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Garage Sale benefits Historical Society

The garage sale held June 16 and 17 to benefit St. Paul’s Church and the Land Office netted over $400, including three memberships and a donation. We especially appreciated the opportunities to reconnect with members, former members, and potential members. Thanks are extended to all who stopped by to wish us well. Volunteers who donated time and items included Alice Hook, Barb Cleland, Dianne Grimm, Bruce Guilford, Budd Smith, John and Kathy Smith, Michael Smith, Megan Smith, Jan Heffelfinger, Corinne Hurni, and Mary Smith.

in other news . . .

On June 15, Defiance County 4-H campers at the elementary school were treated to a musical comedy presentation highlighting moments from local history. Virlynn Rex, Mary Smith, and Dianne Grimm described changes brought about by early settlers and developers, using music, pictures, and vintage artifacts to compare the past with the present.

Earlier that week, the class of 1946 turned out for their 60th reunion church service held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Fred Mallot conducted the June 11 service with Shirley Yoder providing accordion accompaniment to the hymns. Joel Teeple assisted in cleaning out the building as part of his own church’s community service project.

Hicksville’s Historical Society launched its website on January 24, 2006, with a photo gallery and selection of familiar features highlighting Hicksville faces and places. Andrew Haver designed the site and guided its development. Dianne Grimm supplied vintage photos, while Jan Heffelfinger took on duties as photographer for the present day. Mary Smith coordinated research and text.

With frequent requests for information, Historical Society officers were looking for ways to make Hicksville history available in an easily accessible format. Additional features and photos are being readied for the site. Please check back to see our progress, and let us know if you have suggestions or corrections for us.

The Hicksville Historical Society always welcomes new members and volunteers. Contact us at PO Box 162 in Hicksville, Ohio, if you are interested.

Access to website: Type www.hicksvillehistoricalsociety.org in the address bar of your web browser.

Dedication ceremonies for the Huber drop curtain were televised on HIX–TV in January. Hostess Pam Diehl recounted the curtain’s journey through leaky barns on its way back to the stage. Historical Society president Mary Smith spoke to the curtain’s place in the history of the Huber Opera House. George Ridenour represented his parents Layel and Nan and the Ridenour Family Foundation, whose donation began the restoration process. Hicksville’s Rotary Foundation was recognized for its contribution as well.

Slides were used by conservator Andrea Chevalier, from the Intermuseum Conservation Association, to illustrate painstaking cleaning and restoration of the 16 x 28 foot canvas (using photographs supplied by the Hicksville Historical Society). Virlynn Rex and Andrew Gross closed the first act of the ceremony presentation by leading a sing-along of songs popular at the time of the curtain’s 1895 debut. The second act opened with a melodrama directed by Ms. Rex and originally performed by the senior class of 1914. The play showcased the talents of Hicksville’s younger generation of actors. Colleen Richter closed the ceremonies.

Over the past few years, several couples have chosen to hold their wedding ceremonies at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. An 1875 building little changed from the time of its construction, this offers a unique combination of bonuses and challenges. As one of Defiance County’s few National Historic Sites, it provides an elegant and simple backdrop and requires little in the way of additional decoration. With twenty pews, this facility is best suited to weddings with fewer than 100 guests.

The building’s deed ensured the preservation of beautifully carved original furnishings, but also placed certain restrictions on improvements. Consequently, there is no dressing or toilet area available for wedding party use. The building is heated but not air conditioned. There are no provisions for handicapped accessibility. Historical Society volunteers clean the church prior to its use and see to yard maintenance. The church is made available to Historical Society donors as scheduling permits.

Two boxes of red and white Christmas ornaments have been given to the Historical Society. Issued in 1992, the bulbs features St. Paul’s and will be available for a $5 donation to the Historical Society. These were part of a series of ornaments commissioned by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce. Thank you Chamber for the donation! Check out our Store page for information about ordering these or other Historical Society items.

More News Coming Soon!