HART AT WORK: I thought some might enjoy this. I've used it in the P.J. but not on the page before. More than a few youngsters who grew up during the 1940's and 50's in Vermilion worked for this gentleman. I am one.

Albert "Jim" Hart is beyond the shadow of any doubt the most exacting individual I've ever met in my life. This trait is certainly of great merit in the field of pharmacology, but I am not convinced that it is necessary in all aspects of life.

I recall one good citizen telling me once that Jim overdid his exactitudeness when measuring out booze during bridge parties he hosted. I also distinctly remember him telling me how long to cook his steaks at a cook-out we were having at the church. "Exactly two minutes on each side." he instructed me while pointing to the watch on his wrist. He was undaunted by the idea that fire upon which I was cooking was not that of his backyard grill and, therefore, would require a different set of rules for proper cooking. "Two minutes." he repeated.

And as the cow mooed on the way to his plate he adapted new timing rules. But never did Jim (nor will he ever) abandon his precision thinking. To do so would make his life unbearable.

Yet, I have great respect and much affection for this gentleman. His eccentricities be damned. He has done many nice things for countless people without expectation of anything in return. But he would like all of us to be more exact.

CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER: This, again, is something Buffalo Bill Hlavin has kindly forwarded me from his growing collection of Vermilion History Pix.

As an aside I would like folks to know and understand that I do not collect these things. I have a real interest in insuring that items of this nature are not lost to the Vermilion Community, but I have no interest in personally owning them. Most of what I do have are kept and filed electronically. If I ever have any item of real value I would intend that it be given to the Vermilion Area Archival Society or the Ritter Public Library here in Vermilion to be stored, maintained, and used for display and/or historical reference.

Bill, on the other hand, is a collector and I appreciate the fact that he is willing to share his collection with myself and others who understand their significance as historic artifacts.

Now back to the photograph.

In this case it's not so much the picture that I find interesting as it is what Bill has to say about it. Bill writes:

I don't believe I have anything to add.

VERMILION SCOUTS: Response to this little eZine often amazes me. From a lady named Sharon Swanson I received the "Scout" picture, plus another of a combined elementary school class at the school on State Street. Her grandfather, Harvey Lapp, is in the school photo. I would ask that if anyone knows anything about her grandfather and/or his relatives in our community I would appreciate it if they'd let me know. The unfortunate part about many of these group pictures is that nobody took the time to identify the people in them. Often only the relative of the person owning the picture can be identified. And as time passes the ability to i.d. the rest fades.

I don't believe that any of the boys in this particular picture have been identified. It may be that her grandfather is also in this photo - but I've not looked real closely at it.

I am also interested in the locale of the pic. It may be that if one can tell where the picture was taken it would be easier to discover their identities.

I thank Sharon for sharing (no pun intended) the pictures with me. And I hope that as time passes and I am able to see addition photographs - perhaps come across one that is identical - we will discover the names of all those photographed. In any case, I love the pix.

SATURDAY MORNING IN VERMILION: This is a simple photograph of what today is like in Vermilion. We are in the midst of the ebb & flow of winter. Yesterday we went a degree or two above freezing. Today we went back to below with a slight dusting of snow. And for some reason this weather doesn't bother me.

Three or four winters ago the weather was BAD. Since that time the winter climate has actually been quite mild.

This is my "Cruiser". All my friends who are now retired from Ford are constantly trying to convince me that this is a piece of junk. I am clueless as to their reason(s). It suits my purpose. It's my pick-up-truck-like-sedan. What their motivation might be for berating the vehicle escapes me. I've never spent much time berating Ford vehicles - only dealerships.And who cares anyway?

BESIDE LAKE ERIE BLUE...: This I could not resist. Not a good likeness. But acceptable. With all the reunion data below this is a relevant picture. I eliminated the architectural people in the pic without a twinge of regret. Many many many youngsters have known this school. That it is still used by the system is a testament to the quality of its construction. I have on my lap a copy of The Register from Sandusky, Ohio dated Saturday December 13, 1924. In it is an article by-lined:

That was only 80 years ago.

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.

From a long way around the planet comes a message about the VHS Reunion of the Class of 1954. Their Reunion is planned for the 17th of July, 2004 at the Amvets Post on Route 60.

And I'll have to get back to you about the Reunions of Classes 1963, 64, and 65. I published it a few weeks ago but don't have it at my fingertips right this moment. In any case it's going to be a busy place for such activities this summer. Perhaps we should have just had one gigantic blow-out.

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

"The cafeteria deep fryer is not a toy." ~ Bart Simpson

Vol.1, Issue 46, February 7, 2004

© 2004 Rich Tarrant