THE WALL: This, of course, is the side of the Main Street Grill (formerly Hart's Corner Drug Store, etc.) on the corner of Main and Liberty Streets here in Vermilion. This photo is positive proof that Adobe software works just great. There was a parking sign in the pic that the software afforded me a way to remove. But beyond that I've always admired this work. I know that Dan Roth (who owns the building) designed the mural - but I don't believe he (himself) painted it. I saw another fellow doing that part of the project. But no matter. The piece is a work of Vermilion folk art.
Speaking of software I would suggest that those who don't have Quicktime Pro look into getting it. This software (that you can download off the net) will allow you to download and use sounds (music, dialogue, etc.) from various pages on the web, as well as motion picture files. Folks who don't have this capability miss (or perhaps not) the entire experience of this page. Today it's James Cagney singing "A Pretty Girl", and a few other things. I try not to make it obnoxious - but the sound files can be entertaining. I've tried the movie files (of Vermilion) but most "viewers" can't get them so I've let that rest for now.
WONDERFUL: This is a very unusual photograph taken off the beach of Linwood Park sometime before 1905. I really really like it. It's suitable for framing. It is reminiscent of a photograph I remember seeing on the wall of Sterling and Mary Smith's house at the very western end of South Street.
That one pictured Smith's youngest son, Jon, in a straw hat. Unfortunately, I can't recall the precise setting in which it was taken. But it was a classic. More importantly it wasn't posed.
WILD THINGS: Hither is a placed called Wildwood somewhere along Routes 6&2 in Vermilion. That being the extent of the exact location of this place leads one to speculate exactly where it is. An uneducated guess would be Mitiwanga and that it is now (oddly enough - give the previous photo) called the Wild Waves. There is no date with the pic. But it looks as though it is from the late 1940's or early 1950's. If it is the place now know as Wild Waves the trees around it have grown substantially larger. But perhaps it is another place. I'm sure that there is some reader out there who can i.d. the place.
FORGET WHAT YOU'VE JUST READ: My sources now inform me that this particular building is east of town in that which is known as the Sunnyside area. I've always noted the old log house just east of Ferndale Ave (between Ferndale and the drive to the First Baptist Church). It ceased being a business long before my time.
My younger sister, Nancy, tells me "Go past Ferndale and you'll see the building, home, former restaurant. I think it may be the last. The big house that stood next to it was torn down.....Mauer's lived there at one time..ran the restaurant. Wanda Law, Sammy's ex-wife is a Mauer as is Maxine Mauer Grob, Garth Grob's mom. June Wood was also a Mauer but has since passed away. My classmate Lois was the youngest but not living in this area. Garth and his wife might be able to give you more information on the building, or log cabin. I always thought it was a neat place. (That is how their name is spelled....Mauer)".
Also my good friend, Dale Wendell out in sunny Arizona, was quick to tell me,"Rich: That was a home for Sam & Wanda Law(Can't remember her parents name)when they married.It was just about across the street from Germans Restaurant on Lake Road,near Sunnyside Road.I think it had something to do with some cabins that were in the same area,can;t remember if it might have been a restaurant or not. Wild Waves was out by Ruggles Beach,owned by the Ward Family.I know that is right as Nancy Ward Liston and I were going together in high school...
I'm always amazed at the response times when I make my numerous errors. But I seriously thank my sister and Dale for their observations.
MAIN STREET SOUTH: My basic motive for taking these photographs of Main Street south of Liberty (Route 6), and north of the Conrail tracks is related to the fact that very few old photographs of this particular section of downtown Vermilion seem to be in circulation. I won't say they don't exist - but if they do I've not seen them.
So! I thought it would be important to take these photos in order to preserve them for some future generation of Vermilion lovers.
In these particular pix one can see recent improvments that have been made to the old Schwensen's Bakery building and to the bulding just to the north (that used to be Eland's Cafe/Lefty's/Lemon Tree Lounge/Flashback's/Strong Waters Tavern). Someone recently asked me why anyone would have altered the front of the old bar building from its original state. My only thought on the subject is that tastes change, as do practicalities, over time. Most business owners don't give a care about preserving the historical integrity of a structure lest it be part of their business. I thought that was a given. But it is apparently not understood.
And, honestly, I don't see much historical imperative applied in these photographs. Things look very nice in this photos - but I would not attest to the historical integrity of the improvements herein seen.
The irony of all this is that 50 years from now it may be that folks who then own these properties will long to see them reflect the way they appeared in the 1960's. Tastes change, people change, and life moves on. Wonderful!
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.
As news regarding VHS reunion activities comes to my attention it will appear on this web page. So stay tuned.
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. This 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 20, August 7, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant