What is it about classic cars that keeps people coming back for more? Why do people invest thousands of dollars in vehicles no longer made? Is it just “boys and their toys,” or is there something more?
Northwest Indiana has its share of classic car shows, including the Market on Main program on Tuesdays in Hebron , in southern Porter County. Weather permitting, as many as 50 classic gems are driven onto Country Square Plaza.
Among
those displaying their cars was Rex Gilman of Hebron, who brought his 1971 Dodge Demon. Gilman is a longtime member of the Winamac Old Auto Club, but, as he pointed out, “We’re friendly with everyone.”
Gilman bought his Demon during his senior year of high school in 1975.
“I like cars. I like anything mechanical,” Gilman said. “I like the camaraderie and the knowledge gained from talking to others.”
Owen Boren of Lake Eliza brought a 2016 Corvette, one of six beauties he owns. Boren likes getting together with other car enthusiasts and “seeing who tells the biggest lies.”
Seriously, Boren enjoys “spending time with each other and sharing stories.”
The mid-July heat wave reduced attendance that evening, but the participants
shared their cars and their stories. Mike Parkinson of Cedar Lake came with his yellow 1964 Mustang, purchased 18 years ago. Bill Holland of Valparaiso arrived on a 1971 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. He also drives a 1979 Dodge Little Red Express.
“We all have something in common,” Holland said. “We all know each other, and this is a nice place to meet.”
This is the first year for Hebron’s Market on Main, a farmers market in the plaza parking lot, with the classic cars nearby.
“We like to support local businesses,” said Megan Saunders, one of two women running the outdoor program. “We did something like this in Illinois, so we brought it here.”
The car show, Saunders noted, has been very popular.
Experts cite a number of reasons for the popularity of classic cars. These include design and aesthetics, historical and cultural significance, engineering craftsmanship, nostalgia and emotional connections, community, and investment potential and rarity.
According to motorpassion.org, “Classic cars present a striking contrast: They embody raw mechanical artistry, design elegance and a tactile driving feel that digital systems can’t replicate. But beyond their charm, classic cars also provide tangible lessons in craftsmanship, engineering ingenuity and cultural expression.”
John Zehner of Valparaiso drove his 1984 Avanti, made in South Bend by Studebaker. He also has a 1962 Nash Metropolitan.
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Photos
SITTING
Roland Leonhardt of DeMotte
seated beside his 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 at the Market on Main program in Hebron. MAN AND MOTORS — Rex Gilman of Hebron stands beside his 1971 Dodge Demon at the Market on Main in Hebron.
Key Positions
From the corporate world to serving local communities
By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer
Now retired from a corporate position leading the worldwide manufacturing operations of a multibillion-dollar enterprise, Rick Lijana has shifted to living a life of service.
He met his wife while they were earning degrees at Michigan State University, where they have been married for nearly 48 years.
There, he received a degree in chemical engineering. He spent more than 30 years in the chemical industry, a career that gave him the opportunity to live in several cities, including the Detroit area, Louisville, Los Angeles and Toronto. For the past 30 years, he and his family have resided in Crown Point.
“It also allowed me to travel extensively around the world, ultimately visiting all seven continents through a combination of business and personal travel,” said Lijana.
After retiring from corporate life in his early 50s, in 2011 he started BrightStar Care of Valparaiso with his family. It is a Joint Commission-accredited home health care agency that provides both medical and non-medical services, including skilled nursing, physical therapy, personal care and homemaker services, primarily serving Porter and LaPorte counties.
Today, his two daughters have assumed much of the day-to-day leadership of the
business, allowing him to spend more time on strategic initiatives and community serviceand on the golf course.
“I enjoy golfing, boating, traveling and maintaining a couple of historic cars,” he said. “Staying active has never been difficult.”
Community involvement has always been an important part of his life.
“I’ve always believed it’s relatively easy to write a check to support a worthy cause, but the greatest contribution a person can make is giving his or her time. That’s where the real impact - and the real satisfaction - comes from,” he said.
Over the years, he has served in a variety of ways for a number of organizations, including as president of United Way of Chicago Heights, Ill.; an officer and board member of the Community Economic Development Association; a board member of the East End Redevelopment Association; a board member of Regional Federal Credit Union for more than 10 years; a member of the Rotary Club of Crown Point; a member of the finance committee at Youche Country Club; and, most recently, a volunteer with Lydia House in Gary.
“My goal has always been to help organizations make sound decisions that benefit the people they serve. My engineering background taught me to approach problems logically and analytically, but I’ve always
considered myself more of a people person than an engineer. I enjoy listening, understanding different perspectives and helping boards find practical, common-sense solutions,” he explained.
“Perhaps that’s why I’ve become involved with so many organizations over the years. Most opportunities began with a simple conversation. I’d meet someone involved with an organization, learn about its mission, and before long, someone would ask if I’d be interested in serving. I’ve never been very good at saying no to a worthwhile cause.”
In addition to his two daughters, he and his wife also have two granddaughters.
A LIFE OF SERVICE — After a career in the chemical industry and launching BrightStar Care, Rick Lijana has turned his focus to strategic initiatives, community service and time on the golf course. Photo by Carrie Steinweg.
S. O. S. – Speaking Of Seniors — Saved couple over
$132,139.14
By WOODROW WILCOX Senior Problem Resolution Officer Senior Care Insurance Services
company with the Indiana Attorney General and the Indiana Department of Insurance.
I had phoned the insurance company several times to discuss the matter, but the insurance company always put me on hold and then disconnected my call.
On June 2, the couple sent me papers that showed the results of our efforts. The insurance company admitted that it had not paid the claims properly and corrected the errors in accordance with the policies that the couple had bought.
Woodrow Wilcox works at Senior Care Insurance Services and has saved clients of that firm more than $3 million.
Shirley Heinze
Land Trust celebrates annual spring benefit
Shirley Heinze Land Trust hosted its annual spring benefit on Saturday, May 30.
Our agency sold Medicare supplement policies to a couple from St. John. But the insurance company failed to pay their claims properly.
I helped the couple get the attention of their insurance company by helping them file complaints against the insurance
Continued from page 1
“I like listening to them,” Zehner said of his fellow car enthusiasts. “It’s nice to get together.”
Today, Zehner continued, people are looking for memories, but young people, he said, don’t know about these cars or the culture behind them. Back in his day, Zehner said, people did not have cellphones; instead, they flocked to watch drive-in movies.
“Back then,” Zehner recalled, “we left messages with the carhops at drive-ins.”
Here is the total additional amount the insurance company paid after my efforts: $132,139.14. When the couple first came to me for help several months ago, I knew that fighting the insurance company would be a lot of work.
Many senior citizens are cheated by insurance companies and medical service providers. Medicare is not doing enough to protect seniors from such practices.
Boren noted that the Winamac club has 85 appearances in 2026, including visits to churches, businesses and nursing homes, in addition to parades. Roland Leonhardt of DeMotte drove his 1965 Ford Galaxie 500. As he explained, “I bought the car. I worked on it. I drove Route 66 all the way to California.”
Market on Main continues on Tuesdays through Sept. 22. The program runs from 4-8 p.m. at Country Square Plaza on Main Street in Hebron.
The event featured a dinner catered by Sullon’s Catering, a musical performance by Nicolas Kazonis, a live auction and remarks from Shirley Heinze Land Trust staff. A special $45,000 matching donation challenge was offered in celebration of the organization’s 45th anniversary. Community support helped meet the challenge, with matching funds provided by Dale and Nancy Nichols, Joseph Brennan and Leslie Shad, and Myrna J. Newgent.
“As the cornerstone of our annual outreach and fundraising efforts, our spring benefit is an opportunity to showcase the impact of our supporters, volunteers and partners,” said Kris Krouse, executive director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. “It was wonderful to have so many folks dedicated to conservation come together in celebration of the work we’ve done together. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event.”
Shirley Heinze Land Trust met its fundraising goal of raising $350,000, thanks to contributions from attendees, donors and sponsors.
Large family helps native Honduran with artwork
Text and Photos By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer
When you look at Roberto Enamorado’s artwork on display, you might be thinking no one person could produce all that. And you’d be right.
From earrings to keychains to wood carvings to brimmed hats to pens to other keepsakes, Enamorado has help.
“I come from a large family,” he quipped understatedly.
Besides himself, Enamorado has four brothers, four sisters, 10 uncles, five aunts and a bunch of cousins who lend their talents to promote Honduran art and culture.
Some relatives live in Chicago, as did Enamorado; others are still in Honduras. Enamorado immigrated to Chicago in 1978; he arrived in Indiana 20 years later. He formerly worked in construction in Chicago.
Enamorado displays his family’s wares at the Valpara-
WORKING WITH WOOD — Roberto Enamorado displays some of his wood carvings at the Valparaiso Market. Enamorado, 70, and his relatives produce a variety of Honduran artwork, with proceeds from sales helping support people in Honduras.
iso Market under the Urschel Pavilion beside Central Park Plaza in the city’s downtown. The New Carlisle resident has booths at several area markets, including Valparaiso, Chesterton and Richmond.
“This is like therapy for me,” he said of the fairs and his handicrafts, some of which are produced in his native Honduras, where he spends four to five months each year. There, he said, “I can see and hear the birds.”
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As to the Valparaiso Market, he explained, “I love it. I can see so many different people coming from different states, especially Illinois, but there’s a lot of local people, too. They love my work.”
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Shoppers do stop by, perhaps drawn by the vibrant colors or the variety of items. One popular item, Enamorado said, is the beaded birds on a string. Each piece takes about 3,200 beads, he said.
“I try to take care of my customers,” he said, “because they support me.”
Some of the items are a team effort, including the large crucifixes. Enamorado made the cross and Jesus’ arms, but a relative did Jesus’ face, which bears that painful expression of a martyred victim.
“I couldn’t do that,” Enamorado said of the face. “You have to be really good to be able to show that pain, show that expression.”
Among his “helpers” is an 82-year-old uncle.
Other popular items include bracelets, keychains, straw hats and images of dinosaurs. Earrings are made from several substances, including coconut and black coral, which Enamorado’s family collects from Honduran beaches.
Enamorado is also proud of the eagles he has carved that might have once appeared on wooden sailing ships. His family’s works also reflect Mayan influence. The Maya were the
ART FOR THE BIRDS Roberto Enamorado displays jewelry shaped like birds at the Valparaiso Market. Enamorado said his relatives work on each piece, which requires about 3,200 beads to complete.
predominant civilization in that region prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century.
Today Honduras is an agricultural country of about 10 million inhabitants, many of them poor. Its leading exports include coffee and shrimp. According to a 2022 report from the National Institute of Statistics of Honduras, 73% of Hondurans live in poverty, with 53% living in extreme poverty.
That’s where Enamorado’s
family tries to help. By creating and selling their handicrafts, they are raising funds for their neighbors.
“We’re trying to help the people,” Enamorado said. “Here in this country, I have things, like air conditioning, but some of those people in Honduras ... have nothing.”
The Valparaiso Market is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays at Central Park Plaza on Lafayette Street in Valparaiso through Oct. 10.
At Disneyland one afternoon, as he observed speaking automaton Abraham Lincoln, sci-fi writer Michael Crichton wondered what would happen if such a machine broke down? Thus was planted the seed for 1973’s now-classic “Westworld” movie.
By RANDAL C. HILL
In the script that Crichton created and directed, wellheeled guests paid a daily fee of $1,000 ($7,500 in today’s cash) to Delos, a company that ran an adult-fantasy resort consisting of (as did Disneyland) three parksin Crichton’s case, Romanworld, Medievalworld and Westworld.
Each setting in the interactive playground featured life-like robots with whom guests could indulge all their fantasies, no matter how ignoble or dangerous those reveries might be. There was nothing to worry about, Delos officials told customers; everything had been designed with their utmost safety in mind.
Chicago chums John Blane (James Brolin) and Peter Martin (Richard Benjamin) visit the
resort. Opting for Westworld, they become cowboys who stroll through an 1880s frontier town with six-shooters (harmless to guests but not robots) astride their hips. The two visit a saloon, where a bully Gunslinger (Yul Brynner) goads Peter into a fight. Martin shoots him, and the baddie’s blood-spewing body thuds to the floor. The next day, Peter would kill him again.
It is all part of the fun fantasy.
For a while.
The “bang-bang-you’re-dead” concept, however, comes to an end later when a robot snake unexpectedly attacks Blane for real. In the park’s underground control center, operations rapidly break down, and the supervisory team becomes trapped. Soon the automatons are rampaging through the resorts, wantonly slaughtering the overwhelmed and helpless guests.
By now, the Gunslinger has already murdered John Blane, and the evil robot has Peter in his sights as a deadly game of cat-and-mouse drives the story to its intense conclusion.
“Most of the situations in the film are cliches,” Crichton admitted later. “They are incidents out of hundreds of old movies.”
In his script, the best-selling author and screenwriter sought to emphasize corporate greed by
having Delos operators initially resist halting operations. “There is a very specific scene where people discuss whether or not to shut down the resort,” Crichton said. “I think the movie was as much about that decision as anything.” Film fans, however, seemed to pay little attention to that part of the tale.
“Westworld” was shot in various locales - in California’s arid Mohave Desert, throughout the gardens of the sprawling Harold Lloyd Estate in Beverly Hills and on MGM sound stages.
“Westworld,” made in 30 days and on a low budget, became MGM’s top-grossing release of 1973. It also proved to be groundbreaking in many ways. With pixelated photography that simulated the Gunslinger’s point of view, it became the first movie to utilize digital image processing and computer-generated imagery. Also, years before personal computers and the Internet became commonplace, “Westworld” explored the concepts of intelligent machines, computer viruses and artificial sentience.
Crichton’s “theme park gone haywire” in “Westworld” set the stage for his later “Jurassic Park” novel, which begat seven Jurassic Park films over the years.
Bibliography
Internet:
WRITER
AND FILMMAKER Michael Crichton, a 1964 graduate of Harvard University and a 1969 graduate of Harvard Medical School, speaks on “The Media and Medicine” at Harvard Medical School in Boston Thursday, April 11, 2002. Photo by Jon Chase/Harvard University News Office.
Michael Crichton, “Westworld” (film). Both quotes are from here. (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia.org.
Failes, Ian. “Holey Moley, Michael Crichton’s ‘Westworld’ is 50 This Year.” Aug. 16, 2023. beforesandafters. com.
Lightman, Herb A. “Behind the Scenes on ‘Westworld’: AC Talks to Writer-Director Michael Crichton.” March 20, 2020. November 1973. theasc. com.
DVD: “Westworld.” warnervideo. com. 2010.
Faster, more convenient way to request Social Security number and card
By DANIEL SUMMER, MA Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration
If you need an original Social Security number or a replacement card, you can now complete your request online, and if needed, schedule an appointment for faster service.
How It Works
When you visit our Social Security number and card page at ssa.gov/number-card, we’ll ask you a few questions to determine the best way for you to apply. We will walk you through each step of the application process.
After you submit your online application, we will either process it online or guide you to schedule an appointment to visit your local Social Security office or card center and complete the process.
By starting the application online, your in-office visit will typically take less time.
We have expanded appointment-based services as part of our ongoing efforts to serve you more efficiently. If you need to visit a local Social Security office or card center, please make an appointment.
Before your visit to complete your application
Determine what documents you need to bring with
BARBARA M. SHAVER
• Estate Planning Including Wills and Trusts, Health Care Powers of Attorney
• Elder Law/Medicaid Planning
• Estate Administration and Probate
• Special Needs
• Guardianships
Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP 2929 Carlson Dr. #100 Hammond, IN 46323 219-931-0560
you. They must be originals or certified copies. Learn more at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc. htm.
Follow directions at the kiosk when you arrive at the office. Our Mobile Check-in Express makes it easier to check in. To use Mobile Checkin Express, scan the QR code posted near the entrance and turn on your mobile notifications. We’ll alert you when we’re ready to help you.
Meet with one of our employees who will verify the information you submitted online and review your documents. We don’t need to keep them.
That’s it! Whether you apply for a Social Security card online or at an office, we’ll process the application and mail a card to you, usually within 10 business days.
For more helpful information, check out our publica-
tions, Your Social Security Number and Card, at www.ssa. gov/pubs/EN-05-10002.pdf.
Flying no longer fun
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
Air travel is still quite safe. It’s what happens to you when you land that can be harrowing.
Rules that made flying thorny in the past have been expanded to make flying thornier from now on.
There is some good news.
Airplanes are sprayed with disinfectant between flights to sanitize the interior and given thorough cleansing overnight.
Unless someone sitting beside or behind you is coughing all over you, you’re pretty safe
aboard the jetliner because the entire interior air is purified every few minutes by the aircraft’s circulation system.
Many airlines have cut back on food and drink service to reduce interaction between passenger and crew. Boarding many aircraft is now being done from back to front to diminish passenger contact.
Some airlines have closed down first-class and filled the space with business-class and premium-economy seats.
Most forecasters predict ticket prices will continue to rise, the assortment of fees will expand, some - think of
baggage fees - will spike and seats will get smaller and closer together.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2026
Pickpockets feast on travelers
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
Traveling with or moving in and out of a crowd may make you feel safe, but packs of people also hide the cunning who can make off with your wallet or purse.
Oddly enough, Vatican City is reportedly a most dangerous place for visitors as pickpockets mingle freely with the more than 20,000 pilgrims who visit daily. In any crowd, women should carry their purse in front of them and men should keep their wallet in a side or front trouser pocket.
Being aware of your surroundings is step number one to protect yourself from these vultures. Don’t look lost or bewildered and don’t stop passersby to ask for directions. Step into a building - a store, restaurant or museum - and ask a staff member for the information you seek. Stay on the edges of the crowd as you tour the Prado or leave the Louvre. Thieves are more likely to work the muddled middle of the mob.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2026
Share this information with your friends and family – and post it on social media.
Aging On Your TermsStaying healthy and independent
By DR. HEIDI SCHWARZWALD
(NAPSI) - Healthy aging isn’t just about luck and genetics; it’s about empowering yourself to live your best life as you get older. By focusing on healthy habits, strong support networks and proactive care, you can significantly improve your quality of life, allowing you to age on your own terms.
As a physician, I often hear questions from older adults about maintaining their health and independence. While individual needs and preferences vary, I typically suggest focusing on three key pillars: preventing falls, managing prescription medications and developing a personal health management plan.
There are simple actions you can take as early as today to stay healthy on your terms.
Preventing Falls To Stay Steady And Independent
Aging brings changes to muscle strength, bone density, balance and reaction time. If not addressed proactively, these shifts can make older adults more susceptible to falls. Falls are the primary cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults, yet many are preventable. Simple preventative measures can significantly reduce your risk of falling and help you maintain your independence - here are a few focus areas to consider:
• Home Safety: Modify your living environment by eliminating tripping hazards, enhancing lighting and installing grab bars in bathrooms.
• Physical Activity: Incorporate balance and strength-training exercises, such as tai chi, yoga or walking, to improve stability and coordination.
• Vision and Footwear: Ensure regular eye examinations and wear supportive, non-slip footwear to prevent stumbles.
• Medication Review: Consult with a health care provider to identify any medications that may induce dizziness or drowsiness, thereby increasing the risk of falls.
Managing Medications With Clarity And Confidence
Many older adults take more prescription medications as they age, which can be challenging to manage. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that more than four out of 10 adults aged 65 or older take five or more medications, often prescribed by multiple health care providers. Effective medication management goes beyond simply filling and taking prescriptions. It’s crucial to know when and how to take them, as well as understanding why you need them.
That’s the focus of the comprehensive medication review
Signify Health clinicians complete with health plan members during an In-Home Health Evaluation. There are
also steps that you can take to stay on track and be prepared:
• Know Your Medications: Understand why you take each medication, what it does and any potential side effects to monitor. Maintain an up-todate list of all your medications, including doses and reasons for taking them. This list should include over-the-counter drugs, supplements and herbal remedies, and is something that you should share with your primary care provider.
• Use and Store Them Correctly: Understand how and when to take your medications and what to do if a dose is missed. Be sure to store them properly to maintain their effectiveness.
A personal health management plan -developed with your PCP - is important for
healthy aging. A tailored plan provides structure, especially for managing chronic conditions and shifts your care from reactive to proactive, significantly improving your quality of life by addressing key areas of physical, mental and emotional well-being. A healthy aging plan depends on the individual but there are universal components that I recommend for older adults:
• Regular Check-ups with your primary care provider: Foster a trusting relationship with your PCP and prioritize routine physicals and screenings for early detection of potential health concerns.
• Know Your Numbers: Regularly monitor and track key health metrics, like blood pressure, glucose and choles-
terol levels.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, engage in consistent physical activity and ensure adequate sleep.
• Mental and Emotional Health: Prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. This includes annual cognitive tests; seeking support for stress, anxiety or depression; and participating in activities that promote mental stimulation and social connection.
How Signify Health Can Support Healthy Aging
Signify Health can be part of your healthy aging support system starting with an In-Home Health Evaluation. These evaluations are a cornerstone of proactive health care, designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your health status.
Through IHEs, our experienced clinicians can help identify potential health risks early, facilitate the development of personal health management plans, and help connect you with the appropriate resources and support to help you optimize your health as you age.
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer In-Home Health Evaluations at no cost to members and it’s easy to see if this is an option for you. To check your eligibility and schedule an IHE, visit HelloSignify.com or call ((855) 984-5121.
By focusing on these key areas -preventing falls, managing your medications and developing a personal health management plan - you can empower yourself and your loved ones to take the necessary steps toward healthy aging.
Love of the game draws Valparaiso man to vintage base ball
By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer
Greg Kenworthy’s dad was rolling Wiffle balls to him as a toddler to hit back with a bat. That’s how far back his history with baseball goes. “He was my first and best coach,” said Kenworthy. “In my teens, he’d hit fly ball after fly ball to me so I could become a more versatile player and not just a catcher, hence my nickname.”
Kenworthy’s nickname is “Squatter,” one that he has had since he was in fourth grade and playing baseball in the Valpo Parks leagues. Today, that nickname has carried on as he participates in the game in a different, old-fashioned form called “vintage base ball.” Yes, base ball is two words, as it was in the late 1800s. And there are many more differences than in the game we know today. No gloves. Underhand pitching. Thinner wooden bats. Old-style balls. A batter is out if a fly ball is caught on one bounce. The list goes on.
As a member of the Valparaiso Lookouts vintage base ball team for more than a decade, Kenworthy got involved simply because of his love of the game. Invited to play by a colleague, he fell in love with the fun aspect of the “gentlemanly” game and the camaraderie among the players.
The Lookouts play other teams in the league locally and around the Midwest, so games can be close to home or a bit of a drive. The games are not really a competition but more of an opportunity for fellowship.
“It’s just a lot of fun! It’s considered a gentleman’s game, so it’s not cutthroat competitive. Sure, we like to win, but that’s not what’s most important,” said Kenworthy. “Not only is there a kinship with the players on the Lookouts, but there’s also a camaraderie with the other teams we play. After each game, the home team provides a communal meal, and players from both
teams get to know each other a little better.”
Kenworthy is retired. He worked at an ad agency in early adulthood and then went back to school to get his teaching certificate before teaching English at Ben Franklin Middle School for 29 years. He also coached the eighth-grade boys basketball team for 29 years and the eighth-grade boys track team for 15 years.
Golf is another interest, and he plays about twice a week in nine-hole leagues and 18 holes a couple of times a month. “I started playing seriously about 20 years ago after I stopped playing competitive softball,” he said.
“I’d often play 100 games each summer.” To keep active, he also hikes at the Indiana Dunes and works out at the YMCA three to four times a week.
Outside of vintage base ball, Kenworthy’s hobbies include traveling with his wife, trying to keep up with his 9-year-old granddaughter, and photography
- he enjoys taking photos for the Lookouts at their games. He also volunteers with the Valpo Noon Kiwanis Club, building ramps for people with mobility issues.
Cool ways to protect yourself from heat-related illness
(NAPSI) - Much of the U.S. could face hotter than normal conditions this year as the climate crisis drives higher temperatures - but you can keep yourself and those you care about safe. Consider these facts and figures:
• 2023 was the hottest year on record, and scientists warn that 2024 could break records again.
• Since the 1960s, heat waves have become more frequent, more intense and longer lasting.
• Heat-related deaths are on the rise.
What You Can Do
When extreme heat blankets the country, the American Red Cross recommends you take these steps:
1. Slow down by postponing or limiting outdoor activities, including strenuous exercise. If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks and try to schedule tasks early or late in the day. Remember, hot cars can be deadly - never leave children or pets in a vehicle.
2. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Be sure animals have access to plenty of fresh water and shade.
last longer than an hour or if the person has heart problems.
• Heat exhaustion is a more severe condition signaled by cool, pale and clammy skin; a fast or weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; tiredness or weakness; or a headache, dizziness or passing out. To help, move the person to a cooler place, loosen tight clothing and encourage them to sip water slowly. Use wet cloths, misting or fanning to cool them off. Get medical help right away if symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour, or if the person vomits or acts confused.
3. Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public library, shopping mall or public cooling center. Call 211 to find an open location. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk and lack air conditioning to ensure they are safe.
Signs Of Illness
• Heat stroke is a deadly condition that requires immediate medical help. Symptoms include a high body temperature; hot, red, dry or damp skin; a fast or strong pulse; a headache or dizziness; or nausea, confusion and passing out. Call 911 right away if you think someone may have heat stroke. Then move the person to a cool place, and use wet cloths, misting or fanning to help cool them off. Do not give the person anything to drink.
You should also know how to recognize the signs of heat-related illness and what to do. It’s critical to react quickly.
Extreme Weather On The Rise
• Heat can make anyone ill, especially older adults, the very young, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions. People who work outdoors, have limited personal resources and live in places without green spaces are also at higher risk.
• Heat cramps are an early sign of trouble and include heavy sweating with muscle pains or spasms. To help, move the person to a cooler place and encourage them to drink water. Get medical help if symptoms
Along with heat waves, the U.S. is experiencing more frequent and intense disasters. The Red Cross encourages everyone to prepare now by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected. Visit redcross.org or download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and safety information in English and Spanish. Find the app in smartphone app stores by searching for the “American Red Cross.”
HIT IT OVER HERE Greg Kenworthy waves his hat to show he’s wide open during a vintage base ball game. Vintage base ball is played according to rules from the 1800s, including no gloves and underhand pitching.
LOVES THE GAME — Greg Kenworthy has been playing baseball in one form or another since he was a toddler. Today, he plays vintage base ball with the Valparaiso Lookouts. Photos by Luann Kenworthy.
Summer is the season to thrive
By NATALIE REISEN Director of Sales and Marketing
Residences at Coffee Creek
Warmer weather, longer days and opportunities to enjoy time outdoors - summer
is the perfect season to stay active, reconnect with friends, make new friends and enjoy being with family. Residences Senior Living takes advantage of these glorious days and invites seniors and their families to see for themselves that
engaging in an active lifestyle is key to living their best lives now.
“We’re all about the outdoors every season, but especially summer,” said Kaitlynn Redmon, executive director of Residences at Coffee Creek Se-
nior Living in Chesterton. “Not only do we enjoy having the beautiful Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve literally in our front yard, but we also have great access to the amphitheater for our annual Coffee and a Concert Summer Series
What’s happening at the Lake County Public Library
Cedar Lake
10010 W. 133rd Ave.
Crochet @ Your Library, 4:305:30 p.m. Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26
Book Discussion,6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19
Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/cl.htm or call (219) 374-7121.
Dyer-Schererville
1001 W. Lincoln Highway (US 30)
Crafters Gathering, 10:3011:30 a.m. Aug. 6, 20
Bridge Club, 1-2 p.m. Aug. 7, 21
All Ability: Bee Happy, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11
Mahjong Open Play Session, 1-2 p.m. Aug. 14, 28
Morning Mix, 10-11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21
Book Discussion, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27
AARP Smart Driver Course, 11 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 31
Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/ds.htm or call (219) 322-4731.
Griffith-Calumet
1215 E. 45th Ave.
Thursday Threaders, 10:3011:30 a.m. Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27
Book Discussion, 1-2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10
All Ability: Acrylic Bird Silhouette, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17
All Ability: Bingo, 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 25
Book Discussion, 4-5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31
Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/branches/gr.htm or call (219) 838-2825. Highland 2841 Jewett St.
W.I.S.E. Wellness Initiative for Senior Education, 10:30-11:30
Financial times
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
During or after tax time, thoughts of getting help with one’s finances aren’t too far out of mind.
Your first move is to ask a friend or family member you trust if they can recommend a financial advisor/tax preparer. You can also get referrals from your attorney, pastor, co-worker or members of your bridge club. Keep in mind that even honest people can have dishonest or inept advisers. Find one who’s credentials and track record match your needs and who listens to what you hope for your financial future. And make sure they’re accessible.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2026
a.m. Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27
Book Discussion, 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6
Book Discussion, 2-3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10
All Ability: Mosaic Painting, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 Puzzle Club, 2-3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17
AARP Smart Driver Course, 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19
Book Discussion, 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25
Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/branches/hi.htm or call (219) 838-2394.
Hobart
100 Main St.
Stitch’n Time, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1
Adults Get Crafty, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10
Paint’n Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Aug. 11, 25
Adult Mystery Club: Whodunit?, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17
Book Discussion, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18
Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/branches/ho.htm or call (219) 942-2243.
Lake Station
2007 Central Ave.
Hobby Hour, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6
Book Discussion, 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 11
Early Bird Nature Walk, 10:3011:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13
Knitting and Crochet Club, 1011 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15
Craft and Chat, 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15
Tuesday Time Out, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18
Mahjong Open Play, 1-2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21
Bingo at the Library!, 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22
Book Discussion, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24
Grown-Up Game Night, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26
Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/lsnc.htm or call (219) 962-2409.
Merrillville
1919 W. 81st Ave. (US 30)
Book Folding Art, 6-7 p.m. Aug. 3, 10, 17
Friends of LCPL Meeting, 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4
Dungeons & Dragons for
Check out all of our publications online: inkfreenews.com thepapersonline.com themailjournal.com shoppingguidenews.com autorv.com themunicipal.com lakelifemagazine.com homelivingplacesandspaces.com seniorlifenewspapers.com
Adults, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug.
5
Friends Annual Book Sale: Friends Member Pre-Sale, 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6
Friends Annual Book Sale, 1-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7
Friends Annual Book Sale, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8
Keep Me in Stitches, 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8
Book Discussion, 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11
Very Beginning Crochet, 2-3
p.m. Aug. 13, 20, 27
Fraud & Scam Prevention, 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 19
All Ability: Perler Beads, 6:307:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20
AARP Smart Driver Course, 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22
Video Game and Hang, 6-7 p.m. Aug. 25, 26
Board Meeting, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27
Senior Planet Lecture Series, 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 29
Registration required for all
programs: visit lcplin.org/branches/cnl.htm or call (219) 769-3541. Munster 8701 Calumet Ave. Yoga for Adults, 10-11 a.m. Aug. 8, 22
Calumet Astronomical Society, 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25
Book Discussion, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27
Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/branches/mu.htm or call (219) 836-8450.
St. John 450 Wicker Ave. (US 41) Silent Book Club, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3
Off the Hook, 1-2 p.m. Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26
Craft Saturday: Stone Mosaics, 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 Book Discussion, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17
Puzzle Challenge, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17
Registration required for all programs, visit lcplin.org/ branches/sj.htm or call (219) 365-5379
featuring local performers.
“It’s family fun for the entire community, free of charge. All you need is a lawn chair or blanket. Iced coffee from Red Cup Café is always on us! Music and the outdoors are a combo our residents can’t wait to enjoy at 5 p.m. the last Wednesday of each month through September.
“Another great community activity held in our front parking lot is the Chesterton Farmers Market, from 3 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Families say it’s their favorite day to visit loved ones. Together, they stroll, shop and chat. Come for the market, stay for the concert!
“Residents like to be at their personal best for summer. When help is needed to improve balance, build strength, recover after an illness or maintain everyday independence, EmpowerMe Wellness physical, occupational and speech therapy professionals are available on-site to help residents be ready to enjoy any season.”
On-site therapy services, engaging activities and 24/7 nursing availability are just some of the unique approaches to optimal senior living. Stop in this summer, take a tour and see for yourself! ResidencesSeniorLiving.com.
Northwest Symphony Orchestra announces 85th season line up
By TAMMIE MILLER Marketing Director Northwest Indiana Symphony
The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Kirk Muspratt, celebrates its landmark 85th season with four Subscription Series concerts, three Sunday Spotlight Series matinees and a special opening concert and gala.
“We are here for you - to bring joy, wonder and connection through the power of music,” said Muspratt.
The season opens Sept. 18 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana with Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey. Though Steves will appear on the big screen rather than in person, audiences will enjoy a unique blend of Romantic-era orchestral music, stunning European
cinematography and his travel insights. A fundraising gala dinner precedes the concert, with proceeds benefiting the symphony.
On Oct. 9, the Symphony presents Beethoven’s Seventh and Ninth symphonies at the new Sola Center at Illiana Christian High School. Featuring the symphony chorus and guest soloists**,** the concert culminates with the inspiring “Ode to Joy.”
Holiday Pops returns Dec. 3 at Hard Rock Live and Dec. 5 at Valparaiso High School, bringing festive favorites, the Symphony Chorus and the beloved audience singalong.
March 4 and 5 celebrate legendary film composer John Williams’ 95th birthday with music from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Jaws, E.T. and more at Living Hope
Church in Crown Point.
The season concludes April 30 with Divine Muses, featuring Florence Price’s Andante Moderato, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with acclaimed violinist Desirée Ruhstrat, and Michael Daugherty’s Harp of Ages featuring harpist Nichole Young.
The Spotlight Series returns to Theatre at the Center in Munster with three Sunday matinees: Stories with Maestro, Part 2, Jan. 17; an American favorites concert by the Symphony Chorus, Feb. 21; and a French horn quartet performance, March 21.
Season subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit nisorchestra.org or call the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra Box Office at (219) 836-0525, Ext. 200.
Join us as we celebrate 85 seasons of unforgettable live music.
Duneland Chamber celebrates Gallery 1882 with ribbon cutting
The Duneland Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of Gallery 1882 with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 25.
Located in downtown Chesterton at 115 Broadway, Gallery 1882 is a new contemporary art gallery founded by Tim and Ellen Kollar. Guests were invited to explore the
gallery, enjoy happy hour refreshments, and take a guided tour of the space while learning more about the Kollars’ vision for bringing exceptional art and culture to the Duneland community.
“Our goal is to be a gallery where artists have a new place to show their work, where the Duneland community can
engage with important art, and where visitors to the National Park can spend time,” said co-founder Ellen Kollar. “We expect the gallery to evolve, and we hope that it becomes a valued cultural resource.”
For more information, contact the Duneland Chamber of Commerce at (219) 926-5513 or visit dunelandchamber.org.
11th annual charity car show benefits chamber and Alzheimer’s Association
Car enthusiasts, motorcycle lovers, families and community supporters are invited to rev up for a great cause at the 11th annual Windward Pointe Charity Car Show from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Windward Pointe Senior Living, located at 6235 Sterling Creek Road in Portage. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce and the Alzheimer’s Association.
The annual event welcomes all makes and models of cars and motorcycles -whether new or old, classic or antique. Vehicle entry is $20, and spectators are admitted free of charge. Drive-ins are also welcome.
This
Participants and attendees can enjoy an evening filled with music, entertainment, raffle prizes and community fellowship. Dinner is included for registered vehicle participants and several special awards will be presented, including People’s Choice, Residents’ Choice, Chamber’s Choice and Castle’s Choice trophies.
“The Windward Pointe Car Show has become a cherished community tradition that brings together automotive enthusiasts, local businesses, residents and families while supporting organizations that make a meaningful impact in our community,” said event organizers. “We’re excited to celebrate our 11th year and
invite everyone to join us for an afternoon of great vehicles, entertainment, and giving back.”
Vehicle owners are encouraged to register by Aug. 3 by calling Windward Pointe at (219) 764-2900. A rain date has been scheduled for Aug. 13, if needed due to inclement weather.
CLASSY RIDES This couple enjoy looking at the unique cars on display during the 10th annual Windward Pointe Charity Car Show held last year.
year’s event is set for Thursday, Aug. 6, with a rain date of Aug. 13. Photo provided by The Greater Porter Chamber of Commerce.
ACROSS
FAMOUS FIRSTS
1. Croat or Moravian, e.g.
5. Paid player
8. Not Miss or Ms.
11. First-rate
12. Mattress with memory?
13. Be of use
15. “It’s time!” signal
16. ____-de-camp
17. Like an unhealthy dog
18. *First one to circumnavigate globe, almost
20. March Madness org.
21. Bring upon
22. Orange Lavaburst drink
23. *Rita ____, first Latina to win Academy Award
26. Winter rides, in Russia
30. Brewery order
31. Unties or unbuttons
34. Nearly 35. One born to Japanese immigrants
37. Good times
38. Rheumy
39. Tel ____, Israel
40. Bequeath
42. Once known as
43. West African country
45. *Chuck ____, first to break speed of sound
47. Genetic info carrier, acr.
48. City near Dusseldorf
50. Short for Dorothea
52. *First artificial
satellite (2 words)
55. Clay and silt deposit
56. Marine eagle
57. Mercantile establishment
59. Singer Piaf
60. Concert series
61. Indian nursemaid
62. Craggy peak
63. Little troublemaker
64. Solitary
DOWN
1. Give in to gravity
2. Weaver’s apparatus
3. The “I” in “The King and I”
4. Carrots or peas, slangily
5. French soldier in WWI
6. Speed gun
7. *First horror film about Damien Thorn, with The 8. Supernatural life force
1 lb. peeled and deveined raw shrimp (21-30 count)
2 teaspoons lemon juice, plus more to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add half the garlic and cook until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add 4 cups broccoli, 1/2 cup bell pepper and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice and adding 1 tablespoon water if the pot is too dry, until the vegetables are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.
southern neighbor
55. “____ the wild rumpus begin!”
58. “____ one and only”
Increase heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot. Add the remaining garlic and cook until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add 1 pound of shrimp and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until the shrimp are just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Return the broccoli mixture to the pot along with 2 teaspoons lemon juice and stir to combine.
Faith Kouts charity Faith’s Closet meets clothing needs for community
By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer
Keeping a family - or even just an individual - clothed is an expensive endeavor. With the state of the economy and the cost of everything rising, paying for expenses beyond basic housing and food can be difficult.
One local nonprofit is trying to provide some relief for those who may be struggling to make their dollars stretch to cover the cost of clothing. It’s called Faith’s Closet, and it is located in Kouts.
At this nonprofit, anyone is welcome to come in and shop from the clothing on the racks, and whatever he or she picks out that fits in one bag is provided free of charge. Community members are also encouraged to donate clothing items they no longer need. The organization is filling a much-needed gap with no red tape, no paperwork to fill out and no income to prove.
In fact, there is no income requirement, and the organization welcomes people who may not have an immediate financial issue but may simply need something specific that might only be worn once, saving individuals the expense and trouble of going to a store to purchase a new suit for a funeral or a dress for a dance, a pair of black pants required for a new job, or a coat for a toddler who will outgrow it quickly. If the staff can help someone who has a need and
can use what’s on the rack, they are happy to play a part in filling that need.
The closet is open from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, and it is typically open the first Saturday of each month. “We’re a freely received and freely given clothing ministry located at 207 S. Main St. in Kouts,” according to the organization’s Facebook page.
The website, mulberryfaithscloset.org, states its mission: “Faith’s Closet is operated by our dedicated team of volunteers who make it their mission to bridge the gap between our community’s need for clothing and the Lord’s will on Earth.”
Since 2017, Faith’s Closet has served 288 families and 1,583 individuals by providing clothing, coats and shoes to the community surrounding Kouts. More than 591 individuals have generously donated clothing to the cause, and more than 1,800 volunteer hours have been logged to help operate Faith’s Closet.
For those who are interested in contributing, the organization is accepting clean, in-season clothes, shoes and coats for men, women and children. On the website, you’ll find a button that allows you to schedule a drop-off.
Volunteers are always welcome, and service hours are awarded for students.
Follow Faith’s Closet on Facebook for a monthly calendar, updates and additional information.
et
Hold the phone call
Mary Ellen and I have some basic disagreements about condiments. As I have gotten older, my taste buds have become less sensitive. As a result, I rely on a variety of enhancements to spice things up in the kitchen. I have failed miserably in other rooms to do the same. Oddly, Mary Ellen has gone in the opposite
Winners announced for Duneland Chamber Community Awards
The Duneland Chamber of Commerce recently announced the winners of its annual community awards. The event was held July 16 at the Spa Special Events Center in Porter.
Award categories and honorees are as follows: New Construction Award: CIT Trucks
Business Renovation Awards: Beaches & Beyond Gift Shop, Chesterton Art Center, Chesterton Town Hall and Chesterton Fire Department, EMPATH Wellness, Gallery 1882 and Hard Rock Concrete Cutters
Putting Duneland on the Map Award: Chesterton Railside Arts and Cultural District
Humanitarian of the Year Award: Terry Lewis Golden Achievement Award: Anne Walsh
Volunteer of the Year Award: Duneland Garden Club
Serviceperson of the Year Awards: Chesterton Police
Officers Cpl. Nolan Mancera and Lt. David Virijevich
Duneland Distinguished Woman: Linnea Forchetti
“One of my favorite things about the community awards is that even though every award tells a different story, they all have one thing in common: someone choosing to invest in our community**,” said Rachel Campbell, events and marketing manager for the Duneland Chamber of Commerce. “Their efforts help make Duneland a place where people want to live, work and play,** and it’s an honor for the Duneland Chamber to recognize them.”
The chamber extends its appreciation to the sponsors whose support made this year’s celebration possible.
direction. For her, everything she orders is “too spicy.”
But here’s a product that I had not anticipated would cause dissent in my marriage: mayonnaise? ketchup?
NUTSHELL By DICK WOLFSIE
Sure, there were always possibilities for a tiff here. You never hear a man say to his wife, “With all that ketchup on the burger, sweetheart, you can’t possibly appreciate the fine texture and flavor of the grass-fed beef.” Women, on the other hand, will say: “If you put ketchup on my chicken kiev, I will rip your ruby-red tongue right out of your mouth.”
Mustard? Yes, I could make an argument for mustard. Over the years, I have tried to improve most of my wife’s cooking with a healthy dose of this condiment. What would her pork milanese have been without mustard? Uneventful. What would her beef bourguignon taste like without a glob of Dijon? I shudder to think. What about that sesame-encrusted salmon without a dollop of you-know-what? Yes, Mary Ellen and I have clashed over mustard.
But a fight over mayonnaise? Who would have predicted this? It all started one morning last week when I accidentally put the mayonnaise jar in the pantry instead of putting it back in the fridge the night before. Without hesitation, Mary Ellen tossed the jar in the garbage with this denouement: “It’s no good. We have to throw it out.” I begged to differ. Literally, begged. I just couldn’t accept
the product’s ruin in just a few hours. My own mother never refrigerated mayonnaise. It went in the pantry. My brother and sister clearly remember this. That’s why when we now reminisce about our favorite childhood sandwich, we call it the bacon, lettuce, and ptomaine poisoning sandwich. By the way, I have a master’s in English and never realized there was a silent P in that word. Thank you, spell check. The next day, desperate for a smear on my BLT, I fished the mayonnaise out of the garbage, slathered it on my sandwich, then put the jar in the fridge. When Mary Ellen discovered what I had done, she panicked and pointed to the container: “refrigerate after opening.”
Suddenly, my eye caught an 800 number on the label, a hotline for people with emergency mayonnaise questions. I assumed it was the turkey hotline people who were bored with nothing to do for 11 months.
“Hello, Mayo hotline. Can I help you?”
“Yes, I have a question about food poisoning.”
“First of all, this is the mayo hot line, not the Mayo Clinic. And, yes, I know what you’re going to ask. I get husbands all day long with this question. Commercial mayonnaise is loaded with acids that can actually kill bacteria. And the eggs used in prepared mayonnaise are pasteurized. It’s perfectly safe.”
“So, I shouldn’t throw it out?”
“Of course, you should throw it out. A man can’t win a mayonnaise argument.”
He was right, of course. I didn’t tell Mary Ellen about my phone call. She would still claim she was correct. And I wasn’t in the mood to argue.
It would have been Hellmann’s to pay.
SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY Shown is an outdoor display in front of Faith’s Clos-
which provides free clothing regardless of need. The nonprofit is located in Kouts and has been serving the community since 2017. Photo by Carrie Steinweg.
Editor’s Note: Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers
techniques
improve your
By STAN POPOVICH Guest Columnist
Many people underestimate the impact that mental illness can have on an individual or family. It can be difficult to admit that you have a mental health problem in your life. Secondly, it can be just as difficult in getting the people you know to understand your situation without making any kinds of judgments.
As a result, here are six reasons why you should make your mental health an important priority in your life.
STAN POPOVICH
1. Your situation will improve if you get help: Your anxieties and fears can be challenging to manage and more than likely you will need some help. Just as you talk to your doctor about your regular health, you should not be hes-
Friends of the Library announces travel tours and travel presentation
The Friends of the Crown Point Library are excited to announce three incredible travel opportunities for 2027 through Collette Tours. Community members are invited to learn more about these unforgettable adventures during a special travel presentation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Crown Point Community Library.
To help promote the tours and assist travelers throughout the reservation process, the Friends are partnering with local travel agency All About Vacations. Experienced travel advisors from All About Vacations will be available to answer questions and help community members plan the trip of a lifetime.
During the presentation, Collette Tours representatives will introduce the three featured tours:
• Tropical Costa RicaMarch 8-16, 2027
• Shades of Ireland - June 10-19, 2027
• Canyon Country - Sept.
15-22, 2027
Attendees will learn about tour highlights, pricing, travel accommodations, and available early-bird reservation discounts.
Traveling with the Friends of the Crown Point Library is more than just a vacation - it is also a meaningful way to support the library. The Friends receive a commission from each reservation booked through these Collette tours, with proceeds directly benefiting library services, programs, events and community initiatives.
Presentation attendance is free. Registration is not required, but is appreciated. Register online at crownpointlibrary.org and go to Library Friends or call (219) 306-4599.
For more information, visit crownpointlibrary.org/travelthe-world-while-supportingyour-library-friends-announce2027-collette-tours/.
The Crown Point Community Library is located at 122 N. Main St., Crown Point.
A casual conversation
By JIM CARPENTER Guest Author
I would cut the tree and chop the wood.
To burn it in my stove. Then it was off to the garden, to watch the vegetables grow. But there really is “no pause” in life.
There is a constant changing of the gears. You try to do what works for you. Particularly in the later years. I have found that in the act of living, you will become an older age. And for some of us, I suppose, we might pretend we are a sage.
“Go with the flow,” “the best you can.” Is advice that just might last. But I think my favorite phrase of all, are in the words, “this too shall pass.” Be at peace and keep the faith. This journey is not yet done. I’ve heard it said and I believe. The best is yet to come!
itant in seeking help for your mental health. If left untreated, your anxieties and fears may not go away.
2. Drugs and alcohol are not the answer: Drugs and alcohol can make your problems more complicated. Many people have said that drugs and alcohol will only add more problems to your situation. Be smart and learn how to cope with your mental health issues by talking to a qualified professional. There are many health professionals in your area that can give you some ideas on where you can go for assistance.
3. You will save time and money: Eventually, you will have to confront your fears and mental health issues. Save yourself the time and heartache and confront your problems now rather than later. You will save
months of struggling by getting help right away. The sooner you get assistance the faster you will start getting some relief.
4. You are not alone: Everyone deals with fear, stress, and anxiety in one’s life whether your friends and others care to admit it. In addition, do not be embarrassed that you are getting help. We all learn new things from others on a daily basis and learning how to manage your anxieties is no different. In addition, your goal is to get your life back on track and not to get everyone’s approval. If people start asking you questions, just say your dealing with stress. Most people can relate to dealing with stress and anxiety!
5. Do not make the mistake of doing nothing: There are many people who struggled
with anxiety and other mental health related issues, and they tried to ignore their problems. As a result, some of these people struggled on a daily basis and eventually things became more difficult. It can be scary asking for assistance, but the key is to take things one day at a time.
6. You have a variety of options: There are many mental health support groups, organizations, and counselors in your area that can help get your life back on track. Talk to your doctor to get more details on where you can go for some assistance. Help is available but you must be willing to make the choice of getting better. Remember that every problem has a solution. You just have to make the effort to find the answers. For more information,visit managingfear.com.
Blast To The Past -
‘You Should Be Dancing’ became the centerpiece
The Bee Gees
A 1976 disco hit suggested to actor John Travolta he should be dancing. To his good fortune, he listened.
The Bee Gees began as a singing English family trio called the Rattlesnakes
in 1958, when leader Barry was 12 and fraternal-twin brothers Maurice and Robin were 9. The music-loving lads developed a harmony so seamless they could have been the Everly Brothersthat is, had Americans Don and Phil been a trio who sang with an English accent.
With no musical training, the British siblings, who never wanted a career other than singing and writing songs, formally became the Bee Gees (“Brothers Gibb”) in 1963 when they signed their first recording contract with a small-time English label.
In 1967, after the Beatles-led British Invasion had eased a bit in America but was still strong, the Bee Gees signed a contract with Atco, a subsidiary of New York powerhouse Atlantic Records. For the next five years, the Gibbs guys turned out hit after hit, segueing from orchestrated sophistication to “blue-eyed soul.” Then things went quiet for a while, but eventually the hitmaking threesome returned to the Billboard record charts again. When the trio became reborn as disco artists, they trounced other bands who were likewise
hustling to clamber aboard the lucrative disco bandwagon.
On “You Should Be Dancing,” everything on the nascent RSO Records label worked to rocket the Gibbs’ offering skyward. Their chart-topping anthem was fueled by disco “thumps” of hardslammed conga drums, and the track was reined in just short of overload. “Dancing” also featured ear-candy hooks, synthesizer stings, blaring horns, wellplaced guitar licks and a brief hard-rocking instrumental bridge to bind the work’s introduction and coda.
Barry Gibb had honed his newfound falsetto voice 10 months earlier when he recorded an album track called “Baby, As You Turn Away.” Instantly at ease with this new approach to lead vocal chores for the act, Barry Gibb had recently utilized his high-pitched wail on the group’s best-selling singles “Nights on Broadway” and “Fanny (Be Tender with My Love).”
“You Should Be Dancing” wasn’t a perfect song by any means. The lyrics seemed childlike, almost gibberish and the boisterous chorus of “You Should Be Dancing” was offered up a total of five mind-numbing times as the song pounded along:
“What you doin’ on your bed on your back?
“What you doin’ on your bed on your back?
“You should be dancing, yeah “Dancing, yeah”
“You Should Be Dancing” was a year old when it became a centerpiece of “Saturday Night Fever,” the mega-hit movie (and resulting soundtrack) that featured, in its most iconic segment, John Travolta dancing as Brooklynite Tony Manero. For a few fleeting but majestic moments, Manero’s life as a paint-store salesman
was transformed when, with the local disco his temporary stage, he became a human peacock on the dance floor.
Travolta had requestedinsisted, actually - that “You Should Be Dancing” be used for this performance, as that’s the only song that he had been practicing to.
Good choice, John! Bibliography
Book:
Bronson, Fred. “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits,” Third Edition. New York: Billboard Publications Inc., 1992, p. 441. Internet:
Bee Gees. “You Should Be Dancing” (song). No author or date listed. Wikipedia.
Breihan, Tom. “The Number Ones: ‘You Should Be Dancing.’” Sept. 19, 2019. Stereogum.
Guarisco, Donald A. “’You Should Be Dancing’ Review.” No date listed. AllMusic.
“You Should Be Dancing.” No author or date listed. Songfacts.
Center for Hospice Care, VNA Hospice NWI announce affiliation
Center for Hospice Care and Visiting Nurse Association Hospice of Northwest Indiana recently announced a legally binding strategic affiliation that will strengthen access to high-quality, compassionate hospice care across much of northern Indiana.
The affiliation reflects a shared mission between the organizations to provide compassionate, skilled care focused on comfort and quality of life for people facing serious, advanced illnesses.
The integration process will allow patients to transition seamlessly within a unified nonprofit care network, ensuring continuity of care without disruption. As nonprofit, community-based providers, CHC and VNA Hospice NWI invest in the well-being of their communities and are joining together through a member substitution agreement.
“Excellent patient care is, and always will be, our top priority,” said John Mastrojohn III, president and CEO of CHC. “This affiliation allows us to build on the strong legacy of both organizations while expanding
access to compassionate, expert care. Patients and families can be confident they will continue to receive the same high-quality, patient-centered support they trust, now with the added strength of a broader regional network. We are so pleased to have VNA Hospice NWI join the CHC family.”
“We couldn’t have found a better partner to help us provide care to those with serious, advanced illnesses in the communities we serve,” said Bob Franko, president and CEO of VNA Hospice NWI. “We share common values centered on providing patients and their loved ones with expert, compassionate care.”
By combining resources and aligning operations, CHC and VNA Hospice NWI will strengthen the long-term sustainability of nonprofit hospice care, ensuring compassionate services remain available to those who need them most.
The transition is designed to occur primarily behind the scenes, preserving the patient experience while enhancing coordination, efficiency and access to care throughout the region.
THE BEE GEES IN 1977 Publicity photo of the Bee Gees for the television special Billboard #1 Music Award in 1977. Shown from top to bottom are Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.
A Boomer Blast To The Past By RANDAL C. HILL
Aperion Care - Demotte 10352 N. 600 E., Demotte, IN 46310
(219) 345-5211 • www.aperioncare.com
Short Term Rehab, Long Term Care, On-Site Therapy 7 Days A Week, Orthopedic Rehab, Post-Stroke Rehab, Nurse Practitioner Oversight, Wound Care, Respiratory Care, IV Therapy, Cardiac Rehab, Newly Remodeled Communities, Memory Care
Aperion Care - Tolleston Park
2350 Taft Street, Gary, IN 46404 (219) 977-2600 • www.aperioncare.com
Short Term Rehab, Long Term Care, On-Site Therapy 7 Days A Week, Orthopedic Rehab, Post-Stroke Rehab, Nurse Practitioner Oversight, Wound Care, Respiratory Care, IV Therapy, Cardiac Rehab, Newly Remodeled Communities, Memory Care
- Merrillville | Memory Care
7900 Rhode Island St., Merrillville, IN 46410 (219) 525-4123 • www.avivamerrillville.com
Memory Care only. It’s our sole focus. Alzheimer care. From initial to end-state dementia. Comfortable, caring enviornment. Peace of mind for families.
AVIVA - Valparaiso | Senior Living
1300 Vale Park Road, Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 531-2484 • www.avivavalparaiso.com
Assisted Living & Memory Care in beautifully renovated community. Parkinson’s Disease Certification. Studios to two-bedroom apartments available.
Hammond-Whiting Care Center
1000-114th Street, Whiting, IN 46394 (219) 659-2770
www.hammondwhitingconvalescentcenter.com
Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Respite Care, Hospice Care, JCAHO Accredited, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid
Ignite Medical Resort of Chesterton
2775 Village Point, Chesterton, IN 46304 (219) 304-6700
www.ignitemedicalresorts.com
Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility
Ignite Medical Resort of Crown Point
1555 S. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 323-8700
www.ignitemedicalresorts.com
Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility
Ignite Medical Resort of Dyer 1532 Calumet Avenue, Dyer, IN 46311 (219) 515-4700
www.ignitemedicalresorts.com
Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility
Lake Park Residential Care
2075 Ripley Street, Lake Station, IN 46405 (219) 962-9437 • www.assistedlivingfacilities.org
Assisted Living, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Residential Care, Mental Health Services, Activities, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid
Life Care Center
of The Willows
1000 Elizabeth Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 464-4858 • www.lcca.com
Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing 24/7, Ready Set Go Program for Rehab to Home; Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies; Exceptional Wound Care; Respite Care; Pallitative and Hospice Care; Long-term Care; Private/Semi-Private Rooms; Pet Visitation Allowed; Medicare, Medicaid, Most Insurances, Private Pay Accepted
Life Care Center of Valparaiso
3405 N. Campbell, Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 462-1023 • www.lcca.com/Valparaiso
Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Ready Set Go Rehab Program, Inpatient/Outpatient Physical, Occupational, Speech, Respiratory, Therapy, Wound Care, Respite And Hospice Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Facility Van, JCAHO Accredited, Medicare, Insurance, Medicaid Accepted
Residences at Coffee Creek
Experience Our Unique Approach To Senior Living & Memory Support 2300 Village Point, Chesterton, IN 46304 (219) 921-5200 • ResidencesSeniorLiving.com
Retirement Living, Assisted Living, Dedicated Memory Support, Respite Care, Therapy Available, Pet Friendly and VA Benefits Accepted
Residences at Deer Creek
Experience Our Unique Approach To Senior Living & Memory Support 401 E. U.S. 30, Schererville, IN 46375 (219) 864-0700 • ResidencesSeniorLiving.com
Retirement Living, Assisted Living, Dedicated Memory Support, Respite Care, Therapy Available, Pet Friendly and VA Benefits Accepted
Anthony 203 Franciscan Drive. Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 661-5100
MajesticCare.com
Assisted Living, Private Rooms, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care, Respite Care, Rehabilitation Services (including Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapy), Pet Visitation, Accepts Most Payer Sources. *Saint Anthony is no longer affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Gary or the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.
Saint
Ways to save money while giving your pet excellent care
(Feature Impact) You’re not imagining it - like many goods and services, pet care costs have gone up.
In fact, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance reported a 38% increase in pet services over the past five years with pet parents spending more than $4,200 a year on routine expenses for a cat or dog.
Lots of factors are driving increased costs, from higher ingredient prices for pet food - like meat and grains - to veterinary drug shortages. Add in rising labor and transportation costs and those everyday expenses can start to take a bigger bite out of your budget.
There are simple ways to keep costs in check, however, while still giving your furry friends the care they deserve:
1. Prioritize preventive care
Routine checkups, vaccinations and screenings can catch health issues early when they are easier and less expensive to treat. Most pets should see a veterinarian at least once a year, while puppies, kittens and senior pets may need more frequent visits.
Preventive medications play an important role as well. Treating heartworm disease, for example, can cost thousands while monthly prevention costs $15-$30.
2. Focus on daily wellness
Consistent exercise helps reduce the risk of chronic conditions and supports overall health. Most dogs benefit from at least 30 minutes of daily activity while cats need regular play to stay active.
Feeding appropriate portions can also help with weight maintenance. Portion sizes vary, but a good starting point is the feeding guidelines on your pet food label, adjusting as needed with your veterinarian’s input.
3. Find support in your community
Many local humane societies and rescue groups offer resources that make pet care more accessible, including low-cost vaccinations, spay and neuter services and discounted supplies.
For seniors, local Meals on Wheels providers can be important resources. With support from PetSmart Charities, many local providers offer free pet food and, in some cases, services like veterinary care and grooming. To date, 20 million pet meals have been delivered through this collaboration, helping keep pets healthy and in loving homes with older adults.
4. Plan ahead for unexpected costs
Even with routine care, unexpected illnesses or injuries can happen - and costs can add up.
ST. AGNES ADULT DAY SVC. CENTER
Specializing in Alzheimer’s Care
1859 Harrison Blvd. Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 477-5433
www.stagnesvalpo.org
Email: barbkubiszak@gmail.com
Monday-Friday 8-5 p.m.
Structured Activities, Safe & Secure
Surroundings, Health Monitoring
“Help make their Golden Years shine a little brighter.”
Serving Northern IN & Southwest MI
A free online directory for aging & wellness resources. Our members offer a wide variety of services and information for your specific needs. www.agingconnections.org
Hover over Chapters on the navigation bar, then select your area and click directory.
The PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care research revealed 52% of pet parents skipped or declined veterinary care services in 2025, with the majority citing cost as the key barrier.
Pet insurance can help manage risk. Most policies reimburse a percentage of covered veterinary costs after you meet a deductible, helping offset unexpected bills. Plans vary, but average monthly premiums are around $60 for dogs and $30 for cats.
It’s also important to be open with your veterinarian about financial concerns. In many cases, clinics may be able to offer payment plans, or look for low-cost-veterinary care resources in your area.
To find a local provider and learn whether pet support is available in your area, visit mealsonwheelsamerica.org/ lovepets.
A Companion Through It All
A devastating cancer diagnosis left Lois hospitalized for eight months. Afterward, she began receiving home-delivered meals through her local Meals on Wheels provider. That connection proved to be a lifeline.
“When I was sick,” Lois said, “the Meals on Wheels volunteers ... were the only company I had.”
That changed when a small
white kitten with calico markings showed up at her front door. Today, that kitten - now named Grace - is rarely far from Lois’s side.
Though Grace softens Lois’s loneliness, caring for a pet on a fixed income isn’t always easy. For many seniors, it can mean making difficult choices, like
stretching groceries or delaying medical care, just to afford pet food and supplies. Through support from her local provider, food is delivered for Grace as part of Lois’s regular meal service, helping keep them both healthy, happy and, most importantly, together.
Source: Meals on Wheels
Locations in Portage, Lake Station, Chesterton, Merrillville & Hammond www.northshorehealth.org By appt. or walk-ins welcome. (219) 763-8112 or (888) 459-2349
Affordable dental care regardless of ability to pay. Medicare and Medicaid accepted. Discounted self-pay option.
W. 45th Avenue
HealthLinc
Multiple locations throughout Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke and St. Joe Counties (888) 580-1060
healthlincchc.org
Providing quality medical, dental, optical, behavioral health, pharmacy, podiatry, chiropractic and much more.
HEALTHY, HAPPY FURRY FRIEND Pet care costs have increased. There are simple ways to keep costs in check. Photo from Feature Impact.
HOME HEALTH CARE
VISITING ANGELS HOME CARE
2340 Cline Ave., Schererville, IN 46375 (219) 322-6100
www.visitingangels.com
Nationally respected, non medical, home care service. Providing CNA’s, HHA’s & Companion Care.
* Assist w/Hygiene
* Meal Preparation
* Medication Reminders
* Light Housekeeping
* Transportation
* Hourly, 24-hour Care & Overnight Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care / Palliative Care LICENSED * BONDED * INSURED
HOSPICE CARE
DUNES HOSPICE
(888) 602-9004
4711 Evans Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
1417 N. Michigan Street Plymouth, IN 46563
duneshospicellc.com
A 5 Star hospice. Dunes Hospice has the highest visit frequencies in the area for nurses, CNAs, Social Workers, and Spiritual Counselors. We serve with dignity, honor, and above all, compassion.
FRANCISCAN HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
101 W. 61st Avenue, Hobart, IN 46342 (219) 945-8020
FranciscanHealth.org/Hospice
• Hospice services available in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke and Pulaski counties
• CHAP accredited
• Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance accepted
• Offering medical palliative care in the home for those still seeking treatment
As a non-profi t, we commit ourselves to practicing the words of our mission by serving your family & loved ones with dignity and compassionate care.
• Serving Lake, Porter and Bordering Illinois Communities Since 1981
• Hospice Services Are Covered 100% For Patients Who Are Medicare Eligible
• Not-for-profit
• Care Provided In Your Home Or In Our Hospice House
UNITY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE
Serving Porter, Jasper & Newton Counties in Indiana. (219) 769-8648
Greater Illinois area (312) 427-6000 www.unityhospice.com
Family owned & operated hospice Offering premier end-of-life care For over 25 years at no cost to you, Because we care.
MEDICAL CLINIC
NORTHSHORE HEALTH CENTERS
Locations in Portage, Lake Station, Chesteron, Merrillville, Hammond, LaPorte & DeMotte
By appt. or walk-ins welcome. (219) 763-8112 or (888) 459-2349 www.northshorehealth.org
Affordable medical and urgent care regardless of ability to pay. Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance accepted. Discounted self-pay option.
IGNITE MEDICAL RESORTS
2775 Village Point Chesterton, IN (219) 304-6700 1555 S. Main Street Crown Point, IN (219) 323-8700 1532 Calumet Avenue Dyer, IN (219) 515-4700
www.ignitemedicalresorts.com Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management
MEALS ON WHEELS OF NORTHWEST INDIANA
8446 Virginia St., Merrillville, IN (219) 756-3663 www.mownwi.org
A non-profit nutrition provider offering Chef Prepared Hot Lunches delivered daily (M-F). All meals are heart healthy & low sodium. Specialized diets are also available, as well as 5 or 7 packs of frozen meals.
Serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke & Pulaski counties.
MEMORY CARE
AVIVA SENIOR LIVING 7900 Rhode Island St. Merrillville, IN 46410 (219) 525-4123
avivamerrillville.com
• Free standing Memory Care
• Wearable Pendant System
• Care for Early to End Stage Alzheimer’s and Dementia
What are dual eligible special needs plans
(NAPSI) - Over 12.5 million Americans are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, but many don’t realize this and could be missing out on some valuable benefits. People who qualify for both health care programs can enroll in a type of Medicare Advantage plan called a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, offered by Aetna and other health care companies.
D-SNPs work with your Medicare and Medicaid benefits to help you maximize your benefits. They provide all the traditional benefits of a Medicare Advantage
health plan, while also offering added benefits, such as flexible allowances, which can help pay for healthy food and certain over-the-counter items. Depending on the state where you live, some additional benefits that come with an Aetna D-SNP may include:
• Dental, vision and hearing coverage• $0 co-pays for covered Part D prescriptions at in-network pharmacies • Extra Benefits Card with a monthly allowance to use on certain everyday expenses, like healthy foods and overthe-counter items, such as
aspirin and bandages • SilverSneakers fitness membership • Fresh meals home-delivered after a hospital stay
D-SNPs may also come with a personal care coordinator, who can help you find in-network doctors, arrange transportation and schedule appointments. They can also connect you with programs to help beyond health care services.
D-SNPs may help save you money. Most people pay little or no cost for their coverage. Covered Part D prescription drugs are available at no cost at in-network pharmacies,
and doctors’ visits may also be fully covered at no cost to you.
If you qualify, a D-SNP can offer you more complete health care coverage so you can take charge of your health and access the care you need.
To enroll in an Aetna D-SNP plan, you must apply and prove that you meet the eligibility criteria, including having both Medicare and Medicaid. You will also be required to periodically prove that you continue to meet the plan’s requirements. For more information about D-SNPs, call Aetna at (844)
588-0041 (TTY: 711), seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A licensed agent may answer your call. Or visit AetnaMedicare.com/DSNP.
Aetna Medicare is an HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our D-SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.
Purdue Extension offers home food preservation programs
Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences educator Linda Curley recently announced upcoming educational programs for August. These programs will provide the basics of making a sourdough starter and boiling-water-bath canning through
educational and hands-on workshops. All programs will be held at the Purdue Extension-Lake County office, located at 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. The fee for each program is $30. The Boiling-Water-Bath
Canning – Jams & Jellies Workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 25. During this workshop, participants will receive valuable resources and instruction on making jams and jellies. They will prepare and process a recipe to take home after the workshop. Register for these programs by contacting Diana Cook at the Purdue Extension office by email at dmcook@purdue. edu or by phone at (219) 7553240.
If you need accommodations, have special dietary needs, or need an interpreter or translator to attend these events, contact Linda Curley at (219) 755-3240 or lcurley@purdue.edu at least two weeks before the event.
Free grief support group available for Gary community
The Crisis Center is offering free grief support groups for the Gary Community. This group offers a supportive space for individuals and families coping with the loss of a loved one. While the Crisis Center provides focused support for those affected by suicide or homicide, anyone experiencing grief is welcome. All ages
are invited to come, share, listen and find support in the community.
Groups meet from 6-7:30 p.m. every other Thursday at the Joy Bomb Social Center, 2584 Clay St., Gary, and 6-7:30 p.m. every other Monday at Gary Harm Reduction, 5610 W. Ridge Road, Gary. Locations and schedules are subject to change. For
*Not
the most current information, visit crisiscenterysb.org or contact Jasmine Hyatt, HOPE Initiative coordinator, grief support specialist, at (219) 938-3027 or email jhyatt@crisiscenerysb.org.
This project is funded in part through a grant from the City of Gary through its Department of Health and Human Services.
Purdue Extension announces
upcoming ServSafe Food Manager Classes and Exams
Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences educator Linda Curley recently announced upcoming ServSafe Food Manager Classes and Exams in August and September. ServSafe educates food service workers about food safety. The ServSafe Food Protection Manager certifica-
tion is the highest ServSafe certification. All programs will be held at the Purdue Extension-Lake County office, located at 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. To register, follow the links provided below.
• Aug. 20: cvent.me/aRP2n3
• Sept. 24: cvent.me/oYxB0y
For more information, contact Linda Curley at lcurley@ purdue.edu or call (219) 7553240.
If you need accommodations or an interpreter or translator to attend an event, contacCurley at (219) 755-3240 or lcurley@purdue.edu at least three weeks before the event.
Lakes across America offer history, beauty and adventure
By VICTOR BLOCK Guest Columnist
Lake Wawasee, Indiana’s largest natural lake, has a history dating back to the Pleistocene Epoch, from 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago.
Lake Maxinkuckee near Culver was first inhabited by Mound Builders. They constructed embankments ranging in size from modest humps of earth to great pyramids of soil that served as ceremonial centers, burial grounds, astronomical markers and political hubs.
These inland bodies of water are scattered around the United States and provide enough variety to meet virtually any preference.
Lake Champlain, located between New York, Vermont and Canada’s Quebec province, is believed by some to be inhabited by a monster. Legends of the creature trace back to Abenaki and Iroquois Native Americans who lived in the area. A granite block bears an inscription dedicated to Champ and “the people in Vermont who have seen Champ.”
Other lakes also are associated with nonhuman creatures. Sightings of one of them in Bear Lake along the Idaho-Utah border were first reported in 1868. It was described as a large brown serpent with small legs and a head resembling an alligator. Later, a man admitted he had fabricated the story.
Another hoax occurred in 1921 when a newspaper reporter claimed to have seen a mermaid-like creature in Walgren Lake, Neb., that spat water into the air.
Of course, lake settings have much more to offer than mythical beasts. The town of Chelan, Wash., was settled by European immigrants in 1886.
Today, Lake Chelan is a major draw for visitors. That clear body of water stretches about 50 miles, and near its upper end is overshadowed by 6,600-foot-high mountain peaks. The charming town for which the lake is named is surrounded by more than 30 wineries that welcome visitors for tastings
TIME SHIFTS The grand front doors of The
Resort Hotel open to echoes of the past lingering in wood-paneled halls with the sunlight dancing off Otsego Lake as it did a century ago. The vil-
and other treats.
Equally inviting is Grand Marais, Minn., perched on the shoreline of Lake Superior.
Once inhabited by Ojibwe Indigenous people, the tiny town (population about 1,300) was a fur-trading station in the 1700s populated largely by French Canadians, from whom it got its name, meaning “great marsh.”
That recalls a wetland area that once occupied the site.
Summersville Lake in West Virginia spans just 2,800 acres but still ranks as the largest in the state. It was created by a dam to control flooding and has evolved into a popular recreation destination. It attracts fishermen, boating is popular, and scuba divers come to search for a vessel that was sunk to give them something to view.
The only working lighthouse in the state overlooks the scene.
Much larger expanses of water make up the Chain of Lakes in central Florida. In contrast with the pristine atmosphere of many locations, this one appeals to those seeking a variety of man-made attractions.
The Legoland Florida Resort
includes a theme park, water park and amusement area. Lake Eloise is the self-described water-skiing capital of the world.
Numerous movies were shot at Cypress Gardens, and the area is dotted with water-ski schools.
My personal favorite is the six bodies of water that comprise the Rangeley Lakes in west-
ern Maine, where I have spent pleasant summers for decades.
Some of their names alone - Umbagog (Abenaki Native American for “shallow water”) and Mooselookmeguntic (“moose feeding place”) - titillate the imagination.
The town (population about 1,200) perched along the lakeshore is named after James
Rangeley, an Englishman who inherited a tract there in 1796 from his father and established an estate. Today it offers winter skiing and snowmobiling, spring and summer fishing, biking, bird-watching and more. When you’re longing for a brief respite by a lake or a longer stay, the choices are varied and inviting.
KAYAKING ADVENTURE Take a kayak adventure on Lake Martin in Alabama. Photo provided by Iloventurs/Dreamstime.com.
ENJOYING THE VIEW Otsego Lake is a 4,046-acre lake in Otsego County in New York. It is the source of the Susquehanna River and the largest lake in the county. The lake takes its name from the Iroquois Indians, who inhabited the area around the lake in and before the 17th century. The name Otsego is from a Mohawk or Oneida word meaning “place of the rock”, referring to the large boulder near the lake’s outlet, today known as Council Rock. Photo provided by Victor Block.
Otesaga
lage of Cooperstown, N.Y., is an eight-minute stroll from the resort. Photo from The Otesaga Resort Hotel.
MAJOR DRAW Lake Chelan in Washington, is a major draw for visitors. The clear body of water stretches about 50 miles with its upper end overshadowed by 6,600 foot-high mountain peaks. There are more than 30 wineries surrounding the lake. Photo Provided by Victor Block.
A virtual second opinion can be a first-rate option
(NAPSI) - A little research led to a big relief for one 70-year-old and his familyand it could help you or someone you care about as well. One Man’s Story
His physicians told Mike Pressler he needed major surgery to remove an advanced recurrent polyp - a procedure that would leave him with an ostomy bag and threaten his active lifestyle.
As a gym-going, golf-playing 70-year-old retired school administrator who walks regularly and enjoys traveling with his wife, Kathy, Pressler was terrified. “I was researching hard, trying to figure out any way I could get out of this,” he said.
The Problem
The polyp was non-cancerous, but the cauterization from a previous polyp removal was creating issues.
An Answer
He remembered a friend’s positive experience at Cleveland Clinic, which Pressler noted as having a “stellar reputation.” That led him to seek a virtual second opinion, which he learned he could obtain without leaving his home, through The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic.
Pressler signed up online and was impressed by the virtual second opinion program. They pulled, collected and compiled his medical records on his behalf, saving him time and effort. Soon after, the care team matched Pressler with Dr. David Liska, chair of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, who then consulted with Dr. I. Emre Gorgun, a top robotic surgery specialist.
Gorgun was confident he could remove the polyp
without Pressler needing an ostomy. Within just 10 days of starting the second opinion process, Pressler was scheduled for a new, less invasive procedure. That’s a common occurrence with this program, where 67% of virtual second opinions recommend a diagnosis or treatment plan change.
Before the surgery, there was one potential hiccup.
Radiology at Cleveland Clinic reviewed his existing MRI and CAT scan, and they were concerned there might be cancer after all, which prompted a sigmoidoscopy and biopsy to make sure. “Dr. Liska calls me and says, ‘We’ve got to take a time out here.’ Now I’m kind of bummed again,” Pressler said.
The biopsy would prove to be a temporary roadblock and came back as non-cancerous.
The surgery proceeded as planned and Pressler is back to working out, playing golf and traveling with his wife.
“The whole experience was totally positive from start to finish,” Pressler said. “From the intake nurse to the doctors and people behind the desks on the first floor. They are all exceptional in my experience.”
Why Get A Virtual Second Opinion
Sixty-seven percent of virtual second opinions recommend a diagnosis or treatment plan change. You may benefit from a second opinion if you:
• Have been diagnosed with a serious or rare health condition (a diagnosis is required for a second opinion).
• Have a condition that is not improving or is getting worse despite treatment.
• Have been told a health condition is not treatable.
• Are considering a treat-
ment that involves significant risks, such as surgery.
• Need guidance choosing from multiple treatment options.
• Want confirmation about a diagnosis or treatment. How It Works
Step 1: Registration and Live Intake with a nurse care manager. They’ll take it from there and get you on your path to peace of mind.
Step 2: Records collection and expedited matching. The clinic does all the work of collecting your medical records, then matches you with a Cleveland Clinic Specialist in just a few days.
Step 3: Expert second opinion. Following an optional virtual visit with the Cleveland Clinic physician, your second opinion will be delivered via a written report.
Pressler urges other patients to visit The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic at clinicbyclevelandclinic.com/lp/ vso/and tap into Cleveland Clinic’s specialized expertise. Those who use promo code 2NDLOOK15 can get a discount on their virtual second opinion.
Acting early on cholesterol advised
By ERIC GALATAS Public News Service
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology are providing new advice on managing your cholesterol levels.
Health professionals said what makes high cholesterol so dangerous is many people in Wyoming and across the U.S. don’t realize they have it.
Dr. Mark Huffman, Washington University Medicine cardiologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, said there is some good news.
“We can prevent high cholesterol from developing and manage it through a combination of things like healthy behaviors, screening,” Huffman outlined. “We have got to know our numbers, including how to know our risk and then, when needed for the right patients, medication.”
He stressed because high cholesterol shows no no-
ACT EARLY New guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology establish a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for assessing risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The condition causes fatty buildup in arteries and is the leading cause of heart disease-related death globally. Photo from Adobe Stock.
ticeable warning signs, it is critical to know your numbers through regular screenings. The new guidelines also emphasize early intervention to reduce the long-term risk of
heart attack and stroke.
Doctors pointed out another major barrier: Many people do not fully understand “bad” cholesterol or how it affects heart health. They said one of the biggest takeaways from the updated guidance is people now have more tools to assess their risk.
Huffman added another key preventive measure against bad cholesterol is healthy eating, though he acknowledged it can be challenging with so many unhealthy options available.
“You have to be unusual and unusually healthy, often times, and avoiding many things that are widely available to be able to have a healthy cholesterol level,” Huffman emphasized.
The recommendations include additional testing options and newer treatments, giving patients and doctors more ways to personalize care. Researchers said taking action as early as childhood can significantly lower the risk of heart disease later in life.
SECOND OPINION — Mike Pressler worried he would lose the active lifestyle he enjoys with his wife, Kathy, when he was told he needed an ostomy bag. A virtual second opinion would make all the difference. Photo provided by NAPSI.
