Favorite Things
SHOPTALK: On the shoptop this week is a great pic of a group of Wakefield Brass workers that was taken back in the late 1950s or very early ‘60s. Vermilionite John Vargo provided the pic. He’s in the photo along with many faces that are very familiar to me. I don’t know how many of these folks are still with us aside from Mr. Vargo.
On the home top this week is a great pic of a customized car I took at a car show at South Shore Shopping Center some time back.
Sorry, but I couldn’t help myself and had to do some customizing (of the pic) myself. The chromed vehicle wasn’t really chromed. But it looks great. I love photo software. It’s like having two dozen cameras.
TIMES-A-FLYING: I can hardly believe that Memorial Day is so near. The days have passed like light lightning strikes – here and gone so rapidly it’s hard to keep track. And I’m not ready for M-Day. ”M-body’s ache’n and m-back’s wracked with pain.” I did find out the reason. My doctor tells me that my bones are deteriorating. It’s called old age.[I knew I shouldn’t have done all that stuff when I was young. But at the time I knew everything about everything – I thought.] I now refer to myself as “old Rich”. Sheesh!!
MEANWHILE AT THE SHOP: We finally acquired a nice carpet for the dining room. I realize that it’s just a minor addition – but it works.
Also; We now have a screen for the back door of the apartment; and we are using some old shutters for a door to the towel closet in the bath and to screen around the hot water tank in the kitchen. We’ve also added an oil hurricane lamp (glass) at the top of the front stairway.
The next project will be acquiring and putting down an under-layment on the floor in the kitchen and bath so we can put down a vinyl floor. I hope we can get to this next week.
In addition to all this we purchased a shed for the backyard. I don’t know when we’ll get it together – but I’m hoping that it will be very soon. [Just thinking about all this stuff makes my shoulders ache.]
NEW MUSUEM SCHEDULE: Beginning now the museum will be open six days a week from 11 AM to 3 PM. We will be closed on Sundays and Holidays.
Private tours during those hours and during the evening can be arranged by calling the museum, or stopping in to see us.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: The museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations to the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011.
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 Monday thru Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children accompanied with an adult will be admitted free. For Special Tours call: 440-967-4555.
We are closed on Sundays and holidays.
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 Museum727 Grand Street Vermilion, Ohio 44089440.967.4555.
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,
WHEN IT WAS CALLED DIVISION STREET: This photograph has been published in numerous places over the years. Unfortunately, few of the published pictures really allow persons much of an opportunity to examine it in much detail. And there is a great deal to look at.
These circa 1899 shadows were likely captured from a second floor window of Vermilion's Masonic Building looking southeast over a parade on Main Street when they called it "Division" Street.
On the dusty course below the window Vermilion's Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Band appears to have halted and is, perhaps, performing for spectators. The occasion (if the sign above the street behind the band is an indicator) is a "Firemen's Convention". During the latter part of the 19th and early 20th centuries Vermilion Village was host to several conferences of this nature. Volunteer fire-fighters from surrounding towns regularly gathered to share their experience and knowledge in an effort to refine methods of controlling fire hazards in their respective communities. The sign over the wooden walk on the opposite side of the street blazing abroad the availability of "Milwaukee Beer" and a "Hot Lunch" indicates that fires of a more corporeal and immediate nature could be extinguished at Jim Nolan's Saloon.
Nolan's buvette, was sandwiched (pun intended) between the Schwensen Bakery to the south (right) and the outdoor dance floor and refreshment bar of the Lake House Hotel to the north (left). Currently (2009) it is an empty building housing the ghosts of the Strong Waters, Flashback, Brass Horn. Lemon Tree, and Eland's/Lefties saloons. It has a comprehensive (again, pun intended) oral history.
When this image was frozen a Vermilion man by the name of James F. Nolan and his wife Adel owned the place. James, born in Vermilion in February of 1860, was the oldest of six children born to Irish native William, and Canadian born Mary, Nolan. The elder Nolan was a sailor. And prior to purchasing the taproom, which took his name, the younger Nolan also spent some time on the lake.
The sign in the foreground (lower right in the photo) marks the location of . George H. Englebry's shoe store. George was born in Vermilion in May 1869. He was the son of German immigrants Jacob and Margaret Englebry. About the time this picture was taken he married Bertha Naegele in Vermilion. Born in August of 1879 she was the daughter of Vermilion residents Charles Frederick Naegele and Emma Hull. George died in 1904 and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. Bertha later (1913) married another Vermilion man named Hubert White.
A sign on the back of the buggy just beneath Englebry's sign is an advertisement for the J.B. Lewis Co. of Boston Massachusetts. The Lewis Company was once recognized throughout the United States as a quality manufacturer of leather boots and shoes. Englebry must have been a distributor.
Yet, setting all those things aside the people gathered along the parade route are as curious as the parade itself. Male spectators decked out in straw hats, fedoras, and navy-style and military ¬style chapeaux; some in coats and vests; others in their shirtsleeves; mustached; arms on hips, or in their pockets; loiter on the walkways to pay witness to the proceedings. The few ladies in the gathering dressed in ankle¬ length dresses, long-sleeve blouses, some with their hair tucked under close fitting hats - some without - seem to search for a familiar face among the marchers. And, finally, there is one little fellow, who looks as though he hadn't taken a bath for a month, standing barefoot on a sandstone curb - spellbound by all the hubbub along Division Street - in that yesteryear.
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. X – No.4 – July 5, 1906.
May Soon be Used in Vermilion for Heating and Lighting
Matters of Interest Brought Before the Village Council
The council of the Village of Vermilion held its regular meeting Monday evening and transacted its usual routine of business.
The mayor officially informed the council of the suit of Caroline and John Miller, to be detached from the corporation and he was authorized to file answer to the same.
A representative of a party of Mt. Vernon gentlemen was present with a natural gas franchise. He state that within thirty days after the franchise was granted test wells would be drilled and if a sufficient supply of gas could be obtained the streets would be piped and the people furnished with gas for heating purposes. The franchise was laid on the table. In connection we might add that the highest meter charge mentioned was 30c per thousand feet of gas, which would make the fuel very cheap.
A petition was read signed by the saloonkeepers of the town asking for one hour later for closing during the summer months. It was the sense of the council that the closing ordinance be amended so as to make the time one hour later than at present. The usual theme then followed, viz. a discussion of the sewer question after paying bills council adjourned.
The options are now being taken up on the land around Oak Point and the farmers are all smiling as they receive the ash for their farms. This is the last report from the seat of commotion.
Now the question is what is it to be?
It is claimed that a huge oil refinery of the Standard Oil Company, Independent Steel and Tin Mill and a ship building plant and a model city will be built. An electric line from Elyria is already being projected.
But it is still somewhat difficult to et at the truth of the matter.
Whatever domes we hope it will benefit Vermilion.
[VV. Ed. Note: I don’t exactly what was going on with this property – whether that which was being written was real or just rumor. What I do know is that none of the above mentioned things ever happened.]
Last Thursday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Kuhl occurred the marriage of their daughter Minnie to Mr. Geo. J. Lutz, Rev. Brown officiating. Only the immediate relatives were present. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz left on the evening train to spend a few days in Cleveland.
Saturday evening a reception was given them at the home of the bride’s parents, at which there were about forty guests. A dainty lunch was served including ice cream and cake. Many nice presents were given the happy couple accompanied by the best wishes of their many friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Lutz left for their future home in Anderson, Ind. this Thursday morning.
Mr. Lutz is a railroad man and Miss Kuhl is well known in Vermilion being at one time in the employ of the NEWS and h as been until a few weeks ago connected with the telephone exchange here. We join their friends in well wishes for their future happiness.
Janette A. Lowrie to William H. Beavis, 16 lots and parts of lots in Vermilion village; $1. etc.
Elizabeth Naegele to Lizzie and Frederick Hasenflue, lot No. 282, block No. 8, Vermilion; $50.
[VV. Ed. Note: This was / is on the north side of South Street east of old Toledo Street (the gully), and west of Sandusky Street. One member of the Hasenflue family still lives in a home near that site. But Hasenflues also had a home where Dr. Suszko currently lives – across from the Riddle Funeral home. But $50 was a real deal.
Elizabeth Naegele to John P. Naegele, lot No. 284, block No. 8, Vermilion; $500.
[VV. Ed. Note: This lot (as near I can tell) is currently the empty side lot just east of Dr. Suszko’s house. Methinks John was cheated.]
C.C. Baumhart to William H. Beavis, part of lot 28, block 31, Vermilion; $500.
[VV. Ed. Note: This would refer to a lot north of Huron Street and one lot east of Washington Street. Eventually this property would be owned by A.D. Baumhart near the corner of Washington. I don’t know what part of the lot Mr. Beavis purchased. It may have been very close to the Gilchrist house on Huron Street.]
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Nuhn have been entertaining relatives from Lorain for a few days.
Raspberries are getting ripe in this place.
Quite a number from this place attended the box social at Ogontz Friday evening.
Valentine Faulhaber is very sick.
John C. Black is among those reported ill.
Mrs. Pearl Roscoe and daughter is [sic] spending several weeks with Mr. and Mrs. C. Roscoe at Milan.
Capt. Ed Pelton took the Columbus Y.C. Gas boat to Detroit last week. He reports a very pleasant trip.
Died – Monday night July 2d at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J.A. Klaar, Mrs. F.A. Howk, aged 76 years. Funeral services at the residence of J.A. Klaar this Thursday morning and at Wellington in the afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Blang of the shore road are the proud parents of a baby girl born Saturday June 30 mother and [baby] are doing fine.
Mrs. Catherine Brooks received word this week that she is great grandmother - A daughter having been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chas Weeks of Oberlin. July 2d. Mrs. Weeks was formerally [sic] Miss Maud Parsons, daughter of A.B. Parsons.
Mrs. J.C. Seemann has returned from Tiffen [sic] where she was called by the death of her mother. Her father Mr. Eastman came with her for a few days stay.
If you want a nice ride in an up-to-date launch electric lighted etc. Call Cloudy Noel, at the Ferry.
The yacht Margerie of Buffalo arrived last night during the hard blow. It struck the Yacht when about six miles out and the yachtsmen had quite a rough time of it getting in they are bound for Georgian Bay.
The next day we celebrate is Labor Day.
Roy Kane has resigned his position as bookkeeper at the Ohio Quarries and accepted a wheelsman’s berth with Capt. Lyons of the Colby.
[VV Ed. Note: Now that’s what I call a career change.]
Rev. Weiler is moving into the Reformed parsonage this week.
The Fourth passed off without much excitement. Good crowds were at the parks and many people spent some of the day in town. All seemed to have a good time.
A rocket penetrated the roof of Mrs. Thompson’s residence on Grand street last evening but fortunately did not set fire to the building.
FOR SALE – one two seated runabout, one single top buggy. – M. Wilber
WANTED – Girls for kitchen and laundry work apply at Maudelton Hotel, Vermilion, O.
Capt. Peter Full was home Monday while his boat was at Ashtabula.
Vermilion will now have one of the best and most up-to-date hotels between Toledo and Cleveland. It will here and after be known as the Maudelton the name being the compounding of the names of Mr. Fischer’s two children Miss Maude and Master Elton. The furnishings are new and up to date. Water and electric lights have been installed and a first-class heating system. The capacity is now 60 rooms. The opening was to be held on July 7th but has been postponed until the 10th on account of the non-arrival of some of the furnishings. Mr. C.L. Holden, an experience hotel man will have charge and will do all in his power to make this hotel one of the most popular in this section of the state. We have long needed a first class place wherein the traveler could find comfort and rest and we now have such a place. Caring for trolley and Auto parties will be one of the special features of this establishment and we wish to the manager and owners of the hotel success.
[VV. Ed. Note: Mark this date down. The old hotel was moved down the hill from the southeast corner of Division / Main and Liberty streets to its present location on the southwest corner of Exchange and Liberty streets – and July 10th 1906 is the date of its Grand Opening. It’s history!]
Hmmmmmm....
VHS CLASS OF 1944: Six days following Commencement exercises for the VHS Class of 1944 (5- 31-1944) the largest single-day amphibious invasion of all time took place on the Normandy Coast. In effect, it was the beginning of the end of WW2. Less than a year later the war in Europe would be over; and a few months afterward (8-14- 1945) hostilities in the Pacific would also cease. Punctuated by mushroom shaped clouds over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan this was the brave new world the Class of 1944 was about to inherit. How they would fare in it was not so much a question as if they would fare at all. But, of course, in hindsight - and hindsight being as some say, " 20-20" - we all now know that most did.
Sixty-five years, and four or five wars, later Mary Louise "Tootie" Reisinger, a member of the aforementioned class, would recall that" 1944 was a tough time to graduate! Almost all the boys left for the war and may [sic] never come back. We did not have everything like most people do now - no TV - no cell phones - automatic washers - calculators - nylons (because nylon was needed for parachutes) - meat and gasoline was rationed - sugar was scarce. We didn't mind. Long lines of Army vehicles went through town full of soldiers from Camp Perry. We'd stand by Hart's Drug Store and wave."
The graduating class at Vermilion High School in 1944 was made up of only 36 young people; and was equally divided between genders. They were Paul Allen, Loren Bachman, Merle Baker, Jerry Basilone, Juanita Beetler, John Brackley, Joyce Brothers, Mary Louise Chandler, Anna Laura Demuth, Gloria Derby, Virginia Dumas, Irene Fandrich, Mary Jane Fischer, Dalton "Dutch" Forrider, Irene Gerber, Ed Greiner, Dale Hoffman, Emma Kamps, Chuck Kishman, Evelyn Kyle, Dick Livingood, Louis Lumley, LaVina Lumley, Bill Marks, Ray Maslanka, Emil Novotny, Ed Schmidt, Eddie Schwensen, Eleanor Sprunk, Jim Snell, Arch Stevenson, Irene Szekley, Margaret Tomusko, Anna Tokar, Cecelia Vasu, and Dale "Tulip" Wendell.
Had it not been for the war seven more young men might have participated in those commencement exercises. Lou Rodgers, Gene Goll, Gene Boone, Billy Bond, John Markovich, Walt Taylor, and Gaylord Reising were already in the military and were, or would soon be, actively engaged in the battles, which raged across Europe and the Pacific. Billy Bond, an Army Artillery Mechanic, was killed in Europe. (His memory lives in the name of Vermilion's VFW - the Holland-Bond - Post.)
Yet despite the difficulties caused by the war Tootie believes that, "All of this made our class closer because every 5 years when we've had a reunion most everybody comes if they can. Now we're getting to be less and less [Note: 14 members of the original 36 have passed on.] but we still all like each other! Isn't that nice?"
The war Years, as indicated, were certainly difficult – for everyone. The sacrifices made by the American people had been substantial. They had to do without many things they customarily used - and had, perhaps, come to take for granted. There were, for instance, no VHS Yearbooks printed between 1939 and 1945 due to shortages of both paper and ink. So for those who graduated during those years the most tangible memento of the experience they shared was a lifelong friendship.
And though the number of graduates of the VHS Class of 1944 (pictured) is now smaller; and the hair on the heads of those who remain is grown just a tad lighter; the bonds of their friendship seems to have grown stronger. And I'm sure that if you asked anyone of them about it they would probably say that the yesteryear(s) they shared seems just like yesterday. One would hope that the VHS Class of 2009 will be as fortunate.
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.
Birmingham, as we have seen, from the mention of some of its early enterprises, was once a place of considerable business activity. It had, among its business men, such men as Perez Starr, Ahira Cobb, Uriah Hawley, Silas Wood and others, — men of great energy, business experience and property. The village neglected the opportunity, once presented, of securing a railroad and its glory has long since departed. And at Terryville, where once was heard the busy hum of industry, is now a collection of only a few old houses.
Birmingham is now a place of some two hundred and fifty inhabitants, with three churches, two school houses, one grist mill, one saw mill, one hotel, one drug and hardware store, one general store, one grocery, one millinery and fancy goods, one furniture shop, two blacksmith shops, one carriage shop, two wagon and repair shops, one cooper shop, one cigar factory, one meat market, one tailor shop. At Florence Corners there are two churches, one school house, two general stores, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, one shoe shop.
At the present time there are three saw mills in the township, viz: Wilber T. Mason's on the La Chapelle, Edwin Botsford near Florence Corners, and Eli Grave's southwest of Birmingham.
There are two cheese factories—those of George P. Baker near Florence Corners, and George Van Fleet at Birmingham.
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
RATIONS: Although I was born at the very end of World War Two (11/08/44) I still had a ration book. I don't know how much stuff I purchased - but there are still some stamps left in it. I guess I didn't drive much.
I came across this booklet in a very old family photo album along with a real nice pic of our family dog Mister Chips. Both are personal treasures.
The workplace of the tomorrow will have two employees: a man and a dog.
The man will be there to feed the dog.
The dog is there to keep the man from touching the computers.
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'".
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.
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.
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Vol.12, Issue 11 - May 24, 2014
© 2013 Rich Tarrant