THE COST OF VOLUNTEERING: Well - volunteering to do some folks a favor ain't a real intelligent thing to do.
Some friends wanted a pic of Decatur Street School sans the trees and signs for a "Cat's Meow" thingy. (I don't know what else to call it. It's a little wood cut-out with a picture of whatever one desires - in this case the school - painted on the front of it.) It's actually one of those things that eventually ends up in a pile of screwdrivers, picture frames, and what-not at a flea-market in Boise.
In any case, I volunteered to take the pic and eliminate the trees, and the sign, that some kind person / persons planted in front of the building. But my first pic wasn't exactly what my friends had in mind.
What was I thinking?
Please understand that I, too, attended this school. As school buildings go it is functional. That is, it serves the intended purpose. However; as I worked to get a "full-frontal" (almost sounds obscene doesn't it?) view of the building I began to realise that the building was - after all is said and done - and as school buildings go - an extremely unattractive structure.
This is not something I ever gave much thought to before I volunteered to do this. But WOW! It is hardly an architectual masterpiece. However; as mentioned, it is a "functional" structure.
It may be, therefore, that the cost of volunteering was much more than I anticipated. And I now understand the reason that no photographer (I know of) ever took a photograph of the front of the building without standing at an angle. It is simply one of the least attractive public structures in Vermilion, Ohio.
Junior Choir - First Congregational Church
c.1954
1954: This, of course, is a photograph of the Junior Choir at Vermilion's First Congregational Church taken in the old building (on Main / Division Street) next to the old Vermilion Township Hall about 1954. It is courtesty of the historical archives of Vermilion's United Church of Christ Congregational Church.
Folks who have 6 decades (or so) of life under their belts will probably recognize many of the youngsters pictured. Among them is Jake Boone, Rich Tarrant, Jacques Jeffery, Bobby Braden, Zella Tarrant, Noreen Welch, Janet Lindsay, Judy Shaw (Willliams), Patty Tokar (Szeckly), Carol Idol (Peck), Mary Ellen Martinek, Patsy Reiber, Susie Rathbun, Karen Mueller, Susie Hodgson, Cheryl Fisher, and others (this writer cannot immediately recall all the faces). The Choir Director was Bertha Woods.
This is, obviously, an Easter photo. The children in the choir (note that they were substantial in number) had a great time at rehersals, and they were quite good (as children's choirs go).
Great stuff! The times that good memories are made of...
"Birthplace of Lester A. Pelton"
LESTER'S BIRTHPLACE: Due, in part, to my incessant "harping" on the fact that Lester Allen Pelton - the Father of Hydroelectric Power - was a Vermilion, Ohio native more than a few "Viewers" are, at least, vaguely aware of him and his accomplishments. But what but very few persons have known until (very literally) right now is that Mr. Pelton was born in the house pictured above, and that this house still exists.
Due to intense research accomplished by Tom Beach and his family, the current owners of this property, this fact has now been authenticated. Historically speaking, this is very exciting news.
Until now it was thought that Pelton was born in a house on Risdon Road. But facts show that the Risdon Road property was built after his birth. So whilst the boy genius spent his boyhood there - it was not his birthplace.
The house in which the inventor first opened his eyes to the world was owned by his grandfather - and then his uncle - Josiah Pelton (both held the name Josiah). It is located about 2 miles northwest of his boyhood home along the shore of beautiful Lake Erie.
In the very near future I will be applying to the Ohio Historical Society for an historical plaque celebrating the fact that Vermilion, Ohio is the birthplace of Lester Allen Pelton. Initially it is thought that such a plaque might be placed near the corner of Risdon and West Lake Roads (near Cuddeback Cemetery). A young Lester Pelton attended Cuddeback School in that area, and it is about half the distance between his birth and boyhood homes.
The reason Vermilion, Ohio has never sought to celebrate nor capititalise (monetarily, historically, or both) on Pelton's fame is a veritable mystery. Pelton is no less important to the world than Thomas Edison.
The time is come for our community to recognize the importance of Pelton's achivements as do numerous persons throughout Europe and Asia.
Jimmy "Nervous Norvus" Drake
SHOOT THE JUICE TO ME BRUCE: And from the dregs of musical history I drag out Jimmy Drake (b.1912, Oakwood, California, USA, d. 24 July 1968). This California-based ex-truck driver's first record was a country ballad "Gambling Fury", which he recorded as Singing Jimmy Drake on the Indiana label Claudra. He joined Dot Records in 1956 and had two of the biggest novelty hits of that year. His first hit, "Transfusion", concerned the thoughts of a drink-driver who is in need of a blood transfusion after a car crash. Despite the sick subject matter, it was hilarious, though the British public were spared it when London Records refused its release. The follow-up to this US Top 10 hit was "Ape Call", a tale about cavemen recorded in hip language, with jungle calls courtesy of Red Blanchard. After his few months in the spotlight he returned to obscurity, despite later unsuccessful recordings on Big Ben and Embee. He died in 1968 from cirrhosis of the liver.
Originally I thought that this piece would be easy to find. But it weren't. It was one of my favorite novelty records when I still had hair - and I still know every word.
I finally found the 45rpm vinyl record on a website called "OLDIES.com", and present it here to annoy the hell out of "Viewers". The flip side is the other tune mentioned in the brief discography / biography called "Ape Call". I promise to spare you on that one.
But I still like "Transfusion". Sorry 'bout that.
Don Englebry - 1921
THE '08 VAAS CALENDER: The new Vermilion Area Archival Society calendars for 2008 have been printed and are now on sale for $5 each.
This year the subject of the calendar is the late Don Englebry's remembrances of "Growing-up in Vermilion". Very nice.
Those who want to purchase a calendar can find them at Brummer's Candy Store on Main Street in Vermilion. And those who need to order them by mail can send their check,or money order to the VAAS, P.O. Box 14 in Vermilion, Ohio 44089.
I will not, personally, be selling these items via mail or email orders.
Amy Gegenheimer (102) and Edna Hunke (92)
c.1981
LOOKING AT THE PAST AHEAD: With few exceptions a majority of theVermilion Biographies I've written are about men. I don't know whether that's just me or whether that's a social comment. But I am aware of it, and I'd like to afford the women of Vermilion's past the same courtesy.
The intent is not to establish some historical and / or literary equality between sexes. That's very far from my thinking. The intent is based upon my knowledge of some of the women I knew as I came of age in Vermilion. Some of these people are certainly worthy of some note: they accomplished things in their lives both in and out of their respective roles as women in our society that can stand by themselves irregardless of their sex.
Local historian, Betty Trinter, would be a good example. Dorothy Litman, Marie Tansey, and my mother, Ella Roscoe Tarrant, would be others. But there are more.
So, thusly, I will be making a serious attempt to "biographize" the pasts of some of Vermilion's women in the months ahead.
PODCAST #52: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #48Vermilion Views Podcast #52 goeth back to the old format; short and sweet. Tis another year or two (or three) from Betty Trinter's wonderful book "The Way It Was".
For the benefit of all - kindly take note of the fact that I have produced an archive (that can be found in the "Links" section of the page) that will allow "Viewers" an easier way to access all past podcasts.
Note: (1)that the podcasts are in the archives; (2)that one can easily listen to them on-line and / or copy them (for free) to their PC or Mac for later listening; and (3) that all have also been preserved, by myself, on a separate hard-drive and on CD's. Anyone unable to listen to, or acquire the audios on-line and wishes to acquire a copy of any of these audio casts and / or recordings of persons who have spoken at a Vermilion Area Archival Society meeting during the last 12 months can do so by contacting me, and paying a small cover fee for recording materials.
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
"Trying is the first step toward failure." -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 37, December 1, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant