-colored Oriole made an appearance, swooshing down to land right in front of us! A love of nature was instilled in us at a very young age as we watched for fox or deer in the woods. Appreciation of our great Lake Michigan was one of our first lessons so we went to the beach as much as we could.

Mom worked in town instead of on the farm where we lived; she has always been a forward moving woman ahead of her time. She went to Stephens College at the age of 16 traveling on a train to Missouri.

We were encouraged and taught to stand out on our own and do the things that made us happy. When “life” isn’t going so well she reaffirms us by saying “Rise above it!” An up-beat personality, energy, intelligence, and beauty are the things we admire in our mom. Being a leader in women’s organizations, singing in the church choir for over 50 years, and praying for her daughters every morning when she opens her eyes have kept her bright spirit alive. Now at the marvelous age of 93, life is different when she watches for the birds or a deer in the woods but it is still beautiful for her and her two daughters who have been loved unconditionally. She wants to be remembered for being kind and I’m sure she will be. Without a doubt, our mother Betty Lull is the perfect mother for us and we are very blessed.

Mary Cooper and Jamie Walter

In addition to a dozen red roses from Tri-City Record, Betty received gifts from area merchants for winning the Best Mom Contest. These include:  a beautiful rose bush from the Country Store at Watervliet Fruit Exchange, Watervliet; a special gift from B&B Outlet, Watervliet; gift certificate for pizza from DiMaggios, Coloma; a special gift from the Flower Basket, Watervliet; a hanging planter from Mattson’s House of Décor, Coloma; $30 gift certificate from Crystal Springs Garden Center, Benton Harbor; $50 off service of $100 or more from Honeydew Handyman Service, Coloma; $25 gift certificate from Grapevine Nursery, Coloma; $15 gift certificate from Hartford Harding’s and $30 gift certificate from Silverstone Gardens, Watervliet.

HARTFORD HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC ALL CONFERENCE… Southwest Athletic Conference athletes (from the left) Hunter Ackerman, Mariel Hallgren, and Amara Wesaw were honored at a luncheon recently at the Law-ton Lions Heritage Community Center. The annual awards recognize the elite academic senior athletes from each member school factoring both grade point average and test scores.

Club Soccer, Spain, and a new sound system: Watervliet’s Board of Education has busy meeting

By Kristy Noack

Much of the discussion Monday, May 8 during the Watervliet Board of Education meeting centered on the topic of club soccer; a group of parents and kids formally requested the support of the board and administration to provide a field for practice and home games for a middle school boys’ soccer team.

Angie Gutierrez, the Watervliet Middle School Spanish teacher and migrant director, conducted a general poll of students in the seventh and eighth grade. She advised the board that 18 boys would be interested in playing soccer. She noted that none of those 18 young men have interest in or currently play football.

Mike Isbrecht, the director of American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 613, which covers Coloma, Watervliet, Hartford, and the surrounding areas, was on hand at the meeting. He advised that of the 289 soccer players in the spring program, 30% of the players are from Watervliet, 30% are from Coloma, 35% are from Hartford, and the balance of 5% represent Bainbridge Township and Bangor. The boys range in age from four to 19 years old.

Josh Stone, a supporter of the group, commented on how having a local team represent Watervliet would benefit the school, the kids, and the parents. He advised the board that currently parents drive to St. Joe or Stevensville so their sons can play soccer.

Tom Isbrecht, past director of AYSO Region 613, said, “There is a fear (of the administration) to offer a sport to more (kids). It would be so much better if Watervliet supported this. (The kids) want to wear maroon for you. They want to represent Watervliet against Coloma. They want to represent Watervliet against Hartford. This is a serious movement and it will probably happen with or without you. It would be so much better with you.”

Upon further questioning by the school board members, the club supporters acknowledged that the boys’ soccer season is held in the fall, at the same time as football and cross country.

Ken Dietz, Watervliet High School Athletic Director, addressed the unspoken elephant in the room: that creating a soccer program would take players away from the strong football program put together by head coach Jeremy Andrews. Andrews, who listened to the discussion, did not make a public comment.

Dietz said, “First of all, I think the perception is Mr. Dietz doesn’t like soccer. I want to get that off the table. I helped develop the girls’ soccer team.

“I’m charged with making sure every time someone puts on a Panther uniform that they are successful. That doesn’t mean win. I think we need to have discussion on how (creating a boys’ soccer program) affects other programs. I have never been an advocate of a small C or D school having three sports at the same time.”

Tom Isbrecht addressed the board, stating, “You reflected on making decisions that benefit all kids. Right now, there is sports for some kids.”

Watervliet School Board President Bill Spaulding noted that the request in front of the board Monday night was simply support for a club program, not the creation of a junior varsity or varsity program.

Board members agreed to consider the matter with Stone, acting as the group’s representative, collaborating with Dietz to see what incremental costs the district would face. Other considerations include a practice and home field location, maintenance of the field, and personnel to administer the use of the field. Stone and the group will return to the board’s next meeting on June 12 with additional information.

Europe: 2019

High school social studies teacher Jeremy Andrews was on hand to present a request that the board approve a trip to Europe in the 2018-2019 school year.

Since 2011, Andrews has led a group overseas to tour various landmark cities and attractions. The spring break trip occurs every odd year, and Andrews formally requested permission to conduct another overnight trip in 2019.

During this year’s trip, students visited Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Prague. Andrews said, “The students not only represented our school well but our country well.”

Ellie Troyer and Devon Flowers, two students at WHS, spoke about the trip.

Troyer said, “It truly is a life experience. It’s incredible to be in these places where history happened.” She shared a story of learning in Andrews’ class about concentration camps and the experience to actually visit one. “It was amazing.”

Flowers commented, “It’s nice to go see the places you learn about. Going there really challenges your belief in what normal is. I learned a lot.”

Sixty-two people traveled to Europe as part of Andrews’ group this year. That figure included students, parents, and chaperones.

Members of the board congratulated Andrews for organizing the trips.

The board approved Andrews’ request, and during spring break 2019 students will travel to Spain, France, Normandy, and the United Kingdom.

Approvals given

In other business Monday, the board approved paying bills in the amount of $2,077,646.95. Of that figure, $701,722.67 is payroll-related expenses.

Superintendent Kevin Schooley noted one of the bills paid included the final payment of the high school track. The track was installed five years ago and cost $105,000.

A payment of $855,140 was made to Huntington Bank to pay down the bond debt.

Panther Stadium will have a new sound system just in time for graduation. The board approved paying $9,500, the initial payment. Equipment is on site and installation will begin this week.

Board members also approved the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency’s general fund budget. Each district must supply BRESA with a resolution endorsing their budget or submitting disapproval with specific objections noted before June 1.  The board members received a copy of the budget on April 28 and reviewed it prior to Monday’s meeting.

Additionally, board vice-president Andy Bodfish was elected to serve as the district’s representative Monday, June 5 at the BRESA biennial board election. Bodfish will cast votes for two BRESA board members who are running for reelection unopposed.

The Watervliet school district will have two new science curriculums for the 2017-2018 school year. Approval was given to purchase a new K-5 and 6-12 programs from McGraw Hill and Discovery Education, respectively.

Students at Watervliet High School will be able to take an Advanced Placement Computer Science course beginning in the upcoming school year. The computer science class will join four other AP programs offered by the school.

Of note, Curriculum Director Susan Toothman was able to secure grant funds to pay for the training and curriculum of the class. Mary Sibley will be the computer science teacher. She will head to Pennsylvania for training.

A potential enrollment figure for the class was not available, although it was suggested that 25 students would be able to participate.

Meal prices will not be increased next year. The recommendations by Food Services Director June Altom were accepted by the board. South and North Elementary will offer lunch for $2.55, while Tier 1 lunches at the high and middle schools will remain at $2.80. Tier 2 lunches at the high and middle schools will be priced at $3.00.

The board also approved the first reading of the 2017-2018 parent/student handbooks.