Would you like fries with that?: The study of history and my interest in the restaurant and food business lead me in some peculiar directions. For those who care (and I doubt that few do) this book Fast Food Nation - The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser is a real helpful reference book. Aside from that it's an interesting read.

As we scurry through our lives we fail to notice how our lives are shaped by the inventions and the activities of those about us. Fast food is a good example. Both my interest and knowledge of the rise and fall of the electric rail lines in America were afforded great perspective by this book. Most have never given much thought to the extent with which the automobile has influenced, and continues to influence, our lives. In short, the very way we eat - both our appetites and our diets - have been shaped by the death of the electric rail lines and the rise of the automobile as the basic mode of transportation in our country.

This is not to suggest that this is earth-shattering news to anyone. It's just interesting. Give the book a whirl. You'll enjoy it.

Speaking of Electrics: I know not where I found this photograph. I just found it somewhere in cyberspace. Of interest to me was the sign on the side of the trolley advertising a baseball game the Weiss All-Stars were going to play. Ms. Weiss, as some will know, had a professional baseball team that was from Vermilion. This picture was taken in a place named Scotch Ridge in Ohio. I've not the foggiest idea of where Scotch Ridge might be located.

For some reason I am enthralled by the prospect of these electric cars whizzing down the rails through town and country. The click of the rails, the sound of the car(s) displacing the wind, and the odor of ozone in the air as they went their way(s) is a prospect that I find extremely fascinating. All I remember of those cars today is the one that Barthel lived in on West River Road (which he sold to an historical society); one that was used as a bait shop down by the river, and several other scattered throughout the area that found use as diners after the lines were dismantled.

The Gate: This is hardly an unusual photograph that most people who know Vermilion will recognize. This is featured on Ray Boas' Through These Gates history of Linwood Park (take the link at the bottom of this page to visit). I use it here because it's a pretty photograph, and because it opens the door for a few more pix from inside the park that I've found:

This, quite frankly, could be just a beautiful painting. It is, of course, a tinted photo of "7th Street" in the park early in the last century. As a youngster I spent as much time as I could in the park. I always remember it as a very cool (under the trees) and quiet place. And then it would open on the most wonderful beach in Vermilion. An amazing transformation. This picture really captures the atmosphere of the place.

I know not whether these exact cottages still exist. There were several fires in the park, and partially due to the fact that the cottages were/are located close together, many of the original dwelling were lost.

Wahl's Souvenir Stand in the middle of Linwood. Very interesting! My software did a nice job with this picture. I believe the postcards were designed and printed in Germany. Is it not a veritable wonder how folks could dress in all those clothes in the midst of the summer? Not intending to be disrespectful, but the smell must have been quite noticeable. Then again, there were most likely a few thousand gallons of mighty pungent perfumes on the market at the time. (Just a thought - sometimes the good ol' days weren't as good as one might imagine).

Beulah Beach: Steve Armstrong, an old schoolmate now a professor at a Texas University, asked me last summer if I was going to write anything about Beulah Beach for our local paper the Vermilion Photojournal. Steve grew up at Beulah Beach. At the time I thought I'd most likely do something like that in the fall. But as things turn I've not done anything. Thus, this pic.

In about 1928 the Christian and Missionary Alliance celebrated its 40th Annual Convention and Bible Conference at their camp along Chapelle Creek west of Vermilion. The crowds were so large visitors had to find accomodations in Vermilion and other surrounding towns. This organization had/has missionaries stationed all over the world.

Not unlike Linwood Park - except there were always many year around residents here - Beulah Beach is a very beautiful and quiet place. This photo is a distant one of the hotel.

While I don't yet know a great deal about the park I have had occasion to eat at a facility they have which sits just above the beach at the east end of the property. This is not just a good place for a group to have a peaceful catered dinner - it is a GREAT place. On their property just across Lake Road they have constructed a wonderful Nursing Home/Assisted Living Facitly called The Inn At Chappell Creek behind their sports field. Behind that facility are new condominiums for the elderly, and there are plans in the future for a multi-story building and a golf course in the same area. Pecks Cottages on the northeast corner of Lake and Joppa Roads is now part of the allotment and things just keep getting better. Nice. (And, Steve, I will do a history piece on the subject for the paper at the beginning of the new year)

The Beat Goes On: The page is generatedby 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 bookmarks. 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 let me know and I'll send them to you.

Links to other sites on the Web

Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix
History of Linwood Park
Vermilion Community Orchestra
Vermilion Chamber of Commerce
Vermilion's Oldest Church
Vermilion Visitor's Advisory (Satire)
Gore Orphanage History
The Lester Pelton Story

"Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ." ~ Bart Simpson

Vol.1, Issue 37, December 6, 2003

© 2003 Rich Tarrant