MASTER GARDENERS HOLD ANNUAL GARDEN WALK
The Lake County Master Gardeners Association will highlight seven gardens in St. John, Munster and Schererville at its annual garden walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 28. This year’s theme is “Pollinating Pathways.” Master Gardeners will be available throughout the walk to answer questions, share knowledge and help visitors discover plants and techniques suited to Northwest Indiana. This year will include a special demonstration station featuring heirloom plants and container gardening techniques, along with raffles. Tickets can be purchased now on Eventbrite using the link https://lcmga2026gardenwalk.eventbrite.com/. Buyers will receive the list of the featured gardens, along with information on how to obtain their garden walk booklet and wristband on the day of the event. Tickets purchased on Eventbrite before 8 p.m. June 26 will be entered for a chance to win additional prizes. Winners will be announced at each garden on the day of the walk. Proceeds from the annual Lake County Master Gardeners Garden Walk and the annual Plant Sale support scholarships for local students studying agriculture or horticulture, community gardening projects and educational programming for the public. Visit lakecountymastergardeners.org for more information.
LAKE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFERS HORTICULTURE PROGRAM
Purdue Extension-Lake County Office is offering a free horticulture educational program with Urban Agriculture Extension Educator, Rebecca Koetz, and Horticulture Program Assistant, Dolly Foster. The program on Natural Pest Solutions for the Garden takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Purdue Extension-Lake County Office, 2291 N. Main St. in Crown Point. Online registration is available at https://tinyurl.com/PestSolutionsNatural. The office shares a parking lot with the Lake County Government Complex. Anyone who needs accommodations to attend this program should contact Rebecca Koetz before the meeting at 219-232-8058 and email [email protected].
METHODIST HOSPITALS FOUNDATION GALA
The Methodist Hospitals Foundation will host “Lights. Camera. Generosity!” Hollywood Gala on June 13 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, 5400 W. 29th Ave., Gary. Cocktails and appetizers will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a program and dinner at 7 p.m., and a silent auction and music at 8:30 p.m. Attire is black-tie optional/Hollywood glamour. Tickets are $300 per person. Guests must be 21 years of age with a valid ID. Proceeds from the event will support Methodist Hospitals Foundation initiatives focused on patient care, employee support programs and community health services throughout Northwest Indiana. For reservations, sponsorship opportunities, or additional information, call 219-886-4468 or visit www.methodisthospitals.org.
STREET ART FESTIVAL RETURNS TO MILLER BEACH
The Miller Beach Arts & Creative District will host the return of Lake Effekt, a two-day mural painting extravaganza on Lake Street in Miller Beach. The event will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. June 13 and 14 at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, 540 S. Lake St., Gary. The community is invited to watch as artists of CISA (Crazy IN Style Artists), a pioneering graffiti crew from East Chicago that’s now Indiana’s oldest Latino art collective, creates new murals on Old Miller Avenue and Lake Street. Visitors can enjoy music by MonoSOUL and Trino Cavazos; take part in creating a new community mural; visit participating Lake Street businesses to be entered into a free raffle drawing; ride a bike provided by Gary’s 219 Cycle bike share program; and join a guided tour of the Lake Effekt project – two streets of existing murals painted over 10 years. Activities are free and open to the public. To learn more and see a schedule of events, visit millerbeacharts.org/lake-effekt-2026.
RECYCLING DISTRICT, LIBRARY HOSTS FIX-IT FAIR
The Recycling and Waste District of Porter County will host a Fix-It Fair, a community-driven event focused on sustainability and skill-sharing, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20 at the Porter County Public Library System’s Valparaiso Branch, 103 Jefferson St., Valparaiso. The event is free. Expert volunteers will be on hand to offer free repair services and guidance for a wide variety of items, including, but not limited to: sewing; jewelry; small appliances; IT troubleshooting and computers; electronics; clocks and lamps; and tools and small furniture. Attendees are asked to register online to ensure volunteers are prepared to make appropriate repairs. The Fix-It Fair is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information, contact Sarah at [email protected] or visit portercountyrecycling.org. Register at https://portercountyrecycling.org/fix-it-fairs/.
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FRANCISCAN MUNSTER HOLDS CANCER SURVIVOR DAY
In recognition of Cancer Survivors Day, Franciscan Health Munster will host a free ice cream social open house for cancer survivors from 1 to 3 p.m. June 7 in the St. Clare conference room and lobby at the Franciscan Health Cancer Center Munster’s Medical Arts Center, 701 Superior Ave. In addition to celebrating cancer survivors, the event will feature information on cancer support groups, the free eight-week virtual Moving Beyond Cancer survivorship program and other resources for cancer survivors. All attendees will receive a free gift and ice cream. Each cancer survivor attending may bring one guest. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Kyla Krzeminski at 219-228-1263 or [email protected].
PORTER COUNTY SITES OUT OF COMPOST
Porter County’s three compost sites — in Boone Grove, Portage and Valparaiso — are out of compost for the 2026 season, according to the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County. Mulch is still available. Residents and non-residents can self-load mulch for free. At the Valparaiso Compost Site, assisted loading is available for free every from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Pick-up and drop-off services are free for Porter County residents only. For more information, email [email protected] or call 219-465-3694.
NIPSCO hosts Gary community meeting
NIPSCO is holding one of its Community Customer Care Center meetings from -7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at the Gary Public Library & Cultural Center, 220 W. 5th Ave. The forum, one in a series across the utility’s service area, will include information on rates and delivery charges; customer service; energy assistance; data centers; and other topics. Customers who cannot attend are encouraged to visit NIPSCO.com/ConnectingYou or call 1-800-464-7726 and receive the same assistance available at the event.