_INCIDENTLY

ANOTHER INCIDENTAL FIND: This pic was among about 50 / 60 film negatives I found about a week ago. (I temporarily suspended developing the glass negatives until I get more appropriate storage folders for them.) And having a good number of film negatives I began working on them.

This snap was taken in the driveway at the print shop c. 1937. The children pictures are (L-R) Billy Tarrant, Phil “Bud” Tarrant, Nancy Alice Tarrant Emery, and I don’t know the last two.

While the pic is way out of season I opted to use it here because of the garage behind them. The shed was destroyed when the church behind it expanded back in the late 1950s or very early 1960s. It stood very near the back lot line and the church addition was also going to be built near their lot line. The buildings being too close to one another something had to give.

It was the garage.

The concrete floor to the garage still exists and we placed a storage shed on it about a year ago.

One of the things I have noticed about the area between the back of the old church and the concrete slab where the garage used to stand is that there is a large gas line between the slab and the building. It’s very close to the building. I have often wondered why the city allowed any building near that main line.

Before the church addition was built there was an alley behind the church and the Town Hall that allowed access and egress to a duplex that was built north of the church. Originally it was a drive that allowed persons visiting either a place to house their horses when they came to town. The early parking garage disappeared when automobiles took over as the primary mode of transportation in the town.

VHS CLASS OF ’60 SEEKS “LOST” MEMBERS: The 1960 class of Vermilion High School is planning their 55th year reunion and there are several classmates whose addresses are unknown. The reunion is planned for Sunday, September 13, 2015, beginning at 2 P.M at the Vermilion Boat Club. There will also be other meet and greet opportunities in the two days before. We want to make every effort to contact all class members and we need the help of the public to make this possible. Please look at the following list of “lost” class members and, if you know their whereabouts, please contact SANDRA YEAMANS NEIDING AT 967-4190.

Missing are: Penny Clague, Judy Eagan, James Hill, Robert Holtcamp, Billy Kay, Judy Lowery, Ray Luna, Wayne Rohrbaugh and Marjorie Sipos. – Correspondent Sandy Neiding

_{"As a youngster I used to look forward to visiting this room with my parents."}

A GLIMPS OF THE OLD POST OFFICE LOBBY: I don’t suppose many folks are going to be as elated as I was when first I saw the accompanying photograph develop / materialize on my computer screen. I’ve only met one other person who shared my enthusiasm for it – thus far. That person is Vermilionite Marlene Calvert Feldkamp. [Note: Marlene’s family built and operated Vermilion’s historic Crystal Beach Amusement Park.] On the other hand, not many persons have actually had the opportunity to view the picture as of yet.

The print was acquired in a digital darkroom from one of my grandfather’s (Pearl Roscoe’s) glass negatives. Though I am hesitant to assign any exact date to it I would guesstimate that it was taken in the very late 1930s or very early 40s. For the benefit of persons who may not recognize the room pictured – it is the lobby of the Vermilion Post Office when the facility was located in the Fischer building on Liberty Avenue. The Fischer building (again, for the benefit of those who may not know such things) is the large brick building on the southeast corner of Liberty and Main streets.

The office occupied the store at the east end of the building. Currently (2015) a dance studio is located in the space. Prior to that a portion of the Encore Shoppe used the rooms. Over the years it has been home to a number of different enterprises from home appliance sales to color manufacturing for plastics and more. I’ve never known it to be empty.

As a youngster I used to look forward to visiting this room with my parents. I can still see Doris Hughes, the postal clerk, in the window at the back of the room waiting to sell stamps or take a package. But what fascinated me most – the very reason I was so happy to have found this picture – is the wall of post office boxes on the right. Each box had a little glass window on the front so one could see if they had mail. For whatever reason I really enjoyed seeing through the boxes and getting a tiny glimpse into the inner sanctum of the post office. It was like watching dozens of tiny television monitors (before there were such things available to the public).

In any case, it was a place I certainly enjoyed visiting when I was very young. And while I have in the past come across photographs of the exterior of this office (front and back) – as well as the work area inside and have, in fact used them as subject matter for this column (VPJ 02/10/13) – this was the part of the office I knew and recalled the most. Finding this photo (for me) was like discovering a diamond in a coalmine.

I’ve no idea as to the reason the photograph was taken. It doesn’t appear to be a first look at a new facility type of photo. The room looks like it had already seen some traffic – although I could be wrong about that. Perhaps it was about the lighting. I believe the lights are Wakefield incandescent lamps. But whatever the reason I’m happy the photo was taken, and I’m grateful for having come across that yesteryear in a darkroom that is no longer dark even if it is two post offices later.

_{Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 06/18/15.}

Vol. XI, No. 12. – VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, August 29, 1907

A FINE ENGINE

The Product of the Sterling Machine
& Stamping Co.

Prompted by curiosity representative of the news visited the plant of the Sterling Machine and Stamping company formerly Duplex Stamping Company. As we entered we heard the "bark" of a gasoline engine and upon entering the main shop were surprised in seeing that the large gas engine formerly used by the company was idle, But nearby bedded on a block of wood was a diminutive upright gas engine barely 2 feet in height energetically at work driving the machinery of the plant which consists of stamping machines, lathes, drill presses and buffers and other machines which go to make a machine shop. This little engine is what we went to see. The one at work was a 4 horsepower and capable of developing even more. At the time of our visit the engine was one out making probably 600 revolutions per minute without perceptible jar.

The engine is the invention of Mr. C. Ross who has charge of the shop and we believe will prove to be a more moneymaker both for manufacture and purchaser. The cost is also low compared with others. The 4 hp selling for $125 in the 6 hp or $175 for 6 hp. The sizes the company are building now four and 6 hp.

Mr. Ross is just completing an engine for the state fair and will exhibit in here. The most wonderful thing about the engine is it steady speed and the size group power developed. It weighs 250 pounds for the 6 hp. Sent out its power but a visit to the shop will convince anyone that the engine is rightly named Little Sampson.

The company is also prepared to do all kinds of repair work especially on gas and gasoline engines and autos.

We hope the company will be successful as it means much to Vermilion.

We hearwith print a cut of the engine and its dimensions.

LAKEWOOD YACHT CLUB

Will Hold Their Labor Day Regatta At Vermilion

Be on hand next Monday to see the races

This pleasure for the citizens and visitors of Vermillion has been secured by the energetic work and generosity of the committee of our citizens. Detroit in Port Clinton made a bid for the regatta, but Vermilion one out.

Liquid yacht club now have the finest fleet of racing yachts on late Gary. Weather permitting we shall see some of the finest nautical performances this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone is invited to come to the Vermillion Lakefront scenically maneuver and race. Mr. E. L. Coen and Com. F. W. Wakefield club who have lakefront property at the foot of Main Street that will give a fine view of the races invite the citizens to view the races from this point.

The fleet will leave Rocky River Sunday morning and will arrive at Vermillion sometime Sunday afternoon, according to the win. They are started classes and handicapped in Rocky River, so are expecting to arrive at Vermillion lighthouse in a bunch, making an exciting finish this long distance race and you can expect a race because the sailors are racing for their dinner, the fleet not carrying provisions for the short periods. Those whose business it is to feed the hungry should have ample supplies for if all is well there will be some hungry sailors in town, Sunday afternoon.

MONDAY, LABOR DAY, 9 A. M.

The fleet will race around a triangle course 1 mile to the leg if the wind is fresh the fleet will be sent around three times, if the wind is late twice around, either event will be very interesting to the spectators. After this event there will be other races, speedboats, Fisherman's lunches etc. this detail is not as handed this goes to press.

The following gentlemen are members of the citizens committee:

Lewis and debris, E. L. Coen And Dr. R. F. Quigley, assisted by A. D. Baumhart, C. H. Nuhn, W. A. Tischer and Commodore Wakefield.

Alleged He Shot His Wife

A man by the name of Robinson who lives near Sunnyside came to town Thursday afternoon and “filled up" at any rate he was unable to explain to “his honor” Friday morning all that took place. It was alleged that he shot at his wife but that she did not appear against him he was charged with drunkenness and carrying a concealed weapon. He pleaded guilty and was fined five dollars in costs and his revolver a 32 cal. H and R of rather dilapidated appearance confiscated. The Mayor declaring that he thought the weapon was as dangerous as the handler as the object in front of it.

CORRESPONDENCE

AMHERST

Mrs. Frank Young Ms. convalescing.

Work on the new school building is being rushed. About 30 men are now employed on it.

Edward Franks was hit on the head by a plank Thursday and rendered unconscious while working on Mrs. Grugle's new house.

Miss Amelia Cook is taken to a hospital in Cleveland Friday where she underwent an operation for appendicitis.

BORN-to Mr. and Mrs. C Brucker, Monday a son.

HURON

Mrs. Lavina ox is recovering from a severe illness.

Quinby Setter, a conductor on the Wheeling was instantly killed by the cars, his body that badly mutilated Sunday. His foot caught in frog [i.e. a thing used to hold or fasten something]. Deceased was 26 years old and had worked here only a short time. His home was in Moorefield.

AXTEL

Miss Anna Croft and friend this love have returned to Cleveland to resume their work in the light and hope mission.

Quite a number of our ask the boys while out for a stroll, one afternoon this week were surprised to find themselves that David Greene's ranch. They were amused however by mosquitoes and snake stories also treated to watermelon.

Why should people of asked to go away from home to visit camp when we have one run on midst? There are several little braves camping out and one chief from abroad. Do not get frightened should you see the strange forms. They belong to "Vista" and are harmless. Come to visit there to camp. You no doubt will be enjoyably entertained.

The schoolhouse is receiving a new coat of paint inside and out.

W. F. Washburn intended to entertain the thrashers Tuesday but the rain interfered. However the rain was welcomed by all.

BASEBALL NOTES

Sunday at Crystal Beach fans were treated to game replete with batting such as been rarely witnessed in a good many days. The errors contributed by the Independents were made after two men were out and prove costly, especially in the third and seventh innings.

Kvet, left fielder of the O'Connor's made a sensational running catch in the eighth and pulled down a long drive by Mason, which was ticketed for three bases.

On the coming Saturday the Independents play the Elyria team at Elyria and Vacha’s All-Stars on Sunday and Wakeman on Monday (Labor Day) at Crystal Beach.

Capek, second baseman of O'Connor's, led both teams at bat securing a double and three singles.

Vermilion southpaw, Reynolds, was hit by a pitched ball in the second inning and was nearly put out of commission but struck gamely in his post the entire game.

Vermillion won the game 17 to 8.

TWO NEW FISH TUGS FOR VERMILLION FIRM

They Are The Best That Can Be Built Ready For Business Soon

The new tug, J. H. Driscoll went out for a trial trip one day past week. The boat is everything that can be expected and behaved splendidly in the rough sea that was running at the time. The boat is approximately 68 feet long, 15 feet beam, about 8 feet in depth, and 27 tons registered. The engine is a 12 x 12 and will develop between 70 and 75 hp and was built to make 10 mph although probably doing better. Mr. F. E. Cater, the engineer, assisted in laying the keel and has been with the boat off and on during its construction. The inspector complemented him greatly on the piping and arrangements for machinery. Capt. “Billy" Gilbert is master.

Above we give a picture of the tug, which presents a very handsome appearance.

The Driscoll Fish Co. may well feel proud of the new boat.

The Leidheiser Bros.

The Leidheiser Bros. new tug Leidheiser Bros. has arrived and is being fitted out. The description of the Driscoll will fit for this boat the only difference being that the bow and stern are higher. This boat is also a credit to its builder and owners the former crew did the Deveny will operate the new boat.

THE SENIOR GIRLS

The V. H. S. Senior boys must not think that they have option on all the good times this summer, for while the senior girls did not take a trip on the lake they have spent many delightful hours together.

First of all we must mention a very pleasant picnic day at Lynwood Park made possible for them by the Ladies Working Club, Miss Bessie Sherod being hostess.

Then the girls being farmer’s daughters were of course loyal to the cause and attended the Farmer’s picnic together.

Next in quick succession followed a delightful day with Ms. Lottie Burrell at her home near Sunnyside in a very pleasant afternoon given them by Mrs. F. C. Morgan in honor of her niece, Mrs. Vera Burrow, of Chicago.

Last Thursday, Miss Grace Risdon entertained the Senior girls, the Axtel Junior Girls in the Mrs. Burrell, Sherrod, Marchus and Risden. The day was pleasantly spent with music and games. In the afternoon the young ladies participated in a flower contest, being divided into divisions. Miss Burrell's division won first prize, a spray of lilies and clematis, while Mrs. Trinter’s division consoled with the assurance that a bunch of pumpkin blossoms presented them was very typical of themselves.

The table was prettily decorated with daisies and vines.

Favors were in the form of daisy place cards, the work of Miss Burrow.

September 5th the Misses Sherod will entertain young ladies at their home near Vermillion.

_Mary

GROWING UP: MEMORIES OF VERMILION HIGH SCHOOL IN THE 50S
PART 4

Mary Wakefield Buxton

How I became chairman of the senior prom in 1959, I don’t remember. I am sure I didn’t volunteer for the job. I suspect a teacher appointed me, probably Mr. Schroeder, but there I was one day standing in front of my problems of democracy class asking my classmates to vote on the theme they wanted for our prom. I can still see them looking back at me, laughing, and their faces bright with the excitement of life, just as if they hadn’t changed one hair in all these passing years.

I covered the chalk board with their suggestions which ranged in intrigue and adventure from “Springtime in Paris,” An Evening in Central Park,” “Weekend in Rome, “Romancing in Rio” to “Japanese Gardens.” We took a vote and “Japanese Gardens” won hands down. None of us had been to Japan but we imagined it a glorious place and perfect theme for our prom.

The prom committees went right to work. A kind father chopped down hundreds of small dead trees and since it was the dead of winter they were easy to find. This same father (who deserves to be sainted) nailed two cross boards onto each slender stump so it would stand upright. The senior class girls began work fashioning hundreds of pink blossoms from hundreds of pink Kleenex tissues and attaching each fluff to the many branches. What a job it was. We worked in the basement, each spending as much free time each day as possible, and before long the usually dreary high school basement was filled with a plethora of brightly blooming Japanese cherry trees.

Next, we created the Buddha that would sit up on the stage, mighty in his wisdom and glory…more splendid than anything any of us had ever seen. Of course, none of us had ever actually seen a Buddha, but we found a photo of giant statue of an exceedingly fat, seated Buddha. Out popped the chicken wire which we immediately formed into a fat, seated Buddha.

Well, maybe it didn’t really look like a fat, seated Buddha but only a muddled blob of chicken wire propped up on the gym stage and balanced by guide wires but that was only because we hadn’t stuffed him as yet with thousands of wadded toilet paper tissues which we sprayed gold from dozens of spray cans. I can still see all those empty spray cans rolling across the stage when we were finished with our job.

Well, maybe after we had finished this task, it still didn’t look like a fat, seated Buddha but more like an expensive gilded monstrosity? But then someone got the brilliant idea to add dry ice inside the Buddha the night of the prom. As the ice melted, a fan would send out wafts of romantic mist over the dance floor as we gaily waltzed by. Certainly, then, the ghastly apparition would look like a fat, seated Buddha?

Sandra Pratt was in charge of the lily pad pond which would be created from a plastic blow-up swimming pool in the center of the gym floor where so many past basketball stars had jumped for many a ball. In the pond; thick, luscious lily pads would float in the gentle waters as we danced the evening away.

When the tables and chairs were set up that night of the prom amongst the pink cherry blossom trees, the dry ice exuding from the gilded Buddha, the lily pads floating merrily across the pond topped off with the gauzy ceiling installed overhead and the giant ball of lights that reflected a thousand stars over our dreamy heads… well, only a hardened cynic would have thought he was not spending the evening in “Japanese Gardens.”

That the swimming pool leaked overnight and warped the gym floor (that had to be replaced that summer) was hardly anything to be concerned with after such a smashing prom night success. This was my responsibility and I felt bad that I had not seen to it that the pond was emptied before leaving that evening. Apparently, I had quite forgotten to appoint a cleanup crew and at age 17, no one seemed to realize what we put together, we had to take apart, a bitter lesson only learned later when some of us married quite the wrong person the first time around.

Plucking out thousands of tissues from Buddha and carting away the rolls of chicken wire also were quite tedious jobs. Such are the hard lessons of life for the young, probably much to the dismay of the many generous taxpayers who pay for our public school system and give the young the opportunity to grow up and one day, hopefully, become responsible adults.

As seniors at last, most of us were working hard for good grades to launch us into the next stage of life. We couldn’t wait to graduate and taste the real world beyond boring old, small town Vermilion, Ohio. I had to cram 8 courses into a 7 period day that year which was possible because Mrs. Welker allowed me to miss her journalism class if I kept up with the articles as feature editor for the Compass newspaper. I was happy to do so. By then I was spinning stories in most of my spare time with all of my classmates (and sister, Alice) unknowingly filling in as characters to my many tales.

Roger Watkins taught me advanced algebra which was a course I had to have to be accepted into my woman’s college. Readers, however, are well aware of my innate weakness in math so I can’t write that I was one of Mr. Watkin’s most brilliant students. As a matter of fact, dear Tommy Williams and I fought for last place on every test. But I passed the course with my eternal thanks to Mr. Watkins and that was what counted. He was a gem and much adored by the students.

That last year I was varsity cheerleader with Cynthia Avery and we enjoyed going to all the games to cheer on the team. I especially loved basketball. I can still see handsome David Halley in his white and gold basketball uniform driving in for a two point shot.

We were backed by a great pep band under the leadership of the beloved Mr. Burt… Mary Lou Callahan on flute, Roger Boughton and Lynn Roberts on trumpets, Kay Peterka and Darlene Kubishke on clarinets, and many more along with the many boys in our senior class leading the Sailors to victory after victory in football, basketball and track.

And who could forget Martha Harrison and her magnificent contribution to the Vermilion High School band? She was the best drum majorette Vermilion High School ever had and I will never forget the way she led the band out on the field, strutting in high style, as only Martha could do.

“Miss Mary” Chadwick helped me through my hellish year of Spanish 11, French 1 and French 11 and I was very grateful to her. Without her help along with Mr. Watkins, I would not have qualified for my college. I always found our teachers would do anything within their power to help their students and I have never forgotten their help.

One additional gift Miss Mary gave me that has lasted a lifetime was her 6 week session in French 11 on the impressionist painters. She had a collection of beautiful color prints of all the famous artists, Corot, Renoir, Degas, Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Matisse, Van Gogh and many more and we learned a great deal about these painters. This program left me with ongoing love of Impressionism and the French culture.

That last spring Mr. Braden asked me to keep time and scores for home games in track. Under our teachers’ careful direction, my classmates and I were slowly learning responsibilities of approaching adulthood and working together for our school as a team.

I enjoyed Miss Kovanic’s music class and appreciated her many years of working with our class from grade school all the way through graduation. I can still sing some of the songs we learned in grade school…like “Whoopi ti-yi-yo, git along little cowboy, you know that Wyoming will be your new home!” or the sad song the Volga boatmen sang as they oared their way through the dismal canals. In my senior year I especially remember singing “Begin the Beguine.”

That year Mary Lou and I went home for lunch on many a day with Lynn Robert’s to her home which was just a block away. Her splendid mother, Grace Roberts, never complained as we popped in full of laughter and arranged ourselves around her kitchen table as she pulled out sandwich materials and made our lunch. She was one of many wonderful mothers that took care of us during our high school years. Helen Callahan, Mary Lou’s mother, was another mother that comes to mind and I still remember the magnificent chocolate fudge brownies she would bake for us everytime we went to her house. Martha Harrison’s mother’s baked delicious Christmas cookies found in the freezer which we would devour after school. Linda Peck’s parents hosted a group of girls at their lakefront cottage for a week just before graduation. We had such fun together.

One day as graduation was nearing, Cynthia, Lynn, Mary Lou and I talked Mr. Burt into letting us come up with an original dance routine to be accompanied by the Pep band in a program for the entire school body. We donned sexy black clothing and did an upbeat dance to the Pep band’s version of “The Man with the Golden Arm.” We thought we were really something and after we got off the stage, we went from classroom to classroom vamping for the undergraduate students. How the teachers put up with us, one can hardly imagine, but how much fun it was and such a wonderful memory.

Then came the class trip to New York City. As my last days at VHS rolled by, I was strangely overcome with wanting to do something really, really bad. This trait (quirk) is probably deeply connected to my eventual becoming a writer because the best women writers are never the “good girls” that write the boring stuff that good girls ought to write but “bad girls” that delve into more interesting topics.

Thus, carefully and willfully preparing for my eventual ink stained profession, I methodically uncapped a 6 pack of Cokes, spilled a little out of each into the kitchen sink, and filled the bottles to the top with Father’s best bourbon whiskey purloined from the upper shelf in his hunt closet and then, armed thus, so sweetly boarded the train with my classmates. I told only one person of my evil deed; Polly Warner, with whom I had once attempted flight in our home- made airplane constructed of boards and sheets craftily taped together off the roof of the Vermilion Yacht Club (but unlike the Wright Bros, our flight crashed immediately.) Her immediate look of horror suggested that Polly was no longer in the test flight phase of life and, if I knew what was good for me, I had better get rid of the contraband as fast as I could which is pretty hard to do on a speeding train. Fortunately, before we reached Cleveland, I realized I could simply pour the whisky- laced Cokes down the drain in the woman’s powder room. Occasionally, I was able to think of something really brilliant, in spite of myself.

Besides, I had bigger game on my mind than sneaking bourbon in my Coke. The month before, I had gone with Joe Sharpnack one weekend to see sister Alice at Denison University. We had stopped at Kenyon College where I met Noel Bleecker Leggett, 111 of New York City who promptly made a date with me for the next weekend when I would be in NYC.

Dressed in tuxedo, tails, top hat, white silk scarf, cane and CAPE, which was worn rather like a rogue, rakishly half on and half off the shoulders, he came to fetch me at my hotel room for a night of dinner, dancing and riding through Central Park in a horse and carriage.

My classmates were lined up in the hall as we left gawking at the New York gentleman as if they were seeing an apparition. Their faces were screwed into worried expressions, as if they feared their giggling classmate might be diving head first into extremely dangerous waters.

Hah! What did they know about the sophisticated life in New York City? As I passed them arm in arm with my gentleman dapper dressed in full New York City evening regalia, I quite pretended my eyes weren’t bugging out of my head, too. I could do the top hat and tails bit but I had to admit the cane and CAPE was rather a shock. I had never gone out in the evening with a gentleman with a cane and a CAPE. Well, no matter. I stuck up my chin at I passed my concerned classmates with my usual “carry on, come what may” spirit.

One hears that pride cometh before the fall. I should say it does. All was perfect that evening except for one thing. I was drinking a wonderful new beverage which I later learned was pink champagne. It made me giddy, silly, and a bit more giggly than usual.

But no matter, I was having a wondrous time doing New York City up right with this splendid escort, dining and dancing with Arthur Fiedler and his orchestra playing that evening for my wide-eyed enjoyment in the Waldorf Astoria ballroom. Seated right in the in the front row just steps away from Fiedler, I well remember how the waiter called Noel, “Master Noel,” as he took his top hat, scarf, cane and CAPE before seating me. I had entered a new world and…God help me, I liked it.

Unfortunately the pink champagne did not like me. Quite possibly my classmates remember the story. They were waiting for our return lined up against the hotel wall on my floor like a bunch of country bumpkins. It was like walking a gauntlet. To make things worse, I wasn’t feeling a bit well and desperately hoped I could make it to my room in time. I did not. In front of Noel Bleecker Leggett, 111, Mr. Watkins and Mr. Zeimke, and the entire Vermilion, Ohio senior class of ‘59, the elegant pink champagne resurfaced. I spent the night in the bathroom while the good and loyal Mr. Watkins sat talking to Kay Peterka outside the bathroom door just to make sure I would survive my big night in the Big Apple.

Many years later I read a report on the internet that my magnificent date would tragically die in his hotel room in a shootout with the New York City police. This sad ending for this splendid man reminded me of the stunning truth delivered in the poem “Richard Cory” which I had read as a junior in Jack Armstrong’s American Literature class. The poets always get it right.

I distinctly remember graduation night. I was 14th in my class ranking and so proud of it. Darlene Kubishke was ranked first and Kay Peterka a close second. Patsy Reiber had been elected outstanding girl. We marched into the gym in our blue and white gowns to Miss Kovonic’s “Pomp and Circumstance.” We were Vermilion proud.

On the first few rows sat all our teachers…Watkins, Braden, Sosteric, Zeimke, Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder, “Miss Mary” and “Miss Annie” Chadwick, Miss Kovanic, Armstrong, “Doc Ream,” Miss Grob, Mrs. Welker, Mr. Gephardt…the list of names will never be forgotten, heroes everyone.

One last summer remained for me in Vermilion. I stayed in a room over the stand at Linwood Park and waited tables that summer at the old Linwood Hotel along with Kay Peterka and Jeanie Taylor and then left for college in Virginia that September.

Sandra Pratt wrote me in Lynchburg from Vermilion to keep me posted on the news. Her letters stopped coming. She had died from a brain tumor at age 18. Such a beautiful and bright child already lost to our class. How I cried at the terrible news. She was only the first of many classmates that would be lost over the coming years.

My one regret in high school was I never learned to type. I stuck up my nose at typing or anything that I feared would leave me stuck in some traditional woman’s role. Feminism in 1959 was just beginning to rear its ugly head and I was determined never to be roped and corralled into a woman’s role in the business world or society. But for a writer that has written for a newspaper for over 30 years, published 12 books and umpteen articles and stories during a lifetime, how silly was that decision? I still stubbornly “hen peck” my way through my writing projects …just like all the old true feminists still do.

I’m grateful for all the golden memories growing up and receiving a public education in Vermilion, Ohio and also identifying with the solid small town values we learned from our parents and teachers that have lasted a lifetime…honor, honesty, hard work, goal setting, responsibility, tolerance, love for one’s fellow man, life time curiosity, joy, willingness to work hard and to sacrifice for others who are needy, perseverance, humor, courage, appreciation for life’s blessings, loyalty, patriotism, a healthy distrust of government and all politicians, and lastly, a faith in God. These small town values carried us far. Conclusion. C2015.

_{*Read Mary’s latest novel, “The Private War of William Styron,” based on her personal memories and inspiration of the Pulitzer Prize winning novelist. The book is available on Amazon.com or BN.com}

DOUBLE WOW!!!: On Thursday afternoon I found this little booklet in a cabinet in the front office of the Museum. I was really excited to find it. Were I wearing socks they would’ve been knocked off my feet.

This prospectus was prepared by a fellow named Samuel Griffin of Indianapolis Indiana in 1901. It was issued under the auspices of the remand counsel. The mayor was H. R. Williams, the council members were H.L. Minium Nicholas Fisher, S.J. Neiding, C. young, Orson Meeker and William Englebry. It was printed by the Vermillion news.

I plan to use some, but not all, of information in this little booklet in Vermilion Views in future editions.

Now, I'm going to read a little bit from the beginning of the book:

"Vermillion is one of the old landmarks on the south shore of Lake Erie. It occupies a site naturally adapted to the building of the city. Here on the banks of the Vermillion River and the shores of Lake Erie, is an ideal spot high, smooth, well drained beautifully located. Less than 15 years after the founding of the city of Cleveland, the discerning eye the early pioneer saw the advantages and settlement here. The great lake was then the only means of transportation. Although vast changes in our mode of living in means of transportation have been made since the early day, the lake still affords us, as it did 100 years ago, the cheapest and one of the most important means of transportation. During the early days Vermillion was one of the chief seaports of the Great Lakes and was there a port of call for the freight and passenger vessels carrying on commerce of Lake Erie. It gradually became a commercial center to which thousands of people from northern Ohio came with her loads of grain and other products to be sold or exchanged. Shipbuilding was also carried on extensively and some of the largest best of the old class of sailing vessels were built and owned here. Since the decline of the modern shipbuilding, this industry has dwindled into that of building fishing tugs and other small craft.”

You will note that Vermilion, here, is spelled with two ells despite the fact that the change to one el had taken effect in 1898. I attribute that to the fact that the person preparing the prospectus was from Indiana – though I can’t help but wonder why my grandfather didn’t catch it.

But no matter, this is truly an historic document. And there is a plethora of information in it. There are many pictures of the town and people that I’ve never seen before.

So stay tuned. Much of that stuff will appear here. And, P.S., I plan to reproduce the document so others can have it and read it for themselves.