The Paw Paw River Journal

February 6, 1985 The fast lane When we travel the Interstates, I usually ask truckers on the C.B. radio where the good restaurants are. They know them all, and sometimes will recommend a place because of the girls that work there. But I make it clear that I am interested in food. Marion and I were traveling down through Indiana on 31 and I had just passed an 18 wheeler… I called him on the radio and asked if he knew of any good restaurants south of us. He replied, “Yeah, there’s a 76 truck stop about 35 miles ahead. They’ve got a salad bar so big you can dive in it and do the back stroke.” I thanked him, and then he said, “Say, that’s a nice looking gal you’ve got there with you.” “Thanks,” I said. “She’s my better half, and she’s so sweet that when I order coffee, I don’t put any sugar in it. I just have her stir it with her finger.” He laughed, and said, “And I’ll bet I now who has all the money in your family.” This past November The Gold Dust Twins and I were traveling north on 1-75 in Georgia. We passed a huge rig, and then he passed us. Marion and Wilma both waved at him and Marion said, “He really looks like a nice guy – clean cut and he has a nice smile.” We started talking to him and I told him that my handle is Double D. He said his is the Country Gentleman. After we chattered back and forth for awhile, he said, “You know, Double D, you have about one too many girls in there.” I answered. “One is my better half; the other one is my sister.” He thought on that for awhile, and then came back, “I’ll bet sometimes they come at you from all directions. Why don’t you stop up here and let me buy you some coffee?” “I’d like to, Country Gentleman, but we have to be in Murfreesboro for dinner tonight with some friends. Otherwise we would – and our thanks too.” He was disappointed, but we really did have to get to Tennessee, where our friends were expecting us. I wish I could go back again, and he would buy us pie and coffee and we would enjoy it very much. Next time we get near Atlanta, I’m going to be listening for the Country Gentleman and ask him if the offer is still open. The next time you are out on the freeway, if you don’t want the professional drivers to swear at you, or worse, don’t putz along in the fast lane. They are probably very busy grabbing gears, so stay out of their way. They may be tired, behind schedule, and a few of them may even be all pilled up. They are mostly great guys, and they do what they do for a living. As one of them said to a lady friend of ours in Ann Arbor, “Next time you are walking along the street, and an 18 wheeler pulls his air horn and gives you a blast, don’t be indignant. Smile, wave back at him, and if you can, give it a little shake. He won’t stop the truck and get out and molest you. And you will make his day!”

Watervliet District Library News Hours of operation Watervliet District Library is open by appointment and for walk-ins Monday – Saturday, 10-2, with evening hours on Monday and Wednesday, 4-7. Curbside services continue, and are available during those times. Upcoming events Fandom Fest, the Southwest Michigan library collaboration that celebrates pop culture, is holding a virtual cosplay contest, Oct. 7 – 21. Contestants are invited to share an image of themselves along with contact details to the group’s email address, fanfestswmi.marketing @gmail.com, by the 21st. Photos will then be posted for online voting; the picture with the most “likes” will win a $100 gift card to Blick Art Materials. Check the library’s Facebook page or Fandom Fest SW Michigan, also on Facebook. WDL’s Packet Projects feature teens this week, (middle school & high school). Kits contain everything needed to make a moveable paper skull, and can be picked up any time during the library’s hours of operation. Check out the library’s Facebook page to view project examples. Supplies are limited; sign up to reserve a kit by contacting the library at 269-463-6382, info@wdlib.org or by message through Facebook. Kits can be picked up curbside, too. Packets for the following week will focus on Pinteresting projects for adults. “Story Time in a Bag” kits are ready for check-out. Each kit contains a book, craft and puppets or toys. Kits can be checked out for two weeks. Subject theme Book Bundles are also available, perfect for at-home learners or for kids interested in a particular subject. Book Bundles include info & work sheets, just for fun.

