Ma Pomme
O'MIC:: This is a one-sided story. It's about two early 19th century trapper / hunters and an American native folks called O'Mic. Years before the place now known as Vermilion, Ohio was formally incorporated the state of Ohio belonged - for all intents and purposes - to the Indians. They had lived and hunted here for centuries. Then the white guys came. And for some darn reason the white guys assumed it was just okay for them to barge in and hunt, trap, and build homes wherever they darn pleased.
There were, of course, various agreements made between various white folk and indian tribes. Some white folks even (tee-hee) paid Indians for rights to land, etc. No matter that the natives regarded ownership of the earth on which they walked to be absurd. Who, after all, could really own what God (theirs, ours, or yours) actually owns? Let it suffice for me to say that neither party understood the other.
And so it was that one day the Indian the whites came to know as "O'Mic" fell upon two trappers traipsing and trapping through his (Indian) territory near Sandusky. A squabble developed and Mr. O'Mic dispatched the trappers with what many folks at the time considered to be a great deal of malice.
As was the custom of the times (Bad news then just as now - travelled fast) O'Mic was soon captured, placed in chains, and dragged straight-away to Cleveland where justice would be meted out by one Justice David Carter. The year was 1812.
On the way to Cleveland the party stopped for the night at an inn along the Vermilion River owned by Barlow Sturgis and his wife Charlotte. Needless to say the red fellow frightened the bejesus out of Charlotte.
Cleveland at that time was a poverty-stricken little huddle of not more than a dozen or fifteen houses, near the river. The prisoner was chained to a ring bolt in a cabin owned by the Justice until he was tried by a jury of his non-peers and hung.
There is little doubt that Mr. O'Mic did that which he was accused of doing. But, as I've indicated, neither party really understood the other.
Hey. If upon returning to your home after a vacation you find someone you don't know living in your house how would you feel? I'd say that Mr. O'Mic got the short end of the deal. Like I said "this is a one-sided story". Verily it is - verily.
Historically,
"The interior of the market was clean, modest, and practical."
MARTIN’S MARKET WAS A SUCCESS: Sometime in the depths of the Great Depression Steve Martin, who lived with his wife Margaret on State Road just south of town, took a terrible fall at his job at the steel mill in Lorain. Although he recovered from his injuries he never returned to the mill. Because it was his nature to be industrious as well as innovative he managed to overcome those economic hard times and to prosper. Then, as the great war in Europe and the Pacific loomed on the horizon Steve did something foolish. He bought a littler grocery store on one of the most difficult and confusing traffic corners in the (then). Village of Vermilion, Ohio. The store was situated on the south side of South Street with State Street to the west and Exchange Street to the 'east. It almost faced Division Street to the north - the street we now know as Main. This was not a thriving enterprise and Martin was well aware of it when he purchased the place. Yet, as previously mentioned, he was both an innovative and industrious individual. What he didn't know about the businBSS he learned. And there was one more thing about Steve; he was a very gregarious person. He liked people and people liked him. Though at first Martin had a partner in the business it wasn't long before that fellow became discouraged and left. Then, on his own, he made the business flourish. One friend named Steve Olah who, for a time, lived in the apartment above the market was a butcher and taught Martin, as well as his friend, shirt-tail relative, and employee, Louis Makay, that fine art. In the meantime Steve and his wife had two girls; Gerry and Marlene. They were beyond the shadow of any doubt very bright spots in his life. Former Vermilionite Maryellen Martinek, who now lives in Atlanta, Georgia wrote to tell me about the days she used to play with the Martin girls behind the store. "There were lots of beer cases in the back and Steve would let us move them around to make doll houses or whatevElr suited our fancy. I also remember that every single day Steve had something cooking on his stove in the back and always fed me. My mother's cone stant requests that Steve not feed me because it would ruin my dinner fell on deaf ears. Steve told her he was not about to feed his kids and not me - and that was that’. The interior of the market was clean, modest, and practical. Markets of that time had both a very distinctive and pleasant odor. The aroma of fresh made sausage and fresh bread were wonderful. The congenial smiles and friendly banter of both Martin and Louis Makay were exceptionally welcoming. And here among tall boxes of Rinso detergent, Corn Flakes, loaves of Wonderbread, displays of Suds without Soap, Kraft Cheese, shelves of Campbell Soup, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix, and sundry other grocery items, Martin's business thrived. One of the peculiarities of the times (now almost forgotten) was the fact that nearly all businesses in town closed at .noon on Wednesdays. Those old enough to recall the old Blue Laws may also remember that nearly all businesses were closed on Sundays. This meant that most shopping had to be done Monday through Saturday. Thus, it became the custom for businesses to' close at noon on Wednesday and to stay open until noon on Saturday. This way the workers only worked a five day work week. In any case, Martin's Store followed suit. And it is upon this thought that I turn to one of the most unique gatherings of Vermilionites to ever sit before a camera; The Sauerkraut Gang of '49.
On Division street c.1952
NANCE & CHUCK: Here pictures is my sister Nancy and Chuck Thompson riding their horses in what was most likely a Memorial Day Parade c.1952. Chuck and Nance were members of the Vermilion Saddle Club.
Chuck was a decorated veteran of WW2. His family lived in an apartment above the offices of The Vermilion News. Chuck's mom, Vera, was a good friend of our mother.
I've had this pic for quite a long time. So long that I've now forgotten where I got it. It may have come from Chuck's nephew Jack Corcino. Anyway, one reason that I'm using it this week is because last week my sister Nance tripped, fell, and broke both her wrists.
This is especially meaningful to me because since I started "VV" my sister has been my editor / proof-reader. With her wrists disabled typing (among other things) becomes a rather serious problem. So if readers find a plethora of mistakes (spelling or otherwise) in "VV" in future days - blame it on my sister.
Actually, I hope she heals fast because being handicapped - such as she is now - just (for the lack of a better word) sucks. And those who know her may want to contact her and give her a big "Awwww. I hope you're better soon." She's a peach.
PAINTING THE TOWN: As previously mentioned this is a preview piece for a new webpage that I am currently developing. Using a new software program in conjunction with Adobe's Photoshop CS4 & 5 I am able to take some already wonderful pix of Vermilion, O. and make them (at least in my view) more "wonderfuller"
BEHIND THE THEATER: And below (somewhere) you will see the front of the Liberty Theater (on Liberty Avenue) as it was a long time back, and the way it looks today. That's nice - and it looks nice in those pix but...
the back side of the theater ain't pretty. I don't know the reason for the rats on the door. Perhaps they're there to frighten teen burglers. Or, perhaps, it was just somebody's whim. I suppose it doesn't matter. But it's sure a contrast to front of the building - as are most of the these backdoor pix.
October 2, 2010 7:05 AM
Beautiful.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW THING: This will not take the place of the "Macabre" stuff all the time - but will supplement whilst I search for more macabre stories to tell.
So stay tuned...
January 30, 1902
Fire.
The wing of Dr. Quigley's residence was damaged by the fire Tuesday evening to the extent of $400 or $500. The building caught during an attempt to thaw out hot water pipes. The department was called out but the flames were under control before its arrival.
-------------------------------------
Fruit.
Best varieties of fruit trees are engaged in scarce. To place your order now would be to your advantage; a large orchard of proper kinds means another farm in 10 years. Put your order on my Register for good results. Mr. Sperry and Mr. Peasley say their fruit is true to name. S. C. Myers, Vermilion O.
Mrs. Coppin Passed to Her Reward Wednesday, Jan. 22–a devoted Christian.
Sarah M. Root was born Feb. 7, 1815, in the town of Brutus, Cuyuga County, New York; died Jan. 22, 1902, lacking 17 days of being 87 years of age. She leaves four daughters, 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was the youngest of eight children. Her father died when she was less than a year old, leaving her mother to rear the family alone in the then new country. When seven years old she walked 2 miles, nearly all away through the woods, to school. At the age of 16 she commenced teaching school at a dollar a week. In 1834 she came to Ohio on a visit to her aunt, Mrs. Joseph Swift. She united with the M. E. Church in 1837; attended school at the Milan Institute, and afterwards taught in Florence, until her marriage to Charles R. Brown in 1840. They settled in Brownhelm but moved to near Axtel in 1853. At this time her husband died leaving her with four small children. She was a woman of courage and force of character. When she came to Axtel there was neither church nor Sunday school. She went to Brownhelm presented the needs of the community the Seth Morse, interested him and he came and organized the Sabbath school. This was at a date before women were so prominent in church and other matters. The next summer of Mr. Fairchild, brother of President Fairchild of Oberlin, came and took charge of the Sunday school. About this time Mrs. Brown went to the pastor of the M. E. Church at Brownhelm, of which she was a member, and induced him to come and preach the Axtel schoolhouse evenings. A class of six members, consisting of Mrs. Beardsley, Mrs. Akers, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Lowery, Mrs. Brown and someone else now forgotten, was formed. Rev. Safford, Beardsley and Hurd were among the first ministers. There was a great revival and numbers were added to the church. William Waggoner a devoted Christian long since gone to as reward, was for quite a number of years Superintendent of the Sunday school. In this church and Sunday school Mrs. Brown worked doing and giving of her means, her time and her thought; trying to bring up her children in the fear of the Lord. In 1857 Mrs. Brown was married to Rev. James Coppin, who died in 1881. She was a humble Christian, seeking not the glory and pomp of life, but desiring that she might do good to those who were poor friendless and needy; to drop a word of kindness and encouragement to those with whom she came in conduct. In these later years her thoughts have been much of others. During her last sickness she often quoted passages of Scripture and hymns, and spoke of her friends and loving remembrance. She was willing and more than willing to go hence. The evening before her death, her daughter Jenny repeated to her the line, “At evening time it shall be light.” She quickly replied, “it is light now: all is well and very well.” Shortly afterwards seeing her daughters in tears, she said, “You think this is my deathbed.” Her daughter asked her if she had any word to leave. She replied, “Tell them all to meet in heaven, especially Charley and little Pearl”.
The Harbor Appropriation.
Mayor Williams has received a letter from J. C. Gilchrist who has been in Washington presenting the claims of Vermilion for an appropriation for harbor improvements during the past week, in which he says everything appears favorable for a liberal allowance for that purpose.
Married.
Mr. Adolph Heinzerling and Ms. Nettie Opperman were united in the bands of holy wedlock, yesterday (Wednesday) at the Reformed Church Parsonage, Rev. Wm. G. Klein officiating. The newly married couple will make their home on Jerusalem Street. May God grant them a prosperous journey on the sea of life.
------------------------------------- Obituary.
Gustav Adolf Farber, the youngest son of Mrs. J. H. Farber was called to the silent rest last Sunday afternoon (Jan. 19) at three o'clock. While seemingly in good health, pneumonia, complicated with other complaints set in an yielded to no treatment only to death itself. It has been a great loss to the family circle as he was an obedient son, a loving brother, and a kind friend to all. He was the light of the saddened home. Only God knows that which is best, but we should strive to look forward to the time of meeting. He has gone to reap the reward of the pure. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” He was a member of the M. W. of A of Axtel. He is gone but not forgotten. The funeral was held at the house Wednesday at one o'clock conducted by Rev. Wm. G. Klein. A large number of friends were present to pay their respects to the loved one departed. The Woodmen attended the funeral in a body their respect for him being shown by the presentation of a large cross of roses. The deceased was 28 years 11 months and 8 days old at the time of his death, and leaves of mother, two brothers and four sisters, beside a large circle of friends to mourn his departure. Rest to his ashes, peace to his soul.
------------------------------------- Resolutions.
Whereas, it has pleased the DivineRuler of the Universe to remove from our midst are brother Gustav Adolph Farber, therefore be it Resolved. That we, the members of Lakeview Grange No. 1523, P. of H. express their heartfelt sympathy to the mother and family, in this their hour of sorrow, and be it further Resolved. That these resolutions be spread on the records of the Grange and be published in the Vermillion News and Erie County Reporter Resolved, that our hall the draped in mourning for the period of 60 days. De Bee Barnes, Com. ------------------------------------- February 6, 1902.
Mr. Gilchrest on Deck Again.
Mr. J. C. Gilchrist who was in the Murray Hill Hotel explosion in New York, was at his office yesterday for the first time since the accident happened. He still has a few scars and is a little sore, but he will be as good as ever in a few days.–Plain dealer.
------------------------------------- For sale.
A farm of 36 acres, 1/2 mile N. of Morgan place. Address at once Mrs. Helen Johnson or Geo. Cuddeback, Vermillion, O.
------------------------------------- Local briefs.
Prices on carpets and furniture always righted Wickens & Ransom's store, Lorain, Ohio. Mrs. W. E. Bailey, who is been seriously ill, is improving. The Novelty Society will hold a special meeting at Mrs. Alheit's Friday afternoon. Ms. Nelly Coen of Cleveland spent Sunday with her brother Mr. E. L. Coen. By your sewing machines, oils needles, and repairs at G. P. Wall. Engineer Everett Thompson has been on the sick list the past week.–Chicago times. Capt. Blattner and family returned home Tuesday after a pleasant visit in Toledo. Myron Englebry, who has been quite ill the past week is recovering. Ms. Inez Markel is being initiated into the mysteries of typesetting at the News office. Ms. Ida Weed left Tuesday morning for Buhl, Montana were she will make her home with her sister. Mrs. Jas. Anst returned to her home in Sandusky after spending a few days with her sister Mrs. Shadduck. We have just secured the latest in type designs for Visiting cards, Invitations, etc. Call and see samples. Prices are right. Ms. Gertrude Miller of Lorain accompanied by her friend Ms. May Gibson, spent Sunday with her parents Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Miller. Dave Green says the woodchuck came out Sunday to see his shadow, but the snow drifted so he couldn't find the entrance to his abode so he froze to death. Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Heinzerling called on their Vermilion and Lake Shore friends last Thursday. They expect to make Brownhelm their future home. Ms. Gertrude Sawyer will leave tomorrow (Friday) morning for Wellington, were she will be the Guest of D. B. Goodsell and family. A. R. Rumsey is having a duplex heater placed in his country residence at Rumsey Park. He had a telephone put in and is making many improvements around the place. Ms. Lulu Harris entertained at six o'clock dinner Monday evening in honor of her friend Ms. Fay Parsons of Toledo. Covers were laid for eight in a very enjoyable time was had. The subject of sermon at the reformed church next Sunday afternoon will be “Wir gehan nach Jerusalem.” “Making use of our Talents” will be discussed at the regular English service in the evening. Don't forget the meeting of the C. E. Society on Thursday evening. Miss Lottie Goodell entertained her Sunday school class, and also Mrs. Kaley, assistant teacher, at tea Saturday evening. After doing justice to an elaborate spread, the evening was spent in games and social enjoyment. Ms. Lottie is a royal entertainer in all report a grand time.
Hmmmmmm....
SID SIMONS, HIS GROCERY STORE, HIS PARROT: If birds could talk logically;pioneer grocer, Sid Simons', parrot Lindy (a.k.a. Polly) probably could have told Vermilionites of the 1940s a great deal more than they either should or would have wanted to know about their neighbors and friends. For more than 50 years the Simons family ran a local grocery business in our town. And though Polly wasn't around all that time he was there long enough to observe and absorb all that he saw and heard in his domain on Grand Street. It is said that even the most innocent of passers-by during a summer evening stroll seldom escaped Polly's, assaults on their character interspersed with an occasional compliment 'for a wen turned ankle or two if a lady happened by. Such was the amiable atmosphere of the village in its early days. Mr. Simons, Sid, was born in 1852 on a small farm south of town. That same year a story called Uncle Tom's Cabin was being published in an Abolitionist magazine call the National Era. It was a story that would help change the very course of American history. A man with the oddest of names, Millard Fillmore, had been thrust into the presidency of our nation due the untimely death of President Zachary Taylor. San Quentin Prison near San Francisco, California had just opened for business. The "Swedish Nightingale" Jenny Lind was on a singing tour of the country, A fellow named P.T. Barnum was her agent. A Shakespearian actor by the name of Brutus Junius Booth died leaving a son, John Wilkes, whose name would eventually live in historical infamy. Simons was inclined to look back at his early years with some regret. Yes, there were the hardships and troubles, but there were also good times on the farms he once worked and owned. He would often state that "I'd rather be on the farm than in the store." He married his wife, Algra, when he was 21 and she was but 15 years of age. Their children, Gertrude (b.1882) and Cortland (b.1885), were born on their 38-acre farm. After a time he left farming and came into the village to work on the coal docks. Later he went into a partnership in a store at Berlinville, • Ohio just a stone's throw southwest of Berlin. Heights. Shortly after this time the Simons family opened their first store in Vermilion. The family lived in the back of the first grocery. It was located immediately south of the railroad tracks on Grand Street. Several years later Mr. Simons built a new store on the same street with a living quarters above it that would serve as the family home for a number of years afterward. It was in this store that Sid Simons would spend the next 50 years of his life weighing out sugar and standing behind the counter ready to serve his customers. Polly, the bird was a gift brought to him by the local dog warden some time after the death of Sid's wife. It was not intended to take her place but it certainly did one thing; silence was not a problem. The bird took up residence quickly without giving any though of leaving, and Mr.' Simons appeared to enjoy the company. Polly even had a chair and a place at the dinner table. I, unfortunately, never knew Mr. Simons. I did, however, know his son Cort. Cort and his wife Myrtle lived in the old brick house on the southeast corner of Ohio and Grand Streets. I remember both as being very friendly people. The Vermilion News office being so close to their home, I saw them with some regularity. If my memory. serves me well, Myrtle helped us at the print shop. I believe Cort was, among other things,a volunteer fireman. I also remember that our old fox terrier, Mr. Chips, was inclined to' stop at their house every morning for a treat as he made his rounds about town everyday. As it is obvious, Vermilion was a village of enterprising and very friendly . characters. Sid Simons, his store, and his parrot were but a few of them. They are truly unforgettable.
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: The idea for this piece began as an idea for a coffee-table book of historical photographs of Vermilion, Ohio and, hopefully, it will (someday) be realized.
Originally the concept - as previously stated - was just a picture book. But after mentioning such a project in an issue of my weekly web page - Vermilion Views - a reader by the name of Scott Dommin suggested that it might be interesting if it featured photographs of how people, places, and / or things in the City of Vermilion, Ohio appear today along with photos showing how they appeared in the past. Ergo; the title "Now & Then".
"What a great idea." I told both myself and Scott.
[NOTE: I've said that this is going to take some time; and so it is. While I can actually have such a book published at no cost to myself such a venture menas that I have very little control over the make-up of the a book. I don't like the trade-off. So - I'm currently toying with the idea of acquiring equipment and publishing my "stuff" (as well as others) myself. Nothings ever easy.]
If you grew up in Vermilion during the mid to late years of the 20th century (makes one sound old doesn't it?) you were very familiiar with the Liberty Theater. What a wonderful place. What wonderful memories linger there.
When I was a little boy my big brother, Albert, used to take me to the picture show on Sunday afternoons at 5 PM. The show cost a dime. Popcorn was a dime. Back then they didn't allow soft drinks. But they had a drinking fountain.
And there I saw my favorites; Roy Rodgers and Dale Evens in "Technicolor"; Three Stooges (shorts); and Little Rascals (more shorts). The movies always ended with a good cartoon or two.
During my pre and junior high school years the picture show was a Friday night ritual for kids in the town. For me those were the years when a bunch of horror movies were very popular; War of the Worlds; The House of Wax; T.H.E.M (TERROR, HORROR, EXCITEMENT, MYSTERY); The Creature From the Black Lagoon, etc.
And then there was old Sophie Stevens - always dressed in a heavy greatcoat. She'd go over to Leidheiser's or the Okagi restaurant before the show; get a hot meal - "to-go" - and eat it during the feature.
Bob and Lucille Nuhn owned the place during many of those years. And I can remember that when things began to get out of hand Mr. Nuhn would stop the movie and assist trouble-makers...
It was (as I've already said) "a wonderful place".
October 2, 2010 6:49 AM.
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the south and west of Vermilion in the Berlin / Berlin Heights area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
RAILROADS IN THE FIRELANDS
On the 5th of March, 1842, the commissioners of the canal fund, in a special report to the Legislature, stated that the following amounts had been advanced by the state to railroad companies:
Lake Ere & Mad River...........................................$270,000 Monroeville & Sandusky City............................. 33,333 Painesville & Fairport.............................................. 6,182 Ohio Railroad............................................................. 249,000 Little Miami................................................................115,000 Vermilion & Ashland................................................... 44,000
These six were the first railway enterprises in Ohio receiving aid from the state, and four of them crossed portions of the Firelands. The Ohio and Vermillion & Ashland railroads have only left their scars behind them, traced in long lines of trees felled and spikes driven along their abandoned tracks through the forests. Had the large sums received and wasted along their whole lines been expended in completing and putting the cars in motions over a part they would have so far resulted in a success. As it was they ended in a total lost to the state and to all involved in their reckless mismanagement. The Monroeville & Sandusky City Railroad was wisely and successfully managed, becoming afterwards the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad, and now opeated under lease by the Baltimore & Ohio Company. Throughout its long history it gas been of great benefit to the state at large, and especially to this portion of it. The Lake Erie & Mad River Railroad was also successfully completed and is now part of the line extending from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. The most successful and useful of the present railway lihes across the Firelands are those which have been constructed without and Government aid.
Excerpt from A Standard History of Erie County, Ohio - Volume 1, by Hewson L Peeke - 1916. ---------------------------------------------------- ADDITONAL COMMENTARY
About 1839 the people of this part of the state began to be interested in a project of building a railroad from Vermillion to Ashland and meetings were held and stock subscribed for by many who had to go in debt for the payment. The work began at Vermillion about 1840 and by July 1842 the road had reached Clarksfield. The method of building was far different from that adopted afterward. In the first place heavy oak posts were driven into the ground by a steam pile driver and upon these were fastened, by wooden pins, cross ties and oak rails bolted upon these. The pile driver was mounted upon wheels and ran upon the wooden rails while at work. When the road was completed it was designed to lay flat iron strap rails upon the wooden ones. Many of the oak posts are still to be found where they were driven sixty-five years ago. The road came by the way of Florence, past Ezra Wildman’s to the top of the hill at Daniel Stone’s and the pile driver was left standing there for some time. On the 4th day of July 1842, a great celebration was held at Clarksfield on account of the building of the road. The enterprise failed and no cars were run upon the road and all the money raised by subscription, as well as $44,000, given by the state, was wasted. It was not until forty years afterward that Clarksfield had a railroad.
Excerpt from the Pioneer History of Clarksfield, by Weeks as transcribed by Lowell Dunlap - 2001.
THE LSE DEPOT: This, of course, is a current photograph / sketch of what was originally the local station for the Lake Shore Electric interurban railway. In design the building is not terribly unique. If one is familiar with those in surrounding communities they are very similar in style.
When I was a youth the area behind the building (currently a parking lot) was what - at least to the unschooled eye - a sort of sub-station for the Ohio Edison electric company. It was fenced off and filled with what I'd guess were numerous transformers.
After the interurbans disappeared from the landscape the station served as office space for numerous concerns - architects and attorneys, etc. Then, for a time, was a bank. Currently it houses a family counselling service. It is owned by Vermilionite Dave Fischer.
A pretty pic.
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT...
Future Novelists... These are actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays: Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two other sides gently compressed by a thigh master. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free. He spoke with wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it. She grew on him like E. coli and he was room temperature Canadian beef. She had a deep throaty genuine laugh like that sound a dog makes just before he throws up. Her vocabulary was as bad, as, like, whatever. He was a tall as a six foot three inch tree. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a hefty bag filled with vegetable soup. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7 pm instead of 7:30. Her hair glistened in the rain like nose hair after a sneeze. Long separated by cruel fate, the star crossed lovers raced across a grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resemble Nancy Kerrigan's teeth. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work. "Oh, Jason, take me!" she panted, her breasts heaving like a college freshman on $1-a-beer night. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a really duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a landmine or something. He was deeply in love when she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up. Her eyes were like limpid pools, only they had forgotten to put in any pH cleanser. She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs. Her voice had that tense grating quality, like a generation thermal paper fax machine that needed a band tightening.
PODCAST #199:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #199 presents a very nice music video done by and for one of my favorite causes - the Hope Childrens Home in Kenya. Take a look. Methinks you'll like it.
Persons interested in the history of the Lake Shore Electric Railway (which was the subject of a recent past podcast series) - "the greatest electaric railway system on the planet" may want to go to Amazon.com and purchase a book called "Images of Rail - Lake Shore Electric Railway". It was put together by Thomas J. Patton with the help of my friends Dennis Lamont and Albert Doane. It'd make a nice gift.
Also, please note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format. If you don't have "Quicktime" it's easy to find and free to download.
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 suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
THE BEAT GOES ON: This page is generated by a 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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol.8, Issue 29, October 2, 2010
© 2010 Rich Tarrant