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100th Anniversary - Columbus Board of Realtors

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1908 - 2008<br />

th<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong><br />

1908-2008


th<br />

1908 - 2008<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong><br />

1908-2008<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008


th<br />

1908 - 2008<br />

This book has been compiled and edited by<br />

members and staff in honor <strong>of</strong> the 100 th <strong>Anniversary</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®.<br />

Special acknowledgement goes to members <strong>of</strong> the 100 th <strong>Anniversary</strong><br />

Ad Hoc Committee, who contributed their time and efforts to the<br />

yearlong 100 th <strong>Anniversary</strong> celebration and to this book.<br />

100 th <strong>Anniversary</strong> Ad Hoc Committee Members:<br />

Charlotte Van Steyn, Chair<br />

Marqué Bressler<br />

Stan Collins<br />

Michael Gautier<br />

Phil Geissler<br />

Lynn Hackworth<br />

Greg Hrabcak<br />

Myrna Kobre<br />

Lynda Long<br />

William McMenamy<br />

Robert U. Miller<br />

Gary Parsons<br />

Mary Raysa<br />

Chris Reese<br />

George Smith<br />

Kelley Youman Truxall<br />

Dr. Robert Weiler, Sr.<br />

Larry Metzger, CEO<br />

Greg Hrabcak, 2008 President<br />

Trademarks: REALTOR® and REALTORS® are<br />

registered trademarks that mean member or members <strong>of</strong><br />

the National Association <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® and should not be<br />

used as a reference to real estate practitioners in general.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

2700 Airport Drive<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong>, OH 43219<br />

(614) 475-4000<br />

www.<strong>Columbus</strong><strong>Realtors</strong>.com<br />

<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


th<br />

1908 - 2008<br />

The first 100 years <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS® are highlighted in the following<br />

pages <strong>of</strong> this book, which features a timeline <strong>of</strong><br />

significant events and memorable photos from<br />

the last century.<br />

Throughout its first 100 years, the CBR has<br />

called at least three buildings “home,” most<br />

notably building the current location to<br />

meet the needs <strong>of</strong> membership and changing<br />

technology in 1993. The location at 2700<br />

Airport Drive marked the first time the <strong>Board</strong><br />

had started from scratch, rather than adapting<br />

to an existing space.<br />

Just as the <strong>Board</strong>’s locations have changed<br />

over the last 10 decades, so too has<br />

membership, the way business is done and the<br />

entire central Ohio community.<br />

From charitable causes to political ones,<br />

from Presidential Balls to the state’s largest<br />

real estate expo, the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS® and its members have set<br />

a precedent as leaders in the real estate<br />

industry and the community.<br />

Some <strong>of</strong> the countless milestones and moments<br />

are touched upon in this book. We don’t doubt<br />

the book could have been much larger in size,<br />

but the accomplishments <strong>of</strong> the CBR and its<br />

members are too numerous to compile in a<br />

single volume.<br />

While this is only a snapshot <strong>of</strong> the first<br />

100 years, we hope you enjoy the trip down<br />

memory lane. We are honored you are among<br />

those celebrating the centennial year <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008


1908<br />

On May 12, 1908, 120 men representing 19 boards from<br />

13 states and one state association, meet in Chicago to<br />

try to establish a national real estate group, after three<br />

previous attempts had failed.<br />

The National Association <strong>of</strong> Real Estate Exchanges objective<br />

is “To unite the real estate men <strong>of</strong> America for the<br />

purpose <strong>of</strong> effectively exerting a combined influence upon<br />

matters affecting real estate interests.”<br />

The group authorized employment <strong>of</strong> an executive<br />

secretary, general counsel and provided an <strong>of</strong>fice for<br />

association work. Standing committees, demonstrating<br />

the founders’ intended fields <strong>of</strong> activity, were formed and<br />

included: Code <strong>of</strong> Ethics, taxation, state and municipal<br />

legislation, and the organization <strong>of</strong> local exchanges.<br />

During May 1908, talks for establishing a local chapter<br />

in <strong>Columbus</strong> are also being held. The <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS® was formed in 1908 as The <strong>Columbus</strong> Real<br />

Estate <strong>Board</strong> with the election <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers held on June<br />

19, 1908. W.A. Mahoney, W.G. Neff, D.P. Cooke, M.A.<br />

Smith, George Robbins, A.W. Forest, Frank Hammond,<br />

W.G. Conway, H.D. Freeman and C.A. McAllister are all<br />

elected trustees. Frank Hammond is elected the <strong>Board</strong>s’<br />

first President and served through 1909. In all, 27 men<br />

vote to adopt the constitution and bylaws <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Board</strong>.<br />

Above, Below Left and Below Right: What started it all:<br />

The two-page document on display in the CBR <strong>Board</strong>room<br />

contains the meeting minutes and original charter<br />

and bylaws adopted by founding members in 1908.<br />

<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1912<br />

There are 2,560 building permits issued by the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong> at a<br />

value <strong>of</strong> $4,675,303. In 2007 the city issued a total <strong>of</strong> 4,996 building<br />

permits, for both residential and commercial construction, at a total<br />

value <strong>of</strong> more than $1.5 billion.<br />

1913<br />

The National Association <strong>of</strong> Real Estate Exchanges adopts a strict<br />

Code <strong>of</strong> Ethics with the “Golden Rule” as its theme. We are the fourth<br />

business group in the nation to follow the pr<strong>of</strong>essions <strong>of</strong> medicine, law<br />

and engineering in the formation and enforcement <strong>of</strong> a code <strong>of</strong> ethics<br />

for its members.<br />

The Scioto River floods, killing 100 people and leaving 20,000 homeless.<br />

1914<br />

Developer Charles Johnson asks Bexley Mayor Peter Ludwig to annex<br />

Eastmoor. Ludwig declines, saying Bexley has enough lots to last<br />

100 years.<br />

Above: Great flood <strong>of</strong> 1913: After the Scioto<br />

River flooded, thousands were homeless<br />

and <strong>Columbus</strong> was underwater.<br />

Below Left: National effort: Sponsored by<br />

the U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Labor, a 1914 campaign<br />

urged Americans to buy a home.<br />

Below Right: Downtown <strong>Columbus</strong> in days<br />

gone by: A view <strong>of</strong> the intersection <strong>of</strong><br />

South High and Town streets in 1914.<br />

King and Ben Thompson buy 600 acres northwest <strong>of</strong> downtown <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

with plans to build homes there. The area would later become<br />

known as Upper Arlington.<br />

The arches over High Street are removed and the Statehouse annex<br />

built.<br />

World War I starts and lasts until 1918. WWI marked the first use<br />

<strong>of</strong> chemical weapons, the first mass bombardment <strong>of</strong> civilians from<br />

the sky, and the century’s first genocide. The U.S. would join the war<br />

effort in 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson called on Americans<br />

to “make the world safe for democracy.” The cost would be over 40<br />

million casualties.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008


1915<br />

The term “REALTOR®” is coined by Minneapolis <strong>Board</strong> President<br />

Charles Chadbourn. Chadbourn saw a newspaper headline that said<br />

“Real estate man swindles old widow” and feels the need to separate<br />

members <strong>of</strong> the national association from everyone else selling real<br />

estate. REALTOR® is adopted by the national association in 1916 for<br />

all its members, but wasn’t trademarked until 1949.<br />

1916<br />

The national organization’s name is changed to the National Association<br />

<strong>of</strong> Real Estate <strong>Board</strong>s and the term “REALTOR®” is formally adopted.<br />

The area’s first planned community, Upper Arlington, is developed.<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> Zoo and the Defense Construction Supply Center both open.<br />

1917<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> Urban League is founded.<br />

The Ohio State University – University <strong>of</strong> Michigan rivalry begins.<br />

1919<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> throws a welcome home party for Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.<br />

After surviving the Scioto River flood <strong>of</strong> 1913, <strong>of</strong>ficials determine the<br />

Lane Avenue Bridge will be inadequate for future floods and the second,<br />

more modern four-lane concrete bridge opens in 1919.<br />

1920<br />

There are 2,822 building permits issued by the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong> at a<br />

value <strong>of</strong> $10,257,170.<br />

Top Right: OSU/Michigan Rivalry: Although<br />

the rivalry began in 1917, OSU didn’t win until<br />

the 16th game in the series (1919). From 1968<br />

through 1980 (that’s a 13 year period) the<br />

Big Ten Rose Bowl rep, was either Ohio State<br />

or Michigan. 2008 marks the 105th game<br />

between the two Universities.<br />

Middle Right: Referred to as the American<br />

Ace <strong>of</strong> Aces, Eddie Rickenbacker, was<br />

a successful race car driver, fighter pilot,<br />

airline executive, wartime advisor, and elder<br />

statesman. Few aces achieved so much in<br />

so many different lifetime roles. His twenty-six<br />

aerial victories came in only two months <strong>of</strong><br />

combat flying, a spectacular achievement.<br />

Shown here with his plane in 1919.<br />

Above: The beginnings <strong>of</strong> a great career: A young John W. Galbreath in his<br />

first real estate <strong>of</strong>fice in the early 1920s.<br />

Bottom Right: Lane Avenue Bridge: The<br />

second Lane Avenue Bridge (<strong>of</strong> 1919) was<br />

a four-span, earth-filled concrete arch structure.<br />

The designer was noted bridge engineer<br />

Wilbur J. Watson <strong>of</strong> Cleveland, who<br />

previously designed the King Avenue Bridge<br />

(1914) and the Third Avenue Bridge (1917).<br />

<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1921<br />

Jan. 12 – <strong>Columbus</strong> City Hall burns. After <strong>Columbus</strong>’ second city hall<br />

location burns down, the land is sold for $700,000 and the Ohio Theater<br />

is built on the site, where it still stands today.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> gets its first female police <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

1922<br />

The “horseshoe,” Ohio Stadium, opens and the first football game is<br />

played in October, in front <strong>of</strong> a crowd <strong>of</strong> 72,000 fans.<br />

1923<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong>’ first airport, Norton Field, opens.<br />

Beulah Park holds its first horse race.<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> Junior League is formed.<br />

1924<br />

Children’s Hospital opens, as does Fort Hayes Hotel, and South and<br />

Central High Schools.<br />

1926<br />

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation lends $10,000 to start an auto<br />

insurance company for farmers. Today that company is known as<br />

Nationwide.<br />

The Palace Theater opens.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong>’ population is 310,622.<br />

Top Left: Built in 1926 as a grand vaudeville<br />

and movie house, the Keith-Albee Palace became<br />

the RKO Palace (Radio Keith Orpheum)<br />

in 1929. After almost fifty years <strong>of</strong> first run films,<br />

the Palace was forced to close its doors. The<br />

theater was purchased in 1989 by the CAPA<br />

organization and is a now a premier venue for<br />

concerts, stage shows and more.<br />

Middle Left: <strong>Columbus</strong> City Hall: A picture<br />

taken after a fire that gutted City Hall on Jan.<br />

12, 1921.<br />

Bottom Left: Ohio Stadium: Home <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Buckeyes, it became known as the ‘Shoe’<br />

because <strong>of</strong> it’s lucky horseshoe shape.<br />

Bottom Right: Meeting minutes: The May 10,<br />

1924 meeting <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> Real Estate<br />

<strong>Board</strong>, which saw the induction <strong>of</strong> several<br />

members including future CBR and NAR President<br />

John W. Galbreath.<br />

At meetings in the 1920s, cigars and cigarettes<br />

were provided free <strong>of</strong> charge.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008


1928<br />

The Ohio Theater opens.<br />

1929<br />

Port <strong>Columbus</strong> Airport, Battelle Memorial Institute and the first<br />

White Castle restaurant open.<br />

October’s stock market crash marks the beginning <strong>of</strong> the Great<br />

Depression. Within three years, real estate construction by private<br />

companies is down $1.7 billion, just 24 percent <strong>of</strong> the 1929 figure.<br />

1931<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> Museum <strong>of</strong> Art and the Pontifical College Josephinum open.<br />

1934<br />

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is created as part <strong>of</strong><br />

the passage <strong>of</strong> the National Housing Act <strong>of</strong> 1934.<br />

Big Bear, the city’s first supermarket, opens on Lane Avenue.<br />

1938<br />

Amendments to the 1934 Housing Act pave the way for the creation <strong>of</strong><br />

the Federal National Mortgage Association, now known as Fannie Mae,<br />

marking the realization <strong>of</strong> a long-held goal <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® – the ability<br />

to provide a steady flow <strong>of</strong> funds for mortgages.<br />

Above: Roosevelt signing Declaration <strong>of</strong><br />

War on Japan: On December 8, 1941, the<br />

day after Japanese forces attacked the<br />

American military base at Pearl Harbor,<br />

Hawaii, Franklin Roosevelt gave one <strong>of</strong> his<br />

most famous speeches to Congress when<br />

he asked Congress to declare war on<br />

Japan.<br />

Women’s Council <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® is founded.<br />

1939<br />

On Sept. 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland, sparking the beginning <strong>of</strong><br />

World War II. By the end <strong>of</strong> WWII, every major world power would be<br />

involved and more than 60 million people would lose their lives, including<br />

19 <strong>of</strong> the 1,143 REALTORS® who chose to serve.<br />

1940<br />

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates Poindexter Village, the<br />

city’s first federal metropolitan housing project developed by the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Metropolitan Housing Authority. It still stands today<br />

between Mt. Vernon Avenue and East Long Street.<br />

Right: NAR<br />

President: CBR<br />

member John W.<br />

Galbreath served<br />

as President <strong>of</strong> the<br />

National Association<br />

<strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

in 1944.<br />

1944<br />

After serving as CBR President in 1939, John W. Galbreath is elected<br />

President <strong>of</strong> the National Association <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®.<br />

REALTORS® hail the G.I. Bill <strong>of</strong> Rights, which provides low-interest<br />

loans to returning veterans for purchasing homes and businesses. At the<br />

time, The National Real Estate Journal predicted the bill would help<br />

stimulate post-war home building.<br />

1946<br />

Real estate exam fees are $10 for brokers and $5 for salesmen.<br />

Above: Housing shortage in ‘47: This clipping<br />

from The Citizen Journal newspaper details<br />

the city’s shortage <strong>of</strong> housing for its growing<br />

population. According to the article, Robert<br />

Weiler was selling homes almost as fast as<br />

they could be built, and the <strong>Columbus</strong> Real<br />

Estate <strong>Board</strong> called the lack <strong>of</strong> homes a<br />

“critical shortage.”<br />

<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1948<br />

The tax rate for <strong>Columbus</strong> is $19.20 per $1,000.<br />

1949<br />

CBR’s membership publication adds a “Cooperative Listings” section<br />

where REALTORS® submit listings to be printed. The first 20 listings<br />

received are printed at no cost.<br />

The Jan. 15, 1949 edition <strong>of</strong> The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® advertises<br />

the annual installation dinner, featuring guest speaker Dr. Edmund<br />

B. O’Leary, a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> economics and business at the University <strong>of</strong><br />

Dayton. The dinner is held in the Gold Room at the Fort Hayes Hotel<br />

and costs $2.75 per ticket “including tax and tip.”<br />

The April 15, 1949 edition <strong>of</strong> The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® details a<br />

<strong>Board</strong> membership drive encouraging “Every Member Get A Member”<br />

during the drive aimed at getting real estate agents in Franklin<br />

County to join the <strong>Columbus</strong> Real Estate <strong>Board</strong>. At the time, there<br />

were more real estate brokers and agents who didn’t belong to the<br />

<strong>Board</strong> than there were members, according to the REALTOR®. Dues<br />

in 1949 are $16.25 per quarter.<br />

The term REALTOR® is trademarked.<br />

The city’s first television station, WLWC Channel 3 goes on air. That station,<br />

now known as WCMH NBC 4, and WBNS-TV, both started in 1949.<br />

Bottom Left: Looking for a few good members:<br />

This 1949 article details the efforts <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>Columbus</strong> Real Estate <strong>Board</strong> to boost<br />

membership in the pr<strong>of</strong>essional organization.<br />

Top Left: A very early MLS system:<br />

A copy <strong>of</strong> the first “Cooperative<br />

Listings” section from the 1949<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR®, where it appeared<br />

for the first time.<br />

Right: REALTOR® wives: This 1948<br />

clip from the <strong>Columbus</strong> Citizen<br />

Journal talks about special events<br />

for the wives <strong>of</strong> real estate men<br />

during an upcoming convention.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008


1950<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> Real Estate <strong>Board</strong> incorporates.<br />

On Memorial Day, Whetstone Park is <strong>of</strong>ficially dedicated and 35 acres<br />

are set aside for what would become the <strong>Columbus</strong> Park <strong>of</strong> Roses.<br />

1951<br />

In March The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® announces plans for “The<br />

Lifesavers,” a group <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® and their families who set up a<br />

group blood donor program as part <strong>of</strong> the Red Cross’ <strong>Columbus</strong> Regional<br />

Blood Center. Much <strong>of</strong> the blood and plasma collected is to be<br />

sent overseas to troops fighting in the Korean War.<br />

1952<br />

Larry Chambers is hired as the <strong>Board</strong>’s Executive Vice President (later<br />

known as Executive Officer) and serves in that position until 1969.<br />

1954<br />

Sept. 1 - The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) <strong>of</strong>ficially begins. The<br />

<strong>Board</strong> starts the service with money borrowed from several <strong>of</strong> the 68<br />

charter members. Larry Wade, chair <strong>of</strong> the MLS Committee, announces<br />

the first listing was entered at a list price <strong>of</strong> $11,500.<br />

1955<br />

In its first full year <strong>of</strong> operation, the MLS has 3,746 listings, and<br />

1,873 sales recorded, with an average sale price <strong>of</strong> $13,682.<br />

The May 26, 1955 edition <strong>of</strong> The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® has a cover<br />

story on the annual stag party and ox roast, which includes a<br />

turkey shoot for the first time. The shoot, called Davy Crockett Day, is<br />

“supervised by a police <strong>of</strong>ficer” and features “real prize turkeys.”<br />

Top Right: Lifesavers: Charter members <strong>of</strong><br />

the new Group Blood Donor Program.<br />

Middle Right: The wise owl: The cover <strong>of</strong><br />

the Aug. 4, 1954 edition <strong>of</strong> The <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

REALTOR® foretold the coming <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>Board</strong>’s first Multiple Listing Service,<br />

started with money borrowed from some<br />

<strong>of</strong> the 68 charter members <strong>of</strong> the service.<br />

Above: Neighborhood revitalization: In 1955, CBR President Robert<br />

Weiler (center) and fellow members including Jack Havens (right) are<br />

photographed during a CBR home rehabiliation project.<br />

10 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1956<br />

NAR establishes National REALTOR® Week, an annual week dedicated<br />

to recognizing the efforts <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® everywhere and<br />

celebrating the real estate pr<strong>of</strong>ession.<br />

1957<br />

March 28 – The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® reports that the CBR Handbook<br />

<strong>of</strong> Property Transfers is a service that is the envy <strong>of</strong> every other real<br />

estate organization in the nation. The first issue covers 1953 -1955 and<br />

lists every real estate sale in greater <strong>Columbus</strong> by street, address, date<br />

and tax revenue stamps involved. Available to members only, the book<br />

“makes a pr<strong>of</strong>essional out <strong>of</strong> a beginner salesman almost overnight.”<br />

Interest is so high among real estate groups that in one city, 10 firms join<br />

together to <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>Columbus</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> dollars to establish a handbook<br />

for their area.<br />

Salesmen are thought <strong>of</strong> as employees <strong>of</strong> a broker, and not as independent<br />

contractors.<br />

Ohio Gov. C. William O’Neil makes a Bexley home the <strong>of</strong>ficial Governor’s<br />

Mansion.<br />

The Housing Act <strong>of</strong> 1957 lowers the down payment required on FHA loans.<br />

1959<br />

REALTOR® Jack Havens is named by the <strong>Columbus</strong> Citizen Journal<br />

as one <strong>of</strong> the top 10 young men <strong>of</strong> 1958 for pioneering the FHA 221<br />

loan program in <strong>Columbus</strong>.<br />

A Sept. 3 article in The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® discusses a <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Trustees meeting where changing commission schedules based on the<br />

types and amount <strong>of</strong> property sold is discussed. Today that would be<br />

considered price-fixing by the FTC.<br />

There are 5,650 listings submitted to the MLS in 1959.<br />

Top Left: The envy <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® everywhere:<br />

Started in 1957, the CBR Deed<br />

Transfer books were still a hit in the<br />

1960s.<br />

1960<br />

May 12 – CBR member John W. Galbreath is awarded the Horatio<br />

Algier Award for 1960 in New York City. Named for the 19th century<br />

author, the award recognizes community leaders, honesty and<br />

self-reliance. Past receipients include former U.S. President Herbert<br />

Hoover, Dr. Milton Eisenhauer and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.<br />

The <strong>Board</strong> approves part-time salesmen.<br />

Middle Left: The first time ever: Now<br />

a tradition, CBR went 52 years before<br />

holding its first President’s Ball in 1960.<br />

Bottom Left: Play that music: REALTOR®<br />

Paul Love and his band entertained<br />

crowds at CBR functions in the 1960s.<br />

Bottom Right: Of historic significance:<br />

This photo from The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR®<br />

shows CBR’s first female members.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 11


November – Women are allowed to join as REALTOR® members as<br />

the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> becomes the last large metropolitan <strong>Board</strong> in the<br />

country to allow women as members. The issue <strong>of</strong> women joining is<br />

very controversial and although all <strong>of</strong> the first female members were<br />

owners or brokers at their companies, they couldn’t be REALTORS®<br />

until November 1960. The first women to join the CBR are Lucille<br />

Jacobs, Wanda Poore, Esther Bain, Mary Louise Campbell, Edna<br />

Mooreland, Dorothy Tharpe and Dorothy Taylor. After the votes are<br />

counted several times, it was reported in The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR®<br />

that the change would not affect the summer Stag Picnic.<br />

Dec. 27 – CBR holds the first President’s Ball, to honor outgoing<br />

President Thomas Kohr and install new leadership, including 1961<br />

President Oscar Thomas. This social highlight <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Board</strong>s’ first 52<br />

years is held in the main ballroom <strong>of</strong> the Neil House and tickets sold<br />

for $10 each. The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® advised members to “Solve<br />

your wife’s Christmas gift problem! Tell her about this party tonight<br />

so she can get that new cocktail dress before Christmas!” White gardenias<br />

and pink champagne are given to all the wives.<br />

1961<br />

Lucille Jacobs is the first woman to join the Multiple<br />

Listing Service.<br />

Wade Co. REALTORS® announces a flat commission rate<br />

<strong>of</strong> $500.<br />

Riverside Methodist Hospital and the Kahiki Restaurant<br />

both open.<br />

1962<br />

In November, CBR launches the long-awaited Million Dollar Club,<br />

and recipients are honored at the President’s Ball. The dollar volume<br />

limit for any single transaction is $100,000.<br />

CBR begins publishing <strong>Columbus</strong> and Franklin County plat books.<br />

NAR produces the first book on the “interpretation <strong>of</strong> ethics” and<br />

launches the first national advertising and public relations campaign.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> gets its first regular jet service and the first McDonald’s<br />

restaurant opens.<br />

1963<br />

CBR publishes the first “Homes for Sale” photo guide.<br />

Past President Bill McCorkle lists the 50,000th home in the MLS<br />

service at 3438 Walmar Drive.<br />

1964<br />

A record year for MLS – the service records $7 million in sales.<br />

June – Harley E. Rouda opens new <strong>of</strong>fices at 1071 Fishinger Road in<br />

Upper Arlington and invites fellow REALTORS® to tour the state-<strong>of</strong>the-art<br />

facilities.<br />

Top Right: REALTOR® Week 1962: President-<br />

Elect Paul Falco (left) and 1962 President<br />

John Pace (far right) admire a local<br />

billboard promoting the security <strong>of</strong> homeownership<br />

with a representative from the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Outdoor Advertising Co.<br />

Left: Lucille Jacobs: One <strong>of</strong> the first women<br />

to join the <strong>Board</strong> and the first woman<br />

member <strong>of</strong> the MLS service.<br />

Middle Right: Lots <strong>of</strong> listings in the MLS: By<br />

1963, CBR’s Multiple Listing Service had<br />

50,000 homes listed and set record sales.<br />

Bottom Right: Picture perfect: Clients<br />

could review hundreds <strong>of</strong> homes for sale in<br />

Rouda’s photo gallery, at <strong>of</strong>fices opened<br />

in 1964.<br />

12 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Bill into<br />

law. The act is a sweeping change in civil rights legislation, prohibiting<br />

discrimination <strong>of</strong> all kinds based on race, color, religion, or<br />

national origin. The law also provides the federal government with<br />

the powers to enforce desegregation.<br />

The Center <strong>of</strong> Science and Industry (COSI) and Northland Mall<br />

open.<br />

1965<br />

Vernice Sagstetter receives the first REALTOR® Salesperson <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Year award, then known as Associate <strong>of</strong> the Year.<br />

REALTOR® Paul Love sells the first home in Ohio to be financed<br />

with a mortgage obtained under the new veteran’s housing program,<br />

at 1061 Carlisle Road.<br />

The CBR Five Million Dollar Sales Club is started.<br />

R. G. Denmead REALTORS® wins the 1965 REALTORS® Bowling<br />

League Championship trophy, beating 13 other teams in the<br />

weekly league comprised <strong>of</strong> real estate agents, brokers and mortgage<br />

representatives. According to The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR®, the<br />

team splits $128 in winnings and each received a trophy.<br />

Top Left: MLS Books: Complete listings and<br />

photos <strong>of</strong> properties were printed for more<br />

than three decades by CBR.<br />

Middle Left: First Five Million Dollar Club<br />

awardees: J.D. Kurgis, Mary Jo Kent, David<br />

Carruthers and James Henley, in 1965.<br />

Bottom Left: Vernice Sagstetter: In 1965 she<br />

became the first person to receive the CBR<br />

REALTOR®-Associate <strong>of</strong> the Year Award. Sagstetter<br />

is pictured with the first eight honorees.<br />

Top Right: Victory: R.G. Denmead and his team celebrate their victory in<br />

the 1965 REALTOR® Bowling League.<br />

Bottom Right: Talented group: A chorus performing during the 1966<br />

Realvillities Talent Show at the Neil House.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 13


1967<br />

Jan. 20, 1967 – Bob Weiler reports in The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR®<br />

that despite a fire at his three-story <strong>of</strong>fice building, 175 S. High<br />

St., the company is still in business and temporarily located at 202<br />

N. Grant Ave. Luckily, no one was hurt in the fire and much <strong>of</strong> the<br />

company’s documents were able to be salvaged.<br />

February – The <strong>Board</strong> moves to new member headquarters at 200<br />

East Town Street in downtown <strong>Columbus</strong>.<br />

A “major breakthrough” is announced when all dictionaries published<br />

in the U.S. agree to use the NAREB definition <strong>of</strong> REAL-<br />

TOR® and its correct pronunciation.<br />

The first Oktoberfest is held.<br />

The population <strong>of</strong> Franklin County is 852,411 and 573,280 in <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

proper. The city has 113 square miles and there are 106,000 students<br />

enrolled in city schools. The homeownership rate is 56 percent.<br />

1968<br />

Robert Denmead receives the first REALTOR® Broker <strong>of</strong> the Year award.<br />

In May 1968, <strong>Columbus</strong> Mayor Maynard E. Sensenbrenner proclaims<br />

May 19-25 REALTOR® Week, asking all citizens to join him in “honoring<br />

the REALTORS® <strong>of</strong> this city.” The theme <strong>of</strong> the 1968 National RE-<br />

ALTOR® Week is “Home is where security starts – Don’t wait in ’68!”<br />

Above Left: Proclamation: <strong>Columbus</strong> Mayor Maynard E. Sensenbrenner<br />

proclaims REALTOR® Week ‘68 with Executive Vice President Larry<br />

Chambers, President Bill McCorkle and Allen Shaw looking on.<br />

Top Right: A talent show like none other: More than 55 people entertained<br />

guests during CBR’s annual talent and variety show, Realvillities, in 1967,<br />

held at the Neil House. This clip from the The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® shows<br />

some <strong>of</strong> the “actors” in costume and prepping for the show!<br />

Middle Right: Five Million Club: Max W. Holzer, John W. Bennett and Edwin<br />

J. May became the second group to receive the sales award in 1967.<br />

Bottom Right: Forty years ago: “Don’t wait in<br />

‘68” was the theme <strong>of</strong> NAR’s National REAL-<br />

TOR® Week 40 years ago. <strong>Columbus</strong> Mayor<br />

Maynard E. Sensenbrenner asked residents<br />

to honor the city’s REALTORS® during the last<br />

week in May.<br />

14 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


The 1968 CBR Stag Picnic is held at Walnut Hills Country Club, and<br />

features fishing, cards and helicopter rides along with the traditional<br />

golf. <strong>Board</strong> President Bill McCorkle is said to have caught the most<br />

fish, claiming 101 caught, but no one counted, according to The <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

REALTOR®.<br />

Aug. 22 – The <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® hosts “Aloha … a Night<br />

in Hawaii,” a luau-themed party at Walnut Hills Country Club. The<br />

night features Limbo and Hula contests, the Chuck Angeletti Orchestra,<br />

an authentic Hawaiian-style dinner and dancing for $8 per person.<br />

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Fair Housing Act into<br />

law shortly after the assassination <strong>of</strong> civil rights leader Dr. Martin<br />

Luther King, Jr. Signed on April 11, the act prohibits discrimination<br />

in the sale, rental, and financing <strong>of</strong> housing.<br />

The main post <strong>of</strong>fice moves from Broad and Third streets to its current<br />

location on Twin Rivers Drive.<br />

1969<br />

In the late 1960s, the <strong>Board</strong> has its very own entertainment for<br />

functions including the President’s Ball, monthly meetings and the<br />

Realvillities talent show. The group, called the REALTOR® Jazz<br />

Band, performs around the community for various organizations and<br />

civic groups.<br />

Westland Mall, Bob Evans restaurant and Wendy’s all open.<br />

Top Left: Gone fishin’: In 1968, while he was<br />

CBR President, Bill McCorkle (right) enjoyed<br />

fishing at the annual stag picnic with fellow<br />

REALTOR® Ed Hanna.<br />

Middle Left: A night in Hawaii: On Aug. 22,<br />

1968 the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

held “Aloha … a Night in Hawaii,” a luauthemed<br />

party at Walnut Hills Country Club.<br />

The night featured Limbo and Hula contests,<br />

the Chuck Angeletti Orchestra, an authentic<br />

Hawaiian-style dinner and dancing for $8<br />

per person.<br />

1970<br />

On Jan. 28, 1970, Raymond T. Harris is the first<br />

African-American broker to become a member <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®. Harris went on to<br />

receive his CRS and GRI certificates and served on<br />

numerous CBR committees.<br />

March 20 – The <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

reports that the MLS Committee generally agrees,<br />

with some dissent, that the computer will ultimately<br />

come to the real estate industry, and more importantly,<br />

to the Multiple Listing Service. The main questions remaining<br />

are, “when, and for how much?”<br />

Bottom Left: All that jazz: CBR’s own REAL-<br />

TOR® Jazz Band performed at the 1968<br />

President’s Ball, The REALTOR® reported.<br />

Top Right: Raymond T. Harris: The first African-<br />

American broker to join the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> REALTORS®, in 1970.<br />

Bottom Right: CBR under construction: The<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice building CBR shared for nearly three<br />

decades was built in the late 1960s.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 15


Celebrating 100 Years... 1969<br />

By Harley Rouda, Sr.<br />

CBR President 1969<br />

My motto: “I may not always be<br />

right, but I am never in doubt.”<br />

I started HER, REALTORS®<br />

in 1955. By 1967, HER was the<br />

number one residential real estate<br />

company in <strong>Columbus</strong> and we have<br />

never lost that position. We were,<br />

and still are, very successful.<br />

At that time, CBR didn’t have any<br />

real estate education courses. I told<br />

CBR we needed education and as<br />

a result, I was asked to plan and<br />

teach real estate courses, which I<br />

did for four years.<br />

Realvillities is one <strong>of</strong> my fondest<br />

memories. I wrote, produced and<br />

emceed this comedy presentation.<br />

Many old timers still remember<br />

seeing John Pace, Bill McCorkle<br />

and Cecil Neff, dressed as hippies,<br />

dancing on stage while singing<br />

“Winchester Cathedral” with gusto.<br />

And who can forget seeing four <strong>of</strong><br />

the best looking (and appropriately<br />

costumed) CBR “Playboy Bunnies”<br />

with the first saying, “I’ve been<br />

assigned to the Chicago Club.’<br />

The second followed by proudly<br />

saying, “I’ve been assigned to the<br />

Los Angeles Club,” and the third<br />

said, “I’m going to the New York<br />

Club.” At that moment, Jeri Zang<br />

– dressed quite frumpy – walked in<br />

and said, “I didn’t know they had a<br />

Playboy Club in Poland!”<br />

The incomparable Margie Coyle’s<br />

role was the “cue-card cutie” and<br />

she was “exciting” as the photo<br />

included in this article reveals. The<br />

<strong>Board</strong> photographer felt it was necessary<br />

to take photos several times<br />

… and who could blame him?<br />

The house sold out every time and<br />

many talented REALTORS® made<br />

the show a great evening!<br />

During my career, I chaired almost<br />

every CBR committee and the MLS<br />

Committee for two years, which<br />

had never been done before. I was<br />

the only CBR President that went<br />

through four chairs, instead <strong>of</strong> five.<br />

In 1991 Habitat for Humanity<br />

chose <strong>Columbus</strong> as its honored<br />

city and I was named National<br />

Honorary Chairman <strong>of</strong> Habitat for<br />

Humanity that year. Former President<br />

Jimmy Cart came to <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

to celebrate our being named<br />

the honored city and I proudly<br />

walked with him down Broad<br />

Street to celebrate the event, giving<br />

him a brief glimpse <strong>of</strong> our great<br />

city.<br />

In addition to my time as CBR<br />

President, I would be remiss to not<br />

mention my experiences as NAR<br />

President. In the 100 years <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®,<br />

we have been fortunate enough to<br />

have two National Association <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS® Presidents – John W.<br />

Galbreath in 1944, and myself in<br />

1991.<br />

In 1989, I became a candidate for<br />

NAR’s First Vice President at the<br />

national convention in San Francisco.<br />

For the first-time in recent<br />

history, we had a contested race.<br />

My opponent happened to be a<br />

commercial REALTOR® and I was,<br />

and still am, a residential REAL-<br />

TOR®. Because he was commer-<br />

cial, he probably didn’t go to as<br />

many real estate meetings as I did,<br />

which gave me a slight advantage.<br />

Prior to the election, I called<br />

John W. Galbreath and asked his<br />

permission to use the phrase he<br />

always used after concluding a<br />

speech. He said, “Absolutely, but<br />

Above: Rouda with <strong>Columbus</strong> Mayor<br />

Maynard E. Sensenbrenner, and<br />

<strong>Board</strong> Executive Vice President Larry<br />

Chambers celebrating the mayor’s<br />

proclamation <strong>of</strong> REALTOR® Week,<br />

May 18-24, 1969.<br />

Top: Three prominent <strong>Columbus</strong> RE-<br />

ALTORS® gather in 1991: Jack Myers,<br />

who served as CBR President in ’91,<br />

Myrna Kobre, Past CBR President<br />

who was serving as OAR President<br />

in ’91 and Rouda, who was NAR<br />

President.<br />

16 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


Rouda and his wife Marlese after<br />

being handed the gavel at the 1968<br />

President’s Ball.<br />

Taken at the <strong>Board</strong>’s 1991 Forecast<br />

Night, Rouda was serving as NAR President<br />

and took the time to address<br />

his hometown crowd. He showed the<br />

capacity audience an article about<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> that appeared in Phoenix,<br />

Arizona’s daily newspaper and said<br />

the central Ohio economy is a bright<br />

spot in the nation.<br />

Picture <strong>of</strong> Rouda while serving as<br />

master <strong>of</strong> ceremonies during the<br />

1967 Realvillities variety show held at<br />

the Neil House.<br />

make sure you win!” His phrase<br />

was, “I may not always be right,<br />

but I am never in doubt.” Since<br />

then, I have used those words quite<br />

<strong>of</strong>ten in my career.<br />

The campaign and election was very<br />

competitive. When the 395 votes<br />

were counted … and counted again,<br />

I had won by three votes! With<br />

the help <strong>of</strong> NAR staff members, I<br />

attended 98 committee meetings<br />

to thank them for their dedication<br />

and service to our industry and the<br />

REALTOR® organization.<br />

Margie (Fisher Coyle) Holzer at the<br />

1969 Realvillities talent show.<br />

John W. Galbreath was one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

original inductees. I was honored<br />

in 1992 and Bob Weiler was honored<br />

several years ago.<br />

I am slowly coming to the end <strong>of</strong><br />

my career, so I felt quite honored to<br />

be installed as the sixth person in<br />

the Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame <strong>of</strong> the NAR Certified<br />

Residential Brokers Association<br />

(CRB) last year.<br />

I am very thankful that we have<br />

had great leaders as CEOs that<br />

have contributed to our being one<br />

<strong>of</strong> the best real estate boards in the<br />

country. Keep up the good work for<br />

the next 100 years!<br />

There have been three CBR REAL-<br />

TOR® members elected to the central<br />

Ohio Business Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame.<br />

At the 1969 President’s Ball, the incoming <strong>of</strong>ficers for 1970 gather: Twink Starr,<br />

Jim Owen, Brad Salt, John Hill, Gene Jaques and Rouda.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 17


May 18 – May 18 – The <strong>Board</strong> holds its first REALTOR® Blood Donor<br />

Day during REALTOR® Week in hopes <strong>of</strong> establishing a REAL-<br />

TOR® Blood Bank. At the urging <strong>of</strong> Co-chairs Dean Potts and May<br />

Morrison, 48 REALTORS® and Associates contribute a pint <strong>of</strong> blood.<br />

June 1 – After three years <strong>of</strong> leasing <strong>of</strong>fice space at 200 East Town<br />

Street from United Redevelopment Corporation, the <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

<strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> Trustees votes to purchase the<br />

building, and sells bonds to members to help finance the purchase.<br />

June 15 – C. Dale Cook becomes Executive Vice President <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Board</strong>. Prior to CBR, Cook was affiliated with Battelle Memorial<br />

Institute and the Big Brother Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong> and Franklin<br />

County.<br />

The CBR Ten Million Dollar Sales Club Award begins.<br />

1971<br />

Oct. 14 – After years <strong>of</strong> planning, the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong>’s Multiple<br />

Listing Service first computerized system is now <strong>of</strong>ficially up and<br />

running. REALTORS® Computer Services (RCS), an affiliate <strong>of</strong> the<br />

National Association <strong>of</strong> Real Estate <strong>Board</strong>s, is the system provider.<br />

Realtron Corporation <strong>of</strong> Detroit, Michigan, the pioneer in computerization<br />

in the real estate industry, supplies the technical services<br />

under a contract to RCS. More than 2,500 active listings are now on<br />

the system, and 50 different s<strong>of</strong>tware programs allow the member,<br />

using a black box and a telephone combination nicknamed “Charlie”<br />

to search and manipulate the online data.<br />

1972<br />

Jan. 1 – As part <strong>of</strong> a tax settlement with the IRS, the <strong>Board</strong> separates<br />

the MLS Division (and other potentially pr<strong>of</strong>it-making endeavors)<br />

from the <strong>Board</strong> structure. The MLS, along with computer services,<br />

the Homes For Sale Photoguide and the Deed Transfer Service are<br />

now a separate corporation – a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®, allowing the board to<br />

retain its non-pr<strong>of</strong>it status.<br />

Ken Sampson is hired as the <strong>Board</strong>’s Executive Officer and<br />

serves in that position until 1983.<br />

Ohio License Law now requires licensees to obtain 30 hours<br />

<strong>of</strong> continuing education every two years.<br />

Top Right: Blood Bank: Some say Co-Chairman<br />

Dean Potts should have given a quart!<br />

Middle Right: The value <strong>of</strong> a REALTOR®: In<br />

1971, CBR President Brad Salt instructs a<br />

crowd at a <strong>Board</strong> holiday gathering how<br />

to properly use and pronounce the term<br />

REALTOR®. President-Elect Jim Owen looks<br />

on.<br />

Bottom Right: Before a President’s Ball in<br />

the 1970s: CBR members Gene Jacques,<br />

and CBR Presidents serving during the<br />

decade, Jim Owen, ‘72, John Hill, ‘70, Brad<br />

Salt ,‘71 and Twink Starr, ‘73, all dressed up<br />

and ready to dance the night away.<br />

Bottom Left: Successful sales: David F. Carruthers,<br />

receiving his Ten Million Dollar Club<br />

award from President John Hill in 1970.<br />

Carruthers and J. P. Kurgis were the first two<br />

people to win the award.<br />

18 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


The National Association <strong>of</strong> Real Estate <strong>Board</strong>s changes its name to<br />

National Association <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® and opens membership to sales<br />

associates. The block R is adopted as the <strong>of</strong>ficial logo.<br />

The Continent apartment and shopping complex opens on the city’s north<br />

side and the first Max & Erma’s restaurant opens in German Village.<br />

1973<br />

June 15 – NAR’s “Identification and Communications Manual,” which<br />

will guide use <strong>of</strong> the new bold R trademark by REALTORS® and REAL-<br />

TOR® associations, is distributed nationwide. “Through coordinated and<br />

consistent use <strong>of</strong> our new logo in available visual media, one uniform<br />

image <strong>of</strong> the REALTOR® will emerge,” said NAR President J.D. Sawyer.<br />

Oct. 25 – Senator John W. Bricker is named CBR’s first “Outstanding<br />

Citizen <strong>of</strong> the Year.” Concluding his acceptance speech at the dinner held<br />

at the Fawcett Center for Tomorrow, Bricker said, “There’s nothing finer<br />

in life in my mind, than putting ones’ roots down in a community, becoming<br />

a definite part <strong>of</strong> it and staying with it.”<br />

Nov. 13 – The MLS Committee, chaired by Cam Taylor, announces that<br />

MLS Weekly Photo Computer Books will be printed beginning January<br />

1974, and sold for $5 per copy.<br />

1974<br />

MLS publishes the first photo computer book, a weekly index <strong>of</strong> active<br />

listings.<br />

March 19 – “Buyer beware” changes to “seller beware” after the New<br />

Jersey Supreme Court rules that “let the buyer beware” can no longer<br />

govern in real property transactions, ruling a buyer can rescind a purchase<br />

contract if the seller does not voluntarily reveal hidden defects,<br />

even if no direct request for the information is made. The lesson is<br />

clear; a broker should learn all the facts from their client and see that<br />

the buyer is told.<br />

May 4 – CBR joins in tree plantings, working with the <strong>Board</strong>’s REAL-<br />

TOR® Pride Committee and the Boy Scouts <strong>of</strong> America on the national<br />

“Let’s Green America” program. More than 10,000 pine tree seedlings<br />

are planted in the most advantageous locations along a scenic walkway<br />

in the Olentangy River Valley. The project is coordinated by CBR members<br />

Brad Johnson and Committee Chair Pat Mollica.<br />

Top: The way things used to be done: An<br />

MLS listing contract from 1974, long before<br />

Internet searches and TEMPO.<br />

Middle: REALTOR® Pride: An article from<br />

a 1974 copy <strong>of</strong> The <strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR®<br />

details the volunteer project, which rehabbed<br />

and sold a <strong>Columbus</strong> home.<br />

Bottom: Lightning fast Buckeye: Olympic<br />

track star Jesse Owens at the 1974 Sales<br />

Associates Day with Tom Caito and Dick<br />

Fagen.<br />

August – CBR announces its support <strong>of</strong> school teacher Lorrie Kapsta,<br />

Miss Ohio and the state’s contestant in the Miss America Pagent, with<br />

a $1,500 donation to help pay for her costs.<br />

CBR members participate in the REALTOR® Pride project, where a<br />

volunteer group purchased a home at 2391 North Fourth Street and<br />

rehabilitated it, making it “the showpiece <strong>of</strong> the neighborhood,” The<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> REALTOR® reports. Committee Chair Pat Mollica organizes<br />

contractors and volunteers, who complete improvements including<br />

new aluminum siding, kitchen cabinets, a ro<strong>of</strong> and fresh paint. The<br />

home is sold in September to Jim Kehoe.<br />

The 1974 Sales Associates Day features Olympic track star and former<br />

Ohio State Buckeye Jesse Owens.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 19


Celebrating 100 Years... 1973<br />

By Rupert “Twink” Starr<br />

CBR President 1973<br />

The year was 1973, and I had been<br />

sworn in as president <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

<strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®. Our <strong>Board</strong><br />

was known as one <strong>of</strong> the best in the<br />

USA! I was honored, humbled, scared<br />

and told by a dear friend, that as a<br />

single man I would never make it to<br />

President. But I did. WOW!<br />

Yes, we had a good year. We had a<br />

good start from the planning and<br />

talents <strong>of</strong> those before us. My <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

were Tom Caito, President-Elect;<br />

Larry Horn, Vice President; Robert<br />

Weiler, Secretary-Treasurer; and E.<br />

Dean Potts, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.<br />

It was Ken Sampson’s first full<br />

year as CBR’s Executive Vice President<br />

and Jim Owen was our Immediate<br />

Past President.<br />

The CBR staff included Brad Johnson<br />

and Gail Mitchell, <strong>Board</strong> Services,<br />

Jan Gunderson, Membership, Stan<br />

Collins and Kathy Montag, Bookkeeping/Accounting;<br />

Mike Gautier and<br />

Jean Lammen, MLS; Gerry Hawkes<br />

and Shari Walters, Realtron; and Pat<br />

Halverson, Executive Secretary.<br />

For the Ohio Association <strong>of</strong> Real<br />

Estate <strong>Board</strong>s (OAREB, now OAR),<br />

Everett Brown served as President <strong>of</strong><br />

the Associates Division; Don Kelley,<br />

President <strong>of</strong> the Ohio Chapter AIREA;<br />

Ken Sampson, Chairman, Executive<br />

Officers Committee; Jim Owen, Chairman,<br />

Membership Services; Larry<br />

Horn, Chairman, Education; and<br />

Donald Casey Hambleton, Chairman,<br />

Scholarship.<br />

Goals<br />

Our agenda for the year centered<br />

around three specific goals:<br />

• Represent all <strong>of</strong> the diverse members;<br />

increase their membership<br />

and participation<br />

• Give members more for their<br />

money; better services and better<br />

meetings<br />

• Work with city and state agencies to<br />

better represent homeowners<br />

It was also time for women to take<br />

their place in leadership roles and to<br />

one day begin serving as president. I<br />

appointed Myrna Kobre (East Area<br />

Association President) to the high pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />

leadership position <strong>of</strong> Membership<br />

Chair. Her abilities and leadership<br />

skill led to her becoming president in<br />

1979. Women were up front now and<br />

taking on leadership roles. Margie<br />

Coyle (Holzer) became president in<br />

1988. Many women were to follow and<br />

do much <strong>of</strong> the business — exactly as<br />

some <strong>of</strong> the old timers feared.<br />

Legal Issues<br />

Brad Salt, who was president in 1971,<br />

warned us <strong>of</strong> looming legal challenges:<br />

price fixing by fee schedules, independent<br />

contractor status, city landlordtenant<br />

bill; blockbusting and steering,<br />

which had become illegal with the<br />

1968 Fair Housing Act. Both Toledo<br />

and Cleveland boards were sued by<br />

the Justice Department for violations<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Act. We did the right thing and<br />

no suit. The National Association <strong>of</strong><br />

Real Estate <strong>Board</strong>s (NAREB now<br />

NAR) President J.D. Sawyer was<br />

fighting the government over rent<br />

controls. In Ohio the age <strong>of</strong> authority<br />

was lowered making it possible for 18<br />

year olds to sign real estate contracts<br />

legally. Our legal council at the time,<br />

Searles Morton, retired and Norm<br />

Smith <strong>of</strong> Porter Wright became our<br />

attorney.<br />

Event Highlights<br />

Forecast Night ‘73<br />

“What will be in ‘73” was the theme<br />

<strong>of</strong> our January dinner meeting, which<br />

featured a panel <strong>of</strong> speakers including<br />

Oscar Thomas, Sr., Dick Benjamin,<br />

George Eckleberry and Marvin Yerke.<br />

Harley Rouda moderated the program<br />

and our promotion for this meeting<br />

was “Pay $6 just to hear Marvin Yerke.<br />

Consider the balance as a bonus”. A<br />

typical, clever and humorous remark<br />

by George Smith, our <strong>Columbus</strong> RE-<br />

ALTOR® editor.<br />

Saturday Night Luau<br />

This April event brought back so many<br />

wonderful memories for those who<br />

had traveled in 1971 to the National<br />

Convention in Hawaii, that 120 <strong>of</strong><br />

the 187 who made the Hawaiian trip,<br />

unpacked their aloha shirts, mumus,<br />

and, along with a stuffed Gorilla, sang<br />

Tiny Bubbles and danced the evening<br />

away to Bob Ebright’s ukulele (Bob’s<br />

wife Nancy, chaired this event).<br />

Speaker Norman Vincent Peale<br />

draws sell-out crowd<br />

“Give members more for their Money.”<br />

And, boy did we. At great expense, we<br />

brought in Norman Vincent Peale as<br />

our keynote speaker for the REAL-<br />

TOR® <strong>of</strong> the Year Presentation, where<br />

Oscar Thomas, Sr., was our celebrated<br />

20 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


honoree. That year, the Selection Committee<br />

comprised Ohio Supreme Court<br />

Chief Justice C. William O’Neill, Judge<br />

George Marshall, Mayor Tom Moody,<br />

and CBR’s 1970 and 1972 presidents<br />

John Hill and Jim Owen, respectively.<br />

Senator John Bricker gave the invocation.<br />

This event was a sell out (600<br />

people). Peale’s presentation on “The<br />

Power <strong>of</strong> Positive Thinking” played<br />

well to our largest audience to-date and<br />

received a standing ovation from all in<br />

attendance.<br />

<strong>Board</strong> Lot Sold<br />

A lot we purchased in 1964 on East<br />

Broad Street as a possible site for our<br />

board building was sold in 1973 by<br />

super Saleslady Martha Knepper (Richard<br />

Higgins). In our great wisdom, we<br />

purchased the lot for $86,000, and sold<br />

Above: Pictured here with Twink are<br />

Senator & Mrs. Bricker and John &<br />

Dorothy Galbreath.<br />

Below: Pictured from l to r are Joe<br />

McKinnon, Twink Starr, Mike Griffith<br />

and Cam Taylor at Sales Associates<br />

Day.<br />

Pictured from l to r are Bob Schritzinger,<br />

CBR’s Assistant Executive Officer<br />

Brad Johnson and Twink Star.<br />

it for $59,000. Thanks Martha. The loss<br />

reduced the <strong>Board</strong>’s pr<strong>of</strong>it for the year<br />

50 percent. Martha kindly accepted an<br />

engraved plaque and her 1973 dues<br />

were paid in full. (A commission also?).<br />

REALTOR® “R” Logo Introduced<br />

We received early a free car bumper<br />

sticker, a 6” window decal and a large<br />

window poster <strong>of</strong> the new REALTOR®<br />

“R” logo. Lapel pins were in short<br />

supply. The new logo became effective<br />

January 1, 1974.<br />

REPEC (now CORPAC)<br />

To counteract restrictive ordinances<br />

against our industry, Ed Leppert, Chairman<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Real Estate Political Education<br />

Committee (REPEC), encouraged<br />

all REALTORS® to give $99 to REPAC<br />

and for associates to give $25. The total<br />

amount raised in ‘73 was $7,000. Jim<br />

Owen and Harley Rouda became our<br />

two Life Members, each giving $1,000.<br />

Largest Sales Associates Day held<br />

at the time<br />

At Sales Associates Day, Leo Nachtrab<br />

(Metzger Brothers) was awarded the<br />

1973 Associate <strong>of</strong> the Year award. Joe<br />

MacKinnon (Larry Wade), who was<br />

the 1972 honoree and chairman <strong>of</strong> the<br />

event, presented the award. Sales Associates<br />

Day drew 550 people, which at<br />

the time was the largest associates day<br />

ever held, and featured seminars with<br />

two nationally known inspirational<br />

speakers.<br />

“What will be in ‘73”: A great MLS<br />

Service<br />

MLS Committee Chairman Cam Taylor<br />

touted the creation <strong>of</strong> the new photo<br />

guide magazine featuring properties for<br />

sale. Over 30,000 copies were distributed<br />

at 110 drop-<strong>of</strong>f locations. Back<br />

then, a 1/2-page ad in the guide sold for<br />

$9. Our sales figures in 1972 were $10<br />

million, and $17 million in 1973.<br />

First Citizen <strong>of</strong> the Year Award<br />

Dick Royer chaired our Annual Business<br />

Meeting and, after conducting<br />

business and listening to music by<br />

Scarlet and Gray Cornerstone, CBR’s<br />

1939 President John W. Galbreath<br />

introduced Senator John W. Bricker as<br />

the <strong>Board</strong>’s first Outstanding Citizen <strong>of</strong><br />

the Year honoree. In his remarks, the<br />

Senator said “He might want to make<br />

a few changes in his past life, but there<br />

are two things he would never change:<br />

1) His friendships and 2) <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

being his home forever. The town <strong>of</strong> Mt<br />

Sterling, population 1,200, was noted<br />

for three famous residents: Senator<br />

Bricker, John Galbreath and Twink<br />

Starr. And, as Twink’s Mother would<br />

say, “Not necessarily in that order.”<br />

President’s Ball<br />

A fitting end to the busy REALTOR®<br />

year was to celebrate with a Christmas<br />

gala, where sales leaders, staff, committee<br />

chairmen and <strong>of</strong>ficers were recognized.<br />

That evening we splurged bringing<br />

in a nationally known Orchestra, Sy<br />

Oliver, from the Rainbow Room in New<br />

York City and Tommy Dorsey fame.<br />

In closing, CBR in ‘73 was a great year<br />

thanks to all <strong>of</strong> the members and staff,<br />

many not named here. I thank you<br />

again for the honor and opportunity you<br />

gave me to be your president, which<br />

was most fulfilling and rewarding. I<br />

encourage all <strong>of</strong> you to be active in our<br />

wonderful <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REAL-<br />

TORS®.<br />

I may not be the richest, I may not be<br />

the smartest, but I am what I am and<br />

I’m happy. I am happy to have had a<br />

good and long life (I’m 86 years old <strong>of</strong><br />

which 53 where spent with my life partner),<br />

and in having made so many great<br />

and wonderful friends. Many <strong>of</strong> the best<br />

were and are REALTORS®.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 21


The Borden Building and the Rhodes Office Tower open.<br />

The Southwest Area Realty Association is formed.<br />

1975<br />

January – CBR and OAR now have joint ownership <strong>of</strong> the headquarters<br />

at 200 E. Town St.<br />

November – The weekly board newsletter, The <strong>Columbus</strong> REAL-<br />

TOR®, becomes a monthly, 12-page magazine called In Contract.<br />

I-270 is completed at a cost <strong>of</strong> $150 million.<br />

NAR leaders ratify a Voluntary Affirmative Marketing Agreement,<br />

clarifying REALTORS® responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. The<br />

VAMA is in effect until 1996, when it’s replaced by a fair housing partnership<br />

with the U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Housing and Urban Development.<br />

1976<br />

CBR begins its partnership with the Southeast Career Center to help<br />

students there learn home building. In Contract reports that the first<br />

home sells almost immediately after completion.<br />

May – An “extensive” study by NAR reveals that the average REALTOR®<br />

makes $24,000 annually, works 50 hours per week and is 50 years old. The<br />

median income for male REALTORS® is $24,000; for women it is $15,000.<br />

The first Memorial Golf Tournament is held, Nationwide Plaza opens<br />

downtown and Bicentennial Park is dedicated to commemorate<br />

America’s 200th birthday.<br />

CBR honors legendary OSU football coach W.W. “Woody” Hayes as the<br />

1976 Citizen <strong>of</strong> the Year. Nearly 600 members and guests pack the Neil<br />

House Ballroom and Past President John W. Galbreath presents Hayes<br />

with the honor.<br />

1977<br />

November – The National Housing Act <strong>of</strong> 1977 raises FHA loan limits<br />

up to $60,000 for a single family home and requires at least 3 percent<br />

down on the first $25,000 <strong>of</strong> the loan and 5 percent <strong>of</strong> the balance.<br />

Interest rates on a 30-year loan total 9 percent.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> City Schools are desegregated by court order.<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> Clippers play their first game.<br />

Top Right: The first In Contract magazine: In<br />

1975, CBR’s bi-monthly newsletter, The <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

REALTOR®, became a monthly magazine.<br />

The first cover feature was about the upcoming<br />

President’s Ball, honoring 1975 President<br />

Larry Horn and installing 1976 President Robert<br />

J. Weiler. In Contract continues to be published<br />

10 times a year by the <strong>Board</strong> and has grown<br />

from 12 pages to an average <strong>of</strong> about 60.<br />

Bottom Right: Learning the trade: This clip<br />

from 1976 was taken during the ribbon cutting<br />

for the first home built by SECC students.<br />

Bottom Left: Past Presidents Gather: In October<br />

1978, Past Presidents met for an evening<br />

<strong>of</strong> memories, fine food and comraderie. Those<br />

in attendance and the year they served as<br />

president are: Bottom row left to right: John<br />

Ranft, 1966; Myrna Kobre, President-elect 1978;<br />

Lee Wears, 1956; Second row: Brad Johnson,<br />

Assistant Executive Officer; Cecil Neff, 1959;<br />

Dick Ward, 1978; John Galbreath, 1939; Dick<br />

Royer, 1977; Ted Seckel, 1967; and Ken Sampson,<br />

Executive Vice President. Standing are:<br />

Larry Horn, 1975; Oscar Thomas, 1961; John<br />

Hill, 1970; Tom Caito, 1974; Harley Rouda, 1969;<br />

Orin Morris, 1965; Paul Falco, 1963; Bob Weiler,<br />

1976; Tom Kohr, 1960; Jim Owen, 1972; and<br />

Marvin Yerke, 1964.<br />

22 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1978<br />

The Blizzard <strong>of</strong> January 1978 shuts down much <strong>of</strong> the city.<br />

1979<br />

Myrna Kobre serves as the first woman President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

<strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®, after being elected to the position in 1978.<br />

February – The monthly dinner meeting sells out after it is announced<br />

that OSU Head Football Coach Earle Bruce is the guest speaker.<br />

May 23 – The gorilla exhibit at the <strong>Columbus</strong> Zoo and Aquarium opens,<br />

with help from a donation by the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®.<br />

Several CBR members and staff attend the grand opening event.<br />

May – Sam Ligon <strong>of</strong> Sam Ligon Realty becomes the first minority broker<br />

in Ohio and one <strong>of</strong> only seven in the country to earn the Certified Residential<br />

Broker (CRS) designation. His firm was based in <strong>Columbus</strong> and Ligon<br />

was a graduate <strong>of</strong> Marion-Franklin High School and Franklin University.<br />

September – CBR’s new, innovative and state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art video theater<br />

opens at the <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong>fices and is available for training.<br />

A survey by the Family Housing Bureau and Chicago Title Insurance<br />

Co. shows that “working wives” are contributing to increased homebuying<br />

demand and higher purchasing power.<br />

1981<br />

The Outstanding Citizen for 1981 is John H. McConnell, founder <strong>of</strong><br />

Worthington Industries and well-known <strong>Columbus</strong> philanthropist.<br />

Sam Rutigliano, Cleveland Browns Head Coach and 1979 AFC Coach<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Year, is the guest speaker at CBR’s monthly dinner meeting, held<br />

March 25, 1981. More than 400 people turn out to hear Coach Rutigliano<br />

speak and enjoy dinner at the downtown Sheraton, for $10 per person.<br />

Top Left: Grand gorilla opening: A donation<br />

by CBR helped the long-running exhibit at<br />

the <strong>Columbus</strong> Zoo become reality.<br />

Middle Left: Cheering on the Browns: CBR<br />

staff Corey Skinner (left) and Stan Collins<br />

(right) with Cleveland Browns Head Coach<br />

Sam Rutigliano. Skinner and Collins drove<br />

Rutigliano home after he spoke at a 1981<br />

dinner meeting.<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> Dispatch launches a Home section in the newspaper.<br />

Gov. James Rhodes cuts the ribbon on the long-awaited opening <strong>of</strong><br />

state Route 315.<br />

1982<br />

Three past CBR presidents join to form the company Kohr-Royer-<br />

Griffith. In January, Richard L. Royer is inaugurated as OAR President.<br />

Bottom Left: In the paper: When the <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

Dispatch debuted a “House <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Week” feature in the 1980s, REALTORS®<br />

waited for weeks, sometimes months, to get<br />

a listing in the weekly feature.<br />

Bottom Right: History-making Myrna: In 1979<br />

Myrna Kobre becomes the first woman to be<br />

elected President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS®. Kobre is shown here with good<br />

friend and 1988 President Margie Holzer.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 23


Celebrating 100 Years... 1976<br />

By Dr. Robert Weiler, Sr.<br />

CBR President, 1976<br />

I’m honored that 2008 President<br />

Greg Hrabcak invited me to lead <strong>of</strong>f<br />

down memory lane. As CBR president<br />

in 1976, I’d like to provide you<br />

with a look at what was going on<br />

back then…<br />

It was the Bicentennial year when<br />

a former Michigan football player,<br />

Gerald Ford, was our President; replaced<br />

by a Georgia peanut farmer,<br />

Jimmy Carter, in the November election.<br />

President Ford signed a new<br />

VA law increasing the maximum<br />

home loan from $22,000 to $33,000.<br />

Apple Computer Company was<br />

formed, Micros<strong>of</strong>t <strong>of</strong>ficially registered<br />

with the New Mexico Secretary<br />

<strong>of</strong> State, Nadia Comaneci<br />

earned seven perfect 10’s in the<br />

Olympics, and the first commercial<br />

Concorde flight took <strong>of</strong>f.<br />

Ohio’s Governor was James A.<br />

Rhodes. <strong>Columbus</strong>’ Mayor was<br />

Thomas Moody. John Glenn and<br />

Robert Taft, Jr. were our state<br />

senators and the House representatives<br />

were Chalmers Wylie and Sam<br />

Devine.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

dinners (costing $7) were held at the<br />

Neil House Hotel which was razed in<br />

the 1970s as was the Deshler Hotel<br />

and the Union Station.<br />

The downtown Lazarus store was<br />

the place to shop with lines curling<br />

around Town to Front Street waiting<br />

for the air curtain doors to open.<br />

In downtown <strong>Columbus</strong>, the Lincoln<br />

Leveque was soon to be replaced as<br />

the tallest building by the Rhodes<br />

State Office Tower, which was under<br />

construction in 1976 and completed<br />

the following year.<br />

According to the National Association<br />

<strong>of</strong> REALTORS®, the average REAL-<br />

TOR® earned $24,000. “Let’s Green<br />

America” was NAR’s theme.<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REAL-<br />

TORS® was located at 200 East<br />

Town Street in a building given by<br />

past CBR and National President<br />

John Galbreath for us to share with<br />

the Ohio Association <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®.<br />

The state convention was in Cincinnati<br />

where my roommate buddies<br />

were President-elect Dick Royer and<br />

President-to-be Gary Seckel. After a<br />

night to forget, both were outstanding<br />

panel leaders while disguising<br />

unbelievable hangovers. Also leading<br />

sessions were Sandra Falenski,<br />

Jim Hildebrand, Doug McCloud,<br />

John Creager, Felix Pedon and Phil<br />

Giessler.<br />

John Creager was president <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Ohio Chapter <strong>of</strong> the Farm and Land<br />

Institute; Stan Ackley led the Institute<br />

<strong>of</strong> Real Estate Management;<br />

Jim Owens was OAR president and<br />

Margie Coyle (Holzer) was Chairperson-elect<br />

for REALTOR®-Associates<br />

1977.<br />

Ed Carr was the VP <strong>of</strong> District #3.<br />

I was thrilled that our <strong>Board</strong> secretary/treasurer,<br />

Myrna Kobre, was in<br />

the chairs to become our first woman<br />

president in 1979.<br />

Missy Weiler, a person for whom I<br />

have the most respect and love, was<br />

the executive secretary <strong>of</strong> the Ohio<br />

MAI’s.<br />

Past President Ted Seckel was “RE-<br />

ALTOR® <strong>of</strong> the Year” after receiving<br />

the Christopher Club’s “Man <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Month”. The presentation was made<br />

by 1975 REALTOR® <strong>of</strong> the Year,<br />

Harley Rouda, Sr. Associate <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Year was Gordon Christy. Twenty-<br />

Five Year REALTOR® members<br />

recognized included Past Presidents<br />

John Ranft, Bill McCorkle, Larry<br />

Horn, Tom Caito, Lee Wears, Emerson<br />

Wollam, Cecil Neff and my star<br />

salesman, Sherwood Walker.<br />

Among outstanding 1976 programs<br />

organized by Education Chairman<br />

Joe MacKinnon was a real estate<br />

listing seminar with Betty McEnery,<br />

Ray Dailey and Ron Robins provid-<br />

Above: Missy Weiler & John Galbreath.<br />

24 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


Above: In Contract Cover, January<br />

2004.<br />

Below: John Royer, Skip Weiler,<br />

Woody Hayes, David Royer, and Jim<br />

Weiler.<br />

ing answers. Past President Tom<br />

Kohr moderated a monthly program<br />

in which Phil Giessler’s subject was<br />

“Turning Your Time into Dollars”<br />

and 1993 President George Smith’s<br />

subject was “Contacts = Contracts”.<br />

A definite highlight <strong>of</strong> the year was<br />

the presentation to Woody Hayes as<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

Citizen <strong>of</strong> the Year by a previous<br />

recipient named John Galbreath.<br />

A capacity crowd <strong>of</strong> 600 in the Neil<br />

House ballroom included past honorees<br />

former Senator John Bricker and<br />

Robert K. Levy, president <strong>of</strong> Union<br />

Department Store.<br />

At the head table were speakers C.<br />

William O’Neill, Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Ohio Supreme Court; Dr. Robert<br />

Murphy, OSU team physician; Ed<br />

Weaver, athletic director; and OSU<br />

All-American and Baltimore all pro<br />

tackle Jim Parker. Dick Royer and I<br />

brought our kids (see photo). Thanks<br />

went to Tom Kohr and Jim Petropolous<br />

for lining up an awesome cast <strong>of</strong><br />

celebrities.<br />

New REALTORS® in 1976 included<br />

<strong>Board</strong> VP Dick Ward, David Hartsook,<br />

Beverly Woodford, Ken Wears,<br />

Steve Kahan and future president<br />

Bill McMenamy.<br />

Speaking <strong>of</strong> future presidents, I had<br />

business cards made for my younger<br />

son, Jim, age 11 with “Future REAL-<br />

TOR®” inscribed. He accompanied<br />

me as I visited every broker’s <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

to hand out “Who is Uncle Sam?”<br />

books. Little did I foresee Jim as a<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essor living in Africa while his<br />

older brother would be board president<br />

in 2004.<br />

In 1975, President Larry Horn initiated<br />

a wonderful project. The <strong>Board</strong><br />

underwrote an artist whose paintings<br />

remain on the walls <strong>of</strong> the burn<br />

unit <strong>of</strong> Children’s Hospital.<br />

For 1976, we initiated the Bicentennial<br />

Home Construction Project in<br />

cooperation with <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Education’s Southeast Career Center.<br />

On Alum Creek Drive, the students<br />

had been constructing rooms<br />

inside their building only to be dismantled<br />

at year end. Thanks to C.V.<br />

Perry, the <strong>Board</strong> was given a nearby<br />

vacant lot on which the students,<br />

with faculty supervision, built a new<br />

home for sale. Proud parents, family<br />

members and friends joined REAL-<br />

TORS® at the open house before the<br />

home sold. Happily, a foundation has<br />

been formed created from proceeds<br />

from new homes successfully built<br />

throughout the years.<br />

Making my year a 365 day ego trip<br />

was <strong>Board</strong> EO, Ken Sampson. Ken<br />

was one <strong>of</strong> the most likeable people<br />

you’ll ever know and he had countless<br />

real estate friends not only<br />

in <strong>Columbus</strong>, but throughout the<br />

country. Ken was short in stature<br />

but big <strong>of</strong> heart. He was a sucker<br />

for novelties and he bought promotional<br />

items from pens to mirrors<br />

to engraved ice cream scoopers<br />

(thank you very much).<br />

Brad Johnson was Ken’s assistant<br />

EO. Ken and Brad were referred to<br />

by my business partner <strong>of</strong> 40 years,<br />

Past President Don Kelley, as Mutt<br />

and Jeff. The National Convention<br />

was in Houston where Brad made<br />

arrangements for us at every fancy<br />

restaurant which must have made<br />

a big dent in the <strong>Board</strong> treasury.<br />

Some statistics…<br />

Under Pat Mollica’s chairmanship,<br />

MLS received 20,996 listings<br />

(44,806 through October 2007);<br />

10,599 closings (21,291); Average<br />

sale price $38,872 ($173,122).<br />

Our CBR staff in 1976 included<br />

George Van Fossen, Mike Gautier<br />

and Stan Collins. Speaking <strong>of</strong><br />

loyalty! How blessed we are to<br />

have Larry Metzger pick up where<br />

Ken left <strong>of</strong>f. After returning from<br />

numerous state and national conventions,<br />

I always felt reassured<br />

that our <strong>Board</strong> was the best in the<br />

country.<br />

On a personal note, I joined the<br />

<strong>Board</strong> in its 49th year being 1957.<br />

It was the best business decision<br />

I’ve ever made. Over the past 50<br />

years, I’ve met some <strong>of</strong> the most<br />

generous, friendliest, smartest,<br />

and honest people I’ve ever known.<br />

In fact, most <strong>of</strong> my best friends are<br />

members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Board</strong>.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 25


Celebrating 100 Years... 1979<br />

By Myrna Kobre<br />

CBR President, 1979<br />

1979…that was my year and what<br />

a year it was! I became the 71st<br />

President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> REALTORS®…and their first<br />

woman!<br />

Hard to believe that 29 years have<br />

past and we are now celebrating 100<br />

years <strong>of</strong> service and education to our<br />

members.<br />

The issue <strong>of</strong> women entering the<br />

<strong>Board</strong> as REALTOR® members was<br />

very controversial. The <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

<strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® was the last<br />

large metropolitan board in the<br />

country to allow women to join. An<br />

article from the November 17, 1960<br />

issue <strong>of</strong> The REALTOR® newsletter<br />

said:<br />

“Without question, the most interesting<br />

and perhaps most controversial<br />

changes was the so-called<br />

Women’s Issue and after the ballots<br />

were counted several times, the committee<br />

certified that the election was<br />

over that the <strong>Board</strong> can now accept<br />

applications for members from the<br />

fairer sex. This change in our constitution<br />

WILL NOT and we repeat<br />

WILL NOT alter our Summer Stag<br />

Picnic.”<br />

We did change that…eventually.<br />

Back to 1979…To go up in the chairs<br />

<strong>of</strong> CBR back then, it was a time commitment<br />

<strong>of</strong> five years. Our installation<br />

was held at the Neil House<br />

Hotel and the <strong>of</strong>ficers installed were:<br />

Asst. Secretary-Treasurer, Raymond<br />

Dailey; Secretary-Treasurer, Joseph<br />

MacKinnon; Vice President, Gary<br />

Seckel; and President-Elect was Michael<br />

Griffith. At this event we also<br />

honored our Award Recipients. Our<br />

membership for CBR was approximately<br />

5,500 people. The high award<br />

at that time was called “Diamond”<br />

and five people were honored. The<br />

next category was “Gold” and there<br />

were 13 honored. Last was “Silver”<br />

with 30 honorees.<br />

There are many stories I could tell<br />

about being your “first lady” and<br />

how it changed many old time traditions.<br />

First <strong>of</strong> all, for many years the past<br />

presidents had an annual dinner<br />

meeting where they ate, drank,<br />

played cards and swapped jokes.<br />

“What are we going to do about<br />

her?” were the remarks carried<br />

back to me. So, on the evening <strong>of</strong><br />

my first dinner, I thought long and<br />

hard about how I could make them<br />

comfortable and become one <strong>of</strong> “the<br />

boys.” As we all sat down to dinner,<br />

I ordered a scotch, lit up a cigar,<br />

and told a really dirty joke. There<br />

was utter silence from all. Never<br />

mind the looks that went around the<br />

table. I had really laid an egg! From<br />

that moment on I resolved to handle<br />

this position as myself, not one <strong>of</strong><br />

the boys.<br />

In 1979 (and for many years following)<br />

the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> had<br />

monthly dinner meetings. Many<br />

were held at the Neil House Hotel<br />

and we always had a special<br />

program with guest speakers. In<br />

February, we had Earle Bruce as our<br />

speaker and needless to say it was<br />

a sellout. There was a cash bar and<br />

the cost <strong>of</strong> dinner was $5.00!<br />

The <strong>Board</strong> accomplished a number<br />

<strong>of</strong> projects in 1979 that would<br />

Above: 1978 President Dick Ward<br />

passes the gavel <strong>of</strong> leadership to<br />

1979 President Myrna Kobre. Officers<br />

serving with President Kobre in 1979<br />

were: President-Elect Michael Griffith,<br />

Oscar L. Thomas Co.; Vice President<br />

Gary Seckel, Ted & Gary Seckel Co.;<br />

Secretary-Treasurer Joe MacKinnon,<br />

Larry Wade & Co.; and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer;<br />

Ray Dailey, Business<br />

Centers, Inc.<br />

26 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


Above: President Kobre expresses a<br />

sincere thanks to Coach Earle Bruce<br />

for his appearance at the February<br />

Dinner Meeting and presents him<br />

with a gift.<br />

Below: The newest concept in real<br />

estate sales training was the CBR<br />

Video Theatre, which seated 25 and<br />

was made available for members to<br />

conduct sales training classes. It featured<br />

a complete video tape set-up<br />

with a 50-inch Sony viewing screen<br />

and a video-tape player/recorder.<br />

committee <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Education.<br />

• We established the first Buckeye<br />

Federal-<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REAL-<br />

TORS® Scholarship Program for<br />

collegiate students majoring in<br />

Real Estate.<br />

• A new <strong>of</strong>ficial CBR “Agreement to<br />

Lease” form was designed through<br />

the hard work <strong>of</strong> a devoted committee.<br />

• We told the public that “Now is the<br />

Time to Buy a Home” through a<br />

special radio campaign on WCOL.<br />

• We celebrated a strong Private<br />

Property Week.<br />

• We contributed to our <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

Symphony Orchestra.<br />

• We adopted the Affirmative Marketing<br />

Agreement with HUD.<br />

• Our commitment to the REAL-<br />

TORS® Political Action Campaign<br />

was most successful.<br />

• We <strong>of</strong>fered another “first” to our<br />

members – for continuing education<br />

– our new Video Theatre.<br />

• Our commitment for more<br />

education for our members was<br />

evidenced by many seminars<br />

throughout the year.<br />

All in all it was a great year!<br />

benefit our community and involved<br />

many <strong>of</strong> our members.<br />

• We donated a new home for the<br />

Great Ape Exhibit to our <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

Zoo.<br />

• Our paint program in the Linden<br />

Area under the guidance <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Neighborhood Housing<br />

Services is a thriving, successful<br />

model for other cities throughout<br />

the country.<br />

• Our Home Construction Project<br />

with the Southeast Career Center<br />

has sold its third model home built<br />

by our young people, and is now<br />

working on its fourth.<br />

• We invested in our Children’s<br />

future by our financial support <strong>of</strong><br />

two very special reports designed<br />

to better our <strong>Columbus</strong> School<br />

System. One was done by Citizen<br />

Research and one by a special<br />

Top: <strong>Columbus</strong> Council Candidate Dorothy Teeter discussing housing issues<br />

with Max Holzer and President Kobre.<br />

Bottom: CBR <strong>of</strong>ficially adopted the NAR approved Affirmative Marketing<br />

Agreement - an <strong>of</strong>ficial indication <strong>of</strong> the CBR’s commitment to Equal Opportunity<br />

in Housing - on Wednesday, December 12, 1979. Pictured above<br />

are Ken Sampson, CBR Executive Vice President and President Kobre, at the<br />

signing the document with Sylvester Angel, Area Director <strong>of</strong> the U.S. Department<br />

<strong>of</strong> Housing and Urban Development at that time.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 27


Issue 1 is passed by Ohio voters, allowing the creation <strong>of</strong> bond money<br />

for first-time homeowners. Governor Richard Celeste signs it into law<br />

on Jan. 29, 1983.<br />

With rates in the double digits, REALTORS®, builders and lenders<br />

form the Committee to Lower Mortgage Interest Rates.<br />

REALTOR® Bowl-A-Thons are organized to raise funds for Easter<br />

Seals. Century 21 Broker Pug Pepper organizes the events and helps<br />

raise $20,000 for the charity.<br />

1983<br />

CBR holds its first auction benefiting R-PAC at the newly opened<br />

Marriott Inn North. Tickets cost $10 per person and the auction nets<br />

$20,000 for R-PAC.<br />

In spring 1983, the <strong>Columbus</strong> Area Community Housing Resources<br />

<strong>Board</strong> (CHRB) receives a grant from the Department <strong>of</strong> Housing and<br />

Urban Development to raise public awareness <strong>of</strong> equal opportunity<br />

in housing for central Ohioans. CBR member Jack Myers serves<br />

as the <strong>Board</strong>’s representative to the group and helps with the 1983<br />

campaign “You can live anywhere you want to,” which includes local<br />

advertising and a research study.<br />

June – Ken Sampson retires as CBR’s EO and Brad Johnson is appointed<br />

as his replacement.<br />

The city’s trash burning power plant starts operation and American<br />

Electric Power opens corporate headquarters in downtown <strong>Columbus</strong>.<br />

1984<br />

The Delaware MLS merges with CBR, forming a single MLS system<br />

for both Franklin and Delaware counties.<br />

HUD announces the ARM – Adjustable Rate Mortgage as an alternative<br />

financing instrument.<br />

The CBR $25 Million Dollar Sales Award is created and Phil Giessler,<br />

Peg Higginbotham and Jane Stone are the first REALTORS® to receive<br />

the honor.<br />

Top Right: In 1982, Century 21 broker Pug<br />

Pepper helps organize charity REALTOR®<br />

Bowl-A-Thons to benefit Easter Seals. The<br />

events raised more than $20,000 for the local<br />

chapter <strong>of</strong> the charity. Pepper and his associates<br />

also held a spaghetti dinner and a yard<br />

sale that year to help support the Easter Seals<br />

Center, which provided physical and other<br />

therapies for children with disabilities. In this<br />

photograph from In Contract, Pepper poses<br />

with Easter Seals poster child Heather Boggs.<br />

Bottom Right: MLS listings via computer: What<br />

“online” listings looked like in the mid-1980s<br />

MLS system.<br />

Bottom Left: Dining together: Bill Clifford,<br />

Sandy Schupp and Grace Dunlevy enjoying<br />

a CBR event.<br />

28 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1985<br />

January – The Madison County <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® joins CBR and<br />

the MLS; a few months later Pickaway County enters a joint MLS contract<br />

with CBR and the <strong>Board</strong>’s MLS is now covering four counties.<br />

Nov. 1 – Larry Metzger, CAE, is hired as Executive Vice President, following<br />

Brad Johnson’s resignation.<br />

October – The board dedicates the Galbreath Education Center in<br />

honor <strong>of</strong> Past President John W. Galbreath.<br />

The October 1985 dinner meeting ends a little messy for President Ed<br />

Carr. After the business was over, President-Elect Sandy Simpson lauded<br />

Carr’s efforts and then clobbered him with a cream pie he had purchased<br />

at the R-PAC auction held by CBR earlier that year. Before Carr could<br />

regain his composure, Jerry White clobbered him with a second pie.<br />

Past CBR President Dr. Robert Weiler, Sr. is unanimously appointed to<br />

the <strong>Columbus</strong> City School <strong>Board</strong> to serve a vacated term, through 1987.<br />

The Bexley, Eastmoor, Berwick Area REALTOR® Association is formed.<br />

The last issue <strong>of</strong> The Citizen Journal newspaper is printed.<br />

NAR launches American Home Week.<br />

From Top Left: First: Messy meeting: President<br />

Ed Carr got two extra desserts at the October<br />

1985 dinner meeting, thanks to Sandy Simpson<br />

and Jerry White.<br />

From Top Left: Second: Award Winners: 1986<br />

Salesperson <strong>of</strong> the Year Doug McCloud congratulates<br />

1987 award winner Charlott Van<br />

Steyn. Both would go on to become CBR Presidents;<br />

Van Steyn in 1994 and McCloud in 2005.<br />

From Top Left: Third: Leadership: 1938 CBR<br />

and 1944 NAR President John W. Galbreath<br />

with CEO Larry Metzger in the mid 1980s, soon<br />

after Metzger started with the <strong>Board</strong>.<br />

1986<br />

In October, the name <strong>of</strong> the MLS is changed to the <strong>Columbus</strong> and<br />

Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service – a name still in effect<br />

today – to reflect the joint relationships with surrounding areas<br />

including Delaware, Pickaway and Madison counties.<br />

1987<br />

In 1987, three past CBR Presidents, Bob Weiler, Don Kelley and Max<br />

Holzer, along with 1987 CBR President Richard Fagan and several<br />

CBR members and staff join together with <strong>of</strong>ficials from Franklin<br />

County, the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong> and private companies to create the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Neighborhood Partnership, what is today known as the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Housing Partnership. With the public and private sector<br />

working together, CHP is founded to provide adequate housing for<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong>’ low-income and homeless citizens. In its initial year, CHP<br />

has a budget <strong>of</strong> $2.5 million, including a $150,000 donation by CBR.<br />

The Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center opens.<br />

Bottom Left: Waiting tables: 1987 President<br />

Richard Fagan serves Jennie Briggs during<br />

Sales Associates Day.<br />

Above: Past President’s gather: EO Ken Sampson with CBR Past Presidents<br />

John Galbreath and Oscar Thomas,1986.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 29


Celebrating 100 Years... 1983<br />

By Max Holzer (pic. with wife Margie)<br />

CBR President, 1983<br />

I am pleased to share with today’s<br />

CBR Members highlights and antidotes<br />

<strong>of</strong> my “Long Past” (ancient) year<br />

as CBR President.<br />

President Joe MacKinnon handed me<br />

the gavel in December 1982. Notice<br />

in the pictures on this page his big<br />

smile!! In Joe’s year he had screwed<br />

things up so bad that interest rates<br />

across the country were at 18%. I<br />

wasn’t really sure that I wanted to be<br />

President, but as you will notice in<br />

the same picture, I smiled and took<br />

the gavel. No one ever said I was<br />

real bright! However, Joe managed<br />

the <strong>Board</strong>’s capital and controlled<br />

expenses superbly in light <strong>of</strong> a major<br />

reduction in the <strong>Board</strong> Membership to<br />

4,500 REALTOR® Members.<br />

But, with the exceptional guidance <strong>of</strong><br />

our Executive Officer, Ken Sampson,<br />

and the support <strong>of</strong> an extra-ordinary<br />

staff led by Brad Johnson, Stan Collins,<br />

Mike Gautier, Kathy Elliott, Corey<br />

Skinner and Marge Gehring (they<br />

were all bright, caring, dedicated and<br />

very hardworking) they made me look<br />

really good and kept the wind in my<br />

sail!<br />

Ken Sampson was truly special. But<br />

after six months with me (and 31<br />

years <strong>of</strong> REALTOR® service) he threw<br />

in the towel and retired! Then Brad<br />

Johnson was stuck with me for the<br />

rest <strong>of</strong> the year!<br />

The <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> Trustees were all mature<br />

leaders and, with little or no coaxing,<br />

established, for the very first time,<br />

a financially responsible retirement<br />

plan for Ken and subsequent <strong>Board</strong><br />

Executive Officers.<br />

In the last three years, 1980-1981-<br />

1982, we were in a full blown recession<br />

across the entire country with<br />

“first time” homebuyers and elective<br />

buyers and sellers almost completely<br />

out <strong>of</strong> the market and the mortgage<br />

markets so turbulent that our recent<br />

mortgage crisis looks to me, more like<br />

“a day at the beach”.<br />

So the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REAL-<br />

TORS® Leadership Team took action.<br />

After going to Washington D.C. and<br />

hearing President Reagan say that<br />

Ohio was one <strong>of</strong> only three states in<br />

the USA that did not have a Mortgage<br />

Revenue Bond Program, CBR created<br />

an alliance with the Ohio Savings and<br />

Loan League and generated State<br />

Issue I and House Bill I which was<br />

passed by the Ohio voters and signed<br />

into law by Governor Richard Celeste.<br />

A great example <strong>of</strong> how the private<br />

sector can work with government to<br />

solve problems.<br />

In January 1983, home sales rose 41%<br />

over January 2002; February CBR<br />

sales were up 23%; March sales up<br />

63.3%.<br />

CBR’s Leadership Team also initiated<br />

a “First Time” homebuyer program<br />

with a very valuable “First Time”<br />

Mortgage Financing Package. Then<br />

the Officers and Trustees at CBR realized<br />

that our MLS service needed to<br />

cover the entire Central Ohio market<br />

as buyers needed to see what was<br />

available in Lancaster, Delaware,<br />

Marysville, etc. So we met with the<br />

leaders in those <strong>Board</strong>s and kicked <strong>of</strong>f<br />

the first ever regional MLS.<br />

It was a very busy year and the single<br />

factor that I appreciated the most,<br />

was that every time I asked a fellow<br />

REALTOR® to chair a new “ad Hoc”<br />

committee not only did they not turn<br />

me down, but accepted the challenge<br />

enthusiastically!!<br />

Harley Rouda accepted the Chairmanship<br />

<strong>of</strong> our first Civic Planning<br />

Committee, so as to insure that RE-<br />

ALTORS® would become prominently<br />

active in the shaping <strong>of</strong> civic and<br />

cultural activities in central Ohio.<br />

So, we did it! We turned the central<br />

Ohio Real Estate Market around. The<br />

credit goes to all <strong>of</strong> CBR’s members<br />

for their committed hard work and<br />

guidance!<br />

Inflation came under control nationally<br />

under Paul Voelker’s tenure as<br />

Above: John Galbreath, Max Holzer,<br />

Emmerson Wollam<br />

Top: Dick Fagen, Joe McKinnon, Ken<br />

Sampson, Max Holzer<br />

30 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


<strong>Columbus</strong> Mayor Tom Moody and<br />

Max Holzer<br />

Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Federal Banking<br />

System and I pray to God that our Nation<br />

has the character and fortitude<br />

to see to it that inflation continues<br />

to be controlled and that the federal<br />

budget is ultimately balanced so that<br />

our hardworking people do not have to<br />

make such sacrifices again.<br />

Above: Past-President Dick Fagan<br />

takes his chance in the chair at the<br />

dunking booth.<br />

Right: Ground breaking ceremony for<br />

the 8th house to be built by Southeast<br />

Career Center students through<br />

the CBR Building Project. This was<br />

CBR’s 12th year partnering with the<br />

SECC, giving SECC students handson<br />

training in building trades by<br />

constructing a house.<br />

Celebrating 100 Years... 1988<br />

I remember the night my friend,<br />

Myrna Kobre (CBR’s first woman<br />

president), installed me as the second<br />

woman president <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

<strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®. I was proud.<br />

My mother was there - eighty-eight<br />

years old who had broken her hip and<br />

had surgery five days before. She got<br />

a standing ovation from 1,100 plus<br />

attendees. That was the beginning <strong>of</strong><br />

a wonderful year for me.<br />

The other <strong>of</strong>ficers installed were Bill<br />

McMenamy, President-Elect; Nancy<br />

Sharp, Vice President; Jack Myers,<br />

Secretary Treasurer; and Pat Grabill,<br />

Assistant Treasurer.<br />

Trustees installed that evening were<br />

Richard Alt, Jennie Briggs, Sam Calhoun,<br />

Jim Henley, Bruce Massa, Doug<br />

McCloud, Bob Miller, Dean Potts,<br />

Dick Strait, George Smith, Pauline<br />

Tingley, Rick Weber and Affiliate<br />

Debbie Gorman. What a team! Five <strong>of</strong><br />

them would become <strong>Board</strong> Presidents.<br />

OAR <strong>of</strong>ficers were Steve Casper,<br />

President; Jim Keyes, President-Elect;<br />

and Phil Barnes, Treasurer.<br />

Presidential election year…volatile<br />

stock market…heavy FHA bankruptcies…sound<br />

familiar? Static interest<br />

rate though -- 10.25% fixed for 30<br />

years for a “jumbo loan” with a maximum<br />

loan <strong>of</strong> $250,000.<br />

I remember the monthly <strong>Board</strong> meetings<br />

at the Neil House Hotel. Awards<br />

Dinners and programs with speakers.<br />

But after the meeting we went to the<br />

Ionian Room at the hotel where they<br />

had a live band and we would dance<br />

and socialize. Almost everyone went.<br />

It was a great way to meet your fellow<br />

REALTORS® from all over the city.<br />

Good cooperative promotion.<br />

By Margie Coyle Holzer<br />

CBR President, 1988<br />

In March, we welcomed our new OSU<br />

football coach, John Cooper. He delighted<br />

us with jokes and stories about<br />

his football coaching career and his<br />

hopes for the success <strong>of</strong> the upcoming<br />

season and many Michigan wins to<br />

come. That part did not happen! He<br />

showed us a buckeye that his father<br />

had given him for luck in his new job.<br />

After he left the dais, I realized he had<br />

left his good luck buckeye. Being an<br />

Don Kelley and Margie Coyle<br />

OSU fan I made sure he did not leave<br />

it behind.<br />

Past President, Richard Fagan<br />

received the REALTOR®-Broker <strong>of</strong><br />

the year award presented to him by<br />

the 1973 REALTOR®-Broker <strong>of</strong> the<br />

year, Don Kelly. REALTOR® Salesperson<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Year was presented to<br />

Pauline Tingley by 1987 REALTOR®<br />

Salesperson <strong>of</strong> the Year, Charlotte Van<br />

Steyn.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 31


The <strong>of</strong>ficers and trustees approved the<br />

addition <strong>of</strong> an Inspection Clause to<br />

our ONE page contract form. Business<br />

First headlines read “Radon Threatens<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Real Estate Industry”.<br />

CBR President Margie Coyle accepts<br />

an Award <strong>of</strong> Appreciation<br />

from the Enterprise Foundation. Jim<br />

Rouse, International developer and<br />

founder <strong>of</strong> The Enterprise Foundation,<br />

national non-pr<strong>of</strong>it organization<br />

that provides affordable housing,<br />

had returned to <strong>Columbus</strong> to see the<br />

progress <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> Enterprise<br />

Project which CBR had been instrumental<br />

in bringing to <strong>Columbus</strong> the<br />

previous year. CBR pledged $150,000<br />

to the <strong>Columbus</strong> Housing Partnership,<br />

Enterprise’s local development<br />

corporation. Pictured are Mayor<br />

Rinehart, Coyle and Jim Rouse, developer<br />

and founder <strong>of</strong> The Enterprise<br />

Foundation.<br />

The problem is radon a colorless,<br />

odorless, radioactive gas. Preliminary<br />

tests on 6,000 houses show three out <strong>of</strong><br />

every four have unacceptable levels <strong>of</strong><br />

radon. Fortunately, we decided not to<br />

include radon in our inspection clause.<br />

You know the rest <strong>of</strong> the story…you<br />

had to be locked in the basement for 75<br />

years to affect your health.<br />

CBR sponsored an Easter Seals<br />

Telethon. REALTORS® serving on the<br />

panel were Jack Myers, John Neibarger,<br />

Diane Blackwood, Charlotte<br />

Van Steyn, Pat Grabill, Margie Coyle,<br />

Bruce Dooley and Nanci Sutliff.<br />

April 1988, we celebrated 20 years<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Fair Housing Act. This was a<br />

milestone in the history <strong>of</strong> civil rights<br />

in the United States (CBR announced<br />

the addition <strong>of</strong> the course, Fair Housing<br />

Law and Practice in Real Estate to<br />

its curriculum).<br />

The <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

and Southeast Career Center broke<br />

ground for the construction <strong>of</strong> the<br />

eighth house to be built by SECC<br />

students through the CBR Building<br />

Project. In 1976, President Weiler<br />

deposited $21,000 in a trust fund for<br />

SECC students to use in purchasing<br />

lots and building materials. Proceeds<br />

from the sale <strong>of</strong> the homes went toward<br />

construction <strong>of</strong> another home.<br />

The success <strong>of</strong> this <strong>Board</strong>, <strong>of</strong> course, is<br />

the membership. However, the support<br />

staff is exceptional and in my opinion<br />

the best in the country. We could not<br />

be where we are today without Ken<br />

Sampson with whom I worked many<br />

years on many committees and Larry<br />

Metzger who makes us all look good.<br />

Thank you Larry for all you do.<br />

I have been a member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Board</strong><br />

since 1960, the year when women were<br />

first allowed membership in the <strong>Board</strong><br />

– and some men actually wore black<br />

bands on their sleeves in protest. Most<br />

<strong>of</strong> those have gone to the great beyond.<br />

It has been a great journey and I have<br />

made many dear friends, but none<br />

more dearly than the man I married<br />

and the reason I sign…Margie Coyle<br />

Holzer.<br />

I would be remiss if I did not pay<br />

tribute to the man who inspired us all<br />

– John W. Galbreath (1897-1988) who<br />

said ”I want to be thoroughly used up<br />

when I leave this earth, for the harder<br />

I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life<br />

for its own sake. Life is no brief candle<br />

for me. It is a splendid torch which I<br />

have got hold <strong>of</strong> for the moment and<br />

I want to make it burn as brightly as<br />

I can before passing it on to future<br />

generations.”<br />

Humorous Antidote<br />

Years before my presidency, LET’S<br />

GREEN AMERICA was a big thing<br />

and the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> was given<br />

2,000 pine seedlings to plant north <strong>of</strong><br />

I-270 along the Olentangy River. As<br />

the Public Relations Committee Chairman,<br />

I called the Dispatch and other<br />

local papers and made arrangements<br />

for four Boy Scout troops to plant the<br />

seedlings.<br />

Everything was going fine – the school<br />

bus <strong>of</strong> scouts arrived, pictures were<br />

taken, hands shaken and lots <strong>of</strong> people<br />

were there. All <strong>of</strong> a sudden everyone<br />

RPAC Chairperson Sandy Schupp<br />

models the church bench at the<br />

Live Auction!!!<br />

R-PAC Committee<br />

Member<br />

Jerry Lux points<br />

at an anxious<br />

bidder on the<br />

floor.<br />

R-PAC Chairperson<br />

Grace<br />

Dunlevy models<br />

a Blue Fox Coat<br />

that was up for<br />

bid at the R-PAC<br />

Auction.<br />

had left except two troops <strong>of</strong> blind Boy<br />

Scouts, two troop leaders and me with<br />

2,000 pine seedlings.<br />

I lived close, so I got my sons, Jeff<br />

and Kelly, to help. We used ropes<br />

with knots tied every three feet for a<br />

seedling to be planted. One 10-year old<br />

scout was swinging his shovel over his<br />

head shouting “I hate these $#@! $#@!<br />

trees. I hope these %#@! %#@! trees<br />

die”. I said, “Now you really don’t<br />

mean that, let me help you”. He said,<br />

“And I hate women.” Most <strong>of</strong> the day<br />

was like that.<br />

We planted about 1,500 seedlings and<br />

I gave the scouts 500 to plant at the<br />

Wyandotte School for the Blind.<br />

32 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1988<br />

March – The monthly dinner meeting features guest speaker and new<br />

OSU Head Football Coach John Cooper.<br />

The Hilliard Area REALTORS® Association is founded.<br />

The Riffe Center opens downtown.<br />

1989<br />

The CBR Member Services Committee announces endorsement <strong>of</strong> a<br />

car phone package through Ameritech Mobile Communication for all<br />

CBR members.<br />

On March 27, 1989 CBR President Bill McMenamy welcomes NBC<br />

News Chief Economics Correspondent and bow-tie aficionado Irving<br />

R. Levine appropriately by donning an oversized red-polka-dotted<br />

bowtie himself. Several other CBR members wore costume bowties for<br />

Levine, who spoke on “The Bush Administration and the Nation’s<br />

Economy.”<br />

From Top Left: First and Second Answering<br />

phones for a good cause: Dozens <strong>of</strong><br />

volunteers from the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS® answered phone calls from<br />

donors during the annual Easter Seals Telethon,<br />

in 1988. Bowl-A-Thons and spaghetti<br />

dinners were also among the fund raisers<br />

organized by area REALTORS® on behalf<br />

<strong>of</strong> Easter Seals during the 1980s.<br />

From Top Left: Third: Expo ’88: Now held<br />

at the Aladdin Shrine Center, REALTORS®<br />

packed Veteran’s Memorial in the 1980s for<br />

the annual CBR Expo.<br />

From Top Left: Fourth: Saving them from<br />

the landfill: Volunteers gathered in 1989<br />

to recycle thousands <strong>of</strong> outdated MLS<br />

books for charity.<br />

Top Right: On the radio: 1989 President Bill McMenamy (left) and 1988<br />

President Margie Coyle Holzer answer questions on the local market during<br />

an interview on WOSU AM.<br />

Bottom Right: A formal affair: Bill McMenamy donned an over-sized bowtie<br />

in honor <strong>of</strong> Irving Levine at a 1989 dinner meeting.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 33


Celebrating 100 Years... 1989<br />

By Bill McMenamy<br />

CBR President, 1989<br />

I was honored in 1989 when the<br />

members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS® selected me to be their<br />

president and I’m honored now in<br />

2008 to have been selected by the<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> Committee to<br />

write one <strong>of</strong> the articles <strong>of</strong> celebration.<br />

1989 was an historic year in which<br />

the Berlin wall opened and the East<br />

German Government resigned. In<br />

China, the Tiananmen Square uprising<br />

took place and in Alaska the supertanker<br />

Exxon Valdez grounded on<br />

Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound.<br />

In the U.S., the express freeway collapsed<br />

during the 1989 San Francisco<br />

Earthquake.<br />

At the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REAL-<br />

TORS®, we instituted the first two<br />

day leadership training session for<br />

our <strong>of</strong>ficers, trustees and committee<br />

chairs and focused on the needs <strong>of</strong><br />

our members.<br />

The other 1989 <strong>of</strong>ficers were Nancy<br />

Sharp, President Elect; Jack Myers,<br />

Vice President; Pat Grabill, Secretary-Treasurer<br />

and George Smith,<br />

Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.<br />

Our returning trustees were Dick Alt,<br />

Sam Calhoun, Bruce Massa, Doug<br />

McCloud, Dean Potts, Pauline Tingley<br />

and Rick Weber and our newly<br />

elected trustees were Pat Kearns-<br />

Davis, Barbara Lach, Pat O’Neil and<br />

Felix Pedon. Our associate trustee<br />

was Jeff Brader.<br />

In addition to our <strong>of</strong>ficers, the five<br />

underlined trustees all served as<br />

president <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS® and three also served<br />

as President <strong>of</strong> the Ohio Association<br />

<strong>of</strong> REALTORS® as did two <strong>of</strong> our <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

WOW! That’s impressive. That<br />

leadership training obviously worked.<br />

What also worked was Larry<br />

Metzger, our wonderful executive<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficer, who has become widely known<br />

for his political acumen and excellent<br />

lobbying skills. What a friend we<br />

have in Larry. He has made <strong>Board</strong><br />

service so worthwhile and so much<br />

fun for all <strong>of</strong> us. Larry is so skilled at<br />

his craft he makes the conventions<br />

come alive so that all participants<br />

can be their most effective in representing<br />

our members and guarding<br />

our collective best interests. After<br />

the work day, relaxing at dinner at<br />

one <strong>of</strong> his favorite restaurants, I<br />

found myself so impressed with his<br />

judgement that, when it was my turn<br />

to order, I would look at the waitress<br />

and order the exact same dinner that<br />

Larry had ordered.<br />

Ray Boll and Barbara Lach were the<br />

25 Million Dollar Sales Club winners;<br />

there were 51 One Million Dollar<br />

Sales Club winners and 25 Five Million<br />

Dollar Sales Club winners.<br />

Jeff Murray was President <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Northeast Area Realty Association.<br />

Lynda Long was President <strong>of</strong><br />

the Westerville Area Association,<br />

Steve Kahn was President <strong>of</strong> IREM<br />

and past president Don Kelley was<br />

named “Catholic Man <strong>of</strong> the Year”.<br />

Diane Blackwood was MLS chairperson<br />

and, as an aside, when my<br />

company later bought the Coldwell<br />

Banker company in 1992 she was the<br />

manager <strong>of</strong> our Westerville <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />

In 1989 home sales in <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

continued to boom after a record set-<br />

ting year in 1987. Building permits<br />

for single family homes hit more than<br />

4,000 keeping pace with 1988. Vacation<br />

homes became a larger part <strong>of</strong><br />

the market for residential specialists.<br />

That year, we had 12,680 sales from<br />

30,333 listings at an average sales<br />

price <strong>of</strong> $90,215 per unit. Those<br />

figures are approximately one half<br />

<strong>of</strong> today’s market figures in each category.<br />

Multi-family building permits<br />

were up to 700 over 1987, and it was<br />

a good year for specialized multi-family<br />

development, those developments<br />

that targeted a specific market.<br />

Our downtown and suburban <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

vacancy rates were lower than the<br />

national average as well as many<br />

Above: McMenamy at radio interview<br />

with Margie Holzer.<br />

Below: McMenamy at President’s<br />

Ball.<br />

34 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


McMenamy with Elvis on velvet.<br />

surrounding Midwestern cites, and<br />

industrial vacancy was on par with<br />

the national average. Asbestos was<br />

the buzz word <strong>of</strong> concern for our commercial<br />

industrial practitioners, and<br />

we would all soon begin to feel the ill<br />

effects <strong>of</strong> the retro-active 1986 Federal<br />

Tax Act, which shut down the<br />

savings and loan industry. <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

was a shining star in the Midwest, an<br />

island <strong>of</strong> hope and prosperity within<br />

the newly named “rustbelt”.<br />

Mayor Buck Rinehart and <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

Public Schools Superintendent,<br />

Ron Etheridge, were special guests<br />

at our February meeting. In March<br />

we greeted NBC newsman Irving<br />

R. Levine, who did more for the bow<br />

tie than anyone until current OSU<br />

President Gordon Gee. Also at that<br />

March meeting we presented a long<br />

time friend <strong>of</strong> the board, Congressman<br />

Chalmers Wylie, with the CBR<br />

Award <strong>of</strong> Appreciation.<br />

and were instrumental in the success<br />

achieved by that very worthwhile<br />

organization.<br />

My 1989 year began with my induction<br />

into the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> president by<br />

past president Marvin Yerke. Many<br />

<strong>of</strong> you remember what a humorous<br />

and funny man Marvin could be and<br />

that night he was at the top <strong>of</strong> his<br />

form. He set the stage for a funfilled<br />

year which I will never forget.<br />

After my year was over I received a<br />

letter from the then oldest living past<br />

president <strong>of</strong> CBR, Leigh Koebel, who<br />

thanked me for my service. Leigh<br />

was a true gentleman who embodied<br />

great qualities each <strong>of</strong> us respects<br />

and wants to emulate.<br />

The induction was fun filled and very<br />

public, the letter reading very private<br />

and very touching. Both men very<br />

unique, good friends <strong>of</strong> my parents<br />

and very important to me. Marvin<br />

danced with my mother at a dance<br />

club they all belonged to. Leigh sold<br />

my mom and dad the lot on South<br />

Stanwood Road in Bexley where<br />

they built the home I grew up in. All<br />

<strong>of</strong> us active in the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> REALTORS® have great stories<br />

<strong>of</strong> friendship we can tell. Leigh was<br />

president in 1928, Marvin in 1964.<br />

The friendships made through the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

are very special and are forged from<br />

a time commitment which is special<br />

and unique among trade groups.<br />

Those relationships are very important<br />

to us personally, but give our<br />

group a special power which only<br />

comes from combined effort.<br />

The members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> REALTORS® have been a catalyst<br />

for actions that made our association<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the absolute best in the country.<br />

Ponder the effect John Galbreath<br />

had on the skyline <strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong>.<br />

Consider the impact he and Harley<br />

Rouda, Sr. had on our industry while<br />

serving as presidents <strong>of</strong> NAR. Consider<br />

the strength our organization<br />

gained when John Galbreath and Dr.<br />

Bob Weiler donated successive locations<br />

which allowed our former Town<br />

Street and current <strong>Board</strong> facilities to<br />

be state <strong>of</strong> the art at successive times<br />

during our operating history. The<br />

impact <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> RE-<br />

ALTORS® has been very widespread<br />

and each <strong>of</strong> our many members<br />

should take pride in and feel responsible<br />

for our influence on our industry,<br />

our city, and our country over<br />

these 100 years since our founding.<br />

At the annual awards night meeting<br />

we recognized Marge Drake,<br />

Salesperson <strong>of</strong> the Year, Margie Coyle<br />

Holzer, REALTOR® <strong>of</strong> the Year, and<br />

Pete Edwards CBR Citizen <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Year. CBR’s other activities included<br />

support for the <strong>Columbus</strong> Housing<br />

Partnership. We regularly interacted<br />

with executive director Beth Hughs<br />

McMenamy with Irving Levine and crew at dinner meeting.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 35


September – CBR and REALTORS® kick <strong>of</strong>f a drive to recycle thousands<br />

<strong>of</strong> outdated MLS books. At that time about 1,900 were printed<br />

and distributed per week. Proceeds from the program are expected to<br />

net about $19,000 for charity.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> City Center Mall and the Wexner Center for the Arts open.<br />

1990<br />

The February edition <strong>of</strong> In Contract features an article titled “Only computer-literate<br />

REALTORS® will prosper” by Steve Hilsman, a member<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> Real Estate Computer Users Group Committee, which<br />

touts the benefits <strong>of</strong> computerization in the real estate industry.<br />

May 18 – CBR sponsors a Roast <strong>of</strong> Jack Hanna, Director <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

Zoo, to help raise funds for the new <strong>Columbus</strong> City Schools’<br />

“I Know I Can” program, which helps local children attend college.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> becomes Ohio’s largest city with a population <strong>of</strong> 632,910.<br />

Franklin County has a population <strong>of</strong> 961,437.<br />

The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State and the Greek<br />

Orthodox Annunciation Cathedral open.<br />

1991<br />

After serving as CBR President in 1969, and OAR<br />

President in 1986, Harley E. Rouda, Sr. becomes NAR<br />

President.<br />

The <strong>Board</strong>’s first Volunteer Service Awards are handed<br />

out during the 1991 Forecast Night. Fourteen REAL-<br />

TORS® are awarded plaques commemorating their<br />

commitment to community service and volunteerism.<br />

May – CBR President Jack Myers announces committee appointees<br />

to study space needs for the next 10 years and a second committee to<br />

study operational costs <strong>of</strong> the existing location versus a new building.<br />

Top Right: Past Presidents: Robert Denmead,<br />

1953 President and Bill McCorkle, 1968 President,<br />

gather at a Past President’s Dinner.<br />

Top Left: NAR President: CBR member Harley E. Rouda served as President<br />

<strong>of</strong> the National Association <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® in 1991<br />

Bottom Left: Honoring volunteers: This clip from a 1991 In Contract<br />

shows the first receipients <strong>of</strong> the Volunteer Service Award.<br />

Middle Right: Discussing business: From<br />

left to right, 1959 President Cecil Neff and<br />

1970 President John Hill talk with CEO Larry<br />

Metzger at a Past President’s Dinner in the<br />

late 1980s.<br />

Bottom Right: Going on safari: Jim Owen<br />

and Barb Lach selling raffle tickets during the<br />

1990 Roast <strong>of</strong> Zoo Director Jack Hanna.<br />

36 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


July – CBR establishes the REALTORS® Foundation Fund at the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Foundation. The fund supports real estate related programs<br />

and entities whose goals are to improve the overall real estate<br />

environment in central Ohio. The first three Cornerstone Members<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Foundation Fund were Past Presidents Donald Kelley, Thomas<br />

Kohr and Paul Falco.<br />

“Creating a tax-deductible way for members to influence their own<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>ession will have an impact far beyond our lifetime,” says<br />

Immediate Past President Nancy Sharp in 1991.<br />

The Santa Maria ship in the Scioto River is dedicated.<br />

1992<br />

Before there was CORPAC, there was R-PAC and central Ohio REAL-<br />

TORS® solidly support the political action arm <strong>of</strong> NAR. During the<br />

annual R-PAC Auction in 1992, Brad Bennett and Sandy Schupp dress<br />

as Uncle and “Aunt” Sam and collect donations throughout the evening,<br />

which includes both live and silent auctions and a buffet at Villa Milano.<br />

Ameriflora celebrates Christopher <strong>Columbus</strong>’ discovery <strong>of</strong> America<br />

and brings two million visitors to <strong>Columbus</strong>.<br />

Dorcas T. Helfant <strong>of</strong> Virginia Beach becomes the first woman president<br />

<strong>of</strong> NAR.<br />

Top Left: Giving the gift <strong>of</strong> life: 1991 President<br />

Jack Myers donates blood during<br />

that year’s Sales Associates Day.<br />

Middle Left: Protecting her picnic basket:<br />

Erika Blumenstein watches for competing<br />

bids during the 1992 R-PAC silent auction.<br />

Bottom Left: Over here: Lyn Charobee<br />

bidding on a hot item during a 1990s-era<br />

R-PAC auction.<br />

Top Right: Uncle & Aunt Sam: Brad Bennett<br />

and Sandy Schupp solicit donations from<br />

Phil Brown and Barbara Lach at the 1992<br />

R-PAC Auction.<br />

Bottom Right: <strong>Columbus</strong> Housing Partnership:<br />

1992 President Pat Grabill with Beth<br />

Hughes, the first Director <strong>of</strong> the CHP.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 37


Celebrating 100 Years... 1990<br />

By Nancy Sharp<br />

CBR President, 1990<br />

In the early 90s, the process for going<br />

through the chairs to become<br />

the board president consisted <strong>of</strong> a<br />

five-year preparation. Although 1990<br />

was a year I had looked forward to<br />

for a long time, when my turn came<br />

for that <strong>of</strong>fice, I was grateful for the<br />

preparation.<br />

CBR’s Forecast Night, on a frosty<br />

night in January, was our first program<br />

and featured the chief economist<br />

for Citicorp, William W. Garrison. He<br />

was the keynote speaker at the Village<br />

Milano on Schrock Road.<br />

The <strong>Board</strong> announced that the previous<br />

year’s home sales included 12,180<br />

sales with an average price <strong>of</strong> $94,884.<br />

(You may be interested to note that<br />

there were 26,544 sales in 2007, with<br />

the average closing price <strong>of</strong> $177,228.)<br />

We had polled our members to ascertain<br />

their concerns, and with those<br />

results in hand, set our goals for the<br />

new decade to include increasing<br />

selling skills and increased pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism.<br />

As a part <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism<br />

goal, we wanted to increase our<br />

political image and activity within the<br />

community as well.<br />

The market expectation was that 1990<br />

would be very similar to 1989. We<br />

were informed that the average home<br />

price in Ohio for 1989 had increased<br />

by 3.5% (sound familiar?). With a<br />

lot <strong>of</strong> enthusiasm and excitement (I<br />

remember we talked a lot about a new<br />

decade), we were <strong>of</strong>f.<br />

Our RPAC auction, headed by Mike<br />

Alpert, auctioneer and Elvis impersonator,<br />

was very successful that<br />

spring.<br />

The next big news was that for the<br />

first time, the Ohio Housing Finance<br />

Agency released first-time homebuyer<br />

money at 7.9%. The market was<br />

at 10%! Many <strong>of</strong> us remember taking<br />

food and encouragement to our<br />

clients, who were patiently standing<br />

with their contracts in hand, as<br />

they stood for hours in long lines<br />

that formed around the participating<br />

institutions.<br />

During the summer, yet another<br />

survey <strong>of</strong> members indicated that they<br />

were very concerned with the REAL-<br />

TOR® public image. This concern<br />

was not unique to Ohio, and has been<br />

reflected nationally in NAR’s “image<br />

campaign”, which has shown measurable<br />

positive results in recent years.<br />

We were all happy in June as the Ohio<br />

Housing Finance agency again released<br />

$282 million in low-cost mortgage<br />

money for first-time homebuyers,<br />

with rates over two percent below the<br />

current market. The requirements<br />

for qualification included a maximum<br />

household income <strong>of</strong> no more<br />

the $36,000 to $50,040 – the higher<br />

amount was accepted for purchases in<br />

targeted areas.<br />

The sea change that affected my<br />

presidential year, however, came in<br />

that summer <strong>of</strong> 1990, when agency<br />

representation took center stage in<br />

our industry. The new law required<br />

that an agency disclosure statement<br />

be submitted to the principals in every<br />

transaction.<br />

Historically, <strong>of</strong> course, without an<br />

agreement to the contrary, all agents<br />

were considered to be agents <strong>of</strong> the<br />

seller.<br />

Changing long-standing habits was<br />

not an easy thing, and to say that this<br />

subject impacted the last half <strong>of</strong> my<br />

year as your president is an understatement.<br />

We answered questions<br />

daily, contributed to and attended<br />

classes on the subject, created new<br />

forms, etc., busy, busy.<br />

Angela Pace MC’d CBR’s roast<br />

<strong>of</strong> Jack Hanna to benefit “I Know<br />

I Can.” Pictured with Jack and<br />

wife Suzi are roasters Bill Wolfe, the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Dispatch; Mike Greene,<br />

Greene Media; Dave Tebay, Tebay<br />

Enterprises and Joe Stegmayer,<br />

Worthington Industries. 430 people<br />

attended this event and helped CBR<br />

raise $29,124 for “I Know I Can”.<br />

Nancy and Jack Myers accepted<br />

a plaque from the <strong>Columbus</strong> Housing<br />

Partnership in recognition <strong>of</strong> the<br />

board’s commitment to helping<br />

provide affording housing in central<br />

Ohio.<br />

38 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


Above: 1990 Award winners: Bill<br />

McMenamy, REALTOR® Broker <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Year; Melvin Schottenstein, Citizen <strong>of</strong><br />

the Year; Jerry Lux, REALTOR® Salesperson<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Year.<br />

Below: President Sharp interviews<br />

Carol Caito at Sales Associates Day<br />

while Mike Tabor looks on..<br />

However, I believe that most <strong>of</strong> you<br />

will agree with me that as <strong>of</strong> today,<br />

eighteen years later, the net result<br />

has been a better understanding and<br />

increased pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism among our<br />

members, as well as a better informed<br />

public.<br />

We had a terrific, well-attended Sales<br />

Associates Day in September, featuring<br />

a mariachi band and impromptu<br />

dancing.<br />

We counted, and found that we had<br />

pulled ahead <strong>of</strong> last year’s sales.<br />

The October dinner meeting featured<br />

local native Bob Greene, well known<br />

and noted author <strong>of</strong> “Be True to Your<br />

School”.<br />

We also hosted our annual Candidates<br />

Night, where more than 85 elected<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficials attended. We studied our issues,<br />

and expressed our point <strong>of</strong> view<br />

that evening in an appropriate manner.<br />

Whew! Talk about busy.<br />

We still had December and the President’s<br />

Ball, where traditionally we<br />

could celebrate our latest sales leaders<br />

and our year’s work, as we welcomed<br />

our new <strong>of</strong>ficers. It gave us a chance to<br />

say our thank yous and goodbyes.<br />

My memory <strong>of</strong> the year at that time<br />

was a kaleidoscope <strong>of</strong> one event spilling<br />

into another. With the skilled<br />

help Larry Metzger and staff, we had<br />

also formed the CBR Foundation,<br />

a charitable foundation designed to<br />

solicit funds to invest into community<br />

housing needs.<br />

And we had also organized a faster<br />

electronic response to political issues<br />

that affected our field. Both <strong>of</strong> these<br />

efforts helped to fulfill the year’s<br />

goals.<br />

Speaking personally, I gained a deeper<br />

understanding and was more completely<br />

convinced that as an organization,<br />

we must stay focused on entrylevel<br />

housing. That positive action <strong>of</strong><br />

the first-time buyer permeates the<br />

entire market as it flows upward;<br />

that action makes our whole market<br />

healthy.<br />

The glamorous, high-priced coastal<br />

markets, which attract so much media<br />

attention, also exact a certain toll<br />

which we might not care to pay.<br />

As it turned out, in 1990, we kept pace<br />

with 1989 figures, and the reason,<br />

in my opinion, was because we could<br />

<strong>of</strong>fer affordable housing. I am still<br />

convinced today that we must always<br />

work, legislatively as well as philosophically,<br />

to keep the market accessible<br />

and healthy at entry level.<br />

Also in September, about 500 <strong>of</strong> our<br />

members attended the state convention<br />

in <strong>Columbus</strong>, which was notable<br />

for the high quality <strong>of</strong> educational<br />

<strong>of</strong>ferings. CBR hosted the Fourth<br />

Annual Minority Career Night, and<br />

we celebrated the three-year success<br />

story <strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong> Housing Partnership.<br />

CHP, founded by Don Kelly as a<br />

public/private partnership with the city<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong>, by that date had helped<br />

more than 200 low-to-moderate income<br />

families become homeowners.<br />

1990 Officers included: Pat Grabill, Vice-President; George Smith, Secretary-<br />

Treasurer; Charlotte VanSteyn, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer; Nancy Sharp,<br />

President; and John Myers, President-Elect.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 39


Celebrating 100 Years... 1992<br />

By Pat Grabill,<br />

CBR President, 1992<br />

What goes around . . .<br />

It was great fun and a little surprising reviewing the In Contract issues for the<br />

year <strong>of</strong> my CBR Presidency, 1992. This walk down memory lane confirmed my<br />

theory that a life spent in the real estate business should be measured in dog<br />

years – things go by about 7 times faster than for everybody else.<br />

So much has happened, yet there’s more than a few recurring themes in the issues<br />

before us then and what we’re seeing currently.<br />

Then<br />

We were upgrading our MLS to<br />

state <strong>of</strong> the art technology<br />

A major goal was to expand minority<br />

membership and participation in<br />

the <strong>Board</strong><br />

Numerous complaints were made<br />

about media hype and articles damaging<br />

our industry<br />

Discussions about gridlock in<br />

Congress – slow reaction to RESPA<br />

reforms, S&L crisis, and RTC foreclosures<br />

Our members get involved in the<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® to<br />

make a difference as <strong>Board</strong> Trustees<br />

and Committee members<br />

Need for RPAC funds to put the<br />

REALTOR® issues forward. We<br />

were worried about getting heard<br />

over S&L issues, RTC inventory<br />

issues, affordability issues, redlining<br />

problems with unscrupulous mortgage<br />

lenders.<br />

Now<br />

We are upgrading our MLS to<br />

state <strong>of</strong> the art technology<br />

Progress has been made, including<br />

an African cultures seminar last<br />

December, but it’s still a major goal<br />

to meet<br />

Same complaints, same issues!<br />

CBR launches The Grass is Greener<br />

Here campaign to counterbalance.<br />

Gridlock continues – fighting for<br />

sub-prime restructure, mortgage<br />

relief and foreclosure restructuring<br />

. . . but progress is still possible!<br />

Same level <strong>of</strong> enthusiastic volunteering.<br />

REALTORS® doing the<br />

work in less than terrific times. In<br />

a slower economy volunteer time is<br />

precious, but they’re putting forth<br />

the effort.<br />

Now more than ever REALTOR®<br />

issues need voiced. CORPAC funds<br />

are vital for passage <strong>of</strong> foreclosure<br />

relief, preservation <strong>of</strong> capital gains<br />

rates, tax loss carryback for builders,<br />

special investment tax credits<br />

for new home purchases and other<br />

ideas to jumpstart housing’s recovery.<br />

Pat with CHP’s original Director, Pat<br />

Hughes.<br />

Sales Associates Day at the Vets.<br />

Anyone remember the Key Performers?<br />

Who are those young folks?!<br />

40 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


Jack Myers received the Broker <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Year award in 1992, shown with Pat<br />

and President-Elect George Smith.<br />

Then<br />

Our Executive Officer, Larry<br />

Metzger, and his truly exceptional,<br />

supportive staff made the job enjoyable<br />

and a learning experience.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Housing Partnership<br />

was in its formative, growing-pain<br />

years after being founded largely<br />

through the efforts <strong>of</strong> CBR leaders,<br />

Don Kelley, Bob Weiler and Max<br />

Holzer.<br />

We had a ‘talented’ bunch <strong>of</strong> members<br />

who enjoyed performing.<br />

We celebrated the 500th <strong>Anniversary</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong>’ discovery <strong>of</strong> the<br />

New World.<br />

Upcoming presidential campaign<br />

(featuring newcomer couple – the<br />

Clintons!)<br />

Attractive <strong>Board</strong> president<br />

Now<br />

Same faces (and many new ones)<br />

doing a terrific job for today’s leadership.<br />

This town is lucky to have<br />

such talent.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> Housing Partnership is<br />

thriving and nationally recognized<br />

for its valuable contribution to affordable<br />

housing issues in Central<br />

Ohio. REALTORS® still actively<br />

involved.<br />

We have a ‘talented’ bunch <strong>of</strong> members<br />

who enjoy performing.<br />

I delivered my 500th lecture that<br />

“REALTOR®” is a two syllable word,<br />

trademarked and requiring a capital<br />

“R.”<br />

Upcoming presidential campaign<br />

(with old-timer couple – the Clintons<br />

– Paleeese!)<br />

Attractive <strong>Board</strong> president<br />

Although this is a bit <strong>of</strong> a stretch for<br />

CEO Larry Metzger, those who know<br />

him, know he’s serious about politics<br />

– enough to go to extreme lengths to<br />

raise those PAC dollars.<br />

It was great fun serving over the years at CBR. The camaraderie, idea sharing<br />

and sense <strong>of</strong> accomplishment were, and continue to be, a high point <strong>of</strong><br />

my career.<br />

ESPN sports analyst, real estate<br />

manager and former football coach<br />

Lee Corso drew a crowd as keynote<br />

speaker at the March 1992 membership<br />

meeting. Shown with Pat and<br />

Bruce Massa.<br />

Back in 1992, they were said to have<br />

raised a little cane. It appears that<br />

they raised a little leg also!<br />

No, that’s not Uncle Sam with Pat.<br />

It’s “R. Packer” (Brad Bennett) -- who<br />

was soliciting heavily that night.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 41


Celebrating 100 Years... 1993<br />

By George Smith<br />

CBR President 1993<br />

Happy Birthday – and it’s so good to<br />

know that someone or some thing is<br />

older than I am. The CBR staff suggested<br />

our <strong>100th</strong> anniversary be commemorated<br />

by asking various Past Presidents<br />

to share their thoughts regarding their<br />

year, along with memories <strong>of</strong> years past.<br />

When asked about my thoughts, I went<br />

back to the day in 1950 (or maybe ’51)<br />

when I walked into the <strong>Columbus</strong> Real<br />

Estate <strong>Board</strong> (before the name change)<br />

which was then located on the 10th<br />

floor <strong>of</strong> the Buckeye Building at 42 E.<br />

Gay Street.<br />

The <strong>of</strong>fice consisted <strong>of</strong> three crowded<br />

rooms and the <strong>Board</strong> secretary (no titles<br />

back then) was a lady named Lenore P.<br />

Hansen. As a secretary/receptionist and<br />

a bookkeeper, Ms. Hansen administered<br />

the affairs <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Board</strong> and appeared to<br />

be quite good at it. Sometime thereafter<br />

a young man named Dwight Swepston<br />

succeeded Ms. Hansen and stayed until<br />

he moved on to a family business.<br />

Everybody’s friend, Larry Chambers<br />

followed Dwight into what he thought<br />

would be a part time job – and he<br />

stayed with the <strong>Board</strong> for many years.<br />

Larry brought the organization along<br />

quite well during a membership growth<br />

period and instituted many programs<br />

still in effect today.<br />

C. Dale Cook succeeded Larry for a<br />

short period <strong>of</strong> time and another man<br />

– who graduated from that state up<br />

north – Ken Sampson – succeeded Dale<br />

and was very successful during his<br />

years <strong>of</strong> administration. I assure you<br />

efforts were made to get all <strong>of</strong> Kenny’s<br />

maize and blue sweaters and neckties,<br />

but we weren’t very successful. However<br />

the <strong>Board</strong> continued our growth<br />

and success because <strong>of</strong> – or in spite <strong>of</strong><br />

– Ken’s educational background.<br />

After Kenny retired, Brad Johnson<br />

joined our <strong>Board</strong> and proved to be an<br />

able administrator. When a large developer<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered Brad a position he couldn’t<br />

refuse, his departure created a vacancy<br />

and Larry Metzger, who I believe is<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the very best administrators in<br />

the U. S. joined our <strong>Board</strong> as the CEO.<br />

Without a doubt, Larry and AEO Stan<br />

Collins have molded our board into one<br />

<strong>of</strong> the most successful trade organizations<br />

within our national association.<br />

Not enough can be said about Larry<br />

and his staff.<br />

The results speak for themselves.<br />

In reflection, our past executive <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

collectively made our <strong>Board</strong> what it is<br />

today—But, it’s obvious they didn’t do it<br />

by themselves!<br />

Over the past 100 years they’ve had the<br />

help <strong>of</strong> hundreds <strong>of</strong> committee chairs<br />

and thousands <strong>of</strong> members – who, with<br />

their individual expertise, ethics and<br />

commitment to getting the job done,<br />

were the “oil” that made the “machine”<br />

run.<br />

I wish I could be given the space to<br />

mention the many individuals who<br />

have contributed their time, money and<br />

efforts to our success. But, if I mentioned<br />

any one <strong>of</strong> our outstanding men<br />

and women, I would have to include<br />

hundreds more…so I again wish to<br />

thank all <strong>of</strong> you who have so generously<br />

contributed to the success <strong>of</strong> our <strong>Board</strong>.<br />

As for 1993, my year as President, my<br />

proudest moment was putting a shovel<br />

into some very hard dirt where our<br />

membership headquarters now stands.<br />

With the help <strong>of</strong> Pat Grabill, Charlotte<br />

VanSteyn and many others, our current<br />

headquarters was designed, built and<br />

occupied in what has become a prime<br />

location in central Ohio. And thanks to<br />

the many who had the faith to invest<br />

their money, and the good management<br />

on the part <strong>of</strong> our current executive<br />

staff, it’s paid for!<br />

I will defer to others, perhaps on our<br />

150th anniversary, to judge our many<br />

other activities during my year as President.<br />

I assure you it was personally<br />

rewarding.<br />

Above: George Smith and CEO Larry<br />

Metzger are greeted by the “King”<br />

himself, as Elvis entertained the crowd<br />

at an RPAC Auction.<br />

Top: (left to right) David Cheses, who<br />

donated the land for the new building;<br />

Bob Weiler; George Smith; Bill<br />

McMenamy, and Pat Grabill at the<br />

1993 groundbreaking for new <strong>Board</strong><br />

headquarters, 2700 Airport Drive.<br />

42 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1993<br />

Sept. 1 – The <strong>Board</strong> sells its remaining half <strong>of</strong> the building at 200<br />

East Town Street to the Ohio Association <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®, and agrees<br />

to rent the space occupied there until construction is completed on<br />

the board’s new location. Construction on the new building on Airport<br />

Drive is underway.<br />

RIN, REALTOR® Information Network, the father <strong>of</strong> NAR’s<br />

REALTOR®.com is started.<br />

1994<br />

February – Online, color photographs are introduced in the MLS system.<br />

Up to four photos can be added and viewed by all MLS users via<br />

special s<strong>of</strong>tware called Sprint.<br />

March 4 – The <strong>Board</strong> establishes CORPAC, the Central Ohio REAL-<br />

TORS® Political Action Committee, to support issues and candidates<br />

that support, promote and preserve private property rights.<br />

The first golf scramble is held at Foxfire Golf Club and more than 100<br />

people attended.<br />

Top Left: Presidential: 1993 President George<br />

Smith and 1979 President Myrna Kobre.<br />

May – The <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® moves to its new membership<br />

headquarters at 2700 Airport Drive. Open house galas are<br />

held in May and June for tours <strong>of</strong> the new headquarters.<br />

The <strong>Board</strong> starts the Commercial/Investment (C/I) Division.<br />

Middle Left: Groundbreaking: 1993 President<br />

George Smith (left) and Jack Ruscilli<br />

<strong>of</strong> Ruscilli Construction at the <strong>of</strong>ficial start <strong>of</strong><br />

construction <strong>of</strong> the CBR Membership Headquarters<br />

at 2700 Airport Drive.<br />

Bottom Left and Bottom Right: Nifty Fifties:<br />

Barbara Hoyer and a group <strong>of</strong> CBR greasers<br />

got into the act for the 1990s-era “Nifty<br />

Fifties” Talent Night.<br />

Above: New building: The CBR was under construction for much <strong>of</strong> 1993<br />

until opening in spring 1994; Larry Metzger and Barbara Lach helped<br />

raise the American flag at the new location.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 43


NAR approves “<strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> Choice,” which allows members to join the<br />

REALTOR® <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> their choice, (within the state) regardless <strong>of</strong><br />

their <strong>of</strong>fice location.<br />

Polaris Amphitheater opens.<br />

1995<br />

March 1 – The first issue <strong>of</strong> CBR’s Real Estate Weekly publication hits<br />

the newsstands. The market-wide weekly newspaper allows up to 24<br />

photos on a single page. An initial printing <strong>of</strong> 25,000 copies per week is<br />

printed and distributed at 650 locations. Real Estate Weekly provides a<br />

cost-effective advertising vehicle for members to promote their listings<br />

and to populate the market with REALTOR®-friendly news.<br />

The Robert Weiler Gallery, in the <strong>Board</strong>’s first floor area, is dedicated,<br />

honoring 1955 CBR President and central Ohio philanthropist Robert<br />

Weiler.<br />

The Paul Falco Library is dedicated in the spring, in recognition <strong>of</strong><br />

the 1963 <strong>Board</strong> President.<br />

December – CBR’s new building at 2700 Airport Drive is recognized<br />

by the American Institute <strong>of</strong> Architects as one <strong>of</strong> the 1995 design<br />

award winners.<br />

Top Left: WCR: Members <strong>of</strong> the Women’s Council <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® at the<br />

1994 Sales Associates Day.<br />

Bottom Left: 2700 Airport Drive: CBR moved to the current building in 1994,<br />

in a location that at the time was a largely undeveloped site near Port<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong>. Today the area is a hub <strong>of</strong> development activity.<br />

Top Right: Online: It was big news in early<br />

1994 when online photographs were introduced<br />

to the MLS.<br />

Middle Right: Real Estate Weekly: CBR<br />

launched the weekly magazine showcasing<br />

neighborhoods and homes for sale in 1995.<br />

Bottom Right: Flying high: The <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

chapter <strong>of</strong> the Women’s Council <strong>of</strong> REAL-<br />

TORS® donated the American flag and<br />

flagpole which stands at the entrance to<br />

CBR Headquarters.<br />

Left: Dedication: Paul Falco, 1963 President,<br />

and Bobbie Hall at the dedication <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Paul Falco Library at CBR Headquarters.<br />

44 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


1996<br />

On Aug. 22, 1996, the Computer Users’ Committee sponsors “Bits and<br />

Brats,” at the CBR Headquarters on Airport Drive. The evening program<br />

is called “Learn to use the Internet” and also includes a cookout.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> and central Ohio listings go online at www. REALTOR®.com<br />

In November, the NAR <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> Directors approve an agreement<br />

between the REALTORS® Information Network and RealSelect, Inc.<br />

to take over the operations <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fiical NAR Web site, www.REAL-<br />

TOR®.com. No NAR member dues were used to create or operate the<br />

site, which gets about six million unique visitors each month.<br />

NAR launches three major Internet initiatives: One Realtor Place, the<br />

association’s first Web site; the National <strong>Realtors</strong> Database System,<br />

designated to share basic membership data among local, state, and<br />

national associations; and Realtor.com, the national listing Web site.<br />

1997<br />

October – The <strong>Board</strong> approves new electronic keyboxes after months<br />

<strong>of</strong> exploration by a committee reviewing the system. It is announced<br />

that the <strong>Board</strong> will convert to the Supra electronic keybox system in<br />

January 1998.<br />

Laurel Flanagan receives the first Affiliate <strong>of</strong> the Year Award. This<br />

award was created to recognize Affiliate members for their exemplary<br />

business experiences, conduct, civic activity and industry involvement.<br />

Tuttle Crossing Mall opens.<br />

1998<br />

CBR awards longtime REALTOR® and teacher Joseph L. MacKinnon<br />

the <strong>Board</strong>’s first Instructor <strong>of</strong> the Year Award. The recognition, given<br />

to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field <strong>of</strong><br />

real estate and exemplified leadership in real estate education, was<br />

subsequently named in MacKinnon’s honor.<br />

A second floor room is renamed The Kohr Conference Room in honor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Thomas P. Kohr, the <strong>Board</strong>’s 1960 President.<br />

Top Left: Affiliate <strong>of</strong> the Year: CBR’s 1st Affiliate<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Year, Laurel Flanagan accepts<br />

the award from Awards Chair Jan Mussler.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> has a total <strong>of</strong> 670,234 residents and a tax rate <strong>of</strong> $80.83 per<br />

$1,000.<br />

Middle Left: Instructor <strong>of</strong> the Year: CBR’s<br />

first Instructor <strong>of</strong> the Year, Joe MacKinnon<br />

with wife Aggie.<br />

Bottom Left: The Kohr Conference Room:<br />

1998 President Michael R. Huntley with Tom<br />

Kohr at the dedication ceremony <strong>of</strong> The<br />

Kohr Conference Room held that year.<br />

Right: 1998 Presidents Ball: President Michael<br />

R. Huntley (center) with his leadership<br />

team, Pat O’Neil, Sam Calhoon, Mary<br />

Rasa and Bruce Massa.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 45


1999<br />

Kevin Randolph becomes the first African-American<br />

Trustee (now called Directors) <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

<strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®. Randolph served until 2001.<br />

Longtime CBR member and <strong>Columbus</strong> builder<br />

Ernest Fritsche is named by the BIA as one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

100 most influential people in housing in America in<br />

part for being the first major builder to <strong>of</strong>fer a home<br />

warranty after the sale.<br />

<strong>Columbus</strong> becomes the 15th largest city in the United States.<br />

2000<br />

October – The Donald W. Kelley Courtyard is dedicated at CBR Headquarters,<br />

in honor <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Board</strong>’s 1984 President.<br />

NAR launches e-Pro, a new designation to help real estate pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />

better meet the needs and growing demands <strong>of</strong> the Internet and<br />

technology-savvy consumers.<br />

2001<br />

September – CBR approves a new strategic framework to guide operations<br />

and goals for the <strong>Board</strong> and real estate industry in the new<br />

millennium.<br />

September – Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, NAR establishes the<br />

REALTORS® Housing Relief Fund to help pay mortgage and rental<br />

costs <strong>of</strong> families devastated by the attacks. By early 2002, the fund<br />

had raised more than $8 million.<br />

December – The <strong>Board</strong> launches its first Web-based MLS system with<br />

MarketLinx.<br />

Top Left: Kevin Randolph: In 1999, Kevin<br />

Randolph becomes the first African-American<br />

to serve as trustee (now called directors)<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®.<br />

Top Right: Having a good time for a good<br />

cause: Mary Raysa and Marian Reitano<br />

dancing the night away at a CORPAC<br />

Auction.<br />

Bottom Right: Teeing <strong>of</strong>f: From left to right,<br />

Sara Walsh, Chris O’Neil, Sandy Campbell,<br />

and Linda Charobee at the 2000 CORPAC<br />

Golf Outing.<br />

Bottom Left: Don Kelley Courtyard: CEO<br />

Larry Metzger, AEO Stan Collins, Robert<br />

Weiler, Sr., Donald W. Kelley, former EOs<br />

Brad Johnson and Ken Sampson joined to<br />

congratulate Kelley during the dedication<br />

<strong>of</strong> a courtyard named in his honor. Kelley,<br />

1984 CBR President, has more than four decades<br />

in the real estate industry.<br />

46 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


Sales dollar volume crosses the $3 billion threshold for the first time,<br />

setting a new record for sales volume, number <strong>of</strong> listings, average<br />

sales price and number <strong>of</strong> homes sold.<br />

2002<br />

The CBR Web site, www.<strong>Columbus</strong><strong>Realtors</strong>.com is converted and redesigned,<br />

<strong>of</strong>fering more information than ever before to members and<br />

the public via the World Wide Web.<br />

November – CORPAC reaches its first six-figure fund raising goal,<br />

with more than $102,000 being donated by more than 60 percent <strong>of</strong><br />

CBR members. This marks a record in both donations and the level <strong>of</strong><br />

participation.<br />

2005<br />

April 10 – The CBR Affordable Housing Committee hosts the first<br />

Super Sunday Affordable Housing Open House event to showcase<br />

the vibrant, sturdy stock <strong>of</strong> affordably priced homes in Central<br />

Ohio.<br />

June 15 - CBR holds the first REALTOR® Care Day, in partnership<br />

with United Way <strong>of</strong> Central Ohio and the <strong>Columbus</strong> Housing<br />

Partnership. More than 100 volunteers help with construction and<br />

maintenance <strong>of</strong> 24 properties.<br />

The CBR Lifetime Achievement Award begins.<br />

2006<br />

April – CBR discontinues printed MLS books (residential, commercial<br />

and comparable books).<br />

July 19 – Due to the steady decline in use by members, CBR discontinutes<br />

publication <strong>of</strong> Real Estate Weekly.<br />

After only 13 years, CBR pays <strong>of</strong>f the mortgage on its property at<br />

2700 Airport Drive.<br />

Top Left: REALTOR® Care Day: 2005 was the<br />

first year for the volunteer event started by<br />

2004 President Skip Weiler.<br />

Middle Left: The final printing: For decades,<br />

REALTORS® relied on CBR’s “R”, “C” and<br />

Comparable books for complete listings <strong>of</strong><br />

properties for sale in the central Ohio MLS<br />

area. With the launch <strong>of</strong> an online MLS system<br />

in late 2001, the printed books became<br />

obsolete and were printed for the final time<br />

in the spring <strong>of</strong> 2006.<br />

Bottom Right: 2006 President-Elect Brad Bennett<br />

and Super Sunday Subcommittee Chair<br />

Teresa Thompson are interviewed by Channel<br />

4 reporter Andy Dominianni about the<br />

upcoming Super Sunday Affordable Housing<br />

Open House event featuring homes listed at<br />

$125,000 or less.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 47


COCIE is started. The Central Ohio Commercial Information Exchange<br />

is formed to include a comprehensive database <strong>of</strong> all commercial<br />

property, whether on the market or not. The site is available<br />

to the public and contains more than 13,000 entries.<br />

2007<br />

The REALTOR® Foundation Fund commemorative walkway is<br />

dedicated after being constructed at the west entrance to the<br />

<strong>Board</strong> headquarters.<br />

The walkway project raises $17,000 by selling engraved bricks to<br />

donors, which are a permanent reminder <strong>of</strong> those whose donations<br />

help support the charitable arm <strong>of</strong> CBR.<br />

The NAR <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> Directors elects Charles McMillan President-<br />

Elect for 2008. McMillan becomes the first African-American in<br />

line for the NAR Presidency, and will take over in 2009.<br />

Although press releases throughout the year touted the good news<br />

about the housing market, CBR began a focused campaign in September<br />

promoting It’s a great time to buy!<br />

The campaign focuses on the many reasons buyers and sellers<br />

could benefit from current market conditions which include competitive<br />

prices, interest rates at 40-year lows, availability <strong>of</strong> loans,<br />

and, <strong>of</strong> course, the best selection <strong>of</strong> homes on the market central<br />

Ohioans have ever had.<br />

Top Right: Kicking <strong>of</strong>f COCIE: REALTORS®<br />

and Past CBR Presidents Lynda Long, Richard<br />

Royer and Bill McMenamy gathered at<br />

the <strong>Board</strong> to celebrate the launch <strong>of</strong> COCIE,<br />

the Central Ohio Commercial Information<br />

Exchange service.<br />

Middle Right: Walk this way: 2007 President<br />

Brad Bennett and CBR Foundation<br />

Fund Chair Chris Reese cut the ribbon in<br />

spring 2007, dedicating the brick walkway<br />

at CBR headquarters.<br />

Bottom Right: Go Bucks: Alice Buckley with<br />

“Woody Hayes” at the 2007 OSU-themed<br />

Celebrity Waiters Luncheon, benefiting the<br />

Foundation Fund.<br />

Bottom Left: Ads run weekly in The <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

Dispatch telling the community Now is a<br />

great time to buy!<br />

48 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


2008<br />

On March 12, 2008, the first talent show in many years for CBR<br />

members happened at the Villa Milano, when the Equal Opportunity<br />

Committee hosted CBR’s Got Talent. Dozens <strong>of</strong> performers<br />

took the stage to raise money for the Mutli-Cultural Grant program,<br />

which assists newly-licensed REALTORS®.<br />

After the CBR Equal Opportunity Committee decided to hold a fundraising<br />

talent show, AEO Stan Collins seizes the opportunity to put together<br />

five members <strong>of</strong> the REALTOR® family to strum their guitars<br />

for a good cause.<br />

The band, known as TEMPO 5, takes the stage for the first time at the<br />

first CBR’s Got Talent show in March 2008 at the Villa Milano, playing<br />

a few songs including “Rainy Day REALTOR®.” Collins, with staff<br />

members Matt Warren, and George VanFossen and Chuck Gleich <strong>of</strong><br />

Gleich Inspections and Terry Bryant <strong>of</strong> Coldwell Banker King Thompson<br />

went on to play encore performances at two Ohio Association <strong>of</strong><br />

REALTORS® meetings and other CBR events.<br />

April 15 – In order to combat the media’s barrage <strong>of</strong> negative housing<br />

news, CBR, in collaboration with the <strong>Columbus</strong> Housing Partnership<br />

(CHP) and the Building Industry Association <strong>of</strong> Central Ohio (BIA),<br />

launch a public advertising campaign to help the community understand<br />

that the all real estate is local.<br />

The $200,000 advertising campaign – The Grass is Greener Here<br />

– includes radio, billboards, and heavy member involvement directing<br />

central Ohioans to www.<strong>Columbus</strong>HousingFacts.com where they will<br />

find evidence that supports the health and affordability <strong>of</strong> the central<br />

Ohio housing market.<br />

Top Left: A talented bunch: During the first<br />

CBR’s Got Talent variety show held in March<br />

2008, REALTORS®, CBR staff and Affiliates<br />

got into the act, raising money for the CBR<br />

Multi-Cultural Grant Program. Sean Carpenter<br />

served as emcee for the evening, even<br />

donning a wig to perform as Willie Nelson,<br />

singing his rendition <strong>of</strong> “Mamma don’t let<br />

your babies grow up to be REALTORS®.”<br />

Bottom Left: The Grass is Greener Here:<br />

CBR’s 2008 campaign touted the health<br />

and stability <strong>of</strong> the central Ohio housing<br />

market.<br />

Bottom Right: Sing along: CBR’s own band, TEMPO 5, entertained<br />

the crowd during the 2008 show, CBR’s Got Talent! Pictured on stage<br />

from left to right: Terry Bryant, Stan Collins, Chuck Gleich, Matt Warren<br />

and George VanFosssen<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 49


June 5 – Over 500 REALTORS®, Affiliates, family and friends volunteered<br />

their time to improve properties in 19 different areas around<br />

Central Ohio for our fourth annual REALTOR® Care Day!<br />

Almost $23,000 in financial contributions, over $24,000 in in-kind<br />

donations <strong>of</strong> labor and materials, and extensive manual labor by members<br />

and local vendors provided the necessary resources for 24 different<br />

community service projects located in Bexley, Canal Winchester,<br />

Centerburg, Clintonville, <strong>Columbus</strong>, Delaware County, Dublin, Italian<br />

Village, Johnstown, Madison County, New Albany, Powell, Reynoldsburg,<br />

Sunbury, Washington Court House, Westerville, Worthington,<br />

and Upper Arlington.<br />

Sept. – <strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chairs Charlotte<br />

Van Steyn and Bob Weiler receive the Excellence in Community<br />

Service award from the Ohio Association <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® for their<br />

work with the 100 Acts <strong>of</strong> Kindness. See list <strong>of</strong> awardees on pages<br />

51-54.<br />

Oct. 23 – During the CBR Annual Business Meeting, Congressman<br />

Patrick Tiberi presents 2008 President Greg Hrabcak with a Proclamation<br />

for CBR in honor <strong>of</strong> its 100 years <strong>of</strong> service to the central<br />

Ohio community as well as to the real estate industry as a whole.<br />

REALTORS® celebrate 100 years <strong>of</strong> bringing home the American<br />

Dream.<br />

Top Right: REALTOR® Care Day: Elvah<br />

Donald and Sherri Resnick <strong>of</strong> the New<br />

Albany Realty Association get their hands<br />

dirty while landscaping as part <strong>of</strong> the 2008<br />

REALTOR® Care Day.<br />

Above: Greg Cantwell created a mural for the side <strong>of</strong> the Tray Lee Center<br />

depicting important individuals to this community.<br />

Middle Right: Chuck Gleich and Betsy<br />

Lynch put the finishing touched on the<br />

new flag pole installed at the CBR main<br />

project - American Addition. American<br />

Addition’s Community Center (Tray Lee<br />

Center) was originally a fire station but<br />

now <strong>of</strong>fers the “No Child Left Behind” program<br />

and is funded totally on donations.<br />

Bottom Right: Congressman Tiberi presents<br />

President Hrabcak with a Proclamation in<br />

honor <strong>of</strong> its 100 years.<br />

50 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


Celebrating 100 Years... 1965<br />

By Orin Morris,<br />

CBR President, 1965<br />

In 1947 I went to work for Malcolm<br />

R. Prine as a salesman. Thurman<br />

Sorrell was the company bookkeeper.<br />

Mr. Prine was a strong advocate<br />

and past President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong><br />

<strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®.<br />

At that time there were no salesmen<br />

placed on the <strong>Board</strong>, but I took<br />

part along with a number <strong>of</strong> others.<br />

There were no women or minorities<br />

in the <strong>Board</strong> during this time. We<br />

had no secretary to run the <strong>Board</strong>,<br />

no money and would hold meetings<br />

at different REALTOR® <strong>of</strong>fices.<br />

A number <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® volunteered<br />

to let us mail out invoices.<br />

We finally hired a secretary, Dwight<br />

Swepton.<br />

There was a period <strong>of</strong> time we had<br />

difficulty with a number <strong>of</strong> Brokers<br />

who did not live up to our standards.<br />

Through John Pace’s effort<br />

and his committee (<strong>of</strong> which I was<br />

a member), we heard hundreds <strong>of</strong><br />

cases. Some went to court. Today,<br />

the <strong>Board</strong> gets very few complaints<br />

among Brokers.<br />

In 1948, I knew every member <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>Board</strong> by their first name. We<br />

only had a handful <strong>of</strong> members<br />

(paying members that is.)<br />

my blood. I formed a company called<br />

Mae-Zee Corporation. We are not<br />

on the stock exchange, but we are<br />

healthy.<br />

In 1951, C. V. Perry & Company<br />

developed a listing contract second<br />

to none. We also had our own sales<br />

contract. In the lower left hand<br />

corner <strong>of</strong> our contract, we inserted a<br />

notice that the purchaser could hire<br />

an attorney. Later the <strong>Board</strong> came<br />

out with a contract agreement,<br />

which was similar to ours. We were<br />

happy to make the contribution.<br />

Along with our real estate company<br />

(C.V. Perry & Company), we had a<br />

mortgage company called Gibraltar<br />

and an insurance company called<br />

Redwood.<br />

I promoted the first joint meeting<br />

<strong>of</strong> attorneys and REALTORS®. It<br />

went well. Today most attorneys<br />

and REALTORS® are on the same<br />

page.<br />

In the early 1950’s, we had tremendous<br />

sales but we had a problem<br />

with FHA and VA. They would take<br />

months to process our loans. We<br />

went to Buckeye Federal Savings<br />

and Loan and made a deal. If FHA<br />

or VA did not approve the loan, they<br />

would keep it. Therefore, it would<br />

close in about one week.<br />

Past Presidents Jim Owen, 72, Bill<br />

McCorkle, ’68 and Orin Morris, ’65,<br />

catch up while at a Past President’s<br />

Dinner in the mid-1980s.<br />

During my 61 years, I was a partner<br />

in Mehl and Morris REALTORS®<br />

till 1949 when I went to work for<br />

Charles Prior Builder. Carlyle Perry<br />

went to work for him at the same<br />

time.<br />

In 1950 Carlyle Perry and I founded<br />

a partnership, which lasted for<br />

33 years. I retired and sold out<br />

in 1982, however, I soon learned I<br />

could not quit. Real estate was in<br />

Past Presidents gathered in 1964, seated: John Pace,’62, Robert Weiler,’55,<br />

Orin Morris (1965 President-Elect), Paul Falco,’63, Marvin C. Yerke,’64 John<br />

J. Ranft (1965 First Vice President-Elect) and Edgar R. Johnson, ‘54. Back: D.<br />

Wendell Beggs,’26, Tom Kohr,’60, Oscar Thomas, Sr.’61, Larry Wade,’57, Leigh<br />

Koebel,’28, Herbert T. Wolfe,’58, Bob Denmead,’53, Wallace Nelson,’50, Cecil<br />

Neff,’59 and Lee Wears,’56.<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 51


Above: 1964 President Marvin C.<br />

Yerke passes the gavel to incoming<br />

President Orin Morris, at the 1964<br />

Coronation Ball.<br />

Below: Incoming President Orin Morris<br />

is crowned “King” for 1965 at the<br />

December 1964 Coronation Ball,<br />

held at Scioto Country Club.<br />

In the early years, I founded a company<br />

called Trades, Inc. At that time<br />

we represented 17 builders who<br />

were having trouble selling their<br />

new homes. By taking the purchaser’s<br />

home in on trade, it encouraged<br />

new home sales. Later the <strong>Board</strong><br />

bought the company and the name.<br />

Prior to the Multiple Listing Service,<br />

some <strong>of</strong> the members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Board</strong> at that time were Jack Havens,<br />

Eddie Johnson, Paul Falco and<br />

myself. We would meet at the Virginia<br />

Hotel every Thursday morning<br />

for breakfast. We would pass around<br />

the addresses <strong>of</strong> our listings acquired<br />

from the previous week.<br />

One year George Tift bought a big<br />

Packard, tore out the rear seat, put<br />

in a desk, three chairs and a typewriter.<br />

He would take his secretary<br />

with him on appointments and, if<br />

the prospect was ready to buy, she<br />

would type the contract on the spot.<br />

When John Galbreath was going to<br />

move his <strong>of</strong>fice to Pennsylvania, we<br />

formed a committee and went to see<br />

John. He opened a branch <strong>of</strong>fice in<br />

Pennsylvania, but stayed in <strong>Columbus</strong>.<br />

We are thankful he did as he<br />

contributed greatly to the <strong>Board</strong><br />

over the years.<br />

A Service to the City<br />

When Maynard Sensenbrenner was<br />

Mayor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Columbus</strong>, he asked the<br />

<strong>Board</strong> to buy land needed for Bolton<br />

Field. Five <strong>of</strong> us volunteered to purchase<br />

the land and negotiated a sale<br />

to the city. As payment, the board<br />

received new furniture for the <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />

I was President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Board</strong> in<br />

1965. It was an exciting, but uneventful<br />

year.<br />

I have known Larry Metzger since<br />

he became our leader. Larry has and<br />

is doing a superlative job. His staff<br />

are some <strong>of</strong> the nicest people you<br />

would ever want to meet.<br />

Sixty-one years and it feels like<br />

I have just begun. It has been a<br />

privilege to belong to the real estate<br />

community.<br />

Mr. and Mrs. Morris with Mr. and Mrs.<br />

Yerke before Orin takes over as President,<br />

at the 1964 Coronation Ball.<br />

In 1959, my wife Zelma and I decided<br />

to build a house at 111 Riverview<br />

Park Drive. We are fortunate<br />

to have had many good friends in<br />

the real estate business. These<br />

“friends” erected a 4 by 8 foot sign<br />

in the front yard quoting, “Another<br />

Howard Johnson Coming Soon.”<br />

They also put it in Multiple Listing<br />

with a lot <strong>of</strong> funny amenities. I have<br />

made many friends in the <strong>Board</strong>.<br />

They still call me frequently.<br />

In February 1965, Morris installed new leadership for the <strong>Columbus</strong> chapter <strong>of</strong><br />

the Women’s Council <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®. From left, outgoing chapter President<br />

Margaret Miller,1965 chapter President Jean Parker and Elly Creager, President<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Ohio chapter <strong>of</strong> WCR, with Morris.<br />

52 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®


100 Acts <strong>of</strong> Kindness Recipients<br />

REALTORS® give back to their communities in so many ways. Each day, at least one <strong>of</strong> our members is volunteering<br />

their time to a local organization, school, church, service group, etc.<br />

The purpose <strong>of</strong> the 100 Acts <strong>of</strong> Kindness award is to recognize those individuals for their service during this, our<br />

<strong>100th</strong> anniversary year. The following members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS® have received the 100 Acts<br />

<strong>of</strong> Kindness pin for providing an act <strong>of</strong> community service or outreach in 2008.<br />

Michelle Anders<br />

Sarah Savoir<br />

Carol Wise<br />

Karin Stumbo<br />

Beth Bick<br />

Sherrie Preston<br />

Norm Taylor<br />

Kristin Sparks<br />

Mark Phillips<br />

Mary Overfelt<br />

Scott Noblet<br />

Drew Murphy<br />

Ted Oatts<br />

Teri Maust<br />

Becky Payne<br />

Mark Cathers<br />

Larry Metzger<br />

Ronda Turner<br />

Carolyn Mullen<br />

Greg Bruce<br />

Andrew Root<br />

Julie Stage<br />

Don Mullen<br />

Pam Allen<br />

Kevin Gilmore<br />

Rick Ralston<br />

Debbie Montgomery<br />

Kristin Reese<br />

Teri Gilmore<br />

Alicia Pullin<br />

Jen Merringer<br />

Pam Mutchler<br />

John DeFourny<br />

Debbie Karns<br />

Mar’ Hartley<br />

Kate Wiles<br />

Corey Skinner<br />

Keli Howard<br />

Nancy Garrabrant<br />

Terri Webb<br />

Lari Madosky Shaw<br />

Dianna Hay<br />

Karen Fichtelman<br />

Lynn Thomas<br />

Chris Pedon<br />

Phil Gilliam<br />

Gary Bix<br />

Candy Tesner<br />

Kathy Elliott<br />

Rick Forrest<br />

Steve Barbeau<br />

Cyndy Street<br />

Rob Matney<br />

Travis Fling<br />

Mike Anderson<br />

TJ Roberts<br />

Sharon Young<br />

Kevin Flax<br />

Carol Morrison<br />

Barbara Richardson<br />

Karen Page<br />

Richard Flax<br />

Dave Zambo<br />

Kelly Richards<br />

Sheila Straub<br />

Liz Finchum<br />

Amy Weinsz<br />

Suzanne Perry<br />

Thad Rahrig<br />

Darlene Clark<br />

Shannan Thompson<br />

Nicole Perry<br />

Rhonda Pettit<br />

Karen Bowling<br />

Jamie Sutton<br />

Chip Parrish<br />

Tom Nippert<br />

Rachel Berkshire<br />

Natalie Moore<br />

Barb Robertson<br />

Krista McCarthy<br />

Michelle Anders<br />

Tony Mangini<br />

Norma Miller<br />

Cody Marting<br />

Jay Waldron<br />

Cynthia MacKenzie<br />

Annie Means<br />

Al Mansour<br />

Tricia Nunamaker<br />

Lisa Griffin<br />

Milt Lustnauer<br />

Lynda Long<br />

Eric Moulton<br />

Brenda Gerschutz<br />

Bonnie Lustnauer<br />

Rhonda Kelly<br />

Kim McMullen<br />

Warren Gerhardt<br />

Susan Dilworth<br />

Frank Hance<br />

Peg H<strong>of</strong>fman<br />

Bill Dickerson<br />

Martha Corbett<br />

Sheri Foster<br />

Shane Heald<br />

Dave Arthur<br />

Chip Bruss<br />

Larry Buttermore<br />

Beth Fisher<br />

Bill Alsnauer<br />

Kathie Boskovich<br />

Linda Beckner<br />

Lynn Cooperider<br />

Rhonda Barton<br />

Scott Street<br />

Brady Jones<br />

Bill Channel<br />

Justin Waugh<br />

Ron Zaniewski & Co-worker<br />

Randi Dailey<br />

Kim Althouse<br />

Marie Waugh<br />

Brenda Yerke<br />

Debbie Weade<br />

Toby Boyce<br />

Samantha Trotter<br />

Wallisha Wupple<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 53


100 Acts <strong>of</strong> Kindness Recipients continued...<br />

Sharon Worden<br />

Marilyn Witherup<br />

Mary Jane “MJ” Toth<br />

Lance Strong<br />

Judy Stream<br />

Helen Stepien<br />

Jay Stanley<br />

Colette Smith<br />

Gene Shivener<br />

Donna Schneider<br />

Suzi Schmitz<br />

David Rosen<br />

David Percy<br />

Jessie Page<br />

Kathleen Novak<br />

Faith Mulroy<br />

Charles Morris<br />

Lana Mihailovich<br />

Branden Meyer<br />

Michael Metz<br />

Debbie McCloud<br />

Michael Malmsbury<br />

Leigh Ann Lee<br />

Joanne Jarvis<br />

Tracey Hartson<br />

Kelly Harsanye<br />

Jackie Harris<br />

Betty Granger<br />

Carma Godby<br />

Peggy Fowler<br />

Andy Fairbanks<br />

Danelle Ellis<br />

Karen Edwards<br />

K. Edwards<br />

Jack Buckle<br />

Kim Browning<br />

Shaunda Brown<br />

David Breneman<br />

Wendell Berry<br />

Dan Baumann<br />

Joy Adkins<br />

Elton Acker<br />

Dani Patterson<br />

Janet Zettler<br />

Rick Weber<br />

Steve Wagner<br />

Erin Terrar<br />

Joe Sinvany<br />

Andy Shiffman<br />

Ron Robins<br />

Carrie Ramsey<br />

David Powers<br />

Hannah Pirwitz<br />

Chris Pedon<br />

Marlene Miller<br />

Allan Maust<br />

Barb Kurtz<br />

Mark Kraus<br />

Monica Kile<br />

Bill Karn<br />

Jeff Jonas<br />

Michael Jones<br />

Mike Irwin<br />

Barbara Hoyer<br />

Jonathan Holfinger<br />

Paul Grimm<br />

Tom Flood<br />

Tom Dodrill<br />

Rose Copp<br />

Beth Clensy<br />

Susan Brehm<br />

Terri Barnett<br />

Pam Allen<br />

Sheila Straub<br />

Todd Miller<br />

Amy Long<br />

54 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

54 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

Betsy McCloskey<br />

Barb Waters<br />

Tim Gossman<br />

Charlotte Mason<br />

Gary Rader<br />

Kathy Burd<br />

Steve Wagner<br />

Lucy Buzzee<br />

Sharon Young<br />

Regina Acosta Tobin<br />

Terra Miller<br />

Misty Linn<br />

Jinn Lombardi<br />

Tami Crum<br />

LeAnne Ringer<br />

Erin Ogden<br />

Kim Nice<br />

Will Moloney<br />

Judy Minister<br />

Paul Love<br />

Alan Jones<br />

Nora Huber<br />

Eve Holland<br />

Eric Hiss<br />

Melissa Friermood<br />

Ken Frankenberg<br />

Gary Flore<br />

Sylvia Efta<br />

Addie Davis<br />

Shari Carroll<br />

Molly Carlson<br />

Traci Klinger<br />

Sally Winn Bauer<br />

Terri Schulze<br />

Willard Salyer<br />

Ann Salyer<br />

Valeria Raymond<br />

Herb Raymond<br />

Melinda Pribonic<br />

Patrice Paider<br />

John Neibarger<br />

Alex Michael<br />

Travis McIntyre<br />

Bob McCullom<br />

Cindy Lennon<br />

Patricia Kramer<br />

Jason Hoy<br />

Taylor Holter<br />

Karl Heins<br />

Heidi (Nathan Gill)<br />

Kevin Harper<br />

Bess Harper<br />

Adam Hammond<br />

Furniture Restoration<br />

Tony Kiefer<br />

Cynthia Duncan<br />

Todd Dodderer<br />

Alice Cortez<br />

Don Corson<br />

Jena Cooper<br />

Barbara Chapman<br />

Linda Chambers<br />

Phil Burgel<br />

Roger Bishop<br />

Shelby Bauer<br />

Jeffrey Barrett<br />

Eric Albery<br />

Amy Albery<br />

Monica Holter<br />

Jean Wright<br />

Bob Rowe<br />

Chris Weatherman<br />

James Taylor<br />

Justus Sharp<br />

Sean Rauch<br />

Dan Olson


Anita McHugh<br />

Jerry Hunt<br />

Brady Linard<br />

David Heitkamp<br />

Nicole Harrison<br />

Greg Harrison<br />

Kristin Collins<br />

Rick Brunton<br />

Pam Brown<br />

Kami Bower<br />

Ben Brace<br />

Terry Allen<br />

John Chandler<br />

Stacy York<br />

Sue Yenichek<br />

Melanie Wright<br />

Jerome Witcher<br />

Joyce Wilson<br />

Simone Williams<br />

Brenda Williams<br />

Don Wick<br />

Joyce Wheeler<br />

Mic Weiler<br />

Bobby Weiler<br />

Robert “ Skip” Weiler Jr.<br />

Missy Weiler<br />

Robert “ Bob” Weiler Sr.<br />

Tim Webber<br />

John Volk<br />

Sheryl Trout<br />

Sandy Tracy<br />

Michael Thompson<br />

Taylor Thiede<br />

Melissa Thiede<br />

Janet Thiede<br />

Hunter Thiede<br />

Todd Strayer<br />

Herb Sollars<br />

Mary Sguerra<br />

Lari Shaw<br />

Todd Schiff<br />

Stephanie Savage<br />

Barbara Roberts<br />

David Reierson<br />

Chris Reese<br />

Carl Ransom<br />

Betty Potts<br />

Louise Potter<br />

Christine Pinney<br />

Angela Petty<br />

Gary Parsons<br />

Peggy Parsley<br />

Chris Oegen<br />

Linda Niemann<br />

Jeff Murray<br />

Susan Mullenix<br />

Mike Morgan<br />

Julie Morgan<br />

Philip Moneypenny<br />

Anna Mitchell<br />

Anita McHugh<br />

Kim McCutheon<br />

Bob McCarthy<br />

Anthony Masci<br />

Heather Martinsen<br />

Betsy Lynch<br />

Sue Lusk-Gleich<br />

Kim Lewis<br />

Amy Laws<br />

Karen Lambert<br />

Adrienne Klekotka<br />

Lindsay Kirk<br />

Brian Kemp<br />

Rocky Karnes<br />

Linda Jonard<br />

Carol Huber<br />

Greg Hrabcak<br />

Angela Holloway<br />

Maude Hill<br />

Mary Hatem<br />

Vernon Harless<br />

Mandy Harless<br />

Lynn Hackworth<br />

Paul Haggard<br />

Alexandra Gleim<br />

Chuck Gleich<br />

Christina Garrett<br />

Lynncheryl Gadson<br />

Jack Gabalski<br />

David Foster<br />

Lisa Ferguson<br />

Myles Everett<br />

Bridgett Everett<br />

Connie Dixon<br />

Nikki DiNardo<br />

Jessica Deubner<br />

Melissa Dean Rife<br />

Allison Cummings<br />

Angela Cradle<br />

Mark Cowper<br />

Stan Collins<br />

Debbie Clonch<br />

Ryan Clark<br />

Tommi Clark<br />

Kimberly Cecil<br />

Kelly Cantwell<br />

Greg Cantwell<br />

Gloria Cannon<br />

Michelle Calo<br />

Talia Brown<br />

Marque’ Bressler<br />

Anthony Bolognone<br />

Ralph Berger<br />

Brad Bennett<br />

Angie Utz<br />

Jay Zollars<br />

Stephen Tucker<br />

Joe Polis<br />

George O’Donnel<br />

Mike Metersky<br />

Travis McIntyre<br />

James Mangas<br />

Fil Line<br />

Sandy Lehman<br />

Cindy Jean<br />

Steve Heiser<br />

Wayne Gaib<br />

Catherine Erney<br />

Paul Bilow<br />

Chris Bell<br />

Hayley Ferguson<br />

Maggie Ferguson<br />

Lori Ferguson<br />

Alice Buckley<br />

Frank Lodestro<br />

Cary Hager<br />

Mike Primeau<br />

James Allison<br />

Jill Beckett Hill<br />

Kristen Nicholson<br />

Tony Thomas<br />

Rhonda Clark<br />

Lisa Gibbs<br />

Becky Young<br />

Matt Frost<br />

Abe Godinez<br />

Lu Klaiber<br />

Randy Sims<br />

Elvan Donald<br />

Sherri Resnick<br />

Bill Sutkin<br />

Angie Matessa<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 55<br />

<strong>100th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> | 1908–2008 55


100 Acts <strong>of</strong> Kindness Recipients continued...<br />

Rob Hursey<br />

Chryssa Gartner<br />

Mike Gurski<br />

Tania Gurski<br />

Terry Cook<br />

Gayle Scrase<br />

Stella Pseekos<br />

Jill Higgins<br />

Mike Strange<br />

Lorie Strange<br />

Matt Beatty<br />

Don Beatty<br />

Sharon Selby<br />

Anthony Leahy<br />

Deb Collier<br />

Erin Bishop<br />

Tony Aspery<br />

Josh Transue<br />

Jeff Wills<br />

Jack Curtis<br />

Kristen Francis<br />

Sydney Francis<br />

Ethen Francis<br />

John Francis<br />

John Beegle<br />

Tom Amicon<br />

Judy Sekinger<br />

Roberta Kayne<br />

Scott Bowers<br />

Joe Marmo<br />

Sonja Heffer<br />

Becky Cunningham & son<br />

Tracy Chambers<br />

Cynthia Carr<br />

Jean Ann Conley<br />

Amy Conley<br />

Dale Grear<br />

Allison Grear<br />

Adam Grear<br />

Christy Grear<br />

Rita Brumley<br />

Dana Waugh<br />

Irving Hurler<br />

Jan Jedlinsky<br />

Kent Bermingham<br />

Ryan Mendes<br />

Sonja Heffner<br />

Brenda St. Clair<br />

Herb Schupp<br />

Donna Boylan<br />

Julie Riber<br />

David Roeger<br />

Karen Ramsey<br />

Patty Coolidge<br />

Kate Elmquist<br />

Karen Garvin<br />

Penny Robinson<br />

Debbie McMillen<br />

Angel Stuckman<br />

Carol Aultman<br />

Kevin Cull<br />

Joe Marmo<br />

Tom Weiss<br />

Ralph Renninger<br />

Larry Coolidge<br />

Julie Wills<br />

Mary Sguerra<br />

Alice Buckley<br />

Terry Penrod<br />

Chris Reese<br />

Sara Walsh<br />

Brian Kemp<br />

Bob McCarthy<br />

Gloria Cannon<br />

Linda Whiting<br />

Rick Smith<br />

56 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

56 <strong>Columbus</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> REALTORS®<br />

Sue Parrish<br />

Kyle Alfriend<br />

Tracy Chambers<br />

Mar’ Hartley<br />

Lucy Buzzee<br />

Mike Parsons<br />

Leigh Reynolds<br />

Chris Reese<br />

Don Mullen<br />

Joseph Hart<br />

Jan Jedlinsky<br />

Robert “Skip” Weiler Jr.<br />

Robert Weiler Sr.<br />

Robert Weiler Sr.<br />

Mary Hohman<br />

Jim Willis<br />

Jeff Wagenbrenner<br />

Shelia Straub<br />

Kevin Stover<br />

Ron Southall<br />

Carol Shear<br />

Deb Saczawa<br />

Brenda Pitts<br />

Christine Phillips<br />

Gary Parsons<br />

Rachel Parrish<br />

Chip Parrish<br />

Bonnie Nyikes<br />

Tricia Nunemaker<br />

Susan Mullenix<br />

Gregory Morris<br />

Marlene Miller<br />

Jonathan Lange<br />

Dan Krumm<br />

Mike Irwin<br />

Rose Howard<br />

Pamela Gugle<br />

Kathy Greenwell<br />

Tammy Foor<br />

Jim Doherty<br />

Barbara Crawford<br />

Jim Coridan<br />

Stan Collins<br />

Judith Cole<br />

Tom Billman<br />

Rick Benjamin<br />

Linda Beckner<br />

Gary Anderson<br />

Joe Janszen<br />

Donna Stevenson<br />

Tasha Jones<br />

Brad Bennett<br />

Larry Absten<br />

Paul Love<br />

Thomas Ketterer<br />

Michelle Demopolis<br />

Paula Shepherd<br />

Joe Jackson<br />

Joe Hart<br />

Jamie Mueller, Jr.<br />

Sherry Looney<br />

Chuck Kile<br />

Tara Bebinger<br />

Jan Jedlinsky<br />

Kenny Jackson


1908 - 2008<br />

th

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