More than 90 exhibitors displayed their products and explained their services to a large crowd at the Annual Northwest Indiana Chamber Executives Association's "Best of the Northwest Regional Expo" last month. Many thanks to sponsors Peoples Bank, Builder/Architect Magazine, The Times, The Post Tribune, VIA Marketing, LakeShore PTV, Radio One Communications, Panorama magazine, Family Flyer and all the exhibitors. Thanks also to Chamber executives, Gayle Van Sessen, of Crown Point; Mary Luptak, of Highland; Rhonda Damjanovich, of Munster; Chuck Hughes, of Gary; Dave Ryan, of LakeShore and Ed Dernulc, of Merrillville.
Anniversary party
Towne Centre, 7250 Arthur Blvd., will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a party from 4 to 7 p.m. June 19 at the retirement community. Live music and a barbecue will be provided.
Stop in and join the fun. Admission is $5 per person.
Call Jamie at (219) 736-2900.
Fishing for kids
Calumet Park Cemetery will host a day of fishing for children 10 and younger from 3 to 5 p.m. June 14. Snacks, drinks and bait will be provided as a courtesy, but families must provide their own fishing poles. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is a catch and release program, meant as a way to provide a day of fun with the little ones.
Reservations are required by calling (219) 769-8803. The first 50 children who register will receive a free T-shirt. Provide shirt size when calling to register.
Blast off for a birthday
There's a new way to celebrate a child's birthday in Northwest Indiana.
The Challenger Learning Center on the campus of Purdue University Calumet in Hammond is now offering unique birthday packages designed for children 3 to 12. Guests will experience "out of the world" activities that just might inspire a future astronaut.
There are several packages for the children, including a craft activity.
The Challenger Learning Center, 2300 173rd St., offers a very authentic mock-up of a real space station, designed with the help of NASA.
For more information, call (219) 989-3250.
Going wild
The AVON Ladies from the Merrillville Avon Store, 2270 W. U.S. 30, are going "wild" from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, offering lots of gift items for Father's Day & graduations. A free gift will be included with each purchase.
Call Sara at (219) 384-3642 for more information.
To your health
A free Senior Citizens Health Fair will be offered at the Merrillville Town Hall, 7820 Broadway, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13.
Several sponsors have been secured, and blood pressure monitoring, balance screening, eye pressure checks and ear/hearing exams will be offered at no cost to senior citizens. There will also be door prizes, giveaways and snacks.
For registration and more information, call Carol Miano, Senior Services director, at (219)769-3501 or (219) 736-8258.
Edward C. Dernulc is controller/interim director of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at (219) 769-8180 or geninq@merrillville.coc.org. Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
