AUSTINTOWN H. Douglas Wilcox, 70, peacefully passed away Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.
Doug was born Sept. 6, 1950, the only son of Harrison Burky and Helen McClure Wilcox.
He was a lifetime resident of Austintown and a member of Austintown Community Church. While growing up in the church, an important part of his life was scouting. He worked hard to receive his God and Country award and subsequently his Eagle Scout award.
He enjoyed reading, outdoor activities, being with friends and crafts. Several of his creations received blue-ribbon awards at the Canfield Fair. He was a member of the World War II Heritage Society, Mahoning County Retired Teachers, Ohio Education Association, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, M Club of Mount Union, 33rd Degree Club of the Valley of Youngstown and the Austintown Friends of the Public Library. Doug served as vice president and program chairman for the Friends for 11 years.
Many local historical societies opened in the nineteenth century and existed to celebrate a specific history namely, that of the white “pioneers” who first colonized that part of the world. They were founded by community boosters who are long dead, and the stories they tried to tell are not necessarily meaningful today. This leaves historical societies trying to figure out how to appeal to new audiences, many of whom are younger, as well as people of color who were often deliberately excluded from those histories.
Mahoning Valley Historical Society is an excellent example of this struggle. Founded in 1875, The Mahoning Valley Historical Society in Youngstown, Ohio, began as the sort of “pioneer heritage” institution that was common to many historical societies, but by asking tough questions and reshaping itself for the 21st century, it has not only survived, but it has expanded even in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. By hosting community conversations on current e
YOUNGSTOWN Joseph Bernard Kope, 94, passed away Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021.
He was born Aug. 5, 1926, at 439 E. Marion Ave., Youngstown, the eldest of four children of Weronika “Vera” Gutwinska and Joseph Bartholomew Kopiczenski Kope. His paternal grandparents were Paulina and Marcin Kopiczenski. His maternal grandparents were Paulina and Ferdinand Gutwinski.
Joseph attended St. Stanislaus Kostka grade school, Princeton Junior High School and graduated from South High School at age 16 with the class of 1943.
Joseph played the accordion, piano and organ, having been taught by Yolanda Lombard, Yolanda Collins and Esther Heyman. At an early World War II bond drive held at the Krakusy Hall on South Avenue, he gave a piano concert playing works by Chopin, Beethoven and Paderewski; $20,000 of bonds were sold that day. He also gave a piano concert to honor the Bishop of Youngstown at a Polish Arts Club dinner held at Rover’s Restaurant when he was 15 years old.
125 years ago, 1896
The end of a well-known businessman, husband, and father’s life was center stage in The Vindicator throughout the week. Charles Dayton Arms was born in 1826 and moved to Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley in the 1840s. He married Hannah Wick in 1852, and his influence and business interests grew immensely. Charles and Hannah had six daughters, including Olive Freeman Arms. Several Vindicator issues included dedicated coverage of his illness and death.
“Charles D. Arms, one of the best known citizens of the Mahoning Valley, is critically ill at his home, 626 Wick Ave., and his physicians say that there is no hope for his recovery. The news of Mr. Arms’ serious illness will be learned with surprise and regret by the people of the city and Valley generally. Very few outside of his family circle and immediate friends knew of his sickness, and for this reason the fact that he is lying at death’s door will be received as a shock by the people generally.
Heather Lynn’s Buckeyes brings unique twist to an Ohio favorite
Buckeye candies peanut butter balls partially dipped in chocolate to resemble the nut on Ohio’s state tree are a holiday favorite on any Ohio cookie tray. Heather DeLucia has added a unique twist to her buckeye candies: themed and holiday-shaped buckeyes.
Dec 21, 2020 4:24 AM By: Alyssa Weston 1 / 1 Buckeye candies peanut butter balls partially dipped in chocolate to resemble the nut on Ohio’s state tree are a holiday favorite on any Ohio cookie tray. But Heather DeLucia has added a unique twist to her buckeye candies themed and holiday-shaped buckeyes. (Photo provided)