RETIREES ASSOCIATION OSURANews 2200 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210 August 2017 614-292-2281 • 1-800-762-5646 • [email protected] • osura.osu.edu Ghosts of Summer By Nancy Wardwell There was a time in Columbus, if on a summer evening you wanted to go dancing, there were several nice dance pavilions where you could dance the latest steps to great local and traveling big bands. During the day these parks offered wonderful attractions. There were rides like Loop the Loop, Shoot the Chutes, ferris wheels, roller coasters – and a gigantic swimming pool. Olentangy Park, first called The Villa, opened in 1893 by Robert M. Turner. In 1896, the Columbus Street and Railroad Company bought the property and renamed it Olentangy Park. It quickly The popular dance Pavilion at Olentangy Park became known as one of the city’s most beautiful spots. Olentangy Park is by far the best documented and Minerva Park opened in 1895 with a reputation for “respectable remembered. Imagine Olentangy Park’s romantic dance folks,” as intoxicants and games of chance were banned. The pavilion with a dance floor extending out over the Olentangy park was developed by the Columbus Central Railway to River. Over the years one could find a restaurant and encourage use of its new Columbus to Westerville Interurban colonnade, a figure 8 and other roller coasters, row boats, a line. Delighting young and old were the Zoological Garden, bowling alley, a zoo, a Japanese village and the largest Ornithological Museum, the Scenic Railway roller coaster, theater in America at the time. Olentangy Park also offered Shoot the Chutes (the water slide of its day), swimming, one of the first looping coasters, the Loop-the-Loop. It didn’t boating, baseball, bowling, concerts, dancing, picnics, strolls in last long because of the extreme forces on the riders. It took the cool woodlands, pony rides, fireworks, the orchestration until 1975 to solve the technical problems of the looping replicating a 36-piece orchestra, grand vaudeville and theater. coaster, when the ride opened at Cedar Point. Railway and steamship companies had a big hand in the In 1937 L.L. Leveque bought the park and developed the development of many amusement parks and resorts across charming Olentangy Village Apartments. The gigantic America. Coney Island, NY and OH are examples, as is Sun swimming pool was the surviving attraction and it remained Valley and Banff. popular for many years. Only recently has it been completely Less is known about Norwood Park. We do know it was gone replaced with a smaller, more modern pool. by the 1950s, but there are personal recollections from the In Amazing the Millions, John Kasson wrote that the downfall Columbus Public Library Collections of a merry-go-round with of Coney Island, NY and other parks was due to the growth in a calliope, Dodgems and the Caterpillar ride. movie houses and the automobile. Those distractions may explain Indianola Park opened in 1905 along 4th Street at 18th. In the demise of the early parks, but hardly explains the burgeoning addition to its Blue Streak Roller Coaster it had a dance pavilion and popularity of Cedar Point and Kings Island in Ohio and and a beautiful swimming pool. Unique among the parks were venues like 7- Flags and the Disney Parks around the world! the airship rides. It closed in the 1930s, but in the immediate Online Sources: Clintonville.com, columbusrailroads.com, Defunct area, Smith Roller Skating Rink survived many years longer. Amusement Parks of Columbus, ehistory.osu.edu From the New Events Photographic To Your Benefits President—2 Retirees—3 Calendar—4 Society—6 Health—7 Committee—7 2016 – 17 OSURA Executive Board Officers President Carl V. Leier Vice President/President-Elect FROM: The President Steven M. D’Ambrosio Secretary Shirley M. Flowers On July 1, 2017 I assumed the office of President of The Ohio Treasurer State University Retirees Association (OSURA), the office you Daniel L. Jensen Immediate Past President elected me to serve until the same date in 2018. I eagerly Shirley F. McCoy anticipate the challenges of this position and certainly hope Members at Large that I can function to your level of expectation and more. David M. Crawford OSURA is a tremendous organization. Its rich history is Mary J. Cull Gemma B. McLuckie amplified by the many, varied activities and benefits which Chuck H. Miller are arranged for its members, keeping the promise to Phyllis Carroll Carl V. Leier Gaibrelle M. Reissland continue these, and adding more programs in the future. A Committee Chairs favorite saying around OSURA is “We have something for Benefits everyone.” It is our intent to have you select OSURA as your retirement hub and link to Hallan C. Noltimier The Ohio State University during your many years in this golden period. Budget/Finance Gerald H. Newsom I joined OSURA four years ago after I glanced over one of its monthly newsletters for Bylaws members. I was intrigued by the cultural and educational events and the trips offered Marie T. Taris Communications