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Nelson Algren Museum of Miller Beach
First Friday, August 5 hear What You Don’t Know About Nelson Algren by Algren scholar Bill Savage. Bill has written about Chicago baseball, the dynamic of public, semi-public, and private spaces, and the culture of saloons before and after Prohibition. Bill is cyclist and has led bike trips throughout Chicago. His published work includes:
- The Old Time Saloon: Not Wet - Not Dry, Just History
- Chicago by Day and by Night: The Pleasure Seeker's Guide to the Paris of America
- Rust Belt America: An Anthology
His next book focuses on the Chicago grid system (why we all must know our "hundreds") and is tentatively titled "The City Logical v. the City Beautiful: Why Edward Brennan is Way More Important than Daniel Burnham." The guy never quits with stuff you never knew but always wanted to.
Join us Friday, August 5 at the Nelson Algren 616 Sound Stage. In case of rain we move next door into Thumbs Up, which is always happy to sell you a drink whether the event is inside or out. Entrance is $10 at the door.
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Aquatorium Society
Saturday, August 27 from 5:30 to 10:30 pm the Chanute Aquatorium (the old Gary Bath House) will celebrate its 100 Year Anniversary. Leading off the event is a documentary film about the grandfather of aviation, Octave Chanute. A live auction follows featuring a stay in a luxury Cabo San Lucas home, NBA tickets, Railcats suite tickets and more. Meet up with neighbors and friends! Let’s dance to a great DJ, eat good food, and have a great time! Entrance is $50, $75 or $100, your choice. Join us! More information at Aquatorium.org.
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Miller Beach Arts & Creative District
Putting Art in the Heart of Lake Street
Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts!
We have Smokin' Art! Next time you visit the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, check out our vintage cigarette vending machine filled with handmade art created by several community artists. Tokens are $5 and $10; we promise you won’t be disappointed!
Local Visions Photography by Raymar Brunson & Terra Cooks Opening Reception is scheduled for Friday, August 5 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Artist Talk Friday, August 26 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Enjoy the musical stylings of DJ Coles and small bites provided by Chef Lucero Martinez-Donato. Both photographers are Gary residents and love to include the Steel City as a backdrop of their work. A Gary native, Brunson is a free-lance photographer and videographer with many years of experience developing and producing multimedia productions. He is well-versed in all aspects of media and web content production from pre-to post-production, including camera and video operation, photo editing and storytelling. Cooks moved to Gary from Chicago and is very proud to now call Gary her home. She’s a photographer, poet (aka Poetry ‘N’ Motion), author, songwriter, recording artist, stage performer, and radio show personality on WGVE 88.7 FM. Cooks is also a community activist, creating affiliations with several nonprofit organizations including the National Block Club University and Gary Historical and Cultural Society. She advocates for special needs children, founding PoeTic Innovations as a resource hub for people with disabilities and their families.
Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Sunday 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The show will run through Friday, September 2.
It’s On! The Miller Community Theatre is excited to premiere their production of a Mad Women’s Late Nite Cabaret. Performances take place over two weekends beginning Friday, August 12, Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14 (matinee), Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20. Tickets on sale at Eventbrite. For more info, millercommunitytheatre@gmail.com.
Art of Business Workshop! Next level creative business training sponsored and hosted by the Indiana Arts Commission, Indiana Small Business Development Center, South Shore Arts, and the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District. Training is designed to provide guidance, insight and support to those Creative Professionals and Artists who wish to convert their passion into a living income and / or successful creative business. This is a FREE workshop taking place on Thursday, August 18 from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts. To register go to:
emailmeform.com/builder/form/c2eefURn9Id.
Take an Art Class! Creating Abstract Art Using Oil and Cold Wax Technique with Instructor Patty Roberts. Learn the special, magical process of using cold wax as a medium with oil paint. This technique creates infinite possibilities of working with shapes, colors, layers, and maybe even adding some paper for a mixed media variation. No painting experience necessary to enjoy learning this unique and fun way to create abstract art. Class dates are Saturday, August 20 at 9:00 am and Saturday, August 27 at noon. Class size is limited to 12 students each. Class Fee is $75 (includes all materials). Tickets available on Eventbrite. Patty Roberts’ abstract oil and cold wax work was featured at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts and is currently on exhibit at the Towle Theater in Hammond.
Live on Lake Street Summer Music Series! Join us Thursday, August 25 for Jamrose! Since 2007 Jamrose has been making the dancefloor move with their blend of rock, pop & soul. Doors open at 6:30 pm and music starts at 7:00 pm. Admission only $10 with cash bar serving beer and wine. Sponsored in part by Leslie Lucas.
Yoga and Pilates! MBACD is proud to offer our community mindful movement classes. Expand your mindful practice and participate in one or more of our Miller Movement Classes:
Candlelight Yoga with Dani Hart, Monday evenings 6:00 – 7:00 pm. $10
Pilates with Angie Reens, Tuesday evenings 6:00 – 7:00 pm. $10
Family Yoga with Dani Hart, Saturday, August 6, 10:00 to 11:00 am. $15 per family (maximum 5 people) The class is best suited for families with children ages 6+. Family yoga is now offered the first Saturday of each month.
Please visit our Facebook page to check on schedule adjustments or special presentations.
Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts / 540 S. Lake Street, Gary IN 46403
MillerBeachArts / mbacdarts@gmail.com / 219-885-9114.
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Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education
Temporary Closure of Douglas Center Coming to an End. The bridge connecting the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education to its parking lot is scheduled for deconstruction overnight between Monday, August 1 at 7:00 pm and Tuesday, August 2 at 6:00 am. During this time Lake Street will be closed. A new pedestrian crossing should be in place by Tuesday, August 16 and the Douglas Center will re-open to the public on Wednesday, August 17.
Three Marquette Park Paddling Programs are scheduled in August: Wednesday, August 3 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Thursday, August 4 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and Thursday, August 11 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Call 219-395-1882 to reserve a spot. Kayaks, paddles and life vest are provided for the first 20 people who sign up. Participants can use their own own equipment but please sign up so the Douglas Center knows how many to expect.
Wonders of Wildlife will be taught Saturday, August 20 at 10:00 am at the Douglas Center.
The Miller Woods Hiking Trail remains open and a four-car parking lot on the west side of Lake Street can be used by the public.
For more information, please contact the park’s information line at 219-395-1882.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located at 100 North Lake Street. Follow them on Facebook or online at DouglasCenter.
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Gary Shakespeare Company
Gary Shakespeare Company presents Julius Caesar; Marcel Webb, a Miller resident, will head the cast in the title role.
"The themes in Julius Caesar are as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare’s time: betrayal
from close friends and family, concerns of over-ambitious leadership, the terrifying power of large
groups and their propensity toward a violent resolution, just to name a few,” said director Stephanie Naumoff. "Our production has a strong, black, female actor portraying the title role of Julius Caesar. In my mind she was best suited for the role. Miller resident Marcel Webb auditioned with such a
formidable, regal presence that she was the obvious choice. It is important to me that our production
is able to impress on the audience the traits of a character, not a gender, race, or creed.” Naumoff is
a community theatre stalwart with extensive experience as a performer, director, and costume
designer across the country.
Friday, August 12 at 7:00 pm Marquette Park
Saturday, August 13 at 7:00 pm Nelson Algren 616 Sound Stage, 616 S. Lake St.
The production stars Marcel Webb as Julius Caesar, Westley Hearne as Brutus, Breanne Knopf as Cassius, and Alexander Bonner as Antony. View a full cast list here: GaryShakesCo.org. Details and directions for performances and others in the region can be found here:
Gary Shakespeare Company was founded in 2013 by a group of Shakespeare enthusiasts who believe every citizen of the Steel City should have the opportunity to experience a live performance
of Shakespeare's works. They are dedicated to bringing actors and audiences of all ages, ethnicities
and backgrounds together in the enjoyment of the works of William Shakespeare and in the shared
experience of live performance.
This is a free event. Visit www.garyshakesco.org for more information.
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Miller Garden Club
Let’s get out of town! The club will be taking a trip to Alsip Nursery in St. John, IN on Saturday August
13. Located at 10255 Wicker Avenue, experts at the nursery will do a presentation for our group on
Pruning Basics. For those who would like to carpool, meet at the Aquatorium at 9:00 am. After the
demonstration at 10:00 am, club people and their guests have the option of going out for lunch in the area.
Volunteers of America, we’re calling YOU:
- Monday mornings: Karen Simon and Catherine O’Grady would love your help at the Lagoon Garden
- Tuesday mornings: Linda Fisher would love your help at the Kids Playground
- Wednesday mornings: Carol Smith would love your help at the Statue Garden (Rain date Thursday am)
In the heat, we begin at 8:00 am. As the weather cools, the usual start time is 9:00 am. Sometimes 10:00. We usually work for two hours or less. Weeding is the main focus during July/August. Bring your favorite tool for weeding/deadheading. Bring water to drink. Come enjoy the company of friendly gardeners who love to see Marquette Park gardens looking good. These gardens are supported by MGC and Friends of Marquette Park. Go to MillerGardenClub to volunteer. Or just come to the gardens on any or all of the days listed above.
Secret Gardens 2022 “Green Thumbs Up” is now in the rearview mirror. The 21st annual event was a
major success in every way. It brought over 400 people to our area to see five lovely gardens; folks got to visit the vendors in the Aquatorium courtyards and enjoy a box lunch on the premises. While
browsing, the guests gazed at the Miller Garden Club’s newest project: a very large wooden trellis
structure handmade by Leo Jimenez, a former student of Kathy Grimler, MGC board member and
supervisor of the gardens at the Aquatorium. The espalier (definition: a lattice or trellis on which trees and shrubs are trained to grow flat) is awaiting the apple trees which will be planted at its base, in front of the west wall of the inner courtyard. A generous gift from the McDonald Family trust made this
beautiful addition to the gardens possible. For pictures of the Garden Walk, courtesy of Sandy Appleby, please go to our website, MillerGardenClub.
Next Meeting: Open to the public, September 17 (the 3rd Saturday of the month) at 10:00 am, the club will meet at the Aquatorium for the regular business meeting and to hear a speaker: Karl Ackerman from Wild Ones, an organization dedicated to Native Plants and gardening. Karl’s home garden was recently on the Munster Garden Walk. Here is a link to information about that event: Ackermann Garden.
Save the Date: Sunday, September 18 Classical Chrysanthemum Concerto 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Food and entertainment at the Aquatorium. More details to follow in the next Miller Message or join the club
and get the newsletter!
Go to our website: www.millergardenclub.org for more information and an up-to-date calendar of all our events.
The Miller Garden Club’s mission is to provide gardening education on all levels; to protect native trees, plants and wildlife; and to beautify the Miller Beach community in Gary, Indiana. Join the Club! Dues are only $20 a year, or $30 for a family. Go to our website for more information at MillerGardenClub.
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Shoreline Committee and Friends of Marquette Park
Shoreline Committee
Repair/Replacement of Pavilion Walkway Bridge and Lagoon Bridges - The Park Board approved a contract with Structure Point to assess the condition of three bridges and recommend needed repairs. The funds have been allocated for the assessment. Now, we are waiting the assessment to be done.
Speed Tables on Marquette Park Streets - No more news on this project yet.
Watching Sunsets at the Beach before dusk should be allowed - One of the joys of summer along our shoreline is watching the sunset at the beach. There seems to be miscommunication among law enforcement and/or the powers that be on the meaning of dusk. Dusk occurs at the darkest stage of twilight, after sunset and just before nightfall. Dusk occurs when the sun is 6 to 18 degrees below the horizon in the evening. More than ever, we are hearing that people on the beach are being told to leave the beach before sunset and angering many of us. The Shoreline Committee will have this discussion with the Gary and Lake County Beach Patrols. The period of time between sunset and darkness is 70 - 100 minutes. That is plenty of time for people to enjoy the sunset and leave the beach before dark (at dusk). We will try to get this resolved for all of you who love our beach and watching sunsets.
Garden Volunteers in Marquette Park - This is a call-out to those of you who have mornings free. Come help keep the gardens in the park looking good with other friendly gardeners. It’s good exercise. Just being outdoors can lift your spirits. Come make a difference.
- The Lagoon Garden volunteers meet on Monday mornings at 8:00 led by Karen Simon and Catherine O’Grady
- The Statue Garden volunteers meet on Wednesday mornings at 8:00 led by Carol Smith (Rain date Thursday morning)
- The Kids Playground volunteers meet on Tuesday mornings at 8:00 led by Linda Fisher
If you need more information, contact Carol at pandcsmith@comcast.net.
Friends of Marquette Park News
The Lakeshore Challenge Disc Golf Tournament - Wednesday, August 3 9:30 am to 3:00 pm —
Sponsored by Flamingo Pizza and organized by Red Roc. Register at PDGA. The inaugural disc golf tournament in Marquette Park is Sanctioned C-Tier Singles Tournament. Cost is $40/AMS $50 Pros. Cash Payout Pro Division. Merch Payout for Ams. 100% payout Free mini. The disc golf course is a Friends of Marquette Park Project.
FMP Membership - We are in the third month of the FMP Membership Drive! Mail your
membership/donation to FMP, PO Box 2645, Gary, IN 46403 or go to friendsofmarquettepark.org to become a member, renew your membership or make a donation.
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Miller Beach Farmers Market
Markets open Sundays rain or shine from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 667 S Lake Street at the corner of South Lake Street and E. 7th Avenue in Miller.
Fresh local produce, bread, cheese, baked goods, soap, fresh eggs, handmade butters, nuts, herbs, herbal tinctures, mushrooms, flowers, locally roasted coffee, jellies, pickles, microgreens are available.
Special mention: our farmer from Michigan – Parra Farms – donates their overage after our market to the Veterans Life Changing Services. Check out their mission at veteranslcs.org. Thank you, Robin and Becky, for connecting the farmer with the veterans.
The Miller Beach Farmers Market is an all-volunteer market that is part of the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District for the redevelopment of Lake Street. SNAP/EBT accepted via Lake County Eats Local/Legacy Foundation. Funding for our Wi-Fi hotspot by Miller Community Fund.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter by stopping by the Market Tent on Sunday or email us market@millerbeacharts.org. Volunteers for the Market are always needed. 219-238-5768.
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Miller School Shops & Spaces
Live Music on First Friday featuring John Derado Friday, August 5 from 6:00 to 8:00. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for First Friday on August 5! Musician John Derado will be set up on the front porch on Lake Street (weather permitting) and playing vintage rock and old-school blues for your listening pleasure! This should be a very fun night!
Outdoor Market Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm through September 25. The Miller School Shops is hosting an Outdoor Market in our parking lot every Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm! Come browse the wares of our vendors and do some shopping at Miller Beach Farmers Market while you're here!
Become a vendor or a teacher! The Miller School Shops is currently accepting applications for new vendors and those who would like to teach a class or workshop. Please stop by and see us at 665 S. Lake Street during business hours Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 am to 6:00 pm to inquire.
Follow us on Facebook. Miller School Shops & Spaces is located at 665 S. Lake Street.
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Marquette Park Playground Committee
August is the last month for Storyhour at the Marquette Park Playground every Wednesday at 10 am. Guest readers are:
Wednesday, August 3 - Geof Benson, Dunes Learning Center Executive Director
Wednesday, August 10 - Leah Peksenak, Marquette Park United Methodist Church Pastor
Wednesday, August 17 - Lin Chary, author and scholar
Wednesday, August 24 - Mary Ann Best, Miller Beach Water Safety Founder
Wednesday, August 31 - Kamishia Jackson,
Marquette Park Pavilion Manager
Storyhour and 4-H is brought to you by Marquette Park Playground Committee, Inc. When you're at the Lake County Fair checkout our 4-H Audubon Coloring Contest display. Many thanks to all this summer's guest readers, Darren Zar, Lynda Bodie, Linda Fisher, Marcus Bensen and THE KIDS who made Storyhour successful again this summer.
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Miller Beach Water Safety Social Group
July 31 Is not the end of summer - we still have all of August and September to enjoy swimming in the lake. It is never too late to implement better water safety protocols. Learn more and practice!
Weekend of August 6 - Look for an information table and interactive program at Marquette Park; more details on our Facebook page and on Nextdoor.
What is and is not a rip current? A relatively strong, narrow current flowing outward from the beach through the surf zone and presenting a hazard to swimmers is the definition of a rip current. What it is not: it is not a force in the water that will pull you under. Is a rip current a danger - YES. Is it the only danger? NO! Why is it a danger? Because it can pull you out to a distance you may not be strong enough to make it back. Survival Skills: learn to float, don't panic, learn to swim, but do not swim back into the current because it will tire you out. You will become exhausted and that, in itself, is the hazard. An exhausted swimmer cannot make progress and at times cannot stay afloat and may submerge. How to get out of a rip current? Float and survey the current to determine where it is going. Once you understand the situation, you can pick a path to swim that is perpendicular to the current.
Can a rip current be helpful? YES - lifeguards and surfers use rip current to get out into the water faster! If you are going to help a victim do you follow the same path they are in? You look for the best and fastest path to get to them. Take floatation with you. A noodle, a boogie board, a standup paddle, a life jacket, a safety ring. A person struggling in the water will be frightened, tired and possibly desperate. They will want to use you as a life raft to rest and get a breath. That will push you under and you may become a victim. The would-be rescuer often drowns! Don't let this happen to you.
Terms to not use anymore: Rip Tide & Undertow. It is important to stay up to date on water safety, including the correct language. The Great Lakes do not have tides, and a rip tide is different than a rip current. Undertow: A common misconception is that rip currents are strong enough to pull someone under the surface of the water; in reality the current is strongest at the surface. There are no currents in the lake that pull you under.
Other hazards to be aware of:
Long Shore Currents - these are currents that pull you parallel to shore. Long shore currents can go from long shore into a rip. The same hazards exist - they can exhaust a swimmer, taking a swimmer from a safe depth into a depth that is not safe.
Waves - the waves in the lake come at about 1 every 3 seconds. In the ocean they are much farther apart. This makes the timing of the waves a hazard because if you get knocked down, there is always another wave coming at you. If you swallow water and are choking, there is always another wave coming at you. There is very little time to recover between waves.
Sandbars - the bottom of the lake is very uneven and is always changing. You may be at a safe depth one minute and experience a slow depth change that is noticeable or a large and sudden depth change where you might step off and be way over your head. If you cannot swim, this can cause you to drown. You should turn back around and go back to the shallow depth you came from. Sometimes jumping up and down works to propel you to a safe place. Swim or dog paddle yourself back. It can be a shorter distance to go back than to shore. Most people in distress want to get to shore and that is not always the best choice.
Take life jackets and wear them. Our safety station life jackets installed on the beach can be borrowed by anyone at any time. We ask that you put them back the same way you found them; if they were messy when you found them, please put them back better in better shape. They should be secured to the post so they don't blow away in winds.
Take Swim Lessons Practice your floating and swimming at the beach.
The Water Safety Social Group offers a badge program with 4 levels of skills that you should learn and practice. If you are interested please contact us at watersafetysocial@gmail.com.
Enjoy your summer. Remember, the best day at the beach is a safe day at the beach!
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Humane Society of Northwest Indiana
Saturday, August 20 Adopt-A-Thons at Pet Supplies Plus,1676 E Summit Street, Crown Point from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Come visit and fall in love with one of our critters available through the store.
Saturday, July 30, Saturday, August 27 and Saturday, September 24 Albanese Candy Adopt-A-Thons from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Come for the sweet treats—both edible and four legged and take home a new four-legged friend.
Please be sure to select Humane Society Northwest Indiana as your charity while shopping www.smile.amazon.com. Please check our Facebook page for our wish list of needed supplies.
Because of all the construction related to the Double Tracking Project, there has been, and will continue to be, significant changes to the landscape on all boundaries of the Humane Society property. Just drive by to see major changes already in place and in progress. We have lost some of our dog-walking space and we are hemmed in by new roads and parking areas. We are making plans to adapt to these changes, including new landscaping (with the help of the Garden Club) and new fencing. We hope to raise money through donations to cover the cost of these very necessary changes. Our donations are down so far this year and our regular expenses for caring for our animals are up. We do understand that this is not an easy time, but please consider a donation to Humane Society of Northwest Indiana—any amount is helpful.
Huge thanks to all our supporters, who help in so many ways! Come by our location at 6100 Melton Road (Route 20) and check out our residents. We get new pets every day, including kittens galore.
For more information visit
humanesocietynorthwestindiana.org.
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Temple Israel
Sisterhood's Annual Community Barbecue Saturday, August 27 at 6:30 pm. Join Temple Israel Sisterhood for our annual Community Barbecue! Enjoy grilled steak, chicken or fish with a buffet of sides and desserts. Price is $30 for adults, $10 for children, and free for kids 6 and under. Please RSVP to templeisraelmiller@gmail.com with your choice of entre by Monday, August 22. To-go option is also available. All are welcome!
Gan Shalom / Temple Israel Rummage Sale Sunday, September 18 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Temple Israel and the Gan Shalom Community Garden will once again be having our annual Rummage Sale on September 18! This is a great sale with a huge selection of housewares, decorations, furniture, clothes, books, garden items -- you name it! If you have any items you'd like to donate, please contact templeisraelmiller@gmail.com to arrange a time for drop-off.
The whole community is invited! For more information please contact us at templeisraelmiller@gmail.com or 219-938-5232.
Temple Israel
601 North Montgomery Street
Gary, Indiana 46403-1299
Phone: (219) 938-5232
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St. Mary of the Lake Church
St. Mary of the Lake is hosting its second annual Pasta Palooza Parade Saturday, September 10. The parade kicks off at 3:30 pm. We are looking for creative people, businesses, organizations, inter-faith houses of worship and/or clubs to design and decorate golf carts, bicycles, antique cars, lawn mowers, wagons, etc. to make a joyous and entertaining parade. All are welcome to march in the parade as long as a costume is worn. Theme is anything Italian as we are celebrating Festa Italiana with a Spaghetti Dinner at St.Mary's beginning at 4:00 pm. Parade is designed to be humorous and colorful, so join in the fun!ll
If you would like to know more about the parade, you please contact Jack Denges at uponapond@gmail.com.
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