New Master Recycler series offered
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will launch a five class Master Recycler Series for individuals interested in learning more about recycling. The series consists of five classes that will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. CT on Oct. 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1 and 8. Classes are offered via Zoom and in-person at the Porter County Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso. Interested individuals must attend each of the five sessions to complete the Master Recycler Program. Program registration fee is $30. Registration fees are payable via check or online through Paypal. Program registration deadline is Thursday. Porter County residents can schedule class and confirm attendance via info@portercountyrecycling.org.
Class participants who miss more than one class date above will not complete the course and will not graduate. Class participants must complete 30 Payback (volunteer) Hours to achieve Master Recycler certification. More information can be found at 219-510-1124 or at www.PorterCountyRecycling.org.
Church to host 10th annual Punkin Launchin
Faith Bible Church will host the 10th annual Punkin Launchin on Saturday at 305 E. 400 N, Valparaiso. A variety of activities are planned for the day including the Punkin Dash 5K race, which will begin at 9 a.m. Register for the Punkin Dash at https://runsignup.com/race/in/valparaiso/febcpumpkindash5k. Other activities will begin at 10:30 a.m. There will be a pumpkin toss for $1 a toss, a machine launch, a kid’s area with pumpkin painting and crafts and a concession stand. The event will be held outside. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs. All profits will be donated to the FBC Community Outreach Fund, which will be used to support members of the community that may be struggling. For more information call 219-464-8418, e-mail punkinlaunchin@gmail.com or febc@comcast.net, or visit https://www.faithbible.ws/punkinlaunchin2021.
Ivy Tech program promotes women in STEM
Ivy Tech Community College will host the Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Program Explorer event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 at 3100 Ivy Tech Drive, Valparaiso. The program is designed to further acquaint women with career opportunities in technology fields in Northwest Indiana and will feature keynote speaker Adela Ortega, founder of Professional Locomotive Services, which repairs and rebuilds locomotive engines. Her presentation, “Why Women Succeed in STEM,” will focus on the opportunities in STEM-related career fields and feature live demos of emerging technology. To reserve a seat, email Don Baker at dbaker167@ivytech.edu.
Hike with your hound at the National Park
Bring your dog for a ranger-led hike through Miller Woods from 10 a.m. to Noon every Friday in October. Meet at the Paul Douglas Center for Environmental Education, 100 North Lake St., Gary. All dogs must be on a leash in the national park. Be sure your dog is capable of doing this two-mile hike over a moderately difficult trail with some sandy and uneven surfaces. Much of the trail is in sun adding to the difficulty on a hot day. Also, please bring water for your dog and bags for its waste. More information is at 219-395-1882 or at?www.nps.gov/indu.
