| Issue No. 283 Serving the Entire Business Community April 2008 | ||||
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"The Queen of the Huckleberry Marsh Some of the more raucous pages of Marshall County history will come alive on May 20th at Christo's Banquet Center when retired local schoolmarm Ann Liechty will don the persona of the notorious Huckleberry Queen who retired from a much older profession in the late 1800's. Mrs. Liechty will be the featured entertainer for the Marshall County Historical Society's Annual Dinner bringing Life to some of our own local history! The Huckleberry Queen reigned in the marshy huckleberry plantations near Tyner, Walkerton, and Koontz Lake from about 1875 to about 1886. Her antics made the local newspapers quite regularly. Since thousands of locals flocked to the marsh every summer to pick berries, it only made economic sense to take advantage of such a congregation of humanity. The Queen, most likely a woman named Mary L. Helms, left the circus when it came to Plymouth to take advantage of that opportunity. Sometime before 1875, Mary Helms, Ann Davis, and a couple of other girls opened a restaurant in what was called "the Old Stamping Ground." According to her biography (copies of which are available in the Marshall County Historical Society Museum), the Queen claims that she and the girls really didn't do much cooking since they were "after the boys." An article in an 1876 Plymouth Democrat reports that there were pickers, buyers, packagers, shippers, families, and curious onlookers, with some reports speculating that there were 2500 people or more on a given weekend gathered at the marsh. Hacks ran from Donaldson and Walkerton. It was only a half an hour's ride on the train from Plymouth to Tyner, and there were at least three trains a day. The local papers in 1878 and 79 were filled with indignations about the state of affairs at the Huckleberry Marsh. The Republican newspaper in June of 1878 reported that "the interest in temperance is a cause unabated, and the time when saloon keepers can sell liquor without a license, and sell to minors with impunity is passed" (sic). In the Democrat they proclaimed that order-loving citizens of LaPorte, Marshall, and Starke Counties would see to it that this would be the last season "that such a villainous mob will be permitted to assemble here." But, still, the next year the newspapers continued to report the Huckleberry Queen's reign over the drunkenness. The July 10, 1879, Republican noted the Queen "riding through the avenues without a male escort," being in a "maudlin condition," using language "vile and shocking," and engaging in altercations as well as open gambling. However, there are also references to the Queen saving people from drowning, keeping the peace among the hot heads at the camp, providing medicine for sick women, and of preventing a number of shooting deaths. The Plymouth Tribune in an article from September 25, 1902, waxes sentimental about the colorful days gone by and indicates that on June 23, 1892, the Huckleberry Queen officially reformed and joined the church. Such contradictory reports leave modern readers wondering. Was she a wild woman who never reformed and died an alcoholic hitching rides on railroad cars? Or did the Huckleberry Queen, also known as Mary L. Helms, overcome the challenges of her childhood and become the decent woman she claimed she wanted to be? Call the museum (936-2306) and reserve a ticket to decide for yourself as Ann Liechty presents a living, breathing historical interview with "The Queen of the Huckleberry Marsh."  
Opie's Deli
City Center, 114 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, 574-935-3366 City Center is proud to announce that there are now two new services available. Free wifi and an ATM machine are in place for the convenience of downtown shoppers. The BookWorm 114 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, 574-935-9674; www.shopbookworm.com The Bookworm now has a web site from which books can be ordered anytime day or night. This site can also be reached by Google. The Bookworm's web site is in the beginning stages and there is not a large supply of titles as yet, but new titles are being added everyday. If the title is not online, call the store to receive help. The Bookworm is locally owned and has been an independent bookseller for over nine years. CB Richard Ellis - South Bend Key Tower, 202 S. Michigan, Ste 900, South Bend, 574-237-6000; www.cbre.com/southbend For the seventh year in a row, CB Richard Ellis has been named the leading global brand in commercial real estate, according to a survey of real estate professionals from around the world. CB Richard Ellis has been named the top brand every year since the survey's inception in 2002. Conducted by The Lipsey Company, the survey measures how industry participants perceive commercial real estate brands. More than 20,000 professionals from REITs, institutions, lenders, commercial brokerages, and asset and property management firms participated in the survey. Responses came from U.S. and international real estate professionals. The Lipsey Company provides training and professional development services to the commercial real estate industry.. Addie's Tip of the Month 881 Lincolnway E., Plymouth, 574-936-4723; www.addiesstandardpoodles.com How to Keep a Happy, Healthy Dog? Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected by ingesting very small infective stages of a microfilaria (worm).† In the mosquito, the worm molts twice and moves to the styles of the proboscis where they remain until the mosquito feeds.† During blood feeding, the worms move out of the styles and into the wound.† In dogs and other canines, the worms molt to the adult stage and migrate to the large blood vessels and heart where mating and reproduction occur.† Disease in dogs occur when the number of worms becomes sufficiently large enough to impede blood flow and heart function. Symptoms to watch for are: cough, lack of energy, weight loss, breathing difficulties, and rough coat. Heartworm disease in dogs is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Always consult your veterinarian for treatment and prevention of the heartworm disease in dogs. Marshall Co. Council on Aging 1305 W. Harrison St., Plymouth, 574-936-9904; www.marshallcountycouncilonaging.org The Marshall County Council on Aging is looking for businesses that would like to boost their client base by sponsoring the "Brunch & A Movie" series. "Brunch & A Movie" is held on the second Thursday of the month at the Life Enrichment Center at 9:30 am. Sponsors are responsible for supplying the movie, a light brunch, and fliers for the events, for a three-month period. The Council on Aging will distribute fliers, as well as advertise the events in other venues. The benefit for sponsors is a chance to introduce your products or services to a very targeted, captive audience. Past sponsors have included banks, funeral homes, and fitness centers among others. Donna Pontius, of Centier Bank definitely saw the rewards of their sponsorship, "Our 'Sizzlin Summer Series' drew more people each time. Over the three months that we sponsored Brunch and A Movie, we opened about ten accounts - checking, savings and certificates of deposit - but since then we've probably opened another half dozen accounts. People still comment about what a wonderful idea it is." If you'd like more information or would like to sponsor the series, please call the Life Enrichment Center at 936-9904, or email jholiday.mcoas@hotmail.com. Ancilla Domini College 9601 S. Union Road, Donaldson, 574-936-8898; www.ancilla.edu Over 70 potential new students for the fall 2007 semester attended Ancilla College's annual "Preview Day," an event designed to help students familiarize themselves with faculty and campus life. The event gave students the opportunity to learn more about academic opportunities, financial aid, athletics, campus life, and even receive a detailed campus tour. Students were also able to discuss potential majors with faculty, as well as interview a panel of current Ancilla students. Many of the attendees also had the opportunity to take their placement tests and register for classes in the upcoming fall semester. Ancilla College is a Catholic, two-year, co-educational, liberal arts college in Donaldson, Indiana sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Social: 6:30 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM New Members
April 2008
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