This week: "Aulde Lang Syne" The Brothers Figaro ~2003~
OLD THINGS, NEW THINGS : Hither is a Christmas photopainting of our livingroom on Oakwood Drive 2006 . This is, of course, play photography (for me).
A majority of the objects in the pic are old. (That may be part of the fun of it all.) But the photograph was me making use of something new (to me). Tis called a "digital slave flash". It is a flash system used in addition to the automatic flash on my Nikon SLR. Being a slow learner when it comes to nearly everything I do it really didn't filter through to my brain that an additional flash system might be real useful in low-light/bad-light/no-light circumstances until I had a real problem with taking some quick shots at the family church. So - I acquired the additional flash to help with the problem.
Unfortunately, I found that just having the component wouldn't solve the problem completely.
In brief, it helps to learn how to use it properly. It's a thing referred to as a "bounce flash" too. Which refers to the fact that one can "bounce" the light from 0 to 90 degrees, and swivel (turn) it from 0 to 330 degrees. Ergo; if it is used properly light can be reflected from different angles to assist in acquiring a decently lighted picture. As the year turns we shall see if I can learn to use this "thing" properly.
Another new thing - just begun 3 weeks ago - is the "Views Podcasts". This venture is, like many I undertake, new to me, and may be the same for thee. I really can't say where this is going to lead. I was hoping that I'd be able to have more time to record these casts. But I've thus far found that there are technical restrictions that currently inhibit my basic intentions. And perhaps, more importantly, those experienced by "Viewers". (What else is new?) So, at the moment, I'm just trying to familiarise myself with the nuances of the technology available to me.
However; if you have the capability I would encourage ye to "tune-in" and give the podcasts a listen. This week I began reading from a scrapbook of Vermilion news from 1935. So - here is Vermilion Views Podcast #4 - from January of 1935. This is fun stuff folks.
DOC: I really can't recall where or how I received this photograph. I know that it was scanned from a slide, and was among several (perhaps a dozen) slides that someone gave me a year or two ago. And I also remember that no explanation accompanied them. So I was at a loss to know and/or understand who/what they were about. I scanned them just to practice scanning slides. And I did ask around to see if anyone recognized anyone in them. But noone I contacted seemed to know anything about them. And then one day - quite by accident - I came across the identical photographs whilst archiving artifacts for the Archival Society in the basement at the Ritter Library.
I knew "Doc" Keith Jeffery all my life. I always knew that Doc was actively involved in the local post of the American Legion. But I didn't know anything about his service time. After he died one of his daughters gave Rev. Louis Bertoni a number of things that once belonged to him for the Vermilion Area Archival Society. Among them were photographs of his service time - and a copy of this same photograph.
And so the proverbial light came on in my head. This is Doc (in the middle) with two of his friends.
It seems that Doc did some of his service time in Alaska. And that is where these pix had been taken.
When first I saw them I was at a loss to give them a locale. And now everything began to make sense.
Interesting. And mystery solved.
AULD LANG SYNE: I don't believe I've ever used this particular pic of Rob Sanderson in anything before. But I believe it's fitting to recall him at this time of year. Those who knew him could very well look at this photo and hear him talk. He was the type of person that defined the word "cool".
Those who've visited the Vermilion Biographies page will find his story (among several others) there.
Rob certaily touched many lives during his brief stay with us on Earth. After an article I wrote about him appeared in the Vermilion Photojournal many readers went out of their way(s) to make some comments about it - and, of course, their memories of Rob.
Here's one that few people know and/or remember (if they did know). When I was a youngster I really liked the work of a guitarist named Duane Eddy. I had a record album by Eddy called "Have Guitar Will Travel". One of my friends, who (Jake Boone) was in the same school class as Rob asked to borrow the record to play at school. Rob and Jake were older than myself. I, thereupon, loaned it to my friend.
While at school Rob got this great idea that he could autograph the album (as Duane Eddy) for me - and did so.
I really thought that was "cool" because the autograph looked genuine.
I still have that album - "for auld lang syne".
THE WILBER KIDS: This is a very, very rare photograph of Jesse and May Wilber. These are two of the four young Wilber children (ages 2-11) who all tragically perished during a single week in January of 1893.
The Wilber's are a significant part of local history for a number of reasons. One is related to the rather vapid suburban legend of the place commonly recognized as the "Gore Orphanage". Miller's family once owned and lived in Joseph Swift's mansion, "Rosedale", that was located in Swift's Hollow just south of Vermilion. Miller, Harriette and their 4 youngsters, Jesse, May, and twins Roy and Ruby also lived there for a time thus spawning a rumor regarding their untimely deaths in 1893.
The truth, perhaps more sorrowful than any ghostly fiction, is that they did not die while living in the mansion. By the time of their demise the Wilber's had moved on to Berlin Heights and then to "Sunshine Cottage" on State Street in Vermilion.
This pic came to me electronically from my netmet friend Bobbi Riley of Santa Maria, CA. Mrs. Harriette (Kellog) Wilber, I believe, was Bobbi's great-great aunt.
TWO VIEWS: Applying me new "boom flash" on the morning of Christmas Eve (2006) I stopped these shadows in the sanctuary of Vermilion's UCC Congregational church in full Christmas dress. I really wanted to capture the church with all its decorations before the crowd arrived. And it's a jewel of a pic. The church will celebrate it's 50th anniversary in this building this year (2007).
And if a photograph had been taken some 51 years earlier from this same position this is how it would have looked:
This is the home where the above mentioned Wilber Family lived after they left "Rosedale" in Swift's Hollow. When this pic was taken it was in terrible disrepair. But years earlier it had been a veritable showplace.
Not long after these shadows were captured in the lens of some unknown photog's camera the house was torn down - piece by piece. I have a very clear memory of helping with the task - "for auld lang syne...for auld lang syne."
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. For those unfamiliar with her work - they stage historical people/events from (and) around the State of Ohio.
A great deal of research and practice goes into these productions to make them as accurate as possible. 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.
Larry, his wife Yvette, and his mother stopped by to visit me for a few minutes in the kitchen of the Congregational Church (where I work) just a few days ago. He read me a letter from Kenya pertaining to the Hope project - and everything seems to be going well (at the moment). However; I need to reiterate the fact that this is an on-going project. The need is forever continuing. Please keep that in mind.
In relation to Larry's work with the Hope Children's Home I have 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 #8:
CLASS REUNION UPDATES:This 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. And, incidently, I received the following communique from Roger this week. I think some will appreciate it:
Merry Christmas! I have received several Christmas letters within the past few days from our classmates and they are fun to read. I am passing on "clips" from several and sharing unfortunate news about others in our class. Much happiness is being shared this holiday season along with concerns about health. I hope that when you visit our web site (all four pages) that you'll drop a note to those who are either recovering from surgery and/or illness or are very ill and not expected to see another Christmas. Another snow storm is on its' way to Minnesota. It will be our second snow fall of the winter. For those of you who are living in the South.......don't you miss all of the ice, cold and blowing snow? JUST A REMINDER: You'll also want to place on your calendar the dates for our reunion in 2009. It will be held the weekend of September 18-20, 2009. It seems like a long way off but you'll find it will be here sooner than you anticipated.
JUST A REMINDER: You'll also want to place on your calendar the dates for our reunion in 2009. It will be held the weekend of September 18-20, 2009. It seems like a long way off but you'll find it will be here sooner than you anticipated.
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 41, December 30, 2006
© 2006 Rich Tarrant