Feb. 19, 1931: HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SCORE A TRIUMPH IN “THE MILLIONAIRE”

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 19, 1931.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SCORE A TRIUMPH IN “THE MILLIONAIRE”

(BY MABLE BENNEY)

A capacity audience last evening at Memorial opera house enjoyed “The Millionaire”, a three act comedy put on by the Valparaiso high school seniors of 1931 under the direction of Mrs. Marian Van Hooser.

There was but one stage setting, an old New England sifting room. In this room gathered the interested relatives to welcome home the black sheep of the family, who is reported to have made a million in Australia. Each one of the Heaths has designs on his pocket book. But Uncle Fred Lawlor, evidently a relative on his mother’s side, Lottie Pringle, an old friend, and Dorcas, an orphan girl, are sincere in their delight at his return.

Gideon, the returning member of the family, who is the subject of the designing relatives, was characterized by Karl Tilton in a very creditable manner. His lines were spoken smoothly and without hesitation, and accompanied by well acted gestures. Aunt Adeline Heath, dependent on a cane but able to defend the family honor with vigor and her own rights with more vigor was well portrayed by Hazel Bright. Scheming, handsome, efficient Blanche, Janet Nuppnau, impersonated very satisfactorily. Helen Mohnsen was a most distracting and upsetting daughter as little Blanchette. The Heaths proudly boasted a college president, Ronald Heath, in the person of Clarence Hurley. He hoped Cousin Gideon would build a dormitory for the college.

And then there was the artist of the family, Johnny Heath, willing to paint a miniature, a full length portrait of Cousin Gideon or an historical group with him for the center figure. The sitting for the historical piece was one of the funniest incidents in the play with Rowell Conklin as the painter, Johnny arranging the rebellious Gideon, the disgusted college president, and belligerent Aunt Adeline. To the great disgust of Blanche the artist included the outspoken Lottie Pringle, admirably played by Helen Ferguson, in the picture and also bewitching Dorcas, played by Myra A’Neals.

In each act Uncle Fred Lawler (Guy Kitchen) is a disturbing element in the eyes of the Heaths. If the audience failed to see the irony or fun in a situation, he happened in and made some caustic remark. He discovers that Gideon is not a millionaire, but he keeps the secret. He receives the telegram announcing that the mine has netted the hero a million, but he waits until the Heaths have all convicted themselves of greediness before revealing the message. Like the chorus of the old Greek play, Uncle Fred emphasizes every situation and lets the audience in on the fun.

Realizing how much work Mrs. Van Hooser had done on their behalf, the class presented the director with a bunch of roses, Janet Nuppnau making the presentation speech.

Besides the many commendations for the play the audience was loud in its praise of the high school orchestra, which under the direction of Mrs. Myers furnished the music for the evening. Underclassmen as well as seniors united in making the play a complete success. The following directed the stage details:

Stage setting, Mary Alice McGill, properties, Marjorie Baker; costumes, Virginia Stuart; prompters, Helen Nickerson and Ada Jensen.

Feb. 18, 1956: Washington Township Girl Apt Pupil In Air

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 18, 1956.

Washington Township Girl Apt Pupil In Air

By ROLLIE BERNHART

Judy Lindberg, 17-year-old, Washington Township High school senior, is an apt pupil.

A week ago, after 45 minutes of instruction in a dual control plane in which she had never before riffen, Judy took off and did a solo over the Porter County Municipal airport “for 15 minutes”, the first time any girl has done this feat at the county field.

To make it even more remarkable, she did it the hard way, taking off over a snow packed runway on skis for the first time, and landing the craft as “lightly as a feather.”

Adding to the ability of the Washington township girl to take instruction aptly, is the surprising fact that her “teacher” has been her father, Claude.

Where it has been a proven fact that parents rarely can teach their offsprings the art of driving a car, let alone piloting a plane, Judy’s father said that he has never lost patience during instruction periods. “She just seemed willing to learn, and has never had fear of being in the air.”

Judy simply says, in explanation of her father never having to “bawl her out” over some infraction while up in the air, that the motors make so much noise, she would not have heard him anyway.”

8,000 Hours In Air

She comes by her flying ability naturally. Her father, a former instructor and manager at Urschel field, and currently teaching with the Porter County Flying club at the county airport, has had more than 8,000 hours flying time.

Judy has been training in a Piper cub plane for about one year. As far as she is concerned flying is just a hobby. Although she would like to become a member of the county flying club, the organization’s by-laws contain no provision for the opposite sex on its roster.

When Judy is not flying, she can be found practicing with the “Washington Township Blue Notes,” a championship singing octet which will be vieing for its second consecutive state title at the Indianapolis finals today.

Mrs. Lindberg has the utmost confidence in the ability of her daughter and husband. “I am going to be Judy’s first passenger when she gets her pilot’s license. If her father thinks she’s good enough to take over, I’m willing to take a chance, too.”

Girl, 17, Solos In Plane

JUDY LINDBERG, 17, of Washington township, is at controls of a plane in which she recently did a solo at the Porter County municipal airport, the first girl to do this feat at the county field. Her father and instructor, Claude, is seated at her right.

Father Is her Instructor

JUDY, senior at Washington school and member of the 1955 state high school championship octet, the Blue Notes, here takes propping instruction from her father.

Jan. 17, 1961: ON FIRE RADIO NETWORK

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 17, 1961.

ON FIRE RADIO NETWORK

Clerk John A. Heller, of Chesterton’s fire and police departments, works at new fire frequency base station KAY 218 in fire station enabling truck-to-truck and fire-station-to-truck contacting in cases of emergency. Receipt of license from Federal Communications commission and installation of equipment enables Chesterton Volunteer fire department to call truck-to-truck to Liberty, Pine, Portage and Ogden Dunes departments. Chesterton and area police cars are also on the same frequency.

Feb. 17, 1941: COUNTY LOSING HEAVILY FROM TAX EVASIONS Assessors Told Checkup Planned to Uncover Chiseling On Matter of Intangibles Stamps. SAYS THOUSANDS LOST ANNUALLY

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 17, 1941.

COUNTY LOSING HEAVILY FROM TAX EVASIONS

Assessors Told Checkup Planned to Uncover Chiseling On Matter of Intangibles Stamps.

SAYS THOUSANDS LOST ANNUALLY

Porter County as well as other counties of the state are losing thousands of dollars annually through failure of persons to pay taxes on intangibles.

This was the assertion made by Ronald H. Ditty, of Gary, representative of the Indiana state tax board, to township assessors of Porter county at a meeting held this morning at the office of County Assessor Edward Landgrebe at the court house.

Mr. Ditty presided at a hearing and explained the various forms to be used during the assessing period which begins on March 1. C.R. Benjamin, member of the state tax board, who was scheduled to attend today’s session, was unable to come.

According to Ditty, one of the reasons assigned for the loss in taxes on intangibles, has been the lack of enforcement of the law. Honest taxpayers buy the stamps but many do not. The fact that the rate is only 25c per $100 precludes anyone from trying to avoid payment, he said.

Plan Checkup

Ditty warned that the state tax board plans to send out checkers within a short time to examine the records and ferret out those who have been evading payment. These men will contact brokers to ascertain who has purchased stock, will probe county records and endeavor in other ways to ascertain if the tax is being paid.

He urged assessors to ask all taxpayers if they own any intangibles in order to prevent them from being assessed a penalty for not paying the tax.

Ditty was unable to say whether a reassessment of real estate will be made. He had a copy of the b;; to be introduced in the legislature providing for a reassessment in 1942. However, if this bill does not pass, he was confident the state tax board will not order an assessment.

Because of pending legislation, Ditty advised the assessors to urge taxpayers not to file petitions with the county auditor for realty reassessments until the latter part of March. If the bill is passed then it will not be necessary to file.

Feb. 16, 1956: Wise Use of Materials is Being Urged

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 16, 1956.

Wise Use of Materials is Being Urged

“If everyone uses scarce building materials wisely, more building can be done in Porter county and vicinity during the emergency,” according to Charles E. Foster, Jr., local lumber and building materials dealer and member of the public affairs committee of the national retail lumber dealers association.

“Because of production restrictions adopted to meet the needs of the rearmament program, supplies of certain building products, such as nails, pipe, gutters and downspouts, metal lath and reinforcing steel, are likely to be restricted for some months to come,” Foster said.

“By not using those scarce products unless absolutely necessary, using no more than is required for safe construction, and avoiding waste in their use, the available supply can be made to stretch over a larger amount of construction work and benefit a larger number of local people.

“There should be plenty of lumber, wall board, cement, brick, and other non-critical building materials in the months ahead, but the amount of building that can be done will be determined largely by the care with which materials containing critical metals are used in building.

“With the virtual elimination of copper and aluminum for construction purposes steel now is the material which must be carefully conserved in building until such time as expanded production makes it possib;e to meet both defense and civilian needs.”

Feb. 16, 1931: READERS’ VIEWS ON SUBJECTS OF PUBLIC APPEAL

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 16, 1931.

READERS’ VIEWS ON SUBJECTS OF PUBLIC APPEAL

Valparaiso, Ind.

Feb. 13, 1931

VIDETTE-MESSENGER:

It is with a feeling of greatest gratitude that I write this morning. It is in appreciation of what the city of valparaiso and Porter county are doing for their own, their needy. I have especially in mind those who have come to my attention by contact. The Red Cross, the Woman’s Relief in the Woman’s Building, the work of Mrs. Shauer, the Community Chest, and last, but not least, the barber who is doing a good work of barbering the jobless. Besides this there are all the individual charities of which we never hear.

I would like to ask that we all remember to be thankful for all these organizations and the wonderful work they are doing. Indeed, what would we do without them this winter?

Sincerely,

A caretaker.

ー

Editor Vidette-Messenger:

Be it known to you that the women of the Porter County Federation of Clubs of Valparaiso, Hebron and Kouts, do appreciate and hereby heartily endorse the statement you have given in relation to the Lake county cas (Kirkland trial of February 23) inasmuch that you will suppress the reporting of lewd facts and sensational phrases which may have a contaminating influence upon our youth; that the facts be so related as to magnify the shame of such crime and exult the importance of self-respect and moral integrity.

Our American nation is in great need of stanch and conscientious editors who make an effort to publish a clean, honest newspaper that licentious living and crime be mitigated.

May you have success and the peoples’ gratitude in this endeavor.

Gratefully yours,

Porter County Federation of Women’s Clubs,

Mrs. Emil Hofferth, secretary.

Feb. 15, 1956: Wheeler Dial Phone Conversion Is Completed

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 15, 1956.

Wheeler Dial Phone Conversion Is Completed

GENERAL TELEPHONE COMPANY of Indiana Inc., officials presided at a tie-in ceremony in the new dial equipment building at Wheeler at 7 o’clock this morning, when the Union township community was officially converted to the new dial telephone system. Only a few minor service disruptions were reported, but were quickly cleared.

Left to right in photo: P.E. Platt, district manager; Jack Lorditch, commercial manager; and Joe Randolph, division equipment superintendent.

(Bill Brooks Photo)

Feb. 15, 1941: Police Told Ways To Win Public Help

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 15, 1941.

Police Told Ways To Win Public Help

Law enforcement officers of Lake and Porter counties attending the regional training course in traffic enforcement being held at City Hall each Friday afternoon from Jan. 20 to March 28, Friday were told the ins and outs of public speaking as a vital force in selling themselves and their products to the public.

The speaker was Professor J. L. Lingo. Director, Public Safety Institute, Purdue university.

According to Prof. Lingo law enforcement officers have an important product to sellーnamely, public service. Knowing some of the basic rules of public speaking will help every officers to better express his ideas not only to large groups but in individual conversations as well, the speaker said.

Seek Public Support

A knowledge of public speaking and expression of ideas should prove valuable in raising the level of the police profession and in gaining public support for police work both, generally and individually, Prof. Lingo pointed out.

“Public speaking is an expression of ideas, and the manner in which you put over your sales idea has a great bearing on what people think of your employerーthe municipal corporation,” Prof. Lingo told the police.

Prof. Lingo explained why speeches are effective and how stage fright could be overcome. He stressed the proper and improper methods of preparing speeches; how long should be taken in preparing a speech; how a speech should be delivered; what should be included in a speech, and the importance of a good beginning and good ending in a speech.

Discusses Technique

Prof. Lingo also discussed accident investigation and the gathering of evidence at the scene to build up a case. He showed the reactions of car drivers, the braking and stopping of cars and how to tell the speed of cars after accidents by means of skid marks.

Paul T. Beverforden, sergeant, Indiana state police, of Indianapolis, assisted in the conduct of the meeting. He announced that next Friday George H. Harris, of the Public Safety Division, National Safety Council, will be in charge of the lesson dealing with the basic laws of evidence, court procedure, interviewing witnesses, statements, confessions and law of arrest.