Racing on Erie: A pretty cover pic; racing on the lake. It was nice when I found it but the software just made it nicer. The colors match the event. One does not race with the wind when the weather is dead calm. The weather almost needs be harsh. If not harsh at least difficult.The original does not put this point across as effectively as one now can view it. It can be summer. It can be August. But if the wind is really blowing and the water's spraying it can be cold and miserable.

Sailing is not a sport for wimps. I am a wimp. Therefore; I do not sail. I'm just one heck of a good spectator.

Cicco's: This is, of course, Cicco's Tavern in its heyday. Most likely it was in the 1940's. I've other pix of the place that I got from Ketty Cicco but none quite as interesting as this. This is a wide view of the restaurant and affords one a better idea of exactly how the building sat along the lake shore. In brief, we're looking north from Lake Road.

The other pix give one the impression that the restaurant area to the left was at the back of the house, or north of it. But the building actually sat east to west. (My illusions of the past are very difficult to eradicate.)

Today it is a house and the one-story portion of the structure no longer exists. It was destroyed by fire back in the 1950's.

A long, long, long time ago (I believe) this was the home of the Lake Shore Tavern which afforded many a weary traveler along the Lake Shore Roada place to rest as they wound their way through northern Ohio.

For those who might be unfamiliar with this place it is located on the north side of Lake Road about one or two miles west of Vermilion just east of Volunteer Bay.

The First Wash: Just south of the Olympic Outing Club on the Vermilion River is the first shale bank seen in this picture. This is an old piece dating perhaps to the early part of the 20th century. (ed. note: I like using that expressing "early part of the 20th century" partly because I can, and partly because it makes the pictures seem real real old - like looking at a dinosauer.) Just as my software did a great deal of justice to the sailing pic it also worked some magic on this one. For some reason those old tinted photographs tend to look terribly phoney, or contrived. They look like very bad paintings. Were they not representative enough of Vermilion landscapes, or were they not marked, they might pass for paintings found on weekends being sold at various motels as done by "starving artists". Contemporary software certainly improves them.

A Scandal: I need to preface this next piece with some commentary. The article you are about to read was taken from The Elyria Chronicle in the "early part of the 20th century". That all was not always well in paradise is perhaps something each of us understands but seldom consider. In 1922, for instance, the Village of Vermilion, Ohio was still a settlement of under 2000 people. So imagine what happens when someone comes along and breaks the rules of a decent society despite its size. Were an incident similar to this to happen today it is highly unlikely that anyone would pay much attention to it. Far worse things are taking place. But it wasn't today. It was nearly a century ago. And, most importantly, it happened in a little town where everybody knew everybody, their relatives, their friends, and Yea even the names of their pets.

I'm going to use this story now, and persue it to some degree in the near future. Not because it's shocking, but because it says something about our nature as human beings that we should remember. This is not something I would use in the print media because it would not be, in a word, prudent. But here in the world of electronic print that is another matter.

Something New: This week I begin a new feature on this page; recipes. After all, cooking is what I do. Ergo; every week there will be a new recipe on the page. The following is simply something arbitrary to begin with...it's what was in front of me. But I invite readers to share their favorite recipes with others. Got something special? Pass it one.

Class Reunion Updates: Again members of the Vermilion High School Class of 1959; your class reunion will be held between October 8 and 10, 2004 here in town. Those looking for more information on the subject can now visit the Class of '59 website by clicking on the highlighted text. To my knowledge Roger Boughton is responsible for that site. Also BuffaloBill Hlavin has asked me to find and 1958 football program for him. I'll look. But I'll also ask class members tuned into this site to also look and let myself, Roger, or Bill know if you have one.

Dale Wendell, in sunny Arizona, told me that his class (VHS 1944) will also be having a reunion this summer. Just this day (1-24-04) Dale let me know that it will be held on Sunday, July 25, 2004 at the Vermilion Fish and Game.

As news regarding these activities comes to my attention it will appear on this web page. So stay tuned.

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 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

"I will not charge admission to the bathroom." ~ Bart Simpson

Vol.1, Issue 44, January 24, 2004

© 2004 Rich Tarrant