It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Door Prairie Barn in La Porte, IN gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in La Porte, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Very positive experience with Always Best Care. Had a great group of ladies taking care”
“Frankly, I never wanted to be in a position wherein I was asked to review”
“Our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and immediately needed meds administered multiple times a”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from”
“They really help people when they need it”
“Very positive experience with Always Best Care. Had a great group of ladies taking care of my Mother- in law. Always being respectful of her needs. Communication between the office and client was top notch! Special thanks to Stephanie!”
“Frankly, I never wanted to be in a position wherein I was asked to review care for my parents. That said, Always Best is aptly named. Stephanie Stevens and Kelly Robinson are kind and human and not without humor, and having endured everything that we did, I can honestly say that part of me loves them deeply. I hope I never forget the gift they gave my family.”
“Our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and immediately needed meds administered multiple times a day. After speaking to the independent living center where she resided, our family decided to hire Always Best Care for the meds (and then later for 24-hour aids). We cannot say enough about Darlene and Candy, as well as the numerous aids. Even at the end when our mom no longer needed the meds, they would often stop by to see her anyway. We generally do not give reviews of companies, but their caring approach was exceptional and we decided it was appropriate for others who need these services to know about our experience.”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick to help out patients in need and staff is very polite and professional.”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all you do! You all are Awesome & thank you for the honors of being part of the team also acknowledging myself for Employee of the Month of March! You all are appreciated”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love the open door policy. Michelle is my favorite schedule she does an amazing job with communication.”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere heart I love working with this agency..”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and schedulers, especially Michele, are helpful in finding compatibility for your clients, they’re also flexible in scheduling hours. Great company, great staff.”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the most I would like Stephanie Kramer for supporting me and helping me get through my work schedules and feel comfortable at my place of employment. I am sad to see that she left Scheduling , but she still tries her best to help everyone even with her new position. Her dedication means everything I would like to Tasha as well for communicating with me so much I also cannot forget Patricia and Michelle as well. You ladies help me so much with my client. I greatly appreciate you ladies. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that you ladies have with meeting me halfway when it comes to our job it definitely makes everything much easier. Keep up the great work as well as the rest of the staff thank you ladies for everything that you do and congratulations Monique on your new position.”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in GA and MI, when I worked in healthcare; and I have to say that Always Best Care is one of the best home health care agencies that I have found since the early 90's !!! I have been a client with Always Best Care since February 2022 and I have been extremely pleased with the help I have received both from my caregivers and the office staff. All the staff work hard and the quality of care is exceptional!!! The few occasions that I didn't like a caregiver because of either poor work ethic or personality, Always Best Care always took care of finding another caregiver to better meet my needs ASAP!! When I first started with Always Best Care I did get a few caregivers that weren't a good fit. But, within a very short period of time my scheduler learned my specific needs and personality and she found caregivers for me that were a wonderful match!! As in every area of healthcare, the high turnover of employees is to be expected!!! But, Always Best Care has always made sure that I have a new caregiver that matches my needs and expectations!! I have and would, highly recommend Always Best Care for your home health daily care!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving family. Thank you for the opportunity of serving for your company thank you to Michelle, who is always looking out for me and making sure that I have the hours that I need.”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or time of need. The care and dedication to their staff is incredible and I throughly enjoy my time working along side them!”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care for their clients, but they go above and beyond for their staff as well.”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the care was excellent. I have referred Always Best Care to several people.”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2 years now and it's a great atmosphere I like coming in to work meeting new people. It's a place that's kind friendly and it makes you feel at home it makes you feel that you're working with people that understand you know you're different needs your different hours and if something come up they are there to help you with anything that you need help with it's a great company I'm so glad I signed up with the company I signed up a little bit after the pandemic and I just needed somewhere that I could really consider myself at home or I find a home and I have I'm amazed at how the people are so nice when you talk to them on the phone how nice they are friendly you can tell this saying it with a smile I enjoy working there I tell people ask me where I work at always best care they like what yeah always best care yes it's a nice company sign up with it you won't regret it I'm glad I do it I'm really glad I did”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for me to take care of my father. I most definitely recommend them!”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best company. From the office staff to the caregivers, they are doing what they love and it shows.”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from big recognition like a monthly caregiver award and random drawings, to small recognition such as any time you visit the office you are free to grab snacks, beverages, gear and more often than not there is some type of food they have ordered that is available. They really don’t hold back in this area! There has been quite a bit of changes made in office positions within the last year. Response time, outside of the scheduling department, can be improved upon.”
“They really help people when they need it”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Kesling Park in La Porte, IN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local T-Bones Pier Eleven or visit Long Live La Porte (Mural), don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in La Porte, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in La Porte, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in La Porte, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — The La Porte County Coroner is sounding the alarm as suicide has hit an all-time high.This year alone, at least 30 people throughout the county have taken their own lives.Now the focus is on preventing more deaths.The coroner and a local mental health advocate are highlighting the warning signs and sharing resources with the community to remind those struggling that they are not alone.There is growing concern that this number could climb even higher, because suicides often incre...
LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — The La Porte County Coroner is sounding the alarm as suicide has hit an all-time high.
This year alone, at least 30 people throughout the county have taken their own lives.
Now the focus is on preventing more deaths.
The coroner and a local mental health advocate are highlighting the warning signs and sharing resources with the community to remind those struggling that they are not alone.
There is growing concern that this number could climb even higher, because suicides often increase around the holidays.
That's why the coroner and mental health advocates are sharing resources with the community now.
Jennifer Heath reacted to the alarming number of suicides so far this year.
“It was quite alarming, quite shocking. That's definitely cause for concern," Says Jennifer Heath, Friends of Swanson Center Director, said Jennifer Heath, Friends of Swanson Center Director.
As the La Porte County Coroner urges the community to check on their loved ones.
From January to September, 30 people took their own lives, accounting for 14% of all deaths in LaPorte County, a number shocking the coroner.
“Never not since I've been with the coroner's office. And I was a deputy coroner for several years prior to this, and I've never seen it go this high,” said Lynn Swanson, (R) La Porte County Coroner
The Swanson Center, a designated community mental health center, has been stepping up its "Question, Persuade, and Refer" training.
"We do those trainings again throughout the community, and at no cost, so that people can get some awareness and gain some tools to prevent things from happening, and stop things from getting to that point of no return," said Heath.
The deaths have been throughout the county, affecting different age groups.
“For a while we saw a lot of the 60s to 80s and we're seeing more now In the last couple of months in the 30s to 50s," reports Sawnson.
Some of those struggling are even younger.
“There are also teenagers and a lot of kids, even though we've heard recently they've been affected," explained Heath.
Heath shares signs to watch out for, including talking about or making plans for suicide, displaying extreme mood changes, isolating, and feeling hopeless.
She says if you or someone you know is struggling, to call the Swanson Center, the Suicide Hotline number at 988, or to go to the emergency room.
“You know, getting mental health and seeking that mental health treatment is no different than treating a physical ailment," assured Heath.
You can call or text 988 anytime to get immediate help.
Find more resources at the Swanson Center. Its hours are listed below:
Michigan City Office
7224 W 400 N, Michigan City, IN 46360
Mon – Tues, Fri: 8 AM – 5 PM
Wed – Thurs: 8 AM – 7 PM
La Porte Office
1230 W State Rd 2, Suite A, La Porte, IN
Mon – Wed, Fri: 8 AM- 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM – 7 PM
By Philip Potempa | For the Post-TribunePUBLISHED: October 28, 2026 at 4:32 PM CDT | UPDATED: October 29, 2026 at 3:25 PM CDTAs I advised in an earlier column published in August, it’s been a year of changes and transitions for the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, including pivots in planned events and future programming.Valparaiso resident Emily Yiannias began as executive director of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra in June 2023 to help launch the orchestra’s 51st concert season. Yiannias, who is a...
By Philip Potempa | For the Post-Tribune
PUBLISHED: October 28, 2026 at 4:32 PM CDT | UPDATED: October 29, 2026 at 3:25 PM CDT
As I advised in an earlier column published in August, it’s been a year of changes and transitions for the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, including pivots in planned events and future programming.
Valparaiso resident Emily Yiannias began as executive director of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra in June 2023 to help launch the orchestra’s 51st concert season. Yiannias, who is a vocal soloist, succeeded Tim King, who had been executive director for five years and retired in July 2023.
Yiannias, a former adjunct music faculty member of both Valparaiso University and the University of Notre Dame who earned her bachelor’s degree in music from DePauw University and her master’s degree in music from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, left her role this summer.
Via a June 2026 news release, the orchestra board of directors announced King, 67, agreed to return temporarily to again lead the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra as an interim executive director.
In that same column I penned, I cheered on what I described as “the one constant during all of these leadership changes,” which was that longtime music director and conductor Dr. Carolyn Watson continued in her role, with her three-year contract expiring after the 2026-2027 season.
The La Porte Symphony Board has already been hard at work conducting a sweeping and comprehensive search for a permanent executive director as the organization attempts to prepare for its 2026-2027 season and plan for the 2027-28 Season.
Now the board has to add a second position search to their homework, with the announcement last week that Watson has decided to conclude her tenure with the La Porte Symphony Orchestra.
King explained in a news release on Oct. 16: “Music Director Dr. Carolyn Watson this week informed the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra Board she was not seeking a renewal of her contract beyond its expiration at the end of this season. Watson has been with the orchestra for six seasons during which time she has presided over a considerable improvement and strengthening in the artistic quality of the orchestra.”
“It is with very mixed emotions I have decided not to renew my contract with the LCSO beyond this season,” Watson said.
“Leading this orchestra has been one of the great joys of my professional career, and I will miss the warm embrace of both the orchestra and the La Porte community. I am immensely proud of the work we have done over the course of my tenure and what we have achieved together and am happy to leave the organization in a healthy state for my successor. The time feels right for me to move on to the next chapter in my professional journey, and I wish the organization every success moving forward.”
It was King who worked with the board and their search for candidates to hire Watson.
“It’s been a wonderful six years for the LCSO with Carolyn at the artistic helm,” King said.
“She has raised the artistic integrity of our orchestra to new heights. She has been an amazing colleague in the truest sense of the word. During our 50th anniversary, our motto was ‘Power to Move.’ Carolyn has done just that with her ability to raise the musical level of our orchestra over these six years. After every concert, I hear several attendees say, ‘The orchestra just continues to get better and better.’ My hope is that our audiences will keep showing Carolyn just how much she is appreciated throughout this season. We truly owe her a debt of gratitude.”
Watson will continue through the rest of the season to finish with the Spring Pops concert on Saturday, April 10, 2027, with “The Music of Abba: Arrival from Sweden” held at the Civic Auditorium in La Porte.
Watson and the LCSO open the subscription season on Nov. 7 with “Arabian Nights in Concert” at the La Porte Civic Auditorium, showcasing Rimsky-Korsakov’s dazzling symphonic suite “Scheherazade,” based on the story “One Thousand and One Nights.”
The annual “Holiday at the Pops” concert is Dec. 12 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium, followed by welcoming the new year and young groups for a concert Feb. 6, 2027, when LCSO partners with “Classical Kids Live!” to bring Mozart’s “Magnificent Voyage” to the stage for a 50-minute family-friendly concert at the auditorium of Michigan City High School.
Honoring the 200th anniversary of the classical music icon, “Brilliantly Beethoven!” on March 7, 2027, celebrates the music of legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven with acclaimed pianist and Indiana University alumna Clare Longendyke joining the orchestra for his Emperor Concerto. The program will open with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and close with his famous Symphony No. 5.
Subscriptions start at $76 for the four season concerts, and there is a single special ticket add-on for $31 for the “Holiday at the Pops” concert. Subscriptions and all concert single tickets are on sale at www.lcso.net or call 219-362-9020.
The Towle Theater in Hammond has 2027 show titles announced and season subscriptions on sale now, but has yet to fine-tune exact dates for the show runs.
We know the season begins with the trailblazing musical “Rent” running likely in February and/or March 2027, followed by the gripping play “The Diary of Anne Frank” sometime in May, before the fall run of creepy and campy musical comedy “The Addams Family,” likely running September and October dates, and then a holiday show as the season subscription finale for a yet-to-be announced holiday production running in December 2027.
During her recent radio guesting on my WJOB radio show, Towle Executive Director Emily Nelson described the show selection as “a uniting theme spotlighting the differing views of family life.”
“There are different types of family relationships and how they shape our paths, whether that is family you were born with, or family that was chosen. Our season tackles the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies living within a family,” Nelson said.
Nelson said the Towle Board of Directors continues to research possible talents to fill Towle’s vacant key position for artistic director, with Nelson herself doing double duty to absorb both administrative and artistic duties for now.
Season tickets for the four shows are now on sale, with the four-show flex pass as an option that grants four admissions to any production during the season, including the holiday production, all for $100. The Towle Backstage Pass has the same rewards as the flex pass, while also allowing for early seating access when the theater seating opens before curtain, as well as one complimentary guest voucher for any performance, all for $125.
The Towle Theater in previous years had five productions per season, with the fifth holiday show that was not traditionally included with season ticket purchases. However, for this year’s incomplete programming announcement, the unannounced holiday production will now be included with the season tickets this year.
Performances for all shows are Fridays and the first Saturday at 7:30 pm and the remaining Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm. For more information, visit www.towletheater.org or call 219-937-8780.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].
LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — The National Guard arrived in LaPorte County on Saturday as the clean-up continues following Tuesday's strong storms.According to La Porte County Commissioner Joe Haney, National Guard members helped with clearing roads, power lines, snapped poles, and debris.NIPSCO reports more than 10,000 people in LaPorte County remain without power.A lot of work still needs to be done, but the community is finding ways to help each other out in this time of need.Many said that while things a...
LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — The National Guard arrived in LaPorte County on Saturday as the clean-up continues following Tuesday's strong storms.
According to La Porte County Commissioner Joe Haney, National Guard members helped with clearing roads, power lines, snapped poles, and debris.
NIPSCO reports more than 10,000 people in LaPorte County remain without power.
A lot of work still needs to be done, but the community is finding ways to help each other out in this time of need.
Many said that while things are getting better, it's still a struggle for those who remain without power.
"We're pretty much living without a fridge right now. Just we by the time we got our hands on a generator, most of that had spoiled. Finding supplies-it's been pretty limited at places," said Brandon Lambert, LaPorte Resident.
LaPorte residents are working to get back on their feet after those storms ripped up trees, downed power lines, and damaged houses.
The National Guard came to the area on Saturday to assess the damage.
Commissioner Joe Haney told WSBT 22 that just hours after they arrived to help assess the area, the plan moving forward changed.
"The state decided to change things a little bit, and now the National Guard is going to stay in Lake County and move east, while the Department of Corrections is fielding a tremendous amount of manpower and staff that will be, I guess, working with the DNR as well, which will be starting in Laporte County and moving west to meet in the middle in Porter County," said Joe Haney, (R) LaPorte County Commissioner.
One positive during this hard time?
The community continuing to rally and help those in need.
It still looks bad now, but compared to what it was, it it was it was pretty nasty. But it's we've all come together, and everybody's done a good job of trying to support each other, said Lambert.
Haney added that patience is key as work continues, but says a key thing residents can do is report storm damage wherever they see it.
"The more damages, the more that's reported that we can document. The more likely we are to get that federal emergency declaration, which will bring even more resources to bear here in Northern Indiana. So, 211 is important. If you have any damages, get on there, fill out those forms, report it as best you can," said Haney.
Haney says those in need of assistance should reach out to local charities and organizations.
Right now, the Planet Fitness off of State Road 2 has opened its doors for those in need of a shower.
You must bring your own toiletries and towels and will need to bring an ID.
(La Porte County, IN) - It’s an exciting time for a La Porte County woman, who’s watching her nephew, Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers, play for a chance at winning his first World Series title.“It’s unbelievable to think that little baby I once held in my arms is in the World Series. It’s surreal,” said Irene Yelich-Stevens, who still lives in Fish Lake where she grew up.Hoping the Brewers would win, she didn’t turn off her TV until after midnight early Wednesday when they los...
(La Porte County, IN) - It’s an exciting time for a La Porte County woman, who’s watching her nephew, Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers, play for a chance at winning his first World Series title.
“It’s unbelievable to think that little baby I once held in my arms is in the World Series. It’s surreal,” said Irene Yelich-Stevens, who still lives in Fish Lake where she grew up.
Hoping the Brewers would win, she didn’t turn off her TV until after midnight early Wednesday when they lost 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays in 12 innings in Game 4 of the World Series.
“I think I’m going to need to call and make a cardiology appointment. They’ve been nail biters, right, the games,” she said.
She watched the game with her 91-year old mother, who is Yelich’s grandmother.
“She never misses a game,” she said.
Yelich, now in his 14th major league baseball season, is a left fielder and designated hitter for the Brewers. The National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2018 has over 200 home runs and 900 runs batted in for his career.
The Brewers, who have never won the World Series since the franchise moved from Seattle in 1970, are ahead 3 games to 1 in the best of seven series.
Yelich-Stevens along with her older brothers, Steve, who is Christian’s father, and Chris, the star players’s uncle, all graduated from La Porte High School. Chris Yelich, who later became an offensive lineman in football at UCLA, is a member of the Hubner Sports Hall of Fame at La Porte High School.
He was inducted in 2019.
Chip Jones, who was inducted into the hall of fame as a La Porte High School baseball standout in the early 1970’s, said he knows all of the Yelich siblings and greeted Chris during his induction ceremony.
“We talked a little bit about his nephew, Christian. Obviously, he was really proud of him. Just a really, really nice family,” he said.
Yelich-Stevens said her brother, Steve, who starred at basketball and track in high school, turned down scholarship offers to play basketball in college. He went on to Indiana University focused strictly on becoming an orthodontist.
Yelich-Stevens said watching Christian on the field reminds her so much of his father when he was a student athlete.
“If you ever notice Christian stealing those bases, it’s like I’m watching Steve in track. They have the same body type. Everything,” she said.
After college, Steve Yelich made a career in pharmaceutical sales in southern California where he still lives after moving there to be closer to his brother in Thousand Oaks where Christian grew up west of Los Angeles.
Yelich-Stevens said she’s asked about her connection to Christian from time to time but, ironically, most people share memories of watching her brothers play sports during their high school days. She said the late University of Michigan football coaching legend, Bo Schembechler, once came to their home to speak to Chris about joining his team.
Yelich-Stevens said it’s been a few years but she has visited Christian, occasionally, since he was born and speaks regularly with his father.
She’s also been to his games, including some at Wrigley Field in Chicago, where she had her picture taken with her nephew on the field during his MVP season.
“We keep close tabs on him for sure with my brother,” she said.
Yelich-Stevens also credited her brother for the time he spent with his son, Christian, throughout his childhood working on his game and paying for private lessons.
“What it takes to get a player to this level is unreal and here we are. He’s got the chance to win the World Series,” she said.
Yelich-Stevens said her family moved to Fish Lake from Gary when she was 5 years old. She never left the area and spent close to 39-years at Beacon Medical Group in La Porte where she was an office supervisor when she retired about two-years ago.
Yelich-Stevens said her favorite memory of Christian is probably when he was a toddler and she bought him a toy barbecue grill that sizzled.
“He giggled and laughed. He was just the sweetest little boy,” she said.
LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — A company is going to court over its plans for a solar farm after they were rejected by the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals last month.In its lawsuit, Hoosier Solar says the plans met all of the requirements but the BZA failed to list its reasons for turning down its request for a special exception to the current agricultural zoning by a 3 to 2 vote.The company also argues the process was biased from having a board member and a county commissioner reveal their opposition to the plans ...
LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — A company is going to court over its plans for a solar farm after they were rejected by the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals last month.
In its lawsuit, Hoosier Solar says the plans met all of the requirements but the BZA failed to list its reasons for turning down its request for a special exception to the current agricultural zoning by a 3 to 2 vote.
The company also argues the process was biased from having a board member and a county commissioner reveal their opposition to the plans before the vote.
In the lawsuit, Hoosier Solar said there was reason to believe BZA member Jeff Baltes has funded and participated in the distribution of signage opposing solar projects across the county.
The lawsuit claims Baltes had a sign posted at his home reading “No Industrial Solar Plants on Farmland” as recently as April 23.
The commissioners replaced Baltes with Lefeber as an alternate member of the BZA appointed to strictly vote on the special exception request.
But, the lawsuit alleges Lefeber attended a BZA meeting in May to speak against the request. He was now empowered to vote on, a violation of state law that requires a neutral and unbiased fact finder in BZA –quasi-judicial proceedings.
The lawsuit also points to publicly made remarks from Holifield like one that describes Hoosier Solar as “outside carpet baggers” wanting a solar farm only to possibly obtain a federal tax credits for the project.
The company called the statements false and disparaging to again try and illustrate how the process was not impartial and fair as required.
The lawsuit filed in La Porte Superior Court 3 is asking the court to order the BZA to approve the plans.
The proposed solar farm would be on about 300 acres of farmland in the eastern part of the county near the St. Joseph County line.
In response, Commissioner Steve Holifield said the best location for the solar farm is the mostly secluded Kingsbury Industrial Park.
He also defended his prior remarks against solar farms on farmland, saying he has a right to freedom of speech.
“I got my opinions, too, and we’re not allowed to have opinions? I will stand and I will testify. I’ll do whatever I have to do to prevent this from happening,” he said.
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