Paw Paw River Journal

Senior stuff

 My hope is to have readers of all ages.  But at the same time I also am aware that some of my original audience is still around and reading my Paw Paw River scribbling.  After all, I’ve been doing this column for almost forever.  So I try to hit on topics that will interest most people.  One of those that keep popping up is the vicissitudes of aging (don’t you love that word?)… Might as well laugh about it, because time is passing for all of us.  And once in a while something comes along that especially tickles the funny bone.

Such is the list below.  It came to me on the internet, and the only credit I can give is to the person who sent it… Bev Brooks, friend and retired RN over Paw Paw way. She and Dick Smith tool around the area in his vintage Mustang when the weather is favorable.  And she sends me delicious stuff from the internet on occasion… such as the following.

My goal for 2016 was to lose just 10 pounds – only 15 to go!

Ate salad for dinner… mostly croutons and tomatoes – really just one big, round crouton covered with tomato sauce and cheese.  FINE… it was a pizza. I ate a pizza.

How to prepare tofu: Throw it in the trash; Grill some meat!

I just did a week’s worth of cardio after walking into a spider web.

I don’t mean to brag, but I finished my 14 day diet food in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

A recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.

Kids today don’t know how easy they have it.  When I was young, I had to walk nine feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.

Senility has been a smooth transition for me.

Remember back when we were kids and every time it was below zero out they closed school? Me neither!

I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented… I forgot where I was going with this.

I love being over 80.  I learn something new every day and forget 5 others.

A thief broke into my house last night.  He started searching for money, so I woke up and searched with him.

I think I’ll just put an “Out of Order” sticker on my forehead and call it a day… just remember, once you’re over the hill you begin to pick up speed!

Well, there you are, Dear Readers, I wish someone would find and send to me such a list for younger folks who follow my column.  Might as well laugh about it… Tempus is Fugiting (time is hurrying), so Carpe Diem (seize the day)!

Coloma Library News

Story Hour

Story Hour meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the library. Story Hour is 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.

Book Club

The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting for a book discussion on Thursday, December 15 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “Landline” by Rainbow Lowell.  Generally, depending on demand there are titles available for check-out at the front desk.

The book club is always interested in new members. For more information, please stop in the library or call 468-3431.

Cub Scout Food Drive

The library is one of many local locations collecting for a food drive being run by local Pack 610 Cub Scouts. There is a donation box located in the library where non-perishable food items and personal care items are being collected to be donated to the food pantry. Donations are being accepted now through December 13.

North Berrien Museum Holiday Open House

The library is pleased to have a tree on display at the museum this holiday season. Stop by and see the many wonderful trees decorated by local businesses and organizations. The museum’s open house is this weekend December 2-4. Visit the museum’s website for more information northberrienhistory.org or call them at 468-3330.

Watervliet District Library News

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 the community.

Stop by the North Berrien Historical Museum and check out the library’s contribution to the annual Holiday Tree display. The Cat-in-the-Hat has done some decorating on our behalf, with creative help from library staff members Kati, Kanyon and Sharon.  And, while there, discover something new from the area’s past.

Monday, Dec. 5, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Cookies and Canvas: Kids will unleash their inner artist at this fun painting class. Participants will follow instructions to create a painting of a reindeer. No experience necessary! Cookies and milk will be provided. Children only, this class is limited to 25 kids ages five and older. Registration is required.

Friday, Dec. 9, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Parents’ Night Out: Need an evening without the kids? Parents’ Night Out gives parents the opportunity to take a well-deserved break. Go out for a night on the town feeling confident that your little ones are safe and having the time of their lives. This incredible evening for children will be filled with a variety of fun games, crafts and activities. Space is limited. Snack donations are appreciated. Registration is required.

Toddler Time is a 30 minute class every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Story Hour is on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. for children age three to five. It is fun and educational with stories, show and tell, and songs and games.

Yoga is at 9:00 a.m. every Monday morning and Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

COLOMA

100 years ago – 1916

Roy Leedy and Lincoln Becht escaped injury when an automobile truck collided into their horse and buggy. The party was leaving the Bunker opera house following a dance when the lights gave out on their automobile. Dr. W.T. Bertrand was summoned to dress the injuries.

A free calendar waits for those who pay their subscriptions one year in advance. A beautiful Bible picture is displayed on each page.

The Friday Bros. canning factory plans a cold storage addition for next season. Other improvements are also being made.

60 years ago – 1956

Santa Claus will greet children at the Loma Theatre during the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas party. Kids will enjoy a free movie, a box of candy and the singing of Christmas melodies.

The Self Culture club will offer storytelling to youngsters. New and old Christmas stories will be told by Miss Allene Stark and Miss Leona Bachman.

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Rockwell enjoyed a visit by their son Edward. He now travels to Chicago to attend a vending machine convention.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Nitz of Sassafras Lane are the parents of a son, Dennis Keith.

30 years ago – 1986

Santa will arrive by way of fire truck, stopping at the Fire Station. Breakfast with Santa will take place at Washington School.

Richard Villa of Abonmarche consulting firm described damage sustained to the Junior High School roof. The Board is addressing the repairs.

Coloma Athletic Booster officers are: Paula Howley, Sandy Kraemer, Maryvonne Bohannon and Sue Ovington.

Pvt. Gary D. Perkey has completed OSUT at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia.

For a Merry Christmas, shop your hometown first: The Movie Zoo, 88 cent kiddie movies; Coloma Fabricare, wedding gown cleaned and boxed $40; Loma, movie coupon and gift certificate.

HARTFORD

100 years ago – 1916

The Charles Shafer farm of fifty acres southeast of Hartford has been sold to Henry Clifton of Chicago. Mr. Clifton will set the entire fifty acres to apples, peaches and cherries next spring. He has rented the farm to J.H. Heuser for the coming year.

75 years ago – 1941

The Hartford Woman’s Club met at the home of Mrs. Arthur Manning. A patriotic theme was carried out in the program and songs. Mrs. Clayton Palmer was in charge of the program and invited Attorney Robert Small of Benton Harbor to be the guest speaker. His subject was “International Relations.” The next meeting will be a Christmas party at the home of Mrs. James Elder. Mrs. Thomas Pollard will tell the “Christmas Story”, and Mrs. B.W. Robinson will lead the Christmas Carols.

The Hartford public school is presenting its annual Christmas program. In contrast to last year’s program featuring the grade school children in a secular theme, Miss Decker has chosen a program with a sacred theme. A drama has been written called “The Birth of a King,” and students from the high school have been chosen to portray the Virgin Mary, Joseph, the wise men and many others. Sacred music, using the boy’s and girl’s glee clubs, junior chorus, fifth and sixth grade chorus, various small groups, and soloists, will furnish the musical background.

50 years ago – 1966

A large caliber bullet was fired into Lee’s meat market at Main and Center streets. The bullet went through the front window about seven feet above the sidewalk and lodged in the meat cooler. Proprietor Lee Weeden discovered it when he opened the store Monday morning. “We butchered a lot of deer this year, but I don’t think we were going to be shot at,” Weeden said.

WATERVLIET

90 years ago – 1926

Will Patterson has accepted a position in the janitor service at the school building and will take up his new duties Jan. 1, 1927. He has been in charge of the tank wagon delivery for the Watervliet Oil Company for the past four years.

John Aspengren of Watervliet bought a well preserved copy of Harper’s Weekly published Apr. 12, 1802. The copy was a war time issue and contains steel engravings of Civil War events.

Dec. 13, 1926, Mrs. Mary Haskell celebrated her 85th birthday anniversary. A few neighbors and friends gathered at her home in honor of the event.

60 years ago – 1956

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Rantz are the proud parents of a baby girl, Jane Adele, born Nov. 27, 1956 and weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces.

Pfc. Louis R. Kling, whose wife Phyllis and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis H. Kling, live in Watervliet, is a member of the 538th Field Artillery Battalion in Germany. He is a gunner in the battalion’s Battery C.

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hansen are the proud parents of their baby girl, Theresa Lynn, born Dec. 1, 1956 and weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces.

30 years ago – 1986

Army Private Mark W. Dekker, son of Richard L. Dekker, has completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. During the training, students received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, first aid and Army history and traditions.

Mr. Andrew Saetre, WHS Cross Country Coach and Mr. Mark Kappel, assistant coach, announced to the 1986 cross country team that the following runners were selected as plaque winners. Kellie McDonald, Most Valuable girls’ team runner, Cheryl Sackett, Most Improved girls’ team runner. Todd Bannen, Most Valuable boys’ team runner and Mike Maeder, Most Improved boys’ team runner.

Two Watervliet High School seniors, Todd Day and Mike Grear, have been selected to perform with the symphony at the Western Michigan University’s Christmas concert. They have been practicing since they auditioned in Sept.