QUIET, BUT NOT PAINLESS, VERMILION, OHIO: As is plain in this photograph it was a very pleasant day in Vermilion, Ohio when these shadows were captured by my Nikon DS70 down by the Red Clay (restaurant). The face of Vermilion is constantly changing - and it's not always for the worse.
At the old Wakefield Brass/Lighting/ITT/Lithonia Lighting factory a new sign went up this week. The place is now occupied by the Cleveland Quarries Company. I asssume they'll be cutting and storing sandstone there.
Changes such as these are seldom painless - or without some quarrel.
During the last several months some major improvments have been taking place at the Chez Francois Restaurant (Vermilion's French Restaurant in the old Sail Loft building on Main Street). Because these were "major" improvements many persons were involved in bringing them about - and that meant that there was a great deal of traffic and parking by construction vehicles in that area. It was significant enough to become a cause for some complaint.
While I've never be a patron of the restaurant (and it is unlikely that I ever will) I believe it is nothing but an asset to our community. It is probably the best restaurant in Ohio, and it has a national reputation which, consequently, affords the town very positive, and I would add very free publicity.
But, as was said, "Changes... are seldom painless".
During the week I added another gig of memory and upgraded the operating system (to 10.04.10) to me faithfull Mac G5. This is truly an impressive operating system. And setting aside all the proverbial "bells and whistles" that come with such upgrades there is one feature that is exceptionally useful to anyone (like myself at least) who has, literally, thousands of files on the computer. It's called "Spotlight". It's a search tool that affords a person access to a particular file - immediately. It is A-mazing.
But truth be known the upgrades were necessary (for me) to prepare the way for more (and improved) software for future photographic work and/or webpage webpage construction.
Unfortunately, none of this is "painless" either. But onward...
1935: Doth thou think that these youngsters knew that they were going to have their pic taken the day this was taken?
Methinks it were no cooincidence that some were obviously wearing their Sunday best on the day the photographer came to visit. I find that mildly amusing and, for the lack of a better word, cute.
The photo was taken just outside the doors on the northeast side of South Street School in 1935. And the youngsters are:
Standing L-R: E. Wlodarsky, J. Nieding, A. Matas, A. Walker, B. Scarlet, B. Holtz Kneeling L-R: D. Walker, B. Weigel, G. Sprigg
While some of the names are familiar I knew none of these folks.
Bob Weigel was transplanted from the Cleveland area to Vermilion via the Olympic Outing Club. I know of him because his family was involved in a Christmas Eve tragedy several years prior to this pic.
The father had taken a job as caretaker at the Olympic Club. On Christmas Eve the wife and most of the children went to St. Mary's Church on Ohio Street to attend Christmas Eve services.
After the service the family piled into their car and headed north up Main/Division Street crossing the New York Central Railroad tracks apparently on their way back to the club. Why they went that way instead of simply going east on either Ohio or South Street no one will ever know.
As they crossed the railroad they were broadsided by a fast moving passenger train heading west. Everyone, with exception of the youngest child (that might have been Bob), in the car was killed. I believe there were 5 persons in all. T'were a real tragedy.
Bob stayed in Vermilion with his father after the accident. He attended (obviously) Vermilion's Schools, played football, and later graduated from VHS.
When the Olympic Club celebrated its 100th birthday Bob came in (I believe it was) from California and visited with some of his old friends.
A PLACE BY THE RIVER: This pretty watercolor came to me with the following request during the week:
"...My name is Carol Flick and I am a resident of Linwood Park (year round now). I am in charge of an auction we are having in the Park on July 14th to raise funds for the restoration of historical buildings in the park. One of our donations is a watercolor, we believe an original, by an artist by the name of Tibbets. I am not absolutely sure of the artist's name as it is not really clear. I am attaching a photograph of the watercolor in hopes you may be able to identify the building (it was supposed to be in Vernilion on the river)."
The only building I could think of that approximated the one in the painting is the one seen below:
This is the building owned by the Vermilion Power Boats next door to the Red Clay (restaurant). I'm fairly certain that it is the one in the painting.
I attribute the sag in the roof, and a few other differences in the landscape, to time and poetic / artistic license.
I note that there seems to be a great deal of historic activity in Linwood Park this year. And I need remind "Viewers" with memories of the park to visit the Vermilion Locals page for additional information. Your memories are of great value.
LSE #174: This photo was serendipitous. It was inside Volume 4 of a series of historical books by Harry Christiansen Vermilionite Louis Bertoni purchased at the Ritter Public Library book sale last week. The book is called the "New Lake Shore Electric".
The photograph was from Karel Liebenauer, 1148 Pomona Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio - 44121. I've no idea if that means Liebenauer took the photo or that it was just part of his collection.
I'm also at a loss to recognize the locale of the pic. From what can be seen in it it looks to be very near the lake. But that's about all I can determine.
The book, itself, is extraordinarily detailed. It contains 120,000 words, 530 pictures, and many maps, etc.
Actually the book contained 531 photographs.
It was a wonderful find.
JIM'S DAD: Jim Hart dropped by at the church kitchen last week for a moment. Most folks know him as the guy who owned and operated Hart's (wonderful) Corner Drugstore for years, and years, and years here in lovely Vermilion, Ohio.
Jim's in his mid-80's now and is still going strong - driving his boat of a Buick station wagon (they quite manufacturing them a few years back)about town. He's a good guy. More than a few men and women worked in his store during their teen years.
The above pic is that of his dad, Albert, in his first drugstore. (Albert, incidently, is also Jim's christian name). The first store was located on Division/Main Street where the Lee's Landing shop is today.
After Hart Sr. purchased the store on the corner of Liberty and Main Streets he moved his display cases to the new location. Some of them are there (in the Main Street Soda Grill) to this day.
PODCAST #30: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #30Vermilion Views Podcast #30Vermilion Views Podcast #30 offers 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've been rather pressed for time for the last few weeks so I need 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 15, June 30, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant