Celebrating a century — and looking ahead

Two parts today for your reading enjoyment. Both are 100 years old. Both have lots of spark and verve. One is a poster that reflects South Bend’s past. It will get an update to look at the city’s present and future.

The other is a gentleman who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. The local resident is known for his time in soft water.

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First off, John E. O’Hara was born on Feb. 10, 1923.

His family celebrated with a big gathering in Goshen. His son, John F., of Wisconsin, said it was a big party with many smiling faces. “He was happy to see us. It was a big extended family day with 70 people. The day included notes and memories of the day.”

Lots of hugs for John.

John F. said the one thing that got his dad this far is his positive attitude. “He remains positive to this day. He loved being a salesman, and he was good at it. He has loved his life and his family.”

John E. sold water softeners with Lazzara & O’Hara Avenue Soft Water. If you drove South Bend Avenue, you’ll remember those signs. “Soft water was his evening job,” according to his son.

He has been a lifelong resident. growing up north of Lincoln Way, near Holy Cross Church. He graduated from Central High School and joined the army in World War II in the South Pacific.

John returned home to work at Bendix Corp. and marry Kathryn Scott in 1948. She taught school, and they raised five children (Timothy, Anne, Scott, Brigid and John). Kathryn died in 2018. They celebrated 70 wonderful years together.

Here’s a toast to John. He likes a little Irish whiskey.

'Doers and Dreamers'

Now it is poster time. We have art, history and creativity in one poster. The whole ball of wax. "Progress-South Bend-World Famed" was the cover art for a 1922 survey book that promoted industry and business in the city. The poster features a street scene plus a car, train and an interurban with factory chimneys in the background. It has a Gatsby vibe.

The image captured a sense of pride about how far the city had come.

The Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum have teamed up to announce a poster design contest to celebrate the city’s growth. The press release asks for a new image that will encapsulate the DNA of South Bend and its potential to continue to be world famous.

There is $28,500 in prize money with $10,000 for first place. The winner will be forward looking, aspirational and inspirational.

The contest is open to any artist of any age and is free to enter. The deadline is June 25, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. The website is studebakermuseum.org/south-bend-next-100-years.

The site gives details, dates for the contestants and how to submit. The contest opens Monday.

The contest is sponsored in part by community leaders Doug Hunt and John Phair. Doug said the “city will always have an open door to 'Doers and Dreamers.' That’s how the city grew then and will grow into the future. There is nothing so powerful as civic pride.”

There are many things to consider, such as neighborhoods, arts, education and the St. Joseph River.

He said he was introduced to the 1922 artwork by his friend Jan Cervelli, who is an art professor at Saint Mary’s College. She was looking for a strong urban design and found the cover on the internet. She learned that the St. Joseph County Public Library had a digital version.

The digital was edited in Photoshop by Jennifer Strombeck, an associate librarian in the digital lab at the library, to make it more appealing, according to Ellen Anderson, who is the local and family history librarian.

Jan worked with the library and Kathy Reddy White at Circa Arts. Kathy began selling the poster in cooperation with the library.

Doug said the image impressed him and he knew it needed to be updated to express what is happening today.

Here is a bit more history. According to SJCPL research, no name is given for the original artist. So that is a bit of a mystery. The promotional booklet is credited to Handelsman & Young. According to Ellen, our local history library lady, there is no evidence of a company with that name.

Ellen said in an email that Handelsman was listed as a manager, secretary and treasurer of the Palace Theater Corp. and lived in Chicago. C. E. Young is listed as an editor, but no one matching that identity appears in the city directory or in the 1920 census.

A touch of history, a little mystery. Put that aside. Artists start your creative engines. Think what makes the city click now and what will in the future.

Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend booster poster turns 100 with contest for an update