Tom & Lois Jordan 50th Wedding Anniversary

 On August 27, 2016, Tom and Lois Jordan of Coloma celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren rejoicing in the goodness of God who has faithfully blessed them throughout their lives together. A trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana is planned for later in the year.  In honor of their anniversary, they have sent KJV Expositor’s Study Bibles to the Armed Forces, First Responders, and to prisoners, as well as to pastors and missionaries in Africa.  Tom Jordan and the former Lois Schlender were married August 27, 1966 at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph.  Their children are Toney (Kathy) Jordan of Watervliet and Andy (Me1isa) Jordan of Coloma. They have three grandchildren: Roger, Courtney and Thomas.  Tom served in the Michigan National Guard and worked at Industrial Rubber before being employed at Gast Manufacturing where he retired after 43 years. Lois worked as a secretary/ administrative assistant in government, educational, medical and financial fields before becoming an author. She wrote for both the Herald-Palladium and the Tri-City Record until retirement. Currently, she volunteers at Woodland Terrace in Coloma.

Miss and Mr. Coloma informational meeting

  Young women and men interested in entering Blossomtime’s Miss and Mr. Coloma pageant can attend an informational meeting at 1 p.m. for Miss and at 3 p.m. for Mr. on Sunday, September 18 at the Coloma Township Hall, 4919 Paw Paw Lake Road.  The meeting will include information for the contest and a Fashion Show by Memories Bridal & Evening Wear in Kalamazoo.  Contestants must be 17-20 years old and be accompanied to the meeting by a parent or guardian. The Miss and Mr. Coloma pageant will be January 7, 2017 at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center in Benton Township. For more information, please call Doreen Hess 269-468-4020.

Hartman/Winnell Engagement

 Jennifer Hartman and Jason Winnell are planning an October 1, 2016 wedding. They will be married at Sister Lakes Community Church, officiated by Pastor Scott Stambaugh. Hartman, the daughter of Mitchel and Michele Hartman of Watervliet graduated from Watervliet in 2012 and KVCC in 2016. Her fiancé, the son of Mark Winnell and Dawn Winnell is a 2007 graduate of Watervliet. Jason is currently an electrician apprentice. Attending the bride will be Gabby Hopkins of Decatur; best friend and maid of honor. Flower girl and ring bearer are Jason’s children, Aubrey Winnell and Brody Winnell. A reception will be held at Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club. Following the ceremony the couple will reside in Watervliet.

North Berrien Senior Center Services

 Wednesday, September 21 commodities recertification from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Friday, September 23 Fall Fling Dance from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 27 free eyeglasses adjustments with Bud Steinhoff from 11:00 a.m. to noon.

Friday, September 30 potluck and Bingo starting at noon. Bring a dish to pass and a new, $3 minimum, prize.

The center is located at 6648 Ryno Road, Coloma. Their hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Call 269-468-3366 for more information.

Heritage Day set at VB county museum

 The Van Buren County Historical Society will present Heritage Day, Sunday September 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Van Buren County Historical Museum, 58471 Red Arrow Highway, Hartford. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students and children under five are free. Parking is free.  This year’s demonstrations include corn shelling, spinning, weaving, pottery and woodworking plus others. Music will fill the air with “vintage” LPs from a huge collection and the LPs will be for sale, come and take your favorite home.  Antique tractors will be on display along with a 1954 police car. Abe Lincoln will give his outlook on the political situation of the 1860s.  Antique toy tractors and solders will be on display and for sale. The Sea Cadets will be lending a hand, come and talk to these remarkable young men.  Quality Crafts will be for sale.  Motor Mouth food truck will be on site along with homemade bake goods by the piece in the museum’s kitchen. Be sure to stop into the museum’s General Store and take home some baked goods for later. Also in the kitchen area watch funnel cakes being made, they are for sale along with homemade fudge.  Ricardo Slaye, Antique Appraiser will offer his expertise on antiques; first appraisal will be $10, with $5 for each additional item up to four.  Mr. Slaye will also accept clear, sharp photos of large items, like furniture. He will be in the basement level on the west side of museum which is handicapped accessible.  In addition to all the outside activity, the 44 room museum, which was the county poor farm until 1952, will be open for all to see at no additional cost. The site is nearly all handicapped accessible, with the use of chair lifts and the barrier free west side entrance.  Regular museum hours are Wednesday, Friday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.  Archival research is done on Wednesdays with advanced appointment, a small fee applies.  For more information call the museum at 269-621-2188.   Anyone interested in being a vendor may call Roylinda at 269-569-1639.

PARKing Day in Watervliet

By Kristy Noack

Downtown Watervliet will be bustling Friday, September 16 as business owners transform parking spaces along Main Street into mini parks and areas of recreation. PARKing Day was created in 2005 in San Francisco with the intent to bring awareness to the lack of green space in that city. From there, the idea took off and is celebrated every third Friday in September in cities across the world. Watervliet first participated in PARKing day last year. With the help of Wightman and Associates of Benton Harbor, this year’s event will be bigger and better. Spaces in front of Watervliet Hardware, G.W. Jones Bank, Flower Basket, Kaden Photography, Back on the Rack, Robert Michael Salon, and the Watervliet District Library will become sites for art, lounging and relaxation, games, and sites for pedestrians to comment on the good things the city offers as well as issues they would like addressed. Radio station, 97.5 Y-Country will be downtown conducting a live remote during the event. And, Wightman and Associates will anchor a table collecting comments from residents and visitors alike. PARKing Day is part of Watervliet Downtown Development Authority to improve its understanding of what individuals would like to see in their community. Be sure to stop out Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Come participate in a fun event downtown!

Soup and Salad Fundraiser Dinner

 The Senior Services of Van Buren County are having a Soup and Salad Fundraiser Dinner Friday, September 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The dinner is being held at Freshwater, 600 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw. The menu includes a variety of soups, fresh salad, breads and desserts. Donations are appreciated with the proceeds to the help the Friends for Seniors Campaign.

Hartford Library News

 Join us at the Hartford Public Library on Saturday, September 17 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for an “Ice Cream Social”. Parents may sign-up during this event for the “1,000 Books before Kindergarten” program offered for children ages 0 to 5 years. At registration a reading log will be given out. For every 50 books, the child will receive a prize.  Our new program starting on Thursday, September 22 at 10:30 a.m. is the “Tiny Tots Lego Storytime”. The program is a story and play time geared for children 4 years old or younger. Toddlers and babies are welcome. This program is every Thursday during the school year.  Family Lego Night will begin on Wednesday, September 21 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; bring the whole family and create together.  Our Adult Coloring program is the second and fourth Tuesday every month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone can drop-in and experience the relaxing effect coloring has on everyday stress. Supplies provided or bring your own.  Our first “MakerSpace Monday” will be October 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; great projects for adults and children.