RCA Photo of the Week - May 1, 2024

The Kentucky Derby is coming up this weekend. All eyes will be on the Bluegrass State, but did you know that Romeo had its own horse shows? Yes, there was Fearnaught Park (also known as the fairgrounds) as detailed in the "People, Places & Things: Our Past" column by the Romeo Historical Society in the May 1-7 issue of The Record, yet there was also the annual horse show hosted by the Romeo Rotary Club at the Romeo Golf and Country Club on 32 Mile Road.

The Romeo Rotary Horse Show began in 1959 to raise money for charitable causes. In 1962, when the club held its 4th annual equine program on the Fourth of July, over 250 contestants competed in a variety of events. These included Flag, Bending, Pick-Up, and Bale Races; English Equitation; Western and English Pleasure; Musical Stalls; Musical Chairs; Cloverleaf; Bare-back Jumping; Pony Express; and Speed and Action. The Romeo Observer took this picture from that show to use on the front page of its June 28, 1962 issue. It displays a horse demonstrating horsemanship by jumping over a fence to let readers know what they're in for if they attend. Unfortunately, the rider and equine have not been identified.

One of the main attractions of this horse show was an inter-club contest between the 4-H saddle clubs from Macomb, Lapeer, St. Clair, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Their events included Fitting and Showing as well as Horsemanship. The 4-H club members were also allowed to participate in the regular contests.

Although the Romeo Rotary Club no longer puts on the annual horse shows these days, Macomb County has a 4-H Horse Program Committee through Michigan State University Extension, and they host the Michigan State 4-H Horse Shows every year. Who knows if that program is the spiritual successor to the Romeo Rotary Club one.

Regardless, we hope you have a wonderful time watching horses demonstrate their skills this weekend!

To learn more about the Romeo Rotary Horse Show and past horse-related events in the village, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890.

Source: The Record, May 1-7, 2024, p.3 and p.5 and The Romeo Observer Press, June 28, 1962, p.A-1

RCA Photo of the Week - April 25, 2024

The April 24-30, 2024 issue of The Record displayed some photos of former Detroit Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich's April 20 visit to the River of God Church in Romeo. Lolich was there to receive the "Hometown Hero" Award and to give a presentation on his 16-year career in Major League Baseball.

For those who don't know, Lolich was a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers between 1963 and 1975. In fact, his actions helped the team to win the 1968 World Series, and he was named Most Valuable Player. Even though he was born in Portland, Oregon, he has spent plenty of time in Washington, Michigan. So much that when the Tigers won the World Series in 1968, Washington turned into Lolich Town.

This leads us to the photo above. The front page of the October 17, 1968 edition of The Romeo Observer displayed this picture of a makeshift sign welcoming Lolich and its declaration. It was erected right after the Tigers' victory. Residents were excited to know that Lolich put Washington on the map. They were so elated that people on Robin Hill road "gleefully turned their street into Lolich Blvd[,] and marked up their mail boxes accordingly."

But that's not all! The article goes on to say the following, "Two state troopers turned up at Mickey's home to handle the expected crowds on Thursday, October 10, the night the conquering heroes came home. There were signs on the expressway, flood lights on his lawn and hundreds of very happy Tiger fans on hand throughout the evening."

Despite the huge win for Washington, it seems that some Detroit newscasters didn't really do their homework. They claimed it was a town west of Detroit. The Observer took note of this and considered sending them a map of Michigan and a compass.

Lolich continued his victory lap on the national scene. He made appearances on the Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson shows. There were even plans for him to do some western and country singing at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas.

Regardless if it's 1968 or 2024, Washington will always be Lolich Town.

To discover more about Mickey Lolich, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890.

Source: The Record, April 24-30, 2024, p.12; The Romeo Observer, October 17, 1968, p.1-A; Detroit Free Press, October 15, 1968, p.31; and MLB.com