WAITING FOR SUMMER: I have a feel for Vermilion Summers - and it hasn't come yet. That's not a large complaint. Just a fact. The weather is been rather mild. There have been a few days that one might call "hot". But very very few.
I'm still waiting for that perfect morning when I arise, go outside, and I can smell the heat rising from the earth.
O-Well. It seems to be a good year for roses, tiger lilies, and lawns.
64 degrees may indeed be , as is said, "Good sleeping weather". But I'm not asleep.
I'm waiting for summer.
GPW: And who is this young dreamer sprawled across what very well may be yet another candid view of Vermilion's beloved "Table-rock" in the midst of winter (c.1915)? Tis none other than Vermilion, Ohio historian (among many other things) George P. Wakefield when he was but five years old.
Believe it, or else - but I only knew Mr. Wakefield from a distance. I once asked him (from that distance) how it could be that I never met him and he replied (something to the effect) that, "It was because you were probably busy exploring the river, beaches, and woods about town."
He was, of course, correct.
One thing I do know about GPW is this: He had a positive, a tremendously positive, impact on those who had the privilege of knowing him well - not forgetting to mention some (such as myself) who did not. This great photograph came to me from one of his daughters (Alice) along with some questions about the icy lakescape that surrounds him in this pic. There is little question as to where it was taken. It is obviously on the lake near his parent's Harborview home at the foot of Vermilion's Main Street. What one might question is the dark boxy image in the upper left-hand part of the photo. It certainly doesn't look as though it's a rock.
Alice thought it might be the base of the Vermilion Light (the rest being covered in snow and ice). But I don't think so.
My thought is that the pic was taken looking to the northwest (away from the light). And I just have no idea as to what the dark box-like image in the background might be.
One question I had was in regard to the rope he is holding; what's on the other end? Alice indicated because the rope looks to be a "loop" the ends were probably fastened to a sled. The sled, incidently, was last seen in the basement of Harborview after it became the Great Lakes Historical Soceity museum.
Neat!
FARMING LAKE ERIE: While I was shooting some photographs of Vermilion's evolving Rotary Centennial Park at the foot of Vermilion's landmark water-tower I caught this pic.
I'm sure that more than a few folks about town have noticed the presence of these gentlemen during the summertime. They apparently have a boat and/or a charter docked just below the tower and do a great deal of fishing.
Because these folks don't drive they are inclined to pay someone outside their religious inclination to transport them when and wherever they need transporting. I have heard those chauffeurs referred to as "Yoder Toters". And whilst I mean not to be mean I can't help but follow that logic and wonder if some might call the captain of their charter a "Yoder Boater Toter".
In any case, I don't know how common it is to see Amish fisherman along the lake (I've not seen them elsewhere) so I took the picture as a matter of interest and record. I'm sure some folks have been curious.
NEAT RENOVATION: And then just across the river from the Amish fisherman next to Romp's Marina there is this magnificient renovation of the old Snell fishery taking place.
I've not investigated the subject intently, but I've heard that local insurance executive Jon Clark has purchased the old building and is having it made into a home for his family and a new office for his insurance agency.
Now that's rumor folks. I don't know any of that for fact. But whether this is the case or not the renovation appears to be subtantial, and is well worth watching.
This is been one of my favorite old buildings in the city, so I'll be sure to keep a photographic diary on its progress as I do the same for the park from whence this pic was captured.
OLD NEWS: This photograph appeared in a limited edition year 2000 calendar that I produced 6 years ago, and it also appears on my Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix webpage.
It was taken by my grandfather on Grand Street, just north of the railroad tracks looking east (from about the proximity of the Vermilion Hardware Store). The buildings in the background are (unfortunately) gone now. They were once the home of one of Vermilion's first schools and, later, The Vermilion News weekly newspaper that my family owned and operated. I use this pic here because it is pretty, and to inform all about some of the things I'm doing with my webpages and about new ones to come.
I have begun to afford people easier links to all of the Vermilion history pages I've thus far produced, and I am constantly improving the information contained on all pages as efficiently and quickly as I can.
My basic intent has always been one of allowing interested persons an opportunity to discover and or to re-discover some of the history pertaining to the people of, and place called Vermilion, Ohio.
That which is wonderful about this process on the net is that it is interactive. I, in essence, learn as much from those who visit my pages as I do from the books, newspapers, and other webpages from which I gather information. The history, therefore, becomes more accurate and less the speculation/opinion of one person. That is less likely to happen with other forms of publication (including television).
On new pages: During the next 12 months I want to publish at least 3 new pages. One will be a project I've been working on for years; The History of Capatain "Big Ed" Lampe and his infamous tug the Grandon. Another will be a short sketch biography page of Vermilion residents of the past.
Wealth and prominence do not qualify candidates for the page. Tis purely a matter of character.
And last, the largest undertaking; A Brief (but concise) 200 Year History of Vermilion, Ohio.
Kindly note that these projects require both time and money - neither of which do I have in abundance - so please be patient.
WHAT'S A FOOT: On Monday, July 10th the Vermilion Archival Society will be visiting the Josiah Pelton Home now owned by Tom and Jean Beach. It is one of (if not the) oldest homes in the area. This activity will be held outdoors. Thus, it would be helpful if you bring your own lawnchair(s).
Another significant thing coming up in the near (VAAS) future will be another session with Vermilion native Hank Fischer.
In addition this the the society will have a display of pix and artifacts for your viewing pleasure in the empty storefront next to Vermilion's Convenient Store (Near the river bridge and new Rotary Centennial Park) within the next week or so. So stay with us.
And, last but not least, everyone is absolutely welcome to join this group. Lifetime memberships are $100. Yearly memberships are $10 a person; $18.00 a couple; and $5 for a student.
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.
SAUERKRAUT BALL NOTE: From Alice Wakefield in VA comes the following note pertaining to the McGarvey Sauerkraut Ball recipe that was featured here a few weeks back:
Hi Rich, Your McGarvey's sauerkraut ball tester is checking in. It was indeed the right recipe. I have some comments that might be helpful for others who want to try it. First, it is no task for kitchen sissies. Chasing the elusive sauerkraut ball is a major commitment. I broke the task down into three steps and spread those steps over several days. Shopping for the various ingredients was easy. I bought deli sauerkraut not canned. I made wontons from the other half of the pound of ground pork, I bought exactly 8 ounces of ham pieces and the other 4 ounces of canned corned beef may end up in a sandwich. You get the picture of the complexity. The day of blending the meat went smoothly. I was faithful to the recipe with the exception of the pinch of parsley. I put in a healthy tablespoon, at least. My food processor worked well to blend the meat, onion and parsley. I transferred to a cast iron wok, my biggest pan, to fry and add the seasoning, flour and milk. All went well. I had to stop for the day so I didn't get to adding the sauerkraut until yesterday. My meat mixture was hard by then so I decided to use the old-fashioned meat grinder my mom used to make turkey hash. Also, I thought the quantity was too big for my food processor to handle. I drained the sauerkraut and alternated meat mixture and sauerkraut through the grinder. It worked well, although I think I should have physically pressed any extra juice out of the sauerkraut. Now my mixture was a bit on the moist side and forming balls that held their shape was problematic. Instead of fresh bread crumbs, I used left-over turkey stuffing which I turned to crumbs in my food processor. The next part was tricky with my fragile ball. I found the egg resisted coating the sauerkraut ball after rolling it in the flour. I think next time I will cut the egg with a little water. I used a candy thermometer to get the grease up to 325 before dropping in my sauerkraut balls. I let them brown while, I floured, egged and crumbed my next batch. One egg coated 17 balls, just enough for a cocktail party with the neighbors. The sauerkraut balls were a BIG hit and worth all the effort. I have, at least, 3/4th of the recipe left which I will bag and freeze for three more treats with friends. Thanks to Carol Trinter Bechtel for sharing this classic recipe. I hope others enjoy using it as much as we did. CHEERS from us, Alice
Wonderful Commentary (Look out Julia Childs!). Great Recipe.
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).
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 16, July 8, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant