Stories come in many forms: written, spoken, and through compelling photos at GreatNews.Life. Join us this summer for a weekly roundup of the top stories, photo galleries and videos, chosen by a team of GreatNews.Life staff members.
August 16 - August 21, 2020
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana hosts Express Enrollment Day in Valparaiso
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana hosted Express Enrollment at their location in Valparaiso on Saturday, August 8. While this event takes place every year, the necessity for social distancing made things look a bit different than usual. Students had the option this year of enrolling virtually or in-person. In previous years, attendance was in-person only. Learn more about how they changed things up this year here: https://valpo.life/article/ivy-tech-community-college-of-indiana-hosts-express-enrollment-day-in-valparaiso/
24th Annual Relay for Life celebration brings message of love, support to La Porte community
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in La Porte County, currently in its 24th year, may have looked radically different from events in past years, but it was nevertheless filled with messages of love, support and encouragement. Spread out across the lawn in front of La Porte Hospital were rows of luminaries - two semi-circles of luminaries to represent the 238 individuals who were diagnosed with cancer at La Porte Hospital in 2019.
The annual event, which typically takes place at the La Porte County Fairgrounds, was morphed into something much different this year, with a parade of cars - each one carrying people whose lives have been touched by cancer - from the fairgrounds to the La Porte Hospital campus, for a luminary ceremony and celebratory walk in support of those battling the disease. Read more about the heartwarming event here: https://laportecounty.life/article/24th-annual-relay-for-life-celebration-brings-message-of-love-support-to-la-porte-community
Small Town Spotlight: Whiting, Indiana
Whiting. Ah, Whiting! What a fun place to spend the afternoon! Whether taking a casual stroll along 119th Street, perhaps stopping into Grindhouse Cafe for a quick cup, or maybe a cool iced treat from Whihala Ice Cream, Whiting offers a little something for the whole family.
Incorporated in 1895, Whiting was named after trainman “Pop” Whiting, who was killed in a crash there. The whole city comprises just over three square miles and has a population of roughly 5,000 people, according to 2010 Census data. This gives the little city a truly cozy, “home-town” feel, with a dash of wackiness that is hard to find anywhere else. Learn more about this fantastic small town here: https://nwi.life/article/small-town-spotlight-whiting-indiana/
Snedecor tosses a pie with new Hobart Domino's crew
The Hobart Domino’s is here! Patrons began rising before the sun to hop in line at the Domino’s Pizza Hobart grand opening. The first 25 people in line won an entire year of free pizza, a treat that had many community members camped outside of the store before 6:00 a.m. As the time neared to the opening of the doors, the line of pizza lovers wrapped around the building. Read more about the exciting opening of this new restaurant here: https://nwi.life/article/snedecor-tosses-a-pie-with-new-hobart-dominos-crew/
Rock the Block La Porte puts community first with drive-thru event
In the spirit of typical La Porte community pride, fashioned in a well-organized and upbeat event, community members gathered for the fifth annual Rock the Block event to ensure that no matter how children in La Porte return to school this year, they have the supplies they need for a healthy start to the academic year.
Sponsored by American Licorice Company, Bethany Lutheran Church, and Door Village Church, and supported by dozens of volunteers including Joy Zigler with the La Porte Jaycees, the event was organized in drive-through fashion whereby families could pick up backpacks full of school supplies from happy volunteers smiling behind their protective masks. Read more about the event here: https://laportecounty.life/article/rock-the-block-la-porte-puts-community-first-with-drive-thru-event/
The City of Whiting celebrates moves in development with The Illiana apartment community grand opening
The Illiana apartment community in downtown Whiting celebrated its grand opening Wednesday afternoon as community members, partners, and developers flocked to the building’s 119th Street location. The Illiana’s centralized location makes it highly desirable for all potential residents. Learn more about the new property here: https://nwi.life/article/the-city-of-whiting-celebrates-moves-in-development-with-the-illiana-apartment-community-grand-opening/
La Porte High School vs Wheeler High School boys soccer
The La Porte High School Slicers boys soccer team captured the win against the Wheeler High School Bearcats last Saturday, finishing 1-0. Check out all of our photos from the game here: https://laportecounty.life/photo/boys-soccer-la-porte-high-school-vs-wheeler-high-school-2020/#BB4J8Mx
United Way of Porter County's annual golf classic proceeds to fund local mental health services
United Way of Porter County has been providing support and the building blocks for a better quality of life for the Northwest Indiana community for more than 60 years. This year, one of their most loved events, the Annual Golf Classic: Party on the Green, is taking place at The Course at Aberdeen in Valparaiso, but in a new and interesting way.
Kasandra Tenbarge, Director of Development at United Way of Porter County, said that the typical one-day event has become an anytime golf scramble now through September 18, and event proceeds will go to sustain 10 Porter County mental health services supporting more than 3,800 households and the need is only getting greater. Read more about the event here: https://portage.life/article/united-way-of-porter-countys-annual-golf-classic-proceeds-to-fund-local-mental-health-services/
Valpo Parks hosts annual Neighborhood Park Volunteer Day
Local parks in Valparaiso received a generous tune up Saturday morning as volunteers came together to spread mulch as part of Valpo Parks Annual Neighborhood Park Volunteer Day. Community members worked from 9:00 a.m. to noon to show appreciation for some of their favorite areas for outdoor fun. Valpo Parks continues to invest in their neighborhood parks, and the Neighborhood Park Volunteer Day serves as a way to get the residents that live near these wonderful spaces involved. As such, they distributed mulch at four of the parks and encouraged community members to come and help out with that. https://valpo.life/article/valpo-parks-hosts-annual-neighborhood-park-volunteer-day/
Wheeler High School vs La Porte High School girls soccer
Congrats to the Wheeler High School lady Bearcats on their 6-0 win against the Slicers! Check out photos from the game here: https://laportecounty.life/photo/girls-soccer-la-porte-high-school-vs-wheeler-high-school-2020/#dv6mfkV