09-03-2020 Tri-City Area History Page

The Paw Paw River Journal

January 23, 1985 Hartford is a state of mind My father came in off a muck farm south of Bangor, with a few hundred dollars, and built his greenhouses on Linden Street. He met and married my mother, who had moved out to Hartford from Joliet, Illinois, with her parents. Their early struggles to get started in the greenhouse business must have been heroic. In later years they never complained about those times or the loss of their first child. My parents were florists at that location for over 30 years and, in 1946, when they sold the business and retired, they still had thousands of dollars on the books, owed for long forgotten birthdays, weddings and funerals. They never had the heart to dun people for money and I guess owing the florist was a little like owing the doctor, dentist, or even the undertaker back in those days after the need was past, those bills were not the first to be paid. At the center of Maple Hill Cemetery on high ground, my sister, Wilma, and I came with our father in the 1930s to plant flower beds for some of Hartford’s best known families. We sat on the great stone seat of the Warren monument, dangled our feet, and looked at the town spread out to the north. Recently I sat on that bench again. It is much smaller now than it was back then. When I walk along Main Street now, it reminds me a little of a news reel of World War II. Buildings and people gone, but then I talk with some of the old timers and Hartford is alive again. It is in my mind when I talk with old friends about the days when we were kids. It lingers in our home, which was owned by the Mortimers. One of my friends used to cut the lawn here when I was still too young to push a hand mower. Hartford is in our living room, where, as a first grader, I was part of a play presented for one of Mrs. Mortimer’s club meetings. Hartford is in the old school house (long gone) which was located one block east of here. Marion and I bought the Mortimer house in 1956. We still have flowering shrubs which my dad would point out and say, “There’s one Mrs. Mortimer bought from me when I was first struggling to get started. And I know she did it just to help us out.” I treasure those bushes now that their generation is mostly gone. When the huge shrub by our driveway drops its profusion of pink petals on my car, I smile to myself and think of my dad. Now, summers bring the same hot days as when I was a kid. Bill Galbreath, Jim Tollar, Bernarde Thomas and I walked to the grocery store and bought a can of kippered herring for 5 cents. If we were very wealthy, we might also buy a can of pork and beans to take out to Hog Creek and go fishing. If the dam hadn’t gone out, we would swim too, with school and next fall so far off the fine summer would last forever.

Coloma Public Library News Library hours of service

Currently, operating hours for the Coloma Public Library are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. for both curbside and services by appointment. On Saturdays, the library is available for curbside service only from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. To make appointments, email readcoloma@gmail.com, call 269-468-3431, or message staff through Facebook. Mini book sale There is a selection of books and DVDs available for sale in the library lobby. Hardbacks are 25 cents, paperbacks are 10 cents, and DVDs are $1. Get Counted backpacks Coloma Public Library has free stuffed backpacks as well as gift cards for local shops including Dollar General, El Asadero, and Las Mongonadas to give away to families that make an appointment to complete the census at the library. “Let’s get that response rate up, Coloma! This is ongoing until we run out of backpacks and gift cards. Call us for more info today!” says Mary Harrison, Coloma Public Library director. Free online tutoring In support of patron families, the Coloma Public Library now offers Tutor.com. This service provides online academic tutoring, homework help, and test preparation for kindergarten through 12th grade students, plus early college students, and adult learners. Any Coloma Public Library card holder can connect with an expert tutor in a safe and secure online classroom. Call us at 269-468-3431 for more information. Little Free Carts Weather permitting, the Little Free Carts are still outside for patrons who want to browse and select materials without coming into the building. The library also still has the free table in the lobby. Materials are swapped out regularly. “Check out” what’s there and grab a freebie or two!

Watervliet District Library news Guessing game winner

The Eberly family was the lucky winners, and shrewd guessers, of the Watervliet District Library’s Back to School backpack of supplies. Twenty-three entrees were made; the total number of supplies: 176 pens, pencils, crayons, notepads, erasers and other schoolwork necessities. Congratulations! UFO live online event The library has scheduled a program presented by William Konkolesky, the state director of Michigan’s Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), entitled “Best Recent UFO’s”, on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. The event will be held live, via Zoom, and is at no cost to the public. Viewing details will be posted on the library’s Facebook page and website. Library hours Watervliet District Library is open for appointments Monday – Saturday 10-2, and Wednesday evening 4-7. Curbside pick up is available for all of the above hours plus 4-8 on Wednesdays. Requests can be made through Facebook, email info@wdlib.org, or phone 269-463-6382.

County museum to host yard sale The Van Buren County Museum, 58471 Red Arrow Hwy., Hartford will host a community yard sale Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum. Anyone can rent a 10’x10’ outdoor spot for $20, due the day of the event. Sellers need to bring their own table, chair, and canopy. This is a family-friendly event. The Van Buren Historical Society is looking for sellers who have typical yard sale items, crafts, antiques, collectables, small farm tools, etc. There will be food on site to buy. To register for a space, please call the museum at 269-621-2188 and leave a message with name and phone number. A rain date of Saturday, Sept. 26 has been chosen. The museum will be open for everyone’s viewing pleasure.

NEWS FROM THE COLOMA COURIER

100 years ago – 1920 It appears there was very little interest in the primary election. But 201 voters turned out at the voting booth. Almon J. Baker was elected as Representative to the Second District. Vonna Fitzgerald has returned from several weeks acting as escort for a young boys’ camp. He had the time of his life and is as brown as a nut, having spent much time out of doors. When in need of collar buttons or cuff links, see Kittell & DeFields. The Coloma Theatre – Bobby Verman in a crispy comedy entitled “Petticoats and Pants”. While making a trip to Paw Paw Lake, The Ellinee Bus overturned near Locust Beach resort. All escaped without injury. 60 years ago – 1960 The Washington Senators walked away with the championship of the North Berrien Little League. Charley Warman is coach and John Saltzman is manager. All teaching staff will spend a day of pre-school conference planning. Eight staff is new to the district and others will have changed duties. A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. James R. Musick. Her name is Sandra Kay. She is their third child. Mrs. Vernal C. Klitchman enjoyed a visit from her nephew. Tech. Sgt. B.D. Wilkie of the U.S. Air Force stopped in Coloma as he was headed home to Texas. 30 years ago – 1990 They’re back!! Armchair Quarterbacks … Jim Edwards and Nancy Kutchinski are our very own famous and fearless forecasters of the gridiron, always showing good sportsmanship. Adult education classes begin at the North Berrien Adult Education, Pier School location. Call 849-BELL. Coloma Class of 1933 celebrated its 57th reunion. They visited the Middle School, which was their High School. Dinner was served at the Junior High followed by an address by Superintendent Clifford Tallman.

Submitted by volunteer Sandi Musick Munchow at Coloma Public Library from the Coloma Courier newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record. Special Access Services are Mon-Fri 12-6 by appointment; Curbside Service only, Sat 10-2. Phone: 269-468-3431

NEWS FROM THE HARTFORD DAY SPRING

100 years ago – 1920 An alarm last Wednesday afternoon called the fire department to the corner of Maple and Shepard streets where they found a load of hay ablaze. The hay had been hauled to the village by Kay Conolly, residing at the Frank Easton farm southeast of town. The Indian picnic at the Rush Lake Catholic Church northwest of Hartford drew the usual big crowd last Thursday and the Indians netted a fair sum to be added to their fund for remodeling the ancient church. 75 years ago – 1945 A minor fire interrupted the feature at the Heart Theater last night, but Mrs. Lillian Pennell, manager, was unable to determine exact loss because the burned material was stolen soon after its damage. The fire was confined to a curtain hung over the rear exit. The cloth had been laid against some light bulbs by a cleaning woman to clean the doorway earlier in the day. Heat from the bulbs started the curtain smoldering. A freak storm struck Hartford and vicinity breaking tree limbs, interrupting telephone service and damaging some of the peach crop awaiting harvest. The storm gathered quickly in mid-morning, darkening the sky to such an extent that motorists were forced to use lights in driving. The yellowish hue to the clouds raised fears of heavy wind damage, but although the wind which accompanied the storm was high, it was less than expected. Rain fell heavily for a brief period, accompanied by sharp thunder and lightning. Branches were broken off several trees, putting a number of telephone lines out of order. 50 years ago – 1970 The Hartford Fire Department recently purchased a Remington rescue saw. It will be used by the department for ventilation and rescue work and has a variety of blades. It is capable of cutting wood, steel and masonry materials. The Modern Mothers Club donated $100 toward the purchase of the saw. The balance was paid by fire department fund raising projects. It was purchased from Larry Blyly at Riverview Bait and Equipment at his cost. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Hartford broke ground for a new church rectory to be located next to their new church building. The structure will serve a multi-purpose providing space for an office, classrooms and priest’s residence. Submitted by Librarian Stephanie Daniels at Hartford Public Library from microfilm copies of the Hartford Day Spring. The library will be closed through September 7. Phone: 269-621-3408

NEWS FROM THE WATERVLIET RECORD

90 years ago – 1930 Berrien Democrats are given credit for bringing the first state convention of one of the major political parties to Berrien County and elaborate preparations are being made to show the visiting delegates a good time while they are in the Fruit Belt. P.H. Lewis is installing a midget golf course on the lawn on the south side and in the rear of his residence on Main Street. Contract for the construction of the course has been let to F.C. Little of Paw Paw. It will be electric lighted for night playing and will have a standard 18 holes. Lester R. Null, former Physical Director, coach and boxing instructor of Indiana University, is opening a School of Boxing at the Opera House in Watervliet. Mr. Null is well qualified for this work and hopes to enroll enough boys and young men so that it may be a more interesting course. The fee for this course of 12 lessons is $15. It includes boxing, rope skipping, bag punching, calisthenics and methods of training and diet. 60 years ago – 1960 Mr. and Mrs. William Strong are the proud parents of their baby boy, Richard James, born Aug. 26, 1960 and weighed 8 pounds and 11 ounces. Bill Beverly, a member of this year’s graduating class, will enter Kalamazoo College this fall, arriving for the orientation program for new students and will begin classes Sept. 16, 1960. Kienzle Real Estate: For sale in Watervliet – corner lot, city conveniences, $1500; On Harper Avenue, lot 66 x 286 ft, $1,650. 30 years ago – 1990 On her 17th birthday, Sept. 6, 1990, Betty Harkey was notified by high school principal Ken Bannen, that she was WHS’s first “Student of the Week” for the 1990-91 school year. What a special birthday it was for Betty. This year she is taking an independent study class in accounting, expecting to study accounting in college and becoming an accountant. She has also asserted herself by participating in fund raising that generated much needed funds for the Class of 1991. ARTRAIN, the nation’s only museum on a train, is tentatively set to arrive in Watervliet on the track off Main Street, next to The Side Track Restaurant, on Oct. 18 – 21, 1990. This is sponsored by the Watervliet Business Association through the D.D.A.

Submitted by Sally Q. Gonzalez from files at Watervliet District Library of the Watervliet Record newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record. Access hours by appt: Mon-Sat 10-2, Wed 4-7. Curbside service: Mon–Fri 10–2, Wed 4–8 and Sat 12–2 Phone: 269-463-6382