Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Champs!


Here is a gem from the past!

The Nathan Hale "Pirates" were football Co-Champs in1951. Four of us eighth graders( Russ Wagoner, Bob Speweik, Bernie Solomon and I) and two seventh graders( George Kegg and Bill Black)  went on to be on DeVilbiss's undefeated City Championship Teams "53 through '55 ('54 through '56 for George and Bill).  All of us, except Bill, were from Bancroft Hills Grade School and lived within about a two block radius of each other. Russ and I were Co-Captains(he the line and I the backfield) at Nathan Hale and later made All-City at DeVilbiss.  Notice the last one in the middle row.  Carty was our quarterback and is now your Mayor! Bernie, isn't the first one in the middle row your dad? Our coach, Norb Larzelere,worked the midnight shift at the railroad and coached us in the afternoons. George Kegg's and Pete Sawicki's dads were assistant coaches.

If it hadn't been a rainy day in Charlotte last weekend, which caused me to clean the attic, I probably wouldn't have found the picture. It makes me want to clean it more often. Enjoy.

-- Jim Gallagher '56, JGallag891@aol.com

Ed Foy '60

Hre's an obituary on one of our class members.  Ed Foy's name appears in the 1960 Pot O' Gold, but without an accompanying photo.  His picture is in the 1959 yearbook. 

--Ron Thompson

FOY Edward V.

Edward V. Foy, age 66, of Toledo, passed away peacefully, Sunday, March 29, 2009, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born October 24, 1942 to Edward and Annabelle (Vance) Foy in Toledo.  Edward was a 1960 graduate of Devilbiss High School.  After graduation he joined the U.S. Airforce, serving our country proudly.   He was employed in the Tire Industry for over 25 years before retiring.   Edward was an avid golfer, even accomplishing 3 holes-in-one. He was a huge sports fan and will be truly missed by all for his sports trivia and his quick wit. Edward was an eager fan of the Boston Red Sox, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Chicago Bears.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, J. Michael Foy.  Edward is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Nola M. Foy; children, Anthony (Liz Smith) Foy and Amy (Jake) Hake; stepson, Brent (Amy) Harbaugh; grandchildren, Conner and Logan Hake and Jackson Harbaugh; siblings, Patricia Foy, Dennis (Terry) Foy, Kathleen James and Timothy (Nancy) Foy; his canine companions, Mickey and Buddie "Lil Joe"; and several nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The family will receive guests on Wednesday from 3 - 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300) with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral   Services will begin Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.  Officiating will be Fr. James Auth.

Those wishing to make monetary donations are asked to consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the Victory   Center of Toledo. To leave a special message for the Foy family please visit www.NewcomerToledo.com

Monday, March 23, 2009

Butch Komives

For those of us who graduated in 1960 Butch Komives was a name we all knew and respected.  What a player.   I thought you out of towners would enjoy this article that appears in the Blade today.

......Dave

***************************

Komives was Woodward, BGSU basketball legend

BGSU's Butch Komives led the nation in scoring as a senior in the 1963-64 season by averaging 36.7 points per game. The previous year he scored 32 and with Nate Thurmond helped the Falcons rout Loyola of Chicago, then rated No. 2 in the country and the eventual NCAA champion, 92-75.

Anderson Arena has always been "The House That Roars," but old-timers will tell you that the noise was secondary to the humidity on those long-ago winter nights when they'd jack up the thermostat and the fire marshal would look the other way and nearly 6,000 fans would squeeze into Bowling Green's basketball arena.

The night of Feb. 16, 1963, must have been all of that and more. The attendance at what was then called Memorial Hall was announced at 5,734 and at least twice that many would later claim to have been there. Undefeated Loyola of Chicago visited BG and the Ramblers, then ranked No. 2 in the nation, were just a few weeks away from an NCAA national championship.

But BG coach Harold Anderson had 6-foot-11, 235-pound center Nate Thurmond, who averaged 17 points and 17 rebounds, and Loyola's game plan was pretty simple. Throw as many bodies at big Nate as possible, make it impossible for him to shoot, and force somebody else to do the scoring.

It's hard to imagine Loyola coach George Ireland didn't realize who that somebody else would be. Howard "Butch" Komives scored 23 points in the first half, 32 on the night, and BG dismantled the visitors 92-75.

"We didn't play especially bad, but they were very hot and they had a good team," Loyola guard John Egan once said. "There was no fluke about it. They had Thurmond and Komives."

And that said it all.

Komives, who died yesterday at age 67, was half of one of the greatest duos in college basketball history and, a year later (1963-64) after Thurmond had moved on to the NBA, Komives led the nation in scoring with a 36.7-point average.

Before that, Komives starred at Woodward High School and I can tell you I saw him play although I'd be lying if I claimed to remember it. My father loved basketball and had been a pretty good small-college player. So when word of Komives' feats spread around town in the late '50s, my old man drove across town to check it out and took his young son with him. And it wasn't just one trip.

Like I said, I don't remember it. But I remember what my dad said many times. He had seen the legendary Bevo Francis play. He'd watched Jerry Lucas at Middletown. The best pure shooter he'd ever seen? Butch Komives, he said, hands down. Period. End of discussion.

Komives broke onto the scene with a 42-point game as a sophomore at Woodward and averaged 23 points as a senior before heading for BGSU, where he scored 1,834 career points and authored a career average of 25.8 points per game that is still the school record.  Butch scored 50 points one night against Niagara and had 34 in an NCAA tournament game against Notre Dame. He set what was then a national college record with 50 straight made free throws and, after finally missing one, made the next 24 he tried.

We could go on and on. And just imagine what the numbers would have been had he played four years - freshmen weren't eligible back then, kids - and had there been a 3-point arc painted on the court which, of course, there was not.

Komives was the 13th overall pick in the 1964 NBA draft by the New York Knicks and was named to the league's all-rookie team in 1964-65. He put up his best pro numbers in '66-67 when he averaged 15.7 points and 6.2 assists.

Butch played for a decade with the Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Buffalo Braves and Kansas City-Omaha Kings and his teammates included a veritable who's-who of pro basketball - Willis Reed, Walt Bellamy, Cazzie Russell, Tom Gola, Dick Barnett, Phil Jackson, Bill Bradley, Dave Bing, Bob Lanier, Bob McAdoo and Tiny Archibald, among others.

There is so much to be said of Komives' career and so many to say it. But Butch was never much of a source on Butch.  "I don't talk about myself," he said a few years back in an interview with The Blade. "That's not my style. I had fun when I played, but once the lights went out that was it."

Indeed, life dimmed considerably after the lights went out. Butch dealt with some demons and had a terrible run of health issues and physical problems. He needed a kidney transplant - his son, Shane, who followed in his footsteps as a BGSU basketball player, was the donor - almost four years ago.  He hobbled on bad knees for years and eventually needed a walker.

Retired Blade editor Tom Walton wrote a column last year chastising BGSU for never having retired Komives' number and, indeed, there is something missing next to the big No. 42 that hangs on the wall of Anderson Arena in honor of Thurmond. He was half of the story, but only half.

They'll get around to retiring No. 30, I'm sure, but it's too late for Butch. I don't know what it will say on that banner nor do I know what will be etched on Komives' tombstone. But the word "legend" belongs on both.

Contact Blade sports columnist Dave Hackenberg at:

dhack@theblade.com

or 419-724-6398.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Black and White

One thing I've never heard anyone else say about black-and-white movies and TV is the fact that it gave us all the chance to imagine the colors to suit our own particular taste.  To this day, when a rare TV program is in B&W, I immediately adjust and "see" colors.  OK, so I'm weird.  Are there any others out there of the weird persuasion?

-- Gloria Diane (Brown) Altona, 1950 [mailto:daltona@san.rr.com]

Sorry Gloria, I can't say I've done that but I do remember some sort of gimmick that used colored plastic film that you could place on the screen that tried to do something to shade or add color.

... Dave

King and His Court

Hi Dave,

Eddie Feigner, the King of the King and his Court traveling fast pitch team, died a few years ago. 

June of l958, my first summer back from the army, I saw the King and his Court play a local conglomeration of athletes at McCarthy Stadium, a night game.  The late Jack Kennedy pitched for the Toledo team and I think UT basketball coach Bobby Nichols played along with other local athletes.  Eddie kept moving back, continued to strike out batters from second base and, of all places, from center field.  The man was an amazing athlete.  When Eddie died I think he was in his late 70's. 

Why do I remember my dinner before this game?  Somehow I do and this was in my eating days when I weighed a ton.  I stopped at an Italian restaurant and polished off a spaghetti dinner with meatballs, a tray of garlic toast, a pizza with pepperoni, three or four Diet drinks and two or three cups of "joe" along with a mammoth slice of banana cream pie. Mama mia, I would be 400 pounds eating like that today!!!!!!!

-- Tuffy Reason [mailto:tuffyreason@gmail.com]

Friday, March 20, 2009

Dick Nelson

Hi Dave, I am a 1950 graduate of Devilbiss, please add to your list - rgnelson73@att.net

--Dick Nelson

3831 Bellevue Rd.
Toledo, OH 43613
419-474-6796

If you remember dick, drop him an email
....Dave

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Li'l Abner

Broadway Joe Namath, of all people, played the role of "Lil' Abner" in the musical play and toured awhile as the boy from Dogpatch with the bodacious lady friend named "Daisy Mae."  I finished a book about Joe awhile back and it described his voice lessons and acting job.

-- Tuffy Reason, [mailto:tuffyreason@gmail.com]

King and His Court

Dave,

How many of our group remember the "King and His Court" playing in Page Stadium. greatest fast softball pitcher of all time?

King and His Court

Thanks,
Ovid (O.J.)Mc Laughlin [mailto:ovidjohn@hotmail.com]


***********************************

Yes, I remember them setting up a softball diamond inside page stadium and Eddie Feigner pitching.  I think the opposing team was made up of coaches from DeVilbiss and it must have been some sort of fund raiser but I really don't remember other that sitting in the stands with my father to watch the exhibition.  It was really something.  He could throw strikes blindfolded and strike you out pitching from second base.

....Dave

Roger L. Zeigler

Roger is both of my twin sons father-in-law.  My twins married two of his three daughters.  He was the grandfather of six of my grandchildren.  He had a massive stroke Friday, and lost his speech and motor skills.  He passed away Tuesday with his Ohio State blanket wrapped around him, in the sun, outside at Hospice.

-- Pat Ramer [mailto:ramerpe@yahoo.com]

'59 Reunion

--Dave, Please pass this along to your ever growing list of emails. Our mailing found a few lost souls and lost a few more but the list is down from what it was previously. I am hopeful that any DHS alumni will send information back to me if they know where any of these people are. My reunion email is devtig59@bex.net


Thanks for all you do.
-- Marty Kupsky
Receptionist
Knight Crockett Miller Insurance Group
(419) 241-5133 local
(800) 241-5133 toll free
(419) 321-5280 fax
 

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

L'il Abner

To all you L'il Abner fans, here's the official website for those characters we grew up with:

Li'l Abner

For reasons unknown, I've always remembered how to spell Joe Btfsplk.   Talk about a useless piece of information!

Thanks, Dave, for keeping this often hilarious e-newsletter going!

-- Gloria Diane (Brown) Altona, 1950





  
Q. Why is Joe Btfsplk shunned and feared?
A. He's the world's worst jinx.



Q. Why were the Shmoos declared illegal?
A. Because they make work and money unnecessary.






The third character is still in office, I do believe.


Q. What's his full name?
A. Jack S. Phogbound



From: Diane Altona [mailto:daltona@san.rr.com]

________________________________

Thanks Diane: These really bring back memories.......Dave

Jiggs Dinner

If you didn't know (or forgot) where the name of that famous Irish meal most of us will eat today, you may find this interesting.

Erin go 'brau, or something like that.
-- Roger

******************************
Thanks Roger, I remember reading "Bringing up Father" in the Blade Sunday cartoons. I think my grandfather was a great fan. "Nancy" and "Pogo" were others but "Dick Tracy" was special and "Little Abner" always had the craziest characters from Joe Blitzvig (spell) to the smooes (spell).  I remember going to my grand parents in Canton Ohio where their paper the Canton Repository had some special ones the Blade did not. "The Phantom" and "Mandrake the Magician" were always fun to read.
.....Dave

Monday, March 16, 2009

Richard Ransom

Alice Taylor Orzehowski just called to my attention that Richard Ransom's Wife's obituary was in the Blade this morning. Dick was/is very active in DeVilbiss matters and is a DHS Graduate.

....Dave

Sandy's email

Hi Dave,

I'm so sorry to hear of Sandy's Dad and Steve's uncle. Can't locate their emails in my address book to send them condolences. I lost my dad two years ago March 7 at the same age of 94. Her father surely had a full life.

Thanks,

-- Polly East Kingston,

DHS 1960.....


Polly and anyone else, Sandy's email is konakottage@hotmail.com and Steve's is srwex@msn.com .

.....Dave

Friday, March 13, 2009

Judy Simmons Polverari

Dear Dave,

We recently came back from a vacation in Fl. Part of the time we were with my friend since 4th grade at Nathan Hale and then DHS.  She would like to be put on your list.

Judy Simmons Polverari, DHS '61, jpolverari@msn.com

Half of the year she is in Fl. and the other half is in Toledo. Also, her husband Bill graduated from DHS, but I don't know what year.

Thanks for bring us all together again.

-- Susan Sanzenbacher Smith DHS '61

Roger Smith

Dave,

Hope this helps!

Roger Smith (Smitty)
5953 Tetherwood Drive
Toledo, OH 43613-1615
419.473.9028
-- Smitty, DHS 1961

Cookie Fiasco

Thanks to Ron for his peanut butter cookie story. It was so funny that I sent it to almost everyone on my email address list. I'm still laughing.

-- Shirley Sparrow Rentz, Class of '52 , shirleyrae@bex.net

Inky's

Mr. Incorvaia was a very memorable man. When Don Scouten and I took scuba lessons, Mr. Incorvaia took me (not sure about Don) down for my deep water test for my C card at Salisbury Quarry many years ago. Very nice man. I would stop in once in a great while to say have and have some of that great spaghetti. It still is great as is the pizza.

Shalom,
-- Gale Karam [mailto:gkaram@buckeye-express.com]

Inky's

 A really tasty variation on the coleslaw dressing uses Asian seasoned rice vinegar instead of plain old boring white vinegar. For you folks who panic over anything spicy, no, it's not going to burn out the inside of your mouth and throat! It's merely flavorful. Enjoy!

-- Gloria Diane (Brown) Altona, 1950 Grad [mailto:daltona@san.rr.com]

Inky's

Dave:

Oh my god INKY'S with their square pizza's. I have not thought of them in 40 years. I am a 1962 graduate of DeVilbiss, now living in Newport Beach, Ca. since 1975.
Love your updates and information.

Regards,
-- Bill O'Desky

BNY Mellon Wealth Management
Office 949.253.5047
Fax 949.253.5045
Cell 949.233.9942
william.odesky@bnymellon.com

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The 8th grade photo was from 1955

.....Dave

1954 Grade 7 DeVeaux School...Toledo, Ohio  PHOTO




Top Row..L-R
1 Alan Bailey 2 Dave Shapiro 3 Jim Reed 4 Herbie Grounds

2nd Row from top
2 Judy Sauter 4 Tom Lippold  9 Judy Reighard

3rd Row from top
5 Jim Bowe

4th Row from top
1 Tom Roby  3 Jim Gerlach

Dave, this is the best that we can do... (We are Old!)    

Thanks  

-- Carolyn and Jim Reed

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Link

 A number of you reported you couldn't down load the Memories from Toledo site which had wonderful photos of the old restaurants etc. Try the following link:

....Dave

Monday, March 9, 2009

DeVeaux 8th grade


Kin Wa Low

Hi Dave,

I made two visits to the Kin Wa Low restaurant on Cherry Street. The first time I saw and heard the under rated singer Nellie Lutcher. The second time was more memorable. Jan August was the featured performer. Usually a band leader, Jan was pulling a solo gig. We had three couples together, danced, spent a nice evening. The next morning I got a phone call from a mother of one of the other two guys in our three couple group. She asked if I knew what happened to Dave. I told her no. It was all solved that evening when I received a phone call from a Monroe, Michigan motel. Dave was talking over a loud noise of water running. He said he was in the shower with his girl friend Tony who was now his wife. They ran away and got married.

Maybe it was the chop suey at Kin Wa Low's? What?

-- Tuffy Reason, DHS, '51

Memories of Toledo

The attachment [SEE "LINK" ABOVE] is really good. You have to navigate around a little but I loved the Restaurants. Kin Wa Low was gone I think in the late 50's. There was a restaurant where the parking lot is for the old LOF building now Hylant's Insurance Headquarters. That could have been the Kin Wa Low but I never remember it as an option or was that where the Golden Lily was located before it moved to the Board of Trade Building and then next to Jim Feak's. I may be wrong on that the Golden Lily could have been on Monroe across from the Western Union building which became the parking lot next to the Chamber of Commerce Building and then they moved to Superior next to Jim Feak's and across from Dyers and down past the Esquire. Great shot of the interior of Smith's boy was that the place for lunch if your worked downtown. Paul Burnor sat at one of the front tables every day and held court. Also there was a blind insurance salesman Forman I believe who was usually there with his dog. I had a lot of hot roast beef sandwiches and mashed potatoes at the
wheel. Thanks Bill Wagner for the link.
.....Dave

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Old West End

Many thanks to Lynn Payne Sigman for the wonderful article about the Delaware/Detroit area in the Old West End. So many of us who were not privileged to live in an area of such great cultural diversity cannot appreciate that great experience. All the years I passed through the area, and never stopped to enjoy that experience......what a shame. Good job, Lynn.

From: Gary Willoughby [mailto:wiloban@epud.net]

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Russ Wagoner

My new e-mail address is: rwagoner@argontech.net

-- Russ Wagoner DHS 1956

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Linda Nixon Schlachter

Hi Dave,

A few weeks ago I asked to be placed on the DHS list and we e-mailed back and forth. I just realized that I am not on the list yet.
My e-mail is sllinda@bex.net 

Many thanks, 

-- Linda Nixon Schlachter

If you remember Linda class of 1961 send her an email .....Dave

1950's Sandwich Menu

... from Woolworth's....(Our Generation's Fast Food)

Photobucket

If any of you have doubt about what we kids paid for a coke and a sandwich at Woolworths ( How many don't know what Woolworth's was?) in the 1950's, here's proof of the era we lived in.

Can you believe it was in ENGLISH ONLY !

Old West End

Many thanks to Lynn Payne Sigman for the wonderful memories she shared.

I lived most of my young life at 2346 Lawrence Avenue, just a few minutes walk from the corner she wrote about. We moved to the DeVilbiss district after I spent my first two years at Scott High School. I remember all the stores and shops she referred to, but had forgotten all the names. One Halloween we tied all ten of the garbage cans together by the bus stop at that very corner. The driver would go in and have a coffee at the drugstore and while he was there we tied the end of the rope to the back bumper. When he pulled away the cans just started jumping up one at a time and following him down the street. Those old Community Traction buses were so noisy that he never heard all the racket and vanished out of site. We never did find out what happened to those garbage cans.....

What a wonderful time it was. Maybe a few more of us could write a little more about their experiences growing up. We might not write as well as Lynn, but the stories are well worth telling.

Thanks again Lynn,

-- David Lea

Living Letters Productions
Gingerbread Hill
Box 246 - St. Peters, Montserrat
British West Indies
Phone 1-(664)-491-5812
http://priceofparadise.com
http://volcano-island.com
http://cloversongs.com

Monday, March 2, 2009

Carol Retzke, Lynn Hartman

As a result of my rebuilding my mailing list I reconnected with some classmates who had been inadvertently dropped over the years.   Below is an exchange between Carol Retzke and Lynn Hartman.  Feel free to drop either of them a line at caryretzke@buckeye-express.com for Carol who uses her nickname Cary, or Lynn at lynnzmail@cox.net

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Lynn Schuttenberg
To: Carol
Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 11:36 PM
Subject: Re: Latest Photo

Hi Cary,

Great picture of both of you!  How fun to see photos after all of these years. In both you and Dave I see facial features I recognize and would remember, but also see differences that make me wonder if we would recognize each other if we met on the street somewhere. I always envied your long hair and floppy pony tail in high school. I never looked good in long hair and never got to have a pony tail that flopped back and forth when I walked. Maybe as the plans get under way for the reunion, someone could set up a photo album like Webshots or some other online album that we could send pictures to for a better chance to recognize one another when we meet  again.  We have done that previously when we have been going on a cruise and have been chatting online beforehand with others we have not met yet who will be on the same cruise.  Having a little cheat sheet really helps us to recognize each other when we finally meet.  The people who still live in Toledo and see each other regularly are at a real advantage.

Old West End

I enjoyed Lynns recollections. My daughter asked me to do a bio for her this Christmas and I have done so. Mush of it were such recollections of the days on the streets with all the school chums. Not all recollections were positive but they all were of a different time when more mixing took place and folks seemed to better care for each other.

