Recordpub.com - Around Mantua by Virginia Goodell

Five generations of the Oscar Brugmann family gathered on Nov. 4 to celebrate the 99th birthday of Sally Brugmann.

A lovely sit-down dinner was served to 60 family members by Eisele's Catering at the Knights of Columbus Hall. A special photo of the five generations was centered by the honored guest herself, Sally, followed by son Roy, his daughter Debbie Brugmann Bailey, her son Chad Bailey, and Chad's baby daughter, Jo Marie.

As if this were not enough, the group enjoyed a video presented by Dave Green showing 99 pictures of Sally's life. Interestingly, there were no pictures of Sally before her 30s because about that time in her life when she and her husband were living in Cleveland, they were victims of a robbery. They lost everything, including their precious photo albums.

Sally was born on Nov. 4, 1910, in Philadelphia. Her family moved to Cleveland when her parents bought Brenneman's Bakery. As she approached her 16th birthday, her mother and her mother's friends told her that if she looked in the mirror on her 16th birthday, she would see the face of the man she would marry.

Sally tried looking in the mirror on that day, but she saw nothing that looked like a man. However, something happened the next day which changed her life. She and her brother were in the habit of racing each other home to be the first to put on the only headset which allowed them to hear the crystal radio set in their home.

Usually Sally won, but this day, she was distracted by a man loading a truck with 50-pound sacks of potatoes. She stopped to watch and looked into the face of the man whose image she was looking for the day before on her birthday, Oscar Brugmann.

When Oscar and Sally were married, Sally got a husband and his two children, Harry and Richard, ages 6 and 4, now deceased. In their marriage, they were blessed with four children: Roy, Oscar Jr., Olga Van Auken and Joan Martin, resulting in 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Sally worked with her husband in the sand and gravel business which they started together in 1929. After the children were grown, she was at the office every day and certainly was a factor in the success of their endeavor. She has remained a part of the business since Oscar died in 1972.

She does her own housekeeping and cooking, and keeps a positive attitude about life. Her daughter, Joan, says this positive attitude toward life and people has been a significant factor in her success as a mother, a friend, and a business woman.

Sally, you are an inspiration to us all. Don't settle for less than 100 at the very least!

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I received a very interesting letter from Lizabeth Felter, the Gifted Teacher/Coordinator at Crestwood Middle School. She said that one of her sixth grade "history detectives" who have been researching a vintage charm bracelet, has written me a letter asking for my help.

Gifted students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades have been working on this project, investigating European geography and history, sharpening research skills and learning about statistics in estimating the value.

They would like to return the bracelet to the rightful owner and wonder if the family who owns the bracelet is still in the community. Here is the letter from Cate McSwain, sixth grade:

"We are Crestwood Middle School students who, during our Academic Enrichment and Advanced Reading class, have been studying a mystery charm bracelet. This vintage charm bracelet was found in Room 106 of Crestwood Middle School 15 years ago in 1994. It may belong to a former seventh- or eighth-grade student who was in Mrs. Felter's Communicative Arts class sometime during the years 1984 to 1994.

"The bracelet is really cool and we would like to find the owner. We have researched the charms and found that many are European crests or famous buildings of European cities. A charm shows a family wedding was in 1940. Two charms may be of grandchildren born in the 1960s. Approximate value is classified.

Anyone who thinks the bracelet belongs to their family can contact Mrs. Felter at 330-274-2249 or felter@crestwood.sparcc.org. They must prove in some way that the bracelet is theirs. We hope you will report this in the newspaper. Thank you." Does the bracelet belong to your family?

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Again former Crestwood High School champion and current Penn State University senior Bridget Franek has brought honor to herself and her college. Bridget, an unbelievable athlete, won the Big Ten Athlete of the Year at the Big Ten Championships recently, leading Penn State to its first team championship in history. Bridget is the second athlete to capture Athlete of the Year title and the Big Ten individual title; Kim McGreevy accomplished the feat in 1996. Congratulations, Bridget. We're expecting more of the same.

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A community Thanksgiving service will be held at the Mantua Center Christian Church at 7 p.m. Sunday. Both church members and community members alike are invited to participate in this very special event. A combined choir will present appropriate choral music, led by Drew Ammon, director at Hilltop Christian Church. All ministers will be helping to lead the service and the Rev. Carolyn M. Berry, pastor at Portage Faith United Methodist Church, will be bringing the message of the evening.

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The United Methodist Women's Group of Portage Faith United Methodist Church is happy to announce its Advent Celebration at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 5.

The program will be first-person portrayals of President James A. Garfield and First Lady Lucretia Garfield by Ed Haney and Debbie Weinkamer, entitled "Portrait of a 19th Century Marriage." This program will be a living history experience.

Mark your calendar now and plan to attend this exceptional program. Men and women are welcome to hear the Garfield program and enjoy a continental breakfast afterwards in the fellowship hall and purchase Christmas cookies from a myriad of choices all baked by the women of the church.

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May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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For Mantua news, contact Virginia Goodell at 330-274-2376 or vgoodell@aol.com.