Life in the Spotlight

Jessica Trunk grew up in Portage. A former teacher, she’s now pouring back into the community with her own business, The Spice Cabinet. There, Trunk sells bespoke spices, ingredients, and household and baking products. In most cases, customers can hand pick …

Dave Fink has served as the youth services librarian and assistant supervisor of the Youth Services Department at Michigan City Public Library for 15 years. Fink grew up in Michigan City, but left in the mid-1990s to earn his undergraduate degree at Indiana …

Alicia Harden knows firsthand how crucial it is to be able to reach out for help during difficult times. Growing up, her family faced numerous financial struggles, and she was grateful for the assistance her family was able to receive from community-based …

For Dave Bock, English teacher and head coach for Girls’ Varsity Soccer at Crown Point High School, the passion he holds for his career comes from the large web of educators that has surrounded him since birth. His mother worked as a teacher, as well as his …

Calm, collected, and patient are just a few of the words that come to mind when describing the cadence of conversation with MacKenzie Taylor — Millersburg’s very own town clerk, treasurer, and manager. Taylor’s story is unique, and her path …

Cheri Ford, owner of Old Dog Coffee House, has cemented herself as not only a confident business owner, but a strong figure in the Lowell community. For Ford and her husband, the idea to start their business came out of the blue. On a visit to Frankenmuth …

After 30 years with the Valparaiso Police Department, Steve Jackson has pursued several significant career changes. Today, he’s an entrepreneur completely invested in his gaming business. “I retired from the Valparaiso Police Department and went into a …

Joel Crain serves as executive director of La Porte County Habitat for Humanity. He has worked for the organization for several years, but has been in his current role with the organization for just a few months. Previously, he served as project lead for La …

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder — and in this case, that beholder is behind the camera, capturing some of life’s most intimate and memorable moments. The camera handles the technical work, but it’s the photographer who is trusted to seek …

For Joel Justin, music has never simply been a hobby or career choice — it’s the passion that has guided many major decisions in his life. Justin has built a career as a singer, songwriter and producer in the Region by following his creativity, embracing …