Lorain’s boom era is showcased by Historical Society

BOUQUETS >> To the Lorain Historical Society, 329 W. 10th St. in Lorain, for presenting its newest exhibit that showcases the economic boom era of the International City. The exhibit, which is in phase one of a twophase project, opened to the public Aug. 13.

People can view artifacts, videos and historical information on what used to be the core of economic development in Lorain: the automotive, steel and ship-building industries.

Objects ranging from ship and car models and steelworker helmets to automotive paint and metal from the Ford plant, and even the candlestick used to christen the first steel ship ever built in Lorain, are up for viewing.

Barb Piscopo, executive director of the Lorain Historical Society, said, “We’re very excited because I think that the response to phase one has been really very positive from anybody that has seen it.”

Kaitlyn Donaldson, collections supervisor at the society, adds, “We have these important parts of our past here ... this is the building blocks for how we’re going to grow and rebirth the city.”

The designing process for both phases began about three years ago.

Donaldson said most of the artifacts on display are the Historical Society’s, but some, including models of the five original Lorain lighthouses, are on loan from residents.

Piscopo said Lorain deserved something of this quality.

We agree.

BOUQUETS >> To Matthew Fowler Jr., the 13-year-old Lorain entrepreneur who is trying his hand in business.

Matthew, an eighth-grader at Longfellow Middle School, set up shop Aug. 13 at the corner of North Leavitt Road and Grace Street and started selling lemonade.

Perched on a blue cooler with two jugs of the liquid gold, on a table before him, the captain of industry had a simple sign bearing the prices of his wares and the method to procure it.

One simply needs to pull up and beep their horn and Matthew will bring the delicious brew curbside.

This is the third year Matthew, the son of Chrissy McCoy and Matthew Fowler Sr., has run the stand.

Matthew said, “In two days, I made $93. I mow lawns, too. But today, I’m doing this.”

Matthew said he plans to continue his entrepreneurial streak when he grows up.

And he’s off to a fantastic start.

BRICKBATS >> To Jessie R. Kothe, the 27-year-old Elyria man who had a warrant out for his arrest and was apprehended Aug. 8 after police noticed him riding his bike through the Elyria Police Department parking lot, where he racked up more charges.

The warrants out for Kothe stemmed from a June 14 burglary.

Officers responded at 1:30 p.m. to the 600 block of Woodland Avenue after an alarm was sounding.

They found the window on a door was smashed in the area near the door knob and deadbolt.

The owner of the house was out of town at the time and officers did not see any suspects at the scene.

Police learned Kothe allegedly was the perpetrator and obtained warrants.

An Elyria police report said officers were notified at 10 p.m., Aug. 7, that warrants for multiple charges including burglary, were just signed for Kothe and that he was suspected of recently attempting to commit thefts from vehicles on Glenwood and Columbus streets in Elyria.

Three hours later, officers noticed Kothe riding his bicycle through the parking lot despite the signage that states through traffic in the lot is prohibited.

Kothe continued down Lake Avenue and police pulled him over near the Furnace Street intersection.

The report said officers searched Kothe and found fentanyl, a burnt spoon, nine syringes, two utility knives and two folding knives.

Kothe was charged with burglary, possession of fentanyl, receiving stolen property, possessing drug abuse instruments, obstructing official business, criminal trespass and three counts of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Kothe is innocent unless proven guilty, but he has a lot of explaining to do.

BRICKBATS >> To the young man who had an air rifle Aug. 9 that caused a stir in Lorain.

At 4:30 p.m., police were called to Church on the North Coast, 4125 Leavitt Road, for reports of a black male walking around with a rifle.

Officers arrived and quickly determined the teen was carrying an air rifle that fires pellets.

Authorities said that in the wake of two deadly mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso, Texas, that left more than 30 people dead, police departments are exercising vigilance.

The could have ended in a tragedy.

Hopefully, he’ll learn from this.