Looking Back Superman Movie of the Month(2025) Starring: David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor And Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane Reviewed by: Alex Huizar Superman is the first film in the DC reboot, which was directed by James Gunn who gave us the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, and has now moved from Marvel to become the new boss of this DC reboot. When Superman begins we are told that Superman is in his third year of being the hero of Metropolis. There are no scenes of Superman’s parents sending their baby off to planet Earth, nor his Earth planets raising him as a child. I believe this was a smart idea by Gunn not to include these scenes, I believe many people are well known into the origins of Superman that we don’t need to be told how he becomes Superman (same goes for Bruce Wayne/Batman). When Lex Luthor decides to get involved with a turmoil between two countries, Superman must do whatever he can to stop his enemy from succeeding with his plans. Superman is a fun film with many great characters, great fight scenes with fantastic visual effects, and some good humor that makes this Superman film something that we all need right now and not the dark, brooding version that we’ve been getting lately. The acting is superb, especially from Corenswet playing the titular character, but Hoult, who plays Luthor, really steals the show. This is the best version of Luthor since Hackman’s performance from Superman (1978). This is one of the best films of the year and I cannot wait for the eventual sequel. I give Superman four and a half stars out of five. Call your local library to reserve a copy. OCTOBER 2025 Remember this little library? I have fond memories of this building. It was a library of its time, full of books and quiet. Things have changed, and our library grew to accommodate changes. Today’s library is alive with conversation and communal experiences. Social media may isolate people, but the library is where people can be a part of a community. Library 1944 to 1987 Library, 1987.before the children’s section was added in 2000.
OCTOBER 2025 NEW BOOKS By Robin Vail 2 October is always a huge month for new release books and this year is no different. We have new books coming from John Grisham (The Widow), Michael Connelly (The Proving Ground), James Patterson (The Picasso Heist), Debbie Macomber (Ferry Merry Christmas), and Louise Perry (The Black Wolf). Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon have teamed up to write the thriller Gone Before Goodbye. Remember to get your Hold on Nicholas Sparks’ Remain which comes out later this month. Do you know about our Author Alert? Sign up and we can get your name on the list for the hottest releases long before they are published. Also of interest is Prevention’s Live to 100 and Love It! And 50 States of Murder by Harold Schecter. And the eternal question Why Can’t This Team Find a Quarterback? by sportswriter Terry Pluto about the Cleveland Browns. Kids will love the Bakery Dragon & the Fairy Cake by Devin Ella Kurtz; I Am Not Happy by Caroline Perry and a Snow Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead. Let’s get reading!
OCTOBER 2025 PAST NOTES 3 Fall Fair/Apple Festival by Kathy Huffman A chill dances upon the wind, daylight continues to grow short, and pumpkins adorn many a porch. One can almost smell the aroma of apple butter as the 46th annual Apple Festival draws near. However, long before the first apple graced the Apple Festival two other Village fairs took center stage. In 1921, one year prior to the introduction of an Agricultural Course at the school, Robert Thayer, the school’s agriculture teacher, organized an annual student display. It was known as either the School Agricultural Fair, Community Fruit Fair, or Oak Harbor Fruit Fair and showcased various products from the area’s agriculture. The Judges for the Fair were individuals chosen from out-of-town. Prizes and ribbons were given for characteristics such as uniformity, size, color, and presentation. The fair was originally held in a room at the High School, later moving to other locations about town. An article from November 4, 1927, Ottawa County Exponent noted that more than 500 entries were on display at the school community fair held at the Nick Steven’s auto showroom, Monday October 31. In 1932 the Fruit Fair became a large part of the Fall Fair with exhibits by both students and the general public. Robert Thayer would continue to be associated with the annual presentation. A September 2, 1932, Exponent articled noted that Robert Thayer announces that the community Fruit Fair will be held in connection with the festival and homecoming sponsored by the businessmen. Did you know that in 1920 the Oak Harbor Businessmen’s Association organized a Halloween Mask Carnival? The carnival was held downtown on Water Street between Church and Locust Streets and all of Ottawa County was invited. It was a costume party complete with music, food, and fireworks. The carnival lasted until it was absorbed into the Fall Fair & Festival in 1932. It was noted on the 3rd annual carnival that over 5,000 people attended. In August 1932, the Oak Harbor Businessmen’s Association met and organized the first Oak Harbor Fall Fair & Festival. It was a combination, continuation, and expansion of two annual townwide events, those being the Halloween Mask Carnival and the Oak Harbor School Community Fruit Fair. It was held on October 12, 13, and 14. This first Fall Fair festival, sponsored by the Businessmen and the American Legion, was hosted to gain the interest of surrounding farmers that Oak Harbor was a community center. The residents of Oak Harbor themselves also enjoyed the celebration. The Fall Fair was a success and continued for the next 30 years. Agricultural displays were featured in various buildings downtown including the Kramb Company, Armory, Town Hall, and automobile showrooms. Farm animals were displayed at the barns in Veterans Park and there were even horse pulls held at the school athletic field on Church Street. The grand parade through town was an event eagerly looked forward to by all. The 1935 Fall Fair was dubbed “The Centennial Home Coming” which celebrated the founding of Hartford/Oak Harbor in 1835. Unfortunately, in 1963 the Fall Fair was cancelled due to litigation issues. Yet, Oak Harborites would not be denied their fall entertainment. Thanks to Dorothy Heiks, the Apple Festival was born. The Executive Secretary of the Chamber, Dorothy, wanted an event that would bring interest back to the downtown and Oak Harbor merchants. The idea of apples came to her (cont. on page 5)
OCTOBER 2025 PROGRAMS 4
OCTOBER 2025 WHAT’S NEW We are excited to announce that the Oak Harbor Public Library – Local History & Museum Center has been awarded a $4,999 LSTA Conservation and Preservation Grant from the State Library of Ohio. The LSTA Conservation and Preservation Grant will be utilized to conserve a rare piece of local heritage and create an engaging educational resource for library visitors, school groups, and researchers, thus helping the library further its mission of preserving and sharing the local history. The LSTA Grant will assist the Oak Harbor Public Library to restore and conserve a blacksmith’s bellows dating to 1894, used by local blacksmith L.D. Link. This unique artifact is a significant part of Oak Harbor’s history. However, its current condition is not suitable for display. With the support of the LSTA Grant the Oak Harbor Public Library- Local History & Museum Center will be able to restore the bellows and create a permanent exhibit which will showcase the importance of the local blacksmiths. The display will include the restored bellows, additional tools of trade, and signage regarding the role of the local blacksmith trade to local and regional development. Blacksmith L. D. Link, pictured here, used the bellows in his business. Photo by George Smith. Did you know that Derek Brennan, who painted the mural on the NAPA building on Locust street also painted the mural in the library stairwell and the library large meeting room? The stairwell mural depicts L. D. Link. The painting behind the reference desk is painted by local artists who meet at the library. The photographs above the book shelves are by local photographers. 5
OCTOBER 2025 LAST WORDS 6 (cont. from page 3)because of the many surrounding orchards. Soon, the idea began to snowball, and after over 1,000 phone calls to organize the event, the Apple Festival was on its way. The first Apple Festival was held October 13 and 14 of 1979 in downtown Oak Harbor and was a huge success with over 10,000 in attendance. During the first festival the booths faced the stores so that Water Street could remain open. It was not until 1990 that Water Street was closed to vehicles. During the very first festival, the first apple butter stir held by the Boy Scout Troop 316 took place at the Methodist Church on E. Ottawa Street. Subsequent festivals, held on the 2nd full weekend in October, would continue to grow with an ever-increasing number of vendors and a steady attendance. So, make sure to take part this year and help celebrate the 46th annual Apple Festival. In some way, shape, or form, Oak Harbor has been celebrating for 104 years. Friendly notes: The Friends of the Oak Harbor Public Library met at the library on Friday, September 19th. Oak Harbor Mayor Quinton Babcock spoke to the Friends on Tips and Secrets of Fundraising. Their next meeting will be on Friday, October 19th at 11:00 in the library. The Friends is a volunteer, non-profit organization of patrons who believe that a dynamic library is a crucial factor in our community’s vitality. T-shirts and book bags are still available for sale through the Rocket Shop. All proceeds go to the Friends. Show your library love by wearing a library love t-shirt. Friends can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheOakHarborPublicLibrary. You can email the friends at lhossler@seolibraries.org.
OCTOBER 2025 OAK HARBOR PUBLIC LIBRARY 147 W. MAIN ST OAK HARBOR OH 43449 419-898-7001 OAKHARBORPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG ohpl@seolibraries.org Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Programs in Green are for childrens/teens Programs in Blue are for adults 1 Storytime 11:30 Watercolor 12:30 Science of Super Powers 3 2 Local History Museum 10-2 & 5-7 Science of Super Powers 3 3 Pinochle 1 Science of Super Powers 3 4 5 All month long we will be collecting items for Clothing Corral 6 Sun Catchers 3 7 Tai Chi 10 Local History Museum 1-5 Sun Catchers 3 8 60 Plus Clinic 9:30 Coffee & Book 11 Storytime 11:30 Watercolor 12:30 Sun Catchers 3 9 Local History Museum 10-2 & 5-7 Sun Catchers 3 10 Pinochle 1 CLOSING AT 2pm: Due to Apple Festival 11 CLOSED: Apple Festival 12 All Programs marked with an R, require registration. Please call 419-898-7001 or visit our website to register 13 R Autumn Tree Craft 2 Diamond Art 3 14 Tai Chi 10 Local History Museum 1-5 Diamond Art 3 15 Flu Shot Clinic 9:45 Storytime 11:30 Watercolor 12:30 Diamond Art 3 Wicked Wed 5:30 16 Local History Museum 10-2 & 5-7 Diamond Art 3 17 Friends of the Library meeting 11 Pinochle 1 Diamond Art 3 18 19 20 All about me 3 Silly Spooky Night: Halloween Party 5-6:30 21 Tai Chi 10 Local History Museum 1-5 All about me 3 OCOGS: Saloon, Bars, and Taverns 5:30 22 Storytime 11:30 Watercolor 12:30 All about me 3 23 Local History Museum 10-2 & 5-7 Genealogy Q & A 10:30-1:30 All about me 3 24 Pinochle 1 All about me 3 25 26 27 Space Camp 3 28 Tai Chi 10 Local History Museum 1-5 Space Camp 3 4th Tuesday book club 5:30 29 Storytime 11:30 Watercolor 12:30 Space Camp 3 30 Local History Museum 10-2 & 5-7 Space Camp 3 31 Pinochle 1 Space Camp 3 October 2025 Oak Harbor Local History Museum Open on Tuesdays 1-5, Thursdays 10-2 & 5-7. To schedule an appointment call 419-898-7001. Library Hours Monday to Thursday 9:30 am to 7 pm Friday 9:30 am to 5 pm Saturday 9 am to 1 pm 7
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