09-27-2018 Tri-City Area History Page

The Paw Paw River Journal

Owning our mistakes If some guy ever tells you he never made a mistake, either he’s lying or he’s a fool. We all make mistakes. It’s part of being human. And it’s never very easy to admit what we’ve done wrong, even to ourselves! We seem to have an infinite capacity for deceiving ourselves… just easier that way. But our whole philosophy is based on the idea that there are absolute truths, unbending forever ideas… shining examples. And we know they are there even if we fall short of sticking to them. Our present civilization got that from the ancient Greeks. Way back before Christ (B.C.)… several hundred years in fact, there lived a great thinker. His name was Plato. He had a teacher, or perhaps he invented him, named Socrates. Plato wrote a lot about Socrates’ ideas (or perhaps his disguised). This was in the city state of Athens, located in Greece. On his ideas down through the ages we have come to base our whole system of what is right and wrong, how to live our lives. For instance, Plato says we know what is right because somewhere there are absolute truths. We know what a chair should look like… Four legs, seat, back… because somewhere there exists the perfect chair. It is real, and because it is real we know what it should look like. So it is with ideas. Somewhere the perfect Truth lies, and we know when what we say and do falls short of what should be. In opposition to Plato’s philosophy a group called the Sophists taught a different way all together. They were teachers and lawyers, and their aim was to show students not what was right and wrong, but how to win arguments and make money! Sound familiar? Sure, same old song today. The Sophists said that truth begins and ends with the individual and how he feels. Boy, oh, boy, does that sound familiar? So many people now feel they are the center of the universe. How did we get this way? I don’t know… At one time God and the family were the center. No longer. Is anyone steering the boat? Is anyone driving this car full of people? I don’t think God left us, I think we left God. But that’s a story for another time. Perhaps the Sophists made more of an impression on civilization for all time then we realize. We have a lot of that philosophy around now. In fact, I worried about sometime (in my own teaching) falling into that trap. I tried to teach my students there are absolute truths and show them by example. Now I don’t want to sound like a goody-two shoes… Remember, I said nobody’s perfect! If I could use a personal example, I know I’m a better person for my association with the woman in my life for all these years now. She has always chosen for us a better way, a more humane way to live our lives. I know where it came from… It came from her mom, Minnie Kling. Oh, I learned a lot from her dad too. And my folks taught me the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Around the corner and down the road from their farm lived in elderly lady, Grandma Taylor, she was a friendly old body and had been alone for many years. Mom Kling said one day to Marion and her sister, Dolores, when they were little girls, “Grandma Taylor just loves to make elderberry jam… Why don’t you go out and pick a pan full from the wild bush and take them down to her.” The girls did, and Marion remembers how tickled that elderly lady was. She had them sit at the big dining room table and gave them each a sugar cookie with a raisin in the center. Marion has never forgotten it. Well, that was Mom Kling’s style. And it has survived with the way Marion wants us to live our lives. Not a bad thing, and as I said, her influence has made me better than I might have been otherwise. When I was younger I was not quite so introspective. Somehow from this end of the line things look different. When I look back on life, I can remember vividly things that happened… And I think to myself, I wish I had known more then. But as the Persian poet Omar Khayyam said, “The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on. Nor all your piety nor all your wit can lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it.” So, Sports Fans, what is already written in the great book of life is there for all time. If we could only remember that when we’re young, we might not make some of the mistakes that all of us have made. There is another factor now… People are posting things that go into that great cloud forever. Some young people have put things online that will embarrass them horribly… how about later on when they apply for a job? “Experience keeps a dear (expensive) school, but fools will learn in no other and scarcely in that.” How much of a fool are we being as we weave more threads into the golden tapestry of our lives in these storybook towns along the Paw Paw River?

Watervliet District Library News Book a Social Work Intern! Starting Oct. 1, thanks to an LSTA grant through the Niles Library, the Watervliet Library will have a shared intern. The intern can help library patrons with questions or problems they may have with on-line applications, unemployment or housing. Children’s Programs Oct. – Apr. Sensory Bin Blast on the second Tuesday every month, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. for 0 to 5 year-olds and families. Story Hours on Wednesdays 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Picture books, crafts and fun designed to inspire the love of reading for ages 3 – 5. Make-it Monday: Oct. 8, 4-5 p.m. Hands-on craft projects and games for K thru 6th graders second Monday of every month. Oct 8 – Candy Corn Catapult Lego Club: Oct 2, 4-5 p.m. Held on the first Tuesday of the month. 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.; Wednesday 7 – 8 p.m.; Chair Yoga – Wednesday 6 – 6:30 p.m. Call 463-6382 with questions on any Watervliet Library activity.

Coloma Library News When Mark Twain Came to Michigan The Coloma Public Library is pleased to be hosting the award winning Father/Son team – Al and Dave Eicher – on Tuesday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. The Eichers have produced 25 television documentaries on Michigan town histories and events. They will be presenting the program “When Mark Twain Came to Michigan” which focuses on the colorful period in Samuel Clemons life when he took the name, Mark Twain and visited Michigan during his World Tour. This is a multimedia presentation with over 150 photos, and examines Twain’s personal diary that provides interesting comments about the St. Clair Flats and sites along the way to Mackinac Island and other parts of Michigan. Book Club The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting on Thursday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land” by Monica Hesse. Story Hour Story Hour meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Amy for a story, song and craft time. Story Hour is geared towards older toddlers and preschool-aged children. It is asked that all children be supervised by an adult. Call 468-3431 with questions on any Coloma Library activity.

NEWS FROM THE COLOMA COURIER

100 years ago – 1918 The quota for Coloma Township for the Fourth Liberty Loan has been fixed at $55,000. What amount of bond are you going to buy on Volunteer Day? This is our way of fighting at home just as our boys are fighting “over there.” After purchases are completed, The Courier will print this roll of honor. The Coloma Theatre – Peggy Hyland in “Debt of Honor,” and an Official War Review – Adults 15 cents, war tax 2 cents. Children 5 cents 60 years ago – 1958 Mrs. James Galles is the new president of the Berrien County Medical Society auxiliary. A dinner with the doctors and their wives preceded the ceremony. The Coloma High School marching band will make its first home appearance at the Decatur-Coloma football game on McDaniels field. Director George Smart announces the 54 member band will be led by Drum Major Douglas Lombard. Pierson Construction Company, Saginaw, started work on the five-mile sector of the Detroit-Chicago expressway. Fruit orchards and high hills will be dozed to make way for the highway. This four lane divided sector will be completed in 1960. 30 years ago – 1988 The Adult and Community Education consortium held its first graduation ceremony. Several hundred adults from Watervliet, Coloma and Eau Claire participated. Classes are held at Pier School and Coloma High School as well as Watervliet and Eau Claire High schools. The Coloma Comets are preparing for Friday’s Homecoming celebration. “Dress-up Days,” Hall Decoration Contest, Sock Hop and Bonfire are planned activities. The Homecoming parade, football game, crowning of the King and Queen and dance, all on Friday, culminate the week’s celebration. CHEAP FUN! Free Hayride to pick apples, pumpkins, squash and gourds – Jollay Orchards. Open weekends only. Last day is October 31.

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 An alarm of fire called the department to the Bert Dyer residence on Linden Street where sparks from a chimney had ignited the roof, but members of the family succeeded in extinguishing the flames with a lawn hose before the department arrived. W.C. Ferrell of Bloomingdale has purchased the Hartford creamery of Bailey & Mehring. Mr. Ferrell was formerly the owner of the creamery at Bloomingdale and has also served as the successful manager of the enterprise. Mr. Ferrell and family will reside in the Mrs. May Mathews house on Michigan Avenue. The Hartford Woman’s Club held its first meeting of the year on Tuesday with Mrs. Wilkinson presiding. The club voted to adopt a French orphan by providing the cost of its living. 75 years ago – 1943 The Hartford Art Study Club met at the home of Mrs. William Watson. Mrs. Elinora Chamberlin gave a grief talk as a tribute to the late Mrs. Buritt Hamilton of Battle Creek, a former member of the class. Mrs. Mae Deane presented the lesson for the day. The Junior Mother’s Club met at the home of Mrs. Charles Furlan. During the business meeting members agreed to donate 5 dollars to the Mothers of World War II for Christmas gifts for the boys in service. The Mothers of World War II will meet October 6 at the American Legion Hall. Plans for the dedication of the honor roll are being completed, with the date set for Armistice Day, November 22. 50 years ago – 1968 Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Groth are enjoying twin Holstein calves born last week at the Groth farm on Red Arrow Highway east of Hartford. Arrangements have been completed for the Hartford Garden Club to sell UNICEF greeting cards in the Hartford post office lobby. UNICEF, which stands for United Nations Childrens Fund, operated under the auspices of the United Nations and is financed solely through voluntary contributions. Proceeds buy medicine, food and clothing for impoverished children in more than 100 countries. 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 Mrs. Dessie Cripe was pleasantly surprised when eight lady friends met at her home on Main Street to remind her of her birthday anniversary. A very enjoyable evening was spent and the guests left several dainty gifts. Reward of $25 – For reliable information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person who stole the hive of bees from a home at Beechwood Point. At the Rally Day services at M.E. Church, a short program under the direction of Norma Price was rendered. It consisted of a saxophone duet by Gale Patterson and Lee Curtis, recitation by Warren Rogers and a musical reading by Mrs. Arthur Enos. A bouquet was presented to the oldest person present, D. Boyer age 81, one to the youngest, Little Leona Clinard 14 months and one to the largest family, Mr. and Mrs. D. Bauman and family of seven children. 60 years ago – 1958 The Robert B. and Alice Sonnenberg family reunion was held at their farm. Present were their six daughters, and one son and their families with the exception of the son’s wife, who was hospitalized at the time. They have resided on the farm since April 1933 and it is now operated by Mr. Sonnenberg and his only son. Mr. and Mrs. Russell Richmond are the proud parents of their baby girl, Ann Esther, born Sept. 26, 1958 and weighed 8 pounds. 30 years ago – 1988 Tammy Reeves has shown herself to be a conscientious worker in the classroom. She has straight A’s in English grammar and vocabulary while also being one of the primary forces on the varsity cross country team, helping lead our first true ‘team’ to a third-place finish at the Watervliet Invitational meet. North School’s flag football program got underway Oct. 1, 1988 at WHS. Some 60 North School boys and girls are participating on six different teams. Five of the teams are coached by high school varsity football players while the sixth team is headed by a parent.

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