Looking Back Wapakoneta Daily News

100 YEARS AGO, MAY 4, 1922

One of the saddest deaths in the city in recent months was that of Dorothy Alvina Miller, aged 12 years, younger daughter of MM Joseph Miller, 707 Murray Street. The little girl died May 2 after an illness of several months. Dorothy was in the 6th grade at the Williamson school and was regarded as one of the most splendid little girls in the grade.

The month of May is just one long party for the Jerry O’donnel family. Every member

of that family was born in May, three of them within a day of each other. The following record is singular: Jerry O’donnell, born May 28; Mrs. Jerry O’donnell, born May 10; Margaret,

born May 12; Anna, born May 7. Helen, born May 25; Robert, born May 11.

75 YEARS AGO, MAY 4, 1947

FOR SALE—ONE of the newest and best business blocks in Wapakoneta, good location, full deep basement, modern apartment upstairs. An opportunity to have your own home and business place. Possession soon. For particulars inquire of Chas. Frech, Wapakoneta, O. Phone Main 1865

The Franklin Thrift Store located at 118 West Auglaize Street will in the future be known as the Steining Thrift Store following the

exchange in ownership which took place May 1, when Henry Steining, for seven years manager

of the store, bought the Wapakoneta branch of the chain store. W.R. Weber of Piqua, former

owner of the Franklin Thrift store drug retail chain for nearly 20 years, announce sometime ago the sale of his out-of-town stores, retaining the ownership of the Piqua branch, which he will continue to operate Mr. Weber have to each of his managers first choice in the purchase of

his stores. Mr. Steining has announced that he contemplates no changes in the stores policy and will continue his efforts to serve the public as in the past. Mrs. Lilith Kohler, who has been assistant manager of the Wapakoneta branch

store for the past several year, will continue at the Steining Thrift Store in that capacity.

The 8th graders are proud to announced that the selling champion of the Wapakoneta

Schools is a member of their class. Elizabeth Fischer, representing 8A, won this distinction

in the final contest. This qualifies her to take part in the Columbus Citizen’s Central Ohio

Spelling Bee. Other pupils who had won the championship for their class sections were: Carol Pfenning/8b; Mary Lou Schwer/8c; Charlotte Christler/7a; Charlotte Vorhis/7b;

and James Watt/7c.

50 YEARS AGO, MAY 4, 1972

Voters in the Wapakoneta School District turned down the levy for the Neil A. Armstrong Joint Vocational Center asking for 2.25 mills by 109 votes—1490 to 1381. But the Auglaize-mercer Joint Vocational Center issue fared much worse. The tax levy was buried under a

better than two-to-one against vote, 2322 to 952. In Allen county the Armstrong vocational center was defeated y 586 votes.

They brought this mushroom out of the refrigerator of the Elks Tuesday, pointed over to Clem Hartman and said, “There is the mushroom hunter. He found this one in front of the Koneta Cleaners this afternoon. He forthrightly disclaimed credit, but only after some probing questions. The finder was either Paul Fisher,

Sr., or Herb Howard, but neither will take credit for it.

A tentative completion date for the Blackhoof Street bridge was given Council in its regular meeting by city Service Director Miller. Miller explained that the cost to the city will be five per cent of the estimated total cost of between $300,00 and $350,000 for construction, or

between $15,000 and $20,000. The completion of the bridge is expected by the end of November 1973.

Wapakoneta Senior High School students—juniors and seniors—who were elected to the National Honor Society are: Linda Helmlinger, Marie Kaverman, Jennifer Reynolds,

Beth Lunz, Rodney Rickert, Don Jump, Danny Koch, Gloria Schwaberow, Toby Elsass, Darla Rickert, Carl Wintzer, Dennis Katter, Jean Martin, Don Carter, Janet Hemmert, Marlene Lenhart, Brenda Doseck, Susan Grandstaff, Tammy Petty, David Philpot, Fred Steele, Mary Slusser, William Chrismer, Mike Geren, Sheila Hollis,

Sherry Fielder, and Laura Zwez.

25 YEARS AGO, MAY 4, 1997

While over 1000 area resident took part in the 90-hour Bible reading and prayer marathon leading up to yesterday’s local celebration of the National Day of Prayer, no more than two dozen participants were on hand for the actual ceremonies at the First English Lutheran Church. Rev. Joe Farkasi, president of the Wapakoneta Ministerial Association said he was “ashamed” at the low turnout from a town “which considers itself a Christian community.”

”When it comes to students entering kindergarten in the Wapakoneta School District

next year, its all about the math for Superintendent Dean Wittwer. “The tentative figures indicated 48 students will enter kindergarten next year at Cridersville and 154 students will enter kindergarten at Centennial….the problem is

not the numbers but the distribution of where the children are currently enrolled.“