The Lakes of Kosciusko Magazine May 2022

FREE MONTHLY PRINT MAGAZINE WITH CORRESPONDING MOBILE APP AND SOCIAL MEDIA FEATURING THE PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, AND EVENTS IN AND AROUND ELKHART, LAGRANGE, NOBLE, KOSCIUSKO & STEUBEN COUNTY INDIANA + CASS, BRANCH & ST. JOSEPH COUNTY MICHIGAN

MAY 2022

MAGAZINE

KERLIN MOTOR COMPANY THREE GENERATIONS OF TRUST AND COMMUNITY FAITH FOUNDATIONS

Ace Hardware Owners Create Spaces for Prayer, Reflection and Artistry A TASTE OF THE PAST

Dottie’s Soda Shop Has Your Sweet Tooth Covered

TownePost.com

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

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Jerad (574)536-5418 • 6223 8th Road | Plymouth

Decorative & Functional Custom Hand Railings and Metal Fabricating

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Based in Middlebury, IN TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / THE LAKES / 3

Phone: 574.206.6937

Quality Service with a Hometown Touch

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A TOWNE POST NETWORK PUBLICATION

For advertising information, contact: PUBLISHERS JOHN & MANDI LEWANDOWSKI john@townepost.com mandi@townepost.com 574.249.9217

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS TAMI STOUT tami@townepost.com 765.434.4460 TINA KEAFFABER tina@townepost.com 574.371.7482

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.

IN THIS ISSUE

6

46

Ace Hardware Owners Create Spaces for Prayer, Reflection and Artistry

Goshen Floral & Gift Shop Enjoys Continued Success

FAITH FOUNDATIONS

50

Dottie’s Soda Shop Has Your Sweet Tooth Covered

An Open Letter to All the Moms This Mother’s Day

A TASTE OF THE PAST

54

The Arc of LaGrange County Serves Those With Disabilities and Their Families

Mia Bella Specializes in Personalized Gift Boxes

PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com 317.810.0011

25

CREATIVE DIRECTORS TONI EADS VAL HACKER GRAPHIC DESIGNER ROBBY BERRY COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS

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

Get Ready for the Outdoors With Hiatt’s Landscaping

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

59

North Webster Organization Seeks to Improve Lake and River Water Quality

30

KERLIN MOTOR COMPANY Three Generations of Trust and Community

65

PREGIS

Plymouth Facility Produces Quality Protective Packaging & Customer Service

GET AN EDGE

Choosing the Right Knives for Home Cooking Tasks

41

71

BE A BIG

Big Brothers Big Sisters Creates Positive Mentoring Relationships

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

PASSION FOR GIFTING

THE WATERSHED FOUNDATION

LAY OF THE LAND

35 REAL-TIME ANALYTICS

FOR THE MOMS

20

LIFE CHANGING

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT JOSH BROWN

FLOWER POWER

13

FOUNDER/CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com 317.496.3599

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK

MAY 2022

Local Swing Set Business Is a Family Affair

77

WHAT’S HAPPENING In May at the Lakes

KEY CONTRIBUTORS ABIGAIL HAKE / ADAM CALHOUN / ANGELA CORNELL / JULIE YATES KARI LIPSCOMB / LOIS TOMASZEWSKI / MATT KEATING / TONY STRAW

FAITH FOUNDATIONS ACE HARDWARE OWNERS CREATE SPACES FOR PRAYER, REFLECTION AND ARTISTRY Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

Larry and Gloria Martin, the 35-year owners of Middlebury Ace Hardware, have created spaces on land adjacent to their

business that are testaments to their faith and love for community. The Carpenter’s House and the Master’s Gallery have become places for people to reflect, pray, meet and be inspired by the lessons found in God’s word.

“We are strong in our faith and Christian walk,” Gloria Martin says. “When we hear God speak, we try to be as true as we can.”

What the couple heard was inspiration to build a house of prayer that people

16 Colors 14 Patterns To Choose From 6 / THE LAKES / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

Gloria and Larry Martin

could come to. The log cabin on the hill next to the hardware store is the result of that inspiration. Built in 2017, it is simple and inviting, and built from an Amish kit, Martin says.

While the cabin design is simple, there are some elements to the structure that are grand, such as the stained glass windows, hand crafted by an artist in Texas, an altar, and a cedar cross. The windows, the front door and other features were funded by the community.

Another feature is the prayer wall, which is often filled with handwritten notes asking for prayers from Carpenter’s House visitors.

Martin says people are encouraged to write their prayer on a piece of paper and hang it on the wall. Someone else will come along, read what they are asking for and perhaps include the request in their own prayers.

The wraparound porch, swings and rocking chairs are also available to those who want

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to de-stress or simply enjoy the cabin’s welcoming atmosphere. Martin says she is happy to see people using the porch and praying in the cabin.

“This affirms what God has asked us to do,” Martin says.

The cabin is open to anyone during the

hardware store’s weekday business hours.

The key to the Carpenter’s House is available by request. Most of the time it is open, Martin says, and visitors can just go right in.

Visitors to the log cabin vary. In addition to local folks, truckers traveling down U.S. Highway 20 have stopped in. Customers

at the hardware store and previous guests at the hotel next door have also spent time inside. People working in the area factories are also frequent visitors.

Sometimes the cabin is used for Bible studies. Every two months, a “Pizza and Prayer” event is held on the grounds. It can be used for ceremonies, special events and

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other gatherings that fall into the purpose of the Carpenter’s House. A children’s Bible camp also takes place for four weeks in the summer.

It was also the site of the Martin’s vow renewal ceremony.

The Master’s Gallery will present the original artwork of Mindi Oaten, a Canadian acrylic artist whose art is inspired by her faith. In the Master’s Gallery, Oaten’s work depicts the 66 books of the Bible, beginning with Genesis. “Garden of Grace,”

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as the artwork is titled, depicts a flower or plant as noted in the Bible.

The Master’s Gallery is also a log cabin, but a different size from the Carpenter’s House.

It has motion sensors and lights to properly display the faith-themed artwork adorning the walls.

“It is literally a walk through the Bible,” Martin says.

Larry and Gloria met as college sweethearts.

They have been married for 53 years.

“We know each other’s heart,” Martin says.

The Martins raised four children and have 11 grandchildren. They live close enough to visit and have taken an interest in the Carpenter’s House and the Master’s Gallery.

A time capsule created by the Indiana family is tucked away on the grounds. The capsule is a way for the Martins to “pass on our faith and share the promises of God,” she says.

“God uses people to carry out his extreme plans,” Martin says. “As Psalm 66:5 says, ‘Come see what our God has done. What awesome miracles he has brought about.’ ”

CALL TO SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE!

Lee & Carolyn Eash 4922 W 1100 N | Ligonier, IN 46767 Ph: 260.593.0883 | Fax: 260.593.0884 10 / THE LAKES / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

The Martins are currently organizing an outdoor concert for October featuring Jason Gray, a Christian musician from Nashville.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Food trucks will be on-site for this event, Martin says.

The Carpenter’s House and Master’s Gallery are located at 103 Crystal Heights Boulevard in Middlebury. For more information, email Martin at gloryfay@ hotmail.com or call 574-849-5757.

TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / THE LAKES / 11

Rock Bottom Resale

Rock Bottom Resale is a resale shop with a huge variety of new and used items from video games to bed and bath and everything in between including furniture, bent and dent food and snacks, and much more!

We guarantee everything to work even the used products we sell. Come see us for great products at discounted prices!

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A TASTE OF THE PAST DOTTIE’S SODA SHOP HAS YOUR SWEET TOOTH COVERED Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photography Provided

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S

oda shops were the place to be seen for those growing up in bygone eras - the sort of place where high school kids would hang out after school, or young people would go on a first date. Curtis and Angie Grady are hoping to recreate that atmosphere for today’s sweets-loving crowd at Dottie’s Soda Shop in North Webster.

tooth for old-style candies. Her husband called her Dottie, Curtis Grady says. This name fit in perfectly with the couple’s plans to open a store in their community with old-fashioned sodas, old-style candy and a selection of ice cream. After all, Grady says, nothing beats an ice cream float on a hot summer’s day.

The shop is named after Angie’s grandmother Dorothy, who had a sweet

“This combination was a perfect fit for our ideas, and honored Dottie and her family

in their sweet traditions and memories,” he says. “We focused in on what could be a great addition to our local communities. We wanted something a bit unique but simple at the same time.”

Making decisions that are best for the community is one of the principles that Grady uses to run his business. A recent book signing, for example, exemplifies the kind of event Dottie’s Soda Shop hopes to

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be a part of going forward.

“First we would like to thank Candace Valek for the opportunity to have such an event,” Grady says. “Her books are still for sale at KiZa Designs right next door. We feel that events like this can positively impact the community. Similar happenings can get people to come and explore all that North Webster has to offer.”

The shop has been the scene for parties of all kinds already, including birthdays and sports team celebrations. Grady says Dottie’s can accommodate requests for special occasions. Anyone wanting to plan a special event should stop in or contact him via social media to discuss their plans.

The Gradys opened the shop in October, which was not necessarily a good time for an ice cream business. Despite winter,

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

customers found their way to the new shop, and he says business has been “pleasantly good.” Now that spring is here, the owners are ready to welcome hungry customers into the store with the warmer weather.

Dottie’s serves Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, a premium ice cream made in Madison, Wisconsin. The dairy state is bound to deliver a high-quality ice cream, Grady says. Customers can select from 12

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flavors of ice cream that vary by season, along with favorites like vanilla, chocolate and butter pecan.

The old-fashioned sodas are made the traditional way, by hand-mixing syrups with carbonated water from a tap, to achieve what Grady calls “refreshing perfection.”

The menu board in the shop lists a variety of soda options, from the iconic Green River flavor to traditional ones such as Vanilla and Cherry Coke, and even something younger generations may associate with a certain popular literature series - Butter Beer. There are also shakes, floats, malts, and waffle cone ice cream nachos.

Further indulge a sweet tooth with candy.

You can pick your favorite penny candy from the clear glass jars on display. Other candy selections are available too.

The shop is decorated with a nod to the past, with wood and black-and-white

checkerboard tiled floors. The red and chrome decor evokes memories of the 1950s, and this is part of the experience the Gradys want their customers to have.

“We hope that customers have a simply sweet experience,” he says. “We hope that they enjoy themselves by soaking in the atmosphere and relaxing, indulging with a sweet treat.”

Grady says he is working on plans to add items to the menu and updating the shop.

Dottie’s Soda Shop is located at 114 North Main Street in North Webster. Hours vary by the season. For hours of operation, more information, and notices of special events and offers, or to contact the Gradys, visit their Facebook page.

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We strive for accuracy in the drawing of this print, however mistakes can happen. Please review this drawing and let the drafter know if there is something that needs revision. It is the builders respsonsibility to ensure that this design is accurate and to follow applicable building codes.

1

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A Quick Foundation Mod. (Need to update rest of print.)

REMARKS

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Custom Homes • Barns • Shops • Remodeling 10/20/2021

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LIFE CHANGING THE ARC OF LAGRANGE COUNTY SERVES THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Debra Seman, chief executive officer of The Arc of LaGrange County, says the nonprofit organization has been working on behalf of individuals with disabilities in LaGrange County since 1966.

She says the the organization has grown in a positive direction through the years and has helped a large number of people in many ways.

“We have a long and rich history of providing services that have evolved and grown throughout the years,” Seman says.

“We provide advocacy services throughout the lifespan of an individual with disabilities.”

It doesn’t stop there, according to Seman.

group and individual services, and respite and residential living options,” Seman says.

The staff is committed to providing great services for years to come.

“In addition, we offer an array of services “Quality services is of the upmost for people with disabilities including preimportance to us,” Seman says. “Currently, vocational services, supported employment,

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We strive for excellence in all we do.”

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The Arc of LaGrange County team invites the entire community to play a role in preparing, empowering and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“This is not work we can do on our own, and it takes an entire community,” Seman says. “It takes all of us working together to enhance the lives of people we support with disabilities.”

The Arc of LaGrange County staff is actively seeking more help. They are looking for the right people to further the great work being done every day.

“We are hiring for several key positions to help us transform the way we support people with disabilities,” Seman says.

“You can get started in a rewarding career today and be part of an exciting time of transformation.”

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There are also ways for other people to get actively involved.

“We need community partners and businesses to employ people with disabilities, and companies willing to educate their workforces on true inclusion,” Seman says. “We need organizations willing to partner with us to offer training, education, and new skill-building opportunities to those with disabilities.

Individuals can also get involved through employment with our organization, or by volunteering in a number of ways with The Arc of LaGrange County. Our board members, committee members and others are all volunteers giving of their unique time and talents.”

Seman notes that The Arc of LaGrange County is grateful for the financial support it gets through grants.

“We want to thank the AWS Foundation for this Vantage Grant, and for their significant

22 / THE LAKES / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

commitment in our organization that will help transform our services for generations to come,” Seman says. “We will continue to evolve and build upon this foundation afforded to us. We are excited about our new initiative, Life by Design, which will begin to tailor our services to meet the desires of the individual with disabilities.”

Seman adds that it doesn’t end there.

“We will use a person-centered approach to explore the individual’s gifts and talents, and explore ways to utilize them to achieve their identified goals,” Seman says. “The Arc of LaGrange County will no longer be considered as a destination for people with disabilities, but rather an agency of resources and support that will work alongside an individual and their family to assist them in living the life they so desire.”

The Arc of LaGrange County is located at 235 West 300 North in Howe. For more info, call 260-463-2653 or visit arcind.org.

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Owner Goose Hiatt

LAY OF THE LAND GET READY FOR THE OUTDOORS WITH HIATT’S LANDSCAPING

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photographer / Tony Straw

When you own a home on a lake, there is more to living in it than what is contained inside. The backyard becomes a place to relax and enjoy lake life. A well-planned, well-constructed, beautifully landscaped space adds value and comfort to any lakefront home.

Goose Hiatt, owner of Hiatt’s Landscaping in Rochester, understands how an outdoor space works with a home or business. His design for an outdoor patio at a popular Rochester eatery won awards. He is committed to bringing that same attention to detail to clients who want their outdoor living to match their upscale lifestyle.

Hiatt places a company emphasis on quality work. His crew members attend seminars and workshops that familiarize them with the newest materials. His credentials

include certifications from the National Concrete Masonry Association for retaining walls, and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute for patio construction.

His company is a Unilock Authorized Contractor.

“We were the first contractor in Indiana to use Unilock’s U-Cara wall system and the Beacon Hill Smooth product,” Hiatt says.

“We are not afraid of innovation. We try things other companies haven’t tried yet. We are excited about projects that are different.”

Hiatt uses the best material for any job he takes on, using his years of experience and specialized training to design and construct an outdoor space that fits within the parameters of the homeowner’s budget, tastes, and the space identified for use as a backyard retreat. These products include Unilock pavers and natural stone.

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com / 25

Outdoor living encompasses much more than a patio and a fire pit. People use their outdoor spaces as kitchens, living rooms and gathering places. Fireplaces, water features, retaining walls, pavilions and patio space are among many elements Hiatt and his crew have installed.

Many people, especially those who choose to live on any of the many lakes in the region, want to “make their own house a destination,” Hiatt says. That means an outdoor space that heightens the appreciation and enjoyment of time on a lake.

Using the industry’s best practices assures quality. That also means that Hiatt’s Landscaping is booked well in advance. The company’s reputation for quality precedes them.

“People will wait for us,” Hiatt says.

Lifestyle trends and decorating tastes change all the time. Hiatt says some popular trends right now are focused on adding pergolas, outdoor sound systems and lighting systems, as well as a higher percentage of paved spaces in the outdoor places people want to use.

Hardscape installations have been a specialized service of Hiatt’s Landscaping since 2006. Hiatt started a mowing company in 1993 after graduating from Taylor University with a business degree. As his experience and reputation developed, landscaping was added to the company service profile in 1999.

In 2018 the outdoor patio designed for the Rochester Bagel Shop provided the opportunity to upgrade to more large-scale projects, with more elaborate designs and multiple features. It also raised awareness of the company’s multiple services including hardscaping.

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Professional rider on closed course. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, riding jacket or long-sleeve shirt, long pants, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, call 1-800-446-9227. ©2019 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

• YamahaMotorsports.com

MILLER BOAT RESTORATION Complete Restoration Including Electrical from the Pontoons Up Center Toon Installation Available

Pick up and Delivery

574.501.3113 62220 CR 35 Goshen, IN 46528

26 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

“Before this project, people thought we were just a mowing company,” Hiatt recalls.

Pretty Lake, Lake Latonka, and a lake in Cassopolis, Michigan.

This successful installation opened up more opportunities for larger residential and business projects in a multi-county region.

Hiatt’s Landscaping has completed projects for Indiana homeowners on Lake Manitou, Lake Maxinkuckee, Lake Wawasee,

Most of Hiatt’s recent projects have been at lakeside properties, which often present challenges in positioning equipment.

Hiatt looks for equipment that can work effectively within the sometimes-limited space of a lakefront home’s backyard.

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He also monitors what’s going on in his industry to find new products, to give clients maximum value.

Among the values Hiatt places on his business is continuing education. He trains his employees, and they are encouraged attend additional educational training.

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com / 27 10 x 96" fold down shelf 42" railing height.

Hiatt’s Landscaping is also the site of continuing education for other landscapers in the region. Every winter Hiatt invites speakers to talk to landscapers about new products and techniques, and watch

demonstrations. He also shares some of his knowledge on business. Many landscapers have the skills they need to be successful, but may not have the business acumen to keep their business running efficiently and

profitably.

“I came into this business from the education sector,” Hiatt says. “I had to learn how to do the occupation.”

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

Now he is in the position to be able to share his advice with others. He does this to help other landscapers thrive. Hiatt says these landscapers are not his competitors, but rather his colleagues, part of a network in which referrals frequently result in work for others or work for his company.

“There is so much work out there,” he says.

“I want those jobs that fit my company.”

About eight employees comprise Hiatt’s crews. He considers these employees family.

“I have a great group of guys,” he says. “They deliver quality service and build customer rapport.”

Many times his employees are the face of the company. There are some clients Hiatt himself has never met, but are still loyal because of the relationship they have with the mowing or landscaping crews.

Hiatt, a Fulton County native, and his wife Amy, have a 2-year-old son, Shepherd. The couple are expecting their second son, Sage, in April.

landscaping maintenance, as well as leaf and snow removal.

For more information, follow Hiatt’s Landscaping on Facebook or call 574-223-7515. Hiatt can be reached directly at 574-835-1999.

In addition to hardscape design and installation, Hiatt’s Landscaping also offers mowing and landscaping services, lawn and

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A countryside tractor parade that will take us from Nappanee to Wakarusa on an 18 mile round trip!

• All tractor brands welcome • • 10 mph minimum speed • • No fender riders • Accepting Freewill Donations Benefitting

Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation Where the people who wear the uniform matter, not the color of the tractor Contact: Rob Meyers 574-354-7244 The tractor drive will begin and end at the

Nappanee Power from the Past Showgrounds located at 675 N Arnold St., Nappanee, IN 46550

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com / 29

KERLIN MOTOR COMPANY

THREE GENERATIONS OF TRUST AND COMMUNITY Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

Back in the day, car dealerships were one of those places where people gathered.

Locals might stop in and have a cup of coffee with the owner and catch up on all the latest news. Although it’s typical for car dealerships to keep a warm pot of coffee, it’s usually the customers who pour themselves a cup before returning to their smartphones as they wait for the shop to finish. Kerlin Motor Company, which has been a family operation for 95 years, services many coffee drinkers on a regular basis. They’re such a fixture in the community that people still come in and chat with the owners and staff.

Russell Kerlin and his wife Pearl first

purchased the motor dealership in 1927.

Through the years their four sons, Arthur “Dean,” Kenneth, Ed and Ted, took turns owning it, and then their grandson, Rick Kerlin, took over the business in the 1990s along with his sister, Valerie Warner. Both have fond memories of growing up around the dealership.

“It was interesting and fun,” Rick says. “I would head down there, hang around and enjoy everything that was going on there.

I wanted to be part of the business when I grew up.”

Valerie always appreciated the office side of things - a job that she eventually took over.

“Mom would let me, once in a while, walk 30 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

Russell and Pearl Kerlin

down to the dealership because it was two blocks from the school, and just hang out with grandpa, dad and the bookkeeper,” she says. “I would just go in the office and just sit, listen and watch, then my mom would come by and pick me up. That was my treat, to be with them all.”

One of the biggest draws for both siblings is the people that they work with. “We have great employees who we like to be around and spend time with,” Rick says. “We have great clients - a customer base. We end up being friends with a lot of them. It’s not just the business side of it. It’s more the people side of it.”

For the Kerlin siblings, their business means more than just work. It’s a three-generation

We work hard to gain the trust and respect from our customers that they’ve always had, from grandpa through dad and his brothers. To me that’s the best part, knowing that we are fulfilling the legacy that has been laid out, and knowing how grandpa and our dad wanted the business run and wanted customers treated.

Valerie Warner

legacy, and a platform from which to give back to the community by building relationships based on respect, courtesy and trust with every customer who walks through the door.

