free

nwi

August 2014

Back to Special
School
Edition!

Content

Readyfor
foreverything
everythingyou
youare
are&&arent
arent expecting
expecting
Ready
Announcing the newly built Family Birthing Center at Community Hospital!
Announcing the newly built Family Birthing Center at Community Hospital!
Each pregnancy is different. To truly be prepared for everything, we have a team of
Each pregnancy is different. To truly be prepared for everything, we have a team of
specialists who are ready with the experience to handle anything confidently and
specialists who are ready with the experience to handle anything confidently and
compassionately. That is exactly how we became one of the leading facilities in NW
compassionately. That is exactly how we became one of the leading facilities in NW
Indiana for maternal and newborn care delivering more babies each year than
Indiana for maternal and newborn care delivering more babies each year than
any other hospital in our local area. Our in-house specialists are available
any
other
hospital
in ourfacility
local area.
Our built
in-house
specialists are available
24/7
and
our modern
is newly
with comfort
24/7
ourin
modern
facility
is newlybuilt
with
comfort
andand
safety
mind for
one purpose
to be
ready
for
and
safety
in
mind
for
one
purpose

to
be
ready
for
everything you and your baby need.
everything you and your baby need.

www.comhs.org/community
www.comhs.org/community
901 MacArthur Blvd.
901
MacArthur
Blvd.
Munster,
IN 46321
Munster,
IN46321
219 836
3477 or 866 836 3477
219 836 3477 or 866 836 3477

nwi
Letter from the Editor

Fun & Games

Fun in the Sun
Valpo Viennas
DIY Dressers

8
26
28

Mom to Mom Family Health

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Community Hospital Family Birthing Center

12
22

Mom to Mom Feature

Mom You Should Know: Carrie Hreha
Choosing the Right Day Care

16
30

Mom to Mom Eats

Mindys Menu: Fan Favorites

18

Mom to Mom Education

Forest Ridge Academy
Back to School Checklist

6
21

Mom to Mom Editorial

Ask the Doctor - Home Remedies

24

Mom to Mom Community Calendar

Whats Going On

36

Our Team
Managing Editor/Publisher

Layout Design

Stephanie@MomtoMomNWI.com

Designs by Mark

Stephanie Vega Edwards

Sales Team

Eva Williams
Nichole Odijk DeMario

Contributing Writers

Mindy Gear
Brooke Recktenwall
Beth Whitaker
Nichole Odijk DeMario
Amber Neace
Krystal Taylor
Dr. Sandee Clark

Mark Halliar

Cover & Content

Page Photography

Amanda Rose Photography

Advertising & Submissions

Mom to Mom NWI LLC

PO Box 1212
Valparaiso IN 46383
219-973-5138

Mom to Mom NWI is a monthly publication by Mom to Mom NWI LLC. All rights reserved. Production
without permission is strictly prohibited. All photographs & articles submitted become the sole property of
Mom to Mom NWI Magazine.

Letter from the Editor

Never Ending Summer

When I started this magazine, my oldest
child was in her last year of preschool. So
when August rolled around, I didnt really know what to expect in regards to the
school year. Our days were filled with playdates with friends, library time, and trips
to the park. I didnt know what it meant
to be a school mom and what that really
entailed. I remember hearing moms talk
about doing the happy dance at the bus
stop when they sent their kids off on the
first day and Id think to myself, How
could that be? Dont these moms miss
their kids?
As the first day of school approached, I
was a giant bag of nerves so scared, to
not only cut the cord and let my baby
go to school, but to find out all that went into
being a mom of a school aged child. When I dropped my daughter off at
school I lingered around her classroom taking pictures, talking to the teacher,
and checking out her classmates. Before long my daughter told me I could go,
and I knew my girl was going to be ok though I didnt know if I was going
to be.
As the school year went on, I learned more what it meant to be a mom of a
school aged child, and learned the significance of things like Fall Break, Christmas vacation, and of course Spring Break. Before I had a kid in school none
of that meant anything to me. We went on vacation when we wanted, slept in
when we could and just enjoyed the days of freedom. But before long, I was
really getting used to this whole routine thing. Waking up, getting dressed,
having breakfast, and heading out the door all had to happen before 9:00am
or we would be late to school. I found myself getting a lot more accomplished
during the school day, and being on a schedule was really good for me.
So fast-forward to the present where I have been pulling my hair out on a
nearly daily basis because I just cant keep these kids occupied. You see, know I
have a soon to be second grader and kindergartner and all they want to do is be
in school. And guess what I want that too!! I know, it didnt take long for me
to sing a different tune, but school is just so wonderful!! The kids love it, I love
it its a win win!! Dont get me wrong, I love my kids, but I am counting down
the days until the first day of school. Theres a part of me that knows this school
year will be bittersweet as I send off yet another one of my girls to school, and I
know there will be tears shed. But I have to admit, once I wipe away those tears,
I think I will be joining those other moms doing the happy dance!
Enjoy the rest of your summer!! And dont forget, before you send your little
one off on the first day of school, snap their picture and send it to us! We will
post first day of school pictures in our September issue. Email your pictures to
Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com. Deadline is August 22nd.

Take Care,

Stephanie

Cunningham summarized, the Core 4 are the four main things a

teacher can incorporate into his/her class to implement WBT quickly, effectively, and with immediate results each and every day. They
are: Class-Yes, Scoreboard, Mirror, and Teach-Okay.
Class-Yes is a wonderful call & response management technique. It
is meant to bring the class together, she details. Scoreboard, keeps
the students motivated. Mirror gets the kids active. It allows the
kids to repeat a teachers gestures as if they are his/her mirror as he/
she teaches a new concept. The teacher will showcase a little with
gestures and the students gesture alongside. The focus is on the students motor & visual cortexes and linking movement to learning.
Teach-Okay builds community and accountability. It is similar to
turn and talk, but instead of using open-ended prompts, students are
repeating the gestures and the teaching points to their partners, who
are assigned on a weekly basis.
Youre using all the ways our brains learn the best from hearing,
listening, speaking and feeling. Youre putting all of those things together to make the classroom more funits the future of education
in my opinion, Cunningham, says. Everything is presented in an
upbeat way. The entire class gets involved. I even find myself using
some of the classroom rules with my own two children.
Currently, Cunningham is using WBT in her first grade class. Forest
Ridge Academy has also implemented the beginning components in
their kindergarten classrooms and continued the lessons into second

education

Forest Ridge Academy

by: Nichole Odijk DeMario

Embracing Whole Brain Teaching

After more than a decade of teaching at the elementary and middle school level, Maria Cunningham, a First Grade Teacher at Forest
Ridge Academy in Schererville, Ind., was looking to add some new
techniques and energy into her classroom.
While at a National Teachers Conference in Chicago, Cunningham
learned about a newer concept called Whole Brain Teaching (WBT).
The grassroots movement was first started 15 years ago by three California teachers Chris Biffle, Jay Vanderfin and Chris Rekstad. Word
of their approach has spread throughout the United States, Europe, Asia
and Africa. In the last decade they
have given seminars to more than
6,000 educators representing 300,000
students.
According to the WBT site it rests
upon the principle that teachers at
every level share the same difficulties:
students lack discipline, background
knowledge and fundamental problem
solving skills. From kindergarten to
college, teachers face students who
have difficulty with reading and writ-

ing. Nonetheless, our students respond to challenges, enjoy well-designed learning games, and can make, in the proper setting, astonishing educational progress.
Its been three years since Cunningham first heard of WBT and this
self-proclaimed traditional teacher says she is infinitely changed
and is convinced her students are better for it.
Cunningham, who is now Forest Ridge Academys Whole Brain
Teaching Coordinator, says WBT is an excellent classroom management tool with learning approaches
that tap into the way a persons brain
learns best. The different tools used,
keep all students actively engaged in
learning by keeping them on their
toes and anticipating whats next.
Cunningham says, The idea of using
WBT, for me, was to create a fun and
positive learning environment that
was stress-free and centered around
my students. She says WBT does just
that.
There are four key components to a
successful Whole Brain classroom.

The idea of using WBT(Whole Brain Teaching),

for me, was to create a fun and positive learning
environment that was stress-free and centered
around my students.-Maria Cunningham
and third grade. She says the WBT concept not only makes her classroom a more enjoyable environment, but has also vastly improved
her students writing abilities because of its foundation of oral communication.
Once you build on a childs knowledge they are able to understand
concepts like a topic sentence and supporting details. By the end of
the school year my six and seven-year-olds are writing five paragraph micro-essays, the English Major says Its unique. The kids
learn visually and then they treat their writing the same way. They
transform all of this knowledge into their work. Its a highly structured science that I see benefiting them long term.
Cunningham attended a national Whole Brain conference for the
first time two years ago and held a Midwest conference for WBT at
Forest Ridge Academy last year for more than 300 educators from
across the nation.
You see the excitement in the roomthe excitement for teaching
again. Once a teacher learns about Whole Brain Teaching they are
eager to get back into the classroom, Cunningham explains of the
conferences.
Cunningham welcomes any parent interested in seeing WBT
in a classroom environment to schedule a visit with Forest Ridge
Academy by calling the office at 219.756.3600 or email her directly
at mcunningham@fra.edu.-mtm

With the first day of school quickly approaching, we wanted to take a look back at the fun
in the sun our fans of Mom to Mom, NWI have had. We were so excited to get so many
submissions - we hope you enjoy them!

fuN

in
the

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family health

Couch

Beth Whitaker

Beth@MomtoMomNWI.com

Autism Spectrum
Disorder

12

Repetitive body movements; moving constantly.

Obsessive attachment to unusual objects.

Talk

I had a situation occur recently while on a trip to Disney,

which has inspired me to provide some educational
information regarding Autism. While my sons were
waiting in line to build a light saber at Disney, a boy who
was about 10 ran up and grabbed a part out of a bin in
the assembly line. The Disney employee working that
station became very angry and yelled at the child. The
childs younger sibling approached me and apologized
and then the childs mother shared with me that the child
was autistic. Unfortunately, the response of the employee
led to much embarrassment by the childs family and
frustration for the child, and its a prime example of
why Autism Spectrum Disorder is easily misunderstood
within the general public.
Autism Spectrum Disorder can be a very confusing
disorder. The severity of autism is on a spectrum, which
means that it has a vast range of symptoms under
the same umbrella. This is one disorder with varying
symptom manifestations, so it may appear very different
from one child to the next. The main symptom categories
are social interaction difficulties, communication
difficulties and behavioral difficulties. Not only will
this look very different from one child to the next, but
it will be different as the child ages. It is important to
understand that each child with this disorder has a
unique set of symptoms. Some are brilliant while others
have intellectual disabilities. Some flap their hands; some
rock; some talk and some are nonverbal. One thing to
keep in mind is that a child with Autism may tantrum
more easily than other children. Small things may set
them off and often these occur in public. As mothers, we
need to think before we judge in situations of tantrums
or other public outbursts. Because the symptoms vary
greatly, I want to mention a few symptoms that you may
notice with children at school or the playground.

Restricted Behavior Difficulties:

Social Skill Difficulties Could Include:

Unusual or inappropriate body language, gestures, and

facial expressions.
Lack of interest in other people or in sharing
achievements.
Unlikely to approach others or pursue social
interactions; prefers to be alone.
Difficulty understanding other peoples feelings,
reactions or nonverbal cues.
Lack of desire to be touched.
Difficulty making friends with children the same age.

Speech & Language Difficulties Include:

Delay in learning how to speak (after the age of 2) or

doesnt speak at all.
Speaking at an abnormal tone of voice, or with an odd
rhythm or pitch.
Repeating words or phrases over and over.
Trouble starting a conversation or keeping it going.
Difficulty communicating needs and desires.
Doesnt understand simple statements or questions.
Taking what is said too literally, missing humor, irony,
and sarcasm.

Preoccupation with a specific topic of interest, often

involving numbers or symbols.
A strong need for sameness, order, and routine.
Clumsiness, abnormal posture, or odd ways of moving.
Fascinated by spinning objects, moving pieces, or parts
of toys.
As mothers, it is important that we develop some level
of understanding for the disorder.
The prevalence of autism is
high enough that there is a
significant chance that your

child may have an autistic peer in their classroom or in

their neighborhood. Teaching our children compassion
and understanding may prevent fear when they run into
a child with autism later. I also think that it could be very
valuable to both children if we encourage our children
to play with children who may be autistic. Allowing our
children to understand will create a much more supportive
environment for all children.
As mothers, we need to support one another. Parenting
is hard with all children, but parenting an autistic child
brings with it very unique challenges. Here are a few ways
that we can help parents around us with autistic children.
Talk about it. Dont ignore the elephant in the room
because it makes you uncomfortable. Allow the parent to
talk about their child and the diagnosis.
Learn what you can. Try to educate yourself
about Autism. Stick to the facts and ignore the
myths and misinformation.

 Acceptance. Accept the diagnosis without questing it.

Accept the child as if you would any other child and
accept the challenges that this family will now face
more complex challenges that you may not understand.
Set up your home. Make it comfortable and safe for
friends to come visit.
Be flexible. Life with an autistic child leads to a full
schedule and plans may change unpredictably at the last
moment. Also, offer play dates with the child so that
both your children and the other familys children can
enjoy getting to know each other.
Learn to interact. Learn how to interact with the
autistic child. Find out what the child enjoys so that you
can get to know that child.

Rashmi Aggarwal, MD
Pediatrics

Listening. Be there to act as a sounding board when

parent is feeling stressed. Along with that, stay in
contact. Life gets busy, but make sure you stay in touch
with the other family.
Avoid giving advice. No one likes unsolicited parenting
advice, especially when the family is helping a child
with a disorder that you may not fully understand. Keep
opinions to yourself.

Pediatric Residency:
Childrens Hospital & Medical Center
Akron, Ohio

Educate your kids. The most important thing we can

do as parents is teach our children about the differences
they may see in peers at school or on the playground.
Explain to your children what autism is and what some
of the common behaviors might be. Encourage them to
play with autistic children and most of all, teach them
to be patient and compassionate.
Like I mentioned before, the Autism Spectrum Disorder
is complicated and unique from one child to the next.
Instead of passing quick judgment, we need to support
and encourage parents parenting a child with autism.
We also need to educate our children so they are kind
to children with autism. We need to start the new
school year creating a supportive environment for all
children.-mtm

Visit our Web Site!

8383 East 109th St.
Crown Point, IN 46307

As a pediatrician, Dr. Aggarwal

enjoys working with children
and creating relationships with
families. She believes that
compassion and empathy for
her patients play a role in
the success of their
treatments and care.
Dr. Aggarwals medical
interests include:
General Pediatrics
ADD/ADHA
Allergies
Asthma
Pediatric Neurology

Dont spill the beans. Keep the things that the

autistic parent shares with you about their child or the
diagnosis to yourself. Honor their trust and protect
their confidentiality.

14

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feature

By: Nichole Odijk DeMario

Mom you should know

Carrie Hreha

As a smaller network television personality, Carrie Hreha learned quickly how to do her own hair and makeup
to make herself look her best onscreen. She felt like she
had her career all mapped out. After she and her husband had their first child, Aubrey, they soon learned
their daughter had life-threatening food allergies. She
knew immediately her plan had to be altered. Hreha said
her daughters health took center stage and felt daycare
wasnt an option.
She made the decision to become a stay at home mother while her husband focused on their small business,
Sta-Kleen. Hreha, now a mother of two (Aubrey, 5 and
Anthony, 2) began thinking about taking her passions of
all things glamour and melding them together with her
background in journalism and communications. That
led to the creation of Sta-Glam, piggybacking off of the
familys other business name.

Im not one to ponder on things. I figure, Ill learn along

the way. I just thought, I can do this. Im fortunate that
things have worked out because of the support system
and following I now have, Hreha says.
It began with Hreha freelancing as an on location makeup artist covering weddings and special events utilizing
all the tricks and knowledge she gained while working in
television. She uses an airbrushing technique, providing
her clients with a flawless finish, thats longer lasting and
water resistant. This year alone, shell do the makeup for
more than 50 weddings and is booking into 2015.
Now a year into her business, as Hreha began trying different products she soon realized that her high standards
couldnt be met unless she made her own. She now has
her own private label line of lip glosses, a moisturizer
with a high-spectrum SPF and makeup brushes.
Sta-Glam has been a family affair from the onset. Recently, Aubrey selected her favorite lip gloss, which was
then named after her. During the month of May in hon-

or of Food Allergy Action Month, the Hrehas took proceeds from Aubreys lip
gloss and donated them to help
bolster the education of this cause.
Hreha says she couldnt stop
there. She began developing
her online boutique, blog and
social media
presence through sta-glam.com. She soon
noticed how often she was photographed from behind while doing makeup
and fell in love with clothing that had a detail back. Dissatisfied with the
selection wherever she shopped, she began searching for suppliers to create
her own clothing line that was not only affordable, but mom friendly.
I want clothes that function well as a momthings you can go grocery
shopping in that takes you right into the evening, Hreha says.
She says her ideas dont stop there. She has aspirations of eventually having a retail space that offers all aspects of her business including make-up
artistry and her product and clothing lines along with a coffee bar of some
kind because, what mom doesnt love or need caffeine? Sooner rather
than later, she plans to offer trunk shows and makeover home parties that
highlight her products.
Hreha says it can
be a struggle to find
a balance, but first
and foremost she is a
mother and that will
always take first priority. She starts her
days of early, works
around nap time
and has late nights
to make it all work.
I take a day at time.
There are days that
my house is messy, Hreha says as she jokes about still being in pajamas at
noon. I block my time, make time. I dont try to act like super mom. What
you see, is what you getI have a to-do list, it may be on the back of an
envelope crumpled at the bottom of my purse, but I always have my list.
Those early mornings include regular time at the gym, which she says
makes her a better mom. That little time to myself, helps me clear my head
and get ready to concur the day ahead.
She also says she makes a concerted effort to not compare herself to other
people and especially not other mothers. She says her attention is on being
the best example for her children. I hope one day our children have the
confidence to do the things that they want to do. I want them to just go for
it just like my husband and I have.-mtm

by: Mindy Gear

SIDES

Mexican Bean Salad: Maria G.

Ingredients:

chopped
1 red bell pepper,
chipped
1 (10oz.) package frozen
corn kernels
1 red onion, chopped
cup olive oil
cup red wine vinegar
2 TBSP fresh lime juice
1 TBSP lemon juice

pleaser, you tend to go back to that one again and again. So we thought wed ask
our Facebook fans of Mom to Mom, NWI Whats your summer cookout go

Directions:

to dish? Heres what they had to say - enjoy! - mtm

In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, and red onion.

Even though summer is winding down, the backyard cookouts are not!! When
we are asked to bring a dish to share, thinking of something different and creative isnt always easy. But when you find that one dish thats always a crowd

Appetizers

Quick and Tart Cabbage Side Salad:

Kerri E.
Greek Salad Skewers: Tiffany S.
Ingredients:
One-quarter English cucumber
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
lb feta cheese, cut into 16 small cubes
8 pitted Kalamata olives, halved
8 ripe cherry tomatoes, halved (or grape tomatoes)
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
Cut four inch thick diagonal slices from the cucumber and
then quarter each slice. Set the cucumber pieces on a large serving
platter and season with tsp each salt and pepper.
Top each with a piece of feta and then olive half. Stab a toothpick
down to secure it. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with some more
black pepper and serve.

Ingredients:

2 cups coleslaw mix

1 tomato, diced small
cucumber, diced small
1 TBSP rice vinegar

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice,
sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and black pepper. Season to taste with hot sauce
and chili powder.
Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables; mix well.. Chill thoroughly and serve cold.

1 tsp Dijon mustard

tsp agave nectar
Salt and ground black pepper
to taste

Directions:
Toss coleslaw mix, tomato, and cucumber together in a mixing bowl.
Whisk vinegar, Dijon mustard, and agave nectar together in a bowl
until emulsified; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over
the vegetable mixture. Turn the salad with a fork until vegetables are
evenly coated in dressing.

DESSERTS
Fruit Pizza with White Chocolate: Tina C.

Raspberry Icebox Cake: Amy D.

Ingredients:
cup butter
cup shortening
1 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
tsp salt
2 cups vanilla baking chips
cup heavy cream
1 (8oz.) package cream cheese
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
cup white sugar
2 TBSP cornstarch
1 cup pineapple juice
1 tsp lemon juice

Party Bruschetta: Karen T.

Ingredients:
1 loaf French baguette
cup olive oil (more or less)
1 pinch kosher salt
3 roma tomatoes
6 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
cup shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:
Slice baguette into slices on an angle. Pour olive oil into a
shallow bowl and dip each slice in the olive oil. Place on a cookie
sheet. Holding your hand very high, dust a tiny amount of kosher
salt over the bruschetta.
Cut the roma tomatoes in quarters and remove all of the seeds. Then dice them into pieces. Sprinkle the diced tomato on the bruschetta. There should be no more than 4-5 pieces of tomato on each. Put no more than 2-3 pieces of basil on each bruschetta. Dust each piece
with shredded parmesan cheese if desired.
23
18

1 TBSP white sugar

1 TBSP salt
1 clove crushed garlic
cup chopped fresh
cilantro
TBSP ground cumin
TBSP ground black
pepper
1 dash hot pepper sauce
tsp chili powder

1 (15oz.) can black

beans, rinsed and
drained
1 (15oz.) can kidney
beans, drained
1 (15oz.) can cannellini
beans, drained and
rinsed
1 green bell pepper,

Broil for just a minute or two. Watch if carefully!!!

Ingredients:
24 graham crackers, crushed
1/3 cup butter
cup packed brown sugar
1 (6oz.) package raspberry
flavored Jell-O mix
1 cup boiling water
15 oz. frozen raspberries
20 large marshmallows
1/3 cup milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream,
whipped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
For the crust: Cream together butter, shortening, and 1 cups sugar with electric mixer.
Beat in eggs. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
Beat flour mixture into butter mixture to form a stiff dough. Press dough into a rectangle
as large as the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light
brown.
For the filling: In medium microwave safe bowl, microwave vanilla chips and cream on
high 60 to 90 seconds, or until chips are melted and smooth after stirring. Beat in cream
cheese with electric mixer until creamy. Spread on cooled cookie crust.
For the topping: Arrange sliced fruit decoratively over filling. In a medium saucepan
over medium heat, combine cup sugar, cornstarch, pineapple and lemon juice. Stir and
cook until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens. Pour over fruit. Refrigerate until serving.

Mix graham cracker wafer crumbs butter and brown sugar until well combined. Set aside cup of this mixture for a topping and press the remainder into
one 9x13 inch pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Dissolve raspberry gelatin in the boiling water and add the frozen raspberries,
stirring until melted. Chill until partially set and spread on wafer base.
Melt marshmallows with the milk. When cool, fold in whipped cream and
spread on top of raspberry mixture. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Chill for
3-4 hours before serving.

Mom to mom NW
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Where:
Our Lake Station Location
2490 Central Ave, Lake Station

Hot Dogs
& Popcorn

ST

One mon
Sort through the ki th before sc
hool starts
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nate or hand down wh
at does not fit.
Si
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ten

for each child. Check

Research and evalu

OM Morning at your

ate extracurricular ac

ded

out how to take the sti

ng out of shots.

school. If not, its ea

tivities for the school

sy to start one!
year.

Three weeks b
efore school
s, lunchboxes, and wa
starts
ter bottles as needed
.
Purchase basic
Purchase backpack

DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF THIS WEEK!

Enjoy FREE Health Screenings Monday - Friday
from 10am 2pm on alternating days:

Dental Screenings
Blood Pressure Checks
A1C Screenings
BMI Screenings
Pregnancy Test
Bone Density Screenings

Locations to Serve You:

3564 Scottsdale St., Portage
6450 US Highway 6, Portage
2490 Central Ave., Lake Station
6091 Broadway, Merrillville
6920 Indianapolis Blvd, Hammond

Enjoy FREE Health & Fitness Classes

Monday Wednesday at
alternating times and locations including:
Massages
Healthy Cooking
Diabetic Education
Exercise Classes
Affordable Care Act Informational Sessions

For Schedule and Location

of Each Event Call:
Toll Free: (888) 313-8557
or (219) 763-8112
Visit our website at

www.northshorehealth.org

wardrobe necessities

for each child as need

ed.
summer reading an
d math packets.
Gather your husban
ds old shirts for art
smocks; place in back
packs.
Set up an organiza
tion Station in a co
nvenient location ne
Get one basket or cra
ar
te for each child; use
these baskets for your the door in your house.
books, hat, gloves, sp
orts equipment.
kids belongings, e.g
.
Check progress on

One week befo

re school star
kids back on their sc
hool year bedtime rou
ts
tine.
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Start getting your

et your babysitter sc
hedule set up in adva
run errands, have da
nce so you have tim
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work out,
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ca
sional well-deserved
Schedule kids hairc
girls night out!
uts as needed.
Make a favorite foo
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for lunch, snacks. an list for each of your children. Make su
re to note what they
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like best
ll remember those foo
ds at the grocery sto
Bulk shopping: vis
re.
it your local big box
retailer and stock up
boxes, napkins, sand
on non-perishable ba
wich bags, and snac
sics
k
like permanent mar
kers, pencils, pens, tis foods like pretzels. While youre there, sto like juice/milk
ck up on supplies
sues, and loose leaf
paper.

nd. We used our experience gained from thousands of

ld an all-new state-of-the-art family birthing center
most advanced in NW Indiana.

family health

by: Nichole Odijk DeMario

the newly-built Family Birthing Center

art of Community Hospital the only Indiana hospital
Healthgrades Americas 50 Best Hospitals 7 years
008-2014
e most experienced hospitals in our local area,
the most babies per year
IN 1979, Community Hospital in
NW Indiana
hospital with
Munster, Ind. opened its first
tified neonatologists
obstetrics unit. The hospital
quicklyclock
became the busiest
around the
facility in Lake County for
ern medical
facilities
delivering
babies and taking
care
of
premature
in- 3
ment, including
Level
fants. Now, 35 years later,
Intensive
the Care
hospital isUnit
still going

The Latest in Mother & Infant Care

Arrives in Northwest Indiana

strong, and they are celebrating this milestone with
a new Family Birthing Center.
In early July, Community Hospital

hur Blvd.
46321
3477 or
3477

22

www.comhs.org/community

opened the doors to its new Family

Birthing Center which features
the latest in mother and infant
care. The facility is situated
on three distinct floors
Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care and
Mother/Baby in Parkview
Tower.
We made the conscious
decision to expand due to
volume we were experiencing
and the modernizations available

The thought of an infant in the NICU is not something people

always want to talk about, but theres peace of mind knowing
you have a facility available to you where you dont have to travel
outside of Northwest Indiana for the level of experience and
resources you need,
to us, Community Hospital Director of Marketing and Community Relations Marie Forszt says.
Regardless of the level of care a mother or a newborn is in need
of, Forszt says Community Hospital takes a patient centered
care approach where medical providers and patient create more
of a partnership, Weve really embraced this patient focused
care to create a different culture which gives our patients lots of
choice and an individualized experience.
Labor and Delivery, on the sixth floor, features a dozen labor and
delivery suites. Forszt says the hospital is especially pleased by
the addition of two cesarean section suites on the same floor,
whereas before, mothers would have to be taken to a general surgery unit.
A hydrotherapy suite with a warm water immersion tub for labor
or water birth is available as a choice for patients who are eligible
candidates for this type of birth and have a willing physician.
Other amenities include: private bathrooms; private closets with
built-in security safes; adjustable delivery beds; walk-in showers
with bench seats, lumbar jets and wand effleurages and a convertible sofa-bed.
The most up to date wireless fetal monitoring system is now
available and allows mothers to move about more freely without
the constraints of wires.
Post delivery, mothers are taken to the mother/baby unit, which
offers 25 private rooms boasting natural light, modern dcor and
a comfortable environment all of which are equipped with the
most advanced infant security system including surveillance.
These suites also feature sleeper sofas and showers. The newborn
may stay in the room as often as the mother would like. Forszt

says if a mother needs a break, a traditional nursery is available.

New parents and visiting guests have access to free WiFi and
nourishment stations that include snacks and beverages. New
parents also have access to resources such as lactation consultants, newborn education and infant CPR training, complimentary car seats and complimentary sleep sacks.
For additional pampering post-delivery, patients may purchase
spa services. Gift certificates are also available.
The new birthing center also features an expanded level 3 neonatal intensive care unit.
[The thought of an infant in the NICU] is not something people
always want to talk about, but theres peace of mind knowing
you have a facility available to you where you dont have to travel
outside of Northwest Indiana for the level of experience and resources you need, Forszt details.
Along with the 32 neonatal beds, the NICU floor offers two isolation rooms, two parent overnight suites among other features.
Parents who are in transition of taking an infant home from the
NICU may have the option of staying overnight at the hospital with their child with the comfort of knowing he/she is being
continuously monitored by nursing staff. Neonatologists are in
house and on staff 24-7.
Another addition to the new unit is the hospitals Critical Care
Transport. It allows Community Hospital to accept critically-ill
or premature newborns from other area hospitals or to transport the newborn to another hospital for specialty care and/or
surgery. The transport is a fully-equipped intensive care level
ambulance that is manned by a Critical Care Transport Team
including a respiratory therapist, physician, nurse practitioner,
physician assistant and nurse trained in specialty care medicine.
The team members are based on the patients needs.
The level of expertise and care [available at Community Hospital] is just as good if not better by staying localIts convenient
for moms, dads and babies, Forszt says.
If you have further questions or would like to schedule a tour
contact 219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477 - mtm

editorial

Itchiness & Common Rashes

by: Dr. Sandee Clark

clarkschiro@gmail.com

For itchiness from common rashes like poison ivy, ringworm and impetigo one of the go-to remedies that has proven results is Coconut Oil.
Used to treat fungal and bacterial skin infections the coconut oil dis-

ask the

DOCT R
Fevers?
Rashes?

rupts the microbial lipid structure by inactivating and eventually killing

the bacteria. Another remedy for itchiness is applying warm Cham-

Constipation?

day. Chamomile or blueberry tea help restore the essential vitamins

Vinegar can treat all skin rashes whether it is from fungus or bacteria.

and minerals lost through diarrhea. Milk and dairy products should be

Dilute the vinegar in water and wipe it over the rash with a cotton ball.

avoided and lastly, think BRAT when dealing with your childs diarrhea.

This will relieve inflammation, reduce irritation and itching.

Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast along with chicken or beef broth

Teething?

Constipation

Home Remedies

If youre like most moms with a little one then at some point you are

tion is elevated temperatures. Below 102O is considered normal with

dealing with ailments like teething, fever, itchiness from rashes and

teething. Temperatures above 102O accompanied with severe diar-

either bouts of constipation or diarrhea at some time of their life.

rhea, dehydration and lack of appetite are more serious symptoms

Todays families are looking for answers. They want something that

and should be treated by your physician.

24

Fever

When dealing with a feverish child you may want to assess if the
fever is really the body trying to fight off an infection or whether it is

Teething

due to some serious illness. Check the symptoms and ask yourself

Lets start with teething. The forever drooling and bright red cheeks,

2 months of age with a fever above 100.4 you may want to see your

biting and chewing on things, rubbing or pulling on the ears, lack

doctor. Older children may not be interested in playing and as the

of appetite and crankiness usually occurs between 4 and 10 months

fever gets higher, the more irritable and disinterested they become.

of age. A lot of readers came to the consensus of giving the baby

If children 3 to 36 months have a fever of 102.2 or higher you may

something cold to chew on, which is exactly right. Because of the

want to monitor them and talk to your doctor. Peppermint oil works

inflammation you want to allow the child to chew on a cold or frozen

wonders on reducing fevers. Add 3 drops to their bath or put a few

washcloth to decrease the swelling. Hylands teething tablets have

drops in a vaporizer or a diffuser, You may even apply some to a

been my go-to choice along with applying counter pressure to the

washrag and lay the rag on the back of your childs neck.

is my child Lethargic? Listless? Irritable? Dehydrated? if under

so if your child is drinking, continue nursing them. - mtm

Constipation issues can easily be resolved by adding more water to your

childs diet. Water will hydrate the intestinal muscles and aid in stimulating the bowels. Apple juice is also very helpful. Keep in mind that

movement. Lay your child down and sit on their right side. Use finger
tips to apply a gentle clockwise motion from the top of their right hip
up towards their ribs, across the top of their belly to the bottom part
Bringing the knees into the chest with a bicycle motion will help expel

outsides of the cheeks where the tooth is coming in. An area of cau-

And for those dreaded poopy diapers, diarrhea can be reduced by add-

infection and the warmth will decrease swelling. Lastly Apple Cider

of their left ribs and downward toward the top of their left hip bone.

quite interesting. We thank you for your input.

Diarrhea

are rehydrating solutions. Breast milk is always best for your sick child

Diarrhea?

common childhood ailments. Some were common and others were

otics.

ing more water to the diet along with smaller meals throughout the

movement. Abdominal massage is very useful in stimulating a bowel

our Mom to Mom readers what their go-to remedies were for these

gut flora especially for those that are on medications especially antibi-

omile Tea Bags to the affected areas. The tea leaves will draw out the

infants have weak abdominal muscles and often strain during a bowel

is more natural without so many side effects. So I thought Id ask

any gas buildup. Probiotics are also very beneficial for restoring normal

Ask the Doc is a monthly question answer forum created especially for
Mom to Mom, NWI magazine. Dr. Sandee Clark of Clarks Family
Chiropractic specializes in pediatrics, pregnancy and special needs kids
chiropractic care. She can be contacted at 866-932-9630 or by
emailing her at clarkschiro@gmail.com

fun & games

In 2012, as the country was still in the midst of the Great Recession,
Patrick Trux learned his employer of 30 years was laying its employees
off and outsourcing overseas. Growing tired of a fruitless job hunt, Trux
decided going into business for himself was his most viable option. In
his 25 years as a Valparaiso, Ind. resident, he recognized the need for a
hot dog stand and thus Valpo Viennas was born.
We provide good quality food at an affordable price in a friendly environment, Owner Trux says. We have an open grill so customers can
interact with who is cooking their food. They get to see our kitchen.
The restaurant, located at 3 Napoleon Street in downtown Valparaiso,
officially opened in April 2012. Trux went through training at Hot Dog
University at the Vienna Beef Store in Chicago.
I wanted to have the best products out there. When someone thinks of
a Chicago hot dog they think of Vienna Beef, Trux says. We do true
Chicago style hot dogs, grilled, no boiling or steaming here. We also
dont precook our food. Everything we make is made to order. I try not
to have a lot of waste. Youll wait five to ten minutes for your order, but

26

by: Nichole Odijk DeMario

I assure you its worth the wait, Trux says.

For those in a hurry, call ahead orders can be accommodated.
Hot dogs have a deep rooted history in Chicagoland back to the Great
Depression, which Trux says makes this choice for him all the more
fitting. Hot dog vendors were able to sustain themselves during downtrodden times by offering a hot meal for a nickel.
Today, their menu is much more extensive than hot dogs. It includes
bratwurst sandwiches; Mike
Ditka
Polish
sausage; hand
drilled roundabout
potato
chips, teasingly named for
the Valparaiso
roundabout;

homemade chili
year round and
homemade soups
in the winter.
Their Butchs Beef
Sandwich is Italian beef made
from Truxs fathers recipe and
carries his namesake. Trux says
because they sell just as many Italian beef sandwiches as hot dogs that
he jokes he may change the name to Butchs.
They have a variety of toppings to accommodate nearly any palette and
recently began offering sauerkraut per customers requests. They have
special menu items like their taco dog on Tuesdays, which is a hot dog
on a tortilla shell and footlong hot dogs on Fridays. For the little ones,
kids meals options include a hot dog, chips and drink or uncrustable
peanut butter and jelly. Vegetarians have options too with a vegetarian
Italian sausage or hot dog.
Along with their indoor and outdoor dining, Valpo Viennas caters. Trux
says prices change according to quantity and location. Theyve done offsite birthday parties, graduations, ribbon cuttings, broker open houses
and wedding receptions. They are considering opening on Sundays for
small private parties.

Trux says he is especially proud of getting

more involved in his
community from the
local chamber of commerce to paying closer
attention to legislative
changes that could affect small business
owners to supporting
various local charitable
organizations that benefit the arts to animals.
Trux says in the short
period of time he has
been open, hes received
an immense amount of support from friends, family, former co-workers, other business owners and has a loyal customer base. They offer
discount cards and gift cards with no expiration date.
They dont expire unless we do, so keep coming back to us, he says.
For more information contact 219.299.2592, www.valpoviennas.com or
on Facebook, where specials and events are listed.
And if you inquire about a party, be sure to let them know Mom to
Mom, NWI sent you!-mtm

fun & games

by: Amber Neace

D.I
.
D Y.

ressers

28

I seriously love all things DIY - so when my son said he

wanted a Minecraft dresser I figured I would give it a shot.
I was browsing through the internet one night searching for ideas when I came across a blog where a woman
used wrapping paper to recover her daughters dresser
drawers. I figured if she could use wrapping paper, why
couldnt I use a poster? The outcome was better than I had
expected.
I decided
since I
was creating a
unique
dresser
for
my oldest son,
maybe I
should

also make one for my youngest son. We sat down at the

computer to get some ideas and he fell in love with a batman dresser. I had my work cut out for me.
I started off with two bare wood dressers. If the furniture
you are repurposing already has a finish on it you will
have to sand it down to prep it for paint. I used the Tarva 3 drawer dressers from Ikea. Using primer, I gave
each a quick paint job then used 220 grit sand paper and
a palm sander to smooth out the surface. Once that was
complete I moved on to painting. I chose the darkest
black paint I could find in a satin finish for both dressers, I wanted something that would be easy to clean but
wasnt too shiny. I painted everything but 3 of the drawer
fronts with 3-4 coats of the jet black paint.
I took the 3 drawers with the black paint and cut a Minecraft poster that my son picked out to fit the drawer
fronts. I bought a jar of mod podge, which you can buy
at any craft store, and sponge paint brushes to apply it
with. I applied the mod podge in 4-5 inch sections and

laid the poster sheets over the top. Be

prepared - you will have air bubbles,
but I used a wallpaper smoother to
get rid of as many as I could. Keep
in mind this stuff dries really quickly so
you have to not only work fast, but accurately - you really only get one chance to get it
right. When that is finished add 2-3 more coats of
mod podge to seal the poster to the front of the drawers.
For the other 3 drawers, which would be used for the
batman dresser, I bought bright yellow spray paint and
painted the middle of the drawer fronts. After that dried
I printed a stencil to create a bat signal. Using the same
black paint that I used for the rest of the dresser I carefully
filled in the bat signal, this took a lot of time since I used
5 coats of paint. I completed the paint job by covering the
rest of the drawer with black paint.
Since the dressers were going into my boys bedroom and
would be getting a lot of use, I thought it would be best to
put some kind of sealer over the top of the paint. I chose a
polycrylic sealer. I bought one quart and it was more than
enough to give each dresser 2 full coats. I did not use the
polycrylic sealer on the Minecraft dresser drawers since I
had already used mod podge to seal them. Make sure you
use a higher quality paint brush for this step or you will
have noticeable brush strokes, I used Purdy brand.
After a quick paint job on the drawer knobs the dressers
were ready to reassemble. They were a lot of work but the
look on my kids faces was more than enough to make it
worth it. A friend told me she wishes she could do something like that on her furniture. My response to that - you
can! Anyone can do these projects all it takes is a little
confidence and the right tools to get the job done.
Break out of the box and create truly unique pieces for
your home.-mtm

feature

by: Judy Miller

Choosing the Right

One of the toughest first decisions I had to make as a new

parent-to-be was finding exceptional daycare for my newborn. I had to go back to work six weeks after giving birth
so I began my daycare search long before my son was born. I
was thankful I did. Many daycares were full and had waiting
lists. A number were simply not in our budget. Others did not
take such a young infant.

was helped me to decide the environment I wanted my child

to be in.
Determine what your parameters are: location, cost, hours
and days needed, and in-home versus a church-based or
commercial daycare center. Schedule a tour of any daycare
that has made it on to your final list of options. Be sure to
bring your list of questions with you.

Begin your quest for a daycare as soon as you realize that you
will need it. Many daycares require a deposit to hold a place
for your child.
If your child has special needs that will need to be addressed,
inquire if the daycare can support you in this and whether
you will be comfortable. You may want to explore hiring a
nanny or an in-home provider.

Children require nurturing to grow healthy minds and bodies. Observe the environment as you tour the home or facility.
What is the daily schedule? How are children treated? What
is the caregiver to child ratio? How does the daycare feel?
How do the daycare employees transition children into new
rooms?

Begin Early

Ask Those Who Know

30

I asked daycare-seasoned parents about the daycares they

used before I began exploring daycare options. Their input

Look for a Nurturing Environment

Be Comfortable with
the Method of Discipline

Ask how the daycare disciplines a child. If you are not comfortable with their methods, walk.

I did not think about asking about discipline until my son, and
only child at that time, was kicked out of daycare at the ripe age
of twelve months for biting. I found another in-home daycare
for him and tearfully told the caregiver the truth. She gave me a
big hug and said, Well, thats normal! My sons aggression and
biting disappeared within days because he was receiving more
nurturing. She also had him potty trained at fourteen months.
He stayed with her until he began kindergarten.

Understand Expectations the

Daycare Has of You and Visa-Versa

What are the security procedures? Does the daycare follow them?
Check out the bathrooms. Ask to see the kitchen. Check if the
caregivers and other staff members wear gloves when cleaning
up bodily fluids. How are the rooms cleaned that your child will
be in? Are cots disinfected? Is bedding washed or sent home with
you on a consistent basis? Are the tables and other furniture appropriately child-sized? Are the toilets and sinks? What is the
outdoor play area like?

Most daycares are specific about what constitutes a sick child or

an infection that will not be allowed to be in daycare. A child
in my sons daycare came down with the highly contagious conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye). I was relieved the affected
child was sent home immediately and could not return to daycare until a doctor said he was no longer contagious.
As a parent you hope the daycare will follow the policies they
have in place.Understand that adhering to the policy is important not only for your child, but others as well.-mtm

Pay Attention to Safety and Cleanliness

Assess the Communication Style

How proactive is the daycare with communication? Will you

get a summary of your childs day, down to the number of dirty
diapers and time and length of her nap? Will you be called immediately if there is a concern? Is the caregiver approachable for
questions and discussion?

Are you expected to pay for a full-time week over a certain number of days? How do vacations and holidays work? What hours
is the daycare open? Will the daycare be able to take your child
early or keep her late if necessary? If so, what is the charge of
doing so?

Understand the Sick Policy

Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest and a mom to

four children, all of whom have spent time in daycare when young. She is
the author ofWhatTo Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to
Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.

community calendar

Whats Going On
Farmers Markets

The following farmers markets are listed alphabetically by city. Always

check with event organizers to confirm dates.

CEDAR LAKE

7408 Constitution Avenue

Now through September on Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more

information, visit their Facebook page, Lakeside Farmers Market.

CHESTERTON

220 Broadway Third St. and Broadway

Now through October on Saturdays from 8:00am-2:00pm. For
more information, visit ChestertonsEuropeanMarket.com or call
219.926.5513.

Corner of Monroe & Lincolnway City Parking Lot

Now through October on Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more

information, call 219.448.1674.

LOWELL

1 Mill Street & 2 E. Commercial Avenue

Open on these Saturdays only: August 2, 16 & 30; September 6 & 20;
October 4, from 9:00am-2:00pm.

MICHIGAN CITY

8th and Washington Street

Now through October on Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00pm. For more

information, call 219.363.1407.

CROWN POINT

MILLER BEACH

Now through September on Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For

more information, visit crownpoint.in.gov/specialevents or call
219.662.3290.

Now through September on Sundays from 10:00am-3:00pm. For

more information, call 219.938.7720.

DEMOTTE

901 N. Centennial Drive Centennial Park

South Main Street

112 Carnation Street SE Halleck @ Spenser Park

Now through August on Wednesdays from 11:00am-7:00pm. For

more information, call 219.964.8626.

GRIFFITH

600 N. Broad Street Central Park

Now through October on Fridays from 3:00pm-8:00pm. Music from

6:00pm until 9:00pm. For more information, call 219.484.6697.

HIGHLAND

3001 Ridge Road Main Square Park

Now through October on Saturdays from 9:00am-1:00pm For more

information visit highlandparks.org/programs/Street-Market.html or
call 219.838.0114.

HOBART

111 E. Old Ridge Road Festival Park

Now through September on Thursdays from 3:00pm-8:30pm. For

more information, call 219.942.4511.
36

LAPORTE

667 S. Lake Street

MUNSTER

Now through September on Sundays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more

information, visit munster.org or call 219.836.7275.

PORTAGE

2100 Willowcreek Road Woodland Park

Now through September on Sundays from 11:00am-3:00pm. For

more information, call 219.762.1675.

ST. JOHN

9660 Wicker Ave Parking lot of Community Outpatient Center

Now through October on Sundays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more information, visit stjohnin.com or call 219.365.6043.

and fireworks at dusk on Sunday. Wristbands are $20 for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Purchase a Mega Pass which is good for all 4 days for
the price of 1! This $60 pass can be purchased through St. Marys Rectory
Office Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm.

VALPARAISO

Pooch-a-Palooza

68 Lafayette Street Central Park Plaza Market

August 17 9am to 4pm

Now through September on Tuesdays from 8:00am-2:00pm and Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00pm. For more information, call 219.464.8332.

Come out and find the perfect toy, treat, or service provider at Munsters
annual Pooch-a-Palooza.

WHITING

38th Annual Kouts Pork Fest

Now through October on Saturdays from 8:00am-2:00pm. For more information, visit whitingindiana.com or call 219-659-7700.

Enjoy food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, and contests. Dont miss the Country Classic Walk/Run, parade, and pork burger
contest. Youll even get the chance to guess the weight of a pig!

1443 119th Street In front of City Hall

Family & Kid Events:

Chesterton Art Fair
August 2 and 3

Come see the fine art from local and regional artisans. Enjoy live music
and food while browsing through the paintings, pictures, jewelry, sculpture, woodwork and textiles. Admission for this event at Hawthorn Park
in Porter is $5.

11th Annual Corn Roast

August 8 from 4:00pm-8:00pm

Come out to the Community Outpatient Center in St. John for the annual corn roast. Tickets are $6 through August 8, $8 the day of the event.
Children 3 feet and under are FREE! Tickets include 1 hot dog or
polish sausage, chips, drink, and all the corn you can eat! Vendors,
crafts, and live entertainment is also included in this night of fun!

Venetian Night

August 9 noon

Come out to the Hammond Marina for a day of fun! The Under the
Sea theme includes kids games on the beach from 12:00pm-3:00pm,
a corn hole tournament for adults on the Hammond Yacht Club Patio
from 3:00pm-6:00pm, and then 1540 performs in concert. The beer
garden will open at 8:00pm and the judging for best decorated dock
takes place at 9:00pm. There will be fireworks as well.

23rd Annual Lakefront Festival

August 14 to 17 Festival Park Hobart

115 W. Washington St Jasper County Courthouse

Now through August on Tuesdays from 4:00pm-6:00pm and Saturdays from 7:30am-11:30am. For more information, call 219.866.7940.

This four-day event features live entertainment, an arts

and crafts area, food vendors, and a beer garden. The
Lakefront Festival is also proud to host the Hobart
Chamber of Commerce Pig Roast and Hobart
Community Foundations Dam Duck Race on
Sunday afternoon.

SCHERERVILLE

St. Mary Western Days Festival

RENSSELAER

1722 S. Park Ave. Redar Park

Now through September on Thursdays from 3:00pm-8:00pm. For

more information, call 219.865.5530.

August 14 and 15 6pm to 11pm

August 16 3pm to 11pm August 17 1pm to 11pm
A great annual event that supports St. Mary Parish is Griffith! Come out and enjoy fun
rides and games, great food,

August 23 8am

Fox Music Fest 6

August 23 10am

The Guardian Riders are putting on their 6th Annual Fest at Fox Park
in LaPorte. The event is sponsored by local businesses, and features live
bands, food and a beer garden. This family friendly event costs $8 at the
gate, $5 if you purchase tickets in advance!! Children 12 and under are
free!! All proceeds from this event go to support troops, veterans and those
less fortunate.

Griffith Rock n Rail Street Festival

August 29-31

Come downtown on Broad Street to the Rock n Rail Street Festival! There
will be live music, great food, a beer garden, arts and crafts, kids activities,
a car show, and more. On Saturday, August 30, the Griffith YMCA is hosting its 2nd annual Rock N Rail 5k. The route will start and finish at the Y.

Taste of Duneland

August 30 11am to 11pm

Spend the last unofficial Saturday of the summer in Downtown Chesterton

at Thomas Centennial Park for the Taste of Duneland! Taste food from local eateries and non-profit groups in the Duneland area. There will be live
music, a beer and wine garden, and bounce houses for the kids.

If you have an event youd like to see published in one of our issues, please send
an email to Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com. Entries are due by 15th of the month.
Please provide all details for the event.

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