MEDIA, MISTAKES, ETC: As I've often said - the great thing about the "net" is that most mistakes can be corrected as soon as they are found out. When mistakes are made - whether in print or in other electronic mediums - they are more difficult to make good. It is a problem that often makes me cringe. I don't mind if they make me look stupid, but I'd rather not pass stupidity along. But it happens.
A few weeks ago I wrote an article for the Vermilion Photojournal re: Elton Fischer. In it I mentioned that Mr. Fischer eventually sold his interest in his "Buick" garage (the entrance is pictured above in the Fischer Building - now the entrance to the Encore Shop) to Albert "Maudie" Stone.
Although I am, essentially, correct about these facts I was not right about Mr. Stone's nickname. (Sometimes the past is but a blur to me. Ergo; the error.) And several folks were kind enough to correct me.
For the sake of posterity, and for future reference and/or publications of the same, or similar stories, I made the correction in my Apple 6 Word document. But it will unfortunately, however, forever remain a mistake published and circulated about the universe.
Among those who "clued me in" was Vermilion expatriot John Dickason. And one very great thing about my mistake - if there be one - is that I learned the reason for the real name. That is a great deal more than I would have known if I had not made the mistake. John wrote to tell me that Stone's:"...nickname was "Waddie." This came from a young friend's (mis)pronounciation of the intended "Whitey," a reference to his blonde hair as a kid."
Great stuff - huh?
And, oh, by the way I finally figured out this "wireless" network connection thing. It's not nearly as complicated as I made it. For whatever reason I am inclined to bypass written directories when working with things. Which is, again, a dumb thing to do. C'est la vie (for me anyway.)
THE WAY THEY WAS: Out front of a rather new South Street School in the Spring of 1935 they faced the camera a smiled for us standing/sitting 71 years away.
Standing (L-R) H.Kelm, R. Koontz, F. Knott, C. Klucas.
Seat (L-R) D. Wood, P. Naegele, E. Maurer, C. Matas.
This is but part of the Sophmore class at Vermilion's new highschool that year.
Mr. Synder was the school superintendent. Cletus K. "C.K." Dewitt was Principal, coach, and also taught General and Social Sciences, as well as History.
Willis Gebhardt was the math instructor. Miss Mary Chadwick, fresh from Heidelberg College was teaching French, English, and 7th and 8th Grade Social Science. Mr. Tuttle, coming out of the Birmingham/Florence area, was teaching Agriculture (yes the subject was actually a part of the regular curriculum). Mr. Flanders was the skilled Manual Arts instructor, and a Miss Beeman taught Home Economics. Miss Blanchat taught Commercial subjects and 7th Grade math. And Miss Anderson was the school librarian. Charles Barber (Sr.) was the kindly custodian.
Yessir! them was the daze and the folks who lived them.
These wonderful pix were scanned from the 1935 "Hi-Times" on loan to me from Dale Hohler, and owned by Vermilion native Nettie Bogart Welch.
THE SHACK LUNCH: For those unable to place this photo it is the building adjacent to, but not a part of, today's Vermilion City Offices on the southwest corner of Liberty and Main Streets. It is, and always has been, the Masonic Building. The chambers for the local order of Masons and Eastern Star are located on the upper floors of the structure. The lower floors have always been occupied by retail stores. At present most of what you see is occupied by the store known as Lee's Landing. Next to it (today) are, I believe, an attorney's office and a beauty saloon/salon.
When these shadows were captured the restaurant to the right in the pic was Jack Gray's Shack Lunch. After Jack had it Ruth and Norm Duperow had their restaurant located there. The Meat Market in the pic was (during the late 1940's and early 1950's Naegele's market. I don't know who owned it when this photo was taken.
Jack Gray's Shack Lunch was on of my father's favorite places. He (my father) used to talk about Jack's hamburgers on occasion (my dad and I frequently talked about food and restaurants). Jack's burgers were always served on toast - never on buns. Actually, they are quite good that way. And they were always accompanied by a bottle of beer. (Sounds good again doesnt' it?)
Another unique thing about the place was that it was open all night. One should note that in that era the intersection was quite busy. Routes 6&2 ran east and west and State Route 60 started south at this point. This was a very main transportation hub.
In any case, Vermilion was a busy place about the time this pic was taken (likely during the 1930's). And Jack Gray, an Irish immigrant, was a town entrepreneur with a great deal of character. Or was it a great town character who was an entreprenuer?
GOOD FOR WHATEVER AILS THEE: It's great fun to breeze through the archives of Vermilion's past as writ in The Vermilion News. There's so much there I could spend the rest of my life immersed in those files. Some of which I find amusing is the fact that in the early issues of the paper full scaled advertisements ran two columns wide on either side of all the front pages. And, in addition, it was not unusual to see an advertisement, such as the one above, inserted into the news columns as though it were a news item.
One might take note that whilst I, along with many others, might complain often and loudly about all the health related advertisments now being aired on radio and television [ie."Look at the smile on Bob's face."] it appears as though this is nothing new.
One has to wonder if the Nuhn and Trinter "Druggist" actually appreciated by this blurb. Did anyone actually believe that 4 bottles "Doctor King's New Discovery for Consumption" actually cured T.R. Beall's wife in Mississippi of TB?
As I say, this is amusing. And I do believe that you will enjoy more pieces of Vermilion's past, such as this, in the future.
Make note of the fact that this is an actual reproduction of the item as it appeared in the Christmas Eve edition of The Vermilion News in 1903. I kicked the pic up a bit with some Photoshop CS2 magic - but it is authentic.
RIVER CRUISE: This is a great photograph of a rowboat leaving Lewis "Cloudy" Noel's Ferry dock c. 1910. I do believe that one of the women in the boat is a relative (of mine). But it sure is wonderous how these women dressed to ride on the water.
Serious consideration would, however, lead one to surmise that they were coming from Linwood Park and heading into town (homeward).
In the background Tom Ball's "boat shanty" (as Vermilion historian George Wakefield called it) is obvious. I was always curious as to the reason George referred to it as a "shanty". To me the connotation is that it was small rickety building. But no photo I've ever seen of it ever gave me such an impression. Perhaps it was a fond term George had for a place that was very familiar to him.
CHANGE UP: July 4th 1969. It rained, rained, and rained some more. And the Vermilion River rose, rose, and rose some more.
When it was all over this is part of that which was the peaceful summer for many at the Olympic Outing Club looked like. The water came screaming down the Vermilion River valley and took everything in its path for a ride. Some of those things went all the way into the lake.
These cottages, swept off their foundations, came to rest in the wood to the north and west of the club property. Some were reclaimed an set back on their foundations. Some simply died there. Happily nobody was injured.
The club rebuilt, and is still rebuilding. But this time most of the cottages have been raised, and all have been anchored. Never again will anyone take for granted the powers of nature in the valley. It was a tough, but useful, lesson well learned.
WHAT'S A FOOT: Nada mucho!
Next Saturday (2-25-06) I will be among the exhibitors at the Vermilion-On-The-Lake Clubhouse (now called the VOL Historic Community Center) representing the VAAS. The Friends of the Vermilion River Watershed are hosting exhibits from various area organizations pertaining to the river (etc.) from 10am to 4pm. The VAAS exhibit will feature a slide show of historic places and events along the river from my private collection.
The Vermilion Area Archival Society 2006 Historic Calendar featuring Vermilion's fishing industry is now available from myself, Sandy Neiding and Brummer's Candy Shop. While noting that these are calendars - please also note that they are collectors' items. This means that they're good for 100 years. These are new calendars that feature Vermilion's fishing industry. Anyone interested in one of the calendars can also contact me. They cost $5.00. Shipping and handling for out-of-town mailing is about $1.35. There only a few left. So get on it folks!
Also note that there are (unfortunately) some mistakes on the calendar. The name of Sue Backus under the "Business and Corporate Sponsors" heading is spelled incorrectly. And the month of March is listed incorrectly as being "2005". The days of the actual month, however, are correct for 2006.
Please take the time to visit (or re-visit) the Hope Children's Home site linked below because there are some additions there that you might find interesting. With all the bad things happening on the "dark continent" it's really nice to know that there are some places where the light does shine brightly. Please keep in mind that the needs of Hope Children's Home are on-going. Contributions to that home may be made to Larry Hohler in New York.
In the next week or so Larry will be heading for Kenya for a visit.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES: Here's a new item: Attention HVS Class of 1976. Youur 30th Reunion is upon near! It will be on June 17th, 2006@the Vermilion Boat Club 7:30 pm to Midnight.Pass the word. You can call Janet@967-4915 with addresses of fellow classmates or Email:jantanze@aol.com. The mailing address is:VHS Class of 1976 PO Box #872 Vermilion, OH 4089.
If something changes you'll see it here.
Some folks use this page as a portal to the Classes of '60 to '62 webpage I'm placing the link back here. But it would be a very wise move if folks involved with that page made a note of its URL and posted it in their notes as well as those contacting their classmates.
I was unaware of it but more than just a few folks do use this site as a link to their respective class sites - so - here's the VHS Class of 1959's site back for your convenience too: Remember that site is located at: Class of '59 and it'll be updated it as Roger (Boughton) receives enough new pictures and information from classmates to make it worth reading. So send him any information that you would like to share with other classmates and he'll put it up for all to see and view.
It is my understanding that some of these links are not working, or not working well. If so it is a technical problem belonging to the respective parties operating those webpages.
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 48, February 18, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant