Rolling Back the Years

News from the Coloma Courier

100 years ago – 1923

Automobiles driving to the twin cities over the Twelve Corners road will be pleased to learn that the road will be opened again. Work at the Territorial road and the Twelve Corners road, east to Euclid Avenue is complete.

The interurban line and the Pere Marquette both cross Paw Paw Street at the same place. Heavy traffic put this spot in bad shape. Workmen have been sent to make repairs.

60 years ago – 1963

Residents of Watervliet and Coloma will decide on the fate of a reorganization vote of the two school systems.

A meeting to define the steps necessary to convert the privately owned library into a public library was held. The city commissioners and the township boards have owned and operated it for 59 years.

Residents comment on the parking issue on the main street. In favor of parallel parking: the Messrs. Ronald Bain, Ralph Bower, Clarence Glover and Frank Davis. In favor of angle parking: the Messrs. Donald Biastock, Clyde Duncan and William Cross. Robert Babcock, a 16-year-old student, new to driving, thinks angle parking is better.

30 years ago – 1993

Mayor Pat Beezley reported work is being done to move the Police Department to its new building. Once the North Berrien Seniors move to their new building, the Police will move in. The building is located on Logan Street.

Winners in the Middle School Candy Sales are: Angie Hutchins, Tricha Hutchinson, Jeff and Jessie Partain.

Early Bird SALE – Piwacki Ladies Apparel

Cutting Corners hair salon will sponsor a Toys for Tots week. They will donate one dollar per customer to Toys for Tots. There will also be a toy bin if anyone wishes to donate toys.

Harding’s Market – Hen or Tom Spartan Turkey 48c lb. with Coupon and $20.00 purchase.

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

Mystery Day is no longer a mystery at the Hartford Woman’s Club. The committee composed of Mary Brown, Agnes Wilkinson, Nellie Smith, Mabel Richter and Mrs. Hedwig Mann planned and carried out a most interesting and pleasant afternoon. Grace Gearing sang in her inimitable way, “When I Dream of My Home Sweet Home.” Emma Ocobock then gave, in an especially vivid and entertaining way, an account of her cruise in the Mediterranean countries and her homeward journey through Europe.

The Philharmonic Club of Hartford will give their third annual musicale on Tuesday evening, December 4, at the Christian church.

80 years ago - 1943

In spite of a snow storm which reached almost blizzard proportions, members and guests of the Philharmonic Club to the number of twenty gathered in the home of Mrs. Milton Weed for the regular meeting of the club. The brief business session was conducted by the first vice-president, Letha Combes, and opened with the singing of the theme song, “I Hear America Singing.” Lola Staples told of the plan to present a Christmas program for the soldiers at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek and asked that as many members as possible to take part.

60 years ago - 1963

The Federated Church will hold its annual Thanksgiving family night dinner at the church. The program will include singing, special music, the needs of a Thanksgiving offering and a film, “Laughter is Holy.” Persons not solicited are to bring a vegetable or salad and table service.

Hartford Combined Appeal’s 1963 fund drive moved slowly toward its goal as another $290 in contributions were turned in during the last week to Treasurer Veronica Phillips. The fund now is just a little more than $600 short of its $8,000 goal. Last year the fund raised $7,900, and in the nine successive years of its history, it never failed to exceed its goal.

The Camera Club will meet tonight at the bank community room. Mrs. Blanche Denton will show pictures of Mexico. Mrs. William Pelikan, Mrs. Herman Schmaltz and Mrs. Thomas Collier will be hostesses for the evening.

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

A force of men is still working on Hays field, which is being converted into an attractive park and playground. The work is one of the CWA projects with 28 shovelers and three trucks working this week. Already an improvement has been wrought and when completed, Watervliet will have as fine an athletic field as any town of its size.

With Christmas less than three weeks away, Watervliet stores are putting on their holiday attire and have a stock of holiday goods that would do justice to a town much larger than Watervliet.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Schoonover were very much surprised when about thirty-five of their relatives and friends walked in and helped them celebrate their forty-ninth wedding anniversary and their daughter’s birthday, Mrs. Edna Grant.

60 years ago - 1963

There will be a Christmas supper given free to all children of the Congregational Sunday School at Becraft’s Hall instead of having a Christmas tree at the church.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Willming Jr. became the parents of an eight-pound, one-ounce boy on Nov. 24, 1963, at Watervliet Community Hospital.

30 years ago - 1993

Annette Cummings was among the 110 students completing various degrees during the summer semester at Siena Heights College. The college awarded 16 master’s degrees, 88 bachelor’s degrees, and seven associate’s degrees to the August 1993 graduates. Cummings earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in general studies. Siena Heights College is a private Catholic coeducational liberal arts college offering associate, bachelor and master’s degrees in more than 30 programs of study.

WHS junior class officers Cory VanNiel, Serena Sloan, Mark Epple, and Dan Pfeffer prove that even upperclassmen enjoy suckers. The juniors are selling these gourmet lollipops through Dec. 10. All profits go toward the junior-senior prom which will be held April 30.

Peg Borman brought her spinning wheel during her Pioneer Day demonstration for the students at Watervliet’s South Elementary School. Peg was one of twenty-five demonstrators and parent leaders involved in twelve learning centers set up to give approximately ninety second-grade students a first-hand experience trying out chores shared by pioneer children and their families.

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

Hours: Mon & Wed, 10-7; Tue & Thu 10-6; Fri 10-5; Sat 9-3

Phone: 269-463-6382