Chicago artist Bryana Bibbs solo exhibit at CAC
Chesterton Art Center (CAC) will display a solo exhibition by Chicago-based artist Bryana Bibbs in both galleries Monday through Feb. 29 at 115 S. Fourth St., Chesterton. An artist reception will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 13, and a gallery tour and talk with Bibbs is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. on Feb. 10. Both events are free and open to the public. Bibbs’s works features textiles, painting and community-based practices. Her solo show “Changes” will feature 79 weavings using wool, dried paint, flax recycled sari silk, degummed cocoons, and handmade fibers and yarns. Bibbs will host a public weaving workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 10 at the CAC. Registration and more information can be found at chestertonart.org or call 219-926-4711.
Book club aims to help participants end nicotine addiction
Franciscan Health is offering a 14-week book club focused on helping participants quit smoking and vaping for good. The club will meet virtually from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday Jan. 17 through April 14. The club will read “The Naked Mind Nicotine: The Science-Based Method to Reclaim Your Health and Take Control Easily,” by Annie Grace and William Porter. The authors combine science-backed, successful habit-breaking systems to end tobacco addiction. The group will discuss two chapters of the book at each week’s meeting. Laura Arent, Franciscan Health tobacco treatment specialist and program director for Franciscan’s Aspire program, will lead the book club and offer tips and techniques to help participants through anxiety and urges they may experience while quitting nicotine products. Beyond the cost of the book, the book club is free of charge. To register or for more information, contact Arent at Laura.Arent@franciscanalliance.org. After enrolling, participants will receive an email with details and links for the meetings and supplemental materials.
Shirley Heinze Land Trust acquires land along Deep River
Shirley Heinze Land Trust has purchased 23 acres from the American Legion. The funding for this purchase came from long-term donor, Jim Martin. The purchase is one of many components coming together to improve access along a stretch of the Deep River corridor. Hunter Potchen, a school-age resident of New Chicago, approached Shirley Heinze to help improve the site of the former Water Front Lounge with a pier, so that he and other community members can enjoy fishing and other nature-linked activities. The site, donated by the town of New Chicago to Shirley Heinze, includes a grassy field, a parking area and a boat launch that needs repair. Restoration and the creation of public access amenities for the community are in the process and made possible, in party, by grant support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chi Cal Rivers Fund and the Legacy Foundation. Public access amenities are planned for 2024. By improving this site, Shirley Heinze hopes to engage the community to establish recreation opportunities that are equitable, inclusive and locally valued.
Donation to CRC to help local cancer patients
Community Cancer Research Foundation’s Cancer Resource Centre (CRC) received $16,000 in donations in 2023 from Laini Fluellen Charities, Inc., whose goal is to improve health outcomes for women at high risk for and diagnosed with breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer. Laini Fluellen Charities was founded in 2009 and named in honor of Laini Fluellen, who died at age 38 from triple-negative breast cancer. Since its inception, the Northwest Indiana/Chicago-area organization has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for breast cancer education, research, training, screenings and innovative treatments. For more information on Community Cancer Research Foundation and the CRC, visit myccrf.com/about-us.
Young applauds recognizing US 20 as ‘National Medal of Honor Highway’
U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded Senate passage of legislation he helped introduce that would designate U.S. 20, including the 156 miles in Indiana, as the “National Medal of Honor Highway.” The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the president in Congress’ name. Legislatures and governors in all 12 states along U.S. Highway 20, the longest continuous highway in the United States, have designated their state Medal of Honor Highways covering 100% of the 3,365-mile Medal of Honor Highway across America. Following Indiana’s designation, INDOT placed eight commemorative signs along the route through Steuben, LaGrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, LaPorte, Porter and Lake counties.
