Free Blood Pressure Screening at Thomas Library
NorthShore Health Center will provide blood pressure screening free to walk-in patrons at Westchester Public Library on Wednesday, March 18. Patrons may come to the Bertha Wood meeting room on the second floor of Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, between the hours of 10 am - 1 pm. Blood pressure screenings will be offered each month on the third Wednesday. Screenings are also offered at Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter, on the second Thursday of each month from 1-3 pm.
In addition to the free blood pressure screenings, interested patrons will receive help calculating their Body Mass Index (BMI).
Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat and diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls.
For more information, call Maysha Carlson, NorthShore Outreach Coordinator, at 742-8145.
Bookmarks at the Museum presents Orphan Train
Join Pat Klewer for Bookmarks at the Museum on Thursday, March 19, at 2 pm at the Westchester Township History Museum, 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesterton. Klewer will review Christina Baker’s book Orphan Train. Refreshments will be served.
In this ambitious and powerful novel, two very different women build an unexpected friendship: Vivian, a 91-year-old woman with a hidden past as an orphan-train rider, and Molly, the teenage girl whose own troubled adolescence leads her to seek answers to questions no one has ever thought to ask.
Both outsiders raised as strangers, Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life – answers that will ultimately free them both.
Bookmarks takes place on the third Thursday of the month at the museum, and on the third Friday of the month at Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th St., Michigan City.
It is not necessary to read the book before attending. Books are available at both Thomas and Hageman Libraries.
The Westchester Township History Museum, a free 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, or by appointment. For more information call the museum at 983-9715.
Birthday Party at the Museum: Alice Gray aka Diana of the Dunes
The public is invited to join museum staff in a birthday celebration for Alice Gray, also known as Diana of the Dunes. The party will take place at the Westchester Township History Museum, 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesterton, on Wednesday, March 25 at 2 pm. Attendance is free of charge and no registration is necessary.
Museum staff members Joan Costello, Susan Swarner, and Serena Sutliff will present the program The Legend of Diana of the Dunes. Birthday cake and punch will be served.
The Westchester Township History Museum, a free 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.
Food and Nutrition with Gia DeMartinis at Thomas Library
Adults interested in learning more about how foods affect our bodies in different ways are invited to attend the Food and Nutrition series at Westchester Public Library. The programs will take place monthly in the Bertha Wood meeting room at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, from 6-7:30 pm. Registered Dietetic Technician Gia DeMartinis will lead the programs. Registration for each program is required.
The first program, Foods to Fight Inflammation: Cooling the Flames, will take place on Tuesday, March 31. Inflammatory disease has increased dramatically in this country. Along with proper medical treatment, there are dietary modifications that may help manage inflammation. Registration will begin March 17.
Future programs will include Keys to Healthy Weight Loss: Make Peace with Your Plate, Fast Food Survival Kit: Eating Well on the Run, and more.
DeMartinis earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Trinity Christian College with a Biology major, and a minor in Chemistry. She also earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Nutrition from Central Arizona College. She has worked at Kraft General Foods performing vitamin analysis of foods. She also served a Dietetic internship at Methodist Hospitals in Gary and Merrillville, Methodist Cardiac Rehab Center and Outpatient Diabetes Clinic, and worked at Methodist Hospital in Merrillville. DeMartinis is currently a Nutrition Education Assistant with Purdue Extension of Porter County.
For more information, please call the Reference Department at 926-7696.
Introduction to Computer and Internet Security Class at Thomas Library
Bits and Bytes computer classes will continue at Westchester Public Library with an Introduction to Computer and Internet Security class. The Intro to Computer and Internet Security class will take place in the computer classroom located in the Serials/Automation Department on the second floor of Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton. The same class will be offered twice. An evening class will be held on Tuesday, March 31, from 6-8 pm and an afternoon class will be offered on Friday, April 3, from 1-3 pm. Classes are free but registration is required and will begin March 17.
To reserve your spot, visit or call the Serials Department or register online at http://www.wpl.lib.in.us/. Click on the Bits and Bytes link.
Learn why and how to protect yourself from various cyber threats. The class will discuss how to safely use today’s convenient technology without putting privacy, financial well-being, or reputation at risk.
For more information or to reserve your spot in the Introduction to Computer and Internet Security class, please call the Serials/Automation Department at 926-7696.
Saturday Movie at Hageman: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Westchester Public Library’s monthly film series, Saturday Movies at Hageman, will continue on Saturday, March 21, with Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Come to Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter, at 2 pm.
Library films are free of charge and open to the public.
This movie is based on the best-selling book and it follows the exploits of Alexander as he experiences the most terrible, horrible day of his young life and wonders if bad things only happen to him. But he discovers he's not alone when his dad, mom and family live through their own terrible -- and hilarious -- day. It will tickle everyone's funny bone and warm their hearts as they discover how even on rotten days, families can grow closer.
Enjoy free popcorn while watching the movie.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is rated PG and has a running time of 81 minutes. Copies of the movie will be available for check out at Hageman Library and Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, after the showing.
For more information, call Hageman Library at 926-9080.
Friends Spring Book Sale Coming
It’s time to clean out those piles of books and donate them to the Friends of the Library. The Friends of Westchester Public Library announce they will hold their Spring Friends of the Library Book Sale at Thomas Library 200 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton from April 17 to April 19.
The sale will begin on Friday, April 17, with the Friends Only Preview Sale from 4-8 pm. Only current members of the Friends will be admitted, but memberships to the Friends will be sold at the door for $5. No electronic scanners will be allowed.
The Public Sale will be held Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April19, from 9 am - 4 pm. On Sunday, all items will be sold for $3 a bag.
Prices for newer and special books will be individually marked. A large selection of hardcover books will be sold for $1.00 each and paperback books for $.50 each.
Patrons donating materials for the sale are encouraged to bring their donations to the collection box in the lobby of the Thomas Library. The library cannot use damaged books or books without covers, smelly or water mildewed books, textbooks, or encyclopedia and reference sets more than 10 years old.
The Friends are also looking for volunteers to help sort materials for the sale on Saturday, April 11, at 9 am and for volunteers to help staff the sale.
Proceeds from the sales are donated to the library and help fund many supplemental and special programming efforts such as film series, children’s programs, book discussions, and staff recognition events.