MAY 2022,
1787 Northwest Ordinance
1803 Ohio becomes 17th State
2006 Historical Society of Olmsted Falls formed
LEAVING ON A JET PLANE!
The other day a song was playing on the radio. Time suddenly went back over forty years. My
school, St. Brendan, was close to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Almost every day we would see
airliners taking off. At that time people did not fly too much - usually for business. Most of the
kids had never been on an airliner. I would explain to the kids how planes operated: wind
flowing faster over the top of the wings to give her lift; flaps, rudders. etc.
One day while at
the airport, I noticed the arrival/departure board. There was one Eastern flight that flew from
Florida to Cleveland by way of Akron - Akron to Cleveland? That isn't too far! It gave me an
idea. Calling Eastern Airlines, they gave me information about the final segment of their flight.
Many of the passengers departed at Akron so the plane was basically deadheading to
Cleveland to be in position for the next morning. The flight took about fifteen minutes and the
cost was $6.50. I spoke to Sr. Francis Clare, our principal, to see what her thoughts were
about the kids flying. She liked it. We made plans for a Saturday evening. We had newspaper drives (it was a long time ago, wasn't it?!) . The kids saved their money and their
big day arrived: their first flight. Some parents volunteered to drive to Akron and off we went
(even though one car ended up at the Akron Air Docks - they made it to the correct airport on
time!). Mr. Joe Corcoran drove one of the cars. He was driving and I was in the front
passenger seat. About halfway to Akron the girls started to sing. Their song: LEAVING ON A JET PLANE! Some of you may recall some of the lyrics: "Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'Il be back again…"
Mr. Corcoran and I looked at each other and could hardly keep from bursting out laughing (we didn't!) The kids were so sincere but ....a fifteen minute flight?
The kids knew the basics about how the plane would go up, turn, etc. The Friday before
left they were told about all the sounds they would hear on the plane and the different things
to watch for: the wings extending, the sound the wheels made as they went into the wheel
wells.
We were at Akron Canton airport in time to see the gleaming blue and white Eastern
Boeing 727 taxi up to the gate. She was a magnificent sight to see as the concourse had
glass walls and it looked like you could reach out and touch the plane. Soon the Whisperjet
roared down the runway and into the air. The flight went well and the kids enjoyed looking out
the windows. Being not too full most of them had window seats. When we flew over the
Goodyear sign by the 480 bridge the pilot started to slow the plane down. As you know,
planes make a steady hum! Uh, oh!!! - one thing I forgot to tell the kids was that when the
plane approached Hopkins the pilots would reduce power. I told all the kids around me that
they were only reducing power. As I turned to tell the kids in the back - surrounded by the
three massive engines - one little girl was holding onto the armrests. Before I could say
anything she said: "We ran out of gas! " I said no, the pilots are just reducing speed. Needless
to say on future flights I did tell the kids about the pilots reducing speed and that the plane
would become much quieter!. The plane landed safely at Hopkins with the parents waiting for
their loved ones! At that time - maybe some of you may remember - you could walk out on
the flat roof of the concourse and stand right above the plane and watch the people get off.
Yes, the drivers to Akron were able to get to Hopkins in time to see their seasoned travelers get off the plane! WME
SABRINA
My Little Cat Ghost
by
Lynette Combs
The years I've worn you,
Warm upon my shoulder,
Ended here…
Surprised to find us older.
And there was nothing
Left to do today
But hold you close
And help you on your way.
Be still, my little cat.
Be well
Be free.
I know that you're somewhere near.
And loving me.
THANK YOU all that have inquired about Sabrina and sent the nice poems and stories, this
poem being one of them. Sabrina's little Christmas miracle lasted until December 29, 2021.
-Bill
THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
1861-1865
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces under the command of General Pierre G.T. Beauregard
opened fire on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, commanded by Major Robert Anderson.
It was an intense but bloodless 34 hour bombardment. When the Union surrendered they asked for
and received permission to fire a 50 gun salute in honor of our flag. Unfortunately, one of the
cannons exploded and killed a Union soldier - the first soldier to die in the war. The bloodiest
war in American history had started. Before it ended four years later over 600,000 soldiers
would die. The population of the country (north and south) was 31 million. Almost every
American family had a relative that became a casualty in the war. (1)
of the country to threaten to leave the Union. During Shay's rebellion. Congress authorized
Federal forces but they were never used. Later, States west of the Appalachians were
discontent.
With the election of President Lincoln things had came to a head. On January 5, 1861
President Buchanan sent the unarmed steamer STAR OF THE WEST with supplies to Fort
Sumter.
On January 9, she was fired upon and returned to New York without delivering the
needed good.
On March 4,1861, President Lincoln was inaugurated and stated, " Physically
speaking we cannot separate ... No State, upon its own mere action, can lawfully get out of the
Union." (3). With the firing on Fort Sumter, Lincoln declared an insurrection existed and called
for 75,000 volunteers.
With Lincoln's call for volunteers, the four States of the upper south - Virginia, North Carolina,
Tennessee, and Arkansas left the Union. The four States left the Union to defend the right of
the seven lower south states to leave (Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama,
Louisiana, Texas). The border states of Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, and Kentucky remained
nominally loyal to the Union. Kentucky tried to follow a policy of neutrality. West Virginia
broke away from Virginia to remain loyal to the Union and became a state in 1863.
The reason for going to war in April, 1861, was to restore the Union. After the battle of
Antietam (September 17, 1862, the bloodiest DAY in American history - nearly 23,000 soldiers
were killed, wounded, or missing *) (4) did President Lincoln expand the reasons for fighting.
France and England were close to recognizing the Confederate States of America. The
Emancipation Proclamation was issued which would free the slaves - in States in rebellion
against the Union - in early 1863. (5)
Old Chestnut Grove Cemetery is the resting place of some of the soldiers that went to the war.
Among the soldiers are:
Lorenzo B. Adams, Co."B", 1st Ohio Light Volunteer Artillery; and
88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
John C. Bradford, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Frederick W. Broady, Co. "E", 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
George W. Brown, Co "E", 1st. Michigan Cavalry
Elisha Cook, Co. "C", 8th Ohio Volunteer InfantryEdward Damp, Co. "K", 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
John G. Fitch 2nd Lt., Co IF, 150 Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Herbert O. Fitch, Co. "I", 15thy Ohio Volunteers Infantry
Edward Wade Kidney, 19th Indépendant Battery, Ohio Light Artillery
Henry B. Northrop, 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Dominique Simon, 13th Louisiana Volunteer Infantry, CSA
Hiram A. Vaughn, Drummer, Co.
65th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
James Wright, 21st New York Artillery
They gave months and years of their lives to earn at one time - the undying gratitude of a
thankful nation. Monuments and markers were built in their honor. Who remembers and
honors their sacrifices today (2022)?
*Antietam was fought in one day. The Battle of Gettysburg had 51,000 casualties over three
days - July 1 - 3, 1863.
1. BATTLE MAPS OF THE CIVIL WAR, p.5
2. 10th AMENDMENT, U.NITED STATES CONSTITUTION
3. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN HISTORY, p.229.
4. LANDSCAPE TURNED RED, p.296.
5. DECISIVE BATTLES OF THE MIL WAR, p.105.
SOURCES
BATTLE MAPS OF THE CIVIL WAR Versa Press, East Peoria, Illinois, 2019.
CAMPAIGNS OF THE CIVIL WAR, Thomas Yoseloff, 1963
DECISIVE BATTLES OF THE CIVIL WAR, Lt. Col. Joseph B. Mitchell, 1955.
DEFEATING LEE.Lawrence A. Kreiser, Jr., Indiana University Press, Bloomington, 2011.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN HISTORY, Harper and Row, New York, Richard B. Morris,
1965.
EYEWITNESS TO THE CIVIL WAR, National Geographic, May, 2012.
LANDSCAPE TURNED RED, THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM, Stephen W. Sears, Tichnor & Fields,
New Haven, 1983.
MALICE TOWARD NONE; ABRAHAM LINCOLN Jack E. Levin, Threshold Editions, New York,
2014.
OFFICIAL MILITARY ATLAS OF THE CIVIL WAR, Major George B. Davis et al, 1983.
A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR YEARS, Paul M. Angle, Doubleday, Garden City,
New York, 1967.
1787 Northwest Ordinance
1803 Ohio becomes 17th State
2006 Historical Society of Olmsted Falls formed
LEAVING ON A JET PLANE!
The other day a song was playing on the radio. Time suddenly went back over forty years. My
school, St. Brendan, was close to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Almost every day we would see
airliners taking off. At that time people did not fly too much - usually for business. Most of the
kids had never been on an airliner. I would explain to the kids how planes operated: wind
flowing faster over the top of the wings to give her lift; flaps, rudders. etc.
One day while at
the airport, I noticed the arrival/departure board. There was one Eastern flight that flew from
Florida to Cleveland by way of Akron - Akron to Cleveland? That isn't too far! It gave me an
idea. Calling Eastern Airlines, they gave me information about the final segment of their flight.
Many of the passengers departed at Akron so the plane was basically deadheading to
Cleveland to be in position for the next morning. The flight took about fifteen minutes and the
cost was $6.50. I spoke to Sr. Francis Clare, our principal, to see what her thoughts were
about the kids flying. She liked it. We made plans for a Saturday evening. We had newspaper drives (it was a long time ago, wasn't it?!) . The kids saved their money and their
big day arrived: their first flight. Some parents volunteered to drive to Akron and off we went
(even though one car ended up at the Akron Air Docks - they made it to the correct airport on
time!). Mr. Joe Corcoran drove one of the cars. He was driving and I was in the front
passenger seat. About halfway to Akron the girls started to sing. Their song: LEAVING ON A JET PLANE! Some of you may recall some of the lyrics: "Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'Il be back again…"
Mr. Corcoran and I looked at each other and could hardly keep from bursting out laughing (we didn't!) The kids were so sincere but ....a fifteen minute flight?
The kids knew the basics about how the plane would go up, turn, etc. The Friday before
left they were told about all the sounds they would hear on the plane and the different things
to watch for: the wings extending, the sound the wheels made as they went into the wheel
wells.
We were at Akron Canton airport in time to see the gleaming blue and white Eastern
Boeing 727 taxi up to the gate. She was a magnificent sight to see as the concourse had
glass walls and it looked like you could reach out and touch the plane. Soon the Whisperjet
roared down the runway and into the air. The flight went well and the kids enjoyed looking out
the windows. Being not too full most of them had window seats. When we flew over the
Goodyear sign by the 480 bridge the pilot started to slow the plane down. As you know,
planes make a steady hum! Uh, oh!!! - one thing I forgot to tell the kids was that when the
plane approached Hopkins the pilots would reduce power. I told all the kids around me that
they were only reducing power. As I turned to tell the kids in the back - surrounded by the
three massive engines - one little girl was holding onto the armrests. Before I could say
anything she said: "We ran out of gas! " I said no, the pilots are just reducing speed. Needless
to say on future flights I did tell the kids about the pilots reducing speed and that the plane
would become much quieter!. The plane landed safely at Hopkins with the parents waiting for
their loved ones! At that time - maybe some of you may remember - you could walk out on
the flat roof of the concourse and stand right above the plane and watch the people get off.
Yes, the drivers to Akron were able to get to Hopkins in time to see their seasoned travelers get off the plane! WME
SABRINA
My Little Cat Ghost
by
Lynette Combs
The years I've worn you,
Warm upon my shoulder,
Ended here…
Surprised to find us older.
And there was nothing
Left to do today
But hold you close
And help you on your way.
Be still, my little cat.
Be well
Be free.
I know that you're somewhere near.
And loving me.
THANK YOU all that have inquired about Sabrina and sent the nice poems and stories, this
poem being one of them. Sabrina's little Christmas miracle lasted until December 29, 2021.
-Bill
THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
1861-1865
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces under the command of General Pierre G.T. Beauregard
opened fire on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, commanded by Major Robert Anderson.
It was an intense but bloodless 34 hour bombardment. When the Union surrendered they asked for
and received permission to fire a 50 gun salute in honor of our flag. Unfortunately, one of the
cannons exploded and killed a Union soldier - the first soldier to die in the war. The bloodiest
war in American history had started. Before it ended four years later over 600,000 soldiers
would die. The population of the country (north and south) was 31 million. Almost every
American family had a relative that became a casualty in the war. (1)
of the country to threaten to leave the Union. During Shay's rebellion. Congress authorized
Federal forces but they were never used. Later, States west of the Appalachians were
discontent.
With the election of President Lincoln things had came to a head. On January 5, 1861
President Buchanan sent the unarmed steamer STAR OF THE WEST with supplies to Fort
Sumter.
On January 9, she was fired upon and returned to New York without delivering the
needed good.
On March 4,1861, President Lincoln was inaugurated and stated, " Physically
speaking we cannot separate ... No State, upon its own mere action, can lawfully get out of the
Union." (3). With the firing on Fort Sumter, Lincoln declared an insurrection existed and called
for 75,000 volunteers.
With Lincoln's call for volunteers, the four States of the upper south - Virginia, North Carolina,
Tennessee, and Arkansas left the Union. The four States left the Union to defend the right of
the seven lower south states to leave (Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama,
Louisiana, Texas). The border states of Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, and Kentucky remained
nominally loyal to the Union. Kentucky tried to follow a policy of neutrality. West Virginia
broke away from Virginia to remain loyal to the Union and became a state in 1863.
The reason for going to war in April, 1861, was to restore the Union. After the battle of
Antietam (September 17, 1862, the bloodiest DAY in American history - nearly 23,000 soldiers
were killed, wounded, or missing *) (4) did President Lincoln expand the reasons for fighting.
France and England were close to recognizing the Confederate States of America. The
Emancipation Proclamation was issued which would free the slaves - in States in rebellion
against the Union - in early 1863. (5)
Old Chestnut Grove Cemetery is the resting place of some of the soldiers that went to the war.
Among the soldiers are:
Lorenzo B. Adams, Co."B", 1st Ohio Light Volunteer Artillery; and
88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
John C. Bradford, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Frederick W. Broady, Co. "E", 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
George W. Brown, Co "E", 1st. Michigan Cavalry
Elisha Cook, Co. "C", 8th Ohio Volunteer InfantryEdward Damp, Co. "K", 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
John G. Fitch 2nd Lt., Co IF, 150 Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Herbert O. Fitch, Co. "I", 15thy Ohio Volunteers Infantry
Edward Wade Kidney, 19th Indépendant Battery, Ohio Light Artillery
Henry B. Northrop, 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Dominique Simon, 13th Louisiana Volunteer Infantry, CSA
Hiram A. Vaughn, Drummer, Co.
65th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
James Wright, 21st New York Artillery
They gave months and years of their lives to earn at one time - the undying gratitude of a
thankful nation. Monuments and markers were built in their honor. Who remembers and
honors their sacrifices today (2022)?
*Antietam was fought in one day. The Battle of Gettysburg had 51,000 casualties over three
days - July 1 - 3, 1863.
1. BATTLE MAPS OF THE CIVIL WAR, p.5
2. 10th AMENDMENT, U.NITED STATES CONSTITUTION
3. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN HISTORY, p.229.
4. LANDSCAPE TURNED RED, p.296.
5. DECISIVE BATTLES OF THE MIL WAR, p.105.
SOURCES
BATTLE MAPS OF THE CIVIL WAR Versa Press, East Peoria, Illinois, 2019.
CAMPAIGNS OF THE CIVIL WAR, Thomas Yoseloff, 1963
DECISIVE BATTLES OF THE CIVIL WAR, Lt. Col. Joseph B. Mitchell, 1955.
DEFEATING LEE.Lawrence A. Kreiser, Jr., Indiana University Press, Bloomington, 2011.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN HISTORY, Harper and Row, New York, Richard B. Morris,
1965.
EYEWITNESS TO THE CIVIL WAR, National Geographic, May, 2012.
LANDSCAPE TURNED RED, THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM, Stephen W. Sears, Tichnor & Fields,
New Haven, 1983.
MALICE TOWARD NONE; ABRAHAM LINCOLN Jack E. Levin, Threshold Editions, New York,
2014.
OFFICIAL MILITARY ATLAS OF THE CIVIL WAR, Major George B. Davis et al, 1983.
A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR YEARS, Paul M. Angle, Doubleday, Garden City,
New York, 1967.