inMiddlebury Magazine P.O. Box 68 Middlebury, IN 46540
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE ecrwsseddm PAID Berne, IN Permit No. 43
Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana
August 2019
EssEnhaus – hoolEy ClassiC Car auCtion Sept. 12 • 3 p.m. Held at
a Memorabili Auction at 3:00 p.m.
Middlebury, IN
Car Auctio at 4:00 p.mn . Auction w ill place on thtake Essenhaus e Campus
Don’t miss the Cruise-In after the Auction! Same Evening! Thursday, Sept. 12 AUCTION DAY! Office opens at 9 a.m. for buyer & seller registration & car check in. Call or email for entry forms, terms and other details: 574-596-9890 or hooleycarauction@gmail.com
B a r t E l a n D C o M Pa n y. C o M 574-825-2115
Table of Contents American Legion turns 100, 6
Vibrant Communities, 18
Middlebury Arts Council, 7
Meet the Teachers, 19 A little about your teachers
Outdoor Living, 8 Experimenting with fire Middlebury Parks Department, 9 Room makeover to help Middlebury Family, 10 My Happy Place to do first Michiana makeover Scholar Athlete, 12 Sage Schnell Middlebury’s RiverFest & Indiana Master Naturalist, 14-15 - A “Natural” partnership Middlebury Summerfest, 16-17 Schedule
Shout, 21 Give a shout of gratitude Lawrence Street, 22 Middlebury Chamber of Commerce, 23 Northridge Athletes, 24-25 Little girl confronts street crew, 27 With unexpected results Local Business Directory, 28 Coupons, 29-30
August’s Cover: The Varns Guest House is a unique treasure on South Main Street in Middlebury. Janice and Lanny Kimes became the owners of it more than twenty years ago when they purchased it from the original family on their 100th anniversary of running it. Truly a downtown gem.
What’s Happening Online
Contributors:
inMiddlebury?
Publisher:
William Connelly
Editor:
Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
ADVERTISING: Scott Faust
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Cori Vilardo
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dr. Carla Gull, Lauren Zeugner and Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Elam Chapman, Russ Draper, Lauren Zeugner, Gloria Salavarria and Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
www.Facebook.com/inMiddlebury
Coupons
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Advertise with us
Share your message with every home and business within the Middlebury School Corporation. We mail the magazine to homes and businesses throughout the Middlebury School District and publish it online. Your ad can reach each home for as low as 1.5¢ per address. Design is free with purchase of your ad. Our Account Managers are here to help, just give us a call at 574-825-9112.
Advertising deadline for the September issue
is August 12.
inMiddlebury Magazine | AUgust 2019 3
Community Calendar August
1 34th annual Crystal Valley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Fundraising Banquet 5:30 p.m., American Legion, Post 210, SR 13 & York Drive. All-You-Can-Eat Corn & Sausage Roast, live & silent auctions, Mystery Safe, games, raffles & fun. Tickets available at the door or www.ducks.org/ Indiana/events/58756/crystal-valley-dinner. Adults: $35/person or $50/couple, kids age 16 & under, $15. All adult tickets include one-year membership with Ducks Unlimited. All kid tickets include one-year membership as a Greenwing. Please print your tickets - you will need paper copy to get into venue. Just having it on your phone will not be accepted. **Sponsorship packages also available. Contact Brian Mueller at (574) 536-2969 for more details.** 6 Chamber Chat 8:30 a.m., Middlebury Chamber of Commerce 9-10 51st Annual Summer Fest See pages 16-17 and page 20 for details. 10 Middlebury Summer Fest 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament See page 26 for details. 12 Mac Chat 6-9 p.m., Spruce House, 209 W Berry St. See Page 23 for details 13 Chamber Chat 8:30 a.m., Middlebury Chamber of Commerce 16 17th Annual Golf Outing Meadow Valley Golf Club, see page 23 for details. 17 Middlebury BBQ & Brew Fest 4-10 p.m., Patchwork Quilt Inn, See page 20 for details. 17 Flashback Friday - Movies in the Park “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Bring a chair or blanket to Riverbend Park, 511 E. Warren St. Free Event. 20 Chamber Chat 8:30 a.m., Middlebury Chamber of Commerce 24 10th Annual Riverfest Riverbend Park, see page 9 for details. 24 Regatta of Recyclables - Miniature Boat Race A race down the river at Riverbend Park during Riverfest starting at noon. Boats to be built onsite from 10 a.m.-noon, boat items will be provided. For more information visit www.middleburythen andnow.org 27
Chamber Chat 8:30 a.m., Middlebury Chamber of Commerce
4 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
Weekly Mon: Table Games, Greencroft – 6:30 p.m. Tues: Euchre, Greencroft – 6:30 p.m. WED: Middlebury Exchange Club, Essenhaus – 6:30 a.m. Fri: Optimist Club Breakfast, Essenhaus – 6:30 a.m.
Monthly American Legion Dinners 5 -7 p.m., Public welcome 1st Friday: All-You-Can-Eat Fish by the Legion 2nd Friday: Grilled Smoked Pork Chops by Legion Riders 3rd Friday: Jumbo Tenderloin with waffle fries & cheese and dessert by Auxiliary 4th Friday: Sandwich Baskets by SAL 5th Friday: Lasagna dinner by Boy Scout Troop 7 Last Saturday: Steak Grill – Call 825-5121 for more info 1st & 3rd Mondays: Town Council Meetings at Town Hall – 6 p.m. 1ST & 3rd Wednesdays: Middlebury Men’s Club Meetings at the American Legion – 7 p.m. 2nd and 4th Mondays Middlebury Lions Club - 7 p.m., American Legion Hall
Editor’s Note I hope you enjoy the stories in this month’s issue as you follow the journey of a special youth who had her room made over, learn about the connections built between teachers and students as common interests spark friendships, our legendary Riverfest and all that goes into it as well as read about some recent road construction in our downtown area and the tears and moments of compassion that came out of it. I don’t know about you but I have been enjoying all of the summer community events we have been able to experience and am looking forward to the upcoming festivals...oh and I have a surprise in store for you at the Summer Festival Parade you won’t want to miss. -Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
Milestones Happy 80th Birthday Danice!
Happy Birthday Anthony! Mom, Dad & all your brothers, love you!
8/2 Danice Harding, 80
Happy 13th Birthday Alanna!
Happy 19th Birthday Carson!
Birthday Wishes
8/5 Anthony Nagy, 3
Happy 100th Birthday Glenna!
8/15 Alanna Taylor, 13
8/25 Dora Schrock, 50
8/22 Carson Miller, 19
8/28 Larry Yoder, 65
8/23 Glenna Kindy, 100
Anniversary Wishes
8/1 LeRoy and Carol Miller, 4 years 8/2 Jack and Marilyn Cook, 50 years
8/5 Nate and Melissa Bontrager, 19 years
Have a celebration in September? Let us know by August 12.
1. 2. 3.
Website: inMiddlebury.com/milestones Facebook: Facebook.com/inMiddlebury. Click on the blue (Submit) tab Call us at: 574-825-9112
4.
Mail: inMiddlebury Magazine: PO Box 68, Middlebury, IN 46540. Please include a phone number or email address in case we have a question.
Happy 19th Anniversary Nate and Melissa!
inMiddlebury Magazine  | AUgust 2019 5
100 The American Legion turns
1919
2019
Happy 100th birthday to the American Legion!
For the past 100 years the American Legion and auxiliary have been serving, helping, and meeting the needs of our nation’s Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard veterans, and their families. It all began in Paris 100 years ago...The American Legion’s 55 departments, nearly 12,500 posts, and two million members here and abroad are celebrating a century of service to community, state, and nation that begin in Paris March 15-17, 1919.* War-weary members of the American Expeditionary Forces gathered for a “morale conference” that led to what became the American Legion. The American Legion would take shape as a non-partisan association of wartime veterans dedicated to building a stronger nation through community service, veteran’s assistance, support for a strong national defense, patriotism, and mentorship of youth.* The 101st American Legion National Convention will be held August 2229 in Indianapolis, the home of the organization’s national headquarters. (*Jeff Stoffer) The American Legion Auxiliary is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization with over one million members worldwide. Some of its activities along with veteran and legion members include: • Auxiliary emergency fund to help veterans and their families. • Poppy event where disabled veterans make poppies which are handed out and donations are forwarded to the veterans. • Memorial weekend includes poppy event, complimentary breakfast and dinner served at the Legion for the public and Legion and Auxiliary members and families, American Legion Riders and float in parade, crowning of the poppy queen, carnations for gold and blue star mothers, Grace Lawn Cemetery vigil. • Memorial services with the Honor Guard presenting a folded flag to the family of a deceased veteran, Taps, gun salute, patriotic guard stake flags and hand-held flags at funeral homes and graveside services, Auxiliary serves a family meal. We also actively support the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Raiders Nation, Miller’s Vets homeless shelter, police force, firefighters, Divertin/business leaders dinner, HUGS event, and a variety of other activities. Both the Legion and Auxiliary regularly prepare meals which are open to the public. See our dinner schedule in the community calendar on page 4 of this magazine. Thank you so much for your continued interest and support!
Your Shop. We Donate. 6 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
inMiddlebury Magazine  | AUgust 2019 7
Chris Beechy blows air into his fire.
Lighting a match can be tricky at first but gets easier with time.
OUTDOOR LIVING
Experimenting with Fire
Direct personal experiences with firemaking help children develop a healthy respect for fire and its potential destruction and opportunities. I recently helped both boys and girls, ages 7-13, light their own mini-fires. I gave the children time, a safe space, materials, encouragement, and an example for building their fire; along with a healthy dose of safety parameters along the way. For containers, I used a smooth edge can opener to take the top off of tin cans and then a bottle opener to make holes near the bottom. These vents allow air to get to the fire. We worked on the driveway, clearing away flammable debris. Each child had plenty of space. The children collected their own tinder – they found pine needles, dry leaves, tiny twigs, and bark that would easily light. I also showed them a trick of using a cotton ball dipped in petroleum jelly. The children also collected lots of kindling (small sticks) to feed the fire. Each child had a small box of matches. Many children had never lit a match; however, once one child “got it,” he or she often helped others. The children
made a small arrangement of sticks in their tin cans, leaving space for air to circulate. Tinder (including the cotton ball with petroleum jelly) is tucked in so the kindling will catch fire as the tinder burns. The children tried to light the fire, with emphasis on “try.” This took many, many attempts at first. Eventually the children each got a small fire going, realizing the fire’s needs – oxygen, heat, and fuel. They put their fires out with water, dirt, or sand, focusing on safety. The cans do get extremely hot, so tongs and potholders were available. Some celebrated by roasting a marshmallow over their own personal fire. What a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment! It’s great to see the children’s intrigue and confidence grow as they build fire-making skills. Firestarting and safety is learned by handson opportunities doing it. Children benefit from these opportunities to understand the power of fire. Learn more about fire making with younger children on my fire podcast episode: http:// loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/fire-as-aloose-part
Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com. She is often seen with her four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area. 8 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
Try roasting a marshmallow after your fire is going.
Carson Simmons carefully tends his fire.
arks
epartment
Willow’s Story
What’s Happening in the Parks from your Middlebury Park Board
Willow is a barn owl. When he was young, he was using a barn as his home and was doing his job in eating the mice. The farmer did not know Willow was living there and used poison to lower the rodent population. Willow ate those mice and got poisoned also. He was saved but the effects of the poison left him with neurological issues, causing him to be unable to catch enough mice to survive. Because of the issues, Willow was not able to be released back into the wild. Look for Willow at Riverbend at Dusk. (Contributed by Aimee Pico of Lake Milton Raptors. Learn more at http:// www.RaptorCenter.org)
Riverfest at Dusk
In addition to the usual daytime activities starting at 10 a.m. (crafts, informational booths, kayak rides and drawing, fish shocking demo, etc.), you can continue to celebrate the 10th Annual Middlebury Riverfest by attending “Riverfest at Dusk” on Saturday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Riverbend Park. Highlights include nocturnal animals, understanding telescopes, and participating in night sky viewing. Milton Lake Raptor Center’s educational “Owl Program” kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with seven live owl species, including Long Eared, Short Eared, Great Horned, Screech, Barred, Snowy (weather dependent), and a Mystery Exotic Owl. At 8:30 p.m., amateur astronomer Steve Schantz will present “How Curiosity Led Me to the Cosmos” and take attendees on the journey of building his own telescope. A “Dark Sky” talk by the Michiana Astronomical Society followed by night sky viewing begins around 9 p.m. Clouds permitting, Saturn and Jupiter will be in view above Middlebury that evening. Telescopes will be provided. Riverfest at Dusk is a free event for all ages.
Flower Fund Thank-You The following people have donated to
the Middlebury Flower Fund in memory of someone: Marcy Gabriel for William and Gladys Troyer, Marlin and Christy Stutzman for Clarence and Salome Miller and Andrew and Rhoda Stutzman, Don and Beth Muhlnickel for Cleo Sheppard, Betty Graber for John Graber and C.J. and Viola Gingerich, Debby Miller for K. Marion Miller, Harold L. Yoder for Neil Myers, and an anonymous contribution also for Neil Myers. (More in a future issue.)
Can you guess....
What this is? (See answer at the bottom of page 28.)
THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY
SAFE
TIMELY
DEPENDABLE
inMiddlebury Magazine | AUgust 2019 9
Room makeover to help Middlebury family
My Happy Place to do first Michiana makeover
A bedroom makeover will help brighten the home of Cierra Clements and her family. Cierra, 13, has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. She suffered brain damage due to infection and a series of strokes from bacterial meningitis. She has undergone a series of surgeries and the family calls Cierra their “miracle girl.” Her mother Michelle is her fulltime caregiver and her father Sy works two jobs to support the family. My Happy Place, an organization based in Mason City, Iowa, that does makeovers to help children heal and thrive, were at the family’s home June 28 and 29. The big reveal took place at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 30. “We are thrilled with My Happy Place coming to our region to help one of our patients at Beacon Children’s Hospital,” said Susan King, president of Beacon Health Foundation. “This can make a huge difference in the lives of this family and we’re thrilled to be partners to help them and make our community stronger.” Cierra is a happy teenage girl who loves to be outside and is able to walk with her father in a harness he modified. She also loves to swing. Sy calls her an adrenaline junkie and has strapped her to him for rides on a dirt bike. “She just loves it,” mom says. “She loves anything outdoors and fast.” Cierra goes to physical therapy every other week at Beacon Children’s Hospital and a staff member recommended her for a room makeover from My Happy Place. Generosity from an anonymous donor to Beacon Health Foundation helped form a partnership to assist the Clements family. Several community partners have also donated their time and services: Connie Adkins Photography, Das Dutchman Essenhaus Inn, Middlebury Electric, Russ Draper Photography, Aunt Karen’s Café, the Legendary Grind, and Erin Eggers.
About Beacon Health Foundation
Beacon Health Foundation works with generous members of our community to provide support to Beacon Health System, the largest, locally owned and operated non-profit health system in the region, as it grows and works to evolve with healthcare trends and provide the highest quality of care to all. From the Elkhart General Hospital Surgery expansion to the new home for Beacon Children’s Hospital, the generous donations of benefactors help create an environment of quality care for all patients. For more information, go to https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/foundation/.
10 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
The Old Faith, Hope, and Charity July 16–September 28
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The Scholar Athlete
Mentoring Spirit, Mind, Body Photo by Russ Draper
Sage Schnell
Recent Northridge High School graduate Sage Schnell is the daughter of Jackie and Doug Schnell. She has participated in both soccer and track during her years at NHS. In addition, she was also a part of thje National Honor Society and was treasurer of the NHS National Honor Society chapter her senior year. She also participated in student council during her years at NHS. “The things I enjoy most about being in sports at Northridge High School is the friendships that I have built with my teammates over the last four years. Also, the competitiveness of the sports. Participating in sports in high school has also allowed me to develop good time management skills,” she said. Outside of school she was on a travel soccer team and is a 10-year member of 4-H. She enjoys volunteering at the Middlebury Food Pantry, as well as other organizations. After high school Schnell plans to attend the University of Findlay and play soccer there. She will be majoring in biology and plans to go on to medical school after she gets her undergraduate degree.
12 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
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inMiddlebury Magazine | AUgust 2019 13
Photos by Elma Chapman and Gloria Salavarria
Middlebury’s Riverfest & Indiana Master Naturalists – A “Natural” Partnership Winding along through the 45 acres of Riverbend Park, Middlebury’s largest and least developed park, flows the crystal-clear waters of the Little Elkhart River. This regionally renown cold water trout stream draws anglers today just as in centuries prior. The Miami and Potawatomi tribes were drawn to its waters for sustenance, transportation and trade. Europeans later settled here for similar reasons, eventually harnessing the Little Elkhart River to turn the wheels of mills for making lumber from the surrounding forests, grinding grain for bread, and pressing apples for cider. Within a block of Riverbend Park today stands a mill – the oldest building in Middlebury – surrounded by a bustling small town filled with industry, but still invested in and enjoying its local gem – the Little Elkhart River. Middlebury’s Riverfest is the yearly celebration of the Little Elkhart, the importance of fresh water and the natural world. This free, family-friendly festival is a one-day event dubbed “edutainment” by its creators and sponsors, the Town of Middlebury’s Parks and Recreation Department. The project is the brainchild of Middlebury Parks Superintendent Tom Enright and a group of imaginative, energetic and dedicated volunteers including park board members, Elkhart County Master Naturalists, talented community members, and representatives of the Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Middlebury Community Schools. This group acts as a steering committee, working throughout the year to develop themes, new activities, fresh teaching materials, and connecting with local artists and educators willing to share their passion for outdoor appreciation and learning. The committee also actively participates in promotion, advertising and hands-on activities during the festival. Middlebury Riverfest celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer and is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24. The theme is “Living the Stream.” The day of Riverfest dawns on an empty park, but by 9 a.m. it’s buzzing with booths and tents housing organizations such as FOMP, Elkhart Count Parks Dept., Elkhart County SWCD, INPAWS, the scouts, local nature centers, 14 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
outdoors and sporting organizations, and environmental divisions of neighboring communities. Educators are encouraged to conduct a craft or game to draw in festivalgoers of all ages while both entertaining them and teaching them valuable concepts about fresh water and how both humans and our wildlife neighbors depend on it for healthy, happy lives. In addition to making the rounds learning about nature, water and the organizations and opportunities offered by these groups, programs and special events are offered throughout the day. Nature and bird hikes, history walks, nature scavenger hunts, electro-fish sampling of the river by the City of Elkhart Natural Resource Division, and the ever popular and always changing live animal program featuring raptors, bats, amphibians, reptiles, insects and mammals of the region are just a few examples. Riverfest also enjoys the help of a number of Elkhart County Master Naturalists and local nature enthusiasts who act as educators, sharing their knowledge and passion of nature about such things as fossils, earthworms, natural dyes, cultural history, wildflowers, birds and animal habitats. Local artist Linda Pieri gives her time and talent fostering creativity by teaching kids the joys of painting outdoors. Art students
from Northridge create face paintings while 8th grade civic class volunteers lend assistance throughout the event to gain community service hours. Another top highlight is the guided kayak rides on the “Middlebury Blueway,” a 20-minute float on the Little Elkhart River from Riverbend Park to Krider Garden Park and the historic Trestle Bridge on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. The day ends with a fundraiser lunch by a local school, live animal program, and the much-anticipated drawing for a donated kayak and other nature-related prizes. This variety of events and activities, the emphasis on both enjoyment and learning, has made Riverfest into one of the Middlebury community’s favorite festivals. The appeal of live animals, engaging educators, and casual atmosphere crosses all generations. Many families make this their “rain or shine event.” Homeschool groups use the educational properties as a kickoff to their academic year. Grandparents use this as a family “Middlebury” weekend. Attendance, though hard to quantify at a free event, has grown yearly and is estimated between 300 and 400 annually. New to the schedule this year is the “Riverfest Recycled Regatta” thanks to the creative members of the Middlebury Then and Now Committee. Valued park partners, “Then and Now” will sponsor the event, helping kids create boats from recycled materials and assisting with a race on the Little Elkhart River. Materials for boat making will be provided. Another new partner is the Middlebury Arts Council (MAC). MAC will guide the creation of sculptures and windchimes – also from recycled materials and also provided. Contact Parks Superintendent Tom Enright at 574-8253283 (office) or 574-536-2305 (cell) for more information on attending or if you or your organization have talents to share with the community.
inMiddlebury Magazine | AUgust 2019 15
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Friday, August 9 10:30 a.m.
Food Vendors Open
5:00-6:00 p.m.
TBA Entertainment Tent
5:00 p.m.
Cornhole Tournament Registration Basketball Court
5:30 p.m.
Cornhole Tournament begins Basketball Court
6:30 p.m.
Garden Tractor Pull Railroad Street Held by Elkhart County Garden Tractor Pullers
6:30-7:45 p.m.
Kid’s Games! A variety of games and prizes for kids Beside Fire Station on Bristol Avenue
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Unfinished Business Rock and Roll Dance Band Entertainment Tent Vendors remain open until 9 p.m.
Saturday, August 10 7:00-10:30 a.m. Pancake and Sausage Breakfast All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes East Park Sponsored by First United Methodist Church 9:00 a.m. 9th Annual Fishing Tournament Das Dutchman Essenhaus Pond, Registration begins at 9 a.m., fishing from 9:30-11 a.m., with open fishing until noon. Coorindated with the Middlebury Parks Dept. 9:00 a.m. 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Bristol Avenue 10:30 a.m. Vendors Open 11:00 a.m. Northern Lights and Starlights Award winning NHS show choirs East Park Basketball Courts 1:00 p.m. Festival Parade Route goes from Middlebury Elementary to the library. Sponsored by First State Bank of Middlebury 2:30-3:30 p.m. Magician - TBA Entertainment Tent 5:00-6:30 p.m. TBA Entertainment Tent 6:30-9:00 p.m. Gretchen’s Revenge Entertainment Tent Vendors remain open until 9 p.m.
inMiddlebury Magazine | AUgust 2019 17
Written by and photo by Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
On June 27, Chandler Cunningham, a data lead for an ongoing Downtown Vibrancy Assessment for Middlebury commissioned by the ECCVB and the Vibrant Communities Initiative, through enFocus, hosted a focus group at the Middlebury Community Library to allow residents of the town of Middlebury to have their voices heard regarding our downtown’s strengths and key improvement areas. Several Middlebury residents showed up to have their voices heard. Representatives from the Then and Now Committee, First State Bank, Varns and Hoover Hardware, Dog Town Resort and several other groups and individuals attended. Vibrant Communities is an initiative to strengthen Elkhart County’s great communities. The movement is guided by three core beliefs: 1. Economic growth depends on “Quality of Place.” 2. Successful places clearly understand who they are and what they offer. 3. Creativity and collaboration are key to shaping our future. During the meeting Chandler guided the focus group as they brainstormed and discussed several topics including; what all believed were characteristics of a successful downtown, the good parts of downtown Middlebury, places people tend to gather in Middlebury, and what things would people change about our downtown. In addition they created a list of words associated with Middlebury. On this page you will find the lists that the group came up with. It is the hope of the community as well as the ECCVB and the Vibrant Communities Initiative that these thoughts and ideas voiced by the people of Middlebury will help sculpt our town as it continues to grow and offer so much activity for locals and visitors alike. This is an ongoing project and will have future meetings to attend if you missed this one.
Characteristics of a successful downtown: Jobs that draw people in Availability of goods and services Safety Welcoming Walk-ability Outdoor seating for restaurants Esthetics Easy Parking Street Layout Community spaces Shopping
Good aspects of down town Middlebury: Welcoming people Familiarity Festivals and parades Parks Pumpkinvine access Historical buildings and homes Bicycle accessibility Library
What would we change:
Traffic Parking Affordable housing Affordable family dining Road safety on residential streets Needs to be more buggy- and Amish-friendly on the roads. More access for people with disabilities More free activities Become protected by the Humane Society again (The town council recently decided not to continue our town’s contract with the Humane Society so we are not currently protected by them to handle our strays or other animal needs).
Words Associated with Middlebury
Integrity, quaint, unique, charming, neighborly, helpful, community, support, proud, pretty, slower-paced, industrious.
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Meet the Teachers:
A little about your teachers
Written By Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
Within the Middlebury school system we find that our lives and pursuits are so tied together through the common thread of community that it is no surprise when a teacher and a student find interests that match one another. Such is the case with recently retired ceramics teacher Len Cockman and incoming junior Nathaniel Labhart. Cockman taught ceramics at Northridge High School for 30 years prior to his retirement this past spring. Before moving from Ohio to Indiana, he pursued his teaching degree in the arts at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. However, he now considers himself far more of a Hoosier than a Buckeye. Prior to college, Cockman ran track and cross country in high school and had a love of car racing. In fact he loved racing so much that he nearly didn’t attend college because he wanted to withdraw the deposit he had made on his dorm agreement to buy a race car... fortunately for the students of Middlebury his parents deterred him from that idea and he attended college to pursue art education but
continued to have a love of racing. He would go to Michiana Raceway Park in South Bend, Ind., over the years to race the rental fleet and began working there for several years. He enjoyed the club racing so much that he started the Northridge Kart Racing Club in 2008. “We would go out to Michiana Raceway Park via school bus and have a series of heat races and a final on Wednesdays,” Cockman reminisced. That love eventually trickled down into his youngest son, Andy, who began participating in soap box derby at age 11 and continued on to kart racing between the ages of 16-19, which took him to the Daytona Beach Speedway. Andy graduated from NHS in 2012 and is an industrial maintenance mechanic at Carpenter in Bristol. He hopes to race sprint cars in the USAC series sometime during the next couple of seasons. It was at Michiana Raceway Park that Len Cockman started running into Krista and Steve Labhart. He had taught art to their eldest daughter Claudia and so their families were familiar with each other. As he started talking to the whole family, he began to see that both had a common interest in the unique combination of the arts and racing. Nathaniel’s mother, Krista, had been working at the raceway to help sponsor her son’s love for racing and Nathaniel and Len hit it off immediately as they began talking about their interests. This eventually lead to
Mortgages
Cockman becoming a fan of Nathaniel’s racing adventures as well as a mentor. Nathaniel Labhart is a junior at Northridge High School and has been racing go-karts for four years now. He will be racing at the Elkhart Grand Prix which is sponsored by USAC and held the weekend of August 9 alongside Cockman as a competitor. Cockman says that he asked Labhart, “if you lap me, just wave and say hi.” Cockman believes that Labhart is an excellent sportsman and has a great future in racing if he should choose to seek it out. “Nathaniel has the right personality and work ethic that he will find a position in the industry one day,” he said. “He possesses the drive of the storied Northridge swim team, cross country team, and Science Olympiad kids.” We are so glad to have these sorts of relationships built between youth and mentors that influence and last a lifetime.
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inMiddlebury Magazine | AUgust 2019 19
Middlebury’s 51st Summer Festival Friday, August 9 & Saturday, August 10
Come out and support our 2019 Northridge Show Choir State Champions. Serving Mishler’s Famous Pork Burgers Dipp’n Dots & Sweet Corn Charlie’s All proceeds go to support the Northridge Choir Department
Lovely
as a ' summer s day
Join us for the 2019
MIDDLEBURY BBQ & BREW FEST
AUGUST 17, 2019 | 4PM - 10PM | PATCHWORK QUILT INN, MIDDLEBURY, IN
Event Includes:
Perfect for Birthdays, Anniversaries and Everyday Occasions!
Flower Basket
500 Spring Valley Plaza • Across from Northridge High School
825-7673 (ROSE) 20 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES AWESOME FOOD CRAFT BEER GRILL MASTERS BURGER COMPETITION FAMILY-FRIENDLY AREA & more...
Tickets and Information available at BBQBREWFEST.COM
Welcome to our new SHOUT page!
If you know of a community member or group of people whom you would like to offer out a SHOUT of gratitude in a future magazine, please send your nomination to our editor Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher at Delightfullyhere@gmail.com
A huge thank you and appreciation to Laura and Dave Bailey, you are such caring and amazing neighbors. Thank you for all of your help, guidance and affection. – The McBouchampsons
Melanie Beachey at Boys and Girls Club for being so pleasant while remembering all the parents’ faces and which kids they belong to! – Monica Cummings
Shout out to Desirée for all that you do keeping happy thoughts on this page and for your work with the kids at Club doing Paper Mache! – Monica Cummings
Thank you Judy at Dr. Burns’ office for taking such care and time with her patients. – From Monica and Matthew Cummings
Thank you to Wear Haus Designs for donating this year’s shirts to the Middlebury Summer Fun Program. – From the Summer Fun staff and children.
Shout out to Debra Holds for being an amazing Girl Scout Leader for our Brownies – Monica Cummings
Thank to Middlebury and York townships for your continued support of the Middlebury Summer Fun program! – From the Summer Fun staff and children.
inMiddlebury Magazine | AUgust 2019 21
Lawrence Street
Written By and Photos by Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
If business or pleasure has brought you to downtown Middlebury these past few months then it would have been hard to miss the numerous road and sidewalk projects going on. Particularly the major overhaul on the west half of Lawrence Street. Most people are familiar with Lawrence St. as it is the first road that connects the familiar “S Curves” of Wayne St. to downtown Main St. It is frequently used by many as a shortcut to avoid the light
located downtown. To most of the community, these improvements to both the road and the sidewalks along this stretch of road probably seem positive, however to the residents who call these 13 houses their home it has come at a bittersweet expense. A street once known for its green beauty as it was lined with lush trees now feels a little barren and bleak as the canopy is missing to protect those along it from the hot summer sun. The stark change came as a surprise to all as road construction began in early April. What residents originally thought was going to result in the removal of two or three trees ended with the cutting down of every tree along the road that was placed between the sidewalks and the road, approximately 10 trees in total. When the tree crew came out and began their work there were many mixed feelings and frustrations.
22 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
Throughout the two days it took to cut down all the trees, everyone could feel their homes shake as large branches and parts of trunks were cut free and crashed to the ground. Many said it made their heart ache with every thunderous crash. It was described by some as traumatizing as they saw tree after tree felled to the earth, trees that had felt a part of homes and families as they provided shade to the people below and shelter to the critters within. Trees that were loved by children along the street and a common place for families to pose in front of for family photos or prom or first day of school photo opportunities. As neighbors came out in the evening hours to study the destruction and mourn the loss, tears were shed as they assessed the damage and shared their hearts with each other. While most understand that improvements to the infrastructure were needed, it was still a hard pill to swallow as what they knew as home, some for three or more generations of family over decades, no longer looked familiar. The people who make up the community along Lawrence St. are continuing to adjust and grow used to the new look as they change out their shade plants for full sun and find new ways to combat the heat of the day. The critters that called the trees home are also adjusting as they relocate and find new safe places to live. The day the trees came down a displaced screech owl was spotted atop one of the homes and the yards and street have been busy with squirrels and chipmunks as they scurry around combating each other for new territories. The main concern for the residents now that construction has ended is
to continue working with the people of Middlebury as well as the members of the town council to try and make Lawrence St. a safer place for not only the hundreds of people who cross it on foot or bicycle while traversing down the Pumpkinvine, but also for all of the young children, toddlers and pets who reside along it. Being a stretch of road that has always been used by so many as a shortcut to and from Wayne St. and Main St, often traveling at speeds that far exceed the speed limit and create an unsafe environment for all, there is concern that that traffic and the speed of that traffic will only increase as the road is smoother and the view is clearer now. As the residents continue to ask the town council to make improvements and adjustments to ensure the safety of everyone traveling on or across Lawrence St., they ask that you the community do your part as well by watching your speed as you travel down the road they call home and that you also prioritize the safety of all in your driving habits along there and all parts of Middlebury. We are indeed a unique, charming and welcoming town. Let’s continue to be a town and community that cares for one another and shows compassion for the concerns of others.
Welcome, Marlene Lehman, Plain & Simple Magazine to the Chamber Family.
inMiddlebury Magazine  | AUgust 2019 23
photos by Russ Draper
24 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
inMiddlebury Magazine  | AUgust 2019 25
M I D D L E B U R Y S U M M E R F E S T I VA L
3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNEY
OPEN DIVISION For anyone over 18 who still wants to play
Saturday, Aug 10, 2019
STARTS AT 2 PM
Cash Prizes!
all games will have refs!
Next to the Fire Station | Registration $60
MIDDLEBURY SUMMER FESTIVAL OPEN DIVISION 3-ON-3 Team Name: Contact Person: City:
Address: Phone # Complete this form. Send it with $60 to: LaGwana P.O. Box 70 Shipshewana, IN 46565 Ph: 260.463.4901 Checks made out to LaGwana After Aug. 3, bring form to the tourney by 12 noon on Aug. 10.
Player 1:
State:
Team Captain
Player 2: Player 3:
Player 4:
SPONSORED BY: AND OPEN DIVISION: Teams limited to 4 players, can be over 18 (but don’t HAVE to be). Referees will call the games. (Their decisions are final!) Tournament is double elimination. Cash Awards of $200 (first place team) and $100 (second place) will be awarded. Entries in this division only, will still be accepted day of the tournament. Must be at least six paid entries for competition to take place. Each team to pay $60 entry fee with pre-registration. Please bring your $60 to the tournament site during the younger teams’ tournaments (deadline is 12 o’clock noon - games start at approx. 2). Make checks payable to LaGwana.
26 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
Little girl confronts street crew with
SPECIAL KEEPSAKE — When roadwork in Middlebury meant Eila Hawkins’ favorite tree would be cut down, she was heartbroken. She even went out and told the tree crew they were cutting down her favorite tree. Later, a representative from Watson’s Tree Service brought her a slab of her favorite tree as a keepsake. (Photo by Lauren Zeugner)
unexpected results
Article and photo by Lauren Zeugner
“I heard that was your favorite tree,”
Sometimes progress is a bit painful.
“They’re going to make the road bigger and the sidewalk bigger,”
explained 5-year-old Eila Hawkins. She was talking about the roadwork taking place in Middlebury. The roadwork resulting in her favorite tree being cut down. Eila’s favorite tree was an ornamental pear that grew across the street from her house. In the spring it was loaded with fragrant white blossoms. When the workmen from Watson Tree Co. arrived to cut down the tree, Eila asked her mom if she could tell the tree crew they were cutting down her favorite tree. With her mother’s permission, Eila went outside and approached one of the crew members.
“I said, ‘Just so you know, this is my favorite tree,’ I was trying not to cry,” Eila said.
The workman told Eila not to blame him, but those who hired him as he apologized. Eila’s mom, Bethany, said she was surprised, but proud of Eila for going out and talking to the street crew. A few hours later, there was a knock on the door. It was another representative of Watson’s Tree Service asking to speak to Eila.
he said as he presented her with a slab from her tree to keep as a remembrance. He taught her how to count the rings on the tree, it was approximately 14 years old. He also presented her with $25 so she could purchase a new tree to plant in her yard. Eila was very surprised and happy to receive the keepsake. Her mother said they plan to find a way to preserve it so it will last.
“We think he was a grandpa or dad who was upset about a 5-year-old’s favorite tree being cut down,”
said Eila’s grandmother, Janelle. She added that her husband, who is responsible for the grounds at Goshen Community Schools, was very impressed with how Watson’s handled the situation. Eila said she isn’t sure what kind of tree she would like to purchase to replace her favorite tree, “I’ll have to see what they have,” she said. She did say she would like to plant her new tree in the front yard. Eila lives in Middlebury with her parents, an older sister and a younger brother. She will be entering kindergarten in the fall.
Thank You to the Elkhart Paper for sharing the article with us. inMiddlebury Magazine | AUgust 2019 27
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THIS INSTITUTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER.
28 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
Answer: A home for our native bees. These were donated to the Middlebury Parks Department by the Girl Scouts.
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30 inMiddlebury Magazine | August 2019
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