HERE Issue 005 - May/June 2018

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northwest indiana

BACK IN BLOOM T H E S E ASO N OF G R E E N AN D G ROWTH AR R IV ES A S U M M E R T I M E B R E A K FA S T | C R E AT I V E S A N D M E N TA L H E A LT H | FA M I L I E S O F A L L F O R M S

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R E A D H EREM AG . C O M R E A D H EREM AG . C O M

E DITOR AND PUBLISHE R

CRE AT IVE DIRECTO R

ASSOCIAT E E DITOR

E DITORIAL INT ERN

Julia Perla Huisman

Brad M. Wolf

Kathryn MacNeil

Havalind Veley

ACCOUNT E XECUT IVES Adam Enright Jeanine Perla Arty Reyes Zahra Schooley Ashley Spencer

CONT RIBUTORS Sonia Arkkelin

Jacqueline Fisch

Teresa Schmidt

Ashley Boyer

Penny Frazier

Amy Sheree

Jessica Campbell

Michelle Hamstra

Amanda Wilson

Mark Loehrke

Melissa Washburn

Jerry Davich

Jillian Pancini

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HERE Magazine 10769 Broadway #320 Crown Point, IN 46307 readheremag.com Instagram, Twitter: @readheremag Facebook, Pinterest: /readheremag © 2018 JPH Publishing, LLC

F EATU RES 42

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THE CREATIVE EDGE

FULL HOUSE

The fine line between creativity and mental health

Busy, large family life, and its ups and downs

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64

THE OUTSIDE IN

HELLO WEEKEND

House plants done the right way

Get dressed for a summer Saturday at home

MADE IN NWI 8

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SWEET MELISSA

FARM FRESH

A girl with a mission to create memories through food

Nash Bruce introduces us to early summer

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AN UNCOMMON CANVAS

GIFTS FOR MOM AND DAD

Joe Morris finds beauty in the unconventional

Gift ideas as unique as them

G ET O U T TH ERE 20

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SAVE THE DATE

AT THE SPA

Treatments to help you look and feel youthful

Summer happenings around Northwest Indiana

26 DOWNTOWN DISPLAY

Valparaiso proudly showcases kids’ artwork with Spring into the Arts Festival

T H E I D EA B O O K 30

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PRETTY IN PEACH

WHEN MINDS UNITE

A sweet, summertime breakfast

How and why to start a mastermind group

36 THE SOLE PROJECT

A local workout group gives back and gets fit

ON THE COVER

Monstera deliciosa provided by Carey Keenan-Rowell of Society | Valparaiso Photo by Brad M. Wolf

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HERE TO STAY

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F R O M T H E E D I TO R “I thought Northwest Indiana was all cornfields.”

photo | Penny Frazier

That’s what Berny Martin, founder and CEO of Midwest Fashion Week, told me when we first spoke. Of course, I was elated when he added that it wasn’t until he read HERE that he realized this seemingly corn-infested land has a lot more to offer than kernels and casinos. He now understands that the culture here is hip and worthy of attention, so much so that he asked HERE to be the media sponsor for Midwest Fashion Week this year. Martin has lived and traveled all over the world, so his stamp of approval on our distinct region has some added weight to it. We’ve got something good going on here, and people who previously would have driven straight past us are now starting to perk their eyebrows in curiosity.

Let’s not waste this moment. We are coming into the season when we shine brightest, literally and figuratively. Our beaches are impeccable, our restaurant patios full. Public art takes main stage in our downtowns, and outdoor markets showcase the creativity of both our people and our landscape. Even our industry-lined sunsets are breathtaking and undeniably NWI. This issue features just a small handful of the good stuff going on in our region as we launch into summer.

Joe Morris of JMOTO Gallery paints his signature art on motorcycles, of all things, which can be viewed at Crown Point’s car cruise nights on Thursdays. Kids’ art will be on display throughout Valparaiso in the month of May. And food takes center stage, as you’ll see in this issue’s ads for local restaurants and upcoming events. (Speaking of food, you have to try Amy Sheree’s recipe for grilled peach parfaits on page 30.

It will change your life.)

People outside our region are starting to take notice of us, and they are looking for places to travel this summer. I suggest we turn their heads our way, invite them to our handcrafted tables, and welcome them with our open, tattooed arms.

Julia Perla Huisman Editor and Publisher

M ADE I N NWI

SW EE T ME LISSA The girl and the brand behind the mission to create memories through food

by Julia Perla Huisman Photography by Erika Mattingly For Melissa Miller, food is about more than what you consume for sustenance. It’s about memories, and family, and traditions passed down through the generations. It conveys love for others and opportunities for creative expression. All of this is central to Sweet Melissa, the foodie lifestyle brand Miller has created and continues to develop.

The Michigan City native started out making cakes and desserts for weddings but her business has quickly evolved. Lately she’s doing less baking and more sharing, through her popular and beautifully styled dessert-themed workshops. She does still make caramels (one of her signature sweets), and this month she’s launching an online shop featuring food-related items that Miller carefully selected or handcrafted herself.

We sat down with Miller to talk food, family, and the beauty of her brand.

What was your childhood like? Did you grow up cooking and baking?

I grew up being an only child and only grandchild on my mom’s side.

So I’ve always been really close with my family and felt very loved.

The best memories of my life are those spent cooking with my mom and grandma—or Memaw, we called her, because she’s southern.

Before I could talk, I was in a high chair at the kitchen counter watching Memaw make her southern family favorites, like biscuits, banana pudding, and Snickerdoodles. I feel as if cooking is an instinct I’ve inherited, and it’s something that connects our family’s generations together.

Melissa Miller of Michigan City founded Sweet Melissa, a foodie lifestyle brand.

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When did you realize you could make a business out of it?

My full-time job is as a magazine art director. Over the years, I became known in the office for bringing in treats and desserts I baked. I would get requests for people’s birthdays and often hosted themed lunches, cooking for everyone. After getting so much positive response I thought, why not try to create something out of this? Because making people happy with food has always been my true passion.

Your aesthetic is just as much a part of your brand as the desserts you make. What was your goal with your branding and how did you make it happen?

Working as a designer for many years definitely gave me a leg up visualizing my brand. I knew the importance of creating a cohesive identity and from the beginning I really invested in it, hiring a team for business consulting, building a custom website, and doing photo shoots. One huge factor that really shaped my overall look was working with photographer Erika Mattingly. Her style is more natural and somewhat moody, and that really captured the heart of my brand. It made me realize that I want to be real and true to myself.

I incorporate a lot of my own personal experiences and memories into my business. I think when you do that, you will always be unique and people will value your authenticity.

I’m sweet but I’ve got an edge to me. I’m not going to have a bright, pink kitchen with fluffy aprons. I have more of a rustic, at-home, comfort food feel.

How did you start doing workshops?

Before launching my business, I took a good, hard look inside myself to find out what my true passion was. I realized it wasn’t just making food for people, but it’s bringing them together and creating lasting memories. In my workshops, I wanted to combine a food class with a styled event-type atmosphere, allowing people to learn and create something of their own. There’s been great response from the Naked Cake & Cocktails workshops I’ve hosted at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan. It’s about the overall experience—having conversations, sipping cocktails, tasting frosting. I plan to continue doing more workshops in other locations and with varying topics.

What kinds of products are you looking to add in the future?

I’m launching an online shop for my brand in early May. This will allow me to grow more into a foodie lifestyle brand. Each month I will be selling a limited quantity of my handcrafted caramels. But the most exciting part for me are the new products—a candle collection, custom order aprons, recipe cards, and more.

Miller’s earliest food memories involve cooking with her mother and Memaw, pictured here.

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What are some of the tough parts about owning your own business— particularly a food-related business?

It was incredibly difficult for me in the beginning. I knew nothing about business or any of the food permits. I googled a lot and reached out for guidance. Running a food-based business has proven to be harder than I ever imagined. From taking a food sanitation course, getting permits from the health department, and finding a commercial kitchen to rent, everything needs to be legit. This has definitely influenced my business. I’ve shifted my services and no longer take dessert orders so that I can focus on my workshops and online shop. The overhead costs are too high for a small business like mine that is renting kitchen space by the hour.

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What are some of your goals for the future?

My big goal is to one day have a farmhouse property to host cooking classes and events. I would love to write a cookbook too.

What do you hope your customers will gain from your products?

What do you want them to feel from the whole Sweet Melissa experience?

Three words to describe Sweet Melissa are: classic, warm, and authentic. I want people to be reminded of family dinners and the favorite cake their grandma always made‌ everything made with love and enjoyed with others. My food style is rich-tasting, comforting classics. I will always stay true to that.

MELI SSA A ND HER MOM In honor of Mother’s Day, Miller shares her appreciation for mom: “Sweet Melissa would not be possible without my partner in crime, my talented Mama [Sherry Thoreson]. She’s been with me since day one—neck-to-neck with me in the kitchen, giving me strength when I’ve been in tears, and keeping me grounded with all my ideas. I see this as a mother/daughter team business. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together so far.”

FIND IT HERE Learn more about Sweet Melissa’s products and workshops at melissamariemiller.com or on Instagram @sweetmelissaofficial.

FARM FRESH Five Hands Farm owner Nash Bruce introduces us to early summer’s underdog varietal WORDS Ma rk Lo ehrke

The farming life can be a lonely one, but for Nash Bruce, time alone out in the fields is actually one of its biggest draws.

“The solitude is hard to beat,” he says.

The 32-year-old Lowell native grew up on a functioning farm with parents who loved to garden, and long hoped to start his own organic vegetable operation. That dream became a reality five years ago in the form of Five Hands Farm in Lowell, where Bruce and his crew run a thriving Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership program, filling weekly produce boxes with a half-bushel share of the farm’s current harvest.

During the late spring and early summer, that bounty includes baby greens, garlic scapes, snap peas and one varietal that not every CSA member will immediately recognize: Hakurei turnips.

Raw or cooked, Bruce says these little beauties will be an early-season surprise to anyone discovering them for the first time.

We asked Bruce to share the following facts about the Hakurei turnip.

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PHOTOS Bra d M . Wol f

The difference between Hakurei turnips and other varieties: Roughly the size of a golf ball, and often mistaken for radishes, they tend to lack the heat and bitterness often associated with other kinds of turnips.

Why they’re a good crop for this time of the year: They’re fast-growing (about 40 days) and relatively cold-hardy, and their taste develops best in cool conditions.

The joys and challenges of growing Hakurei turnips in Northwest Indiana: It’s nice to be able to expose customers to a new variety with such excellent taste, and it’s great that they grow so quickly. The challenges tend to be mostly insect-related, with flea beetles, root maggots and aphids seeming to enjoy Hakureis almost as much as we do! We use an insect barrier to stave off these threats.

What to look for when seeking out Hakurei turnips: Three main things: crisp greens, smaller size and no cracks.

The best ways to prepare and enjoy Hakurei turnips: We love them quartered on the grill. They pair beautifully with carrots, golden beets and fingerling potatoes. You can also slice them raw for a great fresh salad addition, or add them to mashed potatoes.

FIND IT HERE Learn more about Five Hands Farm or order a weekly produce box at fivehandsfarm.net.

A N U N C OM M ON CANVAS Joe Morris finds beauty in the unconventional

By Jacqueline Fisch Photos by Brad M. Wolf

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For Joe Morris, art is about telling stories. He believes that a piece of art, whether a canvas on your mantle, a hot rod or classic motorcycle, should tell a story. Steps off of Main Street in the Crown Point Square, you’ll find Morris’s art gallery and shop—JMOTO Speedshop—converted from the town’s 1927 original service station.

As I walked in, noticing the smell of paint with a hint of motor oil, Morris greeted me as he turned down the volume on the documentary playing on the big screen about the late Pantera guitar player, Dimebag Darrell.

“Art has always played a role in my life,” Morris says. Back in the second grade, you’d find him in class drawing pictures from his textbooks and it was so good his classmates would accuse him of tracing.

Later, during his advertising career, he honed his signature gritty Americana style late into the evenings and on weekends. He started doing exhibits and solo shows at places such as Mars Gallery, Catch 35, and unconventional places like the Double Door, where he rode one of his custom bikes right into the bar.

Some of his notable artworks include the fighter series for UFC, Chicago Blackhawks, Kellogg’s 100th anniversary painting, the Who, Buddy Guy, Eric Church, Team Penske, Bruce Lee Enterprises, and Korn.

Having raced motorcycles since his 20s, Morris had been around them for years, and later discovered that boring factory-painted motorcycles were begging to bear some original gritty art. “I saw those bikes as a blank canvas,” he says, recalling when he first started roughing up the “perfect” airbrush job.

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“People were always looking at my art and telling me it should be my full-time job—and finally, it is,” he says. In 2016, Morris stepped away from a 15-plus year career as a creative director in the advertising world. He could finally take his art to new levels and focus on making art his job instead of just what he did in the cracks of his life.

His wife found the Crown Point building, and when she realized the spacious vintage appeal was perfect, she called him right away. “Joe, your art will look awesome in here,” she had told him. “Also, we’re running out of space in our garage.” Just two months later he signed the lease and started filling the shop. He also brought in Mike Hoj, a notable and experienced builder and fabrication artist he met at a bike show, to work on the bikes.

To Morris, every piece of work is a new adventure. “It’s about throwing out the process and the rules each time and creating art on my terms,” he says. Morris and Hoj just came away from winning the Chicago World of Wheels for the custom Johnny

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Cash tribute Low Rider softail bike they built on commission for a Nashville collector.

Today, the JMOTO Speedshop walls are filled from floor to ceiling, and the space functions as a studio, custom motorcycle shop and fine art gallery. It also serves as a community gathering space, especially on Thursday cruise nights in the summer months, where you’ll find the garage doors open and a crowd of people enjoying the visual experience. “People tell me it’s like nothing they’ve ever seen,” Joe says. “They just want to hang out, and that’s cool with us because we love that our shop is sparking creativity and inspiring conversations.”

JMOTO Speedshop isn’t just about hot rods and bikers either; he wants to get that first-time art buyer to think beyond the mainstream options. “When you’re surrounded by original art, your mind is more open and freethinking, your house is more inviting and opens up conversation,” Morris says.

Morris’s canvas work ranges from popular media to sports art for kids. He also uses his mixed media techniques on helmets, goalie masks and guitars.

When asked where he draws inspiration for his undeniably cool style, he says, “Rauschenberg, Pollock, people’s stories, music, Japanese custom Harley-Davidsons, rust, and Americana.”

FIND IT HERE JMOTO Speedshop 208 S Court St Crown Point joemorrisart.com Look for the open garage doors during the Car Cruise nights on the Crown Point square, which take place every Thursday beginning May 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. In addition, JMOTO is available by appointment at 219.323.3194.

G I F TS FOR MOM A ND DA D

This Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, treat them to gifts from these local shops and artisans.

M OT HE R’S DAY

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Garden Jars: Self Watering Flower & Herb Kits $20 Indie Indie Bang Bang 19 Lincolnway | Valparaiso 625 S Lake St | Gary

Bath Bombs $3-$4 each Lone Wolf Bath & Body Co. facebook.com/LoneWolBathandBody/

Mother’s Bangle $18 Homemade Happiness facebook.com/DebbiesHomemadeHappiness

Magnolia Soy Candle $24 Loulou Belle 2049 Ridge Rd, Homewood

Cutie Cupcake in a Jar $7.50 Cute as a Cupcake 2008 W 81st Ave, Merrillville

Floral and Macrame Wall Hanging $48 Boho Living boholiving.store

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

FAT HE R’S DAY

Raw, Organic Cold-Pressed Juice $10.95/bottle or $60/day for cleanse Roots Organic Juice Cafe 108 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso

Jungle Gym Smoothie and Ginger/Turmeric Shot $9 Roots Organic Juice Cafe 108 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso

Father’s Day Custom Gift Boxes $50-$170 Indie Indie Bang Bang 19 Lincolnway, Valparaiso | 625 S Lake St, Gary

No. 63 Shave & Body Products $8-$24 Loulou Belle 2049 Ridge Rd, Homewood

VIE W MORE For additional gift ideas from local businesses, visit the Makers Market and Shopkeeper Spotlight pages in issues 002 and 004.

View the digital issues at readheremag.com.

Faith-based Apparel $28 8TwentyEight 8twentyeight.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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GE T O UT T HE RE

SAV E T H E DAT E

What’s Happening around Northwest Indiana

| Compiled by Ashley Boyer

THROUGH MAY 20 Spring into the Arts Downtown Valparaiso, springintothearts.com Valparaiso Community Schools’ month-long celebration of the arts featuring works by students at seven downtown locations, as well as art-themed events.

MAY 19 Spring Out to Sunset Festival Noon-5pm, Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Rd, Valparaiso, portercountyparks.org Fun for the family with an old-fashioned baseball game, bounce houses, music, pony rides, laser ball, twisted balloons, a beer garden, food vendors and more.

MAY 3-JUNE 3 Forever Plaid Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster, theatreatthecenter.com A playful tribute to the close harmony of “guy groups” of the 1950s follows a quirky quartet of high school chums in the spotlight for the biggest performance of their lives.

MAY 5 Logs to Lustrons Tour 2018 8:30am-5pm, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, logstolustronstour18.eventbrite.com Springtime wine and beer festival with food and music, a fundraiser for the Duneland Chamber of Commerce and Thomas Centennial Park.

MAY 11 5x5 at the Depot 5pm, The Depot Museum and Art Gallery, 525 S Broadway, Beverly Shores, thedepotmag.org Visitors can “claim” a piece of art for purchase at this fundraiser for the museum and gallery, featuring artwork donated by more than 45 different local artists.

MAY 11-12 Hunt & Gather Market 5-10pm Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S Court St, Crown Point More than 150 artists, makers and vintage curators, plus a full bar, gourmet food and live music.

MAY 12 Fair in the Air 10am-4pm, Fair Oaks Farms, 856 N 600 E, Fair Oaks, fofarms.com/fairintheair This kite festival features kite performances, kite-making workshops, a candy drop, inflatable play zone, and more.

MAY 12 Three Little Birds Market 9am-4pm, Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso, facebook.com/3littlebirdsmarket Vintage and handmade goods by Indiana artisans, live music, and food trucks.

MAY 18-19 Fetching Market 5-9pm Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, Historic Ford Hanger, 3239 Glenwood Lansing Rd, Lansing, Ill., fetchingmarket.com More than 80 specialty vendors showcasing vintage and hand-crafted wares, plus live music and local fare.

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MAY 24 Taste of Valparaiso 5:30-8:30pm, Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso, trikappavalpo.org Valparaiso Tri Kappa’s annual fundraiser with samples of signature dishes from 40 local restaurants, a raffle and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit community organizations.

MAY 26-27 Michigan City Food Truck Festival 10am-8pm, Fedders Alley, 115 Lakeshore Dr, Michigan City, michigancityfoodtruckfestival.com Gourmet food trucks, live entertainment, outdoor games and more.

JUNE 1 Beaux Arts Ball Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster, southshoreartsonline.org Black-tie fundraiser with cocktails, dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions.

JUNE 2 Jammin with Save the Dunes 4-10pm, Washington Park, 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, savedunes.org Performances by headliners Mr. Blotto, the Tumbleweed Jumpers, ClusterPluck and more, plus kids’ activities, local grub, craft beer and wine.

JUNE 9 National Get Outdoors Day Open House 11am-3pm, Dunes Learning Center, 700 Howe Rd, Chesterton, duneslearningcenter.org A full day of family-friendly guided activities and adventures in the great outdoors, led by Dunes Learning Center naturalists, National Park Service rangers and others.

JUNE 16 Lakeshore PAWS Pup Crawl 5-10pm, Central Park Plaza, 63 Lafayette St, Valparaiso, lakeshorepaws.org Dog walk, live music by the Crawpuppies, beer and wine tent, local food and pet vendors, and pets available for adoption. Proceeds benefit Lakeshore PAWS.

JUNE 16 NWI Food Truck Fest 1-9pm, Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Rd, Valparaiso, facebook.com/nwifoodtruckfest Festival featuring 20 new and returning food trucks, live music, family-friendly entertainment, beer and wine, and more.

JUNE 23 ArtBash 2018: When the Lights GLOW Down 5:30pm, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, 777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City, lubeznikcenter.org Annual fundraiser for Lubeznik Center for the Arts, featuring an interactive auction, dancing, cocktails, food and more.

JUNE 21-JULY 6 The Pop-Up Valparaiso, valparaisoevents.com Regional art competition with both visual and performing arts popping up in local businesses, with a chance for the public to help select the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

WI NE & BREWFESTS MAY 5 Blue Chip Brewfest 1:30-5pm, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, 777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City, bluechipcasino.com

JUNE 16 Crown Brewfest 2:30-6pm, Lake County Fairgrounds Industrial Building, 889 S Court St, Crown Point, crownbeerfest.com

JUNE 9 Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too 5-8pm, Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, washingtonparkzoo.com

JUNE 30 Pints in the Park 4-8pm, Wicker Memorial Park, 2215 Ridge Rd, Highland, pintsinthepark.net

AT THE S PA

Beauty treatments to help you look and feel youthful Word s by Jul i a Per l a H ui s m an

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Illust rat ion by M elissa Washb ur n

For most women, looking their best is about so much more than physical appearance. The old adage, “If you look good, you feel good” still rings true. For reasons deeply psychological and probably even biological, the universal truth is that a woman who walks out the door feeling pretty is more likely to exude confidence and courage all day long.

Esthetician Norma Smith, of Norma Smith Skincare Clinic in Merrillville, knows this well. Smith and her RN Shelly Giannini perform treatments for the skin and body, including jet peels, microdermabrasion, acne treatment, and radio frequency, which is a non-invasive skin tightening treatment.

“When you take advantage of the newest technologies to stay younger looking, you will feel better about yourself and have more confidence,” Smith says. At her clinic, health education plays as vital a role as the treatments themselves, so that the overall effect is successful.

Giannini adds, “Body treatments, along with healthy eating habits and exercise, will give the best long-lasting results. It all goes hand in hand.”

Both women agree that mothers especially tend to neglect their health and beauty in order to be more available to those under their care. Of course the irony is that if moms took better care of themselves, they would in fact become better caregivers to their loved ones. Convincing them of this can be challenging, however. “We all know our mothers at this point in our lives,” Giannini says.

“Sometimes they may need a little loving push.”

To help you with that push, we’ve identified a few local spas and clinics offering treatments that relax and rejuvenate, a gift Mom would surely welcome for Mother’s Day.

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N O R M A S M I T H S K I N CARE CLI NI C 103-B W 86th Ave, Merrillville myskincarespecialists.com For 23 years, this clinic has been the go-to spot for state-of-the-art skin and body treatments. Norma Smith does extensive research to identify the best practices in her industry and also to educate her clients on how to maximize their treatments. Some of the most popular services here are the jet facial, which unclogs pores and stimulates collagen; microdermabrasion, which removes dead cells; and radio frequency for the face and body, which tightens the skin and eliminates cellulite. Quality skin care products, carefully vetted by Smith, are available here as well.

S PA B LU AT B LUE C H I P CASI NO 777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City bluechipcasino.com One of the primary highlights at Blue Chip Casino is spa blu, a 10,000-squarefoot spa, salon and fitness center. Some of the newer luxury health and beauty treatments offered at the spa include the blu KPS organic anti-aging facial, which firms and adds volume to the skin. There’s the blu slim wrap, which assists with cellulite reduction, and the salted Himalayan body wrap that exfoliates and moisturizes the skin. The spa features individual lounges for men and women, along with steam rooms and whirlpools. Following their time at the spa, guests can head downstairs for a meal at William B’s Steakhouse.

VA N I S SA LO N & DAY SPA Locations in Crown Point, Schererville and Valparaiso vanis.net Vanis is best known for its top-of-the-line hair care services, but the salon offers an extensive list of spa treatments as well. In addition to several massage varieties, there are body wrap treatments that help relieve stress, exfoliate the skin and give the skin a healthy glow. There are facials to fit every need, and even a custom facial that comes with a skin care analysis and treatment customized to the client’s skin care needs. While all of the services can be purchased individually, Vanis also offers packages that include a full day or half day at the spa, and men can get in on the self-care too, with the Men’s Day Retreat option.

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SER EN IT Y SALO N & S PA 3075 Village Point, Chesterton serenityofchesterton.com Nestled in the picturesque Coffee Creek neighborhood in Chesterton, this salon features services and environs that mirror the serenity promised in its name.

Body treatments like “Tropical Oasis” take the client to another place, away from the stressors of everyday life. Serenity offers a host of massage and reflexology options, along with facials and acne treatments. Spa packages can be purchased here too, and Serenity’s other services include hair care, manicures and pedicures, waxing and makeup.

D OWN TOWN DI S P L AY

Valparaiso proudly showcases kids’ artwork with Spring into the Arts Festival

By Jerry Davich

As a girl, Jessica Corral completely immersed herself in creative projects, inspiring her to take action. As a woman, she has continued her artistic immersion, yet still with a child’s wonderment and imagination. Corral sees children as a blank canvas for artistic expression, whether it’s through painting, photography, mixed-media or digital design.

“When children are exposed to art, seeds of creative passion are harvested,” says Corral, who not surprisingly is an art teacher at Flint Lake Elementary School in Valparaiso. “How will children explore these artistic possibilities if the opportunity isn’t offered by our schools?”

This is the mindset behind Valparaiso Community Schools’ third annual student-centered Spring into the Arts festival. The ongoing month-long event offers a colorful tapestry of artistic genres, once again using downtown Valparaiso as its frame and easel.

“We are very lucky to have exceptional downtown venues all within walking distance of one another,” says Corral, coordinator of the festival. “No other school district offers a festival of this capacity, embodying all art forms, with students at the center of it.”

The event is a joint collaboration between the city of Valparaiso, VCS art teachers, and a committee of educators, businesses and residents who are convinced that artistic expression is a meaningful experience in a youngster’s impressionable world.

“I’m passionate about this festival because I recognize how important experiences are for young learners,” Corral says.

Sixth-grader Salena Martin is one of the young artists. “Sometimes it’s hard to see what the project will look like during the process,” Salena says. “Then when it’s finally complete, I can look at it and feel proud of my work.”

Student artwork from kindergarten through grade 12 is currently being featured through May 20 at seven downtown locations and at a dozen businesses. In all, more than 1,000 pieces of student artwork will be displayed across all 19 locations. “If a festival of this caliber was offered to me as a girl, I would have been delighted to participate any way I could. It’s all about experiences,” Corral says.

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Jessica Corral helped create a public venue for kids’ artwork to be shared.

Photo by Sonia Arkkelin

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Creating art as a child is one thing. Sharing it publicly with the world is quite another. “By experiencing actual works of art, young people can learn the value of self-discovery and benefits of creative thought and expression,” says Gregg Hertzlieb, director of the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University. “Art stimulates the imagination and makes the impossible possible.”

“Our festival enables students to showcase their personal creativity across several artistic genres—visual arts, theater, film and performance art,” Corral adds.

The festival’s “@rt-chitecture walk” showcases student artwork from every school level at seven downtown locations through May 20. “This creates an opportunity for parents, and the community, to view and interact with art displays at each location,” Corral says.

Other events include the “STE@M” show, featuring multiple activities for kids, as well as a “CANstruction” team of elementary students designing and engineering a structure made entirely of canned goods.

“There is something special that happens when a child sees his or her artwork exhibited in a public space,” Corral says. “I am happy we’ve established a platform to do just that.”

Photos provided by Jessica Corral

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EV EN TS May 5, 6:30-8pm Valpo Film Festiv@l - Urschel Pavilion May 17, 6:30-8:30pm The@ter Outreach - Memorial Opera House and Valparaiso University May 20, 1-4pm Where Did V@n Gogh - Urschel Pavilion

V EN U ES

Kids’ artwork is displayed at the following venues around Valparaiso: Valparaiso Public Library – Kindergarten Valparaiso City Hall – First grade Memorial Opera House – Second grade Porter County Administration Building – Third grade Porter County Museum – Fourth grade Urschel Pavilion – Fifth grade Valpo Art House & Gallery – Sixth through 12th grades Misbeehavin’ Meads, Valpo Pour House – Valparaiso University artwork Other venues include: Roots Organic Juice Café, Lifestyles, Don Quijote, Old World Market, Designer Desserts, Lincoln Flats, Edie Boutique, and Toys in the Attic.

For more info, visit springintothearts.com.

T HE I DE A B O O K

PRET T Y IN P E AC H A sweet, summertime breakfast

Wo rds by Jul i a Pe r l a H u is m a n | P h oto s a n d re c ip e by Amy S h e re e

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We are launching into the glorious season when fruit is at its peak and the bounty is abundant. Peaches in particular are a summertime staple in the Midwest, offering a sweetness no man-made candy can match.

Food and lifestyle blogger Amy Sheree of Crown Point created a peach recipe that is ideal for breakfast because of its high protein content but could also be considered a dessert. “Peaches have always been one of my favorite fruits,” Amy says. “They’re healthy, sweet and a great replacement to make a healthy dessert without feeling deprived.”

Whether you eat it at the beginning of the day or the end of a meal, give Amy’s simple summer recipe a try.

G R I L L E D PE AC H PA RFA I TS 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 4 yellow peaches 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil 2 cups grassfed yogurt 1/2 cup granola Honey for drizzling

1. Bring grill (or grill pan) to medium heat.

2. On a plate mix together sugar and cinnamon, set aside.

3. Cut peaches in half, remove pit and dip flesh-side-down into cinnamon/sugar mixture.

4. Coat grill with coconut oil and place peaches on grill.

5. Cook for 4 minutes, lift peaches and move slightly to create a different direction grill mark.

6. Cook peaches for an additional 4 minutes, then remove from heat.

7. Top grilled peaches with yogurt, granola and honey.

8. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

AB O U T AM Y Amy Sheree blogs about food, fashion and travel at amysheree.com. She is the recipe developer, food stylist and photographer for her blog and can be found on Instagram at @amy.sheree and @amyshereestyled.

How and why to start a mastermind group

By Brendan Hufford Digital illustration by Brad M. Wolf 34

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I keep a photo of myself handy for whenever I’m feeling frustrated with my business.

This sounds vain, I know, but it’s really nothing special. It’s just me looking off into the distance, with a tiny, knowing smile on my face. What you can’t see in that photo is why I’m so happy.

After five long years of trying to create a physical product, I was receiving my first large order at my home in Munster.

But here’s the thing about photos like these: You never see all of the ups and downs of trying to become a successful, independent maker. The countless 3 a.m. nights (or were they mornings?) full of stress were overwritten by that singular moment, now being able to hold something that I created.

Going It Alone Despite remaining completely independent in my craft and business, the truth is that I never could have done it alone.

When you’re creating your own product, it’s easy to get lost. You have your sense as a craftsperson, but you can’t help but wonder constantly, “Am I even doing this right? Is anybody going to buy these?” You wonder, day after day, “Am I taking steps in the right order? Or even in the right direction?”

“Do I sell online or in person? Should I get a booth at the next Fetching Market or open my Etsy shop first? Should I try to get wholesale orders? I can only make one of these a week. How can this become a business?”

Frankly, it’s overwhelming. What I’ve found in working like this for the last decade is that the loneliness and echo chamber in your own head can be the most haunting.

Roughly 40 percent of Americans ages 25-34 cite their fear of failure as holding them back from starting a business. Even if you manage to get started, like I did, within the first five years more than half of businesses shut their doors forever.

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The Group Factor When things were at their lowest point for me, I sought out an entrepreneur that I looked up to, but who I knew was too busy to become my mentor. Anybody worth being your mentor is probably extremely busy as well. This individual mentioned forming a “mastermind group” and as I researched the idea, it became the solution to most of my biggest struggles.

With a mentor, you ask questions and get feedback, developing a relationship of consistent follow-up. A mastermind functions in much the same way, but with a group of peers.

A mastermind group, according to Schererville resident Ken Wallace, founder of mastermindjam.com, is “simply a small group of people who meet on a regular basis to help each other accomplish goals.”

A mastermind is a group of people that formalize the mentor-mentee relationship. It can be online or in person, so long as you speak your goals aloud and receive feedback and accountability from people who understand the nature of what you’re going through and what’s at stake.

Pick Your Peers Like me, you can start by finding three to six other people who are at a similar place in their business journey. They need not have the same kind of business, either. When you’re unsure about hiring a new barista at your coffee shop, your peers don’t have to own a coffee shop to help you. If they know the stress of hiring an employee and empathetically understand that you’re not only saying yes to the employee but also to his or her family who relies on you for wages and insurance, they can help you.

So long as they commit to helping you grow (and you commit to them as well), you will find your mastermind group quickly becoming your secret weapon.

I credit my mastermind group with so much of my results, thanks to their accountability, advice, encouragement and feedback. Sure, I had to do the work. But every week, I had a group of trusted peers to lean on when I needed them.

I’d love to see more mastermind groups in the region to help skyrocket the already blossoming community of independent makers and entrepreneurs developing here. Are you ready to take the next step and recruit a close-knit group of entrepreneurs that can help you level-up your business?

Quickly, think of two friends you can call or text today and set up a time to meet.

Like you, I feel strongly about our community and our shared future. Your future is my future is our future. As you find success, so do we all.

B R EN DA N ’S A DV I C E FOR STA RTI NG YOUR FIRST MAST E RMIND F O R M AT:

Will your mastermind be peer-driven with all peers on equal footing or led by a “guru”? Depending which you choose drastically changes the structure of the group.

PU R PO SE:

Is your group going to focus on peer accountability, giving advice, encouraging each other, business results, or maybe a combination of them all?

SCHEDULE:

Make sure the schedule meets the needs of the group without it feeling rushed (this happens with overly frequent meetings) or losing accountability (from infrequent meetings). I’ve found a strong cadence to be weekly or every other week. Be open to adjusting as your group progresses.

STR U C TU RE:

Be clear and up front about what your group’s structure will be and what the expectations are for each meeting.

TR AC K I N G A ND C OMMI TMENT:

Decide how you will keep notes for each meeting and how those will be used for future meetings. Additionally, decide whether your group is ongoing or whether it will “expire” after a period of time.

C H O O SE W I S ELY:

A huge mistake most mastermind groups make is forming it from a group of friends. Sure, we have to like the people in our group and we will have to grow to know them intimately. However, you need to trust that they’re going to ask you hard questions and push you past your limits from time to time. Choose those who will push you and expect to be pushed by you, not close friends.

A B O U T B R ENDA N Brendan Hufford is a marketing and business veteran from Munster who is passionate about helping local businesses get more business and revenue from their website through SEO. In 2016, he founded PhotoMBA, where he teaches photographers how to charge more, land better clients, and bridge the gap between their current reality and photography business goals. Learn more about him at PhotoMBA.net and BrendanHufford.com.

THE S OL E P ROJ ECT

A local workout group gives back and gets fit

By Jessica Ca mp b ell P hotos by J illia n Pa nc ini

Never trust the first mile, they always say. Don’t fear the title boot camp class, they warn. But we do. When we think of athleticism, we picture skinny legs in yoga tights, toned arms, and planking without an ugly sweat. But that’s not real life, nor Jessica Halliar’s life. She turned to running when her twins were

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being their terrible two-year-old selves and now is dedicated to the daily run. No, she still doesn’t trust the first mile all the time, but she has learned a thing or two about fitness.

It takes sole.

Halliar is the founder of the Sole Project and the leader of the Sole Tribe. She is just another example of a woman who found something special that worked, something that she is passionate about, that she then shared with her hometown community of DeMotte, to make others as passionate as well.

The Sole Project was founded in 2017 and is a not-for-profit organization that was established to raise money for donating used or new running shoes to kids and adults in need. In just one year, Halliar collected more than 100 pairs of shoes and raised $1,000 to buy shoes and gift cards. She has since been handing out shoes to people of all ages, charities, and places such as food pantries and shelters. She is still welcoming new additions to her collection.

This year, her plan is to expand the brand even more, bringing in more money, more shoes, more miles, and more athletes. “The Sole Project was an idea that turned into something because of support,” she says.

With that support, Halliar has recruited a group of women to join her, with the intention of changing the way they look at the world of fitness and exercise. Whether a person is a five-time marathon runner, or just keeping fit, they are welcome into the Sole Tribe, where self-confidence is toned right along with muscles.

Growing up, Halliar was not attuned to seeing her parents and other adults exercise. People who did so were the “professional athletes” on television or playing in a high school sport, not something for daily fun. Even now in the rural town of DeMotte, a runner on the road is not too common. But each Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Spencer Park, working out is the new norm.

“I asked my friends, ‘Would you come to this if we started working out together? Every week? For free? And, that’s how the Sole Tribe started off,” Halliar says. “We just started working out and whoever wanted to come could come.”

Last year, Halliar led workouts for the group every Tuesday night for one hour. Each week had warm-up and cool-down jogs around either Spencer Park or Field of Dreams followed by body-weight workouts. Children were welcome and happily camped out on the playground or the grass near the park, allowing mothers a workout free of stress and hassle. By the end of the year, Halliar had a good assembly of dedicated trainees, sprinkled with new faces all the time.

Michelle Jackson is one of them. “I love being outside instead of stuck in a gym, plus Jessica is very inspirational and encouraging,” she says. “The others in the group are too. It’s nice to be part of something that is enjoyable in so many different ways.”

Jessica Halliar founded the Sole Project and Sole Tribe in an effort to introduce others to health and fitness.

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The only issue are those still telling Halliar they aren’t coming because their body is not the same as others.

“Strength is not a weight size or a number, it is a feeling,” Halliar says. Nor does age matter, since the Tribe’s ages range from their 20s to even 60-year-olds. With music blaring, kids cheering, and the girl talk going on between each set, there is nothing to remind participants of that primary fear of exercise. “We try to make it as airy and light as possible because it is intimidating. You’re in front of these people, making yourself vulnerable, but we are all there for each other,” Halliar says. “Everyone can start. Just show up.”

April kicked off Round Two of the Sole Tribe and Sole Project. This year of Tuesday workouts will include more “soleful” women, dedicated to increasing their push-up record in addition to the number of bodies next to them. Coach Halliar too is coming back more focused, ready to turn up the heat this summer. With her own experience and advice from fellow coaches and runners, she has been designing

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modifiable workouts that are sweat-inducing and muscle-building, and varied enough to keep it interesting.

This year, Halliar is constructing the summer around the goal of completing the Rotary Ramble 5K Run/ Walk. She spent the winter months crafting several different training plans, which are free and versatile to fit any level runner.

In addition, to represent the Sole Project’s mission, Halliar will run from Kankakee Valley High School in Jasper County to North Newton High School in Newton County on Saturday, Oct. 6. In order to raise money and awareness for the Sole Project, Halliar will donate every cent made to the schools, to help athletic departments and athletes.

She has decided to take it mile by mile, meaning that sponsors can purchase a mile for a minimum of $100. For that mile, Halliar will wear the logo of the company on her person, and will be acknowledging

the company’s support on her Facebook Live stream that will be tailing her for all 33 miles. Monetary donations can be made to her GoFundMe page, which can be found on her blog, while cheers and support can be shared directly with the runners on the course.

“I wanted a way to raise money to do something for the high school athletes,” she says. “If I run school to school, then that money could go back to the school athletic departments and it is on the same premise of keeping healthy lifestyles going.”

The Sole Project and Tribe is more than a workout.

They are about the pounding heartbeats after a sprint, glistening sweat after the last squat, friendships, and the moment someone ties up their new laces for the first time. This is a group of women who found their souls, in the soles of a pair of running shoes, propelling them to become better athletes and better people.

“One of the biggest things I wanted was to just give people a shove, a start,” Halliar says. “We want to create a group of women that are confident and have all the right staples.”

THE SO LE P RO J ECT News and updates about the Sole Project and the Sole Tribe workouts can be found at givesole.wordpress.com, on the Sole Project Facebook page, or @sole_project_ on Instagram.

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T RAIL RUNNING Perhaps you can’t travel to DeMotte for the Sole Tribe workouts, but if you like the thought of getting fit outdoors, here are some of our region’s best running trails by county.

LAPORTE COUNTY: Soldiers Memorial Park Short trails, mainly used by mountain bikers, through the woods surrounding Pine and Stone lakes in LaPorte.

LAKE COUNTY: Erie Lackawanna A 17.7-mile rail trail that winds throughout Crown Point and Hammond. Despite the traffic in these areas, the trail is bordered by green space and parks along the way.

PORTER COUNTY: The Indiana Dunes State Park trails Multiple levels and lengths of trails, including the tough 3 Dune Challenge.

Duneland Prairie Trail A 10-mile paved path that starts in Chesterton and travels all the way to Hobart.

Equipped with mile markers, convenient Porta Potties and drinking fountains.

FE AT URES

EXPLORING THE FINE LINE BETWEEN CREATIVITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

By Amanda Wilson Photos by Michelle Hamstra

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“All magic comes with a price and all artists pay for their gifts,” Aaron Davis of Merrillville recalls his college script-writing professor saying. Davis is an artist, writer, musician, actor and student at Chicago’s famed Second City Conservatory. The price that his professor referred to is one that Davis knows all too well, as creativity, bipolar II disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder have been present and intertwined in his life since childhood.

Davis says his bipolar II disorder and his art inform and influence each other, both the highs of hypomania and the lows of depression. He says he’s been wildly productive during hypomanic phases, as when he wrote a 35-page script in 48 hours. “For three or four days, you’re in this elevated state and can accomplish a lot.”

Davis had attended colleges in Wisconsin and California before returning to the area to finish his degree at Purdue University Northwest. He was involved in various choral groups during his time at school and served as the worship pastor for a small church plant. By fall 2013, he says, the combination of an

overabundance of activity with malfunctioning adrenal glands led to a downward spiral of exhaustion and depression. He recalls Mondays in which he skipped classes, blocked the light from his room and sat on the floor of his closet with a comforter over his head. “When you have high functioning bipolar and OCD disorders, you always have a face on. People don’t see what’s beyond that,” Davis says.

The Curse of Creativity The struggles of creatives with mental illness throughout history are well known, and cultural icons from Vincent van Gogh to Sylvia Plath personify the tragedy and mystique of the tortured artist. But research on the correlation between creatively inclined individuals and mental illness is inconclusive. There are studies, such as the large-scale study done by Swedish researchers from the Karolinska Institutet, which found that certain types of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, were more prevalent among those in creative professions. Yet many scientists are doubtful of a confirmed, genetic link in creatives with mental illness and point to various studies that relied on too few study participants and thin evidence.

Aaron Davis is an artist, writer, musician and actor who struggles with mental illness in the face of creativity.

Is the creative individual more inclined toward mental illness because of certain personality traits and brain chemistry composition? Or, does the creative pursuit itself act as a trigger for mental illness in susceptible individuals?

“It’s a lonely experience to have a unique perspective and to be outside of those who don’t share your unique perspective,” says Dr. Shaun Wehle, psychologist and owner of Dr. Shaun Wehle and Associates in Merrillville. “The pressure of being misunderstood and unappreciated is heavy.” Yet, he adds, personality factors may well be part of it, too. “Many creatives have personality attributes that lead more easily to maladies like anxiety and depression. They tend to be exceptionally perceptive and sensitive to other people’s pain, to injustice, and to the beauty and brokenness of this world.”

Northwest Indiana musician and artist James (who chose not to use his real name) says he’s always felt things deeply and sensed from a young age that this set him apart from other

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people. A self-taught guitarist who writes and records his own music, James has played shows across the country. He recently began creating and selling hand-made art pieces as well. James says he was always tuned into the world around him, particularly music. “There have been many times in my life that were filled with melancholy but I call these ‘mood seasons,’” he says. “Some of the songs that I have written when I felt depressed have literally welled up out of my soul.”

James says the depth of emotion elicited and reciprocated between artist and audience is magic. “There is no feeling like getting to stand up in front of a ‘sea of heads’ that are smiling, dancing and crying,” he says. “These people are there to forget any troubles they may be having. They are there to feel good, and that is a very powerful thing.” That feel-good high can bolster his spirit for weeks, James says, but coming down from it can be depressing, too. “Artists can get depressed from that experience,” he says. “I think there are a lot of artists that are probably suffering from depression and they may not even have

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“SOME OF THE SONGS THAT I HAVE WRITTEN WHEN I FELT DEPRESSED HAVE LITERALLY WELLED UP OUT OF MY SOUL.”

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the energy to drag themselves to talk to someone for help.”

