TAKE A LAST LOOK: This photo, taken yesterday (3-26-04) on Liberty Avenue near the corner of Perry Street may be one of the last of its kind for a time. In a matter of weeks the street will have parking on the north side (left in the pic) from Sandusky Street to the east and Decatur to the west. My hunch is that the traffic pattern will be much different when that change occurs. I doubt that I'll be able to stand in the middle of the street and take a picture without being run-over. It's hard to predict what the impact of this alteration will be. But one thing for sure - it'll be interesting.
For those who don't live in Vermilion but will be visiting I would advise to be cautious. Changes in traffic patterns and street layouts may prove to be navigational hazards until the natives get used to them. Visitors are usually more cautious than those of us who are used to zipping about town. I don't know about most folks but I find these changes to be disconcerting. I like to drive blindfolded.
MARIE AND LARRY: I received this snapshot from Dale Hohler, of Huron Ohio, during the week. While the quality of the picture could be better that's not always that which I find remarkable about photos folks pass on to me.
This is a picture of Larry and Marie Shafts (brother and sister) standing on the corner in front of Hart's Drug Store. It was taken (probably) in the Spring of 1942 or '43. Marie became Marie Hohler. She graduated from Birmingham in 1935, once worked at the White Inn, and is now 86 years young. Larry graduated in 1937 and joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor.
I'm constantly doing background inspections in every old photo I see. (It's a habit.) One thing I note in this particular picture is the white object on the side of the old L.S.E. Depot just past the Fischer Building to the right of the pic. Unless I'm hallucinating (and that could be the case) it seems that at one time there was an entrance on the west side of that building that may have been protected by an enclosed white porch. I believe that was there until sometime in the 1960's.
I believe that most people familiar with Vermilion know the people in the photo. One of the things I didn't know until Dale mentioned it to me was that Larry, his uncle, was involved in the old Vermilion Bottling Works; Hi-Top Beverage. (I'm a little slow on the uptake.) Dale tells me he might have some pix of the place. I know that some of the bottles from the plant have been traded on eBay for 10 times their real value - but as of yet no pictures of the plant itself have surfaced.
I do remember that when I was young I took several pictures of the plant (with my trusty Kodak Brownie camera) when the Vermilion Fire Department burned it in a trained exercise. But it would be nice just to see some photographs of the building without smoke and fire.
A MOTELY CREW : My friend Dave Schwensen forwarded me this photograph of the Fischer Building under construction after seeing last week's "Views". At the moment I know not the identities of construction crew in the pic. I think it's perhaps time for me to head off to the library and find out exactly who built the place. That might help i.d. these boys.
One of the things that immediately intrigues me here is that all these fellows fit in the space provided. If one takes a close look at the building today it doesn't appear that all of these men could have fit in the space they are occupying.
Also take note (like the last photo) of the background items. Notably the L.S.E. pole on the north side of the building, the sign on the pole (that I can't read), and then George Fischer's mansion in the background. While I remember the home I don't recall just how large it was. In this picture it really appears to be huge.
While I may have mentioned this before - I'll mention it again - a lady gave me an old tintype picture she found in a wall of the house when it was being razed. It's a picture of a lady in a long dress probably circa 1850/60. I assume it was one of Fischer's relatives. Someday I'll figure out how to share it with "Viewers".
BREATHLESS: Here's a photograph that truly leaves me BREATHLESS. This was totally unexpected. I know not the occasion for this portrait (sister Nancy can actually tell me) but I can some assumptions about it.
This is a gathering of people connected to and with the Okagi Restaurant. In the very middle of the group sit Marmarou Okagi. Next to him (to the right) is A.D. Baumhart and his wife. Also in the pic are my sister Nancy, my brother Phil, Mary and Russ Vasbinder, Steve Martin with his oldest daughter Gerry, Paul Naegele, Cecil and Rose Thomas, Len and Betty McMillen, Harold Neiding, Otto the cook, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, and Bob Hoffman. I don't know everybody.
I'm guessing but I think this picture was taken against the south living room wall of Okagi's home on Exchange Street. I'm not sure about the year.
I received this picture from Dave ("Dutch" or "Peewee") Croll who is now retired from the Navy and makes his home in South Carolina. Dave is a cousin of Betty McMillen (who gave me the Gore Orphanage pix and information).
In any case, I'm real thankful for this picture and those given me by Dale Hohler and Dave Schwensen. It makes me feel like I've won the lottery. I know that readers will enjoy them.
A STARTLING DEVELOPMENT: Hither is a picture I've been saving for my good friend Buffalo Bill Hlavin. I never got the opportunity to talk with my grandfather about this picture but have always wondered as to the reason it never appeared on the front page of The Vermilion News. But deeming him to be both a responsible and reasonable person I suppose that he thought it would not be in the best interest of the public if they knew about such things at the time.
But now after 82 years I believe the public must know. We have, indeed, been invaded by extraterrestrial beings. And as author Kilgore Trout once described them they communicate by "farting and tap-dancing". Our political leaders, obviously, know about them already. I see them on television everyday.
JUST BECAUSE: This is just a darn nice picture. I've seen this exact scene/card several times and actually own an exact photograph (black and white) of it. But this is really really nice.
What was not clear in the other pix was the fact that it was a regatta celebration. The diving/announcer platform can be clearly seen along the river bank to the right of the boats. Here I can almost smell the river, feel the heat of a beautiful summer day, and the excitement of the games on the water.
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 this site. I will mention that a visit to this particular website is worth ones time. Maybe you didn't belong to this class, but I'm sure you know someone who does. And I think you'll enjoy reading some of their memories of those days. Note that Roger will not be sending out a newsletter by snail-mail any longer. The webpage will be the reunion notification/information center from now on.He's got new stuff on line as he gets it - and it's interesting. So take time to go there.
Also Buffalo Bill Hlavin has asked me to find a 1958 football program for him. I'll look. But I'll also ask class members tuned into this site to also look and let Bill, Roger, or myself 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. I've also heard (2-14-04) from George Hoffman of this class who now lives in Sandusky. He and four fellow classmates are putting this reunion together.
Also the VHS Classes of 1963, 64, & 65 are still looking for a number of people. Many are around. But it's not real easy to round-up all that information. If you've not yet received a notice re: that reunion count yourself among the missing and report in to either Ruthie Bauman Tanner or me on the net. Ruth's email address is: Ruthbt45@yahoo.com
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
Vol.2, Issue 1, March 27, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant