DONATIONS
In the past year, we have received collections of books, post cards, and the original street sign used on Route 82 in Columbia Station. You may recall the sign from the 50's. We are pretty full and may have to be a little choosy. We have a fine, safe room to display the donations. Thank you Mayor Blomquist, Mayor Donegan, Mayor Graven.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OHIO: 17th STATE IN THE UNION
Keeping a long tradition alive we celebrated it on Friday, February 28, 2025, in anticipation of our 222nd birthday We started the celebration back in the 70's when I taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade history. The activity broke up the long stretch between Christmas and Easter. The students would pick a person from Ohio history and, after lunch, they would visit the other classrooms and explain whom they represented.
WME
2026: WHAT WILL BE 20?? WHAT WILL BE 250??
The HSOF will be 20!! Our country will be 250! Wasn't she just 200? Some of us were here for 1976 to others it's just in the history books! We formed the historical society to keep the past alive. Because of you - it exists - no ifs, ands, or buts.
Committees could be formed to discuss some ideas as to how to celebrate these two events. We could do something. For example, with the elimination of Fourth of July activities maybe we could have an ice cream social or something at the Village Green next year. This would involve quite a bit of work and cooperation with other organizations. Volunteers would have to do it. By the way, with no official Fourth of July activities maybe we could do something - including teach the reason for this special day.
WME
APRIL 9, 2025
Zoe was our delegate to the Southwest General Annual meeting of delegates at Southwest General. Since our existence we have been invited to the annual meeting. For the past three years Zoe has given up an evening to attend. With all her studies and activities she represented you very well.
Speaking of Zoe, she will graduate from Olmsted Falls High School this year. Zoe has done so much for us. In addition she also is responsible for the computer. She has worked diligently to keep it up to date.
Also, each Memorial Day Zoe would raise the American flag from U.S.S. VULCAN (AR-5) at our remembrance. She also raised the flag at the our Armistice Day ceremony each November 11 - except for the days when she had to be in school! She is a very dedicated young lady - a throw back to the old days when your word was your bond. Zoe is a great reflection upon her parents, Sandy and Matt.
On Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., we will have a graduation gathering for Zoe in our room. It will be simple: cake, but it will give you a chance to see Zoe before she is off to bigger things. She certainly has a strong foundation to build on. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. N. - and Owen for all the encouragement he has given her.
MEMORIAL DAY
The City will have the Memorial Day ceremony at the Village Green. At its conclusion we will go to the Harding Bridge where carnations will be dropped into Plum Creek. This is a revival of an old tradition when people dropped flowers into Rocky River. We have moved our remembrance to the Harding Bridge to avoid the traffic by Rocky River. You will see our six flags on the Bridge (haven't been able to get a flag for the new Space Command yet).
MEMORIAL DAY, ANTICIPATED
Breaking news! On Good Friday I was asked if we could have our Memorial Day ceremony at the American Legion Post 403 Memorial, New Chestnut Grove Cemetery. It will be Saturday, May 24, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
FOUNDING, 2006
The signing of the HSOF Constitution in 2006 is used as the official date for the founding of the HSOF. The original Constitution took over a year to write as we collected information and ideas from other historical societies and groups. The groups contacted were very encouraging.
The HSOF is more than collections of books and artifacts - it is about people. We especially remember those who are no longer with us. They gave us the impetus to put words into action. It seems as though it were only yesterday that we gathered for our first meetings at the old Jenkins Center (next to the old library on Main Street): Jean and Bruce Johnson, Robert and Shirley Hecker, Joan Kreiser, Bill and Nancy Nickels, Neil Rowland, Jim Wehe, Amelia and Clara Harding, Ralph and Joan Jocke, Andrew and Marilyn Sparks, Jack and Joan McCrae, Ruth Smith, Dave Owens, Paul Knapp, Eljore Mason., Robert Feimer, Jean Rindfleisch, Garry and Gerry Geist, Fran Yesenko. Even though they are no longer with us they wanted their times in Olmsted Falls/Olmsted Township to be preserved. We are and we will.
And where would be without the support of the many non-members that have given us so much support over the years: Louis Miller, Bill and Chris Stearns, Dan Hill, Clint Williams, Chief Odis Rogers, Joe Borczuch. Alice Miller, Mrs. Radigan, Angie Mancini, Amy Stone, the librarians at OFCCPL: Mrs. Wilkinson, Mrs. Armstrong, Mr. Cronin, Jodi; Ron Bagwell, Bill Holstein, plus all who have very generously donated items to us.
Thank you. WME
April 15, 2025