HOMETOWN DAYS | Crown Point

Greater Crown Pont Chamber of Commerce will kick off Hometown Festival Days with its annual corn roast from 4 to 11 p.m. June 13. Featuring a beer garden, food vendors, children's games and the band Highway, the event will be held downtown on South Main Street. The arts and crafts show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 14 and 15 on the football field at Col. John Wheeler Middle School. 401 W. Joliet St. Vendor spaces 10-by-10-feet are $85. The Hub Dollie Parade will begin at 11 a.m. June 16 at the Old Courthouse, while the Pet Parade will begin at 5 p.m. in the Sheep and Swine Pavilion at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St. The Taste of Crown Point will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 20 and 21 around the square, with plenty of food vendors, live music and the Marriage Mill ceremony at 6 p.m. June 20. The Gospel Concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 23 on the Old Courthouse lawn (bring a lawn chair), and the Fourth of July Parade will be held at 2 p.m. July 4

on Main Street.

FYI: Call (219) 663-1800.

RELAY FOR LIFE | Hammond

Enlist a team, gather pledges and join neighbors in helping to raise awareness and funding for cancer research at the Relay for Life event on June 13 and 14 at Gavit High School. This overnight event begins at 6 p.m. with opening ceremonies followed by a survivor's lap around the track. A luminaria ceremony begins at 9 p.m. Ongoing events include entertainment and activities for adults and children. Breakfast on Saturday morning closes the event. Cancer survivors who wish to attend dinner June 13 should contact Don Winston at (219) 838-6512.

FYI: Call (219) 793-1030.

OPEN SPACE PLAN | Crown Point

The public is invited to attend a preliminary reading of the 2008-12 Park and Open Space Master Plan for the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department during the 7 p.m. June 12 park board meeting in the Commissioners/Council Courtroom at the Lake County Government Center, 2293 N. Main St.

FYI: Call the Planning and Development Division at (219) 769-PARK.

PAGEANT PLANNED | Merrillville

The 2008 Miss Puerto Rico of Northwest Indiana Pageant will be held June 28 at the Croatian Center Banquet Hall, 8550 Taft St. Reservations are available at a cost of $50 per person for dinner, pageant, dance and an open bar for most of the evening. Reservation deadline is June 15.

FYI: Call (219) 397-1217.

BAND CONCERT | Highland

The Highland Concert Band performs at 7 p.m. June 12 and July 17 at Main Square Park, Fifth Street and Ridge Road. The rain location is Lincoln Center. 2450 Lincoln St. Concerts are sponsored by Highland Parks and Recreation Department.

FYI: Call (219) 838-0114.

ALUMNI GOLF | Crown Point

Indiana State University's Northwest Indiana Alumni Chapter Golf Outing and Dinner will take place June 20 at the Lakes of the Four Seasons Golf Course. Registration and lunch begins at noon, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. A buffet dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Guests include ISU athletic director Ron Prettyman, men's basketball coach Kevin McKenna, football coach Trent Miles and 2007-08 scholarship recipients Melissa Borom, of Merrillville; Nicholas Kauffman, of Crown Point, and Kyle Monroe, of East Chicago. Top team will receive $300. There will be a hole-in-one contest, with the winner receiving a new car for a year, courtesy of Mike Anderson Chevrolet and Schepel Buick. Cost is $75, which includes golf, cart, prizes, ISU gift, and dinner, or $20 for dinner only. Reservations are due June 16.

FYI: Call ISU Alumni Affairs at (800) 258-6478.

EFFECTIVE PARENTING | Highland

Mental Health America of Lake County offers Systematic Training for Effective Parenting classes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14 at the Gary Public Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave. The workshop is designed to help parents better understand their child's behavior and find ways to increase effective communication, build cooperation, and find ways to discipline that are effective and make sense. Sign up in advance.

FYI: Call (219) 922-3822.

TRY COMEDY | Hobart

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. today at 227 Center St. for the M & M Productions and Ross Music Theatre evening of comedy sketches to be staged in July. The line-up will revisit a few of The Carol Burnett Show favorites and adding sketches from a variety of young, up and coming comedy writers. The show will parody everything from movies to TV commercials.

FYI: Call (219) 947-4922.

GARDENERS MEET | Hobart

Lake County Park Department's Gardening Club meets at 10 a.m. June 10 in the Visitor Center meeting room at Deep River County Park, 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. Led by parks department horticulturist Bryan McKay, members learn about flowers, plants, vegetables and trees and how to solve gardening problems, get a monthly newsletter and help the staff plant and maintain gardens at the county parks. Refreshments are available. No dues.

FYI: Call (219) 947-1958 or visit GardeningClub03@aol.com

OPEN HOUSE | Crown Point

American Business Women's Association, Indinois chapter, meets at 6 p.m. June 11 for the annual scholarship dinner at White Hawk Country Club. The association helps women improve their lives and meet their goals through education and employment opportunities provided by the networking and marketing abilities of the women in the chapter. RSVP.

FYI: Call (219) 937-4240 or (219) 922-9107.

SHARE PHOTOS | Hobart

Adults interested in photography are invited to the monthly Lake County Parks Department's monthly Photo Club meeting at 7 p.m. June 11 in the Visitor Center at Deep River County Park, 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. The show-and-tell topic is "The Calumet Region - how it was then, how it is now, a favorite place," and members are asked to bring up to four photos (8-by-10-inches or larger), and up to 10 slides or digital images to show. There are no dues or obligations to attend. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a social hour.

FYI: Call (219) 947-1958.

DIABETES SUPPORT | Munster

Diabetes support and blood pressure control will be featured at 6:30 p.m. June 12 at The Hammond Clinic. Brian Kraus, Hammond Clinic nurse practitioner, discusses complications that may result from uncontrolled high blood pressure and what can be done to be protected against this danger. Register in advance for this program to be included in a drawing for door prizes. Refreshments will be provided by sponsor Sanofi Aventis.

FYI: Call (219) 836-3600 or visit www.hammondclinic.com.

JOIN THE PARADE | Hobart

Hobart 2008 4th of July Parade Committee has selected "Hobart Hometown Pride" as the theme for this year's parade, set for 10 a.m. July 4 Long-time resident and community leader Virginia Curtis is the grand marshal, and the Indiana Air National Guard will conduct an F-16 flyover. The entry fee is $10, and applications are available at the Hobart Chamber of Commerce office, 1001 Lillian St.

FYI: Call (219) 942-5774.

TALENT TRYOUTS | Highland

Talent show auditions are set for 5:30 p.m. June 12 at the Lake County Public Library's Highland branch, 2841 Jewett St. Teens in fifth through 12th grade may audition for the Teen Talent Showcase. Be prepared to perform before a panel of judges (sing, dance, play an instrument, present magic tricks, mime or perform readings; no karaoke). The talent show is at 2 p.m. July 12. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2394.

FLAG DAY | Hobart

Hobart Elks Lodge 1152 invites members, neighbors and friends to its annual Flag Day ceremony at 6 p.m. June 13 at the lodge, 3580 W. 61st Ave. Inspirational music will be provided by the Rusty Pipes Community Orchestra and the history of the United States flag will be detailed. Veterans from all branches of service will be honored for the sacrifice they made in preserving U.S. freedom. A special tribute will be offered for all the men and women serving in the military, stateside and overseas.

FYI: Call (219) 942-1152.

MILITARIA SHOW | Crown Point

A Calumet Region Militaria Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St. Admission is $4, and free for children 11 and younger with an adult. Buying, selling, trading and appraising; table rental is available.

FYI: Call Merv Wood at (219) 663-7105.

KIDS' CRAFTS | St. John

Kids Play Arts & Crafts is offered from 9 to 10 a.m. June 13, 20 and 27 at Steeple Gallery, 11107 Thiel St. Youths 5 to 8 years old can use their imagination, be creative or just have fun. They will create three projects to take home; materials will be provided. Proper clothing should be worn; projects may bet a bit "kid" messy. Fee is $22 for St. John residents and $25 for others. Register by phone or at the clerk's office.

FYI: Call (219) 365-6236 or visit www.stjohnin.com.

MOVIE MATINEE | DeMotte

"Pursuit of Happyness" is the title of the free Senior Movie Matinee at 2 p.m. June 12 at the DeMotte Library, 901 Birch St. SW. Starring Will Smith, the film tells the real-life story of Chris Gardner, who struggles to make it in the business world and defies all odds to succeed. Registration is appreciated in person, by phone or online at www.jasperco.lib.in.us.

FYI: Call (219) 987-2221.

BOOK TALK | DeMotte

Book Discussion Group meets at 2 or 7 p.m. June 17 at the DeMotte Library, 901 Birch St. SW, to discuss the novel "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. Narrated by 90-year-old Jacob, the story of friendship and survival centers around the life of a traveling circus during the Great Depression and what followed for Jacob, who now lives in a nursing home. Refreshments will be served. Copies are available for checkout.

FYI: Call (219) 987-2221.

BAND PERFORMS | Glenwood

Country Roads Band will perform from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. June 14 at the PACF Grove, 18600 E. Glenwood-Thornton Road. This is a fundraiser for the organization of Polish American Community Fair, raising money for college scholarships. Free line dancing lessons start at 5:30 p.m. Entrance is free, gates open at 5 p.m. Drinks and food are available. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.

FYI: Call (219) 397-2486 or (708) 756-4219.