| PUMPKIN FEST, 2005
The 2005 Pumpkin Fest was held at Prairie Meadow Park on Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and 2nd.
This year the weatherman was most co-operative with a sunny, warm weekend. The rains held off until closing time.
On Friday afternoon our tables were set up by Jean Bartmess, Mike Fleming, Ron and Cheryl Albert.
Our note cards, video tapes, cd's and old pictures were items for sale. Steve Potrzebowski loaned his books and railroad pictures for display.
Joanne Elliott made a quilt and donated it for us to raffle off, with the proceeds going into the scholarship fund. The winner was Kathy Anderson.
Jean Bartmess took care of this year's ‘guessing contest', filling a large vase with jelly beans. The $25 prize winner was Desiree Lipe of Michigan City , with her guess of 954. The actual number was 945.
Those who worked in the booth were Mauvie Fagg, Mike Fleming, Ellen Kurtz, Jami Heying, Joanne and Jr. Elliott, Priscilla Sebert, Jean Bartmess, Ron and Cheryl Albert.
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SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED
Going through the applications for the WCHS scholarship, it was very difficult to pick the recipient.
After much discussion, the board voted to award the first annual $250 scholarship to Justin Tyler of Westville. Congratulations to Justin and we wish him well in his studies.
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DONATIONS
Josephine Janowski sent us a monetary donation along with her order for note cards. This addition to our treasury was very welcome.
Cashy Bartels donated some printed materials. Included were a Westville Sesquicentennial Book, several Indicators, a printed history of the township schools and several “Our Heritage” booklets from the Michigan City News Dispatch.
Thank you to both ladies.
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NEW MEMBERS
It's always nice to sign up new members and we have 3.
Joann Gabryszak and Sue Burns have joined the WCHS, along with the LaPorte Co. Cemetery and Research Association.
Welcome to all of you.
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DECEMBER GET -TOGETHER
Members are planning to return to the Strongbow Turkey Inn, in Valparaiso for our December get-together. The date will be either Dec. 7 or 14.
Dick Fagg is handling the arrangements.
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OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2006
The new officers and board members will be installed at the Nov. meeting.
Mike Fleming will be taking over the helm as President; Cheryl Albert, Vice-President; Mauvie Fagg, Treasurer and Priscilla Sebert, Secretary.
The board members are Jami Heying, Webmaster; Joanne Elliott, Dick Fagg and Ron Albert.
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NOTE CARDS ARE NOW ON SALE
At the August meeting, the members folded and boxed the new note cards.
There are 2 sets of cards. One set has scenes of early Westville and the other set has old railroad pictures from the area.
The cards are printed on a nice parchment paper and have matching envelopes.
The cards have been placed in the Town Hall, Library and Bank for sale to the public. They may also be purchased from members.
Jami has put the photos of the note cards on our website, and they may be ordered there.
www.westville-history.com
GENEALOGY FAIR
The first annual Genealogy Fair was held at the Community Building at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds on October 15, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Mike Fleming arrived early to set up our table with the items we have for sale. He also set up his computer and monitor and ran a continuous slide show of old pictures of the community.
Mike, Joanne Elliott and Cheryl Albert worked at our table all day.
Other historical societies and genealogy societies had displays and items for sale, including books of historical interest, county plat books and county histories, and genealogy supplies.
The speaker at the morning session talked on photography, from the oldest types of photo's, to the present day pictures. She told of how photo's could be dated and also how to restore old photos.
The afternoon speaker talked on digital photography and how to use the computer to crop or enhance photos.
Both speakers took many questions from those attending.
At noon , box lunches of ham or turkey were served to the workers.
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REFRESHMENT LIST
Refreshments for 2006 will be provided by the following members:
January: Westville students; Feb. Helen Carson; March: Priscilla Sebert; April: Joanne Elliott; May: Cheryl Albert; June: Jean Bartmess; July: Mike Fleming; August: Priscilla Sebert; Sept: Ellen Kurtz; October: Mauvie Fagg and November: Joanne Elliott.
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HELP FOR THE LIBRARY
Sara Johnson, the librarian, asked if some members of the WCHS could help put the history room in order.
Several have volunteered to help with this job.
The WCHS would also like to be able to place a file cabinet in the history room. Several persons have contacted us about donating their family history and genealogy. Placing these papers at the library would help other researchers working on those area families
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HISTORY BOOK
Early this summer, we discussed publishing a book on the History of New Durham Twp.
It will be a book about the people, businesses and events. Right now, we are planning on covering the history up to 1955.
Joanne and Cheryl have started on the research. They have been going through the old census reports, gathering old obituaries and pictures. Whenever possible, descendants and family members will be contacted for information.
This is going to be a very time consuming job and lots of hard work, but interesting.
After the holidays, we could use some more volunteers. If you enjoy looking through old newspapers, old pictures or any other part of the research, contact Cheryl or Joanne.
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JULY MEETING
Dwight Graham, executive director of LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity was the speaker at our July meeting.
Mr. Graham showed a short video. He told of how the families are chosen, how to volunteer and where houses were being built in our area.
He answered questions on this worthwhile organization.
Refreshments were served by Ellen Kurtz.
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AUGUST MEETING
There was a short business meeting, refreshments were served by Dick and Mauvie Fagg, and then all of the members folded and boxed the note cards.
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SEPTEMBER MEETING
Town Council member, Ron Stallings spoke to us about the future growth of Westville.
With school back in session, we had 9 students attending this meeting.
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OCTOBER MEETING
Cecilia Zubler from the Barker Mansion in Michigan City presented the program.
She showed a video and talked about the Mansion. She also passed out interesting brochures with pictures and a history of the Mansion.
Jean Bartmess served refreshments.
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ONE ROOM LIBRARY
The picture on the front page of this newsletter is of the 1 room library.
The library stood on the west side of Ridge Street , between Main and Walnut Streets, across from the present day Westville Police Station.
The house next to it was occupied by Dr. Fravel.
It was no doubt appreciated by the readers in the community at that time. It is a far cry from the beautiful, big library that is available to us now.
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