It was November but the breeze was gentle and warm,

Lake Michigan's waves swept calmly against the shore.

It was an autumn celebration unlike any other. After all, the dream of so many was finally reaching reality.

On November 2, 2008, the Portage Lakefront Park and Riverwalk opened to the public.

More than a park, the project completed the first step in the Marquette Plan, an effort of U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., to restore the lakeshore.

It is, I believe, a major signpost pointing to a bright future for Northwest Indiana.

There are many other accomplishments of the past year and significant growth on the horizon that feeds my optimistic outlook.

For instance, a $485 million expansion of the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond has created The Venue, a world class multipurpose entertainment center, and a gambling hall the length of two football fields.

In East Chicago, a 10-year plan to revive neighborhoods got its start last year with $10 million in infrastructure improvements supporting the new North Harbor housing and commercial development.

Industrial giant BP is in the midst of a $3.5 billion expansion and enhancement of its Whiting Refinery that is creating thousands of jobs.

Cedar Lake will soon be home to a regional culinary delight as entrepreneur Dean White opens The Lighthouse, a big city style steakhouse and catering center.

Munster is showing off its new Centennial Park, built upon a landfill. And Hobart is the envy of educators with its new $62.8 million high school.

The list goes on and on of the great and good things happening in Northwest Indiana.

It is proof that working together great things can happen.

That is why I initiated the One Region: One Vision program in 2008. Bringing people together from the many and varied interests across the region we are building a conversation that centers on those things of mutual benefit.

The old, parochial ways of "da region" are giving way to collaboration and cooperation. Look no further than Portage and its new lakefront park. The city, a congressman, the National Park Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority took a blighted spot and made it a place of beauty for everyone.

This cooperative accomplishment and so many other efforts under way give me hope that the gentle and warm breeze of success is the path that lies ahead for Northwest Indiana.

Bill Masterson Jr. is publisher of The Times.