Rolling Back the Years

News from the Coloma Courier

100 years ago – 1924

“Peanut and Popcorn Prince” Thomas B. Rogers, passed away after a 2-week illness. He was a patient at Mercy Hospital. Services were held at the Methodist church.

Dance and Vaudeville – Bunker’s Opera House. Music and Acts by the Famous 4 Sisters Orchestra

At The Coloma Theatre – “Rainbow Inn,” a three-act comedy presented by the Junior Class. Robert Becht, Clyde Koob, Elsie Shine, Ella Taube and Dora and Lina Muth are a few principals.

60 years ago – 1964

The 26th annual Mothers March in the March of Dimes campaign will be staged tonight. People are asked to turn their porch lights on as an aid to the canvassers.

Remodeling of the Loma Theatre is being rushed to completion. Ray Dlouhy is doing the electrical work.

The Coloma All-Stars, a team made up of ex-basketball players, drubbed the Bendix Corp Broncos, 90-76. Bill Leedy, now instructor at Washington, hit on 16 baskets.

The Veteran’s Club of the Twin Cities Container Corporation held their annual dinner-meeting at Hildagarde’s on Paw Paw Lake.

Homer Umphrey will instruct classes on fire and emergency work to the Volunteer Fire Department.

30 years ago – 1994

The crowning of Miss Coloma 1994 will take place in the high school auditorium. Some contestants are: Sarah Salmon, Carrie Schinck, Maureen Ovington, Samantha Graffenius and Angela Admave.

Winterfest ’94 was a hit. The cold of old man winter could not dampen spirits. The Pour House saw a Dart Tournament. Rich Owens and George Vollrath took first place.

Winter Clearance at the new Piwacki Ladies Apparel. Sale extended one more week.

The North Berrien Senior Center started their new year in style in their new building located on Ryno Road. It has been tastefully decorated in cool, soothing pastels. Come visit this friendly atmosphere.

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 - 1924

An alarm called the firemen to the Dr. W. S. Hinckley home on South Center Street, where a burning chimney was the cause of the excitement. Dr. Hinckley was burning the chimney intentionally and was watching it, but neighbors who saw it belching sparks and fire thought trouble was impending and turned in the alarm.

E. A. Kirby has purchased the Huribut & Co., variety store. Mr. Kirby is thoroughly experienced in mercantile lines and contemplates many changes and the enlargement of stock. The business will be continued in its present location in what is known as the Darling building. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby will move to Hartford immediately.

80 years ago - 1944

At their regular meeting Tuesday evening, in the Gleaner hall, the Hartford Mothers of World War II voted to purchase a $100 war bond during the fourth loan drive. Mrs. S. T. Galbreath, chairman of the bake sale committee, reported that proceeds from the sale Saturday, Jan. 29, totaled $40.21.

The Hartford Woman’s Club met Feb. 1, at the home of Mrs. Isabelle Wood. During the business meeting, the president announced that the state federation would be April 18 and 19 in Grand Rapids. Mrs. Norman Clapp reviewed “The Robe,” the current best seller among novels, written by Lloyd C. Douglas. The next meeting, “music day” will be at the home of Mrs. Milton Weed, who will be in charge of the afternoon’s entertainment.

60 years ago - 1964

As welcome as a sure sign of spring as flowers poke their heads through the snow is the announcement this week that preparations will begin soon for the selection of Miss Hartford 1964 and construction of a float for her ride in the Blossom Festival parade. The float committee will hold its first meeting Feb. 15, at the American Legion hall. It is open to anyone wishing to work on the float this year. The contest for selecting Miss Hartford has been set for Saturday, April 11.

Modern Mother’s Club will meet at the home of Mrs. Norman Ison. Dennis Clecknor will speak on social security, followed by a question and answer period.

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 - 1934

Berrien County experienced the coldest weather recorded here in many years. Temperatures for three days ranged between 12 to 23 degrees below zero. Berrien County growers were very worried over the effects of the severe cold on the peach crop as well as cherries.

At their farm in North Watervliet, where they have resided nearly half a century, Mr. and Mrs. John Pocket quietly observed the 55th anniversary of their marriage.

Students of the public speaking class of Watervliet gave a presentation at Hartford High School. The play “A Perfect Tribute” was in honor of Abraham Lincoln.

60 years ago - 1964

Arthur Helwig has been promoted to Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy. He is serving aboard the USS Watts, out of Tacoma, which takes groups of Reservists out for training.

Army PFC Thomas L. Whitney of the 7th Infantry Division took part in the exercise “SNOW STORM” in Korea. Whitney, a mechanic in Company B of the Division’s 707th Maintenance Battalion, entered the Army in Jan. 1963. He is a 1962 graduate of Watervliet High School.

Pvt. Frank Pflugradt Jr. will spend the month of February on maneuvers in Hawaii. He graduated from tank school as top man in his class. Frank graduated Watervliet High School in 1956.

30 years ago - 1994

Jim Bembenik of the Berrien County Intermediate School District gave a presentation to the Watervliet School Board; the subject, “Preparing our schools for the future.” He urged the board to set up a curriculum committee to plan, research, and come up with a vision plan for preparing Watervliet students for a future where already the world is moving too fast for books to keep up with all the new technologies and information.

Sophomore Heather Postelli is the WHS Student of the Week. Heather has been active with cheerleading, pompom squad, choir and band, yearbook, Ski Club, variety shows, plays and as Class President. Her future plans are to become an attorney.

The Watervliet varsity volleyball team has started off well, going 8-4-2 to begin the season. There are still many key games to be played in the conference but the lady spikers should come out on top.

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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