Philip Potempa – Page 2

Attorney Gary Redenbacher, 70, a former popcorn pitchman, now serves as a board member for the Scotts Valley Unified School District, representing more than 2,700 students in Santa Cruz County, California. (Photo provided by Gary Redenbacher)

Potempa: Reader looking for Gary Redenbacher on eve of Popcorn Fest

September 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

I was contacted by a reader from afar looking to track down Gary Redenbacher, the brand personality who became a household name and face and starred in television commercials and...

Columnist Philip Potempa, far right front, is shown at age 7 with his older siblings Pam, left, age 10, and David, age 15, on the first day of the new school year in August 1977 as posed by their mother for a keepsake photo with the “farm liberty bell.” (Potempa Family Collection/provided)

From the Farm: Family farm hails forever salute to America’s birthday and neighbors

September 4, 2026 at 5:56 p.m.

Today’s column gives a nod to our mom’s tradition of snapping an annual “Back to School” commemorative photo on the morning of our first school day.

Trippin’ Billies is one of the longest-touring Dave Matthews Band tribute bands and is the headliner Friday for the Acorn Concert Series at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, hosted by Purdue Northwest. (Purdue Northwest/provided)

Of Notoriety: Weekend fun includes tribute band, steam trains and more

September 3, 2026 at 3:56 p.m.

Entertainment news from around the region.

“Piano Men: Generations,” starring son and father piano keyboard kings Nick, left, and dad Terry Davies, team up as the April 2027 finale concert for the Lakeshore Community Concert series, which includes six performance dates launching Sept. 8 at Munster High School Auditorium. (Lakeshore Community Concerts/provided)

Of Notoriety: Lakeshore Community Concerts launches 2026-27 season on Sept. 8

September 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

Carolyn Borchardt, president of Lakeshore Community Concerts, explains that there is a formula for how her board decides on headlining acts.

Shifa Saltagi Safadi of Valparaiso is one of nine published writers to receive the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards honors announced in August 2026 for the best books written by Indiana authors. (Shifa Saltagi Safadi/provided)

Valparaiso teacher-turned-author’s book among nine honored works

August 30, 2026 at 3:34 p.m.

Two years before speculation about the Chicago Bears making Northwest Indiana their home, Valparaiso author Shifa Saltagi Safadi was already writing a book that included her son’s obsession with the...

Columnist Philip Potempa, right, and his mother Peggy frame singer Dolly Parton during an interview at Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in March 2009. (Philip Potempa/provided)

From the Farm: A Dolly farewell but fond memories and a legacy remain forever

August 28, 2026 at 5:32 p.m.

I chose a Dolly Parton recipe during my final Taste of Chicago year, which showcased a dessert bar from Parton called “Hello, Dolly Bars.”

PBS-TV personality and popular travel guide author Rick Steves has created a free franchise program of orchestras to feature his narration and international tour landscape footage as an accompaniment for live symphony concerts, including a paired presentation Sept. 18 with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra hosted at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary. (Rick Steves/provided)

Of Notoriety: Travel guru Rick Steves hosts NWI Symphony gala via video

August 26, 2026 at 4:28 p.m.

Northwest Indiana Symphony will host the narrated video presentation of “Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey” on Sept. 18 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.

Columnist Philip Potempa, left, with older sisters Carol, middle, and Pam, right, surround their mother Peggy Potempa during her 95th birthday dinner celebration at William B’s Steakhouse at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana, to mark the Aug. 17, 2026, milestone memory. (Luke Miiller/provided)

From the Farm: Happy 95th birthday, Mom, and a tale of Wagyu beef

August 21, 2026 at 5:26 p.m.

My 56th birthday on Aug. 13 seems “small potatoes” compared to my mom Peggy's 95th milestone birthday on Aug. 17.

Houses of the Holy: A True Led Zeppelin Experience has a tribute concert at Memorial Opera House for one performance at 8 p.m. Aug. 21 in Valparaiso. (Valparaiso Parks and Recreation Department/provided)

Of Notoriety: Tribute concerts this weekend and old time baseball

August 20, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

Entertainment news from around the region.

Janet Davies as Hillary Clinton, left, opposite Danielle Bilderback as Monica Lewinsky, star in the Dunes Arts Theatre one-night stage reading of “When Monica Met Hillary,” a new play by writer Winter Miller on Aug. 24, 2026, at the Michigan City arts venue. (Michael Lasswell/provided)

Of Notoriety: ABC’s Janet Davies stars as Hillary Clinton at Dunes Theatre

August 19, 2026 at 4:45 p.m.

Dunes Arts Theatre presents a one-night reading of “When Monica Met Hillary,” a new play by writer Winter Miller, at 7 p.m. Monday.

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