1980 – Start of a new decade. The Recorder picked out three or four things per year from the 70’s to highlight, here are a few. The 1970 Royalton Bears won the State Wrestling Title and St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church was dedicated in October. Royalton’s first large shopping center opened in ’73, Rego’s Stop-n-Shop opened in May. In July of 1975 the Royalton Chamber of Commerce and the Recorder moved to its present location on State Road. Finally! The new high school was formally dedicated in October of ‘76. The new Post Office opened in 1977. The White Hurricane Blizzard of ’78 hits the state of Ohio straining all city services. The North Royalton Branch of the Cuyahoga County Library opened its new building on State Road in August. Long time mayoral secretary, Lucile Heasley, ran for mayor and was elected in November ’79. Mayor Lucille Heasley dies in her sleep January 19, 1980, just days after the inaugural ball. The special issue of the Recorder noted, “Mrs. Heasley devoted 25 years and 56 days of her life to public service. She was the first woman mayor in North Royalton and one of the few in the country.” The soccer fields on Wallings Road are dedicated to her. February 20 issue noted that diners at the Gum Do restaurant in the Royalton Plaza were greeted by Chuck Chin as they walked through the intricately carved “Angel Moon Door,” the doorway arch was carved in Taiwan especially for Gum Do. During an April assembly David Toma tells the high school students the real cost of drugs. Toma spent 21 years as a policeman, 16 as a detective, including undercover work in the most drug ridden city of the east coast, Newark, NJ. Mr. Toma, a tough talking, tough minded cop, who was shot, stabbed and hospitalized over thirty times had a 98% conviction rate. Toma spoke about drugs – how they affect the person, the family, the community – you need guts and knowledge to speak up and stay away. He spoke against all drugs including marijuana and the use of Methadone as an “anti-drug.” Dave Toma had two TV series based on his life, “Toma” and “Baretta.” The students loved him. U.S. Senator John Glenn (D- OH) held a June campaign picnic hosted by Royalton resident, Cleveland Browns’ Gerald Irons and his wife Myrna. Over 200 people attended the $50 per plate picnic including many politicians, from the state, county and city levels. Pancakes flipped for a 14 passenger transport van for the Office on Aging. The Kiwanis applied for a grant from the Government in August that would pay for 75% of the $12,000 cost. The Kiwanis flipped pancakes and had other events to cover the remaining 25%.
Hearings were held in September for a proposed shopping center on 82 and York Road. The proposed shopping center would have Kmart as an anchor.
The Chamber of Commerce planned a mystery bus trip for October 10. Fifty people left Wallings and State road for destinations unknown, there were no indications they ever returned. Parents quickly formed car pools in November to get their kids to school when all of the tires on all of the school buses were slashed. That was vandalism, not trick-or-treat.
10 p.m. is the new midnight. St. Albert’s Christmas Midnight Mass moved to 10 p.m. to help parishioners and incoming guests get home earlier.1981 – NR evening school run by the recreation department offered January to March classes for education, exercise, and fun in the evenings at the high school and Albion middle school. Offerings included Automotive Maintenance, Know your Car for ladies, Ceramics, Ballroom Dancing I and II, Typing beginning and refresher (IBM Selectric), Beginning Guitar, Games People Play- bridge, pinochle, chess, and fitness and team sports. Tuition per class ranged from $10 to $25 dollars for 10 weeks. The programs continued to mirror each school quarter. The March 4 issue reported that the school board intends to replace the fleet of gasoline school buses with diesel buses. Diesel buses are more expensive up front but the saving on fuel over the life of the bus is substantial. The new buses would be purchased one or two at a time with help from state funds. Police Chief, Norman Hach, reported to the Chamber of Commerce in April, that the programs and services in the city were behind the times due to a lack of funds for police programs. In addition, new jail requirements mandated by the state were more for large prisons rather than small city jails. The city was talking to other cities to see how they were dealing with the mandates. A story about the importance of the General Store in Royalton noted that State Road was the first paved road in the township – one lane paved with brick, back in 1907. One half bushel of groceries including flour, corn meal, sugar, sewing needs, remedies, etc. would cost no more than $5 in 1925, the equivalent of $68.50 today.
A charter commission would meet in June to talk about proposed changes to the city charter including making term limits for the mayor; three consecutive two year terms. Volunteer firemen would be called part-time firemen. Discussions would continue.
