2014 brought a lot of thought-provoking, heart-warming, and inspirational pieces to us. It's important to us that not only do we get to share good news, but also that our community members share their good news with us. Our Voices Section was created to be an outlet for the positive stories, ideas, and thoughts of our readers. People from all over Northwest Indiana had something to say this year and we at LaPorteCountyLife were happy to accommodate.
Here are the Top 10 Voices Articles of 2014. Please read on and enjoy.
A LIFEtime of Memories in 14 Months
This week, I began a new adventure as a Regional Editor for the North Shore Patch sites, covering seven news sites in Chicago's north suburbs from Evanston up to Lake Forest. I am extremely excited about this opportunity as it has always been a goal of mine to work in journalism in the Chicago area. But just as fun as it has been these last couple weeks looking forward to this great opportunity, it has been amazing to look back at the last 14 months working for Ideas in Motion Media, that good news group out of Northwest Indiana. In addition to working alongside a dream team of hard workers, I got to do a lot of cool stuff. A LOT.
Unified Through Tragedy and Triumph
By now, we all know the story well. On September 25, 2013, Jake West, a junior at La Porte High School died on the field during football practice in the presence of his coaches and teammates as a result of an undetected heart condition. Friends gathered at the hospital, in homes, and in classrooms and deeply mourned the loss of their friend for weeks. Somehow, we all knew this tragedy was different. Somehow we all knew this loss would be felt deep, far and wide by many. And it was. A family was devastated. A school was rocked. A football team was heart-broken. And an entire community was shaken to its core.
Resources Available for Domestic Violence Victims
Domestic violence reports continue to flood the media. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. With numbers at an all-time high, we have to wonder how much worse they would be if the multitude of cases that go unreported each day were added to the list. Although both men and women experience domestic abuse, about 4 out of 5 victims of intimate partner violence are female. Abuse can be perpetrated in a variety of ways; some more obvious or noticeable than others. The visible injuries and scars from physical abuse are often more difficult to hide, but the scars left by sexual, emotional, verbal, and economic abuse can continue in secret and remain unnoticed by others for a lifetime.
It's Important to Thank Firefighters for Their Dedication
As a retired Michigan City, Indiana firefighter with almost 28 years of service, I would like you to think about the message in my post. Feel free to share it. Next time you see a firefighter shooting hoops, washing their car or just sitting in front of the station: don’t complain. They are ready at a moment's notice to protect you, your family and property, day and night, fair weather or foul.
'I'm So MC' Another Way to Showcase City Pride
Through the good and the bad, it’s important to take pride in your home town. Remembering how things were different (or the same) growing up and engaging the people, places and uniqueness of where you are from is a move upper - and the “I’m so” facebook status that have taken off lately have done just that. I’m not sure who began this recent craze. But with friends in both Northwest Indiana and Chicago, I do know the first several I saw began with “I’m so MC (Michigan City).”
Michigan City the Perfect Place to Expand Horizons
Every year, especially during the summer months, many of our youth participate in a multitude of recreational and enrichment opportunities available to them in the Michigan City area. The goal of our community should be to continue to encourage more of our youth to participate, and engage them in all the various opportunities that schools, churches, parks, clubs, and our businesses work so hard to provide.
Thought I'd Tri It: Spin It to Win It
In my entire life, I've never tried a spin class...until yesterday. I played it smart and attended one of the Beginner Spin classes at the La Porte County Family YMCA. Glad I did. It was tough! Our instructor, Erin, lead the class with upbeat 80s music (I dig that era). And before the class started, she walked me though the basics of the bike that was to be my vehicle for the duration of the class.
La Porte Growing Economically as "Hub of Awesome"
There is a reason why I refer to La Porte as the “Hub of Awesome” and that is due to the amazing accomplishments this community has been able to achieve over the last few years, particularly in the area of economic development. Building the most conducive climate for economic development growth has been a pillar focus area for the community since 2012 and our community economic development team hit the ground running by first focusing on increasing La Porte’s inventory for developable industrial land.
A Multifaceted Conversation with Blair Milo and Bert Cook
Last week I had the chance to sit down with two of the city of La Porte’s top decision makers and was able to learn a lot more about the city and many of their positive programs. ayor Blair Milo and Bert Cook, executive director of the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation covered a wide variety of topics from the ongoing property tax situation to a new summer event that is sure to make La Porte the place to be at the end of May.
The end of a year and the beginning of a new one is traditionally a time to look back with introspection and look forward with an eye toward self-improvement. Self-analysis and goal setting are terrific tools to aid us in our efforts to grow, learn and achieve. The setting of New Year’s resolutions is an admirable endeavor, but for so many of us, those resolutions are never fully achieved. Why is that?