Comments for Midwestern Literature

Comment on Race in the Region by ppenning

ppenning — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:38:55 +0000

Good thing there are diversified universities. I had little contact with people of other races before I came to Valpo. My undergrad was at a private university that was probably 95% or more white.

Comment on The fun side of region diversity by ppenning

ppenning — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:31:11 +0000

Hooray for diversity!
I grew up in DeMotte, not exactly part of the region. In DeMotte, we do have other nationalities, but still the largest “ethnic” group is Dutch. The Dutch were the ones who settled the area years ago and many of their families remained in the area. Over the years people of other nationalities have come to live in this community. When I was in junior high or high school, DeMotte started a summer festival. At first it was called Town and Country Days, but soon the name was changed to the more original, Touch of Dutch Festival. Two or three years ago the name was changed back to the original name because the promoters were afraid of offending the non-Dutch population. The Rotary Ramble 5K race run every year still has trophies that are engraved wooden shoes. I think it was a mistake to change the name, but I’m Dutch, so maybe I’m biased.
Since coming to VU, I have been exposed to much more diversity than in the little town of DeMotte. I enjoy talking to and becoming friends with people of many different nationalities. As I raised my daughters, I tried to celebrate different heritages when I had a chance—in our home we always ate (and still do) food that represents different cultures: Mexican on Cinqo de Mayo, Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and Chinese on Chinese New Year. I know this may seem trite, but it is just one of the ways we can recognize the nationalities that make up our great nation and its visitors. More than that, we can welcome and befriend people whose heritage is different than our own and when we do our lives will be enriched.

Comment on La Porte’s Slaughter Farm by Greg Wellinski

Greg Wellinski — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:50:23 +0000

It is the right time of the year for a field trip! I’m in. I found out that there is a movie being made about Belle Gunness. I found a clip of it on you tube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgHfOyHM9WU. Unfortunately the creators set it in modern day.

I also saw an interesting news clip about a recent study of “her” casket – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzTiuSmY00c

Thanks for the information about “Method”! I will have to check it out.

Comment on La Porte’s Slaughter Farm by Stacey Cassady

Stacey Cassady — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:39:47 +0000

Field trip anyone? The old farmstead was on McClung Road in La Porte and the cemetery has a gravestone in memorandum of all of Belle’s victims. Currently there are about 5 people working on movie’s of sorts.

There also was a movie made in 2004 called “Method” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379380/) in which Elizabeth Hurley plays an actress starring as Belle in a movie. Gradually, as this method actress channels Belle Gunness, she begins to act like her in real life…

Comment on La Porte’s Slaughter Farm by pbneiweem

pbneiweem — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:20:06 +0000

This is probably going to sound a bit odd, but I had actually come across the stories of both H.H. Holmes and Belle Gunness before we started reading Devil in the White City for class because some friends of mine were trying to come up with nicknames that were actual evil people. While H.H. Holmes is relatively unknown for what he has done (although we did come across him on one website), Belle Gunness is consistently listed as one of the top ten most evil women in history. Obviously there is less competition on the women’s side since there are no Adolf Hitlers, Joseph Stalins, or Idi Amins. However, to be considered one of the most evil women ever is a pretty great feat for a poor immigrant from Norway.

Comment on Pop, soda or coke? by pbneiweem

pbneiweem — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:53:45 +0000

I can think of two terms that would probably considered “other.” I know that in and around Boston, they use tonic to describe soda. Another term that might be considered other although I don’t know if there is any area where it is more common is soft drink which was originally used to differentiate it from hard alcohol.

I am a Midwesterner and have lived near Chicago basically my entire life, but I usually use soda as opposed to pop. Looking at the map, I see that I live extremely close to the section of Wisconsin where soda is most common. My friends and I often have the soda vs. pop discussion, but I have never noticed a clear majority even though the majority of us are from the Chicagoland area. I suppose this could be the influence of our Wisconsin neighbor, but I feel like it would take more than just that proximity to explain it. Has anyone else noticed an influx of the use of soda in and around Chicago?

Comment on Pop, soda or coke? by ppenning

ppenning — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 03:13:45 +0000

I remember I was in a restaurant in Florida? once and I ordered a Coke. The aiter ask me what kind. Since when is a Coke not a Coke? lol

Comment on Another Midwestern Movie by Greg Wellinski

Greg Wellinski — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:36:05 +0000

Prancer. Director: John D. Hancock Writer: Greg Taylor Stars: Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman, and Rutanya Alda. Release Date: November 17 1989.

Comment on Another Midwestern Movie by Stacey Cassady

Stacey Cassady — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:05:39 +0000

I remember that! I was an extra in the Maple Lane Mall scene, although you can’t see me in the movie. My ex-husbands aunt, mom and grandma are all in it though. Sam Elliot and his wife loved the antique stores here in town. Good times!

Comment on Film by gwellins

gwellins — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 03:36:30 +0000

I would like to add to this list. The movie “Prancer” was filmed in my hometown of La Porte Indiana and some of my family and friends were casted as extras in this movie. I don’t have the details of this movie such as writer, director… but I can research it and post it soon.