Paw Paw River Journal
Long Arm of the Law!
Sometime ago from down St. Joe way, friend Ray Sreboth (God rest his soul) sent me the following story. It evidently came from the internet, so I could not credit the source beyond him. Anyway, it is a cute story and reminds me of a similar circumstance involving my own Chief Accountant and an officer of the law. First, here is Ray’s story: A police officer pulls over a speeding car. The officer says, “I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir.” The driver says, “Gee, officer I had it on cruise control at 60, perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating.” Not looking up from her knitting the wife says, “Now don’t be silly dear, you know our cruise control is not working.” As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, “Can’t you please keep your mouth shut for once?” The wife smiles demurely and says, “You should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did.” As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit (illegal in that state), the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, “Woman, can’t you keep your mouth shut?” The officer frowns and says, “And I notice that you are not wearing your seat belt, sir. That is an automatic $75 fine.” The driver says, “Yeah, well, you see officer, I had it on, but took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket.” The wife says, “Now, dear, you know very well that you did not have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you are driving.” And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket the driver turns to his wife and barks, “Why don’t you please shut up??” The officer looks over at the woman and asks, “Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma’am?” (I love this part…) “Only when he has been drinking”, she answered. Now for my own story, which is a sort of twist on the above, only it ended with my NOT getting a speeding ticket. Some years ago we were on our way to a wedding down in Elkhart, Indiana, dressed in our finest…..and we were late, so I was pushing it a little bit. Somewhere south of Cassopolis, we came over a hill and met a county deputy going the opposite way. As soon as he passed us, his lights went on and he stopped. I said to Marion, “Oh, oh…he had his radar on and has clocked us speeding!” I pulled right off the edge of the road and stopped with my window down. Pulling up behind us, he parked, lights still flashing, and came up on my driver’s side. I put my hands in plain sight (police always appreciate that!), and waited for him to get out his clipboard with citation forms. He said, “May I see your driver’s license, please?” He was a handsome, dark-haired, burly young man…..looked over my license, then at Marion and me. “You know, Roy, you were going pretty fast! My gun clocked you at 77 miles per hour!” Marion leaned forward and said, “I beg your pardon, Officer. We were not going over 72!” I placed my hand on her leg and said, “Please shut up, Marion! Never argue with an officer!” Turning to him, I could see he was smiling. I said, “We are on our way to a wedding in Elkhart….and we are running late!” He stood there a moment….looked at us in our good clothes….looked at my license again….then said, “Well, Roy, I am going to let you go with a warning….but you had better slow down!” I thanked him, and as we pulled away…stole a look at Marion. Her jaw was set, and she was staring straight ahead, “Only reason he let you go is he is a MALE CHAUVINIST!” I said, “Yes….but it got us out of a ticket!” And she was still muttering under her breath for several minutes thereafter. And that’s the story on that!
Watervliet author and artist Donna Nelson Gauntlett book signing
Watervliet author and artist Donna Nelson Gauntlett will be doing a book signing at the Coloma Library on Tuesday August 23, 2016 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Her book “Finding Pockets of Happiness, An Illustrator’s Memoir” is about finding joy in the midst of life’s challenges. Donna shares her story of going through many struggles including a very painful unnamed illness, injuries, losing six of her pets in eighteen months, and many difficult life changes she encountered. Even in the midst of everything going wrong,
Donna Nelson
Gauntlett expresses how she was able to “find her own pockets of happiness” through connecting with her inner joy. She discovers art in her darkest of days and lets her experiences guide her as she expresses herself on paper. By sharing the discovery of her inner child and how she turned illness into a time of inspiration, Donna provides hope no matter your circumstances. She offers the reader an opportunity to realize you are not alone, and that you can find your own inner happiness. Lighthearted, colorful and whimsical, this illustrated memoir inspires others to overcome adversity. There is also a companion coloring journal that is filled with whimsical drawings and inspirational messages. Receive one free art print with the purchase of her book. Donna Nelson Gauntlett was born in Watervliet and later moved to Sarasota, Florida. Her family has been in the area since 1919. Her grandfather and his brother owned a local business on Main Street called Nelson Brothers. They sold many miscellaneous items such as jewelry, auto parts, automobiles, radios, televisions, and guitars to mention a few. Later her dad joined the business and the name was changed to Nelson Auto Parts. Donna’s grandmother, Lavinia Nelson was the organist and music teacher at the Plymouth Congregational Church for over forty years. After retirement her parents have returned seasonally for the last twenty years and reside in the old Nash home.
Coloma Courier
1916 – 100 years ago
George F. Cone has purchased a lung motor for use in case of emergency. It is easy to operate and requires no oxygen. It is found in a glass case at his boat house near Lakewood pier. George Hewitt and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Clara Hewitt, suffered injuries while out driving. The lines became crossed and he pulled the horse into the bank. They were thrown out of the buggy as it tipped over.
1956 – 60 years ago
Teaching positions are filled at Coloma High School. Road improvements will be presented to residents of Buena Vista, Sunset Drive, Maple Heights, Maple, Cherry and High streets in the Kolberg and Walton subdivision. Those enjoying summer travel: Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Bellinger visit Manistee and surrounding area; Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Dorstewitz, weekend at Mackinac island; the Misses Cora, Marjory and Marie Furman visit relatives in Indianapolis. A – G Super Market, next to the theater, Coffee $1.89; Spartan Detergent 45 cents; Lean Ground Beef 3 pounds for 99 cents.
