Life by Lakeshore

By Shannon McCloskey

My family comes from the southside of Chicago, but the Region is my home. Many from northwest Indiana say they’re from Chicago, but fail to mention the unique experiences and people who exist within the Region. For my family and me, Lake Michigan has always just been there. I remember taking field trips to the Dunes and massive beach parties on the last day of school. This body of water and its coarse sand hold an abundance of memories for me, and the view of the city from the beach cannot be beaten. The Indiana Dunes is a special place, and so are the people who call that area home.

Miller Beach, resting on the southernmost tip of Lake Michigan, is a neighborhood of Gary, Ind. that acts as its own unincorporated city. The community is 35 miles from the Chicago Loop and includes its own train stop to get to the heart of the city. Since the Indiana Dunes and the Indiana National Lakeshore were named a national park in 2019, Miller has become the first stop on the trail. Miller embodies what it’s like to find a home in water-side communities.

According to the Miller Historical Society, the 20th century was when Miller Beach blossomed as the lakefront potential was finally recognized. The city of Gary annexed Miller in 1918 to make it an individual community based on tourism.

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on ballbearingsmag.com in Fall 2020.

Steve Rossi, park ranger for the Indiana National Lakeshore, was an electrical engineer for 12 years before finding his happy place at the Indiana Dunes. With the area recently being named a national park, Steve has seen an “uptick of 20 percent” when it comes to visitors and national attention. Steve’s favorite part of his job is interacting with the children that are eager to learn about the resource-rich area. “There’s a lightbulb. When you say something to a kid, you’ve just changed that kid’s life,” Steve says.

Joyce Davis has owned her Lake Street gallery since 1993, offering “artisan jewelry, pottery, glass, and the ever-popular reproductions of vintage South Shore posters.” Davis recaps her childhood and water constantly being the centerpiece, making Miller an ideal location.

“When I moved here to be with my ex-husband, I tried to leave, and I just couldn’t. As a child, I lived near the lake in Chicago. Being by the water is addicting,” Joyce says.

- Joyce Davis, Owner of Lake Street Gallery

“We, the Catholic faith community of St. Mary of the Lake, strive to continue the mission of Christ through Word and Sacrament, spiritual formation, stewardship, and advocacy for social justice,” says the mission statement presented on their website. St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church just celebrated their 90th anniversary as a part of the Miller community. Sunday mass ritually begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings, with the recent addition of a Youtube live stream. St. Mary of the Lake also offers online giving, a way to donate to different church activities without having to sit in the pews every week.

Vibrations is a local well-being space that offers all-natural food, juices, and smoothies, as well as gifts and earthly items. Kyle Davis’ mother, Rebecca “Raspberry” Davis, owns the shop. Kyle cuts the never-frozen fruit and vegetables himself, fresh, before squeezing or blending them without ice or added flavorings. Vibrations offers a patio for the summer months and yoga classes on their upper level.

Their breathing room is home to yoga and Reiki practices for clients to come and cleanse their mind, body, and spirit. Vibrations compares humans to an onion, where each layer has to be peeled to unravel and reach the inner self.

Kyle Davis continues the work of his grandfather with his mother. The two of them “carry on the tradition” of always-fresh food and beverages along with gifts and items that all seem good for the soul.

- Kyle Davis, Grandson of Vibrations Owners

“First, it was really slow. We upgraded to more food, and business has picked up. We see more people because of the national park and the bikers,” Kyle says.

Vibrations prides itself on being a part of the efforts to bring life and revitalization to the neighborhood.

Dan Trutter, owner of Indie Indie Bang! Bang!, has owned the store in Miller for six years. He himself is a resident of Miller, and explains that, being so close to Chicago, places like Miller make for a day trip some people are after.

Dan also attributes some of the success of his shop to Miller being the first stop on the trail for the national park. Indie Indie Bang! Bang! is a multi-store business with locations in both Miller Beach in Gary, and Valparaiso, Ind.

“It’s a lot of pretty things that make people happy. When you give someone a gift, it’s a nice gesture,” Dan says.

- Dan Trutter, Owner or Indie Indie Bang! Bang!