SAHC joined in the fun at the 2017 Stryker Summerfest!

     Many people enjoyed a beautiful day to celebrate the annual 2017 Summerfest celebration in Stryker on Sat., Aug. 26, and the members of the Stryker Area Heritage Council joined right in the celebration!
     Once again, SAHC was asked to organize the parade. They also opened up the historic depot and they had a booth in the offices of the fire hall to show off some of the history that the town celebrates!
     The Summerfest parade kicked off at 3:00 p.m. with a fly-over by the Life Flight helicopter from Wauseon. The copter then landed by the fire hall for people to see after the parade.
     There were entries from the police, fire departments, the high school band and the new football team.
     There was a float from Quadco Rehabilitation Center picturing the Lockport bridge north of the village (shown in the photo on the left), some local businesses showed off their equipment and the United Brethren Church were dangling fishing poles as fishers of men as they walked through the parade.
     And, of course, it wouldn’t have been a usual parade had it not had to pause a couple of times for trains to go through!!
     SAHC appreciates all the help they received from the organizing committee members that made it a very smooth, and enjoyable event.
     The History Center at the depot was open after the parade, and they were glad to welcome the visitors who came by.
     Ernie Etoll, shown on the right, brought a framed photo to donate to the museum of a Norfolk and Southern train captured in the winter as it chugged by the Stryker depot. The photo was from a national calendar that he noticed at his work. It was from a trucking company that also offers the movement of goods by rail.
     Etoll said company officials posted the calendar in the office, and he walked up to his fellow workers and pointed to it saying, “I have stood in that spot a thousand times.”
     At first they didn’t believe him, but they took the calendar down and looked at the back of the photo, where it said it was taken in Stryker!
     His wife, Mary, also got a surprise when she visited the depot. She was looking at a display of Stryker artifacts, and said, “I have a bowl like that.” When she looked closer, she said, “I have a bowl JUST like that! It was made by Ruth Ann Smith!”
     The bowl was a donation from local history buff Tim Kays, but no one knew for sure who had made it. There is an inscription on the bottom that says “Stryker, Ohio,” but nothing of the artist.
     SAHC members felt it was probably by Smith, but weren’t sure. Etoll confirmed their suspicions by saying her bowl is signed by Smith, who was known for doing many ceramic dishes.
     Old time photos were a hit at the SAHC booth at the fire hall. Here in the photo on the left, Colin Blosser and Suzanna Hausch talk to SAHC Trustee Patsy Mealer as they look at the old pictures on display.
     Sue Buehrer had some prints made of old photos and displayed them at the booth. People looked over a couple tables filled with the photos as well as some in the booth. SAHC also offered William Knight Commemorative Coins, Stryker Depot commemoratives and memberships at the booth.
     Thanks to all who made the 2017 Stryker Summerfest such a great event this year!!!