LIBRARY TALK – AUGUST 13, 2023
From the desk of Alison Gibson, Director
Thanks for all the comments on The Mile House postcard last week–fun to read all of the personal memories a picture can bring.
This week’s postcard is postmarked 1955, and the back description reads ” Van’s Super Service Station & Restaurant–On U.S. Routes 52, 62 and 68—in the center of Ripley, Ohio. Complete one-stop service. Plenty of parking space.” Ripley residents have seen lots of different businesses in this building complex over the years, and we are pleased to have at least one postcard during its heyday as a service station.
Edmund VanDel and his wife Helen leased the service station and restaurant from J.R. Finney in April of 1954, and did not renew the lease after 2 years. Mr. VanDel had previously operated Van’s Shell Service Station in Aberdeen as well as the Tyler Airport, which he was going to quit when he started the Ripley lease. The VanDels were planning to run a restaurant in Williamsburg after leaving Ripley, but tragically, Mr. VanDel suffered a fatal heart attack in May of 1956, he was only 41 years old.
We are wrapping up the 2023 Summer Reading Program and we hope that you had as much fun as we did—good programs and good readers! A BIG thank you to the Ripley Boat Club who provided a great incentive for our readers to go beyond their regular reading goal. For the kids that read 100+ books, a certificate for a free pizza and drink was awarded, and the kids that earned one were thrilled. Again, thanks for your support.
