Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, April 10, 1975 -- STAUNTON HARDWARE CHANGES HANDS --Mr. and Mrs. Pio Frank have sold their hardware business to Mr. and Mrs. John Rodney of Florissant. Mo. The Franks have been in the hardware business for the past 29 years having purchased their business from the Late Mr. Ray Howald in 1946. The store at that time was located where the present Mode-O-Day store is now located. In 1955 they erected the building which they presently occupy.

Plans call for expansion of the sales area and work will begin In the near future to provide the additional space. The wall which presently divides the store from what was formerly occupied as doctor's offices will be removed thereby adding an additional 1600 square feet of sales floor. This area will be used to expand the lines of merchandise now carried.

The Rodneys plan to actively promote their new store by using sales promotions made available to them by the True Value Warehouse located in Chicago. The store will be known as Staunton True Value Hardware and will be part of a chain of over 4800 dealer owned True Value stores located throughout all of the 50 states. They plan to make their home in Staunton as soon as is practical.

MOVING DAY FOR COMMUNITY MEMORIAL -- Patients were moved into the new Staunton Community Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 31. The move went "much smoother than expected because of great cooperation and advanced planning," says Ruth Monti, R.N. and Jackie Yakos, R.N. Nurse Monti went on to say, "minor problems would come out in the wash.''

Between transferring supplies from the old to the emergency rooms, two volunteers. Terri Barks and Sue Schneider, asked some patients and hospital personnel their opinion of the new hospital.

Charles Milam of Mt. Olive was the first patient to be moved into the hospital. When asked for his comments he said, "I really like the new hospital and the nursing staff makes you feel at home even when you're sick. I watched them when they first started to excavate for the new hospital, never thinking I would be the first patient to be brought into it."

Another patient interviewed, Elmer Busser from Worden, said he thought the hospital was swell. "I'm well satisfied here and the food is good. I can't complain," said Mr. Busser. 'The facilities offered here are much more modern and convenient than those in the old hospital."

Paul Saboff who lives in Edwardsville, finds the environment "more relaxing in the new hospital, but right now things are a little confusing."

Reverend Shearburn from the First Methodist Church in Staunton, is among the first chaplains Community Memorial Hospital has had.

He explained, "The Chaplains will be working on a rotating schedule so that every morning someone will be here."

The chaplains have their office in the corridor off the nurses' station. The clergymen will be given a copy of each patient's admission form for their records. This will contain information on a patient's religion and some family history.

Hospital administrator George Schneider was pleased with the way things are running in the new hospital. He feels the hospital is an important asset in the development of the Staunton community and he appreciates all those who helped make it possible.

CARL STEMPLOSKI RETIRES AS CHIEF -- Lowell Lovejoy is the newly elected fire chief since Carl Stemploski announced he is retiring as fire chief after fifteen years. Carl has pledged to remain as an active fire fighter, however.

At this year's annual election of officers of the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department, Carl Stemploski announced his retirement as fire chief. Carl has been chief of the department for fifteen years, almost one third of the department's existence. Along with being chief, Carl had also served as Fire Captain for several years before being elected as chief.

The Chief wishes to thank the entire community and surrounding area for the excellent cooperation that he received during his term as fire chief. He also asks that you pledge your support and cooperation to the newly elected chief.

Members of the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the entire community thank Carl for his years of devotion to the service of the community and in the area of fire fighting and protection.

The members of the department elected Lowell Lovejoy as their new Fire Chief. Lowell is no stranger to the department as he has served as Captain for several years and will undoubtedly make an excellent chief. In other action the department elected Don Kasubke as president, Cliff Wall vice president, Larry Caldieraro secretary and Jim "Red" Williamson treasurer.

Cousin From Germany visited -- It has been the distinct pleasure over the past two weeks for Mr. and Mrs. Frederick E. Morgan and family of Staunton to have as guests Mrs. Morgan's cousin, Hans Ahrendt and his wife, Elke, from Bermbach, Germany. Mr. Ahrendt is the youngest union business manager in Germany and "found" his cousins in this country through many years of effort and searching. Since contacting Mrs. Morgan, however, it has been just one year from their first letter to their joyful meeting.

The Ahrendts' visit is unique in that they were first introduced to elaborately decorated cakes, ice in their drinks, Philippine food, sweet potatoes, cold beer, ice cream on cake, pie in general, a tour through a parochial school, handshaking in church, fresh catfish for lunch, unlocked doors on cars which in Germany will net you a fine and extension telephones, the use of which in Germany is verboten!