Rolling Back the Years

News from the Coloma Courier

100 years ago – 1923

The Country Fair and Carnival was such a big success, it will be made an annual event. The receipts from admission tickets and goods amounted to $385. Everybody in the community helped to make the event a success.

The high school football squad defeated the St. Joseph high school reserves. VanDerveer, Arent and Fritz were important players.

Young men, Donald Hurt and Kenneth Munjoy were arraigned on charges of drunk and disorderly and larceny. Both plead guilty to charges.

60 years ago – 1963

Sophomore Jack Knuth marched 65 yards to score a touchdown and defeat Watervliet, 12 to 6, in a thrilling gridiron contest.

“Lock, Stock and Lipstick” has been chosen by the high school seniors for presentation. The three act comedy is directed by Ralph Bower. Actors include Dwight Smith, Pat Meahl, Susan Schaaf, Clifford Herron and Charlotte McConnell.

Last rites for Mrs. Louise Muth, age 79, were held at Davidson Funeral Home. Mrs. Muth, an early pioneer of the area, was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Bainbridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Emil Schroeder celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Clifford Clapsaddle assisted during the event.

30 years ago – 1993

Thirteen high school seniors receive Academic Letter awards and chevrons. Fifteen underclassmen also receive Academic awards. The Awards Program was held at the high school.

The third arson suspect in The Friendly Tavern fire pled guilty. Sentencing includes restitution of $395,000, one year in the Berrien County Jail and five years’ probation.

The American Legion Post 362 will hold Veterans Day services at Coloma Cemetery - the national time of 11:00 a.m. on the 11th of November. Commander Coombs would like to see everyone there.

Commissioners accepted the bid for the downtown renovation project, having considered the DDA’s recommendation.

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

Stanton T. Galbreath has closed the M. F. Hoover wagon shop on East Main Street, which he has had under lease for the past several years. The closing of the shop marks the passing of one of Harford’s oldest business institutions, which had been continuously in operation for more than half a century. At one time it was noted for the high quality of the wagons and buggies that were manufactured there by M. F. Hoover, veteran wagon maker who still resides on South Center Street in this village. Patronage of wagon shops has fallen off as automobiles and trucks have amplified. Hartford still has one wagon shop and two blacksmith shops. Even blacksmithing has suffered from the motor’s monopoly of both transportation and farming.

80 years ago - 1943

Members of the Hartford Woman’s Club motored to the country home of Mrs. Jesse H. Powers on Oct. 5, 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 committee appointed Mrs. Robert Brown, Mrs. Marion Anderson and Mrs. Lola B. Miller.

The president read two letters to the club members which were from the president of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. The letters emphasized the ideals of the organization and outlined plans for club activity during the coming year.

The Hartford Mother’s Club met Monday evening, Oct. 4, at the home of Mrs. Leo Chaney. During the business meeting arrangements were made to spend one evening a month working at the Red Cross headquarters at Paw Paw.

60 years ago - 1963

Two dozen children won prizes in the annual Parent-Teachers Association Halloween costume parade at the high school gymnasium Thursday night. Best homemade costume - Ronald Davis, Karen Kellogg, Carla Miston. Best hobo - George Forham, Randy Edmonds, Kathy Falkner. Most gruesome - Dennis Klepner, Cary Laman, Kathy Hunt. Funniest - Kevin Duncome, David Newland, Thomas Falkner. Worst witch - Henry Stromeyer, Kirk Duncombe, Laurie Ward. Storybook - Tim and Lisa Melvin and Charles and Claudia and Colleen Martin (tied for first), Denise Miller, Effie Hunt. Most original - Michael Latus, Nancy Geisler. Best animal - Susan Moon, Mark Stromeyer, Tammy Rice.

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

The expenditure of $800 in improvements at Hays Field, the athletic field and park owned by the city, is contemplated in a work relief project that has been submitted by Mayor F. W. Emerson to the county emergency welfare relief commission and formally approved by the commission. The project is designed to furnish work relief to the unemployed in the city. The project provides for the building of tennis courts, the clearing of a section of the park along the river for picnic grounds, the development of a spring or flowing well, and the erection of some park buildings, seats, etc.

Mrs. Harry Whitney was honored at a surprise party on Nov. 18, 1933, at her home on Crescent Street, when all her children and their families were present to help her celebrate her birthday anniversary.

60 years ago - 1963

Cecelia Vucich, of Watervliet, a member of the Go-Getters 4-H club was honored as Outstanding 4-H Girl at the annual fall achievement held at the Youth Memorial Building in Berrien Springs. She received the Leo Stanley Memorial Award. Cecelia is a freshman at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has completed nine outstanding years in 4-H work. She also received the county awards in Achievement, Field Crops, and Leadership this past year.

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon VanDrasek are the parents of a six-pound, eight-ounce girl, Michelle Marien, born on Nov. 4, 1963 at 11:13 p.m.

30 years ago - 1933

Watervliet Junior High School is proud to present Chrystal Hummel as "Student of the Week." Chrystal can best be described as kind and caring. She finds the learning process fun, yet challenging. Chrystal lists math and science as her biggest challenges, yet art is her favorite subject. Besides art, which she hopes to continue studying at Western Michigan University, Chrystal enjoys volleyball.

Watervliet played host to the girls’ Class C District basketball tournament in mid-November. The Lady Panthers started things off on the right foot with a 42-29 win over Bangor.

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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