The Lakes West Magazine March 2024

Their Turf Premier Turf Solutions Can Improve and Maintain Lawns, Landscaping and More

Cutting It Close THE HUB OWNER CONSIDERS HER ESTABLISHMENT MORE THAN A BARBER SHOP

Mind Your Beeswax Shipshewana-Based “B” Honey & Candles Continues to Grow in Popularity MARCH 2024

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We have garden seeds and seed starting supplies.

574-946-0998 • healeyshomecenter.com 800 N US 35, Winamac, IN TownePost.com | March 2024 | 3

4 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

6

THEIR TURF

Premier Turf Solutions Can Improve and Maintain Lawns, Landscaping and More

11

CUTTING IT CLOSE The Hub Owner Considers Her Establishment More Than a Barber Shop

17

HERE’S THE POINT

The Team at Superior Edge Keeps Its Services and Customer Satisfaction Razor Sharp

22

SPRUCE UP YOUR SPACE

Joyfully Said in Middlebury Has Home Decor, and Much, Much More

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CUT OUT FOR SUCCESS

MARCH 2024

In the Lumber Biz, True Timber Sawmill Owner Gary Hochstetler Can See the Forest for the Trees

39

GOING GREEN

Let New Kitchen Store Help You Spring Into Fresh Recipe and Kitchen Ideas

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BUILT BETTER

Topeka-Based Owner of Country Living Structures Finds Neat Niche

KEY CONTRIBUTORS KAYLA CLEMONS DARCIE DODDS SCHOTT JUBILEE EDGELL MATT KEATING JEFF KENNEY AMY LANT-WENGER KARI LIPSCOMB PUPPY CONNECTION PHOTOGRAPHY ALI SCHNEIDER

48

RUFF TIMES

The Pooch Pairing Process Is a Pleasure at Perfect Match Poodles

55

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.

AIR TIME

Kids of all Ages Can Get Their Tumble on at Jana’s Gymnastics

61

A LADY’S LEGACY

Remembering a Significant Local Native American Figure

65

Shipshewana-Based “B” Honey & Candles Continues to Grow in Popularity

Step Into Selection at L-n-R Footwear & Gifts

TAKING SUCCESS IN STRIDE

69

MARCH EVENTS /THELAKESMAGAZINEOFKOSCIUSKO

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

34

MIND YOUR BEESWAX

PUBLISHERS JOHN & MANDI LEWANDOWSKI john@townepost.com mandi@townepost.com (574) 249-9217

/THELAKESMAGAZINE

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011 FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT FRANCHISING.TOWNEPOST.COM CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?

TownePost.com | March 2024 | 5

Hanselman Family

THEIR TURF

PREMIER TURF SOLUTIONS CAN IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN LAWNS, LANDSCAPING AND MORE Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Albert Hanselman with Premier Turf Solutions says he started the business as a part-time job he could do after he retired.

“My son, Lucas, and I are partners in the business,” Hanselman says. “I started lawn care as a part-time job in preparation for when I retired from school administration.

The original name of the business was A & J

Lawncare. It stood for Albert and Joyce, my wife. Upon retirement, my phone rang like crazy. We were very busy. At the end of that year, Lucas came on as a partner. It really has been a family business that we have enjoyed.”

Hanselman was in education for 34 years.

“Thirty of those years I was an administrator, with 14 being the high school principal at Culver Community High School,” he says. “I spent 26 years at Culver Community Schools. The last years, I was the director of career and technical education for 10 area school corporations.”

Hanselman says both he and Lucas love the

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Since 1919 McKesson is Indiana’s Longest Running Family Owned Title Company.

P.O. Box 369 407 N. CENTER STREET PLYMOUTH, INDIANA 46563 Phone: (574) 936-2555

1917 S. HEATON STREET KNOX, INDIANA 46534 Phone: (574) 772-2720

Region 1-800-261-8437 Email: titlemac@mckessontitle.com 6 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

Celebrating 98 Years!

(574) 936-2323 www.plychamber.org 120 N Michigan St • Plymouth

Connect • Community • Business • Growth Join the Chamber Today!

Railing installed by Premier Turf at Papas Pizza in Culver.

look of a lawn that has been well taken care of. He says they both believe that if effort is put into making a lawn look better, it will improve over time.

Premier Turf Solutions offers a wide variety of services.

“We mow and trim, and we do lawn

installations,” Hanselman says. “We offer weekly mowing for our clients with zero-turn mowers. We also offer trimming of walks and beds, and blowing of grass clippings.”

Premier Turf Solutions also fertilizes lawns.

have your lawn looking much better,” Hanselman says. “Our applications include a four-step application process to give homeowners a beautiful-looking lawn all season long. We do great work. We have received a lot of compliments from satisfied customers.”

“We offer fertilizer applications that will

Hanselman notes that irrigation installation

Local, Family-Owned Business with over a Decade of Experience

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LOCALLY MADE DAYS! DAILY BREAD Irrigation | Fertilizer | Mowing | Landscaping Snow Removal | Hardscapes premturfsolutions.com info@premturfsolutions.com Lucas 574-780-4285 | Albert 574-850-3210

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574.773.0303

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Mon-Fri. 8a - 5:30p • Sat. 8a - 3p • Closed Sunday

TownePost.com | March 2024 | 7

and maintenance are also offered.

quality landscaping and hardscaping.

“Our complete irrigation systems include system installation, which is important, because you want it done right,” he says.

“This also includes seasonal startup, winterization and repair services. We will have your lawn looking really great.”

“We really do think of landscaping as an art,” Hanselman says. “Lucas and I both enjoy it. We think that working on a lawn and a patio, and adding new plants, new retaining wall blocks, planting grass seed, and mulching, etcetera, can really make your lawn and patio look great. We can also provide retaining walls.”

Premier Turf Solutions also offers high-

He says it’s important to get weeds taken care of in the spring, as early as possible.

“If homeowners start tackling their weed problems early, they won’t get out of hand later,” Hanselman says. “We can help you with that so you don’t have to worry about it. We can provide mulching. We offer delivery and installation to make your lawn look so much better. We can also provide

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“ IF HOMEOWNERS START TACKLING THEIR WEED PROBLEMS EARLY, THEY WON’T GET OUT OF HAND LATER.” — ALBERT HANSELMAN

bed maintenance annuals with trimming and pruning, along with prevention and removal.”

Premier Turf Solutions also offers highquality snow removal.

“We have been getting a lot of snow lately and we have been doing a lot of business,” Hanselman says. “The winter storm

systems have been coming through and we have been getting a lot of snow in the surrounding areas. We have the lake effect in these areas quite a bit. It gives us a lot of business though.”

He says they do complete snow removal.

driveways and sidewalks,” Hanselman says.

“We will get the snow taken care of in your driveway so you can get on your way.”

To find out more about Premier Turf Solutions, email info@premturfsolutions. com or visit premturfsolutions.com.

“We can do snow removal in the big commercial lots, as well as the residential

1921 E STATE ROAD 14 ROCHESTER, IN 46975 P: (574) 224-2529

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Monday - Friday 8am to 8pm CST Saturday 8am - 6pm CST | Closed Sunday 5900 S Range Rd. North Judson, IN 46366

Baileys offers 3 brands of cabinets meeting all customers needs.

From IN STOCK cabinets to custom cabinets, all at FACTORY DIRECT PRICES and all Made in the USA.

baileytownusa.com Bailey’s very own cabinet brand made right here in Indiana. 9 Styles IN STOCK ready for immediate pick up or delivery.

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Baileys & Haas have been a team for over 30 years.

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Come out and visit our huge showroom, with over 100 kitchens and bathrooms on display showing all the brands and styles Baileys offers!

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10 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

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Cayla Arthurhultz & Darlean Dimmock

Cutting It Close

THE HUB OWNER CONSIDERS HER ESTABLISHMENT MORE THAN A BARBER SHOP Writer / Darcie Dodds Schott Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Sales • Installation • Chemicals Parts • Liners • Winterization Above & Below Ground Pools We Haul Pool Water Paul & Angie Caudill Rochester, Indiana

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Trucking • Excavating Demolition • Ponds Septics • Water Line Site Prep Insurance Work Land & Fence Row Clearing Driveways Black Dirt • Gravel Sand • Fill • Limestone TownePost.com | March 2024 | 11

Town Square Tavern & Eatery

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12 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

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B

arber shops have been around for thousands of years, and there’s good reason. When the time comes for a great haircut and a careful shave, having a skilled barber is as valuable as having a mechanic on speed dial when your car breaks down. Darlean Dimmock, owner of The Hub Barber Shop in Culver, is just this level of barber.

After opening in November 2022, The Hub has enjoyed steady growth, which is rewarding for Dimmock, who attended Culver Community High School. Opening The Hub has been a homecoming for Dimmock, and her barber shop has become a fixture on Main Street.

For decades, Culver’s Main Street included a barber shop run by a man named Verl

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Pulaski Memorial Hospital’s Outpatient Surgery is committed to providing compassionate and uncompromising care that allows patients to return to their optimum wellness with as little impact on their personal lives as possible.

Our General Surgeons provide a wide array of services, including: • Breast Biopsy • Mastectomy • Colonoscopy • Gallbladder Removal • Hernia Repair • Lesion Removal • Varicose Veins

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For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call (574) 946-2576.

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“THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A BARBER SHOP. I’M TRULY INTERESTED IN MY CUSTOMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.” —DARLEAN DIMMOCK Shaffer, but that shop closed in 2006 when Shaffer retired. When The Hub opened more than 15 years later, Shaffer walked in to introduce himself and check out the shop. Shaffer is a talker, so in no time, Dimmock and Shaffer bonded like they’d known each other for years.

Soon after their first meeting, Shaffer brought into The Hub a stained-glass window hanger depicting a traditional striped barber’s pole, which now hangs on the wall ensuring there is a little bit of Shaffer in the shop. Touches like this make The Hub more than just a place to have your hair cut. It’s a place for warm conversation and a hearty serving of community.

The Hub’s menu of cuts includes buzz, fade, long hair, razor,

military, head shave and custom. It’s also the place for beard maintenance, hair straightening and kids’ cuts. Costs range from $10 for a beard trim to $40 for a shave and haircut. Children and seniors over 62 receive a discount. A good barber will know how to give a close shave and a clean haircut, but a superior barber will extend grooming to nose, brow and ear waxing. Yes, you heard that right, and Dimmock ensures these delicate services result in a refined appearance that lasts for months. Dimmock has a second licensed barber at The Hub, Cayla Arthurhultz, who cuts one day per week, spending the other days of the week running her retail shop, Handmade Happenings, at 109 South Main Street.

Dimmock takes her trimmers on the road when it’s time for Culver Summer Camp and Culver Military Academy registration, making

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sure each young man has a proper military cut. She helps to make sure the campers and cadets feel a friendly presence during what can be a nervous first step arriving on Culver’s campus. Back on Main Street, The Hub participates in the annual town festivals throughout the year such as Winterfest, Lake Fest, Holiday Hop and others. Dimmock plans to expand The Hub’s festival presence by hosting a haircut booth for attendees to stop in for a quick trim on the spot.

This kind of out-of-the-box thinking is what Dimmock wants people to associate with The Hub. “This is more than just a barber shop,” she says. “I’m truly interested in my customers and their families.”

She wants wives and families to know that when a man comes in for a haircut, he is going to leave looking better than when he arrived. She has many loyal customers, including some from out of town who make it a point to stop in for a haircut as they pass through Culver. Dimmock says

16 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

one customer lives five states away and sometimes waits until he is back in Culver to have a haircut at The Hub. Dimmock’s own family plays an important role in her business. “My priorities are God first, family second, friends and customers third,” she says.

Having left a successful career in the banking industry years ago, Dimmock is living her dream today, doing what she always wanted to do. As the saying goes, if you love what you do, you won’t work a day in your life. Dimmock is grateful to be celebrating the beginning of another year of owning her own barber shop, connecting with customers both new and old, and watching the people in Culver pass by her front window as the swirling red, white and blue barber’s pole beckons folks to The Hub. The Hub is located at 110 North Main Street in Culver, with wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance. Call 574-842-0578 for more info.

HERE’S THE POINT THE TEAM AT SUPERIOR EDGE KEEPS ITS SERVICES AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RAZOR SHARP Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photography Provided

For John Whetstone and Merle Helmuth, their exemplary business model is always on point. And that’s not just a clever play on words, but rather a summary of their expertise and attention to detail both driving factors for the success behind Superior Edge.

Superior Edge is tucked away in a rural stretch of countryside just east of Nappanee, and it is where folks can go for a range of services including sharpening, custom-created machinery bits, and

precision tools.

The origins of the business stretch back to 2007, when Helmuth was operating a niche trade of general sharpening at his homebased workshop. His typical clientele consisted of walk-ins, seeking assistance with small-scale jobs like scissors and blades. Eventually, Helmuth invested in a manual grinder, which allowed him to design spiral bits. It wasn’t long before he realized that he not only had a

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talent for the work, but a growing passion as well.

Even so, there was a bit of a roadblock on this new career path. Helmuth was experiencing difficulty finding service outlets for the equipment he was using.

To remedy this, and to provide a more exemplary caliber of service, Helmuth invested in a state-of-the-art machine called the Walter CNC grinder. With this newer, more sophisticated equipment, he was now poised to sharpen even more items and create intricate tools.

Helmuth soon found that he had the capabilities of designing more than 600 varieties of bits, with approximately 30% of those used on a daily basis, for various industries including recreational vehicles, woodworking and metalwork.

As the Superior Edge business landscape became more diversified, Helmuth realized the need for someone to join forces with

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him in an administrative and consultation role. Enter John Whetstone, the selfdescribed “silent partner,” who came aboard in May of 2022.

the increased profile of Superior Edge, with each of the men bringing their own unique skill sets to the business.

“Merle is the brains behind the operation,” says Whetstone.

Whetstone advises Helmuth on business strategies and fostering relationships with manufacturers and contractors. The His employment background in quality partnership has been a tremendous boon for control translates well to Superior Edge, as

he’s always thinking ahead to the next great challenge.

“We’d like to diversify and we’re also looking to expand into more of the medical field,” says Whetstone. “We have a lot of capacity around customizing and doing higher volumes of work.”

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Moreover, the men are open to working outside of the general Nappanee area, typically offering service within a 50-mile radius. Recently, Superior Edge has added two full-time machinists to their company, and one part-time clerical employee.

Helmuth and Whetstone are already planning ahead to find ways to enhance and expand their enterprise. They have contracted with a small-business coaching

firm based out of Shipshewana, and in January they will be participating in the Midwest Tool Expo at The Michiana Event Center in the same city.

The ultimate goal? “We’re looking for a good, solid customer base, and we hope to continue to provide quality in customer service,” says Whetstone.

Those have been the unwavering principles since Superior Edge’s inception, and the team members are happy to say that their stellar reputation has been largely founded in word-of-mouth advertising.

To learn more about the services provided

by Superior Edge, call Helmuth at 574-7730331, or visit the shop at 25198 County Road 54 in Nappanee.

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SPRUCE UP YOUR SPACE JOYFULLY SAID IN MIDDLEBURY HAS HOME DECOR, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Writer / Ali Schneider Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

Owners Wes and Chelsea Gorsuch

L

ocated in the heart of downtown Middlebury, you will find a unique business known as Joyfully Said. As you approach the storefront, you immediately know it is unlike most marketplaces in the area.

Joyfully Said is located in a beautiful complex known as The Mill, which is home to a variety of boutiques, unique gift shops, and pop-up artisan markets. As you peruse through the building, the one shop everyone loves to visit is Joyfully Said.

The visionaries behind the business are husband and wife Chelsea and Wes Gorsuch.

22 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

Rewind to 2016, when Chelsea was pregnant with their third child.

Once the baby arrived, she went on maternity leave from her job as a school counselor at the time. This allowed her to not only spend time with her three children, but also explore her creative side.

Gorsuch began by creating signs in her home and painting them by hand. Every piece was unique and carried a special meaning.

As her technique improved with every stroke of the paint brush,

people began to catch wind of her talent. It did not take long for her to need a dedicated space to create her artwork. Thus, in the fall of 2016 Gorsuch began renting space at The Mill.

The Mill was an ideal location for her to expand her homegrown business and offer her products to the public. As customers would come to shop at The Mill, they could visit Joyfully Said and enjoy browsing the unique pieces that Gorsuch created. It did not take long for the popularity to grow via word of mouth and happy customer reviews.

Due to the high demand of her products, Gorsuch knew she needed to do something to keep up with orders. Therefore, in 2019 she

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the store and create an uplifting vibe.

Frames are custom built in house.

Once you find the piece (or pieces) of artwork that speaks to you, the item becomes part of your home and something you can reflect upon every time you see it.

Gorsuch finds this empowering as she believes faith is at the core of our lives. She is not afraid to speak to her faith and how the Lord has blessed her with this opportunity to spread her message to others.

decided to purchase a large printer.

This allowed her to expand her product offerings to other forms of artwork, photos, banners and more.

As you enter Joyfully Said you will feel exactly that…joy! The name of the business has meaning behind it, as it is meant to be a space where customers can find happiness in everyday items. The signs that Gorsuch creates have quotes on them such as, “May our walls hold joy, may each room hold laughter, and may every window open to great possibility.” Phrases like this are displayed all around

The blessings only continued for Gorsuch as time went on. In 2020 Wes left his job as a full-time registered nurse and joined the Joyfully Said team. His vision provided the opportunity for Joyfully Said to expand their product offerings even further. Some of the most popular items today include wooden wall art and canvas banners, which come with thoughtful designs customers can can choose from. You can also create your own custom art piece that they will gladly create for you. Beyond quotes and sayings, Joyfully Said also offers a variety of wall art to beautify your home or office space. These include fine art pieces that are available in a variety of collections.

These collections include patriotic and seasonal items, children’s wall art, sheet music, and a variety of art sets. All of these collections

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and more can be found in-store and on their website.

The team members pride themselves on keeping their collections new and fresh. One way they accomplish this is by collaborating with other artists in the community as well as all around the country. By doing so, they are able to give artists a space to showcase their talent and reach a large customer base. This also allows Joyfully Said to offer many types of pieces of art in a variety of styles, designs and mediums.

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A few of the most recognized collaborations with artists include Living in Yellow, Blessed Ranch, Blooming Nest, and Grace My Space. Artists are encouraged to showcase their pieces throughout the store so that customers can have a look into the artist’s personal style and vision.

Beyond beautiful wall art, Joyfully Said offers a multitude of home decor items. Browse the store for a few minutes and you will quickly realize it is not your typical big-box retail shop. Every product is thoughtfully picked out by the team to provide customers with

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items they will likely not find elsewhere. Some of these items include handwoven baskets, planters and pots made of terra cotta, velvet pillows, handwoven throws, crocheted coasters, cheese boards, scented candles, and a variety of beautiful greenery and succulents. The list goes on and on, making it an ideal place to shop for yourself, and perhaps a gift for a friend or family member.

Continuing with the unique product selection, Joyfully Said has also expanded into stationary and bath and body care. This includes men’s bath items. No matter what you are looking for, you will likely find it at Joyfully Said.

Joyfully Said has a very active social media presence and invites anyone to follow them for tips on creating a beautiful space, sneak peaks of products, behind-thescenes photos, sales, and artist spotlights. They are on Facebook and Instagram @JoyfullySaid. You can find their products in person and online at joyfullysaid.com, where you can shop or get inspired at any time of the day.

Their website is also where artists who are interested in collaborating can find information on how to apply and get involved.Joyfully Said is located at 402 East Warren Street in Middlebury, and can be reached by phone at 574-358-0116.

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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:

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CUT OUT FOR SUCCESS

IN THE LUMBER BIZ, TRUE TIMBER SAWMILL OWNER GARY HOCHSTETLER CAN SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photography Provided

Like many young lads who were raised on farmsteads, Gary Hochstetler treasures his fond memories of strolling through the woods with his father.

He also recalls his father thinking out loud, wondering how best to transform the prolific wooded landscapes into something useful and unique.

“I wish I had a little mill,” Hochstetler recalls his father musing. It was then, Hochstetler recalls, that his family could literally see the forest for the trees.

This sense of nostalgia played a significant role in the founding of True Timber Sawmill LLC, which is situated within a rural swath of countryside bordered by Bremen, Nappanee and Wakarusa. After spending several years operating a smaller-scale sawmill on a part-time basis, Hochstetler took a leap of faith and launched True Timber

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Sawmill as a full-time enterprise four years ago, at a crucial time in his life when he realized that his career path had struck a crossroads. He chose to forge ahead exclusively with his custom milling practice, and much to his delight, he had friends, neighbors and family members ready and willing to lend their time and talents as well.

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“If you really want to have your own business, you have to go all in,” Hochstetler says of his decision to take on the venture.

Now, he has established True Timber Sawmill as a premier resource for not only custom sawmilling, but also for lumber drying, grade lumber, and mortise and tenon timber. The business is also equipped to provide exterior staining and painting, and Hochstetler is making plans to offer those products in a retail setting in the near future.

Since committing fully to the True Timber Sawmill mission, Hochstetler has successfully strengthened his business through affiliations and connections with a number of other local businesses. This has allowed Hochstetler and his team to take on some ambitious projects as 2024 transitions into the spring season.

The men have been commissioned to create a number of pavilions around the region, and have also completed work designing and erecting porches.

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One of the more elaborate projects currently underway is the construction of a sugar camp near the storied Plymouth-Goshen Trail corridor. This intricate structure reflects the wish of a retired Amish gentleman who is keen on creating homemade maple syrup.

As for what the future holds for True Timber Sawmill, Hochstetler firmly believes that the sky’s the limit. “There’s always new avenues,”

he says of his hopes for 2024 and beyond. “If you’re not afraid to reach out to contractors and if you’re willing to diversify, there will always be something to do somewhere.”

To visit True Timber Sawmill, head over to 69870 Beech Road in Nappanee. To arrange for a consultation, call 574-354-9215 or check out their website at timbersawmill.com.

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MIND YOUR BEESWAX

SHIPSHEWANA-BASED “B” HONEY & CANDLES CONTINUES TO GROW IN POPULARITY Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

beehives he had.

Perry Bontrager, co-owner of “B” Honey & Candles, loves honey and working with bees. He says he developed an interest in bees at a young age.

“I think the largest number of beehives I had at one time was 150,” he says.

“Now I own under 50 beehives. I have other responsibilities so I lowered the number I have. I still love working with them though.”

“I remember catching honeybees as a kid,” Bontrager says. “It was great.

I loved it. In the third grade I decided to catch a couple of bees, and take them into school to show the bees. I talked about them during our show-and-tell time in class. I had a lot of fun with that.”

Bontrager says he has a lot of products at “B” Honey & Candles that are popular with customers.

“The honey we sell is a very big seller,” Bontrager says.

“Most of the products we sell here are made on-site. My wife, Rosetta, and I started the business from a countertop at the entrance of our home. We later moved to our shop building that we are in now.

We needed more room for all our products.”

Bontrager adds that he has always enjoyed the smell of bees and honey.

“I eventually decided to start my own beehives,” he says. “In 1986 I started getting my own honeybees. I didn’t know of any other beekeepers in town. There may have been some other beekeepers but I wasn’t aware of any.”

Bontrager started out small, but eventually expanded the number of

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Bontrager notes that he has enjoyed seeing the business expand over the years and

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increase in popularity.

“We sell skin-care products, chapsticks, maple syrup, lotion sticks, handmade aprons, lotions, and soy and beeswax candles that many people tell us they like much better than the major brands,” he says.

“That’s a very nice compliment to get from your customers. The beeswax candles come in all shapes and sizes. A lot of customers have told me they last a long time, and they really appreciate that they are unscented.

Not everyone likes scented candles. We also make them so they will burn for a long time, and they are also bright and clean. Our regular customers have told their family and friends about them.”

Bontrager adds that customers also like their soaps, soy wax, and cider vinegar.

“People tell me they love the quality of our soaps,” he says. “We spend a lot of time to get them just right. We age the soaps for about six weeks. They are very high quality.”

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Bontrager notes that all their products are available through mail order.

“We ship coast to coast,” he says. “We have quite a few customers that enjoy ordering our products. We take extra care to make sure everything is packed well.”

Bontrager says their skin-care items,

beeswax candles, and honey have consistently grown more popular over the years.

“We have been very fortunate to have loyal, long-time customers,” he says. “Many people have told us they only buy their honey from us. We have good-quality honey.

We also have delicious jams and jellies that we get a lot of compliments on. It’s nice that

2024 CULVER EVENTS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CULVER & LAKE MAXINKUCKEE VISITOR CENTER February 9-11: 10th Annual Culver Winterfest February 24: 2024 STEAM Expo March 15: Culver Community Schools Sports Spectacular March 30: Culver Park Easter Egg Hunt April 13: Headlock on Hunger

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April 26 & 27: Town-Wide Garage Sales May 11: Max Move - Run/Walk June 7: Culver Youth Club Annual Auction

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July 6: Fourth of July Fireworks July 12: Ann M. Smitson Moonlight Serenade July 17 & 18: Adaptive Water Ski Clinic

July 19-21: 40th Annual Culver Lakefest July 27: Lions Club Cornroast & Fireman's Festival August 10: Lake Max Triathlon/Duathlon August 10: Humane Society Beach Pawty September 7 & 8: MYC Fall Regatta September 27 & 28: Town-Wide Garage Sales

September 27-29: Bi-Annual Culver Paint Out October 25-27: Culver Fall Fest October 26: Lions Club Halloween Party

Scan the QR code below for our full online event calendar

October 31: Town-Wide Trick or Treating November 9: By the Lake Holiday Bazaar November 28: Culver Turkey Trot

December 6 & 7: Culver Holiday Weekend December 14: Christmas Spectacular & Craft Show December 14: Culver Christmas Basket Packing CULVER FARMERS' MARKET Outdoor Market: Culver Park West Pavilion May 11-October 19: Saturdays 9 am-1 pm May 28-August 27: Tuesdays 5-7 pm Indoor Market: 107 N Main St. (Public Library) Nov 2, 2024-Apr 26, 2025: Saturdays 10 am-1 pm

36 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

CONTACT INFORMATION 574-635-0054 www.findculver.com findculverin@gmail.com

we have come a long way since we started and that we have continued to improve our products. Our candles have also grown in popularity because we take the time to make them just right. In the beginning, I experimented with different candle wicks to get them just right. I think it paid off.”

Bontrager has some customers who have been buying from “B” Honey & Candles since the late 1980s.

Bontrager enjoys living in Shipshewana.

“In the summer we go to a flea market and we meet a lot of different, interesting people,” he says. “There are so many nice people that live around here, and it’s very pretty in the summer. We are located just two miles west of downtown Shipshewana.”

Visit “B” Honey & Candles at 2260 North 1000 West in Shipshewana, and call them at 574-642-1145.

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Professional drivers depicted on closed areas. Side-by-Side models shown are recommended for use only by operators 16 years and older with a valid driver’s license. Always wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing.

Yamaha recommends that all Side-by-Side riders take an approved training course. For Side-by-Side safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ROHVA at 1-866-267-2751. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation.

Models shown with optional accessories. Vehicle specifications subject to change. 10-year limited V-belt warranty; see your dealer for details or visit YamahaMotorsports.com. ©2023 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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time that I gut out my garage. Throughout the cold winter, I end up with a hoard of empty cardboard boxes that are too big and time consuming to be used in our wood stove. We usually take all the boxes out and burn them all at once in the fire pit in our backyard. I have also accumulated a lot of donation items like coats and winter shoes. I feel so much lighter by getting rid of unneeded stuff, and our home becomes simpler and clutter-free.

When we first bought our home it was at the end of summer, and I had neglected all 12 to 15 tomato plants left behind by the previous owners. I had no idea what I was in for when spring rolled around, but it is such a nice memory. With a new beginning in a new house, there was a new life coming back up for another season. There were so many colors of tulips and tiger lilies, baby bunnies hiding in the bushes of ground-covering plants, and deer poking around looking for a fresh, green meal. All the woods that surround our home were beginning to pop with color. Everything was showing its personality, and I will never forget the wonder I had.

Almost four years later, I still find new things growing that I hadn’t noticed before. Spring is a great time to start thinking about planting new flowers and starting seedlings for your garden. New Kitchen Store carries a wide variety of Baker Creek heirloom seeds.

Of course, I can’t have spring without thinking about food - preservatives and jams that are full of tangy fruit. Stonewall Kitchen flavors I have been enjoying are Sour Cherry Jam and Seedless Black Raspberry Jam. A lunch comes to mind, and you’ll never guess what color it is…green, mostly. A nice light, refreshing strawberry and mandarin orange salad.

There is no certain way to make this, but the basic ingredients are lettuce, spinach, strawberries, feta cheese and a can of mandarin oranges. For the dressing, I drizzle the mandarin orange juice from the can over the salad. This wonderful, fresh salad would be great paired with a nice cold glass of Front Porch lemonade.

You can find Baker Creek heirloom seeds, Stonewall jams and sauces, Front Porch drink mixes, a variety of salad bowls, utensils, and so much more at New Kitchen Store, located at 1100 Roosevelt Road in Walkerton. For more info, call 574-586-2745 or visit newkitchenstore.com.

40 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

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MANUFACTURING STONE FOR YOUR HOME

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BUILT BETTER

TOPEKA-BASED OWNER OF COUNTRY LIVING STRUCTURES FINDS NEAT NICHE Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Steven Petersheim, owner of Country Living Structures, says the COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020 turned out to be a great way for him to go full time with his business.

“We make a lot of animal structures, and when the pandemic hit and everything started to shut down, I was given the opportunity to be able to spend more time doing work that I enjoy,” he says.

“There was also more demand for the products that I make.

People were at home and had more time to spend on their farms.

It worked out for me because I have products that could really help them.”

chicken coops Experience the time honored practice of sustainable farming on your own property!

Petersheim started his business part time in the fall of 2015.

“I worked at the RV factories and I never dreamed that the business I started would ever go beyond being just a part-time business,” he says. “In 2020 I started to increase the number of chicken coops I was making, and I knew it was time to make the decision to go full time. I’m glad I did. I love my work and being able to make something that people can really use all the time.”

260-593-0898 4960 W 350 S Topeka, IN 46571

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E Ganando el derecho a cuidar de usted, su familia y nuestra comunidad.

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Petersheim primarily makes chicken coops.

“They are very high quality, and a lot of farmers use them because they are very secure and easy to use,” he says. “They are very sturdy and reliable. The chicken coops are safe and secure. Chickens are strong animals, but they calm down if they feel secure in the right structure. We make them so they offer good ventilation and they are very safe. The chicken coops themselves are made of wood. Ninetynine percent of customers want metal roofs. They are very strong and solid.”

Petersheim adds that the other parts of the chicken coops are also well-made.

“I make very high-quality materials for the siding,” he says. “We stand behind our work. When our customers buy our chicken coops, they are getting something well-made and dependable. We want customers to be able to rely on us.”

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Akron Medical Center 105 IN-14, Akron, IN 46910 44 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

Country Living Structures also offers warranties.

“All of our chicken coops come with a seven-year warranty,” Petersheim says.

“This excludes the wear and tear of kids playing around in it, and breaking something, etcetera.”

Petersheim also makes high-quality doghouses and dog kennels.

“If people are going to be away for a while, the dog kennels give them peace of mind that the dogs will be secure,” he says. “I’m glad we can help dog owners.”

Country Living Structures also offers small playhouses for children.

“They kids really love them,” Petersheim says. “They enjoy playing in them, and laughing and having a good time. That’s always nice to see.”

Petersheim notes that he truly enjoys what he does for a living.

“I love the work that I do and it keeps me at home where I want to be,” he says.

“That makes me and my family both happy. We like to be together and I like being home more.”

Petersheim says Country Living Structures offers free delivery and setup of their structures.

“We will deliver your chicken coops, dog kennels, doghouses and playhouses if they are within a 150-mile radius of the business,” he says.

Customers can also pick up their orders.

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“If people want to drive out and pick up their orders, that’s fine,” he says. “We offer a discount if they decide to do that. We get a lot of business from all the surrounding towns.”

Petersheim is proud to say he has satisfied and loyal customers.

“We have people who come back for more structures,” he says. “That pleases me because it means they were satisfied with our work the first time around.”

Petersheim says he loves living in Topeka.

“We are in a dirt-road area that I really enjoy,” he says. “It’s very nice in the summer here and very pretty.”

For more information on Country Living Structures, located at 4960 West 350 South in Topeka, call 260-593-0898.

46 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

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48 | March 2024 | TownePost.com

“Their personality and their intelligence they’re almost human in their level of intelligence.”

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C

ompanionship and connection are long considered to be essential elements of life.

And for many families, that feeling is captured through the inclusion of pets, and the formation of a lasting bond of loyalty and love.

Gabe Helmuth and his wife, Joyce, are well-versed in this philosophy, as they have become enchanted with dogs themselves.

They have taken that fondness and respect and parlayed it into a home-based business known as Perfect Match Poodles, as they strive to help others find a four-legged friend to call their own.

Located near Etna Green, the Perfect Match Poodles enterprise came about when the Helmuths first became enamored of dogs prior to their marriage in 2018, when they became the owners of a pair of goldendoodles. Gabe Helmuth had previously built upon a wealth of experience and history in caring for Morgan horses,

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which he had primarily raised for show.

“I really liked to study the pedigrees of horses, so I thought I could do the same with dogs,” he recalls. After developing a fascination with poodles along the way, the couple chose to forge ahead with specializing in breeding and adoption. “We really enjoyed it and we decided to just do it,” Helmuth says.

So what was the allure of poodles? “Their personality and their intelligence - they’re almost human in their level of intelligence,” Helmuth says. “They’re very beautiful, very elegant, and they’re also hypoallergenic and non-shedding.” This makes poodles an option for families who would love to own a dog, but have health issues with allergies.

The types of poodles offered include miniatures and standards, featuring colorings and markings from red to apricot to parti.

The latter is a term used to describe a poodle that has a ratio of white patches against additional shades. The dogs are very well-

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tended and nurtured through a meticulous regimen of care, feeding, and attentiveness to their overall health and well-being.

For instance, the puppies are given ample space to frolic and socialize with one another. Helmuth describes it as “play yard with lots of slides, chutes and activities for all of the dogs, including activities that exercise their minds as well.” They welcome and encourage prospective dog owners to visit and witness this interaction for themselves, to help them find the right pet.

Additionally, the adult dogs will undergo a series of health screenings for any genetic issues related to their hearts, knees and vision. According to Helmuth, an adult poodle in ideal condition can potentially live a long life of 12 to 15 years. The Helmuths also ensure that their puppies are weaned before they are adopted, which means a minimum of eight weeks of age and a weight of two pounds. Perfect Match Poodles also offers grooming services.

At any given time, and in any season of the year, Helmuth says they have puppies “on the ground or on the way.” With a dozen adults in the Perfect Match Poodles family, that translates to a whole lot of babies.

“We’ve actually had litters that are spoken for before they’re even born,” Helmuth says.

“Winter is actually one of our busiest times because people spend more time indoors, so they’re more likely to be searching for a dog.”

The relationships that the Helmuths create with their new pup parents does not end beyond the adoption of the dogs. The business is a Purdue University sponsored and endorsed Canine Care Certified establishment - a distinction bestowed upon those who practice elevated standards of animal care. Among the stringent requirements that the businesses must meet are exemplary annual inspections. “It’s considered the gold standard and it raises the level of trust,” Helmuth says.

another banner year, and they are open and accommodating to folks who wish to learn more about Perfect Match Poodles. “Most of my goals have been met, but we would love to have more people know about us locally,” Helmuth says. “People can stop by.

We’re very transparent.”

To set up an appointment to visit Perfect Match Poodles, call or text the Helmuths at 574-842-1076. Their business is located at 8811 North State Road 19 in Etna Green.

The Helmuths are eager and optimistic for

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V

aulting over mats, swinging on the bars, balancing on the beam and tumbling on the floor are all activities going on at Jana’s Gymnastics in Plymouth. Since 1997, Jana Lyon has invited children to explore tumbling, twisting and flying through the air. This adds up to thousands of young girls and boys who have gained confidence in how to move and control their body, as well as a sense of accomplishment for challenging themselves to learn new skills.

Jana’s Gymnastics offers gymnastics for boys and girls aged 1 to 18, and ninja classes for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. Ninja classes are a fusion of gymnastics, obstacle-course training and martial arts.

“I see gymnastics and ninja classes as a tool to train children in life’s more important lessons such as respect for others, self-respect, loyalty, responsibility, self-discipline, commitment and follow-

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through,” Lyon says.

Both boys and girls participate in gymnastics and ninja classes, and since being introduced only last year, the ninja classes have grown steadily in popularity.

Students in the recreational gymnastics classes and ninja classes are recognized for their achievement in learning new skills through progress reports and “Level Up” ceremonies. Students in all classes work hard to master skills, and once proficient, they advance or “Level Up” to more advanced skills.

Gymnasts advance through five skill levels, each named for a gemstone such as Diamond, Topaz and Emerald. A similar process applies to the ninjas, who will learn vaults kicks, tumbling and even flips, before leveling up to more complex skills. The five skill levels for ninjas are defined by the color of the uniform, including a headband, worn by the ninja students.

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When Jana’s Gymnastics opened in 1997, there were seven gymnasts and one coach. Today, more than 400 children are enrolled in classes. One of the coaches, Brittany Flosenzier, was in that first group of seven gymnasts, and her daughter, Harlow, represents Jana’s as a highly competitive gymnast, having earned awards at the regional, state and national levels.

The competitive teams at Jana’s began in 1999, with only seven team members and one coach - Lyon, who was a competitive gymnast from age 5 to 18.

Today Jana’s has 56 team members and 15 coaches, whose dedication and enthusiasm make them the heart and soul of the gym.

Also actively involved in the gym are Lyon’s husband, Darrin, and three sons, Luke, Elijah and Michael. Darrin handcrafts wooden plaque awards for the “I AM” Classic, the Jana’s Gymnastics annual home invitational gymnastics meet. Luke is involved in all parts of managing the gym and will someday take over as chief executive officer.

At Jana’s Gymnastics, the multitude of initiatives that motivate and celebrate students is intentional. Take, for instance, the “I AM” Classic. The philosophy behind the name “I AM” embodies the concept that everyone is unique, and should embrace their individuality and unabashedly be themselves. The event encourages phrases such as “I am patient,” “I am bold,” “I am kind” and “I am brave.”

Jana’s Gymnastics teams compete regionally throughout the year, including the “I AM” Classic on March 2 at the Auto Park Sports

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Complex in Plymouth, formerly known as The Zone. Nine gyms will send teams to compete in the March 2 meet, from as near as Valparaiso and as far as Indianapolis.

And you can’t miss Jana’s Gymnastics teams tumbling down Michigan Street each summer at Plymouth’s annual Blueberry Festival. Jana’s Gymnastics also welcomes the opportunity to help you make your next birthday party truly one of a kind.

“Through hard work and dedication, gymnastics and ninja skills will not only improve a child’s physical abilities such as strength, flexibility, endurance and agility,

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but also through the rigor and discipline of mastering the skills, a child builds mental capabilities such as self-motivation, goal orientation, creativity, leadership, and strong self-esteem,” Lyon says.

moved on from their experience at Jana’s gym, they will look back and see lifelong benefits that the training gave them,” Lyon says. “It is then that I will know I have done my job well.”

She will soon launch a new program that leverages these attributes. The L.I.T. program stands for Leaders In Training, and will be a paid internship for youth competitive team members who have an interest in future coaching or other leadership roles.

For further information, call 574-936-8899, visit janasgymnastics.com, or find them on Facebook. The facility is located at 1800 Jim Neu Drive, Suite 6 in Plymouth. Registration for classes is ongoing via the smartphone app, or by contacting the gym. Visit janasgymnastics.com/app to access the app.

“It is my hope that years after a child has

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A LADY’S LEGACY

REMEMBERING A SIGNIFICANT LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN FIGURE Writer / Jeff Kenney Photography Provided

The month of March has been set aside as Women’s History Month, which provides a perfect opportunity to highlight the amazing story of a woman from the lakes region with a remarkable legacy, both in her own right and as the ancestor of a veritable household name in sports and history - but whose story is probably unfamiliar to the majority of readers.

One of the smaller lakes in the wider Lakes Magazine readership area is technically named Lake Bruce, though one nearby

community is perhaps rather confusingly known as Bruce Lake. The 245-acre lake itself actually spans two counties: Pulaski and Fulton, though the majority of it sits in Fulton County.

Adding to potential historical confusion, just down the road from Lake Bruce is the little town of Kewanna, Indiana, with a population of around 600. That part, of course, is fairly straightforward, but it might be slightly confusing to note that the town of Kewanna was named for Potawatomi

Chief Kee-Wau-Nay, whose village sat on the banks of today’s Lake Bruce, then known as Lake Kee-Wau-Nay. So, Bruce Lake is not located directly on Lake Bruce, and Kewanna is not actually at the specific site of Chief Kee-Wau-Nay’s village.

At any rate (and getting to the subject of our story), Kee-Wau-Nay’s village was the home of Massaw (sometimes spelled Mas-Saw), who artist George Winter described in his

A vintage photo of Lake Bruce in Fulton and Pulaski counties, the former site of the Kee-Wau-Nay village.

TownePost.com | March 2024 | 61

1830s journal as “a chieftess of the Potawatomi.”

Winter knew whereof he spoke. The British-born artist made his way to Indiana to paint the Potawatomi people in the mid-1830s, realizing that they were soon to be forced to leave the area for reservation lands out west.

The artist, who eventually set up a studio and residence in Logansport, painted a number of full-color pictures of both individual Potawatomi and detailed portrayals of their lifestyle and surroundings, up to the time of their forced removal, in the infamous 1838 Trail of Death, from Marshall County, Indiana, to Kansas.

Winter not only meticulously documented the area Potawatomi visually, but he also kept extensive journals of what he observed, large excerpts of which (alongside a number of his paintings) were published by the Indiana Historical Society Press in the book “Indians and a Changing Frontier: the Art of George Winter.”

A significant amount of content in that book is dedicated to Winter’s descriptions not only of the Kee-Wau-Nay village and some of its more typical goings-on (games, a funeral, and the like), but also his firsthand witness of the treaty council held at the village starting in July of 1837.

British artist George Winter, who painted a number of images of the Potawatomi in the Lakes area in the 1830s

Despite the passionate arguments of Chief Nas-Wau-Kee, the Lake Maxinkuckeebased chief chosen by the regional Potawatomi to be their spokesperson against the

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Massaw’s daughter Maurie, painted

by George Winter from his 1837 stay at the Kee-Wau-Nay village.

federal government taking their land, the chiefs had little choice but to sign away their land. A number of Potawatomi left for Kansas that same year, with most of the rest forced away at gunpoint during the Trail of Death.

Winter’s journals also convey the notable personage of Massaw, whose prominent, two-story cabin (Winter described it as a “log mansion,” certainly of unusual size and quality in the area, among Potawatomi and settler alike) served as a rooming house for important visitors including Colonel Abel Pepper, one of the representatives of the government at the council.

Massaw was married to a French Canadian named Andrew Gosselin and the two had a daughter named Maurie, who was around 14 at the time of the council in 1837. Gosselin would go on to serve as an interpreter during the government’s removal of the remaining Potawatomi during the Trail of Death.

The daughter of Potawatomi Chief Wassato, Massaw stood out in a number of ways. She was wealthy, as evidenced by her clothing.

Winter described the silver brooches, which covered her cape and are visible in his paintings of her, as well as her notably large, highly visible earrings. “The appointment

Prominent Potawatomi woman Massaw as painted by artist George Winter based on her appearance in 1837 at the village of Kee-Wau-Nay, today's Lake Bruce in Pulaski and Fulton Counties.

of her dress were expensive, including her moccasins,” Winter wrote.

Some of her wealth surely came from her proficiency as a gambler “of no ordinary ability,” according to Winter, who added that “she played euchre very well, and those who understand the game of ‘poker’ said that she was an adroit expert, often raking men of experience who attended her.”

Winter also reported that Massaw made a sizable amount of revenue from providing room and board, not only to the whites at the council including Winter and Pepper among others, but with her home as a sort of ongoing inn, one of the only places to stay of its size and convenience in the area.

According to Blake Norton, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center curator, quoted on the Citizen Potawatomi Nation website at potawatomi. org, Massaw held the unusual distinction of the position of “headman” despite being a woman. Marshall County area readers had a chance to meet Norton last fall at the dedication of a new portion of the Marshall County Historical Society Museum in Plymouth focused on the area Potawatomi story.

Norton says on the website that Massaw’s

high standing in her community at the time “may be why she was noted as a man on the first two treaties she signed…women did sign treaties, but this would come a couple of years later as more land was being sold and reserved.”

That standing some years after the 1838 Trail of Death is one of a few particularly notable facets of Massaw’s life and legacy.

Norton says that Massaw went on to become one of just five women to sign the treaty of 1861, which “divided the Kansas Pottawattamie Reservation between the two Potawatomi communities in Kansas.

The treaty allowed one to continue living communally and provided the other, Massaw’s group, land allotments and a path to potential U.S. citizenship,” according to potawatomi.org.

Because of the influence of Massaw, that treaty also contained a clause giving the Potawatomi women equal rights with men, long before such laws were enacted at the U.S. government level.

Another enormously significant facet of Massaw’s legacy was one she did not live to see.

Another of her daughters, Elizabeth, TownePost.com | March 2024 | 63

Thorpe was also named the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century by hundreds of American sports writers polled Jim would undergo considerable suffering in by the Associated Press in 1950 (Thorpe his young life, losing his twin brother at age died three years later, in 1953).

9 and his mother, who died in childbirth, a few years later. Like many young Native While Thorpe is decidedly Massaw’s most Americans at the time, Jim Thorpe was famous descendant, Norton notes that forced away to a government-sponsored many other of her descendants became Indian school hundreds of miles from home, successful in Oklahoma as “business people, farmers, athletes, decorated veterans and and there forbidden to speak his native members of Tribal government, to name a tongue or practice his culture. small distinguished few.”

Thorpe thrived athletically and went on In 2020, a historical marker was placed to international acclaim, winning the in Massaw’s honor at PACA Park at decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Lake Bruce, the work of Winamac High Olympics, and becoming a football and School student and Eagle Scout Colton baseball star and the very first president of Benninghoff, the Citizen Potawatomi what would become the National Football Nation, and the Fulton County Historical League.

Society.

Besides his stature as the first Native The last of more than 80 historical markers American Olympic gold medal winner (at covering some 660 miles along the Trail the games in Stockholm, Sweden’s King Gustaf V told him, “Sir, you are the greatest of Death route through multiple states, Massaw’s marker serves as one witness to athlete in the world”) and a pioneer in breaking racial barriers in the athletic world, her extraordinary legacy. the Citizen Potawatomi rolls but were later placed on the Sac and Fox rolls.

Legendary athlete Jim Thorpe, great-grandson of Massaw.

married a man named Jacob Vieux, with whom she had three children, the family eventually moving to Oklahoma. One of those children, Massaw’s granddaughter, Charlotte, would marry Hiram Thorpe and give birth in 1887 to twin boys Charlie and James, better known as Jim. Norton notes that the boys had been enrolled on

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TAKING SUCCESS IN STRIDE STEP INTO SELECTION AT L-N-R FOOTWEAR & GIFTS Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photography Provided

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ot far from the heart of downtown Topeka, there is a country store that offers its customers a wealth of specialty items ranging from practical to playful to poignant. Whether searching for that exquisitely perfect gift or gearing up for the outdoor sports season, patrons are bound to come away delighted with their shopping options at L-n-R Footwear & Gifts.

Lloyd and Rose Bontrager are the proprietors of the business, which just celebrated its 15-year milestone. The couple launched L-n-R in March of 2008 after purchasing the building that once housed Brower’s Footwear & Gifts.

The store remained at that location until 2012, when the owners redesigned their business into a home-based environment.

By 2022 the business had grown exponentially, to the extent that the Bontragers were able to unveil a brand-new structure, located just across the road from the welltraversed Topeka Livestock Auction, which has drawn in customers from around the region.

Bontrager seems grateful and somewhat amused by the success of L-n-R through the past 15 years. “We just keep pedaling along,” he says with a laugh. He is also quick to add that the cheerful and enduring motto of the business is “Kick off the old and step into the new.”

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L-n-R gives customers the chance to do exactly that, with a stock of brand-name footwear designed to handle anything from fun to functional. Among the brands featured are Skechers, Wolverine, Under Armour, Coleman, John Deere and LaCrosse. Shoppers can also find apparel, socks, work boots and sportswear.

The store also features a number of housewares and health products, including kitchen goods, decorative items, books, cleaning supplies, essential oils, and nutritional supplements.

Guests can also find something special for the little ones, including toys and baby gifts.

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Bontrager notes that he has observed momentum in the sales of outdoor-themed products such as camping supplies and grills. In anticipation of spring and summer, the L-n-R team is preparing to add a number of recreational items to the sales floor,

DATE

L-n-R Footwear & Gifts is located at 496 East Lake Street in Topeka, two blocks east of the four-way stop near downtown. To see a gallery of their products and learn more about the brands in stock, visit lnrfootwearandgifts.com. Also call them at 260-593-3709.

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.

Because the store is situated in an area known for tourist travel, Borkholder has noticed that his customer base is as varied as the merchandise he sells. “Our locals are a great asset,” he notes.

“Whenever they have horse sales at the auction, we get a nice mix of both Amish customers and folks who come from other cities.” And

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particularly those that are on trend at the moment such as pickleball he’s perfectly fine with that, he adds with a laugh. equipment, cornhole and lawn croquet sets, and an array of softball gear from bats to backpacks.

“We’re here to help everyone,” he says.

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BCC MONTHLY MEETING 9am / at the BCC Building.

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KOONTZ LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT MONTHLY BOARD MEETING 6p / 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.

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