Taking a short cut

Debra Yerga shows off her new hairstyle with more than 30 inches of hair cut off.

YMCA kicks off campaign fund

Participating in the Portage YMCA We Build People campaign kickoff breakfast, are St. Mary's Hospital president and CEO Janice Ryba, in front at left, and YMCA fund development director Nancy Simpson. In back are Real Life Church pastor Scott Marshall, left, and YMCA executive director Dave …

YMCA kicks off campaign fund

Holding a "check" from Real Life Community Church for the Portage YMCA We Build People campaign are children in its child care and development center, Talia Jackson, from left, Piper Yorke and Sadie Smith.

Let's get crackin'

Dr. Brian Hold will be offering his services on Friday to help with a fundraiser.

Freinds 'roast' Boys & Girls Club president Chuck Leer

Chuck Leer sits in the hot seat Thursday night as he is roasted by friends and colleagues. Leer is leaving Porter County Boys & Girls Club after 40 years as its president.

Banta Knitters group creates robes, blankets, shawls for good causes

Pictured are some of the items that have been crocheted and knitted by the Banta Knitters.

Banta Knitters group creates robes, blankets, shawls for good causes

Members of the Banta Knitters, from left, Margaret McMahan, Star Ruwersma and Dolores Tight work on profjects Thursday at the Village Park Enrichment Center at Banta in Valparaiso.

Banta Knitters group creates robes, blankets, shawls for good causes

Star Ruwersma works on a project as part of the Banta Knitters.

Holiday program helps elderly in Porter County

Lynne, of Valparaiso, shows off the Christmas tree she received through the Christmas for the Elderly program.

Ray could use some assistance

Ray would love to get a lift chair for the holidays through the Christmas for the Elderly program.

Lifeline helps Sandra feel safe, secure

Sandra wears the Lifeline necklace around her neck and hopes to continue getting the service through the Christmas for the Elderly program.

Hoping to be home after the holidays

Karen could use a liftchair and some other items through the Christmas for the Elderly program.

Hoping to get better and help others

Jeffrey hopes to get better and take his therapy dog, Sam, out to the VNA hospice center.

Staying positive helps Ernest

Ernest, 82, loves talking with people. He is hoping to receive some assistance this year through the Christmas for the Elderly program.

Making life easier for Daniel

Daniel, of Portage, could use some help through the Christmas for the Elderly program.

Christmas tree will brighten the holidays for Lynne

Lynne is pictured with her cat, Zachary Binx. She would love a Christmas tree for the holidays.

Feeling warm at the holidays

Mary hopes to get some warm winter clothes through the Christmas for the Elderly program.

One step at a time

Brenda would love to have a lift chair through the Christmas for the Elderly program.

Center offers help for those with Alzheimer's, dementia

From left, Donna Krawczyk, LaVerne McGuirl and Barb Kubiszak chat at St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center. McGuirl, who has dementia and Alzheimer's disease, attends St. Agnes during the day.

Porter County Give Day raises more than $100,000

Myron Knauff contributes to the Porter County Give Day on Thursday at The Times office in Valparaiso.

New book shows off woodcarving creations

Chuck Herman shows off the booklet he created for the Duneland Woodcarvers Club. "Duneland Woodcarvers ... Who We Are ... What We Do and How" includes information about the club, its membership and pages of helpful hints for carvers.

Time to dance 24 hours away

Dona Henry looks at old pictures and letters that her mom wrote while dancing in the Gay Mill Marathon in Gary in 1930.

Van for Vets program needs assistance

The Porter County Council of American Legion Posts is hoping to raise enough money to purchase a new van to transport veterans to and from appointments. Pictured is the van which was purchased in 2005.

Intern helps out at Valpo library

Dimana Tzvetkova is doing a summer intern program at the Valparaiso branch of the Porter County Public Library.

Employee celebrates 30 years at Portage YMCA

Janet Grant has been working at the Portage Township YMCA for 30 years.

'The Wedding Singer' begins tonight at Portage High School

Clarissa Tokash and Rachel Stewart rehearse a scene from "The Wedding Singer."

'The Wedding Singer' begins tonight at Portage High School

The cast of "The Wedding Singer" rehearses at Portage High School. The show will be performed for two weekends beginning tonight.

Portage Township YMCA kicks off annual campaign

Portage Township YMCA Executive Director Dave Kasarda talks to a crowd Wednesday morning during the Y's annual campaign kickoff.

Book sale begins today

The Friends of the Library will hold a book sale beginning today at the Valparaiso branch of the Porter County Public Library System at 103 Jefferson St., Valparaiso. Pictured sorting through the books are Jim Cline, director, and Judy Hallberg, book sale room coordinator. The sale is from 4…

King and queen for a day

Dave and Linda Linsner of Portage show off their crowns they received as king and queen on Valentine's Day at the Bonner Center in Portage.

Ssshhhhhhhhhh! Blackburn celebrates 30 years as librarian

Miss Kathy (Kathy Blackburn) shows pictures of animals to preschool children during story hour at the South Haven library branch.

Chillin' and thrillin'

Keti Agapshvili, 11, gets assistance Tuesday from counselor Christa Cundiff during Camp FUNset Winter Camp, sponsored by Porter County Parks and Recreation, at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso.

Chillin' and thrillin'

Children slide down a hill Tuesday at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso during Camp FUNset Winter Camp sponsored by Porter County Parks and Recreation.

Mom, daughter stay positive

Mae hopes to get assistance through the Christmas for the Elderly program this year.

Health, money issues plague Hebron couple

Judith has a lot of health issues and hopes to get some monetary assistance through the Christmas for the Elderly program this year.

Improving sight will help keep independence

Carolyn hopes to get an eye exam and a new pair of glasses through the Christmas for the elderly program.

Woman feels paying bills most important

Rosalee would love to have her hair colored and cut for the Christmas holidays.

'Flowers for Algernon' on stage this weekend at Portage High School

Rehearsing for "Flowers for Algernon" are, in front from left, Mitchell Rodriguez, Tyler Franklin and Austin Hamang. In back are Jacob Cherry, Sarah Batey and Morgan Jackson.

Preschoolers learn their stuff at Nativity

Preschool teacher Jamie Gore shows the children what day it is at Nativity of Our Savior School in Portage.

Preschoolers learn their stuff at Nativity

Ave Gurley presents her show-and-tell book to the class as teacher Jamie Gore looks at it.

Preschoolers learn their stuff at Nativity

Chloe Hosking holds the flag as the students say the Pledge of Allegiance during preschool at Nativity of Our Savior School in Portage.

Chuck Leer celebrates 35 years with Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County

Pictured is Chuck Leer, as he now appears as president of the Porter County Boys & Girls Clubs.

Students learn interviewing process

Fifth graders at Myers Elementary School in Portage take notes while interviewing Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez.

Camp Funset gets kids back into nature

Kids at Camp Funset play a name game with a colorful parachute during their morning activity.

Camp FUNset gets kids back into nature

Camp counselor Charlie Cross, right, helps the kids create their tie-dye shirts at Camp FUNset at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Liberty Township.

Camp FUNset gets kids back into nature

Kids at Camp FUNset play a name game with a colorful parachute during their morning activity.

Ladies organize annual rummage sale

Pictured from left, clockwise, are Alice Bain, Dorothy Rosenberg, Vivienne Khokar, JoAnn Cristea and Elaine Winerman playing mahjongg.

Portage YMCA continues summer camp program

Camp counselor Ryan Fairchild, known as Grizzly to the kids, leads them in a game of one- base kickball during summer camp at the YMCA.

Portage parks department cancels summer day camp

Karen Mesarch, summer camp director for the Portage parks department, watches as Oscar Kapinos, 6, and Gina Kapinos, 10, create their name tags for camp. The parks department is canceling the camp because of low attendance.