The Lakes East Magazine August 2023

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PUBLISHERS JOHN & MANDI LEWANDOWSKI

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TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.

FOUNDER/CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com 317.496.3599

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CREATIVE DIRECTORS

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VAL AUSTIN

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NATALIE PLATT

ONE-STOP WELLNESS SHOP

Herbs Plus Owner Leon Miller Wants Customers to Feel and Be Their Best

51

PICTURE THAT Always Images Helps to Memorialize Life’s Many Magic Moments

57

PRIDE OF THE PAST Wakarusa Vintage Power Show Promises to Entertain and Educate

17

PIPE DREAMS Flow-Tech Plumbing and Heating Still Gets Results After More Than 30 Years in Business

23 WATER WISE Indy Boat Company Gets Customers Equipped and Ready

30 THEY’VE GOT THE LOOKS Get on Trend at Flirt Boutique

37 SHARPEN UP YOUR KITCHEN KNIFE KNOWLEDGE 41

EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

The Team at Woodlawn Health’s Maternity Oasis Strives for Exceptional Obstetrical and Neonatal Care

47 AUGUST CROSSWORD

PILOT PROJECT Mishawaka Pilots Club Is Soaring on After More Than 70 Years

62

ALL THEY CAN DISH OUT Trio of Eateries Are Thriving Under Local Restaurateur

67

PURRS AND POURS

The Cat Lady Cafe Combines Feline Friends and Frothy Beverages

73 STOCKED FOR SOUND Stay in Tune With Your Musical Goals at Simple Sounds Music Shop

79 FRESH IN MIND Maple City Market Cares for Customers and Community Through Co-op Structure

85

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AUGUST AT THE LAKES

Leon Miller, co-owner of Herbs Plus, has made it his goal to build upon the success of the popular business that features a wide variety of products.

“Norene Borkholder, the previous owner, started this business over 20 years ago,” Miller says. “It was a well-established business. We want to thank Norene and her brothers for trusting us with this business.”

Miller and his wife, Christina, have enjoyed the challenge of taking over Herbs Plus, previously known as Norene’s Herbs.

“One day I was working with Norene’s brother, and he came to me and asked if I would be interested in having a health food store,” Miller says. “I thought, ‘Yes, why not?’ Health has interested me for the last couple of years, but with a growing family I thought, ‘Right now is not the time.’ After some time passed to think about it, we decided to do it.”

The Millers have enjoyed owning a familyoperated business and meeting different customers to find out what they need to

improve their health.

“We opened in April 2023, and it’s been interesting so far to interact with people and learn what works for them,” Miller says. “Herbs Plus is a company that is herbalist. We go out of our way to specialize in health and wellness. We strive to provide the best and highestquality products and services.”

Miller notes that herbs and dietary

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

supplements have made a big improvement in the lives of many people. He enjoys finding out what works best for individuals. He says many of the herbs are available in pill or liquid extract form.

“Herbs and supplements have made it possible for people to just feel better and to be able to do better,” he says. “They boost the immune system and increase energy. They can also enhance your mood and help you sleep better. I like seeing people be able to feel better.”

Miller has enjoyed learning more about herbs and wellness.

“The nice thing about running this business is that I have really been able to work at something that interested me anyway,” Miller says. “I love reading about herbs and supplements, and learning as much as I possibly can. I have also enjoyed working with all the different products that we have.”

The array of products at Herbs Plus has made the store a popular destination. The Millers get a lot of customers from surrounding communities.

“We have a lot of vitamins, herbs and supplements,” Miller says. “We also have natural soaps and shampoos.” Those items have been highly popular with customers.

Herbs Plus, which gets a lot of repeat business, also features books, teas, coffees and gluten-free baking products.

“We carry over 50 brands of products, with some being Nature’s Sunshine, Nature’s Way and Pure Herbs,” Miller says. “We also have Garden of Life, NOW and Trace Minerals.”

Miller adds that the variety of health-related products doesn’t stop there.

“We also have Northern Nutrition, Chupp’s Herbs, Mountain Meadow Herbs, Sprigs, Simple Foods and Nutritional Resources,”

he says.

Miller says Borkholder has been a big help at Herbs Plus.

“Norene continues to work for me a few days a week, for which I’m very thankful,” Miller says.

When the Millers aren’t busy at work, they enjoy spending time with their family.

“Christina and I have three younger children,” Miller says. “They are ages 1, 4 and 6, so they are not a big help yet, but hopefully one day.”

“We also tell customers that we offer free shipping on orders of $200 or more,” Miller adds. “We strive to help people find out what works for them.”

To find out more about Herbs Plus, located at 61164 County Road 41 in Middlebury, visit the store, go to herbsplusin.com, or call 574-822-7360.

Pride of the Past

WAKARUSA VINTAGE POWER SHOW PROMISES TO ENTERTAIN AND EDUCATE

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photography Provided

Consider for a moment what it is that defines tradition. What it means to one person. What it means to a family. And what it means to a community.

For the past 10 years the town of Wakarusa has created and crafted a means to celebrate its agricultural legacy, along every facet of its revered and respected forms. From the time of its inception as a settlement of the mid-19th century to its present status as a thriving town of nearly 2,000 inhabitants, farming has been one significant constant that has become a symbol of perseverance and pride.

In that spirit, the annual Vintage Power Show has become one of the region’s most anticipated autumn weekends, heralding

Flourish, Here.

the season of harvest and advancements in agricultural science. Moreover, it is a celebration of the town’s evolution, from its earliest days when hardscrabble yet tenacious farmers battled an unyielding and unrelenting earth to become successful and enduring pioneers.

This year’s event will be held on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 at the Wakarusa Historical Museum, located at 403 East Wabash Avenue, just southeast of downtown Wakarusa. The Vintage Power Show is a joint collaboration of the Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce and the Wakarusa Historical Society.

“This is a farming community where most of the people were born and raised with this way of life,” says Todd Scheets, president of the Wakarusa Historical Society. “This event teaches young adults and visitors a way of life that is slowly

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disappearing - the techniques of manual labor to harvest crops and raise livestock. People will come away with a sense of family and neighbors working together for a common cause to harvest crops and work fields, as demonstrated by threshing and working with hay, which requires team work.”

Originally called Historic Ag Days at its founding in 2013, the name was changed in 2017 to better reflect a broader scope of activities, exhibitions and other features. Each year the showcase honors a longtime manufacturer in the field of agricultural machinery, and for 2023 that company is Oliver Farm Equipment Company.

Visitors to the extensive museum complex will be able to walk among tractors, steam engines, threshers and several other examples of implements that have endured through the span of a century. Spectators can also witness the techniques of primitive farming during a series of demonstrations ranging from threshing to hay baling to corn shelling. Tractors will also take a competitive spin for an old-fashioned tractor pull on Saturday.

Over the course of the weekend there will be other attractions on site, designed to be simultaneously informative and entertaining. The museum has a functioning blacksmith shop where the art of forging iron will be shown. One of the

museum’s buildings known as Grandma’s Haus will be open to illustrate the works and wares of a farm family around the turn of the 20th century. Children are invited to take a cruise on a barrel train ride, and then join their families for a taste of freshly pressed apple cider or homemade ice cream. There will also be craft vendors, additional food selections and folk music. Members of the 7th Indiana Light Artillery Civil War reenactment troupe will be on hand, setting up an encampment

and embracing the lifestyle of soldiers from that era.

At the close of the day on Friday, guests will want to stay beyond sunset to watch a most unique light spectacle, the popular Spark Show, which is something of a fireworks display with a farming equipment twist - a homespun spectacle generated by a steam engine.

“After the steam engine is fired up, we feed it with sawdust,” Scheets explains. “As the sawdust burns, it makes the engine hotter, creating the sparks. This is done while the engine is powering a large fan, which is creating a load to make the engine work harder.”

When the festivities begin winding down on Saturday afternoon, a group of tractor drivers will take to the streets of

Wakarusa for the much-anticipated tractor parade, which makes its way through the heart of town and around the site of the Waters of Wakarusa before returning to the museum.

Admission is free for all ages. To stay apprised of changes and updates to the schedule of events, follow the official page on Facebook by searching “Wakarusa Vintage Power Show.”

PIPE DREAMS

FLOW-TECH PLUMBING AND HEATING STILL GETS RESULTS AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS

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A little over three decades ago, a pair of enterprising young men joined forces to tap into their combined expertise and become a formidable force in aligning with the upswing in residential construction. David Gareiss and Jim Farber, both raised in Columbia City,

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

Owners Blake Peterson and Neal Stangland.

were about to launch a partnership specializing in heating, cooling and plumbing. From the outset, they knew that they wanted to create a business

that was not only disciplined, but also grounded in principle.

“We wanted to be a part of a company

that focused on treating the customer honestly and fairly,” Gareiss says.

That was the mission back in 1991, and

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remains the mission today for Flow-Tech Plumbing and Heating, Inc. The business remains situated in the city where it all began, but over the years, it has grown exponentially to include a scope of service throughout northern Indiana.

“We started our business in the residential new construction field, and also offered services to the immediate area in which we lived,” Gareiss recalls. “After a couple of years we hired a service manager and office staff to handle the calls and growing customer base. Our departments grew to 40 people within 10 years, and by year 20 we were close to 60.”

To facilitate Flow-Tech’s rapid ascent as a frontrunner in the field, there were more changes in both staffing and space. “We started to focus more on replacement HVAC and plumbing, and decided to grow the service from four HVAC techs and one plumbing tech to nine HVAC and 10 plumbing techs,” Gareiss says. “The replacement department has grown from

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The next phase of expansion included the acquisition of a historic business in Ligonier, in order to have a location more accessible to their growing customer base. “While the service and replacement departments were growing, we decided to purchase an 80-year-old, well-established business in Ligonier, which has proven to be a very good move,” Gareiss says. “We have been growing toward the Warsaw and Syracuse areas, and felt that Ligonier gave us that brick-and-mortar presence so we could be closer to those areas.”

Currently Flow-Tech has grown to four locations, including the original Columbia City site, along with Ligonier, Wabash and Fort Wayne. Farber has since retired, but a new era of organization is being developed, with Gareiss’s son-in-law and one other person readying themselves to take on managerial roles.

“We are planning to continue growing, and anticipate a more active presence in the Warsaw area,” Gareiss explains. “We are still locally owned, which seems to be very rare these days. The owners are actively involved in the day to day, and still work in the field quite often. We address each customer as if they were our oldest friend, and take unhappy customers very seriously. The last thing we would ever want is for someone to feel like they were taken advantage of.”

While Flow-Tech is no longer working within the realm of new home construction, the staff is still available to provide service to homes they have worked on previously. “We do residential and commercial service and replacement on both the HVAC and plumbing sides,” Gareiss says. “We offer after-hours emergency services on both HVAC and plumbing, and we can do plumbing remodel jobs and water heater replacements as well. We do offer a maintenance agreement program for both residential and commercial costumers, which offers them priority service and special rates with discounts and promotions.”

“I would say that our specialty is home comfort and indoor air quality,” he adds.

Flow-Tech Plumbing and Heating, Inc. maintains an active social media presence on Facebook and Instagram, and they also have an extensive website at flowtechpandh.com. Folks can check in periodically for special promotions and other pertinent events. The main office in Columbia City can be found at 208 East Chicago Street, and inquiries can be made by calling 260-2482021.

Summertime in the Midwest - the long and leisurely season where the land feels like a sweltering jungle and the waters become a limitless oasis of bliss. And when the skies are silent and shimmering, and the waves are gentle, it’s the perfect time to languish or explore aboard the perfect watercraft.

The folks behind Indy Boat Company understand that sentiment, and they have captured it well by offering a variety of watercrafts, as well as accessories to properly outfit every boater from the intrepid beginner to the seasoned captain. The goal is for everyone to engage their senses of serenity, adventure and everything in between.

“Indy Boat Company is a full-service boat dealership with MasterCraft boat sales, service and storage,” says Daniel Kirkham, who handles marketing for the business. “Our passion for boating and providing top-notch customer service are the values

we strive to establish into the business every day. We sell MasterCraft towboats and also have a supply of used boats. We offer a large in-house pro shop packed with boards, vests, apparel and anything else you need to enjoy a day on the water.”

Indy Boat Company was purchased by Mike Liotti just three years ago, but the journey to his ownership was something of a longer and larger picture. A resident of the Broad Ripple region, Liotti was raised in a boating environment, and discovered early in life that he had a natural knack for watercraft diagnostics. It was a talent that friends tapped into regularly, and for him it was a natural transition to build a career around his abilities.

Indiana does not have ideal weather conditions for year-round water sporting, and Kirkham says this simply gives the staff even more motivation and incentive to do right by their customers. “We are a family-owned business who all grew up

around the lake and the boating lifestyle,” Kirkham says. “We understand that the Indiana season is short, and want customers to be able to take advantage of the time they have on the water. We offer MasterCraft owners a full luxury experience. Boats are becoming more and more expensive, so we strive to make sure the boat buying process is as easy as possible, and continue the relationship after the sale.”

While the main location for Indy Boat Company is currently in Noblesville, there are plans to expand their services into northern Indiana. “We have staff in the Kosciusko County area to help assist with MasterCraft owners,” Kirkham says. “We also have staff members that have grown up in the area and can assist, even with our main location two hours away. We do sell other brands in the Indy area, but with manufacturer territories, we can only sell the MasterCraft brand in northern Indiana.”

“We are actively looking at new facilities and resources to help better serve our customers in Kosciusko County,” Kirkham adds. “We plan to build a brand-new facility here in Indy in the next couple of years and would like to expand to the Wawasee area.”

Indy Boat Company is located at 9175 East 146th Street, Suite 100 in Noblesville. To view their product lines and learn more about their services, call 463-223-8440 or visit their extensive website at indyboatco.com.

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ALL THEY CAN DISH OUT

TRIO OF EATERIES ARE THRIVING UNDER LOCAL RESTAURATEUR

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger

Photographer / Ali Snyder

In a manner of speaking, and without a trace of irony, it could be said that Cam Snyder has a lot on his plate - or perhaps more fittingly, plates. It seems like an ideal description for a successful restaurateur. Yet while Snyder is crazily busy at any given moment, hustling between three businesses and now preparing to conquer the field of catering, he doesn’t really believe that anything he does could be called a job. Or even work.

For Snyder, it’s all about chasing a dream that evolved from equal measures of tenacity and talent.

Through the course of a little more than 20 years, Snyder has created a trifecta of establishments that seamlessly blend the art of family dining with a unique and upscale twist to the novelties of comfort food. The Chubby Trout Brewbarn & Eatery, Smokin’ Fatty’s BBQ, and the Flippin’ Cow Burger Joint are all thriving under the tutelage of Snyder and his staff.

Now Snyder has formed a partnership with longtime business associate Ashley Wilson to create Cam and Company Catering and Events, a venture that draws from each of the restaurants to create customized and eclectic menus for virtually any gathering, for any occasion. It seems like a natural evolution for a man who not only has a finely honed sense of being in the right place at

Cam Snyder, owner, stands outside of Chubby Trout

the right moment, but also possesses a sharp instinct to cultivate success.

A perfect example of that finesse can be observed in the telling of how Snyder came to acquire the first of the restaurants he now owns, Flippin’ Cow. Just over 20 years ago, Snyder was years into his former career working in auto sales, raising a family in his hometown, but there was a sense of disillusionment. “I’d fallen out of love with the current business,” he says. “I wanted to do something that I had a passion for.”

A chance encounter one evening at a Simonton Lake beach bar

launched a conversation that would forever change the course of his future.

While chatting up the owner of the dockside diner, Snyder learned that the gentleman was having a less-than-ideal evening. Snyder pulled out a business card and told the man that if he was ever looking to sell the business, they could discuss the matter.

Before Snyder even left the parking lot, his phone was ringing. One month later, Snyder and his wife, Sue, became owners of the bar. The restaurant was renamed Lakeshore Grill, and was the scene of live music and a diverse array of dining options.

By 2012 the focus shifted to craft burgers and beer, along with decadent homespun milkshakes. After a whirlwind rebranding and renovation of less than one month, Flippin’ Cow was launched.

The second business to rise up under the Snyder family banner was Chubby Trout. Initially created from a vacant former restaurant site at the intersection of Cassopolis Street and County Road 6 on the north side of Elkhart, the business was relocated to its current spot on Plaza Court in 2016. This time around, the goal was to create a seafood niche, an environment that customers could enjoy locally without having to travel to the South Bend area.

As has become something of a Snyder trademark, the way he christens each business is chosen through crowd suggestions and a desire to find a name that blends “fun and funny,” as Snyder puts it. With the Chubby Trout, there is a nod to the founding of Elkhart as well. Snyder, an avowed follower of area history, notes that one of the earliest settlement maps he has seen includes a notation about the types of fish that were plentiful in earlier days. Most prominently featured in the writings was the proliferation of large trout, hence the quirky name for the new restaurant.

Launched in the spirit of an old-time fish fry, diners took an immediate liking to the locally harvested bluegill and lake

perch, along with selections including sushi, house-designed margaritas, pastas, handheld sandwiches and wraps, and freshly prepared salads with homemade dressings.

Snyder’s third restaurant endeavor was perhaps the riskiest opportunity, but an opportunity nonetheless. When a former Applebee’s location closed abruptly in 2018, Snyder snapped up the structure and spent time working to transform the interior, giving it a fresh and funky vibe.

That included hand-painted murals of rock legends, done by local artist Gabriel Moskolis. Once again, Snyder tapped into the public’s interests in what the north side of Elkhart needed by way of dining, and folks were clamoring for smoked meats and Mexican cuisine. When the pandemic closed in and curtailed dine-in meals, the new business found a way to entice customers by offering to-go meals and meats. The name eventually picked seemed like a perfect fit - Smokin’ Fatty’s BBQ. For those unaware, a “fatty” is a term for a blend of ground meats and fillings, smoked in a wrap fashioned with bacon.

With only the briefest of introductions, having merely scratched the surface of what Snyder’s trio of restaurants has to offer, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to Cam and Company

Catering and Events. Snyder and Wilson have formed the ideal collaboration to work with whatever parameters their prospective customers can imagine.

To learn more about how to plan an event featuring the imagination and innovation of this pair of entrepreneurs, contact Flippin’ Cow, located at 51330 State Road 19 in Elkhart. Also call 574-266-0606, and visit flippincow.com.

To reach Smokin’ Fatty’s BBQ, head over to 3241 Interchange Drive in Elkhart. To view their website, visit smokinfattysbbq. com, and call 574-333-3600 for dining options.

The Chubby Trout can be reached via phone at 574-264-5700, or online at chubbytrout.com. The restaurant is located at 3421 Plaza Court in Elkhart.

PURRS AND POURS

and into Europe. The first cat cafe in North America opened in Canada in 2014.

Sult says she thought it was a “cool concept” that she wanted to bring to her hometown. She worked with SPARK, a women’s business accelerator program at St. Mary’s College, to develop a business plan and work with a mentor to ensure her concept would become reality.

The modern concept of cat cafes originated in Japan in 1998, spreading out through Asia

She found the location on the ground floor of the Commerce Center in October and

After visiting a cat cafe in London in 2019,

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski

local resident Kim Sult opened the Cat Lady Cafe in March at the Commerce Center in South Bend.

Owner Kim Sult

opened the cafe to the public in March. Since then, word has gotten around and she has amassed many regular customers.

A cat cafe is a coffee shop that offers patrons the opportunity to spend time with cats. The beverages and desserts are created in a cat-free environment, and customers can simply watch the cats play in the cafe, or reserve time to interact with them for an hourly fee in the cat lounge.

“For many, it’s therapeutic to spend an hour in the cat lounge,” Sult says. “It’s a welcome environment and many people want to share their stories.”

The Cat Lady Cafe also serves as an adoption point for cats needing a home. Sult partners with the Humane Society of St. Joseph County to provide between eight and 12 adoptable cats that are comfortable being social with people and other felines.

One of these adoptable cats has found a

Louie Thomas

home with Sult as the “meownager” at the cafe. Chipmunk is the one constant feline in the Cat Lady Cafe’s cat lounge. He needed medication to treat an injured leg and needed a calm home. Sult adopted him about a month after she opened because he was so popular and fit so nicely into the environment.

“He is one of the visitors’ and staff’s favorites,” she says.

So far, 20 of Chipmunk’s fellow felines have found homes through Sult’s efforts. “Socialization is good for cats, especially at other spaces outside the shelter,” Sult says. She is a former volunteer with the Humane Society. “We provide daily care, and the humane society oversees the adoption process.”

The cafe is a colorful place for people to grab a coffee or pastry, in addition to the good it does for adoptable cats. Purple is a predominant color, as part of Sult’s branding

Colby Sweeney

for her business.

“Purple has been my favorite color for forever,” she says. “It’s bright and the lime green blends well with it.”

For the humans, Sult’s menu offers drip coffees from Bendix Coffee Roasters, iced and hot lattes, hot tea, soft drinks and lemonades. Local bakeries Chips & Doodles, Thistle and Knead, and The Cakery supply pastries for the cafe.

The cafe has a comfortable area for adults and families to enjoy their beverage and each other’s company. Games, puzzles and a chalkboard offer activities, but the biggest draw are the windows and counter that overlook the cat lounge. A seat at the window is a prime space to view the antics of the lounge’s occupants.

Sult also hosts events at the cafe. A monthly Cat Bingo event draws a crowd hoping to win one of the merchandise prizes and the included bonus of time to spend with the cats. It is also available for parties and special occasions.

July events included a cookie demonstration workshop, cat yoga, a story-time hour and a paw-jama party.

“We want people to stop in, even without going in to see the cats,” Sult says.

The Cat Lady Cafe is located at 401 East Colfax Avenue, Suite 104 in South Bend. For more information, call 574-228-2266 or email info@catladycafesouthbend.com. Visit catladycafesouthbend.com to make reservations. Also follow the Cat Lady Cafe on social media.

STAY IN TUNE WITH YOUR MUSICAL GOALS AT SIMPLE SOUNDS MUSIC SHOP

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

Music is a language all its own, a melodic means of communication that transcends the spoken word and can elicit every emotion known to man.

Jennifer Lipscomb certainly understands this very well. That is why she was perfectly poised and proud to take over the ownership of Simple Sounds, a cozy specialty establishment located in Shipshewana. Lipscomb spent 10 years working for the business, which was founded in 1989, before purchasing it in 2015. The quaint hamlet of Shipshewana, a well-known mecca for tourists searching for unique sundries and gifts, is the perfect setting for Simple Sounds, which can be found at the Davis Mercantile gallery of shops.

According to Lipscomb, Simple Sounds was originally tailored for musicians delving into bluegrass and folk music. Their selection of instruments included mountain and hammered dulcimers, along with various accessories.

“While we’ve definitely expanded and

Simple Sounds Owner, Jennifer Lipscomb, plays a dulicmer.

grown over the years, we are still very much invested in our folk and bluegrass roots,” Lipscomb says. “We still sell dulcimers, but we offer so much more now that encompasses all musical walks of life.”

Simple Sounds also carries more traditional instruments such as guitars and ukuleles, as well as lap harps and bowed psalteries. There are also hundreds of variations for sheet-music books, tailored for instrumentation from pianos and guitars to band and orchestral instruments.

Patrons will also discover a vast array of items well-suited to everyone with an affinity for music. Hand tuned wind chimes, decorative accessories, CDs, and the perennially popular musically themed socks. “If it has to do with music, chances are we have it,” Lipscomb says.

The inventory is constantly changing,

Lipscomb notes, so every visit to Simple Sounds promises a new opportunity to take in and appreciate the variety of merchandise. “We’re always looking at bringing in new items,” she says. “We’ve

got several orders that we’re expecting any day now that will have loads of new summer items. And yes, even some new Christmas items will start arriving soon.”

“We’re open all year-round, and we see lots of folks, not only in the summer, but also closer to Christmas time,” she adds. “There’s always some sort of event happening in town as we get

•

closer to Christmas, and it’s handsdown my favorite time of year to be in Shipshewana. For people that can’t stop back by the store, we are more than happy to ship items.”

Simple Sounds also has a new website to give customers guidance on future purchases, and to stay abreast of developments and additions to the shop. “We’re still working on getting everything uploaded to the site, so I highly recommend folks either emailing us directly or calling if they don’t see what they’re looking for,” Lipscomb advises. The website can be found at simplesounds.co.

Guests are welcome to visit Simple Sounds at 225 North Harrison Street, Suite 104 in Shipshewana. Their phone number is 260-768-7776, and to reach Lipscomb via email, her address is simplesoundsinc@gmail.com.

FRESH IN MIND

MAPLE CITY MARKET CARES FOR CUSTOMERS AND COMMUNITY THROUGH CO-OP STRUCTURE

Writer & Photographer / Ali Snyder

Beautiful downtown Goshen is home to one of the only co-op stores in the area. Maple City Market opened their doors in the 1970s to provide quality, sustainable food to the community. Since then, they have grown to offer more than just delicious, fresh produce.

As you pull up to the retro-style building you will find beautiful baskets of hanging flowers along with an outdoor seating area. Upon entering the store you will immediately smell the coffee and spices, and see the beautiful and vibrantly colored produce. If it is your first time, you will want to take a few minutes to peruse the aisles of organic products.

Maple City Market is not your typical grocery store. It is full of meats, dairy items, fruits, veggies, skin care products, tea, coffee and so much more. Head on back to the deli where you will find Julia, the deli manager, whipping up fresh creations every day. Whether you are looking for a wrap, sandwich, salad or baked good, her ready-to-go items make for the perfect lunchtime destination. They also offer a variety of scratch-made soups if you are in the mood for something a bit warmer.

In the deli you will also find a selection of cheeses, some of which you cannot find at other local grocery stores. You can pour yourself a fresh-brewed coffee or steep your own tea, to pair with your lunch or dinner. Speaking of tea, along the back wall you will find jars upon jars of loose-leaf teas that you can scoop to take home with you. They provide containers if needed, or you can bring your own and fill as much as you would like. They do not

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include the weight of the jar if you decide to bring your own.

Similar to the tea bar, next to it you will find a variety of granola, nuts, chocolates, oats and more. They provide bags for you to fill with whatever amount you desire. To the right they have machines with fresh-ground peanut butter that you can dispense into your own jar, or use one of the containers they provide. Underneath the peanut butter machines are jars full of fresh maple syrup, honey, olive oil and soy sauce, along with other liquid goods.

What sets Maple City Market apart from other food and wellness stores is their commitment to sourcing local products as much as possible. They do this by working with the community and different farmers in the area. Some of the top vendors they collaborate with include Clay Bottom Farm (Goshen), Horn of Plenty (Middlebury), Singletree Farm (Goshen), Sustainable Greens

(Three Rivers, Michigan), Ridge Lane Farm (New Paris) and Greenbridge Farm (Winamac). Any person or business is welcome to inquire with Maple City Market about working together.

Many people may not understand what a co-op is. Maple City Market focuses heavily on making sure the public knows they are welcome to shop, even if you are not a member. However, if you decide to become a member you will receive perks such as 20% off when you join, 20% off on member appreciation days, voting for board members, and setting up a prepaid account to speed up your shopping experience at checkout.

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We all have choices on where to shop, but Maple City Market is truly a unique experience. You feel like family when you walk in, not to mention you know exactly where your food, wellness care items and produce are coming from. The convenience of a smaller store is not lost in the vast selection of products they have to offer.

Next time you are looking to give back and connect with the local community, take a trip to Maple City Market. You are likely to find delicious items while feeling great about supporting the local area.

You can learn more about the store in general, as well as the co-op program, at maplecitymarket.coop. They have a strong presence on social media and can be found on Facebook and Instagram @ MapleCityMarket. For questions or to place special orders, they can be reached at 574-534-2355. They are located at 314 South Main Street in Goshen.

What’s Happening at the Lakes in August

Elkhart County

August 1, 2023

National Night Out + Chill with a Cop, Elkhart

A night of free family fun! The beautiful Central Green in downtown Elkhart will have food, games & activities for the kids, a K9 demonstration and so much more! Learn about local community groups and resources for families.

www.allevents.in/elkhart/national-night-out/80001350943233

August 1–September 15, 2022

Quilts, Inspired by Nature, Elkhart County Historical Museum, Bristol

In concert with the Quilt Gardens, see historical quilts that have patterns named after or look like things you’d see while exploring a forest, garden or greenhouse. FREE!

www.elkhartcountyparks.org/destinations/historical-museum

August 3-5, 2023

The Barns at Nappanee Arts, Crafts & Music Festival, Nappanee Over 100 vendors exhibiting and selling arts and crafts items plus food trucks, an arcade trailer, whip show, train rides, barrel rides, caricatures, axe throwing, juggling, wood carving/blacksmith demos, spinning wool into yarn and demos by artisans from the Nappanee Artisan Market. www.thebarnsatnappanee.com/art-festival-2023

August 4-5, 2023

Elkhart Grand Prix, Elkhart

One of the country’s greatest street races is back! A 5-K run/walk, live entertainment, food, auto club car show and a cornhole tournament are a few of the highlights. www.elkhartgp.com

August 4-5

Middlebury Literary Carousel, Middlebury Public Library Programs for all ages, including plays for kids, a cosplay contest for teens, drinks and storytelling for adults, and a visit with Gail Carson Levine, Newbery award-winning author of Ella Enchanted. https:// www.mdypl.evanced.info/signup/calendar

August 5, 2023

Food Truck Showdown, Middlebury

Come out and sample all the food trucks. Vote for your favorite! There will be raffles and other chances to win money & prizes. www.facebook.com/events/208280038815244/?ref=newsfeed

August 11, 2023

Free Movie Night, Goshen

Free movie night showing of “We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story”. Admission is free but donations are encouraged. Bar and concession stand will be open. www.facebook.com/events/526437776263530

August 12, 2023

Elkhart Environmental Center’s 26th EnviroFest, Island Park, Elkhart

The region’s largest environmental Festival will include food vendors, booths, raffle & silent auction, live music, kids’ area, entertainment and a beer & wine garden. Tickets $5 per family. www.elkhartenvirofest.com

August 26, 2023

Cast Iron Cookout & Swap Meet, Bristol

Experience Northern Indiana’s Premier cast iron cooking event. Buy/sell/trade cast iron cook wares at the swap meet. Visitors will see cast iron cooks in action during the Dutch Oven Gathering and sample the delicious kettle soup and fresh Bonneyville Mill cornbread. There will be a cast iron instructional session that will give the basics of cast iron cook ware use and care. www.elkhartcountyparks.org/events/cast-iron-cookout-swapmeet-8-26-23

August 31, 2023

August ArtWalk “Around the World”, Elkhart

A multicultural celebration highlighting the vibrant and colorful community. Come downtown to enjoy art, food and music from across the globe.

www.facebook.com/events/1355902901645257

Kosciusko County

August 2, 2023

Farm Tour, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Cromwell/ Syracuse

Adult-Only event hosted by Russell Anderson and his family on the beautiful land of Anderson Farms. Learn how responsible farming practices and activities are of vital importance to the water quality in the Wawasee watershed. A rustic tractor and wagon tour of Dillon Creek included in this 2-hour FREE event. www.wacf.com/event/farm-tour

August 4,11 & 18, 2023

Lake Area Community Band, Quinten Flagg & The 1985, Warsaw

Central Park, Warsaw

Kick off your weekend by relaxing with the Summer Concert Series. FREE concert at the park. A perfect way to spend time with family and experience new types of performances. www.warsaw.in.gov/201/Concerts

August 5, 2023

Lake Talk & Eats Lillypad Tour, Syracuse

WACF is hosting a cruise on the Lilly Pad featuring Dr. Nate Bosch. Learn a lot about our lakes while experiencing views from the top deck. You can also have some fun playing bingo for a chance to win prizes. Tickets are $20 each and must be purchased in advance by emailing info@wacf.com. We will board at 10 a.m. from The Frog Tavern. www.wacf.com/events

August 12, 2023

Sidewalk Sale at the Village at Winona, Winona Lake

Join us for this end of the season sale. Participating shops will have special offers throughout the day. Sale details will be posted on this page and on Facebook as the event gets closer.

www.villageatwinona.com/events/sidewalk-sale

August 26, 2023

Heirloom Tomato Festival, Brower Park, Pierceton

Includes a judged Agricultural Art Show with people’s choice, 5K run/walk, an exhibit of over 100 heirloom tomatoes, complimentary tasting, live music, a kid’s area, guest speakers, crafts vendors, and food vendors featuring fried green tomatoes and homemade ice cream. Tomato baking, tomato eating, and largest heirloom tomato contest. www.piercetonchamber.com/events.html

August 27, 2023

Boondocks 1st Annual Wawasee Famous Friends Music Festival, Syracuse Coming to Boondocks at South Shore Village – 3 bands, food, drink and one-of-a-kind friendships for the event of the summer! www.facebook.com/events/55986831630010

LaGrange County

August 4, 2023

LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity Auction, Shipshewana Auction begins at 4pm with a Quilt Auction at 5pm. Haystack meal will be served 4-7:30pm or until gone. Cost is by donation and carry out will be available. www.lagrangehabitat.org

August 5, 2023

Shipshewana Antique & Vintage Market, Shipshewana

Hundreds of treasures under the pavilion and along the sidewalks and on the lawn. Free admission with $5 parking. www.shipshewanatradingplace.com/sell/shipshewana-antique-market

August 10-12, 2023

41st annual Antique Farm Power Steam & Gas Show, LaGrange County Fairgrounds, LaGrange Steam engines, antique tractors, gas engines, antique farm machinery, sawmills, arts and craft vendors, farm toy exhibits & a large flea market. A parade of tractors and engines, food vendors and Saturday antique tractor pull.

www.facebook.com/NEINSAGA

August 19, 2023

Michiana Auto Mania, MEC, Shipshewana

Classic cars from all around the world returning for its 3rd year, the event is hosted inside with concessions and cornhole available to

enjoy throughout the day. Vendors on site.

www.michianaevents.com/event/michiana-classic-car-show

Noble County

August 19, 2023

Summer Concert Series – Los Galaxy, Kendallville

A free concert in the pocket park with Los Galaxy, an instrumental funk-fusion band. Food trucks so you won’t go hungry while listening to the band. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and have some fun!

www.facebook.com/events/635152058542756

August 31-September 3, 2023

Kendallville Bluegrass Festival, Kendallville

This is the midwest’s best Parkin’ Lot Pickin’ festival! Bring lawn chairs – covered seating area so the stage show goes on rain or shine. Thursday is free entry for the evening show with camping available. Daily or weekend tickets available.

www.visitnoblecounty.org/calendar

St Joseph County

August 5, 12 & 26, 2023

DTSB Summer Fitness Series, Downtown South Bend

Free outdoor summer fitness classes at the Gridiron in downtown South Bend every Saturday morning to encourage healthy living. These free classes, begin at 8am, 9am, and 10am include a mix of yoga, Zumba, Hip Hop, Grit, Barre, and more.

www.downtownsouthbend.com/summer-fitness-series

August 11-12, 2023

Marshmallows & Meterors!, New Carlisle

The Perseid meteor showers peak during this week in August. Bring a blanket and bug spray and watch for meteors on Carlisle Hill. Marshmallows will be provided at the campfire. Registration and $5 required.

www.sjcparks.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=3451

August 12, 2023

Cars & Coffee, Studebaker Museum, South Bend

Bring your classic car. Enjoy hot coffee and fresh donuts waiting for on arrival. Enjoy conversations with fellow classic car enthusiasts and collectors alike. This month’s featured club is Hoosier Model A. Free Rain or shine.

www.studebakermuseum.org/event/august-cars-coffee/?event_ date=2023-08-12

August 12, 2023

National Night Out + Chill with a Cop, Mishawaka

Join the Mishawaka Police Department and the Parks Department for an evening of fun, frozen treats and conversation! This annual community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The event will include popsicles, games, inflatables, a DJ, Safety Pup and much more! www.facebook.com/events/1477950909402084

August 19, 2023

Running Wild 5k Trail Run & 3K Fun Walk, South Bend

A fund-raising run and walk to benefit the St. Joseph County Parks. There will be a nature scavenger hunt and it will be pet friendly (dogs must be leashed). Registration required.

www.sjcparks.org/1019/Running-Wild

August 26-27, 2023

Michiana Renaissance Festival, South Bend

Come one, Come all to the 11th Annual Michiana Renaissance Festival at St. Joe Co Fairgrounds. Each day is filled with fun and educational things to see and do for the whole family. www.michianarenfest.com