Shows
Postcards from GraftonGrafton Railroad History with Paul JustyWe were lucky to speak with Paul Justy, author and Grafton railroad expert. Paul has been a part of the local railroad preservation group for many years, a group which has worked hard to save the historic railroad tower and share knowledge of Grafton's history with everyone. A lifelong resident of Grafton, Paul's interest in the railroad started when he was a child, exploring and learning early on about the industry. Also, Paul and Chris Smith are authors of the book, "The Lost Quarry Industry of Indian Hollow and Willow Park - Grafton, Ohio" which you can borrow from the...2024-02-0957 minPostcards from GraftonGerry Matusik and NASAThis is Part 2 of our discussion with Gerry Matusik, lifelong Grafton resident, focusing on his experiences working at NASA in the machine shop. We get pretty deep into the industry, so you'll find lots to learn listening to this episode. We sort of jump right into the conversation in the beginning and you may want to start with Part 1 to get started.
2023-08-2548 minPostcards from GraftonGrafton Experiences with Gerry MatusikThe first part of our interview with Gerry Matusik, lifelong Grafton resident, discussing his experiences growing up in the village, working, pranks, events, the people and places, and why he was glad to stick around.
2023-08-1148 minPostcards from GraftonSpitzer Family and Business HistoryIn this episode we interview Alan and Andrew Spitzer about the Spitzer family and businesses that have been a staple of Grafton for many years. Representing the third and fourth generations of the Spitzer business family, Alan and Andrew talk about the range of businesses the Spitzers have operated, from the beginnings of Spitzer Automobile to the modern day. They also talk about the more personal ties the family has with Grafton, including Harriet Spitzer’s deep involvement in the creation, and operation, of the Grafton-Midview Public Library in its early years. We hope you enjoy listening!
2023-07-141h 05Postcards from GraftonGrowing up GraftonOn this episode I am speaking with Carl and Joe Filipiak, brothers who grew up in Grafton in the late 1940s and 50s, about their experiences and stories about what the village and community was like at the time. Both are former educators and have lots to share and I think listeners should get a pretty good picture of life here in the Grafton during that time. Thank you again to Carl and Joe for speaking with me and sharing!
2022-11-211h 31Postcards from GraftonPhebe Farr Autobiography ReadingIn this bonus episode we are lucky to have a guest reader, Joyce Newman from the Carlisle Township Bicentennial Committee, on the show to read from Phebe Farr's autobiography. Phebe was a child of 6 when her family settled in what became Carlisle Township in February of 1818. This reading is an account of her earlier years in the township which was published around 1894 for publication in the local newspaper. Phebe was the daughter of Henry and Eliza Halford of Ovid, New York and married Lowell Farr in 1832. They had 10 children, 9 of which survived childhood and most had children of their own...2022-10-0638 minPostcards from GraftonQuarries of CarlisleThe quarrying industry boomed in the late 19th century in the area and Carlisle Township has it's share of them. In this episode we are speaking with Chris Smith, one of the authors of the book "The Lost Quarry Industry of Indian Hollow and Willow Park - Grafton, Ohio." This industry created hundreds of jobs and also helped drive the expansion of the railroads in the county as well. Chris shares his expertise on the subject and gives us all details about how the quarries rose and fell, how they operated, and what remains that you can still see tod...2022-09-1557 minPostcards from GraftonLorain County InfirmaryCarlisle Township was the home of the Lorain County Infirmary. In this episode we are speaking with Jared Smith, author the book "Just a Place to Stay Out of the Rain: A History of the Lorain County Infirmary 1868-1976." Jared is a lifelong Carlisle Township resident and historian. He has researched the old Lorain County Infirmary extensively in order to publish his book and found a myriad of fascinating bits of information about the facility. It was one of the few places in the county that provided assistance to the homeless and poor for decades, long before modern institutions and...2022-09-071h 01Postcards from GraftonSeason 2: TrailerHello listeners! We're back with Season 2. It's a little late and a smidge truncated at the moment due to staffing shortages here at Grafton-Midview Public Library, but we haven't disappeared! This season we are taking a special look at Carlisle Township history to celebrate their bicentennial, but we also have some other episodes recorded and planned. Please make sure to subscribe on your podcast app choice. As usual we are exploring the most fascinating people and places in our community and everything in between. This podcast is made possible by the Grafton Village History Association.
2022-08-3004 min
Scholastic Games H.S. Quiz PodcastSG 22-03 Scholastic Games - Brookside vs. MidviewIt's another Lorain County, Ohio, high school quiz program, this time between Sheffield's Brookside High School and Midview High in Grafton.2022-02-1939 minPostcards from GraftonThe Bivins Murders
One of the many articles reporting the murders of Benjamin Bivins, his wife Sarah, and their daughter-in-law Laura Brownell Bivins on January 31, 1865 by their son David F. Bivins. This article appeared in the Painesville Telegraph on February 9, 1865. Only The New York Times mentions Almira Hart by name in the reporting of the crimes.
Courtesy of Family Search and Find a Grave
It's our season one finale and we're going out with a bang. In this episode, Kari is revealing the story behind a triple homicide to Fred. Wh...2021-08-091h 00Postcards from GraftonThe Bivins Murders
One of the many articles reporting the murders of Benjamin Bivins, his wife Sarah, and their daughter-in-law Laura Brownell Bivins on January 31, 1865 by their son David F. Bivins. This article appeared in the Painesville Telegraph on February 9, 1865. Only The New York Times mentions Almira Hart by name in the reporting of the crimes.
Courtesy of Family Search and Find a Grave
It's our season one finale and we're going out with a bang. In this episode, Kari is revealing the story behind a triple homicide to Fred. Wh...2021-08-091h 00Postcards from GraftonGenealogy Gems, Part 2
Cohosts Fred and Kari holding one of the Ancestry DNA Test Kits you can win by listening to the Genealogy Gems episode and emailing the code word to postcardsfromgrafton@gmail.com.
What would prompt six librarians to discuss salvia bubbles, murder, Native American princesses, and faraway travels? Genealogy of course! Four more GMPL staffers agreed to chat with us about what may be lurking in their family trees and take Ancestry DNA tests: Miranda Emery, Kim Null, Nancy Caithaml, and Ben Cottom. Do their results confirm their family stories, or bust their family folklore? What...2021-08-021h 31Postcards from GraftonGenealogy Gems, Part 2
Cohosts Fred and Kari holding one of the Ancestry DNA Test Kits you can win by listening to the Genealogy Gems episode and emailing the code word to postcardsfromgrafton@gmail.com.
What would prompt six librarians to discuss salvia bubbles, murder, Native American princesses, and faraway travels? Genealogy of course! Four more GMPL staffers agreed to chat with us about what may be lurking in their family trees and take Ancestry DNA tests: Miranda Emery, Kim Null, Nancy Caithaml, and Ben Cottom. Do their results confirm their family stories, or bust their family folklore? What...2021-08-021h 31Postcards from GraftonOld Fashioned Christmas
Beginning in the late 1970s as a way to highlight the businesses along Main Street, Old Fashioned Christmas has developed into a yearly Grafton tradition. We’re chatting with Tami Mullins of the Library and Tami Smith of Smith & Schmidt Agency: Allstate Insurance about this much loved community event. Both have been involved in the planning process of Old Fashioned Christmas for several years and as we say at the top of the episode, it’s so much more than snowflakes and candy canes. From picking a theme to finding the perfect Santa and...2021-07-261h 00Postcards from GraftonOld Fashioned Christmas
Beginning in the late 1970s as a way to highlight the businesses along Main Street, Old Fashioned Christmas has developed into a yearly Grafton tradition. We’re chatting with Tami Mullins of the Library and Tami Smith of Smith & Schmidt Agency: Allstate Insurance about this much loved community event. Both have been involved in the planning process of Old Fashioned Christmas for several years and as we say at the top of the episode, it’s so much more than snowflakes and candy canes. From picking a theme to finding the perfect Santa and...2021-07-261h 00Postcards from GraftonMeet the Farmers
We've been thinking a lot about food and farmers. When you drive through the Grafton area, it’s hard not to notice the large fields of farmland or a tractor traveling down the road. With the COVID-19 Pandemic we’re cooking more at home, and questioning our shopping and dining habits and the origins of the food on our plates. Less than 2% of the U.S. population has a role in food production. We’re chatting with three farmers in our community: Hannah DiVencenzo, and Jason and Angela Schriver. They are passionate and committed to growing livestock and cr...2021-07-191h 16Postcards from GraftonMeet the Farmers
We've been thinking a lot about food and farmers. When you drive through the Grafton area, it’s hard not to notice the large fields of farmland or a tractor traveling down the road. With the COVID-19 Pandemic we’re cooking more at home, and questioning our shopping and dining habits and the origins of the food on our plates. Less than 2% of the U.S. population has a role in food production. We’re chatting with three farmers in our community: Hannah DiVencenzo, and Jason and Angela Schriver. They are passionate and committed to growing livestock and cr...2021-07-191h 16Postcards from GraftonBehind the Stacks at GMPL, Part 2
Miss Katie and Miss Kari showing off the new 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten train in the summer of 2020; and Miss Maggie, Miss Katie, and Miss Kari celebrating the arrival of caterpillars in spring of 2021.
We had a little trouble getting Fred's microphone to sync this episode. His voice carries, but there are a few moments where Katie and Kari's laughter drown him out. This is what regularly happens in the Youth Services Department, but nonetheless we apologize for any listening inconveniences.
A lot of things happen in a library, like ha...2021-07-1249 minPostcards from GraftonBehind the Stacks at GMPL, Part 2
Miss Katie and Miss Kari showing off the new 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten train in the summer of 2020; and Miss Maggie, Miss Katie, and Miss Kari celebrating the arrival of caterpillars in spring of 2021.
We had a little trouble getting Fred's microphone to sync this episode. His voice carries, but there are a few moments where Katie and Kari's laughter drown him out. This is what regularly happens in the Youth Services Department, but nonetheless we apologize for any listening inconveniences.
A lot of things happen in a library, like ha...2021-07-1249 minPostcards from GraftonBehind the Stacks at GMPL, Part I
One of our guests this episode, Tami Mullins, at GMPL back in the day.
We had a small technical issue this episode. Around the 2 minute mark when Tami is discussing summer reading, Kari's microphone cuts out. It lasts until around 04:22 when we replaced the batteries. We apologize for the inconvenience!
A lot of things happen in a library, like having storytimes in an old bank vault. Or discovering a dozen donuts in the wall when renovating. Or finding an abandoned kitten during a summer reading kickoff. Or making dozens and...2021-07-051h 17Postcards from GraftonBehind the Stacks at GMPL, Part I
One of our guests this episode, Tami Mullins, at GMPL back in the day.
We had a small technical issue this episode. Around the 2 minute mark when Tami is discussing summer reading, Kari's microphone cuts out. It lasts until around 04:22 when we replaced the batteries. We apologize for the inconvenience!
A lot of things happen in a library, like having storytimes in an old bank vault. Or discovering a dozen donuts in the wall when renovating. Or finding an abandoned kitten during a summer reading kickoff. Or making dozens and...2021-07-051h 17Postcards from Grafton1965 Palm Sunday Tornado
On April 11, 1965 a tornado tore through the Village of Grafton at 11:23 pm. The tornado that hit Grafton was part of a larger, infamous outbreak known as the Palm Sunday Tornadoes. Over the span of 12 hours, 37 tornadoes were unleashed on Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The outbreak claimed 260 lives, 140 in Indiana alone, and caused millions of dollars in damage. In Ohio, 55 people died. The town of Pittsfield was completely leveled, a bus on Interstate 75 was flipped upside down and smashed, and electric and telephone failures throughout the state lasted from Sunday night through Monday...2021-06-2841 minPostcards from Grafton1965 Palm Sunday Tornado
On April 11, 1965 a tornado tore through the Village of Grafton at 11:23 pm. The tornado that hit Grafton was part of a larger, infamous outbreak known as the Palm Sunday Tornadoes. Over the span of 12 hours, 37 tornadoes were unleashed on Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The outbreak claimed 260 lives, 140 in Indiana alone, and caused millions of dollars in damage. In Ohio, 55 people died. The town of Pittsfield was completely leveled, a bus on Interstate 75 was flipped upside down and smashed, and electric and telephone failures throughout the state lasted from Sunday night through Monday...2021-06-2841 minPostcards from GraftonDairies, Cemeteries, and the Arts
Author and artist Renee Durkee Atkinson holding her book Rum Run.
The Durkee Farm during the 1870s.
The Orchard Cheese Factory at the corner of Butternut Ridge and Durkee Road. Atkinson's great-great grandfather and Civil War veteran Oel Durkee stands in front.
Our special guest made a of couple errors when chatting with us (It happens when there's so much to discuss!) First, there are four Revolutionary War soldiers buried at Butternut Ridge Cemetery in Eaton Township, making it the only cemetery in Lora...2021-06-211h 29Postcards from GraftonDairies, Cemeteries, and the Arts
Author and artist Renee Durkee Atkinson holding her book Rum Run.
The Durkee Farm during the 1870s.
The Orchard Cheese Factory at the corner of Butternut Ridge and Durkee Road. Atkinson's great-great grandfather and Civil War veteran Oel Durkee stands in front.
Our special guest made a of couple errors when chatting with us (It happens when there's so much to discuss!) First, there are four Revolutionary War soldiers buried at Butternut Ridge Cemetery in Eaton Township, making it the only cemetery in Lora...2021-06-211h 29Postcards from GraftonGenealogy Gems: Part IWhat would prompt four librarians to discuss salvia bubbles, comfort food, faraway travels, and black and white photographs? Genealogy of course! GMPL staffers Maggie Noble, Tami Mullins, Crystal Samol, and Pam Myers agreed to chat with us about what might be lurking in their family trees and take Ancestry DNA tests. Do their results confirm their family stories, or bust their family folklore? What do they plan to do after learning their results? Let us help you build your family tree. You have the chance to win an Ancestry DNA test kit! Listen to the code word given by...2021-06-141h 52Postcards from GraftonGenealogy Gems: Part IWhat would prompt four librarians to discuss salvia bubbles, comfort food, faraway travels, and black and white photographs? Genealogy of course! GMPL staffers Maggie Noble, Tami Mullins, Crystal Samol, and Pam Myers agreed to chat with us about what might be lurking in their family trees and take Ancestry DNA tests. Do their results confirm their family stories, or bust their family folklore? What do they plan to do after learning their results? Let us help you build your family tree. You have the chance to win an Ancestry DNA test kit! Listen to the code word given by...2021-06-141h 52Postcards from GraftonOld Grafton School
Artist studios. Concerts. Community theater. Historical exhibits. Monarch butterfly garden. Community garden. The vision that Carlee Mahajan has for the Old Grafton School on Elm Street is ambitious and creative to say the least. We chat with Mahajan about the history of the school building, how she acquired the property, the work that has been completed, and the work that remains to make the space a true community hub for artists and events. To learn more about the Old Grafton School, including construction updates and events, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/oldgraftonschool/
I...2021-06-0754 minPostcards from GraftonOld Grafton School
Artist studios. Concerts. Community theater. Historical exhibits. Monarch butterfly garden. Community garden. The vision that Carlee Mahajan has for the Old Grafton School on Elm Street is ambitious and creative to say the least. We chat with Mahajan about the history of the school building, how she acquired the property, the work that has been completed, and the work that remains to make the space a true community hub for artists and events. To learn more about the Old Grafton School, including construction updates and events, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/oldgraftonschool/
I...2021-06-0754 minPostcards from GraftonPostcards from Grafton Official TrailerWe know the power of stories. And we know that history is more than just dates and names on a page. We're two history-loving librarians from the Grafton-Midview Public Library exploring the most fascinating people and places in our community and everything in between. This podcast is made possible by the Grafton Village History Association.
2021-05-2806 minPostcards from GraftonPostcards from Grafton Official TrailerWe know the power of stories. And we know that history is more than just dates and names on a page. We're two history-loving librarians from the Grafton-Midview Public Library exploring the most fascinating people and places in our community and everything in between. This podcast is made possible by the Grafton Village History Association. 2021-05-2806 minScholastic Games H.S. Quiz Podcast20-04 Scholastic Games-Midview vs. North RidgevilleA fast-moving hour of questions and answers from high school competition between Midview in Grafton, Ohio, and the high school in North Ridgeville, Ohio. It's a weekly quiz series produced for local radio that ends the season with a county championship.2020-02-1238 min