Dec. 18, 1930: Here’s What Your Neighbors and Friends are Saying and Doing AS TOLD BY The TRAVELING REPORTER

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 18, 1930.

Here’s What Your Neighbors and Friends are Saying and Doing

AS TOLD BY The TRAVELING REPORTER

ODD BITS OF FACTS AND GOSSIP FOR THE VIDETTE-MESSENGER READER FAMILY.

(BY JEROME KENNY)

KOUTS, Dec. 17.ーThe Kouts American legion post has enough members again this year to be chartered by the national organization. Several days ago it was announced by the adjutant, J. Raymond Benkie, that sixteen members had been secured but the total has been brought up to twenty since then. On Friday night the post will hold a smoker at which cards and bunco will be played.

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KOUTS, Dec. 17.ー The Civic club met Tuesday night at the school house with the largest attendance since it was organized. The meeting was somewhat noisy on account of a rehearsal of a Christmas play in an adjoining room, but even that had its compensations, for the music tended to enliven the group and ideas flowed thick and fastーfor a better Kouts.

A representative of the Erie railroad consulted with a member of the town board, who reported to the assemblage that the only way to get any action on the flasher signals at Maple and Kimbel streets was to have a joint meeting of the above official, the town board, and a committee on public safety from the Civic club. The railroad is willing to install but one flasher while the town believes that two are desirable.

A letter was received from the principal of the Hebron high school describing the school boy patrol system instituted in Hebron by the Chicago Motor club and the Pennsylvania railroad. A discussion took place in which it was decided that the school could handle the situation without outside aid. Along with the safety program continued from the last meeting about minors driving school buses was brought up. Bert Hofferth brought a law book before the club from which was read a law which prohibited drivers under the age of twenty-one, operating a school bus. The club passed a motion for the safety committee to advise the township trustee of the law which is being violated by several bus operators.

The Women’s club made a suggestion to the Civic club that a municipal Christmas tree be erected and lighted during the holiday season for the benefit of the children of the town. The club went on record to support the Woman’s club in this project.

A committee appointed in the previous meeting to further the state roads project, reported that as yet it had done nothing and it was instructed to continue working on its assignment until the work had been accomplished.

John Schumaker, operator of the Gem theatre, informed the club that he would donate proceeds above net cost, of any of every Wednesday night show to a relief chest for the community. A motion was made to accept his offer for one Wednesday night. Later, when it was seen that there would be a good many conflicts for a Wednesday night, the date of the shoe was changed to Tuesday, December 23. Dr. D.E. Dittmer suggested that a donation be made for tickets and laid a dollar on the table. Not to be outdone, Rev. J. Nichols matched this dollar and Herman Chael threw a dollar into the fund. Mr. Leaders suggested that the money donated for tickets be put into the charity fund and he would make the tickets on a duplicating machine, free of charge. The club accepted his suggestion. Each member of the club will be responsible for the sale of ten tickets at twenty-five cents apiece. In addition, Frank Null will select ten school children to sell tickets. For the benefit of those people who love in the country and cannot be reached by members of the club, the tickets will be on sale at following places of business: Pulaski grocery store, Dux grocery store, Smith-Nuppnau store, Wise garage, Dye barber shop, Kiemm’s cafe, McIntyre’s cafe Luer;s department store, and Hendrickson;s barber shop.

The profit from the show will be given to the following committee members: Pulaski, Dux, Luers, who will ascertain those who need help, and will see that the money is properly spent on their behalf.

Dec. 17, 1975: Possible New Future For ‘Grand Old Dame’

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 17, 1975.

Possible New Future For ‘Grand Old Dame’

By Jo Mannies

Old Photo Courtesy Of Valparaiso University Archives

If Valparaiso University’s Altruria Hall had been a person and not a student dormitory she would have been considered very special.

This picture taken more than 30 years ago shows how the upper floors of Altruria Hall were actually balconies overlooking a huge sitting room. Roof is a large skylight. Used for more than 60 years as dormitory for Valparaiso University students, the hall was frequently a setting for banquets and campus parties. It was also the center of student life for many years, with a dining hall located in the basement.

After she was “born” in the early 1900s, she became a beloved friend to thousands of young women before her doors were closed in 1973.

She entertained famous people in the academic, religious and secular fields from all over the world.

She also had a few alterations during her “life”, including a two-year stint as a men’s dorm, but her charm and warmth never really changed.

Now she is old ー but not forgotten.

Former residents in her quarters still talk about the friendship she fostered and the special significance given to those who were “Altruria girls.”

“Never in my life have I seen another building like Altruria,” stated Dr. Vera Hahn, V.U. speech and drama professor emerita. “There is none like it in the whole United States. I’ll never forget the first time I saw it.”

Studying took just as much time 50 years ago as it does now, according to this old photo of a woman writing in a dormitory “suite.” Each suite consisted of two rooms, with usually two girls assigned to a suite.

Dr. Hahn lived in Altruria during her first four years as a V.U. professor, from 1941-45. “I prospered well there,” she recalled. “I believe those were the happiest four years of my life here at the university.”

Along with other old acquaintances of Altruria Hall. Dr. Hahn is excited about the possibility of restoring the building for use as an arts center. Earlier this month, members of the Porter County Arts Commission inspected the building.

Although the commission has discussed various ways of funding such a restoration project, there have been no negotiations with V.U. administrators about purchasing the property, according to Albert Huegli, university president.

“Altruria Hall might have potential for the right purpose,” Huegli stated. “But, presently, there have been only unofficial inquiries about the building. The University has also made no formal proposal.”

For many years, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Garrison, now deceased, were managers of a dining hall located in the basement of Altruria.

Huegli admitted V.U. had been approached in the past two years by several prospective buyers, including some interested in making the building into apartments. The three-story building has been used for a storage area since it was closed in 1973 because of the structure’s lack of fire safety facilities and high maintenance costs.

“It could be fixed up for uses other than a residence hall at less cost,” he added. “We’d welcome any kind of conversation at an official level before the building deteriorates further.” Purchase price, he noted, has not been set. “We have no idea what the price would be.”

It is not certain how old Altruria Hall really is. Two books written about the history of Valparaiso University (one in 1921 and the other in 1959) set the date of construction as near 1912. The earliest yearbook currently possessed by the V.U. archives ー circa 1911 ー show the building was in use that year. Old university catalogs from the same period strongly suggest the structure was completed around 1909 although, unfortunately, no dormitory names were used in those early catalogs.

Despite its age, the exterior of Altruria Hall still seems to have a special charm. According to local architects, the structure is still basically sound and could be renovated.

“Altruria is very functional,” contended Margaretta Tangerman, V.U. professor emerita in social work. “It is deteriorating because it is not used.”

Prof. Tangerman lived in the dorm for many years during the 1950s, much of the time serving as the university’s first dean of women. Teas, parties and receptions were frequent, Prof. Tangerman said, since the large lounge room could seat several hundred people.

As the center of all campus social activity, Altruria entertained a number of famous personalities in the “commons” room, as former V.U. president O.P. Kretznabb called the large lounge.

Dr. Hahn remembered when Todd Duncan, a famous black singer “with a magnificent voice” was given an honorary degree. The board of directors presided over the ceremony, she said, noting Duncan appeared on campus two other times.

V.U. archivist Albert Seribner is not sure when this picture of the basement dining hall was taken, although it is certain the photo is of the hall before it was remodeled with wood paneling in the 1940s or 50s.

According to Prof. Tangerman, famous women like Countess Tolstoy, a Russian immigrant who opened a refugee camp for other immigrants, and the sister of then-German Chancellor Adenauer were always received in Altruria. Countess Tolstoy was particularly impressed with the structure. “She said the building made her think of an old Greek Orthodox church back in Russia.”

When Dr. Hahn lived in Altruria, all of the female university students ー except senior sorority members who lived in the sorority house ー were housed in the dorm. By the time Prof. Tangerman arrived, the university’s enrollment had greatly increased, so Altruria became the hall for freshman women.

Both women remembered the small chapel with its beautiful stained glass window (stolen a few years ago), and the formal dinners in the dining hall, which was remodeled about 25 or 30 years ago into the “Hole” ー the major student hangout before the current Student Union was completed in the mid 50s.

Both of the upper floors were actually balconies, with windows overlooking the lounge. The roof was a skylight, so window boxes full of flowers or vines were placed in all of the balcony windows. The effect was beautiful, the two professors asserted.

The highlight each year, however, both women agreed, was the Christmas reception held in the hall each year for O.P. Kretzmann. “Everyone wore formals,” Dr. Hahn recalled, “And each girl would carry a candle for the candle light parade.” All of the residents ー usually between 125 and 140 ー would start at the third floor and walk a winding path around the open balconies to the main floor. As they walked, they sang Christmas carols. “It was just lovely,” Prof. Tangerman said.

A tall Christmas tree reaching the ceiling was always placed in the lounge at Christmas time, Prof. Tangerman said, with the trimming a major undertaking.

Basement of Altruria Hall shows rapid deterioration. For many years after cafeteria facilities were removed, the basement served as kitchen for girls living in the hall. Students also used it for Saturday night coffee houses until the dormitory was closed in 1973.

“The dorm was reverent, a thing of beauty,: she continued. “That was how you felt about it. It was something like a fishbowl, since all of the girls could come out of their rooms and look down from the balconies into the lounge. But, there was a closeness in that dormitory that girls never had in any other. I still get letters every day from girls writing ‘I can never forget Altruria’s Christmas.” Dr. Hahn added, “Some of the girls remain friends to this very day I know. Altruria Hall has meaning for me only. The architecture is so unusual, it should be made a national monument of some kind. I would give anything to see it restored.”

“I hope they never tear it down,” Prof. Tangerman stated. “I hope the city buys it, I truly do.”

Dec. 17, 1945: Monoxide Perils Lives of University Cagers Gas Escapes From Faulty Bus Heater

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 17, 1945.

Monoxide Perils Lives of University Cagers

Gas Escapes From Faulty Bus Heater

May Postpone Game Tonight As Result Of Misfortune

The lives of 15 members of the Valparaiso University basketball team were periled Sunday by deadly carbon monoxide fumes escaping from a faulty heater in a charter bus, it was learned today.

Wally Warnke, reserved center and brother of Don, assistant to Coach Loren Ellis, was most seriously affected by the fumes. He was taken to the Holy Family hospital in LaPorte and placed in an oxygen tent. Today his condition is reported as fair.

Several members of the big Crusader team only recently recovered from attacks of severe colds and influenza.

According to M. E. Zimmerman, business and program manager at the university, the squad members are “in no condition” to play tonight’s contest with the Bowling Green Falcons and efforts are being made to have the game postponed.

Additional details of the Sunday misfortune may be found on today’s sport page.

Dec. 16, 1930: ORGANIZE NEW DUNE SHORES FIRM TO DEVELOP LAKE FRONT TRACT NORTH PORTER COUNTY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 16, 1930.

ORGANIZE NEW DUNE SHORES FIRM TO DEVELOP LAKE FRONT TRACT NORTH PORTER COUNTY

Plans for the early development for residential purposes of the western portion of the Dune Acres shoreland tract in north Porter county probably will be projected before spring, Col A. P. Melton, secretary of Dune Acres, Inc., announced today.

Colonel Melton is listed among the incorporators of the new Dune Shores company, formed Dec. 4, which took over 350 acres, representing the western section of the 600-acre Dune Acre tract for immediate development purposes. The company is capitalized at $50,000.

Officers of the new concern, besides Col. Melton, are William A. Wirt; State Senator William F. Hodges, Frank Hodson, Gary contractor; and George Hill, of Michigan City, Mr. Hill is auditor of the Dune Acres estate.

Col. Melton said the Dune Shore tract, which has more than a mile of frontage on Lake Michigan, in Porter county, would be subdivided as soon as conditions permitted. Situated only two miles west of the proposed site of the National Steel Corporation plant, the development will be pursued with a view to provide residences for officials of the steel concern.

The completed nine-hole Beverly Shores Golf club which comprised the southwest section of the Dune Acre tract, was absorbed by the new company in the transaction.

Dec. 15, 1950: RAIL STRIKE SPREADS ACROSS U.S. Postal Order Hits Service In Valparaiso

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 15, 1950.

RAIL STRIKE SPREADS ACROSS U.S.

Postal Order Hits Service In Valparaiso

The Valparaiso postoffice today was not accepting parcel post Chrisrmas packages consigned to western points as a result of the crippling strike throughout the country among railroad trainmen, principally switchmen.

A general embargo order was received here on all second, third and fourth class parcel post, according to Postmaster Robert B. Wise. The ban also applies to all first class mail over eight ounces, including two-cent Christmas cards.

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RAIL EXPRESS EMBARGO

L.A. Fenimore, Railway Express company agent at the Grand Trunk, reported everything in and out of Chicago is embargoed except medical supplies. Shipments to the east are still clear, but operations are being conducted under difficulties, he added.

