December 2021,
SABRINA: THE TINIEST CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, 2021
On November 4, 2010, we found a four month old kitten living by the rubbish can in East River
Park. We took him to the vet and he was in good condition so for the first time ever a kitten came home. We named him Autumn, In 2012. Dr. Blaha thought that Autumn
would like to have another cat to play with. (Autumn has Sunshine a dog and they get along well but
Sunshine is not the type to do too much playing!) The vet happened to know of a cat that
needed a home. We saw the cat, adopted her and named her Sabrina. At the time Sabrina
Was nine and wanted to play like I wanted to shovel the snow - a necessary task but not
necessary something we want to do.
In 2014, Sabrina got another brother - Daley. Mayor Donegan had rescued him and very
graciously asked if we could foster him. Well, some kind people are good at fostering but
when the time came for him to leave - well, he is here!
Sabrina chooses her own places in the house and is quite content to watch the squirrels and
birds from the window. She certainly has her ways! Every evening at suppertime she appears
at 4:30 p.m. sharp - more accurate than a clock. At 10:00 p.m. she comes out and reminds us
that it is time for her evening treat. She has done this every day for years. About a year ago
there was a small change. She would come out but not quite as punctual. We went to the vet
and something wasn't right. The vet said there were tests and procedures that could be done
but they would require giving her a sedative. Being 16 neither the vet nor I wanted to do this.
They would do blood tests and other non-invasive things. Suffice it to say she was losing
weight and we do what we can for her. About ten days ago she didn't come out in the evening.
She went to the vet and her regular doctor was off. The vet who did see her said she weighed
6.7 pounds and just suggested that she could be put to rest in the office.
Being a different vet I explained to her that if at all possible it would be better to be done at
home because this was the fifth house Sabrina had been in. The APL said she was returned
three times (why, none of us know because she is so kind and gentle). The last person just
turned her loose on the streets! Fortunately Purr-fect Companions Cat Shelter in Lakewood
found her. We saw her and brought her home.
The vet was very understanding and gave us the number of a vet that would come to the
house when the time would come. Sabrina came home and ate a little and slept by the
furnace. She ate sparingly but did drink water. I told a few people of the situation and some
came to see her. Christine came Thursday. This past Sunday Mary Ann and Chris came to
see her. They stayed with her awhile then left. When I came back in there was Sabrina in the
kitchen- the first time in over a week Then yesterday I came in from outside and she was
resting on the couch - one of her favorite places. She was a little more like her old self.
Anyway, having had numerous little ones pass away this was truly a miracle. I always asked it
there could just be one more day like the old days and this Christmas it was given to us with
Sabrina. As this is being written (December 8) she has been in the living room just like the old
days. How long she will be with us we don't know but I am so thankful that for a few days we
have been given "the old days" back. We take so much for granted and then it is gone. -Bill
COMMANDER DAVID G. CLARK
Commanding Officer, USS SEMMES DDG-18
Long ago on a cool, wet Fall day, we received a letter from Commander Clark. In the letter he
said that he, the officers, and crew wanted to fly two of the students and me to the
Charleston, South Carolina, for the ship's Christmas party when they returned home. It would be for a weekend in January.
The Commanding Officer and officers of SEMMES were exceptional people. For example,
before being deployed to the Indian Ocean, the officers bought a raft and a rope at the local
hardware store. A rather strange object to buy for a ship. The Officers knew they were being
deployed for months to the Indian Ocean. At that time we had few ports in the area.
After being at sea for awhile, the Commander ordered his rope to be attached between his raft and
the ship. The crew were then put into the officers' raft two at a time. The sailors were then
"off" the ship. As they floated in the raft, each sailor was handed a beer! When they finished,
two others replaced them. Sailors were not allowed to drink beer on a ship - but they weren't
on her! Needless to say, this was a great morale booster the crew. Skip forward about a year:
My eighth grade homeroom had been corresponding with the guided missile destroyer for
years. Every fall when school began, students would volunteer to write to a ship (we were
writing to twenty ships each week.) Each group had one student that would be sure a letter
went out every Friday. After receiving Commander Clark's letter the first step was to speak to
Mr. Dresser, the principal, to see if this would present any problems. Mr. Dresser thought it was
a wonderful opportunity for the kids. In his letter Commander Clark asked me to choose one
boy and one girl to go to Charleston. How would I be able to judge who would be most
deserving? I wrote to the Commander and thanked him but asked him if he would please
choose the students. He sent the names of two students. It was now time to speak with the
parents (without the kids finding out!) When the parents all approved the next step was to
inform the kids. Sometimes the kids would stay after school and play football or have pizza
(Friday nights). Usually they would walk home (the homes were relatively close to the school)
but I asked if they would like a ride home. Instead of just dropping them off, I went in with
them - and mom and dad went to the living room where the kids learned of their future
adventure. | can still see the kids' faces and their eyes when they heard about it.
About three days before the great adventure, the boy broke his ankle! Heck, he wasn't going
to let that stop him!! Early one cold, snowy morning we got on the Eastern Whisperjet at
Hopkins. The plane made a stop at Charlotte, North Carolina, and then we landed at
Charleston FB (the regular airport and AF base use the same field). Commander Clark met us
at the airport. He had the kids stay at his home. Friday night the ship had its Christmas party
and it was wonderful. Saturday they gave us a tour of the ship and explained different things.
care to guess which sailor is from Minnesota and which one is from Louisiana?!" the two sailors at the bow of the ship - one in a parka and one in short sleeves. He then took us to the forward 5" gun mount. He opened the hatch and that left a cool breeze in. One sailor turned and said "Shut the - oh, sorry ,sir, I didn't know it was you!" Needless to say the captain kept a rather stern expression on his face as the operation of the forward mount was explained. Once we were back outside and the hatch was closed, Commander Clark laughed and said the young sailor wasn't expecting to see the captain there! One side note In the morning I went through Charleston. A number of small stores had hand written signs in their windows : "Due to the extreme cold, we are closed." The temperature had gone down to forty degrees the night before!
All too quickly Sunday evening came and it was time to board the Eastern airliner in
Charleston. At Charlotte the stewardess moved the three of us to first class! It certainly is the
way to fly!! When we returned to school, the two kids told their classmates all about their
weekend. I had gone to a little shop and had 40 books about Charleston sent up to give to
their classmates.
We spoke to the principal and were permitted to add a painting of USS SEMMES to our
classroom wall. She joined the USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CG-5) which the students had done a
few years earlier. When we had the "official " unveiling, Commander Clark had one of his
sailors - OSSN Brian S. Frederich home on leave from Ohio stop by to unveil the picture.
Later on Commander Clark and the crew of SEMMES sent us two Navy signal flags: Bravo and
Zulu. These two flags together mean a job well done - the only official congratulatory signal
used by the Navy. If you go past New Chestnut Grove Cemetery you will see these two flags
flying under the American flag every Armistice Day and Memorial Day. As you can see Cormander Clark and Mrs. Clark and their two Children are an exceptional family. Mrs. Clark did so much for the crew members families when the ship went to sea. Commander Clark was very interested in my classes. Ho and the crew would send souvenirs post cards, and letters from all the places they sailed to.
The kids would mark the different locations on our classroom map of the world and follow the ships on their patrols.
Commander Clark passed away earlier this year.
BRAVO ZULU, Commander. WME
WHO KEEPS US GOING:
We would like to thank Barb Wehe and Zoe for their dedication to the work they volunteered to
do
BARB
BARB has been our treasurer since we were formed. Each year she keeps our records and
each year she gives us the information needed for our forms.
No matter how busy she is, she makes time to get any information in on time. Without her dedication and hard work, we would have many difficult challenges to meet. On behalf of the HSOF we thank you for caring
so much about our city and our history. Thank you, BARB.
The newest member in making the HSOF better is Zoe N. Years ago, Chris Deibel took the
time and effort to set up a site on the computer for the HSOF. It is something we really needed.
Thank you, CHRIS
ZOE
In 2020. ZOE and her brother OWEN participated in our Armistice Day ceremony at the
American Legion Post 403 Memorial. Shortly after this, we mentioned things that needed to be
done for the Historical Society. One of which is to keep the computer site up to date. Zoe
volunteered to help Chris with the web site.
We thank Zoe for her creative, new ideas.
Thank you, ZOE
We have an application attached for 2022.
We really should got a new president. A good time for him/her to take command will be March
1,2022. It isn't that hard to do but there are a few things that MUST be done. As for me,
keeping the files of information is more than sufficient.
I do believe we have overextended. We have a display case which Director Winters has
graciously let us use at the Olmsted Community Center (for those of us that have been around
it's the old high school gym!) but we do need to change it every tow-.months - and somebody
to do it.
Directors Tricia Vidovich and Carrie Zdilla of Jenkins Place have given our Christmas tree a
prominent, safe place in one of their rooms. They have done a beautiful job with setting it up
and decorating it. If you get a chance, stop in and see it. Don't forget, if you have a decoration
in honor/memory of your family/individual, please stop in and put it on the tree.
Another thought is that we have a few things safely in people's homes (the camera). I believe
these things should be moved to our room because if something were to happen people
wouldn't know it belongs to the Historical Society. We can't lock it up at our room but It would
be safe.
As for our "Happy Birthday, Ohio* party maybe we should postpone it again this year
Don't forget to send suggestions for "Key Person of the Year. It has been suggested that we
return to presenting it at the June Picnic. That worked well.
Have a safe and Merry Christmas. Bill
SABRINA: THE TINIEST CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, 2021
On November 4, 2010, we found a four month old kitten living by the rubbish can in East River
Park. We took him to the vet and he was in good condition so for the first time ever a kitten came home. We named him Autumn, In 2012. Dr. Blaha thought that Autumn
would like to have another cat to play with. (Autumn has Sunshine a dog and they get along well but
Sunshine is not the type to do too much playing!) The vet happened to know of a cat that
needed a home. We saw the cat, adopted her and named her Sabrina. At the time Sabrina
Was nine and wanted to play like I wanted to shovel the snow - a necessary task but not
necessary something we want to do.
In 2014, Sabrina got another brother - Daley. Mayor Donegan had rescued him and very
graciously asked if we could foster him. Well, some kind people are good at fostering but
when the time came for him to leave - well, he is here!
Sabrina chooses her own places in the house and is quite content to watch the squirrels and
birds from the window. She certainly has her ways! Every evening at suppertime she appears
at 4:30 p.m. sharp - more accurate than a clock. At 10:00 p.m. she comes out and reminds us
that it is time for her evening treat. She has done this every day for years. About a year ago
there was a small change. She would come out but not quite as punctual. We went to the vet
and something wasn't right. The vet said there were tests and procedures that could be done
but they would require giving her a sedative. Being 16 neither the vet nor I wanted to do this.
They would do blood tests and other non-invasive things. Suffice it to say she was losing
weight and we do what we can for her. About ten days ago she didn't come out in the evening.
She went to the vet and her regular doctor was off. The vet who did see her said she weighed
6.7 pounds and just suggested that she could be put to rest in the office.
Being a different vet I explained to her that if at all possible it would be better to be done at
home because this was the fifth house Sabrina had been in. The APL said she was returned
three times (why, none of us know because she is so kind and gentle). The last person just
turned her loose on the streets! Fortunately Purr-fect Companions Cat Shelter in Lakewood
found her. We saw her and brought her home.
The vet was very understanding and gave us the number of a vet that would come to the
house when the time would come. Sabrina came home and ate a little and slept by the
furnace. She ate sparingly but did drink water. I told a few people of the situation and some
came to see her. Christine came Thursday. This past Sunday Mary Ann and Chris came to
see her. They stayed with her awhile then left. When I came back in there was Sabrina in the
kitchen- the first time in over a week Then yesterday I came in from outside and she was
resting on the couch - one of her favorite places. She was a little more like her old self.
Anyway, having had numerous little ones pass away this was truly a miracle. I always asked it
there could just be one more day like the old days and this Christmas it was given to us with
Sabrina. As this is being written (December 8) she has been in the living room just like the old
days. How long she will be with us we don't know but I am so thankful that for a few days we
have been given "the old days" back. We take so much for granted and then it is gone. -Bill
COMMANDER DAVID G. CLARK
Commanding Officer, USS SEMMES DDG-18
Long ago on a cool, wet Fall day, we received a letter from Commander Clark. In the letter he
said that he, the officers, and crew wanted to fly two of the students and me to the
Charleston, South Carolina, for the ship's Christmas party when they returned home. It would be for a weekend in January.
The Commanding Officer and officers of SEMMES were exceptional people. For example,
before being deployed to the Indian Ocean, the officers bought a raft and a rope at the local
hardware store. A rather strange object to buy for a ship. The Officers knew they were being
deployed for months to the Indian Ocean. At that time we had few ports in the area.
After being at sea for awhile, the Commander ordered his rope to be attached between his raft and
the ship. The crew were then put into the officers' raft two at a time. The sailors were then
"off" the ship. As they floated in the raft, each sailor was handed a beer! When they finished,
two others replaced them. Sailors were not allowed to drink beer on a ship - but they weren't
on her! Needless to say, this was a great morale booster the crew. Skip forward about a year:
My eighth grade homeroom had been corresponding with the guided missile destroyer for
years. Every fall when school began, students would volunteer to write to a ship (we were
writing to twenty ships each week.) Each group had one student that would be sure a letter
went out every Friday. After receiving Commander Clark's letter the first step was to speak to
Mr. Dresser, the principal, to see if this would present any problems. Mr. Dresser thought it was
a wonderful opportunity for the kids. In his letter Commander Clark asked me to choose one
boy and one girl to go to Charleston. How would I be able to judge who would be most
deserving? I wrote to the Commander and thanked him but asked him if he would please
choose the students. He sent the names of two students. It was now time to speak with the
parents (without the kids finding out!) When the parents all approved the next step was to
inform the kids. Sometimes the kids would stay after school and play football or have pizza
(Friday nights). Usually they would walk home (the homes were relatively close to the school)
but I asked if they would like a ride home. Instead of just dropping them off, I went in with
them - and mom and dad went to the living room where the kids learned of their future
adventure. | can still see the kids' faces and their eyes when they heard about it.
About three days before the great adventure, the boy broke his ankle! Heck, he wasn't going
to let that stop him!! Early one cold, snowy morning we got on the Eastern Whisperjet at
Hopkins. The plane made a stop at Charlotte, North Carolina, and then we landed at
Charleston FB (the regular airport and AF base use the same field). Commander Clark met us
at the airport. He had the kids stay at his home. Friday night the ship had its Christmas party
and it was wonderful. Saturday they gave us a tour of the ship and explained different things.
care to guess which sailor is from Minnesota and which one is from Louisiana?!" the two sailors at the bow of the ship - one in a parka and one in short sleeves. He then took us to the forward 5" gun mount. He opened the hatch and that left a cool breeze in. One sailor turned and said "Shut the - oh, sorry ,sir, I didn't know it was you!" Needless to say the captain kept a rather stern expression on his face as the operation of the forward mount was explained. Once we were back outside and the hatch was closed, Commander Clark laughed and said the young sailor wasn't expecting to see the captain there! One side note In the morning I went through Charleston. A number of small stores had hand written signs in their windows : "Due to the extreme cold, we are closed." The temperature had gone down to forty degrees the night before!
All too quickly Sunday evening came and it was time to board the Eastern airliner in
Charleston. At Charlotte the stewardess moved the three of us to first class! It certainly is the
way to fly!! When we returned to school, the two kids told their classmates all about their
weekend. I had gone to a little shop and had 40 books about Charleston sent up to give to
their classmates.
We spoke to the principal and were permitted to add a painting of USS SEMMES to our
classroom wall. She joined the USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CG-5) which the students had done a
few years earlier. When we had the "official " unveiling, Commander Clark had one of his
sailors - OSSN Brian S. Frederich home on leave from Ohio stop by to unveil the picture.
Later on Commander Clark and the crew of SEMMES sent us two Navy signal flags: Bravo and
Zulu. These two flags together mean a job well done - the only official congratulatory signal
used by the Navy. If you go past New Chestnut Grove Cemetery you will see these two flags
flying under the American flag every Armistice Day and Memorial Day. As you can see Cormander Clark and Mrs. Clark and their two Children are an exceptional family. Mrs. Clark did so much for the crew members families when the ship went to sea. Commander Clark was very interested in my classes. Ho and the crew would send souvenirs post cards, and letters from all the places they sailed to.
The kids would mark the different locations on our classroom map of the world and follow the ships on their patrols.
Commander Clark passed away earlier this year.
BRAVO ZULU, Commander. WME
WHO KEEPS US GOING:
We would like to thank Barb Wehe and Zoe for their dedication to the work they volunteered to
do
BARB
BARB has been our treasurer since we were formed. Each year she keeps our records and
each year she gives us the information needed for our forms.
No matter how busy she is, she makes time to get any information in on time. Without her dedication and hard work, we would have many difficult challenges to meet. On behalf of the HSOF we thank you for caring
so much about our city and our history. Thank you, BARB.
The newest member in making the HSOF better is Zoe N. Years ago, Chris Deibel took the
time and effort to set up a site on the computer for the HSOF. It is something we really needed.
Thank you, CHRIS
ZOE
In 2020. ZOE and her brother OWEN participated in our Armistice Day ceremony at the
American Legion Post 403 Memorial. Shortly after this, we mentioned things that needed to be
done for the Historical Society. One of which is to keep the computer site up to date. Zoe
volunteered to help Chris with the web site.
We thank Zoe for her creative, new ideas.
Thank you, ZOE
We have an application attached for 2022.
We really should got a new president. A good time for him/her to take command will be March
1,2022. It isn't that hard to do but there are a few things that MUST be done. As for me,
keeping the files of information is more than sufficient.
I do believe we have overextended. We have a display case which Director Winters has
graciously let us use at the Olmsted Community Center (for those of us that have been around
it's the old high school gym!) but we do need to change it every tow-.months - and somebody
to do it.
Directors Tricia Vidovich and Carrie Zdilla of Jenkins Place have given our Christmas tree a
prominent, safe place in one of their rooms. They have done a beautiful job with setting it up
and decorating it. If you get a chance, stop in and see it. Don't forget, if you have a decoration
in honor/memory of your family/individual, please stop in and put it on the tree.
Another thought is that we have a few things safely in people's homes (the camera). I believe
these things should be moved to our room because if something were to happen people
wouldn't know it belongs to the Historical Society. We can't lock it up at our room but It would
be safe.
As for our "Happy Birthday, Ohio* party maybe we should postpone it again this year
Don't forget to send suggestions for "Key Person of the Year. It has been suggested that we
return to presenting it at the June Picnic. That worked well.
Have a safe and Merry Christmas. Bill