News from the Coloma Courier
100 years ago – 1923
The day of grace for driving your automobile with expired plates has passed. Make a trip to the county treasurer’s office to secure your new plate.
The Friday Bros. Canning Company held their annual stockholders meeting. It was decided to merge with fourteen other canning companies in western Michigan.
Citizens make plans to attend the presentation of “Deacon Dubbs.” The dramatic club of the First Community Church will perform at the Coloma Theatre.
60 years ago – 1963
Will your porch light be burning tonight? More than 40 marching mothers will canvass our town during the 25th annual March of Dimes.
Four cars of a Chesapeake & Ohio freight train derailed near the Twin City Container Corporation. No injuries occurred.
George Vollrath joined the “select 700 circle” with a sparkling 712 series last week at Wil-O-Paw Lanes.
With over 80 inches of snowfall this winter, Ernest Schaer built an igloo. Mrs. Schaer and their Dachshund, Long John, enjoy their cozy get away.
The hunt for “Miss Coloma” is underway, reports chairman, Mrs. Vern Zerlaut.
30 years ago – 1993
Miss Coloma 1993 contest theme is “Travels on the Orient Express.” Some contestants are Kristin Evett, Christine Dickinson, Nicole and Tracy Schlipp and Patricia Garland.
Superintendent Clifford Tallman tells about the student opportunities available as they plan for the thirteenth year of the desegregation decision.
Erica Tarantino received a scholarship to attend a Creative Writing Class at Michigan Tech. Her poem, “Italian Hall Disaster” is published in this issue.
Piwacki – Winter Clearance going on now. Save 50% - 70%.
Mrs. Elia Zechiel, Spanish teacher for Coloma, is planning a trip to Mexico. Mrs. Elli Maas’ German students participated in a German trip.
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
Eugene Duffey, Hartford’s veteran ice man, began his ice harvest yesterday and if weather conditions hold good for a few days Hartford will have no further worry over the possibility of iced tea next summer. He has rented the W.H. Dunbar ice house and will fill that as well as his own, the two houses holding about 600 tons if ice.
The Hartford Kiwanis Club announced a minstrel show to be presented at the high school auditorium; proceeds to be used to finance the Kiwanis plan to place suitable sign boards upon the main highways leading into Hartford.
80 years ago - 1943
By earning Eagle ranking, five Boy Scouts from the Hartford troop have set a record for advancement that many troops with much larger memberships cannot match. All of these boys completed their work during the last year, Kenneth Pomeroy, James Coleman, Donald Ishoy, James Tollar and Paul Abrams.
Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Paul of west South Street are receiving congratulations this week from family, friends and neighbors in recognition of their 55th wedding anniversary.
60 years ago - 1963
The latest storm to hit the Hartford area eased somewhat this week, permitting schools to resume classes and road crews to reopen plugged highways. There now have been a total of 13-1/2 days of no school here because of the weather in the current school year.
By Saturday, most of the county roads had been opened, but Sunday the roads filled up again as more snow was dumped on the area and drifted by strong wind. County plowing operations had to be halted Sunday morning because visibility dropped to zero. By Monday night, however, most roads were open again and school resumed on Tuesday. At that, buses had some difficulty on roads narrowed by towering snowbanks.
Art Study class met at the home of Mrs. Elbridge Rice. A program on current art events was given by Mrs. Paul Bullett and Miss Ethel Galbreath.
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
On Feb. 12, scouts of Watervliet were the guests of the Methodist church at a Lincoln service. Rev. Blanning of the Congregational church of Benton Harbor, addressed the congregation on the subject of “Abraham Lincoln—Failure.”
Earl McKean, of Troop 61, gave the Gettysburg Address.
Dr. J. W. Gunn reports the arrival of a little daughter at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Brooks on Feb. 13, 1933. The little lady has been given the name of Beverly Joyce.
60 years ago - 1963
David Steele Sr. will be honored on the occasion of his 90th birthday with a family party at his home. He lives with his son, Asa on Butternut Street and has been a Watervliet resident for 58 years.
A2/C Raymond Hill graduated from 3415th tech school, USAF, Lowery AFB Colorado in radar maintenance. He has been sent to Seymour Johnson AFB North Carolina and will be there until Feb 14.
Samuel P. Tate, 19, recently was promoted to specialist four in Germany where he is serving with the 75th Artillery. Specialist Tate is a radio operator in the artillery’s headquarters Battery in Hanau.
30 years ago - 1993
Muhammad Ali provided an innovative therapy approach at the Community Rehabilitation Center in Watervliet. His visit brightened the day for hospital staff and rehab patients.
Sophomore Michelle Letke has been selected as “Student of the Week” at WHS. Michelle is an excellent student and is always willing to help others. She has been a member of the pompon squad for the past two years. Last year she was selected as the most improved member. She has also performed in the annual variety show for the past two years. Her teachers stated that Michelle is very dependable, self-motivated and works with a smile on her face.
The eighth annual Watervliet Baseball Clinic will be held at WHS. Former Major League player Bob Storm will be the new speaker at the clinic and will be assisted by Sherm Ostrander. Storm helped win two state titles at Buchanan and once was a starting outfielder with the Minnesota Twins. Ostrander has his own summer camp that he runs near Niles and he is an expert on hitting.
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
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