Finding Healing Many creatives fear that receiving treatment for mental illness, particularly mood-altering medications, will kill creativity. But, Wehle says, “Don’t be afraid that you’ll lose your creative edge if you seek help. Even with support and medication, you’ll still see the world in a unique way.” Medications can have side effects that dampen creativity, but side effects can be managed with proper medication and treatment adjustments.

Wehle concedes that certain mental states such as mania can lead to higher rates of creativity and productivity, but he cautions that it’s essential to weigh the cost of that creativity.

“If you’re productive during a manic state yet you’re putting your loved ones at risk, the risk outweighs the benefit,” he says.

“When you’re in a manic phase, you’re seeing the world in a way that’s very unique. Leveling off with the right treatment and medication allows you to be tethered without losing your creative edge, so that people can still hear the message you’re trying to send.”

Wehle adds that many types of treatment can actually enhance creativity. “With the right treatment, artistic expression can flourish,” he says. “Talk therapy and group therapy both allow you to get your thoughts outside of your head, to get perspective and to be heard. Isn’t that what artistic expression is, getting your perspective out there for the world? And, of course, art therapy is a creative approach to healing.

Psychotherapy gives you power.”

For Davis, putting a name to his experiences was in itself healing. Seeking help for OCD symptoms, Davis took advantage of free access to therapists at Purdue University Northwest.

Weekly therapy sessions and testing led to Davis’s diagnoses of obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar II disorder. “I already knew, but it was helpful to have it confirmed,” he says. In addition to therapy and counseling sessions, Davis uses herbal supplements to balance his adrenal glands.

He also has a solid support group of trusted friends to look out for him. He recalls a recent night out with friends when they pointed out that he was getting hyperfocused, so one of his friends followed him home to make sure Davis was okay.

James says talk is the big thing he recommends for creatives in need of mental health help. “We have one life here and if it’s not feeling good enough or right for you, do not keep that inside of you.” He takes the antidepressant Wellbutrin, and he describes its effects as “giving me an extra 15 seconds before I smash something.” He credits the support of his wife, sons and God for helping him through the good and bad times. Depression once robbed him of the happiness he knew his family, career and talent should bring him, and he vows that though “that little depression devil is always waiting for me around the red brick corner, I’m not going to give him any power.”

He advises other creatives struggling with darkness to fight for light. “Life is complicated, but it is so worth it to stand up and fight for your soul,” he says. “Enjoy this life. It’s too easy to take it all for granted.”

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LARGE FAMILIES SHARE THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THEIR BUSY LIVES Photography by Brad M. Wolf

We spent the day with four local families that have five or more children.

Not only did they give us an inside look into what it’s like to have such a large family, but they also answered the question we’re all asking: “How do you do it?”

THE KE E L AN FAM I LY Family of 9 St. John

Parents: Michael and Michelle Keelan Children (ages): Rose (11), Mary Jane (10), Deidra (9), Leo (7), Frank (5), Anna (3), Ruth (1) Family Makeup: All children are biological.

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What are the best parts of having a large family?

Michelle and I [Michael] both come from larger families. She is one of five children and I am one of six. We try to stay connected in all of our relationships with family members. The best parts of having a large family with our own children is that it’s sort of like Christmas every day—it’s just fun. It’s exciting, never boring; we tend to stay close, help each other, do things together, try to have fun, and support each other.

What challenges do you face as a large family?

It is challenging to try and go anywhere. Most of the kids have learned to be self-sufficient in getting themselves ready to go places. It’s the little ones that still need a lot of help and guidance to get ready to leave the house, and we have to make sure we have a diaper bag ready and prepared with the essentials. The older kids can be very helpful with things. Bickering among siblings is a challenge. There are a lot of kids and ages, each with their own personalities, likes, dislikes and temperaments.

How do you manage these challenges?

Stay calm, be prepared, don’t sweat the small stuff—like if a kid doesn’t have their hair fixed or have on a matching pair of socks or something, which happens all the time. With the bickering, we try to discern when to let them work it out among themselves or when to step in and mediate. This is where prayer and patience are helpful. Having stress-relieving activities is helpful: exercise, being outside, spending time with friends, and hobbies.

How do you keep track of everyone’s activities and homework?

We do our best to communicate, keep things on a calendar and have routines. Organization is the key to success here. We have to be efficient, and we try not to waste time. There are many times when there are a couple functions happening at the same time, in two different places. In that case we talk about what needs to happen, split up the responsibilities (and kids), and go. It’s busy, but good.

What advice do you have for other parents, no matter the size of their family?

First of all, any parent knows that it is not easy, no matter how many kids. We are not experts, but some of the things we shoot for are to keep genuine healthy relationships with each other, be fair and consistent with discipline, and set a good example. [See more parenting tips from the Keelans and all of the families at readheremag.com.]

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THE WADLE FAM I LY Family of 12 LaPorte

Parents: Quentin and Julie Wadle Children: Sam (16), Noah (15), Maria (14), Elizabeth (12), Anne Marie (11), Timothy (9), Dominic (7), Benjamin (5), Jeremiah (3), baby number ten due at the beginning of July Family Makeup: All children are biological.

What do you like best about having a large family?

There is always someone to talk to, play with, and spend time with.

What challenges do you face as a large family?

It takes longer to go places. Kids’ activities can conflict with each other. And finding a table to fit everybody at one time can be difficult.

How do you manage these challenges?

We leave a bit earlier to go places, and we plan ahead when we go out to eat. As for kids’ activities, sometimes Mom and Dad split up for kids’ events.

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How do you keep track of everyone’s activities and homework?

Quentin and I [Julie] have a shared Google calendar that has all of the family activities on it. Plus, we have a calendar in the kitchen so the kids can see what is going on, too. We have an after-school routine that has pretty much stayed the same since Sam was in kindergarten—come home, work on homework first, then play before dinner.

What advice do you have for other parents, no matter the size of their family?

Listen for the meaning behind what your child is saying.

What keeps you going?

We could not be the parents we are to our children without our faith in God. Our relationship with God and each other is the foundation of our family and what helps us get through the struggles that occur in our life.

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T HE M AT T HE WS FAM I LY Family of 7 St. John

Parents: Shay and Adriane Matthews Children: Mhejhana (19), Caden (14), Tahliel (9), Tyee (6), Shaely (4) Family Makeup: Blended. I [Adriane] had the oldest two kids before I met Shay. They are his stepchildren and then we had three together.

Other than size, what makes your family different from others?

We are both stay-at-home parents. We are a blended, biracial family with handicaps and special needs. We also have a 140-pound dog.

What are the best parts of having a large family?

There is a lot of input to family discussions and a lot of energy. It’s beautiful to watch the older kids play with and read to the younger ones. Also, with so many different personalities and abilities, we have athletes, artists and a dancer.

What challenges do you face as a large family?

One challenge that we have in our family is our five children are in four different stages in life. We have our oldest in college, one in middle school, two in elementary and one in preschool. We also have special needs in our family with autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder, as well as handicap. It is also hard to travel with such a large family because of the individual needs.

How do you manage these challenges?

Pray, pray and pray. Teamwork and constant communication are important, especially between the parents. In order to monitor electronics, the kids are not allowed to have any electronics in their bedrooms. This includes the phone for our 8th grader, plus handheld devices and TVs.

How do you keep track of everyone’s activities and homework?

We must stay organized with a shared calendar. Homework is done immediately after school. Chores are divided throughout the week and rotated for the little ones. Therapies are scheduled at the same time each week. Any extracurricular activities and appointments are planned ahead of time. It is very hard to work in anything last minute.

What keeps you going?

No matter how stressful the days may seem, these children are beautiful gifts from God. Time goes by quickly, so we have to remember to take in every hug, kiss and “I love you.”

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T HE PALM FAM I LY Family of 13 Valparaiso

Parents: Matt and Lovelyn Palm Children: Nico (16), Chloe (14), Anika (13), Jude (11), Ellie (11), Clayton (9), Bianca (9), Emmy (5), Evie (5), Fiona (2), Ruby (2) Family Makeup: Both biological and adopted children

Other than size, what makes your family different from others?

We also live cross-culturally. In addition to our home in Valpo, we have a home in Uganda. It is in a little village called Naminya that is right along the Nile River. Another big part of our family is our nonprofit ministry, Shine Village Initiative. This is something the whole family cares about and is involved with. Shine seeks to preserve families and prevent orphans by empowering the people in the village in which we live in Uganda. This has been a rewarding experience for our family.

What do you like best about having a large family?

All the love, joy and fun is multiplied. There is always someone to play with, get help from, or talk to. It is special to watch the different relationships between all the family members.

How do you manage to give kids individual attention?

Ideally, we try to have one-on-one time with each child once a month. Sometimes it’s fun outings, but it can also be just letting them stay up an hour past bedtime and playing a game of chess and talking. It may also mean that is the child that gets to come grocery shopping with me that day—and likely gets a special treat while out, too. We try to use the day of their birthday as a reminder; for example, the 27th of each month. Often at Christmas, one of their gifts is a special outing with Dad and Mom in the coming months.

We’ve done things like concerts, Jak’s Warehouse, escape rooms, and sporting events.

How do you stay organized?

We have a central spot that is like the lifeline of our family—it has the family calendar, the weekly menu, and any important papers we will need to access such as invitations, field trip info, etc. Having a spot for these things makes a huge difference. Each of the bedrooms has its own laundry basket. When it is full, the children in that room are responsible to wash, dry and take it back to their room to properly put it away. The children each have a chore that they keep for a whole month.

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When the kids get home from school each day, they are responsible for putting their lunchbox by the sink, putting their folders to sign on the island counter, and doing their homework. I [Lovelyn] go through the folders each day and make a pile to save (a few papers or artwork for each child every year), a pile to keep for future reference (field trip information, etc.), and a pile to recycle.

What advice do you have for other parents, no matter the size of their family?

Parenting is awesome and hard. Having 11 children is hard and having one child is hard. My advice is to just do the next right thing in love. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, and sometimes the next right thing is going to be to forget all the homework and chores after a terrible day and just have a family dance party. Love and relationship always trump everything else.

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F ROM OUTS I DE IN

The beauty that surrounds. Closer.

Styling by Carey Keenan-Rowell of Society | Photography by Brad M. Wolf

In our modern, over-digitalized world, it’s easy to forget just how much nature can impact our well-being. Plants have the ability to heal, restore, and bring calm to even the most chaotic of spaces. It can be daunting, however, to know how to care for plants properly. Carey Keenan-Rowell is the owner of Society, an eclectic Valparaiso shop with unique decor items, including plants for the home. Keenan-Rowell shares her favorite house plants and kindly offers instructions on how to care for them.

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I. Fiddle Leaf Fig This is the perfect plant for drama and height in any room, though it’s not recommended for beginners. It must be kept in bright, indirect sun. Only water it when the exterior soil is dry.

Keep leaves dust-free and mist with distilled water weekly.

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II. Succulents These plants are easy to care for and they come in a wonderful array of varieties, textures and colors for all indoor spaces. They should be kept in bright direct light. Only water when soil is completely dry and mist bi-weekly with distilled water.

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III. Variegated Pothos Vine This is a great vining plant with incredible color. It’s also one of the easiest house plants to grow, ideal for bookcases or indoor hanging planters. They do well in indirect or even low light but direct light is not recommended. Water when soil is completely dried out; roots will rot with overwatering. Once every few weeks seems to do the trick.

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IV. Potted Ornamental Oregano The ornamental oregano is part of the succulent family. It’s a good plant for the kitchen because it smells incredible and can be trimmed to fit any decorative container. Water thoroughly when exterior soil is dry to the touch. Keep in bright direct or indirect light.

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V. Rex Begonias These are great for outdoor gardens and containers but also make amazing house plants. They come in more than a thousand varieties and their colors and furry textured leaves add interest to any space. Avoid direct sunlight. They need some light to keep their coloring, but a bright, indirect light is best. Water when exterior soil is dry to the touch. Do not allow leaves to wilt.

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VI. Terrariums Terrariums are a good option for the not-so-green thumb.

They are instant low-maintenance gardens, perfect for any room or office. Keep in bright light but out of direct sunlight to avoid burning the plants. Water about once a month or when the top inch of soil is dry.

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VII. Pepermonia The heart-shaped leaves and wonderful colors of the pepermonia make these perfect house plants. They stay pretty compact, so they are ideal for small spaces. They need very sparse watering and should only be watered when the soil is 50 percent dry. Keep in light to moderate light for the best growth; direct sunlight can burn the leaves.

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Get dressed for a summer Saturday at home Photography by Teresa Schmidt

A successful spring weekend consists of equal parts relaxation, productivity, and—the best part—preparation for a night out.

There is an unwritten dress code for each of these activities that ultimately determines their impact. Kristen La Rocca of MINK64 walks us through the morning, afternoon and evening looks of a modern couple at home for the weekend.

Women’s Clothing: MINK64 / Crown Point Men’s Clothing: Model’s own and Revive Consignments / Michigan City Wardrobe Styling: Kristen La Rocca of MINK64 Hair: Aubree Thorsen of Salon Sorella / Crown Point Makeup: Brittany Hennings / Crown Point Models: Blake and Kelsey Morris / Crown Point Location: Heartland Builders model home / Crown Point

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Mood MORNI NG

FOR HER: You could wake up like this! Pretty sweatpants, a bodysuit that’s easy to wear, and the perfect cargo for morning chills. Not to mention how easy it is to transition around in, yet still effortlessly chic.

FOR HIM: Spend your Saturday morning catching up on some extra work in relaxed sweat shorts and a V-neck T-shirt.

Tan bodysuit, $32 / Cargo jacket, $43 / Flower sweatpant, $45

Express V-Neck tee / Old Navy shorts

Attire

A FTERNOON

FOR HER: Because who is walking around the house in their jeans?

Not me! This maxi is so easy—tie it or leave it loose—and allows you to feel comfortable and look pretty at the same time.

FOR HIM: Khaki shorts and a denim button-down are the perfect pairing for a summer afternoon. You can get some things done around the house, then head out to run some errands. Slip into a pair of boat shoes for maximum comfort and functionality.

Tie-dye lace-up maxi dress, $43

Top, model’s own / Express shorts

Escape EV ENI NG

FOR HER: Heading for a night out at a local restaurant? This look is another grab-and-go, where you don’t have to think too much about it (except how to get your belt like this). A shiny, stretchy bodysuit is best paired with a high-waisted, lightweight, button-front denim skirt and a one-piece layered choker.

FOR HIM: When you coordinate with your wife, it makes for a happy life. It’s easier to color coordinate an outfit than it is to try and match. We even agree with mixing the “forbidden” black and blue.

Deep V bodysuit, $36 / Denim skirt, $43 / Western belt, $24 / Layered choker, $8

Denim jacket, Revive Consignments, $10 / Top and jeans, model’s own

# hereliken ooth erp lace

photo | Kathr yn Weldy M i c hi ga n Ci ty, I nd i a na

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SE E YOU HE RE N E XT T IME

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