• October 13, 2012
    • Hometown Heroes
    • by Mr. Leather
    • With the passing of football legend and Gary, Indiana native Alex Karras on Wednesday, we lost one of our true hometown heroes. This got us thinking, who are the Region’s greatest sports icons? Here’s our list. #5Alex KarrasHometown ... [more]
    • May 11, 2012
    • The Surfaholics
    • by Mr. Leather
    • My time growing up in the rural hills of upstate New York’s Hudson Valley, with its endless cow pastures and polluted industrial riverside, didn't exactly resemble life in "Surf City, USA.” But for at least one summer during ... [more]
    • January 16, 2012
    • A man's home is his castle
    • by Paul Benninghoff
    • Once upon a time, in a castle … Well, right down the street from me, actually. A castle in The Region’s backyard. Let me explain. There’s a Jacobethan revival-style castle in Dyer that sits on an old sand dune ... [more]
    • January 1, 2012
    • Ramblin' Rec: Unsalted
    • by Mr. Leather
    • As I watched the snow falling and the listened to the wind howling outside while making my coffee this morning, a thought occurred to me: Somewhere on Lake Michigan right now somebody is surfing. I know this because back in ... [more]
    • November 8, 2011
    • Push-button expressionism
    • by Rod J. Eckrich
    • While the Region Rambler staff and I drove together to a local eatery last year for a meeting, I noticed a car with a handmade bumper sticker sporting a website address: Rereadapoem.com. It was direct and piqued my interest ... [more]
    • September 20, 2011
    • A swap meet for the creative set
    • by Paul Benninghoff
    • Nestled in Highland’s small downtown is a little store with grand ambitions. The Hoosier Highlander provides supplies and framing for local artists and collectors, but it reaches beyond its role as a seller of goods and services. It’s ... [more]
    • June 16, 2011
    • Swivel your hips to this
    • by Rod J. Eckrich
    • People who have the ability to dance amaze me because it is something I’m so terrible at. I can't even slow dance. One of my moves was dubbed the Twirp, and another is reminiscent of the Frankenstein monster ... [more]
    • January 10, 2011
    • A Turf of Their Own
    • by Rod J. Eckrich
    • As a kid, I was a huge skateboarding poseur. My interest in the sport was genuine, but I totally faked the funk when it came to my abilities. I didn't even have a real skateboard for cool tricks. Instead ... [more]
    • December 3, 2010
    • The Gift That Keeps On Giving
    • by Mr. Leather
    • That buzz growing over the local airwaves for the last few months? It’s the sound of two men flying around the sun, going boldly where no man has gone before (where few have dared), and in the process, providing ... [more]
    • November 28, 2010
    • Movement Over Matter
    • by Rod J. Eckrich
    • While living in Chicago, I would pass by parks and see tai chi in action – people moving slowly and gracefully. It looked interesting. But it struck me as yet another practice you find in the city but not in surburbia ... [more]
    • November 27, 2010
    • Bon Voyage, 18th Century
    • by Paul Benninghoff
    • The year is 1750. Swamps and woods dominate the landscape, and clusters of sand dunes form Lake Michigan’s ancient shoreline. French voyageurs—fur trappers and traders—trek across the local Indian trails and sail the lake and waterways. A ... [more]
    • October 12, 2010
    • Rising Above the Everyday
    • by Jolene Hanchar
    • One of the best things about writing for this website is the good excuse it gives me to dig a little deeper into some curiosity that’s drawn my attention for years.One such curiosity is the “Yesterday & Today for ... [more]
    • September 22, 2010
    • Here Be Monsters!
    • by Rod J. Eckrich
    • Deep in the dungeons of Highland lies a world drenched in blood and gore and inhabited by monsters, mutants and skeletons. It might sound gruesome to the squeamish, but it's all in good fun. Special effects today are predominantly ... [more]
    • September 22, 2010
    • A Sixth Sense For Investigation
    • by Paul Benninghoff
    • The Region is steeped in colorful history. And, according to a local group fascinated with otherworldly phenomena, it is fraught with the mysterious. The area is home to numerous haunted sites, including homes, businesses and, not too surprisingly, cemeteries. That ... [more]
    • September 22, 2010
    • Strum Together!
    • by Rod J. Eckrich
    • For Shirley Novak, it began with an ad. Shirley grew up surrounded by music, so the blurb in the newspaper about evening ukulele classes piqued her interest. She and her husband decided to give them a whirl, and a musical ... [more]
    • September 22, 2010
    • Gettin' Stoked for Winter!
    • by Bob Shields
    • While backpacking through Southeast Asia last year, I ended up on the southern beaches of Bali. With my background in skateboarding and my love of the ocean, I grabbed a 9-foot surfboard and a quick lesson and rode my first ... [more]
    • September 22, 2010
    • Back to 2300 Jackson St.
    • by Rod J. Eckrich
    • The sight of dancing zombies and the metamorphosis of an emerging superstar into a werewolf made it difficult for a boy growing up in The Region in the 1980s to remember Michael Jackson was at one time a Gary kid ... [more]
Daily Rambles

Jan 19 @ 15:00p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Well, the Region has had SOME snow. How much more do you think we will get this winter?

Jan 01 @ 20:39p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Happy New Year! Our calendar will be updated for 2012 shortly. If you would like your event on our calendar, let us know!

Dec 21 @ 18:48p.m.

Mr. Leather Hard to believe the Rambler has been rambling for over a year now. Someone really ought to shut 'em up. Thanks to our amazing staff of crazy people for being so dedicated. And thanks to all of you out there taking the time to follow our whims. Happy holidays to all and to all a good night.

Nov 29 @ 12:23p.m.

Paul Benninghoff The holidays are upon us like a lion on a gazelle. Season’s Greetings!

Oct 18 @ 21:44p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Local producer and director Paul Nelson, known for such documentaries as “Twist on Tradition: The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra”, “Haunts & Legends of Indiana: Vol. 1”, “Dyer, IN: Roots, Reflections and the Road Ahead” and “Greeting from Cedar Lake” will have his newest documentary, “Brotherhood of Bags; Cornholing America” airing at 8:30pm, Thursday the 20th on Lakeshore Public Television. Check it out!

Oct 07 @ 00:53a.m.

Paul Benninghoff As of September 25th, the Region Rambler became one year old... Happy Birthday to us!

Sep 09 @ 18:08p.m.

Paul Benninghoff School has started in the Region. Slow down in the school zones and watch for children!

Aug 02 @ 11:34a.m.

Paul Benninghoff You know you're on Facebook too much when you go to click "LIKE" on a Ramble. Duh!

Jul 30 @ 18:10p.m.

Mr. Leather Nothing quite says summer in the Region like Nomad Planets at Pierogi Fest playing a polka medley of Zeppelin classics. Brilliant. Last night was a treat, and now it's on to Beatles Fest in downtown Hammond to see Bunkertown and Josh McCormack give the fab four hell.

Jul 04 @ 20:18p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Jun 22 @ 23:09p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Today, June 22nd, was the 83rd Anniversary of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train wreck that took place here in the Region, which resulted in roughly 86 deaths and 127 injuries. We will be featuring a story on this tragedy in it in the near future.

Jun 11 @ 11:08a.m.

Paul Benninghoff It's summer time. What to do? I know... I'll check the Region Rambler calendar!

Jun 04 @ 13:25p.m.

Mr. Leather Tonight is one hell of a hootenany in the Region for those who are musically inclined: The Surfaholics at The Zombie Club in Crown Point, Nomad Planets at Beer Geeks in Schererville, and our old friend Steve Munoz at Finnegan's in Dyer. What's a guy to do? Guess I gotta do 'em all.

Apr 06 @ 12:22p.m.

