AND SLOWLY IT BEGINS: Not been in Vermilion for a time? These are the Fisherman's Bend condominiums along the river where Kishman's Fish Company used to be. I've long ago given up bemoaning the fact that the fish houses are gone and this is that which replaced them. Good or bad, they are picturesque all the same. More importantly nobody is going to tear them down (at the moment).

When I took this photo this week there were but one or two big boats on the river. Most of the docks for all the boats are now in and I would anticipate that by the end of next week this will be a radically different picture. Spring has sprung and boaters/fishermen have begun to hit the river and the lake. As the picture changes you'll see the scene evolve right here.

To those capable of reading Quicktime movies with their computers - let me know. I can forward some movies of town to you. They're short, but they're also sweet. Also understand that I've installed my AIM (instant messenger) facility on my computer so that, if need be, we can communicate quicker via the net.

And lastly, I've shortened the WAV files in this edition of "Views". Last week I just couldn't resist the chicken rendtion of In The Mood. I'm aware of the fact that those files take some time to load and use up memory but, again, I just couldn't resist using it.

And this is how spring begins in Vermilion; slowly.

LINWOOD PARK: I am bowled over by the things readers forward to me. My friend Denise rummaged through her things and sent me some wonderful postcard pix of the area. They're so wonderful I didn't bother to reduce them. They're so wonderful that I don't want to waste them all in one edition of this eZine. I'll just use them gradually. And I wish more people could see them.

This of Linwood is familiar. It is also very old. While the use of two els in the spelling of Vermilion is not a primary indicator that anything is exceptionally old I think that, in this instance, it does date to the first quarter of the 20th century. D. explains that she had a relative who was bedridden, and that one of the only ways for him to explore the world was through such things as postcards. The cards were well cared for and preserved in a scrapbook and it shows.

One inane thing I would mention about this particular picture is that during the mid 1950's I recall riding my bicycle down these stairs. Today I am inclined to complain about youngsters and their skateboards everywhere. Methinks (actually meknows) that I was such a nuisance with my bike.

But a wonderful, wonderful photograph.

MORNING SAIL: There's not much new or unusual about this picture, but it is symbolic of Vermilion during the summer months. The small sailboats (usually manning by small sailors) heading out to the lake in the early morning to learn the art of navigating a sailing vessel. While I've lived in Vermilion for a great majority of my life I never learning how to sail, and I've never enjoyed boating or fishing very much. I have sailed and found the experience unique - it is so so quiet. My wife, Geo, and I have had a boat which, for one reason or another, was not fun. And fishing always seemed to me to be just another method to feign doing something while getting drunk.

However; I got a great deal of pleasure from swimming, water-sking, and being around the lake and river watching the boats come in and out of the harbor. This picture, for instance, brings back many memories. I can feel the day, smell the lake, and touch the cold stone of the pier upon which this picture was taken. This pic shows a regular summer day in Vermilion.

THE LSE: For whatever reason I find the days of the Lake Shore Electric/Interurban trains to be very interesting. This map, given me, from Buffalo Bill Hlavin is appreciated. It, along with several recent photos of LSE car #149, has moved me to begin work on another webpage story/project.

Some time ago I did a piece for the newspaper about a terrible accident on the electric line just west of Vermilion. Due to limited space (of the newspaper - it isn't a historical journal) the account had to be condensed some. This accident is noteworthy because it was, perhaps, the single worst accident on the LSE to that date. It deserves a bit more telling. Ergo; I intend to put together a separate webpage story about that accident. I believe it will be of great interest.

One other thing I should add (that has nothing to do with the LSE) is that Bill sends me numerous pictures he collects. Like those my friend Denise (above) has sent me I'd like to use them all at once, but I think they deserve to be aired at a slower pace to be fully appreciated. That, then, is what I intend to do with Bill's photographs. So stay close.

FROM THE AIR: Airplane pix of Vermilion are interesting. This one is of special interest because it shows Romp's Waterport before their pool and their beautiful home was added. It doesn't make the picture exceptionally old but it is a "keeper".

Also very visible in the photo is McGarvey's Restaurant. That restaurant actually lasted a great deal longer than it probably should have lasted. It may be that the only thing that ever stood between it and its closing by health inspectors (due to constant damage caused by its location in the flood plain) were the customers. There is no doubt that more than a little "heck" would have been raised if they had closed the place. Vermilion's Port Authority made a very wise decision to lease land for a new restaurant (i.e.The Red Clay) prior to razing the old place.

MORE ROMPS: Romp's Waterport Marina has, to my knowledge, almost been ignored by local historians. This is likely due to the fact that on any timeline of Vermilion's history the place hasn't really existed that long. Yet, this does not, and should not, belie the fact that the marina is a classic case of someone making something out of what what essentially nothing. It, like the Vermilion Lagoons, was a marsh. Many people who were around in the mid-20th century can remember it as such. Along the river there once stood a fishery building or two. But back (to the east) it was nothing but swamp - until Romp came along and turned it into one of the best known marinas along the Erie lakefront. It is truly an amazing story.

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.

Dale also tells me that he and his wife are coming home by car. They're anxious to visit with their new grandchild in Elyria. Mary Louise "Tootie" Reisinger told me that Dale wasn't coming. Because we communicate back and forth on a regular basis on the net I knew better. Tootie was pleased to know he'd be in town this summer.

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

<BG SOUND SRC>

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

"I will not barf unless I'm sick." ~ Bart Simpson

Vol.2, Issue 5, April 24, 2004

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© 2004 Rich Tarrant