Submissions open for Hard Hat Golf Outing donation recipients
Applications are now being accepted for recipients of the charitable donations to be raised from the 2026 Hard Hat Golf Outing, hosted by the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable (NWIBRT), Northwest Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council and Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF). Organizations interested in being considered or those who would like to recommend a recipient can complete the official form on NWIBRT’s website at NWIBRT.org. Deadline for submission is May 30. The annual fall event draws hundreds of golfers from many of Northwest Indiana’s most prominent businesses. In 2025, the outing was expanded to two days to accommodate growing interest. At the 2025 outing, more than $84,000 was raised for five organizations, including Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association, Opportunity Enterprises, Pirates, Inc., and Tradewinds Services. The 2026 Hard Hat Golf Outing will be held Sept. 17 and 18 at the White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point. Tickets and partnership opportunities are available on the website. Those with questions about tickets or sponsorships can call 219-226-0300 or email [email protected]. Early registration is encouraged as the event sells out quickly each year.
More Top Picks Gaming Monitor
Franciscan Health offering Produce Prescription program
Registration is now open for the Franciscan Health Produce Prescription Program in Munster, which aims to assist with chronic disease management. Upon successful completion of the free, six-week program, participants will receive monthly fresh produce vouchers for six months. Participants must have pre- or existing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer; be referred by Franciscan Health physicians; have moderate to high food insecurity as determined by a screening process; and complete a six-week Cooking Matters course. The program will meet weekly from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays from April 30 through June 4 in the Fresh Start Market on the lower level of the Hammond Clinic, 7905 Calumet Ave., Munster. The deadline to register is April 20. To register and for more information, contact Wendie Clark at 219-407-6948 or [email protected]. The Produce Prescription Program is made possible in part through a partnership with the Indy Hunger Network and donations to the Franciscan Health Foundation’s Food Insecurity Fund. For more information on the Food Insecurity Fund or to donate, visit https://www.franciscanhealthfoundation.org/franciscan-giving/ or call 219-661-3401.
Free workshops offered at Gary Library
The Gary Public Library is hosting two free workshops. Both are open to the public. The “Starting a Business” workshop, presented by Jackie DeRosa, a former program director of the Hammond Development Corp., and a 40-year business professional, continues from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays throughout April at the Woodson Branch Library, 501 S. Lake St. “Understanding AI in Everyday Life” will be offered from 10 to 11:30 p.m. April 25 at the Main Library 220 W. Fifth Ave. Sandra Mosley, certified AI consultant and founder of First Choice Together, LLC, will explain what AI really is, how it has evolved over time, and why it feels more visible today than ever before. The program will focus on understanding, awareness and responsible use. More information is at 219-886-2484.
2026 Northwest Indiana Earth Day celebration
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will host its 18th annual Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. The event is free to the public and will feature 60 sustainably minded vendors, local wildlife, magic shows, interactive children’s games, birdhouse building, a fix-it fair, a reuse fair, food and giveaways. For more information, contact Sarah Tubbs at [email protected] or 219-465-3694. Or visit PorterCountyRecycling.org.
Chesterton High School to host resource fair
Chesterton High School will host Access and Inclusion a Community Disability Resource Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. April 21 at the school, 2125 S. 11th St. Enter through Door 31. The fair will feature information and in-person resources for individuals and families with disabilities and exceptional needs. More than 40 agencies and organizations will be attendance. Free childcare will be available. For more information, contact Ezra Burke at [email protected].
Master Gardeners offers Heirloom Vegetables program
Join Purdue Extension Horticulture Program Assistant Dolly Foster for an in-person program on Heirloom Vegetables at 6 p.m. May 4 at Purdue Extension – Lake County, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. Learn how these time-tested varieties differ from modern hybrids, along with their unique benefits and challenges in the garden. Foster will share practical tips for selecting, growing, and maintaining heirloom vegetables in Northwest Indiana. Contact [email protected] to reserve a space or register at https://forms.gle/y1uKK6rw1Qx1fhzR9.