Modern Mothers of Hartford turns 50
MODERN MOTHERS… of Hartford charter members (from the left) Ellen Friday and Myra Weberg are all smiles in celebration of 50 years of community service to the area. From blood drives to bake sales the club has been a subtle advocate for those in need, and time and time again have answered that call with their special brand of volunteerism, all with a mother’s touch. (TCR photo by Jon Bisnett)
By Jon Bisnett
For a half century the Modern Mothers Club of Hartford has served the community with their special blend of both a service and social club all done with a mother’s touch. The group celebrated its 50th birthday with a private reception bringing together both current and past members marking their many accomplishments over the years. Hartford Mayor Ted Johnson presented the group a copy of a Resolution from the City Commission recognizing and honoring their efforts for the past 50 years in the Hartford community. Members recall the early days when their focus was providing service and donations which included buying a rocking chair for the OB unit at Watervliet Hospital. The hospital which back in the 60s sat on the property now occupied by Tri-City Village. Also back in those days the Red Cross Bloodmobile would visit from town to town and the Mothers would volunteer at those blood drives, bake cookies to help in any way they could. The membership was always limited and by invitation only, which this reporter had frankly thought was a bit aloof. The members are quick to explain that there never was any air of being aloof, but they kept the rule at 24 members since they took turns meeting in each other’s homes and only so many gals can fit around a dining room table! I was shown a clipping of a co-produced event, “The Modern Mothers and Hartford present Hillbilly Courtship”, May 1966. Admission was just a dollar. The girls recalled of their first official bake sale in 1967 and by 1969 started making an annual appearance at the Hartford Holiday Bazaar each fall peddling their baked goods, crafts and legendary cheese balls. “We weren’t terribly aggressive fundraisers,” recalled charter member Myra Weberg, “But we had a lot of our own little white elephant sales and raffles, not to mention this ugly ceramic pink bird we’d raffle off among some really nice prizes and at one time or another we each got stuck with that gosh-awful bird!” The social aspect took the small town group on several outings over the years to Miller Auditorium, the House of David and the occasional Chicago trip for an off-Broadway play. You will find no statue or building named for the Modern Mothers, but in the town of Hartford their presence has resonated for decades. Their sensitivity to those in need spans five decades. All done with that gentle touch only a mom can do alongside a plate of those delicious baked goods. A job well-done ladies, here is wishing you 50 more years!
Coloma Township funds protection for Police Officers
By Annette Christie
At their August 10 meeting, the Coloma Township Board approved additional protection for their police officers. Police Chief Jason Roe asked the board to consider buying heavy body armor for each marked vehicle. Roe told the board that the vests are made of steel and are kept in the vehicles for officers to put on when heading to the type of call that would have a need for it such as an active shooter scenario. The vests would have front, back and side protection and protects the officers from rifle gunfire. Roe asked the board for enough funds to purchase one for each vehicle but after further discussion, the board opted to purchase two for each vehicle. Trustee Matt Moser stated, “I just want to make sure you have enough when you need it.” The cost to buy the 12 vests is estimated not to exceed $5,000. The board approved the expenditure unanimously. Clerk Sandy Kraemer added, “We want to protect you guys.” The conversation continued amongst the board regarding the salaries for their respective positions. Previously, Moser had provided a comparison of seven different townships and had provided a recommendation of the averages. Last month’s discussion ended with the board tabling it until the full board was present as Trustee Rob Harper was absent. Moser provided draft resolutions with salaries listed for each position to get the conversation started. Following the motion getting the resolution for the supervisor on the table there was a discussion regarding the first figure ($19,800). While that figure was determined from the average of seven townships, some members of the board were not sure that was the best way to figure it. Currently the supervisor makes $17,620. Trustee Jim Fulton suggested that the salary should be bumped up to the supervisor rate in a municipality more comparable such as Niles Township. “In our township the supervisor has a lot of responsibility,” Fulton said. Fulton made the motion that the supervisor rate be set at $22,020 or $1,835 a month. The board approved the new rate unanimously. For the clerk and the treasurer who are currently making $10,980 a year, the board approved the recommendation by Moser of $16,800 or $1,400 a month. The board again approved those unanimously. The trustee position for the township currently receives a salary of $4,520 annually. Duffield had commented earlier in the discussions that he would like to see their salary return to what they were close to making years prior before they had cut their salaries due to the economy and a struggling general fund. Herald Palladium archives reflect that in 2004 the board had approved a salary increase for trustees to $5,500 that year. It was also supposed to increase to $7,500 in 2007 and $8,500 in 2010. Duffield said they never made it beyond the second salary increase when in 2010 the board took a salary reduction for the 2010/2011 budget. That decreased amount approved in 2010 is what they are currently making. After some discussion of leaving the trustee salary at the same level, it was determined that they would increase it to $4,800 annually or $400 a month. In the Fire Board report, Harper told the board that the North Berrien Fire Rescue Department responded to 20 calls in the month of July, eight in Hagar Township, 10 in Coloma Township, and two in the City of Coloma. Harper reported that the parking lot work at Station 1 is complete. He also said that the process is moving forward with the purchase of a new tanker trunk for the department. Harper recommended that Coloma Township pay off a loan that they had taken out to purchase a fire truck. The township had originally taken out a loan for $215,000 for their portion of the truck, and has paid it down to an approximate payoff of $87,500. Harper said the township has enough in the fire equipment millage funds to pay that off and still leave enough for the upcoming purchase of the new tanker truck. Harper said that the savings would be around $5,700 if they decided to pay it off. Fulton commented that he thought that was always the intention anyway. The board approved paying off the loan. Harper also told the board that the fire department’s fund balance is growing. It is currently at $117,264.69. Harper said, “This is very good given that it was down to $18,000 about a year ago.” In the Cemetery Board report, Duffield told the board that they are considering moving the records of the cemetery into a more up to date computerized system. Duffield said that the records are kept manually in large books at City Hall. He said that there is software programs available that would allow for the information to be put into a database and that ultimately the records could be made available to the public to search for the burial locations of loved ones. Duffield said this is only in the beginning phases.
4 KITTENS… available for adoption through Animal Aid of Southwest Michigan. Please call 944-3196 if you are interested; a small adoption fee is required. Pictured is Animal Aid volunteer, Maryanne Melvin and helper, Aldrea Boruff. (TCR photo by Amy Loshbough)
Community hymn sing
The next Community Hymn Sing will be celebrated at Plymouth Congregational Church on Saturday evening September 3 at 6 p.m. The brick church is located on Red Arrow Highway across the street from the Laundromat in Watervliet. Ken Biastock and Arch Woodstock will provide special music. Come and enjoy singing together, the fellowship, and the ice cream and cookies afterward. All are welcome.
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