HARTFORD

100 years ago – 1916

 It will be lawful to use ferrets in hunting rabbits in Hartford Township when the rabbit hunting season opens next Sunday. Under state law the use of ferrets in hunting rabbits is prohibited but various townships have the right to vote on the proposition at a general election and if a majority of voters favor the use of ferrets they may be used. The open meeting of the Hartford Woman’s club held yesterday was very interesting and well attended. Miss Mamie Howes gave a solo, “April Blossoms” with “Song of Chimes” as the encore. Mrs. Edna Danieus acted as accompanist. Mrs. Chamberlin gave a talk on Jennie June, founder and for years president and founder of the general federation. Mrs. Heald spoke of the work of the W.C.T.U. and urged club women to help roll up a big dry vote in Van Buren County.

75 years ago – 1941

 Last Thursday’s windstorm, which reached tornado proportions for a little more than one minute in Hartford, bowled over several shade trees in the village and along rural highways, while lawns about town were littered with broken tree limbs and branches.  Attacked as he essayed the role of peacemaker when a roughneck from a carnival company at the fair started a melee in Chamberlin’s Drug Store last night, James Knight, is confined to his south Center Street home today with a blackened eye and cuts about the face.  The carnival hanger-on, who apparently had been drinking, took a seat at the drug store fountain and was insulting and abusive to the ladies in charge of the fountain. Rex Chamberlin, proprietor of the store, sought to quiet the stranger, but was greeted by a blow from the fellow’s fist. At that juncture, Mr. Knight, a bystander, interposed with the advice “I wouldn’t start anything here.” The stranger’s reply was a series of blows at Mr. Knight’s face. The carnival bad man was arrested and taken to the county jail.

50 years ago – 1966

 Rodney Dale Winkel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arden C. Winkel, has recently won admission to the honors college at Michigan State University. Miss Karen Drake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Drake, has been enrolled as a freshman at Taylor University at Upland, IN.  Some 60 trailers owned by members of the Blossomland chapter of the Midwest Travel Trailer club spent the weekend at Melody Ranch Park north of Hartford. About 250 persons attended the camp.

WATERVLIET

90 Years Ago – 1926

 A carload of paper that was being switched into the yards of the Watervliet Paper Company derailed on October 12, 1926, when the trucks struck some loose brick on the track. The car of stock partly overturned and a work crew had to be sent here with jacks and other equipment to get it back on the rails. The only damage was to the railroad equipment. George Ray has completed during the week of October 15, 1926, a sidewalk improvement in front of the McKenney Auto Service station on St. Joseph St., raising the walk which will do away with a bad condition in wet weather. Mayor F. W. Brown of this city, who by virtue of this office is also a member of the county Board of Supervisors, is not satisfied with the Forest Beach section of the new Watervliet road improvement that is practically completed and he registered a vigorous kick at the session of the board. The county road commission promised to give the road a careful inspection before it is accepted. The surface of road is rough and unfinished in appearance.

60 years ago – 1956

 Mr. and Mrs. Bert Robbins quietly celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary at their home on Elm Street on October 3, 1956. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ketchum are the proud parents of their baby girl, Terry Lee, born September 27, 1956 and weighed in at 7 pounds 13-1/2 ounces. Specialist Clark D. Shimmer, 19, was recently promoted to specialist third class while a member of the 11th Airborne Division in Germany. Clark is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Shimer, Watervliet.

30 years ago – 1986

 The 1986 Watervliet Homecoming Queen and King were Miss Carla Horton and Mr. Troy McKinney.  Linda Anderson, a sophomore at Central Michigan University, is a member of the Army ROTC rifle team there. She is a 1984 WHS graduate.  Patrick Doyle is proud of the first-place finish for the junior class in the October 1, 1986, WHS Homecoming float competition.

COLOMA

100 years ago – 1916

 The practice of packing choicest fruit on top, decayed fruit and even leaves in the bottom has diminished. Consumers are, once again, seeking out Berrien County fruit. Rev. Reed of St. Joseph, former pastor of the African M.E. church, will speak at the Methodist church. He is appointed to do missionary work. The Robinson Cider Vinegar & Pickle Factory is now ready to receive cider apples.

60 years ago – 1956

 Sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. James Eubanks and Mr. and Mrs. George Wheaton. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Wooley. Her name is Nancy Colleen. The evening show “Water Wonderland Varieties of 1956” will showcase a duet with baton twirlers Gyl Johnson and Sonie Rogers.  Many hurdles to overcome before Coloma receives federal aid towards the sewage disposal plant.  Serving on the student council for Coloma High School are Carol Albertson, President; Garry McDaniels, Vice Pres.; Vicki Smith, Secretary; and Sharon VanRysqyk, Treasurer. Victor Wier is the advisor.  Attend the annual Chop Suey fall festival at the Methodist Church.

30 years ago – 1986

 The Coloma Area Chamber of Commerce planted flowers along the I-94 interchange. Gary Hammarstrom, Shirley Eggermont, Art Kutchinsky, Deanna Hemminger and Carl Oehling are among the planting detail.  The Joint Fire Board agree on the railroad property for the new station. They will present the plan to the Township Trustees and City Commissioners.   The Crazy Quilters Quilt Club Quilt Show will take place at Coloma High School. The quilt raffle proceeds will go to the W. L. Alwood Chapter of the National Honor Society.  Stewart B. Frank is Coloma’s new postmaster. His wife, Vicki, is employed at Watervliet Post Office.  Nancy’s Furniture: Free sheet set with purchase of waterbed.

Paw Paw River Journal

Advice on giving advice

 It’s true!  Old people like to give advice to the world at large and anyone who will listen.  The reason is that we have lived all these years, and we think it is a shame to waste the accumulated knowledge and experience that’s crowding our brains.  I try not to do it too much, because it gets to be so tedious for other people.  And younger folks are often surprised when I turn the tables and ask them for some advice.  Case in point… we were vacationing in Florida one year.  A good friend of mine, Bud Colman, had flown down to visit us for a few days.  We went all out to entertain him, and we took him out to dinner in my new old car.  Daughter Laurie had found it for us over in Ft. Lauderdale, and we were having fun tooling around in the sunshine.  At a nice restaurant we had a most agreeable young man as our server, and we enjoyed joking back and forth with him.  I said to him, “How about some advice?”  “Go ahead,” he replied, “lay it on me!”  “No,” I said, “I mean I’d like to get some advice!”  Now the young man was all ears.  “This friend of mine is down here visiting us, and he wants to go cruising tonight on my new wheels.  But my wife wants us to stay home with her!  What should I do?”  The nice young man thought a moment and said, “Why don’t you stay home with your wife until midnight… then you can go out cruising with your friend.”  The Chief Accountant feigning shock and indignation said, “Well, you just blew a big tip!”  And we were all laughing.  She knew I’d never leave her behind for a party!  The young man was discomfited for a moment, but when he realized we were joking, joined in the merriment.  So… about advice!  Here comes a little!  And if you don’t mind, it might even help younger people on the long and twisted road of life!  One of the best things I did in college was to establish study habits. I never really knew how to do that in high school.  When I first started classes at Western, I noticed a lot of the guys spent valuable time trying to develop ways to outsmart the system, such as… crib notes written on the palm of their hand for a test, etc.  (Of course, that doesn’t work when you have to write an impromptu essay)  I sat down and had a good think about that.  And I decided if I couldn’t make it on my own brain power, I really didn’t deserve to make it at all.  Not only did that decision clear my mind, it made for easier decisions.  If I didn’t study enough for a test… I just paid the price.  And, I must admit, I was not an all A undergraduate student.  But what I did was mine!  The other thing: a friend of mine… a veteran wearing pieces of uniform, as we all did.  But he was always trying to have fun and sneak out of school work. A nice guy and I really liked him.  But he’d say, “Hey, Bud, let’s skip this class and go play pool at the Union.  I feel lucky today… I could really whip you!”  And I’d say, “Ahhhh, some other day… we can’t miss this lecture!”  I was like a mother hen, but trying not to be obvious.  Then when we’d get into class, he’d say, “Hey, let’s sit in the back row… maybe we can catch a few Zs!”  And I’d say, “No, we’re going to sit right in the front row and soak it all in!” I sound like a real goody-two shoes, don’t I!  Next semester my friend had a long face.  We compared our schedules and he said with some embarrassment, “Oh, yes, I found out I’m on probation… what do you think about that?”  I commiserated with him and we went on to our respective classes.  That was the last time we talked.  Semester after that he was no longer there… and I have never seen him since.  That was a good lesson for me.  But lest I sound too virtuous… I am not perfect.  What happened to him was a life’s lesson!  Perhaps that’s enough for one time.  Whatever you get honestly is yours for all time.  I know, I know, none of us is perfect.  And that doesn’t matter.  I’m afraid that perfection would be boring.  Just try to be better than you have been.  Guess even that could be bad if you carry it too far!  If there is a slim chance that you are one of those persons who is trying to be perfect… next time there is an election for Master of the Universe… don’t bother to run.  Those people are not much fun either.  We should just try to leave these story book towns where we live a little better place than they were before we came.  If we do that, we will have woven some golden threads into the tapestry that is our lives along the Paw Paw River.

Coloma Library News

Story Hour

Story Hour meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the library. Story Hour is for preschool aged children- join Miss Amy for a story, craft and song time. It is asked that all children be supervised by an adult. Story Hour is a free program and no registration is required. We look forward to seeing you there.

Book Club

The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting for a book discussion on Thursday, October 13 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “Fall of Marigolds” by Susan Meissner.  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. If you are interested in more information please stop in the library or call 468-3431.

Watervliet District Library News

 We welcome our new director, Sharon Crotser-Toy. Come by the library and say hello.  Buy a brick from the Watervliet District Library as a legacy gift to honor the cherished people in your life. Help create a new Garden Park for our community.  Toddler Time – 30 minute class every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.  Story Hour – will begin Wednesdays on Oct 5 at 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays on Oct 6 at 1:30 p.m. Bring your children ages 3 to 5 for fun and educational times; stories, show and tell, and songs and games.  Yoga – Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm and 9:00 am every Monday. Adult Coloring Night – last Monday of each month.  If you are interested in having another class on handling your smart phones, laptops or other mobile devices – let us know. Call the library at (269)463-6382 or come in.

Paw Paw Lake Association meeting

 The Paw Paw Lake Association will have its last meeting of 2016 on Saturday, October 1 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Watervliet Charter Township Hall.