THE OBJECT IS NOT ALWAYS THE SUBJECT: Last Wednesday I received the following communique comment regarding my History of Crystal Beach web site.
I am the granddaughter of Charles Zaro who owned the skee ball alleys in the arcade before and after the fire he passed away on those alleys on opening day in 1951 or 1952.They opened on mothers day an closed on labor day it passed to his wife till 1954. the alleys were turned over to my parents I ran the alleys 54 an 55 met my husband there We eloped fall 55 spent 52 years together.Lost our home on our nth, wedding anniversary.Lost him to cancer 2006,.I wish he could have seen these pictures.He worked for Roy an Helm in the penny side of the arcade.What really made this part of the past so sweet was the family I tell the stories now they can see some of this fairy tale life as he was just 17 an I was 14. Thanks for the sweet memories
The text appears as it was written. It is the reward for that which I've done. It has touched someone's heart. And it's not because that history is ultra-comprehensive. Because it was not. And it's not because the work, itself, is any great technical accomplishment. Because it most certainly is not. It's just because it exists. The work allows people an opportunity to fill in their own blanks with sentiments like those expressed by the person above. That's the object - the pay-off - the point.
The English writer William Golding (1911-1993) one said, "An orotundity, which I define as Nobelitis a pomposity in which one is treated as representative of more than oneself by someone conscious of representing more than himself."
In short, it is important to me that I always remain the right size. The lady who wrote me about her life experience(s) at Crystal Beach was, and always will be, the type person I aim to touch.
An intellectual endeavor this ain't.
Very early Vermilion Harbor scene
VERMILION HARBOR (C.?): This is hardly a quality photograph. But it is curious. It is among late Pearl Roscoe's photo collection of Vermilion, O. Because it's not the best pic I've not really taken a good look at it before. And this (electonic) duplicate doesn't really allow "Viewers" to get a good look at it. However; it appears to be a very early Vermilion Harbor scene taken near, what is today, the city water-plant looking north and east toward Lake Erie. The building on the left may be what late George Wakefield always referred to as "Tom Ball's Shanty". What I find interesting about the pic is the cylindrical / silo-type structure beyond the shanty. I know that there was once a lime kiln near that area - and I am wondering (here) if that is it.
As most persons know Vermilion was once a (relatively) large producer of iron. There is a plaque on the southwest corner of State and Darrow Roads just south of town commemorating "Furnace Corners" where iron was, at one time, produced. And this kiln (if that is what it is) was a related facility.
I believe the original negative from which this photo was copied was made of glass - and in poor condition. That would account some for the poor quality of this reproduction of a reproduction of a reproduction of a reproduction. And there really isnt' any way I know of to enhance the photo more than it already has been.
But a neat pic all the same.
"1945-46"
VHS 1945-46:
My friend Frank Homitz stopped in Friday a.m. and dropped off several items for me to take a look at. Among them was a Vermilion High School annual "Log" book. I intend to scan more photographs from the book this weekend. But for this "Views" I'm using just one page with pix of just 8 of the 30 persons of the VHS Class of 1945-46. They are:
Top L-R: Annabelle Kress, Donald Kudela, and Miriam Kyle.
Middle L-R: Sam Law and Edna Lingelbach.
Bottom:Virginia Luscombe, Harriette Meese, and Marilyn Morey.
I used this pic, initially, because Don Kudela's photo appears in it. Don - as some folks may know - didn't really graduate with the class. He was injured during football practice behind South Street School in the Autumn of 1945 and died on November 7th. I have intentions of writing more about that subject in the near future.
Annabelle Kress was certainly a very pretty young woman. Eventually she married Leonard Sapienza. And eventually they inherited the Elmer Jump home on South Street. Ann died several years ago. Her husband, Leonard, who still lives in the home is really and truly a nice fellow.
The pic of Edna Lingelbach really surprised me. She is also gone. She lived in a tidy little home on Jefferson Street, and was always an extremely friendly lady. I say I was "surprised" by this photo because when I knew Edna she was a tad older and did not look (of course) as she does in this photo. She was also an attractive young woman.
Marilyn Morey I only know in passing. But I remember her mom (Hanna) quite vividly. After all who would forget the person responsible for a jillion great lunches at Vermilion's Schools? Marilyn (I believe) still lives in a home across from South Street School.
Harriet Meese I didn't know - but I remember her father. He was a prominent Vermilion real estate and insurance broker. His was one of the first houses on Langfitt Street in the "Plywood Plaza" development (that eventually led to the building of sub-division known as "Valleyview") during the mid-1950's.
