The Lakes East Magazine October 2023

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PUBLISHERS JOHN & MANDI LEWANDOWSKI

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SPELLBINDING STRUCTURE

BIRDSELL MANSION OFFERS VISITORS A BIT OF HISTORY - AND PERHAPS A BIT OF THE HAUNTED

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger

Photographer / Ali Schneider

Their written chronicles abound, and the landscape of social media is rife with their images. Beautiful but somewhat forlorn, palatial old homes, crown jewels of opulence from another place in history. Magnificence in architecture, and very much a source of pride for generations of families who once called them home. Sadly enough, however, many of those houses have since fallen into disrepair, weathered by circumstances and time.

The Birdsell Mansion near downtown South Bend initially seems like one such example, but visitors will likely discover that it is anything but. The exterior reveals glimpses of its former glory, and the structure was recently designated as one of the state’s 10 most endangered buildings by Indiana Landmarks. And while the mansion may look abandoned, certain folks have come away believing that the house is neither forgotten, nor uninhabited.

Just ask Corbyn Bentley. A native of Elkhart, he is rapidly ascending to national prominence with his paranormal investigative adventures. He is a social media phenom with an active podcast following, and is well-versed in topics related to the spirit world. On a recent ghost-hunting expedition that he coordinated at the Birdsell Mansion, Bentley said that the house was one of the most haunted places he’s ever witnessed.

The Birdsell Mansion was built in 1898 for Joseph Benjamin “Ben” Birdsell and his wife, Olive. Birdsell was an industrial mogul, the son of another entrepreneur who was a pioneer in agricultural machinery. The elder Birdsell, John C., had moved to South Bend from New York in 1864 to market a new innovation in the threshing and hulling of clover, considered a leading crop of that era.

With the success of the Birdsell family

enterprise, Ben Birdsell wanted to create a luxurious living space that would rival the nearby homes of Clem Studebaker’s Tippecanoe Place and J.D. Oliver’s Copshaholm. The design, crafted by the architectural firm of Parker and Austin, features numerous marble-accented fireplaces, ornate lighting and woodwork, multiple staircases, hardwood flooring, and a third-floor ballroom, all with the intent to dazzle the highest echelon of South Bend society.

The house was last lived in by members of the Birdsell family back in 1927, and since then, there have been a handful of businesses that have converted the space into office suites. Nowadays, Bentley has special clearance to use the mansion for hosting various supernatural excursions. Taking a trip through the mansion under the veil of darkness might convince even the most hardened skeptics that although physical life forms no longer reside there, presences are very much present.

Bentley is a spirited fellow in more ways than one. His lively, humorous manner meshes well with the eerie undercurrents of the house. During a recent visit to Birdsell Mansion, Bentley spent some time in the majestic front parlor, answering questions and explaining the particulars of the tour. He employs various tools of the trade to attempt communication with spirits, such as an ultra-sensitive flashlight that flickers on command when questions are asked. Bentley also uses a spirit box, which captures radio frequencies believed to pick up sounds not distinguishable to the naked ear.

While leading groups along tours, Bentley’s steps are tentative, yet he provides a riveting narrative of the various experiences in the maze of rooms. He speaks about portals, defined as places in the mansion that are allegedly active - a vast basement library with dusty vintage volumes, and dark, dank hallways where shadows linger. A boarded-up entryway

to a network of underground tunnels is supposedly also a buzzy spot.

The most ideal way to stay apprised of upcoming events at the Birdsell Mansion is to visit the home’s Facebook page, located

under “Haunted Birdsell Mansion.” The page features information on future plans, photos and videos, and a messaging feature to make inquiries. To view the house in its historic South Bend neighborhood, head to 511 West Colfax Avenue.

IN GOOD ORDER

TOPEKA PHARMACY GETS CLIENTS TAKEN CARE OF

Trevor Thain, co-owner and pharmacist at Topeka Pharmacy, says he and his staff go the extra mile to offer a personal touch in everything they do at the pharmacy.

“There are a lot of people in the Topeka area that really rely on us, and we want to make sure that all of their prescription drug and over-the-counter medication, as well as their health care questions and needs, are taken care of,” Thain says. “It’s been that way at this pharmacy for years.”

Thain notes that the pharmacy has been in Topeka since 1988 and was started by Thomas and Morag Miller.

“The Miller family did a completely outstanding job for 30 years,” Thain says. “My wife, Cassie, and I bought the pharmacy in 2018 and took it over. I worked here before when I was in high school, and I was always

Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

Topeka Pharmacy owners Trevor and Cassie Thain

completely impressed at the outstanding service and personal touch that was put into everything. I really enjoyed working with the Millers. Customers were always treated with extra care and we have strived to maintain that. We have followed in their footsteps.”

After Thain graduated from Homestead High School in Fort Wayne in 2010, he went on to Purdue University where he studied pharmacology and received his doctorate in pharmacology.

“I worked at the pharmacy during school breaks and learned as much as I could,” Thain says. “Cassie also became a pharmacist. She worked at a chain store and really learned a lot. When the opportunity came to take over the business, we were ready.”

Thain notes that Topeka Pharmacy offers a lot of great services to the community. “We offer flu shots, diabetes classes, and we have a wonderful staff of pharmacists,” he says. “Technicians here are ready to answer the

questions our customers have. We have a great team, and Cassie and I make sure that it’s a nice place to work. Our staff cares about our customers and doing a great job. We are not a vending machine. People want help and they want to have their questions answered. Many of them come here and they are not feeling well. Sometimes their medical insurance may not cover their prescription.”

Thain says he and the staff work hard to help their customers as much as possible. “We always try to find a way to say yes,” he says. “We have a lot of customers who tell us they appreciate us because we took the time to listen to them and get them taken care of. Every day we work with great people, and we give 110%.”

Thain notes that many people in the Topeka area rely on the pharmacy.

“We offer safe and effective resources,” he says. “People come to us to get the health help they need. The LaGrange area is a health care desert. It’s integral that the brick-and-mortar places exist to offer the services people need.”

Thain says Topeka Pharmacy offers a wide variety of products.

“We have everything from regular prescriptions to Tylenol and vitamins,” he says. “We also offer braces and support tools and support hose. We have medical equipment, and customers can rent out wheelchairs and crutches.”

The pharmaceutical staff at Topeka Pharmacy also makes it easy for customers to pick up everything they

need at once.

“We give enhanced care and we get all of a customer’s prescriptions together at once,” Thain says. “We also call people and talk to them about their prescriptions. It prevents mistakes.”

Thain notes that Topeka Pharmacy has a lot of great gifts as well. “We have quite an arrangement of home goods,” he says. “We also have floral arrangements that can also be delivered. We also offer free deliveries of prescriptions on Wednesdays and Fridays if they are called in the night before.”

Topeka Pharmacy also helps people with diabetes. “We have a custom diabetes shoe program that has helped people with diabetes,” he says. “We can custom mold a customer’s shoe and make sure people have comfortable shoes. “

Topeka Pharmacy also offers numerous immunizations. “We are experts on what

kind of shots you will need depending on where you are traveling,” Thain says. “We look at the regions someone is traveling to and see what immunizations they will need.”

Smoking cessation programs are also offered.

“We offer a lot of quitting-smoking classes, as well as different wellness and nutrition programs,” Thain says. “We offer a personal touch as much as we can.”

Thain notes that he and Cassie, and the entire staff, will take on any job, big or small.

“We are big on not telling anybody to do something we won’t do,” Thain says. “We all do everything. We have the best pharmacists,

technicians and staff. They are all wonderful people to work with. We all know that the vending-machine approach to prescriptions and health care is just not going to do it. There are people in the community who need us, and we will be there for them.”

For more information on Topeka Pharmacy, located at 101 North Main Street in Topeka, call 260-593-2252 or check out topekapharmacy.net.

THE CARE YOU NEED

GOSHEN HOME MEDICAL IS STILL HELPING CUSTOMERS LIVE THEIR BEST AFTER 40 YEARS

Located in the heart of downtown Goshen, you will find a business that provides for many needs, to help you live vibrantly.

Goshen Home Medical is located on South Main Street and has been serving the community for 40-plus years. Founded in 1973, the staff continues to practice their vision of helping residents in the local area become the healthiest version of themselves.

The mission of Goshen Home Medical is to provide a space for customers to come in, feel valued, and provide recommendations for getting your health back on track. Whether you have a chronic disease or a new injury, the team will make you feel like family and guide you along your path to recovery.

Once you arrive, you are greeted with smiling faces. If you do not

Many of our loved ones, patients, friends, relatives want to remain in their home - but stairs can be a huge problem.

Goshen Home Medical’s experienced professionals can help you find the perfect type of stairlift for you and your home, will deliver and install.

Writer & Photographer / Ali Schneider

know where to begin , do not worry. The team will guide you with options when it comes to home care, and provide education on the best possible solutions for your health care needs.

When you pull up to the quaint building, you may think it is a typical home medical store. However, once you walk inside the double doors, you realize it is much more than that.

As you approach the front desk, you will pass by products on display

that can improve your health immensely. These include the oneof-a-kind product called the Jazzy Air. It is a mobility product that allows individuals to rise up to a height that other powered mobility products typically do not.

The benefit of the Jazzy Air is allowing the user to reach eye level with others, instead of always being looked down on. For example, while at a restaurant at a high-top table, or at a bar, it allows the individual to see eye to eye with friends, family and co-workers.

This is something many people might not consider unless they have been in this situation. The team at Goshen Home Medical is passionate about providing customers with the knowledge about the products.

Continuing through the building, you will find a wide variety of products. As you browse around the store, you will see everything from clothing, which they provide for all Goshen Health facilities, canes, walkers, powered wheel mobility chairs, and typical wheelchairs.

Aside from typical home medical products, Goshen Home Medical offers some special items. For example, there is an entire section dedicated to mothers and babies. There are lotions, natural products, maternity clothing items, and supplements.

Next to the baby section you will find gifts for your friends and family. These include cards, gift bundles with hand creams, face creams and serums, slippers, and more. As the holidays near, their stock of unique gift items will continue to expand. They even have a section of unique cards to go along with your perfect gift.

Shopping at Goshen Home Medical is a true community experience. The caregivers are passionate about providing the highest-quality services to customers, and will make you feel

relaxed and comfortable at every visit.

Some of benefits of shopping at Goshen Home Medical include the on-site repair department, 24-hour emergency service, an expansive showroom with knowledgeable customer service members, and trained delivery technicians who can help you set up your home to fit your health needs.

The next time you are looking for health and wellness products, consider visiting Goshen Health Medical. They are located at 1501 South Main Street in Goshen, and can be reached by phone at 574533-0626. Also find them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Event

Wedding Venue & Dinning

RIVER WOODWORKING, LLC

KITCHEN & BATH CABINETRY

P: 260-593-3005 | F: 260-593-3007

AARONY@RIVERWOODWORKING.COM

River Woodworking is a second-generation family owned company, founded in 2000. We design and build a wide variety of full custom wood cabinetry to complement any home or office interior. Today, River Woodworking offers options from sleek, contemporary designs to classic or rustic touches. Each piece is handcrafted to perfection and is finished with a quality paint or stain of your choice. Quality construction and finishing combined with a host of extra features have placed River Woodworking at the top of its class, creating cabinetry that will endure the test of time.

Visit our showroom for a full selection of door styles, colors, countertops, hardware, and more.

1735 W 700 S | Wolcottville, IN 46795

QUALITY AND COMFORT

has, as the company logo says, been providing quality and comfort for the area since 1989.

“Heating is essential,” Matt Miller says. “When people buy from us, they know it will be a quality product.”

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski

Photographer / Tony Straw

Many things are passed down from father to son - values, character traits, family history and sometimes even the family business. After decades of leadership under Ernie Miller, his son, Matt Miller, is the new owner of Miller Stove & Fireplace in Bremen.

For 34 years, it has been the place to go for quality fireplaces, stoves, furnaces and equipment needs for outdoor kitchens. It

Over the years the business has evolved, from first selling anthracite coal and the stoves to burn it in, to the current wide range of possibilities for customers seeking to heat their homes, or create a “cozy comfort zone” with a fireplace, as Miller says.

There are over 60 stoves and fireplaces on display, so customers can get an idea what they would like to see in their own home. The traditional wood-burning fireplace and stove is still highly popular. Other choices include gas, electric and pellet fuel systems. Whatever the choice may be, Miller says customers can expect high-efficiency units and great customer service.

822 Main Street, Rochester, IN 46975

574-224-2666

The decision on what fireplace may be best for the customer has many facets. Wood-burning fireplaces provide a heat source if the power goes out. Electric and gas fireplaces require less cleaning and maintenance. Pellet-fueled fireplaces can be helpful in reducing the labor involved in cutting and storing wood.

To help in making those decisions, customers can look at the models on display, and talk with an expert to make sure their needs are met with the choice they make. The store features

MILLER STOVE & FIREPLACE HAS BEEN KEEPING FIRES BURNING FOR NEARLY 35 YEARS

models of both traditional fireplaces and contemporary styles.

When a customer decides on the type of fireplace, Miller’s trained crew handles all the work needed to get the fireplace operational. This includes design of the mantle and the fireplace surround, the installation of any gas or electric lines needed, and masonry. As Miller says, it is a one-stop shop for fireplaces and stoves.

