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. Wednesday 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, sponsored by North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education; the Northwest Indiana Food Council; Lake County Soil Health Improvement Program; and Linda Royster. 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 in 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.
Kiwanis Club to host annual Valpo Corn Roast Fest
The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club will host their annual Corn Roast Fest from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Central Park Plaza and Urschel Pavilion, 68 Lafayette St., Valparaiso. The event features live music, a beer tent, an eclectic array of food vendors, a Kids Zone with free games and face painting, and all-you-can-eat roasted local corn on the cob. Local favorites American English and Southern Accents will perform on the main stage at Central Park Plaza. All proceeds of the Annual Corn Roast Fest will benefit the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club Community Fund. Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite or may be purchased from members of the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club. Tickets are $25 per person and includes entrance to the event, both live concerts, and AYCE roasted corn on the cob. Food vendors and adult beverages are extra. Elementary and younger children are free with parents. The event is rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable. More information is with Steve Bobinski at 219-508-3947 or steve@bobinskiagency.com or on Facebook at Valpo Corn Roast Fest 2024.
Valpo faculty, alumni to host free performances
Valparaiso University’s Jeffrey Doebler Ph.D., professor of music, along with several current students and Valpo alumni, are continuing to enrich the arts in the Region as part of the Michigan City Municipal Band (MCMB), performing their final concerts for the 156th season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Aug. 8 at the Guy Foreman Memorial Amphitheater in Washington Park, Michigan City. Both concerts are free and open to the public. A $4 parking fee applies, but walk-ins are welcome. On Thursday, the MCMB will premiere “Remembering Naomi” by Michigan City composer Dan Schaaf. The Aug. 8 performance will feature a solo by another member of the Valparaiso University community, Anne Marie Bice, adjunct instructor of music. More information is with Michael Fenton at 219-464-6757 or email michael.fenton@valpo.edu.
Illinois-Indiana Master Watershed Steward Program
Purdue University Extension will offer the Master Watershed Steward Program – Porter County from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays Aug. 20 through Oct. 8 at Purdue University Northwest’s Gabis Arboretum, 450 West 100 North, Valparaiso. The program is open to those interested in learning more about water and natural resource conservation, volunteering and meeting new people. The cost is $50 and CEUs are available. The registration deadline is August 14. Due to the popularity of this workshop, credit card payment is strongly recommended. Check payments should be mailed immediately following registration. If a workshop’s registration includes a manual, it will not be shipped until payment is received. Register at https://cvent.me/ZeqBDw. More information can be found at https://bit.ly/3z84VJu, or contact Nikky at nikky@purdue.edu or Leslie at ldorowt@pnw.edu.
Franciscan Health offers free suicide prevention course
Franciscan Health Munster will host a free suicide-prevention course from 10 a.m. to Noon CT Aug. 21 in the GI Surgical Conference Room of the hospital, 701 Superior Ave., Munster. The entry level Question, Persuade and Refer or QPR Suicide Prevention Course, is based on curriculum developed by the QPR Institute. The course aims to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The class is free, but registration is required. Contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Coordinator Stacy Zembala at Stacy.Zembala@franciscanalliance.org to register.