to its members, all for an annual fee of $25. I learned that OSURA covers most areas Nancy S. Wardwell of interest for retirees and spouses. It closely monitors and offers suggestions on Conference Rachael L. Turner pensions and health care benefits to our retirement agencies (e.g., STRS, OPERS) and Event Planning regularly reports on these activities to our membership. OSURA provides information Cultural Arts – Raimund L. Goerler Social – Elenore R. Zeller and on most day-to-day aspects of retirement (e.g., facilities, legal, health, discounts) Phyllis J. Carroll through the newsletter, email communication, and the one full-day, comprehensive Travel – Alabelle Zghoul Friendship Annual Conference/Meeting in the fall of each year. The many cultural events of Sally E. Dellinger OSURA provide a wide spectrum of entertainment (e.g., plays, ballet, music, opera) Membership covering the varied interests of our members. For those who have retained the Diane M. Selby and Gemma B. McLuckie passion for learning from their university days, OSURA provides two or more lectures Representatives a month on a variety of interesting topics and often with an accompanying lunch or Bucks for Charity Drive dinner to add some relaxation and socialization to the event. David Crawford Campus Campaign OSURA offers a tax seminar yearly, well in advance of the tax due-date. The Health Thomas L. Sweeney and Wellness group arranges 2-3 lecture-seminars (2-3 hours each) annually on topics Faculty Compensation and of interest selected by our members. The Hiking/Walking group meets monthly for Benefits Committee Raimund E. Goerler an informative walk in our locale, led by a renowned geologist. The 4-6 trips each Ohio Council of Higher year have included Canada by Rail, Scandinavia, Chicago tour, National Great Lakes Education Retirees Nancy Wardwell and Museum in Toledo, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Christmas Story House Gerald H. Newsom and more. Christmas and Spring potluck luncheons with entertainment are fun for all. Ohio Public Employees Retirement System Needless to say, I had little to do with this legacy and I’m simply standing on the Michele B. Hobbs State Teachers shoulders of the prior 33 presidents and the hundreds of former and current Executive Retirement System Board and Committee Members. I will address the remarkable achievements of the Gerald H. Newsom immediate past president (Shirley F. McCoy) in my next letter. Historians For the honor and privilege of having the opportunity to serve as your president over Fern E. Hunt and Thomas L. Sweeney the next year, Emeritus Academy I remain sincerely yours, Joan R. Leitzel Carl V. Leier Newsletter Editor OSURA Executive Board Nancy S. Wardwell PS: We hope you can attend the Annual OSURA Conference/Meeting, September 20, OSU Foundation 2017 covering a wide spectrum of topics, many of which will undoubtedly be of interest OSURA Endowment Fund Number to you. The application form is available online or via the July newsletter mailing with 605419 a September 1, 2017 deadline to register. There will NOT be a separate mailing for this osura.osu.edu conference. OSURA News 3 Welcome New Retirees Derek Bernard Alwes Michael George Dunn Laura Ann Kelley Susan J. Runk English Mechanical & Aerospace Engr Dentistry Administration Dentistry General Operations James Robert Anderson Mark Thompson Farrell Robert A. Klips Robert Menno Rupp Facilities Utilities University Registrar Marion Campus Arts Science Business Tech Gwen Marie Antone Deborah S. Flower-Smith Barbara LaMoreaux Keiko Komiya Samimy University Hospitals Criminal Justice Research Ctr ATI - Academic Affairs EHE Teaching & Learning Beverly Jean Barrick Timothy Alan Gerber Randy Lee Leasure Rajiv Shivpuri Food Agr & Biological Engr School of Music SL Bldg & Mech Services Integrated Systems Engineering Carol Ann Bottoms Charles Leon Glenn Thomas Richard Lemberger Philip John Smith OSUE Regions University Hospitals Physics Adv Computing Ctr/Art & Des Clarence Edward Bowen Archie Mason Griffin Cheryl Ann Levering Robert E. Smithberger Stu Life Environmental Svcs Advancement Services University Hospitals Trans & Traffic Mgmt Barbara Ann Brahm Trudy Lee Hamilton Richard Allen Mackey Karen Ellen Sobul OSUE Regions Cancer Hosp & Research Instit Arts & Sciences Advising Ctr-Language, Lit & Culture William A. Brantley Linda M. Hays Kathy Ellen Maksymicz Nancy Blosser Stark Dental Restorative/Prosthetic University Hospitals ATI - Student Services Cancer Hosp & Research Instit Jennifer Rae Brehm Vicki Lynn Heinke Edward W. Martin Daniel Henry Struble University Hospitals Cancer Hosp & Research Instit Surgery OCIO Operations Sharon Ann Caldwell Charles Richard Helm Lora Jean Moore Zenaida Gloria Swinger Grad & Prof Admissions WCA-Performing Arts Comprehensive Cancer Center University Hospitals Jamie M. Cano Samuel Anthony Hendren Steven C. Moulder Diane Marie Thake ACEL WOSU Public Media Bldg & Mech Services University Hospitals Wayne Earl Carlson Gail Ellen Herman William Irwin Notz Jeffrey W.