By Jo Ramsdell

It all began in the spring of 2012, with just five people, who met weekly for breakfast. Sitting around the corner table at the Scotts Corner Café, Jolene and Phil White, June Bailey, and Bob and Jo Ramsdell would reminisce about the good ole days. At first it was just a lot of talk about the history of Scotts and such, and then one day it was suggested that they start a group, inviting all who shared the same interest.

The idea of preserving photos and documents from the past and making them eligible for future generations became a main focus.  So often, family photos end up in the back of some closet, unidentified, and when the person who has possession passes away, the pictures seem to pass away as well.  The five were hopeful that if the Climax Crescent would publish an announcement in the paper, folks would be agreeable to bringing their box of pictures to a monthly gathering.  Bob would scan what was brought, allowing the Scotts History collection to grow, while at the same time, families could keep their originals to take back home.

After asking Mark Hanson which day was the slowest day, business wise, it was decided that the group would meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month, September to May.  Then, we would shut down for June, July and August, because everyone is so busy with family during the summer.  It was also agreed, that there would be no formal meeting or agenda.  It was to be a simple greet and meet kind of a time, where folks could visit and share common history while enjoying a wonderful breakfast.  And, absolutely no required attendance.  A banner was created and hung outside the café on the porch railing; the date September 18, 2012 was announced; and then the five anxiously awaited the anticipated response.  Thirteen people showed up that day, displaying a great deal of interest: Phyllis Simmons, Mary and Jim Salsbury, Pat Sutherland, Tom Loveland, Marcia Stucki, Ron White, Kevin Bontrager, June Baily, Jolene and Phil White, and Bob and Jo Ramsdell.

Since that initial time, our attendance has varied up and down, anywhere from 5 to 21, due to weather, holidays, or even Covid.  But the important thing to remember is, 3rd Tuesday is still alive and well, and enjoying a great legacy.

Through the efforts of all those from the community, who have contributed to our historic and photo archive, a series of binders have been created.  These binders are on display at Lulu’s Scotts Corner Café for all to enjoy.  Plus, the collection has been digitized, indexed, and copied to DVD’s, which were then donated to: the Western Michigan Archives, Scotts Pride, Climax Historical Society, Vicksburg Historical Museum, Vicksburg Library, Kalamazoo County Library, Portage Library, Willard Library, and Galesburg Library.  These DVDs are available to the public at these various sites, so that the contents can be copied to laptops or flash drives.

The G. A. R. monument, located just south of the Scotts Pride building on 36th St. is another 3rd Tuesday accomplishment, initiated by Phyllis Simmons.  She wrote a book on the Civil War soldiers, who were members of the Grand Army of the Republic, Walter Orr Post 312, of Scotts, Michigan.  Jolene White and Jo Ramsdell assisted by researching the individual soldiers, and Bob Ramsdell did all the computer work, preparing the book for print.  The books were then sold during a huge ceremony dedicating the monument and honoring those soldiers.

Thirdly, the Bip books, “Welcome to Bip’s World” and “History of Bip’s World” were also raised up out of the 3rd Tuesday history collection.  Without the historic information and photos, the books would have been merely pages of Jo Ramsdell’s creative writing.  As of now, all of the books have been sold, and all the money has been donated to the Climax-Scotts Elementary School Children’s Fund.   

To date, our 3rd Tuesday Group has been getting together for almost 13 years, and the success is partially due to having a great place to gather that is located in Scotts, and that serves food. Who doesn’t love to eat? (Tee-hee!)

However, the other reason is, we all seem to have a shared history, be it family trees, childhood memories, or better yet, new friendships.  So, mark your calendars.  The Ramsdell’s are there from 8:30am-11am, so come whenever you can, and feel free to leave as needed.  But, mostly remember, all are welcome.

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