MAURER FARM: The aerials (pictures) almost always speak for themselves. Given what's left of the old farms about Vermilion, Ohio it's really not surprising that there should be an aerial view of the Maurer farm still in existance. A person can probably count on one hand the number of farms that are left in the region - and Maurer's is one. The Welch Farm on Mason Road is another.
This is a snapshot pic from local resident's, Larry Howell's, collection. He may have taken it from the advantage of Robb Sanderson's Cessna C140 in the 1960's.
I don't know much about the farm. I know that it was for a great deal of time a dairy farm - but those days are long gone. I believe the costs involved in dairy farming made it an impractable enterprise for the independant operators. Thus, Bob Maurer, concentrates (mostly) on raising grains, and farming lands that the smaller independants (who could not keep up with the costs of farming) lease to him. And I do believe that Neil Welch does the same.
Gone are the great farms of Bogart, Risdon, Washburn and Trinter.
Vermilion and Brownhelm Townships are rapidly becoming residential communities. The Vermilion Township appears to be headed into a retail commercial era. And parts of Brownhelm may very well become resort oriented. Whether tis good or bad remains to be seen.
GEBHARDT: If a person lives over 100 years they necessarily become known to a large number of people. And thus it were with Willis Gebhardt. This stern old bastard (that is an affectionate term) outlived more than a few of those folks. And if anyone got more out of their pension fund than they put into it - it t'were "Gebbie".
It is with some chagrin, however, that when looking over the material surrounding his past that I noted the incessent references to his stint as weather predictor for local television personality weatherman's, Dick Goddard's, Woollybear Festival. Almost entirely discounted/ignored was his work was his career as an educator of children. In brief, he was good at it.
Gebhardt was a mathematics teacher who had earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Heidlelberg College after he came home from serving in the U.S. Navy during the First War. In time he became the Principal of Vermilion's High School. That is when and how I knew him. But that was but briefly. During my high school years (sometime in the 1960's) he retired. Ergo; it is likely that he collected his pension more years than he every worked.
During the last decade I got to know Willis' daughter Maryann (Treadwell) quite well. Maryann was the director of the local chapter of the Salvation Army. She was a social worked by trade - had worked in a large city environment - and we saw eye-to-eye.As fate would have it she went to her final home before her father.
When she was taking care of her 90 year old father she really wanted him to stop driving his car and he just refused. After he had an accident he was required to go take the driver's test again. She hoped that the examiners would purposely fail him and thus settle the problem once and for all.
But no such luck. They passed him with flying colors. She was, to put it mildly, "madder than a wet hen".
But that was Willis. He had his way, his thoughts, and that was the way it was going to be.
It's a shame that the obit writers didn't see through the Woollybear nonsense.
VICTORY PARK: This pic taken in Victory Park (the park on the south side of the Conrail tracks on the east side of Main Street) hails about c.1920.
In years past this was a primary gathering place for all types of celebrations - including that of the 4th of July.
Prior to the gazebo which now stands in the park there was what I seem to remember was a stone, brick, and/or concrete bandstand. I've never seen a photo of that structure (and wonder if one exists). And I've no idea as to its fate. It was there, once upon a time, and then it disappeared.
The only thing I can think is that it may have posed some type of hazard to folks and, therefore, had to be removed.
While this is hardly a great photograph it affords one a fairly honest view of how little else has changed in that area during the last 80 years.
THE CHOIR: This great pic is c. 1957 and was discovered in the attic of Barbara Hayes Ruggles just lask week. It is the choir of Vermilion's Congregational Church (before it became part of the United Church of Christ) in their newly constructed church at 990 State Street. It's a Paul Ludlow photograph.
I am unable to name all but a few of the people in the pic.
In the back row, all the way to the left, is Charles Nichols. He was the choir director. Harvey Hayes is the 4th person from the left in that row. And Lynn Creel is the 8th person. Lynn, incidently, has remained an active member of the same choir until last year when his health kept him from regular attendance.
The lady just below Mr. Nichols (in front of the pulpit) is my good friend Lucile Hull Clark. I see one of the May girls in the very front row (4th from left). And I see several folks I recognize, but do not remember their names.
Barb wondered why she had this particular picture because she wasn't a member of the church at that time. That reason was discovered when it was noted that the older lady (just below Lynn Creel - in the shadows) is Ella Hayes.
Ella was Barb's grandmother and mother of her father, Harry, and Nuggie Cook.
If anyone can identify more of the folks in this pic it would certainly be helpful and appreciated.
WRECK OF THE 152: This clip reproduction just came in from Interurban historican Dennis Lamont of Birmingham who's always on the trail of such memorabilia. For your edification this is the note that accompanied the clipping:
Hi Rich,
I just received more data from the late Willis McCaleb (to whom the LSE book is dedicated). This is a scan of some powdering newspaper clippings that Willis received from Mr. Rudd who was the motorman of #14 the Barney & Smith car that plowed into 152. If you look at other pictures of the two cars taken from this time period you will notice that #152 had a dropped front platform while #14 did not.This made it very easy for #14 to climb up and into #152.
For those who've yet to visit The Wreck of The Niles #152 site a visit to that site will better explain both the note and the clipping.
The wreck of the Niles (electric interurban) car #152 very near what is now Bluebird Beach (on the west side of Vermilion) has more than local historical significance. To that date it was the worst accident to ever befall the interurban rail system in the region.
THEM RAUCOUS CUBBIES: Rell Sanderson has sent, perhaps, three dozen great, great, pix from SF pertaining to Vermilion during the last several weeks - all of which I'd like to use here at once. But methinks that would be severe overkill. So I picks and I chooses.
This pic is a jewel. Again, I can't name all the folks pictured.
The first scout (R-L) is Mike Naegele. Next is Lee Myers (brother of MLH). And then is Rell. I remember the faces of the next three boys, but do not remember their names, and do not want to guess.
I will take a guess at the celebration and location of the event however. Given the decor it appears that it was a Linclon's Birthday celebration. And the locale might have been the hall at the E&R church. The date? C.1958.
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: Something new here. Vermilion businessman/resident, Robert Baker, has apparently purchased the old Vermilion Post Office building next to the old Lake Shore Electric Depot and is planning to make it the new home for his Weld-Master Window business showroom. He is also planning to put another story on the building that will feature 3 new apartments. Pictured above is the architectural drawing of that which he has in mind. It sure looks like a nice project!
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.
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 51, March 11, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant