First Things First Porter County Welcomes Kasandra Tenbarge as Associate Director

Left fielder Ian Happ was named a 2024 NL Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner!

Governor Eric J. Holcomb recently announced several appointments to various state boards and commissions.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Law Enforcement held graduation ceremonies today at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis. Twenty-three new Indiana Conservation Officers officially joined the division during the event.

**** Recommended  Remy Bumppo’s production of "Dear Elizabeth" is a unique and charming little play. It’s unique because the characters were real people, renowned American poets, Elzabeth Bishop (Leah Karper) and Robert “Cal” Lowell (Christopher Sheard).  Apparently, playwright Sarah Ruhl ran across their letters and decided the content would make a play.  Kudos to Director Christina Casano for this fascinating glimpse into the lives of two literary giants.  4 Spotlights

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED  Playwright August Wilson, famous for creating his "Century Cycle" of ten plays exploring and celebrating the African American experience, was quite clearly a very good listener. One can't help picturing him seated in one of his favorite diners or coffee shops located within the Hill District neighborhood of his native Pittsburgh, with his omnipresent yellow legal notepad in hand, eavesdropping on the conversations taking place around him and jotting down notes or nascent ideas for future projects.  4 SPOTLIGHTS

***RECOMMENDED  The mere prospect of mounting a production of "Into the Woods" may be nearly as daunting as some of the obstacles that the fairytale characters face once they have entered the foreboding forest in Stephen Sondheim's beloved musical. You need a very strong cast to make this particular show truly sing. After all, as famously parodied in the delightfully twisted show "Forbidden Broadway" in which those cast members lamented Sondheim's endlessly tricky rhyme schemes and demanding lyrics during the "Into the Words" number, not just anyone can pull this off. When it was announced that Kokandy Productions would be concluding their 2024 season with "Into the Woods," hopes were very high as this particular company has had much success with Sondheim's work in the past. 3 SPOTLIGHTS

CHESTERTON ART CENTER INVITES ALL TO FREE FAMILY ART DAY ON NOVEMBER 16

CHICAGO TAP ALLSTARS’ HOLIDAY PRODUCTION, “WINTER WONDERLAND,” RETURNS SATURDAY, DEC. 14 AT 1 P.M. AT THE HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER || The Holiday Spirit Comes to Bronzeville in the Return of this Popular Tap Celebration of the Season

‘Light Up the Lake’ Returns to Navy Pier for the Holidays, Bigger, Better, and Bolder || New offerings include two-story-tall ice slides, holiday drone shows, and first-ever wintertime ‘thrill and chill’ rides on the Wave Swinger