ROTARY CENTENNIAL PARK: The weather's breaking nicely and work on the new Rotary Centennial Park at the foot of the old water-tower is moving ahead. To date no plans for the park have been published anywhere. It may very well become an oft visited park by both Vermilionites and visitors to the city. Tis a very pleasant spot.
The Vermillion Area Archival Society has applied to the Ohio Historical Society for a plaque to be placed in this park denoting that it is the place where the old Lake Shore Electric bridge touched the western shore of the Vermilion River. The bridge abutment below the park is still visible and is one of the only remaining vestiges of what many considered to be "The Greatest Electric Railway in the United States".
The park is slated for completion by July. It really appears that it is going to be a great asset for the people of little old Vermilion, Ohio.
WIENER: Hither is a great snap of Wayne Boone @ 14 or so. The pic was snapped aside the Howell home on State Street - probably on an early spring afternoon. His uncle, Irvie Howell, apparently took the pic. His shadow (with a hat) is very visible in the shot.
This is one of the pix I got from Larry Howell's private collection. Until I saw them I wasn't aware of the fact that Wayne spent so much time with the Howells. I knew they were related (Mrs. Jenny Howell was a Boone) - but I never noted that Wayne spent all that time with them.
Wayne was the third of the four boys of Alva and Esther Boone. His older brother were Bob and Harold, and his younger brother was my good friend Tom. There was only one girl in the family. Her name is Doris (Stwan). Both Tom and Bob have gone to their eternal homes.
Wayne worked for, and is retired from, the city of Vermilion. He married a girl named Lucy (I can't off-hand remember her maiden name) from Massachusetts. Lucy was, to put it mildly, a real character. She passed a year or so back.
When Wayne was a youngster (and I was younger) his older brothers, his sister, and his friends all called him "Wiener". I don't know why. And I was always afraid to ask.
THE DELKERS: This is a wonderful photograph of the Henry Delker home in Vermilion, Ohio that was froze in time about 1890. It's just beautiful. Unfortunately I can't place the house in todays Vermilion. I am at a loss here folks.
One can't help but note how neat and trim they kept both house and yard. That would have required a bit of work. Very nice.
Henry Delker, as some may already know, was in the dry-goods business. He partnered with Englebry. Their shop was located in what later became the Liberty Theater (a building that is "for sale" -2006- right now).
Mr. Delker was a Civil War veteran. I've looked him up on the net. In one place it tells us that he was a "Private" in the Union Army. And in another it says that he was a "Captain". While it's not extremely relevant to anything in particular it bears looking into.
In any case, he was a belated casualty of that war. He died on December 26, 1891 as a result of a wound by a bullet that had never been removed. It traveled through his system til it rested on his sacrum.
The local chapter of the Women's Relief Corps, organized in 1910, took his name. It was called the H.G. Delker Women's Relief Corps, Chapter 328. T'were the first patriotic organization in Vermilion, Ohio.
Below is a close-up of Henry and his wife, Hattie, sitting on the front porch of their home. Neat, neat, neat!
DEVIL MAY CARE: This pic come to me from Major Jack Corcino (Maryann Thompson Corsino's son)is of great interest (to me). Pictured at the back of the jeep are Tommy Thompson (L) and Milton Karchin (R). In the foreground are my brother Billy Tarrant (L) and Chuck Thompson (R).
The pic is very clear. It is how I remember these fellows. Probably from about 1950. It was taken in the drive just north of Vermilion's water-works. Behind the boys one can see the Vermilion Lagoons.
Tom Thompson now lives in Columbus, and my brother, Bill, lives on Exchnge Street in town. Both Milton and Chuck are gone.
At the time of this picture Chuck had been home from WW2 only a few years. He was wounded in action during the war. But it doesn't show on his face.
Milton Karchin eventually became a regional character of sorts. He was, to put it mildly, outspoken in all matter political. Through the years his letters to the editor frequently appeared in newspapers from Sandusky to Cleveland. I shall always remember him getting excited and red in the face as he passionately voiced his opinions. I believe he worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Cleveland. His brother lost his life in WW2.
The family was the only Jewish family (I can recall) living in town. They lived on State Street where the father kept a junk yard behind the house. They were very friendly folks.
And I am amused by the words on the jeep: "Devil May Care". I suppose that was the rebellous youth call of the 1950's.
VERMILION HARBOR 1900: Here's an unusual pic forwarded me from me friend "Buffalo" Bill Hlavin. Bill thought that the boat in the middle of the stream might be "Cloudy" Noel's craft. But I thought not.
Cloudy's place is quite visible to the left of the photo. Cloudy's ferry was, for whatever reason, always bedeckd with a great American Flag aft.
The boat may have been from Crystal - or not. Perhaps a "Viewer" can tell us.
From this photo one gets a better look at the "sail-loft" as it looked at the turn of the century. Somehow it looks larger than it is today. This is just an unusual angle. Great photograph!
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.
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.4, Issue 2, April 1, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant