07-19-2018 Tri-City Area History Page

The Paw Paw River Journal

Advice to writers How did I get interested in writing? I grew up reading the old Hartford Day Spring, and Editor Don Cochrane’s trenchant and pithy columns. I taught writing and literature for years. And after my Chief Accountant and I retired and moved back to Hartford, I started writing in earnest. Since then I have a shelf of more than 125 journals, four books, and almost 2,000 columns. Yes, I still enjoy it, and that same Chief Accountant looks on my almost constant scribbling with appreciation and love. She says it keeps me out of the pool rooms and other dens of iniquity! But this lady also serves another important purpose in my writing career. For illustration let me go to the Autobiography of Mark Twain. The man who invented Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn from his boyhood days on the Mississippi River is considered to be one of our greatest writers. And you know the old saying: “Behind every great man there is a woman nagging him on!” Well, that may be an exaggeration, but in his autobiography, Mark Twain quotes his small daughter, Susie, after being asked by a reporter if she knew what her famous father did for a living. She replied, “Yes, Papa writes books, and Mama ex-pur-gates them!” My Webster’s says that to expurgate means to remove objectionable sections from a written manuscript. Now I would not have the cheek to compare myself to that great man, but my Chief Accountant is always willing to listen whilst I read to her something I have written. Thus I pass through her filter the stories that wind up in this newspaper. And occasionally she has said, “Bud… do you really think you ought to say that?” I do respect her judgment. Thus my belief that a writer should have a sounding board… someone of whom he or she can bounce ideas. Some people may be able to write in solitude with no feedback, but I’m just not one of them. When I was teaching in Ann Arbor, I had a friend who was a published poet (God rest his soul). I was pleased when he told me that he liked to bounce ideas off my mind… helped to crystallize his poems if he could talk about them to someone. On the other hand, I’ve known people whom I thought could be terrific writers… but they liked to talk about their ideas so much they really didn’t get many of them down on paper. One friend of ours here in Hartford said he had a real history of our home town in the planning. When I asked him how much of it he had written, he tapped his forehead and said, “I’ve got it all right up here!” Then he was stricken with a fatal heart attack… it was still in there. More than thirty five years ago I began my servitude as an ink-stained wretch down at The Tri-City Record, in a manner of speaking. This publication has a long and illustrious history. Karl and Annie Bayer wanted to own a small town paper… and here was one for sale. So they moved to Watervliet. I started writing a feature column for them, and the rest is history! Every week I turned in a typed column, and Bonnie Bannen or one of the other girls retyped it and set it up as a dummy paper to be turned into newsprint. Then I got my first computer, and Karl went to computer typesetting. That meant I could send in my copy as an email attachment, and they turned it right into a computer page of the newspaper. I could even scan and send a picture if I wished to use one with the column. Now this was more like downtown! And I’m sure it simplified getting the paper out every week. Back in the day when I was a teacher and began a class, first day of the semester some of my opening remarks were on the necessity of getting ideas down on paper. I would always say, “Starting a new semester is exciting… I never know when I’m going to have a great writer or scientist who is just at the start of his or her career. Why… in one of these classes there may be another Ernest Hemingway, Jonas Salk, Albert Schweitzer, or Martin Luther King Jr.” At this juncture the students would be rolling their eyes at each other and wondering… is he kidding us? But you know, that made them all hustle a little more. And I had students who went on to illustrious careers. I don’t mean to say it was because of me… no, the promise was already there. Hope I nudged it along a little! Even to this day I have readers / friends who are in interested in writing. I try to encourage them in any way I can. By this time I’m sure you’ve figured out that I love the written word. I’m still teaching writing, and I’d do a seminar in a phone booth on that! I’ve had students who went on with their writing, and students who did not. One other remark I always made to my classes was… “The difference between a writer and a non-writer is that the writer writes!” That means putting pen to paper… or fingers to keyboard. And it is what I have been doing for years in this storybook town along the Paw Paw River… for better, or worse!

Coloma Library News Spoon Man performance Come and get “SPOONED” at the Coloma Public Library on Friday, July 27 at 10:30 a.m. The “Spoon Man” is a published author who offers a hilarious interactive comedy program for all ages. He gives a real stirring performance. Everyone will really eat him up. No bibs required. The “Spoon Man” has a totally clean act. He never uses dirty silverware. The “Spoon Man” will leave a lasting impression after playing on you (literally). It’s a spoonful of family fun. Libraries Rock! The Coloma Public Library presents “Libraries Rock” during their summer library program. Sign up today! The 2018 Summer Reading Program is open to all young people. There will be programs, prize drawings, storytimes, a reading club, and more for the whole family. Check the library’s website at www.colomapubliclibrary.net for information on upcoming programs. All programs are free of charge. Story Hour Story Hour meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Toddlers and preschoolers are invited to hear a story, make a craft and sing a song with Miss Amy. There is no sign-up or fee required. It is asked that all children be supervised by an adult during Story Hour. Book Club The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting on Thursday, July 26 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “Between Shades of Grey” by Ruta Sepetys. Call 468-3431 with questions on any Coloma library activity.

Watervliet District Library News Hopie Jo Live @ the Library Thursday, July 26, 7 p.m. Hope Thomas, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and ukulelist, brings her unique brand of alternative folk to the Watervliet Library. Vocals as smooth as silk and sweet acoustics make Hopie Jo’s performance a musical treat! Summer Reading Program July 19 Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo July 26 Ice Cream Party Pinteresting Monday, July 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Arts & Craft for Grown-ups: This month – Distressed Wood Flag Volunteer Nothing looks better on a resume! Best times to help out: Mondays & Thursdays, program times. Stop by to pick up a form. Library Garden Park Purchase a Legacy Walk brick and celebrate a memory! Bricks are $75; 13 characters, 2 lines. Pick up a form at the library. Yoga Monday 9 – 10 a.m.; Wed 7 – 8 p.m.; Chair Yoga – Wed 6:00 – 6:45 p.m.

NEWS FROM THE COLOMA COURIER

100 years ago – 1918 Fred Fogleberg was hoeing beans in his field when he toppled over. His uncle hurriedly went to his assistance, but death had overtaken him. The victim was 72 years of age and had never married. Don’t send fruits or perishable food products to soldiers. The postmasters have been directed to refuse parcels containing perishable articles. Keep the flies off your stock with Fly Skoot. All sizes at Scott’s. –Adv. 60 years ago – 1958 Building has sky rocketed, Inspector Glenn Randall reports. Twelve permits have been issued. Building of the Sewage Treatment Tank has begun. Pearson Construction is tackling the project. Wakeman Ryno has been awarded the job of grading and graveling in preparation for a parking lot. It is located on Logan Street, east of the business district. Children of migrant agricultural workers are benefiting from a Vacation Bible School at the First Congregational Church. The girls’ Quarter Notes of Coloma High School will sing over WKZO-TV, Kalamazoo. They are Connie Schreiber, Janice Carters, Pat Randall and Sharon Hand. Little Leaguers will continue the diamond competition with games at Riverside and Washington School. 30 years ago – 1988 Representatives from Coloma, Watervliet and Hartford met to discuss the possibility of a joint tri-city ambulance service. Advantages include pooling equipment, vehicles and volunteers. Janice Groendyk of LaSalle Federal Savings and Carol Malich, Classic Car Show Chairman, display the official 1988 Glad-Peach Flag. New board members for Coloma Community Schools are: Walter Arny, Jerry Jollay and Blaine Olney. Re-elected were: Jean Chandler, Norma Somers, Kay Erickson, and Charles Nelson. Items to be placed on the agenda may be requested by contacting the superintendent. Olney was named representative to the Berrien/Cass School Board Association. Submitted by volunteer Sandi Musick Munchow at Coloma Public Library from the Coloma Courier newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record. Hours: Mon & Fri, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Tue, Wed & Thu, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Sat, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Phone: 269-468-3431

NEWS FROM THE HARTFORD DAY SPRING

100 years ago – 1918 Hartford proprietors of public eating houses are relieved by the new food rules effective Monday, which will permit the serving of beef at one meal per day, either at midday or at the evening meal. The new rule also forbids the placing of any receptacle containing sugar on the table or counter or otherwise within reach of the customer. Hartford’s new siren fire alarm is now installed, thoroughly tested and its shrill shriek will not be heard in the future except when the fire demon is to be subdued. An immediate fire alarm can now be turned in by calling the local telephone office and giving them the location of the fire. 75 years ago – 1943 The Hartford Garden Club met at the home of Mrs. Dora Harper on Friday afternoon, July 16. A family picnic will be held August 20th instead of the annual flower show scheduled for that date. Warren J. Clark, Hartford businessman for nearly three decades, announced this week that he would close his meat market for the duration. This is the second Hartford business concern to close until after the war; Chamberlin’s hardware having locked its door several months ago. 50 years ago – 1968 Two portable classrooms were installed last week behind the north grade school at Hartford. One is the property of the Federal government and the other belongs to the Van Buren Intermediate School District. They were brought in to provide space for special programs and to be used for sixth grade classes. Cheerleaders from Hartford High School were rated tops in their division in competition completing a one week course at a cheerleading camp at Syracuse, Indiana. Members of the squad are Sheri Peters, Linda Falkner, Ruth Ann Ulrath, Linda Bulat, Sherry Smith and Carol Reinhart. Some 350 cheerleaders from all over the country took part in the program, which included instruction in new cheers, pom-pom routines and tumbling information.

Submitted by Librarian Stephanie Daniels at Hartford Public Library from microfilm copies of the Hartford Day Spring. Hours: Mon, Tue & Wed, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thu & Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: 269-621-3408

NEWS FROM THE WATERVLIET RECORD

90 years ago – 1928 It was with deep regret that the people of Watervliet and vicinity received confirmation from Rev. Joseph J. Lahey that he was to leave the local parish over which he has officiated as pastor for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Watervliet for over ten years. Father Lahey came to Watervliet from Otsego in 1917 and celebrated his first mass and preached his first sermon in St. Joseph’s Church. Several hundred people attended a farewell reception and party for him, held in the High School Auditorium. William Brooks is making an improvement on his farm in North Watervliet by building a new granary. Lon Rouse of Watervliet is doing the work. 60 years ago – 1958 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Flaherty are the proud parents of their baby girl born July 16, 1958. This is the 5th child and second girl in the family. Specialist Third Class James Brock, recently won a driver proficiency contest conducted by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Regensburg, Germany. Specialist Brock, a member of the regiment’s Company 1, entered the army in November 1955. The 20-year-old soldier attended WHS. Thirty scouts of Troop 61 returned from a week at Camp Madron with their scoutmasters Helweg and Myrseth. There were nine advancements to Second Class rank, one First Class, one Star Rank. Twelve scouts completed work and received the famous “Bronze M” merit badge. Seven scouts stayed over for another week, five of these should complete all work for First Class rank. 30 years ago – 1988 Thelan Paulk, a Watervliet resident, announces the release of his first book, “Poems for Patriots, Pilgrims and Pioneers.” He has published his poetry, articles and cartoons in newsletters and Christian publications across the United States and abroad. Veteran police officer and former chief of the Watervliet Police Department, Victor Bianchi has retired after 34 years of service.

Submitted by Sally Q. Gonzalez from files at Watervliet District Library of the Watervliet Record newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record. Hours: Mon & Wed, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tue, Thu & Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Phone: 269-463-6382