11-23-2017 Tri-City Area History Page

Group of people on the porch of Strong’s Resort

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

A fowl Thanksgiving soliloquy

Soliloquy… lines spoken as if to oneself.  In a theatrical play when a person talks to himself and the audience, but the other actors cannot hear him. That’s what my Webster’s has to say about that!  So here is my soliloquy on that great holiday! And I must warn you my feelings have not changed about the centerpiece of the annual dinner… and THE TURKEY!

I must admit when that bird comes out of the oven, steaming, golden brown, and carved expertly… it makes for a delicious meal.  And all the trimmings! Mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries, and all the rest. Yes, I do enjoy it! But that’s the limit… no turkey soup, no turkey sandwiches, etc., later! One place I always enjoyed turkey was at The Country Cupboard, a huge cafeteria complex in Pennsylvania. It is on the west bank of the Susquehanna River, just south of Lewisburg. When we vacationed out at Aunt Hope’s, I heaped a generous portion of turkey pot pie on my plate at their sumptuous buffet.

Our daughters do a marvelous job with roasting the bird when we enjoy the holiday with them, but I still hold the line at leftovers! And actually, when it comes to fowl dining, my favorite is fried chicken made by Marion’s Mom! You should have tried the mouth-watering, crusty, golden chicken breasts that came to her table! She browned them first, and then finished them in the oven. First time I saw them was at dinner there. Just returned from WWII, I was almost a member of the family, having proposed marriage to their oldest daughter and having been accepted! We gathered in her dining room of a Sunday, and oh, the platters of food. When the chicken came around, I was just not quick enough, and the white meat was already taken. Marion’s brothers were hungry, growing kids! Next time it came around, I got my dibs in!

Mom Kling always raised chickens.  She had several pens… little peepers, another of half-grown, and then the varsity hen house, where eggs were produced, and the laying hens almost dared you to take the eggs they were trying to hatch. Mom Kling had quite an egg production line, and she sold the surplus to our A&P market in Hartford.

One year up in Grand Rapids someone gave our nieces and nephew a baby chick for Easter. Now that is a cruel thing to do, but we didn’t know it back then. My sister, Wilma, said the kids loved that little chick, and it grew up with the freedom of the whole place. Only problem: it didn’t know it was a chicken! That bird went around the house on bug patrol, picking off any creepy crawlies that dared to show up. Wilma said they had nary a spider inside that year!

Finally it became apparent the pet chicken, now half grown, really deserved to be amongst its own kind. So they brought it down to Mom Kling’s chicken ranch. Introduced into the varsity hen house, that bird was terrified! What were all those creatures? It hid behind a hanging burlap bag in terror! Mom Kling tried it in the half grown pen. Same result… a failure to thrive! So she tried it in the pen with the little peepers. Ah… nothing to fear there! And after that the pet chicken grew up with the youngest generation to glorious chickenhood!

One winter the folks wanted to vacation in Florida, so they asked us if we would stay at their place, so Marion could take care of the younger kids and do the cooking. We agreed, but part of the deal was that I had to take care of all her chickens! I never knew what that would really be like. I soon found out!

Feeding all the chicken population was no problem, but gathering the eggs was another matter. I always felt as though I should apologize to the hens for taking the eggs right out from under them. And some of them did resent it! I soon found out a young rooster in there was just looking for a chance at revenge on the whole human race! First time he sneaked around behind me and attacked, I felt a sharp peck on my leg, and there he was, glaring at me for intruding in his kingdom. I soon learned to aim a kick at him when I came in; and thereafter he would leave me alone, although still glaring ominously. Needless to say, I kept an eye on him, and if I saw him sneaking up on me, I’d aim another kick at him!

In the fullness of time, the folks returned, and Mom Kling thanked me for taking care of her chickens. And I warned her about the bully that thought he was king of the roost out in the hen house.  She said she would take heed of that!

Next week we were invited for Sunday dinner; and, yep, there was the golden brown fried chicken. Mom Kling said, “You know, Bud, you warned me about that rooster, but I forgot it. First time I went out to gather eggs, he sneaked up and pecked me on the bare leg. I really jumped in alarm! But that was the last time we will have to worry about him!” And she passed the golden brown chicken around again!

Well, I’ve really gotten off on this chicken thing, and I was thinking about recommending we change the Thanksgiving centerpiece to a platter of Mom Kling’s golden fried chicken.  But, on second thought, what about all the turkey ranchers who depend on the holiday trade for their living? I’d not want them to come after me with pitchforks in some weird kind of American gothic scene! So, perhaps we’d better leave well enough alone; and I’ll just go along with the usual tradition. But when the turkey soup comes out, I’ll sneak into the kitchen and put some peanut butter on a homemade biscuit! And just keep quiet about the whole thing!

Watervliet District Library News

Pottawatomie Culture:

Past & Present

 During the month of November, a display of their culture is on loan from the North Berrien Historical Museum.

Teen Table Projects: November

Dream catchers to make and take all during the month of November. Nothing but pleasant dreams from now on!

Story Hour: Wed. at 10:30 a.m.

& Thur. 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: 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.

Yoga

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

Coloma Library News

Thanksgiving Hours

 The library is open Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Regular hours will resume Monday, November 27. Enjoy the Holiday!

Read with Spirit

Spirit, a certified therapy dog will be at the library on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Children may sign-up for a 15 minute slot by stopping in at the front desk or calling the library at 468-3431. Reading to therapy dogs is a fun way for children to build reading confidence and fluency.

Book Club

The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting on Thursday, November 30 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coehlo.  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.

Story Hour

Story Hour meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Story Hour is for older toddlers and preschool children. Join Miss Amy for a story, simple craft and song-time. Story Hour is a free program, sign-up is not required.

