CHARMING: I've no idea as to the identity of this young man and his pup - nor where I acquired the pic (the memory is the 2nd thing to go). But tis a very charming photograph - too good to just keep under wraps.
I am fairly certain that it is a Vermilion photograph. I'm also fairly certain that it is an early 20th century pic. And I'm absolutely certain that it is a shame that someone didn't just pencil in a name so that the identiy would not be lost to the ages. It would have been so easy.
So please, friends, go through your photo collections [I know you have them] and identify the people, places, and things in them. They may not seem significant to you (right now), but years hence they may be of great importance to your great-grandchildren.
Just do it. It might even be fun.
7TH GRADE VJHS 1937: In 1937 this was one half of the 7th grade Class at Vermilion's new South Street School. Pictured are:
(L-R Top) E. Kubishke, J. Becker, T. Washburn, M. Knott, K. Boone, M. Kerekes, A Buiting(2nd Row) B. Jeffery, R. Hamman, D. Trinter, J. Rommen, L. Cipra, J. Nelson, G. Kishman(3rd Row) E. Hayes, E. Plice, D. Schroeder, A. Leidheiser, E. Weiler, F. Moes, L. Schisler
While many of the names are familiar (i.e. Kubishke, Becker, Washburn, Knott, Boone, Jeffery, Hamman, Trinter, Kishman, Hayes, Schroeder, Leidheiser, and Schisler) I can honestly say that I am really only familiar with, perhaps, two persons in the group. One is Dorothy Schroeder Koontz. Dorothy was (of course) married to Richard "Dick" Koontz, one of Vermilion's premier photographers. She now lives in Huron and is a "Viewer". In looking over the faces before I looked at the names I recognized her immediately.
Another youngster that caught my eye was E. Hayes. That's got to be my friend "Nuggie" Evelyn Hayes Cook. The resemblance between her at that time and her children and grandkids today is unmistakeable. In fact, if I didn't know that the pic was from 1937 I'd swear that it was one of her granddaughters.
Neat!
IN SEARCH OF LOYOLA VERMILION: This is paramount to searching for the Holy Grail but may not be as hopeless an endeavor. When first I came across the picture of the Loyola Institute along the Lake Erie Shore in Vermilion, Ohio I was skeptical. I opined that someone had made a mistake in the printing of a postcard - which might not be such a far-fetched thought. Mistakes happen. But like the proverbial "bad penny" it kept coming back.
Then local electric railway historian Dennis Lamont informed me that there actually was a Loyola-On-The-Lake stop on the Lake Shore Electric line just east of town. And that piece of information made it a reality (to me).
During the week Dennis forwarded me the map seen above. I colored the piece of proprety owned by St. Ignatius College c.1916. And that (I believe) was the site of the Loyola U. science institute on Lake Erie. I also began to learn a bit more about the Jesuit order.
The Rev. Louis Bertoni told me that Ignatius was the founder of the Jesuit order within the Catholic Church. Loyola is a Jesuit university. Now that might be common knowledge among many folk - but it is something I didn't know. Ergo; that the property was owned by what someone called the St. Ignatius College made sense and...and...the map shows the approximate site of the building (the substantial building) on the postcard.
As near as I can determine the site is just east of the new condominiums being built along the lake in the Sunnyside area of Vermilion.
During a conversation with a friend at the Olympic Club last Monday the subject came up and it turned out that he attended St. Ignatius High School In Cleveland (as did his father), and that he had maintained some connections with persons at the school who might be able to help shed some light on the subject.
We shall see how this turns. How a place of this size could have existed in Vermilion without any mention of it appearing anywhere in local publications - if only in passing - is a mystery. While the buiding in the question may have fallen into the lake long ago it would be an exceptional find just to know that it did actually exist.
Stay tuned.
TAKE THE TRAIN: For a year or more it has been known that the rails that run between Lorain and Cleveland are to be abandoned by commercial traffic and that a plan was in the works for someone (or group of someones) to take over the rails and run a rail transit system on the tracks between those communities.
During the last several years the commercial rail lines were merged and the need to run two separate lines across northern Ohio in this region is no longer necessary. In addition to this a spur joining the two rail routes was built just west of Vermilion within the last decade. Ergo the tracks - the old Nickle Plate tracks - that run through the southern part of town into Cleveland are no longer necessary.
In any case the "scoop" now is that some folks (myself included) believe that the proposed transit line between Lorain and Cleveland should be extended westward and include Vermilion.
To this end there will be (sometime soon) a representative of persons proposing this transit system discussing such a plan with the public at the Ritter Public Library.
When the date of this activity is announced it will appear here. I don't believe I need to tell anyone how such a system would be of benefit to the people of Vermilion - not to mention people from areas east of our community who would like to visit us. In a day when fuel prices make private transportation unusually expensive such a system is entirely appropriate.
Again, stay tuned.
THE FIRST LAGOON: This beauty was among the color slides taken by the late Sterling Smith that were loaned me by his oldest son, Jim. I'm not going to date it at this time. But I will tell you that it is of the first lagoon (taken from Liberty Avenue looking northwest) when there was but one house along the water.
[Tech Note: Color slides came into being in the late 1930's. But I don't believe this pic is that early. The film was Kodak and the original color can still be reclaimed although the slides are now discolored.]
This photo also affords one a look at Linwood Park (to the right) overlooking the new housing project.
The value of candid nonprofessional photographs in providing Vermilionites with an accurate historical record of the development of our community is enormous. Color photos are extemely rare.
MEMORIAL DAY 2006 Just before "taps" I reached Exchange Park and captured these shadows in time. The weather was perfect. T'were my intent to get to the annual parade that took place later in the morn - but I missed it (by that much).
What I was looking for was images. Something that would speak for the day. Something exceptional. But I didn't find it. What I was looking for is something like this photo (also captured by Sterling Smith c.1952):
This was the VHS Band with the Scouts. I can't i.d. anyone - only the place. It was on South Street at the corner of Decatur Street.
Maybe next year.
WHAT'S A FOOT:This Monday the VAAS will hold its June meeting at the old Rumsey Farm along Lake Road just west of Volunteer Bay. Tom and Nettie White own the home and have been actively engaged in its restoration for a number of years. One of the most breath-taking parts of this tour will be the old ballroom in the home. It's really an interesting place. Everyone is welcome to join us on this tour at 7 p.m. Monday, June 12th.
The Ohio Historical Society has recently sent me the proof for the text that will appear on the marker denoting the location of the Lake Shore Electric Bridge as it passed over the Vermilion River. The marker will be placed in the new Rotary Centennial Park by Vermilion's old water-tower.
After the text is approved it will be sent back to the OHS and then go to the Sewah Studios in Marietta.It will take about 2 1/2 months to cast. So I'm hoping that it will be ready to place in the park and be dedicated by Labor Day.
The OHS will pay $750.00 (less than half the cost) toward the total cost of the marker. The rest will have to come through/from the Vermilion Area Historical Society (VAAS).
To date the VAAS has received a donation of $25.00 toward the project. I'm very sure that there are others who would like to add their donation. Those interested can contact me (via email, etc) and I will let you know how to forward it to the cause.
Also, 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.
Keep an eye out here for more activities sponsored by the "Archival Society". One significant thing coming up in the near future will be another talk with Vermilion native Hank Fischer - plus many other things. So stay with us.
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 (now featuring the results of their annual USA Bi Continental Run). 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 some new items: Vermilion Class of l948 Reunion for Friday, August 25, 2006 at Vermilion Fish and Game - 6:00 p.m. For more information contact Carol Bechtel. They are looking for Richard Jenkins, Norma Czarnecki, Bob Thomas, William Judge, Robert Crampton, Rodney Gribble.
Bob Ferry, is heading up the VHS Class Reunion for 1987...20 years. (More on that at a later date).
Attention VHS Class of 1976. Your 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 44089. The Committee has been busy, busy and more busy!! They have been trying to find classmates whereabouts, and trying to confirm classmates who are deceased, (for memorial bricks) Please help as much as possible if you could. They are still looking for the following classmates: Linda Anders, Theresa Barnes, Debbie Bishop, Pam Campbell, Sharon Carrender, Mike Carrender, Robin Carte, Becky Cutlip, Pete Fisher, Sue Flage, Carolyn Griswold, Steve Green, Betty L Hardwick, Cynthia Losdon, David McFarland, Nancy Johnson, Jeff Jones, Theresa Mudrock, Doris Peters, Eddie Hunnell, Pam Roscoe, Bonnie & Bob Shank, Cindy Thomas, Mike McKnight, Jill Yousko
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 11, June 3, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant