C.1954
SHOPTALK: On the top of the desk this week is the junior choir at the First Congregational Church c. 1954. I’ll leave it to “Viewers” to pick them out. But among them are: Jacques Jeffery, Carol Radde, Susan Hodgson, Jake and Tom Boone, Jon Smith, Bobby Braden, Linda Russell, Susie Rathbun, Carol Idol, Glenn Owen, Janet Watson, Noreen Welch, Judy Shaw, Patty Tokar, Kathalee Grant, Mary Ellen Martinek, Judy Fisher, Judy Creel, Janet Lindsay, and my sister “Butchie”, et.al.
The pic was captured by (probably) Paul Ludlow at an Easter Service. Though it was Easter (and the church, as many are at that time of year, was crowded) in those years the church was really and truly crowded like that every Sunday. Consequently, the property on State Street was purchased, and a new church constructed in 1957. Since then the crowds have abated. Could it be that televangelism subsumed America’s church congregations?
MOVING QUICKLY: This week we began removing the paneling and dropped ceilings in two rooms in the print shop apartment. Board Member George Spreng did a majority of this hard work. I threw the stuff out the back window to be placed in a dumpster. We’re going to attempt to finish up with this phase of the deconstruction on Saturday (05/18/13).
These pix (below) give you a pretty good idea of how the old living room appears at the moment. It makes one wonder how folks went about applying the plaster, and then finishing it. It was truly an art.
We’re going to install plasterboard on the walls and ceilings to (hopefully) make the rooms appears much they way they originally appeared. It really was not anything real fancy.
This week work on reconstructing the back porch and electrical work will likely commence, as well. The entire project is moving much faster than I anticipated only a year ago.
On the other hand I did also recognize that the entire project will probably never be completed in my lifetime. While I don’t anticipate movin’ on to glory any time soon it’s really an ambitious undertaking. Talking / writing about it is one thing – doing it is quite another.
INTERVIEWS: Very soon we will commence conducting and collecting oral histories from persons in our wonderful community. If you know of someone you believe we should interview do not hesitate to make us aware of them.
During the last several years we have done several (perhaps a dozen or so) – and I’m glad that we did because some are now gone. I also have some audio recordings (i.e. Harvey Krapp, the Welkers, and Hank and Jimmy Fischer.) We also have video of Hank, my big brother Bill, Connie Dropko, Dawn Full, Jim Hart, Nuggie Cook, Tootie Reisinger, Arlys Schwensen, Melba Walker, Marilyn VanDenBossche, John Tuttle, Roger Watkins, and some others. But, gosh, there are so many folks we need to talk with…
PLEASE DON’T: We had to put up a “Please Don’t Block Driveway” sign at the museum. I thought folks knew enough not to park in front of a driveway. But apparently that ain’t so.
When I stopped by the museum last Saturday afternoon to pick-up the mail some guy was busy parking in front of the driveway so he could make a bee-line over to the Millet Auction House that is in the church behind the shop.
Of course, I had him move his car. He said to me as he walked through the yard, “I didn’t know anybody lived in this house.” I didn’t know that when you don’t know that anyone lives somewhere it all right to park across a driveway; Ergo, the necessity of a sign. (And that doesn’t “necessarily” mean that someone won’t park there anyway.)
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: We are located at 727 Grand Street in Vermilion across the street from Vermilion's historic E&R Church. 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. Phone For Special Tours: 440-967-4555
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 in the drive with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.
Historically,
In Sandusky, O.
INTERESTING PIC: I received this pic from my sister Nancy a week or so back. It’s from the Sandusky, Ohio newspaper. The caption reads: “1910 Sandusky High School Orchestra –directed by Eugene B. Ackley.” Pictured are:
Front Row: Left, unknown; right, Hastings Vietmeier.
Second Row: Leonard Osberg, Walter Murschel, Elmer Wirth, Eugene Ackley, Director, Clinton Seitz, Homer Sharp and Orton Taubert.
Third Row: William Kerber, Lewis Andres, Corydon Bell, Norbert Lange and Worth Curtis.
The significance of the pic is (of course) that the man who became Vermilion’s “Singing Mayor”, Leonard Osberg, appears in it. I’d never seen a photo of him as a young man.
Additionally, the band director, Eugene B. Ackley, was also the director of Vermilion’s relatively famous G.A.R. Band.
EXCHANGE PLACE: There are some subtle differences between the early maps of Vermillion, Huron County, Ohio and todays Vermilion that are difficult for even the trained eye to decipher. The village proper stretched much further north of Huron Street than it does today. It went, perhaps, as far north as the tip of the west breakwall. There are no railroads. There are no river bridges. Water Street (now West River Road) ran from South Street to what we now know as east Liberty Avenue, edged westward to the corner of Main Street where it turned north toward Huron Street then veered northeast to touch the Lake Erie shore. Sandusky, Toledo, and Exchange Streets stretched all the way to the riverbanks. Public Square, situated between Ohio Street to the south, Columbus Street to the north, and Exchange Street to the east was empty; no church, no townhall, no nothing. One spot on the map, however, has changed very little during the 169 years since the map was recorded. It was known as Exchange Place. Today it is commonly known as Exchange/Rubberneck Park.
The pretty park has gradually evolved through the years. Once upon a time the local marshall’s and doctor’s offices were located in the vicinity. At about the turn of the 20th century the cannons were added. The cannon balls that once stood by them mysteriously found their way down the hillside below the park and became part of the foundations of the fish houses along the river. A wooden bandstand in the center of the park came and went. A public comfort station on the east end of the little park was added. Benches, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain were added. And it became a very pleasant place to sit in the summer shade, have an ice cream, and watch the world go bye.
This vintage photo of the park (c.1940) captures the true essence of the place as it was during the war and post-war years. The local Chamber of Commerce was open for business providing information to tourists. Several local gents were holding conference beneath the verdurous shadows of the maple trees - no doubt settling all the affairs of the world. The sign with the roof on the large light pole points the way to the Wagner Hotel Restaurant (now the home of the Photojournal and Dr. Suszko’s office).
A decade or so later, when I came to frequent the park, it had not changed much - although the tourist booth was no longer a tourist booth. It was the Vermilion Police Station. A man named Ed Benson was the town Marshall. He was, for all intents and purposes, the Vermilion Police Department.
As an aside I would add this little story. At that time our family had a fox-terrier named Mr. Chips who had run of the town. When weather permitted he had a routine he followed everyday with extreme precision. Leaving our home in the morning he visited several other homes about town where he received various refreshments and rest (if needed). By the afternoon he would end up downtown at the backdoors of several of the restaurants and/or meat-markets. Near suppertime he would find his way to Exchange Park. During the summer months Marshall Benson parked his car near the corner with the windows down. Mr. Chips would jump through the window of his car and wait. When Mr. Benson returned to his car to go home he’d drop the wily canine off at our front-door.
As time passes the park continues to evolve - as does the community about it. But the essence of the place, ever pleasant, ever cheerful, remains. It is forever Exchange Place.
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.51– June 1, 1905.
Tuesday morning, Memorial Day, began with some few drops of rain and fearful looking as if more was to follow. The forenoon continued cloudy and cool. At 12 o’clock all preparations necessary from the march were completed.
The first hack carried the members of the band, numbering fourteen. Next was the grand Army of the Republic Then the flower girls and in the fourth were the speakers and other friends. The hacks carrying more than sixty persons were followed by surreys, buggies and other conveyances.
After reaching the cemetery the line of march was continued on foot and at least one hundred and fifty person participated. On arriving at the stand, the usual ceremonies were held preparatory to decorating the graves. These were conducted by the commander and chaplain Mr. Chas Andres and a reading by Mr. C. Parsons. This being done the G.A.R. and flower girls were divided into four squads and proceeding to the graves of the dead comrads [sic], covered them over wit flowers of which thee seemed to have been quite an abundances.
The people were very generous and the committee successful in securing so many and beautiful display of floral gifts. In fact thee were scarcely any graves, soldier or not that had not been carefully beautified with wreathes, flowers or plants in the entire cemetery. It reminded one more of a flower garden than a place of decaying bodies and departed spirits. [VV Ed. Note: The elegance, or lack of the same, in this last observation gave me a chuckle.]
At 2 o’clock the people assembled around the stand and the program in charge of Commander Krapp and comrade Blair was in readiness. The first was a selection of music by the Grand Army Band of Vermilion. The boys were at their best, made a fine appearance and praise commendatory to their effort was heard on all sides, showing the utmost satisfaction that was given by each selection rendered.
The opening address was given by Rev. Rupert who spoke of the object of Memorial Day, the wars between America and other nations, but that the one enemy and and [sic] the war that cost the greatest number of battles was that within her own borders. [VV Ed. Note: I don’t know. That last statement probably could have been made clearer.]
The next was a song by the Flower girls, subject, “Cover Them Over,” this was well received by the people. Miss Julia Witmer presided at the organ. At this juncture the band made the air ring again with another selection of music.
The address of Rev. Klein bore a current of sympathy as he so beautifully portrayed the parting scenes of loved ones and the esteem with which we held in honor the grand men who through tears, suffering and even death gave us the inheritance which we enjoy.
The song, “Marching through Georgia” sung by little Emily Lawrence scarcely much past six years old was one of the prettiest exercises of the day. Clear, sweet and distinct was every word that fell from those little lips. Next was a recitation by an old comrade Mr. Blair whom all delight to hear. In speech making and old time energy and vigor Mr. Blair is little past forty, yet in actual age perhaps somewhat past that number of years. The thought of this recitation was the reasons that a grandfather gave to a grandson for wearing his banner, the eagle and the Stars and Stripes. It is an excellent selection and was well rendered.
Following this was a song entitled, “Tenting on the Old Campground” by one who delights by her clear and forceful expression all who hear Mrs. Whitt always pleases. Miss Kinnie Greenhoe presided at the organ for this selection.
Rev. Merrill in his address gave expression to some of the characteristics that make for union represented by the old flag. He said it was preposterous for an Ameri(can) to think of the son of a president falling heir to the presidency, as the son of a king becomes heir to the throne. He also spoke of the educations and sympathetic idea as entering largely into the element of union. It was a thoughtful and well received [oration].
“Uncle Ezra’s Story,” a recitation given by Miss Margaret Bogart was well delivered. It showed effort and labor in its committal. It was much appreciated. Mrs. Whitt again favored the assembly with a song: “Honor to the Fallen True.”
The closing address was delivered by Rev. Bockstahler. It was short but full of interest. It was perhaps the hardest place on the program and yet Rev. Bockstahler held the people with close attention until the last word was uttered.
The chorus sand, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” the band played and rev. Balson pronounced the benediction. Thus closed one of the best and most successful Decoration Day exercises in recent years. It was estimated that full 400 people visited the cemetery on this day.
Great thanks is due to the committees, the G.A.R., Mr. Miller, sexton of the cemetery, Mrs. Pease in arranging the program and all others who so kindly and cheerfully assisted in making this occasion so enjoyable and full of interest.
Capt. Richmond Hobson was married to Miss Grizalda Houston Hull last Thursday.
Joseph Myers a wealthy farmer and banker of Berlin Hts. died suddenly May 24th.
The Ohio Socialists have nominated Isaac Cowen of Cleveland for Governor. They oppose City Ownership and Local Option.
Twenty-two years ago Rev Blakesley of Brownhelm performed the marriage ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Warner of Lorain. On June 14 he will officiate at the marriage of their daughter Miss Elsie Warner to Arthur E. Owen of Lorain.
Late Friday afternoon Auditor Lewis completed the totals of the valuation of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern through Lorain County. The company operates91.78 miles or [sic] road through the county and its valuation was fixed at $1,269,940. The company owns 1,145.76 miles of trackage in Ohio, which is valued at $14,596,498.
As a result of a school fight at Greenwich, near Wellington, the senior class of the high school may be kept from graduating. Prof. S. H. Benson has been superintendent of the schools there for three years and was recently reelected for another year. He refused to accept unless the Board of education granted a raise in salary and agreed to hire for three years. The board voted to grant the increase in salary, but refused to hire him for three more years. Thereupon Benson, it is said, has refused to graduate the class of 1905 and the matte has reached a stage of extreme bitterness.
The Russians now have a powerful submarine navy.
What did Dewy do is now changed to, what did Togo do?
The astronomers of the world are preparing to observe the total eclipse of the sun which occurs on August 30, of this year.
According to the State Charity Aid association’s twelfth annual report to the state commission in lunacy, insanity in New York state has increased an average of 738 cases a years for the last nine years.
The Lake Shore Electric line from Avon Beach to South Lorain is well under way. This will when completed, open up a line from Elyria to Cleveland, via this popular road.
It is reported that “Sandy” Silverwood and Lafayette Counter are in the hands of the law at Port Clinton, in connection with the question of ownership. It’s wine this time, though, instead of chickens.
An hour’s time will be clipped from the 20th Century Limited. The trains will leave New York and Chicago an hour later than the present schedule and arrive on time making the distance of nearly 1000 miles in 1140 minutes. Only nine stops are made covering about thirty-five minutes. An average of seventy passengers a day travel on the Limiteds.
A man said to be William Kingsley of Amherst was drowned at Lorain Tuesday night.
The branch of the Berlin Hts. Banking Company will open at Huron Monday June 5.
N.B. Williams of Sandusky will deliver the class address at the Boxwell-Patterson graduating class exercises at Sandusky, June 10.
It will be about six months before the dividend from the Citizen’s Bank at Lorain will be paid.[VV Ed. Note: I guess this is no big surprise if you consider the next article.]
Reports of examiners of the Citizen’s Bank at Lorain states that the books are in a terrible condition. Overdrafts in large sums have been made. The books have been falsified and queer transactions are found.
Mrs. Handy formerly of this place, now of Lorain had the misfortune to fall and break her leg Friday. She was removed to St. Joseph’s Hospital where she is being cared for, she is 59 years old and will probably never be able to walk again.
Try smoked Carp, it’s fine. For sale at Krapp’s Market.
B.F. Pelton is having a new house built on Exchange Street.
Mr. and Mrs. J.I. Howell spent Tuesday with relatives in Sandusky. Clifford Parsons was among our sailor boys who visited home Sunday.
1 Surrey, very little used, newly painted for sale cheap. – C.F. Decker.
Supt. J.C. Seemann will go to Republic Monday to attend the banquet of the High School Alumni. He is to be toastmaster on that occasion.
N. A. Foster has just received several new boats. He has now about 40 fine ones also a launch, and another launch handy when too many passengers are secured for one boat. His boathouse has been painted and otherwise improved. Mr. Noel will conduct the ferry in partnership with Mr. Foster this year while the latter attends to the wants of the public at the bridge boathouse. You will always find a boat to suit you and soft drinks, Cigars, Candy and Ice Cream at the Foster Boat House.
Born – Thursday, June 1, 1905 to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hurlburt, a daughter.
Don’t forget the Commencement Exercises at the Opera House Friday night.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Erbskorn were called to Woodville the latter part of last week on account of the illness of Mr. E’s mother.
G.W. Shadduck entertained a fishing party last Friday. Messrs Sterling and Geo Bund and their sister and niece Mrs. Chas Jacobs of Amherst and Mrs. James McLean of Lorain. Mr. McLean successfully landed a ten-pound catfish and Mr. Shadduck a five pounder.
Shadduck’s Lake Park opened Tuesday. The ball game between N. Amherst and Vermilion resulted in a victory of the visitors. Score 5 to 6. A large crowd was present and the new dance floor was enjoyed by many.
The Jas. P. Deveny is having thorough overhauling deck and upper works.
Otto Full’s gas boat is being fitted for carrying passengers during the summer season and will be operated on the beach in connection with Geo P. Whahl’s boats.
The tugs Fred Driscoll and Mary & Norman have been improved by a coat of paint.
The pound net fishermen are bringing in large quantities of fish nearly every day.
Vernon Thompson has severed his connection with the waterworks department as engineer and has accepted the position of engineer on the Deveny. Engineer Steats of the Deveny is now engineer at the waterworks.
Hmmmmmm....
"Oh Chucky Dear don’t for get what I told you Monday..."
ENTERTAINMENT UPDATES: A month back I wrote about some things I found in the morgue files of The Vermilion News that I found to be – for the lack of a better word – entertaining. Though I realize some of these items are not “ha-ha” funny it is still difficult not to be entertained by them. Anyway, because I’ve been working my way through these files one week at a time I find that some of the stories are like old movie serials: every week there’s something new. With that being said what follows are some updates:
One of the items previously mentioned was a piece about a fellow who lived in Milan, Ohio whose wife, after leaving him with another man, returned and subsequently conspired with her lover to poison him. There’s obviously nothing funny about that. And, to be sure, the law expeditiously conspired to bring the erring couple to justice via the Erie County Court of Common Pleas.
In the March 9, 1905 edition of The News it was reported that while “very little has developed” (in the case) “besides what was already known…several ‘love’ letters have been brought to light in which…” the Mrs. asks her beloved to “dispose of her husband, etc.”
Now that information, of and by itself, may be of interest. But what’s more interesting is the fact that the court deemed it appropriate to release to the press “a specimen” of those letters – and tis a doozy. The Mrs. writes [an unedited letter]:
”Oh Chucky Dear don’t for get what I told you Monday goe and get that or sonthing tht wont smell I will fix him right off I cant live with him no more I hate him like a snake so Chucky do get it and give it to me Tuesday night about half Past 6 o’clock at dicks meanes barn so don’t be slow so this is all fir this time My darling chuck I love you and you know it ther will no one know anything about this but you and me Love kissessss From your sweet ANNA”
Though I’ve not reached the sentencing part of this thrilling soap opera, methinks I can guess the rest before I get to it. It is very likely that “Sweet Anna” and “Chucky Dear” spent most of the rest of their lives together doing time in separate penitentiaries. I guess divorce was out of the question.
And then there was the item, also in the 1905 newspaper, about a fellow named Benjamin F. Goodsell, an aged resident of Ashmont (a rural settlement just south of town), who was quite ill, was determined to deliver his own funeral oration. He had, according to the report “prepared and delivered into a phonograph an obituary in which he set forth ‘his life’s objects.’”
As it turned out Ben’s middle initial wasn’t “F” (it was “N” for Newberry) and his illness wasn’t fatal. Somehow he managed to hold the grim reaper off until April 16, 1908, and even then was only ailing for about an hour before he died. In addition to that he was hardly what most folks would currently consider being an “aged” person. He was 72.
What he did manage to do, however, was to have the eulogy he wrote for himself about himself read at his funeral. The April 29, 1908 edition of the Sandusky Daily Register reported, “The address was delivered by Hudson Tuttle”. [Note: Some readers may recall that Mr. Tuttle was a prominent Spiritualist, author, and lecturer who made his home in Berlin Heights.] But, sadly, no mention was made of the aforementioned “phonograph recording”. The article went on to tell readers that, “Mr. Goodsell had a creed of his own, which he lived up to and was willing that other should do the same.” And of that there was, and remains, no doubt.
I realize that these files are contained in a newspaper library historically referred to as a “morgue”. And it’s a given that morgues are historically considered to be unpleasant places. But I would submit, as I have before, that although some of the stories therein are sad, and some not, that all of these tales of a yesteryear are still very, very entertaining.
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.
…brothers, Gurdon and William, had the advantage of prior choice in selecting their lands, and chose timbered tracts. Amos, in making his selection, chose a moiety of prairie with timber, and thus his lands were not all in one body. He selected for his homestead, a tract lying two and a half miles southeast of the present village of Bellevue, and about a half mile directly east of his brother Gurdon's home. Here was erected the first large frame house in the township, in the year 1821. The occasion of raising the frame for this structure was an important event in the township. Word was sent far and near, and perhaps all the settlers in the township, and many from adjoining townships, were present. The custom, everywhere prevalent in those days, of making free use of good whisky, was observed, and the frame was speedily placed in position. As soon as this was done, one of the raising-bee party mounted aloft and, standing upon one of the cross-beams with whisky jug in hand, which he swung to and fro with great zest, cried out in stentorian tones: “I christen this building 'Julia Ann's delight forever.'" Here, in this new Ohio home, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Woodward spent the remainder of their wedded life. The husband died February 21, 1841, and the wife October 1, 1854.
Amos Woodward was of a religious turn of mind and lived and died a worthy communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. He was ever very active in behalf of the church, and soon after his arrival in Ohio, interested himself and others in the organization of the church of his choice. On the 20th of January 1821, he assisted in the organization of the first church in Norwalk, and was made its senior warden. The parish also chose him as one of its lay readers. In 1824, he was chosen one of the county commissioners, and was for a number of years a justice of the peace, both of which positions he filled with much credit to himself and acceptability to the people. He was a steadfast friend of Bishop Chase, and he and that good man, together, selected the site for Kenyon college, of which Mr. Woodward was one of the first trustees.
The excellent lady, who is the widow of the subject of this notice, permitted the writer to see an interesting genealogical record, that shows the descent of the McCurdys, through the wife of Rev. Stephen Johnson, to be direct from the learned divine and famous writer, Rev. John Diodati, who was from the Italian nobility, and who lived at Geneva in the time of John of Barneveld. The ancestral families, which, this tree of genealogy exhibits to the observer, are very numerous, and includes many worthy and distinguished people. Among these, in addition to the Diodatis, may be mentioned the Griswolds, the Willoughbys, the Digbys, the Pitkins, the Wolcotts, the Ogdens and the Mitchells.
The McCurdy homestead, in Lyme, Connecticut, is described in the following words, by an able writer in Harper's Monthly, of February, 1876:
"Side by side with if (the Mather homestead) "stands the oldest house in Lyme—a landmark which has been protected with generous care. Like Sydney Smith's ancient green chariot, with its new wheels and new springs, it seems to grow younger each year. It is the residence of Hon. Charles Johnson McCurdy, LL. D., an eminent jurist, who was for many years in the Connecticut legislature, was speaker of the house, lieutenant governor of the State, United States minister to Austria, and for a long period judge of the supreme court. It was he who, when lieutenant governor of Connecticut, in 1848, originated and carried into effect, through the legislature, that great change in the common law, by which parties may become witnesses in their own cases, a change which has since been adopted throughout this country and in England.
"This antique dwelling has the low ceilings and the bare polished beams of the early part of the last century. Its doors and walls are elaborately carved and paneled. In the south parlor is a curious buffet, built with the house, containing a rare collection of china from ancestral families. Between the front windows stands an elegant round table, which descended, from Governor Matthew and Ursula Wolcott Griswold, and around which have sat from time to time the six governors of the family. The whole house is a museum of souvenirs of preceding generations. In the north chamber is a rich and unique chest of drawers, which belonged to the Diodati wife of Rev. Stephen Johnson; also mirrors, tables, pictures and other relics of great antiquity. This apartment was occupied by LaFayette at two distinct eras in our national history — for several days during the revolution, when he was entertained by John McCurdy, while resting his troops in the vicinity; and in 1825, as the guest of Richard McCurdy and his daughter Sarah, while on his memorable journey to Boston."
This interesting dwelling descended from John McCurdy, the grandfather, to Richard McCurdy, the father of the subject of this sketch, and within its time honored precincts was born Richard Lord McCurdy, on the 27th day of May, 1802. His mother was Ursula (Griswold) McCurdy, the Griswold family of which she was a member having furnished to the State two governors. He was christened Richard in honor of his father, and Lord in honor of his grandmother, Mrs. John McCurdy, who was a daughter of Judge Lord, one of the supreme judges of the State. An interesting story is told by Mrs. McCurdy, of Lyme, concerning the marriage of her husband's grandfather with the daughter of Judge Lord. The Lords were very wealthy, of ancestral lineage, and at the time among the most consequential of the Connecticut families. The daughter was very beautiful,…
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
CRYSTAL GARDENS: Vermilion Municipal Judge Zak Doylk provided this great photograph of the interior of Crystal Gardens Dance Hall that was once the crown jewel of Vermilion’s Crystal Beach Amusement Park. Just how many memories were made in this building will never be known – but they are beaucoup. I never danced there, but I skated. And back in 1963 I attended a Republican Presidential rally in the hall when Henry Cabot Lodge was Richard Nixon’s running mate.
Razing the building was a major mistake.
1. "...an autopsy to determine if the elderly man lost courteousness for medical reasons." (Trenton, N.J.)
2. "[An NBA coach] will take charge of a young team still in the throws of a roster overhaul." (Vernon, Conn.)
3. "'It's pretty exciting,' according to his material grandmother." (Potsdam, N.Y.)
4. "The MCCC fight team won 21 out of 32 awards and brought home nine metals." Including the gold? (Trenton, N.J.)
5. "McNabb...exasperated the injury attempting to chase down Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams." (Trenton, N.J.)
6. "Boxer Pups AKC, 1M, 1F, Bread for Health and Temperament." (e-mail)
7. "[Paris Hilton] was probably going through cocaine withdrawls." Is she from the South? (Sunnyvale, Calif.)
8. "Our lunch menu [includes] a variety of hot entrees and tempting deserts." Presumably also hot. (Upper Saint Clair, Pa.)
9. "Vincent was a brawny Swiss ex-patriot." (San Jose, CA)
10. "...those who acquaint shopping with charity." (Simsbury, Conn.)
NADA AGAIN AND AGAIN...: 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.
I've not forgotten about this part of "Views". I've just been busy. But I will get back to it.
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.
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.11, Issue 10 - May 18, 2013
© 2012 Rich Tarrant