Senior Life - NorthWest Edition - March 2026

Key Positions

Retired teacher-coach finds new home at food pantry

By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer

It’s another Thursday at the Portage Township Food Pantry, and while Bobbie DeKemper handles paperwork in her office, fellow volunteers assist clients in filling their shopping carts.

DeKemper, a retired Hall of Fame teacher-coach, is starting her 20th year as director of operations at the pantry located in the county-township government center in Portage.

As she recalled, “I saw a newspaper article saying they needed help.”

The pantry started in a school, moving to a church and now it has its own home.

“We have our own place,” DeKemper said gratefully. “We don’t have to move again.”

As director, DeKemper orders and picks up food items; lines up other volunteers; pays the bills; and reports to other officials.

The pantry is open four Thursdays a month; the public may come twice a month. The 20-to-25-member staff, including DeKemper, is an all-volunteer crew. Their duties include helping outdoors with vehicles, taking registrations, and assisting clients as they proceed through the pantry.

The pantry is open to Portage Township residents upon referral by the township trustee’s office. Upon arrival, they receive a number and proceed to registration. They then enter a rectangular room with stations manned by volunteers. These stations include canned goods, pasta, sauces, tuna, paper goods, breads, meat, eggs, milk, fresh produce and toiletries.

DeKemper reports numbers are up at the food pantry, and that includes expenses, food quantities and people served.

A Portage resident, DeKemper said she spent $123,841 on food

of 20 to 25 volunteers

last year, a 51% increase. She added that the pantry does not receive any financial aid from the government, although, she noted, Township Trustee Brendan Clancy has been “wonderful

to work with.”

The operations director commented, “I look for sales. I try to stretch every dollar.”

Also helping are local groceries that donate items. Other businesses hold pantry donations, as do local schools and churches.

“The Portage community is very generous,” DeKemper noted. “We could not be open without them.”

She added, “We have a great president in Joe Kasper, who really knows how to shake the trees.”

Open 46 days last year, the township pantry purchased 294,770 pounds of food in 2025, up 28% from 2024. Most of that, DeKemper said, was distributed to clients.

The pantry served 3,632 families last year for a 12% increase. Those numbers include 396 new registrations, a 49% hike; more than 1,470 seniors, a slight increase; for more than 6,635 individuals, up 12%.

The pantry served an average of 80 families each week in 2025.

DeKemper attributes those increases to the government shutdown, with another shutdown possibly coming, she fears.

“We’re pretty well stocked now, due to the holidays,” DeKemper said in mid-February.

DeKemper praises pantry volunteers, who, she said, do more than distribute food.

“We’re helping people who need it,” she said. “Our volunteers talk about how grateful the people are. A lot of the volunteers know clients by name.

“Our volunteers are so good with clients,” DeKemper continued. “This is not a place where people are afraid to come because the volunteers don’t make them feel that way.”

DeKemper retired after 33 years teaching in East Chicago schools. She also coached girls’ basketball at EC Roosevelt High School for 17 years. Her 1977 and 1979 teams brought home state titles.

These days, the retiree averages 12 to 20 hours weekly at the food pantry.

“I’m retired, so this keeps me busy,” DeKemper said. “I enjoy the volunteers and I enjoy what I do.”

St. John woman has passion for AI and Angel Investing

By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer

Tech guru. Google exec. Business owner. Investor. Speaker. Volunteer. Mom. Wife. Golfer. Foodie. Gloria Morris wears a lot of hats. Her friends call her “GoGo” and the name is quite appropriate. She’s always on the go, moving forward and making a difference.

Morris currently serves as a Lead AI Specialist for Google Cloud. In that role, she special-

izes in helping large enterprises identify and solve business problems with AI. She also works toward changing perceptions of AI (artificial intelligence).

“The key is to move away from the ‘science fiction’ of it all and focus on practical utility. I like to show people how AI can be a personal assistanthelping them think differently about how it can move beyond editing emails like planning a travel itinerary or even sug-

gesting a recipe,” she said.

“We need to think of it as an accelerator and learn how to lead it rather than label it as ‘bad’.

The comfort level will grow naturally as you introduce it in different ways in your life. I encourage people to lean into it - age brings a perspective that is actually a huge advantage when navigating these new tools.”

Her career in tech began 24 years ago with a focus on data warehousing, customer relationship management and analytics. Having worked in several big data startups as well as starting her own multi-location sports and wellness businesses, she is experienced in understanding the needs for organizing and managing data for businesses.

Supporting startups is also a passion and she has helped local small businesses as an angel investor.

“An angel investor is someone who provides early-stage capital and mentorship - essentially, you are betting on the founders and their vision. While much of my portfolio focuses on tech, I am also a ‘builder’ at heart and love projects where I can see physical progress,” she said.

“One I’m really excited about is a real estate development in New Buffalo called Petite Acres. The founders are incredible and

their vision is so beautifully articulated. This is why I invest - it’s the people. I recognized a gap here in Northwest Indiana and founded Region Angels to start to focus more on angel investing and connections here

Bird Lovers Welcome

in our community. The Angel investment community in Chicago is very strong, but there is a gap here and that is where my Region Angels project has come into play.”

Continued on page 6

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By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer

The National Audubon Society has been protecting waterbird populations as part of its mission since its inception. The society was founded in 1905 with protection of gulls, terns, egrets, herons and other waterbirds high on its conservation priority list. The Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society is a stand- alone 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1979 and considered a chapter of the national organization with its mission closely aligned.

The Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society aims to promote birding through education, conservation and scientific research for the betterment of Northwest Indiana natural habitats. A 10-member volunteer working board meets monthly and plans activities of interest to bird enthusiasts.

The organization offers bird walks to members and the public every month. On the first Saturday through March the group meets at Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk for ducks. On the first Sunday of each month, they visit the Douglas Center at 100 N. Lake St. in Gary for a feederwatch or winter birds. Then on the third Saturday

they alternate looking for birds in Porter, Lake, Newton or Jasper counties.

“We will be offering virtual programs on the third Thursday of August. Our in-person programs will be in April and October. We have many opportunities for members and their guests to participate in event booths, native plant projects and counting birds,” said Kim Ehn, president.

“Many of our events request a signup using Eventbrite. Some of our special events involve bird releases with Humane Indiana Wildlife, Sandhill crane viewing with Chicago Bird Alliance and a native plant fundraiser at the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival in May. We have over 700 members.”

According to Ehn, if a person donates and subscribes to the Audubon Magazine and lives in Lake, Porter (except Beverly Shores), Newton or Jasper counties, then they are included in the chapter and receive news if they’ve included an email address.

“We also offer ‘chapter only’ memberships for $15,” said Ehn, Dues are payable on the website or can be mailed to Dunes-Calumet Audubon, P.O. Box 36, Wheeler, IN 46393. “We deliver our news by email and

Facebook and try to keep our website (dunescalaudubon.org) up to date,” said Ehn.

