The Lakes Magazine July 2021 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

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MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

HOGWATCH MAKES IT EASY TO GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING

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H ittin g Th e ir Mar ke t: RE /MAX Wamp ler Team H e lp s Locals Fin d th e Way H ome Still G oin g Ste ad y at 70: Local Lake s Coupl e Ce le b rate s 70th An n ive r sar y Ame r ican In su ran ce B roke r s: Ply mou th Comp any Provid e s Cu stomize d Fin an ci al Plan n in g an d In su ran ce Prod u cts S imon ’s S p e e d S h op : H amle t-B ase d B usi ness H an d le s a Var ie ty of S e r vice s S mooth Rid e : H og Watch Make s It E asy to Get You r Motor Ru n n in g

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HIT T ING TH EI R M ARK ET

RE/MAX WAMPLER TEAM HELPS LOCALS FIND THE WAY HOME

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

John Wampler & Jason Wampler 6 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

avigating the real estate market is not an easy task. That’s why having an experienced team guiding you in the home selling or buying process can make a world of difference. Anyone looking for a house in Starke County can count on the father-son team of John and Jason Wampler with Re/Max Realty 1st Choice REALTORS. Combined, the Wamplers have more than 48 years of experience, with more than 2,500 properties sold since the business opened in 1988. Both Jason and John are brokers and owners of the family owned and operated real estate office located in Knox. Originally established in Bass Lake, the realty moved to Knox in 2009. While home styles, color palettes, architecture and amenities may have changed over the last decades, some things

have remined the same. “Buyers often continue to look for the same thing: A property that will fit their needs,” the Wamplers say. Finding out what the buyer needs is part of the role the real estate agent plays to help their clients find that perfect house. It takes asking questions, gauging their reaction to properties that are shown to them and listening to what the client says. Starke County has a variety of real estate available, from single family homes in any of the nine cities in the county, such as Knox, North Judson and St. Pierre to name a few, to lake front property on Koontz and Bass Lakes. There is also commercial listings and undeveloped land. “Our local market is very strong right now,” the Wamplers say. “This is a result of increasing demand as people moving from Chicago and northwest Indiana are discovering what we have known all along.

This is a great place to live. “Our family settled in Starke county in 1902 and we have been here ever since,” John says. “We have no desire to live anywhere else.” Although the home-buying process is made easier with the help of trained professionals, the potential buyer still has some work to do. Sometimes the most difficult hurdle is finding out what the buyer can afford. “Buying a home starts with a discussion with a lender to find out the type of program a buyer will use in their purchase,” Wampler says. “We work with many highly qualified lenders, inspectors and loan officers who are seasoned and very knowledgeable.” That is an example of how a team like John and Jason Wampler can make the difference. Buying a house is not like buying a car.

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Clients must trust their agents and depend on them to find the professionals needed to close the deal. “Buying and selling a home can be an emotional transaction as well as a business transaction,” the Wamplers say. “Either way our job is to use our experience to complete this transaction in a situation where all parties involved are satisfied.” When selling a home, a real estate agent can be an asset. There are many considerations for which experience matters. “Selling property is about experience and understanding our market,” Jason explains. “It involves knowing how to price and maximizing returns through knowledge of the market and negotiation. “We are one of the few offices who participate in two MLS groups and are featured on multiple real estate websites,” he says. “This along with the RE/MAX name

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“WE ENJOY FINDING PROPERTIES THAT FULFILL OUR CLIENTS’ NEEDS AND WISHES.” - JASON WAMPLER -

gives our listings the most exposure possible. Exposure and market pricing will result in the quickest sale and yield top dollar.” When the Wamplers are working for a client who is selling their home, experience is the difference. “We offer input and help on marketing your home and we work with contractors who can help with the whole process,” the Wamplers say. “From cleaning, packing and any minor repairs we can get you in touch with folks who contribute positively to your sale.” It’s the little things, such as staging the home to showcase its attributes, that can make a listing standout. It is often overlooked by the seller. “Staging and preparation of a home is critical,” Jason says. “We encourage sellers to let buyers see their home at its finest.” Success for a REALTOR is helping the buyer or the seller find satisfaction in the deal. It is also an opportunity to welcome new neighbors, families and businesses to the community. That is true for John and Jason and the clients they serve.

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“Buyers in our rural market have an appreciation for a quiet peaceful area as well as larger land purchases,” they say. “We enjoy finding properties that fulfill our clients’ needs and wishes.” You’ll find the RE/Max 1st Choice REALTORS team of John and Jason Wampler at 803 S. Heston Street, Knox. For more information, call 574-2491336 or 574-772-5784. THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 9

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STILL GOING STEADY AT 70 LOCAL LAKES COUPLE CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY Writer and Photography / Robin Myers

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70th wedding anniversary is rare and precious, just like Ed and June Pullen. June Tellkamp met Ed Pullen at Purdue University in Indiana in 1947, he proposed August 1949 and they were married on June 9, 1951, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Just a short 70 years later they are still behaving like teenagers who are still “going steady” in high school.

to be stupid.” Yes, you read that right. These two have a sense of humor about each other and the world. “We don’t do a lot together, but we have our own hobbies,” Ed says. You’d be wrong if you thought these two folks — now in their early nineties — would be relaxing in their retirement. They are both artistic types. June relishes in her stained-glass window creations and stays healthy playing pickleball. Ed creates stunning wood pieces including raw edged tables. Ed creates beautiful wood pieces including raw-edged tables. In 2010 he took over the Heartland Artist Gallery and turned it into a prosperous and wonderful asset for Plymouth.

Fewer than .1% of married couples make it to their 70th wedding anniversary, but June and Ed were destined to be a part of the few to make it. When asked their advice to young couples who are getting married, they say, “The most monumental thing that “Effort has to be 100% on both sides, never go to bed angry, and respect each other’s right happened to me was when I met a girl

named June Tellkamp who became my wife, a life-long companion, and my best friend,” Ed says. June acts like a giddy schoolgirl every time he gazes into her eyes. These two have a soul-to-soul way of communicating their love and respect for each other. It’s effortless, profound, and something we should all strive for 70 plus years after meeting our life partner. Ed and June feel that living on the lake in Marshall County is, “... an ideal place to live out our retirement. This is life in the slow lane. We have room for our hobbies, wonderful neighbors and a good church. We have a beautiful lake to watch year-round as the seasons change it.” They are the second generation to live in the same home on a Marshall County lake. Ed

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and June rejoice in all the love bestowed on them from their five grown children and oodles of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. The love and devotion they show to each other, their family, community and their faith inspires all who know them to aim for

a life as lovely and full as they have created together. Typical wedding vows include the passage “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better– for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, and thereto THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 13

pledge thee my faith.” Ed and June have lived these words from their wedding day to day number 25,550 — that’s 70 years. Here’s wishing you continued love and happiness all the days to come. Happy 70th wedding anniversary, lovebirds!

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PERSONAL SERVICE

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AMERICAN INSURANCE BROKERS Plymouth Company Provides Customized Financial Planning and Insurance Products

is not only a financial advisor, but also an insurance broker who specializes in helping people find safe and sound financial solutions.

Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Growing older is often not easy, and this becomes more apparent when grey hairs appear, and retirement is truly on the horizon. Financial advisors agree that it is astute to plan ahead so that expenses - both the scheduled pleasures and the unexpected fees - do not pose a worrisome drain on your bank account. Carlos Bastardo, the owner of American Insurance Brokers in Plymouth,

Bastardo always had a drive to succeed. Because of that, he decided to go into the military after graduating from Oregon-Davis. He became a field medic and an emergency medial technician. Upon leaving the army in 1993, Bastardo quickly discovered that his experience and licenses didn’t translate to civilian life.

16 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

“No profession wanted to recognize my medical skills,” Bastardo says. Eventually, Bastardo’s brother suggested that he try selling insurance. “He said, ‘Look, I’m working for this insurance company. I think

you’d be great at this,’” Bastardo recalls. Soon after, he was selling insurance door-to-door. “We were out in the cold and the rain, 10 to 12 hours a day, six days a week,” he says. “But I’m crazy enough that I liked it, and I became very good at it very fast.”

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After gaining experience and growing his skills, Bastardo decided to open American Insurance in 2007. Today he is licensed in 23 states, and works with 60 different insurance companies and financial service organizations. “I guess you can say we’re a national company with hometown roots,” Bastardo says. “I have a huge laundry list of companies and providers that I work with, and that allows me to truly put together

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the best program for the client based on their needs and budget.” American Insurance specializes in planning unique financial strategies, especially for retirement transition and estate planning. “We help people with sound and smart financial solutions to put people in a better tax situation when they retire,” Bastardo says. “We also help people build a tax-free retirement through some of

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the supplemental programs we provide. We are a non-risk financial house that helps people protect what they have now.” Their services include many forms of insurance like life and health, and Medicare solutions. On the financial side, American Insurance helps customers organize their assets and IRA accounts. “We help them roll their money over into IRA programs where they’re guaranteed to never lose money,” Bastardo says. “There are no fees. They’re only going to earn positive interest inside of that, better than what inflation will earn them.” Although Bastardo focuses on those between 55 and 75, the company offers financial solutions for younger people as well, like college planning and supplemental insurance that may not be covered by workplace benefits packages. “If someone came in today and said, ‘I just need dental and vision,’ boom, I can pop up my computer and pull up 15 different providers that we work with,” he says. “We can find the network based on their dentist and their eye doctors and all that stuff, and we can put the perfect package together.” Benefitting his clients is Bastardo’s favorite part of the job - so much so, that even battling and beating cancer a few years ago wasn’t

enough to keep him away from the office. “Even through cancer and having a kidney removed, I was back in my office 11 days later after my surgery,” he says. “I believe in helping people and doing what you need to do, being honest, having integrity, and treating people like you would treat your family.” Bastardo and the other brokers at American Insurance can accommodate whatever unique needs their customers have. “I never see a client as cookie cutter,” he says. “We are an à la carte company. We’re a one-stop shop, from financial services to health insurance and supplemental insurance.” There are four brokers working at American Insurance, and Bastardo would like to hire a fifth. “We’re looking for a young, sharp, entrepreneurial, driven person who would like to build something of their own,” he says. “Anybody who comes to work with us and partners with us can actually own their own business utilizing our shop.” American Insurance Brokers is located at 316 North Center Street in Plymouth. Schedule an appointment to meet with Carlos Bastardo on his website at aibins.net, or call 574-936-4152.

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SIMON’S SPEED SHOP HAMLET-BASED BUSINESS HANDLES A VARIETY OF SERVICES Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Simon’s Speed Shop is a family-run store with rustic curiosities of all sorts. From the moment you walk in the door, the establishment seems to exude all things country, from the music that’s playing to the merchandise available. Jason and Shelly Simon, along with their two daughters and their canine customer greeters, have grown the business into a go-to shop for metal fabrication, vinyl stickers, T-shirt and mug design, as well as memorable antiques. “We sell vintage hot-rod parts - buy, sell, trade - and we have a fabrication shop, plasma cutting, T-shirts and vinyl graphics,” Jason explains. They have several popular customizable items including their custom fire pits. “We ask what you want on top, then send you a proof,” Shelly says. “You OK it and we start from there.” Although some fire pits they create have a traditional round or hexagonal shape, others are more creative. Some look like cars or trucks, or feature unique designs like guitar shapes.

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“We’ve done a full-sized deer that looks like a deer standing in your yard, but it has a cooker in the belly,” Shelly says. Their ability to customize doesn’t end there. Beside unique fire pit shapes, the Simons can also cut designs within the fire pit walls. Just like the overall shape, these designs can be just about anything, from a

Harley-Davidson motorcycle to a surname and anything in between. Because of the assortment of options available, these fire pits are often purchased as gifts. “We do a lot of wedding gifts,” Jason says. “It’ll say something like ‘The Cooks, est. 2021’ or something like that. Just about any design that anyone wants, we can put

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it on there.” The custom metal work they can provide is creative, and the options are almost unlimited. “We can custom build bars, rocking chairs, rocking benches, standard benches, fire pits and signs,” Jason says.

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They also have a wide variety of metal decor that is available to purchase off the shelf. Plaques come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from 4-H clovers that can fit in your hand to extra-large American flags. These can be painted, left plain or given a rusted look. “We have something for everybody,”

Shelly says. “For men we have the fire pits. We have a lot of people get those for Father’s Day and birthdays. For women it’s more butterflies and garden art.” Simon’s Speed Shop is also an antique dealership. However, the relics they sell aren’t glassware or toys. These items are all hefty, durable products left over from

vintage and retro eras like tools and metal signage, as well as larger items like cast-iron stoves, Coke machines or school desks. “Every time people come into our shop they’ll find something new,” Shelly says. Working with family is both Jason and Shelly’s favorite part of the business. Their daughters, who are 13 and 15 years old, also work at the shop, and are starting to create

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

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

a niche for themselves in the business by custom printing standard-sized mugs and 20-ounce tumblers, all of which are dishwasher safe. “They have their own thing going,” Shelly says. “They can put names or anything on them.” The Simons also recognize the importance of staying involved with their community. For Oregon-Davis schools in particular, they print a lot of apparel and sports banners. “It comes down to the coaches,” Jason says. “A lot of the teachers prefer to use us because we’re close.” They also have booths at the Power From the Past show in Winamac and the Scarecrow Festival in Wanatah, as well as a few other local, small-town fairs. They also hope to eventually start hosting events of their own in the Hamlet area. “The first one’s going to be a car show,” Jason says. “We’re going to call it the South of 30 Rumble.” Simon’s Speed Shop is located at 13 East Davis Street in Hamlet. For more info, call 574-806-0866, email fordstang5@ yahoo.com, or visit facebook.com/ simonspeedshop.

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And just like that, the idea was born. Almost immediately, Nicotra and his three daughters set to work on developing the idea into a product. Initially, he wanted to make a watch that would contain car key fobs. After years of working on the design and patent, he decided to focus his attention in a different direction.

Smooth Ride HOGWATCH MAKES IT EASY TO GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

It was a busy workday for Paul Nicotra. His construction company was in the middle of a big project for a client, one which required extra supplies. So, he and some employees made a trip to the home improvement store and lumber mill. It was supposed to be a quick errand and

it was — almost. After paying for the supplies, loading everything into the back of the work truck, and sending it ahead to the worksite, Paul realized that he didn’t have his keys for his own car. He had accidentally left them in the back of in the store. Frustrated and in a hurry to get to the worksite, he tromped back into the store wondering, “Why doesn’t someone put them in a freaking watch?” THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

“I stopped at Destination Daytona, one of the biggest Harley-Davidson dealerships,” Nicotra says. “I was walking around and noticed that they had a key fob hanging from the motorcycle. I was like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me! So, you don’t have a key anymore, you only have a key fob.’” By the time he got home, he had decided that the first prototype and application of his patented technology would be the HogWatch. Nicotra’s ingenious idea was to make a high-quality, stylish, and lightweight Swiss movement watch that anyone riding a Harley-Davidson would be proud to wear. Available in five colors, durable, and water-resistant, they are definitely an accessory built for bikers. Installation is simple: Pop open any Hog fob as though the battery needs to be changed. Remove the circuit board and screw it into the appropriate HogWatch

adapter with the provided screwdriver. Secure the adapter in the back of the HogWatch, and you’re ready to ride. HogWatch users don’t have to worry about losing or misplacing their fob. “If you lose the fob and you can’t remember your PIN number, then you have to completely change the computer system out. It costs over $600, plus the inconvenience,” Nicotra says. Since 2006, Harley-Davidson has used

three different fob styles, all of which can be adapted for the HogWatch. “We suggest that you keep your existing fob shell. If you do trade your bike in, the only thing you have to do is take out your [circuit board] back out of the watch, put it back in your fob, close it up, and trade your bike in,” he says. “When you get your new bike, you open that fob up. If it’s a different size or shape, you just match it up to the correct adapter that you already have. No need to

purchase anything additional.” It takes more than a good product to make a successful business. It also takes financial backing. That need was met when Nicotra met Knox native Connie Bennett. Growing up in Knox, Bennett was always working on the family farm. Even when she wasn’t working, she was outside. She was an avid runner, swimmer, cyclist, and spent her summers at Bass Lake. Since

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• Farm equipment • Local school memorabilia • WWII artifacts • Early household and farming tools • Several unusual exhibits Museum Hours:

May-October Friday & Sunday 1:00pm to 6:00pm

November-April Sunday’s 1:00-6:00pm

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

the lake life draws many motorcyclists, it didn’t take long before Bennett added Harley riding to her list of outdoor hobbies. While living in Indiana, Bennett earned degrees in teaching and nursing. Later, she merged the two into a business that provided medical training for schools, daycares, doctors’ offices, and government contractors. With the prolonged COVID closures of her clients’ businesses, Bennett realized her business revenue stream needed to diversify. Around that time, she hired Nicotra to do a construction project and they bonded over riding Harleys and business ownership. It didn’t take long for Bennett to realize that the HogWatch was the perfect opportunity to invest in a business she believed in. Bennett’s involvement with the

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HogWatch has only increased with time. “She not only backed me financially, but helped me out with the whole business plan,” Nicotra says. “She knows what it’s like to have your own business and grow an idea. This is the American dream! You’re taking an idea and making it into a reality and a product and actually selling it and making a profit out of it.”

the consumer,” Nicotra says. “We have some irons in the fire for different product lines as we grow.” To order your HogWatch or to learn more about it, visit myhogwatch.com. Business owners who are interested in selling HogWatches at their establishment are also encouraged to go to the website and click on the dealer program tab.

Nicotra’s three daughters have remained involved with the business. “They’ve not only been there with the support, but to believe in their father in all his madness. Their help has been beyond belief,” he says. “It’s a good little team, having my little minions. Then you add Connie into the mix, and it’s just like the perfect storm.” As COVID regulations lightened, the HogWatch’s popularity surged. “Now that the world is opening back up, people are more excited than ever to be out riding,” Bennett says. “Our HogWatch makes riding easier and safer. I’m so excited to be a part of this business.” As far as new businesses go, the HogWatch has been wildly successful. “It started blowing up. Next thing you know, we’re manufacturing these things, we’re selling them. We have the website going. We turned around and got Rusty Wallace, a NASCAR legend, to not only be our brand ambassador but also to partner with us,” Nicotra says. “Here we are, just doing events and driving all over the freaking country doing different events. It’s been a crazy ride.” The HogWatch is quickly gaining notoriety as a Harley-Davidson accessory turned necessity. Almost everyone who has tried it has loved it. Customer testimonials have describe it as a “game changer,” “really cool,” and “impressive.” Success by nature isn’t stagnate, and neither is the HogWatch’s business plan. Nicotra and Bennett continue to dream big. “As new as our company is, we’re always coming up with new, innovative ideas to help make the product better for

A new knee for a more active you.* Thanks to robotic technology. Having chronic knee pain shouldn’t mean giving up the things you love. Thankfully, Rochester Orthopedics has a new way to keep you moving: ROSA Robotic technology. Our specially trained surgeons use the ROSA robot to personalize the approach to knee replacement — providing a solution that works for you and your unique anatomy. Contact Rochester Orthopedics today to find out whether treatment is right for you, and the risks of knee replacement.

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Zimmer Biomet is a medical device manufacturer that provides products and other services used by health care professionals to create personalized care plans. Zimmer Biomet is not a medical professional and does not practice medicine. Zimmer Biomet is not responsible for the content of RochesterOrthopedics.com. The persons in these advertisements are models and not actual recipients of Zimmer Biomet products and services. Results are not necessarily typical and will vary due to health, weight, activity and other human variables. *Not all patients are candidates for joint procedures or ROSA Robotics technology. Only a medical professional can determine the treatment appropriate for your specific condition. Talk to your surgeon about whether joint replacement is right for you and the risks of the procedure, including the risk of impact wear, loosening, breakage, failure or risk of infection, all of which could require additional surgery. For general information on joint pain and technology, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or call 1.800.447.5633. ©2021 Zimmer Biomet.

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P W A K C I R E D E R F A

DES ZUCKA HOUSE “THE SUGAR HOUSE” Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

aple syrup season only lasts for a few weeks in late winter. In that amount of time, maple trees are tapped with a special spigot in order to harvest the sap. For Wayne Borkholder, the owner of Des Zucka Haus in Nappanee, making maple syrup has been an annual tradition his whole life. “My grandpa did maple syrup, then my dad did,” Borkholder says. “I grew up with maple syrup.”

The tradition has continued. Now, his children and grandchildren help too. In this area, maple syrup season begins in late February or early March. It’s an exciting time of year, and one that Borkholder looks forward to.

Ideal tap weather is 20 degrees at night, and 45 to 50 during the day.” Very early in the year, Borkholder will tap a tree near his house and check it every morning.

“Sometimes sap will run early, like in January, but it won’t be “It’s a change of pace,” he says. sweet,” he says. “It will be 1.5% sugar. We like to wait until it’s “It’s a time of year that not much 2%.” else is going. Here’s something that we can do. Everybody gets Although harvesting maple together. It’s hectic but it’s fun. syrup requires drilling a hole in THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

the tree, it is still considered an environmentally friendly and sustainable practice, so long as the tree is properly tapped and tended correctly after the season is finished. The science behind it is quite simple. At night, as temperatures slip below freezing, the roots pull the sap into the ground. In the morning as the temperatures rise, the sap surges to the top of the tree. When that happens, it drips through a spile and empties into an attached bucket.

“SOME PEOPLE CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE HOW MUCH WORK IS INVOLVED IN IT UNTIL THEY HELP. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SEE HOW IT’S DONE.” - WAYNE BORKHOLDER -

However, that is only the beginning of the process.

friends and family.

“There’s a lot of work involved,” Borkholder says. “Some people can’t even imagine how much work is involved in it until they help. We have people who come just because they want to see how it’s done.” For the Borkholders, maple syrup season is an operation for

“We do all the tapping in one day,” Borkholder says. “We take cordless drills, drill holes and put the spiles in.” Some of Borkholder’s helpers will spend their days through the season trekking back and forth between the woods to empty the buckets and the farm, where the sap is

immediately cooked into syrup. “The sap is sweet,” Borkholder says. “The moment it comes out

of the tree, the bacteria will start on the sugar. The sooner you boil it after it’s out of the tree, the better your syrup will be.”

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Refining the sap requires special equipment, which is set up in a special room called a sugar house. The Borkholders use equipment made by Sunrise Metal Shop in Topeka. In the sugar house, there’s typically one person cooking down the sap, and another is canning the syrup. “We can cook 175 gallons of sap into syrup an hour,” Borkholder says. “You’re talking four and a half or five gallons of syrup an hour.” The process of gathering the sap, and preparing and packaging the syrup, continues for three to six weeks. “When the season is over,

the sap will stop flowing or the maple syrup will have an off flavor,” he explains. “The warmer it gets, the more you battle with bacteria.” The flavor of the syrup depends on several factors, like daily temperature changes, the age of the tree and even the cooking process. Not all maple syrup tastes the same. Since each farm has a slightly different ecological setting and cooking process, the syrup from one sugar house will have a different flavor from the next. It’s even more noticeable from region to region. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make a single gallon of syrup in a typical year.

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“If you gather it by hand like we do, that’s a lot of work,” Borkholder says. Sometimes that amount fluctuates, depending on the weather. In a bad year the sap only has a sugar content of 1.6%, which means the ratio of

sap to syrup increases to 60 to one, in gallons. In better years, like this year, trees can produce sap with 3% sugar. After the syrup is cooked down and packaged, it’s ready to enjoy.

“We have customers that come every year,” Borkholder says. They also make other products like creamed maple syrup, available for purchase. Des Zucka Haus is located at 71772 County Road 100 in

Nappanee. To place an order for maple syrup, call Wayne Borkholder at 574-2480160. To learn more about maple syrup production, visit the Indiana Maple Syrup Association online at indianamaplesyrup.org.

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FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE – COFFEE? Story & Photos Provided by New Kitchen Store

Oh coffee, what can I say, it’s something most people enjoy every day. They can drink it hot or drink it cold. With sugar and cream or some like to drink it bold. There’s regular, flavored,

decaffeinated too. So many ways to have coffee, the choice is up to you! So this is the little poem that flooded in my head when I had visited the New Kitchen Store for the first time. I could not

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believe all the choices of coffee that this tremendous place had to offer. There was a significant amount of flavors to choose from. If you like chocolate there’s several kinds. My personal favorite is Death by Chocolate, so yummy with a muffin first thing in the morning. Chocolate glazed donut is another favorite for me. I believe the name speaks for itself. They also carry Maple Carmel, or Irish Cream. The most popular one by far tends to be Jamaican Me Crazy and Highlander Grog. Some of the reasons I personally like flavored coffees from this particular store is because it’s like having dessert but without the extra calories or guilt. Some people like coffee but don’t want the caffeine or the acid that can come from drinking a cup. That’s okay since the New Kitchen Store carries decaf and low acid coffee too. I have a passion for sharing coffee’s from this store because it is extremely well made and is Fair Trade certified. Also the people who make this product are well treated, so that makes me feel good about supporting it. In our family, coffee has a way of bring us all together. Whether it’s first thing in the morning, it’s fun to see which flavor is going to be picked for the day. Sometimes in the middle of the afternoon a cup of warm coffee sounds kind of nice to get through the tired hump. Even in the evening, coffee and a dessert is a nice way to end the day while

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visiting with my loved ones. (Unless drinking coffee at night keeps you up), there is always an exception. I absolutely love to give coffee as a gift to my friends and family. It’s fun to see the excitement in their eyes as they smell the package, depending on the flavor. One time, I was talking about all the different flavors the New Kitchen Store has and literally watched someone lick their lips. He wanted to know how and where he could find such a sweet delight, and I was happy to share. When people stop by my home they say it smells wonderful, especially after just grinding the beans. It reminds me of the Folgers commercial. It’s not only drinking the coffee but also the different ways you can make it that is fun too. From the traditional coffee pot to the high grade or French Press, the possibilities are truly endless. Let’s not forget about taking this warm drink along on a camping trip, hiking or long car rides. I never take a vacation without my special flavored coffee. It’s an absolute must! Need I say more? Coffee is so wonderful. Come get it from New Kitchen Store. New Kitchen Store is the largest gourmet kitchen supplies store in Michiana! Come visit us at 330 Liberty St. Walkerton. For more information, call 574-586-2745 or check out our website at NewKitchenStore.com. *Pictures submitted by Carmen Mills, Singer/Songwriter/Recording Artist

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IT’S ONLY NAT U RAL NORINE’S HERBS OFFERS WELLNESS SUPPLEMENTS & MORE than 20 years ago, she was dealing with some health problems that were finally cured thanks to some herbs given to her Those who adhere to alternative medicine by a concerned friend. “A friend just got practices frequently start their journey me started on herbs and she said, ‘Why down the path of naturopathy and don’t you just order them yourself ?’ holistic lifestyles because of a health That’s kind of how I got started,” crisis that traditional medicine could not Borkholder says. solve. Writer / Angela Cornell Photography / Provided

Norine Borkholder is no exception. More

After finding success with herbal THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

supplements, Borkholder decided to start selling them out of her basement. By 2002, Norine’s Herbs had grown so much that she needed a separate building. Today, her business has grown to the point that she has four employees: Freda Borkholder, Lorene Wingard, Glenda Slabach and Jennifer Miller. Since then, Norine’s Herbs has grown a little bit every year. Today, she sells many herbal products and Young Living essential oils from brands like Now, Nature’s Sunshine, Nature’s Way, Pure Herb, Mountain Meadow Herb, Natural Hope Herbal, and others. Many of her herbs come in pill or liquid extract form, both of which can be used as a supplement. Whichever one is better often comes down to the customer’s preference.

“It just depends. Some people would rather swallow a pill, and other want to stay away from pills and want an extract. But they do the same thing,” Borkholder says. “Some say you may get results faster with liquid than with pills.” As her product lines expanded, her personal knowledge of medical herbs deepened. Not only is she an avid reader, but she has also pursued several certifications to become a better herbalist. “Each year, I just grew more and more. I got really interested in learning about the different kinds of herbs and what they do for you,” she says. One of the certifications that Borkholder holds is in reflexology. This is a specific type of foot massage that applies pressure and oils on different parts of the foot in order to relax and heal the body.

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and helping people. My goal is to try to figure out what can help different people with what they have going on,” she says. “I always enjoy studying about different kinds of herbs and what they’re good for. I love to sit down with books and learn more.”

Beyond that, Borkholder also carries several health foods. These could be anything from gluten free and ancient grain flours, healthy sweeteners, and raw nuts to probiotics and electrolyte powder packs. She also sells immune system boosters, something that was a hot item, especially through 2020. “People wanted to stay healthy,” Borkholder says.

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She also sells several all-natural nonedible products such as shampoos, lotions, soaps, and cleaning supplies. Most of these are on the shelves by customer request. “People ask for things and then I start ordering it,” she says.

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Whether customers are looking for a cookbook, a supplement, or proactive health care products, they know Norine’s Herbs is an excellent place to look for it. “They like to shop here because I try to keep my prices reasonable,” Borkholder says. Ultimately, Borkholder enjoys helping people heal naturally. “That’s my goal: help people get better,” she says. “If they have a sickness or are struggling with this or that, it’s rewarding to know that, with God’s help, you can get them on the right track and guide them to the right herbs. That’s one of the things I enjoy most. God has helped and blessed me many ways over the years.” Norine’s Herbs is located at 14746 CR 34, Goshen. Reach out to them by calling 574-642-4272 ext. 1 or visit them online at norinesherbs.com.

CUSTOM TRUCK BEDS STEEL AND ALUMINUM STAIRS • RAILINGS • AND OTHER ITEMS CUSTOM FABRICATION OR PRODUCTION RUNS Located at 6146 W 1350 N • Nappanee, IN Open 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday.

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PATRIOTIC SLIME HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED: LIQUID STARCH, 2 BOTTLES CLEAR SCHOOL GLUE, AND STAR CONFETTI! 1. Pour both bottles of glue into the bottom of a large bowl. 2. Slowly add the liquid starch, a tiny bit at a time. Stir for a while after each bit that you add. About 1/4 to 1/3 cup of liquid starch total but use your own judgment on thickness. 3. Stir together before adding more starch. Keep adding it, a little at a time, until the mixture begins to stick together and congregate in the center of the bowl. Continue stirring and adding starch until bits of the goop no longer sticks to your fingers when you touch it. 4. Add the star confetti as you knead for a few minutes to get a smooth, uniform consistency. 5. STRETCH AND HAVE FUN! *Store it in an airtight container for a couple weeks (not a zip-top sandwich bag…due to difficult to get out of of bag) It can be sticky after being stored, so you might need to add a few drops of liquid starch when you get it back out.*

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES Homemade ice cream sandwiches come together in minutes and are a huge hit with kids. If they can work fast enough, you can even let them build their own. Start with a batch of Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, then use an ice cream scoop to place scoops of vanilla ice cream between two of the cookies before rolling the sides in festive sprinkles!

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

M A J O R LY SUPPLIED RETIRED MILITARY MAN SELLS SURPLUS Writer / Matt Keating Photography / Provided

Mike Cissna, a retired major, says he is happy he opened his business, Major Mike’s Military Surplus, in a building that looks like a castle at 12893 State Road 17, in Culver. “We began buying surplus items back in October of 2020,” Cissna says. “We originally intended to run the business as an online website, so we began to build inventory. By December 2020, we shifted gears to open a brick-and-mortar store, when we were able to lease the castle.” Major Mike’s Military Surplus had a soft opening at the end of February and had their grand opening on March 6.

“I became interested in military surplus many years ago,” he says. “I used to shop at some of the local military surplus stores. I retired from the Indiana Guard Reserve in 2016. This year, I turned 60, and began to think about what I like to do, and where my passions lie looking towards retirement, which led me right to military surplus.” Cissna is a busy man. He also works at other places. “I am a certified occupational therapy assistant, and I currently work three days a week as a therapist, and three days a week in the store,” he says. “I pastor Sovereign Grace Baptist Church as well, so I am a little diverse.” Cissna’s educational background is in theology, occupational therapy and psychology. He enjoys having a lot of different interests, and his jobs suit him well. He also gets a kick out of his store’s unique look. “We were looking at another property, and just happened to pass the building when it was for rent, and signed the lease as quickly as we could,” Cissna says. He says the look of the building also suits him well. “I love the exterior of the building, because castles were of course, military strongholds, so to me it says military,” Cissna says. “The inside of our building is laid out nicely, with products and some history, and we have a veterans honor wall as a thank you to those who served.” Cissna has a wide selection of high-quality merchandise. “We have a good mixture of military surplus both old and new,” he says. “We have packs, canteens, boots, uniforms, first aid kits, gloves, mess kits, and old pouches and packs from World War I and World War II, just to name a few. We are dealers for Rothco and have some tactical equipment as well.” Major Mike’s Military Surplus also has a great selection of camping gear.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

“We have tents, sleeping bags, camp shovels, camping and survival meals from Ready Wise foods,” Cissna says. “We have also bug spray, backpack stoves, flashlights and camp showers.” He says that are some of his items are quite popular. “We sell a lot of boots, uniforms, and hats as well as packs and canteens,” Cissna says. “We also sell a lot of flags and military branch specific items.”

Culver residents have been highly supportive of the business, he says. “The local community has been very supportive of our business,” Cissna says. “Almost daily, someone tells us how glad they are that we have opened this type of business in the community. Our business has really exceeded our expectations and we feel blessed.”

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He says that the recent craziness of the world inspired more people to stock up on necessary supplies. “I think the periods of uncertainty have caused some people to look at stocking up on certain items for survival prepping,” he says. “Our 25-year, shelf-life Ready Wise Foods are perfect, and we have different levels that people can get freeze dried foods, which fit into their personal preparedness budget.”

Cissna has enjoyed getting to know his customers. “We have a very diverse customer base,” he says. “We get prior service veterans, campers, hikers, survivalists, single moms, and single dads. We try to keep our pricing affordable and within reason. We invite you to come in and see us!” You can visit Major Mike’s Military Surplus and Camping Supplies, 12983 State Road 17, Culver. You can reach them at 574-216-8672 or visit them at www.facebook.com/MajorMikesMilitarySurplus.

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HITCH YOUR RIDE GEN-Y HITCH PRODUCTS KEEP CUSTOMERS HOOKED UP Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Carl Borkholder, a Nappanee native, knew he wanted to have his own business when he was a teenager. “It was in my head that someday I would make my own product and sell it to the world,” Borkholder says. Little did he know at that time that his product would be a world-class hitch for all hauling needs.

one that they wanted as well.

“We have dealers all over the world selling products,” he says. “That’s always been my dream, and it’s a reality now.”

“A ton of people asked me to build them some,” he says. “My friends were like, ‘There are a bunch of people out there with the same issue that you had. You should try to sell these.’ ”

Borkholder’s first business offered tree care service that was large enough to require five crews and just as many trucks. As successful as the business was, they had a recurring problem.

In 2011 Borkholder decided to sell his tree service business and start up a new business in his garage called Gen-Y Hitch. It only took a couple of years for the company’s popularity to surge.

“We were constantly buying new hitches because they got lost or were on a different truck,” he explains.

“We don’t necessarily build something that already exists,” he says. “We pride ourselves on new innovation, and different ideas of how a hitch can be used.”

Borkholder, an engineer at heart and a welder by trade, developed and created a hitch that can connect any truck to any trailer in a fleet. Once he locked a hitch onto each of the trucks, his headache was over. It didn’t take long for others to start noticing that his solution was

By 2019 Borkholder and his co-owners, Dan Miller, Scott Tuttle and Reuben Borkholder, opened a local warehouse as a sister company to Gen-Y Hitch in Bremen, called NexGen Industryz. Both of these act as divisions under the parent company of C.D. Corp. NexGen’s purpose was to manufacture all of their products,

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making it a 100% Hoosier-made operation. As Gen-Y Hitch’s popularity surged, they developed other designs, all of which are hefty, built to last, and come with a lifetime warranty. The most popular product line has been Torsion-Flex, a product line that has a towing capacity of 5,000 to 32,000 pounds and, just like the other hitches from Gen-Y Hitch, can accommodate almost any trailer height. There are several different kinds of Torsion-Flex hitches that can accommodate all types of recreational, hobbyist and professional hauling. “They can be used on a bumper-pulled trailer, on a fifth-wheel trailer or on any trailer,” Borkholder says. “Anyone who has a truck and pulls a trailer, we have a hitch for it.” What sets it apart is that it has unique suspension that enables a smooth ride. “The Torsion-Flex really makes a difference when you’re towing a trailer,” Borkholder says. “It takes out all the bumps and the jars you feel from the trailer and the truck. It makes total isolation between the truck and the trailer. It

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separates both based on a suspension. Therefore, your ride is much smoother. You hit a bridge or something and you glide right over it.” Specifically, the Torsion-Flex line was created for fleet companies. “Because it’s a multi-use, multi-purpose kit, they can literally hook

up to any trailer they have in their lot, and they don’t have to switch out hitches,” Borkholder says. RV enthusiasts also appreciate the Torsion-Flex. Not only is the smooth ride one way to make getting to a campground easy, but fitting is also fairly intuitive thanks to a pre-drilled bolt pattern. Gen-Y Hitch offers installation services at their storefront for

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those who choose to pick-up their hitch in person. Customers are encouraged to call ahead so all services and products are available. Stop by Gen-Y Hitch at 1952 West Market Street in Nappanee any time between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, to

view available Torsion-Flex hitches. Discover more about all their products at genyhitch.com. Gen-Y Hitch is looking to hire more welders and machinists. Reach out to them by calling 574-218-6363.

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Major Mike's Military Surplus & Camping Supplies

TURNING 65

Veterans, Collectors, Hunters, Campers, Hikers, Paint Ball Enthusiasts, Survivalists, and those looking to enhance their lifestyle are all welcome! New and previously issued military gear from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and contemporary theatres. We are an authorized Dealer of new military spec gear from Rothco, including boots, camping, and survival items.

Come out and see us!

IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS? Flooded with literature and you don’t know where to start? Evans Agency is here to help! • Multitude of companies to choose from since we are an indepenent agency. • Products- Prescription Drugs, Medicare Supplements & Medicare Advantage Plans Make appointment approximately 2 months before the month of your birthday.

Open Thur. & Fri. 9 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 12983 SR 17 (that’s the castle on the corner of SRs 8 and 17) Culver IN 46511 • (574) 216-8672

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

Kurt Garner’s training is technically in architecture, but he’s been primarily an architectural historian. For some years now, assisting property owners in researching the history and significance of their properties — as well as the process of navigating the ins and outs of placing a property on the National Register — has been his primary stock and trade for many years as well. That work includes more than 30 properties in the Lakes readership area, including commercial and residential districts in Argos, Bourbon, Bremen and Plymouth, as well as the Chief Menominee Monument, which was one of his most rewarding nominations. Garner’s passion for the intersection of place and history comes naturally enough. He notes he had family in Marshall County before it even became a county, and ten generations of his family have lived in the area.

MARSHALL COUNTY’S KURT GARNER PLACES NEARLY 200 INDIANA SITES ON NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Writer / Jeff Kenney Photography / Provided

The fact that 2,000 Indiana sites have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since its inception in 1966 will likely

come as a surprise to many Lakes-area readers. But the fact that one Marshall County resident is responsible for nearly 200 of them — and number 200 is well on its way — might be the biggest surprise of all.

He also grew up with community as part of his life’s blood: his family-owned Garner’s Truck Stop outside of LaPaz, which “was a big part of what made me who I am,” he says. “I think the appreciation for this kind of multigenerational planting of yourself probably grew out of that. Then along with that that, I’m kind of a road-trip guy, so I think feeling a part of the community, as odd as it sounds being in that setting, allowed me to feel like part of a community on a much larger platform.”

And when he learned of part of his family who briefly lived in Culver during the 1930s-1940s, during which time his great uncle gave his life during the Battle of the Bulge at just 19 years old, Garner provided a program on the heart-wrenching story at the Culver church in which services were held during Christmas, 2019, at the 75th anniversary of his death. Garner’s interest in history also goes back almost further than he can recall, though memories dot his mental landscape like pulling a cardboard box of photos from his grandmother’s table and seeing photos of family members to whom he was connection...or being consumed in the fourth grade with reading Indiana history to the point that he read ahead in the school textbook. Garner’s step-grandfather was Hoosier legend, physician and former Governor (and Secretary of Health and Human

Services under President Reagan) Otis Bowen. “I saw public service modeled through him,” says Garner. “The importance of making your community better. And I couldn’t have asked for a better model.” Examples of Garner’s commitment to community service are too many to mention but include his role as a founding member of Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County in 1996 and founding and leading the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council in 1999. He also has played key roles in Indiana Landmarks, the Marshall County Museum expansion/Historic Crossroads Center, Plymouth Greenways Development, Plymouth Plan Commission, Plymouth Urban Forestry Committee, is a regularly featured speaker at the Marshall County Historical Society Brown Bag Luncheons, and served as Marshall County Commissioner, to name a few.

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And Garner, who began doing architectural design work as early as middle school, differs from many small-town Hoosiers in that he opted to return to his hometown of Plymouth after graduating from college (he earned degrees from Bethel College and Andrews University). “Whether you’re talking about being a Hoosier or from Marshall County, when you have an appreciation for your history like I do, and family roots, it’s hard to walk away from the blood, sweat, and tears that have made your family story one with the soil of this place. For me it’s never been an option to not be here... . I love Indiana, and that’s underlying to everything.” After graduating, Garner went to work in Plymouth with Brent Martin, and his very first project was, in many ways, a template for the work that would become his lifelong passion. He was able to design a house to replace a lake cottage that had been in the

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Culver-area Sturman family for generations. It was, he notes, a matter of “reaching into their past and pulling it forward.” Work soon followed helping restore the historic facades of downtown Plymouth’s buildings, and creating a State Historic Byway around the earliest pathway to the Lakes area from the south, the Michigan Road (Garner notes that builder of the house he and his wife, Christine, who serves as Executive Director of the Marshall County Neighborhood Center in Plymouth, live in today, came there on the Michigan Road). Garner has been instrumental in developing the last three of Indiana’s eight scenic byways. Garner’s work often initiates preservation efforts since National Register designation opens the doors for several funding sources including grants and tax credits. He finds it rewarding to watch nominations spur on restoration efforts, sometimes beyond

a single building to neighborhoods and downtowns. The Vonnegut cottage on Lake Maxinkuckee’s National Register-listed East Shore District was one such tax credit project Garner had a hand in. “The most rewarding work,” he says, “whether it be National Register nominations, byway development, or preservation and design, has been introducing people to their past, to let them know that their story, regardless of how insignificant they think it is, matters.” One recent nomination for an institution that was used as an Indian Training School in the 1880s prompted a lot of conversation with administration who said it was painful to read. “But that has to be part of it: confronting a history that may be difficult to acknowledge will broaden our understanding and appreciation for others,” he says.

For Garner, architecture holds a unique place in immersing people in the history of their community and family. “It’s the only thing you can go in and actually experience, unlike writings or other medium,” he says. “So architectural preservation reaches beyond that. You can experience what people before us could experience. “Buildings are repositories of human civilization,” Garner says. “They’re the embodiment of generations of aspirations. So, when buildings pass from the landscape, they take with them what the grave robs from mortals. But unlike the Grim Reaper; it’s us.” Garner’s first National Register nomination was in downtown Plymouth, and by 2008 he had accumulated five in all, including more Plymouth properties as well as Rochester. Gradually the geographic scope of his

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restoration and National Register projects enlarged to the point that, within the past decade, Garner has found himself traveling across virtually every portion of the Hoosier State and to date has worked in more than two-thirds of its counties. “Traveling the backroads is part of my background, and there’s the joy of discovering something you didn’t know was there,” he says. “When something presents itself on a road you’ve never been on, it’s like an ‘aha moment;’ it’s almost like a mystery or a discovery.” And as his 200th National Register nomination approaches (one he plans to donate his time for), Garner has been surprised to learn that he’s stewarded perhaps four times more such nominations than anyone in Indiana, and likely more than anyone in the entire US. Included in the many projects he’s undertaken over the years are 4,831 major resources which include 22 bridges, 40 public buildings, 17 parks or cemeteries, and 108 churches. Kurt Garner blogs regularly his thoughts on history and community, among other topics, at kwgarner.com, where he also posts frequently about his latest preservation and National Register projects. However, he knows some people aren’t going to care about preservation of historic properties, and, he says, that’s OK. “(Preservation and architectural history are) part of our national story and identity being Hoosiers,” he says. “They provide that kind of background to let us know what to reach for. “When you think about all the accomplishments and the struggle and toil and success and celebration, how do we respect that in a way that allows us to build on it and not knock it down or build something that doesn’t fit in its place?” he says. “We also have a story to tell, ourselves, as we move into the future. You interpret the past in a way that allows you to move forward, and it’s OK to leave your mark.” THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 61

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GOING STRONG AFTER 67 YEARS BILL AND BABES IS STILL SERVING THE HITS Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography / Provided

Community has made the difference in the success of Bill and Babes Riverside Inn restaurant. It started in 1954 when Bill and Phyllis “Babe” Reutebuch opened their doors to the restaurant and bar overlooking the Tippecanoe River. “When my father told his father that he bought the restaurant, my grandfather said my father would be broke in six months,” Bill and Phyllis’s youngest child, Daniel Reutebuch, says. “Well, 67 years later, it’s still going strong.” Daniel and his wife Leslie are now the owners of the restaurant his parents established. He began the process of buying the restaurant in 2002, after his father passed away and his mother faced the difficult decision of keeping the restaurant or selling it. Most of the employees in the restaurant are family. This was true in the early days as well: Bill and Phyllis’s four children worked at the restaurant and pitched in after Bill passed. The children, including Daniel were responsible for expanding the restaurant side of the establishment, as Phyllis noted in an earlier newspaper profile in 2002.

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The restaurant’s menu today has several items that have earned it recognition from its diners. In addition to the usual best seller, burgers, other favorites include broasted — that is, fried in oil — pork chops, broasted chicken, steaks, frog legs and regional favorite fish such as walleye, yellow lake perch, smelt, and all-you-can-eat blue gill. It serves sandwiches, pizza and seafood, among other options. This menu was expanded, in part by the pandemic, when Reutebuch began flying in fresh seafood weekly from Boston. That decision has led to Bill and Babes offering entrees such as lobster rolls, clam strips, haddock, oysters, whole belly clams, cod, shrimp and other seafood dishes. “The seafood dishes have continued to take off,” he says. “It varies weekly. Crab stuffed shrimp, scallops, lobster and New England seafood are available all the time.” That decision not only revitalized the menu

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during the pandemic but is filling a niche in the Indiana dining experience. “We are focusing in on the fresh seafood,” Reutebuch says. “We want fresh seafood because it’s hard to find anywhere in Indiana.” Customers, he says, are driving an hour or more just for the seafood. Bill and Babes offers the option of dining in or carryout and is open seven days a week. Standard menu items include steaks, chicken strips, and chicken ranch or fiery shrimp wraps, and catfish. Sandwich offerings beside the hamburgers are tenderloins, fried bologna and a new BLT. There is a selection of sides available. On the pizza menu are the house favorites, such as baked potato, which features potato, bacon, sour cream and cheese, the chicken bacon ranch, the meat galore, Tippy Topper and the Deluxe. Crust choices are thin or medium and other toppings are available.

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827 W. 13th St., Rochester, IN 46975 574-223-4331 lifecarecenterofrochester.com

All Types of Sewing: • Men, Women, Children • Curtains, Drapes, Sheets • Leather, Vinyl, and Custom Sewing A-Z • Restorations _________________________________ • Pick up/Delivery Available • • Same Day Mending Available • • Leather Repair & Conditioning • • Quality Fabric by-the-bolt • • Large Quantity Notions •

574-223-8090

Hours: Mon - Fri 10AM - 3PM or by Appointment 706 Main St. Rochester, IN 46975 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 65

Reutebuch shares what’s on the menu for the day or the weekend via the restaurant’s social media page. Many of the photos highlight the freshness of the meat, whether it is the octopus or the calamari, scallops, or haddock. Other photos highlight the completed dishes.

last year as communities battled COVID-19.

The restaurant’s customers were supportive in keeping the restaurant open during the

Reutebuch says the restaurant building has not changed much since the days his father and mother were in charge. If there was one good thing to come from 2020, it was the opportunity to make some upgrades.

Total Care. Inside and Out.

“Community response was outstanding during the pandemic,” he says. “We had people driving 50 miles to still get carry outs. We started offering take and bake casseroles also.”

“During the pandemic we were able to remodel both our restrooms and the 100-year-old bar my dad purchased in 1954 from Calumet City,” he says. It was his mother who originated the holiday lights at Christmas, which has become a tradition in Winamac. The Christmas lights are still part of what Bill and Babes does, Reutebuch said. They go up at Thanksgiving and stay lit until New Years. It was started in 1989 when Pulaski County turned 150 years old. Bill and Babes hosts fundraisers each year to raise money for Pulaski’s holiday tradition.

Randy Lehman, MD.

Wade Hsu, MD.

Daniel Anderson, MD.

Pulaski Memorial Hospital’s Outpatient Surgery is committed to providing compassionate and uncompromising care that allows patients to return to their optimum wellness with as little impact on their personal lives as possible. Our General Surgeons provide a wide array of services, including: • • • • • • •

Breast Biopsy Mastectomy Colonoscopy Gallbladder Removal Hernia Repair Lesion Removal Hysterectomy

• • • • • •

Tonsillectomy Cesarean Section Tubal Ligation Vasectomy Bowel Resection Laparoscopic Appendix and Gallbladder removal

Reutebuch is proud of the reputation his parents earned through the years. “My parents were great at helping out anyone that needed it,” he says. Bill and Babes is located at 5656 S. Main St., Winamac. For more information or hours, call 574-595-0536 or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ billandbabespulaski.

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

CULVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1111 N Lake Shore Dr. Culver, IN (574) 842-3155

540 Hospital Dr., Winamac, IN • (574) 946-2194 • www.pmhnet.com

66 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

Macys Wags and Wiggles

Appointment Only Dog Grooming Most Large Dogs Accepted

574.807.2999 11560 State Road 8 | Culver We are the longest Running Diamond Hustler dealer in Northern Indiana.

Stop in for the best overall deal and experience.

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

• • • • • • • • • •

5 YEAR WARRANTY

Fresh Produce Bulk Food Deli Meats Bakery Items Large Cheese Selection Frozen Foods Dairy Products Discount Items Paper Products Bulk Candy

574.773.0303

4133 E County Line Rd. Bremen Mon-Fri. 8a - 5:30p • Sat. 8a - 3p • Closed Sunday THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 67

(574)546-4413

1319 Plymouth-Goshen Trail | Bremen

FREE CORRESPONDING MOBILE APP AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTING ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM & TWITTER FEATURING THE PEOPLE, BUSINESSES AND EVENTS IN AND AROUND KOSCIUSKO, ELKHART, NOBLE, LAGRANGE, , FULTON, STARKE & PULASKI 30, 000 + FREEMARSHALL MONTHLY MAILED PRINT MAGAZINE 12 TIMESCOUNTY A YEAR FREE CORRESPONDING MOBILE APP AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTING ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM & TWITTER FEATURING THE PEOPLE, BUSINESSES AND EVENTS IN AND AROUND KOSCIUSKO, ELKHART, NOBLE, LAGRANGE, MARSHALL , FULTON, STARKE & PULASKI COUNTY

MAGAZINES MAGAZINES

For advertising information, contact:

For advertising information, contact: Publisher / President : John Lewandowski

(Covering Kosciusko, Elkhart, Noble, Lagrange County, Marshall , Fulton, Starke & Pulaski Counties) Publisher / President : John Lewandowski

574.249.9217 | John@Townepost.com (Covering Kosciusko, Elkhart, Noble, Lagrange County, Marshall , Fulton, Starke & Pulaski Counties) or Tina Keaffaber (Covering Kosciusko County) 574.249.9217 | John@Townepost.com 574.371.7482 | Tina@Townepost.com or Tina Keaffaber (Covering Kosciusko County) 574.371.7482 | Tina@Townepost.com 68TownePost.com / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / JULY / THE 2021 LAKES / TownePost.com / 67

Just call...

BENNETT S ’

• Rugs • Carpet • Laminate

• Vinyl • Hardwood • Showers

• Ceramic • Warehouse Specials

• Home Maintenance & Repairs • Remodeling & Additions • Windows & Siding • Electrical & Generators • Painting • Gas & Water Lines • Furnace & A/C Repairs & Installation • Water Heater Repair & Installation

(574) 935-5656

www.prattsfloorcovering.com

303 N. Oak Dr. Plymouth IN. 46563

640 E. Lake Shore Drive Culver, In 46511 (574) 842-3228

info@BennettsContracting.net Serving the Culver area since 1965

We have seasoning sauces, and mixes to help with the next cookout!

For all inquiries contact Sandy Saenz. Open Tue - Fri 10:00am to 5:30pm | Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm (574)936-5259 | Simpleestatedgifts@yahoo.com 100 W. Garro St. • Plymouth | www.simpleestatedgifts.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 69

574-842-5000

514-W. Mill St. Culver, IN www.culversportsidemarina.com

Amy & Rick Patrick

PROVIDING TRUST & ASSURANCE P AT R I C K I N S U R A N C E A G E N C Y O F F E R S P E A C E O F M I N D Writer / Angela Cornell Photography / Jubilee Edgell

should be a way to make sure needs are met.

Nothing is more stressful than trying to find good insurance. Except for, perhaps, getting into a bad situation and then discovering that your insurance doesn’t cover it. According to Amy Patrick of Patrick Insurance in Culver, neither of those scenarios need to be common problems. On the contrary, insurance

Patrick got started in insurance 29 years ago in Michigan while working with Bob Parker. “He’s the one who set the tone for what this agency is today. I learned a lot from him. He was a wonderful mentor,” Patrick says. Eventually, Patrick went to work for another agency, this time

in management. “I operated the whole agency. And I thought, ‘I’m doing this here, why am I not doing it for myself ?’” Then, in 2019, she decided to branch out on her own and start her own agency. At first, it was just Patrick and her nephew, Jack Rea, who specializes in life and health insurance, annuities and financial planning.

CULVER LOCATION OPENS IN JULY 2021

18561 IN 10 | CULVER 70 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

JENI 574.876.9068

In the last two years, the agency has grown to include two more agents, Rene Roby and Brett Zellers, both of whom specialize in different types of coverage. Patrick’s husband, Rick, has also joined the team as the agency development manager. Patrick Insurance is licensed in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. Many agents work for captive insurance agencies, ones that are contracted to work for one insurance company and can only sell their policies. However, Patrick Insurance is an independent agency, offering policies from multiple providers, from typical insurance coverage, like homeowner’s and renter’s, auto, health, life, etc., to the less common varieties, like farm and crop insurance, commercial, boats and other large toys like motorcycles and golf carts, disability, and much more. “We have many more markets that enable us to provide proper coverage and allow

LEWIS Construction

Custom Homes Fine Millwork

574-835-1892

Bryan@rtcol.com LED Lights • Rhythm Clocks • Fabrics Notions • Gift Items • Ertl Toys • Shoes • Boots Kitchenware • Amish Clothing • Frogge Togg Rain Suits

29999 CR 56 • Nappanee, IN 46550 www.burkholdercountrystore.com 574-773-4279 • Fax 574-773-3740

Open Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri : 8AM-5PM | Tue: 8AM-7PM | Sat 8AM-1PM | Closed Sun

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

We are Hiring!

Cabinetworks Group is the largest independently owned manufacturer and distributor of cabinets in the United States. We offer excellent career opportunities and plenty of room for advancement!

Our immediate manufacturing openings include job tasks and duties related to the manufacturing of cabinets. Bring your friendly attitude and be eager to grow in your career. Sky is the limit!

• $1000 New Hire Bonus • Excellent Benefits • Starting Pay Between $14-$15 Per Hour • $1.50 Shift Premium for Third Shift • Paid Vacation Within 60 days • Perfect Attendance Bonus

HOW TO APPLY GO TO cabinetworksgroup.com/careers TEXT “Apply” to 574-444-0124 STOP IN Monday thru Friday 8am-3pm 515 W Mill Street, Culver, IN 46511

72 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

us to meet the needs of our customers,” Patrick says. When Patrick sits down with a new customer, she talks with them about their current coverage. Then, she reviews their current policy. “I’ll tell you where there may be gaps in the coverage. Discussing current coverages, comparing apples to apples and possibly broadening your coverage.There might be some things that we could change that would be beneficial to where you are in your life,” she says. “I’d access different companies and we’d see what would best fit your needs.” No matter what insurance a customer is looking for, Patrick’s goal is to establish a relationship built on trust. “It’s more than just a policy. It’s a relationship. Our motto is providing trust and assurance, and that is very important to me.” Patrick prides herself on her ethics. But caring for her clients is more than just building relationships with them. It’s also about education. “The most important part of the process is providing proper security and finding the best selection for the insurance need,” Patrick explains. “It’s telling people, ‘You can have this and this and this, but you need to tell me if you think you need it or not. I’m not going to force it on you.’ And explain what it is and what it provides and let them make some decisions as well.” Of course, that relationship is always most valuable when tragedy strikes. “If they get in a claim situation and they’ve never had a claim, and they don’t know what to do, they can call me. I’m going to help them through that every step of the way,” says Patrick.

“I’ve had companies tell me, ‘You can have everything sent to the call center and we’ll handle it for you.’ I think it’s important to be there when an insured needs you the most, during the claim. I also like that one-on-one contact with my customers.” Patrick’s philosophy is something her customers deeply appreciate about

her services. “I’ll get emails and text messages from my customers thanking me and appreciating me. They’ll say, ‘I wouldn’t know this if you hadn’t explained it to me,’” says Patrick. “Yes, our time is valuable, but if I can take 30 minutes out of my day and make a difference in somebody’s life and make them feel comfortable and help them understand, that’s what this is about.”

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 73

You’ll find Patrick Insurance at 6868 N. Roby Road, Culver. You’ll find more information by visiting https:// www.facebook.com/pages/category/ Insurance-Agent/Patrick-InsuranceAgency-LLC-439178193505618/. You can reach them at 574-242-8473 or amy@patrickins.com.

“FULTON COUNTY’S COMPLETE DECORATING CENTER”

Quality 5 Inch Gutters made on site Leaf Guard

Welcome to our House!

CUSTOM WALK-IN TILE SHOWERS HARDWOOD FLOORS L.V.P. CARPET HUNTER DOUGLAS BLINDS

Committed to Excellence

(574)349-3271

401 E 9TH ST | ROCHESTER HOUSEOFDECOR401.COM (574) 223-2730

Lynn Stutzman

Let us help you create

your OWN Unique piece...

Transform your living space with one of our unique melody clocks. These clocks bring musical notes, nature sounds and elements of nature to life.

Our one-of-a-kind live edge furniture combines rich natural colors and textures with beautiful Amish craftsmanship. Each piece is hand crafted with care and is as unique as the customer who orders it. Unique Furniture leads the Northern Indiana market in custom designed, live edge furniture, river tables, rustic log furniture and more.

River Table

Perch Clock

Special Requests...

If you have your own unique or favorite slab, we will do our best to create a custom piece for you!

574-773-2846 | 11092 N 600 W Milford, IN 46542 | EMAIL uniquefurniturein@gmail.com | WEB customuniquefurniture.com 74 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

FRESH CUT MEATS

Local Family Owned & Operated Store

www.savealot.com • (574)224-3434 2318 E State Rd 14 • Rochester

THATCHER DETAILING AUTO DETAILING | BODY WORK

ASK US ABOUT COMBINED PRINT + DIGITAL + SO•VEHICLE & BOAT WRAPS

Monday-Saturday 8 AM - 8 PM • Sunday 9 AM-7 PM

REACHING MORE THAN 63,780 COMBINED PRINT + DIGITAL + SOCIAL REACH FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2021 ADVERTISING INFORMATION:

JOHN LEWANDOWSKI PUBLISHER 574-249-9217 JOHN@TOWNEPOST.COM TheLakesMagazine.com!

Grab the fun by the bars The water’s your playground

•MECHANICAL REPAIR •WINDOW TINTING FOR VEHICLES WWW.THATCHERDETAILING.COM

574-835-7708 13101 MICHIGAN RD. PLYMOUTH, IN 46563

Lakeshore Concierge Services

Invest in our Services today to ensure your time at the lakes is not filled with tedious chores and tiresome to-do-lists. Sit back and relax, Lakeshore Concierge Services has you covered.

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

574-842-5000

514-W. Mill St. Culver, IN www.culversportsidemarina.com

Don’t worry while you’re away. Let Lakeshore Concierge Services be your eyes. Maintenance, Security and overseeing your property. From your grocery list to your honey-do-list... Lakeshore Concierge Services has you covered. Contact Ron Gibson at 574-360-0371 or rrgibson9@gmail.com Insured & Bonded Supporting our Community

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 75

VISIT BORN IN A BARN DURING KNOX FAMILY FUN DAY JULY 3RD

302 N. Heaton Street, Knox, IN 46534 • 574-772-3802 JUST SOUTH OF THE YELLOW RIVER BRIDGE ON THE US 35 CORRIDOR

Voted #3 Not only do we have antiques... we have old stuff, new stuff, furniture, costume jewelry, local crafted soaps, collectibles, candles, jams, jellies and don’t forget some downright ugly stuff!

in Starke County for furniture sales 2020

REG. HOURS: THURS-FRI-SAT 10AM4PM OWNERS: JERRY & VICKI COOLEY

LIKE US!

OUR FURNITURE WAREHOUSE SHOW ROOM

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

Buyer & Distributor close outs & surpluses of general merchandise. Wholesale & Retail Sales. You will find a huge selection of Lawn art plus many in store unique finds. Don’t forget to visit the Toto Cafe

www.davesenginerepair.com 10215 East SR 8 Knox, Indiana 46534 76 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

(574)772-5923 www.richardsoftoto.com RichardsOfToto@hotmail.com 3060 S. Range Road North Judson Mon & Wed-Fri 9am to 5pm Sat & Sun 9am to 5:30pm Closed Tuesdays

I N J U LY 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

ALL Times listed are Central Time.

7a-Noon – Koontz Lake fire Department Pancake Breakfast

EVERY MONDAY BINGO

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

EVERY SATURDAY PICKLEBALL

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

KOONTZ LAKE ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING

6:30pm CT – Koontz Lake Association Board Meeting at the KLA Clubhouse. This is open to the public. Face masks and social distancing is required.

9a-Noon – Pickleball at Lions Park

3-4

LAST SATURDAY CONCERTS

The Dan Moore Band playing a variety of hits that you’ll love. Rent the Koontz Lake Clubhouse for your next party! The rental fee is $50.00, and dates are filling up fast for the holidays. If interested, please contact Mandy at 708-927-0228. The facility holds up to 100 people and has a fully equipped kitchen. Like us on Facebook! – Koontz Lake Association

JULY CELEBRATIONS See flyer below PAGE 7

K LA NE WS LE T T E R

LAKE MAXINKUCKEE/CULVER ALL Times listed are Eastern Time.

3&4 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SATURDAY, JULY 3RD Kayak Race, 8am CT

Meet at the Beach with your life vest & fastest kayak Questions? Contact Christina at 574-286-0459 *Entry/Waiver form required*

Golf Cart Parade, 10:30am CT

Meet at the Hurford’s house (11958 E Woodbine Ln) with your festively decorated golf cart. Parade ends at the beach in time for the band Questions? Contact Rhonda at 574-250-1835 *Entry/Waiver form required*

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

Doing Business as…. Bring your lawn chairs & refreshments

LAKE FEST

Visit Culver Lakefest on Facebook for up-to-date events

UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMERS

11am - Understanding Dementia & Alzheimer’s with Joseph Collins, CMCP, Program Director Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana powered by REAL Services at the Culver Union-Township Public Library

Meet near the Beach at dusk with your boats decorated & illuminated

BASS LAKE

SUNDAY, JULY 4TH Koontz Lake Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, 7am-12pm CT

ENTRY/WAIVER FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JUNE 29TH * Mail to KLA, 7973 N. Edgewater Dr., Walkerton, 46574 * Details and Required Entry Forms and Waivers for all events can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/KoontzLakeAssociation/ and Website https://sites.google.com/site/koontzlakeassociation/ or call (248) 298-9307

BASS LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS ANNUAL MEETING

9am – Bass Lake Property Owners Annual meeting and election of officers at the Property Owners Building.

BLPOA’S ANNUAL BIKE RIDE 8am - BLPOA’s annual bike ride. THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com / 77

78 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

UPCOMING EVENTS TRI-STATE ALL MORGAN HORSE SHOW JULY 1, 2021 - JULY 4, 2021 MICHIANA PBR BULL FEST PRO TOURING MAJOR JULY 9, 2021 - JULY 10, 2021

455 E FARVER STREET SHIPSHEWANA, IN 46565 WWW.MICHIANAEVENTS.COM 260-768-3300

THE FINISH LINE JULY 23, 2021 - JULY 25, 2021 OHIO DRAFT HORSE SHOW AUG 4, 2021 - AUG 7, 2021 MICHIANA AUTO MANIA AUG 13, 2021 - AUG 14, 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 / JULY 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. We are your local comfort system maintenance, repair, installation and replacement experts.

24 HOUR SERVICE Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor 12 year warranty Armstrong 10 year labor and 12 year parts warranty

www.justintimeplumbingandheating.com Justin Time Plumbing and Heating, LLC

(574) 780-2245

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

The Lakes Magazine July 2021

Articles inside

From Our Kitchen To Yours: Death by Chocolate – Coffee?

Creative Corner

History Lessons in Stone, Steel, Brick: Marshall County’s Kurt Garner Places Nearly 200 Indiana Sites on National Register of Historic Places