Magnolia Historical Society gives three awards of appreciation

The Magnolia Area Historical Society held its 2010 Preservation and Community Appreciation Awards dinner at Tozzi’s Restaurant in Magnolia on Nov. 15.

Following dinner, society president Janet Rogers presented the awards, a yearly tradition of the society since 1987. Three awards were presented.

The first award went to Suzette Corsi for her preservation of The Charleston Gathering House on North Main Street in Magnolia. Built in 1924, it is the former home of Dr. Robert Bunker, Magnolia physician from 1914-51.

Rogers said Corsi bought the home at an auction and then beautifully restored and decorated it. Corsi and her family repaired, refinished the woodwork and floors and furnished and decorated the home with period pieces.

In 2007 Corsi opened the house to the public to be rented out for birthdays, graduations, retirements, and more.

Mrs. Corsi also was honored for being a long-time supporter of the society’s efforts. In the last few years, she has graciously allowed society members to use the building for the annual apple dumpling day.

Society treasurer Suzanne Tozzi received an award for the extensive research she has done on area history. Rogers told how Mrs. Tozzi has combed through archives and old newspapers to find information on Morges and the local school systems. Tozzi has assembled a book on Rose Township Schools. She has read many of the old Carrollton newspapers and is now combing through old copies and micro-film of the Press-News.

Rogers said Tozzi has done a lot of research, not only on her and her husband’s families but also on Morges and St. Mary’s Church.

Furthermore, Tozzi is always willing to give tours and tell of the church’s history. As a retired educator, she still teaches. She gives presentations on St. Mary’s Church and Morges for the annual Sandy Valley Schools third-grade tours. She also plays the role of school “marm” at the Algonquin Mill Festival each year.

Tozzi and her family have also restored the building in Magnolia, which now houses Tangles Hair Design.

The Community Appreciation Award was presented to Taggart’s Ice Cream. Leasing the Isaac Miller Inn, Taggarts has been the perfect partner for the Historical Society. With their other restaurant in a historic building in Canton, the owners already had an appreciation for preserving and celebrating an area’s history, said Rogers.

Owners Ernie and Patti Schott have helped put Magnolia on the map with their addition to Magnolia Square. Their homemade ice cream is well-known, and they often donate it for historical society and school events, as well as for charitable causes.

The Schotts’ son-in-law Michael Sedmock manages the business and son-in-law Doug Mullaly makes the ice cream. Not only have they created local jobs, but they also are taking an active part in our community, Rogers concluded.