SPRING BREAKS: This scene from the end of last summer is used here simply because it's a nice pic. It's Vermilion. But Spring is now bursting here. The daffodills and crocus'/croci(?) are up and the tulips are coming along. The forcast is 70 degrees for Easter. It's been a rather mild winter. The lake never froze over completely. Very little snow fell. East of Cleveland (i.e. the "snow belt") received their share - but we got very little. Tis hard to say whether that's a good or bad thing.
Baseball season has begun. The Cleveland Indians are off to a positive start. Folks are catching yellow perch off the west pier at Huron. Steelhead fishing has been good in the Vermilion River. And all is well (or so it appears to be) in pretty little Vermilion, Ohio.
GEORGE SNYDER: George Snyder was the Vermilion School Superintendent years before I entered the education system. I've got very little background on him - but I knew of him through my older siblings and friends. I'm guessing, but I think he was likely at that post from the late '20's to the late '30's or early '40's. C.W. "Cletus" DeWitt followed him. Mr. DeWitt came out of the Vermilion system as a coach and teacher. Snyder did not.
One observation I would make about this photo has more to do with the photograph itself than it does with Mr. Snyder. I note that professional photographers of the era in which this photo was taken had a knack for preserving more than the image of an individual on film. They (whomever they was) had a knack for catching the essence of an individual's character.
Here was an educator and a leader.
A great photo.
THE DELKER HOUSE: Playing with software I effected this sketch of the Henry G. Delker home from the pic that appeared here last week - and I did a bit of searching/researching.
Some folks noted that I didn't know where this home was located - or if it was still standing at all - in town. Some thought it might be the Gilchrist House. Some thought it might be the large home on the corner of Washington and South. And still others thought it might be the house just north of the traffic light at Route 60 and South Street. My first impression was that it was the house on the northeast corner of Liberty and Decatur Streets. But then - but then - I got to running it through my little brain and I believe I found it. Here it is:
FAIRLY CERTAIN: I'm fairly certain that this is the same house. The porch is gone. The back porch part has been enclosed. And an additional chimney is on the house. But methinks this is the same. It is now the home of Tiffany's Flowers on the northwest corner of Liberty and Perry Streets. Dan and Laura Roth own it.
The scroll-type supports at the roof line are identical to those in the old picture. Much of the fancy work around the windows is now gone. But that's not an astounding difference. As time passes detail work such as that disappears.
Now I can't help but wonder about the age of the structure. Henry Delker died of wounds received during the Battle of Nashville (1864) in December of 1890.
I would add that in trying to track the locale of this house I tracked Decker and his wife Hattie (Beldon). The U.S. Census' of 1870 and '80 placed them in the vicinity of the Sylvester Pelton family on Huron Street - so methinks my thought on this subject is safe. But it's always a crapshoot.
MARYANN AND HER DOG: Yet another beautiful snapshot from Major Jack Corsino of his mother, Maryann Thompson Corsino, standing behind the Vermilion News office on Grand Street back in the late 1940's.
Those familiar with the area will note the garage on the back of the duplex in the background. In this pic (unlike today) it has a roof. Also note that there are no garages behind the homes to the north of the News office as of yet.
Across the tracks (way in the background) the Mailpouch Tobacco sign painted on the side of Miller's Hardware Store is visible. That sign took a very long time to wear away.
Maryann is with her dog, Nigger. I have mentioned the dog before. Maryann's father, Hazen, was an old mule-skinner and, that being the case, minced few words. He spoke his mind. The dog was coal black. He named him Nigger.
Major Jack recounts the story his grandmother, Vera, told him about the day she went outside calling the dog (at the top of her lungs) and looked up to see a black fellow standing down the street looking her way.
And she rapidly retreated into the house sans her dog.
WEST BOUND JEWETT: From my friend and inter-urban historian,Dennis Lamont of Birmingham, came this great pic of a Lake Shore Electric Jewett car zipping westward over the Vermilion River Bridge (c.1920). This is one of several Dennis gave me that I copied and forwarded to the Ohio Historical Association with an application to have a marker placed in Vermilion's Rotary Centennial Park (at the foot of the old water-tower) that will mark the place where the bridge touched the west shore of the river.
I'm not real optomistic about our chances of having the society help the Vermilion Area Archival Society place a plaque in the park for this purpose. It's the first time I've ever applied for anything of that nature. However; if we don't get it right now I am sure that we will learn by my mistakes so we can accomplish this task in the near future.
This is the pic that I would like to have used as the artwork on such a plaque.
I realise that everyone doesn't share my enthusiasm for the electrics - but their place in the positive development of the entire region along the south coast of Lake Erie is very significant. It should not be diminished nor forgotten.
WHAT'S A FOOT: "The Music Man". It will be presented April 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 pm in the VHS auditorium. This show has many wonderful songs, lots of laughs, a fantastic set and energetic performances by over 50 VHS students along with several SMS students! It's a great evening the entire family willl enjoy. Tickets are now available at Romp's Marina Store or by calling Mrs. Carrie Gabriel at 967-4342 or 967-7884. Adults: $9, Students/Senior Citizens: $7. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door on the nights of the show.
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 3, April 8, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant