Here at GreatNews.Life, we are lucky to have the honor of highlighting the incredible individuals who make Portage a great place to be, even during 2020. Whether it was young journalists writing about their school as a #1StudentNWI intern, inspiring community members sharing their cancer survival stories, or our weekly 10 Fun Things to Do, there is so much that we get to learn and publish every year.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 feature articles from Portage.Life in 2020:
Given the unique circumstances of this school year, the Portage High School Thespians were required to think creatively and determine the best way to host their annual fall play. The Thespians decided that this year's fall play would be available via a radio show, aligning with their fall play, “The War of the Worlds.”
GreatNews.Life launches new female-focused podcast based on successful All About the Girls event
Six years ago, one woman’s dream to inspire other women came to life in the form of a now highly anticipated annual event called All About the Girls (AATG). The brainchild of host Jenny Craig-Brown, Executive Team Leader for GreatNews.Life, AATG has united women of the Region in a quest for empowerment through real stories, from real women, heard in real-time.
Leadership: Knowing when to be there
Sometimes it’s obvious. A figure stands in the doorway both sudden and timid, wanting a conversation, “Do you have a minute?”
Running in the Region With Kellyn: Take Back Track
With high school and collegiate seasons canceled and even the 2020 Tokyo Olympics postponed, track athletes of all levels were suddenly left unable to compete in seasons that have been months, in some cases years, in the making. Though necessary and sensible, these cancelations delivered a devastating blow to athletes around the world. In spring of 2019, high school and college seniors unwittingly laced up their spikes for the last time.
Cancer Survivor Series: Rosanne “Ro” Loughmiller
Combating cancer takes courage, resilience, and, in Rosanne Loughmiller’s case, earrings. Loughmiller is the Director of Business Development at Hartsfield Village and Community Home Health and was shocked to learn she had cancer on December 7, 2012.
Cancer Survivor Series: Jenny Evanatz Long
Life is full of ups and downs, and when life hits its hardest points, it’s always good to have people there to support you. This was something Hobart resident Jenny Evanatz Long learned after she was diagnosed with leukemia.
#1StudentNWI: Spotlight on Porter County Clerk Jessica Bailey
Have you ever wondered what the County Clerk does and who the person is in charge of the elections in the county? Check out our interview with Porter County Clark Jessica Bailey to learn more.
Cancer Survivor Series: Marsha Smith
As a nurse at Methodist Hospitals, Marsha Smith encounters illness and disease on a regular basis. This in no way prepared her for her own breast cancer diagnosis. Smith discovered a lump in her breast while she was taking a shower. Initially, she did not think much of the discovery as she has found lumps previously, but she knew this one was different.
A Spotlight on Northwest Indiana Businesswomen
Over the years, we have celebrated and featured many people through our Life in the Spotlight series. With over 1,000 spotlights shared, it can be easy to miss a few here or there. As such, we want to bring a few special ones back to the forefront, this time focusing on businesswomen. Read on for snapshots of these truly amazing and inspirational Northwest Indiana businesswomen.
#1StudentNWI: An interview with new Portage Mayor Sue Lynch
Sue Lynch was on the Portage City Council for 12 years but in 2019 she decided she wanted to try something new. She was elected in November 2019 to become the Mayor of Portage, Indiana. She was sworn in on January 1.
