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SUMMER 2015
FEATURES
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4 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
16
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hhh summertime. Finally.
As everyone who lives here knows, the summers in Huron County
are wonderful. And we appreciate them more than others—
particularly people in the south—who practically have summer year-round.
We have to wait patiently for them—typically through excruciatingly long,
cold, dark, snowy, (did I mention they are cold and long) winters. But I think
most people will agree that when you see the lush greens of the grasses, our
majestic trees, cool, clean waterways, the wait is more than worth it.
In this issue of Discover Norwalk Magazine, our main focus is on summer
events and activities. Our cover story, by Rick Schaffer and Scott Seitz, is a
look at the North Coast Inland Trail, which Mayor Rob Duncan recently
announced would be coming through Norwalk on the former New York
Central Railroad corridor between West and Baker streets. The Norwalk
portion will add another three miles to the popular trail for bikers and hikers.
About the time you receive this magazine, Imagine Norwalk will return
for its second season of delighting the crowds with music and uptown
entertainment. Be sure to see our guide to area summer fairs and festivals.
In keeping with the summer theme, Zoe Greszler has a story on making it a
great summer for the family pet.
Another springtime/summer activity many of us look forward to, are the
many farm and estate auctions where treasures await. Don Hohler’s interview
with auctioneer Gail Pickworth is on page 12.
In addition, we look at some Norwalk history, again courtesy of Don
Hohler, who writes about the Wilber brothers of Norwalk, who took to the
skies of Huron County shortly after the more famous, and fellow Buckeyes,
Wilbur and Orville Wright.
Hohler also has an interview with County Historian Henry Timman,
whose column on local history has appeared weekly in the Norwalk Reflector
since 1972. We also have our regular stories on local eateries and watering
holes, this issue featuring Berry’s Restaurant and Bluto’s.
And finally, we didn’t neglect the local music scene, either, which is
thriving and such an integral part of the summer fun available in Norwalk
and the surrounding area. On page 10, Scott Seitz conducts a Q&A with the
Great Grandpa Beebe, the “man on a mission with a chill disposition,” and
one of the kindest, gentlest people you’d ever want to meet.
Enjoy the summer while it lasts, which isn’t nearly long enough.
Summer 2015
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Andrew Prutsok
Publisher
DISCOVER NORWALK ////////// 7
28
VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 2
20
SUMMER 2015
Published by: Reflector-Herald, Inc.
61 E. Monroe St. • Norwalk, OH 44857
DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Scott Seitz
419-668-3771, ext. 248
sseitz@norwalkreflector.com
PUBLISHER Andrew Prutsok
ART DIRECTOR Amanda Mazzo
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING John Ringenberg
419-681-0028
419-668-3771 ext. 228
johnringenberg54@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cary Ashby
MaryLisa Boose
Chris Castle
Zoe Greszler
Don Hohler
Rick Schaffer
Scott Seitz
8 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
SUMMER 2015
CONTENTS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Q&A with Great Grandpa Beebe........................ 10
Going Once, Going Twice:
Auctioneer Gail Pickworth.................................. 12
Community Calendar......................................... 14
LOCAL INTEREST
Norwalk Taking Flight......................................... 16
When Pigs Fly: The Piggyback Foundation....... 20
Fireland Rails to Trails........................................ 24
Relay For Life..................................................... 26
FOUR LEGS IN THE FIRELANDS
Benefits of Having a Pet | Summer Care Tips.... 28
26
LET’S EAT
Bluto’s Sports Bar & Grill.................................... 30
Berry’s Restaurant.............................................. 32
DWELL
Huron County Historian, Henry Timman............ 34
Norwalk: Still Achieving, Still Pursuing............... 36
Discover Norwalk Magazine, published quarterly by Reflector-Herald,
Inc., distributed through the circulation of the Norwalk Reflector, a
newspaper with a readership of more than 15,000 daily. The magazine is
also provided to participating advertisers and is placed in local businesses
and professional offices.
34
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Q&A
WITH GREAT GRANDPA BEEBE
By Scott Seitz
Q: WHO IS GREAT GRANDPA BEEBE?
A: Great Grandpa Beebe is a man on a mission with a chill
disposition, but always finding fun ideas to explore. Living in the
present moment, answering these questions for Discover Norwalk
seems surreal. I always have a fondness for the art of conversation
and living in Norwalk provides a wealth of interesting interactions
from which to pull from for my writing. The environment always
inspires new ideas of which I’m always searching for whether they be
a poetic notion, technological advance, philosophic debate, cooking
collaboration, and pretty much everything that involves adventuring
into every nook and cranny I can find. No rock unturned, no trail
untraveled. My mission is one to connect to the hearts of man and
maybe find out a little better who the mysterious character Great
Grandpa Beebe is himself. This entity that arose from playing every
kind of contraption as a musical instrument while falling out of the
window with a smile on my face.
Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC?
A: Music is my favorite type of expression, I hum a tune walking
through the grocery store, I tap my legs to the beat of my own
drummer, and I’ll sing to the unsuspecting audience. My musical voice
has really developed through a series of winding roads of many detours
and tangents. From early on with alto sax, guitar and then piano I’ve
surveyed the parts and pieces which form styles of music from punk to
classical to Americana. The journey made a stop over in the world of
drum circles, banjo pickers and jug band territories. Now many of my
songs are upbeat toe tappers that are sometimes rough bluesy bluegrass
based. The Great Grandpa Beebe music catalog is a mixed bag of
eclectic tunes, finding few places where they overlap but still retaining
that spark of magic that makes them my own.
Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NORWALK-AREA
MUSIC SCENE?
A: The Norwalk music scene has grown into a vibrant place to
cultivate real creativity. Traditionally, music is a very valued part of
a culture and the feeling of hometown pride resides in the songs
that originate from the area. Norwalk’s scene has turned into a very
supportive group of, not only musicians, but of fans and at this point
I would definitely call a majority of them family. New music-loving
10 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
faces are popping up all over the place inspired by the free expression
& genuine sincerity that have made this a fun time to make music in
Norwalk, Ohio.
Q: WHAT ARE THE PROJECTS YOU ARE CURRENTLY
WORKING ON?
A: Great Grandpa Beebe has a few amazing projects on the docket
for 2015. First the Hovercraft Beer & Music Festival on June 12 is
happening out at Eagle Creek Golf Course. This is gonna be a super
fun craft beer tasting event with about 11 bands on one hovercraft
looking stage! Jubileego is also on the horizon slated for the end of
September as a local arts and music festival which brings in a diverse
list of bands and artists the likes this area has never seen before!
Jubileego will also mark Great Grandpa Beebe’s 102nd birthday
celebration. So bring some extra socks, because you might find yourself
in the thick of a real humdinger!
A new Great Grandpa Beebe album is also within sight and has
become more of a narrowing down focus on what a true blue honest
album of mine will be. I’ve written so many songs in the last two years
since Hotboats and Potatobabies, my 2013 full length album, the hardest
part is finding a clear direction.
As always it’ll be hidden in plain sight. I’m hoping to work with
a bunch of area musicians on the album as the collaborative efforts
are always the best. (I’m looking at you, Emily Keener and Chu Dat
Frawg!) Along with a new album, Andrew Schaeffer and I have been
working on a secret silent music movie video project humbly titled
Parking Lot to be released with the album, I’m rather excited to see it
myself!
Q: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR
GREAT GRANDPA BEEBE?
A: The future of Great Grandpa Beebe... my dream for as long as I
began writing songs... Travel. Once I can get a mad and humble set of
songs ready I need to get them out to the world, one person at a time
if need be. One thing about dreams is that you have to speak them out
loud to make them happen.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
GOING ONCE,
GOING TWICE...
By Don Hohler
very auctioneer has sold one item he will never forget.
Local auctioneer Gail Pickworth is no different.
“I was doing a large estate sale for a Dr. Sheldon who lived on
Wayne Street in Sandusky,” Pickworth explained. “There were a lot of antiques
and many other valued collectable items including guns and knives.Because of
the size of the sale, I moved the auction site to Ramone’s Supper Club, west
of Sandusky. Because it was nationally advertised, I knew it would be wellattended by collectors.”
Unique to the sale was a couple of sheath knives. Pickworth singled out
the knives in the sale advertising along with the makers. The advertisement
drew a telephone call from a Dr. Lucie from Fruitport, MI. He requested
further information on one of the knives, one made by William S. Scagel.
Pickworth told him it had a stag handle top. After further conversation, Lucie
told him he would attend the sale. He believed the knife would bring the
highest price of any items at the sale.
“When I hung up, I thought to myself, Dr. Lucie is showing his age,”
Pickworth remembered. “I had sold knives and this one, although unique, did
not look that much different.”
Pickworth was working an auto auction shortly after that call and
remarked to a person there that he must have a rare item in a certain knife.
The gentleman he was talking to was a personal friend of actor Stephen
Seagal. He claimed Seagal had an expensive knife collection. Pickworth
asked if he had Seagal’s phone number. He did. Pickworth called and Seagal’s
secretary answered. Pickworth explained that he had a Scagel Knife at auction
and if her boss wanted to learn more about it, to call him.
A few days later, Seagal called the Pickworth home. He was definitely
interested. He wondered what it would bring at auction. Pickworth told him a
knife collector (Dr. Lucie) had called him and inquired, saying he would be at
the auction. Hoping to learn more, Seagal called Dr. Lucie, probably probing
to see how high Dr. Lucie would go as far as the bid. Dr. Lucie told him only
that he believed it would go high.
12 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
Seagal called Pickworth back and asked to use his name only as
collateral for the over-the-phone purchase of the knife. Pickworth
refused but did advise Seagal that he would have a local bank official,
Doug Gates from the Citizens Bank, present to handle any over-thephone bidding and if need-be financial transactions. Seagal agreed.
“I am not sure Doug Gates even got in a single bid in on the knife
the day of the sale,” Pickworth remembered. “I just know there was a
collector with deep pockets from Texas that wanted the knife just as bad
as Dr. Lucie.”
“The bid quickly went to $5,000,” Pickworth remembered. “Then
the bidding war really started between the two. The Texan finally quit at
$12,600.”
After all the wheeling and dealings, it was learned that the maker of
the knife, Scagel, was Dr. Scagel who also resided in Fruitport, MI and
was Dr. Lucie’s doctor.
Dr. Lucie sold his knife collection some years later with that knife
fetching $20,000. He had another sell for $40,000.
Even though 50 years in the trade, Pickworth admits some items he
sells he has no idea what they are or what they should fetch.
“We are looking over a sale now with merchandise, many of them
hand tools, so old that they have out-lived the memory of not only
myself but the people that are having the sale. Those items had a name
but no one can recall it.”
The highlight of Pickworth’s career came in 1989 when he won
the All-Around World Auctioneering Championship, a title always
contested in a Canadian Province. Pickworth won the title in Ottawa.
He entered the first time three years prior in Vancouver, finishing
fourth. He was second the following year in Halifax, and then won it
on the third try.
Pickworth has been a constant at both the Huron and Erie
County Fairs, doing both free gratis. He has done so for almost 50
years. As testimony to his work on the Saturday of the sale, a large sales
barn carries his name.
Little doubt his marriage to wife, Beverly, a union that has
produced two children, is on as firm a ground as his auctioneering
business. She has been at his side both at auctions and in the fields for
many years.
DISCOVER NORWALK ////////// 13
COMMUNITY
CALENDAR
Norwalk Music Fest
July 9-12
Huron County Fairgrounds
Ticket prices: $45 Weekend • $40 Advanced through July 1
$25 Daily Friday/Saturday • $10 Thursday
$10/day Camping
For more information, visit NorwalkMusicFestival.com.
Norwalk Century Ride
June 20, 8 a.m.
The Norwalk Parks & Recreation Department and FisherTitus Medical Center are teaming up again to bring you
our 6th Annual Century Ride. The course will encompass
four different routes that range in distance, but total 100
miles of beautiful countryside. The routes will include the
following: 13 mile loop, 2-25 mile loops, & a 37 mile loop.
Refreshments will be offered throughout the day at the base
station and the ½ way point of the 37 mile loop. A boxed
lunch will be provided by The Eagle Creek Golf Course.
For more information, visit norwalkrec.com
or call (419) 663-6775.
Wild Wednesdays
Preschool Nature Program (Ages 3-5)
July 8-August 12
Veterans Memorial Clubhouse
$20 per child, $15 per additional sibling.
14 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
Norwalk Arts in the Park
Fridays 9:30-11:30 a.m. throughout July
Sofios Park
SUMMER 2015
Fisher-Titus Maple City Triathlon/Duathlon
August 1
join the Norwalk Parks & Recreation Department & FisherTitus Medical Center for the 9th Annual Fisher-Titus
Maple City Triathlon/Duathlon. The course will be set at our
beautiful Veteran’s Memorial Lake Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
This a great race for first time triathletes & duathletes, as it
is set in a non-competitive environment. A buffet-style lunch
will be offered along with the awards ceremony following
the race for athletes, families, and friends to celebrate their
experience & accomplishment.
Registration forms available at norwalkrec.com.
Norwalk Kid’s Triathlon
Pool Pooch Competition
July 11
The Rec
August 23
Junior triathletes, ages 7-14 are invited to a challenging
activity that will encourage exercise and fitness in a fun
environment. Fisher-Titus has teamed up with Norwalk Parks
& Rec to bring this exciting event to Norwalk. The course
will be set up at the Ernsthausen Recreation Center, to help
us create a safe environment for our participants to compete.
Triathletes will start their swim in the Competition Pool, will
then make their way to the transition area outside the facility
where they will pick up their bike and ride their designated
route down Industrial Parkway (low traffic). The event will
finish with a designated length run through Bishman Park.
Entry fee: $20
Registration form available at norwalkrec.com.
Norwalk Fishing Derby
July 18
DISCOVER NORWALK ////////// 15
LOCAL INTEREST
NORWALK TAKING
FLIGHT
By Don Hohler
Not long after Orville Wright won the coin flip with
his brother, Wilbur, on the sands of North Carolina’s Kill
Devil Hill, two Norwalk Brothers, Paul and Josh Wilber,
were in the process of designing and then building what
was known as the Aeroplane, a gawky, unsteady, fly-bythe-seat-of-your-pants engine-powered air machine that
would make a community of less than 8,000 part of Ohio
aviation history.
To put dates in perspective, the Wright Brothers got
things off the ground for the first time in 1903 but it was
not until 1905 that they managed to turn a glider into
a engine-powered aeroplane that flew as far as 24 miles.
Paul Wilber, on Oct. 7, 1912, made his maiden flight
and shortly thereafter, was making flights as far as New
London.
This is the story of how the sons of Frank and Sophia
16 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
Wilber did their part in putting Norwalk on the map of
aviation history.
The Wilber family originally resided in Berlin
Heights, Ohio where Frank owned a flour mill.
Convinced, however, that flour dust was causing his
breathing problem, he opted for an occupation change.
How the family ended up in Norwalk, was never
published.
What was known was Frank’s father worked as a
pattern-maker on the famous iron-clad ship, The Monitor.
Little wonder his grandsons would also follow a pattern
of building, in their case building one of the first enginepowered aeroplanes.
Paul Wilber’s urge to fly was inspired by Ralph Cole,
a friend who tried his hand at building a plane some years
prior. Cole, 10 years older than Wilber, needed someone to
hold the plane back when he was in the seat. Trial flights would
be attempted at the family farm west of Norwalk. The plane did
get airborne a number of times but always came down with such
a thud that it damaged either the running gear or the propeller.
Cole and Wilber would spend the spring of 1911 sleeping
in Cole’s barn which served as the hanger, working on the
problem try as they might, success never did come their way.
Rather than continue at the farm, Wilber, with a set of
prints purchased for $2 by Cole from the Chicago Airplane
Supply Company, decided to partner with his brother and try to
build a Curtiss plane that would actually fly.
The Wilber family resided in the large, two-story home
located at 23 Summit St. With the help of another friend,
Roy Burr, the trio used evenings to build parts for the plane in
the attic of the home. Two other friends, William Cooper and
Harry Bennett, also helped with the construction but would
play more important roles later both in holding the plane when
the engine was turned over and then in following the plane with
their cars after it was airborne.
No question it took time and trial by error in putting the
parts together. No problem with wood if the builders needed
oak, ash or maple. The problem was the prints called for spruce
and that carried additional cost in that it had to come in from
the west coast by rail.
Wire strength would also be a problem. Plans said oneton test for the wing brace control. No such wire available at
the local grain elevator. But, as luck would have it, Cooper
and Burr worked at Norwalk’s A.B. Chase Piano Company.
That firm had plenty of wire of that strength and also had
mahogany wood, much needed for several of the plies of the
propeller. Realizing their employees could be on the threshold
of something big, the company was even helpful in gluing and
pressing a seven-ply prop that was made up of alternating
pieces of mahogany and spruce.
Everything seemed to be falling into place, even to the
point when Paul Wilber would use his employee pass on the
New York Central to ride to Cleveland to buy Shelby Seamless
Tube, a much-needed light-weight support material for both
engine mounts and the undercarriage.
The builders had learned much from the Wright Brothers
first flight eight years prior. They had some knowledge of
balance, critical, considering a five foot center section held the
motor, running gear, gas tank, pilot controls, fittings that held
the boom poles that supported the rudder, stabilizer and the
elevators. And there was no gas welding in those days. Brazing
was not an option. It was not strong enough. The builders never
did say what parts were used to hold things in place. It could be
assumed, there were lots of brackets, held together by bolts and
nuts.
The cloth on the laminated spruce wings were made up of
the best bed sheeting money could buy. It was pre-shrunk by
being placed in boiling water. The lead edge was tacked and the
trailing edge stitched. This muslin application was applied only
to the upper surface of each wing. The bottom was left exposed.
A water-glue sizing mixture was painted on the muslin, allowed
to dry, followed by a varnish top coat.
Getting the parts out of the attic would be no problem
once a large window was removed.
Now the engine. Cole, who was splitting time at the
Summit Street home and his barn where he was working on a
new plane, volunteered his 50-horsepower Roberts engine, one
he needed back when his plane was ready.
Next came the balance of engine with the weight of the pilot.
It was trial and error at its best and worst as the plane had to be
true-balanced front to rear as well as side to side. After nights
of shifting parts and the pilot, it was decided it was as close as
it was going to get. The call went out for the horse and wagon.
The plane, some of it in parts, went right down Norwalk’s Main
Street, headed west for the Cole farm. Upon arrival, it was reassembled and pushed into the barn.
The plane still had to pass one final test, however. The
builders knew it took 400 pounds of thrust for it to fly but had
no way of measuring thrust. Then someone came up with the
idea of hooking the plane to balance arm scale. The problem
was the scale was housed in the basement of the barn and it
was permanently affixed. Quickly, pulleys were devised. Then
came the test. The engine was fired. Half-power was applied.
Everything held together. Then came the acid test-full power.
The plane strained. Dust flew as well as the chickens. Dogs
barked at the noise. Then came the scream from the basement,
400 pounds. It was September, 1912. The plane had enough
power to fly.
Weeks of ground practice would be needed before Paul
Wilber was confident of the amount of power needed to get the
plane airborne. Time and again the plane would power down
through the field, get turned around by assistants, and power
back. Finally, it was time to go full power. The engine roared
Continued on page 18 >>
DISCOVER NORWALK ////////// 17
LOCAL INTEREST
and Wilber got the plane completely airborne. After what was
figured to be 45 more dashes up and down the field, Wilber had
soloed. He had broken just one strut in all his experimenting.
But, getting three wheels off the ground was not flying
high enough to clear fence rows. It took 30 trips at two-foot
height over the next three weeks to advance to 15-feet which
was high enough to clear the ends of fields.
Then came the scary thought of banking the plane around
and flying back to the starting point. It took considerable
distance to make that turn. Like Mission Control losing radio
contact with the shuttle on the Moon Mission, the same held
true when Wilber went behind a barn. Would he reappear?
The answer was, yes. Although, many times there were anxious
moments.
Norwalkians, upon hearing that Wilber’s flying machine
really could fly, appeared at the farm in droves. They gasped
with excitement when they saw this flying contraption fly over
fence rows and barns. Writers groped for words. What was
noticed after several weeks of reporting, the aeroplane simply
became the airplane.
The Evening Herald and the Norwalk Reflector Herald
covered Wilber’s first public flight on Oct. 7, 1912. A crowd of
1,500 witnessed his demonstration. They came by horse and
buggy and the Electric Interurban which passed near the farm.
The final flight of the season was an important one. The
Evening Herald published the account of Wilber, The Aviator
taking off and leaving the friendly confines of the Cole Farm
for the first time. His destination was the Walter Hoyt Farm on
South Road (New State Road), five miles south of the city. The
flight went off without a hitch just like the landing. It would
be the last minutes on the Roberts engine as its owner (Ralph
Cole) now had his plane ready and it needed a power plant.
For whatever reason, the plane was again disassembled and
returned to the attic for winter storage and minor changes. For
one thing, drag had to be reduced if the plane was to fly faster.
A new water-cooled motor, a 4 cylinder, 4 cycle Maximotor out
of Detroit, would be the new power plant of the Curtiss.
In the spring, the plane came back out the attic window, was
again loaded on the wagon and headed west down Main Street
to what was no longer the Cole Farm. It was now known as
Cole Aeroplane Field
After several shake-down flights, Wilber sent his more
powerful plane up to 1,000 feet and then skillfully, using gliding
turns, brought it back down to the field. Crowds raved at his
skill and donated liberally when collections were taken.
Wilber’s first paid exhibition flight was scheduled for
May 10, 1913. The Norwalk Elks Lodge offered him $200 to
18 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
appear on Aviation Day. Even the Norwalk attorneys closed
their offices to see the flight and that was a big deal. The field
admission charged by the Elk’s was 25 cents. No estimate on
how many attended but it must have been a huge throng that
came by every means of transportation known to man. The
exhibition should have never come off due to blustery winds
and a engine that was acting up. But, Wilber believed he had to
go on with the show. The end result was a crash and a broken
up airplane.
As it turned out, the plane suffered only minor damage
but Wilber would take no more chances with the Maximotor
engine. He had planned on purchasing a more powerful power
plant, using the $200 Aviation Day fee. That fee would be cut in
half because of his inability to perform. In the end, he rented a
Curtiss Model O for $100 and got back in the air.
An even bigger event happened in May when one Saturday
afternoon Wilber taxied his plane to the edge of the flying
field to chat with friends. A certain young lady whom he had
previously taken to the motion picture shows, Loretta Hopkins,
would make history by being his first female passenger. Her
ride had been pre-empted by several male passengers just to see
if the engine had the lifting power. It was told that Hopkins’
mother, upon hearing of her daughter’s daring escapade, did not
talk to her daughter for a year.
Eventually, Wilber flew more and more exhibitions. He
would fly to a pre-arranged farm near communities as big as
Mansfield and Ashland, and fly the exhibition. One such fly-in,
this one to New London, nearly ended up in disaster. Again,
engine problem. Wilber was fortunate to force land the plane at
the John Ackley farm southeast of North Fairfield. The plane
stopped just feet short of a wood lot. But, good came with the
bad. The emergency landing brought about the meeting of
Wilber and Leah Ackley, a young lady who would eventually
become his wife.
Never having the kind of money it would take to buy a
$1,500 motor for the plane, Paul and Josh sold it, getting out
of the flying business. They moved to Buffalo to work for a
division of the Roberts Engine Company. Paul eventually
became a highly respected engineer in New York. Josh, a master
builder and engineer, was responsible for one of the next steps
in aviation, the Wilber Cutlass model plane. Said to be the
driving force behind his brother and what the two of them
accomplished in Norwalk, Josh retired from General Dynamics
Corporation at age 72.
Paul Wilber lived from 1893 to 1980 and is buried with his
parents at Riverside Cemetery in Berlin Heights.
—Schedule of Events—
Monday
Opening Day: Don Tester Ford Day with Rides beginning at 1pm
Ride till 10pm for admission price to fair.
• 6pm Jr. Fair Style Review
• GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT: 7pm Austin Webb
• GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT: 8pm Craig Wayne Boyd
Tuesday
Willard Mercy Hospital Day: All admissions “FREE” till 3pm
• Kid’s Day activities all day throughout grounds
• Huron County Commissioner’s Meeting: 11 am | Heritage Barn
• Kiddie Tractor Pull: 12pm | Judging Pavilion
• FREE kid’s games: 1pm | Judging Pavilion—organized by Foundation Church
• 6pm Re-Max Hot Air Balloon Rides-infield (weather permitting)
• 6pm Hot Farm Tractor—Truck Pull
• 6:30pm Jr. Fair King & Queen Contest | Judging Pavilion
• 7pm Pie Auction sponsored by CMFSC
• 8:30pm Square Dance | Judging Pavilion
Affordable family
entertainment!
Wednesday
Northern Ohio Rural Water Day: Vet Admission—1 penny!
Monday Night
Veteran’s Day with activities in Vet’s pavilion
Grandstand Entertainment
TWO Great Shows, ONE Great Price!
GENERAL ADMISSION
• 4pm massing of colors followed with bean soup
• 6:30pm OSTPA Tractor Pull
• 7:30pm Pony Pull in Weisenberger Arena
Thursday
Gaymont Nursing Center Day: Sr. Citizen Admission—1 penny!
Senior Citizen Day Activities in NEW LOCATION: Pickworth Building
Jimmie Bilgen from Summer Concert Series entertaining... rain or shine!
BOX SEATS
• Activities begin at 10am followed with the crowning of Nursing Home King & Queen
• 1pm Draft Horse Hitch in Weisenbergeer Arena
• 6pm Small Livestock Sales (turkeys, goats)
• 7pm Feeder Calf, Rabbits & Chickens sale
• 7pm Motocross Races | Grandstand
TRACK
Friday
Pat O’Brien Chevrolet Buick Day
7:30am-1pm: $1 off admission with non-perishable food donation
• 5pm Best Dressed Animal Contest
• 6:30pm Rough Truck Contest - Square Dancing | Heritage Area
Saturday
Marrett Unlimited Day
AUSTIN WEBB
CRAIG WAYNE BOYD
(2014 Winner of The Voice
on Team Blake’s Team)
AUGUST 17-22, 2015
6 Days of All-Day-Long Entertainment!
• 7am Rooster Crowing Contest
• Board of Directors’ Election in Secretary’s office
• 9am Large Livestock Auction
• 3pm Farm Feeder Calf Sale
• 6pm Barn Dance | Heritage Barn
• 6pm Demo Derby
• Last chance to visit exhibits and enjoy “Fair Food!”
Pay one low price of
Rides open at noon.
in the morning – stay all day!
Everything included except Monday’s Grandstand Entertainment.
Office opens July 20, 2015 — 8am- 5pm, Monday thru Friday
Visit our website for details!
H U R O N C O U N T Y FA I R . C O M
LOCAL INTEREST
WHEN
PIGS
FLY
By Scott Seitz
arrying families through times of need. That is the driving force—the mission—of
the Piggyback Foundation and When Pigs Fly.
“The Piggyback Foundation helps families maintain a sense of normalcy during times of
serious illness by providing assistance to meet the emotional needs of children,” said Lisa Hiler,
foundation director. “All we can really do is provide a little bit of joy,” Hiler said. “Maybe help
them take a vacation or with basketball shoes or back-to-school supplies.”
The Piggyback Foundation was formed in 2007 and mainly assists families in Huron
County, but has gone beyond county lines to help. Hiler said the idea for the foundation came
about in 2006 after running into some road blocks while trying to help a family. “A light bulb
went on,” she said. “God opened up a door and asked me to walk through it. I didn’t know a
thing about starting a foundation.”
In 2012, the Norwalk upscale resale and retail shop, When Pigs Fly, opened on East Main
Street. “Anything above and beyond expenses at When Pigs Fly—100 percent of that goes to the
foundation,” Hiler said.
Kathleen Kuhlman, employee at When Pigs Fly, said customers will do amazing things to
help the foundation. “A customer was making a purchase and wanted to make a donation and
told me to charge them double for item,” she said.
Nowadays, the foundation consists of 13 board members. “The board members, who are
volunteers, will adopt families and get to know them,” Hiler said. “People come in here and share
their stories,” she said about the shop. “So many people, they say there is something about this
place that calms them. It makes them at peace and that is uplifting.”
“Word of mouth,” Kuhlman said about how information is distributed about the foundation
and shop. “The more people we help, the more people give back,” she said.
The shop made national headlines in 2014 as it was selected as the grand prize winner of
the Staples’ Make Your Idea Happen contest. “When we started the shop, which we did five
years into running the foundation, we were getting more and more families applying for help,
and we needed to create a more consistent source of income,” Hiler said in a Staples’ interview.
“The shop has been very successful. The community has really gotten behind it and helped
out in so many ways. A Girl Scout troop who was working on a Silver Award project even joined
in. Then a painting company asked if they could help, and they came and painted the whole
shop. Two brothers built our checkout counter. So it’s been a real community effort,” Hiler
added.
And where did the names originate? “The Piggyback Foundation is about carrying families
through times of need, and every child loves a piggyback ride,” Hiler said. “We’re doing big little
things to create joy for children. As one mother said, “You’ve given my children wings.” Her son
was diagnosed with cancer and had to have two bone marrow transplants. Piggyback provided
the funds for her children to stay in their extracurricular activities. “As for the store, have you ever
heard the expression, ‘That will happen when pigs fly?’ Well, our little pigs are flying because
Piggyback has given them wings,” Hiler said.
20 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
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LOCAL INTEREST
By Rick Schaffer/Scott Seitz
he North Coast Inland Trail will be crossing the
heart of Norwalk, Mayor Rob Duncan and Firelands
Rails to Trails recently announced. Firelands Rails to
Trails volunteers have already begun work on the
new portion of the trail on the former New York Central
Railroad corridor between North West and Baker Streets
on the city’s west side. Meanwhile, city officials are making
plans to route the trail on city streets through the rest
of Norwalk. “This is a project I’ve been enthused about
since I took office,” Duncan said. “It’s great to see it come
together.”
Firelands Rails to Trails has been working with Ohio
Edison for several years to gain permission to build about
eight-tenths of a mile trail east from its current terminus
at North West Street, and an agreement was reached
last month. The railroad corridor has been obscured by
development through the rest of the city, forcing the
trail onto city streets. Signage, along with markings on
pavement and curbs, will guide bicyclists through the
uptown area, then to the east edge of town.
“Finding the safest route possible is important to me,”
said Duncan, who son, Daniel, was killed in 2008 when
24 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
the bicycle he was riding was hit by a drunk motorist
in West Virginia. “Daniel regularly rode the trail from
Norwalk to Monroeville and beyond, making this project
close to my heart.”
Altogether, the Norwalk route will add nearly three
miles to the North Coast Inland Trail. For Firelands Rails
to Trails, getting the trail through Norwalk is like a dream
come true. “The question we hear more than anything
is ‘When is the trail going to come through town?’” said
Firelands Rails to Trails Secretary Joe Missler. “It’s great to
have an answer to the question.”
Firelands Rails to Trails is an all-volunteer group that
has developed more than 12 miles of trail across northern
Huron County over the past 15 years. With other projects
under way by trail partners, it is expected that the North
Coast Inland Trail will be complete and continuous by
the end of 2016 from Elyria to Elmore, making the trail
attractive to long-distance riders. “We’re already seeing
cross-county bicycle riders on the trail,” said Firelands
Rails to Trails President Lance Franke. “We’re really
excited to finally connect with the Norwalk city street
network. With the city at nearly the center of the trail, we
expect local merchants to get a real boost. We’ll be able to open up the trail to a lot more
people who live in the center of town.”
In today’s culture, the trail offers a healthy alternative to technology and electronics.
“It connects communities,” Missler said. “To be a volunteer is also very rewarding,” he
added. “It’s a lot of fun to get together and work on the trail. We would welcome more
volunteers.”
Rick Schaffer, Rails to Trails trustee, has been heavily involved with the group and
its projects since 2006. Schaffer enjoys the trail because it gives people the chance to ride
bicycles off road.
Gordon Oney, founding trustee, has been there from the beginning with Rails to
Trails. “It took a local initiative and local volunteers to make something happen,” Oney
said. “We had to take ownership of it (the project). It’s been over 15 years since our first
meeting. “There was a core group that came to believe it could be done,” Oney said.
Missler also remembers those early days. “A person has the tendency to say, why
would I start?” Missler said. “You just start,” he added. “We received great encouragement
from people like Bud Wilson and Bev Couch,” Oney said. “The goal was to be able to
ride a bike across Huron County and I think I’m going to see that done,” he added.
Firelands Rails to Trails operates under a simple philosophy. “We always want to be
a good neighbor,” Oney said. “We do our darndest to avoid controversy.”
Firelands Rails to Trails is always looking for volunteers to help with trail building
and maintenance. The Firelands Rails to Trails group has about 200 paid members. The
cost is $10 per year. For more information on becoming a member and volunteering, go
to www.frtti.org or the Firelands Rails to Trails page on Facebook.
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LOCAL INTEREST
RELAY FOR
LIFE
FIGHTING AGAINST
CANCER IN NORWALK
By Zoe Greszler
ach year over 4 million in over 20 countries
gather to raise money and awareness for a great
cause that fights to save lives from one of the
world’s biggest killers—cancer. The event that draws so
many people to fight together is the Relay For Life.
Norwalk has a local committee that organizes our
annual relay where Erin Johnson acts as the chair and
social media representative and helps to organize our local
events. “Relay for Life is put on by the American Cancer
Society to raise money for cancer research and to highlight
the survivors of cancer,” Johnson said. “It has events that
honor the survivors and their families. All of the money
goes to the American Cancer Society and the different
programs that they have available.”
This year’s Relay For Life is set to be Saturday, July
18 at Whitney Field on St. Mary’s St. “We have one
every year in July,” Johnson said. In early April there were
already 19 registered teams. Johnson expects more to join
as the date become closer.
Johnson feels this event is a very important one, one
that she holds dear. “We originally joined in honor of two
26 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
close friends who lost their battles to cancer,” she said.
“But aside from the fact that it supports those who have
to fight or have fought against cancer, this is important
because it raises awareness for cancer and helps to fund the
research for a cure,” she said.
This year’s event will have a special theme and visitors
that are sure to attract all ages. “The theme this year is
going to be Hollywood,” Johnson said. “We’ll have a
special ‘VIP Tent’ for all of the Cancer Survivors. There
we’ll have free massages and mini manis and pedis. A free
coupon book will be given to all survivors, whether they
are currently fighting or have survived.”
This will be Norwalk’s 14th year participating in the
Relay For Life, an organization that believes in “more
birthdays,” however, this is the Relay’s 30th anniversary
year. To celebrate, Johnson said Norwalk has set a big
goal—to break a whopping cumulative million dollars. “In
years past, we’ve raised $935,000 total, so our goal for this
year’s relay is to raise $65,000.”
When asked how she felt about meeting this goal,
Erin was all positive thoughts. “I do think it is attainable,”
Johnson said. “It’s comparable to what we raised last year. We also have other events set up
at Fisher-Titus Medical Center and Firelands Regional Medical Center to help raise more
money for the cause. All of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to fund
the research and programs.”
Some of these programs include the Look Good, Feel Better for women who are
suffering from the side effects of chemo treatments, Road to Recovery and Hope Lodge
which provides cancer patients with free rides and rooms for their treatments if they live
more than an hour from their facility.
CUREsader is also involved in the Relay For Life, putting together one of the events
that take place, the Little Miss/Mr. Baby Relay Contest. “After the baby contest we’re
going to have special guests Anna, Elsa, and Olaf from the movie Frozen for a special visit,”
Johnson said. “And of course we have probably our most important and best known event,
the Luminaria starting at dusk as soon as it gets dark.”
What makes the Luminaria so special? “The Luminaria is a very solemn, quiet walk
around the track,” she said. “We invite all of those who know or supported someone who
lost their battle with cancer to light a luminary. They can purchase them at Relay For Life,
but what a lot of people like to do is actually buy them ahead of time and decorate for that
friend or loved one.”
Johnson invited all to visit the following resources to learn more about the fight against
cancer, Relay For Life and Norwalk’s contribution and join or donate:
www.relayforlife.org/norwalk
www.curesaders.org to sign up for baby contest and 5k
www.facebook.com/norwalkrelayforlife
www.cancer.org for more information on support programs and services for cancer survivors
(Look Good Feel Better, Hope Lodge, Road to Recovery, and more)
Relay for Life of Norwalk is held at Whitney Field on St. Mary’s Street in Norwalk
July 18th 11 a.m.-midnight
• Final Registration for 5K: 7:30 a.m.
