JUST RIGHT: I am truly sorry that I didn't have my Nikon D70 with me when I had the chance to take the above pic of the yacht "Trilogy" on Thursday morning. But my Canon PowerShot A75 took a decent photo. And with the help of Adobe's CS4 software married to AKVIS's "Sketch" plugin - and lighting that was just right (provided by God) the photo turned out just right.
I've no idea who owns this vessel. No one was stirring when I took the pic. And given its size (abt. 50 plus feet) I assume there must have been someone on board. One seldom sees vessels this large on the Vermilion River.
As is fairly obvious, the boat is moored at McGarvey's Landing near Vermilion's newest restaurant - the "Lube" (Quaker Steak and Lube) - and the river bridge. I don't think the owners were stopping in for some wings and fries - or to play miniature golf at Romps Water Port.
But who knows? It was just a pleasant sight. And after all - the light was "just right".
Right-Time-and-Placely,
Boys in Summer
MIKE & DOUG: Uncovering photographs such as this great pic of Mike Walker and Doug Hildum standing on the southwest corner of Jefferson and South Streets in Vermilion is (for me) like discovering gold in my backyard - or winning a million bucks in a lottery.
I am elated!
This photo was among the (at least) one thousand sundry pix Major Jack Corsino gave me a few weeks back. It was an unexpected, serendipitous experience.
I'm guessing (of course) but Mike looks to have been about 10 years old. Doug would (then) have been about 11. So the shadows were captured c.1954. If not exactly that year it would have been very close.
Doug, unfortunately, was killed in an auto mishap just west of Huron a bit over seven years back. It is my understanding Mike currently lives in one of the states "Down East".
At the time this photo was taken Mike lived in a little house on South Street. I'm not sure where Doug's family was then living. Jack's mother, Maryann (Thompson) was living with her family on the corner where this pic was taken. The boys are standing in the yard.
A wonderful pic of the "boys in summer".
Vermilion Rodeo c.1954
SADDLE CLUB: Back in the 1950's a good number of young people around Vermilion owned and rode horses. At that time it was not terribly unusual to occasionally see persons riding around town on their horses. (It's probably illegal now.)
In any case, there was (back in those olden days)a local horse-owner's club called the "Saddle Club". These folks rode in (at the very end) of parades, and conducted events called "horse shows" once or twice a year on a property south of town.
A show I remember was at Axtel (Ohio) on the east side of State Route #60, just north of Mason Road. (Billy Miller's) These shows were similar to rodeos sans bronco and bull riding. There were horse handling contests / races, and I distincly recall being mesmerized by the sight of a stagecoach at one of these shows. (For at heart I was a cowpoke when I was a lad. They called me "Tex" and/or "Hop-a-Long".)
I'm not sure if this particular pic is of the aforementioned event. But it sure resembles what I remember of it. These clubs (and shows) faded away as Vermilion became a less rural, and a more metropolitan community.
Them were some of the Good Ol' Days.
Fer Sure.
CARDS YOU WILL NEVER SEE IN A HALLMARK STORE
1. "Congratulations on your wedding day! Too bad no one
likes your wife."
2. "How could two people as beautiful you have such an
ugly baby?"
3. "I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone
to love. After having met you, I've changed my mind."
4. "I must admit, you brought Religion in my life. I never
believed in Hell til I met you."
5. "Looking back over the years that we've been together,
I can't help but wonder: What was I thinking?"
6. "As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am that
you're not here to ruin it for me."
7. "If I get only one thing for Christmas, I hope it's your
sister."
8. "As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you've
given me. Like the need for therapy..."
9. "Thanks for being a part of my life!!!I never knew what
evil was before this!"
10. "Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go,
would like to take this knife?
11. "Someday I hope to get married, but not to you."
12. "Sorry things didn't work out, but I can't handle guys
with boobs that are bigger than mine."
13. "Happy Birthday! You look great for your age...Almost
Lifelike!
14. "When we were together, you always said you'd die for
me. Now that we've broke up, I think it's time you kept
your promise."
15. "I knew the day would come when you would leave me for
my best friend. So here's his leash, water bowl and
chew toys."
16. "We have been friends for a very long time, what say we
call it quits."
17. "I'm so miserable without you, it's almost like you're
here."
18. "Congratulations on your new bundle of joy. Did you
ever find out who the father was?"
19. "You are such a good friend that if we were on a
sinking ship and there was only one life jacket....
I'd miss you heaps and think of you often.
"
20. "Your friends and I wanted to do something special for
your birthday ---so we're having you put to sleep."
21. "Happy Birthday, Uncle Dad!!" (available only in
Arkansas)
"It is said that Mack took a great deal of pride in his new enterprise. I believe the picture says as much."
MACK THE POPCORN MAN: Last July (PJ 7-15-04) this column featured a story about Bob’s (Furgason’s) Popcorn Stand that was often situated in Exchange Park during the 1950’s. That, however, was not the first, nor the original, kiosk of that kind to habituate the park.
During the latter part of the 1930’s Mr. A.G. MacDonald sat in the living room of his Exchange Street home searching through his thoughts for some way to earn his living. When he and his wife moved to Vermilion from Cleveland 23 years earlier he had operated a paper hanging/decorating business. But due to declining health he had been forced to retire, and not just any line of business could or would suit his needs.
In short order he settled upon an idea that was both original and novel. Despite Mrs. MacDonald’s initial protestations he set about the business of pursuing his invention. It wasn’t that she objected to his notion entirely - it was from what he intended to create the basic tool he would need to realize his idea.
At the turn of the 20th century the American based Victor Company had developed a 12 inch electroplated wax disc upon which celebrated musical artists and bands could be recorded. The machine one used to listen to one of their 3 1/2 minute recordings was known as a (disc) phonograph. Due to both the quality and prestige of Victor’s products their phonograph, as well as all similar phonographs, rapidly assumed the generic name of Victrola. And...
As you (dear Reader) may have already guessed, Mrs. MacDonald just happened to have in her possession one of those old Victrolas. And Mr. MacDonald just happened to see in it something other than a device with which he could merely listen to recordings of John Phillip Sousa marches or Al Jolson singing “Mammy”. In brief, Mack (as he was known about the village) saw in it his new form of livelihood; a popcorn machine.
In time Mrs. MacDonald relented and even sanctioned Mack’s new enterprise. She volunteered the use of her prized iron kettle that had come through her family from Germany, and she assisted him in popping the 1 1/2 bushels of popcorn, and making and wrapping the several hundred popcorn balls he sold in Exchange Park each Sunday. Preparations would take them 3 full days.
By the Spring of 1941 when P. Roscoe took this picture Mack had added more display space, enclosed it with glass, and made new awnings to dress things up a bit. The sign on the front of the stand told folks that he was selling “Mack’s Famous popcorn-balls, french-fried popcorn, and fresh-roasted peanuts.”
It is said that Mack took a great deal of pride in his new enterprise. I believe the picture says as much. Therein had he set up shop just outside the Public Comfort Station along the most major thoroughfare in northern Ohio. And there did many a man, woman, and child most certainly enjoy a pleasant summer afternoon in that Vermilion of a yesteryear.
Ref: The Vermilion News; Alice Jane Gegenheimer; 5-22-41; Publisched in the Vermlion Photojournal in 2004.
I must chuckle about the "charm and beauty" comment. Either it was facetiously intended or the reporter was a bachelor. O-those wacky Maccabees.
Good Friends
CHARLES & ALBERT: Charles H. Thompson (right) and Albert Jamison (left) were not the most dynamic personalities in Vermilion society. But they were good guys who few folks would likely remember for long were it not for this wonderful photograph of them.
Charles "Chuck" Thompson was a decorated Army veteran of the Second World War who went through his relatively short life doing what a person is supposed to do for his family and his country. He was the oldest son of Hazen and Vera (Nichols) Thompson. At one time or another he worked at The Vermilion News weekly and printshop and Henry Bailey's Vermilion Hardware Store. His war experience(s) had been difficult. He died on October 9, 1982 at the age of 57.
Albert "Porky" Jamison was also an Army veteran. Folks called him "Porky" because he stuttered. (It was not as derogatory a name as it may seem.) He had many friends like Chuck, Chuck's brother Tom, Milton Karchin, Jack "Tiny" Balogh, Bill Tarrant, and Dale "Tulip" Wendell.
Porky, however, took a different road in his life. He opted for a life of boozing. But he was never difficult - just lonely. Like Chuck he never married. He died on December 8, 1995 at age 70 in a local long-term care facility.
When this portrait was taken their lives were ahead of them. Hope and promise shone in their eyes. They were good friends - forever.
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 #130: This week Vermilion Views Podcast #130 the cast features "Cooking With Clara - Depression Era Cooking". Clara is 93, very pleasant, and very bright. Enjoy "Eggs and Peppers".
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.
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:
"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes."
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Vol.7, Issue 11, May 30, 2009
Archive Issue #324
© 2009 Rich Tarrant