This week: "Give A Dog A Bone" Pat Donohue ~2006~
THE VFD: Somewhere 'mongst the piles of paper surrounding me I have a copy of the History of the Vermilion (Ohio) Fire Department. If my memory serves me correctly most of it was written by John Fischer. And someday I will unearth that story and share it.
In this photo I have (obviously) superimposed an old pic of Vermilion's firemen proudly posed by one of their trucks in front of the old (wooden) firehall. I do (at a mere 62 years) remember the old firehall some. But it always seems to me that the new (or what I call "the new") fire station bore a very strong resemblance to the old. In fact, I think that the belfry atop the new structure is from the old.
The Vermilion Volunteer Fire Department was traditionally a very vital part of the community's safety force. And whilst this, no doubt, seems to be rather obvious to most persons - if one looks back 50, 60 or more years ago the observation holds more weight than one initially think.
For remove contemporary communication devices, building and safety codes, and safety equipment that we now take for granted, and the potential for extreme tragedy due to accidental fire was probably 100 more times likely. And if ye looks at Vermilion's history ye will find that we had some tremendous conflagrations: Crystal Beach; Linwood Park; the Vermilion business section of town (several times); the fisheries; Ruggles Beach; and so on...
One of the best known firemen in the history of Vermilion was a fellow all knew as W.A. "Dad" Tischer. Mr. Tischer was a contractor by trade, and more than a few homes in the Village of Vermilion were both designed and built by him.
Under Tischer's tenure as Chief the department literally entered into the 20th century. He was, for instance, responsible for inducing village leaders to purchase their first motorized firetruck.
In 1926 he was also the Commodore of the Vermilion Boat Club. And in a story that appeared in The Vermilion News on August 12th it was said of him that,"When "Dad" speaks things move." I do believe that when I get around to reiterating the history of the VFD you will discover the reason this was, in fact, the truth.
MORE STARS: A month or so ago another pic of a group of Vermilion's Madeleine Chapter of the Eastern Stars appeared here and we got them all identified (at least I think we did). At that time I knew, perhaps, only one of the people in the photo. But this time -this time I know at least 6 of them:
Starting at the right of the pic:(R-L)Alice Fazey, Ella Tarrant (my mother), Louise Moats, Ruth Duperow, (just above Ruth) Eleanor Orth, and (just above Eleanor), Henry "Hank" Fischer.
The photo is a professional pic - probably taken by Paul Ludlow - but I'm not precisely sure. The shadows were, of course, captured in the Masonic Temple on Division/Main Street. The year is unknown - but is likely c. 1954(?).
What I am sure of is that someone (or someones) will let us know who all of these folks are before the week is out.
This photo is courtesty of my niece, Barb Akers who, along with two of my sisters and several other nieces, is very active in that organization.
WHO KNOWS(?): Brownhelm/commercial fishing historian Bill Cutcher sent me these pics last week along with the following communique:
Hi Rich I don't have any information on this happining other than the trap net boat was a kishman boat by the name of Clarence K. The Gill net boat was named Mary F. these photos were among the photos recieved by my cousin not sure what year but guess about 1940. Perhaps some of your readers know more about the photos. It looks like they had to pump the boat out to float it. In the one photo it looks as if two men are on top of the gill net boat. Please let me know if you find any information about them.
These are "neat" photographs. If one is familiar with the locale (you can see the watertower in one of the pix) it's easy to become oriented. The Vermilion Lagoons looked a tad different then.
I don't know whether it's a cooincidence or not - but just recently I wrote a piece for the Vermilion Photojournal about the old steam gill-netter the Rainbow which had a fate that is strikingly similar to the Mary F.. I wonder is if the fate of the Mary F. was the same? For the Rainbow was raised, towed out into the lake, and forever "deep-sixed".
Well, if anyone is familiar with the events in these photographs both Bill and myself would be interested in hearing from thee.
THE DAIRY: This photograph came to me (if memory serves me properly) some time ago from Jean Risdon Bauer. Jean is one of lifetime Vermilion resident's, Glen Risdon, daughters. Glen worked as a custodian for the Vermilion School System. Ergo; that explains at least part of the reason this picture exists.
From the cars parked at the dairy I would venture to say that this is a c.1960 photograph. And the old dairy was a thriving business. I loved the place.
In the summer my friends and I would play basketball at the outdoor courts behind the South Street School. And when we got overheated we'd pool our resources and slip over the cool, cool, dairy to buy a chocolate milk or an orange drink. I think that the dairy was where I really got my first true experience with air conditioning.
I don't know if the place was actually "air conditioned", but it was always nice and cool inside.
This is a great photograph that inspires (as has be writ) some wonderful memories.
A STORY, ETC: There is a serious story that goes with this photograph - but like that of the firemen that opened this weeks "Views" I don't have it at my fingertips.
What I do recall is that this was a pic of a fatal collision between a train and a piece of farming equipment on Vermilion (a.k.a.East River Road) probably c.1930. Methinks that perhaps two men lost their lives in the accident. And one (if I, again, recall correctly) was a farmer by the name of Fred Harpley.
Extrapolating from that information I assume that Mr. Harpley was the father of the Fred Harpley who was involved in various businesses about Vermilion during his life on this planet. The younger Fred was father of William "Corkey" Harpley. This is a story that requires more investigation on my part.
But whilst I'm working toward that end I should mention that I've begun experimenting with something new (to me) this week called podcasting. I have begun to develop an audio podcast that "Viewers" can either listen to on-line and/or download to their respective pc's and listen to at their leisure.
The intent of my podcast is to afford people an audio Vermilion Views of local news/histories that will also change on a weekly basis. Remember. You can either listen to this audio on-line or you can load it to your computer to listen to at a later time. You can also burn it to a CD if that's your desire.
If you'd like to try it you can find it by clicking here on Vermilion Views Podcast #1. I hope you enjoy this new venture of mine.
THE NEW VAAS CALENDAR: It's out, and it's a keeper. From the Clubhouse at Vermilion-On-The-Lake to the hotel at Beulah Beach Vermilion's "Vacationland" Communities are there.
If you would like to purchase a calendar you can purchase one from myself or any member of the VAAS. They are $5.00. If they have to be posted an even $7.00 should handle the cost of postage and handling. The address for the VAAS is available below (in the "What's Afoot" section). Please make all checks/money orders, etc. payable to the Vermilion Area Archival Society.
If you want a calendar for Christmas I would suggest ordering/purchasing one soon.
They're great keepsakes.
You better hurry if you want one of these documents. They're going fast.
WHAT'S A FOOT: There will be no meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society until the 2nd Monday in January of 2007. But in the mean folks should understand that everyone is absolutely welcome to attend meetings and/or to become a member of the VAAS.
Lifetime memberships are $100. Yearly memberships are $10 a person; $18.00 a couple; and $5 for a student.Our address is:
And I keep on forgetting to mention the projects of my friend Bette Lou Higgins, Artistic Director, of Eden Valley Enterprises. Everyone is welcome to join them on December 12th (This Tuesday) at 2p.m. at Ritter Library, 5680 Liberty Ave. in Vermilion to experience their program STORIES FROM A CHRISTMAS PAST. The program features holiday stories from history. The performance is free and open to the public. For more information call the Ritter Library at 440-967-3798.
To arrange for this or any of their programs for your group, contact Eden Valley directly with your request (and/or to view a complete schedule of Eden Valley Events) visit their web page at www.edenvalleyenterprises.org.
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" and elsewhere 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. Partially due to the horrors taking place in the Mid-East the continued suffering of the peoples in Africa go virtually unnoticed by both our nation and the United Nations - and that should not be. Contributions to that home may be made to a Vermilion expatriot Larry Hohler in New York.
A few weeks back I received the following communique from Larry:
"We're thinking about organizing an "Eco Cultural" Safari to Meru Kenya next February, that will include tours of our Home and the schools our kids attend, an SOS World Children's Village, an AIDS treatment Center, Meru Methodist University, and even a visit to nearby Game Park to view some wildlife. We think the cost for a 9 day visit will be about $3,000. (we can keep the cost low because we won't be viewed as typical tourists and will have the support of the Merian Community) Let me know if you know of anyone intersted in making such a trip."
So there you are folks. If you'd like to take the Safari let me know and I'll put you in touch with Larry. It's an opportunity of a lifetime.
Larry Hohler Hope Children's Fund, Ltd.
In relation to Larry's work with the Hope Children's Home I have recently received some very interesting biographies of some of the children who have come to benefit by participating in this project. I'd like to share one of them with you each week. The following is #5:
CLASS REUNION UPDATES:This just in from Shirley Williams Gleason: The CLASS of '58 is planning on hosting the reunion on the weekend of July 17, 18, 19, 2008....The Committee will be sending out information this spring in regard to the plans.
The VHS Class of 1957 are planning their Class Reunion for September 15, 2007. They cannot find addresses for the following classmates: William A. Brown, Carol L. Burkle, Eddie L. Davis, Robert W. DeLong, Jim B. Henry, Alexander J. Lutz, or Neil M. Marcussen. If anyone has that information please forward it to
Bob Ferry, is heading up the VHS Class Reunion for 1987...20 years. Bob Ferry, is heading up the VHS Class Reunion for 1987...20 years. Hither is their website: Class of 1987
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 38, December 9, 2006
© 2006 Rich Tarrant