Round the Bend Now and Then

On this episode, I meet with the first coordinator of the Michiana Crime Stoppers program, retired South Bend Police Lieutenant Sam Walsh. Michiana Crime Stoppers turns 40 years old this year! Many people remember the Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week commercials in the 1980s with the jail door being slammed shut and Lt. Sam Walsh saying, "You'll be assigned a code number and we won't ask your name. Crime Stoppers, IT WORKS!" However, what we saw on the TV was only the tip of the iceberg. On this episode, Sam shares his experiences helping to launch the Crime Stoppers program in Michiana. The great success the program has achieved over the last 40 years is a direct result of the collaboration between the community, the media, and law enforcement. However, it wasn't always easy as the program experienced many road blocks and amusing stories along the way. Check out Michiana Crime Stoppers' web site - donate to the program as well! http://www.michianacrimestoppers.com/sitemenu.aspx?ID=203&Check out our new You Tube channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Narrated videos of some of the locations that are discussed in the episodes will be posted! 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.Lastly, as I mentioned in the episode, be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

In this episode, I meet with author Gabrielle Robinson and we discuss the story behind her book, Better Homes of South Bend: An American Story of Courage. The book's description, says it all: "In 1950, a group of African American workers at the Studebaker factory in South Bend met in secret. Their mission was to build homes away from the factories and slums where they were forced to live. They came from the South to make a better life for themselves and their children, but they found Jim Crow in the North as well. The meeting gave birth to Better Homes of South Bend, and a triumph against the entrenched racism of the times took all their courage, intelligence and perseverance." We discuss Gabrielle's journey writing the book including discussing the many people that she formed relationships with along the way. It's truly an amazing story of a group of people who were determined to not let discriminatory housing practices in stand in their way. Be sure to purchase and read the book! Gabrielle so beautifully paints a picture of the times. Website: https://www.gabriellerobinson.com/better-homes-of-south-bendCheck out our new You Tube channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Narrated videos of some of the locations that are discussed in the episodes will be posted! Link below! You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574 Be 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.Lastly, as I mentioned in the episode, be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

In this episode, I meet with the author of the More People article series, Joe Molnar. His series detailed how South Bend grew every decade up until the 1960s and then explained our unprecedented population loss of over 30,000 people in the fifty years that followed. With Joe's article series, you will not find a more comprehensive, understandable, descriptive account of South Bend, IN's population shifts. When you read the articles, you’ll find what Joe writes is NOT just numbers and census data, it’s our local history, and he articulates that local history in a manner that tells a clear story. Hear ALL about that and more in this episode! Read the entire More People series AND listen to the corresponding podcasts on West.SB! You can find both at this link: https://westsb.com/features/morepeopleBe 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.Check out videos of some of the areas/topics that we discuss on the episodes on our You Tube channel! https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.Lastly, as I mentioned in the episode, be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

In this episode, you will hear stories behind why the 1200 block of W. Washington street in South Bend, IN was nicknamed, "The Block." The area around the intersection of Washington & Walnut Streets was a thriving neighborhood & business district, but it started to started to change in the 1960s. Citizens called it a skid row, a dumping ground with abandoned buildings, drugs, robberies, prostitutes, and gambling. It is now a calm residential street & other than a few storefronts & buildings that survived, you would have NO clue what used to stand here.  It’s a fantastic success story of revitalization that our city & the South Bend Heritage Foundation should forever be applauded for. Retired South Bend Police Lieutenant Sam Walsh (think Crime Stoppers) joins me and shares his memories of patrolling "The Block" in the 1970s as a uniformed officer as well as undercover. Jim Bankowski also joins me & shares his memories of his grandparents’ & then parents’ tavern, Nyikos, which stood right in the belly of "The Block" on the corner of Washington & Walnut. Be 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.Lastly, as I mentioned in the episode, be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

In this episode, you will hear all about the brand new Mishawaka Historical Museum as I meet with Pete DeKever, the President and Curator. People from our area would be amazed at the array of Mishawaka specific artifacts, displays, and information. Pete shares what visitors will experience when they visit and we also talk about the importance of preserving local history. Listen to the episode first, then head to 121 S. Main St. in Mishawaka and check out the museum! All for the price of a pack of gum and a bag of chips! Visit the Mishawaka Historical Museum's Website: https://mishawakamuseum.org Or check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mishawakamuseumBe 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.Take the family out to eat at Beef O' Brady's or check out a game with friends.12479 State Rd 23, Granger, IN 46530(574) 271-1415https://www.beefobradys.com/granger

In this episode, I meet with Allie's Cafe & Catering's owner Betty Sulok. Over the quarter century that she and her husband Chuck have owned Allie's, it has become a beloved breakfast & lunch spot for many - not only because of their tasty food, but because of the care and service their customers receive. You'll hear how Chuck & Betty started Allie’s Cafe & the origins of their name. You will find out that a husband and wife CAN work together and not strangle each other. You’re going to learn a bit of history about the Allie’s Cafe building and how in 1951 there was almost a riot there!  I finally find out exactly who created the legendary breakfast burrito. But most importantly, we learn that Allie’s is yet another business who believes it’s all about relationships.  Head to Allie's and treat yourself to a breakfast burrito! ....or any other wonderful food items that they offer. Follow them on Facebook: Allie's Cafe & Catering. Be 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.Take the family out to eat at Beef O' Brady's or check out a game with friends.12479 State Rd 23, Granger, IN 46530(574) 271-1415https://www.beefobradys.com/granger

In this episode, I meet with RJ Connors and Jonathon Morrison of the South Bend Lions' Supporters Group, The 6 Districts Coalition. The 6DC are a passionate, mighty group of fans, who support our local soccer team and at the same time do good for our community.  You’ll learn more about the South Bend Lions soccer team and just what a supporters group is and does, specifically the 6 Districts Coalition.  You’ll learn that their mission is way more than just cheering on the soccer team.  Yes…. they are the best and most rowdiest fans in the USL, but they also want to help our community by leading supply drives, donation drives, coaching clinics, and more.  Follow the 6 Districts Coalition on Twitter: @6DCGroup, Instagram: @6DCGroup, or on Facebook: 6 Districts Coalition Be 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.Take the family out to eat at Beef O' Brady's or check out a game with friends. 12479 State Rd 23, Granger, IN 46530(574) 271-1415https://www.beefobradys.com/granger

In this episode, I meet with Gary Sosniecki, the author of The Potato Masher Murder: Death at the Hands of a Jealous Husband, a true crime book about his great grandmother’s 1906 murder in Mishawaka, IN. You will hear all about an intriguing, but obviously sad tale of jealousy, anger, and ultimately brutal murder that caused quite a scene in sleepy, turn of the century Mishawaka.  For more information about The Potato Masher Murder visit: https://www.kentstateuniversitypress.com/2019/the-potato-masher-murder/Be 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 visit Augie's Locker Room at:1811 South Bend Ave.,South Bend, IN 46637Website: https://www.augieslockerroom.com/

In this episode, you will hear Ken Peczkowski share he and his late wife Sarah’s journey in owning the Griffon Games and Bookstore in downtown South Bend since 1976.  It is an amazing journey of a business that has evolved over the years, but at its core it is a business fueled by Ken & Sarah’s passions and driven by their relationships with their customers.  In the last episode, you heard former South Bend Mayor Roger Parent share his memories of urban renewal redevelopment plans and the never materialized “Century Mall” - an inside shopping mall that the city planned to build on the 100 block of S. Michigan St.  In this episode, you’ll hear the The Griffon was literally in the middle of the redevelopment storm and had to move twice because the city's plans to tear down their buildings and make way for the Century Mall.  You will not believe everything that Ken and Sarah had to do, to simply survive and grow their business! Check out The Griffon's website: http://www.griffon-bookstore.com/Be 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 visit Augie's Locker Room at: 1811 South Bend Ave.,South Bend, IN 46637Website: https://www.augieslockerroom.com/

In this episode, I meet with former South Bend mayor Roger Parent. We first discuss his book, Getting Things Done, and then he shares his memories of our downtown's urban renewal in general, but more specifically the ill fated downtown shopping mall plans in the 1970s & early 80s. If you're from the South Bend/Mishawaka area, then his book is a must read! Click on the link below to purchase his book, Getting Things Done: Stories of Leadership from the South Bend Mayor's Office to the School Board, the Peace Corps and Beyond, or purchase on Amazon. https://rogerparent.org/books/getting-things-done/Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpodFacebook: 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, also follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

Welcome to the FIRST EVER EPISODE of Round the Bend Now and Then! In this episode, you'll hear longtime downtown South Bend restaurant owner Peg Dalton share her journey over the last quarter century and you'll find out exactly why PEGGS is so beloved. Our listeners will also hear some historical context behind the exact same block that PEGGS is located, the 100 block of S. Michigan St., and how risky it was to start a restaurant there. Most of that block sat vacant for two decades, after most buildings were demolished in the late 1970s to redevelop the land into an inside shopping mall called "The Century Mall." Thankfully those plans never came to fruition and 20 plus years after opening, Peg can hold her head high knowing that her restaurant is a downtown South Bend favorite. Be sure to grab breakfast or lunch at PEGGS! Check them out on Twitter: https://twitter.com/peggs_southbendOr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PEGGSinSouthBendOr Instagram: https://instagram.com/peggs_sbBe 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, also follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.