Photos by Mike Kellems

(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

While some parts southward and westward sustained quite a bit of damage from the series of storms that rumbled through Wednesday night, June 12, 2013, the LaPorte area was largely spared. Mike Kellems was in the southern part of the county, where there was a lot of rain, wind and almost constant lightning strikes, he said. Here are his dramatic photos from the Wanatah area, and a link to a video he shot in the same region.

http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-video-rotation-in-wanatah-20130612,0,3258460.story

Mrs. Marlene J. Krcilek, 76, of LaPorte, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 12, 2013, at 9:20 a.m. at IU Health LaPorte Hospital.

She was born Oct. 19, 1936, in LaPorte to Edward and Shirley (Shafer) Beam and lived here her entire life.

Marlene was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she was a Eucharistic minister, choir member, St. Joseph Rosary Sodality member, RCIA sponsor and bereavement minister. She shared her love of the piano with local nursing home residents. She was a wonderful cook and baker and loved hosting her family and friends. She had a charming personality, with a smile and kind words for everyone she met. She was a selfless and devoted wife and mother, and she especially loved her grandchildren.

On Oct. 12, 1957, in LaPorte, she married Gerald N. Krcilek, who survives.

She is also survived by two daughters, Christine (Richard) Ward of LaPorte and Juliet Sabie (Steven Eaton) of LaPorte; two sons, Gerald Matthew Krcilek of Chicago and Charles Krcilek of LaPorte; nine grandchildren, Bob Sabie, Erik Sabie, Christopher Sabie, Hannah Sabie, Nick Krcilek, Alex Krcilek, Sarah Krcilek, Andrew Ward, and Emily Ward; two sisters, Ann Dolph of Michigan City, IN, and Sharon (Arnie) McIlquham of LaPorte; three brothers, Dale (Monica) Beam of Evansville, IN, Lauren (Nancy) Beam of Phoenix, AZ, and Terry Beam of Knox; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Pamela Krcilek.

A funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, June 17, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Eduardo Malagon officiating. Visitation will be at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Sunday, June 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held Sunday at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, following the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 C St., LaPorte, IN 46350.

Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Nuelan “Nute” Rehlander, 78, of Fort Myers, FL, and formerly of LaPorte County, died suddenly Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at Gulf Coast Hospital in Fort Myers.

He was born Sept. 3, 1934, in Clinton Township, LaPorte County, to Nopel and Neva (Pugh) Rehlander and had lived in Florida since 2010, having moved there from Mishawaka, IN.

Mr. Rehlander was a superintendent of physical plant operations for Purdue North Central. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and a former member of Westville American Legion and the New Buffalo, MI, Town Board. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

On Nov. 6, 1954, in Rome, NY, he married Lorraine Winchell, who preceded him in death April 2, 1994. On Dec. 28, 1994, in Leavenworth, Kansas, he married Marsha Kenny, who preceded him in death Jan. 22, 2006. On Aug. 28, 2010, in Westville, IN, he married Judy Herrold, who survives.

He is also survived by two sons, Jeffery (Tracy) Rehlander of Granger, IN, and Raymon Rehlander of Fort Myers; one stepson, Troy (Elaine) Smith of Princeton, IN; one granddaughter, Emily Rehlander; four step-grandchildren, Haleigh Adams, Brianna Boes, Megan Rinehart and Coltin Smith; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruth (William) Dietz of DeLand, FL; one brother, Dewey (Rachael) Rehlander of LaPorte; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his first two wives, he was preceded in death by one son, Greg Rehlander, and one brother, Norman Rehlander.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m. at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, with Rev. Ronald Brauer officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in Pinhook Cemetery following the service. Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the LaPorte Honor Guard.

Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.

Cherished father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Bernard Eugene Tarnow, 82, of Mill Creek, IN, was called home to Jesus on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, to be with his best friend and loving wife of 60 years, Doris (Jones) Tarnow, who died in 2012.

Bernard “Gene” was born March 2, 1931, to Lawrence and Velma Tarnow.

Gene proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. After leaving the military he worked over 40 years at Clark Equipment and Sullair Corporation until he retired. Gene was known as an athlete; an avid basketball player, golfer, baseball player and track star. He was a loyal IU fan and enjoyed friendly wagers with his friends and grandchildren. Gene and Doris both had green thumbs, growing prize vegetables that were shared with all. He was known to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as someone who could make them laugh, always quick to tease or tell a joke. He taught his children the love of music early on by playing the harmonica, singing them songs, and teaching them to polka. He taught his family to love and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors and was very proud of his farm. Gene was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church his entire life. He served faithfully as deacon and trustee for many years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He modeled work ethic, integrity and loyalty in all that he did. He was a humble man and will be missed so very much by his family. He will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, a role model for always striving to do the right and honorable thing.

On Dec. 23, 1951, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Doris Jones, while he was on leave from the U.S. Air Force. Jesus opened his arms on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, and took Gene home so that he can once again walk hand in hand with his wife and his best friend Doris.

Gene and his wife have five children who survive them: Debbie (Jay) Singleton, Linda Tarnow, Paula (Garry) Nichols, Teresa (Dale) Tuholski, and Rod (Laurie) Tarnow; 15 grandchildren, Eric Greenwood (deceased), Amy (Chad) Harmon, Jay (Holly) Singleton, Penny (Lenny) Grosswiler, Lisa Daube, Amanda Daube, Jennifer (Ray) Callahan, Joshua Dunkleberger, Phillip (Lindsey) Nichols, Garry Nichols, Andy (Betsy) Tuholski, Michael Tuholski, Kelsey Tuholski, Ben Tarnow, and Grace Tarnow; and 15 great-grandchildren, Nathan Emerick, Jason, Jared and Julie Grosswiler, Abby, Shelby Korbin, and Violet Singleton, Brooklyn Wedow, Lily, Bailee, Cami, and Cali Callahan, and Colin and Mary Jayne Nichols. Also surviving are one sibling, Wayne Tarnow, and loving in-laws, Dale (Jean) Jones, Phyllis (Chuck) Hanna and Carol (Dave) Peery.

Seven siblings preceded him in death: Richard, Lloyd, William, Patricia, Mary, David, and Wendell.

The family will receive friends Monday, June 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, June 18, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, LaPorte. A life celebration will be held to honor and celebrate Gene’s life on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Jeff Zigler officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Mill Creek.

Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of LaPorte, P.O. Box 250, LaPorte, IN 46350; or South LaPorte County Special Education Cooperative, 602 F St., LaPorte, IN 46350.

Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.

Don’t trash hazardous materials or pour them down the drain – safely dispose of them for free!

The LaPorte County Solid Waste District will hold its next Household Hazardous Waste collection Saturday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds. Accepted items include sharps (used medical syringes, etc.), used motor oil, antifreeze, waste fuels, oil-based paint and paint products, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, and household cleaners that contain warning labels.

The district holds several HHW collections throughout the year in LaPorte and Michigan City. The collections are for residents only, no businesses. For a full list of accepted items and for more information, call the Solid Waste District at (219) 326-0014 and visit www.solidwastedistrict.com.

Tracy United Methodist Church, located on Highway 6 southeast of LaPorte, will host a Country Breakfast & Yard Sale on Saturday, June 29.

Breakfast will be served from 7 to 11 a.m.; $7 adults, $4 ages 6-12, under 6 eat for free.

Yard sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gently used, good quality items. No clothing or bedding; no junk.

For more information, call Tracy UMC at (219) 393-5091.

EDITOR’S NOTE: After 18 years, Mike Sitar, owner/proprietor of Temple News Agency, is ready to hand over the reins of the LaPorte institution to a new entrepreneur. Temple, housed in the century-old Masonic Temple on Jefferson Avenue, is nearly as old as the building itself — a source of newspapers hot off the presses, magazines, comic books, a hot cup of coffee, ice cream cones, and — later in life — live music. And oh, yes, a popular shelf that offers nostalgia seekers dozens of LaPorte High School El-Pe’s. Here are some of Mike’s thoughts as he prepares to leave the business. If you are interested in talking to him, stop in at Temple or email tmplnewz@csinet.net.

By Mike Sitar

Eighteen years – about the time it takes to go from the thrill of a birth to the lump in your throat at your child’s graduation from high school.

Sitar

It’s hard to say who parented whom in the Temple News/Mike Sitar journey, but like most good parent/child relationships, there has been joy, sorrow, births, deaths, and growth.

Temple and myself have both grown over the last 18 years, we hope. We’ve taught vast numbers of high school students to “count back change” the old-fashioned way and how to make a proper ice cream soda, and we’ve seen their faces when they realize that they’ve learned something that most of their peers will never know. We’ve shared in many successes and some trauma. We’ve had them come back to work their summers off from college, to tell us about their new jobs, and to let me hold their babies.

We’ve experienced phenomenal artistic talent over these years together. Some great humor and really bad jokes. And the comfort and compassion that only comes within a true family. We’ve witnessed strangers become friends and seen friends fall in love. We’ve had customers become family and we’ve had to say goodbye to some. We’ve talked of dangerous subjects like politics, religion, war, terrorism and peace. And the weather.

Through it all, Temple and I have been constant companions and we, too, have become friends (most of the time).

Much like that time of high school graduation, both parent and child have high hopes, fears, happiness and a touch of sadness that such a chapter has ended while another begins.

I’m left with one more task before we part. I hope to leave Temple in the hands of a new partner for it, a new friend who will be supportive of, and supported by, this relationship.

Much like seeing your child leave home for college, it hurts to say goodbye even though the time has come. Eighteen years is a long time, and yes, the time has come.

Compiled by Mary Hedge, LaPorte County Public Library

June 14, 1913 — LaPorte’s new Fox Memorial Park will be dedicated on June 26.

June 14, 1963 – Indiana comes face-to-face with a financial crisis because a judge rules unconstitutional the 2 percent sales tax to come effective July 1.

June 14, 1988 – Severe drought has blistered crops across the nation and Agricultural Secretary Richard Ling warns of the potential for catastrophe.

June 14, 2003 – Fred LaBorn will become interim superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools.

Compiled by Mary Hedge, LaPorte County Public Library

June 15, 1913 – The new Rumely Hotel at the corner of Michigan and Jefferson avenues will open July 1.

June 15, 1963 – Glen Rucker, father of six girls, wins the LaPorte Chamber of Commerce’s Father of the Year Award as a result of his daughter Becky’s essay.

June 15, 1988 – Indiana will provide another $10 million in emergency drought relief for farmers.

June 15, 2003 – The LaPorte School Bboard begins to explore redistricting of schools, including Boston and Kesling middle schools.

Here are LaPorte County area students who graduated from Purdue North Central in Spring 2013 (spellings per university records):

Beverly Shores

Steven Flerick, Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and Management Technology

Hamlet

Mark Gourley, Associate of Science in Computer & Information Technology

Hanna

Robert Stephenson, Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Kingsbury

Kristen Bjork, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Kingsford Heights

Christopher Fuller, Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science

Katie Jacobs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Knox

Amber Agee, Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Technology

Dawn Bailey, Bachelor of Science in Business

JoAnna Curless, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kari Huff, Bachelor of Science in Business

Derek Runkle, Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Technology

Dennis Salyer, Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

LaCrosse

Jonathon Jachura, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Marvin Jones, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Ashley Kandel, Master of Science in Education

LaPorte

Jarrod Allen, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Angel Cable, Associate of Science in Organizational Leadership

Alejandra Camacho, Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Andrew Childress, Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology

Wendy Childress, Associate of Science in Organizational Leadership

Jennifer Comer, Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science

Jasmine Dixon, Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science

Eric Dunfee, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology

Hayley Dykstra, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Amanda Elzbieciak, Bachelor of Arts in English, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Karen Freeman, Bachelor of Arts in History, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Allison Frye, Bachelor of Science in Business

Jacob Huelat, Bachelor of Science in Business

Sarah Johnson, Bachelor of Science in Human Resources

Brittini Johnson, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nathaniel Kemiel, Bachelor of Science in Business

Nicole Kovalcin, Bachelor of Science in Business

Taylor Kozlowski, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

Kathryn Kranz, Bachelor of Science in Biology

Kristen Kroening, Associate of Science in Civil Engineering Technology

Kali Light, Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Sarah McFadden, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Jeremy Merrill, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

Michael Metyko, Associate of Science in Organizational Leadership

Karen Morlan, Bachelor of Science in Human Resources

Chett Mueller, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Keri Payne, Bachelor of Arts in English

Jacob Pearish, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Alice Penwell, Bachelor of Science in Business

Renee Poplawski, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Morgan Porter, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Diane Rich, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Mary Roe, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Matthew Schnick, Bachelor of Science in Business

Kristin Smith, Master of Science in Education

Jennifer Stacy, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

Matthew Stock, Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology

Tanya Taschler, Bachelor of Science in Human Resources

Ella Taylor, Associate of Science in Organizational Leadership

Steven Taylor, Associate of Science in Organizational Leadership

Gerrett Tengblad, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Kara Ulrich, Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science

Jamie Vincent, Bachelor of Arts in English

Nancy Vullmahn, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

Brandon Waters, Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

Charles Watterson, Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Lisa West, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Cheryl Winters, Master of Business Administration

Paige Zirkle, Associate of Science in Business

Rebecca Zurawski, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Long Beach

Allison Scott, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Julie Smith, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Michigan City

Courtney Althoff, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Michael Arnold, Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology

Suzanne Bartholomew, Bachelor of Arts in English

Nicholas Benjamin, Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology

Sara Biela, Bachelor of Science in Biology

Britney Bruhler, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

Kimberly Bush, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Neil Cohen, Associate of Science in Business

Krisandra Collins, Bachelor of Science in Business

Angela Crawford, Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Technology

Adam Fogus, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

Brittany Foltz, Bachelor of Arts in English

Julie Fowler, Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science

June Franks, Associate of Science in Business

John Fuzy, Bachelor of Science in Business

Lori Gonzalez, Associate of Science in Human Resources

Brian Gowan, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

Mark Graff, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Katharine Gregory, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Kelly Hodges, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Bryan Hoffmaster, Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Technology

Thierry Lyles, Associate of Science in Building Construction Management Technology

Courtney Martinez, Master of Business Administration

Thomas May, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology

Samuel Mejean, Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology

Ashley Micheals, Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Tasha Mitchell, Associate of Science in Computer & Information Technology

Carla Neary, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Alfreda Nelson, Bachelor of Science in Human Resources

Michael Peterson, Associate of Science in Computer & Information Technology

Juli Pritchard, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Brittney Strebe, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Gloria Thornton, Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Jeana Tonk, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Camille Turner, Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science

Doreen Wanke, Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science

Kendria White, Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Paige Witherspoon, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

New Buffalo, MI

Lea D’Agostino, Associate of Science in Computer & Information Technology

New Carlisle

Bryan Dolezal, Associate of Science in Organizational Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Human Resources

Katherine Johnson, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

Rolling Prairie

Michael Kieszkowski, Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology

Karyn Schuck, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Trail Creek

Sarah Gilbert, Bachelor of Science in Business

Union Mills

Jessica Johnston, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Andrew Schoff, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

Connie Senne, Associate of Science in Computer & Information Technology

Jacquelyn Snyder, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Jamie Young, Bachelor of Science in Biology

Walkerton

Ricky Cutis, Master of Business Administration

Kevin Thomas, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

Wanatah

Karissa Inglis, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

Stacey McGuirl, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Samantha Taber, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Samantha Walbright, Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Westville

Tyson Blattner, Bachelor of Science in Business

Christina Caldwell, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Scott Corder, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Michelle Edelen, Bachelor of Science in Biology

Christina Fowler, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Heather Hutnick, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Daniel Kreighbaum, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Olga Pecanac, Bachelor of Science in Business

Caitlin Price, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Adrian Serles, Bachelor of Science in Business

Jack Wallace, Bachelor of Liberal Studies

The LaPorte Hospital Foundation is seeking art designs from children for the 12th annual Tour de LaPorte half-marathon running awards. The Tour de LaPorte is a two-day event consisting of bicycling, running events, and more. This year it will be held Aug. 24 and 25.

The art contest is open to kids through middle school. The foundation will use three top designs (one from each age group — K-2, 3-5, and middle school) to create unique runner awards. Judges will choose the winning designs based on the connection their artwork has to the cause of Tour de LaPorte. The winning designs will also be used for various event promotional items including, but not limited to, online and social media campaigns as well as day-of printed displays.

Young artists are asked to submit their hand-drawn design by mail (PO Box 250, LaPorte, IN 46352) or email (tourdelaporte@iuhealth.org) a scanned copy to the foundation. All submissions must include the artist’s name and grade (as of fall 2013) on the back in order to be judged anonymously.

All submissions are due by Friday, July 6, with the winners notified sometime in mid-July. Each artist will receive a complimentary entry into Tour de LaPorte. Winners will also receive two additional complimentary registrations to share with parents, siblings or other family members or friends.

All Tour de LaPorte events will start and end at Cummings Lodge in Soldiers Memorial Park. Aug. 24 events will include a half marathon run, a 10K run, a 5K run/walk, a road bike time trial, and a mountain bike time trial. Aug. 25 events will include several different route options of distance cycling.

All proceeds from the Tour de LaPorte support the foundation’s Cancer Patient Fund, which is used to provide direct support to local patients with cancer and to fund cancer-related screenings to community members at no charge.

To sign up for Tour de LaPorte, visit www.tourdelaporte.org.

2012 photo by Mike Kellems

Find your lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and mini flags — the LaPorte Jaycees’ 67th annual 4th of July Celebration is less than a month away!

The Jaycees have released their calendar of events surrounding the famous 4th festivities in LaPorte:

– June 22: 40th annual Arts & Crafts Festival. 9 am – 1 pm at the corner of State and Monroe streets, in conjunction with the LaPorte Farmers Market. Local vendors, handcrafted items, kids’ games and more! Booths still available; $50 with electric, $35 without electric. Call (219) 413-0644.

– June 29–July 3: Beer Barns at LaPorte County Fairgrounds. Entertainment schedule: Saturday, June 29, Jim Post & The Highnoon Band (8 pm – midnight); Sunday, June 30, Justified (4–8 pm); Monday, July 1, Middle of the Road (8 pm-midnight); Tuesday, July 2, Beer Olympics (7pm – ?); Wednesday, July 3, Pfreak Show (8 pm-midnight). Doors open 1 hour before shows start. Must be 21 to enter; bring ID. No cover except on July 3, when there will be a $7 cover. Snacks available; free pop for designated drivers.

– June 30: Poker Run. Registration is 11 am at Western Inn, 610 J St. First bike will be out at noon and end around 4:20 pm at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds. “Where Justified” will play at the Beer Barns. Cost: $25/driver; $15/rider; $10/extra poker hands. Brunch will be provided.

– July 4: 67th Annual 4th of July Parade. Theme: “Blast From The Past,” Honoring History In LaPorte. Starts at 10 am RAIN OR SHINE!

– July 4: Fireworks Show. Put on by Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions (madbomberfireworks.com). Mad Bomber was one of the companies that participated in the big Pyrotechnics Guild International show last summer in LaPorte. Gates open at 6 pm at LaPorte County Fairgrounds; fireworks start around 9:30 p.m. $5 a carload! Food vendors and entertainment will be featured.

For more information on all of these events, call (219) 413-0644 and visit the La Porte Jaycees on Facebook.

The LaPorte County Solid Waste District has been selected by the national Curbside Value Partnership (CVP) to receive $30,000 in recycling education grants from the new CVP Connect Education Award Program. The district is one of 15 community organizations selected by CVP to receive grants to further recycling education.

“The Solid Waste District is honored to be recognized for our strong commitment to recycling education,” said Executive Director Clay Turner. “With the support of this grant, we hope to provide good educational tools to other communities and improve usage of our own curbside recycling program, as well.”

Alicia Ebaugh, the district’s education and public outreach coordinator, plans to work with CVP and local marketing specialists to create a “Know Before You Throw” campaign for the district that includes direct mail, short online videos and other advertising. The campaign is meant to update residents on what is and is not recyclable in their curbside recycling bins.

“We’ve had a countywide curbside recycling program in La Porte County for 20 years. The items you can recycle, and even the program itself, have changed a lot in that time,” Ebaugh said. “We know a majority of our residents have come to depend on curbside recycling because it’s convenient and it reduces waste going to landfills. We want to use this grant to help them become even better recyclers.”

CVP Connect’s Education Award Program provides resources to select communities that have been dedicated users of CVP Connect (CVPConnect.org), a free, online education training tool for recycling coordinators that was launched last year to help communities be more strategic and effective in the promotion of their residential recycling programs.

CVP is a national nonprofit organization formed to help communities grow their residential curbside recycling programs through education and increased attention to data.

“The LaPorte County Solid Waste District impressed us with their commitment to recycling education and impressive plans for 2013 and beyond,” said Steve Thompson, executive director of CVP. “I look forward to working with them to increase recycling participation and tonnage in their program.”

Besides countywide curbside recycling, the Solid Waste District provides electronics recycling; a compost site; periodic household hazardous waste, tire and appliance collections; and education to people of all ages about waste reduction and recycling.

For more information, visit www.solidwastedistrict.com.

The 2nd annual Taste of LaPorte will return to Chamber Square, 803 Washington St., on Aug. 17 from 3 to 9 p.m. with live entertainment, tastes from local restaurants, a free shuttle between the Taste and the LaPorte County Blues Festival in Fox Park, and a small fireworks show.

Sponsorships of the event, and food vendor applications, are now available. Food vendors must follow all LaPorte County Health Department guidelines, serve reasonably priced taste portions, and own or operate a restaurant or catering business within the city limits of LaPorte.

Donations will be accepted at the gate of the event to help raise funds for more downtown programs and promotions. The 1st Taste of LaPorte saw over 1,000 attendees.

For more information or to submit an application to be a food vendor, contact Tiffany Bley, downtown director, at 219-362-3178 or  bley@lpchamber.org.

Seven members of Town and Country Extension Homemakers met June 13, 2013, at the home of Shirley Reinfurth for a “Melting Pot” dinner.

President Adeline Macalka led the Pledge of Allegiance and Homemakers Creed. Roll call was answered by telling what flowers were in members’ wedding bouquets. Sandra Provan read the minutes of the May meeting, which were approved. Reinfurth gave the treasurer’s report, which was approved. Macalka reminded members the next Project Day will be Aug. 12 and to sign up to watch the extension homemakers’ fair booth; items are needed for the auction.

The 100th anniversary celebration picnic will be Aug. 17 at Red Mill County Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reinfurth will provide a salad, Johanna Doskocil and Shirley Griffin desserts; food to be there by 10:30 a.m.

Macalka distributed 2013-14 program books.

Upcoming events: The fall district meeting will be Aug. 29 at the fairgrounds, cost $12, registration by Aug. 8. The fall dinner will be Sept. 28 at Salem Chapel; cost $11, reservations by Sept. 13. Taste of Extension Homemakers is Oct. 3 in the Community Building at the fairgrounds, each club to provide door prizes.

Reinfurth distributed 100th anniversary pins. She gave a lesson on making napkin rings and napkins from scraps of material, earrings, buttons and bows.

The next club meeting will be Sept. 12 at 12:30 p.m. at the Extension Office, with Wills Township Extension Homemakers to plan the Christmas party. Members will all bring an item for the food pantry.

Susan Jane (Bargholz) Heiden, 71, died peacefully at 4 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2013, in her home after a lengthy illness with cancer.

She was born March 8, 1942, in LaPorte to Benno and Helen (Rollins) Bargholz.

Susan taught in the Michigan City and LaPorte Community school systems as an elementary teacher, retiring after 33 years of service. She held a bachelor of science degree from Indiana University and a master’s degree from Purdue University.

On Sept. 28, 1963, in the Presbyterian Church, Union Mills, IN, she married Ronald W. Heiden, who survives.

Also surviving are three children, Gregory, David and Katrina (Patrick) Wieland; one sister, Pamela (Steve) Malec of South Bend, IN; one brother, Kevin (Tammy) Bargholz of LaPorte; many cousins in Illinois, Arizona and Indiana; a number of nieces and nephews living locally and in Europe and Texas; and her brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Barbara Heiden of Sarasota, FL.

Her parents and one younger sister, Judith (Bargholz) Otter, preceded her in death.

It was Susan’s wish to be cremated. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, in the new North Section along Severs Road. Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice, 901 S. Woodland Ave., Michigan City, IN 46360.

Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.

The LaPorte County Genealogical Society’s annual cemetery tour was held June 11, 2013, at Low Cemetery on Johnson Road. The cemetery is extremely well mowed and maintained, a credit to the township.

Gloria Arndt and Dorothy Palmer presented information on the history of the cemetery and profiles of 12 people buried there, from a Revolutionary War veteran to more recent German immigrants. The profiles are now available at http://lpcgs.blogspot.com/2010/08/la-porte-county-genealogical-society.html.

The profiles are automatically copyrighted by the authors, so please do not copy them wholesale, and please explain where the information came from. Those profiled are Ebenezer Palmer, Frances Crozier Palmer, Israel Shreve, Simeon Wheeler, Jane Wheeler Bentley, Charles Otis Low, Ernestine Pauline Wopshal Kienitz, Mary E. Low Mudge, Fred Gaw, Charles Griffin, Jacob R. Fogle, and Samuel and Anna Christine Fritz.

The society’s regular meeting place will change as of the next meeting, Tuesday, July 9, to the LaPorte Park and Recreation Department building at 250 Pine Lake Ave. (near the gazebo and monument area). 

Except for the annual cemetery tour, the society meets at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month, weather permitting. The public is welcome at all meetings. For more information about the society’s activities in awards, research, abstracting, transcribing, indexing, publishing, and records preservation, visit http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inlcigs/.

Wayne Pate (courtesy kuathletics.com)

For the second consecutive year, former LaPorte Slicer standout athlete Wayne Pate has been named Assistant Coach of the Year for women’s outdoor track by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Pate is assistant coach of women’s track and field at the University of Kansas.

Pate, a 1976 LaPorte High School graduate, excelled in track and field as well as basketball as a Slicer. He joined the Jayhawks’ coaching staff six years ago. The Jayhawks women won the NCAA Women’s Outdoor Track & Field championship for the first time in its history in 2013. The Jayhawk women’s head coach, Stanley Redwine, was also honored by the USTFCCCA.

Pate, the Jayhawks’ horizontal jumps and combined events coach, saw his athletes combine to score 26 of KU’s 60 points at the recent NCAA Championships. He mentored 12-time first team All-American Andrea Geubelle to runner-up finishes in the long jump and triple jump and her second Big 12 Championship in the triple jump. Pate pupil Lindsay Vollmer won the NCAA Championship in the heptathlon, becoming the first Kansas female to win an NCAA individual title.

Pate has been named the national and Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year for both indoor and outdoor seasons each of the last two seasons. He has now been named a national assistant coach of the year six times in his career.

Pate has coached four Olympians, 65 All-Americans and eight national champions.

At Indiana University, from which he graduated, Pate was named the 2003 and 2005 National Assistant Coach of the Year. Under his guidance, 22 Indiana athletes became Big Ten champions. While an IU student, Pate was a two-time Big Ten Champion in the long jump and was a member of IU’s 400-meter relay Big Ten Championship team.

He and his wife, Laura, have a daughter, Charlize, and a son, Justin.

Jayhawks information from www.kuathletics.com

LaPorte County Historical Society Museum photos (click to enlarge) 

Experience Civil War encampments, battles, entertainment, weaponry and more at the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum’s Civil War re-enactments Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23.

The encampment, authentically recreated by re-enactors, will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days on the museum grounds. Demonstrations of camp life including crafts, cooking over an open fire, needlework, and a blacksmith will be displayed. Re-enactors portray specific soldiers and regiments, and have thoroughly researched their lives and military histories. Two battles will be fought on the grounds, one each day. Though black powder will be used in the weapons, no projectiles will be fired. This is a great event for kids and history buffs of any age!

On Saturday, June 22, a Civil War Ball will be held at the museum from 7 to 9 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Weather permitting, the ball will be held on the veranda in front of the museum building. Refreshments of General Oglethorpe’s Orange cake, as well as various cookies and punch, will be served in the meeting room of the museum. The re-enactors will listen to the music and dance instructions of Susan Brown & Company. Enjoy the grace and beauty of this event and feel free to take photographs.

On Saturday at 1 p.m., two Civil War generals will tell of their lives during the War Between the States. “The Life & Times of Gen. George Pickett” and “The Legend of Gen. Henry Heth” will be presented in the museum meeting room. Immediately following at 2 p.m., the Civil War ladies will have a tea that will include parlor games.

On Sunday, June 23, at 11 a.m., General Pickett will present his program once more at his tent, and at 1 p.m., General Heth will again be speaking in the meeting room of the museum.

Food by B&J’s American Café will be available for sale on the grounds. Picnic tables are provided.

Museum visitors on these days can also view the current display, “With This Ring …” featuring wedding attire from the mid 20th century on exhibit throughout the museum. Also on display is the historical society’s own collection of Civil War memorabilia, as well as the W.A. Jones Collection of Ancient Weapons.

New this year: $5 per carload gets you to the re-enactment and admission to the museum.

CIVIL WAR SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 22

9 a.m. — Open to the public! Impromptu demonstrations of camp life, weaponry, etc., begin for modern civilians wandering into camp

11:30 a.m. — Artillery drill

1 p.m. — Meet the Generals in the museum meeting room

2 p.m. — Ladies’ Tea in the meeting room

3 p.m. — Skirmish in the field south of the museum

4 p.m. — Encampment closes for the day

7-9 p.m. — Civil War Ball on museum veranda; public is invited

Sunday, June 23

9 a.m. — Open to the public!

10 a.m. — Church service

11 a.m. — “The Life & Times of Gen. George Pickett” at his tent

11:30 a.m. — Artillery drill

1 p.m. — “The Legend of Henry Heth” in the museum meeting room

2:30 p.m. — Skirmish in yard in front of the museum

4 p.m. — Event closes to the public

The La Porte County Historical Society Museum is located at 2405 Indiana Ave., LaPorte, and is accessible to those with disabilities. Call 219-324-6767 and visit www.laportecountyhistory.org.

Richard Kiebdaj’s “Two to Tango.”

The Michigan City Public Art Committee’s (MAC’s) first public art project, Sculptfusion, will kick off Friday, June 21. Sculptfusion consists of eight outdoor sculptures to be displayed for a year in various locations in downtown Michigan City and near the lake.

“This is a first major multi-piece outdoor sculpture exhibition in our community, and it will contribute to the vitality of Michigan City

Kees Ouwens’ “Whispering Stones”

and serve as a focal point for exciting contemporary visual art,” MAC President Carolyn Saxton said in a press release. “Michigan City has enjoyed the presence of individual public sculptures in several locations for some time, but Sculptfusion is the first major show for eight works of art to be featured in the year-long exhibition.”

The committee juried and chose the sculptures from a field of almost 50 pieces submitted from throughout the Midwest. Sculptors and their works chosen are:

– Nicole Beck’s “Asteray,” which joins stainless steel and epoxied mosaic. Beck is based in Chicago.

– Jan Dean’s “Chorus,” a large cast bronze sculpture in abstract organic form. Dean is based in South Bend.

– Michael Grucza’s “Flip Flop,” a fabricated aluminum that stands 8 feet high by 5 feet wide. Grucza is based in Chicago.

– Douglas Gruizenga’s “Duet,” constructed from welded aluminum with two neck and head sections representing stringed instruments. Gruizenga is based in Interlochen, MI.

– Terrence Karpowicz’s “Mount,” a piece constructed of granite, steel and polymer. Karpowicz is based in Chicago.

– Richard Kiebdaj’s “Two to Tango,” made of fabricated steel painted with epoxy undercoat with a urethane finish. Kiebdaj is based in Beverly Shores.

– Kees Ouwens’ “Whispering Stones,” made of steel with stone sculptures. Ouwens is based in Blissfield, MI.

– Ken Thompson’s “Thin Series: Off the Diet,” a piece of carved granite. Thompson is based in Michigan.

Douglas Gruizenga’s “Duet”

In addition to two sculptures being placed in Washington Park, one will be located at Charles R. Wescott Park, one each at the northwest corners of the intersections of Franklin and Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Ninth streets, and one on the west side of Franklin between Eighth and Ninth streets. Brochures describing the works and giving their locations will be available at the Michigan City Public Library, LaPorte County Conventions and Visitors Bureau and Lubeznik Center for the Arts.

For more information, contact Carolyn Saxton at 219-874-4900.