Rolling Back the Years

News from the Coloma Courier

100 years ago – 1923

Coloma suffered from the worst fire the village has seen in a decade. Flames burst at Central garage, on the Logan Street side. Soon G. Sawatzki’s woodworking shop, and Felix Sawatzki’s blacksmith and machine shop were in flames.

Robbers entered several business houses. H. D. Grant’s shoe and dry goods, Homer B. Grant’s furnishings, Harry Hill’s hardware and Scott’s drug store, all were visited.

A real live booster club for Coloma was organized. Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Alguire hosted the group. Dr. T. C. Tiedebohl was elected president.

60 years ago – 1963

Munchow installed as Worshipful Master in Masonic Lodge. Fred Munchow Jr. succeeds Ray Doornbos. A dinner was served by the wives of incoming officers.

Coloma Cab – HO 8-3266

Snow Plowing – Jack Atherton – day or night - HO 8-3409

A very nice selection of Christmas and winter poems is published in this issue. Some of the young poets are: Sandra Fikes, Mark Lofblad and Stanley Kelley.

The Courier’s new masthead premiers in this issue. Artist Muriel Hannah of Anchorage, Alaska was chosen. Our thanks go to all.

30 years ago – 1993

Sweet memories of Christmases past are shared by Mildred Mainwaring, Marion Smith, Norm Carrothers and Dorothy Morlock. They long for the old spirit of Christmas. They fondly remember when their only gift was handmade and their stocking contained an orange and a candy cane.

Reunion planning committee members of the Class of 1974 ask for your help in locating a few classmates. Call Dave Stankiewicz or Shirley DeGroot Leith.

Fred’s Meat Market – Located in Farmer Fridays. We have Holiday Party Trays and Deli Specials.

Weight limitations on Paw Paw Avenue bridge force the fire department to take a different route. The state is investigating the condition of the bridge.

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

Christmas in Hartford will commence with the festivities sponsored by the Sunday schools at the churches next Sunday evening, and will coincide with the community Christmas program at the high school auditorium on Christmas Eve.

The music department of the Hartford Woman’s Club held its regular meeting at the home of Mrs. F. N. Williams. The program was on the opera, Il Trovatore.

80 years ago - 1943

The Park Hotel which has been closed to the public for several months will soon reopen under its new ownership. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Brown, who recently purchased the 31-room hotel from Mrs. Donald Disbrow, announced this week that remodeling and redecorating work would be completed early in January. Four three-room apartments are being constructed and will be available to renters within a few weeks either furnished or unfurnished. Other sleeping rooms are being redecorated as are also the lobby, dining room, kitchen, and living quarters on the first floor.

The Hartford Art Study group met at the home of Mrs. Elinora Chamberlin, whose cousin, Mrs. Maude Corey, have the day’s lesson on paintings of Joaquin Sorolia, Spanish painter, who lived 1863-1923. He was an impressionist and true realist, painting sunlight, motion, and vivid life. Mrs. William Watson told of her visit to the National Gallery during her recent visit to Washington D.C.

60 years ago - 1963

The first blizzard of the season hit Hartford this week, giving rise to both memories of last year’s storm and fears that it would be repeated. The area dug out without too much difficulty from a heavy snowfall Saturday and Sunday, but the space between snow squalls proved short and a real load of the white stuff was dumped Tuesday night. Up to 12 inches of new snow fall was predicted for last night, accompanied by high winds. It is the latter that creates the biggest problem in keeping the roads open.

The annual Christmas potluck luncheon and party of the Hartford Garden Club will be held at the bank community room.

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 has three residents over 90 years of age. The oldest resident, Mini Sophia Weber, celebrated her 99th birthday on April 10, and Mrs. Catherine Brevard was 93 years of age on March 6. Uriah Wood, Watervliet’s only surviving Civil war veteran, observed his 92nd birthday on July 4.

It only happens once in a century. The date written in customary business fashion will present the first four digits in order on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 1934 (1/2/34).

60 years ago - 1963

Bruce Emerson, who received his commission as Ensign in the U.S. Navy Dec. 6, was in New York with the Pensacola Navy Choir where they taped some songs that will be heard on TV Christmas Eve.

Recipe for a Merry Christmas - take the crisp of a December night, add two generous parts of snow, stir in air so clear it tinkles. Into a generous heart, mix the wonder of a little girl, the sparkle of a young boy’s glance, the love of parents, and set gently before the chimney side. Add the lightest touch of a reindeer’s hooves, a sprig of holly, a scent of fir. Set the mixture to rise in the warmth of a dream of goodwill to men. It will be almost ready to serve when it bubbles with warmth and good feeling. Bedeck with the light of a star set in the East, garnish with shining balls of gold, silver and red. Serve to the tune of an ancient carol in the middle of the family table.

30 years ago - 1993

Wanda Dickerson is proud of the Wesco bakery department baked and delivered to the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen on Christmas Day. Wanda delivered them through adverse weather conditions while Mary Wilder, Elizabeth Stainbrook, and Jim Stainbrook, all donated their time to make the donuts with donated supplies. This is the second year that the Watervliet store has done this and it was greatly appreciated by people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from a lot of the time.

Some 2,000 University of Michigan students on the Ann Arbor campus were degree candidates this winter. The university’s winter commencement ceremony was held Dec. 12. Steven M. White of Watervliet received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

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