South Bend history enthusiast has his second and third book out and another in the works

SOUTH BEND — In 2022, Aaron Helman was promoting his book “An Incomplete History of St. Joseph County” when he heard comments about things he had missed. “I heard about Playland Park and the Huckleberry Queen.” Time and time again, a reader at an event would mention another oddity from local history.

He didn’t think there would be a sequel to “Incomplete” but after months of research, there was enough material.

“Ride the Jack Rabbit” examines more local history from the roller coaster at Playland Park to Alexander Arch, the American who fired the first shot during World War I. It was published in the fall and he has been making the rounds of talking and signing copies.

The book is available on Amazon , Barnes & Noble and other sites. Helman also writes for Moorandmore.net . There you will find a lot of local writers like Bill Moor, Ken Bradford and Cappy Gagnon. Some of the writers are Tribune alumni, while others have worked real jobs.

Helman said he never doubted there were more stories out there and, “I’m happy to tell them.”

He is a bicycle rider who happens to write. He is also the director of communications for the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County.

He digs into his research by using newspaper files and microfilm.

“I enjoy the work," he said. "It is like pulling a string on a sweater,” where one story leads to yet another, such as Playland Park.

“First you find that Babe Ruth played there," Helman says, "then there was a racetrack, then the Blue Sox played in the park, and Duke Ellington performed in the pavilion.

"Now all that remains of the park are concrete bleachers near the parking lot for IUSB housing,” he said. “Babe Ruth was one of the most famous people of his time. He was here. This was a big deal.”

Another story that fascinated Helman was Alexander Arch and World War I. Alexander lived in the Hungarian neighborhood around Our Lady of Hungary, having come to the United States in 1903 when he was 7.

“There was a lot of stigmas attached to the Hungarians, not being reliable at work and being" called an anti-Romani slur.

That changed when Alexander was chosen to fire the first shot of war. Sgt. Arch became a national hero, interviewed by the New York Times and heralded on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“He tried to reenlist during World War II,” Helman said. "He sold war bonds and lived a long life in South Bend. He died in 1979."

Helman also has a children’s book on local history, “On the Southernmost Bend.” He said he hopes it “sparks curiosity and imagination in young readers.”

The next project is looking at Michigan history and the many layers of what has happened there.

“My gosh, that is exciting from the Toledo War between Michigan and Ohio to the changes in Detroit," Helman said. "It will be called 'The Mitten' and will be published at the end of the year."

A person who deserves a few extra words

Ray Snyder was a businessman and a devoted fan of baseball, especially Little League. He was the driving force behind Chet Waggoner Little League on the northwest side. The park opened in 1970, and he was there from the beginning in various capacities, from president to concession stand chief. His family said it was his passion. His love of baseball changed the lives of thousands of children.

Ray died July 7 at the age of 89.

Ray was known as a fair business owner of the Snyder Brothers Garage on Portage Avenue. Everyone knew it as the Sunoco station. He opened the garage in 1957. He eventually worked with his three sons, Jim, Dan and Russ.

Customers said Ray lent out tools, did work at discounted rates and helped people out whenever he could.

Chris Sopczynski of South Bend said she had gone to him for 40 years with her cars. “He would give a used car the papal blessing and I’d buy it. My dad and Ray often talked in the shop. People loved him. What we need is more Ray Snyders.”

Jaime Pluta is a long-time advisor to Chet Waggoner. Jaime moved to Arizona but still talked with Ray. “He truly was a fixture in the neighborhood and at the park. For 50 years the park was his baby. He had the biggest heart. There were parents who couldn’t pay the league fees, that didn’t matter to him. Those kids played. Everyone knew him. People stopped by from a guy in the neighborhood to the governor. I saw Joe Kernan there when he was home.”

Jaime said everyone has stories about his generosity and his spirit.

Brian Wray serves as president of the Challenger League, and it plays at Chet Waggoner. It is an adaptive league for all abilities. “We played everywhere, on various fields. Ray gave us a home. He was an amazing man for what he did.”

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend history enthusiast has his second and third book out and another in the works