Remember the origin of Schwebel Bread

DEAR EDITOR:

With the announcement of Schwebel’s closing, I realized I am probably the only living person in the world who can provide details preceding its birth in 1906.

It was probably in the summer of 1905 that Dora Schwebel, a 17-year-old newlywed, had the idea to bake bread for her neighborhood on Haseltine Avenue in East Youngstown, later called Campbell. She realized her stove was too small to meet her needs. She then decided to take a horse-drawn streetcar downtown to East Federal Street in Youngstown. There was a store at 27 E. Federal St. called Wilkins Leonard Hardware Company, which was known for its hardware and large, cast-iron stoves. The owner of the store, Mr. Charles F Wilkins waited on her and sold her his largest Eclipse (Tappan) stove. He realized that delivering it to her house at 28 Haseltine would require him to use an extra horse for his delivery wagon and two extra men for lifting it into her house. He satisfied Dora, his customer and her young husband Joe, and she happily started baking bread for the neighborhood.

Her business quickly grew out of her neighborhood, and she first hired neighborhood boys to help her husband deliver the extra loaves. She returned to Mr. Wilkins’ store within a month to purchase five new Schwinn bicycles for her expanding delivery fleet, and everyone knows the rest of the story.

I never met my grandfather Charles F Wilkins, who passed away in 1948, but for many years it was said that he would tell how proud he was to have launched the young newlywed Schwebel couple into the successful Schwebel Baking Company.

All of us will forever remember that aroma that emanated from the East Midlothian factory as we passed by and our memory of Schwebel Bread will live on forever.

Dr CHARLES E WILKINS

Youngstown

Candidate done in by mail-in votes

DEAR EDITOR:

Republican Spencer Pratt is no longer a contender in the Los Angeles mayoral race.

After an assault of mail-in ballots magically erased his second-place standing, Pratt was replaced by another, TADA, Democrat.

The Cleveland City Club had the president of the ACLU as a speaker. She is an advocate for retaining mail-in ballots. She knows there is a large part of the population that works 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day — people who don’t have access to transportation. They can’t get to the Board of Elections or the polls on Nov. 3. Those people rely on mail-ins.

The left would not exist if it weren’t for mail-in votes.

JAMES COLLINS

Newton Falls

Disagree with love for America’s 250th

DEAR EDITOR:

It is no secret that America is divided. Consider any number of areas of life and there are people seeking to identify the demarcation line to take sides. Are you for or against America? Are you for or against God? We are quick to identify our group and begin to talk about the insanity of those on the other side of the argument. Here’s the thing: Isn’t disagreement one of the marks of what has made American democracy a marvel of the world? The entire objective of a constitutional republic is to debate ideas on their merit, build consensus, and encourage broad participation.

The institutions intended to protect the fragile ethos of debate have decayed, somewhat nefariously, in the interest of profit. Where can people turn to find safe spaces for dialogue, debate, and healthy disagreement?

I write about one example of where this is done well: Kinsman Presbyterian Church, a small purple church in the unincorporated town of Kinsman in Trumbull County. I have the good fortune of serving as the pastor of this unique community.

Coming into Kinsman you will notice a few things. First, it is a small town (there are no stoplights!).

You’ll notice the town square, an expansive greenspace where the old high school once stood. Go down Route 5 just a little way and you will see the childhood home of Clarence Darrow, the renowned trial lawyer from the Scopes Trial. In the center of town on the hill, surrounded by the cemetery, you will find the Presbyterian Church, long known as the Congregational-Presbyterian Church.

This church is a microcosm of America. You will find roughly 50% on either side of the political divide; you will find some theologically conservative and others liberal; but in everyone you will find hard workers and people committed to doing good.

Ask any one person in the pews of Kinsman Presbyterian Church if they agree with the person sitting next to them on everything (even the married ones!)? You will likely get a resounding no… except on the things that touch the essentials of love and decency and care for others. But ask them if they love the person next to them…I guarantee you will get a yes, no matter how begrudgingly. Jesus calls us to love all, not to like all.

As America begins to celebrate 250 years of the American experiment and debate, what better way to honor this country than to recognize that debate is at the center of what forms us into a more perfect union. Visit us at Kinsman Presbyterian Church and see that disagreement can be done well and with love.

DR. DAVID PAULIK

Westlake

Tax relief that holds communities harmless

DEAR EDITOR:

It is well documented that the State of Ohio has collected over $1 billion more than was expected this fiscal year. While the Legislature determines what to do with this windfall, there is a way to help taxpayers and at the same time hold schools and communities harmless.

House Bill 96, the current state operating budget, for the first time ever granted county commissioners the ability to expand property tax rollbacks. What was missing was a provision to have the state of Ohio provide reimbursements to local governments that the vast majority of homestead and owner-occupied rollbacks currently have (all that were approved previous to 2013). This dates back to the creation of the state income tax that included a provision to provide a property tax rollback for taxpayers from state income tax revenue.

As county commissioners across Ohio determine what to do regarding enacting the “rollback expansion” for taxpayers, it would only make sense to use this windfall to provide reimbursements to communities and schools so that schools, police departments, fire departments, road departments, parks, libraries and the many services provided are not negatively impacted while providing additional property tax relief.

Beyond this year’s budget surplus, the Ohio Budget Stabilization Fund currently holds nearly $4 billion. There is a pathway to provide property tax relief without hurting communities and schools. While I understand not all will agree, if you do, please contact your state legislators to encourage them to go down a pathway that provides relief and does not negatively impact services to schools and communities. Rollbacks with reimbursements.

TERRY ARMSTRONG

Warren

Be safe while enjoying holiday fireworks

DEAR EDITOR:

As America prepares to celebrate the Declaration of Independence and its 250th birthday this July 4, we at Phantom Fireworks encourage everyone to honor this historic milestone with both excitement and consideration. For two and a half centuries, Independence Day has brought families, friends and communities together to celebrate the freedoms and traditions that unite us all. As we gather to mark this once-in-a-lifetime occasion, we encourage everyone to enjoy fireworks responsibly while remaining mindful of neighbors, veterans, pets and others who may be sensitive to the sights and sounds of the holiday. By celebrating with respect and courtesy, we can help ensure a safe, memorable and enjoyable Fourth of July for all.

There are several ways to be considerate of your neighbors when using fireworks. Clear and early communication is key. Let your neighbors know when you plan to begin your display, especially if you live near veterans. That notice should include an estimated start time and duration. This allows them to make any necessary accommodations for themselves, their children or their pets, who may be more comfortable enjoying the festivities from a distance. Also, sharing your plans gives neighbors the chance to step outside and enjoy the show together, fostering a sense of community and celebration.

Another key aspect of consideration is respecting property. We urge customers to carefully choose launch sites and fallout zones to prevent debris from affecting neighboring properties. Wet the ground ahead of time to ensure errant sparks or ashes do not ignite dry or grassy areas. After the show, thoroughly clean up all debris and check adjacent properties to ensure no remnants are left behind.

Phantom Fireworks encourages all customers to make safety their top priority by following product instructions, adhering to local laws and regulations and using good judgment when celebrating.

Thanks to increased consumer awareness and responsible fireworks use, fireworks consumption has grown by more than 175% from 1994 to 2025, while fireworks-related injuries have declined by 62.6% during the same period.

By continuing to celebrate responsibly, we can help ensure a safe and memorable July 4 for everyone.

For more safety information, recommendations and guidelines, please visit the Phantom Fireworks website: https://fireworks.com/safety.

William A. Weimer

Vice President

Phantom Fireworks

‘Disclosure Day’ made me sad

DEAR EDITOR:

A new science fiction thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, “Disclosure Day,” is a tale of aliens on Earth and the cover-up of their presence. The film premiered on June 12.

It was a little jarring. The opening scene showed two fighters in a ring giving body slams to each other. The sound effects were so loud the sound hit your face in waves — the vibration was so intense, they actually made your seat and the floor shake. Ill-timed?

President Donald Trump hosted a special Ultimate Fighting Championship on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, his 80th birthday, only two days later.

Generally, I go to the theater to get out of reality; in this case it was the opposite.

Overall, it was a sad movie for me.

A 1961 pop song by Sue Thompson expresses this, “Sad Movies (make me cry).”

Sa-a-a-d movies always make me cry.

He said he had to work so I went to the show alone.

They turned down the lights and turned the projector on

And just as the news of the world started to begin.

I saw my darlin’ and my best friend walk in.

Though I was sitting there, they didn’t see

And so they sat right down in front of me.

When he kissed her lips, I almost died.

And in the middle of the color cartoon, I started to cry

Oh-oh-oh sa-a-a-d movies always make me cry

Oh-oh-oh sa-a-a-d movies always make me cry.

And so I got up and slowly walked on home

And Mama saw the tears and said, “What’s wrong?”

And so to keep from telling her a lie.

I just said, “Sa-a-a-d movies make me cry.”

Oh-oh-oh sa-a-a-d movies always make me cry

Oh-oh-oh sa-a-a-d movies always make me cry.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.

Sa-a-a-d movies make me cry-i-i.

PAUL LAWSON

McDonald