“I became interested in Dunes-Calumet Audubon in 2017 when the previous officers decided to retire and opened the chapter to new board members. I have been the president since 2019 and have watched the dedication of the board grow over the years,” said Ehn.

“I am passionate about looking for birds in Northwest Indiana and sharing this joy with others. Our chapter welcomes everyone to birding and we partner with many other organizations to promote birding and the improvement of the environment for birds and people.”

Michael Topp of Highland is a former board member who now leads bird hikes in Northwest Indiana. “Dunes Calumet is an excellent conservation organization covering environmental issues especially ... covering birds,” he said. “We have a native plant sale in May and staff different functions around the area educating people on various Audubon events.”

If interested in joining or if you have questions, email dunes.calumet@gmail.com and follow along on social media for updates.

Sports Pickleball growing on Hobart YMCA courts

By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer

Some play it for health reasons. Some want to get stronger or lose weight. Some are coming off surgery. Some bring their young children to matches. Some like the mental aspects.

Whatever the reason, pickleball is attracting a wide range of ages at the Hobart Family YMCA. The Hobart Y offers pickleball four times a week, including twice on Mondays.

The Y’s two indoor courts see plenty of action, from beginners to more seasoned players.

Jackie Dixon of Crown Point and Orlando Rakoto of Hobart teamed together on one court on a Friday afternoon.

A pickleballer for more than a year, Dixon took lessons at the YMCA. She said the sport offers “a lot of exercise and teamwork. I have a partner.”

Dixon and Rakoto had previously played racquetball together. Today Rakoto plays pickleball “for my legs. I’m trying to strengthen my legs. It doesn’t hurt me; it’s easy on my back.”

Rakoto said he learned the sport when “I came and started watching other people play.”

Ryan LaFollette, sports coordinator at the Hobart Y, said the sport is growing locally. He reported 20 to 30 players daily, with

70 to 100 players each week. Why the growth? LaFollette said with pickleball, “you don’t have to run that much, it’s a good cardio workout and you have fun.”

A sport featuring elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, pickleball was first played in 1965. Competition involves two or four players using a smooth-faced racket or paddle to hit a ball over a 34-inch-high net until the other side cannot return the volley.

Pickleball is named after the “pickle boat” in crew racing which uses leftover rowers not in the main boat, reflecting the mix of leftover elements from other sports.

According to pickleheads.com, depending on who’s doing the research, there were between 19.9 million and 48.3 million pickleball players in this country in 2024, a 45.8% increase over the previous year.

Pickleball has also generated $1.5 billion in revenue in 2023, pickleheads.com reports.

Statistically, the average age of a pickleball player is 34.8 years. However, that does not exclude more mature adults.

According to Senior Lifestyle, pickleball offers seniors a number of health benefits, physically and mentally. These include improved cardiovascular health, enhanced balance and agility,

improved cognitive function and mental sharpness, joint health and flexibility, improved quality of life, and social engagement, improving one’s mood and mental well-being.

Jane (who asked that her last name not be used) can swear to improved wellness benefits. Coming off major surgery, she said pickleball has helped her mentally. “When I’m here,” she said, “I don’t have to think about

anything else. Plus, I like the social aspect, being with others.”

Jane has played pickleball on and off for three years. Her two children also play. She said the sport has helped her post-surgery. “It’s not hard on your joints,” she noted.

To those who say they can’t run, Jane said the sport is more about walking around a 10-footby-15-foot area.

“There’s not a lot of running,”

she said. “There’s not a lot of speed involved.”

Cami Nelson of Hobart is among those “still learning – I’m a beginner,” having started playing in August 2025.

“I enjoy the exercise, the teamwork, the sportsmanship,” Nelson said. “It’s helped with my back and I want to start losing weight.”

For information on Hobart YMCA pickleball, call (219) 9422183 or visit crymca.org.

Speaking Of Seniors —

Medicare slow to report claims

By WOODROW WILCOX Senior Problem Resolution Officer Senior Care Insurance Services

On June 2, 2025, I wrote a letter to a client after checking

on a hospital bill for her. She got medical services at the hospital in November 2024. But Medicare never sent the claim report to her Medicare supplement insurance company until April 19, 2025. From November through May – five months – the hospital was sending our client a bill for $1,632. The insurance company was willing to pay the final bill once it got the claim information from Medicare.

The insurance company acted quickly. It received the claim information on April 19,2025. It processed the claim on April 22, 2025. It made and sent a check for the entire bill of $1,632 on April 23, 2025. It took the insurance company only five days from start to finish to process and pay the bill.

This is not the only area in which Medicare is slow. I have helped senior citizens deal with Medicare and the medical bill problems that it causes for seniors over for 22 years. Medicare is slow to update the Medicare file of seniors when they first join Medicare, when seniors switch from one Medicare insurance company to another, and when records need to be updated both when and after a senior is involved in an accident.

Also, Medicare fails to police and punish medical billers in a timely manner. I caught and

BARBARA M. SHAVER St. John

from page 4

Aside from her role at Google, she is part of the Mastery Faculty & Speakers Bureau and is certified as a Google AI Evangelist with the Cloud Speakers Bureau. Morris serves on the board of directors for the Legacy Foundation, is a member of the Service League of Northwest Indiana and launched her own nonprofit, Region Angels Foundation. She is a vibe coding enthusiast and is building a community connection platform that con-

reported one medical billing company near Indianapolis that was collecting and cashing checks from the seniors’ insurance companies but then sending medical bills to the seniors for exactly the same amounts of money the insurance companies had just paid. The medical billing company did not report receiving and cashing checks from insurance companies to the medical firm in Lake County. The doctor who managed the medical firm called me to apologize. He did not know the medical billing firm he hired was doing that to his patients.

nects nonprofits to businesses, volunteers and angel investors to startup founders. In 2024, she was a part of the first global cohort of a leadership and coaching intensive in Tokyo, Japan, with the University of California, Berkeley. Last year she was inducted into the Society of Innovators of Purdue University Northwest.

“My professional DNA is rooted in business and the Northwest Indiana region. I grew up in my family’s business, John

The doctor acted honorably. He canceled the bill of each of our clients whom I informed him was affected by the scheme of the billing company.

Note: Woodrow Wilcox is the senior medical bill case worker at Senior Care Insurance Services in Merrillville, Indiana. He has saved clients of that firm over three million dollars by fighting mistakes and fraud in the Medicare billing system. Also, Wilcox wrote the book SOLVING MEDICARE PROBLEM$ which is available through book stores or online.

•

Administration and Probate • Special Needs

Guardianships Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP 2929 Carlson Dr. #100 Hammond, IN 46323 219-931-0560

Cicco’s Menswear, which served our community for 73 years. That foundation led me into a 20-plus-year career in technology and consulting for world-class organizations,” said Morris. “I also launched a wellness brand, Float Sixty, a decade ago, which I’ve since exited to focus on my current role and other business ventures. I work for Google fulltime as the lead AI specialist for select global clients. I travel the world supporting them in their complex AI and data analytics initiatives, bridging the gap between heritage business values and state-of-the-art technology.” She and her husband, Bobby Morris, own the Great Lakes Sports Hub together. Her daughter, Gina, lives in Texas and her son, John, lives in Chicago. She also has a “bonus son,” Gavin. The family has two dogs (or dooglers as they refer to them at Google), Mackie and Lola. She splits her time between St. John and the West Loop in Chicago.

Decades of experience, generations of care

By FAITH NOE CPA

What started years ago as a way to support my husband’s accounting office while raising three young children has turned into a lifelong passion. After acing the CPA exam and spending over 40 years in the field – including serving as accountant for Valparaiso landmarks like Martin Binder Jeweler and Strongbow Inn – I am proud to continue my practice today with a very special team by my side. In 2020, my son, Ben Mortensen, and grandson, Timothy McLean, joined the firm. They bring a wealth of knowledge, from Ben’s bach-

Continued on page 8

Smartphones: A very smart idea

More than 98% of teenagers own a cell phone. Most teens admit the first thing they do in the morning is check their mobile phones. It must be nice to have a strong bladder.

By DICK WOLFSIE

Cell phone companies are now targeting the older demographic, a group in which a few people are still resistant to this technology. Here’s a sales call that might take place between an account representative (AR) and somebody’s grandmother (SG), who remains a little skeptical of the whole idea.

AR: Hello, Mrs. Smith, my name is Joe. I’m calling to see if we can interest you in a new

mobile phone. How has your present phone been working out for you?

SG: For 80 years, I’ve dialed and someone answered. If my phone rang, I answered it. Can you improve on that?

AR: We’d like to introduce you to something different. It’s called a smartphone.

SG: Are you there? You keep cutting out. What’s so smart about your phone?

AR: You can carry it with you wherever you go.

SG: It must have a very long cord. What if I go shopping?

AR: That’s the beauty of it; you don’t need a cord.

SG: No cord? You could lose a phone that way.

AR: If you misplace it at home, you can call your cell phone with your landline and hear it ring.

SG: Wait a second - you want me to buy your phone, but still keep my phone so I can use it to find your phone? This is not

Avoid potential headaches with a proper estate plan

CLIFFORD J. RICE

Elder Law Attorney Valparaiso

Historically, wealth is squandered within three generations because families deal with real-life issues such as these:

• Lawsuits

• Divorce

• Bankruptcy

• Nursing home expense

• Family disputes

Any one of these occurrences can hit home and wipe out an entire inheritance in just one generation. Plan now for both the financial and non-financial components of passing your legacy to the next generation.

You, and your surviving family members, will have a number of burdens and fears put to rest if your legacy can be planned with some of these potential stumbling blocks in mind:

If your surviving spouse gets remarried, your children’s inheritance can be lost and other common mistakes made with blended families.

In the event your surviving spouse remarries, a new set of pitfalls can arise that could have your hard-earned assets going to the new spouse instead of your children and future beneficiaries. How your beneficiaries can

a great marketing plan. Where does the power to run the phone come from?

AR: The phone has a battery, and you plug it into the wall to recharge it.

SG: Wait, I thought you didn’t need a cord. Hello, are you there? I keep losing you.

AR: Sorry … the phone’s battery has to be charged or the device won’t work.

SG: I have a flashlight like that. Your phone should be smarter than my flashlight.

What else can it do?

AR: You can pick up the phone and say something like, “Siri, call my grandson.”

SG: My grandson has one of your phones. Haven’t heard from him in a week.

AR: Look, here’s the big advantage. Anywhere you are, your friends can call you.

SG: How do they know where I am? That sounds creepy.

AR: Here’s another advantage. In the car, the smartphone can give directions.

fall victim to divorces (“ex” in-laws), lawsuits or inexperienced financial decisions.

Most people give their assets outright to their heirs when they and their spouse are gone — this is a huge mistake. This type of planning almost always fails to protect your loved ones from these real-life occurrences.

How your family can be torn apart over something as seemingly minor as “who gets grandmother’s quilt.”

The biggest fights in families aren’t about money, stocks or real estate. They are about the little things that hold memories and most traditional estate plans fail to protect and pass on these valuable items.

Most families also find it important to preserve the wisdom, life lessons and history of the family. Traditional estate planning does not address those nonfinancial assets. Having a proper estate plan will help you avoid your own potential hidden headaches by helping you protect your family and your legacy.

Our goal is to make sure you have all the information you need to ensure that none of these life-wrenching events happen to you or your family. Since our practice focuses exclusively on elder law and estate planning, it is our priority to be on top of the continuous changes in the law and techniques we can make available to you. Learn more about the benefits and protections of an estate plan by attending our Estate Planning/ Medicaid Planning seminar at: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at Pesto’s, 3123 Calumet Avenue, Valparaiso.

Reservations required, seating is limited! Call (800) 303-7423, or visit riceandrice.com.

SG: You don’t have a wife to do this? I have a lovely single granddaughter …

AR: Madam, would you be willing to try the new phone?

SG: Well, let me think about it. What brand is your phone?

AR: We call it an iPhone.

SG: What does the “i” stand for?

AR: Uh, I’m not sure. No one has ever asked me that before. I feel like an idiot.

SG: Now we know what the “i” stands for.

Church member finds solace in spiritual cupboard

By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer

As do most people. Linda Dygert faces problems that really bug her. What bugs her even more is her inability to do anything about them. That’s when she received some good advice at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso.

The minister asked her, “Can you solve the problem? If not, then you can’t control the problem. Put it in a cupboard.”

Dygert has taken that advice, which does not solve the problem but it does not eat at her, either.

Looking back, she quipped, “It’s a good thing I have a cupboard.”

She’s gotten more than sound advice from Immanuel Lutheran. She has another home, a community of faith.

A member of Immanuel Lutheran for 52 years, Dygert, 78, ministers as a Communion assistant and lector and attends weekly Bible study.

As a Communion assistant, Dygert offers wine after the minister distributes Communion.

Recalling the first time she assisted at Communion, she said, “I saw the people’s eyes looking right at me. It was just a feeling that, yeah, Linda, you’re where you’re supposed to be, doing this, and I like that.”

Dygert and her husband, Norman, have been married nearly 60 years. The couple has two children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The Dygerts have owned Mercury Cleaners since 1981, and they live adjacent to the downtown business.

Dygert thinks the world of her pastors, the Revs. Andrew Fields, senior pastor, and Casey Kegley, associate pastor.

“I told them both, you can’t

leave ‘til I die,” she joked. “These pastors are so smart. They never say they don’t have an answer or they’ll get back to you. It’s comforting to me that I get can an answer, if there is an answer.”

Kegley said Dygert “brings great interest and energy to Bible study with her questions and comments. Her eagerness to serve in worship as a lector or a Communion assistant has been a blessing to our congregation.

“I’m especially grateful for the conversations the Lord allows us to have after we finish our reading rehearsals,” the associate pastor continued. “Those brief windows of rehearsal often open doors for deeply meaningful spiritual conversations.”

“I like the whole attitude within my church,” Dygert said. “I love Bible study. For example, you ask a question and Pastor Kegley runs with it, people comment on it. I really enjoy learning about the Bible. It’s just a very, very comfortable and yet educational place to be for an hour and a half.”

Dygert added, “When I’m not there, Thursdays are not quite the same. We miss being together.”

This season of Bible study focuses on 1 Corinthians. Dygert has observed that, grammatically, Paul’s letters and Isaiah are loaded with run-on sentences. Spiritually, she noted, “Paul did not have an easy time. These people (to whom he was writing) were not your everyday, modern Christians. I’ve learned how difficult Paul’s life was in trying to do the right thing.”

Dygert tries to attend weekly Lenten services and be a better version of herself this season.

She sees living one’s faith as “just doing what you know in your heart is the right thing to do. I’ve had enough experience

in the Word that I try to live like that.”

Dygert’s favorite passage from Scripture is Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” “So many people I was involved with or who I grew up with were very judgmental,” she said.

AT HOME AT CHURCH — Linda Dygert is seated at her kitchen table in Valparaiso, where she is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. There she serves as a Communion assistant and lector and participates in Bible study.

Photo by Steve Euvino.

Decades of

Continued from page 6

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‘Let Your Love Flow’ was best selling record of the year

Bellamy Brothers

Attention, music trivia fans! What do rocker Del Shannon, pop princess Lesley Gore, the made-for-TV Monkees, and iconic country kings the Bellamy Brothers have in common?

“Absolutely nothing,” you might say. However, these disparate music-makers do indeed share one fact: Each hit Number One on the Billboard chart with their very first single release.

Howard and David Bellamy would sometimes be awakened by the sounds of a Merle Haggard or Buck Owens record being spun by their music-loving father. The future superstar siblings were frequently exposed to such country-music icons, as well as hearing the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, and, later, music of the mid-1960s British Invasion.

Jackie

Home was a cattle ranch in west central Florida, and the boys went to high school in nearby tiny Darby. Once graduated (Howard in 1964, David four years later), they launched their music career by performing gratis with their fiddle-playing father at a jamboree of sorts called the Rattlesnake Roundup in nearby San Antonio, Florida.

The twosome, who mastered seven instruments between them, gigged at frat parties and backed touring “oldies” artists before moving to Atlanta to form a short-lived outfit that the Bellamys dubbed Jericho.

The duo also tried their hands at writing, and David’s co-authorship with Jim Stafford’s “Spiders and Snakes” became a novelty home run. Sales of three million singles gave the brothers the cash needed to move to Los Angeles, their goal

being to connect with the music scene there.

They befriended Neil Diamond’s backup band. One day, Diamond’s drummer brought a demo (demonstration record) to the singing siblings and enthused, “Hey, this sounds like something you guys would do.” It was a song called “Let Your Love Flow” and had been written by Larry Williams, Neil’s roadie (road manager).

Diamond had previously passed on the tune, as had fellow hitmaker Johnny Rivers. The Bellamys, though, loved it. Howard later recalled, “When we heard it, we had an idea of how we wanted to record it. It kind of fit our style - acoustic bass with a groove.”

They signed with Warner/ Curb Records, cut the song in a couple of takes, and watched in amazement as it became the

FAMOUS WORLD SITES

ACROSS

1. To grab meat off a grill

5. Tire meas.

8. Flock member

11. Hollywood sidewalk mark

12. Architect’s drawing

13. Muhammad’s teachings

15. *Leaning Tower city

16. Co-eds’ military org.

17. a.k.a. Pleasant Island

18. *Angkor Wat country

20. Like some Christmas sweaters

21. Walt’s Mickey

22. Blunder

23. Emerge

26. “Midsommar” flower arrangements

30. *Avenue des Champs-Élysées, technically

31. Plural of stria

34. Prescribed food selection

35. On pins and needles

37. Knee-related acronym

38. Fur of the marten

39. Hissy fit

40. Political “shelter”

42. The night before Christmas

43. Eyewash vessel

45. Food tester

47. King Kong, e.g.

48. Milk quantity

50. *____ Verde National Park

52. *Black Hills’ Mount ____ National Memorial

55. Short-trunked ungulate

56. Geometric calculation

57. Barbequed anatomy

59. Not upright

60. Mountain lake

61. *Easter Island statues

62. Short for detective

63. Follow ems

64. “Mr. Roboto” band

DOWN

1. Recipe amt.

2. Related to ear

3. U.S. space agency, acr.

4. Gram, in Great Britain

5. Walks weary

6. Composer of “Gymnopédies” fame Erik ____

7. *Machu Picchu empire

8. Twelfth month of Jewish civil year

9. On one’s guard

10. Ostrich-like bird

12. Marcel of “Remembrance of Things Past” fame

13. Harden 14. *____ FamÌlia, Spain

19. Autocratic 22. Earlier in time, archaic

23. Use blunt end of pencil

24. Sack fabric

25. Change shoelace knot, e.g.

26. *China’s Great attraction

27. *Mt. Everest’s northern slope location

28. Tool handle

29. Ranch grazer

32. Poison ivy woe

33. *____ Strait,

Brain Boosters

Alaskan cruise destination

36. *Famous onion-domed cathedral’s namesake in Russia

38. Ingratiating behavior

40. Gobbled up 41. Relating to Utah

44. Like exes

46. Violent weather, pl.

48. #13 Across’ sacred writings

49. Site frequenters

50. First one on a ship

51. Long narrative poem

Loan attribute

53. Heavy metal’s Quiet ____ 54. E-commerce website

4 servings; Prep 10 min.; Total Time 10 min.

INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 ounce) can low-sodium black beans, rinsed

1/4 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt

2 teaspoons lime juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika, preferably smoked

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or scallions

1/4 cup chopped onion

DIRECTIONS:

Place beans, yogurt, lime juice, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a food processor or blender. Process until well combined, about 20 seconds. For a spicier dip, add cayenne (or ground chipotle) to taste, up to 1/4 teaspoon. Add oil, cilantro (or scallions) and onion. Pulse until well mixed, about 20 seconds. Transfer to a bowl to serve.

TIPS:

Serve this dip with sliced red bell peppers, sliced zucchini or whole-grain tortilla chips.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

129 Calories; 3g Fat; 17g Carbs; 7g Protein.

70s Flashback -

The thing just stopped working

At the dawn of the 1970s, video games existed primarily as coffee break time-wasters for computer nerds.

That’s when two such techies -

By RANDAL C. HILL

Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney - left the Ampex electronics company to form Atari in Sunnyvale, a town in the heart of California’s booming Silicon Valley. The pair had envisioned a future gold mine in the growing world of quarter-gobbling arcade games.

Bushnell and Dabney soon brought in a third Ampex worker, Allan Alcorn. To see what the newbie could do, Bushnell assigned him a single task: create a table-tennis-type video apparatus that the public would embrace - and pay to play.

Alcorn, who had no gaming experience, dove into the project and ended up with Pong, a name derived from ping pong, the nickname for table tennis. On sheets of graph paper, Alcorn had sketched out a vertical dotted line down the center of a TV screen, then added a small square (the ball) and a paddle on

each side of the “net.”

Two players would control their paddles by moving them vertically on the left or right side of the screen, competing against each other by knocking the ball back and forth, just as in the real game. Points were earned when the opposing player failed to return the ball, and the first gamer to reach 11 points won the game.

Alcorn designed the game to offer about four minutes of playing time.

To cobble together a prototype, he bought a $75 Magnavox TV set, bolted it inside a wooden cabinet, and soldered wires onto boards to create the circuitry needed to power Pong.

Then came time to give the machine a test. “Andy Capp’s Tavern was one of our favorite places,” Alcorn explained. “We knew the owner, Bill Gaddis, and we trusted him. If something went wrong, we knew he would call us.”

In September 1972, Alcorn and Bushnell trucked the awkward contraption to the nearby tavern - named after Andy Capp, a British comic strip character created in 1957 by cartoonist Reg Smythe. Pong made its public debut there after Alcorn installed a coin box made of a sawed-off plastic milk jug, then shoved the

game into a corner behind the bar. Alcon’s brainchild was set on a table among pinball machines and a jukebox. The Atari trio crossed their fingers and hoped for the best.

A few days later, Gaddis

Continued on page 11

AN INSTANT SUCCESS

Pong, created by Allan Alcorn for Atari, was an instant success as a video game. It was later scaled down and offered for in-home use. Over 30 million units were sold before being discontinued in 1992. Photo by Mystic lighting from Shutterstock.

‘Let Your Love

Continued from page 8

best-selling record of the year. Riding the tsunami of their success, the pair began touring the world. “We’ve always been known as a live act,” Howard maintains. “We’ve gone with the idea that we’re going to have fun and the audience is too. Performing is not something we got into for the money. We got into it for the love of it. It’s a lifestyle with us. That’s how we’ve managed to stay on the road for so long.”

Long, indeed. Their 2026 tour marks the 50th anniversary of

the Bellamy Brothers offering their talents to appreciative fans worldwide.

Larry Williams never wrote another hit. Don’t feel bad for him, though. Howard Bellamy grins broadly when he says, “I would say the guy who wrote this song is the wealthiest roadie now that ever was.”

Bibliography

Book: Bronson, Fred. “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Third Edition).” (P. 433) New York: Billboard Publications, Inc., 1992.

Internet: “The Bellamy Brothers.” (No author or date listed) thecountrystage.com. The third quote is from here. Breihan, Tom. “’The Number Ones: The Bellamy Brothers’ “Let Your Love Flow.’” Aug. 30, 2019. stereogum.com. James, Gary. “Interview with Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers.” (No date listed) classicbands.com. “’Let Your Love Flow’ by the Bellamy Brothers.” (No author or date listed) songfacts.com. The first, second and fourth quotes are from here.

If you are turning 65 or retiring, call us today to set up a time to learn more about Medicare Advantage plans.

If you are turning 65 or retiring, to set up a time to learn more Advantage plans.

With one-to-one support from an get clear, helpful answers to all your questions, big and small. You’ll learn people choose Medicare Advantage, as which plans best meet your specific budget and medication needs. And enroll with confidence, knowing members recommend UnitedHealthcare Advantage coverage.

With one-to-one support from an agent, you can get clear, helpful answers to all your Medicare questions, big or small. You’ll learn why so many people choose Medicare Advantage, as well as which plans best meet your specific health, budget and medication needs. And you can enroll with confidence, knowing that 4 out of 5 members recommend UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage coverage. Contact us today at 1-844-236-3281, TTY 711.

Contact us today at

Lakeside 55+ Community: A place to own, connect and feel at home

Lakeside in Rensselaer, is a 55-plus community designed for those who value the security, pride, and independence that come with owning their own home. Unlike many communities that rely on rental models, Lakeside offers residents homeownership - providing long-term stability and control while enjoying a welcoming, neighbor-focused environment.

Homes at Lakeside are designed with comfort and ease of living in mind. Prices begin at an attainable $129,000 and range up to $199,900 for homes featuring high-end finishes and an attached 24-foot- by-24-foot garage. Lakeside also offers the opportunity to custom order a home. From layout to finishes, residents can choose options

that fit their needs perfectly, creating a space that truly feels like home.

Beyond the homes themselves, Lakeside enhances everyday living with beautiful surroundings and shared amenities that add value without sacrificing independence. The community is built around three scenic ponds, offering peaceful views and opportunities to enjoy nature right outside their door.

A beach near the clubhouse is available for residents and their guests, adding a unique recreational feature rarely found in communities of this kind.

The clubhouse serves as both a social and practical extension of homeownership. It hosts planned activities such as card games and potluck dinners,

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

I turn the clock back over 50 years. To when I was young and knew it all. Changing jobs, drinking and girls. I was headed for one big fall. A time of war, troops were needed. It was definitely a major life change. Another soldier headed for ‘Nam. They had me practice my aim.

encouraging connection among neighbors and is also available for private gatherings hosted by residents.

By combining affordable homeownership, customizable living options, and a safe, social-

The thing

Continued from page 10

phoned Alcorn with some bad news - Pong was having “technical issues” and had stopped working. Alcon drove to Andy Capp’s, fearing the worst. But a heavy sigh of relief relieved Alcorn of any stress he had when he saw that there was no mechanical problem, and that the Pong game had malfunctioned because of a logjam of quarters shoved in by enthusiastic players. Games in Gaddis’s bar had typically brought in about $10

ly connected setting, Lakeside stands out as a smart and fulfilling choice for active adults looking to invest in both their home and their lifestyle.

Ready to explore Lakeside Community? Call (219) 866-

a day; with Pong, that amount quickly quadrupled. Later, when Pong was scaled down and offered for in-home usage, the fun machine sold more than 30 million units before being discontinued in 1992. Bibliography Internet: History.com Editors. “This Day in History: Pong Released.” Nov. 29, 2024. history. com. Miss Cellania. “The Inside Story of Pong.” Dec. 1, 2012. neatorama.com. Modany, Angela. “Pong, Atari, and the Origins of the Home Video Game.”

5165, email lakeside@turnkeycommunities.com, or visit enjoylakeside.com to see available listings or request more information. Come see why so many people are proud to call Lakeside Community home.

April 17, 2012. americanhistory.si.edu. Ochami, Frederick. “Pong: 10 Fascinating Facts About the World’s First Video Game.” Nov. 23, 2019. thegamer. com. O’Driscoll, Julia. “Pong at 50: The Video Game That Changed the World.” Nov. 29, 2022. theweek.com. Pong. (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia.org. The final quote is from here. Shea, Cam. “Al Alcorn Interview.” March 10, 2008. ign. com. Spicer, Dag. “50 Years of Fun with Pong.” Nov. 30, 2022. computerhistory.org.

Tour On-site Homes or discuss Custom Orders 1,200-2,000 Sq. Ft. with up to 4 Bedrooms. Designed with comfortable living & affordability in mind. New homes starting at $129,500 or $189,500 with attached 24x24 garage

I was a clerk with the engineers. Which included some street-smart men. Some were drop outs and some were psychos. It seemed that I would learn from them. I experienced life both good and bad. A positive experience along with the sad. I found the country to be unique. It seemed I was a curious lad. The longer I live, the less I know. But some things can’t be forgotten. I have many blessings in my life. But I have memories of war that are rotten. All vets have unique stories. Many vets still carry psychological scars.

home

3756 N Club House Rd., Rensselaer, IN

What’s happening at your local library

Below are all the adult programs, events and classes for the Month of March at the Lake County Public Library

Cedar Lake 10010 W. 133rd Ave.

Crochet @ Your Library, 4:305:30 p.m. March 4, 11, 18, 25

Book Discussion, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18

Registration required for all programs: visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/cl.htm or call (219) 374-7121.

Dyer-Schererville 1001 W. Lincoln Highway (US 30)

New Parent & Caregiver Meet Up, 11-11:30 a.m. March 3, 24

Crafters Gathering, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 5, 19

All Ability: Irish Canvas Painting, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 10

Mahjong Open Play Session, 1-4 p.m. March 13, 27

Morning Mix: Ages 18 and Over, 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 20

Book Discussion, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26

Registration required for all programs: visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/ds.htm or call (219) 322-4731.

Griffith-Calumet

1215 E. 45th Ave.

Intro to Paper Quilling, 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 Thursday Threaders, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 5, 12, 19, 26

Book Discussion, 1-2 p.m. Monday, March 9

All Ability: Shamrock Doodle Art, 6-7 p.m. Monday, March 16

Book Discussion, 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, March 30

All Ability: Gaming, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31

Registration required for all programs: visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/gr.htm or call (219) 838-2825.

Highland 2841 Jewett St.

All Ability: Book Buddies, 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3

Once Upon a Crime Mystery Book Discussion, 3-4 p.m. Thursday, March 5

All Ability: Canvas Tote Bags, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11

Book Discussion, 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 24

Registration required for all programs: visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/hi.htm or call (219) 838-2394.

Hobart

100 Main St. Stitch’n Time, 9:30 a.m. to

12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7

Adults Get Crafty: Bargello Needlepoint, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, March 9

Paint’n Time, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 10, 24

Hobart Book Chat Book Discussion, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17

Adult Mystery Club: Whodunit?, 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 23

Registration required for all programs: visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/ho.htm or call (219) 942-2243.

Lake Station

2007 Central Ave.

Hobby Hour, 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 5

Book Discussion, 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 10

LEGO Night for Adults, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11

Tuesday Time Out, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17

Arts & Crafts for Adults:

Build Your Own Bullet Journal, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18

Mahjong Open Play: Ages

18+, 1-4 p.m. Friday, March 20

Knitting & Crochet Club, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 21

Craft and Chat, 1-3 p.m.

Saturday, March 21

Book Discussion, 6-7 p.m. Monday, March 23

Grown Up Game Night, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25

Reading Hour, 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26

Bingo at the Library!, 3-4 p.m. Saturday, March 28

Registration required for all programs: visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/lsnc.htm or call (219) 962-2409.

Merrillville

1919 W. 81st Ave. (US 30)

Citizenship Class, 10:3011:30 a.m. March 2, 4, 9, 10

English as a Second Language (ESL), 6-8 p.m. March 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19

Caregivers & Coffee Hour, 11 a.m. to noon March 3, 11, 17, 25

March into Micro Memoirs, 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 4

Continued on page 15

Shirley Heinze Land Trust to host annual spring benefit

Shirley Heinze Land Trust invites the public to attend its annual Spring Benefit on May 30, at the William E. Urschel Pavilion, 63 Lafayette St, Valparaiso. This year’s theme is “Adding Value to Community.”

The organization will highlight the connection between preserved natural spaces and the well-being of Northwestern Indiana residents.

The Spring Benefit is the cornerstone of Shirley Heinze Land Trust’s annual outreach and fundraising ventures. This event offers the organization and community members the opportunity to celebrate progress and community efforts,

and to outline future endeavors.

“The Spring Benefit is our biggest event of the year,” said Kris Krouse, executive director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. “Our team looks forward to the Benefit each year, as it offers a chance to celebrate our supporters, volunteers and partners and to showcase their impact.”

Guests can look forward to dinner, music, drinks, and a lively auction. For more information, visit heinzetrust.org/ event/spring-benefit-2026 or contact Deputy Director Bridget Harrison at (219) 242-8558 or bharrison@heinzetrust.org.

option.

HEALTH CARE

HealthLinc

Multiple locations throughout Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke and St. Joe Counties (888) 580-1060

healthlincchc.org

Providing quality medical, dental, optical, behavioral health, pharmacy, podiatry, chiropractic and much more.

HEARING AID SVCS.

CLEAR EAR HEARING AID CENTER

827 W. 45th Avenue Griffin, IN 46319

(219) 934-9747

www.clearhearingaid.com

FREE Hearing Evaluations

FREE 3 Year Warranty & More

Many Insurance Plans Accepted Call For Details

(Nursing Home & In-Home Appointments Available)

See Our Ad In This Issue

HOME HEALTH CARE

VISITING ANGELS HOME CARE

2340 Cline Ave., Schererville, IN 46375 (219) 322-6100

www.visitingangels.com

Nationally respected, non medical, home care service. Providing CNA’s, HHA’s & Companion Care.

* Assist w/Hygiene

* Meal Preparation

* Medication Reminders

* Light Housekeeping

* Transportation

* Hourly, 24-hour Care & Overnight Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care / Palliative Care

LICENSED * BONDED * INSURED

HOSPICE CARE

DUNES HOSPICE

(888) 602-9004

4711 Evans Avenue

Valparaiso, IN 46383 1417 N. Michigan Street Plymouth, IN 46563

duneshospicellc.com

A 5 Star hospice. Dunes Hospice has the highest visit frequencies in the area for nurses, CNAs, Social Workers, and Spiritual Counselors. We serve with dignity, honor, and above all, compassion.

HOSPICE CARE

FRANCISCAN HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE

101 W. 61st Avenue, Hobart, IN 46342 (219) 945-8020

FranciscanHealth.org/Hospice

• Hospice services available in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke and Pulaski counties

• CHAP accredited

• Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance accepted

• Offering medical palliative care in the home for those still seeking treatment

As a non-profi t, we commit ourselves to practicing the words of our mission by serving your family & loved ones with dignity and compassionate care.

HEART TO HEART HOSPICE OF NORTHERN INDIANA

402 Wall Street, Suite 22

Valparaiso, IN 46383

Phone: (219) 462-6529

Fax: (219) 462-9017

www.HTOHH.com

Compassionate care from our heart to yours. Volunteers needed.

CHAP Accredited

HOSPICE OF THE CALUMET AREA MUNSTER

www.hospicecalumet.org (219) 922-2732 / (219) 736-2422

• Serving Lake, Porter and Bordering Illinois Communities Since 1981

• Hospice Services Are Covered 100% For Patients Who Are Medicare Eligible

• Not-for-profit

• Care Provided In Your Home Or In Our Hospice House

UNITY HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE

Serving Porter, Jasper & Newton Counties in Indiana. (219) 769-8648

Greater Illinois area (312) 427-6000

www.unityhospice.com

Family owned & operated hospice

Offering premier end-of-life care

For over 25 years at no cost to you, Because we care.

MEALS ON WHEELS OF NORTHWEST INDIANA

8446 Virginia St., Merrillville, IN (219) 756-3663 www.mownwi.org

A non-profit nutrition provider offering Chef Prepared Hot Lunches delivered daily (M-F). All meals are heart healthy & low sodium. Specialized diets are also available, as well as 5 or 7 packs of frozen meals.

Serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke & Pulaski counties.

MEDICAL CLINIC

NORTHSHORE HEALTH CENTERS

Locations in Portage, Lake Station, Chesteron, Merrillville, Hammond, LaPorte & DeMotte

By appt. or walk-ins welcome. (219) 763-8112 or (888) 459-2349

www.northshorehealth.org

Affordable medical and urgent care regardless of ability to pay. Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance accepted. Discounted self-pay option.

MEDICAL RESORTS

IGNITE MEDICAL RESORTS

2775 Village Point Chesterton, IN (219) 304-6700 1555 S. Main Street Crown Point, IN (219) 323-8700 1532 Calumet Avenue Dyer, IN (219) 515-4700 www.ignitemedicalresorts.com

Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management

MEMORY CARE

AVIVA SENIOR LIVING 7900 Rhode Island St. Merrillville, IN 46410 (219) 525-4123

avivamerrillville.com

• Free standing Memory Care

• Wearable Pendant System

• Care for Early to End Stage Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Aperion Care - Demotte 10352 N. 600 E., Demotte, IN 46310

(219) 345-5211 • www.aperioncare.com

Short Term Rehab, Long Term Care, On-Site Therapy 7 Days A Week, Orthopedic Rehab, Post-Stroke Rehab, Nurse Practitioner Oversight, Wound Care, Respiratory Care, IV Therapy, Cardiac Rehab, Newly Remodeled Communities, Memory Care

Aperion Care - Tolleston Park

2350 Taft Street, Gary, IN 46404 (219) 977-2600 • www.aperioncare.com

Short Term Rehab, Long Term Care, On-Site Therapy 7 Days A Week, Orthopedic Rehab, Post-Stroke Rehab, Nurse Practitioner Oversight, Wound Care, Respiratory Care, IV Therapy, Cardiac Rehab, Newly Remodeled Communities, Memory Care

- Merrillville | Memory Care

7900 Rhode Island St., Merrillville, IN 46410 (219) 525-4123 • www.avivamerrillville.com

Memory Care only. It’s our sole focus. Alzheimer care. From initial to end-state dementia. Comfortable, caring enviornment. Peace of mind for families.

AVIVA - Valparaiso | Senior Living

1300 Vale Park Road, Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 531-2484 • www.avivavalparaiso.com

Assisted Living & Memory Care in beautifully renovated community. Parkinson’s Disease Certification. Studios to two-bedroom apartments available.

Hammond-Whiting Care Center

1000-114th Street, Whiting, IN 46394 (219) 659-2770

www.hammondwhitingconvalescentcenter.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Respite Care, Hospice Care, JCAHO Accredited, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Ignite Medical Resort of Chesterton

2775 Village Point, Chesterton, IN 46304 (219) 304-6700

www.ignitemedicalresorts.com

Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility

Ignite Medical Resort of Crown Point

1555 S. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 323-8700

www.ignitemedicalresorts.com

Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility

Ignite Medical Resort of Dyer 1532 Calumet Avenue, Dyer, IN 46311 (219) 515-4700

www.ignitemedicalresorts.com

Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility

Lake Park Residential Care

2075 Ripley Street, Lake Station, IN 46405 (219) 962-9437 • www.assistedlivingfacilities.org

Assisted Living, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Residential Care, Mental Health Services, Activities, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Life Care Center

of The Willows

1000 Elizabeth Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 464-4858 • www.lcca.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing 24/7, Ready Set Go Program for Rehab to Home; Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies; Exceptional Wound Care; Respite Care; Pallitative and Hospice Care; Long-term Care; Private/Semi-Private Rooms; Pet Visitation Allowed; Medicare, Medicaid, Most Insurances, Private Pay Accepted

Life Care Center of Valparaiso

3405 N. Campbell, Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 462-1023 • www.lcca.com/Valparaiso

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Ready Set Go Rehab Program, Inpatient/Outpatient Physical, Occupational, Speech, Respiratory, Therapy, Wound Care, Respite And Hospice Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Facility Van, JCAHO Accredited, Medicare, Insurance, Medicaid Accepted

Residences at Coffee Creek

Experience Our Unique Approach To Senior Living & Memory Support 2300 Village Point, Chesterton, IN 46304 (219) 921-5200 • ResidencesSeniorLiving.com

Retirement Living, Assisted Living, Dedicated Memory Support, Respite Care, Therapy Available, Pet Friendly and VA Benefits Accepted

Residences at Deer Creek

Experience Our Unique Approach To Senior Living & Memory Support 401 E. U.S. 30, Schererville, IN 46375 (219) 864-0700 • ResidencesSeniorLiving.com

Retirement Living, Assisted Living, Dedicated Memory Support, Respite Care, Therapy Available, Pet Friendly and VA Benefits Accepted

Anthony 203 Franciscan Drive. Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 661-5100

MajesticCare.com

Assisted Living, Private Rooms, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care, Respite Care, Rehabilitation Services (including Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapy), Pet Visitation, Accepts Most Payer Sources. *Saint Anthony is no longer affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Gary or the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.

Northwest Indiana Superfans ask: What if the Chicago Bears came to da region?

A casual pierogi-fueled hangout turns into a Midwest-sized “what if” in the debut episode of Northwest Indiana Superfans, a new video series celebrating sports fandom and Region pride. The premiere episode tackles one big question: What if the Chicago Bears

moved to Northwest Indiana?

Hosted by lifelong fans Phil Tailsky, his brother Jimmy, and fellow Region rats Johnny and Marie, the episode blends humor, heart, and heavy accents as the group lays out their case for bringing the Bears east of the state

Come together for American English concert benefiting Cancer Resource Center

Ready to twist and shout?

American English is bringing its popular show to Theatre at the Center for a concert benefiting the Cancer Resource Center.

The well-known Beatles tribute band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the Munster venue, 1040 Ridge Road.

The band features Eric Michaels as Paul McCartney, Jim Irizarry as John Lennon, James Paul Lynch as George Harrison, Tony Giangreco as Ringo Starr and Richard Sladek as George Martin.

Tickets are $45 and available at TheatreAtTheCenter.com or (219)836-3255.

All proceeds go to the Cancer Resource Center, a program of Powers Health Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the quality of cancer care in Northwest Indiana and surrounding communities. All CRC services are offered free of charge to those affected by cancer, as well as their loved ones.

For more information about Cancer Resource Center and its services, visit PHCRF.com.

What’s happening

from page 12

March into Micro Memoirs, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 Dungeons & Dragons for Adults, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 4

Keep Me in Stitches, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 7

Intro to Paper Quilling, 1-2 p.m. Monday, March 9

Circle of Readers Book Discussion, 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 10

Monthly Resume Workshop: Resume Creation and Guidance, 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 18

ESL Conversation Club, 1011:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21

Video Game and Hang, 6-8 p.m. March 25, 31

Genealogy Class: America at 250!, 1:30-3 p.m. Thursday, March 26

All Ability: DIY Magnetic Bookmarks, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26

Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs at a Glance, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 27

Registration required for all programs: visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/cnl.htm or call (219) 769-3541. Munster 8701 Calumet Ave.

Monday Night Adult D&D, 6-8

p.m. March 2, 30

That’s Pretty Clever Tournament!, 2-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 3

Adult Dungeons and Dragons, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 12

Senior Planet: Intro to AI, 1-2:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 11

Calumet Astronomical Society, 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 24

Genealogy, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 25

Book Discussion, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 Spring Tray Decor, 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 26

Registration required for all programs: visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/mu.htm or call (219) 836-8450.

St. John

450 Wicker Ave. (US 41)

Off the Hook, 1-3 p.m. March 4, 11, 18, 25

Brain Benders, 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 6

Page Turners Book Discussion, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11

Craft Saturday: Sand Candles, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 14

Registration required for all programs; visit www.lcplin.org/ branches/sj.htm or call (219) 365-5379.

line. From tax savings and easier travel to more parking and next-level tailgating, the superfans argue that Northwest Indiana might just be the perfect new den.

“Northwest Indiana is basically Chicago anyway,” one fan notes in the episode, “just with a few more Menards.”

The episode also delivers standout moments that lean fully into Region culture, including a cameo from Phil and Jimmy’s mom, Carolyn Tailsky, who personally promises to cook pierogis for the entire Bears organization if they make the move (with a standing invitation to Pierogi Fest in July).

While clearly playful, the video taps into real conversations happening across the region and beyond, celebrating the passion of Bears fans and the pride of Northwest Indiana. Check out the first episode

CELEBRATING THE REGION Northwest indiana Superfans, a new video series celebrating sports, fandom and Region pride is led by Phil Tailsky, his brother Jimmy and fellow Region rats Johnny and Marie. The superfans put up the argument that Northwest Indiana might be just the perfect place to call home. Photo provided.

and follow Along the South Shore for more!

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An exploration of the Cayman Islands

By VICTOR BLOCK Guest Columnist

In 1503, Christopher Columbus came upon a group of islands in what today is known as the Caribbean Sea. The people who lived there called the atolls caiman, their word for crocodile.

I recently followed Chris in exploring those points of land and discovered that they have much to offer today’s travelers. From the typical sun, sand and surf attractions and a lengthy list of activities to intriguing history, the Caymans present a choice of things to see and do usually found in much larger destinations.

Mention Caribbean and “beaches” come to mind. Those on the Cayman Islands are varied and inviting, and most consist of picture-postcard-perfect soft white sand.

Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, which erosion has shrunk to 5.5 miles long, has been named one of the Caribbean’s “Ultimate Beaches” by Caribbean Travel & Life magazine.

Nestled at the end of Seven Mile Beach is Cemetery Beach, named for its location adjacent to a burial ground. Wandering among the weathered headstones, I found that they relate pages from the islands’ past.

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ABOVE: GEORGETOWN

WATERFRONT The contrasting blues of water against sky frame the historic buildings of the Georgetown waterfront. Photo by Jo Ann Snover from Dreamstime. com.

That antiquity is worth exploring and recalling. Over time, those who found their way to this archipelago included shipwrecked sailors, pirates and deserters from British troops in Jamaica.

Grand Cayman, largest of the three islands (22 miles long, eight miles wide), is home to Stingray City, the name given to shallow sandbars which are home to a gathering of those unusual creatures. After receiving assurances that I could walk among and even pet the strange-looking animals, I got up close and personal with several of them.

Little Cayman lives up - or, rather, down - to its name. It’s one of the last undeveloped

islands of any size in the Caribbean and is a place of unspoiled natural beauty and relaxation.

On Cayman Brac, I encountered rugged terrain and hidden caves, some of which were used by pirates as safe havens to stash their treasure. This is a bird-watchers paradise, where more than 200 species of residents and migrators have been recorded.

The Cayman Islands National Museum brings alive the islands’ seafaring history. Intricate ship models are displayed near relics recovered from shipwrecks which dot the surrounding reefs.

Visitors to the Central Caribbean Marine Institute learn about the life, and death,

of coral; reef restoration, and other solutions to declining ocean health.

A typical Caymanian house over a century old greeted me at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. It’s surrounded by wetlands, forested areas and manicured gardens and serves as home for blue iguanas, an endangered animal which is endemic to Grand Cayman.

A different scene greets visitors to Georgetown, the capital city of the Cayman Islands, with a population of about 40,000. Despite that relatively small size, the metropolis plays a big role in the local tourism scene.

Up to four cruise ships at a time may dock in the harbor,

disgorging passengers eager to take advantage of tax-free shopping opportunities and experience a quick taste of what the islands have to offer. Some check out a smattering of historic buildings and landmarks which bring to life the town’s and islands’ colorful past.

That story, combined with a wide choice of present-day things to see and do, make the Cayman Islands an inviting destination. So do the facts that you may use U.S. money, inviting public beaches seem to be everywhere and, for snorkelers, colorful reefs and equally colorful marine life are just offshore.

For more information, log on to visitcaymanislands.com.

7th-16th, 2027

and USS Arizona, Luau Kalamaku in Kauai, and Oahu’s North Shore.

Breakfast daily, all meals during the 7 night cruise on board the ship (unless another