VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY OFFERS FAMILY HALLOWEEN FUN
Valparaiso University invites the community to get into the Halloween spirit with on-campus events for the whole family. All programs are free unless otherwise noted, and costumes are welcome. Three events will be held on Oct. 27: A Community Trick-Or-Treat from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Harre Union Ballrooms with themed tables for some indoor trick-or-treating; the Symphony Orchestra’s Fourth Annual Halloween Spooktacular at 6:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Resurrection for all ages, costumes encouraged; and a Halloween-themed game of Men’s Basketball vs. Olivet Nazarene University at 7 p.m. at the Athletic-Recreation Center (ARC). The evening will include a costume contest. Purchase tickets for the game at tickets.valpoathletics.com. Join Valparaiso for a spooky spin on science during a Haunted Science Lab from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Center for the Sciences. Get your hands on some slimy, glowing and noisy experiments, along with some other surprises. Activities will not be overly scary. Participants are encouraged to park in lots one and two on the southeast corner of campus and enter the doors on the south side of the building facing the parking lots. For more information, email [email protected].
FRANCISCAN, FOOD BANK PARTNER FOR FOOD LOCKER
Franciscan Health Dyer now has an OrderAhead food locker thanks to a partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and generous donations to the Franciscan Health Foundation. Designed by the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana for neighbors with chronic concerns about adequate food access, the OrderAhead food lockers allow food-insecure individuals to place an order online for pickup at a scheduled time. The Dyer location is a 16-bay refrigerated locker outside the main entrance of Franciscan Health Dyer, 24 Joliet St. It represents the seventh location in Lake County and the first in that quadrant, providing 24/7 access to nutritious food for residents in Indiana and Illinois. The OrderAhead locker is stocked with fresh produce, refrigerated proteins, whole grains and other healthy food options. Two of the bays are reserved for local first responders assisting individuals and families during Indiana Department of Child Services or veteran-related emergencies. The locker can be stocked regularly throughout the week, with annual food investments projected to exceed $43,200. The unit and its inventory are funded entirely through the generosity of Franciscan Health Foundation donors, helping expand equitable access to healthy food while addressing food insecurity in Northwest Indiana and the surrounding Region. For more information or to schedule a pickup, go to OrderAhead.org. Those interested in contributing to the Franciscan Health Foundation’s Food Insecurity Fund may do so online by choosing Northern Indiana and the Food Insecurity Fund from the drop-down menus at franciscanhealthfoundation.org or by calling 219-661-3401.
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GARY LIBRARY HOSTS UPCOMING PROGRAMS
The Gary Public Library invites the public to participate in a variety of programs and activities at the Main Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave., Gary. “Money Basics,” a Chase Financial Health Workshop presented by Chase Bank, will be offered from 3 to 4 p.m. Oct. 28. Designed for fifth- through eighth-grade students, the program will provide helpful information about budgeting and buying decisions. Enjoy an afternoon filled with fun, food, candy, games and activities for the whole family during Fall Fest 2026 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Community organizations will be on hand to share information and resources. Costumes and treat bags are welcome but not required. For more information, call 219-886-2484, Ext. 104 or 105. In addition, parents are encouraged to register their children who are under the age of 5 for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at the Main Library. Children will receive a free book monthly mailed directly to their home. Registration forms are available online and in-person at the Main Library. Books begin arriving approximately eight to 10 weeks following enrollment and continue until a child reaches age 5 or moves outside the coverage area. Main Library hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.garypubliclibrary.org or call 219-886-2484.
MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT ORCHID PROGRAM
The Lake County Master Gardeners Association invites gardeners and plant enthusiasts to join “Orchids 101: Growing Beautiful Orchids at Home,” a virtual educational presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5. The presentation will feature Dr. Scott Stewart, an experienced orchid grower and educator with a Ph.D. in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. Orchids are admired for their beautiful, long-lasting flowers, but many home gardeners are unsure how to care for them successfully. Stewart will help take the mystery out of orchid growing with practical advice for beginners and experienced growers alike. Topics will include selecting healthy orchids, understanding light and watering requirements, fertilizing, repotting, identifying common problems and encouraging plants to bloom again. Attendees also will learn about orchid species native to the Midwest. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Contact [email protected] to reserve a space.