Category: South Bend

An Incomplete History of St. Joseph County, Indiana

An Incomplete History of St. Joseph County, Indiana explores the rich and intricate past of St. Joseph County, weaving together stories, events, and notable figures that have shaped the region. The narrative offers insights into the social, cultural, and economic developments over the years, showcasing the diverse experiences of its residents. Through a blend of historical accounts and engaging anecdotes, the book highlights the unique identity of St. Joseph County, making it a valuable resource for history enthusiasts and those interested in the local heritage.

Bonus book recommendation…

Ride the Jackrabbit is a captivating exploration of the Michiana region, delving into its unique history, culture, and folklore. This engaging narrative uncovers the tales of the area through the lens of local characters and events that have left a lasting imprint on the community. With a blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling, the book offers readers a window into the heart of Michiana, highlighting the quirks and charm that define its landscape. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, the stories within Ride the Jackrabbit provide a rich tapestry of the region’s identity, making it a delightful read for anyone interested in the local lore and history.

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Lou Holtz and Traditions

I’m thoroughly enjoying the book Unbeatable by Jerry Barca. It’s the story of the 1988 football season. I’ve always admired Lou Holtz but I didn’t realize that he was responsible for a couple of Notre Dame’s greatest game day traditions:

The Sign

“George Stewart walked into the maintenance shop in the Athletic and Convocation Center and handed Laurie Wenger a piece of paper. Stewart was acting on the direction of Holtz, who wanted a sign up in the locker room tunnel. The players would tap it as they headed to the field. Wenger looked at the paper and the five words PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY. The South Bend native’s job was to paint signs for functions. Some routine assignments included painting game balls and signs for Junior Parents Weekend. This project took her about a week to complete. Her co-workers cut a three-foot by four-foot piece of wood. Wenger primed it and then painted it in a yellow-gold. She let the color dry and then used blue paint to brush on the phrase in all capital letters. Notre Dame lore has it that shortly after Holtz became the head coach he went through books on Fighting Irish football history and found a photo of the sign. However, nobody, including former coaches, remembered it being posted anywhere. Regardless of where the photo came from, the Notre Dame players who left the locker room to take on No. 3 Michigan in ’86 were the first to touch the sign.

Barca, Jerry. Unbeatable: Notre Dame’s 1988 Championship and the Last Great College Football Season (pp. 56-57). St. Martin’s Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.”

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Win One For The Gipper

So earlier today I was mortified when I finally understood that my beautiful ‘Belle of South Bend’ herself did not understand the origin of the phrase ‘win one for the Gipper’. So, for all of you who would stand with her in this moment I offer you this bit of Americana/NotreDameiana….

…consider yourself schooled!

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Win one for the Gipper!

Win one for The Gipper. Has there ever been a better-known and widely-used exhortative phrase in sports? Not likely. But who was the “Gipper,” this mythical-like sports figure whose nickname has aroused, in turn, awe, wonderment, curiosity, and amusement since the second decade of the twentieth century, and why is his story important? Answering those questions is the formidable task taken on here by veteran sportswriter Jack Cavanaugh, whose Pulitzer Prize-nominated biography of boxing legend Gene Tunney was referred to as “impressively researched and richly detailed” by Sports Illustrated.

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The Linden Grill

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬; 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣,” says Aniyah Mack with a warm, growing smile. “Linden Grill has always been a part of my life, and I’m looking forward to making this really great place even better.”

𝗔𝗻𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗵’𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱. Her father, Alfonso Mack, grew up in South Bend and learned to cook in the kitchens of his mom and grandma. While attending college in Mississippi, he honed his skills by cooking for his college basketball teammates before returning to South Bend to open the first Linden Grill location on Linden Avenue in 2000.

“Well, I’m 25 now, so, yeah… I’ve been around the Linden Grill for as long as I can remember.” Even when she moved to Mississippi for college and obtained her degree in Information Technology, Aniyah was always thinking about how she could apply her learning to the family restaurant back home.

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A sort of homecoming

I don’t write original content here often but today I’ll make an exception.

Jack

A year ago I was brand new to South Bend and I’d only been in town a little over a week when I went to a men’s soccer game wearing a FB Bayern Munich soccer jersey. The guy on the right — Jack — asked me about my jersey and we started talking. I told him that I had just moved to South Bend the week before and that I had loved Notre Dame since I met my friend Chuck Rigali in the 4th grade. He said “Well then, you need to be an usher”. After grilling him on the details I decided to apply and the rest is history. So a year later, I have my first chance to usher a soccer game and there was Jack. I hadn’t seen him again in a year of ushering and I couldn’t wait to thank him for introducing me to the program.

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