NEW LOCAL HISTORY GOALS / PROJECTS: (1) Anon - a local oral history preservation program will be launched in the community of Vermilion, Ohio. In lay-person's terms this means that someone and / or someones will begin conducting recorded interviews with older citizens of the community. A project such as this is long overdue.
I'm not one who works well with committees - but I'm afraid that this project is going to require one to work effectively. It will need organization and direction.
The end result of such labor would be an extensive collection of oral histories of the area that would serve to reinforce both written and photographic record collections. If feasible - a video record would really be a terrific way to accomplish this work. Funding, however, is problematic.
Such work requires people, time, and equipment. Although much would likely be accomplished by volunteer efforts - appropriate recording equipment and materials can be costly. Initially a project like this would be somewhat frantic (i.e. to identify and interview those identified). But as time passes it would likely be less demanding.
Some trial interviews will be conducted this summer.
(2) After the last Vermilion Area Archival Society meeting Louis Bertoni indicated that some of the handwritten documents he used during a presentation at the meeting should be transcribed. Not only does this help preserve the original documents (i.e. they don't have to be physically handled), but it also makes the information contained in them more available to interested parties.
The problem is, however, that typing out all these documents - no matter how well you can decipher them and / or type - is a time consuming task. Consequently, it would be advantageous if one could just read the text(s) aloud into a computer and let it do the typing.
As fate (not to mention my continual fascination with computer software) would have it I happen to have some voice recognition software. (I've had it for, perhaps, five years but haven't really used it.)
But, in any case, I'm currently working with the software in effort to see if it will be of any use in the aforementioned endeavor. It takes about two to four hours to establish a reasonable voice "recog" system with the equipment I currently own.
The results (of both projects) should prove to be interesting.
Or-notly,
Maryann & Billy
THE THOMPSON KIDS: This photo-painting says something. But I'm not sure that I want to take it any further than that - other than to say that it is a brilliant portrait.
Famed American photographer Ansel Adams once said the he,"...found that while the camera does not express the soul, perhaps a photograph can." So I guess that's what I'm alluding to -
This pic comes from a rather large collection of photographs of Vermilion's Nichols-Thompson Family given me by Airforce Major Jack Corsino. Jack's mother is the late Maryann Thompson Corsino. She is the little girl in the pic. The little boy is her brother - the late William "Billy" Thompson.
These shadows were captured in the living-room of the apartment above the Vermilion News printshop on Grand Street in Vermilion, O. c. 1947. The framed photograph on the wall behind the children is of one of their older brothers - Charles "Chuck" - when he was in the service.
The Thompson Family was one of the early Vermilion families. The patriarch was a Revolutionary War veteran who came early to live in the Florence / Jessup Township area - and thence to Vermilion.
At one time the family lived in the vicinity of what eventually became Shattuck's / Shadduck's Grove; then Crystal Beach; now Crystal Shores Apartments. Later the family moved to a place at the foot of Main Street where the Great Lakes Maritime Museum currently makes its home.
Both the Thompson and Nichols families were well known in the area. Today few of them remain in the area.
Politically inappropriately named dog...
THE DOG NAMED "EN" WORD:
I really don't think that the naming of this dog was intended to offend anyone. Nonetheless, it is - and it was. When the dog got loose someone in the family would step outside their domicile and yell at the top of their lungs, "N___ER! HERE N___ER!"
It was not a joke. It was a black dog. There was no animosity involved in the naming. It was simply - at least by today's standards - an extremely bad name choice for the family pet. And because of the large number of pix in which the dog appears with children it is obvious that the dog was friendly and well treated - an integral part of the family.
(Note: the building in the background of this photo is the Evangelical and Reformed Church on Grand Street in Vermilion, O.)
Had his name been "Fido" no one would have remembered him at all.
Town Characters
MILT & PORK: I hope I have this right: This is another pic from the aforementioned Nichols-Thompson family photo collection acquired from Major Jack Corsino. And if I'm not entirely mistaken this is a rare snapshot of Milton Karchin (left) and "Porky" Jamison (right). I don't believe I ever knew Porky's first name.
I've no date on the pic - but I'm thinking that it during, or shortly after, WW2. Both boys look like highschool kids. And I think that both of them were in the service during the Korean Conflict. Ergo; this may have been around 1948.
Milton was jewish. His family owned a big home on State Street with a small junk yard behind it. He older brother was killed in WW2. Later on Milt worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Cleveland. He was an avid and frantic political commentator who wrote letter after letter to newspapers throughout Ohio. He was actually a very decent person - so long as politics wasn't the topic of conversation.
Porky lived in a shack in the "Stoveplant Allotment" on the west side of town when he was in town. He used to migrate between Ohio and Florida as the seasons changed. As I indicated before, I don't know that I ever knew his first name. His friends called him "Porky" because (if you haven't guessed yet) he stuttered.
Porky was a good humored fellow who did odd jobs when he was around town. He had an affinity for fermented refreshments - but for some reason few people ever found fault with that.
What a great photograph!
BORED OF THE SAME OLD TWO-PARTY SYSTEM:...
Check out these actual political parties that exist or existed.
THE McGILLICUDDY SERIOUS PARTY is a joke party in New Zealand
that promotes the following: Replacing the Royal New Zealand
Armoured Corps with mounted knights, replacing money with
chocolate fish as legal tender, using beer as a national
defense strategy by leaving many bottles on all beaches so
any invading army would abandon its attack and get drunk
instead, restricting the vote to only those under 18 (with
actual campaign ads run during children's programming),
votes for trees (as New Zealanders have a reputation as en-
vironmentalists), air bags for the New Zealand Stock Exchange
(in case of a crash), good weather (but only if the voters
behave), job creation by carpeting the nations highways, and
the sending-out of intelligence agents around the world to
wipe New Zealand off published maps so no one could invade
the country.
THE DONALD DUCK PARTY is a Swedish joke political party that
received write-in votes before it even existed. Capitalizing
on its popularity, one man, Bosse Person, registered it. He
is its only member. In 1991, the party received 1,535 write
in votes by promoting a platform which advocated free liquor
and wider sidewalks.
THE HAPPENING HAPPY HIPPY PARTY was a spoof political party
that was really more a Web site and "e-zine" that ran in the
late '90's and early '00's. It promoted easing the burden on
Britain's National Health Service by making accidents illegal
and improving Britain's climate by towing the island 200
miles south.
THE MARIJUANA PARTY actually exists and is a current US
political party that runs candidates who - you guessed it -
work tirelessly toward the legalization of marijuana!
THE YOUTH INTERNATIONAL PARTY was a highly theatrical and
anti-authoritarian political party that existed in the US in
the 60's. Its members were called "Yippies." Better known for
street theatre and politically themed pranks that mocked the
status quo (such as running a pig as its candidate in the
1968 Election and throwing money out to the crowd at the New
York Stock Exchange), this socialist countercultural
organization was amusingly dubbed the "Groucho Marxists."
"...it may very well be that precisely "who" appears in this photograph is irrelevant...."
VERMILION'S HOLY NAME SOCIETY:The Holy Name Society is a confraternity. "Confraternity" [in Latin: confaternitas, confratria] is a word seldom used anymore. It is a “Sodality” (another seldom used word) - or a “Brotherhood” - of the faithful, established and guided by competent ecclesiastical authority for the promotion of special works of Christian charity or piety.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia "New Advent" the society originated in the Council of Lyons during the late spring and early summer of 1274. In brief, the history of this brotherhood is both considerable and, as the accompanying photograph illustrates, especially enduring.
These shadows were captured in the basement - if you will, the "Fellowship Hall" - of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in the Village of Vermilion, Ohio on Monday, January 27, 1949. The room, located under the old part of the church was the site of various activities, from summer Bible school classes, Sunday catechism, dinners, receptions, Sunday night movies during Lent, sundry meetings such as the one pictured, and (as one person familiar with the church so quaintly put it) "other parish stuff".
The photograph is a professional portrait taken by prominent Vermilion photographer, Rudy Moc (PJ 3-20-08); and the detail, that helps one bridge the six decades betwixt today and that yesteryear, is appreciable. It’s appreciable even if one recognizes no one in the photo. [e.g. take a close look at the neckties, the lighting, the heater, and the film projector at the back of the room.]
Nonetheless, six decades - even if one does recognize all, many, or just a few of the faces of the 50 plus gentlemen caught by the lens of Mr. Moc’s camera on that chilly January evening - does make placing proper names with those faces a rather troublesome business.
The keeper of this flock, Father Brissell, is rather easy to spot and identify. Highly respected and well liked by his parishioners, as well as other members of the community, his pastorate spanned 16 years in Vermilion (1937-1953).
Others that are readily recognizable are Clarence Feldcamp (just to the right of Father Brissell wearing an apron); a young Beursken boy (just to the front left of the pastor); Vermilion’s extremely affable and popular grocer / meat cutter, Steve Martin (to the left of Beursken); then the highly motivated Larry Shafts seated between Mr. Martin and a wonderfully young Joe Mayer. All of these fellows were, or would become, exceptionally positive members of the community at-large.
Persons scattered about the crowd that some might also recognize are Dave Feldcamp (Clarence’s son); Rudy Koller; several men from the Thayer family; and several more from the Mayer family. Again, all were, or would later become, very productive members of the community.
Yet, it may very well be that precisely "who" appears in this photograph is irrelevant. Perhaps it is really "what" these persons achieved in the yesteryear that is really important; both as individuals and as members of Vermilion’s Holy Name Society.
Ref: www.newadvent.org/cathen/; Catholic Encyclopedia on-line; Special Thanks To: Pat Thayer Zimmerman; and Mary Koller Orians, FL.
3/30/08
11:57 AM
Rugby was / is a tiny enclave just (west) above Mill Hollow.
The Dance Teacher
Miss Lily Lopatkovich: Thanks to Bobbi Riley we now have a pic of Vermilion's dance instructor, "Miss Lily" who conducted her classes on the 2nd floor of the Fischer Building in the 1940's-50's. From what I understand she was from Lorain, Ohio.
Related to this I received the following note from Vermilionite Ellen Ohara:
Carolyn and I took tap lessons from Miss Lily.I can remember our Mother taking us there and also the onion skin papers that she sent home with the lesson instructions typed on them for practice at home. She had a long red stick that she would point at you and also point out your mistakes. She would also use it to whack you with...for the life of me I can't figure out why my Mother would pay someone to hit us with a stick,I can still remember the little green striped dresses and tap shoes. Thanks for the memory.
Ellen
(Maybe Ellen's mom simply had a contract out on her kids. Miss Lily may have worked for the Russian Mafia. Though she looks harmless.)
DON'T JUST SIT THERE WITH A MOUSE IN YOUR HAND! HELP THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY!: Take a cyber visit through my on-line store.
I am working on designing some new things. However: If you've not purchased something yet you're missing both the proverbial and literal boat. But, if nothing else, take a stroll through my shop. I keep the floor swept, the windows clean, and my dog don't bite.
And for those who might wonder - this is my shop - and I do make a few bucks selling the items therein...
VERMILION VIEWS GIFT SHOP
Podcasts - "forever under construction..."
PODCAST #128: This week Vermilion Views Podcast #128 the cast features another portion of preeminent interurban historian Dennis Lamont's DVD re: the Lake Shore Electric. In this portion of the video the train takes ye on a trip from Vermilion to some points west. Dennis should win an Academy Award for his work on this piece.
Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format.
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are not 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 me and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: After giving it much thought this link has been "put-down". During the last year most of the folks who used to use this page as a bulletin board have acquired their own and, consequently, no longer need this forum from "Views". I have, however, kept links (in the links section) to Larry Hohler's "Hope Homes" in Kenya - and to Bette Lou Higgins' Eden Valley Enterprises sites. They are historically and socially relevant projects. I urge you to visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
Pay particular note to the "Hope Homes" page during the next few months. They've recently received a significant grant from the Dolan Foundation and are constructing a Manual Training Center for their children and for other young people in that community. This is an exciting project.
Vermilion High School Classes of 1963, 1964 and 1965 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of June 27, 2009. Those interested can contact Ruth Bauman Tanner.
The Vermilion High School Class of 1959 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of September 18-20, 2009. Registration can be made through Roger Boughton 2205 SW 10th Ave. Austin, MN. 55912 or you can just emailRoger.
Where's Alice? I found this link interesting. You just never know what Vermilion expatriots are up to - or where their up to doing it. Alice Wakefield is one of those people. So check out his link. Methinks you'll be surprised: Talking Turkey.
Courtesy of Dennis Lamont who says, "Look what Mother Nature can do with only 32 psi! The tank car was steam cleaned, drained,
and all the valves were closed. The car was then caught in a rain shower...these cars are equipped with a pressure relief valve but no vacuum relief valve..
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
or you can use PayPal:
"History repeats itself. That's one of the things wrong with history."
-Clarence Darrow (1857-1938) American lawyer
Vol.7, Issue 9, May 16, 2009
Archive Issue #322
© 2009 Rich Tarrant