October 17, 2025 Rensselaer Community Highlights

Rensselaer Community Highlights

October 17, 2025

Rensselaer Chamber's 2025 holiday window painting

will begin soon! To be included in the fun, please complete

and return the form below by October 30.

It's Civic Award Time!

Rensselaer Chamber will be honoring individuals and businesses at our Annual Meeting in December. We are seeking community input for nominations of businesses, organizations and individuals that make a difference in our community and deserve recognition.

Please email Rensselaer Chamber to submit your nomination for any or all categories.

We appreciate your participation!

Email Civic Award nominations!

Jasper Countty Historical Society

479 N Van Rensselaer Street

Is your female relative registered in the 1918 Jasper County National Defense cards at the Museum? Was she 18 years of age or older?

On Tuesday, October 21 at 6:30 PM, Nicole Ramsey will present a program about these cards. Over 3000 ladies registered to indicate how they could help with the war effort for World War I. This sample is Lizzie Kanne. There is information on the reverse side too. Please join us. You might learn something new from the cards.

Visitors welcome and refreshments are served.

Prairie Arts Council

301 N Van Rensselaer

Get Together Thursdays: Day of the Dead, Oct 23rd 6:00PM CST

GTT is a multi-disciplinary program celebrating music, theater, and the written word held on the 4th Thursday of the month. In October Juan Pablo Caballero will share details of the art and culture of Dia de Los Muertos, the Mexico Day of the Dead. To meet at the Carnegie Center. Free to the public.

Wet Felted Witch Hat Workshop, October 25

Wool artist, Kristi Yapp will be teaching several felting workshops this fall in the Carnegie Center, starting with a colorful Witch Hat on October 25. Find out more on Facebook.

Volunteers Needed, Holiday Show & Sale!

New volunteers are always appreciated. Sign up for the Holiday Show & Sale. Volunteers keep the event safe and running smoothly. Registered vendors are expected to sign up for at least two hours of the sale, if possible. pacren.ivolunteer.com

Email Prairie Arts Council

First Hometown Mortgage is looking for a shared office situation in downtown Rensselaer. If you or someone you know is in need of a small business office space in Rensselaer and has interest in sharing an affordable downtown location, please contact Jeff at 219-208-8967.

Carnegie Players

Find our Shakespeare Elf!

Are you looking for a little fun at the Holiday Shop & Stroll,

November 13-15? The Carnegie Players have sent a mystery "elf" downtown, and he's carrying a secret!

We want you to treat this like a real-life treasure hunt. If you can track down our elf as he wanders the streets of Rensselaer, you've achieved success!

To claim your reward, walk up to our elf and say,"Shakespeare is cool!" and you'll get a treat, plus the inside scoop (via flyer!) about our exciting new Shakespeare production coming soon.

Find our festive friend:

* Thursday: 4–7 pm

* Friday: 9 am–6 pm

* Saturday: 9 am–2 pm

The clock is ticking! Will you be one of the lucky ones to find him?

FAIR OAKS FARMS

856 N County Road 600 East

Fair Oaks, IN

Last two weeks of the season. Don't miss the fun!

Live Music Saturdays

Halloween Trail

This season, Fair Oaks Farms is transforming into an exciting holiday experience with the arrival of Miracle® Holiday Pub—the world-famous Christmas bar that’s redefined festive cheer across the globe!

Step into a world of twinkling lights, vintage garlands, and holiday cheer as Miracle® at Fair Oaks Farms brings its internationally loved pop-up experience to the country fields. Sip on festive cocktails and mocktails served in signature glassware, enjoy hearty bites like our fan-favorite grilled cheese and quesadillas, and soak up the glow of floor-to-ceiling holiday décor that turns every corner into a magical celebration.

Gather your family and friends, toast the season, and make new memories at the most spirited bar in Northwest Indiana. Miracle® is opening Mid-November—make sure you follow our Miracle® at Fair Oaks Farms page to get all the updates so you can sip, snap, and celebrate at the farm in ways you never have before!

#MiraclePopUpBar #FairOaksFarms #HolidayMagic #FarmhouseRestaurant #FestiveCocktails #MiracleAtTheFarm

Rensselaer Central Schools Business Professionals of America

Email Margaret Hickman at RCSC

It's back, and bigger than ever!

Look what's happening at

Rensselaer Parks Department!

Rensselaer Chamber is partnering with Rensselaer Parks Department for movies in the park!

Thank you to this month's movie sponsor, Jasper County REMC.

Enjoy the evening at Filson Park.

Rensselaer has a new business!

Fendig Theatre for Children

Have you taken a stroll through Milroy Park to see the Scarecrow Trail? Be sure to check out Fendig’s Fangtastic Puppet Master and other community creations as you enjoy the fall weather.

Knights of Columbus

325 E Vine Street

Sunday, October 26 - End of The Month Breakfast

All you can eat breakfast 8:00 to 11:30 CST Dine in or carry out

We will be serving biscuits and gravy, egg casserole, pancakes and sausage and other treats

This is a free will offering.

Jasper County Fair Association

Jasper County Community Services and Rensselaer Senior Center

Call for a ride

Saint Joseph's College

Contact Saint Joseph's College

Follow Chamber on Facebook

Business to Business discounts for Chamber members

With the list of proud Chamber members now available on the Chamber website, it's easier for businesses to offer discounts to fellow Chamber members.

Here are two that you might enjoy! Rensselaer Republican offers an advertising discount and Franciscan Working Well is offering a $3 per person per month discount for their HEALTHeACCESS membership.

Send your Business to Business discount information to us for our next business spotlight.

Business to Business spotlight