Articles by Josh Lange

By Joshua Lange

There has been an overwhelming number of positive responses about the Mishawaka banner created by myself and my talented artist friend, Sadie Campbell. This support led to the City of Mishawaka asking for our permission to use the banner art at Rose Park, to which we enthusiastically agreed!

I am proud to announce that the banners are officially up on the light poles, along with banners of the city’s seal. They also put up Belgian and Italian flags too, honoring the large presence of their communities and history in the Westend of Mishawaka. You can see the banners now as well as all of the other beautiful improvements like, Wiffle Ball, Bocce, and Belgian Bolling. All of these sports are representative of Mishawaka’s rich heritage. The ‘Spirit of Mishawaka’ banner is based off of a 1915 comic sketch to support Mishawakan Independence after an effort by the City of South Bend to annex Mishawaka.

Mishawakan Independence ultimately prevailed, and the motto from the comic held by the Spirit of Mishawaka “Here’s to a Bigger, Busier, Better Mishawaka” still reigns true to this day. Rose Park has improved greatly and is being built upon, with more improvements on the way in the near future. The Common Council, the Mayor, and the Parks Department have outdone themselves with Rose Park, showing their commitment to the “Mishawaka Way.”

I am once again grateful to contribute to my hometown as a 7th generation Mishawakan. I learned municipal values through my education in the Mishawaka school system, and through the Mishawaka Mayor Youth Advisory Council, which made me realize how important it is to lend a hand to help improve my community. I hope that one day, this symbol of Mishawaka excellence and heritage is made into a large mural on a building near the downtown, which would bring about more interest into our history. My message to the readers is this, anyone should help their city, even if it is in a small way like a banner. You can make a larger impact than you can ever imagine. Communities do not become or stay great by complacency; they do by the residents lending a helping hand. As President Kennedy famously put it, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Original sketch from 1915 by an artist named “Fries”

Banner at Rose Park (October 2025)

Postcard for sale at InRugCo (https://indianarugco.com)