In July, Gene’s Hardware celebrated 30 years serving the community. When the store opened in 1951, hardware, tractors, lawnmowers, horse harness equipment, plow points, chicken, and horse feed were sold. By 1955 they no longer needed the harness equipment or plow points and a new line of housewares and gifts was added. By 1973 Gene dropped the housewares and concentrated on hardware. The entrance is now on 14069 Ridge Road, it still has ample parking.
In August Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church reported that their pastor of 20 years, Rev. T Richard Marcis was pulling up stakes and moving to Farmington Hills Michigan. Rev. Marcis guided Royal Redeemer through rapid expansion in the church building and membership. His tireless devotion to the parishioners and community left big shoes to be filled.
“It has taken approximately 140 years to develop 1/3 of the community. In only 20 years the remaining 2/3 of the community will be approaching full development.” The question of public housing units to be built in North Royalton was aired on September 9 at the high school.
The Stamp-Out Strep clinic in the Royalton schools began its third year. The purpose of the clinic is to diagnose sore throats and treat strep if it present. Strep throat can affect the heart if not treated quickly.
St. Albert the Great dedicated their new church building. The dedication coincided with the Feast of St. Albert on November 15. Bishop Anthony Pilla, Fr. John Viall, pastor and Pastor Emeritus Fr. Anthony Winter took part in the dedication.
The Chamber of Commerce urges readers to shop North Royalton for all their Christmas gift needs.
1982 – True to their mission the Lions Club began 1982 by donating cash to the North Royalton Library for purchase of LARGE-PRINT books and books on cassette tape for the sight impaired. Books in these formats allow people with difficulty seeing to enjoy the newest offerings from the New York Times best seller list.
The March 3rd Recorder reported the establishment of an emergency food bank located at the fire station to help residents in need. The food bank was guided by Rev. Garred Johnstone, from the First Congregational Church. Donations of canned goods could be dropped off at the Office on Aging, the fire station or the Congregational Church. Cash donations could be made through Central National Bank – North Royalton. Thanks to the efforts of Rev. Johnstone, the much needed food bank is still in existence and is still accepting donations of goods and cash.
Omega Electronics Inc. 6811 Royalton Road, celebrated its grand opening March 20-21. Omega offered: 25-inch Color TV console with solid state modular chassis, $469; a similar 25-inch color TV console with remote channel changer, $799; Quadramode Stereo AM/FM with 8 track, Cassette play- record, Record Changer 78,33,45 and more just $399; Projection TV- 50-inch screen, $2799; a 12-inch B & W portable TV, $75, or a 13-inch color $269; Portable video recorder (VHS) $899, please rewind the movies.
North Royalton Datsun: New front-wheel-drive Datsun 310, 2 door, standard 4 speed, deluxe hatchback $5799. Datsun is now Nissan.
Beware! They’re here, they’re there, they could be in your hair. The 17-year locust made their appearance in late May and stayed until July. The harmless noisy cicadas emerge every 17 years to sing, play, and mate. The eggs are laid in slits in branches or trees, when hatched they fall to the ground and attach to a root or something comfortable for another 17 years. If you wish to protect prized or sensitive shrubs cover those with an open weave cloth like cheese cloth. They will arrive again in May 2016.
The North Royalton Garden Club donated vegetable plants to the preschoolers at “Small Miracles Daycare.” The little ones hope to watch their plants grow “and make vegetables in the fall.”
Police Department, desperate for funds, urge residents to vote for issue 26A for a continuing 1.9 mil levy on November 3. The levy would allow better maintenance of police vehicles which saves money in the long run, replace worn out communication center and mobile radios in cruisers, purchase Walkie-Talkies, and increase the size of the force.
The November 17 issue of the Recorder reported that the 1.9 levy for police Passed by 168 votes! The NR firemen donated eight frozen turkeys and canned goods to the NR Hunger Center that filled holiday baskets for local residents. NR elementary school principals said the new “all day, every other day” kindergarten scheduling was going well but they are looking for feedback from parents with the help of the PTA.
NR gets in the holiday spirit with the Lighting of the Green on the evening of Friday, December 3, sponsored by the Rotary Club.
The Rev. Garrad Johnstone pastor or the First Congregational Church would be celebrating Christmas thirty five miles southeast along Rt.82, in Newton Falls, OH, to lead a new congregation. Pastor Johnstone was the moving force behind the founding of the NR Hunger Center. A grateful North Royalton bid farewell and God Bless.
The Recorder reminded everyone to support our fine merchants for all your holiday preparations for everyone on your Christmas list and also for those in need.

By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer