CRYSTAL THEATRE ON DIVISION STREET c.1916
DESKTALK: This week’s desktop pic and, in fact, the entire page, is the same as it was last week. I'm very sorry about that. But I ran into a problem after the tech installed a new hard drive. I'd rather not bore ye with specifics. Just let it suffice for me to tell you that I have a headache. (I've been working on restoring everything for 12 hours.) By next week I should be back in business. Until then I'll just have to bore you with the redundant material below. Sorry about that...
SOMETHING SPECIAL: Whilst going through some News files – other than those found in the “Briefs” section of “VV” – I am inclined to go through additional files searching for various types of historical information. In this pursuit other articles that I find interesting often distract me. Though I eventually hope to reach these issues in the future and use some of the information I find under the “Briefs” title, I often find some items that I think might be of interest to readers now. Ergo I offer the following, as it was writ:
From The Vermilion News – April 4, 1916
The new gasoline engine and generator for the Crystal theatre is being installed this week by an expert from the factory at Delaware, O. It will be several days before the new plant is ready for running, as some of the electrical equipment failed to arrive in time.
The engine is a 35 hp. Double cylinder, with direct connected 35 kw. Generator. This will give Mr. Schmidt amply power for the picture show as well as enable him to supply current to others if he so desires. The outfit is certainly a fine one.
The change is being made without in anyway hampering the running of the theatre. The engine will be fitted with adequate mufflers so that those who have been annoyed during the past few weeks by the noise of the old engine, will have no cause to complaint.”
The building that once housed the theatre is long gone. But the space (i.e. the floor) where it once stood remains. Today it’s become a little garden with a bench just south of the Englebry building on Main Street. That building is currently the site of a interior decorating firm.
UPDATING MY iMAC: After a dropped telephone call and completely backing-up all the data on my regular iMac I was finally able to get back to the Apple people and have tentatively scheduled to have a technician come to our home and have the hard-drive on my iMac replaced this coming week. I don’t know what to expect because I have a good deal of data on this computer. My first attempt to back-up failed because I had more than 1 terabyte of information to be copied so I needed to acquire a 2 terabyte external drive. I wait.
Fortunately, I could probably do adequate work with the museum computer. But I’m more comfortable doing most things at home where I am surrounded by most of my good support material.
As the late Rosannadana used to say, “It’s always something.”
SOUTH STREET SCHOOL: Well, South Street School wasn’t sold last weekend. There was only one bid. It was from an out of state person for $5,000. The school system hasn’t formally rejected the bid as of yet, but they will.
The property alone is worth a great deal of money. I do believe that a consortium (of people) should get together and make a serious offer for the place. The building could prove to be very useful to the community. Somebody, somewhere certainly must have the wherewithal to make some positive use of this historic property.
Historically,
VHS CLASS OF 1955
GOOD LOOKERS: Perhaps it's just us; But in a coversation I was having with Vermilionite Audrey Mosier this week she asked me if I thought that the folks of VHS Class of 1955 looked older than kids appear today. And to be honest the same thought had occured to me last week while working with the photographs. Some of these folks look like Wall Street bankers. Maybe it's their clothing, or the way they ware their hair. But they do look older than they were when their pix were taken.
Going through these pix I remember just how many persons I'd forgotten. Gosh, they were good looking youngsters...
JUMPS: Ofttimes do I drive down Liberty Street in Vermilion from west to east and try to visualize what the town was like when my grandparents walked these streets. I conclude that they’d probably not know the place as it is today. Paved streets and nice sidewalks aside it is hardly the same place they knew. Such change is, I suppose, the sign of a living, thriving community. And that “ain’t” bad. But I must confess that I do miss some of the places about town that I knew as a youngster. The funny thing is that I can’t remember when they disappeared.
One of those places was Jump’s (pictured). The store was owned and operated by a kindly couple named Wilmer Lovinus and Ella (Coultrip) Jump (inset photo). Mr. Jump was born July 17, 1894 and grew up in Berlin and Vermilion townships. His father worked as a telegraph operator for the railroad. During WWI he served in a Machine Gun Battalion, and an Infantry company. When discharged he was on special duty in France as a military policeman. He had seen action in battles at St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne defensive. At Christmas in 1919 he wrote home, “I hope you all had a very joyful Christmas. The armistice has made it an indeed joyful day everywhere.”
When registering for the draft in 1917 he listed his occupation as “self-employed” farmer. Following the war it appears that for a short time he lived in Lorain, Ohio, and worked as an “Oiler” at the National Tube Company. In 1924 he an Ella, the daughter of a Florence Township farming couple Ernest and Mattie Coultrip were married. Precisely when the couple started their own business in Vermilion is not known (by this writer) at this time, but by 1930 the couple had a home on East South Street and were actively engaged in the grocery business.
Whether that business failed to be profitable, or whether it simply wasn’t their “cup-o-tea” by 1940 they were operating a “Variety Store” in the Fischer building. The business was located in part of the rooms currently occupied by the Encore Shop in the Fischer building. And it is that business that I well remember.
In April of 1949, after being closed for approximately 6 weeks, a newly remodeled Jump’s Variety Store opened where they sold greeting cards, stationary, school supplies, toys, kitchen equipment, hardware, electrical goods, glassware, dishes, lamp shades, “Easter Bonnets, dresses, jewelry, infants clothing, and a complete line of clothing for men and boys. All of these things were displayed on beautiful maple counters and in glass cases. Behind the maple shelves on the sides and back of the room were mirrors that made it look much larger than it was. New fluorescent lighting and an automatic heating system “with concealed heating units in the ceiling which give uniform heat in winter, and in the summer the fans cool the store” made it, according to the NEWS, “one of the most Modern and Complete Junior Department Stores in Erie County”.
Though calling it “one of the most Modern and Complete Junior Department Stores in Erie County” may seem like a “stretch” it really wasn’t when viewed in context with those times. There weren’t any shopping centers or malls; any interstate highways; and very little television. The town, by and large, was the mall – the shopping center – of a yesteryear. If one couldn’t buy it in Vermilion it was highly unlikely that you could buy it anywhere nearby. Consequently, Jump’s store was a good business for a small town. In fact, business was so good that for a time they also had another store in Wakeman, Ohio that Mrs. Jump’s mother, Mattie, helped operate.
As I said at the beginning “I can’t remember” when some of these places disappeared. Perhaps it was when the road to and from Lorain was improved, and it became easier for more folks to travel out of town to do their shopping. Perhaps it was when the Sheffield Shopping Center, anchored by the May Company store, was built. In the case of Jump’s maybe the couple simply decided it was time to retire. Mrs. Jump passed in 1986 at the age of 85. And the Mr. died two years later at the ripe young age of 93. But whatever the case, I often think of them and of many others that have come and gone through the years. And though I wax nostalgic about those people and those days I also embrace the words of an anonymous philosopher who opined that “Change is inevitable – except from vending machines.” And that, whether I like it or not, is the truth.
SHOPTALK: This week’s museum desktop pic is of Vermilion blacksmith J.I. Howell’s shop that was once located on the west side of N. Main Street just south of Ferry Street. His house is in the background (to the left of the shop). I found the following article about Mr. Howell whilst wandering through the museum’s microfilm files last week:
From The Vermilion News – April 22, 1920
“This (Thursday) morning the blacksmith shop and cottage on Main street belonging to J.I. Howell became the property of Capt. Henry Leidheiser, a neighbor. This shop is almost as old as Vermilion, having had a wonderful trade in the early days when shipbuilding was among the industries here. Mr. Howell bought the place of Christ Ott in 1897 and several years later built the cottage at the rear of the lot which has since been his home. If Capt. Leidheiser can get in touch with the right kind of a manager, the shop will be kept running, otherwise will be used for other purposes.
Mr. Howell expects to leave as soon as he can make arrangements for a visit to brothers and other relatives in his old home of Mitchell County, Georgia. He will also visit relatives in Havana, Florida and later expects to locate and spend his declining years amid scenes of other days.”
VISITORIUM: This week Linwood / Bay Village, Ohio resident Bob Shanks stopped in the museum. I’d never (flesh) met Bob before. I just knew him from the net. Bob is married to Althea Showalter. Both (last) names are familiar to many Vermilionites. Bob’s mother, Esther, is the baby in the well known (and widely published) pic of the Linwood tree. The two people with her were her Aunt Louise and Uncle Otto Goetz. The Goetz family goes back to the beginnings of Linwood Park. Bob has some great old Vermilion stories.
NEW EXHIBIT: There’s a new exhibit in the museum. It’s a slideshow of old Vermilion photographs that runs on a loop. In time more photographs will be added. But at the moment it’s in a testing stage. It’s kinda cool.
WINDOWS 2012: We’re in the process of mounting photographs on foam board and placing them in the front windows of the museum. Part of the idea is to create some interest in the museum for passersby. Another part is to help insulate these large windows during bad weather.
SPONSORSHIPS: Although we’ve yet to make a definite list of museum needs that persons wishing to sponsor can help us with we’ve already received a wonderful donation from one person. The VNPSM will be acquiring a plaque very soon, and the name of this person will be the first placed on it. Thanks Mrs. Z.
SEARCHING: We currently interested in finding copies of The Erie County Reporter from 1880 to 1920 or '30. Nobody on earth seems to have them. If you have knowledge of any of them we'd appreciate hearing from you. There's a great deal of Vermilion information in them.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: It’s now official. The museum is officially a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations to the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011. (Thank heaven. Now I can fret about something else for months on end.)
VISITING HOURS: The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays from 1 to 4 PM. On Saturday the museum it is open from 11 AM to 2 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children under the age of 11 will be admitted for free.
POST OFFICE BOX: Please note that the MUSEUM has a post office box now. Now we won’t have to use our home address, nor the one at the shop for mail.
MEMBERSHIPS: Memberships to the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are now available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.
If you would like to become a member the VNPSM you can send a check or money order to:
Vermilion Print Shop Museum P.O. Box 792 Vermilion, Ohio 44089
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:Take the time to visit us on Facebook. Click on the badge below and stop in. We'll keep adding pix as we go along. If you're in the area come on in. I try to be there in the a.m. most everyday. If you see a Chevy Silverado out front with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW (NOW OLD) THING: Initially I said that "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." But methinks that it's carved out a niche for itself and the "Macabre stuff" with have to find another.
So stay tuned...
Vol. VIII,NO.25. – NOVERMBER 24, 1904.
In the case of the West Huron Sporting Club against Fed K. Marshall and others, the time to answer was extended to Dec. 17.
Judge Reed yesterday dismissed the case of State vs. Greene. Defendant was accused of assault up on his mother-in-law, and had skipped out. The suit was to recover the bond but the court held that the trial was irregular.
Mary E. Driver, through Attorney Stephens, has filed suit for divorce from Lloyd E. Driver. Plaintiff states that they were married Feb. 18, 1895, in Sandusky. In her complaint she alleges abandonment and asks for the custody of their daughter and also alimony.
Edwin Hanford pleaded guilty to criminal assault perpetrated upon his fourteen-year-old sister-in-law, Grace Dewey. He was sentenced to four years in the penitentiary. Two similar indictments against him are continued so that he is liable to rearrest at the close of his term.
The gentleman from Sandusky, Albert Bach, who it is alleged ran into John Moes with his automobile some time ago, while the latter was on his way to Lorain with a load of peaches, was arrested for fast driving last Saturday and taken before Justice Stiewalt of N. Amherst The Justice bound him over.
FOUND – Ice box evidently lost off wagon while moving. Owner may have same by called at NEWS office and paying charges.
It is about time that the library question was again brought to the attention of the public. We have a nice start and if persevered in we believe we can in a few years boast of as fine a library as any town of its size in this section of the state.
We know that the members have enjoyed the reading afforded and hope the institution may continue to prosper.
Miss Inez Garner, one of the nurses here during our smallpox epidemic, was united in marriage to Edward M. Hay Sunday afternoon. They will reside in Norwalk.
The work of prospecting for oil has ceased for a time. It is reported that the well at the rear of A.E. Decker’s has shown a flow of oil. A good pressure of gas and some oil was found in the second well.
Congressman-elect Webber has notified Mayor Baker, of North Amherst, that he will be recommended as postmaster at North Amherst.
A representative of the State insurance board has been in town for several days making an inspection of various buildings. On his report depends our new waterworks rating. It is thought by some that a reduction in rates will be made.
We are having the finest fall weather experienced for several years. The farmers are happy at being able to handle their work so nicely.
Many are complaining of dry cisterns. Those who have recently put in city water are congratulating themselves.
It is reported that the Howard Stove & Mfg. Cos. Plant will be opened for business the first of the year.
John Moes, one of our leading fruit growers brought in a twig of quince with the leaves nicely started, Wednesday.
For some time past our citizens have been complaining to the authorities of the speed at which the electric cars have been run. The authorities went quietly about it and as a result Supt. Stout was called before the Mayor and fined $4 and costs.
Mrs. Sarah Kane of North Amherst is the guest of her son E.M. Kane.
Mrs. Wm. Post of Cleveland came to Vermilion in her auto Tuesday.
Fred Resek, of the Elyria Chronicle made this office a short call Saturday.
About fifteenladies visited the Light and Hope Orphans Home at Henrietta Saturday afternoon. They met Tuesday evening to arrange for a Christmas Box.
Helen Shadduck Lynn was born Nov. 7th, 1850, in Vermilion where she has always resided. She died Thursday morning Nov. 17th, 1904, at the age of 54 years and 10 days, having been a great sufferer for the last three years. She was a loving mother, kind friend and neighbor, was loved and respected by all who knew her.
She leave two children, a son and daughter, and one brother to mourn [sic] their loss, besides other relatives and a host of friends. Her father died many years ago, her mother preceded her to the grave about a year ago. Mrs. Lynn has been a member of the New Jerusalem Church about twelve years.
The funeral services were held Sunday noon at the old home, conducted by Rev. A.G. Rupert.
Mr. Earle Harris while hunting last Saturday found a violet blossom and sometime last month a young lady picked lilacs.
The Light & Hope Mission is holding meetings here in their church in town.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Pelton spent Sunday at Birmingham.
Contractor Gegenheimer and men of Vermilion are working on F. Bacon’s new house this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Bacon of Iowa expect to spend the winter with their son C. Bacon.
Some unknown persons helped themselves to about fifty bushels of potatoes belonging to Peter Leimbach Thursday night.
C.W. Willson [sic] husked 2200 bushels of corn for one of our prosperous farmers, J.H. Baumhardt the past week.
Postmaster T.D. Shepherd of Norwalk died Monday afternoon age 60 years.
Sandusky board of Public safety has asked the council of that city for a workhouse. It is feared unless some such action is taken that the city will be overrun with tramps.
Hereafter the pay car on the L.S.&M.S. Ry. will be abolished. The employees will receive their wages in checks from the Chicago office. By this change Jared H. Hinkley, the first and only chief paymaster of the company will cease his monthly journey.
Chief Wilkie of the secret service Saturday issued a notice regarding the appearance of a new counterfeit $10 United States note (buffalo note). It is of the series of 1901, bearing check letter D, plate number 17.4. While general appearance if the counterfeit is deceptive, the flimsy character of the silk threads, together with the fact that a period is used between “Washington” and “D.C.” should enable the careful handler to easily determine its true character. – Sandusky Register.
Some of the boys have taken upon themselves to drill a well on their own account. An outfit has been contrived by the Higgins boys and their chums, and a well is being drilled on the Gilchrist place. At last reports the well is some twenty feet deep. The boys are working industriously and will doubtlessly make a “strike” if they keep at it long enough.
Hmmmmmm....
"My oldest brother, William Roscoe Tarrant, "Billy", having learned the printing trade from our father was its primary operator"
THE HEIDELBERG: My wife, Georgi, and I are currently in the process of renovating the Vermilion News building on Grand Street. The windows and doors to the old print shop have been shuttered for near half a century. As one might imagine there’s a lot of dust to dust. If you’ve ever come across a long forgotten picture in a frame that you’ve stowed away in a closet for many years you will understand some of what this process is like. Once you wipe away the grime on the glass covering the picture and see what’s in the frame – memories of a yesteryear burst forth.
Under some of the dust in the shop is a Heidelberg 10X15 Windmill Platen Press. It was, and for all I know may still be, the fastest printing press on the planet. At full speed it can print up to 60 units of material a minute. And those, by the way, are units of the finest quality. It is truly an all-purpose press, capable of handling a variety of stock sizes from business cards to maximum-sized sheets of onionskin or cardboard. This precision-made machine can feed and deliver one, two or more pieces of stock with its “windmill-type” arms simultaneously with maximum speed and quality. Purchased around 1954 it is the newest of the four presses in the building, and a mesmerizing joy to watch in action. Which is what I did a great deal when I was a boy.
Our parents bought the Heidelberg when I was ten. My oldest brother, William Roscoe Tarrant, “Billy”, having learned the printing trade from our father was its primary operator. During the summer months, and Saturday mornings I would sit on the well-worn steps that led up to the bindery / stock room just behind the press and watch him operate the machine. Though the press is, by and large, automatic, it did, of course, require setting-up and overseeing its operation.
I must now confess, however, that while I honestly liked watching my big brother run the Heidelberg on Saturday mornings I also had two ulterior motives for being there at that particular time. One was that I knew he would give me a dollar to go to Schwensen’s Bakery to buy some sweet rolls or a sour cream kuchen. And the other was that I was purposely avoiding the piano lessons my mother had scheduled for me with May McGraw Fletcher who then lived in the house where Old Jib’s Corner is currently located. [Note: As a result the only instrument I ever learned how to play well was the radio. But, on the other hand, I became an extremely proficient Heidelberg press watcher.]
In the summertime I was there almost everyday watching Billy run the press. In between runs when he was setting it up he had the radio on and we’d listen to the Arthur Godfrey show in the morning. In the afternoons we’d listen to things like “The Secrets of Helen Trent” and “Ma Perkins”. “Ma” owned and operated a lumberyard in a small Southern town called Rushville Center. I thought “Ma” comparable to “Ditty” Hull who ran Vermilion’s Hull Coal Company in those days. Later in the afternoons we’d listen to music. I distinctly recall listening (and singing along) to Mitch Miller’s “Yellow Rose of Texas”. Believe it or not that tune knocked Bill Haley's "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" off the top of the Best Sellers chart in 1955.
Well, those are some of the serendipitous treasures that I found buried under all the dust and grime atop the Heidelberg press in the old shop. Just wait’ll I get to the Chandler and Price 8X12 platen press. It was manufactured in Cleveland around 1906…
African-American women played an integral part in the development of hair-care products in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. While Madame C.J. Walker and Marjorie Joyner are two of the most famous women inventors in this respect, another inventor – Lyda Newman – also played an important role.
While she was not the original inventor of the hair brush, Lyda Newman's improvements to the brush made her a significant contributor to its evolution. Granted a patent for her invention in 1898, Newman's brush was the first hairbrush with synthetic bristles (prior to that brushes were made from animal hair, such as boar's hair). But Newman's brush also had several other unique innovations.
Most notably, Lyda Newman's hair brush invention was designed to promote ventilation and provide storage for excess hair or impurities. As noted in Newman's patent: "The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hair brush which is simple and durable in construction, very effective when in use, and arranged to permit of conveniently cleaning the brush whenever desired."
With Newman's innovative brush, impurities pulled from the scalp or hair would pass through the openings or slots in the brush to a recess in the back. The impurities could then be emptied from the brush by disconnecting the holder and dumping or blowing them out. Easy access to the bristles also permitted the user to clean them out whenever necessary.
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 townships south of Vermilion. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
...and resided until his death. His sons still live on the place, or in the neighborhood.
Richard Meginson, a native of England, came in about the year 1828, and located on lot number four, second section. Some of the family yet live there.
Noah Young first settled on lot nine, remained a few years, and then sold to Thomas Ashton. Benjamin Fish settled on the same lot a little further north.
Jarvis Stebbins, formerly from Massachusetts, came to Lyme in 1827, and bought the farm now owned by James Jones. He went east after his family in the fall, and on October 8th, returned to Lyme with them. In 1875, he went to Kansas, and died at the residence of his son, in Coyville, Wilson county, that State, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was always accounted a great hunter. Mrs. Stebbins died December 9, 1859. They had three children: Abigail, wife of D. Cowle; Amos, married Ellen Hutchinson, lives in Kansas; S. Warren, married Kate Allen, and now lives in Kansas.
Stephen Sawyer and family, with his brother, James, came to America, from Kent county, England, in the year 1819; they sailed in a vessel belonging to one of the Griswold's, of Lyme, Connecticut. Mrs. Sawyer was attended by a Mrs. Orsetti, a French lady, as nurse. They came westward, overland, by way of Pittsburgh, crossing the Alleghany mountains, their point of destination being Cincinnati, Ohio. Reaching the Ohio river, they purchased a rude vessel and sailed down that stream, landing in due course of time at Cincinnati, then a rude village. They remained there but a short time, pushing on down the Ohio, a distance of twenty-two miles, to North Bend, where Stephen and his brother took a job of clearing forty acres of' land for General William Harrison. The Sawyer's were butchers and farmers in England, but knew nothing of chopping and clearing. However, they resolutely clung to their task and completed it. After remaining there for about two years, they concluded that they had seen enough of America, and resolved to return to old England. They started east, and at Cincinnati invested the bulk of their earnings in a four-horse wagon in which they journeyed across the mountains back to New York City. Arriving at that metropolis, Mrs. Sawyer expressed a wish to visit her sister, the wife of Henry Griswold, then living at Lyme, Connecticut. The way she came to have a sister married and living in Connecticut, happened in this way: Henry Griswold, son of Governor Roger Griswold, of Connecticut, was captain of the ship which brought the Sawyers to America. He took a great liking to the Sawyers, and especially to Mrs. Sawyer, who was an aristocratic lady and of much refinement. He ventured to ask her, one day, if she had a sister, and she replied she had, and gave him a letter of introduction to her. Young Griswold returned to England, made the acquaintance of the lady—Miss Lansdale— which led to courtship, engagement, and marriage, and she came to Connecticut the wife of Henry Griswold.
Mrs. Sawyer's wish was no sooner made known than it was executed, and the Sawyer family made their way into Lyme, Connecticut. The visitors were urged to remain at Lyme, and the Sawyers having a knowledge of the butcher's trade, were influenced to establish in that business at Lyme. Here they remained fur a number of years, and becoming acquainted with the McCurdys, who owned large tracts of land in Lyme township, were induced to come hither, which they did in November of 1826. They first settled and lived for three years on the northwest part of the McCurdy tract near the present residence of Mrs. Julia A. McCurdy. They then removed to lot number fifteen in the first section, where they resided until Mr. Sawyer's death, January 7, 1870. The Sawyers were for many years engaged in driving cattle to the seaboard, mainly to Philadelphia. His sous, Stephhen and James, purchased nearly six hundred acres of the Hart tract. Mrs. Sawyer's death occurred January 5, 1867.
The children were: William, who married Caroline Chapman and is now dead; John, who married Sarah Ann Richie, and is also dead; Stephen married Mrs. Jane Tice, and he is now deceased, and his widow now lives in Lyme; Charles married Rachel A. Gates, and occupies a part of the old homestead; Dorothy became the wife of Charles E. Mallett, and lives in Lyme; Emma married Joseph Young and resides in Ridgefield township; Betsey A. died unmarried; Dr. Isaac Sawyer married Sarah Toll, and resides in Monroe, Michigan, where he is engaged in the practice of medicine; James is a resident of Lyme; Augustus H. married Abby Ames, and is deceased; George married Julia Ann Wood, and now resides at Grass Lake, Michigan.
The Sawyer family have, ever since their settlement in Lyme, been prominently identified with the affairs of the township. They were a numerous family, and all wide-awake, stirring, intelligent people. Nearly all of them acquired a handsome property, and one of the family, Isaac, has gained a wide and well-deserved reputation as a skillful surgeon. He lives at Monroe, Michigan, where he takes rank as one of the leading citizens of that place, and his medical practice, especially in the line of surgery, extends to many quarters of the State. George Sawyer is a kind, generous hearted man, highly esteemed by all who know him well. At his residence his uncle, James Sawyer, died in 1875. He had lived a bachelor all his days, finding a comfortable home with his brother until the latter's death, when he was invited to his nephew's home. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Sawyer were both worthy members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Asa Nims and wife and several sons and their families arrived in 1827, and purchased the Major Strong place. The widow and children of Elihu Nims, who died soon after his arrival, took the west part of the land, which was subsequently sold and is now owned…
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
SCHWENSEN: I copied this 1934 advertisement from a Vermilion News microfilm file. My sis, Ginny Wilkes, saw it and found it amusing. It's a rather compelling argument for making Schwensen's bread and Kuchin [sic] part of one's regular diet. If you were fortunate enough to ever have tasted Schwensen's baked goods you would readily understand the reason they should have become a regular part of your diet.
Dear Alcohol,
First and foremost, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours. As my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect gift, post-work cocktail, a beer at the game, and you're even around at the holidays. However, lately I've been wondering about your intentions. While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences:
1. Phone Calls:
While I agree with you that communication is important. I question the suggestion that any conversation after 2 a.m. can have much substance or necessity. Why would you make me call my ex's? Especially when I know, for a fact, they DO NOT want to hear from me during the day, let alone all hours of the night.
2. Eating:
Now, you know I love a good meal. But, why do you suggest that I eat a taco with chili sauce along with a big Italian meatball and some stale chips (washed down with wine and topped off with a Kit Kat AFTER a few cheese curls and chili cheese fries)? I'm an eclectic eater but I think you went too far this time.
3. Clumsiness:
Unless you're subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer this issue home by causing me to fall down. It's completely unnecessary and the black & blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.
4. Furthermore:
The hangovers have GOT to stop! This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evening's debauchery may be in order. But, the 3 p.m. hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. I ask that if the proper precautions are taken (water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to sleep/passing out (face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn or wherever). The hangover should be minimal and in no way interfere with my daily activities.
Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now and would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You've been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don't know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.
In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above and address them immediately. I will look for an answer no later than Friday 3 p.m. (pre-happy hour) on your possible solutions. And hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.
Thank you,
Your Biggest Fan
NADA: I may begin doing the podcasts again; but I'm thinking of just doing audio readings. The videos on-line are just becoming too redundant unless they really show something special. The short videos that appear on the VNPSM Facebook page are more purposeful. You might want to check them out.
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.
Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandmas’ Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from Margaret Sanders Buell" by Amy O’Neal, Elizabeth Thompson and Meg Walter (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.
Also, please note that all the video (MP4 and MOV) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4 / MOV" formats. If you don't have a "Quicktime" it's easy to find and free to download.
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.10, Issue 33 - October 27, 2012
© 2012 Rich Tarrant