• 5K Start: 9 a.m.
• Opening ceremony: 11 a.m. with 5K awards
• Little Miss/Mr Relay Baby Contest: 2 p.m.
• Anna, Elsa, and Olaf from Frozen will be at team CUREsaders booth form 3:15-4
p.m. for meet and greet, photos and a song
• Survivor Lap & Ceremony: 5 p.m. with survivor dinner to follow
• Luminaria Ceremony: 9:30 p.m.
• Closing ceremony 11:30 p.m.
FOUR LEGS IN THE FIRELANDS
By Zoe Greszler
Many enjoy spending time with their pets. For some
their pets are their best friend, their babies, their life. They
are something that we all want to keep happy and healthy
during the summer as the nicer weather finally starts to
encourage us to enjoy the outdoors.
Dr. Ronald Hendrikson, vet at Norwalk Veterinary
Medical Center and a pet-lover himself, likes spending
time with his two dogs. “My wife Nancy and I have two
dogs that live at home with us,” he said. “They are both
rescue pets. Smokey is an 8-year-old Australian cattle dog/
Norwegian elk hound mix and Patsy is a 7-year-old toy fox
terrier. We have a fenced in yard with plenty of shade so
they are able to be outside lots and enjoy interacting with
people. Smokey loves to watch for joggers and bicyclists
and Patsy likes to chase squirrels and robins.”
One of their favorite activities though is “riding in the
car so we take them on short trips, weather permitting, for
ice cream,” he said.
While most people enjoy having their company, few
may actually know that pets offer several health benefits
as well. “Loving a pet and being a pet parent creates a
human-animal bond that is so important for both the
animal and us,” Dr. Hendrikson said.
Hendrikson talked about how pets can be beneficial to
people, how people can be beneficial to pets and how we
can safely enjoy our beloved companions’ company during
the lovely summer months.
28 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
THEY KEEP US CALM AND HEALTHY
The simple act of petting a dog or cat can lower
our blood pressure and heart rate and raise levels of
our “happy” brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine,”
Hendrikson said. “A study involving 240 married couples
showed that simply owning a pet resulted in lower heart
rates and blood pressures, even when pet owners were
undergoing stressful times. And being with a pet resulted
in quicker recovery from stress, faster even than when with
a friend or spouse.”
“With their stress-reducing abilities, pets can prevent
stress hormones from wreaking havoc on our immune
system. These hormones negatively affect the rest of
our body in so many ways that researchers are even just
recently discovering new connections. Among other things,
chronic stress can cause asthma, bronchitis, diabetes,
chronic pain, headaches, heart attacks and heart disease.”
THEY KEEP US MOVING
“Several studies have shown that dog owners may get
more exercise than the rest of us,” he said. “One National
Institute of Health–funded investigation looked at
more than 2,000 adults and found that dog owners who
regularly walked their dogs were more physically active and
less likely to be obese than those who didn’t own or walk a
dog.”
BENEFITS FOR OUR FURRY AND FEATHERED FRIENDS
Owning and loving a pet is just as beneficial and good for
them as it is for us. “Exercise for pets just like humans helps to tone
their muscles, and increase their overall health and well-being. Pets should be given the chance to build up their stamina like
people. On the first trip or walk outside they should have chances to
rest and you should carry plenty of fresh water.
INVOLVING PETS IN FAMILY ACTIVITIES
“Pets love to interact with people outside by playing so be sure
the area is secured…and free of potential dangers,” Hendrikson said.
“Dog parks, like the Huron County Humane Society’s, are great
places to provide interaction. Watch out for bee and yellow jacket
stings any time you are outside. Also, the Norwalk reservoir is a
wonderful place for hiking and walking with your dog. Be careful
of hot surfaces like asphalt on your pet’s foot pads, it is like walking
barefoot on burning hot sand.”
He suggested the Norwalk Rec Center Pool Pooch Competition
for dogs that like to swim.
A HAPPY AND HEALTHY SUMMER WITH TRAVEL
“Pets that travel or are outside should have securely attached
identification tags and be microchipped,” he suggested. “The pet’s
veterinary contact information should be available for quick access.
Have a copy of vaccinations records, pet photographs and medications
listed on your phone. Bring your own water and your pet’s regular
food when traveling on extended hikes if possible. This will help avoid
“stress” diarrhea. When traveling with your pet in a car never leave
them unattended in the vehicle, this is the only, absolute way to be
sure they are protected from heat and theft.”
Don’t forget disease prevention. “Vaccinations based on risk
assessment are needed,” Hendrikson said. “For dogs, canine influenza
and lyme disease vaccines are often overlooked. Heartworm, intestinal
parasite protection, and flea and tick prevention are also essential.”
Timing is essential too he said. “When vaccinations are needed
don’t wait until the last minute,” he said. “It is much safer to update or
complete them at least two to three weeks before travel or boarding.
This helps protect the pet and if they have any problems with
lethargy or not eating there is time for assessing and addressing those
concerns.”
Our furry friends’ health and happiness are important to when
flying. “The best place to have your pet travel (while flying) with you
is in the cabin under the seat in an approved carrier,” Hendrikson said.
“Weather conditions are also important considerations when deciding
to travel with your pet. For pets that are too large or not permitted in
the cabin, they will travel in the cargo bay.”
“Health considerations should be taken into account when
flying,” He said. “Medications that your pet is taking may affect
them physiologically so caution is critical for health reasons. This is
especially important for pets taking medications for their heart, blood
pressure, or seizures. Tranquilizers, sedatives, and anxiety medications
can affect a pet’s ability to respond to heat and air pressure changes
and should be used with caution while traveling. If your pet can not
travel without these medications it may be safer to not fly them and
leave your pet at home. Discuss medications with your veterinarian.”
Whatever your summer plans, we hope you and your pets will be
happy and healthy and enjoy the nice weather together.
SMETZER PAINT & SUPPLY
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LET’S EAT
BLUTO’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL:
FOCUSING ON WHAT THEY DO
By Cary Ashby
ame name, new owners, more attention to detail and
focusing on what they do best. That’s what Tim and Sara
Fitzgerald are bringing to Bluto’s Sports Bar & Grill as
the new owners. They bought the Seminary Street eatery from Mark
and Mary Davie on Jan. 7. The Davies had owned Bluto’s for 14
years.
“We are renting the building, but we bought the business,” said
Tim Fitzgerald, a first-time bar owner.
The Fitzgeralds have been pleased with the number of people
who have supported their new endeavor. When asked what the
biggest misconception is about Bluto’s, Fitzgerald said that it was a
bar for “young, rowdy people.”
“There has been a huge transformation. There have been a lot of
families come in. We want to have a family atmosphere until about 9
o’clock (each night),” he said.
Location was an admitted “big plus” for the couple, who long
ago considered owning a bar. “It was an established restaurant and
bar right in Norwalk. Location was a big plus for us,” Fitzgerald said.
He and his wife first moved to Norwalk in 1989. Six years
later, they moved to Athens, but then returned to the Maple City
30 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
SUMMERTIME HEADQUARTERS
Ice & Propane
Steaks
All Your
Grilling Needs
in 1997. “We chose to move back to Norwalk because
we thought it was a great place to raise kids,” Fitzgerald
said.
Before buying Bluto’s, Fitzgerald worked for
Columbia Gas for 15 years. His wife teaches theology at
Norwalk Catholic School/St. Paul High School.
The new owners’ vision for Bluto’s is to have a
“hometown bar” feel with a local sports theme. The
Fitzgeralds are collecting memorabilia from Norwalk
and St. Paul high schools plus other schools from the
Northern Ohio League and Firelands Conference.
Bluto’s soon will have upgraded TVs. “We’re going
to make this a real sports bar with bigger TVs in the
future,” Fitzgerald said.
The new owners’ goal is for Bluto’s to feature the
best burgers and wings in Northern Ohio. “That’s what
Sara and I have brought to this place—attention to
detail,” he said. That attention to detail means customers
get the food they ordered in a timely fashion from
friendly staff members. And if that happens, Fitzgerald
said that should mean Bluto’s clients will have a positive
experience.
The new philosophy of attention to detail goes to
cooking burgers and wings. “It’s monitoring the amount
of cooking time. If somebody ordered a burger medium
well, it’s medium well,” Fitzgerald said.
The new owners praised their “great staff.” “They
are on board with our attention to detail (philosophy),
which has made a great impact on our customer service,”
Fitzgerald said.
Bluto’s recently received high praise for their wings
when firefighters from Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania,
Michigan and Indiana had an after-party there after
a training session. Fitzgerald asked the New York
firefighters how his wings compare to those from The
Anchor Bar in Buffalo, where buffalo wings originated.
“They said, ‘Your wings are just as good if not better.’”
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LET’S EAT
By MaryLisa Boose
unning a small town restaurant is a delicate balance—
keeping the regulars happy with traditional dishes while
attracting new customers with the latest culinary
trends. Doug Berry is walking that tightrope successfully.
From clean-up kid when he worked for his parents to boss,
Berry has helped build a business that’s part of the foundation
of uptown Norwalk. But even as boss, dishwashing is part of his
job “more often than I want,” Berry admits.
His grandparents, Clarence and Elizabeth, bought the
former Thompson’s Norwalk Candy Kitchen and restaurant,
located in part of the old St. Charles Hotel, in 1946. They later
sold the business to their sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and
Shirley Berry and Jim and Lois Berry. Doug started washing
dishes there when he was a child and, after earning his college
degree and gaining experience at other restaurants in the area, is
now manager and co-owner with his parents.
Doug Berry has overseen two big expansions—opening
The Dinky Pub and Grille in 2004 and St. Charles Place,
outside dining patio with tented areas by water fountains, in
2011.
32 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
“The Dinky was a natural,” Berry said. “St. Charles
Place—I suspected it would take off pretty soon.” Last summer
was the best year so far for St. Charles Place.
“Everything was just right. It was so nice—the flowers, the
trees,” he said. “Norwalk is catching up. This is what the rest of
the world was doing 10 years ago.”
The changes haven’t been just physical. Berry said the
public’s interest in healthy eating and the popularity of Food
Channel and cooking shows has changed the restaurant
business.
“We try to be right on the edge of something new,” Berry
said. “Because we’re an independent restaurant, we can act more
quickly.”
That gives him the ability to try new dishes without having
to go through corporate offices. “People want to try different
things now,” Berry said. “They don’t want to be stuck with just
old-type, fried foods.” At the same time, Berry’s still offers some
of the dishes customers have been enjoying for years—creamed
chicken on biscuits, baked Swiss steak and homemade vegetable
soup.
SMETZER
Berry, who earned a degree from Purdue
in business management and economics,
worked in the railroad business and also at
other area restaurants before settling back at
Berry’s. But he knew coming back to where he
started didn’t mean things would be the same.
Each day can bring new challenges.
“Humor, sometimes sadness, the adrenaline
rush” is all part of running a restaurant for
Berry. “Nowadays trying to survive in the
restaurant business is extremely difficult. It is
tough—especially in the winters,” he said.
“About 45 percent of our business is from
Norwalk and 55 percent is from out of town,”
Berry said. “We are presently taking steps
to increase that.” Three large signs south of
town and one north of town will soon entice
customers to uptown Norwalk.
“We see ourselves as one of the main
anchors of our historic business district,” he
said. “But we can’t survive in an island by
ourselves. We have to have other businesses
and we need more. These businesses are vital
to the success of our community. We have the
responsibility to support our other businesses.”
And he welcomes even competition from
other businesses.
“Competition makes you more aware of
what’s happening around you and the things
you need to do,” Berry said. “Nowadays you
have to change monthly if not weekly. You
have to adapt, to participate.”
He joined the Taste of the North Coast, a
show in which area restaurants showcase their
menus at Kalahari, for the first time in 2014
and that led to a definite increase in out-oftown business.
“We had a great line-up of foods. We
really shined,” he said. “This year our line-up
was even better.”
One change Berry started eight months
ago, curbside pickup, is a winner, Berry said.
After 5 p.m. each day patrons can call ahead
and then wait in a dedicated parking space at
the restaurant for an employee to bring out
their order.
“It’s been extremely successful,” Berry said.
“It has increased our to-go business a lot.”
Another change he’s looking to bring in
soon is tablet menus. With computer tablets
instead of paper menus, Berry explained, guests
can see pictures of every dish at the restaurant
and also look at wine and beer pairings for
food orders. Berry knows not everyone will
want tablets so he will keep the traditional
printed menus also.
Berry credits much of his restaurant’s
success to good employees.
“As a kid I did the waiter thing for a little
bit,” Doug said, “and I absolutely hated it.” As
the grandson and son of the owners, Berry
had every job at the restaurant at one time or
another. That taught him to appreciate the
work his 47 employees do every day.
Barb Sargent’s family was among the
regulars at Berry’s when she was growing up
and that led not only to her first job, but to her
career.
“I was in here for dinner with my parents
and Clarence Berry was working,” she said. “I
asked him about a job and he told me to come
in the next day.” She was hired and started to
work immediately. Other than taking breaks
when her children were born, Sargent has been
at Berry’s for the last 37 years.
She didn’t really expect that first job to last
so long, but the perks of working for a local,
family-owned business kept Sargent at Berry’s.
“The flexibility, the convenience to home
just works,” she said. “Once I had kids, they
were very good about anything having to
do with my kids. I enjoy the work and I see
customers now that actually came in 37 years
ago and they still come back.”
One of those regulars is Dr. Patrick
Sheehan, 90, a retired dentist whose office
for many years was within walking distance
of Berry’s. Most mornings he can be found
sipping coffee and talking with other regulars
at the restaurant.
“I go there just about every day,” he said.
“I figure I go six days a week.” During the
week that usually means just coffee and maybe
a doughnut. On Sundays he settles in for a full
breakfast.
He might like the same food, but Sheehan
said he approves of the physical upgrades and
additions he’s seen at Berry’s since he moved to
Norwalk in 1954.
With Berry’s Restaurant standing as a
symbol of Norwalk’s past and an example of
adapting for a bright future, it seems Berry has
found the recipe for success.
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DWELL
HISTORIAN
HENRY TIMMAN
enry Timman is surrounded by
old county records from the 5th
floor of the County Building.
It is a perfect spot to overlook his domain
as the Huron County Historian. There he
researches, writes and replies to inquiries
from the public.
It is obvious the 1961 Norwalk High
graduate is perfectly suited for the position.
His success rate at successfully researching
historical data back as far as 200 years is unparalleled.
