ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Golden Notes Of Archbold’s Memorable Past




Ten Years Ago

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009

The US House of Representatives voted to approve postponing the switch from analog to digital television from Feb. 17 to June 12.

“I am excited about some of the out-of-the-box thinking” represented by the education proposals put forward by Ted Strickland, Ohio governor. That’s what David Deskins, Archbold superintendent, told Chamber of Commerce members at their Monday, Feb. 9 noon luncheon meeting.

Deskins said during the 2006 financial shake-up in the district, two failed levy attempts sent a clear message to the school board. The district had to cut its operating expenses, and officials responded by slashing about $1.5 million from the budget. These are not temporary cuts; they are permanent, and officials are looking for more.

Income tax revenue is down, and a proposed state budget hurts the Pettisville Local School District. The fourth quarter of 2008 showed a drop of $13,715 in receipts compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

The sign at the Archbold Cemetery is the first of several planned improvements. Dennis Howell, village administrator, said village officials plan to add landscaping around the sign flagpole this spring. There also are plans to add decorative brick columns matching the sign at each cemetery entranceway.

The Archbold Area School Board spent an hour discussing the proposed creation of a varsity boys soccer program. No decision or recommendation was made at the Monday meeting. The board will consider the matter at the Monday, Feb. 16 meeting.

Deaths–Olga Roth, 99, Archbold; Gary L. Short, 68, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; Carol A. Henson, 71, Archbold; Evelyn “Evie” D. Allomong, 55, Bryan; Juan J. Garza, 57, Wauseon.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 1994

If voters are as generous as Maynard Sauder, Archbold industrialist, and his company board of directors, Archbold may yet get its new library built.

The Sauder Woodworking Company will finance library construction and land purchases, Sauder informed the McLaughlin Library Board of Trustees, if school district residents pass a $60,000 operating levy on May 3.

The Sauder offer, which set no dollar limits but proposed to pay the difference between funds in hand and costs incurred, had no other strings attached. Earlier, construction and land acquisition costs were estimated at $1.8 million.

Blue Streak writers of the day, Sarah Storrer, Charlie Knapp, and Justin Trejo, draw attention to their news copy in a front page photograph. It was approved and written by their publisher and second grade classroom teacher, Jeanne Pape.

William Lovejoy, village councilman and former mayor of Archbold, picked up petitions Tuesday to start his run for Fulton County Commissioner.

If elected commissioner, Lovejoy will need to resign his council seat and abandon his announced plans to run again for the Archbold mayor position in 1996.

Residents of the 500 block of South Street were on hand at the Monday night council meeting to express their concern over the Sauder Woodworking plan to open a new parking lot entrance onto South Street.

The move would effectively turn South Street from a dead-end street to a through street, the neighbors said.

Roger Pinkelman, councilman, said the village will need to seriously consider ordinances requiring snow removal and repair of sidewalks in the village this year.

Rodney and Sandy Nofziger, owners of the Pettisville Grain Company, purchased the Delta Farmers Elevator.

The Nofzigers took possession of the 75-year-old cooperative on Monday, Jan. 31.

Archbold native Max Nofziger is climbing the political ladder in Austin, Texas.

Nofziger, who is serving his third term on the Austin City Council, was voted mayor pro tempore.

40th Wedding Anniversary– Howard and Beverly (Bernath) Wanemacher

Earns Degree–Jeff Smucker, AHS ‘80, Butler University

Deaths – Kenneth Burkholder, 66, Bradenton, Fla, formerly of Archbold; Kayleen D. Lesnet, 47, Montpelier; C. Robert Gnagey, 65, Archbold; Lillian I. Eicher, 82, Tedrow.

Fifty Years Ago

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1969

The Archbold Area School District will receive 54.4% of the Ridgeville Corners Local School District, and Napoleon School District is to get 45.6 percent. Napoleon will receive 209 students and Archbold, 284.

Specialist fourth class Rodney D. Wyse 24, West Unity, was killed Feb. 6, while in combat action with Co. C, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry in Vietnam. His unit was on duty in the Delta country, south of Saigon.

Mrs. Sarah A. Cole, 402 South Defiance Street, was killed instantly Monday at about 8:20 am, as she drove her auto over the unguarded and unprotected Penn-Central Railroad crossing at Franklin Street. She had just taken her two daughters to the Archbold Area Schools and was en route to Fulton Tubing, where she was employed as a receptionist.

According to the Penn- Central engineer, Walter Leach, Onsted, Mich., Mrs. Cole never slowed down and did not stop before crossing the tracks. The automobile was carried 275 feet.

Laurel Short told Commercial Club members about the Mennonite Disaster Service and how it works with the American Red Cross to help people when natural disasters strike in the United States. Dale Rufenacht arranged the program.

Tim Taylor Smith has become a partner of his father, Harold H. Smith, in Lauber Clothing & Shoes, effective Jan. 1.

Tim attended Northwestern Michigan College, where he studied business administration. He is the fourth generation of the Lauber family to continue the business founded by his greatgrandfather, the late Joseph Lauber, in 1888.

Dean’s List – Sandra Sue Bertsche, Beverly Jean Rupp, Taylor University; Ronald Crossgrove, Lowell Jantzi, Rebecca Liechty, Jean Rufenacht, Stanley Wyse, Goshen College

Deaths – Harry A. Gigax, 91, Archbold.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1944

Archbold and German Township have exceeded their quota in the Fourth War Loan Drive, according to figures compiled by Rufus Scales and Elmer G. Leu, chairman of the two districts.

A total of $271,576 was subscribed, which was $34,000 over the quota. The county quota is $1,500,000.

Harvey Aeschliman sustained a loss of about $2,000 Thursday evening at 8:45 pm when his hen house and contents were destroyed by fire at the farm located four miles east of Zone.

Archbold firemen responded over snow-covered roads and a cold blowing wind. Neighbors reported the fire, and it’s unknown how it started. About 300 laying hens were lost along with 300-400 bushels of oats and 115 bushels of shelled corn.

William M. Wyse has sold his interest in the Archbold Ladder Co., to his brother and partner, Clarence L. Wyse.

E.P. Hollingshead has purchased the Beach Funeral Home in West Unity. Mr. Hollingshead operated a funeral home on South Defiance Street in Archbold for about 15 years. He sold the house to Dan Sommers, who recently moved here Oklahoma.

Joseph L. Short purchased the A.C. Fagley home on North Defiance Street and will convert it to a funeral home. Fagley has purchased the Dale Rupp residence on Holland Street.

E.R. Murbach purchased the lot and barn on Ditto Street belonging to Mrs. Anna Ruihley.

Richard M. Lauber of Bryan has sold his home on Ditto Street to Jacob W. Rupp.

The Anna Althaus real estate on Holland Street was sold at public auction to Sam Miller for $600.

Earl Luty sold his home northwest of town to Hazen Ruffer.

100 Years Ago

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1919

Lawrence Fraas, a graduate of veterinary school, has decided to locate in Archbold to practice his profession. He is ready to answer day or night calls. He has taken special courses in the treatment of cattle and horses.–adv.

John Ulrich Funkhuser, 79, died at his home in Ridgeville Township, Thursday morning, of hardening of the arteries.

He leaves his widow, four daughters, and seven sons. All were present at the funeral except one son, who is in France.

As the Sanitary Market & Grocery store has had a change in the ownership, all accounts due the firm must be settled at once.–adv.

Eli P. Nofzinger, 48, died at his residence on Stryker Street, Monday at 2 pm. He leaves his widow and one child.

Archbold High defeated Catholic High of Toledo 27- 18 in basketball in the Rink Hall, Friday evening.

John Clair, a guard, did a great job and showed he is capable of playing high school basketball. He made a goal himself and helped Archbold to score other points.

Archbold City Drug had an easy time defeating Bryan’s City Team 63-27 in the Rink Hall Thursday evening. Archbold defeated the Ridgeville Corners high school team as a preliminary to the Archbold – Bryan con-test, 17-16.

Friday, Feb. 7, 1919

Fred Kluepfel, 28, died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.P. Kluepfel, in Perrysburg, Thursday morning at about 11.

He arrived at Perrysburg from Camp Taylor, Ky., Sunday, where he was discharged from military service. When he arrived he was suffering high fever. He was given medical attention immediately and discovered he was suffering with pneumonia. He was delirious most of the time until his death. He was born and raised in Archbold.

Archbold will have the Farmers Institute today and tomorrow. All farmers are welcome to attend and listen to discussions and lectures by competent speakers and practical farmers. C.H. Swan will lecture Friday afternoon on “Why I Stayed on the Farm.” Miss Meta Bunge will give her experiences with poultry.

Interest in the Institute should be popular because the speakers are some of the best in the state.

Cpl. Raymond R. Rychener writes from Minot, France: “The town looks about as much like one of our hustling American towns as a lumber wagon looks like a touring car.

“It has rained every day and I have not fallen in love with the place. It is about exactly like the other 200 or so towns we marched through.

“I got a big feed in me Thanksgiving, and now the world begins to look brighter. We had pumpkin pie and a pound of chocolates per man.”

Two months more and the warm south wind will bring the first robin.

The Archbold Greenhouse now presents a beautiful sight with all its spring flowers.



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