September-October 2017 Edition - Norwalk Reflector

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VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

PUBLISHER ART DIRECTOR Published by: Reflector-Herald, Inc. 61 E. Monroe St. • Norwalk, OH 44857

Discover Norwalk Magazine, published bi-monthly by Reflector-Herald, Inc., distributed through the circulation of the Norwalk Reflector, a newspaper with a readership of more than 15,000 daily. The magazine is also provided to participating advertisers and is placed in local businesses and professional offices.

F

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Matt Roche 419-668-3771, ext. 1238 [email protected] Andrew Prutsok [email protected] Amanda Mazzo John Ringenberg 419-681-0028 419-668-3771 ext. 1228 [email protected] Sheila Buckingham Joe Centers Zoe Greszler

Madeline Roche Henry Timman Johnna Young

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

all has arrived, and with it comes special entertainment and recreational opportunities unique to the season. Fall foliage, Friday night football and annual events such as Milan’s Melon Festival and New London’s Firelands Festival make this a special time of the year. As the cover of this Discover Norwalk issue illustrates, picking apples at area orchards is a favorite pastime for many. Zoe Greszler’s story on Page 20 highlights three of those orchards, provides dates for their special activities and reveals a new apple variety available at one of them. Another activity that stretches into the fall is adult softball. Norwalk boasts a thriving program, with several leagues. And it’s a family affair. In Joe Centers’ story on Page 44, you will learn how softball became so popular here. Special thanks to Jerry Harrington for shooting the accompanying pictures. As Norwalk continues its year-long bicentennial celebration, several related events take place during the months of September and October, including tours of downtown Norwalk conducted by the Firelands Historical Society. More details about this and other upcoming events are provided in the calendar, found on Page 8. This issue contains the fifth installment of Norwalk’s block-byblock history series, written by Norwalk Reflector columnist and local historian Henry Timman. You will learn some fascinating details about the buildings that stand — or once stood — on the north side of West Main Street between Whittlesey and Case avenues. Many interesting pictures accompany Timman’s article, which begins on Page 10. As he did for the first four issues of this year, Mr. Timman shares vintage photos of Norwalk to accompany his block series and shares information for other stories. We very much appreciate his contributions. Along that stretch of West Main are two spots we highlight in this issue — Christie Lane Industries’ 16W (written by Greszler and appearing on Page 32) and Hill’s Interiors (written by Centers and appearing on Page 24). At the corner of West Main and Case is the Norwalk Public Library. Its “Friends” group provides funding for

4 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK

September | October 2017

many of the library’s events and activities. You will learn more about that group in Madeline Roche’s feature on Page 36. Three other businesses are featured in this issue. From antiques to collectibles, Mannino’s on Main offers a little bit of everything. Madeline Roche’s feature on Page 26 tells how this East Main Street business got started and what it is today. Norwalk Furniture has a storied history. In business since 1902 and located in Norwalk since 1919, it grew to become the largest manufacturer of special order upholstered furniture in the country while under the ownership of four generations of Gerkens. Prior to the 2008 recession, it had about 700 employees. Today it is owned by investors who also own businesses in Norwalk, and it employs about 200 people. You’ll enjoy learning more about this company in Sheila Buckingham’s story on Page 38. R&D Equipment is another successful Norwalk business. Its original owners purchased a folded company out of receivership and turned it into one that today is servicing customers on a worldwide scale. Find out more about R&D’s products and services in Greszler’s story on Page 42. Chronic pain is something many people live with. Johnna Young’s story on Page 40 shares how the local Pain Management Center can help. One note of regret: This issue does not contain a photo essay focusing on the wide variety of architectural styles found among Norwalk’s historic homes. We appreciate those of you who reached out, offering to have your home featured. We will try to include you if we decided to publish that photo essay in the future. In our final issue of 2017, Mr. Timman will continue his block-by-block tour by sharing the history of the south side of West Main between Church Street and Benedict Avenue. We will also feature some businesses along that stretch. Until then, we hope you enjoy the September/October 2017 issue of Discover Norwalk. MATT ROCHE, Director of Content | [email protected]

BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION:

NORWALK MARKS 200 YEARS OF EXISTENCE SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017

CONTENTS

PRINT | EVENTS | DIGITAL

DN MAGAZINE FEATURES Local Interest Business Spotlight Arts & Entertainment Let’s Eat Style Health Dwell

20

Community Calendar.............................................................. 8 Block by Block History Series of Downtown Norwalk: Part Five................................................. 10 Apple Picking: Fun, Crisp, Delicious Family Time................... 20 Hill’s Interiors: Service, Community Support Help Business Thrive............... 24 Mannino’s On Main: Antique and Collectible Store Offers a Little Bit of Everything...................................... 26

32

Christie Lane Industries ‘Adding Value’ to Community........... 32 Friends of the Norwalk Public Library..................................... 36

reaches

Norwalk Furniture: A Success Story....................................... 38 Pain Management Center........................................................ 40

LARGE AUDIENCE

R&D Equipment: Small Town Business Making it Big............. 42 Baines Park: Softball Leagues are a Family Affair................... 44 6 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK

EXCELLENT READERSHIP

38

readers each issue.

For advertising, contact (419) 681-0028

MOM ‘N’ POP SHOP TOUR

Mom ‘n’ Pop Shop Tour is coming back again this fall, with the theme “Shop til you drop!” The group of local shops all over Huron County will be having some new businesses join for the Oct. 13 through 15 tour. Check out the website huroncountystopnshop.com or like the Facebook page “Mom & Pop Stop n Shop” for updates and businesses to see who will be participating. Many are looking forward to a shop hop that’s just as much fun as the one held in spring, discovering businesses they never knew existed. Participants can find a map on the website of stores that are participating and hop from shop to shop for special deals, unique finds and fun activities.

MODEL TRAIN AND TOY SHOW

IMAGINE NORWALK

Imagine Norwalk, now run by Norwalk Arts Council, will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 15 and Oct. 27 in the downtown area. The Historic District brings you art. Enjoy Main Street with a variation of arts. The community events will feature live music, painting/ art workshops, square dancing, dance parties, vendors, foods and shopping. Shop locally and support the Norwalk Historic District while socializing with a neighbor, a friend or a long-lost school mate. Help bring the song of our community alive.

The Lake Erie and Southern Railroad Model Train and Toy Show takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Ernsthausen Center, 100 Republic Street. All Fried Up LLC will be at the show as the main food vendor. Admission is $5 per person. Those 10 years and younger receive free entry. Model trains of all scales, operating layouts and displays will be featured, along with accessories, structures, kits, books, toys and more. Door prizes will be given out. Food and refreshments will be available. For more information, call 419-681-2563.

IMAGINE HARVEST

Norwalk’s Imagine Harvest and Pet ‘N’ Pup Parade will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 in downtown Norwalk. All are invited to come dressed up with their favorite pet and parade down Norwalk’s Main Street and enjoy a final ‘Imagine’ event. “The Great Pumpkin” will be shown as the “Movie in the Park” after sunset.

HISTORICAL TOURS

The Firelands Historical Society will offer historical tours of downtown Norwalk from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 as part of the bicentennial year celebration.

SCAVENGER HUNT

The Norwalk Bicentennial Committee will host a month-long scavenger hunt throughout October. Check with the Huron County Chamber of Commerce for the hunt and more details.

FALL DEMO DERBY

The annual Fall Demo Derby will be held on Oct. 8 at the Huron County Fairgrounds. Inspection starts at 9 a.m., with the derby beginning at 2 p.m. There is a small gate fee for spectators and crew members. All are welcome to see who will take home the cash and trophy for hardest hit. Classes are guaranteed to have 100-percent payback, plus additional sponsorship money and a trophy. Let the destruction begin!

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How those historic buildings came to be By HENRY TIMMAN

Northwest corner of West Main and Whittlesey about 1945, showing the Whittlesey Block in center; old hotel building to the left; Taber Department Store at right with its large marquee.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth article in a six-part series recounting the development of downtown Norwalk, block by block.

W

e stopped on our last tour at the corner of East Main Street and Whittlesey Avenue, and today we’re going to cross the street and proceed down the two blocks west to the public library and Case Avenue. As we cross Main Street, we must remember the much-loved and much-disliked walk lights Norwalk pedestrians enjoyed for several years. Instead of the system we have now, everyone waited on all four corners until the light turned red in all four directions, a buzzer sounded on the light at Whittlesey and Benedict, and everyone crossed not only north/south and east/west, but diagonally, too. These lights were a true wonder to out-oftown motorists and were among the few such systems known to be in captivity. There was an identical setup at every Main Street intersection uptown. But, like butter churns and manual typewriters, they seldom are seen these days.


The northwest corner of West Main and Whittlesey was a vacant lot until 1854. Well, it wasn’t completely vacant; the village owned a small building on it in which the village council met and which was used otherwise as a barber shop by Benjamin Shipley. In a part of this building, the village fire pumper was kept. This was an engine with handles on each side which were pumped by volunteers to draw water from a well to feed the hose at a fire. Elisha Whittlesey had set this lot aside for a school or academy, but no one claimed it until a group called the Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences was formed. The organization took control of the property and built a three-story building, the lower two stories of which still stand there. The Whittlesey Building (as it was called) was a condominium-type building in that the academy owned the ground and the walls, while each tenant owned the air within the walls. That is, they claimed their space by a 99-year lease, renewable forever and only forfeitable for non-payment of their assessment. The third floor was a large hall used as a theater for live shows, for temporary church services and for educational and

entertaining programs, which entitled the academy to be considered “educational.” The hall was a busy place, even though it was up two flights of stairs. Fundraisers were held here for qualifying organizations, as well as dances and church festivals. During the Civil War, a public funeral for two young Norwalk men who were killed in action took place here. However, it was pretty much abandoned after the Gardiner Music Hall was built in the 1880s at 11 E. Main St. Eventually the Whittlesey Academy became inactive and had a receiver appointed to conduct its affairs. About 10 years ago, the academy and receivership were dissolved and the property turned over to the leaseholders. The third floor had been removed after suffering damage in a windstorm about 1956. Today, the Peking House restaurant is at 2 W. Main and Reese Wineman’s law office is at 6 W. Main. There are other store fronts along the Whittlesey Avenue side of the building. North of the Whittlesey Block there stood a frame house which was torn down in 1939 when the present Battles Insurance building at 15 Whittlesey Ave. was built as home for the A & P grocery. This house was built about 1827 by Eri Keeler, whose family was one of the best known in Norwalk. Their home was in the center of town, so they took part in about every village activity. Eri had a blacksmith shop near the corner of West Monroe and could build or mend just about anything. He was a son of Luke Keeler, who brought his family here in 1817 with the Platt Benedict family. West of the Whittlesey Block we find the chamber of commerce office at 10 W. Main, a building constructed about 60 years ago as an office for the Ohio Fuel Gas Co., which then supplied natural gas to the Norwalk area.

Preston-Wickham House at 38 W. Main St. about 1900. Built in 1835 to 36, it was moved behind the public library in 1953 and restored by the Historical Society. The Reflector was printed on the second floor from 1837 to 1859 by the Preston-Wickham family

The first building on this spot was the tavern/hotel built by Ezra Abbott in 1818, and which stood there until the 1950s. In 1830 or earlier, this tavern/hotel was purchased by Obadiah Jenney and operated as the Mansion House. It was a stopping place for the stagecoaches, and all those who had time would gather to watch the stagecoach pull up at the door with a flourish. The driver would whip up the horses as he entered town, and thus come to a memorable stop in front of his audience. The vacant lot where the Whittlesey Block now stands was the stage yard or parking lot for the Mansion House. In 1834, four three-story brick buildings were built west of the Mansion House as stores with office space upstairs. Mr. Jenney owned the one next to his hotel and added it to the hotel. Eventually the Mansion House closed, and Mr. Jenney turned his interests to mercantile pursuits. The Norwalk Reflector newspaper was founded in 1830 with its office at 7 W. Main across the street from the Mansion House. It is said that the founder, Samuel Preston, had been searching for an appropriate name for his proposed newspaper and was sitting in a tavern one evening where a lamp on the wall reflected the light to make it brighter. This gave him the inspiration to call it The Reflector, and the name has stuck for more than 185 years. Today there area four business rooms (14, 16, 18 and 20 W. Main) located west of where the Mansion House once stood. This area used to be occupied by the Brick Block — the four buildings built in 1834. The last one torn down was the part used by the Mansion House. John Wickert owned it and wanted to build a new facility for his Gift Gallery. This was accomplished about 1970. For a long time this room and No. 16 were used by Ernest Kohlmyer for his hardware store. Continued on page 12 >>

DISCOVER NORWALK ////////// 11

Interior of Kosht & Sparrow Meat Market at 32 W. Main St. about 1911

The building at No. 16 was built in 1887 by the Yale family. It had a shared wall with the building on either side, and if you look up at the east side of it, you can see the trace of the wall and gable of the 1834 building. The next building is the Williams Block, also built in 1887. I believe that it has parts of the 1834 buildings’ walls incorporated in its structure, too. These buildings were like many in Norwalk which had street access to the basements. There were stone thresholds from the sidewalk to the front door and the front of the basement was open, with a stairway down. A number of these basements were barber shops, and at one time, a bowling alley operated under No. 18, known as the Norwalk Billiard Academy. Some of these open basements were used simply for storage. In the 1880s, a grocery store at 12 Whittlesey had its cold-storage unit under the front sidewalk where everything stayed fairly cold in those days before electric refrigeration. Today, Class Act Dance Studio is at 14 W. Main. A feature story about Christie Lane Industries, which owns 16W at 16 W. Main St., is on Page 32. New Direction Designs makes its home at 18 and 20 W. Main. Previously, it was the location of LinDale Embroidery and Eberts Inc. prior to that. At the corner of West Main and Hester streets is found the Case Block, built by Norwalk businessman F.


The public library about 1930. The Gilger Theatre is at left rear, and the kitchen wing of the Wickham House can be seen at right.

B. Case in 1884. For a long time, he had plans to build a new “opera house” for Norwalk, but put them aside when John Gardiner announced that he was going to do that very thing on East Main. Instead, Mr. Case built a threestory block with a hall on the third floor, offices on the second floor and two mercantile rooms on the first floor. The Odd Fellows Lodge has occupied the upper floors for several years, and a number of different businesses have existed at street level. In 1913, the Sun Theatre operated in the corner room, showing silent movies. Later, Lacey Veitch’s grocery store and meat market was here, as well as the market of Hannel & Braker. Even later, we knew it as the Seven Seas Restaurant. Today, Jackson Hewitt tax service is on the ground floor at 22 W. Main and the Cynthia Kniffin Dance Academy occupies an upper floor there. The current tenant at 24 W. Main St. is Far Around Recording. This brings us to Hester Street, which when the town was laid out ran just two blocks from Seminary north to Monroe. The south part was closed to make way for Bresson Park several years ago. Then Berry’s Restaurant acquired that area for its outdoor dining space called St. Charles Place.

This street takes its name from Mrs. Hester Jenney, Obadiah’s wife. She supervised the dining room and kitchen of the Mansion House Hotel and was well known in Norwalk for several decades. There have been movements to re-name the street, but they all failed. As the town expanded, the street was extended north to Washington and is one of several Norwalk streets which are the longest in the country. They run from Main(e) to Washington. (That’s a joke, in case you don’t recognize it.) Moving across North Hester, we find the Raitt lot along the west side. Daniel G. Raitt came to Norwalk in 1818 and bought the lot along Hester between West Main and Monroe. He built a log house and hat shop here, and lived on that spot for 40 years or more afterward. Early in the year 1819, three American Indians murdered two fur trappers on the Portage River south of Port Clinton, which then was under Huron County’s legal jurisdiction. They were tracked down and arrested and brought to Norwalk. The county jail was not yet completed, so Mr. Raitt allowed his cabin to be used for a jail. As we might expect, the Indians were found guilty by a jury, although one (a teenager) was acquitted because he didn’t actually participate in the mayhem. At one point, the two condemned men figured out a way to escape at night and did so. One was shot at and hit by the guard, but managed to flee as far as south of Bellevue, where he was spotted by a hunter and taken back into captivity. The other man fled to their home camp near Toledo and was apprehended there. The two were hanged July 1, 1819, on a knoll on the west side of the Episcopal Church cemetery and buried on the spot. On the West Main Street end of the Raitt lot, we find the three-story Newman Block, built just after the Civil War by Charles Newman. Soon after completing this, he became a partner in building the St. Charles Hotel across the street. We’ll be discussing that in Part 6 of this series. The Newman Block was like so many buildings of its period with retail rooms on the main floor, offices on the second floor and a large open hall on the third. For several years, the Masonic Lodge occupied the second and third floors. A century ago, the Cleveland & Southwestern Electric interurban line rented the corner room, which today is home to Amez Boutique at 26 W. Main, and the Picker family operated their Arlington Cafeteria in the space at 28 W. Main now occupied by Laser Images printing. In those days, the restaurants were not always the most inviting, but “The Arlington” was very popular with local people. In my childhood, the Greyhound bus station was in the Laser Images space, and when I look at it now, it is so much smaller and narrower than it was in 1950! At the very north end of the Raitt Lot at 19-21 N. Hester St. is a brick building built to house the offices of the Norwalk Reflector newspaper. The corner section was built first, and in 1925, the south rooms were added. Continuing west to 30 W. Main St., we find the three-story building built in 1868 to be home to the Maple City Tobacco Company, operated by F.B. Case for 50 years or more. I’ve never understood why Mr. Case chose this downtown location with homes nearby as the site for his factory. There must have been times that a tremendous amount of dust was emitted, along with smells.

Continued on page 14 >>

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Northwest corner of West Main and Hester streets about 1875. Hess Hardware (later in Monroeville) was in the Newman Block. The Reflector newspaper office occupied the upper floors. F. B. Case had his tobacco factory to the west.

The Daniel Raitt House at 17 N. Hester after being moved from 30 W. Main St., originally built about 1825 in the Federal architectural style. Torn down about 1930.

Mr. Case had many strong points in that he was very generous to several local charities, particularly the Humane Society. He especially loved dogs, and when one of his pets died, it was buried in the yard of the Case home at 141 W. Main and a tombstone was erected for it. There was always a trough of fresh water in front of the tobacco factory where a thirsty dog could obtain a drink of water. After the tobacco company was sold and moved away from Norwalk, this building at No. 30 was the Spangler Store (selling clothing) and after that for several years, the Perfected Paint and Appliance Co. was housed there. Today, 30 W. Main is home to PathStone — a private, not-for-profit regional community development and human service organization. To the west of the old tobacco factory is a three-story building with three retail rooms on the main floor. F. B. Case built this structure in 1885 with the same idea that so many others had — retail rooms on first floor, offices on second floor and a hall on the third floor. The 1909

city directory shows the Knights of Columbus organization occupying the two upper floors. Eventually Blinzley Furniture took over the building and occupied all three floors. In the 1890s, Norwalk had a YMCA, which was located in this building. Before the Case Block, this property contained a fine brick house that belonged to Jonas Hinkley, but which may have been built as early as 1840 by Charles W. Page. Charles appears to have enjoyed thinking up get-rich-quick schemes that involved very little physical labor on his part. He also served several different terms as mayor of the village and was thoroughly disgusted about 1850 when some students at the Norwalk Institute became angry at a local government decision, and the following Saturday night, attorney Ezra Stone’s pig sty, along with its occupants, was moved from 107 West Main to the Glass Block Lot at 1 West Main. A conspicuous sign identified it as “Mayor’s Office.” Today, all three retail rooms (32, 34 and 36 W. Main) of the Case Block are occupied by the One Little Blessing store. The Hill’s Interiors lot at 38 W. Main was home to the Wickham Homestead from 1836 to 1954. Samuel Preston built this house as a wedding present for his daughter, Lucy, who had married Frederick Wickham in 1835. They moved in about Sept. 1, 1836, and the oldest Wickham child, Charles, was born there about a week later. Samuel Preston had founded the Reflector newspaper in 1830, and moved it into the second story of the house, with family quarters in the first floor and basement. The property remained undivided until about 1950, when it was sold by the heirs as commercial property. Ohio’s sesquicentennial took place in 1953, coinciding with plans by the new owners to tear down the old mansion. Instead, interested citizens and the Firelands Historical Society raised sufficient funds to purchase the house, move it behind the library on Case Ave., and renovate it as a home for the society. This was accomplished by 1957, and so it remains today. A feature story about Hill’s Interiors is on Page 24. Continued on page 17 >>


North side of West Main from Hester west. Note the entrances in the sidewalk to basement commercial rooms

30 W. Main St. about 1950.

Arlington Cafeteria at 28 W. Main St. in the 1920s. This room later was the Greyhound bus station, and after that, the state liquor store.


Postcard photo looking east from Case Avenue about 1900. Two interurban cars are stopped on West Main Street.

16 W.Main about 1900. Part of the Brick Block can be seen at right.

Moving one more step west, we find ourselves in front of the public library at the corner of West Main and Case Avenue. The latter street takes its name from one of two sources — first, possibly from the fact that William Case once lived in the house that preceded the library; and second, perhaps from the fact that F. B. Case owned a good deal of property in the vicinity. In the 19th century, Case Avenue was an alley with no residences facing it. The 1873 county atlas calls it Church Street when it still was a side alley. The house on the library site was built in 1838 by Dr. William Kittredge, an early Norwalk physician. He had built a house in 1833 on the west corner of West Main and Church streets and sold it in 1838 to Dr. George Baker. In 1870, this Baker house was moved back to face Church Street, and its last use was as the city of Norwalk’s Recreation Center. This house resembled the Sturges House at 99 W. Main with a front portico of four columns and a sunburst in the front gable. It was torn down in 1962. It is said that Dr. Baker had the first wallpaper in Norwalk in his home and that people came to see it as a wondrous curiosity. I’ve never been able to verify that statement, but will add it for what it’s worth. Going back to the Kittredge House on the library site, we find that after the Kittredges left it, it was home to the Cortland Latimer family, the William Case family, and several renters over time. F. B. Case bought the property, and in 1899, sold it to a triumvirate consisting of the Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences; the Young Men’s Library and Reading Room Association; and the Firelands Historical Society. By a carefully-worded agreement, it was understood that the main part of the house would hold the public library operated by the Young Men’s group, and the large side wing of the house would

be home to the museum of the Historical Society. The Young Men’s group was founded in 1866 to establish a library and reading room for the community. In 1903, a movement began to build a new building to house both the library and museum. The steel magnate Andrew Carnegie of Pitttsburgh had given money to several towns to build new libraries, but at that moment had taken a hiatus from doing so. At the time, Norwalk had a barber named Benjamin F. Stewart who was from the Pittsburgh area and had been born of free black parents. His partner in the barber shop with a Turkish bath was John Pulley. Stewart and Pulley heard the talk, and Pulley suggested Stewart write to Carnegie since he was acquainted with him and had once helped him settle a strike at one of his steel mills. A correspondence developed, and Carnegie eventually agreed to give $15,000 to Norwalk if the city council would guarantee at least $1,500 annually toward operating expenses. All of this was accomplished, and in 1905, the building opened as a truly free public library for the town. Previously it had been supported mainly by the Young Men’s group, who continued to contribute as they could. Now the library is operated by a board appointed by the Norwalk City Schools’ Board of Education, and the other groups have changed their aims and goals. The historical society’s museum was in the basement of the library until 1957 when it was moved to the newly-renovated Wickham House on Case Avenue. A feature story about the Friends of the Library group is on Page 36. We’re going to stop here and take a two-month rest and then finish our trek on the south side of West Main in the November/December issue of Discover Norwalk.

DISCOVER NORWALK ////////// 17

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APPLE PICKING FUN, CRISP, DELICIOUS FAMILY TIME By ZOE GRESZLER

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here were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch, Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall.” These words from Robert Frost’s poem “After Apple-Picking” describe what many will be doing this fall — apple picking, a refreshing outdoor family activity that many look forward to. Crisp air and even crispier fruit. Nature flaunting her best colors. Old and young alike enjoying both plucking the fruit and eating it. And the area offers plenty of options for your family to pick their own apples. Among them are Burnhams Orchards, Quarry Hill Orchards and A. B. Phillips & Sons Fruit Farm.



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The owners shared why they believe picking your own apples is superior — and more delicious — than picking up a bag at the local grocery. “People just like to get out and get into nature,” said Bradley Phillips, owner of A. B. Phillips & Sons Fruit Farm, located at 30 E. Main St., Berlin Heights. “It’s something different and exciting for families,” he added. We have people from Cleveland come out just to pick apples. It’s like a wild atmosphere to them. And you get exactly the apples you want. You know they’re fresh, pulling them right off the tree. You know you’ll like what you’re getting because you can taste and sample them. And it’s just fun to show the kids what it was like back in the day, picking your own food.” And A. B. Phillips farm would know what local people like, since it’s been in the family for more than 140 years. More information about the farm and its history and offerings can be found at phillipsfruit.net. Quarry Hill Orchards, located at 8403 Mason Road, Berlin Heights, also has been family owned and passed down, creating quite a following. “Buying local seems to be the in vogue thing these days,” said Ben Gammie, who is part of the family who owns the orchard and winery. “This is my life, so maybe I’m a little more passionate about connecting with your local farmer than going to the grocery store. But just the passion and the energy that we have here, shaking hands with the guys that are out growing the fruit, that can’t happen in a lot of places. “And what better thing to do in the fall than pick some apples, grab a pumpkin and spend some quality time with your family and the dogs here and seeing me and my family here,” he added. “I’m a bit biased in the terms of quality family time. The kiddos are running around here with me and my dad’s here. No matter if it’s us or any other great farms around, it’s great getting out, parking the X-Box for the afternoon and getting a breath of fresh air.” As for this year’s crops, so far so good, Gammie said. It appears that it will be “a really strong year for apples,” especially the honey crisp variety, he added. For area residents to enjoy juicy fruit such as apples, a lot of work is involved. In fact, it’s a year-long process. “It starts in the winter — January, February and March,” Phillips said. “We’re out pruning trees, helping open them up to light and color. The light helps to bring the nice color to the apple. And pruning helps to keep the trees from growing too large out of space.” “You might think, ‘Well, what do you do on an apple farm in February?’ I’m bundled up in my Carhartt and you got your beanie on, out shivering, pruning trees,” Gammie said. “There’s things happening year round.” Then comes contending with weather, praying for rain but not too much, and contending with critters. This year, however, Mother Nature had her own plans.

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“We’ve had a lot of rain recently this year,” Gammie said. “That means we have a lot of creepy crawlies that like to snack on apples and like a very humid environment. That’s always something to contend with. We try to manage that with as little amount of input as possible. Working with Mother Nature, as my dad always says, she’s a pretty fickle business partner. She’s always changing the plan on you. Last year it was drought and this year it’s rain.” Then on to summer thinning. Phillips has a larger process of thinning initially, one that picks more of the apples early in the summer months, before moving on to hand picking the apples later in the summer season. “We pick them in August to sometimes the beginning of November — about a 2 1/2-month picking window,” Gammie said. “Before that, we’re actually thinning the crop. By thinning I mean we’ll actually go out and pick off a certain percentage, upward of 50 percent of the fruit already on the tree. Why do you do that? So fruit that remains can get bigger and it doesn’t stress the tree. “If an apple tree has a ton of apples on it, then the tree is like, ‘Hey man, that’s way too much fruit. I’m not going to give you any fruit the next year.’ We want to make sure we even out the crop load so we get consistent quality and consistent crop load.” Of course, the customer’s favorite season is picking season — August to November. Quarry Hill and Burnham Orchards at 8019 Ohio 113, Berlin Heights, are among the places that host special events in the fall, some of which include activities for children, hay rides, scarecrow making, corn mazes and keepsakes. At Quarry Hill, the third annual “Apple Peak Gathering” will take place Oct. 21. More details about this and other events can be found at quarryhillorchards.com.

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At Burnham’s, “Family Fun Weekend” will take place Oct. 7 and 8. The orchard has other events planned before and after that weekend. More details can be found at www.burnhamorchards.com. Phillips said he is excited to be unveiling a new apple this fall — the evercrisp. Evercrisp is a daughter of the honey crisp, crossed with Fuji, that is “really, really sweet and stays crisp for a long time,” Phillips said, noting that reason for its name. The new apple was developed by the Midwest Apple Improvement Association’s apple breeding program. Founded and maintained by growers, including Phillips, the organization’s goal is to produce apple varieties for the Midwest and wherever else those varieties can be adapted. Phillips said it’s been a 20-year process, but they are just starting to release the new varieties, evercrisp being the first. “We’ll have a whole slew of new varieties we’ll release, a few of them next year,” he added. Popular apples picked in September and October include Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Jonathon, Empire, Macintosh and Granny Smith. “We try to let our customers get first pick, but then we have to go out there and pick the apples for storage, preparing for winter,” Phillips said. “Then it’s cleaning up the orchard and cutting down trees. You cut down any dead trees, ones that are too big. It’s a yearround job.”

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65

H HILL’S INTERIORS SERVICE, COMMUNITY SUPPORT HELP BUSINESS THRIVE By JOE CENTERS

ill’s Interiors has been an anchor on the west end of downtown Norwalk’s Main Street for years. Why do people keep coming back? The answer is simple. “Service,” owner Roger Endsley explained. Customers know exactly what they are going to get at Hill’s. “You can buy virtually almost everything we have here at a big-box store,” Endsley said. “Good luck getting it installed accurately and measured accurately. You don’t have the personalized service that you get here. Most of our customers have been here before or their mom and dad have been here. “And we will be here in the future.” Merle and Betty founded the business in 1952 and it remains family-owned. Endsley purchased Hill’s Interiors in 2003 and the business continues to thrive. “It has worked out very well for us,” Endsley said. “It was a good move for the Hills and it is good for us.” Hill’s offers seemingly endless possibilities in interior design. Broad selections of luxury vinyl flooring, carpets, ceramic and porcelain tile, hardwoods and vinyl as well as fabrics for window treatments, blinds and shades help make those possibilities a reality.

Merle Hill, Founder of Hill's Interiors

“At Hill’s Interiors, it’s the small things that make a big difference,” Endsley said. “Whether it is the minor detail of an accurate measurement for a customer’s blind, or a little piece of knowledge about hardwood that a customer gains from our experienced staff, it’s our mission at Hill’s Interiors to help our customers make the best possible choice for their home or office project.” In addition to the 38 W. Main St. location, the store also operates the Hill’s Warehouse, a retail store open to the public at 39 Benedict Ave. At the warehouse, shoppers may find deals on remnants and roll stock of carpet and vinyl. Do-it-yourselfers can take the flooring with them or Hill’s offers installation services. Hill’s has a free design consultation service as staff members will come to your home to measure and help plan the project for you. Although the styles and trends have changed over the last 65 years that Hill’s has been in Norwalk, some things never change, Endsley said. “The response to our commitment and our service has been a most loyal one from the community,” he said. “Norwalk puts our community first and remembers to shop local even in tough times. The people of Norwalk and the Firelands region are not just our customers, they are our neighbors, our friends and our family. We extend our thanks for the privilege of serving Norwalk and it is with great pleasure we open our doors each day and look forward to serving the community.” Endsley pointed out his sales/design staff has more than 90 years of combined experience. “It has been a good fit,” he said. “People like supporting their community. It’s a known fact, you can buy it over the Internet but they have no way to install it. We have quality installers — good people who have been with me for many, many years.” For more information about Hill’s Interiors, call 419-668-4828 or visit www.athillsinteriors.com.

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I MANNINO’S ON MAIN: Antique and collectible store offers a little bit of everything By MADELINE ROCHE

magine taking a trip to the past and having the chance to get a glimpse of how life worked before you were born. While time travel is not possible, you can see those everyday items that are now antiques and even purchase your favorites at a store in downtown Norwalk. Mannino’s on Main offers “a little bit of everything,” owner Denise Mannino said. “You never know what someone wants or collects. We sell a lot of memories here.” The store at 39 E. Main St. is a “family-friendly, multi-dealer, antiques and collectible shop with three and a half levels of treasures,” as Mannino worded it. In addition to the main level of the store, there is an upper level, which includes a retro area, flea market and dealer overflow, and a lower level, which includes a lot of glassware, furniture, kitchen items and artwork. Mannino said she has many favorites throughout the store and especially loves glassware, which is spread out throughout the store. When Mannino is at the store, which is usually on Fridays, she brings Duke, her 3-year-old English mastiff, to greet customers. Mannino said although Duke is very friendly, she always makes sure anyone who enters the store is OK with dogs.

“If you come in to the store one thousand times, I’ll ask you [if you’re OK with dogs] one thousand times,” Mannino said, giving just one example of how she cares for her customers. While Mannino was being interviewed for this article, a family visiting from Canada stopped in to check out the store. Mannino made sure they felt welcome by asking about their trip, helping them pick which local spots to visit next and inviting them back. Mannino’s has an atmosphere that allows customers to be comfortable as they take in the store’s many treasures. Mannino said she loves her location and that she has had “tons of local support from the beginning” and still does. She added that she enjoys seeing young people who appreciate antiques and collectibles because so many people are accustomed to throwing out stuff instead of passing it on to family members or others. For example, one of her customers, who is now an adult, has been coming to her store since he was 4 to add to his coin collection. “I have the most interesting customers in town,” Mannino said. She added that she receives customers from coast to coast and enjoys taking an interest in what they like to collect.

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“Cool shop, larger than it looks … prices were totally fair and the staff was pleasant. Worth a walk through,” a customer under the name of John Phillips, commented on Google Reviews. Mannino considered the start of her career in the antiques business to be when she went to garage sales with her grandmother at the age of 4. As her love for the treasures grew, so did the size of her collection. She likes to joke that she opened the store to save her marriage, since her husband appreciates there is a place outside their home for all those items. Mannino and her husband Richard, who have been married for 27 years, opened the store when their son Vinnie was 7 and their daughter Addie was 4 months old. A Victorian home drew the Manninos to Norwalk, and they’ve lived here for 24 years. Mannino said when she first opened, her biggest fear was not having enough items to fill the store. However, that hasn’t been a problem. She buys and sells almost every day, and the store is still stocked. There are primitives, jewelry, glassware, vinyl, clothing, books, trains, vintage photos, cookie jars, head vases, animal collectibles , records, license plates, one of the area’s largest “Hot Wheels” collections and many other options to peruse and purchase. Mannino enjoys talking about the history of certain items in her store as well. For example, she has a bridge card table tray, made in the late 1920s by Cambridge Glass Company, is one such example. The merchandise within the store comes from various locations. Some items are brought in and others are from estates and auctions. “Everything [the items in the store] changes all the time. There is new merchandise every day, whether the store is open or not,” Mannino said. The price range of items available for purchase at the store goes from 50 cents to about $2,000. There are limited consignments available, depending on the rarity of the item and the available space. Mannino’s also offers a 30-day layaway to help customers pay for their items, if needed. The store also has a wish list that allows her to contact customers if their desired items become available. Mannino said that sometimes customers find something, such as a postcard, that coincidentally belonged to one of their family members. “It’s really cool when I sell something to customers that was their relatives because it’s like reuniting that item with the family,” she added. The antique and collectible store will be celebrating 18 years of serving the public this August by having a store-wide sale. Mannino’s on Main is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and Monday through Thursday by chance or appointment. For more information, call 419-660-8082.


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CHRISTIE LANE INDUSTRIES ‘ADDING VALUE’ TO THE COMMUNITY

By ZOE GRESZLER

Here’s why the agency is now purchasing and renovating blighted properties

Christie Lane Industries transformed the former Crider Jewelers at 16 W. Main St. into 16W — a downtown space used for special events for CLI and its partners or as a rental facility for public use.

M

any have seen the construction that has gone on, and continues, down town at 16 W. Main Street and 38 W. Seminary St. as Christie Lane Industries (CLI) complies with new state standards. For the local organization aimed at providing services to help those with developmental disabilities, while the projects started as a way to comply with the laws and mandates, they have turned into much more. “I think a lot of it is tied to the rules that are set by the state of Ohio that we are

being charged with integrating folks more into the community,” executive director Holly Binkley said of the new buildings CLI has taken over. “By 2020 we will no longer be allowed to operate a segregated workshop model, “We’re seeking public input saying ‘OK, we have this transition we’re charged with, how does the community want to see CLI futuristicly? What kid of things can we contribute to the community, something that would A) benefit the folks that we serve and B) enrich the community overall. So it’s kind of tied to that.” “It’s about building community

services and it’s about about building communities,” executive director Jen Swicker said. “That’s the main take away and main focuses that we have — to build services, not only for ourselves but for the community at large.” “The transformation that we see ourselves making is purchasing blighted properties within the local area and then remodeling those, fixing them up so they serve multiple purposes,” Binkley added. Those purposes include building the community and creating a site for the individuals CLI serves, especially those “on the non-vocational side of things.”

“We would really like to target those folks in breaking up this large workshop model and so hubs that are within the community and make the community easily accessible for these folks that are on the non-vocational side of things (is what we want),” Binkley said. “And there’s a huge downtown movement going on with the Imagine Norwalk stuff that’s going on and so we feel that it’s a really good area of town that we want to be linked in. On Seminary Street the house we purchased is right on the back side of Suhr Park and is a really accessible link into the downtown area.” The move to privatization has brought several changes for CLI, but Binkley and Swicker said the biggest came when they realized CLI “can no longer be this stagnant agency.” “That is probably the most exciting part about CLI, that we have such a robust and dynamic strategic plan,” CEO John Schwartz said, agreeing CLI was anything but stagnant. “We’ve got to continue to grow the services we provide and a lot of that growth is going to be growing into the community; so we’ve got these small hubs that enrich the community,” she said. Swicker said 16W and the Seminary Street property provide something that the community has been asking for -—to be a part of the big picture. “People are asking for something different,” she said. “Individuals are asking to be more a part of the community. Not just go and tour their community but to be an active part and to be contributing members. There are so many things that they can do. And part of (these downtown locations) is to be an education piece for the community at large.” That education Swicker said comes in the form of letting others know that the individuals CLI helps want to serve the community too. She said they have “many skills and abilities that can contribute” to the betterment of the community, just like anyone else. It’s been a big move for the clients as well. Swicker said “they’re growing in their independence and saying ‘I want to be a part of that,’” something they hope these hubs will help with. “And they are telling us ‘We want to volunteer here and work there and we want to use the rec center and play and swim and do whatever. So the big focus is to show they want to show that they have abilities and can contribute too, just like you or I. They just might do it a little differently or might take a little longer to do something.” Binkley said the hubs hopefully will aid in breaking down any stigma left in the community. She hopes the CLI “adding value to the community” will “show value that the folks that we serve have as well.” Continued on page 34 >>


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Christie Lane Industries recently purchased this house at 38 W. Seminary St. The plan is to provide community-based services and activities on the first floor and offices on the second floor. CLI intends to devote the vacant lot at 36 W. Seminary St. to outdoor public events.

“We’re providing value to the community,” she said. “That’s a natural transition of the folks that we serve too.” Christie Lane Industries has owned 16W, at 16 W. Main St., for about three years. It took the organization about a year to get the former Crider Jewelry store off the ground and running as a brand new facility Swicker said, due to updates and renovations that were needed. “There was tons — tons — of work,” Binkley said. “We could have invested in some strip mall space, somewhere off the beaten path, but we really wanted to have a presence in community and have CLI as a contributor to the community. They purchased this space that had been for sale and was doing nothing and now it’s just this beautiful, updated, renovated space that serves kind of trifold.” 16W is used for special events for Christie Lane, events hosted by Christie Lane for a special partnership and as a rental facility available for the public’s use. The space once featuring drop down ceilings, carpet, glass jewelry counters and faux wood columns now has been reconstructed into a beautiful and modern open concept entertaining space. The space is clearly visible with the front wall being floor to ceiling pull-away glass doors. The drop down ceiling used previously was removed to reveal the original decorative plaster ceiling and molding. Though the space’s day-to-day use include offices, services and rentals. It has also proved to be very beneficial in partnerships with other local businesses and organization where they host events and help raise money for various deserving causes. Such events have raised money for Piggyback Foundation, senior services, the Huron County Humane Society and even allowed the organization to cut a $900 check to the Fire department’s Operation Warm. some of the fundraising activities they’ve held include a wine and chocolate pairing party, Cinco de Mayo, a beer and bourbon event and even a jukebox event. “The third piece of this building is it is for rent to the public for baby showers, graduation parties, business meetings, whatever anyone would like,” Binkley said. “We’ve even booked a wedding 34 ////////// DISCOVER NORWALK

there for 2018. They can do reception dinners. People can bring in their own food, can hire a caterer and have alcohol. There’s an occupancy for 75 in that space.” Swicker said things are going “very well” at 16W, which she attributes to its uniqueness, something they hope translates into their Seminary Street project as well. “It’s a different space and there’s nothing like it around here,” she said. “That’s one of the things we want to be — unique in what we’re bringing to the community. The new space (on Seminary) will be unique too. We’re hoping it will be for a community arts facility. Arts as in photography, painting, etc. That will also be available to rent to the public.” Plans for this location are exciting, according to Schwartz. “We know that it will be the daily base of operations for between three to six individuals who require facility-based supports,” he said. “We also know that we intend to both go out from there into the community, but also to build programs that will bring the community into our space. It will be art-based, but that’s a pretty broad category. We’re going to have to build this, which typically means a ongoing process ... CLI is following its strategic plan.” “It’s just going to be a very clean space, a very large, open space, like a creativity space is how I see it,” Binkley added. “I can see something like from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. it could be an open studio time and local artists could come in and do something creative alongside our folks that receive services here at Christie Lane (Industries).” Swicker agreed, adding there was an addition to the house that was removed, creating an additional space next the to the building for further development. “(I imagine it) like a studio space for local artists for what have you to just to come in and create. We also have that lot next to it, a green space. We’re hoping to develop that for something. We’ve talked about community gardens, farmer’s markets, yoga on the lawn, whatever somebody would want to use that space for, we’re hoping to be able to create that environment so anyone who would want to create, could come and in utilize that space.” Christie Lane has been busy, but the plans haven’t stopped. The organization plans to continue to develop additional hubs throughout the community, allowing their clients to integrate more, add value to the community and fill gaps where there are needs. “That’s kind of our strategic plan down the road,” Binkley said. “We don’t know how many more hubs at this point but there have been lots of ideas thrown out. In three years we want to completely faze out 100 percent of the non-vocational part of the program that happens here — it will be completely community based.” For more information or to find out how to partner with CLI on this or future projects, email [email protected].

SEPARATION — ONE YEAR LATER

Generations of Community Banking.

The Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities (HCBDD) and Christie Lane Industries (CLI) finalized a carefully planned and gradual business separation in July 2016 that was more than two years in the making. With roots that go back over 130 years, The split — brought about because of state and Civista Bank is proud to be part of Norwalk’s federal rule changes — resulted in CLI becoming a completely independent provider of adult day services, past, present and future success. no longer associated with HCBDD in a business sense, although it continues to lease the building next to the county board’s offices on South Norwalk Road through an interagency agreement with HCBDD and the Huron County commissioners. “We provide funding for services from multiple providers chosen by the people we support,” said HCBDD superintendent Kari Smith. “CLI is no different from any other provider now that they are not connected with us. “They decide how to do business, what properties they want to purchase, the events they choose to promote and what their overall philosophy and approach will be. The change has been complicated to explain at times, especially since ‘Christie Lane’ has been such a defining name for all the services to people with developmental disabilities for so many years in Huron County. And 36 E. Seminary St. 207 Milan Ave. HCBDD still operates Christie Lane School here in (419) 744-3100 (419) 744-3165 Norwalk, which may add to some of the confusion about the relationship between CLI and the county board.” Member FDIC Another area that may be unclear to taxpayers after the separation, said Smith, is the continued need for local funding for Huron County Board of DD services. 16CZN0091 NorwalkBiCentAd_4.275x5.25_r2.indd 1 11/29/16 “We pay for services provided to over 600 people every year, before birth and throughout all life stages,” she said. “The number of people in need of our services doesn’t decrease, no matter who the providers might be. We make use of local levy dollars to draw down Medicaid funding; for every $40 of local tax money we collect, we’re able to get another $60 through Medicaid waiver programs to pay for more services for more people over the course of their lifetimes. We’ve been fortunate to have great support from Huron County taxpayers in those efforts throughout our more than 60-year history. That support will always be both needed and appreciated.” HCBDD continues to offer Help Me Grow Home Visiting, Early Intervention, the Christie Lane School program, service and support administration, Family Support Services, job development, community recreation, community connections, self-advocacy group, Aktion Club, provider relations and recruitment and monitoring of all services. The county board also pays for the PLAY Project and physical, occupational and speech therapies for children, Artists’ Open Studio, adult day services, job coaching and follow-along, transportation, and Medicaid waivers that provide for transportation, home modifications, adaptive equipment, and in-home supports from provider agencies.

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FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY VOLUNTEER GROUP HELPS LIBRARY PAY FOR PROGRAMS AND EVENTS By MADELINE ROCHE

T

he Norwalk Public Library is completely non-profit. So, to help the library host special events such as movies, supply prizes for summer reading programs and provide other activities, some in the community have stepped up to raise money as part of a group called “Friends of the Norwalk Public Library,” which has been around for more than 50 years. Many communities have similar groups to help libraries in their area. After it was decided that libraries would be paid for by taxes in the 1800s, the American Library Association was formed to help lighten library expenses. The Friends groups have developed from that. “We’re thankful for our Friends group,” library director Heidi Sutter said. “If anyone is interested in joining, please let us know. All of the money goes back to our community and library.” The Friends group contributes to large ticket items such as movie licenses for movies shown at the library, performers, programs and so forth. The current officers are president Jackie Miller, vice president Julie Tornichio, treasurer Sandy Shope, and secretary Susan Essex. The Friends host book sales to raise money for the library. About $600 per weekend is generated at these sales, Sutter said. The most recent book sale took place July 20 to 22. There are usually book sales each spring and fall, depending on available supplies. Tornichio appreciates the opportunities the book sales provide for not only the library, but teachers in the community. She said teachers pay for their classroom libraries on their own and that the book sales provide huge savings. The books sold at the sale have either been in the library for a certain amount of time or were received from estates or by donation. After sales are finished, most books are donated to other libraries or churches. There is also a continuous sale in the upstairs section of the library.


“I’m a big advocate for reading and any time spent putting books into people’s hands is time well spent,” Tornichio said. She added that she appreciates that every cent raised by the Friends goes to the community. Shope served as president of the Friends for six years before becoming the treasurer. “I help because I love the library and I always have. I think the library is extremely important,” Shope said. “This is a great community and gathering place. It’s great to help support [the library] to keep it going, support programs and help kids want to go.” In order to get involved or to join the Friends of the Library, there is information available on the library’s website at www.norwalk.lib.oh.us, or someone can pick up an application at the desk. Board meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the library’s meeting room. Although Shope said there are not many who come to board meetings, there are a lot who help. Some perks to becoming a member include having priority shopping the afternoon before a book sale, tax deductions and being able to raise funds for the library. “It [the Friends group] gives us an opportunity to provide things for people we wouldn’t have been able to,” Sutter said. To become a member, there are several payment options. Yearly membership dues are $8 for an individual, $12 for a family or $25 for a sponsor. It is also an option to become a lifetime member for $100 or to make an additional contribution of any desired amount. All checks should be made payable to Friends of the Norwalk Public Library.

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NORWALK FURNITURE A success story By SHEILA BUCKINGHAM


orwalk Furniture owes its success to a remarkable team, its adaptability, sense of community and loyal suppliers and customers. Some 115 years ago, in 1902, two men launched Galpin & Gerken in Toledo to manufacture carriage seats. These entrepreneurial men came from Germany to take advantage of the spirit of opportunity they believed existed in the United States. In 1919 the company moved to Norwalk, the original partnership was dissolved, and Edward Gerken incorporated the company as Norwalk Upholstering Company. Its founder’s spirit and motivation has been shared by succeeding generations and owners. Since its founding, the company has changed methods, names, locations and ownership. But what has not changed are the common threads that have made it continue to be successful and an important part of the Norwalk community. What are those common threads? Well, the roots of the company are firmly planted in quality and skilled craftsmanship, a strong sense of community, innovation, strong customer relationships, loyal suppliers and an intrepid spirit. Adaptability also comes to mind. Norwalk Furniture has remained successful because its leaders have sought to adapt its strengths to changing market conditions. The company’s products have taken different directions to meet customer needs from the humble beginnings of making carriage seats, to changing to produce materials for the war effort during World War II, to displaying products in national furniture trade shows, to accessing computers and new technologies, to launching a national franchise system, to establishing designer programs and partnering with nationally known celebrities. Norwalk Furniture’s motto of doing “Whatever It Takes” to stay close to the ever-changing needs, tastes and buying habits of its customers and their consumers is the key to remaining relevant and successful in the national furnishings business. In 2008, 12 extraordinary families banded together to make sure that these traditions of excellence continue at Norwalk Furniture and to re-establish a solid foundation for jobs and growth. Today, Norwalk Furniture is a national competitive presence in the better home-furnishings market, employs more than 200 people and operates in furniture markets in North Carolina, Nevada, Georgia and Texas. Resiliency also comes to mind as a Norwalk Furniture trait. Norwalk does what it takes to delight its customers. It strives to be an employer of choice, a business partner of choice and a pillar of the Norwalk community.

Featured in Furniture Design & Manufacturing magazine in 1962 for utilization of componentized construction

Ray Gerken supervises the last chair built before converting to WWII defense production in 1940s

With our own router system, we produce most wood frame components in just 7 minutes per sheet

In 1936 the operation moved into a building on Newton Street in Norwalk

Today, more than 100 years later, Norwalk Furniture continues to be that innovative, leading producer of trend setting, quality, custom-made upholstered furniture. It is the quality of the team that makes it so. The hard work, skill and dedication is so evident with a visit to the plant. Watching the team work is like watching an orchestra. Each piece is unique and handcrafted and it takes great skill to coordinate “the symphony.” The dedication, caring, skill and spirit of the team is the secret in the sauce. Norwalk plans to take advantage of changes in technology, becoming relevant to the 80 million millennials as they reach furniture-buying age, fostering a strong culture for its employees in which they can thrive, and creating long term relationships with both customers and suppliers and our community.

WHAT IS BALANCED PAIN MANAGEMENT? “The Fisher-Titus Pain Management Center prides itself in being a balanced pain management program,” Goldner said. “But what does that mean for you? It means that we have five key differences in how we manage our patients to ensure you receive the highest quality of care.”

PAIN MANAGEMENT CENTER: HELP FOR THOSE WITH CHRONIC PAIN By JOHNNA YOUNG

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hat do you think of when you hear the term “chronic pain?” When asked that question, many Americans can quickly mention a friend or family member who had to stop a favorite hobby because of pain or perhaps you yourself deal with this condition. Though many Americans have heard of chronic pain, the fact is that few are able to accurately define the condition and fully understand how it affects those suffering from it. According to the American Chronic Pain Association, chronic pain is “ongoing or recurrent pain, lasting beyond the usual course of acute illness or injury or more than three to six months, and which adversely affects the individual’s well-being.” “Affecting around 100 million Americans, chronic pain varies in intensity and frequency,” said Dr. Joshua D. Goldner, a physician at the Fisher-Titus Pain Management Center who is board certified in pain medicine and anesthesiology and fellowship trained in interventional pain management. “Some experience chronic pain constantly while others only feel it in episodes.” In short, if you feel any kind of noticeable pain for more than three months, you are suffering from chronic pain. Pain can originate from a wide variety of sources.


WHEN IT COMES TO CHRONIC PAIN, THE MAIN SOURCES ARE: • Joint pain • Headaches • Back pain • Injury-related pain If you have ever worried that you are experiencing chronic pain, you can start by asking if you are experiencing these symptoms: • Constantly feeling any level of pain, mild to severe • Aching, shooting, or burning types of pain • Extended feelings of soreness, stiffness, or tightness Aside from the obvious physical issues caused by chronic pain, many individuals also report psychological struggles, such as fatigue, mood changes, stress, anxiety, depression, irritability or restless nights of sleep. If you are worried that you, or someone you know, is experiencing chronic pain, it is in your best interest to contact a pain management specialist who can help with balanced pain management. Ask your primary care physician about a referral to the FisherTitus Pain Management Center or visit fishertitus.org to learn more.

THE FIVE KEYS TO BALANCED PAIN MANAGEMENT INCLUDE: 1. Being a consultative service. Patients are referred to our program to be diagnosed and treated for their acute or chronic pain. We remain in contact with your primary care physician to ensure clear communication and efficient care. 2. The pain specialists are part of Fisher-Titus Medical Center. Since FisherTitus Pain Management is integrated into the hospital system, pain specialists are easily able to refer you to other hospital services such as lab, imaging or other services such as physical therapy. You don’t need to travel far and wide to find high quality care. 3. Qualified pain specialists are on staff. The Fisher-Titus Pain Management Center, with offices in Norwalk and Sandusky, has a clinical team staffed with physicians who are board certified and fellowship trained in pain management. In addition to Dr. Goldner, the team includes Dr. Vimal Kumar and Dr. Zachary Zumbar. One of these three physicians will assume primary care for the pain diagnosis and coordinate your treatment program to restore daily activities. In addition to the physicians, certified nurse practitioner Diana Rodriguez is an important part of the clinical team. 4. Using a multimodal approach. After diagnosing your pain, the pain specialist, with assistance from the pain management center team, creates a care plan tailored to your diagnosis. The physician incorporates a combination of minimally invasive interventional procedures, medication management, and other hospital-based ancillary services such as physical therapy to ensure the best possible outcome. 5. Patients are responsible. If patients are prescribed opioids as part of their treatment, the patient and physician establish a relationship of accountability. You, as the patient, are empowered to be responsible and accountable for your care by receiving prescribed opioids from one physician, filling prescribed opioids at one pharmacy, urine drug screens, random pill counts and appropriate behavior in the clinic. A physician referral is required. For more information about the FisherTitus Pain Management Center, visit fishertitus.org or call 419-660-6901. Appointments are available in both Norwalk and Sandusky.

BRAND NEW! BRAND NAMES!

R&D EQUIPMENT SMALL TOWN BUSINESS MAKING IT BIG By ZOE GRESZLER

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orwalk’s R & D Equipment has a rich history, one that has led to its distributing high-quality printing machinery worldwide. According to company president and owner Chuck Plumb, what is now a world-distribution center for designing and building dry-offset printing machines and ultraviolet curing equipment is still a small-town business with big growth plans for the future. R & D Equipment’s original founders and owners were Richard and Wanda Peters. They started the company in the mid 1970s after purchasing Printainer — an old Norwalk company that had closed. “Dick was a dry offset printing specialist,” Plumb said, adding Peters would travel throughout North America installing printing machines and training the new owners on how to use the machines. “He and his wife decided to settle down in Norwalk and start a family. They purchased the remnants of Printainer and started R & D Equipment.” The Peters operated R & D until both of them retired in 1999. At that point, there were two divisions of the company: R & D Equipment and ACT, which stood for Applied Curing Technology. ACT manufactured high intensity UV arc lamp curing systems and a variety of custom curing machinery. ACT was sold to the Nordson Corp. and R & D Equipment was sold to longtime Norwalk residents George and Carol Gilbert. That same year, Plumb began working for R & D as an operations manager, helping George Gilbert with day-to-day operations of the company. In June 2014, Plumb took the same steps Gilbert had taken, purchasing the business when it came time for the boss to retire. Now Plumb has visions he wants to accomplish before it’s his turn to accept a life of retirement, including doubling the business during the next four years. “It’s hard to grow a company these days, especially when you are in such a niche business,” he said, adding that finding skilled workers is one of his biggest challenges. “Basically, we’ve probably had a 25-percent increase in sales and we’ve recently moved into a new facility in the industrial park.”


Since the company found a new place to call home, it continues to expand its reach. R & D, which was located at 36 Woodlawn Ave. until earlier this year, is now in a prime spot that offers more space at 206 Republic St., along with much more exposure to the local community. “Our core business unit is the dry offset printing machines and related material handling and other spare parts and accessories for those machines,” Plumb said. “Our printers can print on cups, containers, paper plates, plastic lids, egg cartons and a variety of other products. We also manufacture specialized UV curing equipment such as conveyors, chamber, and web curing systems.” R & D has shipped machinery to Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Mexico, Canada, England, France, Estonia, Latvia, Netherlands, and South Africa to name a few. In fact, earlier this year, R & D hosted the owner and CEO of a company from Krasnodar, Russia. He and his entourage visited Norwalk for about a week to negotiate the purchase of a high-speed egg carton printer. The Russian company services about a 1,000-mile radius of customers from its base in Russia. Vadim Mazur, the owner, said through his translator that his company spent a considerable amount of time looking at machines all over the world before deciding on the printer built by R & D. They were very pleased with the quality and the features offered on the R & D printer. Mazur said he felt it was a good fit for his production requirement and liked the support he would receive. “It’s not enough just to produce egg cartons; you also have to decorate them if you expect to sell them,” Mazur said, adding R & D was suggested along with two other companies when his search began. After researching all three, Mazur said he was most impressed with R & D. “Actually, the product is beyond our expectations,” Mazur said after testing the equipment. “We found it a pleasant surprise and I was impressed that they paid attention to every detail and customized our needs.” Plumb said he is anxious to continue growing the company and appreciates all the help he has received from the mayor’s office and The Norwalk Economic Development Council, as well as the positive feedback from the rest of the community. In the meantime, he will continue pushing forward and looking for “qualified help.” “Hopefully, over time the labor shortage in our region will start to ease up and more young people will take an interest in skilled positions, “ Plumb said. In the meantime, the company will continue to go “full speed ahead.”

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K BAINES PARK Softball leagues are a family affair By JOE CENTERS

en Leber remembers when the Men’s City Softball League was played in the cozy confines of McGuan Park. Like Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago, McGuan was a community park in the middle of a neighborhood. Oldtimers can remember when the Roeder’s Harley-Davidson team from Monroeville would play. About 15 to 20 minutes before game time you could hear the roar of motorcycles rolling down Washington Road. One by one the cycles would file in right on schedule. Bordered by Washington, Hester, Clifton and State streets, McGuan was great during its time, but that was until Baines Park came along and softball exploded in this city. There were years when there were more than 100 adult softball teams playing in this town. “It is its own little village out there,” said Ken Leber, former director of the Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department. It started with the men’s and women’s leagues and then the church league was formed. After that, the Classic League came along for men 35 and over. The cycle was completed with the addition of the co-ed

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league where husbands and wives and boyfriends and girlfriends can play on the same teams. In short, there are men and women playing in their teens to their 60s and 70s. Slow-pitch softball is a game almost everybody can play. “It opened in ’81,” Leber said. “That was my second year. We got a grant to build it and named the driveway after (longtime umpire) Austy Shadle. “Bill Baines was involved with the youth programs for years. The plans for building Baines Park were under way when I came to town (in 1980). “The Church League really, really blew up on us. We never envisioned they would need their own night.” Bob Barnes, who died earlier this year, was park and rec director when Baines Park was built. He was a fastpitch softball player and “softball was probably his first love,” Leber said. Not only did Barnes run the rec department, he also would hop on a tractor to cut grass and drag the fields and then umpire the games. Baines Park is more than just softball. For many, it is a family affair. Families will pack the stands while youngsters take over the playground. Continued on page 46 >>


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Forty-six-year-old Frank Wechter started playing when he was 16. Baines Park is like his second home. What’s the draw to Baines Park and softball? “Probably seeing all of the same people,” the 1989 St. Paul High School graduate said. “There is a lot of socializing. It is an experience.” Wechter plays a lot of competitive softball but he said his days probably are numbered with his two children — 9-year-old Adison and 5-year-old Dawson — ready to take over. “It’s time for them, that’s for sure,” Wechter said. Dan Blystone, 29, of Monroeville, also got an early start and has 13 years under his belt. The 2006 Norwalk High School graduate considered retiring with two young children at home, but he can never say no when that call comes in at the start of the season. “I was done last year. … I’ll play as long as this team asks me to play,” he said with a laugh. “I will start spending more time with my son Owen (just turned 3).” Will Owen follow in his footsteps? “I hope so. I am not going to force him into it but I hope so.” The family that plays together, stays together.
