WELCOME OCTOBER : Precisely why and / or how Halloween came to be so widely celebrated by so many people over the last decade or so is truly mystifying. Is it the fun of costuming? The treats? Or is it just a way to break out of the some of the boredom that falls upon our souls between the end of summer and Christmas? Tis anyone's guess.
One of my most vivid memories of Halloween goes back to about 1952-53. The leaves were down. It was cold, dark, and damp. (That sounds like the cheesy beginning to a murder mystery novel.) I was with a group of neighborhood kids in the yard of the house on the northwest corner of Ohio and Decatur Streets. Trick or Treating was supposed to end at 9 p.m. It might have been a minute or two after nine. And we were still on the hunt for additional treats when...suddenly someone hollered, "It's Ed Benson!"
Ed Benson was the local Police Chief. I had visions of being arrested for breaking the 9 o'clock Trick or Treat rule. So I fell to the ground and covered myself over with leaves till he passed.
It never occurred to me that he likely didn't give a care about us at all. He really didn't have to because we lived in a town, and an age, of relative innocence.
Those days ended when some nitwit decided it would be a good idea to booby-trap the treats they handed out to the children. From there on people began to run scared - and never really stopped. It was, perhaps, the ultimate Halloween trick.
But be that as it is the season is a favorite of many folks both within and out of the United States of America. And I am forever mystified by the popularity of this October celebration.
BOOOO!!! 
M. OKAGI: From everything I could ever gather everyone thought well of Mr. Mamouru Okagi - the owner operator of Vermilion's nationally famous Okagi Restaurant. I know he could be a stern man. But most folks are stern at times. That's oftimes a matter of pure necessity. The restaurant business can be extremely demanding.
Those interested in his life will find a brief sketch of his life in the Vermilion Biographies section of "Views".
It took me a couple of years to really sift out of the truth of his life before I did my written sketch of him. Some folks, for instance, told me that he died penniless on the streets on one of the Hawaiian Islands. And whilst that might have made for good reading it hardly resembled the reality of his life.
Most of my narratives are works in progress. And the Okagi story is / was an example. As I look through records and discover more I amend those narratives. (That's one of the positive aspects of internet publications.)
Another positive and important resource for my narratives related to the "net" is that they are given universal exposure. Consequently the works are liable to be scrutinized by persons who may know the subject matter better than myself - and additional comments and / or information becomes available to me.
In the case of Mr. Okagi I received the following:
Hello Rich Tarrant,
After enjoying Vermilion Views and being related to the owner of the Okagi Restaurant of yesteryears, it gives me great pleasure to introduce myself as one of his nephews (live-75 years). And am currently residing in Lacey, WA, although I have not been privileged to visit Vermilion, I have frequently visited and enjoyed Mamoru Okagi's hospitality during Aug 1955 through Nov 1956 in Los Angeles, CA. during his retirement.
There were many interesting moments of his life that was shared in the short time we spent together while I was attending Northrop Aeronautical Institute in Inglewood, CA. Your website has refreshed many memories of times spent together including his memories of his wife Marie, Mary & [sic]John Vasbinder, Cecil Thomas, and Mary's son that wrote to his pappy routinely, which was cherished and enjoyed by Mamoru.
My address is
4851 490th Ln SE
Lacey WA 98504
Phone 360 491 1617
bokagi@comcast.net
It would be a pleasure to communicate with you and hopefully exchange even more interesting experiences and maybe locating some of the folks involved!
Sincerely,
Bob Okagi
Although I received this almost a month ago (9-15-07) I've yet to respond because I've been distracted by other matters. But I intend to email him this weekend.
I'm not in the habit of publishing anyone's address info on the net - but there may very well be some "Viewer's" who are also interested in contacting this gentleman.
This is a very intense and interesting communication medium - is it not?
Lindley Armstrong "Spike" Jones
HOT LIPS: In 1922 one America's top recordings was a tune called "Hot Lips" that was performed by the Paul Whiteman (Jazz) Orchestra.
Here the piece is performed by Spike Jones and his City Slickers on a record album called "Spike Jones - Musical Maddness" currently available through Apple Computer's iTunes.
Lindley Armstrong "Spike" Jones (December 14, 1911, Long Beach, California – May 1, 1965, Beverly Hills, California) was a popular musician and bandleader specializing in performing satirical arrangements of popular songs. Ballads and classical works receiving the Jones treatment would be punctuated with gunshots, whistles, cowbells, and ridiculous vocals.
Jones ,who got his nickname by being so thin that he was compared to a railroad spike, toured the USA and Canada under the title, The Musical Depreciation Revue during the 1940's and '50's.
Fun stuff!
Sarah and Rosamond Irey c. 1922
SARAH & ROSAMOND: Between 1914 and 1917 a gentleman named Albert L. Irey was Superintendent of the Vermilion (Ohio) Education System. His wife, Clara, was a teacher in the same system. Sarah Genevieve and Rosamond were their daughters - and only children. In the photo with the bi-plane are (C.1922)Sarah at 18 and Rosamond at 15 years of age.
I am guessing (of course) but the airfield might have been near Barnes Road just west of Vermilion Village.
The story of Mr. Irey is difficult to tell for several reasons. But it is mostly because it is a rather sad story. For sometime during the year 1917 (or so) the gentleman's erratic behavior was misinterpreted by many Vermilion Villagers as being scandalous. People jumped to conclusions that, when the proverbial dust settled, were terribly unjustified. For Mr. Irey was actually a victim of a mental illness.
In the end he, and at least one of his teachers, not only lost their job - but he also lost his family. And he spent the remainder of his days as an inmate at the Lima State Hospital.
From what I have read of the proceedings surrounding Mr. Irey's activities he always demonstrated a great deal of affection for his children. And in all the photographs that were captured of them during their early lives in Vermilion that certainly shines through...
The girls on the breakwall near
the Vermilion Light
These photos (as well as a "heads up" on the story) are courtesy of Sarah's granddaughter Joan Woodruff-Owens of Ft. Collins, CO. While I intend to do more with this story it is (as I've explained) difficult - and I'd like to get it right. Mr. Irey, as well as his family entitled to such consideration.
PODCAST #46: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #46Vermilion Views Podcast #46 continues with readings of from Betty Trinter's wonderful history of Vermilion - The Way It Was. And hear a brief exchange between Vermilionites Frank Adkins and Larry Howell about Larry's haircut.
And please take note. I have produced a new archive that will allow "Viewers" an easier way to access past podcasts. You will find that link in the links section below.
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for the latest 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 links. 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.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
For Persons who would like to donate 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 already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459
"Blame the guy who doesn't speak Engish." -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 30, October 13, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant