inMiddlebury Magazine P.O. Box 68 Middlebury, IN 46540
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Fall Fest premier page 16
Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana
SEPTEMBER 2020
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
6
8
Outdoor Living, 6 Outdoor handwashing options Middlebury Parks Department, 7 Hardware Magic, 8-9 Chris Wheeler
10
14
Stable Grounds Groundbreaking, 10-11 Shouts, 13 Give a shout of gratitude Mother Nature always wins, 14-15 Marla Krider
CONTRIBUTORS: PUBLISHER:
William Connelly
22
Fall Festival Premier, 16-19 Sidewalk Encouragement, 22 Middlebury Optimists, 27
On the Cover – Anna Garner from Heritage Intermediate School walks Truffles during the Stable Grounds Groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Kris Mueller
EDITOR:
Advertise with us
ADVERTISING:
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.
Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher Scott Faust
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Magdalena Franke
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dr. Carla Gull, Chris Wheeler, Marla Krider and Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Russ Draper, Linnea Wheeler, Kris Mueller and Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
Advertising deadline for the October issue
is September 10.
inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 3
COMMUNITY CALENDAR G CANCELLEDduled IN T E E M IN T R inally sche DIVE s of Divertin, orig
AUGUST
g of the Friend ongoing risks The annual meetin en cancelled for this year due to ally held on be rm s no ha , is 28 g . The meetin for September 19 DPost VI CO ng di n rroun America Legion and concerns su r at Middlebury beginning in 2021. be em pt Se of y n n be held agai the last Monda at the meeting ca 210. We hope th a e-mail to ay be directed vi Any questions m krider@maplenet.net. Greg Krider at g
WEEKLY MON: TUES: WED: FRI:
Table Games, Greencroft – 6:30 p.m. Euchre, Greencroft – 6:30 p.m. Middlebury Exchange Club, Essenhaus – 6:30 a.m. 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: Tacos and More 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
What’s Happening Online
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4 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
Editor’s Note Hopefully the pages that follow make you smile. I believe many people appear to be questioning many things right now. Small answers come from remembering who we are, who we have invested our lives into and how we wish to have our hearts remembered. Please join me through these pages as we discover old ground and new grounds, and the simple pleasant life of a town that truly Loves Thy Neighbor! - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
9/5
Verlin Schrock, 50
9/7
Dan Bowman
9/20 Tracy Wogoman
9/30 Bobbie & Doris Yoder, 65
Have a celebration in October? Let us know by September 14. 1. Website: inMiddlebury.com/milestones 2. Facebook: Facebook.com/inMiddlebury. Click on the blue (Submit) tab 3. 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 inMiddlebury Magazine  | SEPTEMBER 2020 5
OUTDOOR LIVING
Things to consider: • Use biodegradable soap, like Castille soap or camp soap, in a selfserving container. • Fill the jug with hot/warm water early in the day to have it stay warm for several hours if needed. Wrap it with insulation or keep it in a greenhouse until used. • Transport needed water and handwashing supplies via an outdoor cart to your location. • Have a way to dry hands. Consider separate washcloths/hand towels for each person hung on individual clips or on their own backpacks. • Make handwashing outdoors a habit before eating and other sensitive activities. Wash hands more frequently during the age of COVID. • Be aware of the gray water which is runoff from washing hands or dishes. Consider having a shallow ditch, a platform, or a rock bed to drain the water.
If you are holding class outdoors more, go camping, host a day camp, or need to clean up in the backyard, you may be in need of an outdoor handwashing station. Here are a few options to consider: • Solar shower bag with hose • Insulated water jugs • Water carriers • Hose hooked up to an outdoor sink, fish cleaning station, or camp sink • Tippy tap – a homemade system that allows for no contact with the apparatus while washing hands • Squeeze bottles with soap • Gallon jug with a hole at the bottom and a golf tee on a string • Old laundry detergent container with spout • Portable sink, stainless steel bowl, or washtub • ½ gallon Mason jar with holes in the lid
An outdoor sink makes for easy cleanup.
An insulated water jug can be a simple outdoor washing station.
Individual squirt bottles with earth-friendly soap makes for a quick and easy individual handwashing option.
6 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends regular handwashing to prevent the spread of germs and disease. Wash hands before and after certain activities to remove germs and prevent sickness. While these handwashing options may work well as we shift more activities outside during COVID, they can also be a great addition any time we go camping or are spending time outside. We have been washing hands in an outdoor setting for several years. With a little preplanning and getting used to outdoor handwashing routines, we can successfully wash our hands outside. Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com and podcasts as Loose Parts Nature Play. She is often seen with her four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area.
Move More
Yard signs have been placed along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail in the Railroad Street corridor and in Riverbend Park to encourage us all to move more. Goshen Health sponsored the signs and has partnered with local parks to promote healthy habits like simple exercises that can be completed during a walk on the trail. Step off the trail on the grass to perform the exercises so trail traffic is not restricted. Also let the parks department know if you like these exercise options. Permanent exercise stations have been suggested and could be a future improvement along the trail.
Featured Park:
Memorial Park
Volunteers hitting the trails
More than festivals and flags! Even without many of the usual scheduled events
of 2020, Memorial Park is worthy of your attention and open to all. Pay a visit to this one-acre patch of green space in the heart of Middlebury’s town center along our beautiful town’s Main Street and take time to linger at the WWII War Memorial dedicated to veterans of our community. Enjoy the showy patriotic petunia planting, the colorful hanging baskets, and then relax in the newly restored Bontrager Gazebo or the historic band shelter. A number of benches and picnic tables are waiting for your next outdoor stroll, family play, or lunch in the fresh air. This park was our first park, and therefore the oldest park in our system. Take some time to appreciate this green little gift downtown!
In July our Trail Steward volunteers began monitoring the Trails of Middlebury for safety, cleanliness and overall appearance. Their eagle eyes spotted many small details that might otherwise go unnoticed to keep our trails beautiful and accessible. These volunteers logged 9.5 hours of walking, running or biking trails, resulting in a list of several items that need attention and will be remedied. If you are a regular trail user and would like to help out, contact Tom at 825-1499 or parks@middleburyin.com. The parks department especially needs additional monitors for the trails of Riverbend.
THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY
SAFE
TIMELY
DEPENDABLE
inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 7
finding three more for them. These days, Nathan is the one helming the front desk at Varns & Hoover, magically identifying the exact bolt you need for your project. As the fifth-generation family owner of Varns & Hoover, he takes deep interest in its 130-plus years of history.
FAMILY BUSINESS – Pictured are Nathan and Caitlyn Miller with their dogs Ivy (left) and Stella (right). Stella would be employee of the month if not for her extra energy. by Chris Wheeler photos by Linnea Wheeler As a kid, Nathan Miller would visit his grandfather at the family hardware store and marvel at the “hardware magic” on display. A customer would approach the register with a random bolt or screw, and within seconds his grandfather had identified it to the 1/8th of an inch and was on his way to
Celebrating
Varns & Hoover started out in 1886 as Wise & Varns Hardware in Mancelona, Mich. Half-brothers W. W. Wise and Ellsworth Varns moved the business to Middlebury in 1887 after an unfortunate fire in Mancelona. They set up shop across the street from the current location at 101 S. Main St., where they would eventually move 25 years later. This fortunate move placed them only blocks away from the Pumpkinvine Railway, which was their source for products from across the country for years. Wise died in 1912, and in 1916 Varns was joined in the business by his son Clarence and brother-in-law Clarence Hoover, officially changing the name to Varns & Hoover. The business was eventually bought by Clarence Varn’s son-in-law, Dean Warstler, who was Nathan’s grandfather. Dean’s own son-in-law, Carl Eash, managed the store until his retirement in 2017. The family has deep roots in other parts of Middlebury’s history as well. Clarence Hoover grew up in the Varns Guest House, just down the street from the store. His brother Charles brought Middlebury’s First State Bank through the Great Depression as its first president. And Nathan’s grandfather and uncle, along with many other employees throughout the years,
CELEBRATING
110 YEARS of caring for your Firsts.
8 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
YEARS 1910-2020
www.YourFirstMatters.com
from vendors, and talks shop with customers every Saturday. And for two hours at the end of every Saturday, she is joined by the every-month Employee of the Month, their cockapoo Ivy. When he first took ownership of the store in 2018, Nathan was working six days a week, often until 11 o’clock every night. He frequently totaled over 80 hours a week. His grandmother (then in her 90s) would often drive over in her old Cadillac and join him for lunch, sharing sage bits of wisdom over their cheese sandwiches. Even now, he averages 25,000 steps a day, helping customers find what they need and managing a skilled team of employees. “When you put that kind of blood, sweat, and tears into something, you know it’s something that was meant to be. It becomes part of you.” Nathan’s passion for helping his customers is evident, and in a small town like Middlebury, that help extends beyond guiding them to the right color of paint. “We’re an information hub. We provide products. We provide counseling. People will come in and they may know what they want. But they just need someone to talk to, somebody to let them know that what they’re doing is correct. You can’t do that on Amazon. YouTube is nice, but you can’t ask somebody a question on YouTube.”
have been connected with the Middlebury Fire Department. Remnants and relics of this rich past are strewn throughout the store. Two divots worn into the hardwood of the northernmost aisle indicate the original location of the register where clerks would stand to ring up purchases. Here, surrounded by cubbyholes full of everything from fasteners to ammunition, they would climb a sliding ladder to work their “hardware magic” for customers. In those days, barbed wire was all the rage, as evidenced by an original options board of a dozen different varieties still on display in the store. Nathan and his team still use and maintain the original rope pulling and pipe threading machines, and the enormous Wise & Varns safe sits in state in the back office.
When asked what his favorite part of owning Varns & Hoover is, Nathan responds without hesitation: “I love my job. I love what I do. But without the people in the community, it would just be another retail job. It’s true – your customers do become family. You expect to see them every week. When you don’t see them, you check in. I love the people in Middlebury… People here can make just about anything, or make it work.” Varns & Hoover’s website points out that “In years past, the hometown hardware store was right at the heart of the community.” If Nathan and Caitlyn’s passion and care for their customers is any indication, this particular hardware store still is.
These days, Varns & Hoover continues the tradition of carrying virtually anything you might need for anything you might be doing – the perfect fit for a community of makers such as Middlebury. They have supplies for your next DIY project, for plumbing and electrical work, or for the start of the gardening season. Besides the normal hardware items, you can also find over 100 varieties of bulk garden seeds, scores of flower varieties, and some of the best extra-large hanging Boston fern baskets available in the area (if you want the latter, be sure to get on their waiting list now). Nathan grew up in Goshen, but visited his grandparents in Middlebury so often that it became a second home to him. He would help his Grandma Gerry make cookies and coffee cake for guests at the Varns Guest House, and visit Grandpa Dean at the hardware store on lunch hours and run around the upstairs balcony. Originally interested in medicine and physical therapy, he worked at Goshen Memorial Hospital for five years before continuing his family’s legacy at Varns & Hoover. Nathan’s wife, Caitlyn, is Middlebury-born and raised, with long family history in the area; ask her about her Grandfather Roger’s boyhood hijinks if you get a chance. She not only helps Nathan manage the business and catalog the store’s history, but also coordinates social media and marketing, fields calls
inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 9
Stable Grounds, Inc. holds groundbreaking ceremony COMMUNITY PROJECT – Pictured above are MCS administration, donors, project design associates, school board members, Boys and Girls Club representatives, future volunteer staff of Stable Grounds and the first two therapy horses.
Stable Grounds, Inc. held its groundbreaking ceremony on July 16 for the facility at the Middlebury Community Schools main campus. The new facility is supported by a $500,000 donation from the Peggy Weed Foundation (Robert Weed Plywood), a donation of land from the Essenhaus Group, and a $10,000 donation from 100 Women Who Care in Elkhart County. Interra Credit Union is also supporting the project with a construction loan. Stable Grounds is partnering with Middlebury Community Schools and the Middlebury Boys and Girls Club. Stable Grounds, Inc., which will be located northeast of Orchard View Elementary in Middlebury, will feature a barn and arena with classroom and office space. The services in the facility will provide Middlebury Community Schools students with social, emotional, and mental health therapy using EAGALA trained equine therapy miniature horses and donkeys. Trained social, emotional and mental health therapists employed by Middlebury Community Schools will provide counseling sessions for students by having them interact with the trained miniature animals. The students will not be riding animals, but will work with them using best practice social, emotional and mental health counseling equine therapy techniques. The Middlebury Community Schools Board of Trustees passed a resolution to provide the necessary personnel for Stable Grounds in a five-year partnership.
NEW LOGO – The logo for Stable Grounds was designed by Sidnee Barbaro, a student at NHS.
“We are so very thrilled that generous donors in our community have allowed us to provide our students with this new facility to support positive social, emotional and mental health therapy, said School Superintendent Jane Allen. “Our students will now have a way to learn and practice strategies to help them cope with anxiety, depression, anger, and trauma in their lives. We owe special gratitude to the Weed Family for the funds to construct our facility and the Essenhaus Family who have provided us with the land adjacent to the main Middlebury Community Schools campus.”
COMMUNITY DONORS – Pictured left to right are Scott and Cindy Miller and Ed and Patty Fergison, donors for the Stable Grounds project. 10 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
DESCRIBING NEW FACILITY – Kori Cripe, certified mental health counselor, describes what the new Stable Grounds facility will look like as well as the type of programs that will be offered. GETTING READY – Shovels are at the ready for the Stable Grounds, Inc. groundbreaking on July 16.
MAJOR DONORS – Pictured are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Weed, major donors toward the Stable Grounds, Inc. project.
EQUINE HELP – Anna Garner, 10, who attends HIS, helps manage one of the future therapy horses.
REASONS WHY – Julie Whitehead of First DONATES LAND – Joel Miller of State Bank gives a personal testimony Essenhaus was a major donor of the of the need for services that the Stable land where Stable Grounds will reside. Grounds project will provide.
PROJECT PRESENTERS – Jane Allen, superintendent of MCS, and Kori Cripe, certified mental health counselor, present the Stable Grounds project.
GROUNDBREAKING – Stable Grounds, Inc. held its groundbreaking on July 16. Photos by Kris Mueller inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 11
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12 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
Welcome to our SHOUT PAGE!
Congratulations to Robert Miller, the new superintendent of the street department for the Town of Middlebury. You will do an awesome job! Way to go!! –Anonymous
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 We would like to give a Shout Out to our volunteers – Celise Wilson, Elizabeth Miller and Mila Opacich – for doing such an amazing job helping us keep our property looking beautiful. Their help with cleaning fences, weeding, tending to our flower beds and landscape is truly appreciated! – The LoveWay Staff
The Middlebury Exchange Club would like to thank all the donors that are helping to make up for the loss of revenue because of the fair cancellation. We appreciate your support. The money is used for our community and school activities. This is what makes “Middlebury” a special place to live.
I would like to congratulate the entire team at the Hampton Inn Middlebury – front desk, breakfast, laundry, and especially housekeeping! Everyone works really hard to provide our guests with a clean and comfortable environment. I appreciate every one of you and I am glad to have the opportunity to work beside you.
To the Middlebury Community Schools custodial staff for their tireless work these last few months moving, removing classroom furniture and cleaning our schools. Keeping up with constant CDC guidelines and all the changes. Thank you.
–Kathy Huys
–The Cameron Family
–Michael Staszewski
I would like to thank Pastor Ron Russell from the First United Methodist Church for continuing his work as a minister during quarantine by posting his sermons and daily devotions on YouTube and Facebook. I know this was totally out of his comfort zone, and not the way he wanted to retire, but we love and appreciate him and his wife Lori very much!
I would like to give a huge Shout Out to Jane Allen, Robby Goodman, Jeremy Miller, Kim Cammenga, Tim Luken, and all of the other staff and MCS personnel for their efforts in getting our school corporation back up and running. All of their efforts to do what is best for staff, students, and parents are greatly appreciated. –Anonymous
inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 13
Living in a rural area of northern Indiana has taught me a healthy admiration and respect for Mother Nature. In spite of our advancements in technology, She can still surprise us with errant thunderstorms, high winds, frigid temperatures, soaring highs, and sweltering humidity. She can also bless us with gentle breezes, crisp evenings, and sweet sunshine. The winters in this part of the state are, in a word, grey. If there is snow on the ground, there are days where the sky is the same color as the earth. The only relief is the stark outline of denuded trees. It can be a long and very drab three months. Then comes April. I wait impatiently to see signs of the Earth awakening from Her long winter’s nap. Shortly after seeing crocus and daffodil pushing up out of the ground, I know it will soon be time for the migrating birds to return. How I look forward to that, to see the bright black and orange bodies of the Orioles as they eagerly eat the grape jelly I put out for them. Then in May, the beautiful variety of Hummingbirds supping on sugar water. My husband and I so enjoy watching them from our back deck. This year, we added a double hooked bird feeder to our back yard. One side is full of bird seed for smaller birds, and the other has a hardpacked cylinder for the larger varieties. I also purchased a cute little statue of a girl holding out her apron. I put seed in the apron for the
ground feeders. We were all set to observe the sights and sounds of these lovely native birds. Enter THE SQUIRRELS; one large Fox Squirrel and two smaller Red Squirrels. I looked out my window one morning to see what kind of birds were eating from the bounty we had set out for them. Yes, Orioles at the feeder by the deck, finches on the tube of bird seed, hummingbirds darting to their sweet treat. But what was that at the cylinder? What bird had long fluffy tail feathers? I had to get the binoculars to check this out, and was rather disappointed to see that it was a large squirrel happily munching away on the peanuts and seeds. So began the battle. I doused the feeder pole with cooking spray. How my husband and I laughed to see the squirrels jump onto the pole and slide down. The only problem was that the spray would dry and have to be frequently reapplied. Someone suggested putting a Slinky on the pole. I found a small one that I thought would work perfectly. It took awhile to wind it around and around and around the pole, but I did it, standing in the hot sun. We watched gleefully as we saw one of the Red Squirrels approaching the feeder. He jumped up on the pole, hit the Slinky, and did, indeed, slide down.....once. After studying the new device on the pole, he figured out how to place his hands
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between the spirals. Up he went. I unwound the little Slinky from the pole, and bought a bigger one.
Don’t despair. I have finally come up with a solution. I bought a bigger cylinder, so that the birds and squirrels can share it. Mother Nature wins again.
Once again I stood in the sun and coiled the Slinky around and around the pole. It worked.... once. Then the squirrel simply ran inside the spring. Up he went. One time I looked into my back yard at my cute little girl statue, her apron full of bird seed. There was one of the Red Squirrels sitting on her head, putting me in mind of Daniel Boone and his coon-skin cap. Another time, he was curled up in her apron, gorging on the seed we had put out for the ground feeding birds. I lugged the statue out to my front porch; no small feat since she is made of solid concrete. Once again I unwound the metal spiral from the bird feeder pole. We knew we had finally come up with the answer: we would put BOTH Slinkys on the pole. This would stop both the large squirrel and the smaller squirrels from climbing the pole. On with the smaller Slinky. On with the larger Slinky. I waited for the squirrels to approach the pole, snickering as I hid behind a window. I KNEW I had foiled them this time! And I did....once. I watched as the squirrel studied this attempt to keep him from climbing. Then, he went under the big spring, pushing the smaller spring with his nose until he could squeeze out of the top of the larger one. I stood there, defeated. I was out of ideas. It’s a good thing we know our neighbors. They’ve seen me trying to use a Hoola-Hoop with one of the neighbor girls. They’ve caught me dancing out on my deck before I realized they could see me from their back yard. I’m sure it came as no surprise to them, then, to see me repeatedly come out on my deck, yelling, “Hey, squirrel”! Or to see either my husband or I throwing ice cubes at our feeder. Or, once the squirrels decided to call my bluff and simply sit and stare at me from the top of the feeder, see me clapping my hands, leap from my deck, and chase the squirrel off the feeder and up into the tree in the back corner of my yard. Yes, I have been reduced to this, all because a squirrel doesn’t realize he isn’t supposed to eat the seeds that have been placed so easily within his reach.
Squirrels will go to extreme measures to get to the bird food. Luckily, the providers are equally committed to ensuring that they outsmart the them. The outcome provided a compromise where squirrels and birds can both feed together.
Thank You Marla for your story contribution! If as a member of the Middlebury community you have any submissions or suggestions, fiction or non-fiction alike, or even someone whom you feel we should recognize, please feel free to email me at delightfullyhere@gmail. com. inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 15
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT THE FALL FESTIVAL This year’s Middlebury Fall Festival will look a little different due to the pandemic. However, the festival will be as “homegrown” as ever! The festival takes place in downtown Middlebury parks on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12, and the theme is “Tough Times Don’t Last But Tough Towns Do.” Although the festival will downsize, old favorites will remain the same – homegrown vegetables and fruits, pumpkins, ornamental gourds, colorful fall mums, local woodcarvers in action, potters on-site creations, and Amish art. Bring lawn chairs to the downtown parks and tap your feet to spirited music entertainment throughout the weekend. At dusk, don’t miss the drive-in movie, an opening act for the incredible Friday night fireworks on the grounds of the Essenhaus Inn campus. Join the annual Saturday Corn Hole Tournament held at high noon in East Park. Order to-go BBQ on Bristol Street (adjacent to Middlebury Fire Department), a “Caring Hand” fundraiser. Don’t forget to grab your favorite Amish fried pie, kettle corn, wood-fired pizza, or corn on the cob from the Northridge Music Parents Association. All downtown shops will be open extended hours 16 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
during the festival for shopping convenience. Visit the new General Store located in downtown Middlebury. Please note: • Bring lawn chairs – due to the pandemic, this year’s seating in the entertainment tent is eliminated. • Everyone will be required to remain in vehicles during the outdoor movie and fireworks. Festival sites will request the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for COVID-19 social distancing and masks. • Please take advantage of the hand sanitizing/ handwashing stations while attending the festival. • Staff and signage will remind those attending the festival events to follow CDC Guidelines. If festival staff or Middlebury businesses explain what they’re doing to combat COVID-19, take heed and trust they have your safety in mind. We’re living in a new normal, and even though our new greeting norm may look different, familiar faces are excited to have you back at the festival in 2020. For information contact the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce at 574-825-4300, Executive Director Sheri Howland at director@middleburyinchamber.com or Community Outreach Coordinator Carmen Carpenter at carmencarpenter@middleburyinchamber.com.
Don’t miss our
19 Annual th
Friday, September 11 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Concessions, Vendor Booths
Food, Arts, Crafts, Demo, & Commerial
Memorial Park 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wood Carvers Demonstration Memorial Park/Large Pavilion
4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Community Fundraiser BBQ Dinner Carry Out ONLY Fire Station Sponsored by Caring Hands
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Michael Kelsey Entertainment Tent
Dusk
Fireworks Display Das Dutchman Essenhaus
inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 17
Saturday, September 12 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m.
Concessions, Vendor Booths
Food, Arts, Crafts, Demo, & Commerial
Memorial Park/East Park Cornhole Registration East Park • 108 N. Main St., Middlebury *Pre-register available
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wood Carvers Demonstration Memorial Park/Large Pavilion 11:30 a.m. Cornhole Tournament East Park • 108 N. Main St., Middlebury 11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Polski Chix 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Heartland Country Cloggers Entertainment Tent 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Julia James Entertainment Tent This information is correct as of 8-17-2020 To check for updated information, visit
www.middleburyinchamber.com *Cornhole Registration link
www.facebook.com/MiddleburyChamberof Commerce&VisitorsCenter
Gold Sponsors Das Dutchman Essenhaus Forks County Line Store Hawkins Water Tech L & W Engineering Pumpkin Patch Market ShowHauler Trucks
18 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
Silver Sponsors Culver Duck Interra Credit Union Jayco Lake City Bank Lozier McCarthy Insurance Middlebury Hardwood Products Royal Motors of Middlebury
Copper Sponsors Bill’s Collision Service
Max Myers Motors
Brethern Little Lites
Mechanical Man
Caribbean Auto Spa
Middlebury Community Historical Museum
Chupp’s Herbs/Spiceberry Vine Clayton Homes of Middlebury Edward Jones
Nic Wyse/Remax Results Old Hooiser Meats
Fay Schwartz, Attorney at Law
Pumpkinvine Cyclery
First State Insurance Agency
The Paper
Grand Rental Station Greencroft Community of Middlebury Jenkins-Napa
The Element Masters Varns & Hoover Hardware Village Inn Yoder Insurance Agency
Joyfully Said Home inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 19
Screen Printing, Embroidery, yard signs, banners, Laser etching/engraving, direct-to-garment printing car/wall/window decals, and more!
Homeland
Gardens Stopbybyour ourbooth booth atatthe Stop the FALL FESTIVAL where we will have FALL FESTIVAL • Sept. 11-12 beautiful fall mums where we will haveavailable! beautiful mums Alsofall available at available. the greenhouse. Paul & Barb Schwartz • 59800 SR 13, Middlebury • (574) 825-7978
Auto glass repair and replace Shower enclosures Plexiglass Glass that fits your needs Screen repair Mirrors 9216, 400 N Main St, Middlebury, IN 46540 (574) 825-2225 • Mon. - Fri. 8-5 p.m.
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For more information call Scott at
260-463-1896
Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana
NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH ALLISON HORNER Senior, Allison Horner, is the daughter of Stacy Horner Young and Chad Horner. Allison has participated in Cheer since her Freshman year at Northridge High School. In addition she has also participated in the National Honor Society, a part of a work based learning apprenticeship program, has worked at Horizon Education Alliance as a project coordinator for 2 years, President of Middlebury Youth Council Leadership Program and a previous member of Freshman Mentors at NHS. Outside of school she has volunteered at several colleges as a project coordinator for a variety of events. Allison’s favorite aspects of being involved with NHS sports are the leadership opportunities, the ability to stay physically fit and meeting new friends. After high school she plans to finish an Associate Degree for the class of 2022 and then plans to attend Ferris State University for a business degree.
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We get it. We do business here too. inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 21
Sidewalk Encouragement There are many beautiful reasons to be happy. During these trying times the Middlebury Arts Council would like to encourage everyone to stay positive and feel uplifted. In an effort to be a small part of what brings smiles to the faces of our townspeople we will be executing a project around town and along parts of the Pumpkinvine Trail over the next few weeks. On the sidewalks and trails throughout Middlebury we will be stenciling chalk designs with positive quotes and words of affirmation. Hopefully they will bring a smile to adults and children alike. If you come across one of these stencils please
22 inMiddlebury Magazine  | SEPTEMBER 2020
share a photo and #ArtWhereUAre on Facebook and Instagram. We would like to thank Varns & Hoover for generously donating the supplies needed for this project. We would also like to thank the town of Middlebury and the Middlebury Parks Department for giving us permission to do this project and all the businesses that said they would gladly have a stenciled piece on the sidewalks near their businesses. Happiness and positive attitudes are gifts you can pass along, so you too can get out there and start giving.
240 US 20 • 574-825-9471 • essenhaus2go.com
Protect your savings with FDIC coverage up to $1.5 million. Our Insured Bank Deposit program offers the assurance of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) protection. This interest-bearing savings solution gives you the convenience of having your savings and investments on one statement.
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Getting started is easy. Call your financial advisor today to learn more. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $1.5 million or $3 million for joint accounts of two or more people. More information about the Insured Bank Deposit program, including the program disclosure, is available from your financial advisor or at www. edwardjones.com/bankdeposit. For more information about FDIC insurance, go to www.fdic.gov.
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Bill Clark, AAMS®
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109 E Warren St Middlebury, IN 46540 574-825-5452
www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
Bill Clark Aaron J Scholl Steve Herbster Eric Stults AAMS® AAMS® AAMS® Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 109 E. Warren St. 830 S. Main St. 109 E. Warren St. 111 E. Warren St. Middlebury, IN 46540 Middlebury, IN 46540 Middlebury, IN 46540 Middlebury, IN 46540 574-825-5452 574-825-3653 574-825-5452 574-825-0136
inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 23
photos by Russ Draper
Pushing Ahead but Looking Back
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Tough Times Don’t Last But Tough Towns Do! #middleburyin
Benefits of Membership
The Middlebury Chamber of Commerce was established in Middlebury, Indiana, in 2002. We are a collaborative organization, leading businesses and the community to achieve an environment ripe for growth and innovation. We offer leadership, advocacy, programs and resources, all aimed at creating a pro-business climate. We create and convene powerful partnerships that leverage the talents and resources of our member businesses. Everything the chamber does is to enhance the social and civic environment of Middlebury. For more information on any of the resources covered in the Guide to Membership, contact Executive Director Sheri Howland at 574.825.4300, director@middleburyinchamber.com or Carmen Carpenter at carmencarpenter@middleburyinchamber.com VISIBILITY & RECOGNITION Sixty-three percent of people are more likely to patronize a business that is member of their local chamber of commerce than a nonmember business. Show off your investment proudly with your member decal and use of the Chamber logo. Get maximum exposure for your business. BUSINESS DIRECTORY LISTING Receive a listing in the Middlebury Chamber Online Membership Directory, with a link to your website. You can be included in as many as two directory categories at no charge. In fact, local chambers are the number one place people go to when searching for information on a community. Your company information is included on the membership roster, distributed to fellow member businesses upon request and available for purchase. NEW MEMBERS As a new member, we’ll include your information in the Chamber section of inMiddlebury magazine (distributed to 11,500 mailboxes). If you have newsworthy items that you would like publicized, the Middlebury Chamber offers a variety of communication vehicles to promote your information, including inMiddlebury 26 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
magazine and our social media networks. NETWORKING Numerous events on the calendar to connect with other member contacts throughout the year, including morning, lunch and after hours events. If you can’t make it to an event, participate in our social media communities. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter. RIBBON CUTTINGS / GRAND OPENINGS Let us help you celebrate your new business or new location. We will publicize your grand opening on our social media and website, invite the Ambassador team and bring along our official “grand opening” oversized scissors. Photos will be taken and provided to you for your use. We’ll also use the photos in our various communication pieces, as appropriate.
Welcome our newest member MILLER SOFT WASH, NEW PARIS
SAVE THE DATE:
Small Business Saturday November 28, 2020
Chamber Chat
We’re Back Let’s Chat Tuesday, Sept. 15 & 29
Coffee at 8:30 a.m. • Seating is limited due to Social Distancing, Reservations Required, 574-825-4300. Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center 210 S. Main St., Middlebury
The Middlebury Optimists Honor Superintendent and Staff with Achievement in Education Award
The Middlebury Optimists recently presented their annual “Achievement in Education Award” to Superintendent Jane Allen and the entire Middlebury School Corporation for their outstanding contribution to the academic achievements and personal growth of every student in the Middlebury Community School Corporation. Each school will be presented with a plaque to display. This award is normally presented to one outstanding teacher each year that is nominated by one of the Top-10 academic students of the graduating class. As with all things COVID, the Optimists were unable to have that selection and presentation in May. If they could have presented such an award to all educators and school corporations in the country, they would have. The 2019-2020 school year has been one that they would never have imagined, but they have all risen to the occasion and gone above and beyond.
The Optimists appreciate you ALL so very much! inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020 27
LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY Global Tax & HealthyPets accounTinG Jan Plummer, CPA
O:574-825-2277 • F: 866-385-7177 globalcpa@aol.com PO Box 1135 Middlebury, IN 46540
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851 US 20 Next To Rulli’s Middlebury 574-358-0146
Specializing in Residential Interior Painting Steve Nisley 574-849-4788
Advertise in our Business Directory for as low as $50 a month! For more information call 574-825-9112 or Advertising@inMiddlebury.com
28 inMiddlebury Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2020
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The best way to predict the future is to create it. — ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Whatever education looks like for your family this fall, know that we remain committed to improving the quality of life for all residents of Elkhart County.
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