_{Seems like just yesterday...}

ANOTHER DOOR CLOSES AND...: It seems like just yesterday when McGarvey's "boat drive-in" restaurant just below the river bridge in good old Vermilion, O. was one of the most busy and popular places in town. And though it's been gone for some time now the mystique of the place remains very palpable in the minds of many those who remember...

When a new restaurant - The Red Clay on the River - arose near the site of the old restaurant methinks folks expected the (proverbial) party to continue. Hopes were high. But Eddie Solomon was gone. And really wasn't the same - anymore.

The new place was pretty. It was big. It was open. But it really wasn't the same. And the party - proverbial or literal - was over. So; The Red Clay on the River is no more.

Just this week the Vermilion Port Authority announced that a new restaurant - a chain of sorts - known as the Quaker Steak and Lube will operate from the site. There has been some mumbling about the propriety of this decision because some perceive the clientele to be unsavory. This refers to the fact that groups of persons who ride motorcycles often frequent this chain.

Forty years ago this complaint might have made some sense. But not today. The sports of motorcyling, boating, and auto-racing are now exercised by enthusiasts from all walks of life. So, in short, it may very well be that this particular spot could be advantageous not only for the owners and their clientele (which, by the way, includes many youngsters) - but also for the city.

No, it's not McGarvey's. Those days are gone. And they are hardly forgotten. But tis time - time to move on.

Seems-Like-Just-Yesterday-ly,

_{Teeth on Rubber Plates?}

DR. BIGELOW IS IN: How amusing. I've had my current scanner (a MicroTek ScanMaker i800 flatbed) for perhaps five years and until just yesterday never read the manual that came with it.

NOTE: "Not reading the manual" - however stupid - is, nonetheless, how I once did things. When I was younger I knew everything. And, for some unknown reason, as I got older I've forgotten everything I knew. So now I've got to read the manual.

In any case, after reading the manual I discovered that I was scanning 35mm film / microfilm incorrectly. Had I (1): been using the (note the name) "E-Z Lock 35mm Filmstrip Holder" correctly; and (2): Had I been scanning the film at a higher resolution (i.e. 2400 dpi) I would have been able to achieve perfectly adequate scans of the first issues of The Vermilion News two months ago.

My picture is next to the definition of "Dumb-ass" in the dictionary.

This advertisement for Dr. Bigelow, who was apparently an itinerant dentist, appeared in one of the first issues of The News over a century back. The "Lake House" - a hotel - then stood on the southeast corner of Liberty and Division Streets. George Fischer would eventually purchase the building, and early in the 20th century move it down the block to its present location (i.e. the southwest corner of Liberty and Exchange Streets). Mr. Fisher re-named it after his daughter Maud and son Elton.

I recently had a tooth extracted. It cost over $300. That's not, however, a complaint. And I don't know about having teeth set in rubber plates. One might have begun eating a steak and ended up eating part of the rubber plate holding their teeth.

The Naegele Family"

THE NAEGELE'S: I've had this pic since November last. It came to me from "Viewer" Lorna Naegele who is a daughter of Paul and Eliene. And whilst I don't know - fer shure - I am thinking that this was a portrait taken by one of the persons in it. The backdrop looks very purposeful.

Lorna sent me the pic in response to a photo which appeared in "Views" last year of a group of men who were apparently cleaning the beach at the foot of Main Street. Her uncle "Sonny" and her father were both in that photograph. And by comparing that pic - which was taken in November of 1946 - with this photo one could very well conclude that both were taken in approximately the same time period.

The persons in this photograph are L-R:

Sonny, Edna, Paul, and Eliene

While I certainly remember both Sonny and Paul quite well - I don't believe I ever knew their wives. And, to be honest, I was never really aware of exactly how the Jeffery boys (i.e. "Bud", "Doc", and "Ding") were related to the Naegele Family until, perhaps, four or five years ago.

Edna was (for those still unaware of such things) the mother of the Jeffery boys. Her first husband - a well known and loved Vermilion physician - was hit and killed by a steam rail locomotive at the Adams Street crossing while on a call.

A great portrait of a great Vermilion Family...

_Cloudy's

YESTERYEAR AGAIN: At the moment I am at work revising my first and only book "Rich Tarrant's Yesteryear - An Anthology of Hisorical Narratives of Vermilion, Ohio And Its People". The new tome will, of course, retain the stories found in the first printing - with some rather minor, but necessary, corrections. New stories and photographs will be added. At the moment I'm not sure just how many that will be.

What I do know is that the stories like that of Cloudy; Vermilion's Ferryman Lewis Noel, The Crystal Beach Amusement Park, the Loyala Institute, the Lake House Hotel, and that of "Big Ed" Lampe will be among them.

Some of these things are currently available on-line of course. But I'm anticipating a time when I'm no longer here and no one is willing to pay to keep them on-line. Although I do keep a digital record of all that information it, by and large, is only available to me and my immediate family. Ergo; a book - however redundant - has a purpose.

Besides that the work it requires keeps me busy...

WISE ADVICE FROM KIDS

1. Never trust a dog to watch your food.
- Patrick, age 10

2. When your dad is mad and asks you,
"Do I look stupid?", don't answer him.
- Michael, 14

3. Never tell your mom her diet's not working.
- Michael, 14

4. Stay away from prunes.
- Randy, 9

5. Never pee on an electric fence.
- Robert, 13

6. Don't squat with your spurs on.
- Noronha, 13

7. When your mom is mad at your dad, don't
let her brush your hair.
- Taylia, 11

8. Never allow your three-year old brother in the
same room as your school assignment.
- Traci, 14

9. Don't sneeze in front of mom when you're eating crackers.
- Mitchell, 12

10. Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a tic-tac.
- Andrew, 9

11. Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.
- Kevin, 9

12. You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
- Mickie, 9

13. Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
- Kellie, 11

14. If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.
- Naomi, 15

15. Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick.
- Lauren, 9

16. Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat.
- Joel, 10

17. When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom
when she's on the phone.
- Alyesha, 13

18. Never try to baptize a cat.
- Jessica, 8

19. The big blue can is Crisco, not frosting.
- Randy, 9

20. Always double check before you zip up.
- Jason, 4

21. A whole bag of cookies will be missed.
- Becky, 11

22. Giving yourself a haircut only sounds easy.
- Justin, 8

_{"One matter (among many) that forever puzzled me concerned the fact that nobody
about town seemed to own any photographs of the Nicholas Fischer family..."}

THE STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE(S): I really, really, wish I could tell everyone all the stories surrounding all of the photographs used in this weekly discourse. Often the stories behind the way the photographs were acquired are as interesting as the photos themselves. Due to the fact that it is impossible to explain how each and every photo appearing in this forum was obtained I thought it might be seemly to afford readers the tale of how but one of them came to me:

During the last decade my interest in local history led me develop several web pages on that subject. Aside from my secretly wanting to play with the technology (like a little kid with a new bike) I envisioned the fostering of some interactivity with persons of similar interests.

To simply say, “It worked”, would be an understatement. To Shout “IT WORKED!” would not.

One matter (among many) that forever puzzled me concerned the fact that nobody about town seemed to own any photographs of the Nicholas Fischer family. This was the family that ran the import / export Fischer Lumber Company on the banks of the Vermilion river. It was also the family that purchased and moved the Maud-Elton Hotel to its current location; and the one responsible for the construction of the Fischer Building on the southeast corner of Liberty and Division / Main Streets. The significance of this particular family as it pertains to the positive development of Vermilion, Ohio during both the 19th and 20th centuries is undeniable. But there were no pictures of the family to be found.

So imagine what went through my mind when on 12-03-05 I received the following communiqué:

_{“First a big "thank you" for all the hours of pleasure you have given me with your weekly column and all of the many other articles you have written, especially the Vermilion Historic Pix. I guess I should introduce myself...I am Bobbi Neller (aka Roberta) Riley and am the granddaughter of Ruth (Goodsell) and Elton Fischer and great granddaughter of Elizabeth and George Fischer. My mom, Virginia, grew up in Vermilion, graduating in 1938...”}

I was, in two words; wonderfully flabbergasted. By the end of the year 2005 I had nearly 30 photographs of the Fischer Family of Vermilion, O. And that was just for starters. During ensuing months and years I also received a wealth of genealogical information as well. (Who says dreams don’t come true?)

While I have never met her face-to-face Bobbi spent her younger years in Vermilion. She attended (the stupendous) South Street School. And though I don’t, as previously indicated, recall her we share memories of the school, many of the teachers, and several of the students who once skipped happily along those hallowed halls 50 years ago:

_{“...I lived in Vermilion for several years and am wondering if you and I didn't bump into each other in the past as according to your articles we must be very close in age. I graduated in 1962, not in Vermilion but in California, but attended school in Vermilion for K - 3 and also in 7th grade. I spent every summer at my grandparent's home after moving to California. After all these years I still get homesick as Vermilion will always be in my heart...”}

Fortunately, Bobbi's mother, Virginia E. Fischer Ohler (1920-2006), kept some very fine photo albums. Therein did she find a number of pictures of her Vermilion family and their concerns, and was kind enough to pass them along to me and, through me, to the Vermilion Area Archival Society.

The fabulous photograph of the family patriarch, Nicholas Fischer, that accompanies this essay was among the many she has passed along. It is one of the only - if not “the” only photos of Mr. Fischer ever published.

The “real story” behind this photograph and more than a few that I have been privileged enough to acquire - electronic or on paper - is best expressed by Ms. Riley when she wrote that , “...Vermilion will always be in my heart...” It has that effect on people; those who live here today as well as those who lived here in a yesteryear.

2/17/08 12:13 PM

_{Married at 110 for the fourth time?}

LOCALS - 1898: Newspaper "locals" as my family called them for The Vermilion News were, and remain, perhaps the most interesting items ever written for any publication. I (personally) abhor lengthy essays about political activities. I don't really care how politicians interact. I simply want to know either what they've done, or what they intend to do. I don't care about their personal relationships. So...

I enjoy the "locals". I like knowing that C.C. Baumhart was selling show cases, a safe, and counters "cheap", and that Mrs. Tilden was "on the sick list" way back in 1898. These were the folks who helped make Vermilion Vermilion. And nobody cares who they liked or didn't like. It was just "about people and things" that put a smile on your face.

DON'T JUST SIT THERE WITH A MOUSE IN YOUR HAND! HELP THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY!:

Take a cyber visit through my on-line store.

I will be working on designing some new things in the weeks ahead. However: If you've not purchased something yet you're missing both the proverbial and literal boat. But, if nothing else, take a stroll through my shop. I keep the floor swept, the windows clean, and my dog don't bite.

And for those who might wonder - this is my shop - and I do make a few bucks selling the items therein...

VERMILION VIEWS GIFT SHOP

_{Podcasts - "forever under construction..."}

PODCAST #120: This week Vermilion Views Podcast #120 opens with a wild western. The "Main Feature" is a small portion of interurban historian, Dennis Lamont's, entertaining and informative documentary re: the Lake Shore Electric interurban railway. If you've every wondered what these cars were like as they raced across the landscape of Northern Ohio this short take from Lamont's documentary will give ye a taste of those days. Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format.

NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are not 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 me and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.

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.

Pay particular note to the "Hope Homes" page during the next few months. They've recently received a significant grant from the Dolan Foundation and are constructing a Manual Training Center for their children and for other young people in that community. This is an exciting project.

Vermilion High School Classes of 1963, 1964 and 1965 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of June 27, 2009. Those interested can contact Ruth Bauman Tanner.

The Vermilion High School Class of 1959 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of September 18-20, 2009. Registration can be made through Roger Boughton 2205 SW 10th Ave. Austin, MN. 55912 or you can just emailRoger.

Where's Alice? I found this link interesting. You just never know what Vermilion expatriots are up to - or where their up to doing it. Alice Wakefield is one of those people. So check out his link. Methinks you'll be surprised: Talking Turkey.

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}

Links to additional Vermilion Ohio pages: 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 Don Englebry's "Growing Up In Vermilion" "Views" Podcast Archive The Story of Vermilion's Education System Eden Valley Enterprises VHS Class of 1959 Vermilion Views Gift Shop - Always Open

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}

or you can use PayPal:

"Greed is the operative word for American life in the first decade of the 21st century. God is been forgot..."
-Professor Roselyn Picher

Vol.7, Issue 1, March 21, 2009

Archive Issue #314

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