MID SEPTEMBER GREENS: I have often said, "You can give a monkey a camera and every now and then he's bound to come up with a decent photograph."
The comment is made in reference to the billions of folks (myself included) who own at least one digital camera. (I own three. So - toss me three bananas.)
One of them is a Nikon D70 DSL - and it takes killer pix if I press the shutter release at the right time (and occasionally even the wrong time).
The plant in the photo is a Mimosa tree that found a place to grow beside our home. It's parent lives across the street. It grows fast - and when it flowers the pink blossoms draw hummingbirds. It is, by and large, a pleasant tree / pleasantry. But it doesn't belong in the garden so near the house. It will have to be removed before it grows larger.
This pic (accidentally wrought or not) brings to mind the Dylan Thomas poem Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night:
”...Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Those words never ran truer to me than they did when I saw the result of this photograph. Maybe it’s just age. Or maybe it's just the mid September greens.
NANCY & TINNY: There is some benefit to having been the last of 8 children in my family. This is an example of but one.
When you're the last of so many it should follow that you have the privilege of being in on some of the activities of your older siblings - some of which may be adults. And such was my case.
My oldest brother, Bill, and sister (pictured), Nancy Alice (Emery) both had horses. And when you're six years old, in love with the life-styles of Roy Rodgers, Gene Autry, and Tex Ritter having older siblings who own horses is more than just "cool" - it's "freezing".
Nancy's horse was Tinny. Bill's was Cloud. They kept them in a barn on East Darrow Road - the Thayer property. But they rode them into town often - and not just for parades. (Although this photo is from a parade c.1950.)
Whilst looking at this pic I was reminded that in those years it was not unusual for numerous people to own horses. Many folks, consequently, belonged to horse (owner / rider) clubs. The club my brother and sister belonged to was called the Saddle Club. They were somewhat akin to the motorcycle clubs of today. (I could take that imagery somewhere - but will leave it be for now.)
During the summer the clubs would put on horse shows. Those shows were rodeo- type affairs. I don't recall that there were any steer riding / roping contests. But they were fun activities for both those rode and those who, like myself, only watched.
I don't know that there are any - or many - clubs of this type around anymore. And one surely can't ride like folks once did - down into the hollows and across the river. You'd either be trespassing or get hit by a 4-wheeler.
But they sure were great days for an aspiring cowboy!
WELCOME TO VERMILION: This is an interesting item that likely came to me from me friend, and electric historian, Dennis Lamont. It's an amusing piece that may have had some connection with riding the Lake Shore Electric into and through (westward) Vermilion, Ohio during the late 1920's and /or early 1930's.
Note that the "Hi-Way Garage sold "Willys-Knight & Whippet. The "Willys" existed well into the 1950s. But the "Knight" part and the "Whippet" are unfamiliar. Folks familiar with local history will know some of the places and names listed like The Stone Garage; F.E. Baker's Ford garage; E.G. Walker; Okagi's nationally known restaurant; the Wagner Hotel; Harts...etc. But note this: Erne's Inn sold 10c hamburgers.
McDonald's - eat your heart out!
DRAWING VERMILION LIGHT: Here is yet another free-hand color pencil drawing from my friend Frank Homitz. Whilst I tried to get the colors exact they aren't. To get a reasonable facsimile (color-wise) of the drawing via a scan requires that they be scanned in a "CYMK" color mode as opposed to a regular "RGB" mode - and then transferring them back to "RGB". In doing so the true color is lost.
I realize that most of that means nothing to most "Viewers" but tis important to understand that this is just a "reasonable facsimile" of the original drawing and it is not a true copy. And this is important because Frank's use of color in these drawings is purposeful. Artistically speaking it is like my having made a black and white rendering of a Monet painting.
And so it goes...
C.A.STEVENSON ET.AL: This is a P. Roscoe photograph c.[perhaples]1915 that I've worked on with some diligence, have inspected in great detail, and about which I am very curious.
I am sorry that "Viewers" are not able to see the detail as closely as I have been able because it is easy to get lost in this photo. Atop the cash register on the right is the nameplate with the name "C.A. Stevenson". I am assuming that it is the name of the proprietor of this grocery store, and not the name of the register's manufacturer. (Although I could be mistaken. That happens.)
While I don't know any of the clerks in the pic nor the locale of the establishment I'm quite sure that it was in Vermilion. For on a sign (barely visible in this 72ppi reproduction) boat rides on the Edna D are advertised.
The Edna D was the boat that offered nickel rides from Crystal Beach into the harbor and back in the early part of the 20th century. There are several pix of her in circulation. Some have appeared in past "Views".
In any case I'm very curious about C.A. Stevenson and the exact locale of this photograph. "Perhaples" someone can enlighten me.
PODCAST #43: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #43Vermilion Views Podcast #43 much mumbling and interjecting (by me) and another few chapters of Betty Trinter's wonderful history of Vermilion - The Way It Was.
And please take note. I have produced a new archive that will allow "Viewers" an easier way to access past podcasts. You will find that link in the links section below.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): Below is another new form that I've added to the site. With this form you will be allowed to preview your comment/question as it will be sent to me. After that just come back to this page and clear the form.
Well, folks I've got to say that this form is working wonderfully for me. I'm receiving good questions and comments on a regular basis. So it's exceeded my initial expectations substantially.
Keep all the questions and comments coming. I really appreciate them.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS ETC. (?):
Well - ENOUGH!!! Some European spammers finally got the best of me by using the email form which used to be available (here) in "VV". They hi-jacked the form for purposes I am unable to fathom (I don't gamble and I'm not in the market for Viagra). Ergo; I dropped the form and ye can simply drop a line to me by tapping on my name below:
RICH TARRANT
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for the latest 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 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
For Persons who would like to donate 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 already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459
"What about those red balls they have on car aerials so you can spot your car in a park. I think all cars should have them! " -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 27, September 22, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant