The A to Z Family Guide to the Holidays

Back by popular demand is "Mommy's Little Piggy" mashed potato eating contest at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond which is part of "A Christmas Story Comes Home" exhibit and fesivities. The contest this year will take place this Saturday with registration at 10 a.m.

1210POPS

Conductor Kirk Muspratt leads the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Chorus again in this year's production of Holiday Pops.

1206PIGGY

"Mommy's Little Piggy" mashed potato eating contest at the Indiana Welcome Center in 2011.

Little Ralphie Look-a-Like

Jace Janeczko, 5, of Lowell, dons Ralphie's pink bunny costume in homage to "A Christmas Story" at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond for the 2010 Christmas Story Festival. Auditions are being held this week in Chicago for a new national stage tour.

Noll's Mullaney continues to swing a big bat for Warriors

Union Twp. - Bishop Noll leadoff hitter Rose Mullaney swings at the ball during the first GSSC game between the two area powers. The four-year starter made an imediate impact when she arrived four years ago.

Wheeler's Emily Bisch pitching

Through seven games, Wheeler senior pitcher Emily Bisch is 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA.

Wheeler's Emily Bisch hitting

Through seven games, Wheeler senior Emily Bisch is hitting .467 with four runs scored and six RBIs.

SBH_NOLL_WHE

Wheeler's Nicole Marcotte slides into second basse as Bishop Noll's Salina Espino reaches for the throw during the third inning Monday night at Wheeler.

SBH_NOLL_WHE

Wheeler's Nicole Marcotte, right, and Karessa Sweeney, center, are congratulated by teammate Paige finch after the two scored Monday against Bishop Noll.

Lew Wallace senior Branden Dawson

Lew Wallace senior Branden Dawson dunks during the team's game against Whitney Young.

Art Class

Northview Elementary second-graders watch on as Illinois artist Hugh Skibbens creates a landscape painting Friday during a live painting demonstration at the Valparaiso school.

Art Class

Illinois artist Hugh Skibbens explains his technique Friday as he paints a landscape for Northview Elementary second-graders during a painting demonstration.

Art class

Northview Elementary second-graders line up single-file to view a painting by Illinois painter Hugh Skibbens during the artist's visit Friday to the Valparaiso school.

St. John prepares for 2011 growth

Workers put the finishing touches on the expansion of the visitors center at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John.

POTW Feb 13-Feb 19 - Maple Syrup Time

Volunteer Judy Judge, from Kouts, sweeps the floor in the sugar shack at Chellberg Farm during a volunteer day in preparation for the upcoming Maple Sugar Festival Saturday, Feb. 19.

Maple Sugar Days just around the corner

Judy Judge, of Kouts, sweeps the floor in the sugar shack Saturday at Chellberg Farm in Porter. A group of volunteers gathered for Waking Up the Sugar Bush, a stewardship day designed to ready the farm for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's annual springtime event, Maple Sugar Days, Marc…

Maple Sugar Days just around the corner

Seth Archer-Helke, of Homewood, works during a volunteer effort to clean up the sugar shack Saturday at Chellberg Farm in Porter. A group of volunteers gathered for Waking Up the Sugar Bush, a stewardship day designed to ready the farm for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's annual spring…

POTW Jan 16th-Jan 22nd - Lake Elect

Robert Leonard, running for First District Councilman in Gary, stands in line on Wednesday with fellow candidates during candidate filing at the Lake County Elections Board office in Crown Point, Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Lake candidates file early and often

Crown Point - Karen Freeman-Wilson, challenging incumbent Gary Mayor Rudy Clay, gives her supporters a thumbs-up on Wednesday after filing her intention to run at the County Elections Board office in Crown Point.