SANTA'S HELPER
HAPPY DESTINATIONS: Many Viewers likely know Santa's Helper (pictured - but well photoshopped). Let it suffice for me to say that he's a real nice guy - a well known Vermilionite. Morever; he was a wondeful Santa for all the pre-school youngsters at Vermilion's Congregational Church last week. These are the type of days that those children will remember for all of their lives. (I do.)
And time limps along. [Geo - my spouse - and I are beginning to wonder who'll get to push the wheelchair first.]
Speaking of "limping along" I have decided, after about a year - and some great advice from several "Viewers" - to go ahead and have the Vermilion "Now & Then" book I've been talking about for "about a year" published. What I intend to do is to pre-sell the book to help offset the cost of publication - which will be about $5,000.
The book will be 8 ½ X 11 inches in physical size and consist of approximately 250 pages. Half of the pages will be photo pages; and half the photographs will be in black and white - with the other half in color.
Currently I'm not certain what the price of the tome might be. But based on the initial price quoted me by the publisher it'll probably be somewhere between $25 and $30. One person actually sent me enough for several books when I first entertained the idea. But I never cashed the check because I didn't know exactly what I was going to do - nor how. Now all I have to do is find it. (Limp, limp...)
Part of the reason for this "limping" analogy has to do with a spill I took on some stairs a week or so back - as well as some problems I'm experiencing with one of my eyes. Most of that is just part and parcel of the ageing process. And, in two words, that sucks. But what'cha gonna do? I think you just smile and limp along toward your happy destiny.
Historically,
MARJORIE LOOMIS CHERRY'S BOOK
NOT JUST A COLLECTOR'S...: Finding a copy of this book was more difficult than I think it should be. Age-wise it's not terribly old - 1934. But the tome is out-of-print and it's not copyrighted. The publisher is not noted. It was likely a small press company similiar that of my family's. The paper on which it's printed is similar to newsprint. Ergo it tends to be rather brittle and needs be handled with extreme care. More than that this is not just a "collector's" book. It is an extremely valuable historic reference.
Some years ago Vermilion author / historian Betty Trinter gave me a photocopied edition of the book that I keep in my personal files. However; the photocopy edition doesn't contain all of the reference information info etc. that can be found at the back of the book.
The book also doesn't list the author's full name - Majorie Loomis Cherry. It only exists as you see it in the scan (above) of the cover. I am currently searching for additional info on her. I have found that she was extremely active in historical circles in Erie County during her lifetime, and was an active member of the D.A.R.. I hope to have a great deal more on her (and her book) during coming months. The book is a wealth of historic information pertaining to the area known as the Fire-Lands.
So stay tuned...
MEMORABLE FACES
THE VHS CLASS OF 1938 (AS JUNIORS): This class is the subject of this week's Vermilion Views Podcast. Among all the items I have near me I do not have a Log yearbook from this class. All I could scare up was the book from 1937 when these folks were Juniors at South Street. But it's a great pic. Those pictured are:
TOP PHOTO STANDING L-R:
C. Gegenheimer, E. Beiner, P. Becker, E. Bachman, T. Collit.
TOP PHOTO SITTING L-R:
G. Furgason, V. Fischer, M. Grego, K. Eastman, H. Friday.
MIDDLE PHOTO STANDING L-R:
A. Kovanic, E. Hoffman, G. Kominis, A. Matas, M. Lezak.
MIDDLE PHOTO SITTING L-R:
C. Kuhl, D. Kishman, A. Hart, R. Gorbach, H. Rodgers.
BOTTOM PHOTO STANDING L-R:
J. Sennhenn, Dan Schisler, R. West, D. Walker, R. Weigel, G. Sprigg.
BOTTOM PHOTO SITTING L-R:
A. Walker, M. Wallace, J. Nieding, B. Stokes, B. Sylvester.
I don't know all the faces in this photograph. Nor do I know all the faces in the VVPC video. Of the number very few are left. Jim Hart is one of those with who I am most familiar. With the exception of that which time does to each of us he looks very much the same as he does in this photograph.
PAINTING THE TOWN: Sometimes things are painted in pictures. And sometimes in stories. But however painted they are nonetheless as powerful...
MRS. ELIZA MINKLER-DRIVER: Eliza Minkler's childhood home in 1840 was a log cabin set in a clearing along Joppa Road a -few miles west of the thriving village of Vermilion, Ohio. Every Sunday she attended church and Sunday School services at the Free Will Baptist Church that was located in her grandfather's barn before it had a building of its own. In those days little girls owned two sunbonnets. One was for everyday, and the other was for Sundays. She had but one pair of cowhide shoes with leather shoestrings that had been made by her neighbor. She had but one dress of calico that little ladies of the mid-19th century only wore on special occasions. As was the custom for young ladies of the era, she was well schooled in the fine art of sewing - and sewing neatly. She began by working on nine-patch quilt blocks. Her mother would cut and turn the edges, and then she would sew over and over until she had learned to make her stitches even. She then moved on to learn the running stitch, matching almost to the thread. And if it didn't look right it all came out and she had to begin again. Later there would be lessons in knitting. A certain amount of work at this had to be accomplished before she was allowed to play. Life was not easy. But it was productive and joyful. During the first years of her life she and her siblings received perhaps one extra fried cake on Christmas morning. She would later recall that when they went to school on the 26th and found some of the other children with candy, apples, and some other little fancy toy they would ask each other, "Isn't it queer Santa Claus never comes down our chimney with anything?" While some of us are quite able to remember the best Christmas gift we . have ever received, Eliza vividly recollected the very first real Christmas gift she received. It was a little black comb. Her father, by that time, was Justice of the Peace and had a big desk. One day early in December he asked her to retrieve something from the desk. In doing so she noticed two beautiful black combs hidden at the back of one of the various desk compartments. She immediately knew that she and her sister, Olive, were to have presents that Christmas. Although she knew this little secret, she forever kept it to herself. On Christmas Eve when she and Olive were nestled quite snug in their trundle beds, their father called to them as he sat by the fireside talking with their mother. Olive didn't answer because she was asleep. Eliza didn't answer because she was too excited. Her eyes shone bright in the darkness and her heart trembled with anticipation and love. To be very sure she was up bright and early the next morning. And to be equally sure no girl, in either Vermilion or the entire world, was happier than she was on that, Christmas day. There would be many more Christmas days for Eliza to share with family and friends. There would be many more gifts - both to give and to receive. But there would never be a more precious Christmas than the one when she received her first real gift, and there would never be a gift more precious than the little black comb.
Ref: Story adapted from The Vermilion News; The Days of "Auld Lang Syne", 12-14-22; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 12/16/04; Written 12/12/04.
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.
December 18, 1902. -Volume 6.–Number 29.
Frost Alarms.
Electric contrivances which give alarm by ringing the bell at the approach of Frost had been used to some extent by Californian fruit growers. The apparatus consists of a battery of relay coil, thermometer alarm bell, and is so adjusted that when the mercury in the thermometer falls below a certain point the electric circuit is broken and the bell rings. As the instrument can be set for any temperature it can be used in hothouses for various crops. It is set to a few degrees above the point of danger.
Chamber of Commerce.
The Vermilion Chamber of Commerce met Friday evening. A constitution was adopted and other business transacted. A plat of 40 acres has been secured which will be offered; 10 acres for a site and the balance to be divided into lots and sold any industry which will locate. At present the pottery concern of some magnitude this under consideration but as yet nothing definite can be announced. As there are a number of industries and searchable location it is hoped that one may be secured if not the pottery. Later–we are informed that W. G. Jackson, president of the pottery company has been here and looked over the ground. It is now thought that if a few more necessary options can be obtained the sale of lots will commence the first part of next week. The land has been platted and blueprints are on exhibition. Watch for definite announcements later.
Briefs.
Don't miss the umbrella sale Englebry's clothing store. Our prices can't be beat and quality the best. Mr. McKee, who is suffering from smallpox, is getting along as well as can be expected. It is a light attack and no spread of the disease is anticipated. 4 lbs of California prunes $.25 at S. W. Simons. Chas. Englebry moved his stock of furniture into the new block this week where he will be pleased to meet his old customers. He has a fine line of furniture suitable for Xmas gifts. By your sewing machine oil's needles, and repairs at G. P. Wall. C. P. Gilchrist and wife of Cleveland were in Vermilion Wednesday. We understand that the house homestead is now in his possession. The Firemen will dance New Year's Eve. Go and have a good time. Ms. Paula Ingversen arrived here from London, Germany, Tuesday to be the guest of her cousin, C. Schwensen and and family until after the holidays. She will then go to Sandusky where she expects to make her home.
Mrs. Hoffman Dead.
Word came this noon of the death of Mrs. Hoffman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William. Frisbey which occurred last night at her home in Elyria, from typhoid fever. She had been ill several weeks. She leaves a husband, father, mother, and brother besides a host of friends to mourn their loss. The funeral will be held Saturday at 10 o'clock from the Axtel M. E. Church.
-------------------- Wanted.
Girl to learn typesetting at the News Office. Steady employment for the right girl.
Notice!
The News will be issued a day earlier both next week and the week following, on account of the holidays. Correspondents please bear in mind and send in copy earlier.
Slow up.
Complaints are being made that the electric cars are running too fast through town. Wouldn't it be a good thing to limit the speed a little and thus avoid accidents. Paper napkins for sale at the Vermillion news office.
Found dead.
The dead body of Ed Hanchett, of North Amherst, was found frozen in the River at Birmingham, under the C., E., & W. Bridge Sunday morning about 10 o'clock, by a C., E. & W. Section hand, who was passing along the track. Hanchett was at Birmingham up to 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon waiting for a car to go east, but as the cars were not running, on account of the storm he started for Oberlin on foot. That was the last seen of him alive and it is supposed that while walking across the railroad bridge he made a misstep and fell into the river, being killed outright or, too badly injured to move, perished there and his body was frozen tightly in the water.
Warning to Parents
Editor:– Will you kindly allow me a little space in your paper that I may warn some of the parents of small children going to school, those living in the West–end especially. Some of the children are in the habit of walking on the L. S. & M. S. Tracks west Of Grand St. which is extremely dangerous. Only a few days since had it not been for the section men a little boy would've been killed. They called the attention of a break man who got him off the track immediately ahead of the train. My blood has been made to stand still at seeing such narrow escapes a number of times and I ask the parents in all kindness to assist the superintendent of the school who has done all in his power to prevent children from walking on the tracks all to no purpose. So now it rests with you parents to act before your little one is brought home to you a shapeless corpse. O. F. Hatch.
--------------------
Mason and Dixon's line follows parallel thirty-nine degrees forty-four minutes, twenty-six and three tenths seconds north. The line separating Pennsylvania from Maryland was used as a basis. Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon were two English mathematicians who came to Philadelphia November 15, 1763, and began work in December. They surveyed 250 miles from the Delaware River and were stopped by the Indians. The line begins at the northeast corner of Maryland and runs due West. In 1782, Col. Alexander McLean of Pennsylvania and Joseph Neville of Virginia ran the remainder of the line through to the Ohio River.
A West Side Wedding
The wedding of Miss Sarah Hine to Mr. John A. Englebry of Vermilion took place at the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs. Nancy Hine on Thursday evening, Dec. 11 Mr. Hudson Tuttle performing the ceremony. Only the immediate family and a few friends were present, but the entire affair was one of the most enjoyable and elegant functions we have ever attended. It was perfect in every detail, from the gowning of the bride to the most bountiful and elaborate marriage supper, serve to suit the most fastidious taste. The gifts were beautiful, the groom presenting the bride with a lovely diamond ring. Mr. Englebry is one of Vermilions prominent citizens, and has been a resident of the town for 34 years. He is building a large block there present. Miss Hine is one of Berlin's choicest girls , loved and respected by all who know her. She with her mother, will go to Vermilion to reside next week, and we prophecy [sic] many pleasant years for Mr. and Mrs. Englebry in their fine home within 35 minutes ride by electric cars from Berlin Hts. We still hope to see them often and wish them health, happiness and the greatest good luck. Berlin Heights Budget.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. J. Kahn of Norwalk Dec. 9. They are former residents of Vermilion. The Lakeshore electric is experimenting at Fremont with a new headlight, which gives promise of being superior to any light of the kind now in use. It is claimed rays from the new lamp can be thrown half a mile. According to a law passed by the last legislature skunks may be trapped or killed only between Nov. 1st and Feb. 1st. The penalty for any violation of this law is a fine of not less than five nor more than fifteen dollars. Alva C. and Alvina a A. Buckles brothers, filed suit in the courts of common pleas at Urbana for divorces. Both brothers reside in the same township and both were married seven years ago, and only four days apart. Both wives ran away after being married only two years and their whereabouts are unknown. Both brothers hired the same attorneys in both petitions charged defendants with being guilty of gross neglect of duty and wilful absence.
Hmmmmmm....
VOICES FROM XMAS PAST: Late in November of 1922 my grandparents, the late Bessie C and Pearl Roscoe, thought it would be a great idea to ask some older Vermilion citizens to share their memories of Christmas' past with readers of the News. They selected (at random) "people who helped make Vermilion in different walks of life." This resulted in their publishing the memories of a doctor, a, preacher, a teacher, a farmer, and housewife. The editors prefaced those stories with the thought that, "By comparison with the past we may be able to appreciate better the present and hope for more in the future." In the weeks leading up to this holiday season I will present some of those stories, some whole and some in part, as they appeared in The Vermilion News 82 years ago. To begin is to borrow the insights and observations of Northern Ohio and Vermilion from a village carpenter named Edwin C. Rust. At the time he wrote his thoughts he was 85 years old and lived on Washington Street. His parents came from Connecticut and Massachusetts. He was born in Ohio one year before Vermilion was incorporated. His earliest recollections of transportation systems was "principally ox teams as there were no railroads in rural sections, but few horses, and coach lines between cities like Cleveland and Pittsburgh, New York and Albany to Buffalo westward leaving once a day ... The Ohio Canal, Cleveland to Portsmouth; (and) the Maumee Canal, Toledo to Cincinnati afforded means for carrying heavy freight .. ." About travelling throughout Northern Ohio back in the mid. 19th century he wrote, "Roads were plenty (such as they were) often winding through thick woods, with many a crook and turn to get around a fallen tree or a deep mud hole. Hills, ravines (often called Gulls), swamps which were crossed on Corduroy Rail Roads constructed by laying down logs about ten to twelve feet long, and eight to ten inches in diameter, side by side and covering them with a light covering of dirt. This made a very good driveway for a few years." And about the early settlers Rust wrote that usually the first thing they did after they built their cabins and barns, " ... was to build a log schoolhouse and in many places it was used as a church especially on Sundays and perhaps a prayer meeting on some evenings during the week ... The teachers then as now, were good, some not so good, and some of them seemed only to care to put in the time and draw the pay." His early reflections of Vermilion include a vivid description of the "poor" state of its streets; there were ... "no sidewalks, worthy of the name. Crosswalks (were) slabs from the shipyards laid in pairs at the intersection of a few streets (less than five in number). If you had to travel about town after dark a lantern was a very good thing to have with you. The New York Central railroad (now Conrail) was then only a one-track railroad with a mixed train each way morning and evening extending from Berea to Sandusky with weeds growing between the rails, luxuriant hedgerows of briars and bushes adorning the right of way, (and) a fine scarecrow of a depot on the south side of the track between Division (now Main) and Grand streets." He goes on to observe that, "When you remember all this, go over the same ground today (1922) and see what a change has taken place in a few short years. Two streets are paved and more in progress. Stone sidewalks and cross walks on almost every street in town, and realize that you are living in (an) age of progress ... Think of all these things. Stop your knocking and Boost for your home town." Mr. Rust's recollections of those days now sets the stage for some voices of Vermilion's past Christmas' to be sounded.
Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 12/09/04; Written 12/05/04.
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: As you may have gathered from the intro piece to "VV" I'm on the verge of publishing now. I'll be beginning to work with the publisher on Monday. So stay with me and I'll have more information very soon..
In the autumn of 1913 Mamoru Okagi and his wife Marie purchased both a restaurant and home in the Village of Vermilion, Ohio. While no mention of where they lived or worked previous to this time is cited in any records available (to me) it is certain that both were experienced restauranteurs. For by 1919 their business had become so successful they found a need to acquire a larger building. It was just a few doors east of the eatery they had initially procured from Mr. John Carr and his spouse. On May 15th of that year they catered a banquet for over 200 members and guests of Vermilion's Boat Club at the new location. This restaurant could easily seat and serve 225 patrons. Moreover it was accomplished quickly and efficiently This was no paltry feat for any small town restaurant of that era. Although Mr. Okagi was Japanese (b. Fukuoka, Japan in 1880) and his wife was French (b. Bordeaux, France in 1889) the restaurant fare was strictly American. It was served family-style on tables replete with cloth table cloths, napkins, real silverware, and real china and glass table settings. Virtually all the materials that went into making the operation a success were obtained locally if possible. The meat came from Starr Gardner's and George Naegele's market that was just around the corner. The Esmond Brand ice cream came from A.D. Baumhart's Rexall Drug Store - also just around the corner. The only products that came from outside of town were select canned and fresh fruits and vegetables which were brought in by The Weideman Co. of Cleveland. All of the structural work done to the restaurant over the years was accomplished by local firms. George Becker and his brother Tony attended to all the brick and concrete work. David J. Miller with his father Jacob, who had built the Fischer block in 1913, the Phelps, Mattison, and Powell homes, and Crystal Gardens in 1925 (at Crystal Beach), provided all the general contractor work. And last, but not the least, a majority of all the kitchen and dining room help came from local high school and college students. More than a few of these youngsters worked a full 8 summers for the Okagis'. By the time Vermilion News editor/publisher Pearl Roscoe forever affixed the shadows pictured to glass plate (c.1925) the popularity of the restaurant was such that on most holidays and Sundays hungry customers waiting to gain entrance were given numbered tickets to insure their place in line. To call this a mere success is to greatly understate the reality of the matter. Through the years a basement was added to increase work and storage space. In the spring of 1933 a black and white glass front was added. It was the very first (and only one) of its kind in the village. In addition to that another door was added to the front of the building making access and egress for large numbers of customers much easier. Because the couple had no children of their own they took in, and raised, two orphan children - a girl and a boy. The girl's name was Mary Kenik. She eventually married a fellow by the name of Russell Vasbinder. The boy they raised was named George Kominis. He became a pilot in the military during WW2. Afterwards he became a commercial pilot, and had a very successful career. And life was good until the early 1940's. In 1942 Marie, discovering that she was terminally ill, took her own life in the garage behind their Exchange Street home. Some years thereafter Mr. Okagi sold the business to his adopted daughter's husband, Russ Vasbinder, and their brother-in-law, Cecil Thomas. A few years afterward left his adopted town, and the business he had so carefully crafted with his wife, forever. Mamoru Okagi did not return to Japan, but lived on the West Coast until he passed away on December 23, 1956 in Los Angeles. Today no corporeal vestiges of the restaurant that had earned a national reputation remain. It is now dissolved into a storefront shared over the years by several different agencies. But ask around. There is still a person or two who can remember the wonderful Okagi Restaurant.
Ref: The Vermilion News; 4/14/33; Ancestry.com; Ohio Deaths 1908-1944 Record; California Death Index 1940-1997 Record; Vermilion Area Archival Society; Text amended 12/18/10
December 18, 2010 8:45 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 of Vermilion in the Clarksfield area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
SHERMAN
[NOTE: Somehow I got this piece out of sequence. I didn't notice it until it was publication time. I'll try to correct this error next week.]...was born in Barnard, "Windsor Co., Vt., March 11, 1812. His father was Brace Jones, and his mother Lucretia Partridge Jones. When he was eight years of age his mother died. In 1819 his father married Mrs. Lucy Beebe, formerly Lucy Sanderson. By his first wife his father had four children,—Amanda, Solon, Lucien, and Stephen; and by his second wife he had three daughters,—Lucretia, Sarah, and Susan. Sarah died in September, 1838, the fall after their removal to Ohio. Lucien Jones worked at farming with his father in the place of his birth until 1838, when he started with a team and sled for the then far West. He made the journey from Vermont to Sherman, Huron Co., Ohio, in twenty-six days. On starting out he was provided with a set of wagon wheels which could bo attached to the sled, but was obliged to use them only two days. There was sleighing for some six weeks after his arrival in Ohio, and he can recall not more than one year since that time when there has been such a long season of sleighing. He purchased the farm in Sherman, Huron Co., Ohio, on which he has since resided. It contained ninety-six acres of land, of which about ten acres were cleared, and ten or twelve more partly cleared and girdled; the balance of the land was covered with a heavy growth of oak, hickory, and elm, with a sprinkling of other timber common to the country. Two years later he added fifty acres to his first purchase, giving him his present snug farm of one hundred and forty-six acres. A log house was built on his first purchase several years previously by Daniel Sherman, the former owner of the land. In June of the year he arrived (1838) the rest of his father's family came by way of the canal to Buffalo, N. Y., thence by lake, experiencing uniformly pleasant weather during their journey. His parents lived with him until their death. His father died Sept. G, 1846, aged seventy-three, and his stepmother March 19, 1865, aged eighty-one years. The first year after their arrival in the new country all the corn was killed by an early frost, September 1st. Mr. Jones then went with a wagon to the Sciota River, some sixty miles distant, to procure corn and wheat for subsistence until another year should roll around. He paid $1.50 per bushel for corn and §2.25 for wheat. Thereafter he was enabled to raise enough grain to live on except during one year, about 1859, when the grain was killed by a severe frost in June. The family lived in the old log house two and one-half years, when they remodeled a frame blacksmith-shop that had been built on another part of the farm, and fitted it up as a home; here they lived until 1863, when the present substantial farm-house was built. During the early years of his life at Sherman, Mr. Jones cut staves and cordwood, which he sold to procure money to pay taxes and furnish needful articles for the comfort of the family. Lucien Jones has never been a robust man, though he has done much hard labor. He has generally kept hired help, and has been able to work with and oversee them until within the past few years. Some ten or twelve years ago he began to be troubled with sore eyes, and for the past seven years has been unable to perform any hard labor. He consulted eminent oculists in Cleveland, and was treated for several years, without any decided improvement, however. He finally consulted Dr. Graeff, of Sandusky, who at once pronounced his eyes covered with cataract; he made an effort to remove the trouble, and for a time with strong hopes of success, but inflammation set in, and soon all hope was lost. For the past two years he has been unable to use his eyes, and now can only discern the light. In politics Mr. Jones was a Whig in early days, and is now a Republican, and has been since the organization of that party. Mr. Jones has never married. His youngest sister, Susan E., remains with him, and assumes the care of household duties. His eldest sister, Lucretia, married, in 1832, Pardon Brightman, who died in November, 1878. Since her marriage she has lived in the southeastern part of Sherman township, and is the mother of seven children. His life is one of confinement, his only exercise being that which he takes within the walls of his dwelling. He has lived a useful, temperate, industrious life, and now, in the years of his affliction and approaching old age, his youngest sister, in her fidelity and attachment to him, is his comfort and solace.
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
TO BUCK 2/18/49: I am revisiting this photograph thiw week because I received a great deal of real good feedback from a good number of "Viewers" identifying most of the men in it. Let's see if I can get them right. They are:
TOP ROW L-R:
Ted Wakefield, unknown, George Wakefield, George Stump, Al Wakefield, Tug Wilson, Orson Kuhnle, and Carl Schroeder.
MIDDLE ROW L-R:
John Trinter, George Showalter, unknown, Tony Beursken, Jim Friday, and Andy Fazey.
BOTTOM ROW L-R:
Don Hoffman, Len Osberg, Leroy Grant, and Buck Rogers
This particular listing was sent to me by several folks so it's fairly accurate. Only 2 of the men are unidentified. And if I review all the names provided by numerous "Viewers" I may end up with a complete list.
Thanks - everyone.
DEAR SANTA...
I am trying to talk nice, and not say words I shouldn't say. I am very good to my sister, Hannah - Sara, 4, Eielson, Alaska. can you please help the homeless children have a good Christmas with at least something really good to eat and maybe a small toy for them to love. - Andrew, 7, South Hadley, Massachusetts What type of fuel do you use for your sleigh or are your reindeers just hyper? Either way, I hope you won't miss our house. - Matt, 11, Greenfield, Ohio It is really cold here. Make sure Rudolph wears his sweater :) and Reindeer mittens. - Donna, 9, Pennsboro, West Virginia Dear Santa, I would love all the presents I asked for but my mom deserves them more. I have been getting presents all year from my mom and she works hard to get them for me. My mom doesn't know how much I love her that's why I want her to have all my presents. Love, Victoria - Victoria, 12, Syracuse, New York I have tried to be good Santa, but boys will be boys. You must know that cuz you are a boy. - Henry, 8, Manchester, United Kingdom Dear Joulu Pukki, Did you know that people here used to think that you were a goat? - Johanna, 7, Vaasa, Finland If my brother been bad,do I get all his gifts? - Bradley, 8, Frederick, Maryland Please make sure the reindeers eat all their carrots, tops too! becauase they're veggies are good for them! - Tara, 5, Hartselle, Alabama You are very good at keeping quiet on christmas eve, but I know you`re there. - Edwina, 8, Londonderry, United Kingdom I know that I may not get the bike because mom & dad said I had to wait until I was 9 to get a new bike. - Brenna, 7, Albany, New York My friends didnt beleive that I could email Santa. This is cool! - Mikaela, 8, Bangor, Maine Thank you for thinking of me and all the other kids around the world. - Michael, 7, Davidson, North Carolina I like your other countries uniforms! - David, 9, Oakville, Ontario My Dad did the naughty/nice test and was called a little stinker. Please give him somthing he did'nt mean to be bad. - Saoirse, 10, Carbury, Ireland Is rudolfs nose that way cuz he always has a cold? - Lucy, 27, Southampton, United Kingdom Dear Santa, I have been I good boy this year but I have had quarrels and even fights with my brother and I'm going to try and be better about stopping a fight instead of adding to it. - Austin, 10, Middleburg, Virginia I want everyone in the world to play nicer with each other. Mommy wants everyone to take better care of the world and Daddy just wants to read his Sunday paper in peace. - Ellis, 7, Swindon, United Kingdom Does your Mommy make you stop and brush your toothes after you have milk and cookies at each house? - Celine, 4, Wilmington, Delaware I will like to have snow in my country.Our country does not have snow.It is a tropical island. - Laura, 11, Sangre Grande, Trinidad & Tobago I heard you in my house this morning but I could not find you. I heard you twice. - Candice, 9, Statesboro, Georgia Christmas in Australia is very hot, so remember to put on some sunscreen. - Katie, 6, Sydney, Australia Mommy is helping me gather together all the toys that I don't play wth anymore to give to the children that don't have any. - Rebecca, 4, Cheektowaga, New York I have tried to be very good all year, I only messed up a few times, but I tried my best, and thats what my mom and dad said counts. - Heather, 8, Cape May Court House, New Jersey I help my mom with the dishes and i help my grandma and grandpa by giving them lots of hugs .......So please give them something nice too! - Katelyn, 6, Boston, New York I love how you and your Elves can work together so well to get all the presents done by Christmas. - Alexandra, 9, Fall River, Nova Scotia Thank you for waving at me at the mall. You really do love me! - Marisa, 2, Ogden Dunes, Indiana could you bring me some nail polish too, cause other kids in school have some, and i dont.and i would like to wear it cause im a girl and girls do that kind of stuff. thank you Santa - Deryn, 5, Thunder Bay, Ontario Dear Santa, I'd prefer you bring us love and happiness not only during Christmas holidays, but also throughout the whole year! - Stavroula, 6, Thessaloniki, Greece I saw reindeer footyprints on the roof last year! - Chris, 6, Moncton, New Brunswick
PODCAST #210:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #210 is the first portion of a VHS recording of the reunion of the Vermilion High School Class of 1938. If the date on the tape is correct it was recorded in October of 1988 where the Great Lakes Historical Society museum was located at the foot of Main street in Vermilion.
I'm not familiar with the amateur video photographer so I really can't give his name. I believe the last name is Torese (sp). But that's about all I know of him.
The video was given to me by my friend Bobbi Riley of CA whose mother, Virginia, was a member of this class. The class as juniors at VHS is featured in today's "Familiar Faces" part of "VV".
Note that in this video you will see some faces of persons outside this class who you may recognize. The video has some significant historic value locally. In short, it's a keeper.
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 40, December 18, 2010
© 2010 Rich Tarrant