THIS KUTE KID IS… Andrew Rios, Hartford, at the young age of 4 years old. Today he is 21 years old and is a graduate of Hartford High School and is an employee of Lane Automotive, Watervliet. Andrew, you will always be your momma’s pumpkin! (Submitted by Natalie Stefani-Rice)
Watervliet’s Hometown Christmas Celebration receives gift of good weather and many events
By Annette Christie The Watervliet community received a great present from Mother Nature last week, good weather for the Hometown Christmas celebration. Business participation Saturday night brought a new attraction to the event in that of Live Mannequins on Main Street. Nine windows were adorned with live mannequins in holiday theme decorated windows of store fronts. In addition to the mannequin event and decoration, a business decorating contest was held as well. Winners of that competition were Wonderfully Quirky 1st Place, Don Young Insurance 2nd Place, and Watervliet Hardware Store 3rd Place. Contests The cookie decorating contest was held on Saturday afternoon at Arclight Brewery (host to many of the events over the weekend). Judging was done in several age groups including high school, middle school, Kindergarten – 2nd grade, 3rd – 5th grade, and a top prize. The top three prizes for the Arclight Chili Cook-Off were 1st place Calie Biondo of Reaction, Mass.; 2nd place Steve Myers; and 3rd place Lynn Zelko. Snow royalty Snow Prince and Princess had a total of 21 contestants. On Sunday afternoon, Arclight Brewery hosted the crowning. Each participant was given a popcorn bucket from Wesco and other great prizes. The second runner-up to Snow Prince is Alex Wilder, 13, of Watervliet. First runner-up to the Snow Prince is Grayson Richards, 13, of Watervliet. The Snow Prince who was unable to attend the crowning event is Joshua Sturdevant Jr., 14, of Watervliet. The second runner-up to Snow Princess is Cassandra Riggs, 12, of Watervliet. First runner-up honors went to Lyvia Summers, 14, of Watervliet. The Snow Princess is Riley Smith, 11, of Watervliet. Winners received some gifts including Amazon gift cards, water park passes, and Chicken Coop, Side Track, and Celebration Cinema gift cards. Parade The lighted parade was held on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. The Watervliet and Coloma bus entry won the $100 prize. Many people attending events throughout the weekend commented appreciation for the organizers.
Hospital gift shop open for holiday shopping Park Bench Gift Shop located in the lobby of Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet will be open Saturday December 14 and December 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All profits are used for Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet Auxiliary projects.
O TANNENBAUM… Downtown Coloma is looking festive for the Christmas season. Pictured (from the left) are Coloma Public Works Supervisor Rod Burkholder, Mayor Pro-Tem Marsha Hammond, and Annette and Randy Bjorke in front of the Christmas tree in the park across from City Hall. “It’s a beautiful tree,” said Hammond, “The City thanks Annette and Randy for donating the tree and Public Works for all the hard work to move the tree and set it up and decorate it for us.”
Vincent J. Jewelers chip in to help their neighbors
Jim Frazier of Vincent J. Jewelers in downtown Coloma and Dowagiac has found a creative way to help families in need this Christmas. On December 1, Vincent J. Jewelers began selling sterling silver ball earrings for $10, and donating the entire amount raised, not just the proceeds, to Living Water Food Pantry at Watervliet Free Methodist Church and A.C.T.I.O.N. Ministries in Dowagiac. “My family and I are very grateful to our communities, which have allowed us to stay in business so long,” says Jim Frazier. “This is just a small way for us to be able to help local families during this holiday season. Every $1 donated to the pantry buys about $7.50 in food. It feels good to be able to help make a difference.” Vincent J. Jewelers is located at 228 N. Paw Paw Street in Coloma and 118 S. Front Street in Dowagiac. You may contact the Coloma store at 269-468-4400 and the Dowagiac store at 269-782-2000.
Benefit dinner this Saturday for Machado family
A benefit dinner is being held this Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Coloma FOP lodge, 3470 Angling Road for the family of Barbara (Susie Watson) Machado. The meal is provided by CK Catering and includes vegetable tray, Swiss steak with gravy, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans with almonds, tossed salad and roll with butter. Tickets are $10 ($5 for 5 to 10 year olds – age 4 and under are free) and can be purchased at Mike’s Pit Stop in Coloma or B&B Grocery in Watervliet. In addition, there will be a silent auction and bake sale. All proceeds will go toward medical and unforeseen expenses.
Burger Night at Coloma American Legion, Dec. 19
Everyone is invited to Burger Night Thursday, Dec. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 362 in Coloma. They will be serving hamburgers, cheeseburgers and French fries. Post 362 is located at the corner of east St. Joseph and Sassafras streets.
Chamber to hold two ribbon cuttings on Dec. 19
The Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to attend two Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings both on Thursday, Dec. 19. In Coloma, the Subway Sandwich Shop at 152 N. Paw Paw St. will begin their Grand Opening day with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. They will have specials throughout the day. Thrifty Phoenix at 7139 Red Arrow Hwy. in Watervliet will have a Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. with cookies and juice. The public is encouraged to attend both events.