Inspired Living February 2017

FEBRUARY 2017

IN SPIREDLIVING HEART HEROES INSPIRING STORIES OF HEALING

Valentine’s Day treats and notes

COFFEE SHOP ROUNDUP

Date

NIGHT LOCAL HOTSPOTS FOR A FUN NIGHT OUT

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 1

would like to

our newest

nurse practitioner & pharmacy residents !

jamie ail np residency

Maureen moynihan pharmacy residency lauren reisberg np residency

HealthLinc , a leader in

Residency Training Programs The HealthLinc Nurse Practitioner and Pharmacy Residency Programs provide intensive training on both the clinical complexity of family practice in the safety net setting and on a high-performance, Patient-Centered Medical Home model of primary care.

InspiredLiving | February 2017

learn more Call 1-888-580-1060 or visit us at healthlincchc.org

711 Main St. • Schererville, IN • 219-322-2700 www.AlbertsJewelers.com

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2017

52

Heart Heroes Five local residents share their heartwarming stories of healing.

38

Charitable Calling Valpo resident Jim Alvarez brings fundraising into the 21st century.

44

Date Night

Find a spot for a unique night out with your main squeeze.

ON THE COVER FEATURED Chase and AnnaMaria Stathis PHOTOGRAPHER Joseph Gonzalez HAIR Lynn Griglin of The Lather Lounge MAKEUP Katie Riordan LOCATION Twincade in Griffith

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

HEART HEROES PHOTO BY BETH FLETCHER, CHARITABLE CALLING PHOTO BY JOSHUA ALBANESE‌, DATE NIGHT PHOTO BY JOSEPH GONZALEZ

FEATURES

The UlTimaTe accessory 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo AWD

THIS AND OTHER REMAINING 2015 MODELS AVAILABLE NOW.

PORSCHE ORland PaRk A Joe Rizza Dealership 8130 159th Street, Orland Park, IL.

800-728-0866

www.porscheorlandpark.com

A Unique Concept in Women’s Healthcare OBSTETRICS • MIDWIFERY • GYNECOLOGY Women’s Wellness Program Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method

Mary Ann Meyer Jones Lisa Loudenber MD FACOG CNM MS

Alisa J Felke CNM MSN

Kathy Hanson CNM MS ABAAHP

Jessica Jenkins CNM MSN

We are excited to offer you a unique concept in Women’s Healthcare!

Family Planning & Infertility Functional Medicine

Prima Bella Women’s Health blends the best of medical obstetrical,

Centering Pregnancy

midwifery and gynecologic care. We seek to offer women the most comprehensive approach to total wellness. If conventional medicine is

www.PrimaBEllaWomensHealth.com Belden Professional Campus 880 Eastport Centre Drive, Suite 200 Valparaiso, IN 46383 tel 219.462.0909 fax 219.462.9910

not quite enough to help you feel your best, we offer functional medicine alternatives to identify and address the root cause of disease. Our commitment to excellence is focused on the individual needs of each woman throughout all the stages of life, including working together with you and your family to have a safe and rewarding birth experience.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 3

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2017

22

15

DEPARTMENTS IN STYLE

INDULGE

INVIGORATE

IN HOME

IN EVERY ISSUE

10

Trending Now: A flirty take on the little black dress.

15

Sweet Treats: Recipes for three berry-inspired desserts.

22

26

06 Editor’s Letter

11

18

24

Time and Treasure: A home filled with handmade and family finds.

34

60 In Scene

One-of-a-Kind Valentines: Refreshingly different cards by local designers.

But First, Coffee: Take a tour of some of the coffee shops around the Region.

When Love is Tough: 10 tips for a healthy relationship.

Heart Healthy Habits: Small steps to maintain a strong ticker.

Floor Décor: Update your space with this simple item.

08 Contributors 09 Let’s Get Social 67 Out on the Town 68 Calendar 72 In Closing

4

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

INDULGE PHOTO BY AMY SHEREE‌, INVIGORATE PHOTO BY MICHELLE HAMSTRA‌, IN HOME PHOTO BY JESSICA DEKOCK, IN STYLE PHOTO BY PENNY FRAZIER‌

11 26

® and evermark 2016. Forevermark®,

™ are Trade Marks of The De Beers Group of Companies. ® and © Forevermark 2016. Forevermark®,

™ are Trade Marks of The De Beers Group of Companies.

219.462.5931 www.martinbinder.com 650 W. Morthland Dr. on US 30,Valparaiso, IN 46385

It’s a long journey It’s a long journey to become the one. to become the one.

In our constant pursuit of absolute beauty, In our Forevermark constant pursuit of absolute beauty, every diamond undergoes a every Forevermark diamond undergoes a journey of rigorous selection. journey of rigorous selection.

This is why less than 1% of the world’s This is whyare lessworthy than 1% of the world’s diamonds of the Forevermark diamonds are worthy of the Forevermark inscription – our promise of beauty, rarity inscription – our promise of beauty, rarity and responsible sourcing. and responsible sourcing.

INSPIRED LIVING VOLUME 2 // ISSUE 9 PUBLISHER

Christopher T. White EDITOR

Julia Perla Huisman DESIGNER

April Burford EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

Erin Orr

LETTER lmost every day lately, my five-year-old daughter Summer asks me to draw a character from one of her favorite movies or TV shows. I’m a horrific artist, always have been, but for some reason when I pull up the image online and try to copy it onto a page, it comes out looking like a semi-decent resemblance of the character. Every time, I’m surprised and a little proud of the finished result, especially when Summer squeals in delight; she views my mediocre sketchings as masterpieces.

I’ll admit that despite the ego boost, however, there are times when I just don’t feel like drawing the darn things. Each sketch takes a long time, and Summer always seems to ask me when I’m busiest. Sometimes I do say no. But most of the time, I try to stop what I’m doing and draw. It’s a small but effective way to show her that I love her, that she’s more important than the trivial tasks that consume so much of my time.

This issue, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we celebrate these small moments that have a big impact. Going out of your way to show someone you love them can simply mean giving them a handmade card that differs from the Hallmark variety (page 11), or breaking away from the dinner-and-a-movie mold by visiting a new spot for date night (page 44), or choosing to tolerate one of their flaws in an effort to mend the relationship (page 22). While grand gestures are exciting and appreciated, it’s often the littlest actions that make the heart grow fonder.

Speaking of hearts, we are proud to tell the stories of five local individuals who have suffered through and overcome heart health issues. These brave warriors (three of whom are children!) will surely warm your heart and will have you squeezing your loved ones a little tighter. Read their stories on page 52.

This month and every month, I hope you will show love and feel loved, even in the smallest of ways.

Eve Adams Ashley Boyer Christine Bryant Rob Earnshaw Julie Dean Kessler Mark Loehrke Damian Rico Shannon Rooney Shawna Slavich Carrie Steinweg Eloise Marie Valadez Amanda Wilson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eve Adams Joshua Albanese Levi Arnold Jessica deKock Beth Fletcher Penny Frazier Joseph Gonzalez Michelle Hamstra Brandi Lee Donna Lind Dune Lorenz Tony V. Martin Damian Rico Monica Zibutis ADVERTISING PUBLICATIONS MANAGER

Lisa Tavoletti PROOFREADER

Kathryn MacNeil ADVISORY BOARD

Susan Brychell Lynn Hoeksema Theresa Mudd Hilary Powell Jennifer Vinovich PUBLISHED BY

Lee Enterprises The Times Media Company Niche Division 601 W 45th St Munster, Indiana 46321 219.853.2550 REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS

EDITOR

6

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

You must have permission before reproducing material from Inspired Living magazine.

Inspired Living magazine invites readers and writers to submit ideas, comments and feedback through email at inspiredliving@nwi.com or by mail to Inspired Living Magazine, 601 W 45th St, Munster, IN 46321.

PHOTO BY MICHELLE HAMSTRA, MAKEUP BY KRISSY VANDERWOUDE

Editor’s

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Luxury 2 Bedroom, Maintenance Free, Ranch Townhomes with 3 Floor Plans to choose from, 2 Landscaped Ponds

11044 Lake Central Drive, St. John, IN

Dancing Waters toWnhomes

call for a personal tour today!

Homes starting at

345,000

$

CONTRIBUTORS ‌We asked some of this month’s contributors:

meyers

Quality Homes

Romantic Valentine’ Valentine’s

For Two!

For more information call

219.558.0710 31st Annual

Wild ild Game Buffet s sunday, MarCh 19th Mar

50

$

8000

$

(Call for reservations)

February 12th, 13th and 14th

Dine from our Regular Menu or couples can enjoy specials for

Per Person

Call for eservations reser

119 E. Lincolnway, Downtown, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-7976 • donquijotevalpo.com

Young at HART

“

Retirement can be a wonderful time of new friendships and less worries. It should be a time to enjoy life.

Hartsfield Village features:

• Independent & Assisted Living Apartments • Memory Support Unit • Rehabilitation Center Living Well. Living Wise.

• Fitness Center Schedule a tour today at 219-934-0750.

• SpaPointe Salon 10000 Columbia Ave. | Munster, IN • Executive Chef prepared cuisine 219-934-0750 | 800-297-6188 • Happy hour & special outings www.HartsfieldVillage.com

8

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Ashley compiles and writes the events calendar in every issue. See this month’s calendar on page 68.

Ashley Boyer

Bob interviewed our heart health survivors for a feature on page 52.

The Best in Senior Living for 9 Years in a Row!

- Leslie Darrow, Executive Director

“One of the best parts about living in Northwest Indiana is the proximity to the Indiana Dunes, and my favorite local summer spot is West Beach. All I need is a beach blanket, a friend and a good book for a peaceful, relaxing day spent enjoying the natural beauty of Lake Michigan.” -Ashley Boyer

“I love Taltree Arboretum & Gardens. My wife and I love to wander amidst the natural flora and fauna available on the many trails. We also enjoy the seasonal formal gardens, and the quaint farmstead. Taltree is a refreshing breath of country air nestled right outside of our community of Valparaiso. The best place to reset mind and soul.” - Bob Moulesong

We’re

“

It’s the month of love!

What is one local place that you love most and why?

Bob Moulesong

“In all of Northwest Indiana I love the beach most. I love being out in nature, swimming in the summer, and hunting for fossils. And it’s easy to change up the beach scenery a little since there are so many beaches to choose from!” -Monica Zibutis Monica photographed a designer’s home for a story on area rugs on page 34.

Monica Zibutis

BOB MOULESONG PHOTO BY DEBI STANTON‌, MONICA ZIBUTIS PHOTO BY AMY STRAKA

(Across the street from Lake Central High School, Enter at the stop light)

Let’s Get

Social

To those with cancer

We hope you know...

Only at inspirednwi.com The Inspired Living photographers are on the scene of local social and fundraising events.

Visit our website for additional In Scene photos.

You don’t have to wait to get the answers you deserve. Specialists at Michiana Hematology Oncology’s Advanced Centers for Cancer Care are dedicated to seeing you within 24 hours of hearing the news.

inspirednwi.com photo by Tony V. Martin, Instagram photo by Penny Frazier

We are The Heart of Cancer Care.

FACEBOOK/ TWITTER Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more extras and onlineexclusive content.

Pinterest Pin your favorite ideas from the magazine! We also pin posts from other blogs and magazines we love. Follow us at inspirednwi.

Instagram

View extra shots from our photo shoots, plus photos from behind the scenes and hotspots around town, at @inspirednwi.

Follow Inspired Living on social media!

Search @inspirednwi at: Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

And, we’re here for you.

Crown Point 1205 South Main Street, Ste. 301 Crown Point, IN 46307 Phone: 219-661-1640 Westville 1668 South US 421 Westville, IN 46391 Phone: 219-785-3400

Hobart 1320 S. Wisconsin Street Hobart, IN 46342 Phone: 219-942-0033

One focus. Beating cancer.

®

Find extra stories, photos, and ideas at inspirednwi.com.

February 2017 | InspiredLiving 9

STYLE trending

now ‌ njoy date night with a E feminine little black dress and classic accessories.

ELLA’S BELLA BOUTIQUE 119 Broadway, Ste 1 Chesterton 219.929.1047

Knot Just Pearls necklace, $59

Pink Martini dress, $99

Bangles, $2 each

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN‌

New Prospects chain clutch, $63

10

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PENNY FRAZIER, FLOWERS BY DIXON’S FLORIST

One-of-a-kind VALENTINES

Valentine’s Day is synonymous with sappy sentiments spelled out on cards made en masse for big box stores and drugstore chains. This Valentine’s Day, break free from the mold by giving your loved one a Valentine made by a local designer. We asked three such designers to share their amour-inspired creations.

■ JULIA PERLA HUISMAN

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 11

HEART TO HEART

These paper hearts are a throwback to the patterns of mom’s country kitchen, yet with current touches that delight the eyes. The top layer opens to a blank heart beneath it, where you can write a personalized note for your better half.

Designer: Suzy Galazka | moonrocketmotel.com | 773.830.4203

12

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

SAY NO MORE

The use of cute and quirky sayings as art just never gets old, and the concept works perfectly for a Valentine’s Day card. The bold font and use of a foil or gradient, paired with bright paper as a backdrop, deliver a fun and flirty message that your trend-following sweetheart will appreciate.

Designer: Amber Lynn | Ten/Twentynine Design | 219.671.3288

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 13

A CUT ABOVE

Make your card stand out— literally and figuratively—with a truly unique cover displayed using a 3D effect. With options ranging from the initial attraction phase to the madly in love, there’s something for everyone here.

Designer: Amanda Lesher Mandy Made Greetings mandymadegreetings.com

14

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

DULGE

sweet

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY SHEREE

treats

This Valentine’s Day, surprise your sweetie with these berry-inspired desserts, provided by food blogger Amy Sheree of Schererville.

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 15

Strawberry Pots De Creme

16

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Brownie Sundaes with Raspberry Caramel Servings: 4

Ingredients

Strawberry Pots De Creme Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup strawberry puree, strained 1/2 cup sugar, divided

5 egg yolks Pink food coloring

Toppings: Strawberries Raspberries Sprinkles

Directions Preheat oven to 300 degrees and place rack in the center of oven.

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine cream, strawberry puree and 1/4 cup sugar and bring slowly to a simmer. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and remaining sugar until well combined. Slowly whisk a small amount of the cream mixture into the yolks to temper them.

Continue adding the warm cream very slowly, continuing to whisk until all of it has been added.

Add pink food coloring until desired color. Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place ramekins in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and place the baking dish on a sheet pan to provide double insulation, ensuring even and slow cooking. Pour custard evenly into ramekins and place in oven, leaving a few inches out to pour boiling water into bottom of baking dish; pour water halfway up the sides of the molds and bake for 45-55 minutes until custard is set but still slightly jiggly, like gelatin. Remove molds from hot water and place on a cooling rack to let cool, then refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight before topping with additional strawberries, raspberries and sprinkles.

Raspberry Caramel:

1 cup sugar 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup raspberry puree, strained to remove seeds 1/3 cup heavy cream

3 tablespoons butter Brownie:

5 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

6 tablespoons all purpose flour Toppings: Vanilla ice cream Mint leaves Raspberry caramel

Directions Raspberry Caramel: Place the sugar into a medium sized pot and pour the water over it. Place the pan over medium high heat until boiling, only swirling the pot in a circular motion to caramelize the sugar evenly, and continue to do so for 5-6 minutes until sugar turns a deep golden brown. As soon as the caramel has reached the right color, reduce heat to medium and add in the heavy cream and strained raspberry puree and whisk mixture until smooth and combined. Add the butter and whisk in. Remove it from the stove, pour into a mason jar and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight to thicken, or use immediately if you like a thinner caramel.

Brownie: Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray 4 (6 to 8-ounce) ramekins with nonstick cooking spray and place on a baking sheet; set aside. In a double boiler, over simmering water, melt the butter with the chocolate.

Pour chocolate mixture into a medium sized bowl and whisk in the sifted powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Add in the eggs and egg yolks and whisk to combine, then add the flour and whisk until smooth and creamy. Divide batter

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups Servings: 5

Ingredients

For the cheesecakes:

1 cup strawberry puree, strained 12 ounces cream cheese 1-1/2 cups whipped cream 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted 4-5 crushed graham crackers Toppings: Whipped cream Mint leaves Strawberries

evenly into each ramekin and place in the oven to bake for 14 minutes. Let cool for 3 minutes, then run a knife along the edge and carefully turn over onto a serving plate and garnish with ice cream, mint leaves and raspberry caramel.

(previous page)

Directions Place graham crackers in a large ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin into fine crumbs. Evenly distribute graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of 5 small jars. Puree strawberries by placing in a highspeed blender until smooth and push through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. In a large bowl add cream cheese and 1 cup strawberry puree and mix with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Fold whipped cream into strawberry mixture until completely combined. Distribute evenly into jars on top of graham cracker crumbs, then cover and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Top with additional whipped cream, mint leaves and strawberries.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 17

Rebekah and Parker Douglas of Merrillville enjoy a cup of coffee together at Dagger Mountain in Valparaiso.

You might not know it, but Northwest Indiana has a robust coffee culture. Wherever you live in the Region, you might be a coffee drinker that enjoys frequenting a local shop or finding new ones in order to try out great new selections of coffee, and to meet the interesting people who frequent these businesses. ■ There are several shops around the area, and we’re going to highlight six of them you should consider visiting the next time you’re looking for a great cup and a place to sit with a friend. While some of the shops bring coffee in from Chicago and others roast their own in-house, steam wands and water kettles work all day to bring patrons the best version possible of the coffee cherry seed. Join us on our coffee crawl of Northwest Indiana: 18

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT SCHEFFER

But First, Coffee

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 19

FOR MORE BREW Here are some additional places to grab a cuppa Joe: Blackbird Café 114 E Lincolnway Valparaiso 219.548.2811 blackbirdcafevalparaiso. com Blue Room Cafe 5246 S Hohman Ave Hammond 219.862.8542 thebrcafe.com

Lakeshore Coffee 444 Wabash St Michigan City 219.874.7006 Red Cup Cafe & Deli 115 Broadway Chesterton 219.929.1804 Sip Coffee House 11 N Court St Crown Point 219.662.9165 2815 Jewett Ave Highland 219.595.0314 Spill the Beans 7992 Broadway Merrillville 219.795.1720 spillthebeanscoffee.net Uptown Café 1400 Lincolnway Valparaiso 219.246.2526 uptowncafevalpo.com

Dagger Mountain Roastery 3205 Cascade Dr, Ste F Valparaiso 219.286.6287 daggermountain.com

Owned by a trio all local to Valparaiso, Dagger Mountain is a coffee roaster and tasting room where patrons can try out selections of seasonal coffees. Now roasting on a brand new Probat roaster, they brew coffees that are served as pour over on a Hario V60 and Kalita Wave; espresso and milk drinks like cappuccinos, cortados and lattes, as well as the customer favorite Miel; and even coffee on a siphon brewer. If you’re looking to be entranced by the hand-painted bee pattern walls and to have a conversation with the staff on anything coffee, this is the place to go for an afternoon.

Café Fresco 1 N Court St Crown Point 219.663.1100

Café Fresco carries Chicago

roaster Intelligentsia Coffee, which is a staple in specialty coffee. Situated on the corner of the 231 exit off of the Crown Point square, Café Fresco is a great place to sit down with a friend and enjoy a pour over coffee or espresso drink. In addition to drinks, they serve food from their kitchen until early afternoon, making Fresco a perfect breakfast or lunch destination. With a history of donations to local charities and hosting numerous community events, Café Fresco has also distinguished itself as the coffee shop with a conscience.

Librarium Café 310 Main St Hobart 219.940.3174

Recently opened by a couple in Hobart, the Librarium is a splendid fixture in the downtown area that gives customers a coffee and board games experience. With classic board games like Settlers of Catan and coffees from Dagger Mountain and Chicago roaster

Dark Matter—which they serve as espresso and milk drinks as well as filter coffee—they’re setting the table for great coffee that’s accessible and makes return customers.

Grindhouse Cafe 146 N Broad St Griffith 219.595.5678

Grindhouse Cafe is undoubtedly a favorite of coffee drinkers not only in Griffith, but of anyone in the Region who loves specialty coffee.

An excellent example of a multiroaster shop, Grindhouse brings in the A-team with coffee from Metropolis, Dark Matter, Dagger Mountain, Counter Culture, and many others. Hand in hand with their great coffee is their impressive food menu, filled with salads, sandwiches and breakfast items that you can enjoy in house or on Grindhouse’s mobile food truck, which you might have helped fund on Kickstarter. If you’re looking for a place to study and have a pour over or house latte, this is the place.

DAGGER MOUNTAIN PHOTOS BY MATT SCHEFFER, FLUID COFFEE BAR PHOTO PROVIDED

Chemshaw 13 DonutZ & Comics 138 S Main St, Ste 100 Crown Point 219.323.3115 zombiedonutz.com

Fluid Coffee Bar 159 W Lincolnway Valparaiso 219.510.1000 fluidcoffeebar.com

Started by a couple local to Valparaiso, Fluid Coffee Bar has been a bright coffee spot on Lincolnway for almost a year.

With coffees from Intelligentsia and local roasters Needmore and Rubicon, customers can sit down at the long bar and talk to a barista about coffee, art shows or the latest episode of Game of Thrones. Situated near the Valparaiso University campus, this is a great place for students to plug in for a day and refuel on coffee or the well constructed food menu, with items like yogurt bowls or sandwiches.

Temple News Agency 816 Jefferson Ave LaPorte 219.362.2676 templenewsagency.com

Fluid Coffee Bar

In a building with a rich history as a newspaper office, the interior design and layout of LaPorte’s Temple News Agency is evidence of classic taste. Sit down at the bar and you can order ice cream, daily lunch specials, breakfast items and coffee from Intelligentsia, Dagger Mountain and Dark Matter. Situated in the pleasant downtown area, this is a great shop to bring your coffee-loving friends and ice cream-obsessed kids. ■MATT SCHEFFER

Impacting Lives Through Vision Therapy From Struggling in School to Success!

Does Your Child:

Misdiagnosed?

Have trouble reading?

Have difficulty with spelling?

Work slowly?

Have a short attention span when reading?

Misalign digits in number columns?

Omit numbers, letters, or phrases?

Confuse left & right?

Have poor handwriting?

Repeatedly confuse words with similar Rubs his/her eyes frequently? beginnings & endings?

If you checked any of these symptoms, it is a sign that your child may have an undiagnosed vision problem.

Please call us today to schedule an appointment. It could make all the difference!

Levin eye Care Center P.C. Board Certified in Vision Therapy

1334 119th Street, Whiting, IN | 219. 659.3050 | levineyecare.com February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 21

VIGORATE

When Love is Tough ebruary is the month of love, but not all couples end up feeling like they’re on a long-lasting honeymoon. Family therapists say, however, there are tips couples can keep in mind to manage conflict, better pay attention and learn new marriage skills.

Watch the ratio. Lorna Hecker, a professor of Marriage and Family Therapy and director of the Couple and Family Therapy Center at Purdue University Northwest, says research indicates couples should keep a ratio of five or more positive interactions with a spouse for every negative one. She suggests putting emotional “money in the bank” by keeping the positives going in non-conflict times.

Embrace change. Remember that a quality marriage demands change, and to maintain a quality marriage, partners must learn new skills and practice them regularly, says Dr. Nathaniel Gilham, a professor

22

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

at the College of Counseling, Psychology and Social Sciences at Argosy University in Chicago. “These include stepping outside of your comfort zone or regular habits in order to learn communication skills and empathy,” he says.

Pay attention. Notice the little things, Hecker says. Don’t assume what is going on in a partner’s life—ask.

Know the four horsemen. Avoid what well-regarded researcher John Gottman calls the four horsemen of the apocalypse, Hecker says.

“Criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling, or shutting down,” she says. “If you have the 5:1 ratio I mentioned, conflict is much more easily traversed.”

Focus on respect. Just as important as love, respect is necessary for a healthy relationship, Gilham says. “Longitudinal studies have found that both partners in quality marriages lasting 20-plus years often feel respected, even when they have disagreements,” he says.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE HAMSTRA

F

10 tips for a healthy relationship

Keep your connection going. Dr. Tina Tessina, a licensed psychotherapist and author of several relationship books including How to be Happy Partners: Working It Out Together, says it’s important to keep a strong connection. “Frequent communication, sex, affection, touching, understanding and concern for each other will keep the juice flowing in your marriage, and keep it from getting stale,” she says. “Brief separations will help you remember how important your connection is.”

Tolerate. The fact is, some problems are not solvable, Hecker says, and couples must learn to tolerate them. “So an in-law may be difficult, but they are not going away, and making it a point of contention is damaging,” she says. “It does not mean you need to accept hurtful behavior, but you do need to learn to manage feelings of dislike at times and not take them out on your spouse.”

Keep family issues away. Speaking of family, if a spouse has an issue with his or her own family, it’s okay to seek support from a partner, but not to let the family problem come between a couple. “While often overlooked, try to resolve your relationships with your family of origin,” Gilham says. “We often bring unresolved problems to our marriage that originated in the family we were raised in.”

Apologize. If couples breach the no-four horsemen rule during conflict, Hecker encourages the offending partner to apologize. “If you have a hard time apologizing for a behavior, or don’t think it is your fault, at least offer an olive branch by saying something like, ‘I am sorry we are fighting’ or ‘I hate it when we don’t get along,’” Hecker says.

“KEEP EACH OTHER INFORMED OF BOTH THE GOOD THINGS AND THE PROBLEMS ON A REGULAR BASIS.” Dr. Tina Tessina

Have a weekly discussion. What Tessina calls a “weekly State of the Union discussion,” this session is not meant to be a venue for arguments or complaints. Instead, it’s an opportunity to update each other on how things are going between the couple. “If you keep each other informed of both the good things and the problems on a regular basis, nothing will get out of hand or become too dramatic to solve easily,” she says. “This works every time with every couple in counseling with me who are willing to do it.”

■ CHRISTINE BRYANT

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 23

heart

Healthy Habits

W

ith February officially known as American Heart Month, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how best to take care of our bodies and the most important muscle we have.

According to nutritionstudies.org, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Health and fitness experts say the general public should focus on making small changes to successfully travel down a path to increased wellness. Adapting a healthier diet and incorporating an exercise regimen will help achieve optimum heart health.

“It’s recommended that people exercise 30 minutes, three to five times per week,” says Dr. Maya Kommineni, cardiologist at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso. A low-impact exercise regimen is good if one is just beginning to get involved in a fitness program, Kommineni adds. But whatever type of exercise is undertaken, the doctor says you “must get your heart rate up.”

Watching one’s weight is also key to maintaining good heart health. “The way to increase weight loss is to decrease calories, particularly sugar calories,” Kommineni says. “They are the worst,” she says, adding empty calories from sweets or sugar-filled foods are of no benefit. The doctor says she has eliminated sugar from her personal diet.

Kommineni stresses that watching what you eat and combining that with exercise are important for taking care of your heart. “People must try to do both.

They must make subtle diet changes,” she says, adding the changes should never be overwhelming. When it comes to eating, Kommineni says it’s important “to increase the amount of fresh veggies in a diet” as well.

Personal trainer Bob Kaczmarczyk, who is the owner/trainer at Heavy Metal Fitness in Highland, says the exercise regimen people choose should be something they’re comfortable with. “It definitely depends on a case-to-case basis,” Kaczmarczyk says. The advice for being more heart healthy, he says, is really “simple and straightforward.”

“Being more active and eating better in general” is key, Kaczmarczyk says.

Society, these days, is often too sedentary, he says. Some style of exercise and activity is important whether “you’re going for a walk, playing with the kids or doing more aggressive exercises,” Kaczmarczyk says. He also advises people to lessen the consumption of processed and take-out food.

And since the heart is a muscle—the body’s most important one at that—those who are exercising must keep their workouts in balance, remembering to keep that heart rate up but not overexerting yourself.

■ ELOISE MARIE VALADEZ

24

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

TIPS FOR YOUR TICKER The American Heart Association’s website recommends various diet and fitness guidelines. At its website heart.org, visitors will find healthy lifestyle tips, recipes and more. According to the association, among tips to be heart healthy are: ■ Use

up at least as many calories as you take in ■ Eat a variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups (foods should include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, skinless poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and non-tropical vegetable oils) ■ Eat less nutrient-poor foods ■ Don’t smoke and do avoid secondhand smoke The American Heart Association also recommends lessening the stress in one’s life by following these guidelines: ■ Talk

with family and friends in daily physical activity ■ Embrace the things you are able to change ■ Remember to laugh ■ Give up the bad habits ■ Slow down ■ Get enough sleep ■ Get organized ■ Practice giving back ■ Try not to worry ■ Engage

HOME

1 1. Dino and Stephanie chose cool and comfortable for their Valparaiso home, where neutral colors are the background for congenial gathering places, like the living room with its expansive sofa.

Stephanie found the hutch at left and Dino painted its interior a cream color.

26

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

time& treasure

By Julie Dean Kessler

â–

Photography by Jessica deKock

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 27

2

A Valparaiso newlywed couple fill their home with handmade and family finds

‌H

aving a passion for finding new and keeping older furniture without filling a house with a mad assortment of pieces is an art—one that Stephanie Grantsaris has perfected. Husband Dino laughs fondly about his wife’s interest when the two chat about their Valparaiso home. She readily admits there’s plenty of furniture in the basement, but it’s evident that any of those pieces will be introduced carefully into the décor.

The couple were married in July 2015 and bought their home just a month later. Not that the search started easily.

“We thought to build, but we had different ideas about a floor plan,” Stephanie explains. But that complication was resolved when they saw the lot toward the west side of Valparaiso. “We liked the lot, it’s close to both our parents, and the foundation was already poured,” making the floor plan discussion moot. The house wasn’t completed, so there were opportunities to add their own style to the 2,200-square-foot house with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. “We say we got to build without building.”

28

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

3

4 2. Stephanie loves finding furniture, like the kitchen’s farmhouse-style tabletop, paired with sturdy but graceful legs. Patio doors lead to a deck down to the yard. 3. Dino and Stephanie exude happiness in their home; here they’re in the yard they fenced in, with plenty of room for the dog to romp and baby Pippa, too, as soon as she’s old enough. 4. In the front room, a small sofa reflects a love story; across the hall, a chalkboard holds monthly, often humorous messages from a sister-in-law.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 29

5

30

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

6

7

8

The interior of the modern Craftsman-style house breaks away from Craftsman traditional with open spaces and more light. The kitchen and dining areas open onto the living room, “so we can all be together,” says Stephanie, as she looks over at husband Dino who’s at the couch holding their baby daughter Pippa. It’s especially handy when there are guests: “No one has to feel like they’re off by themselves.”

Stephanie chose a neutral color palette in white, cream, and gray. The cream-colored kitchen cabinets complement the pale gray walls and coordinate with other pieces, like the substantial, carved legs of the farmhouse-style dining table and chairs. Dino 5. Various shapes and easypainted a black coffee table care plants lend interest to the in cream, too, as well as the neutral palette. 6. Stephanie, inside of a new, tall hutch who loves photography, chooses photos for much of that holds stoneware dishes. the home’s artwork. 7. Dishes “We pieced together things, become part of the décor but it is harmonious,” she in this bookcase. 8. A hutch says. “Choosing a piece is between kitchen and living not all about whether I like room holds a grandmother’s it, but how it will fit.” stoneware dishes.

Over the kitchen cabinets is a long, gray sign from Sandpaper in Valparaiso, “Farmers Market,” one of the home décor items that lends farmstead coziness to the cool palette, as does the big, weathered ruler in a corner. Wall art is either photography or natural elements, like the big wooden pizza paddle. A counter-depth fridge was essential to allow a corner pantry door to open. “We do love to cook together,” Stephanie says. “Dino cooks better than I do!”

Off the kitchen is a mud room, where Dino installed shiplap and shelving. Dried flowers from their wedding hang in two bunches on the wall. “One of the toughest things is finding fake flowers that don’t look fake,” notes Stephanie, who prefers dried flowers or certain silk ones, like the cream-colored hydrangeas on the island and cotton bolls in a hall vase. A half bath is at the end of the mud room, with a mercury glass mirror and dark farmhouse pipe faucets.

The flooring in uncarpeted areas is 7-inch-wide hand-scraped planks. “We knew we wanted something less dark and shiny so that every scratch wouldn’t show from the baby’s toys and the dog,” Stephanie says. “Originally we had thought of whitewashed flooring, but with so much else in neutral colors, it would have been like walking into fog.” The perfect shade ranging from brown to maple “was a little hard to find, because we didn’t want that red hue you can get in natural light.”

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 31

9

The statement piece in the living room is a large, cream-colored entertainment center flanked by narrow bookcases. No detail is overlooked: Stephanie removed the covers of all paperbacks and placed hardback books pages outward to maintain the cool color palette. Space below holds bins for the baby’s toys.

A front room doubles as sitting room and office, with a small, wooden desk. Dino grins and says, “Tell about the sofa there.”

“Dino and I had a little bet going. I had a small apartment sofa before we were married. He told me, ‘You won’t go a year [from buying the house] without buying something to replace that sofa.’ It’s still there, so I won that one!” Stephanie laughs, her bubbly personality often evident.

At the entryway near the front room is a long, narrow chalkboard.

Family ties are strong: It’s clear Stephanie enjoys that her sister-in-law pops over every month to create new art on the chalkboard, infusing it often with humor.

Stephanie, a fourth-grade teacher, is also a wedding photographer, though not for the honeymoon-themed photo gallery that covers the wall at the top of the staircase. At the midway landing, Dino, an applications analyst for NISOURCE, framed out the window in farmhouse style.

All doors are barn-inspired 9. Bookcases flank the center with an arched inset. of an immense piece in the The nursery is a living room; The couple enjoys different palette in shades touches of farmhouse living: of pink and blush, and The sign at upper left says “Fresh Cut Flowers.” 10. A feminine without fussiness. chalkboard sign shows the Stephanie’s mom made Grantsaris’ feeling about the floor-length, soft pink their home. 11. Pink and curtain panels; her brother, blush colors soften the Pippa’s godfather, bought baby’s room, like the curtains the bookshelf; and Dino Stephanie’s mom made.

32

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

10

11

13

12

painted the small table in a blush shade. A free-standing, wide ruler will measure their daughter as she grows. “If we made marks on a wall, we wouldn’t be able to take that with us if we ever decide to move.” Outside baby’s room, a sign encourages, “Beautiful Girl, you can do amazing things,” an important message, says Stephanie.

In the master bedroom, painted a mushroom color and with an all-white bedroom set coordinating with the overall color scheme, a double photo frame holds pictures of the couple the night they met and the night they became engaged, paired with the words “To the moon and back,” something the couple says.

Stephanie’s mom, a seamstress, made drapes for the guest room.

Downstairs, patio doors lead to a deck and down the stairs to a patio.

The couple fenced in the yard. “It’s on an angled lot with a neighboring house on only one side, so it’s more open,” Stephanie says.

Stephanie’s favorite room is the nursery. “We go up and read and rock. It’s a sweet, happy room. I also love this living area, how it all came together. I can’t take all the credit —it was a group effort.”

She muses, “The thing I like most about the house are the things made by our families. My mom made the baby’s quilt. There are things from people we love. You should have things around you that remind you of things you care about; we chose things that are personal for us.”

12. More family members have lent their touches; Stephanie’s brother bought this bookcase for Pippa’s room. 13. Serenity is the theme for the master bedroom, its walls painted mushroom. Stephanie likes using dried branches and flowers as accents.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 33

‌ hen decorating your home, your first thought will likely go to W furniture or artwork. But another vital component that can make or break a room is the area rug, which—when done right—adds warmth and dimension to a space. Designer Betsy Glass of Union Pier, Michigan, offers tips on what to look for when choosing an area rug.

34

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA ZIBUTIS

Floor Décor

TWO OF A KIND

Looking for ways to open up your master bedroom and bath? Tie in the same rug to help give the area a continuous flow. Also, sometimes turning a striped rug in a different direction will open up your room.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 35

KEEP IT LIGHT

Due to the variation of tones, this neutral jute rug pairs well with dark or light floors and will help lighten up any area of your home.

MIX AND MATCH

When looking for the perfect rug, grab colors from your surrounding décor. Sometimes not going with a solid color rug can be the answer to help give your room tranquility.

BETSY GLASS Betsy Glass is the owner of Lakeside Designs & Stage Services, offering design services in Chicago, Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan. She designs for clients looking to buy, sell or looking for a fixerupper. Betsy is available at 269.277.7290.

You work hard for your money!

Are you an active participant in making that money do the most for stabilizing your future needs, goals and dreams? Who is guiding you toward achieving these goals? Are they asking the right questions? Do they listen to your ideas?

You need a professional that listens to and understands your goals for your money and works with you to create a synergistic strategy to help those dreams become a reality.

Matthew Baker Inc. will be a partner through all of life’s changes. Take control of your future. Invest in your success. Commit to your tomorrow with a comprehensive financial roadmap.

Call us @ 219-838-6176 or email jessica@matthewbakerinc.com and let’s begin that journey together.

***Matthew Baker is an Investment Advisor Representative of and offers Securities and Investment Advisory Services through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC and registered Investment Advisor. Matthew Baker Inc. and Woodbury Financial Services Inc. are not affiliated entities.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 37

38

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Charitable

Calling VALPO RESIDENT JIM ALVAREZ BRINGS FUNDRAISING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

By Mark Loehrke

â–

Photography by Joshua Albanese

GESTURE

‌s odd as it might seem to pair the graying world of old-school, traditional fundraising with the fast-paced, cutting-edge world of mobile technology, it is 888.748.2323 perhaps odder still to learn that one of the innovators of the movement to bring gesture.com those two worlds together is a Valparaiso resident who heretofore had enjoyed success as an options trader, a tanning salon owner, a golf club inventor and a proprietor of a haunted attraction called the Amhurst Asylum.

However, despite this unlikely background—which didn’t necessarily portend his stewardship of a technology-driven firm devoted to streamlining and modernizing the fundraising endeavors of hundreds of charitable organizations across the country—Jim Alvarez seems to have indeed found his calling with Gesture. Drawing on his experiences from having attended many charity events over the years—many with a silent auction component—Alvarez saw a pronounced opportunity to relieve some of the traditional pain points associated with these types of functions.

“I knew there had to be a better way to handle things like long registration lines, pen-and-paper auction bidding and slow, confusing checkout processes,” Alvarez says. “Most of the people coming to these types of events have a fair amount of discretionary income and they’re people who aren’t used to waiting in line very often, so it’s kind of strange that they suddenly have to wait in line to make a $10,000 donation. It didn’t make any sense to me.”

40

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

”

The goal was always just to HELP OUR CHARITY PARTNERS MANAGE these processes much more efficiently.

”

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 41

Looking to remedy this situation, Alvarez sold his chain of tanning salons and started Gesture in 2011, with the goal of helping organizations get more out of their worthwhile fundraising efforts by modernizing many of those outdated processes through the use of mobile technology, with everything from event registration to auction bidding to checkout and payment moving to the palms of patrons’ hands. Perhaps not surprisingly, Gesture wasn’t initially an easy sell to organizations that had grown accustomed to running their events a certain way over the course of years or even decades.

“A lot of our success at the outset was dependent upon how innovative the charity in question was,” Alvarez explains. “Some places couldn’t imagine the idea of people using their phones to bid on an auction item, for instance, while others seemed to get it right away. This was definitely new territory for a lot of charities, so there was a lot of education and trust-building in the beginning.”

Those trust-building efforts paid off, however, and Gesture quickly began bringing in more business than even Alvarez had expected, as

42

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

more and more organizations saw the potential efficiency of features such as streamlined pre-registration for events, text notifications for auction winners and mobile payments at checkout.

“The goal was always just to help our charity partners manage these processes much more efficiently,” Alvarez says. “When we started, we were like Harry Potter—we’d come in with this amazing new technology to help them get more bids than they’d ever imagined, so they would look at us like we were magicians. But all we were really doing is helping to make their process a little bit better.”

These days, as technology has improved and mobile fundraising methods have become more widely accepted, Gesture has grown to a team of almost 70 employees helping to improve the fundraising efforts of hundreds of organizations. From some of the biggest charities in the world such as the American Heart Association and the Make-AWish Foundation to pro sports franchises like the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks to dozens of smaller independent organizations (including Opportunity Enterprises in Valparaiso and St. Mary’s school in Griffith), the company has helped its clients raise more than $400 million over the past five and a half years. In a career spanning dozens of disparate interests and pursuits, it’s an accomplishment that Alvarez finds especially gratifying.

“I’m really proud of the team we’ve been able to build here,” he says.

“It’s great that the work of all of our charity partners is the underlying cause that we’re supporting, and I think that shared cause gives us a great motivation and advantage going forward.”

Modern Dining • Weddings • Bridal Showers Rehearsal Dinners • Corporate Events • Catering

455 E. 84th Drive, Merrillville 219.736.5000 gambaristorante@comcast.net

146 N. MaiN Street, CrowN PoiNt, iN

219-663-5801

bradsdesignsandjewelry.com Upcoming FebrUary events:

Valentine’s Day DayDinner Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Fanning the Flames of Fundraising While Jim Alvarez naturally believes that one of the best things an organization can do to increase the effectiveness of its fundraising efforts is to enlist the services of Gesture, he nevertheless has a few practical tips for those who prefer to go it alone.

MOVE TO MOBILE Given the mobile-centric approach that Gesture takes to fundraising, it should come as no surprise that Alvarez’s overarching advice for charitable organizations of all shapes and sizes is to move more and more of their work to the phone.

“Everything is moving toward mobile,” he says.

“From auctions to ticketing, everything can be done from your phone, so any kind of fundraising that anyone is

considering should have that mobile-first approach.” #GIVING In keeping with the mobile theme, Alvarez also recommends offering a textto-donate option, utilizing an easy-to-remember keyword that makes it quick and convenient for patrons to give.

POP GOES THE AUCTION Contrary to traditional belief, Alvarez says that a charity auction needn’t be an elaborate event with catering and entertainment.

Even if it has just a couple of great items to put up for bid, an organization can text out the information to potential bidders for a fast and easy mobile pop-up auction—without all of the expensive trappings.

2017 AcademyAwards DinnerParty

Sunday, February 26th, 2017

$75 per person (plus tax & gratuity) Red Carpet Arrival: 6:30 pm Dinner: 7:30 pm R.S.V.P. 219-322-6800

Regular Dining and Specialty Menu Available

$10 off a $50 purchase at lunch

Ristorante • Pizzeria • Winebar Banquets • Caterings

1514 U.S. 41, Schererville, IN 219.322.6800 M-Th 11am-10pm | F-Sat 11am-11pm Sun 11am-10pm www.ciaobellaonline.com visit www.opentable.com to make your reservations

2014 2015 2016

$10

off a catering or more.

$20

off a catering or more.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 43

date night FIND A SPOT FOR A UNIQUE NIGHT OUT

By Carrie Steinweg Photography by Joseph Gonzalez

44

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

February is a month for romance.

Valentine’s Day calls for all significant others to up their game with fragrant bouquets, decadent chocolates and an impressive date night that will create lasting memories. If you’re looking to do something special with someone special this month, here are some places in the Region to plan a memorable night out.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 45

Twincade 108 N Broad St . Griffith 219.237.9980 . twincade.com Go old-school and have a date night like you did back in the days before smartphones and tablets, when you went out to the arcade for some entertainment. Battle it out on such classics as Centipede, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Pac-Man, but with updated touches like local craft beers on tap and creative cocktails.

Along with arcade games and an impressive beverage menu, they serve up some unexpected cuisine for an arcade—elevated pizzas and sandwiches with ingredients like fig jam, black pepper aioli, aged cheddar and goat cheese bÊchamel and satisfying shareable apps like chicken and waffles or a taco basket.

46

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

U-Cook Entertaining Cooking School 5150 E Lincoln Hwy Merrillville 219.942.0883 servicedoctor.net/ucook.html Spend a fun evening together at this entertaining cooking school offering hands-on, interactive cooking classes and private parties to the public. Check out their online calendar for classes that are open to the public and available most Friday and Saturday nights. Each class has a different theme with instruction by a professional chef, including “Soups from Scratch,” “Roasted Delights,” “Appetizer Frenzy,” “Surf and Turf,” “Tour of Italy” and more. Most classes range from $45 to $50 per person with five courses or more.

Bottled water is included and you’re able to bring in your own beverages.

Classes usually run two to three hours and are held with a minimum of six participants. Reservations can be made by phone.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 47

48

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Don Quijote Restaurante and Imports 119 Lincolnway . Valparaiso . 219.462.7976 An intimate meal that takes you to another place is a wonderful way to spend an evening with your significant other. At Don Quijote you can feast on a meal as you would if you were in Spain. Enjoy wines from the different regions of Spain and dine on authentic dishes such as paella. Take in some live entertainment and pick up ingredients to try cooking some Spanish tapas of your own at home.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 49

Challenger Learning Center NWI (on the campus of Purdue Calumet University) 2300 173rd Street . Hammond 219.989.3250 . clcnwi.com The Challenger Network was created by the families of astronauts who lost their lives in 1986 in the explosion of the Shuttle 51-L. Northwest Indiana was fortunate to be selected as a site for a center that would offer STEM opportunities and space-themed simulations to students in the Region. Built in 1999, many area students have taken part in space missions there or watched planetarium shows or participated in science labs, but the kids aren’t the only ones who get to have fun there. The center also schedules an annual adult date night for Valentine’s Day. On February 11, they’re offering an evening like no other in the area. The “Fly Your Sweetie to the Moon” Valentine Date Night is open for two sessions at 3 and 6 p.m. For $50 per couple, you can participate in a mini-mission, watch a laser light show and receive a special space gift to take home.

50

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Acorn Theater 107 Generations Drive Three Oaks, Mich.

269.756.3879 acorntheater.com

This live theater is housed in the historical Featherbone Factory, hosting a number of acts—from tribute bands, magicians and quartets to instrumentals, burlesque and comedians. Check the online show schedule at acorntheater.com.

Pair the show with dinner at Elm Street Bistro and consider making your visit an overnighter with a reservation at the nearby Three Oaks Inn Bed & Breakfast.

Blue Chip Casino 777 Blue Chip Drive Michigan City 219.879.7711 bluechipcasino.com

Blue Chip Casino has so much in store for a date night, an overnighter or a little weekend getaway. Along with testing your luck at the slots and tables in the casino, there are several restaurants offering quick bites, a casual meal or fine dining.

Let all your worries melt away with a variety of spa services separately or enjoy a romantic side-by-side couple’s massage. Check the event calendar for DJ dance parties, wine and canvas painting dates or live musical performances.

Thank You MODELS Chase and AnnaMaria Stathis of Chicago HAIR Lynn Griglin The Lather Lounge 9339 Calumet Ave Munster 219.836.8888 MAKEUP Katie Riordan 708.638.4484 kriordanmua.wiz.com/kriordan

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 51

5 stories of hope and healing

By Bob Moulesong Photography by Beth Fletcher

The miracles of modern medical technology surround us. Every day, there’s a news story that highlights the saving grace of new procedures and medicines. But for those in the trenches, there is another saving grace; the faith, family, and friends that make the battle worth fighting for one more day. The belief that there is a reason for everything.

This is their story.

52

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 53

AGE 4 • CROWN POINT

W

hen Amanda Woodworth was twenty weeks pregnant, she and husband Robert learned that their unborn baby had a heart issue.

After an ultrasound detected an issue, doctors performed a fetal echocardiography. This exam allows the doctor to better see the structure and function of the unborn child’s heart. The exam uses sound waves that echo off of the structures of the fetus’s heart. “The tests showed that our baby only had a singular ventricle, instead of two,” Amanda says.

She was able to carry the baby to full term, and Liam was born at the neonatal intensive care unit. He was only eleven days old when he had his first open heart surgery. “The first one was called pulmonary artery banding,” Amanda says. “It reduced the blood flow into Liam’s lungs.” The second procedure, called a bidirectional Glenn procedure, was performed when Liam was four months old.

The third procedure, called Fontan, was performed when he was 23 months old.

The three surgeries rerouted the blood flow so that he can live a relatively normal life with only three heart chambers. The normal heart has four chambers. “They do not know what causes babies to be born with only one ventricle,” Amanda says. “It is the number one heart defect for newborns.”

Today, Liam is doing well. He has caught up with normal 4-yearolds, and only takes a daily baby aspirin. At one time, they told Amanda and Robert that Liam may take as many as ten medications daily. “Obviously, we were very shocked and upset at the beginning,” Amanda says.

“But we have a strong faith, a good church group, and a lot of support from family and friends. Bob is the town marshal, and gets a lot of support from police organizations.”

Recently, Liam was able to drive in his father’s police car for the first time. He also played tee-ball this past summer.

“We always watch and worry,” Amanda says. “I don’t know if that will ever go away. But our faith and Liam’s resilience have got us this far.”

The long-term diagnosis for someone with Liam’s condition is unknown. It is possible that he may need a heart transplant one day. Amanda says that the family will cross that bridge when they come to it. “In the meantime, we are just going to enjoy every day we have,” she says.

54

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

AGE 7 • PORTER

W

hen Chet and Cassie Nay decided to begin a family, they never envisioned the journey they would take.

“We were like most couples,” Cassie says. “Excited to become parents, ready for a new chapter.”

But the shock of their newborn’s illness created a chapter no one expected. When Ethan was born in 2009, he was soon diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect. VSD is a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart. “The doctor heard a heart murmur,” Cassie says. “We later learned that a heart murmur is a common symptom in children born with VSD.” The physicians explained that some children with VSD heal without surgery. The Nays began the tense phase of watch and wait. Their faith, along with the support of family and friends, helped to ease the anxiety.

Then, at six months, little Ethan developed a chronic cough and episodes of rapid breathing.

It became obvious that his heart wasn’t healing on its own. Further tests revealed that the right side of his heart had enlarged, working extra hard to compensate for the hole in his wall. Surgery became a necessity. The family ended up at Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

“Cassie and I were able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House while Ethan went through with open-heart surgery,” Chet says. “It was a blessing in disguise. We had the opportunity to meet other parents who were going through struggles with their children.”

During the surgery to repair the hole, doctors also found a narrowing of the artery.

They were able to clear out the narrowing during the same procedure. He came out of surgery a new little boy. “Ethan couldn’t crawl before the surgery,” Cassie says. “Afterwards, he crawled within days, and he walked at eleven months.”

Their prayers had been answered. Today, Ethan has a clean bill of health and a fouryear-old brother named Elijah. “Even with everything we went through, we feel very blessed,” Cassie says. “We always believed it would work out, and in the end, he’s fine.”

The Nay family got involved in fundraising for the American Heart Association through Chet’s workplace. They believe in the research and support that AHA extends to all. And their belief extends to prayers answered.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 55

56

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

CHESTERTON 16 YEARS OLD

PHOTO BACKDROP DESIGNED BY MICHELLE SAMARDZIJA/MAD MOMMA EVENTS, DIANNA WINBORN PHOTOS PROVIDED

W

hen Katie was born in 2000, her physician heard a heart murmur. That was the beginning of a whirlwind for both baby and her family.

Tests revealed that she suffered from Ventricular Septal Defect, or VSD. Katie had two holes in the walls of her heart, and a narrowing of the aorta. “We visited a pediatric cardiologist on Monday,” says Angela, her mother. “Katie had surgery on Thursday.” The surgery was performed at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Physicians believed they resolved all three problems during the procedure.

“She had a hard time eating,” Angela says. “She was still lethargic and cranky. We were afraid something wasn’t right.” Further tests revealed that the narrowing in the aorta had returned, along with a narrowing of the pulmonary artery. The diagnosis was Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes cardiovascular and blood vessel problems.

The nerve-wracking trauma that the family had dealt with every day suddenly went up a notch.

“They decided to do a second surgery,” Angela says.

“My poor little girl was only six months old.” The surgery to reroute and reconnect her arteries was a success. Katie soon began to catch up to other infants her age.

Angela takes her faith from the little girl that has blossomed into an optimistic teenager proud to show off her scars, both mental and physical.

“Katie was photographed for the Mended Little Hearts calendar,” Angela says. “She shared her scar to help others dealing with similar situations.”

Beginning in 2017, Katie will speak on behalf of the American Heart Association, sharing her journey of faith and recovery.

“She has really taught us what a blessing every day is,” Angela says. “Many of us don’t realize what a true blessing it is just to wake up and be around those we love. Katie’s story has really helped all of us understand just how special today is.”

Katie remembers feeling different than others when she was younger. Today, she feels that difference is something to share. “I’m very proud of where I am today,” she says. “I want to speak for those who have a condition and tell them that fear, as well as disease, can be overcome.”

AGE 51 • MERRILLVILLE

W

hen she was 15 years old, Dianna began to feel episodes of chest pain and labored breathing. Doctor visits eventually led to cardiac tests, which in turn led to a diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse.

Mitral valve prolapse is a condition in which the two valve flaps of the mitral valve do not close smoothly or evenly, but instead bulge (prolapse) upward into the left atrium. In addition, cardiologists detected supraventricular tachycardia, an abnormally fast heart rhythm arising from improper electrical activity in the upper part of the heart. “I began to take medications for my racing heart and for my mitral valve,” Dianna says. “I was also instructed to improve my diet and exercise habits.”

Heart disease ran in the family. Dianna’s mother had already suffered two heart attacks, and has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

Dianna’s brother passed from a heart attack at age 35. “I knew that I had to take my condition seriously,” she says. “I witnessed firsthand how heart disease had impacted my family.”

For many years, adjusted medication doses, along with proper exercise and nutrition, kept her condition in check. But last November, Dianna passed out while pumping gas at a station. “My friends, who were with me, took me to the hospital,” she says. “They stayed with me and were very supportive.”

Cardiologists performed a tilt table test. The head-up tilt table test is a way to find the cause of fainting spells. Dianna was placed on a bed and tilted at different angles, from 30 to 60 degrees, while machines monitored her blood pressure, electrical impulses in her heart, and her oxygen levels. No additional cardiac diseases were detected. However, her medications for both MVP and SVT were adjusted. In addition, they surgically implanted a link heart monitor just under the skin in her chest.

The monitor remotely sends signals to her cardiologist’s office.

The steps taken help her deal with an ongoing problem. “I have to treat it as part of my everyday life,” she explains. “I grew up in church, and I have a lot of faith in my God. That helps me to get through the times of uncertainty.”

Dianna also has a passion for the AHA. She attends a fundraiser and walks every year. “And, I was a calendar girl for the AHA about four years ago,” she says proudly.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 57

58

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

AGE 60 • CROWN POINT

A

t age 50, Rick Lijana went to his doctor for what he described as “chest discomfort.”

“The doctor diagnosed me with GERD (acid reflux),” Rick says. “I was given medicine for heartburn and indigestion.” The diagnosis turned out to be a misdiagnosis. Rick suffered a heart attack a short while later. He received a stent after a balloon angioplasty was used to resolve the blockage.

A month later, the cardiologist detected other issues with Rick’s arteries, and a second stent was inserted through the same procedure. “At that point, I thought I was done,” Rick says. “I thought that they had found all of the blockages and that the two stents would resolve the issues.”

But Rick wasn’t so fortunate. He suffered a second heart attack just one month later. A third procedure resulted in two more stents being inserted into his arteries. “Over the course of three months, I suffered two heart attacks and had four stents inserted,” he says. “I felt very tired and very anxious.”

After a recuperation period, Rick began cardiac rehabilitation. The emphasis on physical

rehabilitation did wonders for his physical condition. But, he was left feeling a need for more mental and emotional rehabilitation. “Even with the physical rehabilitation, I felt very anxious and strained,” he says. “I was afraid to eat. I lost fifteen pounds, and I was not overweight to begin with.”

It took time and work in order for Rick to build up the confidence needed to move forward. “I learned how hard it is to live,” he says. “It’s a challenge. But I also learned how much I wanted to live.”

Rick became very involved with the American Heart Association and United Way. He has organized fundraisers for the Go Red Campaign as well as other heart initiatives. “I enjoy helping others,” he explains. “I enjoy using my skill set to try and bring compassion to others who are suffering through some tough times.”

Rick emphasizes how important it has been to find ways to use his strengths on a daily basis.

“Helping others makes me feel better,” he says. “It’s one of the ways I have used to overcome the mental and emotion strain of vulnerability.”

Ten years later, Rick still eats right, exercises, and lives a healthy lifestyle—mentally and physically.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 59

SCENE Crossroads Chamber Gatsby Gala

T

Merrillville

he Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual gala at the Radisson. Guests dressed in Roaring ’20s attire embraced the gala’s Great Gatsby theme while enjoying cocktails, dinner and dancing. The event honored community leaders and proceeds benefited the Education Foundations in Crown Point and Merrillville.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

Mark and Judy Sulka

Mike Goldasich and Helen Pennington

Dan and Karen Faloona

Janis and Rafael Nunez

Margo Leabo, Barb Oliver and Jemai Kennedy

60

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Jeff and Jen Doffin

Crown Point Community Foundation Gala

T

Crown Point

he Crown Point Community Foundation held its annual gala for more than 200 guests at the Old Historic Courthouse.

Guests danced to “The Connexion Band,” and dinner was served by the Radisson.

The Disney-themed decorations and flowers were prepared by Monarch Florist, and Edda Taylor Photographie was available all evening to take special photos of each couple.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA LEIMER

Scott and Lindsay Evorik

Michael Schneider and Lisa Carpenter

Mary Nielsen and Pat Huber

Frank and Colleen Hatami

Nicole Giedemann, Carol Highsmith, Nancy Cowan Eksten, Steve Highsmith, and Dave Giedemann

Jim and Kim Larsen

Angela and Ben Ballou

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 61

United Way Star Awards

T

Hammond

he Lake Area United Way awarded faithful contributors at their Star Awards reception held at the Indiana Welcome Center. The awards highlight nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and community volunteers who have gone above and beyond to serve the residents of Lake County.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

Carl and Lauren Zurbriggem

Delano Scaife and Dr. Renecia Williams

62

Jeni Archer and Tony Burrell

Christina and Edward Ochoa

Wade and Kassie Troyer

Amanda Maynard, Sandy Noe and Bob Inch

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Shirley Williams and Elaine Nelson

Holiday Pops Concert

T

Merrillville

he Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra performed traditional holiday favorites at their annual Holiday Pops concert at the Star Plaza Theatre. Local youth from Crown Point High School and Plum Grove Strings also performed with the symphony, along with guest vocalist Sian Davies.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

Heather Hildebrandt and Bror Johnson

Ron and Christina Smalls

Cindy and Jillian Van Volkenburgh

Giulia and Sarah Graegin with Donna Straughen

Ken and Cathy Mertens

VENDOR OPPORTUNITY NORTHWEST INDIANA’S

PREMIER BRIDAL SHOW FEBRUARY 19 | NOON - 3PM BLUE CHIP CASINO Be in front of hundreds of brides-to-be. Booths are filling up fast, secure your spot at the fair.

BrideBlu.com

Contact Alan Wolfgang at 219-933-3256 or email at alan.wolfgang@nwi.com.

Buy 6 Bottles of Wine or More and Get

10% Off

• Coldest Beer IN toWN • large WINe seleCtIoN • large Craft Beer seleCtIoN

Celebrate Your Love!

Asti spumAnti nti CAnAdiAn n Club 1.75 svedkA 1.75

$9.99 $17.99 $18.59

1 6 6 5 W. H w y 3 0 Va l p a r a i s o , I N 4 6 3 8 5 Phone: 219-465-7507

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 63

CSA Reception

T

Valparaiso

he Porter County Museum celebrated the third year of Community Supported Art Valparaiso. Attendees were introduced to the 2016-17 artists by viewing their works on display, and via a Q&A panel, where artists discussed their experience and the art project.

Nickolas Popovich and Marysol Mendez

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUNE LORENZ

Cynthia Wold and Melissa Washburn

Carrie Coslov and Brenda Hutchings

Auto

Directory ACURA MULLER ACURA OF MERRILLVILLE 3301 W. Lincoln Hwy, Merrillville, IN 219-472-7000 mulleracuraofmerrillville.com BUICK CIRCLE bUICk 2440 45th Street, Highland, IN IN. 219-865-4400 • IL. 773-221-8124 www.circleautomotive.com CHEVROLET ChRISTENSON ChEVROLET 9700 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN 888-999-9141 www.christensonchevy.com PhILLIPS ChEVROLET OF LANSINg 17730 S. Torrence Ave., Lansing, IL 866-826-7812 www.phillipschevy.com SMITh ChEVROLET - hAMMONd 6405 Indianapolis Blvd., Hammond, IN 219-845-4000 www.smithautogroupusa.com

SMITh ChEVROLET - LOwELL 700 W. Commerical, Lowell, IN 219-696-8931 www.smithautogroupusa.com TEAM ChEVROLET 1856 W. U.S. 30, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-1175 www.teamchevyinc.com CHRYSLER gRIEgERS ChRySLER 1756 U.S. 30 West, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-4117 www.griegersmotors.com DODGE gRIEgERS dOdgE 1756 U.S. 30 West, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-4117 www.griegersmotors.com FORD

Susan and Pat Atwell

Locate Auto Dealers with Ease, in NW Indiana & Chicagoland wEbb FORd 9809 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN 800-533-1279 www.webbford.com

MITSUBISHI

GMC

wEbb MITSUbIShI 1000 West US 30, Merrillville, IN 219-736-2277 www.webbmitsubishi.com

CIRCLE gMC 2440 45th Street, Highland, IN IN 219-865-4400 • IL 773-221-8124 www.circleautomotive.com

NIELSEN MITSUbIShI 5020 U.S. Highway 6, Portage, IN 888-503-4110 www.nielsenmitsubishi.com

HONDA

RAM

TEAM hONdA 4613 East Rt. 30 Merrillville, IN 219-947-3900 www.teamhondaon30.com

gRIEgERS RAM 1756 U.S. 30 West Valparaiso, IN 219-462-4117 www.griegersmotors.com

HYUNDAI wEbb hyUNdAI MERRILLVILLE 1000 West US Hwy 30, Merrillville, IN 219-202-4383 www.webbhyundaimerrillville.com

SUBARU NIELSEN SUbARU 5020 U.S. Highway 6, Portage, IN 888-503-4110 www.nielsen.subaru.com TOYOTA

LAkEShORE FORd 244 Melton Rd. (US 20@I94, Exit 22A) Burns Harbor, IN 219-787-8600 www.lakeshoreford.com

wEbb hyUNdAI 9236 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN 219-923-2277 www.webbhyundai.com JEEP

LAkEShORE TOyOTA 244 Melton Rd. (US 20@I94, Exit 22A) Burns Harbor, IN 219-787-8600 www.lakeshoretoyota.com

SMITh FORd 1777 E. Commercial, Lowell, IN 219-769-1090 www.smithautogroupusa.com

gRIEgERS jEEP 1756 U.S. 30 West, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-4117 www.griegersmotors.com

TOyOTA ON 30 4450 E. RT 30, Merrillville, IN 219-947-3325 www.toyotaon30.com

ContaCt your times’ media Consultant to feature your business in the times auto direCtory

MUNSTER • (219) 852-4338 | VALPARAISO • (219) 462-5151

64

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

ARTability Show

O

Valparaiso

pportunity Enterprises held its annual ARTability Show & Auction at Valparaiso University’s Christopher Center Library. Client artists from OE created unique paintings, ceramic pieces and glassware for the show, all of which were available for sale through a silent auction.

Mike Schneider and Lisa Carpenter

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

Kacie Ensign and Richie Amrhein

Mason Gipson and Clare Samahon

Dennis Cameron, Jeremy Miracle and Jill Naillieux

Considering a healthcare career?

This is your moment! See what the University of Saint Francis Crown Point has to offer for students interested in pursuing healthcare careers.

Our Programs Associate of Science in Nursing Associate of Science-Medical Laboratory Technician • Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate of Science in Nursing • Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies • Associate of Applied Science for Completion Program for Paramedic • Certified Nurse Aide Course (CNA) • Phlebotomy Course • •

12800 Mississippi Parkway, Pavilion U • Crown Point, IN 46307 877-803-8879 • crownpoint.sf.edu

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 65

Holiday Reception

L

Hammond

ocal business leaders, elected officials and hospitality professionals gathered to celebrate the 33rd Annual Holiday Reception at the Indiana Welcome Center. The South Shore CVA honored individuals and businesses that represent the hospitality industry and contribute to tourism along the South Shore.

Mogda and Dwayne Walker

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

Anthony Contrucci, Karen Maravilla and Raymundo Garcia

Aimee Beauchamp and Speros A. Batistatos

Scott Rakos and Mary Borkowski

DON’T LET THE DRUG COST RUIN YOUR NIGHT!

66

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

6949 Kennedy Ave Hammond, IN (219) 845-2900

2914 Highway Ave Highland, IN (219) 972-1700

3100 - 45th Avenue Suite 1 Highland, IN 46322 (219) 228-7200

4923 Hohman Ave Hammond, IN (219) 937-1600

OUT ON THE TOWN

Things to Do, Places to Go

‌Looking for something to do this weekend? Try one or more of these stops throughout the area.

Schoolhouse Shop of Furnessville

Bin 27

With about twelve rooms full of gift items, men’s and women’s fashions, home fragrances, personal care products and a full gourmet pantry covering 6,200 square feet of retail space, the Schoolhouse Shop, located in the Furnessville area of Chesterton, is a one-stop shop for your home and gift needs where you can get lost browsing for hours.

“We are located in an 1886 historic schoolhouse building,” says Roy Krizek, who co-owns the shop with Jim Ruge. The building housed a school until about 1921 and was a private residence for several years before becoming a store in 1953. Krizek and Ruge are now in their twentieth year as owners.

“It’s a pleasure to work in such a historic location,” Krizek says.

The picturesque location was once on the old Chicago-Detroit road, Krizek says, which would have been well-traveled. “It was built before U.S. Route 12 and 20 were plotted out.” The shop is closed during the month of February as they use the slow time with usually dismal weather to recharge and work in vacation time. The shop will reopen March 1.

If you liked Venice Steakhouse in Dyer, you’ll want to check out Bin 27. It’s in the same location, but with some tweaks to the menu, a new staff and a new name. Ryan Tosh took over full ownership last fall and took a little time to rebrand before the December grand opening.

“Along with the new name comes a new menu along with new decor,” Tosh says. “Some new features visitors can expect would be a carefully selected wine and cocktail program along with new featured specials like Full Slab Thursday with a three-course full slab of ribs for only $12.” Some of the popular items on the new menu are the Salmon Blanc, which is a grilled Atlantic salmon served with grilled asparagus and roasted red potatoes topped with a garlic lemon wine sauce; and Chicken Venetian, a panko encrusted chicken breast topped with a basil and ricotta spread, Roma tomatoes and provolone placed on top of cheese tortellini in a creamy Alfredo sauce.

Guests can visit the sleek lounge for a cocktail, the main dining room or the atrium where a waterfall and dim lighting create a tranquil atmosphere.

278 E 1500 N Chesterton 219.926.1551 schoolhouseshop.com

Gordon Beach Inn

ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED

16220 Lakeshore Rd Union Pier, Mich.

269.469.0800 gordonbeachinn.com

275 Joliet Dyer 219.322.8565 bin27indyer.com

Tosh says the response to the revamped restaurant has been great and the customer base has been expanding beyond those who had become accustomed to the classic dishes, some of which have remained on the menu, including steaks, seafood, pastas as well as some vegan and gluten-free products. “I am very proud to introduce the new concept to not only the town of Dyer, but to everyone else that enjoys a great place to catch up with friends or family. In my opinion, if we offer quality food with high customer service, along with great specials at an affordable price, then we have done our job,” Tosh says.

Lakeside Inn

15251 Lakeshore Rd Lakeside, Mich.

269.469.0600 lakesideinns.com

This historic Gordon Beach Inn dates back to the 1920s and offers nineteen guest rooms.

Registered as a State of Michigan Historical Site, guests can enjoy a private beach just three blocks away.

The inn underwent an extensive renovation project in 1992 with artisans brought in to stencil walls by hand. The artwork in the corridors and rooms featured designs based on local Native American patterns and botanical themes. Each room at the quaint inn has a private bath and cable.

Three of the rooms have a Jacuzzi, wet bar

Lakeside Inn

Gordon Beach Inn

and refrigerator.

Their sister property, Lakeside Inn, in nearby Lakeside is a rustic inn with 30 guest rooms and private beach right across the street.

Both inns are open year-round where the

beach is the big attraction and there’s plenty of breathtaking scenery no matter when you visit.

Lakeside Inn is running an off-season special where you can stay two nights for the price of one until the Wednesday before Labor Day.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 67

CALENDAR SUNDAY

MONDAY

FEBRUARY 2017

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

02 Eat Up Wine Down, 5-10pm, downtown Valparaiso. 219.464.8332. valparaisoevents.com. The first Thursday of every month, Valpodining.com restaurants offer some of their most popular drinks and/or dishes for $5 a selection.

07

08

FEB 9-MAR 19 My Way—A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3255. theatreatthecenter.com. Relive the legendary career as four actors share more than 50 of Sinatra’s beloved hits.

FEB 3-5 Magical Ice Fest, 269.985.1111. stjoetoday. com. Frosty fun all weekend long with certified ice competitions, a fire and ice party, a 5K run/walk, a scavenger hunt and more.

12

The Fab Four—The Ultimate Tribute, 8pm, Star Plaza Theatre, 8001 Delaware Pl, Merrillville. 800.745.3000. starplazatheatre.com. The Emmy Award-winning tribute band performs, complete with three costume changes representing every era of the Beatles’ career.

THROUGH MAR 5 Ice Skating Under the Urschel Pavilion, hours vary, William E. Urschel Pavilion, 70 Lincolnway St, Valparaiso. 219.548.4888. centralparkplazavalpo.com.

Open skating takes place seven days a week.

21

Bride Blu, noon-3pm, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, 777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City. 219.879.7711. bluechipcasino.com.

Exclusive bridal show with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, fashion show, and prizes.

Dunes Dinner Club—A Thought Provoking Dining Experience, 5:30-8pm, Dunes Learning Center, 700 Howe Rd, Chesterton. 219.395.9555. duneslearningcenter.org.

Dunes Learning Center’s second pop-up dinner offers food for thought with a short documentary film.

Steneby Three (2011) by Albert Paley

JAN 27-APR 9 Winter Fest 2017, New Albert Paley—Forging Sculpture 1979-2016, Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, Mich. 269.983.0271. krasl.org. Works by the longstanding leader in the metal arts on display.

68

15

13

19

26

09

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

28

16

MAGICAL ICE FEST PHOTO BY JOSHUA NOWICKI‌, DUNES DINNER CLUB PHOTO BY RUSSELL INGRAM, ICE SKATING PHOTO BY SADDAM ALZUBAID

05

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

03

04 Winter Wine Event, 2-5pm, The Lighthouse Restaurant, 7501 Constitution Ave, Cedar Lake. 219.390.9423. cedarlakehistory.org. This fundraiser for the Cedar Lake Historical Association includes wine tasting, a cash bar, raffles, and music

by J.T. Trimmel.

10

11

Dance & Romance, 6:15pm pre-concert lecture, 7:30pm concert, The Auditorium at Bethel Church, 10202 Broadway, Crown Point.

219.836.0525. nisorchestra. org. The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra takes a romantic musical journey around the world.

The Whispers, 8pm, Horseshoe Casino Hammond, 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond.

866.711.7463. horseshoehammond.com.

The R&B group performs.

18 Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra Concert, 7:30pm, Chapel of the Resurrection, 1600 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso.

219.464.5000. valpo. edu/music. The concerto competition student winners join the university symphony for solo performances.

24

25

FEB 24-MAR 12 Nunsense A-Men, 8pm Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave, Hammond. 219.937.8780. towletheater.org. After the cook accidentally poisons 52 sisters, the nuns decide to put on a variety show to raise funds for the burial in this musical comedy.

NWI Comic-Con, Halls of St. George, 905 E Joliet St, Schererville. nwi-comic-con. com. Pop culture comes to Northwest Indiana—featuring artists, publishers, dealers, cosplay contests and more.

BY ASHLEY BOYER

5

WAYS TO

GIVE BACK

1 2 3 4 5

FEB 4 Winter Wine Event, 2-5pm, The Lighthouse Restaurant, 7501 Constitution Ave, Cedar Lake.

219.390.9423. cedarlakehistory.org. This fundraiser for the Cedar Lake Historical Association includes wine tasting, a cash bar, raffles, and music by J.T. Trimmel.

FEB 4 The Y Bash, Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso. 219.462.4185. valpoymca.org.

Annual fundraiser to benefit the Valparaiso Family YMCA annual campaign.

FEB 11 St. Patrick Shamrock Alumni Ball, 5:30pm, Trinity Hall and Banquet Center, 640 N Calumet Rd, Chesterton. 219.926.1282. stpatsparish.org. This formal dinner includes dancing, live and silent auctions, and a wine pull to help defray increasing tuition costs and raise funding to make Catholic education affordable for all at St. Patrick School.

FEB 18 Shelf Ice Brewfest, 1-5pm, 7th & Franklin Sts, Michigan City. eventbrite.com. Michigan City Mainstreet Association’s third annual outdoor brew fest.

FEB 21 Dunes Dinner Club— A Thought Provoking Dining Experience, 5:30-8pm, Dunes Learning Center, 700 Howe Rd, Chesterton. 219.395.9555. duneslearningcenter.org.

Dunes Learning Center’s second pop-up dinner offers food for thought with a short but provocative documentary film, plus a four-course dinner.

Proceeds benefit environmental education programs.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 69

FEB 17 RICK SPRINGFIELD, 9pm, Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, Mich. 800.745.3000. ticketmaster.com. The pop rock singer performs.

ONGOING

Open Skate, hours vary, Midwest Training and Ice Center, 10600 White Oak Ave, Dyer. 219.558.8811. midwesttrainingandice.com.

NWI’s largest state-of-the-art training facility offers open skate sessions at its Olympicsize ice arena.

THROUGH FEB 26

Ice Plaza at Deep River Waterpark, 4-9pm Thu, 2-10pm Fri, noon-10pm Sat, noon-9pm Sun, Deep River Waterpark, 9001 E US Hwy 30, Crown Point. 219.947.7850. deepriverwaterpark.com. A winter wonderland complete with an ice skating rink.

THROUGH FEB 28

Winter Fest 2017, New Buffalo, Mich. 888.660.6222. newbuffalo.org. This magical festival offers ice sculptures, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a skating rink and more.

THROUGH MAR 5

Ice Skating Under the Urschel Pavilion, hours vary, William E. Urschel Pavilion, 70 Lincolnway St,

70

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Valparaiso. 219.548.4888. centralparkplazavalpo.com.

Open skating takes place seven days a week.

THROUGH APR 2

Sand & Steel—Visions of Our Indiana Shore, Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University, 1709 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso.

219.464.5365. valpo.edu/ brauer-museum-of-art.

Artwork inspired by the beauty of the Indiana Dunes and the industry along the shore.

JAN 27-FEB 12

An Adult Evening with Shel Silverstein, 8pm Fri-Sat, 3pm Sun, Crown Point Community Theatre, 1125 Merrillville Rd, Crown Point. 219.310.8556. cpct.biz.

Ten imaginative plays explore the darkly comic world of Shel Silverstein.

JAN 27-APR 9

Albert Paley—Forging Sculpture 1979-2016, Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, Mich. 269.983.0271. krasl.org. Works by the longstanding leader in the metal arts on display.

JAN 30-MAY

Seeking Location— Mapping & Borders in Art, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W 2nd St, Michigan City.

219.874.4900. lubeznikcenter. org. Works that investigate issues of location and dislocation.

FEB 2

Eat Up Wine Down, 5-10pm, downtown Valparaiso. 219.464.8332. valparaisoevents.com. The first Thursday of every month, Valpodining.com restaurants offer some of their most popular drinks and/or dishes for $5 a selection.

FEB 3

First Friday Art Walk, 5-8pm, Uptown Arts District, Michigan City. 219.331.5517. uptownartsdistrict.org. Stores, galleries and venues come alive the first Friday of every month for an evening of culture, art and networking.

FEB 3-5

Ice Breaker Festival, downtown South Haven.

269.637.5171. southhaven. org. Dazzling ice sculptures,

a chili cook-off, a snowsuit fashion competition, a pub slide, outdoor ice skating, curling, horse-drawn carriage rides, a cardboard sled race and more.

FEB 3-5

Magical Ice Fest, 269.985.1111. stjoetoday.com.

Frosty fun all weekend long with certified ice competitions, a fire and ice party, a 5K run/walk, a scavenger hunt and more.

FEB 3-5, 9-12

Deathtrap, 7:30pm ThuSat, 2pm Sun, Footlight Theatre, 1705 Franklin St, Michigan City. 219.874.4035. footlightplayers.org.

A successful writer of Broadway thrillers struggling to overcome a dry spell collaborates with one of his students with a hit script in this thrilling, hilarious, suspense-filled journey.

FEB 3-5, 9-11

Pale Dream, Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W Chicago St, Valparaiso. 219.464.1636. chicagostreet.org. When their father becomes sick, two

swmhomeshow.com. A weekend of inspiring ideas for the home, garden and everyday life with more than 70 Southwest Michigan exhibitors.

FEB 17-MAR 5

The Producers, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave, Valparaiso. 219.548.9137. memorialoperahouse.com.

A scheming producer and his mousy accountant aim to produce the biggest flop on Broadway in this laugh-outloud spectacle.

FEB 18

Experience Dance & Romance on Feb. 10 at Bethel Church in Crown Point.

Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra Concert, 7:30pm, Chapel of the Resurrection, 1600 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso. 219.464.5000. valpo.edu/music. The concerto competition student winners join the university symphony for solo performances.

FEB 19 estranged brothers, once united by their love of film and the desire to make movies together, must face each other in this edgy new drama.

FEB 10-12, 17-19

Through the Gate, Southern Shore Art Association Gallery, 724 Franklin St, Michigan City. 219.879.4980. southernshoreartassociation. com. Abstract, realistic or representational with emphasis on a gate or doorway, “la porte.”

An Act of the Imagination, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Beatniks On Conkey, 418 Conkey St, Hammond. 888.928.6648. hammondcommunitytheatre. org. A successful mystery writer is incriminated in the death of a woman who had claimed to be his mistress in this masterful tale of suspense.

FEB 9-MAR 19

FEB 11

FEB 3-26

DANCE & ROMANCE PHOTO BY YANA REZNICK

a romantic musical journey around the world.

My Way—A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3255. theatreatthecenter.com. Relive the legendary career as four actors share more than 50 of Sinatra’s beloved hits.

FEB 10

Dance & Romance, 6:15pm pre-concert lecture, 7:30pm concert, The Auditorium at Bethel Church, 10202 Broadway, Crown Point.

219.836.0525. nisorchestra. org. The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra takes

The Whispers, 8pm, Horseshoe Casino Hammond, 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond. 866.711.7463. horseshoehammond.com.

The R&B group performs.

FEB 12

The Fab Four—The Ultimate Tribute, 8pm, Star Plaza Theatre, 8001 Delaware Pl, Merrillville. 800.745.3000. starplazatheatre.com. The Emmy Award-winning tribute band performs, complete with three costume changes representing every era of the Beatles’ career.

FEB 16-18

Romeo & Juliet, 7:30pm, Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, 1709 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso. 219.464.5162. valpo.edu/center-for-the-arts.

Actors from the London State will return for the fourth annual Shakespeare Week.

FEB 17

An Evening with Travis Tritt, Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, 2755 E Napier Ave, Benton Harbor, Mich. 269.927.1221. themendelcenter.com. CMA and Grammy Award-winning country artist performs.

FEB 17

Rick Springfield, 9pm, Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, Mich.

800.745.3000. ticketmaster. com. The pop rock singer performs.

FEB 17-19

SW Michigan Home, Garden & Leisure Show, Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, 2755 E Napier Ave, Benton Harbor, Mich. 269.473.5035.

Bride Blu, noon-3pm, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, 777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City.

219.879.7711. bluechipcasino. com. Exclusive bridal show with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, fashion show, and prizes.

FEB 23-26

Betrayal, 8pm Thu-Sat, 2:30 & 8pm Sun, Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W Chicago St, Valparaiso. 219.464.1636. chicagostreet.org. A contemporary masterpiece about three individuals and the affair that shattered them all.

FEB 24-MAR 12

Nunsense A-Men, 8pm Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave, Hammond. 219.937.8780. towletheater.org. After the cook accidentally poisons 52 sisters, the nuns decide to put on a variety show to raise funds for the burial in this musical comedy.

FEB 25

NWI Comic-Con, Halls of St. George, 905 E Joliet St, Schererville. nwi-comic-con. com. Pop culture comes to Northwest Indiana—featuring artists, publishers, dealers, cosplay contests and more.

February 2017 | INSPIREDLIVING 71

INCLOSING

‌ LOVE IS THE “ ANSWER. THE QUESTION IS UNIMPORTANT.”

PHOTO BY JESSICA DEKOCK‌

Jeff Foster, author

72

INSPIREDLIVING | February 2017

Save the Date

coordinators | cocktails | couture N O R T H W E S T I N D I A N A’ S

Premier Bridal Fair Sunday, February 19 | Noon - 3:00pm in the Stardust Event Center

Make your wedding perfect, meet with wedding experts as you sip champagne and sample the best hors d’oeuvres provided by Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa.

Register for FREE today.

You could WIN a trip to Las Vegas!

5 at the door. See brideblu.com for details.

$

Register at BrideBlu.com

©Blue Chip Casino. Must be 21 years of age or older with a valid state or government issued photo ID to enter casino, gamble or participate in casino programs or promotions.

Don’t let the game get out of hand. For assistance call 800-994-8448.

Choose a Hospital

WHERE EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Time and time again, patients choose the hospitals of Community Healthcare System for outstanding performance in the delivery of a positive patient experience.

Our staff is committed to your healing and care experience – you are at the center of all we do.

Community Healthcare System is the only health system in Indiana with all of its hospitals achieving the HealthgradesÂŽ Outstanding Patient Experience AwardTM for 2016.

Find out more about our extraordinary care and physicians.

Call 219-836-3477 or toll-free 866-836-3477. Visit www.comhs.org