DANCING AT RUGGLES: This memory dates well before my time - the Ruggles Beach Dance Hall. I don't know too much about this particlar place. Somewhere in the dim recesses of my memory bank I remember that it burned. I assume it was as popular a spot as Crystal and Elberta Beach back in the 1920's and 30's. During my younger days there was a dancehall called "The Note" in that area that was strictly a teen spot. It was only popular for a short time.
Today condominiums take up most of the parking lot in that particular location. The hall that was once "The Note" is now used as storage.
It seems that somewhere some person (it might have been Nug Cook) told me about dancing at Ruggles. It is probably the case that her brother, "Tiny", played the hall along with Carl Osberg and other musicians from Vermilion.
I find the evolution of work and entertainment industries along the beaches of Lake Erie to be intriguing - but seldom to my liking. Blocking access and view of the lake with apartment buildings and condominiums may make a great deal of economic sense but I find it annoying. This is true in and around Vermilion and, I know, in Cleveland as well.
Euclid Beach Park along Lake Shore Boulevard on the east side of Cleveland is now the site of numerous high-rise apartment buildings. The only thing left of the old park is the entrance: Two stone pillars with an arched wrought-iron sign telling one it was once the main entrance to that park.
I guess this is the way native Americans feel when someone takes a spot they consider to be sacred to build an interstate highway. E=MC2.
BACK TO THE FUTURE: So long as we're out that way (west of Vermilion) we should continue on to Huron, Ohio. This is Huron in (about) 1956. My personal attraction to the pic concerns the cars. I have an affinity to autos of that era. Unlike the 1940's and before the cars of that time had color. And unlike the cars produced after the 1960's they have style. During this time styles changed evey year. There was a great deal of experimenting in the industry at that time.
But as changes occured in autos so did the thinking regarding towns like Huron. Thinking thought to be progressive tore the town down and rebuilt it with a harbor area right in the center.
I find it rather ironic that today developers are actually building business areas that are fashioned to resemble what you see in this photograph, and what you might see in places like Vermilion, Berlin Heights, and Amherst today. The difference is that only one group of people own everything. Each business is individually owned and operated. But the buildings are all owned by one group - not neccessarily the business owner.
Whether I like this spin of events or not is irrelevant. The dynamics of this concept tells me that it would be in the best interest of an investor group to actually purchase all the properties of a town, like Vermilion for instance, improve the properties and establish an environment that would encourage small business entrepreneurs to work.
While I understand the potential political implications of the suggestion it is nonetheless an interesting idea. At least I find it more attractive than building strip malls, apartments, and condominiums all over the landscape.
STAN'S: I know not who saves such things but this ashtray from Vermilion's infamous Liberty Tavern brings back a few memories. For those who never knew, or don't recall, where the Liberty was/is located it is now the bar known as the "Bootlegger" on the south side of Liberty Avenue between Grand Street (east) and Washington Street (west).
Although the official name of the bar was the "Liberty Tavern" townsfolk used to refer to the place by the name of the owner. When I was very young they called it "Maggie's". Later a man from Lorain named Stan Kowalski bought it and it became "Stan's".
This was a "working man's" bar. It opened the door at 5am and closed at 2:30 seven days a week, 12 months a year. It was only closed on big holidays like Christmas and New Years. Sunday's were not (then) real drinking days. If the place was open they could only sell 3.2 beer.
The place was very clean and the sandwiches were very good. Stan's family had formerly owned the Central Bakery in Lorain so they had a few cents. Stan made a few more during the time he had the place. He always had plans to get someone to manage it and/or sell it and retire to a home they purchased in Nakomis Park - but it never happened.
The last time I saw him he was on a stretcher going into the ER at Lorain's Community Hospital. He just couldn't give it up; neither the money nor the booze. He was a good guy who ran a good place and hated Polish jokes (always made his red face redder).
I most likely put out a few hundred cigarettes in this particular ashtray during Stan's tenure, and I find it odd that this is all that remains of a place owned by a man who never smoked.
CALL FOR PIX & THOUGHTS: Sometimes I don't realise just how much and fast time has passed since the above picture was taken. This is a photo of several cottages at the Olympic Outing Club in the aftermath of the "Flood of '69". As one can see the cottages were swept from their foundations back into the woods just north of the property. Some of these cottages were brought back and re-set on their original locations. Some were actually swept out into the lake, and some were simply reduced to firewood. It was an amazing time.
July 4th will be the 35th anniversary of this tragedy. And while it is obvious that it was a tragedy for the OOC the flood also affected others in Vermilion's flood plain.
With this in mind I intend to do a Special Edition of "Views" for the 4th of July. In that edition I would like to use as many photos that I can find that were taken during that time. I would also like to use some of the stories of those who recall it. I, therefore, request that readers send me anthing they might have pertaining to the flood that I might use.
I'd rather not have anyone send me their actual photographs/items through the mail. Electronic submissions are very acceptable to me. However; if one can't do that I'll take what one can give me, copy it, and return it. Just let me know how you want me to receive the material and I'll either pick it up, or give you my address so you can mail it to me or drop it off. I'll need to have your submissions by Thursday, July 1st. (It takes me a while to put this thing together.)
I'm thinking that such an issue would be a great interest to many people in many places.
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. On Friday evening (August 13) there will be a tour through old Vermilion High School (Decatur Street). Afterward folks will gather for dinner and refreshments. On Saturday afternoon (August 14) there will be a picnic at the VFW on Poorman Road. That evening there will be a buffet dinner at the AMVETS Hall on Route 60. On Sunday afternoon there is a tentative picnic scheduled at Mill Hollow. 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 12, June 12, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant