Lenten journey begins for Christians with special services

Many of us are starting our Lenten journey today, Ash Wednesday, while for others, including the members of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church and St. George Hellenic Orthodox Church, Lent begins Monday.

Distribution of Ashes will be part of today's Masses  at 7 and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. at St. Michael Church, 1 W. Wilhelm St., Schererville.

Area Presbyterians are meeting at various churches Wednesday nights throughout Lent for a Lenten Meal (6:30 p.m.), followed by a short discussion on sharing faith. They invite others to join them, starting tonight at Merrillville's First Presbyterian Church, 7898 Taft St.; Range Line Presbyterian, 18095 Clay St, Hebron, on Feb. 29; Highland's First Presbyterian Church, 8727 Delaware St., on March 7; Schererville's Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 140 E. U.S. 30, on March 14; Dyer Presbyterian Church, 2501 Hart St., on March 21; and ending at Hobart Presbyterian Church, 60 N. Washington St., on March 28.

If you start your journey now, it will be easier to find your pew this Christmas.

Go bald for kids

NICK (Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids) Foundation hopes everyone will help them make a "bald" statement.

The foundation, joined by The Clubhouse Bar and Grill in St. John and Texture Pointe Salon in Highland, is hosting its first St. Baldrick's event. By shaving your head, you can raise funds and help fight the No. 1 disease-killer of children in the U.S. and Canada.

For information on the NICK Foundation, visit www.nwicancerkids.org. To find out more about the St. Baldrick's Foundation, call (219) 765-7677.

Navy Pier and egg hunt

Schererville Parks and Recreation Department has many programs planned for spring. They have a bus trip to Navy Pier in Chicago scheduled for March 10, and tickets are $20 for Schererville residents and $22 for nonresidents, for transportation only.

The parks department is also planning a Flashlight Egg Hunt from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 5 at the Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St., for children 9 through 13. Registration is required.

Register for all the park programs at www.activenwi.com or at the Town Hall. You can also give them a call at (219) 865-5530.

Going green

If you can't wait until St. Patrick's Day for corned beef and cabbage, American Legion Post 485, 7485 Burr St., Schererville, will hold its St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. March 14.

Baseball on the horizon

Last month, when I mentioned the White Sox spring training opener March 5 against the Dodgers, it was brought to my attention I never mention the Chicago Cubs. There ya go!

Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. Evelyn Jones works at the Schererville Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Schererville Lions Club. Reach Jones at (219) 322-5412 or visit www.46375.org.