Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times. Contact Valparaiso community coordinator Annette Arnold at (219) 548-4359 or Portage community coordinator Barbara Martin at (219) 762-1397, ext. 2227. E-mail: aarnold@nwitimes.com or bmartin@nwitimes.com.
BLOOD DRIVE | Valparaiso
The American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive at Culver's Frozen Custard fro 3:30 to 8 p.m.March 28 at 2101 LaPorte Ave. All presenting donors will receive a Culver's Frozen Custard coupon food for one pint of frozen custard. Call to schedule an appointment.
FYI: call (219) 531-9600.
CIVIL WAR TEA | Michigan City
A Civil War Tea will be held at 2 p.m. March 30 in Barker Mansion's drawing room, 631 Washington St, one block from Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets. Jill Brummett, a Civil War re-enactor and musical performer, will present "A Musical Walk Through the Civil War." Dressed in 1860s costume, her program includes glimpses of the Civil War through the eyes of the women of that era. Following the program, participants will enjoy tea and Civil War Hard Times Spice Cake, Grandma's Pound Cake and gingersnaps. The cost is $5, and phone registrations are required.
FYI: Call (219) 873-1520.
WOMAN'S CLUB | Chesterton
The 2008-09 officers of the GFWC Chesterton Woman's Club will be installed at the April 7 Federation Day meeting at the Westchester Public Library Service Center. New officers are Shirley Oppman, president; Bertha Still, vice president; Jeanne Boehlke, vice president for membership; Doris Hess, recording secretary; Wynne Stemler, corresponding secretary; and Becky Dunbar, treasurer. Also at the meeting, two new members, Mary Keane and Mary Jane Zakutansky, will be inducted. Officers from district, county and state federations will be guests. The meeting will be a potluck beginning at noon, and the program will be provided by members of the Chesterton High School Speech and Debate team. Hostesses for the meeting are Jeanne Boehlke, chairman, and Doris Anderson, Carol Brenn, Becky Dunbar, Dolores Iwan, Judy Pappas and Louise Roberts. The Westchester Food Pantry item is dish soap.
FYI: Call (219) 926-4123.
ANTIQUES SHOW | Washington Twp.
Mental Health America of Porter County will hold the 21st annual Antiques and Collectibles Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30 at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 Division Road. Admission is $4. Children younger than 12 years will be admitted free. The event features a Porter County's Own Antique Revue from 6 to 9 p.m. March 28. The casual evening will feature free appraisals, silent auction, appetizer buffet and an early start on shopping. Dealers' booths will be open for sales. Tickets for Porter County's Own Antique Revue will be $25, and there will be a cash bar. The antiques show will feature different types of dealers with an array of antiques and collectibles such as antique glassware, Coca-Cola collections, furniture and toys. Concessions will be available for purchase. The antiques show is a major fundraiser for Mental Health America of Porter County, a nonprofit organization that has been promoting mental wellness in the community for
more than 54 years.
FYI: Call Mary Hodson at (219) 462-6267.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Wanatah
The Wanatah Lions Club will host its annual pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30 at Wanatah Elementary School, 309 School Drive. The event includes a craft fair. The menu is all-you-can-eat pancakes, fresh local sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children younger than 12 years, and are available at the door or in advance from Wanatah Lions Club members. The Wanatah Lions Club provides eyeglasses and hearing aids to local students, manages the town's Lions Park and contributes to state and national Lions projects.
FYI: Call (219) 733-2852.
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL GAME
Valparaiso High School Key Club is sponsoring a Wheelchair Basketball Game at 1:30 p.m. April 13 in the Valparaiso High School gym. Doors open at 1 p.m. and concessions will be sold. Tickets are $5 at the door. All money raised at this event will go towards purchasing two basketball wheelchairs. The Chicago Wheelchair Bulls will play an exhibition game then play against teams composed of teachers and students. Featuring and benefiting our very own Valpo resident Ben Mortensen.
FYI: Call (219) 465-9198.
SINGLE PARENT SUPPORT | Michigan City
PWP--A Single Parent Support Group (Parents Without Partners) Chapter 193 has a dance at 7:30 p.m. April 5 at the St Joseph Men's Club, 2001 Franklin St. Donation $7. Next Dance will be April 5, 2008 music by Turn Point, open to everyone.
FYI: Call (219) 778-2605.
QUILT GUILD
The String-a-Long Quilt Guild of Valparaiso will meet at 6 p.m. April 9 at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St. Karen Musgrave, curator of "Put a Roof over our Head" is the guest speaker.
FYI: Call (219) 462-8550.
RUMMAGE SALE | Portage
Nativity of Our Savior Altar and Rosary Sodality will accept donations from 3 to 7 p.m. April 11 at the school, 2929 Willowcreek Road, for its upcoming rummage sale. The sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12 at the school. Donations of clean and working small appliances, small furniture, dishes, glassware, jewelry, videos, CDs, games, puzzles and clothing will be accepted. Clothing items will sell for $5 per bag throughout the day.
FYI: (219) 762-5832 or (219) 763-1187
SPRING RUMMAGE | Portage
The Women's Society of Porter United Methodist Church will hold the annual spring rummage and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 10 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 11 at the church, 2637 McCool Road. Lunch and dinner will be served on April 10, and lunch only will be served on April 11. The menu includes chicken and noodles, hot dogs, pop, coffee and desserts. Takeouts will be available.
FYI: Call (219) 762-1896.
RUG HOOKING | Valparaiso
Rug Hooking: By Hook or Crook, a group of traditional rug hookers meets April 2 at the Hebron Public Library, 201 W. Sigler St. Persons interested in learning this art form are invited to attend.