It is also important to know what the customer needs. The fireplaces that the business creates are individualized based on customer tastes and preferences. Miller can design a fireplace from a photograph that the customer provides, and can help make sure the design fits correctly in the available space.

“When the customer comes in, I want to know what they want the fireplace to do for them,” Miller says. “We try to sell them a solution.”

That same care is given to customers who may be struggling to decide whether a wood stove would be a better option for their space. They sell wood stoves that can be used for heating a home, and wood-burning cook

stoves for kitchens. Wood-burning cook stoves do double duty as both a source of heat and a way to prepare meals.

A fireplace is a bigger project than the installation of a wood stove. It depends on the scale of the room and the individual needs of the customer.

“A fireplace changes the look of a room, but it does take up more space,” Miller says.

SPECIALIZING IN HIGH QUALITY STEEL ROOFING

In addition to quality fixtures, the company has always made customer service and satisfaction a priority. Their installers operate with the highest level of professionalism. “We tell our employees to leave the customer’s house cleaner than when we got there,” Miller says.

For him, the job is done well when he gets a positive response from the customer.

“One of the best things I like to hear is how much they are

saving on their energy bills,” Miller says.

Fireplaces and stoves can lower heating and electricity costs that come with keeping a home warm in winter. The key is to keep the fireplace or wood stove fueled while lowering the thermostat. That way the furnace does not kick on as often, reducing electricity usage.

Miller says the following phrase helps to know if his team has met the customer’s expectations: “If they cry because they are so happy.”

“They tell all their friends about it, send a handwritten note or write a nice review about their experience with us,” he adds.

These types of responses come about because Miller believes his business is not simply about making a sale. It is about connecting with those who come into his business.

“We just love interacting with people,” he says. “It’s about building relationships.”

To keep products and service on trend, Miller Stove & Fireplace has expanded to offer an extensive selection of outdoor gas, charcoal or pellet barbecue grills, as well as popular add-ons like griddles or pizza ovens. To make that cookout even better, the store has a selection of grilling utensils, sauces and seasonings. Whether it’s a stand-alone grill, outdoor kitchen, fireplace or fire pit, Miller is ready to help his customers enjoy their yards

even more.

“Creating an outdoor living space is an extension of their home,” he says.

If an outdoor kitchen is what a customer wants, Miller can supply everything needed. This includes cabinets, grills and installation of the utility lines.

As the business continues to transition into the next chapter of leadership, Miller is thankful for the seven employees who have helped keep the “quality and comfort” portion of their motto a part of standard operating procedures. The past 34 years of happy customers would not have been possible without a great team, he says.

Customers come from an approximate two-hour radius from their shop on Beech Road. This includes Bremen, Nappanee, Wakarusa, Goshen, Warsaw, Elkhart, South Bend, Plymouth, Culver, Knox, Walkerton and Rochester.

Miller Stove & Fireplace is located at 2570 Beech Road in Bremen. For more information, visit millerstoveandfireplace. com or call 574-773-2686.

FALL FLAVORINGS

NEW KITCHEN STORE HAS PLENTY TO AID IN YOUR CULINARY PURSUITS THIS AUTUMN

Story & Photography Provided

Are you noticing anything different when you step outside?

Colors changing everywhere - orange, red, brown and yellow leaves floating from the trees to the ground and air. This can be such a pleasant time of year, as fall foods and beverages will soon be here. The smells and tastes of crisp apples and pumpkin delight, it’s all such a beautiful sight.

Don’t feel sad that summer is leaving, for now we are starting another festive season. Sunflowers bursting with bright yellows so grand. Let’s get to baking - let the feasting begin. Starting with an apple crisp sounds fun, and if you need any spices, our store carries a ton.

New Kitchen Store’s cinnamon is great to use, and is packed with amazing flavor. Maybe you need a good knife to cut the apples with - our WÜSTHOF knives will sure do the trick.

A pan to put the dessert in? We have those too - check out the Nordic Ware products.

Maybe pumpkin spice bread is what you had in mind - don’t worry, since we carry excellent nutmeg and bread pans of all kinds. If you feel like hanging a beautiful dishrag to celebrate the seasons changing, we carry dual-purpose apple pumpkin and leaf dish towels to keep up with your cleaning.

It’s never too early for pumpkin pie, and

New Kitchen Store has rolling pins, pie pans, and regency parchment paper to keep the crust from sticking. The store also has pie crust bags to keep the perfect shape, and don’t forget the pie crust shield (so there’s no burning) so your pie crust will be in great shape.

What else about fall do we love? How about some nice warm spice for your apple cider drink? Your friends will love it, and it could be a big hit. Speaking of apples, if you don’t like baking homemade pie, that’s just fine - try our

San Saba River Apple Pecan Preserves, spread in an easy pie crust. By itself, the preserve is wonderful as a jam. Use it on crackers and toast (or maybe put it on some ham).

If apple is not your favorite, that’s OK, there are plenty of other flavors to celebrate the fall away. There’s peach pecan and amaretto, cherry pecan, and fudge pecan too. It’s quite an assortment that you can choose.

Remember that fall can be a beautiful

change, as it helps us to slow down and enjoy all the beauty it has to offer. Maybe rake some leaves up, and then jump in with your son or daughter. Go for a walk or play in the sand, look for lightning bugs, or even go visit a friend. Quietly listen to cicada bugs as they chirp in the evening. When that’s over, go inside and eat the fabulous pumpkin or apple pie you made. Finally, build a campfire to end the day. Drink some hot apple cider to take the chill away.

There’s another beverage that’s kind of fun, you guessed it - hot chocolate. May we suggest some? At New Kitchen Store we have Sillycow Farms Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl, Chocolate Maple, Chocolate Moo-usse and many more.

Maybe you just want to relax and unwind, and take the time to ponder how this year’s summer has gone? Did you get to take a vacation, or see some family and friends? Did your summer fly by so fast that you can’t even remember what you did? Slow down with a small glass of wine. We carry beautiful wine glasses for such a time.

Are we making you hungry? We sure hope so. Come visit us at New Kitchen Store, located at 1100 Roosevelt Road in Walkerton. Call the store at 574-586-2745, and also visit newkitchenstore.com.

5. Merrier

GOOD DOING BUSINESS

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger

Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

A year or so ago, when the workforce of the recreational vehicle industry began to wane, Karl Yoder knew that he would have to make some career changes.

After a period of thoughtful contemplation with his father, the Yoder men had a flash of inspiration, and as the younger Yoder puts it, they decided to pursue a different venture by “jumping in to see where it would lead.”

And that’s how Tri County Consignment was launched. Karl Yoder’s fledgling business is headquartered at his family farmstead in rural Ligonier, and from the first opening moments, Yoder has been busy and blessed with support from his community and beyond. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” he says.

The concept of consignment is to create an environment in which clients are seeking to sell items, and they enlist the assistance of an outside source to help them reach potential customers. Tri County Consignment is that liaison between the seller and buyer, and through the workings of a typical consignment contract, the seller makes a profit, while the consignor earns a percentage of the revenue from the sale.

Yoder explains that the sales are typically scheduled once per month, with a variety of items cataloged and readied for patron perusal. Prospective sellers contact Yoder

to discuss what they wish to sell, and Yoder makes arrangements to pick up the items, usually within a day or two of the sale date.

Currently, Tri County Consignment is preparing for a sale this fall, and they are willing to accept merchandise. Thus far, most of the sales have focused on farm implements and tools, including new products from such reputable manufacturers as Makita, Milwaukee and DeWalt. The sales events are being held at the Claywood Event Center near Nappanee. Attendance at the sales events has been steady, Yoder notes, with an average of approximately 250 people in the crowds.

Even with the positive reception and rising success of Tri County Consignment, Yoder is hopeful for growth and expansion in the near future. He is hoping to add to the inventory of sales items with antiques, horse sales, real

estate, family estates, and storage units. Meanwhile, in the midst of the surge in business, Tri County Consignment is lending their support to a benefit sale that is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of October 5. All of the

proceeds from this sale will be given to a local family to assist with medical costs for an ill infant.

To learn how to assist with the upcoming benefit, or to learn more about Tri

County Consignment, contact Yoder at 260-350-4672, or simply stop by the farm, located at 11460 North 1100 West in Ligonier. They are accommodating to visitors during any day except Sunday.

SPOOKY SPECTACLE A

GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN IN THE LAKES AREA

Writer / Jeff Kenney Photography Provided

The vast majority of Lakes Magazine readers likely associate childhood Halloweens with one prominent memory: that of trickor-treating. But it was not always so, and in fact, the widespread practice of community participation in an organized trick-ortreating endeavor is a relatively recent phenomenon, here and nationally.

All of which begs a few questions (at least for those of us who ponder such things, especially from a local and regional historical angle). First, just what was Halloween like a century ago in the lakes and surrounding areas? And when did the “old” give way to the present-day practice of a fairly rigid, predetermined two-hour window of trick-or-treat fun for children?

The Old Days

These pages aren’t the venue for an extensive look back at the genesis and development of Halloween as we know it today, but by way of a basic historical overview, the holiday’s name derives from the fact that it falls on the eve of a Christian feast day, which dates back to the fairly early centuries of Christianity.

All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows (“saint” deriving from the Latin “sanctus” or “sanctified,” i.e. “set apart” or “holy”), was and is a celebration of the collective body of Christians held to be dwelling in the presence of God in glory…otherwise known as saints. There are a host of misconceptions and regularly repeated historical inaccuracies tying All Saints to the ancient, non-Christian holiday of Samhain - a claim for which virtually no ancient attestation exists. But again…a discussion for a different article entirely.

All Saints’, like many of the highest, holiest feasts in the ancient Church, was associated with the divide between the earthly and eternal realms being “thinner” than at other times of year (note the older, now largely-forgotten practice of telling ghost stories during Christmastide as one example). Also, like other feasts, All Saints’ was often observed with practices like costumed events, folk or humorous plays, or “mumming” (Twelfth Night, or the feast of the Three Kings, is another example, as is Mardi Gras, as the eve of the start of Lent).

The ancient Christian focus on the end of life and eternal destination of the soul ostensibly led to a variety of practices associated with depicting the conflict between good and evil,

This early 20th century postcard depicts common activities engaged in on Halloween night as alternatives to widespread mischief amongst youth.

which brings us to one common practice that has largely gone by the wayside in contemporary American life: that of widespread pranks, sometimes quite destructive.

As early as 1780, Scottish poet John Mayne, in his poem “Halloween,” described “fearful pranks” taking place, and (bringing it closer to home for Lakes Magazine readers) an article dating as far back as 1883 in the Fort Wayne Daily News warns that “the sportive boys of Fort Wayne will be up to their usual pranks, and cabbages which have not been spiked down are liable to be carried out of the lot and thrown against doors.”

Signs were likely to be changed and gates removed, the article further suggested, and a similar piece the following year, 1884, in the Edinburgh Daily Courier warned of both “lads and lassies” engaging in mischief, with the “wise man” admonished to “take in his well, chain down his outhouses and gates, or guard over them all night with a shotgun loaded to the muzzle with bird shot, pepper, and salt...”

Such advice was at times taken seriously, as evidenced by an incident many years later in 1944 in Elgin, Illinois, where a group of children, evidently still holding to the older-world form of trickor-treating, unsuccessfully sought treats at a house and proceeded to pelt it with corn (a common “trick” in response to the absence

KERSTING’S CYCLE CENTER

of a “treat” in those days). The homeowner rounded the corner with a shotgun loaded with dried split peas and opened fire, with 12-year-old Marilyn Lange receiving a number of peas to her “lower extremities” (that is, the last part of her still rounding the corner in retreat from the house, according to the article), causing her to be hospitalized.

As an aside, the aforementioned 1883 Fort Wayne article dedicated most of its space to another lost tradition associated with Halloween and various other Christian feasts as observed in more superstitious times and realms: the opportunity for young men and women to foretell their future romantic prospects through odds and ends of folk means similar to divination.

That said, the more wholesome and widespread observations of

Halloween a century ago in the lakes area were dedicated, as was the case around the country, to Halloween-themed parties and events.

A survey of the Munster Times newspapers from the month of October 1923 reveals Halloween parties thrown by virtually every social entity and organization in the area, from the Hammond Elks to the Munster Boy Scouts, country clubs to individual party hosts. Gary businessmen donated prizes for the best costume for a costume parade organized by a local park policeman (and indeed, Halloween costume parades and civic contests were widespread into the 1940s and beyond). A Hammond department store offered black and orange jelly beans and pumpkins for your Halloween party needs. Down the street, the Straube Piano & Music Company of Hammond offered the latest spooky-themed 78 records to be purchased in time for Halloween parties.

On the other end of lakes area-geography, Fisher’s Drug Store in Bremen offered party favors, masks and novelties for Halloween parties, and a Halloween box supper and carnival was held at the Argos schoolhouse on October 28.

Another highlight of Halloween night, 1923, in Argos involved 26 members of the Friendship Class club attending a party at the home of Mrs. L.N. Scafer, which included contests, rope walking, pumpkin shooting and fortune telling.

In Culver, the annual Lions Club children’s Halloween party of the 1940s carried on the town tradition from earlier years of an outdoor costume parade that was eventually brought indoors to the elementary school gymnasium, where a Lions-sponsored costume contest and cash prizes still persist to this day.

Trick-or-Treating

During those earlier years, the practice of seeking treats to ward off juvenile “tricks” was slowly gaining popularity in America and the Midwest.

As with the origins of Halloween itself, there are a variety of assertions about the genesis of trick-or-treating in centuries past, but the tradition of “guising,” or moving from house to house at Halloween while putting on a mini performance, to be rewarded with food or treats, dates to Scotland and Ireland at least as of the 16th

century (and again, it bears strong resemblance to the “mumming” of Twelfth Night and other Christian holy days).

Most sources say the earliest documented manifestations of the practice among children in North America date officially to 1911 in the province of Ontario, Canada. The use of the term “trick or treat” was recorded six years later in the same province, in 1917, though specific phrasing in the ensuing years varied considerably depending upon location and time frame, with alternate terms appearing such as “treat up or tricks,” “treat or tricks,” and “tricks or treats” (the latter was used, in fact, in the legendary 1966 animated TV special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”).

As Halloween mischief only grew during the Great Depression of the 1930s, at times involving acts of vandalism or violence, one theory holds that adult-organized trick-or-treating grew as a response to the situation during that era. However, sugar rationing during the World War II years of the 1940s curtailed the availability of treats to hand out, slowing the rise in popularity of organized trick-or-treating.

By the late war and postwar years, trick-or-treating was increasingly becoming the norm in the lakes area and the country as a whole, though the transition from the old pranks and All Hallows eve mischief was a gradual one.

Lakes-area newspapers saw a flurry of letters to the editor taking sides in a debate over whether costumed children seeking apples and other simple treats on Halloween night constituted “begging” and should

be disallowed. One East Chicago, Indiana, mother wrote in 1945, in response to such a letter, that her own parents first took her out in costume on Halloween night in 1923 seeking treats, and that she was continuing the tradition.

A 1947 Richmond, Indiana, article titled “Trick or Treat and it was All in Fun as Young and Old Celebrate Halloween,” noted that “children and adults littered the streets with corn as they strolled up and down the town in their wildest Halloween garb,” suggesting that the old corn-throwing “trick” was normalized to the extent that it only barely merited mention!

In 1950, The Culver Citizen noted that the previous year’s “trick or treating” was still accompanied by “window soaping” directed by some youngsters at houses where treats weren’t provided. Town officials asked parents to help curtail such practices and reminded them that children under 16 had a 10 p.m. curfew to be off the streets.

One game-changing factor that contributed significantly to the more organized and benign trends in trick-or-treating of today was the advent of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, which gained widespread popularity in the mid-1950s.

Housewife and mother Mary Emma Allison concocted the notion of collecting money for undernourished children around the world on Halloween alongside treats, when she saw a UNICEF booth collecting for funds in 1949 in her Philadelphia neighborhood. By 1953, the U.S. committee for UNICEF began promoting the

practice, which became ubiquitous nationally by the 1960s, earning a Nobel Peace Prize and praise from U.S. President Lyndon Johnson in 1965.

The Culver Citizen reported, in its edition on October 24, 1956, on a trend many communities were establishing around that time. Rather than completely replacing the traditional treat-seeking of Halloween night, a designated UNICEF trick-or-treat night was established on October 29, during which individual children or families, or groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or church groups, would canvass neighborhoods for coins for UNICEF. Interestingly, the Town of Culver established that both October 30 and 31 would be set aside for traditional candy-seeking trick-or-treating.

As was the case for many years, no specific time frame was given for trick-or-treating, though in later decades most municipalities would establish set hours, usually just a two-hour time frame, for costumed candy-seeking.

As awareness grew of injuries and deaths from children - often in dark, hard-to-see costumes - being hit by cars during trick-or-treat hours, more recent decades have also seen the official time frame scaled back, from generally still taking place after dark in decades past, to a daylight-to-dusk time frame (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in many lakesarea communities).

Of course, candy and costume companies have capitalized over the years upon the standardization of trick-or-treating as an organized

and widespread community event. Perhaps ironically, a holiday once associated with a Christian feast and/or punctuated by widespread acts of mischief has become the nation’s second-largest commercial holiday after Christmas.

All things considered, the majority of Americans are likely none too remorseful that the oft-repeated “trick or treat” from the mouths of lakes-area youngsters on Halloween night this year is merely an expression…and no longer a threat.

Jeff Kenney is museum-archives manager for Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana.

First Lady Betty Ford greets UNICEF trick-or-treaters on the White House Lawn in 1974, an indication of how widespread was the practice of trick-or-treating for the children’s charity across the nation, a trend which led to many communities giving

Easy Pumpkin Pie Twists

PREP TIME 10 minutes COOK TIME 10 minutes TOTAL TIME 20 minutes

Ingredients

• refrigerated crescent roll dough 1 TUBE 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

• 1/4 cup Brown sugar

• 1 Tablespoon maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

• 2 Tablespoons melted butter

• 1 Tablespoon Sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• whipped cream for dipping

OPTIONAL

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, maple syrup and pumpkin spice. Unroll crescent dough on a cutting board. Cut the dough in half so

you have two identical rectangles and lay them beside each other.

Evenly spread the pumpkin mixture over one of the rectangles of dough.

Place the second rectangle of dough on top of the first rectangle of dough (so the pumpkin mixture is sandwiched between them). Make sure you line up all the edges.

Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into strips approximately 3/4 inch wide. Transfer the strips to the parchment lined baking sheet.

Twist each strip by picking up one end and twisting it twice, then picking up the other end and twisting it another 2 or 3 times. Brush melted butter generously over each twist.

Mix together the sugar and cinnamon then sprinkle evenly over each twist.

Bake at 375F for 8-11 minutes until golden brown.

Danny Miller Jr., better known just as JR, is the owner of Miller Boat Restoration. He says he has the best of both worlds, as he gets to enjoy running a business and is fortunate enough to do it all out of the comfort of his own home.

The company has been in operation for approximately five years. As the business continued to thrive, JR knew he wanted to do it full time. That is exactly what he decided to do a little over a year ago.

Writer / Ali Schneider Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

Miller has extensive knowledge when it comes to the boating industry. This allows him to serve his clientele with the greatest quality and satisfaction. As far as the type of boats they focus on, they are primarily pontoons. He can take any pontoon, no matter the make, model or year, and restore it back to its glory. Some of their most popular restorations include boat covers, seats, flooring, railings and Bimini tops.

Miller says a customer can bring in a boat that is damaged, and they can source the products to repair it. For example, if a customer has a tear in one of their seats, Miller is able to repair it without having to replace the entire seat. He is very talented and experienced when it comes to reupholstering pontoon seats. However, if you are looking to upgrade or refresh your seating section, Miller can swap it out for newer seats of your choice.

