Many of you readers tell me you like to read names from past newspapers and I love reading about them, too. I found some interesting items in“The Searchlight,” the Cardington school newspaper. These papers are dated 1945 and 1949.

In the paper dated, March, 1945, there are three articles reviewing three prominent Cardington men, John Kientz, Milton Poorman and Ward Conaway.

John was a familiar sight in the village as he was an insurance agent but he bore a striking resemblance to Winston Churchill, served on the village council, the Glendale Cemetery Board, worked with U. S. O, the Red Cross, War Bond drives and the Harding Area of the Boy Scouts. He helped to bring free shows to the village. I remember John as he drank his coffee in Al’s Restaurant always with a dip of ice cream in it.

Milton Poorman, CHS grad where he played basketball and baseball at Cardington High School, worked with Gandee’s Bakery in his early working career until he smashed up one of the trucks when he collided with another truck. (According to this story, it was the other guy’s fault!) Milt was then managing Mills Feed and Seed Store, serving on village council, belonged to the Rotary Club and Music and Drama Club.

This story describes Milt’s very, very strict schedule and the fact that he loved sirloin steak.

The third person described was Ward Conaway, editor of the Independent newspaper and the Union Register at Mount Gilead. He had attended Ohio University where he studied Journalism. He noted one of his most exciting experiences was when he wrecked his father’s car when he went to sleep and struck a concrete abutment, wrecking the car but he wasn’t seriously hurt.

His first job was sweeping the floor of the Independent where his father was editor.

Another interesting article in this edition was on “Bow Ties!” It was amazing that the author of that article, Millie Furstenberger, found so much to write regarding bow ties. She described the many styles of bow ties, and quotes from men or boys who wore them.

“I wear them just to be different,” said one male and another said “I like them because they are already tied.” She summed it up referring to Crooner Frank Sinatra who had revived the style when his singing career blossomed, saying “What has

Sinatra got that our boys haven’t?”

From a 1949 Searchlight with excerpts from a 1922-23 school paper called “The Tattler” this “joke” “Father: Doris, doesn’t Herbert know how to say good night?” Doris: Oh Daddy, I’ll say he does!”

In 1914 the village of Cardington was preparing for its very first Chautauqua to be held in August. More on this later.

Excerpts from past newspapers in increment years: March, 1952: Volunteers staffed six posts of the Ground Observers Corps county wide around the clock. They were trained by the U S Air Force to spot and report enemy aircraft. Posts were located in Chesterville, Shauk, Edison, Fulton, Williamsport and Ibiera. A seventh post was planned for Mount Gilead.

March, 1972: Stahl Metal Products of Cardington was awarded a federal government contract for truck utility bodies; New 1972 license plates went on sale at Ceasar’s Palace, 116 South Marion Street. Plate numbers assigned to Cardington were R7200 to R8400.

March 1982: News reporters from major media outlets statewide continued to report on the recovery efforts from the June 13, 1981 tornado that struck Cardington. These reporters, to a person, were amazed at the rapid progress being made in the village.

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By Evelyn Long

Contributing Columnist