February 2011 The Almost Monthly Publication of the Ionia County Historical Society MINUTES of the January, 2011 A Bit of Ionia’s Health Care History Program Meeting Our presentation for the The January 5 meeting of the January meeting was given in Historical Society was held in the the Guild Room of the Ionia Guild Room at the Ionia Memorial County Memorial Hospital by Hospital. President Linda Ciangi called the meeting to order, welcoming guests Hospital P.R. Director Laurie and members, and with thanks to our Tjalsma, accompanied by hosts for the evening and a “Happy intern John Balice. New Year” to all. Behind a table covered Appreciation was extended to Kris with scrapbooks and memora- Haskins for his leadership concerning the “Christmas in Ionia” concert which bilia, Laurie told us a little of raised significant funds for the local the long and colorful history of food banks. our local healthcare system. Thanks also to Sid’s Flowers, Ionia The earliest record of an Floral, and Eclectic for their decora- tions at the Blanchard House. All are “Ionia Hospital” was the office looking forward to next year. of Dr. McCann located above Many plans are in the works for the Ionia County National the upcoming months, so members Bank offices on Main Street and friends are encouraged to watch in the 1920s. His office was for news and items on the website’s calendar page. equipped with the most Everything’s under control for the advanced medical equipment ICHS booth at the Ionia Expo on in the town at the time. Ionia Hospital - Jackson St. March 12, according to co-chairs Doni Sometime thereafter, a K. and Patty S-G. Stephanie V. reported that the the hospital was established by County’s men and women in needs. That same year, the Gallery Event hosted by Chel Leah Ms. Belle Sawyer in a former the Armed Services. hospital received accreditation, was a success, with 35 tickets sold and residence on north Jackson Very shortly afterwards, justifying all the community’s many positive comments. It’s quite Street (pictured here). The the community began major efforts at providing quality likely that it will be held again next institution was run by dona- fund-raising efforts to build a health care. In the 1970s, a season. Treasurer Hank Knoop delivered tions. In March of 1943, the new hospital. With tremendous new emergency, intensive care, his report, noting much great publicity second director of the hospital, support, pledges from 50¢ to and coronary care units were from recent events. Mrs. Grace Elliot, declared $10,000 accumulated to a total added. Over the next 20 years, Stephanie also noted thanks to that the hospital would be of over $365,000. By 1953, changes in health care funding Paula Thompson at Biggby Coffee. They will be donating $1.00 to the closing due to lack of funds. the new hospital on Lafayette and insurances caused many ICHS for each special coffee purchase The possible loss of Street was dedicated by Mayor changes in how the hospital January 10 thru 17. the only such facility in the Tony Balice. The final cost was run. Steph also reminded members of area caused quick action led of the hospital was $650,000, Now in partnership with the Silk City Preservations Society and by Ionia’s Mayor Clarence much of which was granted Sparrow Hospital of Lansing, their “Save the Clock Tower” cam- paign. She will keep us all notified of Johnson. A series of special by the government as part of many new services and new meetings and information. meetings resulted in rapid the “Hill-Burton” legislation, technologies are available. Condolences go out to the fam- action to establish the com- established to assist communi- Laurie took the ICHS mem- ily of Barb Sykes who was a member munity hospital. By August of ties with healthcare construc- bers on a tour of the facility, in of the ICHS, as well as Bill Franch, long-time member who was known 1943, Mrs. Hassie Thornton tion projects. parts old and new, and spoke for his annual holiday gatherings at the (owner of the Jackson St. Within a few years, more of on-going rennovations. Blanchard House. facility) struck a deal to rent capacity was required and a Laurie also summarized The members present took a quick the place to the city. The new 18-bed pediatric wing plans underway to build a new break for refreshments, then Joan name, Ionia County Memorial was added, and in 1958 a new health care facility south of McCord introduced our host for the evening, Lori Tjalsma, for her presenta- Hospital, was suggested by expansion provided greater town, and eventually a new tion about the history of the Hospital. Allan Williams, to be dedi- laundry and kitchen facili- hospital to replace the present (Story on