MAPLE GROVE TORNADO: On August 13, 1943 a storm blew through Maple Grove Cemetery on Mason Road. Its aftermath was recorded in the Rudy Moc black and white photo above. The color photo below it was taken on Tuesday at the cemetery. It didn't take too much time to spot the stone so prominent in both pictures.
Until the Rudy Moc picture surfaced at a meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society the previous day I was unaware of the storm and the damage inflicted on the cemetery.
That's really no big deal - but it allowed me an opportunity to identify some PRoscoe color slide photographs that had been puzzling me for some time.
Below is one of the Roscoe slides of the storm's aftermath at Maple Grove from that time. And below it is another pic taken of the same area on Tuesday of this week.
One stone marks the resting place of Conrad Nuhn [b.12-8-1836, d. 3-9-1918]; and the other denotes the resting place of Margaretha Schmidt [b.4-27-1870] who lived to be 78 years of age.
While none of the pix are terribly remarkable the Moc photo gave me some cause for excitement because I was able to identify the locale in the Roscoe slides. Out of some 50 of Roscoes' slides available only 2 or three lack positive identification. The Moc photo was a pleasant surprise.
VERMILION IN KENYA: This is a recent photograph of the children at the new orphanage Vermilion expatriot Larry Hohler helped create, and currently works to support, in Kenya. Larry left this week for Kenya to help, and look over, this wonderful project. He keeps me informed about its progress. Here is a note passed on to me from his friend in Kenya:
Dear Larry,
We have 10 boys and 8 girls so far. The Kenya Breweries official visited the orphanage yesterday. He listed our needs and again was sure we have a project. He might come again at the end of next week. All the children are going to school and coming home in the evening. I’m ever around until they are used at home and school. They are really happy and at home. Last Sunday they moved the church congregation with songs. They are learning very fast but need a lot of attention, guidance and couselling. We all wait to see you when you arrive I will meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport the day you arrive. So please let me know the travel and arrival date and time. I told you that you don’t need to hire a vehicle. WE will be with you all the time. Several friends have volunteered to pick you and others at the Airport and whenever we go to Nairobi. You will be our V.I.P guest. We wouldn’t like to see you spend ! so much and we know how much you spend to help the children of Kenya...
Jos
Larry and his family visited me in the church basement some weeks back and left me a newspaper from Kenya that I found to be exceptionally interesting. One of the things I took special note of is the fact that more than a few of the children in this country are being sold as slaves to other nations. That's not, of course, legal; but it does happen. Larry is one of those folks who is really trying to make a difference in our world.
If anyone is interested in more information on this subject I'd be more than happy to share.
ON THE RIVER: This picture , Sailing on the River is one of the many PRoscoe photographs I've never before seen. I'm always astounded at how many he took. I'm also astounded at how many appear on the eBay auction block, and disappear for obscene prices. I refer to them as obscene because those old postcards may have a great deal of sentimental value but...
they are, literally, of no more value than the paper upon which they are printed.
This particular photograph appears to have been taken on the river (looking south) toward Kishman's shanties and the old Sail-Loft. It may be that this photo was taken while Roscoe was aboard Cloudy Noel's flat-bottom ferryboat Gertrude. Tis a great picture.
A HALF CENTURY AGO: Hither are some faces that are quite familiar to me. Tis Mrs. Langfitt's 4th Grade Class in South Street School c.1954.
Those familiar with Langfitt Street in the Valleyview area of town now have an idea from whence the name came.
I will only name a few of the children in the photo.
Frank Homitz, Art Horning, Carol and Nancy Schmidt, Jacque/Jackie Jeffery, Buddy Clark, Kenny Croll, Steve Burch, Tom Watson, Marilyn Graven, Stu White, Pattie Parsons, Tom Jones, Karen Carlson, Bill Thornton, Kenny Baumert, Jan Gorbach, Mike Walker, Nadin Mroski, Linda Russell, Billy Baker, Jimmy Calvey, etc. I can't remember everyone. And there were 2 more 4th Grade classes.
Those were great times in a great school.
PELTON-MCGRAW: Before the bank this was the store. While many are capable of reconizing the corner it takes a bit of time for some to also recognize the fact that the building in which the store was located is gone.
In the early part of the 20th century the store portion of the structure was razed and the Erie County Bank building (where city offices are now located) took its place.
This is not a new photograph to anyone familiar with Vermilion history artifacts, but it is interesting. It shows the corner store/grain center at work near the turn of the century.
The Pelton name is easily recognized by "Viewers" who don't know Vermilion because the proprietors of this establishment were related to the hydroelectric power pioneer/inventor, Lester A. Pelton, who was born and raised here.
Aside from farming the Pelton family were involved with (as pictured) the general store business, the grocery business, and the hotel business in the village. The family was not only prominent in local business affairs, but were also active in area politics. It was (and remains) a rather large family.
A great photograph!
CRYSTAL BEACH: Ahem! Brownhelm Township historian Bill Cutcher forwarded this great picture of (left to right) Enos Lacourse,an unknown, and his grandfather William LaCourse mending nets in the field just to the east of Crystal Beach. Bill would like to know if anyone can identify the gentleman in the middle.
And whilst I'm about it I'd like to introduce to everyone my newest website that chronicles The History of Crystal Beach.
This site, like nearly all the sites I'm involved with, is not entirely complete. It will grow as we go, and I find additional photographs and information. But take a spin on the "Thriller" and go back to the days of Vermilion's great amusement park; Crystal Beach.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES:
Ray Beursken tells me that the VHS class of 1955 has scheduled their 50th class reunion on September 10, 2005 at the Boat Club. Class members of 1955 should put this date on their calendar. They're hoping for a good turnout.
Bruce Eldridge tells me that he and John Hunter just secured the Amvets hall for their 45th 60,61 & 62 class reunion. The reunion will be Sat. July 22, 2006. John Hunter, class of 1960, will be starting a web site in May or June of 2005. Bob Wolford, class of 1961, will be sending out a letter to all the classmates who attended our 40th class reunion asking them to update their E-Mail and help find other classmates.
A gal named Shelly from the Class of 1985 tells me that "the VHS class of 1985 will be having a 20 year reunion in the summer of 2005......no further details. The name of the organizer is Kim Schultz."
From Roger Boughton comes the following note. We've updated our newsletter and have some new pictures from Linda (Peck) and Bill Smiley from our reunion held last October. Keep the pictures coming as classmates who were not able to attend are enjoying seeing "old" school mates. Also, you might want to send us news from and about your family and we'll include it on our web site. Our survey clearly indicated that most wanted our reunion held in Vermilion in 2009. Thus, we'll be celebrating our "special" occasion (50th Reunion) in September of 2009. Put it on your calendar and plan to join the fun. Remember our web site is located at: and I'll update it as as I receive enough new pictures and information from our classmates to make it worth reading. So send me any information that you would like to share with other classmates and we'll put it up for all to see and view.
I've visited Roger's website and it's fun.
Persons interested in having their VHS (and vicinity) reunion plans posted on this site are welcome to do so. I can't provide anyone with webpages to post their activities in depth, but I can provide a link to existing pages and/or post some activity items here. All anyone need do is contact me at my email address and pass along their material electronically.
I should add that some of the people who are noted in this part of the page are good resource folks for all types of information if one should be looking for some long lost friend. I won't give out contact information unless I have permission from those named, but I will contact them on your behalf if you desire.
As news regarding VHS reunion activities comes to my attention it will appear on this web page. There's not much going on right this moment, but stay tuned folks.
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 bookmarks. 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.
Links to other sites on the Web
Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix
History
of Linwood Park
Vermilion Community Orchestra
Vermilion Chamber
of Commerce
Vermilion's Oldest Church
Vermilion Visitor's Advisory (Satire)
Gore Orphanage History
The Lester Pelton Story
The Wreck of The Niles #152
The History of Crystal Beach
Vermilion Views Archives
"I will not defame New Orleans." ~ "Chalkboard" Bart Simpson
Vol.2, Issue 48, February 19, 2005
© 2005 Rich Tarrant