10-19-2017 Tri-City Area History Page

Central Station, Coloma

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

Let’s get legal!

 When the Chief Accountant and I were just a couple of young pups, starting out on this life-long adventure, we knew little of what would happen.  We were beginning our life together, and we were lucky to have parents who had weathered the storms!  Not that we usually came right out and asked for advice.  No, we would get it obliquely, sort of sideways and sometimes getting it when we hadn’t really asked.

We lived in a couple of places back then, one of which was not equipped with indoor plumbing.  You know… four rooms and a path!  But we were learning.  And we were lucky to have a friend in the legal profession.  Bob Colman was one of the Colman family we had known forever.  He and brother Jim were both attorneys.   Bob was a high school classmate of Marion’s, and he and I were students at Western Michigan University together.  In fact, his wife, Shirley, and I started our teaching careers together in the old Watervliet school system.

He helped us with IRS problems and advice when we were buying real estate.  One time we were in his office, and Marion and Bob had our income tax stuff spread out all over a table in the conference room.  He always said that helping us with our return was good practice for doing his own!  They didn’t need me, so I wandered around, inspecting the leased paintings on the walls of the office.  An attractive young lady sitting at the reception desk looked at me quizzically, so I said, “You’re probably wondering why I am wandering around out here while they are figuring out our income tax!”

She said, “Yeah, I sort of was.”

“Well,” I said, “My wife and I have this arrangement.  It’s always been 50-50 with us.  I make the money, and she spends it!”

The girl thought a moment, then said, “You know, that’s just the kind of a deal I’ve been looking for!”

Somewhere along in our middle years we got some advice I’ve never forgotten.  Someone in financial circles told us always to have people around us who are younger… doctor, dentist, banker, financial advisor, attorney, etc.  That way they will always be there for you through the years.  Hah!  In our life together we have gone through five or six  doctors, five dentists, four bankers, a couple of financial advisors, and are on our fifth attorney… not because we or they were unhappy with our relationship, but by our moving around, or having them move elsewhere… and just the passage of time.  A few are gone from this world, like our friend Bob Colman.

One attorney we met in Florida we never had do any work or us… he was a criminal defense lawyer.  We never had occasion to need his services, fortunately!  It happened when we were vacationing in the Ft. Myers area.  We spent a lot of time on Sanibel and Captiva islands, because Marion loved to walk the beach and find shells.  And we had a favorite restaurant called Timmy’s Nook.

Started by one of the pioneers named Timmy (of course), it was not a fancy place, but the food was excellent.  Our waitress told us the bulletin board hanging in the bar area was to cover some bullet holes in the wall from a Saturday night argument amongst some of the old timers!

I had a common bond with Bob, the dining room manager… we both loved old cars.  He had a historic Pontiac GTO and so did I.  Florida is a Mecca for old car buffs.  There are a gazillion shade tree mechanics down there, and old cars don’t rust out.  No winter salt on the highways!  We met one guy over in Ft. Lauderdale who had an assembly line on which he restored nothing but old white Corvettes.  The last one was just a pile of parts, but the one at the head of the line was pristine, and destined for someone’s collection.

One day we were having lunch after a morning session of shell hunting, and Bob came over.  “Bud,” he said, “I’ve got a customer here who would like to talk to you.  He came to Florida looking for a nice old car to restore, and I thought you might be able to help him.”   I told Bob to bring him over!

He sat down at our table and we introduced ourselves.  Turns out he was a lawyer from New York City.  When I asked what his specialty was, he said, “I’m a criminal defense attorney.”

I said, “Boy, you must get some dillies to defend!”

He sort of bristled a little and retorted, “Well, in this country you are innocent until proven guilty!  Everyone deserves a fair trial!”  When pressed, he admitted he did work for some of the gang members.

So I said to him, “If you do it for a long time, you’d better be careful… you could lose your soul!”  He stared off into space then admitted, yes, it could happen!  Glad we never had a need for his services!  And then we did talk about old cars.

So here we are cast up on the shores of age; and when I consider our circumstances, I realize that in all the departments I have listed above, we have available the help of real professionals!  What got me started on this story is that recently we had need of some legal help on a property matter.  And we are most pleased with the attorney we have now!  He is skilled, honest, and doesn’t mind dealing with (ahem) more mature citizens.  Were it not for skillful help, we would be in real trouble navigating the waters of the Paw Paw River and our storybook towns along its banks!

Coloma Library News

Rosanne Bittner visit

On Thursday, October 26 at 5:30 p.m. the Coloma Public Library will host a Meet the Author Night with USA Today bestselling author, Rosanne Bittner, a Coloma native. During this event Bittner will be available to sign books and answer questions. Her newest book, “The Last Outlaw” and a short story titled “Chick-A-Dee Christmas” will be available for purchase and signing. In anticipation of her visit the Coloma Library has select titles available for check-out.

Book Sale

The annual Fall Book Sale will be Saturday, October 28 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.

Baby and Me

The library will be offering a Baby and Me program on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. 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.

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 the library at 468-3431 with questions for any of these activities.

Watervliet District Library News

Teen Table Projects: October

We’re all about the undead this month. Stop by for your Zombie fix! Plus: The Walking Dead – (the board game), on the table all month long.

Story Hour: Weds. at 10:30 a.m. & Thurs. at 1:30 p.m.

October through April – Show-and-tell, stories and crafts for children ages 3 – 5 and their families. Sign up to share our structured literacy program with your preschooler!

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.

Food for Fines: Nov. 6 – 18

Pay it forward in November and clear up those overdue fines at the same time! Bring in a non-perishable food item and receive $1 fine forgiveness. All food items will be donated to Feeding America West Michigan.

Yoga

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

Call the library at 269-463-6382 with questions on any of these activities.

COLOMA

100 years ago – 1917

 The Berrien County board of supervisors granted a divorce: now there will be the township of Watervliet and the township of Coloma.

The Courier will be raising rates to $1.50 per year effective November 1, 1917. Renew now at the old rate of $1.00 per year.

The death of Charles H. Curtis, a popular farmer of Hagar Township, occurred following an illness.

A game of football was enacted on a slippery field at the Millburg fair ground. In the third quarter Benton Harbor got the skid chains to working and defeated and the Coloma lads.

60 years ago – 1957

 Darrin Schaer has been awarded the Caulkin’s Foundation Scholarship at Michigan State University. His rural citizenship, scholarship and farming goals were taken into account.

Marine Pfc. Lonnie L. Hostetler took part in an artillery field exercise on the Mojave Desert.

The Sawatzki Welding Shop, 70 years strong, is a legend in Coloma. Felix Sawatzki graciously retires with James Hembree assuming new ownership. The only other business going longer than the Sawatzki shop is the Charles Shoup Carpenter Shop.

30 years ago – 1987

 Tony Kraiger won 2nd place with his “Good Health” poster. The contest is sponsored by the Auxiliary of Community Hospital.

Entry forms for the 1988 Miss Coloma Blossom Queen contest are available at the high school. Joyce Tutton and James Polashak are chairmen.

We Asked You… Do you feel the medical problems of President and Mrs. Regan should be public? Shawn Blough and Bill Collins say “no.”

Jillian Rybarazyk, 8, was selected “Fire Chief for the Day.” The contest was sponsored by McDonald’s.

The Coloma Emergency Ambulance Service is sponsoring a Halloween Dance at The Last Resort. The dance will feature Al Giganti and Friends. Tickets are $5 a person.

HARTFORD

100 years ago – 1917

 Along with other villages in this section of Michigan, Hartford is facing a coal shortage that threatens to become serious with the first advent of cold weather. With coal bins at both of the local yards practically empty and with private bins and cellars about town containing less coal than they have usually held at this season of the year, the situation is being viewed as alarming.

The Conklin Construction Company is shipping one of their cement silo machines to H.E. Bullock to be used on his 3,000 acre ranch at Salina, Oklahoma. E.K. Conklin will go to Oklahoma soon to erect the machine and start the construction of several silos.

The new steel beams have arrived for the remodeling of the entrance to the fire department of the town hall, to accommodate the new motor fire truck which the township has purchased.

75 years ago – 1942

 Farmers who own trucks and truckers who are primarily engaged in hauling farm products from farms or supplies to farms are reminded that October 22, 23 and 24 are national farm truck registration days on which they can obtain assistance from the special Van Buren County farm transportation committee in filling out applications for certificates of war necessity, which all trucks will be required to carry after November 15 in order to legally operate.

The Hartford Art Study class met Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Nellie Smith. Miss Marcia Corbyn presided due to the absence of the president. Plans for art activities in connection with the art class were discussed with Mrs. Carolyn Powers leading the discussion. Mrs. Florence Luce read a selection from “Message to Moscow”. Mrs. May Deane read an interesting article from the magazine “Opportunity,” entitled “Something for America.”

50 years ago – 1967

 Harold Walker Sr., Hartford fire chief, was presented with a gold watch and citation from the city council following a Fire Prevention Week parade Saturday. The gift was in recognition of Walker’s years of service as fire chief and his being the oldest active volunteer in Michigan. Jack Vint made the presentation on behalf of the council.

Brit Stenberg was crowned homecoming queen at Hartford Friday night by Holly Olds, 1966 queen. Miss Stenberg was chosen from among seven candidates. She is an exchange student from Norway, spending this year as a senior at Hartford High School. The ceremony took place between halves of the Hartford vs. Watervliet football game.

WATERVLIET

90 years ago – 1927

 Rev. Joseph J. Lahey, pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Watervliet, will observe the decennium anniversary of his services with the local church. While Father Lahey would doubtless have permitted the occasion to pass unnoticed, the members of his parish didn’t. A banquet was held and 400 people showed up to help celebrate.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ramer at their home on November 6, 1927.

A few lady friends of Mrs. Josephine Scherer called at her home on November 8, 1927 to help celebrate her birthday. This group of friends has a kindly way of helping one over these milestones.

60 years ago – 1957

 Midshipman Otto Helweg of Watervliet will be one of the team members who will dress for the Navy-Notre Dame game, at South Bend. Helweg has the speed, size and ability of a fine tackle. He ranked fourth scholastically on the Navy football team.

The first Homecoming of Watervliet High School was held on November 13, 1957.

Army Sgt. Donald J. McNeal, Watervliet, was recently assigned to Headquarters Detachment, U.S. Army Garrison, Ft. Riley, Kansas.

30 years ago – 1987

 Todd Bannen has been designated a Commended Student in the 1988 National Merit Scholarship Program and will receive a Letter of Commendation in recognition of outstanding academic promise. He placed in the top 50,000 of more than one million participants in the 33rd annual Merit Program.

Sixth grader Irene Llanto is Watervliet’s ‘Student of the Week’ for the week of November 4, 1987. She is cooperative, her work is always done; she is quiet, polite and dependable.

Bob Flaherty became the new Watervliet Mayor in November, 1987.