Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: And that’s a BIG PSHEW! for me. I’ve been very concerned for the last few weeks about the fate of this page because of changes in the way my host is going to do business in the future.
While I definitely will build a new page – and it will be different from this one – the one I’ve been doing for almost 20 years – the old “archived” pages will remain accessible. I will just place a link on the new page to this page where I (along with everyone else) will be able to access the old pages for research, etc.
Believe it or not knowing this will be the case has lifted a tremendous burden from my mind. Not knowing with any certainty what was going to transpire on March 31st was unsettling.
Now all I have to do is worry about completing a new page in time. The uncertainty made it difficult for me to concentrate on everyday tasks.
So, as I said “PSHEW!”.
ON THE DESKTOPS: this week are old pix of several classes that once attended State Street School. They’re early to mid 1920s.
I do know some of the students in the pic of the Freshman Class on my home desk. Richard Whitt jumped right out at me. He’s the kid with the deep tan and smirk on his face in the middle of the crowd. To his left is Orson Kuhnle. To Kuhnle’s left is Art Copeland and the fella next to him is John Trinter. A young Howard Bogart is seated in the front row all the way to the right.
I don’t recognize any of the youngsters in the other photograph (and I will not venture to guess). The one thing that I always found somewhat amusing about the pic is the young guy with the black eye (enlarged). I can truly empathize with him.
STARTING TO GET SOMEWHERE: After spending a good deal of time this week trying to understand how to do my new web page, I finally think I’m getting somewhere. And my outright panic is subsiding.
At the moment I’m just mirroring what you see here. But, in the end, I need to make sure folks can link back to this site to search and access the archives herein. This has been my primary concern in having to make this change at the end of the month.
After nearly two decades of working developing this page and compiling information and photographs losing all this stuff does not appeal to me. I actually use the archives myself for research. I am unable to remember everything I’ve done immediately. So this page is very useful to me if no one else.
[NOTE: For the moment – if you happen to visit the new page before it’s finished and want to get back to this page all you have to do is click on the tile (Vermilion Views) and you’ll come right back here.]
Historically,
COVID BEARD: This photo of retired Vermilion minister, Rev. Glenn Coleman – was sent to me from him. Actually, he sent me 2 digital pix - one of him standing in his garage with a pickax - and I adapted the photo you see from one of them and framed it. I find the photo, I call the Holy Man extremely compelling. It took me by surprise because of the “Covid” beard. The pandemic has changed us all
AT THE THEATRE: There are over 30 videos / audios available at the theatre. I'm adding to the collection as the months pass. During the Covid (or anytime) - it's a good place to visit. I will be adding more this week. During this virus thing I've been learning a good deal about video productions.
WHEN I WAS A KID: When I was a kid (a long time ago) I used to get a big laugh along with my friends (I did have a few) by mocking our elders saying things in what we thought was an old-timer’s creaky voice, like “When I was a kid, I used to have to walk 5 miles to school– and it was uphill both ways.” That older humans seem compelled to spin yarns aimed at illustrating to newer humans how easy they have it today is, like it or not, rather amusing. And then, in what seems a mere blink of an eye I find my senior self, doing just that. So, I suppose the joke’s now on – or rather “about” me.
Anyway, what brings this to mind is our recent snowfall. It has been some time since we’ve really experienced so much white stuff. And that took me back (would you believe) sixty-seven years – to late February and early March of 1954 “when I was a kid” of ten years.
I lived with my family and friends on Perry Street just a block or so away from South Street School. Because of this the school grounds was, in effect, our playground. Over the years an area behind the school and the old bus garage was developed into a rather sizeable outdoor tennis and basketball court. When the tennis nets weren’t up it was like a nice parking lot sans the cars.
In those days everyone had a pair of adjustable metal roller skates that one could strap on over their shoes for sidewalk skating. The biggest problem with sidewalk skates were (believe or not) the sidewalks. Most, if not all, the walks in those days were large slabs of stone that over the years had been ill-treated by weather, spreading tree roots and other unkind acts of nature that made finding a clean flat surface anywhere in town on which to skate without risk of life and limb nearly impossible. Ergo, the basketball / tennis court behind the school made an ideal sidewalk skate rink. And this was especially true in late February 1954.
