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

FREE MONTHLY PRINT MAGAZINE WITH CORRESPONDING MOBILE APP AND SOCIAL MEDIA FEATURING THE PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, AND EVENTS IN AND AROUND KOSCIUSKO, ELKHART, NOBLE & LAGRANGE COUNTY

JULY 2021

MAGAZINE

Griffith’s Wawasee Marina Owners Mark 75 Years in Business GET CRACKIN’

Crazy Joe’s Fireworks Gets the Party Going FROG TAVERN’S LONGEVITY IS WELL-EARNED

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JU LY 2021

G e t Crackin ’ : Crazy Joe ’s Firewor ks G ets the Par ty G oin g Track N Ch an n e l B ait & Tackle ’s Pe r sonal S e r vice Is off th e H ook S q u e aky Cle an : Rick’s Pre mie r Powe r Washi ng H an d le s Eve n th e Tou g h e st Cle an in g Jobs Family Craft: G r iffith ’s Wawase e Mar ina O wn e r s Mar k 75 Ye ar s in B u sin e ss S mooth Rid e : H og Watch Make s It E asy to Get You r Motor Ru n n in g

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GET C RAC K I N’ C R AZ Y J O E ’S F I R E WO R KS GE TS T H E PA RT Y GO I N G Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Spencer McOscar and his co-workers get a bang out of their work. He says it’s been that way ever since the business, Crazy Joe’s Fireworks in Warsaw, started in 1989 in Monroe, Michigan. “Crazy Joe’s operated out of a tent and temporary stores, from the month of May through July 10 of the year,” McOscar says. The original owner was Joseph McOscar, when the company was operating in Michigan. In 2007 Spencer McOscar, Joseph’s son, and Linda McOscar, Joseph’s wife, decided to start a more permanent business in Indiana. “At this time, Joseph retired from the company,” McOscar says. “However, he did provide some input when needed.” The business is currently owned by Spencer McOscar. He offers quality products that meet customers’ specific needs. The staff is dedicated to offering many types of fireworks geared toward each customer’s interests. The staff goes out of its way to make sure customers get just what they are looking for. Crazy Joe’s Fireworks has a wide selection of canister shells and artillery shells. Family assortment tracks are also available. 6 / THE LAKES / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

Customers are encouraged to visit the airconditioned store and browse. Customers are also encouraged to take their time picking out just the right fireworks for their own personal family fireworks show. Discounts are available for military officers

and first responders. “I have over 30 years of experience within the firework industry,” McOscar says. “I offer all types of fireworks - fountains, repeater cakes, finale cakes, Roman candles and much more.”

McOscar notes that the company is open year-round. “It does, however, close after January 1, and reopens approximately two weeks into May,” he says. “I offer appointments during the time in between.”

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McOscar is a busy man. “During the off-season I started a trucking company, and would drive a dump truck, which is how I discovered the property that houses Crazy Joe’s Fireworks in Warsaw, Indiana,” he says. “My route would take me through State Route 30.” McOscar says he has a lot of great merchandise at Crazy Joe’s Fireworks. “We offer all kind of brands,” McOscar says. “However, Black Cat is popular among our customers.” Crazy Joe’s Fireworks sells strictly fireworks, with the occasional Crazy Joe’s T-shirt purchased. McOscar says he has been very blessed with faithful customers who tell their family and friends about Crazy Joe’s Fireworks.

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“I love seeing loyal customers and meeting new people,” he says. “I also enjoy talking about the different kinds of fireworks available for consumers.” McOscar loves his customers so much that he even held an annual customer appreciation day on June 12. The event was McOscar’s way of thanking customers for their loyalty. He has a big roast, a fireworks display, some product demonstrations, door prizes, a cornhole tournament, a bounce house, raffles and much more.

“We do have loyal and repeat customers,” McOscar says. “Its always nice to see familiar faces.” McOscar says he loves his job.

McOscar also has a prize promotion, for which he gives Excalibur mortar shells away when supporters like and share his Facebook posts. He’s had other great prize promotions, and it’s all part of his way of giving back. McOscar looks forward to the Fourth of July every year. It’s something he can share with his family and friends each summer. “When the clock hits midnight and we close

TownePost.com / JULY 2021 / THE LAKES / 9

for the day, it’s great,” McOscar says. “The drive home is amazing, as I see the sky light up as families celebrate our independence.” McOscar loves Warsaw, Indiana. “I enjoy how welcoming Warsaw and the surrounding cities have been in accepting us into their communities,” he says. “I also like living near the various lakes in the area, as I love to fish.” McOscar is incredibly grateful for his customers. “I would like to thank all our customers for their support over the years,” he says. “Happy Fourth of July!” Visit Crazy Joe’s Fireworks at 2549 North 800 West in Warsaw. For more info, call 574-858-0088, email crazyjoesfireworks@ yahoo.com, or visit crazyjoesfireworks.us.

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T R ACK N C HA N NEL BAIT & TACK LE’S P E R S ON A L SERVICE IS OFF T HE H OOK welcome also helps.

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The key to a successful bait shop is making sure that each customer feels like all their questions have been answered. It means going the extra mile to ensure new customers become regulars, and it also means hooking them up with the best fishing gear around. Making them feel

Dave Greathouse, owner of Track N Channel Bait & Tackle, 100 S. Huntington St. in Syracuse, says he and his staff go out of their way to make everyone feel right at home, and fully informed about their merchandise. “We opened in March 2020,” Greathouse says. “We are dedicated to being open daily

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at 6 a.m., no matter what the weather is. We are also dedicated to always having a full stock of live bait and tackle. Personal service is also something we pride ourselves on.” Track N Channel Bait & Tackle also has the most up-to-date fishing tackle. Greathouse says his shop is the leading bait shop serving Kosciusko, Noble, Elkhart and Marshall counties.

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Since the store opened, they have been garnering a large following of loyal customers. Greathouse says the shop offers a wide variety of merchandise for every type of fishing enthusiast. “We got it all,” he says. “We have bait, tackle, rod, and reels. We also offer lures, apparel, ice fishing gear, and a whole lot more.” The apparel includes high quality hats, hoodies and jackets. Greathouse says nothing but high-quality fishing brands are featured at the shop, which is fully stocked with everything a fishing enthusiast is looking for. “We have brands like Quantum, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Pflueger, Rapala, Zebco, Berkley, (Gary) Yamamoto, YUM, Wack’em and Stack’em, and Spider

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Monkey,” he says. Excellent products are also available. “We have live bait, as well as Pan Fishing tackle, Terminal Tackle, Bass Fishing Tackle, Trout Fishing Tackle, Pike Fishing Tackle, and Walleye Fishing Tackle,” he says. Greathouse says that Track N Channel Bait & Tackle offers delivery and guide services. He is optimistic about the future, especially because of the increased number of people fishing in the area. He says loyal customers and having so many lakes nearby has also helped.

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“Without question, the support of the lakes community has been outstanding,” Greathouse says. He believes fishing has been a great way for people to relax during stressful times, and a big reason for the increased number of fishermen. “It seems so especially from the younger generation,” he says. Greathouse noted that he has had a regular stream of familiar faces since he opened his doors., “We have a great deal of regular customers, and the amount of new customers has also been impressive,” he says. “As our social networking and advertising grows, it helps us grow.” Many of Track N Channel Bait & Tackle’s customers post their fishing photos and stories on the shop’s Facebook page.

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Greathouse says that he and his staff are also on hand to provide customers with a forum to help each other. “We want them to find out what’s biting when, and with what to improve their odds of success,” he says. Greathouse credits his fellow business owners for helping each other out during tough times.

“It seems like all the local businesses in the area are very willing to spread the word about other local businesses, and help each other,” he says. “The Wawasee Chamber of Commerce has been especially helpful in helping local business grow as well.” Greathouse is extremely grateful to area residents. “All of us at Track N Channel Bait & Tackle would like to thank everyone for all of their support and continued input, as to how to make our little shop a better place for everyone,” he says. “Extended hours are on the horizon, as well as a line of air rifles and knives to add to our in-store experience. Thank you to everyone!” You’ll find Track N Channel Bait & Tackle at 100 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. You can reach them at 574-457-2490; or visit them at www.facebook.com/groups/ tracknchannel/.

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customers’ siding, gutters, roofs, shutters, decks, concrete pads and paver stones, the difference is readily observable. “I like to see things come clean,” he says. “It’s really neat when you see something really grubby, then you can step back and look at it and you think, ‘Wow, that almost looks new again,’ but it’s old. It gives you a good feeling.” One of the best forms of advertisement is word-of-mouth referrals, and that is Klotz’s primary means of finding new customers. This is

Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Timothy Hare

There are several parts of a home that often are left uncleaned. Some of these are relatively small items that are used daily, like TV remotes and toys. Others are larger, like appliances. Home exteriors are also often in need of a cleaning. Rick Klotz, the owner of Warsaw-based Rick’s Premier Power Washing, excels at making the outside of his customers’ houses so clean that they almost shine. Cleaning has always been enjoyable for Klotz, especially the type of cleaning that yields immediate results. As he cleans his

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due in part to his competitive pricing. “People don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to get their house washed, but they want it clean,” he says. “I’ve priced other people. I’m far cheaper and I do just as good, if not better.” Klotz schedules his clients about two weeks in advance, which means his waiting list can be fairly long. “Usually, by Thursday night the week before I will call people and line them up the whole next week,” he says. “I try to fit in people’s schedules so they know when I’m coming.” Customer satisfaction is one of his highest goals, from the thorough way he does his job to the way he carefully avoids landscaping to the little extras he throws in for free. “Never have I left a house and not done something extra,” Klotz says. “That concrete pad out there that’s filthy and they weren’t expecting to be cleaned? It takes me 10 minutes. I have stuff set up and I’m going right by it. Give them what they pay for and more.” When Klotz hears from a new customer, the first thing he asks them to do is take a picture of their home from every angle and text them to him. Those images tell him everything he needs to know in order to give a quote within five minutes.

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“Stand back to the road and take a picture of all four sides of the house with the landscaping in it,” he says. “That tells everything.” The dirt that stains the walls is not what determines the price for Klotz, but rather the size of the house, whether it’s one, two or three stories. The location of the building in his service area, which encompasses a 50-mile radius around Warsaw, is also a factor in determining the price.

“If you’re an hour away, I’ll charge for a service call,” he says. “If you live in the county, I’m not going to charge for a service call.” Klotz uses an environmentally friendly cleaner that neutralizes and kills mold - something that grows all too well on northern Indiana houses. “You drive by these houses and their whole roof is black,” he says. “I have a cleaner that will remove that black mold. It’s guaranteed for

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seven years.” Decks are something of a specialty for Klotz. “Even if their house isn’t dirty, a lot will have me come and clean their decks,” he says. “I do a lot of that.” Klotz not only cleans residential houses, but he also takes care of commercial buildings, from offices to courthouses. Since commercial buildings are more complicated, he prefers to assess each building in person. “It’s usually a little more detailed than residential because it’s a bigger area,” he says. No building is too tall for Klotz to clean. For the largest commercial buildings, he uses a lift. For residential houses, he has a wash buggy that he made himself last year. “There’s scaffolding mounted on it, and there’s a wash tank right underneath it,” he says. “I can spray my chemical, which can get out 18 to 20 feet, so I can pretty much reach anything.” To schedule an appointment, call Rick Klotz at 574-527-6424.

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Back Row Left to Right: Jack Angel, Jack Ramsey, Andy Mikolajczak, Dan Mikolajczak, Scott Hattery, James McKinley Middle Row Left to Right: Kate Morris, Lisa Griffith Front Row: Terry Griffith

FAMILY CRAFT

Griffith’s Wawasee Marina Owners Mark 75 Years in Business

Wrtier / Lois Tomaszewski Photography / Jubilee Edgell

If there was a formula for a business that weathered three-quarters of a century, Griffith’s Wawasee Marina may have it figured out. This year marks the 75th year since Larry Griffith established his business where the old Ross Livery used to be on what was then known as Rural Route 2. “The Griffith Family and the marina have stood the test of time for many reasons, but we can narrow it down to a few simple

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principles: Faith. Loyalty. Dedication. Faith in God and family. Loyalty to our customers. Dedication to our craft, no pun intended,” Andy Mikolajczak, step grandson to the founder, says. The foundation for the business that serves the Lake Wawasee boating community today began in the spring of 1946 when Larry Griffith returned from serving in World War II and found his way to the lake. He spent the summer doing odd jobs, including building a trailer to haul three boats from Wisconsin to Ross Greenwalt in time for July 4. Eventually, Griffith earned enough money by the fall to purchase Ross Livery and land from Greenwalt to build a marina. Larry, with his wife Rosemary, established a business and a home on the lake and began serving the Wawasee community, a community which they loved and served for decades.

“Developing a strong reputation for honesty and integrity they worked tirelessly building their family, their business, and the lifestyle they wanted for everyone they came across at what is now 9171 E. Ross Dr. and known now as Griffith’s Wawasee Marina,” Mikolajczak says.

the lake,” he says.

The couple raised four children, Terry, Danny, Lisa, and Andrea. Eventually, the business passed down to their children in the mid-1970s. They have continued to manage it and operate it.

Griffith’s Wawasee Marina offers services relating to boats and engines, including maintenance and service, trailer sales, boating accessories and boat storage. Dock space for boats up to 24 feet is available during the summer season. Pontoons are also available for rental. For the would-be boat owner, Griffith’s has a large inventory of new and used boats.

Those same principles on which patriarch Larry established in 1946 are part of the day-to-day operations today, Mikolajczak said. That is reflected in the business’ commitment to its customers. “The main goal at Griffith’s Wawasee Marina is to develop friendships and help them feel as comfortable as possible entering into what we consider to be the best way to enjoy life — with your family at

“We owe our longevity to all of the people who have worked so hard here throughout the decades. To all of the families and friends that we’ve had the opportunity to serve in all facets.”

The Griffith family is grateful that boat manufacturers and other suppliers have continued to support the business. In the 75 years of business, these boat lines have been numerous, according to Mikolajczak. “Each of the companies that support us

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has been serving the boating industry for 60-plus years, and we are proud to offer that heritage to everyone who comes through our door,” Mikolajczak says. Thompson, Owens, Higgins, and Mark Twain were prominent in the early years. As the business passed to the next generation, changes came with Fiberglass boats. CorrectCraft and Boston Whaler were added to the lineup. “The Smokercraft Brand has been a part of the life blood that makes up Griffith’s Wawasee Marina for decades,” Mikolajczak says. “We’ve had the pleasure to offer up many of their lines including Smokercraft, Monark, and currently Starcraft. Our connection goes even further with Lisa’s husband, Dan Mikolajczak, working for Starcraft in product development designing their aluminum fishing boats years.” Viking Deck Boats, Four Winns, Rinker, Harris, and Ski Centurion complete the

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Griffith’s Wawasee Marina selections. Trends, he says, go up and down, but usually come full circle. “Boat manufacturers have their products and technologies so dialed in that you can get pretty much whatever you want. It’s our job to help guide you to the boat the is going to meet your needs the best.” The same is true when it comes to the motor that powers the boat. Griffith’s handles Mercury motors, an arrangement that has been in place since 1947. “In 1947 Carl Kiekhaefer, who started what is now Mercury Marine, made the trip from Wisconsin to Syracuse, Indiana and signed up Larry Griffith to sell Mercury outboards,” making us now the World’s Oldest and longest running Mercury Dealer,” Mikolajczak says. “Pretty cool, huh?” That also extends to keeping all the components operating smoothly. “People often ask me ‘What’s the best

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engine out there?’ and I always answer - the one you take care of,” he says. “As long as you continue to perform routine preventative maintenance your engine can run for thousands of hours. Mercury has engines in service at Disney World that have 12,000-plus hours on them because they are routinely serviced.”

just because you’ve bought the boat,” Mikolajczak says.

But there is one more component to the success of Griffith’s Wawasee marina – their 12 to 15 employees and the knowledge they can share with customers.

“And at the end of the day, if they don’t buy from us then hopefully, we’ve made a friend and we’ll see them at the gas dock.”

“Boating is expensive, and it doesn’t stop

He suggests potential first-time boat buyers find out about the after-purchase costs, such as service costs and labor rates, storage fees, and seasonal maintenance and costs. The Griffith’s team can help with this.

Whatever spoke to Larry Griffith decades ago that motivated him to establish the

business on the shores of Lake Wawasee is still a powerful motivation for his descendants. Three generations of the Griffith family have helped the business grow and thrive in the community. “The unwavering desire to be out on the water continues to grow at GWM because we are, as always, Forever Family. Forever Boating. Forever Serving You Since 1946. God Bless Your Family,” Mikolajczak says. You’ll find Griffith’s Wawasee Marina at 9171 East Ross Drive, Syracuse. For more information, call 260-856-2286 or visit wawaseemarina.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, that is only the beginning of the process.

friends and family.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS

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

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

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

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

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

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

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

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

Norine Borkholder is no exception. More

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

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

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

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Borkholder is constantly trying to expand her knowledge. “I love to keep learning

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

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

THE #1 SELLING FARM TRACTOR IN THE WORLD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

one that they wanted as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

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

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

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

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

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

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S the farm supply store with so much more! ∙ Coal ∙ Bird Feeders & Feed ∙ Fence Supplies ∙ Big Sky Minerals By HiLand ∙ Lucky Buck Mineral ∙ Tomato Cages ∙ Tingley & Muck Boots ∙ “Yuneek” Nest Boxes ∙ Horse Feed ∙ Dog Food ∙ Lambright Aluminum Products

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PURITY CYLINDER GASES BUILDS BUSINESS WITH SOLID CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS Writer / Matt Keating Photography / Jubilee Edgell

modern era of the company.

Chris Bowman, branch manager of Purity Cylinder Gases in Elkhart says the company has thrived by having solid relationships with its customers.

“The Nyhuis family are the owners of the company,” Bowman says. “Purity Cylinder Gas is a third generation, family-owned and operated supplier of packaged gases, bulk propane, and welding supplies.”

It’s what has made the company grow from one great location to the next, according to Bowman.

The company is well known in the Elkhart area.

He says the family that has built the business has always stressed sold relationships with customers, ever since the company’s inception. Bowman adds that Tom Neidlinger, propane manager, has also been a great leader during the

“Purity Cylinder Gases began operations in 1938 in Grand Rapids, Michigan,” Bowman says. “In the 83 years since, we have added 14 other locations,

TownePost.com / JULY 2021 / THE LAKES / 63

including locations in Elkhart, Angola, Fort Wayne and Warsaw in Indiana.” The original business in Michigan was in a storefront. Throughout the years, the business just kept growing and adding more locations. Bowman stressed that strong ties with customers has been a long-standing key to the company’s success. Purity Cylinder Gases also has a strong history of outstanding service and

Purity Cylinder Gases Staff

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excellent products. “Purity is focused on building lasting relations by offering the highest value, with the greatest integrity,” Bowman says. “We believe that the consistent quality of our quality of our products, knowledgeable staff, and flexible solutions make Purity an easy choice for customer partners.” Outstanding products have also made a big difference. Nothing but the best is available for Purity’s strong customer base. “We provide propane and atmospheric gases to a wide variety of customers,” Bowman says. “These gases include carbon dioxide for fountain beverages at restaurants, helium for florists, welding, and cutting gases for home hobbyists and business, medical gases for dentists, doctors, and medical offices. In addition to our core business of gases, we also sell welders, cutting equipment and personal protective equipment.”

If your home is warm in the summer and cold and/or if you have icicles hanging on your roof in the winter, we can help you! In Business since 1999 serving all of Northern Indiana and lower Michigan! We offer professional sales, installation, and service for new and existing homes as well as commercial buildings.

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Purity Cylinder Gases also has four compressed-gas filling plants in Indiana and Michigan. When it comes to welding and automation, Purity has a solid and devoted service department. They also have an on-site engineer for their welding and automation department

monitoring services. With multiple trucks on the road every day, we are more than capable of handling emergency service situations.”

The highly trained customer service representatives van answer questions about all the products Purity offers.

The employees at Purity Cylinder Gases can also take care of a wide variety of businesses and customers.

Bowman says the local community has been great and highly supportive throughout the years.

Bowman notes that Purity Cylinder Gases also has a wide variety of services. It’s what has made the company popular with a lot of different homes and businesses.

“On the welding gas and supply side of the business, we are capable of servicing everyone from the home hobbyists to large manufacturers,” Bowman says.

“The northern Indiana area is a phenomenal place for a company like Purity to do business,” Bowman says.

“We have bulk propane for home heat, agricultural and industrial accounts,” Bowman says. “Our service and highly trained personnel set us apart from our competition.”

When it comes to safety, Purity is a proud distributor of personal equipment and supplies. Purity is also a one-stop shop for all your safety needs.

Having several years of experience also helps.

Bowman added that several key elements for customers are taken care of.

“With over 67 years of experience, our team is more than capable to install and service any sized customer and usage,” he says. “We offer call ahead and electronic tank

“Our highly trained staff, well-stocked showrooms and commitment to customer service make us a great choice for all of your gas and supply needs,” Bowman says.

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“Hoosiers truly do value reputable, dependable and thoughtful service,” he says. “Our customers very much appreciate the one-on-one contact and support they receive from a locally owned company.” Visit Purity Cylinder Gases at 4637 Chester Drive, Elkhart. For more information, call 574-389-8760, e-mail them at cbowman@ puritygas.com or check out their website at www.puritygas.com.

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Hand Cut Steaks, Lobster, BBQ Ribs, Pork Chops, Crab Legs, Craft Made Burgers, Shrimp, Homemade Soups, Salads, Appetizers & Atmosphere. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are recommended. Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) 4pm to 9pm Sun- Thurs ∙ 4pm to 10pm Fri & Sat Contact us for pricing and availability info@harbourhouse.com

• Large Dining room & Bar room • Private Party /Banquet room

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YOUR LOCAL FULL LINE GROCERY STORE Spices • Grilling Items Backing Supplies Yoder’s Meat & Cheese Ready Made and Special Order Bakery items

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BRINGING IT HOME MOTHER-DAUGHTER REAL ESTATE PROS OFFER CENTRIC REALTOR SERVICES Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Timothy Hare

A family home is arguably one of the biggest investments a person can make. However, it can also be difficult to find the right one. Sally Bailey and Angie Jarrett, a mother-daughter real estate team and lifelong residents of Kosciusko County, are dedicated to helping their clients find the perfect home in the greater Lakes region. Bailey has always been ethically minded and client focused. In 2004 when she decided to dive into real estate, she took a class that Coldwell-Banker offered to new real estate agents. It was an exhaustive course that encompassed everything about how to manage the business with the highest standards. It gave her a solid foundation that she has been building on ever since.

•

“I had a passion for it and love the work,” she says. “I wanted to make a difference, serve people, and help them.”

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For Jarrett, getting into real estate in 2007 was an easy transition and a natural choice. At first, it was a side job that she just did for fun. But when she started having children, she decided that pursuing a career in real estate full-time would be a better option for her family. “I wanted to focus more on my family,’” Jarrett reminisces. “It’s my dream job. I love helping people.” Both have their own specialties. Jarrett, who was named the 2020 Kosciusko County Realtor of the Year, focuses on younger clients, like first-time or secondtime home buyers. Bailey is a senior real estate as well as relocation specialist. As such, she especially enjoys helping clients find their secondary home on the lake. “Serving lake clients is amazing because whether selling or buying, the memories and the stuff they share with me that they’ve created there is just happy stuff usually,” she explains. “I would say that’s one exciting part, and just making sure people are taken care of.”

CALL TO SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE!

It’s nearly impossible to make a big investment without stress. However, Bailey and Jarrett try to make home buying and selling as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Part of that comes in the way that they help their clients prepare their homes for the market. “Preparation to have your house presented properly when it goes on the market is key,” Bailey says.

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As soon as Bailey and Jarrett know that their client is ready to sell, they will begin working with the homeowner to prepare a market analysis of the home. “We work

70 / THE LAKES / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

through that with them so that they’re not overwhelmed,” Bailey, who is a certified marketing specialist, says. “We do anything that a client needs,” Jarret says. “We cater to everyone.” Bailey and Jarrett have had clients call them about selling a property weeks — if not months — in advance. So, when is the best time to begin pursuing marketing options with a real estate agent? “When they’re ready,” Jarrett says. “There might be somebody who wants that extra help that, ‘hey, these are some things that you need to do.’ So, it really depends on the individual. It can be a week or two before they’re ready to start looking, it could be the day of. We have clients that we’ve walked through a year in advance and given them some suggestions that they could do to improve the value of their home.”

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At present, it’s a seller’s market in the housing industry. For many buyers, this can be discouraging as they watch a house, they wanted sell to a higher bidder. “We have to keep educating our buyers to be patient in this market,” Bailey says. “The right property comes along in almost every situation. The buyer will say, ‘I’m glad that the other one didn’t work out. This is the right home.’”

be part of community.”

View current listings online at sallysellsrealestate.com. To reach Angie, call her at 574-377-3336 or email her at ajarrett@coldwellhomes.com.

Reach out to Sally Bailey by calling 574-527-1425 or emailing sbailey@ coldwellhomes.com.

Bailey and Jarrett believe very strongly in supporting their community, whether that’s through helping clients find the perfect property, the extra resources they offer, their customer appreciation parties they host, or in their donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital from every commission they earn. “We love our community, we love helping people,” Jarrett says. “We try to give back and appreciate our clients for life, too. It’s extremely important to us to be able to

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74 / THE LAKES / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

FROG TAVERN’S LONGEVITY IS WELL-EARNED Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Timothy Hare

The town of Syracuse was founded in 1837. Just a few years shy of a hundred years later, The Frog Tavern opened its doors for the first time in 1932. At that point, it was a haven for ice fishermen. There, they had a safe place to gear up to head out onto Lake Wawasee, or warm up with food and exchange tall tales over a pint before heading home. As time went on, The Frog Tavern gained a reputation for serving incredible food, hosting live music, and having a relaxing location that can be reached by land or water. In the 89 years this restaurant has been open, there have only been six owners. The current owner, Doug Shoemaker, has owned it since 2014.

However, he and Frog Tavern go further back than that. “I had my summers off in college, so I would come up here and was put to work. I love the environment and I love the work,” Shoemaker explains. The owners at that time, Bob and Karen Fawcett, saw potential in Shoemaker and began setting him up to eventually take over the business. People of all ages enjoy the traditional American favorites that The Frog Tavern serves. Plus, the restaurant is a great place to come unwind after a hard day at work or a long day on the water. “We’re more casual and laid back. We’re a tavern and serve tavern food,” Shoemaker says. At night, The Frog Tavern comes alive with music and entertainment. “The Frog’s unique. People come in for lunch and dinner during the day, but at night, we’re pretty much the only place that’s got live entertainment late at night with

bands. We’ll get 250-400 people running through here just at night.” The type of music can span the gamete from rock to pop covers. “At 11 o’clock, everyone that’s been at the sandbar all day … come in. They like to have fun until about 2 o’clock in the morning, then we send them all home and do it all again the next day.” Thanks to The Frog Tavern’s unique situation on Lake Wawasee, Shoemaker also owns the SS Lillypad, a 110-passenger double-decker dining yacht, captained by Scott Albon. “We’ll cook the food inside The Frog and take it out. We’ll do buffet-

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574-457-4324 76 / THE LAKES / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

Known as the “institution of sorts”, The Frog Tavern has served Lake Wawasee for almost 90 years. The 70 foot SS Lillypad double decker 110 passenger yacht is available for birthday, anniversary and corporate parties as well as weddings ceremonies and wedding receptions while cruising around the largest natural lake in Indiana!

style dinners,” he says. With private reservation, the Lillypad is also open for other meals and events. “We get a lot of compliments. They love the food and the atmosphere. It’s just a good way to take in the sights of the lake.” The Lillypad is open for public cruises occasionally. “About 25 to 30 times a year, we’ll take it out to the public for dinners, luncheons, and fundraisers,” Shoemaker says. Those dates are available on the Lillypad website and require a reservation. Every Sunday in season, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Syracuse-Wawasee Ministry Association holds Boat Church on the Lillypad. “They broadcast from the boat, they have ministers on there, and entertainment,” Shoemaker says. “It’s free to the public; first come, first serve.” Anyone interested in attending can find the boat anchored

TownePost.com / JULY 2021 / THE LAKES / 77

by Oakwood Resort. Details are available at wawaseecompass.org. Above all, Shoemaker appreciates that, between The Frog Tavern and the Lillypad, no two days look the same. It’s also a gathering point for community. “People come in with their kids and say, ‘Oh yeah, my parents used to bring me here for lunch when I was a kid.’ You get five generations of people who’ve been coming to the Frog,” he says. “Altogether, I’ve been here 15 years. Kids that were six or seven then are teenagers or in their 20s.” The Frog Tavern and the launch for the SS Lillypad is located at 1116 S Harkless Drive, Syracuse. To see who’s playing at the Frog or to discover the dates of public cruises, visit them online at sslillypad.com. To book the boat for a private gathering, call 574-529-3300 or email them at cruise@sslillypad.com.

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TownePost.com / JULY 2021 / THE LAKES / 79

WHEN THE TREE FALLS LUMBERJACK JIM IS ROOTED IN GOOD SERVICE

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography / Timothy Hare

Canadian forests years before that.

