The Lakes West Magazine January 2024

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SHINING ON

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JANUARY 2024

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COME TOGETHER VETERANS CAN FIND SUPPORT, SERVICES AND SOCIAL TIME AT VFW POST 748 IN KNOX Writer / Mike Dikos Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

the Spanish-American War through the Gulf War, those who have served can rest assured that they do have a place where their concerns can be addressed, a place where the brotherhood and camaraderie of military service can be shared, and also a place where someone will just listen.

Situated in Starke County and located in Knox, Post 748 of the VFW is available to assist veterans by providing contacts at the federal, state and local levels, to help guide them with the process of obtaining their benefits. On a more personal level, they are there when times dictate a more urgent need for assistance.

Whether storming the beaches of Europe, navigating the treacherous slopes of Northeast Asia, slogging through the rice paddies of Southeast Asia, or hunkering down in the sands of the Middle East, brave men and women have answered the call to defend our freedom and the freedom of those less fortunate.

Upon completion of their service, many

veterans have questions regarding the benefits and services that they are entitled to. Other veterans just want a place to talk with others who have had similar experiences. Some just need to talk.

Founded in 1899, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or simply the VFW, has long been a champion of ensuring that all veterans receive the benefits they deserve. From

Bob Sims, an Army veteran having served in Vietnam and VFW Post 748 post commander of 14 years, is the person many people turn to in times of distress.

“We are here for veterans as well as the community,” says Sims.

This can easily be seen by the compassion, generosity and care provided to those in need.

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Haskell Collins When situations arise where funds and possibly moral are not at their highest, veterans can turn to the VFW for encouragement as well as a helping hand. From literally putting a roof over their heads to providing medical supplies such as wheelchairs or walkers, veterans always have the backing of Post 748.

Upon the passing of a veteran, an honor guard is assigned to attend the funeral as a

the members of community.

At a certain point during the year, a ceremony is conducted to properly retire the personal flags of those who desire to do so. A 24-hour Memorial Day vigil is held, with representation from all branches of military service, to honor those lost in service to our country. These are just a few of the resources provided to vets and

Post Quartermaster Joyce Hanselman, JoJo to those who know her, assists Sims with the daily operations. As an Army veteran, deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia, totaling 20 years of service, make Hanselman fully aware of the needs one has after discharge. “I want to give back to the vets,” she says.

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Post 748 was instrumental in the construction of the Veterans Memorial located in front of the Starke County Courthouse, providing a place where members of the community can honor and reflect on the names of those who have served. On February 3, 2024, a special event will take place for a special veteran. A birthday celebration to honor Haskell Collins, the oldest veteran of the Post, will be held. Inducted into the Army in 1944, he is the recipient of the AsiaticPacific Theater Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal and two Bronze Stars.

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Having turned 100 years old served in World War II, one can only imagine the history Collins has seen.

Besides providing for veterans, Post 748 is actively involved with the community, sponsoring various youth clubs and organized baseball. For the older crowd, Tuesday night bingo is very popular.

During certain events including bingo, the kitchen is open. At this time one

can indulge in hamburgers, shrimp or chicken strips. Attendees can cozy up to a spacious bar with friends or neighbors and enjoy a cold one, and might end up rubbing elbows with the commander, the quartermaster, or even the city postmaster.

The All American drawing is another very popular event that the Post puts on. People from as far away as Chicago

come to Knox to have their chance at a jackpot to remember. The prize has grown to over a million dollars in the past, capable of providing a life-changing moment for some lucky individual. Sometimes, spurof-the-moment occasions take place.

Impromptu potlucks consisting of crock pots filled with soups, or a taco bar with all the trimmings, have provided a day to enjoy the company of existing friends or strangers who become new ones, all while watching Sunday football.

Post 748 is a place where veterans can get the help that they need, as well as a place that provides for the community. It is a place where veterans and community members can come together to socialize and enjoy the company of one another. It is a place to catch up with old friends, and a place to make new ones. It is a place to enjoy chicken strips, as well as a place to enjoy a cold one. It is a place where one can seek help, and it is a place where one can have fun. Both serious and jovial, it is a place filled with people who care.

Pulaski Memorial Hospital has been proud to serve the residents of Pulaski County and the surrounding communities since 1963.

Offering services in: • Behavioral Health

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Membership is open to all servicemen and servicewomen who have served in foreign wars. Auxiliary membership is open to citizens who are relatives of someone who has served in a foreign war.

VFW Post 748 is located at 1511 South Heaton Street in Knox, and can be reached at 574-772-2298. Also visit them on Facebook @VFWPost748.

Thank you to all the men and women who have served our country.

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J

essica Durham, director of marketing and events for La Porte County Family YMCA, says the facility has continually grown and improved over many years.

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“I have been with the La Porte County Family YMCA for eight years, and our YMCA has been a community pillar in La Porte County for almost over 114 years,” she says.

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Durham notes that the organization has improved because it has kept up with many local changes that have taken place over the past several decades.

“As the needs of the community continue to grow and evolve, so does the YMCA

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and its mission to support all people in all walks of life,” Durham says. “We strive to provide our friends and neighbors with comprehensive programming that elevates their physical, social and emotional health.”

Durham loves the YMCA organization and everything it does for area residents. She

believes it has changed residents’ lives for the better.

“I love the sense of community that can only be found at the YMCA,” Durham says.

“Almost everyone in every stage of life has a YMCA story to share. Whether they took swim lessons here as a child, forged lifelong

friendships through a special program, or sought guidance and refuge as a teenager, the YMCA truly is a welcoming space to all.

My own children love coming to the Y, and often say that they can’t wait to work here when they get older.”

The La Porte County Family YMCA has

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all kinds of activities for both adults and children.

“For adults, we have over 100 group exercise classes at our three branches,” Durham says. “We have some pickleball programs, racquetball, a Masters Swim Club and more.”

Durham adds that there are programs for seniors.

“We have specific wellness programming for seniors that focuses on mobility and balance, offering both land and water classes,” Durham says. “We are also in the planning stages of offering more social programs for our senior population.

For children we focus on childhood development, through preschool programming and kindergarten readiness.

We promote physical activity through youth programs such as basketball, soccer, track, youth agility and taekwondo.”

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keeps children active and engaged while out of school, allowing parents to continue working without worrying about child care,” Durham says.

Durham says there are many benefits to becoming a member of the YMCA. “We have state-of-the-art fitness centers, free group and water exercise classes, on-demand classes through our digital platform Y360, and discounted programs such as camp, youth sports and family events,” Durham says. “You also have nationwide access, meaning that you can visit almost any other YMCA in the country with your La Porte County Family YMCA membership.”

The camp programs for children have also been popular.

“The YMCA also offers Summer Day Camp and School’s Out Day Camp, where we offer an enriching, interactive program that

Durham says there are upcoming holiday events at the YMCA scheduled.

“Next month we will have our annual Christmas events at both our La Porte and Elston branches,” Durham says. “On December 16 you can visit our Michigan City

Elston branch for their annual Christmas event, where you can visit Santa’s workshop, and enjoy live music and fun games. On December 17 you can have cookies and cocoa with Santa at our La Porte branch.

Both of these events are free and open to the community.”

Durham says the YMCA team is always looking for new members.

“I’m truly grateful to work for an organization that gives so much back to the community,” Durham says. “My colleagues are an amazing group of individuals who really have become my family over the years, as well as some of the members. I believe there are big things on the horizon for the YMCA, and I’m so excited for the future of the YMCA.” For more information on the La Porte County Family YMCA, located at 901 Michigan Avenue in La Porte, call 219-3259622 or check out lpymca.org.

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INN STYLE TORTUGA INN IN WINAMAC TURNS 30 Writer / Mike Dikos Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

During the 15th and 16th centuries, early explorers traveled to all corners of the globe in search of the treasures that distant lands had to offer. Spices, silks, crops and riches such as gold and silver were all sought by long sea voyages to unknown civilizations. Along with these valuable discoveries of the world, new cultures and forms of art also made the return trip home.

When traveling in northern Indiana, one does not have to go far to find a true hidden treasure when needing accommodations for the day or night. Located in Winamac, the Tortuga Inn is a bed and breakfast that reflects all the charm and character of its well-traveled owners, Linda Lee Ligocki-Bird and Glenn Bird.

Be it from India to Malta, Germany to Greece, or Canada to Mexico, their worldly travels would make the early explorers of the New World proud. Their journeys are reflected in the distinctive and unique atmosphere and charm that one is presented with when staying at the inn.

Linda Lee Ligocki & Glen M. Bird.

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On April 24, 1994, the Tortuga Inn was up and running, and this April, the owners will celebrate its 30th birthday. Located on the bank of the Tippecanoe River, the main house consists of five guest rooms as well as two separate suites.

Having studied with renowned Austrian artist Konrad Juestel, and having a grandmother who designed and sold hats, Linda’s eye and love for art can easily be seen in the care and detail displayed for guests in every room. Much of her own artwork, including watercolors and acrylics, adorns the walls of the main house and individual rooms, along with items collected from their travels around the world.

The Tippecanoe Room bears a southwestern theme, primarily from trips to Arizona. Her fondness of Native American art and culture is seen through the paintings, photographs and items accentuating the room. A Native American dress, worn by a shaman, is a special IS YOUR HOME OR BARN WELL INSULATED? Licensed, Bonded, Insured

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Rochester, IN 46975 Tel: 115574-224-6988 E. 7th Street evansagencyllc.com evansagencyrochester.com Fax: 574-224-6925 Rochester, IN 46975 evansagencyrochester.com Tel: 574-224-6988 Hours Fax: 574-224-6925 Monday-Friday Tel: 574-224-6988 8 a.m.-4:30 Hours p.m.

Fax: 574-224-6925 Saturday

By Appointment Monday-Friday Hours Evenings By Appointment 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday Saturday

By Appointment 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Evenings

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TownePost.com | January 2024 | 17

item highlighting this room.

The Kite Suite is decorated with kites of all shapes and sizes. This spacious room can accommodate a family or more than one couple, and is equipped with a kitchenette and access to a patio with a grill.

The Oriental Suite is adorned with handpainted Tibetan tapestries. This suite has a kitchenette, and is situated so guests feel as if they are in a treehouse overlooking the river and woods.

The Tortuga Suite has a private spa, king-sized bed and private deck with seating area. It also provides a view overlooking the Tippecanoe River.

The Egyptian, Austrian and Equestrian rooms also make the inn unique. Besides all of the personal touches provided to each room by your hosts, fascinating conversations and stories will remain with you long after your stay.

385-397 Blacketor Drive Rochester, Indiana (near Indiana Routes 25 and 14)

NEW PROPERTY! NOW LEASING MULTI-USE LIGHT MANUFACTURING / WAREHOUSE SPACE Suites with 2,040 SF working space and 12 x 15’ office; includes restroom, utility sink, overhead door and 15’-11” ceiling height.

Suites with 2,992 SF working space and 12 x 15’ office; includes restroom, utility sink, overhead door front and rear, and 15’-11” ceiling height.

Large Suite with 3,944 SF working space and spacious 22’ x 25’ office, with bathroom. Working space includes 2 restrooms, utility sink, overhead door front and rear, and 15’-11” ceiling height.

All offices have 6’ kitchenette with sink and space for mini-fridge.

All spaces are heated/cooled. Utilities: internet, water, gas heat included in lease, 120/240 electric is lessee’s responsibility.

Paved lot, private covered entries. Fire protection by F. E. Moran sprinkler system. Restrooms and spaces ADA compliant.

Contact Dan at 574-238-6239 18 | January 2024 | TownePost.com

Each room has its own private bath, environmental controls, outdoor seating and dining area, fire pit, and charcoal grill.

“We pride ourselves on spotless rooms and fine linens,” says Linda. “There is no bigger compliment than a guest saying how well they slept last night.” A continental breakfast is provided with coffee, fruit, juice, cereals and bagels.