page one!) cated to the memory of Ionia ties. Throughout the 60s many hospital to further improve more changes took place in health care services in Ionia addition to brick-and-mortar County in the coming years. NEXT MONTH: March 4 Ionia’s projects. In 1966 a master plan Many thanks to Laurie for Presbyterian Church Celebrates 150 Years was created outlining future her tour and presentation. The CHRONICLE — The Almost Monthly Publication of the Ionia County Historical Society — Jan-Feb 2011 In regards to Summer Sundays this MINUTES of the year, a new Chairperson is needed to January, 2011 make those arrangements. It was sug- Upcoming Programs and Events Business Meeting gested that we promote “Read, Relax, and Research” as a theme for the The Board of Directors of the days without specific activities sched- Thursday Evening Workshops at the Ionia County Historical Society met at uled. The idea of a “sidebar” in the Blanchard House. 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. the Blanchard House at 7:00 p.m. on Chronicle to spotlight books in our col- Wednesday, January 19. lection might be an interesting feature, The first order of business was and entice people to come in and scan Wednesday, March 3th, 7:00 p.m. Stephanie VanderMolen’s report on our book shelves so we can better share the recent fund-raising program with our collection. Program Meeting at the Blanchard House Biggby Coffee. She noted that it was David and Annette McCord are PROGRAM: blah blah blah blah a great success, but the total donation going to be sharing their “Dexter was not yet determined. Colony” presentation with several Doni Knoop and Patty Simpson- organization in the area in the next Saturday, March 12th Goeke are co-chairs for the Ionia couple of months. They would like to Community Expo at Ionia High School Community Expo coming up on March offer some of the Dexter books for sale, 12, and we will have a booth to our- but there are only three left. Stephanie selves this year. They are seeking sug- moved that we purchase another 25 Wednesday, March 16th, 7:00 p.m. gestions for the displays and volunteers books. This was supported by Patty ICHS Business Meeting at the Blanchard House to staff the booth. ICHS President and passed. Treasurer Hank Knoop Linda Ciangi is donating a quilt to be handed the check to David M. to cover given away as a door prize that day. the order. Saturday, April 2nd At the next meeting, the Board and Stephanie V. will be contacting members of the Accessions Committee people about arranging a late-sum- Appraisal Road Show – Commission on Aging will study their calendars to attempt to mer tour and program at the Highland find some dates for committee meet- Park Cemetery. Some discussion was Wednesday, April 3th, 7:00 p.m. ings and workshops. The committee’s had about the format of that program, task load is piling up! still to be defined. There is still talk Program Meeting at the Blanchard House It was noted that an agreement about doing some kind of “murder had been made with C&L Trucking mystery” gathering at the Blanchard Wednesday, April 17th, 7:00 p.m. to clear the snow from the Blanchard House in collaboration with the Ionia House sidewalks on those days when Community Theatre, but nothing defi- ICHS Business Meeting at the Blanchard House the Sheriff’s Department is not able to nite yet. staff the job. The Tri-River “Spring Into The Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1 President Ciangi and Barb Ehlert Past” Museum Tours will be April have donated some “plastic china” 30 and May 1 this year. Stephanie V. SPRING INTO THE PAST dinnerware for use at the House as and David McCord will arrange game- Annual Tri-River Museum Tours needed. related activities for the weekend, both The Board considered the idea of outdoors and indoors. David will look A Weekend of GAMES for all ages! establishing a Donations Chairman to into doing a May Pole, too. handle the paperwork and notifications The June 10 Yard Sale is being Wednesday, March 16th, 7:00 p.m. connected with that process. The invi- Chaired by Doni Knoop, and is expect- tation will be extended to the member- ed to be a success. Artisans, crafters, Program at the Blanchard House: ship at the next meeting. and antique dealers are being contacted “On The Home Front, 1861” Presented by David & Annette McCord THE BOOK that documents the pre- For other upcoming events - visit the ICHS sentation given to the website at ioniahistory.org. ICHS in May of 2010, - a 10x10 space is only $10. the website, it appears that we can FOR SALE! President Ciangi reported that again trim the number of domains we David & Annette McCord plans are coming along nicely for the own.