2014 was a tremendous year for the Ideas in Motion Media team and it definitely showed on PortageLife.com. The year allowed us to connect with a lot of great groups and organizations doing great things in town, more than we had in years past.
I see about 99.9% of the events we cover and post about and have a crazy good memory for stuff like this (just ask my wife!), so I thought I’d throw together a personal Best-Of for my favorite stories I can remember posting about on PortageLife.com this year.
Oh, You Didn’t Know?
Anytime you can bring wrasslin’ to NWI, I’m all for it. In July, Texas Roadhouse put on a great and unique fundraiser to won with the Headlocks for Hunger wrestling match, which raise helped Texas Roadhouse eclipse $10,000 in funds raised for the Portage Township Food Pantry. Plus, Al Snow and Rhyno came! Watch out for the spear! (I know like six people know what that means.)
Neighborly Love
When the Polar Vortex wrecked Northwest Indiana earlier this year, many communities exhausted their resources to keep their main roadways functioning in their cities. When the City of Gary needed a hand, the City of Portage was there to lend a hand. I know that likely stretched the snow removal team a bit in Portage, but that kind of goodwill isn't something you see everyday and needs to be recognized when you do.
Daddys and Daughters Cuttin’ a Rug
I think this is our third or fourth year covering the Portage Parks Department’s annual Daddy Daughter Dance. The event is always one of my favorites to see come through the pipeline each year since it is just such a positive event and one that brings a lot of eyeballs back to our site since so many people love the photos.
I Got To Hold Giant Scissors
Our first Ribbon Cutting - despite almost six years old - was held this year with our friends at the Duneland, La Porte, Crossroads and Portage Chambers of Commerce. It was a nice milestone for us and a nice symbol of our relationship with chambers of commerce throughout the region in all three counties.
When Lots of Hard Work Pays Off
With the launch of NWIndianaLife.com in August 2013 we expanded our audience by tens of thousands, and with that increase we saw a number of schools that we now needed to help tell the stories of. We had graduations covered throughout the region - increasing from seven to 30 covered in the summer of 2014. We also started our #1StudentNWI series that has had a number of unique stories told through the eyes of the students at school.
Shout-Out to Good Work
Another one of my favorite stories of the year belongs to the 2014 Outstanding Young Man competition at Portage High School, not only because it showcases some great kids putting on a show to raise funds for scholarships, but also because it showcases the work of Lydia Gerike, a student at PHS who has been with us since her freshman year of high school, producing great work like this. Show me another story on a school production with photos and a write-up like this:
We Thrive On Your Stories
Next on my list came at the end of June, when Superintendent Richard Weigel was introduced at Portage High School. Since his term started, we have seen *by far* more engagement from teachers and faculty at Portage Township Schools than any other school corporation in Northwest Indiana. Great and fulfilling to see someone taking advantage of the services we offer throughout the region!
Simply Splashtastic
In July, we got a little peak on the plans to build a new Splash Pad and Discovery Play Zone in Founders Square Park. Of all the things I'd like to see in Portage in 2015, it'd be one place where people go for community events. Here's to hoping this is a step in that direction.
7 Times a Charm
One of the big viral crazes of the year, the #ALSIceBucketChallenge, raised something like a kagillion dollars to fight ALS. Danny Gonzalez from St. Mary Medical Center and the Portage YMCA, joined the craze and invited some famous folks to join the cause as he was iced seven times.
Football on a Horseshoe
The Portage football program had a chance to enjoy a lifelong dream for members of the team and coaching staff as the team took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, for a game against DAC rival Lake Central in early September. What a cool event and opportunity for these kids to play in a professional setting!