🌱 Patch AM: How Merrillville’s Charles Hardiman powered a rivalry win and state honor

Greetings Merrillville! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Merrillville’s Charles Hardiman powered a rivalry win and state honor

Also on today's calendar: The Fireside Toasting and Roasting Holiday Party and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Breezy and much colder, with a high of 27 and low of 23 degrees.
• Saturday: Breezy with periods of sun, temps: high: 43, low: 18. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 32 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Ertel selected IBCA Player of the Week (greenfieldreporter.com) — Merrillville standout Charles Hardiman earned IBCA District 1 Player of the Week after dropping 30 points to lead the Pirates to a 66-62 win over rival Andrean. The statewide honor puts him alongside top performers from Mt. Vernon, Cardinal Ritter, Heritage Hills and several girls programs recognized for big weeks on the court.
   

📸 Around Merrillville

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Merrillville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 20

• Tea party ShopaRama with your Doll
  Midwest Elite Preparatory Academy, Inc., Merrillville
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• Building Blocks to Literacy
  Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room
  10:00 am
• Knitting & Crochet Club
  Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
  10:00 am
• Craft and Chat
  Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
  1:00 pm
• The Fireside Toasting and Roasting Holiday Party
  Karma Cigar Bar , 850 81st Ave , Merrillville
  6:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Ice Skating at Bulldog Park
  Bulldog Park , 183 S West St , Crown Point
  6:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Storytime: Ages 4-5
  Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
  1:00 pm
• Reindeer Games
  Merrillville - Meeting Room A
  1:00 pm

📣 Merrillville Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 19

• Teen and Tween Meet the Cube: Ages 7-15
  Children's Program Room Hobart -
  3:30 pm
• HSH Booth at Merry Market
  Great Oaks Banquets & Events , 13109 Wicker Ave , Cedar Lake
  4:00 pm
• Open Skate
  Crown Point, IN Calendar , 183 S. West St. , Crown Point
  5:00 pm
• Linkin Park Tribute: In The End
  Art Theater , 230 Main St , Hobart
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• My Daughter Did cheer squad this year .
  She’s been Doing amazing helping others just like her ! I have so much support around me Thank you Lord !!!! (Nextdoor Turkey Creek)
• Anyone missing a doggie?
  Found off W 22nd Ave in Gary. Apparently was outside all day. (Nextdoor Turkey Creek)

• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Bakery Wrapper / Clean Up in Merrillville. Apply here.
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews posted a job opening for Servers in Merrillville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Merrillville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hobart

• City girl's rural sanctuary: Indiana farm a haven for abused and neglected animals (wgntv.com)
• As data center backlash grows across the country, Change.org sees a surge of related petitions in 2025 (fastcompany.com)

Crown Point

• Illinois Man Charged With Additional Counts Of Child Crimes in Lake County (regionnewssource.org)
• Multi-Time Game Show Winner Dies of Cancer: RIP to Eric Berman (suggest.com)

Ok Merrillville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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