Big Snow In Northwest Indiana

It may not rival the Great Snowstorm of 1967, but, today we will have a significant snowfall today January 7th and January 8th. So far we are looking at 6 to 10 inches in the area.

Also, the lake shore area could get a few extra inches as we get some lake effect snow. It is rare for the area of Hammond and Whiting to get lake effect snow as the wind usually blows Northwest and hits the Michigan City and South Bend area. But once in a while a North or Northeast wind will blow and then, we get punished.

In 1967, I enjoyed the snow, but then I was 14 years old and in 8th gtade. Now I’m all of 57 and have a Heart-Lung transplant. I’m no longer thrilled ny the prospect of winter snow. If I didn’t have obligations here I’d move where it is warmer. This year that may be impossible. It’s cold and miserable all over. Texas-cold Florida-cold. Georgia-cold. Why go on vacation? You would be laving one cold place to visit another cold. area. Wait, there is Arizona. I don’t think it’s too bad there. Spring training, here I come!

I’ll report later on about the snow and it’s after affects.

Remembering Another Political Visit

This past week Hillary Clinton visited the Calumet Region with a visit to Hammond. I had heard that the crowd wasn’t as big as was advertised. Also, Obama is planning a visit to the area in April.

But all these visits reminded my of one visit of another political giant years ago. That was Robert Kennedy.

In 1968, Robert Kennedy visited Hammond and had dinner with all the political big whigs at the Holiday Inn on Calumet Avenue in North Hammond. The hotel  was just a few blocks form my home.  It was evening in late April, before the Indiana Primary, an important one at that time, also. I rode my bike to the hotel and with about a couple of hundred other people in the area. waited for Kennedy to come out and perhaps shake a few hands.

Around 7  pm he did emerge and  did shake a few hands. Being small, as I am to this day, I was able to wedge myself to the first two rows of people and get a good look at the hero of the times. He was smaller that I thought and seemed to be sadder than I imagined he would look. With the history of his family, I guess that would be understandable.

Kennedy was nearest the side I was on and shook hands there. I put my hand out and believe it or not he took it. It was only a one pump hand shake, bit for a moment I came to be a part of history.

It only lasted a moment and six weeks later Kennedy was shot down in California. To this day I wonder how history would have changed if he would have been elected.

Thus is a little known piece of history, one I can say I was a very small part of.