May 12, 1951: Hollywood Brunette Finds Valparaiso Is ‘Romantic’

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 12, 1951.

Hollywood Brunette Finds Valparaiso Is ‘Romantic’

By JOHN HARMON

What does a Hollywood screen actress think of Valparaiso?

Miss Margaret Field, playing one of the lead roles in the motion picture being produced on the Valparaiso university campus, chowed enthusiasm campus, showed enthusiasm about the city and the picture when interviewed by a reporter for The Vidette-Messenger.

“It’s a lovely city,” Miss Field said and then added ー “A very romantic little place.”

The pretty brunette, who is starred in a film now being released in Hollywood, had more to say on the subject:

“I think Valparaiso university would be a very wonderful place to go to school.”

When asked about the VU picture, the Hollywood actress was even more enthusiastic:

“It’s a very fine picture and I am happy to have a part in it. It should be a great inspiration because it tells a story and will be even more impressive because it is based on true facts of what actually happened, as I understand them.”

The picture, titled “Faith That Moves Mountains,” was inspired by the university students who built the engineering laboratories on the local campus three years ago.

On TV, Too

Miss Field, who was under contract to Paramount Pictures for four-and-one-half years, will soon be seen in the lead role of the film “The Man From Planet X”ーjust released. Among her other achievements is a leading role in “Solitaire,” a television program sponsored by The Fireside Theatre to be released over TV channels in September. She was graduated from Pasadena Junior college where she was studying when a Hollywood talent scout discovered her.

Working on the set here Friday was Hollywood Actor Monte Blue who will be remembered for his star roles in silent films. Also on location at the university campus yesterday was Charles Lane, one of the top characters in the movie colony. Both men flew from Hollywood Thursday and returned to the motion picture capital today after contributing their part to the film.

Miss Field was not the only member of the Hollywood party who expressed enthusiasm about the town Guy V. Thayer, Jr., vice president of Roland Reed Productions, Inc., and associate producer of the film, told The Vidette-Messenger:

“The cooperation here has been wonderful and we are about a day ahead of schedule. If it hadn’t been for the rain we would have been even further ahead.”

Other Hollywood people taking parts in the movie include Miss Marjorie Lord, Robert Clark, Jimmy Lloyd, Clark Howatt, Tom Neal, Summer Getchell, Ralph Brook and Don Hayden.

The picture is directed by Frank Strayer.

Actress Says She Likes Valparaiso

HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS Miss Margaret Field, who has a part in the motion picture being produced on the Valparaiso university campus, tells V-M Sports Editor John Harmon all about the movie in a special interview at Hotel Lembke here. Harmon, incidentally, is scheduled to have a small bit in the picture, playing the part of a visiting sports writer who has come to see the Valparaiso university Crusaders play basketball. The picture is being produced by Roland Reed Productions, Inc., of Hollywood.

(V-M Staff Photo)

May 1, 1956: Rathbone Is No Mystery Book Reader

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 1, 1956.

Rathbone Is No Mystery Book Reader

By ROLLIE BERNHART

Basil Rathbone, television’s “Sherlock Holmes”, is actually not a reader of “who-dunits”.

Famed Actor-Lecturer Is In Town

BASIL RATHBONE, noted actor, was interviewed here this noon during a press conference at Hotel lembke by a Valparaiso university student.

(V-M Staff Photo)

The noted actor, here for a workshop lecture on phases of the theater today, and a formal appearance Wednesday at 8:15 p.m., at Valparaiso university’s auditorium, said that mystery books were “simply not my cup of tea.”

Attired in a natty gray flannel suit, the debonair Rathbone told a group during an interview this noon, that although he felt that playing the role of the famous detective had almost “typed” hom professionally, he still would never grow tired of the Sir Conan Doyle role.

?Maybe I would tire of doing 16 pictures and 200 broadcasts of Hamlet, but never Sherlock Holmes,” he told the group.

No Violin Player

Rathbone clarified the fact that he does not play the violin such as portrayed in the Holmes television series.

“I actually learned to go through the motions of fingering and bowing the instrument. What little music did spring forth, dear pictures, they cut it out.”

Although the famous words “elementary, my dear Watson,” make it appear that solving mysteries are his forte, Rathbone said that he would have no desire to enter the detective profession. The Sherlock Holmes series has not as yet increased my powers of observation and deduction,” he said.

In a more serious vein, Rathbone said that not everyone can become an effective speaker. “First you must have something to say. When you have the subject, you must then have the ability to speak concisely and intelligently.”

2 Outstanding Speakers

Two prime examples in Rathbone’s estimation of outstanding speakers today are Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill. It was Churchill whom he remembers as saying “everyone should learn to speak on their feet.”

“Unlike the theater, cinema or television, public speaking is a cold turkey proposition, with no stage, no lights, no orchestra,” the noted Shakespearean player pointed out.

Rathbone, who will appear Wednesday in a presentation of selections from the world’s great literature, including poetry, prose and drama, also made it clear that he did not look upon himself as a good speaker.

“I feel that the only reason that people listen to me at all is because they merely wish to find out what kind of a man I am.”

He was frank in stating that he preferred talking to women’s clubs as compared to male organizations. “Women at least make you welcome.”

Rathbone’s appearance here is sponsored by the Department of Speech and Drama of Valparaiso university.

April 26, 1971: 125 Students Take Part In Peace March

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on April 26, 1971.

125 Students Take Part In Peace March

An estimated 125 Valparaiso University students marched on the courthouse Saturday morning in support of Vietnam Solidarity Days.the students carried flags, placards and sang patriotic songs as they walked from the university, via Lincolnway, to the courthouse war memorial where a brief rally was held.

Gene Gross, VU junior from East Lansing, Mich., a march coordinator, explained to the crowd that the United States government policy in Southeast Asia was immoral, unnecessary and a failure. Gross stated that it was part time for the American people to take matters into their own hands and sign a separate peace with the Vietnamese.

Following Gross’s talk, marchers divided into groups and passed out copies of the People’s Peace Treaty, described as “a joint treaty of peace between the people of the United States, South Vietnam and North Vietnam.”

According to this peace treaty, Americans will set a date of total withdrawal of troops, the Vietnamese will agree to an immediate cease fire, all military prisoners will be released, Vietnamese will form a provisional coalition government to organize elections, all parties will guarantee the safety and political freedom of persons involved in the war and all parties will respect the independence, peace and neutrality of Laos and Cambodia.

Police Chief Lee Miller later described the marchers as “well-behaved” and reported the only incident occurred when an unidentified local resident jumped from his automobile, tore down a make-shift Viet Cong flag from a flag pole and drove away.

The turnout of 125 was far below the estimated 500 expected. Various students said the low number was because of chilly weather the general feeling of hopelessness on college campuses, the alleged inability of citizens to influence government policy and the memory of Kent State.

To Courthouse

Nearly 125 Valparaiso University students marched down Lincolnway Saturday protesting American involvement in Vietnam. Group held rally at courthouse. Copies of People’s Peace Treaty were distributed to members of community. Demonstration was noisy but peaceful, police said.

March 25, 1981: Four students win best of show in county art contest

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 25, 1981.

Four students win best of show in county art contest

Porter County area students’ art work was judged Friday for the Seventh Annual Arts-A-Budding show sponsored by the Porter County Arts Commission. Judges were (from left) Doris Myers, art instructor at Kankakee Valley High School; Jo Fran Bennett, art instructor at Michigan City Area Schools; and Fred Frey, Valparaiso University Department of Art. Winners were announced during a reception held Sunday at the Chapel of the Resurrection where the art work is being displayed through noon April 4.

(V-M: Jan Aikens)

“Arts-A-Building” winners were announced during a reception Sunday at the Chapel of the Resurrection, Valparaiso university.

Best of show winners who received a $25 cash prize were Eric Brant, Jeff Wolf both of Valparaiso High School; Jim Burge of Chesterton High School; and Kent Amber of Portage Central Elementary School.

Certificate winners who received a $25 award were Karen Hollenbeck, Andy Diaz both of Ben Franklin; Brad Whitmore, Karen Raye both of Kouts; Sherri Hubbs of Boone Grove, Eric Brant, Tim Vandergriff both of Valparaiso; Patty Andrews of Hebron; Kim Janowski of Westchester; and Kent Amber of Central Elementary.

Certificate winners who received $10 awards were Chris Bennett, Ben Utley, Linda Wiencken all of Ben Franklin, and Cheryl Nelson and Keith Ludwig both of Valparaiso.

First place winners who received ribbons were Tom Hallenberg, Jay Lavanaway, Brad Whitmore, Jon Herma, Kathy Ambers and Karen Raye all of Kouts; Chris Archer, Steve Schwartz, George Mangos all of Union Center; Tim Harding, Matthew Potchict, and Kathy Schroeder all of Porter-Lakes; Jeremy Strickland and Aaron Stevens both of Liberty Elementary; Joe Kasl of Jackson Elementary; Chad Dzierba of Bailly Elementary; and James McKean and Sherri Hubbs both of Boone Grove.

Other first place winners were Wendy Child of St. Patrick’s; Doug Gray, Jody Wilson, Patty Anderson of Hebron; Ben Utley, Andy Diaz, Chris Bennett, Laura Sperry and Danielle Urschel all of Ben Franklin; Mike Niloff of Westchester; Eric Brant, Cheryl Nelson, Trent Albert, Suzie Philips and Jeff Wolff all of Valparaiso; Kent Ambers of Central Elementary; Craig Will, Jim Burge and Peyton Grizzard all of Chesterton; and Scott Scarbrough and Tim Vandergriff both of Portage.

Second place ribbons were awarded to Kris Marich, Roslyn Racowisz, Kathy Loomis all of Porter-Lakes; Brian Thomas and Chrissy Wingrath of Union Center; Kevin Gaff of St. Patrick’s Leslie Morrow and Scott White both of Hebron Elementary; Eric Barbus and Sandy Norberg both and Bailly Elementary; Michael Miller of Jackson Elementary; and Charles Popovich and Deb Esteb both of Morgan.

Other second place winners were Kent Ambler of Central Elementary; Chad Casbon of Boone Grove; Kim Janowski, Jon Marshall, Kristy Ochoa and Cindy Mattson all of Westchester; Shawn Nuest, Wendy Werner and Amy Landsdown all of Kouts; Jon Woodyard and Bobby Hickle both of Chesterton; Cary Bolinger of Hebron High; Trent Albert and Ben Fuller both of Valparaiso; Linda Wienken of Ben Franklin; and Scott Scarsbrough of Portage Adult Education.

The “Arts-A-Budding” show is sponsored annually by the Porter County Arts Commission and is open to all students in the county. The show will be on display at the Chapel of the Resurrection through April 4.

March 13, 1946: Files For Post Held By Granddad In 1868

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 13, 1946.

Files For Post Held By Granddad In 1868

From 1868 to 1874 Samuel Putnam Robbins served as county commissioner of Porter county. Today his grandson, Joseph S. Robbins, of Portage township, is a candidate for the republican nomination for county commissioner of the North district.

Samuel P. Robbins was identified with the early life of Porter county, coming here in 1835, before the county was established. During his service on the county board Valparaiso university came into being, and the present county jail was built. The elder Robbins played a prominent part in encouraging Henry Baker Brown, then a young Ohio educator, in starting the school in Valparaiso. He favored a donation to Brown, but was opposed by the other commissioners, A.V. Bartholomew and A.B. Price.

Idea Ridiculed

Many people at the time ridiculed the idea. But Robbins persisted and won Bartholomew over to his side and Brown went on to build one of the greatest educational fronts of learning in the United States.

Joseph S. Robbins, who aspires to the county board post, was born and reared in Porter county. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis H. Robbins, both Portage township pioneers.

Robbins has confined his public office holding to acting as a member on the Portage township advisory board and serving as postmaster at McCool for nine years.

He is married and has four children: Lewis Robbins, who lives on the old Robbins homestead near McCool, and three daughters, Miss Ruth Robbins, a deputy in the Porter county treasurer’s office; Mrs. Ralph Herren, home economics teacher in the Portage township school, and Miss Loretta Robbins, visiting nurse for the Goodfellows’ club, Carnegie-Illinois Steel company, Gary.

March 10, 1936: COUNCIL VOTES FAST TIME CITY TO MOVE UP CLOCKS ONE HOUR SUNDAY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 10, 1936.

COUNCIL VOTES FAST TIME

CITY TO MOVE UP CLOCKS ONE HOUR SUNDAY

Action Merely Adopts Fast Time at Earlier Date for Summer, Not For Year Around.

WOMEN CRITICIZE TIME TINKERING

Valparaisos will switch to daylight saving time next Sunday at 1 a.m.

The city council in regular session Monday night by unanimous vote adopted an ordinance advancing the time for changing from central standard to fast time from April 26 to March 15.

Beginning Tuesday, March 17, and continuing every night thereafterーexcepting Sundaysーlocal tavern proprietors will benefit by the advancement of the daylight saving time by the city council, which will permit them to remain open until 2 a.m., on week days and 3 a.m. on Sundays. State laws, operating on central standard time, permit the extra hour of trade Sunday at 1 a.m. at which time cloaks will be turned to 2 a.m. After Sunday taverns will benefit an extra hour by the change.

Previous to voting the council staged a forty-five minute caucus in which the matter was threshed out and all members agreed to vote for the ordinance on first reading making it effective next Sunday.

Councilman Schuyler C. Leffler explaining the ordinance pointed out that the council was not adopting eastern standard time throughout the year, but merely was getting an earlier start on daylight saving.

“I am voting aye on the ordinance, but I want it distinctly understood that it is not a yes vote for eastern standard time, except as a stop gap between March 15 and April 26, when daylight saving times starts,” Councilman Leffler said.

Council members were content to leave advance time on a temporary basis until September in the hope that the controversy in Chicago (which has adopted eastern standard time) will have been adjusted during the interim.

Mayor C.L. Bartholomew in commenting on the ordinance referred to it as a gesture of recognition of a fine element of the city’s populace who are dependent upon the Chicago and Calumet districts for their living.

“We are simply marking time through the ordinance,” he said.

“The council is not bound by it, and if Chicago continues eastern time the proposition can be submitted to a vote of the people and the question of eastern time the year round decided.”

Mayor Bartholomew pointed out that a large number of Valparaiso citizens depend upon their living on the Chicago and Calumet districts. These people, he said, have not arbitrarily asked for the ordinance. They have been told when to come to work and when to quit. They lose two hours under the new arrangement. The council is only trying to be fair and advance the time to help them out.

Mayor Bartholomew and members of the council asserted they were not sold on the eastern standard time setup, but felt that it was no more than fair to cater to desires of the commuters, who it is said, represent one-sixth of the city’s population.

A booster for the time change comprised a delegation of valparaiso university students, headed by Kenneth Wunsch, editor of the Torch, school publication.

Mr. Wunsch stated that in a recent poll of university students and faculty, 251 voted in favor of the change and 51 against.

One of the main reasons advanced by the student body for the new time was the inconvenience caused to a large number of students who commute back and forth between Gary, Michigan City and other towns, and go to Chicago on week-ends.

Another salient reason for the advanced time is that the students will have an additional hour for their athletic activities, Editor Wunsch said.

Bitter criticism of the time change was voiced by two women who attended the council session. They were Mrs. Bayard Wycoff and Mrs. Niles Fisher.

Said Mrs. Wyckoff: “I cannot see where any advantage is to be gained by this step. Is it necessary for the rest of the citizenry to get ip and see them (the commuters) off? It has been stated that Valparaiso will lose trade if it does not adopt the new time. I think it is the other way around.”

Said Mrs. Fisher: “It looks like the council is inconveniencing the majority of the people of Valparaiso for the benefit of the commuters, a small part of the population.”

Mayor Bartholomew explained that the ordinance carries no penal clause and those who do not care to observe it are at liberty to do so.

The city is scheduled to go on daylight saving time on April 26, anyway, so that the new ordinance only provides for a six-weeks’ period of observance before the regular fast time ordinance adopted on March 22, 1929, is effective, he added.

March 8, 1931: University’s Bell-Ringer Has a Scare

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 8, 1946.

University’s Bell-Ringer Has a Scare

Rolland Lindberg, maintenance man at Valparaiso University, knows today how Joshua must have felt when Jerico’s walls came tumbling down at the blast of a trumpet.

Lindberg’s experience wasn’t quite as spectacular as the biblical character’s, but he got quite a scare Thursday morning when a big bell located on the roof of Music Hall decided to give up the ghost while Lindberg was ringing it.

The bell is mounted on a platform right at the edge of the Music Hall roof and Lindberg rings it for class call by tugging at a rope. He was tugging mightily yesterday when supports holding the heavy bell gave way with an ominous crash.

Bad Moment

Lindberg didn’t know for sure what was happening, but he had a bad moment, fearing the device might topple over on him. According to reports the bell-ringer was slightly indisposed yesterday, anyhow, and wasn’t in a bell-ringing mood.

After recovering from the initial shock, Lindberg decided that maybe the incident had a silver lining and that, since there was no bell to ring, he might get a vacation. But the Valparaiso fire department came to the rescue of students and faculty members by furnishing a gong bell from one of the fire trucks.

Fire Chief Wilbur Cowdrey when advised of the school predicament and informed by university officials that some kind of a bell would be required immediately, filled the need by removing a gong bell from a fire truck.

Vital Service

School authorities pointed out that with so many new students on the campus some sort of alarm was necessary to apprise the newcomers when class periods began and ended. That the bell filled the breach was apparent when it was reported its peals could be heard in the downtown business district.

The old bell is being repaired and will be placed back in use as soon as welding operations are completed.

According to Fire Chief Cowdrey the device was formerly used at the College Hill fire station on Freeman street, now occupied by the Law building.

At one time it was given by the Valparaiso department to the town of Wanatah. It was returned here when Wanatah adopted the siren system.

Later when the university lost one bell in the old College building fire the other was turned over to the school.

March 7, 1931: UNIVERSITY PAYS FORMAL TRIBUTE TO NEW COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND HEAD

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 7, 1931.

UNIVERSITY PAYS FORMAL TRIBUTE TO NEW COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND HEAD

With the above telegraph greetings from the world’s foremost engineerーHerbert Hoover, president of the United Statesーthe transition of the department of engineering of Valparaiso university into full accreditation as the College of Engineeringーanother epoch-marking milestone in the march of progress of the local educational institution, was formally celebrated last evening.

The affair was in the nature of a greeting to Dr. H. W. Moody, dean of the new department which will start functioning with the opening of the fall term. It was attended by upwards of one hundred student engineers and members of the faculty. Hotel Lembke banquet hall was the setting.

Greetings from President Hoover came as a complete surpriseーeven to President O. C. Kreinheder. They came as the result of the initiative of John Kreinheder, son of the president, and student engineer, who wrote the nation’s chief executive who first gained world fame because of his achievements as a mining engineer, informing him of the new honors that have come to Valparaiso university.

W. S. Johns of Chicago, maintenance engineer of the Pennsylvania railroad, graduate of Lehigh university, was the principal speaker. He told of the improvements advanced engineering is bringing to railroad operations.

President Kreinheder, taking a broader theme, stressed the fact that every young man must be the engineer of design of his own future. He pointed out that the qualities of application, perseverance, absolute honesty that characterize the successful engineer, are the foundations for any career.

J. S. McFarlen, of this city, an alumnus of the Valparaiso Department of Engineering, now on the engineering staff of the Youngstown Sheet and Tube company, East Chicago, spoke impromptu, on the practical aspects of an engineering education.

LeRoy Thede, president of the university Engineering Society, gave the address of welcome. Dean Moody in response to the many testimonials paid him, stressed the future growth of the College of Engineering, with its widely broadened courses which will include training in civil, mechanical, electrical, industrial engineering and industrial arts.

John Kreinheder presided as toastmaster. John Bauer, business manager of the university, was a guest of honor as were Dr. F.V. Lofgren, dean of the College of Pharmacy; John W. Moreland, dean of the School of Law; Dr. F.W. Kroencke, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Prof. A.J. Lynn, head of the School of Commerce.

They all paid tribute to the new College of Engineering. A feature of the banquet were the programsーspecimens of the art of the engineer’s blue-prints, executed by Student Engineer John Bauer, son of the business manager.

Several musical numbers were enjoyed with the entire gathering joining in Bucci’s Valparaiso University Victory March, as the final. Student Engineers Huth, Kreinheder, Aherne and Hartmeister, served on the banquet committee.