Meet the Ramblers

The Region Rambler staff is a small group of dedicated volunteers who love The Region and all of its dirty little secrets. This ragtag group of underdogs consists of…

Mr. Leather swore he would never get roped into this sort of thing again, but by the time he figured out that it was indeed this sort of thing, he had most definitely been roped in. This is not his first rodeo. After years of working in the publishing industry, first in in Knoxville, TN and then in Chicago, he has recently been spotted working as a graphic designer at the University of Chicago and teaching classes at Loyola University. He would rather be watching baseball or playing the drums. He is tired. No, really, he loves all the adventures his wife drags him into.

Moxie has numerous photos from amusement parks slipped into a memory board in her apartment. You know, those slightly pixelated shots a camera snaps as you whiz by on a roller coaster or log ride. She’s happy to report that her face is not contorted in fear in any of the photos. In fact, she’s juiced. She’s soaking in the manic energy and grinning like a madwoman. Life can be like that. Be grateful for all of it. Every bit. And get to know your home. You might be surprised by the revelations that await you.

Born from a bloodline that had never before lived in The Region, Bob is a first generation Regionite. The influence of Chicago and the unique way of living in The Region was new to his family. Bob has embraced The Region whole heartedly and strives to find the positive within it. The unique history and tangled yarns of years past enthralls him to no end, and he wishes to share this experience with you.

Born in Hammond, reared in Highland, attended High School at Munster, Charissa embodies the stories many tell. Highland Department Store, penny candy after school at the Custard Shop, trains smashing quarters on the railroad tracks, Charissa’s awareness of how unique our little corner of the world is, surpasses most. She has signed on to share that with you.

When you’ve been around the world like I have and sampled some of the finest cuisines, you get hooked. When I am back home living my regular life, sometimes I need a fix. Not the casual food offered at a regular chain store, I am talking about the good stuff. There are many more of us here in The Region than most will admit, and my intent is to share the good corners with you. I am going to tell you where the good, no I mean great, food is, and why it is so great. I encourage you to share the same places with me, so I can check them out and share it with all the street food junkies (and fine dining junkies) of The Region here on The Region Rambler.

Jolene grew up in Hammond, and besides a short stint in Chicago, has lived in The Region all of her life. After years of hearing people complain that there's nothing going on in Northwest Indiana—yet somehow never being bored herself—she decided it's about time to show everyone that our home is in fact rich in history, interesting people and unique things to do. Hence this website. She currently resides in Munster with her husband, two dogs and one cat. She keeps busy bird watching, reading, knitting, sewing and partaking in whatever other hobby-of-the-week arises.

Aspiring Renaissance man, a.k.a. work-at-home graphic designer dad who somehow finds time to write stuff and play in a band (Hølas). He also enjoys fine coffee and making ambitious lists of things that he will probably never do. His dishwashing skills are legendary. He is a master of the heavy sigh. In an alternate universe, he might be a billionaire leader of an elite team of international superheroes and/or living on a fjord in Iceland. His writing stuff includes his twin blogs: mikelukich.blogspot.com and 90rock.blogspot.com. The latter one is an autobiographical analysis of 1990’s music. His original fiction is slowly beginning to materialize. He lives in Hammond with his wife and daughter.

Nate is our savior. Without him we would be merely an idea, or worse, a poorly coded mess. ['Unfortunately, you're still poorly-coded, just not a mess!']

Sarah Peterson is the latest to join our band of merry Ramblers. We’re glad she did.

Paul Anthony Benninghoff is currently enrolled in the Elementary Education program at Purdue Calumet. Through South Suburban College he earned an Associate Degree in the Arts and an Associate Degree in the Fine Arts. In addition to his schooling Paul is a member of the Dyer Historical Society and the Paranormal Society of Indiana. He is facilitator of Socrates Café in northwest Indiana and facilitator of the Northwest Indiana Artist Support Group. Paul is also the published author of the book “Dyer”.

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