Round the Bend Now and Then

• Mishawaka's West End Neighborhood

  In this episode, I meet with Mishawaka historian Susanna Ernst and we talk about one of our area's most iconic neighborhoods: Mishawaka's Belgian West End. The neighborhood was built by Belgian immigrants in the early 1900’s and grew into a cultural center that was equipped with everything they needed within a few blocks radius: Flemish speaking grocery stores, social clubs, banks, bakeries, and even their own catholic church... St. Bavo. I learned SO much from Susanna's knowledge and research about the Belgian West End. It once again reaffirms that there is SO much history right under our noses! I’m confident that you’ll learn a thing or two as well. ______________________________________________________Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs!https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/______________________________________________________Thank you to the Portage Township Trustee's Office for sponsoring this episode! Thank you to Jason Critchlow and his team for ALL that you do in our community! Check out their website below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs! https://portage-township.com/______________________________________________________ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpodLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthenTo contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

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  1:00:53
• The Many Moving Parts of South Bend's Redevelopment

  In this episode, I meet Joe Molnar, the Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity for the City of South Bend. I wanted to learn more about the city’s role in redevelopment and the MANY moving parts and nuances that it takes to help improve our city. Learn about: * The challenges and the necessity of the city having to intervene in neglected properties and buildings. * The uniqueness and challenges of saving and repurposing historic buildings and the vision that it takes. * The many moving parts that it takes to build new houses on empty lots in our inner city neighborhoods. And how this can spark improvements and investments in neighboring properties. * What makes the market around Notre Dame different * How vacation rentals (Airbnb, etc.)can turn streets into “Zombie Neighborhoods” - nice lawns, houses kept up, lights on, but nobody is there. * How South Bend’s Master Plans are shaped and formed and how critical it is for community member’s to provide input. * How South Bend has a downtown, but also has numerous “Mini Downtowns” in our neighborhoods and the potential that those areas contain. Check out Joe's "More People" series at the link below:https://westsb.com/features/morepeople__________________________________________________________Thank you to Doing It Travel for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to check out their website below to begin planning your dream vacation today!https://www.doingittravel.com/__________________________________________________________Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs! https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/__________________________________________________________Thank you to InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to visit their shop at 220 E. Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka... across from the Central Park entrance.Check out their website and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about partnering with them! https://indianarugco.com/ __________________________________________________ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpodLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthenTo contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

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  1:09:14
• The Visionary Behind Playland Park

  Earl J “Pete” Redden Sr. was an absolute visionary entrepreneur and master promoter. He owned, operated and built Playland Park into an extremely popular amusement park that was a go to destination for decades. When the park closed, the land was then transformed into a popular 9 hole golf course, equipped with lights to play into the night. This was all located on the land between the Mighty St. Joseph River, Lincolnway, & Ironwood Dr, where IUSB's student housing now stands. In this episode, I interview Sandy Redden, who was Pete Redden Sr.’s daughter in law. As the wife of Pete’s son, Pete Redden Jr., she was a key part of the Redden family business that extended well beyond just the amusement park. Along with Sandy, I met with her son, also named Pete. Pete’s passion for the history behind his grandfather’s popular park, and other businesses, is clearly evident. __________________________________________________As mentioned in the episode, WNIT produced a wonderful documentary about Playland Park. Check it out at the link below.https://www.wnit.org/programs/specials/remember-when-playland-park.html__________________________________________________Thank you to InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to visit their shop at 220 E. Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka... across from the Central Park entrance.Check out their website and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about partnering with them! https://indianarugco.com/ __________________________________________________ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpodLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthenTo contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

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  49:07
• Notre Dame vs. The Klan

  In this episode, I meet with author Todd Tucker and we discuss the story behind his amazing book, “Notre Dame vs The Klan: How the Fighting Irish Defied the KKK” Learn all about the wild clash between University of Notre Dame students and members of the Ku Klux Klan that occurred in downtown South Bend, Indiana in May of 1924. In the book, Todd does an absolute wonderful job of, not only telling the story of the actual riot, but also providing readers with great historical context behind the history of the University of Notre Dame as well as the Ku Klux Klan. He shares how their separate but unique histories led up to the 1924 clash in Downtown South Bend, right on the corner of Michigan and Wayne St. Be sure to check out the links below to purchase any of Todd Tucker's books, including Notre Dame vs. The Klan. Visit Todd's Website: https://www.toddatucker.com/Notre Dame vs. The Klan on Amazon: https://a.co/d/09ADIyW___________________________________________________Thank you to Allie's Cafe and Catering for sponsoring this episode! My mouth is watering for a breakfast burrito! Check out their website!https://www.alliescafe.com/___________________________________________________Thank you to InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to visit their shop at 220 E. Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka... across from the Central Park entrance.Check out their website and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about partnering with them! https://indianarugco.com/ __________________________________________________ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpodLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthenTo contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

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  47:13
• Chief Rum's Village

  In this episode, you’ll learn all about the history of one of South Bend’s most unique public parks, Rum Village Park, as I meet with the director of the Rum Village Nature Center, Garry Harrington. I learned a ton from Garry and I know you will as well! We talk about everything from how the park’s beautiful hills were formed and have remained unchanged for over 15,000 years, to the fact that it was an actual, documented Native American village up until the 1820s. You’ll learn the story behind name of the park, and contrary to popular belief, it IS NOT named after the alcoholic beverage. We talk about how the land was very close to being sold and subdivided into a neighborhood and we of course talk about the beloved Storyland Zoo and how people still ask about it all of these years later. And who can forget about Safetyville? You’ll learn ALL of the positive changes the park has experienced in the last few decades and all that the present day park offers our community today. Thank you Garry for sharing your knowledge about Rum Village Park and your passion for the South Bend area with us. Most importantly, thank you for your service to our community over the last three decades. Be sure to visit the Rum Village Park and the Nature Center and you’ll see why we talk about it so enthusiastically. Check out their website: https://sbvpa.org/places/rum-village-park/_______________________________________________________Get your one-of-a-kind Storyland Zoo mug! Limited Supply! Help support the continued creation of our content! Click here to purchase before they're sold out: https://forms.gle/4P6AHBNtY6sUdDZ87_______________________________________________________Thank you to Allie's Cafe and Catering for sponsoring this episode! My mouth is watering for a breakfast burrito! Check out their website!https://www.alliescafe.com/_______________________________________________________Thank you to InRugCo for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to visit their shop at 220 E. Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka... across from the Central Park entrance.Check out their website and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about partnering with them! https://indianarugco.com/ __________________________________________________ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpodLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthenTo contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter.For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

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  40:08

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