LIFE IN A FLOOD PLAIN: And hither is me wife, Georgi, after a days work cleaning up Cottage #3 at the Olympic Outing Club Flood of 2006. She did most of the clean-up by her lonesome (as is obvious). A week later it's nearly impossible to tell that the grounds were covered with about 4 feet of water (in places).
An interesting footnote to this event is highlighted by a conversation Georgi had with the man who came to right our big propane tank which had been tipped over by the flood waters.
The propane man told her that he couldn't right the tank completely until some of the propane was used (it was full when it tipped and is extremely heavy). She asked him what might happened if it flooded again, because rain is expected.
He answered her by saying something like, "Oh, you won't get flooded like this again for another 30 years."
Well, that's a very positive view of things - but...
1937B: Another very nice photograph of one part of the Junior Class of Vermilion's South Street High School in 1937. Again, I didn't know all these people - but I knew a few.
Most notable (to me) would be Richard "Dick" Koontz. Dick was a local professional photog. I've used more than a few of his photographs on this page and in other places. I think I can count on 3 fingers the number of great photographers that worked in Vermilion - and he is most definitely one.
Louis Tokar I only knew in passing because of his daughers. Patty married a local boy, Frank Szekely, and they now live in the Huron-Sandusky area. She's a realtor. Her sister, Barbara, is (I think) living in California. Their mother, Etta, was an outgoing person who, as best I can recall, was an avid bowler.
Pauline Naegele is not someone I knew, but is a person I hear a great deal about everytime I happen to use her picture. I would conclude that she was, and still is, held in high regard by her family and other persons.
I think that Miss Maurer married a gentleman named Jim Klaar. Both were very, very nice people.
And although I am very familiar with the names Knott and Kneisel I can't say that I know/knew these folks in particular
And one last thing about this picture. Because of the folks standing in the doorway in the background the precise location of the photo is now made clear. It was taken perhaps 15 yards t the west of the east entrance of South Street School. In the other pix of the class this isn't as obvious.
These are very nice photograph reproductions.
SCHWENSEN'S: Several days ago local resident Dave Schwensen surprised me with not only this photographs of his family's legendary Vermilion bakery, but also with information highlighting the history of the bakery.
This particular photograph Dave wrote:
...was a bit of a surprise for my mother and myself when we discovered it in an old box in the attic of the bakery after we closed in 1994. The date on the back says 1890. There were no records to be found of when the bakery "officially" opened and the date 1893 was always used - probably because that's when Fred was born and he always said his parents were running the business by that time. So instead of saying Schwensen Bakery was in Vermilion for 101 years - we can now say it was 104 years!! That was quite a run..."
This photo Dave explains:
..."was taken in 1905 outside the bakery at 415 Division Street, (now 681 Main Street). The original owner was Cornelius Schwensen, (the man with the mustache and suspenders standing left of the tree). He was born in 1866 in Prussia, (which later became Denmark), near the North Sea. After serving in the Prussian army he became an apprentice baker and immigrated to The U.S. in 1890. He stayed with relatives in Sandusky until deciding to open his bakery in Vermilion. I was always told the reason he chose this area was because Lake Erie reminded him of The North Sea - where he grew up. During the early morning hours while they were waiting for the oven to heat up so they could begin baking, the family would sometimes walk to the river or lake to fish. When it was too cold, they played cards until it was time to work. The building had three sections. This photo shows the store. Behind it was the house where the family lived and behind that was the bakery. All the baked good were carried through the house and into the store! This went on until the current building was constructed - again, in three sections - beginning in the mid-1920's and into the 30's. For two years during the 1920's, (when the store was being built), they carried everthing across the street on trays to be sold in the old Crystal Theater. The woman on the left is his wife, Laura, (Christiansen). She died a year after this photo was taken, leaving Cornelius to raise four children, (three are in the photo). The child sitting on the steps on the left is Albert, (born 1898), who lived in Bloomfield Hills, MI, (his daughter - Johanna Schwensen is on your email list!). Next is Marie, (born 1903), who married Ray Hoffman and lived on South Street for many years, (the Hoffmans are also a Vermilion institute - with more than a few relatives on your email list). The child standing on the right is Fred Schwensen, (born 1893), who lived for many years in San Francisco. The child missing from this photo is Henry, (born 1894), who was a doctor in Vermilion until he passed away in 1948. Fred, Albert and Marie all lived into their 90's and I have very vivid memories of all three visiting the bakery. In fact, Albert and Marie were at the 90th anniversary celebration held at the bakery in 1983. What also makes this photo interesting is the young man standing inside the bakery and looking through the window. This is my grandfather, August Schwensen - who was born in 1880 in the same home as Cornelius - but by that time it was Denmark. August came to the U.S. in 1900 and worked on the railroad as a chef / baker. He would take a break from the trains during the summers to help his oldest brother in the bakery and then would take off "to see the country" during the rest of the year. In 1918 August bought the bakery from Cornelius, who moved to Florida. He later returned to Vermilion and passed away in 1947. My father and mother, Edward and Arlys, took over the family business in 1960. August and my grandmother, Elsa, worked there until 1976 - and I'm sure a lot of your readers remember them both. In fact, August - who was 95 at the time - worked Sunday morning of Memorial Day Weekend 1976, and passed away at his home that evening. Elsa passed away two months later"
And Dave is right. I do remember his grandfather, and have a rather vivid picture of his grandmother (can actually remember her voice) in my memory bank.
I also have wonderful memories of Saturday mornings in the summertime when my big brother, Billy, would send me down to the bakery from the printshop to get some sweet rolls or a sour cream kuchen. I'd take them back to the shop and I'd help eat those goodies, washing them down with water from a cone-shaped paper cup, as I watched him run the Heidleberg press.
Those were great days!!
PARK UPDATE, ETC: Another view of the continuing evolution of Vermilion's newest park: Vermilion Rotary Centennial Park. This was taken yesterday (6-30-06).
The park should soon (this month) be officially opened. As one can see the grass has been planted and is visible on the left of the water-tower. That grass was planted before last week's flood.
This week I received word from the Ohio Historical Society that the plaque celebrating it as the area where the Lake Shore Electric Railway bridge touched the west bank of the Vermilion River will be finished and delivered on August 18th.
The date for the formal dedication of the plaque is yet to be determined. Hopefully, it will be on or near Labor Day.
Another development concerning the cost of the marker is that local artisian/author Jim Fischer is offering to give the Vermilion Area Archival Society a leather bound journal (book) that he makes. The cover is American Bison, or Buffalo, and it has 100 hand cut and folded pages. He places three (that he calls "a nice round number) silver dollar coins between the pocket and the owners name plaque "so you will never be broke on your travels, even if someone steals your purse or wallet". It is hand cut, hand stamped and hand sewn in the good old USA!!! Now how much better can you get??? He would be happy to donate one to the V.A.A.S. for a raffle to raise money for the plaque if you're interested. He says that he charges $75.00 for them and have had no complaints. Currently he has sold one in Madagascar, two in Australia, one in Idaho with a tree planting crew and another one somewhere else that he's lost track of.
The offer will likely be accepted.
AN EXTRAORDINARY PIC: This, obviously, has nothing to do with Vermilion, but the picture is so extraordinary I thought folks might just want to see it.
It comes to me from a lady named Carol Serb who lives in PA. She is the sister of Vermilionite Jim Jones.
Just guessing, but this photo is probably a c.1900 pic. And that which is unusual about it (aside from the age) is that the Niagara Falls seldom freeze hard enough to allow people an opportunity to walk near the edge as those people are in the photo.
There is one certain thing that I will tell everyone "for free". And that is that frozen or not I would never walk around near the edge of that, nor any, waterfalls.
In any case, this is just a unusual pic, and I thought some might appreciate it.
WHAT'S A FOOT:
On Monday, July 10th the Vermilion Archival Society will be visiting the Josiah Pelton Home now owned by Tom and Jean Beach. It is one of (if not the) oldest homes in the area. This activity will be held outdoors. Thus, it would be helpful if you bring your own lawnchair(s).
Another significant thing coming up in the near (VAAS) future will be another session with Vermilion native Hank Fischer.
In addition this the the society will have a display of pix and artifacts for your viewing pleasure in the empty storefront next to Vermilion's Convenient Store (Near the river bridge and new Rotary Centennial Park) within the next week or so. So stay with us.
And, last but not least, everyone is absolutely welcome to join this group. Lifetime memberships are $100. Yearly memberships are $10 a person; $18.00 a couple; and $5 for a student.
Please take the time to visit (or re-visit) the Hope Children's Home site linked below because there are some additions there that you might find interesting (now featuring the results of their annual USA Bi Continental Run). With all the bad things happening on the "dark continent" it's really nice to know that there are some places where the light does shine brightly. Please keep in mind that the needs of Hope Children's Home are on-going. Contributions to that home may be made to Larry Hohler in New York.
CLASS REUNION UPDATES: Here's some new items: Vermilion Class of l948 Reunion for Friday, August 25, 2006 at Vermilion Fish and Game - 6:00 p.m. For more information contact Carol Bechtel. They are looking for Richard Jenkins, Norma Czarnecki, Bob Thomas, William Judge, Robert Crampton, Rodney Gribble.
Bob Ferry, is heading up the VHS Class Reunion for 1987...20 years. (More on that at a later date).
If something changes you'll see it here.
Some folks use this page as a portal to the Classes of '60 to '62 webpage I'm placing the link back here. But it would be a very wise move if folks involved with that page made a note of its URL and posted it in their notes as well as those contacting their classmates.
I was unaware of it but more than just a few folks do use this site as a link to their respective class sites - so - here's the VHS Class of 1959's site back for your convenience too: Remember that site is located at: Class of '59 and it'll be updated it as Roger (Boughton) receives enough new pictures and information from classmates to make it worth reading. So send him any information that you would like to share with other classmates and he'll put it up for all to see and view.
It is my understanding that some of these links are not working, or not working well. If so it is a technical problem belonging to the respective parties operating those webpages.
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 check the new archives links below.
Links to other sites on the Web
Vol.4, Issue 15, July 1, 2006
© 2005 Rich Tarrant