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The only exceptions to the order are daily newspapers, medicines and medical supplies, the postmaster added.

States not affected by the ban include Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and those in New England.

All air mail and parcel air post do not come under the order (One woman who tried to mail a large package to Florida was informed the postage would amount to $11.” Only first class mail is being dispatched to western and southern points.

Meanwhile parcel post and other mail matter is piling up at the local mail matter is piling up at the local office and in many terminals. Unless the strike is settled soon, many Christmas packages will not be delivered until after the holidays, postal officials said.

Package Number Dwindles

The volume of incoming parcel post received at the Valparaiso office has dwindled to a low point in the last few days, Postmaster Wise stated. The regular volume of 200 pouches during the first of the rush has been cut to around 50 to 75.

Railroads today reported passenger service is being operated on late schedules and freight business is slow and falling off.

Agent Ira Mummert, of the Pennsylvania lines, reported that freight headed for Chicago is being diverted at Hamlet on the New York Central to western point. However, freight consigned to Chicago is being held up at Wanatah and other points east of Valparaiso.

Mummert stated that both Valparaiso-Chicago suburban trains are still operating, as well as some other passenger runs, but several trains will be consolidated under a plan now being discussed. Most of the trains, however, are running late, he said.

Mail formerly handled by trains is now being taken over almost exclusively by trucks, the agent for the Chicago, New York, and St. Louis railroad (Nickel Plate) stated that no freight is being received out of Chicago and none is going in. Freight is moving in an easterly direction.

Ross Corson, agent of the Grand Trunk Western railroad reported freight business as slow. He said freight trains west are held up in the Elsdon switch yards of the company. Passenger trains are still operating, with three trains each way daily.

Dec. 15, 1970: County Park Board Primary Objective

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 15, 1970.

County Park Board Primary Objective

Primary objective of the Porter County Open Spaces Committee is creation of a Porter County Board of Parks and Recreation. The committee’s recent seminar was organized not only to demonstrate the need for open spaces, but to show how they can best be obtained.

Once the questions of moral imperatives, future necessity and shortage of time were discussed, the seminar turned to questions concerning county park boards. Only one potential problem remainedーthat of state parks.

To answer the questions of whether state parks could effectively provide Indiana and Porter County citizens with open spaces, David Griffith, area supervisor of Northern Indiana Parks, was asked to speak at the seminar.

State parks are not a duplication of city and municipal parks, said Griffith. “State parks utilize the natural features of parks for nature study, trails and specified recreation opportunities. Our main consideration is to maintain and protect the natural beauty and features of our parks. We use them for recreation only in compliance with these natural features.”

Griffith said that in any given park, two-thirds of it would be left natural and not used for recreation, except perhaps nature study. In addition, between 40 and 60 percent of the people who use Dunes State Park are out of state residents.

Griffith said Indiana is short of needed recreational facilities such as campsites and picnic tables. “We can only supplement the national, county and municipal levels.”

Discussing the function of the county park department was Bill Beech, area extension agent at Purdue University.

Beech said the 1965 Recreation Act provides a simple method for establishing county parks boards. The county council passes an ordinance establishing a county park district. The circuit court judge then appoints a county park board that must be impartial politically and may have a county extension agent and school board official ex officio.

The board, said Beech, has several specified functions. Board members must do the planning, which said Beech, “should be done by professional planners.” They have power for the acquisition and development of land. They may hire personnel, accept gifts for the park district and issue bonds. They have the power of eminent domain and they must cooperate with other units of government, especially the county council, from whom they receive their operating money.

Beech said the problem of bonds “worries some people” because the board is not an elected body. “But our experience has been that the elected officials have to approve the bonds before they are sold. We have had one experience where a park board tried to sell bonds without the approval of the elected officials and they could not get them sold.”

Beech added that most counties get started with gifts and matching funds from state and federal agencies. “But it will cost you some money. If you don’t think open spaces are important enough to spend some money, you had better forget it.”

Also tackling the problem of money was Kenneth Harris, an extension agent in water resources with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Harris stated that he too did not think that the burden should fall on the property owner alone. Jokingly, he added, “There is only one good tax, the one the other guy pays.”

Harris then outlined several ways parks could be obtained at a minimum cost to the taxpayer. He considered gifts one of the most valuable ways of obtaining parks. He noted that many of the state parks were originally gifts and gave several examples of how county park systems were started with gifts. But, he noted a county park system is necessary for a county to accept land for a park as a gift.

Another way county park systems can obtain land for parks is through cumulative funds. That is, a small tax is levied and money from the tax is allowed to build over a period of years.

State and federal funds are also available, said Harris, but again a county park system is needed to qualify. Indiana has funds available under the watershed funds act and ASCS payments can be used for purchasing open spaces.”

From the federal government, there is money available from HUD and through the Farmer’s Home Administration.

Harris cautioned seminar participants to use care in financing a county park board. “Those counties who try to do it all by themselves are asking for trouble. But those counties who take every handout the government offers without planning adequately are also asking for trouble.”

Harris suggested that every county considering a county park system should take inventory of what they have, carefully sort out all facts concerning the project, determine a set of alternatives based on the facts and take into consideration the consequences of the alternatives.

In the final analysis, said Harris, “it is the county officials who must take action.”

Dec. 14, 1955: V-M Plans Drastic Changes Due To Newsprint Shortage

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 14, 1955.

V-M Plans Drastic Changes Due To Newsprint Shortage

As with other daily newspapers from coast to coast, The Vidette-Messenger faces a severe newsprint shortage in 1956 that manufacturers consider more critical than during World War II.

Although The Vidette-Messenger has conserved on its newsprint the past year, only increasing its usage because of a normal growth in circulation, many measures will have to be taken to assure publication of a paper each day.

In the works right now, according to General Manager Avery B. Weaver, are plans to use paper rolls of narrower width, closer editing of stories, closer checks on free copies, fewer tear sheets, and, when possible, fewer pages in an issue.

Closer editing will mean cutting out non-essentials in articles to the best judgment of the managing editor and banning an increase in more features.

What hits the V-M squarely between the eyes is the continual gain in population in both Valparaiso and Porter county, the area of its circulation which it must serve, with both news coverage and advertising.

Because of a delay by its supplier in shipping a carload of newsprint on the scheduled date of Dec. 1, the management has its fingers crossed until next Monday when it is supposed to arrive.

No Relief Seen

While Candian newsprint mills have expanded capacity during 1955, a number of factors have prevented them from producing to the limit, thus cutting down on output and creating a critical situation in almost every newspaper plant which they supply.

Many large newspapers have been notified that shipments expected for the first four months of 1956 will be slashed by 7½%, indicating the clouded horizon, are doing everything possible to obtain newsprint whenever they can, and to reduce its use wherever it is feasible.

Dec. 13, 1950: Event For Male Shoppers Wives Urged To Let ‘Old Man’ Out Friday

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 13, 1950.

Event For Male Shoppers

Wives Urged To Let ‘Old Man’ Out Friday

Porter county men will have no excuse for late shopping this year!

Valparaiso merchants will welcome male shoppers in a big way Friday when the Christmas evening shopping season will open officially with a special “stag night” shopping event planned for 7 to 9 p.m.

“Be sure to let the ‘old man’ out Friday night so he can buy a present for you,” was the timely advice offered to wives today by Max Dickey, president of the Merchants’ bureau.

The event will not be confined to married men only, but sons, suitors, uncles, brothers and grandfathers will be catered to as well. One department store is planning an “open house” for the men with hostesses, gifts for all masculine shoppers and free refreshments. There will be special displays in some departments and experienced clerks will be ready to make suggestions for suitable gifts.

Cigars will be given to the men at one ladies’ dress shop, according to an announcement from the management. The store is also offering a free pair of women’s stockings with the purchase of each six pairs. If customers wish, garments will be modeled for their selection, the manager stated.

The idea of a stag shopping night has been in vogue in a number of Indiana communities for several years and has proved very successful, James Patrick, secretary-manager of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, said today. This year will be the first time the event has been city-wide here, he said.

Patrick urged men to shop Friday so they “won’t be pushed around by a flock of women.” He added that, while women shoppers would not be turned away from any stores, stag night has been planned primarily to “offer male shoppers a chance to buy the lady-of-the-house a gift without having to sneak out to get it and to give them a chance to do their own thinking.”

Stores will close at their regular closing hours Friday and open again at 7 p.m. Starting Monday and running through Saturday, Dec. 23, stores will stay open all day until 9 p.m.

All merchants, including groceries and meat markets, will be open for the stag night, according to the Merchants’ bureau. Advertising featuring stag night bargains, individual store plans and merchandise, appears in today’s 16-page Vidette-Messenger.