THE HEAT WAVE… was kind of nice this past weekend. Those that wanted to stay and play outside did and those of us who wanted the cool serenade of the AC and a quiet night indoors had that too. All except for an hour or so Friday afternoon when the power was out for much of Watervliet. A double bottom asphalt trailer flipped over and knocked over a power pole right at the heat of the day. I went home in the hopes of finding a cooler spot to no avail. Happily, the juice came back on about 4 p.m. and we could all cool down. Friends in the Hartford – Lawrence area Monday afternoon went several hours powerless when a fast moving thunderstorm moved through the area. I might not have even noticed it but there was an alert on my email from AEP. They advised folks without power could check for updates on their web site! I guess some web sites can operate without electricity. Actually that’s not so… if anything our society and culture is more vulnerable to the vagaries of Mother Nature than ever because of our dependencies on computers and digital phones. Here at the Record, when the power goes out, we still have phone service. We have an old-fashioned rotary dial phone that has yet to fail, when all else does. For some years I kept a rotary dial phone at home for the same reason, but the phone company didn’t want our business bad enough to keep it. I will predict there is a day coming when most of us will ditch the cell phones and go looking for the simpler communication device, talking to folks with our mouths and listening without ears. It may take some practice but it will be a lot cheaper. I hope all you dad’s had a special Father’s Day Sunday. I did. Anne waited on me and presented some nice presents; then it was off to Amy and Bill’s for brunch and more presents. Then it was back home for a late nap and a Chicken Coop shrimp dinner followed by some English television shows. My kind of Sunday.
GET YOUR DUCK RACE TICKETS HERE… There’s a tradition here of sorts that Anne and I sell a big batch of Duck Race tickets for the great race Sunday, July 3. So stop by the Record office for your tickets and keep the tradition alive… or flag down Annie or me as you see us around the Tri-Cities. The WBA has a giant schedule of events on tap for the Independence weekend. Most of them requiring a sign up or registration of sorts are here at the Record office as well. See this week’s Record for further information on the three-day celebration and then check back with the June 30 issue for all the last minute news of all t he festivities.
Bass fishing opening day
Wisps of fog hovering in the morning light rise over the calm lake. Silhouetted against the reflected brightening sky, expectant fishermen in their boats are up early on this first day of bass season. Southern New York is hilly and green, with an abundance of small lakes
that hold huge bass promise. This particular Saturday morning presents excellent weather for success, and many are up before dawn to take advantage of the opportunity. I’ve learned that even a novice fisherman like me can enjoy a beautiful morning like this. Whether fishing or pursuing other activities, mornings offer the hope for new opportunities and possibilities, new encounters, new adventures. All of us have also had mornings when our only thought is “Oh no, another day.” That’s when we particularly need encouragement to go on and to push forward toward better days. Any morning is a good morning to remember what the Bible says about new days dawning. Most of the passages deal not with our situation, but with God’s loving, kindness and faithfulness, which is a good way to start any day. David said in Psalm 130:6: “My soul [is] for the Lord more than those watching for morning, watching fo r morning!” (YLT) David’s hope and expectation was found directly in God Himself, with a stronger confidence than his expectation of the sun rising! He had seen a lot of misty sunrises after many a sleepless night with the sheep, or while running from King Saul. Life wasn’t all bass fishing for David. Another promise: “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5, NASB) God’s goodness and faithfulness make every morning good, bright, and hopeful.
TOP POP LETTERS
Greatest dad ever
I want to vote my daddy, Matt Prestidge, for Top Pop because he is the greatest daddy ever! He always does everything he can for me and my momma. My dad works 6 days a week to make sure that we are taken care of but he still never misses any of my events and is always there for me when I need him. He has been at every single one of my school events with me, makes it to my gymnastics classes, and he even coached both my softball and soccer teams. He also helps other kids too because sometimes he volunteers with the Hartford community float by building stuff and making sure there is someone to pull it in parades, or even helping set up the stage for their pageants! After a long day of work (his day starts at 4 a.m.!), he will come home and spend hours playing with me. Sometimes he even gives me manicures and pedicures, but don’t tell him I told that secret! He teaches me lots of cool things including fishing, golfing, and gardening. We always go on adventures together and it is so much fun. He also builds the best pillow forts ever! My daddy is there every night to help mom tuck me in bed and reads me a bedtime story. He never asks for anything for himself and puts his family first. He chooses to be the best dad in the world to me and makes sure I know how much he loves his “baby-love”. …He is the best and I love him!
