May 3, 1941: Art Society Has Meeting

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 3, 1941.

Art Society Has Meeting

The Porter County Art Association held a May-Day meeting with Miss Edna Agar at 501 North Locust street Thursday evening. Miss Agar was the recipient of congratulations on having received recognition by the Hoosier Salon at Indianapolis for her painting “Our House” which painting has been sold through the Hoosier Salon. The evening was profitably spent in the exchange of different ideas, supported by actual experiences with the various media used by artists to portray abstract concepts or record prosaic realties. The principal points under discussion were the relative values of papers for water colors, canvas, masonite boards, etc., for oils.

Exchange Views

Many interesting experiences were exchanged in the handling of oil colors, cleaning of palettes, brushes, etc. Mr. J.H. Euston of Chesterton has contributed a worth while expedient for cleaning brushes which is a moderate size covered tin can that a short distance above the bottom has a piece of wire screen fastened to the sides below the level of either turpentine or coal oil. The screen served admirably, as the brushes are rubbed over it, to remove the paint. Mr. Amstutz had a rock-group water color. Mrs. Euston presented the members with pretty bon bon baskets in vari-colored paper trimmings.

Mrs. Ponader showed a delicate textile, with linoleum block impressions in blue color. Mrs. Hannell showed a water color study, Miss Agar a letter press study, “Life Begins at Forty”, Mr. Hannell had miniature animal figurines.

Plan Garden Party

A report was received by the committee on the formation of a Business Men’s Amateur Art Club which stated that a meeting of interested persons is to be held on Monday evening, May 5. Arrangements were made for a pot luck garden party meeting at the home of Mr. Amstutz on Chicago Road, June 5 with opportunities for outdoor sketching. The hostess, assisted by Lillian Sayers served delicious strawberry shortcake.

April 14, 1931: “KICK-IN” HAS PLENTY OF KICK; DRAMATIC CLUB SCORES SUCCESS

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on April 14, 1931.

“KICK-IN” HAS PLENTY OF KICK; DRAMATIC CLUB SCORES SUCCESS

An audience at the well-filled Memorial Opera House last evening, learned that “Kick In,” a four-act drama by Willard Mack, lives up to its title. It is packed full with ‘kick.’

An audience even larger than the one that greeted the cast on the opening night is expected to attend the presentation this evening, for all those who have witnessed it are enthusiastic in praise of the excellence of the staging, directed by Miss Edna Agar. 

An orchestra under the direction of Miss Ruth Hershman adds to the enjoyment of the program.

The presentation of “Kick In” is made by the newly organized Valparaiso Dramatic club under the sponsorship of the Drum and Bugle Corps of Charles Pratt Post, American Legion. Proceeds are to be used to defray the expense of sending the drum and bugle corps to the national convention of the American Legion, to be held at Detroit.

“Kick In” is a drama. It deals with the lives of the underworld, and of the handicaps faced by men and women who have gone wrong, in attempting to go straight. It tells of the pitfalls placed in the way of their restoration by crafty and hypocritical police methodsーof the sacrifice, by those in authority, of heroic effort on the part of those seeking to make good, to gain promotions.

The production has been on the legitimate stage for yearsーand it demands real dramatic ability on the part of every member of the cast. That the Valparaiso Dramatic club fully measures to the demands made upon it, by the difficult production is the highest commendation that can be given it. There were no weak spots. Characters were well chosen for their parts.

Harvey Varner as the hard-boiled police commissioner who is seemingly merciless, but finally shows that he is human, by giving the ex-convict, Chick Hewes (Herbert Deer) and Molly, his wife (Martha Hughes) another chance for freedom, even though he could have ‘framed’ them, demonstrated real dramatic ability. Henry Eschell was most convincing in his portrayal of Charley, Molly’s dope-fiend brother. From sudden silence to hysterical frenzy, he realistically enacted the gamut of human emotion. Lorraine Kinne, as the ‘ould Irish leddy’ with Lillian Sayers, her daughter, furnished the comedy relief in a play that otherwise was shot full of tense moments. These young ladies have talents so well known that little need be said to picture them in the minds of local home-talent ‘fans.’

Another of the outstanding characters was ‘Myrtle,’ the gangster’s Moll. Irmadell Johnson plays the part as it should be played.

“Memphis Bessie (Mrs. Frank Morton) is one of the toughest Southern Belles that ever reformed. Talking back to the commissioner was one of the best things she ‘didn’t do nothing else but.’ Jack Diggs (Arthur Erickson), one of the best hearted detectives, was nearer right in the solution of the crime than his double-crossing partner, ‘Whip’ Fogarty (Bruce Bornholt). This character was one of the most deceitful, downright ‘ornery’ persons imaginable. Through his offices it was that Chick and Molly nearly went to prison for a crime of which they were innocent.  Stanley Alms was excellent in his part of ‘Old Tom,’ Garvey’s ‘office boy’ policeman (he really should have a pension). The part of Gus, another plain-clothes man was ably handled by Jack Kozlenko.

The talent in the Dramatic club is unusual and could not have made the vivid performance of last evening under a more capable director than Edna Agar. it is almost axiomatic in Valparaiso that ‘if Edna Agar directs, it’s good.” Miss Agar was assisted, last evening, by Miss Babe Sazon.

April 11, 1941: Art Association Meets At V. M. Hannell Home; Inspect Members’ Work

Art Association Meets At V. M. Hannell Home; Inspect Members’ Work

The regular April meeting of the Porter County Art Association was held at the interesting studio home of Mr. and Mrs. V. M. S. Hannell at Furnessville. Owing to the inclement weather the attendance was not as large as usual, but the enthusiasm left nothing to be desired.

A general pamphlet put out by the Associated Art clubs, relative to the forming of a Business Men’s Sketch club, was passed around for inspection. A general discussion followed and the matter of forming a similar organization in Valparaiso was left with Mr. Euston and Mrs. Amstutz to work out.

As announced, the members present made charcoal and other sketches of Mrs. Ponader, who posed for the group. The results were varied as the different angles of observation brought into being a number of sketches other than profiles.

The sylvan retreat of the Hannell’s has become quite a mecca for art lovers. They exhibited many specimens of pottery production, carvings and paintings which show a wide versatility.

The pottery itself, at a distance down a sharp incline back of the studio-proper, was open for inspection. Here the Hannells have a large kiln now supplied with an automatic oil burner.

A replica of an historic potter’s wheel has been made by Hannell. It comprises a vertical shaft passing through an operator’s scat. A very heavy stone table is on the upper end of the shaft and near its lower end a similar diameter and heavy stone is on the shaft. This stove is rotated by the feet of the operator. The great weight of the stone maintains steadiness of rotation.

Euston showed three points of drypoint etchings he has made since the last meeting of the club. These are exquisite specimens of his charming style.

Miss Agar displayed a most interesting watercolor sketch of an old lady.

At the close of the evening’s work Mrs. Hannell served delicious tea and cookies, made doubly interesting because they were served from tea pots and cups made by the hostess herself, which gave added charm to the occasion.

The May meeting will be with Miss Edna Agar.

Feb. 4, 1941: Kappas Laud Miss Agar’s Salon Entry

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 4, 1941.

Kappas Laud Miss Agar’s Salon Entry

Miss Katherine Jones was hostess to 40 Tri kappas Monday evening in the hospitable home of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. G.R. Jones, on East Lincolnway.

Miss Edna Agar, member of Iota Chapter, was lauded by her sister-members for the distinction she won for herself in having her picture “Our House” accepted in the 1941 Hoosier Art Salon which is now having its seventeenth annual showing at Marshall Field’s in Chicago. There are 127 active chapters in Tri Kappa in the state, the majority of which belong to the Hoosier salon Patrons’ association. The grand council of Tri Kappa gives a first prize award of $450 each year.

During the salon members of Kappa Kappa Kappa from all over Indiana Attend the annual K. K. K. day and enjoy the pictures in the salon. Mrs. Avery Weaver, local chapter president, expressed the pride she and Mr. Weaver felt while attending the pre-view of the salon in knowing Miss Agar personally and seeing her picture listed as number two hanging on the walls of the salon.

It was the unanimous opinion that Mrs. John Lowenstine, local corresponding secretary, [illegible] Editor of Cross Keys, the sorority’s state publication, and request that Miss Agar’s name be listed as “Who’s Who” in Tri Kappa. A few years ago Miss Agar’s work passed a jury in California while she was with the Walt Disney studio. Only last fall the local girls, because of their appreciation and pride in Edna and her artistic ability, commissioned her to paint a picture for the Tri Kappa room in the Porter Memorial hospital.

Several matters of major importance pertaining to the sorority’s interests were discussed and voted upon and reports from various committees on current projects were given.

At the close of the lengthy business meeting the members were served delicious refreshments by Miss Jones and her assistants, Mesdames William and Paul Nuppnau, Jr. Bridge and conversation concluded a most successful evening.