The Lakes Magazine July 2020

MAGAZINE

JULY 2020

Flirt Boutique Celebrates 15th Anniversary In Rochester

TheLakesMagazine.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ /JULY JULY 2020/ /thelakesmagazine.com thelakesmagazine.com/ 1

Midwest Farm & Pet, LLC Do you want a Golf Course Quality looking yard?

Get the Residential. 4 Step Program Here.

POND CHEMICALS IN STOCK

GREAT LOW PRICES ON WATER SOFTENER SALT

(574) 646-2509 | 535 5B Rd.• Bremen, IN 46506

Hardware • Lumber • Custom Cabinets Electrical • Plumbing • Tools Lawn & Garden Supplies Greenhouse • Gifts • Floral Shop

574-946-0998 • healeyshomecenter.com • 800 N US 35, Winamac, IN 2 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

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.

Come check out out our Selection of unique gifts and decor for All Occasions.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE ADMISSION • Farm equipment • Local school memorabilia • WWII artifacts • Early household and farming tools • Several unusual exhibits

Let us help you create a unique personalized gift.

Museum Hours:

May-October Thursday, Friday & Sundays 1:00pm to 6:00pm

For all inquiries contact Sandy Saenz.

Open Tue - Fri 9:00am to 5:30pm | Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm (574)936-5259 | Simpleestatedgifts@yahoo.com 100 W. Garro St. • Plymouth | www.simpleestatedgifts.com

November-April Sunday’s 1:00-6:00pm

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

IS YOUR HOME OR BARN WELL INSULATED? Licensed, Bonded, Insured

Winamac, IN

Russell Kietzman Financial Advisor 574-935-5647

Craig Wilson Financial Advisor 574-935-4108

Cristy Keller Financial Advisor 574-935-3909

Mark Bishop Financial Advisor 574-935-0030

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC Todd Clady

MKT-9811B-A

Financial Advisor 1226 S Michigan St Suite 1 Plymouth, IN 46563 574-935-4183

edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

Todd Clady Financial Advisor 574-935-4183

WWW.MANDJSSPRAYFOAM.COM Mike - (574) 242-0463 mandjssprayfoam mandjssprayfoam@gmail.com

THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ /JULY JULY 2020/ /thelakesmagazine.com thelakesmagazine.com/ 3

Open Year Round Boarding Training Horseback Riding Horse Sales/Trade Badge Programs Scouts 4 H Training Church/Youth Groups

Baldwin And Company

(574) 643-9395 7187 W County Road 250 N Royal Center | IN www.crookedcreekhorsebackriding.com

814 Main Street Rochester, IN 46975

Looking for a Reliable Contractor?

Specializing In: • New Construction • Kitchen Remodeling • Bathroom Remodeling • Whole House Remodeling • Pole Barns

574-216-6407

Tom Krueger Construction and Handyman 4 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. THE LAKES MAGAZINE

13

THE LAKES MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS John & Mandi Lewandowski

John@TownePost.com / 574-249-9217 Mandi@TownePost.com

TOWNE POST CEO Tom Britt

Tom@TownePost.com

TOWNE POST PRESIDENT Jeanne Britt

Jeanne@TownePost.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Robert Turk

Rob@TownePost.com

CREATIVE TEAM

Austin Vance / Valerie Randall Catherine Shea

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT Josh Brown

TURNING HEADS: FLIRT BOUTIQUE CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY IN ROCHESTER

Flirt Boutique, located in Rochester, is sure to woo you from the moment you walk in the door. Treva Mulligan, owner of the boutique, has successfully run the business since it opened in 2005.

6

Community Minded: Brockey Insurance Serving Northern Indiana for Nearly 20 Years

13 Turning Heads: Flirt Boutique

Celebrates 15th Anniversary In Rochester

22 Weaving a Presence: Sonshine

Baskets Offers Handwoven Creations

41 Creative Corner 42 Club Culture: Rumors Nite Club

Offers a Variety of Fun Diversions

49 Grab a Scoop: July is National Ice

Cream Month

55 Bennett’s Contracting: Local

Maintenance and Repair Company Has a Rich History

The Ladies in Red: Red Hat 27 Artistic Stone: Local Family Carves 59

Society Fosters Friendships and

Out a Unique Business

31 July Crossword 32 The Insulation Guys: Rochester

Company Offers a Variety of Insulation Solutions

37 Miller Custom Plastics : Owner

Talks Unique, Custom-Made Products

Community Involvement

62 10 Tips For a Great Summer

Josh@TownePost.com

JULY WRITERS

Angela Cornell / Tracey Ruckman Mary Lowry / Abigail Hake Jeff Kenney / Matt Keating

JULY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jubilee Edgell / Lana King

SHOP LOCAL! Help our local economy by shopping local.

Advertising supporters of the The Lakes Magazine offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS ARE SPONSORED CONTENT

The The Lakes Magazine is published by the Towne Post Network and is written for and by local area residents. Over 13,000 copies are distributed each month in The Lakes area.

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.

8800 North Street, Suite 117, Fishers IN 46038 Phone/Fax/Text: 317-810-0011

Barbecue

64 Spa Day: Pamper Your Pet at

Countryside Pet Salon

69 July Events TheLakesMagazine.com TownePost.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ /JULY JULY 2020/ /thelakesmagazine.com thelakesmagazine.com/ 5

COMMUNITY MINDED Brockey Insurance Serving Northern Indiana for Nearly 20 Years

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Larry Brockey, owner of Brockey Insurance in Culver, is inspired by his community every day.

“I’m amazed at the level of generosity and kindness that people in Culver have for each other,” Brockey says. “People here help great organizations like Kiwanis and Junior Achievement with their generosity. Culver has a lot of positive and good people that help each other, and I’ve seen that every day since I started here.”

Brockey began his Culver agency twelve years ago, but started working in the insurance industry with his father Larry prior to that.

“My father started his Brockey Insurance office in Rochester, Indiana, in 2002,” Brockey says. “Before I got into the insurance industry, I used to live in Columbus, Ohio, and I sold factory automation equipment. I was on the road traveling and staying in hotels all the time, and that can get old, especially when you have a family.”

6 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Brockey decided to make a career change in 2007.

“My dad had a brain aneurysm in 2007, and I decided I would get licensed and go to work at Brockey Insurance,” he says. “I worked at the Rochester agency while he was recovering. Dad got better and came back to work. In 2008, I started the Culver agency.”

Brockey says the agency has thrived since it was launched.

“I started from scratch with my dad’s

carriers, and I’ve been able to build the business with a lot of loyal customers,” Brockey says.

As business has continued to thrive, a third Brockey agency opened in Plymouth in 2014.

“Brian Harris runs that agency and he does a great job,” Brockey says of the Plymouth location. “Dad retired in 2018, so I took over the Rochester agency.”

Brockey says the agencies entered the Medicare market in 2009, which has helped business.

“We have a great, 80-year-old salesman named Don Kline who sells Medicare products and senior products,” Brockey says. “He does an excellent job. We have a lot of baby boomers who retired, and he works with them to get the Medicare products they need.”

Larry Brockey with wife Dawn Brockey and their Children

TURNING 65??

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BROCKEY INSURANCE AGENCY Auto • Home • Business • Life 3 Locations Culver, (574) 842-2388 Plymouth, (574) 355-3335 Rochester, (574) 224-8404 Larry Brockey, II Owner

larry@brockeyinsurance.com www. BrockeyInsurance.com BrockeyInsurance

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

634 E Lake Shore Dr | Culver (574) 842-6326

THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ /JULY JULY 2020/ /thelakesmagazine.com thelakesmagazine.com/ 7

Brockey Insurance has a wide variety of insurance packages to choose from.

“We sell personal auto, home, commercial lines, life insurance, motorcycle, watercraft and other products,” Brockey says.

Brockey Insurance has thrived because Brockey and his employees keep up with changes in the insurance industry.

“We have some clients who prefer to do all of their business over the internet, and we accommodate them with digital signatures or talking to them over the phone,” Brockey says. “We can get some of them taken care of over the phone in 15 to 20 minutes. We also have customers who prefer to sit down with us face to face and go over their policies.”

Brockey values the Culver community, and has spent a considerable amount of 8 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

time trying to improve the area.

“I’m the past president of Kiwanis, and still serve on the board of directors,” he says. “I’ve been on the Culver Chamber of Commerce for the last four years, and I’ve been teaching Junior Achievement to fifth and sixth graders. I also serve on the Marshall County board of directors for Junior Achievement, and help with fundraisers.”

When he’s not busy working, Brockey enjoys spending time with his wife Dawn, who owns Culver Coffee Company, and his children, seven-yearold twins Zach and Mia, and five-yearold Brady.

Brockey loves Culver and its residents.

GIFTS • HARDWARE • FISHING GEAR • FIREARMS AMMUNITION • SALES • GUNSMITHING

“Culver is a diverse community, and I like how people here are committed to helping each other,” he says.

Brockey Insurance is located at 624 East Lake Shore Drive in Culver. To get an estimate or learn more, visit brockeyinsurance.com, call 574-842-2388, or e-mail larry@brockeyinsurance.com.

574.935.3511 • 574.540.2268 1920 N. Oak Dr. • Plymouth

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 1111 N Lake Shore Dr. Culver, IN  (574) 842-3155 THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ /JULY JULY 2020/ /thelakesmagazine.com thelakesmagazine.com/ 9

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Dinner every Tuesday & Friday 5pm to 8pm

Try the Manitou Monster Pizza!

Open year round with fun parties and events for holidays and football season Check out the dinner specials on our facebook page.

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From Buggy Axles to High End Precision CNC Parts “We believe in Turning your Idea into Reality” Owned & Operated by Ken Mullet & Family (574)773-3039 Sales@niamachining.com 1780 W. Market • Nappanee 10 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Since 1989

Contractor Supply Shop

WHOLE INTERIOR HOUSE PACKAGES HUGE VARIETY OF HARDWOOD FLOORING MOLDING • TRIM • INTERIOR DOORS

All manufacturing and Finishing done In-House *Better Quote Contractors

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234 1st Rd Nappanee ∙ 574-773-2795 ∙ 574-354-3125 We carry: Batteries, Bubs, Do Terra products,Library Cards, portable power sources, d-fusers, sergers, sewing machines, inverters, bike & buggy buddies, air compressors & back pack sprayers.

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THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 11

Han-D Light

Authorized Dealer

“FULTON COUNTY’S COMPLETE DECORATING CENTER”

Proudly owned & operated by Tom & Carolyn Blackburn.

Welcome to our House!

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Sat & Sun Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Buffet, Catering, Meeting / Banquet Room for up to 74 people 401 E 9TH ST | ROCHESTER HOUSEOFDECOR401.COM (574) 223-2730

Open Mon - Thur 11am to 9:00pm, Friday 11am - 10:00pm, Saturday 8am to 10:00pm, Sunday 8am to 9:00pm

(574)936-4128 | 2100 N. Michigan st. • Plymouth

The First Step Into Your New Home Enjoy many of the great benefits of health and wellness by becoming a member today. Your membership will give you access to our incredible facilities and many other fantastic advantages.

Here are some you will enjoy: All Group Exercise Classes (over 90 per week), AQ Excercise, Member Orientation, 25 Yard Lap Pool, Free Fitness Assessment, 1/7 Mile Walk/Run Indoor Track, Racquetball Courts, Gymnasium, Free Exercise Prescription, Equipment Orientation, Cardiovascular Equipment, TechnoGym Strength Training Equipment, Nautilus Strength Training Equipment, Two Free-Weight Lifting Areas, Punching Bag, Rock Wall, Community Outreach Education, Warm Water Therapy Pool, Steam Room, Dry Sauna, and Hot Tub. Call us today to get your membership started.

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Managing Broker 574-806-2778

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12 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Clyde@welcomemat.bz Chandra@welcomemat.bz

Flirt Boutique Celebrates 15th Anniversary In Rochester Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Lana King

Owner Treva Mulligan THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 13

lirt Boutique, located in Rochester, is sure to woo you from the moment you walk in the door. Treva Mulligan, owner of the boutique, has successfully run the business since it opened in 2005.

Mulligan originally opened Flirt Boutique in October 2005. She wanted to help create a better downtown for Rochester, and a one-of-a-kind boutique seemed to be the perfect thing. It would help draw people of all ages to the area, boosting tourism.

“I wanted Flirt [Boutique] to be a great foundation to build a better downtown shopping experience,” Mulligan says.

Along with her two employees, Katie Troutman and Sarah Reynolds, Mulligan creates an atmosphere that is more than just a store — shopping at Flirt Boutique is an experience. There are plenty of clothes, shoes, accessories and gifts to look through, ensuring that customers are sure to find the perfect item. Their Facebook page, Flirt Boutique, is filled with adorable outfits, fun questions and plenty of pictures of smiling customers.

If you do not get the opportunity to visit Flirt Boutique in person, you can browse their shop online at shopflirtrochester. com. There, you can view their full line of clothing, shoes, accessories, baby items and more. With name brands like TOMS, Lakegirl, Fossil, and Kendra Scott, you can get quality products at great prices.

Not only will you find trendy, fashionable clothes and accessories, but there are plenty of gifts to choose from, too. Beauty brands like Capri Blue and TokyoMilk offer an opportunity to pamper yourself from head to toe, complete with sugar scrubs, lip balms, lotions and perfumes.

You can also find home decor, with bowls, mugs, picture frames and other things to make your home cozy and welcoming.

Flirt Boutique also offers a limited selection of wedding-themed items, like wedding planning journals and “Bride”

themed mugs and tumblers. And even though the holidays are still months away, it’s never too early to start looking for gifts for the important people in your life. Flirt Boutique has a select number of ornaments for the loved ones in your life. Finally, the Happy Everything brand that the store features reflects the joyous, energetic attitude that Mulligan, her employees and their customers all share.

“I wanted to create a place where mothers, daughters, friends and family can spend an enjoyable day of shopping,” Mulligan says. “After 15 years in the business, we are honored to have become a destination shop for a day of shopping that offers a big city feel with a small-town atmosphere.”

The small-town atmosphere comes through in plenty of ways. Their customer service is top-notch, people come back again and again because of the great service and attention they receive from

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the Flirt Boutique team. It is easy to treat customers with kindness and lots of attention. Interacting with people is Mulligan’s favorite part of the business.

“Our customer service cannot be matched,” she says. “You’ll experience the type of courteous help and attention that just isn’t available anywhere else.”

The Gray Mill & Graybeal’s Carpet Plus 67 years in business, family owned for 3 generations Celebrating 68 years from March-May 2020 Over 16,000 sq. ft. of Quality Furniture, Mattresses, Home Accessories, Artwork, Residential and Commercial Floor-covering with Professional Installation Available

Beyond serving their customers energetically, Mulligan and her team focus a lot on contributing back to the community. She tries to give back whenever she can. Since opening Flirt Boutique, Mulligan says she has become much more aware of the needs of the community.

“Flirt [Boutique] has become a great platform to give back to the community,” she says. “While running a downtown business, you become aware of the [community’s] needs — whether that be the food pantry, animal shelter or individuals.”

The support from the community makes it easy for Mulligan to give back. As much as she has done to revitalize the downtown area in the last 15 years, she would not have been able to do it without the support of the community and the support of her husband.

www.thegraymill.com Follow us on Facebook!

800-886-2215 500 E. Broadway Downtown Logansport American Built Brands like: Palettes by Winesburg, Comfort Design, Southern Motion Stearns & Foster & a wide variety of Amish built products 16 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

“[I] could not have done it without the amazing support system of my husband, James Mulligan,” she explains. “His [faithful] and willing support has been with me every step of the way.”

The support she receives is invaluable, As a small business owner, Mulligan says that she faces many challenges. None of them defeat her, though. Mulligan takes on every challenge as a way to grow, learn and develop.

“There are many obstacles to overcome when running your own business,” she says. “It’s important to be flexible and understanding as issues arise. I view them as teaching lessons to better my business and grow.”

You can visit Flirt Boutique Monday through Friday between 10 am and 6 pm, or on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. You can also check them out online on their Facebook page, Flirt Boutique, or on their website, shopflirtrochester.com. For more information, give them a call at 574-2244759. Flirt Boutique is located at 625 Main Street in Rochester.

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514-W. Mill St. Culver, IN www.culversportsidemarina.com THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 17

TURNING 65

CALL ANYTIME

574.936.4622

IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS? Flooded with literature and you don’t know where to start?

Judith D. Evans 410 Main St Rochester, Indiana 46975 (574) 224-6988

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Unlike a lot of the other agents, we, at the Evans Agency, take the time to help you understand your options.

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BEST of Marshall County 2018 / 2019

1980 W. Jefferson St.

• Cold Storage • Climate Controlled • Outside Storage • Surveillance Secured 813 N. Oak Drive

2405 1/2 N. Michigan St.

Local family owned and operated for 30 years Our Furniture Warehouse Show Room

We carry top Furniture brands at factory direct pricing. Come enjoy our pressure free shopping experience and find that perfect piece! We are always getting new shipments of furniture in our stock and showrooms.

Quality, Clean, Late Model & Pre-owned Vehicles

Purchase with peace of mind!

Buyer & Distributor close outs & surpluses of general merchandise. Wholesale & Retail Sales.

All vehicles come with a 3 month / 3000 mile warranty!

• Window Tinting • Auto detailing

You will find a huge selection of Lawn art plus many in store unique finds.

Don’t forget to visit the Toto Cafe

For inquiries contact Brad Allen at brad@fredallenauto.com (574)946-7145

www.richardsoftoto.com • (574)772-5923 RichardsOfToto@hotmail.com 3060 S. Range Road North Judson

Mon & Wed-Fri 9am to 5pm Sat & Sun 9am to 5:30pm Closed Tuesdays

POCOCK MONUMENTS Since 1899 Wearly Monuments has offered the most complete line of memorial products in the Industry.

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1229 MAIN ST | ROCHESTER

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Cell:

Call or Text Paul Caudill Cell: 574-835-0387 Home: 574-223-4855 6786 N 250 W Rochester, IN 46975 18 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Trucking • Excavating Demolition • Ponds Septics • Water Line Site Prep Insurance Work Land & Fence Row Clearing Driveways Black Dirt • Gravel Sand • Fill • Limestone

Saturday, July 4, 2020

We’re going back to the 1980’s!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Koontz Lake Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, 7am-12pm CT * Kayak Race, 9am CT

Meet at the Beach at 8:30 with your Life Vest & fastest Kayak

* Golf Cart Parade, 10:30am CT

Meet at 10am CT at Rhonda Hurford’s house (11958 E. Woodbine Ln) with your 80’s decorated golf cart. Parade ends at the beach in time for the band

Band at the Beach, 12-3pm CT * Float-a-Rama, 7pm CT

The Noise, Bring your lawn chairs & refreshments

Meet at the Beach by 6:45pm with your 80’s decorated & illuminated boat

* ENTRY FORMS & WAIVERS FOR ALL EVENTS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JUNE 30TH. Mail to KLA, 7973 N. Edgewater Dr., Walkerton, 46574 * Details and Required Entry Forms and Waivers for all events can be found on our Facebook page https:/www.facebook.com/KoontzLakeAssociation/ and Website https://sites.google.com/site/koontzlakeassociation/ or call (248) 298-9307 THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 19

Celebrating 95 Years!

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

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

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Only you know what success looks like for your business and we can help you avoid some pitfalls that could cut into your bottom line. Let’s work together to cover your business.

HAND CRAFTED ICE CREAM NOW FEATURING FRESH GROUND GOURMET COFFEE • New Summer Flavors • • Old-Fashioned Shakes and Malts • • Collective Baked Goods From The Lakes Region • • Vintage Catering Cart Available •

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826 Main Street | Rochester 574.223.7542

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12 S. Prettyman Knox, IN 46534 Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30 Sat 8-Noon Mark Shell

20 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

ision Rep Coll air

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Come See Our Shed Selection

Call About Our Display Discounts on Playsets Don’t forget about these other great departments Pumpkin Patch offers!

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10532 US 20, Middlebury, Indiana 46540 574-825-3312 www.pumpkinpatchmarket.com THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 21

Weaving a Presence Sonshine Baskets Offers Handwoven Creations Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Basket weaving is one of the oldest practices known to mankind. Until the industrial revolution, it was a necessary trade for cultures around the world. Since then, it has become an increasingly rare art form, although still admired for its uniqueness.

Sonshine Baskets, owned by Vernon and Elma Lehman of Millersburg, keeps basket weaving alive. Although the Lehmans have only owned the business for about a

year and a half, they have already gained popularity among their clients.

“It’s intriguing to the people to see you actually making a basket,” Vernon says. “I would have been the same way a few years ago because I never would have dreamed that I’d be a basket maker. But it’s been interesting and we enjoy it.”

Sonshine Baskets originated with some family friends who taught the Lehmans’ daughter, Nadine, how to weave.

“They wanted to sell because their daughters were

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

getting married and they didn’t have the help they needed,” Elma explains.

The Lehmans already had a small duck meat business, but it wasn’t enough for Vernon to work from home on a full-time basis. When Sonshine Baskets was available for purchase, it was a perfect opportunity

for the Lehmans.

At that point, the business specialized in seventy designs for home accessory baskets.

The Lehmans decided to retain most of the designs, but every year they add to their catalog. Some of the newer designs are prompted by custom orders.

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“We get different ideas from customers,” Vernon says.

This year alone, the Lehmans added five new baskets to their product line, three of which were inspired by custom orders.

The Lehmans’ eight children play essential roles for this Amish-owned family business.

LET US DO YOUR SHOPPING FOR YOU.

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

“The boys are doing the weaving and Nadine does the lashing - after we get to the top with the reed, the lashing is the last thing they do as far as the weaving goes,” Vernon says of his children’s roles in the process. “It keeps everything together.”

After each basket is stained, the Sonshine Baskets logo and the year are written on the bottom of the basket. An optional cloth liner is also available in six different colors.

Most of the baskets are sold wholesale to stores across the nation. However, the Lehmans also have a small store in their workshop.

“The weaving shop and the store are all one area, so the people who come to the store can watch the weaving process,” Vernon says.

The Lehmans also sell raw, unpasteurized honey produced on their property.

Although the baskets are handmade, the reeds that are woven together come from Indonesia.

“We have five different widths,” Vernon says of the reeds. “We finish it off on the top with a seagrass.”

The leather used to make the basket handles comes from a leather worker who lives one mile from Sonshine Baskets.

The Lehmans can weave baskets of all shapes and sizes, for a variety of uses. Their brochure features nearly eighty woven containers, from a pencil basket that is four inches in diameter to a 30-gallon trash basket. Some of the most popular designs are kitchenware items, including a cake pan basket, silverware holder and napkin basket.

The Lehmans also fill custom orders. Many THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

of these come from people looking for a sturdy yet creative solution for a drawer, as part of a room makeover.

“We can make any sized basket custom built,” Vernon says. “People ask for something and you try to make it, and their face lights up when they see it. That’s a reward for all this.”

But that’s not the only reward. The Lehmans enjoy meeting new people, whether it’s visitors stopping by due to the Sonshine Baskets location on the Heritage Trail (a popular path in Elkhart County that highlights fun attractions in the area) or during a craft fair.

“We do have a lot of repeat customers,” Vernon says. “That’s a rewarding experience.”

Sonshine Baskets is located at 11020 West 400 South in Millersburg. Hours of operation are Mon. through Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. To receive a product brochure or to place an order for a custom basket, call them at 574-642-0599.

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Custom Aluminum Utility Trailers

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Pier and Seawall Steps

Heavy Duty Aluminum Attic Stairs

Up to 12’8 Ceilings Rated 500 #

Custom Made Aluminum Pontoon Tubes “Have a Center Tube Made and Turn your Boat from a Pontoon to a Tritoon!”

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10 x 96" fold down shelf 42" railing height.

Either 6' section can be detached by removing 2 pins. Fork pockets are also on both ends of 8' long or 14' long can be picked up on either end.

Hinge pins.

Hooks for safety chains.

Heavy duty walk plank with fold down railing and shelf.

Weighs approximately 750 lbs.

26 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

48" wide, 98" overall height fork pockets on ends (not shown). Weight approximately 860 lbs.

As people who believe strongly in the importance of family, the Millers felt the business presented an opportunity for increased family time.

“It’s nice that we can work together,” Rose says.

One of the Millers’ favorite work-fromhome benefits is that Artistic Stone provides an opportunity for their six children to gain skills and knowledge they might not otherwise acquire.

ARTISTIC STONE

The stones are all hand crafted from a sturdy mixture made of concrete and a form of clay called lightweight haydite.

Every stone is molded individually.

“We don’t have panels that we pour and

Local Family Carves Out a Unique Business Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Stones form an interesting aspect of the northern Indiana landscape. For farmers, stones are often a nuisance. For landscapers, they can make unique garden borders. Large stones often stand as land markers in parks, and make sturdy jungle gyms for children. For Marlin and Rose

Miller of Bremen, stones provide the foundation of a business they founded more than 10 years ago.

Back in 2009, the Millers established Artistic Stone, a masonry business that specializes in stone veneer. “[Marlin] wanted to get out of the factory, so we checked into stone veneer,” Rose says.

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Free Estimates

then put the panels on the wall,” Rose says.

The molded stones are also dyed to make them look real.

“I’m the one who mixes the dye and comes up with new colors if somebody wants a new color,” Rose says. “I enjoy that, just to see how many different color combinations I can come up with.”

Since there are so many options available, the stones can be almost any color the customer prefers.

The Millers have five different stone styles that they can mold in-house, depending on a customer’s desires, and any design can be made with any color. On the rare occasion that a customer wants a veneer style that isn’t possible to make in the Artistic Stone workshop, the Millers have been known to outsource.

When it’s time to begin a new project,

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Marlin visits the build site before giving the customer a free quote. When the customer has chosen the style and color, the stones are colored and crafted in the Artistic Stone workshop by hand.

Next, the project area at the worksite is prepared with tar paper, wire mesh and mortar. After the preparation has set, the Artistic Stone team installs the stonework. Typically, it only takes a few days to finish a project.

“From start to finish, depending on how big the job is, sometimes I can have the job done by the end of the week,” Marlin says.

Artistic Stone’s service area stretches into Illinois and Michigan, although most business happens in northern and northcentral Indiana.

“He’s gone as far as two to three hours’ drive to get to the property where they’re installing,” says Rose of Marlin’s clientele.

Any given Artistic Stone project is limited only to imagination.

Plus, the veneer lasts a long time, especially if it receives proper maintenance. This includes putting a sealer on it occasionally.

“It doesn’t take much,” Marlin says.

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

walls, mailboxes, chimney caps, outdoor kitchens and dozens of other projects. It’s extremely specialized work, and the Millers plan on keeping it that way.

“We don’t have a bunch of people out on the job, which keeps our quality consistent,” explains Rose, adding that the Millers are seeking to grow their business in the area.

“Basically, no job is too big or small.”

Artistic Stone’s veneer is ideal for a someone interested in giving their property a unique look. “[Marlin’s] done some lake houses and just a lot of local families who just wanted to add a creative touch to their homes,”

Rose says. “We’ve done some businesses of course, but a majority is a homeowner who wants to add an elegant look to their home.”

For more information on Bremen-based Artistic Stone, and to get a free estimate or ask for a brochure, call them at 574-5463771.

BENEFITS OF SPRAY FOAM ROOFING • Suitable for a wide range of low slope commercial, agricultural, and industrial roofs.

• Spray foam roofs significantly enhances wind uplift resistance.

• Energy conservation/lower heating and cooling costs.

• Repair vs. replace existing roofs and eliminate the need for extra construction costs.

• Eliminate seams and joints.

• Build proper drainage.

• Spray foam roofing and coating systems meet or exceed all natural building code requirements.

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We install closed cell spray foam insulation for new construction and remodels, including open cell foam and injection foam.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

JULY CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Detect 5. Prods sharply 7. Exaggeratedly masculine 8. Defined region 9. Seepage 10. Shine 11. Bee’s liquid harvest 13. Single object 14. Carnivores, meat ...

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

(260) 306-3444 hometownhearingnm.com 225 E. Main St. North Manchester, IN

Rochester Company Offers a Variety of Insulation Solutions Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Kyle Hoover and Ashley Sampsel, co-owners and managing members of The Insulation Guys in Rochester, know how important it is for homes and businesses to have the right insulation equipment.

It makes summer days cooler and cold nights warmer, especially when more people than usual are working from home these days.

Hoover, a Rochester High School graduate, says he and Sampsel, a Tippecanoe Valley High School graduate from Akron, Indiana, invested in the proper equipment to get jobs done the right way.

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

“My father, Mike Hoover, originally owned the equipment,” Hoover says. “I got started in mechanical insulation for commercial and industrial projects, insulating mechanical ductwork, piping and equipment processing in 2003 with my father.”

“WE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND WE SUCCEED TOGETHER.”

Hoover says his father was an estimator for a few mechanical companies over the years, including Burton Mechanical in Rochester, which is now closed.

-Kyle Hoover

“My father started his own mechanical insulation company, Hoover Contracting Services LLC, in 2002 with my brother Ben,” Hoover says. “We transitioned into residential insulation in 2007 and 2008.

We only installed fiber insulations at the time, so we were somewhat limited on our applications. In 2008, he decided to invest in a spray foam insulation rig to add to our services, and change the business name to Indiana Insulation.”

In 2010, Hoover and Sampsel both worked for Hoover’s father, gaining knowledge,

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

experience, and certifications from the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA).

“Combined, we have 37 years of experience in building-envelope solutions,” Hoover says.

In 2011, during the housing market crash, Hoover’s father made the difficult decision to close the business.

“During that time, Ashley and I decided to purchase the equipment from my father, and continue our business journey as owners and installers with our name, The Insulation Guys LLC, in 2012,” Hoover says. “Over the course of eight years we have accomplished many projects, from small, residential crawlspace renovations, to large, residential custom homes.”

Hoover says proper insulation in a home or business is extremely important for energy efficiency, comfort, moisture control and air quality.

“Keeping your energy bill low puts money back into your pocket, and you don’t have to be burdened with rising energy costs over several years,” he adds. “Since spray foam insulation is a lifetime product, it will continue to help keep energy bills low over the life of the structure.”

Spray foam insulation is the company’s specialty, with both open- and closedcell products.

Call for an appointment today!

574-223-2244 www.woodlawnhospital.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

“We offer attic insulation, loose-fill cellulose and fiberglass, and fiber insulations for walls and attics,” Hoover says. “Our system is a high-pressure system, housed in a mobile rig. Since spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a twopart system, it is manufactured onsite by our certified professional installers.

Spray foam is an all-in-one system, as an air seal and insulation in one application.

Typically, 20 to 30% of energy loss is through passive air moving through a home.”

The Insulation Guys offers industrial and commercial insulation, tank SPF applications, cooler and freezer SPF applications, insulation for agricultural buildings, and commercial air barrier applications.

The company offers free estimates, and can also handle insulation removal, crawl space remediation, pole-barn spray foam applications, attic insulation upgrades and more.

“We attribute most of our success to our co-workers,” Hoover explains. “We have had a long-standing relationship with our coworkers, and continue to help them succeed.

Our SPFA- and ABAA-certified installers know exactly where and what products to install in the building envelope.”

over the years. Our quality, attention to detail, and safety for our customers and our families is our top priority. We are here to educate you about building-energy solutions. Even if a customer doesn’t use our services, we hope we can be a resource for them.”

Hoovers describes his staff as one big family.

The Insulation Guys is located at 325 West Monticello Road in Rochester. For more information, visit theinsulationguys. net, call 574-930-0636, or email theinsulationguys@gmail.com.

“We take care of each other, we learn from each other and we succeed together,” he says.

“I also want to thank all of our customers

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3070 W 350 S | Topeka, IN 46571 Fax: (260) 463-4027 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

MILLER CUSTOM PLASTICS Owner Talks Unique, Custom-Made Products Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

For Merle Miller, the typical business day begins at 5 a.m. That’s the case for many Amish individuals, but Miller’s day doesn’t start with a shift at the trailer factory. It begins in his garage-turned-workroom as he builds custom cabinets for his business, Miller Custom Plastics.

Miller’s cabinets are high-quality products. Since they’re made of plastic the color doesn’t fade, nor do the cabinets crack. For Miller’s customers, these cabinets are a homeowner investment.

“They’re probably a little bit more expensive,” Miller says, comparing them to wooden cabinets found in big-box stores. “I can totally understand why - because of the materials. You’re only going to buy it once, and you shouldn’t have to worry about it.”

Just because Miller’s cabinets are durable doesn’t mean they have a simple design.

He offers several colors to choose from, including five styles that resemble wood grain.

“You can put designs in the door,” Miller says. “You can make it look like raised panel, just like any wooden cabinet.”

Since starting the business more than a year ago, Miller has made a wide range of cabinets, from kitchen and bathroom to workshop and break room, as well as cabinets for basements and pool houses.

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Merle & Dorlda Miller 27012 CR 50, Nappanee, IN 46550 574- 773- 0569 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

They’re all custom made.

“It won’t rot, rust or mold,” Miller says of his cabinet material. “You can use water to wash them or pressure wash them, and it does not affect the material at all. It’s a nice, clean material.”

The way Miller constructs his cabinets can only be described as a work of art. The process begins when he receives a phone call from a potential client who wants an estimate, which Miller offers free of charge.

He can usually produce a quote based off of a design print.

“I can also go out to the customer and they’ll walk through and say, ‘Hey, this is what we kind of want,’” Miller says. “I’ll draw it up to scale, quote it and send it back to the customer. If they want changes, they can let me know.”

After the client has chosen the style, designs

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Family Owned since 1978

quietly watch as he welds cabinets together.

“They’re growing up, and I get to be part of that,” Miller says.

Miller also makes mailbox signs and business signs, as well as polyurethane trim for windows, doors and baseboards.

Everything Miller makes is custom, and excellent for high-moisture areas.

“These cabinets will last a lifetime,” he says. “They’re homeowner friendly and construction worker friendly.”

Miller Custom Plastics is located at 27012 County Road 50 in Nappanee. Anyone interested in receiving a consultation can call 574-773-0569 to set up an appointment.

and colors, the real fun begins. Miller makes the pattern, and then begins to frame the cabinet pieces and weld them together.

“I like new ideas and new challenges imagining what a customer wants, then building what they are expecting,” Miller says. “It’s a neat challenge and kind of fun too.”

He’s even constructed a few original designs, including drawer boxes, adjustable shelves, and a pullout table that can stretch to eight feet.

CUSTOM HOME AND OFFICE BARNWOOD FURNITURE

The build process typically takes around one week, depending on the size of the order and how busy Miller is at any given time. After the build process is finished, the cabinets are taken to their new home.

“I do installation, but if the customer wants to do it themselves, that is available too,” Miller says.

For Miller, a job well done brings tremendous satisfaction.

“The best part of it is when you’re installing it or you’re done, and the customer says, ‘Wow, that’s nice,’ or, ‘I like that,’” he says.

“Customer satisfaction is my goal. They’re going to have to look at it every day and I want them to be happy with it.”

There’s no doubt that Miller finds his work fulfilling, and it also provides opportunities to spend time with his family. His children, aged 6, 3 and 1, enjoy coming out to watch him work, and will frequently sit on a workbench and

CONTACT US! (574)933-3805

MICAHBRADLEY@BARNWOODMASTERS.COM WWW.BARNWOODMASTERS.COM THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Custom Cabinets • Kitchens • Bathrooms Solid Surface Countertops

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Creative Corner INGREDIENTS

• Crust • 1 package Red Velvet Oreo Cookies, crushed (About 25 Cookies) • 6 tbsp butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling • • • •

4 8 ounce cream cheese blocks, softened 3/4 to 1 cup sugar (adjust to taste) 1 tsp vanillia 8 ounce cool whip (I use extra creamy if available) • 16 Oreo Fireworks Cookies, roughly chopped • additional chopped Fireworks Cookies for topping • Red, White, & Blue Sprinkles or Candies for topping if desired

INSTRUCTIONS Crust • Crush 1 Package Red Velvet Oreo Cookies (leave

stuffing in to crush) with food processor.

• Melt butter in microwave. I use my 1 stick setting and it melts perfectly (about 1 minute) • Combine crushed Red Velvet Oreo crumbs together in a bowl.

• In 9 X 13 baking dish, press Red Velvet Oreo mixture into bottom of dish to make a crust.

• Refrigerate for 30 minutes or 1 hour until well chilled.

Cheesecake Filling

• In stand mixer (with beater attachment) or with electric beaters, beat softened cream cheese until smooth (about 4 to 5 minutes). Add in sugar and vanilla and beat until mixed well.

• Fold in chopped Fireworks Oreo cookies and whipped cream until combined.

• Spoon mixture over chilled crust and spread out evenly.

• Chill for 4 hours before serving.

• Top with addition coarsely crushed Fireworks Cookies and sprinkles and/or candies if desired.

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Club Culture

Rumors Nite club Offers a Variety of Fun Diversions Owner Lance Young

Writer / Matt Keating

Running a nightclub can be a lot of hard work, but it can also be extremely rewarding.

Just ask Lance Young, owner of Rumors Nite Club in Rochester. He’s gained extensive experience working in the nightclub industry. He’s also made a lot of great friends in the process.

Young knows what makes a nightclub work. He started in the business at a young age, and was able to observe what club patrons liked.

“I was the manager of a nightclub in Muncie, Indiana, when I was just 21 years old,” Young says.

Young’s love of traveling and new experiences drew him to different locations around the country. He enjoyed the adventure of traveling to different cities and meeting new people, and this in turn led to a working knowledge of the nightclub industry.

“After four years of living in Atlanta, Indianapolis and San Francisco, I was heading to the east coast for a job,” Young says. “The bar that was there on the east coast went bankrupt, and on a whim, myself and two others put a bid on the bar in federal bankruptcy court.

To our surprise, we got it.”

Young’s travels and various work experiences provided him with a

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

unique perspective on what makes a business successful. “[Years] before, I was owner of a marketing firm in San Francisco, and football coach at Piedmont High School in California,” he says.

Young says those visiting Rumors Niteclub for the first time are sure to enjoy themselves.

“People can expect a great, fun, safe and clean atmosphere,” he says. “We have fantastic prices and amazing service by a truly professional staff, including rides to and from the club.”

Many customers have enjoyed getting to know the Rumors staff, and having a favorite destination for local entertainment.

Young says Rumors offers a wide variety of great diversions for patrons.

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“We have video games, pool tables, beer pong, an outdoor deck, two dance floors, and fantastic DJs,” he says.

The club has held a variety of successful events that have drawn large crowds.

“Past events include the bands Foghat, Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon, Duke Tumatoe, shows with Fast Freddy and the Playboys, and Magic Mike,” Young says.

Young notes that Rumors has been the

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

10888 CR 34 Goshen, IN 46528

number-one selling bar or nightclub in the area since 1988.

Rumors has also become known for its Super Bowl parties, karaoke nights, ugly Christmas sweater parties, New Years Eve parties, Halloween costume contests, and nacho dinner specials.

Rumors has also hosted popular Labor Day parties and toga parties. Past drink specials have included $3 fireball shots, $3 peanut butter and jelly shots, $1 shots, and $100 cash drawings.

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Rumors Nite Club is located at 1617 Main CNC Routing & Manufacturing Street in Rochester. For more info, call 574-223-9215 or visit of Polymer Products & Buggy Parts rumors-nite-club.business.site.

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Young says the Rumors staff is popular with the Rochester community for its hospitality and excellent service.

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July Is National Ice Cream Month Writer / Abigail Hake

I remember going out every Sunday with my grandparents for dinner and afterward enjoying a special treat. We’d head over to Baskin Robbins and pick one (or two) of the 32 flavors to enjoy as a family. Ice cream is an American tradition and something that is always in our freezers. It’s a national staple, especially during those summer months, which is why July is the perfect time to celebrate National Ice Cream Month.

In 1984, a Senator from Kentucky introduced a resolution to proclaim the month of July 1984 National Ice Cream Month. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law that same year and the rest is history! While the

bill only specified July 1984 as National Ice Cream Month, the tradition carries on all these years later.

Ice cream itself has no known inventor, but it’s said that as far back as 618-697AD in China, an ice cream-like food was enjoyed. The first dish is said to be made of flour, buffalo milk and camphor. Not quite the ice cream we know today, but it’s fun to think that even way back when, people were looking for a refreshing frozen treat! Even Alexander the Great is said to have enjoyed snow flavored with honey and nectar. Culinary folks though do point to Naples as the birthplace of the first ice cream.

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Here are a few fun facts about Ice Cream: • First Lady Dolley Madison served ice cream at the 1813 Inaugural Ball • Vanilla is the most popular flavor • It takes about 50 licks to finish one ice cream cone • The U.S. is the largest producer of ice cream • A Dreyer’s Ice Cream tester actually insured his tongue for $1M • In 1920, Harry Burt put the first ice cream truck on the streets.

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Americans have a rich history with ice cream. The first mention of ice cream in the US was in a letter in 1744. Then, it’s said, that George Washington spent $200 for ice cream in the summer of 1790. That’s something like $5,500 today - Can you imagine? Even Thomas Jefferson made his own ice cream recipe which is said to be the oldest known ice cream recipe here in the states.

So how can you celebrate?

With ice cream of course! Enjoy this cold, delicious treat with friends and family.

Head to your local ice cream shop and grab a scoop! Maybe even try a few different and unique flavors before you settle on your tried and true favorite!

You could also host a fun ice cream themed party. Have an “I Scream for Ice Cream” bar where everyone can make their own amazing concoction!. Make sure to have

plenty of toppings including things like pretzels, M&M’S, fruits, sprinkles and nuts!

You can also provide all different types of cones and even cute little bowls for your guests to create in. Maybe even offer fun decorations like wands, cupcake toppers and mini umbrellas. Think outside the box and take photos of everyone’s custom treats. Then have prizes for most creative, best looking and most daring. Your guests are sure to enjoy this fun event!

Or, if you are feeling ambitious, try your hand at making your own ice cream. Here’s a really easy recipe you can make at home in a bag. All you need is half & half (1 cup), sugar (2 tbsp), vanilla extract (½ tsp), ice (3 cups), salt (⅓ cup), and two plastic bags (one large and one small). Put the cream, sugar, and flavor inside the smaller bag and push out all the extra air. Put the ice and salt in the bigger bag and then add the small bag with ingredients. Lock well and shake for 7-10 minutes until the ingredients have hardened. Once it’s done, you can let

it set a little more in the freezer while you make homemade chocolate chip cookies to create your own homemade ice cream sandwiches!

There are lots of fun ways to celebrate this month, but, if in the end, you’d rather just try a different kind of ice cream each day of the month of July, we get it. Because remember, we all scream for ice cream!

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Owners Cindy and Bruce Carter.

“I actually used to come here as a kid because we used to be open on Saturdays back then,” Carter explains. “My mom would come in once a month to help with the monthly billings and things, and I just kind of carried on the tradition.”

In 1986 Carter officially began working for her father, helping with accounting and billing tasks. In that area alone, she says she’s seen major changes in the way the company operates since she started, and the internet has affected how the staff does business in big ways.

“Technology has really changed how things are done,” Carter says. “A lot of our customers will even email us back and forth, and I can send them pictures of jobs in progress.”

Another significant change in the business came in 2001, when Carter became the owner and took over the day-to-day operations. She changed the company name again, this time from Bennett’s Plumbing and Heating to Bennett’s Contracting. She decided to make the change because the old name did not accurately reflect everything that the business offered - today the staff handles much more than plumbing and heating.

Bennett’s Contracting Local Maintenance and Repair Company Has a Rich History Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Cindy Carter, owner of Bennett’s Contracting in Culver, knows the company like the back of her hand. That’s what happens when you grow up in a family business.

The story of Bennett’s Contracting goes back decades, before 1965. Carter’s grandfather operated the store as Kowatch Painting and Decorating, and that lasted until her father took over the business in 1965, renaming it Bennett’s Plumbing and Heating. Carter grew up watching her parents run the company, learning the ins and outs along the way.

Bennett’s Contracting currently specializes in all manner of home maintenance and repair, “from anything as small as fixing a doorknob, to remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, to putting a new addition on your home,” Carter says.

This includes painting, plumbing, electrical work, windows, siding, furnace and air conditioner repair and installation, water heater repair and installs, and gas and water line repair. The company no longer offers lawn services.

Carter’s five employees, Jeff Becker, Mike Hartman, Matt Busart, Mike Graff and Sarah Evans, all play crucial roles in making Bennett’s Contracting a success. All longtime employees, the crew brings valuable talent and experience to every project.

Additionally, Carter’s father still spends

THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 55

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time around the business helping out and picking up materials. The staff ’s focus is on assisting each customer Carter has many stories about how the company has helped customers over the years, both in and out of the home repair domain.

“This lady called [and said] her guests would be [at her cottage] before her, and she asked me to go to the store and get some ham and bread, so we did,” Carter says with a laugh. “We have just always tried to do what we can to help.”

Helping customers is truly Carter’s favorite part of the business. She enjoys working each and every day with clients to improve their homes, and she appreciates that every day at work is different.

(574) 201-9751 1305 Ewing Road | Rochester 56 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Carter and her employees enjoy working with people outside of the business too. They strive to support local groups and activities regularly, including local schools, Little League teams, soccer teams and the Culver Lions Club. Helping the community is nothing new to the staff - Carter’s father worked on the Culver Park Department

board for years, in addition to serving as a firefighter.

Carter says her father’s example and mentorship has been invaluable to her.

She adds that without his support and guidance, in addition to support from her family, the business would not be possible.

“The support of my husband and family is really an important part of keeping me going,” she says.

Bennett’s Contracting is located at 640 East Lake Shore Drive in Culver.

If you would like to learn more about the company, give them a call at 574842-3228 or send an email to info@ bennettscontracting.net. Hours of operation are Mon. through Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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The Ladies in Red Red Hat Society Fosters Friendships and Community Involvement Writer / Tracey Ruckman Photographer / Tabitha Dillner

The Red Hat Society has been encouraging and embracing women across the globe since 1998. Founded by Sue Ellen Cooper, the social club has approximately 20,000 chapters in the U.S., and more than 30 international chapters.

In 2004 Janice Davis and a friend were watching an annual parade, when a float full of smiling women dressed in red hats and purple attire cruised through the procession.

Upon being informed by her friend that the individuals were Red Hat ladies, Davis was intrigued. She went home, looked up information on the Red Hat Society and immediately knew she wanted to be a part of the organization. That was the day she signed up to be a queen.

The Red Hat Society offers two types of memberships - a supporting member and a queen. Both types of memberships share many of the same benefits. However, a queen membership has a few added perks. When a lady signs up as a queen, she creates, names and leads a chapter group, and hosts that chapter’s events.

Davis is the queen of the northern Indiana chapter, named Angels in Red, and a Facebook chapter called SunShine Gals. “Anyone can be a queen of a chapter, but without a THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 59

group of caring, compassionate, giving, fun-loving, considerate ladies, a chapter would not survive the test of time,” Davis says. “I feel each one of the ladies in the chapter is a queen in her own way.”

The Angels in Red chapter has around 50 members and will celebrate its sixteenth year of fun and friendship in September.

“I feel there are angels all around us, watching over us and protecting us,” Davis says regarding why she chose the name Angels in Red for the chapter.

The purpose of the Red Hat Society is to build women up, and to connect them emotionally and socially through fun, friendship and sisterhood.

“It does a lot for women,” Davis says.

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Many women have spent most of their lives working and being committed to their families, and may not have had the opportunity to be part of a group of supportive, like-minded women.

The Red Hat Society is an outlet for women to find fulfillment, discover new friendships and interests, and have fun doing it no matter what their age may be.

“We may be gray, but we don’t feel that way when the red hat goes on,” Davis says.

The Angels in Red meet once per month to bond, share laughs and support the community. Food is served, fun is had, raffles are won and donations are collected to support a selected charity.

Over the years Angels in Red has supported numerous causes including animal shelters, humane societies, Heminger House in Plymouth, a domestic violence refuge for women, Bella Vita Pregnancy Center in Knox,

60 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

and more. The group has also provided care packages for cancer patients going through chemotherapy.

Red Hat Society members have multiple travel opportunities, and can participate in various outings, parades and conventions.

“You can do as much or as little as you’d like as a member,” Davis says. “It’s up to you and your personal comfort level.”

Several years ago Davis was selected as a Red Hat Society ambassador.

“One of my favorite functions as an ambassador of the Red Hat Society is being an encourager,” she says. “I try to apply that to every aspect of my life.”

One way Davis encourages others is through a second chapter she formed on Facebook called SunShine Gals. The chapter is nearing its fifth anniversary, and was formed as a nurturing online environment for Red Hat Society ladies.

The popular group has 1,800 members and is rapidly growing.

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Originally, the Red Hat Society was only open to women aged 50 and up. It is now open to any woman of any age.

Women under the age of 50 who join are called Pink Hatters, and wear pink hats and lavender attire.

The Red Hat Society allows women to take time for themselves, and build the kind of bonds their busy lives may not have allowed before joining.

Cynthia Oezer, AGNP

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Walk-ins Welcome To schedule an appointment, please call (574) 207-5050.

For more information on becoming a Red Hat Society member, visit redhatsociety.com, and contact Davis at 574-249-0529 or at twofeathers1@ centurylink.net.

Medical and Surgical Group Knox Clinic 2 S. Pearl St., Knox, IN 46534 • (574) 207-5050 • www.pmhnet.com THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 61

F O R A G R E AT S U M M E R B A R B E C U E Writer / Abigail Hake . Photography Provided

Summer can be a favorite time of the year! With the days still hot and summer winding down, it’s time to send out the invites for your upcoming friendly backyard barbecue! Here are a few tips to help you have a stellar barbecue that will impress your friends and family this outdoor season.

1. READY THE FOOD It’s fun to have friends over. And it’s even more fun to be able to enjoy time with those friends when they are there. Try to have almost everything done before they arrive, especially the food. Main course items like hamburgers and hot dogs can be grilled while enjoying a drink and talking with friends outside, but prepare as much beforehand as possible to save your sanity.

2. MAKE IT A POTLUCK Another way to save yourself some time and peace of mind is to ask a few friends

to bring side dishes. Not only will this save you time (and money) but it will also create a great array of offerings for all your friends. Those bringing dishes probably won’t make what you would normally make and it gives your party different options!

This is nice to do for those who have food allergies and sensitivities too.

3. DON’T FORGET THE DETAILS We all know that we want some easy clean up at the end of a long, hot day. But nothing makes your guests feel more special than the tiny details. Think about trying nondisposable plates and flatware instead. Look for melamine picnic dishes with liners - they are usually inexpensive and are sure to make your backyard barbecue stand out! Then take a quick minute to wrap silverware bundles in napkins. Add a handwritten tag with a fun summer song or the names of

your guests. They are sure to love these small details and tell their other friends all about your party.

4. SNACKS, SNACKS, SNACKS Snacks are super important. Especially if you are going to be cooking the main course once the guests arrive. Make sure to have dips and finger foods so everyone can snack while they catch up. Also, make sure to have foods that are great for being outside. Cut watermelon, fruits and veggies and chips and salsa are always crowd pleasers and don’t take a lot of effort.

5. TRY A FUN COCKTAIL Whip up a big batch of Moscow Mules or Sangria for your guests. These easy drinks with easy garnishes still bring a touch of something special, setting your party apart!

Offer mocktails or soda and water for those

who don’t drink, too. If you are looking for something that can work for both, check out Tailored Toddies.

6. DECORATIONS Throw up some decorative lights outside.

This simple step can really go a long way.

And when the sun goes down, you’ll have a beautiful ambiance that is sure to impress your guests! Also, layered tablecloths on the outdoor tables can give a warm feel as well. Just takes your party up a notch and an easy one at that. You can also leave them up all year round!

7. CITRONELLA We all know mosquitos can really ruin a good thing. Make sure to grab some extra citronella candles for the evening. Not only will they keep those pesky bugs away but they’ll add to the ambiance of your outdoor lighting too! And, just in case, grab a couple different types of bug spray for your guests to use if they’d like.

8. YARD GAMES There are so many yard games out there to play. Party favorites include Bocce Ball, Cornhole and Giant Jenga and most can be found at your local Target or Walmart.

The best thing about all of these is that they are enjoyable to both watch and play.

They keep everyone engaged and excited throughout the afternoon or evening!

9. S KIP DESSERTS & MAKE S’MORES Load up the fire-pit with some logs and take it back to old campfire style. Roast up some S’mores and enjoy! Offer fun extras like peanut butter, Reese’s cups or candied bacon to create some different recipes.

Everyone loves sitting around a fire on a cool summer night, especially at the end of a great party.

10. HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN

a big event, we don’t want it to rain. But unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that won’t happen. Don’t break the bank or anything but just make sure you have a plan for if it does start storming in the middle of the party. This might mean making sure the garage is cleaned out or asking a couple of friends to throw some extra folding chairs in their trunk. The best part of the day will be being with friends, even if you have to get a little cozy inside if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

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Many people wouldn’t know how to get along without their pet.

Their little personalities are entertaining, and their empathetic spirits amaze their owners and friends. Caring for them in return is often a burden of love. Well, until it’s bath or nail clipping time - then it’s just a burden. There are plenty of professional groomers available, but how is a pet owner to know who to trust?

Sarah Heckaman, owner of Countryside Pet Salon in Warsaw, believes there are four qualities that mark a good pet salon professionalism, cleanliness, compassion and education.

After spending several years as a veterinary technician, Heckaman was ready for a career change.

“I enjoyed it, but I didn’t like the strict schedule,” she explains.

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When the opportunity to apprentice with a groomer came along, she decided to take it.

“I just fell in love with it,” Heckaman says. “I ended up doing a couple home-school courses to continue my education.”

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Eventually, Heckaman opened her first salon, Countryside K-9 Pet Salon and Lodge in Winamac, 20 years ago. When she married and moved to Warsaw two years ago, the company came too, and was reestablished in her garage.

Heckaman’s love for animals and decades of learning manifest in her patient and confident handling of her furry clients.

“I try taking it easy with new dogs, or dogs who are scared or didn’t have good experiences,” she says.

Since it’s clean and the loud noises are kept to a minimum, owners also tend to enjoy coming to Countryside Pet Salon.

Since Countryside is a small business, Heckaman can devote all of her attention to one pet at a time.

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AFTER

JayH Construction, LLC Quality Construction at an Affordable Price New Homes • Room Additions Roofing Shingles or Metal roofs Interior/Exterior Remodeling All Types of Residential Construction Fully Insured

Free 574-453-7938 Estimates

www.jayhconstruction.com 66 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

Although a majority of Heckaman’s clients are dogs, she sees cats and other pets as well.

“I’ll even do nail trims on guinea pigs and rabbits,” she says. “I’ll do birds and even a few lizards for nail trims.”

Even for the largest canine client, the average appointment at Countryside lasts two hours or less.

Every pet who comes to visit Heckaman automatically receives the deluxe package.

“I’m more of an all-inclusive groomer,” she says. “Instead of having different things that people can pick, I pretty much do what your pet needs to have done. When they come in, they’ll go into the tub first. They always get two shampoos, a facial scrub, a luxury conditioner, and then I hand dry everybody. Once they’re totally dry, they’ll get their nails trimmed. I’ll check their ears, make sure they’re clean, then I would give them whatever haircut you

want them to have.”

After that, Heckaman takes a glamour picture of the pet for the Countryside Pet Salon Facebook page. There are also a few add-ons available for those who ask for them, like vet-approved hair coloring.

Heckaman also keeps an eye out for possible medical issues that a pet may have. “[As] groomers, we see your pets maybe six to eight times a year, where your veterinarian only sees your dog once a year,” she says. “So we have an advantage to where we can find problems - lumps, bumps, sores and things like that. We can point those things out to you and say, ‘This probably needs to get looked at.’”

Heckaman also sees her work as a first line of defense against injuries brought on by poor nail maintenance and allergies.

In her spare time, Heckaman competes at dog grooming competitions.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she says. “There’s a lot of good camaraderie going on and a lot of good mentoring going on.”

Countryside Pet Salon is located at 1640 North 600 West in Warsaw. Walk-ins are not accepted, so schedule an appointment by calling Sarah Heckaman at 574-2251029. To view post-appointment pictures of her clients and to learn more, visit countryside-pet-salon.business.site.

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A F F O R DA B L E www.insura I N S U R A N CE , I N C.

1512 South Heaton St

 1512 S Heaton St Knox, IN 46534  (574) 772-5370

Lakes related merchandise, antiques, south bend chocolates, furniture, and more.

Tues - Fri 11 AM -6 PM Sat 9 AM-6 PM Sun 1 PM - 5 PM

(574) 952-0852 burroakwhistlestop@gmail.com 15295 State Rd. 17 Culver, IN 46511

Grant Downs Sales / Service

Culligan Water Conditioning habitatomc.org P.O. Box 524 | Plymouth 116 S Walnut St | Plymouth (574) 935-4214 Cell (574) 935-4206

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

129 E. 5th Street (574) 223-2420 (888) 294-5541

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Rochester, IN 46975 Fax: (574) 223-2007 culliganfultoncounty.com

We are the longest Running Diamond Hustler dealer in Northern Indiana.

Stop in for the best overall deal and experience.

Sales and repair of zero turn & push mowers, tractors, trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, pressure washers, blades, parts, pole saws, snowblowers, tillers & more.

Plymouth Family Dental Care James Ryan, D.D.S. SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Dental Care with a Gentle Touch

5 YEAR WARRANTY

(574)546-4413

1319 Plymouth-Goshen Trail | Bremen

(574) 936-8787 1409 N Michigan St • Plymouth Plymouth Family Dental Care

Living Room • Dining Room Mattresses • Accents • Office • & More!

574-382-0373 Free Estimates ∙ Insured

Open Mon- Fri 10am to 6pm Saturday 9am to 5pm 231 Apache Dr. • Rochester

(574)223-7632

www.townehomefurnishings.com

Steps, Side Walks, Patios, Drive Ways, Floors, Basements, Crawl Spaces, Retaining Walls, Flatwork, & Walls. facebook.com/LGConcrete

68 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

I N J U LY AT T H E L A K E S

25

KOONTZ LAKE

LAST SATURDAY CONCERT SERIES

ALL Times listed are Central Time.

3-5

7pm-10pm Last Saturday Concert Series - The Dan Moore Band, playing a variety of hits you love to sing and dance to at the Koontz Lake Clubhouse. The Concert schedule is available on the Koontz Lake Association Facebook Page.

FREEDOM FEST

Freedom Fest at Hesters Farm Log Homes 71880 State Road 23 Walkerton, IN 46574.

4

4TH OF JULY AT KOONTZ LAKE - 80’S ALL DAY

• 7am - Noon - KLFD Pancake Breakfast at the Koontz Lake Fire Dept. Come dressed in 80’s fashion.

• 9am - Kayak Race at the beach, meet at 8:30 with your life vest & fastest kayak • 10:30 am - Golf Cart Parade, lineup is at 10 at Rhonda Hurford’s house, 11958 W Woodbine Ln. Golf carts must be registered & decorated • Noon - 3pm - Band at the Beach featuring The Noise, bring your lawn chairs and refreshments • 7pm Floataram Boat Parade, start lining up in front of the beach at 7pm with your 80’s decorated and illuminated boat.

11

KOONTZ LAKE CLUBHOUSE Rent the Koontz Lake Clubhouse for your next party! $50.00 rental fee with refundable cleaning fee. The facility holds up to 100 people and has a fully equipped kitchen.

BASS LAKE

11

BASS LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS MEETING 9am Bass Lake Property Owners will be having their first meeting of 2020.

24-26

BASS LAKE FESTIVAL

C U LV E R

PICKELBALL

9 am - Noon - Pickelball resumes every Saturday Morning at Lions Park through October.

Check The Culver Farmer’s Market Facebook Page for updates reguarding May dates. Online ordering may be available.

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14

KOONTZ LAKE BINGO Koontz Lake Bingo Resumes Every Monday night at the Koontz Lake Clubhouse 10870 Cherokee Road, Walkerton, IN. Doors open at 5pm CDT, early bird beings at 6pm, and regular bingo beings at 6:30.

NATIVE LANDSCAPING 101 6:00 - 7:30pm Native Landscaping 101: Attracting birds and butterflies to your yard at the Culver-Union Twp Public Library; for more information 574-842-2941

FOR UPDATES REGUARDING EVENTS DURING COVID-19, PLEASE CHECK THE LAKE ASSOCIATION’S FACEBOOK PAGES/WEBSITES. ALL EVENTS INCLUDING 4TH OF JULY ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION BASED ON BACKONTRACK.in.gov COVID-19 GUIDELINES, CHECK FACEBOOK PAGE KOONTZ LAKE ASSOCIATION FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION THETHE LAKES MAGAZINE 2020 LAKES MAGAZINE/ JULY / JULY 2020/ thelakesmagazine.com / thelakesmagazine.com/ 69

HARBOUR

FEST BASS LAKE

Harbour House ∙ 3698 S. County Rd 210 ∙ Bass Lake ∙ July 24-26 Come Out For Food, Drinks, and Fun at The Lakes Newest Restaurant!

“The View will bring you in, The food will bring you Back”

FRIDAY

LIVE

8:30pm-12:30am

SATURDAY VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Water Volleyball Tournement

• Sign up 9 AM- 10 AM on site • Games start at 10 AM • 6 person team (2 of opposite sex) $60 entry fee per team • Tournament Held By Knox Redskins Class of 2023

Family Friendly Golf Cart Cruise & Poker Run

Starts at the Harbour House at 7 PM

Live Entertainment 8:30 PM- 12:30 AM

70 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

SUNDAY CAR SHISOEW & CRU

• Show 8 AM- 1 PM (Door Prizes) • Cruise around Bass Lake @ 1 PM • No pre registration On Site Only

Knox - Winamac Community Health Center Caring for your healthcare needs since 2007

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

Walter Fritz, MD

Lori Truesdell, LCSW

We accept Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurances. We have a Sliding Fee Scale available to qualified individuals which can significantly reduce the cost of your office visit.

Services Available 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

Elizabeth Moerman, MSN, APRN, FNP

Tracy Haddix, NP

Kim McCullough, NP

Open Monday thru Friday and every Saturday until noon

1002 S. Edgwood Drive Knox, IN 46534 | 574-772-6030

C AND S GROUND WORKS Property Maintenance OUR SERVICES INCLUDE

• MOWING & TRIMMING • SPRING & FALL CLEAN • POWER WASHING • PAINTING • GENERAL HOME REPAIR • BUYING & SELLING HOMES FULLY INSURED

CALL !

NOW

(574) 249-9840 psking1977@yahoo.com

Ponds ∙ Drainage ∙ Ditch Work Lot Clearing ∙ Foundations And Lots More!

Corey McClung 219-863-7595

Free Estimates!

Find us on Facebook.

219-863-7595

20, 30, 40 Yard Dumpsters 1 or 2 Week Rental Options

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Providing Expert Maintenance, Repair & Installation Justin Time Plumbing & Heating is your area’s one-stop shop for all comfort system services!

Call our team when you need plumbing, heating, air conditioning, water heater, air quality or light commercial services.

We are your local comfort system maintenance, repair, installation and replacement experts.

24 HOUR SERVICE www.justintimeplumbingandheating.com Justin Time Plumbing and Heating, LLC

(574) 780-2245

72 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com