AN EGOCENTRIC: This, of course, is me in my computer studio. Surrounded by equipment I am pleased. I don't know how many people noticed but there is now some sound included with this page. Moving along I'm beginning to explore further. What I hope you've heard are relatively brief wav files. The electronic medium of the net is fascinating in its scope. Sound is nothing new to most of you - nor myself - but being able to apply it to the website without burying the site completely is a challenge. Just like getting carried away with the use of too much color in a background the temptation is there, and its hard to overcome that temptation. I do not recommend that you turn up the sound. Medium sound level is good. I hope you enjoy the selection.
1945 SCHOONER: Last week 2 new color photographs taken by PRoscoe appeared here. This is yet another. Just as striking as the vessel in the photo, which is rather large, is the background. The schooner is docked in front of the Vermilion Waterworks. While the building has changed some since 1945 it is still recognizable. Looking beyond the building toward the Sail-loft there is a long grassy slope leading to the riverbank. Today there is a retaining wall about 15 feet from the bank. So the hill doesn't slope to the water as it did at that time.
I can't remember when that change took place. I would guess that it was in the 1960's after the Ford Motor Company built the Lorain Assembly Plant and several thousand people came to make Vermilion their home. Under that section of land south of the water plant there are/were large underground holding tanks. I assume that due to the population explosion those tanks had to be enlarged, and the retaining wall had to be built.
To get an idea of the size of this schooner check out the small boat on the bank beside it. This was a large craft.
There is at least one more picture of this vessel docked at a different location that might afford an even better idea of its size. Stay tuned because you'll see it here at another time.
TYING KNOTS: A gentleman by the name of Dale Hohler forwarded me this picture this week and I find it interesting. It is the wedding of Larry and Margaret Shafts. Larry is Dale's uncle. Dale lives and has his own business as a manufaturer representative in Huron, Ohio, but his roots are deep in Milan. A few weeks ago another picture he sent me (of his uncle and mother standing in front of Hart's Drug Store) appeared here.
In this pic, taken almost 50 years ago, Dale is with his brother (to the right). What I found most curious was the young lady standing in the doorway looking at the bride. It is a girl named Sharon Stark. At the time Sharon's family lived "a stone's throw away" from Larry Shafts house at 315 Ohio Street, and his pop works behind. Al Stark, Sharon's father, is the gentleman standing behind Larry Shafts.
People like Dale pass these pictures along and they simply astound me. Great!
CHAPELL: This is both a veritable beauty and a wonder. How much the scene has changed since this photo was captured. While the creek itself still remains, and remains just a beautiful a place, things have drastically changed on both sides of the stream since.
To the west is the historic Christian Missionary Alliance Campgrounds. And to the east stands the beautiful Grand Harbor condominiums. The creek was once a favorite fishing spot for many fishermen. This is a remarkable picture.
P. SCHOOL DAYS: At State Street a 2nd and 3rd class stood before a camera to have their picture captured in time a long long time ago. Another reader forwarded me this photo in hopes that someone could identify some of the children in it. That's tough - but not impossible. Somewhere someone else must have a copy of this same picture with the names. It's just a matter of looking and waiting for it to surface.
All of us should take a lesson from this, however. If you are the owner of a group photograph it would be the better part of wisdom to record the names of all in that photo. Taking such information for granted may otherwise prove to be a big big mistake.
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 4, April 17, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant