Saturday, December 29, 2018

1959 Lepard Chevrolet Ad

A few blocks east of the main four corners, where you will now find KW Corporation and the Fowlerville Pizza Box, Lepard Chevrolet showed off the latest and greatest.  In 1959, found in "The Fowlerville Review," big fins were all the rage.

Did anyone have one of these cars?

Lepard actually started out at the northwest corner of East Grand River and South Second Street, the former location of Maria's School of Dance.  As a reminder, there are nearly 3,000 posts on this site.  I did a quick search on the "Lepard" name and at least a half dozen articles came up.  So, please remember to search if you'd like more information!

Friday, December 28, 2018

1949 Harmon Ford Dealership

Mr. Bunn sold his dealership to Gordon Harmon, as reported in "The Fowlerville Review."  He'd owned it from 1921-1948, with a four-year break somewhere in the middle of that.  Without doing a great deal of research, I'm remembering Mr. Bunn lost his son, Ken, in an automobile accident, east of Fowlerville, on Grand River Avenue.  I'm wondering if Mr. Bunn took a break from the dealership when this happened.

At one time, at about where Owosso Road is, the curve was much sharper, nearly a 90-degree turn.  Older maps show it as such.  According to an article I found while doing research for "The Fowlerville Cronicles," this is about where the young fellow's accident occurred.

Eventually, Gordon Harmon would go onto real estate as well as owning this newspaper.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

1940 Holt 60th Anniversary

I'm just randomly grabbing articles found in "The Fowlerville Review," published between 1874 and 1972.  Today's two articles are from December 25, 1940, front page.  

Holt and Hart were partners in dry goods stores, 10-cent barns, and doing photography.  There are numerous pictures from the early 1920s where they documented various houses and buildings.  They are treasures.  

The picture and article show the Holts celebrating their 60th anniversary.  The other interesting article is in the right column.  A car accident south of town, Fowlerville Road and VanBuren.  That's always an interesting intersection even now due to speed on Fowlerville Road.  The Mrs. Blank mentioned was probably the wife of H.T. Blank, a local jeweler.  

Any of these names can be searched on this blog for more articles.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

1958 Real Estate Office

I knew this building, at the corner of East Grand River and South Second Street, as a collection office; others may remember it as Joseph Cox's law offices.  But, in 1958, it was part of an addition to a house where Mr. Clair Jones lived and the new add-on would be his office space.

Neither the house nor the building exist, both having been torn down a few years back.  The lot is empty except for a large rock at the corner, honoring John Gilully, an officer in the Civil War.

If you do a search on this blog for the military officer, you will find various articles and some squint shots I've posted over the years.

Another item to search on would be the "Spencer House."  Early on, in Fowlerville's development, a large white building stood at that corner and was used both as a storefront for travelers' needs as well as a few rooms for let.  The building was gone by about 1915-16.

The article for this addition was found in the December 31, 1958, issue of "The Fowlerville Review."  As a reminder, if you ever would like to do research in Fowlerville newspapers, head to the Fowlerville District Library.  The ladies there will be more than pleased to help you do a search of the digitized newspapers.  They are available from the years 1874 through nearly current.

Monday, December 24, 2018

1968 Letters to Santa

This is fun -- I looked in a December, 1968, issue of "The Fowlerville Review" and, on the front page, there were wonderfully-written letters to Santa.  I wish we could find out if Robert and Elizabeth and Stacia and Mary Ellen and Davy were lucky enough to get what they asked for.

At this time in the newspaper's history, Dick Rudnicki was the editor and publisher of the paper.  I have forever been grateful for drives around town as Dick told me various stories and identified storefronts and homes.  He is the Fowlerville encyclopedia, for sure!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas with family and friends, and loads of good eats.  And, hopefully Santa brings you what you're wishing for.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

1919 Novara Christmas Ad

A couple days back I showed an advertisement from 1945 for Spagnuolo's Confectionery.  Today, I thought we needed to see a 1919 Novara ad, as shown in "The Fowlerville Review."  Mr. Andrew Novara had his store where Sweet Sensations now offers up wonderful chocolate treats and before the Spagnuolo family made it one of their storefronts. 

Such a wonderful variety of items to purchase right before the Christmas giving season.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

1945 Spagnuolo Christmas Ad

I have absolutely been AWOL from this blog--so much going on!  But, that's just an excuse.  Over the holidays, I'm thinking things might slow down a bit.  Because of that, I'll look for some interesting articles and post them.  Don't give up on me!

I headed to Christmas, 1945, in "The Fowlerville Review," and immediately the above advertisement jumped out at me.  Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting one of the Spagnuolo children--we're not young anymore!--but it was such a delight to listen to her remembrances of growing up in Fowlerville.  The ad above seemed appropriate for this morning's post.

I hope all of you enjoy the holidays and come back for a visit as I'll be posting more.

Friday, June 8, 2018

2018 Library Ribbon-Cutting



Fowlerville District Library
Ribbon Cutting, June 7, 2018

Hello all – my name is Marion Cornett, President of the Board of Trustees for the Fowlerville District Library.  As you are all aware, the Fowlerville District Library is entering a new chapter – pun intended!

Thirty-plus years of fiscal responsibility has made both the current staff—Cindy, Marty, Tally, Jackie, Jen M and Jen K, Kate, and Audrey, Sue, Shelley—and this board—myself, Norma Moore, David Campbell, Terri Ridenour, Sue Spalding, Jim Gioia, and Mike Newstead—the lucky recipients of being part of this momentous event.

But, before we get to the business at hand, let’s look back at how this all began.  In March, 1904, a group of woman formed the Ladies Library, under the auspices of the village of Fowlerville Council.  G.L. Adams, publisher and editor of The Fowlerville Review, made the announcement in his local newspaper, March, 1904.

A location had not been found by the following week when the officers were announced.  But eventually, the northeast corner of the fire department, now Handy Township offices at the corner of Power Street and North Grand River, became home to the Ladies Library.


It took 66 years, but with increasing inventory and service to the community, the Ladies Library finally outgrew their cozy corner in the three-story building and a new location was chosen.  After the grist mill at the corner of Mill Street and North Grand Avenue was burned down (intentionally by the fire department), the village constructed an approximately 2,000 square foot building for specifically for library use.


With additions in 1986 and 2009, the original building was doubled in size, making it 4,425 square feet. 

By 2012, the Board began looking for ways to expand.  Originally, a third addition was planned but eventually scrapped, being considered nothing much more than a “band-aid” to the over-crowded conditions. 

So, that brings us to today and this special celebration.  But, we are celebrating more than a new, larger building.  We have two major events; well, really three events:

First off, this newly-renovated 17,000 square foot building.  I’d like to thank Ron Cieslak, our architect; John DeMattia, construction manager; and, Scott Naumoff, site manager.  I can’t say enough wonderful accolades for these three gentlemen and crews.  Thank you.

Secondly, we are pleased to recognize Beth Lowe, who will be taking over director duties as of July 1st.  Thank you, Beth.

Which brings me to our third event.

Special best wishes to both Cheryl Poch and Karin Pomeroy.  After 30-some years of polishing this spectacular gem in our community, they are both retiring as of the end of this month and receiving a very deserved rest.  (Note:  Karin retired one week earlier.)

And now, Cheryl and Beth, if you would please hold these scissors, let’s cut this red ribbon, christen this new location, and all get back to work!

Congratulations to all and a huge thank you for all involved, including our taxpayers!