Converting Northwood Fire Station to a
MuseumWhile the necessary
architectural, engineering, contracting, city approval process goes forward
-- so that the Northwood Fire Station can be updated to meet code
specifications required by the structure's change of use -- cleanup work is
being accomplished. Volunteer Johanna Schurrer, for example, is
scouring and painting kitchen cabinets. Chuck Button, owner of
Button's Rent It, has just completed triple-sanding and varnishing the
hardwood floor of the upstairs former dormitory. That dorm will become
the major storage area for objects, documents, books, and photographs not on current exhibit.
-- 19 Nov 08
A leftover couch and some voting
equipment remained on a firm but worn hardwood floor in
the upstairs dormitory of the fire station. |
About 50 volunteer hours later, the
triple-sanded and varnished floor is ready to accept
steel shelves and related storage equipment. |
Chuck Button, who toiled
nights and weekends using equipment from his Button's
Rent It business, relaxes and admires his work. |
Small Town/Urban life at its best
Just under 800 men, women, and children had a pancake breakfast at the
Farmers Market on Memorial Day. Once again Royal Oak Historical Society
volunteers cooked, served, and cleaned up as the breakfasters came in
surges. Starting at 7 a.m. parade-marchers and other early risers came.
They left for the parade, and the market was fairly quiet as individuals
and families filtered in. About 10:30, the second surge began, with both
marchers and parade-watchers enthusing about the quality of the parade,
especially the Middle School Band.
I was assigned busboy duty, and my focus for several
hours was to spot empty plates and to clear tables, so I can't be sure
that I saw all the notables who attended, but I did see Commissioners
Stephen Miller and Chuck Semchena flipping pancakes, and I
encountered Mayor Jim Ellison and City Manager Tom Hoover --
who, as I cleared his table, commented, "Well. You've finally found
something you're good at!"
And someone returning from the Ceremony at the Cemetery reported seeing
Commissioner Carlo Ginotti. Those hundreds who attended this 12th
Historical Society Pancake Breakfast reminisced; socialized and networked; viewed
historical photographs and documents; purchased historical books and
model airplanes.
Taking advantage of that large gathering of residents,
and operating within the restrictions that limit signature-seekers to
outside the building, were Dr. Kevorkian, running for
Congressman, I think, and a woman with a petition related to stem cell
research.
-- May 2008
Last One Standing
Blanche Howard was the last one standing
at the Royal Oak Historical Society's Annual Dinner, after the 150-plus diners had
gone through the society's traditional "How long have you lived in
 Royal
Oak?" contest. The entire audience is asked to stand. Then, decade-by-decade
from 10 years of residence onward, people sit down. When the challenge reached those
who
have lived in the city more than 80 years, two men and a woman were still
standing, Then, year-by-year, the men sat. Asked how long she has lived in
Royal Oak by the evening's emcee, City Commissioner Carlo Ginotti,
Blanche, now 89, answered "87 years." Her parents moved to Royal Oak from
Detroit. -- Oct 2008
|
On and from this
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Last
One Standing
Small Town
Urban life at its best |
