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Local News

Thursday, December 24, 2009

CORRECTED: 14 decorated trees along river tell story
Hancock Federal Credit Union
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

The Mains extended family will be celebrating a bittersweet Christmas, bitter because it may be the last holiday hurrah on their beloved riverfront property, but sweetened with a decorated multi-tree tribute.

Between 901 E. Main Cross St. and Routson Funeral Chapel in Findlay grow 14 young Black Hills pines, all of them distinctly decorated this season according to the interests of the late Martha and Lawrence "Punk" Mains and their dozen children.

Beverly George of Fostoria, one of 10 surviving Mains siblings, said she came up with the tree decorating idea after learning the Army Corps of Engineers will probably want the property for flood control projects.

In September, the Corps and the Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership revealed proposals that call for a flood wall, earthen levee and two retention ponds at the corner of Osborn Avenue and East Main Cross Street. Judy Mains lives there at 901 E. Main Cross St.; Robert Mains at 923 E. Main Cross St.; and Robert's daughter Jennifer and husband Eldon Cramer at the "River View" house, 929 E. Main Cross St. Seven siblings own property in between.

Despite its tendency to flood, many, including those involved with flood control planning, consider it and nearby East Main Cross Street property to be some of the most picturesque in Findlay.

If the Corps builds its suggested projects, all of the Mains' prime real estate, as they've known it, will be gone.

Shirley Miller of Van Buren, one of the Mains children, said seven Mains generations have owned the property, and four reared families in the "Old Homestead" house, demolished about two years ago.

Punk and Martha once owned 12 acres on which their large brood roamed. Shirley said 1½ acres were swallowed up by the city in 1965 when the bridge over the Blanchard River and the accompanying East Main Cross Street interchange were built. Other pieces have since been sold.

But Shirley, Beverly and Judy said the remaining 3½ acres, much of it undeveloped, has offered more than enough opportunities to make memories. It has remained the family's country-like sanctuary within the city limits.

On any given Independence Day there can be found a big family gathering around picnic tables and under shady trees, complete with campers and a fire. Open land behind Judy's brick ranch accommodates Frisbee, ball games and the like.

Gatherings there have been a staple since the sisters can remember. The land and the experiences they've had on it remain intertwined with their identities.

When asked what they think of the flood prevention projects proposed on their property, the sisters hesitate.

"Do you really want to know?" Judy asks. "It's very sad."

"We grew up on this property and enjoyed it. We had hoped our kids and their children could enjoy it too, but it looks like they won't" for much longer, said Beverly.

Although aware the project plans are merely proposals that could change, the women have little hope they will.

"Robert was told to expect a phone call within the year" with a buyout offer, Beverly said.

And so Beverly sought a way to pay tribute this holiday season to their family and place they've been connected with. Seven siblings live close and they decorated theirs and the others' trees.

Reaching east and west, they are decorated in order from oldest sibling to youngest, with parents in between granted the tallest conifers. From each hangs a laminated picture, along with bulbs, ribbon and other mementos.

Janette's tree, adorned with ornaments crocheted by Martha, is closest to the street and comes first. Then trees for David, Robert, Shirley, Helen, Paul, Mary, John, Martha, Punk, Tom, Beverly, Judy and Sue.

Sue is deceased, as is a brother, Duane, who died when he was 4 and is honored on Shirley's candy cane-themed tree.

Paul's tree features activities he loves, like fishing and eating ice cream.

A softball ornament hangs on the tree for Punk, a Hancock Sports Hall of Fame inductee renowned for his fast-pitch softball pitching skills. He retired from Marathon Oil Co. in 1971 after 44 years managing the stock transfer department.

Punk's favorite bar stool at the Fern Cafe has a plaque remembering him.

The couple's legacy also continues via the Punk and Martha E. Mains Memorial Scholarship. Offered through the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, it is given to financially needy Findlay High School seniors with good academic standing who want to attend college.

After admiring the last tree on Tuesday, the sisters turned back, shuffled through the snow and leaned into the cold wind. Shirley mentioned the deer that often run through. She glanced at the snow-covered picnic tables.

"It's going to be awfully hard not to be able to come here," she admitted.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

Send an e-mail to Joy Brown

EDITOR'S NOTE: This version corrects that only sister Sue and brother Duane are deceased.


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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.