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New Valpo park 'a beautiful sight'

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso's answer to Chicago's legendary Ravinia Festival got off to a festive start Saturday evening.

The Summer Rhapsody Music Festival, celebrating the opening of the new downtown Central Park Plaza, featured music from "West Side Story," "The King and I," and "The Sound of Music" played by the Summer Rhapsody Symphony Orchestra.

Valparaiso residents and friends filled the park lawn with blankets and folding chairs for the evening's festivities, hosted by the Valparaiso Parks Foundation.

Those who pre-purchased VIP tickets received a gourmet picnic meal in an insulated bag and a lawn blanket, while others purchased meals from downtown restaurants and toasted the evening with wine and beer under a party tent.

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas, in his opening remarks, marveled at the crowd of hundreds enjoying the mild summer evening before the concert.

"This is a beautiful sight," said Costas, gesturing to the audience.

Costas said he felt the new community park is one of the reasons that Valparaiso is "a great place to live."

"Valparaiso is a great place because it's filled with great people," Costas said.

Two-month-old Lucy, a Jack Russell-pug mix, frolicked on a blanket anchored by Taylor Murphy, 14, Carson Murphy, 8 and Luke Murphy, 6.

The boys' mom, Lynette Murphy, said she worked at Indiana Federal Bank in the Lafayette Center, which occupied the space before the building was razed for the park.

"There was an ATM machine right here where we're sitting," said Murphy, of Valparaiso.

Murphy said she appreciated that the park is "dog-friendly."

"You can bring your pet and enjoy the concert outside," she said. "It's a good atmosphere. ... I see lots of familiar faces."

Rita Priest, of Wanatah, and Jerry Mangel, of Valparaiso, each clutched a plastic cup of beer to cool off.

"This is going to re-energize our downtown," said Priest, who owns Beyond Beauty, a Valparaiso skin care salon.

Mangel said he is enthusiastic about the new park and scheduled events.

"I like to see people enjoying themselves," said Mangel.

Mickey and Donna Koehler, of Valparaiso, came early to relax in their folding chairs on the lawn.

The Koehlers treated themselves to Greek's Pizza before the concert and said they'll try more downtown eateries before future concerts.

"I think this is pretty neat," said Mickey Koehler. "It's something really good for Valpo.

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My post-pregnancy skin was horrible.  I’ve been dealing with breakouts mostly on my forehead, as well as some on my right cheek.  I was using weekly homemade honey, green tea and sugar scrubs, as well as glycerin and honey soap as a cleanser.  This combination worked for a while, and my skin cleared up.  Then, one day BOOM! my forehead begins to breakout yet again.  As soon as I received the No More Derma Drama Acne Treatment Mini Kit I began to use it.  I’ve been using it for a month now.

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