Out and About – Week of April 1st

The Squeeze In, Falvey’s, Vaughn’s, Lee’s, Frosty Bowling Lanes, Wittenberg’s News Agency, The Rose Room, and Templin Feeds. These are all names of businesses from the past. These are places that were alive and doing a fantastic business back in the day. US-131 went right through downtown Three Rivers, because there wasn’t the by-pass west of town. If you wanted to go to Kalamazoo, Wilbur Road was the main highway. The Redwood Motel stood where KFC is now located. It’s difficult to recall where a lot of these places were located, because of all the change. It’s difficult to picture West Michigan Avenue as a two-lane street.

There are a couple of businesses in town that display large photographs taken 50 or 100 years ago. These photos fascinate me, because I remember what it was like when some of those pictures were taken. I remember parking downtown when there wasn’t any parallel parking, and there were parking meters. I remember going to watch a movie at the Rialto Theater. Sherwin Williams is there now, and you’d think they’d at least show movies in color.

I still enjoy visiting the Dairy Bar. They went through a renovation about a year ago, so it isn’t the same as it used to be, but you can still sit down at the counter and order a soda. I used to go there with my parents for a Friday night dinner. Chocolate milk tasted great, and it was a real treat. They still make a great hamburger.

At one time, we had around twenty-one service stations. I refer to them as “Service Stations”, because that is what you received. They filled your vehicle with gasoline, checked your oil, checked the air in your tires, and cleaned your windshield. All of this for around 26 cents a gallon. If you were thirsty, you could reach into the cooler for an ice-cold pop. That usually cost a dime, or if you decided to take the pop with you, you left a two-cent deposit.

When the weather is right, I enjoy riding around town reliving those memories. In the third district, one of my favorite sites is where Bonfoey’s Dairy was once located. A couple of the old sheds are still there, where they used to park the milk trucks. I’ve tried to stop there, close my eyes, and see if I can still capture the aroma of fresh milk being placed in the old glass milk bottles. I’m afraid I’ve never been able to catch that aroma, but I can easily recall the sight of the milk trucks leaving the dairy to venture out on their routes. If you were nice to the milkman, he’d toss you a chunk of ice. It sure tasted great on a warm August morning.

I mention this now because I was fortunate to have had a happy childhood being raised here in Three Rivers. I wish now that I had appreciated the way things were back then. All I can do is appreciate every day as it comes around. I think I’ll go over to Binando’s in Second Ward and buy a pack of baseball cards. I’ll only chew half of the bubble gum and save the rest for later. I’m sure I have a nickel that I can spare.

Did you know that drinking water after eating reduces the acid in your mouth by sixty-one percent?

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of March 25th

The one thing I enjoy about the winter months is that there aren’t very many mosquitos around. The same can be said for flies. There is nothing more annoying than to be eating a sandwich, and at the same time, swatting the flies away from your food. I’ve often commented about the need for those flying pests. The only thing I can think of is that they are food for frogs. You might also question the need for frogs. It’s simple. We need the frogs to keep the fly and mosquito population under control. I’m sure this all has something to do with the food chain. I tried frog legs once. Tasted a lot like chicken. If it tastes like chicken, why not just eat chicken?

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of frogs, but April has been declared “Save the Frogs! Month” by Mayor Tom Lowry. I like the mayor, so at least, for the month of April, I’ll like frogs, as long as I don’t have to pick one up and kiss it. I saw a movie starring Ray Milland in which he was attacked by frogs, and I’ve tried to avoid them ever since.

When I first heard about April being dedicated to frogs, I didn’t give it much thought. Then I found out that “Save The Frogs! Day” is part of an organized celebration that is expected to be observed in 300 communities in 40 countries this year. This is definitely something worth getting Out and About for here in Three Rivers. This special day will be celebrated at the Farmer’s Market pavilions in Scidmore Park, from 11AM to 2PM, on Saturday, April 27. I’m planning to be there, because there will be games, activities and information about frogs, drawings for the merchant’s prizes, and my favorite, FREE hot dogs from The Weenie King, for the first 200 customers.

One final thought about frogs and our local merchants. Twenty merchants in Three Rivers will participate in a “Find The Frog” promotion in their places of business during the month of April. Customers in each of the twenty stores can register for a gift from the merchants by finding a small cardboard frog hidden somewhere in each store.

With the arrival of spring comes the promise that there will be plenty of things to do here in Three Rivers. “Save the Frogs!” is just the first event to get involved with. There are plenty of activities all year long here in Three Rivers. All we need to do is seek them out and join in on the fun. We have Scidmore Park and the Petting Zoo, plus other parks and playgrounds that are here for you to enjoy.

Here’s my fashion statement for the year. The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. In the Renaissance era, it was fashionable to shave them off.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of March 18th

I’m retired now, but someone once told me that, once you retire, you’ll be busier than you were while you were working. At this point in my life, I don’t have time to work a full-time job. My busy time usually runs from 9AM until around 4:30PM. As a result, I don’t watch any daytime television. During the winter, I might catch the noon news, just to see what the weather is doing. Anyway, there’s a TV show called “Deal or No Deal”. I’m not sure if it’s on during the day or in the evening, but I’ve never watched the program. I’m giving some serious thought about checking out “Deal or Eagle Deal”. This fundraiser hosted by Three Rivers Eagles #2303, happens this Saturday, March 23, from 5 to 8PM, at the Eagles Club, 715 East Hoffman Street, in Three Rivers. This is at the point where Hoffman Street meets M-60, east of town. The public is cordially invited to be there. The food starts at 5PM, with a menu consisting of salmon patties, fried potatoes, veggies, and dessert. All of this for $9. The game starts at 6PM; it costs only $5 to play, and someone will go home with $300. All of the money made from the game will go to charity.

You see me refer to a buddy of mine named Vic. He’s responsible for most of the trivia that I include in this column, and for that I’m grateful. Vic has this thing about frogs and is heavily involved in the “Save the Frogs” activities here in Three Rivers. The month of April will be filled with many activities concerning frogs. As a matter of fact, Mayor Tom Lowry will be declaring the whole month of April as “Save the Frogs Month” in Three Rivers. I’ll have more information as April draws closer.

I’m really getting excited about the arrival of spring. Setting the clocks ahead one hour, a week ago, really put me in a positive mood. At our “coffee club” meeting recently, we discussed the possibility of receiving any more measurable snow. We pretty much decided that it wasn’t time to run the snow blower out of gas yet, because this is March, and this is Michigan.

With the nicer weather becoming more common, there will be more people out walking and taking in the sights. Walking the dog will be easier and more fun. If you’re a dog-walker, don’t forget to take a plastic bag with you to clean up after Fido does his business. Here’s a great idea. Take an extra trash bag with you and when you see some litter, bend over, pick it up, and take it with you. You’ll add to your exercise regime by not only walking, but bending over from time to time. It’s a win-win, because you’ll be getting your exercise and helping to keep your neighborhood clean.

It won’t be long before the Saturday Farmers’ Market will be open again. Located in Scidmore Park, off West Michigan Avenue, it is a great place to purchase local produce. I didn’t get over there as much as I wanted to last year, but will definitely make an effort to do so this year. If you don’t like dealing with the middleman and store prices, the Farmers’ Market is the place to go. Local artists usually have their works on display also. We’re so fortunate to have a community like Three Rivers.

A favorite memory of mine is attending one of the concerts in the park, during the summer. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra has performed there many times, and it’s always been a pleasure to sit in the park and be entertained by such a fine group of musicians. It may not be in the park, but the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers will host the Kalamazoo Male Chorus next Sunday, March 24, at 4PM. The KMC will be celebrating its 86th concert season this year. They are one of the area’s oldest continuous performing ensembles, and they will be performing a broad range of music. Admission is FREE, but there will be a Freewell Offering. The First Presbyterian Church is located at 320 North Main Street, in Three Rivers.

Think about this during your time of meditation. Zero is the only number that cannot be represented by Roman numerals.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of March 11th

How many of you forgot to set your clocks ahead one hour last Saturday, before going to bed? At 2AM Sunday morning, Daylight Savings Time began. This means that we will be enjoying one more hour of daylight every day. This is usually an indication that spring weather will soon be here. Remember last March, when we experienced 80 degree temperatures? Only in Michigan!

There’s a new barber in town. Joe Cooper has a shop at the corner of West Michigan Avenue and North Lincoln Avenue, Doug Minger has his shop in the Hardings Market Plaza, and the new barber is Carrie, who shares Doug Minger’s shop. Carrie is an actual barber, just like Doug and Joe, so she doesn’t style hair like a beautician. She is a graduate of a barber school, so she is a barber and not a beautician. The next time you visit Doug and Kathy Minger’s establishment, give Carrie a try. She’s too new to offer any political views, and she’s not aware of when the new Menard’s will open, but she’s working on that.

I was fortunate to grow up here in Three Rivers during the fifties. Things have changed quite a bit since then, and I find myself longing for and reflecting on the way things were back in the day. As a matter of fact, my barber and I have discussed this a few times during my monthly visit. Three Rivers had, at one time, approximately 21 service stations in town. The difference between a service station and one of the four gas stations we currently have is that you were provided service. You had your tire pressure checked, windshield cleaned, battery and oil levels checked, and of course, you never pumped your own gas. All of this for about thirty cents a gallon. Oh yes, you could get a bottle of pop out of a cooler for a dime, and it was in a glass bottle. I could go on and on about those days. Unfortunately, that’s all we can do, because we’ll never see gasoline for less than $3 a gallon and full service is out of the question. If you got out and about on a Sunday, it was for a ride in the country with the family, because stores were not open on Sundays. As a result, families spent more time doing family things, like having supper together at the dining room table and not in front of the TV. Sometimes, progress isn’t all it’s cut up to be.

I mentioned last week about the experience of grocery shopping with my wife, something I think every couple should do from time to time. Here’s some food for thought when shopping for groceries. Most supermarket products go on sale every three months, and brand-name coupons also appear quarterly. You might want to keep this in mind when stocking up. Other sales occur during promotions like National Ice Cream Month and National Hot Dog Month. Both of these happen in July.

Here’s something to think about as you’re lying in bed, trying to get to sleep. Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of March 4th

My wife has always done the grocery shopping for the two of us. Her father did the family grocery shopping when my wife was growing up. He had a method of shopping that worked very well, so my wife’s mother let him do his thing. My wife inherited his grocery shopping traits, such as always making sure you have a backup on your pantry shelf. If you use a can of tomato soup, put that on your grocery list. It worked back in the day and still works today in our household, except when I use the last of the peanut butter and fail to let her know.

As I have mentioned, my wife had surgery back in January, and as a result, I’ve been going with her when she shops for groceries. If you’ve never shopped as a couple, you have no idea what you are missing. Here’s just an example of what I’ve learned. My wife carries a clipboard with a list of the many items you might need. On this list is the aisle number where the item is located. We start at the rear of the store and work our way to the front. I am in charge of the cart, which I will continue to be until the first time I get too close and run into her ankles. I am the one who retrieves items from the top shelf, because I’m taller than she is, and usually the items up there can be heavy. Grape juice and a two-liter bottle of Pepsi are good examples.

I must explain that when we go grocery shopping, we are on a mission. We greet friends, but if I start a lengthy conversation, I’m reminded that the ice cream will melt if we don’t scurry along. It’s only after we get home that I discover that we never bought any ice cream. At the checkout line, I place the items on the conveyor, then stand by and place the full bags into the grocery cart. We then proceed to the car, I let my wife into the car, and then I load the groceries. I have experience loading the cargo pit of an airplane. I can surely place groceries in the car. At home, I carry the groceries inside, and my task is finished. My wife puts everything away. I used to help with that until the second time she had to remind me that a quart of milk will freeze if you put it in the freezer. Anyway, shopping for groceries together can be a lot of fun. I’ll probably never get to know what it’s like to go by myself.

Dining out is one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy seafood, especially salmon. I enjoy the taste, plus I know that it’s good for me. If you are also a salmon lover, you’ll want to mark your kitchen calendar for Saturday, March 23. This is when Eagles Lodge 2303 will host an evening of dining and fun. On the menu are salmon patties, fried potatoes, plus a vegetable. All of this for $9. Dinner service begins at 5PM. While there, play DEAL/EAGLE/DEAL. The entry fee is only $5. In order to win, you must be there. The Eagle Lodge is located on East Hoffman Street, where Hoffman meets M-60, in Three Rivers. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

I’ve been told that spring is just around the corner. This means that Easter will soon be here. We are now observing Lent. In celebration of Lent, the First United Methodist Church of Three Rivers is hosting their annual Lenten Soup Suppers every Wednesday through March 26. The suppers are followed by a video series entitled “Wrestling With Angels”. Pastor Rob Nystrom will host the series. The soup suppers begin at 5:30PM, followed by the video series.

My buddy, Vic called me last week. He thought I’d like to know that a dime has 118 ridges around its edge and that our cat has 32 muscles in each ear. I sleep better knowing those things.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of February 25th

We recently attended the Lions of Michigan Forum in Lansing. It’s an annual gathering of Lions from all over the state of Michigan. It runs from Friday evening through about mid-afternoon on Saturday. The Forum consists of about a dozen breakout sessions, from which we may choose to attend. A very educational day or so, plus we have the opportunity to visit with other Lions from the many clubs and districts throughout the state.

The Saturday luncheon includes a nice lunch plus entertainment. This year’s entertainment consisted of a group of junior college students who dazzled us with their singing and dancing. They entertained us for about forty-five minutes, and we were all greatly appreciative of their being there. We all gave them a warm round of applause, which included a standing ovation. This is what led me to wonder about this method of showing appreciation.

I’m beginning to think that a standing ovation has become more of an expected thing after a performance and, as a result, has lost its importance. In community theater, the only pay the actors receive is the applause delivered by the audience at the end of each performance. A standing ovation used to be a rare occurrence, but today, it often accompanies the whistles and yelps of joy dealt by the audience.

In high school productions, standing ovations are quite common. I suppose it’s because the younger generation has not been exposed to productions of a higher scale, and you can’t blame the parents for being tremendously proud of their children’s performance on stage. I don’t have the answer, and we probably don’t need one. After all, I haven’t asked a question yet. I think I’ll start the next paragraph with a one.

When is it appropriate to give a standing ovation? Every year, the Kennedy Center recognizes four or five outstanding individuals for their accomplishments in the arts. They always have several people who pay tribute to each of them. I find this very entertaining. At the end of each celebrity’s portion, everyone rises and faces the celebrity and gives them a standing ovation. In my mind, this is very appropriate.

In the Lions organization, when a District Governor or someone else of high ranking is introduced, everyone in the room stands. This is not a reward for a good performance, but is what we refer to as “Protocol”. The same could be said of the act of saluting a military officer of higher rank. You are saluting the rank, not the person.

Standing ovations were a common occurrence during the State of the Union address a couple of weeks ago. Part of this might have been protocol, but I’d rather refer to it as “Politics”. I don’t remember seeing the Speaker of the House stand that many times.

The reason I bring this topic up at this time is that Three Rivers High School will present the production of Thoroughly Modern Millie in the very near future. I know the director of this production, and she is a perfectionist. She will not settle for good enough; she expects the best, and the actors know this. Previous productions of South Pacific and Phantom both received standing ovations. It’s up to the audience to judge whether this coming production will fare as well. A hearty round of applause is very heart-warming. A standing ovation is something performers will long remember.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

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