The Lakes Magazine September 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

SEPTEMBER 2021

THE LAKEHOUSE GRILLE Culver Restaurant is a Local Staple 9 Years Later MAIN EVENTS

Michiana Event Center Has Become an Entertainment Fixture BEYOND WEDGWOOD BLUE

Special Exhibit Running Through Sept. 30 at the Havilah Beardsley House TownePost.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 1

Midwest Farm & Pet, LLC A DIFFERENCE YOU CAN SEE Trusted & Proven Performance

• • • • • •

Livestock Feeds Purina Kalmbach Tribute ADM Wild Bird Seed

• • • • •

Suet Cakes Pet Food & Supplies Food Plots Lawn & Pond Supplies Rodenticides

$5 OFF Purchase of $25 or more

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

Jerad (574)536-5418 • 6223 8th Road | Plymouth 2 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

Mastering The Beauty!

Orva Yoder

8094 W. 1050 N., Nappanee, IN (574) 354-7884 - Home (574) 356-6059 - Cell

New Homes • Restoration • Strip & Re-stain Garage • Closets • Decks • Pole Barns • Interior Remodeling • Log Home Maintenance Yoder’s Log & Timber Pros is a small, family Metal Roofs • Custom Traditional Homes • Custom Log Cabin Homes • Custom Log Railing owned and operated log home business.

We specialize in producing custom built log home with a strong belief in quality and integrity.

Lumber • Hardware • Greenhouse • Floral THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 3

SAVINGS! SAVINGS!

LIMITED TIME • 2127 North Oak Drive | Plymouth LIMITED 574-936-1299 0

TIMEbanfichfurnitureandmattress.comC O R O N A D O

0

Rocking Recliner

Rocking CASEY Rocking Recliner

$

Sofa

Rocking Recliner

COLL AGE

CASEY

Sofa

CORONADO

COLL AGE

$

799

799

Recliner

LIMITED TIME

SAVINGS! E ASTON

E ASTON

Reclining Sofa

$

999

Reclining Sofa

Sofa 999 COME SEE OUR LARGE $ 799 SELECTION OF MATTRESS

0

LIMITED SAVINGS! 399 TIME SAVINGS! YOUR CHOICE

399

CHOICE

$

YOUR CH OICE RECLINERS

Rocking Recliner

ea.

Rocking

$

Rocking Recliner

499

$

JASPER

Rocking Recliner Rocking

S TOO N C O R O NEAAD

Rocking Recliner

Recliner

399

$

Rocking Recliner

799C O LB LRAOGOEK S

YOUR CHOICE

ea.

$

Furniture In Stock For JOEL Immediate Delivery!!!

JASPER

Sofa

YOUR CH OICE RECLINERS CASEY Rocking Recliner

BROOKS

C O R O N ARecliner DO

499

$

Rocking Recliner

CASEY

ea.

0

$Y O U R

COLL AGE

CORONADO

Reclining Sofa

Sofa

999 $ 799 $

JOEL

Rocking Recliner

ea.

P OW E R A N D/O R C U S H I O N U P G R A D ES AVA I L A B L E O N S EL ECT R EC L I N I N G ST Y L ES

THIS AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF LA-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME! BROOKS JASPER

ea.Y O U R

POWER

CHO E IACSE T O N R E C L I NReclining ERS Sofa

Rocking Recliner

STORE NAME $499

Going on

A N D / O R C U S H I O N999 UPGRADES now at

$

Rocking Recliner

JOEL

Rocking Recliner

E ASTON

Reclining Sofa

A V A I L A B L E O N S E L E C T R E C L I N I$N G S T Y L E S

999

Y O U RAREA’S C H O I C E LARGEST SELECTION ea.

THIS OF LA-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME!

399Going on

$

JASPER

STORE NAME now STORE NAME

P OW E R A N D/O R C U S H I O N U P G R A D ES AVA I L A B L E O N S EL ECT R EC L I N I N G ST Y L ES

ea.

THIS AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF LA-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME!

now atGoing on JOEL

Rocking Recliner

YOUR CH OICE RECLINERS

Rocking BROOKS Recliner Rocking

JASPER

at

Recliner

Rocking Recliner

JOEL

Rocking Recliner

499

$

ea.

AIL ABLE ON SELECT RECLINING ST YLES P OW E R A N D/O R C U S H I O N U P G R A D ES AVA I L A B L E O N S EL ECT R EC L I N I N G ST Y L ES

A-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME! THIS AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF LA-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME!

Going on RE NAME now at STORE NAME Hours Mon- Fri 10 AM - 6 PM and Sat 10 AM- 5 PM 4 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

A TOWNE POST NETWORK PUBLICATION

IN THIS ISSUE

For advertising information, contact: PUBLISHERS JOHN & MANDI LEWANDOWSKI john@townepost.com mandi@townepost.com 574.249.9217 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER TINA KEAFFABER tina@townepost.com 574.371.7482

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER/CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com 317.496.3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com 317.810.0011 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ROBERT TURK rob@townepost.com 317.810.0011 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT JOSH BROWN CREATIVE DIRECTORS TONI EADS VAL HACKER GRAPHIC DESIGNER ROBBY BERRY COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS

REAL-TIME ANALYTICS Scan the QR code to see this magazine’s real-time reach and distribution numbers.

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: 317-810-0011

#SPOTLIGHTINGLOCAL FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT franchising.townepost.com

SEPTEMBER 2021

6

49

Barbecue Enthusiast Brings Restaurant Dreams to Reality

Ringer Outdoors Caters to Archery Enthusiasts

GRILL MASTER

11

53

NEW QB IN TOWN

Getting to Know Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Carson Wentz

18

NAPPANEE APPLE FESTIVAL RETURNS SEPTEMBER 16-19

57

BEYOND WEDGWOOD BLUE

THE LAKEHOUSE GRILLE

Culver Restaurant is a Local Staple 9 Years Later

25

Special Exhibit Running Through Sept.

30 at the Havilah Beardsley House

61

NOW SHOWING

WELCOME TO THE MEC!

Michiana Event Center Has Become an Entertainment Fixture

32

FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS Specializing In Spices

37

ARROW INDUSTRIAL

Local Company Is a Go-To for your Industrial Surplus Needs

41

SUNRISE SHRIMP FARM

Bremen Local Forays Into the Shrimp Market

45

DREW’S GIFT OF MUSIC

HITTING THE MARK

Isis Theatre Maintains Family-Friendly Traditions More Than 100 Years Later

65

PAGES OF HISTORY

New Edition of Classic Book Centers on History of Maxinkuckee and Surrounding Area

68

STAY AWHILE

Find Plenty of Dining, Retail and Entertainment Options in Walkerton

72

BURKHOLDER COUNTRY STORE Nappanee Shop Celebrates 20 Years

77

Local Instrument Program Provides Scholarships, Lessons, Instruments to Students

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER AT THE LAKES

KEY CONTRIBUTORS ANGELA CORNELL / AMY LANT-WENGER / JUBILEE EDGELL / JEFF KENNEY KARI LIPSCOMB / LOIS TOMASZEWSKI / MATT KEATING AMY LANT-WENGER / THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS / SETH JOHNSON

GRILL MASTER BARBECUE ENTHUSIAST BRINGS RESTAURANT DREAMS TO REALITY Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Rob Taylor, owner of Rob’s Grill in Culver, says he has dreamed of owning a barbecue restaurant since he was a small child.

Through the years Taylor has been able to make his childhood dream a reality by working hard. He perfected his barbecue and has launched his own business.

Taylor was able to accomplish his longterm goals by seeking out the freshest meats available, and making sure his customers are satisfied with everything they order. He goes out of his way to make sure people love their food.

“We opened on July 4,” Taylor says.

“Before we opened in Culver, we had a shop in Plymouth, Indiana, and we also did pop-ups.”

The pop-ups provided a way to build buzz about the business, and get people talking about the fresh-tasting barbecue.

felt that the way to get customers talking about his business was to specialize in one area, and offer other delicious menu items to get people talking.

“We specialize in smoked meats,” Taylor says.

Taylor, who is also a welder by trade,

He says Rob’s Grill serves the freshest meats possible. They smoke meat quantities based on demand.

Customers have responded favorably since the business opened. Taylor has already attracted a large following of loyal Rob’s Grill customers who have

NOW OPEN!

18561 IN 10 | CULVER 6 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

JENI 574.876.9068

made repeat visits to get a taste of his barbecue. Many of them have brought their families and friends.

Taylor gets a lot of compliments on his food. He says it keeps him humble.

He thanks God, his wife Jennifer, and also his father, family, staff, and local community. They keep him inspired to continue making the Rob’s Grill menu favorites.

“Our other popular items include racks of ribs, chicken, pulled pork, rib tips and brisket, along with other specialty items,” Taylor says. “We also have a nice selection of side dishes.”

The side dishes include barbecue baked beans, cheesy potatoes, potato salad, green beans, pineapple slaw, and fries. Pulled pork nachos, pulled pork fries, brisket nachos, and brisket fries are also available.

particularly popular among his many loyal customers. They keep coming back for their favorites.

Taylor has noticed some menus items are

“Brisket seems to be our top seller, with the

Fall has arrived at Simplee Stated Gifts!!

VEHICLE with a PROTECT YOUR , Abrasion and Scratch, Chemical R OF STRENGTH! YE Slip-Resistant LA

WORK

ribs and pulled pork not far behind,” Taylor says.

Taylor has his own favorite food choices from the menu.

Stop by today and pick up a few items to help decorate your home for the upcoming season!

PLAY

Professional for WINDOW TINTING! E ID R a COOLER GIFT CARDS

available for all products & services

ALL WEATHER PROTECTION SOLD HERE

93 E. Galbreath Dr., WINAMAC • (574) 946-3300 ZIEBART CREDIT CARD**: 6 Months Promotional Financing, No Annual Fee,Convenient Monthly Payments **See Ziebart of Winamac for details. *Subject to credit approval

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 / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 7

“My personal favorite would be the nachos and the chicken,” he says.

Taylor likes to keep his barbecue menu as readily available to his loyal customers as possible. The business offers takeout, delivery, dine-in and catering.

Taylor and his staff also take orders for Rob’s Grill T-shirts, hats and hoodies.

Taylor notes that what is particularly special about barbecue is that it brings family and friends together.

“What I love best about barbecue is that it takes me back to my younger days,” Taylor says. “I’m back with my parents and grandparents. It just takes me back in time a little bit. It gives me great satisfaction to see people enjoy my food.”

Taylor loves making his customers happy.

The motto at Rob’s Grill is, “We smoke nothing but the best.”

E DELIVER! W

WHAT SETS US APART?

“We take it personally which means we strive to provide our customers with the quality and service that we • PANELIZED STONE would want if we were on the other • COMPOSITE DECKING side of the counter.” - Trent Odell, Owner

• SIDING

574-223-2151

www.odelllumbersupply.com 1720 E. St. Rd. 14 | Rochester 8 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

PERSONAL SERVICE

WE HAUL IT ALL

FRESH CUT MEATS

Local Family Owned & Operated Store

www.savealot.com • (574)224-3434 2318 E State Rd 14 • Rochester Monday-Saturday 8 AM - 8 PM • Sunday 9 AM-7 PM

“Barbecue is something that I have a passion for,” Taylor says. “I didn’t really think that opening one place would happen, but thanks to my wife Jennifer, who gave me the push I needed, the dream is now a reality.”

Taylor started learning his special

DUMPSTER SERVICE Phone or Text (574) 946-7711

techniques for barbecue when he was a small child.

“I’ve been doing this since the age of 6,” he says. “I’m still doing it almost the same way as I was taught. My father said I would have to find my own style and technique. When I could do that, then I

will understand and enjoy my barbecue.”

Visit Rob’s Grill at 18561 State Road 10 in Culver. You can also call the restaurant at 260-203-8632, email them at mrrltaylor79@gmail.com, and visit facebook.com/nothingbutthebest1 for more info.

CALL ANYTIME

574.936.4622

It is our expressed goal to provide Land Surveying and Civil Engineering services throughout the State of Indiana

1

#

Voted

BEST of Marshall County

(574) 586-3448 | teeng@te-llc.com 7908 N State HWY 23 Walkerton, IN

2020 / 2021

1980 W. Jefferson St.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 9

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

2405 1/2 N. Michigan St.

These plans were designed with standard construction practices in mind. Due to variations in state, local, and federal codes, revisions may be required to these plans. It remains the responsibility of the builder to review the information, and assure that it is revised to become code compliant, appropriate, and complete.

GENERAL CONTRACTING FRAMING RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURE COMMERCIAL

Wade Quarter Horses

Service Service Territory

Territory within 60 min of LaGrange

Rochester IN

Color Overviews

• • • • •

DRAWINGS PROVIDED BY:

0105 E 200 N LaGrange IN 46761 Ph. 260-463-8111

Indiana Counties within 60 min of LaGrange -LaGrange FLEXIBLE - We build whatIndiana youElkhart want, no matter how many changes Counties St. Joseph -LaGrange FAIR - Solid quality components at a very fair price on YOUR budget Noble Elkhart 11/23/2020 FRIENDLY - Hardworking,Steuben helpful, members St. Joseph efficient crew SCALE: Kosciuscko Noble None DeKalb

AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS | LARGE LIVESTOCK FACILITIES | EQUESTRIAN Steuben HowAGRICULTURAL We Build the Michigan Counties Kosciuscko A-8 STABLES | STORAGE BUILDINGS | APARTMENTS | OFFICE BUILDINGS Branch DeKalb Community St. Joseph SHEET:

Cass Counties How We Build the Michigan what you want, no Flexible - We build Branch matter how many changes 0105 E 200 N | LAGRANGE IN 46761 Community St. Joseph Contact us FAIR - Solid quality components at a

Cass 260-463-8112 260-463-8111 | FAX

very fairwhat price you on YOUR build want,budget no Flexible - We matter how many changes FRIENDLY - Hardworking, helpful,

efficient crew members FAIR - Solid quality components at a very fair price on YOUR budget

FRIENDLY - Hardworking, helpful, efficient crew members

Michiana@ibyfax.com Office 260-463-8111

Contact us

Harley Mast 260-463-6559

Michiana@ibyfax.com Office 260-463-8111

Harley MELECTRIC ast LEAVE YOUR BILL BEHIND! 260-463-6559

Residential ● Commercial ● Agricultural

Your Local Solar Company Since 2006

8015 W. 1350 N. Suite A Nappanee, IN 46550 574-773-0546 www.sesindiana.com

10 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

NEW QB IN TOWN

GETTING TO KNOW INDIANAPOLIS COLTS QUARTERBACK CARSON WENTZ Writer / Seth Johnson Photography Provided by the Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Carson Wentz has heard the rumors and can confirm - he and Prince Harry are two different people despite their similar looks.

“We’re not the same person,” Wentz says with a laugh. “I hate to break it to some people, but nope.”

Traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Indianapolis Colts in March of 2021, Wentz follows in the footsteps of the now-retired Phillip Rivers, who took the Colts to the playoffs in his lone year

with the team. Drafted at number two

by Philadelphia in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017, where he first played under current Colts Head Coach Frank Reich, who served as Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator.

Although born in Raleigh, North

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 11

“I loved playing for him as my coach and loved working together with him as my offensive coordinator,” Wentz says. “We just really got along well off the field and really connected on a deeper level spiritually. I just thought we had a really good thing in Philly working together, so I think we were both mutually excited to get back and work together again.”

While Carson, his wife Madison, and their 1-year-old daughter Hadley have been busy settling in, the Indianapolis community has made sure to welcome them with open arms.

Carolina, Wentz spent most of his upbringing in North Dakota - a state he still has many ties to today.

North Dakota is definitely home. I love that place and love those people back there.”

“Both of my parents are there, and I have a bunch of friends and stuff back there,” Wentz says. “I grew up there, went to high school there and went to college there.

While Indianapolis may be completely new terrain for him and his family, Wentz at least has a familiar face here in town with Reich.

12 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

“The way we’ve been welcomed and embraced has just been really cool, both football-wise from the organization but also in the community,” Wentz says. “It just seems like such a family-friendly environment. Everyone’s rooting for you, pulling for you and wants you to succeed.”

When he’s not out on the gridiron, Wentz

also stays busy with a nonprofit he started called the Audience of One (AO1) Foundation. A devout Christian, Wentz has tried to use his platform for good since entering the NFL. “When I was a rookie, I knew that my purpose was so much bigger than throwing touchdowns on Sunday,” he says. “Coming to my faith when I was in college, I knew there was a platform that was different. Lord knows how long I’ll have that platform, so as a rookie I said, ‘Let’s start the foundation. I don’t know how many years I’ll be in this position to have a voice, have eyes on me and make a difference, so while we’ve got it, let’s make the most of it.’”

The AO1 Foundation consists of three separate ministries according to Wentz.

The first of these is called Thy Kingdom Crumb.

“That goes around and gives out free

food to anybody and everybody, and also talks with people on the streets, shares the gospel and prays with people,” Wentz says of Thy Kingdom Crumb.

“Anybody and everybody is welcome. We look forward to that continuing in Philly, but potentially seeing how we can get involved in a similar fashion out here in the

Indianapolis area.”

The AO1 Foundation also facilitates an Outdoor Ministry, which aims to serve children with life-threatening illnesses or other life-altering medical situations in order to foster a passion for outdoor activities and bring people closer to God

TURNING 65

Toto’s

and Name Br ation! t Destin Discoun

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.

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

Large Discounts on Great Brand Items Such As: CUBS, DISNEY, COLTS, UNDER ARMOUR, BEARS Sportswear, Footwear, Shirts, Coats, Household Items, Toys, Candy, Gifts, Decor & MORE

NOW OPEN !

Sunday: 10:30-3 Monday: 9-4:30 Tuesday: CLOSED Wed-Sat: 9-4:30

3115 South Range Rd., North Judson 574-207-5494 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 13

through discipleship. Last but not least, the AO1 Foundation is involved in a sports complex in the country of Haiti.

“It’s just been really cool to see God working through it and for us to be obedient to where he calls us to go,” says Wentz of the AO1 Foundation and its three ministries.

“It’s been fun to really see lives being impacted and changed, not only on this earth but also for eternity, and that’s really where the greatest reward has been.”

Currently living on Indy’s northside, Wentz says he and his family have already grown to love Indianapolis.

Delivering Joy, With Exceptional Care.

“We love it out here,” he says. “It’s got that small-town feel, but it’s definitely a bigger city that has everything you need from restaurants to family activities.

There are so many things to do. I think the culture around here and the community atmosphere really fits me and my family perfectly, and we’re excited about it.”

As for his inner outdoorsman, Wentz says he looks forward to exploring all of the nature Indiana has to offer as well.

“The hunting, fishing and everything around in the countryside out here seems really exciting for me to dabble with, get out there and enjoy,” Wentz says.

Brogan Bahler, MD

Timothy Day, MD

Clint Kauffman, MD

Melissa Zahrt, MD

As Indiana’s only certified Baby-Friendly, Critical Access Hospital, Pulaski Memorial is committed to providing expectant mothers a compassionate and caring environment.

Our doctors, along with a knowledgeable and dedicated staff, work with patients and caregivers to provide a personalized health care experience.

The Indianapolis Colts kick off their regular season on September 12 against the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium. To view the entire Colts schedule, visit Colts.com/ Schedule.

And after delivery, Family Medicine and Women’s Health Physicians can continue providing healthcare at any age - ensuring your loved ones receive a lifetime of care from the very beginning.

To schedule an appointment, please call (574) 946-2194.

GENEVA CENTER Overnight Retreats • Adult &

Maternity 616 E 13th St. Winamac, IN., • (574) 946-2100 • www.pmhnet.com

14 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

5282 N Old US Hwy 31 Rochester, IN College & High School Re (574) 223-6915w

Weddings • Day Meeting Host Site for your Camp Pro

20% OFF

302 N. Heaton Street, Knox, IN 46534 • 574-772-3802

STOREWIDE SALE

JUST SOUTH OF THE YELLOW RIVER BRIDGE ON THE US 35 CORRIDOR

BORN IN A BARNS SWEET 16TH ANNIVERSARY! BORN IN A BARN BEAN BLAST - Oct. 16th

We will be taking monetary donations, new & gently used clothing for Kid’s Closet on Oct 16th

Voted #2 in Starke County for furniture sales 2021

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!

REG. HOURS: THURS-FRI-SAT 10AM-4PM OWNERS: JERRY & VICKI COOLEY

in Starke County for gift sales 2021

LIKE US!

Contractor Supply Shop

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

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

574-773-9442 • 106 3B RD | NAPPANEE THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 15

# 1 LAKE LISTING & SELLING AGENT.

10969 E TIPPECANOE DRIVE, WALKERTON, IN 46574 This 4 Bedroom, 3 full bath, custom built home was designed for lake life living, just wait till you see the views.

92 ft. of beach like frontage.

Major Mike's Military Surplus & Camping Supplies 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.

Rhonda S. Hurford Broker

(574) 250-1835 rhondahurford@gmail.com www.collinshomes.com

Come out and see us!

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

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

NEW PRODUCT! Insulated wood travel mugs.

KNOX WOOD SHOP

Timothy Schlabach

(574) 772-3358 | www.knoxwoodshop.com | 1290 W. 150 S • Knox

elitekitchens.tim@gmail.com | 574-825-9724

NOW CARRYING

FLOORING and TILE WINDOW TREATMENTS FURNITURE and INTERIORS

1921 E St Rd 14 Rochester, IN 46975

574-224-2529

NO CREDIT Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 Sat. 9-3 NEEDED! Low to no down payment or financing available 6 months same as cash

We Accept Cash, Check &

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 17

Designer Area Rugs

Owner Mark Damore with his family.

THE LAKEHOUSE GRILLE Culver Restaurant is a Local Staple 9 Years Later

Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Of all the places to move, Culver was at the bottom of the list for Mark Damore in 2011. But when the opportunity arose to revitalize what had been one of the town’s finest — and one of the most popular —

restaurants, he reluctantly accepted it. Now, nine years later, Damore looks at that lifechanging decision as one of the best he ever made.

As someone who grew up around the restaurant wholesale produce business,

Damore has always had an appreciation for the industry.

“I’ve always been a restaurant guy, a loyal patron over the years wherever I was,” Damore says.

MARK’S BODY SHOP marksbodyshop@centurylink.net

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

ision Rep Coll air

574-772-7003 Fax 574-772-7004

W tom us C •

Celebrating 95 Years!

ork • Insura nce Wo rk

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

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

18 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

That respect only grew when he went on a trip to Italy in 2010. He especially fell in love with the ever-popular Italian alfresco — or outdoor — dining.

“I don’t know if you have enough paper to write down how Italy can inspire someone,” Damore says. “From a dining perspective, the biggest takeaway was the alfresco dining. You walk around and that’s what you do — you eat outside.”

It was an experience that irrevocably changed Damore’s perspective of dining.

A year and a half after returning from Italy, his father, who owns The Original Root Beer Stand, called him. “‘The owner of Edgewater approached us, he wants to sell. We think you’d be perfect,’” Damore recalls his parents saying. “‘We think this is your calling. Just check it out, see what you think.’ ”

14th Annual

Gift of Warmth

Dick Dugger Memorial movie in the park Saturday, September 4, 2021 Culver Town Park

Although Damore was looking into a career change, buying a restaurant, especially one in a small town so far from his big-city home of Indianapolis, was not one on his radar at that time.

“I always said I would end up in Culver later. And when I said ‘later,’ I meant 50s. Going at 31 was definitely a culture shock,” he says.

It took some convincing, but after six weeks of negotiations, the idea of owning a restaurant captured Damore’s imagination. After closing the deal midMarch, 2012, he jumped into renovating the property with both feet. On May 11, 2012, The Lakehouse Grille celebrated its grand opening.

“I thought I knew what I was doing. I did not,” Damore says. “I learned a lot, and I grew, along with my staff and loyal patrons.”

Movie and Entertainment will be cancelled for rain

new or gently-used sneaker collection 5:00-9:00pm (rain or shine)

Live Music

Sentimental Journey, North American Brass Company & Kevin & Jerry 5:30pm

Picnic 6:00pm

Outdoor Movie Starts at Dusk

The Gift of Warmth is an Indiana not-for-profit corporation, qualified under IRS regulations as a 501c3 entity

And Coming Soon - CULVER FALL FEST - October 7-9 Save the Date!

Despite the intense learning curve, the restaurant has only gained in popularity since it opened.

For more information, visit our website at

By 2015, Damore decided it was time to expand the business to include a small

Follow us on Instagram @findculver or Facebook

www.findculver.com

Or call (574) 635-0054

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 19

taste of Italy.

“I always wanted to do alfresco dining,” he says. “I’ve always had this feeling that you’re naturally happier outside. That’s why I invested so much in doing a patio.

The season is relatively short in northern Indiana. There was a little gamble there mathematically. I knew that — and I knew it would take many years to pay for the patio.”

We are Hiring!

It was a gutsy move, but one that quickly became, and has remained, the most popular place to eat on the premises.

However, the alfresco patio isn’t the only place that guests love. The Lakehouse Grille also offers banquet rooms, one that guests love for events of all kinds, especially around the holidays.

“Christmas parties are kind of a big deal for us,” Damore says.

As soon as possible, Damore hopes to add one more aspect to the venue: a high-end Air B&B overlooking the patio.

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

“This Air B&B is going to be about a 1200 sq. ft., three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment above the patio,” Damore says.

“It is going to be very luxurious. That’s the whole reason I’m building it.”

Guests at The Lakehouse enjoy the “highend casual” atmosphere that reflects Culver’s unique culture at large. No matter where patrons sit — in the restaurant, at the bar, on the patio, or in the banquet room — they will be able to enjoy a pleasantly eclectic balance of relaxed coastal vibes and classy elegant ambiance. Anyone can feel comfortable here, whether they’re fresh off the boat sporting swimsuits or arriving for a black-tie, byreservation dinner.

The Lakehouse’s mood is not only set by the architecture, but also by the menu. Everything listed, whether steaks, burgers, ribs, pork chops, sushi, crab cakes, or a wide variety of cocktails, are made with the finest of ingredients.

“I’ve been to a lot of restaurants in my life — all over the world — and I’ve been to

20 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

a lot of great ones,” Damore says. “I know there are better restaurants out there than the Lakehouse Grille, but dollar for dollar, I believe we can hang with anyone. That’s one thing that I feel unbelievably confident about is our value. Everything we buy is literally the best. I will not sacrifice quality for cost.”

Damore has made the Lakehouse into a restaurant that has become a Culver staple.

However, the incredible place he has established would not be possible without two groups of people. The first is his staff, who have caught onto Damore’s vision of treating all guests like family.

“My most successful front-of-the-house employees — they know the patrons’ grandkids names! I mean, how effective is that, if you go to a table and your server asks about your grandkids,” Damore says. “The food already has a leg up, the drinks already have a leg up, because guests are treated like family, and that is what The Lakehouse does.”

HOME | AUTO | BUSINESS | LIFE

CALL US TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT • PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS • MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS • MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS WE ARE HERE TO HELP WITH YOUR CHOICES

AEP / OPEN ENROLLMENT DATES OCT 15TH - DEC 7TH WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENCY REPRESENTING MANY INSURANCE COMPANIES

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 21

FRESH CUT MEATS

Local Family Owned & Operated Store

www.savealot.com • (574)772-2229 2580 S US Hwy 35 • Knox Monday-Saturday 7 AM - 8 PM • Sunday 8 AM-8 PM

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

Call /Text Cell:(574)223-4855 or Home:(574)835-0387

The second is his family. His wife, Dana, has become a mainstay in all of Damore’s endeavors. Their four-year-old son, Liam, is continuing the tradition of growing up around the family business. Already, he is learning to greet guests and make them feel at home.

As Damore watches his son grow, he can’t imagine any better place than Culver to raise a family. It has become a place of intense belonging.

“I embraced it,” he says. “I think that Culver is the best town in the world. I mean, the caliber of Culver is off the charts. When I realized I could make a difference in a highcaliber community, I was sold 100%.”

The Lakehouse Grille is located at 620 E. Lakeshore Drv., Culver. Check them out online at thelakehouseculver.com or give them a call at 574-842-2234. Lakehouse Grille is open Sunday 11:00 am to 8:00 pm and Tuesday through Thursday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Fridays and Saturdays, they are open 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. They are closed Mondays.

BRIDAL | BRIDESMAIDS | MOTHERS | FORMAL WEAR TREATSSQUIRESHOP.COM | 308 NORTH MICHIGAN STREET, PLYMOUTH | 574-936-3669 22 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

574-249-3235

QuickCarService@gmail.com

CASH OR CREDIT

CULVER

PROUDLY OWNED & OPERATED

BY JENNIFER HILL

OVER 150 CRAFT BEERS THE BEST WINE SELECTION IN THE AREA

CALL US FOR ANY PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS!

FULL SERVICE DELI

•UNLIMITED COVERAGE AREA •RIDES IN OR OUT OF TOWN •AIRPORT •BAR/RESTAURANT •MEDICAL •SERVICE APPOINTMENTS

HOT FOOD TO GO MEAT BUNDLE DEALS FRESH CUT MEATS

(574) 842-2450 1105 N LAKE SHORE DR | CULVER

Lakeshore Concierge Services

!

24/7

PICK UP FEES STARTING AS LOW AS

$10

RE/MAX 1st Choice REALTORS

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.

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 / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 23

803 S. Heaton St. Knox, IN 46534 John Wampler Broker/Owner

Wireless: (574) 249-0883 Fax: (574) 772-5700 johnrwampler@hotmail.com

Jason Wampler Broker/Owner

Wireless: (574) 249-1336 Fax: (574) 772-5700 jasonbw6@hotmail.com

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

Winamac, IN

• • • • • • • • • •

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

Craft Burgers Trophy Tacos

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

Serving Sallie’s ice cream at both locations

(574) 223-8950 • www.thedamlanding.com 1305 Ewing Rd • Rochester, Indiana

(574) 842-3375 3000 E Shore Dr, Culver, IN 46511

24 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

Welcome to the MEC! MICHIANA EVENT CENTER HAS BECOME AN ENTERTAINMENT FIXTURE Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

All along the rolling country roads of Shipshewana, there is a certain sense of tranquility. It’s an extraordinary ambience of peace that captivates people - the kind of sensible simplicity that has made this rural community a kind of mecca for those looking to escape the chaos of a complicated world.

There is one narrow state highway that runs through the center of town, where the clip-clop sound of hooves is as easily

UPCOMING EVENTS AMERICAN HAFLINGER SEP 3, 2021 – SEP 5, 2021 INDIANA PULLING LEAGUE TRACTOR PULL SEP 3 – 4, 2021 THE NORTH AMERICA CLYDESDALE/SHIRE FALL CLASSIC SEP 9, 2021 – SEP 12, 2021

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

SIX HORSE HITCH CLASSIC SERIES WORLD FINALS SEP 16, 2021 – SEP 18, 2021 SHIPSHEWANA FALL CRAFTERS FAIR SEP 30, 2021 – OCT 2, 2021 ADHHA KEURING SHOW OCT 1, 2021 – OCT 2, 2021 DRIVING HORSE SALE OCT 8, 2021 – OCT 9, 2021 THE CIRCUS OCT 20, 2021 – OCT 24, 2021 RODEO NOV 5TH & 6TH

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 25

discernible as the hum of vehicles. Yet before reaching the downtown sector, just to the east of State Road 5, one swift turn allows for the sight of a sprawling complex, the likes of which are currently unmatched and unrivaled in northern Indiana.

It’s known as the Michiana Event Center, or more succinctly, the MEC. Through the course of its inception in 2017 to its present state of renown, the initial premise of being built for big events and big crowds has been realized in astounding fashion.

The MEC is something of an architectural marvel by way of size, capacity and careful attention to detail, as well as touches of regional heritage. The facility is adequately equipped to serve as a venue for any type of experience, from farming expos to trade shows, from concerts to consignments,

Maple City

Swap Meet Last Saturday of the Month July - October

July 31 - August 28 - September 25 - October 30 6AM to NOON

BUY - SELL - TRADE Hail Damage Repair

Paintless Clear Coat Repair

Paintless Dent Repair

Ceramic Coatings

904 S Buffalo St

(574) 241-1234

Warsaw, Indiana

Team@CTAutoSolutions.com

46580

www.CarrTechAuto.com

• Antiques • Hunting • Fishing • Guns • Tools • Decor • Pets • Food • New & Used Items ur New Bring Yo ms Ite or Used

All Public and Vendors Welcome

Space Fees 20’ x 25’ = $20 10’ x 10’ = $10

15274 County Road 40 - Goshen, IN. 46528 For information: 574-642-4915 or 574-642-3323 ext. 2

26 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

and from antiques to auctions. Folks can reserve a customized space for a modest gathering of 100 people, to an extravaganza of thousands.

seating arena has room for a maximum crowd of 5,500, with floor seating for concerts. The coliseum is temperature controlled and has locations at various sections for food service, with entrance points granting ease of movement for patrons.

One of the hallmarks of the MEC is the spacious, steel-framed coliseum. The

Elsewhere amidst the grounds, which encompass approximately 25 acres, there is a trade-show building and a staging barn, and the latter can be easily sectioned for stall spaces. That was one of the many goals that Chief Executive Officer Dennis Fry

SHIPSHEWANA’S NEWEST VISITORS AND LOCALS DESTINATION “YODER CROSSROADS” COME HAVE BREAKFAST 0R LUNCH AT THE CORN CRIB CAFE

VISIT THE GIFT SHOP AND TAKE HOME SOME DELICIOUS YODER POPCORN

STOP IN OR USE THE DRIVE THRU AT FIVE LAKES COFFEE CHECK ALL 3 FACEBOOKS FOR SPECIALS & ANNOUCEMENTS

AT THE CORNER OF STATE ROAD 5 & US 20 920 N SR 5 , SHIPSHEWANA | 260.768.4051 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 27

envisioned when the MEC was still in its conceptual phase.

be able to be there for different types of events.”

“It’s amazing all of the things that can happen here,” Fry says. “That’s part of the sense of accomplishment we have, to

The vastness of the various venues is made more impressive by the capability to transform into whatever caters to the

28 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

needs of those organizing and attending events. Tremendous amounts of earth can be moved and stabilized to adapt to agriculturally themed functions. Just as efficiently, the polished floors can be revealed once again for craft shows or

banquets. There is office space currently available to rent, and camping amenities as well.

and event direction, and is all too happy to enthuse over the MEC’s growth, purpose and soaring reputation.

Karen Flanhardt, who is an ebullient presence at the facility, is in charge of sales

“We’ve got a great staff here,” Flanhardt says. “It’s really a team effort. These people

are the heartbeat, the pulse of this place.

They keep things going.”

The MEC has become such a resounding success, in fact, that finding corporate and local sponsorship has been somewhat

CUSTOM TRUCK BEDS STEEL AND ALUMINUM STAIRS • RAILINGS • AND OTHER ITEMS CUSTOM FABRICATION OR PRODUCTION RUNS

Adam K. Lukenbill

Estate Planning Medicaid/Nursing Home Planning Asset Protection Trust & Wills Business Law Farm Planning

(574) 936-2007 | general@lukenbill-law.com 501 East Jefferson Street P.O. Box 1508 | Plymouth

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

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 29

Superior Restoration We specialize in...

Sandblasting & Product Painting Wrought Iron Furniture Railing LP Tanks Pedal Cars Motorcycles Off Road Trailer & Vehicle Frames Rims PLUS Aluminum & Steel Surface Prep

effortless. Coca-Cola is one of the chief sponsors, and there are a number of familiar businesses featured on the Wall of Fame that have contributed through the past four years. There have even been occasions, Flanhardt says, when product expos have made the MEC a focal point for unveiling new items and innovations.

Just over a decade ago, there was some discussion making the rounds about finding or creating a proper landmark for horse sales, auctions, and other similar types of events. Several members of the Amish community were part of those talks, and eventually word reached Fry. At the time he was involved in the field of construction and masonry, and it was only a matter of time before he was approached about lending his expertise to the venture.

The interested parties traveled to Howe, Indiana, where they toured a multipurpose complex. The parties wondered aloud about how to construct stalls to facilitate designated spots for animals. As is quite common with small-

David Miller

260 593-0382 ext 1 7890 S. 400 W. Ligonier IN 46767

Twice Treasured Vendor Shoppe

Antique

New

Vintage

Variety

The Best Kept Secret in Plymouth, Indiana.

(574) 935-5460

Open Tuesday - Saturday

523 E. Jefferson Street Plymouth, Indiana 46563

town life, families banded together to make that happen, and the result was 150 stalls.

“We completed the work just two days prior to the first show,” Fry says with a smile.

Bolstered by that success, the vision broadened to include an entirely new facility altogether. It was a logical next step, and an easy decision for Fry at that point.

“I decided to sell the construction part of my business and went to doing this full time,” he says.

With the help of grants, the leaders for the building endeavor secured the financing necessary to move forward, and the project began in 2016 with the foundation. By the spring of 2017, construction began in full force, and the MEC was open for business in the fall of that year.

Both Fry and Flanhardt say there was

Neil is happy to meet where it is convenient for you.

He can perform hearing tests, fit and program your hearing instruments - all in the comfort of your own home.

(Holiday Hours May Vary)

a subtle reticence from the business sector initially, but business leaders soon understood that being a host city for an entertainment center would boost local commerce. Now, Fry says, the businesses have a harmonious exchange of services and ideas, particularly with regard to parking. Although the MEC has space for 1,100 cars, the nearby marketplace has graciously accepted overflow traffic, and the MEC gladly reciprocates as needed.

For music and merchants, recreation and retail, and anything else in between, the MEC staff members continually strive to accommodate it all, with what Fry proudly calls a Christian attitude and family-oriented approach.

The Michiana Event Center is located at 455 East Farver Street in Shipshewana.

Photos and videos can be viewed at michianaevents.com. Dennis Fry can be reached via phone at 260-768-3305. Karen Flanhardt can assist with coordinating and planning events, and can be reached at 260-768-3306.

200+ Community Members Treated

Marlin Yoder | Topeka Glenn Yoder | Middlebury Delbert Mast | Millersburg

Hunter Hearing Office

(574) 540-2526

568 N. Oak Drive | Plymouth, IN 46563 www.HunterHearingCenter.com 30 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

Complete your kitchen with a beautiful custom range hood.

3070 W 350 S Topeka, IN 46571 (260) 463 - 4026

Wonderfully

Made.

The Most Efficient Grill on the Market!

Grill • Bake • Sear • Smoke • Cook

(260) 463-4026

3070 W 350 S | Topeka, IN 46571 Fax: (260) 463-4027 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 31

FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS Specializing In Spices of the most exquisite salts that we carry are Fleur de Sel and French Grey Sea Salt, also known as Sel Gris. Fleur de Sel salt, French for flower of salt, named because of the flower-like pattern in the salt crystals, is the most expensive salt that we carry. Fleur de Sel forms as a thin crust on the surface of the salt pans as it evaporates and is carefully skimmed off of the top. Fleur de Sel has been collected

Writer / Cheryl – New Kitchen Store

How many kinds of cinnamon are there?

When would you use whole spice versus ground spice? Do spices have an expiration date? What is the best way to store spices?

Why would you want to cook with spice blends? What is mace? Why should I use spices in my cooking?

and used medicinally and as a salve since ancient times. In modern days it is used as a finishing salt to flavor and garnish foods.

Sel Gris or French Gray salt comes from the same salt pans as fleur de sel but it is harvested differently. Whereas Fleur de sel is skimmed off the top of the salt pan, grey salt is allowed to settle to the bottom of the salt

If you have ever wondered about these things or asked yourself any of these questions then you need to come to New Kitchen Store.

Every Tuesday from 11:00 to 6:00 we have a Spice Specialist in the store to answer all of your spice questions.

From the exotic to the ordinary, New Kitchen Store carries more than 300 different spices and spice blends, and our Spice Specialist is knowledgeable about all of them.

We also carry a wide variety of salts. A couple 32 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

WE HAVE THE SPICES AND TOOLS TO GET THE JOB DONE

574-586-2745 | NewKitchenStore.com | 330 Liberty Street Walkerton, IN 46574 pan. The grey color comes from the minerals found in the clay lining of the bottom of the salt pans. Some of these minerals are magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc, and iodine, all of which our bodies need. Because grey salt has a very complex mineral composition and coarse grain size, it can be used both as a cooking salt and a finishing salt. It is much denser than table salt making a lot more salt for its volume. It is also a moist salt and does not suck all the moisture out of food when used as a finishing salt.

Come in on Tuesdays from 11:00 to 6:00 and ask to speak with the Spice Specialist!

Have your questions answered and get more interesting information like the above, about any spice or seasoning that you can imagine.

New Kitchen Store is the largest gourmet kitchen supplies store in Michiana! Come visit us at 330 Liberty St. Walkerton.

For more information, call 574-5862745 or check out our website at NewKitchenStore.com.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 33

Theme: PRETTY FLOWERS

SEPTEMBER WORD SEARCH

AZALEA CARNATION DAFFODIL DAHLIA DAISY FORGET-ME-NOT FREESIA GARDENIA GERBERA JONQUIL LILAC MAGNOLIA ORCHID PANSY PETUNIA PROTEA ROSE SNAPDRAGON SWEET PEA TULIP VIOLET

U T C G A R D E N I A A J

Solutions

Y Y U A W A A R E B R E G

E U F L R J E H C D M B H

N U M O I N R P I A L E F

O L A P R P A H T I L R L

G I G R E G C T D E E I O

A U N O S R E O I E E A L

R Q O T O A F T S O I W Y

D N L E R F Z I M N N S S

P O I A A W A A U E I R O

A J A D D E T T L A N K O

N P V I O L E T D E D O K

U T C G A R D E N I A A J

FOLLOW US!

Y Y U A W A A R E B R E G

E U F L R J E H C D M B H

N U M O I N R P I A L E F

O L A P R P A H T I L R L

G I G R E G C T D E E I O

A U N O S R E O I E E A L

R Q O T O A F T S O I W Y

D N L E R F Z I M N N S S

P O I A A W A A U E I R O

A J A D D E T T L A N K O

N P V I O L E T D E D O K

S Y S N A P A I L H A D T

Cambe Carts

ORDER NOW FOR 2022

574-772-2191

Your Local EZ-GO Dealer Local pick up & delivery New & Used Carts Parts & Service Trojan Batteries

704 S Heaton St (US 35) • Knox Located at Cambe Chevrolet

34 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

S Y S N A P A I L H A D T

BEFORE

AFTER

WALLY SAYS... IT’S BETTER TO REFACE THAN REPLACE!

KITCHEN CABINET REFACING CUSTOM CABINETS | COUNTERTOPS

574-596-1652 DOORSANDDRAWERSINC.COM

SENIOR, MILITARY & FIRST RESPONDERS DISCOUNTS.

Specializing in Aluminum Fabrication & Marine Products

260-593-0168 x 1

Aluminum lity Trailers

Custom Aluminum Pontoon Trailers

Custom Aluminum Pier Manufacturing

Pier and Seawall Steps

CUSTOM FRONT / REAR ANCHOR MOUNTS

Heavy Duty Aluminum Attic Stairs

Up to 12’8 Ceilings Rated 500 #

CUSTOM CENTER TUBES FOR PONTOONS

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

PIER & SEAWALL STEPS 6' 8'

ALUMINUM PONTOON TRAILERS

ALUMINUM PIER & HARDWARE

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 35 10 x 96" fold down shelf 42" railing height.

36 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

ARROW INDUSTRIAL LOCAL COMPANY IS A GO-TO FOR YOUR INDUSTRIAL SURPLUS NEEDS

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photography Provided

Traverse any thoroughfare around northern Indiana, border to border, and it will be easy to see that this Midwestern hub seems always to be in perpetual motion.

It is a leader in the field of agriculture. And it is a reputable force for the recreational vehicle industry. The region has awakened from crisis and demonstrated its resilience from economic hardship to a global pandemic.

With the guidance of a skilled workforce at the helm, there is a myriad of machinery, industrial and otherwise, that is imperative to the function of countless operations. And when a certain part falters, even if it is small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand, the THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 37

repercussions can be crippling.

This is where the expertise of Arrow Industrial Sales can, and has been, a true source of rescue for many companies and individuals. With a readily accessible location in rural Millersburg, Indiana, the staff works diligently to ensure that customers can find what they need to preserve valuable time and energy, and to keep the systems flowing at peak efficiency.

The vast majority of the key players behind the ownership of the Millersburg facility are members of the Wingard family, all of whom are brothers, Glen (Research Manager), Daniel (sales, logistics), Chris (Manager), Wayne (sales), Earl (maintenance), and Larry (logistics) and a workforce of 26 employees. It was around 2009 that the brothers took up an interest in scouring auctions specifically targeting surplus industrial inventory. Upon realizing that

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

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

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE ADMISSION • Farm Equipment • Local School Memorabilia • WWII Artifacts • Early Household and Farming Tools • Several Unusual Exhibits Museum Hours:

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

(574)773-2686 | 2570 Beech Rd • Bremen 38 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

November-April Sunday’s 1:00pm - 6:00pm

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

there was a viable market for both new and reconditioned equipment, they turned that avenue into a business venture.

Arrow Industrial is experienced in spare parts removal, warehouse cleanouts, plant cleanouts, and demolition.

They have a fleet of trucks for moving equipment and a professional, licensed, and insured removal crew with more than 110 combined years of experience in the industrial field.

Arrow has a wide range of equipment including excavators, heavy haul trucks, and forklifts with up to 75,000 LB capacity. Arrow offers fair prices for the equipment they buy and can get the job done quickly.

Wayne also noted that while many area businesses were greatly impacted by the lingering effects of the coronavirus epidemic, the circumstances gave Arrow Industrial a chance to expand and build upon their customer service experiences.

With a number of businesses experiencing service interruptions and other similar issues, companies sometimes found that certain elements of their productivity were fast becoming obsolete, making repairs and replacements difficult to procure in a time of sudden change. Clients discovered that they could count on Arrow Industrial’s staff to deliver results faster, with a clear advantage on being locally based and owned. Wayne added that it is not unusual for the workers to linger beyond the normal hours of operation, awaiting shipments that needed to move expeditiously for companies.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 39

With over 43,000 SKUs Arrow Industrial sells and ships products worldwide daily via FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL, as well as shipping items via truck freight or providing courier services for time-sensitive items. Arrow also sells a lot of equipment to local businesses, including pallet racking, chain hoists, conveyors and numerous other items in the industrial material handling line.

Arrow Industrial Sales has a 160,000plus square-foot distribution warehouse in the town of Millersburg, Indiana, most of it filled with inventory.

There is an extensive collection of available items that can either be purchased locally, or by visiting the company’s eBay store at ebay.com/ str/arrowindustrialsurplus. The business is located at 230 Wabash Street in Millersburg, and the phone number is 574-349-6575. They can also be reached via email at manager@ arrowindustrialsales.com.

Locally & Family Owned

Great Variety of Bicycles including

Cannondale Bacchetta Marin KHS Tandem Sales | Services | Accessories (574) 354-1632

www.tripleoaksales.com

7134 W 1300 North | Nappanee, IN 46550 Mon, Wed, Thurs, Friday 1PM-5PM | Saturday 8 AM- 1 PM

GALLERY

GIFTS

CLASSES

HEARTLAND ARTISTS GALLERY 101 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN Tues. - Sat. 10AM - 4PM 574.936.9515

www.heartlandartgallery.com

40 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

Sunrise Shrimp Farm Bremen Local Forays Into the Shrimp Market

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Nathan Helmuth, owner of Sunrise Shrimp Farm in Bremen, is a living example of the following adage: Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

From a young age, Helmuth was attracted to aquatic life, and wanted to pursue a job that would allow him to work in that field.

“I’ve always been fascinated with water testing, and I’ve always wanted to grow shrimp, so I have found a job that is perfect for me,” Helmuth says. “I’ve really been enjoying what I do. It’s something that interests me, and I think there is also room for financial growth.”

Helmuth says he spent a lot of time researching and building his system for growing shrimp.

“It’s a process that has to be done just right,” he says. “It’s a biofloc technology system.”

Biofloc technology involves a process of enhancing water quality, through the addition of carbon sources contained in feed or external carbon sources. It minimizes water exchange, and water usage, in aquaculture systems by maintaining adequate water quality.

“I built a system that maintains the water quality for the shrimp,” Helmuth says. “The biofloc helps with the feed. It has to be perfect.”

Helmuth only recently started his business, and has high hopes it will take off.

“I can sell to anyone who buys shrimp,” he says. “I’m selling retail now, but I would eventually really like to sell to the wholesale market in the future. I think there is a lot of THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 41

good growth potential there. I think I can make that happen.”

Helmuth says he always dreamed of having a business of his own.

“I’ve done a lot of reading and research about the shrimp-growing field, and I really checked it out,” he says. “I thought the time was just right to get my business started. I think word will grow about my shrimp farm when people find out how good the shrimp tastes.”

Helmuth has been selling via retail to locals who have been pleased with his work.

“Customers can take the shrimp for cookouts and camping trips,” he says. “It’s really great for a family meal or a dinner.”

Helmuth adds that customers are typically pleased that the shrimp is homemade.

“The shrimp is a fresh, locally grown

SUNRISE SHRIMP

$1

8

a

po

un

d

FRESH & LOCALLY GROWN!

850 N. Taylor Dr., Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-7755 ∙ www.shipshecanvas.com

Good Quality Work at an Affordable Price Boat Covers (New & Repairs)

Disc o who unt for le orde sale rs!

574-529-2413 13091 Tyler Rd. Bremen, IN 46506

42 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

product that has absolutely no chemicals at all,” he says. “You know what you are getting, and you don’t have to worry about all of those additives, preservatives and other things which are not good for you.”

Helmuth says a lot of shrimp from Asia gets rejected from the United States Department of Agriculture.

“The shrimp at Sunrise Shrimp Farm is as fresh as you are going to get,” Helmuth says.

“I make sure of that every day.”

Helmuth has a large tank that maintains the water quality.

“My water tank holds 1,100 gallons of water and can hold 2,000 shrimp,” Helmuth says.

“It takes a lot of water and oxygen to grow the shrimp. The process makes them taste very good later on when they are ready.”

Helmuth says he loves living in Bremen.

“It’s really a great place to live,” he says. “It’s a small town where people are very friendly and know how to help each other. It’s also a very safe town.”

Helmuth notes that people in the area have responded to his business positively, and he thinks that will help him expand his business.

“If I can get people talking about the freshness, and how it is locally grown, I think I’ll be in really good shape,” he says.

“I just need to spread the word. I’m more excited each day about growing shrimp. A

lot of these other markets with shrimp are fading out. I’m hoping to be able to just keep growing and offer a great product. If I can do that, then I’m all set.”

To find out more about Sunrise Shrimp Farm, located 13091 Tyler Road in Bremen, contact Helmuth at 574-529-2413.

BEECHY EXCAVATING LLC COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL Insured - I.O.W.P.A Certified - Over 40 years Experience

• BUILDING SITES • BASEMENTS • DRIVEWAYS • SEPTICS

• PONDS • SNOW PLOWING • FENCE ROWS • DITCH CLEANING

574-646-2067 | BEECHYEXC@IBYFAX.COM THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 43

Specializing in Aluminum Fabrication & Marine Products

260-593-0168 x 1 Free Quotes!

Let Spiders be OUR Problem, Not Yours!

Custom Aluminum

Custom Aluminum Pontoon Trailers

Contact us Today Utility Trailers 574-223-8900 Spiderbeware.com

Custom Aluminum Pier Manufacturing

Pier and Seawall Steps

Heavy Du

Up to 12’8 C

Servicing Indiana Lake Homes and More!

Lake Manitou, Maxinkuckee, Wawasee, Tippecanoe, Bass, Nyona and South Mud Lake Environmentally Friendly Application!

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

SPECIALIZING IN HIGH QUALITY STEEL ROOFING

Custom Sheds Plus 6'

8'

6'

10 x 96" fold down shelf 42" ra VARIETY OF AVAILABLE 10" x 69"COLORS fold down shelf 6' end sections can FOR BUILDINGS, Either 6'AND section canTRIM be detached by be detached from 8' center section. ROOF,

removing 2 pins. Fork pockets are also

(574) 354-1533 PREMIERROOFINGINDIANA.COM Mattpremierroofing@gmail.com

on both ends of 8' long or 14' long can CUSTOM ORDERS COMPLETED be picked up on either end.

TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS Hinge pins.

Hooks for safety chains.

Heavy duty walk plank with fold down railing and shelf.

Weighs approximately 750 lbs.

48" wide, 98" overall height (not shown). Weight app

(260)215-3988 13836 CR 48, SYRACUSE, IN 44 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

DREW’S GIFT OF MUSIC LO C A L I N S T R U M E N T P R O G R A M P R OV I D E S S C H O L A R S H I P S , L E S S O N S , I N S T R U M E N T S TO S T U D E N T S Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Extra-curricular activities are one part of school that almost every student enjoys.

Unfortunately, some children can’t participate for one reason or another.

Jacob Keen, a student at Knox High School, was one such student. As much as he wanted to join the music program, his mother couldn’t afford to buy or rent an instrument for him. The band director recognized in Keen a desire and drive to learn and wanted to help. So, Keen joined Drew’s Gift of Music Instrument Program.

“His warm laugh and smile, quick wit and drive to give of himself made him a special person. He had a way of making everyone feel important and share their talents as well,” reads his biography on their website.

Shearin was a music prodigy in his own right. While still in high school, he submitted original compositions to the Indiana Music Educators Association’s Composition Competition, winning first place in 2010 and in 2012. He had plans to pursue a musical degree and career.

Drew’s Gift of Music is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, lesson and musical instruments of all types — wind, brass, strings, and percussion — to students. All of the instruments in the program are donated to the organization, then cleaned and repaired before placed in the hands of students.

Deb Johnson, the director, started Drew’s Gift less than a year after her son, Drew Shearin, died in a car accident at the age of 17 in 2012. It was a moment in time that changed Johnson’s life forever.

721 Main Street Rochester, IN 46975 574-223-3514 www.primosbarandgrill.com alexmartinez@primosbarandgrill.com Like us on Facebook!

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 45

Even though the world lost a musical genius when Shearin passed away, his love for music has been kept alive through his mother’s efforts.

Currently, students in more than 30 school systems in Indiana and Michigan use instruments from this organization.

“The band director is the one who gets the instrument request form. [Students] have to go through their school band program,” Johnson says.

Johnson processes hundreds of requests for student instruments every year. Every so often, one stands out. In 2013, Jacob Keen’s was one of them. As soon as she heard about him, she knew which trumpet to assign to him.

The horn — a Blessing Horn by brand as well as metaphorically — was a new donation that, in and of itself, represents the mission of Drew’s Gift.

Specializing in Interior & Exterior Concrete Pole Barns • Additions • Metal Roofing Remodeling • Commercial Roofing

www.michiana.bintheredumpthatusa.com

Family Owned Convenient bin sizes Precautions taken to protect driveway surface Easy loading Include dumpsters sizes 20,15,10, 6, & 4 Cubic yard sizes

574-892-5554

574-382-0162

www.dlhconcreteconstruction.com

46 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

“A lady from Louisiana lost her son, Dylan, in a car accident six months after Drew died,” Johnson says. “When she found our story, she knew that she was supposed to send Dylan’s horn up to us.

That is the horn that Jacob received.”

For Keen, joining Drew’s Gift of Music was a life-changer.

“The start of my musical journey sparked my passion for music,” he says.

When he was given that first trumpet, he was in the sixth grade.

Within a few years, he grew out of the Blessings horn, at which point he was lent an intermediate horn, also through Drew’s Gift.

“At that point, he said to me, ‘Do I have to give back Dylan’s horn? I feel, when I play this horn, that I’m playing for Dylan and Drew,” Johnson recalls. “I said, ‘Not if you

Explore a Unique Selection of Quality Antiques, Vintage, Repuposed and New Furniture, Home Decor and Gifts in a Rustic Boutique Setting Hours: Monday (May 3- Nov 29) 12PM -6PM Tuesday-Thursday 10AM-6PM Friday 10AM-5PM Saturday 10AM-3PM

52886 State Road 13 | Middlebury, IN 574-358-0074 | www.barndoorllc.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 47

don’t want to. Keep the horn as long as you need to.’ ” Just a few years later, Drew’s Gift advanced him to a professional horn.

Last spring, Keen graduated from high school after spending seven years in Knox High School’s music program. During that time, he has not only proved his musical genius many times over, but he started to give back by helping the brass repairman with the instruments and by giving lessons to less experienced musicians through the Music Recycled Program, which Johnson hopes to expand to more schools in the near future. Thanks to two of the scholarships that Drew’s Gift offers, Keen will be going into Musical Education at Valparaiso University.

Because of the connection that Keen has with his first trumpet, he has been allowed to keep it for now.

“As I gave him his scholarships he asked, ‘Do I have to give Dylan’s horn to somebody?’” Johnson says. “I said, ‘Tell you what, you hang onto it until we find that student — and we will find them — that is ready to accept the gift of that horn. Then you and I will give it to them.”

Drew’s Gift is always looking for volunteers and instrument donations. To become a Musical Note Monthly Sponsor to enable other students to begin their musical journey, visit their website at drewsgiftofmusic.com.

Drew’s Gift of Music is located at 1019 W. Jefferson St. in Plymouth. They are open 12-5 Monday through Thursday and 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday. To read their latest updates, visit Facebook.com/ DrewsGiftOfMusic. Call the shop to set up an appointment to get your instrument repaired or to learn more about their programs at 574-936-4265.

The Next Generation of Home Builders www.rochesterhomesinc.com

CYCLE CENTER AND MUSEUM

SALES • SERVICE • PARTS MOTORCLOTHES™ & ACCESSORIES LEARN TO RIDE CLASSES KERSTING’S WORLD OF MOTORCYCLES MUSEUM

Kersting’s Cycle Center, four miles south of North Judson on Highway 39.

Call (574) 896-2974 | kerstingscycle.com

574.224.7348

Rob Carlson, Your Local Builder

rob@rochesterhomesbuilder.com 1345 N. Lucas Street P.O. Box 85 Rochester, Indiana 46975 /rochesterhomesinc

48 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

HITTING THE MARK R I N G E R O U T D O O R S C AT E R S TO A R C H E RY E N T H U S I A S T S Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography Provided

Leaps of faith can lead to good outcomes, although the road to get there may be challenging. That’s the story behind Ringer Outdoors in Rochester.

Jon and Tami Ringer established Ringer Outdoors on June 29, 2012. The couple and their daughter Sara, who was 10 at the time, bought a farm, built a barn and opened the

archery shop.

“It was a leap of faith, yet God had a great plan,” Tami Ringer recalls. “After the famous derecho winds of 2010 nearly destroyed our home, we decided to look at our bucket list.

Jon was the engineering director at a major hospital, and I was an owner-operator in a local salon. We loved the outdoors and were avid bowhunters. Jon’s dream was to own his own hunting property and work in the archery industry, so the storm blew us over

ON THE ROAD FARRIER

• Traditional • Hotshoeing • Dependable service • Experienced care • Barefoot Trimming

Pleasant Acres Horseshoeing Emery Miller of Milford Indiana Voicemail (800)213-1925 ext 5 | Phone (574)678-0128 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 49

0485 W 200 S LaGrange, IN 46761 Ph: 260-499-3136 Fax: 260-499-3125

to our farm so to speak.”

Jon soon retired and settled in to operating the business on a full-time basis. It was something he was drawn to, and an outlet for the couple to share their passion for the sport.

“Jon’s passion for archery was so infectious that people just came to learn from him,” Ringer says. “He got to teach, shoot, hunt and live the dream of being his own boss, working, promoting, and teaching archery and hunting skills to the next generation.

I was his right hand and he my left, and as a team we enjoyed the best adventures together.”

That formula worked well for several years until the unexpected happened. Jon Ringer passed away from a heart attack on March 8, 2019. It was then that Tami realized the couple’s dream had impacted the community in a positive way.

Let us help you create

your OWN Unique piece...

dining tables | river tables | benches | coffee tables | end tables log furniture | counter tops | mirror frames | shelving | clocks

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 50 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

“Our archery community surrounded us, and we were overwhelmed with love and support from those whose lives were touched by Ringer Outdoors,” she says.

“It was one of the largest funerals ever in Rochester. I decided to continue the business.”

With help from people who were mentored under her late husband, Tami has continued to provide the services she and Jon built together. That team includes Dustin Rosinski, who is an archery coach and works with children. Zachary Temme also worked under Jon, and is well-versed in fitting and repairing bows and all types of archery equipment. Paul Penix brings more than 40 years of experience in the archery world.

The store carries Bear, Trophy Ridge and PSE archery equipment, and can order to fulfill a customer’s specific needs. They carry compound bows and crossbows, as well as arrows, bolts and supplies for the

FINEST OUTDOOR LIVING

Custom Built Vinyl Windows Custom Built Vinyl Windows

Custom Built Vinyl Windows

• Hardscaping • Landscaping • Paver Patios / Walkways • Retaining Walls

Windows • Storm Doors • Screen Doors •Sliding Glass Doors ••New Construction & Replacement Windows Windows Storm Doors • Screen Doors •Sliding Glass Doors • New Construction & Replacement WindowsGlass Windows Storm Doors • Screen Doors •Sliding Call today for free estimate Windows Doors • New Construction & Replacement (574) 825-7863 • 59323 CRestimate 35, Middlebury Call today for free

(574) 825-7863 • 59323 35, Middlebury We offer ProviaCR Windows that have a lifetime

HIATT’S LANDSCAPING

Call today for free estimate warranty that includes glass breakage (574) 825-7863 • 59323 CR 35, Middlebury

CALL/TEXT 574.835.1999

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 51

avid archer.

Ringer Outdoors has an indoor and outdoor 3D archery range. The Ringer team has taught archery for high school summer gym programs and local 4-H groups.

Students include men, women and children as young as 5.

“Our business philosophy is we want you to shoot your bow with confidence and accuracy, so you can achieve your personal best in the field, in archery competitions and in life,” Ringer says.

The store’s winter leagues, held every weekend, are popular. The often-packed house is helpful to archers who benefit from having somewhere to shoot through the cold January and February months.

The business provides the type of service that often cannot be found in larger sporting goods stores.

“Bow shops are the only place you can go

to have your bow fitted, to be coached, and have one-on-one interaction with people who can take time to make sure your equipment is precisely tuned to you,” Ringer says. “Success in archery is more than just buying a bow and shooting. It is learning a skill that takes a lifetime yet will never be mastered, but for some is their passion.”

For the future, Ringer wants to continue sharing the legacy of her late husband.

“Jon Ringer loved Jesus, me, his family and the great outdoors,” she says. “We wanted to keep that vision alive. There are great things that happen in the woods. It calms the soul, stirs the spirit, and one can hear a still, small voice that changes a person’s life here and for eternity.”

Ringer Outdoors is located at 6400 North 325 West in Rochester. For more info, call 574-223-9000 or visit facebook.com/ RingerOutdoorsLLC.

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

Dental Care with a Gentle Touch

Quality, Parts, Sales, Service and Rental • Kovaco

(Worlds First Electric Skid Loader)

• Echo • Scag • TYM Tractors

574.862.1163 www.wakarusaag.com 711 East Waterford Street Wakarusa, IN 46573

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

52 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

NAPPANEE APPLE FESTIVAL RETURNS SEPTEMBER 16-19 Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photography Provided

When autumn comes around every year, there are fewer places to catch the glorious sights and spectrums of color quite like the Midwest. And the city of Nappanee is no exception.

Last year was somewhat different, however. The leaves were blazing, the temperatures were cooling, and the crops were plentiful. Even so, there was something quite tangible that was missing.

The absence of the Nappanee Apple Festival left a palpable sense of melancholy, as the community was forced to set all of the best laid plans aside for the sake of public safety.

Join Us!

7’ Apple Pie Wings & Wheels Show 3 Entertainment Stages Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team Parade–Saturday, Sept 18 Antique Tractor & Engine Show Exhibits, Contests, Tournaments Food, Crafts, Carnival & MORE!

KOI Dirt Drags Friday, September 10 @ 7:00pm

Tractor & Truck Pull Saturday, September 11 @ 10:00am

9/16: 5pm–9pm, 9/17: 11am–10pm, 9/18: 10am–10pm, 9/19: 10am–6pm THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 53

And now, one year later, the Festival will once more reign supreme all along the corridors of downtown Nappanee. All of the music, the crafts, the food, the lively ambiance, it is most definitely welcomed back with the fanfare and jubilation it deserves.

The Nappanee Apple Festival is scheduled to take place beginning Thursday, September 16 through Sunday, September 19 in the heart of the city. The festival times are 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday, 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Apple Festival first started in Nappanee in 1975, when it was merely a simple street affair that spanned a city block. One of the very earliest attractions that never fails to capture the attention, and appetites, of visitors. The former Ron’s Bakery was the site of the legendary six-foot apple pie. The

GET A NEW METAL OR SHINGLE ROOF NOW BEFORE WINTER!

miller custom plastics, llc

• Poly Trim • Plastic Cabinets • Plastic Welding • Plastic Mailbox Signs • Plastic Business Signs

12 Colors to choose from plus wood grain plastic options.

Great for Outdoor Kitchens & High Moisture areas.

Will Not Rot or mold, Easy to Clean.

Merle & Dorlda Miller 27012 CR 50, Nappanee, IN 46550 574- 773- 0569 | Fax: 574-773-2110

260-502-1313 5450 W. US 20 • LAGRANGE, IN 46761

54 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

giant confection weighs approximately 600 pounds, requires nearly 100 pounds of crust, and features 200 pounds of apple filling. The restaurant has since changed hands and is now the Mexican eatery known as El Cielito Lindo, and the new owners have remained dedicated to keeping the tradition going. Once the Festival gets underway, the pie is on full public display

before being cut into pieces and sold to a waiting and willing audience of taste testers.

Three different arenas will showcase some of the finest regional talents specializing in family-friendly entertainment. New this year will be the Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, offering shows in succession among other local favorites, such as Granpa Crachit Kids Show and Puppets,

the NorthWood High School Vocal Department, and Silly Safaris. Music from several local bands will also provide a melodious atmosphere, with The 1985, Memphis Underground, and The Bulldogs scheduled to appear.

And not to be missed is the traditional crowning of the new Apple Blossom

NO SUGAR ADDED JAMS! “SWEETENED WITH FRUIT JUICE” WHOLESALE INQUIRIES WELCOME

23 FLAVORS

GRANOLA TOMATO PEACH SALSA

NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVORING OR SWEETENERS

5965-1 S. 675 W. TOPEKA, IN 46571

(260) 768-8160

8.7oz JAR $3.50

• EXTERIOR & INTERIOR STONE WALLS • VENEER • CULTURED • DRY STACK • CHIMNEY STONE • BLOCK WORK • REPAIRS • SMALL CONCRETE WORK

BRANDEN PITTMAN 574-933-1789

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 55

Queen. The current pageant queen is Samantha Markham, who received the honor at the 2019 Festival. The celebration of the 2021 contestants will begin at 7 p.m. at the Kountry Cabinets Entertainment Tent.

The Nappanee Apple Festival website is continually being refreshed and updated as the dates draw nearer. Folks can visit nappaneeapplefestival.org to download various forms and maps, inquire about volunteer opportunities, look up the

entertainment schedule, or view a list of frequently asked questions. The eagerly awaited return of the Festival will be the perfect setting to welcome in the very best of the fall season.

Food and craft vendors will be situated along South Main Street and a significant swath of Lincoln Street and Clark Street.

Shuttles are being provided to transport guests to various locales around Nappanee.

The youngsters and the young at heart will certainly be delighted to see the carnival rides returning, and those can be found on South Main and Lincoln streets. Patrons should plan on making a stop at the Napple Store to find the best souvenirs.

This year’s Festival will undoubtedly have an air of bittersweet, particularly with regard to the parade. It has been an honorable part of Festival protocol to select Grand Marshals to lead the caravan, typically a distinction given to an individual or family that has contributed greatly to the Nappanee community. Before the Festival Committee made the sad announcement that it would be necessary to cancel the 2020 event, husband and wife Randall “Randy” and Beth Yoder were christened as Grand Marshals. Randy, perhaps best known as the owner and founder of R. Yoder Construction, passed away on September 26 of 2020.

For this year’s parade, it was decided that Beth would carry on with the Grand Marshal duties, with her late husband being named posthumously to share the title.

www.ChasingSquirrelsOnlineBoutique.com Northern Indiana’s Favorite in Person Event, Online, & Pop Up Location Boutique

Text or Call 260.367.1902 Follow us on

Shorts • Shirts Sweaters • Jewelry Dresses • Kumonos Rompers • Handbags 56 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

B E YO N D W E D GWO O D B LU E SPECIAL EXHIBIT RUNNING THROUGH SEPT. 30 AT THE HAVILAH BEARDSLEY HOUSE Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography Provided

The name Wedgwood has been associated with finer things in life for centuries. The iconic blue stoneware emblazoned with the white porcelain cameos is one of the most recognizable of Josiah Wedgwood’s creations, but the scope of work created over the centuries at the factory he established is diverse in both materials and design.

Thanks to the efforts of the staff at the Ruthmere Museums, the beauty and artistry originated

by Josiah Wedgwood in the mid-1700s and continuing to today is showcased in a one-of-akind exhibit at the Havilah Beardsley House in Elkhart.

There are common links between Wedgwood (1730 – 1795) and Beardsley, says Curator Jennifer Johns, which makes the Havilah Beardsley house the ideal venue for the Beyond Wedgwood Blue exhibit.

“They were both visionaries and followed through to make things happen,” Johns says. “Josiah was very focused with his trade and being able to expand the business worldwide was important to him. Whereas Havilah used his wealth to acquire and develop property in an area that wasn’t heavily settled yet. Work ethics for both men was strong.”

Beyond Wedgwood Blue opened in July and

continues through Sept. 30. More than a dozen display cases are used to guide guests through Wedgwood’s legacy, from the Jasperware to the lusterware adorned with fairytale characters, dragons and hummingbirds. The exhibit encompasses Wedgwood’s early work as well as more modern pieces that are still made to the rigorous standards set by the company’s founder.

“Wedgwood was a remarkable person,” says Andrea Barbour, who researched and compiled the exhibit narrative. “It took him over 5,000 experiments to develop Jasperware, and all of that science was entirely self-taught.”

Wedgwood was taken out of school as a young child to work in pottery factories.

Despite the lack of formal education, he excelled at his trade, earning a reputation as a precise craftsman and an inventor. One of his inventions, the pyrometer is still used today.

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

www.jayhconstruction.com

“On top of it all, he was an advocate for social change, promoting the anti-slavery movement and backing America during the Revolutionary War,” Barbour explains.

“It’s astounding to me how one person can do so much in such a short lifetime.”

The exhibit is a first for the Ruthmere museums, which are comprised of the 1874-renovated Italianate house of the founder of Elkhart, Dr. Havilah Beardsley and the 1908 house of A.R and Elizabeth Beardsley, designed in the Beaux Arts style.

“Over the past 40-plus years Ruthmere has hosted a number of smaller traveling exhibits and even developed a few in-house ‘one-room’ special exhibits in the past, but nothing close to the scale and complexity

58 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

of Beyond Wedgwood Blue,” says executive director Bill Firstenberger. “Our goal is to develop a new in-house major special exhibition every two years and to bring in a significant national traveling exhibition during the years in between.”

The exhibit used pieces that were already in the Ruthmere collection. Added to these were pieces borrowed from museums, including The Birmingham (Alabama) Museum of Art and the Art Fund, Inc., the Minnetrista in Muncie and The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana.

To complete the exhibit, the Ruthmere Foundation’s Collection Committee also purchased several pieces which will be auctioned off in November.

Firstenberger explains that purchasing items for a temporary exhibit and then selling the items after the exhibit closes is a way for visitors to the exhibition to “take home a piece of Beyond Wedgwood Blue for themselves.” The proceeds from these

Top Quality • Real Compassion Personal Attention • Exceptional Service

FRAIN MORTUARY, INC. 305 E Main St Winamac, IN 46996 574-946-3222 www.frainmortuary.com

• Full Service Florist • Fresh Farm Weekly (Subscription Service /CSA) • Hanging Plant Baskets • Balloons

• Gift Baskets • Custom Potting • Delivery in Marshall County • Fall Hardy Mums

www.cashencreek.com 574.936.3165

627 S. Michigan St. Plymouth, Indiana 46563 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 59

“Special Temporary Collection” pieces will go back into the budget for the next exhibit in about two years.

Beyond Wedgwood Blue is the type of exhibit that appeals to fine art collectors and the newcomers, Barbour says.

“Having gone from a person who had never even heard of Wedgwood, I’ve come a long way – I even collect Wedgwood myself, now, and have a small collection of Jasperware trinket boxes in five different colors and shapes so far,” she says. “It’s kind of powerful, in a way. Once you find a relatively cheap piece, it’s hard to turn it down.”

Beyond Wedgwood Blue at the Havilah Beardsley House is open for tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It is also open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The house museum is located at 102 W. Beardsley Ave, Elkhart.

For more information, visit ruthmere.org.

Providing Expert Maintenance, Repair & Installation Living Room • Dining Room Mattresses • Accents • Office • & More!

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021

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

24 HOUR SERVICE

Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor 12 year warranty Armstrong 10 year labor and 12 year parts warranty

(574) 780-2245

www.justintimeplumbingandheating.com

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

(574)223-7632

www.townehomefurnishings.com

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

throughout the Midwest and as far as Denver.”

However, as far as he knows, the one in Winamac is the last one in the country.

“I’ve tried to find some and do some research, find some memorabilia if they’ve shut down, and I haven’t had any luck,” he says.

For Armstrong, Isis Theatre is the continuation of family legacy.

NOW SHOWING ISIS THEATRE MAINTAINS FAMILY-FRIENDLY TRADITIONS MORE THAN 100 YEARS LATER Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Storytelling has been a favored art form for thousands of years. Every culture around the world honors stories. One that has been around for millennia is of a princess, Io, who caught the eye of the king god of the Greek Pantheon, Zeus. In order to keep his affair with her from the jealous attention of his wife, he turned Io into a white heifer. Nonetheless, Io still had to run for her life and eventually made it to

Cell:

Call or Text Paul Caudill Cell: 574-835-0387 Home: 574-223-4855 6786 N 250 W Rochester, IN 46975

“My father was the owner before me,” he says. “He worked here when he was a teenager, and after 45 years total, he passed away. The man who owned it before that was like family as well.”

Armstrong appreciates being a part of a movie theatre that has been a gathering place in the community for more than a century.

“We have a very strong community base,” he says. “Even when we’re playing the Egypt, where she was restored to her human same movie for multiple weeks, we have certain people that we will see every shape and transformed into a well-beloved weekend. Sometimes, it’s not even just for deity, Isis. As an Egyptian goddess, she the movie. They’ll come out on Friday or patronized many aspects of the natural Saturday night just to get their popcorn and and supernatural, including the moon and beverages. They’ll be in there one way or the magic. other.”

It was this tale that inspired the name of The concessions — especially the locally Winamac’s Isis Theatre in 1913. grown popcorn and red cream soda— are well-loved by Winamac’s silver-screen “The name was created through a contest,” enthusiasts. Theater-goers also appreciate says owner, Ernie Armstrong. “Isis the theatre’s art deco style, including the Theatres used to be a small chain, actually,

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

Open Hours for Drop offs Tuesday & Thursday 9AM to 6PM 706 Main St. Rochester, IN 46975 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

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 61

original light fixtures and seats.

“We took it back to the original décor,” Armstrong describes the renovation that occurred five years ago. “Many people remember that, when they were really young kids. They remember the color

scheme on the walls and things like that.

Our goal has always been to keep it as original as possible.”

“We always try to have the best theatrical experience we can provide,” Armstrong says.

Although the décor takes guests back to the Roaring 20s, the gear is state of the art.

“We keep up with the latest equipment, whether that’s the projectors, servers and sound equipment. You’re not coming in

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 62 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

here to see a second-rate production. You’re going to get the same experience you would whether you went to AMC multi-plex or you came here.”

When it comes to choosing which movies to play, Armstrong tries to stick with familyfriendly films.

“We generally try to play family titles,” he says. “That’s what we try to stick to.

Whether it’s a Disney cartoon or whatever

the biggest family title is that we can get our hands on. Being a single-screen, we can’t play multiple movies at once with the studio contracts. We have to be attentive to the schedule to make sure we’re booking in the proper order.”

Although Isis Theatre tends to gravitate towards films for younger audiences, movies from other genres are frequently shown as well.

“We always try to play the big movies, like the Marvel franchise, the Fast and Furious franchise,” Armstrong adds. “We stay away from R-Rated films and adult films.”

For Armstrong, the most rewarding part of running Isis Theatre is being able to maintain a community tradition of the silver screen.

“It’s a thrill to watch kids come in here and be excited to see a movie on the big screen, especially in today’s day and age

Trust the Mortgage Experts Gina Howell

Larry Faulstich

574-224-6403 gina-howell.com

574-224-6401 larryfaulstich.com

NMLS#399950

NMLS#399951

30 years banking experience

40 years banking experience

firstfederalbanking.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 63

NMLS#399927

with technology,” he says. “Also, having the opportunity to carry on the legacy of the theatre. It’s not always easy, it’s not always fun. But there’s a certain aura and legacy that precedes it, being as old as it is.”

Isis Theatre is located at 122 N. Monticello St. in Winamac. The box office opens 30 minutes before the show begins. To see the theatre’s movie schedule, visit them online at isistheatrewinamac.com or call them at 574-946-3713.

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

The Rochester Optimists Friends of Youth Open Mid September though Mid October 803 E. 9th St.,Rochester, IN 574-835-5683

EDS-5422F-A

Clady RussellTodd Kietzman Craig Wilson Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 1226 S Michigan St Suite 1 574-935-5647 574-935-4108 Plymouth, IN 46563 574-935-4183

Cristy Keller Financial Advisor 574-935-3909

Mark Bishop Financial Advisor 574-935-0030

edwardjones.com

Todd Clady Financial Advisor 574-935-4183

Member SIPC

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

64 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

• The Pumpkin Stand • 50 Varieties of Pumpkins, Gourds, Squash, & Mums.

• Straw • Corn Stalks • Displays & Decor • Great Photo Opportunities • All Proceeds Donated to Our Local Community

PAGES OF HISTORY NEW EDITION OF CLASSIC BOOK CENTERS ON HISTORY OF MAXINKUCKEE AND SURROUNDING AREA

It may not be obvious to everyone, but the areas of Culver, Lake Maxinkuckee, and Marshall County in general are undergoing some historic anniversaries these days, with related endeavors accompanying them.

Maxinkuckee Association (LMA), of a new hardcover book reprinting county historian Daniel McDonald’s 1905 work titled “History of Lake Maxinkuckee.” It includes a new forward and an extensive, photo-filled timeline by local historian Jeff Kenney, covering the years after the book was first published, up to the present.

Among these is the publication, by the Lake

The new book was actually first published

Writer / Jeff Kenney Photographer / Jeff Kenney

last year to celebrate the 115th anniversary of the original McDonald book, though it’s been making the rounds this year, and this summer in particular.

Anna Campbell Nowalk, director of the LMA, says the project came about as she was thumbing through a previous printing of the McDonald book, which has been reprinted twice in the past, and realized

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

574-223-2010

1229 MAIN ST | ROCHESTER THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 65

“I was thinking that Daniel McDonald’s book hadn’t been reprinted since the 1990s, when the Antiquarian and Historical Society of Culver published a version,” Nowalk says. “A lot of people hadn’t read the book. When I realized the Lake Association was the original publisher of it, I thought it might be time for a reprint.”

that the original book was published by the Association, which was originally founded in 1897 to promote the safety and health of the lake and its shore area. One of the most visible endeavors of the LMA is the Lake Patrol, which patrols the water and roads around Lake Maxinkuckee.

Lake Association members Beth Ann Clark and Sarah Clark agreed, and spearheaded the reprint project, asking Kenney if he might write a forward to the new edition. Kenney, who had just given a presentation at the Marshall County Historical Museum about McDonald’s life and legacy, was happy to oblige.

“Daniel McDonald was really a remarkable person,” Kenney says, noting McDonald and his parents were among the pioneer families who arrived near Lake Maxinkuckee from southern

Indiana in 1836, when McDonald was still a child.

McDonald would go on to operate one of the county’s first newspapers, help found Plymouth’s first fire department and the county’s first historical society, serve as postmaster and as Marshall County’s first telegraph operator, and become a founding member of the county’s first Masonic lodge. He was also among a small group that first brought the railroad to Culver and Plymouth.

Late in life, McDonald became a state senator, and in that role he introduced legislation to erect the first statesponsored monument to a Native American in the entire country - the Chief Menominee monument on Peach Road, south of Plymouth. Besides the Maxinkuckee book, McDonald wrote the first - and most extensive to date - history of Marshall County, a book on the

RON SAYS

“PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW FOR FALL”

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.barnyard35.com 66 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

removal of the Potawatomi Indians from this area, and a history of Freemasonry in Indiana.

One hundred years later, in 1936, a group of descendants of those pioneers erected a boulder with family names engraved into it at the site of the group’s first stop in the Maxinkuckee area, at the intersection of State Road 10 and Queen Road, where it still resides today.

In the process of writing the introduction to the new edition, Kenney suggested an addendum to the book could be created using local history timelines he had already written, and the suggestion was enthusiastically received by both Clarks. The notion of adding historical photographs to the timeline soon emerged.

A group of descendants were on hand for the unveiling of a new historic marker on

State Road 10 and Queen Road in July (more on that in a future edition of The Lakes).

In the meantime, copies of the book are available at Culver Coffee Company, located at 634 East Lake Shore Drive in Culver, and questions can be directed to the Lake Maxinkuckee Association via their website at lakemaxinkuckeeassociation.org.

Among other historical highlights of the area described in text and images are the famous writers and musicians who spent time at and were inspired by the area, including Kurt Vonnegut, Cole Porter, “Ben Hur” author Lew Wallace, and James Whitcomb Riley, as well as the presence of the first integrated high school basketball team in Indiana at Culver High School. Also included are the proliferation of apple orchards on the lake’s east shore, the rich history of Culver Academies and its involvement in presidential inaugural parades and serving as the inspiration for Hollywood movies and novels, the settlement in Culver of one of the few Titanic survivors to live in Indiana, and much more.

“Jeff and Beth Ann have such a vivid recollection of growing up around Lake Maxinkuckee,” Sarah Clark says. “Sifting through so many old pictures prompted wonderful stories, reminding us that we all play a part in the history of Culver, whether we realize it at the time or not.”

Beth Ann Clark hopes the book will help bridge the generations between local families long familiar with the area, and newer ones.

“Our future generations can flip through the pages and learn the value of simplicity and tradition,” she says.

McDonald’s remarkable Marshall County legacy is connected to another anniversary taking place this summer, which marks the 185th year since the aforementioned settlers arrived at what would become Union Township, east of Lake Maxinkuckee, in July of 1836.

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

STAY AWHILE FIND PLENTY OF DINING, RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS IN WALKERTON Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Walkerton has always been a place of crossroads. Its epicenter is the intersection of what was once the nation’s longest highway, Route 6, and State Road 23. Initially founded by pioneers, it still has a culture built around a balance of homespun industry and relaxation.

Begin a day in Walkerton properly fed and caffeinated at the Corner Cup Cafe.

This beautiful little restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, as well as a wide range of espressos, lattes and coffees. Visit the shop at 600 Roosevelt Road. To order carry-out, call them at 574-586-3010.

Flea Market Flea MarketNew Furniture New Furnit

In the downtown area, there are a few shops to catch the eye. One is First Presbyterian Mission Thrift Shop.

This place has a little bit of everything,

| New Mattresses | AntiquesAntiq lea Market Flea Market | New Furniture New NewFurniture Mattresses Flea Market New Furniture

New

2801 Old US 31 N. Rochester, IN 46975 Mattresses New Mattresses United States

Antiques Antiques Closed Sundays New Mattresses Antiques 68 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

from knickknacks to clothes to small appliances. Whether you’re looking for a new outfit to wear for your next weekend out, or starting to look for that Christmas gift a little early, this is a good place to check. Call them at 574-5869109.

Around the corner is Holy Scoops!, a seasonal walk-up ice cream stand that serves Hershey’s ice cream and a wide array of delicious cold desserts from May through October. This locallyowned and -operated stand was named by the owner’s 8-year-old daughter, who insisted that Holy Scoops! was the only appropriate name for the stand. They serve a variety of hand-dipped ice cream flavors, as well as malts, sundaes, shakes, floats and more. Pick up your favorite frozen treat at 408 Illinois Street.

Another hidden gem is New Kitchen Store, a fascinating little shop on the north end of town. This store sells almost everything that anyone could need or want in their kitchen, from pots and pans to dishes and flatware.

The store also has a vast array of coffees and teas, as well as gourmet foods like oils, vinegars, preserves and more, that are well worth the tasting. New Kitchen Store also carries small kitchen appliances, as well as several of the best brands in kitchenware, like Lodge, Alessi, Nora Fleming, Wüsthof and others. The staff is very friendly, and always willing to answer questions or help their customers find an item. Visit the store at 330 Liberty Street. Call them at 574-586-2745, or visit them online at newkitchenstore.com.

Stone Coated Metal Roofing, Metal Roofing, Asphalt Shingles Post Frame Buildings, New Energy Homes, Garages

Call (574) 773-0494 We are a Metstar Building Products Preferred Contractor.

dandjroofingandconstruction.com Proudly Serving Marshall County, Kosciusko County & Nearby Communities

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 69

Members of the Walkerton community work hard to make sure that the past is never quite forgotten. Heritage House Museum has a fun collection of memorabilia that represents much of the last 165 years of local history. It’s located at 413 Michigan Street. Reach out to the staff by calling 574-586-2852, or read more about them on Walkerton’s website, Walkerton.org.

On the south end of town is another tribute to local history. Hesters Farm Log Homes is located on the first homestead in the area, which was originally owned

by Annette Hesters and family. The current owners, the LeBlancs, have not only maintained the original buildings, but have also made them available for overnight rental, whether for a family or a group. They also host several annual festivals that celebrate the life and times of those who lived long ago, through the summer and early fall months. To learn more, check out their website at

Quality 5 Inch Gutters made on site Leaf Guard

• Rugs • Carpet • Laminate

Committed to Excellence

(574)349-3271 Lynn Stutzman

• Vinyl • Hardwood • Showers

• Ceramic • Warehouse Specials

(574) 935-5656

www.prattsfloorcovering.com

303 N. Oak Dr. Plymouth IN. 46563

70 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

hestersfarmloghomes.com or call them at 574-586-2105. It is located at 71880 State Road 23.

Homesteading did not die with Laura Ingalls Wilder and her “Little House on the Prairie” book series. Third Day Farm is a family-run operation that raises and sells pasture-raised, organic meats and eggs. As a business built on the premise of integrity and transparency, the owners welcome communication with their clients regarding their food production.

They offer other goods produced on-site including fermented foods like sauerkraut and kombucha, as well as goat milk soaps and lotions. They also offer Third Day Farm mugs and ball caps. To join their mailing list, visit them at thirddayfarmllc. com. To visit their store, drop by 2814 Plymouth LaPorte Trail. Reach out to them by calling 574-485-6397.

Choose from Over 1000 different frame options!

Let us help you frame your memories...

Open Tue - Fri 10:00am to 5:30pm | Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm

For inquiries contact Sandy Saenz: Frameshoppe@yahoo.com 100 W. Garro street • Plymouth | (574)936-5259

www.davesenginerepair.com 10215 East SR 8 Knox, Indiana 46534

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

BURKHOLDER COUNTRY STORE

NAPPANEE SHOP CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography Provided

In the two decades that Larry and Marlene Burkholder have owned Burkholder Country Store, they’ve learned two important lessons.

“You have to take good care of the customer,” Larry Burkholder says. “Second, we have a great community to do business with. We are thankful.”

The store is important to this rural section of Elkhart County, located a few miles west of downtown Nappanee. It is a one-stop shop for both the local Amish community and the non-Amish - a place to pick up household decorative items, gifts and cards, toys, fabric and sewing notions, and even name-brand shoes.

The business is reminiscent of local fiveand-dime stores or iconic country stores, yet retains a something-for-everyone concept.

Larry and Marlene bought the business

We Are Not For Profit Facility Respite Care - Long Term Care - Short Term Rehab Alzhiemer’s - Out Patient Rehab Specialized Wound Care

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

Lakes related merchandise, antiques, South Bend Chocolates, furniture, and more.

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

(574) 952-0852 burroakwhistlestop@gmail.com 15295 State Rd. 17 Culver, IN 46511 72 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

in 2001. It was much smaller then, at 2,500 square feet in size. The store had previously been owned by the same owner for 30 years.

11th Annual

100%

At that time Burkholder was working in a factory, which he did for 25 years. His wife, he says, had always wanted a store, and they were both looking for a situation that would allow him to work closer to home.

September 10 & 11

“We are both people persons,” he says.

“This was something we really thought we would enjoy.”

As the customer counts increased and the inventory of merchandise grew, more space was needed. In 2011 the store more than doubled in size, with a 4,000-squarefoot addition built onto the existing store.

Better lighting and more space brought in more customers, and the business grew again last year when a 3,600-square-foot warehouse was added.

The Burkholders’ children, Michael and Kari, help in the store when possible. Also on hand to help customers are three fulltime and four part-time employees.

There are some staple merchandise items such as the fabric and sewing supplies.

Fabric is important to the community.

“We try to supply fabric the customer needs,” Burkholder says.

With each expansion, the store owners have been able to expand the selection of new fabrics, giving their customers more choices.

The shoe department is also a popular place. The Burkholders carry a variety

Friday 3 to 8 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Located in Rentown - 3 Miles East of Bremen, Indiana (2640 Birch Road) 46506

FEATURED EVENTS: HORSE DRAWN EQUIPMENT Horse Drawn 1940 McCormick Reaper • John Deere Rope Hay Loader Horse Drawn John Deere Corn Sheller Log Skidding Cart & Wooden Cultimulcher • Steam Tractors • Rumleys • Antique Tractors • Antique Vendors • Threshing • Sawmill • Blacksmith • Train Rides • Wood Carving • Cider Press • Rug Weaver

Campfire Menu: Burgers, Brats with all the fixins, open kettle soup w/corn bread, Homemade ice cream, Fried pies and. . . .Bake Sale: made by our own ladies Fun for the kids

Petting Zoo Train Rides For the Kids Find Candy & Money in a haystack Tug o’ War with a team of horses

Admission • $5.00 13 and under Free

Need more info, call: 574-546-1246 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 73

Free Parking

of shoes, from work and hunting boots to casual footwear styles. Name brands stocked on the shelves include Kenetrek, Red Wing, Skechers, New Balance, SAS, LaCrosse, Eastland, Nurse Mates and Saucony.

There are many more styles and brands of footwear, which take up several aisles in the back of the store.

In the winter the store stocks winter clothes, including coats, hats and gloves.

Lighter fashions and home decor appropriate for the season come out in the spring and summer.

Burkholder says he and Marlene try to stock additional items when they can, often after getting input from their customers.

“We are always looking for new ideas,” he says.

Last year was a challenge for the store.

Beech Road Seeds & Fertilizer, LLC (574) 773-7717 ext. 1

Dr. Paul Products ISP Plant Foods Kingfisher Corn, Alfalfa & Pasture Mixes SuperGro of Iowa Fertilizers

Pre-Pay in September for 2022 Seed Discounts

276 Beech Rd. • Nappanee, Indiana 46550 74 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

Shipments of inventory to the business were delayed due to the pandemic.

For three days, from September 9 through 11, the Burkholders will celebrate the store’s 20th anniversary with a sale for customers, food and giveaways, and other perks. It is a way to celebrate a milestone and thank the community for their support, according to Burkholder.

“It was a challenge,” Burkholder says. “We still have merchandise on backorder.”

Business has improved this year but he expects it will take some time to get business back on track, as it was prior to COVID-related shutdowns. Retail sales, however, are improving.

Burkholder says he measures the shop’s success by the number of satisfied

Mention, cut out, or bring a digital photo of this in to get 10% OFF any service

30 Years Experience

Expires September 30, 2021

customers he sees.

“We feel blessed and always want to give God the honor for this,” Burkholder says.

Burkholder Country Store is located at 29999 County Road 56 in Nappanee.

For more information including hours of operation, call 574-773-4279 or visit burkholdercountrystore.com.

Granny’s Market

Get to Granny’s Market for hanging baskets flowers and veggie flats, perennials, rose bushes and more.

Service and Repair

(574) 935-4669 BobsAutomotive20@yahoo.com 2482 Lake Ave. Plymouth, IN 46563 (On State Rd. 17 Across from St. Joseph Hospital)

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

Large Juicy Cantaloupe Watermelon Apple Butter Haven Peaches Milk Chocolate Cashews Triple Dipped Malt Balls Local Honey Maple Syrup

Call or stop in at Granny’s

(219) 816-0045 3055 S. Range Road North Judson (located in TOTO)

“FULTON COUNTY’S COMPLETE DECORATING CENTER”

Welcome to our House!

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

Baldwin And Company

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

814 Main Street Rochester, IN 46975

Just call...

• Home Maintenance & Repairs • Remodeling & Additions

SOMETHING BUGGING YOU?

• Windows & Siding

MONTHLY | SEASON AL ANNUAL | TREATMENTS

• Electrical & Generators • Painting • Gas & Water Lines • Furnace & A/C Repairs & Installation • Water Heater Repair & Installation

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

info@BennettsContracting.net Serving the Culver area since 1965

• Bedbugs • Mice • Rats • Cockroaches • Spiders • Ants

• Fleas • Ticks • Yellow Jackets • Wasp, Hornets • Stink Bugs • Asian Beetles

574-341-2105

COMMERCI AL AND RESIDENTI AL LICENSED AND INSURED WWW.BUGZPESTM AN AGEMENT.COM

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

I N S E P T E M B E R 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

14

KOONTZ LAKE ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING

EVERY MONDAY BINGO

Doors open at 5pm, Early Bird starts at 6pm, and regular games start at 6:30pm at the Koontz Lake Association Community building.

EVERY THURSDAY

6:30pm CT – Koontz Lake Association Board Meeting at the KLA Clubhouse. Come bring fresh and fun ideas to improve your community!

This is open to the public.

25

LAST SATURDAY CONCERTS

FARMERS MARKET

Last Saturday Concerts presents The Noise 70’s & 80’s Classic Rock Hits. $5 at the door. Beer and wine refreshment sales. The Concert takes place at the KLA Clubhouse.

EVERY SATURDAY

Rent the Koontz Lake Clubhouse for your next party! The rental fee is $50.00. 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

3-6pm – Farmers Market at The Kitchen Store in Walkerton.

PICKLEBALL

9am-Noon – Pickleball at Lions Park

L A K E M A X I N K U C K E E / C U LV E R

4

FISH FRY

4pm – Fish Fry at the Grovertown Community Building.

5

18

STORIES & STONES CEMETERY WALK

KOONTZ LAKE LIONS BREAKFAST

8am-Noon - Koontz Lake Lions Pancake, Sausage, and Eggs breakfast.

All you can eat, $7 with a 50/50 raffle. This will be held at the Koontz Lake Fire Department.

1-3pm - Stories & Stones Cemetery Walk at the Culver Masonic Cemetery.

Wear your walking shoes and join us as history comes to life! For more information, contact the Culver-Union Township Public Library 574-842-2941

IF YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE YOUR EVENTS FEATURED IN THE WHAT’S HAPPENING SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL MANDI@TOWNEPOST.COM

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 77

DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER? Concerned about Lead, Arsenic and Nitrates?

Culligan Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System!

• Water Softener • Salt Free Water Conditioner

• Water Filters • Whole House Systems

Car Hop Style Drive In Featuring Ice Cream, Fresh Hamburgers, Fries, Shakes, Tenderloins, Coney Dogs, Fish Sandwich, Cheesy Bacon Tots, & More

• Drinking Water Systems • Battle Free Coolers

574-936-3556 | 326 E. Jefferson St. Plymouth

* Follow us on Facebook For Seasonal Business Hour Announcements

574-780-8426

725 N. Michigan St. Argos

DreamlanD Farms 2021 AUCTION DATES

Consignments Start at 3:00 Auctions Starts at 5:00

Small Animal Sale

NO: reptiles, dogs, or sick animals.

Have your cages marked.

• There Will Be Food Available • $5 Double Cheeseburgers $2 Root Beer Floats PLUS Hot Dogs, Ice Cream, Coffee, Iced Tea, Chicken & Noodles

September 8 Event Will Happen Rain or Shine

any Questions Call:

Karl Slabaugh • 574-767-2956 • 66 Lincoln HWY • Bourbon, IN • 46504 78 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com

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

Tracy Haddix, NP

Kim McCullough, NP

Open Monday thru Friday and every Saturday until noon

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

W NO N!

PE

O

OPEN SAT - THUR 7AM to 3PM OPEN FRIDAY 7AM to 8PM

(FISH DINNER ON FRIDAYS)

DELICIOUS FOOD & GOOD PORTIONS AT GREAT PRICES!

(574) 784-2833 857 Michigan Rd • Plymouth, IN 46563 THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com / 79

DRIVE THRU AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP ORDER ONLY

GRAB THE FUN

BY THE BARS THE WATER’S YOUR PLAYGROUND

574-842-5000

514-W. Mill St. Culver, IN www.culversportsidemarina.com 80 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2021 / TownePost.com