FOR WHOM THE TOLL BELLS: When Geo and I purchased our house on Oakwood Drive in Vermilion (back in the early 1980's) Edson Street - which is essentially the mainest thoroughfare nearest our home - was newly paved. Since that time a new housing development, up the road and around the corner, married to the normal wear and tear on the busy street has taken its toll. The patches have great-great-great grandchildren. So, in short, the time has long passed since the street has needed to be re-paved.
The re-paving of Edson Street has been in the works for at least 3 years. Council have rubbed their chins, and scratched their heads over this job over the years. The Mayor has coyly inferred that the street would be improved over the years. The street has been surveyed. The costs have been surveyed. And the project has been consequently, and sagaciously, shelved.
Finally Council approved the improvement and the Mayor disapproved it. Ergo; the project is, again, "shelved".
This situation, me friends, is the malaise of 21st century politics: there is no room for compromise; there is no reasonable tete a tete negotiation(s). Tis "my way or the highway" (no pun intended) politics. And that leads exactly to a Dead End (as pictured).
My advice to everyone?
Stop the quibbling. Just pave the damn street!
SHUFFLE BALL CHANGE: This is a real keeper. This pic came from Alice Wakefield's collection of old memories with the following note:
Hi Rich, Found this in a box of old pictures. My sister Mary on the far
left and I am next to her, Carole Eberle is in the middle between two
girls whose names I can't remember, Nancy Lee is second from right and I
think Marilyn Hollosy is on the far right. We all took tap dancing
lesson in the late forties. It was upstairs near the old A&P corner.
Two sisters came from another town to give lessons in Vermilion one day
a week. One played the piano and the other was the dance instructor.
Seems like one was Miss Lilly. I am really digging. This picture has
faded so much. I remember the costumes were brilliant aqua blue satin
with sequins around the hems. It must have been early color. Thought
you'd like it for your collection.
What a great photograph!!
Marcy "Marcella Detroit" Levy
LAY DOWN SALLY: Marcy Levy, George Terry, and Eric Clapton (born 30 March 1945), co-wrote this weeks music, "Lay Down Sally" (c. 1973).
In this song, Clapton tries to convince a girl to hang out in bed with him instead of leaving. The song is not typical of Clapton's work, which is often based on The Blues.
This is the first track on the album. "Slowhand" is a nickname given to Clapton by the group's manager when he was with The Yardbirds. He got it because of his laid-back guitar style.
"Lay Down Sally" is grammatically incorrect. The correct grammar would be "Lie Down Sally.
Marcy Levy, who was one of Clapton's backup singers, wrote this with him and sang on it. She toured with Bob Seger before joining Clapton's band in 1973. In 1988, Levy, using the name Marcella Detroit, joined former Bananarama singer Siobhan Fahey to form Shakespear's Sister.
Great Stuff!
Bessie & Ella Roscoe c.1914
MONDAY IS WASHDAY: Among the family photographs taken by my grandfather, Pearl Roscoe, is this wonderful photograph of my mother and grandmother on washday back about 1914.
I can't really place the photo - although I've looked at it quite closely - and I only assume that the shadows were captured behind the Vermilion News print-shop on Grand Street in Vermilion.
I'm thinking that this might have been at the back of the garage that once stood behind the Grand Street building. To the left would have been the old First Congregational Church. And the house in the background may have been the Trinter home on the northeast corner of Grand and Ohio Streets. The little building to the right (I'm guessing of course) may have been the outdoor powder room.
I'm not sure as to the reason - but Mondays were always laundry days in our household. And I'm (again) assuming that it was more than just a family thing. Ergo this would have been taken on a Monday. And tis a great pic of old Vermilion.
Regatta 1926 in Vermilion, O.
1926 ON THE RIVER: I don't know how Roscoe got this photo. It may be that in 1926 it was still possible to stand in Exchange Park and look down and across the river toward the lake. I don't believe he would have been atop one of the fish shanties.
I think it's difficult for persons today to envision what the old Regatta games were like along the river by the waterworks. Folks came from miles around (usually on a Sunday afternoon) to watch the swimming, diving, and canoing competitions at the end of Regatta weekend.
Although this pic was well before my time on Earth competitions like this still existed when I was a lad (in the 1950's). Whilst I don't recall that it was a big source of revenue for anyone in particular I suppose that those who attended spent a few bucks about town before leaving.
In any case, as seen in this photograph it was a popular event - and provided a local youngsters with a great deal of fun.
PODCAST #46: (No change from last week until later today or tomorrow.) 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.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): Below is another new form that I've added to the site. With this form you will be allowed to preview your comment/question as it will be sent to me. After that just come back to this page and clear the form.
Well, folks I've got to say that this form is working wonderfully for me. I'm receiving good questions and comments on a regular basis. So it's exceeded my initial expectations substantially.
Keep all the questions and comments coming. I really appreciate them.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS ETC. (?):
Well - ENOUGH!!! Some European spammers finally got the best of me by using the email form which used to be available (here) in "VV". They hi-jacked the form for purposes I am unable to fathom (I don't gamble and I'm not in the market for Viagra). Ergo; I dropped the form and ye can simply drop a line to me by tapping on my name below:
RICH TARRANT
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
" Solid waste! I could kiss you! MWUA! eugh! MWUA! ooh! MWUA! aah! MWUA! ooh! I think this one's pizza!." -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 31, October 20, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant