CHANGING SEASONS: Well; winter's here - again. Another Christmas is nigh and etc, etc, etc. This (pretty much) sums up me holiday spirit.
But setting all that aside, momentarily, it may be of interest (to some) to know that the Dedication Sermon given by Jotham W. Goodell (1843) during the dedication of Vermilion's first church building that once sat just north of Vermilion's old Township Hall has been visited by folks from all over the planet.
To date persons from the Philippines, Germany, Australia, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands have visited the site. The apparent motive was (naturally enough) to seek out a "dedication" sermon for which to fashion one of their own. And that's just fine. Jotham's sermon is a peachy model of mid 19th century sermonizing with (of course) a few personal flourishes. Mr. Goodell was, to say the very least, an interesting person.
I've had the pleasure of reading a fair amount of his writings (published and unpublished), and I have some understanding of his view of the world in which he lived. The winter he spent with the Mormons (the book is: Jotham Goodell A Winter with the Mormans; edited by David Bigler - 2001)is especially interesting as an historic / religious / politcal educational / document. Vermilion, and Vermilion's First Congregational Church are mentioned in the tome.
David Bigler, who put the book together, now lives in California. While he has lived and worked in Lorain and Sandusky I don't believe that is what inspired him to do the book. That Goodell happened to live in Vermilion for a time is pure coincidence. The early Morman settlers were not nice to persons who didn't share their beliefs. And Goodell's account of his experience(s) with them graphically illustrates their animosities and his own. Because the good preacher Goodell was, after all is said and done, an activist.
In any case, Jotham's writings are well worth reading. When the winter falls across the land and your Christmas attitude is etc, etc, etc. reading is a good thing to occupy the hours.
K-K-K-KATIE: Cool pic from my brother Al of Vermilionite Katie (Baker) Reutener. At the time the photo was taken Katie worked as a linotype operator and small pressman at The Vermilion News print shop on Grand Street. Kate's mom, Gerry Baker, also worked there for a time.
Katie's younger brother, Bill, was the same age as myself, and was a good friend. During the Asian Flu epidemic of the late 1950's he contracted bronchial pneumonia and died. Her uncle was Bill Bond who was a casualty of the Second World War. The Holland-Bond Post of the local VFW bears his name.
Katie married a great fellow named Dave Reutener. Dave (I think) sold automobiles for the local Pontiac-Buick Dealer Kyle Motors. He was very, very active in veteran affairs in the community.
Kate worked (and may still work) at the Lake Erie Lanes Bowling Alley in Vermilion. I doth see her on occassion.
The Bond Family played a very prominent part in the history of the community of Vermilion, Ohio. Old "Doc" Bond was a well known personage throughout the area.
Over Liberty Ave between Washington and Main Streets
1930
ANOTHER AERIAL VIEW: This is another aerial view of Vermilion, Ohio taken from the Goodyear blimp during the summer of 1930.
While there are some very obvious differences (between today and 1930) some are more subtle than others. The Decker livery stable, for instance, is still very much a part of the landscape. It would eventually be replaced by Walker's garage.
But I am truly puzzled by the building in the lower left quadrant of the pic. It sits (about) in the place where the current Lorain Telephone Company building is today on the southwest corner of Liberty and Washington Streets. It looks to be a 2-story brick structure with a flat roof. Tis not the telephone company building.
Less subtle is the store/building where the ambulance garage is today; and the fact that the Vermilion Lagoons is still part Mr. Wells' dreamscape
.
This is wonderful stuff - courtesy of Vermilionite Tom Beach.
EGADS KIDS: I mean no disrespect - but this Santa is among the scariest looking characters I've ever seen in a Santa outfit. The inset pic affords ye a good idea of exactly how this person appeared. And I'm surprised the children weren't running away screaming.
While this is a P.Roscoe photograph I've no idea of where it was taken nor of whom. And, perhaps, that's not a bad thing. But it surely is interesting.
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. Please include enough money to cover shipping and handling (maybe $1.50 extra ?)
I will not, personally, be selling these items via mail or email orders.
Me and my 2 brothers.
NAPP: Okay, Okay - Again, I am unable to resist experimenting with new camera and Adobe Photoshop techniques. Somebody let me loose in the candy-store of photography and I'll not be easily caught and stopped. But ye must admit that this is fun stuff.
This week I took my own pix. Tis all a matter of timing. It took me a while to figure out that it wasn't necessary to break into a sweat to get back in front of the camera lens. 10 seconds is a fair amount of time to pose.
One of the peculiar things about doing these things is that there are some folks who don't notice; they are inclined to assume that the photographs are accurate representations of fact. And whilst this photo is obviously a trick - some photos are less glaring.
"Haywire Mac"
PODCAST #55: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #55Vermilion Views Podcast #48 features a brief story, "There Is Nothing New In Automobiles told by folk singer/writer Harry "Haywire Mac" McClintoc.
Tis an extremely amusing and witty piece.
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
"Christmas is the one time of year when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ." -Bart Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 40, December 22, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant