VERMILION MEMORIAL DAY 2005: While attending Vermilion's Memorial Day ceremony in Victory Park last Monday I saw this little boy lying in the grass just watching the people around him.
Speeches? He didn't need no rotton speeches. He was just lost in his dreams and schemes. What a wonderful portrait. Take away the "wonk, wonk, wonk" of grown-up talk, and this is what you get.
God Bless America.
TONY JANNUS & FRIENDS: I've written a bit about Tony Jannus both here and in the Photojournal but...as always there's something I missed as I wrote, and could not change after it had been printed.
This photograph of Jannus flanked (on our left) by Charles A. Trinter, and (on our right) by Lewis Englebry was taken on the beach of Linwood Park by Pearl Roscoe on the afternoon of June 22, 1914. The plane is a Benoist (ben-oh-wah) airboat. Mr. Jannus had just beached the biplane after landing on the lake with the 340 lb. Englebry on a flight from Cedar Point. To that date Englebry was, at least, touted as being the "heaviest man ever carried in a flying machine".
When Jannus returned to the Breakers Hotel at Cedar Point Mr. Trinter was his passenger.
Apparently Mr. Trinter and Englebry were trying to secure the young flier's return to Vermilion in August to open the Lorain County Firemen's Convention.
Jannus did return (albeit somewhat late) for the convention despite some rather rough weather the day of the opening of the convention.
CLOUDY: One of the great characters of Vermilion's inner harbor was, of course, Lewis "Cloudy" Noel. Although I've had this page on Cloudy; Vermilion's Ferryman done for some time I've not been entirely satisfied with it so have held it back. But "I guess" it's ready for public consumption. It's an interesting look at the early days along the Vermilion River (before the Vermilion Lagoons and the current river bridge).
I'll be adding to this page as time passes. I've got some better pictures of Cloudy's home, and his last boat the Mary N. I'm also curious as to his fate. It is my understanding that as the need for the ferry service declined Cloudy and his wife Marry simply disappeared. Perhaps they returned to New York State or Canada. It would be nice to track them.
I hope you like the new site.
VERMILION SEASCOUTS: I've done a little about Vermilion's Seascouts in the recent past, but nothing too specific.
This is a wonderful photograph taken in 1954 (I note the license plate with the Custom Cats holder on the boat trailer).
I only know 3 of the men in the pic. The youngster on the left is Don Parsons. The gentleman in the officer's uniform is Bob Liljegren, and the fellow on the far right is Mr. Lee (Nancy Fulper's and Billy Lee's father).
I may be reaching here but I think that this photo was taken at Lee's Boat Yard (the area that is now just adjacent to the Red Clay restaurant). I am assuming (a dangerous thing to do) that the older men in the photo were advisors to the Seascouts. The boat is designated as "Boat No. 1" - so I'm also assuming that the occasion was in celebration of the Scout's first boat.
THE ARIA: Without going into too much detail at this time (because I'm doing a newspaper article on the large boat in this pic) let it suffice for me to mention that the large boat in the picture was, when the picture was taken, named Isabella. It was the property of Mr. Winton (of the Winton Motorcar fame) from Lakewood, Ohio. The boat/yacht has been the subject of previous articles in "Views". But none of that is the reason I'm applying it here.
This photo, taken by my grandfather Pearl Roscoe, in 1916 is a nice photo that I've reworked extensively with a new software program called Adobe Photoshop CS (Creative Suite) 2. What I've been able to do with the software (aside from sharpening the picture) is to reduce the noise, the camera movement, and lighten and enhance the view(s) along the shore (to the left) and across the river at Cloudy's ferry.
Although the Isabella was undoubtedly the subject of this picture there's a great deal of detail in the photo that is of interest to persons interested in the history of Vermilion. Tom Ball's boathouse to the left, and a vestige of the furnace that once sat beyond it are quite telling. Through an opening between the shantie and the boat(s) the catwalk to the light is visible. Also of interest is the composition of the dock. This photo was taken in a spot that would now be near the northern side of the current waterworks looking northeast.
FROM THE CORNER: This photograph, to some extent, is the same shot above taken about a quarter mile away. From what we now know as the Main Street Grill there was a very clear view of the riverfront. Again the detail(s) are mesmerizing. It's often difficult to believe that were the condos that now block all views of the river not standing one could see all the up the river to the lake from that corner. Condo owners must have one heck of a view.
SOMETHING NEW: Under the Bugle heading items re: various events about Vermilion will appear from this time forth (sounds dramatic doesn't it?). Be aware of the fact that I am not a social butterfy. I don't get out much. So - if you know of something happening about the area that might be of interest to other "Viewers" pass it on and I'll put it here.
This week (from Janet Waggoner) you might like to know that This Sat (today) June 4th Linwood Park is having an open house welcoming all to come and stroll through and see "beyond the gates". It was in the Vermilion Photojournal.
Also family day when a car load is $20 is now extended to Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs June thru Labor Aug.
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.
Shelly Clipson Shock from the Class of 1985 tells me that "the VHS class of 1985 20th reunion will be held on Saturday, June 25th at the Vermilion Boat Club, 7:00 PM to ? Cost is 30 dollars per person, includes meal and bar. Please contact Karen Williams-Rossi to submit money. Family picnic will be held on Sunday, June 26th at Mill Hollow Park. Cost is 5 dollars per family. Please bring a side dish or dessert. The main dish and beverages will be provided.. The name of the organizer is Kim Schultz."
From Roger Boughton comes the following note: Thanks to Gail Lyon and Pat and Glenn Owen we have some additional pictures of our reunion held last October. Take a visit to our website and see what's new. Memories of this October are only a click away. Enjoy and remember.....if you send pictures we'll share with others on our website. Mary Ann is busy writing stories for her Virginia paper. You'll want to visit the site and read her thoughts on Liberty. 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: Class of '59 and I'll update it 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
Vol.3, Issue 11, June 4, 2005
© 2005 Rich Tarrant