READY FOR A NEW YEAR: Methinks it twas one of my fav cartoonist / humorists, the late Charles Shultz, who opined that, "Life goes faster when you're going downhill." And so it does appear to be true.
So what does the coming new year hold? Like the empty chair in my still-life photograph infers - we just don't know (for sure).
As for myself I have some things I intend to accomplish during the next 12 months. Aside from eliminating procrastination from my list of things to do, I would like to:
1. Apply for (and acquire) an historical plaque to commemorate Vermilion (Township), Ohio as the birthplace of Lester A. Pelton - Father of Hydroelectric Power - to be placed near the Cuddeback Cemetery on the corner of Risden and Lake Roads in Vermilion.
2. Edit and Publish a quality book of historical photographs of Vermilion, Ohio (and surrounding townships).
3. Make quality audio recordings of Vermilion sounds (i.e.musings of some of its citizens and music of some of its choirs, musicians, and bands) to be placed on a compact disc for posterity (and perhaps to be placed in the aforementioned book).
4. Duplicate all of my newspaper column articles, photographs, and recordings on compact discs to give to the Vermilion Area Archival Society.
5. Acquire a camcorder with a hard drive to facilitate recording life in Vermilion, Ohio (present) for future generations.
Me(also)thinks I may not accomplish all those tasks. But if I can get 3 of 5 done I will have been successful. (So long as I eliminate procrastination from my repetoire of behavior first.) Who knows?
VHS 1937: I cropped this image from the plethora of images I have now stored on my computer's external hard drive. The reason I made this known is that I'm not precisely sure what grade in Vermilion High School it portrays. Other than the fact that is is from the 1937 Hi-Times I'm at a loss to say much more. I do, however, have some idea as to the identity of those pictured:
Standing L-R: D. (Dorothy) Wood, A. Washburn, C. Wallace, and E. Washtak.
Sitting L-R: I. Vincent, A. Zier, and B. Will.
The only person I'm familiar with in the group is Dorothy (Wood) Hart. She is, of course, married to Albert "Jim" Hart, Vermilion's favorite pharmacist. Both she and Jim still live in their pretty house on Ohio Street, and remain very active in their church.
While some of the names of the other folks in the pic are familiar to me I have no recollection of their faces. But I'm certain that some "Viewers" do.
Lawrence John Shafts
1919 - 2000
UNCLE LARRY: Last week I was pleased to be visited by Larry (his family) and Dale Hohler. Larry and Dale are nephews to the late well known Vermilionite Larry Shafts.
For some time now these gentlemen have been after me to do a piece on their uncle whom they hold (and rightfully so) in very high regard. And to that end they loaned me a substantial number of photographs.
While I have scanned all the photos I must say that it is going to take me a week or so to sort all this information out before I write anything about Mr. Shafts.
The one thing I should make known about my writing - be it about Mr. Shafts, Lester Pelton, or A.D. Baumhart, etc. - and this may sound a bit lame. However; like a painter I am accustomed to working on a certain size canvas. My canvas, in this case, is paper, and my paints are words. The upshot of this matter is that my particular canvas is no more than 2 pages long and my paints number only between 600 to 700 words.
In brief, that's not a lot of text. But it's purposeful text.
Hopefully, the story I will write about Mr. Shafts will be very purposeful. He certainly was.
HOLY NAME SOCIETY: I don't recall if I ever used this particular photograph in a previous "Views". But no matter. Tis a wonderful pic.
Note that the aforementioned Larry Shafts can be seen in the very front row of the photo with a very young Joe Mayer on the left and the very popular Steve Martin on the right.
I also see one of the Beurskin boys, Mr. Feldcamp, and Father Bristle in the photo.
I don't know much about the Holy Name Society except that it was a part of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vermilion. It may have been part of the Knights of Columbus. In my initial search for information about Larry Shafts I noted that he was an officer in that organization.
I assume (a dangerous thing to do) that the pic was taken in St. Mary's church in 1949. It's a Rudy Moc portrait.
Great stuff!
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.
THE FISCHER MANSE: This pic is part of the Fischer Family photo collection provided "Views" by (Bobbi Riley) the great-granddaughter of the folks in this photo (George and Elizabeth Fischer). The Fischer home (now long gone from the landscape) was, obviously, kept in good repair by the family. But one can't help but notice that there is no landscaping (i.e. shrubbery) about the place. Perhaps landscaping was less prevelant around early 19th century homes.
Apparently Mr. and Mrs. Fischer were about to take a journey when this photo was taken. Note the valises on the porch ledge beside Mr. Fischer. And the fur cap and coat on the Mrs certainly points to the prosperity of the family lumber business.
What an interesting photograph.
"Haywire Mac"
PODCAST #56: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #56Vermilion Views Podcast #49 features several songs and stories from folk singer/writer Harry "Haywire Mac" McClintock.The first piece "Reconstructed Rebel Soldier" mentions Johnson's Island Confederate Soldier Prison Camp. Tis a neat story and song.
Happy New Year!
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.
Courtesy of Dennis Lamont
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
"Guys are always patting my bald head for luck, pinching my belly to hear my girlish laugh..." -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 41, December 29, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant