FRANK'S STUFF: A friend (Frank Homitz) came by the other day with a book - "Days of the North Shore Line" by George V. Campbell (1985); an "Eyesight Test Chart" that his late Grandfather-in-law (Vermilionite - Dr. Herbert Myers, O.D.) apparently used as a promotional gift for friends and patrons of his practice 50 or so years ago; and an old Lorain (Ohio) Journal newspaper with several copies of his sketches and colored pencil drawings tucked inside.
His color pencil drawing of the flower appears above. For some reason I really don't have the color exactly right. How it appeared in Photoshop after I scanned it and worked on it, and how it now appears aren't exactly the same. But methinks you get the drift.
Frank drew the flower after he drew this:
A Marble
This, of course, is a marble drawn free-hand. But this is not just any marble. It was made by a friend of his in southern Ohio who rented a kiln to make - of all things - pretty marbles. To be sure, marble making is a rather unusual occupation. But Frank tells me that this person is selling them on eBay and doing rather well at it.
Frank drew the marble at his table. And when he was finished, looked up, and before him were these flowers in a vase - so he also drew it. It, of course, no longer exists. (At least in the state "Viewers" now view it.) That is the mute beauty of still life.
Later in the day I stopped by Franks house on Adams Street and picked up a piece of sculpture he'd asked me to photograph. He was curious to see how this tiny bust would look as a photo (i.e. would it show numerous imperfections, etc?). The piece is 2½ inches tall.
Five Heads (Are Better Than One)
I took 10 photographs in my photo-tent from all angles to achieve the photo of the piece seen above. Methinks the piece speaks for itself.
Frank showed me another he is working on of an American Indian. Though he had to keep it wrapped for it to remain workable I could see that it's going to be brilliant.
Frank's work displays something that the work of many very accomplished artists fail to display; honesty and integrity. Without it contemporary art is just like contemporary politics; naught but cosmetic chicanery.
Helen (Grant) Callin
"First Year Teacher"
c.1934
1934 REVISITED: When this pic appeared in "Views" last week I was reluctant to say much about it - other than that which was penciled in on the back of the photo. I thought both the site of the photo and some of the children in it were familiar - but without some "backup" (so to speak) I thought I should wait until I made any commitment of knowledge in writing about it or them.
I didn't have to wait long.
My sister Nancy (Emery) recognized our brother (William Roscoe "Bill" Tarrant), Betty Lindsley, Marilyn Morey, Kathryn(?) Viola, and Marian Stutz almost immediately. And Molly Milner recognized Marian Stutz (her cousin) as well. I only recognized my brother.
Brother Bill is the little boy on the left; Marian is next; then Betty. I don't know which of little girls are Marilyn and Kathryn.
The photo was more like taken in 1934. My brother who turned 80 this year would have been (obviously) too young to have been in school in 1932. The location of the pic was (again obviously) State Street School. The wainscot in the room appears to resemble that seen in other photographs of the interior of that school.
This is a mesmerizing picture of 20th century First Grade Class.
"Ah-wonderful, ah-wonderful."
Morris Snider
FOR MORRIS: Morris “Jib” Snider was an old sailor/fisherman about town that most everyone knew. He was a drinker and was not, therefore, a person most local citizens looked up to. Some, in fact, viewed him with no small amount of disgust. However; among persons who had an interest in sailing and/or fishing on Lake Erie he was held in much esteem (for his knowledge of the lake). When he talked about such things - they listened.
The Story: As noted, Jib had become close friends with the grape. So it should come as no surprise that no small part of the funds he earned with his boat (the “Owl”) were usually applied toward promoting that cause - as opposed to those embraced by the local grocer and haberdasher. And thus, it should also be of no further surprise that one year when winter came, and the lake stretched like a vast frozen desert from Vermilion to Ontario that Jib found himself without proper attire.
At this juncture in time “ Doc” Dickason enters the scene. Perhaps the best way to describe the doctor is to say that he was everything that Mr. Snider was not. The doctor was a big man. Jib was small. The doctor was well-educated. Jib was not. The doctor was prosperous. Jib was not. But they did share at least two things. Both were good at what they did. And both had heart - they really cared about other people.
During his college years it seems that the Dr. having been a man of fashion, had acquired a racoon coat. As the years turned the coat eventually lost status in the good doctor's wardrobe, and had consequently been relegated to a place in the recesses of his closet where it sat until a need for it should arise.
And so it was that the time came when the need arose in the person of one Jib Snider. And so it also was that the doctor made Jib the proud new proprietor of the coat.
As previously mentioned the doctor was a "big man" and Jib "was not". So - this was that which folks (who happened to be near the the New York Central Railroad crossing on Decatur Street) saw the first day Jib wore the coat “Doc” Dickason had given him:
There was old Jib Snider swaggering across the crossing in this newly acquired racoon coat (the hem of which was dragging along the ground) as splendiferously as if he were the King of England. And every once in awhile one would see a foot come jutting out from under the coat.
One thing that apparently made this thought picture particularly humorous is the fact that the old sailor had gotten into the habit of shopping for his shoes in the trash behind the local undertaker’s, Andy Beeckel’s, place on Division/Main Street. And more often then not he was wearing shoes of different colors (i.e. one would be white while the other was brown, etc.).
Epilogue: Again, Mr. Snider was not what a majority of citizens (at that time) considered to be an upstanding member of the community. Yet it is obvious that late Dr. Dickason was inclined to look after him.
To be sure, Jib was a clown, a drunk, and a slob. But he was also an extremely adept fisherman and sailor. And Dr. Dickason had an ability to look past the appearance of a swarthy scoundrel to see and appreciate something that everyone else seemed to have missed; Jib had heart.
This, my friends, provides us with both a wonderful and rare glimpse into, not only the personality of an old Vermilion fisherman, but also that of "Doc" Dickason - and also the person who was good enough to lead me to this story.
Ref: Lake Erie Fishermen - Work, Tradition, and Identity; Lloyd and Mullen, University of Illinois Press, 1990; U.S. Census 1920, 1930; Story adapted from an oral history by Hank Fischer, 11-14-05; and the Vermilion Area Archival Society. Published in the Vermilion (Ohio) Photojournal 11-16-06
11/12/06
2:29 PM
Henry N. Fischer in front of the George Fischer home
in Vermilion, O.
HENRY N. FISCHER: This photo and information comes to us from my friend Bobbi Riley in in Santa Maria, CA. Some may recall that Ms. Riley is the granddaughter of Vermlion's Elton Fischer, and the great-granddaughter of his father George. Henry was one of his George's brothers. Methinks ye will find it of some interest. We don't often hear of many Vermilion born / educated people once they have gone on to other climes and places.
Henry N. Fischer, the third child of Nicholas Fischer and Mary Frohlich Fischer, was born in Vermillion in October of 1866. He eventually moved to Kentucky to follow in the footsteps of his father, Nicholas, in the logging/lumber business. On the 21st of December 1890 he married Rachel Lee Bowen in Carter County, KY. They had 3 children: Hazel Grace, Marie Gladys, and Harry H.
Henry's lumber business was located in Ashland, Kentucky; the H.N. Fischer Lumber Co. Judging from his beautiful home, he must have been quite successful. Henry died on 7 April 1956 in Kentucky at the ripe old age of 89.
The Henry Fischer home in Ashland KY.
I need express my thanks to Bobbi for these pix and information. It's not something I would have found had it not been for her efforts. And all of it is relevant Vermilion historical information.
Podcasts - "forever under construction..."
PODCAST #82: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #812 is just "audio" and (again) from my book: "Rich Tarrant's Yesteryear An Anthology of Historical Narratives of Vermilion, Ohio And Its People". (The Title is longer than the book.) This week is Part One of "The Hon. Almon Ruggles".
Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime" format.
Stay with me on this project. Things will get better. (I pro-mize.)
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are no longer available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting moi - and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
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. Always
Incidentally, "Viewer" Larry Hohler who is a big part of the Hope Home in Kenya wants folks to know that the children they are assisting are safe - midst the turmoil raging around them in that country. Methinks all "Viewers" should take a good look (go to the links section of "Views" for a virtual tour) at how the project really, really helps underprivileged children in this 3rd world nation. It is sincerely a worthwhile effort. And if ye can spare a few bucks it can certainly go a long way.
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
"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet.
It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed. "-Charlie Brown
Vol.6, Issue 15, June 28, 2008
© 2008 Rich Tarrant