HISTORIAN TO SPEAK ON WOMEN OF THE BAILLY FAMILY
Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse), in collaboration with Pines Village Retirement Communities, will sponsor a presentation by County Historian Serena Ard about the history and impact of the women of the family of Joseph Bailly, Porter County’s first European settler. The event will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pines Village Retirement Communities, 3303 Pines Village Circle, Valparaiso. It is free of charge and open to the public. Porter County Museum, 20 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with free admission. Free half-hour guided tours are offered every third Saturday. For more information, visit pocomuse.org or find @pocomuse on social media.
FOURTH FRIDAY PROGRAM FOCUSES ON IRAN
Pedram Etebari is the featured speaker for the Valparaiso International Center’s Fourth Friday. Etebari was born and raised in Kerman, Iran, and came to the United States in 2012 with his sister, beginning a transformative journey shaped by perseverance, sacrifice, and opportunity. Etebari will share his personal journey from Iran to the United States, along with insights into Iranian culture, heritage, and the experiences that have shaped his life. The event takes place at 7 p.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 201 N. Washington St. in Valparaiso. For more information on the VIC and its programs, visit https://valpovic.org/.
PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON LAKE COUNTY MITIGATION PLAN
Public comments are being accepted through April 3 on the required five-year update to the Lake County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP). Lake County, in cooperation with the cities of Crown Point, East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Hobart, Lake Station and Whiting, and the towns of Cedar Lake, Dyer, Griffith, Highland, Lowell, Merrillville, Munster, New Chicago, St. John, Schererville, Schneider and Winfield, has prepared the update to address the risk and vulnerability of communities in the county that may be affected by known natural, technological and political hazards. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires communities to update their MHMP every 5 years to remain eligible for future mitigation funding through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The intent of the MHMP is to plan for a disaster before it occurs, to reduce the physical, social and economic impact of that disaster. The draft Lake County MHMP Update can be accessed at https://lakecountyin.gov/news-events/news/public-review-comment-lake-county-multi-hazard-mitigation-plan-update. Submit comments to Paul Petrie at 219-755-3549 or lchsema@lakecountyin.org.
FRANCISCAN HEALTH HOLDS FREE SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM
Franciscan Health Michigan City will host the Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Course from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 31 at the Franciscan Health Michigan City Legacy Campus, 301 W. Homer St. Based on a curriculum developed by the QPR Institute, the course aims to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The course is free, but registration is required by Tuesday. To register and for more information, contact Nila Williams at Nila.Williams@franciscanalliance.org.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR GRASS TO GARDEN VIRTUAL PROGRAM
Purdue Extension is now accepting registrations for the Grass to Garden virtual program, a course designed to help participants start and manage community-based gardens. The program will run from 9 to 11 a.m. on four consecutive Thursdays – April 2, 9, 16 and 23. The curriculum is intended for nonprofit staff, community volunteers, local officials and garden enthusiasts. The cost to attend the program is $50, which includes a comprehensive Grass to Garden manual, access to all four live sessions and expert guidance from experienced educators throughout the program. Register online at https://cvent.me/AyrO9B. Registration deadline is Friday.
TRUSTEE’S OFFICE HOSTS FIRE TRUCK EGG DROP
The Calumet Township Trustee’s Office invites families to the Second Annual Fire Truck Easter Egg Drop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 4 at Buffington Park, 200 E. Seventh Ave., Gary. This free community event will feature the Gary Fire Department and Local 359 dropping more than 4,000 Easter eggs from a fire bucket truck. Children can meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy music, face painting, giveaways and family-friendly activities. The Fire Truck Easter Egg Drop is part of the Township’s continued commitment to providing engaging, safe and inclusive events that strengthen community connections. For more information or to contribute, contact the Calumet Township Trustee’s Office at 219-880-4094.
VALPARAISO AWARDS NEIGHBORHOOD GRANTS
The city of Valparaiso has awarded 14 new grants in the 2026 Neighborhood Improvement Grant program, providing $106,256 in funds to support neighborhood unity and community improvements. Projects include tree plantings, disc golf, entry beautification projects and more. The neighborhoods receiving grants in 2026 are Beauty Creek Villas, Berkley, Bridgewater Estates, College Hill, Hawthorne, Hawthorne East, Jefferson Park, Jessee-Pifer, Keystone Commons, Manchester Meadows, Meridian Woods, Mistwood, Pepper Creek Estates and Timberbridge. The Neighborhood Improvement Grant program is funded by the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission and administered by the Community Engagement Department. The next opportunity to apply for Neighborhood Improvement grants of up to $20,000 each is June 1. For more information and grant applications, visit the Community Engagement page at valpo.us.