The weather after school ended that week seemed extremely mild. For all the kids in the neighborhood it seemed that winter had gone, and spring had come – just like that. A warm breeze blew hard from the south and we were soon tossing our coats aside, strapping on our skates and hopping over all the cracks and chunks in the sidewalks on our way to the courts at South Street. The wind began blowing so hard that once on the courts we could spread our arms and be blown across the surface. And all was well in the world.
The next night it began to snow, and snow it did. It became a spectacular blizzard replete with thunder and lightning. The electricity went off. From the living room of our home aside the NYC railroad tracks we watched as the sparks moved along the electric lines on the poles along and above the railway. And the world around us seemed to stop as seven to thirteen inches of snow fell within a matter of hours.
Lake Road (Rtes. 6&2), then the primary roadway across northern Ohio, was closed completely between Cleveland and Huron - blocked by snow and stranded vehicles. It would take the best part of the next day to open the road again. All traffic, including trains, ceased to move through the town. Trucks and cars lined both sides of Liberty Avenue (pictured) and, where possible, those stranded found some refuge in restaurants and cafes to wait out the storm. What excitement!
At least it was exciting for a day or so. Soon thereafter the snow melted, spring came, and things went back to normal. When we strapped on our skates again the wind that had blown us across the courts behind the school was long gone and we had to be satisfied with jumping over bumps, cracks and mud puddles on broken sidewalks. But that’s the way it was, once, when I was a kid.
-© RNT March 7, 2021
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips are dictated transcriptions from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
Anna Katherine Gerlach brought suit against C. S. Ruggles and others for the reformation of the deed in the common pleas court, Thursday afternoon.
The plaintiff claims that the defendant conveyed land to her, and then made a transfer of the same and additional property to Ashbel P. Ruggles. Her request for an injunction to restrain the latter from selling the land was granted; the question of changing the deed will be taken up later.
The Berlin Heights Banking Co., is plaintiff in the suit in the Court of Common Pleas to enforce a judgment for $258.99, secured in September 1911, against Owen Felton of Vermilion. Felton, according to the bank, recently came into possession of $132.65 in fees as administrator of an estate and it asks that this be applied by the court on account.
The government whether bureau is arranging to furnish this spring a service to grape, fruit and truck growers that is new to this part of the country although it has been done heretofore in sections where orchard and garden heating have come into use, as a protection against late frost.
When damaging frosts are expected the Bureau will telegraph the warnings in the afternoon to our telephone company, whose operators will at once notify all patrons who have advised the company that they want them.
It is expected also that the emergency special warnings will be telephone by the Bureau as late as nine or ten o’clock at night to some one [sic] grower who will in turn notify others interested.
The government will furnish the warnings free to the company and the latter will mark make no charge for distribution to its patrons.
E. G. Burnham, and conductor on a Lake Shore Freight, was instantly killed, and George Smythe, a brakeman seriously injured Tuesday afternoon, at Huron, by a fast train. The men slipped onto the main track after the first section of the express had passed and had coupled some cars and did not notice the approach of the second section. Both lived at Toledo. Mrs. Burnham was formerly Jesse Fitzpatrick of Vermilion and is the stepdaughter of Wm. Maxfield of Ohio St. She has many friends here who will sympathize with her in her bereavement.
Mrs. F. F. Chandler is suffering from a severe attack of pneumonia.
Mrs. Ernest Oehling who has been ill almost all winter is somewhat improved at this writing.
Mr. and Mrs. Laurie Eppler have purchased C. A. Reid’s place on S. Main.
[NOTE: I believe this may be Vermilion expatriate Ron Eppler’s grandparents.]
Capt. D Blanchard was been on the sick list for the past week we are glad to say is able to be out again.
The M. E. Church is undergoing extensive repairs.
Wm. Baird has been appointed superintendent of the electric lighting plant.
BORN –To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kassouff, a son, Thursday, March 6th.
Mrs. John Burgess underwent an operation at Dr. Fredericks private hospital at Lorain, Friday.
Word has been received here of the birth of a son to Mr. and Mrs. R. Carl Young of Portland, Ore. Mrs. Young was formerly Miss Olive Gray of this place.
The funeral of James Laraway was held Thursday afternoon. Rev. E. A. Robb of the Methodist Church officiated. Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery.
The funeral of Mrs. Mary Straw was held Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock, Rev. P. E. Harding of Windham, O., former pastor of the Congregational church officiated. Interment was made in the Cleveland St., Cemetery.
The four months old son of Mrs. John Grisovitch died on Saturday. The funeral was held from the Catholic Church Sunday afternoon.
Leimbach Bros. are hauling stone for repairing the barns.
With the approach of the camping season, the boys are beginning to lay their plans for this biggest of all events. As yet we are undecided as to where we shall camp but several sites have been proposed. The tents for this purpose will be brought bought before long, and instructions given as to the articles needed by every boy. The scoutmaster has served notice however that unless some of the boys straighten up, they will have none of the joyous experience. We are determined to have discipline.
Sorosis – tomorrow evening at the home of Mrs. Geo. Naegele.
Basketball game at Ruggles Hall Friday evening. Huron vs. Vermillion.
Busy Bee dance at fireman’s hall tonight. Over 50 tickets have already been sold.
Easter supper at Church of Christ on Friday, March 21.
The annual dancing party under the auspices of O. E. S. is an event set for Tuesday evening, March 18 at Fireman’s Hall. Masons and their families and members of the Eastern Star are invited. This will not be a masked ball as at first announced.
Albert Newman, 53, died from injuries received Tuesday while splitting logs on the farm of Conrad Croll near Huron by a dynamite blast.
Mrs. Jas. Cuddeback has been quite ill the past week. Her mother, Mrs. Humm of Berlin is spending a few days with her.
New clothing store in the Fischer block opens Saturday.
Hot Cross Buns will be served at the Christian Church Supper on Friday, March 21.
L. Trinter has sold his property on Hanover Square to B. L. McQueen.
Mrs. C. Carpenter, 84, died Tuesday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. O. Minkler, Lorain. Burial Friday at Berlin Heights.
“Senator” W. Earl Childs and Rev. W. K. Williams returned last Saturday evening from a 10 days trip to the inauguration in Washington, and from a visit to the pastor’s parents, and Carlisle Pa., as well as side trips to Gettysburg, Harrisburg and other points of interest. Mrs. Williams and son Leland stopped off at Indiana Pa. to visit her parents on the return. They report a wonderful time.
Four Cleveland boys, ages ranging from 16 to 19 were arrested here last night. One had a 38-caliber revolver and another a “Jimmy”. It was found that they were tough characters one or two having served a term at Lancaster and Hudson.
Mr. Ella Andress, who has been spending the winter with her son Charles Klary near Birmingham and who fell and broke her limb several weeks ago, returned to her home last Friday. She is able to walk about with the aid of crutches.
Mr. Keeps, and aged citizen who has been sick for the past two weeks died Sunday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Keeps have lived in the village for a number of years and are well known. The deceased had reached his fourscore and five years. The funeral was held from the home Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. A. L. Eddy. Mrs. Keeps has the sympathy of all in her bereavement.
Miss Ella Harris has been quite ill with an attack of the measles.
Good weather for the making of Maple syrup.
Mrs. Raymond Fairchild who is been ill for the past two weeks is much better.
The Diamond Cheese Co. had their icehouse filled last week and expect to begin making cheese April 1st. They have been buying milk all winter and selling it to a milk dealer in Lorain. E. H. Ladrach is charged of the factory here.
TO attempt the production of an original chronological history of the City of Sandusky would be out of the question. Various historians, both local and non-resident, to the number of nearly a score, have made an effort in this direction, and, in some few instances, with a fair measure of success; so that for a writer upon the ground to-day, there seems but very little opportunity for enlargement upon things and events of the last quarter of a century, and no room whatever for any additional revelations regarding the happenings of an earlier period. At best the modern writer can but revise, classify, and perhaps paraphrase that which has already been made" patent through the labors of early historians. And, peradventure, there may be revealed some events that have been heretofore overlooked or considered unworthy a place in history, and thus it may be possible that a satisfactory record be made that shall be of some substantial use and benefit to the present and future generations of this county.
The writer of modern times finds the most satisfaction in the fact of being able to give to the public something before unknown, or to settle conflicting opinions, or to give a new and satisfactory version of misunderstood things. Yet in the present case there seems no avenue of escape by these subterfuges, and we must look the facts squarely in the face, scan, and if possible, criticise past works, still depend upon them for truth, then sift and separate the good history from the bad, and present the former to the reader, clearly and in the most intelligent manner possible, and finally, ask the most kindly indulgence and forbearance of the reader for not having been able to provide new, startling and wonderful historic revelations. So much by way of explanation—not apology.
It has not been deemed advisable for the purposes of this chapter to restate or re-narrate the events of the Indian occupation of the lands now comprised by the corporate limits of this city, but to commence this subject at a time within the memory of man, referring the reader to the earlier chapters of this volume for such knowledge as may be sought concerning the savages whose different tribes held jointly and in severalty the country which we now occupy.
* The point, Sandusky, first became so named from the beautiful bay on the shore of which it is situate. The bay was known to the Indians as a lake — a small lake of cold water, and from that the name "Lac Sandouske" was applied. This name, however, partakes largely of the French accent, and is believed to be of French origin The Jesuits carried on their labors through this region generally, but of them we have no reliable, ancient record; and it is quite probable that the Indians adopted, as nearly as possible, the name the French had given. The name was first mentioned, so far as we have knowledge, in 1708, at which time the Iroquois Indians destroyed a village, of the Eries on "Conti Lake."
FROM MARYLYNN’S COLLECTION: Vermilionite Marylynn Homitz has a collection of little almost insignificant Vermilion memorabilia. I have often photographed some of her things – and she and her husband, Frank, have over the years also donated numerous items and photographs to the museum.
It may be that others have some of these same items, but it is very doubtful that many have all of them. In this case we have a beautiful Fuller-Brush letter opener”; a Vermilion Quasquicentennial ashtray with the words “Schooner “Sophia Minch – Built in Vermilion in 1873” inscribed on it; and a wonderful bottlecap opener (rare these days) with the sage thought: “Glasses affect vision – Particularly when they have been Emptied several times.” Inscribed on the wooden handle.
These are fun, interesting and very collectable pieces. I thank her muchly for sharing
.
A Catholic priest, a Protestant minister, and a Jewish rabbi were discussing when life begins. "Life begins," said the priest, "at the moment of fertilization. That is when God instills the spark of life into the fetus."
"We believe," said the minister, "that life begins at birth, because that is when the baby becomes an individual and is capable of making its own decisions and must learn about sin."
"You've both got it wrong," said the rabbi. "Life begins when the children have graduated from college and moved out of the house."
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: After giving it much thought this link has been "put-down". During the last year most of the folks who used to use this page as a bulletin board have acquired their own and, consequently, no longer need this forum from "Views". I have, however, kept links (in the links section) to Larry Hohler's "Hope Homes" in Kenya - and to Bette Lou Higgins' Eden Valley Enterprises sites. They are historically and socially relevant projects. I suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
Persons interested in the history of the Lake Shore Electric Railway (which was the subject of a recent past podcast series) - "the greatest electaric railway system on the planet" may want to go to Amazon.com and purchase a book called "Images of Rail - Lake Shore Electric Railway". It was put together by Thomas J. Patton with the help of my friends DENNIS LAMONT and ALBERT DOANE. It'd make a nice gift.
Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandma's Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from MARGARET SANDERS BUELL by Amy O'Neal, ELIZABETH THOMPSON and MEG WALTER (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.
DAVE’S NEW BOOK: Views readers might remember Dave Schwensen’s humor column, “Something To Laugh About” that ran in the Vermilion Photojournal, Sandusky Register and others. Dave has chosen 144 of the columns that he still thinks “are funny” and compiled them into his new book of the same name. It’s available through Amazon.com and other online sellers in paperback and eBook. If you’re interested in a signed copy click on Dave’s email @ DAVE.
To purchase the book on Amazon click here: SOMETHING TO LAUGH ABOUT
MARY WAKEFIELD BUXTON'S LATEST BOOK “Tripping: A Writer’s Journeys.” Signed copies of her new book can be purchased for $15.00 at the Southside Sentinel office or by mail by writing Rappahannock Press, Box 546, Urbanna, VA and adding $6.00 to cover mailing costs and tax. Contact:glongest@ssentinel.com.
THE BEAT GOES ON: This page is generated by a 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 links. 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 check the new archives links below.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
P.O. Box 437
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol. 19. Issue 1 - March 13, 2021
Archive Issue #939
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© 2017 Rich Tarrant