Wikipedia: Zombies Ate Burns Harbor, Indiana

Apr 07 10

BradLife , , , 3 Comments

I got a message on the internets yesterday asking me if I had put the Great Zombie Coverup info about Burns Harbor, IN in Wikipedia.  Unfortunately no I didn’t, but I am jealous as heck of whoever did!  I am on record as saying I thought zombies might be lurking in Porter Co., but I was thinking Hebron (still think so,)  not Burns Harbor.

Upon finding out about the article I lost no time in emailing my friends and neighbors.  I sent them a copy of the text of the “Zombie Coverup” paragraph about Burns Harbor from Wikipedia (which has since been redacted):

It is speculated that The Great Zombie Invasion of 1949 almost destroyed any chances of an incorporated Burns Harbor. It was in this year that the reanimated corpses began to invade the southern tip of Lake Michigan. With the Port of Indiana and Bethlehem Steel being easy access points for the walking dead to come ashore as well as very noisy areas that attracted the attention of the flesh-seekers, it was no surprise that this area of Porter County Indiana was a prime feeding ground for the undead. Little is known how the zombies came to be un-alive, but the fact remains that they decimated the socioeconomical infrastructure of this region. While the dead walked, consumed, and turned the majority of the residents to their own, a plan was being formed.
The Citizens of Westchester for Zombie Annihilation and Reform(COWZAR) formed a plan, and with the assistance of the National Guard and Bethlehem Steel this plan, known as “Plan Z” came to fruition. In this plan, the remaining survivors were evacuated, examined thoroughly for signs of infection, and in the event that signs were found, creamated(sometimes while still alive), leaving only the zombies. Once the bombers were assured that civilian casualties would be at a minimum, the area was blanketed with bombs. This took out the majority of the undead, but a few stragglers happened to be in the wrong place and remained animated. The second stage of Plan Z entailed ground forces performing a sweep to rid the area of the remaining zombies. After several weeks and more casualties than anticipated the area was considered clean, but quarantined until it could be sterilized. Over the next few years, the National Guard performed tactical strikes at vital, classified areas for further sterilization. It is speculated that there may still be a secret detail on guard at areas of the shore to this day, but this has not been proven nor confirmed. In 1953 the area was re-opened for habitation, but the flow of residents was slow. In mid 1953 the steel mill donated a large amount of money to build houses and stimulate the local economy in order to re-habitate this area. Houses were sold cheap and bonuses were given to mill employees who utilized this. Within a year, the area that would become Burns Harbor was beginning to resemble what it is today. Evidence of the outbreak are still apparent in street signs for “Restricted Areas” as well as heavily secured entrances to various hot spots disguised as steel mill gates. Many current residents believe that if you enter these areas, there is a high chance of infection and that some of the fenced in and guarded areas are being used for experimentation on the living dead. Some believe that there are in fact several “specimens” still roaming, kept at bay only by new residents “placed” by the government and zombie hunters disguised as paramedics, firefighters, and police. Spread the word, as wikipedia won’t let this stay up long.

The local Chesterton Tribune reported on the Wikipedia Zombie Burns Harbor article: Wikipedia exposes Great Zombie Coverup in Burns Harbor. Great article.  I love the quote from Town Marshall Jerry Price in the Tribune article.

My sources speculate that the paragraph was added to the Burns Harbor, IN entry on or about April 1st, April Fools Day.  What a wonderful prank and it also shows that the people of Burns Harbor have a great sense of humor.

I wonder if Zombies will be the costume of choice for Halloween trick or treaters this year?

Bcycle: Bike Sharing and Rental for Duneland Considered

Mar 26 10

BradTransportation , 1 Comment

I saw a presentation by Bcycle yesterday at a Ped, Peddle and Paddle (3PC) meeting at NIRPC.  Bcycle is a self serve, commercial bike sharing (rental) kiosk system.  Each bike has a GPS chip and a built in local map, so you and Bcycle knows where the bike is at all times.  These are heavy, durable, 3 speed cruiser style bikes good for trips up to about a mile.

The idea for Duneland is to put these at the South Shore station so tourists can cycle to the Dunes State Park or the visitor center on US 20 in Porter from the train station.  Until off road bike trails are built connecting the visitor center with downtown I do not see many people using them to ride all the way into Chesterton or Porter. Someday yes, right now no.  Still I think it is a good idea just to get people from the Chesterton South Shore station to the State Park.  I think if people from Chicago or South Bend, know that they can get a bike to ride to the park they will use the train instead of driving.

Places were Bcycle might work:

1. Duneland South Shore station as outlined above.

2. Downtown Chesterton, Indiana and Porter. I am not sure this would work right now, but if Chesterton can make it’s downtown into a dining, nightlife and bed and breakfast spot I think it would work.

3.  Beverly Shores: Only if Beverly Shores wants to attract day trippers.  A Bcycle kiosk at the south Shore station would help connect tourists arriving at the station to the public beach and also to Bartlet’s down on US 12 for dining.

Sorry Ogden Dunes, I just don’t think there is enough within an easy 1 mile ride to make this pay at the Ogden Dunes/Portage South shore station.

I take it nothing is decided yet, but the Chamber of Commerce is considering the idea.

While not part of Duneland, I think Valparaiso, Indiana would also benefit from Bcycles to provide transport between the University and downtown.  There is potential for this in Michigan City too.

Bike sharing, at the right places, can provide a transportation infrastructure that we lack here in Northwest Indiana – literally that last mile of connectivity between public transportation, shopping, work and where we live.  But for it to work you need the right locations and the system needs to be reliable so that people can count on it when they need it – otherwise they won’t use it.