Historical society presents program on Kankakee Marsh
The Kankakee Valley Historical Society presents “Whatever Happened to the Kankakee Marsh?” The program explores how Northwest Indiana’s “Everglades of the North” was reduced to the Kankakee River after the marsh was drained. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. April 8 at Open Door Fellowship Church hall, 636 S. Baums Bridge Road in Kouts. The program is free though donations are appreciated. For more information, go to kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org.
Mrvan announces 2025 Congressional Art Competition
Rep. Frank J. Mrvan invites entries to the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for high school students from Indiana’s First Congressional District. Each year, the Congressional Institute and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional Art Competition to promote artistic talent in each Congressional District. All artwork submissions and application forms must be brought to Congressman Mrvan’s office, 8001 Broadway, Suite 102, Merrillville, no later than 5 p.m. April 18. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional information, including guidelines and application forms, visit https://mrvan.house.gov/services/art-competition, or contact Drew Ficociello in the Merrillville District Office at 219-795-1844 or Drew.Ficociello@mail.house.gov.
Valparaiso HRC seeks applicants for cultural educational grants
The City of Valparaiso’s Human Relations Council (HRC) seeks applicants for its new Community Cultural Educational grants. The grants are designed to support efforts to increase awareness, appreciation and dialogue among diverse and traditionally underrepresented groups through programming, events or other outreach. The $10,000 grant pool is funded by the Valparaiso Mayor’s Office, to be disbursed through matching grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 per project. The plan is for grants to be awarded twice annually. This first cycle is now open, with applications due on April 30. The HRC Community Cultural Educational Grant program is open to any resident of Valparaiso, nonprofit corporation with a 501(c)(3) designation, unincorporated association, and educational organization so long as the project for which funding is requested serves a nonprofit objective related to education/cultural inclusion. Find the guidelines and application at tinyurl.com/ValpoCulturalGrant. To learn more about the Valpo HRC, visit their page at valpo.us.
Franciscan Health hosts weekly smoking cessation walks and talks
Franciscan Health is hosting a free, weekly smoking cessation walk and talk support group from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesdays from March 26 to June 25 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St., Crown Point. Participants should meet at the picnic tables at the front entrance. The sessions will begin with a 30-minute walk and casual conversation with other participants. A 30-minute focused, supportive discussion will follow, allowing participants to share their experiences, challenges and successes with others who are also working to quit smoking. Different topics will be explored each week tailored to the groups’ needs, including mindfulness exercises, stress management techniques and practical coping skills to help overcome cravings and triggers. More information is available from Laura Arent at laura.arent@franciscanalliance.org.
Logan’s Love to host sensory-friendly egg hunt
Logan’s Love will host its third annual Sensory Friendly Egg Hunt for people of all abilities from 11 a.m. to noon on April 5 at Redar Park, 218 Gregory St., Schererville. This free event is designed for those who cannot tolerate a traditional egg hunt. Registration takes place from 10:30 to 11 a.m. In case of inclement weather, an alternate location will be communicated to registrants. Logan’s Love was created by Nicole Reveliotis to honor the loss of her autistic son, Logan Ruiz, who died in a train accident on Aug. 27, 2022, at the age of 10. The deadline to register is March 30. For more information, contact Nicole at 219-805-0750 or Eliana at 219-885-8434.
IU Northwest to hold employment, internship fair
Indiana University Northwest will host a Community Employment and Internship Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 11 at the Savannah Center Gymnasium, 3400 Broadway, Gary. The event is free and open to the public. Local Northwest Indiana and Illinois employers will be present to provide company information, meet with prospective employees, collect applications and, in some cases, interview candidates. Professional opportunities range from internships to part-time or full-time employment. Representatives from the IU Northwest Office of Admissions also will be present for those interested in earning their bachelor’s degree. All attendees are asked to dress professionally and bring copies of their resumes. To help prepare job-seekers, the Office of Career Services offers career guidance and resources to community members and IU Northwest students from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Friday in Hawthorn Hall, Room 108. During these workshops, attendees will receive support with resume building, cover letter preparation, interview skills and more. Additionally, the Office of Career Services offers access to the Crimson and Cream Closet, where individuals can select professional interview attire free of charge in preparation for the upcoming fair. Those interested in attending a Friday community workshop or making an appointment for the Crimson and Cream closet are asked to contact the Office of Career Services at 219-980-6650 or careernw@iu.edu.
Spring break programs at Gary library
Special spring break activities begin Monday, March 24, through Friday, March 28, at all units of the Gary Public Library, Main Library 220 W. 5th Ave.; Kennedy Branch 3953 Broadway; and Woodson Branch 501 S. Lake St.
Programs include story hours, arts & crafts, Legos, movies, chess, sewing, a scavenger hunt plus a variety of special MakerSpace activities. Refreshments will be served at the Main Library. A detailed listing of events is available on the library’s website at www.garypubliclibrary.org or pick up a schedule at any library location.
Venezuela is focus of Fourth Friday program by VIC
The Valparaiso International Center invites the community to its March 2025 Fourth Friday event, featuring a special presentation by Urica Lopez, a Venezuelan entrepreneur and founder of López Digital Consulting LLC. Lopez will take attendees on a journey through the rich cultural heritage of Venezuela, exploring its identity, traditions and global influence. The event takes place from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 201 N. Washington St., Valparaiso.
