What’s recently happened?
The City of Whiting Oilman began their season at the beginning of June. The team plays and practices at the Whiting Oil City Stadium. The minor league team plays during summer and goes against various teams in the Northwest Indiana (NWI) region.
Currently, with a record of 9-10, the team plays about three to four times during the week. The games feature a variety of games, raffles, and a Hero of the Game. The Hero of the Game features a local community member nominated by their peers and featured at a specific game, thanking them for all their support towards the team as well as Whiting. This hero is also given the ability to throw the first pitch of the game.
The Oilman also has mascots from the Mascot Hall of Fame, which is just down the street from the stadium. The mascots walk around the stadium and engage with the fans, uplifting the Oilman team.
The stadium is the main attraction for fans of the Oilman as well as for Whiting residents. The stadium also offers a concession stand open for customers to be able to enjoy snacks and drinks and enjoy the game all at the same time.
The Oil City Stadium is open for travel teams to play on weekends for tournaments, allowing more families from Whiting to enjoy the stadium. The stadium is also known to host Whiting High School’s sectional and regional tournaments where teams from the Class 2A sectional.
Community member spotlight
Jeffrey Allard is a detective and exemplary role model for the Whiting Police Station and also a prideful community member. Being in the police force, he also participates in the Whiting Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Whiting Robertsdale Crimewatch Organization, and the Whiting Roosevelt Club. Each organization comes together with the City of Whiting by offering safety services as well as sharing their generosity throughout the community.
Each of these distinct organizations teaches members of Whiting, as well as the youth of the city and neighboring towns, how to continue to grow as an individual. They also do many picnics and other occasions that bring together many families and friends for a great cause.
Being in the police force for over 20 years, Allard has done everything a great community member can participate in.
Coaching football for the Pop Warner Little Scholars, helping with youth educational programs, and reaching out to the youth of Whiting and Robertsdale are just a few of his service activities over the years.
“By being so involved within the City of Whiting, it gives me a sense of worth knowing that these programs can impact others' lives in a way,” Allard said.
The involvement within the Whiting community is something very close to Allard and his family. Being able to help those around him is something Allard chooses to prioritize to help other community members.
Whiting’s annual Pierogi Fest is Allard’s favorite town event because of how it brings so many people together from very different areas and come together for one weekend to celebrate the Polish culture that Whiting is known for. With Pierogi fest being such a large event for Whiting, the safety of the town and all the visitors is a major priority for the police force.
“It allows me to see people who have moved away. Friends and family come in and I get to see lots of familiar faces I haven't been able to see in a long time” Allard said.
Having lived in Whiting all his life, Allard explained that the scenery of Whihala Beach gives him a sense of joy that can not be found anywhere else. Whiting being next to the lakefront, it provides a joyful and tranquil environment that Allard has always appreciated.
“The lakefront is just an environment where I can visit and see how beautiful something is so close to my home," Allard said.
“Being such a small town, the city is very inviting and friendly, the crime rates are exceedingly low, and the city is known to always come together in times of need,” Allard said.
Allard hopes more teens and young adults can continue to participate in local town events and organizations to keep spreading Whiting's message of leading a safe and all-around admirable community.
What’s coming up?
The City of Whiting’s annual Fourth of July parade will be hosted for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and all of the usual participants will be able to entertain and perform in front of the city hall for the crowd to see.
The Whiting High School (WHS) band and cheerleading team will also be participating in the event and show locals how involved and dedicated the school is to their community, even during the summertime.
The WHS band is known to participate in many Whiting events such as the Independence parade, Christmas parade, and Easter parade.
