04 Jan 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Rittman Press
Location
Rittman, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Jan 04, 1940
Page
1
The Rittman post office completed a successful year in 1939 with receipts totaling 15301.29, up from 12591.20 in 1938. The year saw service improvements including delivery to 130 additional families and noon pre deliveries for all mail. Parcel delivery is enhanced.
The Milton Presbyterian church January calendar lists events from 14 January for communion and week of prayer closing, 17 January church night with reports and audits, to 21 January annual financial canvass. The Rittman post office, rated around 95, reports 8 percent receipts growth since 1933, with December quarter receipts up and money orders totaling 31,532.78. Postmaster Robert Hickin notes 50,000 pieces of mail handled during Christmas season.
Paul Johnson was elected general superintendent of the First United Brethren Sunday School at the annual election. Frank Hedinger named assistant superintendent. Other officers include Miss Evelyn Harter and Mrs. Luther Cummings junior superintendents. Esther Seebauer Ruth Hedinger Maurice Simpson secretaries. Librarians Marcella Simpson and Marjorie Schumacher. Treasurers Mrs. Earl Franks and Mrs. Jacob Graber. Birthday secretaries Mrs. Bessie Schumacher and Mrs. Carl Straus. Cradle roll superintendents Mrs. John Collins and Mrs. H L Strickland. Pianists Mrs. Pag Johnson and Edwin Mc Gee. Choristers.
Ray Ashbrook of Rittman is a distant relative of Congressman William Ashbrook, 72, who has represented Ohio's 17th district for more than 25 years and died Tuesday at his Johnstown home from a paralytic stroke. His wife and five children survive.
Rittman Rotary Club members shared humorous and serious New Year’s resolutions during a noon meeting at the Presbyterian church. The group voted to donate $20 to help cover expenses for the Civic Association’s Christmas program.
Wooster mathematics professor Dr B F Yanney cites two solar eclipses in 1940. The first on April 7 will cross North America from near the equator through the U S in a 150 mile wide path, visible from Ohio to Florida. The second on October 1 will be seen mainly in South America with Florida’s peninsula as the only U S visibility.
Mrs. Ralph West, chair of the Christmas Seal drive, appeals to all Rittman residents who received seals to send in contributions or return the seals promptly. She notes that receipts must be reported and that overall contributions for Christmas Seals are running lower than previous years. Additionally, county Class B teams enter the home stretch with Sterling, Doylestown, and Apple Creek in strong positions for the league crown, featuring a big Friday clash between Sterling and Doylestown.
Wayne county American Legion past commanders banquet set for Wednesday January 10 in Creston. State Commander R B Gardner of Mansfield and 10th District Commander H Milton Blot of Steubenville will be guests. Creston post handles arrangements and the Auxiliary serves dinner at 7 p m. Tickets from county post commanders. Rittman Legionnaires plan to attend. Rittman Legion held a turkey dinner Tuesday night at Legion rooms with Auxiliary serving the banquet.
Rittman High heads to Loudonville Friday for a Buckeye League clash as they chase a sixth straight win after a two week break. Dalton and Canal Fulton games follow with Canal Fulton moved up due to early tournament start. Reserve squads will match up before the varsity games.
Joe Crites was arrested Monday by Marshal Charles Heffelman for driving under the influence. He pled guilty before Mayor Roy Baker and was fined 100 dollars with 50 suspended. Alex Thomas was arrested Monday for intoxication, pled guilty, and was fined 5 dollars plus costs.
Wayne county residents are invited to meet conservation officers at a supper sponsored by the Wayne County chapter of the Izaak Walton League at Augsburg Lutheran church in Orrville on Monday January 8 at 6 30 p m. Speakers include A W Short chief of game management and others from the state and county offices. The program aims to educate on game management and outdoor life and outline the commissioner's plans for the coming year. Everyone is welcome.
Liquid helium reaches near absolute zero and exhibits a peculiar tendency to creep up the walls of its storage vessel. This strange behavior worries scientists who rely on helium to achieve ultralow temperatures, though some unforeseen benefits may arise if the issue is explored further.
The Rittman volunteer fire department reports a quiet 1938 with 220 dollars in fire damage from 14 calls. Hose and booster lines were updated in 1939. New officers for 1940 include Don Brodbeck president James Hille vice president Joe Walters secretary and Lawrence Stoolmiller assistant secretary. The Wayne County Volunteer Firemen’s Association January meeting is set for January 15 at Sterling.
Rev. C. B. Conn of the Creator Methodist church will be guest speaker at Sterling PTA meeting Monday night in the high school auditorium. The program includes instrumental music by the high school orchestra and grade auxiliary, vocal selections by the Sterling men's quartet, and a humorous reading titled Rufus Ebenezer Washington Brown.
The board held its first 1940 meeting at City Hall and rehired Grady Ingle as clerk and Carl Milford as water superintendent for two year terms. New member A J Grant was sworn in by Mayor Roy Baker. Harry Brenneman was elected president as the board members became Brenneman, Ed Newberry and U J Grant.
A resume of Rittman events appears on page 6 of The Rittman Press. The 1838 news in pictures is referenced as part of the page six pictorial summary, listing local happenings and notable items for readers.
Rittman Grange shows officers to be installed Friday night January 12 at the granite hall with Mrs Herman Plath as installator. Officers for the coming year include Benevolent Master Blempeon Roy Wirth overseer OC Beyler lecturess Miss Mary Wirth secretary treasurer Ben Cook gatekeeper Miss Ann Mae Wirth prostress Betty Fixer Pomona Edna Math Flora Miss Marcella Simpson and others. The juvenile grange plans a January post hunt with points awarded for wildlife species.
Mr and Mrs Ralph Horn of Doyles town welcomed a baby on Wednesday evening January 3 at Wadsworth hospital. The birth adds a new member to the Horn family as relatives share joy.
A lively New Year message praises the Stroller Ritmannites and local firemen for a safe year with minimal fires and low damage. The note hopes for continued good fortune in 1940 and urges common sense fire precautions.
The Rittman Civic Association discussed securing a direct road from Rittman to Me dina spreading across Route 224 to Route 57 as a state highway. President G E Harrison will appoint a permanent roads committee and plan a January association celebration with dinner and a guest speaker. The group also reported Christmas charity totals and home lighting displays were notably improved this year.
A fragmented obituary list and death notices appear, noting 65 year old residents, March last names including O’Brian, Johnson, and Elizabeth, with family connections and local ties. The text mentions a council meeting, high school year, and several aging residents, reflecting community records.
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