FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY: The photo accompanying this week’s column is hardly a good one. That’s because it’s a picture of a picture of a picture. And the original picture (to be blunt) “wasn’t anything to write home about.” But no matter, I certainly recognize both the people in the photo as well as the site where it was taken. And hopefully, there are still a few persons about Vermilion who also remember: Norm and Ruth Duperow and the restaurant that carried their name (Duperow’s) on Main Street: Today (2016) that space is occupied by a pleasant little gift shop called Lee’s Landing.

Both Norm (aka “Red”) and Ruth were from Cleveland, Ohio. Red was born to Benona and Mary Duperow on December 7, 1896. His father was French Canadian. His mom was born in Ohio. Ruth was born on October 13, 1904. Her father, Walter, and mother, also named Mary, were born in Germany. Her mom migrated to the U.S. in 1886 and her dad in 1891. Both fathers were Spanish-American War veterans.

While I have no idea as to whether Ruth and Norm knew one another while living in Cleveland it is clear that if not they most certainly would have come to know each other when visiting Volunteer Bay just west of Vermilion with their respective families. As many persons may know, Volunteer Bay (VPJ 08/21/03 and 10/05/06) was established in 1922 by a group of Spanish-American War veterans. The veterans purchased a 55 acre tract of farmland roughly 3 miles west of Vermilion Village, and on this land they planted the seeds for a “planned community” where only honorably discharged veterans of the Spanish-American War, their wives, widows, and / or lineal descendants could and / or would forever abide. Red and Ruth, of course, would’ve been two of those descendants.

I don’t know when the couple met or when they married. But they obviously did. I know that in 1941 Red was not yet married while working at the Plum Brook Ordnance Works in Sandusky and living at Volunteer Bay. Consequently, the couple likely exchanged vows during, or very shortly after, the war. I also know that they had already established their restaurant in Vermilion by 1950. Previously the restaurant had been owned and operated as the Shack Lunch by a local character and very Irish man named Jack Gray.

The eatery was basically a blue-collar crowd interspersed with a few suit and necktie persons during breakfast and break-times. Generally it was a two-person operation. Red cooked and Ruth took the orders and served. During the summer months they did hire a waitress to help out. But I never saw them overwhelmed with customers. They were open from about 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. I really don’t remember when the restaurant closed. It was probably several years before Red died in January of 1976. Ruth passed in May of 1998.

The Duperows were good friends with my parents. Both couples were about the same age and had several things in common. Ruth and my mother were both active in the local chapter of Eastern Stars as well as the local chapter of Business and Professional Women and local veteran’s associations. They enjoyed each other’s company. On Sundays they would hop in our old Pontiac and visit cemeteries all over the region collecting epitaphs. (Go figure.)

Red and my father were both veterans of WW1. Both served and were wounded (slightly) in France. Red’s father was (as said) French Canadian. My father was born in Nova Scotia. When Red had a few too many he’d start blathering in Canadian French and my father, who also had a few more than he should, would listen. I don’t know that either the speaker or the listener ever made any sense of those conversations. But maybe it didn’t matter. They were friends.

LOOKING BACK (AND FORTH): Pictured is the last room we worked on in the museum apartment. And looking back all I can say is, "Wow, how depressing it first appeared." The plaster was in decent condition, but the grey walls and ceiling were just terrible. As a consequence the walls are bright (may too bright) yellow, and the ceiling is white. But what a difference.

Sometimes I look back at these pics in disbelief. The change has been dramatic. (But wonderful.)

Election passed off quietly in Vermilion Tuesday, the result being that both town and Township went Democratic by 20 Prohibition votes cast.

The amendments to the Constitution were forgotten by a large percent of the voters.

The ballots in the village were much cut up and it took until nearly noon Wednesday to finish the count. In the township the count was completed at an early hour in the morning. The Vermilion candidates polled a large vote. C.H. Nuhn, Democratic candidate for treasurer receiving a majority of 242. Henry Schmoll, Democratic candidate for Infirmary Director received a total of 363 votes out of 565 cast. Morse, Republican candidate for the same office received 256 and Blair, Republican candidate for commissioner 325 votes.

The vote this year was the heaviest ever cast in Vermilion being 564.

The Amendments to the Constitution were lost. The Democrats will gain several members. Carl Anderson will succeed Mouser, from this district.

In Huron, the township and town gave Taft a majority of 51 and Harris 3 majority.

Florence township gave Taft 15 majority.

A very pretty home Wedding took place Wednesday evening, November 4th, 1908 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles a Mattison on Huron Street. The occasion being a marriage of her sister, Miss Martha Wagner of Buffalo N. Y., to Mr. Alfred Tadloo of Cleveland Ohio. Rev. A.G. Lomman of the German Reformed Church of this place officiating, the beautiful ring service being used. The bride was given away by her father Mr. William Wagner and Master Ralph Law acted his ring bearer. The bride’s gown was a beautiful gray silk and a traveling suit of blue.

The home was prettily decorated in white and green, the white being principally chrysanthemums.

The out-of-town guests were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schonberger and daughter of Lorain and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Poe and son of Cleveland.

The giftss to the bride were very useful and beautiful consisting of silver cut glass and hand-painted china.

Mr. and Mrs. Tadloo left last evening over the Electric line for Cleveland O., their future home.

_{THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE WILL HAVE AT LEAST 300 VOTES IN THE ELECTRICAL COLLEGE.}

[NOTE: Those are just the headlines but I used them because I found it interesting that although Taft was an Ohioan he did not win in Vermilion. I would’ve bet that Vermilion would’ve been Republican and voted for Taft. I, obviously, would have lost that bet. Very interesting.]

While working at the Ohio Quarry Monday, James Harris had his hand badly crushed in one of the pulleys.

Ms. Elida Eggert is reported very ill with typhoid pneumonia at the home of her parents east of town.

Empire-style coats are in high favor for both evening and dress wear the day.

Nelson Bruckner returned Saturday from Mount Sinai Hospital, Cleveland where he underwent an operation for appendicitis.

The funeral of Mrs. Alvena Rahm who died at her home in East Quarry on Saturday, was held Monday, Rev. Fuessner conducting the funeral services.

About $25 worth of tools belonging to Harmon Bodman and R.C. Kelch carpenters were taken from the new home of A.C. Walsh’s new house on on East street. Thursday night someone gain entrance to the room with a key.

J.C. Steinman, assistant claim agent of the L.S. and M.S. Ry. was here to investigate the injuries of those who were hurt in the fire a short time ago. Several men were given a few dollars and the doctor bills paid. The work of the fire department was praised.

BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Vern Zilk Sunday evening, a daughter.

BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davies, Sunday evening, a daughter.

Mrs. Fred Schacht of South Amherst is reported seriously ill with typhoid fever.

Matt Krebs while assisting in raising a barn at Julius Dute’s, Monday fell and received a badly sprained ankle.

NOTICE: Henry Baker will give a dance of this place, Saturday evening, November 7, 1908. Everyone is invited.

Clyde Huessner’s horse is slowly improving.

Don't forget to take a trip in the airship at the method Methodist Church parlors, Friday evening, November 13.

The Mrs. Catherine Decker and Ethel Bottomley attended the play at the Majestic theater at Lorain one evening this week.

Hazen Thompson was home from Cleveland over Sunday.

The Saturday night dances will be discontinued for a month or until further notice. By order of Committee.

Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Blattner and daughter Alma spent Sunday at Cleveland guest of Mrs. B's sister.

Mr. Herrmann of Gibson both O. who has been employed at the electric station for the past few weeks has had the misfortunate to burn his hands and face by electricity Tuesday night while in charge of his duties. The burns while painful are not serious.

Now that the election is over let’s get busy.

Albert Hart is attending college at Ada spent the first of the week at home.

Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Patton and son returned from a month’s visit with relatives and friends in Leavenworth, Kansas.

The Vermilion Telephone Company put a wire into the town hall and furnished very satisfactory report. The company is also furnished returns to Birmingham. The Bell company also furnished returns.

The east end candidate of both parties seem to be defeated. That is too bad. They were all good men. They can feel satisfied that Vermilion did so well by them.

SOMETHING TO PONDER: While transcribing info from the NEWS during the week I was just looking at some of the ads therein, and this one for Englebry’s Undertaking caught my eye. There’s nothing terribly unusual about it, but I began to wonder what Englebry was using for his ambulance calls back in 1908.

After studying the files for some time I was aware of the fact that automobiles were just then coming to some prominence in the area. Consequently, I understood that Englebry probably didn’t have a motorized vehicle for emergencies. Thus, I began to wonder what an ambulance – a horse drawn ambulance – looked like back then.

I found several pix of them and opted to use the one pictured. In truth, it isn’t Englebry’s. It is only one that I imagined he might have used. Even then I believe that it only transported patients. Treatment would not be available during transportation – only before and after. I suppose that treatment enroute would’ve been nearly impossible back then when one considers both the mode (i.e. horse and wagon) and the condition of the roads. Expedience would’ve like been the main reason for using such transport.

THE CURMEDGEON OF YESTERYEAR: There are, beyond a shadow of any doubts, some very wonderful activities occurring in the heart of Vermilion throughout the year. Aside from the festivals, the summer “Third Thursday” event certainly attracts a crowd. And then there is the annual “Ice Affair” and the “Chocolate Festival” at the library. And the list goes on. I am inclined to see the multitudes of persons attending these events to be “mind-boggling”. Were I twelve years old again I believe I’d really appreciate these things. But I’m not – and I don’t. But no matter: Time marcheth on. And even a curmudgeon such as myself has no choice but to go with the ever-proverbial flow.

Yet, as disinterested as I am with these festive happenings, I can’t help but be enamored by the ever-changing, ever-evolving visage of our town that has likely been caused by their presence and persistence. In short, the Vermilion I knew in the yesteryear is not the Vermilion we know today – not even close. The photographs accompanying this week’s essay will better underline that thought.

Many, if not all, Vermilionites will recognize the buildings pictured on the south side of Liberty Avenue between Grand and Main / Division streets. The stately looking building on the left was built in 1908 to house the Vermillion Banking Company. The bank closed – essentially merging with the Erie County Bank – during the banking crisis caused by the event we now refer to as the “Great Depression” during the early 1930s. It may interest some to know that in 1908 some of the first brass cast at Vermilion’s Wakefield Brass Company were letters advertising the bank that were embedded in the walk outside the bank. [Note: Like the cannonballs that once sat by the cannons in Exchange Park their whereabouts will most likely and forever remain a mystery of local history.]

The large brick building to the right is probably the oldest building on the north side of the block. At one time Capt. Henry Delker, a Civil War veteran and later a belated casualty of that war operated a dry goods store therein. After Delker died a Vermilion man named Lewis Englebry owned and operated a haberdashery at that site. [A note about Mr. Englebry: In 1914 Englebry, who reportedly weighed about 315 pounds, became what was perhaps the heaviest individual known to fly in a flying machine (a Benoist [ben-owah] Airboat) when he rode with aero-pioneer Tony Janus from the beach at Linwood Park to Cedar Point in Sandusky.] Later, as seen in this c.1936 photo, it was serving the town as the Liberty Theatre. Initially it featured silent films, but quickly adapted movies with sound as soon as they were available. The theatre was Vermilion’s entertainment hub for several generations (i.e. about 50 years).

In the years following the bank’s closure Vermilion attorneys Tom Williams and his son Mark kept their law offices in the building. In recent years it also served as an office for an insurance agency. But currently (2016) the building is a wine bar with the clever moniker of “The Wine Vault”. In both the yesteryear and today it is undeniably an attractive building. However, as indicated, in relation to what seems a tsunami of festive events taking place in the town the business seems very appropriate and the appearance of the building, as a result, has been likewise enhanced.

Next door the appearance of the old Liberty Theatre has also been improved. While it is too bad that the marquee no longer shades the walk in front of the building, currently the home of an art gallery called the “Art Seen”, it too fits comfortably into the ever-changing atmosphere of the town.

What doesn’t fit, I’ve come to recognize, is me. And like good ol’ Charlie Brown said, “Sometimes I lie awake at night and ask ‘Where have I gone wrong’, then a voice says to me ‘This is going to take more than one night’”. And so it will.

VERMILION TRIVIA: This is really cool - the Vermilion Trivia game. I'd heard about in the past, but I've never seen one until Ms. Kneisel brought this one into the museum.

Along with the game are several decks of playing cards that were once handed out by the owners of the Vermilion Mill (where the Mill Manor nursing home is currently located).

One thing I note about the trivia game is that one might now call it the Vermilion history trivia game because many of the names and places in it have changed.