Chesterton Cemetery Tour
Westchester Township History Museum will host the Chesterton Cemetery Tour on Sunday, October 5, from 2-4 pm. In case of rain, the event will be changed to October 12.
Attendees will be led on a guided tour of a portion of the cemetery and will learn about eight different families and individuals from this area. Each tour will take about 40 minutes and will require walking over some uneven ground. Tours will begin every 10 minutes from 2 pm with the last tour starting at 3:10 pm.
Parking will not be available at the cemetery. Attendees must park in front of or behind Hopkins’ Small Engine Repair at the northeast corner of Calumet Rd. and Porter Ave. Cemetery Tour volunteers will shuttle people between the repair shop and the cemetery. People who choose to park in Morgan Park must walk to the cemetery.
There is no charge for parking or entrance.
The Westchester Township History Museum is a free cultural and educational service of Westchester Public Library and is housed in the historic Brown Mansion located at 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesterton. The museum is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 1-5 p.m. or by appointment. Groups may make reservations for tours by calling the museum at 983-9715.
The Art Box Continues at Thomas Library
Westchester Public Library’s drop-in craft program, The Art Box, will continue the first two Saturdays in October, October 4 and 11, during the hours of 10am-2pm. Children of all ages are welcome; parents are asked to accompany their little ones. No registration is necessary, just drop in to the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesteton.
Bring your imagination and take a peek into the art box to find out the project for the day – and then create it!
Kids are invited to the iPad mini launch party on Saturday, October 18. Drop in during the hours of 10am and 2pm at Thomas Library and 1pm and 2 pm at Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter.
On Saturday, October 25, children are invited to join the Indiana Writers Consortium for a drop-in creative writing program that will take place during the hours of 10am-2pm.
For more information, contact the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 926-7696.
Knitting Together at the Museum
Area knitters are invited to gather in the Brown Mansion parlor for a cozy afternoon of knitting, conversation, and refreshments on Sunday, October 5, from 1-5 pm for Knitting Together. The program is free of charge and open to the public. Those who crochet or do needlework are also welcome to attend.
The Westchester Township History Museum, a cultural and educational service of Westchester Public Library, is housed in the Brown Mansion at 700 W. Porter Ave., Chesterton. The museum is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 1-5 pm. Groups may make reservations for tours by calling the museum at 983-9715.
For more information about museum programs and events please call 983-9715.
Spooky Friday Nights in the Children’s Department at WPL
Friday nights in October are spooky at Westchester Public Library! On Friday, October 3, families are invited to come to the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, and be scared with Scooby Doo while watching Scooby Doo: Frankencreepy. The film will start at 6:30 pm. Library films are free of charge and open to the public – and there will be free popcorn to enjoy.
Creepy Crawler Lego Club will take place on October 10 at 6:30 pm in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton. Registration is required for Lego Club.
Are you brave enough to meet some very big snakes? If you are, come to the Children’s Department at Thomas Library on October 17, 6:30 pm, for the Creepy Petting Zoo to meet Tom McCarthy’s live boa constrictors.
On the last two Fridays in October, the game of Candy Land will come to life at Thomas Library! On October 24, during the hours of 4-6 pm, come in costume to trick-or-treat on the lower level at Thomas Library during the Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Trick or Treat night.
On October 31 – Halloween night! - come back to the library in costume to trick-or-treat on the lower level of Thomas Library during the town of Chesterton’s trick-or-treat hours: 5:30-7:30 pm.
For more information, contact the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 926-7696.
Block Party at Hageman Library
Hageman Library, Westchester Public Library’s Porter branch, will resume Block Parties for children ages 2-5 years old and their caregivers. Come to the party at 100 Francis Street, Porter, on Wednesday mornings, at 11 am. Registration is not required; participation is free. Cookies will be served.
Block Party is a special play time for kids – beginning with a great story and fun music. Attendees will then use their imaginations to build. This building program offers the chance for children to play independently or together to design and build unique structures. Materials will be supplied by the library – children will supply the imagination!
“While playing, children learn about their world, acquire skills necessary for critical thinking, discover how to solve problems, and develop self-confidence. Play encourages healthy brain development while fostering exploration skills, language skills, social skills, physical skills and creativity…Libraries have long emphasized pretend (dramatic) play.” (Sue McCleaf Nespeca for the Association for Library Service to Children)
For more information, call Hageman Library at 926-9080.
Local Author James Dworkin at Two Storytimes at WPL
Children age 4-6 years old and their parent/caregiver are invited to meet local author James Dworkin at one of two special story times at Westchester Public Library. Dworkin will be in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, on Tuesday, October 7. He will visit Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter, on Wednesday, October 22. Both sessions will begin at 10 pm. No registration is necessary.
Chesterton resident and Purdue North Central chancellor James Dworkin will present his first children’s book, The Dog and the Dolphin. The book is based on an interaction he observed years ago at Sanibel Island, Florida, between an Irish Setter on the beach and a dolphin frolicking in the water. Children will enjoy hearing Dworkin read from his book.
Copies of the book will be available – courtesy of Horizon Bank – for children to take home.
For more information, contact Thomas Library, 926-7696 or Hageman Library, 926-9080.
Westchester Public Library Staff Appreciation Lunch
Westchester Public Library recently held the annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon to thank library staff for their hard work throughout the year. This year the luncheon was held at the Library Service Center. Library Director Phil Baugher and Library Board President Michelle Corazzo spoke before an enjoyable meal of lasagna that was provided by Great Lakes Catering.
Several area businesses donated gifts for door prizes that were given away to library staff during the luncheon. The library would like to thank the following businesses for gift cards and certificates: Applebee’s, East Wind Acupuncture, El Salto, George’s Gyros Spot, Happy Wok, Jiffy Lube, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, Mel’s Detail Shop, Natural Nails, Nuvo Cleaners, Omni Health & Fitness, Red Cup Café and Deli, Sage Restaurant, Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant, Sunrise Family Restaurant, Val’s Famous Pizza & Grinders, and Walgreen’s.
Several area businesses also donated gift items. Thank you to: Ashley’s Jewelry by Design, AutoZone, Fiesta Salon, Great Clips, Hair Cuttery, Hopkins Ace Hardware, and Nature’s Cupboard, Library staff are very pleased and grateful for the gifts.
Westchester Public Library serves the patrons of Westchester Township, which includes the towns of Burns Harbor, Chesterton, and Porter. The main branch, Thomas Library (926-7696), is located at 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, and is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Hageman Library (926-9080), located at 100 Francis Street in Porter and is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday from 1-5 p.m., and is closed on Sunday. The Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, is available for meetings. The Westchester Township History Museum (983-9715), housed in the Brown Mansion at 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesterton, is open Wednesday-Sunday 1-5 p.m. or by appointment.
Popular Books Time Change
Westchester Public Library offers a variety of book discussion groups to suit different audiences and time constraints. Popular Books is a book review discussion that takes place on the first Monday of each month (unless it’s a holiday) at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton. Previously Popular Books met at 6:30 pm. Beginning October 6, though, the group will meet at 2:30 pm. Meet in the Bertha Wood meeting room on the second floor of Thomas Library.
Books to be reviewed the next three months are Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherin Boo on October 6; Zealot by Reza Aslan on November 3; and Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer on December 1.
For more information, call Claire Williams at Thomas Library, 926-7696.