THE CRYSTAL SHORE: Bill Hlavin forwarded me this unique photograph of bathers off the shore of Crystal Beach. This must be an old old photo. Note the barn and the water-tower looming above the trees on the cliff above the water. I've not seen a photo that included either structure before.
I take/took for granted the idea that the park was in need of a water supply to operate even before George Blanchat and his wife purchased the park from George Shadduck in 1907. It really never occurred to me (before) that all the farmers/business people in the area had to acquire their own supply of water in those times. The barn, I assume, was a relic from Shadduck's farm. So, I suppose, that this picture may find a date of 1907 or before. I don't know, but I would think, that Mr. Shadduck and/or his family retained some part of the farm after the picnic grove and beer garden had been developed.
One other thing of interest (to me) is the cliff itself. To some degree it still looks the same. The basic exception to that thought might be the apartment buildings which now occupy the lands above the banks. Who would've thunk?
EXCHANGING PARKS: Take a good look at this. This was Exchange/Rubberneck Park circa 1905 - or so. The Maudelton Hotel has been moved down the hill from the corner of Division and Liberty Streets; the old bandstand is the focus of the park; the comfort station does not yet exist; and the cannon still ready for action.
This is not the way the park looked last year. And the way it looked last year will not be the way it looks tomorrow. It is being renovated as I write. And with any luck it will be made better.
Like all change(s) this one is not without it's critics. And it may be that some of the criticism is deserved. But when push comes to shove none of it matters. Just as the scene above disappeared from the local landscape so too will the park I, along with many other people, knew as both an child and an adult. As much as I enjoy history and historical artifacts I understand change is an inevitable fact of life. And that is that.
One thing that greatly puzzles me is the reason this park is also known as "Rubberneck" park. I believe I can guess - but that doesn't mean I know it for any certainty. I wonder if anyone has the real answer to that question?
"DUTCH" LEIDHEISER: Last week I used the pic of Vermilion's basketball team of 1919. I didn't recognize any of the boys in that photo. Today I know them all.
I asked Amos Feiszli if he recognized any of them. I thought he might despite the fact that they preceded him in school by nine years. But Amos was unable to help. So I went to the Ritter Library and took a look at the Hi-Times book from 1919. That particular book/magazine was the predecessor of what many came to know as the VHS annual Log book. And there was the very same photograph giving me the identities of all the boys.
I should've recognized Mr. Leidheiser because he didn't look much different from the way he looked as he got older. But I had forgotten him. I had also forgotten that he was known as "Dutch" - a name that stayed with him for his entire life.
The 1919 team had a 12 and 6 record. A fair record for any team at the time. Their highest scoring game was with Castalia where they won 52 to 19. The worst loss they took that year was when they played Milan and lost 38 to 27.
One final thing I would mention about the annual book that caught my eye was that one of the persons it was dedicated to was George Feiszli - Amos' and Grace Roberts' older brother - who was killed in France during the First War (1918).
MILLIE HARRISON: This is Richard Koontz photograph of Milford Harrison and his wife with his hydroplane race boats.
As a youngster I was quite aware of Harris' fascination with this sport. Harris lived on State Street just across the Nickle Plate tracks on the west side of the street. Behind his house he had a substantial workshop. I don't know too much about his manufacturing business - only that it was successful. And I knew his son and daughter. I recall that his son was one of those lucky kids who had a new Chevy convertable in highschool.
I also believe Millie's boat interest is that which brought my brother-in-law, Jerry Emery, to Vermilion from Houghton Lake, Michigan. Jerry was/is a mechanic (among other things) and had some interest in vehicles that could move through the air rapidly.
I believe this photograph will be of interest to many Vermilionites who know a great deal more about Harrison than myself. It brings back a host of memories.
6TH GRADE AT STATE STREET: This picture, courtesy of Anita Ollis Mehnert, is yet another photo where none pictured have been identified. And I do not believe that it will be easy to do so. Thus, do I plead with everyone who has pictures of people in their private collections to write the identities of those pictured on the backs of those photographs. It's important.
Sometimes when I'm wandering through a flea-market and/or garage sale somewhere I come across old photographs of people someone is selling that will be used for decorative purposes because the identities of those pictured are unknown. The thought nauseates me. Friends, these folks deserve more than that. Please take the time to go through your photographs and make a record of names and places. Such records can be exceptionally useful.
HERE'S YOUR SIGN: I cannot help this. People who ask stupid questions need to be recognized for asking stupid questions. And so...here's a new thing in "Views". I'd appreciate it if readers who either ask or are asked stupid questions let me know about it so that they might appear here. The following happened to me:
I put a sign on the plug receptacle where the coffee maker for our church is connected that reads: Leave coffee-maker plugged in. (signed) Rich. The other day a lady came into the kitchen looked at the coffee maker and the sign on the plug, and asked (me) "So we leave the coffee machine plugged-in?"
No, mam, we unplug it and stick one finger in the receptacle and the other in a glass of water.
so, HERE'S YOUR SIGN!
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 (next weekend) 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.
Ray Beursken tells me that the VHS class of 1955 has scheduled their 50th class reunion on September 10, 2005 at the Boat Club. Class members of 1955 might want to put this date on their calendar. They're hoping for a good turnout.
A gal named Shelly from the Class of 1985 tells me that "the VHS class of 1985 will be having a 20 year reunion in the summer of 2005......no further details. The name of the organizer is Kim Schultz."
Persons interested in having their VHS (and vicinity) reunion plans posted on this site are welcome to do so. I can't provide anyone with webpages to post their activities in depth, but I can provide a link to existing pages and/or post some activity items here. All anyone need do is contact me at my email address and pass along their material electronically.
As news regarding VHS reunion activities comes to my attention it will appear on this web page. So stay tuned.
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 28, October 2, 2004
© 2004 Rich Tarrant