AT EASE: It may escape some but I am not an overly enthusiastic patriot. I served in the military because I believed, and believe, that one has both a moral and civic obligation to perform some service for one's nation during their life. I did not like the military, but I understand it. I do not like war. But I understand it. I see a danger in over zealous patriotism. Yet I do see a need - personal, moral, and civic - to pay some homage to those who lost their lives in service to our nation, and see little need to belittle those who have served, and are serving our nation.
The lone soldier standing "at ease" with rifle in one hand and the flag in the other represents my thoughts on the subject of patriotism. He is unknown, undecorated, silent, and ever vigilent.
SORRY ABOUT THAT: I'm sorry that most are unable to hear the music or see the mov files accompanying this page. I will, however, continue using them. Someday I will figure out how best to present to everyone.
What I have this week is a Quicktime Slideshow of the early years at the Olympic Outing Club - from about 1906 to 1939. I've been working with these pictures for several weeks. The real intent is to create a CD presentation that I can use. The basic problem I'm having at this time is photo quality and timing. I'm not as familiar with the software as I'd like to be and editing the project is tedious work. I'm trying to get comfortable with the repetitive process involved.It is difficult to maintain interest and the quality of the project suffers because of that problem. I guess that's the reason people take vacations.
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL...: Just for fun I've been taking weekly photographs of the grounds of the Olympic Outing Club from the porch of Georgi's cottage every week since early May. This is the latest photograph taken on Tuesday (6-1-04) of this week. Eventually I'll place them altogether to show the changes in sequence. By November the changes will seem rather spectacular.
For those far away from Vermilion it is obvious that summer is near. It's not real warm yet - but it won't be long.
PURE SPECULATION: I've had a copy of this pic, but not used it, for some time. It is, of course, Steve Martin's store on South Street. I'm guessing that it is a photo taken during the war (WW2). I say that because of the auto in front of the store. Until Bob Kyle mentioned it during a talk he gave to the Vermilion Area Archival Society some time ago I wasn't aware of the fact that automobile production had stopped for the war. While not an auto expert I look at the styling of the car and guess that it is most likely pre-war. I also believe that at least one of the women in the picture was Steve's wife (with the baby carriage). If that is the case then the picture would have to be dated during, or just after, the war. Steve's youngest daughter, Marlene, who loaned me the photo was born at the war's end. Her older sister, Gerry, would have been born just before the war.
COOPER'S HOLLOW: I know not if it is true, but I'm think that this is Cooper's Hollow that once joined Cooper Foster Park (on the east side of the Vermilion River) and Gore Orphanage (on the west side) Roads. The hollow has been closed to the public for a long time now - but I do have some memory of it. The road to the top of the valley on the right was often used as a bobsled run when I was a boy. The bridge (not seen in the pic) also existed during those years - although it was closed for automobile traffic by then. Nonetheless, people still drove down the hill on the west side of the hollow and the entire area was very accessible to the public. When I say west and east I use those terms very loosely. Due to the fact that the river meanders through the valley it may very well be that the true directions are north and south. I am fairly certain that the Lorain County Metropark system now owns the property. So with any luck there may come a day in the near future when folks will once again be able to visit this area while hiking. It sure is beautiful.
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. Roger informed me that he now uses some Vermilion pix from some of my websites on his electronic newsletter. 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 11, June 5, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant