As a member of the Leadership Team for the North District of the Indiana United Methodist Church, I had reason to travel to Laporte this morning for a team meeting.
Laporte is the county seat of Laporte County. As I am a fan of county courthouses, I took time to walk around the Laporte County Courthouse and enjoy its architecture.
The building was constructed of red sandstone in 1872. It has very articulated triangular peaks. The tower rises very high above the top story of the building. One can see the tower for miles away.
It is a beautiful building. The rectangular windows are topped with semi-circular panes with attractive design embedded into them.
The historic identifier in front of the building states that the architecture is of Richardsonian Romanesque design. Not being a student of architecture, I visited Wikipedia for a description...
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson.
On the one side of the building, I believe north, there stands a sculpture of a Potawatomi warrior with a broken spear. The broken spear communicates "peace". This sculpture by Howard A. Demyer, was set in 1976 as part of our country"s bicentennial celebration.
If you travel through Laporte and are a fan of history, take a few minutes to enjoy this courthouse. I may have to go back someday when it is open for business to see the inside.
Oh yes, the meeting was productive also.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Of Magic Lanterns and Violet Ray Electro Therapy Machines
The Elkhart County Historical Society operates a museum in what previously was the Bristol high school. The building retains most of its original look. Radiators on the walls by the windows, 1940 light fixtures, even the tile on the floor looks to be about from the 1940s or earlier. Of course, the building itself appears to be about one hundred years old. A great place to house an Historical Society!
Sherry and I attended an event there just last night. The staff had chosen a few interesting items to highlight and discuss.
Matt displayed and described the " Violet Ray Electro-Therapy machine". This device had been marketed during the first part of the twentieth century as a means of cure for just about any illness. So much faith people had in technology and invention that they were willing to give it a try. It is a pretty cool looking device. Too bad we aficionados of psychedelia during the late 60s and early 70s did not have those. I can imagine a "Violet Ray" party while listening to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon".
But traveling back further in history... Matt also presented us with two 75mm gun shells. These shells are from the first world war and have been modified as "Trench Art". The shells had been adorned with "flower" design. There was much discussion amongst the visitors as to the symbolism of placing flower design on what was an instrument of war. It reminded me of that photo from the 60s where a war protester puts a daisy in the barrel of a soldier's rifle.
Then we were left to the interpretive skills of Liz. She showed us the " Permanent Wave Machine". At first glance, it looks like a device for milking young cows. But, as Liz describes, it was a hair curler type of instrument from 1928. Invented by Marjorie Joyner, this machine was the first to have been patented by a black woman. The term "black power" may be associated with the 1960s, but it had its roots in the work and efforts of the Marjorie Joyner types.
Perhaps my favorite of the presentations last evening was Patrick's "Magic Lantern". Before holographs, prior to computer graphics, before movies and silent picture shows, there were "Magic Lanterns". These devices projected an image on a wall or surface. The slides that were used appeared to be about 2"x6". Each slide was made of painted glass. Somewhat like the "overhead projectors" of the 1960s in its operation, it looked like a 1950s camera. Again, something to experience while listening to Pink Floyd.
All of these devices and interpretations evoked, not only a sense of history, but also a sense of how our imaginations and cognitive conjurings make the human experience singular in a universal timeline that reaches back and forward as far as any telescope can hope.
Good job Matt, Liz, and Patrick. Sherry and I will return!
Sherry and I attended an event there just last night. The staff had chosen a few interesting items to highlight and discuss.
Matt displayed and described the " Violet Ray Electro-Therapy machine". This device had been marketed during the first part of the twentieth century as a means of cure for just about any illness. So much faith people had in technology and invention that they were willing to give it a try. It is a pretty cool looking device. Too bad we aficionados of psychedelia during the late 60s and early 70s did not have those. I can imagine a "Violet Ray" party while listening to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon".
But traveling back further in history... Matt also presented us with two 75mm gun shells. These shells are from the first world war and have been modified as "Trench Art". The shells had been adorned with "flower" design. There was much discussion amongst the visitors as to the symbolism of placing flower design on what was an instrument of war. It reminded me of that photo from the 60s where a war protester puts a daisy in the barrel of a soldier's rifle.
Then we were left to the interpretive skills of Liz. She showed us the " Permanent Wave Machine". At first glance, it looks like a device for milking young cows. But, as Liz describes, it was a hair curler type of instrument from 1928. Invented by Marjorie Joyner, this machine was the first to have been patented by a black woman. The term "black power" may be associated with the 1960s, but it had its roots in the work and efforts of the Marjorie Joyner types.
Perhaps my favorite of the presentations last evening was Patrick's "Magic Lantern". Before holographs, prior to computer graphics, before movies and silent picture shows, there were "Magic Lanterns". These devices projected an image on a wall or surface. The slides that were used appeared to be about 2"x6". Each slide was made of painted glass. Somewhat like the "overhead projectors" of the 1960s in its operation, it looked like a 1950s camera. Again, something to experience while listening to Pink Floyd.
All of these devices and interpretations evoked, not only a sense of history, but also a sense of how our imaginations and cognitive conjurings make the human experience singular in a universal timeline that reaches back and forward as far as any telescope can hope.
Good job Matt, Liz, and Patrick. Sherry and I will return!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
20th Century, Natsalgia, and Swivel-Racks
I am quite a nostalgic fellow. I enjoy history and exploring the social, artistic and emotional aspects of history beyond just the facts and details. I can easily place myself in the era with only a few period prompters. When I visit the historic homes of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, or others, my questions tend toward how the less commonly known among them would have lived. Where would the servants have walked as they went to serve the breakfast?
So, when I have an opportunity to visit a place that seems to be held in a particular time of the past, I take that opportunity with a sense of excitement.
Such is the case this morning...
Very close to the junction of Highway 6 and state road 15, there is a restaurant called the "20th Century". The current owner has had it for 37 years and it was around a long time before that.
When one enters, one can notice the bar with bar-stools that seem to be the original 1950s or 1960s equipment. The faux-wood booth tables are worn from the scrapping of plates, cups and utensils. The all glass front remains, also a construction of the 50s or 60s.
While the walls are adorned with nastalgia invoking promotional signs for " Cushman Scooters" "Dri-Gas" and others, it is easy to see that the quality of nostalgia is natural rather than created. It is as if one stepped into the twilight zone of restaurants.
I felt much at home. During the 1960s, when my Mom and I would hop Greyhound buses for Lafollette Tennessee, the bus would often stop at such restaurants. I remember those times fondly. Those bus-stop restaurants always had a swivel-rack of comic books. I would purchase one, for about ten cents, and enjoy reading it while we waited for our breakfast. I looked for the swivel-rack this morning at the 20th Century. I was brought back to current day reality when I could not find the rack.
Still, this is a great place to eat.
And by the way, the food is perfect, and the service is more so.
The address is 19964 us 6 Milford In. 46542.
Phone 574-831-4913
Hours of operation...
M-F 5:00am-10:00pm
Saturday 5:00am-2:00pm
Sunday...closed.
So, when I have an opportunity to visit a place that seems to be held in a particular time of the past, I take that opportunity with a sense of excitement.
Such is the case this morning...
Very close to the junction of Highway 6 and state road 15, there is a restaurant called the "20th Century". The current owner has had it for 37 years and it was around a long time before that.
When one enters, one can notice the bar with bar-stools that seem to be the original 1950s or 1960s equipment. The faux-wood booth tables are worn from the scrapping of plates, cups and utensils. The all glass front remains, also a construction of the 50s or 60s.
While the walls are adorned with nastalgia invoking promotional signs for " Cushman Scooters" "Dri-Gas" and others, it is easy to see that the quality of nostalgia is natural rather than created. It is as if one stepped into the twilight zone of restaurants.
I felt much at home. During the 1960s, when my Mom and I would hop Greyhound buses for Lafollette Tennessee, the bus would often stop at such restaurants. I remember those times fondly. Those bus-stop restaurants always had a swivel-rack of comic books. I would purchase one, for about ten cents, and enjoy reading it while we waited for our breakfast. I looked for the swivel-rack this morning at the 20th Century. I was brought back to current day reality when I could not find the rack.
Still, this is a great place to eat.
And by the way, the food is perfect, and the service is more so.
The address is 19964 us 6 Milford In. 46542.
Phone 574-831-4913
Hours of operation...
M-F 5:00am-10:00pm
Saturday 5:00am-2:00pm
Sunday...closed.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Valentine's Day, Winston Churchill, and Philippians
As it is Valentine's Day, I gave my wife chocolate covered strawberries from Owen's Grocery store in Warsaw as a gesture of sweetness and nurture. She, knowing my admiration for Winston Churchill, gave me three metal dispensers of red sticky-notes which read "Action This Day".
Churchill was know for achieving results, in part, by encouraging others and specifying to others what is priority with his notes of "Action This Day". When a subordinate received such a note, they knew what to follow through on.
We sometimes become so entangled in the hustle and bustle of daily living that we lose sight of priorities from time to time.
The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians, knew how to encourage others toward effective and productive goals...
King James Version (KJV)
Churchill was know for achieving results, in part, by encouraging others and specifying to others what is priority with his notes of "Action This Day". When a subordinate received such a note, they knew what to follow through on.
We sometimes become so entangled in the hustle and bustle of daily living that we lose sight of priorities from time to time.
The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians, knew how to encourage others toward effective and productive goals...
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I also encourage all of us to think on such things. And, as we are inspired, to diligently take action on those things which have inspired us.
Tell those around you that you love them, this day.
Start writing your book, this day.
Start exercising, this day.
Whatever priorities you have set for yourself on the agenda of life, set them in motion.
Take Action This Day.
I also encourage all of us to think on such things. And, as we are inspired, to diligently take action on those things which have inspired us.
Tell those around you that you love them, this day.
Start writing your book, this day.
Start exercising, this day.
Whatever priorities you have set for yourself on the agenda of life, set them in motion.
Take Action This Day.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Tippecanoe Vote Centers and Sgt. Preston's
The Tippecanoe County Court House in Lafayette Indiana is one of the most elegant, history-laden, courthouses I have seen. Being a fan of history, government, and courthouses, I have seen many such architectural pleasantries and I rank this one as beautiful... Approaching the beauty of even my own Elkhart County Courthouse in Goshen Indiana.
But, I was not in Lafayette to visit historic buildings. As a member of the Elkhart County Vote Center Study Committee, I along with Sharon Harder, of same committee, visited Tippecanoe County today to observe voting in their Vote Centers.In Indiana, a Vote Center county allows voters to cast their votes at any polling place in the county, regardless of where the voter may live. This is in contrast to the traditional precinct vote system where one can vote only in their precinct.
Part of what I did today was interview voters as they exited the polling place to get their opinions of the Vote Center concept.
Without exception, all said that they liked the vote center system better than the precinct system.
One fellow explained that he had to leave for work today earlier than when the polls opened, and would return later than when the polls closed. Being able to vote anywhere in the county enabled him to stop by a Vote Center while at lunch and cast a vote. There! At least one otherwise discouraged voter was accommodated!
And I'm sure many, many more.
Good job Christa Coffey, Tippecanoe County Clerk(and all of your helpers)!
As we, Sharon and I, visited the Vote Centers and asked questions, it became obvious to us that this system works very well and insures the integrity of each vote cast and counted. Thank you, Sharon, for such relevant and defining questions.
I encourage Elkhart County to move to become a Vote Center County. It will save money, and accommodate democracy.
Also, if you happen to visit Lafayette, drop in and eat at Sgt. Preston's of the North. This is a fun restaurant with a Canadian Mounties theme. I had the Buffalo Burger.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Happy Anniversary, April 24th, Sherry Borglum!
To the most supportive, encouraging, and pretty person in my life...
Happy Anniversary!
Not only are you supportive of my personal endeavors and pursuits, you engage those undertakings as if they are your personal causes.
Not only do you encourage me to be diligent toward my goals, you make personal sacrifice toward those goals...they are your achievements every bit as much as mine.
Not only are you the prettiest girl on the runway, you are the prettiest girl in my life, both, visually and personally.
Happy Anniversary, love, Mike
Happy Anniversary!
Not only are you supportive of my personal endeavors and pursuits, you engage those undertakings as if they are your personal causes.
Not only do you encourage me to be diligent toward my goals, you make personal sacrifice toward those goals...they are your achievements every bit as much as mine.
Not only are you the prettiest girl on the runway, you are the prettiest girl in my life, both, visually and personally.
Happy Anniversary, love, Mike
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Visit a Local Church
The following letter appeared in the Elkhart Truth about a year ago. I post it here again to encourage your consideration to visit a church.
Local Churches Have Much To Offer
As Easter approaches, I would like to take the opportunity to encourage those whose conscience will allow to attend the church of their choice, not only for Easter, but as a weekly experience.
Most churches spend much time each week in preparation for a church service. Choirs meet to rehearse musical selections that they may be precise and pleasant in their performance. Pastors research and compose sermons that they may be informative and inspirational. The attendee is the focus of this preparation and activity. Make a monetary contribution or not, you will receive much cultural, spiritual, and social reward.
Those comfortable with church and worship will have opportunity to renew their spiritual energies.
Those who are curious about faith, religion and the Bible will have a safe arena in which to explore those things. Most churches I have attended will be friendly, yet respect your need for some comfortable “social distance”.
Also, those who do not believe in divinity, God, or spiritual matters, may still gain in ethical insight as most sermons explore such concerns, not solely from a Biblical perspective, but are informed by science and historical experience.
Churches are also great places to be involved in sporting activities and social groups.
Elkhart has many fine churches of many different denominations. Most of them have websites that indicate their service times and activities.
Of course, you are invited to attend my home church ,St. Paul's United Methodist church in Elkhart, on Beardsley.
St. Paul's has two wonderful services. The 8:30 am service is a dynamically traditional service with full choir. The 10:45 service carries a contemporary feel. Both services are led by Dr. Bill Hemmig with excellent preaching.
Attend as your conscience will allow.
And for those who have gained reason not to attend church over the years, I offer my sincerest respect for your conscience.
Mike Settles
Chair, Evangelism Committee
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Elkhart, on Beardsley.
Local Churches Have Much To Offer
As Easter approaches, I would like to take the opportunity to encourage those whose conscience will allow to attend the church of their choice, not only for Easter, but as a weekly experience.
Most churches spend much time each week in preparation for a church service. Choirs meet to rehearse musical selections that they may be precise and pleasant in their performance. Pastors research and compose sermons that they may be informative and inspirational. The attendee is the focus of this preparation and activity. Make a monetary contribution or not, you will receive much cultural, spiritual, and social reward.
Those comfortable with church and worship will have opportunity to renew their spiritual energies.
Those who are curious about faith, religion and the Bible will have a safe arena in which to explore those things. Most churches I have attended will be friendly, yet respect your need for some comfortable “social distance”.
Also, those who do not believe in divinity, God, or spiritual matters, may still gain in ethical insight as most sermons explore such concerns, not solely from a Biblical perspective, but are informed by science and historical experience.
Churches are also great places to be involved in sporting activities and social groups.
Elkhart has many fine churches of many different denominations. Most of them have websites that indicate their service times and activities.
Of course, you are invited to attend my home church ,St. Paul's United Methodist church in Elkhart, on Beardsley.
St. Paul's has two wonderful services. The 8:30 am service is a dynamically traditional service with full choir. The 10:45 service carries a contemporary feel. Both services are led by Dr. Bill Hemmig with excellent preaching.
Attend as your conscience will allow.
And for those who have gained reason not to attend church over the years, I offer my sincerest respect for your conscience.
Mike Settles
Chair, Evangelism Committee
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Elkhart, on Beardsley.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Ruthmere, Turnock, and a curiosity at City Hall.
The Ruthmere Mansion, on Beardsley in Elkhart, hosts lectures from time to time on various artistic and historical topics. I had the opportunity to visit on Tuesday, June 28, to hear a lecture on E. Hill Turnock architecture, delivered by John W. Stamper, Associate Dean of the school of Architecture, Notre Dame.
The lecture took place in the lower level of the mansion, commonly referred to as “the game room”. My understanding is that the Beardsleys, for whom this mansion was built in 1908, entertained guests with card games and such in this room.
It is a very beautiful room. It has a dark wood floor, bare of any carpet. The chairs are of a dark wood with upholstery of a rich red color The windows are painted with scenes of Italy. The wall-coverings are of a gold-tone faux leatherette. One cannot help but absorb the history of the room and become gilded with a sense of prestige and privilege, even if only for the duration of the lecture.
John W. Stamper spoke with a voice that held our attention. He spoke in a tone that delivered his noticeable knowledge of the subject matter, and with a command of relevant information. His transitions from one time period to another, from one architectural style to another were comfortable and easy to follow. His structure of the lecture was professional and moved us along, both historically and logically.
The title of his lecture is “ E. Hill Turnock: Elkhart's Gentleman Architect”
Characteristics of Turncok architecture include ceramic tile roofs, definite symmetry, hip roofs, and stone porches. You can see many of Turnock's houses in Elkhart.
Mr. Stamper informed us that Turnock designed over one hundred buildings in Elkhart. Among them are...the City Water Works building, built in 1910, the Borneman building( now Seifert Drugs on Main street),the armory building, the Masonic Temple on second, St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Beardsley, and of course, City Hall.
In City Hall, on the third floor, is the city court room. The room is beautiful in design. It has an ornate stained-glass ceiling window that seems to transform ordinary sunlight into tactile inspiration. This writer, however, would like to point out one curious oddity about this room. And I would like to thank Iverson Grove, a man with an eye for detail and a sharpness of logic, for bringing it to my attention...
Along the west wall of the courtroom, high, near the ceiling, is a sequence of five circular, stained-glass windows. One window depicts the scales of justice, another the lamp of knowledge and so on. The south-most window depicts an hourglass. It is this window that is the curiosity. It seems to be inverted, upside down, relative to the other four. A careful scrutiny of this window informs the viewer that in the hourglass, the sands of time seem to be resting at the very top, as if defying gravity. Another observation is that the “ scroll” designs which encircle the various symbols in these windows, agree in their orientation in four of the windows. It is in the south-most window that these “scroll” designs are different in orientation...upside down. It is not something the casual room attendant would notice. But it is there. Take an architectural adventure someday and visit the city court room. Maybe you will find other curious novelties.
The lecture took place in the lower level of the mansion, commonly referred to as “the game room”. My understanding is that the Beardsleys, for whom this mansion was built in 1908, entertained guests with card games and such in this room.
It is a very beautiful room. It has a dark wood floor, bare of any carpet. The chairs are of a dark wood with upholstery of a rich red color The windows are painted with scenes of Italy. The wall-coverings are of a gold-tone faux leatherette. One cannot help but absorb the history of the room and become gilded with a sense of prestige and privilege, even if only for the duration of the lecture.
John W. Stamper spoke with a voice that held our attention. He spoke in a tone that delivered his noticeable knowledge of the subject matter, and with a command of relevant information. His transitions from one time period to another, from one architectural style to another were comfortable and easy to follow. His structure of the lecture was professional and moved us along, both historically and logically.
The title of his lecture is “ E. Hill Turnock: Elkhart's Gentleman Architect”
Characteristics of Turncok architecture include ceramic tile roofs, definite symmetry, hip roofs, and stone porches. You can see many of Turnock's houses in Elkhart.
Mr. Stamper informed us that Turnock designed over one hundred buildings in Elkhart. Among them are...the City Water Works building, built in 1910, the Borneman building( now Seifert Drugs on Main street),the armory building, the Masonic Temple on second, St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Beardsley, and of course, City Hall.
In City Hall, on the third floor, is the city court room. The room is beautiful in design. It has an ornate stained-glass ceiling window that seems to transform ordinary sunlight into tactile inspiration. This writer, however, would like to point out one curious oddity about this room. And I would like to thank Iverson Grove, a man with an eye for detail and a sharpness of logic, for bringing it to my attention...
Along the west wall of the courtroom, high, near the ceiling, is a sequence of five circular, stained-glass windows. One window depicts the scales of justice, another the lamp of knowledge and so on. The south-most window depicts an hourglass. It is this window that is the curiosity. It seems to be inverted, upside down, relative to the other four. A careful scrutiny of this window informs the viewer that in the hourglass, the sands of time seem to be resting at the very top, as if defying gravity. Another observation is that the “ scroll” designs which encircle the various symbols in these windows, agree in their orientation in four of the windows. It is in the south-most window that these “scroll” designs are different in orientation...upside down. It is not something the casual room attendant would notice. But it is there. Take an architectural adventure someday and visit the city court room. Maybe you will find other curious novelties.
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