NOT YET IN THE BOOK: I couldn't resist catching this pic of some of the record books for Maple Grove Cemetery last Monday. The Vermilion Area Archival Society held its July meeting there. Mark Riddle, who has partnered with his mother in the business, told about two dozen folks attending the meeting the history of the site - plus some. I've known him since he was a boy. He's an impressive young man. His talk is featured in the weeks Vermilion Views Podcast.
I surely would like to tell everyone that I've completed the move of "Views" from me old host at Yahoo/GeoCities but I can't. This is much more of a task than I actually envisioned.
Whilst I've moved over 5000 separate files to my new host, StartLogic since last week that's but the beginning. Now I've got to reorganize them to make the nearly 250 editons of "Past Views" accessible from this host.
I keeps thinking that there's an easy way to do this. But as of yet I've not stumbled across it. I actually had very little idea as to the amount of work I'd done during the last few years.
I certainly appreciate learning new things - but this is a real bear. The detail involved is prodigious. I hope my name isn't entered in one of the above pictured books until sometime after I've finished...
THE BUS GARAGE FOLK, ETC:: I don't want to trivialize this pic because there's a great deal to be said about the folks in it...
From L-R:Huttenlocker, F. Gerber, K. Gerber, Ed Benson, Vasu, Seals
however; I want to say a word about how I acquired the photo.
It came to "Views" courtesy of Alice Risdon Stuckey. Alice is one of a well known Vermilionite named Glenn Risdon. Today she lives in Norwalk. Glenn, now 93, is a resident of Kingston of Vermilion - a local nursing facility.
Alice was kind enough to scan a number of family pix, as well as an old VHS yearbook (containing this particular photograph), and place them on a disc for "Views" and the Archival Society.
Due to the reality that I'm presently consumed by moving "Views" I've not a great deal of time to absorb everything on those discs at this time. But it's clear that there is a great deal to review and think about.
In brief, I have some questions.
But I will get to that
One of the reasons I opted to use this particular pic at this time is partically due to the fact that it affords everyone some time to reflect upon the image of Vermilion's infamous Chief of Police Ed Benson.
When Vermilion was but a sleepy village of but some 2000 souls Chief Benson was, for all intents and purposes, Vermilion's total police department. I believe he was town marshall prior to being known as police chief. Pete Huttenlocker was (or would later become) a part-time patrolman.
As previously mentioned, I don't want to trivialize this photo because there's too much there. All of the folks in it are of interest. So rest assured that this will not be the last time it appears here.
Alice's contribution(s) are certainly appreciated - and you will see more of those contributions as time passes. These are the types of things that I hope that folks might share with myself and the Archival Society - because they are important.
Along with the pix and commentaries about some of them Alice wrote, "...how can I read the Vermilion News papers and old Photojournals?"
For the benefit of those who might ask the same question; most of those files are on microfilm at Vermilion's Ritter Public Library.
Whilst those files are extremely interesting and helpful for a variety of endeavors note that they are neither comprehensive nor 100% accurate. Some of the News files are missing, and some of the information in either journals' records may be inaccurate.
BS CHARTER: This is a Paul Ludlow photograph of well known Vermilionite George Roberts and Mr. Risdon (I believe this is Bob Risdon's father and I can't remember his first name) accepting a Boy Scout Charter [they are renewed yearly] from an unknown Boy Scout representative.
By the look of the background this ceremony must have taken place in the old Vermilion Fire Hall atop Fire Station #1 on Ohio Street.
Mr. Risdon is wearing a fireman's uniform. The pic on the wall behind the men of "Pop" Tischer still, to my knowledge, hangs in the "new" hall.
I can't date the pic, and don't remember when the new hall was built. I'm guessing that the photo may be early to mid 1950's - but no later.
I remember George best when he had the Shell service station that was located in what is today's library parking lot on the northwest corner of Liberty Avenue and Washington Street.
When I was a lad I used to love to get a cold pop from the chest pop cooler/machine in front of the station office. It was one of those coolers where one had to move the glass bottles along a metal channel to the place where, after depositing a dime, you could pull it up and out of the machine. T'were nothing better on a hot day.
George was a cordial and very hardworking fellow.
Mark Riddle
PODCAST #32: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #32Vermilion Views Podcast #32Vermilion Views Podcast #32 offers a continuation of readings from Betty Trinter's history of Vermilion - "The Way It Was" and Mark Riddle (of Riddle's Funeral Home) with the history of the Maple Grove Cemetery (among other things).
Maple Grove - just before dusk
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): I am (as may be obvious) rather swamped at this time during this move - and I'm about a dozen questions behind. But stay close. As Arnold was wont to say "Ah'll be baak."
And while ye wait - if anyone has any further questions... [Note this link is working now.]
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for information about VHS Class Reunions, The Vermilion Area Archival Society, Eden Valley Enterprises events, and Hope Home in Kenya? Follow the link to the Vermilion Locals page. Something new (mit a few new pix added) for your enjoyment.
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. (Kindly note that not all these links will not be working properly for now. They can, however, be accessed from the old "Views" page @ Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix History of Linwood Park Vermilion Visitor's Advisory (Satire) Gore Orphanage History The Lester Pelton Story The Wreck of The Niles #152 The History of Crystal Beach Vermilion Views Archives Vermilion's Pioneer Woman; Charlotte Sturges Cloudy; Vermilion's Ferryman The History of Vermilion's Congregational Church Dedication Sermon of Jotham W. Goodell, 1843 The Last Time I Saw Charlie Hope Childrens Home Kenya A Profile of Rich Tarrant Vermilion Biographies Vermilion - Village of Lake Captains Vermilion's Youngest Minstrels
For Persons who would like to contribute to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has contributed to the cause. I doth sincerely appreciate it):
Vol.5, Issue 17, July 14, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant