A SUMMER STORM PASSES BY: The last several weeks have been exceptionally busy - distracting - for me. Too many folks I am familiar with have passed over the proverbial "bar".
First it was me friend Pasty Reising. Then it were my sis Eleanor. And last it was me friend Fred Wetzler.
Patsy and Ellie's deaths were untimely - but expected. With Fred it was more of a surprise. Though Fred was 84 - he was a young 84. A good fellow. He was of great help to me.
Those who follow "Views" know that I've mentioned him more than once during the years. He was interested in the history of Vermilion. He was, like myself, born here. His father, Joseph, was Vermilion's Last Lightkeeper. Joe's story appears among those found in the Vermilion Biographies section of "Views". Fred's is yet to be writ.
Fred supplied me with numerous photographs and a significant amount of information about people and places about Vermilion, Ohio.
"Sometimes I feel like a stone in the midst of a rushing stream (of life). The current is so strong that it is impossible to remain unmoved by all that has passed - and that which continues to pass."
By week next I should be up to running speed again. The storm should have abated. I'm adding an additional gig of memory to my computer - loading a new operating system - working toward installing some neat additional photo plugins - and have almost finished my "History of Vermilion's Education System" for the net. And I'm looking forward to reading - and writing - more of that which once was.
C'est la vie mes amis - c'est la vie...
PALACE OF DREAMS: Recently a pic of Vermlion's picture show appeared in "Views", but it was a very poor picture. This is a good Richard "Dick" Koontz photo of the interior of Vermilion's old palace of dreams. Like Vermilion's wonderful Crystal Beach Amusement Park there are likely a million stories to be told about this place.
Here there is a memory of Sophie Stevens who - even on the hottest summer days wore a greatcoat to the theater - under which she carried her dinner from Okagi's Restaurant.
And in another place there is a memory of Mrs. Lucille Nuhn selling 10 cent movie tickets to kids on Sunday afternoons. And Mr. Nuhn walking around the theater with a flashlight telling noisy children to "pipe down" during the movie.
Then there was the music that used to play while the airconditioned theater was filling up with move-goers. The music that accompanies this weeks "Views" was one of those tunes.
Who remembers the odor of freshly popped popcorn (10 cents a box); nickle boxes of candy; prize nites (you might win a bicycle but never did); the 3 Stooges and Our Gang Shorts; Looney Tunes; Marilyn, Jane, Johnny Weismiller, Doris Day, Tab Hunter, James Dean, Roy Rogers and Trigger...
It were Vermilion's Palace of Dreams. The silver screen at the Liberty Theater.
ANOTHER STAGE OF DREAMS: I find this snap taken (a long time ago) by Vermilionite Glen Risdon when he was a Vermilion School custodian to be extremely poignant as a candid composition. It is, of course, the stage at South Street School poised for a evening band concert. It was very like the very last band concert Vermilion High School students would play in that building.
To folks who don't remember this stage - or this building - the photo likely appears to be pointless - mundane. But to many folks who knew this gymnasium and stage it is a very palpable composition.
Very interesting.
BERLIN HEIGHTS: Last week I incorrectly identified a railroad underpass as being along Humm Road near Berlin Heights. The overpass in the photo was actually the one found on Barnes Road near Volunteer Bay. I've got no idea as to the reason I made such an error - and it may be that it doesn't deserve any explanation. However; that error was, in some respects, a fortunate one.
It was "fortunate" because my friend Dennis Lamont, the electric train historian who lives in Birmingham, emailed me several pix of the electrics passing through Berlin Heights - including this one of the Berlin Heights electric station.
One of the most striking things about this pic and others of Berlin Heights and Birmingham that were taken during this period of time is the fact that both these little towns were really bustling little villages.
This causes one to really wonder: Had the electrics not been eradicated by the advent of the automobile would these towns have become larger, and perhaps more prosperous, than they are today? My guess is that that would have certainly been the case.
But we shall never know.
SAY CHEESE: I've never persued writing anything about the cheese industry around Vermilion for one good reason. It is that I know that others have written about it in the past and I've nothing to add.
I do know that as a local industry it was successful. There were more than a few dairy farmers in the area. And I've either heard or read somewhere that some of the cheese that was made in the area was some of the best Swiss in Ohio.
The "Cheese House" as I've always known it still stands. Those traveling along Ohio Route #60 just north of the thriving metropolis of Axtel, Ohio will pass the old factory that sits on the west side of the road about a quarter mile north of Mason Road. It's a two-story brick structure, and it has (or once very notably had at one time) a flat roof. One does not see too many 19th century brick buildings of two stories with a flat roof.
This is a fair pic of the operation that comes from the PRoscoe photo collection. Within the last month or so I believe there was a fire in this building. It is now a private home. It'd sure be a shame to lose this beauty.
A MOST INTELLIGENT MAN: The fellow who gave me this color pencil portrait had a note fastened to it with a paper-clip. It read:
It's a self portrait. I like people who know how to portray themselves honestly.
PODCAST #29: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #29Vermilion Views Podcast #29 offers a reading from an article recently writ for the Vermilion (Ohio) Photojournal and (of course) a continuation of readings from Betty Trinter's history of Vermilion - "The Way It Was".
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): I do have another question - and I do have an answer to that question (from Bob Williams) - but I'm rather pressed for time this week so I will defer it until next time.
And while ye wait - if anyone has any further questions... [Note this link is working this week.]
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for information about VHS Class Reunions, The Vermilion Area Archival Society, Eden Valley Enterprises events, and Hope Home in Kenya? Follow the link to the Vermilion Locals page. Something new (mit a few new pix added) for your enjoyment.
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. And THANKS to everybody who has contributed to the cause. I doth sincerely appreciate it):
Vol.5, Issue 14, June 23, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant