Valparaiso Magazine - Spring 2023

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VALPO VIEWFINDER VIEWFINDER >> VALPO A Passion for the How two Purdue grads’ quest for the perfect kernel produced a renowned consumer brand and one of NWI’s premier construction and agricultural systems firms. Most remember the popcorn factory on Route 30 as being “Orville’s” without knowing it was primarily home to Chester Inc., born from Redenbacher’s initial investment in Northwest Indiana. Before Redenbacher’s image found its way onto popcorn bags and park benches, it was Chesty, the ear of corn, that represented the original George F. Chester and Son hybrid seed farm. A farmer by trade, Mr. Chester sold fertilizers, insecticides, and accompanying accessories from 1937 to 1951, before he sold his company to Charles Bowman and Orville Redenbacher. Redenbacher, an agronomy graduate of Purdue with a well-documented penchant for developing the perfect popcorn, and Bowman, who had also graduated from Purdue, met through farming connections. Both had some experience already in the industry and continued to sell farming chemicals and equipment under the newly named Chester’s Hybrids. But developing the perfect strain of popcorn seed was their passion. They tried tens of thousands of hybrid strains before hiring plant geneticist Carl Hartman in 1959. Over a decade from when they began, the trio were finally satisfied with the strain they had developed and launched the Redbow popcorn brand in 1965. Their first big customer was Chicago’s very own Marshall Field’s. An advertising company would soon advise them to change their name to something more recognizable. Redenbacher tells the story in a later television interview: “I didn't know too much about marketing, so my partner, Charlie Bowman, said ‘Go to Chicago and hire a firm to help us develop a trade name.’ They didn't know too much about popcorn. I didn't know too much about marketing. So, when I went back a week later to get their ideas and see what kind of a brand name they had, and what kind of package they had, and they came up with the name Orville Redenbacher – which was the same identical name my mother thought up eighty-three years ago. And then they charged me $13,000 for the idea.” Pop By Kelleen Cullison and Chris Hough And so, in 1970, Redbow was rebranded to Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn, catapulting Orville Redenbacher to household-name fame. The brand dominated a third of the unpopped popcorn market – popcorn that was produced in Valparaiso, Indiana. Redenbacher and Bowman sold the popcorn company to Hunt-Wesson Foods in 1976, though Redenbacher continued promoting the brand. It was after this initial sale that Valparaiso launched its first Popcorn Festival in 1979. Valparaiso Vidette Messenger, Valparaiso, Indiana, US May 05, 1947, Page 17 https://newspaperarchive.com/advertisement-clipping-may-05-1947-3704450/ Mid-century ad clippings from Valparaiso Vidette Messenger 34 SPRING 2023 | Valparaiso Vidette Messenger, Valparaiso, Indiana, US January 09, 1963, Page 14 //newspaperarchive.com/advertisement-clipping-jan-09-1963-3735072/
Meanwhile, in 1967, Cargill Inc had purchased the company’s hybrid seed corn department and renamed the company Chester Inc. Bowman stayed on as President and General Manager, and Redenbacher as Chairman of the Board. A plant was built off U.S. 30 just outside of Valparaiso to manufacture agricultural chemicals, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. A full-service chemical company for farmers, they also sold sprayers and applicators for their products, as well as John Deere lawn and garden equipment. The company was sold in the 90’s, the “plant food division” factory was sold off in 1996, and the popcorn factory closed in 1999. Though the Orville Redenbacher name is still used, today it is part of the Conagra Brands family, and Chester Inc. became Chester Inc. Commercial Construction. The company’s primary focus is on Architectural Construction, Information Technology, and Agricultural Systems. It remains operational to this day, and continues to operate out of Valparaiso, manufacturing irrigation and grain handling systems in Northwest Indiana for America’s farmers. Where beautiful Where beautiful smiles Dr. Where Anthony Puntillo beautiful begin! Dr. Where smiles Christopher Crane beautiful begin! Dr. Carolyn Gardiner Dr. Anthony Puntillo Dr. Dr. Christopher Anthony Puntillo Crane Dr. Anthony Puntillo Dr. Dr. Carolyn Christopher Gardiner Crane Crane Dr. Anthony Puntillo Gardiner Dr. Christopher Carolyn Gardiner Crane Discover the magic waiting at your library! Scan the QR code to learn more or visit PCPLS.org. Where beautiful smiles begin! smiles begin! smiles begin! Dr. Carolyn Gardiner Our thanks to the Genealogy Department of the Porter County Public Library System for contributing this article. www.pandcsmiles.com www.pandcsmiles.com www.pandcsmiles.com www.pandcsmiles.com Crown Point Merrillville Crown Point Schererville 1539 S Court St 200 West 84th Dr 1000 Caroline Ave Crown Point 1539 S Court StMerrillville Crown Crown Point Point, IN 46307 Merrillville Merrillville, IN 46410 Schererville Schererville, IN 46375 1539 S Court St 1539 S Court St200 West 84th Dr 200 1000 West Caroline 84th Ave Dr (219) 662-2264Crown Point (219) Crown 769-7447 Merrillville Point, IN 46307 (219) 322-8552 Crown Point, IN 46307 Crown 1539 S Court Point, St IN Merrillville, 46307 IN 46410 200 Merrillville, West Schererville, 84th IN Dr IN 46410 46375 911 Wall St Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 462-3537 Merrillville Valparaiso 911 Wall St 200 Schererville Valparaiso Valparaiso, West IN 84th 46383 Dr 911 Wall St 1000 Caroline Ave Merrillville, (219) Schererville 462-3537 IN 46410 Valparaiso, 1000 Schererville, Caroline IN 46383 AveIN 46375 (219) 662-2264 Crown Point, IN (219) 46307 769-7447 Merrillville, (219) 322-8552 IN 46410 (219) Schererville, 462-3537 IN 46375 (219) 662-2264 (219) 662-2264 (219) 769-7447 (219) 769-7447 (219) 322-8552 Offices also (219) 662-2264 located in Crown Point, (219) 769-7447 Merrillville and (219) Schererville 322-8552 Valp 91 Va (2 Take Control of Your Future Whether you’re buying your first house or planning for your golden years, it may be time for a second opinion. We know it’s been a tough few years, but we’re here to help you get on track. Give us a call and ask for fiduciary Tim Scannell, CPA, CFP ® . (219) 531-4941 or email greatlakes@hightoweradvisors.com Mike Anton Jim Anton Serving Porter County for 65 years. Customized insurance coverage for all of your needs and now part of one of the largest independent agency families, with access to over 200 carriers. 2600 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso | 219.465.6530 155 S. Calumet Rd., Chesterton | 219.926.8681 antoninsurance.com (219) 531-4941 hightowergreatlakes.com Great Lakes Securities offered through Hightower Securities, LLC member FINRA/ SIPC. Hightower Advisors, LLC is a SEC registered investment advisor. | ValpoChamber.org 35
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 2023 VOL. 23 ISSUE 2 Craig a
Page 3 and 4: SPRING 2023 CONTENTS BUSINESS SNAPS
Page 5 and 6: Valparaiso's location is ideal for
Page 7 and 8: MADE IN VALPARAISO | HEAT WAGON >>
Page 9 and 10: Immediate Care Centers of Community
Page 11 and 12: MADE IN VALPARAISO | ARCH WOOD PROT
Page 13 and 14: Now, more than ever... experience a
Page 15 and 16: MADE IN VALPARAISO | DANISH MAID BU
Page 17 and 18: TRUST MATTERS. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT
Page 19 and 20: NEED SOME HELP? WE’RE HERE FOR YO
Page 21 and 22: Our wood preservatives are synonymo
Page 23: MEMBER INVESTOR ANNIVERSARIES >> AN
Page 26 and 27: NEW MEMBER INVESTORS MEMBERS The Va
Page 29 and 30: Our beautifully renovated venue wil
Page 31 and 32: Teachers Credit Union (TCU) is plea
Page 33: Valpo MBA Pursue your degree online
Page 37 and 38: BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT >> BUSINESS Reac
Page 40: Make an Appointment to live your be

Valparaiso Magazine - Spring 2023

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