Trending
99 years ago in 1920:
• Thousands of Warren people and visitors from other parts of the county spent a quiet Fourth of July thoroughly sane and except for a number of traffic accidents bringing death and injury to half a dozen persons, the day was not featured by any strenuous excitement or hilarious celebration.
Most notable of the events on the program for the day was the gorgeous display of fireworks at Packard Park which began at 9 o'clock. More than 20,000 people visited the park during the day and at night a big share of that number was on hand for the start of the fireworks display. The baseball grandstand was packed and people sat upon improved seats or upon the grass as they watched the sight. The display was as fine a one as offered in any city in Ohio, and the watchers showed by applause and use of automobile horns and klaxons that they liked it.
50 years ago in 1969:
• A devastating Fourth of July storm with winds of near hurricane velocity, lightning, thunder and almost two-and-one-half inches of rain, tore through the three-county area of Trumbull, Portage and Mahoning counties, contributing to the death of at least two persons, injuring many others, including nine who were camping at Bristol Springs Lake and causing extensive power outages, disruption in communications and stalled traffic.
Thousands of homes in the area were without electric power or telephone service for up to 14 hours, dozens of roads and streets were blocked by falling trees and limbs, and many streets and basements were flooded by the downpour of rain which measured 2.48 inches at the U.S. Weather Bureau in the period from 9 p.m. until 8 a.m.
Officials said the storm was one of the worst to hit the area. Ohio Edison spokesmen said there was a likelihood that emergency crews would be called in from Marion and Mansfield to help with cleanup and power restoration.
25 years ago in 1994:
• The line of hot roast beef sandwiches and fries wrapped all the way around a large blue tent at the Mesopotamia Ox Roast.
While one man suggested he was ready to head for Arby's, most others said they were waiting all year for the savory barbequed meat.
"I guess that's one of the reasons why we come up here," Denise Simpson of Kinsman said, adding that her half-hour wait in line was worth it.
"I'm following her -- that's why I'm here," said John Sasu of Grand River, motioning toward his wife, Lori. Both were about five minutes away from the front of the line.
"We're hungry-- and I'd rather eat this than hot dogs," Lori Sasu said.
In a giant pit several feet away, hot coals cooked the 50-pound roasts, which were lined up seven in a row and spinning on three oversized rotisseries. Mike Petersheim, president of the Mesopotamia Volunteer Firefighter's Association, said volunteers should have gone through about two tons of beef (about 90 roasts) and another two tons of potatoes before the end of the event.
10 years ago in 2009:
• Luciano DiVieste, 6, collector of flags since age 4 or 5, had flags as big as 4 by 6 feet mounted from the house and trees. A myriad of smaller ones sprouted from hanging flower baskets, a planter by the mailbox, the yard and the brick walkway also had more banners hanging. He had even tied a couple to his swing set so he could sit between them.
"It looks like Arlington National Cemetery," his mom, Denise DiVieste said.
"That's how all my friends can find the house," big brother Sergio, 16, said.
"I drill a lot of holes,' dad Joe DiVieste said.
Luciano was trying to convince his dad to buy a 50-foot pole with an accompanying 5-by-8-foot -or larger preferably, flag, perhaps a little overwhelming for the family lot along Longhill Drive SE.
"He put them away over the winter," Sergio said. "I thought he was over it."
No, Denise said, it was because he couldn't bear subjecting the American flag to rain, snow or other bad elements. After the snow cleared, the flags came back out. And if it looked like rain… everybody scrambled to grab up all the flags from front, back and side yards to get them inside.
-- Compiled from the archives of the Tribune Chronicle by Emily Earnhart