Before marrying actresses Joan Blondell and Elizabeth Taylor, as his second and third wives, film director Michael Todd, at age 17, married his first wife Bertha Freshman at the Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point on Valentine’s Day in 1927.
Cowboy movie actor Tom Mix, baseball slugger Joe DiMaggio, fighter Muhammad Ali, comedian Red Skelton and silver screen idol Rudolph Valentino also all share the same nuptial Crown Point connection among the list of luminaries who secured marriage licenses at Crown Point’s historic courthouse. Dedicated in 1880, the clock tower structure, which is also where captured gangster John Dillinger once faced a judge, earned its tag as “the Marriage Mill” from 1915 and 1940 when the courthouse was open around the clock to grant quick marriage licenses which resulted in more than 170,000 married couples.
A candy courtship
Gayle Van Sessen of Crown Point has owned and operated the Candy Cove candy and chocolate shop in the lower level of the courthouse for 27 years, since her business first opened in its same location on Feb. 16, 1988.
“A visit to the courthouse, and the chance to stroll the grounds and through the unique shops located on the lower level, is a great tradition for a Valentine’s Day weekend because there’s a history of romance,” said Van Sessen, describing the sweet success of the boutiques and businesses in the courthouse catacombs below the museum and ballroom located on the main floors.
“And when you think of Valentine’s Day, candy and famous lovers of history like Rudolph Valentino are a natural connection.”
Candy Cove and Courthouse Shops, Old Courthouse Square at Routes 231 and 55, Crown Point. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays. Call 219-663-8174 or www.lakecourthousefoundation.org.
Falling for it
Only at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville can guests find an indoor waterfall in Northwest Indiana nestled in a stone landscape romantic grotto for guests to sip umbrella drinks or toast Champagne in February in the comfort of a tropical atrium escape.
You don’t have to be a hotel guest to drop in and enjoy the Atrium Bar and Lounge overlooking the waterfall. But Deann Patena, director of sales and marketing for the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, also recommends guests consider some of the hotel’s affordable Valentine’s Day themed packages, such as “My Funny Valentine,” which includes an overnight room stay, dinner for two, two tickets for the hotel’s Wisecrackers comedy club, Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and breakfast for two, for $289.
Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, 800 E 81st Ave, Merrillville. Contact 219-769-6311 or starplaza.com
Artful idea
Whether it’s dreams of living in a palace or romantic thoughts of a cozy cottage built for two, lovers need a place to hide away. South Shore Arts Gallery manager Bridget Earnshaw boasts the ideal artistic adventure for something different and unusual to engage the mind, heart and spirit for Valentine’s Day.
Artists Tim Bruce and Jacqueline Moses are talents showcased for a new exhibit titled Dwellings, Cathedrals, Shanites and the Like unveiled this week in the Bachman Gallery at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster and continuing until April 10. Bruce transforms “found objects and reclaimed wood from the streets of Chicago” to create the dozens and dozens of detailed designed miniature architectural wonders which create an imaginative fantasy of sculptural work and displays sharing the same spotlight with 29 paintings from Moses.
South Shore Arts Galleries at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. Free admission. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays Contact 219-836-1839 or www.southshoreartsonline.org.
Step by step
Dance and movement, coupled with music, have been used in courtship for centuries. It’s one of the reasons Ann Kessler, chair for Valparaiso University’s Department of Theatre, has annually scheduled beautifully conceived and choreographed dance ensemble performances around Valentine’s Day Weekend. The 90-minute display of student triumphs showcasing dance in all forms continues Friday through Sunday, highlighting 11 student choreographers and dance forms ranging from ballroom and hip hop to contemporary and classic favorites. Kessler, who is directing the dance ensemble, admits one of her favorite sequences this year is a rendition of “The Cellblock Tango” made famous on Broadway by Bob Fosse in the hit musical “Chicago.”
Valparaiso University Theatre, Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, Chapel Drive, Valparaiso. Performances 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and non VU-students. Contact 219-464-5162 or valpo.edu/vuca.
Red and Blue
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City is the only entertainment destination in Northwest Indiana with a property description which includes a luxury hotel, fine dining restaurants, a full service spa and the excitement of live entertainment and gaming.
“I tell guests our romantic dining, the spa blu specials and the Bride Blu bridal fair are all great reasons to visit our popular Northwest Indiana entertainment venue for Valentine’s Day and throughout February,” said Joel Giannetti, director of marketing at Blue Chip. Blue Chip also features live music Friday through Sunday at Rocks lounge and live music on Saturday at the It’s Vegas Baby restaurant and nightclub for a perfect date-night destination.
As a special dining experience Friday through Sunday at Blue Chip’s exclusive William B’s Steakhouse, guests can feast on dinner for two for $120, including Caesar salad, tomato bisque soup, chateaubriand — sliced filet mignon, fingerling potatoes, sauteed Brussels sprouts and sauce bordelaise capped with a sweet finale choice of bananas foster or cherries jubilee.
Guests can also “fall in love” with an ultimate spa package, which includes a 25-minute blu’s chaser massage, a 25-minute signature facial, an express blu-to-go pedicure and a blu-to-go express hand service. All four indulgent services are included for $173, plus an option to add 15 minutes to any massage for $10. The offer is valid Monday-Thursday in February and cannot be combined with other offers.
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, 777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, Ind. Contact 888-879-7711 or bluechipcasino.com.
Philip Potempa is a freelance writer.
