The Lakes of Kosciusko Magazine January 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

JANUARY 2021

MAGAZINE

MADE FRESH

Country Lane Bakery in Middlebury Rises to the Challenge

ABOVE AND BEYOND

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MADE FRESH

COUNTRY LANE BAKERY IN MIDDLEBURY RISES TO THE CHALLENGE Yoder’s mother instilled a love of baking in her family. Long before Yoder’s parents, Howard and Ida, opened the business, the To many people, one of the best smells in family baked for the community, both by the world is bread fresh from the oven. Such baking bread for church functions and by an aroma takes them back to childhood, and selling baked goods along U.S. Highway 20. mouth-watering memories of thick slices As Ida’s reputation as a baker grew, the of soft, steaming bread smothered in butter and jam. Unfortunately, the nostalgia of sitting around a table enjoying mom’s fresh bread is likely a thing of the long-distant past for many busy people. However, just because someone doesn’t have the hours it takes to make sandwich bread doesn’t mean they can’t ever enjoy homemade baked goods, fresh from the oven. Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Vernon Yoder, the owner of Country Lane Bakery on the outskirts of Middlebury, makes it his goal to provide customers with Amish, homemade flavor every time they walk in the door. 6 / THE LAKES / JANUARY 2021 / TheLakesMagazine.com

Yoder family decided to make the leap to owning a bakery in 1996, to supplement the income the family made on their farm. At a friend’s suggestion, they decided to name the business Country Lane Bakery, reflecting the family’s agricultural roots and the location of the business. “We’re a little off the beaten path,” Vernon Yoder says. Initially, the bakery offered a limited line of baked goods, most of which came from

recipes the Yoders had enjoyed for years. To this day, those baked goods are some of the most popular items with Country Lane Bakery customers. “Most of them are family [recipes] - some of them we got from other people and made adjustments to them,” Yoder explains. The home-fresh flavor of its products has made Country Lane Bakery a success. “We kind of built it up over the years,” Yoder says. “It’s slowly grown and we’ve gotten busier and busier.” After nearly 20 years, Yoder and his wife JoAnn bought the bakery from his parents. All the baked items are made in-house from scratch. One of their most popular items is their cinnamon roll, which comes from a recipe Yoder’s grandmother created. However, they also sell a variety of other baked goods. On an average day, the shelves are loaded

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with 10 to 15 types of bread, along with cookies, sheet cakes, baked doughnuts, more than 30 different kinds of pie, and items that reflect the season and upcoming holidays. “We generally have seven to 20 kinds of pie, depending on the day,” Yoder says. Most of the company’s baked items are typically available on request. Country Lane Bakery also sells other food items that are locally made, including honey, maple syrup, popcorn and egg noodles. For those who need a drink to help wash down a snack of cookies or doughnuts, they have a cooler of dairy products from Crystal Springs Creamery. The business is known especially for its breads. The most popular is honey oatmeal bread, and the whole grain bread is also well-loved by customers. “We grind the wheat berries here and make bread with it,” Yoder says. “It’s made without any white flour or sugar.” Country Lane Bakery fills many custom orders as well, and offers wholesale foods to approximately 20 stores and restaurants. Some are local, and others are as far away as Fort Wayne and Chicago. Yoder loves being able to work side-byside with his wife to share the baked goods he ate growing up.

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“My favorite part is making the product,” Yoder says.

The comments often heard from customers indicate that his passion hasn’t gone unnoticed. “Our customers say that all they have here is good,” Yoder says. Stop by Country Lane Bakery at 59162 County Road 43 in Middlebury to get your own fresh baked goods, or call them at 574-825-7918 to place an order. Hours of operation are Tue. through Fri. 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat. 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Crossroad Tours

Local Company Provides a Variety of Bus Tour Services Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Timothy Hare

In 2006, Jim Miller had an idea that has made locals happy ever since. In July of that year, he founded Crossroad Tours, a transportation company that offers scheduled bus tours, charter services and trips to Florida. Although it is located in Shipshewana, the Florida-bound buses have several pickup and drop-off points as they make their way as far south as Sarasota.

Miller, who was a farmer for 40 years, has considerable transportation-related experience. For many years he drove passengers to various places, and still does so currently. At one point he owned a fleet of 36 vans for rent. One day he had a realization when he saw non-local bus companies coming into the area. “I saw two different out-of-state companies coming into Shipshewana and picking people up to go down to Florida,” Miller 12 / THE LAKES / JANUARY 2021 / TheLakesMagazine.com

says. “I thought, ‘Why can’t we have a bus company like that right in town?’” After starting off with one bus and working with a couple different co-owners, he partnered with Daryl Kauffman. An owner of D Bar D Trucking, Kauffman brought additional expertise to Crossroad Tours. For close to eight years, he and Miller grew the company and expanded the number of buses to nine. Sadly, Kauffman passed away in February

of 2020. He bequeathed his share of Crossroad Tours to his siblings and an aunt. His twin brother Dale, a mechanic for D Bar D Trucking and maintenance tech for Crossroad Tours buses, has stepped up to join Miller in running the operation. The company uses Setra S 417 luxury tour buses. Fitted with comfortable upholstery and safety technology, they are fit for multihour trips, and are also environmentally efficient. A complete trip to Florida, originating from Nappanee and going all the way to Sarasota, takes 19.5 hours. There are pickup points at Goshen, Middlebury, Shipshewana and Topeka. After that, there are spots to hop on or disembark through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. Buses travel back and forth weekly. During October through spring break time, buses depart at least two times per week. “We run the Florida bus all year long,”

Miller says. “Local families might own a home down there and go to check on it for a week or two during the summer months. During the trip, the bus stops four times for people to eat, and there are bathrooms on the bus. Two drivers take five-hour shifts, and sleep on a bunk at the back of the bus when they aren’t driving.” Tickets prices vary by passenger age, and range from $150 to $105 for one-way trips, and $275 to $175 for a round-trip ticket. Seniors over the age of 90, and infants held on a lap up to age 2, ride for free. Costs for individuals picked up at Whiteland or farther south are less. Prices are subject to change. Dale’s older brother arranges travel tours. Recently, a bus traveled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to see the Sight & Sound Theatres production “Queen Esther.” Last summer, a month-long West Coast tour was offered, which included locations in Oregon and California. The whole trip, including

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hotels and restaurant reservations, was planned for the participants. “We also charter buses for whatever people want to do,” Kauffman says. “We work with institutions such as Notre Dame and Goshen College. Branson, Missouri, has been a destination we’ve gone to many times. We are glad to arrange sightseeing stops along the way as well. Families book us to travel to Amish settlements in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and

Wisconsin for weddings and funerals.” Kauffman says the company began donating buses for use in the local community, for various purposes including funeral services. Recently a couple in Nappanee died within three hours of each other, and Crossroad Tours donated two buses to transport family and friends to the viewings. “It’s something I’m glad we can do for the community,” Miller says. “We appreciate

what the community does and how they support us. People have written us to tell us how much they enjoy our services and what we do. That means a lot to us.” Crossroad Tours is located at 1070 North 675 West in Shipshewana. Call 260-7687549 or visit CrossroadBus.com for more information on pricing, travel schedules and booking.

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HELP ON THE WAY ELI LILLY RELEASES COVID-19 ANTIBODY TREATMENT Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

16 / THE LAKES / JANUARY 2021 / TheLakesMagazine.com

fter a year that feels like it’s been full of upsets and letdowns, news that Eli Lilly and Company has produced a COVID-19 antibody treatment, for which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency authorization, is a reason to celebrate. The treatment stems from one of the first coronavirus survivors from the Pacific Northwest.

include those who are older, overweight, or have conditions that predispose them to suffer acutely after contracting COVID-19. The antibody is administered as soon as possible following a positive coronavirus test - within 10 days of developing symptoms. “Our hope is that when this therapy is administered early on, those patients will

avoid hospitalization and hopefully will be able to ease their symptomology sooner as well,” Sabo says. If an individual is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, they should get tested. If they are positive and have symptoms, they may be a candidate for this drug if they are 55 or over, have a body mass index over 35, or have conditions like

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“When your body has a virus that enters it, your immune system recognizes it and creates antibodies that help your body to rid itself of the virus,” says Janelle Sabo, Eli Lilly’s COVID-19 therapeutics platform leader. “We were able to isolate one of those antibodies and scale it up.” When introduced to the human body, this antibody binds to the COVID-19 virus and helps neutralize it, so that it clears from the body. Once Eli Lilly was granted approval by the FDA, the U.S. government bought a supply that was shipped to Eli Lilly’s wholesaler. Every week, the U.S. government and state health departments across the country decide where the therapy should be shipped. Currently the therapy, called bamlanivimab, is at various locations across the U.S., including right here in Indianapolis. “We know bamlanivimab is in several hospitals in Indiana, and patients have already been dosed with it,” Sabo says. What this treatment means for high-risk patients is significant. High-risk patients

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When this treatment is administered in the right time period, it has the ability to help reduce that strain in hospitals and emergency rooms.

cardiovascular disease or an impaired immune system. It’s important to note that once patients are ill enough to be hospitalized, bamlanivimab is not the right treatment for them.

for that early-diagnosis, symptomatic, notready-to-go-to-the-hospital population.”

“This is because at that point there are other biological things that are going on that may require a different set of treatments,” Sabo says. “This antibody treatment is targeted

“We are seeing fewer and fewer ICU beds,” Sabo says. “We are also seeing busier and busier ERs. This is true here in Indiana and across the country.”

Sabo says the virus has caused a strain on many hospital systems.

“The data would suggest this antibody treatment could reduce [the virus] as much as 70 to 80% in this population,” Sabo says. “This is an opportunity not only to help patients feel better faster, but also to help the health care system to reduce some of the pressure of the hospitalizations and additional ER visits.” Sabo’s biggest piece of advice to the community is to wear masks to reduce the spread.

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“I know that there is mask fatigue, but until vaccines become widely available and there are additional treatments, we really need to wear them,” Sabo says. “Mask wearing is as much about you as it is about your neighbor, your best friend, your grandmother and your mother. It’s about protecting those with immune systems that are weakened, or have conditions that make it harder to fight these types of infection.” Sabo notes that “infection” is an interesting

term, since many people who test positive for the virus never develop symptoms. “This new antibody treatment is not for them,” she explains. “This is about looking at patients who not only have the virus but now have started to develop symptoms. I think that’s an important distinction because there are a lot of people who have a positive test and no symptoms, and frankly those patients will likely go on to do just fine with very little treatment or intervention.”

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VARIETY AND QUALITY ABOUND AT PUMPKIN PATCH MARKET

Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Timothy Hare

by the road and said, ‘Watermelons for sale,’” Martin says.

Love makes a house a home, but what helps to make it cozy is the furniture. Marlin Martin, the owner of Pumpkin Patch Market in Middlebury, is dedicated to helping his customers finding the best possible furniture to make their homes comfortable and beautiful.

It was such a success that Miller decided to sell more produce, as well as treated lawn furniture, out of a small barn on his property the following summer. Within a few years Miller had expanded his business again to include indoor furniture. Eventually, furniture became Pumpkin Patch Market’s main product.

Pumpkin Patch Market was started in the early 1990s by Glen Miller, a local Amish man. At first it wasn’t a furniture store, but rather a vegetable stand along U.S. Highway 20.

Fast forward to 2016. Martin, a native of Liberty, Kentucky, met and married the love of his life and moved to northern Indiana to be closer to her family. Almost immediately after marrying, he bought Hostetler’s Lawn Furniture in Bourbon.

“Basically, he pushed a wheelbarrow up

THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2021 / thelakesmagazine.com / 21 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ JANUARY / OCTOBER 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

By 2019, the business structure began to change. “I had a sales guy in there that was doing a really good job,” Martin says. “I let him have all the responsibility just to see how he would handle it. He did a great job.” As Martin slowly relinquished more and more responsibility to his salesman, he started dealing with a problem. “Boredom,” Martin says with a chuckle. “By summer of 2019 I was bored and looking around to see how I could expand my business.” Within a few months, his brother-in-law had a solution for Martin’s problem. “He called me and said, ‘Hey, the Pumpkin Patch is for sale,’” Martin says. “That’s how it happened. A week later I had an interview with one of the owners.”

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The first time Martin set foot in the store was the day of the interview. “I had met the previous owner at a home show once, I believe,” Martin says. “I had taken a friend of mine and he knew Glen, so we stopped and talked to him.” Within two months of the interview, Martin was in possession of the business. “We continue to sell a full line of hardwood furniture,” he says. “Nearly all of our builders are Amish, mostly from Middlebury and Shipshewana. We do get a few pieces out of Ohio, like Holmes County and the Millersburg area.”

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Pumpkin Patch Market sells furniture for almost any area of a house, with the exception of kitchen items. “We just don’t feel like we’re ready for that,” Martin says. “With everything we sell, we want to do well then move on to something else.” THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2021 / thelakesmagazine.com / 23 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ JANUARY / OCTOBER 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

They sell outdoor furniture as well. All of the poly deck furniture is hand-built by 11 vendors, seven of which are local. “We also sell gazebos, pavilions and pergolas,” Martin says. “Those are out of Pennsylvania.” The sheds they offer are available in 24 different styles, and are built by local Amish craftsmen. “If you’re looking for a shed that stands out in a crowd, you’ll find it here,” Martin says. “We’re able to customize each building to the customer’s needs.” The company offers outdoor play sets as well. These include anything from a simple swing set to large, custom-made playgrounds. Customers can design the exact play set they want on Pumpkin Patch Market’s online swing set designer tool, which is accessible on their official website.

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“We specialize in customization,” Martin says. “It all goes back to customer satisfaction. We’re there for the customers.” Martin believes Pumpkin Patch Market would not be what it is today without his sales team, comprised of Micah Lehman and husband-wife team Ken and Lucy Hochstedler.

similar products to those that we offer somewhere else at a lower price, but they’re not the same quality.

Martin says. “As far as indoor furniture, there are a lot of customers who will pick up their own, but we do a lot of deliveries.”

Our goal is to offer only the highestquality products in each category - indoor furniture, play sets, poly furniture and outdoor structures.”

Martin is passionate about his business and his customers, which makes going to work every day a pleasure.

The company sells a wide variety of products from plain to fancy, and their table styles span an immense range. Some are made in modern styles, while others have a traditional Amish look - plain, solid and large. Whatever the style, all the products are built to last.

“They do a phenomenal job,” Martin says. “They are the ones who make it happen. My job is to give them what they need to do their job well.” The team’s goal is to give customers the absolute best product possible. “When you talk about Amish furniture, you think quality - you think of hardwood,” Martin says. “It’s something that’s going to cost more, but you’re going to use it forever and ever. You can buy

“A lot of our stuff is really heavy because it’s hardwood and it’s thick,” Martin explains. They deliver within a three-and-a-half-hour radius, and ship across the nation. “If someone buys [a product] off the lot or a shop order, we do our own delivery,”

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“I enjoy a challenge, which is what led us to buy the Pumpkin Patch Market,” he says. “I enjoy owning a business. I enjoy meeting new people. I often say, ‘When you love your job, you don’t have to work a day in your life.’ That’s what this has been.” Pumpkin Patch Market is located at 10532 U.S. Highway 20 in Middlebury. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check them out online at pumpkinpatchmarket.com, or call to speak to a staff member at 574-825-3312.

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G & G GUNS OWNER REFLECTS ON SUCCESSFUL YEAR Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Greg Dolezal, owner of G & G Guns in Star City, says he has enjoyed a very profitable year for his business. “We sold $650,000 in firearms and ammunition in 2020,” he says. “It was a banner year for us. We had a lot of great customer support. We have been very blessed.”

Dolezal credits his solid customer base and diverse inventory for his successful year. “Being in Pulaski County has been great,” Dolezal says. “The people here are great customers, and we also get a lot of people from Valparaiso, South Bend, Rochester, Indianapolis and many other places. I also do a lot of billboard advertising, and that has also really helped us. We also have over 500 guns in stock, as well as a lot of

ammunition and accessories. We keep up with the times.” The top-selling guns and rifles at G & G Guns include SIG Sauer models, Ruger rifles, Smith & Wesson models, Browning pistols and Winchester rifles among others. Dolezal has his own personal favorite models.

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“I like SIGs and SARs,” he says. “You pay more money for them, but you get what you pay for.” Dolezal says G & G Guns offers gun cleaning, repairs, armorer work and gunsmith work. “Our gunsmith has been with us for over 30 years, and does a great job,” Dolezal says. “He’s well worth it. We buy and sell guns, and also offer consignment sales. We are also a federal firearms licensee.” The staff at G & G Guns also handles special orders. “We do a lot of special orders,” Dolezal says. “We also do a lot of shipping to other states.” Dolezal says G & G Guns has offered quality customer service since opening in 2014.

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“I’m glad the business has grown since we opened,” says Dolezal, who previously owned an Ed’s Auto Parts and Supplies store in Knox as well as an auto radiator repair shop. “I used to own some other businesses, but now I focus on G & G Guns. We moved to our new, bigger location last year.”

One aspect of the G & G Guns physical location that Dolezal enjoys is the amount of space he has. “We have 2,200 square feet,” he says. “It’s perfect for a gun shop. It offers us a lot of space, and that has really worked out for us. We can hold a lot of

guns, ammunition and accessories. We also have a complete, full line of safes to choose from. They will keep your firearms secure. They can hold a lot of firearms.” Dolezal says Star City is a great place to run a business.

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“We are six miles south of Winamac, Indiana,” he says. “We can fit a lot of cars and semi trucks in our parking lot. We can fit up to 11 semis and 40 cars in our parking lot.” Dolezal says he also enjoys the residents in Star City. “I relate to the local people here,” he says. “There are a lot of friendly people.” G & G Guns is involved with the local community. The Star City Lions Club held a raffle at G & G Guns in October of 2019, and G & G Guns also promoted an annual Community Christmas Dinner event in 2019, hosted by Winamac First United Methodist Church, on social media. “We have really gotten to know our customers, and we have enjoyed a lot of repeat business,” Dolezal says. “We know what they are looking for and what kinds of guns they like, and we take care of our customers. We offer great customer service, and we can answer whatever questions people have. We encourage people to come out and see all of the great guns we have in stock.” Check out G & G Guns at 5549 South U.S. Highway 35 in Star City. Give them a call at 574-5956486, and visit their website at gandggunsllc.com.

30 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / thelakesmagazine.com

FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS One of the most popular areas at New Kitchen Store is our spice section. We carry many different spices and spice blends, some that I’m sure you have heard of, and other’s that may strike you as exotic. One of our best selling spices is cinnamon. We have been getting many questions about cinnamon lately. Here at New Kitchen Store we strive to not only provide you with a wide variety of items, but to be as helpful and informative about those items as possible. With that being said, here is everything you need to know and more, about cinnamon.

simpler flavor than Ceylon cinnamon. Korinji Cinnamon This cinnamon is harvested from Indonesian cinnamon trees that have been cultivated for at least 15-25 years. It retains up to 3% of its essential oils, even when dehydrated. It has a deliciously

There are literally hundreds of different kinds of cinnamon varieties, but only four of them are available commercially. Ceylon Cinnamon Known as true cinnamon, this spice is grown in Sri Lanka and India. Its unique spicy flavor has citrus-like notes with a sweet flavor and aroma. Cassia Cinnamon Cassia cinnamon comes from the inner bark of an evergreen tree native to China and other parts of Asia. Although it’s less fragrant than its cousin, Ceylon, it is more pungent, peppery, and sweet, giving it a THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2021 / thelakesmagazine.com / 31 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ JANUARY / OCTOBER 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

pungent, sweet, and buttery flavor. Saigon Cinnamon Known as the world’s most flavorful cinnamon, this variety’s flavor is sweet and warm with a hint of bitterness like cassia cinnamon, but is aromatic and complex like Ceylon cinnamon. Typically, it’s grown in Saigon, a southern region of Vietnam. Although it’s been used in Vietnamese cooking time out of mind, it didn’t become available in the USA until the early 2000s. It retains up to 5% of its essential oils, even when dehydrated. Cooking Notes • All cinnamons are interchangeable in cooking, but can become bitter when overcooked. • Best in savory and sweet dishes that require a bold, spicy cinnamon kick. • Excellent on chicken! • Matches well with chocolate, yogurt, nuts, fruits, and some vegetables ranging from squash to spinach.

seasoning is extremely healthy for you? Articles released by Cleveland Clinic and The Food Network say that this blend has health benefits, like being anti-inflammatory; rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals; and may even be able to strengthen cognitive abilities! Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ginger ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon cloves ¼ teaspoon cardamon ¼ teaspoon allspice 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (optional) Combine spices very well and store in an airtight container. Add ¼ teaspoon of the blend to your favorite hot drink or oatmeal to add a healthy pizzazz to your day! New Kitchen Store is located at 330 Liberty St., Walkerton. Visit them online at newkitchenstore.com or call them at (574)586-2745.

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With each new year, people often sit down and try to figure out resolutions. Last year was a tough one in many ways, and hopefully 2021 will hold many happy moments. Resolutions can sometimes feel overwhelming, and oftentimes disappointing. This year, let’s try a fresh approach. For 2021, create your own bucket list of things you can feel good accomplishing. Complete them any time during the year, at your own pace, and enjoy the moments when you are doing them. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

READ SOMETHING Every year many people decide they are going to read more, but this year let’s take it easy. Just pick something to read. Maybe you’ll start a book that you’ve been wanting to read for a while. Maybe try reading the newspaper every day. Whatever it is, don’t overcomplicate it. Read something, an entire something, and be done with it.

COOK SOMETHING 2020 could possibly be called the year of cooking for many. Still, take time in 2021 to try a new recipe or cook as a family. Try family pizza night, or if you’ve done that, go for something harder. Your kids will love trying to make macarons or some sort of festive cake. If you really want to have fun with it, create a little competition.

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VISIT SOMEWHERE Many people were stuck at home more than usual last year, exploring what’s available to them in their own backyard. Maybe it’s time to visit that state park you haven’t been to, or that new campsite. You can still travel and be safe, and it’s good for the soul - even if it’s just exploring a newly built park down the street. Get outside and visit somewhere new to you. Remember, it doesn’t have to be far.

WATCH SOMETHING Many of us have been binging on plenty of old and new TV shows lately. There’s so much out there to watch that sometimes it can be overwhelming. Take a minute to research documentaries online, and choose one that CLEAN SOMETHING covers a topic you know nothing about. All year long things can often get shoved into closets, and now is a great time to tackle Post on Facebook asking for suggestions them one by one. You can check this one off from friends for new shows to watch. Pick something and watch it from beginning to after you’ve cleaned up a room or a closet, end, even if it’s a seven-season sitcom. or maybe reorganized a pantry. Whatever it is, pick something you’ll feel good about when you are done.

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TRY SOMETHING May I suggest yoga? Try something new that you haven’t done before, and maybe something that will help to alleviate stress and clear your head. It doesn’t have to be yoga - maybe try a new workout or starting a new routine. Think outside the box here, too. It could be a new game, a new sport or a new type of art. Whatever you choose, make it something you can continue to do throughout the new year and maybe longer.

CREATE SOMETHING Many homes were filled to the brim with artwork in 2020. Every year should be like that. Don’t always leave this to the kids, and remember, creating isn’t limited to painting or drawing a picture. It could be those mudroom lockers you’ve been meaning to build, or maybe it’s that backyard oasis that’s been on your list too.

MAKE A DONATION Choose a favorite cause, and donate or volunteer this year. There are many people and foundations in need of help after such a rough 2020, and this is the perfect time to get out there and help others. It’s never a bad idea to offer help to those in need, and you can do so in many ways. If you are very busy and can afford it, monetary donations can be helpful. If volunteering in person is more your speed, reach out to your local food bank, homeless shelter or other organization, and find out how you can serve as a volunteer. *** Hopefully these ideas have given you a start on how to rock your 2021. Wishing you the best in the new year - you’ve got this!

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OLIVER LAKE SALES LOCAL COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN HOME DECOR PRODUCTS AND MORE Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Timothy Hare

Finally, a new year is upon us. In a few months, the weather will begin warming up and it’ll be camping season again. Soon it will be time to clean the RV and prepare it for that first weekend out, or perhaps vacation looks a little different with a cozy cottage along your favorite lake. Even if the packing list gets checked and double checked, it’s far too easy to forget something, like a pillow or sheets. So what’s a vacationer to do, especially if the closest supermarket is a bit too far away? Oliver Lake Sales was opened in early 2020 by LaGrange residents Rob West and Charlie Hire to supply year-round residents, lake cottage owners, and other vacationers with practical items and home decor. “It’s something unique,” West says. “We keep adding different designs as we go to keep it fresh, to keep the ideas there. If people send us ideas and they work, we’ll do it. We’re always looking.” They began with sheets and blankets, then quickly expanded to include other items

40 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / thelakesmagazine.com

like Egyptian cotton towel sets, bamboo memory-foam pillows and more. The products are available through the Oliver Lake Sales e-commerce store. “You don’t have to go to Walmart if you don’t feel comfortable, especially now with COVID going on,” West says. It didn’t take long before the company also started selling decor items, like campground site and wall art signs, most of which are made by Amish craftsmen in the LaGrange area. Since they’re made locally, most of the designs can be personalized. “It’s pretty easy - just a couple clicks and you can get your sign on order,” West says. Some of the company’s most popular items are lake-specific, community pride metal and wooden signs. These designs are getting so popular that some local souvenir and trinket stores will have them available for in-person shopping this spring.

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Eventually, West and Hire want to see more of their products in campground stores around the area, to provide common and necessary amenities and souvenir decorations for campers. “It’s just convenience for local shoppers and local small stores that are saying, ‘Hey, I know we can reach out to Charlie and Rob at Oliver Lake Sales, and order online and have it shipped to us,’” West says. At its heart, Oliver Lake Sales is a way to celebrate West and Hire’s community and those in the surrounding area. They are personally involved in their town and try to facilitate ways for others to get involved as well. One way that West and Hire promote local pride is by offering products exclusively through school fundraisers, and they recently made such an offering to Lakeland Junior/Senior High School.

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“I let the booster club have the first pick of three signs,” West says. “They mail in what they want, and we run them and sell it to them.” West and Hire are interested in reaching out to other local schools with the same offer. “We’ll do the paperwork for you, you do the fundraiser, then we’ll ship it to the individual or we’ll ship it to the school and they can pick it up there,” West says. School representatives can help design a sign to include the school name, mascot and anything else desired. Ultimately, the owners enjoy making products their customers love. “There’s nothing like it when you get an email from a customer, and it’s just a simple thing that shows the sign hanging in their living room,” West says. “They’ll say, ‘Love it, looks great. Can’t wait to get some for our family for Christmas. Can’t wait to see it every day when we’re there at the lake house.’ That’s what’s fun.” Oliver Lake Sales ships anywhere in the world. Check out their inventory at oliverlakesales.com. To custom order a sign for your lake cottage, or to inquire about school fundraisers, email info@ oliverlakesales.com.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2021 / thelakesmagazine.com / 43 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ JANUARY / OCTOBER 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

BLACK EYED PEA CORNBREAD CASSEROLE Writer / Stephanie @ Plain Chicken

Yield: 8 people Prep Time 10 minsCook Time 1 hrTotal Time 1 hr 10 mins Black Eyed Pea Cornbread Casserole recipe – homemade cornbread loaded with sausage, creamed corn, cheddar cheese, black eyed peas, green chiles, and jalapeños. Perfect for your New Year’s Day meal!

you are worried about the heat, I would suggest omitting the jalapeños. • You can make this ahead of time and freeze it for upto a month. Bake the casserole and then freeze it. To reheat the casserole, thaw it and bake covered for 30 minutes at uncovered for 10 minutes. If you want to reheat this casserole frozen, bake it covered for an hour and uncovered for 10 minutes.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb hot pork sausage • 1 cup white cornmeal • ½ cup all-purpose flour • 1 tsp salt • ½ tsp baking soda • 2 eggs • 1 cup buttermilk • ½ cup vegetable oil • 1 (15-oz) can black eyed peas, drained • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese • ¾ cup creamed corn • 1 (4-oz) can diced jalapeños • 1 (4.5-oz) can diced green chiles

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside. • In a skillet over medium high heat, cook sausage until • crumbled and no longer pink. Drain fat. Set aside. • Combine cornmeal, flour, salt, baking soda, eggs, buttermilk and oil. • Stir cooked sausage, black eyed peas, cheese, • creamed corn, jalapeños and green chiles into • cornbread batter. Pour into prepared pan. • Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour.

NOTES:

• I used a roll of Jimmy Dean sausage. • This does have a kick from the jalapeños and green chiles. If 44 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2021 / thelakesmagazine.com

Bill Smith

Smith Beef & Pork Q u a l i t y i s K i n g Fo r Lo c a l M e a t P u r veyo r Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

For many people, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic - beyond contracting the actual virus - have been considerable. These include loss of work, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and shortages ranging from toilet paper to fresh meat. Although not all problems resulting from COVID-19 can be remedied, small business owners like local farmer Bill Smith have made tremendous strides in minimizing the effects of shortages in the area.

Smith, who lives outside of Argos with his wife Glenda, has been raising organic Angus cattle for 14 years. “We were a grain farm at first, and slowly got into the cattle,” he says. “It’s always been something we wanted to do.” At 800 head of cattle, the operation at Smith Beef & Pork is anything but small. Nonetheless, Smith is able to maintain healthy livestock rotations on the 423-acre farm. All of the meat goes straight from the farm to individuals and families.

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“We slaughter on order only, so it’s always fresh,” Smith says. Smith only sells prime-grade organic beef, fed on food grown on the farm. “Everything is grass-fed and grain-finished,” he says. In the 14 months that it takes to raise the cattle, they are never given growth hormones or steroids. “If you go with steroids, it gets to be expensive and there are a lot of health issues,” Smith says.

Smith’s customers appreciate his beef ’s homegrown flavor and his old-fashioned business practices. “We have a good reputation,” he says. “There’s a lot of price LOOKING FORinvolved A GREAT in WAY TO gouging going on, and we are not that.”

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Smith’s pricing late last year was under $5 per pound, and that pricing is possible because of his frugal business practices like BUSINESS OR UPCOMING EVENT? YOUR BUSINESS OR in UPCOMING EVENT? growing his own YOUR food and processing meat bulk. Each cent YOUR OR UPCOMING EVENT? that he can save around theBUSINESS farm translates into discounts for his customers. CONTACT US TO FIND MORE! CONTACT USOUT TO FIND OUT MORE!

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“We would rather people be healthy,” he explains. “We don’t have a single bad review.” Smith aims to give each customer satisfaction from the first time they call in an order. During that conversation, Smith asks whether the customer wants a quarter, half, or whole portion of beef. Depending on the amount of beef the customer wants, they will get a selection of roasts, steaks and hamburger cut into patties or packaged in bulk. On average, a quarter beef portion is about 212 pounds, which would cost a little under $600. “It’s a big investment,” Smith says. “But [customers] don’t realize that it will last them a year. If you were to take and buy these prime cuts at the grocery store, it’s about $1,700 to $1,800.” The pay weight is determined after the beef has been dressed and drained for seven days. After the beef is prepared, it is professionally cut according to the customer’s desires. After the beef is packaged, the company delivers the order directly to the customer’s door. In addition to prime beef, Smith also raises pork by request. Typically, a single order - a whole hog - weighs around 280 to 300 pounds processed. “Everything is done,” Smith says. “The bacon and the hams are THE LAKES MAGAZINE 2021 / thelakesmagazine.com / 47 THE LAKES MAGAZINE/ JANUARY / OCTOBER 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com

all smoked and cured, and everything is cut up to your liking. It’s $400, flat rate. The pigs go way faster than the beef does.” The farm is more than a full-time job for Smith and his field hands, who often begin work before the sun rises and continue long after sunset, especially during planting and harvesting. “I really enjoy it,” Smith says. “I retired from working and I decided,

‘This is all I’m going to do now.’” To order meat from Smith Beef & Pork, and for more information, call 574-952-2927, or email bsmithgmj@gmail.com.

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E L I T E K I TC H E N S CUSTOM CABINETRY AND DESIGN B U S I N E S S I S B U I LT O N E X C E L L E N C E Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Timothy Hare

The word “elite” means many things. It can refer to wealth and status. However, the word can also be used in reference to a highend product that is functional, attractive and in high demand.

The cabinets that Schlabach builds are made impress clients with cabinets that will last a from domestic hardwood, and are fitting for lifetime. kitchens, bathrooms, offices, and most other rooms in a house. Ultimately, his goal is to “We strive to provide the best product

Tim Schlabach, owner of Elite Kitchens, grew up working for his family construction business by fashioning interior millwork, such as doors, baseboard trim and window trim, for the homes his father built. It provided him with an excellent opportunity to learn how to create designs his customers would appreciate every day. “I loved what I did, and eventually it morphed into building cabinetry,” he explains.

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available,” he says. In the 13 years since Elite Kitchens began, Schlabach’s service area has grown substantially. To date, most of his jobs are within a 40-mile radius of Middlebury. However, the company has installed cabinets as far away as Florida and New York. “We really go anywhere,” Schlabach says. From the moment a client contacts Elite Kitchens, Schlabach tailors not only the cabinets, but also the experience, to their unique needs. The first meeting with a client is always at the worksite. “We gather ideas and try to capture their vision for the project,” Schlabach explains. Elite Kitchen’s draftsmen then take the measurements and notes from the initial meeting and draft a detailed design for the entire project - cabinets, countertops, millwork and anything else the client wants. “Our goal is to take care of everything from start to finish, so the client does not need to stress about anything,” Schlabach says. Once the client signs off on the drawings, Elite’s team of craftsmen builds the cabinetry to specifications, and Schlabach’s team typically gets cabinets installed within six to 10 weeks. It takes more than a quality product to have a successful business. “We feel the Elite name is not necessarily

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for our cabinetry,” Schlabach says. “It also properly explains our mentality as a whole. Everything that we do is based on the word ‘elite,’ whether that’s the services that we offer or anything that we do. That’s what we strive to give each client.” According to their mission statement, the company’s goal is “to provide the most outstanding service paired with the best quality products and design in order to give our clients the best possible experience ever.” Schlabach, the office staff and the full-time installation crew all strive to carry out this mission. “The core values of our company are honesty, integrity, and to excel in all that we do,” Schlabach says. For Schlabach, the most important aspects of customer service are developing relationships with clients and being attentive to details - even the small ones.

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“If you’re asked to do a project, and you go above and beyond on even the little things, the client will remember and appreciate that,” he explains. “We as a company can move forward without looking back and having any regrets in our dealings with our customers.” Offering elite service often means that Schlabach and his crew take the high road, even when offering lesser quality would be easier. “In today’s day and age, that is something that is hard to come by,” Schlabach says. “To me it’s more important than ever to try to instill that in our employees, and anyone who is representing our company.” In Schlabach’s opinion, the best part of owning Elite Kitchens is a job well-done.

from the client that we have exceeded expectations,” he says.

“My favorite part is to look back on where we started with a project and seeing the finished product installed, and hearing

Visit the Elite Kitchens showroom at 108 South Main Street in Middlebury to see the various styles they have to offer. To

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Eyes on the Prize The Inspiring Story of Quarter Horse Multi-Champion Elizabeth Beauchamp Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

t was mid-October, 2017 and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Congress, the largest singlebreed horse show in the world, was in full swing. At the open class halter show, several horses were ready to compete for the gold in the gelding yearling championship. The stakes were high — everyone knew that there would be some stiff competition to determine which of these quarter horses would be named the best up-and-coming horse models in the world. One at a time, the handlers led their horses into the ring. As handler 3120 and the beautiful gelding at his side, Amazingunz (or Gunner, as his owner, Elizabeth Beauchamp of Culver calls him), walked into the ring, the judges and spectators alike couldn’t help but notice his sleek, muscled body and graceful balance. After the other horses walked around the arena, all of the horses lined up so the judges could get a closer look at them, making notes on clipboards while spectators

and potential horse and stud buyers watched from the seats. Several minutes passed before the judges were finally ready to announce which horse was the best-looking and most graceful yearling gelding. If Gunner won, then Beauchamp would walk away with a trophy, a commemorative buckle, and cash prize. But more importantly, Gunner would receive a champion designation on his pedigree records, which would improve his overall value. But although Beauchamp has gotten into the top five at previous AQHA shows with her halter horses, she has never won first place… until that competition with Gunner. It was an exhilarating experience for Beauchamp, but it was only the beginning. Since then, she has won high honors at dozens of national and world competitions and become a world champion many times over. As inspiring

as the facts are, they are surprising to one person in particular: Elizabeth Beauchamp. “I’m pretty goal-oriented, but I had never, ever fathomed that I would be a world champion or even set that as a goal,” she says. Growing up, Beauchamp was practically raised in the family’s barn. “My father grew up around horses and he raised me around horses,” she explains. “My father used them to make a living, too, using Belgium horses for heavy work.” Beauchamp’s first horse was Rustler, a horse that Beauchamp’s uncle rescued from a kill pen. “I started riding him at nine years old. I had him until he died, about 23 years,” Beauchamp says. “I learned more from him probably more than the other kids learned

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open halter show in 2017, about a month before the AQHA Congress.

More than that, Rustler was a companion to a young girl as she grew up. The two had a true connection that was as genuine as any human friendship. “Some days, [it was like] oil and water and some days like lemons and lemonade,” she says.

“I beat all of them and won the entire show,” she says. “I guess I knew it was a big deal, but I didn’t really realize until I was out of that moment what really happened. I think I was in shock for a very long time.” From that victory, Beauchamp went to the 2017 AQHA Congress and won her first championship. A month later, Gunner won the gold at the by-invitation-only World Show.

With her family’s background in horses, it is little wonder that Beauchamp wanted to be a veterinarian. In time, though, she shifted her goals to pursue other entrepreneurial endeavors. After high school, she got a part-time job at a flower shop, which inspired her to open her own after graduating from Ancilla College. She called it The Garden by Elizabeth and it’s located at 103 N. Plymouth St. in downtown Culver. Nevertheless, she continued to keep horses, and decades later decided to show in the big leagues. Beauchamp remembers that her involvement in the horse world today is largely due to some encouragement from her fiancé, Shawn Yount. “Shawn pretty much said, ‘If you want to do it, then let’s do it!’” she says. “He likes the livestock end of things, and I like the horse end of things and so both of our passions merged.” After a few competitions and minor wins, Beauchamp entered yearling gelding Gunner in the Breeders Halter Futurity

Since then, Beauchamp has only gotten more involved in the horse world. Currently, she owns 14 horses. Although a few live on Beauchamp’s property in Culver, the rest are stabled around the nation. Each one is unique, not only in personality but also in talent and ability. Because of that, her goals are different for each horse, and their training reflects that. “We would place it with whichever professional handler we believed was the best fit for what our goal was,” Beauchamp says. Ultimately, Beauchamp sees her story as a means to inspire others to do more, dream more and become more. “In little itty-bitty Culver, there’s a multiworld champion who never had ever dreamt that would be in the forefront,” she says. “Am I proud to be a world champion? Yeah. Do I like to be modest about it? Yeah. Because to me, the bigger picture is

that I just wish other people knew that this could happen to you, too.” To Beauchamp, the best way to achieve personal dreams is through staying informed and ready. “Educate yourselves,” she says. “Long before I had the horses to compete at the level that I do, I never stopped reading. I never stopped visiting. And I never stopped wanting to learn more. Because you never know when an opportunity is going to rear its little head at you, and you have to have the resources to be able to run with it. A person can really be anything as long as they keep trying and never stop educating themselves.” Beauchamp never does things by halves. Not only does she travel around the nation for competitions, she still owns her flower shop. Aside from that, she is president of the Culver Chamber of Commerce and remains active in the lives of her fiancé and their five children.

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Life Care Center Provides Comprehensive Care Under One Roof Writer / Tracey Ruckman Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Life Care Center of Rochester has been serving the community since 1988. The facility is owned and operated by Life Care Centers of America. The first facility was opened in 1970 by Forrest Preston in Cleveland, Tennessee. Preston’s passion for resident-centered care helped to mold Life Care Center into the facility it is today. His vision was to go above and beyond the nursing home model, and offer a home-like setting encompassing the needs of every type of resident seeking comfort, convenience and health care in one place.

The facility offers a multitude of services including 24-hour skilled nursing care, specialized wound care, inpatient therapy, respite care, long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and a secured dementia unit. Due to COVID-19, the facility is currently unable to offer outpatient therapy. “We have many wonderful and qualified staff that work at Life Care Center,” says Amber Basham, marketing and admissions manager. “Many of them have an extensive history of working in the health care field.” 60 / THE LAKES / JANUARY 2021 / TheLakesMagazine.com

The nursing staff consists of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), qualified medication aides (QMAs), and a nurse practitioner onsite several days a week. The medical director ensures residents receive quality care, and a doctor oversees the wound care program. It takes a versatile team to keep the facility running smoothly. Life Care has 75 staff members working together to keep

residents happy and healthy. In addition to the medical staff, Life Care has a therapy and social services department to serve the health needs of residents. Dietary and activity supervisors, an inhouse hairdresser, and housekeeping and maintenance staff members all do their part to help the residents feel comfortable. The business office staff members oversee day-to-day financial operations, and the

administration team works together to keep the facility running smoothly. “All departments have been trained or certified in their areas as required, and all of the staff receive training upon hire, annually and as needed,” Basham says. “Each month the staff and residents nominate an associate who excels in their job by going above and beyond, for a ‘Whatever It Takes and Then Some’ award.”

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“I meet with the families or resident to complete admission paperwork and answer any questions they may have regarding their nursing facility stay,” she says. “Admission to a nursing facility is often an overwhelming and daunting process, and it is my job to make it easier for them.” Life Care is currently home to 50 residents. The facility has 107 beds, 20 of which are in the memory care unit. There are 12 private rooms, and the remaining beds are in semi-private rooms. “We typically have a nurse, a QMA and two CNAs for each unit, which has approximately 20 to 24 residents,” Basham says. Life Care’s rehabilitation program offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

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“In therapy, residents may participate in activities of daily living retraining, neuro re-education, therapeutic exercise, gait training, and therapeutic activities including adaptive equipment training,” Basham says. “Our director of rehabilitation is physical agent modality certified, and can conduct electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and diathermy on residents. Our speech therapist is certified to conduct vital stimulation for swallowing impairments, and we have recently begun doing telehealth therapy

sessions with other Life Care Centers facilities.” Basham adds that most insurance plans are accepted, and can be verified prior to therapy. The business office at Life Care can assist in obtaining Medicaid for residents who may require it. The Life Care team members not only pride themselves on quality of care, but also on quality of life for residents. In addition to nursing and therapy, Life Care provides transportation to and from appointments via bus. “Our social services department assists in providing external mental health services as well as dental, optometry, podiatry and audiology services,” Basham says. “The department also assists residents in exercising their right to vote in elections.”

monitoring while eating,” Basham says. “We have families that bring in food and snacks for their loved ones.”

Residents start each day with a song and prayer followed by morning announcements. They typically exercise by dancing to music, and enjoy spending time outside in the secure courtyard as weather permits. Crafts, games, movies and popcorn, manicures, trivia, and cooking are all available to residents as well, and according to Basham the most popular activity is bingo.

The Life Care Center team is dedicated to residents and their families. “Life Care is committed to being a premier provider of long-term health care in America,” Basham says. “It is our desire to be the facility of choice in each community in which we operate. Our programs, services and facilities are designed and operated with superior quality, in order to satisfy the needs of our residents. We are committed to ensuring our residents are not only healthy, but happy. We realize this is their home, and we respect the residents and their families.”

Prior to COVID-19, residents also enjoyed church and music programs, pet therapy, community outings and special events coordinated by the certified activities director. Currently, religious programs are being offered via computer and television. Residents can choose to eat in their rooms or the main dining room, unless they are in the quarantine unit.

Life Care Center is located at 827 West 13th Street in Rochester. For additional details including a blog, COVID-19 information and more, visit lcca.com or call 574-223-4331.

“We also have an assisted dining room for residents that need staff assistance or

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PR E M IE R RO O FI N G & CO N STRUC TI O N NAPPANEE COMPANY PROVIDES SUPERIOR SERVICE FROM START TO FINISH Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Timothy Hare

Matt Burkholder, the owner of Premier Roofing & Construction in Nappanee, has been dedicated to providing his customers with the best possible roofing and siding for the last 10 years.

“I just decided that I wanted to venture out on my own and give it a shot,” Burkholder says. At first he did various types of roofing and housing construction. However, after a couple of years he narrowed his focus from framing to roofing and siding installation exclusively. “I purchased my first roofing roll-forming machine to manufacture roofing panels,” he says. “From there, it just kept growing.” Premier’s friendly and detail-oriented crew, which includes Burkholder and five to seven others depending on the time of year, has received many five-star reviews online, many of which speak to the company’s professionalism and workmanship.

“The biggest thing we hear is about the crew guys and their Growing up, Burkholder worked for his father, a mechanic in the area. efficiency,” Burkholder says. However, the construction trade always interested him, and when he was given the opportunity to work on a construction crew, he took it. “When we walk away, we want the customer to be happy. We want to be able to walk around with the customer and everything looks Nine years of experience in the construction industry helped him good.” learn the skills he would need to eventually start his business.

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Quality is Burkholder’s goal, and his motivation is his faith. “The honor goes to God,” he says. “I wouldn’t be where I’m at without him.” Burkholder’s clients begin to receive quality service immediately upon contacting the company. The first order of business is setting an appointment for Burkholder to meet with the client. At that meeting, which happens within a week and a half after initial contact, the parties go over the project and discuss expectations. Part of that initial meeting involves determining what kind of roof the client wants. The two most popular types of roofing that Premier offers are metal and shingle. Each style is made from high-quality materials, and each has unique advantages. Metal roofs have gained popularity over the years because of how long they last. Shingles are typically lower in cost and have a traditional roof appearance. “We also do specialty roofing, like copper, synthetic slate, and just anything that’s different from normal,” Burkholder adds. “It depends a lot on the look [the client is] going for.” As is the case with roofing material, Burkholder offers high-

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days,” Burkholder says. “Once we start a project, we stay on until we’re finished. We don’t start one project then go start another one.” From the initial phone call to the roof ’s completion, the process typically takes 10 weeks or less. The company also manufactures and delivers metal roofing for other contractors. Ultimately, the purpose of Premier Roofing & Construction is to grant homeowners peace of mind.

quality siding for his customers. “Ours is a seamless siding that we manufacture on the job site, and we can do it in about any profile you can think of,” he says. “Any profile that’s available in vinyl, we can pretty much do in our metal.” Along with being splice-free, Premier’s siding is virtually maintenance-free and comes with a lifetime warranty. Once an estimate is presented and accepted, the Premier crew arrives on the job site within six to eight weeks.

“We try to sell a customer a roof that he can depend on,” Burkholder says. “We’re out there to help a customer put on a roof that can last. It’s going to be worry-free as much as possible. We stand behind our work. If there’s an issue, we’ll take care of it.” Visit Premier Roofing & Construction online at premierroofingindiana.com to see pictures of their roofing styles, and the colors they have available. For more information, call 574354-1533, or visit them by appointment only at 7568 North 900 West in Nappanee.

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