March 19, 1976: Tops In County’s Science Fair

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 19, 1976

Tops In County’s Science Fair

By RUTH ANN McWHORTER

MALDEN ー Students from five of the six townships in the county school system won first place awards at the County Elementary Science Fair held at Morgan Township School Thursday.

First place winners included, from kindergarten to sixth grade; Matthew Thomas, Morgan Township, whose exhibit proved that plants need light (the ones in the dark died); Timmy Albrecht, Kouts, whose exhibit by Dawn Radice and Christi Sowder, Boone Grove, whose exhibit also investigated the properties of air; Bruce Snow, Kouts, who investigated oldtime and modern cleansing agents; Barbara Nadolski, Washington Township, who found that a plant would grow better under a white light bulb than under a colored bulb; joint exhibit by Amy Ehrhardt and Kim Lyon, Union Center, who found that water is not the only substance that can be used to extinguish fires; and a joint exhibit by Julie Herma and Michelle Wallace, Kouts, with an exhibit on how genetics affects one’s ability to roll one’s tongue.

In the class projects, winner in the primary division was project of Union Center second grade class of Kathleen Glenn (blue room) which investigated “what is hibernating under the snow?” Winner is the intermediate division was Kouts sixth grade class taught by Lia Ann McCormick, whose class investigated whether there are differences in brands of gasoline.

The Kouts class, which includes 23 students, did a lot of research on oil and gas products prior to beginning their exhibit, reported science teacher Gerald Gearhart. The students learned that the more refined oil products are, the more they evaporate (as an example, asphalt, which is at the bottom of the refinement process, evaporates very little). As a consequence, the students believed that the beter gas, which is more refined, would evaporate faster.

For their experiment, the class divided regular grade gas into categories of expensive (more than 55.9 cents a gallon), medium (53.9 to 55.9 cents) and cheap (less than 53.9 cents a gallon).

They found that, on the average, the expensive gas evaporated faster, and was thus better refined and more combustible, and also gave better mileage in their lawnmower. Gearhard said the class worked on the project for more than a month.

Award for the outstanding class project went to the Union Center sixth grade class of Robert J. Bobos, which found that charcoal produced the most ash, of about 33 substances burned by the class.

Outstanding individual exhibits were by Boone Grove students Karin Herrick and Vincent Regan. First grader Karin investigated how the spinning of a top is influenced by different factors (attachment of paper clips, pastings protruding slips of paper to the top, and by spinning it on a rough surface ー sandpaper). Vincent explained in an elaborate exhibit why fuses are important.

Second place ribbons at the fair were awarded to Mark Sinar, Boone Grove, first grade; Matt Maxwell, Boone Grove, second grade; Arthur Womack, Union Center, third grade; and Brad Wandrey and Greg Yergler, Kouts, sixth grade.

Class projects receiving second place were second grade Kouts class of Janet Robertson and fourth grade Union Center class of Marilyn Dodrill.

Third place awards went to Jennifer Herma, Kouts, first grade; Jan Herma; Kouts, second grade; Mary Jo Knoblock, Boone Grove, third grade; Kathleen Fitzgerald, Boone Grove, fourth grade; and Vincent Lazar, Boone Grove, sixth grade.

Third place class exhibits were both from Kouts ー second grade taught by Sue Ann Pickard and fifth grade taught by Gloria Nightingale.

Project of Union Center sixth grade class taught by Robert J. Bobos was judged outstanding class project at Porter County Schools Elementary Science Fair held at Morgan Township School Thursday. Luann Jipping (left) and Allan Jones (right) accepted plaque for their class. Trash can incinerator in foreground of photo is part of class exhibit, in which various materials were burned to determine which created the greatest amount of ash. Purple ribbons for outstanding individual student projects at fair were awarded to (sitting) Karin Herrick, first grade, and Vincent Regan, fifth grade, both of Boone Grove School.

March 12, 1966: TO HIGHEST BIDDER

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 12, 1966.

TO HIGHEST BIDDER

This 1929 Chevrolet fire truck will be sold to the highest bidder at auction planned by Kouts town board at the community's Town Hall on March 21 at 8 p.m. No longer used by Kouts Volunteer Fire department, this vehicle was a former chemical tank truck and was converted for hose usage in 1939 when Kouts got its water works. Vehicle has 1,165 miles registered on its speedometer. In truck, George Fall; front, Leland Jarnecke, town marshal, and Fire Chief Richard Chael.

March 5, 1946: Kouts Music Boosters Run Into Man-Power Problem

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 5, 1946.

Kouts Music Boosters Run Into Man-Power Problem

By HERB STEINBACH

KOUTSーThe Kouts Music Boosters continue to function on behalf of improved musical education for the school pupils of their community, but the groups are not in as high a gear as they visioned when they organized early this winter.

This lack of an overall spark has been quite noticeable in recent meetings, and became more apparent than ever Monday night when the March meeting was held in the school building, with only 12 people present.

“It seems as though there are only a minority who are carrying on the work of the Music Boosters here in Kouts,” President Walter Newsom reported. “Our fund raising programs have been well patronized, but there are not enough people in the community who are taking an active interest in our business meetings.”

Junior Band to Play

In order to provide additional stimulus for a better turnout at the April 1 meeting, the Boosters have announced that the junior band, under the direction of Miss Muriel Wood, will make its public debut that night with a ½-hour concert.

Newsom states that a program by the junior band will help boost the youngsters’ musical enthusiasm, and at the same time it should attract more parents to the meeting.

The Boosters have approximately $300 in the treasury now, it was announced at Monday’s meeting, but the final report in the recent public dance proceeds was not complete.

This coming thursday, Mar. 7, another Booster project, showing of moving pictures to the public once a week, gets underway. The initial movie, starting at 7:30, will be “Pecks Bad Boy at the Circus.” a matinee for school children will be held that noon.

Sub for PTA

Pictures are to be shown at the school during five successive weeks. They are to be held on successive Thursdays, with the exception of the second show, “Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” which will be shown Friday, Mar. 15, because the Farm Bureau has a meeting scheduled at the school for Thursday, Mar. 14.

Not only are the Boosters helping spread musical education in the community, but it is becoming apparent that they are being looked upon as a P.T.A. pinch-hitter, inasmuch as the town has no Parent-Teacher association.

During the latter part of April the club will be called on to furnish a committee to help doctors and nurses who will make a physical checkup of children of preschool age who are to enter the first grade in September. President Newsom as yet has not appointed this committee.

Feb. 25, 1946: Rampage Ends In County Jail Cell; Offender Is Sad But Wiser Citizen

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 25, 1946.

Rampage Ends In County Jail Cell; Offender Is Sad But Wiser Citizen

Herman Klemz, Valparaiso man, and former Kouts resident, went on a rampage Saturday to prove to his family and Valparaiso and Porter county authorities that he is a tough hombre.

Today he is ruminating in his cell in the county jail, a sadder but wiser fellow, and at the same time considerably chastened.

This morning he appeared before Judge J.A. Fleishbein in Porter superior court to answer changes he violated a restraining order issued by the court preventing him from molesting his wife, Ella, and daughter, 208 Napoleon street, pending a divorce action. He was remanded to jail for a cooling off period.

Ransacks House

Saturday Klemz went to his wife’s home and ransacked the house. He locked the door after leaving the premises and his wife had to gain entrance through a window.

Later Klemz returned to the home and became embroiled in an argument with his wife and daughter. Mrs. Klemz charged her husband made threats against her, the daughter, Atty. James W. Chester, Mrs. Klemz’ counsel, and also said he would kill police who interfered.

Sheriff Harry Borg and city police went to the home and arrested Klemz despite the fact he barricaded the doors and was armed with a rifle and revolver.

Attacks Prisoner

Saturday night Klemz became unruly in jail and he was placed in a cell. Later upon his promise to be “good” he was allowed in the bullpen. His first gesture of good will was to kick Robert Brown, of Niles, Mich, held on a charge of murder, in the groin. Brown was painfully hurt but he got up later to clash with Klemz. In the ensuing battle with Brown and others in the jail, Klemz was severely pummeled. This morning when he appeared in court he sported two black eyes.

Feb. 2, 1961: SPRING AROUND CORNER?

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 2, 1961.

SPRING AROUND CORNER?

Despite the current cold weather, the Kankakee River appeared to be on the move when the photo was snapped by a Vidette-Messenger photographer Wednesday. The view was taken from Baum’s Bridge Road south of Kouts  and shows the river breaking through on move downstream. Is this a harbinger of an approaching spring?

Jan. 13, 1951: Kouts’ Oldest Groceryman Is Retiring

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January  13, 1951.

Kouts’ Oldest Groceryman Is Retiring

KOUTS, Jan. 13ーThe termination of a grocery business started 23 years ago, will be affected today, when Henry Dux, Kouts’ oldest groceryman and operator of the IGA store bearing his name will close his doors in consummation of a deal made with Harold Shearer, prominent Kouts businessman, a few days ago, according to an announcement from the bustling Pleasant Township community today.

Mr. Dux, aged 61, came to Kouts in 1918 from North Judson, and began his grocery career in 1927, in the same building he is now closing.

He took charge when his father-in-law became ill and was unable to operate the business. Prior to that time he had been employed by the Pennsylvania railroad in Kouts.

Decides To Retire

Decision to retire from the active operation of the grocery business was prompted by the change of method of operation when he began selling 23 years ago, and the “highly competitive” type of “survival of the fittest” merchandising methods employed in the grocery business today, according to Mr. Dux.

Concerning his plans for the future, Mr. Dux stated that he will undergo a complete rest from the trials and tribulations of the business world, for the next three weeks. He plans to visit his son, James, in Detroit, and many other friends in the vicinity.

Following that tenure of semi-retirement, Mr. Dux announced that he will aid Mr. Shearer in the operation of the Foodland Grocery.

Dec. 30, 1930: CITY IS ORGANIZING FOR “BATTLE” - SEEK TO STIR COMMUNITY TO CIVIC ‘PERIL’

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 30, 1930.

CITY IS ORGANIZING FOR “BATTLE”

SEEK TO STIR COMMUNITY TO CIVIC ‘PERIL’

Rotary and Kiwanis Ready to Join Chamber of Commerce in Opposition to ‘Goodrich Phone Deal’.

DESIRE FARM BUREAU AND COUNCIL SUPPORT

That Valparaiso’s civic, commercial and industrial interests are going to organize to carry-on the three-year fight against the proposed in pending split up of their telephone service system, was clearly apparent today.

During the last 24 hours, the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs have voted to join with the Chamber of Commerce to “see things through.”

J. William Bosse, retiring as secretary-manager of the city's civic organization to become deputy state superintendent of public instruction under the new Democratic regime, which takes control next march, has determined to center his efforts, the last weeks of his service here, to the organization of the city and community through an effective agency, to battle for its rights and future.

Monday Mr. Bossee appeared before the Rotary club, reviewed the split-up of the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company which means the arbitrary division of Porter county’s telephone Communications between two companies, pointed out the handicaps against community units in progress that will result, and received pledge of spirit support.

Today Mr. Bosse placed the facts of the telephone deal, by which Former Governor James P. Goodrich, through his political power, Indiana, has engineered the transaction to the point where the Public Service Commission has reserved two former rulings and given its approval to a transaction it has held to be “against the public interest” before the members of the Kiwanis club.

The Kiwanis club voted to join with Rotary in support of Chamber of Commerce opposition to the phone deal.

Mr. Bosse is known to desire the active backing of the city administration and of the Porter County Farm Bureau. The Spooner-Leetz administration, predecessor of the present Schenck administration, was active in its support and civic leaders are confident that the governing body will quickly respond. As soon as the farmers and residents of the surrounding communities realize that their interests are equally at stake, with those of Valparaiso, their support is certain to be forthcoming.

Mr. Bosse hopes that the city administration and Farm Bureau will follow the lead of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and appoint committees of three members, to participate in the formation of a central organization through which the fight against the telephone deal will be directed.

“Valparaiso and Porter county have worked for years for better and closer community relations. They have common aspirations and interests. They have realized that their future development is linked closely with the development of the Calumet and Chicago districts, and now through the proposed telephone deal, they are to be split apart,” explains Mr. Bosse.

“They must fight a common fight for mutual protection and advantages. If one loses, all lose,” he added.

The first step to make effective resistance to the latest order of the Service Commission, is the creation of an organization that will unify all community interests. The next step is to adopt a plan for financing efforts.

So far over $500 as being expanded in the contest. There may be a need of $1,000 more. It is possible that attorney Bruce B. Loring who has successfully directed all the legal moves, will  desire the co-operation of an attorney especially versed in the telephone in general utility field.

It is recalled locally, that the LaPorte community recently was successful in making remonstrance in a telephone rate increase contest and financed its efforts through an appeal to all telephone users to subscribe one dollar each to the fund which was augmented by larger subscriptions by the business, banking and industrial interests.

Attorney Loring is understood to plan an appeal to the courts from the commission’s latest ruling whereby it reversed itself and followed the order issued by Judge E. Miles Norton of Lake county, whom Goodrich, when governor, named to the bench, and gave approval to the deal by which Goodrich’s company, the Winona company of Plymouth, gains control of the Valparaiso and Kouts exchanges and the Crown Point Telephone company control of the exchanges at Chesterton Wheeler and Hobart.

If this division is finally made, Valparaiso, the county seat, and all the rural community surrounding it, will be set apart from Chesterton, Wheeler, Hobart, the new steel city development at Port Williams, and the Dunes region development generally.

Those who have taken the leadership of community opposition to the Goodrich scheme are certain that once the full meaning of the proposed transaction is understood, that hundreds of citizens will enlist in the contest, the successful termination of which means so much to county unity and progress.

Dec. 20, 1935: Kouts Has Tree, But Holiday Garb For It Seems Unlikely; Fire Chief Wise Sets Record

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 20, 1935.

Kouts Has Tree, But Holiday Garb For It Seems Unlikely; Fire Chief Wise Sets Record

(BY ROBERT ALLETT)

KOUTS, Dec. 20.ーKouts has a Christmas tree, but unless the American Legion decides to do something about it at their meeting tonight, there won’t be any lights on it this year. The tree, which might be used, is located in a park owned by the Pennsylvania railroad. No public observance of Christmas is planned for the community, which hasn’t celebrated the coming of St. Nick with anything special in the past five or six years.

The town board at its meeting Monday night turned down a suggestion that it buy a tree and trim it, for two reasons. In the first place town board members think the merchants should sponsor such a project and in the second place they remember that the last time a tree was decorated it stood in the downtown district until the middle of summer!

Of course, the Holidays will not come and go unnoticed here. Individual merchants have spread the cheer in their business establishments, J.G. Benkie’s Drug store with an attractive old English display in its windows, and Henry Dux, Fred Perry, Roy Wandry, Rasmussen’s, Quirk’s, Walk’s, Denison’s, Lee Murray, and Lee Fleming all having tinsel and festoons, or setting up brightly colored trees both in and outside their establishments.

Today at the high school which [illegible from water damage] a two week’s vacation, pupils were entertained with programs and treated to gifts. Grades one and two, three and four, five to eight and the high school held separate parties. Dramatics, music and surprise packages were headliners on the various programs.

Santa Claus will appear Tuesday night at Walt’s grocery and at Quirk and Co., distributing free candy and trinkets to several hundred children.

ー

Even if the fire didn’t amount to much, Chief Si Wise thinks he hung up something of a record in responding to an alarm Thursday morning at 10:20. The siren screamed while Si was up on a ladder in front of a local grocery store where he was decorating a Christmas tree.

Si jumped to the ground, made a hundred yard dash to the nearby fire station, broke the glass in the key box when he found the door locked, and unassisted drove the engine to Jim Herring’s Tavern, scene of the excitement. It was merely an overheated chimney burning out and when Jim shut the draft off the fire died down.

Nevertheless, Si had come and gone with his apparatus before other merchants in town, who had heard the siren, could get outdoors to see where the fire was. At least that’s the story.

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The last 1935 meeting of the town board, held Monday night, marked the farewell appearance of William Salzer, clerk-treasurer, Chris Daumers, president, and Carl Peters councilman from the fourth ward Emil Hofferth and Fred Perry remain [illegible from water damage] board for another term and new members who will make take over their duties after Jan. 1 are Gust Rosenbaum, who replaces Daumers, Oscar Maxwell, who replaces Peters, and James Griffith, who is the new clerk-treasurer.