The Paw Paw River Journal

Time for Decisions When was the last time our country all came together, I mean really came together in a common cause? Most of you can’t answer that because you weren’t born then. It was World War II… and that earth shattering event is now slighted in history books. I can remember, because I was in it. Everybody came together. Even little kids who gathered scrap metal for the war effort. Since then a giant fissure has opened, widened, and it divides America. Oh, there was a time right after 9/11 when I thought we were all going to pull together as one. But it didn’t last. And now is getting worse than ever. Can nothing make us happy? It’s almost like the boy in a very permissive school who sighed one day and said, “Today do we have to do what we want to do?” We have a booming economy, more jobs are available (unemployment is down), we are regaining our reputation as a world power. But has that made us happy? No… just listen to and watch most of the news. Doom and gloom! And a lot of criticism aimed at the man who brought many of these good things to pass. Pres. Donald Trump is an astute businessman! He has made millions, written a bestseller, produced a hit TV show. He knows how to make a deal, and has been doing it on the world stage. I believe we have before us the possibility of reaching greater heights than ever before… and even achieving some semblance of world peace. But there are drawbacks. Liberals don’t like him. And here is where the country is divided. A friend of ours on the more conservative side published something in Facebook that resonated with me. With her permission I have reprinted it below:

“I offer no apology for what I am posting, for this is truly how I feel. This is my opinion, not a debate. If you disagree, or find my position offensive, I’m perfectly fine with that & no, I’m not offended, feel free to unfriend me forthwith. “I have lived through several United States Presidents prior to our current President Trump. In my lifetime, I have never seen nor heard of a president scrutinized over every word he speaks, humiliated by the public to the point of disgrace, slandered, ridiculed, insulted, lied to & beyond common logic, threatened with death, our First Lady disrespected, his children also insulted & humiliated. “I am truly ashamed of the people of MY country. I am ashamed of the ruthless hating, cruel Trump haters who display themselves as to having no pride, morals, ethics nor values for our country’s traditions. Our elders taught us 30, 40+ yrs ago to respect our president, whether we voted for him or not, & all these news stations & reporters who feel they have the right to carry on with blatant lies & say the things they do for a good story. “Every other president before he was elected, that took the oath of office, was left alone, wasn’t on the news 24/7, scrutinized for his every word. ALWAYS BEING PRESSURED to do this or that & never given the time to take care of the important work this country really needs. I know he is not perfect, very different than what we’ve become accustomed to; but ENOUGH is ENOUGH, LEAVE THE MAN ALONE & LET HIM DO HIS JOB!! “None of the other presidents in their times were spotless or perfect either. I want our President Donald Trump to succeed & try to make our America great again!”

The young lady who wrote the foregoing lives out in the mountains of Pennsylvania where we spent so many wonderful vacations. She loves horses and rescues wild animals that have been trapped, orphaned, or otherwise displaced. She has a large heart, and I know she loves our country as most of us do. But something has happened in recent years… a general sickness has pervaded this fair land. Perhaps it started after World War II when we all came back to a new life. But it wasn’t a new life for everybody. Families had gone through the depression and a horrible war. Some of them said, “I don’t want my kids to have to go through what we went through!” They forgot that it’s the fire that tempers steel. We have had a breakdown of the family unit and many other things. Whatever the cause, it’s kind of been downhill ever since. I know there has been a decline in honesty. Just think about road rage. We never used to hear about that. The breakdown of the family unit… oh, so many things. I can remember when it was unthinkable to lie under oath! In our modern world it is done routinely. Now someone has come along who says, “I’m going to fix what is broken about America!” To many people, Donald Trump is that person. He’s not perfect… personally, I wish he would cut down on the tweets! He goes out to the hinterlands and draws crowds of thousands and thousands. They like what he says and he feeds on their approval. Back in the day we didn’t know what a newscaster’s private political preference was. The greatest one I can remember is Walter Cronkite. Many people never knew he was a dyed in the wool liberal. That didn’t count! Because he didn’t let it count! Compare that to many news people today who lie and slant the news, almost always against Trump. They are squeaking mice running around the feet of giants. I fear for our grandchildren and successive generations. Will this America be here like it has always been? I can’t imagine a life in which we would not be weaving golden threads into the tapestry of these storybook towns along the Paw Paw River!

Watervliet District Library Paranormal Investigations Oct. 23 – 6:30 p.m. Venture into the unknown with MiPRO, Michigan Paranormal Research Organization. The group seeks explanation to unknown or unusual events that occur throughout the southwestern corner of Michigan. Pinteresting Oct. 29, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Arts & crafts for grown-ups held the last Monday of the month. Sign-up required; Oct – Wood slice winter snow decorations. Story Hours Picture books, crafts and fun designed to inspire the love of reading for children ages 3 – 5 on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Book a Social Work Intern Thanks to an LSTA grant through the Niles Library, Watervliet Library will have a shared intern. Need help with on-line applications, unemployment or housing, the intern can help. Call 463-6382 with questions on any Watervliet Library activity.

Coloma Library News Book Sale The annual Fall Book Sale will be Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Browse the great selection of gently used books, DVDs, magazines, puzzles, etc. for affordable prices. The book sale takes place in the library’s lower level. The library will remain open for regular business during the sale. Local children’s author visit Come see local author Chrissy Meek read her newly released book “The Magic Puppy” on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. in the Library’s Children Section. Chrissy will be selling and signing copies of her book at this event. Book Club The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “The Baker’s Secret” by Stephen P. Kiernan. Call 468-3431 with questions on any Coloma Library activity.

NEWS FROM THE COLOMA COURIER

100 years ago – 1918 The death of Dr. Wakeman Ryno occurred quite suddenly. He had been preparing to make calls when he was stricken with heart trouble. Dr. Wakeman practiced medicine for nineteen years, conducted a drugstore and owned considerable property at Paw Paw Lake. The spread of the Spanish influenza has been so rapid steps are being taken to stop the spreading of it. All gathering places are closed by order of the state health department. Until further notice, theatres, billiard rooms, churches, schools and meetings are closed. 60 years ago – 1958 The Courier’s “Giv-A-Way” contest resulted in a large number of responses to the quiz. What’s more, every person had the correct answer. Thank you, Chuck’s Gulf service, Paw Paw Street, for sponsoring this week’s quiz. The second major section of the Detroit-Chicago expressway is being talked about. The first section, near Carmody, currently is under construction. Grace Neff Brett, former student of Coloma, has just had an historical junior novel published. “The Runaway” covers the period from 1787 to 1800 and is concerned with land pirates around the east coast. 30 years ago – 1988 The 1988 Maxine Brule Award was presented to Dr. James Galles. Hospital Chairman of the Board Peter DeGroot presented the award in front of a maximum crowd. We Asked You… Who would make a better President, Bush or Dukakis? Children’s responses: Todd Chaput: “Bush, – Republicans make life better for you than Democrats do.” Andy Osborne: “Bush – He has a lot more experience.” Denny Palgen: “Bush – He’s honest and I think he would be a great leader.” The Coloma Elementary PTO is sponsoring its annual Halloween Fun Fair. All are welcome to this community event. 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 Hundreds of people gathered in the Pere Marquette railroad yards in Hartford to view the government war exhibit train. Three flat cars were loaded with captured German cannon, machine guns, ammunition wagons, a part of a wrecked German airplane and similar interesting trophies. The local crowd was disappointed in the failure of the managers of the train to open a camouflaged box car said to contain hundreds of other interesting trophies. Upon arrival of the train it was announced that the car would be opened as soon as the addresses of the speakers were completed. The train departed without the car being opened maybe because darkness had overtaken the exhibit. 75 years ago – 1943 Jarold Hoekstra, director of the USO in Kalamazoo, was guest speaker at a meeting of the Hartford Woman’s Club at the home of Mrs. Nellie Smith Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 19. He gave a general history of the USO, told its aims, and recounted the many services it renders to our boys in the armed forces. During the club’s business meeting, Mrs. Walter Markillie offered her car to participate in the parade on Nov. 11, Armistice Day, when the honor roll for servicemen will be dedicated. The car will represent the Hartford Woman’s Club. Members of the Philharmonic Club of Hartford gathered at the home of the president, Mrs. Floyd Lammon, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 13, for the first meeting of the season. Tentative plans were made for the club’s participation in the ceremonies incident to the dedication of the honor roll in Ely Park on Armistice Day, Nov.11. 50 years ago – 1968 Playing the role of Sparky, the Dalmatian dog that is the symbol of Fire Prevention Week, Randy Pitcher rode atop Hartford’s newest fire truck in the annual parade Saturday that climaxed Fire Prevention Week at Hartford. Kindergarten children in four classes got a close view of the truck Thursday, when firemen took it to two schools, along with a fire prevention message. The Hartford Garden Club will meet on Friday, Oct. 18 at the home of Mrs. Lois Cook. Sarah Pitcher will give a report on “Trees, Shrubs and Vines”. 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 Mr. and Mrs. Merwin Disbrow are the proud parents of a little daughter, Mabel, born Oct. 28, 1928. Jesse James has been having some improvements made to his residence property on Paw Paw Avenue. He had the front porch enclosed with glass, city water installed, and will have the house wired for electric lights. John Hammel has been doing the carpenter work. A six and one-half pound son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Hathaway of this city on Oct. 27, 1928. 60 years ago – 1958 Robert M. Shane, Watervliet, is among new students enrolling at Tri-State College, Angola, Indiana at the opening of the fall quarter. Paul Pflugradt has been promoted to the rank of corporal. Paul expects to be in Watervliet on leave the first of November. Marine Cpl. Richard A. Long, Watervliet, serving with the First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, CA, is participating in an 18-day field firing exercise at the Marine Corps Base, Twenty-nine Palms CA. 30 years ago – 1988 Margaret Hannon, a new sixth-grade student to Watervliet and North School came from La Puente CA. Marti enjoys reading, swimming and skating. When asked what she likes about Watervliet, Marti responded with, “It’s pretty!” and, “I like the countryside and farms.” Steven Pratt and Ann McGee are part of a group of sixth-graders at St. Joseph Catholic School who take 35 minutes each week to work with the first grade class on special projects. The sixth-graders represent students who didn’t choose to take band but wanted to use the 35-minute period to help another class. Mrs. Jody Maher, sixth-grade teacher, initiated the project with first-grade teacher Linda Harrison. Jeff Little, a theatre major from Watervliet, will appear in Western Michigan University’s season opener, “Anything Goes”. The University Theatre production is directed by WMU Theatre faculty member Lydia Stillwell and will open the 1988-89 Mainstage Season. 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