Letter tells of military training 99 years ago
This Week in History
99 years ago in 1917:
l Eugene Wannamaker, formerly of Warren, who was training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago, wrote friends in the city that he had been transferred to the Dunwoody Institute at Minneapolis, where he was studying radio operating.
In his letter, published in the newspaper, he stated that he was comfortably quartered in a nice hotel where he had the “conveniences of home.” His room was on the seventh floor and the elevator service was great, except in the morning when he had to walk down the seven flights because the operator always seemed to be off the job.
Wannamaker was in a class of about 200 who, when finished with training at Minneapolis, were to be taken to Harvard University for final instruction.
l A permanent education / entertainment organization was adopted in Warren.
The Warren Chautauqua Association met at Dana Hall, and the constitution and bylaws submitted by the executive board were read and adopted, as well as the report regarding the activities in the coming months.
It was reported to be a meeting “of vital interest to the citizens of Warren for it assured Warren a permanent Chautauqua Association.”
The first event scheduled was a presentation of the McKinley Memorial oratorio “The Triumph of Faith.”
50 years ago in 1966:
l The Warren Automobile Club celebrated 50 years of service and received high praise from national and Ohio AAA officials.
The golden-anniversary banquet, which featured the awarding of pedestrian safety plaques to four Trumbull County cities and the honoring of operators of AAA-sanctioned emergency service garages and stations, was held at the Town and Country Motel.
Cities receiving safety awards were Niles, Newton Falls, Girard and Hubbard.
l Thousands visited the new General Motors Corp. plant built in Lordstown.
Six turnstiles clicked off thousands of people viewing the giant GM Chevrolet-Fisher Body assembly plant. The new plant was officially dedicated during ceremonies attended by Mahoning Valley business, industrial, governmental and civic leaders, including more than 400 dignitaries and a keynote address by Gov. James A. Rhodes.
Messages by Fisher Body Division General Manager K.N. Scott and Chevrolet Motor Division General Manager E.M. Estes predicted continued growth and prosperity for the Mahoning Valley.
25 years ago in 1991:
l Trumbull Life investigated people’s love / hate relationship with autumn leaves.
They write songs about the glory of the crimson and gold, burgundy and bronze and drive miles to admire the Technicolor panorama triggered by shorter days, cooler nights and plugged leaf veins.
The next day, they are toiling away on the working end of a rake and groaning about the back-breaking job of removal.
“We have so many trees, we don’t do anything about falling leaves,” said Don Whipple, the manager of Mosquito Lake State Park. “We just watch them turn dark and decay.”
Roberta Graham, executive director of SCOPE senior center, said, “Leaves are a big problem, especially for the elderly. They don’t want them on the lawn and they worry about it, but they shouldn’t.”
At the Bureau of Employment Services and Unemployment, fall brings an occasional call for leaf rakers but nothing spectacular, Charles McMann said. The bureau did keep a list of people willing to do any kind of work to make some money, though, McMann said.
McMann recalled that a man who knocked on his door and asked whether he could take the 30 bags stacked out front.
“I was glad to have someone to take them. I think there is a market for leaf compost.”
10 years ago in 2006:
l A local businessman praised the loyalty of his customers as he accepted an award and extended his presence and corporate headquarters.
Sam Covelli, winner of the year’s Pendleton Business Pride Award, said people ask him why he stays in Warren. He said the answer is simple: The loyalty of his customers is incredible.
The Regional Chamber’s Warren Area Council presented the award to Covelli, owner / operator of Covelli Enterprises, at the Good Morning! Warren breakfast at Enzo’s Restaurant on Elm Road NE. The award recognized Covelli’s “strong community commitment and presence” in Warren, where he supports many charitable and nonprofit organizations.
Covelli Enterprises was started by Sam Covelli’s father and became the nation’s largest franchise owner of McDonald’s restaurants, then Panera Bread bakery / cafes and O’Charley’s restaurants.
“If the business community can’t work with the chamber or schools, where is the help going to come from?” Covelli said, saying the government can’t do everything.
Compiled by reporter Emily Earnhart from Tribune Chronicle archives
COMMENTS