The 21st Annual Lake County Master Gardeners Plant Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 7 in the Fine Arts Building on the Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St., Crown Point. A wide variety of plants will be available for sale to the public; many plants are grown by the Lake County Master Gardeners from their own gardens. Plants include annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, house plants, bulbs, shrubs, hanging baskets and some trees. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any question. The Sale also includes a “Trash to Treasures” area where “gently-used” gardening items of all kinds can be purchased. The Plant Sale is one of three fundraisers the Lake County Master Gardeners hold each year. Proceeds from the sale help fund the Lake County Master Gardener Scholarship and Grant programs. More information is at 219-755-3240.
The City of Valparaiso invites young members of the community to apply for a place on the second annual Mayor’s Youth Council. The program is designed to encourage youth to interact with City government, build leadership skills and enhance civic engagement. The Council will include 15-20 members for the 2022-23 school year. Students entering their junior year in Fall, 2022 are encouraged to apply. The new Mayor’s Youth Council will be sworn in by the Valparaiso City Council on Aug. 22. The Council will meet monthly on a Wednesday evening, gather for a daylong retreat in August and meet for volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
For more information and an application packet, visit the Mayor’s page on the City of Valparaiso website valpo.us or contact Community Engagement Director Maggie Clifton at MClifton@valpo.us or 219-462-1161.
The Young Marines, a national youth education and service program for boys and girls ages 8 through high school graduation, is forming a new unit in Valparaiso. The unit is the Dunes Young Marines and will be led by Unit Commander, Dan Tolson, of Valparaiso. The program focuses on character building, leadership, self-discipline and promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Dunes Young Marines will participate in local civic activities, such as providing color guards for athletic events, marching in local parades and activities promoting and reinforcing good citizenship. For more information, email dltolson@gmail.com or call 219-916-3550.
The City of Crown Point will kick off spring with a celebration to honor the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day at 2:30 p.m. on Friday on the turf field at the Crown Point Sportsplex, 1313 E. North St. The event will begin with an Arbor Day ceremony and a tree planting followed by a community wide Spring Clean-up Day from 3 to 5 p.m. Gloves, garbage bags and grabbers will be provided. Volunteers should dress in comfortable clothing and shoes they don’t mind getting dirty. Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact Heather Evans at hevans@crownpoint.in.gov.
Purdue Extension – Lake County will host “Where Does Your Money Go,” a two-part workshop, at 1 p.m. on May 4 and 11 at 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. With costs increasing for necessary expenses, such as gasoline, utilities and healthcare, consumers are finding it harder to make ends meet. This educational program will help attendees recognize where their money goes; stop spending “leaks” to save money; and develop a spending-savings plan. Register at https://tinyurl.com/LakeWDYMG.