1983 – The North Royalton City Schools offered enrichment classes on Saturdays for any student in grades three to seven. The classes were held at either the high school or Cuyahoga Valley Joint Vocational School on Brecksville Road. The classes included introductions to Spanish or French, Beginning typing (word processing), Commercial Art, and Theater. A cooking class for aspiring chefs was also included. They were offered at a great price of just $12.00 plus any fees if needed. Classes were offered three times during the school year and ran for ten weeks.
The newly established North Royalton Food Center said thank you for all the donations it received for the past Christmas holiday (1982). Fifty holiday food baskets were distributed to North Royalton residents making the holiday much brighter for over 250 residents. Most of the baskets went to families with children, often in cases where unemployment benefits had run out.
February’s gray sky could not dampen the anticipation of spring and North Royalton Baseball/Softball registration. The prediction of warm weather was more reliable than the ground hog.
The very first meeting of the Community Pool Feasibility Committee took place on Monday, April 25, 1983, at 7:30 in the Media Center of the High School. (The North Royalton YMCA opened in June 2012; it includes an eight lane, competition swimming pool.)
The May 18 issue announced that the Rotary Club’s meeting scheduled for May 23 would hear Assistant U. S. Attorney General Gary Smith speak on contracts available for small businesses. In addition to Gary Smith the Rotarians heard a brief talk from a commercial artist who had been working with Legends Corporation, a local firm. The artist was better known for his dare devil stunts on a motorcycle – Evel Kneivel.
Reports of the flooding caused by a torrential downpour on the evening of Friday July 1, that flooded the East Brach of the Rocky River causing properties along the river especially near Ridge and Cady Road to report flooded ditches, basements, and underwater driveways, made it into the July 6 Recorder.
Dallas Shoe Warehouse opened its North Royalton store at 12492 York Road. Now known as DSW sells thousands of shoes for below retail prices.
If you suffered from arthritis, sleeplessness, backaches, fatigue, nervous tension etc. You could purchase a new Hydro Air Spa. A portable air to water Whirlpool Bath. The national distributors were located at 14304 State Road. Ahhhhhhhhh, relaxing.
Yes! McDonald’s on Rt. 82 was building a Ronald McDonald Playland. The play yard was outside and included a twisty slide. It was open in late August.
The Library was closed for ten days in early November to allow all the books to be barcoded for the new computer automated checkout system.
The Chamber of Commerce welcomed the always fascinating, the opinionated, the brilliant, First Lady of Broadcast Journalism, Channel Five’s, Dorothy Fuldheim. Ninety-year-old Fuldheim, a 50-year veteran of TV news and comment, spoke at the November meeting.
NRHS Bears Soccer team makes it to the State Final. Valiant efforts come up short; the bears lost to Cincinnati St. Xavier 2-0 in hard fought heartbreaker.
December brings cold weather, time to wear the long johns. The Christmas Blizzard of ’83 blew into town on December 23, six to ten inches of new snow blown by 50+ mph winds created 10 to 15 foot snow drifts. Temperatures Christmas morning were a frosty -15 to -20 degrees with wind chills to -50. The coldest Christmas to date.
1984 – North Royalton shivered into the New Year, 1984. But, thoughts of a warm August weekend were on the minds of the Homecoming Committee as they began planning for the 100th Homecoming; as always, sure to be the biggest and best of them all.
The residents of Royalton saw the first of six new school buses making their rounds at the end of March. The buses were 84 passenger lengths. The school district gave the bus drivers extra training in maneuvering the new longer buses.
St. Albert the Great Parish mourns the loss of founder and pastor emeritus, Father Anthony J. Winters who died March 27. Father Winters founded the parish in 1959, and within a year established a school with grades one through eight. During the next several years a convent, now the rectory, and a basement church which is now the church hall, was built. In anticipation of his 50th anniversary of ordination in May, a feature story in the bulletin praised Father Winters for, “Unquestioning obedience to the will of God, straightforwardness in dealing with his flock …..and (having) a great love for the people entrusted to his pastoral care.” He was 76.
Sadly, on May 3, funeral services were held for Dominic Cerino, cofounder of restaurant that has his wife’s name Carrie Cerino’s. In 1962, Dominic Cerino, with his wife Carrie, began the restaurant we know and love today. Mr. Cerino was a man of considerable culinary knowledge and skill which he passed on to his children.
As May warmed up prices were cool. A new Zebco “77 Reel-n-Rod” $7.88, and fast-paced video games, “River Raid” and “Pitfall,” from Activision for $9.99 were on sale at Big Wheel.
The winning theme for the 100th Homecoming was announced in the June 6 Recorder. “Successful Yesterdays – Unlimited Tomorrows,” was the winning entry submitted by Carl and Theresa Wichmann. The homecoming had a Hog calling contest called, “Squeal for a Meal.”
The August 15 issue of the Recorder published the schedule of events for the Homecoming on the Green from August 16 through the 19. In the very same issue it published the school bus schedule, school started August 27.
In September, Burger King announced it would be building a whopper shop on Royalton Road near State.
In any Recorder there were no less than eight advertisements for beauty salon services. That’s why our ladies always look so nice.
The police department purchased a video cassette recorder (VCR) in September to use for in-service training tapes for the officers.
In October the Chamber of Commerce hosted its ninth “State of the Schools Breakfast.” Superintendent L. Jack Thomas said the report was, “sort of a stockholders report.” The news from Supt. Thomas was good. “We are celebrating a state championship of a sort; our schools are known throughout Ohio for educational excellence.” North Royalton was one of only two districts that received North Central accreditation for all of its schools.
November 14 issue had a front page picture of show business great, “Uncle Miltie” (Milton Berle) stopping by McDonalds to meet Royalton’s nonagenarian celebrity Louis Pay. The two enjoyed getting acquainted. Louie, a dining room host, loves meeting people and likes to keep busy. The meeting was arranged by Paul Kaminsky, owner of McD.
As the cold weather descends on us Metroparks Naturalist advised all readers on the fine art of bird feeding. “‘Wild Bird Seed’ purchased at the grocery store may be cheap but the birds won’t eat it and you’ll mess up your bird feeding area.” When you plan to feed, get good seed for the most desirable birds at your feeders (or deer).
Santa Claus was reported to be in the area of North Royalton Mall. He was checking out the shopping at all the local merchants.
1985 – The New Year arrived with all the bells, whistles, clinking of glasses wishing everyone health and prosperity. The aroma of pork, sauerkraut, and fine pastries fill the homes where families and guests gather to recover from a night of good cheer. But, it’s in the journal of J. C. Green, an old New Englander not taken with frivolity or smiling for that matter, January 1 was just another day in the almanac. He wrote: 1867- “drawed corn all day.” 1868 wasn’t much better, “split wood, killed seven sheep.” In 1869 he had a headache and didn’t do anything. It’s much better to toast good family, good friends, and good year.
A new Ohio law requiring anyone who is getting or renewing a driver’s license will be given a vision test to determine visual acuity or sharpness; and horizontal or peripheral vision, ability to see objects on the side while looking straight ahead. Anyone getting a license on or after March 1, 1985 is subject to this law.
On March 13 Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, Frank D. Celebrezze spoke to the Chamber of Commerce on “Professionalism.” Justice Celebrezze received a proclamation from Mayor Halak before his talk and quipped, “I am happy that I received my recognition before I spoke because after my speech he (the mayor) may wanted to give save it for somebody else.” Justice Celebrezze said professionalism includes service, living up to an oath or code of conduct, establishing and meeting high standards, and maintaining integrity in the sternest measure.
The North Royalton Baseball Boosters sponsored an umpiring training on April 24. The training was for the umpires that must call the T-ball, Softball and Baseball games for the rec leagues and the travel clubs, otherwise the baseball/ softball program will strike out before the opening day parade on Sunday May 19.
In a historic flight on May 30, Royal View Astronauts aboard the shuttle, Fantasy I, rendezvoused with Belden Elementary School’s shuttle at Whips Ledges. The two schools worked with NASA to create shuttle experiences as close to the real thing as possible. An astronaut was chosen from each classroom and charged with conducting an experiment on board the shuttle. Some mission specialists collected data on speed and distance, an aerial specialist released satellites disguised as helium filled balloons, another collected and cataloged plant and insect samples. Shuttle Fantasy I returned to base by 1:30 p.m. earth time. The bright red and white drogue parachute billowed from the back of the shuttle to break its landing. Students filled the viewing area, dignitaries from the principal’s office, the PTA, and all the teachers welcomed the astronauts home. Fantasy I was available for viewing before returning to the hangar.
The Kiwanis bring back the concerts on the green for Sunday evenings in July and August the concerts started at 6:30 p.m. Picnic baskets were invited too.
Plans were announced in the May 3 issue that North Royalton plans to take part in the International Exhibition and Trade Fair to be held in October 18 – 27, at the IX Center. The Community Improvement Corp, the school district, city, and Royalton Chamber expect to showcase the city’s commercial, industrial, and residential potential.
Royal View Shuttle astronauts, wearing their white NASA mission specialists’ uniforms marched in the 101st Homecoming Parade. The space shuttle Fantasy I cruised along behind them
In honor of the Royal Valley shuttle flight in May, Halley’s Comet visited earth. Sky watchers could see the comet in the night sky during mid-November. The comet has a regular orbit around the sun and appears in the sky above earth every 75 years or so, the last time in 1910 and it won’t be seen again until 2060, a truly once in a lifetime experience.
The Rotary Club lit up the gazebo at the center of the City Green. A beacon of light, good works and service – Happy Holidays.

By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer