Waste Reduction District celebrates Plastic Free July
Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County has joined the global initiative known as “Plastic Free July,” which aims to reduce the use of plastic throughout the month. By taking the pledge to minimize plastic waste, residents can make a significant impact on reducing waste and recycling by up to 18 kg per household annually. There are various ways to embrace a plastic-free lifestyle this July, such as bringing reusable cups, straws, and utensils when dining out, using reusable shopping and produce bags at the grocery store, opting for sustainable alternatives to plastic cling wrap and choosing bulk or loose foods over pre-packaged items. For more examples, visit PlasticFreeJuly.org. Businesses, in particular, have the opportunity to contribute significantly to this movement. A blog for business-related tips can be found via the District website at PorterCountyRecycling.org/Blog. The Plastic Reduction Alliance of Northwest Indiana, a recently established organization, provides a platform for residents to develop action plans for reducing plastic usage, listen to expert speakers, receive valuable tips, organize volunteer activities, and more. Join the group and browse upcoming meetings at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2228432957507438.
Guided walking tour of Porter County Courthouse Square on July 13
Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse) invites the public to a guided walking tour along Porter County’s Courthouse Square in downtown Valparaiso at 11 a.m. Saturday. Participants should meet in front of the museum, located at the corner of Franklin and Indiana Avenues, for a walk of approximately one hour. No reservations are necessary; the event is free of charge and family friendly.
Executive Director Kevin Matthew Pazour will lead the one-hour tour, focusing on the history and architecture of existing structures.
“If you’ve been on one of our earlier tours, there will be additional information this time. We are always uncovering new stories; sharing them with the public is a major part of the PoCo Muse mission,” Pazour said in a release. “I’m always amazed at how much I learn from tour participants. We encourage them to share their memories.”
Porter County Museum, located at 20 Indiana Avenue in downtown Valparaiso, is open six days a week, Tuesday-Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission. (From Memorial Day to Labor Day, hours are extended on Thursdays until 6 p.m.) Free half-hour guided tours are offered every Saturday at 2 p.m. For more information, visit pocomuse.org or find @pocomuse on social media.
Purdue Extension to host farm tour, focus group
Purdue Extension – Lake County will host a Farm Tour and Low Tunnel Build from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by an Indiana Food Vision Focus Group from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 31 at Brothers Keeper Community Garden, 2190 Broadway, Gary. Street parking will be available along 22nd Street.
This program is part of the Purdue Extension urban farming internship. The Brothers Keepers Garden is stewarded by the Calumet Artist Residency (CAR) and Gary Food Council, as well as Junior Master Gardener youth interns. Gary Food Council leaders will showcase the progress that Junior Master Gardener youth interns have made on the garden so far this year. Participants will have the opportunity to assist with the construction of a low tunnel over some of the garden beds. No heavy lifting or power tools are required. Low tunnels help with pest management and growing earlier and later in the year. All are welcome to attend the tour and build. Starting at 7:30, coordinators will invite food systems stakeholders: farmers; community garden managers; farmers market managers; legislators; food council representatives; retailers; and wholesalers, to participate in a focus group for the Indiana Food Vision.
Register for this free program at https://tinyurl.com/32rd27xk. Refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome to complete the Indiana Food Vision survey, linked here: https://www.indianafoodvision.org/about. For more information, call 219-755-3240 or email busser@purdue.edu if you require reasonable accommodations.
Community concert event to benefit Boys & Girls Club
Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy, in conjunction with the Portage Township Autism Action Coalition and the Friends of Portage Township will host a community concert starting at 11 a.m. Aug. 3 at Haven Hollow Park, 330 W 700 N, South Haven. The event will feature a variety of music, including Fearless – A Tribute to Taylor Swift, food and a beer garden. Mac McElhaney will kick off the entertainment at Noon, followed by High Street Band at 1:45 p.m., Fearless at 4 p.m. and DJD at 6 p.m. All proceeds will assist the Portage Township Autism Action Coalition sponsorship of the Boys & Girls Club of South Haven’s new sensory room. Tickets are $13 each for general admission. Children, age 4 and younger will be admitted free. There will be no refunds on tickets; all sales are final.
Tickets may be purchased at: https://shorturl.at/YcCa4. No pets, coolers, outside food or drinks or motorized vehicles will be allowed. For additional information, call 219-759-5471.
New website to connect residents with essential resources
The Porter County Health Department has launched the Porter County Find Help website, a custom resource page created specifically for Porter County residents, at http://portercounty.findhelp.com. Find Help is a free platform where individuals can access free or reduced-cost resources based on location and categories, such as food, housing, healthcare, transportation, education, employment and legal services. The navigation bar includes categories such as Addiction & Recovery, Mental Health & Support, Families & Children, and Community Connection, alongside basic needs like food and housing, and community connection resources including parks, social clubs and senior activities. The goal of the Porter County Find Help page is to provide a single, accurate and current resource guide for residents of all ages. A community effort, residents are encouraged to help keep the site up-to-date as it continues to grow, or to suggest a program to be added. In addition, organizations can claim their program listings to manage and update their information at https://portercounty.findhelp.com/find_a_program. For more information on how to claim program listings, visit https://auntbertha.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/11/article/2563997784.
Organizations are encouraged to share the Porter County Find Help button/logo on their websites, linking directly to the resource page. For follow-up information and assistance with listing and claiming programs, contact Sam Burgett at 219-477-3117 or sburgett@porterco-ps.org, and Carrie Honeycutt at 219-510-9042 or carrie.honeycutt@portercounty.org.
