03-31-2009
( Reply#: 2932 ) |
Tom J |
Oh, man, that sounds like it will be a great read. Thanks for the info!
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
04-02-2009
( Reply#: 2933 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Yup, I'm sure it will bring back memories for a lot of people who were around in the 60's and 70's. Do you remember when the Melrose Park fireworks company blew up, how about when the First Baptist church caught on fire and burned to the ground. You can read the inside stories from the view of the reporter who covered those events and a lot, lot more. I'm sure most people who were around during that era, will learn things they never knew about the Calumet Region, even though they lived here. I couldn't put it down so I'm sure others will find it very interesting. |
04-02-2009
( Reply#: 2934 ) |
wvcogs |
I just ordered it from Amazon.com -- $14.15 including shipping. It did say 1 to 3 weeks for delivery.
Ken |
04-02-2009
( Reply#: 2935 ) |
Alan Vandever |
I didn't realize it was being sold already. Thanks. |
04-02-2009
( Reply#: 2936 ) |
Tom J |
Just ordered mine from Amazon.com. They had it for $10.16 plus $3.99 shipping and $.85 estimated tax, for a total of $15.00.
One to three weeks shipping.
Tomster
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
04-03-2009
( Reply#: 2937 ) |
wvcogs |
No Amazon facility in WV, so no sales tax on my order.[:D] Wow, what a big savings!
Ken. |
04-04-2009
( Reply#: 2938 ) |
Pro2am |
Let us know if Edu's mentioned in it. :-))
Mike Rapchak Jr.
==============================================================
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Vandever
Hi everyone,
I thought I would let you know about a new book coming out all about the Calumet Region. It's author, Gary Wilson, is a former WJOB/The Times, reporter and a cohort of mine. The name is, "Blunt Force, A Reporter's Heartbeat" and will be out on book shelves soon. It talks about the Hammond area and it's many characters of the 60's and will be a fun read for anyone who was around at that time.
Just a foot note, I'm mentioned on page 87.
Al.
|
04-06-2009
( Reply#: 2941 ) |
seejay2 |
OK, I'm in! I ordered my "Blunt Force" yesterday thru Target.
I believe there may be a book out about Edu already. "Edu, The Man (?), The Myth, The Mystery".
...or maybe not............Cj |
04-06-2009
( Reply#: 2942 ) |
Alan Vandever |
I'm sorry, I am not familiar with Edu. Can you elaborate? Politician?
Celebrity? Mafia? |
04-06-2009
( Reply#: 2943 ) |
duane |
Oh boy...I ain't gonna answer this question, lest I get yelled at once again. Some other brave soul can direct this fine gentleman to the other post on this site that answers his question...but not me. |
04-06-2009
( Reply#: 2944 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Vandever
I'm sorry, I am not familiar with Edu. Can you elaborate? Politician?
Celebrity? Mafia?
Alan:
Go to the thread called "Grand Calumet and its bridges." About halfway through the thread Edu is mentioned, and then there are follow-up posts about him.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
04-07-2009
( Reply#: 2947 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Ahhhh, it's Edju, not Edu. That does sound somewhat familiar. |
04-07-2009
( Reply#: 2949 ) |
Bill Bucko |
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Vandever
I'm sorry, I am not familiar with Edu. Can you elaborate? Politician? ....
You'll recall from the end of "Animal House" that "Bluto" Blutarsky became a U.S. Senator. So I have little doubt that, with his qualifications, Edju (under a different name) is now a top deal-maker in Washington. Speaker of the House, perhaps? [:D]
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
04-07-2009
( Reply#: 2950 ) |
seejay2 |
Actually, I think the freak is dead.......Cj |
04-13-2009
( Reply#: 2969 ) |
duane |
All threads seem to inevitably lead back to Edju! |
04-14-2009
( Reply#: 2970 ) |
seejay2 |
I guess that makes a priority statement, doesn't it?...
...and my book, "Blunt Force", came in yesterday!...Cj |
04-14-2009
( Reply#: 2971 ) |
wvcogs |
My copy of Blunt Force arrived last week and I finished it already. It presents interesting background to the news in Northwest Indiana in the 1950s and '60s and is very quick to read. Sorry folks, no mention of Edju!
Ken |
04-16-2009
( Reply#: 2973 ) |
Bill Bucko |
quote:
Originally posted by S C Jones
Well, no one logged on today, must have been a taxing day for everyone?? (Smirk, Smirk!)
Hey, I'VE been busy at a TEA PARTY ! As you can see at http://forums.4aynrandfans.com/index.php?showforum=83.
Bill
[IMG]http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/billbucko/culpeper.gif[/IMG] |
04-19-2009
( Reply#: 2980 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Back to the book. I enjoyed the book but then, I was there. I was wondering how others enjoyed it. I thought it might give a different perspective on some of the people and events of the Calumet Region.
What did you think?
Al. |
04-27-2009
( Reply#: 3002 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Vandever
Back to the book. I enjoyed the book but then, I was there. I was wondering how others enjoyed it. I thought it might give a different perspective on some of the people and events of the Calumet Region.
What did you think?
Al.
I enjoyed the book, Alan. I wish it had been a longer one, with even more details.
I'll bet YOU have a lot of stories to tell, so come on, spill your guts. Start some new threads on subjects that we can all relate to.
How about the Standard Oil Fire of 1955? Can you share some stories, with or without pictures?
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
04-27-2009
( Reply#: 3003 ) |
seejay2 |
Oh man!! I remember that one! Only 6 at the time, it was one of the most awesome sights I have ever seen. Even to this day when I see some news footage of an oil fire, I can still see Standard Oil in my mind---the fire, the smoke, the melted structure, trains and especially the reports of the pipe that torpedoed into a home in Whiting killing a young boy. Thinking back on it now, after the fire, I lived in mortal fear of that huge green/checkered tank near the Blvd until it was dismantled..........Cj |
04-30-2009
( Reply#: 3019 ) |
tsofred |
Edju...His fullname qas EDJU Piotrowski,he lived on the N W corner of 149th and Walsh in East Chicago,in later years he was an employee of the East Chicago Sanitary Distrist or Water Dept,he passed away in the late 90's,he had a friend who lived down the street from me. |
04-30-2009
( Reply#: 3021 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Tom,
I have a ton of stories but, I don't know how interesting they would be to others. I remember when Kenny Mae was held up by 3 guys. Kenny grabbed two guns from behind the bar and had a shoot out inside the Seven Seas Lounge. He killed two of the, would be, robbers and ran into the street shooting at the get-a-way guy driving away. I was driving back to the paper when Kenny ran in front of my car with both guns blazing.
I was also one of the key players responsible for saving the court house in Crown Point. Then there was the night I was with the Indiana State cops when they raided an illegal gambling place in Gary and a bullet whizzed by my ear. Then I was only a couple blocks away when they gunned down a mafia wise guy outside his house in Cal City. I pulled up about the same time as the police. I knew the guy who had been shot but did not recognize him. He was shot 17 times and several times in the face. I covered presidential campaigns, shootings, celebrates, just about anything you can think of. It makes for great memories but I don't think others are that interested. |
04-30-2009
( Reply#: 3022 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Vandever
Tom,
I have a ton of stories but, I don't know how interesting they would be to others. I remember when Kenny Mae was held up by 3 guys. Kenny grabbed two guns from behind the bar and had a shoot out inside the Seven Seas Lounge. He killed two of the, would be, robbers and ran into the street shooting at the get-a-way guy driving away. I was driving back to the paper when Kenny ran in front of my car with both guns blazing.
I was also one of the key players responsible for saving the court house in Crown Point. Then there was the night I was with the Indiana State cops when they raided an illegal gambling place in Gary and a bullet whizzed by my ear. Then I was only a couple blocks away when they gunned down a mafia wise guy outside his house in Cal City. I pulled up about the same time as the police. I knew the guy who had been shot but did not recognize him. He was shot 17 times and several times in the face. I covered presidential campaigns, shootings, celebrates, just about anything you can think of. It makes for great memories but I don't think others are that interested.
Not interested???? You'd better believe a bunch of us would be interested, if it pertained to The Region.
Tomster
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
04-30-2009
( Reply#: 3023 ) |
Alan Vandever |
I always forget how to post pics here. |
04-30-2009
( Reply#: 3024 ) |
Alan Vandever |
[IMG]http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o72/alanvandever/trickydick.jpg[/IMG]
Shot of Tricky Dick during his re-election campaign. |
04-30-2009
( Reply#: 3025 ) |
Alan Vandever |
[IMG]http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o72/alanvandever/curlynealoftheharlemglobetrotters.jpg[/IMG]
Curly Neal of the Harlem Globe Trotters.
Here is Connie Chung. She was a cub reporter for the Washington Post here. I knew her before Maury Povich. Of course, he married her.
[IMG]http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o72/alanvandever/conniechungiknewherbeforepovichdid.jpg[/IMG] |
05-01-2009
( Reply#: 3026 ) |
diskojoe |
Alan, do you remember when Lyman Bostock, the baseball player got shot & killed in Gary, IN back in 1978? He just started w/the CA Angels fromm the Twins & was probably the last baseball player to request a pay cut after he had a poor start. |
05-01-2009
( Reply#: 3027 ) |
Alan Vandever |
I vaguely remember. Do you remember the star of the East Chicago Roosevelt basket ball team in the early 70's. His last name was Bradley but I forget his first name, I think it was Jim. He was a senior when both E.C. Roosevelt and E.C. Washington went down state. Roosevelt beat Washington for the state championship that year. Bradley went on to the NBA but was shot in the back and killed in Washington, state. E.C. Washington went on to win the state championship the following year with the most amazing high school basket ball team I have ever seen. The center for Washington was a kid named Stoddard who went on to pitch for the Sox a few years later. I'm not sure if I have his name right. I'm going back a few years. |
05-01-2009
( Reply#: 3028 ) |
duane |
Yes. ECR won the state championship 2 years in a row with Jim Bradley (6'9") at forward and there was another 6'9" guy at either the other forward or center. John Scrunge also played substitute center in those years, I think he was about 7' tall. I remember that ECR was beating teams during the regular season, and the scores were something like 115 to 45.
Jim Bradley was a great talent. He could steal the ball from a guard, dribble circles around the other team and then DROP the ball in the basket (I think they outlawed dunking in high school around that time). He went on to play college ball (Carolina maybe?)and eventually wound up in the pros. Unfortunately he didn't pan out well in the pros. While he was a good player, I believe that drugs got in the way and his career lasted only a few years. He was dropped from the pros, and it was later that he was shot and killed. Truly a tragic loss.
Another EC kid that made it to the pros was Junior Brigdeman, who played for ECW.
I do not believe that it would be possible for ECR and ECW to play for the state championship, as they were in the same Sectional (played at ECW high school in the harbor). Roosevelt beat ECW in the sectiional both years, and then went on to beat other powerhouse ball clubs like Gary Roosevelt in the Regionals. At the State Championship, it was usually someone like Lafayette Jefferson or an Indianapolis team that made it to the finals.
Except of course that year when the Cloverdale Clovers played for the finals. Remember, back then, there were no divisions based on size of the school. A small school with just a hundred or so students (like cloverdale) would play a giant school of several thousand students like Lafayette Jeff. Maybe it wasn't fair, but it sure was fun when the small, farm kids would occasionally win!!
And yes, Tim Stoddard did pitch for the Chicago White Sox!! |
05-01-2009
( Reply#: 3029 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Thanks for correcting me. It's been a long time and, although I covered these teams for the paper, I wasn't really that into the high school teams. I do remember watching ECW though, they were the most exciting high school team I ever saw. Everyone on that team was a star. |
05-01-2009
( Reply#: 3030 ) |
duane |
Yes, ECW was a perpetual basketball powerhouse. Other than those few years when ECR had Bradley, ECW was frequently the best team in the region. |
05-02-2009
( Reply#: 3032 ) |
tsofred |
About Kenny May,This is the way it happened Alan.Two guys were drinking and buying drinks for the girls one night,the next day they came back early ,about 6:30 pm and ordered drinks,then announced that they were robbing the place,had everyone get down on the floor,one took a shot at the bar tender (Mark Smith) the bullet hit the sandwich oven on back bar ,the other guy fired off a couple rounds in the floor,Kenny heard shots and saw what was going on and came out with a shotgun and a 9mm pistol and shot both of them in the doorway,both lived and went to prison,there was no get away driver.How i know this is that I was a bar tender at the Seven Seas and was there when it happened,I managed the place for kenny 6 1/2years. |
05-02-2009
( Reply#: 3035 ) |
Alan Vandever |
That's certainly different than I remember it. Maybe it was one of the would be robbers but as I remember it, one was in the door way and the other was just inside the door. I also remember it being in the evening. Are you sure you're not talking about the two guys who shot out the window at 6:30 am with a shotgun. I was there when that happened. As a photographer, I had a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Two guys were talking about being Viet Nam veterans and saying everyone should be buying them drinks. They got very belligerent and Kenny and I tossed them out. After closing, he and I went out to a couple of all night places and returned to Seven Seas early in the morning. As he and I were at the bar talking when the two guys went by and shot out the window with the "Seven Seas" sign in it. Are you sure that's not the shooting you're talking about. |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3109 ) |
nwireporter |
[I'm a tad new at this so I don't know if I'm fracturing form with this format. I'm the author of Blunt Force. In looking at some of the comments it occurs to me the purpose of the work should have been more clearly stated. The stories have been told. I thought inaccurately and tried to point out the reasons. For those who want more details, I'll do what I can. I do have a book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday June 4th at the Depot, Broad Street one block South of Main, Griffith. I'll be glad to sign books for you who have bought them and will sign and sell you onw on site if you haven't. For those who attend I'll include a chapter from Book Two "The Biggest Salami I Ever Saw." I'll print up a dozen, or so, and mail copies to those who want it if I run out. Should be fun ... See you there. |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3110 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by nwireporter
[I'm a tad new at this so I don't know if I'm fracturing form with this format. I'm the author of Blunt Force. In looking at some of the comments it occurs to me the purpose of the work should have been more clearly stated. The stories have been told. I thought inaccurately and tried to point out the reasons. For those who want more details, I'll do what I can. I do have a book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday June 4th at the Depot, Broad Street one block South of Main, Griffith. I'll be glad to sign books for you who have bought them and will sign and sell you onw on site if you haven't. For those who attend I'll include a chapter from Book Two "The Biggest Salami I Ever Saw." I'll print up a dozen, or so, and mail copies to those who want it if I run out. Should be fun ... See you there.
Gary:
Man, I'm sure you could tell stories that would have us on the edges of our chairs. The stories you gave background on in your book were from days too far in the past for me to remember them in any detail. Even so, your perspective on them was interesting to read.
Anyway, welcome to Sheptalk, and POST AWAY! I'm so glad that you have joined us!
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3112 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Gary,
Most people, I'm sure, don't even know Cassius Clay was married in Gary, In.
Why don't you jot down some notes here, on catching him in the alley after the wedding. |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3113 ) |
Alan Vandever |
[IMG]http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o72/alanvandever/vancliburn.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o72/alanvandever/medow20lark20lemon20of20the20harlem.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o72/alanvandever/JaneFondaatrallyshotforChicagoMagaz.jpg[/IMG]
Some more shots from my archives. |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3114 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Ooops, the captions didn't show up.
The first shot is of Van Cliburn. He was a world renown pianist from the 60's.
The second shot is Meadowlark Lemon from the Harlem Globe Trotters.
And third, but not least, Jane Fonda taken at a Nuke rally in Chicago. I shot it for "Chicago Magazine". |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3115 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Vandever
Ooops, the captions didn't show up.
The first shot is of Van Cliburn. He was a world renown pianist from the 60's.
The second shot is Meadowlark Lemon from the Harlem Globe Trotters.
And third, but not least, Jane Fonda taken at a Nuke rally in Chicago. I shot it for "Chicago Magazine".
Meadowlark was awesome! I guess he must have passed away by now? He was quite a talent and quite an entertainer. I saw the Globetrotters at the Hammond Civic Center one time. Looks like that might be where you took that shot of him?
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3116 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Vandever
Ooops, the captions didn't show up.
The first shot is of Van Cliburn. He was a world renown pianist from the 60's.
The second shot is Meadowlark Lemon from the Harlem Globe Trotters.
And third, but not least, Jane Fonda taken at a Nuke rally in Chicago. I shot it for "Chicago Magazine".
Meadowlark was awesome! I guess he must have passed away by now? He was quite a talent and quite an entertainer. I saw the Globetrotters at the Hammond Civic Center one time. Looks like that might be where you took that shot of him?
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
Great news! Meadowlark is alive and kicking, or maybe I should say alive and "preaching." He became an ordained minister in 1986. He is not as old as I thought he was; he was born in 1932.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days! |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3117 ) |
Alan Vandever |
You beat me to the punch, Tom. Meadowlark was featured on one of those news magazine shows not long ago.
The Civic Center is exactly where those pix were taken. You were probably in the audience when I shot them. |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3118 ) |
Tom J |
Gary and Alan, can you guys shed some light on a fire in downtown Hammond in the winter of 1963-1964, I believe it was, that took out a restaurant and a couple other businesses? I think maybe a candy store was destroyed and a clothing store also.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3119 ) |
Alan Vandever |
In my younger years I saw them in Chicago with my dad. At that time Goose Tatum was the star. He was Meadowlark's predecessor. He was in the lobby after the game signing autographs. |
05-25-2009
( Reply#: 3121 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Gary, I'll have to defer to you on Tom's post. That was before my time. |
06-01-2009
( Reply#: 3166 ) |
nwireporter |
Hey Tom, I took a shot at answering the downtown Hammond fire earlier, but it apparently got lost on one of my clumsy keystrokes.
If it's the one I'm thinking of a good friend of mine - Dick Wylie of the Chicago Sun-Times - was severely injured in a warehouse xplosion I didn't cover this one, but if I find the time I'll tell his story along with the fire in book two. As I remember it involved the Hirsch clothing store. Remember gang, I have a book signing at the Griffith Depot ... one block south of main on Broad Street from 2 to 4, Sunday, June 7. Be glad to meet and sign books for those who bought them and I'll have some for sale. Will bring along some pics not in the book and have a dozen or so manuscript copies of a chapter in book two called "The Biggest Salami I Ever Saw." First come, etc. Should be fun - Gary Wilson |
06-07-2009
( Reply#: 3172 ) |
nwireporter |
Great day for signing books! My thanks to all of you who spread the word, Jim and Vera on WJOB, The Times and the Griffith Historical Society for hosting the event! Those who didn't show up for the parade and viewing of vintage cars on Broad Street missed more than 50 antique beauties in mint condition. Maybe next year. Gary Wulson |
07-04-2009
( Reply#: 3235 ) |
nwireporter |
Hey gang! Id thid site dead? Not[8)]hing since my note of thanks. Blunt Force has been reviewed favorably by the Midwest Book Review. It has about ten yarns that would make core stories for full length movies. Any questions? Put a note on the line here ... |
07-04-2009
( Reply#: 3236 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by nwireporter
Hey gang! Id thid site dead? Not[8)]hing since my note of thanks. Blunt Force has been reviewed favorably by the Midwest Book Review. It has about ten yarns that would make core stories for full length movies. Any questions? Put a note on the line here ...
This happens sometimes, Gary. Hopefully, things will pick up soon.
Congratulations on your good review!
Tomster |
