Fort Wayne Observed

Fireworks Finale at the First USF Night Football Game

Fireworks at the University of Saint Francis First Night Football Game from Mitch Harper on Vimeo.

If you missed the fireworks finale at Saturday's first night football game at the University of Saint Francis, you may enjoy this video.

The game also marked the victory that made USF Cougar Coach Kevin Donley the distinction of the NAIA football coach with the most career wins.

The Homecoming Game on September 22, 2012 was a blowout for the USF football team.  The Cougars defeated the Concordia Cardinals of Ann Arbor, Michigan by a score of 76 to 14. As fireworks were also set off after each Cougar touchdown, it made for a well-illuminated experience for spectators.

Newspaper Ad Levels at 1950 Levels

Graphic from the Carpe Diem weblog of Professor Mark Perry of the University of Michigan.

Mark Perry writes:

It took 50 years to go from about $20 billion in annual newspaper print ad revenue in 1950 (adjusted for inflation) to $63.5 billion in 2000, and then only 12 years to go from $63.5 billion back to less than $20 billion in 2012.

Even when online advertising is added to the print ads (see red line in chart), the combined total spending for print and online advertising this year will still only be about $22.4 billion, less than  the $22.47 billion spent on print advertising in 1953.

Scenes from a Wind Farm: North of Elwood, Indiana

A substantial windfarm is being established north of Elwood, Indiana just to the west of Indiana Highway 37.

Several cars and pickup trucks lined the adjacent road early Monday evening as cranes set the wind turbine's blades in place.  Observers watched and took photographs.

 Most of the observers were older citizens who were probably witnessing the changing of a long familiar landscape.

Signs on nearby roads gave an admonition that heavy construction vehicles were to be confined to designated routes.

News Hawks of Fort Wayne: 1957

The Fraternal Order of Police held the 22nd Annual State Convention in Fort Wayne in 1957.

In the FOP convention booklet, one page featured the then active print, radio and television reporters covering the police.  The newsmen - and the reporters were all men - are Charles Keefer of the News-Sentinel, Jerry White of the Journal Gazette, Jack Gray of WKJG 33 television, Richard Hickock of WANE 15 television, Doug Hadley of WANE television and radio, Bruce Hickman of WGL radio, and, Donald Graham of WOWO radio.

"Does the Electoral College Have a Football Team?"

Whitley County's Bob Amber asked a humorous question in response to a Facebook post showing a graphic of the Rasmussen Report's 2012 Daily Tracking Poll for Monday, September 3rd.

Mr. Amber asked: "Does the "Electoral College" have a football team? Just curious."

I decided that the question deserved a humorous reply albeit one using a different sport analogy. At least one reader credited the response with giving a better understanding of politics.

My reply:

More like a cross-country team with two competitors on each team. The first of the two varsity runners to cross the finish line wins. The JV runners are on the course but they are limited to pacing their varsity teammate; however, trophies are awarded to both the Varsity and JV winning team.

If this is the first win for the team, they are automatically entered in the next match four years from now. If it is the second victory for the same teammates, the varsity runner is ineligible for the next match. The JV moves up to varsity but has to run in a series of qualifying heats.

Fort Wayne Air Show Passes Attendance Goals

The first Fort Wayne Air Show in 13 years attracted more visitors in its first day than organizers had set as a benchmark of success for the two day run. The attendance goals were exceeded even in the face of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Isaac.

Col. David Augenstine, Base Commander of the 122nd Fighter Wing, Director Kathryn Gentz and their teams are to be commended for the outstanding turnout.

Photo credit: Mitch Harper/Fort Wayne Observed

'Jonathan Livingston Seagull" Author Richard Bach Serious After Plane Crash

Best-selling author Richard Bach has been seriously injured as the result of a plane crash in Washington State.  

Mr. Bach is best known for the '70s book Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Another of his popular books, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah  begins: "There was a Master come unto the earth, born in the holy land of Indiana, raised in the mystical hills east of Fort Wayne."

The hills were certainly 'mystical" - since the area is the flat lakebed of glacial Lake Maumee.