FYI: Call (219) 462-0335
POTATO BAR, CHILI | Valparaiso
Potato bar and chili will be held from noon to 4 p.m. April 6 at the VFW No. 988, 705 Roosevelt Road. Cost is $5 and includes dessert. this is sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary.
FYI: Call (219) 464-3668.
DUNELAND BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL | Portage
Area business professionals are invited to attend the Duneland Business & Professionals Network meeting at 7:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at Miller's Senior Living Community, 5911 Lute Road.
FYI: Call Louise Thompson at (219) 764-0628 or visit dunelandbpn.com.
WOODCARVING SHOW | Portage
The Duneland Woodcarvers' 32nd annual woodcarving show will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 5 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6 at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. The show will feature 80 carvers and vendors, original woodcarvings, demonstrations, hourly door prizes and carving supplies. Admission is $4 per person. Children younger than 12 years will be admitted free.
FYI: Visit www.dunelandwoodcarvers.com.
LEADS CLUB | Valparaiso
Effective immediately, the Valparaiso Leads Club meets on Wednesday Mornings, 7:30 a.m. at the fifth Third Bank Building downtown, please contact Barbara Rivera at efnbarb@aol.com. (Note: There is no Valparaiso Tuesday Leads Club) For more information visit the website www.leadsclub.com .
FYI: Call (219) 759-4274.
BINGO | Valparaiso
American Legion Post 94 has started Friday night bingo. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and early birds begin at 6:30 p.m. with regular games at 6:50 p.m. Costs start at $12 for six pack. Coverall jackpot starts at $500.
FYI: Call (219) 464-4452
DANCE LESSONS | Valparaiso
Just Us and Friends Line Dance Club is now holding beginners line dance lessons every Monday evening starting at 6 until 7 p.m. Lessons are taking place at the Valparaiso American Legion, 4 Monroe St. Classes are ongoing and geared to the student who has little or no experience in this type of dancing. Cost is $4 per student. No advance signup is necessary. Jack and Roxann Anderson will be instructing this class.
FYI: Call (219) 696-6719.
BINGO | Valparaiso
Valparaiso Moose lodge holds Friday night bingo with a $500 jackpot. Early-bird bingo begins at 7:30 p.m. and regular games at 8 p.m. at the lodge, 108 Indiana Ave.
FYI: Call (219) 462-2311.
BINGO | Valparaiso
Saint Paul Catholic School, 1755 W. Harrison Blvd., will host a bingo every Sunday excluding holidays and Superbowl Sunday. Doors open at 5 p.m. Early bird games begin at 6 p.m. and regular games begin at 6:30 p.m. Food, refreshments and homemade desserts are available
FYI: Call (219) 405-1202.
WOODCHUCKS | Portage
Woodchucks Woodworkers meet at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. Participants are invited to share their woodworking skills and to learn a few new ones.
FYI: Call (219) 762-8416.
DUNELAND WOODCARVERS | Portage
The Duneland Woodcarvers meet from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays in the Blue Spruce room at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. The meetings are informal and dedicated to exchanging ideas, carving and helping fellow carvers.
FYI: Visit www.dunelandwoodcarvers.com.
GREAT LAKE SOUND | Valparaiso
Rehearsals for the Great Lake Sound Chorus of Sweet Adelines are at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Valparaiso Community Church, 1817 Calumet Ave. Guest are welcome.
FYI: Call (219) 464-9245 or (219) 766-3676.
TOPS | Portage
Take Off Pounds Sensibly 1377 meets from 9:15 to 11 a.m. Fridays at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. TOPS is a weight support group that helps members with programs, exercise ideas and positive support to lose the unhealthy and unwanted pounds, to keep them off and in general to live a healthier lifestyle. TOPS is a national nonprofit organization. National dues are $24 yearly and $5 monthly.
FYI: Call (219) 762-1805.
LIONS CLUB | South Haven
The South Haven Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of every month, except May through September when it meets at 7:30 p.m., at the South Haven American Legion, 429 W. 750 North.
FYI: Call (219) 759-2865.
ELKS DINNER | Hobart
Hobart Elks Lodge 1152 will host a dinner and show April 5 in the Jubilee Room at the lodge, 3580 W 61st Ave. Back by popular demand, recording star and comedian Carol Nelson comes to Hobart directly from Sarasota, Fla. Her madcap skits, songs and comedy earned her the name "Crazy Carol." The family-style dinner features tossed salad, parsley potatoes, chicken Marsala, fried white fish, mixed vegetables and dessert. The cost is $20 per person. Cocktails will be served from 5 to 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. RSVP by April 1.
FYI: Call (219) 942-1152.
Y-ME | Valparaiso
Y-Me of Porter County will meet at 10 a.m. April 5 at the Porter Education Center, 1401 Calumet Ave. The mission of Y-Me is that no one should face breast cancer alone. The public is invited to this free meeting.
FYI: Call (219) 465-0566.
WEAVERS GUILD | Chesterton
In April, Duneland Weavers Guild will present its annual spring show and sale of fiber art clothing. Also for sale and on exhibit are fiber art household items such as rugs, towels and placemats. A champagne reception and style show to open the exhibit is set for 2 p.m. April 6 at the Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. Fourth St. This year's exhibit, up through May 2, will include items woven by former members in honor of the group's 60th anniversary. This year's show includes items made by the villagers of Sharing Meadows in Rolling Prairie, Ind. It's a community of "other-abled" adults.
FYI: Visit www.dunelandweaversguild.org.
