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Back SchooltoSpecial Edition!

August 2014

Content nwi

Our TeamManaging Editor/PublisherStephanie Vega EdwardsStephanie@MomtoMomNWI.com

Sales TeamEva WilliamsNichole Odijk DeMario

Contributing Writers Mindy GearBrooke RecktenwallBeth WhitakerNichole Odijk DeMarioAmber NeaceKrystal TaylorDr. Sandee Clark

Layout DesignMark HalliarDesigns by Mark

Cover & Content Page PhotographyAmanda Rose Photography

Advertising & SubmissionsMom to Mom NWI LLCPO Box 1212 Valparaiso IN 46383219-973-5138

Mom to Mom NWI is a monthly publication by Mom to Mom NWI LLC. All rights reserved. Production without permission is strictly prohibited. All photographs & articles submitted become the sole property of Mom to Mom NWI Magazine.

www.comhs.org/community901 MacArthur Blvd. Munster, IN 46321219 • 836 • 3477 or 866 • 836 • 3477

Ready for everything you are & aren’t expectingAnnouncing the newly built Family Birthing Center at Community Hospital!Each pregnancy is different. To truly be prepared for everything, we have a team of specialists who are ready with the experience to handle anything confidently and compassionately. That is exactly how we became one of the leading facilities in NW Indiana for maternal and newborn care – delivering more babies each year than any other hospital in our local area. Our in-house specialists are available 24/7 and our modern facility is newly built with comfort and safety in mind for one purpose – to be ready for everything you and your baby need.

www.comhs.org/community901 MacArthur Blvd. Munster, IN 46321219 • 836 • 3477 or 866 • 836 • 3477

Ready for everything you are & aren’t expectingAnnouncing the newly built Family Birthing Center at Community Hospital!Each pregnancy is different. To truly be prepared for everything, we have a team of specialists who are ready with the experience to handle anything confidently and compassionately. That is exactly how we became one of the leading facilities in NW Indiana for maternal and newborn care – delivering more babies each year than any other hospital in our local area. Our in-house specialists are available 24/7 and our modern facility is newly built with comfort and safety in mind for one purpose – to be ready for everything you and your baby need.

Letter from the Editor 5

Fun & GamesFun in the Sun 8Valpo Viennas 26DIY Dressers 28

Mom to Mom Family HealthAutism Spectrum Disorder 12Community Hospital Family Birthing Center 22

Mom to Mom FeatureMom You Should Know: Carrie Hreha 16Choosing the Right Day Care 30

Mom to Mom EatsMindy’s Menu: Fan Favorites 18

Mom to Mom EducationForest Ridge Academy 6Back to School Checklist 21

Mom to Mom EditorialAsk the Doctor - Home Remedies 24

Mom to Mom Community CalendarWhat’s Going On 36

WHEN I started this magazine, my oldest child was in her last year of preschool. So when August rolled around, I didn’t real-ly know what to expect –in regards to the school year. Our days were filled with play-dates with friends, library time, and trips to the park. I didn’t know what it meant to be a “school mom” and what that really entailed. I remember hearing moms talk about doing the happy dance at the bus stop when they sent their kids off on the first day and I’d think to myself, “How could that be? Don’t these moms miss their kids?” As the first day of school approached, I was a giant bag of nerves – so scared, to not only cut the cord and let my baby go to school, but to find out all that went into being a mom of a school aged child. When I dropped my daughter off at school I lingered around her classroom taking pictures, talking to the teacher, and checking out her classmates. Before long my daughter told me I could go, and I knew my girl was going to be ok – though I didn’t know if I was going to be.As the school year went on, I learned more what it meant to be a mom of a school aged child, and learned the significance of things like Fall Break, Christ-mas vacation, and of course Spring Break. Before I had a kid in school none of that meant anything to me. We went on vacation when we wanted, slept in when we could and just enjoyed the days of freedom. But before long, I was really getting used to this whole “routine” thing. Waking up, getting dressed, having breakfast, and heading out the door all had to happen before 9:00am or we would be late to school. I found myself getting a lot more accomplished during the school day, and being on a schedule was really good for me.So fast-forward to the present – where I have been pulling my hair out on a nearly daily basis because I just can’t keep these kids occupied. You see, know I have a soon to be second grader and kindergartner and all they want to do is be in school. And guess what – I want that too!! I know, it didn’t take long for me to sing a different tune, but school is just so wonderful!! The kids love it, I love it – it’s a win win!! Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but I am counting down the days until the first day of school. There’s a part of me that knows this school year will be bittersweet as I send off yet another one of my girls to school, and I know there will be tears shed. But I have to admit, once I wipe away those tears, I think I will be joining those other moms doing the happy dance!Enjoy the rest of your summer!! And don’t forget, before you send your little one off on the first day of school, snap their picture and send it to us! We will post first day of school pictures in our September issue. Email your pictures to Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com. Deadline is August 22nd.

Take Care,

Stephanie

Letter from the Editor

Never Ending Summer

AFTER more than a decade of teaching at the elementary and mid-dle school level, Maria Cunningham, a First Grade Teacher at Forest Ridge Academy in Schererville, Ind., was looking to add some new techniques and energy into her classroom.While at a National Teacher’s Conference in Chicago, Cunningham learned about a newer concept called Whole Brain Teaching (WBT). The grassroots movement was first started 15 years ago by three Cal-ifornia teachers Chris Biffle, Jay Vanderfin and Chris Rekstad. Word of their approach has spread through-out the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. In the last decade they have given seminars to more than 6,000 educators representing 300,000 students. According to the WBT site it “rests upon the principle that teachers at every level share the same difficulties: students lack discipline, background knowledge and fundamental problem solving skills. From kindergarten to college, teachers face students who have difficulty with reading and writ-

ing. Nonetheless, our students respond to challenges, enjoy well-de-signed learning games, and can make, in the proper setting, astonish-ing educational progress.”It’s been three years since Cunningham first heard of WBT and this self-proclaimed “traditional” teacher says she is infinitely changed and is convinced her students are better for it. Cunningham, who is now Forest Ridge Academy’s Whole Brain Teaching Coordinator, says WBT is an excellent classroom manage-

ment tool with learning approaches that tap into the way a person’s brain learns best. The different ‘tools’ used, keep all students actively engaged in learning by keeping them ‘on their toes’ and anticipating what’s next. Cunningham says, “The idea of using WBT, for me, was to create a fun and positive learning environment that was stress-free and centered around my students.” She says WBT does just that.There are four key components to a successful Whole Brain classroom.

education

6

Forest Ridge Academy

Embracing Whole Brain Teaching

Cunningham summarized, the “Core 4” are the four main things a teacher can incorporate into his/her class to implement WBT quick-ly, effectively, and with immediate results each and every day. They are: “Class-Yes,” “Scoreboard,” “Mirror,” and “Teach-Okay”. “Class-Yes” is a wonderful call & response management technique. It is meant to bring the class together,” she details. “Scoreboard,” keeps the students motivated. “Mirror” gets the kids active. It allows the kids to repeat a teacher’s gestures as if they are his/her mirror as he/she teaches a new concept. The teacher will showcase a little with gestures and the students gesture alongside. The focus is on the stu-dents’ motor & visual cortexes and linking movement to learning. “Teach-Okay” builds community and accountability. It is similar to turn and talk, but instead of using open-ended prompts, students are repeating the gestures and the teaching points to their partners, who are assigned on a weekly basis.“You’re using all the ways our brains learn the best from hearing, listening, speaking and feeling. You’re putting all of those things to-gether to make the classroom more fun…it’s the future of education in my opinion,” Cunningham, says. “Everything is presented in an upbeat way. The entire class gets involved. I even find myself using some of the classroom rules with my own two children.”Currently, Cunningham is using WBT in her first grade class. Forest Ridge Academy has also implemented the beginning components in their kindergarten classrooms and continued the lessons into second

and third grade. She says the WBT concept not only makes her class-room a more enjoyable environment, but has also vastly improved her students’ writing abilities because of its foundation of oral com-munication.“Once you build on a child’s knowledge they are able to understand concepts like a topic sentence and supporting details. By the end of the school year my six and seven-year-olds are writing five para-graph micro-essays,” the English Major says “…It’s unique. The kids learn visually and then they treat their writing the same way. They transform all of this knowledge into their work. It’s a highly struc-tured science that I see benefiting them long term.”Cunningham attended a national Whole Brain conference for the first time two years ago and held a Midwest conference for WBT at Forest Ridge Academy last year for more than 300 educators from across the nation.“You see the excitement in the room…the excitement for teaching again. Once a teacher learns about Whole Brain Teaching they are eager to get back into the classroom,” Cunningham explains of the conferences.Cunningham welcomes any parent interested in seeing WBT in a classroom environment to schedule a visit with Forest Ridge Academy by calling the office at 219.756.3600 or email her directly at mcunningham@fra.edu.-mtm

“The idea of using WBT(Whole Brain Teaching), for me, was to create a fun and positive learning environment that was stress-free and centered

around my students.”-Maria Cunningham

by: Nichole Odijk DeMario

nf N s uuWith the first day of school quickly approaching, we wanted to take a look back at the fun in the sun our fans of Mom to Mom, NWI have had. We were so excited to get so many submissions - we hope you enjoy them!

inthe

Locations to Serve You:3564 Scottsdale St., Portage6450 US Highway 6, Portage2490 Central Ave., Lake Station6091 Broadway, Merrillville6920 Indianapolis Blvd., Hammond

For Appointments or More Information Call

(219) 762-8112 orToll Free: (888) 313-8557

Visit our Websitewww.northshorehealth.org

* Medicaid Patients are fully covered (MHS, Anthem, MDwise Hoosier Alliance)

* Other Insurance Plans pay no more than $25 out of pocket expense, including Co-pay

FREE Backpack plus supplies

with all School Physicals

(While backpacks and supplies last)

Uninsured – Underinsured Total Cost only $25

School Physicals School Sports Physicals Immunizations

Back to School Health FairJuly 14th – August 8th

Services Offered:

Locations to Serve You:3564 Scottsdale St., Portage6450 US Highway 6, Portage2490 Central Ave., Lake Station6091 Broadway, Merrillville6920 Indianapolis Blvd., Hammond

For Appointments or More Information Call

(219) 762-8112 orToll Free: (888) 313-8557

Visit our Websitewww.northshorehealth.org

* Medicaid Patients are fully covered (MHS, Anthem, MDwise Hoosier Alliance)

* Other Insurance Plans pay no more than $25 out of pocket expense, including Co-pay

FREE Backpack plus supplies

with all School Physicals

(While backpacks and supplies last)

Uninsured – Underinsured Total Cost only $25

School Physicals School Sports Physicals Immunizations

Back to School Health FairJuly 14th – August 8th

Services Offered:

12

I had a situation occur recently while on a trip to Disney, which has inspired me to provide some educational information regarding Autism. While my sons were waiting in line to build a light saber at Disney, a boy who was about 10 ran up and grabbed a part out of a bin in the assembly line. The Disney employee working that station became very angry and yelled at the child. The child’s younger sibling approached me and apologized and then the child’s mother shared with me that the child was autistic. Unfortunately, the response of the employee led to much embarrassment by the child’s family and frustration for the child, and it’s a prime example of why Autism Spectrum Disorder is easily misunderstood within the general public. Autism Spectrum Disorder can be a very confusing disorder. The severity of autism is on a spectrum, which means that it has a vast range of symptoms under the same umbrella. This is one disorder with varying symptom manifestations, so it may appear very different from one child to the next. The main symptom categories are social interaction difficulties, communication difficulties and behavioral difficulties. Not only will this look very different from one child to the next, but it will be different as the child ages. It is important to understand that each child with this disorder has a unique set of symptoms. Some are brilliant while others have intellectual disabilities. Some flap their hands; some rock; some talk and some are nonverbal. One thing to keep in mind is that a child with Autism may tantrum more easily than other children. Small things may set them off and often these occur in public. As mother’s, we need to think before we judge in situations of tantrums or other public outbursts. Because the symptoms vary greatly, I want to mention a few symptoms that you may notice with children at school or the playground.

Social Skill Difficulties Could Include: • Unusual or inappropriate body language, gestures, and facial expressions.

• Lack of interest in other people or in sharing achievements.

• Unlikely to approach others or pursue social interactions; prefers to be alone.

• Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings, reactions or nonverbal cues.

• Lack of desire to be touched.

• Difficulty making friends with children the same age.

Speech & Language Difficulties Include:• Delay in learning how to speak (after the age of 2) or doesn’t speak at all.

• Speaking at an abnormal tone of voice, or with an odd rhythm or pitch.

• Repeating words or phrases over and over.

• Trouble starting a conversation or keeping it going.

• Difficulty communicating needs and desires.

• Doesn’t understand simple statements or questions.

• Taking what is said too literally, missing humor, irony, and sarcasm.

family health Beth WhitakerBeth@MomtoMomNWI.com

Couch Talk

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Restricted Behavior Difficulties:• Repetitive body movements; moving constantly.

• Obsessive attachment to unusual objects.

• Preoccupation with a specific topic of interest, often involving numbers or symbols.

• A strong need for sameness, order, and routine.

• Clumsiness, abnormal posture, or odd ways of moving.

• Fascinated by spinning objects, moving pieces, or parts of toys.

As mothers, it is important that we develop some level of understanding for the disorder. The prevalence of autism is high enough that there is a significant chance that your

child may have an autistic peer in their classroom or in their neighborhood. Teaching our children compassion and understanding may prevent fear when they run into a child with autism later. I also think that it could be very valuable to both children if we encourage our children to play with children who may be autistic. Allowing our children to understand will create a much more supportive environment for all children. As mothers, we need to support one another. Parenting is hard with all children, but parenting an autistic child brings with it very unique challenges. Here are a few ways that we can help parents around us with autistic children.

• Talk about it. Don’t ignore the elephant in the room because it makes you uncomfortable. Allow the parent to talk about their child and the diagnosis.

• Learn what you can. Try to educate yourself about Autism. Stick to the facts and ignore the

myths and misinformation.

• Acceptance. Accept the diagnosis without questing it. Accept the child as if you would any other child and accept the challenges that this family will now face more complex challenges that you may not understand.

• Set up your home. Make it comfortable and safe for friends to come visit.

• Be flexible. Life with an autistic child leads to a full schedule and plans may change unpredictably at the last moment. Also, offer play dates with the child so that both your children and the other family’s children can enjoy getting to know each other.

• Learn to interact. Learn how to interact with the autistic child. Find out what the child enjoys so that you can get to know that child.

• Listening. Be there to act as a sounding board when parent is feeling stressed. Along with that, stay in contact. Life gets busy, but make sure you stay in touch with the other family.

• Avoid giving advice. No one likes unsolicited parenting advice, especially when the family is helping a child with a disorder that you may not fully understand. Keep opinions to yourself.

• Don’t spill the beans. Keep the things that the autistic parent shares with you about their child or the diagnosis to yourself. Honor their trust and protect their confidentiality.

• Educate your kids. The most important thing we can do as parents is teach our children about the differences they may see in peers at school or on the playground. Explain to your children what autism is and what some of the common behaviors might be. Encourage them to play with autistic children and most of all, teach them to be patient and compassionate.

Like I mentioned before, the Autism Spectrum Disorder is complicated and unique from one child to the next. Instead of passing quick judgment, we need to support and encourage parents parenting a child with autism. We also need to educate our children so they are kind to children with autism. We need to start the new school year creating a supportive environment for all children.-mtm

Rashmi Aggarwal, MD Pediatrics

Accepting New Patients.

Call 219-947-6450

Office Hours in Hobart & Windfield

affiliated with

1500 S. Lake Park Ave. Hobart, Indiana

www.comhs.orgHobart • Winfield

Pediatric Residency:Children’s Hospital & Medical CenterAkron, Ohio

Medical Training:Maulana Azad Medical CollegeNew Delhi, India

Dr. Aggarwal’s medical interests include:

General ADD/ADHAAllergiesAsthmaPediatric Neurology

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Pediatrics

As a pediatrician, Dr. Aggarwal enjoys working with children and creating relationships with families. She believes that compassion and empathy for her patients play a role in the success of their treatments and care.

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AS a smaller network television personality, Carrie Hre-ha learned quickly how to do her own hair and makeup to make herself look her best onscreen. She felt like she had her career all mapped out. After she and her hus-band had their first child, Aubrey, they soon learned their daughter had life-threatening food allergies. She knew immediately her plan had to be altered. Hreha said her daughter’s health took center stage and felt daycare wasn’t an option. She made the decision to become a stay at home moth-er while her husband focused on their small business, Sta-Kleen. Hreha, now a mother of two (Aubrey, 5 and Anthony, 2) began thinking about taking her passions of all things glamour and melding them together with her background in journalism and communications. That led to the creation of Sta-Glam, piggybacking off of the family’s other business name.

“I’m not one to ponder on things. I figure, I’ll learn along the way. I just thought, ‘I can do this.’ I’m fortunate that things have worked out because of the support system and following I now have,” Hreha says.It began with Hreha freelancing as an on location make-up artist covering weddings and special events utilizing all the tricks and knowledge she gained while working in television. She uses an airbrushing technique, providing her clients with a flawless finish, that’s longer lasting and water resistant. This year alone, she’ll do the makeup for more than 50 weddings and is booking into 2015. Now a year into her business, as Hreha began trying dif-ferent products she soon realized that her high standards couldn’t be met unless she made her own. She now has her own private label line of lip glosses, a moisturizer with a high-spectrum SPF and makeup brushes. Sta-Glam has been a family affair from the onset. Re-cently, Aubrey selected her favorite lip gloss, which was then named after her. During the month of May in hon-

Carrie HreHaMoM you should know

By: Nichole Odijk DeMariofeatureor of Food Allergy Action Month, the Hre-

ha’s took proceeds from “Aubrey’s” lip gloss and donated them to help bolster the education of this cause.

Hreha says she couldn’t stop there. She began developing

her online boutique, blog and social media presence through sta-glam.com. She soon noticed how often she was photographed from behind while doing makeup and fell in love with clothing that had a detail back. Dissatisfied with the selection wherever she shopped, she began searching for suppliers to create her own clothing line that was not only affordable, but mom friendly. “I want clothes that function well as a mom…things you can go grocery shopping in that takes you right into the evening,” Hreha says. She says her ideas don’t stop there. She has aspirations of eventually hav-ing a retail space that offers all aspects of her business including make-up artistry and her product and clothing lines along with a coffee bar of some kind because, “what mom doesn’t love or need caffeine?” Sooner rather than later, she plans to offer trunk shows and makeover home parties that highlight her products. Hreha says it can be a struggle to find a balance, but first and foremost she is a mother and that will always take first pri-ority. She starts her days of early, works around nap time and has late nights to make it all work. “I take a day at time. There are days that my house is messy,” Hreha says as she jokes about still being in pajamas at noon. “I block my time, make time. I don’t try to act like super mom. What you see, is what you get…I have a to-do list, it may be on the back of an envelope crumpled at the bottom of my purse, but I always have my list.”Those early mornings include regular time at the gym, which she says makes her a better mom. “That little time to myself, helps me clear my head and get ready to concur the day ahead.”She also says she makes a concerted effort to not compare herself to other people and especially not other mothers. She says her attention is on being the best example for her children. “I hope one day our children have the confidence to do the things that they want to do. I want them to just go for it just like my husband and I have.”-mtm

23

by: Mindy Gear

Even though summer is winding down, the backyard cookouts are not!! When

we are asked to bring a dish to share, thinking of something different and cre-

ative isn’t always easy. But when you find that one dish that’s always a crowd

pleaser, you tend to go back to that one again and again. So we thought we’d ask

our Facebook fans of Mom to Mom, NWI – What’s your summer cookout go

to dish? Here’s what they had to say - enjoy! - mtm

Greek Salad Skewers: Tiffany S. Ingredients:One-quarter English cucumberKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper¼ lb feta cheese, cut into 16 small cubes8 pitted Kalamata olives, halved8 ripe cherry tomatoes, halved (or grape tomatoes)2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

Directions:• Cut four ½ inch thick diagonal slices from the cucumber and then quarter each slice. Set the cucumber pieces on a large serving platter and season with ¼ tsp each salt and pepper.

• Top each with a piece of feta and then olive half. Stab a toothpick down to secure it. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with some more black pepper and serve.

AppetizersAppetizers

Party Bruschetta: Karen T.Ingredients:1 loaf French baguette¼ cup olive oil (more or less)1 pinch kosher salt3 roma tomatoes6 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:• Slice baguette into ½” slices on an angle. Pour olive oil into a shallow bowl and dip each slice in the olive oil. Place on a cookie sheet. Holding your hand very high, dust a tiny amount of kosher salt over the bruschetta.

• Cut the roma tomatoes in quarters and remove all of the seeds. Then dice them into ¼” pieces. Sprinkle the diced tomato on the bruschet-ta. There should be no more than 4-5 pieces of tomato on each. Put no more than 2-3 pieces of basil on each bruschetta. Dust each piece with shredded parmesan cheese if desired.

• Broil for just a minute or two. Watch if carefully!!!

SIDESSIDES

Directions:• In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, and red onion.

• In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and black pepper. Season to taste with hot sauce and chili powder.

• Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables; mix well.. Chill thoroughly and serve cold.

Fruit Pizza with White Chocolate: Tina C.

DESSERTSDESSERTS

Directions:• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.

• For the crust: Cream together butter, shortening, and 1 ½ cups sugar with electric mixer. Beat in eggs. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Beat flour mixture into butter mixture to form a stiff dough. Press dough into a rectangle as large as the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown.

• For the filling: In medium microwave safe bowl, microwave vanilla chips and cream on high 60 to 90 seconds, or until chips are melted and smooth after stirring. Beat in cream cheese with electric mixer until creamy. Spread on cooled cookie crust.

• For the topping: Arrange sliced fruit decoratively over filling. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine ½ cup sugar, cornstarch, pineapple and lemon juice. Stir and cook until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens. Pour over fruit. Refrigerate until serving.

Ingredients:½ cup butter½ cup shortening1 ½ cups white sugar2 eggs2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour2 tsp cream of tartar1 tsp baking soda¼ tsp salt2 cups vanilla baking chips¼ cup heavy cream1 (8oz.) package cream cheese1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced½ cup white sugar2 TBSP cornstarch1 cup pineapple juice1 tsp lemon juice

Raspberry Icebox Cake: Amy D.

Directions:• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Mix graham cracker wafer crumbs butter and brown sugar until well com-bined. Set aside ¼ cup of this mixture for a topping and press the remainder into one 9x13 inch pan.

• Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

• Dissolve raspberry gelatin in the boiling water and add the frozen raspberries, stirring until melted. Chill until partially set and spread on wafer base.

• Melt marshmallows with the milk. When cool, fold in whipped cream and spread on top of raspberry mixture. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Chill for 3-4 hours before serving.

Ingredients:24 graham crackers, crushed1/3 cup butter¼ cup packed brown sugar1 (6oz.) package raspberry flavored Jell-O® mix1 cup boiling water

15 oz. frozen raspberries20 large marshmallows1/3 cup milk1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Quick and Tart Cabbage Side Salad: 

Kerri E.Ingredients:

Directions:• Toss coleslaw mix, tomato, and cucumber together in a mixing bowl.• Whisk vinegar, Dijon mustard, and agave nectar together in a bowl until emulsified; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over the vegetable mixture. Turn the salad with a fork until vegetables are evenly coated in dressing.

2 cups coleslaw mix1 tomato, diced small½ cucumber, diced small1 TBSP rice vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard½ tsp agave nectarSalt and ground black pepper to taste

Mexican Bean Salad: Maria G.Ingredients:1 (15oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained1 (15oz.) can kidney beans, drained1 (15oz.) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed1 green bell pepper,

chopped1 red bell pepper, chipped1 (10oz.) package frozen corn kernels1 red onion, chopped½ cup olive oil½ cup red wine vinegar2 TBSP fresh lime juice1 TBSP lemon juice

1 TBSP white sugar1 TBSP salt1 clove crushed garlic¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro½ TBSP ground cumin½ TBSP ground black pepper1 dash hot pepper sauce½ tsp chili powder

18

BACK toSCHOOL CHECKLISTOne mOnth befOre schOOl starts• Sort through the kids’ fall clothing; donate or hand down what does not fit.• Sit down with your planner and write in the entire school calendar for all schools attended by your children.

• Schedule physicals for each child. Check out how to take the sting out of shots.• See of there’s an iMOM Morning at your school. If not, it’s easy to start one!• Research and evaluate extracurricular activities for the school year.

three weeks befOre schOOl starts• Purchase backpacks, lunchboxes, and water bottles as needed. • Purchase basic wardrobe necessities for each child as needed.• Check progress on summer reading and math packets.• Gather your husband’s old shirts for art smocks; place in backpacks.• Set up an “organization Station” in a convenient location near the door in your house. Get one basket or crate for each child; use these baskets for your kids’ belongings, e.g. books, hat, gloves, sports equipment.

One week befOre schOOl starts• Start getting your kids back on their school year bedtime routine.•Get your babysitter schedule set up in advance so you have time in your schedule to work out,

run errands, have date night with your hubby, and enjoy an occasional well-deserved girls’ night out!• Schedule kids’ haircuts as needed.• Make a “favorite foods” list for each of your children. Make sure to note what they like best for lunch, snacks. and dinner so that you’ll remember those foods at the grocery store.• Bulk shopping: visit your local big box retailer and stock up on non-perishable basics like juice/milk

boxes, napkins, sandwich bags, and snack foods like pretzels. While you’re there, stock up on supplies

like permanent markers, pencils, pens, tissues, and loose leaf paper.

mOm tO mOm nwI

Locations to Serve You:3564 Scottsdale St., Portage6450 US Highway 6, Portage2490 Central Ave., Lake Station6091 Broadway, Merrillville6920 Indianapolis Blvd, Hammond

Enjoy FREE Health Screenings Monday - Friday from 10am – 2pm on alternating days:

Dental ScreeningsBlood Pressure Checks

A1C ScreeningsBMI Screenings Pregnancy Test

Bone Density Screenings

For Schedule and Location of Each Event Call:

Toll Free: (888) 313-8557or (219) 763-8112

Visit our website at www.northshorehealth.org

DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF THIS WEEK!

Games and

Giveaways

Patient Appreciation Health & Fun Fair

When: Thursday, August 14th

11am – 2pm

Where: Our Lake Station Location2490 Central Ave, Lake Station

FREE Health

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Raffle prizes

Hot Dogs & Popcorn

Bouncy House

Enjoy FREE Health & Fitness Classes Monday – Wednesday at

alternating times and locations including:

Massages Healthy Cooking

Diabetic Education Exercise Classes

Affordable Care Act Informational Sessions

family health by: Nichole Odijk DeMario

opening July 8, 2014!Our team of specialists treats every mother like one of their own – offering unparalleled care available 24/7 with your comfort and safety in mind. We used our experience gained from thousands of births to build an all-new state-of-the-art family birthing center – one of the most advanced in NW Indiana.

Experience the newly-built Family Birthing Center• Proudly part of Community Hospital – the only Indiana hospital awarded Healthgrades® America’s 50 Best Hospitals 7 years in a row, 2008-2014• One of the most experienced hospitals in our local area, delivering the most babies per year • The only NW Indiana hospital with board-certified neonatologists in-house around the clock • Ultramodern medical facilities and equipment, including Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

you’re our baby

Until you have your baby,

901 MacArthur Blvd. Munster, IN 46321219 • 836 • 3477 or 866 • 836 • 3477 www.comhs.org/community

IN 1979, Community Hospital in Munster, Ind. opened its first obstetrics unit. The hospital quickly became the busiest facility in Lake County for delivering babies and tak-ing care of premature in-fants. Now, 35 years later, the hospital is still going strong, and they are cele-brating this milestone with a new Family Birthing Center.In early July, Community Hospital

opened the doors to its new Family Birthing Center which features

the latest in mother and infant care. The facility is situated

on three distinct floors – Labor and Delivery, Neo-natal Intensive Care and Mother/Baby in Parkview Tower.

“We made the conscious decision to expand due to

volume we were experiencing and the modernizations available

The Latest in Mother & Infant Care

Arrives in Northwest Indiana

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“The thought of an infant in the NICU is not something people always want to talk about, but there’s peace of mind knowing you have a facility available to you where you don’t have to travel outside of Northwest Indiana for the level of experience and resources you need,”

to us,” Community Hospital Director of Marketing and Commu-nity Relations Marie Forszt says.Regardless of the level of care a mother or a newborn is in need of, Forszt says Community Hospital takes a “patient centered care” approach where medical providers and patient create more of a partnership, “We’ve really embraced this patient focused care to create a different culture which gives our patients lots of choice and an individualized experience.”Labor and Delivery, on the sixth floor, features a dozen labor and delivery suites. Forszt says the hospital is especially pleased by the addition of two cesarean section suites on the same floor, whereas before, mothers would have to be taken to a general sur-gery unit. A hydrotherapy suite with a warm water immersion tub for labor or water birth is available as a choice for patients who are eligible candidates for this type of birth and have a willing physician. Other amenities include: private bathrooms; private closets with built-in security safes; adjustable delivery beds; walk-in showers with bench seats, lumbar jets and wand effleurages and a con-vertible sofa-bed. The most up to date wireless fetal monitoring system is now available and allows mothers to move about more freely without the constraints of wires. Post delivery, mothers are taken to the mother/baby unit, which offers 25 private rooms boasting natural light, modern décor and a comfortable environment all of which are equipped with the most advanced infant security system including surveillance. These suites also feature sleeper sofas and showers. The newborn may stay in the room as often as the mother would like. Forszt

says if a mother needs a break, a traditional nursery is available. New parents and visiting guests have access to free WiFi and nourishment stations that include snacks and beverages. New parents also have access to resources such as lactation consul-tants, newborn education and infant CPR training, compli-mentary car seats and complimentary sleep sacks.For additional pampering post-delivery, patients may purchase spa services. Gift certificates are also available.The new birthing center also features an expanded level 3 neona-tal intensive care unit. “[The thought of an infant in the NICU] is not something people always want to talk about, but there’s peace of mind knowing you have a facility available to you where you don’t have to travel outside of Northwest Indiana for the level of experience and re-sources you need,” Forszt details.Along with the 32 neonatal beds, the NICU floor offers two iso-lation rooms, two parent overnight suites among other features. Parents who are in transition of taking an infant home from the NICU may have the option of staying overnight at the hospi-tal with their child with the comfort of knowing he/she is being continuously monitored by nursing staff. Neonatologists are in house and on staff 24-7.Another addition to the new unit is the hospital’s Critical Care Transport. It allows Community Hospital to accept critically-ill or premature newborns from other area hospitals or to trans-port the newborn to another hospital for specialty care and/or surgery. The transport is a fully-equipped intensive care level ambulance that is manned by a Critical Care Transport Team including a respiratory therapist, physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant and nurse trained in specialty care medicine. The team members are based on the patient’s needs.“The level of expertise and care [available at Community Hospi-tal] is just as good if not better by staying local…It’s convenient for moms, dads and babies,” Forszt says.If you have further questions or would like to schedule a tour contact 219.836.3477 or 866.836.3477 - mtm

DOCT rask the

by: Dr. Sandee Clark clarkschiro@gmail.comeditorial

IF you’re like most moms with a little one then at some point you are dealing with ailments like teething, fever, itchiness from rashes and either bouts of constipation or diarrhea at some time of their life. Today’s families are looking for answers. They want something that is more natural without so many side effects. So I thought I’d ask our Mom to Mom readers what their go-to remedies were for these common childhood ailments. Some were common and others were quite interesting. We thank you for your input.

TeethingLet’s start with teething. The forever drooling and bright red cheeks, biting and chewing on things, rubbing or pulling on the ears, lack of appetite and crankiness usually occurs between 4 and 10 months of age. A lot of readers came to the consensus of giving the baby something cold to chew on, which is exactly right. Because of the inflammation you want to allow the child to chew on a cold or frozen washcloth to decrease the swelling. Hyland’s teething tablets have been my go-to choice along with applying counter pressure to the outsides of the cheeks where the tooth is coming in. An area of cau-

tion is elevated temperatures. Below 102O is considered normal with teething. Temperatures above 102O accompanied with severe diar-rhea, dehydration and lack of appetite are more serious symptoms and should be treated by your physician.

FeverWhen dealing with a feverish child you may want to assess if the fever is really the body trying to fight off an infection or whether it is due to some serious illness. Check the symptoms and ask yourself “is my child Lethargic? Listless? Irritable? Dehydrated?” if under 2 months of age with a fever above 100.4 you may want to see your doctor. Older children may not be interested in playing and as the fever gets higher, the more irritable and disinterested they become. If children 3 to 36 months have a fever of 102.2 or higher you may want to monitor them and talk to your doctor. Peppermint oil works wonders on reducing fevers. Add 3 drops to their bath or put a few drops in a vaporizer or a diffuser, You may even apply some to a washrag and lay the rag on the back of your child’s neck.

Constipation?

Teething?Fevers?

Diarrhea?Rashes?

Home Remedies

Itchiness & Common RashesFor itchiness from common rashes like poison ivy, ringworm and im-petigo one of the go-to remedies that has proven results is Coconut Oil. Used to treat fungal and bacterial skin infections the coconut oil dis-rupts the microbial lipid structure by inactivating and eventually killing the bacteria. Another remedy for itchiness is applying warm Cham-omile Tea Bags to the affected areas. The tea leaves will draw out the infection and the warmth will decrease swelling. Lastly Apple Cider Vinegar can treat all skin rashes whether it is from fungus or bacteria. Dilute the vinegar in water and wipe it over the rash with a cotton ball. This will relieve inflammation, reduce irritation and itching.

ConstipationConstipation issues can easily be resolved by adding more water to your child’s diet. Water will hydrate the intestinal muscles and aid in stim-ulating the bowels. Apple juice is also very helpful. Keep in mind that infants have weak abdominal muscles and often strain during a bowel movement. Abdominal massage is very useful in stimulating a bowel movement. Lay your child down and sit on their right side. Use finger tips to apply a gentle clockwise motion from the top of their right hip up towards their ribs, across the top of their belly to the bottom part of their left ribs and downward toward the top of their left hip bone. Bringing the knees into the chest with a bicycle motion will help expel

any gas buildup. Probiotics are also very beneficial for restoring normal gut flora especially for those that are on medications especially antibi-otics.

DiarrheaAnd for those dreaded poopy diapers, diarrhea can be reduced by add-ing more water to the diet along with smaller meals throughout the day. Chamomile or blueberry tea help restore the essential vitamins and minerals lost through diarrhea. Milk and dairy products should be avoided and lastly, think BRAT when dealing with your child’s diarrhea. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast along with chicken or beef broth are rehydrating solutions. Breast milk is always best for your sick child so if your child is drinking, continue nursing them. - mtm

Ask the Doc is a monthly question answer forum created especially for Mom to Mom, NWI magazine. Dr. Sandee Clark of Clark’s Family Chiropractic specializes in pediatrics, pregnancy and special needs kids chiropractic care. She can be contacted at 866-932-9630 or by emailing her at clarkschiro@gmail.com

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by: Nichole Odijk DeMariofun & games

IN 2012, as the country was still in the midst of the Great Recession, Patrick Trux learned his employer of 30 years was laying its employees off and outsourcing overseas. Growing tired of a fruitless job hunt, Trux decided going into business for himself was his most viable option. In his 25 years as a Valparaiso, Ind. resident, he recognized the need for a hot dog stand and thus Valpo Viennas was born.“We provide good quality food at an affordable price in a friendly envi-ronment,” Owner Trux says. “We have an open grill so customers can interact with who is cooking their food. They get to see our kitchen.”The restaurant, located at 3 Napoleon Street in downtown Valparaiso, officially opened in April 2012. Trux went through training at Hot Dog University at the Vienna Beef Store in Chicago. “I wanted to have the best products out there. When someone thinks of a Chicago hot dog they think of Vienna Beef,” Trux says. “We do true Chicago style hot dogs, grilled, no boiling or steaming here. We also don’t precook our food. Everything we make is made to order. I try not to have a lot of waste. You’ll wait five to ten minutes for your order, but

I assure you it’s worth the wait,” Trux says. For those in a hurry, call ahead orders can be accommodated. Hot dogs have a deep rooted history in Chicagoland back to the Great Depression, which Trux says makes this choice for him all the more fitting. Hot dog vendors were able to sustain themselves during down-trodden times by offering a hot meal for a nickel. Today, their menu is much more extensive than hot dogs. It includes bratwurst sand-wiches; Mike Ditka Polish sausage; hand drilled round-about potato chips, teasing-ly named for the Valparaiso r o u n d a b o u t ;

homemade chili year round and homemade soups in the winter. Their Butch’s Beef Sandwich is Ital-ian beef made from Trux’s fa-ther’s recipe and carries his name-sake. Trux says

because they sell just as many Italian beef sandwiches as hot dogs that he jokes he may change the name to Butch’s. They have a variety of toppings to accommodate nearly any palette and recently began offering sauerkraut per customers’ requests. They have special menu items like their taco dog on Tuesdays, which is a hot dog on a tortilla shell and footlong hot dogs on Fridays. For the little ones, kid’s meals options include a hot dog, chips and drink or uncrustable peanut butter and jelly. Vegetarians have options too with a vegetarian Italian sausage or hot dog.Along with their indoor and outdoor dining, Valpo Viennas caters. Trux says prices change according to quantity and location. They’ve done off-site birthday parties, graduations, ribbon cuttings, broker open houses and wedding receptions. They are considering opening on Sundays for small private parties.

Trux says he is espe-cially proud of getting more involved in his community from the local chamber of com-merce to paying closer attention to legislative changes that could af-fect small business owners to supporting various local charitable organizations that ben-efit the arts to animals. Trux says in the short period of time he has been open, he’s received an immense amount of support from friends, family, former co-work-ers, other business owners and has a loyal customer base. They offer discount cards and gift cards with no expiration date. “They don’t expire unless we do, so keep coming back to us,” he says.For more information contact 219.299.2592, www.valpoviennas.com or on Facebook, where specials and events are listed. And if you inquire about a party, be sure to let them know Mom to Mom, NWI sent you!-mtm

26

DressersD.I.Y.

by: Amber Neacefun & games

I seriously love all things DIY - so when my son said he wanted a Minecraft dresser I figured I would give it a shot. I was browsing through the internet one night search-ing for ideas when I came across a blog where a woman used wrapping paper to recover her daughter’s dresser drawers. I figured if she could use wrapping paper, why couldn’t I use a poster? The outcome was better than I had

expected.I decided since I was cre-ating a u n i q u e d r e s s -er for my old-est son, maybe I s h o u l d

also make one for my youngest son. We sat down at the computer to get some ideas and he fell in love with a bat-man dresser. I had my work cut out for me.I started off with two bare wood dressers. If the furniture you are repurposing already has a finish on it you will have to sand it down to prep it for paint. I used the “Tar-va” 3 drawer dressers from Ikea. Using primer, I gave each a quick paint job then used 220 grit sand paper and a palm sander to smooth out the surface. Once that was complete I moved on to painting. I chose the darkest black paint I could find in a satin finish for both dress-ers, I wanted something that would be easy to clean but wasn’t too shiny. I painted everything but 3 of the drawer fronts with 3-4 coats of the jet black paint. I took the 3 drawers with the black paint and cut a Mi-necraft poster that my son picked out to fit the drawer fronts. I bought a jar of mod podge, which you can buy at any craft store, and sponge paint brushes to apply it with. I applied the mod podge in 4-5 inch sections and

laid the poster sheets over the top. Be prepared - you will have air bubbles, but I used a wallpaper smoother to

get rid of as many as I could. Keep in mind this stuff dries really quickly so

you have to not only work fast, but accu-rately - you really only get one chance to get it

right. When that is finished add 2-3 more coats of mod podge to seal the poster to the front of the drawers.

For the other 3 drawers, which would be used for the batman dresser, I bought bright yellow spray paint and painted the middle of the drawer fronts. After that dried I printed a stencil to create a bat signal. Using the same black paint that I used for the rest of the dresser I carefully filled in the bat signal, this took a lot of time since I used 5 coats of paint. I completed the paint job by covering the rest of the drawer with black paint. Since the dressers were going into my boy’s bedroom and would be getting a lot of use, I thought it would be best to put some kind of sealer over the top of the paint. I chose a polycrylic sealer. I bought one quart and it was more than enough to give each dresser 2 full coats. I did not use the polycrylic sealer on the Minecraft dresser drawers since I had already used mod podge to seal them. Make sure you use a higher quality paint brush for this step or you will have noticeable brush strokes, I used Purdy brand. After a quick paint job on the drawer knobs the dressers were ready to reassemble. They were a lot of work but the look on my kid’s faces was more than enough to make it worth it. A friend told me she wishes she could do some-thing like that on her furniture. My response to that - you can! Anyone can do these projects all it takes is a little confidence and the right tools to get the job done. Break out of the box and create truly unique pieces for your home.-mtm

28

ONE of the toughest first decisions I had to make as a new parent-to-be was finding exceptional daycare for my new-born. I had to go back to work six weeks after giving birth so I began my daycare search long before my son was born. I was thankful I did. Many daycares were full and had waiting lists. A number were simply not in our budget. Others did not take such a young infant.  Begin Early Begin your quest for a daycare as soon as you realize that you will need it. Many daycares require a deposit to hold a place for your child.If your child has special needs that will need to be addressed, inquire if the daycare can support you in this and whether you will be comfortable. You may want to explore hiring a nanny or an in-home provider. Ask Those Who KnowI asked daycare-seasoned parents about the daycares they used before I began exploring daycare options.  Their input

was helped me to decide the environment I wanted my child to be in.Determine what your parameters are: location, cost, hours and days needed, and in-home versus a church-based or commercial daycare center. Schedule a tour of any daycare that has made it on to your final list of options. Be sure to bring your list of questions with you. Look for a Nurturing EnvironmentChildren require nurturing to grow healthy minds and bod-ies. Observe the environment as you tour the home or facility.What is the daily schedule? How are children treated? What is the caregiver to child ratio? How does the daycare “feel”? How do the daycare employees transition children into new rooms? Be Comfortable with the Method of DisciplineAsk how the daycare disciplines a child. If you are not com-fortable with their methods, walk.

Choosing the Right

by: Judy Millerfeature

I did not think about asking about discipline until my son, and only child at that time, was kicked out of daycare at the ripe age of twelve months for biting. I found another in-home daycare for him and tearfully told the caregiver the truth. She gave me a big hug and said, “Well, that’s normal!” My son’s aggression and biting disappeared within days because he was receiving more nurturing. She also had him potty trained at fourteen months. He stayed with her until he began kindergarten. Pay Attention to Safety and Cleanliness What are the security procedures? Does the daycare follow them?Check out the bathrooms. Ask to see the kitchen. Check if the caregivers and other staff members wear gloves when cleaning up bodily fluids. How are the rooms cleaned that your child will be in? Are cots disinfected? Is bedding washed or sent home with you on a consistent basis? Are the tables and other furniture ap-propriately child-sized? Are the toilets and sinks? What is the outdoor play area like? Assess the Communication Style  How proactive is the daycare with communication? Will you get a summary of your child’s day, down to the number of dirty diapers and time and length of her nap?  Will you be called im-mediately if there is a concern? Is the caregiver approachable for questions and discussion? 

Understand Expectations the Daycare Has of You and Visa-Versa Are you expected to pay for a full-time week over a certain num-ber of days? How do vacations and holidays work? What hours is the daycare open? Will the daycare be able to take your child early or keep her late if necessary? If so, what is the charge of doing so? Understand the Sick PolicyMost daycares are specific about what constitutes a sick child or an infection that will not be allowed to be in daycare. A child in my son’s daycare came down with the highly contagious con-junctivitis (also known as pinkeye). I was relieved the affected child was sent home immediately and could not return to day-care until a doctor said he was no longer contagious. As a parent you hope the daycare will follow the policies they have in place. Understand that adhering to the policy is import-ant not only for your child, but others as well.-mtm  

Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest and a mom to

four children, all of whom have spent time in daycare when young. She is

the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to

Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.30

community calendar

Farmers MarketsThe following farmers markets are listed alphabetically by city. Always check with event organizers to confirm dates.

CEDAR LAKE7408 Constitution AvenueNow through September on Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more information, visit their Facebook page, Lakeside Farmers Market.

CHESTERTON220 Broadway • Third St. and BroadwayNow through October on Saturdays from 8:00am-2:00pm. For more information, visit ChestertonsEuropeanMarket.com or call 219.926.5513.

CROWN POINTSouth Main StreetNow through September on Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more information, visit crownpoint.in.gov/specialevents or call 219.662.3290.

DEMOTTE112 Carnation Street SE • Halleck @ Spenser ParkNow through August on Wednesdays from 11:00am-7:00pm. For more information, call 219.964.8626.

GRIFFITH600 N. Broad Street • Central ParkNow through October on Fridays from 3:00pm-8:00pm. Music from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. For more information, call 219.484.6697.

HIGHLAND3001 Ridge Road • Main Square ParkNow through October on Saturdays from 9:00am-1:00pm For more information visit highlandparks.org/programs/Street-Market.html or call 219.838.0114.

HOBART111 E. Old Ridge Road • Festival ParkNow through September on Thursdays from 3:00pm-8:30pm. For more information, call 219.942.4511.

LAPORTE Corner of Monroe & Lincolnway • City Parking LotNow through October on Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more information, call 219.448.1674.

LOWELL1 Mill Street & 2 E. Commercial AvenueOpen on these Saturdays only: August 2, 16 & 30; September 6 & 20; October 4, from 9:00am-2:00pm.

MICHIGAN CITY8th and Washington StreetNow through October on Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00pm. For more information, call 219.363.1407.

MILLER BEACH 667 S. Lake StreetNow through September on Sundays from 10:00am-3:00pm. For more information, call 219.938.7720.

MUNSTER901 N. Centennial Drive • Centennial ParkNow through September on Sundays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more information, visit munster.org or call 219.836.7275.

PORTAGE2100 Willowcreek Road • Woodland ParkNow through September on Sundays from 11:00am-3:00pm. For more information, call 219.762.1675.

RENSSELAER115 W. Washington St • Jasper County CourthouseNow through August on Tuesdays from 4:00pm-6:00pm and Satur-days from 7:30am-11:30am. For more information, call 219.866.7940.

SCHERERVILLE 1722 S. Park Ave. • Redar ParkNow through September on Thursdays from 3:00pm-8:00pm. For more information, call 219.865.5530.

What’s Going OnST. JOHN9660 Wicker Ave • Parking lot of Community Outpatient CenterNow through October on Sundays from 8:00am-1:00pm. For more in-formation, visit stjohnin.com or call 219.365.6043.

VALPARAISO68 Lafayette Street • Central Park Plaza MarketNow through September on Tuesdays from 8:00am-2:00pm and Satur-days from 8:00am-12:00pm. For more information, call 219.464.8332.

WHITING1443 119th Street • In front of City HallNow through October on Saturdays from 8:00am-2:00pm. For more in-formation, visit whitingindiana.com or call 219-659-7700.

Family & Kid Events:Chesterton Art FairAugust 2 and 3Come see the fine art from local and regional artisans. Enjoy live music and food while browsing through the paintings, pictures, jewelry, sculp-ture, woodwork and textiles. Admission for this event at Hawthorn Park in Porter is $5.

11th Annual Corn RoastAugust 8 from 4:00pm-8:00pmCome out to the Community Outpatient Center in St. John for the an-nual corn roast. Tickets are $6 through August 8, $8 the day of the event. Children 3 feet and under are FREE! Tickets include 1 hot dog or polish sausage, chips, drink, and all the corn you can eat! Vendors, crafts, and live entertainment is also included in this night of fun!

Venetian NightAugust 9 • noonCome out to the Hammond Marina for a day of fun! The “Under the Sea” theme includes kids games on the beach from 12:00pm-3:00pm, a corn hole tournament for adults on the Hammond Yacht Club Patio from 3:00pm-6:00pm, and then 1540 performs in concert. The beer garden will open at 8:00pm and the judging for best decorated dock takes place at 9:00pm. There will be fireworks as well.

23rd Annual Lakefront FestivalAugust 14 to 17 • Festival Park • HobartThis four-day event features live entertainment, an arts and crafts area, food vendors, and a beer garden. The Lakefront Festival is also proud to host the Hobart Chamber of Commerce Pig Roast and Hobart Community Foundation’s Dam Duck Race on Sunday afternoon.

St. Mary Western Days FestivalAugust 14 and 15 • 6pm to 11pmAugust 16 • 3pm to 11pm • Au-gust 17 • 1pm to 11pm A great annual event that sup-ports St. Mary Parish is Grif-fith! Come out and enjoy fun rides and games, great food,

and fireworks at dusk on Sunday. Wristbands are $20 for Thursday, Sat-urday and Sunday. Purchase a Mega Pass which is good for all 4 days for the price of 1! This $60 pass can be purchased through St. Mary’s Rectory Office Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm.

Pooch-a-PaloozaAugust 17 • 9am to 4pmCome out and find the perfect toy, treat, or service provider at Munster’s annual Pooch-a-Palooza.

38th Annual Kouts Pork FestAugust 23 • 8amEnjoy food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, and con-tests. Don’t miss the Country Classic Walk/Run, parade, and pork burger contest. You’ll even get the chance to guess the weight of a pig!

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Fox Music Fest 6August 23 • 10amThe Guardian Riders are putting on their 6th Annual Fest at Fox Park in LaPorte. The event is sponsored by local businesses, and features live bands, food and a beer garden. This family friendly event costs $8 at the gate, $5 if you purchase tickets in advance!! Children 12 and under are free!! All proceeds from this event go to support troops, veterans and those less fortunate.

Griffith Rock ‘n Rail Street FestivalAugust 29-31Come downtown on Broad Street to the Rock ‘n Rail Street Festival! There will be live music, great food, a beer garden, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, a car show, and more. On Saturday, August 30, the Griffith YMCA is host-ing its 2nd annual Rock ‘N Rail 5k. The route will start and finish at the “Y”.

Taste of DunelandAugust 30 • 11am to 11pmSpend the last unofficial Saturday of the summer in Downtown Chesterton at Thomas Centennial Park for the Taste of Duneland! Taste food from lo-cal eateries and non-profit groups in the Duneland area. There will be live music, a beer and wine garden, and bounce houses for the kids.

If you have an event you’d like to see published in one of our issues, please send an email to Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com. Entries are due by 15th of the month. Please provide all details for the event.

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