Hello Porter County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Fan expo plans, a $100 million port expansion, and full moon hike + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Building local fan culture: Valpo’s Crusader Con organizer, a comic shop owner, plans an anime expo and new convention for Lake County, aiming to grow Northwest Indiana’s pop culture scene -- see the fan expo plans.
Free disposal program returns: Got pesticides? Indiana’s Clean Sweep comes to Porter County in August, with free disposal up to 250 pounds for schools, farmers, golf courses and nurseries, $3 per pound over -- learn more about eligibility.
Great Lakes shipping growth: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited Burns Harbor in Portage, spotlighting a $100 million expansion that includes an international container terminal inside the Chicago metro and supports billions in economic impact -- explore the port expansion.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Need some fresh air? Foundation Meadows Park blends a big, all-ages playground with inclusive features, a StoryWalk, and easy nature trails through a restored prairie and arboretum. Pack a snack, let the kids conquer the slides this week, then wander the community garden and pretend your tomato game is this good.
Yard glow-up, anyone? When your hostas are judging you, Four Seasons Landscaping Nursery has the plants and straight-shooting advice to turn things around this week. Their handy planting and pruning guides make it easy to choose, plant, and keep stuff thriving so your Porter County yard finally looks intentional, not accidental.
Party that comes to you: Gametastics brings a climate-controlled video game truck to your driveway with seven screens, stadium seating, and a friendly Game Coach to run the fun. Great for birthdays, school or church events, and team celebrations around Porter County, it keeps the mess outside while players squad up with VR options if you want extra wow.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
💃 K-Pop Dance Camp @ Mirror Image Dance Academy (Valparaiso) | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:00 AM – This K-POP dance camp turns catchy hooks, sharp choreography, and group energy into a surprisingly fun workout. Expect beginner-friendly routines, patient instructors, and plenty of sweat. Ideal for locals who keep a beat, crave endorphins, and figure their knees have one comeback tour left.
🚢 Cruise Night @ Currie Motors Auto Group – Old 3D Lot (Valparaiso) | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – At the 3D lot by Roosevelt and Lincolnway, expect chrome, Mazamitla tacos, and bragging rights. Cruise Night rolls in with classic muscle and modern toys, Mike “The Mullet Man” spinning, and a Lions Club raffle that could net you a Bronco or 30 grand.
🐍 Snakessssss Alive @ Indiana Dunes State Park (Chesterton) | Saturday (6/27) – Trade your beach towel for scales and head to the Nature Center at the Dunes to meet our resident snakes up close. Turns out they are more introvert than instigator, and yes, they eat the pests, not your ankles. Surprisingly charming, informative, and perfectly safe.
🌿 PCMGA Annual Gardening Walk @ Benjamin Franklin Middle School (Valparaiso) | Saturday (6/27) – Valpo’s green thumbs are opening six backyard stunners, and you get to snoop politely. It’s leisurely cardio with peonies, hydrangeas, and smugly well-behaved borders. Steal ideas, swap plant gossip, then go home pretending your hostas always looked that intentional.
🌕 Full Moon Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center (Chesterton) | Sunday (6/28) at 9:00 PM – Full moon at the Dunes means a guided stroll from the Nature Center to Lake Michigan, with stories about the moon, constellations, and why flashlights ruin the vibe. It is the rare night out where the soundtrack is waves, not subwoofers.
🚀 Junior Trailblazer @ Camp Butternut Springs (Valparaiso) | Sunday (6/28) – Junior Trailblazer serves up a proper week of camp for the kids, packing archery, trails, and the kind of dirty socks that mean they had fun. Expect new friends, campfire stories, and a quiet car ride home. Registration closes Sunday, June 14, 2026, at midnight.
📚 Storytime @ Barnes & Noble (Valparaiso) | Tuesday (6/30) – Nothing beats letting the kids get a story while you pretend the café is a spa. Yes, it’s the big bookstore, but the read-alouds are sweet, the chairs are soft, and you might even browse in peace.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Porter County report Weather forecastToday — High: 77°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 33%
A slight chance of rain showers between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 18%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. West northwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis all-brick Colonial in Sand Creek’s gated golf community pairs classic symmetry with nearly 4,800 square feet of polished comfort. Inside, a dramatic two-story foyer, refinished hardwoods, crown molding, and beamed ceilings set the tone. The walk-out lower level, dual kitchens, spa-style primary suite, and golf course views add serious wow factor.
Take a peek inside → |
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