07-13-2017 Lulls celebrate 75th Wedding Anniversary; Wooley-Daniels Reunion; School’s in session for

Lulls celebrate 75th Wedding Anniversary

 James and Betty Lull of Bainbridge Township will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on July 18, 2017.

James (Jim) and the former Betty Peters eloped on July 18, 1942, in Benton Harbor. They returned to Bainbridge Township where they farmed and raised their two daughters, Mary Cooper of Coloma, and Jamie Walter of St. Joseph.

The Lull’s were active in Berrien County 4-H, the American Legion, township business, and their church throughout their lives.

Jim was the Bainbridge Township Treasurer from 1967 to 2004. He served in World War II aboard the Navy’s USS Saratoga CV-3. Jim and Betty have attended many annual reunions held in the United States.

Betty retired from Indiana Michigan Power Company in 1986, after 32 years of service. She is also an active member of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.

They have three grandsons: Dan (Angelene) Conkin of Coloma, Jason (Jeanne) Conkin of Chicago, IL, and David Walter of St. Joseph. They also have five great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Conkin of Coloma, Lucas Walter of St. Joseph, and Jay, Ben and Claire Conkin of Chicago, IL.

The Lull’s continue to reside on the Lull Centennial Farm (160 years old) on Hill Road in Bainbridge Township.

The photo of the Lulls on their farm from their 72nd anniversary in 2014 is the same location as the photo the year of their marriage and includes the vase at their feet and the building behind them.

The couple recounts some of the high points of their long and happy marriage as their children and grandchildren, the end of WWII, dancing at Chrystal Palace in Coloma, and their 50th wedding anniversary celebrated at Oktoberfest in Germany.

Wooley-Daniels Reunion

 Coming from California, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and many coming from Michigan, descendants of Howard Toy Wooley and Dorothy Daniels who were married in 1921 and are now deceased, gathered at the Culver Railroad Station in Culver, Indiana on Sunday, July 2 to meet and greet and enjoy renewing relationships. Several guests were also present.

Following a delicious potluck dinner, the adults enjoyed a quiz game on family history. The children searched for coins and candy in a sawdust pile. Then everyone participated in the water balloon toss.

Four young people were especially honored. Two were recently married and two will be married in September. They were asked to wear matching headpieces and corsages.

Mrs. Geri (Richard) Wooley of Bridgman had the most family members in attendance.

Hostesses for the event were Cheryl (Wooley) Geik of Culver and Becky (Hettig) Freehling of Hartford.

School’s in session for the Watervliet Board of Education

By Kristy Noack

School may be out for students who are actively enjoying their summer break, but for the Watervliet Board of Education, it was business as usual Monday.

Board members gathered for organizational and regular board meetings on July 10.

Organizational meeting details

The board designated depositories for school funds including Fifth Third Bank, Huntington National Bank, MILAF, PNC Bank, Chemical Bank, and MBIA Class.

The Tri-City Record will continue as the publishing agent for all reports and legal notices for the school.

The Thrun Law Firm, out of Lansing, Michigan, will serve as the attorneys-of-record.

Kruggel and Lawton CPA will continue as the school’s financial auditor.

There were no changes in service providers to the district.

The board also added four workshop days to their 2017-2018 school year meeting calendar. Those additional meetings will be held in July, November, February and May.

Regular meeting approvals

The Watervliet Board of Education approved several business items Monday night.

General Fund expenses in the amount of $2,151,009.63 received approval. Of that expense, $857,765.01 was related to payroll, $7,980.04 was paid to EduStaff for substitute teachers, $11,487.50 went to ICR Builders for the new walkway around Panther Stadium, $240,287.15 and $237,100.09 was paid to Miller-Davis, the district’s construction contractor for Phase 2 payments, $116,703.00 and $13,230.88 covered the purchase of new Chrome Books, and $8,251.00 was paid to HEI Wireless for the installation of antennas which will allow for 100% emergency services radio coverage at the schools. Previously, there were areas that had spotty reception.

Superintendent Kevin Schooley noted that the budget “looks pretty good.” He did comment that the state aid payments for July and August were forthcoming.

The board accepted the resignation of Language Arts teacher Melissa Lankheet. Lankheet taught at the Middle School for two years.

Watervliet Middle School principal Dave Armstrong was on hand to discuss extending a teaching contract to Samantha Zalewski. Administration staff interviewed Zalewski, one of 25 applicants for the Middle School’s art teacher opening.

Armstrong said, “It was an easy hire. She’ll do a great job for us.” Armstrong, Schooley, and the board members were impressed with Zalewski’s credentials including the fact that she has been abroad three times to teach art. She is currently in Italy providing art instruction to students.

In addition to teaching art, Zalewski has coached volleyball.

The board also approved the district’s membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association. MHSAA requires schools to affirm a resolution annually, which requires districts to follow the guidelines of the MHSAA when competing in middle and high school sports.

Watervliet will also continue their relationship with the Twin City Beauty College. On Monday, members approved a two-year agreement to work with the college. According to Schooley, “We send one or two (students) to cosmetology school a year. Our kids that have gone there have had really good experiences.”

Construction update as projects wind down

Schooley provided the listening audience with an update regarding school construction projects.

The abatement at North and South Elementary schools has been completed.

Flooring will be installed beginning July 17.

The new walkway around Panther Stadium should be complete by the end of the week. The installation of handrails at the stadium is in process and should be complete by the end of July.

Standards based grading in K-3

Parents of students in kindergarten through third grade will see a different look to their child’s report card this year.

Susan Toothman, Curriculum Director of Watervliet Public Schools, was on hand to introduce the board to a move away from letter-based grading to standards based grading on report cards for students in kindergarten through third grade. Standards based grading measures and explain a students’ proficiency to comprehend the lesson being taught.

Toothman advised the board that the parents and teachers will be able to clearly identify where a student may struggle and need additional assistance.

Toothman also shared with the board a list of teachers and the additional training and conference they are attending to increase their knowledge base. It “shows the level of commitment of the teachers to the students in the district,” Toothman stated.

Toothman advised board members that the SAT results are in. Of the 11th graders who took the SAT, 69% met the college benchmark in English, and 27% met the benchmark in math.

The next regular board meeting is Monday, August 14 at the Middle/High School Media Center.

North Berrien Historical Museum presents “Paw Paw Lake and All That Jazz!” on July 18

 On Tuesday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m. the North Berrien Historical Museum will present “Paw Paw Lake and All That Jazz.” Join Kristen De Haan, Director of Programs, as she looks back at the Big Band Era of the 1930s – 1940s which brought jazz music, dance, and fun to the area. Learn about the performers who entertained thousands at Paw Paw Lake’s different dance pavilions, hear the upbeat tunes that might have filled the big dance halls, and see related artifacts from the museum archives. Don’t miss this free musical presentation!

No RSVP is required for this free program. The museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue in Coloma. For questions, contact the museum at (269) 468-3330 or at kristen@northberrienhistory.org

CHS awarded bronze standing on U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools list

Coloma High School has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report and awarded a bronze standing on their Best High School list. CHS made the magazine’s national rankings as well as the Michigan High School rankings.

The rankings are meant to identify the top performing public high schools in the state and country. The goal of the rankings is to provide an unbiased view of how well public schools serve their students in preparing them to demonstrate proficiency in basic skills and readiness for college work.

U.S. News & World Report uses data from common core, advanced placement, statewide accountability proficiency test results and graduation rates in their calculation for how schools are ranked on the list. Minority and economically disadvantaged students percentages are also factors considered.

Ride the “World War II landing crafts that saved the world”

 Two opportunities in August are presented by the Lest We Forget organization to take a ride on WWII landing crafts.

The first opportunity is August 3 and 4 at the Northside Boulevard Viewing Park off Notre Dame Avenue in South Bend, Indiana from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On August 5 and 6 the crafts will be at Tiscornia Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan to give rides from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The cost to ride is $5 per person; children under 12 are free.

For more information, call 269-925-7176 or visit www.lestweforgetusa.org.

Watervliet Auxiliary to host Linen Sale at the hospital

 The Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet Auxiliary will host a Linen Sale for one day only, on Thursday, July 20, from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Interim Room off the main lobby of the Watervliet hospital, located at 400 Medical Park Drive.

The sale will feature high quality sheet sets in many colors and sizes, blankets, Sherpa throws, quilt sets, bamboo memory pillows, and many other items, all at reasonable prices. Major credit cards will be accepted.

Senior Services

Hartford United Methodist Church

425 E. Main Street

Monday, July 17 Coffee & Conversation, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; LUNCH served at 12:30 p.m.; Cards, 1:00 p.m.; Bingo / Knitting, Crocheting & Quilting, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 18 Coffee & Conversation, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; LUNCH served at 12:30 p.m.; Cards / Euchre / Hand and Foot / Computers / Knitting & Crocheting, 1:30 p.m.

Friday, July 21 Coffee & Conversation, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Tai Chi, 11:30 a.m.; LUNCH served at 12:30 p.m.; Cards / Euchre, 1:30 p.m.

All seniors, age 60 and older, residing in Van Buren County are eligible to participate in these programs and activities.

Any questions or comments, please contact Senior Services Paw Paw office at 269-655-8000. Rides are available through Van Buren Public Transit with no less than 24-hour advance notice at (269) 427-7921.