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🗺️The Call to Explore🗺️

Hello, Explorers. We hope this Monday newsletter finds you all well and in semi-manageable spirits. At the time of writing, 119,000 of our neighbors are still without power following last Tuesday’s derecho. NIPSCO forecasts the remaining people will have power restored by the end of the day Friday, August 21st. Suffice to say, everyone is quite pre-occupied at the moment. Whether you had to empty your fridges and freezers due to spoilage, suffered major damage to your home, or are simply bored out of your mind waiting for the power to come back on so you can continue watching The Wire (that might be a personal anecdote): we’re all dealing with something right now.

What’s been incredibly heartening to see in the meantime, however, is how the NWI community has banded together to look out for one another. Even more impressive to me is how communities outside of our own have come out to help us in a time of desperate need. Thank you to reader and subscriber Pam for sending us an email this past week with some images of out-of-state contractors and lineman (from Michigan, West Virginia and Georgia) who came in to help return power to our neighborhoods. Pam wanted to send ahead this message of unity, showing how when we all work together and accept help from our neighbors, there isn’t a whole lot we can’t get through. Take a peek at those images below and stay tuned for a return to more regular programming here, most likely next week. For the moment, we’re gonna keep today simple: highlight some news that’s relevant to Region recovery, updates about events upcoming, and giving you all something to look forward to other than power restoration in the coming days.

And, please: if anyone has any information about events, initiatives or anything that would help people in need of help at this moment, send us an email to [email protected] or shoot us a message on Instagram @nwi_explored. We’ve been doing our best to repost and share every single program and event that we can find in these uncertain times, but we’re only two people and we want to make sure we help as many of you as we possibly can.

Thanks everyone and I hope you’ve all stayed safe during this unprecedented moment. Be good to one another.

— Luke, NWI Explored

Your NWI Weather Forecast For This Week

📆The Lowdown📆

A recap of the local and state-level news that you should be aware of

  • With their 9pm update on Sunday, NIPSCO provided community-specific restoration estimations. These are rough approximations of when individual areas should expect power to be restored across the board, outside of individual cases that might require more work. Cities not listed are either part of a larger service area within the cities listed, or are currently still under assessment. These estimates may change over time as well.

    • Tuesday, August 18th by 11:59 pm

      • Beverly Shores, Cedar Lake, Crown Point, Hanna, Hebron, Kouts, Laporte, Long Beach, Lowell, Michigan City, Saint John, Schneider, Sumava Resorts, Union Mills

    • Wednesday, August 19th by 5:00pm

      • Demotte, Hobart, Kingsbury, Kingsford Heights, Merrillville, Michiana Shores, Mill Creek, Porter, Shelby, Rolling Prairie, Wanatah, Westville

    • Wednesday, August 19th by 11:59pm

      • Chesterton, Dyer, Schererville, Valparaiso

  • Last Tuesday’s derecho presented unique challenges on almost all fronts of normal life in the Region, but especially on the beginning of the 2026-27 school year. Below, find a summary of the delays to the school year and when students can expect to return to class in the coming days.

    • Crown Point students can expect to return to school Tuesday, August 18th after the initial delay from August 12th was announced after the severe storms hit.

    • East Chicago students returned to school on August 11th, but had the rest of the week cancelled by the storms. Classes will be cancelled today and tomorrow, with no timeline for return announced at this time. Meals will still be served Today and Tomorrow, from 10am to 1pm at Harrison Elementary School and Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center. Charging stations are also set up at the Administration Building and Harrison Elementary for families.

    • Gary students had classes cancelled for both today and Tomorrow, with no timeline provided for return. Most schools in the city are still without power and sustained severe damage from the storms.

    • Griffith students will be participating in an e-learning day on August 21st, teaching students about the intersection of academics and community building, before returning to in-person instruction on August 24th - delayed from the original start date of August 12th.

    • Hanover Central students from Kindergarten through 12th Grade will be returning to classes today, with Pre-K beginning tomorrow. This is the delayed start from the district’s original start date of August 12th.

    • Hammond students have not had a new return date announced by the district since buildings in the town still remain without power. Their original start date was planned for August 12th.

    • Highland students will return to school on August 25th, delayed from the originally planned start date of August 13th.

    • Hobart students will not be returning to school either today nor Tomorrow, with no planned return date being shared at this time. The district was originally bringing students back on August 12th.

    • Lake Central students will not be returning to school today and no return date has been announced at the time of writing. Multiple buildings of the school’s campus have power, but most do not have internet.

    • Lake Ridge students will not be returning to class today and no timeline for recovery has been given at the time of writing. Students were originally scheduled to return to school on August 12th.

    • Lake Station students will not be returning to class today nor tomorrow, as most schools do not have power at the time of writing. No timeline has been given for return, with the original start date being August 12th.

    • Merrillville students should not expect a return to class in the near-future. The district has said that schools will be closed until further notice, with no timeline of return given.

    • Munster schools are also closed until further notice with no timeline for return given at the time of writing.

    • River Forest schools will not return to operation until power is restored fully to all buildings.

    • Tri-Creek students will be returning to class as previously scheduled on Tuesday, August 18th.

    • Whiting students will be returning to school on Tuesday, August 18th.

    • Duneland schools will remain closed through Wednesday, which will then come with an announcement sometime between now and then as to if school will resume on Thursday.

    • Portage schools will remain closed through Tuesday at the very least, with no timeline for return given at the time of writing.

    • Porter schools did not provide any update to return to classes yet at the time of writing.

    • Union Township schools have no class today after the elementary school lost power again over the weekend. No timeline for return was given at the time of writing.

    • Valparaiso schools are not returning today and no timeline has been given on expected return timeline.

    • LaPorte students will be returning to school on Wednesday, August 19th.

    • Michigan City schools are planning a return to classes for Tuesday, August 18th.

    • New Durham schools are planning a return to classes for Tuesday, August 18th.

    • South Central schools will be returning to classes on Tuesday, August 18th.

  • Dyer Town Council president, Bob Starkey, sent a letter to NIPSCO leadership yesterday making some bold claims. His letter states that NIPSCO, thus far in their restoration efforts, have focused less than 1% of their efforts on the Town of Dyer - stating further that NIPSCO has failed to meet the basic obligations of their position and have not communicated with the town of Dyer in any manner. Further claims state that of the 3,200 estimated contractors working around the clock, Dyer has seen no more than 32 people working in Dyer at a time to restore power to the town.

  • Municipalities will be meeting this week to discuss agenda’s. Below, find the councils and commissions meeting.

  • Hobart

    • Monday, Aug. 17, at 8:30 a.m. @ Hobart City Hall, 414 Main St.

    • Hobart's Redevelopment Commission is set to weigh in on a development deal between the city and the Hickory Hollow Housing Development Project — a 59-acre project planned near 61st Avenue and Arizona Street. The city currently owns the land, per the meeting agenda. Earlier reporting shows the developer wants to build both single-family and multifamily housing there.

  • Merrillville

    • Tuesday, Aug. 18 @ 7820 Broadway Ave., Merrillville

    • Merrillville's Town Council will talk short-term rental rules next week — think Airbnb and Vrbo. Right now the town has no extra regulations beyond what the state already requires (a 7% sales tax plus an innkeeper's tax on stays under 30 days). Council members will also look at an 11-acre planned development near East 81st Avenue and U.S. 30, which would bring in a gas station and car wash.

  • LaPorte

    • Monday, Aug. 17, at 6 p.m. @ 801 Michigan Ave., LaPorte

    • LaPorte's Common Council could vote to expand the city limits so Microsoft's upcoming data center campus fits entirely inside them. Part of the land sits outside city bounds right now, so councilors would need to annex a chunk from Pleasant Township to make it work.

    • Dyer, Munster and Whiting are also expected to hold meetings next week, but hadn't posted agendas as of press time.

  • NIPSCO is holding storm relief events at four different locations today and tomorrow. Free meals will be offered at all locations. 500 lunches will be served beginning at noon and 500 dinners will be served beginning at 4:30pm, while supplies last. These events run from noon to 6pm. On offer as well are charging stations, free snacks and bottled water, customer assistance, storm safety information and restoration updates.

    • Today, the LaPorte Civic Auditorium and the YWCA Northern Indiana in Gary will be the sites of this relief event. Tomorrow, the Dean & Barbara White Community Center in Merrillville and Highland Lincoln Center will be the venues.

🎟️What’s Going On in NWI?🎟️

Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the current month.

  • Free Events are highlighted in GREEN

Every Friday throughout the Summer, take to Sheridan Plaza in Whiting for a FREE , all ages concert.

Find the week-to-week schedule for the South Shore Adult Baseball League right here!

The historical local baseball team, the Deep River Grinders, have their summer schedule listed right here as well.

Journeyman Distillery’s third annual Summer Music Series - a twice-a-week live music experience out on the lawn in front of the distillery. Grab a cocktail or a handcrafted meal and lay out under the string lights for a great night of courtyard music and vibes. Find the June schedule below.

Gary Railcats August Promo Schedule!

Valpo Downtown Summer Concert Series Schedule!

2026 Crown Point Car Cruise - Every Tuesday

August’s Biggest Events!

Downtown Valpo will be alive with the vibes of yesteryear as Central Park Plaza is taken over by Brewskifest! Pay tribute to retro beers, vibes, and music on August 15th - complete with food trucks and a retro 70s car show. Whether you remember the 70s or wish you were born then, this is your chance to take a trip down memory lane!
**BREWSKIFEST HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO 10/17/26 DUE TO THE DAMAGE AND CONTINUED RECOVERY FROM THE STORMS LAST WEEK.**

August 15th will be the Inaugural Mississippi Street Blues Festival, brought to you by the Brown Family Ranch. Hosted by Dr. J, the Prime Minister of Blues and Marvin Lyles, this festival will have scores of performances by blues maestros, food, other entertainment and all the reflective bluesy-ness you can muster.
DUE TO COMPLICATIONS FROM LAST WEEKS STORMS, MISSISSIPPI ST. BLUES FEST HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO 12/16.

Kouts Pork Fest - August 22nd

Valparaiso Mural Walk returns to downtown Valpo this August, with Kickoff taking place on August 22nd from 9am -3pm.

The Great Kankakee Jamboree - Stoney Run County Park, Hebron on August 21 & 22nd

Kielbasa Fest, August 22nd in Kosciusko Park (East Chicago)

Pints in the Park - August 22nd, Wicker Park (Highland)

Rockopelli Music Festival 2026 will be taking place in Bulldog Park, Crown Point, on August 22nd!

Celebrate the end of the summer with the 6th Annual Vino al Fresco! Taking place in Thomas Centennial Park in Chesterton, the festival will take you on a journey through the world of wine, along with live music, unlimited tastings and a commemorative glass!

Gary Air Show Weekend will be taking over the shores of Lake Michigan the weekend of August 21st through the 23rd. Completely free to attend! Learn more right here!

An ever-evolving slate of events will be added throughout the month!

🎶🎶Live Music in NWI! 🎶🎶

🌽Farmer’s Market Rundown🌽

A look at the local farmer’s markets and the like that will be running imminently

Recurrent Events:

  • Here we will try to aggregate all of the weekly specials available to Explorers around the Region. If you own a local business and want people to be aware of your weekly specials or events, let us know by sending an email to [email protected]!

  • Every Thursday this summer is Music on the Porch Day at Fair Oaks Farms. Clock in for some live tunes while looking out at the scenic farmland of Fair Oaks Farms. Click here for a schedule and more info.

  • Every Tuesday, from 4-8 pm, is Crown Point Car Cruise Night this summer. Meeting at Bulldog Park each week, take in some classic cars and take a classy drive around town!

  • Tuesday is Trivia day at White Rhino in Dyer. Find out more about this weekly event at the link here. Wednesday at White Rhino is Bingo night, starting at 6:30pm.

  • 18th Street Brewery has its weekly Music Trivia and Karaoke night every Wednesday. Doors open at 4pm, with trivia starting at 6pm. Find out more here. On Thursday nights, they also host a weekly Line Dancing night with host Mizz Coco. Find out more here.

  • Shady Creek Winery hosts a weekly live music event each and every Sunday. Find a schedule of upcoming artists at the link here.

  • Anderson’s Winery in Valpo hosts weekly live music each and every weekend. Find a schedule of upcoming performances at the link right here.

  • Find out info about the classes and everything the Chesterton Art Center has going on here. The Center constantly has events for beginners, young artists, and apprentices alike, so anyone looking to build their skills and learn new ones should keep tabs on what the Chesterton Art Center has going on.

  • Off Square Brewing in Crown Point hosts a weekly Bingo Night on Thursdays, running from 7-9 pm each and every week. One lucky number can make you the big winner of the night! Find further info here. They also host a weekly Trivia Night on Wednesdays from 7pm.

  • Up Your Alley in Schererville has regular specials all week, perfect for families and groups of friends. Monday is a bowling special, Tuesday is Laser Tag, Wednesday is Dark Rides, and Thursday is the Arcade. Find more info and the specific deals available each week right here.

  • Every Monday, from 7-9 pm, Journeyman Distillery in Valpo hosts a Trivia Night. Three rounds of trivia keep the night alive, with teams of up to six people fight to win the grand prize every week. Find more info right here.

  • Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake has a weekly wine special running through dinner service. Happy hour specials and heavily discounted bottles every single Wednesday!

  • Every second Saturday each month, Beale Pottery in Westville hosts a “Make Cool Stuff Club”. This is a group that meets to, well, make cool stuff in the form of pottery! Find more info about the spot and their events right here.

  • On the last Tuesday of every month, Downtown Highland hosts a restaurant crawl. This community event always features a bunch of the local spots offering specials and deals, so its a great way to spend an evening hopping from meal to meal. Find more info right here.

  • Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach has recurrent events every single week. Check out their page to find the full slate of events.

  • Marina Shores Yacht Club in Portage has Live Music Thursdays every 3rd Thursday of the Month! Find more info right here about lineups and performances.

  • Sip Coffee House in Highland has a Wednesday Game Night every single week from 6-9pm. In partnership with the Northwest Indiana Board Game Association.

  • Valparaiso Pathways Committee holds Free community rides once a month during the warmer months. Click here to look at their schedule of group rides across the city.

  • Conway Observatory in Lowell hosts open houses once a month for all ages to come in and take a look into the deep stretches of space. Totally free and with different focuses at each open house, you can learn about a host of cool space topics across the year. Find their schedule at the link right here.

  • Getting into photography or a seasoned vet looking to get out there and shoot more? Lake County Parks Photo Club has regular meetings every 2nd Wednesday at Turkey Creek Golf Course, with regular field trips out in the NWI expanse. Find more info and the full schedule at the link right here.

  • Gibson Woods Nature Preserve in Hammond holds a weekly Hike through nature every Wednesday. Find their full schedule right here. Pre-registration is required.

  • Miller Beach Arts and Creative District holds a free community yoga session every Sunday, beginning at 10am at the District building. Find info and other event listings here.

  • For all the fellow writers out there, Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach holds a weekly writing group each and every Saturday, starting at 10:15am. Sometimes all it takes to spark inspiration is being around fellow creatives. Find more info about the group right here

  • The Dig the Dunes Beer Run & Wine Walk will be starting up on April 23rd, running once a month through the summer and early fall. A new spot in the Dunes area will be selected each month, with a 2-3 mile walk/run taking place before the group kicks back to enjoy a drink along the lakeshore. Find full information at the link right here and find the schedule right below.

  • Starting on April 25th, and running every Saturday through August, Indiana Dunes National Park’s 1966 Hiking Challenge begins! 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of the Dunes Park trails, celebrating the foundation of the park in 1966. Every Saturday at 8:00 am, hokes will take place in different areas of the park ranging from 1-7 miles. Complete them all and you earn a free 1966 Hiking Challenge sticker to show off to the world. For more details and specifics, click here.

  • Whiting Cruise Night runs every month on the 3rd Wednesday, starting on May 20th and running through the summer. Find more information about the event right here.

Happy Exploring,

Eric & Luke, The NWI Explored Team

❝

“My hometown... was always there, at all times, unchanging. What I think... is not that we go back to our hometowns, but that someday our hometowns come back into each of our hearts.”

Jiro Tanaguchi

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