Porter County residents now have three places to drop off organic debris from their fall yard cleanups. The Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway; the Boone Grove compost site, 546 S. 400 West; and the Portage Streets and Sanitation Dept., 2303 Hamstrom Road, will be open through Dec. 1 to accept leaves, dead plants and tree limbs. Regular season hours for the Valparaiso compost site are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The Boone Grove compost site hours are noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Portage Streets and Sanitation Dept. is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Some restrictions apply.

The Portage Historical Society will host Kenneth Schoon, who will discuss his new book “Swedish Settlements on the South Shore of Lake Michigan,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Hickory Hollow Room at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage. Schoon has written three previous books: “Calumet Beginnings,” “Dreams of Duneland,” and “Shifting Sands.” The meeting is open to the public. Information: 219-762-8349.

The 10th annual Miller Garden Club’s Fall Beer, Brats and Bulbs sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Marquette Park Aquatorium, 6918 Oak Ave., Gary. Purchase bulbs for fall planting and enjoy $5 brats, live music and beer from the 18th Street Brewery. A wide variety of bulbs will be available including Alliums, Tulips and Daffodils, as well as Woodland bulbs for shade and rock gardens. More information is with Joanne Stratton at 312-543-1561 or jmstratt@sbcglobal.net or at www.millergardenclub.org.

Indiana University Northwest will host its Fall Open House at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Savannah Center, 3400 Broadway, Gary. Early bird tours will begin at 4:30 p.m. In addition to meeting with current faculty and students, prospective students can learn about internships, student organizations, admission, financial aid and scholarships. Those attending also will have the opportunity to apply for 2019 admissions onsite for free. Register to attend at 219-980-6991 or www.iun.edu/openhouse.

Porter Regional Hospital will offer a wide range of upcoming support groups. Our Carriage Infant Loss support group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso. Information: 219-309-6116. The Stroke Survivor support group will run from 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Porter Regional Hospital, 85 E. US-6, Valparaiso. Information is at 219-983-8355. An Ostomy support group will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Community Room at Porter Regional Hospital. Information is with Sarah Grcich at 219-309-5939 or Michele Kaplan-Jones at 219-406-0019. Beyond the Baby Blues will meet in two locations on Oct. 31: from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Porter Regional Hospital, information is at 219-331-1945; and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Childbirth Melodies, 138 S. Main St., Crown Point. Information: 219-782-4149.

— Staff report