In addition to the rooms and suites of the

main house, three cottages are available to guests. Two are primitive and share a bath, while the third, known as the German Haus, has a private bath. A barn loft, similar to a hostel, can accommodate larger groups. The loft has two baths and its own environmental controls. Stalls are available for those traveling with their equine friends as well.

Located just south of Tippecanoe River State Park, guests can launch at the park and float or

kayak to the inn. Native plants such as cattails and milkweed help to attract the indigo bunting and the pileated woodpecker, as well as bird watchers. For others, just sitting along the river is the ideal way to relax and spend the day.

Reservations can be made through Airbnb or Vrbo, or by calling the inn directly. It is located at 2142 North 125 East in Winamac, and can be reached at 574-946-6969.

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T

he idea of a family-founded enterprise seemingly speaks to a different, perhaps simpler, time.

Perhaps a concept born from necessity and expectations, when businesses changed hands from parents to children in a passing of the proverbial baton.

There is one institution that hearkens back to that idea of familial loyalty, where four generations have come together on a foundation of shared philosophies, principles and pride. And they call it Richland Farms.

“THERE WAS A NEED PRESENTED TO US IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IT WAS REALLY REWARDING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. IT’S REALLY CREATED A WHOLESOME RELATIONSHIP AND WE’RE REALLY THANKFUL FOR THAT.” - GARTH SIMPSON

One of the founders of Richland Farms is Dr. Dan Quinlan, DVM, who formed a business partnership back in 1990 to begin raising show cattle, and to be made available later for purchase. The arrangement was for one party to assist with the labor, and the other to furnish the cows. With Quinlan’s extensive background in veterinary medicine, it seems rather logical to determine which aspect he was tasked with.

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rented land to facilitate their operations, before becoming financially solvent and secure to make the leap to ownership. They purchased acreage and structures in 1996, aptly named for the region in which the operation was located - Richland Township.

Over the course of the next several years, the existing buildings were dismantled one by one, to be replaced with newer facilities specifically tailored to match the objectives, goals and visions of a new era for Richland Farms.

“The basis of our operation is to raise showcattle products,” explains Garth Simpson, one of Quinlan’s grandsons. Simpson and his family are residents of Trent, Texas, where an auxiliary of the original Richland Farms is operating and flourishing.

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“All of the cattle we raise is meant to be show cattle, and we sell products from Maine to California,” he says. “Our purpose is to provide sustainable beef to the consumer through our meat sales. What we offer is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill product. It’s a high-quality, premium product that we raise, TownePost.com | January 2024

and it’s all raised on-site. That means giving the animals quality feed, and being involved in the process all the way to the finished product.

We’re really big on doing things the right way.”

Simpson is one of many family members who have grown up appreciating that farm-to-table sentiment. Everyone, including the wives and

January 2024 | TownePost.com

children, plays an integral role in ensuring that the operations are as seamless and transparent as possible.

All of the generations exhibit the strong work ethic learned by maintaining a farmstead, and even the youngest family members are up-and-comers through their involvement

in local 4-H. The family is invested in doing right by their customers, so much so that a significant share of their business has been elevated by positive word of mouth and feedback, fostering a trustworthy reputation that can be difficult to achieve in a society where mass production is often the norm.

Every step of the evolution is carefully

monitored, from securing the proper permits to having regular inspections to abiding by strict regulations. Every criterion is not just met - it is surpassed.

As the Richland Farms team members were building upon their success in raising locally grown steers and heifers for freezer beef, an unlikely happenstance gave them a reason to consider other sales avenues. When the COVID-19 virus brought customary business practices to a slow crawl, people needed to find creative ways to shop for grocery staples, including meats. What if Richland Farms could provide their buyers with individual cuts in addition to bulk purchases?

“That all came about due to the pandemic, when our customers started reaching out,” Quinlan says. “So many of them were asking about offering different cuts of meat.”

Without hesitation they stepped up, according Simpson. “There was a need presented to us in our community and it was really rewarding to be able to provide that for our community,”

he says. “It’s really created a wholesome relationship and we’re really thankful for that.”

2024 will see more of Richland Farms on a number of fronts, as they increase their profile by adding to their bulk sales, making appearances at area farmer’s markets, and staying apprised of innovations and advancements that will always keep the best interests of their loyal customers in mind and, quite likely, some new ones as well.

“Everything that we produce is all very, very good quality - the very, very elite in the genetic pool,” Quinlan says. “We’ve taken the industry a little bit further and I’m really proud of what we’re doing as a family enterprise.”

Richland Farms is located at 4999 North 50 West in Rochester. Call (574) 835-1481 for more details. Stay apprised of all of the business activities and events by liking Richland Farms on Facebook @richland.farms.

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LET’S GET IT STRAIGHT HUTSELL CHIROPRACTIC TAKES A WHOLE-PERSON APPROACH TO HEALTH AND HEALING Story Provided by Hutsell Chiropractic Photography Provided

Tucked away in the small town of Nappanee is a hidden gem of natural health.

It’s not new - Founder Dr. Mark Hutsell has been helping patients heal naturally for almost 40 years. His patients value something outside the traditional model of medicine: a loving, personalized experience combined with cutting-edge care.

Top row left to right: Esther Hochstetler, Elizabeth Schlabach, Meghan Hutsell, Desiree Yoder. Bottom row left to right: Eleya Dadson, Dr. Jordan Hutsell, Dr. Andrea Hutsell, Dr. Mark Hutsell, Maria Chupp

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When they arrive, they experience techniques designed to balance the body, nourish the system and allow the natural restoration of optimal health.

Many patients find themselves no longer needing medications to manage common health concerns as their bodies heal.

This balance releases toxic weight and inflammation, increases energy and produces a healthier life. Patients come from Goshen, Elkhart, Plymouth, Warsaw and South Bend, with some traveling from as far as Indianapolis and Chicago.

The staff also takes virtual appointments from New York to California, as clients experience Hutsell Chiropractic’s unique approach to health care.

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Mark felt drawn to his work from a young age.

“I remember as a child going to doctors with my precious mother, who was very sick,” Mark says. “Watching our family navigate her conventional treatment with drugs and surgery to mask the symptoms left us with the dire feeling of hopelessness and fear. It wasn’t until chiropractic care was introduced to our family that I remember feeling hope.

With the right education and support, we were improving our diet, juicing, resetting and balancing our bodies naturally. It was a positive health improvement for my mother and a major paradigm shift for our family. It was working and we were convinced, so much so that I have spent the rest of my life passing this gift on to my family and community.”

Mark believes he was called to serve others. “I felt called to help offer the world health and wellness for the body, soul and spirit,” he says.

A feverish learner, he studied natural modalities for restoring and maintaining

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health. He became a chiropractor after graduating from Palmer University of Chiropractic in 1984 and opened Hutsell Chiropractic that same year, focusing on pain relief, stress relief, nutrition and weight management. His passion for both learning and healing was contagious. In 2020 it became clear that two of his children shared his calling and would join him in the same practice.

“It was heartwarming to see my children so impassioned with health and wellness,” he says. “We are quite the team together.”

«Being born into the chiropractic lifestyle gave me insight into its power as a platform to create health, share inspiration, give hope and shift paradigms,” says Mark’s son, Dr. Jordan Hutsell. “I didn’t choose chiropractic.

Chiropractic chose me.”

Jordan graduated from Life University in March of 2022 and joined the family practice.

Jordan’s passion for pediatric and family care was a natural extension of the Hutsell Chiropractic offerings. While family care has

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always been the focus, Jordan’s specialized knowledge in pregnancy and pediatric care, genetic testing, quantum neurology (physical therapy for the nervous system), and nutrition were welcome additions. His kind, caring personality lends well to young families and their unique needs. There is something special about helping a couple conceive naturally, helping children boost and strengthen their

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immune systems, and helping families achieve and maintain health naturally.

And then there is Mark’s daughter, Dr. Andrea Hutsell. “Having your son inspired by your work is an honor,” Mark says.

“Having both your son and daughter inspired to become chiropractors and join the family practice is humbling.”

Andrea was thrilled to graduate from Life University as a chiropractor in December of 2022, where she immediately joined the Hutsell Chiropractic team and began caring for her community.

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to become a chiropractor, and I never swayed from that decision,” Andrea explains.

“When you grow up seeing chronic issues resolved and people’s eyes lighting up because they were given hope, that sparks a passion inside you. My dad taught us that the body is already equipped with everything it needs to heal itself naturally.

We are simply facilitating our bodies’ natural health, allowing it to flow. This support allows for true health and healing

on a deep level.”

Andrea facilitates healing by addressing her patients’ structural, chemical and emotional trauma or stressors. Her knowledge and certifications in multiple systems include quantum neurology, frequency medicine, neuro-emotional technique, and the Webster technique.

When you combine two generations of lifelong learners, a family with a mission of serving others by finding the root cause of disease and empowering the body’s natural ability to heal, you have something exceptional. They work together like a well-oiled machine, with a whole-person approach. This means they search to find the underlying causes of disease, discomfort and pain instead of just treating symptoms.

Hutsell Chiropractic is a leader in the health revolution, using muscle testing, energy and frequency.

“Many treatments or medications are not designed to heal the root cause or condition causing our symptoms,” Mark says. “They simply mask the symptoms by repressing

them temporarily. When we take medication for a headache, the headache might go away but it is likely to return later. This is because we did not treat what was causing the headache. We only masked the pain. When we work to find what is causing symptoms, we can treat the root cause and prevent further deterioration of your overall health.

That is our goal. That is our whole-person approach.”

It sounds simple, and in truth, it is. With the proper knowledge and support, simple lifestyle changes help restore and maintain our ability to heal, resolve root causes of disease and thrive.

Take a moment to stop in and see for yourself. Meet the Hutsells and their caring team. You will forget you are experiencing cutting-edge health restoration. It will just feel like being home.

Hutsell Chiropractic is located at 301 North Main Street in Nappanee. For more info, call 574-773-4423 or visit hutsellchiropractic.com.

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FINDING INNER CALM THROUGH CLEANING Writer / Kayla Clemons, New Kitchen Store Photography Provided

I have always found cleaning therapeutic, especially after dinner. My dad was always trying to keep up with cleaning the house after my siblings and I would wreak havoc on it.

Being the second oldest of my four siblings, I felt as if I had to help mediate the messes.

My dad was very hard-working and often did not have much time to cook. His go-to meal was pinto beans and ham in the Crock-Pot. That Crock-Pot was so terrible to wash afterwards. I’m not sure if Crock-Pot liners were around in the early 2000s, but they would have come in handy for those

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baked-on beans. He would let the pot soak for hours before even attempting to wash it. He would use a double-sided sponge to really scratch off the stuck-on messes. He would take that same sponge and wipe the counters down, saturating the surfaces with soap, and then use a rag to wipe it all away.

I could see something therapeutic overtaking him as he cleaned. I could feel stress rolling off his shoulders as he slid a rag across the stove, or as the broom threw dust and dirt out of the front door as things seemed to move in slow motion. The smell of bleach would permeate through the walls. I questioned if he would

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pour the bleach in the air vents. I seldom use bleach in my home. I will use it for the whites in my laundry and that is all, but it is a smell that reminds me of my first home with my brothers and my sister.

As an adult, I never thought I would appreciate cleaning so much. It feels like a healthy balance in my busy life.

It gives me a sense of control when the world moves faster than I can keep up with. I can have my world pause, and bring peace to something chaotic with just a small sponge and a simple cleaning spray. I have been using a multipurpose kitchen cleaner called Koala Eco. I like that it’s an all-natural spray, and I am a huge fan of lemon scent. It’s plant based, eco-friendly and nontoxic.

As a woman trying to become wellwatered in my Christian beliefs, I follow the book of Proverbs to help guide me

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through my journey of being the best wife and mom that I can be. Cleaning, cooking, and tending to my small family is what God has called me to do. This is why cleaning is therapeutic.

I can’t say that I am without my flaws because I do have hang-ups. I have obsessive tendencies, and my household says it very clearly, without saying a single word, that I might be getting to be a little too much for them.

I hope that someday, even through my flaws, my daughter can find a memory of me and carry it into her adulthood in her own way. May it bring her peace in a hectic world, and I hope the same for you reading this. God bless.

New Kitchen Store is located at 1100 Roosevelt Road in Walkerton. For more info, call 574-586-2745 or visit newkitchenstore.com.

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Koala Eco is a purpose-led family business founded by husband-and-wife Jessica Bragdon and Paul Davidson in 2017. We have created a range of safe, powerful, plant-based products for a clean home, body and mind. Made locally with high concentrations of Australian essential oils, the range of natural and eco-friendly cleaning and hand & body products are certified non-toxic, vegan and allergy safe.

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P.J. Gilsinger & Co. A Place to Visit!

P.J. 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.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE ADMISSION • Farm Equipment • Local School Memorabilia • WWII Artifacts • Early Household and Farming Tools • Several Unusual Exhibits Museum Hours: May-October Friday & Sunday 1:00pm - 6:00pm

November-April

by Appointment Only

Contact Brenda Gilsinger for Inquiries or Appointments (574)595-7851 5641 S. Main St. Winamac, Indiana TownePost.com | January 2024

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CATCHING FIRE FIRESIDE CRAFT BURGERS & BREWS BRINGS FLAVOR AND FLAIR TO LAGRANGE COUNTY Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

LaGrange County, nestled in northeastern Indiana, is a place where many folks can envision picturesque little vignettes of a peaceful Midwestern landscape. The rural setting holds a certain sense of fascination to folks, who become charmed and captivated by the bucolic, rural oasis of modesty and simplicity.

So it might seem a little unlikely that a business venture with a distinctive twist of sophistication, infused with a dash of sass, would become one of the region’s rising stars in the dining niche. But for Fireside Craft Burgers & Brews, that is precisely what is happening.

Situated in the heart of downtown LaGrange, this unique eatery is the place that this small village of nearly 3,000 residents never knew it needed. Over the course of its relatively short tenure, it is far from

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settling for being just another restaurant.

It is, by all accounts of customer tales, an experience and an adventure.

Marsha Gill-Dunker is the owner and originator of the Fireside brand, now in its third iteration after an initial run in Shipshewana, then a nearby location in LaGrange. In early 2020 an opportunity presented itself that Gill-Dunker could not dismiss - one that would allow the restaurant to shine in a historic and well-known landmark with ample space and an appealing ambience. The site was situated at 101 South Detroit Street, a building that had housed many longtime and well-known businesses.

Minor renovations evoke much of the vintage charm, such as exposed natural brick on the walls, industrial-style lighting, and textured tin ceilings.

The evolution process was a tremendous learning experience for Gill-Dunker, who is a former Chicago area resident. She says coming from a buzzy, urban environment

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to a place known for a modest way of living sometimes left her “learning what life would be like here,” when she made LaGrange County her permanent home more than 10 years ago.

But this much she believed - if she could create a welcoming place that she herself would enjoy, others would as well.

With the newer, more spacious environs at their disposal, the staff of Fireside were able to create amazing food - gastropub comfort-food staples infused with flourishes of the unexpected. Hence the vast selection of craft burgers, as uniquely named as they are designed. Specialties include the Kickin’ Cowboy, the Moo & Oink and the Hot Mess Express, along with meatless burger options in which mushrooms, onions or even pickles, are the main ingredients. All of the meats are smoked in-house, frequently with locally sourced meats, and the salads, condiments and appetizers are prepared on-site.

One of the primary goals for the Fireside team going forward into 2024 is to expand

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their brewery. Gill-Dunker was blessed with more good fortune when she formed a partnership with Chris Barnes, who currently oversees the management of that end of the business. As it stands, the addition of the brewery was an achievement unique to the region - it is now the first and only brewery in LaGrange County.

Barnes is enthusiastic and excited for what lies ahead. “People who’ve come in and said that they don’t like beer will leave feeling differently,” he says. “We now have 26 draft lines and we work with independent breweries, often local or regional. We offer a selection with many different flavor profiles.

We’re the place where people who don’t like beer will go to drink beer, and the people who love to drink beer go to drink beer. We have something for everyone, and we love helping people find their perfect beer. We also do have craft hard ciders on draft.”

The duo works to emphasize that their offerings are not strictly limited to beers, and

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Barnes also notes that folks are sometimes inclined to steer clear of craft beers, deeming them “too hoppy,” even comparing the taste to “motor oil.” The challenge comes in being

the ones who can change a customer’s mind.

Patrons have also popularized the recent addition of beer-based, smoothie-style fruit sours, with flavors like Caramel Apple and Orange Creamsicle.

Gill-Dunker and Barnes are as adept with conversation as they are with every part of their eclectic menu, and guests will certainly

feel that hospitality when they visit, dine and converse. To learn more about the extensive lines of food and beverages, along with details about catering for special events, take a browse at firesideindiana.com, or fireside. beer. Fireside Craft Burgers & Brews is open seven days a week, and all ages are welcome.

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POWER TO THE PEOPLE

HOW ELECTRICITY CAME TO THE LAKES AREA Writer / Jeff Kenney Photography Provided

Depending upon when you read this, the new year will either be soon on its way or in full swing, which means local readers have enjoyed the sight of Christmas lights for some weeks and likely made ample use of multimedia devices around the holidays (including ushering in the new year itself). While early winter was fairly mild, cold weather is inevitable in Northern Indiana, and most of us have staved off the worst of its effects due to the theme of this month’s history-related article: electricity.

Access to electricity for all of the above and many more reasons is something most of us take for granted, but of course it’s a relatively recent innovation in human - and Hoosier - history. That said, Indiana can boast of being home to the first electrically lighted city in the nation, just down the road in Wabash, Indiana, where four 3,000-candlepower lamps adorned the courthouse starting in March 1880, lighting the town until September of 1888.

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Another Hoosier electrical first lies with Jenney Electric of Fort Wayne, credited with bringing about the country’s first municipal lighting system. James A. Jenney of Michigan developed the first viable and affordable arc light in 1879, simultaneous to Thomas Edison’s introduction of the first commercial incandescent bulb.

Jenney relocated to Fort Wayne in 1881 and eventually partnered with local entrepreneur Ronald T. McDonald to form the Jenney Electric Light Company. McDonald, in fact, sold the first electric urban lighting system to the town of Wabash, and Jenney Electric was even hired to provide all outdoor lighting for the prodigious New Orleans World’s Fair in 1884.

By 1887, Purdue University had developed its School of Applied Electricity and opened its School of Electrical Engineering in 1888, with a focus on improving electrical systems during those days of Edison, Tesla and Westinghouse. And of course electrical plants were appearing across Northern Indiana around this time as well.

The Jenney company opened an electrical plant in Logansport in 1888. It was purchased by the City of Logansport in 1895, its electricity provided by generators turned by waterpower.

The South Bend Electric Company dates to July of 1882, with area businesses electrically lit by autumn of that same year, and the state capital of Indianapolis, not surprisingly, was widely electrified in the 1880s as well.

Over in La Porte, businessman AJ Stahl bought a half interest in a small electric lighting company in 1887, which was responsible at the time for six arc lights on the streets and a handful in businesses. In 1890 Stahl was behind raising the capital to start the La Porte Electric Company. As an aside (and perhaps the basis of a future article of its own), Stahl was one of a handful of businessmen who, in 1892, bought the local telephone company that provided the first automatic (or direct-dial) telephone system in the world!

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recently established electric light plant to light its main streets with electric arc lights, with expansion in subsequent years.

As early as 1889, Orven D. Ross pioneered electricity in Rochester via his one-man power company, which was soon followed by a full-out power plant. Eventually the Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Company provided power to the city. At first only Rochester’s business district utilized electricity, with carbon lighting in most businesses, houses and street lights. As was fairly typical of the time for most smaller Northern Indiana cities, by 1909 only one Rochester area home in 25 had electricity, though numbers grew steadily as the 1920s approached.

Starke County’s first electrical lighting service began in 1895 in Knox, with nearby North Judson following in 1896.

By 1916 another Starke County community, that of Hamlet, saw lights ablaze in its streets, this time via a contract with Plymouth Electric Light and Power. The same company contracted with several area municipalities including Culver as of May 1914, with cottages around Lake Maxinkuckee hooking in by 1916.

The Marshall County town of Bremen saw electricity reach its borders in 1915, but in its case from the power grid of Goshen.

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Thus, electrical lines gradually hummed from one Northern Indiana city and municipality to another to the extent that, by the 1920s, most were electrified to at least a large extent. However, the vast majority of rural residents and farmers in the area still lacked access to electrification.

In the 1920s, Purdue University’s Cooperative Extension Service (better known then and now as its Extension) began to reach out to rural areas to address the question of electrification, though long distances and little revenue potential continued to stand in the way of significant progress. Readers today might compare the situation to the spread of high-speed internet to non-municipal areas, something just now underway in this region.

As quoted on the Hoosier State Chronicles blog, one researcher wrote in 1925 that “in order to make a profit [power companies] have charged the farmers so high a rate that it has kept them from using the service.”

That same year, Purdue researchers experimented with electrification of two Hoosier farms including one in the northern part of Indiana run by the Calumet Gas & Electric Company, with a focus on use of electricity towards crops, animals and household operations. In the late 1920s, a widespread educational campaign on the potential

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benefits to farmers of electrification was undertaken by Purdue, with one 1933 pamphlet reporting that more than 30,000 farms in Indiana were utilizing electricity by then.

Perhaps ironically, it would take a national socioeconomic disaster to provide the impetus for widespread rural electrification in the Hoosier state and beyond.

As the Great Depression raged, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, elected as U.S. president in 1932, began to give shape to the New Deal he had promised the American people, with a wide array of social and economic stimulus programs. On May 11, 1935, Roosevelt signed Executive Order 7037 establishing the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). The Rural Electrification Act passed a year later, allocating over $800,000 towards rural electrification projects.

On July 22, 1935, the Boone County Rural Electric Membership Corporation (REMC) in Indiana became one of the first funded federal electric projects in the U.S., and the first in the Hoosier state.

Over the following four years, Purdue Extension agents helped create a number of REMCs across Indiana.

Marshall County’s case was typical of many. Its county REMC had been formed in 1935, and on November 10, 1936, an REA loan of $185,000 was granted to the Marshall County REMC (the same

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year, nearby Fulton County’s REMC, among many others, received its funding). The first electric pole of the program was set on the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 30 and King Road on September 30, 1937, with 25 miles of line installed. By April 30 of the following year, Roy Jacoby’s home was the first to receive electricity from the program. At the time, the minimum electrical charge was $2.50 per month (a number of farm families were concerned that they might not even use enough electricity each month to justify the cost!).

The process, nonetheless, was not an instantaneous one. In 1940 it was reported that only 437 of the approximately 1,500 farms in Starke County had electricity. By 1945, 1,108 of that county’s 1,409 farms had electrical current, a vast but quite gradual jump.

It’s estimated that almost all Indiana farms had electricity by 1965, meaning nearly 80 years had passed since concerted efforts began to assure that all Hoosiers had access to what by the 1960s was (and certainly today is) not only taken for granted, but also considered critical to contemporary life.

And so, whether you live in a busy area city, in a small town or on a farm, take a moment to appreciate the efforts it took in days of yore to bring you those Christmas lights, New Year’s Eve broadcasts, cell phone charges, or just the ability to read this article at night, in a warmly heated home.

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IT’S ONLY NATURAL

GET AWAY WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY AT FERNWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND NATURE PRESERVE Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Elaine Rowland, director of marketing and community engagement for Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, says the public gardens offer something fun for the whole family.

“Kids can have fun indoors or outdoors at Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve,” Rowland says. “There are a lot of educational opportunities everywhere here.

We have two libraries that have wonderful children’s books for kids who want to learn

more about nature and the great things they see here. We have bird viewing activities. We have open trails outside that families love.

When there is snow on the ground, kids have enjoyed looking at animal tracks and guessing what the animal is.”

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Scavenger hunts are also popular. “The kids can look for a lot of fun things in the scavenger hunts and learn a lot while they are on them,” Rowland says. “We are open all year long.”

Fernwood is situated on the St. Joseph River near Buchanan.

“Because we are in Niles, Michigan, in Berrien County, we are so close to a lot of different places, and it’s a nice drive for a lot of people to get to such a beautiful and scenic place.”

Rowland says the nonprofit has earned a reputation as a fun and relaxing destination.

“Flower fans love it here,” she says. “We have thousands of species of flowers here. We have 105 acres of gardens. We have animals here including deer, turkeys, and many different types of birds that all the bird watchers love.”

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Rowland says the annual Lights at Fernwood event is always popular during the holidays.

“We have a professionally designed light show with two light tunnels, three warm fire pits, a winter craft station, light sculptures, and music,” she says. “People love it. It really puts them in the holiday mood.”

Rowland says she enjoys spending time at Fernwood with her family.

“I have worked here for a long time and I came here when I was a kid,” she says. “It’s always relaxing to spend time in nature.

There are so many beautiful things to see here.”

Mary Campbell of West Lafayette says she enjoys visiting Fernwood with her family because they enjoy exploring the public gardens.

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Outdoor Railway Garden nature, and we love all of the natural beauty,” Campbell says. “We love the arboretum where you can see the different shrubs and trees. They are from different places. I enjoy the primroses and the lovely daffodils that look so beautiful in April and May.” Rowland notes that the shrubs and trees are from different temperate regions around the world.

“They are planted in naturalistic groups that are surrounded by lawns and meadows,” she says. “There are also bluebirds in the area.”

Campbell notes that she also enjoys the Stan Beikmann Herb and Sensory Garden.

“I love it when it is in full bloom,” Campbell says. “I have been able to learn a lot about herbs there. There is also a stone dovecote which looks great, and I love the sensory trail. While I’m on the grounds, TownePost.com | January 2024 | 57

I also enjoy the Japanese garden, the fern conservatory and the boxwood gardens.

I encourage any flower or nature lover to visit.”

Richard St. Cloud of North Vernon says Fernwood makes him feel more in touch with nature.

“I like coming here and just being able to enjoy nature and relax,” St. Cloud says.

“Everything just looks so beautiful. I like the nature preserve with its pretty ponds, wildflowers and tall trees. I like the surfaces, and the ponds and streams. It relaxes me. I really like unplugging from all the devices me and my family are always on. We can get

out here and have a real conversation.”

To find out more about Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, visit them at 13988 Range Line Road in Niles, Michigan. Call them at 269-695-6491, and visit their website at fernwoodbotanical.org.

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WHAT ALES YOU THE TEAM AT TIP A CANOE BREWS IN ROCHESTER CAN’T WAIT TO SERVE YOU

Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Sarah Reynolds

“I own it with Chris Markley, Corey Thomas, Andy Strasser and Alissa Ferro,” he says. “We have been having a great time.”

Jared Tyler, co-owner of Tip A Canoe Brews, has thoroughly enjoyed working at the popular brewery.

Tyler notes that Tip A Canoe Brews has been busy since they opened their doors.

“We opened the third week of July 2023 and we have seen a lot of the same great customers coming through our doors,” he says.

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A lot of customers have commented on how much they enjoy the name of the business.

“We all grew up on the Tippecanoe River,” Tyler says. “We wanted a river theme for the brewery. We have all been friends for years. We would always ask each other, ‘What river are we floating on?’ while canoeing. The answer was Tippecanoe River, or Tip A Canoe, and the next thing you know, someone literally tipped your canoe.”

Tyler says Tip A Canoe Brews welcomes the whole family.

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“We are a family-friendly brew pub built for craft beer enthusiasts to find their own nirvana,” he says. “We currently have 19 house beers on tap. Some of those include seltzers and our own housemade nonalcoholic root beer.”

“I would say a customer favorite is our pretzel with our house beer cheese, which is right up there with our Tip A Canoe dog/brat, which has our house mustard and a local turmeric sauerkraut,” Tyler says.

Tyler notes that the specialty beers are very popular.

Tyler has his personal food favorite.

“Our 19 house beers include different IPAs including American pale ales, single-malt and single-hop ales, malt-forward red and brown ales, and one vanilla porter,” he says. “We also have stouts, and easy-drinking golden ale, including orange, strawberry, and blueberry varieties, and several seasonal options. We love to use local items in our beers including hops and blueberries.”

“For me it is the walking taco,” he says. “These things are no joke.

They are delicious.”

“Our team has been out on this journey for quite some time,” he says. “Everything in our taphouse and brewhouse has been built by our own hands. Most of us are construction managers during the day, so putting our dreams into reality came easy. Doing the construction and paying for everything yourself makes it a true These plans were designed with standard construction practices in mind. Due to variations in state, local, and federal codes, revisions may be required to these plans. It remains the responsibility of the builder to review the information, and assure that it is revised to become code compliant, appropriate, and complete.

Customers already have their food favorites.

Tyler says it took a while for him and his friends to achieve their dreams, but it was worth it.

REVISION TABLE REVISED BY DESCRIPTION

“Our food is simple but done right,” Tyler says. “There is something for everyone. Our business success is based on the people that come into our place, and our team behind the bar making every trip to our place fun. We serve hot dogs and brats. Fresh-baked pretzels, walking tacos and weekly food specials.”

“We really had the total experience in mind when we built out the taphouse,” he says. “We use a 3.5-barrel Blichmann brew system assembled right here in Indiana.”

DATE

Tyler says customers at Tip A Canoe Brews have raved about the food.

Tyler says he and his co-owners had a lot of fun building the taphouse.

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labor of love. Our construction background saved us a lot of money. We started our construction journey in early 2020 and finished mid-2023. It was a lot of work. Our team is quite unique.”

“We have several craft beer festivals planned to come in January and February,” he says. “We also have a huge night-beforeThanksgiving event planned with live music.”

Tyler says he and his co-owners have been friends for a long time.

Tyler says he always welcomes new faces. “We can’t wait to meet you,” he says.

“All of the owners and our spouses and kids are very good friends,” he says. “One of the co-owners, Alissa Ferro, also owns Uncorked, a great Cuban restaurant, which is right behind us. We are all in the same building. It was Alissa’s late husband, Lewis Ferro, who had the idea to open the brewery. Tip A Canoe is in his honor.”

For your next family meal or drink, visit Tip A Canoes Brews at 527 ½ Main Street in Rochester. Call 574-223-2337 for more information. Also visit tipacanoebrews.com, and check out their Facebook page @tipacanoebrews.

Customers have responded favorably to the business and Tyler says they have seen many repeat customers.

“Everything has been great so far,” Tyler says. “There is a beer, or different beers, for everyone. When you first open, you can count on a lot of people showing up. Now that we have been open for a few months, repeat business is there. There are people we see all the time. It’s very comfortable here. Plus, we are getting business from craft enthusiasts who are traveling. We also have rotating musicians every other week. We also have plenty of room to grow.”

Tyler says there are a lot of fun events coming up.

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THE BEST YOUR PET CAN GET FULTON COUNTY VETERINARY CLINIC TREATS EACH ANIMAL WITH A LOVING, LASTING TOUCH Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photographer / Tony Straw

Over countless years, the principles regarding the circle of life have been immortalized in everything from stories to songs.

Those principles encompass the value and virtue of tending to all of Earth’s creatures.

Those are the philosophies woven into Fulton County Veterinary Clinic’s manner of practice. The business has been a mainstay of the Rochester community and its environs since 1987, and although the management has changed hands in recent years, the mission remains very much the same - to provide state-of-the-art, quality care for animals with a loving, lasting touch.

Dr. Zach Coston purchased Fulton County Veterinary Clinic in 2021, and wasted no time bringing his longtime expertise and vision to fruition. He implemented renovations to the building, including upgrades to the lobby, new flooring and a redesigned interior. He is a skilled diagnostician who embraces the latest innovations in animal wellness and medicine, such as laser execution surgeries, microchipping, dental care, boarding services, grooming, emergency care, nutritional advisement, and routine check-ups.

The clinic also provides spay and neuter procedures, therapies, ultrasounds and X-rays, and in-house laboratory testing. Having such a broad range of services available to their clients is something that Coston is immensely proud of, as much of their customer base travels from a fair distance to seek out their exemplary care. “It allows me to keep quality medical access to our patients,” he explains.

Dr. Coston

64 | January 2024 | TownePost.com

The clinic has a head technician who manages their Facebook page, and oversees a questionand-answer forum frequently until 10 p.m. The moderator can also provide references to nearby

facilities when emergency care is warranted after hours.

And the spectrum of wild and domesticated clientele is quite varied.

“Big or small, we love them all,” is the working motto behind the business, and that means much more than dogs and cats. Dr. Coston also specializes in smaller animals including frogs, fish,

lizards, snakes and chickens, as well as the “pocket pets” such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rats.

His affinity for veterinary medicine

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started early in his young life, and he first began building his hands-on approach when he was just 15 years old. “I’ve always loved animals,” he says. “I was fascinated with the medical aspect, and it was always my goal to someday have my own practice.”

Yet while the clinic is considered a frontrunner for technological advances with regard to animal health, the way that the staff is bonded through their commitment and ethics speaks to the underlying environment. Coston is committed to ensuring that his team is always aware of the contributions they provide, and often rewards them in tangible, unforgettable ways. “I protect the practice culture,” he explains. “I like to be the one to hold myself accountable.

My staff are my family. Running this place isn’t about me. I want to take care of them, and to make sure they know that they helped me build this. I would never trade my team in a million years.

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We’re a very consistent team.”

Coston can already see that his passion for animals is potentially wending its way to a new generation. He is a husband and father of two young children, a daughter and a son. He sees the fascination building in his son.

“He loves medical stuff,” he says with a laugh.

Although it may seem a bit premature to predict what his aspirations might be, it seems certain that he has an admirable group of role models to look toward.

Back row: Alex Melms, Page Mann, Megan Sauberlich, Amber Curry, Hope Peters, Dr. Costin, Samantha Costin, Alyssa Nolan, Ann Baker, Erica Castro Front row: Dr. Martin, Mary Kapke, Shana Good, Makayla Riston, Amy Gamble

Fulton County Veterinary Clinic is located at 1634 North Old U.S. Highway 31 in Rochester, and can be reached via phone at 574-223-4980. To visit their online store, view a complete list of available services, or see their hours of operation, head to fultoncountyvetclinic.com.

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JANUARY

AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2024

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Koontz Lake, Lake Maxinkuckee, Walkerton, Grovertown Culver, ALL Times listed are Central Time.

Marshall County EVERY MONDAY ALL Times listed are Eastern Time.

BINGO Doors open at 5p, Early Bird starts at 6p, and regular games start at 6:30p at the Koontz Lake Association Community building.

26

CHILI SUPPER 4:30p – 7p – Chili Supper hosted by The Culver Lions and The Culver Council of Churches. Proceeds benefit the Culver Food Pantry.

2

KOONTZ LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT MONTHLY BOARD MEETING The meeting will be held at the Sewer District building located at 10625 E Prairie Ave in Koontz Lake. Interested parties may join remotely by calling (240) 591-0378 and entering the code 385729# when prompted.

February 9-11 CULVER WINTER FEST

15

KLA BOARD MEETING At the KLA Clubhouse is the Third Tuesday of the month. Meeting are open to the public and community support is needed!

Come to a board meeting to see if you might be interested in helping as there are several positions available to be filled.

FOR UPDATES REGARDING EVENTS PLEASE CHECK THE LAKE ASSOCIATION’S/ ORGANIZATIONS’ FACEBOOK PAGES/WEBSITES.

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Knox-Winamac Community Health Center is a private non-profit agency providing affordable high-quality, primary care to residents of Starke and Pulaski Counties.

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Primary and Preventive care • Physical Examinations Employment • Sports • School Physicals Well Child Checks • Immunizations • Chronic Disease Mangagement Laboratory Service • Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings Management Women’s Health Screenings and Annual Exams • Behavioral Healthcare Open Monday thru Friday and every Saturday until noon

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