The main intent of this episode is simple: To honor heroes. Specifically, the heroes that served our country: Our United States veterans.  

This past Saturday, November 15th, 2025, I was humbled to be a part of a Hometown Heroes event that was held at the Indiana Dinosaur Museum. The main purpose of the event was to spend a full day to come together as a community and honor and celebrate the courage of our veterans.  

As a part of the day's festivities, we recorded an episode of Round the Bend Now and Then, right in the middle of the Indiana Dinosaur Museum. I was honored to interview three local veterans to shine a light on their service and also learn more about what we can do to support our nation’s veterans. 

I want to thank Bill Krueper, Victoria Molnar, and South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski for sharing their stories. As you’ll hear in the interview, their stories of service may vary, but they’re still the same: All three of them served our country, like millions of others out there, and they ALL deserve our thanks and gratitude.  

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INvets: Founded by veterans for veterans, aids in transitioning to civilian life, focusing on job placement and finding the right community for veterans and their families to ensure their success and happiness.

https://www.invets.org/

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Battlefields to Ballfields: Empowering veterans to transition from military service to community leadership through sports officiating excellence ​

https://www.battlefields2ballfields.org/

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Stop22: Reducing Veteran Suicide through Education, Legal Support and Community.

https://stop22.org/

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ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

This episode is a special one in that I meet with my father, Joel Emery, as he shares his memories from growing up in 1960's River Park.

Over the years, my parents have shared multiple stories about growing up in River Park - a neighborhood on the far east side of South Bend, IN. Their stories mirror what neighborhoods were like at that time in our country, absolutely bursting at the seams with kids - kids born in the tens of millions after solders returned from World War II: The baby boom.

I’ve always planned on doing an episode about River Park, as there is SO much local history involved in its story. But it would take several episodes to really be able to tell the complete story of the neighborhood so I thought it would be neat to interview my dad and focus on just a slice of its history, growing up in River Park in the 1960s.   

Thank you dad for your time and memories!

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Thank you to the Portage Township Trustee's Office for sponsoring this episode! Thank you to Jason Critchlow and his team for ALL that you do in our community!

Check out their website and Facebook below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs!

https://portage-township.com/

https://www.facebook.com/share/1786tvftXK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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Thank you to the Mishawaka Historical Museum for sponsoring this episode! If you're a fan of our content, you'll be a fan of the museum! You'll experience the most comprehensive collection of artifacts and historical background all specific to Mishawaka!

Give them a visit at 121 S. Main St. in Mishawaka, just south of the Lincolnway and Main St. intersection. Check out their website to learn more!

https://mishawakamuseum.org/

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Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs!

https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/

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ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

In this episode, I meet with local historian Susanna Ernst. You’ll learn ALL about a neighborhood that you might not find on any national historical registry, but the Mishawaka neighborhood known as Hooligan Heights has a 120 plus year history that is just as intriguing and interesting as any of the more notable local historical sites.  

I learned SO much about Hooligan Heights from our interview with Susanna as well as from her fantastic article, "Hooligan Heights: Mishawaka's Wild West" - linked below. It once again reaffirms that there is SO much history right under our noses!  I’m confident that you’ll learn a thing or two as well. 

Thank you Susanna for your knowledge and passion for our local history!

https://hooliganheights.com/

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Thank you to the Mishawaka Historical Museum for sponsoring this episode! If you're a fan of our content, you'll be a fan of the museum! You'll experience the most comprehensive collection of artifacts and historical background all specific to Mishawaka!

Give them a visit at 121 S. Main St. in Mishawaka, just south of the Lincolnway and Main St. intersection. Check out their website to learn more!

https://mishawakamuseum.org/

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Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs!

https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/

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Thank you to the Portage Township Trustee's Office for sponsoring this episode! Thank you to Jason Critchlow and his team for ALL that you do in our community!

Check out their website below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs!

https://portage-township.com/

________________________________________________

ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

CJ's Pub opened their doors near downtown South Bend in 1984 and 41 years later, they are still serving up their legendary pub burgers and cold beer to generations of patrons. 

In this episode, I meet with the co-owner of CJ’s Pub, Judy Gish. You’ll learn ALL about the story behind CJ's Pub, from 1984 to the present day. I hope that you’ll gain a true appreciation for a local legendary spot.  It hasn’t always been easy and CJ's has faced multiple barriers over the years that would probably put a lot of places out of business, but with hard work, tenacity, and a focus on the customers and community, a small business can thrive and positively impact generations of patrons. 

Be sure to stop by CJ's Pub on the corner of Michigan and Wayne St. in downtown South Bend and enjoy a burger and a beverage. Visit their website: https://www.cjs-pub.com/

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Thank you to the Mishawaka Historical Museum for sponsoring this episode! If you're a fan of our content, you'll be a fan of the museum! You'll experience the most comprehensive collection of artifacts and historical background all specific to Mishawaka!

Give them a visit at 121 S. Main St. in Mishawaka, just south of the Lincolnway and Main St. intersection. Check out their website to learn more!

https://mishawakamuseum.org/

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Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs!

https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/

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Thank you to the Portage Township Trustee's Office for sponsoring this episode! Thank you to Jason Critchlow and his team for ALL that you do in our community!

Check out their website below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs!

https://portage-township.com/

________________________________________________

ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

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 President and Curator of the Mishawaka Historical Museum, Pete DeKever.  We talk about a chapter from his most recent book, LOST Mishawaka. The specific chapter that we discuss is “When Mishawaka was the Power City: The Story of the Twin Branch Dam and Power Plant”

I've seen the massive Twin Branch Dam many times, but I definitely was not aware that the dam is only a part of how much local history the land contains. There was a huge area on the north side of the river that contained massive steam plant buildings that once powered the entire city of Mishawaka and beyond.  But now.... that complex is but a distant memory.

The story behind the Twin Branch Dam and Power Plant is truly remarkable considering how large it became and how much of an impact the power it produced had on local lives.

Thank you Pete DeKever for joining us! Check out Pete's new book, LOST Mishawaka, at the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Mishawaka-Peter-J-Kever/dp/1467157910#detailBullets_feature_div

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Thank you to the Mishawaka Historical Museum for sponsoring this episode! If you're a fan of our content, you'll be a fan of the museum! You'll experience the most comprehensive collection of artifacts and historical background all specific to Mishawaka!

Give them a visit at 121 S. Main St. in Mishawaka, just south of the Lincolnway and Main St. intersection. Check out their website to learn more!

https://mishawakamuseum.org/

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Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs!

https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/

________________________________________________

Thank you to the Portage Township Trustee's Office for sponsoring this episode! Thank you to Jason Critchlow and his team for ALL that you do in our community!

Check out their website below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs!

https://portage-township.com/

________________________________________________

ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

In this episode, I meet with Mishawaka historian Susanna Ernst and we talk about one of our area's most iconic neighborhoods: Mishawaka's Belgian West End.

The neighborhood was built by Belgian immigrants in the early 1900’s and grew into a cultural center that was equipped with everything they needed within a few blocks radius: Flemish speaking grocery stores, social clubs, banks, bakeries, and even their own catholic church... St. Bavo.

I learned SO much from Susanna's knowledge and research about the Belgian West End.  It once again reaffirms that there is SO much history right under our noses!  I’m confident that you’ll learn a thing or two as well. 

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Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs!

https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/

______________________________________________________

Thank you to the Portage Township Trustee's Office for sponsoring this episode! Thank you to Jason Critchlow and his team for ALL that you do in our community!

Check out their website below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs!

https://portage-township.com/

______________________________________________________

ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

In this episode, I meet Joe Molnar, the Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity for the City of South Bend.  I wanted to learn more about the city’s role in redevelopment and the MANY moving parts and nuances that it takes to help improve our city.  

Learn about: 

* The challenges and the necessity of the city having to intervene in neglected properties and buildings.  

* The uniqueness and challenges of saving and repurposing historic buildings and the vision that it takes. 

* The many moving parts that it takes to build new houses on empty lots in our inner city neighborhoods.  And how this can spark improvements and investments in neighboring properties.  

* What makes the market around Notre Dame different 

* How vacation rentals (Airbnb, etc.)can turn streets into “Zombie Neighborhoods” - nice lawns, houses kept up, lights on, but nobody is there. 

* How South Bend’s Master Plans are shaped and formed and how critical it is for community member’s to provide input. 

* How South Bend has a downtown, but also has numerous “Mini Downtowns” in our neighborhoods and the potential that those areas contain.  

Check out Joe's "More People" series at the link below:

https://westsb.com/features/morepeople

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Thank you to Doing It Travel for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to check out their website below to begin planning your dream vacation today!

https://www.doingittravel.com/

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Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs!

https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/

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Thank you to InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to visit their shop at 220 E. Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka... across from the Central Park entrance.

Check out their website and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about partnering with them! https://indianarugco.com/ 

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ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

Earl J “Pete” Redden Sr. was an absolute visionary entrepreneur and master promoter.  He owned, operated and built Playland Park into an extremely popular amusement park that was a go to destination for decades.  When the park closed, the land was then transformed into a popular 9 hole golf course, equipped with lights to play into the night. This was all located on the land between the Mighty St. Joseph River, Lincolnway, & Ironwood Dr, where IUSB's student housing now stands.

In this episode, I interview Sandy Redden, who was Pete Redden Sr.’s daughter in law. As the wife of Pete’s son, Pete Redden Jr., she was a key part of the Redden family business that extended well beyond just the amusement park.  

Along with Sandy, I met with her son, also named Pete.  Pete’s passion for the history behind his grandfather’s popular park, and other businesses, is clearly evident.  

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As mentioned in the episode, WNIT produced a wonderful documentary about Playland Park. Check it out at the link below.

https://www.wnit.org/programs/specials/remember-when-playland-park.html

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Thank you to InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to visit their shop at 220 E. Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka... across from the Central Park entrance.

Check out their website and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about partnering with them! https://indianarugco.com/ 

__________________________________________________

ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

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 Todd Tucker and we discuss the story behind his amazing book, “Notre Dame vs The Klan: How the Fighting Irish Defied the KKK” 

Learn all about the wild clash between University of Notre Dame students and members of the Ku Klux Klan that occurred in downtown South Bend, Indiana in May of 1924. 

In the book, Todd does an absolute wonderful job of, not only telling the story of the actual riot, but also providing readers with great historical context behind the history of the University of Notre Dame as well as the Ku Klux Klan. He shares how their separate but unique histories led up to the 1924 clash in Downtown South Bend, right on the corner of Michigan and Wayne St.  

Be sure to check out the links below to purchase any of Todd Tucker's books, including Notre Dame vs. The Klan.

Visit Todd's Website: https://www.toddatucker.com/

Notre Dame vs. The Klan on Amazon: https://a.co/d/09ADIyW

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Thank you to Allie's Cafe and Catering for sponsoring this episode! My mouth is watering for a breakfast burrito! Check out their website!

https://www.alliescafe.com/

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Thank you to InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to visit their shop at 220 E. Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka... across from the Central Park entrance.

Check out their website and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about partnering with them! https://indianarugco.com/ 

__________________________________________________

ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To contact the show, you can email at [email protected] or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

Be sure to share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!

In this episode, you’ll learn all about the history of one of South Bend’s most unique public parks, Rum Village Park, as I meet with the director of the Rum Village Nature Center, Garry Harrington. 

I learned a ton from Garry and I know you will as well! We talk about everything from how the park’s beautiful hills were formed and have remained unchanged for over 15,000 years, to the fact that it was an actual, documented Native American village up until the 1820s. You’ll learn the story behind name of the park, and contrary to popular belief, it IS NOT named after the alcoholic beverage. We talk about how the land was very close to being sold and subdivided into a neighborhood and we of course talk about the beloved Storyland Zoo and how people still ask about it all of these years later. And who can forget about Safetyville? You’ll learn ALL of the positive changes the park has experienced in the last few decades and all that the present day park offers our community today. 

Thank you Garry for sharing your knowledge about Rum Village Park and your passion for the South Bend area with us. Most importantly, thank you for your service to our community over the last three decades.

Be sure to visit the Rum Village Park and the Nature Center and you’ll see why we talk about it so enthusiastically. 

Check out their website: https://sbvpa.org/places/rum-village-park/

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Get your one-of-a-kind Storyland Zoo mug! Limited Supply! Help support the continued creation of our content!

Click here to purchase before they're sold out: https://forms.gle/4P6AHBNtY6sUdDZ87

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Thank you to Allie's Cafe and Catering for sponsoring this episode! My mouth is watering for a breakfast burrito! Check out their website!

https://www.alliescafe.com/

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Thank you to InRugCo for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to visit their shop at 220 E. Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka... across from the Central Park entrance.

Check out their website and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about partnering with them! https://indianarugco.com/ 

__________________________________________________

ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

To 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 share Round the Bend Now and Then with somebody who you think will appreciate it!