SUMMER 2005 BEGINS: If the beginning of summer was signaled by the commencement of warm weather it would begin now. The temps have been in the 90's for a good part of this week.
This week the lead pic is not from Vermilion, but from Grafton, Ohio. I found the flowers at the foot of a tree at the Indian Hollow Reservation where Geo and I attended a graduation/wedding shower reception for our cousins' children.
Grafton, Ohio. Wow! I've not been there for years [They don't let me out much], and the place has gone through some dramatic, dramatic changes.
The tidal wave migration of folks from the east (Cleveland) has passed into and through this once one horse town, and it will never be the same. There are new houses, condos, apartment buildings, and various businesses everywhere.
That migration has come as far west as Amherst, and is knocking on the door of Brownhelm and Vermilion Townships. But it will not infiltrate Vermilion City to any great degree. And there's a very good reason for that. Lest someone fill in the lake there are very few places left on which to build anything. Although to the east, along the lake, there is some substantial (and very nice) condominium construction. But Vermilion is too small and ineptly structured, geographically, for large retailers and small industry to locate here.
That's good or bad depending upon one's point of view.
THE HARBOR: My interest in this picture is not so much that which is there but, rather, that which may have once been there.
Working on something that either the late George Wakefield and/or John Horton wrote about this area - in addition to place where Cloudy's Ferry and Captain Sturges' ferry services were located I am thinking that an old wagon trail ran along the coast from, perhaps, the Crystal Cove Apartments (old Crystal Beach) area, through what eventually became Linwood Park, along the lake to the river. The path of the existing Lake Road (i.e. East Liberty Avenue) would have led one into a bog before it reached the river. So the only solid path to the river (originally) would have been through Linwood and then along the beach.
This route would also account for the location(s) of the old Steamboat, Lakehouse, and Pelton Hotels (along Huron Street), and the winding path of the road to the south and west as it left town.
From the air the path becomes very logical. Perhaps there are records somewhere that will substantiate the idea.
CATWALK THROUGH THE SWAMP: This was the view folks travelling to and from the Vermilion River saw unless they took the path, through Linwood's western gate to Cloudy's Ferry in the early part of the 20th century.
This scene was long gone by the time I was old enough to travel this area. But I still remember the area where Romp's Water Port Marina is located when it was but a wetlands.
One can plainly see from this photograph the logic in my thinking that the main route for folks passing through the area would have been nearer the lake. Further south the river valley widens and shale banks overlook the valley making transportation even more difficult for those on horseback, and/or those pulling wagons.
RUTH: Ruth Neiding was a darn nice person. I remember her well when she worked in the South Street School cafeteria.
Ruth lived with her husband, Russ, son Pete, and daughter Pattie in a house just across the street from the school. Russ worked for the Wakefield Company, and took care of the property at the E&R Church. He was also a volunteer fireman. Russ was killed in an auto mishap on State Route 2 just west of Amherst. And Ruthie passed away in a nursing facility.
Pete worked for Wakefield and later for Parson's Marina. He is also a volunteer fireman in Vermilion.
Pattie married my friend, Tom Jones. That marriage didn't pan out. But Pattie and her children still live in Vermilion. She reminds me a great deal of her mom.
Ah, the cafeteria! Some children probably didn't like the food, but I always did. To this day I can remember menus; Spaghetti served with peanut butter and butter sandwiches comes to mind. And then there were hotdog sandwiches served with a helping of mashed potatoes with creamy pea gravy. I still like those things, and fix them. (All that from a picture of Ruthie!)
VERMILION SEASCOUTS REVISTED: 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).
The youngster on the left is Don Parsons. The other younger man is Jerry Normandeau. 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.
BIRMINGHAM BRIDGE: I believe this photo came from Erie County Commissioner Sparky Weilnau's photo collection loaned me via my Milan friend Dale Hohler. I've worked the photo (cropped it) some because I didn't want to lose all the detail by reducing the resolution to what I would normally use for a web photo. I also placed it into a gif format because that format doesn't require as much web space/time to load to your computer(s). I understand that all that's about as interesting as dirt to most folks - but there may be some techies out there who might be interested.
Be that all as it is what I find truly interesting in this picture is the sign over the bridge. It says "$5.00 fine for driving or riding over this bridge faster than a walk".
I assume the reasoning behind the threat is that wagons and horses streaking over the bridge would cause it to vibrate extensively and weaken the structure.
But this is certainly a very amusing and interesting pic.
IT JUST BURNED DOWN: Some time ago I used another photograph of this mill when summer was in full bloom, and all was right with the world. After a bit of research I concluded that that picture was captured about 1890. The mill was located just to the south of the bridge in the previous photo. A week or so later I received a copy of this photograph. It is the same mill after it burned in 1906. (Again, I believe this pic came from Sparky Weilnau's collection.)
I've no idea what the cause of the fire might have been at this time. It could have been just about anything; spontaneous combustion (due to the weather), a bolt of lightening, or simply a spark from a hearth - but what a shame. I'm so glad the pictures remain.
WHAT'S'APPNING: Today is graduation day for the VHS Class of 2005.
The Hamman Bakery opened in George Rathbun's old store in downtown Vermilion yesterday.
The Vermilion Area Archival Society will meet on Monday at 7 p.m. at its new meeting place in Vermilion's Ritter Public Library. The public is invited.
Family day at Linwood Park, when a car load is $20. is now extended to Mondays through Thursdays June through August.
Also, visit (or re-visit) the Hope Children's Home site linked below because there are some additions there that you might find interesting.
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 12, June 11, 2005
© 2005 Rich Tarrant