FRANCISCAN HEALTH LAUNCHES CAREGIVER SPEAKER SERIES
Franciscan Health is debuting a free speaker series to assist with the challenges associated with caring for an aging parent, spouse or loved one. All sessions will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Franciscan Senior Health and Wellness, 2150 Gettler St., Suite 305, Dyer. The first session is May 14 and will focus on aging at home instead of a nursing home. The second session on Aug. 20 will address navigating a cancer diagnosis as a caregiver and learning about Medicare enrollment options. The last session on Oct. 8 will cover advanced planning, with discussions on elder law, long-term care, hospice and advanced-care directives. A facilitated group discussion will follow all sessions and light refreshments will be provided. All sessions are free, but registration is required. Register by calling 219-864-2630.
EARN COLLEGE CREDITS THIS SUMMER AT PURDUE NORTHWEST
College students seeking to stay on track or work ahead in their course of study can take summer classes offered by Purdue University Northwest (PNW). PNW 2026 summer courses span a range of subjects, including business, engineering, life and physical sciences, humanities and technology. PNW’s summer courses are offered from May 18 to Aug. 7 in flexible four, six, eight or 12-week formats. Students new to PNW will need to submit an application to take summer classes, although the process is streamlined for students already in the Purdue system. To learn how to register, visit pnw.edu/summer-courses.
4-H OFFERS SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Northwest Indiana youth in grades 3-12 are invited to explore the world of urban agriculture and local food systems through the 2026 4-H Urban Agriculture Youth Program, hosted by Purdue Extension Lake County. Participants will “dig in” through interactive workshops, local farm visits, and creative projects that highlight the importance of sustainable practices and strong local food systems. The program is open to both current 4-H members and those new to 4-H. Program highlights include: Cooking Workshop, June 5; Gardening Workshop, June 17; Urban Farm Visits, June 24 and July 18; and the 4-H Urban Ag Expo, Aug. 8. During the Ag Expo, participants will present their projects at the Lake County Fair and share their knowledge with the community. The program fee is $15, and participation is free for youth already enrolled in 4-H. Families can enroll online at https://v2.4honline.com. Paper forms are also available through the Extension Office, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. For full program details, contact Purdue Extension Lake County at 219-755-3240 or visit https://extension.purdue.edu/county/lake.
SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR GOLF OUTING DONATION RECIPIENTS
Applications are now being accepted for recipients of the charitable donations to be raised from the 2026 Hard Hat Golf Outing, hosted by the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable (NWIBRT), Northwest Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, and Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF). Organizations interested in being considered or those who would like to recommend a recipient can complete the official form on NWIBRT’s website at NWIBRT.org. Deadline for submission is May 30. The annual fall event draws hundreds of golfers from many of Northwest Indiana’s most prominent businesses. At the 2025 outing, attendees topped the event’s previous fundraising efforts. More than $84,000 was raised for five organizations, including: Goodwill Industries of Michiana; Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association; Opportunity Enterprises; Pirates, Inc.; and Tradewinds Services. The 2026 Hard Hat Golf Outing will be held Sept. 17 and 18 at the White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point. Tickets and partnership opportunities are available on the website. Those with questions about tickets or sponsorships can call 219-226-0300 or email info@nwibrt.org. Early registration is encouraged.
SAND + STEEL ART FEST 2026 COMING TO VALPARAISO
Valparaiso Creative Council and Valparaiso Events are combining forces to host the SAND + STEEL Art Fest from June 26 to 28. The event will extend from Central Plaza, 68 Lafayette St., to the Valpo Creates Center, 256 Indiana Ave. Named as a nod to the geography and industry of our county and region, the SAND + STEEL Art Fest is a free, three-day celebration of local artistic creativity and talent. The event will kick off with a community concert featuring the South Shore Orchestra at 7 p.m. on June 26 at Central Park Plaza. The celebration continues with two days of art in all its forms, inviting visitors to explore the Valparaiso Creative District and experience work from more than 50 artists across a wide range of fine-art disciplines. The Art Fest will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 28. Integrated into the event will be the seasonal Valparaiso Market, hosted by Valpo Parks, adding additional local vendors to peruse. Throughout the weekend, attendees can also take part in interactive experiences including live music, theater, dance, performances and hands-on create-and-take activities for all ages. More information can be found at https://valpocreates.org/event/sand-and-steel-art-fest-2026/.
