OR WAS IT ALL A DREAM: One day - I could have been 8 or 9 years old I was walking along the sidewalk along Liberty Street (in Vermilion of course) with several of my chums. At the corner (the southeast corner) of Liberty and Washington Streets I met Mrs. (Bernice Fischer) Koachway strolling along the street with her little girls [I assume the girls were Ellen (O'Hara) and Carolyn (Hill)]. Accompanying them was this little puppy.
I don't recall (off-hand) exactly how it happened - but during the brief time my friends and I stood about admiring the pup Mrs. Koachway asked us if we were interested in taking the dog home with us. To a boy my age that was like asking if I was interested in acquiring an ice cream cone or a Hershey bar.
There was, however, one small problem. Our family already had a dog - as well as 8 children, a few cats, a bird, and some fish. How receptive my parents might be to increasing this menagerie was questionable.
But as these things tend to go the ultimate decision - as it usually is in such matters - belonged to my father. And that - as most children in my situation understood - would be simply a formality. If Mom didn't object at the out-set it really meant that it was a done deal.
There were, of course, stipulations. There always are. Persons familiar with the old Peanuts cartoons will understand what I heard when my parents were telling me that I had to take responsibility for Lassie (I named her after that wonder dog of book, movie, and television fame. Go figure). What I really heard was "Wha, wha, wha. Wha, wha, wha... It was the sound of an adult's mouth opening and emitting familiar sounds I really wasn't interested in hearing.
I did however spend a great deal of time with Lass. I trained her to stay in the yard unless someone told her otherwise. But over time she became my father's dog. She would walk to work with him at the newspaper office every morning. And when he left work she'd come back home. If he happened to be going somewhere other than home after work he'd just tell her to go home - and she would.
She was also a nipper. That was - and wasn't - a problem. She didn't like it when one of my nieces or nephews earned a tap on their bottoms. But by and large she was a good pup.
My sister, Nancy, had Paul Ludlow take a photo portrait (reproduced as a photo painting here) of her when she was still rather young. And I'm glad she did. It makes my memories of growing up in Vermilion, O. all the more precious.
"...Was it a vision, or a waking dream?
Fled is that music:—do I wake or sleep?"
John Keats - Ode To A Nightingale
VHS STUDENT COUNCIL 1931: Ruth (Bauman) Tanner has been kind enough to allow me access to seven Vermilion High School "Hi Times" yearbooks - 1927 through 1935. (no 1930). This great photograph of the VHS Student Council of 1931 was among them.
The folks in the pic - along with their official offices are:
President - Jack Becker
Vice President and Chairman of Arts Board - Edna Moes
Secretary - Beryl Cleaver
Chairman of Athletic Board - Henry Fischer
Chairman of Social Board - Ernest Wakefield
Chairman of Literary Board - Grace Feiszli
Faculty Advisor - Mr. George Snyder.
The photo was taken in front of a newly constructed South Street School. The Maurer dairy and home are visible (but blurry) in the background.
Of the group I really only knew / know Grace (Feiszli) Roberts and Henry "Hank" Fischer. This is really and truly a wonderful photograph. I was surprised to see Hank in the photo. I'd never seen any pix of him as a young man until this photo came along.
Cool.
LSE RAILS: Tis an interesting view from Vermilion Road (looking west) down the Lake Shore Electric Rails toward the river and the village.
For persons less familiar with the electrics this pic illustrates that the rails of the electrics were (for the lack of better words) somewhat less subtle than those of the steam railroad. They, in brief, followed the contours of the landscape more closely than did their steam counterparts. It was, therefore, a different ride.
This pic is from the collection of preeminent electric historian Dennis Lamont. Dennis also has some movie clips of the electrics moving along rails that show that the cars had, at times, the tendency, to bounce and sway as they sped across the terrain at speeds up to 80 mph. (Who needed Cedar Point?)
This photo also offers a look at what eventually became Romp's Waterport and McGarvey's Restaurant (beyond). Note the large barn on what is now Romp's property (right).
"Tis" (as was said)"an interesting View."
FISH QUEEN ET.AL: This is a scanned image from one Vermilionite Roy Kneisel's color slides. Although I believe the date on the box indicated that it was taken during a Festival of the Fish Parade in Vermilion in 1965 or 1966 I have good reason to disagree.
Jennifer Williams (I don't know her married name) is the young lady riding in the back of the convertible. Jennifer is the youngest daughter of the late Vermilion attorney / Vermilion Postmaster Tom Williams. She was a very pretty girl.
Driving the vehicle is Vermilionite Louis Kuhnle. His mother, Annabelle, is also in the car. Annabelle was Vermilion's Centennial Queen in 1937.
The photograph was more than likely taken during the 1967 festival parade. I know this because both Louis and myself were in Vietnam for the better part of 1966. It also looks like Lou has his Sgt. stripes in this pic. In 1965 we were both in basic training - so neither of us had any rank until during and after our war experience.
These shadows were captured along South Street as the auto passed the corner of State and Grand Streets heading west.
It sure looks like a nice day. I'm looking forward to a few of those by next month.
JULY 5 1969: McGarvey's Restaurant was never REALLY the same again. The July 4th Flood of 1969 swept through the Vermilion River Valley without any regard for personal property. They only thing it didn't (fortunately) take was a life.
The restaurant had survived many floods through the years. But few were as completely devastating as was the one in '69. The place was, again, rebuilt - or perhaps better said - put back together. But it was never the same. Probably the only thing that kept the place going after that was the reputation it had acquired during the years preceding the flood. The building should have been demolished long before it was.
This photograph - along with several more - was sent to me from Dorothy Koontz who now lives in Huron. It is among the very few color photos I have of the Great 4th of July Flood in Vermilion.
Podcasts - "forever under construction..."
"A snippet from the clippet..."
PODCAST #75: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #75 returns to readings from Betty Trinter's book "The Way It Was" with some "vid" of the Olympic Outing Club and the interior of our cottage being readied for summer.
Stay with me on this project. Things will get better. (I pro-mize.)
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are no longer available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting moi - and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): Below is a form that will allow thee to ask a question and / or make a comment (and to preview your comment/question before it is sent) about whatever and send it to me. When ye are done just come back to this page and clear the form.
Keep all the questions and comments coming. I really appreciate them. They provide some direction.
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for the latest information about VHS Class Reunions, The Vermilion Area Archival Society, Eden Valley Enterprises events, and Hope Home in Kenya. Follow the link to the Vermilion Locals page. Something new (mit a few new pix added) for your enjoyment. Always
Incidentally, "Viewer" Larry Hohler who is a big part of the Hope Home in Kenya wants folks to know that the children they are assisting are safe - midst the turmoil raging around them in that country. Methinks all "Viewers" should take a good look (go to the links section of "Views" for a virtual tour) at how the project really, really helps underprivileged children in this 3rd world nation. It is sincerely a worthwhile effort. And if ye can spare a few bucks it can certainly go a long way.
The Beat Goes On: The page is generated by the dreaded Macintosh Computer and is written and designed by (me) Rich Tarrant. It will change weekly ~ usually on Saturday. Bookmark the URL (Universal Resource Locater) and come back at your own leisure. Send the page to your friends (and enemies if you wish). If you have something to share with those who visit this page, pass it on. And if you see something that
is in need of correction do the same. My sister, Nancy, is a great help in that respect. It only takes me a week to get things right. And follow the links. You might find something you like. If you experience a problem with them let me know. Also, if you want to see past editions of this eZine check the new archives links below.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
For Persons who would like to donate to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459
"Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use."-Snoopy
Vol.6, Issue 8, May 10, 2008
© 2008 Rich Tarrant