During the recent American Legion Auxiliary spaghetti dinner I met Karen Curtis, mother of a 1999 Hobart High School graduate. She brought me up to date on her daughter, Monica Greene.

Monica was one of the first female football players at Hobart during her freshman year and learned a great deal about teamwork during that season. She received a small donation from Hobart American Legion Auxiliary Unit 54 in 1999 to assist in her quest to become Miss Hoosier State, which she won that year, representing Indiana in competition in Los Angeles.

After graduating from Wilkes Barre College in Pennsylvania with a decree in Allied Health Services, Monica enlisted in the U.S. Army. She believed that serving as a noncommissioned soldier would help her leadership skills. She is currently a disabled veteran and serving as a Family Readiness Officer through the United States Marine Corps and stationed in what used to be Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas.

The past 10 years have offered wonderful opportunities for soldier, wife and officer Monica Greene-Hackett. Memories of her home town have added richness to stories she shares when working with Marine families in stress.

Gather around the campfire

Campfire Chillers will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at Deep River County Park, 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. Hear chilling stories told by Northwest Indiana Storytelling Guild member Karen Slager.

Bring blanket or chairs for seating, and marshmallows and roasting sticks. Admission is free. Call (219) 947-1958 or visit www.lakecountyparks.com

Talking about ghosts

Northwest Indiana Ghost Trackers will discuss investigations and haunted locations at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Nobles Booksellers, 2240 E. 80th Place, Hobart.

Call (219) 736-7788.

Fun in the orchard

Hobart's County Line Orchard, 200 County Line Road, is open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Halloween, with a corn maze, U-pick apples and a kids' farm as well as live entertainment every weekend.

Megan Nicole will perform outdoors at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, while singer Angel Star will entertain indoors from 2 to 4. The Oxcart Ramblers will perform old mountain music outdoors at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Call (219) 947-4477 or visit www.countylineorchard.com

Get a break

City of Hobart offers a price break of $4 a month on garbage service for homeowners 65 and older. Register in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office at Hobart City Hall. Proof of age and ownership of property (for example, a paid real estate tax receipt) are required.

Call (219) 942-1940.

Go bowling

Hobart Family YMCA Bowl-a-Thon will be held Nov. 20 at Cressmoor Lanes. Signups and sponsorships are available now by calling Dale Polomchak at (219) 942-2183.

To share information about family or community evens in Hobart, contact June Kegebein at (219) 942-4062 or juneNgerry@aol.com