Some of the other names I recall - but really know little about. On a more personal note - this was my big brother's (Bill's) class. It is also "Viewer" Jimmy Dean's graduating class.
I'll have more pix of this class posted anon.
Vermilion's Girl Scouts in DC
FACES: Vermilionite A. D. (Albert David) Baumhart Jr. (PJ 11-13-03) was a member of the United States Congress from the 13th Ohio District from 1956 to 1960. He was a tall, dark, handsome, and very well spoken, gentleman. He was the kind of person who sticks out in a crowd. I’ve no idea whether the image was staged or natural, but the air about him was most certainly uncommon. He, in brief, looked as though he was an important person. It is not, however, Congressman Baumhart who captures attention in the concomitant photograph.
When this Vermilion News file photo of our local Girl Scouts was taken on a visit to our nation’s capitol Vermilion was still a little fishing village albeit also a strongly Republican community. (During that era those facts were not at all oxymoronic.) The Ford Motor Company had not yet become an established entity in town, and the great migration of folks from southern and eastern states had not yet begun. These facts are relative to this picture because when it was published there would have been no need to list the names of those in it. In a village of 2500 to 3000 souls all faces are familiar.
And whilst that be a fortunate circumstance for a 12 / 13 year old boy in 1956 or ‘57 - nearly 50 years later all the faces remain very familiar, but all the names do not. (Again I need emphasize the great import of habitually making written record of people who appear in photographs.)
Beginning with the back row (L-R) are: Diane Fleming, Maryann Thompson (Corcino), Mary Rapprich (Scout Leader), Janice Kropf, Janet Lindsay (Hancock), Ellie Tarrant (Slocum), Mrs. Edward Fisher (Scout Leader), Zella “Butchie” Tarrant (Bolyard), Shirley Malone, Darlene Neiding, Eleanor Hollosy (Chaperone), Linda Russell, Unknown, Evelyn Todd (Wheelock), Unknown.
Bottom row (L-R): Ada Greenhoe, Meredith Rapprich, Karen Hollosy, Barb Mey, Janet Watson, Janice Barthel, Linda Calvey, Cheryl Fisher, Marylou Homitz, Eva Thompson, and Marylee Russell.
In the 8-18-05 issue of this [Photo] journal I stated of a 1950 aerial view of town that it was “nearly 90% of that which once comprised the Village of Vermilion, Ohio”. In this photo nearly 90% of the young ladies pictured lived in homes easily within the parameters of that photograph. Needless to say they did not stay there.
The paths their lives took after this photo froze their youthful shadows on a summer’s day in Washington D.C. in 1956 are, of course, varied. Each face brings to mind a story of interest. Some such as Janice Barthel, my sister[s Ellie Slocum and] “Butchie” Bolyard, and cousin Janet Hancock are brief. Others are still being writ. Few of those stories will be great. But all will be good. I know. I can see it in their faces.
Published in the Vermilion (Ohio) Photojournal 9-9-05
9/5/05
10:20 AM
Frank's "Kishman's"
LOCAL ARTWORK: Along with the VHS yearbooks (part of which is seen above) Frank Homitz also dropped off severa more of his colored pencil art pieces.
I believe I have a copy of this Kishman Fish drawing before he added color. This reproduction is okay - but for some reason I can't get true copy of the color. I'm not certain whether it's the paper or the pencil. Tis a puzzle. But, as always, it's an enjoyable work.
Vermilion Rotary Presidents
BOB KYLE'S HISTORY OF VERMILION ROTARY LEADERS: I've had this list of Vermilion Rotary Club Presidents for quite awhile - and have intended to include it in "Views" for quite some time - but have forgotten to do it.
Bob Kyle is doing a history of Vermilion Rotary Presidents and has been looking for information about some of them. I know a few - but hardly all - of them. So if any "Viewer" has info on some of them I'll put you in contact with Bob - and you can go from there.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE WITH A MOUSE IN YOUR HAND - BUY SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF, YOUR DOG, AND YOUR BEST FRIEND-WOOF:
Take a cyber visit through my on-line store.
This enterprise is new to me so I don't know what to expect in the way of response - but it is actually very nice. Over the next weeks and months I will be adding (and deleting) different items with different pix that folks might like to use for gifts or just have for themselves.
So take a tour of the shop. Tell me how you like it and what you might like to see on some items. I'm always open for business and for reasonable requests and suggestions. If nothing else just do a little window shopping. It's fun!
VERMILION VIEWS GIFT SHOP
Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime" format.
Stay with me on this project. Things will get better. (I pro-mize.)
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are no longer available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting moi - and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
If, however, something important crops up it - it will appear here.
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.