It’s time for some local talk this week. We have some news that’s urgent and some thoughts in retrospect on some recent Passing’s. It’s not often that we have some of both here on the quiet banks of the Middle Branch at Marion, Michigan.
First, and most urgently this week, February 20-28, is the only chance this year to cast your vote via Twitter for the Marion Press. I will explain. This is not a popularity contest for the “best of…” kind of thing. It is an historical best of kind of thing. The winner of this contest, among a select few old and current or defunct newspapers within Michigan, will have the entirety of their historical newspaper files digitized. They will then be added to the already generous newspaper collection of the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University, and available to all.
Please cast your ballot, and often, on Twitter at #DIgMarion. If Marion wins, it will make the old Marion Dispatch Leader/Dispatch/Press newspaper files available for anyone to read. Digitized newspapers are vastly better than the microfiche versions. A big plus is being able to read the old news, look for events involving your family, and obituaries from the comfort of your own couch.
So what you ask? So, I’ll tell you. The files of a newspaper record the history of that place, day by day/week by week and so on. Our newspapers have recorded how we grew, the stories of those who built our town and who we are, since 1889. We have had a weekly paper, without interruption, since 1899 when C.T Sadler became editor. The Marion Dispatch/Press has printed the news every week in spite of devastating fires and some unbelievable weather. That’s quite a fete for a small town press. So, while you’re browsing the latest news, including that from the current Marion Press, on your phone, take a minute and cast your vote for #DIgMarion on Twitter. This is a good thing and really a big deal for Marion. Your votes are counted through February 28.
I’ve read a lot of years of old Marion Presses. Both Jim Blevins and Mike Wilcox allowed me to take the hefty and large newspaper storage boxes home. I placed the 2’x3’ file book on my dining room table, where opening the pages put no stress on the old paper. Good for the papers, hard on me as the best way to then read them was by standing up and leaning over the table. Good for me that I soon got lost in the news and did not realize how miserable a pose I had taken. I soon found other ways to do this.
The early years of the Marion Presses have been photographed for viewing on the microfiche at the Marion Library. That process required the large file books to be unbound, taken apart and laid flat to be photographed, page by page. In some ways, this is a good thing for the old newsprint as it requires more careful handling. These days, the old Press files are divided between the Marion Area Historical Museum and the Marion Public – M. Alice Chapin Memorial Library.
In 1983, as Marion was preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday in 1989, the Centennial Book Committee, Inc. was formed with the goal of producing a book telling the story of our village. This group spent four years and countless hours researching all aspects of our story. They interviewed many early residents and sought out unique photographs. The Committee worked hard to produce Marion-100 Years-Moving Ahead, the story of us, which went on sale in 1988. It was an instant hit with anyone with Marion ties. It is no longer in print.
Last week Helen Orvis Joslin (Foster) 85, passed away. She was a life-long Middle Branch resident and Marionite and will long be remembered for her years of service at the Marion Bank. She was a top graduate in her graduating class at Marion High School and attended MSU.
Helen had a love of history, genealogy, and a great dedication to her hometown. She was the president of the Centennial Book Committee, Inc. during its five year course, and served several terms as the Marion Area Historical Society’s Treasurer. She established, grew, and maintained the “Genealogy Corner” which houses and maintains the family trees and stories of many Marion folks. Health issues forced her to retire several years ago.
We also remember Bess Weller Scarbrough Bauzin, 85, long time Marionite and remembered by many from her years as proprietor of Town Video. This was the place to go for the latest movies and games at the height of the movie rental days. She always had a smile and a good word. Bess had a lot of Marion memories. I always enjoyed her stories and appreciated her knowledge.
The photo this week is of the Marion Centennial Book. It is a great source for all things Marion. It is sold out and out of print. Take good care of your copy and be glad you have one.
Is there a phone number to vote?