JUST AN OLD ROCK N' ROLLER : This is one of the only remnants of my rock n'rolling youth that I have left in my possession. As is obvious, my name and address - at 510 Perry St. in Vermilion, Ohio is still on the old 45. My signature (barely visible) is also there. If you have the capabilities you will also hear an exact reproduction of that very record. It ain't spectacular - but it's very real - scratches, misses, and all. It was 1958. I was 14. The record cost me a buck. And I was in rock n' roll heaven.
A little background on the group - The Silhouettes:
The Silhouettes were one of the classic one-shot groups from the 50's, and the one hit song that they did had tremendous success. The group was formed as a gospel quartet in 1955 in Philadelphia and originally known as the Gospel Tornados. They consisted of Billy Horton, Richard Lewis, Raymond Edwards, and Earl Beal, and all were from Philadelphia. They began to do rhythm-and-blues songs and changed their name, first to the Thunderbirds and later to the Silhouettes. Doo-wop was very popular in the late 50's and group member Richard Lewis collaborated with the group's arranger, Howard Biggs, to write what became one of the most successful doo-wop songs of all time. Get A Job was recorded by the Silhouettes in 1957 for Junior, then released on Ember the following January. It went to number one on both the pop and rhythm-and-blues charts, but was to be the group's only hit song. A popular rock-and-roll revival group formed at Columbia University in the late 60's, Sha Na Na, took its name from the lyrics to Get A Job. The Silhouettes re-formed in the early 80's to tour as an oldies group. Billy Horton died in 1995 in Germantown, Pennsylvania and Raymond Edwards passed away in March, 1997 in Philadelphia. Ref: www.tsion.com/silhouet.htm
Doo-wop was very popular in the late 50's and group member Richard Lewis collaborated with the group's arranger, Howard Biggs, to write what became one of the most successful doo-wop songs of all time. Get A Job was recorded by the Silhouettes in 1957 for Junior, then released on Ember the following January. It went to number one on both the pop and rhythm-and-blues charts, but was to be the group's only hit song.
A popular rock-and-roll revival group formed at Columbia University in the late 60's, Sha Na Na, took its name from the lyrics to Get A Job. The Silhouettes re-formed in the early 80's to tour as an oldies group. Billy Horton died in 1995 in Germantown, Pennsylvania and Raymond Edwards passed away in March, 1997 in Philadelphia.
During the years from about 1956 to 1958 and '59 I had acquired a nice collection of recordings. I was a great fan of Jerry Lee Lewis (still am), and Buddy Holly. I liked some of the Jimmy Rodgers stuff, and Duane Eddy (of course). Oddly enough I lost most of my records when I went off to work, and spend most of my time, at the Kountry Kitchen Restaurant (the old Dari-Bar - today the Old Prague). I just left them behind with some friends. While most of the records I owned are long gone (from my possession) the music remains. I'm just an old rock n' roller.
After
1949 JUNIOR CHOIR: This great photograph of Vermilion's Congregational Church Junior Choir was taken in April of 1949 by Paul Ludlow in the sanctuary of the old Congregational Church (now Millet's Auction House) on Division/Main Street in Vermilion next to the old Town Hall.
(Note: If some or all of this information seems to be redundant and/or unnecessary to some readers - it is precisely the case. This is done because some "Viewers" are unfamiliar with the history of the town and/or its geography. It may, therefore, be helpful to them if these descriptions of people, places, and things are more precise than persons more familiar with all those things deem necessary. So it's not that I know anything more than most people about these things that I offer this information. It's because there are a few "Viewers" who don't share the same information base.)
This is (to borrow a phrase from Lawrence Welk) "a wonderful, wonderful" photo of that choir taken during Easter Service. It's difficult not to notice the flowers in front of the alter, and the hats and gloves worn by the young ladies in the front pew of the church.
The photograph came to me, electronically, from Alice Wakefield in VA last week - and I was thrilled to get it. I was actually looking for a photo with which to try my new AKIS Retoucher plugin software on - and this photo was just perfect for the task. It will be added to the archives of the Vermilion Area Archival Society.
Coincidentally (and I'm being very honest when I say that it was pure coincidence) I was meandering through the microfilm files of The Vermilion News at the Ritter Public Library a few days later, and I came across the very same photo that was published in The News on April 21, 1949. The great part about this "coincidence" is that the article had all the names of the people in the choir published with it. They are:
1st Row L-R: William Troxel, Jack Seith, Sam "Bif" Langfitt Jr., Evalyn Todd (Wheelock), Alice Wakefield, Shirley Greenhoe (Lehky), Carol Eberle (Mayer), and Nancy Lee (Fulper). 2nd Row L-R: Carla Widdowson, Gordon Clauser,Jr., Jeanie Lindsley (Miller), Karen Kishman (Rathbun), Pearl "Ginny" Tarrant (Wilkes), Leslie Roberts (Ennis), Cheryl Barber (Phillips), and Doris Boone (Stwan). 3rd Row L-R: Gretchen Kishman (Neiding), Florence Louise Langfitt, Nadine Miskow, Joyce Zelinski, Phylis Weaver, Richard Cone, and Harriet Langfitt. The Organist was Mrs. (Dean) Mary Rapprich. and the Choir Director was Mrs. Charles Glasgow.
With those with whom I am familiar I added nicknames and names acquired by marriage. I also added first names of women (where I know them) who were only identified with their husband's first name.
(I would also interject an editorial opinion that that habit was an historical error commonly used in a plethora of publications of the past. Woman do, after all, have first names. The reason they were seldom used in formal situations may have been a matter of decorum - but I consider it to have been nonsensical. It is, historically at least, a nuisance.)
This is a great photograph of some great people. There's a great deal to be said about most of these folks. But that'll have to wait for another time. The one thing I will say is that I'm actually stunned to know that Billy Troxel was in a choir. I only knew him in later years - when he was a teenager and beyond - but I never ever figured him to be a choir-boy.
It only goes to show...
NEW PIX: From Vermilionite Viewer Fred Wetzler comes this great view looking eastward directly down what were once the New York Central railroad tracks (now Norfolk & Southern etc.) from (approximately) the Division/Main Street crossing. This pic is a scan from a 3.25 by 4.5 inch snap. It is c.1959. 3 sets of rails still ran through town at that time, and the station (to the right) was probably still in some use at that time. Corky and Fred Harpley used to pick-up and deliver freight from that station - probably into the 1960's.
The spot where this snapshot was taken was (Fred told me) about the same spot where his father, Joseph, lost his life as he walked to his job for the railroad in 1924. Joseph Wetzler was Vermilion's last lighthouse keeper. You can read his story in the Vermilion Biographies section of these pages.
Fred is kind enough to lend me some of his old snaps of Vermilion so that they might be added to the Vermilion Area Archival Society's collection(s). As you observe they may not, on the surface, be of any great import to some people. But with a few words they can be of great interest to many.
I would be willing to wager that most folks have forgotten about the lifeguard stand - not to mention the old worn bench - that appear in this 1959 picture taken at Vermilion's Main Street Beach. Who remembers the days when Vermilion had a lifeguard at any of the beaches? Who remembers when Tom Rodgers and Fred Robles were lifeguards? Today very few people swim along the coast in Vermilion. And since 1969 not much of the public beaches remain.
In any case, Fred Wetzler's snapshots (I do have a few more to come) are the type of pictures that can really be invaluable to keeping an adequate record of the history of Vermilion, Ohio. So if you're going to toss them kindly toss them my way.
COMMERCIAL BREAK: I don't normally do commercial advertising on this site - but this is an exception. This came from a good acquaintance, Northern Ohio bluesman Colin Dussault, who'll be playing in Huron (today). I don't do bars anymore - but Dussault's Blues Project is one of the best in the nation. If you like blues, a little country, and some rock and roll this is the ticket.
Colin, who's a Lakewood resident, plays at the Red Clay in Vermilion quite often, and he works somewhere in Ohio nearly every day of the year. So if you're ever in the vicinity of his band I urge you to give it a try. It's great stuff.
HAROLD AND SARAH: Monday last retired Vermilion school teachers Sarah and Harold Welker spoke at the March meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society in the Community Room at Vermilion's Ritter Public Library. This was a joing presentation about their life and times in lovely Mitiwanga, Ohio.
Although the Welkers are in their 90's, and bright as the stars in the winter sky, they aren't old enough to have known the Mitiwanga seen in the photo above. But they did experience the numerous changes that took place there during their 60 plus years in the place.
I have a digitised recording of their session that I'll used in part(s) of future editions of "Views".
It many interest Bob Williams to know that Sarah did answer the question about where Vermilion School colors (Purple and Gold) was derived. That answer can be heard toward the current VV Podcast available below.
However; to cut to the chase and spill the proverbial beans I will simply inform everyone that there isn't a definitive answer to the question. The choice appears to have been anonymously arbitrary. The colors are, in essence, those of royalty. And in some states as many as 25 different high schools use purple and gold as their school colors.
To afford folks an idea as to how such matters evolve take a look at how Ohio State's scarlet and grey came about:
From Ohio State's athletics site: Orange and black were first chosen as Buckeye colors in 1878. When the selection committee learned that Princeton had already picked those colors, the group instead chose scarlet and gray.
I thought there would be more of a story behind the choice of VHS colors. But sometimes the truth is blander than fiction.
And it only took me about two months to answer Bob's question.
PODCAST #15.3: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #15.3.1 offers some current news of Vermilion; a story from my book; a commercial; and a blue tango. I think you'll enjoy it.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): From Dr. Norman "Jack" Dean in Maryland: "What caused the demise of the Vermilion fishing industry? Was it polution? Over-fishing? Or just not an economical enterprise anymore?"
This is a large question with many answers. But it will be answered in next weeks issue of Views.
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 (April 9, 2007) at 7 pm. Nettie Bogart Welch will be speaking about her family (Bogart and Welch families) and life of farming in Erie County (Vermilion and Florence Townships).Nettie is a true wealth of information so don't miss it.
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:
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 @ 3 p.m., 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 is the 100th anniversary year of the beginning of Alta's baseball career and this performance will open the 2007 season for the Museum. This program is open to the public. Admission is $10/person (Children under 12 are admitted free).For more information, visit the Cleveland Baseball Heritage Museum webpage.
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 recently returned from Kenya and sent me the following note:
Just returned from a visit to the Home in Kenya, and my heart is full; Yvette and I were accompanied by 8 fellow travelers, 3 HS students who went to perform a service project, thier teacher (also a Board member) his 23 year old daughter and his significant other, an older brother of one of the students, and an AIDS educator who works for our County. I met Weddie (not Wendi, the little girl I was holding in the picture taken during last year's visit), and her friends, and found therm to be delightful; energetic, intelligent, creative, and very happy to be off the streets. They had found one of the books I brought last year, a book of poetry that dealt with how people deal with life's adversity, particularly relevant to their lives. Each one of the 37 memorized a poem from the collection, altering it to fit each of their own experiences. Listening to them brought tears to my eyes. While the adults in the group were visiting various local movers ands shakers to firm up support for the home, the students used a stencil and spray paint they brought with them to prime a VAN WE BOUGHT FOR THE Home Before Christmas, and affix the name of the home, along with several African animals and the Kenya National Flag. The workers at the panel beaters shop where they did the work didn't know what to make of these young white people who showed up with their own paint and stencils. We were overwhelmed by the hospitality of Merian community and the gratitude expressed by the young people that we serve. I'll send you a couple of photos of the kids and their visitors, and you'll see what I mean.
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 #19:
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
And I just received the following from Alice Wakefield:
"...I just established a yahoo group for the VHS Class of 1957 so we can catch up on our classmates before our September reunion..." Here are the details: The Group home page can be found at: VHS CLASS OF 1957 The Group email address is: VHSClassof1957 Go to the home page and join today!!
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 52, March 17, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant