Pat Wisniewski and Jeff Manes have interviewed several members of the Newton County Historical Society for background information and footage for this interesting and educational documentary focusing on the Grand Kanakakee Marsh. They have filmed in a variety of locations throughout Newton County, covering the history and influence of the Kankakee River and the Grand Kankakee Marsh to our early ancestors, as well as today. Watch the local newspapers for the debut of the documentary.
Left: Pat operates the camera while Jeff interviews Linda (Barker) Schwartzlose, the granddaughter of Alexander "Kankakee Ned" Barker, at the Newton County Historical Society Resource Center.
Above, left: In the fall of 2010, the third grade class from Lake Village Elementary toured the center and watched the short preview of the documentary. Jeff then gave the presentation and asked thechildren several questions. Jeff, a Newton County native, grew up in Sumava Resorts, and was delighted to share his love of the River and the area with the children.
INDIANA’S EVERGLADES
NEW! Click here for the most recent short preview, August, 2011: Everglades of the North: The Grand Kankakee Marsh
Please help us to make a Full Feature Documentary Film in order to tell the story of this wonderful piece of history and ecological wonder that once existed right here in our own backyard.
Less than a century ago, a half-million acre ecological marvel encompassed
the Kankakee River from St Joseph County near South Bend to the
Indiana-Illinois State Line in Newton County. This riparian Garden of Eden was
two to fifteen miles wide with an abundance of plant life, waterfowl,
furbearers and fish that was unimaginable.
The area, better known as the Grand Kankakee Marsh,
was one of the
largest inland marshes in North
America.
Native
Americans lived off of the bounty of the marsh for generations. Early
Presidents, Generals and Russian Czars came for miles to visit
this “Hunter’s
Paradise”. Today, there is only
several
thousand acres left of this magnificent wonder.
What Became of Indiana’s Everglades? Let us tell you the story………..
Check out a the first short preview at the website http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDnsy5wrGdA
Click here for the most recent short preview, August, 2011: Everglades of the North: The Grand Kankakee Marsh
Please help us to make a
Full Feature Documentary Film
in order to tell the story of this wonderful piece
of history and ecological wonder that once existed right here in our
own
backyard.
If
you would like to help
sponsor this film, please make donations
payable to:
The Izaak
Walton League of America – Diana Chapter
And mail to:
The IWLA
Diana Chapter (Indiana
Everglades Documentary
Project)
23656
Broadway
Shelby,
IN. 46377
For
more information contact:
Pat Wisniewski (219)
508-7364 Or
Jeff Manes (219) 775-3038
Major sponsors of this project include:
* THE
IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE – DIANA CHAPTER
* THE LEGACY FOUNDATION of LAKE COUNTY
* THE NEWTON COUNTY FOUNDATION
* THE JASPER COUNTY FOUNDATION
* THE DEAN AND BARBARA WHITE FOUNDATION