SWEETP: Hello Vermilionites wherever you now live! This is the 67th edition of "Views" and I'm happy to report that the web domain vermilionohio.org has now experienced over 10 thousand hits during its year and one half life. Those, of course, are not all new visitors to the site. But it is, nonetheless, a milestone for this venture. Some of the pages accompanying the "Views" page are those who link from relative sites and/or search engines. The "Gore Orphanage" and "Lester Pelton" sites are popular among children and history buffs. The "Niles 152" site is beginning to get some notice from folks who would not otherwise be interested in Vermilion.
This week I've had several people inquire about looking at past issues of this page. I do keep them. However; earlier this year I dumped the first 26 issues because I was running low on electronic storage space. The sad fact of that matter is that dumping them did not give me any more space. Thus, did I end up purchasing additional space to continue with this eZine. There are some other benefits to doing this - but the additional expense is noteworthy. So if I should ask that readers send me two or three bucks a year to help cover my expenses do not be offended. The labor is free.
In any case, I am going to archive past editions of this zine so that readers will be able to go through them at their leisure. This work requires time and is not exceptionally interesting, so I would ask that you remain patient whilst I work on it.
In the meantime I am working on some additional webpages, adding some things to the existing pages, putting together a book, cooking hot nutricious meals for the elderly and handicapped people in Vermilion, running the local food bank, and looking for new/old material. I am, in brief, enjoying myself.
The cat in the picture is "Sweetie Pie". She is the queen of our backyard. From her we should all take a lesson. One does not have to go far from home to be happy.
RONA: Herein am I going to stick my neck out and tell you that the gasoline motorboard you see in this photo entering Vermilion's harbor is most likely the first gas motorboat to grace the Vermilion River. Although I'm not real certain it looks like the name "Rona" appears at the bottom of the picture. With some further investigation I believe I'll be able to tell you a great deal more about her.
Somewhere in the deep recesses of my little brain I recall that Dall (from Dall Motors - eventually Dall Ford) owned this particular craft.
I spend a great deal of time looking through the micro-files of the Vermilion News, and I often come across such trivial things. At least they seem trivial when I initially read them.
Dall was one of those small industries brought to town when F.W. Wakefield ran Vermilion's Chamber of Commerce in the early days of the 20th century. It was first located in the building most long time Vermilionites know as the "Pickle-Works" at the east end of Ohio Street across from the city sewage treatment plant. Today a boat repair and storage business occupies the building.
Later Dall moved to a building just above the riverfront property owned by Moes Marine Repair. Moes now owns that particular building and uses it for storage. During the late 1950's and early 1960's the Dennis Fish Company occupied the building and sold wholesale/retail fish out of the place.
I never cease being amazed at how one little thing (like a picture of an old motor boat) leads to a much bigger picture of town life.
DRISCOLL NETS: Not very far from the location mentioned above was the Driscoll Fish Company. It could have very well been located where Moes is today.
I don't know too much about the original locations of all the fish houses on the river - but I'm learning. I'm also learning some about the industry.
Would you believe that it was not until just recently that I actually knew the difference between a trap net and a gill net boat? I would also mention that I've been somewhat enlightened as to what the commercial fishing industry and the men who worked was/is like. Although I grew up in Vermilion my impressions of the industry and the workers were erroneous. There is no way on earth that I was ever as capable as the men who worked in this business. I stand in awe of both their character and abilities - both physically and mentally.
Lastly, I am curious about the building in the background (across the river) in this photo. I've seen it in at least another as well. It appears to be a barn standing along the river in the area of what we now know as the "Lagoons". I'm just wondering if the bottom land I've always assumed was simply a swamp might have been tillable. The earth in that area, when not totally saturated with water must have been awafuly fertile. If any should know the answer to that question I'd appreciate hearing it.
PRIMETIME INDUSTRY: This is a wonderful photograph of Vermilion's fishing industry in its prime. The Kishman houses are directly to the right of the picture, and following down river the Driscoll houses are there among many others. I have mentioned this before (in the newspaper), but believe I should mention it again, that this portrays The Golden Age of the fishing industry on Lake Erie. It was a time when men like the legendary Captain "Big Ed" Lampe, the Leidheiser brothers, the Neidings, the Parson's, Alva Snell, Chester Jackson, and many others farmed the lake. I am astounded by the fact that these men could drink right from the lake without giving it a thought. It seems incredible. But it did happen. Great days - great people.
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 15, July 3, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant