The Courier

What can When men & horses Courier readers add delivered the milk In the late 1940s and early what to leave where, but some- to the history 1950s, my grandparents, Dale C. times there was a note to read for and Beulah Hill, with my parents, extra milk or butter. of Findlay? Dale F. and Dorothy Hill, ran and As deliveries continued down lived in Hill’s Grocery at 614 E. a street, the horse would stop at It turns out Sandusky St. in Findlay. It was certain spots to wait for the driver open seven days a week, which to catch up. In this way, a delivery they could doesn’t seem like much now, but man would rarely have to touch add a lot! was very unusual back then. the reins to control the horse. Stores closed on Sunday. And My dad would often go with his even though they were open seven dad on his delivery route when he days a week, my mom remembered was a boy, in the late ’30s. My dad Photos provided by Hancock Historical Museum people knocking on the door late at THE SAN-A-PURE DAIRY opened in the told me one of the horses knew all night because they needed some- the routes. So if a regular horse Downtown mid-1930s and was located on East Main thing. Someone would always get Cross Street, the current site of City was lame or sick, that horse could up and let them in to get whatever fill in. Only if the route had been Laundry. The dairy delivered milk to the the customer wanted. Also, when a memories residents of Findlay in horse-drawn milk changed would the horse make a woman would ask for herself or my mistake. wagons (above) until 1965, when a fl eet grandma, the guys would disap- My memories of Findlay are: of milk trucks replaced them. San-A-Pure Another time when my dad • Downtown shopping on Sat- pear for a discreet time because it remained in business until the mid-1980s. meant she was wanting something went along, a horse took a corner urday evenings in the late ’30s that Wilson’s Sandwich Shop (as it appeared too sharp on an alleyway and the my “folks” did for needed items. personal. originally, right) has been a familiar sight My dad remembered giving wagon hooked onto a car bumper. • Balsley’s meat market on to Findlay residents since it opened in Cars bumpers stuck out a bit more Main Street; going into Penney’s. credit to many people who couldn’t 1936. Its “hamburgs,” malts and pies have afford staples. He remembered than they do these days. • And while mother picked attracted residents and made it a favorite Neither my dad nor his father out her weekly needs, watching extending credit to the late Dale hangout for years. The restaurant has Wilkinson, who helped found the felt a change in speed or a jerk the “little” metal change cars also attracted its share of celebrities and nor did they hear a noise of any go “scooting” to the upper level equine studies at the western farm political fi gures over the years. of the University of Findlay. He kind. My dad said he just casually where the cashier waited, then lived near the fairgrounds above looked back and a car was being returning the little cars back down his horses’ stable at the time. dragged behind the wagon. He with the change and/or receipts. I never met my grandpa Hill, jumped forward and grabbed the • Walking down the sidewalk A trip down memory lane but I know him from the stories reins to stop the horse. They had amongst the many people going my dad, Dale F. Hill Sr., used to a time getting the bumper off the “ever so which way.” tell. He worked many jobs. One wagon. • Men sitting on the fenders When the sesquicentennial took place 50 years a huge rivalry. We would walk all the way from the ago, I rode my horse in a pageant that was held at stadium to Frisch’s Big Boy after the game and watch job was delivering milk in a horse- I wish I could tell you more. of their autos which were angle drawn wagon in Findlay. The My dad’s been gone almost 31 parked, visiting with others that Donnell Stadium. the high school kids “run the circuit.” Mr. James’ There was a scene from Fort Findlay where we beauty salon was where a lot of the girls went to horse pulling the wagon would years, mom, three. These stories they had not seen since last Sat- keep walking as the delivery man I remember because my dad told urday. were riding horses with a group of Indians. I can’t have their hair done for a big dance or the prom. The remember who was chasing who, the soldiers or the “beehive” was especially popular. got in and out of the wagon with a them often so they are the most • Going in Woolworth, Kresge, metal basket of milk bottles. vivid. I always wanted to hear and Newberry’s. Indians. Anyway, it was a great deal of fun with lots Riverside Park was a real gem for the kids of Find- of yahooing and firing of cap guns. The milkman couldn’t throw stories about horses. At the time • All that candy, chocolate lay. Almost every summer day, we would ride our For this bicentennial, I think some of the Findlay the bottles the way a paperboy I got tired of the same stories, but stars, yum, yum, yum! bikes to the park and swim until our moms called for men are growing beards. Fifty years ago, some of the would. He had to take them right at least I won’t forget them now. • When the shopping was over, us to come home for dinner. Sometimes we would be up to the door. Usually, he knew — Sharon Hill, Findlay. townsmen grew mustaches. I remember my father’s lucky enough to buy taffy (they made it right there we headed for our last stop to get tickling. groceries at the City Market. at the park) or get a cherry slush. My life is filled with wonderful childhood memo- The rides Mr. Lytle had were, for my sister and • Passing by the courthouse ries of smalltown life. I wonder how many of you where the Salvation Army band I, only to be enjoyed on special occasions, but were Courthouse awe, remember Don the Milk Man. He worked for San-A- those occasions ever special! was playing loudly. Pure Dairy and drove a horse pulling a milk wagon. My father wouldn’t let us go “downtown” in blue • Once at the City Market He would drop off fresh milk in our milk boxes. On jeans or Bermuda shorts. We had to wear a skirt and meat shop memories again, seeing friends and family very hot days, he would sometimes cut a shard of ice mind our manners at all times. that we had not seen for a spell. from a great big block of ice and give it to a bunch of As a kid growing up in the The meat sure was good! They Best of all, I looked forward us who regularly followed his wagon. How wonderful to grow up in a place where you small town of Hoytville, it meant would wrap it up in white paper every year to seeing “Santa” at toy I can still taste the most wonderful potato chips in could walk downtown and greet people you knew: that most of our shopping brought and tie it up with string. land up the stairs at the Boston the world, Tasty Taters, made right here in Findlay! “Hello, Mr. Fenstermaker,” “How do you do, Miss us to a larger town, usually Find- store, corner of Main Cross and Sodas at the B&G fountain, North Side Pharmacy Brenner?” The Harris, State and Royal theaters pro- Sometimes, our business in lay. Most of the time it was one Main streets. — Ron Gillogly, and Gallaher’s were to die for, and The Colonial Nut vided wonderful cartoons and newsreels. The Findlay town would mean we had to go to trip a week, on Saturday, and most Mount Cory. Shop had a real treat of warmed nuts for sale. Print always smelled like pencil lead to me. the courthouse. As a kid, it sure of the family went along. Of course, Wilson’s hamburgers were the very One could smell the cigar factory and the Broad- looked big and beautiful, and I Mom and my sisters would take best ever. Sometimes in the summer, a group of us way Sandwich shop. Islay Dairy Co. was a great place would always get a feeling of awe off down Main Street, going in and Good parking from the old Firestine barn would ride our horses to get ice cream cones. Zierolf and Al Ball had great when I walked into that building. out of the small stores. Dad and I downtown and order a burger at the drive-through menswear. Spayths was filled with all kinds of beauti- Many years have come and would usually just lean up against spots & crowded window of the old yellow building that was Wilson’s. ful china things and, when we visited that store, we gone since I was that little kid a building watching the people Of course, you had to know how to order properly kept our hands behind our backs! from a small town and actually I go by, talking to a lot of them. It downtown walks in those days. Malts were never malts, they were I have enjoyed my trip down memory lane. I hope still live near a small town, Vanlue. seemed as though my dad knew “thicks.” some of you enjoyed it, too. — Sandy Hullenkremer Findlay has always been a big I remember back in the 1930s just about everyone. The Donnell-Glenwood football game was always Dale, Findlay. part of my life all these many and ’40s, on Saturday night, I remember seeing one man years. I worked at Whirlpool people would go early to get a who had the misfortune of having for 36 years and still shop in the good parking spot from Front both of his legs off above the stores uptown, the shopping cen- Street to Hardin Street. Launching ‘The Pub’ downtown, knees. He sat on a platform with ters, enjoy eating at many of the Both sides of Main Street casters on it and with his hands restaurants, and take part in the would be filled with diagonally- moved himself around. He would events that Findlay puts on from parked cars with people in them sit on the sidewalk with a can of time to time. watching others walking or visit- and fl ying the U.S. fl ag at night pencils and a cup for money. I even met my wife of 46 years, ing. People would take a pencil and Jenny, while running what the The sidewalks and some stores In the early to mid-1960s, a fun legal age to drink 3.2 percent beer Frankly, I was able to prove to drop coins or bills into the cup. young people in the ’60s called were so crowded you had to elbow bar for young people to go to was was 18. We had local bands and the powers that be that flying the I remember my dad would drop “the circuit,” which ran from your way through. The Hollywood Inn, located on lots of good times. American flag at night was per- money into the cup, but I don’t the Big Boy restaurant on Main Lima Avenue. This bar was run I hired Sarah Van Scoit to run missible as long as it was illumi- ever remember him taking any My parents would take my Street to the Marathon parking by a woman by the name of Sarah The Pub in the daytime while I pencils. brother and me to Reese’s Con- nated. The Republican-Courier lot. fectionary, where my grandfather Van Scoit. Sarah was like a stern, worked full time at Cooper Tire even ran an article validating my Sometimes, my dad and I did So, Findlay has always been sold popcorn on the outside. He but lovable, grandmother. in the advertising department and position. need to go shopping, which meant good to me! always gave us each a bag of pop- When The Hollywood was sold at The Pub at night. Subsequently, numerous local I got to go into the stores down- I’m sorry to say the Baisley corn. — Rhonda N. Basinger, and closed in 1966, I bought the As finances would allow, I con- businesses and organizations town. We would hit the hardware Findlay. equipment with plans to open a tinued to remodel and upgrade store, the 5&10 store (the one with Meat store is no longer there, nor began illuminating and flying the 5&10 with its great sloppy college bar. Having very little The Pub, adding an upstairs bal- their American flags at night, the restaurant in it, and it had the money, but lots of confidence that cony and remodeling an upscale joes, but sometimes my business (including Marathon Oil, the Elks, best sloppy joe sandwiches), then a new bar aimed at both local apartment. At the same time, I takes me back into the courthouse The good life etc.) on to Louie the Bicycle Man shop. young people and college students landscaped a lot and installed an But my favorite was the Baisley and I still get that same feeling of I sold The Pub in 1974 and would be a winner, I looked for and illuminated flagpole (in the early Meat shop. We would go in and awe that I had as a kid going into Penny candy at a garage named bought an old building at 202 N. ’70s.) I began flying the American today, after a series of owners, dad would take a number which the building with my dad. “Pearl’s” Main, called The Yellow Front. flag both day and night. the building houses a pawn shop. was hanging from a hook, and I know now that it is a feeling Riverside Park with the girls This was May 1966. One evening, the local police To their credit, the current owners then we would walk all around of being proud to be an American Tasty Taters in wax paper I called my new bar The Pub. showed up and made me take still fly the American flag on the looking at all the meat inside glass and for the justice in our country Outrunning bug trucks’ cloudy With lots of hard work and the help down the American flag, saying it pole I erected over 40 years ago. display cases. for which the courthouse repre- vapor. of friends, I was able to open The wasn’t allowed to be flown at night It was a fun era — lots of good It seemed to me that it was sents. Pub to standing-room-only crowds (even though it was illuminated.) memories for lots of people. — always busy and I don’t remember Thank you, Findlay, for being a Huge veal cutlets at Westend in the fall of 1966. Remember, the It became quite controversial. David V. Hindall, Findlay. seeing too many ladies in the store. big part of my life, then and now, Frost Top root beer with my Finally one of the men behind the and during your 200th birthday friends counter would holler a number and celebration. May you have many, if it matched our number, it was many more! — Stan Kline, Miller’s Pond, Bushy Quarry The world was within walking distance our turn to be waited on. Vanlue. Walk the tracks to North Cory Born in Findlay in the 1930s and having always Main Street! Phillip’s creaky wooden floors lived within walking distance to all schools, I never Johnson’s Drug Store near West Lincoln Street, She’s roasting peanuts by the rode a school bus! I walked from the corner of West a Dietsch Bros., the B&G and Central drug stores, score Lincoln Street and Western Avenue to Lincoln Ele- Woolworth’s 5&10, Gallagher’s Drug Store, and Cher- mentary, Donnell Junior High, and Findlay High Cruise the circuit up ’round ry’s Folks on the west side of Main. On the East side School, where Central is now. there was Miller’s Kitchenette beside the State The- Main We could ride our bikes or walk downtown as ater, Isaly’s, S&S Drugs, Northside Pharmacy (the Friday night school football well. Mom would send me to Switzer’s Bakery to last to close their soda fountain), and still another games buy special bread on our spaghetti supper nights. small Dietsch’s. I may have even forgotten a few! Or to a five-and-dime store for a spool of thread or Going downtown to shop was a special outing for Indian summer, November to a small corner store for lunch meat. Most families mothers and their children. We all got dressed up for chill did not have two cars so we walked in snow, rain, those occasions and, if we behaved well, we might tobogganing down Rawson’s wind and hail. get an ice cream treat or a hamburger from Wilson’s! icy hill None of us took ice skating lessons, but we loved There was a JC Penney store right downtown Fragrant lilacs bloom in spring to go to the Donnell Pond to ice skate in the evenings and they did sell jeans. But only one store sold Levi’s Findlay, again, is suddenly and on weekends during the winter months. There and that was a harness shop with only men’s and THE STATE THEATER green was a room under the stadium which had a pot belly boys’ sizes being available in the ’50s when they first (above) was one of several stove and a janitor who kept it going so we could put became popular for both girls and boys. theaters in Findlay that Come back home and walk the on and take off our skates, or just stop in to get warm! In the 1940s, Lima Avenue was a very dangerous offered cartoons, news alleys There were four movie theaters in the downtown street to cross as it was then known as State Route 25. reels and movies. Other area: The Harris, the State, the Royal, and the I remember my grandmother and great aunt telling Only now, they’re holding ral- downtown theaters Lyceum. The prices ranged from 16 cents to 25 cents me to be sure to be very careful crossing the “avenue” included the Harris, the lies for kids. The Harris had a balcony and there were on foot or on my bike. Royal and the Lyceum. Drive the country, see great bats flying around from time to time. That didn’t At Findlay High School in the 1950s, one of our At left, a pair of ushers friends stop us from wanting to go to see Walt Disney or teachers, Richard “Doc” Phillips, held a dating bureau at the Harris prepare for Where the good life never ends. western movies, with the stars being Roy Rogers at prom time. Those who did not have dates would crowds expected during and Gene Autry. sign up with him and he became a matchmaker so the opening of the latest — Michele Shoemaker, Ojai, In the 1940s and ’50s, there were soda fountains more kids would go to the special dance! — Anne Mickey Rooney movie in Calif. in many stores on each side of both North and South Bowden, Findlay. 1939. THE COURIER F2 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

Circus came Test your memory about some by train notable bars and other businesses During the 1930s, Findlay resi- dents were treated each summer Having lived in the Findlay area • The meat market on Crystal 20. Right by the Paradise on to a few days of fun when the all 60 years of my life, I remember Avenue? North Main Street. circus came to town. quite a few businesses that are no • Best potato chips in Findlay? 21. Right by the Old Dutch. It came into town by train, longer here, but the sites where Yes, they were made here. 22. In the old Phoenix Hotel on unloaded onto Western Avenue, they were still are. • The market on Trenton the corner of East Main Cross and then paraded down Lima Avenue, Not a lot of people want to talk Avenue, not Walmart. Main, across from the courthouse. Hurd Avenue, and Baldwin about these places, but they were • The two root beer stands on • The three theaters, the Avenue, to South Main Street, important to our town’s develop- North Main Street? Harris and the State, across from where it turned south to the vacant ment, like it or not. • These carryouts: Aller’s, Bud each other just south of the Elks, lots just beyond Sixth Street, later These were places where & Joe’s, Tiffin Avenue Carryout and The Royal, between Hardin known as Sherman Park. people would meet after work, (Duh!), The E&B? and West Sandusky on Main Residents of these streets sat mostly to unwind from a hard • The original location of Jac Street. on their front porches to enjoy the day’s work before going home & Do’s? • The Krantz Brewery made sight of the animals going past to their families. Some carried a • Napoli pizza? Old Dutch beer. The color refer- their houses. “reputation,” but they were around • Morey’s, for the Sunday ence was to the identification of It was a privilege for me to for a long time compared to many paper! “low,” i.e. 3.2 percent content, and have lived on Baldwin Avenue to nowadays. • The two burger joints that “high,” more than 3.2 percent. enjoy the arrival of the circus each And really, they weren’t THAT everyone went to when Wilson’s • Sheck’s. summer of my childhood. bad. was closed? • Ralph’s. My most vivid memory is of the Much information, good or • And last but not least, and • Tasty Taters. time an elephant was led from the bad, was relayed in these places, closest to my heart, Findlay’s • The Country Market. street onto our sidewalk, where it face to face. original gas-and-go carryout? • The A&W, Foulke and Main, Photos provided by Hancock Historical Museum left some droppings, to the cha- Most places listed here were OK, the answers as I remember and Stewart’s, Bigelow and Main. BUSINESS AND MANUFACTURING have always been the grin of my father and the hilar- usually the busiest from midaft- them: • Crystal Avenue at the bend, backbone of Findlay’s economy. While many longtime factories ity of the neighbors. — Mary A. ernoon to early evening. Not really 1. The Rocking U is there now. Park Street, Tiffin Avenue at the and businesses operate today, others have long since changed their Brucklacher, Findlay. the “night life.” 2. The 200 block of South tracks, West Sandusky and West- names or shut their doors. Some that used to call our city home Some were late-night spots, Main Street, on the east side, on ern Avenue. include Ohio Oil Co. (shown in the early 1960s, above), which later though. A lot of business deals that the alley. • Across from Sportsman’s changed its name to Marathon Oil and then Marathon Petroleum. Courtship may have helped shape the future 3. The Gathering is there now. lanes. Located at the corner of Jefferson Street and Clinton Court, the of Findlay, and possibly put the 4. On South Main Street, by • East Street and East San- Krantz Brewery (below), makers of Old Dutch beer, closed in 1966. very business they were in, out of the bridge, on the east side. dusky. by canoe business, occurred in these places. 5. Across from the Regal, on • East Sandusky and Main As a youth, my father worked I’ve listed the ones I can the west side of Main Street. Street. at the A.L. Askam grocery on remember, perhaps you can add When it burned, it was the oldest • The Broadway and The West Main Cross Street, where to the list. bar in Ohio. I think the original Whitehouse. the Rocking U restaurant is now The thing you need to do is bar is in a restaurant in Texas. • Phillip’s carryout .The Whis- located. During the flood of 1913, know where the places were. I’ve 6. Oler’s is there now. Same key Venue is there, on West Main he delivered groceries by canoe to listed the answers after you scan building. Cross Street. The carryout was west Findlay residents marooned the list. No peeking! And then I 7. The Walnut is there. Don’t sold for a Bonaza steakhouse that by the water. added some businesses just to see remember the name after the didn’t last. The carryout had an A few years later, the same how old you are. garden, but it was different before overhang and two Marathon gas canoe played an important part 1. The Palm Steak House it became the Walnut. pumps underneath. They were in my parents’ courtship. 2. The Regal Cafe 8. The Findlay Eagles is there one of the few places open on My mother’s family home was 3. The Senate Cafe now. Sunday in the whole area. They on the bank of the Blanchard River 4. The Coney Island 9. The Hollywood. Pretty sure were famous for the roasted pea- in what is now the Hancock Park 5. The Mecca it would be where the ODNR is nuts that Wolfie’s sells now. District office on East Main Cross 6. The Dixie Tavern now on Lima Avenue. • Oh yeah, do you have an orig- Street. 7. The Garden of Eden 10. Residential, where Fishlock inal “Colt .22 cal., Fort Findlay Since my mother, several of her 8. Palmer’s Avenue meets East Sandusky. Sesquicentennial” from Jaqua’s? sisters, two nieces, and her par- 9. The Hollywood 11. Just north of the bridge on They sold new for $89.95. There ents all resided there, the avail- 10. The Old Millstream the east side of Main Street. are only 110 singles in the world, ability of father’s canoe furnished 11. The Paradise 12. Implement dealership, 20 box sets. I don’t know their cur- their desired privacy. — James F. 12. The Triangle across from the ODNR. rent value. Any ideas? Brucklacher, Findlay. 13. The Brunswick 13. Below the former Finder’s • Oh, and Dietsch’s, The West- 14. The Monarch store on the corner of East Craw- End, and Lucky’s have always been Saturday movies, 15. Frita’s ford and Main streets. That’s the same, as far as I know. 16. The Northwind right, below. You could go in the I hope I’ve brought back some park activities 17. Haley’s Bar entrance off of Crawford. I think memories for some my age, and 18. Enck’s it’s still there. enlightened some younger than I grew up in Findlay and had 19. The Office Bar 14. Below the stores just south me. many wonderful memories. 20. The Old Dutch of the courthouse. When I went Two hundred years old and still As children, my sisters and I 21. The Party Bar there, they no longer sold alcohol, going, not bad for an old oil town! looked forward to going to the 22. The Pheasant Room but the barbershop and pool tables Oh yeah, Marathon, originally? movies (Harris, State, Royal, and There were also memorable were still open. The Karg well? The original site Lyceum) every Saturday after- places that everyone in the town 15. The Dark Horse is there of the Courier? What was where noon. knew about: now. the Courier is now? During World War II, I worked • The three movie houses on 16. See Palmer’s! In closing, I’d like to thank my summers at the Riverside Park South Main Street? 17. Between East Sandusky and grandparents — they had a real Confectionary and Taffy stand run • The business on Clinton Crawford. Had a big circle around nice carryout — and my parents, by Luther and Grace Mains. There Street that used red caps and the door of the main entrance. all for taking me around town, and were a large number of servicemen yellow caps? Hint: Their logo was 18. JimmyJohn’s is there, on to my wife for putting up with me that came to the park during their on the mirror in the Mecca. Trenton Avenue. on this. She’s from Tiffin. — Scott leave. • Before they were Great Scot? 19. See the Triangle! Phillips, Van Buren. THE AMERICAN MASK Manufacturing Co. (above) made a variety There was so much activity of masks for costumes and various occasions. Located near the there for everyone, merry-go- current site of the West End Tavern on West Main Cross Street, the round rides, dodge-’em cars, train company opened its doors in 1884 and closed in 1969. RCA (below) rides, a bowling alley, concerts, Findlay has done everything well manufactured transistors and electronic components. It was located picnics, and fishing in the old on Fostoria Avenue at the current site of Brown Mackie College. reservoir. There was also a roller Fifty years ago, I watched the parade in the 300 really kept itself in good condition, clean and neat skating rink and the swimming block of Tiffin Avenue. I do not recall any of the floats, and well-kept stores and storefronts. pool. but I do remember it was four people to the curb and Fifty years ago, plus some months, Findlay and I also worked at a locally- very intense watching the parade go by. another town were where Touchtone phones began owned grocery store during the Fifty years ago, I never thought about Findlay ever its being. I haven’t seen a dial phone around for a food and gas rationing, when you becoming a shopper’s and diner’s paradise at the far long time. needed ration stamps to buy cer- end of Tiffin Avenue. Fifty years ago, I remember a wife told me about tain items. I have continued living Fifty years ago, I worked in the retail business of her husband. He always wanted to sing in a group set- in Hancock County and would not food. Today, I have a hard time shopping for food. ting. There was a notice to form a singing group for want to move anywhere else. — Everything now is four to 10 (times) higher in the the 150-year program. He tried out and was chosen to Peg Warren, Rawson. supermarket or other sellers of food. be in the group. She said things in their lives changed I have to remind myself minimum wage then was so much. $1 per hour, now it’s more than $7 per hour. My They were dairy farmers. He practiced his singing Big family had Social Security check each month is 50 percent more to the cows, a.m. and p.m., at milking time. She said than I made a month then in wages. life around the farm changed. It became a “happy a milk machine Fifty years ago, downtown lacked parking spaces. farm.” Hi. I grew up in the ’50s with It was always a chore, too much so. Now, things are Happy 200 years to Findlay. You’ve done every- seven sisters and two brothers and great, never seems lacking. The downtown area has thing well. — Robert Styer, Carey. I remember that San-A-Pure Dairy used to have a milk truck that was pulled by a horse. That sure was something! With such a big family, we had 34 Years and still to have a milk machine installed in our house with these big milk canisters delivered to our house. going strong! White milk was what we got. But one time we got chocolate milk by mistake. Everyone sure liked that! — Jeff Ede, Findlay. From his humble beginnings in 1978, Larry Lauger Sr. built his company Then Smalltown girl from the ground up. With himself and 1978 enjoyed Findlay two installers, Lauger’s became one of Arlington is just 10 miles south the finest flooring stores to serve of Findlay. What a difference! My cousin and I looked forward to our Findlay & the surrounding communities. Saturday visits to Findlay. We were so in awe of the Ohio Oil (Marathon Petroleum Corp.) Today, Lauger’s Carpet One continues Building. It was colossal with its six stories. to be your premier flooring showroom We would go to Newberry’s and Woolworth’s and look at with hundreds of styles and colors to the fabulous trinkets. Arlington choose from. Whether it’s one room or lacked that wonderful bridge mix, so we always stopped at the your entire home, Lauger’s has a floor candy counter with a few cents in our pockets to spend. Oh, yummy! for every room in your house. Hancock County schools played their basketball tourna- ment at Findlay High School (Cen- Come in and consult with our tral Middle School.) My mom, brother and I would ride the bus professional design staff and see Now to Findlay. Before we went to the why we’re still the one store for your game, we ate at a sandwich shop 2012 CARPET - LAMINATE - VINYL - CERAMIC TILE on the courthouse square. perfect floor! HARDWOOD - AREA RUGS So, you see how a smalltown girl enjoyed Findlay. — Peggy 300 Walnut Street & Crystal Avenue • Findlay • Ohio • 419-423-8771 • www.LaugersCarpetOne.com • Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm; Sat. 10am-4pm Rinehart, Arlington. THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL F3

A Findlay girl’s fond memories Since

I am a Findlay girl and very coln School and it was quite a hike The movies were a big part of night with never a worry about 1972 proud of it! from my house, but hike we did, our lives. We had three theaters our safety. When we were older, When I think about growing three round trips a day, morning, to choose from — the State, the I am sure our parents had some up here, I believe I had almost the noon and afternoon. Harris, and the Royal. There was worries since we were now in cars. ideal childhood and have so many After the first grade, I usually a fourth named the Lyceum, which However, the cars were built like wonderful memories. rode my bike or, in really nice was off limits to nice girls and sup- tanks then and reasonably safe, Visit C & S where you I grew up in the south end of weather, roller-skated to school. I posedly had “cooties.” but parking in a dark alley for a town between Park Street and do not remember many car rides In grade school, Jane and I little smooching might be another Washington Avenue on First to school unless the weather was would usually go to a Sunday matter! get quality service that Street. It was not a fancy house, truly miserable. Back then, every- afternoon movie and get there by High school and college gradu- you can trust! but cozy, and we had a great neigh- one had only one car and the 1:30, before the price would go up. ation followed, then marriage to borhood with lots of kids to play fathers usually used it. That way, we would have money my high school sweetheart, John, with. Looking back, I also do not for popcorn. We loved musicals a week after he graduated from Your Full Within one and one-half blocks remember more than one over- and, on the way home, we would Findlay College in 1961. A week Since from my house, we had three little weight classmate, so the exer- sing and dance down Main Street. later, he was in the Army Reserves Service Shop! 1972 groceries: One just down my alley cise was good for us! We would As I said before, kids just don’t get in Kentucky for six months! on Second Street, where I would hurry back and forth in the morn- embarrassed! • Tune-Ups pick up Tasty Taters and Wonder ing and at noon, but dilly-dally Our Sunday evening suppers We lived and worked in Colum- • Brakes Bread for lunch; Mrs. Hostler’s coming home with our friends always consisted of what was left bus, Indianapolis and Chillicothe, tiny store just around the corner after school, which was great fun, over from our big noon meal, and but, in 1966, we were transferred • Exhausts on Park Street was where I used to unless a nasty boy chased you. Dietsch’s ice cream with “dope” on back to Findlay with Cooper. We • Oil Changes were home again! We raised two take cans of cooking grease for the Riverside Park pool was a huge the top. Our dads would always go • Radiator Service war effort, to use for explosives, attraction for my friend, Jane, and down and get it and always just a sons here who are now two fine at least that was what we were I. In the summer, as soon as lunch quart of hand-packed because the men. We worked here and thrived • Transmission Service told; and another grocery, north was over, she would pick me up freezer in the “Frigidaire” was so here in the last 46 years and I will C & S AUTO & TRUCK SERVICE in the next block of Park Street, and we would ride our bikes over small. never have any regrets. was where we went for good meat. to the pool for the afternoon. We When we were young, the When you can have the won- 334 E. SANDUSKY ST. - FINDLAY Now it doesn’t get any more would wear out a couple of bath- movie would be the deciding derful memories I have of being a convenient than that! ing suits a season going down the factor where we would go, but in “Findlay girl,” life is full of happi- 419-424-0666 Growing up in the ’40s, we rode big slide. junior high, we would check out ness. What a lucky girl! — Linda Mon. - Fri. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm our bikes everywhere, but when Jane and I were big fans of whose boys’ bikes were parked at a Snyder Weaver, Findlay. I was big enough to ride, there Esther Williams and after seeing theater and, if we liked those boys, were no bikes for sale because of her movies, we would take our that is the movie we picked. Some the war. “Mae Wests,” life vests we had of those movies were pretty bad! My father came to the rescue. bought at the Army Surplus Store, Junior high and high school He got together some old bike and do our Esther Williams rou- years were your typical ’50s. Dr. Jeffrey A. Evans, D.D.S. parts and the men at his workplace tines at the pool. We had dances after the football helped him put together a little When you are kids, you don’t games and basketball games, bike for me and I was thrilled. The care how silly you look. You just square dances, Y-dances, Camp- pedals fell off once in awhile, and it have a good time. If we were fire hayrides and dances, home- is Celebrating his 1 Year was a little strange looking with a very good girls, a couple times a comings and proms. There was huge lady’s seat, which I was told summer our parents would bring always something to look forward Anniversary after acquiring the had been Mrs. O.D. Donnell’s! us to the pool after dark and we to. Wow, I was a lucky little girl. would swim with the colored We would walk home from I went to grade school at Lin- lights on, and that was a real treat. these activities in junior high at dental practice of Going ‘to town’ was a big deal Dr. Matthew Kettinger

It was the ’60s. I was a little girl looking and talking. As a little girl, house. living on a farm by Rawson. My it seemed like a fair. It was fun! That huge building looked dark grandma, Vella Cramner Walter, Grandma would stop to talk and foreboding, but familiar and would take me with her “to town.” to the usual people we always inviting, all at the same time. Out It was Findlay and it was a saw, and it seems, she would talk front, the fountain was my favorite. big deal. I had to be clean, hair unusually long to someone she There were flowers everywhere. I combed, and dressed to suit her. hadn’t seen for awhile. haven’t forgotten steel signs on the No one went to town dirty or We would go to the shoe store, front sidewalk proclaiming “Uncle dressed in everyday clothes. the hat store, the drugstore, all Sam Wants You.” Once in town, we would drive on foot. I loved the Woolworth’s We entered on the south side to certain houses where Grand- store. Lots of stuff to see there. door. The first room was a smok- ma’s egg customers lived. One Most of the merchandise was ing lounge. The chairs were thing I learned is that fresh farm stocked on tables in long rows, so colorful, slick vinyl with stand- eggs were a hot item. even a little girl could see all of it. ing ashtrays set about the room. The trunk of the car would be Another store I liked was Bais- People would go there to smoke, completely full of eggs. One lady ley Meat Market. We raised our or just to sit and rest. would buy an entire gross of eggs. own meat, but there was always Of course, she then sold some of something we needed there. Once Through the next door was the them to her customers. inside, you took a number. No one ladies’ room. There were marble 223 W. Crawford St., Findlay When we delivered all of the seemed to mind the wait because stall walls with wooden doors that eggs, we headed to downtown. We there was always someone you slammed shut on you. The mirrors would park the car, and Grandma knew there. and sinks were always clean. The 419-422-9034 always let me put the money in the It seemed to be crowded every biggest thing was the smell, kind meter. Then, the adventure began. time, but I didn’t care. I was mes- of a cross between Pine-Sol and Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed. 8:00 am-5:00 pm Back then, Findlay’s downtown merized by that black-and-white something powerful. was bustling. People were every- tiled floor. I would sit and stare To this day, a whiff of that Fri. 8:00 am-4:30 pm where. The sidewalks were full of at it, following all the lines and strong, clean smell overwhelms all kinds of people. patterns with my eyes. I was fas- me with with memories of my Business people would dart cinated with that floor. Then, off grandma and downtown, and in and out of the shops and the we went. being a little farm girl in the big Welcoming New Patients! buildings. The shoppers were When we needed a bathroom town of Findlay, Ohio. — Carla everywhere, doing all kinds of break, we walked to the court- Lehman, Rawson. Simple times, but never boring

What a treat it was to be a teenager in Findlay we could, hopefully, sit in the balcony! during the 1950s. Most of us were dressed alike. We wore Levis. In the summer, we “north end kids” would ride our They had to be from Plotts Harness shop and we all bicycles to the Riverside Park pool, collecting friends had navy pea coats and wore white sailor hats. And as we rode along, singing “White Coral Bells.” This don’t forget the saddle oxfords or white bucks! we would do every weekday. Such simple times they were and we never were In the fall, there were the Findlay High School bored. All of these special events did cost money and football games to attend and “Y” dances. We would we earned our way by babysitting, shoveling snow, walk from those events to Miller’s Luncheonette to mowing lawns or whatever “odd” jobs we could find. call our parents for a ride home. Most of us got small allowances from our parents, Winter was a time for basketball games and ice skating on Donnell pond. In the spring, we went to but those allowances had to be earned! the movies every weekend. It’s amazing that we all got by without cellphones For me, it was over two miles to walk downtown or computers. We communicated! Dr. Evans and his talented, experienced team but it didn’t seem long because, again, we were gath- Findlay has grown since that time and it’s sad to ering friends as we went. Our first stop was Wilson’s see changes in our downtown. But bless the people continue a tradition of providing outstanding Hamburger Shop and, then, next door to Dietsch’s there who continue to survive. — Pat Bauman, for a milkshake. Then, to the Harris Theatre where Findlay. dental care to their patients. The Findlay plant was the third of Ball Corporation’s metal beverage container plants, opening in 1973. • The plant has two aluminum beverage can lines that produce 12 oz., 7.5 oz., and 5.5 oz. beverage cans.

• In addition to the aluminum beverage line, Ball Findlay has a steel food can line that produces cans primarily for the nutraceutical industry.

• The third product line is the manufacture of closures for the beverage industry.

• The combined production output for the plant is over 19 billion units making Ball Findlay one of the largest can and end plants in the world.

• The Findlay plant has received numerous awards for its quality and service, and most recently was named a recipient of the H. David Hoover Sustainability Award. This award is based on the concept of the triple bottom line, being rated on Environmental Citizenship, Community Involvement and Corporate Contributions.

• Ball Corporation is a global manufacturer based in Denver, Colorado and is rated number 297 in the 2012 Fortune 500 rankings. Congratulations Findlay on your 200th Anniversary! THE COURIER F4 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

Photo provided by Hancock Historical Museum Growing up with a coal stove, THE BLIZZARD OF 1978 pummeled the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region. milk box & wringer washer Winds estimated at 50 to 70 mph whipped a heavy I was 8 years old when Mom front porch. That was our signal expected to weed and hoe and har- snowfall into huge piles. Many residents went surprised me with my first bike! for two quarts. “Shorty” had a vest the food! I helped Mom can without power for days. Living in the west end of town, we horse-drawn San-A-Pure Dairy many jars of food for winter and seemed to walk everywhere. wagon that came through the Some ended up stranded we stored them in the basement. at work, motorists on I-75 It really wasn’t too far down- neighborhood each day. My sisters and I took turns town to the Kresge dime store, Another delivery we looked were stuck in their cars mowing the lawn. At that time, until help arrived (or, in A&P grocery, post office and the forward to was from George’s we had only a “reel” mower. three movie theaters. I could now Bakery, but only on Saturdays, as at least one case, left their ride my new bike to Pearl’s and the a special treat, a package of maple Our neighbors had an unwrit- cars and waited the storm Phillips grocery when we needed twist cinammon rolls! ten code to watch out for each out in a weigh station), and last-minute items. Mom taught us to bake and others’ children. It was a time anyone with a snowmobile or My sister and I walked to the cook on a cupboard, which was a when neighbors sat on their front all-terrain vehicle was asked Adams grade school, where we large piece of furniture with a por- porches, waving as others walked to drive doctors and other had special teachers come in for celain top that pulled out. There by. Mothers walked with baby personnel to the hospital. At religious education, and music was a flour bin behind a door on buggies, children skated and left, a Findlay woman poses classes, and recess, every day. We the left side, room for sugar and played hop-scotch on the walks. for a quick picture with her wore dresses and saddle oxfords spices behind the middle “push We had great times playing dog after digging out of her in those days and, if someone was up” door, and dishes and glasses kick the can or hide-and-seek house. misbehaving, there were sent to went behind the door on the right. until it was dark. Of course, this see the principal. The drawers were for towels and was after supper and chores and I also walked to Donnell Junior dishcloths and another set of homework was done! High after the city bus was discon- double doors for pots and pans, Sundays were special when tinued, a long trek in the winter all conveniently in one place. Grandpa and Grandma picked us (and I was made to wear boots!) I helped with laundry on Sat- On cold winter mornings, I urdays, using a “wringer washer” up for church, then we’d go for a helped bring coal in from the coal that we set up on the back, drive and go to Dietsch’s for ice bin at the back of the garage. We enclosed porch. To dry clothes, we cream! had a “Warm Morning” stove that hung them up on the clothesline in I don’t believe my sister and Saturday trips memorable sat in the living room that heated the backyard. I ever missed a summer day of the entire house. Come spring each year, we riding our bikes to Riverside Park Findlay, Ohio, was a favorite load trucks. It curved up the oppo- beginning of WFIN. My Aunt Before the morning, we put the planted a garden at the end of our for an afternoon of swimming! — place of mine. Still is. site way to keep the boxes from Mable Robinson was a well- milk box out for delivery on the lot. Of course, the children were Kathleen G. Chambers, Findlay. Every Saturday night, when I falling off. I tried it once. That was known singer in Findlay. She had was a small child, we went to Find- enough. a 15-minute program, which she lay. We parked on Main Street. There was a time when they did without compensation. After The older people and parents did had pet parades in downtown her death, her sister Olive took Back in the day in Findlay a lot more visiting back in those Findlay. Later, they were held at over. I also had the good fortune days. That was the thing to do, the Hancock County Fairgrounds of singing on one of the episodes. My first memories of Findlay were of The Findlay the fellow down the street. We won’t mention any window shopping and visiting. on East Sandusky Street. Findlay One room at the radio station Motel, where we stayed when Dad was transferred names, you know who you are, a secret it will stay, Most people didn’t have much had other parades, too. A lot of had WFIN spelled out in huge here with The Prudential. Besides the Holiday Inn, back in the day in Findlay. money but we ate well. Usually we people turned out for them. letters made with war savings it was the only place in town to stay. Summer days long gone, replaced by falling only had meat once a week. That I attended Washington School stamps. Back then, we gathered Maybe you remember Dad. Was he your insurance leaves, midget football games with concessions that was on Sundays. Most people had on North Main Street, just south of milkweed pods and took them to agent? He seemed to know everyone, and everyone, included those candy cigarettes; punt, pass & kick gardens and some chickens in that was Dietsch Bros. ice cream school. They were used to make it seemed, knew I was his daughter, back in the day in the middle of the court. No need to worry about town. Of course, we country folks store. What a treat to go down parachutes. in Findlay. cars, they will stop and wait for us to finish the play, raised hogs, sheep, cows and we there at noon. Now it’s a treat to Robinson’s Infant and Chil- Growing up on Cynthia Court in the mid-1960s, back in the day in Findlay. farmed with horses. Saturday go to their stores on West Main dren’s Wear gave a style review on early ’70s was filled with a sort of childhood magic Winter days soon came and the snow piled up high night was for grocery shopping, Cross and Tiffin Avenue! WFIN at least once. The models not found in the childhoods of today. Fond memories and deep. Still we played outside, digging tunnels, also. When I stayed at my grand- were babies and children who of hot summer days “conjegating” under the Roth red building forts and throwing snowballs at the enemy; There were five of us children. mother and aunt’s home on East came into their store, plus some maple, playing basketball at Big Al’s or baseball over making angels in the snow, our cold cheeks aglow. Bill and I were the youngest. We Sandusky Street, it was fun to of us relatives. loved to go to Patterson’s Depart- watch the horse-drawn, enclosed There was a Farm Bureau at Jacob’s Field, climbing up and sliding down “the Remember the blizzard of ’78? No electricity, and ramp” on the playground, or sitting inside the tunnel ment Store and climb up and down wagon deliver milk to people’s band. It practiced on East Lin- snow covering John’s yellow car in the driveway, you chatting away, back in the day in Findlay. their open curved metal staircase. homes. It was from the San-A- coln Street. My brother and sisters We scoured the neighborhood for discarded pop couldn’t see the car or the driveway, back in the day And then there was the Boston Pure Dairy. were in it. I got to tag along at the bottles and took them all the way down Crystal in Findlay. Department Store. At Christmas- There were huckster wagons back with a baton. Avenue to Griep’s Meat Market, cashing them in for Spring thaw, roller skating around and around the time, what a thrill it was to go to that delivered groceries in the Riverside Park, the swimming suckers, candy necklaces, Tootsie Rolls, and candy court sidewalk, and the years went by. We left home the top floor and watch the electric country. You were allowed to get pool, and the skating rink were all cigarettes. You could get a lot of candy from a few of one by one. Timmy is with Jesus now, Ed drives for trains go around and around the on the truck or wagon, as it was good memories. those pop bottles, back in the day in Findlay. UPS, Jim runs the Christian Book Store, and I haven’t tracks. Of course, there were many called, to see if you wanted to buy Last but not least, I remember (Griep’s Market, located at 417 Crystal Ave., was seen Big Al in a long time, but I see his wife at church. other toys, too. You could look but anything. my mother telling about the 1913 owned by Forest A. Griep from 1951 to 1969. It was Robin Roth is a physical therapist at Ohio Ortho- didn’t touch. Two of my aunts started Rob- flood. They had chickens. They sold to Annabel Blunk in 1969. It closed in 1981. The pedics Rehab and I haven’t seen Danny in years. Of course, the main attraction inson’s Infant and Children’s and the chickens all had to move to building, including a residence, is still standing and Robin, Ranae, Rhonda and Rachelle still visit Ann was Santa Claus who always gave Wear on East Sandusky Street. the second floor to survive. This is now a house. Source: Hancock County Historical and Fred on Cynthia Court, and I visit with Cindy you a treat, most likely a sucker. Later, they moved to a store on was at the same home I talked Museum.) in the old house at 712. Sometimes we reminisce Kirk’s Grocery Warehouse had South Main Street which also sold about before on East Sandusky Cool summer nights playing hide-’n’-seek or about back in the day in Findlay. — Terri Werling, a huge wooden slide to send boxes Helena Rubinstein cosmetics. Street. — Julia Wittenmyer ghost-in-the-graveyard, stealing my first kiss from Findlay. down when they were going to Back in those days was the Wilson, McComb. We’ve got it...

Traced back to 1929, Dick’s Auto Supply was originally owned by the August Family for 40 years, specializing in boats, cars, car parts and auto salvage. Impress Your Guests 2012 Amenities In 1968 Harold & Barb We are proud to offer upscale accomodations with a friendly and homelike Main bought the business atmosphere where our staff looks forward to giving our guests exceptional, and for 30 years served professional and the most dedicated service possible. the auto parts and auto With 80 deluxe guest rooms & suites as well as salvage needs of the local nine different conference rooms, your guest will community. enjoy the following amenities: • Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast • 50% Off Any Appetizer Coupon • Free YMCA pass Now owned and operated • Free Scheduled Shuttle Service Within City Limits • Executive Boardroom (when available) by Harold and Barb’s son, • Full Menu Room Service till 10:00pm Dave and his wife Pam • Wireless Internet Connection • Work Station With Two Phone Lines since 1998, they have • Personalized Voicemail & Speaker Phone • Handicapped Accessible continued the tradition of • Safety Deposit Box providing auto parts and • Smoking / Non-Smoking Room Options • Flat Screen TV w/Cinemax supplies and that extra • Iron & Ironing Board • Hairdryer service that you won’t find • Coffee Pot at the big chain stores. • USA Today • Business Center • Ample & Secure Lighted Parking • Valet Laundry Service Pride in our • Refrigerator & Microwave in suites local history.

Findlay Fostoria 419-422-4862 419-435-7755 THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL F5 Findlay in 1940s and 1950s: No end to change From Findlay Hardware in 1937 As I sit here in Afghanistan, I to see all these people and wonder, “Where did they come from to Findlay Hardware in 1976... a Norman Rockwell painting make them who they are today?” We are the helpful place. Then, I think back where I The fond memories of grow- of Dad’s Root Beer almost caused “Sweet Little 16.” am from, and what it was like in ing up in Findlay remain in your throat to seize up. When hamburgers sounded Findlay. I meet people here and my thoughts, of a boyhood on We rode our bikes everywhere. good, we biked over to Wilson’s, or they ask where I am from and I Corner of Front & Main Street Blanchard Avenue where my Most of the time, we were at we went over to Broadway to play tell them. And, surprisingly, I meet sister, Judy, and I grew up. Dietsch’s, sipping shakes and play- pinball, while Black Slacks blasted people who have been to our town. 419-422-5852 What a great time it was with ing Buddy Holly on the jukebox. from the jukebox. And, when we All the way in Afghanistan. And my pals. We played hockey and ice- And, guess what? When we left, felt really brave, the Town House it’s neat. skated along Eagle Creek during our bikes were still there. was in order, of course, turning up The older generation remem- winter. Sometimes, we skated all Our bikes were our only means our collars and priming our duck- bers when Tiffin Avenue was just a the way out to Camp Berry and, of getting around. If they broke tails before entering. large field, before all the stores and Tire & Auto during those warm summers, we down, we tooled to Cussins & I could go on and on about such were there, or when Central camped along Eagle Creek over- Ferns on Sandusky Street and Findlay’s movie houses or the was the high school. Then, I think Center to when I was younger. I remem- night. With our homemade sling- did our own repair work. It never Green Mill and the Riverside pool, SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON! shots, we stalked big game in and occurred to lawyer-up and go after but writer’s cramp is coming on. ber when there were houses across around the fairgrounds and seven the bicycle company. Findlay in the ’40s and the ’50s the street from Meijer and when quarries. It was at Donnell Junior High was as close to being in a Norman we had a Hills and Kmart. We didn’t bother anybody and that we became aware of girls. I Rockwell painting as one can get. It’s just crazy to think how in TH nobody bothered us. We never recall those awkward moments at I just wish that after I dot my last the last 30-plus years this city has HAPPY 200 ! heard of sexual predators or the first sock hop at the YMCA, period, a bowl of Tasty-Taters grown. And to think in another molesters. waiting to be asked to dance at the would appear, along with an iced- 100 years what this place will look like. It will be unbelievable. There were lots of mom-and- first ladies’ choice. The ’50s music down Old Dutch, and the sound “WE DO IT ALL” pop stores in the area. Some had was the greatest... We never had of WFIN’s Joe Darrow counting I think Findlay needs to ask each generation to bring some large coolers with water and huge an after-dance drive-by. In Findlay, down the hits. — L. Michael things in and bury a time capsule. chunks of ice. Those first swigs we did the drive-in and it was all Midek, Arlington. And in 80-plus years, they can dig Locally Owned & Operated it up and remember where they 616 N. Blanchard St., Findlay • 419-422-1212 came from and what their small town once was. — Jake Sherman, www.CarkoTire.com Growing up on Defi ance Avenue Logar province, Afghanistan.

As a childhood resident of the ance, filled with water from the Patterson’s Department Store Defiance Avenue area in Findlay in Blanchard River duing high-water just to go up and down the circu- the ’50s, my memories are of lazy, periods and provided us a place to lar stairs that graced the interior hot summers and cold winter fun. ice skate in the winter. The boys of the building. In the summer, the girls would played hockey and the girls prac- Life 50 or 60 years ago seemed congregate on neighborhood ticed their figure-skating skills. to be so easygoing compared to porches, gossip among them- Sometimes, when we felt more today. It seems more children got selves, and watch the cars go up daring, the boys and girls both jobs in their early teens. Girls were and down Defiance, or ride our would play crack the whip. thrilled to be asked to babysit, and bicycles around the area. The boys built bonfires we sat boys would take whatever jobs If we were lucky enough to around to get warm and talk and were available to make money. have five or 10 cents, sometimes have fun. My future husband worked obtained by cashing in glass pop Even more fun than ice skat- setting pins in a bowling alley bottles at what I believe was called ing was roller skating at the Green before the automated pinsetter the Ice House on North Main Mill Garden (maybe because I met came along, and in a horse stable, Street next to the Bonded station, my future husband there) and it cleaning stalls, etc. we would walk to the North Side was not a seasonal activity. It would be nice to turn back Pharmacy, where the Rite-Aid Sometimes, we went to the the hands of time to the days now stands, and buy a large soda movies on the weekends at the of our youth when things were glass of Coke for five or 10 cents. State, Royal or Harris theaters in simple and life was easygoing, The Swale, an area behind the downtown Findlay. even without cellphones! — Rose houses on the south side of Defi- Occasionally, we stopped at VanWormer, Mount Cory. Deli links Findlay’s past, future

I remember clearly, as a young girl, shopping in was, sprawled out in front of me! From where I stood, downtown Findlay with my mother, especially during it looked like a huge, plaid football field. the holidays. It was so festive with all the lights, ever- Main Street Deli was created right there at that green, and music playing from all the stores. moment! I didn’t sleep that night. Instead, I wrote a It seemed like a big city if you were a little girl menu, drew the layout on graph paper, and designed a from Carey! logo! Main Street Deli opened in May 1989, 23 years My favorite memory is shopping in Zieroff’s for my ago. I was able to keep my dream for six years and dad’s gifts. I must have been very young, as I could sold it only because of a family illness. barely see over the top of the display tables, but I Many people believed it would never make it, but remember, vividly, the unique plaid linoleum floor. today it is considered part of Findlay’s past and a vital Years later, in January 1989, I made a decision part of the future of downtown Findlay. to change careers and thought a deli would be fun. After checking out many locations, I met with the Needless to say, I am very proud of that little landlord at 513 S. Main St. At first sight, I felt that deli! Elaine Bruggeman is the current owner and I space was just too much. would like to thank her for keeping my dream alive, It was a late snowy afternoon and many people along with all the patrons who kept coming back and were just ending their workday and I remember spreading the word. standing in the dimly-lit space while the landlord Elaine, one of the best decisions I ever made was searched for the lights. Watching all the people on the hiring you. Little did we know that when you walked street through the falling snow immediately brought out the front door and turned to me and said, “Some- back the memories of my mother bringing my sisters day, I’m going to own this place,” you actually would! and me to Findlay to shop at Zieroff’s. I wish you many more years of continued success. All of a sudden, the lights came on and there it — Hellen Wittenmyer, Findlay Courthouse waiting room appreciated

Among my memories of down- But, what I really want to share Sometimes children, like town Findlay were the many is my memory of one of the conve- myself, were left there while their locally-owned businesses. There nient features of the courthouse. mothers finished their shopping. were men’s and women’s cloth- As a young girl, the place I remember being worried more ing stores, hardware stores, dime where I was often found was in than once that no one would come stores, the first discount stores, the sitting/waiting room located back and I would be left there for- ice cream stores, restaurants, spe- on the south side of the building ever. cialty stores and large department with the entrance off what is now The room was large and rect- stores. the courthouse courtyard. angular with straight chairs lining Of course there was Marathon, Since all of the shopping was the walls and two rows of chairs, then known as the Ohio Oil Co. downtown then, the shoppers The high school was downtown would have to walk between stores back-to-back down through the (now Central Middle School) and carry their own packages. middle of the room. The facilities and after school the kids would They did not have shopping carts and pay phone were in the hallway. gather at B&G Drugs or Galla- or even cars to take their packages Of course, access to the court- gher’s soda fountains, or perhaps to, since the majority of women house was open and easy in past Dietsch’s, Islay’s, or Wilson’s. The did not drive then. Therefore the years. The courthouse is where movie theaters, the Harris, Royal courthouse waiting room was a many ladies would visit and wait and Lyceum, were conveniently convenient resting, meeting, and for their ride home. — Judy located downtown as well. socializing place. Inman Richter, Findlay.

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Church-building Appreciated what they had job brought her At one time, shoppers My dad was one of four sons born to David and Rosa Brown, and family to Findlay lived on West Front Street in Findlay. Our grandfather was killed in a motorcycle accident when the boys, George, Dave, Ralph and Roy, were What brought my family, the 2, 4, 6 and 8 years of age. Grandma Rosie was a cook at Salsbury’s, and Charles and Virginia Parkinses, to didn’t leave downtown then the Palm Steak House on West Main Cross Street, east of Dietsch’s. Findlay in the early 1950s was our They lived directly behind Dietsch’s ice cream store, and just east of dad’s job at the First Presbyterian I was born in Findlay, and have his ice cream. Even with all the When we were shopping, it the train depot. Church on South Main Street. been a resident in Hancock County varieties they offered, I would never failed that someone had When we would visit, I liked to sit outside when the trains arrived Our dad, Charles Parkins, was all my life. My parents lived on always get an orange sherbet cone. to use the restroom. The closest and imagine all the places the passengers were coming from and going foreman, in charge of the men on Trenton Avenue when I was born Back in the ’60s, there weren’t restroom was in the courthouse. to. How exciting to travel anywhere! the job. He worked for Hasler Con- in 1956. My grandparents lived many “fast food” places to eat in You would use the side door and We would visit every week, because our Grandma had running water struction out of Tiffin. behind us on Madison Avenue and Findlay. One of the family favor- walk into the restroom that always where Mom would do laundry, and we could take a hot bath. Since we My brothers and sisters and I my aunt and uncle lived around the ites was Wilson’s. A hamburger smelled like Pine-Sol. I thought it lived in a converted barn near Houcktown, there was only a well, and spent a lot of time at the church corner on Main Street. My dad, with ketchup and a malt, that had to be the cleanest restroom water had to be pumped and heated. What luxury to have hot, running when it was being put up, from Walter, had a heating and roofing was the greatest. Another place around because of the smell. water! ground floor to the finish. It’s a business at the rear of Madison. was the White House hamburger Once in a while, we would go Every Saturday, my brother and I would go to a movie at the Harris most beautiful church and we have I remember as a child my sis- shop on North Main Street. There to the shopping mall. It was on the Theater, then stop back at Dietsch’s for a huge ice cream cone for the a lot of memories of the church. ters and I would go to the shop were six of us in the family and other side of town so we didn’t large sum of 5 cents. I loved Saturdays! The family is very proud of my and our grandpa Roy would help you could get six hamburgers for shop there as often as downtown. Since Dad worked at Cooper, every year we got to go to Cooper Day father, Charles Parkins, and the us make sheet metal bracelets a dollar. What a deal. When I was growing up, it was an at Riverside Park, and ride all the rides. Of course, by standards now, men who worked under him, for and crosses from the sheet metal On a Saturday afternoon, we outside mall. It was nice but you it was absolutely nothing, but back then, it looked like the best place in doing such a great job. He spent scraps. could go to the movies downtown. walked outside to get from one the world! And the best of all was the taffy in the concession stand. I long hours on the First Presbyte- My family later moved to There were three movies theaters store to another. don’t think there’s ever been better! rian Church job on South Main Shinkle Street. I remember going on Main Street: the State, Royal, I remember the sesquicenten- World War II was really hard on our parents’ generation, for so many Street and it was worth it. — Mary to kindergarten at Adams School. and the Harris. We could watch a nial in 1962. My mom, Theresa, reasons, but it made that generation and the next appreciate what we movie for 75 cents. I remember the Parkins Breitigan, Findlay. The highlight of kindergarten was made my three sisters and me all did have, and the simple things we had in life. — Lois Brown Allion, getting to take a nap on a cool plas- first Walt Disney movie I saw. It long dresses and bonnets to wear Bloomdale. tic mat. Another activity was to was “Mary Poppins.” To this day, for the celebration. I participated From park worker travel down the alleys and go to it is still my favorite movie. It was to commissioner Pearl’s, a little carryout where we something special to see it come in the longest-hair contest and Surprise storm arrived in 1966 would buy penny candy. My sisters to life on the big screen. came in second. We all had fun coming together and I would have 5 cents each to Shopping downtown was a Findlay’s downtown retail stores were open on Saturday nights only. When I was 12 years old, I as a community to celebrate the spend on whatever kind of candy weekly event. We would go to In the early 1950s, my friend’s parents would go shopping at that time. worked for Mrs. George Lytle at sesquicentennial. It’s hard to Riverside Park. She had a stand we wanted. Woolworth’s and look at all the Frequently, Sue would invite us to go swimming with her at Riverside believe 50 years have gone by. My where we sold trinkets with “Riv- Shinkle Street had a lot of toys they had, get some meat for Park on warm summer nights while her parents shopped. family and I plan to celebrate the erside Park — Findlay, Ohio” on families with children our age. We supper from the butcher shop, and During the time of Findlay’s sesquicentennial celebration, my hus- them. I worked until I was 14 years would play hide ‘n’ seek, flashlight, look at the fancy hats next door. bicentennial, especially the parade band and I were married. Our vocalist lived out of town so, while here, old. It was a fun time for me. tag, or any other game we could At one time, you could do all on June 14, Flag Day. she was able to join us in the festivities. From 1987 to 1993, I was the dream up. After we were finished your shopping downtown: shoes at Flag Day was my dad’s birth- We all enjoyed the performance of the grand sesquicentennial pag- second woman on the Findlay playing, we would listen for the Fenstermakers, clothes at JC Pen- day and he always told us that the eant. It was reported that about 600 people participated and nearly City Council. From 1993 to 2005, music of the ice cream truck to ney’s. I always thought it was fun city put up the flags to celebrate 70,000 attended this gala event. I was the first woman elected as a come down the street. We would to ride the elevator at Patterson’s. his birthday. As kids, we always Our area received a big, wet snowfall on Nov. 3, 1966. Many people county commissioner. I never lost sometimes be allowed to get ice You walked in and told the eleva- believed him. Those were special were unable to get home from work, including my husband, because of an election. cream. My favorite was the Push tor operator what floor and then times and as I showed family and the severity of this surprise storm. My uncle remarked he had never I was the only person who had Up, orange ice cream on a stick. you were going. It also amazed me friends my story they had fond shoveled so many leaves and snow at the same time! served on City Council and as a Dietsch’s ice cream store was to watch the clerks put papers and memories of growing up in Find- It was reported on the radio that grocery stores would open for a few county commissioner. — Virginia another place my dad would take money in tubes and off they went lay, Ohio, Flag City. — Margaret hours on Sunday, since we had been buried in snow since Thursday. At R. Clymer, Findlay. us for a special day out. He enjoyed to return a few minutes later. Smith Stine, Findlay. that time, “blue laws” were in effect and only emergency services oper- ated on Sunday. — Diane Knight Schaller, rural Findlay. Industrial park development signifi cant Favorite spots, favorite memories The most amazing time of my life was from the time I was a little girl Friends Service Co. Inc., doing business duced and provided have been an outstanding will be our demise as a civic entity. and I would come to Findlay and stay with my beloved aunt. She lived as Friends Business Source, came to Findlay asset to the growth of our area. Finally, some continued focus on programs on West Hardin Street and within a few blocks of downtown Findlay. in 1991 because of its obvious opportunity in In my opinion, what will continue to help to assist and build entrepreneurs of tomorrow My cousin and I would walk downtown and spend the whole day location, being right-off I-75, and its people, Findlay thrive is the fact that we, as a commu- will be essential in our consistent growth. looking into the store windows and, before we would go home, we always who represent everything from small business nity, seem to be re-establishing our organiza- Utilizing the great institution of the Univer- had a soda at the counter of the dime store on Main Street. We loved to enterprises to Fortune 500 companies. tions to work on attracting businesses here. I sity of Findlay would do us well, too. go into Patterson’s Department Store and try on all the pretty dresses. think the community is becoming more confi- At the time, we purchased a former office The university, for example, has the per- I even bought a prom dress there and, in my senior year, went to the supply and copier company which had 50 years dent in new leadership, as well. sonnel, structure and new talent we will need Findlay High School prom with a beau from Findlay. of stability in the community and took on the Two Fortune 500 companies, several indus- in order to progress in the next five, 10, 15, The absolute most exciting time was when my aunt would take us majority of their employees, which helped us trial international organizations, and the to the park for a picnic and we would ride all the rides there. I loved remain knowledgeable of the area and grow continued focus on local, small businesses is or even 200 years. We, at Friends Business the beautiful carousel and the dodg’em cars. rapidly. We soon headquartered ourselves here. exceptional in what is often considered as the Source, have already taken part in giving Findlay has always held a special place in my heart. We have raised The biggest area of growth and prosperity I small town of Findlay, Ohio. back to the university and realizing the great our children here and now our grandchildren live here, too. Our favorite have observed in Findlay has been the opening I feel we need to work on attracting new wealth of knowledge and talent they can offer place to take the grandchildren is Dietsch’s ice cream parlor, just as it and development of the industrial park located talent and always seek out new partisans, simi- our Findlay, Ohio. was my favorite many years ago! across the street from us on Bright Road. The lar to the way a business does with its employ- Here’s to another 200 years! — Ken Schro- This wonderful town has many, many wonderful memories for me. people, technology and business they have pro- ees and clientele. If we stop, simple attrition eder, Findlay. — Karon Makrancy, Findlay. A Great

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FINDLAY PEDIATRIC DENTISTS INC. Jean Garner Vern Garner 419-422-5742 wear a properly fi tted mouthguard for all contacts sports www.garnertrucking.com JACKSON E. WINTERS, D.D.S Established and Serving Children’s Dental Needs Since 1980 200 LIMA AVE., FINDLAY,OHIO 45840 419•422•2051 800•466•KIDS FAX 419•422•5069 P.O. Box 1506, CR 313, Findlay, OH 45839 THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL F7 Riverside Park provided great joy THANK YOU FINDLAY

I was born in 1944 at the old the centrifugal force of the spin- there often. Many times different river. Paddleboat rides were avail- Blanchard Valley Hospital on ning mechanism. They were often bands would play in the park on able for a ride down the “old mill South Main Street and have lived powered by animals walking in a weekends and many times I got stream.” here practically all of my life. My circle or people pulling a rope or to watch my dad play the drums. Our Riverside Park was noted mother, father, brother and I grew cranking. He was really good! as being one of the earliest and up in a great big house on Center By the mid-19th century the There were also times when largest amusement parks in north- We Service All Makes & Models Street, where the Salvation Army platform carousel was developed. perhaps a circus would be coming western Ohio, dedicated in 1906 • Competitive Rates • FREE ESTIMATES church now stands. With the technological advances, through town and we’d walk to the where the old waterworks used to Our greatest joy in life was bevel gears and offset cranks were park in the evenings to watch the be. Trains brought visitors from as going to Riverside Park to go installed on these carousels, thus nail-biting high-wire acts. Some 24 HOUR far away as Cleveland. Of interest, EMERGENCY swimming and riding the rides. giving the animals their up and had nets and some didn’t. in 1907 a 70-foot, 250-passenger A little pond with fish in it was down motion. The big old concession stand steamer made its first trip from SERVICE directly centered across from the The first carousel in the United was the “cherry on the sundae” Main Street to Riverside Park. fenced-in deep swimming pool. States was created in Hessville, 25 as we wrapped up the day or eve- 610 3rd St., Findlay 419-423-5833 A dance pavilion and 2,000- My brother and I often threw miles from Toledo. Many feel the ning before going home. There seat auditorium were built in 1907. All major credit cards accepted pennies into it and hoped our wish golden age of the carousel to be was a section where one could The bathing beach was made in would come true. early 20th century America. play games to try to win prizes. I loved the merry-go-round Recently, my girlfriend, grand- I especially liked fishing out fish the old reservoir. Then, in 1925, most of all and recall hanging daughter and I returned from a with a little net and usually I was came the Green Mill Dance Hall onto the pole of the horse until my visit to The Merry-Go-Round disappointed in the prize I had built on the side near the dam. knuckles turned white. It made me Museum in Sandusky where we won. But it was fun trying! Then, in 1936, shelters, a band feel brave and every time we went learned much information on Then there was the homemade shell and pool bath house made from bricks of the old waterworks past my family, I’d wave like crazy! the carousel, its history and the taffy in all kinds of flavors, and 1800 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, OH 419-422-3936 Either Mom or Dad would hang exhibits on display. It was at this cotton candy. It always seemed were added. onto me to be sure I didn’t fall, for moment I felt inspired to write on weekends that many families The year 1978 marked the added security. The very loud and about my love for riding the merry- gathered for big reunions. That’s renovation of the waterfront, cheerful music added to the gaiety go-round as a child at Riverside something that doesn’t happen as beginning a new era. There were of this whole experience. The car- Park. often as it used to and it saddens big-name bands, which high- ousel organ produces a thrill and How proud I was of myself as me. lighted entertainment. visions of merry-go-rounds as well I waved with much enthusiasm After church on Sundays, we’d What I’d like to say to people as other happy childhood memo- and joy to members of my family usually drive around some towns 200 years from now is, “Never lose ries. watching me pass by. I looked and see many, many families the joy of the child within you!” I’ve often thought of how a forward to trips to Riverside having picnics outside and play- Take time to have fun and merry-go-round relates to life Park more than any other enter- ing all sorts of games. Picnics create beautiful memories for your in general. Sometimes we just tainment. have rather gone by the wayside families. This is what the children go ’round and ’round getting I recently got a disc of historic today as well. I guess it’s because will remember growing up, the fun At Brinkman’s Country Corner located in Findlay Ohio, we nowhere, and then there are the Riverside Park from our Hancock husbands and wives do not stay times and enjoyable times spent ups and downs to life. Historical Museum and burst into together very long anymore. The pride ourselves on a Tradition of Quality. We are not your with family. It really is important average grocery store. We take great care in providing Actually the earliest known ecstasy as I reviewed all the old vows they take in marriage to stay that parents take the time to enjoy carousel dates back to around rides at this park. What a thrill! together as a family and work out our customers with the best quality foods, produce, meats their families and create lasting and seasonal foods available. Brinkman’s grocery store 500 A.D. Riders in baskets were Mom would pack us in a wagon their problems doesn’t seem to memories. depicted suspended from a central and take us to the park for swim- happen much anymore. has been a proud part of the Findlay community for over My favorite memories I cherish two decades, and we look forward to providing you an pole. The word carousel originates ming and the rides. I still remem- I recently dug into the past with my family are the Riverside from the Italian garosello and ber how rough the cement was history of Riverside Park and unparalleled level of service and unmatched food quality. Park experiences. I remember Spanish carosella, “little battle,” at the bottom of the pool for the was amazed at what all they had wagon rides and talking with my used by crusaders to describe a younger kids. I always had scraped to offer. The House of Mirth had combat preparation exercise and knees after swimming, but that trick mirrors in it and a tilted floor parents, the simple things. No It’s Better at Brinkman’s! game played by Turkish and Ara- didn’t stop me! for the children. Chautauqua Week matter how busy my mother was bian horsemen in the 12th century. There was a little guy named educated and entertained adults cleaning house, baking, cooking www.brinkmanscountrycorner.com This prepared and strengthened George Lytle who ran the train with lectures, concerts and other and the rest, she always took the the riders for actual combat. Euro- around the track, the second train cultural activities. time to talk with me and listen. pean Crusaders discovered this purchased for this park. There was The Chautauqua was held It’s so very important to listen to device and brought the idea back a roller coaster, and little boats on the spot where the Washing- kids. to their own lands. swimming around in circles as ton Monument replica now is. A As I see it, Riverside Park A carousel was also a training children happily rang their bells. wooden auditorium offered shows brought families closer together device for the ring-tilt, consisting I loved the swingsets because the and entertainment in the summer. and responsibly provided pre- of wooden horses suspended from framework was so very, very tall Here many celebrities performed, mium entertainment for the entire arms branching from a central and I could swing very, very high. such as The Five Columbians, family, not to mention the many pole. Riders aimed to spear rings I remember how large the including Marilyn Miller. In 1920, pleasant memories to cherish. situated around the circumference teeter-totters were and how my this wooden auditorium was torn Providing many shelterhouses as the carousel was moved by a brother laughed with glee as he down. for reunions in particular surely man, horse, or mule. slid off the teeter-totter on his way Remember the roller rink? Too was responsible for enriching the Early carousels had no plat- down. Boom! bad it’s gone. There were Shoot- lives of people and families in our form. The animals would hang on Big bands, concerts and some the-Chutes rides, or a 10-cent ride community. — Janice J. Sartore, poles or chains and fly out from famous entertainers performed on one of the launches down the Findlay. We’ve Courthouse waiting room Many memories at Riverside Remodeled! was handy for visitors I would like to share the story the big slide into the pool. Indeed, of my childhood. I was born after Riverside Park was a very busy World War II at Miller McComb place in those days! Since the Hancock County During the 1950s, the A&P Join Us For a Hospital, as were a number of my By the way, there was one very Courthouse was renovated and was east of the post office on West friends at the time, and grew up modernized, many younger folks Main Cross Street and Kroger was unique thing that we saw either Unique Dining out by Portage Chapel Church in directly or going to the park, and do not know about the ladies wait- in the building on the corner where the ’50s and ’60s. ing room next to the restroom area the Great Scot store is today. that was the San-A-Pure horse- Experience Our mothers would carpool drawn wagons on their delivery at the southeast corner of the On a tragic day in December, and take a load of us to Findlay courthouse building. a few days after Christmas, my route. for swimming lessons at Riverside The driver would get out of This room was used by women mother was hit by a car while Pool. I remember cold mornings waiting for their rides or for a cab crossing Main Street alone in a the wagon with his carrier hold- holding onto the side of the pool, ing the bottles of milk, and deliver Authentic Japanese Cuisine to pick them up to go home. During blinding snowstorm. Since Mom while the instructor stood on the the 1950s, it was still uncommon walked slowly due to polio, her the bottles on the doorstep, pick edge, wearing a sweatshirt, while up the empties, and go on to the and Steakhouse for older women and housewives coat got covered in snow and the we tried to swim, or at least keep to drive a car. My mother was one car’s driver was unable to see her. next house, while the horse would warm. take the wagon and stop and wait who did not drive. I was waiting at the courthouse After the lesson, we would have My childhood home was in for Mom. So, I especially remem- for him on the street in front of time to ride the Riverside Train, the second house. Try that with a Rawson, so whenever we had ber the kindness of help from the ride the merry-go-round, etc. truck today! medical/dental appointements at courthouse cleaning lady, Mrs. There were a lot of rides there downtown offices in Findlay, we Amy Sands, and a policeman, who then: bumper cars, the little boats Of course, there was the Harris traveled to town with someone came to the waiting room to pick that went around in a circular tank Theater downtown with its two who worked in Findlay. Being me up. of water, the little cars that went balconies; Patterson’s, with its in town all day, we waited at the As a frightened 10-year-old, I around in a circle, and a couple of spiral stairway; and Zeiroff’s, with courthouse in between appoint- was thankful for that policeman others. the stacks of hat boxes above the ments and shopping. and the medics who helped calm I also remember there was a shelves of goods; the hobby shop We had lunch at one of our me down as they put me in the bowling alley in the one building down by the bridge, where the favorite places: at Wilson’s, the front seat of the ambulance taking that, I believe, had pins set by electric trains would disappear Woodland Restaurant, or at my Mom to the hospital. young men by hand. And there was through the back wall; Croy’s gro- Kresge’s lunch counter. Fortunately, she had no broken the taffy pull, cotton candy, etc., cery store, where they would plug Then, late in the afternoon, bones, just bruises, and needed to in the stalls along the midway. I a watermelon so you could try it Mother and I would walk to the rest in the hospital for a few days. believe the popcorn, etc., was in out; Big Boy on North Main, with A&P store or Kroger store to It is good that Findlay still a bigger building, which is now a the call boxes for curb service; Serving Downtown Findlay Since 1994 get groceries. We wanted to be has great people, both male and shelter house. and, of course, the old Wilson’s, checked out by the time our driver female, to serve as police, fire, Along the swimming pool was the first fast-food restaurant in 406 S. Main St., Findlay, OH • 419-424-1007 got off work and planned to pick and medics for helping at times of a small pool that held goldfish. You town. us up at the grocery store for the crisis. — Janet Grubbs Fadley, felt you had arrived when you were Thanks for the memories. — www.japanwestfindlay.com ride home. Fostoria. big and brave enough to go down Larry W. Todd, Bloomdale. THE CREDIT UNION DIFFERENCE

Melrose Avenue Staff

'/).$$$ š<:HmWiFh[i_Z[dj šIdemM^_j[WdZj^[I[l[d:mWh\imWih[b[Wi[Z š@e[Bek_iZ[\[Wj[ZCWnIY^c[b_d] www.hancockfcu.com š>emWhZ>k]^[iÔ[mWhekdZj^[mehbZ š>WdYeYa<[Z[hWb9h[Z_jKd_edmWi\ekdZ[Z_d<_dZbWo"E^_e (&'($$$ š>WdYeYa<[Z[hWb9h[Z_jKd_ed_d_ji-*j^o[Whe\Xki_d[ii"_ifhekZje^Wl[iWl[Z 1701 E. Melrose Ave ekhc[cX[hiel[h-&&"&&&i_dY[7fh_b(&'' 125 Trenton Ave We’re proud…going strong…and ready to serve our members for many more years to come. THE COURIER F8 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 Sodas, Sting-Rays, and delivering the newspaper

Growing up in Findlay in the for our wanderlust of processed food” were her common catcalls for the past week’s newspaper. 1960s on the far north side pre- sugars. Hmmm good! at us. Earning money for my Sting- sented me and my neighborhood One of the most unusual haunts As we became older, say 10-12, Ray and the other essentials friends a challenge when it came of me and others was Siebert’s gift our boundaries expanded farther spurred my desire to find a news- to consumption: Consumption as shop on Bell Avenue. It was the south, thus giving us more oppor- paper route that might be avail- defined by pre-teens and teenagers second from the last house on the tunities to become larger, gratified able. The Blade and the Lima in 1960 as food, drink and other south side, almost on the railroad consumers. The Sundry Shop and News were rags that were dis- “necessities” needed to stay alive. siding crossing Bell Avenue and Food Center became our extreme pensed after school, but you had Our boundaries, as prescribed Smith’s Foundry. It consisted of boundaries during these years. to buy the route from the boy who by my parents, were given specific Mrs. Siebert’s ranch house and Food Center was owned by my was “retiring” from his area. geographic delineation points. an unattached garage with the neighbors, the Gainsleys. I wasn’t interested in paying for This changed with age, from being small shop on the side. You could We would lean our bikes out- an evening route. Besides, some restricted to our immediate yard always smell the dozens of cats she side and walk in to check out the of my older friends I admired had to travels to the Food Center on housed in an enclosed house on aisle that had toys, while Ralph a Republican-Courier route. So North Main Street when I had the side of the shop. and his son Jeff Gainsley were it had to be the big white canvas turned 10 or 11. Freedom came in We would knock on her door, perched high up in their office in bags emblazoned in blue letters, chunks as I grew from a tricycle to if the shop was locked. She would the back next to the meat coun- “The Republican-Courier.” my shiny red Schwinn American come out smiling, with an apron ter. On occasion, they would spot However, the Republican- 26-inch two-wheeler. on, key in hand to unlock the shop. us and wave to us. We always felt Courier routes were not sold on Photos provided by Speaking of my red Schwinn Once inside, we were greeted welcomed there. the open market. You had to find Hancock Historical Museum is an example of consumerism. with dozens of boxes of candy During the spring, we bought someone who was leaving and THE REPUBLICAN-COURIER My previous bicycles were used cases full of small toys like wood box kites and a rocket that was a then apply for the job. A few days crew was always ready to and had training wheels. So on my airplanes, spinning tops and occa- long tube that you pushed down, later, Dave Wiler told me that he deliver the latest news. sixth or seventh birthday, I was sionally a cap gun. She stocked a using the air pressure to shoot it had found another job and his Shown here in 1962, paper presented with a sign of prestige large array of balloons that we upwards 20 feet or more. route could be available. boys (above) and print shop amongst my friends: a gorgeous coveted for their prices, two for The Sundry Shop next door Even though the routes were employees (left) alike worked Chicago-made bicycle. a penny, and ability to hold water. was a haven for us as it had toys, not sold, I still had to impress tirelessly to get the morning From this day forth I had Some days we left with over 50 candy, hobby supplies and the Dave by buying him an occasional paper onto your doorstep. “wheels,” which trumped pedes- balloons and mouthfuls of grape annual spring supply of bean ice-cold 16-ounce Pepsi (his dad trian travel by volumes! My ave- bubble or Blow-Pops. shooters. Ten cents for red straws, worked at Pepsi), followed up with nues of consumption quadrupled On days close to Mother’s and the shooters, and neatly stapled a spicy Slim Jim from Fouts’ car- However, John was very con- Nevertheless, I got dressed after I mastered riding a 26-inch Father’s days, Mrs. Siebert would hand-packed brown bags of navy ryout or Main’s Market. genial and seemed to understand and tried to be quiet as I headed bicycle at the age of 7. be overjoyous and greet us with beans, 15 cents small, jumbo for It worked, and he offered me the minds of young boys. The downstairs. But my mom heard After days of help from friends her whistled voice, saying, “Nice a quarter. his route, but I had to work with only thing I had to do after I was me and got up to fix me a snack and family holding the bike and day out today, boys.” She ushered Once I spent over an hour him while on summer break. It approved was to get my parents’ as I headed out. As I pulled the launching the bike and me, I us in to a small showcase filled selecting, and 85 cents for the was a trial period, I suppose, to signature! I could picture myself garage rope to roll up the door, decided I could do this on my own. with handstitched, embroidered purchase of a red, white and blue see if I could get up at 3:30 a.m. with a bag full of coins jingling as I was greeted and scared by Mr. I discovered that by holding the handkerchiefs for the mothers rhinestone pin for my mother’s six days a week, and fling wads of I went door to door collecting the Deeter, who informed me that this bike and running alongside it on or monogrammed white ones for birthday. I was so excited as I words bundled up in green rubber good old “dough-ray-me!” would be the routine for awhile. the curb, I would (hopefully) jump dads. Dishcloths, towels and a peddled with my package sway- bands, landing them on the porch After the parents’ signature, He drove away and staring at me on and let the momentum carry bevy of other hand-crafted articles ing on the handlebars of my bike — no bushes or rooftops, please! I headed back to Dave’s house to were two huge bundles of the me on to victory. gleamed in the small case. as I headed home. Dave was wonderfully patient strike a deal for all of the neces- paper. So, I didn’t have to wait until The trouble was that after As I turned 13, a small clothing and fun as we traveled the dimly- sary tools of the trade. First there I was known to the paper deliv- the ice cream man jingled his you purchased the hand-made store opened next to Petti’s res- lighted streets early in the morn- were the huge carrying bags. He eryman as Route 65 and my aver- way into our neighborhood daily, article, wrapped it up and gave it taurant. It was called “The Pants ing. Of course, having two doing had two, but I needed three, fol- age daily customer log hovered at I could hop on the bike and head to your mother, the cat odor still Pocket.” It carried all of the much- the work made the job easier and lowed by the all-important rubber around 125 customers. My neigh- to points south on Main Street. remained! My mother already needed clothing by many young enjoyable. But now the day of reck- bands, brown water-proofed bags borhood had no sidewalks, so I There was an old hold-out from knew where the box came from men my age. One of my “dreams” oning was waiting for me at the and the card punchers. We agreed slung both bags like bandoliers the Dixie Highway days, an aging just from the “odorfied” package. of being a young consumer was circulation manager’s office. I had on a fair price and I was now a with around 60 flat papers. motel. It had a pop machine that Nevertheless, all of us kept her in to be seen riding my green Sting- to go to the office of the paper and contract entrepreneur! Dave had taught me that it was had Frosty Root-Beer for a mere business. Ray with braces on my teeth (they officially apply. Mr. Deeter came over before faster to walk and fold, band and 15 cents! Farther south we had an old were really crooked!), wearing the It was located behind the court- my first day to go over the rules. toss as you walked. It took awhile Further down past Vince and green former Clover Farms store latest fad, a wet-look blue wind- house, housed in a former brick Papers had to be delivered by 6 to catch on, almost like the walk- Paul’s Pizzeria about a mile was that was simply called Main’s breaker, with wind blowing in my church. Our door was located off a.m., correct bookkeeping meth- ing-and-chewing-gum scenario we our summer haven, Fout’s carry- Market. This was the favorite ever-lengthening hair. South Cory Street. Peddling my ods, and no fooling around. He all laugh about. out. Once inside you had six or hangout for after-school kids I achieved this after I bought old red Schwinn American bike handed me a new blue route The grass was wet with dew seven coolers that had a metal from Northview School. It was a the jacket at the new store. There there was easy because, in my account book and blank cards for most mornings, rubber bands roll-down door that held the pop bit different because instead of all I was, heading on North Main mind, I already owned that green the balance of the year. We shook snapped my fingers and the print we longed for! From Pepsi, Coke, junk food like Fout’s, it was a real Street toward Rinks Bargain City five-speed Schwinn Sting-Ray that hands and I was an official Courier blackened my hands, but I was Vernor’s (old people’s pop, we grocery store with a real butcher on the east side’s new shopping lured me weekly to Jim the Bicycle carrier! accomplishing something. always thought), to Kick-A-Poo (Mr. Mains), and produce. district, with my mind on how I Man’s shop just south of Center The alarm went off at 3:30 Half of the route required my bike and the bags, hanging off of Joy Juice (pre-Mountain Dew) The one great thing it had was going to afford the Beatles’ Street. a.m., but I couldn’t sleep because lead hooks attached on my handle- and Variety Club favorites like red, was several shelves of penny new white album. ( I still own it!) I was interviewed by John I was excited! For what? Getting bars. Many times the load would orange and cream soda. It was 12 candies, including Mary Jane, “Collecting for the Courier” Cain, the circulation manager, and up early six days a week, not being shift and tumble I would, or papers cents for a 12-ounce, 15 cents for Chick-O-Stick and Bit-O-Honeys. were the all-too-familiar words I Mr. Deeter, the route supervisor. able to stay up late and having would fly into the wind. So goes most 16-ounces, plus two cents for Mr. Main’s daughter sat on top of spoke every Saturday in 1969 and I don’t remember all of the ques- friends shun your invitations for the life of a carrier! deposit. At the counter, we had the old counter with a coffee can 1970. It was the all-important day tions or the answers I gave, but sleep-overs. Who wants to help Laffy Taffy, Slim Jims and huge she made change from. Yelling to in the life of a Findlay newspaper this was the first real interview I Eric and get up way too early? Pixy Stixs. It was a wonderland “hurry up” and “don’t finger the boy, customers paying their tabs had been in, so I was nervous. What was I thinking? See SODAS, Page F9

The Hancock County THANK YOU Agency on Aging FOR 30 GREAT YEARS! Celebrate Findlay’s Bicentennial 1812  2012 Reflect on the past and look toward the future. Programs we offer include: Mission Statement: • Activities • Chore Services To enhance and support • Fitness/Wellness • Mobile Meals • Outreach the quality of and respect • Volunteer Guardianship Program for older adults Hancock County Agency on Aging 339 East Melrose Ave. 419-423-8496

730 S. Main St. • Findlay www.hancockseniors.org (419) 423-1114 THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL F9 1940: A ‘sweet, country, tidy town’ BINDEL’S APPLIANCE In 1940, Findlay was a sweet, It was still too soon before “come as you are” would be less listening to a baseball game on country, tidy town that had an old- modern technology entered the than acceptable then. The Holy my radio, sitting on the porch fashioned flare. It was friendly, scene. The ’40s, ’50s and ’60s Bible was our guide and the hym- was thrilling; when driving to the Located in downtown Findlay God-fearing, family-oriented, were the years that changed lives nals were our source of singing Toledo Zoo and later on to the new where men were proud to work, gradually. Findlay was changing, praises to him. malls was a once-a-year happen- for over 44 years! and their wives chose to be moth- too. The big push for education, Remember when Jackson’s Fur- ing. From Findlay to Toledo was ers and homemakers, as their construction and travel was on niture Store on Main Street gave a long way and had to be planned mothers before them. However, the rise. to every graduating senior girl in ahead. 214 South Main St. • 419-422-6954 women were also in the workplace. Greyhound Bus was on East Findlay and the county schools Even though television was www.bindelsappliance.com Walking down Main Street, Sandusky Street to all cities in a miniature cedar chest, a hope beginning to appear, our family business after business opened Ohio and farther. Morey’s, at the chest before she was married? didn’t have one until 1952. Before their doors to accommodate young corner of East Sandusky Street That little chest, after 60 years it took over our home, we enjoyed and old alike. As a child from first and South Main, was a center of past my graduation, still sits on my records on a small record player. grade at Lincoln Elementary attraction for newspapers, maga- vanity. It advertised Lane Cedar Spayth’s sold TVs, appliances, PUT YOUR FEET IN GOOD HANDS School until my senior high school zines, books, greeting cards and Chests. years, I remember the fancy dress gifts, a true standby. records and gifts. Hagen-Rena- We can’t forget Riverside Park. ker figurines still fill my china shops with the beautiful styles of Dietsch’s little candy shop The picnic shelters were always T.C. Reed D.P.M. cupboards today. It was a special the day displayed in their windows was across the street years ago. busy with families celebrating store on Main. on mannequins. Their sugar mints, green, white reunions of one kind or another. Trena Reed D.P.M. Men’s clothiers were just as and pink, all flavored, are still my Long ago, the scenic boat rides Happy anniversary, Findlay! New Patients Welcome nice. Men wore suits as the norm, favorites. were fun (as were) the buildings, You’ve provided us with unfor- not just on Sunday for church or The A&P grocery, the main now gone, where we could ride getable memories. A special trib- Serving Findlay & the surrounding area since 1995. special outings. People presented Findlay grocery on West Main ute to our forefathers who laid the bumper cars or roller skate • Foot & Ankle Surgery • General Footcare themselves in a different way and Cross Street across from Findlay to snappy music of the day. The out the land and began its story. attitude than what they do today. High School, was our Saturday kiddie pool and adult pool were To our leaders, past and pres- • Diabetic/Wound Specialist • Heel Pain It was a kindness, a trustworthy night objective. always popular, and a large crowd ent, providing a city that stands • Sports Injury Treatment • Sports Medicine Ankle Injury way, a feeling of gratefulness that It had an automatic door. Enter- invariably would turn out for band honorably and vital to those who • Care for the Entire Family • Total Support Orthotic-Quality meant respect for one another. ing was the fragrance of coffee concerts, local talent and those on chose to love and respect it. To • Bunions, Corns, Warts, Findlay was perhaps 10,000 beans being ground (no instant tour. our God, who gave us his bless- Sandals for Men & Women Ingrown Nails population in those early years coffee yet). It was a small market, Standing along the curbs to ing and showed us truth. We espe- before manufacturing companies but convenience food hadn’t been wait for the parades, whether for cially praise and give him honor. 714 Beech Ave. 419-425-FEET (3338) and construction began to change invented yet either. So, buying the holidays or special events, was — Lila Rose Huysman Roszman, Findlay the skyline. basics to cook from scratch was all “the best” memory as a young Marion. Main Street was Findlay. to depend on for preparing food. person. There was no mall. State Route Two sacks of food lasted all week, Loved the floats, school bands, 224 (Tiffin Avenue) was farmland probably under $5. displays from local organizations, and country homes, many of those West of Findlay on 224 was the the military, and seeing the big farms were passed down from gen- Country Market. The building is beautiful convertibles with signs. eration to generation. The land still standing. In those days, it had The mayor and special dignitar- was beautiful as far as the eye groceries and meat market on one ies sat on the back seat waving could see, but, by the ’60s, prog- side, a retail section on the other. to the crowd. But the best part of ress was on the way. Spent my time selecting a bag the parade was the Findlay Trojan Downtown were drugstores of candy from a long showcase. Band, loud and peppy, marching where prescriptions were filled, The atmosphere was homey with in time with the major and the magazines and newspapers were its squeaky floor and wonderful majorettes. sold, as well as greeting cards aromas that spelled “country.” There was a day when park- and gifts. Remember Johnson’s, Department stores such as Pat- ing was allowed in Court Place, Central, Gallagher’s, S&S, B&G? terson’s, Uhlman’s, Boston Store a small street that circled around All popular, and several had soda and, later, Lasalle’s offered so the courthouse. Offices, a car deal- fountains — ice cream sodas, a much for everyone. ership, The Republican-Courier nickel Coke, a light lunch. But I mainly remember when were neatly tucked in that area Findlay was busy with diners, purchasing an item, we would which led north to West Main hotel dining rooms, small restau- take it to the cashier behind the Cross Street. rants, lunchrooms and sandwich counter. She wrote up the bill and Straight north was Broadway, shops. The Phoenix, Craig’s, with our cash placed them in a also known as The Farmer’s Park- Wilson’s, Miller’s, Broadway and small metal container that was ing Area, always full on Friday Isaly’s were wonderful choices. connected to a track. With a push, night when the townspeople and Most people called them “10- the container traveled along the country folks gathered in little cent stores,” F.W. Woolworth’s, track upstairs, to the second floor, groups downtown to shop, to S.S. Kresge’s, and J.J. Newberry’s. to another cashier. She accepted reacquaint after a long week on We would buy anything from a the money, made change, and sent the farm or workplace. So many nickel to a dollar. Aisle after aisle. the receipt and change back to the people, so little space! This young girl was amazed with first cashier. That system didn’t In those days, cars parked what was available, so near, yet so last long, but the store did. toward the curb, not parallel. It far away. That was also the time when was not uncommon to see people The movie theaters were popu- clerks were available to actually watching other people from their lar with everyone. At night, the assist a customer to make selec- cars. The 1940-50 vehicles were marquee lights flashed, the ticket tions. How times have changed something to see, hear, and ride lady sat in a booth, just outside the our system of shopping today. in. double doors. Entering, a ticket- Findlay is blessed with Now, at 78, I still miss the taker tore our ticket in two pieces, churches for all faiths. In the early red brick streets and the stately and we had the choice of popcorn years, they were attended faith- maple trees that lined Findlay’s in a box, candy, and a drink in a fully by families to give thanks to streets; having a family doctor paper cup to enjoy as an usher our God. who took time with us and cared; with a flashlight took us to our Looking over the congregation, when there were only two major seat. Believe me, that was special. people were dressed with respect banks; when Montgomery Ward’s Hollywood at its best. as they praised him. The idea to and Sear’s had thick catalogues, plus a Christmas catalogue; when There is just no place like home

Findlay was a wonderful place to live. I often think of growing up in Deep roots Findlay in the ’40s and what a safe and special time it was in my life. We lived at 128 George St. and I went to Washington Elementary I was born in 1946 and raised for six years. My first-grade teacher was Miss Fox and needless to say, in Findlay. I left Ohio in 1972, her last name was very scary. after graduating from the Medi- My mother would walk me to school every day and make sure I was cal College of Ohio in Toledo, and seated at my desk. The minute mother was gone and the teacher’s back moved to Jacksonville, Fla. It was was turned, I would run all the way home, taking all the back alleys my intention to move back, but, as as shortcuts and sitting on the front porch steps when mother arrived. they say, “I got sand in my shoes,” I love coming back home to Findlay to visit. I have lived in several and have lived down here since. other cities, but there is just no place like home. — Sue Jones Hansen, It has been my experience that Placitas, N.M. you can take the boy out of Ohio, but you can’t take the Ohio out of the boy. next collection Saturday, I had I have deep roots in Findlay, an apology from that Bell Avenue visit often — was just there for Sodas customer. Thanks, Dad! my dad’s 104th birthday — and am contemplating moving back to My dreams and goals were Continued from page F8 wrap up my life in the next few being answered: Sting-Ray was years. purchased by Jim’s layaway plan Rain, wind, sleet, and let’s not Happy, happy celebration! I and, eventually, I added the obliga- forget snow, clogged my progress, will be back on July 4th, but will tory paper bag hooks on it, too. but the paper had to be delivered. probably miss much of it. I told But I lost out on many a sleepover, Customers were generally kind my sister to get my audiotape mischievous summer night and and patient with me. It was 50 from the time capsule from 1962, cents a week when I started, but, sweet deep sleep because of my paper route. if she could. What fun that would by the twilight of my career, it had be! — Dr. John M. Moorhead, reached $1.75 bi-weekly. My days were numbered, when Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The Hillcrest apartments had I became interested in girls, cars, young couples who would leave and cars and girls. It wasn’t cool and not pay me, or other dwellers to be in high school and a news- who simply swiped their neigh- paper boy. bor’s paper, which would result in So, one day, a much younger me having to scurry over before and eager redheaded boy tagged school to bring over another copy. after me collecting on that Sat- On occasion, my parent’s paper urday in the fall of 1971. He too disappeared because I needed to wanted a Republican-Courier give it to an angry early-morning route. So he offered to help ring customer whose paper just van- doorbells, fold some papers on a ished. Saturday, followed by a volley of But I had the crew-cut ’50s questions and him handing me a look in Mr. Haas, who would take cold bottle of Frosty root beer he some of my Saturday collection purchased from the machine by time with a challenge of a game of Petti’s Alpine Village restaurant. “horse” or 21, or the kindly Burley He was anxious and in the zone, family across the street, ushering and I was looking at motorcycles. me inside on cold days, plying me with cookies and hot chocolate. “Can you get up at 3:30 a.m.?” Yes, good always outdid the bad I asked the young redhead as he most weeks, and I grew up learn- handed me a Reese’s candy bar. He ing about life and people. nodded and we walked together, And my parents helped out he dreaming of a 10-speed bike on cold, windy and wet days by and me, I was looking at a Yamaha driving me to the faraway streets Enduro. It appeared that my circle of Bell Avenue, Hilltop, Waddle, of life was rounding the corner in Hillcrest and Lotze. Some days, 1971. my mother cooked me eggs and Life just didn’t get any better toast, and I hate to admit, wake me for me in those days of sodas up after I would turn off the alarm and Sting-Rays. Newspaper boys and roll back to sleep. grow into adults and carry within Once, an angry customer threw their own stories swirling in their his payment at me because the minds, wondering if they could paper didn’t always land squarely still hit the porch on their first in front of his door. My dad inter- shot. — Eric VanRenterghem, ceded, calling John Cain. The Mount Cory. THE COURIER F10 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL F11

Remembering a simpler, family-oriented era Findlay memories go on and on As my hometown celebrates its bicenten- lay Airport (remember Planter’s Mr. Peanut crossing as an old-fashioned steam engine went Dear Nunny: It’s been many years since I have spoken to you or have nial, what do I remember most about Findlay? shaped balloon) ... shopping at Bargain City through town ... blimp visits Findlay airport... seen you. Your love and pride for Findlay follows through in me and I recall many “bits and pieces” over the years. and Hill’s Department Store ... Roger Powell’s Grade school field trips to Hancock Histori- my life today. My nostalgic remembrances bring a smile to my face and These recollections include: annual Easter sand sculpture (whether at Riv- cal Museum and Little Red Schoolhouse (guide allow me to reflect the special events which transpired while growing Playing a game of putt-putt golf and then erside Park or at the fairgrounds) ... ice skating Ida Rupright) ... sledding at Rawson Park in on the Blanchard River ... up in Findlay in the ’60s and ’70s. enjoying root beer milkshakes at the attached the winter ... flying kites at Adams Elementary cafe ... canoe races on the Blanchard River on Bush comes to Findlay ... Christmas on School ... calliope (keyboard instrument with Some of the happiest and fondest memories were when you took me 7/4/76 (for our country’s bicentennial) ... the Main Street including the luminaries, light- to the State and Royal theaters. I remember admission to the movie steam whistles) event at Riverside Park ... fish- manual merry-go-round and the teeter-totters decorated fire truck, and “Rudolph” banner ing at the reservoirs with Uncle Bob and Dad house on Saturday was a canned good. Sitting in the Royal Theater at Riverside Park ... movies (usually Disney) across the street ... Grandma and I riding our with the big velvet chairs made me feel so grown up! (old better than new) ... The Healing Field (of on a Saturday night at The Millstream Drive- bikes down the “hill” at Maple Grove Cemetery flags) after 9/11... After enjoying a movie or a cartoon, you would take me downtown In ... Olympic torch relay down Main Street ...... sesquicentennial-painted fire plugs ... picnic to look in the store windows. Going into Patterson’s Department Store Budweiser horses trot down Tiffin Avenue... lunches with family at Riverside and River- Dunkin’ Donuts’ apple fritters on Sunday and allowing me to ride the rickety, gold elevator was so special and The Dog ‘n’ Suds drive up (de-coder ring bend parks ... hiking and cross-country skiing mornings ... closing up the house and going fun. The circular staircase was also a treat to venture down to the first toys with every meal) ... Findlay High School at Riverbend ... playing tennis at Rawson Park inside for Findlay’s weekly mosquito spraying floor where you would be waiting for me. and Findlay College football games ... chipped ... milkshakes, sundaes, and ice cream cones ... feeding the ducks at Riverside’s Waterside Pavilion ... the blizzard of ’78 — when we All the workers and people you knew were all friendly and kind. ham sandwiches from Lawson’s ... “fishing” at Dietsch’s... walked to Great Scot down the middle of San- People took the time to chat and visit. As a child, this is what I remem- game and shredded chicken sandwiches at The “maze” known as Central Junior High dusky Street and got cherry pie because a truck ber. Whittier Elementary School social ... numer- School ... the unpleasant smell of Centrex in ous Halloween and Memorial Day parades the summer air ... the “vegetable/fruit price was stranded on West Main Cross... Lastly, I couldn’t forget our innumerable visits to the downtown Various out-of-business restaurants like Dietsch’s on Saturday or after special events. It was so much fun to sit ... Hancock County Fair every fall ... annual wars” at the corner of Blanchard and Sandusky dachshund races and basset hound waddles ... between The Fruit Basket and Brinkman’s ... Rax, Lone Star Steakhouse, Ryan’s, Duff’s, at the soda fountain and enjoy our yummy ice cream treats. They made Ponderosa, Bonanza, and Frontier ... swim- the best chocolate sodas and mallow creams in the county! Even today, Findlay (Men’s) Garden Club summer tours watching Hill’s Department Store’s 4th of July ... ongoing Balloonfest and the original Ohio fireworks display from Grandma’s front yard ... ming lessons at Riverside Park ... and the mem- it’s still a pleasure to get ice cream with my children. Bank-sponsored balloon launch at the Find- crowd gathering at West Sandusky’s railroad ories go on and on. — Deb Oberly, Findlay. These were just a few special memories I experienced in Findlay. That era in Findlay was simplistic and family-oriented. Life was very good growing up in a smaller, friendly town. Thank you for the memo- ries, Grandma! Rural life before and after World War I In loving memory of my grandmother, Ruth Webb. — Lori Dierk- sheide, Findlay. I am Ilene Metzger Hoy, age 83. telling how hard it was to walk in get started. They rented for a few Sundays we were always in My husband, Dick, and I still live the snow in the wintertime and, in years and bought their first farm Sunday school and at the church on the farm my parents bought. the spring, the road was so muddy. in 1925 and this is the farm where in West Independence. Monday Grandmother’s stories We have raised our three sons and Mom had to walk back through they raised my two brothers and was wash day and Tuesdays were adopted daughter here. I’ll write the woods. She said that her first me. spent ironing. Mom made all of my of a one-room schoolhouse what I can remember that my par- day of school she fell over the They later acquired more land dresses. ents told me. rail fence and her father said she and Dad enjoyed farming and In the wintertime, they butch- My father, Merritt B. Metzger, should stay home for a year. So, Mom enjoyed being a stay-at-home ered a couple of hogs and a beef. My grandmother, Velma Fout, wrote this out for my son, Todd Bailey, was born in 1898 in Biglick Town- the next year, they had a cousin mom. Of course, the years were They helped Grandpa Metzger when he was in school at Van Buren 20 years ago. I kept her letter and ship, Hancock County. His parents come and stay with them and walk hard going through the Depres- and her aunts and uncles do their wanted to share it for the bicentennial. This will give you a view of what were farmers and farmed with with her through the woods. sion. butchering, too. a school day was like for her in the early 1900s. horses, which he and my mother My mother passed the Boxwell On Saturdays, for many years, Dad died when he was 93 “My first year at school, in 1907, was at the old Huber on Blanchard also did until he got his first examination and then went into we went to town and they took and Mom lived to be 95 and six Avenue. It is now the administration building. The next year I attended McCormick tractor. Findlay to high school. Some- eggs and cream to the City Market months. They are buried at the a little red school, eight miles east of Findlay. It was heated by a large He told that, in 1917, their barn times, her father took her to and sold. Then, she had money to Union Cemetery near West Inde- old wood stove which the teacher had to stoke often and for light we burned to the ground. They lost a Findlay on Sundays and got her buy groceries and other things we pendence. — Ilene Metzger Hoy, had oil lamps on the wall. There was only one room. The teacher drove couple of horses and other cattle. on Fridays, or he would take her needed. Alvada. a horse and buggy back and forth each day. Also, that same year, his mother to Arcadia and she would take the “All eight grades were seated by grades. The teacher would call each died and older brother left for interurban line that ran from Fos- grade, one at a time, to the front row where we would have our class. World War I. toria to Findlay. She stayed in a Vanlue senior trip repeated “At recess time, we all left the building. Some of us played round Someone asked his father how rooming house during the week. town, that is a ball game. Others just wandered around. For water, we he could go through such a tragic She told that, while she was I was born in 1922, so I don’t lost quite a lot of students because had a pump in the yard with a tin cup on a wire. We all drank from year and his father replied that, in high school, that because of remember much until the 1930s. I the same cup. in the mornings, he would try to World War I, all the students had we graduated 25. A lot of students whistle a little louder. to burn their German books and, thought they were the good years. went all 12 years there. “The teacher for punishment would shake the kids, some were quite We were a farm family, so we had big and she would always grab them by their arms. My mother, Lola A. Thomas after the war was over, there was Our senior year, we took a Metzger, tells that her parents a big celebration and parade on a place to live and enough to eat. school bus to Washington, D.C. “So, one time, the older boys had misbehaved and knew they were In those years, every family in trouble, the girls decided to put pins in their sleeves. The shaking moved into Biglick Township Main Street. We stayed in a nice hotel, but we when she was six weeks old. Her Those years she lived in Find- had a grandparent, or relative, had to stay three in a bed — same didn’t last very long, but now everyone was in trouble, so they called or someone who needed a home, the school board. I don’t know what was said to the boy, as I was 10 mother died when she was 11 lay she liked going to the park. sex. Entertainment was throwing years old, but was cared for by They would take a boat from Main staying with them. paper bags of water out the win- years old, but we did not do that again. I never went to a one-room her Aunt Cassie, who came to live Street to the park. I think she said dows at other school groups. “We walked two miles to school and, in the wintertime, we would school. Most of the centralized with them until she married. it was called the Past Time boat. We seemed to enjoy each other, lay down in the snow and make angels by moving our arms up and She graduated from Findlay High schools had been built in Hancock Both my parents attended the so, in 1990, we chartered a bus down in the snow. Ruckman school on Route 330, a School in 1919. County. I think there were 11. “There were no restrooms, only a small outbuilding at the back of half-mile south of state Route 224. She and Dad were married in I started the first grade at and made a trip to Washington, the lot with two holes. We carried our lunch in the tin dinner pails and My dad took the eighth grade (for) 1921 and she tells that when they Vanlue School in a new building D.C., again, with our wives and ate in the schoolhouse. three years because he liked the saved $100 between them, they with 40 other first-graders with a husbands. “At the end of the school term, all our families brought a picnic, each books and liked going to school. got married. Her dad gave them young teacher. Now, there are only four or child had a poem or reading to give for entertainment, then we were Of course, they had to walk to a few chickens and Dad’s father We must have been a subdued five classmates left, and I’m one. homeward bound.” — Luanne Bailey, Findlay. school and I can remember them gave them a cow to help them bunch of children. We must have — Grace Moyer, Findlay.

Since 1955, United Way of Hancock County has raised $64,479,244

to improve people’s lives. That’s what it means to celebrate a Bicentennial. And, that’s what it means to LIVE UNITED! To our friends and neighbors…

For more than fifty-six years the United Way of Hancock County has worked hand-in-hand with you to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family. We have always endeavored to fulfill your expectations and assure that the resources you provided for community services get the greatest “bang for the buck”.

Although times have changed, needs have changed, and your expectations of how we serve our community have changed, the one thing that has not changed is our commitment to being an effective and efficient partner with you in meeting our communities’ challenges and striving to achieve community aspirations.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. We are committed and dedicated to helping our community LIVE UNITED for at least another fifty years.

Sincerely,

Keith G. DuVernay President & CEO

United Way of Hancock County LiveUnitedHancockCounty.org 419-423-1432 THE COURIER F12 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012