September 3, 2010

WNLP Headliners

WNLP Headliners

WNLP Headliners

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WNLP Headliners

  1. September 1, 2010

    At the library in September: Fact or fiction?

       This month we’ll be exploring urban legends, local lore, and things that are just plain weird! Everyone is invited to lisa-nielsen-logoattend any of these free special programs.

    The Walking Dead and Other Mysteries

       — Wednesday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m., Coolspring Branch

       — Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m., Main Library

    cutler

    Bob Cutler

       Join Bob Cutler of Cutler Funeral Home for a free evening of questions and answers about the curious lives of human cadavers. Enjoy hearing about incidents when a person is pronounced dead and spontaneously comes back to life. Sound like a scene from a science fiction movie? Bob Cutler is here to set the record straight. He will also talk about New York Times bestseller, “Stiff; The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers” by Mary Roach.

    Pirate Lore

       — Monday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m., Kingsford Heights Branch

       Ahoy, mateys! Explore pirate legends and tales at this program for landlubbers of all ages. From whence did Blackbeard hail? Who was the infamous Anne Bonny? Hear o’ famous battles and pirate hangouts! Get yer answers, ask yer questions, and make a smashin’ pirate craft. Thar’ll be plenty o’ fun and a treasure o’ treats for all. Come dressed as a pirate – IF YE DARE!

    Tales of the Rails – All Aboard!

    lemonnier

    Le Monnier

       — Thursday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m., Hanna Branch

       Enjoy Daniel Le Monnier as he entertains us on his banjo with history, legends and songs reflecting America’s fascination with trains. Le Monnier has been caught telling stories all his life and has taken his combination of music, wit and animation around the world from the Shanghai Children’s Palace to the Smithsonian Institute. He performed at the 53rd Presidential Inaugural and was the Chicago Bulls mascot, Benny the Bull, for 18 years. For a sneak peek, visit his website at www.banjotales.com.

    Rhythm Kitchen: Hobos and Folk Music

       — Saturday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m., Main Library

       Enjoy our second annual coffee house with featured guest, former Hobo Queen Sunrise, who is an authentic hobo! Sunrise will delight you with tales of a hobo’s life – past and present, fact and fiction. Discover how she became a hobo and be entertained with folk songs that are a part of the fabric of hobo history. Free samples of delicious coffee from LaPorte’s own Maple City Roasters, too!

    The Legend and Lore of Johnny Appleseed

       — Thursday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m., Main Library

       Meet Scott Mertz, a multi-talented entertainer who, for over 20 years, has performed first-person interpretations of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) for the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Fort Wayne, IN. His portrayal has sparked interest from Disney Studios as well as newspapers, authors, radio, and television across the country. In 1995, Educational Management Group in Arizona produced and beamed Scott’s portrayal via satellite to schools across the nation as an interactive program on Johnny Appleseed. Dressed in historically accurate clothing, and with props, Scott will weave tales involving the legend and lore of Johnny Appleseed.

    Monsters of LaPorte County Lakes

    Fern 1

    Fern Eddy Schultz

       — Thursday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m., Rolling Prairie Branch

       Does a seething serpent bask on the sandy shores of Fish Trap Lake, located between McClung and Severs roads? Find out whether it is fact or fiction when it comes to monsters in LaPorte County lakes. Presented by LaPorte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz.

    Eerie Indiana

       — Tuesday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m., Union Mills Branch

       Does the “supernatural” really exist? Storyteller Alice Mathew will raise goosebumps on your arms and hair on your head as she brings the truly odd and eerie from Indiana to you. Hear stories about a LaPorte doctor who made a house call on a ghost, the historic “Diana of the Dunes” apparition, the Hoosier “werewolf” and “wampus cat,” and a library’s see-through “lady in grey.”

    An Indiana Juggler in King Arthur’s Court

       — Tuesday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m., Fish Lake Branch

       Stories about King Arthur, his knights, Guinevere, and brave Sir Lancelot have circulated for nearly 1,500 years. Sooner or later, anyone who encounters Arthur asks the question, “But, was he real?” There are many different opinions in answer to that question! For now? If King Arthur was a real person … and he lived in Fish Lake, Indiana … and he asked to be entertained … what would he ask for? JUGGLING! Pretend you’re in King Arthur’s Court. Come and enjoy juggler Kevin Winslow as he wows us with amazing juggling tricks!

    Sunflower Fair Fun at the Library

       — Saturday, Sept. 18, Main Library

       The library is part of the community Sunflower Fair with fun for all ages! Kids can enter the coloring contest anytime from now until Monday, Sept. 14. Just pick up an entry in the Children’s Department. Prizes are awarded by the community Sunflower Fair Committee in three age brackets. On the day of the fair, the Friends of the Library will hold the final used book sale of the season on the sidewalk in front of the Main Library from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Fall Film Fest Begins!

       — Tuesday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m., Main Library

       The Fall Film Fest will begin in September with the movie “Greenberg.” Ben Stiller plays Roger Greenberg, who is single, fortyish, and in search of a place to restart his life. Rated R /108 minutes. Admission is free and so are refreshments furnished by the Friends of the Library. The Film Fest is a collaboration of LaPorte County Public Library, Michigan City Public Library, and the Purdue North Central Odyssey Fine Arts Program. “Greenberg” will be shown at Michigan City Public Library on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m., and at PNC on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. Upcoming films: Oct. 19: “Babies”; Nov. 16: “Winter’s Bone.”

       Thank you to the Friends of the Library for providing all the prizes for this year’s BACK to SCHOOL BINGO program! Everyone had fun and appreciated winning the great school supplies.

    LISA NIELSEN is marketing coordinator at the LaPorte County Public Library. For more information on library programs and materials, call 362-6156 or visit www.lapcat.org.

    Posted in: Arts & Music, Our Heritage, WNLP Headliners, What's Going On?

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  2. August 31, 2010

    Child 1, child 2 — and how the heart grows

       Nine years ago, life as I knew it changed for good.

    stacey_harris-logo   It was Aug. 31, 2001. On that gorgeous, late-summer morning, I rolled my very pregnant self out of bed and immediately began anticipating the chocolate ice cream I was going to have for breakfast.

       But our son decided differently.

       Not due to arrive for another three or four weeks, he made up his tiny mind that he couldn’t wait any longer to show the world what he had to offer. Sparing the details, he made a fun entrance and hasn’t stopped showing his sense of humor since.

       I admit I was very nervous before his arrival. His big sister was 4 years old at the time and I had my hands full. I was nervous about whether I could handle another child. My world then revolved around our daughter — how in the world would I ever love another child as much as I did her?

       For several months before our son’s birth, I was convinced that this second child was doomed to a lesser status, well beyond the “second children have less pictures hanging on the walls” mentality. I feared I wouldn’t have the time to care for him as much as I did his big sister, and my heart could never hold enough love for both of them. These thoughts made me doubt my own abilities as a mom.

       Then he arrived, and everything changed.

       The moment I heard his cries and saw his head full of hair – and I mean head FULL of hair – I knew all of my doubts had been silenced. I immediately understood how moms with multiple kids evolve to care for each individual child. It’s as if my heart and brain immediately expanded, allowing for all the feelings and thoughts I needed to care for this new baby in addition to his big sister.

       Those first few weeks after Jack was born were hectic, but it became quickly obvious that the Harris family had been completed. Months before I wouldn’t have agreed with that thought, but after Jack joined us, it was apparent to me that he was our missing puzzle piece.

       Of course, that completed puzzle brought with it new fears, thoughts and anxieties. As anyone who has both a son and a daughter knows, they are very different creatures. This is especially true in our home. Gabby is the life of any party. She’s vibrant, outgoing and isn’t afraid to tell you what she thinks. Jack tends to be quiet around those he doesn’t know well. He’s reserved and sensitive, yet he has a sense of comedic timing that continues to amaze me.

       Loving these two individuals is something I continue to work hard at every day. There is a continual debate in our house about who is the favorite child. Having had a brother myself, I understand those anxieties. There’s a need to make sure everything is equal.

       Despite what they might tell you, I try hard to treat them equally, but there are days when one might seem favored over the other. It just happens. On those days, I picture them going to the scoreboard hidden in the closet and putting a notch in the appropriate column so that they can prove my indiscretions.

       I have to admit: Loving two children — and more to the point, making sure they know it — is a full-time job. There are days when I would much rather hide under the covers. Yet, sure as the sun will shine, I’m rescued by the sounds of the kids’ laughter and I remember that morning nine years ago. That morning when all of the fears I held were quickly extinguished and in their place came a never-ending supply of love and understanding.

       When things get tough, I hold onto that morning and remember that everything changed that day — including me.

    STACEY HARRIS lives in LaPorte with her husband and two children. She is an account manager for a national advertising agency.

    Posted in: WNLP Headliners

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  3. August 29, 2010

    Want to buy some LaPorte property? Did they have a deal for you in 1832

    stagecoach

    Available transportation mattered as much in the 1800s as it does now. Here's a stagecoach that traveled between LaPorte and Valparaiso from the 1840s to 1870. The coach carried nine people crowded inside, and 10 outside on top. The trip from LaPorte to Westville took about two hours. Photo courtesy of LaPorte County Historical Society (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

       Making real estate sound as enticing as possible is nothing new. In October 1832, LaPorteans A.P. Andrefernw Jr. and Walter Wilson, the proprietors of some lots in the town of LaPorte, advertised the sale of those lots.

       The area for sale, published information stated, “is situated in the center of LaPorte County, on the Door Prairie, which is acknowledged by all who have seen it to be one of the most healthful, fertile and beautiful prairies in the world.” Of course, the lakes were emphasized in the description: “The lakes can be easily connected, and will comprise 18 to 20 miles of navigation.”

       To get folks to respond quickly, the ad stated that “the surrounding country is settling very rapidly and will admit of a more dense population than any other county in the state, and every thing that the merchant or mechanic can ask to induce him to emigrate here, is here to be realized. Already an extensive settlement of wealthy Farmers and others are coming into the county daily.”

       As additional incentives, “materials for building can be easily procured; the best clay for brick immediately in the neighborhood can be had as experience has proven; timber is abundant immediately adjoining, and in the vicinity.”

       Established businesses and services available to the prospective buyers were also noted: “a Steam Saw-mill now in operation within half a mile of the town and two grist-mills and a saw-mill in progress in the vicinity, and will be in operation this fall and winter.”

       As always, available routes of transportation mattered: “The National Road from Detroit to Chicago is laid out within three-fourths of a mile and will no doubt pass through town, on which there is a line of stages from Detroit to Niles, and will in all probability be continued next season on through this place to Chicago. The great Michigan Road from the Ohio River to Lake Michigan, which is now in rapid progress and will soon be completed, passes about four miles north of, and terminates at Lake Michigan about twelve miles northwest of town — at the termination of which it is believed, a good harbor can be had on the lake.”

       Legalities were an important part of early life just as they are today. It was pointed out that “the town of LaPorte has recently been fixed as the seat of Justice of LaPorte County.” As an additional enticement, it was noted that the property was “about 20 or 25 miles west of the town of South Bend (the County Seat of St. Joseph County) and about the same distance from Niles, on the St. Joseph River.”

       But the best part of the sales pitch came in this descriptive paragraph: “The site is high and dry, and the scenery around I will not attempt to describe, but will remark that the person sitting on his porch with ‘Thompson’s Seasons’ in his hand, the lake clear as crystal hung with a heavy forest of trees on one side, and the extensive farms and yet uncultivated prairie interspersed with groves of timber on the other side, and could not enjoy the scene must have a soul so small that it could find more room in a tobacco seed than a frog would in Lake Michigan.”

       Now, who could turn that down?

    FERN EDDY SCHULTZ is LaPorte County’s official Historian. Visit the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum, 2405 Indiana Ave., and its website, www.laportecountyhistory.org, to learn much more about LaPorte County’s history.

    Posted in: Our Heritage, WNLP Headliners

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