Cole’s house

Opinion

Discussion

November 26, 2007

<b>Restoration effort deserves kudos</b>

Anonymous Pharos-Tribune Mon Nov 26, 2007, 12:20 PM EST

Four years ago, the house where famed musician Cole Porter was born was a drug hangout.

The city of Peru took over ownership after police officers discovered a methamphetamine lab in one of the apartments.

Proud of the city’s native son and embarrassed that his birthplace had fallen on such hard times, Peru Mayor Jim Walker invited Joey Cole Kubesch and other volunteers to restore the old house.

The building was in shambles. Garbage filled every corner, and volunteers filled three trash bins with what they dragged out.

The home had no heat, water or plumbing. It was painted a dull gray.

But now, with the help of dozens of volunteers and $200,000 in grants and donations, the home is nearly restored. It has a new roof, and the old aluminum siding has been stripped away. Layers of wallpaper have been removed, and the house is now painted a pale yellow reminiscent of the era when Porter lived there.

The restoration has attracted volunteers not only from Miami County, but all over Indiana.

Peru resident Bev Starbuck helped to decorate the suites. Helen Sauer of Peru sewed curtains. Arletta Reich of Kokomo painted the walls, and Patty Sparks of Muncie painted musically inspired murals. Kubesch says a woodworker friend had made several trips from Ohio to help.

Renovations are still under way, and Kubesch says the house probably needs tens of thousands of dollars in additional work.

This is a project the entire community can be proud of.

Local businesses have donated materials and residents have provided hours and hours of labor. Most of the decorations and furnishings have also been donated.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this effort. If you support the work, it’s not too late to chip in.

Want to help?

Send donations to Cole Porter Birthplace Restoration, payable to Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre Inc., 154 S. Broadway, Peru IN 46970.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

Giving every child a chance
Students from Columbia Middle School delivered a message of inclusion in a play last weekend. The message is one that can’t be repeated too often.

February 2, 2012
Thorns & Roses
Thorns & Roses is our staff’s compilation of the best and worst of the week, but if you have your own nominations, feel free to send them along for publication in our Public Forum. Submissions of up to 400 words may be addressed to Pharos-Tribune, 517 E.
Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The fax number is 574-732-5070, and the email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime telephone number.

February 2, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.

February 1, 2012
Testing lawmakers a good idea
A measure requiring drug testing for welfare recipients would also require drug testing for legislators. If lawmakers are going to impose such a requirement on welfare recipients, they should be willing to stand up to the same measure.

February 1, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.

January 31, 2012
Peru delivers important message
The city of Peru collected $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed. An aggressive enforcement effort can help the city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.

January 31, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.

January 30, 2012
Jail GED program a great step
The issue
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has begun offering GED
classes for its prisoners.

Our view
The department, and society at large, will see a huge return on that
investment.

January 30, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.

January 29, 2012
Ambulance services aren’t cheap
Cass County commissioners are looking at alternatives to the ambulance service provided by Logansport Memorial Hospital. Commissioners will be fortunate to find a less expensive alternative.

January 29, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Cole’s house

<b>Restoration effort deserves kudos</b>

Which team will you be cheering for in the Super Bowl?

Site Map

Contact Us