Chris Disney’s young daughter from a previous marriage begged him not to go after a ballgame.
That night, he had a dream where she was standing by his coffin, tearfully begging him not to leave.
That’s when he decided he had to do something about his weight and get back into better health. The Ford electrician from Park Forest weighed 486 pounds. He had tried to lose weight over the years, through a variety of diets and other methods, but would end up losing 30 pounds and then gaining back 50 while trying every diet plan he could find.
“You felt like you were starving because you weren’t eating right when you are on these diets. It was a never-ending battle,” he said.
So he researched bariatric surgery, which he ended up getting through Community Healthcare System’s Healthy 4 Life program at Community Hospital in Munster. His wife, Stacy, followed suit. They lost a combined 330 pounds.
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“I feel healthier and happier than ever before,” she said. “I feel amazing.”
She also had struggled with weight loss over the years.
“I had tried Weight Watchers. I did the low-carb thing. I limited my calories. All of those things were making me miserable. If I lost 20 pounds, I would then gain 30 back,” she said.
He first underwent gastric sleeve surgery in November 2018 to ensure that he would be around for his 10-year-old daughter Grace.
“I started to think about what it would be like for her if I wasn’t here,” he said. “I figured if there was ever a good reason to change, it would be that. That made me start looking into weight-loss surgery. I checked around in the area, all the different programs. Fortunately, I found Community’s Healthy 4 Life.”
He had been suffering health issues related to his weight and had wearied of daily inconveniences, like having to use a seat-belt extender in the car.
“I was type 2 diabetic before, and I’m not now. I had severe obstructive sleep apnea. I don’t have that anymore,” he said. “I sleep so much better. I have so much more energy. And all of that together inspired me to go back to school for exercise science. It worked out as a bonus.”
He earned a nutrition coach certification and is studying exercise science at Maryville University in St. Louis. He hopes to help other people who have been through bariatric surgery with diet and exercise so they lose weight and keep it off.
“It shrinks the size of your stomach but it’s not magic,” he said. “You still have to put in the work. You can still eat poorly and eat too frequently. I researched the surgery by watching testimonials on YouTube and it didn’t work out for some people. They didn’t do the work. It’s not a magical cure-all.”
Bariatric surgeon Paul Stanish performed the procedures and helped advise them on their weight-loss journey.
“Some people think bariatric surgery is a quick fix for weight loss. It’s not. Patients still have to put in the hard work,” he said. “Stacy and Chris are perfect examples. A combined 330-pound loss is not something that comes easily. Surgery is just a tool. You still have to put in the work. To see success stories like the Disneys’ makes what we do at Healthy 4 Life worth it.”
Chris has dropped to 250 pounds and feels better than ever.
“You still always nitpick yourself: I wish I could I do this or change a little here,” he said. “But then you look back at where you started, and you say, ‘Well, damn! OK’.”
Stacy saw his success and decided to get bariatric surgery. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit, right before she was scheduled for her operation. Elective surgeries were initially restricted, so she decided to postpone it because her husband and family be wouldn’t be allowed.
“There was no way I could be in the hospital for this life-changing surgery without my husband, my mom and my people there. When I told them this was my decision, they absolutely praised me,” she recalled. “They said, ‘We are here to support you in any way we can. When you are ready, you say the word’.”
She had since lost 100 pounds and celebrated by getting a tattoo of a mountain range with the words “It’s not always a straight climb to the top.”
They said Community Hospital in Munster was supportive as they sought to shed pounds and keep them off.
“They are always a phone call or an email away,” Stacy said. “It is very much an extended family. They know you by name. You’re not just a patient.”
A team of doctors, nurses and nutritionists at Community Healthcare System guided them on their journey.
“If you have a question about your diet or some effect that you’re experiencing, everyone is right there,” Chris said. “It’s like a library. Everything you need to know is in the Healthy 4 Life office.”
They say the weight loss has been transformative, making daily life much easier.
“I still giggle when certain things happen now. Like when I used to drop something on the ground when I was around 300 pounds, I would just get another one of whatever it was. Now I can bend down and get it no problem,” Stacy said. “Life’s not a struggle. Chris can get his arms all the way around me to hug me. For me, it’s those little things that are bigger things that a lot of people take for granted.”
For more information, visit COMHS.org/services/bariatric-medicine.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Mi Tierra closing after 22 years; La Carreta, Flako’s Tacos, Wendy’s, Bulldog Ale House, WhoaZone, The Love of Arts and Illinois Dermatology Institute opening
Opening
La Carreta Mexican Restaurant and Bar fires up the grill in Winfield early this week.
The Mexican restaurant with locations in Schererville and Merrillville is targeting a Monday or Tuesday opening for its new eatery in the former Anytime Fitness at 10711 Randolph St. in Winfield. It’s just awaiting a final inspection.
La Carreta offers authentic cuisine like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas and chimichangas. It has multiple nachos plates.
The traditional Mexican eatery has a number of steak, seafood and chicken entrees. One can get a T-bone with shrimp, pollo loco or Camarones el Caribe with mushrooms, onions and a simmering cheese sauce. The Camarones la Carreta cooks a pound of shrimp in garlic, onion and white wine.
A house special is the Arroz Texano that mixes steak, chicken and shrimp with grilled peppers, onions, tomatoes and cheese.
There’s a kids’ menu, lunch specials and combination plates. Dessert options include flan and deep-fried ice cream.
The restaurant also has a three-way liquor license allowing it to serve beer, wine and liquor. It specializes in margaritas, tequilas and cold imported beer.
For more information, visit www.lacarretarestaurantandbar.com.
Closing
Mi Tierra has been serving authentic Mexican food in a unique setting for more than two decades.
The casual dining restaurant served up hearty, homestyle Mexican food as planes took off and landed just outside the windows in the Griffith-Merrillville Airport. But now the longtime owner Jesus “Don Chuy” Toledo, a Mexican immigrant who served in the U.S. Army, is retiring and turning the restaurant space over to new owners.
“After 27 years in the restaurant business — 22 of them in the Griffith-Merrillville Airport — and some long discussions, Don Chuy and his family have decided they’re ready to take their next steps and are closing Mi Tierra. Our last day is June 30,” Mi Tierra posted on social media. “But wait! Before you despair, we also have two other, even better announcements: First, we’re handing over the reins to Flako’s Tacos, an East Chicago-based restaurant whose food truck has a strong fan base in Griffith. They’ll be bringing their amazing Birria tacos and flavor to town, but they’re also keeping some of what we do, too. It’s a win-win! They’ll be up and running in July.”
Mi Tierra had fare like Steak Ranchero, Fish Caribbean and the Three Amigos combo. Diners could ask what’s cooking for Don Chuy’s latest special.
But it’s not the final chapter for Don Chuy.
“And because you know no one can keep him down (trust us — we’ve tried), Don Chuy will still be whipping up spices and chorizo in a nearby space, so he’ll still be floating around and hopes to see the many of you he’s come to know and love. We also hope he takes a well-deserved vacation or six, but you know how that goes,” Mi Tierra posted on social media. “We’re so very grateful to each one of you who’ve come through our doors and gotten to know us through the years. It’s bittersweet knowing we raised a whole family within these walls, but it’s also time for a new family to grow, and we hope you’ll show them the love and support you’ve shown us.”
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Where’s the beef?
It’s coming soon to Indiana Harbor.
Wendy’s is opening its latest Northwest Indiana location in the downtown of East Chicago’s Indiana Harbor neighborhood. A new fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru is under construction at the corner of Columbus Drive and Main Street, across from Subway in the Harbor’s main commercial drag.
Wendy’s offers old-fashioned square hamburgers, sea salt fries, baked potatoes, chili, Frosties and its famous nugs. Known for its irreverent social media presence, it overtook Burger King for second place by revenue, trailing only McDonald’s as the top-selling fast-food burger joint.
The chain has multiple Northwest Indiana locations, including Hammond, Highland, Munster, Schererville, Merrillville, Crown Point, Portage, Chesterton, Valparaiso, Michigan City, LaPorte and Hebron.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Bulldog Ale House Food & Brews is now pouring drinks in downtown Lansing.
It took over the former Jack’s Sports Pub and Eatery at 3325 Ridge Road. Billing itself as a burger, pizza and beer company, it’s a local Chicagoland chain with locations in Algonquin, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Carol Stream, McHenry, New Lenox, North Aurora, Rogers Park and Rolling Meadows.
It serves traditional pub fare like burgers, sliders, tacos, pizza, wings, soups, salads and sandwiches. Signature entrees include chicken and waffles, pot pie, chicken parmesan and fish and chips. It also has shareable plates like truffle parmesan fries, garlic parmesan fries, loaded waffle fries, street corn, kale and artichoke dip and Italian beef egg rolls.
Sandwiches skew traditional with options like Rubens, Monte Cristos and French dips. Diners also can save room for house-made desserts like cheesecake and Rumchata bread pudding.
Drink options include beer, wine, liquor and cocktails.
For more information, visit bulldogalehouse.com.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
The Love of Arts Community Center is now teaching art classes in Griffith.
Founder and Executive Director Sade Carrasquillo opened the community center at 1115 E. Ridge Road. It provides classes and artistic resources meant to spur creativity in both youth and adults.
“I have dreamed of this day, and still can’t believe that it has finally happened,” said Carrasquillo. “Our community deserves more outlets where we can creatively express ourselves. I am honored to be one of those providers.”
It hosts arts, crafts and STEM activities for kids between 6 months and five years from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
It also offers beginner guitar classes, VR Graffiti Art, Beginners Videography, Acting, Acrylic Painting, Hip Hop Dance and other programming for youth and adults, as well as art classes for people in the Lake County work release program. Most creative classes are six weeks in length.
“All of us have some type of talent and many want to explore new ones,” Carrasqullio said. “The Love of Arts Community Center is here to cultivate these talents and of course offer fun and memorable experiences. We are excited to expand our reach to the town of Griffith as well as all of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland” said Sade Carrasquillo, founder of For the Love of Arts Community Center.”
For more information, visit artsforlove.org.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Illinois Dermatology Institute recently expanded its footprint in Northwest Indiana by opening an office in Munster.
The clinic is now treating patients for skin conditions at 9601 Calumet Ave., Suite E, in the Centennial Village development by Centennial Park. It treats conditions like acne, skin cancer, psoriasis, eczema, nail disorders, rosacea, warts, allergy patch testing, hair loss, cosmetic dermatology and pediatric dermatology. It performs procedures like mohs surgery and surgical excisions.
The Illinois Dermatology Institute office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
For more information, call 219-491-3376.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
The WhoaZone floating water park at Whihala Beach in Whiting has reopened for the season.
The family attraction features slides, stairs and other inflatables in the lake. It’s a floating obstacle course at 1561 Park Road in Whiting.
Kids can climb stairs, run around and splash into the water while lifeguards supervise.
For more information, call 219-234-2615 or visit https://whoa.zone/whiting/.
Joseph S. Pete
Anniversary
Ella Jayms, a women’s boutique, is celebrating the third anniversary of its brick-and-mortar location in downtown Valparaiso.
“Ella Jayms is a woman-owned, lifestyle boutique that’s dedicated to women of all generations and celebrating life’s happiest moments,” Customer Experience Lead Raeann Grusak said. “We take pride in providing a warm, welcoming environment for all & ensure that each person who walks through our doors leaves feeling happier and uplifted.”
The boutique is located at 260 Franklin St., Suite 102.
“Giving back and paying it forward is the soul of our company,” she said. “Since we opened our doors in the summer of 2020, we have had the honor of donating time and money right back into NWI to help our neighbors in need through nonprofits like The Caring Place, Women United, The Porter County Community Foundation, Housing Opportunities and Hilltop Neighborhood House.”
It stocks clothes, footwear, accessories, home decor and Foggy Dog Ruby Dog Bow Ties to “make your pup extra dapper.”
“While we reflect on these past three years, we want to thank our amazing community and customers,” Grusak said. “Being a part of Valparaiso has been an honor; we’ve loved every second of it. We’re beyond grateful for the support we’ve received and look forward to many more years of celebration.”
For more information, visit www.ellajayms.com.
Joseph S. Pete
Leased
Shops on 41 in Schererville is now 100% leased.
Crown Point-based Latitude Commercial, one of the leading commercial real estate firms in Northwest Indiana, leased out the last two spots in the new strip mill on Indianapolis Boulevard just south of U.S. 30 and the Crossroads of the Nation intersection.
A high-end barber shop and dental practice both signed leases. The new tenants plan on starting construction immediately.
“We’re excited for the two new tenants to join the existing strong tenant lineup and get us to 100% occupied, said Brett McDermott of Latitude Commercial. Both of the tenants will benefit from the great visibility on 41 and all of the tenants complement each other well. The Landlords did a great job on the design and look of the building and are happy to have filled the last remaining space.”
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Maple + Bacon, deli and Divalicious Desserts Bakery & Cafe opening
