Help fill Ross Twp. Mitten Tree this holiday season

Ross Township Trustee's Office is in need of hats, gloves, mittens, scarves to decorate its Holiday Mitten Tree. Donations are gladly accepted during the business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 24 W. 73rd Ave., Merrillville, and will be distributed to needy folks in the community. For more information, call (219) 769-2111.

Dance Party for children

Tickets are now on sale for the city of Crown Point's New Year's Eve Dance Party for Kids on Dec. 31. The is from 2 to 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 352 W. Main St., and the whole family is invited.

Five Star DJ & Karaoke Entertainment will host the songs and fun. Dance to the chicken dance, under the limbo stick, cha cha slide dancing and more. Pizza and beverages will be served.

Cost is $5 per person, and ages 2 and younger attend free. To make reservations, call the Mayor's Office of Special Events at (219) 662-3290 or email lpeterson@crownpoint.in.gov.

Campagna appoints CEO

Elena Dwyre has been appointed CEO of Campagna Academy in Schererville after serving as chief operations officer since April 2010.

With more than 15 years in the human services field, Dwyre's background includes experience implementing and overseeing operations in children's mental health, therapeutic foster care, I/DD waiver services and home-based services with for-profit and nonprofit social service companies.

She received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Purdue University and a master's degree in Social Work from Indiana University.

Library book discussions

Crown Point Community Library's  "3rd Monday at 1" book group meets at 1 p.m. A week later than usual, the group will next meet Jan. 23 to discuss "My Name Is Mary Sutter" by Robin Oliveira.

The Evening Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month and on Jan. 12 will discuss "Corelli's Mandolin" by Louis de Bernieres.

The Winfield Branch book group meets at 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month and on Jan. 10 will be discussing "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith.

Copies of all books are available at the Circulation Desk. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact Barb Houk at (219) 663-0270 or bhouk @crownpointlibrary.org.

Fair Trade Bazaar

Valparaiso International Center and The Welcome Mat, 309 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, are hosting a weekend-long fair trade bazaar every weekend until Christmas.

In celebration of the holidays, they also are giving gifts with every purchase during bazaar hours. The Welcome Mat and the VIC offer a variety of fairly traded goods from Africa, Asia, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. All purchases benefit the artisans abroad, ensuring them fair, livable wages.

Sue Reed is executive director of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce. Reach her at (219) 769-8180 or geninq@crossroadschamber.org. Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.