COLOMA

100 years ago – 1917

The Michigan state laws regarding the holding of raffles will be strictly enforced this year.

A meeting in the council room of the Village of Coloma will be held. The purpose will be to hear any suggestions and objections to the proposed trunk sewer project. William W. Hocker, Village Clerk

Lessen your Christmas gift worries by deciding to make relatives and friends happy with your photograph. Hamilton Studio

60 years ago – 1957

The November family night supper of the First Congregational Church will take place at 6:30 p.m. Program Chairman for this fun night is Mrs. William Bessemer.

Order your Christmas cards now! Over 200 styles – 2 weeks delivery – The Coloma Courier

Mrs. Charles Bachman chose to emphasize her subject “National and Civil Defense” with realistic air raid scenes during the Self Culture Club meeting. The telephone operators play a major role in the warnings.

After many years of business, The Coloma Plumbing & Heating Co. has gone bankrupt. A stock sale will be held for three big days. This is a great money saving opportunity.

30 years ago – 1987

City Commissioners approved a revised Labor Policy. Commissioner Wooley explained the changes.

Financial help is needed to complete the skating rink at Randall Park. The cost is $8,000 with $4,000 pledged by the Paw Paw Lake Rotary Club. Contributions may be made at the State Bank. Thank you, Paul Friday.

Thank you Rita Herman, Harding’s, Janet Howleston, Fred’s Meat Market, Sam Norton and others for participating in the turkey giveaway. Forty-four winners were drawn from the Tri-City Record contest.

Mrs. Vonnie Donnelly, a retired federal District Court Judge secretary, will be volunteering at Coloma Middle School Media Center. Her daughter-in-law, Rita Donnelly, is a special education teacher in the same building.

HARTFORD

100 years ago – 1917

Hartford’s new chemical fire truck made its first fire run when an alarm called the department to the O.M. Smith cider mill. Fire had broken out in a kiln used for drying the apple pulp, which is subsequently converted into fuel to fire the boilers at the mill. A line of chemical hose from the new truck quickly extinguished the fire and the damage proved light.

Our national parks were the subject of study at the Hartford Woman’s Club. Interesting papers were “Yellowstone” read by Mrs. Metta Skinner, “Yosemite” by Mrs. Ruth Wing, and “Sequoia” by Mrs. Clare Schopbach. Mrs. Alice Bennett played a composition by Chopin and gave a sketch of his life. Mrs. Julia Bonning read a poem by R.E. Sill.

75 years ago – 1942

Warning! Don’t go to your grocer this week and say, “Coffee please.” Retail sales of all coffee were suspended by order of OPA preliminary to the beginning of the rationing program November 29. Each person over 14 years of age will be limited to approximately one cup of coffee a day. Stamp number 27 in war ration book number one will entitle each adult to one pound of coffee which will have to last for five weeks.

The next meeting of the Hartford Garden Club will be the annual business meeting and potluck dinner at the home of Mrs. Dorothea Day. To avoid any unnecessary driving club women may take the noon bus to the white school at Town Line road, three miles east of Hartford and cars will meet them there.

50 years ago – 1967

Top Hartford High School gridders of the 1967 season were honored at a football banquet Thursday night. Dave Brown won the most valuable player award and Tom Kendzior was awarded the most improved player.

The Van Buren County Fruit Exchange will expand from a six months to a 12 month operation, beginning in January. The exchange will have about 40 year round employees. Expanded operation is being made possible by bringing fresh fruits and vegetables here in bulk for packaging in consumer containers. The products will be distributed through major food chains in four states and Canada.

WATERVLIET

90 years ago – 1927

A birthday anniversary dinner was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Coda Doolittle, Watervliet, Nov. 27, 1927. Present were Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Grant who celebrated their anniversary in November also and Mrs. Walter Derby.

Irene Ray, Watervliet, has been a selected as a member of the Western State Teachers’ College Glee Club. Admission to the club is accorded only those who are successful in a preliminary tri-out on a competitive basis.

Division Superintendent J.A. Anderson of the Pere Marquette met a delegation of Watervliet citizens here on Nov 2, 1927 who are requesting for better evening train service. Under the fall time card put in effect, No. 7, the evening train out of Chicago, is divided at New Buffalo and the first section runs as a limited making no stops between Benton Harbor and Holland. Plans are underway to make changes for the better.

60 years ago – 1957

Pfc. Raymond Burmeister, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Burmeister, Watervliet, writes that he has been promoted to Specialist 3rd Class. Raymond is stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia, and was voted “Soldier of the Month” for November at camp.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sprague are having an “Open House” Nov. 24, 1957 in observance of their 40th wedding anniversary. Friends and neighbors are invited. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague were married on Nov. 22, 1917 and have made Watervliet their home since.

Mr. and Mrs. Austin Meagher are the proud parents of their baby girl, Carla Jo, born Nov. 15, 1957, weighed 7 pounds 10-1/2 ounces.

30 years ago – 1987

Shannon Hanks, Watervliet, received the Leo Stanley Memorial Award as Berrien County’s 1987 outstanding 4-H Girl on Nov. 21, 1987.

Vicki Zandarski has been chosen to as the Watervliet Public Schools “Student of the Week.” Vicki is the daughter of Glenn and Donna Kublick. Vicki consistently demonstrates positive leadership in the classroom and on the playground. She has a kind and generous attitude toward her classmates and teachers.

Mr. Roy Nimtz has been named Watervliet Schools “Employee of the Month.” Nimtz was honored, based upon his excellent work as a bus driver and maintenance worker and many years of faithful service.