Pat Harris

October 14, 2025. Today’s speaker, Jack Arnett, informed the club that the NITDC was formed to combine the efforts of nine Indiana Counties for Promotion of Tourism through advertisement in businesses and plazas along the toll road. Their motto is the “Better Together Approach”. Jack stated that over 45 million travelers cross the toll road each year with 8 million stopping at plazas, resulting in a local impact of $44 million. Tourism brings in over $200 million annually to our area with $400 thousand in one week at the XIinsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix boat race in Michigan City. The commission is not a government agency. It is funded by a 5% hotel tax and some gaming money. LaPorte County now manages all toll road concessions.

Please visit www.michigancitylaporte.com for more information. 

September 7, 2025.  Program Speaker: Phil Freeze introduced today’s speaker—Ben Bachmann, MCHS Athletic Director.  Ben spoke about having grown up in Michigan City and his participation in every sport that was offered in the school system.  This led him to the career he now enjoys. Being part of a team and realizing the impact that coaches had on his life, prepared him for nearly every situation he encountered, in his 13 years of athletic administration.  Ben is all about promoting the concept of providing student athletes’ a path to opportunity and success. They are shown options which can be life changing.  He said that only two states in this country do not fund athletics from their regular budgets. Indiana is one of them. This means that athletics must be funded with ticket sales and donations. He encouraged all members present to attend MCAS events in their area.  Ben stated that plans are in place to make improvements at the high school that will allow more student groups to practice and participate on turf rather than sod. For more information see: www.gomcwolves.com.

The Michigan City Exchange Club presented Ben Bachmann and Sara Krachinski. Asst. Athletic Director for MCAS with a donation in the amount of $2,000.00

Sept 23, 2025. Program Speaker Daniel Granquist introduced today's speaker, Sara Krachinski, MCAS Assistant Director of Athletics for Michigan City Area Schools. Sara spoke about her many fund­ raising activities for the Athletic Program in the High, Junior High, and Elementary Schools. Funds are received through Grants, Donations, Ticket Sales and Concession Stand Sales. Projects now in the works include: 

Transfer of the Ames Field Scoreboard to the High School within two years, after Ames receives a Jumbotron.

Construction of a Soccer Field at the High School with turf rather than natural grass to allow for multiple uses.

Purchase of Athletic Uniforms for all eight Elementary Schools with funds donated by the Michigan City Exchange Club.

Sara let the club know that the school has a new website for Athletics---gomcwolves.com 

September 9th, 2025. James E. Musial, Executive Director, Citizens Concerned for Homeless was introduced by Speaker Chairman Daniel Granquist as today’s guest speaker. Jim let the group know that Citizens Concerned for the Homeless has been around for 35 years serving Michigan City and LaPorte. He talked about four important programs that are available in the community. 

1)  Sand Castle: A homeless shelter that provides residence for up to 45 days.

2)  Grace Learning Center: A program that provides computer lab accessibility as well as basic and intermediate computer classes. The center also has mental health classes available.

3)  Food Rescue Initiative: Originating in 2019, this project distributes food at Marquette Mall in Michigan City as part of its Mobile Pantry Initiative.

4)  Keys to Hope Program. Keys to Hope offers people a place to take a shower, shampoo, obtain clothing, as well as providing a place where, during the day, someone can just relax.  Jim also told the club members that since 2019 over four million pounds of food has been given away from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.  He talked about the Karwick Village town homes that are being built by Homeward Bound to provide affordable housing to needy recipients. 

Check out the web site: https://cch-mc.orgfor more details on available help or ways that you can contribute.

9-2-2025. Todays Speaker is Janet Bloch, Executive Director, Lubeznik Center for the Arts. Janet came to Michigan City, from Chicago, where she was an artist and owned an art gallery. She was not planning to start another career but soon realized that she could be instrumental in helping the community.  Joining the Center as Education Director, she moved up to where she is today, making many positive changes along the way. Currently the Lubeznik Center offers several educational programs. One is an early childhood program, consisting of three tours during the year, with Spanish and sign language interpreters. Another is a mural painting program that has 10 fascinating paintings throughout the area, with more in progress. Art exhibits at the Center are from both national and local artists. Field trips, from local schools, have over 1,500 students annually.  Attending students, have a “hands on” experience creating their very own art. The Center also offers Virtual Field trips for students that cannot visit in person. Janet identified other programs that are offered such as Free Family Days, First Fridays, and Teen Arts Council. One of the newer programs is Color in Transit featuring a mural on the side of a truck which is displayed at various sites.

The Lubeznik Center is open six days a week and admission is free.

www.lubeznikcenter.org 

August 26,2025. Todays speaker is Steven A. Bernth, Executive Director Youth Service Bureau of Laporte County. He was accompanied by Gretchen Kubic. School Buddies Program Director.  The Youth Services Bureau was organized in 1972 to help prevent juvenile delinquency, help prevent child abuse and to connect youth with caring adults. One program, Teen Court, allows cases that could result in an arrest, to be decided by a local attorney acting as the Judge. The Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, and Jury roles are all filled by student peers of the accused. The sentences handed out by the Court could require an Apology,  Restitution, and Community Service. Michigan City cases in Teen Court center around two things—in school vaping and truancy. It should be noted that successful completion of the teen court sentencing results in no juvenile court or arrest records. It should also be noted that the Teen Court oversees only non-violent cases. Steven also talked about the Kids on the Block Puppet Presentation that is presented to second grade students. This program educates kids on Physical and Sexual Abuse as well Neglect. He reminded club members that the Youth Service Bureau has a Safe Place Program in Laporte County. These “safe” locations are found at Police and Fire Stations as well as local libraries. They provide children with a place to go should the child feel they cannot go home. Steven introduced Gretchen Kubic. Gretchen explained that her program provides mentoring for elementary school students. Adults commit at least 1 hour a week to be friends with a child, one on one, taking an interest in how they are doing in school and at home. The goal is to help build confidence in the “Little Buddy”, so the child can reach full potential. Volunteer mentors are welcome!

http://youthservicebureau.com. 

• August 12, 2025.  Today’s speaker is Jessica Ward, Airport Manager, Michigan City Municipal Airport.  Jessica is a 17-yr resident of our community. She graduated from WMU with plans to become a commercial pilot but changed her focus and concentrated on a career in Aviation Administration—running an airport.  Jessica told the group that there are 50-60 planes based at the airport. The sale of fuel, for operation of these aircraft, provides a steady source of revenue. Rental cars needed by participants and spectators of the MC Boat races, also provide income. Skydiving is big in Michigan City. There were over 4,500 tandem skydiving jumps at the airport last year.
•  Jessica also talked about the need to lengthen the airport runway from 4,150 feet to 5,000 feet which is required to accommodate jets. Runway expansion has been long desired. The project requires that US 20 be lowered, south of the airport, and two bridges be constructed over it. (Expansion cannot go north due to the presence of endangered species of grass.) All planning steps have been completed. Major design phases have been approved by the FAA and IDOT.  Due to allocation of funds elsewhere by the FAA, since inception, the cost has risen from $18 to $29 million dollars! The FAA will pay 90% when funds are approved. Jessica is hopeful that in 2026 the FAA will greenlight runway expansion and construction can commence.

https://michigancityin.gov/city-departments/municipal-airport/ 

7-29-2025  Program Director, Dan Granquist, introduced Nic Orbovich, Co-Founder of the Michigan City Chamber Music Festival. Nic opened his presentation with a spirited rendition of “Amazing Grace” on his violin. His forty plus years of experience was quite evident in the performance. Nic told of his childhood in a blue collar, steelworker family and the struggle to obtain classical musical instruction. It all worked out. He grew to become a highly acclaimed violinist, Grammy Nominee, and Gramophone Magazine Award Winner. Nic, with his wife, organized the first Music Festival in 2002, attracting renowned musicians from all over the world to perform in Michigan City. Artistic quality is the Priority.

The 2025 Festival OPENS SOON!

August 9 - 17

Five FREE concerts at the First Presbyterian Church

Two FREE concerts for kids one each: Lubeznik Center and MC Library.

Themes center on music from the US and European Countries

Solos and Ensembles 

Performers enjoy associating with the audience 

See www.mccmf.org for more information

The Festival is funded 70% by private donations and 30% by grants. Nic stated grant money has dried up and the future is uncertain.

7-15-2025. Chairman for this week’s meeting Daniel Granquist, introduced today’s speaker Dale Moyer, Vice President South Shore Sailing School.  Dale said the school started over 40 years ago and operates as a not-for -profit organization. Michigan City Area school students can take sailing classes at no cost, due to a grant.  During the summer months classes are 2 weeks long and are from 9 am and noon and 1 pm to 4 pm.  Adult sailing classes are offered Thursday evenings. Prior to taking boats out on the water, students learn the physics of sailing, STEM topics, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) including buoyancy, purpose of various sails, upwind sailing and weather. The club has fifteen boats they use for instruction.  The majority are under 14 ft in length. Students start with the smaller boats and work their way up.  Interested? Check out: www.southshoresailingschool.org.

June 24, 2025. Chairman for this week’s meeting Tim Mellen, introduced today’s speaker, Michele Gustin, Programs and Events Coordinator for Barker Mansion. Michele discussed recent upgrades to the Mansion. New plumbing and HVAC have been installed. Many windows have been restored to their original design. The entire first floor, and portions of other floors were sanded and coated. The three-story grand staircase was stripped and refinished. The front doors to the building were also refurbished and improved. Michele shared with the members that coming in the Summer of 2026, a 1902 Haskell and Barker Box Car will be put on permanent display.  All are welcome to come and see the renovations.

June 17, 2025. Speaker Chairman for this week’s meeting Tom Walma, introduced his 19-year-old grandson, Avery Walma as today’s speaker. Avery has had several different jobs while attending La Porte High School and, in his first year at Arizona State University. Many people may know Avery as the play-by-play person for the LaPorte Slicers.   

Avery presented an impressive sports resume, describing work with several sports related organizations:

· SPORTS OFFICIATING - USA Hockey (375 games), ISHAA Football (Licensed), Pop Warner Football Championships, Baseball – Midwest Travel Championships.

· CAMERA OPERATOR / PRODUCER / GRAPHICS 

ESPN Productions & LTN - Valparaiso, IN & Tempe, AZ

Operate Field Camera for men’s and women’s college sports airing on ESPN+.
• Perform pre-game production set up and post game procedures.
• Provide graphics and instant replay. (Expression and Mira)

• Produced baseball shows on ESPN+

· .COLLEGE GAMEDAY / NOTRE DAME / WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC  

Utility and grip for College Gameday on ESPN

    Tight and Handheld Camera for Notre Dame sports aired on ACC Network

Camera for World Baseball Classic Qualifiers on MLB Network

· NFL MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN – Vikings @ Rams Wildcard Game Avery talked about  his experience as a scoreboard clock and pitch clock operator for the South Bend Cubs. He was able to work as a production person for ESPN when IU played at Notre Dame in the play-offs, describing the experience in terms of the weather and just the large amount of time spent setting up and taking down the production gear. Avery summed up his varied experience as one that is based on industry contacts. If you work hard and people know you are good at what you do, they will seek you out and contact you.  

Program Speaker: 6-10-2025.  Speaker Chairman for this week’s meeting Bill Hazelgrove introduced today’s speaker Mike Noland, President of NICTD.  Mike talked about how the travel time from MC to Chicago can be as fast as 67 minutes now that the dual track has been installed. The average age of the rider is 27/28 years old. Ridership is still below what it was pre-COVID as many businesses are still not requiring employees to come into the office five days a week. He said that the Michigan City Train Station parking structure has been completed. The MC Train Station is on schedule, to be completed by the end of the month. Although the Apartments near the train station are not part of NICTD, it appears that price, quantity and completion dates, will be market driven. Mike also commented on other NICTD projects occurring with the City of Hammond to Dyer (West Lake Project) , South Bend Airport, and New Carlisle. 

 Program Speaker: 6-03-2025. Speaker Chairman for this week’s meeting, Daniel Granquist introduced today’s speaker Richard Lidke from Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Richard provided information on cadets now being trained by the CAP. Cadets range in age from 12–18-year-old. They participate in a wide variety of activities. Last December they placed wreaths on soldiers’ graves. More recently the group went to South Bend’s Airport and received a behind the scenes tour of the facility. On the military side of things, the group also toured Grissom Air Force Base as part of their orientation. Cadets were able to ride on some of the planes at Grissom. Today there are over 60,000 members of the Civil Air Patrol, with forty local. The CAP was created in 1941, with single engine planes patrolling the East Coast of the United States, looking for German submarines or patrol boats. Today the civil air patrol is mainly involved in search and rescue missions as well as disaster relief.  Much of this work is done through a network of over five hundred small planes that can seat between 4 to 8 people. Infrared camera technology is utilized aid them in their searches. 

L to R:   Richard Lidke, CAP,  Dave Bobinski, President Elect.