Doc: Some time ago I came into possession of a number of slides that I was unable to identify. It's been so long ago that I am unable to recall just exactly who gave them to me, or even when I received them. I scanned the slides because I was interested in learning how to scan slides. But, as I've said, I was unable to "i.d." anyone in them.

Initially, I thought that they might have been taken in Korea. The rough and cold countryside that appears in them gave me that impression. What further puzzled me involved the fact that some of them were taken aboard a fair-sized ship. Although it was obvious to me that they were photographs of military personnel I really couldn't figure to what branch of service they belonged.

And then, one day as I worked along with Vermilionite Louis Bertoni making a record of materials belonging to the Vermilion Area Archival Society I came across some picture prints that I recognized as being exact copies of the slides I had found to be so curious. These pictures were donated to the society by one of "Doc" Keith Jeffery's daughters. And once I knew that - I understood and recognized him in the slides that I had pondered over so long.

This pic of Doc is not, methinks, one that was contained in those given the society by Doc's daughter. It is one that I took from the slides.

For those who might not know it - Doc was stationed in Alaska during WW2. And part of the reason I chose to use this particular pic is the way he is standing for the photo: That is how I remember him standing when speaking and/or listening to someone. That is Doc!

What a great photograph.

MORE CURIOUS PIX: "Viewer" Alice Wakefield sent me the above pic that I muchly appreciate. I make obvious note of the New York Central train water-tower that was located on the South side of the rails (I think) somewhere between Division and Sandusky Streets. But as is also obvious, I have a question about the identity of the building I've marked with the red arrow and question mark. That building certainly doesn't still exist. So - what was it? It's a good sized structure.

I'm also curious about the age of this particular photograph. In the area that was occupied by the Gilchrist-Fischer Lumber there appears to be nothing. I'm sure there had to be something. But nothing of substance is visible. Driscoll's Fish House is, however, quite visible.

AND CURIOUSER:This is another pic forwarded me from Alice. I don't believe that it's a Vermilion home but tis among her family records. I've not gone into the architectural style of the home yet. That might shed some light on the locale of the house. But off-hand I am inclined to believe (as is she) that this was a Horton Family home. And for some reason (I don't quite fathom) I have the impression this structure was/is in Michigan.

If there is any "Viewer" who can shed some light on this home it would be most appreciated.

CLOSER LOOK AT DRISCOLL'S: Whilst looking a Alice's pic of the Vermilion River I recalled this photo. It's not the entire photograph (from the PRoscoe collection) but it's a great partial photo.

The NYC water-tower in the background is very visible. Note that it is a wooden tower. Seen at a distance in other photographs it seldom occurs to many folks that it was not fabricated of metal.

I was attempting to allow "Viewers" as good a view of the tug J.H. Driscoll as possible. I also wanted folks to note the gentleman holding the baby for Roscoe's portrait. I'd be willing to bet that the person that baby became as an adult was a sailor.

THE LEMONTREE LOUNGE: This place may be familiar to a few former and current residents of Vermilion, Ohio; Dick Macklin's Lemontree Lounge. As far as I know the building always housed a saloon. Before Dick became the owner and remodeled it was known as "Lefty's / Eland's Cafe.

Dick and his friends always gave me the impression of being classy playboys. They habitually wore suits and neckties. (Even the guys who worked at the Ford plant.) I do recall that some of them thought nothing of getting a bit tipsy and taking a flight south to one of the Carolinas to play golf for the day.

Looking at this photo I can picture Charlie Baumhart coming in after working at the Post Office with his newspaper. He'd sit down and intone in his basso voice, "Women! They ought to take 'em all out into the street and shoot 'em!"

Charlie's experiences with women were less than stellar. But in the end he was always hooked. Again, and again, and again. And oddly enough, I always considered him to be one of the most intelligent persons I've ever known. He simply couldn't pass up a pretty face.

The saloon is gone now. The building has been sitting idle for several years. The liquor license has disappeared somewhere. I suppose someone will someday buy the place and turn it into an artsy-craftsy shop for tourists.

THE VERMILION LAGOONS: This aerial photograph of the Vermilion Lagoons area was probably taken in the 1940's. Tis applied here to go along with this weeks VV Podcast (found below).And while that is the main intent of applying it here folks might want to note the pier that runs off Main Street Beach from what is now the Great Lakes Historical Society's Marine Museum into the lake.

It's interesting to see that the pier went out so far into the water and turned east. One can still see remnants of this breakwall near the beach at Main Street, but there is little indication that it was as long as it appears in this photo.

If memory serves me properly it seems that I recall George Wakefield mentioning that he had some hand in building the pier. These old aerials are indeed very interesting.

PODCAST #25: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #25Vermilion Views Podcast #25 features long time Vermilion Lagoon resident Rita Summers speaking to the Vermilion Area Archival Society (May 14, 2007) on the history of that development. Tis a very clear and concise history.

There is also a continuation of readings from Betty Trinter's history "The Way It Was" by "Views" editor Rich Tarrant.

Feel free to collect/download these readings and place them on a disc for listening at a later time. If you have the equipment it would be relatively easy to edit them (cut out the misc. stuff) and just keep what ye might find interesting.

HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): From "Viewer" Lorna Naegele comes the following question:

"A few days ago, I was driving along and got this weird whiff of vinegar, and thought of what we used to call the 'pickle factory.' I thought to myself "I should write Rich and ask about the pickle factory!" So imagine my surprise when I opened this week's VV and there's the story of the 'pickle works!' Thanks!

Though we didn't live in that neighborhood, my frequent babysitters, the Weitzman's, lived on South St., so we ofter walked by the 'pickle factory.'

I do still have a question - when was the plant in operation? "

ANSWER: Lorna

My answer (this week) is (again) that I have no answer to your question - yet. . While I have acquired a great deal of information about the operation of the South Shore Packing plant I would like to put together just a bit more before I answer your question. Your patience is appreciated.

And while ye wait - if anyone has any other questions...

WHAT'S A FOOT: There will be no June meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society. However; during Vermilion's Festival of the Fish society members will be on hand to greet persons interested in Vermilion history at their new home in the Hull / Consumer building next to the railroad tracks on Main Street.

Everyone is welcome to stop by and talk with them and 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.

On June 16, 2007 at 1p.m. travel back to 1899. Meet Sarah Comstock who grew up in a house on the Underground Railroad in Sandusky at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, 125 Meigs Ave.; Sandusky. She will discuss her new book, NEXT STOP, FREEDOM! This first person character program is part of the museum's Juneteenth celebration. The program is open to the public and free with museum admission. For more information, call the museum at 419-624-0274 or visit them at Sandusky Maritime Museum.

A performance of YOU CAN'T PLAY BALL IN A SKIRT! be featured and will be held at the Freer Family Field at the corner of Park St. and Morgan Ave, June 25-30. The Chautauqua is sponsored by the Ashland Community Arts Center and this year's theme is "Sport and Society." For more information call the Ashland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 877-581-2345 or e-mail: Ashland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

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. The site has been recently updated. 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. 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.

I need to strongly reiterate the fact that this is an on-going project. The need is forever continuing. Please think about these children. If not with your pocketbook - at least in your daily prayers.

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.

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 they are not working well. If so it is a technical problem belonging to the respective parties operating those webpages. They appear here only as a courtesy to those parties. Please address any concerns you may have about those pages to those responsible for them.

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

Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix
History of Linwood Park
Vermilion Visitor's Advisory (Satire)
Gore Orphanage History
The Lester Pelton Story
The Wreck of The Niles #152
The History of Crystal Beach
Vermilion Views Archives
Vermilion's Pioneer Woman; Charlotte Sturges
Cloudy; Vermilion's Ferryman
The History of Vermilion's Congregational Church
Dedication Sermon of Jotham W. Goodell, 1843
The Last Time I Saw Charlie
Hope Childrens Home Kenya
A Profile of Rich Tarrant
Vermilion Biographies
Vermilion - Village of Lake Captains
Vermilion's Youngest Minstrels

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. And THANKS to everybody who has contributed to the cause. I doth sincerely appreciate it):

Vol.5, Issue 10, May 26, 2007

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© 2007 Rich Tarrant