Tag: Indiana

Basketball – A Love Story

mwerner97@gmail.com

People around the globe play the game of basketball. In Indiana, basketball is part of the culture that bonds generations of Hoosiers. In “Basketball – A Love Story,” I explore that bond from shooting baskets in a barn as a kid to playing on the varsity team to watching a new generation of kids play for the love of the game. Many people will appreciate this story, as basketball really is a game played against oneself.

Originally written in 2016, this lent itself well to an audio story. Pat Wisniewski, documentary film producer of “Everglades of the North,” “Shifting Sands,” and “The Lively One” did the recording and production. The basketball sounds were recorded in the 80 year old barn on the Werner family farm.  Click the PLAY arrow above and enjoy.

Coronavirus Sky

mwerner97@gmail.com

My dad and I were behind the barn and paused our work. There wasn’t a cloud to be found. Azure sky as far as our eyes could see.

I’ve never seen this in my whole life, I said. It’s so clear, so blue.

Yeah, me neither, my dad said with the sun at his neck. No airplanes, no contrails criss-crossing, no haze—nothing.

And to think, I said, this is what it’s supposed to look like. Read More

Mr. Gierkey – 50 years with Staiger Hardware

mwerner97@gmail.com

Mr. William Gierkey began work at Staiger Hardware Store in Michigan City, Indiana on August 7, 1897. By August 7, 1946, he was still working there as a clerk and deliveryman. In fact, two co-workers had been there 40+ years–Staiger must’ve treated their employees well.
Because the photograph was taken with a film camera, the photo negative was there that day at 613 Franklin Street, greeted William Gierkey, captured his moment forever, and it is still with us today. Read More

Sixty Years and Counting- A record that stands alone

mwerner97@gmail.com

In 2016, I interviewed Don Larsen for the 60th anniversary of the only World Series perfect game that he pitched. Here is the story.

October 8, 1956. A 27-year-old pitcher born in Michigan City, Indiana, crossed the chalked white line of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York City, and took the mound against the Brooklyn Dodgers in game 5 of the World Series. Larsen was surprised to be there. Read More

Monarchs – Jeff Manes

mwerner97@gmail.com

Jeff Manes is one of Indiana’s more colorful characters. For 15 years, he wrote a personal interest column, All Worth Their Salt, about the hardworking people of Northwest Indiana. Through his words, you get a glimpse of his personality — you can get a collection of his articles here: amazon.com

Jeff was a steel worker for 20+ years before becoming a writer. Here is Jeff reading a powerful piece titled “Monarchs” based on his experience working atop a steel mill coke battery plant on the Lake Michigan shore.

“Monarchs” by Jeff Manes

 

A Water Bucket & Long Johns: Playing basketball for the Modoc HS Indians – Warren Jones

mwerner97@gmail.com

Indiana high school basketball is a major component of Hoosier heritage, yet few people have stopped to record the diverse history and the game’s impact on peoples’ lives. Let’s capture Hoosier history while we can! Oral history is an excellent way for us to do this before it’s gone and lost forever.

Do you know somebody who played, coached, cheered, or worked as a student manager in Indiana before 1960 (especially pre-1950)? If so, grab a recording device, whether it be a video camera or your cell phone (audio works just fine), and ask them about their experience. Afterward, spread the word and encourage other people to do the same thing. If you need help with questions, or preparation, send me a message at mwerner97@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to help.

Below is an excerpt of my 2016 interview with Warren Jones. A 1939 graduate of Modoc High School, here Jones described his Indiana high school basketball playing days. Their practice gym had no heat and his brother coached at a rival school, but the good memories never failed this nonagenarian. Read More

Car Crash – Pecha Kucha presentation

mwerner97@gmail.com

https://www.pechakucha.org/cities/st-joseph/presentations/car-crash-a-photo-book

It’s not all about the twisted metal. It’s about the exploration. These scenes captured a bygone era. The photos captured the human spirit. There is art in everyday life. Learn more from my Pecha Kucha presentation I delivered in St. Joseph, Michigan, about my photobook, “Car Crash: Historic photographs 1937-1948.”

If you’re interested in buying a copy of the book, send an email to mwerner97@gmail.com.

The Patch Players – Basketball was a respite from life’s daily injustice

mwerner97@gmail.com

Dave Greer releasing a jump shot, 1953.

Dave Greer and I sat in his basement drinking coffee. Behind him was a wall covered with trophies: bowling trophies won by his wife, Vivian, his son and daughter’s awards from Rogers High School, a color silhouette of Greer in a basketball uniform. The largest one recognized Greer as an outstanding scholar-athlete at Elston High School.

Greer remembered the night he became the first area player to shoot a jump shot in a varsity basketball game. It was 1953 and many people considered a one-handed jump shot showboating. It was an away game at an all-white school.

“They called me all kind of negative names,” Greer said. “They called me everything but God. We were the only black thing in there,” referring to himself and teammates Bill Wright and Braelon Donaldson. “The word — never heard it so many times in one day.” Read More

Stillwell’s Mightiest Viking

mwerner97@gmail.com

Look around and you will find amazing stories everywhere, tucked away, hoping to be discovered. Sometimes the stories require searching to flesh them out. Such was the case of a glass photo negative discovered in a box. The player wearing number eleven was Leon Antrim. Leon grew up in Stillwell, Indiana. He and his teammate, Clarence Spier, were photographed in the LaPorte Civic Auditorium on March 5, 1937. But, why? Read More