YES! I HAVE NO BANANAS : T'were a rewarding, although somewhat baffling, weekend and week for me. This digital technology is, in a word, enthralling. That's the upside of the matter.
The downside is (from what I can tell), at least partially, due to the lack of continuity of equipment of those who look to experience this page and/or (and I must emphasize the and/or) the existence of very aggressive anti-spamming software installed on their computers or, perhaps, their respective server portals.
About anti-spamming Software: Because I do what I do I, very naturally, receive a great deal of uninvited and unwanted e-mail (i.e. electronic junkmail). Some of this is the result of doing business via the net - and some is the result of simply "surfing" (exploring) the net.
To be sure this stuff is annoying. So is the junkmail I receive via snailmail and telephone solicitations. Ergo; what I do with all of it is trash (delete) it. Tis only a matter of time when most folks figure out that all of these things are very weak sales tools and desist from sending the crap. In the mean - it takes me about a minute to dump the junk.
Over zealous spamming software is apt to keep desired e-mail(s) from reaching people. Because a spam software program doesn't know who is sending a particular message nor why it is been sent. It simply sniffs out the mail in general terms and, consequently, either allows or denies it.
For lack of a better word to describe these programs I would call them "baffling". I should add, however, that my Macintosh computer is not the primary target of spammers nor persons looking to install viruses in pc's.
My theory is that most of the persons intent on disrupting services via the net aim at impressing people like Bill Gates. Ergo; their primary targets always seem to be disrupting services to patrons of Microsoft systems. If you've seen the Apple Computer advertisements on television - some of them make an express point of those problems.
The Upside: But enough of that. Can you identify with the feeling derived from the feeling of satisfaction that is derived from learning how to do something new? Wow! Tis wonderfulistic.
This week I've learned how to remove (most, but not all) the noise from digital recordings of 78, 33 1/3, and 45 rpm records and - how to make a digital recording in one rpm (speed) and convert it to another using free software called Audacity. A good example is the MP3 recording accompanying this weeks "Views" was taken from an old 78 rpm record from 1923 which belonged to my father-in-law.
I've also learned how to transfer more than 5 megabytes of information (at a time) from my computer to my webpage(s) using FTP (file transfer protocol) via more free software called Cyberduck.
Although most of this is probably meaningless to most folks it captures my intense interest, and opens new doors for me by expanding my capabilities to disseminate information both on and off the net.
So - tis been both a rewarding - and baffling - week for me. And, Yes! I have no bananas. Just an Apple.
MRS. KNITTLE'S 3RD GRADE - 1954: I really do appreciate this 1954 Yearbook -"Book of Memories" - that I acquired from Vermilionite Melvin Bachman a few weeks ago. I wish I could share the entire publication with all of you in one fell swoop, but that is impossible. So during the next several weeks I'll share parts of it. And this is one of those parts. (At least it's one very familiar to me.)
As has been writ this is Mrs. Knittle's 3rd Grade Class in Vermilion's South Street School in 1954. Although I wasn't in Mrs. Knittles "room" that year all the children pictured were my classmates - and I knew (and still know) many of them quite well.
Right down in the front of the pic is my good friend Bill Ream. Many people don't know this but Bill was inadvertantly responsible for my creating my first webpage using Vermilion, Ohio as the subject matter. He now lives in New Port Richey, Florida with his wife Darlene. They have (I think) 3 adult children. We haven't seen one another in years - but we stay in touch.
The fellow directly behind Bill is Freddie Sharpnack. Fred was the middle son of Ralph Sharpnack who owned the local Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Dealership in Vermilion. His brother, Joe, and (I think) a younger brother still maintain ownership of that dealership along with at least one other. Fred, unfortunately, passed away a few years ago.
Beside Fred is a boy named Mike Tansey. Over the years he developed MS, and, like Fred, his life was also stolen from us some years back.
Directly behind Fred sits good old Gorden "Duke" Winlan (sp?). Gorden was a good little guy - a tough sort who lived with his mother and brother in the duplex that once stood on the north side of Liberty Avenue next to what is now Vermilion's Ambulance garage. His brother's name always stood out in my mind. It was Harley. I do believe that both Gordon and Harley were related in some way to another Vermilionite named Gene Redinger.
The little girl directly behind Gorden is my friend Kathy Dickason Kvach. Kathy is a retired teacher who now lives on the east coast. She and her husband are just great people/grandparents. We also keep in touch.
And 3 faces over from K is everyone's good friend Tommy Rodgers. Tom is a retired corporate attorney who makes his home in Lima, Ohio. Tom and his wife are also parents of adult children and very proud grandparents.
Mrs. Knittle's class was, understandably, much bigger than this pic shows. But I wanted to focus in on just a few of the students so folks could get a better look at them.
I have wonderful memories of those days and South Street School. And I could say a great deal more about these folks. But that'll have to wait for another day. It's certain that whomever named this book the "Book of Memories" knew what they were talking about.
ALL THE NAMES, ETC: Hey! I received substantial response re: this pic from last week. Some folks knew some of the names, and one or two knew all. Neat!
(But before I proceed with the namings I need to let everyone know that I do not like talking on the telephone. I prefer e-mail. I like snailmail. But I hate the telephone. However; if anyone really, really, really needs to talk to me via a telephone I would suggest that they use my cell phone number. I will answer that phone.)
Pictured are:
BACK ROW L-R:Lee Kress, Skip Mason, Leon Burns, Rick Walker, Bob Hunter, Clarence "Butch" Campbell, Art Schmitz, and Leslie Smith. Kneeling L-R:John Hoffman, Tom Sanford, Larry Nedro, Bob Mey, Dave Dickerhoff, and Warren Walley.
I need to thank Pat and Bob Mey for providing me with all those names, and for their persistence in making sure that I received them.
I also want to add a bit of information that I received from Vermilionite Bruce Eldridge (along with some names) pertaining to John Hoffman:
... A little trivia. John hoffmann would go on to run the 100 yard dash in 10.1 secs. in High School. Just a little faster than Jim Kidd and Dave Guthrie, both in the class of 1957, who would run it at 10.2 secs. each. Which wasn't all that slow for a small school...
The years go by - and I almost forgot about those athletic accomplishments. As Bruce indicated those accomplishments weren't really all that bad for such a tiny school district. I always looked up to those fellows. And as I previously indicated, I have great memories of those days.
After
THE SLEEPING CAT: It's been a while since the "Cat" (Lake Erie) has slept as it is in these pix. This photo is mainly for the benefit of Vermilion expatriots who've not visited during the winter for some years. While the lake is not completely froze over just yet - and it hasn't really been completely frozen for years - the sub-zero temps that have visited northern Ohio during the last week or so make yet accomplish that task.
As is obvious I couldn't help playing with this photograph that was captured yesterday (2-9-07) at the foot of Vermilion's Main Street. I like both renditions. One captures the cold reality of the day. And the other is an idealistic photopainting (note that the light is lit).
I suppose it all depends on how one wants to see it. Tis an exquisite glimpse of the cat asleep.
LEROY GRANT ET.AL: This photo was one of those rare and great surprises that come seemingly out of nowhere and land, happily enough, at one's doorstep now and then.
This snap came to me via snailmail last week from a lady (some may remember) named Kathlalee Grant Hodge of Irondequoit, New York. (Note: I'm not sure that I have the town name correctly spelled because it was partially covered by a Rochester, NY postal marking.)
It's unexpected because Kathalee (to my knowledge) is not one of the persons to whom I regularly send the "Views" page. She wrote in part, but not in order:
"...'Vermilion Views' which [was something] I discovered about 2 years ago. It's great, and I am really enjoying the Podcasts...I have sent along a picture of my Dad, Roy Grant, and his sisters. There will be some more photos to come when we finish remodeling & I can get to the boxes..."
I do remember Mr. Grant (as will many "Viewers"). And I do remember Kathalee (although I must confess that I thought her name was Kataleen - with an "n"). What I don't know (as of this writing) is a great deal about Mr. Grant.
I found some in Ancestry.com - but it's not nearly enough. Again, I believe that there are many "Viewers" who can help me out on the subject.
I note that Kathalee did take the time to list the names of the persons in the pic on the back of the photo. And I took the time to scan it so that "Viewers" might also see those names:
The information thereupon tells us that the photo was taken on "The Farm on Maurer Lane" here in Vermilion; that those pictured; Lenore, Helen, Dorothy, and Roy Grant are the children of William and Stella Grant; and that Roy was born in 1908. From ancestry I learned that Roy (whose name was actually LeRoy) was born in Maryland.
As I learn more I will gladly share it with "Viewers".
I am very happy to have this photo. It will be added to the archives of the Vermilion Area Archival Society along with any additional information acquired.
THE PINSETTER(S): Among other things I received last week was a letter and this pic from Vermilion expatriot Dale "Tulip" Wendell in sunny Arizona.
Dale wrote on 2-1-07:
"Rich...[I've]Been trying to get this picture (copy) made for you. This is how a lot of us in Vermilion made our spending money. The depression and WW2 had most of us working two jobs. I worked at Baumhart's till 7pm, then went to Furgason's Pool Room and set pins until 11pm. The tips were good, but what we were paid to set pins for Mr. Furgason was not too good. [The pins were]...set by two guys (2 lanes) and most of the time Bob Fugason (the owner's son) and I would set together. I also was a Rack Boy on the Pool Tables. That did not pay much. You took anythings you could get. The NEW bowling alley and pool room (Buyers Fair) never came about. That is a very long story, but very interesting...Tulip"
Hopefully, we'll hear more about this from "Tulip" in the near future.
PODCAST #10: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #10 gives ye a look at Vermilion's Water Street c. 1930. I've also added some national newspaper headlines from back in the 1920's. In addition to this I offer your ears a few bars from the John Philip Sousa Band c.1920. I'm hoping that the casts get better as we proceed.
Enjoy.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): I've not yet acquired an anser to Bob Williams' question about the colors for the Vermilion School system. But I will. It just taking me long than I prefer to get the answer to Bob's question.
And given the response of folks to this trial resource I may scrap it. We shall see.
WHAT'S A FOOT: The next meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society will be held at the Community Room of the Ritter Public Library this Monday (February 12, 2007) at 7 pm. This will be the Hank Fischer Part 2 Program. Hank (93 years of age) will reminisce about the Vermilion, Ohio of his youth. He's an extraordinary person with some extraordinary stories. So make plans to be there.
Everyone should understand that you are absolutely welcome to attend these 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.
I will be placing some of the new dates here this week. So stay tuned.
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 week or so 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 strongly 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 #14:
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 recently. It said in part:
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
For Persons who would like to contribute to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address or use PayPal(It's fast, free, easy, and secure):
Vol.4, Issue 47, February 10, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant