PICNIC MEETING | Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake Keenagers will meet for a picnic lunch at noon Aug. 19 at the Park of the Red Cedars in the town complex, 7408 Constitution Ave. Meat and beverages will be provided by the club; bring a covered dish to share. Games and prizes are included. Deposits are due for the June trip to Vermont. Checks should be made out to the Keenagers. Also, the group plans an Aug. 25 trip to Horseshoe Casino in Hammond. Cost is $22 which includes bus transportation, a buffet lunch and $5 coin voucher. Checks must be made out to "Keenagers;" call Ray Dejnowski at (219) 696-9738 for more information.

FYI: Call President Gordon Perrin at (219) 374-4863.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES | Hobart

Hobart Jaycees are sponsoring a "Color Their World" back-to-school supply drive for area school children. Donations can be dropped off at Avon Advantage Center, Cardinal Fitness, Centier Bank, Ginter Realty, Hobart Chamber of Commerce, Hobart Family YMCA, Hobart fire stations, MainSource Bank, Marilyn's Bakery, Southlake Nautilus Total Fitness Center and Strack & Van Til Store, all in Hobart. The drive will end with a Hobart Jaycees Kids' Fishing Derby from 8 to 10 a.m. Aug. 16 at the Lakefront Festival, where donations can also be made. The goal is to collect a boat load of supplies.

FYI: Call Lisa at (219) 614-6939 or visit www.hobartjaycee.com

FLYING FLEA MARKET | Wheeler

Midwest Sundowners hosts a Flying Flea Market and Electric Fly starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 16 at Rainford Field. Cost is $5 per person. Food will be available on site. To reach the field, take U.S. 30 to 725 W, and go north to 450 North., east to 650 West and north to the flying field.

FYI: Call Stan Zolodz at (219) 662-1199.

FALL SOCCER | Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake Park and Recreation Department offers Fall Soccer to children ages 4 to 13 at the Park of the Red Cedars, 7408 Constitution Ave. Sign up through Aug. 29. 'Lil Kicks is offered for ages 4 to 5 (as of Sept. 1) and meets from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. This program introduces soccer skills, team play, and the opportunity to interact with peers. Children participate in warm up exercises, drills and then play a game. Each child receives a T-shirt and team photo for the fee of $25. A co-ed recreational league offers three age divisions; 6 to 7, 8 to 9 and 10 to 13. These teams practice weekly and games are held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays on three fields. Fee of $30 includes a T-shirt and team photo.

FYI: Call (219) 374-4444.

CHESS TOURNAMENTS | Gary

Gary Public Library Centennial Chess Tournament will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Aug. 16. Trophies will be given for the top three in each category - 13 and younger, 14 to 17 years old and 18 and older. They will be 15-minute games.

FYI: Call (219) 886-2484.

CHOIR AUDITIONS | Northwest Indiana

Southlake Children's Choir is holding auditions by appointment through August. Choir is open to students 7 to 15 who live in Lake and Porter counties. Auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length, and no experience or preparation is necessary. Southlake Children's Choir is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving young musicians from Northwest Indiana. The choir performs throughout Northwest Indiana. To schedule an audition, visit www.southlakechildrenschoir.net.

FYI: Call Ann Riegle at (866) 662-1151.

COMMUNITY SALE | Lowell

VFW Auxiliary Unit 6841 is sponsoring a Community Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 29 at VFW Post 6841, 17401 Morse St. Rent a 16-by-16-foot space for $10, with tables available for $5 each. No food or beverages, or X-rated items, may be sold. Hot dogs, chips and beverages will be available for purchase. Mail registration fee to Ginny Feyes at 5609 W. 154th Court, Lowell, IN 46356.

FYI: Call (219) 696-8121.

GRINDERS PLAY | Hobart

Deep River Grinders play vintage base ball at 2 p.m. Aug. 17 vs. the Ludington Mariners from Michigan on Grinder Field at Deep River County Park, 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. Spectators are welcome; bring a blanket or chair for seating. Refreshments will be available. Admission is free. Future home games are at 2 p.m. Aug. 24 vs. the Downers Grove Plowboys from Illinois, Sept. 28 vs. the Vermilion Voles of Danville, Ill. and at 1 p.m. Oct. 5 vs. the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels of Decatur, Ill.

FYI: Call (219) 769-PARK.

BRIDGE O'RAMA | Portage

Call by today to participate in the Portage Bridge O'Rama committee's annual tournament that begins in the fall. The committee is looking for bridge players of all levels to join. There are couples and ladies divisions. Current players come from Portage, Valparaiso, Lakes of the Four Seasons, Chesterton, Porter, Ogden Dunes and Hobart. The rubber bridge-style games will be played in participants' residences according to a schedule. Games begin in October. Prizes will be awarded in May, at the end of the five-month session.

FYI: Call Sharon Massey at (219)762-4391 or Louise Twilla at (219) 762-6011.

PAGAN PRIDE DAY | Portage

Local pagans, followers of nature- or earth-centered pre-Christian religions, will gather from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, for a day of faith and festivities. The festival includes vendors, information booths, workshops, children's events, a food drive to benefit the greater community and a harvest ritual. Admission to the festival is free. Donations of nonperishable items for the food drive will be accepted. The Northwest Indiana festival is organized by Portage Pagan Pride, Inc., the Northwest Indiana Pagan Association and Wolves Den, and is part of the international Pagan Pride Project. The Pagan Pride Project, founded in 1998, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of religion and elimination of prejudice and discrimination based on religious beliefs.

FYI: Call (219) 929-9372 or e-mail paganheart@rocketmail.com.