Local author draws inspiration from gardening

An avid gardener, Linda Tsoutsouris created and maintained elaborate perennial gardens, vegetable gardens and rose gardens at her home in Valparaiso. A former elementary school teacher in Munster, Tsoutsouris also wrote romance novels set in Indiana and Illinois in the 1800s.

Family dog is on the guest list for holiday dinner

The most prized holiday guests are those that eat with gusto, express their appreciation and lick their plates clean.

New flower varieties excel at overwintering

"Overwintering" plants usually means deadheading, dividing, pruning, mulching or bringing them indoors to protect them from the cold. Increasingly, though, varieties are being introduced that flower into winter and rebound in spring. They need no special care and deliver more blooms for the buck.

Minor bulbs should get more attention

Fall planting is in full swing. As you nestle tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses into the soil, don't neglect to also plant some minor bulbs — "minor" only because they aren't well known, not because they lack quality.

Endless Vacation

Spring Awakening

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Fegely students voice hope for peace through pinwheel project

Pinwheels created by Fegely Middle School students are planted outside the school Wednesday in Portage. The students expressed their thoughts about war and peace and living in harmony on the pinwheels as part of promoting International Peace Day.

Fegely students voice hope for peace through pinwheel project

Fegely Middle School seventh-grader Seth Jones plants a pinwheel that he covered in messages and drawings about peace outside the Portage school.

Fegely students voice hope for peace through pinwheel project

Fegely Middle School seventh-grader Brandon Churry plants his pinwheel adorned with peace messages and drawings Wednesday outside the Portage school.

Unwinding with butterflies

Joy McCullough, left, Xavier Sellers and Kathleen Sellers walk down a path at Butterfly Meadows in Valparaiso during a butterfly tour Tuesday hosted by the Valparaiso Parks Department.

Unwinding with butterflies

Participants in a butterfly tour at Butterfly Meadows in Valparaiso walk down a path Tuesday through goldenrod plants.

Unwinding with butterflies

Master gardener Linda Mapes leads a tour Tuesday around Butterfly Meadows during a Valparaiso Parks Department program on butterflies.

Unwinding with butterflies

Colleen Blasko, of Kouts, and her granddaughter Laken Blasko, of Valparaiso, watch as a monarch butterfly is placed on Colleen's hand during a program about butterflies in September at Butterfly Meadows in Valparaiso.

Unwinding with butterflies

Master gardener Laura Tucker holds a monarch butterfly during a program in September at Butterfly Meadows in Valparaiso.

Unwinding with butterflies

Xavier Sellers, left, of Valparaiso, has a monarch butterfly placed on his hand Sept. 20 by master gardener Laura Tucker during a program at Butterfly Meadows in Valparaiso.

Saving the monarchs

A monarch butterfly rests on goldenrod in September at Butterfly Meadows in Valparaiso.

Doggy Bloggy: Welcome to the LC Sheriff's Animal Control Shelter

Let me introduce you and invite you to visit Lake County Sheriff's Animal Adoption & Control Shelter, where the lost, hungry, abused, forgotten and furry are always welcome.

Mother's Day is No. 1 for flower sales, florists say

Mother's Day tops even Valentine's Day as the No. 1 occasion for giving flowers, according to local florists.

Inspiration and education at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair

As the days grow longer and the weather turns warmer, our thoughts often turn to planning for our gardens. For those looking for garden ideas, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois, is presenting its 11th Annual Antiques and Garden Fair on Friday, April 15, through Sunday, April 17.