Additionally, Miller can clean your boat seats if they have too much mold on them, which pontoons often acquire throughout the boating season and over the years. After he cleans your seats, they will look fresh and brand new. The seating aspect of the business is important to him, as this is where family and friends gather when they are out on the water.

Over the lifetime of a pontoon, the carpet may become old and out of

style. Miller says his company focuses on using a unique waterproof flooring method when swapping out an owner’s carpet. He prefers this method as it is marine-grade flooring, and lasts longer than carpet. However, if you prefer to keep your carpet, he will gladly swap it out for new carpet. Similar to cleaning boat seats, he is able to do the same for your carpet using a high-quality deep cleaner. Whatever the customer chooses to go with, he will be happy to accommodate.

Apart from the aesthetic services, Miller is able to provide electrical

services as well. This includes fixing or replacing batteries, boat lights, gauges and switches. All of these are critical to keeping a pontoon running optimally, and he makes sure the job gets done right.

Bimini tops are crucial to a pontoon, especially on hot summer days. A Bimini top can best be described as an open-front top that goes over the boat, generally covering the seating area. They are usually made of canvas and are supported by a metal frame. They provide comfort by creating a shaded space for boaters to relax and enjoy

Rendering of new building

their time on the water.

The variety of services Miller is able to offer is almost endless. He is even able to replace railings, panels and decals. Whether you are looking to update the appearance of your pontoon, or if it needs actual repairs, Miller is likely able to handle the job. The only service he does not offer is on engines and motors.

Miller works primarily on his own, which he says he does not mind. However, occasionally his kids will get involved and offer him an extra set of hands. It is a great perk to working from home, and also teaches his children skills they can use in the future. He is up early every day and starts working around 5:30 am. He says he will typically work until 2:30 p.m. every day. However, if a customer contacts him, he will gladly adjust his hours to meet their needs.

Customers come from near and far. For example, he has customers from Syracuse Lake, Lake Wawasee, the Michigan, St. Joseph River, and even as far north as Detroit. Miller says he will accept customers from anywhere and will provide the same quality service to everyone.

One of the greatest joys for Miller is meeting new people and their families. His job allows him to interact with a variety of

people. Everyone has a different story of how they plan to use their pontoon, and returning customers tell him stories about how his work helped them create lifelong memories.

He says Goshen is an ideal place for him to work. Between the supplies offered in Goshen and Elkhart, he can typically source all of his materials locally. The turnaround time for his projects depends on what the customer wants, but he works as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Miller Boat Restoration is located at 62220 County Road 35 in Goshen. Call 574-501-3113 for more info.

AUTHOR OF HIS OWN DESTINY

FOR LOCAL INDEPENDENT AUTHOR T.M. HUBER, WRITING IS MORE THAN A CAREER

It is often said that everyone has a book to write. Author T.M. Huber of Winamac is proving that adage to be true.

The 2020 college graduate in creative writing has completed eight novels, two compilations of poetry and short stories, and is currently at work on his ninth novel.

“I wrote my first novel in 2019 while still in college,” Huber says. “I’ve almost written a book a year since then.”

That novel was “Epilos,” which Huber has recently rereleased with illustrations. Other novels include “The Dark House,” “The Devil’s Prospects,” a four-part book series called the “Odyssey of Jason Peterson,” and “The Connected.”

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photographer / Tony Straw

Author T. M. Huber

Some of his works fall under the science fiction genre and others are considered fantasy. Huber is open to experimenting with other genres. Writing is his day job. He works eight hours a day, five days a week. That discipline, he says, helps nurture his creative process. He cautions other authors and writers to not put so much pressure on daily efforts.

Writing is only one of the tasks to be completed in developing a novel. It’s a cycle, he says, of writing, revising and sketching that fills those eight-hour days.

“Understand that not every day will have a huge payoff,” he says. “It could be a year before you see a finished project.”

When writing fantasy, Huber’s task is to build a world. That world could include a language, characters and other aspects of storytelling that are not based on anything known today. Some of his realworld experience also manifests in some

of his work, like being familiar with his family’s business, Winamac Coil Spring, which found a place in his four-part series.

He also draws on personal experiences, such as missionary work with a deaf community in Jamaica. These real-life experiences help him create believable

characters and connect with his readers - crafting everyday people who live in a fantasy world.

Inspiration can also come from multiple sources. A few of his stories came from ideas inspired by his dreams.

Huber was born and raised in Winamac, the third of seven children of Chad and Pam Huber.

“My parents were a huge support in this,” he says. “They trusted my decision.”

Huber was homeschooled and raised a Christian. His faith has played a key role in his life, so much so that he feels as if his chosen profession was God-led. Halfway through college, he was pulled to creative writing from his previous major in game design. “I wanted to tell stories,” he says.

Struggles can also figure into the creative process. For Huber, that struggle was epilepsy. “This has been an enormous struggle and inspiration through my writing,” he says. “I have a bit of a rare

form - that’s what my neurologist tells me - and while the grand mal seizures are under control, there’s a lot of brain activity that saps my energy throughout the day. This gives me the additional challenge of prioritizing my time when my energy is up.”

Huber continues to monitor his situation and stays focused on the life balance he considers most important. That includes his faith.

“Christianity is a huge source of strength for me,” he says.

Huber has a lot of control over the type of writing he can produce. He is an independent author, which means there are many responsibilities that go beyond simply writing novels, poems and short stories. This includes editing, marketing and graphic design

Huber’s books are available to order

at tmhuber.com. Those interested in following his work can subscribe to his newsletter. He can be contacted at timothy.michael.huber@gmail.com, or at 574-242-2111.

TOP-NOTCH TARPS

HWY 20 TARPS HAS CUSTOMERS COVERED

the business successful. It’s a trade he knows well.

Michael Troyer, owner of Hwy 20 Tarps, says doing custom work for his customers is what has kept him in business.

He says it’s also been a great way to keep

Flourish, Here.

“I worked at the Canvas Shop before,” Troyer says. “What I did was sell 51% of the Canvas Shop to Larry Bontrager, and I made Hwy 20 Tarps a separate entity. I

Troyer’s concentration on custom tarp work for people has resulted in many loyal and grateful customers. Many of them were so pleased that they told other

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

also took the tow straps and ratchet straps with me over to the new business.”

people about what a great job Troyer and his employees do.

“It’s all custom, custom, custom,” he says. “It’s whatever the customer wants. The business consists of Conestoga trailer tarp and grain trailer tarps. We also have agrelated curtains.”

Hwy 20 Tarps also has other high-quality items available that are highly useful for many customers on the road.

“We have side-curtain trailers and replacement tarps for hoop buildings,” Troyer says. “Selling new and replacement tarps is all we do. We also do repairs on the tarps.”

Hwy 20 Tarps also provides valuable service work for customers.

“We also sew our own ratchet-down straps, and we sew our own tow straps,” Troyer says.

Troyer enjoys working in LaGrange. “I actually live in Millersburg and have 15 miles to get to work every morning,” he says. “The reason we built this on U.S. 20 is to draw more semi traffic, and it has been a good move so far.”

Troyer doesn’t complain about having a lot of work to do. “We definitely have been blessed with work so far,” he says.

Troyer credits his hard-working staff for always coming through and doing an excellent job.

“We have a great set of guys here to do all the work,” he says. “The guys do a great job. We also have a couple of part timers that never show up!”

Troyer notes that he is extremely happy that he has many satisfied customers who have come back to use Hwy 20 Tarps again.

“I have had customers tell me that when they run into bad weather and

need their tarps fixed so they can get back on the road, they will come to Hwy 20 Tarps if it is on their route,” Troyer says. “They want to keep their loads dry in the

rainy or bad weather, so they know they can count on us to get the job done. I’m very thankful for that. We find out exactly what they want. When you have someone

recommend you, that’s just a great feeling. You know you did the job well. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Troyer has had many customers from far away go to Hwy 20 Tarps to get tarps repaired. “I’ve had customers from as far away as Florida and Wisconsin,” Troyer says. “They stopped in to get their tarps taken care of. They want a dry load again so they can get right back on the road. We work fast but we also make sure the job gets done right. We take care of all of the different tarps and customers know they can count on us. We won’t let them down.”

Troyer notes that Hwy 20 Tarps offers highquality tarps that are very durable, and provide excellent protection against all kinds of extreme weather conditions.

“The tarps really provide long-lasting and safe protection in bad weather,” he says. “You can count on them to keep what you are carrying safe and dry.”

For more information on Hwy 20 Tarps, located at 0055 South 375 West in LaGrange, call 260-234-0174 or email hwy20tarps@gmail.com.

HONING HER CRAFT

Treasureology in Granger is not your ordinary boutique. Owner Meg Truesdell made sure her store reflects her vibrant personality, welcoming aura, and passion for one-of-a-kind finds.

Truesdell, the former owner of a wedding jewelry store in Niles, opened Treasureology seven years ago. She had

taken time away from sales to raise her children and hit the craft-show circuit. Her hiatus from retail allowed her to craft a brick-and-mortar shop that reflected her vision, combining retail therapy with creative expression.

The store features unique jewelry, apparel, crystals and rocks, stickers and buttons.

The items she sells represent what her customers have asked for, she says. Some of her merchandise has a humorous touch, and some is more geared toward the socially conscious. Some of the items also benefit local charities and animal rescues - causes that are dear to her heart.

“I listen to people - what they wanted me

Owner Meg Truesdell

Writer & Photographer / Lois Tomaszewski

to get in to stock and what classes they wanted me to do,” Truesdell says.

She describes Treasureology as “an eclectic boutique that comes with a creative classroom.” Attached to the retail space is a classroom that hosts pour painting, glass etching, resin jewelry making, journaling, and fairy garden making classes for all ages. She also hosts birthday parties, team building workshops and other private events in the same space.

Although the shop is only open Friday through Sunday, her classroom space is often filled with crafters of all ages trying out new techniques.

“I have crafters as young as 2 and as old as 90,” she says. “This is an opportunity for people to dip their toe into a craft and see if they can do it at home.”

Truesdell values the crafting experience.

Meadow Banquets

On a personal level, it makes her feel relaxed and joyful.

“If you can sit down for an hour and a half to do a craft, it clears your mind,” she says.

Some of her customers are beginners, and others have been inspired to take up crafting as a hobby or even as a business venture.

When someone comes to try a craft, there is no fee to use the craft classroom supplies or the access to knowledge. A reasonable fee is charged for some supplies, such as wooden ornaments, jewelry forms and canvases needed to personalize the crafter’s piece.

Twice a year, Treasureology hosts the Market on Bittersweet. This spring and fall event features about 18 vendors and takes place with the cooperation of her neighbors in the strip shopping center.

Community building is a part of Truesdell’s philosophy. She wants her store to be a place that makes a difference, where all are welcome. She often hosts give-back events that benefit worthwhile organizations. In the past these events have benefitted local animal rescues, St. Margaret’s House, the LGBTQ+ community and local food banks.

“When you allow people to think about giving and it is paired up with an event that puts them in eyesight of the recipient, that makes a difference,” she says.

Truesdell also makes and sells her original jewelry in the store. She likes to work with vintage jewelry and old watch parts to create pieces that are unusual and funky, as she describes it. For the fall, she has created several pieces featuring wings from cicadas, and jewelry made from captured spider webs woven by an orbweaver spider who lives at her home.

She says her goal is for first-time visitors to her shop to feel they have “been here a million times and that we are best friends. I want people to feel that this store is truly a safe place and that they can come in here to recharge.”

Treasureology is located at 51160 Bittersweet Road in Granger. For more information, visit megtruesdell.com and text the shop at 269-240-4174. Follow Treasureology on social media for info on upcoming events.

J&L CARRIAGE KEEPS CLIENTS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The team at J&L Carriage prides itself on quality and craftsmanship. Located in Topeka, the team is focused on building the highest-quality buggies, also known as carriages, in the area.

Their main service is building brand-new buggies, although they offer many other

services. Each new buggy is custombuilt to the customer’s liking. They are also able to take your existing buggy and repair it, if it has damage or is not operating correctly. Whether you need a simple fix or a complete overhaul, they are willing and able to accommodate. If it works just fine, but you are looking to upgrade it or replace a certain part, they are able to do that as well.

Formerly, J&L Carriage went under the name Topeka Buggy Shop, which opened in 1985. It originally operated out of an old gas station. From there it went on to be known as Ben’s Buggy Shop, and was run by another family member. Fast-forward to 2022, when the owners decided to start their new business, J&L Carriage.

Although there have been changes in

Writer / Ali Schneider

Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

the name, the business has always stayed within the family. In fact, it is a thirdgeneration business. This allows them to be a tight-knit team that works well together, and passes on their combined 38 years of knowledge and skills to all who are, or have, been involved.

The buggies that J&L Carriage builds are primarily used to get their customers from point A to point B. For example, the team can add a ball hitch to the trailers. This allows the customer to attach a cart, among other things, to tow groceries back and forth. It especially comes in handy when transporting hay, groceries and work items. Other uses for their buggies include farm runs, shopping trips and church events.

Depending on the size of the carriage, they can come up with the most efficient configuration for transporting these items. This is when the team becomes personal with their customers, and learns

about the size of buggy they have, the amount of people that will be riding in it, what they plan on hauling, and how often.

Additionally, the team at J&L likes to learn about their customers’ horses that will be pulling the carriages. This makes a difference in how they build them, and what they can add to the restoration process. They can accommodate their buggies for small ponies up to very large horses.

The company name comes from the husband-and-wife team, Jerry and Loretta Nisley. They work together to keep the business running smoothly.

“If I’m home, I’m open,” Jerry Nisley says. This speaks to the dedication to his work, and willingness to strive to serve the community with the highest standards. His typical hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but he is more than willing to help anyone

who has an emergency, even if it is after hours.

What sets J&L apart from other carriage and buggy businesses is their dedication to the community. They enjoy helping people get back on the road. One of their speciality services is their wheel repairs.

Nisley says the weather in northern Indiana is especially hard on wheels, and many people come to him to restore those from season to season.

Next time you are looking for a carriage or need to repair your current one, consider choosing J&L.

J&L Carriage is located at 9105 West 600 South in Topeka. You can reach them by phone at 260-977-8458. The team is more than happy to schedule an appointment or answer any questions over the phone.

What’s Happening at the Lakes in October

Middleburry

October 14th – 2p – Middlebury Pumpkin Race. Race real pumpkins down West Warren Street. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks onsite.

October 20th – 6p-8p- Trestle Terrace H ayride, Campfire, food, live music, crafts, and fun.

Marshall Couty

October 13-15th – Culver Fall Fest

South Bend

October 1st – Noon-6p – Near Northwest Neighborhood Arts Café located at 1007 Portage Ave, South Bend. The Arts Café is a celebration featuring neighborhood and local artists with a variety of artistic, musical, and culinary talents.

October 6th – 5p-9p – DTSB First Fridays: “Fall” in Love with Downtown. Visit https:// www.downtownsouthbend.com/october for updates on events and activities taking place for October’s First Fridays event!

October 8th – Public Hayrides at the Bendix Woods County Park located at 32132 State Rd. 2, New Carlisle, IN. $3 per person.

October 14th – 8a-11a – Studebaker Museum’s Cars and Coffee at the Studebaker National Museum located at 32104 State Rd. 2, New Carlisle, IN. Join us for the last Cars & Coffee of the season at a special location–the Navistar Proving Grounds!

October 14th – Noon-2p – Treats on the Trail at Pinook Park located at 2801 Riverside Drive, South Bend, IN. Come out in your best Halloween costume and collect candy and other treats from local businesses and organizations. Food Trucks will be on site.

October 15th – 11a-3p – Baboon Fest 2023 at the Peaceable Primate Sanctuary located at 6415 N 800 W, Winamac, IN. $10 for Adults, Kids get in FREE, $2 off with donation of School Supplies. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of these charismatic creatures with guided tours that offer insights into their behaviors and habitats. Explore our diverse gift shop, showcasing baboon-themed merchandise and souvenirs to take home. Unleash your inner artist with face painting sessions, transforming into your favorite baboon species.

October 21st – 4p-11p – Halloween Haunt. The Halloween Haunt is a family friendly evening of Haunted Halloween fun. Trunk or Treat from 4-6 pm. Starting at 7pm the brave can grab a ticket and climb aboard the Greene Township Lions Clubs Haunted Train to take a mile long ride through our Forest of Fear. There will be bounce houses, music, movies,

games, a concession stand, and fun for all ages all evening long.

October 27th – 6p-9p – Spooktacular Westside Haunted Trail at Unity Gardens located at 3701 Prast Blvd, South Bend, IN.

October 28th – Table or Treat located at Mishawaka Riverwalk. Come trick-or-treat with us and 80+ local businesses along the Mishawaka Riverwalk. Registration is not required to attend as a trick or treater. Businesses interested in hosting a table and passing out candy, please register at https:// mishawaka.recdesk.com/Community/ Program/

Elkhart County

October 1st – 8a-8p – Pumpkin Hunt at the Elkhart Environmental Center

October 7th – 10a-4p – Southgate Crossing Fall Festival

October 7th – 9p-11p – Winchester Masion Ghost Hunt at the Haunted Birdsell Mansion.

October 14th – 3p-7p – Shop or Treat Spooktacular Event at Heritage Park.

October 21st – 5p-9p – Truck or Treating Fall Fest at Shanklin Park.

October 26th – 5p-8p – Elkhart ArtWalk: October “Trick or Treat on Main Street” at Central Green Park.

October 27th – 5p-9p – Food Truck Fest located at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds.

October 27th – 7p-9p - Free Movie: Halloweentown at the Goshen Theater.

Kosciusko County

October 7th – Syracuse Fall Festival at Lakeside Park. This family friendly event is hosted alongside the final date of the Artisans & Farmers Market and will feature several fall themed activities including hayrides, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, antique tractors, live music, food vendors and more.

October 7th -St Anne’s Episcopal ChurchWarsaw Community Dog Show and Pet Blessing 10 am,. Come Strut Your Mutt and have them blessed! All dogs welcome--Register online after August 21st at; http://www. saintanneswarsaw.com/

October 14 -15th – Winona Lake Trail Fest at Hauth Trailhead. Visit https://www.bikereg. com/wltf2023 for more information.

October 21st – 11a-2p – Indoor Fall Market at Atwood Community Building. We will have

a wide variety of hot delicious food, sweets, custom clothing & tumblers, home-décor, car freshies, pet products, and more!  Look for our Event page on Facebook under The Atwood Community Building.

October 27th – 5p-8p – Downtown Spooktakular at Downtown Warasaw.

Noble County

October 1-31st – Pumpkin Fantasyland at Fashion Farm

October 7th – Vintage Market downtown Kendallville.

October 7-8th – Apple Festival of Kendallville.

October 14th – Owl-oween - Halloween at Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site.

October 14-15th – Indiana Trail 100 at Chain O’Lakes State Park. 100 mile race throught Chain O Lakes State Park- 100 & 50 Mile Ultramarathon Registration requited. Indianatrail100.com

October 20-21st – Enchanted Forest at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. Trail guides will lead groups by lantern-light to meet real “live” animals on our trails. These friendly creatures will tell you about their diets, habits and favorite places. Our costumed staff and volunteers will answer questions about life as a native Indiana animal.

October 25-28th – All Hallows Eve at the Chain at Chain O’Lakes State Park.

October 28th – Halloween Parade & Costume Contest at the Town of Cromwell. Parade lineup is at 4:15p.

October 28th – Halloween Lantern Parade at downtown Kendallville.

October 28th – Trick or Treat on Main in Kendallville.

October 28th – Trick or Treat in Cromwell Shipshewana

October 3-7th – Corn School. Corn School takes place the first week of October in downtown LaGrange, Indiana and is a weeklong celebration with carnival rides, games, talent shows, food vendors, parades, and the traditional vegetable awards.

October 5-7th – Fall Crafters Fair at the Michiana Event Center.

October 20th – 5p-7:30p – Not So Spooky Trail at Maple Wood Nature Center.