Life in the Spotlight

Portage High School (PHS) Graphic Arts Teacher Adam Farster is a man of many talents. Not only has Farster been a teacher for the last seven years, but he also has over 20 years in the creative field as a graphic designer, illustrator, and comic book...

Long-time Portage area native Nick Mescal gets to do what a lot of people don’t – combine his hobby and his work. A professional cornhole player, Mescal’s interest in the sport, also referred to as bags, first began when playing recreationally...

Emily Sibbrell serves as a medical assistant at Associated Pediatricians in Portage. For her, working with children is something that she’s always loved to do. “I’ve always liked kids,” said Sibbrell. “I used to be a swim coach, and it's...

As a child, George Kepchar Jr. grew up in the real estate industry. His father owned Century 21 Kepchar in the Merrillville/Crown Point area. Eventually, real estate also became Kepchar’s career.  Upon graduating from college, Kepchar went to...

Amanda McKenzie is the Production Manager at First Community Mortgage in Portage, where she brings years of experience to the mortgage industry. Her journey began in high school when she took a business vocational class, and her internship led her to...

It’s been said that the only way you can keep it is if you give it away. This philosophy is a key driver for John Wirth and how he lives. A member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, Wirth works at the Portage...

Emily Hopkins is a wife, a mother, and a nurse. Both her role at home as a wife and mother and her role as a nurse at Associated Pediatricians’ Portage office are integral to her life. Prior to the birth of her son, Archer, Hopkins worked full-time...

Robin Reynolds-Bender, owner of On the Roxx Bar in Portage, has become a well-known figure in the Northwest Indiana (NWI) community, but Reynolds-Bender’s journey into the bar industry wasn’t typical. It was a mix of passion, curiosity, and a...

Diana Smoot has been a dedicated real estate professional in Northwest Indiana for over 30 years. She is the Managing Broker at McColly Real Estate’s Highway 6, Willowcreek, and Lake Station offices.   Beyond her leadership and sales...

Portage native Tina Vaclavik has found her passion for helping others through her work in nursing. Currently working at Methodist Hospital’s Gary location, Vaclavik has spent almost three decades in the field and absolutely loves what she does each...