By Staff
With all the changes in our technology other changes have come as well.
I used to print my photos and either put them in frames, books or all too often in boxes. At least they were there to go through when I wanted.
Like generation before us, all too often names and dates weren't put on the backs and the only way to tell which baby was in the photo was by the background furniture, or maybe the outfit they were wearing.
Still, I enjoyed looking at them. Old home movies weren't brought out too often, but stored on a shelf to enjoy every now and them.
With my digital camera I find I don't print my photos anymore. I have wedding photos from my daughter and one of my sons still on the memory card. None are hanging in my home.
There are no boxes or albums to go through when the spirit moves me.
This doesn't seem to be an improvement.
With the popularity of the Internet, the fate of the printed page as a news source continues to be debated.
Will newspapers someday be as rare as dinasours?
Those of us who grew up reading a local daily or weekly newspaper there is something so familiar and tangible in the paper and ink.
Fred Senger of Cassopolis started in this area at the Vigilant a long time ago, when the paper was printed where The Home Group on Broadway is now located.
He has worked for Leader Publications for many years, retired many times but still is my favorite proof reader.
He recently brought in some of our old publications, printed for certain anniversaries, including the bicentennial of our country, the Vigilant's 100th anniversary and other special issues.
It is so much fun to look at the issues. The ads tell such a tale of how prices have changed through the years.
Not only are the prices so much lower, the styles of clothes and fabrics have changed too.
One double knit sport coat, offered at Harding's Mens &Boys Wear in Cassopolis for $65, boasts: "The season's most fashionable model, this handsome Sport Coat with the popular belted bi-swing back and deep center vent commands attention."
With its wide lapels and huge buttoned pockets it was the perfect look in 1972.
The clothes store which advertised it was the 2nd oldest store in Cassopolis, serving Cassopolis for almost 80 years in the same building, is gone with the style of sport coat.
Also gone are the newsy little items as to the coming and goings of the town's residents.
In the past the local newspapers would tell where everyone would be traveling to for the holidays and who came to dinner last weekend.
Local columnists would spread the gossip quicker than this generation can text message.
Another change in newspapers has come due to lawyers and lawsuits.
One hundred years ago the editors didn't worry so much about whether they branded the suspect of a crime as guilty.
One item which was written about at the beginning of the Vigilant in 1872 and repeated 100 years later is still a problem in the lake community of Cassopolis.
The lack of rental housing was mentioned, adding it would help the town grow.
That may help even now in 2007.
One item I found especially interesting was how you could pay for your subscription to the Cassopolis Vigilant back in 1883. The paper would take in trade a "cord of good dry wood." You subscription would run from November of 1883 until January 1885.
A year's subscription is now $25 but a cord of wood is considerably more today. Any takers?