Coloma Public Library News Library Service Updates Coloma Public Library is open. Hours are Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for curbside service only. For safety, masks and social distancing are required. Reach us at 269-468-3431, through Facebook Messenger, or readcoloma@gmail.com. Fall Craft Kits Fall craft kits are available for pick-up via curbside while supplies last. Kits are suitable for PreK as well as school-age children. Register to vote online Do you need to register to vote online? If you aren’t sure how, your friendly Coloma Library staff can help. Free online tutoring Tutor.com provides online tutoring, homework help, and test preparation for kindergarten through 12th grade, 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. Contact the library for more information. Little Free Carts The Little Free Carts are still outside for patrons who want to browse and select materials without coming into the building. On rainy days, the carts are in the lobby which remains open and unlocked during Library hours of operation. Materials are swapped out regularly. “Check out” what’s there and grab a freebie or two!

Memorial Service followed by Hartford comm. center dedication A Memorial Service for Bonna Vanderlyn of Hartford is being held on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Bonna passed away on May 5, 2020. The service is being conducted at the Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main. Following the Memorial Service will be a Dedication & Ribbon Cutting for the Arthur and Bonna Vanderlyn Community Center / Hartford Public Library at 3 p.m. in the community rooms at 12 Church St., Hartford. Please R.S.V.P to hartfordlib@yahoo.com or (269) 621-3408.

1966 photo of performers on a platform with Boy Scouts in the background holding flags. The performance could possibly be “Chips Fell in the Valley” performed specially for the Benton Harbor Centennial Celebration. Is the man on the right Walter Miller? North Berrien Historical Museum would love to hear from you. Contact us at 269-468-3330, info@northberrienhistory.org. From the photo collection at the North Berrien Historical Museum 300 Coloma Avenue, Coloma

NEWS FROM THE COLOMA COURIER

100 years ago – 1920 August Frick is about the busiest man in Coloma. After he performs his daily duties at Scott’s drug store, he chases down automobile traffic violators and such as deputy sheriff. As if this isn’t enough, he has taken on the job of game warden. Relief for Colomans, finally! The cities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor have adopted Standard Time. They will now do Daylight Saving Time, as we do. The nuisance of getting to the city before 5 has been eliminated. 60 years ago – 1960 The Coloma Parent Teacher Association is jubilant over the success of their county fair. The event was held at the school auditorium with 500 persons in attendance. PTA women “manned” many booths while the “Sisters of the Skillet” prepared the bean supper. The Faulkner 5 to $1 stores will observe their 25th anniversary. A dinner at Strong’s restaurant starts the celebrations. Sales in the store, orchids and gifts for customers, and donuts served from the sidewalk are planned throughout the week. The Lions club will meet at the Rose Inn. Jerry Jollay will talk on his experiences while in Holland under the exchange student program. 30 years ago – 1990 Homecoming King Anthony Gage and Queen Amber Miller were crowned at Friday’s football game. Ground-breaking took place for the Coloma F.O.P. Youth Sports Park concession stand. The Paw Paw Lake Rotary is donating all funds. Students participating in the Russian Connection, a pen pal exchange program, visit Jolly Orchards. American Halloween traditions were puzzling, but with help from their hosts they soon enjoyed the activities. Tala Medical Center – Red Arrow Hwy. Dr. David E. Moss, Practice of Chiropractic. Samuel L. Roda, M.D. Family Physician Winners of the candy sale at Coloma Middle School are: Laura Wall and Gina Williams. Submitted by volunteer Sandi Musick Munchow at Coloma Public Library from the Coloma Courier newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record. Hours: Mon-Fri 12-6; Curbside Service only, Sat 10-2. Phone: 269-468-3431

NEWS FROM THE HARTFORD DAY SPRING

100 years ago – 1920 Teitsworth & Richter sold three houses: J.P. Thomas house on Maple Street, recently purchased by Mrs. Fannie Simmons, was sold to Arthur Staley; O.A. Linnereau house, known as the A. Schliech property, on Wendall Avenue was sold to Mrs. Fannie Simmons; Miss Marcella Goodspeed house on Michigan Avenue was sold to Benedyk Rodzon, who will be connected with Hartford’s new foundry enterprise. Hartford’s new foundry building for the use of the Lunblad Foundry Company is completed and if electric power for the required motors is made available the foundry will be ready to start within two weeks with a force of twenty-five men. Mr. and Mrs. Luke Conklin are returning home to Hartford. They will take up residence on the Conklin homestead southeast of town, now occupied by his son, Chauncey Conklin. Mr. Conklin was the first white child born in Hartford Township. 75 years ago – 1945 Eight Hartford servicemen have been discharged from the armed forces. Six of them, 1st Lt. Paul Richter Jr., 1st Lt. Harold Jack Leach, T-Sgt. Tobert Taggert, Lt. Verl Taylor, T-Sgt. Richard Brown and Capt. Thomas Pollard, all were released from the Air Force. Richter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Richter Sr., a member of the Ninth Air Force stationed for eight months in England flew 56 combat missions as a bombardier on B-26 and A-20 bombers. He was awarded the air medal with 10 oak leaf clusters and the European theater ribbon with three battle stars. Leach was awarded the air medal with two oak clusters and the Philippine liberation and Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbons with one battle star. Taggert was a gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber; he took part in 58 combat missions while serving with the 15th Air Force in Africa and Italy. 50 years ago – 1970 The Modern Mother’s club will meet at the home of Mrs. Bruce Dowd with Mrs. James Walter as co-hostess. Formal initiation will be held for Mrs. John G. Smith. The elementary school kindergarten class won the Hartford Fire Department coloring contest for fire prevention week. Hartford Fire Chief Harold Walker Jr. presented the class with their prizes. Submitted by Librarian Stephanie Daniels at Hartford Public Library from microfilm copies of the Hartford Day Spring. The Hartford Public Library is now open at 12 Church St. New hours are: Mon 10am-6pm; Tue-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-2pm. Phone: 269-621-3408

NEWS FROM THE WATERVLIET RECORD

90 years ago – 1930 Lewis Drug Store Gun Sale – any gun in the store at less than wholesale price: New Remington Automatic – Retail $56.75, Sale $45.75; Savage featherweight 30-30 – Retail $69.50, Sale $45.00; Remington Automatic 22 rifle – Retail $27.50, Sale $22.50; Double barrel hammerless shot gun – Retail $26.75, Sale $15.65. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Disbrow of Lewis Street on Oct. 23, 1930. Nelson Brothers will have cars at your service on Election Day. No matter how you vote. The transportation is furnished free. 60 years ago – 1960 The Watervliet Boy Scout Drum and Bugle Corp. will march in the Western Michigan University Homecoming Parade on Oct. 22, 1960. All members of the Bugle Corp are to come in full uniform with bugles shined. Bring a sack lunch. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gernaat, East St. Joseph Street, became the parents of a girl, Debra Sue, on Oct. 13, 1960. The baby weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce and is their first child. Miss Marilyn Scheid, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Scheid of Forest Beach Road, was among those recently pledged to Kappa Delta National Sorority at Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin. 30 years ago – 1990 Each month students from the 5th, 6th and 7th grade are selected to work with a core group to plan student activities for that month. To help facilitate this student representative program and to provide effective leadership, the core group is participating in a leadership series led by Middle School Counselor Mrs. Jacque Bolinger and sponsor Mrs. Cheryl Haley. Emphasis is placed on the concept that positive leadership is a choice and stresses topics such as the art of listening, creating a positive and accepting school atmosphere and ways to select activities that can involve all students. The faculty and staff of Watervliet High School congratulates senior Ben Chabot for being selected “Student of the Week”. Ben is a two-sport letter winner, playing varsity basketball and baseball for the Panthers. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has been selected as the DAR Outstanding History Student. 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