Blog

n : a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies [syn: web log]

Jon Clendenin of Chesterton, IN couldn't have found a better backdrop for his proposal to fiancé Jamie Hoffman than the Indiana Dunes State Park, one of the most beautiful places in the Midwest.

On October 12, 2010, Jon met Jamie near the pavilion and after a short walk, led her up a small sand dune to where he had prepared a picnic. After eating, they watched the sunset. Jon soon broke a glow stick and began to play his guitar and sing, including a song he wrote about their courtship. The song ended with a request for Jamie to walk up the sand dune and look down. When she reached the top, to her amazement, were 750 glow sticks spelling out "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" in 5 foot letters.

When Jamie turned around to face Jon, he held up her engagement ring. With tears in her eyes, Jamie said yes!

Jamie and Jon's story is just one example of the romantic places and wonderful people who call Northwest Indiana home.
We had a number of wonderful stories entered into our Engagements Along the South Shore contest. Jeff Pysh of Crown Point proposed to his current wife Ami during the Fourth of July parade, enlisting the help of the local junior high pom pom squad. Edward Wroblewski of Merrillville told his wife Alma he would marry her the first time he danced with her at the YMCA in the 1950's. Nancy Buckley and husband Paul started their courtship while working together at a Burger King in Gary and have been married for 22 years.

Congratulations for Jon and Jamie - we hope you enjoy your overnight stay at Serenity Springs in Michigan City!

Click here for Jerry Davich's column on the winner in the Post-Tribune.

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The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority is here to promote everything wonderful about Northwest Indiana. Personal stories are a great way to bring home the true picture of a destination to an outsider.

 

In an effort to promote all of the wonderfully romantic and utterly unique places to get engaged that the South Shore area has to offer, the SSCVA is having a contest for the best engagement story that took place anywhere in Northwest Indiana. We are looking for the most creative, interesting story of how and where you got engaged "Along the South Shore".

 

Our hope is to use these stories to give a new perspective on what our destination has to offer - not only our attractions, but our community and our values.

 

We were inspired by an engagement which took place within our own walls, in the John Dillinger Museum. A young man asked the staff here to help him with his engagement to his girlfriend, who was infatuated with the John Dillinger saga. Our staff created a sign to look in the pocket of "Dillinger's" pants (actually a pair of her boyfriends). When she looked, she found the engagement ring. They were married this past September.

The winner will receive an overnight stay at Serenity Springs, a unique Bed and Breakfast in Michigan City.  

Serenity Springs has 36 individual, fully appointed bungalows featuring our exclusive "butler-door." Enjoy 85 acres, private lake, walking trails, carriage rides and fishing.

 

Entries must be received by February 5, 2011 and may be emailed to jrush@southshorecva.com or mailed to the South Shore CVA, Attention: Jennifer Rush, 7770 Corinne Dr, Hammond, IN 46323.

 

We will announce the winner on Thursday, February 10th, just in time for Valentine's Day! Jerry Davich with the Post-Tribune is planning on writing a column featuring the winners of the contest.

 

Please note - through entering the contest, participants grant their permission to use their story and materials submitted for use for promotional purposes by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and the companies donating prizes for the contest. If you have any questions, please contact us at jrush@southshorecva.com or call 219-554-2724.

 

We can't wait to hear your stories!