The mention of Mary Manse brought to mind a situation that came up a couple years ago. I was in the Maine Legislature at that time and we had to confirm an appointment by the governor. When I looked over the individuals credentials I saw Mary Manse as the woman's college.  Before the hearings I asked her about several of the less reputable bars in Toledo at the time she had been in school. She had attended none of them so got my vote.

Keep up the great work. This is always the first EMail I open.

-- Dusty Fisher "59"

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Longfellow 8th, 1958



More pictures from grade school. I had some out-of-character organizational desire and wrote all their names on the back of the class picture. Unfortunately those pictures were just slightly larger than my scanner. The left and right columns are cut off a bit. Hope interested classmates can figure them out. Then there is the issue of my handwriting. Sadly, it has not improved.

-- Tom Willoughby

Thanks Tom, it is always great to have the names with the photos. Boy you got the new desks, we had the old ones with the hole for the ink.

........Dave

Longfellow



More pictures from grade school.  I had some out-of-character organizational desire and wrote all their names on the back of the class picture.  Unfortunately those pictures were just slightly larger than my scanner. The left and right columns are cut off a bit. Hope interested classmates can figure them out. Then there is the issue of my handwriting.  Sadly, it has not improved.

-- Tom Willoughby

Old West End

Dave, I am a 1955 DHS grad and a TPS elementary counselor.  I have also worked at the TTA in the DeVilbiss building; it is a grand program and offers advanced course work to prospective engineering students. 

I am enclosing an article written about growing up in Toledo.  I was a student at DHS and my family had a little store in the old West End, which has a little bit to say about the '50's. you might enjoy it.

[Great Story Lynn! -- see below.....Dave]

6-23-05

"MAGIC CORNER," OLD WEST END

Published in "The Bend of the River Magazine"

Lynn Payne Sigman


In the 50's I was a young girl working in my family's business.  Payne's Market, owned by my parents Wilson and Ruby Payne, was located on the corner of Detroit and Delaware.  This colorful corner was a microcosm of enterprise, family values, ethnic blending and American ingenuity.  

Across the street was Johnny Ray's indoor/outdoor market.  You could always find fresh flowers on the steps and luscious blueberries in season. The Ray's were parents to eight children, all hard working and known throughout the neighborhood, as  a well respected family.  The youngest was Margie, my friend.  On lazy summer afternoons we would sit outside and dream of the future.  Margie went to Central and I went to DeVilbiss.   Our friendship developed over our teen years. As we approached young adulthood, Margie became engaged to Bob Megan; they married, started a family and recently, celebrated their 50th anniversary. I went off to Ohio State and over the years we lost touch.  I remember those afternoons fondly. Two young girls, sitting in the sun, chatting and sharing laughter.  

Around the corner was the Savage Market.  The little boys, Bob and Jim were about my age, working with Dad.  When their store, or ours, ran out of an item, we helped each other out.   Like the Ray's and Payne's, theirs was a blessed and respected family business.  Our customers were friends and neighbors. Family owned food markets worked long hours, and delivered groceries to the door. When there were hard times there was a "book" in the drawer for the folks that couldn't pay until Friday.  On another corner was Verbryke's Pharmacy where you could sit at the old fashioned ice cream counter.  The Verbryke's lived on Hollywood Avenue and walked to and from the store each day. Around the corner was Mrs. Martha Daniels' Millinery Shop. She fashioned hats from lace, feathers, and pearls.  Each was an elegant creation.  In those days ladies wore hats and always gloves. 

The "corner" grew alive each morning, like a Hollywood set, as merchants set up for the day's traffic.  Our air conditioner was a "transom" window over the front door and big old fashioned ceiling fans.  Daddy always had the console radio on.  He would dance down the store aisle with the ladies and sing the "Tennessee Waltz". He was a powerful man with a generous heart.   Many men were out of work and would walk in the door.  My Dad always had a wrapped package ready for them. They never had to ask; he would hand it to them and shake their hand.  Often we bought ice from the vegetable man, Mr. George Ray.  A little extra ice kept the corn and berries fresh.  Our ceiling was high and had punched tin squares. The floors were wooden. We had a beautiful old fashioned shiny brass National Cash Register.  Momma enjoyed everybody and had a stool next to the cash register for her friends to rest.  She always had the coffee on and time to talk to the customers, or hold a baby. 

Many of our customers worked downtown and rode the bus which stopped in front of the store.  They would stop on their walk home to purchase the days groceries.  Folks shopped every day.  Refrigerators were small and money was used as needed.  Toward evening it was exciting to see who was coming in off the bus.  Officer Sullivan was a regular and added a cheerful note to the end of each day.  Dr. James Campbell was beginning his practice and he often used the bus.  He would come in and always purchased healthy foods.  Captain Commager was a daily visitor.  He had a dog by his side.  He was a retired sea captain and told me stories of far away places.  A gentle soul with shining eyes as he told of his adventures.  It is a splendid memory.

Our neighbor Mr. Lee established Lee's Chinese Hand Laundry.  I remember the day we were chatting on the walk outside the store and he expressed his joy.  He and his family lived in a tiny apartment above the Laundry.  They had worked and saved to bring 16 members of his family to America from a troubled China.  True grit.

Mr. Marino's Shoe repair was up the street.  I visited often, and he taught me a few Italian phrases I still remember.  The Sundry Store was a little farther up the block and sold items nowhere else to be found. Specialties, candies, earrings magazines. Another unique, neighborhood, family business, with a small "Beauty Shop "in the back.  I was about 12 when I saw my first baseball game at Swayne Field; I am still a baseball fan. Right down Bancroft was Mr. Giha's store. I remember "Pauli" with black curly hair and long legs playing with a basket ball in front of his Dad's store. Another long time Toledo respected family business.  My Uncle, Lowell Sheriff  worked next door in Lee's Market. Mr. Joe Green was the owner.

Our working neighborhood was rich with ethnic diversity. Irish, Chinese,  Italian, Dutch, Middle Eastern, Jewish, African American and many other descendants of exotic homelands. Friendships were lasting, time was slower. Church and school bound neighbors together.  

Sooner or later everyone crossed paths. Names float up in my memory Quinn, Reams, Dwyer, France, Kreglow, Angevine, Keanelly, Butler, and dear Miss Melda in her 80's who walked her little dog to see my mother every day.  Our Landlord was Mr. George Stahl who painted in oils and encourage my love of the arts.  Mr. Robert Linn would stop on his way home from the Edison to share a story and often helped me crank the awning up at the end of the day. His son Bobbie came by and pulled my pigtails.  Ladies attended Mary Manse College and wore starched uniforms. The Notre Dame Academy for high school girls was located on Bancroft Street. The young students were mysteriously schooled behind ivy covered walls. If you looked carefully while riding the bus you could see the Nuns walking in the gardens on the grounds.

It was the "Old West End," no other place like it.  The homes were lovely, "Painted Ladies" built in the Libbey Glass age. Generous porches with wooden swings invited a visit. Some had carriage houses and tennis courts. Yards filled with giant Lilacs, Lilly of the Valley.  Cabbage sized peonies and fragrant antique rose bushes were abundant.  Lawns were carefully tended with push mowers.

It was a privilege to grow up in that time and to share history with these fine neighbors.  I always thought I'd go back someday to live.  It was "Magic" and who knows, I have always believed the best is yet to come.

With greatest respect and fond memories,

-- Lynn Payne Sigman, Perrysburg Ohio

Tom Heywood

Tom Heywood's obituary appears on this morning's Blade website.

-- Ron Thompson

HEYWOOD Thomas Herbert, Jr. 

Thomas Herbert Heywood, Jr., age 66, of Perrysburg, passed away on February 24, 2009, in Hospice of Northwest Ohio. He was born in Toledo on October 3, 1942 to Thomas Herbert and Madeleine (Bartelt) Heywood.

Tom was a 1960 graduate of DeVilbiss High School and attended The Ohio State University and The University of Toledo. In earlier years he was employed at Dana Corporation and then worked at the Star Door and Sash Company and Gordon Lumber Company.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Madeleine Heywood and a brother, Frederick Cornell Heywood. He is survived by a sister, Diana Talmage (Dr. Lance), of Ottawa Hills. Also surviving are nieces, Tamara Talmage, Sylvania OH, Tenley Granito (Paul), Aurora, CO and Holly Beatty (Jeff), Macomb, MI; nephews, surviving are Dr. Lance Talmage, Jr. (Monica), Copley, OH, Matthew Heywood (Sandy), Wilmington, NC and Jason Heywood, Richmond, MI. The family thanks his special friend, Judy Genson for the loving care and assistance she offered to him over the years.

Private graveside services were held at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy in Tom's memory are asked to consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio, DeVilbiss High School or a charity of the donor's choice.