What’s recently happened?
From July 18 to July 27, Porter County hosted the annual Porter County Fair.
The fair includes many 4-H shows with animals and art.
Barns with cows, sheep, goats, various birds, rabbits, and more are open to walk through. All of these animals are judged based on certain categories, and a grand champion and reserve grand champion are awarded to the best of each barn.
“My favorite barn to look in is always the one with rabbits. They’re so cute,” said Wheeler High School (WHS) Junior Nina Czaja.
Within air conditioned buildings, the desserts, produce, and many types of artwork are displayed. These also are granted grand champion and reserve champion if they are the best in their category.
“Looking at all the clothing people handmade is so inspiring,” said WHS Junior Madisyn Rouch.
Not only does the fair have 4-H displays, but the food and rides are what usually attract all the visitors to the fair.
At the fair, the lemonade is a big hit. There are multiple booths that sell lemonade and many people are seen carrying the cups around.
Random things at the fair seem to be deep fried including oreos, ice cream, and more. There’s also turkey legs, grilled cheese, pizza, and so many more foods to choose from.
Some of the most talked about rides are the Fireball, the Hang Glider, and Area 51. The Fireball is basically a circular mini roller coaster that goes upside down. The Hang Glider is where you lay down on your stomach and the ride takes you higher and lower, like an actual hang glider. Area 51 spins so fast that it seems to defy gravity. While inside the ride, people will turn themselves upside down while still pressed against the wall and not fall.
What’s coming up?
Shorewood Forest is putting on its yearly Shorewood Fest!
This year will be the first time there will be a boat parade. The top three boats will win an award.
The fest also includes fireworks, a live band, and lots of activities to do.
Residents have cookouts on the beach, while kids swim in the lake and the clubhouse pool. There is volleyball and other games on the beach. Food trucks and ice cream trucks are at the event.
“Shorewood Fest is honestly so much fun and I look forward to it every year, especially swimming with my friends,” said WHS Junior Jenna Burton.
It is a big get together where all the neighbors come together to catch up and have fun for a day.
Community member spotlight:
Louis Guillen is not only a coach and teacher, but he is also the co-owner of Tempo Run Timing.
He had started running as a sixth grader when his friend pushed him to join.
“I wanted to quit after the first day, but my buddy wouldn’t let me, and look where it got me,” Guillen said.
Guillen ended up running for sport for twenty five years. He ran for Indiana State University and Calumet College of Saint Joseph.
In college, Guillen’s major was computer technology and then political science, but realized neither career paths really fit who he was and what he wanted to do in the future.
During Christmas break, Guillen visited his old coach, Rick Torres, and discussed that he wasn’t sure where he was headed job-wise. He said to his coach “I want to do what you did for me.”
Torres then proceeded to push Guillen to become a teacher and a coach, which he did.
“I knew I wanted to help kids become who they want to be, I just needed the push to do it,” said Guillen.
Guillen now teaches seventh graders social studies at Union Township Middle School and has been a coach for WHS for cross country and track for 17 years.
He recently helped start Tempo Run Timing and Events in 2020. This business times high school cross country races, high school track meets, road races, trail races, and helps out with fundraising for community nonprofits.
Guillen is excited for their next event that he helps plan, Catch Your Time. During this show, the runners predict their time for 1.5 miles, and have to “catch” it, or get as close as they can to win. It isn’t about speed, but about being able to pace yourself accurately.
Besides the race, there will be talks and such to help motivate the high school runners and show them what cross country is all about.
Guillen’s favorite part of cross country is how it teaches kids how little actions can make a big impact. He hopes that the athletes he’s coached will realize that and learn to give back to the community even if it is small, because it might be big to someone else.
“There’s a lot of time and effort put in behind the scenes, which may seem small, but without it, nothing would go as well as it does,” Guillen said.