“We work hard to gain the trust and respect from our customers that they’ve always had, from grandpa through dad and his brothers,” Valerie says. “To me that’s the best part, knowing that we are fulfilling the legacy

Celebrating 95 Years

9944 IN-15, Silver Lake, IN 46982

855-507-5281 or 260-352-2162 • www.kerlinmotors.com THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com / 31

that has been laid out, and knowing how grandpa and our dad wanted the business run and wanted customers treated.”

They are also heavily involved in their community, offering a community breakfast every Christmas and running an annual

coat drive every fall since 1999. Since the first year they offered the coat drive, they have collected and given away 25,281 coats in the local area, and donated $250,000 to charitable organizations including Riley Hospital for Children and the American Diabetes Association.

Their success in continuing that legacy is evident in the customer-centric business practices, and the proof lies in the fact that some people have been loyal customers since their grandfather owned the business.

The rest of the evidence lies in the number of awards they have gotten over the years,

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including the President’s Award from Ford five times over. “We’ve won it two times in a row now,” Rick says. “Less than 10% of the dealers receive that award. It’s a customer service award, so we’re really proud of that.

We’ve won more customer service awards than any dealer around.”

The Kerlins eventually added onto the business with tractors, selling both vehicles and tractors out of the same location. Then in 1949, the family built a new facility for the car side of the business. Rick and Valerie’s father Ted worked in the tractor facility, which was only three blocks from where they lived growing up, until it moved

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to its current location on State Road 15 in Silver Lake.

They also have an award-winning service department with factory-certified technicians overseen by Parts and Services Director Kevin Kersey, who has been on the Kerlin team for 34 years. Parts Manager Dan

O’Hara is also a longtime employee and has been with them for 22 years.

“We’re very low key,” Rick says. “We’re there to serve our customers. Our people are just great. They take pride in what they do.”

Valerie concurs. “We’ve had people come in and say that it’s the amount of respect that they get that sets us apart,” she says.

HONEYWELL ARTS ACADEMY 2022 PERFORMANCES

Honeywell Arts Academy is comprised of three full-scholarship institutes for emerging musicians. Led by Artistic Director Ranaan Meyer and world-renowned faculty, each institute takes place at Eagles Theatre and culminates in a live performance on stage featuring participants and faculty.

Resonance Institute

Soundboard Institute

Wabass Institute

Fri. June 17 7:30 pm

Fri. June 24 7:30 pm

Fri. July 1 7:30 pm

Resonance lies at the intersection of pristine classical training and cross-genre fluidity for an indescribable experience! Resonance is led by mentors Peter Dugan, Nick Kendall, Ranaan Meyer, and Charles Yang (Time for Three). All seats $25.

Showcasing international Now in it's 15th year, pianists with a focus on Wabass dazzles with standard repertoire, the agility each scholar Soundboard is led by brings to the double faculty mentors Matti bass. Faculty mentors Raekaillo and Peter Eric Larson, Ranaan Dugan as they stretch Meyer, and Hal Robinson classically trained musicians' curate a wonderful boundaries to include evening of musicianship jazz, funk, and more. and personality.

All seats $25.

All seats $25.

Eagles Theatre • Wabash IN www.honeywellartsacademy.org Honeywell Arts Academy is an offering of Honeywell Arts & Entertainment 34 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

Their inventory includes Ford cars, Mahindra tractors, and Grasshopper and Ferris zero-turn mowers. These include residential and commercial. They also sell CFMOTO ATVs and UTVs. They also have a variety of agricultural trailers, including livestock, cargo, and utility. “The majority is horse and livestock trailers,” Rick says.

“That’s our biggest seller. They’re basically an RV that holds horses. People go to a horse show or go trail riding, and the trailers are fully self-contained.”

The tractor side of the business also has several longtime employees including Robin Shepherd, who has been the parts and service advisor for 30 years, and Doug Presson, who has been the senior mechanic for 22 years.

Rick enjoys helping a customer find the perfect car, trailer or tractor. “For most people, it’s probably the second-largest purchase they’ll make outside of their house,” he says. “We try to make it very easy, transparent and fun. I tell the sales staff all the time, ‘If somebody is going to buy a new car, you should make it a fun experience for them.’ This is a happy time for them.”

Kerlin Motor Company is located at 9944 South State Road 15 in Silver Lake. Visit them online at kerlinmotors.com or call the service department at 260-352-2162.

Kerlin Tractor & Motorsports is located at 9910 South State Road 15 in Silver Lake. To reach them, go to kerlintractors.com or call 260-352-2490.

Kerlin Trailers is located at 9908 South State Road 15 in Silver Lake. Call them at 260-352-2295 or visit kerlintrailers.com.

WE HAVE YOUR BUTCHER NEEDS COVERED!

574-586-2745 | NewKitchenStore.com | 330 Liberty Street Walkerton, IN 46574

GET AN EDGE

CHOOSING THE RIGHT KNIVES FOR HOME COOKING TASKS Story and Photography Provided

Are you looking to improve your cooking game?

The easiest, and perhaps even more importantly, the most fun way to achieve this is to upgrade your knives. There is nothing like using quality, sharp knives to take cooking from an everyday chore to a pleasure.

Here at New Kitchen Store, we carry the complete line of WÜSTHOF and Miyabi knives.

WÜSTHOF knives are among the finest German kitchen knives you can buy. The company is family owned and has been in business since 1814.

Miyabi is a very fine brand of Japanese

cutlery, owned by Zwilling Henckels from Germany. They are made in Seki, Japan.

We will discuss Miyabi knives in a future article. Today we are going to discuss WÜSTHOF knives. If you have never had a truly quality kitchen knife before, WÜSTHOF is the perfect place to start.

WÜSTHOF knives are used by more than 80% of today’s professional chefs. That alone should tell you everything you need to know. They are designed with the home cook in mind. They are easy to care for and able to stand up to extreme conditions.

When you hold the 8” cook’s knife in your hand, several things jump out at you - first, the perfect balance, right in the middle of the knife. They are not too blade-heavy or handle-heavy. WÜSTHOF knives are the perfect weight - not too heavy and not too THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com / 35

light. They just feel good, like an extension of your hand. The handle construction helps with this. The best material for knife handles is high-impact plastic rather than wood.

WÜSTHOF’s new plastic holds up much better than previous plastics, and is 100% hygienic.

This makes using them an absolute joy, and there is much less fatigue as you effortlessly slice through anything you are preparing.

You do not have to fight your way through your food - just slice and dice.

They are also full-tang knives. A full tang makes a knife much stronger, and securely holds the blade and handle together. It also helps to perfectly balance the knife. They also have a bolster - a hallmark of a forged knife. The bolster helps with the balance and protects your fingers from the blade.

WÜSTHOF knives are tempered to a perfect 58 on the Rockwell hardness scale - a hardness that holds a very sharp edge.

Plus, they are easy to sharpen. The edge right out of the box is probably sharper than any knife you have ever used. With proper care, because of the design, they stay sharp much longer than most knives in the highend knife market.

WÜSTHOF has taken their edge angle from 19 degrees to 14 degrees. A 14-degree angle allows for a much sharper edge than any other western-made knife you can currently buy.

The steel formula used is a high-carbon, nostain steel. They are designed to be easy to sharpen and to hold an edge much longer

than most knives - up to two years if you follow WÜSTHOF’s care guidelines.

While dishwasher-safe, these knives should be hand-washed and hand-dried for optimal performance.

If you drop your knife, do not try and catch it. Move out of the way and let it drop.

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Otherwise you are very likely to either cut yourself or have a knife sticking out of your foot. Move and let it fall.

Come into New Kitchen Store at 330 Liberty Street in Walkerton, and let our experienced staff put one of these knives in your hand. Feel the perfect balance, see the edge and imagine how much fun you can have using this to prep your food for your nightly meals. For more info, call 574-586-2745 or visit newkitchenstore.com.

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

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38 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

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

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE ADMISSION • Farm Equipment • Local School Memorabilia • WWII Artifacts • Early Household and Farming Tools • Several Unusual Exhibits Museum Hours: May-October Friday & Sunday 1:00pm - 6:00pm

November-April

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BRUSHTAMER LLC

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FAMILY FUN SWING SETS

LOCAL SWING SET BUSINESS IS A FAMILY AFFAIR Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

Stanley and Eldora Shock, owners of Family Fun Swing Sets, are celebrating their sixth year of building and selling swing sets to the

Middlebury community and beyond. Each stained wood set with its colorful swings is handcrafted with pride and built to last.

They are constructed to provide hours of entertainment and fun for children and even adults.

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

THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com / 41

“I bought the business in April of 2016 from my brother, who had purchased it from someone else the year before,” Stanley Shock says. “I get the lumber from Pennsylvania in large bundles of 120 or 240 pieces. The wood comes as two-by-fours,

two-by-sixes and two-by-eights. I have a jigsaw and use my own designs.”

“People want certain things on or off, like a curly slide. I’m still learning as I go.”

Shock uses treated pine lumber. He offers swing sets in basic designs but each can be tweaked and changed. The resulting swing sets have variations based on input from the customer.

Each of Shock’s three set designs are variations of each other. The first model consists of a 5’x5’ tower with a sandbox underneath, a roof on top and a slide coming off of it. The 14’ body of the swing set has room for four swing types.

“I can make them small or big, but I do work with three standard designs,” Shock says.

The second version is the same as the first

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13628 CR 8 Middlebury Indiana 46540

42 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

model, but instead of a sandbox, customers can choose either a 5’ picnic table or a 24” picnic table. For all the designs, customers can pick any combination of swings, a plastic glider or a trapeze bar. One option is an adult-sized swing.

binoculars for children to look through.

The third model has an A-frame instead of a tower and steps. It is open and without a roof. It has space for four or five swing options depending on what the customer wants. Prices for any of the swing sets generally range from $1,400 to $3,700.

Customers can choose different tower options. Rock climbing grips, a ships wheel and tic-tac-toe decorations are available.

The materials used in constructing the Another feature is an open space shaped like sets are heavy duty and built to last. The

swings and tower roof come in four colors including burgundy red, green, yellow and blue. Each is made from plastic polyurethane and the colors are bright.

Customers can go with just one color or choose several for different swings on their set. The chains on the swings have a soft grip halfway up, are the same color as the swings, and are between 24” and 30”.

The wood on each set is stained a classic

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reddish brown. Shock dips each wood piece busiest time is April through October. in stain as he is building it. The stain coat will last about three years and customers can “We deliver all over the area,” he says. “We buy a gallon of stain for future maintenance. will bring the finished swing set right to where the customer wants it. We have gone Most of Shock’s customers hear about north into Michigan and as far as Chicago.

Family Fun Swing Sets by word of mouth.

In the future I hope to build a bigger barn People can stop by his shop most afternoons to allow more space for the shop. Eldora, to view sets in the process of being built. His the kids and I like to work on the swing

sets together as a family. Our 6-year-old and 4-year-old love to help and bring us the parts and pieces.”

Family Fun Swing Sets is located at 13628 County Road 8 in Middlebury. For more info, call 574-825-7999.

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

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FLOWER POWER GOSHEN FLORAL & GIFT SHOP ENJOYS CONTINUED SUCCESS

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*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.

46 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

G

oshen Floral & Gift Shop first opened its doors in 1945, and Dan and Kate Stutsman purchased it in 1968. Since then, the Stutsmans have made a name for themselves through creating quality products. It’s a legacy that their daughter, Sally Stutsman, has continued through 54 years of family ownership.

Although Stutsman grew up in the business, she had no desire to pursue it when she was a teenager.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” she says. “I always said I would not end up in this business because I saw how hard my parents work.

When I was growing up it was my mom, my sister, cousin, grandma, aunt - all the employees were almost always family.”

After her parents retired in 1995, her other siblings took turns owning the business

before Stutsman herself took over and fell in love with it all over again. “It’s a pleasure to come to work,” she says. “It’s been good to us, it’s been good to our family. I love the people and the customers we get to work with every day, and God’s beautiful nature.”

Throughout the years Stutsman has been able to maintain the shop’s family feel, even infusing it with her appreciation for those she serves. “It’s been a very faith-based and family-based business over the years,” she says. “Our industry is a very emotionally charged business. We deal with people in their very happiest times and their very saddest times. It’s a time to witness, comfort, and to share joy and happiness on the happy occasions and everything in between.”

Goshen Floral specializes in customized arrangements. “Each order we get is specifically designed for that order,” Stutsman says. “It’s not like we have a production line and every flower

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arrangement is going to look the same.

They’re all handmade by professional designers one order at a time. The website is for ideas and we can mix and match from there.”

Although it might surprise some, no two days are the same in the flower shop. “You might come in and have two or three orders on the clip, and by the end of the day you’ve delivered 25 - you just never know,”

Stutsman describes with a chuckle.

The business also includes a gift shop with a variety of items including inspirational, bereavement (for both people and pets) and

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their more popular gift lines includes locally made confections from local chocolatier Steve’s Gourmet Confections. “I like that it’s a local business and we can support someone local,” Stutsman says.

They also carry women’s clothing and accessories, and men’s sports items - a trend in the floral industry that has been on the rise since 2008. “When the economy was struggling, we all looked for something that would perk up the walk-ins,” Stutsman explains.

McDonald’s and get a hamburger or are you going to go to your favorite pub?” Stutsman says. “You buy what you pay for. It’s teaching people to enjoy the beauty of flowers and that they want flowers in their home, and that’s a good thing.”

Goshen Floral is located at 1918 ½ Elkhart Road in Goshen. Visit them at goshenfloralinc.com, reach out to them by calling 574-533-0531, or email goshenfloral@hotmail.com.

Although they’re based in Goshen, they can reach across the nation through delivery.

They can also personally deliver flowers in Kosciusko, LaGrange and Elkhart counties. memorial gifts. They are perfect as standalone items or as accompaniments to floral arrangements. They have several seasonal items as well like soap botanicals, silk home decor, seasonal wreaths and more. One of

High quality is the name of the game at Goshen Floral. Stutsman purchases her inventory from select wholesalers to ensure that their arrangements are top notch. “I always liken it to, if you want a good hamburger, are you going to go to

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You put on a pretty face - makeup or not - and make sure everyone is taken care of ahead of yourself. You get up early and stay up late to make sure everything is prepped and ready for the next day. You grab a coffee to have an extra feeling of awareness to tackle all the projects that lie ahead for you and the family. You might not have sat down since 5 a.m. this morning.

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running strong. You make everything better even when that’s a hard feat. As stated above, you are magic. Even when you feel down and drained like you can’t go on anymore, you can and you do. You have the strength of a lion and honestly, we know you can do just about anything.

You are the most magical creature on this earth. You make everything twinkle. You make even the smallest gestures seem larger than life. You have a way of making gray skies shine with rainbows. You create magical moments whenever you are around with things like blanket forts, staring at the ceiling or the stars, sitting by the bonfire, sharing old stories of your past, your tiny winks, and so much more. Even just sitting around is better with you there.

You are a shoulder to cry on. You listen and cry with them. You always do so much for others and keep your family and household

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Take any quiet time you can, even if that’s sitting in a quiet closet for five minutes to refresh. Make a little time for you. Everything you are taking care of day in and day out is exhausting and draining, so make sure to take time to refresh your soul at times too. Do it. Set time on the calendar where you are kidfree and partner-free. They’ll understand.

Right now love might be shown to you with slobbery kisses, monster hugs, giant squeezes or even sneezing in your face, but it’ll change and grow over time. The love for you is larger than anyone can quantify. Those in your life know only half the things you do on a daily basis and they can’t even imagine the things running through your head every day. They’d be lost without you and if they don’t know that now, they will someday. It might not be tomorrow, but don’t worry, it’ll come.

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Daria Luczkowski, co-owner and cofounder of Mia Bella Company, says her business has just the right gifts for people to choose from.

Mia Bella, which she co-owns with her mother Ewa, is an up-and-coming company selling elevated gift boxes for any occasion.

“Our curated gift boxes are gifts that are carefully and thoughtfully crafted, specifically with the gifted recipient in mind,” Luczkowski says. “We offer two gift options ready to shop that we pre-curated, or customers can also build their own box using an app feature on our website.”

Luczkowski loves working with her mom in a family business.

“We’ve always enjoyed working together,”

she says. “Ewa had started and owned two businesses in the United States, one of which was catering and event planning. I would help her on the weekend with the events.”

Luczkowski adds that they both enjoyed the creative side of catering, and seeing how hosts and guests enjoyed the outcome of their hard work.

“We’ve always paid particular attention to thoughtful gifting,” she says. “I’ve raised my 7-year old daughter Mia, after whom the

business is named, to give more of herself than she takes. Every year in December after her birthday, which falls before Christmas, she donates all of the gifts and toys she receives so other kids can enjoy the holidays.”

The idea for Mia Bella was born in the same spirit of giving.

“We want to help customers create lasting impressions and memories by making it easy, and yet still having thoughtful gifting solutions,” Luczkowski says.

The Mia Bella team carefully sources premium products and gourmet foods.

“All of our products are sourced and made in the U.S.A., including our eco-friendly packaging,” Luczkowski says. “Most of our products are either handmade, all natural, and/or made by women- and minorityowned businesses.

Community support is also part of their commitment and purpose.

“We have premium gourmet chocolates and sweets, and also beauty products including bath bombs, soaps, lotions and

54 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

facial masks,” Luczkowski says. “We have tumblers by Corkcicle, and we also have a variety of cookies, teas and snacks.”

until Mia made her a ‘babcia,’ or grandma.”

philanthropic causes within the community.

Ewa’s schedule became even busier.

Twenty years later, they were ready for a new challenge.

Luczkowski has a particular process she uses “Thanks to mom’s dedication and full-time for putting the gift boxes together. help, I was able to continue advancing my career in the insurance industry, elevating “Whether you are picking from our readymy customer service, leadership, marketing to-ship collection or having fun building and strategic skills,” Luczkowski says. that perfect gift box from scratch, rest She also continually contributed to assured our carefully selected products are of highest quality,” she says. “We hand-curate each gift box, carefully paying attention to the smallest details. That’s why every box comes with color-coordinated tissue paper and ribbon, branded sticker, and even a handwritten note, making the recipient’s unboxing experience one of a kind - not to mention the speedy shipping.”

Mia Bella has something for any occasion, and even “just because” gifts.

“We have gifts for birthdays, engagements, Easter, Women’s Day, Christmas, Employee Appreciation Day, Boss’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and a ‘Will You Be My Bridesmaid?’ proposal box,” Luczkowski says. “We also specialize in corporate gifting, and will work with firms and enterprises to meet their specific employee and client needs.”

Luczkowski and her mother immigrated to America from Poland 20 years ago.

“Little did we know about the challenges, the struggles and the hard work that lay ahead,” Luczkowski says. “Yet despite all the bumps in the road, our perseverance, work ethic and always having each other’s backs helped us prevail and always move forward together.”

Luczkowski says she started her career in the insurance industry as early as high school.

“I continued to work full time while attending college at nights and earning my MBA at UConn,” she says. “During my days off and on summer vacation, if I was taking extra classes I would help mom with work.

My mother started and ran two successful companies, a catering business and a cleaning service, that kept her very busy up THE LAKES MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com / 55

“We were thousands of personal and professional experiences stronger, so it was time to try something else,” Luczkowski says. “With family and friends always at the heart and center of everything we do, we

decided it was time to leverage our many diverse experiences, and turn our passion for crafts and obsession with gifting into Mia Bella.”

The team’s mission is to help others make lasting impressions and create unforgettable experiences, while removing the hassle from gifting.

“We strive to support the community and procure most of our premium products from U.S.-based, women-owned handcrafting firms such as ours,” Luczkowski says. “We have carefully composed many custom gift-box options, ideal for all occasions that are ready to ship at the click of a few buttons. We also recognize you know the person you are buying for the best, and offer the flexibility of building your own box if you choose.”

For larger and corporate needs, Mia Bella offers concierge services from start to finish, and they are happy to partner with

customers for special event and promotional will gladly add any finishing touches such needs. as a ‘Fragile’ sticker on the shipping box. So don’t look any further. Order your gifting “We will meticulously compose your gift from Mia Bella and let us take the stress box, hand-sign a greeting card, and take care away from you.” of shipping right to your recipient - or you if you like,” Luczkowski says. “But let’s not For more information, go to forget about Mia, whose entrepreneurial miabellabox.com. spirit sparked the idea of Mia Bella. She

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THE WATERSHED FOUNDATION

NORTH WEBSTER ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO IMPROVE LAKE AND RIVER WATER QUALITY Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

melting snow or runoff, flows over when it drains into bodies of water such as creeks, streams, rivers, and eventually lakes and oceans. As the water moves over the land, it picks up pollutants. To prevent water pollution, the health of soil must be addressed since it is the source of contaminants, toxins and chemicals that eventually make their way into the lakes.

The Watershed Foundation (TWF) in North Webster is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in 1997 by concerned residents of Lake Tippecanoe, its goal is to protect and improve the water quality of the entire Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed, which includes 236 square miles and more than 60 lakes.

Lyn Crighton, executive director of TWF, has many family memories that involve A watershed is the land that water, from Lake Tippecanoe. They instilled in her a

love of the lakes which led her to study lake management at Indiana University. She wants to make sure protections are put into place so future generations can continue to experience what she did.

“My best memories are from Lake Tippecanoe,” she says. “My grandparents had a lake cottage there when I was little.

My parents met at the lake. I met my husband and got married at the lake. I went to college intending to be in business management, but discovered that IU had

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lake management.”

Crighton feels that lakes are protected by educating people on how their behaviors affect the environment. Funding must be provided to ensure that better choices are made. TWF has a three-pronged approach for this including partnerships, solution implementation and public education.

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“Everything we do, we do with partners,” Crighton says. “It’s the partnerships that make us successful. Our biggest partners are farmers, since most of the watershed is made up of surrounding farms. We direct them to grants, funding, and share the cost to help them reduce the risk of trying something new.”

New practices might involve changing equipment. No-till farming could be instituted where a drill, not a tractor, is used to plant seeds. Natural tilling comes about when a cover crop is in place year-round and the deep roots break up the soil. The constantly growing vegetation prevents erosion and improves the health of the soil, which results in a better crop.

“When farmers talk to other farmers, they are more willing to listen,” Crighton says.

“There is the saying, ‘Don’t farm naked.’

After harvesting corn or soy beans, oats can be planted and grown all winter until planting time in the spring. Another aspect is getting farmers on board with waste management by keeping livestock fenced out of streams.”

One program supported by TWF is the Healthy Shorelines Initiative. It educates and changes lakefront residents’ expectations and acceptance of what a TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / THE LAKES / 61

shoreline should look like. During the 1950s, many concrete sea walls were put up to act as dams along private lakefront property.

Lyn & Greg Fahl

“The walls actually made the water muddy by stirring up the rocks when the waves hit the concrete surface,” Crighton says. “The Healthy Shoreline program utilizes native plants and glacial stones to dissipate and reduce lake energy. The plants’ deep roots infiltrate the water and discourage geese.

The geese create a mess and are a public health problem. The plants prevent them from seeing the horizon, which makes them nervous because of predators.”

Clear Choices Clean Water is a program created in Indiana and it has been adopted nationwide. It educates and engages adults and youth to understand what they can do for the health of water regardless of where they live. Kids can sign up to be Clean Water Superheroes and are encouraged to take pledges such as a commitment to pick up

bottles, plastics and pet droppings.

This September will mark the sixth year that TWF will sponsor Snapshot Water Monitoring Day. Volunteers collect water samples at 100 different sites and then a map of the water quality is created on that day. Members of the community and local students learn how to measure water for oxygen levels, pH, temperature and E. coli.

“There are simple things anyone can do to make a difference,” Crighton says. “We have a big, complicated ecosystem. Our community values our water resources and they know the lakes are special, but they tend to take them for granted. If we don’t take care, our lakes could die. We want to take care of them for today and future generations.”

The Watershed Foundation is located at 301 North Main Street in North Webster.

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Pregis is a name that few people know.

Nonetheless, their products have been in almost every home in Michiana. Anyone who has ordered something online, purchased food ingredients or meal kits, or even bubble wrap or foam packaging from certain big-box stores in our area has used Pregis protective packaging. There’s also a high possibility that it was made in the Plymouth facility.

“Anything that you think of like protective packaging — the scale is from anything from wadded up brown paper to bubble — really anything you can think of, we made that,” explains Ellie Meyers-Lloyd, the human resources generalist at Pregis.

Pregis products are made from plastic resin pellets that are melted down and reformed into protective packaging that is then used on everything from food shipments to car bumpers.

“Literally any application you can think of. We make any size bag from two inches all the way up to 64 inches,” says Plant Manager, Danny Dean. “You name it, we’re in about every industry.”

There are 14 plants in Pregis’s network.

However, three things set the Plymouth location apart. One is its size — it is the largest plant in the network and has the capability to make any of the products available through Pregis.

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The Plymouth Pregis also houses the customer service department and the sample department.

“The sample department has every product that we make in what we call the protective packaging division,” Dean says. “That

doesn’t exist anywhere else in the network.”

Some of Pregis’s most popular products include air cushioning packaging, like bubble wrap, air pillows, etc. as well as P.E. sheet foam, like foam rolls and pouches.

These come in a variety of densities and

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“We manufacture the product, we send it to the distributor or a fabricator,” Dean says.

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doesn’t mean that they don’t have sustainable business practices.

“Sixty-five percent of all the products that we use, that we manufacture in Plymouth, are of recycled material,” Dean says.

About 200,000 pounds of plastic waste from are either to scrap it out and send it to the the plant gets re-pelletized and recycled into dump or reclaim it and put it right back into new Pregis materials every week. the process, which is what we do.”

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Eco Foundations Wayne Eash 9687N 700W Ligonier, IN 46767 (260) 894-3806 TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / THE LAKES / 67

customer focus, collaboration and innovation. They are one of the highestpaying employers in Plymouth and are known for their employer-employee loyalty, something that is a matter of great pride to the administration at the local plant.

“We have more people that work in our facility who have more than five years than have less,” Dean says. “People come here and they stay here.”

“He never walks through the front door.

He always walks in the back door. And he always asks the same question: ‘What has management done for you lately?’ He’s a super guy. He’s the reason I came here and the reason why I like to recruit my leadership team. It’s a great place to work,” Dean says.

For both Dean and Lloyd, the people on all levels make Pregis a fantastic place to work.

Loyalty is a trait that spans all levels in the administration and the CEO himself keeps his managers accountable.

“We try really hard to put the focus on being different and treating our employees different by doing not the normal — fancy

little things,” Lloyd says. That includes lavish annual Christmas parties, sending bereavement gifts to employees when they lose a close family member, and more.

“Those are not really the typical, normal everyday things that employers do, right?

But we try really hard. It’s just an extra way to show that we appreciate them,” Lloyd says.

To learn more about Pregis or to apply, check them out online at pregis.com or visit them at 1411 Pidco Dr. in Plymouth.

Locally Made • • • • • • • • •

Demolition Building Site Prep Septic System Basements Driveways Poultry Barns Hog Barns Calf Barns Duck Barns

• • • • • • •

Tile & Drain Line Trucking Sand Gravel Limestone Topsoil Fill Dirt

Enclosed - Carhauler - Landscape - Dump Construction - Trailer Accessories Utility & Pontoon Trailer

511 S. Main St. Middlebury, IN 574-825-0900 www.cargo-plus.com

GLEN GRABER 0065 S. S.R. 5 Shipshewana, IN 46565

Work: 260-350-0264 Home: 260-768-3282

Licensed for Septics in Noble, Elkhart, & Lagrange Counties.

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Agriculture Buildings -Equipment storage -Equestrian stables -Livestock facilities

Service Territory

Residential

Guarantee

-Garages -Pole barns -Toy barns

Never charge more than our proposals and change orders. no hidden fees.

Commercial -Storage buildings -Office buildings -Apartment buildings -Garages

How We Build the Community Flexible - We build what you want, no matter how many changes FAIR - Solid quality components at a very fair price on YOUR budget FRIENDLY - Hardworking, helpful, efficient crew members

within 60 min of LaGrange

Indiana Counties -LaGrange Elkhart St. Joseph Noble Steuben Kosciuscko DeKalb Michigan Counties Branch St. Joseph Cass

Contact us Michiana@ibyfax.com Office 260-463-8111 Harley Mast 2 60- 463- 6559

2 LOCATIONS!

On the east side of Webster Lake and also on the Barbee Chain of Lakes.

