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Hello, Explorers! It’s the final time to wish you all a hearty Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas because Christmas is this Thursday. The holiday season is almost over, at least in earnest, so we’re going to keep the newsletter light and manageable on this Monday issue. Since the holiday falls on a Thursday, we will not be publishing a newsletter this Thursday, but will be issuing a recap of some kind for this Friday. You’ll still get your double dose of NWI Explored, just in a different form.
Anyway, let’s get on with the regularly scheduled content.
🧭 On Today’s issue of NWI Explored🧭
Everything you need to know about Last Minute Christmas Opportunities in NWI
The Lowdown on News all across NWI
A Hearty Reminder of What Christmas is All About
Updates About the NWI Explored Newsletter
Today in NWI
In the interest of keeping things simple during this crazy week, we’re going to forego any extra content here. Here’s your weekly forecast before we get into the bulk of the newsletter. Seems like it’s going to be a pretty temperate Christmas this year!
What kind of content do you want to see from NWI Explored?
🏘The Lowdown 🏘
Every issue of NWI Explored comes with The Lowdown: a roundup of the most important news and happenings around the Region.
Porter County Councilman Ronald “Red” Stone has accepted a new position, as he had been appointed to the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority as Porter County’s appointment.
Stone succeeds prior appointee Tom Collins Jr. in the position as Porter County representative. Collins recently accepted a position as chairman of the airport authority by Gov. Mike Braun.
A Gary man was arrested on Friday evening for stealing 258 cases of ice cream from delivery trucks over several outings this month.
Christopher Stewart is the sweet treat thief in question and his caper efforts netted him $6,200 of stolen ice cream over the past month: of which, he was reselling to individuals and businesses. Stewart has been transported to Lake County Jail.
What’s In, What’s Out?
Back in Time Donuts and Creamery is on it’s way to downtown Crown Point. The shop will be opening at 106 N. Main St and be adorned with a ton of 80s flashback decor: VCRs, CRT TVs, retro toys, and all of the Back to the Future and Ghostbusters memorabilia you’d come to expect. The new shop will be offering classic sweets and treats to shoppers walking about the historic downtown area, with indoor seating for around 20 people and outside tables.
NWI mainstay Fluid Coffee Bar is opening yet another location, this time inside of the Indiana Dunes Welcome Center in Porter. With current locations in Valpo, Crown Point, Michigan City, and Chesterton, this new location will be opening early next year. The Dunes National Park is, obviously, a huge tourism draw and one of our main landmarks around NWI, so anything in service of our beautiful lakeshore is a-okay in my book.
Pa’s Chicken Coupe has opened a spot in Portage. The Westville original location expanded its menu recently, but they are now also renting out the kitchen at Portage VFW Post 7760 to service a new customer base. Pa’s Chicken specializes in roasted and pressure-fried chicken, with classic sides like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese.
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What’s Going On in NWI?
Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the weekend.
Deep River Waterpark has an Ornament Making event tonight, Dec 22nd from 5-7pm. Partake in some ice skating in the Deep River Plaza and then make your very own Christmas Tree ornament.
Memorial Opera House in Valpo will be hosting a Christmas themed Movie Night tonight, Dec 22nd, starting at 6pm. The movie of the night will be The Polar Express. Gather the family and your friends, cozy up in a historic building, and enjoy handcrafted beverage options and concessions.
Running Vines Winery in Chesterton is hosting their 14th Annual Chesterton Christmas Eve Jingle Bell Run once again. The event will be “running” from 8-11am on Christmas Eve and the Winery will have breakfast or brunch options available for purchase. Sweatshirts are also available for pre-order, with a limited number available day of. This event is in benefit of the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry.
Journeyman Distillery’s American Factory in Valpo is hosting a Comedy on the Rocks event on December 26th, with doors opening at 7pm and showtime at 8pm. Take a load off after a busy holiday season with some sharp, high-energy comedy and high-proof pours. Comedians featured include: Jeff Webb, Said Moore, Brian Hicks, and others. Reserve a table for dinner before the show and enjoy!
Banda Machos and La Estrella De Los Bailes will be performing on The Venue stage at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond. The show will be December 26th at 8pm. Banda Machos is a renowned regional band from Jalisco, Mexico that popularized the technobanda style. La Estrella de Los Bailes is another band from the same region that celebrates the joy of dancing and energy of Mexican traditional music.
Miller Beach Arts and Creative District will be hosting Dixon’s Violin for a live performance at the Marshall J Gardner Center for the Arts. The show is December 26th at 7pm. Dixon is a world-renowned violinist who gained recognition for his performances at Burning Man and Electric Forest, as well as having given multiple TED talks. This is a wholly unique performance that should be of interest to a lot of people.
Freak on a Leash, a Korn tribute band, will be hosting a bunch of other tribute bands at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary on December 26th at 6pm. Faint (Linkin Park Tribute), Jagged Little Pill (Alanis Morrisette tribute), and Morning View (incubus Tribute) will be performing with Freak on a Leash and the event will be in support of Toys for Tots.
Public Enemy, the classic Hip-Hop duo will be taking to the Venue stage at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, December 27th at 8pm. Fight the power and bring the noise with Flava Flav and Chuck D.
Hobart Art Theater is hosting a Journey Tribute Band show on December 27th, showtime at 7:30pm. Recaptured is a group of talented musicians who aim to perfect all of the nuances that made Journey the great band that they were. Anyone looking to bask in some nostalgia and enjoy some classic tunes will surely not want to miss this.
Journeyman Distillery in Valpo will be hosting the Rotten Tooth Market on December 27th, from 11am to 4pm. This is a sugar-fueled sale with varieties of vendors, live music, and fun for people of all ages. Local bakers, chocolatiers and treat-makers will be on hand to give samples and sell their wares. This event is free to attend.
The Downtown Highland Restaurant Crawl will be happening once again on December 30th, from 4pm to 8pm. Each restaurant participating will be offering a special to participants for only $7. Find a list of participating restaurants here.
Here is every New Years Eve party we were able to track down. As we find out more spots who are ringing in the New Year with accompaniment, we will update you all!
That’s all for us today here at NWIE. We hope you all have a happy, safe, and joyful holidays. We will push you a brief update on Friday, with a abbreviated schedule for next week as well. Once we’re fully in the new year, however, get ready for even more NWIE content across the newsletter and our Instagram. Happy Holidays and, as always,…
Happy Exploring,
Eric & Luke
The NWI Explored Team
I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was. Likewise, I never imagined that home might be something I would miss.
-Ransom Riggs
