Be Well - Winter Lights Night Is Here!

By Sara Grassmeyer
Wellness Coordinator

Hello and welcome to one of the first events this holiday season. Winter Lights is going to be an event to remember and a great place to spend time with family and friends. From the Welcome Tent to the local school Art Show, there is something for everyone and plenty of activities for kids and parents. Cookie decorating, craft making, a glimpse of Christmas in 1875 and my very own Wellness Tent will enliven your holiday spirit and increase your heart rate. Speaking of the Wellness Tent: you will be able to challenge your family to a step-off and try some partner fitness activities like trunk rotations. Don’t know what those are? See you in the tent.

Make sure you bring comfy shoes and dress warm, it is bound to be chilly, but as long as you’re MOVING you will be just fine! Jog in place, shuffle from side-to-side, initiate squat contests with a partner, keeping warm is great motivation for movement. Whatever your reasons for fitness, find time (15 minutes at LEAST) every day to increase your heart rate and exercise. 

Sara Grassmeyer, MPH, is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Porter County Parks and Recreation. She leads a variety of wellness programs at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. To learn more, contact her at 219-707-8281, or e-mail sgrassmeyer@porterco.org.

Be Well - Yum-oh!

By Sara Grassmeyer
Wellness Coordinator

What have you eaten today? What about yesterday? How carefully do you track the amount and kinds of food that you feed your body? It is so easy to rush from place to place grabbing food as we go versus taking time to feed our body with nutritious foods. So, you’re in the car, you have screaming kids, you have an appointment in three minutes (you’re at least fifteen minutes away) and everyone is hungry… what are you supposed to do?

The simple answer is to make a plan for what you will eat before you go to the grocery store. Include snacks and beverages in your plan so that you will consistently choose healthier options than when you’re in a hurry. Bringing a piece of fruit and water has the potential to save your daily calorie consumption by at least 500 calories and better prepares you for minor emergencies. Eating high fiber high protein snacks like peanuts, an apple with peanut butter, carrots with hummus or a fiber/protein granola bar can help to make you feel full and stay that way longer.

I challenge you to make a complete menu for every day next week (breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner, dessert and beverages) and make a complete list for when you grocery shop. I wouldn’t be surprised if you shopped more efficiently, felt better prepared for the week and saved some cash.

Enjoy your weekend. 

Sara Grassmeyer, MPH, is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Porter County Parks and Recreation. She leads a variety of wellness programs at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. To learn more, contact her at 219-707-8281, or e-mail sgrassmeyer@porterco.org.

Be Well - Burn Those Calories

By Sara Grassmeyer

Wellness Coordinator

As we embark on another beautiful fall weekend, I urge you to get outside and enjoy the weather (while it lasts). Here’s a simple exercise routine using materials found at your local park. Go at your own pace and check in with your body to ensure you are having a good time, exercising safely and burning calories.

Complete entire circuit (steps 2-8) three times and remember to push yourself!

1.       Warm-up. Start with a light jog/brisk walk around area. Gradually increase the speed and your heart rate (you are able to speak sentences, but feel your breaths increasing).

2.       Squats. Find a park bench, with your knees shoulder width apart and toes facing forward, put your body weight in your heels and lower until you barely feel the bench under your bottom. Repeat 10 times. Make sure you can see your toes the entire time you squat and keep your chest raised.

3.       Lunges. In an open space, perform walking lunges. Keep the front knee bent at a 90^o angle and eyes looking forward. 10 lunges both legs (20 total).

4.       Cardio Break. 20 jumping jacks, modify as necessary (low-impact version: raise your right arm and step out with your right leg, alternate).

5.       Dips. Back to the squat park bench, with your fingers facing forward and bottom on the bench, step out from the bench and lower your body so your elbows are at a 90^o angle. Repeat 10 times. The closer your knees are to your body the easier, try stepping your feet all the way out so your weight is in your heels.

6.       Pushups. Reverse your position on the bench and face your fingers forward. Lower your chest to the bench and push up. Play with your foot position, the further they are from each other, the easier this move will be. For a challenge, stack one foot on top of the other or move your hands in closer together.

7.       Cardio Break. 1 minute football run/fast feet. Challenge yourself; this is the last cardio interval!

8.       Core. Head to the swings, with your elbows on a swing (carefully) step out with your feet and hold a 1-minute plank. For a challenge, stack your feet or try this balanced on one foot. Still need more challenge? Turn that plank on one arm and balance on one elbow and foot.

Enjoy this workout! Email me how you felt and what you did to make this routine personalized for YOU! sgrassmeyer@porterco.org

Sara Grassmeyer, MPH, is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Porter County Parks and Recreation. She leads a variety of wellness programs at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. To learn more, contact her at 219-707-8281, or e-mail sgrassmeyer@porterco.org.

Be Well - Balance

By Sara Grassmeyer
Wellness Coordinator

Balance, a word we hear often. This week, at least for me, has been an interesting test of balance. Whether we are working, exercising, cooking, cleaning, eating, socializing or just relaxing, I think it is important to check in with yourself and make sure your head and heart are where your feet are.

I know we all work and have plenty of daily obligations, but what have you done for just YOU today? Have you made a special lunch, spent an extra few minutes exercising, taken a detour on the way home/to work just to shake things up? During your special moment are you checking things off your list or are you savoring this unique opportunity you have rewarded yourself? In spending a few minutes reflecting on your week, I think you will agree that you need a little “ME time.” Take it. It is only going to make you a better spouse, employee, sibling, friend, relative, person when you allow yourself to spend some time doing something you love or need.

Though these special moments are easier to describe than to actually create, please take time this weekend to celebrate yourself and to help recharge the batteries and support yourself to be the best version of your fantastic self. Once you set aside time this weekend, commit to honor yourself throughout next week. You deserve it.

Be Well.

Sara Grassmeyer, MPH, is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Porter County Parks and Recreation. She leads a variety of wellness programs at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. To learn more, contact her at 219-707-8281, or e-mail sgrassmeyer@porterco.org.

Be Well - A Guide to Healthy Living

By Sara Grassmeyer
Wellness Program Coordinator

Hello Porter County!

My name is Sara Grassmeyer and I am the Wellness Program Coordinator for Porter County Parks and Recreation. I graduated from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2011 with a Master’s Degree in Public Health- Community Health Education. My husband and I moved to beautiful Valparaiso, Indiana from Boulder, Colorado when he started law school at Valparaiso University this fall. We love it here and are having a great time learning the culture and resources available to help us acclimate to an entirely different environment. This blog is designed to help you see what’s new with our programs, introduce you to different forms of exercise in your community and motivate you with tips to help you lose weight, maintain health or BOTH.

This week, I want to invite you to visit choosemyplate.org. This website is an online resource that provides tips on eating well, helps you to understand the resources your body needs on a daily basis and allows you to track your meals to see where your energy balance lies.

Begin your exploration by signing up for an account. Having an account will enable you to enter all of the food you eat every day. Choosemyplate.org analyzes your diet, tells you the nutrients you are lacking/ overindulging and describes the importance of daily food variety. Include information about your physical activity. To lose weight and maintain health it is important to understand a very simple equation: you must expend more calories than you consume. It’s that easy.

So, see where you stand, analyze your diet and consider this tool a friend in your health journey. Both diet and exercise are critical to a healthy lifestyle and I am excited about beginning this journey together.

Love and Health,

Sara

Sara Grassmeyer, MPH, is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Porter County Parks and Recreation. She leads a variety of wellness programs at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, including an Outdoor Circuit, and Nordic Walking, which both take place at Sunset Hill Farm on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. To learn more, contact her at 219-707-8281, or e-mail sgrassmeyer@porterco.org.

Getting to know Horticulturist Matt Brown

Magnolia tree at Brincka Cross Gardens

Matt Brown began working as the horticulturist at Porter County Parks and Recreation earlier this summer. Since then, Brincka Cross Gardens has transformed and improved exponentially. He has spearheaded efforts to clear invasives and reclaim the gardens as some of the most beautiful and unique in the area.

We recently had the chance to talk with him about his efforts. Here are some of his thoughts.

What work have you completed so far at Brincka Cross Gardens?

With the help of our volunteer gardeners we have been able to reclaim much of the original gardens from overgrowth and invasive plants.  These areas include:  the Rhododendron Garden, the Daylily Garden, the Ornamental Grass Garden, The Spring Garden (which contains naturalized hostas, a witch hazel grove, a willow oak,  magnolias, and American Holly trees), as well as much of the Hosta Garden. We also have begun identifying and mapping the flora in the park, and replacing the various plants lost over the years to predation, severe weather, and neglect.

What are your plans for the next year at Brincka Cross Gardens?

Our goal for 2012 is to continue to implement the Brincka Cross Master Plan. This will include continuing to identify and map the flora at the park; restoring, as best we're able, the original gardens; the design and creation of new gardens (Woodland Garden, Fern Garden, Sky Garden, etc.); and the creation of walking paths throughout the park. We also hope to expand our volunteer program with such ideas as adopt-a-garden or possible design-a-garden. Also, we are planning to begin integrating sculpture and other art into the gardens.

What interested you in working with Porter County Parks and Recreation?

Originally my interest in working for the Parks Deptartment was mostly with the restoration and development of Brincka Cross, and the horticultural challenges that presented.  However, since I have been here, I have become very excited about the overall vision for the park system.  And I believe the department has the plan and people to implement that vision. It is fun to be a part of.

What are you most looking forward to next year?

I’m looking forward to working on the Community Garden project at Sunset Hill; and also working with Matt Howton to begin the wetlands restoration at Sunset Hill. But I'm most excited about continuing the restoration and development at Brincka Cross.

What are your overall thoughts on the position and work you are doing so far?

The work at Brincka Cross has been challenging and interesting. Hardly a day goes by I don't see a plant or creature I've never or rarely seen before. I'm often awed by the knowledge, creativity, and  foresight of the original owners of the property must have had to create the landscape here.  The volunteers at Brincka are great - eager, hardworking, and conscientious, and save me many hours of work.  The Park Deptartment staff are also great, easily the most creative, cooperative, and genuinely nice group of people I've worked with. 

Meet our new Wellness Coordinator!

Sara Grassmeyer

Sara Grassmeyer is passionate about spreading health and wellness education throughout the community. As the new Wellness Coordinator at Porter County Parks and Recreation, she has used this enthusiasm to create several new fitness programs that are beginning this in September. 

“I have learned that the community of Valparaiso has an immense amount of pride,” Grassmeyer, a native of Colorado, said. “People love it here and want to see local resources maximized, so it is my job to help highlight the natural beauty and attract people to enjoy their favorite activities, while learning new skills along the way.”  

All of the new wellness programs being offered by Porter County Parks and Recreation are taking place at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Road in Valparaiso. The scenic outdoor environment, combined with exercise that is ideal for any skill level, makes for a unique community resource, Grassmeyer said.

A Sunset Striders program begins on Tuesday, September 20, and takes place every Tuesday and Thursday through Nov. 10 from 4 to 5 p.m. Participants spend an hour walking the various trails at Sunset Hill Farm, enjoying nature while improving their overall fitness.

An Outdoor Circuit focusing on cardiovascular and muscle endurance will take place on Saturdays, Sept. 24 – Nov. 12, from 8 to 9 a.m. at Sunset Hill Farm, and a Nordic Walking class will also be offered on Saturdays, Sept. 24 – Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

All three of these programs are led by Grassmeyer and cost $30 for an entire eight-week session, or $5 per drop-in.

Grassmeyer is a certified American Council on Exercise Group Fitness Instructor. She said people of all skill levels and abilities should feel welcome and comfortable participating in any of the Fall Fitness Programs.

“My vision is to see our wellness programs continue to grow and appeal to all members of the community,” Grassmeyer said. “As an instructor, my goal is to provide the tools and education so that participants are comfortable taking my ideas and transforming them into what works for them.”

For more information, or to register, contact Sara Grassmeyer at 219-707-8281, or sgrassmeyer@porterco.org.

News from Porter County Parks and Recreation

Check out our latest newsletter! http://conta.cc/rsZvgV

Writing Workshop: Nurture, Heal and Inspire

Porter County Parks and Recreation is again teaming up with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts to offer a program at Brincka Cross Gardens.   Take time to nurture yourself. Come write in a beautiful setting where writers are safe, supported and stimulated. Using the Amherst Writers and Artists Method, and guided by trained workshop leader Jo Pilecki, participants will write together, then share and respond gently to new work. This workshop will take place in the unique tranquility of Brincka Cross Gardens over the course of four sessions - Monday August 1, Monday August 8, Monday August 15 and Monday, August 22. The cost for the entire workshop is $80 ($20 per session). Space is limited. Register with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts at 219-874-4900, or e-mail jbloch@lubeznikcenter.org.​

Camp FUNset heads into second half of summer

Campers enjoy a debris hut they built at Wilderness Camp

By Charlie Cross
Camp FUNset Counselor
The first three weeks at Camp FUNset went great! The kids had fun and made new friends while remaining safe and continuing to learn about nature, art, and building friendships. Along with the campers, this has been a learning experience for the counselors . Parents have been very positive about the program, and every week the camp improves. There are three camps left for the summer, and they will provide an experience great enough to build long lasting memories.

Gardening Days at Brincka Cross Gardens

During the past year, Brincka Cross Gardens has begun to undergo a transformation. Our maintenance staff has been working hard to clear invasive growth from the gorgeous gardens that were planted and cared for by the original owners, William Brincka and Basil Cross, and our recreation staff has been working equally hard to develop new programs that the public can enjoy.

Gardening Days at Brincka Cross Gardens has been one such program that has given people who love to garden a unique chance to practice their passion. And anyone who is interested is welcome to attend!

your favorite gloves and and join us in beautifying gardens and grounds within the property.

This is a great way to fulfill service hours, or simply do what you love in a beautiful setting. Wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes and extra gloves will be available. These Gardening Days will take place on Fridays, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 9 to 11 a.m.

For more information, contact Gayle O'Connor at 219-548-0219, or goconnor@porterco.org.

Camp FUNset Sing-A-Long!

Check out our musically talented camp counselor, Big E, as he leads a spirited rendition of "If I Had a Hammer" at Wilderness Camp!

Camp FUNset Nature Rangers a success!

By Charlie Cross

Charlie and a Nature Rangers camper.

Camp FUNset Counselor

We wrapped up the first week at Camp FUNset this past Thursday, and it was a huge success! The kids had a blast, and learned a great deal about nature, science, and making new friends. The Camp staff is continuously working to find ways to further improve new friendships between the kids, and the children’s overall experience at Sunset Hill. This week was a great kickoff for the remainder of Camp FUNset summer camps!

Botanical Art Workshop Q and A



The Botanical Art Workshop will give artists the chance to capture the beauty of Brincka Cross Gardens.

This weekend marks the first of what we hope will be many collaborations between Porter County Parks and Recreation and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, a gallery and education center in Michigan City. We are teaming with the Lubeznik Center to bring renowned artist and illustrator Olivia Petrides to Brincka Cross Gardens for a Botanical Art Workshop on Saturday, June 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Spots are still available. Call 219-874-4900 or e-mail jbloch@lubeznikcenter.org to reserve a spot. The cost is $125.

This workshop is designed for students of all skill levels. Olivia will demonstrate how to capture the details and defining characteristics of plants in pencil and watercolor. We are very excited to be hosting this event, and we recently talked with Janet Bloch, the Lubeznik Center Education Coordinator, about this unique opportunity.

How long has Olivia Petrides been involved at the Lubeznik Center?

This is a new opportunity for residents and visitors to this area. I have known Olivia Petrides' artwork  for a number of years. It  is stunning and is represented in many museum collections. She lives in Chicago and has taught at the School of the Art Institute for 20 years.  I would not have been able to entice her out this way to teach just any class. It had to be a unique situation and one that had real appeal for her. The ability to hold the class in the Brincka Cross Gardens fit that bill because it is home to hundreds of species of plants, including some very rare ones. She was the first person I thought of when the Lubeznik Center for the Arts was asked to design some classes for the Porter County Parks and Recreation.

What makes Olivia such a great fit for leading the Botanical Art Workshop?

In addition to being a fine artist and educator, Olivia is a professional botanical illustrator. She has illustrated two of the Petersen's field guides to trees and her father wrote the text for them.  She understands how to capture the detailed qualities of  unique plant species and she is an excellent and experienced teacher. Who could be better?

What can students expect from this workshop?

Students can expect specific instruction in drawing techniques and the application of watercolor, personal attention  and honest gentle feedback from a woman who loves to teach and who loves and appreciates the nuances of nature.

What has drawn the Lubeznik Center to Brincka Cross Gardens and collaborating with Porter County Parks and Recreation to deliver programs there?

The Lubeznik Center for the Arts shared a great relationship and history with Bill Brincka and Basil Cross, the couple who donated the property to the Porter County. We have a gallery dedicated with their names at the Art Center. We are also the premier institution in this region for providing excellent art education to adults and children.

Renowned artist to teach class at Brincka Cross Gardens



Brincka Cross Gardens will be the site of a Botanical Art Workshop June 18

When Porter County Parks and Recreation acquired Brincka Cross Gardens, two major goals were to offer art instruction and promote nature appreciation.

The property, located at 427 East Furness Road in Pine Township, was owned and developed by an artist with a passion for gardening, and an emphasis was placed on continuing his legacy.

William Brincka, a professor at the Art Institute of Chicago for more than 30 years, purchased the land in the late 1960s. He and his longtime companion, Basil Cross, nurtured the 25 acres for more than 40 years. Brincka passed away in 2001, and Cross died in 2006. They left behind 400 types of hostas and 450 varieties of daffodils, and a host of other plant varieties.

Porter County Parks and Recreation is now working to make Brincka Cross Gardens a place for artists to study and develop their craft in a setting that supports creativity. The Lubeznik Center for the Arts, a gallery and education center in Michigan City, has joined in this cause as well.

The first program these organizations will collaborate on at Brincka Cross Gardens will take place on Saturday, June 18, when artist and illustrator Olivia Petrides visits the gardens to lead a Botanical Art Workshop.

Petrides is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Painting and Drawing Department and the Visual Communications Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her art has been exhibited at museums and shows throughout the country, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

The one-day intensive Botanical Art Workshop offers the unique opportunity to work with Petrides, who has illustrated two guides to trees in the classic Peterson Field Guide Series. She has also traveled around the world to depict caves, volcanoes, lava flows, geysers, icebergs, glaciers and the aurora borealis in her art.

“A leaf is a small thing, but taking the time to study its minute structures is a meditation on how profoundly complex the natural world is,” Petrides said. “The objective of this workshop is to observe, compare and contrast the details of the botanical world:  to learn how to portray a botanical specimen on paper in pencil and paint, to recognize what the elements of good composition are, and to become familiar with the basics of watercolor.”

The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is designed for students of all skill levels. Students will be instructed on how to capture the details and defining characteristics of plants in pencil and watercolor. The cost is $125. To register, contact the Lubeznik Center for the Arts at 219-874-4900, or e-mail jbloch@lubeznikcenter.org.

The Lubeznik Center for the Arts will also offer a Writing Workshop at Brincka Cross Gardens during the first four Mondays of August. For more information on this and other programs, visit the Porter County Parks and Recreation Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pcparksandrec, call 219-465-3586, or e-mail pcparks@porterco.org.

Camp FUNset kick-off video!

Check out the first of what will definitely be many videos about Camp FUNset! This camp is off to a great start. Our campers are excited, our counselors are awesome. We have been waiting for summer and it is finally here! 

Camp FUNset kicks off!



Charlie and Corie play games with their campers.

By Charlie Cross
Camp FUNset Counselor
Monday was opening day for Camp FUNset! It went very smoothly, and I believe the kids really enjoyed themselves and made new friends, and that’s what this is all about. This was a new experience for almost every camp counselor, but I think everything went extremely well nonetheless. We are all constantly working on new ways to improve camp and new ideas to keep the kids involved, enthusiastic, and educated.  If Camp FUNset continues to improve and progress the way we intend it to, this should be a great Summer!

Porter County Parks and Recreation is ready to share its world!

This is the first post for the new Porter County Parks and Recreation blog! We are committed to delivering youth, adult and school programs, while also providing a gateway into the natural beauty of our area through its unique parks and trails.

Our mission is to preserve, protect and manage the natural, cultural and recreational resources within a diverse park system. We will be sharing lots of stories about how we accomplish that mission right here on this blog. We hope you enjoy reading about all of the great things we have to offer. We want to inspire everyone to enjoy the outdoors and the amazing public lands that are available to them.