Rolling Back the Years

News from the Coloma Courier

100 years ago – 1923

The corner of Church and St. Joseph streets has been made wider. Since the laying of brick pavement, the junction has been too narrow for the safety of motorists. Work was able to take place.

Spencer D. Guy – Physician and Surgeon – State Bank Building – Phone Office 58 Res. 120

Twenty-three participated in the shoot of the local rifle club at the range. The range is located north and east of Coloma. A big banquet is being planned.

60 years ago – 1963

Word of the tragic death of Pvt. James D. Sternaman, 24, was received. The automobile accident occurred near Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was stationed.

A public auction house is now open for business at the Paw Paw Lake Road and the North Coloma Road intersection. Owner Harvey J. Clark will hold auctions every Thursday.

Homecoming will be observed during the football game with the Cassopolis Rangers. Cheerleaders for the game are Sandy Moser, Ricky Gard, Ann Schreiber, Linda Wilson, Bonnie Ferguson and Sherrie Scott.

Bowling highlights - Betty Lingle came up with a sparkling 299 game. Better luck next time, Betty!

30 years ago – 1993

Coloma Homecoming Court Candidates… Queen: Melissa Zerbe, Maureen Ovington, Renee Stanisz, Natalie Schultz and Shannon Pounders. King: Gavin Dewey, Billy Coleman, Jason Mestre, Rob Goetz, Adrian Tavolacci and Mike Barbee.

Coloma DDA received word that its $300,000 grant has been approved. Clerk Martha Darling read the letter of acceptance. Homer Humphrey, Charter Commission member has attended the City meeting.

The Coloma School Board voted to expel two students. The reason given is “gross violation” of the Uniform Code and Student Discipline Rule.

First Missionary Baptist Church introduces its new pastor. Brother Roger Stewart, wife Gena, sons Brett and Hayden come from Star City, Arkansas.

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

Hours: Mon-Thu 9-7; Fri & Sat 9-2

Phone: 269-468-3431

News from the Hartford Day Spring

100 years ago - 1923

Hartford apple growers have been busy gathering a good crop of winter fruit. While it is below former years, the apple crop is a good one and some very choice fruit is being packed. Growers in the vicinity of Hartford and Bangor have had difficulty in securing pickers, and the orchards have been busy places.

Mrs. Nettie Dunbar sold the W.H. Dunbar meat market, both the building and equipment to Frank L. Druillinger and Oliver R. Saimave who will conduct the business under the firm name Druillinger & Saimave. The market is one of Hartford’s oldest business institutions, having been conducted by W.H. Dunbar for more than 25 years prior to his death.

80 years ago - 1943

Winners in the Hartford Township victory garden contest will receive cash awards when distribution of the $44 prize fund is completed. Milton Weed cashier of the Van Buren State Bank, in whose custody the money has been placed, is planning to forward checks to the gardeners. The prize fund was accumulated under the direction of Lloyd Taylor, teacher in the Hartford school, who was chairman of the victory garden committee.

Arrangements for the dedication services of the Hartford honor board are being completed by the Hartford chapter of the Mothers of World War II. A patriotic program is being planned for Armistice Day, Nov. 11. According to tentative plans, there will be a parade and several speakers.

60 years ago - 1963

The Hartford Fire department will hold an open house, Chief Harold Walker announced. Coffee and donuts will be served to visitors and all the department’s equipment will be on display. The annual event is part of Fire Prevention Week. A new overhead door and new plywood floor at the station have been installed and painted in time for the open house. Firemen visited the grade schools yesterday to show children a fire truck and talk to them about fire safety.

A parking lot for truck trailers provided by the village apparently is accomplishing its purpose. It was built on Beechwood Street at the south well site to get heavy trailers off village streets while drivers spend weekends at their homes here.

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

Hours: Mon & Wed 10-7; Tue, Thu & Fri 10-5; Sat 10-2

Phone: 269-588-5103

News from the Watervliet Record

90 years ago - 1933

Watervliet people who got out of bed early enough on Oct. 27 obtained a glimpse of the giant airship, the Graf Zeppelin, which left Akron, Ohio last night for Chicago and the Century of Progress. The Zeppelin, sailing westward passed south of this city directly over the townline road between Watervliet and Bainbridge at about 4:30 in the morning. Among the local people who saw the ship were Robert Krieger and Will Treder. James Loveland, the local jewelry man, saw the lights of the ship from town and heard the roar of the motors.

Mrs. J. H. Hammel was surprised when her daughter made a dinner in her honor for her birthday. The house was beautifully decorated with fall flowers sent by friends, and the table decorations were Halloween.

60 years ago - 1963

Watervliet High School was notified that it has now become a Class B school with an official enrollment of 406 students. Michigan schools go into a B classification when their high school enrollment reaches 400. The Watervliet athletic teams, however, will not engage in Class B competition until next year.

Marine Private First Class Robert C. Raiff, a member of Marine Air Control Squadron Eight, Marine Corps Air Facility, New River, Jacksonville, NC, departed Sept. 25, for a field exercise in Camp Lejeune, NC.

Mr. and Mrs. William Griffin became the parents of an 8 lb., 13.25 oz. boy on Oct. 14, 1963.

30 years ago - 1993

Nineteen Watervliet Jr. High and High School students recently auditioned for regional and state honor choirs sponsored by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. Approximately 750 singers tried out for one of three junior high choirs; 360 were accepted. Between 300 and 400 high school singers competed for 200 positions in the regional high school choir. Singers from the regional choir will have the opportunity to audition for the state honor choir in December.

Congratulations to this week's WHS "Student of the Week," senior Don Craig. Don was "Student of the Month" at the Van Buren Vo-Tech Center recently. Some of his activities include being a second-year Vo-Tech student in studying (CADD) Computer Aided Drafting and Design.

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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