AFTERTHOUGHTS: Here we are over 60 years later (most of us) sitting in our homes enjoying democracy. Captain Wasko, along with legions of other American soldiers from the second war are gone. Oh we can (and will) moan and groan about the politics of war. I suppose that's healthy. It's democracy at work. It is sometimes difficult to comprehend the price those men paid for the things we enjoy. How hard it was for those men (including Pyle) to accept the cruel truth of war. But there was no choice. And whatever the circumstance it was always necessary to recoup one's strength and persevere - carry on. And so they did.
May God Bless them.
Every one.
1942 PARADE: Another beauty from the PRoscoe color collection. It is appropriate for this week but I don't actually know the occasion. What I find unusual about the photo is that it was apparently captured during the afternoon. The long shadows from the left (west) side of the photo attest to that fact. I'd like to say (but I doubt) that it was a Memorial Day function.
This is, of course, the Vermilion High School Band, along with some of Vermilion's Boy Scouts marching across the Division/Main Street railroad tracks toward Victory Park and/or Ohio Street in 1942.
I would guess that this parade was to celebrate some special occasion in town. It may have had something to do with Vermilion's new library for there is yet another photo of the library (the old Police Station on Grand Street) taken about the same time of day in the collection.
315 EAST OHIO STREET: From Milan, Ohio resident Dale Hohler comes this photograph of his mother, Marie Shafts Hohler, his cousin, Cindy Shafts, and his brother Larry standing at the back of their Ohio Street home just past the gully east of St. Mary's Church. Mrs. Hohler is now 86 years of age. It may be that this photo was taken about the same year PRoscoe took the previous pic.
Dale's uncle, Larry Shafts, was a familiar figure about town. He once owned the Vermilion Pop Plant that would be located just northwest of where the photograph was taken. That's not his "claim to local fame" but it is an item in which numerous history buffs about Vermilion are interested.
Dale has forwarded me several photographs that I want to use here and in the local newspaper, but there is some background information that I need to gather before I move ahead. They are, however, forthcoming.
MEN WITH FISH: If this doesn't "rock your (proverbial) boat" I don't know what will. What a wonderful wonderful photo!
This pic is from the Olympic Outing Club 100th Anniversary Photo Album. It is a Olympic Family record from the pre-1930's. No names were provided with it - but quite honestly I don't believe it is necessary. The faces in this picture simply exude character. It is impossible to give it just a passing glance. At least that is the case for myself. I can't help but look at these faces and wonder who they were, what they were thinking, and where they went right after this was taken. Like a Charlie Chaplin movie this photograph simply puts a smile on my face.
LINWOOD'S STAND: This recording of the refreshment stand in Linwood Park at the turn of the century is one of the best I've yet seen. This is not what it looks like today, and it's not what it looked like when I was a boy, but I assume it's in about the same location which is fairly central in the park.
Off the subject a bit - but then again pertinent - are the changes time has on places. The planned renovations of Exchange/Rubberneck Park seemed (to me) at first to be almost sacrilege. Yet, in looking at that same park a few days ago I can see that it is in a state of quiet disrepair and it's not very functional. In brief, it is time to spruce it up a bit. At least no one is considering replacing it with a parking lot...yet.
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. I will add details later this week (5-17-04). Ruth's email address is: Ruthbt45@yahoo.com
We're getting close folks, so stay in touch with your friends.
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 10, May 29, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant