09-28-2017 Tri-City Area History Page

Looking toward Paw Paw Lake, Ellinee on the right

North Berrien Historical Museum is always interested in photos, stories or information sharing.  The museum can be contacted at 269-468-3330 or by email to info@northberrienhistory.org.

From the photo collection at the North Berrien Historical Museum

300 Coloma Avenue, Coloma

The Paw Paw River Journal

Monsters, Inc.

Back in the ancient world, people had a multiplicity of Gods and Goddesses, whereas we now have only one God… at least most of us have, (I think).  Our culture is based on the people who started western civilization, the Greeks and the Romans.  They invented deities for everything in their lives.  Well, they didn’t have scientific explanations for what was unexplainable back then.

A thread running through the stories that survived is that one of the worst sins a person could commit was to take on some of the privileges that belong only to the Gods.  This was called hubris, or pride!  In their stories the tragic hero is brought down because of an inner flaw… hubris!

This belief has persisted clear down into modern times.  What brings down a hero now?  Well, it’s usually pride, or as one rustic philosopher said, “He just got too big for his britches!”   And most of us have seen this happen in real life. Some of the old rules still seem to apply!

One fairly modern version of this story is Frankenstein.  It is about a doctor who wants to create life.  So he creates a human from spare parts stolen from a nearby cemetery by a misshapen crazy assistant who robs the graves for him.

The story was born at a vacation in a Swiss Chalet, where a bunch of dilettantes (writers, artists, and one doctor) went on a vacation.  Now I don’t mean to talk down about them, because the group included some famous people… especially some poets.  They included Lord Byron, and Shelley and his wife, all leading lights in the Romantic Poetry era.

They had a lot of time, and not much to do, so they decided to have a writing contest.  They would all retire to their quarters and compose… then get back together and compare what they had written.  Hands down the winner was Mrs. Shelley.  Mary had this idea about a doctor who decided he would create life.  She called the story Frankenstein, and it was a sensation!  It survived to this day and gave rise to a whole group of monster movies.

If there is anyone who doesn’t know the story, here is a thumbnail sketch!  Dr. Frankenstein (the monster is just called “the monster”) has a crazy assistant who steals the body parts for him.  In a nearby lab they know there are two brains preserved for study.  One is the brain of a normal person, the other the brain of a maniac.  Well, the assistant gets them mixed up and unknowingly steals the brain of the insane person.  Aha, the plot thickens!

The original movie, Frankenstein, is a classic; and if you have never seen it, you might want to rent a copy.  Just don’t watch it alone and late at night!!!!!  It’s that good!  One of the most emotional moments in the film comes when Dr. Frankenstein and his assistant have the monster all assembled.  They send him up into a tower, lying on a gurney, to be struck by lightning in a thunderstorm, hoping that will bring him to life.

The lightning does strike, and they bring him back down anxiously checking him for signs of life.  There he lies; covered by a sheet, iron bar sticking out of his neck on both sides where the head was attached to the body.  Then they see one hand start to twitch.  The doctor shouts, “IT’S ALIVE!  IT’S ALIVE!”

You know what happens next!  Or if you don’t I will not spoil the story.  It’s enough to say that the monster turns on his creator, escapes, and wreaks havoc on the countryside.  Well, we can see here that Mary Shelley wrote more wisely than she perhaps realized.  And she created the beginning of a whole bunch of monster films… Bride of Frankenstein, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, etc, etc.

To me some of them border on the ridiculous.  Except for one:  Gene Wilder made a film titled, Young Frankenstein.  It takes place when the doctor is a young man, and he insists that his name be pronounced Fronkensteeen!  It is played for laughs, and in one scene he comes to a castle door carrying a bedraggled but beautiful young maiden.  He looks at the pair of huge ornaments on the massive door and exclaims, “What a pair of knockers!”

The girl replies demurely, “Thank you!”

Later in the story the monster becomes part of a song and dance team, and it is hilarious to see their act done to the tune, “Putting on the Ritz!”  I’m sure that Mary Shelley would be horrified to see what has become of her story!

