Oct. 27, 1955: County Road ‘Farming’ Practice Halt Ordered

This story was originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 27, 1955.

County Road ‘Farming’ Practice Halt Ordered

After an investigation made this week of the practice of “farming” county roads, county officials announced today that they will take steps to correct this problem in 1956, regardless of crops.

During the past two or three years, county officials stated, it has become the practice of some Porter County farmers to plow up to 10 feet outside the fence line on country roads. In some cases, they go so far as to plow road stone into their fields when planting crops outside the fence line, the officials noted in their observation.

County Commissioners Otto Gibbs, Martin Ericson and C.A. Carpenter, and County Highway Supervisor Anton Jensen reported that next year, during the road grading season they plan to grade such county roads along the entire right-of-way, regardless of crops.

“We appreciate it when the farmers keep the brush down along the fence rows, but we do not think it is good farm practice to plow the ditches shut. They were put there to drain the road,” the highway supervisor pointed out.

Oct. 26, 1955: Town Planning First Partisan Election

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 26, 1955.

Town Planning First Partisan Election

(EDITOR’S NOTE一This is the fifth in a series of articles on the government, facilities, problems and fall election plans of the eight incorporated towns of Porter county.)

By BETSY MACFIE

First political election in the history of the newest incorporated town of Porter county, Town of Pines, will be held Nov. 8.

After incorporating in June, 1950, the town held its first general election in July, 1951, and the town board elected then has served up to the present time, according to Town Clerk Treasurer Leonard Janowski.

Janowski, a Democrat, is the only incumbent to run again. Seeking another term as clerk-treasurer, he is employed by Dunes Lumber and Supply company in Tremont.

Other incumbent town board members include: first ward, Charles Merx, board president, employed by Pullman Standard Manufacturing company in Michigan City; second ward, David Warren, employed by a Gary steel mill, and third ward, Leo DeWolfe, employed by Brown, Inc., a Town of Pines trucking concern.

States Are Set

Janowski explained the current board was elected on a non-partisan basis at a general meeting of townspeople.

Completing the Democratic ticket for forthcoming election in Town of Pines are: first ward, Homer Lutes, operator of Pines Grocery in Town of Pines; second ward Herbert Smith, a self employed television serviceman; third ward, George Newman, employed by Michiana Products Corp. in Michigan City.

Republican towns candidates are: first ward, John Koska, employed by Baltimore and Ohio railroad; second ward, Mrs. Mildred Stout, an owner of the Stout building Materials Corp. in the Town of Pines; third ward, James Prast, masonry contractor; clerk-treasurer, Herman Hill, store manager of Wright Electric company in Michigan City.

Due to its comparative youth, Town of Pines lacks a number of facilities older towns have, officials pointed out. Most of the roads are unimproved, there are no town marshals, and the town shares a fire department with Pine township.

Roads Are Problem

The road problem is considered a major issue, and there are plans made now to widen, stone and later seal-coat most of the town roads, Janowski said. The town board also has on order street signs for about 23 town streets, expected to cost about $300, the town clerk added.

The 964 Town of Pines residents rely on state, county and township police for protection now, but officials expect to hire town marshals in “a year or two.”

The Pine Township Volunteer Fire department, which has 24 members, serves the Town of Pines as well, and is partially financed by the town, according to Mitchell Loniewski, fire chief. The town has purchased an oxygen tank and generator which the fire department rents, Loniewski said. Other equipment includes a truck purchased by the township and a 1,400 gallon tanker purchased by the firemen through fund - raising events, the fire chief said.

$900 For Equipment

Included in the Town of Pines 1956 budget is $900 for fire department equipment, officials reported. No specific equipment is designated.

As there are no town buildings in Town of Pines, meetings are held in the fire hall, which is located in the town. Plans are underway, however, for the town to purchase, at a cost of about $4,000 five or six acres located north of U.S. 20 in Town of Pines, where town buildings would be constructed, officials reported.

With the 942 acres east of the original area it annexed in April, 1954, Town of Pines now comprises 1,377 acres, or a little more than two square miles. Closely allied with Michigan City, its east boundary is the Porter-LaPorte county line. Other approximate boundaries include an alley south of Lake Shore drive on the north, Michigan Central railroad on the south, and Brown road on the west, officials said.

Though considered something of a report town, Town of Pines has no lakefront, and its homes are generally less unique and expensive than the lakeside homes of Porter county. Most of its 964 residents, who live in about 240 homes, are permanent residents. About half the residents are located in the recently annexed territory, it was reported.

The young town as yet lacks a zoning board and planning commission, and there are no immediate plans to establish these bodies, according to officials. Already, however, the town has several industries, including a chemical plant, cement products company, trucking concern and garages, in addition to local businesses. Two plats of land in the town have been set aside as park areas, but have no facilities yet, officials said.

Town of Pines students are sent to Pine Township Consolidated school, parochial schools in Michigan City, and to Michigan City High school. This may pose a problem, as Michigan City High school officials have announced they are considering refusing transfer students from all outlying districts, of which they have 750 at present.

Pine township has no high school yet, and such action by Michigan City officials would probably mean a building program and increased school rates for Pine township and the Town of Pines. Total Town of Pines 1956 tax rate is $5.53, $1.92 more than the current rate of $3.60. Most of the tax increase is in the township levy, which includes a cumulative building fund school tax of $1.25.

Town of Pines residents get their water from private wells, and are served by private wells, and are served by private sewage systems.

Major town organizations include the Pines Community League, organized for civic betterment, Lions club, and Boy Scouts.

A JOINT TOWN-TOWNSHIP venture pictured above is the Pine Township Volunteer Fire department building, located in the Town of Pines. Though they have been using the fire hall for town meetings, Town of Pines citizens hope to acquire land soon on which they will erect a town hall for their own use.

Oct. 25, 1930: Library Was Started Just 20 Years Ago

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 25, 1930.

LIBRARY WAS STARTED JUST 20 YEARS AGO

Came Into Existence with Gift of Property by Hubbard and Finnette Hunt. Loans Many Books.

Twenty years ago today Valparaiso’s public library came into existence with the gift by the late Hubbard and Finnette Hunt of their residence property on North Washington street as a building for housing the small collection of books which in those days numbered 575.

Only two rooms were used then, a reading room and a room for book stacks. The library subscribed for 22 magazines, but there were no bound magazines. In the first year of operation the library loaned 9,014 books.

Five years after the library had grown to such an extent that six rooms were necessary to keep pace with the development. They were: reading, stacks, children, club, newspapers and reading.

In the five year period the number of books had increased to 4,400 magazines, 47 and bound magazines 293. The number of registered borrowers had grown to 2,248, of which 1,788 were active. The circulation during 1909 totaled 14,423 books.

With the removal of the library to the Carnegie building erected in 1915-6, the library has enjoyed a substantial growth. At the present time the library has a total of 10,000 volumes, of which 16,000 volumes, of which 10,591 are adult and 4,341 juvenile. A total of 990 books were added this year by purchase, and 50 by gift.

According to records compiled by Miss Zada Carr, librarian, a total of 66,954 volumes have been lent during the last fiscal year. Of these 45,533 were fiction lent for home use, to 28,368 adults and 17,165 juvenile. Nonfiction lent a total of 21,421 volumes, of which adults took out 8,341 and juvenile 13,080. A total of 150 magazines are received each month.

The registered members on the books number 7,448, comprising 5,111 adults and 1,766 juveniles. New registered borrowers during the year totalled 572, of which 375 were adult and 197 juvenile. The circulation per capita was 7 plus, and the percentage of fiction let to total volume lent was 66 per cent.

Another interesting item revealed by Miss Carr was that the library loaned 5,685 books monthly on the average of the total of 189 per day.

Oct. 24, 1985: Friends harvest ailing farmer’s crop

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 24, 1985.

Friends harvest ailing farmer’s crop

by Charles Knebl

Staff Writer

PLEASANT TWP. 一 Kouts-area farmer Joe Jarnecke had open-heart surgery Saturday to replace a valve.

Wednesday, his friends got together and harvested Jarnecke’s 55 acres of soybeans from fields just off County Road 700S.

“There’s none of us that is indestructible,” said Jarnecke, 59, who began working the 150-acre farm at 753 S. CR 300 E with his father in 1936.

Neighbors Tom Heiniger, Vic Martin, Keith King and Craig Birky spent most of harvesting Jarnecke’s beans. And farmers Ed Freyenberger, Ed Whitmore and Harley Birky (Craig’s father) loaded beans into storage bins and helped out around the farm.

“Definitely it (their help) takes some pressure off. I always figured you never had your crop until you had it in the bin,” said Jarnecke.

“I’m really thankful they can take the time to help me.”

The Kouts-area farmers were helping Jarnecke because he needed help and his friends were there to give it, said Heiniger, who farms about 232 acres of his own. He’s been handling chores for both farms for about a week.

“It’s just a matter of helping a fella that needs help. It’s tough times (for farmers) and we’re doing the best we can,”said Heiniger.

Heiniger’s father, Walter, also was helping in the fields Wednesday; he came from Tempe, Ariz. two weeks ago to visit.

“We thought we’d get this (group) together and get this crop out and it’d give Joe a little lift,” said Walter, who is Jarnecke’s brother-in-law. Walter’s wife, Mary, is Jarnecke’s sister.

Jarnecke said it was important to get his beans “in as soon as possible because you never know the variables.” a heavy rain or an early snow could damage the beans.

Another unknown for Jarnecke was the condition of his heart.

“What started out as the flu turned out being the heart,” he said.

On Oct. 10 Jarnecke suffered a pain in his chest that “felt like somebody grabbed me.” and although fluids had built up in his lungs that kept him coughing most of the night, Jarnecke thought the ailments were flu symptoms.

But by Oct. 13 he was having trouble breathing and went to a local medical clinic. A couple days later he went to Porter Memorial Hospital’s emergency room because his lungs were filled with fluids.

Doctors discovered his heart was not functioning properly.

“They thought I probably had a bad valve,” he said.

The operation was performed at St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago. Surgeons inserted a port valve to replace Jarnecke’s dysfunctioning valve.

Jarnecke will be recovering for about five weeks. And he’ll be doing it with the knowledge that his neighbors care about him.

“I appreciate their help,” he said.

Joe Jarnecke’s soybean field was harvested by (from left) Vic Martin, Tom Heinger, Keith King and Craig Birky. Lined up side-by-side the combines cover 72 feet of field. One farmer said the machines’ combined worth is about $180,000.

(V-M: Kathy Woodward)

Oct. 23, 1965: Senior Reading Room At Library Nearing Finish

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 23, 1965.

Senior Reading Room At Library Nearing Finish

By ADA CADELL

Antiqued birch paneled walls rising from thick, soft two-tone green carpeting provide a striking, but restful background for the new senior adult reading room nearing completion in the Valparaiso Public library.

In use now, but still lacking certain furnishings, the room on the ground level of the library building offers a quiet, cozy, homey atmosphere for elderly residents of the area who might wish to spend an occasional or regular period engrossed in a book.

For the comfort of readers, occasional chairs upholstered in Burlap-type material, some of warm brown and others in contrasting dark green, are spaced around the room among shelving stained to match the color of the two paneled walls. Remaining walls are painted in a light color to give the room brightness.

Other furnishings for the room besides the easy chairs, which are of a straight-line design with low backs, will include occasional tables to be placed for convenience of readers and what might be termed a conversation piece, a wrought iron table with marble top to stand in one corner.

Decor of the room will be further enhanced with folding shutters on the windows. These and the tables have been ordered and are expected to arrive soon to complete the new library room.

The room also contains, along one wall, a magazine rack with lamp. A door leading to the main entrance of the library is kept closed to muffle or eliminate outside noise.

Recessed ceiling fixtures provide non-glare, even lighting throughout the room. Small lamps placed on occasional tables will offer additional light.

Adding to the home-like appearance with a pleasing affect are decorative hanging lamps suspended from the ceiling to spotlight the entry area in the room.

The staff’s kitchenette also benefited in the remodeling project. Located at the rear of the new senior adult reading room and up several steps, the kitchen has been modernized and fitted with new appliances.

Even before entire completion of the remodeling inside, attention has been turned to the exterior of the library, where parking lot improvement is under way. Preparations are being made for blacktopping the surface of the parking lot as soon as weather permits.

Among hopes for providing more comfort for patrons of the library is air conditioning for the main reading room on the second level.

Oct. 22, 1955: Die Making Is Thorgren’s Specialty - Nylon Molds Also Used By 20 Employes

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 22, 1955.

Die Making Is Thorgren’s Specialty

Nylon Molds Also Used By 20 Employees

By ROLLIE BERNHART

One of Valparaiso’s “smaller industries,” the Thorgren Tool and Molding company, contributes a remarkable amount of its products toward the comfort and convenience of humanity.

The firm located on Evans avenue near Roosevelt road, is operated by the father, Charles, company president, and his two sons, Robert and Ernest, all of Valparaiso.

The art of tool and die making was not new to the Thorgrens when they opened their first shop in a double garage behind the home of Robert, at 900 Oak street, in 1945.

The father, Charles began his career as a tool and die maker for the McGill Manufacturing company here, in 1919, accruing 27 years service at the local bearing and electrical firm. Today the confidence of a good craftsman is placed in the elder Thorgren and his ability by McGills, who order the ball bearing retainers from their employees.

Robert, 38, had 20 years service with McGill’s before the venture had its infancy in the garage behind his home. Ernest, 36, also received his tool and die training at McGill’s before World War II interrupted.

As the father stated it, “That’s why we went into business for ourselves in one tool room.”

Originally starting in the field of metal tool and die making, the firm gradually expanded to another double garage at the Oak street site, with the three men doing work in turning out the increasing orders.

In 1953, Thorgren and his sons built the modern 110 by 40 foot building they now occupy on Evans avenue, west of Roosevelt road, containing 4,400 square feet of space.

20 on Payroll

Today, from a beginning in 1945 with only spare time help, the firm provides a living for 20 employees, all experts in the art of nylon injection molding.

Specializing in die making and injection molding of nylon material, the Thorgren firm produces a variety of nylon parts which eventually find their way into the ingenious devices used daily by the people of the world.

Turn on your radio and television sets and nylon part manufactured by the Thorgren company aids its operation; a housewife snaps on the switch setting a certain make washing machine in motion, and a Thorgren made coilform aids the hot and cold water controls; pull out the gliding shelves in your refrigerator, and the units roll on noiseless roller manufactured by thus Valparaiso industry.

For the pleasure of the movie camera enthusiasts, the Thorgren firm manufactures nylon parts for the Revere Camera company, one of their biggest customers. Parts are made for the cameras, movie projectors, slide projectors and tape recorders.

Other Roles Noted

On a wet and rainy day, the motor vehicle driver can thank the Thorgren company for the nylon valves which comprise the motor parts of some of the windshield wipers.

For our nation’s U.S. Air Force planes, parts are manufactured for installation in pilots headphone sets; electrical coilforms for solenoids on radio speakers; and a vital part used on the jet plane de-icer.

In addition, the coilform in a fuel pump manufactured by the Bendix Aviation company, is produced from the Thorgren injection nylon process; valve seats for the valves in many plumbing installations, and many other parts, probably hidden away from the naked eye, but providing invaluable assistance toward making our daily life run smoothly and efficiently.

Currently, the firm is beginning the manufacture of nylon cams for a sewing machine, a part which simplifies the process of zig-zag stitching, button-holes and other intricate patterns by controlling the stitch.

In the experimental stage, is a nylon double-sided plate, to be used by Proctor and Gamble for the stamping of trade names on its soap products.

Five Ton Die

The largest die ever made by the Thorgren firm was a “five ton three-section” die made to produce the parts for a plastic fishing tackle box. It was built in the Oak street factory and cost $22,000 to produce.

The smallest part molded from the economical nylon molded material today, is a cam follower used in the parts of a movie projector. “A total of 5,000 of these tiny cams weigh one ounce.”

The elder Thorgren reminisced that in an inventive mood one day, he conceived the idea of a plastic windshield frost scraper, but he did not succeed in patenting the idea when it was revealed that it somewhat infringed on a previous patent for a floor scraper.

The firm employs no salesmen for its products. Since all of the nylon material used in the injection molding process is purchased from the DuPont company, Thorgren stated that the chemical firm was his best salesman, with their representatives recommending them for many of their eventual orders.

For as Thorgren so proudly put it, “If you get a reputation for doing good work, it gets around.”

THIS MODERN, 110x40 foot cement block building was built by the Thorgren Tool and Molding company in 1952 moving from a double garage structure located in the rear of Robert Thorgren’s home at 900 Oak street.

THE THREE THORGRENS, father and two sons, Robert, left; Charles, the father, center, and Ernest, right, are shown in the moisture and dustproof die vault in the Thorgren Tool and Molding company, at Evans avenue near Roosevelt road.

THE INJECTION molding process, a specialty of the Thorgren firm with DuPont nylon material, is shown being used by two employes of the local “small industry,” George Singleton, and Gil Hammersbach.

Oct. 21, 1970: Cougar Mauls Boy, 8

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 21, 1970.

Cougar Mauls Boy,8

Eight-year-old John Eichelberg of 417 Weston was in fair condition today at Porter Memorial Hospital where he underwent surgery Tuesday after being mauled by a cougar owned by Dr. Robert Stoltz, 415 Madison, police said.

The younger suffered puncture wounds on the face and a severed ear.

John was injured on the Stoltz property when he and two brothers, Richard 11, and Matt, and a sister, Lisa, children of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eichelberg, went to see the “big cat” at the Stoltz home, police said.

Mrs. Eichelberg told police her children came home from school Tuesday and requested permission to go look at the animal.

Not knowing what kind of cat it was, she gave permission, the mother told police. A short while later, her children came running home and told her the cat had John down and was biting him, she said.

When she reached the Stoltz residence her son, Richard, had pulled John from the animal.

Richard told police that when he and the others went to the Stoltz residence, they knocked on the door and no one answered.

The four children when to the rear unfenced yard of the residence. When they approached the cougar, it grabbed John with both paws, knocking him to the ground, police said.

Matt and Lisa kicked and pulled at the cat attempting to get it off the boy, Richard said.

Richard said he was able to grab John’s leg and pull him from the cat’s reach.

The cougar, a gift from a Valparaiso University student to Dr. Stoltz, was secured by a 10-foot chain attached to the rear of a converted school bus, Chief Lee E. Miller said.

The bus which is used as a camper is used as shelter for the animal, which the doctor has had for about two weeks, Chief Miller said. The young cougar had been declawed.

Dr. Stoltz was in the process of building a cage for the animal and was going to keep it at his farm in Porter County, Chief Miller said.

Oct. 20, 1955: Porter Is Growing Fast; Taxes Are Dropping

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 20, 1955.

Porter Is Growing Fast; Taxes Are Dropping

(EDITOR’S NOTE一This is the third of a series on the government, facilities, problems and fall election plans of the wight incorporated towns of Porter county.)

A “quiet election” is expected this year in the small but fast-growing town of Porter, located northwest of Chesterton in Westchester township.

The town board is said to have taken advantage of the fact that the town’s valuation has increased greatly, and taxes have been reduced, during its four-year administration. The board is composed of three Democrats and one Republican.

A $1.59 town tax rate for 1956 is currently proposed for Porter, 13 cents less than the present tax of $1.74. Porter’s valuation rose by $270,000 to total $2,250,000 this year, the second highest increase among the county towns. A total of 45 homes were built there during the last assessing period, more than in any other county town.

All Incumbents Run

All four incumbent town board members, three of which are Democratic, are running in the fall election. Current board members include: first ward, Charles Meyne, Democrat, employed by Gary Sheet and Tin mill; second ward, Henning Hokanson, Democrat, employed by Carnegie Illinois Steel in Gary; third ward, William Sexton, Republican, employed by Ortman-Miller Machine company in Hamond, and clerk-treasurer, Robert Griffin, Democrat, employed by Sears, Roebuck company in Michigan City.

The Democrat running against Sexton for the office of third ward trustee is John Sitar, a barber at Richard Anderson’s barber shop in Chesterton.

The three new Republicans seeking office are: first ward, Henry Edd Cosley, employed by E.J. and E. railroad: second ward, Arthur Hicks, employed by Charles Lorenz and son, Chesterton contractors, and clerk-treasurer, Lester C. Esmoer, treasurer of Gary Street Railways.

Though Porter, with an estimated population of about 2,000, has less than half the population size of neighboring Chesterton, it boasts more than double the Chesterton land area. And new subdivisions are quickly adding to its population. As available Chesterton lots get fewer, many land purchasers are settling in Porter, it was pointed out.

Porter comprises 2,500 acres, compared to 1,177.6 acres in Chesterton, swinging in a large arc around the more populous town. Porter is bounded on the north by Lake Michigan, on the east by Waverly road and the Calumet river, on the south by Woodlawn avenue and the Michigan Central railroad, and on the west by Mineral Springs road and 23rd street in Chesterton.

A long, narrow town, with wandering boundaries it is about a mile wide on Lake Michigan, located between Dune Acres and Dunes State park, about 4 miles long, and broadens suddenly to a width of 2 miles on the south end.

Of the town’s 2,500 acres, which comprise 3 and 8/10 square miles, 120 acres are zoned for industry, 150 for business, 20 for parks and the remainder is residential, officials said. Though the town zoning board has provided land for industry when it comes, none has yet been attracted to the town.

Porter has a small business section, with bank, grocery, drug, hardware and a few similar stores, but for medical services and many other needs residents go to Chesterton, a fact which tends to make Porter seem a suburb of its larger neighbor.

Same Water Source

An example of its close tie-in with Chesterton is the fact that both towns have been supplied with water for some years by the Home Water company. Chesterton plans a referendum on Election Day, Nov. 8, in which its residents will decide whether they wish to buy the company.

Porter plans no such referendum, but according to Clerk Treasurer Griffin, holds an option on the water supplies, which would probably mean that if Chesterton buys the water company, it will in some manner be required to supply water to the neighboring town, an unusual procedure.

Porter’s mile of beach on Lake Michigan is not public, except for those areas where town streets, often forming small beaches, are established, Griffin pointed out. As not all these streets are yet laid out, this is a source of trouble between beach - goers and persons who own property along the lake, Griffin said. Johnson’s hotel owns a block of property along the lake in Porter, which it keeps open to the public, however.

Has Three Parks

Another source of recreation to Porter townspeople is the town’s three parks, Hawthorne park, Dunes Forest park and State little League park. Hawthorne park contains a community building, ball park, wading pool and bandstand.

The Porter Victory club, an organization of young Porter men, sponsors various recreational town activities and this year raised $800 for improvements for the town’s park, to be used mainly in rebuilding the park lighting system, according to reports.

Porter has no Chamber of Commerce, and few organizations except the Victory club and Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.

The town’s “adequate” volunteer fire department consists of 16 firemen and the fire chief, and has three fire trucks. A town marshal and two deputy marshals police the town, and plans are to use the 1956 budget to purchase a badly needed squad car and radio for the marshals, the town clerk-treasurer reported.

The town has a sewage system, but no sewage disposal plant, and no immediate plans to purchase one. There are about 55 miles of road in Porter, of which 50 are blacktopped and 5 miles cindered.

Porter school children are included in the Westchester township school system and taxpayers, with the overall increase in the township’s school population, are paying increased rates accordingly.

Porter Hopes To Attract Its Own Industries

THIS VIEW OF DOWNTOWN Porter was snapped by The Vidette-Messenger photographer in the community where 700 residents are eligible to vote in the Nov. 8 town election. Porter has no industries, but it is the hope of the town board to attract some soon.