Laura's Blog

Here's some nostalgia for you on this Back to School week (for many, not all... lots of Region students went back last week).


[Photo -- Smithsonian]

Crayola Crayons were invented in 1903 by cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith, founders of the Binney & Smith Co. of Easton, Pennsylvania.  They used paraffin wax and nontoxic pigments to produce a coloring stick that was safe, sturdy and affordable. "Crayola” was coined by Binney’s wife Alice, a former school teacher. The word was derived from "craie," French for "chalk," and "oleaginous" or "oily."

The Crayola set for "young artists" in this photo was one of the earliest produced, and the 28 colors it contained included celestial blue, golden ochre, rose pink and burnt sienna.

Colors that have since been retired include Orange Red, Orange Yellow, Violet Blue, and Raw Umber (sort of a dark brownish-reddish clayish earthy color).

This set is one of 137 million items in the Smithsonian Institute's collection and is currently on display in the National Museum of American History. To learn more about this item, you can visit the National Museum of American History website .

Also... new info at Animal Corner and Green Zone here at my Blog area of the website --lw

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Green Zone

From Lake County Master Gardeners Association, Inc.:

Open to the public and free of charge, the LCMGA Speaker’s Bureau begins a new garden series at Tri Town Safety Village meeting room in Schererville the second Tuesday each month from September to April at 3 pm to 4 pm on seasonal garden topics. Tri Town Safety Village is located at 1350 Eagle Ridge Drive, Schererville, IN.  The series is offered in cooperation with Bill Jarvis, Executive Director of Tri Town. Check the schedule below, and plan to attend one or more of the meetings to increase gardening knowledge. Programs are subject to change. Check the Lake County Master Gardener Association website for updates at  http://lakenetnwi.org/member/lcmastergardeners/index.html.  For information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The LCMGA Speaker’s Bureau provides educational speakers free of charge to garden clubs, libraries and community groups. To obtain a list of speakers and topics, contact Purdue Cooperative Extension Office at (219) 755-3240

Tuesday, September 11:  Bulbs. Jennifer & Bill Tobin

Tuesday, October 9:  Putting Your Beds to Bed, Dolly Foster

Tuesday, November 13:  Houseplants 101, Linda Knoll

Tuesday, December 11:  Winter Sowing, Victoria Jostes

Tuesday, January 8:  Gardening Through the Ages, A History of Plants, Sherry Kubiak

Tuesday, February 12:  Roses: History and Symbolism, Susan Radovich

Tuesday, March 12:  Organic Vegetable Gardening, Bill Tobin

Tuesday, April 9:  Landscaping with Native Plants for Four Seasons of Color, Kathy Kick



MG Dian Fruth discusses hummingbird habits at the Lowell Public Library [photo provided]

Laura's Blog

We'll be at Portage High School this Saturday (August 11) from 9am to noon for a big collection event and gas can exchange for Porter County residents. The gas cans, courtesy of Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC), are available one-per-vehicle, in exchange for an old one, while supplies last.  Lake Michigan District Household Waste Collection crews will be there from 9am to 2pm collecting household hazardous waste from Porter County residents -- the list of things to bring includes all sorts of things, from aerosols to expired/unused medications, cleaning fluids, nail polish, fluorescent tubes and bulbs (because they contain mercury), and lots more.

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Laura's Blog

Portage Fire crews and NIPSCO responded to a major gas leak that shut down Willowcreek Road just south of US 6 around 11-o'clock this [Tuesday] morning.  It's in the area of the Porter County North County Government Annex and the Porter Portage Hospital campus.  Portage fire Chief Tom Fieffer had this update says the Porter County - North County Annex has been closed for the remainder of the day, but the Porter Portage Hospital campus is still open, but to access it, Chief Fieffer advises using 700-north to Willowcreek.

Rick Calinski with NIPSCO says a six-inch line was hit.  No information available at this hour on how. Crews got the call about 11 am.

The audio from my interviews with Chief Fieffer and Calinski is here at my blog  --lw

Laura's Blog

Ceremony is Saturday of Memorial Day weekend... hear the interview online here at my blog --Laura

In Westville, this weekend, Marines whose lives were saved by the actions of a fellow Marine from Michigan City will meet for the first time since a deadly explosion in a foxhole in South Vietnam more than forty years ago.

Steve “Swanney” Swanson says Danny Bruce and three fellow Marines were in a foxhole when Bruce caught an explosive device and gave his life to keep the others safe. Swanson also says Bruce's wife gave birth to their first child the very next day.  Swanson has put numerous hours into honoring Danny Bruce, who received the Medal of Honor for his act of courage.  Swanson tells us one of the Marines has since passed away, but the Marine's daughter is scheduled to come.  The ceremony honoring Danny Bruce is Saturday May 26th, 10 am at  Prairie Meadow Park in Westville, corner of US 6 and 421, in conjunction with the Birchfield Foundation Softball Tournament, which is named after local hero Josh Birchfield, who lost his life in Afghanistan fighting for our country.

There's much more from my interview with Swanson here at the audio player at my blog.