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Quick answer: “Reflect on Montcalm County – episode 46” explores the rich history and development of Montcalm County, Michigan, through personal stories and historical accounts. Host Duane Weed revisits past podcast episodes, highlighting narratives like Margaret Krebs’s 100 years of change, the Fighting Falcon Museum’s military history in Greenville, and Ralph Hauenstein’s insights into Reynolds Township’s significant growth from 1970 to 2005.
Key Takeaways
- Margaret Krebs shared memories of early life in Montcalm County, including train travel for teaching and community gatherings at the Danish Brotherhood hall in Trufant.
- The Fighting Falcon Museum in Greenville preserves military history from the Civil War to modern conflicts, including Gibson’s production of 750,000 incendiary bombs.
- Ralph Hauenstein, Reynolds Township supervisor from 1970-2005, oversaw the township’s value increase from approximately $12 million to $300 million due to development.
- The Discover Montcalm Podcast aims to keep Montcalm County’s history and events alive and shared.
Reflect on Montcalm County
Host and producer Duane Weed reflects on going back in time and looking at how people have started their businesses, how the communities have grown in their history.
In episode six. Margaret Krebs came to the studio and talked to us about her 100 years of change. And, you know, one of the things that she was talking about was back when her mom was single and was a teacher where Burley Park is today. Her mom would take the train from Trufant to Burley Park, spend a week teaching, and then go back home to her parents house. Margaret wishes her mom would have seen a washer and dryer and indoor plumbing. When asked about what were some of the things that they did, you know, reflect back on her childhood or her younger years. And she talked about the Danish Brotherhood hall in Trufant and kind of what that building that group did to kind of keep the community together. “Well, I couldn’t go too far because we didn’t have automobiles. We spent time at the Danish Brotherhood Society hall, states Margaret. “We had dances and dancing at that time was very popular because that was something that didn’t cost much. You had a makeshift band to put on the music, you know, but the whole community came together on a Friday or Saturday night to get together and be social.”
Back in episode two of the Discover Montcalm podcast, Duane asked Bill Garlick to come in from the Fighting Falcon Museum and tell us what is the Fighting Falcon Museum? Bill shares, “Well, the museum is quite an interesting place. It covers the military history of Greenville from the Civil War, all the way up through to the end of our modern conflict.” Bill Delp tells us “During the war Gibson in Greenville Michigan had a contract to make incendiary bombs, these incendiary bombs. Gibson wasn’t the only company making. And then there are several companies that manufactured them, Gibson made 750,000 of them for roughly $500,000. That was only $0.75 a piece.” which are pretty cheap warfare bombs. These small bombs were held in a canister of about 150, and it was held in the bomb bays of bombers. And when they were dropped out of the Bombay over their target, the canister exploded and blew these small incendiary bombs. It just scattered them in the sky.” Bill continues, “And when they hit the town, they were over where they’re bombing the target. Each one exploded. And of course, it started a fire. And the minute this happened, they obviously thought they had to put water on them. When they put water on them, then they really had a problem.”
As we reflect back, Ralph Hauenstein was the Reynolds Township supervisor from 1970 to 2005, and in 2018 I had a chance to interview him for what was going to be part of a documentary on Montcalm County. When asked, what was the biggest growth during his time as a supervisor. “I felt as though the development of the whole township and the subdivisions that we had going and the different enforcements that we had protecting those had developed. And the value of the township had gone up millions of dollars from what it was when I took over, it was maybe 12 million or something like that, I think. And went up to 300 million” states Ralph. “You don’t necessarily see it just driving down the road, but if you look throughout Reynolds Township and some of the back roads and the subdivisions back there, there’s some beautiful, beautiful homes and it was very accessible from Grand Rapids. I think that’s one of the primary reasons that it developed so rapidly and we have such good development.”
Reflecting on Montcalm County, the history, the events is why Discover Montcalm is here, to help keep this information alive and shared with the people.
About Discover Montcalm Podcast
Discover Montcalm Podcast is produced by Duane Weed. He started DW Video & Multimedia https://www.dwvideo.com in 1984. Today he runs the business and teaches Digital Arts at the Montcalm Area Career Center. Connect with Discover Montcalm to tell and share your story. Call 231-250-9624 to learn more and schedule an appointment. Check out all our past episodes https://discovermontcalmpodcast.com/category/podcast/.
Feature Your Business on Discover Montcalm Learn about upcoming shows, how you can be a guest on the show and maybe even a sponsor. Contact Duane for more information. Call Duane 231-250-9624 Follow and subscribe
Reflect on Montcalm County - episode 46
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Sources & Methodology
This post, “Reflect on Montcalm County – episode 46,” is a summary and reflection on interviews conducted for the Discover Montcalm Podcast. The insights shared come directly from the firsthand experiences and expertise of long-time Montcalm County residents and community leaders, including Margaret Krebs, Bill Garlick, Bill Delp, and Ralph Hauenstein, who were guests on the podcast.
The host and producer, Duane Weed, brings decades of experience in multimedia production and storytelling to the Discover Montcalm project. As the founder of DW Video & Multimedia, LLC in Howard City, Michigan, since 1984, and a Digital Arts instructor at the Montcalm Area Career Center, Duane has a deep-rooted commitment to capturing and preserving the rich history and vibrant community narratives of Montcalm County and the surrounding Michigan region. His expertise lies in facilitating these important conversations and presenting them to a wider audience, ensuring local stories are heard and remembered.
While the primary content is derived from these invaluable local interviews, readers interested in further research may consult:
- Montcalm County Official Website: https://www.google.com/search?q=Montcalm+County+Michigan+official+website
- Michigan Historical Commission: https://www.google.com/search?q=Michigan+Historical+Commission
- Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce (for local business history): https://www.google.com/search?q=Greenville+Michigan+Chamber+of+Commerce
- Reynolds Township Official Website: https://www.google.com/search?q=Reynolds+Township+Michigan+official+website
This blog post was originally published on July 24, 2023, and last reviewed for accuracy and relevance on October 26, 2023. The Discover Montcalm Podcast is dedicated to providing authentic local perspectives and historical context through direct engagement with the community.
Uncovering More Montcalm County Gems
As we reflect on the vibrant history and growth of Montcalm County through the stories of its people and places, it’s clear that this region holds countless more gems waiting to be discovered. Beyond the historical narratives of Trufant and Greenville, the county seat of Stanton, Michigan, stands as a cornerstone of civic life and local heritage, with its own unique stories of development and community spirit. Educational opportunities are also a vital part of Montcalm’s fabric, with Montcalm Community College playing a crucial role in shaping the future workforce and enriching the lives of its residents through learning.
For those who cherish the outdoors and active living, the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail offers miles of scenic pathways, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the county’s natural beauty on foot or by bike, connecting communities and fostering a sense of shared adventure. And no reflection on Montcalm County would be complete without acknowledging the beloved Montcalm County Fair, an annual tradition that celebrates our agricultural roots, brings families together, and showcases the talents and spirit of our local community. These entities, from the tranquil waters of Crystal Lake to the bustling fairgrounds, further illustrate the diverse appeal and enduring character of Montcalm County, inspiring us to keep exploring and sharing its ongoing story.