And now to bring this to full circle; I’m not sure how perceptive Mary Shelley was when she wrote the story so long ago.  Perhaps she was wiser than she knew.  She hit on one of the classic plot lines of all time… what happens when a mere mortal man takes on the privileges that belong only to God or, in their time the Gods and Goddesses.

She has all the elements in her slender novel.  Foreshadowing… we know that Dr. Frankenstein’s experiment is not going to end well.  He believes he can be Godlike and create life!  It will turn on him!  It is not for us humans to create life artificially, or to take it away!  If we do, something bad will happen!

As I end this there is an awful temptation to hitch on a moral tag.  But I’m not going to do it!  Let me just say that I don’t believe all the rules have changed!  And we are making mistakes.  But we try and try again as we weave golden threads into the tapestry of our lives in these storybook towns along the Paw Paw River!

Coloma Library News

Story Hour

Story Hour meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Amy for a craft, story and song time! Story Hour is for older toddlers and preschool-aged children. It is asked that all children be accompanied and supervised by an adult. There is no sign-up or fee required. Please call 468-3431 with any questions.

Book Club

The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting on Thursday, September 28 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase” by Louise Walters.  Generally, depending on demand there are titles available for check-out at the front desk. The book club regularly meets every other Thursday and is always looking for new members. Call 468-3431 with any questions.

Baby and Me

The library will be offering a Baby and Me program on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. beginning on October 13 and continuing through November 17. This program is for babies, young toddlers and their parents/caregivers. Join Miss Holly for a short story, interactive play and songs as well as an opportunity to introduce babies to the library. If you have any questions please call the library at 468-3431.

Watervliet District Library News

Banned Books – Month of September

Calling all Reading Rebels: Celebrate your freedom to read all month long and snap a photo to prove it! Our photo booth awaits you!

September is: Library Card sign-up month!

Sign up or renew your card during the month of September to be entered into our drawing for awesome library bling.

Teen Table Projects: September

A button maker is on the table all this month. Bring in your art or make it here and wear home your thoughts, talents & opinions.

Toddler Time – Sep thru Nov – Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Early literacy stories and games, designed to build pre-reading skills for little ones 18 – 36 months. Lots of fun for everyone! No registration is required for this drop-in program.

Red Cross Pillowcase Project – Sept 30 – 1:30 p.m.

Teaches children coping skills to help them deal with an emergency, using three steps – Learn, Practice and Share. Recommended for children in grades 3 through 5 (ages 8 to 11). Sign-up is required for this free program; call us or stop by to register.

LEGO Club – Oct 3 – 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Thanks to many generous donors, we now have a wonderful assortment of LEGO bricks to share! Builders of all ages are invited to join, held the first Tuesday of every month. No registration required.

Yoga

Monday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m.; Wednesday evenings, 7 – 8 p.m.; Wednesday evenings from 6:00 till 6:45 p.m., Chair Yoga

Coming Soon

Story Hour – Oct. thru Apr. – one hour class on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

COLOMA

100 years ago – 1917

Leaving for the National Army at Camp Custer are: Roy Leedy, Arthur Clarke, Carroll Grant, Lawrence Grice, Edward King, Andrew Steinbrook, John Irving Arney and Charles Dodd.

A head-on collision between a passenger and freight train occurred, resulting in several injuries and one death. The trains were near the curve east of the Riverside station.

A stray calf was taken up by John E. Johnson. The owner may recover the property by describing the calf and paying for this advertisement.

60 years ago – 1957

Construction on the Pentecostal Revival Center collapsed. Members are busy rebuilding their new church after this disappointing turn of events.

The Coloma Courier will begin a teen-ager’s column. Julia Stansfield, a Coloma high school junior, will write the weekly article.

Fred Carter, father of Roger Carter, celebrated his 83rd birthday. A steak supper and home movies were the treat of the evening.

The Washington district Girl Scouts are in need of Brownie Scout leaders. Training is available for interested adults.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Feller will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. A reception will be held at the Coloma Township Hall.

30 years ago – 1987

Junior high faculty showed up for class in historical costume. The dress-up was celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Constitution. Students also were in costume. The event was organized by teachers Marie Bailey and Mary Alice Hettig.

We Asked You… What significance did the papal visit have on American Catholics? Julie Pupedis thinks it matters that he showed an interest in American Catholics.

Coloma School Board adopted an eligibility policy for extracurricular activities. A student must have a GPA of 1.7 or better to participate and may not fail more than one subject to remain eligible. Coach Richard Becht acted as spokesman.

HARTFORD

100 years ago – 1917

An important business deal was negotiated Monday when Wm. M. Traver and Ned Cook purchased the George W. Kime cement factory on Hilliard Street, together with the vacant lots extending to Center Street. In the spring they plan to expand and include a line of agricultural implements, threshing machinery, tractors and other farm equipment.

The Hartford Schools will be closed on Wednesday and also on Thursday and Friday afternoons of next week, to enable the students to attend the county fair.

75 years ago – 1942

In an effort to assist farmers in this section with the fruit harvest, Supt. B.W. Robinson of the Hartford School announced this week that children are being allowed an excuse from classes for the purpose of working on the farm if the request is made by the parents.

Bring your metal and rubber junk to the 1942 Van Buren County fair and throw it into the victory scrap pile. Yours and your neighbor’s thrown into the heap at the fair can be made a sizable junk pile during the week-long show.

The strange disappearance of Fred Jillson, well-known Hartford resident, was believed to have been solved this week after police had completed a thorough investigation of the facts concerning his disappearance and finding an unidentified body in the Benton Harbor canal.

50 years ago – 1967

Marine Corporal Albino Reyna Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Albino Reyna Sr., has been awarded the Navy Commendation medal for his heroic actions with “B” company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine division when an enemy ambush struck at the point element of Cpl. Reyna’s patrol. According to his citation, Cpl. Reyna’s highly accurate fire caused the attacking enemy to break contact and flee.

Marine Pvt. 1-C James E. Honea, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Honea, was recently awarded the Purple Heart for the second time. He was wounded on Sep. 5 when his company was ambushed by a whole battalion of Viet Cong. His injuries were in the arm and leg by scrap metal. His parents received word that his condition is good and he is now stationed at Camp Evans, Vietnam.

WATERVLIET

90 years ago – 1927

Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Horton and sons Dwight and Francis, Watervliet, made a trip to Oregon, Wisconsin. They made the trip in a new Chevrolet Coach bought from Nelson Bros. The cost for gasoline and oil on the trip was just 1 cent a mile.

Mr. and Mrs. John Frank of this city are the parents of a nine pound son, born, Oct 9, 1927. His name is John Henry.

Advertised on Oct 14, 1927: Creamery Butter .47; 9 lbs. Sweet Potatoes .25; 10 pounds Sugar .67; Campbell’s pork & beans 3/.25

60 years ago – 1957

The Watervliet Fire Department has had a long and honorable career. It is unique in many respects, one of which that its 18 regular firemen all carry advance Red Cross first aid cards as is also true of many of the 11 auxiliary firemen. More First Aid cards are held by our fire department than any other in the State of Michigan as of Oct 1957.

The Annapolis Chapel Choir honored Midshipman Otto Helweg, 1st classman by electing him president of the group for the 1957-58 season. Director Gilley stated that the honor was well deserved, Helweg being one of the most faithful performers in his four years with the choir.

Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Wagg are the proud parents of their baby girl, Pamela Ann, born Sep. 28, 1957 and weighed 8 pounds 11-1/2 ounces.

30 years ago – 1987

William Gregor Jr. was appointed to Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager for the Hastings Mutual Insurance Company. He has several years of underwriting experience prior to joining Hastings Mutual. Mr. Gregor graduated from WHS in 1972.

Fourteen-year-old freshman, Heidi Lewerenz, is Watervliet’s ‘Student of the Week.’ The third and youngest of three children, Heidi finds great satisfaction from her membership in the high school band, pompom team, musicals, variety shows, school plays and flag corps. Outside of school, her energy, artistic and performing instinct find outlet in dance class.

Mary Spessard of Watervliet has recently assumed the presidency of the Michigan Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). The council’s principle purpose is the advancement of the education of exceptional children and youth-both gifted and handicapped. The 2,000 plus membership across the state is comprised of administrators, teachers and parents of exceptional children.