January 2022 newsletter

NANDOTPH
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IOWNSHIP.I
VOLUME 24,ISSUE 1 January-March 2022
Randolph Times…
"Uoua6 fu P*t vitl t/,o Frt rrv"
Visit our website: www.rths.org
Quarterly Newsletter of Randolph Township Historical Society, lnc., I l4 Valleyview Drive, Englewood, OH 45322
Dedicated to Preserving the History of Clayton, Englewood, Union, and the Surrounding Aress.
W{ re bsch in
THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER by Doug Allen
sdion!
With the new year upon us, we are looking at a
period of reorganization here at RTI{S. Firsl, let me say that I'm
very pleased to be chosen as the nerv president. I look foru,ard to
working with our members who have been appointed to nerv
positions. Robin Perkins is our new vice president, Doris S,'est
our new treasurer, and Terry Guema our new membership and
correspondence secretary, and our new board members are Jeff
Harding and Craig Falknor.
In November, the board voted to contract with Kristina
Scott to he our new operations director fi'om Decenther 1- 2021.
through November 30, 2022. Kristina will be responsible for
recording acquisitions, managing membership expansion and
donation drives, and facilitating museum tours. among various
other duties. We're all very happy to welcome her aboard and
look forward to working with her.
We'd also like thank those who have stepped down from
their positions: Cleva Collar, Wilma Schroeder. and Jack West.
We are all looking forward to a very successful 2022
@ome up f,rr! geo
€€ EE
All functions are at the History Center unless otherwise noted.
Meetings on 2nd Wednesdays
Jan. 12, 1.OO p.m.ibusiness meeting
Feb. 9, 1:00 p.m./business meeting
Mar. 9, 1:00 p.m.ibusiness meeting
Apr. 13, 7:00 p.m./business meeting (note time change)
Specia! Events
Currently no special events or speakers are planned until the
evening meetings are resumed, although members may offer
diary or other readings after meetings.
lf you have any suggestions for a speaker you think might be
interesting, please pass any contact information you have along
to the historical society.
uS donretime!
The History Center is open
most Sunday's, 1-3. Check
Facebook or look for the flag on
the sign at Rt. 48 and History
rL, Like us on
Facebook
Office Phone: 937-832-8538
Email: info@rths.org
www. rths.org
Lane.
Officers
President: Doug Allen
Vice-Pres: Robin Perkins
Recording Secy Kay Dawson
Corres. Secy. Terry Guerra
Treasurer:Doris West
Directors
Barb Eller (2022)
Mary Geiger (2022)
Bill Gothard (2022)
Ron Papp (2022)
Craig Fal kn or (2022-2023)
Jeff rey Harding (2022-2023)
G lynn Marsh (2022-2023)
Wi I ma Schroeder (2022-2023)

QUARTERLY SUMMARY
It's been a hectic, disjointed time for the RTHS, as for everyone. The board of directors met from time totirne (carefulll'maskcd and socially distancing until membo, *1"r" fully vaccinated), discussing matters thatcould not be put off._hesident Angie Ifoschouer reported on many of these decisions in past neivsletters.
At the cnd of Februarv 2020 flre RTHS had $4,193.61 in the checking account and assets of $26,g69.9g.During the shutdown. the bills kept coming in. but our members stayed lJval and donated money, including a
generous amount fiom an anonymous donor, and paid their membeiships. ,,t the end of Novemb er 2021 the
checking account had s10-562.99. and the cash assets u,ere $31.74_5.00
In N{al'- the board of dirrctors decided to open the Centcr werl' Sundav except holidays from I p.m.tluough 3 p.tn. until NovEmbff. and at the.Novsmber meeting Doug Allen rugg".tra maintaining prili" ho,r.,through the winter. u'eather permittrne and volunteers a'u,aila6le. Between Jrn"-O and Dec. 5, abJui five dozenpeople visited. Angie arranged to have some of the larger signs from the lower lwel hung on the walls of themeeting room. Misti Spillman resigned as executive diiectoi to take a full-time job.
In .Tuly, members considered Angie's suggestion to ha'",e the RTHS sell T-sirirts with logos of businessss
from the past as a fundraiser and having a "Class Wars" donation contest. Kay Dawson saiJshe is preparing
a booklct of mernorics on the Baby Boomer ),ears in the area.
In August. Angie scheduled Tim Gaffnel,to speak at the October meeting, and in September Doug Allenreported he had replaced the front windou, damaged by a BB gun. There *uJru evidence that there hr'd U"enan attempt at a break-in.
At the October board meeting, Angie Hoschouer announced her resignation as president. She lefl a
resum6 from Kristina Scott, recommending her to replace Misti Spillrnrriu, "*"",rtive director. Doug Allenparticipated by phone, and Kay suggested we might want to consider this fbr fufure times when, qui*- *u,in doubt. The regular business meeting followed ihe board meeting, and Tim Gaffney spoke about his book,Davton Beer: A Histofl of Brewing in the lv{iemi Valley. Monty Mo"", displayed some of his collectable beerbottles.
In Novernber a ne4l slate of offrcers was elected. (See p../.) Doug reported that the fall rains had left fourinches of rT'ater in the basernent and suggested the RTIIS should give-serious thought to finally settling theproblan once and for all. Clwa Collar suggested raising funds bf inviting residenis of the assisted-livi"ing
places in the area to tour the center, at possibly $l a person.
Kristina Scott began work on Dec. I by preparing a phone tree so board members can get word to each
other when necessary. She also invited suggestions frorneveryone, has started writing grunt , and will contactmembers of her high-school class who -iv U" interested in tfre RTFIS. Robin Perkins invited suggestions f<rr
programs when they resume in the spring. After the meeting, Clwa showed some old and Germii Christmas
decorations.
Missing from Among Us
The area has lost several notable people over the past l8 months. Ivan Clark died in November 202O. He
had been a long-time member of the RTHS and was al the time of his death serving as vice president.
Barbara Rapp died in June 2021. She and her husband, Joe Rapp, were well knlown in the area as they
operated Rapp Jewelgrs for many years, and she was a member ofihe RTI{S for several years.
Dorothy Lurz, a longtime member whose oral history is in the archives, died at ug" fO+. She was a
member of the historical society for most of its existence and in 2013 contributed an iral history interview toour files.
Dane Mutter died in October of 202l.In addition to being a member of the RTI{S, he worked forAullwood Audubon Farm, Five Rivers MetroParls, and Beavercreek Weflands Association. and publishedtwo books on the natural and cultural history of the area.
The Randolph Township Historical Socie$ extends sympathy to all the family members.

RANDOLPH RAMBLINGS
by Kay Dawson
Twenty-five years ago
The court ruled the election u,as valid.
Not r/:at election. When Clar4on and Ran-
dolph Township voters agreed in 1996 to morge
into the city of Clayon. Englewood and Union
challenged the vote, claiming residents of those
cities should have a sav in the matter as some of
the police and fire services rvere mixed.
The RTIIS History Center has a collection of
bound copies of the Englewood Independenr from
1975 tluough 2008. These are fascinating to look
through, reminding us of rvhat the area was like
even a few years ago and oflen lelling us of ordi-
nary events that turned oul to be significant later.
One of the points of dispute was over whether
there should be a joint fire district. In February
1997 the Court of Appeals ruled the merger vote
rvas valid. The decision said that when Englewood
and Union incorporated as cities, they removed
themselves from tor,l,nship jurisdiction, and the
Ohio Revised Code did not allow rnunicipal resi-
dents to vote on issues involving unincorporated
areas of a township. Rul the court declined to rule
on the question of a joinl fire department.
This didn't end the disagreements, as after a
discussion about the merger. local offrcials didn't
even agree on what subjecls had been agreed on.
But in ]t{arch, a new fire and EMS district for
Englewood was formed, with the split between
the Randolph Township and the Englewood Fire
Districts to take place in six months,
Elmer "Buddy''Bergman became head of the
Englewood Fire Department.
The controversy didn't seem to have played
a part in the defacing of the fire station on South
Walnut Street by racist and what the Independent
termed "other inappropriate" remarks. Police
quickly arrested a suspect, and residenl Daniel
Smith began removing the graffiti as a public
service.
Of course, other things happened in the area.
There was a shetch of sub-zero weather and snow,
and the Independenr ran the usual pictures of chil-
dren playing in the snow and snowmen standing
guard in lau.ns.
In January. Englewood acquired a wellfield on
East Wenger Road to supply water to flre city. This
was a much better investment than officials could
have foreseen at the tirne. In 2019, a water main
break under the Miami River in Dayton and. five
monlhs later, the damage to one olDay,lon's
pumping stations b1,the Memorial Day tornadoes
left much of the count-v without water and then
with a boil advisory. Englewood, along with a few
other cities whose governments had the foresight
to acquire their own source of water, suffered no
such problems.
But the same issue of the paper thal reported
on the acquisition of the wellfield reported a water
main break on Tate Avenue.
Even though January weather is not usually
conducive to construction, the extension of the
Dalton Metro Library branch at the back of flre
government center was nearing completion. It has
served the community ever since and rvill be re-
placed by the new building now under construc-
tion on National Road.
The lack of sewer facilities threatened the
completion of the housing development at West-
brook and Crestway, but at the Northmont Gov-
ernment Round Table, "a spirit of cooperation"
prevailed as local oflicials discussed a sewer dis-
trict. They also opposed the relocation of the
county courts to the Reibold Building in down-
town Dayton. This relocation had been proposed
to seffle competition between New Lebanon and
Iiotwood for tlrc courl building.
I-ocal residents made news. Marie Aull turned
100. She had donated the land that became Aull-
wood Audubon Center and Nature Center and err-
joyed meeting children using the center. Ned
Sifferlen, a local residenl, became president of
Sinclair Community College. In February Dick
Cool, long-time band director at Northmont, died.
As spring arrived in March, Englewood was
building Centennial Park
Membership Report
The memberships are still being updated.
Please check the mailing label on this news-
letter. Unless you are a lifelong member, there
should be a date (1212I,12122. etc.) in the upper
right of the label. If it is earlier thm l?J22, your
membership has expired and you need to renew.
One effect of the pandemic for many has been a
blending of 2020 and 2021 in many people's
minds. We would not like to see you miss any
activities.
The RTHS figures memberships to run from
January to January, but if you joined the Society
in October, November. or December, youl'menl-
bership includes those months as well as the fol-
lowing year.

Between changes in personnel. lockdowns. and computer problems, we have gotten behind in listing
the acquisitions. None have been lost or misfiled. and all are appreciated. We hope to get a more complete
listing in the near future.
Anonymous: Black cloth zippered money pouch.
with lettering saying'TarmErs & Merchants Bank of
Englewood";
Clay,ton Junior High School diploma issued to Fred
Baker ir N{uy of 1947;
Randolph High School diploma issued to Fred Baker
in N4ay of 1950.
Brad Herr: Two diaries and scrapbooks from 1860
owned by the IJeck family.
Linda Overla lreland: Quilt by Anna Rasor.
1901: Antique frames with Elsie Fetters Mumma.
aged 6 to 8 months and aged three years:
Art Mumma: Fairview High School baseball and
basketball team picture; Marriage license issued to
Art and Elsie Mumma; High School diploma issued
to Art Mumma;
Jack West: an old level.
v
Change of Personnel
As mentioned in the October 2020 newsletter, the RTHS hired Misti Spillman as the executive
director. During the shutdown, she and Presidant Angie Hoschouer worked to renovate the displays in the
meeting room and to updatc records.
In May. Misti u'as offered a full-time job with benefits elsewhere and naturally did not feel able to
pass up the offer. She said she intended to remain active in the RTHS when possible.
President Angie Hoschouer felt it necessary to resign as president at the October board meeting, and
Vice hesident Doug Allen took over as acting presidfllt until the new slate of offrcers was elected at the No-
vember meeting. The board decided to look for another executive director and in November interviewed
Kr"istina Scott for the position. The board also decided the title of Operations Director better described the
duties of the position.
Kristina retired from the Dalton Metro Library where she spent years cataloging materials and
learned the gravity of properly handling and archiving historical items being added
to the collection. She is becoming well-acquainted with PastPerfec! our museum
software in lr,hich the RTHS acquisitions are catalogued.
After 12 years as the corresponding/mernbership secretary, Wilma
Schroeder has decided she would like to take a break. Terry Guerra has taken
over that position.
Also, Craig Falknor and Jeffrey Flarding arejoining the board of directors.
s erving two-year terms.
Operations Director's Corner by Kristina Scott
I{appy Neu' Year from the RTI{S! With the approaching New Year, the Historical Society is excited
for many new adventures!
We have had some exciting changes in leadership and are looking forward to new iltrgy, programs,
and mernbers. We are planning on expanding membership with a drive to include more
of the Gen X srowd. Those of us born in the '60s, '70s, and '80s hold fond memories of growing up within
the Randolph Township boundaries, such as sledding at the tnglewood Dam, homecoming parades doun
Main Street to the football field (then by O.R. Edgington School), watching movies at the Englewood
Cinema, and hanging out at Godfather's Hzza. An amazing time and place to grow up!
As the new C)perations Director, f am flattered and grateful for the warm rvelcome I have received by
the Board of Directors and leadership of the Historical Society. Please follow along as we start a new chapter
of growth in the coming year!

RECENT HAPPENINGS AT THE RTHS HISTORY CENTER
Evening of Beer
At the October rneeting. Tim Gaffirey addressed the RTHS on the history of brewing in
I)aton. He is the author of Dayton Beer: A History of Brewing in the Miami Valley.
Nervcom1'avern had a brewery as early as 1809, and Springfield had one in 1804. Many
of the early settlers \rere Gennan and brought with them theirtradition of brewing beer.
Citv Brerverv discovered how to make cold, clear lager and spurred the growth of the in-
dustry in Davton. For a long time the Schwind family dominated the industry; the Schwind Tower
on First Street u'as the first skyscraper in the city. Later the Schantz farnily intermarried with the
Schrvinds. and the family dynasty dominated the industry for years.
The Sachs-Pruden brervery started by making ginger beer that rvas sold nationwide and then
became a breu'en'. This buildirrg is still standing on Patterson Boulevard now houses the Dal,ton
N{etro Libran,ofhces.
Holletrcarnp was one of the few breu,eries to surv'ive the Prohibition years. Improved refrig-
erated transporlation helped hasten the end of the local breweries in the 20th century, although local
rnicrobreweries are a growing industry.
Ir{ontl' lt4ercer displayed some of his collectible beer bottles (empt1,) in the lobby.
After Gaffue1,'5 talk, Angie Hoschouer passed along a story she had read in an old paper.
Appearing in Da14on. the magician and escape artist Harry Houdini allowed hirnsellto be chained
and shut in a barrel at a brewery. Escaping from a container while chained was a specialty of his act.
He escaped, but the fumes from the fonner contents of the barrel so affected the teetotaller that he
had to go for a walk to clear his brainl
Christmas Decorations
After the December trreeting, Cleva Collar showed some unusual Christmas decorations.
Some of thern were rnusical; one group played carols and lights twinkled when buttons were pushed.
There were two figures made by the Amish and a family of Victorian carolers. There was also a
u,indmill that rotated when the candles under it were lighted. (See p. 8.)
Water in the Basement
The History Center has always been plagued by water in the basement, but there has been
SOme progress made.
Ron Papp purchased a second dehumidifier that is helping remove humidity, not only stop-
ping condensation but helping preserve the artifacts stored there.
Exlensions on the downspouts are helping divert some of the rain from the foundation. They
should bc buried, though. to avoid interfering with the mowing, and the last board meeting included
a discussion of how to contact and pay for someone to repair and seal the foundation where the lob-
by joins the main body ofthe church and how to divert water from the emergency exit from the
kitchen.
Last fall. Doug and Monty found several inches of water in the basement following the sea-
son's hearry raitrs. They spent a few hours removing it, and Doris West, Ron Papp, Mary Geiger,
and Wilma Schroeder spenl even longer cleaning mold from some of the items that were damaged.
Ard Doug and Monty found the rains brough an unusual visitor. A frog was seen hopping
through the basement! Don't worry. animal lovers. They captured it, and Monty took it to the bluffs
behind the Center so it had a chance to make its way home. Let's hope it is currently telling of its big
adventure "the livelong dayiTo an admiring bog." (Apologies to Emily Dickinson.)

VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS
Volunteers
fhe Historical Society has always been fortunate to have loyal volunteers who have donaled
lots of time. Not until spring of 2020 did the board decide that the RTHS needed more professional
help. when Misti Spillman became the executive director. Now Kristina Scott has succeeded her, but
the R'I'HS still has plenty of roles for volunteers.
A lot of people don't like being pinned to a schedule as though they were still working, and
a lot of retirees are busier than when they were working. But there are plenty of "now and then" op-
portunities to volunteer.
For example, while we treasure all our historic artifacts, there is nothing historic about their
dust. Maybe someone could stop by to dust and vacuum occasionally. (Supplies are provided.)
When programs resume, there may be a need for help setting up chairs or directing parking if
there is a very popular program on a weekend. Maybe someone would like 1o help supply simple re-
fieshments for these pro grams.
Chrce every quarter, we need a few people to help address and mail the newsletter. If there
are enough volunteers to put it on an assembly line basis-one taping, one applying the address la-
bels, one applying stamps, etc.- the work goes fast and is a bit reminiscent of the old quilting or
corn-husking bees.
Occasionally, there is a one-lime job. We may need extra hands to set up a display or move
a display case. The flower bed may need mulching. (The RTHS hires a lawn-mowing service.)
And, of course, the Center can always use hosts to welcome visitors. Some hosts may want
to cotne on a regular basis, and some may only be able to come once every few weeks, but any help
is welcorne.
Anyorte who can donate a few hours occasionallv or regularll'or just rvants to indicate a rvill-
ingness to be asked can leave a message at937-832-8538 or email info@rths.ore.
Visitors
The RTHS decided last summer to keep the Center open to the public every Sunday instead
of two Sundays a week. Several of us were dubious about this, but we were very happy to be proven
wrong. Since July l l, about five dozen people have visited the Center on Sundays.
The Center has also attracted the notice of planners of high school reunions. Besides en-
joying the general school memorabilia, these visitors can usually look through their yearbooks
(laughing at the hairstyles they once thought were "cool"). If the graduating year is later than 1975-
the host can make that year's copy of the Englewood Independent avarlable for perusing.
At the November meeting, Doug Allen suggested keeping the Center open through the win-
ter, assuming the weather permits and we can get volunteers. Glynn Marsh volunteered one Sunday
a month. So far there have been enough hosts, but often the same people are doing this and the
RTHS could use more hosts.
The Center is only open two hours on those days. If no one shows up the hosts can browse
through the files and find interesting items. If visitors do come, usually their questions are answered
by the signs on the exhibits or host can provide the information by looking in the file cabinets. Also.
there is usually a second volunteer.
Currently the hours are 1 through 3 p.m., but there has been discussion about changing them
to 2 through 4 p.m. Several hosts have noticed that more visitors arrive after 2 p.m. The hours and
whether the Center will be closed on any given Sunday is on the RTHS Facebook page. Also, if you
see the flag is hanging on the sign at the corner of History Lane and Rt. 48, the Center is open.

Membership I nformation
Name(s)
Address
City/State/Zip
Email address (optional)
Phone
Date
Membership Level (Check One)
lndividual @$1 5.0O/year
Family @ $25.O0/year
Sustaining @ $35.00/year
New membership Renewal Gift
Sponsoring @$75.00 lyear
lndividual Lifetime @ $250.00 (one-time)
Corporate @ $1SO/year
Extra Cash Donation: $ Enclosed is my check for $
Please send completed form with check to:
Randolph Township Historical Society
RTHS History Center' 114 Valleyview Drive
Englewood, OH 45322-1 324
One way to dotrate to the Historical Society without hurting your budget is to link your
KrogerPlus card to the Kroger Community Rewards program.
Each quarter, Kroger allots a ceftain amount of money for the Rewards budget and divides it
among participating organizations according to each organization's percentage of the total spending
by mernbers of all the organizations. Reports sent to RTHS show only the customer's KrogerPlus
Card Number, name, and the donation amount.
To register your KrogerPlus Card, go to u,urw.krogercommunitvrewards.com and follow the
instructions. Link the card to RTHS (NPO #81403). Those without computers or email can set up
accoutrts at the public library or through another member. You can also register at 1-800-837-4483,
with your KrogerPlus card and the RTHS number shown above. The bofiom of each receipt should
show the RTHS as the your designated organization.
REWARDS

RANDOLPH TOWNS}IIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY
rrco^tlD
ll,l Valleyvier Drire – Engleuood, Ohio 45322
"Uniting lhe Past with the Fttture"
Ch!tor – 1816 f,rSleDood – lE4l Uaion ' ltl6
;=;-,ri'
,d-r R,tNnolPH T
Cleva Collar shows the Christmas decorations she brought to the meeting.
Some are old and handed down through her family and some she acquired in
Germany. This windmill (L) rotated when the smoke from the lighted candles
rose to the blades. (Photo by Kristina Scott)
H.l
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