A nostalgic discovery mission undertaken by a couple is introduced through vintage autograph books. The story took them to the city of origin, Akron, as Susie and her husband came across two small, ribbon-bound books, green and red, in an antique store in Cambridge, Ohio. They had no doubt there were verses written in people’s hands, but they were so precious that they could not be left to collect dust.
These are 4 ½ by 6 inch little books, which were found in the miscellaneous items and curiosities collection during an impromptu visit to the shop by this couple. As they mulled over the very enticing read, the notes became more unreal-a own italicized rhymes penned with scant ink onto what are otherwise blank pages, an entry perhaps into a window from the past.
Unveiling the Past
The verses, beautiful and naive, captivated Susie straight away. She acquired the books at $1 each from the library, though she wasn’t sure what they would be used for. It made her very anxious to keep all of them. At her home, these books had been given an assigned shelf space and were frequently revisited for nostalgia. She was instantly hooked by the verses sweet and innocent, prompting her to buy as many books as she could for a dollar apiece from an old library. Not knowing what to do with them in the future, she felt an uncanny urgency to save them. These books were kept on that shelf at her home and picked out once in a while for the nostalgia of it.Sweet and innocent, these verses immediately captivated Susie and made her buy the books for just $1 each. They were to be put into future use as she didn’t know what exactly. There was a rather strong urge, though, to keep all of them. At her home, these books have been given a special shelf space and occasionally revisited for nostalgia.
Inside the book were personal notes addressed to “Dear Rita,” the original owner, who inscribed her name in the cover. The word “LHS” appeared in some autographs. This clue was a mystery until an entry referencing Louisville High School in Stark County was discovered.
Searching for Rita
Out of curiosity, the couple set off on a journey to discover more about Rita Jean Kandel. They brought together facts from genealogy research and Rodman Public Library in Alliance, Ohio, to build a story regarding Rita. Rita got married to LeRoy G. Oyster, a World War II veteran, and they had a daughter called Carolyn. LeRoy died in 1994, leaving Rita and their kids behind.Curious, the two went on an adventure searching for more about Rita Jean Kandel. They put together the pieces of her history-based genealogy research and through the help they received from Rodman Public Library in Alliance, Ohio. Rita had married a World War II veteran, LeRoy G. Oyster, and had a daughter named Carolyn with him. LeRoy died in 1994 to Rita and their children.
Empowered by the information, the couple sought an audience with Carolyn Gabric, one of Rita’s daughters, to divulge what they had discovered and give back the cherished heirlooms.
A Joyful Reunion
Carolyn’s enthusiastic response resulted to a loving meeting at Bel Air Care Center in Alliance where Susie with her husband met Carolyn with her mother, Rita J. Oyster, aged 84 years old. Rita was visibly moved receiving the autograph books despite being in a wheelchair, a result of a stroke in 2005. Carolyn explained that these autograph books probably mistakenly ended up at auction years ago.Carolyn’s jubilant response culminated into a very emotional meeting at Bel Air Care Center in Alliance where Susie and her husband met Carolyn and her mother, now 84 years old, Rita J. Oyster. Rita was very visibly moved, despite being in a wheelchair following a stroke in 2005, on receipt of the autograph books. Carolyn explained that the books were probably accidentally put up for auction years ago.
Reviving Old Memories
As bits of the journal were read aloud, Rita shared stories of her childhood. She was born on September 9, 1927, on a farm near Louisville; she had attended Scenery Hall, one of the one-room schools, and graduated from Louisville High School in 1945. She reminisced fondly about collecting scrawled names from classmates and friends, especially the Schmucker boys, who were especially fond of her.
The names in the books sparked vivid memories, and Rita delighted in recounting tales of her school days and the people she once knew.
Preserving a Legacy
Books, such as the autograph books, also had several messages from relatives, including an emotional one from mother’s poet called Lettie Kandel. The entries also gave a potential view into the values and sentiments of yesteryear and preserved the vestige of family history.
At the very start, Carolyn was excited to really get into the books, imagining all the enjoyment and laughter they would bring as they revisited the family’s past. This fortuitous journey reunited a family with their precious heirlooms and brought back memories, linking ties that span generations.
