Philip Potempa – Page 5

Maestro Kirk Muspratt will continue as musical director and conductor of the Northwest Indiana Symphony after he contract recently was renewed through 2029. (Photo courtesy of Kirk Muspratt)

Of Notoriety: Northwest Indiana maestro will continue raise baton through 2029

June 24, 2026 at 4:51 p.m.

The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra has renewed the contract of Music Director and Conductor Kirk Muspratt’s contract for three years.

Buttons, a chest sash and correspondence from early women leaders of Lake County are showcased this month in the exhibit “A Right Worth Fighting For: The History of the League of Women Voters of the Calumet Area” at Gary Public Library through June 28. (Philip Potempa/for the Post-Tribune)

Women’s suffrage exhibit in Gary headed to Crown Point and Merrillville

June 22, 2026 at 4:12 p.m.

Two exhibits celebrating the history of women’s suffrage in Indiana continue through June 28 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center.

Evelyn Lisek, seated, sported a tiara on her 100th birthday on March 11, 2026, at a party surrounded by her children and family, including daughters Kathryn and Carolyn and son Walter, left, and daughter Darlene with her husband Mark, right. (Darlene Schmitt/provided)

From the Farm: Symphony Society member, opera star Evelyn Lisek passes at age 100

June 20, 2026 at 2:39 p.m.

The longest ranking member member the group originally launched as the Women’s Association in Gary in 1962, Evelyn Lisek died peacefully on Monday, June 15.

Dr. Paul Sommer of Valparaiso is shown sharing smiles and water space with a white Beluga whale for a promotional photo Nov. 16, 2025, at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. (Paul Sommer/provided)

Of Notoriety: Valparaiso’s Paul Sommer ready to swim Chicago River for friend and funds

June 17, 2026 at 6:22 p.m.

Valparaiso has its own good guy hero and would-be “man from Atlantis” in the guise of podiatrist Dr. Paul Sommer.

Accordion player Dick Contino performs onstage with his band in the ballroom at Drury Lane Martinique Dinner Theatre in Evergreen Park, Illinois, on Dec. 31, 2003, for an afternoon “early” New Year’s Eve celebration concert. (Philip Potempa/provided)

From the Farm: John R. Lazzara’s passing rekindles memories of Drury Lane Martinique Theatre

June 18, 2026 at 4:26 p.m.

This year took another theater great from us: Chicago south side stage icon John R. Lazzara, 76, died Feb. 19, 2026, at his home in Palm Beach, Florida.

The cast of “The Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Beauty Pageant” began rehearsals in April to prepare for this month’s run at Footlight Players in Michigan City, which closes on Sunday, June 14, 2026. (Footlight Players/provided)

Of Notoriety: ‘Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Pageant,’ Hessville fest and Artist Guild

June 11, 2026 at 4:50 p.m.

Entertainment news from around the region.

Keith and Pat Kremer raise champagne flutes to toast their 29th wedding anniversary on July 7, 2019, in the ballroom of The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana. Keith Kremer died at age 76 on June 4, 2026. (Philip Potempa/provided)

Of Notoriety: ‘Coach’ and carpenter Keith Kremer, who showcased Hope Diamond, ruby slippers, dies at 76

June 10, 2026 at 9:23 a.m.

Keith J. Kremer, 76, of Lansing, died last week on June 4, 2026, with his family at his side at Community Hospital in Munster after a heart ailment.

A sign posted at the corner of Columbia Avenue and Ridge Road in Munster at Heritage Park proclaims a 250th community celebration on June 14, 2026, for the USA’s 250th birthday commemoration. (Luke Miiller/provided)

From the Farm: USA’s 250th birthday gets early celebration in Munster next Sunday

June 5, 2026 at 5:33 p.m.

Munster Junior Historical Society is hosting a 250th Birthday Celebration next Sunday, which also happens to be Flag Day.

Former child star and voiceover talent Melanie Kohn, shown as a guest at the April 2024 Olympic Collectible Expo in Silverdale, Washington, signs a toy likeness of “Peanuts Gang” character Lucy van Pelt, the bossy cartoon alter-ego Kohn voiced in the 1970s for some of the beloved “Charlie Brown” animated TV specials aired on CBS. (Melanie Kohn/provided)

Of Notoriety: Charlie Brown’s ‘Lucy’ in Valparaiso, and farewell JellyBean

June 3, 2026 at 4:17 p.m.

One of the voices behind the Peanuts' Lucy Van Pelt comes to Valparaiso, while Northwest Indiana mourns the death of a beloved clown.

Peggy Potempa, far right, mother of columnist Philip Potempa, joined her older sister Ruby, center, for a surprise birthday party for their younger brother “Sonny,” joined by “Toots,” far left, his wife of 67 years, at a family dinner gathering in Rensselaer on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Philip Potempa/provided)

From the Farm: Memorial Day brings memories of Dad with a special 90th birthday celebration

May 29, 2026 at 4:45 p.m.

Last weekend’s Memorial Day came with an extra emphasis this year. We missed Dad and our tradition of spending the days before the holiday with him, filling our family cemetery...

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