Life in the Spotlight

Bob Strempka has become one of the most popular names in sports photography not only around the Region but around the state of Indiana. Yet, sports photography was not his original intention when picking up the camera.   After graduating...

Janice Lawton is the owner of Saturday Sangria Bakery & Cafe which is a dedicated gluten-free facility in Winfield, Indiana. Initially, it was just a personal dietary option, but she realized others faced the same gluten-related challenges. After...

Stephanie Dorsey is the owner of Willow Blooms, a flourishing floral business in Highland.  She started the business while still working another job, driven by her dream of becoming a successful florist. Dorsey now operates it alongside her...

Hammond's Mary LeVan, 95, is a finalist for the 20th Annual SilverSneakers Member of the Year Award.  This national honor recognizes individuals who have significantly improved their lives through physical activity while inspiring and motivating...

Brenda Mecchia knows what it’s like to be a Region native through and through. She grew up in Merrillville, graduated from Merrillville High School and is now an employee of the Town of Merrillville. For the past five years, Mecchia has been the...

It’s not common that one can spend their afternoon experiencing a simulated space mission, but the folks at Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana (NWI) can make it a possibility. Lara Bates, the executive director, is the driving force...

The golf industry is a field that is stereotypically dominated by men, yet Jill McCoy has cemented herself as a prominent figure in Northwest Indiana’s golf scene. McCoy grew up just outside of West Lafayette in a farming community and began...

Barbara “Barb” Young serves as the director of the Mike Anderson Chevrolet Event Center in the Dean and Barbara White Event Center of Merrillville. In her role, Young is tasked with coordinating events and ensuring they run as smoothly as...

Pauline Brehmer is a remarkable woman who has lived for 100 years, witnessing significant historical events and changes throughout her life. She experienced World War II firsthand, and her life story showcases how to face adversity. At the age of 17,...

John “Jack” Halton, a 92-year-old man, volunteers at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry and Hunger Relief Services in East Chicago, Indiana. He has been honored as the Volunteer of the Year by Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). When Halton first...