TIME: Van Gogh is a favorite of mine. I once saw one of his paintings at the Cleveland Museum of Art and I was flabbergasted. The intricate stroke detail in his work is imperceptable in reproductions like the one above - but take my work for it. It is there.
This piece is called "Agostina Segatori Sitting in the Cafe du Tambourin". It was painted in Paris in February/March of 1887. It is now in the Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum.
Van Gogh is one of the more interesting (to me) artists of the late 19th century. He once said that "...my aim in my life is to make pictures and drawings, as many and as well as I can; then, at the end of my life, I hope to pass away, looking back with love and tender regret, and thinking, 'Oh, the pictures I might have made!'"
I believe I know what he was referring to - at least to some minor degree; Life is short. (That's not just a trivial cliche.) Money is meaningless. It is time that has value. It takes time to do all the things one wants to do - and - there just isn't enough...
WONDERFUL: This week was very productive for me. This pic is just the tip of the proverbial historical iceberg.
It comes to me from USAF Major Jack Corsino who was home on a brief leave from his duties as a security officer for the Air Force last week before heading into the fray in Iraq. Jack is the son of Mary Ann Thompson Corsino (who is in the pic). Mary Ann is the youngest daughter of Vera and Hazen Thompson who were well known Vermilionites. The Thompson family can trace its history in the area back to the end of the Revolution when the family settled (originally) in the Florence area. Jack's ancestors once lived in the place that became Crystal Beach Park, and after that lived in the place where F.W. Wakefield eventually built his "Harborview" mansion (now the Great Lakes Historical Museum on Main Street).
It's hard to get all that in in just a few sentences. But to the picture.
Pictured from left to right (in front) are:
a young Larry E. Howell, Mary Ann Thompson Corcino, Pearl "Ginny" Tarrant Wilkes, and then Alice Mae Thompson. The fellow behind them is Albert Caselton Tarrant.
This picture was taken in front of The Vermilion News office/printshop on Grand Street [c. 1950].
I have never before seen a photograph of Alice Mae. She appears to be a very pretty and happy pig-tailed lass. Unfortunately, not too many years after this photo she was struck by a terrible disability that never allowed her to enjoy the rest of her short life.
The rest of the folks in the pic I would recognize anywhere. That includes chubby little Larry with his camera. It surely looks like these children were enjoying their day.
Great stuff (as I am wont to say)!
Jack let me scan perhaps a dozen pix (which will eventually appear here) and I am extremely greatful. I wish him the best of luck in Iraq.
VERMILION ARTIFACT: Yes, I am constantly looking for photographs and sundry other information re: Vermilion's past. I also collect artifacts (for, of course, the Vermilion Area Archival Soceity). This piece came to me quite unexpectedly
Elsie and Bill Delametre (Brushaber Plumbing owners) gave placed this in my posession during the last week. I took this pic of it (basically just to see if I could do it), and it turned out rather well.
I don't rightly know a great deal about the Vermilion Transportation Company. It seems to me that there was a trucking firm just across the Nickel Plate RR tracks on Douglas Street at one time. I believe that John Reising worked for them. And I believe that this was that company.
However; I would sure appreciate it if anyone could help me out here with the details. I could (believe it or not) be entirely mistaken.
MEMORIES: I reiterate, This week was very productive for me. From SF Vermilion expatriot Rell Sanderson sent me at least two dozen photographs of his family taken years ago in Vermilion. I would really like to use all of those pix here and now. But that being a bit much (at this time) I will go it somewhat slower.
This great great photo of:
(L-R) Rich, Robb, Rell, and Mrs. (Ellen)Sanderson.
They're standing in front of their home in Elberta Beach. Behind them is Ellen's 1956 turquoise and white Chevy Belaire convertible.Beside them is Robert's Kaiser (remember them?). In the background is the Naegele Abode with the old Grocery delivery truck. Rell commented that,"Whenever I see Hollyhocks I think of the Naegeles. You can see them growing under their windows. They were there when I was a wee toddler and still there when I last saw them around, probably, 1972.
These are wonderful, wonderful, pictures filled with wonderful, wonderful memories.
One item I want to add to all this is the following poem (of sorts) that was written to Robbie after his untimely death in an auto accident in August of 1967. It was writ (as you will see) by Mary Lee Russell Minor and appeared at the beginning of the program for the tenth reunion of Rob's class (VHS 1960). I found it to be a very touching document. It is a true piece of Vermilioncana. I hope you enjoy it. It appears as it was written.
THE 20TH CENTURY: This pic was used with an article I wrote for the Vermilion Photojournal this past week. I wanted to use it here for the benefit of those who don't get that paper. It is, of course, a great pic of the train some train buffs considered to be "the greatest train in the world." Most of use knew it as the New York Central's 20th Century Limited. Inaugurated on June 17, 1902 it carried upper class folk and business passengers between Grand Central Terminal in New York City and LaSalle Street Station in Chicago for the next 65 years. It could make the run between the cities in a mere 15.5 hours. Only making station stops between those cities to refresh water and coal supplies it sped along the 800 mile rail course known as the �Water Level Route� at an average speed of 50 mph (Keep in mind that this was 12 years before aero-pioneer Tony Janus flew the very first American commercial air flight in St. Peterburg, Florida.)
These shadows were, miraculously, captured by a relative of Larry Howell who was visiting Larry's grandfather, George Washington Howell, at his home on Adams Street. I say that the shot was miraculous because that train was (as mentioned) going between 50 and 70 mph when it passed through town. It took a bit of time to wind those old cameras to the next pic (remember that?)
Again - Great Stuff!!
KISHMAN'S: This is the oldest photograph of the Kishman Fish Company that I've ever seen. This comes from the Bobbi Riley/Fischer Family photograph collection.
If one takes a close look at this pic you will discover that the front of the building (away from the river) certainly appears to have been a retail storefront.
What I'm driving at is that it appears that it was not merely a wholesale business as it essentially was when I knew it. While there's certaily nothing earth-shattering about that assumption it paints a different view of the industry as it once was than the one I (and perhaps others) have always held.
It's a neat pic for sure.
AN ICY ANECDOTE: I don't rightly know all the particulars with this photograph. Somewhere in the dusty attic I call my mind it seems that this boat has some peculiar connection to the George Rathbun family. But that doesn't spring immediately to my conciousness. So this following story from Vermilion resident Jim Dean will have to suffice. Jim's brother Jack asked me to ask Jim about his "ice sailing venture" so I did. And this is what he told me:
"As for the sailing story, it wasn't a boat. (Me brudder is getting old!), it was an ice shanty that Parker Miller and I built back in the fifties made from a piece of plywood with runners, and four pieces of pipe one in each corner and my mom sewed a big canvas bag which we put over the pipes. We took it up to Bay View, (before the old route two bridge was removed). We got set up on the ice in the bay and it was very windy. We never ice fished before, and when we got the hole dug and got in the shanty, our little anchor let go and we noticed that our hole disappeared! Looked out the door and we were headed for open water. We dumped the canvas and our gear went flying over the ice, as well as us. Cars and trucks had stopped along the road to laugh and watch. Luckily we got stopped just before the open water.
Haven't been ice fishing since!
And I'll let you, Dear Readers, decide the merit(s) of this tale.
PDF REV. GOODELL'S SERMON: For those interested in studying the dedication sermon Reverend Jotham Goodell gave at Vermilion's First church in 1843 I have made it available in a "PDF" downloadable form. You can "click here" for Jotham's 1843 Sermon; The House of God and It's Benefits.
This is a first (for me). I've never tried reproducing a document "PDF" of this size before. But it does work.
WHAT'S A FOOT: The Vermilion Area Archival Society 2006 Historic Calendar featuring Vermilion's fishing industry is always 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 50, March 4, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant