Rolling Back the Years

News from the Coloma Courier

100 years ago – 1923

A special invitation is extended to the school children to meet the train at the Pere Marquette depot. This visit is from the Grand Rapids Wholesalers. Businessmen stand ready to give a most cordial welcome.

The Community Church will hold a Young People’s Conference. The program will consist of musical numbers and several speakers.

The business men feel the need to spend more time with their families. An agreement to close their stores at 6 p.m. was reached.

60 years ago – 1963

Theatre to open here – Tom DeRosa, owner of the Loma Furniture congratulates Jack Lola, who purchased it. Lola plans to convert the building to a first-class deluxe theatre.

Chief of Police Chet Krutel came home after suffering a heart attack. He has been at Mercy Hospital.

Over 70,000 cases of peaches were packed at the Coloma Cooperative Canning Company. Expert women pit the peaches.

Michigan Bell Telephone Company will deliver telephone directories. “Our operators enjoy coming to the aid of persons who have dialed ‘O’ in emergencies.”

30 years ago – 1993

The fourth annual Tri-Cities Trade Fair was a success. Some participating businesses: Artiste Hollow, The State Bank of Coloma, Wil-O-Paw Motel, Vi Shafer School of the Dance and Glad-Peach Festival.

School Bus driver Marilyn Reed receives a ticket relating to the accident her bus was involved in. “This accident provides a strong argument for an adult monitor on the school buses,” states Watervliet Sergeant Bill Saurbier.

The Men’s Club of the Riverside United Methodist Church will hold a Swiss Steak Dinner. Price is by donation and will go to various church projects.

North Berrien Senior Center is a gathering place for senior citizens. Along with meals, the center provides social and community services as well as legal services. Many volunteers donate their time.

Submitted by volunteer Sandi Musick Munchow at Coloma Public Library from the Coloma Courier newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record.

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News from the Hartford Day Spring

100 years ago - 1923

Eraster Bros., who have operated the Hartford creamery on West Main Street for the past year, has sold the creamery to Anthony Miller. Miller is a thoroughly experienced creamery man, having been associated with some of the largest creameries in the country during the past seventeen years. He will move his family here, having leased the Drullinger house on Bernard Street.

Rev. A.L. Fisher, pastor of the Community Church, spoke before the Kiwanis Club on the theme, “Higher Manhood.” Rev. Fisher emphasized the need of a high standard of morality among men as an example to the youth of the country, and defines the things which he deems essential to the building of a higher moral character.

80 years ago - 1943

Members of the Hartford Woman’s Club motored to the country home of Mrs. Jesse H. Powers for the opening meeting of the club year. During the business meeting, the president, Mrs. Clare Clover, appointed a nominating committee to name a recording secretary to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation from that office of Mrs. Nellie Smith.

The Hartford Mother’s Club met October 4, at the home of Mrs. Leo Chaney. Two guests were present at the meeting. During the business meeting arrangements were made to spend one evening a month working at the Red Cross headquarters in Paw Paw. After the business meeting Mrs. E.M. Smith took charge of the program for the evening.

60 years ago - 1963

The 75-piece Hartford High School marching band will go to Dowagiac to compete in the Southwest Michigan district marching festival. Hartford will be one of five Class C bands competing. In all, 15 bands will take part and will form a massed band to play three marches to conclude the program.

Hartford firemen spent Saturday morning erecting a framework on their training tower at the south well site. The building will simulate a small house, and will be used to give firemen an opportunity to practice ladder, hose and rescue work.

Submitted by Librarian Stephanie Daniels at Hartford Public Library from microfilm copies of the Hartford Day Spring.

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News from the Watervliet Record

90 years ago - 1933

According to the estimate made by the Department of Public Instruction, the total number of unemployed teachers for the state is placed at 12,000. This surplus has resulted from the annual overproduction of teachers from Michigan and out-of-state teachers training institutions. Another factor is the drastic curtailment of teaching personnel. A recent survey by the department shows that there are 3,500 fewer teachers in public schools today than there were three years ago.

We approach Navy Day, Oct. 27, the anniversary of the birth of the American Navy. Incidentally, Oct. 27 also will be the anniversary of the birth of Theodore Roosevelt, staunch friend and builder of the American Navy, and a proponent of preparedness on sea as the first line of national defense.

60 years ago - 1963

Gregory Parrett received the God and Country Medal on Sept. 29, at the First Methodist Church. Gregory has been working well over a year to earn this coveted award from the Boy Scouts of America. This 13-year-old, eighth-grade student has worked his way up in scouting and is now working on his Star badge. He is also one of the top students in his class at school.

Mr. and Mrs. George Spore celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on Oct. 6, when their children and grandchildren, 15 in number, met and enjoyed a family dinner together.

30 years ago - 1993

At the Watervliet School Board meeting held on Oct. 11, student-athletes and parents rallied in support of Jim Winter, asking that he be appointed to the position of boys head basketball coach. It was made abundantly clear by the group Concerned Citizens for Coaching, that Winter, a Junior-Senior High School social studies teacher, who is also in his second year as girls basketball coach, is the overwhelming choice for head boys basketball coach.

The WHS gymnasium was the site of the fourth annual Tri-Cities Trade Fair. Over 60 area businesses from Coloma, Watervliet, and Hartford gathered together under one roof to show their wares. The economy has forced people to shop better, watching their money a little closer, and looking for real bargains.

Submitted by Sally Q. Gonzalez from files at Watervliet District Library of the Watervliet Record newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record.

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