Looking Back Through the pages of the Wapakoneta Daily News
100 YEARS AGO, JUNE 16, 1922
⬛ FOR Sale—assorted Giant Zinnia plants at 10 cents per dozen. Mrs. Geo. Lear, 304 W. Benton Street. Phone Main 1888
75 YEARS AGO, JUNE 16, 1947
⬛ A Wapakoneta father, newly elevated to that select position, is passing out cigars today with a bit more pride and satisfaction than is ordinarily evidenced by proud papas. Ferd Roth, 111 East Mechanic Street, was acclaimed the “father for a day” when his wife, Rita, gave birth to a daughter, their first child, in St. Rita’s hospital just 16 seconds after midnight on Father’s Day, bringing the Roth family in well ahead of other contestants in the Father’s Day contest sponsored by the Lima Better Business Bureau. Roth, with a relieved sigh, told reporters that he was mighty glad it was over and announced that they would name the little girl Janet Marie. Roth is an employee of the Lima Locomotive Works. His wife is the former Rita Link of this city. Roth received 43 gift certificates which amount to $210, at the first concert in the series of the 7th annual Musical Jubilee Sunday evening in the Lima stadium.
⬛ The first National YMCA-YWCA High School Youth Conference, to be held at Grinnell College, Iowa, will be attended by Miss Alma Lou Shaw, song leader and cabinet member of the Blume High Y-teens, one of ten girls from various sections of Ohio to represent the Ohio and Western Pennsylvania YWCA. Bob Gustafson, also a forthcoming senior at Blume High School, who is employed in Anamosa, Iowa, will represent the local HI-Y at the convention.
⬛ Carnival Time in Wapakoneta this year marks its debut tonight with the gala opening of the Jimmy Chanos shows in the city parking lot behind the downtown business district. The carnival has been sponsored by the local American Legion. Workmen were busy during this forenoon and afternoon establishing the carnival site with the erection of tents, various rides, and other concessions. The wide array of concessions, which arrived in the city over the weekend are located in the city parking lot, running from the Fire Alley some 200 yards to the west.
50 YEARS AGO, JUNE 16, 1972
⬛ VFW Super Summer Special—fresh Pickerel. First 60 Dinners. Shrimp and Perch, June 16, 5 pm
⬛ The Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta has been set for an informal opening of the public starting July 20, the anniversary of the first human to set foot on the surface of the moon, according to an announcement by the Ohio Historical Society and the museum The formal dedication and ribbon cutting for the Museum will b announced later but it is anticipated to be early fall when all of the exhibits have been installed and tested. These delays have been unavoidable since so many supplies were involved in this most dramatic presentation.
⬛ The price of admission has been established at $1 each for adults and 50 cents each for children when not accompanied by their parents. School groups and other organized groups of children enjoy free admission. The special Neil Armstrong Museum committee of the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce, headed by Bruce Roser, chairman, includes: James Oen, Don Wittwer, Charles Brading, Don Rhind, Harry Miller, Virgil Darling, G.W. Mccoy, and Ned Kauffman. This committee will be responsible for the activities outside of the Museum grounds.
⬛ Roses in Bloom – Plant Anytime—herb Fullers DPNF, 801 W. Vine (off Dearbaugh). Open 9 am until dark Tues. thru Sat.
⬛ Bill Petty of Wapakoneta will be one of the chief hopes for the Mercury Marine Race Team at the Dayton 225 Sunday after recovering from a sensational flip at Mongan City, La., in May. Petty ran for the first time since dislocating his hip at the Louisiana race at St. Marys last weekend, and placed third. The tall Ohioan is equally at home in twins or singles and has won national championships in both.
25 YEARS AGO, JUNE 16, 1997
⬛ Several area residents recently graduated from Ohio Northern University. Kevin Jacobs, son of Kenneth and Rebecca Jacobs, 15466 Bay Road, received the degree of doctor of pharmacy. Mark Kinstle, son of Samuel Kinstle, Route 1, and Jean Kiser, Naples, Florida, received the bachelor of science degree in pharmacy. Nichole Oen, daughter of Kevin and Cecilia Oen, 18549 County Road 115A, received a bachelor of scienced degree in biology. Jennifer Foster, daughter of Deborah Foster, Riverside Drive, received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. David Mikesell, son of Alan and Elaine Mikesell, 715 N. Dixie, received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Jill Miner, daughter of Jim and Donna Hern, 20401 US 33, received a bachelor of science degree in environmental studies biology.