Town of Chesterton

10/30/2026

Please check your kids bag for a wedding ring! One of our community partners lost her wedding ring passing out candy tonight at our trick or treat. It is gold with diamonds.

Share this post with anyone you know who attended!

Please message us if you find it!

10/30/2026

Recycle milk cartons but NOT Styrofoam egg cartons

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District wants folks to know that some things you can recycle and some things you can’t.

ALWAYS accepted: Paperboard milk cartons and plastic milk jugs.

NEVER accepted: Styrofoam egg cartons. Actually, ANY Styrofoam product is unacceptable for recycling, for several reasons. Styrofoam is mostly AIR—up to 98 percent of it—and only 2 to 5 percent plastic. Styrofoam is also easily contaminated by liquids, coffee, and food grease.

10/30/2026

Recycle your Halloween pumpkins at either of the two Porter County public compost sites currently open

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County is inviting folks to recycle their Halloween pumpkins at either of its public compost sites currently open:

*Valparaiso, 2150 Lincolnway.
*Boone Grove, 546S 400W.

Both are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

NOTE: Pumpkins decorated with glitter, paint, or other accessories will NOT be accepted because such add-ons are not compostable.

The Portage compost site is closed until further notice and has been since tub-grinding operations commenced there after the Aug. 11 derecho.

NOTE TO CHESTERTON RESIDENTS: Residents of the Town of Chesterton may dump their pumpkins in the GRASS BUNKER at the Street Department’s Yard Waste Site behind the municipal complex at 1490 Broadway. Access via North 15th Street.

10/30/2026

Help survivors of s*xual violence get back on their feet by donating to Raindrops Rising Foundation

Raindrops Rising Foundation—a nonprofit advocacy and resource center for the survivors of s*xual violence—is inviting folks to donate to its Survivor Assistance Fund.

That fund assists survivors in their transition from dangerous situations into safe, stable housing. Specifically, by providing rental assistance, Raindrops Rising helps cover the costs of securing an apartment and starting fresh.

This program is made possible through community donations and every contribution makes a difference.

To learn more or donate, call 219-312-1817 or go to https://www.raindropsrisingfoundation.com/

Online donations will automatically generate a tax receipt.

The mission of Raindrops Rising: “To inspire and reinforce a message of hope, advocating and raising awareness for survivors of s*xual violence every step of their journey.”

VISION: “We see a future where survivors receive the advocacy, resources, and support they need to safely reclaim their power, their voice, and their strength when they have endured s*xual violence or experienced human s*x trafficking at any level. Through training and awareness, we plan to shift social viewpoints and eradicate the stigma attached to the survivors of s*xual violence.”

IMPACT: “Raindrops Rising keeps detailed client analytics for every survivor who contacts our organization in crisis. However, the measure of our impact is so much more than numbers. Impact is measured by the calls from other organizations in the same field wondering if we can collaborate on a case because they understand we are trauma-informed and survivor-run. Our impact is measured by the shock and resolved reactions we see in trainings and workshops when we present material to professionals who had no concept of the problem or its severity. Impact is measured by the faces of community members we meet at resourcing events, shocked and excited at the same time because there’s finally someone there to help, someone who gets it. Raindrops Rising measures our impact in the lives we have touched, the stories we have been trusted to carry, the voices we amplify, and the awareness we have been so honored to share.”

10/30/2026

Humane Indiana to host FESTIVAL OF OWLS on Saturday Nov 14 at the Expo Center

Humane Indiana Wildlife is excited to host a Festival of Owls from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Porter County Expo Center, 215. E. Division Road, Valparaiso.

This family-friendly fundraiser features live owl encounters, author readings, wildlife presentations, an owl-calling contest (“WHO COOKS FOR YOUR?”), and hands-on activities for all ages.

Admission is $15 per person, with discounts available for children and seniors.

Tickets are available online or at the door. For online tickets and schedule of special events at the festival, go to https://www.humaneindiana.org/events/festival-of-owls

10/30/2026

Boys and Girls Clubs looking for 400 generous folks to make 400 holiday wishes come true

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana is hoping to make the Christmas wishes of 400 of its kids come true.

And you can help, by reviewing a wishlist on Amazon and then clicking on a gift!

Some wishes are big, others small, and many are as simple as a comforter set to call one’s own.

But every wish deserves to be remembered!

This Yuletide, be the Secret Santa behind the magic!

To review the Amazon Wish List, go to https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/PRQG8MAPMIFT/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Or to become a sponsor, go to https://e.givesmart.com/events/QVs/

10/30/2026

Local businesses invited to participate in the third annual Holiday Window Competition

Spooky Season is still in full force but the Chesterton Branding and Leadership Corporation is looking forward to the holiday season, and specifically to its third annual Holiday Window Competition.

Registration is now open for this year’s competition! Make your storefront windows glitter and glow for the holiday season and a chance to win one of three prizes!

This year's theme is “Once Upon a Winter” but use your full stock of holiday cheer to decorate your windows.

PRIZES

*1st: A free 1/6 page ad in Travel Indiana magazine (a $300 value).

*2nd: A free week of advertising on the Duneland Chamber of Commerce’s digital billboard on Ind. 49 (a $125 value).

*3rd: $100 cash to use for the marketing of your business!

TIMELINE

*Business registration deadline is Sunday, Nov. 22.

*All widow decorations must be completed by Saturday, Nov. 28, in time for the Hometown Holiday Celebration.

*Public voting will be open from Nov. 28 through Dec. 13.

*Winners will be announced on Dec.14.

Questions? Email [email protected]

To register your business or organization for the competition, go to
www.visitchesterton.org

A big thank you to Travel Indiana and the Duneland Chamber of Commerce!

10/30/2026

As winter approaches DSC is reminding folks of policies regarding weather related school closings and delays

Winter is coming and the Duneland School Corporation is asking parents and guardians to review the policies and procedures for weather-related school closings and/or delays.

“The decision to close school and engage in a virtual-synchronous eLearning day—or otherwise to alter the school day—is made after collaborating with multiple district personnel, local, and state departments and agencies, including law enforcement, National Weather Service, highway/street departments, and transportation,” DSC said. “In addition, other Porter County school districts are consulted due to partnerships which may impact special education and career-technical education students.”

Please note the following:

*Decisions about school delays due to inclement weather will be made as early as possible.

*In some instances, a school cancellation may follow a two-hour delay.

*In the event of a two-hour delay followed by a cancellation, DSC will do its best to make the decision to cancel school before 9 a.m.

*Delay or cancellation information will be delivered through ParentSquare. These notifications are based on the contact information parents provide in their Skyward Family Access Portal. Please review and update (if necessary) your contact information to receive these notifications.

DISTRIBUTION OF CLOSING/DELAY INFORMATION

*School closing/delay information will be posted to www.duneland.k12.in.us

*That information will also be sent to radio stations WAKE 1500 AM; Indiana 105.5 FM; WEFM 95.9 FM; WDSO 88.3 FM; WGN Radio 720; WBBM Newsradio 780; and to local TV channels 2, 5, 7, 9, and 32.

*And it will be posted to www.emergencyclosingcenter.com

WEATHER EMERGENCY OPTIONS

OPTION 1—The start of the school day will be delayed by two hours: Elementary to 9:30 a.m. Intermediate to 10:50 a.m. Middle School to 10:50 a.m. And High School to 10:10 a.m. NOTE: When there is a two-hour delay, preschool classes will simply be CANCELED.

OPTION 2: Students will not report to school but participate instead in an unplanned inclement weather eLearning day (virtual-synchronous). Classes for all grades will begin at 9 a.m; teachers will post schedules by 8:45 a.m. in Canvas; and students will attend Google Meet sessions with their teachers to receive face-to-face instruction.

OPTION 3: Schools will dismiss early.

10/30/2026

CHS Student Government presents trick or treat for grade schoolers

On Wednesday evening, Oct. 28, CHS Student Government held a trick-or-treat fundraiser for families with children in grades K-6.

The event was co-hosted by CHS academic and athletic teams as well as extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

Families were asked to bring canned or other non-perishable food items for donation to the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry.

For some great photos of the fun, go to

Chesterton High School annual Halloween Trick or Treat event for th...

10/30/2026

LMS Drama Club to present a pair of one act comedies on Friday and Saturday Nov 6-7

The Liberty School Middle School Drama Club will present a pair of one-act comedies—“Everyone Get Eaten by Sharks” and “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse”—at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6; and at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in the LMS auditorium.

Please use 16. Doors will open one hour before each performance.

Tickets: $5 at the door.

The plays are under the direction of former Liberty teacher Liz Graupner and current CHSl senior Elizabeth Uehling. Both productions promise plenty of laughs, unexpected twists, and delightfully absurd scenes.

Audiences will enjoy “Everyone Gets Eaten by Sharks” and “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse.” Both productions promise plenty of laughs, unexpected twists, and delightfully absurd scenes.

In “Everyone Gets Eaten by Sharks”—written by Marshall Pailet—two narrators debate whether death by shark is truly inevitable. Is a shark encounter everyone’s destiny or is there hope for humanity? Audiences will have to watch to find out!

In “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse—written by Don Zoloidis—two other narrators offer a survival guide for navigating a world overrun by zombies. Their advice covers everything from joining the zombie ranks to leaving the planet entirely. No survival strategy is too outrageous!

This year’s production also features an exciting collaboration with the Liberty Middle School Art Club. Under the leadership of Jason Gast, Art Club members are hard at work creating eye-catching set pieces and essential props to help bring these shows to life. Join us in celebrating the performing and visual arts at Liberty Middle School!

Featured sudents: Jeremy Barrera, Dominik Broadstone, Henley Castillo, Skylar Cook, Judah B. Deckard, Lucy Givens, Story Henrichs, Evie Herbert, Nova Hernandez, Anais Hollis, Arjae Rose House, Avery Koprowski, Adalynn Lamb, Gabby Lawson, Mackenzie Lohse, Anahlyse Rivera, Britton Sandate, C**t Sandate, Xiomara Taylor, and Elizabeth Wilmington.