Compiled by Mary Hedge, LaPorte County Public Library

Aug. 1, 1919 — A LaPorte youth, whose voice had left him during service in France, gets his voice back in an apparent miracle. It is thought that when he was tickled, his larynx muscles relaxed.

Aug. 1, 1969 — Three LaPorte County youths pluck marijuana in St. Joseph County and wind up in the LaPorte County Jail. They said they wanted to process the marijuana for their own use.

Aug. 1, 1994 — 1995 LaPorte city salaries include city attorney-$13,366, director of engineering-$15,500, city planner-$35,075, Beechwood greenskeeper-$26,027, police chief-$30,772.

Aug. 1, 2009 — Twenty-five workers lost their jobs at ATI Casting Services, a Philadelphia Street factory, this week.

Does that playhouse in the photos look a little familiar? Family Advocates announces its Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program’s “CASA for CASAs” campaign, a playhouse modeled after the iconic LaPorte County Courthouse.

The playhouse will be used as a fundraiser throughout the summer and raffled off at the Family Advocates “Back To The Prom” fall event on Sept. 27. The playhouse was graciously designed and built by members of Carpenters Local 1485 with materials donated by Big C Lumber and Kabelin ACE Hardware. Members of the Little Theatre also donated their time to paint the inside and detail the outside of the playhouse.

Tickets to win the playhouse are $10 each or 3 for $25.

The playhouse will be displayed at various events throughout LaPorte County, including Taste of Michigan City on Aug. 2, Hanna Fest on Aug. 10, and the Mill Pond Fest Aug. 24-25.

Every year there are children in LaPorte County who find themselves victims of abuse and neglect and thrust into the court system, possibly placed in foster care, removed from their parents. These children may feel lost; feel as if they do not have a voice. CASA volunteers take their time and energy to advocate for these children, to give these children a voice in the courtroom.

A total of 224 children in LaPorte County are currently involved in the court system because they were victims of abuse or neglect. 164 of these children are represented by a CASA staffer or volunteer. 60 children remain on the wait list. To recruit and train volunteers, it requires time from staff and potential volunteers and funds from fundraising and grants.

For more information on the raffle or to sign up for the next volunteer training, visit www.lpfamilyadvocates.com or email April Greetham, CASA Program Director, at agreetham@lpfamilyadvocates.com or 219-324-3385.

Swimmers invade Stone Lake during one of the YMCA’s past triathlons. (WNLP photo by Mike Kellems)

The 40th annual LaPorte County Family YMCA Triathlon will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, starting and ending in Soldiers Memorial Park.

The popular event draws hundreds of athletes from across the nation to swim, bike and run. For more information on the triathlon and to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/LaPorte/LAPORTECOUNTYFAMILYYMCA40THANNUALTRIATHLON

Stone Lake Beach will be closed Friday, Aug. 2, to allow for setup, with no lifeguards or concessions, and will reopen after the completion of the event.

Grangemouth Road will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday and the following roads will be closed from the start of the race until approximately 10:30 a.m.: Waverly (from Grangemouth to Garden Street), Garden (from Waverly to Small Road), Lakeshore (from Grangemouth to Orchard Avenue), Orchard (from Lakeshore to Garden), and Small (from Garden to North Forrester Road).

Compiled by Mary Hedge, LaPorte County Public Library

Aug. 2, 1919 — The state board of charities refuses to renew the expired license of the Julia E. Work training school near Plymouth. It is a place for incorrigible and delinquent children, not orphans.

Aug. 2, 1969 — A man is arrested after asking for change for a $5 bill that had $5 pasted on the four corners and Washington’s face. Poor old Lincoln was nowhere to be seen on this “five.”

Aug. 2, 1994 — Bortz Farm Store’s 62-year history will not end yet thanks to Rob Boyd’s decision to leave the banking business and buy the store.

Aug. 2, 2009 — Isabell Stassen has organized the 68^th reunion of the 1941 LaPorte High School graduating class.

Paul A. Miller, 90, of Union Mills, IN, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 9, 2019, at Brentwood Assisted Living, LaPorte, IN.

He was born March 29, 1929, in Kokomo, IN, to the late Harold S. Miller Sr. and Esther (Heater) Miller.

Paul served his country in the U.S. Army as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, retiring after 20 years of service.

He married his wife of 61 years, Masako Miller, on Sept. 25, 1957, in Japan. She preceded him in death on Oct. 7, 2018.

Surviving are two daughters, Wanda (Gene) Dye of Union Mills and Jennifer (Don) Jensen of Springfield, MO; two grandsons, Rusty and Samuel Brinker; two granddaughters, Melinda (Micah) Slauter and Taylor Dye; five great-grandchildren, Keagen Brinker, Hailee Brinker, Meliah Slauter, Malachi Slauter and Maxine Slauter; and one sister, Martha Nichols.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and Harold; and sisters, Ruth, Nancy, Mary, Joann and Sharon.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Lakeview Funeral Home & Crematory, LaPorte, with Pastor James Bouslog officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Union Mills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Masako Miller, AseraCare Hospice, 808 Vale Park Rd., Ste. 200, Valparaiso, IN 46383; or Heart to Heart Hospice, 620 W. Edison Rd., Ste. 122, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

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

Masako Miller, 85, of Union Mills, IN, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Golden Living Center Fountainview Terrace, LaPorte, IN.

She was born in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan on Sept. 21, 1933.

Masako graduated from seamstress school in Japan. She worked as a seamstress at Eastmoor, Burnham Glove Factory and Palmer Upholstery Shop, all in Michigan City. After retirement, Masako loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed sewing for family and friends, crocheting, flower gardening, and QVC and HSN shopping.

Masako married her husband of 61 years, Paul A. Miller, in Japan on Sept. 25, 1957. He passed away May 9, 2019.

Surviving are her daughters, Wanda (Gene) Dye of Union Mills and Jennifer (Don) Jensen of Springfield, MO; her grandsons, Rusty Brinker and Samuel Brinker; granddaughters, Melinda (Micah) Slauter and Taylor Dye; and her five great-grandchildren, Keagen Brinker, Hailee Brinker, Meliah Slauter, Malachi Slauter and Maxine Slauter.

Masako Miller, wife, the best mother, the greatest grandma and great-grandma. There was joy beyond measure when we were together. We will miss her smile, her giggles and most of all her laughter.

There are no goodbyes, only sayounara.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at Lakeview Funeral Home & Crematory, LaPorte, with Pastor James Bouslog officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Union Mills Cemetery.

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

Allen Edward Malekovic, 70, of LaPorte, IN, passed away Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019.

He was born Dec. 31, 1948, in LaPorte to the late Laddie and Frances (Blinkal) Malekovic.

Allen was a bar manager in Chicago and a custodian with the LaPorte Community Schools for many years.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in LaPorte and played on the 1967 LaPorte Slicers state championship baseball team. He was inducted into the Indiana High School Baseball Hall of Fame. Allen was a member of AA and proud to be recovered for over 20 years.

Allen is survived by his children, Shane Malekovic of Spring Hill, FL, Troy Malekovic of Jacksonville, FL, Brett (Chris) Malekovic of LaPorte, Tara (Fernando) Lopez of Chicago, Erin Malekovic of Palos Hills, IL, Jason (Alexandra) Jones of Honolulu, HI, Paul Paleothodoros of Palos Hills, IL; 14 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Steve (Virginia) Malekovic of LaPorte. Allen was a loving uncle to Pamela Upp, Joseph Malekovic; many great-nieces and nephews; and one great great-niece and two great-great-nephews.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, LaPorte. A Parish Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, LaPorte. Reverend Ian Williams will officiate. Burial will follow in Patton Cemetery, LaPorte.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Parish, 201 Bach St., LaPorte, IN 46350.

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

Compiled by Mary Hedge, LaPorte County Public Library 

Aug. 3, 1919 — The German Methodist Episcopal Church on Harrison Street will pass out of existence and become an integral part of the First M.E. Church on Monroe Street.

Aug. 3, 1969 — Scientists hope to look inside a second box of moon rocks brought back by Apollo 11. Geologists expect to find no surprises in the 39 pounds of the moon.

Aug. 3, 1994 — A Kingsford Heights town employee and volunteer girls softball coach has been arrested and charged with molesting two teenage girls.

Aug. 3, 2009 — This July had the coolest weather in more than a century.

Information from LaPorte Park and Recreation Department

The City of LaPorte Park and Recreation Department will hold the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated Fort La Play Porte playground at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, in Kesling Park. The department

Dean Heise

will also be dedicating the road through Kesling Park – and running past Fort La Play Porte – in honor of Dean Heise, who served as park superintendent for three decades.

After the ribbon-cutting and dedication, the park will be hosting Downtown Movie Night. Sponsored by Downtown LaPorte and American Licorice Company, the movie “Dumbo” will be shown at dusk on a big screen behind Shelter 4 at the park. Other activities planned include a craft table by Hotspot Café, free popcorn courtesy of Centier Bank and food available for purchase from Home Run Hot Dogs.

The ribbon-cutting will culminate months of planning by the steering committee and subcommittees and weeks of hard work by volunteers from our community. Designed with input from local elementary school students, the new and improved Fort La Play Porte provides greater safety, accessibility and visibility, while also challenging children with a thrilling obstacle course and zip line. The community-build renovation took place in June, however, rainy conditions delayed the completion. After hundreds of volunteer hours, both during and after build week, and additional hours from the park department maintenance staff, the playground is currently open to the public.

The honor of naming the road Dean Heise Parkway is well-deserved. Heise started as the recreation director in 1973 and was park superintendent for over 30 years before retiring as the Civic Auditorium director in 2014. During his tenure as park superintendent, Heise oversaw the development and renovation of several parks, including the creation of Kesling Park, and guided the department through numerous improvements as the result of a $2 million bond in 1999.

For more information, call the park office at 219-326-9600 or visit www.cityoflaporte.com.

Alex Mason sent us this shot of a car whose driver decided to try to beat the clock as the Franklin Street drawbridge went up Friday evening, Aug. 2, 2019. The result: The bridge indeed went up, and so did the car. A radio media report stated that the occupants, a couple from Ohio, got out OK after they found themselves looking at the lovely Michigan City sky. If you have a Great Shot (or more) to share, email it to wnlp@whatsnewlaporte.com. Be sure to include the photographer’s name and a bit of information about the photo(s).

James “Al” Alvin Penny, 91, of LaPorte, IN, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019.

He was born Jan. 11, 1928, in Cordele, GA, to W.R. and Verna (Shell) Penny.

Al was a full-blooded American, serving his country in both the Army and Air Force. He was a life member of the VFW. Al owned and operated his own business as an exterminator and gardener. For over 35 years, Al and his wife Florene were well known for “Flo’s Tomatoes.”

On Jan. 25, 1955, in Westville, IN, he married Florene Cunningham who survives.

Also surviving are his children, Stephen Penny of LaPorte and Linda Diane Gilliam of Westville; 3 grandchildren, Blake Penny and Taylor and Roscoe Gilliam; sister, Betty Ann Huckaby of Cordele, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Karen Sue Penny; brothers, Robert, RL, Curtis and Vernon Penny; and sisters, MaryLee, Myrtle and Pauline.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte, with Pastor Dan Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, where Full Military Honors will be held. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital-Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105-9959.

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

Lubeznik Arts Festival, one of Michigan City’s summer highlights, is fast approaching. The 2019 festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 17, and Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. 2nd St.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of this year’s festival highlights.

— Veterans receive free admission! Thanks to a generous grant by the Michigan City Public Art Committee, veterans will once again receive free admission to the festival in 2019. Qualifying individuals may either identify themselves at the festival gates or stop by the center ahead of time to pick up a special veterans ticket.

— Admission to the festival is $5 per person, per day. Center members, children ages 16 and under and active military personnel may enter free. Convenient off-site parking and shuttle service will be available at no charge. All proceeds from this event will be used to support center programs and exhibitions, helping ensure the center is able to remain free and open to all, seven days a week.

— Fine arts and crafts: This year’s festival includes more than 75 artists and artisans from the Midwest and beyond. Exhibitors have been selected through a juried application process to represent six different categories: 2-Dimensional Art, Fine Craft, Jewelry, Photography, Sculptural Objects and Wearable Art.

— Inside the center, NIPSCO Education Studios will host four talented contemporary artists. Shanoor Devarj, founder and owner of Devarj Design Agency, is an award-winning artist from LaPorte who believes that through unity we will find peace. Shanoor will be exhibiting his series “Celebrate Freedom 911” during the festival. Artist Ish Muhammad has lived in Indiana for three decades. He calls his style post-graffiti abstract expressionism. Muhammad’s works have been exhibited nationally and internationally in venues such as the Chicago Cultural Center and the Indiana State Museum. He recently completed commissions for Leeds Public House and Franciscan Health in Michigan City. Sharing an indoor space are husband and wife artists Rick Lange and Suzanne Cohan-Lange, owners of Blink Contemporary Gallery on Franklin Street. Rick is an artist and retired Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts and Art Education at Loyola University. His paintings have appeared in numerous shows in the U.S. and Europe. Suzanne is the Chair Emeritus of the Interdisciplinary Arts Department of Columbia College Chicago, which she founded in 1976. As a sculptor, Suzanne has worked in steel, resin, paper, wood, clay and glass.

— Unforgettable live entertainment: On Saturday, Aug. 17, from 1 to 2 p.m., the festival will welcome Surabhi Ensemble. This Chicago-based world music group has a mission of bringing together people to celebrate diverse global cultures, musical genres, race, religion, and color. The ensemble fuses flamenco music, mellifluous Middle Eastern Maqams, African rhythms with the rich sounds of Indian Classical ragas, embellished with blues and folk melodies. On Sunday, Aug. 18, from noon to 2 p.m., Kristina Isabelle of Michigan City Moves will bring some long-legged antics to LAF. During this time frame, stilters will be roaming around and dancing on the festival grounds. This performance will feature young stilters from the Works in Motion Dance Company.

— Family-friendly fun: The center believes art is for everyone, especially kids! Take a break from shopping to create with its education staff in its dedicated family art-making space. Kids can explore Ozobots, creating comics, building free-form sculptures and more. Family activities run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and are free with festival admission. Visitors of all ages are also welcome to cool off in the center’s indoor galleries while exploring “The Chicago Imagists: Before and After” summer blockbuster exhibition.

— Delicious eats: Festival goers can discover some of the region’s tastiest cuisine without leaving the grounds. Pachamama Street Food from New Buffalo serves a rotating menu of southeast Asian and south American classics. Also on hand will be one of Michigan City’s hometown favorites, Cabo’s Ice Cream & Mexican Food.

2019 festival sponsors include 1st Source Bank, NIPSCO, McDonald’s of LaPorte County and the Michigan City Public Art Committee. In-kind sponsors include Bulk Equipment Co., Current Electric, Haas & Associates and the City of Michigan City. Media sponsors include 95.1 FM/AM 1420 WIMS, 102.5 FM/AM 1060 WHFB, GreatNews.Life, The News Dispatch, South Shore CVA, The Times Media Company, and Visit Michigan City LaPorte.

Compiled by Mary Hedge, LaPorte County Public Library

Aug. 5, 1919 — The LaPorte post office will be made ready to handle the parcel post business it expects when housewives begin sending their orders for food the government is to distribute.

Aug. 5, 1969 — The new St. John’s Lutheran Church school and activities building has a circle room with a kitchenette facing the church parking lot off Kingsbury Avenue. The circles number nine in all.

Aug. 5, 1994 — The New Prairie football team gets the jump on area schools by taking the practice field at the first possible minute—12:01 am. this morning.

Aug. 5, 2009 — Research shows that 7 percent of children ages 8 to 11 had cell phones in 2003. But five years later, the number had increased to 26 percent.

On Aug. 13, 2019, the LaPorte County Genealogical Society will meet at the usual time of 7 p.m. and the usual meeting place of the LaPorte Park Department Headquarters, 250 Pine Lake Ave. 

The featured program will be the “Genealogy Collection Development for the Michigan City Public Library”, presented by the library’s director, Don Glossinger. A business meeting will precede the presentation, and light refreshments will be available.

Guests are always welcome. More information about these awards and the society is available on its Facebook page and at sites.rootsweb.com/~inlcigs/ 

Information provided

HannaFest 2019 is Aug. 10 and 11 in Hanna. It features many returning crowd favorites such as the townwide garage sales, the world’s weirdest parade, car show, vendors in the park, Hanna Lions BBQ chicken, Just for Kids Run, The Rise Up 5K Run/Walk, a great food variety, pony rides, and the popular Summer Heat Dance (cover charge) featuring 2 bands with a food and beer garden. Returning free entertainment will include the Kalita Magic Show, NightShift Band, and Katthouse Acoustic Duo. 

New this year will be a pet parade, cornhole tournament, Incredible Live Bats show, a dunk tank with local “celebrities,” and a new live band, Trouble Blind. Saturday will end in the park with raffles, but you must be present to win. Family fun and free entertainment can be found all around town.  

HannaFest II continues Sunday at the Last Resort Campgrounds near Hanna. Live music and a DJ will play all day, Arts & crafts vendors, a dunk tank, food and drink, and much more will also be featured.

Check the HannaFest page on Facebook for a complete listing of events. For information, contact Heather at 219-851-8401.

A Purdue Extension Master Gardener training program will be offered in LaPorte County beginning Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, and continuing until Dec. 19, on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Central time. The classes will be held at the Purdue Extension – LaPorte County office on Ind. 2 near the county fairgrounds in LaPorte.

The purpose of the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program is to teach people more about growing plants and to more effectively share information related to plants with others. Its specific aim is to provide information and technical assistance in the areas of gardening and home horticulture through the use of trained and certified volunteers.

The Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program is an integral part of Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and provides citizens of Indiana a chance to grow. The program provides a learning framework for participants to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects. In turn, participants volunteer, representing Purdue University. They help others grow by sharing knowledge while providing leadership and service in educational gardening activities within their communities.

To become a Purdue Extension Master Gardener, there is a two-step process to register for the class that is limited to 25 participants. Please call the LaPorte County Extension Office at 219-324-9407 for more information or go to https://extension.purdue.edu/laporte/article/19255.  Upon completing the required training and passing a final exam, one achieves the rank of Master Gardener Intern. Master Gardener Interns are required to volunteer, representing Purdue University, a minimum of 35 hours to be certified as a Purdue Extension Master Gardener. Then, to maintain their certification, each year Master Gardeners volunteer just 12 hours and attend 6 hours of educational training.

Participants in the Master Gardener class, pay a registration fee of $200 for the training program, which includes a Master Gardener name badge, a choice of the training manual in print or electronic versions, class handouts, mailings, and opportunities to network with other Master Gardeners.  The training is fun, it’s interesting, and one meets many people who love gardening.

For more information about the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program or about attending the upcoming Master Gardener class, please contact the Purdue Extension – LaPorte County office at 219-324-9407 or visit www.extension.purdue.edu/laporte and click on “Garden,” then click on “Fall Master Gardener Class.” The applications should be completed, signed and returned by Friday, Aug. 30, to Purdue Extension – LaPorte County, 2857 W. Ind. 2, Suite A, LaPorte, IN 46350.

The LaPorte Park and Recreation Department is preparing a master plan to make improvements to Soldiers Memorial Park. The first draft of the plan is available at www.cityoflaporte.com/136/Park-Recreation. The public may comment on the plan through Aug. 15 by contacting Jon Ruble at Planned Environment Associates by email at jon@planviron.com.

The Soldiers Memorial Park plan, which builds upon the park department’s five-year master plan, includes components such as potential new amenities, infrastructure improvements, traffic flow and parking, recreational programming, and enhancement of natural resources. The planning process has included stakeholder interviews in May followed by a public open house in June. The first draft of the plan was presented to the park board at its July meeting.

The park board is considering applying for the federally funded Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant following the master plan process. For more information, call the park office at 219-326-9600 or e-mail Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber at mschreiber@cityoflaportein.gov.

Compiled by Mary Hedge, LaPorte County Public Library

Aug. 6, 1919 — A Lafayette lawyer and real estate owner is arrested for causing the death of a woman found at the foot of a stairway in his office building. He admitted drinking with the woman.

Aug. 6, 1969 — President Nixon asks Congress for standards to combat “needless illness, needless injury and needless death” resulting from occupational accidents and disease.

Aug. 6, 1994 — Hundreds of thousands of NASCAR fans converge on Indianapolis’s west side for the inaugural Brickyard 400.

Aug. 6, 2009 — The Postal Service is looking at closing about 1,000 offices. It has over 32,700 offices in the U.S.