Motorists who drive north of Winamac on U.S. 35 likely notice the airport named Arens Field as they pass by. And many may wonder, who was this Arens?

As time has passed, most alive today never knew Charles A. Arens, the friendly, dynamic businessman, inventor and civic leader – who at heart was forever an aviation enthusiast.

This passion blossomed in earnest in the summer of 1915 when, at the age of 19, Charlie (as he was known) began building a biplane in the attic of his home. The following year, he disassembled the fragile aircraft, transported it to Ashburn Field in Chicago where he reassembled it – and took the plane for a documented solo flight. This qualified him for membership in a rarified group known as The Early Birds.

This is the eleventh in a Series of Reminiscences by E. R. Brown. Pulaski County Democrat, April 27, 1922.

 I have deemed early animal pests and birds of prey as of such importance that my pleasant task would be incomplete without some mention of them. Why we never had any really dangerous creatures roaming or soaring around here is indeed something of a mystery, as was often remarked early. Timber wolves and bobcats, at least, infested other parts of the state, some resorting in adjoining counties. While it was unusual for either to attack a human being, they were always considerably feared. A bald eagle was occasionally seen here in my childhood and I do not recall a time when I did not know of his reputation for sometimes carrying off small children, as well as lambs and pigs. But it would be a mistake if it were said that he was seriously feared, even by the young or timid. Had it not been for the liability, therefore, that some of the dangerous creatures known elsewhere might come here and, on a dark night or in some wild lonely place, be led to do what they had been known to do before, I think the minds of all, even of children, would have been more than commonly free from anxiety or concern from that source.

We can assume we will hear about Mastodons! The first complete mastodon skeleton to be unearthed and displayed at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. was discovered at the Pattison farm in Rich Grove Township, Pulaski County.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Gathering at 6:00 for desserts and coffee at Celebration Station, corner of Main and Market in Winamac

Short business meeting (short!) starts at 6:30 to elect officers and 1/3 of the directors. No other business is before the Society.

The program will start immediately following the election.

Hoosier cabinets are a mainstay in many homes throughout the midwest. The January/February community display features two of John Simmermaker's child's hoosier cabinets as well as advertisements and other domestic toy pieces.

Hoosier style cabinets were first manufactured in Elwood Indiana in 1898 by the Sellers company who would move their operation to New Castle. In the heyday of hoosier cabinet manufacturing between 1898 and 1949 there were dozens of manufactures of these cabinets.

One was the Hoosier Manufacturing Company, also located in New Carlile, who at its peak was making hundreds of cabinets every day. The Hoosier cabinet's eventual decline is attributed to post World War II innovations in kitchen appliances.

If you have a collection of artifacts from Pulaski County or Indiana you would like to put on display please contact the historical society.

If a donation has been accepted, it is considered an unrestricted gift. We reserve the right to keep or to dispose of the item as appropriate. All donations should be accompanied with a monetary donation.

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This poem was written in the summer of 1979 by Mary K. Wiesjahn Williamson. a Star City native. She was born in 1918 and died at the age of 99 in 2018. If you would like to catch up on the series, it started in the January 2023 edition of the e-newsletter. FIND IT HERE.

We previously mentioned Bishop’s Garage,

So let’s peek into the life of this guy.

The first thing we note is the fact he’s 83,

And for a man this age; almost too spry!

He bought the garage of Gus Grish in 1924,

And since then has never retired.

He and Leah run an appliance store today,

And by the townspeople are much admired.

Ralph has a ‘buddy’ up on the corner;

Mr. Groom who all call “K. A.”.

They’ve each served the Community for 55 years,

And practically share the same birthday!

Ralph’s birthday is the 18th of August,

and K. A.’s the 12th of September.

These two should celebrate with a party this year,

That for a long time all will remember.

Both have served as volunteer firemen,

And help the community in different ways.

Both are blessed with good health.

Which shows keeping active really pays.

K. A. is a pharmacist, giving helpful free advice,

You don’t find too much of that today.

Ralph formerly repaired cars & now it’s TVs,

So both have doctored in their own way.

They’ve witnessed the Community’s experiences,

Throughout this long span of years.

Sharing the Depression and better years that followed,

And cared when there was sorrow, heartaches and tears.

Applications for the next round of grants from Sacred Places Indiana are being accepted now through July 15, 2024. Congregations selected to participate will be notified in October 2024.

To learn more about Sacred Places Indiana and criteria for grant funding, check HERE.

The following sponsors are from the March 2023 "calendar" year. This will be updated next month with our new, current sponsors!

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