Jolene Hanchar Thanks again to Kara L. Dokupil of Lowell for our March photo of the month, "Toss Me a Piece of Candy Mister” shot at the Lowell Labor Day Parade, 2010! Thanks also to Amanda O'Donnell of Merrillville for sharing her photo of Chloe with us for April's photo. Please keep sending us your shots from around The Region!

Mar 24 @ 09:08a.m.

Paul Benninghoff Is headed to Paul Henry's Art Gallery in Hammond for some accoustic music tonight, around 7ish. Who's in? If not today, they have it every Thursday!

Mar 19 @ 13:21p.m.

Paul Benninghoff I had a great time at the Maple Tapping located at Deep River County Park! Got myself some syrup and maple candy.

Mar 13 @ 12:00p.m.

Paul Benninghoff …is participating in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. If you or anyone you may know wish to become a sponsor please visit my site at http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/participantid/447224 The event will be held on Sunday, March 20th 1 pm at The Quest Eatery & Spirits 204 West Lincoln Highway Schererville, IN 46375 Come out and show your support! Thank you!

Mar 02 @ 23:04p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Get ready... Maple Tapping is this month at Deep River County Park. Check out our calender for details!

Feb 19 @ 19:09p.m.

Mr. Leather Impromptu gathering of Ramblers tonight at Beer Geeks in Highland. A little conversation, a lengthly beer list, and some rock 'n' roll from our friends Nomad Planets should make for a nice night. Join us…

Feb 14 @ 21:43p.m.

Mr. Leather Okay, my 4 for Valentines… Let's Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits - Magnetic Fields. Mr. Superlove - The Afghan Whigs. In The Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra. Skulls - The Misfits.

Feb 14 @ 18:01p.m.

Rod J. Eckrich A quick 4 for Valentine's Day... 1. Guns N Roses- Think About You 2. The Murmaids- Popsicles and Icicles 3. Petula Clark- Call Me 4. Astrud Gilberto- So Nice (Summer Samba)

Feb 10 @ 19:10p.m.

Jolene Hanchar Loves that the office building across from the fountain on Hohman Avenue in Hammond (same building as Blue Room Cafe) has an old fashioned elevator, complete with an elevator attendant on staff. I kind of felt like I was in the movie Thoroughly Modern Millie and thought I might have to begin tap dancing to get the thing going.

Jan 26 @ 23:15p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Hey Region! Thursday night, January 27th, will be a great night. Plenty to do… There will be the opening reception for Sophia Rapata: Surreal Vision of the Human Growth Curve at The Blue Room Café, 5246 Hohman Avenue Hammond, IN from 4 pm to 6:30 pm. Nearby, Paul Henry's Art Gallery will be hosting the Acoustic Jam/Potluck located at 416 Sibley Street Hammond, IN 7-10:30pm… More of Sophia Rapata’s work will be displayed there. Or from 7 pm to 9 pm you can come to the Mellow Brew Cheesecake House, 1060 Joliet Street (Route 30) in Dyer, IN for the Socrates Café discussion group. I’ll be at the Surreal Vision of the Human Growth Curve ealy and then facilitating the Socrates Café. If time allows I will head to Paul Henry’s Art Gallery to catch the last of the Acoustic Jam. It's going to be a great night... Hope to see some Regionites there!

Jan 18 @ 19:27p.m.

Moxie Madchen There are words in a lovely Sarah Harmer song that remind me of my dereliction of duty: "I haven't even walked my block since I moved out here years ago." I moved in late December, and I keep meaning to take a walk around the neighborhood. It's an eye opener, truly, the small things you pick up on when you take a walk somewhere instead of buzzing past in your car.

Jan 06 @ 07:49a.m.

Paul Benninghoff ...is headed to the Paul Henry’s Art Gallery tonight for the 17TH ACOUSTIC JAM/OPEN TABLE POTLUCK, 7 pm – 11 pm. $5.00 to get in, $3.00 if you bring something for the potluck. Come and see some of the great talent the Region has to offer! This event is held every Thursday night, so if you can’t make it tonight there is always next week and the week after that and the week after that and the week after that…. For directions or more info, please call 219-678-5015 Paul Henry’s Art Gallery 416 Sibley Street Hammond, IN

Jan 04 @ 18:55p.m.

Rod J. Eckrich Local libraries have a decent selection of movies to rent...

Jan 04 @ 18:44p.m.

Jolene Hanchar Mmm... I think Three Floyds might have the best grilled cheese sandwich in The Region. Their beer ain't too bad either. Time for a nap.

Jan 02 @ 16:07p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Ha ha! Mr. Leather said ,"Snazzy."

Jan 02 @ 01:56a.m.

Mr. Leather With a New Year comes new content … or at least some content that had been unavailable due to technical difficulties. Check out Mike Lukich’s latest installment of Goodwill Hunting in the Spare Parts section. And have a snazzy New Year!

Jan 01 @ 13:07p.m.

Paul Benninghoff has posted some new events in the calendar. Check them out!

Jan 01 @ 12:19p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Happy New Year!

Jan 01 @ 12:19p.m.

Paul Benninghoff is working on some new articles for the website. Stay tuned....

Dec 04 @ 12:57p.m.

Mr. Leather The one thing that is keeping the snow from getting me down today is knowing that Mark Anderson was gracious enough to give The Rambler a drawing worthy of the New Yorker. Check it out and read all about Flying Aorund the Sun. Thanks Mark, you made my day.

Dec 03 @ 23:46p.m.

Jolene Hanchar Thanks again Mark Anderson for the beautiful illustration you did for the Flying Around the Sun interview!

Dec 03 @ 18:53p.m.

Moxie Madchen I can see my breath. I have to run my car idle for longer than five seconds to vanquish the frost. There's no turning back now. Winter is settling in, kicking up its feet and asking for a beer. Aside from the frozen nostril hairs, the biting wind and the Slip 'N' Slide roads that are to come, I, errr, don't mind it. We live in a place where seasons change. Noticeably change. Bare limbs stretch across a crisp blue sky. Blankets of snow silence the night. The land is drained of color. The starkness -- is beautiful.

Nov 30 @ 18:54p.m.

Moxie Madchen Bought groceries about a week ago from the Produce Depot in Dyer. It's in the old Jewel building across from St. Margaret Mercy. Loads of produce, including organic, and friendly people. For $15, I netted loads of veggies. Fiber! Phytochemicals! Let's give it up for photosynthesis! Ah, I feel a few years have been tacked on to my life. More time for the bucket list.

Nov 18 @ 20:36p.m.

Jolene Hanchar Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Visit the YOU page and tell us what YOU think are the best Thanksgiving Day foods.

Nov 04 @ 19:58p.m.

Jolene Hanchar Please enjoy our November Photo of the Month by Jennifer Cannedy of Dyer, IN. Please keep sending us your photos for your chance to have your work featured on our front page. Photos received by November 15 will be considered for the December Photo of the Month. Also, I apologize for the late posting of the November photo, we hit a technical snag.

Nov 04 @ 08:32a.m.

Mr. Leather NW Indiana is sending some of its top musical talent to the Abbey Pub tonight. If you're in Chicago tonight check out Lynxwail and Josh McCormack. I'll be there.

Oct 26 @ 16:40p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Come in costume to the Mellow Brew Halloween Bash, Saturday October 30th, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm. There will be snacks, games, horror films, prize for best costume, and at 8:00 I will be giving a Paranormal Presentation! Mellow Brew Cheesecake House is located at 1060 Joliet Street (route 30) in Dyer.

Oct 26 @ 16:33p.m.

Paul Benninghoff Tune into WJOB, 1230 AM from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, for the Hey Harlow radio show on Thursday, October 28th. I’ll be on air, talking about ghost hunting and investigating the paranormal!

Oct 23 @ 11:07a.m.

Paul Benninghoff , Paul Benninghoff, Paul Benninghoff... Seriously, who does this guy think he is!?

Oct 21 @ 10:34a.m.

Paul Benninghoff will be attending the 7TH FULL ACOUSTIC JAM/OPEN TABLE POTLUCK tonight and every Thursday night at the Paul Henry Gallery, 7:00pm – 11:00pm. It's a great time! Bring food for the potluck and get $2 off of the $5 cover charge. Paul Henry's Art Gallery 416 Sibley Hammond, IN For more information you can call the gallery (219) 678-5015

Oct 19 @ 16:58p.m.

Paul Benninghoff recommends the Ann Singer: a Tribute exhibit at the Steeple Gallery, on display now through November 31st. For gallery hours and location visit http://thesteeplegallery.com

Oct 18 @ 21:34p.m.

Paul Benninghoff is busy writing at a local coffee shop. "Tappettytappettytap", goes the laptop.

Oct 17 @ 19:15p.m.

Jolene Hanchar A very annoying need for a new washer and drier resulted in a very pleasant shopping experience at Tom's Maytag in downtown Highland. Their prices were comparable, or better if you include their warranty, than the big guys, and if they break, I know I can call them and speak with a real live human being to get them fixed. That alone makes it worthwhile. Shop local small businesses folks!

Oct 12 @ 12:17p.m.

Jolene Hanchar The Region Rambler is now on Twitter! Be the first to know when new stories are posted to the site. http://twitter.com/RegionRambler

Oct 09 @ 23:02p.m.

Mr. Leather Inspiring performances tonight at the Local Music Showcase hosted by John Carpenter at the Towle Theatre. The Region is really lucky to have so much talent.

Oct 09 @ 00:38a.m.

Paul Benninghoff had a great time at the Conway Observatory. The people were great. I saw stars and planets and moons and comets and satellites and nebulas....

Oct 08 @ 00:07a.m.

Paul Benninghoff The Conway Observatory, just southeast of Lowell, is open to the public Friday the 8th and Saturday the 9th of October, 8:00pm – 11:00pm. I plan to be there Friday. Here is their website for more information if anyone wants to go. http://casonline.org/Conway-Observatory.html

Oct 07 @ 20:46p.m.

Mr. Leather Settling down to listen to my favorite local radio show. Tune into 1230 AM WJOB to listen to Flying Around the Sun tonight for an interview with the amazing John Carpenter.

Oct 05 @ 19:12p.m.

Mr. Leather The Ramblers are meeting in their secret lair, plotting their next scheme.

Oct 05 @ 18:31p.m.

Jolene Hanchar Tom Kha Goong soup from Exotic Thai Cuisine = temporary relief from this nasty cold. The thai fried rice was quite good too. Check 'em out!

Oct 02 @ 14:57p.m.

Rod J. Eckrich I'm looking for bands to submit their music, preferably instrumental, for use in videos I'm working on that will be posted to the site. Contact me at rodjeckrich@regionrambler.com

Oct 01 @ 17:46p.m.

Jolene Hanchar Hey folks, send us your photos! Photos received by October 15 will be considered for the November 1 Photo of the Month. Not only will you have your photo posted on the front page of the Region Rambler for the month of November, this month we will also send the winner a Region Rambler t-shirt.

Sep 29 @ 19:22p.m.

Mr. Leather Less than a week since our launch and already we have our first submission for a music review. And you know what? It rules. May take a week or two to find the time to write a review, but Black Wyrm Seed is in rotation.

Sep 27 @ 23:15p.m.

Nathan Matteson And so the first round of bug fixes begins...

Sep 27 @ 07:46a.m.

Mr. Leather We’re so excited about this site we can hardly contain ourselves. And there’s far more to come so keep following. What we need now is your feedback. How does it look? Are you finding what you’re looking for? What are we missing? Do you have suggestions? Send them to us at feedback@regionrambler.com. It may take us a little while to respond or to get all the bugs worked out, but your feedback will not be ignored. We can promise that much. Thanks for visiting.

Sep 26 @ 02:18a.m.

Jolene Hanchar Just got home from the Region Rambler site launch party. Great time, amazing performers! Thanks to everyone that helped make it happen. Sleep...