Finding some old newspapers is always fun. But it's even more so whey then bring back memories. Thanks to era Robinson Thurston, who saved the local news from 1958 to the early '70s - a time when Brunswick was in its "boom" years. those memories have come rushing back.
Were you around back then? If so, you may remember some of these events. If not, we hope you find them interesting and even amusing. And three should be some names you still can recognize just from those first two years, 1958-59.
1958 - The Brunswick Republican Club organized with Robert Vokes president; Myron Chidsey, vice president; Jean Rock secretary; Emerson Draiss, treasurer; and Toni Carque, corresponding secretary. Three directors were named, William Eyssen, Joe Cintula and William Grostick.
The Brunswick Jaycees marked a milestone with a founder's day banquet in August. President was Russ Bittinger. Al Shirer was internal vice president; Bill Stricker, external vice president; Marvin Ward, treasurer; John Moore and Chuck Howells, directors.
The first issue of a newspaper, The Brunswick Citizen, reported that Brunswick Freshman Tommy Glass was in need of blood for a delicate heart operation. Also noted - the phone number was CAnal 5-4583. Remember that exchange?
Big news, however, was the impending opening of Brunswick's first supermarket, Sparkle Market, and the groundbreaking for Laurel Square Shopping Center Oct. 7.
The Citizen, by the way, lasted a short while, but was one of three papers serving the area then. The Gazette was published twice a week from Medina; the County Leader Post was a once-a-week paper (later daily) published in Brunswick. (This reporter was then a type-setter for the latter.)
Brunswick was a township in 1958 and the trustees faced a dilemma in November. The cemetery was becoming crowded. They had to decide about expanding the burial grounds on Rt. 303 to accommodate approximately one burial a week. Trustees were Corte Carlton, John Dinda and Glenn Fuller.
Were you a cub scout in Brunswick? Well, in 1958, Samuel Lewis received the Webelos badge, David Rock, Kenneth Bierman, Jonathan Praznik and Martin Robinson were awarded service stars and new members were David Ruf, Stewart and Steven Odell, Billy Johnson, Eric Missal and Gene Severs. Cubmaster was Ray Carman and Joe Uhlik was pack chairman.
Petitions were being circulated for the fourth try to incorporate Brunswick into a village. Edward Skinner, John Madden, Jean Rock and Mary Ann Forbes were listed as incorporators of "Action for Brunswick, Inc.," a non-profit corporation to push for the incorporation.
The Brunswick Blue Devil football team was not doing very well. Members of the team included Ed Schultz, Ernie Heath and John Risko. North Royalton whipped the Blue Devils, 70-6.
1959 - One of the big controversies was over zoning for a drive-in theater. But not where you think - it was at Grafton and Rt. 42. Obviously, it was never built, but the battle went on and on. John Norman, president of the Chamber of Commerce for two terms, was named Man of the Year.
Another zoning battle raged when Elbridge and John Moxley of Medina Supply appealed the revoking of a permit issued to them permitting a building supply read-mix plant in Brunswick. But it wasn't on Laurel Road where Medina Supply currently has its plant - it was on Oxford Drive east of Route 42.
John Fahey and Bernard Smith were asking for members to form a Knights of Columbus in Brunswick. The Brunswick Civic Corporation made a public appeal for contributions to fight Northern Ohio Telephone Company with the PUCO over poor service.
More than 600 fathers were invited to attend the special Jaycee orientation meeting in February. Al Shirer and Gene Caldwell set up the event by sending letters of invitation to fathers of all first through third graders. Sparkle Market celebrated its grand opening. Photos show produce manager Stanly Janis and checkout person Sandra Zuengler. Leases were signed prior to construction of the Laurel Square construction with Krogers, Fishers, Woolworth, United Shoe, Marshall Drug and D.O. Summers Cleaning.
Brunswick Lions installed their new officers. There were Myron Chidsey, president; Cecil Towslee, second vice president; Carl Miller, third vice president; Edward Seeds, secretary; Lawrence Erb, lion tamer; Leland Crocker, treasurer; Will Moore, tail twister; Don Michalske, Joe Cintula and Al Wolff, directors.
Flooding, an annual event, hit the entire town with Chargar, Jerrold and James hit about the hardest. Brunswick Babe Ruth Leage awarded trophies to Terry Keenan, Charles Mistovich, Fred Gilhousen and Allen Hamer. The Brunswick Rhythmettes displayed new costumes they will wear during twirling events. The members were Bonnie Graff, Vickie Moiana, Kathy French, Carol Berensen, Becky Graff, Pauline Hutchinson, Susan Specek, Joyce and Joen Ardy.
Papers ran the drawing of the Old Phoenix Bank, the only one serving Brunswick for the past two years.
A donation by John and Betty Dinda and Ed Skinner kicked of the Brunswick Foundation fund, a philanthropic student loan fund for Brunswick graduates (it is still in operation, too).
The Brunswick High prom for 1959 had a Hawaiian theme. Photos show Michele Germak, Bernard Palmatier, Nancy Chidsey, Karl Kotasek, Gail Sherman, Millie Fargo and Sandra Thiel. But due to lack of interest in Devil's Diary, the annual yearbook won't be published.
Russell Bittinger was appointed to the Brunswick Zoning board to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lewis Fuller. Bob Vokes and Al Pistone headed the Cancer Crusade in Brunswick. Charles Heisley and Lee North headed the county YMCA membership drive in Brunswick. Assisting were Bud Geringer, John Kiraly, Fred Kolman, Bob Green, Charles Klein, Alex Kocsis, Mike Germak, James West, Dan Murphy, Emil Beno and Keith McMillan.
New officers of the Grafton Road PTA are Ellen Crook, Elva Young, Alice Kodger, principal Walter Kidder, Mary McQuown, Peggy Heintz and Phyllis Klein. A large crowd came to the high school to hear pros and cons of incorporation but were turned away when it was discovered proper legal notice for the hearing had not been given. It was the fifth try for incorporation.
St. Ambrose Church received a new organ with Mrs. Marion Cooper, organist, accepting along with Ladies Guild members Mrs. Bernice Brawley and Mrs. Agnes Farrell. Father Paul Lehner was pastor. The Brunswick Reformed Church was formally organized.
Betty Mertes and Les Chidsey practiced for a duet "Wanting You," which they performed for the Brunswick High School vocal concert. A National Honor Society was organized at BHS. Those inducted were Joan Carlson, Lovette Krueger, Henrietta Blaha, Holly Barabas, Albert Sparrow, Andy Repjar, David Siefried, Richard Reznik, Norman Barnes, Gail Sherman, Rober Strong, Karen Brazis, Sharon McMillen, Betty Mertes and Pauline Schleuter.
