2012 Events & Programs
November 2012: Save the Dunes 60th Anniversary
Save the Dunes President, Jeanette Neagu, spoke about the past, present, and future of Save the Dunes at the November program. Neagu showed attendees the 20-minute documentary film "Eternal Vigilance: Celebrating 60 Years of Save the Dunes," which highlights the organization's role in getting the National Lakeshore created and the work of its current members to protect the environment in the Dunes area.
October 2012: Good Night Sweetheart -- Vee Jay Records
James B. Lane, IUN Professor Emeritus of history, spoke at the October program. His selected subject, Good Night Sweetheart- Vee Jay Records, was about a young entrepreneur and her husband, who went from Gary radio and records to recording and producing in Chicago and California during the 50s and 60s. The names and groups in their talent pool included some of the most popular during the early years of Rock and Roll.
September 2012: Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary
Cindy Stath, the Director of Volunteer Services for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and NW Indiana, presented a program about the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts. Her territory includes Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties in NW Indiana. She presented the history of scouting in Porter County, including Camps Butternut Springs, Apple Acres and Meadowbrook. She also displayed early photographs and her collection of memorabilia. An interactive presentation, attendees were invited to share souvenirs and their own scouting experiences and the impact Girl Scouts had on their lives.
May 2012: Samuel Insull Trial
Senior Judge Thomas Webber (Ret) presided at a re-enactment of the 1934 trial of Samuel Insull, indicted on 25 charges for his engagement in “simple conspracy to swindle, cheat and defraud the public." The actual charges were federal prosecution of mail fraud and antitrust actions, as was explained during the mock trial. Insull’s Chicago area holdings included, among others, Commonwealth Eddison, Peoples Gas and the Northern Indiana Public Service Company. He also owned significant portions of many railroads, mainly electric interurban lines including the Chicago, South Shore and South Bend.
With Chesterton attorneys Bob Welsh, for the defense, and Mike Harris, as U. S. Prosecutor, witnesses were called to testifty and after closing arguments the audience acted as jury and submitted its verdict--not guilty--to Judge Webber. In the photo, Lynn Welsh (left) served as bailiff as she led a courtroom attendee, played by Angel Goins (right), out of the proceedings after an unruly outburst against Insull.
With Chesterton attorneys Bob Welsh, for the defense, and Mike Harris, as U. S. Prosecutor, witnesses were called to testifty and after closing arguments the audience acted as jury and submitted its verdict--not guilty--to Judge Webber. In the photo, Lynn Welsh (left) served as bailiff as she led a courtroom attendee, played by Angel Goins (right), out of the proceedings after an unruly outburst against Insull.
April 2012: Harry Mark Petrakis
On Thursday, April 19, 2012, award winning American author and longtime Duneland resident Harry Mark Petrakis presented regaled the DHS and program attendees with The Storyteller’s Golden Wheel. Eighty historical society members and guests enjoyed hilarious accounts from Petrakis's childhood, reaffirming his reputation as one of the great storytellers. After what he said is one of his last speaking engagements, many audience members remained to talk to the author and buy autographed copies of his books. You can read more about the presentation in Jeff Schultz's Chesterton Tribune article.
March 2012: Indiana Dunes State Park
On March 15, 2012, Jim Ton, Mark McKibben, and Brad Bumgardner presented the history of the Indiana Dunes State Park. Ton served the park as a gate attendant, park patrolman, and campground manager from 1968-1973. McKibben worked as a seasonal naturalist and later served as assistant park manager and then as park manager from 1985-1989. Bumgardner is the current park naturalist. You can read more about the presentation on the Chesterton Tribune's website.
(Jim Ton in his State Park uniform)
(Jim Ton in his State Park uniform)