The sheer joy on each team member’s face is priceless in this photo of the 1950 Union Mills basketball team, taken right after they won the sectional over Michigan City Elston. The large framed photo that originally belonged to the coach, Park Sanders, was donated to the museum in November by Brenda Sanders Warnke. (CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE)
The LaPorte County Historical Society Museum welcomed 350 visitors in November 2011 from 14 counties, 17 states, and Ireland.
Donated items
– Phonograph records from Joseph Smith store, Walter Miller
– Items from Joy Manufacturing, including a thermometer, agreement booklet, photographs, hat, license plate, all belonging to Herbert Gladdis, Sue Webster
– 1957 Mill Creek yearbook, 1954 Union Mills letter sweater, 1952-53 photo of Union Mills basketball team, Ron Clindaniel
– Large framed photo of Union Mills winning basketball team from 1950 sectionals, Brenda Sanders Warnke
– Frank Sinatra albums, LPHS athletic report, Connie Farley
– “Poetry: Music of the Soul” by local author Dorothy Stephenson, Beverly Hill
– LPHS Slicer pins, Leona Collins
– Greeting cards, report cards, photographs, Cynthia Sipe
– DVD of Howes home movies from 1930s-40s, Ralph Howes
– Johnstone Tire sign, Larry Mickow
– Biographies of residents of Kingsford Heights by the 4th-grade class of Kingsford Heights Elementary School, Roberta Tennis, teacher
– Christmas decorations, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Beverly Hill
– Items for the sale table, Sue Lindborg, Walter Miller, Connie Farley, Karen Piper, Sue Harmon, Marcia Wolff, John Bradley, Dave & Sandy Mann, Jim & Sue Hickman, Sam Rubin, Norman Tressmer, and Michele Barber
State award
The LaPorte County Historical Society was given the Outstanding Historical Organization award for 2011 in Indianapolis on Dec. 5.
Holiday season highlights
“A Visit With St. Nicholas” is Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum. Cookies and punch will be served. The historic Giese Church is up and running for its 65th season. The theme for the decor this year is “Songs of the Holiday Season,” which depicts favorite holiday songs in the period rooms of the museum.
Museum volunteers
Anyone wishing to volunteer at the museum may call 219-324-6767 or come in and ask for Susie.
Ten volunteers decorated the museum for the holidays the week before Thanksgiving and completed it in one day. They enjoyed pizza for their efforts.
For more information on the society and museum, visit www.laportecountyhistory.org.
