"There is no debate." Actually there is a debate, according to other readers who responded to my column last week attempting to define the geographical limits of "Da Region." (Read it at NWI.
com .) I asked, is it spreading across Northwest Indiana like urban sprawl, or will it forever be the same geographical spot on any map? "The region grows as public corruption spreads to south Lake County and now Portage," Jim H. wrote to me.
Other readers outlined three "acceptable zones" within a regional hierarchy: "Region Prime," north of Interstate 94 and west of Interstate 65; "Zone Two," north of U.S. 30 and west of Indiana 49; and "Zone Three," north of Route 2 and west of Route 421.
"Anyone who is outside these areas doesn't count, and any Colts fan — regardless of their zone — is at the bottom of the hierarchy," Jack F. said. How about Michigan City? Dyer? Chesterton? Valparaiso? Lowell? Crown Point? The list goes on.
Perception is reality for most outsiders. "I have given this topic a lot of thought over the years," Gary B. wrote.
"The Region is not Porter County. And who in their right mind could claim Michigan City, Chesterton and Valpo are part of the Region? Delusional. While all of these communities now have many residents who left the Region for greener pastures, once you leave, you are out of the club.
Same for south Lake County." Do you agree? "When I attended Purdue in West Lafayette in '78, from Valparaiso, I was labeled a Region Rat," Ray Oznola said. "If the rest of Indiana knew the answer to this question 45 years ago, I don't see why I would be excluded today, still living in Valparaiso.
" "I proudly took back the title in '78 and for the last 45-plus years," he said. "I ain't giving it back to a bunch of people who think they are elite now that it's 'cool.'" Is it cool to live in Northwest Indiana? I don't often hear this descriptor from other Hoosiers or Chicago residents or, well, anyone.
But I love living here. In my younger years, I dreamed of escaping to anywhere outside of The Region. The older I get, the more I view it as the friendly confines, sort of like Wrigley Field and its fabled history.
But that ballpark has historically rigid boundaries compared to the ever-evolving geographical demographics of the Region. "Taking a hard-line approach, it's the original four industrial cities of North and Calumet townships: Gary, Hammond, East Chicago and Whiting," Tom N.commented.
Robert D. strongly disagreed. "That's the most Lake County thing I've seen anyone say," he wrote.
"Burns Harbor and Michigan City's industrial areas don't count? Or the thousands who work there and live in Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties?" For many long time residents, the Region consists of a patchwork of both rural and industrial areas. And it's excluded from the rest of Indiana and the greater metropolitan area of Chicago. "To me, the Region is a place of friendly people, but with a chip on their shoulder and deep blue-collar roots," said Robert D.
, a "third-generation Region Rat." His great-grandfather came to Gary from Mexico to open a tailor shop on Broadway. The original boundaries between the six counties in this corner of the state were more defined back then.
Today, those boundaries have been expanded — and cemented — "when unions prospered and turned the workforce from subordinates and indentured servants to crafts people and skilled laborers," he explained. I didn't expect so many readers to have such staunchly different definitions of where we live. It's been described as a melting pot, thanks to its steel industry foundation, but I view it more as a salad bowl of flavorful items forced to coexist despite their unsavory differences.
This is the beauty and the beast of our Region, regardless how we define its boundaries. 'I am wiling to be tested' A handful of readers, and a colleague at this newspaper, have already reached out to possibly share one of their kidneys with Carl Summerhill, who I profiled last week. Imagine that.
Not only donating a few bucks or basket of food or unwanted clothes, but a body organ. Incredible, I say. "I am willing to be tested as a potential donor," Greg W.
wrote to me. "My blood type is A-, which I am sure is important. I received a second chance previously myself, and I can give someone else who has a lot to live for another chance.
Carl has been through hell." Thanks to everyone who contacted me or Summerhill. This kind of attitude and generosity also define "the Region.
" Contact Jerry at [email protected] .
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