The Lakes Magazine August 2019

Page 1

AUGUST 2019

MAGAZINE

MARSHALL COUNTY BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

TheLakesMagazine.com


MAILING TO: LAKE MAXINKUCKEE • CULVER • BASS LAKE • LAKE OF THE WOODS • KOONTZ LAKE • LAKE MANITOU PRETTY LAKE • LAKE LATONKA • HOLEM LAKE • LAWRENCE LAKE • COOK LAKE • MYERS LAKE • PLYMOUTH

MAGAZINE

• • • • •

Direct Mailed to over 14,000 homeowners for Free 3000 Copies rack delivered throughout the region Full-color throughout at no additional cost Featuring local stories, business profiles, and events Accompanying website and social media promoting the area throughout the month • Convenient pay-as-you-go payment terms • Part of a family-owned franchise system with 15 years of history If you are not in our designated monthly mailing route you can find a few thousand paper copies of the Lakes Magazine spread over 100+ area businesses throughout the following region:

Argos, Bass Lake, Bremen, Culver, Delong, Donaldson, Hamlet, Koontz Lake, Knox, Monterey, Nappanee, North Judson, Plymouth, Rochester, Walkerton & Winamac

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT PUBLISHER JOHN LEWANDOWSKI

(574)249-9217 JOHN@TOWNEPOST.COM

DID YOU MISS AN ISSUE OR WANT TO READ THE LAKES MAGAZINE ON THE GO? Download our free App on your digital device. Go to The Lakes Magazine on Google Play or The App Store.


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

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! 634 E Lake Shore Dr | Culver (574) 842-6326

larry@brockeyinsurance.com www. BrockeyInsurance.com BrockeyInsurance Melissa and Doug Toys • Leanin’ Tree cards Kitras Designer Art Glass QMT Wind Chimes • South Bend Chocolates Wind & Willow Dip and Dessert Mixes Primitives by Kathy Gifts and Home Décor Locally made Goat Milk Soaps and Lotions & Much More

We have a full time florist in The Floral Shop that is skilled in both artificial (silk) and fresh arrangements. We do weddings, funerals and all other occasions in between. thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 3


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 Providing Expert Maintenance, Repair & Installation

• Plumbing • Heating • Air Conditioning • Water Heater • Air Quality • Light Commercial Services

24 HOUR SERVICE (574) 780-2245

www.justintimeplumbingandheating.com 4 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. THE LAKES MAGAZINE

23

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

A LOCAL TRADITION: 53RD ANNUAL MARSHALL COUNTY BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL RETURNS LABOR DAY WEEKEND WITH MORE THAN 100 VENDORS

The Blueberry Festival, a summer staple of Marshall County, is quickly approaching, running from Friday, August 30, to Monday, September 2. The annual Labor Day weekend celebration is heading into its 53rd year. Festival Coordinator Sherrie Martin has been involved with the festival since its premiere.

7 Fourway.Net Celebrates more than 42 Knox Wood Shop Offers a Wide Two Decades of Service

Range of Quality Items

13 Order Up: Jaimie’s B&K Owner

45 The Lakehouse Grille: Award-

19 Affordable Insurance Celebrates

49 PJ Gilsinger & Company

Talks Success of Classic Knox Restaurant

Winning Restaurant Is a Marshall County Favorite

20 Years In Knox

23 A Local tradition: 53rd Annual

Community Museum Showcases Antique Farm Equipment

Marshall County Blueberry Festival Returns Labor Day Weekend With More Than 100 Vendors

54 Living the Dream:

Multigenerational Family Business Celebrates 34 Years of Business

30 August Crossword 58 10 Tips to Get You & Your Kids Ready For the School Year 32 Med One Mobile: Local Ambulance Service Is a Trusted Transport For 62 4th Annual Carousel Festival Loved Ones

Returns August 24

35 The Elephants In Lake

66 Maria Center Celebrates 30th

38 Creative Custom Finishes: Owner

69 July Crossword Puzzle Answers 70 Whats Happening At The Lakes

Maxinkuckee: A Look Back at a Unique Moment In Culver History Talks Following In Father’s Footsteps, Building Client Relationships

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Austin Vance

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Valerie Randall

EDITORIAL MANAGER Josh Brown

Josh@TownePost.com

AUGUST WRITERS

Jeff Kenney / Julie Yates Mary Lowry / Matt Keating

AUGUST PHOTOGRAPHERS Cindy Heigl / Jayme Goetz Jubilee Edgell

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: 317-810-0011

Anniversary

TheLakesMagazine.com TownePost.com thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 5


BUILDING BETTER FUTURES • New Construction • Remodeling • Decks • Kitchens • Bathrooms & More Tim Howard (574)806-3279 Clint Salyer (574)298-7277 Office (574)842-3595 Howard-tim@att.net

New Age Construction

LEAVE YOUR ELECTRIC BILL BEHIND! SINCE 2006!

Residential • Commercial • Agricultural • RV Ask about our lithium batteries!

OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Mint City Millwork

A very fine selection of Clocks of all kinds Grandfather, Mission, Mantle, Wall & more

These are handmade right on location by owner Wayne Helmuth who has 25 + years experience in the business. The cabinets are handmade and Clock cases are constructed with mortise and tenon joints, assembled and sanded by hand...one at a time. The triple chime movements are manufactured exclusively by Hermle, a German company that makes the finest movements in the world.

Solar Systems for Residential, Commercial & Agriculture Batteries Inverters & Inverter Service Center Excellent Customer Support!

8015 W 1350 N, Suite A

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6 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

(574) 209-1351 Open Mon - Fri 8am to 4pm Saturday 8am to Noon 3013 Birch Road Bremen /Rentown


FOURWAY.NET CELEBRATES MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF SERVICE Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

The old adage of “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” is certainly one adopted by father-and-son duo, Roland and Ryan Houin. The two have owned Fourway. Net in South Bend for over two decades. Roland started the Internet company as a dial-up Internet service decades ago, and has expanded over the years to become a successful, thriving business. “We had AOL dial-up at our house and we could only go on it, like, one hour a week.” Ryan says. “It didn’t work all that great, so it started from that. [My father’s] thinking was, ‘Maybe I can just do it myself and save some money.’ After he started doing that, he ran into people in town that ran into the same problem, so he started to offer it to them too. He gained a network of people all over.” After Roland brought back wireless Internet from a Motorola conference in the early 2000s, people went crazy for it. Being able to access the Internet without needing to have a phone line was important for many people, as well as many businesses. Suddenly, the Internet became much cheaper, and much more accessible. As the company grew, so did the need for employees. Ryan has been working there since the early 2000s, when he was in high school.

High Speed Internet Where You Need It!

Call for a Free Site Survey & Save $20 off of your Internet Installation with the code: LAKES20 Serving Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan

574-277-7720 or 1-800-733-0062

Owner, James Brown jim@dcgaragedoors.com Cell: 574:952:1752 Plymouth 201 Airport Road • (574) 936-7902 Warsaw (574) 306-4707 • South Bend (574) 243-1200 Wabash (260) 563-6758

1-800-770-8777

thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 7


Today, he works as the operations manager, and he enjoys his job now just as much as he ever did. He recognizes the family atmosphere as the biggest contributor to happy, engaged employees. By having a smaller chain of command, the environment is much more intimate, and therefore much more inviting.

Owners Ryan and Roland Houin

Since 1860 the citizens of Rochester Indiana have had a Pharmacy at this same location. Harry Webb’s Pharmacy is well known as a professional pharmacy with a hometown touch. “Our patients have many different needs and we strive to know our patients and tailor our services to effectively meet those needs.”

The pharmacy is a treasure and special destination to find Boutique Style Gifts, Gourmet Chocolates, Kitchen Textiles & Gifts, Essential Oils, the Very best CBD oil, Melissa & Doug Wooden Toys, Greeting Cards, Women’s Accessories, Home & Lake House Decor.

www.webbrx.com Serving Northern Indiana with 3 Locations 724 Main St Rochester, Indiana 574-223-2216

101 W. Rochester St Akron, IN 574-893-4413

103 N Heeter St, North Manchester, IN 260-982-1000

8 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


Ryan refers to it as a learning environment. He says the people are much closer, so they can easily get feedback from different people. While they all have a similar mindset, he says every employee has different strengths and different skills that help make it successful.

home automation you can enjoy complete control over your home with just your smartphone

“Since it’s a family-run business, we’re more open to hearing people’s ideas, and we won’t chastise them or get mad at them. We have a lot of ideas over the years that have come from just regular employees,” Ryan says. In addition to family, the company places a big emphasis on honesty. “We try not to sugarcoat things. Several years ago, we made the decision to advertise what speeds people could expect to see most of the time. The most unique thing is how clear and blunt we are with our prices, what we offer, and what we do. We try to do that with our Internet support people, too. If someone calls in and we can’t provide them Internet service, we will say that.” Fourway.Net provides service for the majority of Marshall County, St. Joe County, Kosciusko County, Elkhart County, Fulton County, and Stark County. They work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and then 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. If you would like a free site survey, you can reach them at 574-277-7720 or 800733-0062. You can also visit them online at fourway.net.

Audio

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surveillance systems uncompromising quality with sate-of-the-art technology In what is an increasingly uncertain world, the safety and security of your family, Home, or business is of paramount concern. Connected Media can provide you with a wide variety of customized security and surveillance options to protect and ensure the security of what you deem most valuable. All of our systems are designed to be discreet,versatile,and highly effective. We take surveillance systems seriously and provide our clients with peace of mind.

574-968-3474 | Connectedma.com thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 9


Sales , Delivery & Installation Service available of #53 and #73 Driveway Stone, Fill Lime, Pea Gravel, Decorative Stone, Black Dirt, Fill Dirt, Sand, Natural & Colored Mulch, Landscape Mesh

Culver Animal Hospital Compassionate care with over 40 years experience Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri : 9am - 5pm Thur & Sat: 9am to Noon

(574) 842-3155 • 1111 N. Lake Shore Dr. | Culver

Always on the cutting edge Mowing • Trimming • Edging Seasonal Cleanup • Power Washing Support another true Local Family owned business by Calling or stopping by

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(Right between Bass Lake / Knox & Lake Maxinkuckee / Culver)

(574)767-1279

Btlstonefeedco@gmail.com

(574) 216-6150 Derek Keller

Located at 6146 W 1350 N • Nappanee, IN Open 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday.

(574)773-4826 • www.weaverfurniturebarn.com 10 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


At

THE GENERAL STORE

GRAND PAUSE FARM

The General Store has delicious hand dipped Shermans Ice Cream from Michigan, Homemade Gourmet Muffins & Fudge, and a LOT of great country, rustic, primitive & seasonal style gifts.

At

THE GUEST HOUSE in the barn

- OWNERS -

GRAND PAUSE FARM

The Guest house in the Barn is a unique, spacious getaway with a scenic views Contact Dan or Connie Boyer for Rates and Availability.

574-896-5501

4592 S. RANGE ROAD • NORTH JUDSON, IN WWW.GRANDPAUSEFARM.COM

Looking for pier sales or services?

FLORIST AND BOUTIQUE

This Is NOT your traditional florist! Unique & traditional Wedding, Formal, Funeral, Birthdays, & Anniversaries Arrangements | Gifts | Balloons | Bath & Body Products Holiday and Lake Themed Decorations

• Asphalt Maintenance • Salt Spreading

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Roofing Remodeling Decks Patios Sun Rooms Pergolas Windows Doors Made on Site Seamless Gutters & more

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• Commercial & Residential Service • Season Firewood • Lot and Fence Clearing • Stump Grinding and Removal • Trimming Topping • Storm Damage Fire Wood • 24-Hour Service

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Polish American Deli • Homemade Pierogies Beer • Wine • Fuel • Ice Fresh Made Delicious Soups and Hot Sandwiches • Full Line of Tobacco Products

8995 S. US HWY 35 Montery, IN 46960 (574) 946-7022 • jk.groceryanddeli@gmail.com

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Perform but not Limited to: • Body Wraps + Scrubs • Sports Massage • Swedish + Deep Tissue Massage • Dry Brushing • Foot Detox • Cupping

Services are by Appointment only.

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CULVER EVENTS

Text / Call (219)680-6362 (text preferred) 51 A. West Lake St. • Knox www.holisticfusiongina.com

Culver Dental Clinic Kurt N. Richeson, DDS

Lakeside every Tuesday 5-7 Saturday 9AM- 1 PM

Cleanings and Bonding Oral Exams Orthodontics Cancer Screening Fillings Crowns and Bridges Dentures Extractions & Oral Surgery

Produce, fresh baked goods, local honey, fresh beef & pork, crafts, artisans jewelry, and more!

LAKE MAX TRIATHLON

AUGUST 10TH COMING IN SEPTEMBER! SEPTEMEBER 14

(574) 842-5253 www.culverchamber.com culverindianachamber

574-842-3465 • culverdental.com 1001 N. Lakeshore Dr. Culver

12 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


Owner Jaimie Howard

ORDER UP JAIMIE’S B&K OWNER TALKS SUCCESS OF CLASSIC KNOX RESTAURANT Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

B&K Drive-In Restaurant in Knox is a place with good food, rich history and a wonderful family atmosphere. Owner Jaimie Howard, who reopened the restaurant in May of 2018 after it was closed for four years, renamed it “Jaimie’s

B&K.” She had worked there in the past, where she learned the impact the restaurant had on the community. “I worked there when I was 14, and I worked there from 14 to 21, on and off,” she says. “In May of 2018, I took over the restaurant, and that is when we reopened.”

The business is a landmark in Starke County. It has been there for decades, but the exact opening is unclear. Customers reminisce with Howard, sharing memories about growing up and coming to the restaurant. Although many have memories of visiting and eating at the iconic drive-in restaurant, nobody seems to have a clear indication of what year it opened.

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“[We have a customer who] is 80 this year, and she remembers coming here when she was 16,” Howard recalls. “I called the Historical Society a couple of times, and we haven’t gotten anything.”

Before

B&K restaurants originated in the Midwest. The first one opened in Michigan City, Indiana in the 1940s. Since then, they have spread across multiple states. At one point, Indiana had more than 230 B&Ks. Today, there are about 17, including the one Howard runs in Knox. The community immediately responded in a positive way, she says.

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

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Free Estimates

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“We had a huge community response the first couple months,” she says. “Everybody on our staff was new, and I hadn’t worked it in 20 years, and by the middle of the season, we were doing great.” Howard works hard to make sure she gives back to the community for their unwavering support. She regularly donates to organizations that help children. “I give back to the kids,” Howard says. “I donate a lot to the Band Boosters and anything that has to do with kids I donate for. I like to give back to [organizations for children]. We also support our local fire department.” The kids are truly in Howard’s heart, and they have been since she decided to reopen the restaurant. She changed her career path from a medical assistant, where she had worked for 20 years.


“I had babies and I realized that I couldn’t continue the path I was on with my job,” she says.

METAL ROOFING FOR YOUR HOME

Now, she gets the support of the community and her family, who she says she truly could not have done any of this without. Her husband, John, played a huge role in the reopening and success of the restaurant. If you would like to visit Jaimie’s B&K, you can visit them at 1208 S Heaton Street in Knox. You can visit them on their Facebook page, “Jaimie’s B&K,” or you can give them a call at 574772-4888. They are open from 11am to 9pm on Monday through Friday, 11 am -10 pm on Saturday, and 1pm-7pm on Sunday. Local Manufacture

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thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 15

50 Year Limited Lifetime Warranty


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Memory Keepsake Baskets & Totes: Each basket or product is made completely by hand start to finish. These are incredible quality keepsakes and gifts that each take several hours to create. Military Clothing • T-Shirt • Jeans • Wedding Dress

We provide the best possible care for your pet! We Groom all Breeds including Large Dogs & Cats 2159 N. Oak Dr. Plymouth, IN 46563

Anything you wish to incorporate

Call or Text 574-612-3524 for an Appointment!

www.gordonspetgrooming.com

Contact Chris Ingram (574) 896-3847

coopdechick@gmail.com • www.coopdechick.com

STEVE BERNDT’S PIER-MEN! We support your fun! • Installations • Removal • Hardware • Aluminum, Poly & Wood Dock Sales

Construction Management, Design, Build, Commercial & Residential, New Construction & Renovations

Call / Text Steve

(574)806-1410

574-933-4378 • jl_edgell@yahoo.com Zehner’s Port-A-Jons

Jennifer A. Korous is a CPA serving the area with 2 convenient locations. Individual/Business Tax Services Payroll Services

4915 W. State Road 10 North Judson

(574)896-2204

Financial Statement Preparation Business Planning & Consulting

Rental & Septic Pumping Service!

Proudly owned & operated by Scott Zehner.

Call / Text (574)302-6931 Sczehner@centurylink.net

120 E. 17th Street Rochester

(574)223-1040

Jennifer@jlwidman.com | www.jlwidman.com IS YOUR HOME OR BARN WELL INSULATED? Licensed, Bonded, Insured

Unique very High quality Rugs made by Lera Rodes. Each Rug is hand woven on a loom with over 1200 spools of different colors. Rugs are 14 in. , 27 in., or 5 feet wide. Rugs in stock & special orders. Placemats • Hot Pads • Fabrics • Purses

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Located inside Coppes Commons in Nappanee at 401 E. Market st. Hours Mon - Thur 9am to 5pm Fridays 9am to 8pm Saturday 9am to 4pm


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

Open Mon- Fri 10am to&6pm M or e Saturday 9am to 5pm

Fabrics Embroidery Notions deTerra Clothes Housewares Home Decor Norwax

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thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 17


Overnight Retreats • Adult & Youth Retreats • Banquets College & High School Retreats • Family Reunions Weddings • Day Meetings • Business Meetings Host Site for your Camp Program • And so much more

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Quilts • Long Arm Quilting • Hand Quilting Clock • Gifts • Home Decor • Books • Cards • Fabrics Donna Sharp Purses Jams and Jellies Housewares

1037 E State Rd 2, LaPorte (Corner Of Hwy 2 & Fail Rd)

OVER 5 MODEL HOMES ON DISPLAY Hours: Tues. - Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-3, Closed Sun. & Mon. 574.223.6120 • 6120 N. Old U.S. 31 | Rochester, IN

www.laportehousing.com

800-729-5664

Deli • Sandwiches • Bakery • Outdoor Poly Furniture • Hand-Dipped Ice Cream

574.223.5043 • www.harvestmoonfood.com • 5758 N Old US 31 | Rochester, In 18 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


Owner Valarie Williams

AFFORDABLE INSURANCE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN KNOX “I actually was in sales my whole adult life,” she says. “I worked at Farm Bureau Insurance for seven years first. I decided to There’s no place like home. Valarie Williams, open my own agency and stay local.” owner of Affordable Insurance Inc. in Knox, knows these words to be true. A lifelong For Williams, staying local is not just resident of Starke County, Williams puts having a business in town. It means being a lot of value on staying local and being involved. She contributes back to the involved in the community. She first opened area through multiple organizations. She her company in 1999. This year marks her currently serves on the Starke County 20th anniversary of owning the business. Tourism Board, in addition to being a Writer / Mary Lowry Photography Provided

member of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce Board. Both of these organizations work to bring people to the area to promote economic development and enrichment. She also is a part of a Relay for Life team. Relay for Life is a fundraiser by local groups for the American Cancer Society. The event itself lasts for 24 hours, and participants stay up all night and walk to raise money.

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“I’ve been involved in Relay for Life over the last 10 to 15 years,” Williams says. “I’ve been involved a lot.” Beyond those three organizations, Williams also contributes to Toys for Kids, a collection of toys around Christmastime to give to local children in need. She also tries to stay involved in things like Movies in the Park and other local events. “It’s just nice living in a small town and having so many options to do here,” Williams says. “In past years, there have been years where not much is going on. I think now because of our mayor and our sheriff and everybody, there’s a lot more happening.” Given her involvement in the community, it is unsurprising that her favorite part of her job is getting to interact with and help people.

Affordable Insurance, Inc. Auto • Home • Business • Life

Specializing in Fundraisers

10750 W. 600 S. Millersburg, IN 46543

13 Flavors Black Raspberry Apple Peach

(260) 593-0209

Cherry Strawberry Strawberry Rhubarb Blueberry Bavarian Creme

Lemon Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Creme Pumpkin (Seasonal)

574-772-5370

www.insurancebyval.com 1512 South Heaton St Knox, IN 46534

20 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


“IT’S JUST NICE LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN AND HAVING SO MANY OPTIONS TO DO HERE.”

# 1 LAKE LISTING & SELLING AGENT.

- VALARIE WILLIAMS -

“[The best part of my job is] the diversity of my job and being able to visit with people that come in, going out to inspect homes,” Williams says. “And the freedom to help people with their insurance and put them in the right spot for them.”

7586 N STATE RD 23 HWY, WALKERTON, IN $329,900

Serenity is the mood in this 5 bedroom waterfront property. All Newly remodeled. Light, Bright & Clean! Weekends or full time, the conveniences here are ready & waiting: on demand hot water, laundry on main floor, 3 FULL bathrooms, Deck on lakeside, pier, 75 feet of sandy frontage for all your toys on Koontz Lake - all sports lake.

She certainly could not do any of her work without her team, though. Her staff ( Jamie Allen, Rhonda Ammons, Sarah Compton and Jill Palm) works hard to make sure that people feel comfortable when they come in. They value good customer service and work to provide it for all their clients. Affordable Insurance is located at 1512 South Heaton Street in Knox. They provide a variety of personal, commercial and life insurance policies. You can give them a call at 574-7725370. For their toll-free number, contact them at 866-853-4881. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. They also offer evening and weekend appointments. You can visit them online at insurancebyval. com for more information.

Rhonda S. Hurford Broker

(574) 250-1835 rhondahurford@gmail.com www.collinshomes.com thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 21


Choose from Over 1000 different frame options!

Looking to gift a memorable item such as a military sword, flag or impressive shadowbox?

Gifts, Home Decor and more This store also has 1 of the very few P. Graham Dunn Laser Engravers that exist in all of Northern Indiana. Right now It is capable of engraving up to 400 options. 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

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

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(574) 936-8787 1409 N Michigan St • Plymouth F Family Dental Care Dr Chad Shaw 22 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


Parade Grand Marshal Cori Humes

53rd Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival Returns Labor Day Weekend With More Than 100 Vendors


Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jayme Goetz

The Blueberry Festival, a summer staple of Marshall County, is quickly approaching, running from Friday, August 30, to Monday, September 2. The annual Labor Day weekend celebration is heading into its 53rd year. Festival Coordinator Sherrie Martin has been involved with the festival since its premiere. It all started with a party in a local park to honor the sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, of Indiana becoming a state. Locals gathered for a softball tournament and picnic on Labor Day weekend and enjoyed it so much that they decided to have a yearly festival. “Out of that first party, the county had such a good time with it that they decided they should try and do something every year,” Martin says. “So, in 1966 the festival was organized, and the first one was held in 1967.” Being named after the blueberry was a tribute to Marshall County. “They chose the blueberry because, at that time, Marshall County produced one-third of Indiana’s blueberries,” Martin says. “We had seven blueberry marshes, or patches, in Marshall County.” Over the years, the festival has grown to enormous size, drawing between 450,000 and 500,000 visitors annually. It is simple to see why so many people love the event — with 24 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


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changing vendors, people are in for a new experience every year that they visit. There are, of course, some staples: blueberry donuts are a must-have. Made by a group of local churches, the donuts are a quintessential part of the Blueberry Festival experience. “They make somewhere near 5,000 dozen or 60,000 donuts,” Martin says. “This is the only festival they make the donuts for. They only do the Blueberry Festival. The line can be anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes to two or two and a half hours, that people wait in line for these donuts.”

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There are some other traditions that draw in visitors. Each year, the festival crowns a Blueberry Queen, as well as a Little Miss and Mr. Blueberry. This year’s queen, Abigail Powell, will help with promoting the festival. The multiple stages at the festival also help to attract crowds. With all kinds of different acts, including musical

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headliner The Magic Bus on Saturday night, crowds are sure to find something to enjoy. “Our Jefferson Stage has a lot of hometown people, and our Michigan Stage has more people from out of town,” Martin says. Guests can be treated to the musical stylings like “A Journey to Woodstock,” by The Magic Bus, in addition to Dave and Daphne, musical guests from Nashville, Tennessee. More musical artists can be found on the festival’s website at blueberryfestival.org. The festival’s theme this year is “Indiana’s Largest Meet and Greet.” A fitting title, seeing as how many people visit the festival each year. You are practically certain to “meet” someone new or to “greet” someone you already know. “People do come back to meet family, friends and to greet new people,” Martin says. “There have been a lot of friendships

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made just over the festival. There’s somebody not here from Marshall County, so relationships and friendships have been made that way, too. There are a lot of graduating classes from the area high schools that will have their reunion that weekend also, so they can see the Blueberry Festival.”

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While the benefit of their visitors is most important, the economic profit of the local organizations and businesses is a huge bonus to the festival. While local restaurants, hotels and shops get an influx of customers, the area non-profits really benefit from the festival, too. “We have more than 111 non-profit organizations that make money off of this festival,” Martin says. “If this festival were not here, those organizations would have a much harder time making that money that they use all year long. For some of them, it’s their whole budget for the year, so this festival is very important to the economy and these organizations.” There are a lot of moving parts to make a festival this large successful, and the credit for making those parts move smoothly belongs to the board and to the multitude of volunteers. Led by President Jason Jones and Vice President Travis Thompson, the Board of Directors works consistently to make the festival a success. The day after the festival is over, they have already begun their work on the next one. Sometimes, they even begin planning before the current festival is

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over; suggestions from visitors often make their way into board meetings that occur during the festival. “This could not be held without volunteers,” Martin adds. “We have volunteers from every city in here helping, like the Bremen Kiwanis come in and help park cars. The EMTs and ambulance services from around, from different towns. Our security, our Merit Police Officers, who are from the surrounding areas, are here with us 24/7 during the festival.” If you are interested in attending this year’s Marshall County Blueberry Festival, you can visit them in Centennial Park in Plymouth from August 30 to September 2, 2019. They are open from 5 to 9 pm on Friday, 9 am to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 9 am to 6 pm on Monday. Parking can be found at Plymouth High School for $8. This includes a ticket for the tram, which will take you from the school into the heart of the festival. For more information, visit blueberryfestival.org. 28 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


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AUGUST CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Buzzkill 5. Buggy for Brits 9. Furbys, once 12. Dog tag info 13. Pro ___ 14. Pitching star 15. Chowhounds have big ones 17. Virtual citizen of PC gaming 18. It’s tapped 19. Better or best 21. Bakery supply 24. Marathon 26. Dominate, in sports lingo 27. Printer’s amount 29. Unrespected writer 33. “The best is ___ to come!” 34. Campaign creators 36. Freight weight 37. Metallurgist’s materials 39. Jets or Sharks, e.g. 40. Be outstanding? 41. Is worthwhile 43. Enough, and then some 45. Bridges in Hollywood 48. Itinerary part 49. Cause of inflation? 50. Covetously 56. Ozone hazard, for short 57. Jack and Jill’s burden 58. Stead 59. Congressional vote 60. Pound the keys 61. Check

DOWN 1. Chain letters? 2. Sound at the door 3. Hi-fi component 4. Nerdy types 5. Goody two-shoes 6. Snitch 7. Did lunch, say 8. Stone worker 9. Allegro, in music 10. Battery fluid 11. Showroom model 16. Aquarium beauty 20. “That’s disgusting!” 21. It has its ups and downs 22. Still-life piece 23. Add to the pot 24. Buddhist priests 25. A comet, to the superstitious 28. Wired 30. Straddling, maybe 31. Hooded garment 32. Baby bouncer? 35. Dame Marsh of mystery 38. Cloak-and-dagger sort 42. Masterful 44. Stake drivers 45. Delicate, in a way 46. Board game or magazine 47. Bicolor sea predator 48. Beneath contempt 51. Dissenter’s word 52. Big shot 53. Canine command 54. “Malcolm X” director 55. Music to the cook’s ears

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For the answers, visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TheLakesMagazine

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THE SOUND THAT SELLS 30 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


Country Furniture Restorations, INC. JERRY & DAVID BONTRAGER Voice Mail: 574-773-9271

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10185 W 1350 N • Nappanee, IN 46550

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1319 Plymouth-Goshen Trail | Bremen thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 31


Med One Mobile LOCAL AMBULANCE SERVICE IS A TRUSTED TRANSPORT FOR LOVED ONES Writer / Mary Lowry Photography Provided

and using their gifts. It inspired Greg to jumpstart his own company.

Med One Mobile, in Knox, had been a long time coming prior to their opening four years ago. When owner Greg Wireman’s father fell down the stairs at home, the family waited hours for a transport to another hospital. Wireman started planning then.

“I’m sitting here listening to this, and he’s saying that if you don’t do this, you’re going to watch your life go by,” Wireman says. “This was four years ago, and so I got started.”

“We were waiting for hours, and I started thinking and putting my own plan together, [asking myself] is this something I want to do? How do I do it?” Wireman recalls. “So five or six years go by, and I’m working at another job that I am not enjoying. I wanted to do something different.” So, he did. He bought his first truck and began the process of getting it approved as an ambulance. He was still worried about the things that came with running his own company, though. But then, Wireman saw a video that changed his life. Wireman watched Steve Harvey talking to the audience after a filming of Family Feud. Harvey was speaking about people finding

Since opening, Med One Mobile, otherwise known as MOM, has gained a reputation in the area for its phenomenal patient care. The crews approach each patient with the mindset that they are “the most precious cargo you can have.” To make rides more comfortable for patients, MOM’s ambulances provide Wifi, as well as television. Parents or a family member are almost always allowed to ride along in the back, too. “When we put these people inside an ambulance, and they’re staring out the back window and have 150 miles to go, they’ve got trouble on their minds,” Wireman explains. “You need to let them calm down or relax a little bit.”

The level of care that MOM provides extends far beyond just its patients. They are a business that is always ready to help people whenever they can. From donating school supplies, to food drives, to first aid and EMS training, Wireman and his crew are constantly working to give back to the community. They enjoy helping out the booster clubs, supporting the band and the football team. Med One Mobile is certainly focused on helping as many people as they can. Patients should not have to worry about finding rides to treatments or how to pay for ambulance rides. Wireman and his team work hard to provide the highest quality of care for their patients, and that includes lightening the mental weight so many patients and families carry when someone is in need of medical care. They treat their patients like family. After all, like Wireman says, “Nobody takes better care of you than MOM.” You can visit Med One Mobile’s website at med1mobile.com or give them a call at 574249-8123 for more information. They are located at 305 Hamilton Drive in Knox.

32 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


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Creating Memories in Stone Stone Carving

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34 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


THE ELEPHANTS IN LAKE MAXINKUCKEE A LOOK BACK AT A UNIQUE MOMENT IN CULVER HISTORY Writer / Jeff Kenney Photography Provided

There may have been something of a comeback for a variety of wildlife at Lake Maxinkuckee in recent years, from bald eagles to sandhill cranes, osprey to pelicans, but as far as the historical record shows, elephants have only made one appearance in the waters of the second largest natural lake in the state. That event dates back to the World War II years of 1942, when Col. Edward Payson, longtime Band Director at Culver Military Academy and a consummate amateur photographer, captured images of pachyderms in Culver’s town park. Payson’s daughter, Martha (later Martha Ryman), can be seen feeding one of the elephants.

Martha, who died earlier this year, recalled to friends and family the story of the elephants’ presence in the park, explaining that a traveling circus sought rest, shade and water in Culver and put on a free, impromptu show in the town park as part of the stop, which also included a dip in the waters of the lake at the town beach for the grateful elephants. Shooting photos of the event was far from Col. Payson’s first foray into photography. A 1922 graduate of Culver Military Academy who also attended Harvard, Payson would marry the daughter of the school’s first Science Department chair, George Eisenhard, who pioneered radio communications at the Academy, launching its far-reaching radio station, WCMA, in the 1920s. Martha recalled that her grandparents owned the very first

radio in the town of Culver as well and opened a window in their home so eager crowds of local listeners could gather outside and listen to broadcasts from multiple states away. Ed Payson joined the staff of CMA in 1926 and would not only direct the band there but composed and rearranged several signature musical pieces still in use as part of its repertoire. Perhaps most famously, he created a cherished annual tradition when, in 1942, he conceived of the first Moonlight Serenade, during which he added a unique flair to a planned concert in the Culver town park by the Midshipmen of the Culver Naval School Band. Payson, reticent to march the Naval School “Middies” in their white duck sailor pants

thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 35


Col. Edward Payson, Culver Military Academy Band Director, staged and shot this 1940s photo of the Culver Summer Naval Band on the deck of the O.W. Fowler ship performing in the annual Moonlight Serenade on Lake Maxinkuckee, a tradition which continues today.

through the dust on their way to the community concert, hit upon the idea of instead sailing the Naval Band to its destination by boat in a handful of the school’s naval cutters. A crowd of hundreds gathered in the park to hear the joint Academy-town band concert, heard the first strains of music across the waters of the lake as the appeared around the bend of the “Indian Trails” between Academy and town, towards the same beach where elephants swam just one summer earlier. The three-masted O.W. Fowler sailing ship (named for former Culver Summer Schools director Commander Orie Fowler), the crown jewel of the Academy’s naval fleet, had first tasted Maxinkuckee mist in 1941 when Academy boat builder Bud Craft — who designed and constructed it on campus — declared it seaworthy and the arresting sight of its size and beauty at sail, recalling the great warships of yore, became the talk of the area. So the summer following the “impromptu” Moonlight Serenade, 1943, the Fowler seemed the most fitting host for Naval Band as the ship made the circuit of the lake, the maiden voyage of the first “official” Moonlight Serenade, which once graced Indiana tourism maps as a “goto” event of statewide stature. That event continues, each full moon in July, and cottagers continue to greet the ship with lights on their piers or follow it around as the band plays, while crowds continue to gather along the shore to hear the music in the summer night. The O.W. Fowler was rebuilt in 1984 as the R.H. Ledbetter, and remains not only the largest ship on Maxinkuckee waters, but the largest three-masted ship on inland waters in the US. For his part, Col. Payson, something of a Renaissance man, was also a multi-instrumentalist with the South Bend Symphony. He will also long

36 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


be remembered as the meticulous overseer of the largest student-run model railroad in the world (located in the lower level of the Academy’s dining hall into the mid-1980s), written up in Model Railroader Magazine in 1971. Payson even gained lasting regards for his artwork by way of a humorous, hand-drawn map of Culver Military Academy and the north shore of Lake Maxinkuckee, which was published in the 1930s and has often been reproduced since.

Col. Edward Payson, ever the consummate photographer, sought to capture the simple joys of small-town life and home and hearth via a number of photos like this one (shot on automated time delay to facilitate his own presence in the picture), taken in 1939 in the Payson family’s home on Forest Place in Culver. Seen is daughter Martha, right, wife Dorothy, left, and the child of a family friend (left).

Col. Edward Payson retired from Culver Military Academy in June of 1968 as Master Instructor and Chairman of the Music and Art Department and died in 1977. Martha and Don Ryman had three daughters: Emily Payson Ryman, Ann Elizabeth Ryman Maurer and Mary Martha Ryman Lysy. Emily and Ann work today at Culver Academies. During his lifetime, Payson had dozens of photographs printed in publications around the state and U.S. or exhibited in shows around Indiana (a number of these, provided by Martha Ryman, can be seen on the historical website of the Culver Public Library at culver.lib.in.us. Martha Ryman, the only child of Edward and his wife Dorothy Payson, recalled fondly her role as subject for many of the hundreds of photos he staged and shot, intending to capture the unique beauty of Lake Maxinkuckee and Culver Academy, and rhythm and joy of a childhood well-lived in a small Indiana town. A few of the most striking of these photos, of course, capture the time the elephants played in the waters of Maxinkuckee, and just about everyone – during an already warweary summer – got to be a kid, at least for a little while.

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was a plasterer and when I left nursing school, he made me work for him to pay him back for the tuition.”

Following in her father’s footsteps was not something Knox resident Annette Martin initially set out to do. Her plan was to become a nurse. Instead, her company, Creative Custom Finishes, has developed into a successful business that provides painting and plastering services to homes and businesses in northern Indiana. It came into being through knowledge gained while paying off debt.

While Martin was working with her father, he taught her about painting and plastering. She became a union plasterer by serving a plastering apprenticeship from 2000 to 2004. As the only woman in the field of her cohorts, she received third place in the apprenticeship competition at the 2004 Indiana State Fair.

“I was in nursing school and I realized I really didn’t like it,” Martin says. “My father

“Then in 2008 my dad retired,” Martin says. “I waitressed for a while. But then I decided to open up my own painting and plastering

company. Plastering really is a specialty trade. People don’t realize that stucco, a form of plastering, is on almost every commercial building. It’s very popular. And there’s actually hardly anyone doing.” Today, Creative Custom Finishes is busy working on both commercial and residential properties. The company specializes in interior and exterior painting, stucco, and Venetian plaster, but it also offers services such as power washing, staining, wallpaper removal and color consultation. Much of the work done is on new construction, but restoration on existing structures is also part of the business.

38 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


“Venetian plaster is a technique that isn’t used much anymore, but you see it all over buildings on places like Las Vegas,” Martin says. “It’s what you might see in restaurants, particularly Spanish or Mexican ones.” “At the top of my list of satisfying jobs is an old church that we did restoration work on,” Martin says. “The most interesting project we have done was new construction built to look like an old English cottage. It was right out of Harry Potter with medieval metal galvanized crosses and dentil molding. I had to throw the plaster mud on with a big stippling brush. I got so sore, I couldn’t even pick up a drinking glass!” Stucco is often the finish of choice for industrial and commercial buildings, but Martin states it is trending with new house construction as well as renovation.

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“It seems to be the thing for everyone to want to ‘cover it up’. We have been using it on multi-milliondollar homes of bio-med executives up in Warsaw,” Martin says. Martin finds it easy to build relationships with her clients. Whether the job is residential or commercial, her company is typically there for a few weeks. She and her workers appreciate getting to know the people they are working for. “I enjoy the work and I like growing the company. It was only myself and another employee when I started in 2009,” Martin says. “I’m always looking for workers during the busy season of warm weather. And I’m glad to train them.” For more information about Creative Custom Finishes, visit them at creativecustomfinishes.com or call 574-806-0334.

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www.creativecustomfinishes.com thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 39


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Mullets Fencing & Supplies LLC Family owned & operated since 1986

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Mullet’s offers the Highest Quality Products and Installation of both Residential and Agricultural fencing.

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Perch & Polloc specials

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40 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


NOW OPEN Owners Rod & Jessica Ringer will Feature Golf Cart Service, Sales & Rental plus Trojan Battery Sales.

Sandblasting • Powdercoating Trailers • Vehicle Frames Motorcycle Tanks & more

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Grow & Sell Vegetables, Hand Made Outdoor Wooden Furniture, Reclaimed Wood Cabinets, Spice Racks, Bird Feeders & Planters. The first sale of the spring is Saturday May 11th from 9-1 at the Justice Center! For Inquires & Orders Contact the Jail / Warden Phil Cherry

(574)772-3771 5435 East State Rd 8 • Knox

thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 41


Owner Richard Shepperd with his grandson Noah Banks.

KNOX WOOD SHOP OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF QUALITY ITEMS Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Cindy Heigl

“I started here on Election Day in 1972,” Shepperd says. “I voted and then brought (over) the last load (of wood.) I think it was Nov. 2, 1972. I’ve been here a long time.”

A good woodworker, such as Richard Shepperd, can build a wide range of different items, and make them all look great Shepperd noted that at Knox Wood Shop, in the process. they always stress creativity, functionality, and most importantly, quality. Everything When customers take a look at Shepperd’s is made with the utmost care and expertise. creations, they are extremely pleased with the results. Shepperd says he has been Shepperd loves the work he does and with Knox Wood for a long time and has has for a long time. His dedication to his been able to continually improve his work. craft began when he was a boy. As a high Over the years, he has grown his business school senior at Griffith High School through positive word of mouth, and a (in Griffith Indiana), he even taught dedication to excellence freshmen wood shop.

“I guess that’s how I was made,” Shepperd says. “I love to build things. I was a crane operator on construction jobs from 1964, after graduation, until buying this shop, and moving to Knox, Indiana.” Shepperd has garnered a strong following of customers over the years, and even made cabinets for former Chicago Bears head coach, Dave Wannstedt. “I turned down a job for (former Chicago Bulls player) Scotty Pippen,” Shepperd says. “He didn’t give me enough time. I also built two jobs for HGTV.”

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of Marshall County 2017 / 2018

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42 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

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

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Knox Wood Shop builds custom cabinets, custom furniture, kitchens, bathrooms, counters, tables, etc. His custom built-in bookshelves are impressive and sturdy. Shepperd also makes custom license plates, custom trash bins, apple cutting boards, and custom vanity lights.

knowing that his customers are pleased with “At 73, I’m still going strong, and I thank God for all he has given me,” Shepperd says. his work.

Other projects have included beautiful wedding picture frames, dog food bowls, and custom bathtub accent pieces. He has also worked on kitchens with hickory wood and made natural maple headboards.

Shepperd believes Knox is a wonderful community.

Shepperd says he is also expanding into new projects.

Knox Wood Shop is located at 1290 W. 150 S. It’s open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit knoxwoodshop.com or call 574-772-3358.

“I am currently doing cabinets for the grandchildren of my early customers,” Shepperd says. “They are the third generation of the family of customers.”

“Knox has been a great place to raise my children,” Shepperd says. “Everything here gets better with the growth of Starke County. There are new businesses that bring new families and new friends.”

“I recently purchased additional machinery, and I’m making custom wood bowls cut from Shepperd also has his family to keep him company when he is not working, downed trees,” Shepperd says. “I never cut a “I have grandchildren that live close – tree to get wood. I reclaim downed trees.” Darla, Tammy, Wendi, Amy, and Angie.” LOYAL CUSTOMERS He plans to keep doing his creative wood working for years to come. Shepperd takes a lot of satisfaction in WINNER IN “BEST OF MARSHALL COUNTY” 1ST PLACE BAR & GRILL

Signature Dishes Such as Hand Breaded Pollock, Sauteed Lake Perch, Baked Artichoke Salmon, Shrimp Stir Fry, Hand Cut Ribeye & Sirloin

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70 Plus Different Styles of Home Accesory Baskets!

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Come see us at the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Fair in Nappanee on August 1st, 2nd & 3rd

Ph: (574) 642-0599 • Fax: (574) 642-0557 11020 W 400 S • Millersburg, IN 46543 thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 43


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

One Stop shop for: • Local signage • Banners • Lawn signs • posters • stickers • vehicle lettering & decals

• window clings & film • magnets • T-Shirts • Signs • Wall Art • Interior • P.O.P Displays

Plus OUTSTANDING Tradeshow exhibit services!

(888) 735-4348 Info@otesinc.com | 5235 W. State Rd 10 North Judson OTES signs & graphics

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Maxinkuckee Replicas Beautifully handcrafted birdhouse and keepsake box replicas of homes, lake cottages and other favorite buildings

A truly unique gift idea for someone special! www. Maxinkuckee Replicas.com H: 574-842-4453 C: 574-239-0022 vduke@mchsi.com

North Shore Fabrication We Manufacture and Install Vinyl Piers

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New Patient Exam & X-Rays

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Some Limitations Apply

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Conveniently Located, Christos Plaza, Knox

Tim Yuhas, Owner

708.567.3916

NorthShoreFab@gmail.com

44 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


THE LAKEHOUSE GRILLE AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANT IS A MARSHALL COUNT Y FAVORITE The phrase “high-end casual” may come across as confusing to some, but it reflects the variation and uniqueness in the menu, The Lakehouse Grille in Culver has as well as in the people that come from near prioritized making people happy since its and far to dine at The Lakehouse Grille. opening in May of 2012. The award-winning Consistently, people can be seen within the restaurant is known in the area for their ribs, restaurant for all kinds of different reasons: crab cakes and Reubens. some come to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, retirements and the like. Others “So, I call us high-end casual,” says owner are there to grab a bite to eat after a day Mark Damore. “If you had to put a cuisine relaxing at the lake. Damore describes title to it, it’d probably be American cuisine, the restaurant as a gathering place for all but it’s a very diverse menu.” different kinds of people. Writer / Mary Lowry Photography Provided

“We get people from all over] and that means the world to me and my staff,” he says. “They walk over from the beach, in swim trunks or a tank top, or it can be upscale, with people celebrating their golden anniversaries, dressed to the nines.” Part of the appeal of The Lakehouse Grille is the sheer amount of awards they have won over the years. For multiple years in a row, the restaurant has been voted number one in a total of six categories. Marshall County recognizes The Lakehouse Grille

thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 45


as being number one in Fine Dining, Restaurant Service, Romantic Restaurants, Hamburgers, Seafood and Steak. The recognition means a lot to the staff. Damore mentions consistently how “eternally grateful” he is for all of their patrons who vote for them and support them, as they have since the opening of the establishment. Award-winning service is not a surprise. The staff at The Lakehouse Grille is friendly, courteous and involved with their customers.

Custom crafted outdoor furniture and accessories High Quality Materials Satisfaction Guaranteed Affordable Prices

(574) 342-3049 Bourbon, IN 46 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

“Sometimes restaurants get that stigma that they’re a temporary job, but I love when people embrace that this is a very good career,” Damore says. “I have several servers who know our guests’ families. They come in, and our servers know their grandkids’ names. That’s impressive, seeing as how we serve [thousands of] people a year.” The staff is truly always looking to make a guest’s experience in the restaurant a good one. Providing a quality experience is partially why they renovated their banquet rooms in 2015. The two rooms can be combined to hold up to 70 people for events, and they are becoming popular for their quality food and views. Their banquet room, the larger of the two, typically holds about 45 people. It is usually set up with four round tables for guests to sit at. The other room, the conference room, holds about 20 people. The conference room usually has one large table running down the middle.


“I got this idea to do these two banquet rooms, and they’re more soundproof,” Damore says. “The conference room has nice wood-paneling. We can do Christmas parties, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, anniversaries, retirement parties. My kitchen is wonderful at doing large groups. The banquet room has south-facing windows overlooking our patio.”

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Not only does the staff work to make their patrons happy, but The Lakehouse Grille also works to provide positive experiences in the community, too. Whether it is donating time, money or space for events, Damore loves giving back. It’s part of owning a small business in a small town, he says. None of what Damore does, though, would be possible without his hardworking staff and his family. “My wife Dana, she helps me in so many ways run this restaurant, and I can’t thank her enough, he says. “I have a young son, Liam, and he’s really in so many ways the motivation for so many things for me.” The Lakehouse Grille is located at 620 E. Lake Shore Dr. in Culver. They are open Tuesday through Sunday, opening at 11 a.m. You can give them a call at 574-842-2234 or visit them online at thelakehouseculver.com for more information. thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 47


574-773-5454

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Customized and stock golf carts, new & used golf cart sales.

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Movie Theater, Chapel, Hair Salon, Activity Room, Four Screen in Pourches, Cafe, Restaurant, and so much more!

Contact us to be added to our infant/toddler wait-list. Currently enrolling for Preschool. Montessori approach to learning. Part time and full time options available.

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48 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


Owners Paul & Brenda Gilsinger

PJ GILSINGER & COMPANY COMMUNITY MUSEUM SHOWCASES ANTIQUE FARM EQUIPMENT Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Brenda Gilsinger, co-owner of PJ Gilsinger & Company Community Museum, says people will feel like they have stepped back in time when they enter the museum. “This museum has equipment from the oldest, continuous family dealer of John Deere tractors,” Gilsinger says. “This is a private family museum, dedicated to the family John Deere business, and their heritage in the Pulaski, Indiana, area. We

have made it look like the early days.” The Gilsinger Implement Company was started by John Shank and Joseph Gilsinger in October 1899, in Pulaski County, Indiana. The company grew over the years, and in 1930, the JP Gilsinger Company sold its first John Deere D tractor. The PJ Gilsinger & Company Community Museum, which is co-owned by Gilsinger’s husband, Paul, has old John Deere tractors and memorabilia.

“We have an old John Deere D tractor,” Gilsinger says. “We have had a lot of people comment on how much they like that. There is a lot of old John Deere equipment to see. We also have an old 1854 ledger that fell into my lap after cleaning out the attic.” The museum also has old John Deere papers and information about Winamac’s history. “There is historical information about our town that visitors have really been interested in,” Gilsinger says. “A lot of it goes way back and gives people an idea of how things have

thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 49


changed over the years.” A lot of groups have already visited the museum since it opened in April 2018. “We had a chili dinner open house when we opened our doors,” Gilsinger says. “We had 64 people show up over a few hours, and that was great.” The museum has hosted a Tractor Fest for two-cylinder tractors; benefit lunches; a Santa Claus at Christmas time open house; The Pulaski County Retired Teachers Association; and different church groups. “Every third Thursday night, we host Soulcore, a core-strengthening class, where people stretch while they meditate to a series of prayers of the rosary,” Gilsinger says. Gilsinger noted that much of the food at the lunches is from Bill and Babes Tavern, 5658 S.Main Street, Pulaski Cointy, Indiana.

P.J. Gilsinger & Co. A Place to Visit! P.J. Gilsinger family museum will explain the history of the oldest John Deere Dealer in the world at it’s original store location. Since 1899 The Gilsinger family has served farmers in our area. open to the public. free admission bullet: Farm equipment, local school memorabilia, WWII artifacts, early household and farming tools, and several unusual exhibits.

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

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303 N. Oak Dr. Plymouth IN. 46563

50 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


“It’s the oldest family run tavern in the state of Indiana,” Gilsinger says. Bill and Bales has pork chops, fish, cheeseburgers, and beer battered shrimp. “People love their food, and they (the restaurant staff) have been great to work with to get the museum going,” Gilsinger says. Gilsinger added that she has been pleased with the amount of support the museum has received since they opened their doors. “We have really been accepted,” Gilsinger says. “People in this community have been there for us, and they care.” The museum is free of charge. Another fun and unique feature to the museum is its dinosaur bones. “We have really tried to make this a place where groups can meet and take a look around at all of the great old things we have to offer,” Gilsinger says. “We have dinosaur bones that a farmer in the area discovered near here many years ago. We get a lot of people who love those and comment on them.”

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Gilsinger noted that she and Paul get a lot of help from their family, which includes her sister, Jacque Phillips; son, Matthew; and daughter, Anna. “They have really been a tremendous amount of help in getting the museum going, and helping us all the way,” she says. “We encourage as many people as possible to visit us!” PJ Gilsinger & Company Community Museum is located at 5641 S. Main Street in Winamac, Indiana. It’s open Thursday and Sunday from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. On Fridays, it’s open from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. For more information, visit them on Facebook at PJ Gilsinger & Co. or email bgilsinger@ greenmarkequipment.com.

1-800-722-4948 17 Railroad St. | Hamlet

SPECIAL OFFER CODE: THE LAKES thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 51


514 W. Mill St. Culver, IN 46511 574-842-5000

574-842-5000

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Supercharged 1,498cc Engine Deep-V Hull Design Premium Comfort & Convenience

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514-W. Mill St. Culver, IN www.culversportsidemarina.com 52 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

574-842-5000

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Midwest Farm & Pet, LLC

MORE THAN JUST A FABRIC STORE Shoes • Boots • Kitchenware • Sewing Notions Toys & Games Rhythm Clocks • Books • Baby Items Gifts • Ertl Toys • and a whole lot more!

Exceptional Service! We are the resource with knowledge on all of your pet needs.

(574) 646-2509

535 5B Rd.• Bremen, IN 46506

Proudly owned & operated by Andrew & Jolene Schwartz

25350 County Road 52 | Nappanee

Est. June 1927

Decorative Concrete Specialists

Colored, Stamped & Exposed Aggregate Foundations, Floors, Patios, Sidewalks & More *Free Estimates • Licensed & Bonded

Concrete delivered fresh and on time. We work with commercial, industrial and residential contractors plus DIYers throughout the service area. Check out our website for landscape supplies and the best outdoor living options.

www.kuert.com

kingsmenconcrete@gmail.com (574)216-0354 • Culver, Indiana thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 53

Rochester (574)224-2414 Warsaw (574)453-2340 Goshen (574)293-0430 South Bend (574)232-9911

Coming this Summer to Plymouth.


MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS CELEBRATES 34 YEARS OF BUSINESS in different ways my whole life. In the beginning, I escorted tours. I was trained to escort tours before I could even drive,” When American Dream Tours opened Melinda laughs. “Then, I went to nursing 34 years ago, mother-daughter duo Connie school, and I had a family. Then I came Ullery and Melinda Hawkins didn’t intend back and would occasionally escort tours, for it to become a multigenerational family and then in 2011 when [my mom] business. Melinda, the current owner, took passed, that’s when I took over the over in 2011 after her mother suddenly business full-time.” passed away. She has many fond memories of growing up in the business and taking A seamless transition after Connie’s passing trips with her mom, so it seemed only was important to customers. They were natural for her to take over the company. pleasantly surprised when Melinda took Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

“I’ve been in the business off and on

over after worrying that things would be vastly different.

“People have commented that when she passed away, things would be different, but it made a smooth transition. There’s other companies that we often end up with their travelers, because [customers say] their trips aren’t as high quality as they used to be,” she says. “We were able to keep things running all the same.” Today, Melinda’s daughter, Sarah, is becoming more and more involved in the company. Encouraged by the great memories she has going on trips with her mother and grandmother, Sarah started helping out around the office.

54 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


Owner Melinda Hawkins with her sister, Sarah.

“She is great at technology,” Melinda says. “She has been here in the office for over a year, and even when she’s not here, she’s working on stuff, like our website development.” Having a good website is vital, as that is where old and new customers alike learn about the multitude of group trips being offered by American Dream Tours. The trips range hugely in length, location, and interest. This year, they are escorting 43 trips. “We do tours ranging from one day tours, like dinner theatre in Chicago, to two to three-day tours, and we do everything up to two weeks. We even do international tours, like Iceland, Ireland, Australia,” Melinda says. “This year, we’re doing a Danube River tour… We try to do tours that make everybody happy, and we try to do a variety of interests.” If the sheer mass of options isn’t enough to convince you to travel with them, Melinda notes how important good customer service is to them. “We really, really work hard at treating others like we want to be treated,” she says. “We often hear that we’re the friendliest company that people have ever traveled with.” If you would like to take a trip with American Dream Tours, you can call them at 574-936-5677. You can visit them online at americandreatours. biz. Their office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Locally owned & operated Since 1905. • Women’s health, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Surgical Services, wound care, and more

• Emergency room services 24 hours 7 days a week. • All private rooms in this beautiful facility • Hospital is ran with Zero Tax Payer money involved.

(574)223-3141 • www.woodlawnhospital.com • 1400 East Ninth St | Rochester IN 46975 thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 55


OCT

THE TALE OF TWO CITIES: MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL & MALL OF AMERICA

OCT

CANDIES, CANDLES & WICKS PIES

27-30

31

SEPT

THE MIGHTY FIVE NATIONAL PARKS AND MORE

NOV

WASHINGTON D.C. & LANCASTER WITH LIBERTY BIBLE CHURCH

MURDER IS NO MYSTERY AT CORNWELL’S DINNER THEATRE

SEPT

NOV

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH ELVIS IN CINCINNATI

NOV

2 DAY MYSTERY TOUR

NOV

VISIT SHIPSHEWANA & THE TEXAS TENORS

DEC

DOWNTOWN CHICAGO AT CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHRISTKINDLMARKET

DEC

CHRISTMAS STARS AT OPRYLAND VINCE GILL & AMY GRANT CONCERT

DEC

DANIEL O’DONNELL CHRISTMAS SHOW IN SHIPSHEWANA

15-23

18-24

SEPT

25-28

OCT 5

OCT

7-10

13-14

PACIFIC GARDEN MISSION & SHRINE OF CHRIST’S PASSION

15

WISCONSIN CRANBERRY HARVEST THE EXCITEMENT OF NEW YORK CITY

OCT

THE BILTMORE & BILLY GRAHAM

21-25

7-8

AGAWA CANYON FALL COLOR TRAIN & MACKINAC ISLAND

OCT

14-20

2

9

10-12

14

Located on beautiful Lake Maxincuckee, Culver Cove Lakeside Condominiums are the prime location for your stay in Culver. Our rental condos include a kitchenette, living room, private bedroom(s), private bath(s) and a personal deck with a view of the lake. You’ll also enjoy our two private beaches, indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center and tennis & basketball courts.

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319 E Jefferson St | Culver

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HEARTLAND ENTERPRISES LLC MILLER TECH

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Ernest Hochstetler, Phone: 574-773-2434 Fax: 574-773-2438 • 29379 CR 52, Nappanee, IN 46550 56 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


miller boat restoration

Amish made pallet Furniture. Pallets Sanded down for a Smooth Rustic Finish with 2 coats of clear coat. Several finishing Colors available. • • • • • • • • •

Bedroom Suites Coffee Tables Storage Benches Desks Bars Entertainment Centers Kitchen Island Changing Tables & more

led lighting, new wiring, new Consoles, 100% Marine Grade Vinyl Flooring

Your satisfaction is our goal jr. miller • 574.642.9928 x 3 62220 CR 35 • goshen, IN 46528

Hochstetler Storage Barns • Lowest Cost • Amish Built • 3/4 Tongue and Groove Plywood Flooring • All Custom Build to Order • All sizes Available • Several Windows and Door options • 2x4 walls • Standard Metal Roof • Treated Lumber Runners and Floor Joists

Smith Beef & Pork Fresh Angus beef butchered and delivered to your door!

Call Bill at (574) 952-2927 Professional Affordable Re-screening of All Types

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Plus Broken Glass Window Repairs Call/text 574-540-6154 | ryanwyatt528@yahoo.com

thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 57


2. POSITIVE ATTITUDE You know that your child will reap the benefits of going to school. Try to keep any anxiety or stress you may have from showing to your child. 3. VISIT THE SCHOOL This is a great practice for young kids starting preschool or Kindergarten. It is equally great for children entering a new Writer / Shelly Bergman school. Map out their classes and let them 1. MAKE A COUNTDOWN try out their locker. Park where they will With the first day of school lingering in Using a calendar, paper chain or whiteboard, park and walk in, making their first day of the not-so-distant future, you're probably school more familiar. start a countdown a couple weeks before feeling both excited and overwhelmed. school. With this countdown ease into From creating healthy sleep habits and their school routine with bedtime, setting establishing a good morning routine to 4. MORNING ROUTINE out their clothes for the next day and when handling back-to-school anxiety and Routine is the key word here. It may take a learning how to make communication more they'll be waking up. It'll be hard to stick few weeks or even months to figure out the manageable, we’ve got 10 back to school tips to those routines while wanting to get in perfect routine for your family, but once and tricks for parents to help make this your as much fun as you can, but it will help the transition immensely for you and your kids you've got it, stick with it. Write it out or best year yet! if you start early. discuss it with your kids to let them know

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scoutandcellar.com/ReneeVCassidy | 724-244-2794 58 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


how you'd like to see the morning go. Have them help you figure out what works best for them. 5. EVENING ROUTINE

Although morning routines help with the ease into a new day, setting up an evening routine can make that morning routine breeze by. Again, see what works best for your family. Maybe make a chart or an evening routine clock that shows what things they need to accomplish before lights out. Do as much as you can the night before so the next morning is simple (set out clothes, make lunches, look at the week ahead etc.) 6. GO SCHOOL SHOPPING

Head to the store for their favorite foods in their packed lunch. Purchase the necessary school supplies or even a new First Day outfit. Get haircuts. Having a day with them to prepare for the new year ahead will let your kids know you want to make this as easy and as fun as possible for them. 7. MAKE A DROP ZONE

Talk to your child about homework rules and where they should put papers that need to be looked at or signed. Have enough space for each child’s backpack, shoes, water bottles or anything else they will be carrying home from school so there is no frustration in the morning to find these items. Make sure they know it’s their space and their responsibility to keep their items there.

MARSHALL COUNTY

Festivals! Festivals! MARSHALL COUNTY Culver Winter Fest

Culver Winter FestYellow River Festival Argos Summer Kickoff Festival Yellow River Festival Bremen Firemen’s Festival 4-H Fair Argos Summer Kickoff Festival Culver Lake Fest Bourbon Summer Fest Bremen Firemen’s Festival Blueberry Festival Rentown Old Fashion Days 4-H Fair Latino Festival Oktoberfest Culver Lake Fest Culver Fall Fest Bourbon Summer FestHoly Walk Christmas Fest at Hensler’s Nursery Blueberry Festival 2019 Dates Available at Rentown Old FashionVisitMarshallCounty.org Days Latino Festival Oktoberfest Culver Winter FestCulver Fall Fest Blueberry Festival Yellow River Festival Rentown Old Fashion Days VisitMarshallCounty.org • 800-626-5353 Holy Walk Argos Summer Kickoff Festival Latino Festival Christmas Fest at Hensler’s Oktoberfest Nursery Bremen Firemen’s Festival

4-H Fair Culver Fall Fest Culver Lake Fest Dates Available Holy 2019 at Walk Bourbon Summer Fest Christmas Fest at Hensler’s Nursery VisitMarshallCounty.org

2019 Dates Available at VisitMarshallCounty.org

8. MAKE A CALENDAR

Add all of the holidays and school info

VisitMarshallCounty.org • 800-626-5353 thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 59


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and hang it where your child can see it. If they join a club or sport, have them write in their games or practice dates and times to let them have a little responsibility over knowing when their time is scheduled. If you have a younger child, use stickers to let them know which days they have games or practices. Starting this habit of letting them schedule their time will help them decide what is too much on their plate. 9. BE PRESENT As tempting as it is to tell our kids they have nothing to worry about as a way to distract them, sometimes the best thing we can do as parents is to simply listen. If your child is finding school stressful, allow him or her to put their feelings into words so you can figure out exactly what is bothering them and (hopefully) find a solution to their worries. Spend 5 to 10 minutes connecting with each child in the morning or evening routine, with your phone put away. Talk about who they’re excited to see or what they’re going to do at recess. If they are nervous for the week ahead, brainstorm a family activity for the weekend. 10. OUTSOURCE YOUR TIME

574-546-3771

Marlin & Rose Miller - Owners

5958 4th Road Bremen, IN 46506 60 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

Know that it’s okay to ask for help. Figure out what is taking up a lot of your time, therefore, keeping you from your family. Is there a way to pay to have it done by someone else? Hire a cleaning service, utilize grocery pick up or delivery, make crock-pot meals, carpool with other parents for practices. There are many ways to simplify if you are able to step back and see what needs to be adjusted.


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Koontz Lake Market & Catering Full Service Meat Department • Custom Cuts Available

Ph: 574-586-7222 Randy & Keith Kafantaris, Owners

Hot food served daily, Chester Fried chicken, fish, chicken tenders,tenderloins, Soups, Homemade Beef and noodles and more.

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Carousel Board Members: Ernie Gasho, Linda Baldwin and Barry Baldwin. Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

The Carousel Festival in Logansport has high expectations for their annual festival heading into its fourth year. Taking place this year on August 24, the festival is based around the original Dentzel Carousel in Riverside Park. The Carousel Board wanted to draw attention to this rare piece of history in Cass County.

4TH ANNUAL CAROUSEL FESTIVAL RETURNS AUGUST 24

“It’s a natural historical landmark,” says board member Linda Baldwin. “It was kind of hidden behind closed doors, and it’s in a park that’s not on a main road. There were only three in the United States, that’s an original Dentzel intact.” Dentzel Carousels are distinctive due to the intricacies involved in their creation. Since 1867, the Dentzel handcrafted wooden carousels. Complete with real horse hair and oil paintings, the works of art were manufactured until the beginning of the

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Great Depression. In a typical year, only two to three carousels were made and sent out to amusement parks across the United States. Since the festival started in 2016, Baldwin and the other six members of the Carousel Board have worked hard to ensure that guests always have something to do at the festival. This year, guests of all ages are sure to find something to enjoy. “Our history has been that we offer unique things to do,” Baldwin says. “And we have different food vendors than you’re used to.” Visitors are invited to start the day as early as 8 am with a breakfast hosted prior to the start of the festival. Guests there can enjoy biscuits and gravy and plenty more. After chowing down between 8 and 10 am for breakfast, people are invited to begin exploring all that the festival has to offer. Of course, the carousel will be running, offering rides for visitors. Alongside the carousel, children can enjoy a miniature train ride. Besides carousel and train rides, guests are invited to check out a draft horse with wagon rides. Children also have the opportunity to try out mini motorcycles. Helmets are provided. If that isn’t enough excitement for your kids, they can also meet Disney princesses Elsa and Anna, from the hit movie “Frozen.” For those interested in events that will get your heart rate up, visitors can participate in a laser tag challenge and a couch potato race. thelakesmagazine.com / AUGUST 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 63


“A couch potato race [is] where people dress up and do a little race with that,” Baldwin says laughing. Couch potato race participants are invited to decorate a couch, new or old, put it on wheels and race it for one kilometer around the park. One person must remain seated on the couch the whole time, with other team members pushing them. As always, visitors can also join in playing miniature golf.

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Throughout the day, many organizations will be there for entertainment, too. “We have a Johnny and Sally show that perform,” Baldwin says. “We have another two guys named James and Andres that will be singing.” One of the biggest attractions, though, will be coming from the Peru Circus. “The Peru Circus brings all these kids that are local, and they do all kinds of performances,” Baldwin adds. “They perform on a higher up platform, where they do all kinds of different acts. They perform two times that day, with two different performances, with each one lasting about 45 minutes apiece.”

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The local police and fire departments will be there, bringing police cars, fire trucks and ambulances for people to check out. In addition, the fire department will be bringing their smokehouse, which helps teach people about fire safety. The National Guard will also be present.


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Of course, there will also be the traditional fair attractions: face painting, elephant ears, craft vendors, carnival games and a magician. On top of all of that, there will be a car show, where visitors can see the Batmobile. For more information about the festival, you are invited to check out the Carousel’s Facebook page: Cass County Dentzel Carousel. Their office is open Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 3 pm. If you are looking to visit the Carousel outside of the festival, please give a call to 574-753-8725 beforehand. The Carousel Festival is Saturday, August 24 from 9 am to 8 pm.

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Resident Manager Becky Anspach

MARIA CENTER CELEBRATES TH 30 ANNIVERSARY

66 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Earlier this year, the Maria Center in Donaldson celebrated its 30th anniversary. On June 23, they hosted an anniversary celebration. They hosted a time capsule ceremony and provided tours of their facility. Maria Center Residents Lexi Feece & Lola Schroeder

The Maria Center was first opened in January of 1989 by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, a religious sisterhood. They were looking for an effective use of their Mother House. The decision to turn the space into a senior living facility came to be after the sisters took a survey. It proved to be a good decision, as 16% of people in the United States are over the age of 65. Today, the Maria Center is a busy place. Residents are constantly involved in different activities, particularly, they try to provide plenty of volunteer programs. Some of these volunteer activities directly impact resident enjoyment and the Poor Handmaids’ ministries, like this year’s Valentine’s Day fundraiser. They offered Singing Telegrams, with the proceeds going to the Poor Handmaids. Around Easter, the Center hosts an annual egg hunt, for which residents of the Maria Center can volunteer to help stuff eggs. Residents focus a lot on organizations outside of the area, too. “We help to sort and organize items for the local Operation Quiet Comfort that supports troops overseas,” says Resident Manager Becky Anspach. “We also most recently hosted a Strawberry Shortcake fundraiser, where the funds were directed to Sojourner Truth House in Gary.” Coming up on October 23, the Maria Center will be hosting a Senior Summit, which welcomes all seniors and their caregivers. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from senior living experts, as well as

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opportunities to learn about laws and benefits. There will even be a fashion show during the event. Perspective attendees are invited to watch for more details coming soon. Those looking to live within the Maria Center are certain to feel at home in a comfortable, safe, religious community. “[Our rent includes] three meals a day (seven days a week), 24-hour emergency health services (EMT on staff), quality activities, bi-weekly cleaning, cable TV, exercise, culture, [intergenerational] activities, wireless Internet, reserved parking or local transportation, education through Ancilla College, and utilities, with the exception of phone, all within a religious community,” Becky explains.

“THERE IS SO MUCH TO LEARN ABOUT US.” - BECKY ANSPACH -

In order to live at the Maria Center, individuals must complete an application. Applicants must be at least 62 years of age. They must have a physician’s statement of independent status, and they must meet additional medical and financial criteria. Hopeful residents who need some help with daily activities need not worry about being denied — the Maria Center offers support services to be as inclusive as possible. “There is so much to learn about us,” Becky says. “We invite you to visit us soon.” You can visit the Maria Center at 9601 Union Road in Donaldson (about 7 miles south of Plymouth). You can also visit them online at catherinekasperlifecenter. org. For more information, give them a call at 574-935-1784. 68 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com


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ANNUAL PROPERTY OWNERS MEETING AND ELECTIONS

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