EASTER BRUNCH | Munster

Polish Women's Alliance - District 3 celebrates Swieconka Easter brunch April 5 at Carmelite Banquet Hall, 1628 Ridge Road. Members, family and friends are invited to share in this Polish tradition. Doors open at noon and dinner will be served at 1 p.m. for $23. The reservation deadline is March 27. Proceeds from the alliance's raffle will benefit the District 3 scholarship fund. Mail checks payable to District 3 Polish Women's Alliance to Delphine Huneycutt, District 3 state president, 4909 Baring Ave., East Chicago, IN 46312.

FYI: Call (219) 398-9069.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE | Crown Point

Make a difference by volunteering an hour or two. St. Clare Health Clinic at St. Anthony Medical Center is looking for help providing primary health care to the working poor and uninsured in Crown Point and surrounding communities.

FYI: Call Diane Jansen at (219) 681-6976.

SIMPSON BENEFIT | Hobart

American Legion Post 54 will host the Jeremy Simpson Memorial Celebration and Family Benefit from 2 p.m. until midnight March 29 at the post, 208 S. Linda St. Donation cost is $10 per person with children 5 years and younger admitted free. Food, beverages and raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Live entertainment will include various bands such as You'll Dew from 2:30 to 3:10 p.m; Hobart Mountain Boys, which will reunite for this event, from 3:25 to 4:05 p.m. and again from 4:20 to 5 p.m; Charlie Ahlgren from 5:15 to 5:55 p.m; Chris and Lou acoustic duo from 6:10 to 6:50 p.m; BadAss Red Jeans from 7:05 to 7:45 p.m; Bit the Lime from 8 to 8:40 p.m and again from 8:55 to 9:35 p.m; and C4 from 9:50 to 10:30 p.m. and again from 10:45 to 11:30 p.m. Additional donations can be made to Jeremy Simpson Memorial Fund, Main Source Bank, 555 E. Third St. Hobart, IN 46342.

FYI: Call (219) 947-2054.

BINGO BENEFIT | Highland

Our Lady of Grace Parish hosts bingo March 30 at the school cafeteria, 3025 Highway Ave. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Early bird bingo will be played at 1 p.m. with regular bingo played at 2 p.m. The $10 entry fee includes one bingo card and the chance to win a door prize. Additional bingo cards cost $1 each. Tickets will be sold at the north entrance to the school. Refreshments such as hot dogs, chips and desserts will be sold, as well as beverages. Proceeds benefit Ephesus Home for seniors.

FYI: Call (219) 972-1944.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Hobart

Hobart Lions Club is sponsoring a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. March 29 at the Hobart Community Center, 111 E. Old Ridge Road. Donation is $5, but children 5 and younger eat free. Proceeds will support Lion projects, such as Leader Dog, youth activities, medical research, and the operation of the Hospital Equipment Program. Tickets can be obtained from Lion Club members or by phone.

FYI: Call (219) 942-1470.

LUPUS SUPPORT | Munster

The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana chapter, will hold a lupus support group meeting at noon March 29 in the third-floor meeting room at Hammond Clinic, 7905 Calumet Ave. Pat Konvalinka will conduct the meeting.

FYI: Call (219) 836-5800, ext. 68104.

SPRING BALL | Hobart

Arc BRIDGES hosts its annual Spring Ball, formal dinner-dance, from 6 to 11 p.m. March 29 at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30. "Serendipity" is the theme and the colors are silver and black. Tickets are $27.50 and the public is welcome to attend. A King and Queen will be selected from each of the four Arc BRIDGES centers, and dancing to a live band will be featured after dinner.

FYI: Call (219) 985-6503.

WOODCOCK STALK | Griffith

Anyone who has witnessed the flight of the woodcock recognizes it as one of the earliest signs of spring. Meet at 7 p.m. (dusk) April 2 or 9 to usher in the season at Oak Ridge Prairie, 301 S. Colfax St., with this fascinating, crepuscular friend. Registration is required.

FYI: Call (219) 844-3188.

TRAVEL THE WORLD | Cedar Lake

Travel The World Without Leaving Home for a video program at 2 p.m. March 25 at the Lake County Public Library's Cedar Lake branch, 10010 W. 133rd Ave. Viewers will learn why the Mediterranean has been called "the crucible of Western Civilization" by touring 12 of its most wondrous ports via the big screen. Refreshments will be served.

FYI: Call (219) 374-7121.

VENDORS WANTED | Munster

Vendors are sought for the annual Pampered Women's Wellness Fair set for April 5 and 6 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 8501 Calumet Ave. It's sponsored by the Altar and Rosary Society. Applications are available by phone.

FYI: Call (219) 836-5079.

FISH FRY | Winfield

The JourneyMen of Church of the Four Seasons will host a fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. March 28 at Church of the Four Seasons United Methodist, 9100 E 108th Ave. Menu includes fried Alaskan pollack, tater tots, green beans, applesauce, roll and butter, coffee, lemonade and dessert. Tickets are $9 for adults and $5.50 for children 5 to 12; younger children eat free.

FYI: Call (219) 663-7803.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY | Whiting

Whiting Robertsdale Historical Society meets at 1 p.m. March 28 at the Whiting Public Library, 1735 Oliver St. Guest speaker is Dr. Robert Koch. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served.

FYI: Call (219) 659-1432.

SCRABBLE CLUB | Crown Point

Crown Point Parks Department will cosponsor a free Scrabble Club for senior citizens, organized by two Crown Point High School Seniors working on a project to impact their community in a positive way. The club will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday, April 2 through May 17, at the Civic Center, 101 S. East St. An all-day tournament will be held May 17. Call to reserve a spot.

FYI: Call Jennie at (219) 661-2271 or e-mail jburgess@crownpoint.in.gov.

PARENT MEETING | Gary

Aspire Charter Academy has scheduled a meeting for parents interested in learning more information about the school. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. March 25 at St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Ave. Board members and staff will be on hand to answer questions. Student enrollment applications for kindergarten through fifth grade can be obtained by calling (866) NHA-ENROLL, in person at the meeting, or online at www.heritageacademies.com. The charter school, which will serve students in Gary and surrounding areas, will open its doors to students for the first time in September. The school will initially have the capacity for 400 K-5 students and will add one grade per year, eventually serving more than 700 students. RSVP.

FYI: Call (866) NHA-ENROLL.

WETLANDS TALK | Kouts

Kankakee Valley Historical Society meets at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at the Kouts Library, 101 E. Daumer Road. Open to the public, Jim Sweeney will present "The History and Status of Wetlands in Indiana." He will explain the status of wetlands throughout the state of Indiana from pre-settlement times to the present and how we can get some of them back again. Part of the presentation will focus on the history of the Kankakee River and the Grand Kankakee Marsh.

FYI: Visit www.kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org.

KNIT AND PURL | Schererville

Knit and Purl meets at 6 p.m. April 3 and 24 at the Lake County Public Library's Dyer-Schererville branch, 1001 W. Lincoln Highway. Experienced and beginning knitters can gather for a relaxing evening of stitching. Beginners will receive instruction from April Muller, experienced crafter. A list of supplies needed for beginners is available at the library.

FYI: Call (219) 322-4731.

SOUP BUFFET | Lake Station

Altar and Rosary Sodality of St. Francis Xavier Church is sponsoring an all-you-can-eat "Soup-er" Soup Buffet from 4 to 7 p.m. March 29 at St. Francis Xavier Church Hall, 2447 Putnam St. Select from more than 18 soups, and a sandwich, dessert and coffee are also included. Carry-outs will be available. Tickets, $6 for adults and $3 for ages 9 and younger, can be purchased at the door

FYI: Call (219) 947-9297.

NEEDLE ARTISANS | Munster

Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana meets at 7 p.m. April 1 at Community Park Social Center, 8751 Lions Club Drive. The project is personal plaid part 2. Guests are welcome. Those who participate in a class must be a member of the guild and register in advance. Members come from throughout Chicago's south suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

FYI: Call (219) 663-6391 or e-mail ECHein@yahoo.com.

THEATER MEETING | Portage

Portage Community Theatre will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 26 at the Portage Yacht Club, 1370 Ind. 249. The public is invited.

FYI: Call (219) 759-1408.

ELKS DINNER | Hobart

Hobart Elks Lodge 1152 will host a dinner and show April 5 in the Jubilee Room at the lodge, 3580 W 61st Ave. Back by popular demand, recording star and comedian Carol Nelson comes to Hobart directly from Sarasota, Fla. Her madcap skits, songs and comedy earned her the name "Crazy Carol." The family style dinner features tossed salad, parsley potatoes, chicken Marsala, fried white fish, mixed vegetables and dessert. Cost is $20 per person. Cocktails will be served 5 to 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. RSVP by April 1.

FYI: Call (219) 942 -1152..

SPRING FLING | Munster

Vendors geared toward pampering women are invited to the Ladies Spring Fling, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 and 18 at Munster High School, 8808 Columbia Ave. Vendors include nail salons, massage therapists, beauty and healthcare products, cosmetic demonstrations, clothing, accessories and more. The booth fee is $90; electricity is available per request. It's offered by the Parks and Recreation Department.

FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.