Category: Communities

Steam Through History on Cedar Lake

By Stephanie Smith, Manager of Communications on Aug. 10, 2022

It's full steam ahead for Cedar Lake historians to take visitors on a floating tour through time! At theMuseum at Lassen’s Resort, the Cedar Lake Historical Association in partnership with the Hesston Steam Museum launched its Steam through History program which allows visitors to get a glimpse of the town's past on a 1915 steamboat, named Steamer Dewey, captained by Jerry Beno of Chicago. This summer the South Shore CVA staff had the pleasure of taking the historic trip…

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Paczki in the Region | Celebrate Fat Tuesday

By Dani Vasquez on Feb. 21, 2022

Header photo from Marilyn's Bakery Get your paczki for Fat Tuesday - March 1, 2022! Paczki, pronounced “poonch-key,” are beloved fried pastries filled with jelly or cream, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and a Polish tradition. These pastries are tremendously popular in Northwest Indiana as we have one of the largest Polish American populations…

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Couple’s Weekend in the Miller Beach Community

By Dani Vasquez on Jun. 11, 2021

We want to inspire you to getaway for a weekend in the Miller Beach community of Gary, right off Lake Michigan. Read on to see some of our suggestions for a couples retreat where the Indiana Dunes begins…

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Preservation Ride through Gary, Indiana

By Marianne Lee, South Shore Ambassador on May. 17, 2021

I recently had the opportunity to join the Decay Devils on a preservation ride through downtown Gary, Indiana. This group's mission is to help restore unoccupied historic buildings and landmarks, saving these gems from demolition. Our extremely knowledgeable tour guide and founder of Decay Devils, Tyrell Anderson, shared the back stories on many of the old buildings we pedaled past…

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Earth Day Along the South Shore

By Erika Dahl on Apr. 21, 2021

Celebrated on April 22nd each year is Earth Day. Although we should be mindful of our environment every day of the year, April 22nd is more of a movement to help inspire, challenge ideas, ignite passion and motivate people to action. Here are my top places in Northwest Indiana to be inspired by nature…

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Exploring the South Shore's Beach Towns

By Erika Dahl on Mar. 19, 2021

So you’ve decided to wander away from the beachesalong Lake Michigan to explore the South Shore’s beach communities. This short list of our picks of things to do and where to eat when you leave the beach should get you started…

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Back to Square One: Crown Point, Indiana

By Carolyn Hricik on Jul. 15, 2019

It's been 20 years since I stepped foot in the Crown Point square. I was three years old, bouncing down the sidewalk toward my first ballet class, tutu and mother in tow. Surely the only thing more exciting than my class was the treat my mom would buy from our friend, affectionately known as the “Hot Dog Lady”. She was a Crown Point legend back in the day. Looking at the square now having been gone for twenty years, it seems that nothing and everything has changed. The old hometown feeling and soul of the town still exists but the building facades have changed a bit. Being born in Crown Point allowed me to enjoy the downtown area when I was very young, but after moving to Connecticut with my family at age four, walks down memory lane were few and far between when we would take trips back to the region…

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Animals and Antiques in Lowell, Indiana

By Pam, Be Healthy Be Happy Wellness on Nov. 09, 2018

Heavy rain was expected Saturday, so we got up early to get as much fun into our day as possible. After enjoying a delicious and relaxing breakfast at our hotel, we loaded up the car and headed a little bit south to Lowell, Indiana. Our first stop was Buckley Homestead. Buckley Homestead is described as a living history farm. It’s spread out over quite a few acres but is very walkable and so interesting that you cover quite a bit of ground without realizing it…

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A Tale of Two Fairs - Jasper and Newton County Fairs

By Michael Nichols, Guest Blogger on Aug. 02, 2018

July 14th-21st was Fair Week in Jasper and Newton Counties. My family and I took it as a sign that we should go to both fairs and compare them. We found an interesting contrast in county personalities and left with the impression that both fairs offer different but equally enjoyable experiences…

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Griffith Historical Park and Train Museum

By Tyler Malec, Contributing Editor on Jun. 27, 2018

“The Crossroads of America,” is Indiana’s official motto, and the old adage is ever apparent through most cross streets in Griffith. In fact, Griffith is called, “The Town that Came to the Tracks,” because the town’s location was specifically chosen because of the number of railroads that crossed through its streets. It’s well known nationwide that Indiana’s railways hum with freighters, tankers and electric commuters moving precious cargo, business folk and travelers alike day and night. More than 180 trains roared through Griffith during the town’s peak periods. But what defines Northwest Indiana? In a sense, we’re a region Built by Steel…

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