Off The Water - February 14-20, 2014

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Down home cooking

Breaking stereotypes

Crane Wives bring unique sound..... p. 4

Week of February 14-20, 2014

Bridgman eatery about comfort food....... p.8

Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

Volume 6, Number 7

All about trees Elkhart County Parks offering winter classes...................p. 5

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Page 2 • Week of February 14-20, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

FOCUS

Journeyman embarking on new path F

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater @leaderpub.com

T

HREE OAKS — “Journeyman Distillery has a lot of fun stuff going on over the next two weekends,” said Tiffany Daugherty, brand ambassador for the distillery and restaurant located in Three Oaks. “I’m really excited!”

There’s a lot to be excited about, including a few firsttime-ever events, like their Tarred, Whipped and Feathered President’s Day event on Feb. 17 and their Viking Fest on Feb. 22.

“This coming weekend, we have events happening every evening: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday,” Daugherty said. “Friday will be our Valentine’s Day Candlelit Cocktail night. It will be a very romantic evening.”

President’s Day Weekend Events begin the following day with the first public serving of Federalist 12, Journeyman’s new rye whiskey.

“On the Saturday the 15th, we’ll be having our Tarred, Whipped, and Feathered event,” Daugherty said. “We took George Washington’s original recipe for rye whiskey that he distilled while he was in office, and we distilled it on President’s Day one year ago. Now, it’s ready.”

The names of the event and the whiskey come from the Twelfth Federalist Paper. In that document, Alexander Hamilton advocated the taxing of whiskey. When his idea was enacted as law, the Whiskey Rebellion erupted, during which time tax collectors were tarred, whipped and feathered.

“At that whiskey release party, we’ll have entertainment from Peter Nye, the lead singer from Peter Nye and the Chicago Bluegrass Band,” Daugherty

said. “It’s always the place to be when he comes to town.”

Robert Rolfe Fedderson will be playing at Journeyman on Sunday evening, and then the distillery will host a special VIP Distillery Dinner featuring their Federalist 12 Whiskey on the evening of Monday, Feb. 17.

“That will be a four-course dinner for $60 plus tax and tip.

It’s from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Monday,” Daugherty said. “Our founder will be there, too.

We’ve had a great response so far, and it should be a great weekend for Harbor Country.”

The fun at Journeyman will continue the following weekend with the Viking Fest on Feb. 22.

“This will be our first year for the Viking Fest. We’ve had to twist it a little bit because of some problems with liability insurance, but it’s still an indoor-outdoor, Viking-themed event,” Daugherty said. “We had to drop the team-games aspect, so, now it’s more of a Viking Fest.”

The all-day event will feature special menu items, a Viking-themed cocktail, indoor and outdoor games, and a costume contest.

“A lot of people love winter in Michigan. They come here to ski, to snowboard, to do lots of winter activities, and we want to celebrate t h a t , ” Daugherty explained.

“Michigan is an allseasons destination, not just a summer destination, and we’re emphasizing that. We want to encourage people to get outside and have some

Facebook page, and on their fun here.” could win a prize.”

To that end, the distillery has More information about these website at www.journeymandisobtained a permit to have a fire events can be found on tillery.com. outside.

Journeyman Distillery’s “We’ll be serving a special cocktail, our Journeyman mead, made with white whiskey honey for $5. That will be served along with several other hot cocktails,” Daugherty said. “Along with our regular menu, we’ll be serving some things that Vikings would have eaten—hearty, warm comfort food, like turkey legs and other things like that.”

In addition to games and foods, Journeyman has lined up an entire day’s worth of entertainment, with music provided

by Jay Cook, Robert Rolfe Feddersen and Melanie Budd with Daniel Connolly.

“We’ll have bands playing all day long, from 12 until 10 p.m.,” Daugherty said. “People are encouraged to dress up and come in Viking costumes. We’ll have a contest, and they

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Off The Water, Michiana

Week of February 14-20, 2014 • Page 3

ON DISPLAY

Fernwood focusing on art

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater@leaderpub.com

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Participants in Fernwood’s upcoming beading class can make their own necklaces and bracelets.

There are a limited number of spots in the class, so early registration is recommended.

“Participants can choose to make either a bracelet or a necklace,” said Jan Ferris, special projects coordinator at Fernwood. “They should expect to spend about $20 to make a bracelet and about $30 to make a necklace if they don’t bring their own beads. At the end of the class, you will go away with a finished piece of jewelry.”

Other classes, such as ones on making mosaics and knitting, are available throughout the year at Fernwood.

More information about those class offerings is available at www.fernwoodbotanical.org. Those wishing to register for classes can call (269) 6956491.

Finally, for those who are interested in learning about a form of artistry that flourished along the St. Joseph River in years past, Fernwood will be hosting an informative lecture on the history of pearl button manufacturing by Ric Ladonski of Niles.

“That ought to be a very interesting program,” Ferris said. “Ric has been

collecting these pearl buttons and other objects for quite a long time.”

Ladonski will be bringing items from his collection. He will also be presenting a PowerPoint presentation that describes how pearl buttons were made from freshwater clams.

“As many as five button manufacturers were located along the St. Joseph River between South Bend and St. Joseph,” Ferris noted. “And, Fernwood itself is located on the banks of the river.”

The lecture is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. The cost of the program, which is suitable for all ages, is $8 for Fernwood members and $10 for nonmembers.

The number of art-related programs and exhibits that Fernwood offers is not surprising, given that the connection between the arts and botanical garden goes back to the very roots of the nonprofit institution.

“Fernwood always offers a variety of artistic programs,” Ferris said. “Kay Boydston, our founder, was very interested in the arts, as well as being a fern propagator.”

Flea market supports recycling

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater @leaderpub.com

N

EW TROY, Mich.

— The Friends of New Troy, a group of dedicated volunteers, have three central goals: To build up their community, to bring more visitors into their town and to spread the word about recycling.

In support of those goals, the group hosts a winter flea market in the New Troy Community Center, located at 13372 California Rd. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the last two Saturdays of each month from October through March.

Organized by co-chairs Delmar Thompson and

Cass Fellowship Bible Church

64016 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031 (269) 445-2195

N

ILES — Whether it’s viewing art, creating art or learning about a type of artistry of the past, Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is offering many different options for art lovers this February.

First, two new exhibits will be opening in Fernwood’s galleries on Feb 14.

In the main gallery, The Contemporary Show will provide an eclectic mix, featuring the work of Scott Hatt, Maureen Lighthall, Nancy Bailey and posthumously, Robert Bloss.

“This is a very rare contemporary show that we’re having at Fernwood,” said Kathee Kiesselbach, gallery curator and organizer of the show. “Scott Hatt is going to have a collage, Lighthall and Bloss will have paintings, and Bailey will have wildlife paintings in the show.”

The artistry of South Bend-based artist Scott Hatt will also be on display in the Curator’s Gallery.

“In our smaller gallery, we’ll have a display of Scott’s handmade boxes,” Kiesselbach said. “He creates these little boxes that all have collages in them. They’re really colorful.”

An opening reception for The Contemporary Show will be held at Fernwood from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16.

For those visitors to Fernwood who would like to create their own piece of wearable art, a class on beaded bracelet-making will be lead by Julie Soales from 2 to 4 p.m. on Feb 22.

While participants are welcome to bring their own beads, Soales, who owns Mystic Beads and Earth Ware in Niles, will be bringing a selection of beads and findings for participants to chose from. Soales will also supply all of the necessary tools.

The cost for participating in the class is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Materials will cost extra.

All are welcome to worship with us.

Submitted photo

Dan Fancher is a core vendor at the New Troy Indoor Flea Market.

Janna Riley, the flea market is now in its sixth year.

“The flea market helps to bring people into town. We get a large amount of people coming through,” Riley said. “It helps to generate business for the other small

businesses in town, including Molly’s Corner Store and The New Troy Resale Shop.”

The flea market also helps to keep the New Troy Community Center going.

“It’s a vehicle to raise

money for the operating expenses for the New Troy Community Center, which is an all-volunteer organization and which relies on donations and fundraisers,” Riley said.

Vendors pay a $10 fee to exhibit their wares at the flea market, and admission for shoppers is free.

“It’s a treasure trove of all kinds of things,” Riley said. “You can get some very unusual tools. Guys tend to hover around those tables. Last time, I saw some old trolley tracks, a meat grinder, all sorts of things, from antiques to contemporary DVDs. You could go home with a lamp, See RECYCLE page 7

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Page 4 • Week of February 14-20, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

SPOTLIGHT

The Crane Wives bring unique sound

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater@leaderpub.com

B

ENTON HARBOR — Housed in a century-old horse stable at 190 5th St. since 2005, The Livery provides a daily gathering place where friends can enjoy hand-forged microbrews and tasty dishes from their kitchen.

The establishment has been named among the Top 100 Brewpubs in the World for 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and among the Top 100 Brewers in the World for 2008 and 2009 by ratebeer.com.

It is also known as a great venue for music lovers to enjoy local and regional bands on weekends.

One band that will be playing at The Livery on Feb. 22 is The Crane Wives.

The Crane Wives, hailing from Grand Rapids, are no strangers to the stage at The Livery.

“The Crane Wives are an awesome act,” said Meredith George, booking and promotions manager at The Livery. “They first came here in the summer, and this will be their third appearance at The Livery.”

The band is currently touring the Midwest, playing shows in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.

The band describes their music as a type of indie-folk that defies musical stereotypes. They count among their influences Fleet Foxes, Mumford and Sons, Bon Iver, Elliott Smith, My Morning Jacket and The Decemberists.

Formed in August 2010, the band takes its name from an old Japanese folk tale that is somewhat reminiscent of “The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg.” In fact, one of their influences, the Decemberists also have a 2006 album entitled “The Crane Wife.”

Already, The Crane Wives have recorded two albums of their own, “Safe Ship, Harbored,” released in 2011, and “The Fool in her Wedding Gown,” released in 2012. Both of them are available on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby. The Samples of their music can also be found on their website at www.thecranewives.com.

“They’ve got two awesome female lead singers along with a back-up band that does three-part harmonies,” George

Submitted photo

The Crane Wives will be playing at The Livery in Benton Harbor on Feb. 22.

said.

The five members of the band include Kate Pillsbury on vocals, guitar, ukulele, and percussion; Emilee Petersmark on vocals, guitar, and ukulele; Dan Rickabus on drums, percussion, and vocals; Ben Zito on bass guitar, and Tom Gunnels on

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banjo and percussion.

“They’re a lot of fun. As a younger band—they’re all in their mid-20s or so—they’ve got a lot of energy on stage,” George said. “I’m really looking forward to this show.”

The Crane Wives will take the stage at

9 p.m., and admission is $10. The Livery’s kitchen will stay open until 10 p.m. for those who wish to order dinner or appetizers off their menu. More information can be obtained by calling (269) 9258760 or by visiting their website at www. liverybrew.com.

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Off The Water, Michiana

Week of February 14-20, 2014 • Page 5

GET OUT!

Winter program all about trees

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater @leaderpub.com

B

RISTOL, Ind. — Believe it or not, springtime is on its way. The snows will eventually melt, and tiny buds on trees will eventually become leaves.

Even before then, the sap will start to flow in those trees, and it will be maplesugaring time in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.

“In about a month, before the leaves come in, it will be time to tap trees,” said Krista Daniels, an interpretive naturalist with Elkhart County Parks. “It will be good to know which trees to tap.”

While sugar maples are the most commonly tapped trees for syrup production, Norway maples and box elders are among the other trees that can be used in this way. But how can you tell which trees to tap if there are no leaves on them yet?

“So many people rely on the leaves, but that’s actually the least reliable way to identify trees,” Daniels said.

“There are many other, better ways.”

On Feb. 22, Elkhart County Parks will be pre-

Photo by Pam Peterson senting two programs that will teach Michiana residents how to identify trees in the winter and how to make their own maple syrup. The programs can be attended separately or in succession that day.

The first program, “Backyard Maple Syrup Making,” runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m. It will introduce participants to the art of

making maple syrup at home.

The class covers all of the necessary information to get started, and maple syrup making kits will also be available for purchase at $15 each.

The cost to attend the class is $1, and participants are also invited to eat breakfast there for an additional $3 per person. Breakfast

will include pancakes, maple syrup, sausage and drinks.

Later that same day, from 1 to 3 p.m., guest speaker Bill Minter will

present “Winter Tree ID” at no charge to participants.

Minter is the Director of Land Management at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College.

“I have taken this course in the past, and I felt that it would be a good opportunity for visitors to our park,” Daniels said. “This class can help people identify the various trees that people use to make syrup.”

“He will teach participants how to identify trees through bark patterns, branching patterns, by the buds that have begun to form on the branches, or by the habitat in which the tree is located,” Daniels said.

The class will begin with a lecture with handouts that participants can take home to use later on.

“He has an indoor part, and then there’s an outdoor part where people can put into action what they’ve just learned,” Daniels said.

“People should dress appropriately, but if it’s really cold or the snow is too deep

in the areas where Bill wants to go to, he’ll adapt the outdoor part and shorten that up.”

The class is good for participants who wish to learn which trees can be tapped for syrup-making, but it has other applications as well. Homeowners can use the information to make plans for their yards.

“It’s a good class for local homeowners.

Sometimes it’s good to know what kind of trees are growing in your yard,” Daniels said. “It helps in supplementing the landscaping and knowing what will grow well in certain areas.”

Participants must preregister for the programs by calling Elkhart County Parks at (574) 535-6458.

More information about the classes can also be found at www.elkhartcountyparks. org. They will be held at the Baldwin Schoolhouse in Bonneyville Mill County Park, located at 53373 County Road 131 outside of Bristol.

Page 6 • Week of February 14-20, 2014

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Off The Water, Michiana

Submit calendar events to Jill McCaughan, feature writer, by email at jill. mccaughan@leaderpub. com or offthewater@leaderpub.com or visit the Leader Publications office at 217 N. Fourth St., Niles.

i

welcome. $10 (Members $8). Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, MI 49120. For more info, visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org or call (269) 695-6491.12:15-1:30 p.m.

Ongoing

i

—NarcoticsAnonymous meetings are held 8- 9:30 p.m. each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 306 Courtland St., Dowagiac.

Narcotics Anonymous is a self-help group for addicts seeking recovery and for people who think they may have a drug problem. Dowagiac meetings are held in a closed format.

Now – Feb. 23

— Twin City Players presents “Deathtrap.”

Tickets are $15 adults, $12 seniors and $7 children (12 and under). Group rates are available. Call (269) 4290400 or visit twincityplayers.org for tickets.

Performances are at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. on Sundays. 600 W. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Now – Feb. 27

—A variety of glass and ceramics classes are being offered throughout February at Fire Arts, 305 E. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN. Call (574) 2822787 or visit www.fireartsinc.com.

Now – Feb. 28

—Len Cockman’s exhibit, “Ceramics about Speedways and Food” will be at Fire Arts, 305 E. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN. Call (574) 282-2787 or visit www.fireartsinc.com for more info.

Now – Mar. 1

—Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition, presented by the South Bend Museum of Art and The NW Indiana & Lower SW Michigan Region of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

Warner Gallery, SBMA, Century Center, 120 S. St. Joseph St. For more information, visit southbendart. org. Wednesday - Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

—Winter Yoga at Fernwood. Thursdays with Greta Hurst. Walk-ins are

Now – Mar. 18

RECYCLE continued from page 3 or tools, a snow blower, glassware, dishes. It really just depends on the day.”

There are a number of regular vendors who can be found there every week.

Other vendors come and go as their schedules permit.

“We have a core group of vendors who come every month,” Riley said. “For example, there’s Bob Swedenburg, who sells knives, hats, candy and other items. You should see the men clustered around his table.”

“Other core vendors are Gloria Hirsch, the Wallaces, Mary Kronen, Mike Carroll and Ruth Semones,” Riley said. “It’s good to see them every month.”

While an eclectic mix of items can be found at the flea market, it is also a social event for members of the community.

“People look forward to

it. It’s a community event,” Riley said. “People come to socialize and see their neighbors. You can have lunch there, and we have coffee, too.”

Because the flea market takes place in the community center, visitors can also learn a bit about the history of the area and take advantage of the two new stores that the Friends of New Troy have set up there.

“The community center is the heart of the community. It kind of keeps the community alive. People can see the historical aspect of the community,” Riley said. We have a display case that has photos and other things, not only about New Troy, but also about Weesaw County.”

“The community center has a book room where we sell donated books, and there is also a furniture room. We accept donated furniture items and then

Week of February 14-20, 2014 • Page 7

WHAT'S HAPPENING? —Winter Adult & Youth Classes at ARS Arts & Culture Center, 147 Fifth St., Benton Harbor, MI. Adult classes include: Italian Culture & Language, Mosaic, Wine Education, Cabernet and Canvas, The Art of Buying Art, MixedMixed Painting. Youth classes include Saturday Studio Art and Winter Clay Start date, meeting days, times and fees vary by class. Call (269) 208-4409 or visit www.annarussoart. com/index.php?classes for details.

Now – Mar. 18

—Applications for Twin City Players Brian Swiger Memorial Scholarship available at Berrien Co. high schools.

Students should contact their counselors.

Scholarships up to $1,000 are earmarked for seniors who have demonstrated a strong interest in theaterrelated activities.

Applications can be obtained from Twin City Players at (269) 429-0400.

Due by March 31.

or visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ce. $89.

Thursdays: 2/13-3/20.

6-7:30 p.m.

Now – Mar. 28

—Applications are being accepted by WNIT Public Television for “Michiana’s Rising Star 2014,” a search for the brightest and best talent in the Michiana region.

WNIT will host four regional competitions during April and May. For instructions on how to enter, visit wnit.org/risingstar or call (574) 675-9648 x 309.

—Great Backyard Bird Count. Learn about feeding and identifying common winter birds and tally sightings for the afternoon. Free with paid Fernwood admission. Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, MI 49120. For more info, visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org or call

(269) 695-6491. 1-4 p.m.

i

—Pearl Buttons and Shells: program by Ric Ladonski. View a collection of pearl buttons and shells while learning about the history of pearl button manufacturers along the St. Joseph River. Suitable for all age groups. $10 (Members $8) Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, MI 49120. For more info, visit www.fernwoodbotanical. org or call (269) 695-6491.

Feb. 14

—ARS Arts & Culture Center is having an opening reception for the “ARS Faculty Exhibit.” 147 Fifth St. Benton Harbor, MI. For more info, call (269) 2775090 or visit www.annarussoart.com 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Now- March 20

Feb. 15

—Wine 101: Six-week course from Ruth Ryberg designed for anyone who wants to learn about wine.

Must be 21. Lake Michigan College, Napier Ave. Campus, D-116 (Planetarium). Contact 1-800-252-1562 ext. 7502

— A special concert of romantic music by THE TRiO, comprised of Star & Charlie Fritsche and Ed Skjordal. Box Factory for the Arts, St. Joseph, MI. Tickets available online at www.boxfactoryforthearts. org or at the door: $10 gen-

resell them,” Riley said.

The Friends of New Troy also host other programs and events at the community center.

“We have an event almost every month,” Riley said. “A lot of it revolves around recycling. The Friends of New Troy have worked to get recycling to Weesaw Township.”

As the owner of The New Troy Resale Shop, Riley advocates for the “three Rs,” but she has added a fourth “R” or her own.

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Resell. If you don’t need it, resell it!” Riley said.

The Friends of New Troy are always looking for more vendors, so those who have things that they no longer use and who would like to resell them can call Riley at (773) 275-1514 for more information.

The group also has a Facebook page that offers

more information about their activities as well as a website at www.friendsofnewtroy.org.

“We also need more volunteers. People just don’t seem to get out and get involved as they did in the past,” Riley said. “I think it’s important to be a part of the community.”

i

eral admission; $8 students and seniors; children 12 and under are free. 7:30 p.m.

Located in the beautiful, southwestern Michigan. Bullseye Marketplace is a meat market. We also offer deli meats and cheese, bulk and specialty foods, a nice selection of local/organic/gluten-free products, vitamins and supplements, and custom meat and deer processing.

SPECIALS: 2/14-2/20 Country Style Ribs ..................1.99/lb Whole Frozen Turkey.................98/lb Pan Roasted Turkey Breast....5.49/lb Marble Cheese ......................3.09/lb Custom Butcher Shop Slaughter $40.00 Processing 40¢/lb paper 49¢/lb vac-pac Beef • Hogs • Lambs • Deer Clean, modern setup!

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59283 White Temple Rd • Vandalia, MI 49095

269.476.1126

http://www.BullseyeMarketplace.com

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www.OliveCart.com 421 State Street, St. Joseph, MI • 424 Phoenix Road, South Haven, MI One coupon per household. Can not be combined with other offers. While supplies last. No cash value.

Page 8 • Week of February 14-20, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

CUISINE SCENE

Lydia's offers down home cooking

By JILL McCAUGHAN offthewater@leaderpub.com

B

RIDGMAN — If you’re looking for some comfort food to get you through this long winter, you may want to head over to Lydia’s Down Home Cooking in Bridgman.

“We wanted to bring old-fashioned home cooking back,” said owner Aaron Smith. “Pretty much everything here is made from scratch.”

The restaurant, which opened at 9804 Red Arrow Highway on July 1, serves American and Mexican food.

“We’re known for our soups and cakes,” Smith said.

“Everybody thrives on our soups.

One big sale was when someone came in and bought two 5-gallon containers of our soup for a party.

That’s how much people like it.”

Lydia’s is open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays through Tuesdays, and they add dinner to their offerings from Wednesday through Friday, staying open until 8 p.m. on those evenings.

As with most restaurants in an area known for summer tourism, business slowed down through the winter.

“This winter’s been slow, but it’s starting to pick up again,” Smith said, glancing around the full dining room.

Business has been going so well, in fact, that Smith is in the process of adding onto the building.

“That will give us a bigger kitchen and a bakery,” Smith said.

“Our kitchen is so small right now that we can’t put everything we make on our menu.”

However, Smith and his staff aim to please, and they are happy to make whatever a customer might have a hankering for.

“You can order whatever you want, whether it’s on the menu or not, like chop steak, for example,” Smith said. “If we have the ingredients, we’ll make it to order.”

Other future plans include adding a lunch counter and a salad bar. That is on top of the full remodel that Smith completed before opening Lydia’s. The walls are freshly painted in bright colors, and the work of local artists decorates them.

“We remodeled the restaurant, put in new carpet, new mechanicals, and we offer a totally different menu,” Smith said, referring to restaurants that have occupied that same location in the past.

Smith, who also works as a mechanic at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, has invested his retirement savings in the business to make his dream a reality. It is, in fact, a dream that has been passed down in the Smith family.

“My father always said he’d like to open a restaurant,” Smith

Leader photos/JILL McCAUGHAN

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Owner Aaron Smith takes care of his customers at lunchtime in Lydia’s; Customers enjoy the newly remodeled restaurant and made-from-scratch cooking that Lydia’s offers; Lydia's Down Home Cooking is located at 9804 Red Arrow Highway in Bridgman, Mich. said. “I always cooked in large portions at home. Then, I got my first cooking job in a real restaurant, and I really liked that.”

After many years of cooking at several other local restaurants and earning his ServSafe certification, Smith got the opportunity to purchase the property where Lydia’s stands.

“The price was right, the timing was good, and we decided to do it,” Smith said. “I invested in it

as my retirement.”

So far, the reality of Smith’s dream is taking fine shape, with the support of his family and his staff.

“It’s my dad’s dream,” said son Nathan, who works as a cook at Lydia’s. “Of course, I support the family in anything they want to do.”

The rest of the family has also gotten involved. Wife Debbie bakes famous cakes and pies for

the restaurant, relying on her grandmother’s recipes. Son Kevin also works at the restaurant. Even Lydia, Smith’s 11-year-old daughter for whom the restaurant is named, has a role to play.

“She buses tables and rolls silverware with me,” Smith said.

“She likes it.”

Smith also credits his staff with the success of the venture.

“I have a great staff,” Smith said. “I’m only as strong as my

staff.”

Lydia’s offers specials every day of the week, including “Wrap Wednesday,” when all wraps are just $7, Taco Thursday, when tacos are just $.99 each, and their popular Friday fish fry for $8.50.

The restaurant can be reached at (269) 266-7337, and they also have a Facebook page.

“It’s going well,” Smith said.

“I enjoy the people that come in here and their stories.”