A LUDLOW PIPE : This is a new acquisition for the Vermilion Area Archival Society. It comes to the society from Marilyn VanDenBossche via the Reverend Louis Bertoni. I assume the pipe belonged to Marilyn's late husband Ron - and because Marilyn doesn't smoke a pipe...(just kidding). But, what a very nice addition to the society's collection.
Many "Viewers" readily recognize Paul Ludlow as having been one of Vermlion's premier professional photographers. And more than a few pix used in "Views" over the years have been those of Paul and his contemporary Richard "Dick" Koontz.
Mr. Ludlow, along with his father Harold, had numerous interests aside photography. Harold was a steam-train enthusiast. If I remember correctly he collected recordings of train whistles and bells along with (of course) photographs of locomotives. Many of those train pix appeared in calendars throughout the United States of America. [As an aside I would note that during my historical research I've begun to note that the collection sundry steam-train/locomotive paraphanalia was a fairly common hobby among men in the United States of America at one time. This is not a dramatic revelation to anyone aside from myself. But I, nonetheless, find it interesting.
In any even, making pipes was (again quite obviously) also one of Paul Ludlow's hobbys. And this pipe is a beauty. I have it sitting beside me. I pick it up and smell the bowl - the sweet smell of a mellow tobacco still lingers there - even after all these years. As can be seen in the pic it is a well-crafted pipe - and is signed. I'm not sure if the digit under the signature is an "S" or a "5" or nothing - just a flourish. The pipes may have been numbered.
In previous weeks, while working on another project, I was looking into Ludlow's background and found some interesting stuff. Paul was also a model airplane enthusiast. These were working models. If I can ever rediscover the article I found from the files of one of the local daily newspapers I'll use it (here). But I've misplaced the file. But there are some additional details.
In 1930 Paul lived with his father (Harold, his mother Bessie, and (I assume) his grandfather Wallace in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Wallace was born in New York in 1858. He was a bookkeeper. His wife was born in Vermont. Paul was born in Cleveland in 1916, and died at Elyria Memorial Hospital on August 20, 1983.
It's real nice to have this item for the archives of Vermilion's history. But it would be a little nicer if we could locate a few more of the photographs he took during is life in Vermilion. It surely would.
ONE OF MY FAVORITES: Miss Kropf (not Mrs. nor Ms.) was one of my very favorite teachers. Tough as nails, but extremely enthusiastic and supportive she helped form my intense interest in everything historical.
These shadows were captured some years prior to my being one of her students - but I remember her well. She was an old Army or Marine Sergeant. She looked the part and she could also play the part when or if necessary. And knowing some of the student in this 6th Grade Class of 1954 she may have needed to play that part.
I can't name all the students, but I did spot a few that I vividly remember. Some are still about town today.
I see (right up in the front row on the left) Cliff Bartlome. Two boys, almost behind him, are Jimmy Fischer and (I think) Johnny Simon. I see Wade Rodgers (the boy in the third row to the right) next to the radiator. Mike Havrilla is the last boy (in the same row) all the way to the left. Almost behind Mike is Dick Jones. And I'm not real sure - but I think one of the Mollahan boys is in the group. A girl named Mary Lee Russell is back one row behind Wade Rodgers. I also see Bruce Eldridge and, perhaps, Russ Fischer toward the back of the room. I'm thinking I also see Tommy Williams in the secound row - the second boy from the right.
I remember many of the faces, but have forgotten many of the names that go with them. But just great memories from old South Street School. What a wonderful place it was - one of my favorites.
This is, incidently, also a Paul Ludlow photograph.
THE DRIVE-IN: If my trivial knowledge serves me correctly I once read where the State of Ohio had (at one time) the most drive-in theaters in our nation. I suppose tis neither here nor there whether there is any veracity to that stat - but I sure used to like going to the drive-in theater. I saw my first Planet of the Apes film in a drive-in. And remember 3-D movies? They were great at the old drive-ins.
Last week Vermlion expatriot Rell Sanderson, who now lives in SF, sent me a link to a site of "abandoned places" across the U.S. And that is where I snatched these pix of the old Sandusky Drive-in to use this week.
To the best of my knowledge the drive-in still exists. But as is apparent in these (that are just a few) photographs of it it is in grave disrepair. And it is unlikely that it will be repaired.
For the benefit(s) those who've long since left Vermilion and, perhaps, Ohio the Lorain and Elyria Drive-ins are long gone. The one in Lorain was replaced by one of those U-Store-It franchises.
I suppose there is a financial/practical reason for the disappearance of these theaters in America. But they shore were fun. Too bad.
MRS. BURDUE: There was some response to last weeks pic of Mrs. Burdue's First Grade Class in 1954 wherein I made mention of my friend Larry Howell's negative experience with the lady. I found it interesting that it was apparently not an entirely isolated experience.
One person wrote to tell me the following:
Hi Rich....This weeks "VIEWS" gave me a shiver. Mrs. Burdue was my first grade teacher too. I remember 3 things very clearly from that year: 1. I was to be in the Christmas program on her orders....but when I told her I was having my tonsils out on the day of the program, she was most upset with me and my parents! OUCH! 2. I had received wonderful Indian mocassins (sp???) from my Grandma and Grandpa when they returned from a trip out west....cowboy and Indian country! They were pink & beaded, the typical child gift. I wore them everyday to school with pride. Mrs. Burdue told me to go home and tell my Mom that I needed new shoes. I could NEVER understand why Mrs. Burdue couldn't see the beauty in my pink mocassins! OUCH! OUCH! 3. In reference to her ruler....I was a poor reader as child, having trouble with the "wh" words particularly, i.e. who, what, where, when, why, etc. Whenever the "_____ birds" had to read (the lowest group....red, green, or blue...I can't remember) she had her ruler in hand. If I stumbled over a word, she'd tap that ruler INCESSANTLY on the table in front of me....as if that would help me pull the right word out of my first grade brain! Today, as a retired teacher myself, I can't imagine why she thought that tapping would help in any way! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! All of the above still give me a shiver...and remind me of my poor reading until approximately the 6th grade when Miss Livermore came into my life!
1. I was to be in the Christmas program on her orders....but when I told her I was having my tonsils out on the day of the program, she was most upset with me and my parents! OUCH!
2. I had received wonderful Indian mocassins (sp???) from my Grandma and Grandpa when they returned from a trip out west....cowboy and Indian country! They were pink & beaded, the typical child gift. I wore them everyday to school with pride. Mrs. Burdue told me to go home and tell my Mom that I needed new shoes. I could NEVER understand why Mrs. Burdue couldn't see the beauty in my pink mocassins! OUCH! OUCH!
3. In reference to her ruler....I was a poor reader as child, having trouble with the "wh" words particularly, i.e. who, what, where, when, why, etc. Whenever the "_____ birds" had to read (the lowest group....red, green, or blue...I can't remember) she had her ruler in hand. If I stumbled over a word, she'd tap that ruler INCESSANTLY on the table in front of me....as if that would help me pull the right word out of my first grade brain! Today, as a retired teacher myself, I can't imagine why she thought that tapping would help in any way! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!
All of the above still give me a shiver...and remind me of my poor reading until approximately the 6th grade when Miss Livermore came into my life!
I'm really not picking on Mrs. Burdue as much as I'm struck by the contrast of her teaching strategies with those of Miss Kropf. The one thing I will say on Mrs. Burdue's behalf is that she may have unknowningly inspired some students to become better parents and teachers in their respective lives.
One thing for sure - I'm glad I never had the pleasure of being in her class.
THE ROGER K: This is another Frank Homitz work. He dropped it at our house yesterday afternoon. And, again, I appreciate his work - immensely. Frank is a Vermilion, Ohio artist. I enjoy both the subject matter and the color(s) in his paintings. I should add that this particular piece is a copy of a much larger painting.
I also want to explain to folks who might be in the business of reproducing artwork of this sort for themselves and/or for internet display (such as this piece) that it was not easy to maintain the colors of the original in reproduction. I had to scan it using CYMK colors (as opposed to RGB) to maintain as much of the color integrity of the original as possible. I then switched it back to RGB to display it on the net.
I don't expect most folks to understand what I'm talking about here - but it might be helpful to a few who do understand.
But Frank's artwork is wonderful. At the moment I'm using his watercolor of downtown Vermilion as a desktop background. That's how much I like his stuff.
WHOOPS!!: In the midst of several things going on in my life I nearly forgot that the Vermilion Area Archival Society received this certificate of commendation from, then Ohio Governor, Bob Taft last summer. Until this very moment I don't believe anyone knew about this except the Governor, my wife, and myself. It completely skipped my small mind.
This may be partially due to the fact that Mr. Taft was not being held in the highest regard by the people of our state toward the end of his tenure as Governor.
All I can say is WHOOPS!!
PODCAST #12.1: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #12.1 moves in a different direction as I seek to find a solid format for the audio recording. Partially due to the fact that I've acquired a way to make digital recordings of 78, 33 1/3, and 45 rpm records, married to the very few recordings I currently have available to record this weeks podcast is mainly comprised of music. And that music is mainly some Johnny Pecan buttonbox polka music. However; if you can hang in there until the end therein lies a taste of Vermilion history
Stay tuned - and enjoy.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): I've not yet acquired an answer 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.
Excercise some patience, and I will have the answer very soon.
Trust me!
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 (March 12, 2007) at 7 pm. This program will feature the Mitiwanga memories of Sarah and Harold Welker. Most folks who attended Vermilion's Schools know the Welker's quite well. They are an astounding couple. We hope to see ye all there.
Everyone is 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:
This is something new to this spot. Every month the Vermilion Churchmen United have a breakfast at Vermilion's Nest Restaurant afterwhich speakers from various parts of the Vermilion community present a program.
For the next few months speakers from various churches throughout the community will present programs (as seen above) about their particular churches.
These are, by and large, awfully informative sessions - and while, at the moment, they are focused on churches that is not, often, the rule of these programs. If there is a community program/activity around Vermilion, Ohio sooner or later a representative from that activity will appear at these sessions.
So whether you're a church-goer, or simply a person interested in our community, this is a great place to get the inside info on local activities and those responsible for them. Breakfast is $4.00. The program is over by 9:00 sharp. And everyone is the wiser.
Ergo; if your in the area feel free to attend.
And I need 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 attempt to keep updates on Eden Valley' programs here throughout the year. So keep coming back.
The Cleveland Baseball Heritage Museum in the Colonial Arcade, 530 Euclid Ave. will open the 2007 baseball season with several special events including a performance of YOU CAN'T PLAY BALL IN A SKIRT! On March 24, Susan Brewer will portray Ohio's Baseball Wonder, Dr. Alta Weiss who put herself through medical school playing professional baseball on a MEN'S team in the early 1900s. This program will also be featured at the Ashland Chautauqua, June 25-30. The Chautauqua is sponsored by the Ashland Community Arts Center and this year's theme is "Sport and Society." For complete information on all of the events (which are FREE and open to the public), call 419-281-9836 or e-mail: Ashland Arts Center
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 #16:
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.
I want to interject here that for some reason I am unable to fathom I can't communicate with Roger via e-mail. I believe it has something to do with his software or that of his ISP. I any "Viewer" is in touch with him let him know that I've been trying to contact him without success.
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 49, February 24, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant