Deena Butterfield –

From left to right, friends Dionne Hulsey, Sue Burke, Liz Mudroncik, Ginger Levitan and Lynette Newell, all of Munster, enjoy an afternoon in downtown Valparaiso Saturday, May 2, 2026, for the Chocolate Walk sponsored by Valparaiso Events. (Deena Butterfield/for the Post-Tribune)

‘Like adult trick-or-treating’: Valparaiso Chocolate Walk draws hundreds downtown

May 5, 2026 at 12:32 p.m.

The sweet smell of chocolate and the promise of unique treats and experiences drew a crowd to downtown Valparaiso Saturday.

Lily Velazquez, a freshman from the Crown Point/St. John area, recites a poem to attendees at Valparaiso University's Poetry Slam on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in the Harre Union. The event was one of many sponsored by the Black Student Organization as a part of Black History Month. (Deena Butterfield/for the Post-Tribune)

Poetry comes alive for Black History Month at Valparaiso University

March 1, 2026 at 1:02 p.m.

Snapping fingers replaced applause for students reading poetry Wednesday at Valparaiso University.

Artist Julie Spaulding (left) and mentor Allison Carter (right) perform as a team at the High Tide Cabaret Friday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Memorial Opera House, which was made possible because of the Penguin Project. (Deena Butterfield/for Post-Tribune)

Penguin Project production makes waves for artists, mentors and audience

January 19, 2026 at 3:04 p.m.

Hide Tide Cabaret lived up to its motto, “We’re making waves,” as family and community members came to see mentors and artists with The Penguin Project.

Kevin Pazour, executive director of the Porter County Museum, speaks to a large group on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at Washington Street Tap Room in Valparaiso as part of his quarterly gatherings called "History on Tap" to show and tell about history in Porter County. (Deena Butterfield/for Post-Tribune)

Porter County’s history on tap in Valparaiso with show-and-tell

December 9, 2025 at 2:32 p.m.

Almost 40 people gathered in the Washington Street Tap Room in Valparaiso to attend a quarterly event called “History on Tap.”

Freshmen Lily Thompson, left, from Michigan City, and Izzy Dvorak, right, from Crown Point, enjoy food by the fire during Valparaiso University's Homecoming and Family Weekend activities Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, which included trivia games, tie-dye T-shirts, cornhole and food trucks. (Deena Butterfield/for Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso University welcomes alumni, families for weekend of events

October 27, 2025 at 2:31 p.m.

Alumni and families gathered at Valparaiso University for Homecoming and Family Weekend on campus.

Spencer Cortwright, an associate professor of biology at Indiana University Northwest, talks about amphibians at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve on Saturday as part of a program series with Shirley Heinze Land Trust. (Deena Butterfield/Post-Tribune)

Expert: Summer heat can be stressful for amphibians

August 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Meadowbrook Nature Preserve in Valparaiso is a place to explore and learn more about the life cycle of the amphibian. More than 30 people gathered there on a recent Saturday...

Valparaiso resident Sandy Mills, on left, shows a photo on her phone of the distinctive rash that developed on her daughter Grace's leg after Grace, right, contracted Lyme disease from a tick bite in 2018, as they discuss their experience at their home on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Ticks, Lyme disease on upswing with milder winters, development near wooded areas

July 24, 2025 at 11:15 a.m.

Ticks and Lyme disease may be on the increase for an assortment of reasons, experts said, including milder winters.

Siblings Mattie Goodlow, 10, and Johnny Goodlow, 8, of Portage, work on decorating their birdhouses as they attend the Capes, Crowns and Critters program at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve Saturday, June 14, 2025. It's one of the first events hosted at the new amphitheater on the property. (Deena Butterfield/for Post-Tribune)

Critters take over at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve as programming starts at new amphitheater

June 17, 2025 at 3:22 p.m.

Meadowbrook Nature Preserve hosted one of its first events at the amphitheater, located on the property in Liberty Township.

Valparaiso resident Amber Shambo punches a training pad held by Hammond police department Master Sgt. David DeBoer during the "Fight Like a Girl" self-defense program at the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative in Valparaiso on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Self-defense class for women, girls also offers lessons in safety and resilience

April 30, 2025 at 6:07 p.m.

"Fight Like a Girl" gives women and girls the tools they need to avoid safety threats and respond to them when necessary.

Volunteers and vendors helped out with the giant parachute at Central Park Plaza for Active Kids Day Sunday, April 27, 2025, in downtown Valparaiso, sponsored by the Valparaiso Parks Department. (Deena Butterfield/for Post-Tribune)

Active Kids Day in Valparaiso offers musical instruments and fun for kids, resources for parents

April 29, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Downtown Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza was full of families enjoying Active Kids Day, sponsored by the Valparaiso Parks Department.

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