Weekend events at National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park will host three programs this weekend. A campfire program will be held from 8-9:30 p.m. Friday. Meet at the Kemil Beach parking lot, 300 East State Park Road, Beverly Shores, followed by a short walk to the beach. Bring a blanket or beach chair to sit on. Join staff and fellow volunteers for a morning of stewardship from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Meet at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, 100 N. Lake St., Gary. Projects will focus on the preservation and restoration of the rare black oak savanna and wetland complexes found in Miller Woods. Dress for the weather and be prepared to walk off-trail in the woods. All equipment and protective gear will be provided. An Urban Gardening program will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Paul H. Douglas Center. Learn tips about vegetable gardening while observing the native plant garden at Indiana Dunes National Park. More information on all programs is at 219-395-1882 or at www.nps.gov/indu.
Diabetes education classes
Franciscan Health Crown Point offers a series of diabetes classes from 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays in the Burrell classrooms on the hospital’s lower level, 1201 S. Main St. Typically three sessions make up each class. Topics covered include medication management, blood glucose monitoring, exercise, complication prevention, and nutrition with an emphasis on carbohydrate counting, sodium and fats. Those interested are asked to call for exact dates. Individual appointments also are available. Registration and a physician’s referral are required. More information is at 219-757-6268.
Libraries to host community programs
The Lake County Public Libraries have a variety of programs scheduled. The Griffith Calumet branch will host Webcast: 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing for adults from 3-4 p.m. Monday at 1215 E. 45th Ave. Register at 219-838-2825. The Cedar Lake branch, 10010 W. 133rd Ave., is offering the following programs for children: Sensory Play Date from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday; and Digitarium: Explore the Stars from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Register at 219-374-7121. The Lake Station-New Chicago branch, 2007 Central Ave., is offering the following programs for children: Storytime Under the Stars from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday; and Mark’s Ark Animals from 2-3 p.m. Thursday. Register at 219-962-2409. The Merrillville branch will host Challenger Learning Center-Space Stations for children of all ages from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at 1919 W. 81st Ave. Register at 219-769-3541.The Dyer-Schererville branch will offer Teen Constellation Art from 2-4 p.m. July 19 at 1001 W. Lincoln Highway, Schererville. Register at 219-322-4731.
South Shore Line celebrates teachers with free rides, contest
As a way of saying thank you to local teachers, educators are invited to ride the South Shore Line (SSL) for free from Monday through July 21 on all off-peak weekday and all weekend trains. To ride, educators will need to present a valid school ID. In addition, essay applications will be accepted from educators for a chance to win free field trip transportation for their classes. To win, educators are asked to submit a one- to three-paragraph essay focusing on what they did on the day of their free train ride. All essays must be submitted by July 29. The winner will be contacted via email and announced on social media. Submission must include educator’s name, email address, school and grade(s) currently taught. Photos are encouraged and may be shared on SSL social media. Email essays to mysouthshoreline@gmail.com with the subject “Teachers Ride Free Essay.” The field trip must occur during the 2019-20 school year. More information is at 219-926-5744.
