Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.

To get listed in the calendar, contact Porter County community coordinator Annette Arnold.

E-mail: aarnold@nwitimes.com.

Fax: (219) 465-7298.

Address: 1111 Glendale Blvd., Valparaiso IN 46383

Questions? Call (219) 548-4359.

QUILT GUILD | Valparaiso

The String-A-Long Quilt Guild will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Reiner Center, College & Union St. The Alzheimer Challenge Quilts will be collected. Registrations for quilts at our upcoming quilt show are also due.

FYI: Call (291) 462-8550

YEARBOOK SALE | Portage

Portage High School is selling past yearbooks between 1998 and 2007 . They are $10 each and are available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main office.

FYI: Call (219) 764-6027.

OPEN HOUSE

The Portage Community Historical Society will hold a Broncho John Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 6 a the Alton Goin Museum in Countryside Park, 5250 E. U.S. 6. Broncho John Sullivan was born in Laramie Wyoming in 1859. He was an Indian Scout when he was 12 years old, was a crack pistol shot, a bronco buster and he lived in Porter County for over 60 years. Come see his stagecoach, his boots, his lasso he roped the broncos with and read his life story. No admission charge. Snacks served.

FYI: Call (219) 762-4218

TURKEY SHOOT | South Haven

South Haven Little League turkey shoot is Sept. 20-21 and 27-28 at the American Legion Post 502. It is from 10 a.m. to dusk.

FYI: Cal (219) 759-4334.

DOLLS AND BEARS | Valparaiso

Valparaiso Dolls & Friends presents 14th annual Doll & Teddy Bear Show and Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Porter County Expo Center. Admission is $5. There will be more than 100 tables of dealers with all kinds of dolls from antique to modern and lots of bears. Proceeds benefit locak, regional and national charities.

FYI: Call (219) 923-3803.

MOVIE, FOOD | Michigan City

The Michigan City Free Methodist Church will host a free event, a movie and light food from 5:15 to 8 p.m. Aug. 31. "The Wager," a family film staring Randy Travis will fdollow at 6 p.m. at the church, 3001 S. Ohio St.

FYI: Call (219) 872-4617.

GOLF OUTING | Hobart

The second St. Bridget Catholic School golf outing will begin with an 8 a.m. shotgun start

Sept. 6 at Duck Creek Golf Course, 638 N. 700 West. Cost is $50 for golf fee, use of cart, lunch and more. Prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin, longest putt and voluntary skins game. Reservations due by Sept. 5.

FYI: Call Deron Replin at (219) 688-0136 or Greg Ernst at (773) 457-8731.

WELCOME FEST | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso branch of the American Association of University Women will hold its 12th annual Welcome Fest at 6 p.m. Sept. 3. Join members and guests at the home of Phyllis Wayco, 472 Scarborough Road.

FYI: Call (219) 464-4727.

WOMEN'S CLUB | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Christian Women's Club will host a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Old Town Banquet Center, 711 Calumet Ave. special feature will be a birthday party. Mary Francis Wood will talk about "He's always enough." doors open at 11 a.m. and the cost is $11. Make reservations by 8 p.m. Aug. 31

FYI: Call (219) 464-7609 or 464-4169.

OPPORTUNITY BOOKS | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Lions Club has Golden Opportunity Books for sale for $25. The books have coupons for dining, entertainment and more. Proceeds will be used to improve the lives of vision-impaired residents and other projects.

Books are available through James Cline, Valparaiso PubLibrary; Richard Ireland, LTF; Dean Stolpe, Stolpe Real Estate; Leonard Hamrick and Lisa Marek through Centier Bank.

FYI: call (219) 462-6016.

DISCOUNT BOOKS

National Association of Womenin Construction is selling entertainment discount books and they are available at Clifford Stone & Material Company, 2900 N. Campbell St. Books are $20.

FYI: Call (219) 462-0744.

Y-Me | Valparaiso

Y-Me of Porter County will meet at 10 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Porter Education Center, 1401 Calumet Ave. There will be open discussion. The purpose of Y-Me is that no one should face breast cancer alone. There is no fee to attend and anyone is welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 465-0566.

BARBECUE CHICKEN | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club will hold a barbecue chicken dinner from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Popcorn Fest Tent behind City Hall. The complete dinner is $8 if purchased in advance or $9 at the door. TIckets may be obtained from any Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club member. All funds raised through this event are returned to charitable activities serving the children of the community.

FYI: Call (219) 531-3170.

Orchard looking for talent

County Line Orchard on County Line Road is looking for local performers to perform during their Orchard Time festivities this fall.

The orchard is sponsoring the event each Saturday and Sunday in September and October beginning Sept. 6, said Margo Brown, events director.

Local performers will be able to showcase their talents either indoors our outdoors during Orchard Time weekends. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

FYI: Call (219) 947-4477, ext. 2106.

FYI: Call (219) 947-4477, ext. 2106.

Kidstop registration

Registration for Kidstop, the before and after school program operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, is now open. Registrations will be accepted Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Valparaiso Club, and 6:30 to 11 a.m. and again from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the South Haven Club.

Kidstop serves children entering kindergarten through fifth grade at the following elementary schools and Boys & Girls Clubs: Northview,Memorial, Flint Lake, Parkview, Central, Thomas Jefferson, John Simatovich, and Union Center. An afternoon program for kindergartners is available at the Valparaiso Club. Services for children attending South Haven Elementary and Paul Saylor are available at the South Haven Club.

FYI: Call (219) 464-7282 ext. 228 or 229.

Pinochle tourney | Portage

Miller's Senior living Community, 5911 Lute Road, is sponsoring a pinochle tournament at 2 p.m. Aug. 28. Prizes will be given to all participants, plus grand prizes to the overall winning twosome. Reservations required.

FYI: Call (219) 764-0628.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM | Valparaiso

"Hilltop Neighborhood House is now accepting applications for the 4-5 year old full time preschool program. This full-time program integrates preschool activities throughout the day focusing on kindergarten readiness skills. Children are served a breakfast and two snacks daily and they bring a lunch. Hilltop Neighborhood House has an outdoor playground area and children have outdoor play time twice a day, weather permitting. Hilltop Neighborhood House is a registered childcare ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

FYI: Call (219) 477-4222, ext. 250.

SIT 'N KNIT | Valparaiso

Sit 'n Knit meets at 7 p.m. every Monday at Starbuck's, Wiseway Plaza, U.S. 30. Bring knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, needle point projects.

FYI: Call (219) 462-9709.

SUPPORT GROUP | Porter

"You are not alone" family/friends of an addict support group meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Friday of the month at Hageman Library, 100 Francis St.

FYI: Call (219) 617-6900 or 476-4648.

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.

BALLROOM DANCE | Valparaiso

Dance Unlimited hosts bi-monthly ballroom dances for adult beginners from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month at the studio, 1705 LaPorte Ave. The public is invited. Admission is $8 and includes complimentary snacks. Pop and water are available for purchase.

FYI: Call (219) 477-4669 or visit www.danceunlimited.us

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.

FIRE AUXILIARY COOKBOOK | South Haven

South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary has cookbooks featuring a collection of recipes from group members, family and friends available for sale. The cookbooks sell for $10, plus $4 for shipping and handling. They may be purchased from any member of the auxiliary or at South Haven Fire Department, 398 W. County Road 700 North. All proceeds will go to South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary and the community and department events the group sponsors throughout the year. The cookbook contains 200 well-loved recipes, including appetizers, main dishes and desserts.

FYI: Call Jaime Reed, auxiliary president, at (219) 728-6055.

RESALE SHOP | South Haven

The Portage Resale Shop, 404 W. U.S. 6, now lists special sales on its Web site, http://portageresaleshop.org/Home_Page.php. Watch for upcoming coupons on the Web site. The resale shop is seeking volunteers to serve as cashiers, to sort through donations and to help with various other jobs. Volunteers can earn "resale dollars" by volunteering a certain number of hours and by recruiting other volunteers. The shop also names a volunteer of the month. The shop's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Portage Resale Shop is a nonprofit organization. The money generated stays within Porter County.

FYI: Call Michelle Farmer or Dawn White at (219) 764-3375.

POKER RUN | Michigan City

"Ride To Cure Lupus," a poker run to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., will be Aug. 30. The cost is $10 for the driver and $15 for driver and passenger. T-shirts and tanks cost $10. The poker run will start with registration between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Michigan City Harley, 2968 N. U.S. 421. The five stops on the poker run include Joe's Bar, 2958 W. U.S. 12, Michigan City; Leroy's Hot Stuff, 333 W. U.S. 20, Porter; Ruthie's Central Lounge, 3425 Central Ave., Lake Station; WoJo's Saloon, 391-1 W. U.S. 6, South Haven; and The Coachlite, 361 Calumet Ave., Chesterton. The last bike will return by 4 p.m. The event also includes a live band, beer garden, food and raffles. All vehicles are welcome.

FYI: Call Kellie Maxwell at (219) 364-0905 or (219) 484-7207.

CHOICES | Hebron

The CHOICES Natural Birth & Parenting Network's meetings include Sept. 3 meeting topic will be "Homebirth: The Spirit, The Science, The Mother." On Oct. 1, the topic is "All About Cesarean Sections and Vaginal Births After Cesareans." The free monthly community meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at Hebron Community Center, 611 N. Main St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting at 7 p.m. Registration is not required.

FYI: Visit www.IndianaBirthChoices.com or call (219) 996-5188.

ALUMNI DINNER-DANCE | Portage

Portage Alumni Association will hold its annual dinner-dance from 5 p.m. to midnight Oct. 4 at Nativity Of Our Savior Catholic Church, 2949 Willowcreek Road. All those who graduated or attended from 1938 to 1983 are welcome to attend. This year, the honored classes are 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983. Music for the evening will be provided by The Music Man. The cost is $30 per person.

FYI: Call (219) 762-4218, (219) 762-9895, (219) 926-6658, (219) 762-9484 or (219) 762-0263.

SOCCER CLUB | Hobart

Still interested in signing up your children for a soccer club in Hobart? The Hobart Soccer Club is taking applications for new and experienced players for the fall season.

FYI: Call Jenni Nickerson at (219) 384-0334.

CLASS REUNION | Portage

Portage High School's Class of 1988 is planning its reunion for Sept. 13 at Duneland Falls Banquet Center, 1100 N. Max Mochal Highway (Ind. 149).

FYI: Call Natalie (Konarski) Babcock at nbabcock@msn.com or (219) 405-0838.

PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS | Portage

Parents Without Partners discussion group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St.

FYI: Call (219) 942-8606.

DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS | Valparaiso

The Open Door Social Club is seeking donations of nonperishable food items, cleaning products, household and personal items, or money. The club, housed in the Margaret Stevens House, 402 E. Indiana Ave., is a program of Mental Health America of Porter County. Pantry items will be distributed to adults with mental illness who are living in the community. Volunteers also are needed for the Open Door Social Club. The group is looking for outgoing, encouraging and caring adults or groups to volunteer a few hours each month. The club offers activities and outings for adults with mental illness. The club meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Margaret Stevens House.

FYI: Call Trudi Gallagher, program director, at (219) 462-6267 or send an e-mail to mentalhealthpc@verizon.net.