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Historic walk set to return |
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Friday, 04 September 2009 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — The history of St. Marys will come to life with the second ever historical walk on Sept. 12.
St. Marys Historical Walk Chair Kimberli Rompilla said many are looking forward to the event and the nice weather forecasted for it.
“A lot of people are excited to take the tour,” Rompilla said. “Especially the participants that were cut short at last year’s walk because of Hurricane Ike.”
Despite the windy weather, Rompilla said last year went well.
“Even though we had the hurricane, people did compliment how nice the tour was and they were glad to see the chamber put on a historical event for the local community,” Rompilla said.
St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce Director Kelly Kill agreed with Rompilla.
“I anticipate it will be a good year for it,” Kill said. “It’s a great event that gives people an opportunity to know about their town and how far we have come. And to preserve the historical aspects of St. Marys, like the canal.”
Some changes have been added to the walk for this year.
“We added the Mooney Museum,” Rompilla said. “The ACCA is providing a driver and bus to transport the participants from the Grist Mill to the Mooney Museum.”
They also have changed the method of moving from station-to-station. She said some could not hear the cannon last year so this year they will communicate through walkie talkies.
“There will also be 16 students from Memorial High School that will be tour guides,” Rompilla said. “Along with them, there will be an adult to keep groups in order and on time.”
Rompilla also said the other tour sites are the same this year.
“We left the sites the same because of the weather last year,” Rompilla said. “We will add different sites next year to keep participants interested in coming back.”
The sites include Lock 12, Heritage Park, the Grist Mill, Mooney Museum, First National Bank Building, St. Marys Theatre, Fort Barbee Hotel and the Woolen Mill.
For the Woolen Mill, Rompilla said the groups will be meeting at the utility office parking lot. Also this year, Rompilla and the rest of the committee invite local residents to set up tables with memorabilia and collectables.
“Last year Doug Brookhart set up a small exhibit on Auglaize County engines,” Rompilla said. “So this year we’re hoping to get more local citizens involved by bringing their own collectables or souvenirs of St. Marys to share the history with the walking participants.”
Registration for the event will be held from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Sept. 13 in Memorial Park, where the participants will receive a pamphlet and water which was donated from Joint Township District Memorial Hospital. The tour is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
“The speakers will have 15 minutes to explain the history of their site,” Rompilla said. “After the 15 minutes, the group will switch to the next site.”
Rompilla said the committee also is working to hold the third-grade walking tour at a later date. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 October 2009 )
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