Tale of seven counties

As he crossed real or imagined county lines talking to leaders across Northwest Indiana's seven counties -- Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski and Starke -- Ivy Tech Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra said the predominant message he found is that communication, cooperation and collaboration are important to unify this region.

Led by Ivy Tech Community College of Northwest Indiana, Dare to Dream is an initiative aimed at encouraging a "friendly conversation" among the leaders of Northwest Indiana's seven counties to improve region residents' quality of life.

The "conversation" with the community is being presented tonight in the form of a play: "Unknown Soldiers."

This short play -- directed by Mark Spencer and written by Ben Clement -- is a story of the challenges and opportunities facing these seven counties. It tells the story through seven diverse individuals in a management training exercise who learn to work together when faced with an extraordinary situation.

"We can not afford to continue operating as completely separate units," Valtierra said, adding that's what he heard from dozens of people during months of community conversations across the region.

"Change is coming down the pike, and we need to be able to deal with those changes. We're either going to be part of the change or it will happen to us, and we can't afford to let that happen. We must be active partners."

Education, economic development and jobs top the list of issues that people are interested in, he said.

"All people worry about jobs in their community, jobs that can help support the population," Valtierra said. "People are tired of seeing their children leave the area for a better life somewhere else. They want them to have a good life right here in Northwest Indiana."

Local farmers also are concerned with preserving the family farms, said O'Merrial Butchee, director of the Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Ivy Tech Northwest.

The Dare to Dream initiative has been funded by a $400,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The initiative grew from Times Publisher Bill Masterson Jr.'s One Region: One Vision concept and is intended to encourage dialogue among local leaders.

The play premiered Wednesday at the Valparaiso campus of Ivy Tech Community College.

Another free showing:

What: "Unknown Soldiers," a play directed by Mark Spencer and written by Ben Clement

When: 6 tonight with a reception beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Where: Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave., Hammond

For more information: Call (219) 980-7702