Snyder, Miriam Carlsen
| Miriam Carlsen Snyder – (1993) |
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MIRIAM CARLSEN SNYDER
It seems fitting and proper that when born to Captain and Mrs. Carl Carlsen at 1059 10th St., Miriam was a very bright red-headed baby. For 22 years, from 1956 through 1978, she experience many bright red-letter days as the full-time Director of the Lorain Recreation Department.
Spurred by her brother Roberts’ participation on the 1930 Lorain High Championship football team, Miriam was ready for her role in sports at Lorain High. Although only intramural activity existed for girls at the time, she collected her first “L” as a junior and followed with an “L” pin at graduation in 1935.
Applying for a secretarial opening at the recreation department in 1950, Miriam was appointed secretary to part-time director Dave Beckwith. Upon Dave’s retirement, Wen Lathwell assumed the part-time duties. When council approved a full-time director the new appointee stayed less than two years. At this juncture, the Recreation Board suggested Miriam take the Civil Service exam and, subsequently, hired her in Sept. 1956 to administrate the prgrams already in existence.
Within a short period of time she became an innovator as well as administrator as evidenced by the following chronological approvals of new programs by the Recreation Board.
1960 – Board approved taking over the city baseball program. Despite the popular Little League formation by Lathwell, too few boys were able to compete.
1964 – With the sweep of weightlifting popularity, it was decided that Miriam travel to Philadelphia to bid for Lorain’s sponsorship of the world championships and the Mr. America contest. Victorious at the Philly meeting, she returned to gather the support of her board, the school board, Kiwanis, Antone Ujehelyi and others to create a memorable 3 day event that proved Lorain’s ability to sponsor.
1968 – Fastpitch softball down to 8 teams and a meeting was held to organize a Slowpitch League. Twenty Eight teams responded, fields were built and a double elimination tournament followed the season. The Recreation and School Boards approved boys basketball four nights a week in 9 gyms throughout the city.
1970 – Touch football was organized. Eight teams joined the league. A girls’ softball league was formed on the playgrounds for summer play.
1972 – Commencement of the Junior Olympics in Lorain. George Steinbrenner from American Shipbuilding supplied two men to assist. Both the Recreation and School Boards approved and Doug Thompson from Lorain High was in charge at George Daniel field. Ads were sold and when the program for 600 children was over the bill balance and T-shirts for everyone were supplied by Mr. Steinbrenner. Mr. Thompson received an “Outstanding Award” in 1972 and Miriam Snyder was presented the same award in 1973.
1973 – Longfellow – Century – Oakwood Park were provided pools and lifeguards. Eighteen playgrounds were open for 10 weeks in the summer.
Continuously extolling the cooperation of her board through the years, Miriam served her board, the city, it’s athletes and the people of Lorain until her retirement in 1978. At that time, she received the Chamber’s “Outstanding Award” – A “Mission Impossible” Award from her playground supervisors and a life membership from the Ohio Park and Recreation Association.