Raeghan Prestidge
(5 ½ years old)
My dad is amazing
I would like to nominate my dad, John Yetzke, as Top Pop. He has not only been a wonderful father to my brother and me, he is an amazing Papa to my two boys. Growing up, my dad was my softball coach, my brother’s baseball coach, he helped build sets in high school productions and even into college he built us lofts for our dorm room. He has also helped me re-do three different homes I have owned as an adult and my brother’s house. I still swear my dad can build/fix anything. He is not only Mr. Fix-It, he is just plain generous and caring. I always remember one Easter from when I was a kid. We had done something different and gone out to eat instead of a meal at home. There was lamb on the menu and I insisted I wanted to get that because I had read somewhere that it was traditional Easter dinner. Well, it was gross. It tasted like old dust. My sweet dad saw how gross I thought it was and traded plates with me and pretended to like it. Years later, I learned that was not the case. This same wonderful man still takes care of his very grown daughter and son. The last two years my dad has driven me to chemotherapy treatments and sat with me and many times just watched me sleep. On days when my mom drives me up, dad stays home and plays with my boys. He has taught them to pick raspberries, taken them morel mushroom hunting, and for rides on his four wheeler. I could not ask for a better dad for my brother and I. I am so happy is able to be a part of my sons’ lives as well. Please consider John Yetzke as the top Pop for 2016!
Heather Metz
Coloma Medley in the Park and Cruise In
Dear Editor,
Thank you to everyone that attended the Medley in the Park & Cruise In held on Saturday June11 in Baker Park downtown Coloma. The weather was sunny and hot as we began the day with the beautiful car show coordinated by Braden Bertuca for his senior class project. There were 30 cars that entered the show and lined the streets with their beautiful vehicles. Tom Gear was on hand to play some great classic music from the 50’s and 60’s. After the car show, the music began on the Spotlight Stage with Blues Guitarist Keith Scott and continued until evening on the Main Stage with some really wonderful groups starting with ZAP!, who rocked some 70’s and 80’s music and then on to popular local band, Rum Boogie that had spectators singing along and dancing to a variety of familiar tunes that people know and love. We continued with the fantastic music of Slim Gypsy Baggage and finished the evening with the talented Brian Randall Band playing country music to a good crowd. Thank you to COSY 103.7 and Spencer Rivers that broadcast from the downtown in the early afternoon we were happy to be on the Cosy Summer Tour, and a big thank you to Stacey Davis who was our emcee for the day. We were fortunate to have food offerings from Big Al’s Chicago Hot Dogs, Charlie’s Piggin N Grinnin, Panthers Grill and fresh popcorn from Freshwater Church. Keith from D.W. Hammond satisfied our sweet tooth with delicious pies, shortcakes and chocolates. Any event takes a group effort of sponsorship, coordination and in-kind donations by generous local businesses, clubs and anonymous contributions. We could not have had Medley in the Park without the support of the following: AEP American Electric Power, American Homes Real Estate Mikki Swisher, Bestway Disposal/Orchard Hill Landfill, Centsible Heating and Air Conditioning, Chemical Bank, Coloma City DDA, Coloma Lioness Club, Coloma Charter Township, Easy Street, Edgewater Bank, Four Season’s Spa and Pool, Friendly Tavern, Honor Credit Union, Jim and Sherry Polashak, John Corbin from JC Signs, Justin VanFerrari, J.S. Fulton Construction, Keep Me in Mind repurposed treasures, Marsha Hammond, Midwest Civil Engineers, North Berrien Community Development, Paw Paw Lake Motel, R.B. Stelter Farms, Robin Kniebes, Rory Bell, Tony Bertuca and Tracy Tavolacci. A big thank you to Chief Jason Roe, the Coloma Township Police Department and reservists for keeping this a safe event and helping wherever needed. We appreciated the Pupedis Family from the Coloma Glad Peach Festival for their time and effort putting up the stage canopy and shade canopies in the park. Thank you Andy Kendall who did our sound for the day we appreciate your willingness to be flexible with our set up. As usual our Coloma City Publics Work Department worked tirelessly many days before the event getting the City ready and all during the festival, you make our day run smoother and we really appreciate your efforts. Thanks to Apryl Watson our wonderful photographer who took hundreds of pictures of the Car Show, bands and spectators all day long. We hope to continue to do exciting community events and appreciate the support from the people who live, visit and work in our community. As you can tell, if you missed this event you missed a great time!
Chana Kniebes Community Development Coordinator
North Berrien Community Development
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