What’s recently happened?
Juneteenth was celebrated with the communities of Hammond once again, with an even larger crowd attending the festivities in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Memorial Park. This year's celebration saw a notable increase in participation as more people came together to commemorate this important day.
The event featured a diverse array of vendors offering food, college connections, career opportunities, health services, and much more. This Juneteenth celebration aimed to provide opportunities, celebration, and a sense of community to those who have been historically repressed, both in the past and present.
For those who may be unfamiliar, Juneteenth is a contraction of June 19, marking the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were finally informed of their emancipation two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The holiday began in Texas and gradually spread to other parts of the United States, growing in recognition and significance. In 2021, Juneteenth was officially declared a federal holiday, solidifying its importance in American history and culture.
In Hammond, the celebration was vibrant and full of life. Attendees enjoyed various activities and services that aimed to uplift and support the community. From delicious food stalls to booths offering educational and career guidance, the event catered to a wide range of needs and interests. Health services were also available, providing essential information and support to improve the well-being of the community.
The atmosphere in MLK Memorial Park was filled with joy and reflection as people of all ages came together to honor the resilience and achievements of African Americans. The celebration served as a reminder of the progress made and the work still to be done in the fight for equality and justice.
What’s coming up?
The annual Festival of the Lakes is approaching soon, taking place from July 17-21. The headliners will be Blackstreet, Shinedown, DaBaby, Marshmello, and Calibre 50, who will be closing off the event.
Blackstreet, a well-known R&B group back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, is best known for their hit song “No Diggity” with over 800 million streams on Spotify and a Grammy to their name. Blackstreet will be bringing the groove for the start of the Festival of the Lakes, so steppers watch out.
Shinedown is a rock band formed in the 2000s bringing in hundreds of millions of streams with its hit songs “Second Chance,” “Sound of Madness,” ”Cut the Cord,” and much more. For people searching for headbanging music, the 18th is the day to come.
DaBaby is a current rap sensation that broke out in 2019 with billions of streams to songs such as “ROCKSTAR” and “Levitating,” a hit by Dua Lipa which features DaBaby. With his unique flow and lyricism, rap fans are definitely in for a ride for his headlining.
Electronic dance music (EDM) fans are most certainly familiar with the name Marshmello, producer and DJ. With over 60 million monthly Spotify listeners, Marshmello has released hit songs such as “Happier,” “Silence,” and his current hit single “Miles on It.”
Popular within the Latino community, Calibre 50 is closing off the Festival of the Lakes. Being one of the most streamed Mexican bands of their time with hit songs such as “Si Te Pudiera Mentir,” “A La Antigüita,” as well as much more from the high-spirited band.
If rain does occur, umbrellas are prohibited and it is advised to bring a poncho instead. Besides a sealed water bottle, no outside drinks or food are allowed inside the event.
Community member spotlight:
At 83 years old, Thomas Suroviak has lived a life full of music and service. After a long career as a band director, Suroviak has found a new calling in running a thriving thrift store, Tom’s Treasure Chest.
Suroviak first got into the thrift store business about 25 years ago when he helped out some tenants who were starting a small resale shop.
“I've had about six or seven locations. One thing led to another, and I found a bigger place when I used to do income properties. At that time, I had two tenants who were starting a little resale shop in Griffith, so I got to know them and the landlord pretty well,” Suroviak said. “I gave them a few things to sell and I visited their store. I didn't have any intention until the landlord told me that they haven't been paying their rent and that he didn't know what to do with all this stuff. He asked me if I would be interested. After a couple of days, I said, ‘Well, maybe I can just do it. It's a small demand, it wouldn't be a big deal,’ so I did it and I started liking it.”
Contrary to the typical business world, Suroviak embraces competition as there’s camaraderie within the thrifting business. While the thrift store business has had its challenges, especially during economic downturns, Suroviak has found ways to adapt and grow. He values the camaraderie and support he's found among other small business owners in the community.
As well as profit, Suroviak’s main motivation is connecting with the various people he’s able to meet through his shop. Suroviak highlights the recent eclipse that brought people from around the globe he was able to meet.
“I have met so many people, and it's rewarding for me that way. There are a lot of other people I have met who have helped me with this business and other people who have businesses like this who I associated with. We really work together and help each other. Everything is wholesome,” Suroviak said.
Suroviak would say his busy lifestyle is what has led him to a stable, long life. In addition, keeping his ears open to all that is out there while still maintaining his own beliefs has helped him quite a bit.
“Every day there are quite a few things that I do. I do the paperwork; I design things. I do paintings for various things for the store. There's always something waiting for me to do. I have a lot of paper sketches that I do illustrations for ideas that I have for my new location. All of that compels me to think ahead,” Suroviak said.
Suroviak puts a big emphasis on keeping mentally, physically, and spiritually sound.
“I think I take good advice. I've taken a lot of advice, and it's been successful. I listen to coaches, I listen to teachers, I still listen to my parents. People will give up their ideas or thoughts that I concentrate on and digest,” Suroviak said.
As for the future, Suroviak is looking to expand to a larger location that can better accommodate his growing inventory and customer base. With his boundless energy and passion for connecting with people, it's clear Suroviak has found a new way to share his gifts with the world.
“I think about it all the time. The customers usually come in here because I have a great variety of different things. Everything from furniture, to clothing, to novelty things to children's toys, baby clothes, adult clothing – it's like Christmas every day here,” Suroviak said.
Tom’s Treasure Chest is located on 411 Conkey St. in Hammond, Ind., and Suroviak welcomes all those who visit!