Timman, a retired 25-year employee
of the Huron County Probate Court, has
had a life-long interest in local history
and genealogy. He began writing a weekly
column for the Norwalk Reflector in 1972
and has made 24 years of these writings
permanent copy in eight books, the last three
years of his columns published in March of
this year.
Timman was born at home and raised
in the four-corner (Route 18 and 601)
unincorporated community known in
the Milan Canal days as Blue Fly, that
being the name of the Tavern-Inn
located on the southeast corner of the
intersection.
Following high school, he
was drafted into the Army. He
returned to the community
and worked nine years for
the WLKR radio station
and then 25 years in the
court system, leaving that
position as the Chief
Deputy.
34 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
By Don Hohler
“I have been interested in local history
my entire life,” the 72-year old Timman
explained. “I started putting it into words 43
years ago what was learned from my personal
and requested research. I decided that if these
writings were not in some way preserved,
those memories would probably lost and
forever forgotten.”
It was in the 1960’s when Timman, as
host of WLKR’s “Sound-Off ” program, came
into prominence.
“Answering callers’ questions got me
more formally organized as to historical facts,”
Timman believed. “Realizing these inquiries
were happening day after day and knowing
my memory bank could not hold and recall all
those dates and places, I started making a 3x5
card file of different categories. I now have
three long shoe-boxes that refer to different
happenings over the years such as fires, floods,
traffic accidents, court proceedings and
interesting people in general.
Timman is in constant demand to give
talks on historical subjects. Many times,
he just wings it at a speaking engagement,
answering most every question.
Timman believes that over the years he
has given between 300-400 talks on Huron
County history and genealogy. He has a
speaking fee if the club has the means to pay.
The same holds true for professional research.
He receives no payment for being the County
Historian.
It is with pride Timman explained that as
a Distinguished Citizen he was inducted into
the first class of the Norwalk High School
Hall of Fame. The Norwalk Chamber also
gave him their Dedicated Service Award a
number of years ago and a number of other
groups have given him awards for preserving
history. Two others groups, one of them in
1994, the Huron County Democratic Party.
lured him to their meeting with the premise
that he was going to field some questions. He
ended up getting a presentation.
The Daughters of the Revolution
(DAR) in 1987 presented him with a highly
prestigious honor, the National History Merit
Award.
Timman has also appeared in several
television specials, most recently one on
the Fisher Brothers Special that was aired
on Toledo Public Channel 30. Cleveland
television’s Robin Swoboda also interviewed
Timman on the history of Woodlawn
Cemetery. He also appeared several times with
host Chris Harlan on the local cable channel.
In 2004, Timman started twice-ayear summer walking tours at Woodlawn
Cemetery. He has been a long-time member
of the cemetery board.
Anyone who attends the Huron County
Fair knows Timman has been a fixture at The
Little Red Schoolhouse.
Timman is also a member of the Sons
of the Revolution and is president of one of
Norwalk’s oldest charitable groups, the Young
Men’s Library and Reading Association, a
group that allots monies annually to charities.
That group founded the local library in 1866
and ran it until it became a school district
library in 1930.
For 50 years, Timman volunteered at the
Firelands Historical Society. He was an officer
and trustee much of that time and set up the
library and research center.
One of the most time-consuming
requests was asked of Timman some years ago
by Greenfield Village and its Automobile Hall
of Fame historians. Various inductees had
been enshrined there in previous ceremonies,
all with their likes, facts and memorabilia
behind glass. This was the year the Fisher
Brothers were to be enshrined. The problem
was nowhere could historians find the
signatures of the seven brothers.
Timman was called on to locate seven
signatures on one document that probably did
not exist.
In researching documents, Timman came
to realize that the patriarch of the family,
Lawrence Fisher, actually died in Norwalk
and is buried with his wife, Margaret, in St.
Paul’s Cemetery. That internment would have
meant his estate would probably have been
probated in Huron County Probate Court and
he had access to that public record. Lo and
behold, one copy and one copy, alone, had all
seven consent signatures of the brothers on
it. Timman copied the document and sent it
to The Village. He and his wife of 42 years,
Marty, made a trip to the museum some years
later and found the copy on display.
Henry and Marty still spend many hours
searching records, volunteering and working
in their yard.
“Admittedly, we don’t get as much
accomplished as we did a number of years ago.
But, there is always tomorrow,” he stated. “And
our health is such that we truly look forward
to the next day.”
County history buffs hope there will
always be a tomorrow for Henry Timman.
Life is short.
Live it well.
Stein Hospice offers services
that can help.
· Guided Imagery
· Reiki
· Labyrinth Walks
For more information, please
contact us at 800-625-5269
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DWELL
STILL
ACHIEVING,
STILLPURSUING
By Chris Castle
iscovery isn’t always about the latest trends, technologies or innovations.
Sometimes it’s as simple as remembering where we came from.
I would like to cite a few facts to show you how Norwalk was built, and
how it has survived ever since. I’ll forego the stories of how we were once called
the “Western Reserve” and how this area came to be called the “Firelands”
because you’re most likely already aware of that history. I’ll try instead, to convey
to you the thought that there’s a spirit of brotherhood here that was implanted
by the original settlers; a spirit that has never left us. And how until that spirit
does leave us, nobody is ever going to have a weak back in Norwalk.
There have been generations of people in our city who were always boosters
and never kickers. They’ve always pushed, and they’ve always pulled, and they’ve
always lifted. And they have always been found when we’ve needed them most.
These people have always been ready and willing, to the extent of their ability,
to help us along.
In 1815, when Avery was the seat of Huron County, and when Norwalk
was nothing more than an empty sand ridge, Platt Benedict and two other men
proposed a city here that would serve as the new county seat. These three men
saw that vision through and founded the city that we now call Norwalk.
In the years that passed, the neighboring village of Milan became a
transportation hub. They had an impressive and deep reaching canal system,
and their leaders had no regard for the innovation of the railroad. When that
36 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK
emerging technology came calling upon the tiny city of Norwalk,
a prominent banker named Gardiner (along with five other local
bankers) invested $12,000 of their own money in the belief that it
would have the power to change our city. Their faith in the railroad led
to an influx of entrepreneurship, newly-created wealth, and nearly all
of the historic buildings that you see in our downtown today.
When the AB Chase Organ Company was considering Tiffin
for their factory location, local leaders came together and raised the
money to keep Mr. Chase here; in less than two hours and (according
to legend) from the streets. Generations later, John Ernsthausen would
again make Norwalk a champion in transportation, with the founding
of the famed Norwalk Truck Line.
There have been many others who have come and gone, who not
only stood up against great adversity, but who harnessed the spirit
of their age for the betterment of an entire community. These truths
lead me to say that nobody need worry about the future of Norwalk.
So long as this spirit lives, so long will we progress. When that spirit
becomes tired and lies down, then Norwalk is dying. The embodiment
of that spirit is illustrated in these verses:
Trust no future, however pleasant.
Let the dead past bury its dead.
Act, act in the living present,
Heart within and God overhead.
Let us then be up and doing.
With a heart for any fate,
Still achieving, still pursuing.
Learn to labor and to wait.
Not even the words that I’ve written here today are new. In fact,
everything that you’ve just read (save the bit about Mr. Ernsthausen)
was merely a paraphrase of a speech that the honorable C.H. Gallup
delivered to this city in 1909. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that
there is nothing new under the sun. And if that’s true, then I’m happy
to have made Norwalk my home. Because there are still people here
today who embody the strength and spirit of so many who came before
them. Still achieving, still pursuing, and still ready and willing, to the
extent of their ability, to help us along.
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