Summer-2006

The Magazine of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce
Contents
Volume 6 Issue 3 Summer 2006
Remembering 4
Valpo
Reflections of the City’s Past,
Present and Future
The Cost of 8
Redevelopment
Where in the World Does the
Money Come from?
SUMMER 2006
A publication of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of
Commerce. 162 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone (219) 462-1105 Fax (219) 462-5710
gvcc@valparaisochamber.org
www.connecttovalpo.com
www.valparaisochamber.org
GREATER VALPARAISO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Rex Richards, President
Amy Page, Senior Vice President, Member Services
Ashli Bowen, Marketing & Communications Specialist
Julie Gaskell, Administrative Assistant
Chamber Focus 12
What does the Valpo Chamber do?
Community 14
Improvement Awards
Pride and Growth in Valparaiso
Ask An Expert 18
Expert answers to your
business questions.
Web Site Traffic and
Search Engine Placement
Danielle Oeding, Advertising & Membership Sales
Renee Egan, Bookkeeper
Barb Grimsgard, Special Events
Debbie Pulley, Support Staff
VALPARAISO MAGAZINE
Publisher: The Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce
Design and Production: Griffin Marketing Services, Inc.
Photos: Aran Kessler Photo Imaging
Editor: Griffin Marketing Services, Inc.
Printing: Home Mountain Publishing, Inc.
Mailing: Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service
Sections
New Chamber Members 10
Around Town 16
Business Spotlight 21
Editorial Wrap-up 26
Calendar of Events
www.connecttovalpo.com
VALPARAISO MAGAZINE is published quarterly by
the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, P.O.
Box 330, Valparaiso, IN 46384-0330. To submit
“Around Town” entries, call 219-462-1105 or send
to: gvcc@valparaisochamber.org, Attn: Editor.
For advertising inquiries, call 462-1105.
VALPARAISO MAGAZINE circulates 16,500 copies
per issue by direct mail to all businesses, and, on a
rotating basis, to most households in the 46383,
46384 and 46385 zip codes. Subscriptions may be
purchased at an annual rate of $12, for those
outside our regular circulation.
Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
3

“
The humorist Ogden Nash once remarked that,
Progress might have been alright once,
but it has gone on too long.”
Certainly it has been going on in Valparaiso for nearly a century and a half, and with
bulldozers rolling on both ends of town, a series of major redevelopment plans are in full
swing, promising to change the face of this community for many years to come. City
administration and planners have committed to preserving – and even enhancing – the
key attributes and characteristics that make Valparaiso unique so that, in the words of
Mayor Jon Costas, ". . . people 30 or more years from now will still recognize
Valparaiso," much in the same way people looking at old photos of downtown still
recognize it today. Yet we all know change will result in some differences, just as it has
in the past. So we thought it might be interesting to talk to a few folks who have been
in the community for a half century or more and get their perspectives about progress
and how it has changed the city they know and love.
We went to Pines Village Retirement Communities and visited several spry and
energetic young retirees to learn a bit about what Valpo was like then, and how what they
think of it now.
Flora Ann Schafer,
age 81
When Flora Ann’s husband got a job at
McGill Manufacturing in the 1950s,
the family moved from Crown
Point to what Flora refers to as a,
“. . . charming little town” in the
neighboring county. And while she
still thinks the community has
retained much of its charm, when
asked if it has changed much, she
doesn’t hold back.
“Oh my! It has changed so much,”
she exclaims. “When my husband
started working at McGill’s they were
in a small building at Lafayette and
Evans. From there they just grew and grew until they took over a whole block.”
While a big part of the city’s development and redevelopment efforts are focused on
downtown, in Flora Ann’s days, downtown was the place to go. “The Lembke Hotel had
delicious buffet meals every Sunday,” she remembers. “We would go there after church
and have a wonderful time.” She also remembers that Heineman & Sievers Drugstore
had the “largest and finest soda fountain,” where she could sit with friends and have
lunch or a flavored Coke. She also misses stores like Harvey’s dime store, Lowenstine’s
and JC Penney which provided all the shopping anyone could hope for.
“We also loved going to the movies at the Premier Theater,” Flora Ann says. “It’s too
bad we don’t still have (all of these) downtown.” But she explains the biggest change in
a single word: traffic. “Oh my, it’s so congested now!”
She still loves the city she adopted in 1950, and understands that change was – and
is – inevitable.
“...charming
little town”
But she also longs for a bit of what used to be.
“(The community) doesn’t seem as personalized as it once was,” she says. “But then
again, that’s society today, I suppose.”
Elmer and Marian Ahlberg,
4 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006 www.connecttovalpo.como.com
5

“Valpo still
has small
town feel”
Elmer and Marian Ahlberg,
age 86 and 85 respectively
Like many Chicago residents who discovered
that the bucolic beauty of Porter County offered
an easy-to-get-to refuge from the hustle and
bustle of the big city, Marian’s family had a
summer home near Flint Lake and used it as a
getaway from their Chicago address. They loved
coming out here so much that they eventually
decided to make the “little town” their home.
“We enjoyed the lakes and it was so clean and
peaceful, it was easy to become attached.”
Elmer was attracted to the community for an
entirely different reason. “It was a
chance to get a job,” he explains. He
began his career as a pattern maker at Urschel
Laboratories in the late 1940s when the company
had only seven employees and was located in a
building on Napoleon Street.
The relative newlyweds
(they married six years ago after
the deaths of their first spouses)
have witnessed a lot of change in
the area, but don’t entirely agree
on the extent of the changes.
“The community hasn’t
changed much at all in the
Flint Lake area,” Marian says.
“It still feels and looks mostly
the same to me as it did when
I was coming out here with
my family.”
Elmer, on the other hand,
remembers when the north
side of town was an
entirely different environment.
“There was nothing
but prairie from where Urschel is now to
Flint Lake,” he says. “Now it’s all built up. But
that’s progress; you can’t stop it.”
The couple does agree that despite all the
progress, Valpo still has a small town feel. “Oh
yes, it really does, especially up by the square,”
Elmer says. “It still looks much the same, but
more modern, of course.”
“I think it still has the charm we were seeking
when we moved here,” Marian replies, “and it
I believe it always will.”
“It was a
struggle to get a
hospital here...”
Dr. Jack Dittmer, age 94
Dr. Dittmer opened his family practice in
1937 in a small office on Lincolnway,
and, minus a stint in the army during
World War II, practiced continually in the
community until retiring in the 1970s.
In that time he has seen amazing changes in
the medical field, but not all of them good,
in his opinion.
“Oh, technology has certainly improved
the quality of care; you can’t argue with that,”
he explains. “But the practice of medicine is
no longer a profession. It’s a business today.
Once there were professions – medicine,
teaching, and the law – now they’re all
businesses and that isn’t right.”
The reminiscences of his life read like
the biography of the quintessential
country doctor. “We worked
twenty-four seven and made
house calls. You don’t see that
anymore.” He chuckles when remembering
one of his most unusual cases, a young boy
who swallowed a knitting needle. “I just took
care of it right in my office. It was the way you
did it back then.”
In the late 1930s Dr. Dittmer was involved
in the process to create a county hospital. “It
was a struggle to get a hospital here; it was
quite a controversy at the time,” he says. “A lot
of people were against it.”
But these services were needed, according
to the doctor, and when construction was
complete, everyone involved was very proud of
the accomplishment. “We had a laboratory
and everything. We thought we were up in the
clouds,” he remembers.
Then he quickly points out that even then,
many of the hospital’s opponents still
complained. “We originally had something
like 40 beds, but some people said, ‘You’ll
never get it filled.’ I wonder what they would
think now.”
“I can’t say
I like what’s
going on; all these
subdivisions and
shopping malls...”
Jack and Anna Morthland,
age 86 and 87 respectively
Jack has lived within two miles of his current
home in Pines Village for his entire lifetime.
The son of a farm family, he has seen his
family’s land sold and developed, including
acreage at the Mink Lake Golf Course. His
wife Anna grew up on the large Pope farm in
Liberty Township; so she, too, never wandered
too far from home. Together they have seen
significant changes to their environment, and
they take it in stride. But perhaps, at least in
Anna’s case, that’s a family tradition.
“I remember in the 1950s when the state
was buying up land to build the Toll Road,
somebody asked my Grandma Pope what she
thought of that, and she just replied, ‘Well,
that’s progress.’ That was just the way it was.”
Jack worked on the family dairy farm until
he was 40, then taught school at the old
Liberty High School (now part of the
Duneland School System as a middle school)
where he was head of the science department,
and he has mixed emotions about the pace of
progress in the area.
“I can’t say I like what’s going on; all these
subdivisions and shopping malls,” he explains.
“You come over on the bypass and all you see
are fast food restaurants.”
That’s when Anna chimes in. “But thank
goodness for the bypass. Just think of all the
traffic if we didn’t have it.”
On the other hand, Jack’s family played a
pivotal role in the development of the
community in the early days. “Morthland
Drive is named after my father William who
was city engineer for 50 years and mapped out
much of the community,” Jack explains.
“I guess (growth) was to be
expected,” he says. “It’s progress, and
you can’t stop it.”
“Whenever I see something new, I just
say what my mother used to say, ‘Oh my!’”
Anna laughs.
Valpopourri
In 1919 the Shauer family acquired the
Hotel Spindler property at Lafayette
and Lincolnway to develop the site into
the Premier Theater. Vaudeville and
stage productions here dated back to
the mid-19th Century
“It seems to
me that
(city planners)
are trying to
preserve what is
best about this
community, and
I applaud
them for that.”
Robert Kelly, age 87
Bob Kelly, a retired judge, has a little
different perspective than most of the other
folks interviewed for this story, because he is
not originally from Valparaiso. A 1937
graduate of Chesterton High School, Bob
didn’t move out of that community until
coming to Pines Village. Although he may
have been born and raised in Valpo’s smaller
cousin to the north, he still has fond memories
of visiting and shopping and playing sports in
the county seat, and he understands that it is
much more than mere proximity that links the
two communities.
Continued on page 22
6 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
7

The Cost of
Redevelopment
>> Where in the World Does
the Money Come from?
amount dollar-for-dollar or in some other
increment. Currently in Valparaiso, discussions
have taken place with Congressman Pete
Visclosky for help in improving North
Calumet Avenue from Vale Park Road to
Bullseye Lake Road.
Bonding is also a way to spread payback of
projects over longer periods of time. “Think
of it as a mortgage,” Summers says. “We
borrow money now and pay it back over time.”
These dollars come from bonds. Municipal
bonds are fund raising instruments issued by a
community and sold to private investors.
Typically they are issued at a fixed rate of return
for the investor over a specific period of time,
and are often tax exempt for the investor,
which effectively increases the interest yield
and lowers the city’s borrowing costs. The city
takes these investment dollars, builds their
infrastructure or development, and uses the tax
revenues from these improvements to pay back
the bonds. Investors do face some risk, because
their investment is dependent on the
municipality’s ability to pay back the face value
plus the accrued interest. Often, economic
development bonds are issued to help new
businesses finance capital projects. This is a
very effective way of enticing new businesses to
locate in a community and/or help old
businesses expand.
McGill says money invested to attract “the
right kind” of new businesses is well worth it,
no matter where it comes from. “Economic
development bonds were used to help Pratt
Industries become the city’s biggest new
employer in a few short years.”
But perhaps the most frequently
mentioned funding mechanism – if not the
most frequently used – is tax increment
financing or TIF. This concept allows cities to
create special districts and invest in
infrastructure within those districts to generate
private-sector development. In effect, you
might say a municipality is creating a ballpark
and then inviting businesses to come in and
play. And when they do, they bring investment
dollars that ultimately increase property values
which, in turn increases property tax revenues.
Perhaps most importantly, they also create jobs
Valpopourri
Completed in 1923, the Lembke hotel
was one of the finest modern hotels in
the state. With 75 rooms, 50 with bath,
a restaurant, dining room, cafeteria,
and ballroom, the Lembke offered a
great deal to the community.
both directly through their own staffing
requirements and indirectly from vendors and
related industries.
TIF districts are created on land which is
being assessed at minimum values. It might be
blighted or undeveloped land, but it is not
generating property tax revenues anywhere
near its potential. The assessed value of the
property within the district is determined
according to the last tax roll prior to the
beginning of the development. Each of the
taxing jurisdictions (municipality, county,
school district, etc.) continues to receive its
share of the taxes collected on the assessed
valuation that represents the original assessed
value, just as though the district had never been
created and there had been no change in the
assessed valuation of the area. Property taxes
continue to be paid, but taxes derived from
increases in assessed values (the tax increment)
resulting from new development either go into
a special fund created to retire bonds issued to
originate the development, or leverage future
growth in the district.
The tax freeze lasts for a specific period of
time, as set forth in the redevelopment plan.
At the end of that period, taxing jurisdictions
benefit from increased property values.
Continued on page 24
Developing and implementing plans
as ambitious as those being
proposed by city planners come
with costs, both in terms of dollars
and cents as well as from the human element.
With the City’s share of the budget for these
projects approaching $40 million, you
might think we’re all in for a large property
tax increase.
But you would be wrong, according to
those in charge.
“You know, every time a new redevelopment
project is announced, a lot of people
immediately think their taxes are going to go
up. This is simply not true,” says Stu
Summers, Executive Director of the Valparaiso
Redevelopment Commission. “The resources
from which we draw redevelopment dollars are
money that can only be used for that purpose.
They do not come out of the general fund
(which is funded with property taxes).”
He points out that money comes from
several sources including matching funds
from state and federal governmental
resources, redevelopment bonds, and tax
increment financing (TIF).
But the true value of each of these
economic stimulants is their ability to spur
private investment. “That’s what it’s all about,”
explains Charlie McGill, Valparaiso Economic
Development Director. “We get a process
started in hopes that it works so well that it
attracts private investment. That’s when you
see success.”
Summers cites as an example Vale Park
Development, LLC which is purchasing the
former County Seat Plaza from the
Redevelopment Commission. He says this
group is planning to invest at least
$6.5 million in private funds to revitalize the
area. Summers speculates that other investors
might also become involved in the project.
The Vale Park group is also primarily
funding a revamping of the access road
and the addition of sidewalks and
landscaping along Calumet from Vale Park
Road to Wall Street.
“Partnerships with landowners
provide win-win situations for
everyone involved,” he says.
So do strong working relationships with
current tenants in redevelopment areas, says
Craig Phillips, Valparaiso’s Planning Director.
Phillips oversees and facilitates new
development and redevelopment for the City
from the initial conceptual stages through the
creation of design standards and incentive
packages. He points out how local businesses
also contribute to the process.
“Whenever we have a major redevelopment
project like those east and north of town, we try
to soften the blow for businesses in the impacted
area by developing a package of incentives to
help them make the changes that are called for
by the design standards,” he says. “These
incentive plans are like insurance policies for the
people who invest to guarantee that everyone in
the plan will be held to the same standards.”
Phillips emphasizes that each incentive
package is tailored to the specific project and
includes a well-developed mix of loans, tax
abatements, improvement grants and waivers.
For example, forgivable façade improvement
loans can cover as much as 50% of the
renovation costs but are forgiven if the owner
continues to own the business for five years.
“It’s very important to get buy-in from
the people who are most impacted by
redevelopment, and help them understand
how their investment will be worth it,” Phillips
explains. “And the City does that by providing
seed money to give them a boost.”
The City also continually works with state
and federal governments for matching funds.
Essentially, these funds become available from
entities such as the federal government, only
after local municipalities have come up with
their own funds. So, if a city raises, say,
$5 million, the government may match that
8 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
9

New Members
All addresses are in the 46383 zip code and phone
numbers are 219 area unless otherwise indicated.
THE GREATER VALPARAISO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE welcomes new members who joined during March, April and Mid-May 2006
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar
670 Morthland Dr, 46385
477-3868 • Barry Beshansky
Restaurants
Cassady Neeser & Brasseur
340 Columbia Pl,
South Bend, 46601
(574) 233-9443 • Jill Ott
Insurance
Catalyst Marketing Innovations
502 Wall Street, Ste 104 B
548-1670 • David Macham
Advertising & Marketing Services
Web Page Design & Management
Century 21 Executive Group (Stone)
2612 Calumet Ave
548-7814 • Marcie Stone
Real Estate – Commercial/Residential
Countywide Guides
(Div of Odyssey Map Store)
902 N Delaware St, Indianapolis, 46202
(317) 842-5908 • Tim Gravenstreter
Printers/Publishers
F C Tucker NW IN Realtors (Maki)
2500 Calumet Ave, Ste D
464-3800 • Maryann Maki
Real Estate/Residential & Commercial
Giesler Electric, Inc
174 W Joliet Rd, 46385
464-3296 • Stanley Giesler
Electricians
Home Advantage Real Estate
2701 Beech St, Ste A & B
531-8700 • Sherri VanNoort
Real Estate/Commercial & Residential
Innovative Organizing
PO Box 591, Kouts, 46347
221-1883 • Stephanie Jones
Moving/Storage
Jack of Diamonds Transport
1103 McCord Rd
465-4165 • Jan Litza
Transportation Services
Morgan Source Webs
4001 Murvihill Rd, 46385
(888) 294-2226
Lane Roberts
Web Page Design/Management
KAM Consulting Services
29 Stonegate Dr, 46385
510-3674
Kimberly Michalski
Consultants
KSN Technologies
450 Vale Park Rd, 46385
472-1702 • Lee Gotfried
Advertising & Marketing Services
Web Page Design Management
Laser Hair Clinique
4004 Campbell, 46385
477-5751• Jean Leffew
Hair Removal/Growth Therapy
Lincolnway Laundry
1502 E Lincolnway, 46385
464-9250 • Jean Tomasian
Laundromat
Models Plus LLC
605 Grayton Rd, PO Box 600
Kingsford Heights,
46346-0600
393-5591 • Jeffery Maki
Embroidery/Screen Printing
Prudential Financial
509 W 84th Dr, Ste B
Merrillville, 46410
769-2334
Elaina Spratley
Financial Services
River Pointe Country Club
6700 Country Club Rd
Hobart, 46342
942-9611
Kay Farrar
Banquets/Meeting Room Facilities
Golf Course/ Country Club
Smart Technology Solutions, Inc.
76 Ski Hill Pl,
Ogden Dunes, 46368
763-3881
James George
Home Theater/ Media
Snemis Construction, Inc
2701 Beech, Ste F
Valparaiso, 46383
477-2448 • David Snemis
Builders & Developers
Victorian Manor, A
451 W US Hwy 30, 46385
759-2227
Teresa Lake
Salon/Spa
World Financial Group
8000 Utah St, Ste C
Merrillville, 46410
741-6907
Jill Rzepka
Financial Advisors
10 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
11

Your Connection.
The Chamber offers many ways to keep
members connected to one another and the
community: members can display their
brochures in our lobby; when we receive an
inquiry, referrals are only made to chamber
members; members receive a free listing in
our printed Membership Directory and
Community Resource Guide; and members
only are listed on the Chamber web site
with a direct link to their web site. Our
educational seminars and workshops help
members stay connected to learning. One
such program, Business Educating Business,
held every other month, is a free, high energy
90-minute program, dedicated to educating,
motivating and supporting the small business
professional. The facilitated program offers a
wide array of topics, as well as an open discussion
format where attendees can exchange
ideas and share best practices.
Your Resource.
The Chamber is a reliable source when it
comes to business and community resources.
Our office is open to anyone seeking
community information, a Valparaiso city
street map, a community profile, tourism
information, new resident welcome packet
or economic development data. Last year,
we launched a community web site
www.connecttovalpo.com, a 24/7 connection
of information for those living in, moving to
or visiting Valparaiso. For entrepreneurs and
small businesses, we offer free business
counseling through Service Corp of Retired
Executives (SCORE) and NWI Small
Business Development Center (SBDC).
Continued on page 25
When experience and
GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE
meet.
Helping meet the needs of State Farm® customers
is how I help you protect what you value most.
I’m proud to be recognized as a member of
State Farm’s President’s Club.
It’s my privilege to serve you.
Todd Thomae Ins Agcy Inc
Todd A Thomae, Agent
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Bus: 219-462-0527
Toll Free: 877-462-0527
todd.thomae.lr68@statefarm.com
State Farm • Home Offices: Bloomington, IL • statefarm.com ® P057006 1/05
What does the
CHAMBER FOCUS
Valpo Chamber do?
Y
You probably have heard this
question before or perhaps wondered
it yourself. It is a legitimate
question, even for those to whom
the Chamber is very valuable, but may have
no clear understanding of exactly what a
Chamber of Commerce is or what it does.
Some common misconceptions…
The Chamber does not take business
complaints. Sure we are interested in
knowing if Valparaiso businesses are
conducting trustworthy and high-quality
service in our community, but we don’t have
the power to do anything with the information.
The Better Business Bureau is the
appropriate agency to file a complaint or
check the legitimacy of a company. We are
more than happy at any time to refer you to a
Chamber member business and service. You
can call our office (219) 462-1105 or visit our
web site www.valparaisochamber.org, for a
complete member directory listing.
The Chamber is not just a social club. The
Valpo Chamber believes wholeheartedly in
the power of making new connections and
building business relationships which enable
individuals and companies to do and achieve
more. And, sure, we also like to have fun!
We believe visibility leads to credibility, which
leads to profitability. We offer several
monthly informal networking opportunities
for our members, including: A.M. Valpo, an
early morning networking event where each
member is allotted 30-seconds to introduce
their business and services to the other
attendees; Percolator Club, a membership
meeting and luncheon with a hot topic or
special interest presentation; Valpo Young
Professional events bring together future
business leaders with events that are fun,
educational and allow participants to establish
business relationships that will last a lifetime
and service their community; and Business
After Hours, a social mixer hosted by
Chamber members at their places of business.
In addition, we host many annual special
events including: FunDay, a golf outing for
members and their guests; Lu-Wow, A
Rooftop Rendezvous and casual party held on
top of the Porter County parking garage;
Chamber Network Night, the ultimate
county-wide business-to-business networking
and tradeshow event; Salute to Leadership, a
dinner where we recognize individuals in the
community who have, over the course of time
or in an extraordinary circumstance, given
service to the community beyond what is
expected in their profession; and Community
Improvement Awards, a luncheon program
recognizing community businesses which
have made improvements that enhance the
quality of life and attractiveness of the city
and show commitment to its future.
The primary functions of the Valpo
Chamber go far deeper, though, than
networking niceties.
219.921.1444
www.lbji.com
For over 50 years Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute has been dedicated to
helping our patients overcome their pain. From necks to feet and everything
in between, our physicians and specialists use the most innovative surgical
and non-surgical treatments available.
Our specialities include:
• Orthopedic care
• Upper extremity care
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Sports medicine
• Spine surgery
• Rheumatology (arthritis)
• Podiatry (foot & ankle)
• Trauma care
For more information, please call or
visit us online today.
Orthopedic Surgery:
James A. Malayter, MD
Michael C. Leland, MD
Bruce J. Thoma, MD
Paul J. Gruszka, MD
Thomas H. Kay, MD
Ron Clark, MD
Anton A. Thompkins, MD
David J. Musgrave, MD
George Alavanja, MD
Podiatry:
Marc S. Bruell, DPM
Rachel L. Stern, DPM
Rheumatology:
Karen Kovalow-St. John, MD
Nancy Paunicka, FNP-C
12 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
13

McAfee Animal Hospital
651 Eastport Centre Drive
Kelsey’s Steak House
1905 Morthland
Architect: Brent Wagner Architects
Interior Designers: Mickie Blaney & Laura Blaney
Contractors: Garner, Inc., North Star Stone, Inc.
Landscape Designers: Ken Blaney, Sr. & Ken Blaney, Jr.
Architect: Chester, Inc.
Designer: Chester, Inc.
Contractor: Chester, Inc.
Builder: Chester, Inc.
Landscape Designer: Goetz Hosta Farms
Owners: Dr. Larry McAfee and Dr. Steve Violanti
Owners: Ken Blaney, Sr. & Ken Blaney, Jr.
The City of Valparaiso, the Porter County
Builders Association and Valpo Chamber
recognized four (4) local businesses for
their commitment and investment
in Valparaiso by awarding them
with a 39th Annual Community Improvement
Award (CIA). A luncheon, sponsored by
Porter was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 to
honor the recipients and their projects which
improve our city:
The 39th Annual Community Improvement
Award recipients include: Kelsey’s Steak
House, 1905 Morthland; McAfee Animal
Hospital, 651 Eastport Centre Drive; Sisters of
St. Francis Health Services, Saint Anthony -
Valparaiso, 2411 & 2421 LaPorte Avenue; and
Valparaiso Retail Center, 901 Calumet Avenue.
These projects joined more than 218 that
have been recognized since the awards
program began 39 years ago. Community
Improvement Awards are based on the visual
impact of exterior appearance and are judged
on the following criteria:
• Enhances attractiveness of Valparaiso
• Compatible with area and environment
• Shows creativity/innovation in both design
and use of materials
• Enhances the quality of life and promotes
pride in Valparaiso
• Makes a commitment to Valparaiso’s future
In addition, the Special Recognition Award
goes to a project that demonstrates
outstanding achievement on its own merits but
does not fit the general CIA parameters of
eligibility. This year’s award recognizes Spring
Valley Shelter, a program of Christian
Community Action of Porter County, for
their new shelter located at 2001 N. Calumet
Avenue. The only homeless shelter in Porter
County, Spring Valley currently houses 12
households with a remaining 16 units to be
renovated by the end of the year. Common
areas include child enrichment rooms, adult
life-skills classrooms, dining area, warming
kitchen, pantries, and more will also be
completed in the next six months.
The Valparaiso Historic Preservation
Commission presented its fourth Heritage
Award for Historic Preservation at this annual
luncheon. The award is given to the owner(s)
of a building whose construction or renovation
efforts result in significant enhancing and
reinforcing the historic character of Valparaiso.
The Heritage Award for Historic Preservation
was presented to Pioneer Apartments, 101
Chicago Street.
Heritage Award for
Historic Preservation
Pioneer Apartments
101 Chicago Street
Valpopourri
Howie the fiberglass, two-story steer
which stands as an icon in front of
Kelsey's Steak House was purchased in
1994 by Ken Blaney Sr. and Ken Blaney
Jr. from Howard & Sons Meats in
Merrillville. Before that, Howie made
his home at the meat market in
its Munster location.
Sisters of St. Francis Health Services
Saint Anthony - Valparaiso
2411 & 2421 LaPorte Avenue
Architect: Design Organization
Designer: Design Organization
Contractor: Tonn & Blank
Builder: Hamstra Construction and Tonn & Blank
Landscape Designer: Lakeshore Landscaping
Developer: Paul Von Tobel
Owner: Sisters of St. Francis Health Services
Special Recognition
Valparaiso Retail Center
901 Calumet Avenue
Architect: Pollack Architectural Group
Designer: Pollack Architectural Group
Contractor: Vendramini Construction
Builder: Hamstra Construction and Tonn & Blank
Landscape Designer: Yard Bird, Inc.
Owner: Mark J. Miller
Spring Valley Shelter, a program of Christian
Community Action of Porter County
2001 N. Calumet Avenue
Architect: Steve Pease
Contractor: Design Construction provided construction management
Builder: Baughman Construction completed the siding, built the
wooden walkways/stairs, installed windows and doors.
Owner: Christian Community Action
14
Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
15

Campbell St. Café, a nonprofit café operated
by Pines Village Retirement Communities
(PVRC), has been open for less than a year, but
has already donated $5246 to local and national
charities. The Cafe, which is located in the
Meridian Woods subdivision, just north of
Bullseye Lake Road, gives its donated tips
monthly to a chosen organization.
Since the Café does not use tips to
supplement employees’ direct wages, it made
sense to Vicky Gadd, director of Meridian
Woods and Laurie Mullet, CEO, to donate
the tips to other nonprofit organizations to
benefit other people. “We want to give to the
local community and older adult charities,”
said Gadd. A glass jar sits on the ordering
counter for the tips and near it sits a sign
stating where the donations will be going in
that particular month. For more information
about Campbell St. Café, contact Margie
Cannan at 219-531-1800.
The Courts of Northwest Indiana, a
60,000 square-foot state-of-the-art sports
complex located in Valparaiso, IN at the
intersection of Highways 6 and 49 invite you
to their grand opening celebration, the week of
September 8-11th, 2006. The celebration will
include an inaugural Popcorn Festival
Basketball tournament, USTA Sanctioned
Tennis Tournament, a Popcorn Free Throw
Contest and Popcorn 3-Point Contest. The
VU and St. Joseph College tennis teams will
have an exhibition on Friday the 8th open to
everyone! If you’re not playing, come out to
watch and help celebrate the grand opening!
Visit the Courts of Northwest Indiana’s booth
at the Popcorn Festival on Saturday the 9th
located in the kid’s game area. For registration
information visit www.thecourtsofnwi.com or
call (219) 263-9839.
Dr. Mark Farmer, an assistant professor of
foreign languages and literatures, has been
named the 2006-2007 recipient of Valparaiso
University's prestigious Caterpillar Award for
Excellence in Teaching. The Caterpillar
Award is presented annually to a committed
and effective VU professor who displays
proven excellence in engaging and empowering
students, in using innovative methods of
teaching and in enhancing the personal, intellectual
and spiritual growth of the students.
Kids Alive® International celebrates its
90th Anniversary of rescuing orphaned and
abandoned children around the world. Kids
Alive (formerly the Home of Onesiphorus)
opened its first residential children’s home in
Shantung Province of China in 1916. The
United States headquarters remained in
Chicago until 1983 at which time they
relocated to Valparaiso, Indiana, and changed
their name to Kids Alive® International.
From their humble beginnings, Kids Alive has
grown tremendously over the last several years
and now cares for more than 5,600 children in
14 countries worldwide. Opportunities to be
involved vary from serving as a missionary,
participating in a volunteer service team overseas
(helping with construction, administrative
support, summer programs, and teaching
children), participating in local events like the
Turkey Trot 10K Run to Rescue Children
(Thanksgiving morning), or supporting their
work through financial contributions. To learn
more about Kids Alive - call 219-464-9035, or
go online at www.kidsalive.org.
McDaniel Fire Systems, which has
operated from its Valparaiso campus at 1055
West Joliet Road for 70 years, is opening a
new administrative office in Porter to
accommodate growth and allow further
expansion of its Valparaiso-based operations.
Remaining at the Valparaiso campus will be:
the Valparaiso Branch, the Special Hazards
Branch and the Fabrication Shop. The new
Porter office at 804 Canonie Drive will allow
the company to expand its administrative
support with more than 30 employees
currently in functions such as Finance,
Information Technology, Human Resources
and Sales & Marketing with additional
positions to be added.
McGill Federal Credit Union, 911 N.
Lafayette Street, Valparaiso has changed its
name to Select Community Federal Credit
Union and will be relocating in August to a
new facility on the 300 block of Silhavy, just
north of the Family Express. McGill Federal
Credit Union was founded in 1942 by McGill
employees. Earlier this year, the credit union
applied for and received permission from the
National Credit Union Association (NCUA)
to modify its charter of exclusive services to
McGill employees and family members.
Under its new, community-based charter, “we
can serve anyone who lives, works, worships,
or attends school in Porter County and their
family members,” JoAnn Stokum, Chief
Executive Officer said. For more information,
call (219) 465-2496.
Join the Northwest Indiana Symphony
Orchestra for a FREE Symphony Under the
Stars concert, August 19th at 7:00 p.m. on the
NEW Ivy Tech Campus, 3100 Ivy Tech Drive in
Valparaiso. Please bring your own chairs. Rain
location: Valparaiso High School Auditorium.
For more information call (219) 462-5144.
Purdue University North Central
Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin has been
named the first recipient of the Indiana
Mid-America Association of Educational
Opportunity Program Personnel (IMAEOPP)
Rozelle Boyd Outstanding Achievement
Award for his continuing support of the TRIO
programs. TRIO is an umbrella name given to
the U.S. Department of Education programs
that seek to increase access to higher education
and encourage the success of students who are
disadvantaged or traditionally under served.
United Way of Porter County honors
James L. Jorgensen, a partner with Hoeppner,
Wagner & Evans, as the recipient of the
Dorothy M. Porter Award. This award is
presented to a volunteer who exemplifies a
deep and abiding commitment to community
service. It is the highest volunteer award given
by United Way of Porter County.
Jorgensen currently serves on the United
Way of Porter County board of directors as the
ethics officer. He has served as United Way
board chairman, campaign chairman, and
transformation taskforce chairman. In
addition, he serves on the board of directors
for the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of
Commerce; he was named 2002 Valparaiso
Distinguished Community Leader; he is past
chair of the Northwest Indiana Forum; chair
of the Valparaiso Economic Development
Corporation; and he is an elder and deacon at
First Presbyterian Church.
The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, “Pop
Aboard & Fit Together” will be held Saturday,
September 9th in downtown Valparaiso. The
Valparaiso Popcorn Festival continues to offer
family-fun activities for all ages with over 500
food and craft booths, kid's games and rides, a
5-mile run (popcorn panic) and a 5K walk,
live entertainment, and THE NATION'S
ONLY POPCORN PARADE! For more
information, visit www.popcornfest.org or call
(219) 464-8332.
The Valpo Chamber’s annual Lu-Wow!
A Rooftop Rendezvous will be held
Friday, August 4 from 7:00 -11:00 p.m on the
rooftop of the Porter County Parking
Garage. Don't miss one of the best summer
parties in Porter County, featuring live
music, spectacular food and drinks,
fireworks, contests and more! Call the Valpo
Chamber office to purchase your tickets,
$20/$25 at the door (219) 462-1105 or visit
www.valparaisochamber.org/luwow/luwow.htm
16 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
17

ASK AN EXPERT
Expert Answers To Your Business Questions
Web Site
Traffic and
Search Engine
Placement
QWhat can I do to attract
traffic to my website?
A
“Build it and they will come.” Not
necessarily true with a website. You
really need to DO something to
attract traffic to your website.
Traditional marketing and
communication is a great start.
Make sure your website address
is displayed on your business card,
corporate brochure, invoicing,
letterhead, advertising, and email
signature, etc.
Make sure you are using an
e-mail address that includes your
domain name – your e-mail address
is an easy way to market your
website – you should be marketing
YOUR website, not the services of
your e-mail provider (AOL,
hotmail, etc.)
Today, the #1 way people get
information on a company,
product or service is through the
Internet. If your potential site
visitors don’t know your online
address, the best way for them to
find you is via a search engine.
Google is the number one
search engine but don’t forget the
other engines that are still used by
many – Yahoo, MSN, Alta Vista,
Ask, and more.
Each of these search engines has
their own set of likes and dislikes
for the sites they want to list.
Keeping up with these rules can
be daunting.
To be safe – whether you pay
for search engine submissions ornot
– stick to the mainstream and be
sure your site is as built and maintained
“search engine friendly”.
Continued on page 20
18 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
19

Ask An Expert (continued)
Ensure all pages of your site display content
relevant to your site’s message – never “stuff”
your site pages with keywords, relevant or not.
Regularly update your site content – stale content
is bad for site visitors and search engines.
Ensure your site has no broken links or
errors - a dead end and a definite detractor for
site visitors and search engines. Ensure all your
site pages are accessible to search engines –
accessibility is vital.
Include relevant links to external sites
within your website – forget the “link farm.”
Don’t rely on the keywords field in your page
code to market your site for you.
About The Author
Scott Wills is President of Catalyst Marketing
Innovations LLC. With offices located in Michigan
City & Valparaiso, Catalyst Marketing LLC specializes
in comprehensive marketing, website design,
development, hosting and maintenance services.
Valparaiso: 219-548-1670
Michigan City: 219-874-1316
Toll Free: 866-798-6977
www.catalyst-marketing.com
swills@catalyst-marketing.com
Q
A
How will people find my web site?
Aside from traditional marketing mixes, the
most common traffic talk these days revolves
around “search engine placement,” sometimes
referred to as “search engine optimization” or
“SEO”. Studies have shown that 85% of all
web site destinations originate from search
engines and, although approximately 20,000
search engines exist world wide, only about
10 account for the majority of Internet traffic,
with Google, MSN, & Yahoo providing the
greatest volume. Companies that position
their sites to appear near the top of search
results harvest HUGE benefits in traffic,
leads, and ultimately sales.
“So how do I get my site listed at the top?”
– you ask. Most solutions break down into
one of two options:
contract a specialist, or
do-it-yourself.
Usually, business
owners opt for the
specialist route so that
they can focus
attentions on other
business aspects.
Specialist candidates
should provide you
with ranking statistics
that demonstrate their
capabilities. Verify
those claims by
completing your own searches. Also, ask the
specialist if he or she is working with any
organizations using identical keyword phrases
as the ones that you have chosen. This prevents
any conflict of interest between you and
their existing customers.
Pricing for search engine placement
depends upon the competitiveness of your
keywords. The more web competition for
your business’s products or services, the harder
the specialist must work to achieve high
rankings, which increases costs. Normally a
specialist will require a 2-3 month deposit for
Continued on page 23
20 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com
21

Remembering Valpo- Robert Kelly (continued)
“I see (progress) just filling up all this beautiful country between
Chesterton and Valpo,” he explains. “I remember driving over on
old 49 (to Valparaiso) for shopping, and passing maybe one or two cars
when coming in. Now, whether you take the bypass or old 49, it’s traffic
all the way.”
He misses the small town ambience that characterized the city, and
understands and admires Valpo’s commitment to maintaining as
much of it as possible. But to him, despite the good planning
by city government and planners, it still isn’t quite the same. “It’s
nothing like it used to be,” he says. “I remember when they started
bringing in the K Marts and Wal-Marts and the shops downtown
closing up. I don’t like progress that pushes the little guy out.”
Then he thinks about these words for a few moments before replying,
“But you absolutely can’t stop it, so it’s good when you have a plan that
looks to the future. It seems to me that (city planners) are trying to
preserve what is best about this community, and I applaud them for that.”
Ask An Expert (continued)
ranking your site. But a good search engine specialist will also provide
you with a guaranteed ranking agreement, which means if you don’t
rank where they promised, you don’t pay. One product that is very
strong in this category is Engine Placement
(www.engineplacement.com), which provides a standard package for
search engine rankings as well as a guaranteed ranking system for
customers. Another leader within the industry is CoastalSites
(www.coastalsites.com).
For the do-it-yourselfers, you’ll want to gain some basic knowledge of
search engines operations. A great resource is Search Engine Watch
searchenginewatch.com) where you’ll learn precisely how search engines
function. You’ll save money doing it yourself, but the learning curve can be
quite long, and experimentation is always a part of the package. To help
expedite this, you may want to consider WebPosition 4 from
WebTrends (www.webposition.com).
High search engine placement may require some patience and
education. Constantly adjusting the site to stay on top is certainly a
part of the game, but the benefits and potential contributions that high
rankings provide make it well worth the effort.
About the author
Lane Roberts is owner and director of MorganSource, a leading web design firm
that has helped pioneer web site architecture concepts for businesses seeking return
on investments (ROI) from their web sites.
1-888-294-2226
www.morgansource.com
lane@morgansource.com
55 Chicago Street
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Be a Part of It!
Home mountain
A full program schedule is available online!
(219) 462-4185 ■ www.valpoymca.org
22 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006 www.connecttovalpo.com
23

The Cost of Redevelopment (continued)
A community using TIF financing does not
lose the tax revenues that were being collected
before the development program. In fact, it is
possible for taxing jurisdictions to increase
their millage rates during the increment period,
thus increasing gross tax revenues.
Tax abatement programs are also effective
ways to stimulate growth in a community.
These plans allow local governments to
permit certain businesses to phase in new
taxes that would be otherwise assessed because
of the construction of new buildings or
purchase of manufacturing equipment. It is
not only a valuable tool for attracting new
businesses, but is also very effective in
stimulating investment in businesses
currently operating in a community.
And then, of course, there are always state
and federal highway funds available to help
finance such projects. For example, a significant
portion of the new roundabout on East
Lincolnway is being paid for by funding from
the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The new roundabout is not only a “first” for
Valpo, but also is the first roundabout ever
built on a state highway in Indiana.
Each of these methods of financing
economic growth is, of course, subject to the
laws of the state and is
structured to fit each
specific application.
And like any strategic
business plan, developing
and managing
the right mixture of
financing options is
critical to success.
Valpopourri
The VU student bridge, formerly
known as the "kissing bridge," was
built in the late 1800s. Condemned
by the city of Valparaiso in 1967,
the bridge was relocated downtown
Rt. 30 to what is currently Vineyard
Church. In October 2005, after three
years of planning and work the
bridge officially returned to the VU
campus, south of the Chapel,
where it rests today.
Chamber Focus (continued)
Your Voice.
The Valpo Chamber hosts monthly public
policy forums to discuss government issues at
the local, state and federal levels, providing
information on those issues to our members.
During the legislative session (Jan-March),
public policy forums are extended to twice a
month and include Legislative Hotline, a
round table format and open discussion with
state legislators, county and city officials. The
Valpo Chamber also oversees the private
sector of the Valparaiso Economic
Development Corporation (VEDC).
Formed in 1984 as a partnership between
the local business community and the
government, the VEDC has been a catalyst
and facilitator for economic planning and has
played a significant role in structuring and
enhancing Valparaiso’s quality of life.
Your Chamber.
To sum it up, the Valpo Chamber is the
community’s leading advocate and champion
for business. Its primary objective is to create
a climate of growth and success in our
community, making Valparaiso, IN, a great
place to call home for families and businesses.
We provide leadership development
opportunities, volunteer programs, and
business-building initiatives that focus on the
critical priorities of our community.
By leveraging the support, talent and
resources of our members, the Valpo
Chamber connects business leaders to each
other and helps to improve the economic
vitality and quality of life for everyone.
For more information please visit
www.valparaisochamber.org
24 Valpo Magazine Summer 2006 www.connecttovalpo.com
25

EDITORIAL WRAP-UP
by Rex Richards, President, Valpo Chamber & VEDC
It’s Good To Be Home
In April, I graciously
accepted the position
of Valpo Chamber/
Valparaiso Economic
D evelopment
Corporation (VEDC)
President and began
my move from
Sarasota, FL to Valparaiso, a community which
just a few years prior I had called home. I am
not only elated to have the opportunity to lead
a dynamic chamber and local economic
development organization, but equally as
excited to live in a community which
exemplifies an ideal balance between managing
growth and persevering residential charm.
In the past month I have been asked numerous
times, why I would want to move back to
Valparaiso from sunny Florida. My answer is
simple; Valparaiso has all the qualities my wife
and I look for in a community in which to
work, live and play. It’s the kind of place that
makes you feel right at home the minute you
settle in. I believe John Ed Pearce summed it up
best, “Home is a place you grow up wanting to
leave, and grow old wanting to get back to.”
One of the first things that attracted me to
Valparaiso back in 1994, and is still evident
today, is the welcoming character, volunteerism
and leadership of the residents. In addition, I
am impressed at the remarkable job Mayor
Costas, the city administration and private sectors
do in developing and maintaining a clean
and vibrant city. The pride they exude for
Valparaiso and collaborative relationships they
have built and continue to strengthen with all
of Northwest Indiana are to be commended. It
would be a disservice if I didn’t mention all the
qualities at the surface that I love about the
community: downtown’s new streetscapes and
variety of boutique and specialty stores; the care
that goes into revitalizing and preserving historic
buildings; the development of new lifestyle
shopping centers; repaving and new connections
of roads; pathways for ease of walking and
biking around the city; the fabulous restaurants;
and diversity of quality parks and recreation.
As for many families, my moving decision
was also encourage by the quality of the local
school system. Valparaiso’s private and public
school systems are second to none.
Consistently ranked high in performance standards
and graduation rates, school systems are
the driving force behind the quality of life we
experience. Valparaiso University, Purdue
North Central, Ivy Tech Community College,
and Indiana University Northwest are also
26
invaluable strengths to our community,
providing not only skilled workforce but great
leadership and mentorship.
I feel fortunate to live in such a great
community and work for two equally
impressive organizations, the Valpo Chamber
and Valparaiso Economic Development
Corporation. The Valpo Chamber, recognized
in 2005 as Indiana Chamber of the Year
continues to grow at nearly 10 percent
annually; serving the needs of the business
community and Chamber members, ensuring
the quality of life in greater Valparaiso
community…by providing the highest
quality, information, advocacy, networking
opportunities and member services. Earlier
this year the chamber established the
Leadership Development
and Community
Engagement committee
and in August will hold
the first Leadership
Academy, to instill
heightened personal
commitment to community
involvement;
encourage leadership and
engagement within the
community and chamber;
develop awareness of
the opportunities and
challenges existing in
Valparaiso area; and provide
opportunities for
social and/or cultural
enrichment activities
as part of Valpo
Young Professionals.
The Valparaiso
Economic Development
Corporation (VEDC) is
launching new marketing
efforts to recruit businesses
to Valparaiso and foster
the growth of current
businesses by developing
an online business tool
box. Plans for the new
business incubator
(accelerator) are strategically progressing,
which will ultimately help encourage
entrepreneurship. The VEDC also plays an
active role in supporting and partnering with
I am impressed at the remarkable job Mayor Costas,
the city administration and private sectors do in
developing and maintaining a clean and vibrant city.
the Porter County Economic Development
Alliance, Northwest Indiana Forum, Northwest
Indiana Regional Development Authority and
Indiana Economic Development Alliance.
My experiences in the last few months of
becoming a Valpo resident again , acclimating
as president, reacquainting with old friends and
meeting new ones has been welcoming. I am
honored to actively serve the Chamber, VEDC,
and community and look forward to the
journey that lies ahead.
Valpo Magazine Summer 2006
www.connecttovalpo.com