07-20-2017 Dick and Barbara Robinson celebrate 65th Wedding Anniversary; Paranormal investigators at

ROBINSONS CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY… during a weeklong visit in Michigan with their five sons and daughters-in-law. Pictured during the visit are (from the left): Brad Robin-son (Brighton, MI), Dan Robin-son (Fort Myers, FL), Dick and Barbara Robinson (Naples, FL), Craig Robinson (Naples, FL), Andy Robinson (Aurora, CO) and Richard F. Robinson Jr. (Naples, FL).

Dick and Barbara Robinson celebrate 65th Wedding Anniversary

 Instead of the typical biennial family reunion Richard “Dick” Robinson and Barbara Robinson requested that they, along with their five sons and their wives, spend a week in Coloma recognizing their landmark 65th wedding anniversary.  Son Brad, and his wife Cindy, of Brighton, Michigan, located a lakefront 5-bedroom rental home on Paw Paw Lake in Watervliet for the celebration.

Dick Robinson and Barbara LaDage met while attending college at Northwestern University in Chicago and eloped in 1952.  Soon after graduation Dick entered the Army where he served as a radio repairman in Korea during the Korean War.  Barbara moved to Palm Springs, California, to stay with her parents until Dick’s discharge in 1954.

The reunited newlyweds moved to Michigan in 1955 when Dick was hired as a Traffic Supervisor at Whirlpool Corporation in St. Joseph.  Although the Robinsons lived in St. Joseph, they were drawn to the character and beauty of Coloma, especially Paw Paw Lake and the Paw Paw Golf Course.

In 1960 they bought a vacant lakefront lot on Paw Paw Lake.  In 1963 they moved into their dream home on Curtis Drive with their rambunctious five sons: Richard Jr., Craig, Brad, Dan and Andy.  Barbara made sure all five sons attended swimming lessons at the YWCA before their move to the lake.

Over the next 33 years, Dick moved up the corporate ladder becoming Director of Order Processing, Division Vice-President of Physical Distribution, and retiring as Corporate Vice-President of Market Services in 1988.  He was involved with The Blossomland United Way, serving as the General Campaign Chairman in 1985 and then for three years as Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Also, Dick was on the Board of Directors of the Point-O-Woods Country Club for three years.

In the meantime, Barbara taught French at Coloma High School for nearly 20 years and was quite an innovator: establishing the French Club, beginning the annual Mardi Gras dinner, launching the Quiz Bowl tournament, organizing several chaperoned trips to Paris, France for her students, and starting up the Pom Pom Girls (a dance group that performed during halftime of the Varsity basketball games).

Dick and Barbara were active members of the First United Methodist Church in Coloma until 1989 when they moved to Naples, Florida, where they currently live, enjoying golf and volunteering at the First United Methodist Church in Naples.

The family’s celebration in Berrien County included attending church at Coloma Methodist Church, enjoying a pancake breakfast by the Boy Scouts, visiting The Chocolate Garden and Karma Vista Winery, spending time with Coloma friends, dining at the Board of Trade and just riding around and reminiscing.  The highlight was a pontoon boat ride around Paw Paw Lake to view their former home on Curtis Drive and to recall their sons’ escapades while raising them in a wonderfully, charming small town.   Thanks to Bob and Charlene Durfee for the delightful boat ride and your decades-long friendship.

Paranormal investigators at historical museum July 21

 The Van Buren County Historical Museum will sponsor a fund-raiser visit by the PROMI investigators on Friday, July 21 starting at 8 p.m. The group will seek out paranormal activity at the century plus historic building located at 58471 Red Arrow Hwy., Hartford.

The public is invited to attend this event, however pre-registration is required and reservations may be made by calling 269-621-2546.  The cost is $20 per person and may be paid at the door. On event day the cost is $25 if there is space available. Participants are required to bring a flashlight and to wear comfortable shoes.

The site’s history dates back to 1880s when the county’s poor and indigent population did not have the benefit of a social support system.  The Poor Farm operated until 1952 and in 1972 the Historical Society leased the building from the county and started a 44-room museum.

Museum hours are Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from noon-5 p.m. Wednesday is research day, call 269-621-2188. The museum is run by volunteers. Join the current volunteers and have some fun.

PAW PAW LAKE ROTARY CLUB… held its installation of new officers for 2017-2018 year at Point O’ Woods Golf and Country Club. Pictured are (from the left): Ronald Clark, Treasurer; David Moss, out-going President; Robert Becker, incoming President; Larry Hehl, Secretary; Jordon Ness, President Elect.

Coloma Township sets public hearing for Little Paw Paw Lake Clean up District

By Annette Christie

The Coloma Township Board took action at its July 12 meeting that will set into motion a special assessment district for the purpose of keeping Little Paw Paw Lake in good condition. The current special assessment district is ending and this is basically a renewal but with a few minor differences.

Coloma Township Trustee Bryan Duffield (also a resident of Little Paw Paw Lake) said that the assessment will go up a little bit from $197 to $238 per residence per year, but said that a lot more is involved in this district than previously. Duffield said that they were able to complete enough in the first four years of the first special assessment that they didn’t need to collect the final year of assessment. Duffield said that they have had zero opposition from the residents.

The resolution that the board approved sets up a public hearing at the August meeting and then the next one in September. This will be a 20-year district but every four years they will re-visit the plan with no change to the boundaries. The first public hearing will be held at the August 9 meeting at 7:00 p.m., right at the beginning of the meeting.

At last month’s meeting the Coloma Township Board agreed to contribute to the Little Paw Paw Lake Special Assessment District such as they do with the Paw Paw Lake Special Assessment District. The board agreed to contribute $1,500.

In other business, resident Warren Tyler inquired about Kelly Drain and when the work would be completed. Supervisor Ken Parrigin said they contacted the Drain Commissioner and it is on the agenda and the work is planning to be completed. Tyler said that the notice they received in the mail said that the project was going to be done sometime between June 29 and July 31. Tyler said they haven’t even started it and the timeframe is almost half gone. Parrigin said the Drain Commissioner’s office told the township today that the work had been let but the contractor is backed up and that is why it is delayed. Parrigin said they now expect that it will not be finished until the end of August.

The board approved its annual $2,000 donation to the Glad-Peach Festival that is coming up the first weekend in August.

The board also approved a special land use permit as requested from Krenek RV, following the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Treasurer Jim Fulton (who also sits on the Planning Commission) said that Krenek has agreed to either put down crushed aggregate or asphalt the new area that falls under the permit.

Rory Bell provided a Sanitation Report to the board. Bell said they are in the first year of their SAW Grant and that all of the structures have been mapped and assessed. “We got a good rating and we are in pretty good shape,” Bell said. He did state that there are 63 manholes out of 537 that they could not find. He said they are in the process of re-locating them all and bringing them all up to grade.

Bell discussed Lift Station #1 which recently had a valve failure that flooded the station. “We were able to get it back up and running that night,” Bell said. He added that the township’s insurance will cover most of the emergency costs involved.

Parrigin commended Bell for his work with the recent lift station failure. “Had Rory not been on the ball like he always is, I can’t even imagine how much this would have cost with the backups,” Parrigin said. Beaudoin Electric and Bulkema were also commended for their quick response.

North Berrien Historical Museum to have Voyageur Life! kids program July 26

 On Wednesday, July 26 from 1-3 p.m., the North Berrien Historical Museum will host a free kids Summer Time Traveler program about the voyageurs of the fur trade.

Rewind the clocks 300 years and step into the profitable age of the fur trade! Learn about the impressive voyageurs who braved the Great Lakes waterways to deliver trade goods to the trading posts and transport the animal furs back to Montreal! Participants can experience voyageur life by hopping in a replica voyageur canoe, grabbing a paddle and setting off on an interactive, imaginary journey led by Sarett Naturalist Rob Pearce. Other activities include: signing a contract with a fur company (using a quill of course!), using maps to find the route to the trading post and back, tasting voyageur foods, and more! This program is designed for ages 6-12 and their families.

In August the museum is hosting a STEM Camp on Sailing. Students in grades 6 and up are invited to come to the museum on August 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 10 a.m. – noon to learn about the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) that power sailboats. Each of these fun and educational sessions are free and follow U.S. Sailing’s STEM Curriculum. Registration is required by July 31. Stop by the museum or call (269) 468-3330 to register.

Senior Services

Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main Street

Monday, July 24 Coffee & Conversation, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; LUNCH served at 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, Euchre/Cards, Knitting, Crocheting & Quilting at 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 25 Coffee & Conversation, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; LUNCH served at 12:30 p.m.; Euchre/Cards, Hand and Foot, Computers, Knitting and Crocheting at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, July 28 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.