We published hundreds of articles on the Valpo.Life Community Section this past year. We were there for the fundraisers, festivals, and special moments. With so much to choose from, we knew it would be a difficult choice, so we rounded up the best of the best for you!
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Without further ado (and in no particular order), here are the Top 10 community articles from Valpo.Life in 2019!
Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club Brings the Community Together for Pancake Breakfast Day
The aroma of hotcakes and sausage filled Valparaiso High School’s cafeteria on Saturday during Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club’s famous Pancake Day Breakfast. Beyond the breakfast food, there was a spirit of community as people enjoyed each other’s company while supporting the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club’s philanthropy.
Civic Engagement Series: a guide to casting your ballot in local elections
In Indiana, it’s virtually impossible to say you didn’t have enough time to vote. Polls are open for early voting 28 days before election day, they are open for 12 hours during election day, or citizens may vote by mail as well under certain circumstances. Voting takes a few minutes out of the day, and you have all year to make plans to vote in one of those ways within the 28-day period before elections.
Reading Buddies program encourages students success in reading
Motivation sometimes comes from the most interesting of places. For the students who take part in the United Way of Porter County’s Reading Buddies program, new motivation to read and learn is found from stuffed animals.
Valpo Parks and Hannah’s Hope host Challenger Baseball League at Samardzija Field
Samardzija Field at Tower Park bustled with activity on Sunday as Valpo Parks and Hannah’s Hope hosted the second week of Challenger Baseball. As a coed program for ages 5 to 22, the league partners special needs participants with volunteer buddies in a modified, relaxed game of baseball.
Valparaiso University Opening 2019 Convocation
The fall semester has officially begun for colleges and universities across the nation. The Region’s own Valparaiso University (VU) started classes this week, and recognized its newest additions to the campus family with the 91st Annual VU Convocation Ceremony.
Day of Caring washes waves of volunteers across Porter County
A sea of blue filled the William E. Urschel Pavilion in Valparaiso Friday morning, made up of hundreds of cerulean-shirted volunteers. Gathered together under the banner of United Way of Porter County’s 2019 Day of Caring initiative, dedicated community members chatted over coffee and breakfast in preparation for the day’s work.
Livin’ It Up Music Festival makes Porter County Special Olympics’ mission possible
Dozens of Porter County Special Olympics athletes joined Lorrie Woycik on stage Sunday at Zao Island to say, “1-2-3 thank you to all these wonderful people,” as she accepted the $100,000 check at the 9th Annual Livin’ It Up music festival.
Loie-Palooza party-goers honor a lifetime of community building
Living to the well-rounded age of 90 years-old is an accomplishment. Spending 50 of those years establishing health clinics, providing low-income daycare, chartering adult education, licensing community radio, building affordable housing, and fulfilling neighbors’ life-long dreams is downright Herculean.
The infamous Valparaiso Kissing Bridge
Kissing Bridges are all over the world. Bridges that were once just ways to connect land to land took on the new moniker of “Kissing bridges” as courting couples found them to be the perfect place for sneaking smooches, away from prying eyes and nosy neighbors.
Kelsey’s Steakhouse invites patrons to ‘Tip a Cop’ and bolster students
Kelsey's Steak House guests were in for a treat Thursday evening. Officers from the Valparaiso Police Department served guests, bussed tables, and received donations for a program close to their hearts. All funds earned during ‘Tip a Cop’ went to the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program, a 13-week intensive program for local 6th and 7th graders.