Young and old, honorees make Whiting a better place to live

June is certainly the month to recognize achievements of outstanding folks here in Whiting, ranging in age from 18 to 80+.

The secret shopping for "fun things" is to get there early

My ears were burning during Garage Mahal a few weekends ago. I have a couple of good friends who said they discussed how next year they're going to secretly follow me on my journey through the community garage sale to see where I go to find the fun things that I do.

A name is a name, unless it's a nickname

What's in a name? In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet pretty much says that a thing is what it is rather than what name you call it. I disagree. Names are important.

Whiting ideal for a "staycation," now and in early times

People often talk about "staycations" these days. And if you are staying in Whiting this summer, there is definitely enough to do all summer long, from lying in the sun at Whihala Beach to listening to a symphony orchestra under the stars, to cheering at baseball games, to checking out the c…

Back from the wedding just in time for Garage Mahal

It's here. This Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the 13th annual Garage Mahal will fill the city of Whiting.

Whiting will "Paint The Town Pink" this month

You'll find Whiting in the "pink" this month as the city embraces events to fight breast cancer with what is officially known as a "Paint the Town Pink" campaign.

Special people make "Our KIND of Town" a special place

I was recently interviewed by a wonderful young man, a student at Purdue University whose class was assigned to write news articles about local cities and towns.

Being a M.O.B. can include a variety of duties - and pleasures

I soon will be a M.O.B.

A fond farewell to the Mousketeer who shined the brightest

It's funny how the passing of someone from your childhood that you never met can affect you greatly. I'm talking about the death of Annette Funicello from The Mickey Mouse Club.

From fish stands to a castle, Whiting is known for its restaurants

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. If that be the case, then for years men have been drawn to Whiting.

The sacrifices of Lent still lead to the joys of Easter

As a child, Easter was a very different holiday compared to all the rest. The preparation took 40 days, beginning with Ash Wednesday.

Whiting is the place to be Saturday for Easter fun

Put on your mufflers and mittens to greet Spring, because whether Mother Nature cooperates or not, there will be plenty of "Springy" things to do Saturday in Whiting.

There's so much more than beignets in New Orleans

In 1807, Madame Laporte, a free wealthy woman of color, built a typically French Creole cottage in the Faubourg Marigny district of New Orleans, La.

Whiting honors a talented and dedicated volunteer

One doesn't have to be born and bred in Whiting to improve its quality of life, as proven by Paul DePoy, this year's honored Carl A. Binhammer Award for volunteerism recipient. To say "bloom where you are planted" really applies to this talented man.

Newly-discovered Whiting artist is subject of Friday reception

If you'd ask anyone in Whiting who is our most well-known artist, the answer would be the late Al Odlivak, whose works are exhibited all over town.

One photo can unlock a treasure trove of history

Having the chance to volunteer at the Whiting Museum often makes one feel like an excavator. While we toil, scanning and putting vast amounts of information into a computer-designed museum program, we often come upon interesting items about Whiting of which we knew nothing.

Famous couples include comic book teens Archie and Veronica . . .Betty

Happy Valentine's Day. There have always been famous couples throughout literature who symbolize the world's great lovers Well-known duos include Tristan and Isolde, Romeo and Juliet, Victoria and Albert, and of course, Archie and Veronica. . .and Betty.

Fashions make a statement about the issues of the day

You always hear about "fashion statements." I have one.

Longevity and loveliness go together in downtown Whiting

With the loss of our beautiful building at the corner of Sheridan Avenue and 119th Street due to the recent fire, it got me thinking about how many other beautiful buildings exist in Whiting. Many of these structures give Whiting its hometown Americana flavor.

Whiting community rallies to help downtown fire victims

Last Sunday afternoon, people were at the Whiting Community Center enjoying the Whiting Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce flea market. Twenty-four hours later, people were there sorting through bags of clothing and other donations to help 10 families whose apartments were destroyed in a devast…

This weekend offers winter fun outdoors and inside in Whiting

It seems that Mother Nature realized that it's January and she had forgotten to give us winter, so now, unfortunately, it's business as usual.

Whiting mourns the loss of two who loved their city

So far, 2013 has been a year of tremendous loss for the Whiting-Robertsdale community with the passing of JoAnn Jancosek and Al Odlivak.

Keep that tape rolling and enjoy the memories

Happy New Year! I'd wish you luck with your New Year's resolutions, but since it's three days into 2013, you've probably broken those self-promises by now. I know I have - except for one.

Here's the do's and don'ts of Christmas from a veteran

And the countdown begins. Naturally, you've been preparing for the holiday for weeks. From buying and wrapping gifts to sending out cards, to baking cookies, to decorating your tree and your home.

Christmas is all about the kids, and the rest of us, too

Christmas is about kids. Commercials show happy tots anxiously awaiting Santa, their sweet little faces filled with wonder at the season or whatever toy the sponsor is promoting. There are a lot of ooohs and awwws in an hour's worth of television during this season.

Wrapping presents and remembering the greatest gifts of all

After months of working in my basement, I have now secured an area for a nice long work table. There, I have surrounded myself with bins of wrapping paper and tags and am only a few yards away from my "box room," where I can find just the right receptacle to hold Christmas gifts. My husband …

Come home to Whiting for old-fashioned holiday pleasures

Whiting is definitely the place for you to be "present" during the holidays because this community knows how to make the upcoming Christmas season bright.

Try being "the hostess with the Hostess" at today's feast

Say it isn't so. We pride ourselves on being Americans. We love Mom, the flag, apple pie and Hostess anything. While Mom, the pie and the flag are still available, it saddens me greatly that Hostess Foods may be going out of business.

Childhood memories of monkeys, ponies and x-rays

I love to hear stories about Whiting, and over the years, I've heard many tidbits that I thought were interesting. It seems that the memories most folks like to share happened in their childhood.

Getting old is about memories and wisdom and making every day count

Getting old is definitely getting old.

"Sunset Boulevard" production recalls the era of silent films

"I am big; it's the pictures that got small." And what else is big is news that Marian Theatre Guild in Whiting has the Northwest Indiana premiere of the musical "Sunset Boulevard" opening Saturday.

History is alive and waiting for more visitors in Virginia

We've just returned from a very ambitious (euphemism for unbelievable amount of driving) vacation in Virginia. We had never been there, but we knew it was a state full of Revolutionary and Civil War history, as well as plantations and early settlements, so it was right up our alley.

Bobby Beach was the place to gather for Whiting teens

More than 250 new people were identified in photos at last weekend's ID Day thanks to our enthusiastic visitors and volunteers from the Whiting/Robertsdale Historical Society. It's always exciting to sit there with these phantom photos and have a person look and say "That's my father."

Dancing hot dog did me in at the drive-in theater

There was a great documentary recently on PBS about the history of the drive-in movie. Being a child of the 1950's, it brought back some great memories for me.

My favorite month includes pumpkins and (other people's) chili

I've always found September kind of a nebulous month and I can't believe it's almost over already. September seems to have been stuck in the calendar just as a place holder.

Icons come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes filled with cheese or kraut

We just went to the Drury Lane Theater to see the Debbie Reynolds Show. She looked wonderful and had some great repartee with the audience.

It pays to be pleasant, even if just few a few seconds

Did you ever realize how your attitude affects others? I'm not talking about your everyday working attitude. I'm talking about the daily, mini-conversations you may have.

Summer's end ushers in a new season of activities in Whiting

At our very last summer symphony concert in Whiting, a friend of mine came up to me and simply said "Six." I had no idea what she was talking about, and she repeated the number to me again.

Whatever gets you laughing or crying, enjoy the moment

What gets to you?

No need to pack a bag for vacation day in Whiting

Make plans now to spend Aug. 25 in Whiting for tons of creative reasons. There are events that will appeal to all in the family, and you'll swear you spent the day at some vacation area far, far away.

Descendant helps connect the street to the family it is named for

In Whiting there's a street named Fischrupp Avenue. I knew it well in high school because my best friend lived there. It was just a block over from streets named Fred and John. As a kid, I always thought these names were somewhat strange.

Reunions bring together people important in your life

Reunions.

Get your pierogi, and enjoy the parade, dancers, music and crafts

On Facebook they're already counting down the days and the hours, but by the time you read this, you only have to wait one more day for Pierogi Fest, which begins Friday at 11 a.m. in downtown Whiting.

Hats off to those who dress stylishly with topper

"Does anyone still wear a hat?" is a famous line from Stephen Sondheim's stage musical "Follies."

Book a booth "For the Love of Art" in Whiting

Calling all artists to Whiting's "For the Love of Art" open air art show that has become a tradition.

No matter how hot is gets, Whiting is always a cool place to be

Hot enough for ya?

More than just bands and brats, July 4 celebrates freedom

Wednesday is Independence Day. Many people automatically think of Whiting when they think of the Fourth of July because of our Fourth of July Parade.

Graduation a milestone, but Class Night was special

Graduation is such a milestone in one's life. Whiting is very proud of those who have achieved such academic excellence.

Remembering the niceties of traditional society pages

Remember when newspapers had society pages? There would be wonderful in-depth wedding stories describing the bride's gown, the guests, and even the hors d'oeuvres. The where, when, and how were in the stories, but most important were the "whos."