The Lakes Magazine June 2021

FREE MONTHLY PRINT MAGAZINE WITH CORRESPONDING MOBILE APP AND SOCIAL MEDIA FEATURING THE PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, AND EVENTS IN AND AROUND MARSHALL , FULTON, STARKE & PULASKI COUNTY

MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

DIRTY BIRD DOCK AND BOAT CLEANING Culver Business Keeps Things Squeaky Clean GOOD TIKI TIMES Lake Max Beach Bar is the Boardwalk’s Hidden Gem

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Hand Cut Steaks, Lobster, BBQ Ribs, Pork Chops, Crab Legs, Craft Made Burgers, Shrimp, Homemade Soups, Salads, Appetizers & Atmosphere.

Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are recommended.

Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) 4pm to 9pm Sun- Thurs ∙ 4pm to 10pm Fri & Sat

• Large Dining room & Bar room • Private Party /Banquet room • 2000 + sq ft outdoor Deck overlooking beautiful Bass Lake • Order online or call.

• Plenty of vehicle parking front & back • Harbour Pier Parking Available to use for those arriving by watercraft

Harbour House Hummer Limo Service. Contact us for pricing and availability @ info@harbourhouse.com

www.harbourhousebasslake.com Follow us on Facebook for announcements For reservations email info@harborhousebasslake.com (574)404-8900 3698 S. County Road 210 Bass Lake (Knox) 46534

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Dir ty B ird Dock an d B oat Cle an in g : Cu lver B u sin e ss Ke e p s Th in g s S q u e aky Cle an Cu lve r Pe d iatr ics De live r s Q u ality Care Wi th a New Ap p roach From H ou se to H ome : Lewis Con str u ction B r in g s a Stron g Fou n d ation to H ome B ui l di ng Raisin g th e Pre -B u ilt: B ar nyard 35 Fe atures G arag e s, B ar n s & Lu n ch Dre ssin g for S u cce ss: Tre at ’s Ce le b rate s 5 5 Ye ar s in Ply mou th B rewe d to a Te a: Five Tip s for Makin g an E xce p tion al Cu p of Te a B u ilt on Re liab ility : Alp h a B u ild in g Ce n ter Ce le b rate s 36 Ye ar s in B u sin e ss Fab r icatin g S olu tion s to Prob le ms: H illtop Mach in e S h op Make s Cu stom Me tal B u ilds & Par ts Th e Lake s Mag azin e B u rg e r B attle Fin d in g S h e lte r : Cr u sh e d B u t Not B roken O ffe r s H e lp for Dome stic Viole n ce S u r vivors Mich ian a B u ild e r s: LaG ran g e Con str u cti on Comp any Ad h e re s to Stron g Core Valu es

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DIRTY BIRD DOCK AND BOAT CLEANING CULVER BUSINESS KEEPS THINGS SQUEAKY CLEAN Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Besides dock cleaning, Dirty Bird also offers boat cleaning.

arrive by water and need no hookups or water supply.”

Jason Cackley, co-owner of Dirty Bird Dock and Boat Cleaning, thoroughly enjoys working at his Culver-based mobile dock and boat cleaning service, and is glad he took over the business.

“I will clean a client’s watercraft right on their boat lift,” Cackley says. “We can have everything cleaned and ready for our clients to arrive at the lake. Typically we clean at the beginning of the boating season, and at the end of the season prior to storage.

Clients also like to have their boats cleaned periodically throughout the summer, especially later in July and August when the seagulls arrive.”

The company also cleans boat lifts and covers.

“Dirty Bird Dock Cleaning was originally established in 2015 or 2016,” Cackley says. “I was approached about purchasing the business in 2018. My wife Angie and I decided to purchase Dirty Bird.

The business consists of a pontoon boat outfitted with an Aqua Blast commercialgrade heated pressure washer.”

Cackley’s equipment thoroughly cleans surfaces.

“I have 250’ of hose, a standard spray nozzle, an adjustable pressure spray nozzle, and a walk-behind sprayer with a rotating wand to clean the flat surfaces,” Cackley says. “Originally, I had a dock slip and boat lift to serve Lake Maxinkuckee. In 2020 I purchased a tandem axle trailer in order to service customers in the surrounding areas.”

“Typically the lift installers will clean the covers during the winter,” Cackley says. “We can clean just about anything within our reach.”

Boat interiors are also taken care of.

“When it comes to cleaning boat interiors, I do everything by hand,” Cackley says. “I will start with water to clean off the heavy dirt and mildew. I will then use some cleaners “The seating was removed from the pontoon to clean upholstery, dash, controls and windshield. I will then use Armor All to in order to install my Aqua Blast pressure provide a shiny finish to the interior. I have washer,” he adds. “The water is pumped a small portable vacuum to clean carpeting. from the lake and returns to the lake.”

For the exterior, I use a speed-shine polish to bring back the shine.”

With docks over 100’ long, Cackley says most homeowners cannot reach all of their Dirty Bird cleans docks and boats, as well as dock with a residential pressure washer steps, sea walls, patios, furniture and lifts. connected to their home water supply.

Cackley adds that no chemicals are used to clean docks.

“Dirty Bird solves this problem with a mobile cleaning system,” Cackley says. “We 6 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

“Dirty Bird can pressure wash or clean just about anything we can reach from the

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pontoon,” Cackley says. “To clean the docks, patios, furniture and sea walls, only water is used. No chemicals are added to the water. For the boat cleaning, I use water, Purple Power industrial strength cleaner, Armor All protectant, Griot’s Speed Shine detailer, and Sprayway glass cleaner.”

Live Life To The Fullest

Cackley says running the Dirty Bird pontoon is a two-man operation.

Senior Care has reopened in a safe and welcoming setting, following all COVID-19 protocols.

Pulaski Memorial Hospital’s Senior Care program is designed to help senior citizens cope with depression, grief, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, and changes in appetite and sleep.

If you would like to discover how to handle life’s challenges, keep your body strong, and enjoy living once again - We can help!

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“My father-in-law has been a tremendous help,” he says. “In retirement, he has been willing to help me at a moment’s notice. When scheduling a cleaning, we attempt to complete the job as quickly as possible. I have a full-time professional career, so we tend to clean docks in the evenings. I try to schedule cleanings during the week so that we are done while the clients are away and don’t disturb them while they are at the lake.”

Cackley and his wife also own Culver Golf Car Rental.

“We offer four- and six-seater gas Yamaha golf carts in the Culver area,” Cackley says. “Typically, our clients are Culver Academy parents in town for a short stay. We also serve the Academy directly, summer camp families, and vacationers.

Golf carts are a great way to see the town and are very popular.”

The carts are outfitted with rear flip seats, lights with turn signals, brake lights and flashers.

Senior Care 525 E. 13th St. , Winamac, IN 46996 • (574) 946-0386 • www.pmhnet.com 8 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

“We also provide the golf cart permits required to drive on the roads in and around Culver,” Cackley says. “I will deliver carts to other areas throughout

the summer. I deliver carts to Bass Lake for their festival, as well as other festivals. We also provide the golf cart rentals for Pla-Mor Campground in Bremen, Indiana. Besides rentals, I also sell golf carts. Typically, I custom build carts to the exact needs of the client. Customization includes the lift kit, wheels/tires, lighting, rear seat, upholstery and custom paint.”

To find out more about Dirty Bird Dock and Boat Cleaning, call 574-876-9761 or email dirtybirddockcleaning@gmail.com.

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TURNING 65 IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS? Flooded with literature and you don’t know where to start?

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Culver Pediatrics Delivers Quality Care With a New Approach Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Navigating the maze of insurance requirements and finding a medical provider to deliver the type of care a parent wants for their child is often difficult and frustrating. Culver Pediatrics is delivering care with a new approach.

“While we refer to ourselves as ‘concierge,’ we are technically a direct primary care practice,” says Dr. Noemi Adame. “Even though we are by definition, Direct Primary Care, we choose to call ourselves concierge because the term is more well-known.

Both concierge and direct primary care models charge a monthly membership fee.”

This fee enables the provider to deliver a higher level of service for its patient members. Many clinics that are based on the concierge model do bill insurance, but Adame’s practice does not.

“We ultimately chose this model because it allows us to deliver the personalized, exceptional service and care that meets our high standards,” Adame says.

“We want to work for the families that trust us with the medical care of their children, not insurance companies.”

Chris Gamel and Dr. Noemi Adame

When people select a doctor based on that doctor’s affiliation with the patient’s current insurance, there is a likelihood that a long-term doctor-patient relationship may not develop. Adame knows that health insurance is still a necessity to handle serious health concerns, such as cancer or traumatic injuries. For routine care, like the type Adame

dispenses, a family should have their choice of doctor, she believes.

The membership advantages are many in a practice like the one at Culver Pediatrics. For example, Adame offers such services as house calls for newborn exams, sick children or to make it more convenient for the family, direct access to her 24-hours a day, seven days a week, same-day or next-day appointments, reduced prescription costs and continuing patient education, among other medical services. The clinic’s website says it provides “modern medical care and old-fashioned service.”

Located in a rural area of Marshall County in a 120-year-old farmhouse, Adame understands how health care can be considered an expense that many families cannot afford. She grew up in south Texas, the daughter of Mexican immigrants.

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“CHRIS AND I ARE SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THE LAKE MAX AREA AND BEYOND. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN OPEN FOR LESS THAN A YEAR, THE SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING AND HUMBLING.” - DR. NOEMI ADAME

“Health care was a luxury when I was growing up, that was not always accessible to my family,” she recalls.

To her, pursuing a career in medicine seemed to be a natural fit. She found her calling after her obstetrics rotation in medical school. That calling was pediatrics.

She has acquired 18 years of experience as a pediatrician in both an inpatient and outpatient setting. She cared for patients in pediatric Intensive care, in the emergency room and the newborn nursery. Prior to opening her practice in Culver, Adame says she researched the concierge model before deciding this was exactly what the community needs.

“I am so happy now that for the first time I have the freedom to deliver the quality of care I think families with newborns deserve,” Adame says. “The first few months of parenting are often the most challenging. This is when families need the most from their pediatrician.”

Other areas of special interest and expertise include breastfeeding medicine, preventative health including vaccines, nutrition and fitness with a focus on a plant-based lifestyle, health and wellness of LGBTQ+ children and families, sports injuries and concussion management, and mental and behavioral health such as depression, anxiety and ADHD in children and teens.

The clinic also offers rapid COVID antigen testing with results in 15

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

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minutes, and flu shots. This is a service available to non-members, too.

Adame and her husband, Chris Gamel, moved to Culver when Gamel accepted a teaching position at Culver Academies.

He is a science instructor at the school and serves as Culver Pediatrics Business Manager.

“Chris and I are so proud to be able to serve the Lake Max area and beyond,” Adame says. “Even though we have been open for less than a year, the support we have received from the community has been overwhelming and humbling.”

Culver Pediatrics is located at 16427 W. 18th Road, Culver. For more information and for their hours, visit culverpediatrics. com, email info@culverpediatrics.com or call 219-250-8120.

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PERSONAL SERVICE

FROM HOUSE TO HOME LEWIS CONSTRUCTION BRINGS A STRONG FOUNDATION TO HOME BUILDING Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

To make a house into a home, it begins with the house. With 27 years of experience in residential construction, a house built

by Lewis Construction is the foundation needed for that transition.

Bryan Lewis, the owner of Lewis

Owner Bryan Lewis

construction, grew up in Rochester. He left in the winter of 1987 to work for a highend custom home builder in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1998, he and his wife, Julie, moved back to Rochester.

“My wife and I found out we were expecting our first child and wanted to be closer to home,” Lewis says. “We moved back to Rochester and I worked for my father in-

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law in his Custom Home business until 1994. In the fall of 1994, I started Lewis Construction.”

The residential construction business has been good to his company. He has built several subdivisions in the area, including one in the works called Old Orchard Estates, and has earned public accolades for the work. In 2004, the company received the

People’s Choice Award for a house on exhibit in the Kosciusko- Fulton County Homes on Parade.

Most of his construction and development have been residential, building what he calls quality custom homes that represent the client. He has also worked on light commercial building projects and a few remodeling projects.

Lewis Construction houses can be found in Fulton County, as well as in surrounding areas. Whether the house to be built is in a subdivision, or on a private lot, Lewis says he can build a house that meets the clients needs and truly can become the home they love.

While there is no difference in the quality of the home, there are some differences between a subdivision project and one on a private lot.

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“Usually in a subdivision you have city utilities such as city water and sewer,” Lewis explains. “Building outside of a subdivision you typically build on larger lots or acreage that need a well and septic system.”

Building a house is a complicated process.

It requires experience and skill and moves through multiple phases. Steps include preparation of the site and pouring the foundation; rough framing including plumbing and electrical, insulation, drywall and interior fixtures, finish trim, installing flooring and countertops, installing fixtures, completing finish trims and completing exterior grading, landscaping and hard surface installation, such as driveways and sidewalks.

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All these steps require knowledge and THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 17

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an experienced eye, someone who can spot potential problems and fix a problem before it gets out of hand. But there are also other important skills that make a Lewis Construction house special.

“As a custom home builder, I believe you have to be patient, willing to listen to the needs of your homeowner and give your customers the best product for a fair price,” Lewis says.

There are many options for someone who is looking to own a home of their own. The real estate market has used houses that can be purchased. These houses often come with someone else’s design ideas, Lewis says.

“It is difficult to find an existing home that will fit your need and be move in ready without renovation it to some point,” he explains.

That is where his company can make the difference by building the house that the buyer wants, one that reflects their family’s needs and tastes.

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“Having a custom home built for you is the best way to get what you want in a home,” he says. “I believe the more time I spend with my clients prior to starting construction the happier the clients will be during the building process. There will always be a time during the process that the client will want to change something, but the more decisions they decide prior to building the more enjoyable the building process will be for them.”

Lewis defines quality as more than simply choosing superior products.

“I believe a quality-built custom home means the quality of time you spend with your clients looking after their needs and the time and care you put into building their dream home,” he says.

Lewis Construction can be reached at 574835-1892 or via email at bryan@rtcol.com.

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J

ust a few years ago, the corner of US 35 and East 300 South was an empty lot. But its owners, Ron and Heather Bailey knew it would be a prime spot for a business venture. “Barnyard 35 was started by prayer … to get involved with something on this corner,” Ron says. “It wasn’t something we were looking for, but it came to us.”

At that time, the Baileys only owned Bailey Dogs, a concessions trailer that serves a variety of comfort foods, including coffee, ice cream, French fries, and a several types of hot dogs, including authentic Chicago style dogs, chili dogs, and polish sausages.

“It’s a nice mix of food,” Heather says. “It’s usually open May through September.”

in Elkhart, a company that specializes in prebuilt structures.

“I was praying all the way there,” Ron says.

Once there, he was impressed with what he saw and decided to ask the salesman a question that changed their lives. “I was looking at the barns, then I asked, ‘Well, how do you get into the barn business?’ The rest is history.”

Since then, the Baileys have expanded their inventory. Now, not only do they offer portable barns and sheds, but they also sell shipping containers and square gazebos, known as cabanas.

Additionally, they have metal buildings, like two-car garages and commercial warehouses, which are built by Reliable Metal. These buildings are made to the

However, in 2019, they decided they wanted to expand into a year-round business that they could do alongside Bailey Dogs. Around that time, the Baileys decided to purchase a free-standing building for the concession trailer from Prairie Built Barns

Commercial Buildings / Pole Barns Storage Barns / Sheds Garages / Carports Used Shipping / Storage Containers STOP BY FOR SOME FANTASTIC FOOD

3020 S. US 35, Knox, IN 46534 574-772-2104 | www.barnyards35.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 21

customer’s specifications. “If you can dream it, they can build it,” Ron says There are 30 different types of barns and 40 styles of sheds available on the lot. “We have a good selection and different sizes. We can also order you one, too, with your specific color and all that,” Ron says. “They do have a six-year warranty and they stand behind it.”

Barnyard 35 also offers free delivery to a 50-mile radius of Knox. “If you order one, it’s four to five weeks. They bring it to you, deliver it, do everything.

If you buy off our lot, it’s about 10-15 days before it’s delivered,” Ron says. “You can also call over the phone and do it, too.”

The sheds come in many shapes and sizes, from a typical garden shed to 3-season cabins. There are also several different styles of barns. All these structures are sturdily built by Mennonite craftsmen.

They do not require credit checks or a down payment.

There isn’t even a penalty for paying off the structure early. “If you want a barn and you have a pulse, you can get one,” Ron says. “They can come in here and

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get a portable barn for their storage and they’re reasonably priced. They don’t hit you with extra fees. Any color paint is free, metal roofing or shingles are free. There’s no extra charges unless you put in another window or something.”

Although Barnyard 35 has developed a reputation for being the place to go for affordable sheds and barns, they also still serve amazing dogs and fries at the concession trailer, which is on the lot. “We say we have the best French fries in town.

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My favorite part of the job is eating Chicago Dogs,” Ron says.

Eventually, the Baileys hope to open Bailey Dogs as a year-round restaurant on-site as well. Until then, the concessions stand is open for business. There are benefits to having the sister businesses on the same lot. “Buy a barn from us, and you get a free lunch at the wagon, for you and your significant other,” Ron says.

At the end of the day, the Baileys’

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 23

businesses exist to provide a customer satisfaction in a friendly environment.

“Some people just come to hang out. Some want to buy a barn.

Others come and have lunch with us. It’s just nice to be able to visit and being a part of people coming and going,” says Heather.

Barnyard 35 is located at 3020 S. US Highway 35, Knox. For more information, call them at 574-772-2104 or visit barnyard35.com.

Celebrating 95 Years!

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

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BRIDAL | BRIDESMAIDS | MOTHERS | FORMAL WEAR TREATSSQUIRESHOP.COM | 308 NORTH MICHIGAN STREET, PLYMOUTH | 574-936-3669 24 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

Treat’s Celebrates 55 Years in Plymouth Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Owner Gary Treat

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A

nyone walking into Treat’s Squire and Bridal Shoppe can be assured of two things excellent customer service and quality clothes.

“My dad harped on that you treat people the way you want to be treated,” says Owner Gary Treat. “Our customer is more important than we are.”

His father, Budd Treat, grew up in Plymouth and graduated from Lincoln High School. He went into the Navy, earned an accounting degree and worked in a corporate environment. Budd got tired of that work climate, and wanted to come back to his hometown and start a business. That was 55 years ago.

“Dad always enjoyed dressing nicely,” Treat says.

Budd passed away in 2016.

Running a men’s clothing store and bridal boutique in Plymouth has its challenges, Treat says. It is important to keep your customer in mind when selecting fashions and accessories. There is competition from online retailers, as well as box stores and department store chains.

“Our customers travel and are trendy, but they are not going to wear the extreme

fashions stuff you see in the big cities such as the extreme slim-fit pants, for example,” Treat says.

Treat says he and his staff work very hard to keep their customers satisfied and coming back to shop. Although the box stores and department stores carry some of the same styles and brands, customers appreciate the personal attention and quality selections.

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Treat’s has been the place to go for locals to get a quality tailored suit. Through the years it was the place to go where men could find hats and dress shoes. While that is still true, customers can also find a line of everyday attire, from jeans and knitwear to hats and designer underwear.

and groom to bridesmaids and groomsmen, and even the mother of the bride, can coordinate and acquire what they need for that special day, Treat says.

In-house tailoring is fairly uncommon. At Treat’s, however, it is still important. Treat says the heart of the tailoring department has been with the store for 40 years.

“Dress is more casual today,” Treat says.

“Customers really haven’t changed. They are still a customer who appreciates quality and personal service.”

In 1966, the establishment’s customers came from within Marshall County. It was the go-to spot for business attire, formal wear and other haberdashery items. Today, the business draws customers from a 75-mile radius of Plymouth.

The addition of the bridal shop, acquired in 1993 and moved upstairs from the men’s store in 1997, offers an opportunity for an entire wedding party to shop for their attire at the same time. Everyone from the bride

assistance offered to customers. Clothes are “custom tailored to fit you,” Treat explains.

“That has always been the big deal to our store.”

“It is a unique service,” Treat says.

Among the brand names Treat’s carries are designers that specialize in premier tailored clothing, such as Hart Schaffner Marx.

Whether it is a wedding, prom or some other occasion, the shop has served generations of customers with quality, classic and trendy selections, and personalized service.

One hallmark of Treat’s through the years has been the in-house tailoring and sizing

There is also a selection of Tommy Bahama and a Nike Golf concept shop within the Treat’s downtown retail space. Another popular brand is the 34 Heritage jean line, and SAXX men’s underwear. There is also a selection of men’s shoes, from Johnston & Murphy to Florsheim among others. The shop also features a men’s hat selection, and a selection of knitwear from St. Croix Shop,

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“You get exactly what you pay for,” Treat says.

He adds that the clothes customers purchase from his store are “cut from a better cloth. There is an art form to take pieces of cloth and fit it to shape. It takes a long time for under-pressing and procedures to finish a garment. There are 150 steps from start to finish.”

This delivers a garment that can hold up to repeated wear, and maintain its quality and fit. He says if something isn’t made right to these standards, it shows.

The challenge of running a business outside of a more populated area, Treat says, is to keep customers satisfied and loyal.

This includes reaching out with a friendly greeting when they walk in, and being able to talk to them to find out what they need or want.

“People are easy to help if you know what they want,” he says.

The reasons customers shop at Treat’s vary. Perhaps the customer has an interview for a job, or they are going on a trip or attending a convention - or simply updating their wardrobe. They may also be planning for a special occasion such as a wedding or prom.

1275 Provident Dr. Warsaw, Indiana 46580 574-269-4026 | warsawwomenscenter.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

“Our challenge is to keep that customer engaged and focused on our store,” Treat says.

He stays in touch with his customers with a personal touch, communicating with a phone call, an email or a text message.

generations, including sons who purchased their first suit there and later brought in their sons for a new suit.

still holds true.

“This is not the experience you are going to get with chain stores,” Treat says.

“People will say to us, ‘Why don’t you move to be in a bigger town?’” Treat says.

In the 1970s the store launched a marketing slogan that claimed a visit to Treat’s was “Worth the Trip.” According to Treat, that

Treat’s is located in downtown Plymouth, at 308 North Michigan Street. For more information, call 574-936-3669 or visit treatssquireshop.com.

These gestures do not go unnoticed by the regulars. Treat’s customers often span

“We really mean it,” he says.

Quality, Parts, Sales, Service and Rental

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574-586-2745 | NewKitchenStore.com | 330 Liberty Street Walkerton, IN 46574

Come in and Check out Our Wide Variety of Teas and Tea Accessories!

BREWED TO A TEA

FIVE TIPS FOR MAKING AN EXCEPTIONAL CUP OF TEA Story and Photography Provided

1. Use a high-quality tea. Tea of poor quality reflects how the tea leaves have been handled and processed. A quality tea is handpicked so as not to damage the leaves. Quality tea is most often grown organically without use of pesticides and Maybe you are one of those people who say, fertilizers. All of these factors affect the “I don’t like tea,” but maybe you have simply taste. Quality tea just tastes better. We been brewing your tea the wrong way. Here carry Republic of Tea, Elmwood Inn, are five tips to help you brew the perfect cup VAHDAM, Oliver Pluff & Company, and of tea - maybe if you follow these tips you’ll TeaSource teas. become a person who says, “I like tea!”

Most everyone has probably brewed a cup of tea in their life, and many people have their own method of doing so. Did you know that there actually is a right and a wrong way to brew tea?

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2. Use correct water temperature.

Heat the water to a boil and then let it sit for at least one minute to cool down a little. Adding boiling water to tea will scald the leaves, and will affect the flavor and overall outcome. The perfect water temperature depends on the kind of tea you are brewing. Water for white and

green teas should be between 170 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Oolong should be brewed between 180 and 190 degrees, and black and herbal teas should be brewed between 208 and 212 degrees.

We carry tea kettles that will control the temperature.

3. The most common mistake in brewing tea is brewing it for too long. The longer you let the tea leaves sit in hot water, the more tannin is released. Too much tannin creates a bitter tea. Even if you like your tea a little bitter, there is a limit, and an overly steeped tea will become very bitter and unpalatable. As with water temperature,

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

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P.J. Gilsinger family museum will explain the history of the oldest John Deere Dealer in the world at it’s original store location. Since 1899 The Gilsinger family has served farmers in our area.

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

brewing time varies with tea variety. Usually the packaging will tell you how long you should brew the tea. Don’t overlook this step, as it makes a difference. We carry tea timers that take out the guesswork, allowing the user to push a button for each kind of tea.

4. Use quality water. Sometimes the quality of the water being used can make a huge difference. You can of course use tap water, but if your tap dispenses “hard” water

or has a sulfur smell, or if you live in a town with chlorinated water, consider spring or filtered water.

5. Store your tea properly. If your tea is not stored properly, away from strong odors, it can absorb odors that will adversely affect the taste. To keep your tea fresh, it should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight - preferably a dark cabinet. You should also store your tea in an airtight container to protect it from

becoming contaminated by odors.

The quality tea in bagged and loose form sold at New Kitchen Store, along with the above tips, will ensure that your next tea drinking experience will be brew-ti-ful!

New Kitchen Store, the largest gourmet kitchen supply store in Michiana, is located at 330 Liberty Street in Walkerton. For more information, call 574-586-2745 or visit NewKitchenStore.com.

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Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

A L P H A B U I L D I N G C E N T E R C E L E B R AT E S 36 YEARS IN BUSINESS

Just south of the corner of U.S. Highway 20 and State Road 5 in Shipshewana is Alpha Building Center. Most people know the business as a lumberyard that carries quality wood. However, what fewer people realize is that Alpha is a one-stop shop for almost any home or property improvement project.

“We’re a lot more than a lumberyard,” explains General Manager Kyle Ulrich.

“That is our primary good that we sell, but we also sell an entire experience.”

Alpha Building Center got its start in 1985.

Henry Hershberger, a born-and-bred local, started it as a business for doors, windows and siding.

“It was kind of a father-son team,” Ulrich says. “In the early years they worked out of a barn and had one pickup truck doing deliveries.”

The business quickly expanded its products and services to include hardware, EtchWood and trusses, according to customer needs.

As their product lines and reputation grew, they started looking to other towns, eventually opening two other locations in Nappanee and in Michigan.

At their Shipshewana storefront, they have several different departments to help fulfill every improvement project need, from exteriors like garage door installation, trim and roofing - both tin and shingle - to fencing, additions and interior projects. This includes replacing hardwood floors, painting walls, updating plumbing, modernizing sinks, showers or toilets, improving lighting, and more.

Some of their most popular services are handled through their vinyl division. Not only can they manage the finer details of exterior home improvement like decks, railings, shutters and the like, but they can also get custom independent structures like pergolas or garden arbors.

Experts in the vinyl department can custom design these projects in-house. After the

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materials are built, they are shipped and assembled on-site. That goes for even larger, more complicated projects like decks.

“We would definitely be able to estimate the material needs and gather all the elements,” Ulrich says. “We’d even have a plan that would show how to assemble that deck.”

They also have an installation crew that can assemble decks on location.

Of course they still offer doors, windows and siding. They even offer a project planning service. Customers can begin a basic plan on Alpha’s website before speaking to a specialist. However, it’s best to schedule an appointment with their design experts to fully visualize and estimate the cost of the project before it begins.

“We can also do 3D rendering, so they can get a good idea of what the house will look like ahead of time,” Ulrich says.

“From there, it trickles down to the rest of our departments. They can go into the retail center and choose siding and roofing colors.

Our vinyl decking division will help them out with building their deck.

Our metal division will help them with the metal siding, trim, and things they would want to put on their house. Even the woodworking division can refer customers to cabinet makers to help them build their kitchen.”

For those who live in rural settings, Alpha has supplies and materials necessary for barns, commercial agriculture buildings, fencing and more.

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“As far as building a pole barn or anything like that, we have everything that you need,” Ulrich says.

This includes trusses, metal siding and insulation.

From the moment a customer starts with Alpha, the experts in the different divisions are interested in making it the best experience possible. Part of the way they do this is by working with the contractor as well as the homeowner.

“We want to make sure that everyone’s on the same page,” Ulrich says. “We’re not leaving anything out, and we’re not forgetting anything.

We want to do everything right the first time and make sure the customer’s going to be happy with it, even 50 years from now.”

Even DIYers can find what they need at Alpha Building Center.

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“In the community that we’re in, many people are DIY-focused,” Ulrich says.

“It would be nothing for a homeowner to tackle an entire barn project on their own. We deal with DIY homeowners and contractors alike.”

Contractors, business owners and hobbyists all appreciate the services and products at Alpha. One of their most popular departments is the woodworking supply department at the Shipshewana location, servicing a 50-mile radius.

“It services local cabinet furniture makers,” Ulrich says. “We have three trucks running four days a week. It’s kind of like a milk route. It’s preordered items and we also sell items directly off the truck.”

Alpha provides almost all the supplies necessary for woodworkers, including sandpaper, screws, nails, wood fillers and tools, delivered right to their door.

Sales & Installation of Stoves • Inserts • Fireplaces Grills • BBQ Supplies & Seasonings

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Another service they offer that contractors and DIYers appreciate is the tool repair division.

“The tool repair division repairs any kind of tool you could ever think of,” Ulrich says.

When all is said and done, the Alpha Building Center staff members are focused on providing building materials for customer needs, but also interested in building up their community.

“We thrive and survive on our services we provide for our customers and being a community-based organization,” Ulrich says. “That’s what we pride ourselves on - taking care of those customers. Even though we have grown to be a very large company for Shipshewana, we have small roots.”

Explore all Alpha Building Center has to offer online at alphabuildingcenter.com, or visit in person in Shipshewana at 0855

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

North State Road 5. Call them at 260-768-4410.

In Nappanee, visit them at 8720 West 1350 North. Call them at 574-773-7787.

They are also located in Michigan at 26250 State Road 86 in Sturgis. Call them at 269467-4800.

All locations are open Mon. through Fri. 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. 7 p.m. to 12 p.m.

FA B R I C AT I N G S O L U T I O N S TO PROBLEMS HILLTOP MACHINE SHOP MAKES CUSTOM METAL BUILDS & PARTS Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography Provided

Necessity is said to be the mother of invention, as the saying goes. For David Yoder, learning to repair damaged metal farm implements on his family’s farm as a teenager led to him becoming the owner of Hilltop Machine Shop.

“We used to do our own repairs and it just expanded out from there,” Yoder says.

He has been working in metal fabrication for 27 years, beginning in 1994 in his father, Sam’s shop. At 15 ½ years old, he worked outside the family at an implement repair shop in the Lagrange area. The family then moved to Shipshewana.

The shop started small and later expanded into a bigger building to meet the needs of the community.

Metal fabrication is the process of taking steel and making a product, Yoder explains. It can be a piece from a larger farm implement or a customized truck bed, gear or other metal part to a machine or tool. Sometimes this process involves reading engineered plans and sometimes it involves problem solving by homing in on what the customer needs and how to manipulate metal to meet that need.

Today, the shop specializes in custom steel fabrication and machining, machine rebuilding, implement part replacement and repairs, as well as retail parts and equipment sales.

Services provided to customers include hydraulic repair, welding, painting, trailer repairs, sand blasting and media blasting.

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In the early days of Yoder’s experience, it was fabricating replacement for damaged parts on spreaders and hay mowers.

While the shop still does some of that, the overall volume has decreased from nearly 100% to about 20% of the total sales for Hilltop.

260-768-9196 • FAX 260-768-9197 10515 US 20 WEST SHIPSHEWANA, IN 46565

“What I enjoy most is being able to provide a product that is unique and different, specific to a customer’s needs that we can supply,” Yoder says. “When a customer comes to you

Now the focus is on new fabrications using steel and aluminum and other metals. If a customer needs toolboxes built onto a flatbed of a truck, Yoder’s crew has done that.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

with a problem and you figure out a solution, that makes this business enjoyable.”

It’s not always easy to solve the customer’s problems. Yoder says some of these are ones that make you “scratch your head” and look for inspiration.

At the Hilltop Machine Shop retail portion of the business,

customers can find replacement parts, such as bearings, spokes or springs. Farm gates, new wagon gears, cattle handling equipment, hay feeder wagons and combine header carts are also for sale at the Hilltop.

In the shop, the five-person crew — comprised of two brothers, one son, a nephew and a business manager who is not family — builds hay racks, pallet forks and tilling spears, among other

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agricultural needs. The shop also manufactures self-feeders for calves and steers, a direct tie to the tools and products the local farming community needs.

Yoder says he would also like to focus on obtaining additional contract production work for area manufacturers, in which his shop would build parts needed in the building of their products.

Hilltop also fabricates custom hydraulic hoses, which are made to order. Also available are carts, railings, flatforms, stairs and mezzanines.

Most of Yoder’s customers come from LaGrange, Elkhart and Noble counties, but he has done work for customers in Warsaw and other surrounding areas. The business also ships orders out as needed.

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“One thing we stress here is to do quality work,” Yoder said.

“We like to have the best price, but it’s when we look back at our own work and it is the best that could be done for the project, cosmetically and structurally, that’s our goal.”

That goal is not inexpensive. Yoder says he knows everyone is conscious of the cost of a product. But for him, it is more important

that the part has been sanded to look clean and that sharp edges are rounded. That concern for quality is something that Yoder and his crew can be proud of.

Hilltop Machine Shop is located at 10515 US 20 West in Shipshewana. You can reach the shop by calling 260-768-9196 or visiting www.hilltopmachineshop.com.

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IF YOUR ESTABLISHMENT HAS A BURGER ON THE MENU WORTH BRAGGING ABOUT THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU! A MAXIMUM OF 15 BUSINESSES WILL BE ENTERED TO COMPETE IN A FUN FREE EVENT ON FRIDAY JUNE 25 TH AT 3 PM EST./2 PM CST. WINNER AND RUNNER-UP WILL RECEIVE AWARDS. WINNER AND RUNNER UP WILL BE FEATURED ON A FREE FULL PAGE AD IN OUR AUGUST 2021 THE LAKES MAGAZINE EAST AND WEST EDITIONS. ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL GET MENTIONED. REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW AND ENDS WHEN 15 QUALIFIED ENTRIES ARE ACCEPTED OR ON JUNE 21ST AT 8PM EST. TO BE A QUALIFIED ENTRY YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR BUSINESS INSURANCE DECLARATION PAGE AND SERVE SAFE CERTIFICATE.

JOHN@TOWNEPOST.COM 574-249-9217 YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION THAT YOUR ENTRY WAS ACCEPTED.

It MUST be a burger that you serve at Your Establishment!

You Must agree to bring or make 4 of the same burgers ready to be judged at 3 PM est.

Burgers can be prepared at your own establishment and brought prepared or can be cooked on an open flame grill provided at the event. Burgers must be fully prepared by 3 PM est. judging time.

The Lakes Magazine will provide a LP open flame flat top style grill for ALL to share if you cannot bring any cooking elements of your own.

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advocate but had to leave her job to prepare for her third back surgery. Her doctors advised her that she should not continue to work. That was life-changing for her, she recalls.

She found her calling again in December of 2016, upon hearing a report that the state had turned away more than 1,000 women and children escaping abuse during the holiday season that year. The reason was that there were not enough shelters for these domestic violence survivors.

“I felt God telling me then that there was more I could do,” she says. “Maybe I couldn’t help a thousand, but I could help a few.”

CRUSHED BUT NOT BROKEN OFFERS HELP FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography Provided

Crushed But Not Broken may be the name of a nonprofit domestic violence organization in LaGrange County, but it also represents founder Sheli Emenhiser’s faith and story of survival.

“The name comes from my favorite Bible verse in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9,” Emenhiser says. “I came across that verse a long time ago after I had been struggling with the brokenness that abuse leaves you with. I felt like God was speaking directly to me

Crushed But Not Broken was formally recognized as an organization in October of 2017 when articles of incorporation were submitted to the state of Indiana.

Two years later, the organization opened its first shelter.

“Having a safe place to stay is everything for a woman and child fleeing a domestic through this verse and it has been close to violence relationship,” Emenhiser says. “I my heart since.” had a wonderful family that took me and my children in, but not everyone has that.

Nineteen years ago, on the day before After being in such a dangerous situation Thanksgiving at 8:37 p.m., Emenhiser was you need to be able to feel safe. It takes a being assaulted by her partner in a violent lot of courage to make that first step and relationship. The abuser inflicted so much leave.” physical harm on her that three back surgeries were required to fix the damage.

Emenhiser does not receive support from the state or any government “It took years to get to be able to talk or agency, instead relying on fundraisers share my experience with anyone,” she and donations to keep the organization says. operating.

She found work as a domestic violence THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

The fourth annual all-you-can-eat fish and chicken fry and bake sale is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 19 at the Topeka Volunteer Fire Department, located at 180 Crossfire Drive in Topeka. Dinners include chicken or fish, two sides and

dessert, with water or lemonade to drink.

All proceeds benefit Crushed But Not Broken.

Crushed But Not Broken operates a shelter in LaGrange County. The location

is not identified, in order to protect the survivors who find refuge there.

Women and children are accepted from all counties and states if there is room, Emenhiser says.

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Since opening in 2019, more than 40 domestic violence survivors have found a place to stay, or resources to help make the transition out of a traumatic relationship.

“Feeling safe again does not happen overnight,” Emenhiser says. “Domestic violence is a trauma that often causes PTSD in women and children. It takes time and counseling to get to the point that you can trust and feel safe again.”

From the original two-bedroom shelter, Crushed But Not Broken has a new opportunity to expand. The organization has been gifted with a new house that is twice the size of the original shelter, which means more survivors can find a safe place.

“So many people believe domestic violence only happens to certain people,” Emenhiser says. “It can happen to the wealthy, poor, white, Hispanic, black, English, Amish, and to the young and old.

It does not discriminate.”

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Emenhiser is not shy about sharing her story, in the hopes that it will resonate with someone who is trapped in an abusive relationship.

“The issue is close to my heart, because I know the pain of abuse - not just physical, but emotional, verbal and financial abuse,” she says. “I have seen firsthand the effects that domestic violence has left on my own children, the brokenness that affects the entire family. I know the feelings of worthlessness, brokenness, low self-esteem, humiliation and fear. No one should ever feel this way. I understand where the clients are coming from because I have been there.”

For help, contact Crushed But Not Broken’s crisis line at 260-350-3877.

For more information on helping the organization, call 260-350-4131 or visit crushedbutnotbroken.org.

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MICHIANA BUILDERS LAGRANGE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY ADHERES TO STRONG CORE VALUES order to start the initial drawings.

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Harley Mast, the owner of Michiana Builders in LaGrange, got into construction six years ago. At first he installed fiberglass hoop barns.

Then, a client asked him to build a pole barn.

“I told him, ‘I only build hoop barns,’” Mast recalls. “He looked at me and said, ‘You can build a pole barn.’ I said, ‘I’ll try to figure it out.’

When I got started, I enjoyed it and loved the challenge, so I’ve been doing it ever since.”

That success was the first of many. Today, Mast and his crew build a wide variety of custom-made structures in a one-hour radius around LaGrange, including equestrian facilities and livestock barns, as well as residential houses, commercial buildings, and even steel-frame buildings and apartment complexes.

When a new customer calls for a quote, the Michiana Builders team follows a four-step process to bring a project to completion. The first step is to meet the customer face-to-face and discuss the project, in

“Basically, we take it from the napkin-type drawing,” Mast says. “We pull all the answers out of them and figure out what they want.”

The second step is to work out a blueprint and develop a bid for the project, and the third phase is the customer’s approval of the bid.

“If they like the numbers, and they like who they’re working with, we move on to the building phase where we perform the work,” Mast says.

Mast’s goal is to be flexible, fair and friendly with each customer.

“We accommodate every change, no matter how many there are,” Mast says. “We’ll build whatever the customer wants. We’re fair, which means that we bring quality building components at a fair price at their budget. The fair part means that we’re a hardworking, helpful, efficient crew. We never charge more than our proposals and change orders. The number they get is the

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

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responsible living,” Mast explains.

In recent years Mast’s business has grown exponentially, which has enabled him to sponsor several local organizations like Elkhart-based Five Star Life. He feels the expansion is due to the culture inside the company.

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“Basically, that means that we’re always trying to get better - we’re always trying to improve somewhere,” Mast explains. “We’re never satisfied to stay the same.”

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The third core value is to be dependable and hard-working.

employees and their abilities.

“Everyone needs to pull their share of the load plus one,” Mast says.

“Take responsibility and blame no one. Take ownership of your roles, metrics and priorities.”

“We see each other’s potential as being ‘half full’ versus ‘half empty,’ ” Mast explains. “We try our best and learn from our mistakes. We try to believe in others so that they can believe in themselves.”

The fourth core value is to remain grateful and respectful. Last but not least, Michiana Builders is dedicated to seeing the best of their

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“We try to keep everyone working in their own unique abilities,” Mast says. “Not everybody can do the same thing, so we try to make sure that everyone is in the right seat for their abilities.”

Michiana Builders is located at 105 East 200 North in LaGrange. To schedule a time to discuss your building project, call them at 260463-8111. Those interested in working for the company can call for details.

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AREA LAKES & RIVERS: A N AT U RAL HISTO RY QUIZ

A. The descent of a huge asteroid B. Volcanic activity C. Movement of a large glacier D. A series of earthquakes

Writer / Jeff Kenney Photography Provided

and settlers with the Wabash River and its connected, larger waterways.

4. Name the largest lake in Indiana

Summertime is finally upon us once again and naturally enough, Lakes Magazinearea readers turn our attention once more to, well ... lakes (and rivers), to swimming, boating, floating, and all things recreational around our natural waterways.

What follows is a strictly-for-fun quiz on the natural history of major waterways and bodies in the Lakes readership area.

Answers follow at the end of the quiz.

A. Lake Wawasee B. Lake Maxinkuckee C. Geist Reservoir D. Munroe Lake

QUIZ

And if our lakes seem important and enchanting to us today, historically they were even more so. In the days before electricity flooded every home and air conditioning made summer life as comfortable as we might wish it to be, northern Indiana lakes were a statewide attraction due in no small part to their capacity for cooling people off, but also because the rest of the state was willing to spend a fair amount of time, mostly traveling on trains, to get here to enjoy them. Lake Maxinkuckee alone saw some 5,000 to 7,000 people visit its shores each weekend in the summer between the 1880s and 1915, with most arriving by rail.

1. The first European settlers to the Lakes readership area (1838) wanted to see Indiana’s largest lake and heard it was in the region. What lake are they seeking?

5. At least one Lakes readership area lake — tiny Houghton Lake, just west of Culver — boasts an unusual white bottom made of these skeletal bits of ancient ocean creatures once harvested for farm use. That material is known as _____.

A. Beaver Lake B. Lake Maxinkuckee C. Lake Wawasee D. Munroe Lake

A. Marl B. Sledge C. Hydrilla D. Sandstone

2. What Lakes readership area lake’s name is Potawatomi for “Devil Lake” or “Spirit Lake”?

6. Fulton County’s Lake Manitou was rumored to be home to what scary feature?

Of course, rivers provided important sources of transportation, food and fresh water for Native Americans and trappers prior to the arrival of the first European settlers. The Lakes readership area includes two rivers of historical note: The Yellow River — known previously as Wythougan — and the great Tippecanoe River, which especially served as an important means of connecting area Native Americans, trappers

A. Lake Maxinkuckee B. Lake Manitou C. Lake Latonka D. Bass Lake 3. What natural phenomenon, which occurred some 10,000 years ago, left Northern Indiana scattered with numerous natural lakes but southern Indiana virtually devoid of large-sized bodies of water until man-made lakes came into existence during the mid-20th century?

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 59

A. The ghost of a long-dead sailor B. A Bermuda Triangle-like “hole” that sucked in boats and swimmers C. Water so acidic it burned the skin D. A sea serpent-like monster 7. What Lakes readership area lake is the second-largest natural lake in Indiana today (and for bonus points, what lake in any location is the largest natural lake)?

A. Lake Maxinkuckee B. Lake Wawasee C. Munroe Lake D. Bass Lake

8. What Lakes readership area lake is historically considered a “mystery lake” in that it sits on top of a hill with a drainage basin flowing away from, rather than toward, the lake itself?

A. Cook Lake B. Pretty Lake C. Bass Lake D. Lake Manitou 9. Which Lakes readership area lake was historically comprised of five smaller bodies of water flooded long ago?

A. Lake Latonka B. Lake Manitou C. Bass Lake D. Lake Maxinkuckee 10. Which Lakes readership area lake is the third-largest natural lake in Indiana?

A. Bass Lake B. Koontz Lake C. Lake Manitou D. Lake Maxinkuckee 11. This private, man-made lake, located between Culver and Plymouth, was created by damming a wetland in the area.

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A. Lake of the Woods B. Lake Latonka C. Cook Lake D. Lawrence Lake 12. Which Lakes readership area river spans over 180 miles and has been designated by the Nature Conservancy as one of the top 10 rivers to preserve in the entire United States, due to its ecological importance and the diversity of species, particularly endangered species, to which it is home?

A. Yellow River B. Tippecanoe River C. St. Joseph River D. Wythougan River 13. Which area lake is uniquely historically significant as the site of the first church in Marshall County?

A. Lake Maxinkuckee

60 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

B. Cook Lake C. Myers Lake D. Lake Manitou 14. Of the lakes below is not one of the many in the Lakes readership area?

A. Pretty Lake B. Lake Galbraith C. Wood Lake D. Turkey Lake

ANSWERS 1. A. Perhaps surprisingly, Beaver Lake, west of the Lakes area in Newton County, was the Indiana lake the first European settlers to the Lakes readership area were seeking. It boasted tens of thousands of acres, albeit shallow, of water and a diverse array of waterfowl, fish, and mammals, as well as a sizeable bald eagle population.

2. B. Lake Manitou, in Fulton County.

Its name derived from a particular legend

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surrounding it (that’s for another question).

Beaver Lake also was home to the onceinfamous Bogus Island, reportedly a common hideout for criminals due to its remoteness. Beaver Lake was connected to the Grand Kankakee Marsh, long the “breadbasket” of Chicago and the Midwest due to its size and food source offerings.

Dubbed “the Everglades of the North” (and the subject of an excellent, recent PBS documentary of the same name), the Kankakee system in those days comprised America’s largest inland marsh.

In the 1850s, the digging of a ditch from Beaver Lake began the process of its draining, and within two decades, the great waterway was no more (since then, the Nature Conservancy has purchased much of its former site to convert it to native prairie).

3. C. Southern Indiana, charmed by features like caves, stunning hills and valleys, all related to its limestone surface,

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was unaffected by the huge glacier that moved across the Midwest some 10,000 years ago. It left around 100 feet of glacial till, that is, the dirt and gravel deposits left behind by the slow (around an inch a year) march of the glacier all those centuries ago here in northern Indiana.

The glacier also scooped out large valleys and left them full of water ... and voila: lakes!

Geologists and historians of natural history might suggest we look around us, particularly at the site of our lakes and the topography surrounding them, to see that there used to be even larger, deeper lakes which gradually dried up over thousands of years, leaving visible remnants in the higher hillsides rising above today’s water line (on a more somber note, they also tell us our own lakes will one day suffer the same fate, but thankfully that’s a long way off).

4. D. Ironically, the largest lake in the

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state today, Monroe Lake, is situated near Bloomington, smack dab in the middle of a portion of the state that was once utterly devoid of sizeable natural bodies of water.

At a whopping 10,000-plus acres of water, Monroe Lake dwarfs Wawasee’s 3,410 acres and Maxinkuckee’s 1,800.

5. A. Farmers would once have been familiar with the name marl, a substance lime-rich enough to be good for crops, and thus once harvested for area farmers’ use.

6. D. Native Americans in the area believed Lake Manitou to be occupied by a sort of sea monster creature. In fact, hysteria in mid1800s over the alleged creature spread as far as the east coast of the US, drawing whaling men to Manitou’s shores in a fruitless effort to capture or kill the monster (Bass Lake had its own, similar creature, as did Maxinkuckee, and some legends insisted that underground waterways connected the lakes, giving access to said creature for travel between them).

7. A. Lake Maxinkuckee. It’s sometimes incorrectly referred to as the “second largest lake in Indiana,” after Lake Wawasee, which, for your bonus points, is the largest natural lake in Indiana. A century ago, Maxinkuckee would have been second-largest lake in the state, period. But in the decades since, we must amend it with the word “natural.”

The creation of artificial lakes and reservoirs has pushed Maxinkuckee to tenth place on that list. Wawasee is fifth. As mentioned above, Monroe Lake, an artificial lake, is the largest in the state at over 10,000 acres.

8. C. Bass Lake is unusual not only because of its drainage basin flowing away from the lake, but also 9. B. The 775-acre Lake Manitou —not to be confused with a much smaller body near Culver that was drained for farmland over a century ago — is comprised of five smaller lakes that were flooded after the 1827 construction of a grist mill to fulfill a treaty with the Potawatomi. A dam built to service the mill led to flooding which created the present-day footprint of the lake, though the mill and village fell by the wayside after the 1838 removal of local Potawatomi. As a result of its origin, Manitou is also the only lake 62 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

of significant size in the Lakes area to boast islands within its borders.

10. D. Bass Lake, at only 500 acres less area than Maxinkuckee’s 1,800 acres, though most folks familiar with it know that it’s considerably shallower than Maxinkuckee’s 88 feet in depth. Bass Lake at its deepest only reaches 32 feet and is less than 9 feet deep on average.

11.B. Lake Latonka is the private, man-made lake, located between Culver and Plymouth, was created by damming a wetland in the area.

12. B. The Tippecanoe River, which spans 14 counties and is fed by 88 natural lakes, including, of course, some of the aforementioned ones in our own area.

13. B. Of the Twin Lakes south of Plymouth, Myers and Cook, Cook Lake (the westernmost) was home to the Potawatomi village of Chief Menominee and site of the

first church in Marshall County, a log cabin chapel built in the 1820s for the village. It’s also the sad site of the beginnings of the infamous 1838 Potawatomi removal, the Trail of Death (a boulder and bronze plaque marks the site on Cook Lake’s north shore).

his best-selling 1912 novel, “A Hoosier Chronicle.” In it, the young girl protagonist, Sylvia, journeys from lake-less southern Indiana to a fictional version of Lake Maxinkuckee. Nicholson describes her reactions in the following passage:

14. D. Turkey Lake is not one of the lakes in the Lakes readership area?

“Twilight was enfolding the world, and all manner of fairy lights began to twinkle at the far edges of the water and on the dark heights above the lake. Overhead the stars were slipping into their wonted places.

EPILOGUE And so, even with the prevalence of electricity and air conditioning, Lakes readers continue to make the most of our bodies of water, whether rivers or lakes.

They also continue to enchant us, just as they did a century ago and more.

Hoosier novelist Meredith Nicholson, whose 1905 book set on Lake Maxinkuckee, “The House of a Thousand Candles,” became the best-selling novel in America the following year, captured some of that enchantment in a passage from

‘You can get an idea of how it is at sea,’ said her grandfather, smiling at her long upward gaze. ‘Only you can hardly feel the wonder of it all here, or the great loneliness of the ocean at night.’

It was, however, wonder enough, for a girl who had previously looked upon no more impressive waters than those of Fall Creek, Sugar Creek, and White River.”

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

LAK E MAX BEACH B A R IS TH E BOAR DWALK’ S H IDDEN GEM Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Grant Lukens, Brett Lukens, Erika Lukens, Emily Burkholder.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 65

ake Maxinkuckee is the second largest natural lake in the state.

It’s also one of the best, according to many Hoosier travel blogs, residents, and guests. Culver Marina, located on the southeastern side of the lake, is a great place to get whatever you need for a day out on the lake. While you load up on supplies, why not grab a burger and cocktail?

To the left of the Marina’s storefront, there’s a boardwalk that leads to Lake Max Beach Bar, a hidden gem tucked behind the Marina.

This tiki bar and restaurant is owned by Fulton County natives, Brett and Erika Lukens. Brett is a dyed-in-the-wool entrepreneur who fell in love with the restaurant business.

“It’s a labor of love, more than anything. I have a huge passion for the industry, too.

If I’m not working for the industry, we’re probably going out and supporting someone else’s place,” Brett says. “I love the sounds of a busy restaurant, the organized chaos, just the feel you get at a bar and restaurant.”

As Brett and Erika open Lake Max Beach Bar for its first season, they are looking forward to sharing the sights, smells, sounds and

flavors of a tiki bar with their customers. “We love our customers. A lot of our customers are like family. You just get to build all these relationships with a lot of different people,” says Erika.

The Lukens first discovered this restaurant as customers. When they announced that they would be closing permanently, the Lukens approached the owner with a business proposition to take over the bar and restaurant. “We love that lake/beach vibe,” Brett says. “The setting sold itself. The lake is beautiful, and the marina people are awesome. It was an opportunity more than anything.”

The Lukens are especially excited to serve their PB&J menu items, which are popular at their other venue, the Dam Landing in Rochester. These brats, burgers, tacos, and tenderloins are topped with peanut butter and the Lukens’ specialty Dam Bacon Jam. “It’s the No. 1 seller at the Dam, and it will probably be the No. 1 seller here, too,” Brett explains. “It’s what people come for.”

Although these items are sure to be a hit, 66 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

Lake Max Beach Bar has a full upscale beach bar menu options to choose from, including pizza, burgers, tacos, wings, and more. “It’s bar food done right,” Brett says. “It’s all fresh.

We literally grind the burgers in-house. We are hand cutting our pork tenderloin, we are house smoking our chicken wings, the dough’s fresh for our pizza. So, it’s a fastpaced, casual bar menu done efficiently and fast.”

They will also have an allergen-conscious and keto menu, such as offering bib lettuce as a substitute for taco tortillas, cauliflower pizza crusts, and build-your-own salads.

“We will have options,” says Erika, who follows a keto diet. “I’m very much aware because I like to have options when I go out to eat.”

They will be selling ice cream by Sallie’s By the Shore, a well-known Rochester ice cream shop, and a partner of Lake Max Beach Bar and the Dam Landing. “I basically became a wholesaler for them. All my locations plus my partnership locations will have access to Sallie’s,” Brett says.

Bacon Burger: Fresh ground smash burger, DAM bacon jam, hickory smoked bacon, sharp cheddar cheese.

With a side of sweet potato fries with cinnamon bacon jam butter.

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Located at the Culver Marina, Lake Max Beach Bar offers great food and cold beverages, come dine with us lake side!

Pizza & More OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Serving Sallie’s ice cream at both locations

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 67

environment, especially if they’re looking for seasonal work or an opportunity explore food service as a career.

“Everybody loves it. What better than a lake setting with ice cream?”

Behind the bar, they have a 16-tap draft system for local craft and domestic beers, as well as having a small but strong cocktail menu. “It focuses on margaritas. We make them fresh here: fresh lime, fresh agave, high quality tequila,” Brett says. “We’re trying to keep the menu focused and limited, but everything on it is really good and local as possible.”

Lake Max Beach Bar is located at 3000 E. Shore Drive, Culver. Reach out to them by calling the marina at 574-842-3375 and asking for the Beach Bar or check them out online at Facebook.com/ BoardWalkBarGrill.

Beyond serving delicious foods in a relaxing setting, the Lukens also want to benefit the community by providing a positive work environment for their employees.

“One of our biggest focuses the last couple of years has been especially to give them an opportunity—not just coming in and flipping burgers,” Brett says.

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Lynn Stutzman

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SPECIALIZING IN HIGH QUALITY STEEL ROOFING

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Very Nice 2-3 bedroom home, clean and ready to move in. 50 ft of Waterfront on Koontz Lake. Koontz Lake is an all sports lake located about 1.5 hours from Chicago.

Rhonda S. Hurford Broker

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Bella’s Books & Curiosities A used bookstore with puzzles, Naked Bee products, kids games and more.

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Open Monday - Saturday 10AM-5PM 70 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

KNOX WINAMAC COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT HITS THE ROAD Writer/Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

For many centuries, visits with the doctor didn’t happen in the doctor’s office, but rather in the patient’s home. When someone fell ill, they would send a messenger—or after the invention of the telephone, call — to ask the family practitioner to stop by with his Gladstone doctor’s bag in tow. It was beneficial practice for multiple reasons.

First of all, transportation, both public and private, was a commodity. Second, it was easier on the patient, especially if he or she wasn’t feeling well enough to get dressed and go out. Third, it mostly kept the contagions in one household instead of taking them where other sick people would be waiting with their own illnesses.

However, around the turn of the 20th century, the world began to change. Pharmaceuticals were easier to access, as was transportation. By the 1940s, the practice was dying out. By the 1980s, it was practically unheard of. Today, it is all but forgotten. However, this old-fashioned practice is being revived, especially with the onslaught of COVID-19.

Last year, Knox-Winamac Community Health Center (KWCHC) in Knox saw that a mobile medical unit would be beneficial. Around last June, they began pursuing grants to make the idea, which had been a dream for KWCHC for some time, into a reality.

They received the Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing Grant, which offered federal dollars to the best Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to enable COVID testing.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 71

“The whole point was to try and get out and reach as many people as we could to get them tested,” says KWCHC Chief Financial Officer Eileen Blanke. “What better way to reach out to the community besides this mobile unit?”

Once they obtained the grant, KWCHC pursued purchasing and converting a 12-passenger shuttle bus into a fully-equipped medical facility on wheels and launched it early this year.

So far, it has visited dozens of communities, businesses, industries and organizations.

“We’re trying to hit the different communities in our service area,” Blanke says. That includes not only Knox and Winamac, but also the rest of Starke and Pulaski Counties. “The goal is to get them their wellness checks, vaccinations, testing — reach out and take care of as many patients as we can.”

In total, KWCHC and the mobile unit have

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administered 1,800 COVID tests. With the advent of the vaccination, the mobile unit was equipped to give shots as well.

Blanke works hard to make sure mobile unit community days are public knowledge.

She will regularly post the dates and where to find it in local publications like The Leader, The Marketplace, The Pilot, The Independent, Pulaski County Journal and WKVI. KWCHC has hopes and plans for the unit even after COVID is a matter for the history books.

“When we’re not doing COVID testing anymore, if we need to do a wellness test or a physical, or if we have a patient who’s homebound, or a parent who’s homebound and they need medications for their children,” Blanke says. “We can go to them.”

They also hope to make it available as a mobile dental unit too.

Open for 2021 Season

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“If we can make it easier to get to dentists, patients can get the services they need,” Blanke adds. “It solves two missions: they’re getting what they need, and we’re providing a service at an affordable cost to the patients.”

Although supplying non-emergency care will eventually be the exclusive purpose of the

unit, it’s still a potential use now, especially for special cases like someone living in a nursing home.

“If we were to get a call, or if a patient were to have a need, we would try to make that need and make it individual,” Blanke says. “But it would be on an as-needed basis right now,

designating specific dates to do it.”

KWCHC is located at 1002 Edgewood Dr., Knox. Read about their mission online at kwchc.net. To schedule the mobile unit to visit your business, school, or organization, call them at 574-772-6030 ext. 0 and ask to schedule the mobile unit.

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76 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

I N J U N E AT T H E L A K E S KO O N T Z L A K E / WA L K E R TO N

LAKE MAXINKUCKEE/CULVER ALL Times listed are Eastern Time.

ALL Times listed are Central Time.

EVERY MONDAY BINGO

6pm - Bingo at the KLA Clubhouse. COVID Friendly, face mask & social distancing of 6ft required.

3

FARMERS MARKET

Starting June 3rd – 4-7pm Eastern Time – Farmers Market every Thursday at The Kitchen Store in Walkerton.

5

FISH FRY

4pm – Fish Fry at Grovertown Community Building

8

KOONTZ LAKE ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING 6:30pm – Koontz Lake Association Board Meeting at the KLA Clubhouse. We need the communities’ support. This is open to the public and they are looking for fill numerous open board positions.

26

FAMILY FUN DAY AT ST. DOMINIC’S CHURCH

Family Fun Day at St. Dominic’s Church on10440 E State Road 23 (n the Koontz Lake area) Walkerton from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

26

LAST SATURDAY CONCERTS

Last Saturday Concerts presents SHAKE ‘n CHILL, $5 at the door with beer and wine refreshments. Come join us for a cheap night out featuring music, laughter and dancing at the KLA Clubhouse 10870 E Cherokee Rd. Walkerton IN 46574.

STARKE COUNTY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Starke County Convention and Visitors Commission Announces Grant Opportunities The Starke County Convention and Visitors Commission is pleased to announce that $6,600 is available to funding upcoming events that promote and encourage conventions, visitors and tourism within Starke County. This may include, but is not limited to, advertising, promotional activities, trade shows, special events, and recreation. An application is required, funding requests should be limited to $2,000.

This opportunity is expected to be competitive and the decision to fund will be the sole responsibility of the Starke County CVC Board. Requests for funding operating expenses or salaries will not be considered. Applications close May 30, 2021 and awardees will be notified no later than June 30, 2021.

7 - JULY 16 SUMMER READING

Summer Reading @ the Culver-Union Township Public Library (574) 842-2941

19

DEWEY DECIMAL DASH

7:45am - Dewey Decimal Dash for more information: k.v.boland@ gmail.com or cathy.a.yoder@gmail.com

EVERY SATURDAY CULVER FARMERS’ MARKET

9am – 1pm – Culver Farmers’ Market in the Culver Town Park. Please visit their Facebook page for up-to-date procedures due to COVID and pre-orders.

BASS LAKE

5

BASS LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION MEETING 9am – Bass Lake Property Owners Association Meeting at the Property Owners Building.

12

PROPERTY OWNERS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 9am to Noon – Property Owners will be conducting membership drives at the Property Owners Building.

12

BLPOA REGISTRATION DAY 9am to Noon - BLPOA Registration Day and Sheriff’s Golf Cart Inspection at the Property Owners Building.

25

ALL-DAY BOATING CLASS A Conservation Officer from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with be conducting an all-day boating class; pre-registration will be required. Terry Chmiel (etowncopper50@ aol.com ) can be contacted for sign up information)

A second round of funding will be announced in late summer/early Fall 2021.

These funds are available from the Inn Keeper tax which is paid by any person engaged in the business of short term renting of rooms, lodging and accommodations for less than 30 days in Starke County.

For additional information contact Kathy Norem at knorem.starke@gmail.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 77

City Of Knox Family Fun Day FIREWORKS SHOW AT 9:30 PM CST.

Saturday July 3rd 2021 At Wythogan Park • 4th of July Parade 1 PM • • Beer Garden Opens at 2 PM •

FREE WALK-IN ADMISSION: Bring lawn chairs and or blankets for seating outside of the Beer Garden.

PARKING: Parking in Wythogan Park will be $10.00 per vehicle. Free tram service to and from the park available beginning at 2 pm – 11 pm.

• Bounce Houses • DJ “Jam Karaoke” • “BS Unplugged” at the Performance Stage • Face Painting • Pony Rides • Kids Games

CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT Cash Prizes $15.00 entry fee Per Person

BURN OUT CONTEST Entry Fee $20.00 - Awards to Follow

YELLOW RIVER DUCK RACE Cash Prizes Entry Fee $5.00 a duck or a flock of 5 for $20.00

“MGB” AT THE PERFORMANCE STAGE Kalita & Master of Magic Pro Wrestling King

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.CITYOFKNOX.NET 78 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com

UPCOMING EVENTS T E A M C A M A R I L LO JUNE 3-6 MORGAN GOLD CUP REGIONALS JUNE 9TH-12TH NORTH AMERICAN H ACKNEY SALE JUNE18, 2021

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DRIVING HORSE SALE JUNE 19, 2021 MIDWEST CLASSIC DRAFT HORSE SHOW & PULL JUNE 25, 2021 – JUN 26, 2021

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

David Cook , MD

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 Open Monday thru Friday and every Saturday until noon

Tracy Haddix, NP

Kim McCullough, NP

1002 S. Edgewood Drive Knox, IN 46534 | 574-772-6030 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com / 79

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.

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80 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com