LOOKING FORWARD AND BACK: I just couldn't resist doing and publishing this picture. Like a child in a toy store - give me some software and a recipe for playing with it and - you get the picture.
I took this photo of my brother Bill last Memorial Day. Whilst looking through a book written by Photoshop President, Scott Kelby, called Classic Photoshop Effects I came across this method for placing photographs as a reflection in someones glasses. So this pic of my brother gave me an opportunity to try my hand with the effect. The reflection in his spectacles is that of a black and white picture of him, my brother Phil/Bud, and my father in a rowboat when they were youngsters (the boys that is). I thought it worked nicely.
The other thing I was trying to do is to isolate his image from his surroundings in the original photograph using a tool and technique I've not used much. It worked to some degree - but not as well as I'd like.
These techniques are commonly used in advertising. But as I've said - I'm just playing. Just as the band was when I took this pic.
If this weeks "Views" seems a bit hurried it is. I arose at 4am to do it because I need to be gone by 9. Sorry about that.
LIKE MIKE: I got some great stuff this week. Some I'll be showing today (like this pic), and some in weeks to come. But this newspaper clipping caught my eye as I was looking about. It is, of course, a fellow named Mike Blakely.
Until I came across this pic I'd almost forgotten about him. His mom and dad used to run the place called the Dari-Bar on Liberty Avenue across the street from the Liberty Theater. After the Dari-Bar it became the Kountry Kitchen (the place where I began my cooking and practical joking career). Later it evolved into, what is today, the Old Prague Restaurant.
Mike, as I recall, was an athelete. I'm sure he played basketball for Vermilion H.S. The family lived (at least at one time) atop a duplex on State Street just three doors north of the Congregational Church. At one point in time there was a fire in that house.
I don't know what became of Mike. I believe the family moved away to Huron (somewhere west) and I never heard much about them again. Mike may have been part of the Class of 1959 - if memory serves me right. But I'll let them set me straight on that.
ROBB SANDERSON: Ater I was through with last weeks "Views" I got to thinking about old times (my old times) and some of the people I knew when I was growing up. One of them is the fellow in this newspaper picture with the airplane - Robbie Sanderson. Robb's brother, Rell, is a "Viewer" so I emailed him and asked if he had any pix of his brother he might share with me. He certainly did.
While I'm not using any of the pix he forwarded me (at this time) I began to investigate further into Robb's life, and speak with some of the other folks who knew him way back when and this photo (among others) turned up - along with some very neat stories about him.
This photograph, for the sake of those who didn't have the privilege of knowing Robb, was taken when he was about to take his C140 Cessna back to Ortner's Wakeman Airport after he had repainted it, and rebuilt the engine. He had trailered it to his home in Elberta Beach to do the work in the winter. Robb, as one might guess, was an exceptional person.
The photograph below is that of him and a friend, Lenny Salisbury, kneeling in front of the 1955-57 Chevy Robb had fabricated from two cars. It was an amazing piece of work. Robb was only with us for 25 years, but tales of his life and work(s) will abound for years to come.
SPEAKING OF CARS: Some of the fellows who came of age in the 1950's and 1960's will likely remember this car as well.
One of the folks who offered me pix and information about Bob Sanderson is Larry Howell. Larry was one of Bob's good friends. This is Larry's 1958 Chevrolet. It was a car that I admired greatly.
Larry literally took that car apart (although it was brand new) and made sure that it was invulnerable to rust.
But, alas, all of Larry's care and work was for naught.
When he purchased his 1967/68 Corvette (which he still owns) he sold this car to Glen Fulper. And, later, Glen sold it to Jim Maurer (cousin of the Maurer farm Jim).
At that time Jim was dating John Tuttle's younger sister-in-law, and she was living with the Tuttles' in the house on the northwest corner of South and Grand Streets.
Jim had the car parked on South Street beside the home one day, and an older lady came around the corner from State Street, smashed into the vehicle and, effectively, totaled it.
End of story.
SPEAKING OF AUTO WRECKS: I've no idea as to the particulars (ergo; the reason for) surrounding this photograph of the ruins of this vintage machine -except that it was in Vermilion, Ohio.
Actually I've had this pic for quite some time, intended to use it, but never did. Until now. And know what? I do believe that this particular picture was taken in the back of the Fischer-Stone garage in the Fischer Building along about 1918-19.
Running back through my mental files it seems that the windows at the back of the building are (or were) of the same design as those in this photo. The design of the cars appearing in it are of that era so I believe one might safely assume that that is the site of the pic.
I do wonder, however, as to the reason behind the photo. It is one of my grandfather's pictures. And I know that my grandmother was not the best driver in the world. I was told that one time she failed to make the corner from Liberty Avenue onto Grand Street (south), and she hit either the church or the building where Fulper's service station was (on the southeast corner). Perhaps this is her work.
I don't know how sturdy these old vehicles were so it's hard for me to tell how much of a collision it might take to cause the damages seen in the pic.
B.R.: Before Ritter (B.R.) Library there was this - the Vermilion Public Library on Grand Street. This is the library that my grandmother, Bessie Roscoe, had been asking Mr. Ritter to build for years, and also the one that he didn't build. She, along with other Vermilionites, got tired of waiting and went forward with this building. She, unfortunately, never lived long enough to see the wonderful facility he finally built for the community. These shadows were frozen, by the looks of it, not long after it was constructed.
Several things to note about this photo are the street lamp with the cover that reads "Library" in front of the building; the two baby-buggys on the front walk (one for a mother, and one for a daughter); and, lastly, the building (to the north) next door. It was a building with a great deal of history that was, unfortunately, razed to make way for...(?)
In any case, many, many youngsters who came of age in Vermilion, Ohio might recall stepping quietly over the hardwood floors in this building to the bookcases in the back (and downstairs) which held the door to their futures.
WHAT'S A FOOT: Today (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 (a new local non-profit) 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. I don't expect that I'll be there all day - perhaps until 2pm.
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.
Larry should now be in Kenya for a visit. When he gets back I'm sure he'll have much to say.
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 49, February 25, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant