Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 10, Number 24, DeMotte, Jasper County, 2 May 1940 — Community Recreational Center Is Now Assured [ARTICLE]

Community Recreational Center Is Now Assured

With the action taken the past week by a large number of citizens in this community, DeMotte and community are certain to have within a very short time a recreational center that is second to none. First, a complete modern system of lights for outdoor softball and 16man football play for school and community use is right now on the grounds, and will be installed in the very near, future. This includes a substantial backstop, bleachers, the lights, and a public address system. Next, the entire recreational field south of the school will be enclosed with a set of light poles, set in the ground four feet and extending up just high enough to stop automobiles from driving onto the field. These poles have been donated by Mr. Jensen, manager of the Northern Indiana Public Service company. A cinder track for high school use will also be constructed and eight carloads of cinders have already been ordered. A partial canvass has been made by a committee and money to the amount of $180.50 has already been given. Trustee Ivan Cheever has stated that the township will spend $150.00 on this project. A set of tennis courts, provision for an ice skating in the winter time will he made PROVIDING there is enough money. So, on Friday, May 3, a committee will canvass the entire township for donations. If you want to help, have your money ready when they call. The township advisory board will meet this week and appoint a legal Recreational Board of five members who will have charge of this program and of all use tnat is made of the field.

Tuesday of this week. County Surveyor Ed Nesbit, County Highw r ay Superintendent W’m. Folger and County Commissioner W T m. Middelkamp were here to set the grade on the street, just south of the school building, that will run from No. 53 west a block. This will be a twolane street, of crushed rock. Trustee Cheever plans to construct a sidewalk adjacent as soon as this street is finished. The surveyor also surveyed the street that runs north and south in front of the Christian Reformed church. This will be scraped and a rock road constructed. Commissioner Middelkamp stated that both these short streets will be treated with an oil-surface as soon as they are packed down. Following is the list of cash donations already turned in: DeMotte Fish & Game Club. SIO.OO Ruth’s Bakery 10.00 C. P. Curtin 5.00 M. Kessinger 2.00 Bruce Todd : 2.00 O. DeYoung, Jr. 2.00 Ralph DeKock . 10.00 Andrew' Dellaan 5.00 Wm. Swart & Co 5.00 Otto DeYoung, Sr 5.00 H. C. DeKock 2.00 M. Burkhart ------- 1.00 M. Struble 100 Bauman Feed Mill 5.00 Rev. Van Schouwen 3.00 Aldrich Recker? ---> - 1.00 Bob Walstra .. .. 100 Tommy Abbring 2.50 Dan Walstra - --- 2,50 A 1 Ewart 3.00 Perry Coberly - 100 Kankakee Valley Post 2.00 DeMotte Mrc. Co. 5.00 Ivan Cheever - 5.00 Shell Oil Station 5.00 Mary’s Restaurant 5.00 Rev. J. J. Moor 2.00 Herman Bunning 100 Rev. Steunenberg > 2.00 Wm. H. Bahler 2.00 Konovsky Estate 10.00 DeMotte Dairy 2.00 Watson Terpstra 100 Rudy Zylstra - - 2.00 Ed Deßruin grocery 5.00 Matt Musch oil station 100 Neil Sekema Garage 2.00 A. Burk beauty shop 1.00 Fred Madison - LOO Bank of DeMotte 5.00 Melvin Toppen station 2.00 DeMotte Telephone Co 5.00 Ramp Chevrolet Sales 2.00 Fred Hoffman 100 DeMotte Feed Store 2.00 Bert Struble ..... , ~ 1.00 Osting Dept. Store 100

Royal Blue Store 1.00 Cheever’s Garage .. ... 5.00 Hotel DeMotte ... 5.00 Sam Hamstra . 1.00 Rich Kiersma 1.00 Chuck’s Service Station ........ 3.00 Curtin Bros. 5.00 Colonial Coffee Co. .... 1.00 C. Zylstra . 2.50 Ed Evers 1.00 Fern Bauman ,-... 2.00 George Timson 1.00 Total to date $180.50 This is only a start! Remember, that on Friday a committee will canvass the entire community. This project will provide a place where our boys and girls can find recreation, winter and summer, and also w r here everyone can either take part or watch the sports. This project is assured—do your part! This project is the outgrowth of expressed desires of a large number of our citizens and by 100 percent cooperation and guidance of Trustee Ivan Cheever.