Nov. 2, 1970: V-M Viewpoint Your Vote Does Count

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on November 2, 1970.

V-M Viewpoint

Your Vote Does Count

Are you going to let someone else make your choices of office holders Tuesday on the state, district, county and township levels? Are you going to be an Election Day Drop-Out?

Or are you going to the polls tomorrow and let your decisions known as to whom you would like to see hold office?

Your vote just could make the difference, you know. Stay away from the polls and you could help those you oppose get into office.

Is it true what they say in the newspapers, on radio and on TV? Are Indiana voters indeed apathetic towards Tuesday's General Election?

Would you be a proud resident of Porter county if less than 25 percent of the 43,000 registered voters would cast ballots here on Nov. 3? That would be a sorry affair一as was our Spring Primary when only 20 per cent of the registered voters exercised their election duty.

As a matter of record our present registration of 42,711 persons who are eligible to cast votes Tuesday has all the earmarks of apathy. They are fewer in number (by 800) from those who were eligible to vote in the Primary this Spring.

Worse yet, even though the county has grown considerably in the past two years, the current registration figure is 2,750 less than that of November 1968.

If the Republicans stay away in great numbers from the polls tomorrow, they could turn over the reins of government to the Democrats. Likewise, if the Democrats stay at home they’ll concede victory to the GOP by default.

All votes are needed in the Porter County General Election Tuesday if the people really wish to make their desires known as to whom they would like to have serve them in the respective offices which are up for grabs. If that could be accomplished it would ably show that the residents of the county really care as to who directs their government.

At this point we would repeat an earlier plea that Porter county voters not overlook the three constitutional amendment questions which appear on the upper left hand corner of their machine一above the lines of Republican and Democratic candidates.

It is important that they say “yes” or “no” to these issues. These results will have a great bearing on how these respective phases of their state government will be carried out in the years to come.

Yes, registered votes, your vote does count. But it can only count if you go to the polls Tuesday and exercise your duty as an American citizen who still has a right to make a personal choice. Don’t help us to lose that freedom. Vote Tuesday.

Nov. 2, 1955: Church Will Observe Its 75th Anniversary

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on November 2, 1955.

Church Will Observe Its 75th Anniversary

KOUTS, Nov. 2一St. Paul’s Lutheran church of Kouts will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the building of its first church in 1880, at special ceremonies Nov. 6 and 13.

Present pastor of the congregation of 289 communicants and 411 baptized members is Dr. Luther P. Koapke, who is also Dean of Men at Valparaiso University.

To commemorate this occasion two special church services will be held and a banquet will be conducted at which a review of the past 75 years will be made.

On Sunday, Nov. 6, and Sunday, Nov. 13, special anniversary services will be held. Dr. W.E. Bauer, of Valparaiso University will speak on Nov. 6. The Rev. Walter Schwane, a former pastor, will speak at the services on Nov. 13. Both services will start at 10 a.m.

At 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, the anniversary banquet will be held at the Legion hall in Kouts. Prof. Herman C. Grunau, of Valparaiso University, will be the guest speaker.

The first Lutheran worship service was held in Kouts in August of 1873. This service was conducted in an old school building on what is now highway 8, near the east end of Kouts.

No Resident Pastor

During the period from 1873 to 1880 there was no resident pastor. They were, however, served at various times by the following pastors: the Rev. Phillip Schmidt, the Rev. W.J. Lange, and the Rev. Adolph Dunzing.

During this time, divine services were conducted in the homes of various members of the congregation, usually on Sunday afternoon when one of the pastors would come to Kouts from a nearby community to conduct the services.

The period from 1873 to 1880 was one of slow growth for the Lutherans in Kouts, since they did not have the services of a full time pastor, it was recalled.

On the first Sunday in September, 1880, the Lutherans of Kouts dedicated a new small frame church, erected at a cost of $600. This church served the congregation until 1908 as the place of worship.

In 1894 the Rev. Albert Bauman became the first resident pastor of St. Paul’s congregation. Pastor Bauman served until 1899. In 1899 the Rev. Otto Schumm became pastor. He served until 1905.

Serves 40 Years

From 1905 to 1906 the Rev. Arthur Both was the pastor. During his pastorate, the first English services were conducted in the church. Previous services had been in the German language.

In 1907 the Rev. Hicko Hicken became pastor of St. Paul’s and served for 40 years. In 1908 the new church was erected which still serves as the place of worship for the congregation. The brick church was built at a cost of $3,500 and was constructed by the Foster Lumber company of Valparaiso.

Following the resignation of the Rev. Chicken, the Rev. Walter Schwane became pastor of the congregation and served until 1954. Following a vacancy of six months, Dr. Koepke became pastor.

Some of the official acts performed at the church from 1873 to 1954 included 289 baptisms, 343 confirmations, 132 marriages and 155 funerals.

The first Sunday school at the church was held on May 12, 1931. The first teachers of the Sunday school were the following: Alma Rosenbaum, Henrietta Denzine, Doris Miller and Margaret Rosenbaum.

Mrs. Emil Hofferth was the first Sunday school superintendent; she served from 1931 until 1947. Wilbur Lippert served as superintendent from 1947 to 1952; William Roeske, 1953, and Ten Schroder, 1954. Schroder is now serving in the capacity.

In 1946, a Walther League was organized at the church. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League was started in the congregation in 1948. The first officers of the LWML were the following: Mrs. Wilbur Lippert, president; Mrs. Ella Williams, vice president; Mrs. Herbert Roeske, secretary, and Mrs. Robert Hamann, treasurer.

Nov. 1, 1935: Who’ll Drive New Fire Truck Is Question Irking Hebron; Old Timers Recall ‘Pranks’

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on November 1, 1935.

Who’ll Drive New Fire Truck Is Question Irking Hebron; Old Timers Recall ‘Pranks’

(By ROBERT ALLETT)

Just who should drive the new fire truck is the question bothering the Hebron town board these days. Two weeks ago Boone township bought a two-thirds ton job and presented it to Hebron officials for operation. A modern truck with a 400-gallon “booster” tank, the new equipment can give the township adequate protection against fire damages. How much protection it will give, however, is another story and one which will be aired at the next meeting of the town board to be held next Thursday night at 8 o’clock in Attorney Petrie’s office.

Two schools of thought concerning the township’s need in the line of man-power to operate the fire truck provide the basis for the controversy. At the present time Hebron has a volunteer department of twelve men and in the past the first one to reach the fire-house after a call, was privileged to drive the old truck.

Glenn Norton, president of the town board, thinks a man should be hired for twenty-four hour duty to be responsible for care and operation of the new equipment. Other members of the board, Leland Buchanan and Guy Albertson, are not entirely sold on the idea, it is understood. General sentiment in Hebron seems to support Mr. Norton’s opinion. Trustee Harry Williams is in favor of hiring a full-time fireman and the township has offered to cooperate in paying his salary.

A strong argument in favor of President Norton’s proposal was offered early Monday morning when a garage and tool shed owned by Joseph Reif, who lives east of Hebron, caught fire at 2:30 o’clock. Fifteen minutes elapsed between the time of the siren call and the truck’s response. The building burned to the ground with loss of many patent models and a Chevrolet auto, awned by Reif. Sam Folsom, commenting on the length of time it took the volunteers to get organized and reach the scene of the fire said, “the boys were just out of practice.”

一

The good old days when Hallowe’en was a night of terror for Hebron residents is gone forever, according to Isaac Cross and Otis Childs, only they agree that those old days were sometimes not so “good.”

The citizens still remember the time, many years ago, when pranksters put Pastor Kruell’s buggy on the Pennsy tracks, just north of town, and watched the train smash it flatter than the wonderful one-horse shay. Detectives spent many days in Hebron following the incident, trying to find the guilty parties. Memory of their presence and the arrival of heavier conveyances combined to put a damper on such activities and for the past several years October 31 has been comparatively quiet. Heaviest casualties occur in the line of outdoor conveniences, that of Mr. Cross having been tipped over annually for the past forty years. “I fooled ‘em this year,” said Isaac, who has lived in Hebron for about seventy-three years, “and put ‘er inside.”

一

In spite of the fact that the state conservation department has repeatedly stocked the Kankakee basin with small game, hunting in that vicinity is poor this year. An abundance of fox are said to be killing rabbits and pheasants. Fox pelts bring little or no price and Porter county does not offer a bounty on their heads so little has been done to wipe out this small game menace.

一

The Hebron Men’s club, sixty strong, will begin its winter program of card parties next Thursday night. Last year, according to George Gidley, until last year president of the group since its organization seven years ago, average attendance was about fifty. The club is a live-wire body which each Christmas sponsors a fund for poor children. Andres Crawford is the new president.

Oct. 31, 1985: Halloween fright 1985 - Dujmoviches transform garage into custom haunted house

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 31, 1985.

Halloween fright 1985

Dujmoviches transform garage into custom haunted house

By Elizabeth Cloyd

Staff writer

The garage at 732 Governor looks a lot like any other garage in South Haven.

Once inside, however, the differences are frighteningly apparent.

Inside the garage is the fifth haunted house members of the Dujmovich family have constructed. Randy, John and Scott Dujmovich and cousin Tony Dujmovich have made creating haunted houses an annual family affair.

This year’s edition features Frankenstein’s laboratory, Dracula in his coffin, an automated witch stirring a cauldron and a scene from The Exorcist, complete with Regan screeching and spinning her head around.

According to its creators, the haunted house is guaranteed to spook.

Randy, Tony and John Dujmovich made their first haunted house when they were in the sixth grade. The following year they also made a haunted house, but they took a break from scaring people until three years ago, when the haunted house became an annual family event.

To make the most of the limited garage space, the Dujmovich clan and their friends build an intricate maze with plywood, rails and cardboard to baffle visitors.

Constructing the haunted house took about a month.

The steps, turns and twists of the haunted house make visitors lose their sense of direction, making them more susceptible to the surprises the haunted house offers.

The Dujmoviches, and friends Jim Stewart, Brett Homann, Floyd Vestal and Jay Walker planned, built and staff the house. Members of the group take turns performing the different jobs in the house, from serving as haunted house, from serving as haunted house tour guides to donning masks and scaring people from under bridges and from behind windows in the house.

Randy Dujmovich said the group gets a lot of inspiration from horror movies, although an idea for the haunted house can strike at any time even while he’s at class at Purdue North Central.

“We’ll see something in a movie and try to adapt it to work in the haunted house,” he said. 

“Sometimes we’ll be sitting there in school and get an idea and just start drawing.”

Although they charge admission for entry to the haunted house (50 cents for those 12 and under, 75 cents for those 12 and over) the haunted house has never made any money.

“We usually end up $50 or $75 in the hole,” Tony Dujmovich admitted. He said he and his crew continued to create the haunted houses because of popular demand.

“The public seems to like a lot and people were asking about it, so we did it again,” Ton said. “We just do it for fun.”

Randy Dujmovich could not predict how long they would continue to produce the haunted houses, but said they would probably continue.

“We’ll probably still be doing this when we’re 40.”

Brett Homann comes to life as Frankenstein at the Dujmovich Haunted House.

A ghoulish Dracula peers out from his coffin at visitors to the Dujmovich Haunted House in South Haven. Jim Stewart, in monster garb, is one of eight South Haven residents who staff the annual homemade haunted house.

An automated version of Regan, the waif possessed by the devil in The Exorcist, spins her head and screeches while Tony Dujmovich, in the werewolf mask, appears from behind her bed.

(V-M: Kathy Woodward)

Oct. 30, 1935: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ARE ‘DOLLAR DAYS’ Merchants Bureau Announces Big Two Day Event Featured by Price Slashes on Merchandise.

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 30, 1935.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ARE ‘DOLLAR DAYS’

Merchants Bureau Announces Big Two Day Event Featured by Price Slashes on Merchandise.

FINE BARGAINS ARE LISTED TODAY’S ADS

Valparaiso is going to celebrate the “last twins” of 1935.

Shoppers by the thousands are expected to assist in making Friday and Saturday the best Twin Dollar Days Valparaiso has ever experienced.

Planned at a time when winter merchandise is in season, prices have been slashed to the bone, stocks have been increased both in variety and numbers, and special purchases by many of Valparaiso’s merchants make these two days money-saving classics for valuewise shoppers.

So that buyers can easily identify the Valparaiso stores taking part in this big event promoted by the local Merchants Bureau, yellow dollar day banners will hang in the windows of each store, signifying extra-values are being offered inside. Red and white banners will also be strung along the streets on the two days.

Today’s edition of The Vidette-Messenger, being sent to thousands of additional homes in the trade area, is crammed full of advertisements, telling of the splendid bargains for this big two-day sale.

In addition to scores of individual store ads, two unusual pages of “Spot Items” to be found on Pages 12 and 13 are broadcasting merchandise to sell at or below cost for Dollar Days only. These values alone are termed attractive enough to make the sales event a success.

As Friday and Saturday are the last two dollar days to be offered by Valparaiso merchants this year, exceptional price reductions have been put in effect.

The greater proportion of local business firms are co-operating in this event. It is sponsored by the Valparaiso Merchants Bureau under the direction of a committee manned by the following: John Van Ness, Jack Henry, Abe Lowenstine, John Sievers, Jr., C.J. Spindler, Ben Linkimer, George Nelson, Chamber of Commerce secretary, Robert Bibler, Vidette-Messenger advertising manager, and George Vogt.

Oct. 29, 1955: Utility Firm Set To Meet City Growth Electric, Gas Facilities Are Under Expansion

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 29, 1955.

Utility Firm Set To Meet City Growth

Electric, Gas Facilities Are Under Expansion

By ROLLIE BERNHART

Northern Indiana Public Service company, Porter county’s largest taxpayer, must plan the expansion of its facilities, so that gas and electricity is instantly available at the turn of a valve or touch of a switch.

This service and planning must be constantly done, no matter how rapidly the city builds or in which direction it goes.

In 1955, NIPSCO has paid a total of $188,618.36 in taxes into the office of the Porter county treasurer.

The results of a construction program by NIPSCO, to assure the people of Valparaiso and vicinity of ample electric power and natural gas for present and future needs, are currently very much in evidence throughout the city and county, a V-M reporter’s survey revealed.

All of the work and expansion prevalent in Valparaiso and Porter county today, is merely a portion of the general expansion program being carried on throughout the entire NIPSCO territory.

The growth of the city;s east side is reflected in the new NIPSCO electric substation being built on Roosevelt road at Wood street, and the new electric line being constructed along Roosevelt road from the north.

The rapid expansion of Valparaiso’s east side, including the new buildings on Valparaiso university’s new campus, new residential buildings, the new East Side school currently under construction, new commercial buildings including “auto-mobile row” on East Lincolnway, all take lots of electricity and gas.

In addition, increasing general use of air conditioning adds much to the demand for electric power, it was pointed out.

Reduces Voltage

The new substation will take power from the new Roosevelt road line at 34,500 volts, and will step it down to 4,000. Radical lines at 4,000 volts will then carry the power to the east side neighborhoods, where smaller transformers will convert it to voltages used in homes and business.

Probably the construction most important to the entire Valparaiso area has been underway for months at the huge underway for months at the huge electric station east of the Valparaiso Gold club, known on the NIPSCO district list as the Flint Lake substation.

This station, started several years ago, has been more than doubled in size during the past year, and is the main electric center in this area.

Work on a new 138,000 volt transmission line, to link with another 138,000 volt source of power near Crown Point, is planned to begin this winter. According to Morris Groverman Jr., Valparaiso District manager it was indicated that this line will give Valparaiso another independent source of high voltage power, essential to meet the growth of electric loads here, and to assure continuous and plentiful electricity for area expansion.

Target Date Set

It was pointed out that this line will eventually be connected to the new $26,000,000 Dean H. Mitchell electric generating plant now being constructed by NIPSCO on Lake Michigan at Gary, and is expected to be “on the line” in the late fall of 1956.

In Valparaiso, poles for the new line have been moving into the company’s storage yards along Evans avenue. Many of these poles are 85 feet in height, and weigh two and one-half tons.

Probably the most noticeable projects to Valparaiso residents, is the continuing work at the district operating headquarters on Franklin street, at Evans avenue. Lawns and landscaping along Franklin street were developed this year and further substantial improvements made in the two large storage lots.

Groverman reported today that plans call for blacktopping of most of the yard area around the building sometime next year.

The new district operating building on Franklin street houses the gas and electric operating departments, stores department and engineering which outgrew the old building on Washington street, south of the Pennsylvania railroad.

Expansion of gas facilities has been going on in and around the city at the same time that electric expansion has been underway, it was revealed.

New Gas Main

A new gas main along Roosevelt road built this year, will handle increased east side growth, and incidentally the kitchens at Valparaiso university’s new union building.

New gas mains are under construction now, or are soon to be started in several newly developed areas of Valparaiso. To meet the ever increasing demands for gas, a new transmission line and regulator station were built south of the city along State Road 2. In addition, a new and larger regulator station is planned to start soon in the area of the old gas plant on south Napoleon street, it was announced.

In the meantime, while these major projects are underway, local NIPSCO engineers and construction crews have also been extending facilities into new subdivisions, to new farm customers, and to new industries in the region.

Line moving projects relative to Indiana Toll road construction in the county have already been undertaken in many spots in the north portion of the county. More line moving work is scheduled to start soon in connection with the widening of Indiana 49 to Kouts, and State Road 8 from Hebron to Kouts.

New Street Lights

NIPSCO will also install new street lights in the Kouts business district, it was pointed out.

Additionally, a new 34,500 electric transmission line was built to serve the Hebron and DeMotte areas. To utilize this power, a new substation was completed this year in Hebron, including extensive improvement of facilities in the south county community.

“Modern living has bright into general use automatic gas and appliances hardly dreamed of 15 years ago,” Groverman stated today. “Automatic living is the new American way of life. Plentiful, inexpensive and always reliable gas and electric service has made this all possible. We of NIPSCO intend to see that these servants are there when Valparaiso needs them.”

Oct. 28, 1935: J. Lorenzo Werich Stricken as he Writes Last Chapters of Kankakee River History

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 28, 1935.

J. LORENZO WERICH STRICKEN AS HE WRITES LAST CHAPTERS OF KANKAKEE RIVER HISTORY

J. Lorenzo Werich, age 73 years, who probably knew more about the history of the Kankakee River than any other person, died Sunday morning at his home in Logansport, Ind.

At the time of his death he was writing the last chapters of a book on the history of the Kankakee. The data was being collected and written despite the fact that he was not enjoying the best of health.

When the late Arthur J. Bowser, editor of Siftings in The Vidette-Messenger, sought to revive memories of the famous old river for posterity, he turned to Mr. Werich for much of his information.

Mr. Werich was born on Feb. 5, 1862, in Boone Township, near Hebron and left the vicinity some 35 years ago. In his early days he was known as a trapper and fisherman on the Kankakee.

Surviving are the widow, one son, John C. Werich, of Logansport, Ind., one daughter. Mrs. Joseph Neible, of Camden, Indiana, three sisters, Mrs. Genevieve Frederick of Valparaiso, and Mrs. Evelett Ling, of Hebron: one brother. Harry Werich, of near Hebron: one grandson, and one granddaughter.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the Christian Church in Hebron, conducted by Rev. Grant Blackwood. Burial will be in Hebron cemetery.

Oct. 27, 1965: Goblins To Roam Valparaiso Streets

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 27, 1965.

Goblins To Roam Valparaiso Streets

Annual Halloween festivities in Valparaiso will open Friday night when witches, goblins, ghosts and other eerie costumed and other eerie costumed characters will take to the streets (sidewalks, that is) for a single evening of “Trick-or-Treat” as designated by Mayor Don Will.

Following a restful night youngsters of the city will be guests of Valparaiso’s Jaycees at the organization’s annual Halloween Party at the Porter County YMCA Saturday evening.

According to Chairman Robert Crawford, costumed children are requested to meet Saturday at the south side of the courthouse between 7 and 7:30 p.m. sharp for the parade to the YMCA, led by a city fire truck.

‘Y’ Entertainment

At the YMCA youngsters will be ushered through a system of entertaining chutes to the basement area where judging of costumes will be held.

Crawford said today 42 prizes will be awarded for winning costumes in a variety of categories.

Also on the entertainment agenda for the evening will be the showing of popular film cartoons.

Refreshments of doughnuts and soft drinks will be served by the Jaycees.

TRICK-OR-TREAT PARTICIPANTS一Group of young goblins and ghosts peeking around cornstalks are representative of cast which will take to Valparaiso streets for annual ‘Trick-or-Treat’ night set by Mayor Don Will for a single run Friday. City’s youngsters will be feted at Jaycee Halloween party at YMCA Saturday evening. From left Beth Harrington, 3, Lynn Harrington, 4, Mike Meyer, 7, Jeff Harrington, 6, and Michele Meyer, 4. (V-M Staff Photo)