What’s Going On: WPL Events
Westchester Public Libraries hosted their annual summer reading program for both kids and adults this year. The theme for the kids up to age 11 was “Ready to Rock!” Kids who were enrolled in the program got a bingo card to fill out during the program which ran from May 25 to July 15.
The adults had their own summer reading program too, called “Rock your Summer Reading!” That program ran from June 1 to July 15. Participants would read books checked out from WPL and fill out review cards for each book. The review cards were entered to win a weekly prize and were also set up on display at Thomas and Hageman.
Throughout the summer, WPL showed various movies in Thomas Park with musicians before hand. Some of the films included “Beauty and the Beast,” “Wonder,” “Early Man,” and “Cars 3.” The last two movies of the season are “Lego Batman Movie” on July 27 and “Coco” on August 3.
What’s Coming Up: Chesterton Art Fair
The 60th Annual Chesterton Art Fair will be held the weekend of August 4th and 5th at Dogwood Park. On Saturday, the fair will be held from 10-5 pm and on Sunday it will be held from 10-4 pm. The show will have over 90 artists for all over the country, as well as various food vendors, live music, and an art center for children.
This year, the categories featured include 2D mixed media, 3D mixed media, clay, both functional and nonfunctional, drawing, fiber both wearable and non-wearable, glass, leather, metalsmithing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and wood. Tickets are $5 for a single day or $7 for both days. The Art Fair is hosted by the Chesterton Art Center. Besides the annual fair, the Art Center hosts many different classes. Some of the classes include a stained glass open studio, “Quilting Gone Wrong,” watercolor classes, ceramics, and life drawing, as well as critique nights for local artists.
Student Spotlight: Clare McNicholas
For the past eight years, recent CHS grad Clare McNicholas has been raising rabbits and showing them at the Porter County Fair.
“I originally started because I’ve always loved animals and this was the animal my mom let me get,” McNicholas explained.
McNicholas has many accomplishments under her belt from her years of raising the rabbits.
“I've received grand champion twice at the Porter County Fair,” McNicholas said, “and champion doe/litter this year at the fair.”
McNicholas feels as though the most rewarding part is the pride she feels.
“I love the sense of accomplishment and pay off after all the hard work put into raising them all year and then doing well at the shows,” McNicholas said.
Student Spotlight: Angela Conrad
Rising sophomore Angela Conrad found her tribe with the CHS Music Department and their show choir.
“I did Drifters my sophomore year, but I’m hoping to do Sandpipers as well my last two years,” Conrad said.
Of course, it takes a certain kind of person to go up on stage and perform in front of hundreds of people every competition, but Conrad loves the cameradie she feels while performing.
“My favorite part about show choir is performing with the people I love the most,” Conrad explained. “Everyone is also very supportive at competitions.”
While the competitions are always entertaining, Conrad has her own personal favorite part.
“My favorite part of last year’s show was the theme,” Conrad said. “The theme was Route 66 and we had a variety of songs within our show relating to the theme.”
For Conrad, being in show choir is a full time job.
“My only extra-curricular is show choir for now!” Conrad explained. “It keeps me quite busy!”