The American poet Joyce Kilmer wrote that he would “never see a poem as lovely as a tree.” Trees are beautiful and fulfill a need on this planet. But what do you do when that tree becomes a hazard or liability? Call in the expert.

“I planted trees for six summers in British Columbia, Canada to pay for college,” Lea says. “During my fifth summer, I learned how to run a chainsaw in the bush. Our task was brushing and thinning, a process where the planted forests are thinned out to keep them healthy.”

Jim Lea is the owner of LumberJack Jim Tree Service in Warsaw. The business was established in 2005, and his experience with trees was honed working in dense

He takes that experience and utilizes those skills to help local property owners manage the trees on their property. 80 / THE LAKES / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

Improper landscaping planning can cause problems as the trees mature. Services like the ones Lea provides can help keep trees health and property owners protected. “When trees have been planted too close to buildings, they can be a hazard to the homeowner,” he says. “In storms the branches or the whole tree could fall on the house causing harm to those inside and damage to the structure. Also, if the tree is planted too close to the foundation the roots can crack the foundation.”

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Phone 260-463-7373 Fax 260-463-4950 4425 W US Highway 20 LaGrange, Indiana 46761 Knowing the characteristics of the tree species and understanding how the tree grows can prevent damage to a home later. “Last week we took out a cottonwood tree that grew up right next to the gas meter at a residence,” he says. “Cottonwood trees are tall and soak up a lot of water. Lightning regularly hits these tall trees. In this case a lightning strike could have ignited the gas and caused an explosion, putting the homeowner at great risk of harm.” Lea can safely and expertly remove trees that are too close to a foundation or planted too close to a house. His services also provide for tree trimming, storm damage cleanup and stump grinding. He does both commercial and residential work in a 50-mile radius of Warsaw and Kosciusko County. Removing a tree or trimming the treetops is not an easy task. It requires experience in the proper use of a chainsaw and other equipment. Skilled tree trimmers must also know how to climb a tree safely

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and work from a bucket lift. All this experience prevents accidents and allows the tree or limbs to be removed with precision. “The most difficult is getting the tree down safely with houses, sheds, fences and powerlines among other things to watch out for,” Lea says. There are some visual signs that can signal to a property owner that it is time to cut it down. Recognizing these signs can ensure that the tree is removed before it falls in a storm. “If the top of the tree is dying or a large section of the tree has died,” is one of the signs Lea tells property owners to look for. “If it’s diseased, if there are lots of holes and the tree is hollow” are other signs. And, finally, property owners should look to see if the tree “is splitting at one of

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82 / THE LAKES / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

major Ys on the trunk.” Once a tree is on the ground, Lea and his crew clean up the site.

firewood, which is offered for sale. He has plans to cut some of the higher quality logs into lumber.

“We do full clean-up, chipping branches and removing the wood unless the homeowner wants it,” Lea says.

Lea utilizes a five-star approach to his customer service philosophy. Pleasing his customer is paramount, but so is being reflective of his faith.

The wood is hauled off to be cut into

“We are a Christian company and always

seek to honor God through our work,” he says. “We always shoot for our 5-stars of Excellence: safety, professional, quality, diligence and reliability. LumberJack Jim Tree Service is located at 2311 S. Cost a Plenty Road in Warsaw. To find out more or to arrange for tree service, call Lea at 574-371-6536 to schedule a free estimate.

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JULY 2 - HORSE PROGRESS DAYS JULY 3 – HORSE PROGRESS DAYS JULY 10 DAYTON AIR SHOW JULY 24 PERU CIRCUS JULY 31 MICHIGAN ADVENTURE AMUSEMENT & WATER PARK AUG 6-7-8 BRANSON MO AUG 14 INDIANAPOLIS ZOO AUG 28 CHILDRENS MUSEUM SEPT 4 HENRY FORD MUSEUM SEPT 18 ENTERTRAINMENT JUNCTION

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TOUR DES LAKES

JULY 1 - SEP 15

The Tour des Lakes is a leisurely bike ride through gently rolling hills and scenery around 8 beautiful lakes in Kosciusko County. Between the lakes, participants enjoy a beautiful ride across the countryside and through the quaint small towns. The tour rides are 25K, 50K, and 100K in length. https://www.tourdeslakes.com/ | 574-675-6433

See 16 giant gardens planted in the shape of quilt patterns PLUS 14 hand painted quilt murals in 6 cities and towns along the Heritage Trail. Free, selfguided, open daily during all daylight hours www.QuiltGardens.com | 1.800.262.8161

ELKHART COUNTY

QUILT GARDENS ALONG THE HERITAGE TRAIL

1, 8, 15, 22, 29

GROOVIN’ IN GARDENS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, ELKHART

Live music performances provide the soundtrack to magical evenings at Wellfield Botanic Gardens’ Groovin’ in the Gardens – Summer Concert Series. The concert lineup features an eclectic assortment of music by popular artists of the area and beyond. Gates open at 6 p.m., concerts begin at 7; get your space on the lawn, on the Event Plaza, or anywhere you’d enjoy listening! https://wellfieldgardens.org/groovin-in-the-gardens-2021/ (574) 266-2006

23-30

Extra cruises on the Dixie Sternwheeler, 5k, arts/crafts fair, open-air market, antiques, food court, car, truck bike & tractor show, plus an area boat dealer show. http://www.ridethedixie.com/ | (574) 834-7076

12TH ANNUAL DIXIE DAY FESTIVAL AND ART FAIR, NORTH WEBSTER Extra cruises on the Dixie Sternwheeler, 5k, arts/crafts fair, open-air market, antiques, food court, car, truck bike & tractor show, plus an area boat dealer show. http://www.ridethedixie.com/ | (574) 834-7076

LAGRANGE

ELKHART COUNTY 4-H FAIR, GOSHEN

The annual Elkhart County 4-H Fair is one of the largest county fairs in Indiana, offering endless family entertainment at a phenomenal value to the Michiana area. The Fair features thrilling carnival rides, free grandstand concerts, educational exhibits, shopping, and hundreds of food and beverage options. Gates open daily at 8:00 am. https://www.4hfair.org/. | 574-533-3247

COCA COLA DAYS, LINTON’S ENCHANTED GARDENS, ELKHART

Come & Enjoy Coca Cola Days at Linton’s Enchanted Gardens! Saturday, July 31 & Sunday, August 1st. Spin our Coca Cola Prize Wheel featuring Coca Cola branded merchandise. Enter our Coca Cola Blind Taste Test for a chance to win a $100 Linton’s Gift Card. Stop by the Garden Cafe and enjoy a Coke Float for only 99 cents and the Chef’s Special for just $11.99 featuring Linton’s Coca Cola Glazed Chicken Wrap! www.Lintons.com | 574-293-9699

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY

CHAPMAN LAKES ECO TOUR

The Chapman Lakes Conservation Association and the Lilly Center invite you on an Ecotour Expedition of the Chapman lakes from 7-9 p.m.! Dr. Nate Bosch will narrate the tour and broadcast on an FM radio station too. Learn to see your lake in new ways as you explore the surface to the deepest depths and the largest to the smallest plants and animals living in the middle. https://lakes.grace.edu/events/chapman-lakes-ecotour/ 574-372-5100, ext. 6445

11-17

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY FAIR

12TH ANNUAL DIXIE DAY FESTIVAL AND ART FAIR, NORTH WEBSTER

INDEPENDENCE DAY MARKET

Independence Day Market at the Shipshewana Flea Market, Shipshewana Special extra open air market day on Monday, July 5 in addition to the traditional Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 am - 4 pm, May through September. https://shipshewanatradingplace.com/ | 260-768-4129

9 & 10

PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDING

Professional Bull Riding PBR Bull Fest Pro Touring Major, Shipshewana Michiana Event Center The 2021 PBR Bull Fest will feature The Hubie Ashcroft Band, Nationally ranked riders, the finest stock contractors and their bulls, a mechanical bull, concessions and intermission entertainment. https://www.michianaevents.com/ | 260-768-3300

10-17

LAGRANGE COUNTY 4-H FAIR

Featuring Daily Event Attractions, Farm Truck Pull, Grand Stand Events (ticketed) plus 4-H exhibits. https://www.lagrangecounty4hfair.org/ 260-463-3826

HOWE LIONS CLUB KING BBQ FUNDRAISER

Support the Howe Lions Club by purchasing King’s Barbecue Chicken from their fundraiser at the LaGrange County Courthouse. Times are 10 AM until chicken is sold out.

Featured events include the Bengal Tiger Exhibit, the Aussie Kingdom and the Animal Barnyard including shows, pony rides, petting zoo and feed the animal experiences. Check fair website for daily showtimes. https://www.kcfair.com/events/2021/104th-kosciusko-county-fair2

https://lagrangein.org/event-location/lagrange-county-courthouse/ 260-463-3241

TownePost.com / JULY 2021 / THE LAKES / 85

86 / THE LAKES / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

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

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

THE FINISH LINE JULY 23, 2021 - JULY 25, 2021 OHIO DRAFT HORSE SHOW AUG 4, 2021 - AUG 7, 2021 MICHIANA AUTO MANIA AUG 13, 2021 - AUG 14, 2021

Custom-Built Cabinets & Furniture “There is No Simple Solutions... Only Intelligent Choices”

Kitchen Cabinets Bedroom Suites • China Hutches Bathroom Vanities • Curios & Custom Built Furniture 65438 SR 13 | Millersburg Ph. 574-642-9940 Fax 574-642-3602 TownePost.com / JULY 2021 / THE LAKES / 87

Joyfu y designed, Mindfully Shaped 3070 W 350 S • Topeka, IN 46571 • (260) 463 - 4026

The Lakes of Kosciusko Magazine July 2021

Articles inside

Frog Tavern’s Longevity is Well-Earned

When the Tree Falls: LumberJack Jim Is Rooted in Good Service

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

Bringing It Home: Mother-Daughter Real Estate Pros Offer Centric Realtor Services

Creative Corner