Pure Energi
Middlebury-Based EnergiHaus
Finding Fast Success
Crafting Success
PolyCraft Plus Owners’ Flourishing Business Is Due to Resilience and Innovation
HARDWARE HEROES
THE TEAM AT MARTIN ACE HARDWARE IS CELEBRATING 35 YEARS
Functional Medicine + Joint & Spine
Our unique approach leverages both MP Health
Functional Medicine and Schneider Clinic Headache & Back Pain Center together to provide a multifaceted, natural healing experience for our patients.
IV THERAPY
Nutritional Vitamins & Minerals
Pain & Inflammation
Chelation Ozone & UBI EBOO REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
Stem Cell Platelet Rich Plasma Trigger Point Injections Shockwave
BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT
• Autoimmunity
• Parkinson’s Disease • Lyme Disease
• Cancer
• Chronic Fatigue • Thyroid Issues
WEIGHT LOSS
Trust Your Gut Program Semaglutide Injections
• Hot Flashes
• Sleeping Issues
• Heavy Metal Toxicity
• Neuropathy
• Unwanted Weight Loss or Gain
CHIROPRACTIC
Disc Rehydration Therapy
Cold Laser Therapy
Endonasal Balloon Therapy
Pregnancy Adjustments
Pediatric Adjustments
Customized Orthotics
• Vertigo
• Headaches/Migraines
• Neck/Back/Joint Pain
• Bulging Discs
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Disc Herniation
• Failed Surgeries
• Sinus Problems
• Ear Infections
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
PUBLISHERS
JOHN & MANDI LEWANDOWSKI john@townepost.com mandi@townepost.com (574) 249-9217 KEY CONTRIBUTORS AMY BEAUCHAM MIKE DIKOS JUBILEE EDGELL TAMI HUDSON MATT KEATING
JEFF KENNEY AMY LANT-WENGER KARI LIPSCOMB ALI SCHNEIDER
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK
CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL SERVICES DEVON DEAN
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011
EXPLORE FALL FESTIVALS IN THE LAKES AREA
Northern Indiana hosts a variety of festivals that celebrate the region’s culture, history and natural beauty. These festivals offer a wide array of activities and experiences, making them ideal for locals and visitors alike. Here are some of the most notable late August and September festivals in northern Indiana:
Marshall County Blueberry Festival
Held in Plymouth over Labor Day weekend, the Marshall County Blueberry Festival is one of the largest festivals in the Midwest. This family-friendly event features a range of activities including a parade, fireworks, a classic car show, and numerous food vendors offering blueberry-themed treats.
Nestled
•
•
The festival also includes carnival rides, arts and crafts booths, and a variety of live entertainment. August 30-September 2
Nappanee Apple Festival
The Nappanee Apple Festival is another popular event, held in mid-September in the small town of Nappanee. This festival celebrates the apple harvest with applethemed foods, including the famous 600-pound apple pie. The festival features a parade, an antique tractor and car show, a carnival, live music, and various contests such as pie eating and apple peeling. It’s a great way to experience the charm of a small-town festival with a strong community feel. September 19-22
Valparaiso Popcorn Festival
The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, held in early September, honors the legacy of Orville Redenbacher, the famed popcorn maker who lived in Valparaiso. The festival includes a parade, a 5K Popcorn Panic race, and live entertainment across multiple
New Groffdale Trikes & Carts
stages. Attendees can enjoy a variety of popcorn flavors and other fair food while browsing the arts and crafts booths. The festival also has a special area for children with games and activities. September 7
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival
This classic car festival, held over Labor Day weekend in Auburn, celebrates the heritage of the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles. The festival includes a classic car parade, car shows and a swap meet. It also features a variety of entertainment options including concerts, a beer garden and a 5K run. Car enthusiasts from around the world come to admire the beautifully restored vehicles and participate in the various events. August 29-31
Johnny Appleseed Festival
Held in Fort Wayne in mid-September, the Johnny Appleseed Festival commemorates the life and times of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. This festival takes place in a park named after Chapman,
and features historical reenactments, pioneer crafts and period-appropriate foods. Visitors can explore a wide array of artisan booths, enjoy live music and participate in educational demonstrations. The festival provides a glimpse into 19th-century life and celebrates the contributions of a folk hero to American history. September 21- 22
Michiana Renaissance Festival
Taking place in South Bend, the Michiana Renaissance Festival transports visitors back to the Renaissance era with its elaborate costumes, jousting tournaments and medieval-themed entertainment. Held in early September, this festival features a marketplace with artisans selling handmade goods, as well as food vendors offering traditional fare like turkey legs and mead. The festival also includes live performances such as comedy shows, musical acts, and demonstrations of ancient crafts and skills. August 24-25
Late August through September is a vibrant time in northern Indiana, filled with festivals that offer a diverse range of experiences. From celebrating local agriculture and historical figures to enjoying classic cars and medieval fun, these festivals provide a unique way to explore and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the region. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this festive time of year.
HARDWARE HEROES
THE TEAM AT MARTIN ACE HARDWARE IS CELEBRATING 35 YEARS
In the vast and exquisite journey of life, dreams first seize us when we’re young. And then the seasons change, time and again. We become educated, we meet folks and friends, and we envision what will become of us as we grow older. For some, it is rarity and a blessing when circumstances become greater and more magnificent than we could have imagined.
Therein describes the family story of Larry and Gloria Martin, longtime proprietors of the Ace Hardware Store in Middlebury. Theirs is a tale of perseverance, loyalty and faith - and a fruition of their dreams.
Martin Ace Hardware, at first blush, bears little resemblance to what most would consider a traditional brick-and-mortar hardware store, and that was a deliberate decision on the part of the Martins, who have been married for 55 years. Through their managerial style that intertwines ingenuity and inspiration, Martin Ace Hardware is now a nationally renowned institution, with three generations of family members currently involved in the business.
The Martin family is joyfully invested in observing the 35thanniversary milestone of the store with a celebration planned for the weekend of October 4 and 5.
The origins of Martin Ace Hardware reach back to the summer of 1987 with the first incarnation of the store, a modest, 1,600-squarefoot facility situated just north of the present site. The building, nestled at the intersection of State Road 13 and the U.S. Highway
Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photographer / Kari Lipscomb
Owners Larry and Gloria Martin
20 corridor, followed much of the traditional Ace Hardware blueprint, with a showroom and a wide inventory of lumber and related products. Just three years later, the Martins built a 5,800-square-foot expansion to allow for more customer-friendly features, such as lawn and gardening supplies and an expansive greenhouse.
Yet the quest for quality and the desire for a hometown niche was far from ended. In the early 1990s, the Martins added another element to their franchise by offering a floral design and balloon service for a wealth of occasions. Gloria was the primary force behind this mission. ”We wanted to add more joy and fun,” she says. The whimsical catchphrase caught on that this would become “the happiest place in town.”
In developing camaraderie and rapport within and beyond their customer base, a radical idea was brought forth by one of the Martins’ sons, Shannon. What if there could be a way to tangibly illustrate exactly what the business is
about, by bringing the store to them?
And so, fortified with a supply of ratchets and straps, the Martins gave Shannon their approval to travel the countryside by way of a simple mobile storefront. It was a daring yet brilliant strategy that helped to further strengthen the bonds between the family and the neighboring Amish communities. It was also a springboard to profound commercial success in the recreational vehicle industry.
“Little did I know that we would be one of the lifelines of the RV transportation industry, supplying all of the U.S. and Canada’s needs,” Shannon says. “The relationships that we have built with these drivers and the local transport companies have been priceless. We look forward to continued growth with the years ahead.”
Shannon now serves as the store manager, guided by the tutelage of his parents to one day take the reins in ownership. Meanwhile, there is a network of additional family members immensely dedicated to the trade, even though they are separated by miles.
The Martins’ daughter, Janae, lives in Georgia, and is skilled in the marketing and design aspects of the business. Their son, Kyle, who holds a doctorate in evangelism, is also a source of dedication, and many of the 11 grandchildren have worked in various capacities along the way. “They all enjoy being a part of grandpa’s store,” Gloria says with a smile.
Larry’s skills and background in construction proved beneficial in the creation of their current locale. The couple purchased the land on which their business has flourished back in 2006, with the goal of beginning construction in 2008. The recession created delays throughout the process, until the new building was finally raised in 2012. The
original design was conceptualized in Larry’s creative mind, and eventually doodled on a napkin. The Martins wanted a place that felt welcoming and heartfelt, far from utilitarian, with a front porch, rocking chairs and inviting decorative touches. The new store is sprawling like a plaza, yet warm and intimate like a homespun country general store.
That includes the addition of several niche shops within the red-barn-styled walls. There is the Tulip Tree, which features upscale and faith-imbued home accents and gifts. There is the Toy Store, another wish made real through Gloria’s background as a former preschool teacher with Bright Beginnings Montessori preschool. New this year is the Four Seasons area, which boasts 2,000 square feet of space devoted to outdoor recreation and entertaining, from lawn-care products to grills, as well as accessories from porches to patios.
Even the front entryway is intriguing, with a tremendous nod to history and heritage that
draws guests just inside the doors. Mounted carefully on a simple display is a massive cross section of a 500-year-old bubinga tree from Africa, carefully preserved with the rings intact and marked with pivotal points in time across American history.
Meanwhile, just a few steps away from the main Ace Hardware store, there is also a small oasis of peace and faith that the Martins have christened The Carpenter’s House. It
features a small chapel, a stream, and paintings depicting the 66 books of the Bible, artfully done by one of their nieces. “We had this vision to build a chapel, a place where people can come and pray,” Larry says. “Doors are always open during our business hours.”
“Our customers are constantly evaluating us, so we don’t just meet their expectations, but we exceed them with excellent service, a smile, and competitive prices,” Gloria adds. Everyone strives to consistently abide by a system of four core values when working alongside their customers and their community, she notes, including respect, integrity, personal responsibility for their services and products, and trust.
Faith is also evident and essential in everything that they do, Larry adds, both for the people they serve in the Ace Hardware sector, and for the town they have grown to love and raise a family in. He never could have imagined the path he was on, meeting a sweet young lady from North Dakota not
COUNTRY
The Carpenter’s House chapel is located on the campus of Martin ACE Hardware.
so long ago and creating what they both call a family legacy. He is both grateful and emotional as he reflects on that journey, pausing occasionally to gather his composure and his thoughts.
“When some people ask me how I define success after 35 years, here is how I define success,” he begins. “It is not in dollars and cents, but having my son, Shannon, say he is
in our business because he wants to work with his dad; when our kids, Shannon, Janae, and Kyle, come to work at the store and my wife, Gloria, supports me 100% all of the time in good and bad times; when 80 members of the Amish community come and help us move from our old store to the new store; when I go to church on Sunday and say thank you to God for this past week and ask for blessings for the next week; when I read in the chapel
all the people from all over the U.S.A. and Canada; when I can sit on the swing at the chapel porch with the sun setting and the light comes on, the peace in my heart. That is success.”
Experience Martin Ace Hardware at 103 Crystal Heights Boulevard in Middlebury. Call 574-825-7011 for more information.
•
CORN CRIB
•
YODER POPCORN
•
•
•
•
•
FIVE LAKES
•
/
Licensed for Septics in Noble, Elkhart, & Lagrange Counties.
Woman Wednesdays: Female Shooters, 1/2 off range time, and rental program
Ladies Night: 1st Friday of every month
$15/day Range Time
$20 Rental Program
$45/month Membership
$495/year Membership
Second Shooter is 1/2 Price!
Memberships include discounts, early and late range access, and priority ordering!
SET YOUR SIGHTS
OWNERS OF GUN TOWN AIM FOR GREATNESS
Writer / Mike Dikos
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
With your target sighted, windage and elevation set based on your last grouping, your rifle now zeroed, you take a breath in, exhale a bit, and squeeze the trigger. Your shot hits dead center. Your training, persistence and practice have paid off. Whether you are shooting for sport or the thrill of the hunt, Gun Town in Grovertown has everything you need to keep your target in sight, whether you are an experienced firearm owner or a novice.
When it comes to firearms, proprietors Curt Mordus and Cori Knight are no strangers, as United States Marine Corps (USMC) veterans who joined shortly after the events of 9/11. Having gone on his first hunt with a childhood friend and his father at the age of 14, Mordus became enthralled with shooting sports. A Chicago native, he served tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan training with USMC Reconnaissance, the Army’s Special Warfare
Cori, Curt, Gaise & Jaxsyn Mordus
Center and School, and the USMC Special Operations Command. Furthering his education of firearms while on active duty, Mordus became a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) instructor, as well as an instructor on North Carolina laws governing the use of deadly force. Today he is a United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) certified instructor and federal firearms licensed dealer and manufacturer.
Knight was a reserve police officer from California before joining the Marines. She became a close-quarters combat instructor and went on to shoot in division matches. Graduating at the top of her class from North Carolina’s basic law enforcement training, she holds multiple expert ratings in both pistol and rifle shooting, and has broken several state records along the way. Today, as the brains behind the operation of Gun Town, she is the coach for female
shooters and is also the certified Red Cross first aid and CPR instructor.
After the owners settled locally, the topic of Gun Town came up while they were speaking with a client from a previous business. Their first thought was that this was an establishment used by local western reenactors. However, upon closer examination they saw potential, and that much of the infrastructure for a firearms establishment was already in place. After much effort and hard work to bring things up to code, Gun Town was reborn, and on September 1, 2023, they opened it to the public.
Besides being a federal firearms licensed dealer and manufacturer, Gun Town is a full-service shop. Upon entering the establishment, one is greeted with courtesy and respect by a staff member who is either a veteran or first responder, and is
purchase. “I find comfort and satisfaction knowing that when a person leaves, I truly helped to ensure their safety and have answered all of their questions,” Mordus says.
Topics such as budget, hand size and purpose are all discussed before a sale. If one is not certain that the characteristics of a certain firearm will fit their needs, range rentals are available to learn and perform a test fire to better understand its properties.
“This is always worth the conversation,” Mordus says.
Training and education are two necessities that should always accompany a firearm purchase. Being a certified USCCA instructor, Mordus offers various educational programs in a classroom setting, such as Back to Basics as well as more in-depth training programs such
as the Illinois Concealed Carry course. “Without the repetition of training, a person loses the skills that they acquired from past training,” Mordus says.
Gun cleaning and care is the topic of another educational program that Gun Town provides, to ensure your firearm is in safe working order. Firearm owners who become members of the USCCA, the NRA,
Copper Ridge
STANDING SEAM ROOFING
Our 24 gauge metal is made with high-quality paint and is considered suitable for light commercial or high grade residential.
Steel made by Drexel Metals
Made at a reasonable price
15+ years experience with many testimonials Owner:
8530 W. 125 N. Etna Green IN 46524
or both, have access to countless training programs that the organizations provide.
Handguns, classified as either pistols or revolvers, along with long guns, classified as either rifles or shotguns, are in stock for purchase. Popular brands such as Ruger, SIG Sauer, Springfield, Smith & Wesson,
and Colt are available. Gun Town also has independent contracts with Geissele Automatics, Bond Arms, Stag Arms and Tippmann, which allows them to sell their firearms and supplies at a savings to the consumer.
Along with firearms, ammunition is also a
Gilsinger family museum will explain the history of the oldest John Deere Dealer in the world at it’s original store location. Since 1899 The Gilsinger family has served farmers in our area.
• Early Household and Farming Tools
• Several Unusual Exhibits
necessity for the sport shooter or hunter. A wide range of ammunition is available, from .22 long rifle ammunition to the powerful .500 Smith &Wesson Magnum.
With the desire to keep as much business as close to home as possible, Gun Town has dealings with many local establishments.
Tippmann Arms out of Fort Wayne, Precision Cartridge based in Hobart and Fostech located in Seymour are just a few. Again, working with other local businesses helps to assure a lower cost for the consumer.
In addition to sales, Gun Town offers a wide range of services available to the firearm’s owner. When necessary, your firearm can be professionally cleaned to maintain optimal performance. Also, a fullservice gunsmith is on hand to assist you with repair, maintenance or modification. Shooting supplies such as targets, personal protective equipment, and gun cleaning products are accessible. Personal safety materials such as mace, tasers and an assortment of cutlery, along with tactical and bulletproof vests, can also be procured.
Gun Town offers memberships for additional savings. Annual as well as monthly memberships offer the patron
range preference, ordering priority and discounts. With women becoming a growing demographic in the shooting world, female shooters receive a discount on range time and rentals on Wednesdays. In addition, ladies night is the first Friday of every month.
Looking into the future, the owners see expansion and growth for Gun Town. In addition to the static range now available, they plan to develop the adjacent lot into a movement, or tactical, range. This would offer the shooter a more dynamic form of training, and allow him or her to develop a wider set of skills than those developed only by using the static range. As the name implies, the shooter is moving through the range with targets that are also moving, resulting in a very fluid environment, which helps in the development of a whole new set of proficiencies.
If you are in the market to purchase your first firearm, or if you are a seasoned
shooter, set your sights on Gun Town for the knowledge that will get you successfully and safely started, or the necessities to keep you shooting.
Gun Town is located at 10660 Lincoln Highway in Grovertown, and can be reached at 574-867-GUNS. They can also be found at myguntown.com and on Facebook.
PURE ENERGI
MIDDLEBURY-BASED ENERGIHAUS FINDING FAST SUCCESS
Nowadays, when folks hear about business practices that encompass both ecological and economical principles, they are bound to take notice. And when you add in other key factors such as convenience and quality, it all adds up to a winning formula for success.
This is what EnergiHaus, LLC is designed for, as a new business from the established firm of KC Innovations. It was launched in June of this year, and Matt Bontrager, store manager and purchasing agent, explains
what prompted this decision.
“KC Innovations recently went through a company restructure and a rebrand, and is now just doing manufacturing and selling their products strictly wholesale through their dealer network,” he says. “EnergiHaus is now a separate business that focuses primarily on the retail customer base that KC Innovations used to have.”
EnergiHaus is already being recognized for its streamlined, efficient and reputable
implements and services. “EnergiHaus specializes in battery-operated products and quality LED lighting,” Bontrager says. “We stock products from well-established brands such as KC Innovations, Miller Tech, and Creative PowerCell-utions. We primarily focus on products that are compatible with the three major tool brand batteries: Milwaukee, DEWALT and Makita - lights, fans, battery inverters, power supplies, kitchen mixers and much more.”
One might say that EnergiHaus is
Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photographer / Kari Lipscomb
continuing to power through by consistently elevating its standards and setting new goals. “Since we have now separated the businesses, we have also focused in adding a lot more products that really fit into our market,” Bontrager explains. “We have added some rechargeable items like MillerTech headlights and flashlights, and some other rechargeable products. We also now have a good line of MillerTech lithium batteries in stock as well. We also have some good, quality lights that are made by Creative PowerCell-utions from Topeka.”
“Our goal is to continue adding more of these unique products, and we are also aiming to get a little into the solar-powered world,” he adds. “Solar-power skylights and solar panel kits and inverters is something that we plan to be getting into more soon.”
While the EnergiHaus name may represent a new phase, the expertise that fuels the fledgling business is not. “Our current employees have been carried over from
Han-D-Light
The Han-D-Light is a portable lamp that’s as durable as it is convenient. Whether you hang it up or set it down, this handy light is perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms, shops, entryways and anywhere in between.
Dimmable LED bulb 20 W, 3,000 Lumen, 5,000 K
Tough, powder-coated steel body
Durable rocker switch
Tough, long-lasting battery adapter
Over 4 Hours of run Time on a 5AH Battery Compatible With:
KC Innovations, and we all work in both businesses as the need arises,” Bontrager says. “I feel like our crew is one of the best out there. We all have our specific job, but we are all willing to pitch in and help each other when help is needed. This is something I really appreciate about our team.”
That team includes a group of seasoned professionals who handle differing aspects of what makes EnergiHaus flow. With those combined talents, the business is able to offer a wealth of customer needs and wishes.
“We repair and service most of the products that we sell, and we can fix most battery-powered products that come in for repair,” Bontrager says. “We also do custom projects that involve anything battery powered, or if people need an electronic component for their own project.”
Some recent endeavors that EnergiHaus
was able to successfully undertake include retooling a power scooter to run on either a Milwaukee or DEWALT tool battery, as well as a project in which a child’s power vehicle was converted from a small battery mechanism to one that can be outfitted with DEWALT, Milwaukee or Makita batteries. “We do all kinds of custom products like that,” Bontrager notes. He is currently working with a customer who is planning to install a solar-powered light kit for his chicken house project.
With a bright future on the horizon, Bontrager says that continuing to serve their customers to the best of their capabilities will always be their utmost priority.
“Shipping products across the country is one of our main goals,” he says. “This is one of the things that we strive for, same-day or next-day shipping. Another goal that we have here is to become a destination center for battery and
ALFALFA PELLETS
OUR HAY PELLETS ARE MADE WITH SELECT CHOICE, TOP QUALITY HAY IN OUR TOPEKA, IN FACILITY
• HAY PELLETED FOR BETTER DIGESTIBILITY
• RESEARCH PROVEN & TESTED
• PELLETING INCREASES DIGESTIBILITY BY UP TO 80% AND AN INCREASE IN WEIGHT GAIN OF 10% TO 30%
• LESS WASTE
• BETTER ABSORPTION
• LESS HAY USAGE
260-593-2713
Tues. - Fri. 10AM - 6PM Sat. 10AM - 4PM
solar products that help you live off the grid and help you become completely unplugged. We strive for customer satisfaction, so if the customer is happy, so are we. We strive to provide outstanding professional service to our customers.”
To learn more about EnergiHaus, contact Bontrager at 888-290-8920, ext. 607, or email marketing@kc-innovation.com. The business is located at 11720 West 250 North in Middlebury.
GOOD STUFF
OWNER OF WELDY HILL FUR & HIDE TANNING HAS A TALENT FOR TAXIDERMY AND MUCH MORE
Writer / Matt Keating
When Christy Borkholder, co-owner of Weldy Hill Fur & Hide Tanning, sets out to do a quality job, good results follow.
He said it helps that he has been doing taxidermy since he was a kid.
“I learned how to do this when I
was a young child,” Borkholder said. “Taxidermy started out as a hobby, but I was able to get better at it. After I learned how to do this as a kid, I became busy with other things and quit doing it for a long time.”
After several years went by, he decided to
start doing taxidermy again.
“In 2004 I decided to get back to it, and between 2013 and 2020 I started getting busier with it,” Borkholder said. “Every year the work picked up. I was very fortunate and was happy to do it. A local taxidermist eventually got hold of me and
said he really liked the work I was doing. He said I could really make a business out of it. I wanted to see what would happen next.”
Borkholder, who co-owns the business with his wife, Lorenna, started out part time, and saw the business grow dramatically.
“By 2020 I decided it was time to go full time with the business,” Borkholder said. “I’m glad I did. The time was right and I was able to make the business grow.’
Borkholder offers fur dressing, decorative hunting items, leather, furs and more. He does fur and tan hiding on just about any animal, but says he stays away from working on pets who have passed away.
“We work on a lot of deer,” he said. “That’s the animal I really get the most. We have had about 800 to 1,000 deer through here. There are a lot of hunters in
the area that want to have taxidermy done on their deer.”
Borkholder works on a lot of other animals at Weldy Hill Fur & Hide Tanning, a business that serves Middlebury, Goshen, Warsaw, Wakarusa, Syracuse, Nappanee, and surrounding areas including Michigan and Ohio.
“I also work on a lot of elk,” he said. “We work on some bears. We also do work on sheep. I get a lot of business from the 4-H groups. They bring me a lot of cowhides to work on. They have been great customers.”
Borkholder is appreciative of his regular customers.
“I have been able to get a lot of customers who have heard of us from their family and friends, as well as from people who call us who saw our website,” he said.
“We have been very fortunate to have had such loyal customers who have highly recommended us. You just can’t ask for more than that.”
Borkholder said some customers have him do fur and hide tanning on foxes and muskrats.
“We also do skunk, possums and almost anything else,” he said. “We also do hairoff tanning, skinning, fleshing, soft tans, and wet tans.”
Borkholder has three part-time employees to help him keep up with the demand. “They do a great job and really help me out when it gets busy,” he said.
Borkholder said many people take the leather from the processing of the animals and make purses and wallets. “They like
leather and are able to do a lot with it,” he said.
Borkholder does have an important request before he takes on a new job.
“If someone shoots an animal, they need to take care of it before they get it to us,” he said. “Don’t leave it laying around for a couple of days. The animal must be fresh so we can work on it. People should put them in a cooler quickly. People come in with animals that I can’t do anything with. I can’t work miracles. If people come in with everything taken care of, we can do a high-quality job.”
To find out more about Weldy Hill Fur & Hide Tanning, located at 71985 County Road 100 in Nappanee, call 574-907-4246 or check out weldyhillfurandhide.com.
SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
SOLUTIONS
DOWN
1. Quarter of an
2. Naked models
3. Stringed instruments
4. Injured
5. Rich (soil)
6. Luxuriate 12. Sprite
15. Blowing from sea 16. Encroachments 17. Gaping 19. Creeping plant 20. Dawn to dusk 22. Is inclined (to) 23. Slope of roof
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
LOCAL RESIDENT PENS
COOKBOOK INSPIRED BY SPECIAL MEMORIES
Writer / Tami Hudson
Writing a cookbook, or a book of any kind, was not something that I ever planned to do.
But if you knew my grandma, Vivian Huff, you know that she could be very persuasive - even bossy, if you will. Before she passed away in December 2023, one of her last comments to me was that I needed to write a “real” cookbook. And by that, grandma meant that every recipe needed to have a photo along with it.
My grandma had a vast recipe collection, and while she was still able, I sat next to her bed as we went through her recipe box together, me furiously taking notes as quickly as I could to keep up with what she was sharing with me: memories from cooking with her mom and sisters, dishes served at family get-togethers, meals shared with friends, stories of growing up in North Liberty, Indiana, and then her life in Lakeville, Indiana, once she married my grandpa and they had five children including my mom.
I really never thought I’d actually get around to writing a cookbook, even though I kind of promised my grandma that I would do it. I really just said that I’d do it to make her happy, as I knew that is what she wanted me to say. But as she often did through the years, grandma got her way one last time.
This recipe scrapbook, as I like to affectionately call it, really tells my
AgriculturAL
-Equipment Storage -Equestrian Stables -Livestock Facilities -Concrete Flatwork
Residential -Houses -Garages -Polebarns -Toy Barns -Concrete Flatwork
Commercial -Storage Buildings -Office Buildings -Apartment Buildings
grandma’s life story. I don’t know that either of us really intended for that to be part of the book, but it just sort of happened as I started to write. I originally thought that I’d just be sharing grandma’s recipes, but it ended up being so much more.
As I share in the book, grandma lived a large life. She never knew a stranger, and was a great friend to many over the years. I like to think that if I have a tenth of the friends in my lifetime that grandma had in hers, I can count myself as blessed. She loved to play bingo, visit the casino, shop and go out to eat. She also loved her family fiercely, and nothing made her happier than to host a large group of us any time that she could. She loved a party and never minded being the center of attention - she was planning on throwing her own 95th birthday party!
I don’t think that grandma realized what a gift she was actually giving me when
she more or less directed me to write this book. I know that I never imagined what I would learn in just a few months. As I started to do research, read numerous bits of family history and talked to other family members, it became quite clear that there was so much more that needed to be told. Yes, I needed to share grandma’s recipes, but I also needed to tell the story of where she came from and what she did in the 94 years she had here on Earth.
My oldest granddaughter wanted to make a recipe from the book when she was at our house recently. As I guided her through preparing it, she asked a great question: “How come we don’t have dishes like this at our family gettogethers?”
That question brought me full-circle to the real reason that grandma knew that I needed to write this book. Our recipes and memories need to be shared with the
next generation. It is up to us to see that traditions made in the kitchen are carried on for our children and grandchildren. We need to continue to tell the stories and memories from the past in order to allow new ones to be made in the future.
Find Memories from Grandma’s Kitchen @ New Kitchen Store 1100 Roosevelt Road Walkerton IN 46574.
• Gold Jewelry • Sterling Silver Jewelry
• Platinum Jewelry
• Turquoise Jewelry
• Dental Gold
• Service Pins
• Pocket Watches
• Sterling Silver Flatware
• Dimes - 1964 & Before
• Quarters - 1964 & Before
• Halves - 1970 & Before
• Dollars - 1935 & Before
• Proof & Mint Sets
• Old Paper Money
• Old U.S. Coins
• Foreign Coins
• Gold & Silver Coins
• Gold & Silver Bullion
• Pennies - 1958 & Before
• Nickels - 1938 & Before
• Nickels - 1942-1945
S’MORE PUPPY CHOW
Ingredients
• 5 cups Golden Grahams cereal divided
• 4 cups Chex cereal
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup Nutella or peanut butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups mini marshmallows divided
Directions
1. Pour the powdered sugar into a gallon freezer bag and set aside
2. In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate chips and Nutella (or peanut butter). Stir and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir again, and put back into the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir again and put in
microwave for another 20 seconds
3. In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of the Golden Grahams and all the Chex cereal
4. Mix 1 cup of marshmallows in the chocolate and Nutella mix.
5. Pour the chocolate mix over Golden Grahams and Chex. Mix well until the cereal is coated in the chocolate mix.
6. Pour the cereal mix into the freezer bag, close, and shake until the powdered sugar coats the cereal.
7. Fold in the remaining Golden Grahams and marshmallows
8. Spread the mixture onto a lined baking sheet and allow to cool 5-10 minutes.
CRAFTING SUCCESS
Writer / Amy Beaucham
Behind every business, there’s a story worth knowing. Ernie Mishler’s story is one of faith, fortitude and, intriguingly…fiber.
In January of 2024, Mishler and his wife, Velma, began PolyCraft Plus, offering skillfully completed home improvement products and projects using a revolutionary wood alternative made from rice hulls. This versatile, sustainable replacement for wood, which is known as ACRE in the U.S., can be used for both interior and exterior applications. Mishler explained that due to its rice husk fiber base, ACRE is 100% waterproof. He added that it also has low heat retention, accepts paint and stain without primer, is easily cut, fastened and drilled using regular
•
•
•
•
•
•
tools, has a natural-looking grain that feels and looks like wood, is formaldehyde free, and has a zero-waste manufacturing process.
Mishler purchases his sheets of ACRE from a manufacturer in Mississippi and, as an experienced carpenter, believes that the product is unmatched in workability, durability and beauty. “After working with wood, the switch did take some getting
used to, but I’ve transitioned completely to ACRE now and am most proud of this product,” he said. Their services now include custom orders, home improvement remodeling and new builds.
Two years ago Mishler was forced to face a different kind of transition with his personal health. At that time, in addition to being a master carpenter, Mishler had also developed expertise as a horse trainer with 20 years of experience. During a training session he received a powerful kick resulting in severe blunt force trauma to his face and head. His injuries were so severe that titanium plates had to be inserted. Since the accident he has struggled with complete numbness of the entire left side of his face, as well as some double vision. His attempt to return to factory work as a carpenter was overwhelming and difficult. He said he is very thankful that his right eye, which is his “good eye,” and the slow but noticeable decrease of double vision in his left eye, are allowing him to continue pursuing his love of carpentry through his home-based business, PolyCraft Plus. He said he is able to manage this new exciting
business venture “just fine.”
Mishler is also very appreciative that he and Velma are a team that delights in sharing the work of growing a business together. She helps him in the shop, building drawers by his side, and is very efficient at taking care of the office work. Having his beloved children be a part of the teamwork is also gratifying to him. “All but the youngest assist too,” he said.
With reliance on his faith, family support and medical intervention, Mishler has resiliently persevered through the hardship that blindsided him in 2022. He says that although it’s a different way of life for him, his strength is good. Mishler was warned that head injuries as severe as his are typically slow to heal, with limited improvement. His doctor is amazed at his progress. Although Mishler no longer trains horses, he still raises foals. He said working with horses is “still in his blood.”
Ernie and Velma made a very courageous decision when they decided to place a bid in response to a call from an auctioneer selling a poly furniture business. From that purchase, they have developed into the most successful seller of home improvement products made with ACRE in their area.
PolyCraft Plus is located at 7580 West 050 South in Shipshewana.. For more info, call 260-768-4188, email pcp@ emyprinter.net, or go to polycraftplusllc.com.
September 6 & 7
Friday Doors open 12 noon to 9 p.m.
Demo starts at 3pm Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Please no golf carts
Located in Rentown
- 3 Miles East of Bremen, Indiana(2640 Birch Road) 46506
MECHANICALLY INCLINED
GABE UNGER OF G&T AG REPAIR IN KNOX GETS EQUIPMENT UP AND RUNNING
Harvest is almost complete. The farmer and hands only have 50 acres of corn left. The results of blood, sweat and tears from spring through fall will shortly be won. He climbs up into the cab, starts the engine, turns on the separator and feeder house, and begins to harvest. Only 10 feet in, there is a squeal and the flow of grain stops. It looks like it’s going to be a short day after all. Or maybe not.
For continued reliance on your farm implements, or if your equipment is in need of overhaul, G&T Ag Repair in Knox is a guarantee of quality that you can depend on when the time arises.
Owner Gabe Unger is no stranger to farm equipment. He was born and raised on the family’s grain and hog farm. At the age of 10, Unger began working alongside his grandpa, father and uncles. Mechanical knowledge started from the family farm and grew into a career. He has spent 15 years working at local Case IH dealerships,
Writer / Mike Dikos Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
Owner Gabe Unger
building on previous experiences and gaining knowledge.
In 2022, G&T Ag Repair was started to offer affordable and reliable repairs to farms, no matter how small or large.
“It’s not really work to me,” says Unger. No matter the brand, G&T Ag Repair likes to work on it all.
From combines and tractors to many other types of equipment, no job is too big or small for G&T. Be it a cylinder, belt or bearing, parts can be acquired and installed so your equipment can be repaired and back in service as efficiently as possible.
Bigger jobs such as engine and drive-train rebuilding can also be accomplished by G&T. Problems involving electrical, hydraulic and air conditioning components or systems often require attention, and G&T can address those issues as well. The company can also handle welding, along with fabrication of old
and
necessary.
Preventative maintenance is also available. Inspections of combines and planters can be done any time of the year. These inspections involve a close look at the equipment itself, chains, pulleys, belts, sprockets, functions of all components, oil levels, and wear items. Every detail is taken into consideration so that equipment will run at its best, and be reliable in the spring, fall and everywhere in between.
Along with local maintenance, when the situation is crucial, G&T can come to you. With a well-equipped service truck, Unger can come to your location and get you back out into the field or onto the job site.
In addition to agriculture equipment, G&T can also repair construction equipment. Be it for the farm or the job site, heavy equipment or light, G&T is the service that you can rely on. Recently Unger repaired a boat pier component for an elderly lady, demonstrating that no job is too big or small. Care and quality are two of the traits that lead to repeat clientele for G&T Ag Repair.
Tabbetha Unger provides the “T” in G&T Ag Repair, handling the accounting and paperwork. This is a true family-run, momand-pop business. The duo provides reliable and quality assistance to the local agricultural community.
G&T Ag Repair can be reached at 765-6521481, or via Facebook.
ON THE AIR IN INDIANA
WHEN RADIO WAS KING IN LAKES COUNTRY AND BEYOND
Writer / Jeff Kenney
Readers of a certain vintage will remember a time nearly unfathomable to younger connoisseurs of digital downloads, streaming services and the like - that is, when access to entertainment was an unpredictable and sporadic affair, whether one sought to catch a favorite song over the radio airwaves or
favorite television show on the family set, all of it broadcast in real time in the air via glorious analog technology.
The original access “game changer” in many ways, however, was the invention and widespread availability of radio.
Of course, recorded music had been widely available following Edison’s invention of the phonograph machine in 1877, allowing within a decade or so for the average consumer to purchase recordings to listen to at their leisure in their own home. But the advent of radio ushered in an era of
widespread mass-media broadcasting that has only grown, of course, in the century since.
PIONEERING DAYS
It’s difficult for most of us today to grasp the marvel that was radio broadcasting when it hit the scene, not so many years removed from pre-electricity days, and in an era when print was the prime means of communication for most of society.
The technology behind radio was initially developed in the 1890s with the first wireless transmissions, engineered by Guglielmo Marconi in Europe. Interestingly, the first such transmissions in the U.S. took place in the Lakes area’s backyard, at the University of Notre Dame, facilitated in 1899 by a professor there named Jerome Green.
The growth from those early endeavors to radio broadcasting as we know it today was gradual and involved a series of technological improvements, though an important figure
in moving the process forward was Lee de Forest, who was convinced of the possibility of widespread, entertainment-based broadcasting and worked to improve existing technology to facilitate its occurrence, starting in 1907.
California’s Charles “Doc” Herrold is credited as the first in the U.S. to actually broadcast regular entertainment-based radio programs, starting in 1909 (San Francisco’s KCBS carries on today as the long-term result of Herrold’s radio legacy).
By 1916 de Forest was back on the scene utilizing the recently developed vacuum tube transmitters to set up an early radio station in New York City. News and entertainment broadcasts were underway in the fall of 1916, though World War I restrictions put a halt to most radio broadcasting development across the country for the following few years.
While irregular broadcasts in 1920 from
the Precision Equipment Company in Cincinnati caught national attention, Pittsburgh’s KDKA (which started out in November of 1920 as 8ZZ) stands as home to the world’s first regularly scheduled broadcast in radio. Creation of the station was tied directly to the manufacture of radios out of Westinghouse’s East Pittsburgh plant, and by the following year the company created three similar stations in the areas of New York City, Chicago and Boston.
The growth of radio became explosive during this period. By December 1, 1921, the U.S. Department of Commerce created regulations denoting a broadcast (as opposed to an amateur, localized) station. One month later, 29 recognized broadcast stations were populating the airwaves, and by the end of 1922, the year of the radio craze, more than 500 stations were reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners (the first radio broadcast by a U.S. president took place in May of that year,
when Warren G. Harding’s speech to the Washington, D.C., Chamber of Commerce was broadcast).
In 1921 there were fewer than 50,000 radios in use in the U.S., but by 1922 there were between 600,000 and one million, reflecting the rapid and ubiquitous growth of the medium and its impact in the everyday lives of Americans. Access to radio was also enhanced by the availability of “crystal” sets, which could be purchased inexpensively and built using simple household items like oat boxes.
Radio changed the world in a myriad of ways, not least of which was its unprecedented accessibility of information and entertainment to residents of even the smallest, most remote communities. As the Indiana Historical Society wrote, “Radio gave everyone, rural and urban alike, access to a broader world and new ideas. Beyond providing entertainment, radio had the ability to alert people to
important news faster than newspapers could. During natural disasters, broadcasters organized relief efforts, provided vital information, and calmed fears.”
THE HOOSIER AIRWAVES
According to the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the first commercial radio broadcast in Indiana took place on New Year’s Eve in 1921, in a garage that served as the headquarters for radio station 9ZJ. There, as the association website notes, “Indianapolis Mayor Lew Shank posed his immortal question, ‘Do you mean to tell me that people can actually hear me over that damn dingus?’”
The South Bend Tribune company actually launched the state’s first radio station, WSBT, in 1922, according to the Indiana Historical Radio Society, while Indiana’s first campus radio station began the same year at Purdue University (WBAA). Both stations are still on the air today.
Among other Hoosier state “firsts”:
-The first cities in Indiana to have FM radio stations were Elkhart, Terre Haute, New Castle and Muncie, all in 1947.
-The first radio station to broadcast the Indiana state high school basketball tournament finals was WOWO in Fort Wayne, in 1924.
-The first police department in Indiana (and third in the world) to obtain a radio license was the Indianapolis Police Department in 1928 (though the station didn’t go on the air until 1935). The first (and only) radio station operated by prison inmates was
KITCHEN CUPBOARD
WIRP, at Pendleton. The station’s call letters were derived from the institution and town: the Indiana Reformatory, in Pendleton.
-Indiana not only pioneered numerous facets of the automobile industry in general, but the first push-button car radio was also produced in 1938 by the Delco radio division of the General Motors Corporation in Kokomo. The same plant also produced the very first all-transistor car radio, reflecting the latest innovation in the medium at the time, in 1957.
In September of 1927, the aforementioned Fort Wayne station WOWO was one of 16 others nationally to become a pioneer station for the CBS network, even as other stations would become affiliates of rival network NBC around the same period.
Closer to home in the lakes region, of course broadcast radio reached portions of northwest Indiana with the advent of Chicago’s first radio station, KYW, in 1921. But Miller, Indiana, holds claim as the site of the region’s first locally based station, WJKS (“Where Joy Kills Sorrow”).
This despite the fact that Hammond’s WWAE (today’s WJOB) was first licensed in 1923. The Hammond station did not actually begin transmitting until nearly a year after WJKS (today WIND) in Miller, where, according to the Gary Post-Tribune of August 29 1927, dozens wearing evening attire converged on the town’s Gay Mill Gardens for the station’s first broadcast. WWAE in Hammond began broadcasting in July 1928.
According to an article on the history of the Miller area at spicerweb.org, two short-lived stations operated in the area in the 1920s. WRBC (“World Redeemed by Christ”), owned by Immanuel Lutheran church in Valparaiso, was on the air from 1925 to 1929.
WLBT (“Where Lovers Become Tied”), based in Crown Point, broadcast from 1926 to 1928. Writes spicerweb.org: “Put together by radio enthusiast Bud Wendel from spare and homemade parts attached to windmill towers it broadcast at 100 watts of power news, public service programs, and music. The call sign reflected Crown Point’s reputation as a ‘marriage mill,’ where couples from outside Indiana could come to get married as Indiana
had no marriage laws governing anything, least of all a waiting period.”
Various schools through the years have created their own radio stations, but Culver Military Academy’s venture into the world of radio was quite early. WHBH radio began broadcasting from the second-floor balcony of the school’s Recreation Building (still in use today), utilizing 150-foot towers. Much of the remarkable geographic breadth of the station’s signal was owed to the capacity of AM radio wave frequencies to travel much farther than the FM signals of today, combined with the relatively low amount of interference from competing signals at the time.
In 1926 the station changed its call letters to reflect the name of the school (WCMA) and, after its broadcasting equipment was upgraded, congratulations came in from listeners (who were treated to, among other programming, a guest broadcast from Hollywood legend Will Rogers, whose son attended the school) on both coasts, Alaska, Colorado and even New Zealand, among other far-flung locations.
With difficulty maintaining consistent broadcasts while continuing the busy operation of the military academy, WCMA’s final broadcast took place in 1932 and the equipment was donated to the Indiana State Police.
It’s worth adding a recollection of Indianarelated radio notable Jean Shepherd. Raised in Hammond, Shepherd is considered by some to be the father of free-form talk radio, and spent decades on the air in Cincinnati and New York where he gained fame and popularity for his humor and wit. Most recognizable to many today were his broadcasted recollections of his Hammond childhood, some of which made up the contents of his several books and formed the basis of the classic film “A Christmas Story” (which Shepherd himself narrates and in which radio plays a significant role).
ON THE DIAL TODAY
The growth of clearer, sharper (though not as far-reaching) FM (for frequency modulation) radio, especially in the 1960s and into the ‘70s, brought new stations and listening experiences to the fore. Even more significantly, the rise of television in the 1950s radically shifted the role of radio in the lives of most Americans. While music and some news remained relevant to listeners on driving commutes or in situations (such as workplaces) where radio was utilized as television couldn’t be, the years of families gathered around a large radio set in the living room, engaging a sort of theater of the imagination in listening to comedy programs from Jack Benny or George Burns, adventures like “Little Orphan Annie” or “The Shadow,” and an array of variety shows, religious programming, westerns and more, were at an end, as the household TV set took their place.
Most of the radio stations currently in operation in the lakes area came into existence in the more recent decades of the medium and oriented primarily towards music and localized talk and news. Michigan City, Indiana, radio station WIMS got its start in 1947, and WEFM in 1966. WKVI radio of Knox began broadcasting in 1969, and WTCA in Plymouth in 1963. Rochester’s WROI went on the air in 1971, and WSAL of Logansport dates to 1949.
That said, for many listeners in the lakes
readership area, the more powerful signals from larger cities such as South Bend or Chicago for many years have made up a portion of the radio listening experience and continue to do so today, even if access to music and news via the World Wide Web has put a dent in the medium’s audience as a whole.
The internet notwithstanding, radio is far from dead, even after more than a century from its Indiana debut, and its legacy lives on as an important
part of the culture and memory of Hoosiers across the state.
Glen & Ruth Miller, Owners
Tues-Friday 9-5 Sat 9-2
Closed Sunday and Monday
WEAR HAUS DESIGNS
LAGRANGE-BASED BIZ HANDLES SCREEN PRINTING, EMBROIDERY, LASER ETCHING AND MORE
Writer / Ali Schneider Photographer / Kari Lipscomb
Everywhere we look, we are bombarded with advertising, especially in the digital age. Many of us will simply scroll past these ads or watch a few seconds of a commercial, then move on. With so many options for where to shop and what items to buy, it can quickly become overwhelming. That is where Wear Haus Designs comes into play.
It’s located in the tight-knit community of LaGrange, where the staff has been bringing design concepts to life for over a decade. Instead of focusing on retargeting online, they take a personal and hands-on approach to working together with their customers.
In the beginning stages of Wear Haus Designs, the co-owners had a simple business concept and operated out of their garage. Their most popular item was, and continues to be, custom T-shirts. They would
Wear Haus Designs team members
take the logos of family and friends, and screen-print them on cozy shirts to show off their business and school logos. As the word began to spread, people in the area took notice and the business took off.
Today, Wear Haus Designs has a team of 14 employees, all with a passion to create items and put their creative juices to work. At its core Wear Haus Designs specializes in screen printing, but offers so much
Crucial factors for customers may include the pride they have in their business, representing their favorite local or professional sports team, supporting community events, family reunions, a design that shows off their comedic side, or simply having one-of-a-kind, aesthetically pleasing apparel.
MARTY YODER
JARREL LAMBRIGHT
An employee prepares to embroider a hat
Whether
Aside from
have a wide variety of popular brands to choose from. Some of their bestselling apparel comes from established brands like Gildan, Hanes, Nike and more. Whether you are browsing their catalog or already know the name of the brand you want, Wear Haus Designs is happy to help.
These days you can simply search for companies in your web browser
that provide screen printing and embroidery. However, there is much to be said for a small-town company that has built a reputation on trust, quality and repeat customers. The individuals at Wear Haus Designs will gladly take the time to explain their process and provide samples of their work for you to see in person, which you cannot get just by looking online.
As we all know, living in Indiana means you can expect unique and often-changing weather throughout the seasons. For this reason, Wear Haus Designs is the optimal choice for outfitting yourself, your team or your family throughout the year. From casual short sleeves to classic golf shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, hats and tank tops, the team has you covered for spring, summer, winter and fall.
Wear Haus Designs invites everyone to check out their showroom, and see their beautiful craftsmanship that continues to dress the community and businesses in our area.
If you are curious to learn more about the screen printing, laser etching and embroidery, visiting their website is a great place to begin. Visit wearhaus.net, where you will find information, images, videos and design examples they have done for others.
Potential customers can inquire by emailing wearhaus@ wearhaus.net, calling 260-463-7373, or contacting them on Facebook @WearHausDesigns.
BECOME ENERGY SELF SUFFICIENT WITH A WOOD OR PELLET STOVE
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 1PM TO 5PM SATURDAY 8AM TO NOON
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
ELKHART COUNTY
September 6, 2024
FLASHBACK FRIDAY MOVIES IN THE PARK
ESSENHAUS CAMPUS
Family-Friendly movie prior to fireworks on the Essenhaus Campus near the covered bridge. 7pm. Even is free. Snack truck available.
September 19-22, 2024
NAPPANEE
APPLE
FESTIVAL
This family-friendly festival includes fun activities, lots of shopping, entertainment, exhibitors, rides and delicious apple pie!
September 20, 2024
FEATHERED & FURRY FRIENDS
RIVERBEND PARK
Joy Journey Farms Petting Zoo & Ponies. Build an owl house to take home, Food truck available. 4p-6p. Free.
September 21, 2024
MARKET AT TUCKHILL FARM
GOSHEN
A charming & unique market free for all to enjoy located on a working goat dairy farm. Interact with the animals, see local artisans, makers and small business owners selling their goods.
September 28, 2024
BRISTOL CORNDOG FESTIVAL
CONGDON PARK, BRISTOL
Help us celebrate with family entertainment, games, contests, live music and of course, Corndogs! Free admission.
September 28, 2024
MARKET UNDER THE LIGHTS
THE MILL, MIDDLEBURY
Evening market event, featuring live music and a variety of food and drinks, and vendors for your shopping pleasure. Tickets required.
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY
September 6-7, 2024
FAMILY CAMP OUT AT LAKESIDE PARK
SYRACUSE COMMUNITY CENTER
Yard games will be set up in the park. Food will be provided for participants, followed by a movie and popcorn under the stars. Paid registration required.
September 21, 2024
CELEBRATING US FESTIVAL
DOWNTOWN WARSAW
This festival features live music, local talent, a dunk tank, booths and food trucks for your enjoyment. No admission at Courthouse Square.
September 21, 2024
ANTIQUE OUTBOARD MOTER MEET AND SHOW
NORTH WEBSTER PARK (DIXIE TOUR BOAT DOCK).
Antique boat motor enthusiasts from across the Midwest gather in the park with display motors and lots of swapping, selling and running antique motors on the lake. No admission charge. Activities start around 10 a.m. Area residents are invited to bring old motors for evaluation.
September 21, 2024
2024 ALLSTAR SHOW HIDDEN LAKE WARSAW
This once-a-year show invites top skiers from across the country to join the Lake City Skiers. Admission fee applies.
NOBLE COUNTY
September 1-2, 2024
LIGONIER
MARSHMALLOW FESTIVAL
This annual event features lots of fun activities, rides, food and much more! Free city parking, fireworks show and free entertainment.
September 20-21, 2024
CROMWELL DAYS FALL FEST OUT WEST
Live music, games, craft vendors, food, entertainment and a parade.
September 21, 2024
LIONS, TIGERS & BEER
BLACK PINE ANIMAL SANCTUARY, ALBION
Enjoy an adult evening of beer tasting, dinner, music, a silent auction and animal observation.
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
September 14-15, 2024
FUSION FEST
HOWARD PARK, SOUTH BEND
Fusion Fest brings cultures together into one celebratory weekend with food, art, music and more. Free Admission.
September 22, 2024
THE MICHIANA MONDO SHOW-CARDS, COMICS & COLLECTIBLES
HOLIDAY INN, MISHAWAKA
Free admission to this great tradeshow featuring sports/trading cards, comic books and other collectibles.
SHIPSHEWANA/LAGRANGE CO
September 1, 2024
SHIPSHEWANA CARDFEST
200+ tables filled with some of the best sports card and memorabilia! Best kid card scavenger hunt and an epic trade night. Free parking and admission.
September 5, 2024
FAMILY FUN NIGHT WITH AARON STUTZMAN
SHIPSHEWANA
There will be barrel train rides, corn hole, BBQ and ice cream for your enjoyment.
September 12-14, 2024
SIX HORSE HITCH CLASSIC SERIES WORLD FINALS THE MEC, SHIPSHEWANA
See the beautiful draft horses and enjoy concessions. Admission fees apply.
September 14, 2024
SHIPSHEWANA EGGFEST
DOWNTOWN SHIPSHEWANA
Big Green Egg Chef Matt Myers will be on site doing cooking demos with an array of delicious samples. Free for kids 12 and under.
September 14, 2024
YODER’S CONSIGNMENT AUCTION
SHIPSHEWANA
Wagon loads of miscellaneous goods, dairy and farm equipment, sporting goods, furniture, appliances and more.