1986 – 30 years ago
The Vi Shafer International Dance Troupe returned from a tour of Vancouver, British Columbia. Dancers include: Cindy and Kim Schinck, Sara Oderkirk, Lainie Howard and Greg Ryan. Youth that captured trophies and awards during Youth Fair Week at Berrien Springs: Todd Atherton, Champion Wild Flower Arrangement; Karen Hirsch, Reserve Champion Home Economics; and Jeff Duffield, Grand Champion Market chickens. Coloma students are to report Thursday, August 28 for the first day of school. This will be a half-day; Friday, Aug. 29 will be a full day. City Police Chief Ken Unruh reports Officer Gustafson arrested an Illinois driver for driving with a revoked license, improper plates and possession of cocaine. DeRosa’s Pasta Hut – Downtown Coloma – Bucket of Spaghetti with Meat Sauce only $9.00.
Hartford Day Spring 1916 – 100 years ago
The Indians of the Rush lake district are making elaborate preparations for the Indian picnic to be held tomorrow in the church yard of ancient St. Dominic’s Catholic church on the bank of Rush Lake, four miles northwest of town. They have prepared an elaborate chicken dinner to be served at noon, and have erected a dancing bowery and a bow and arrow shooting gallery as well as other features to entertain the picnickers. The war dance of the Potawatomi will be staged at eleven o’clock in the forenoon. The new brick paving on Main Street between Maple and Franklin streets was completed last Friday and opened to traffic. The section from Franklin street west to the Pere Marquette railroad has also been graded and rolled and the laying of brick was begun today. As soon as that block is completed work will begin on the block from Center Street to Haver Street.
1941 – 75 years ago
Louis Hamann of the Durable Cement Products Company of Hartford, makers of cement hog troughs designed by Mr. Haman, has solved the priority order restricting the supply of sheet metal to civilian users as far as his company is concerned. He has resorted to the use of steel oil drums as ready-made hoppers for his automatic pig and hog feeders. Both ends are removable from the drums. They are then mounted upright on a cement cone that surmounts the cement feeding bowl and the upper end fitted with a cone-shaped cover. The feeder has a capacity for a generous quantity of dry feed which filters down around the cone to the feeding bowl, and is so constructed that the feed cannot clog. Hartford dairy routes on Monday increased the price of milk from 10 to 11 cents a quart, with pints selling for six cents. Increase production costs prompted the raise.
1966 – 50 years ago
The Blessed Sacrament was stolen from the altar of Immaculate Conception Church in a break-in early Monday morning, and an office was entered and ransacked at the Federated church. The Rev. Fr. C. Robert Stockwell, pastor of Immaculate Conception, called the theft “The worst desecration that could be committed to our church”. The break-in was discovered at about 6 a.m. when Father Stockwell went to the church to prepare for early morning holy day mass. He said he found a candle which the thieves had left burning on the altar. From this he estimated that the break-in occurred at about 4:30 a.m. The basement of the church was entered by prying out a front window. Efforts to pry out a west window were unsuccessful. A desk and filing cabinets in the basement were ransacked. When the burglars found they could not reach the first floor of the church from the basement, they apparently pried open a rear door leading to the sacristy. A safe there was untouched, but the burglars rummaged through a cabinet. The Tabernacle, a gold plated metal box about a foot square containing the Blessed Sacrament, was removed by prying off a locked wooden panel on the front of the altar. Father Stockwell estimated that the stolen Tabernacle weighed 40 to 50 pounds. Father Stockwell said that a new Tabernacle and Blessed Sacrament are being obtained and services would continue as usual. Entry to the Federated church office was gained by cutting a screen to a window opening on a roof about 10 feet above the ground. Contents of drawers and cabinets were littered about the office floor.
Watervliet Record 1926 – 90 years ago
Rev. G. A. Critchett of St. Joseph delivered the commencement address to the nineteen members of the Watervliet High School graduating class on June 17, 1926. On June 6, 1926, there was a reunion of five sisters at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Boyer. Dinner was served to 25 and a great time was had by all. On July 1, 1926, the Watervliet Post Office was changed from third to second class and there were many changes to the rules and regulations governing the management of the office under the higher classification.
1956 – 60 years ago
Midshipman Otto J. Helweg of the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, was interviewed over radio station WHFB and television station WKZO. Helweg is a member of the Navy Football team and the only Michigan man on the team. A surprise birthday party was held on Aug. 22, 1956 for Nancy Hoadley to celebrate her 19th birthday. A picnic supper was enjoyed with many family and friends. Sgt. Herbert Elsen of the U. S. Marine Corp stationed at Forest Park, IL, spent the week end with this parents Mr. and Mrs. Albert Elsen.
1986 – 30 years ago
The 81st annual Klett family reunion was held at Hays Park in Watervliet on Aug. 25, 1986. This reunion originated in 1906 by the seven children of Andrew (born 1818) and Mary Klett. They both came from Germany to Michigan and settled here. Phillip Eric McGee, son of Mrs. Marilyn Pleyer, received a State of Michigan Competitive Scholarship in June 1986. Kelly Goodrum, a 1986 WHS graduate, has received a residential Scholarship from Grand Valley State College.
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