Rolling Back the Years

News from the Coloma Courier

100 years ago – 1925

Friday night’s football game resulted in a defeat for Three Oaks, 34-0. The first touchdown ended with a pass from Fritz to Hosbein.

The early closing of the Coloma stores went into effect this week. Late hours will remain for Wednesday and Saturday.

We are prepared to do dressmaking and ladies’ tailoring - Mrs. J. Carter and Mrs. G. T. Holmgren. Telephone 127F13

60 years ago – 1965

A special election will take place concerning tax limitations. You may register to vote at the home of Roy Martin, Clerk. Call to make an appointment.

Soil conservation officials are planning an air tour. Attempts will be made to fly individuals over their property. Call the Berrien County Extension office for arrangements.

Plans are being made to bring Santa Claus to Coloma during December. Also, decorations for downtown will be improved.

Three teen-age boys admitted to breaking into Geresy’s Hardware, Faulkner’s Dime Store and Coloma Auto Wreckers. They ran away from the Children’s Home in Kalamazoo and were heading for Missouri.

30 years ago – 1995

City Building Inspector Bernard Kelley has been authorized to proceed with demolition proceedings against The Friendly Tavern. The tavern has been closed since the May 1993 fire.

Hunt for the perfect pumpkin at Miller’s Old Barn Market. The promise of more “Indian Summer” makes for more autumn fun.

Linda Dean will teach beginner level Western line dancing. Classes will be held at Coloma Elementary. Call North Berrien Community Enrichment Coordinator at 849-2355.

6th Annual Tri-Cities Trade Fair had 35 prize winners. Food booths did very well and enthusiasm was high.

A Flu and Pneumonia Immunization Clinic will be held at the North Berrien Senior Center on Ryno Road.

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 - 1925

George B. Robbins has completed the sale of his residence property on East Main Street to John Leahy of Chicago, who will take possession on October 15. Mrs. Leahy is in the clerk’s office of the Cook County Criminal Court.

Van Buren County’s thirteenth annual county fair came to a close at the Hartford Fairgrounds last Saturday night, after writing another thoroughly successful week into the history of the exposition.

80 years ago - 1945

The village council requested cessation of operations at the asphalt paving plant at Marion and W. Main. Action of the council was sought by Mrs. William Paulsat and Glenn Beeny, representing residents of the vicinity of the plant. They charged that dirt and fumes from the plant were a health menace and caused residents much extra work, such as doing washings a second time because clothes became dirty while drying on the line.

Efforts to provide Hartford with a permanent military honor roll reached planning stage when the village council agreed informally to obtain all possible information on a variety of types of memorials. Among proposals are a bronze plaque listing only the names of men killed in action in World War II, a board to be placed in the American Legion Hall listing names of all men and women in service, and a metal or granite shaft in Ely Park listing all names.

Wank Furniture and Appliance will open a new store in Hartford at the northeast of Main and Center. Alterations and redecorating of the building began this week. The building which once before housed a furniture store has been unoccupied for some time. The store is owned by William and Richard Wank, who have been operating the South Haven store.

60 years ago - 1965

The Hartford Fire Department is conducting a number of activities in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week. Firemen visited both the north and south schools to talk on fire safety and display equipment. The annual fire prevention parade will be held on Main Street. The parade will feature the Hartford High School band and all of Hartford’s fire equipment as well as Boy and Girl Scout marching units.

Following the parade the fire department will burn a barn at the home of Mrs. Adolph Burmeister on Prospect Street. Firemen will demonstrate various pieces of equipment on the blaze and explain it to spectators.

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 - 1935

A Guernsey bull, May’s Herod 166390, bred by August Morlock and owned by A. J. Langfeldt, has won national recognition. May’s Herod has been entered in the Advanced Register of the American Guernsey Cattle Club and will be known here as an Advanced Register sire.

Parties shooting at objects on the river and mill race within the city limits are endangering the lives of residents on the Lewis Addition and other parts of the city. Only recently, bullets were flying perilously near people walking on their own premises. Probably, it is not realized that the “upper dam” is within the city limits. An ordinance prohibits shooting within the limits and has been in force for several years.

60 years ago - 1965

His Honor, Mayor Robert E. Flaherty, has proclaimed October 16 as Poinsettia Day 1965. He sincerely urges the citizens of Watervliet to pause and share for a moment the long, dreary days of our sacrificed youth and avail themselves of the opportunity to brighten their days through financial support to the rehabilitation program of the Mothers of World War II, Inc., on Poinsettia Day.

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Flagel of Watervliet are the parents of a girl, Jennifer Dawn, born Oct. 6, 1965. The baby weighed 9 pounds, 13 ounces.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Evans of Watervliet on Oct. 7, 1965. The baby has been named Rebecca Jo; she weighed 9 pounds.

30 years ago - 1995

Bill Belter has been selected “Student of the Week”. As a seventh-grade student, Bill participates in football and basketball. He was recently elected Student Council Representative of his advisory group. The summer involves playing baseball and spending time with his family.

October 13 was a big one for the Watervliet girls’ basketball team as the Lady Panthers defeated Lake Michigan Catholic to create a three-way tie atop the Red Arrow Conference. With the win, the Lady Panthers, Lady Indians, and Lady Lakers all stand at 6-2 in the conference. Against the Lady Lakes, the Lady Panthers led from start to finish after they scored the first 11 points of the ballgame. They won with a score of 38-32.

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