YUTZY’S

AMMO & OPTIC LLC

Ammunition | Optics | Range Finders Custom Reloads | Knives Batteries | Gun Cleaning Supplies GUNS: Rifles, Pistols & Shotguns

574-218-1702 30863 CR 46 Wakarusa, IN 46573 TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / THE LAKES / 69

Socks Marina 60 EMS W17 Lane North Webster, IN 46555 574 834-2894

Socks Marina Barbee 314 EMS B61 LN Warsaw, IN 46582 574 834-2595

’S WELDING & REPAIR R E L L I M

Pretty Petals

Greenhouse

Mother’s Day Gifts Bedding Plants • Baskets Perennials • Vegetable Plants & More!

ALUMINUM & STEEL WELDING CUSTOM BUGGY TRAILERS 7565 N 1000 W • SHIPSHEWANA, IN 46565 260-336-7521

OPEN MON-SAT 9am-5pm

574-825-9565 x5

54244 Country Rd. 43 | Middlebury, IN

Qualit� Built Fur�it�re & Cabinets CABINETRY FOR LIFE CUSTOM KITCHEN & BATH CABINETS CUSTOM FURNITURE BEDROOM SETS SEWING CABINETS ROLLTOP DESKS

ORLA H. & ERMA YODER 65438 State Road 13 | Millersburg, IN 46543 | Phone: 574.642.9940 | Fax: 574.642.3602 70 / THE LAKES / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

E A IG

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS CREATES POSITIVE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

POLYMER PRODUCTS THAT LAST CNC Routing & Manufacturing of Polymer Products & Buggy Parts

Greeting Cards • Cheeses Dairy Goods and Meats All Sizes of Diapers Pull Ups & Baby Formula

Signs & Post Kits

Mailbox Signs

We make custom signs from Colorcore sheets.

These signs will last much longer than vinyl signage. Colorcore polymer sheets are environmentally stabilized for a lifetime of worry free use in harsh outdoor environments.

260-593-3002 120 S. Main St. Topeka IN 46571 TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / THE LAKES / 71

7205 N 675 W Shipshewana, IN 46565 P: 260-350-3506 F: 260-768-4218

S

helby and Wes Kowal with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elkhart County (BBBS) have thoroughly enjoyed the program, and encourage others to get involved.

“The program is located in Goshen, Indiana, south of Dunlap,” Wes says. “The office is right next door to one of our amazing donors, DJ Construction.”

Shelby believes the program has helped to give kids positive role models.

“I am the community manager with BBBS, and I am a Big Sister,” Shelby says. “Wes is the CEO of Next Level Pixels and is a Big Brother. Being a Big means you are a caring adult who is a consistent, positive role model to a child or children in our community. We are the first in this agency

to have two little [brothers] instead of just one. The boys are identical twins and turned 9 in August.”

BBBS has been serving Elkhart kids for more than 50 years.

“Their mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of our youth,” Wes says. “One-to-one mentoring creates opportunities and experiences that build confidence and help our youth succeed in life.”

The program doesn’t require a special occasion or expensive activities. It involves a few hours per month to share the simple things in life that the mentors already enjoy doing. It can also be an activity the kids like.

Shelby says the program is one of a kind.

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Located in “Downtown” Nappanee, IN Call 832-RUHE for reservations.

Open Tuesday - Saturday.

Follow us on Facebook for weekly features.

www.RUHE152.com

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NEW RAW MIL !

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Home of Katie’s Homemade Noodles & Dutch Country Honey

Local Honey • Maple Syrup Local Eggs • Baked Goods Bread & Butter Pickles • Baby Beets 30 Flavors of Jams & Jellies Local Meats • Milk & Cheese 37 Varieties of Salsa AND MUCH MORE!

VISIT TODAY

11351 County Rd 16, Middlebury, IN • 574-825-3594 • Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30, Sat 8:30-5 TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / THE LAKES / 73

ART IS IN THE AIR! Culver & Lake Maxinkuckee

“We have been matched with the boys for a little over a year now, and throughout our time together we’ve seen them go from shy, reluctant kids to being full of life, confident and willing to try new experiences,” Shelby says. “As the mentors, it has been a very rewarding experience for us. Whenever we get together, we get to be kids again too, and laugh and be silly. They have taught us how to be in the moment, and enjoy our time together. The boys have become a part of our family. We do holidays and birthdays together, and just call each other to check in. We love our time we get to spend with them.”

Local residents have made the program a success.

“We live in a tight-knit community who cares deeply for our youth, and want to see each and every one of our kids succeed,” Shelby says. “Our community loves our organization, and continues to support us every day. We are very grateful to be surrounded and supported by such a wonderful community.”

A lot of time and effort is put into matching kids with the right mentors.

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“Personally, we really like that this program focuses on quality matches,” Shelby says.

“The boys and us have a lot in common, which makes it fun to hang out. We also love that we are making a difference in the boys’ lives, and getting to watch them be kids and grow up feeling safe, loved and confident that they can do whatever they set their minds on. We love being able to experience life together. We took them to their very first Notre Dame football game and it was such a blast, not only because Notre Dame

won, but because the kids’ smiles and laughs are contagious. We all had such a wonderful day together and we didn’t want it to end.”

Shelby believes being a mentor has truly changed her life.

“The boys are so special to us, and it does not take a lot of time to make a difference in a child’s life,” Shelby says. “If anyone is interested in learning more about our program or how to get involved, please go to our website, bbbselkhart. org, or send an email to me at shelby@ bbbselkhart.org. I will be happy to talk more about our program, and all the good it is doing in our community and the lives of our youth.”

Anyone interested in the program can also call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elkhart County, located at 3320 Elkhart Road in Goshen, at 574-830-5013.

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

COUNTRY GARDEN CENTER

HIGH QUALITY METAL ASPHALT SHINGLES FLATS • GUTTERS LEAF GUARDS

HANGING BASKETS, ANNUALS, PERRENIALS, SEEDS, AND MORE

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SNOW GUARDS

GIFT ITEMS & CERTIFICATES AT

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Lilly Pad

BOUTIQUE Apparel • Lake Gear • Shoes Decor • Gifts & More

Quality Construction at an Affordable Price

Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm Wednesdays 10am to 6pm

New Homes • Room Additions Roofing Shingles or Metal Roofs Interior/Exterior Remodeling All Types of Residential Construction

Find Us On Facebook

2317 E. State Road 14 Rochester, IN 46975

(574)223-5459

www.jayhconstruction.com FRI & SAT

Broasted Chicken

FRIDAY • Homemade potato salad & pasta salad

Prime Rib

• Homemade soups • Fresh made pies daily • Ice cream

Mon - Thur 7am to 7pm | Fri 7am to 8pm | Sat 6am to 8pm N BALDWINRD, RD, NORTH WEBSTER, IN IN 48944894 N BALDWIN NORTH WEBSTER,

• 574-834-1670 4894 NDAVIDSENSPIERSERVICE.COM BALDWIN RD, NORTH IN DAVIDSENSPIERSERVICE.COM • WEBSTER, 574-834-1670

DAVIDSENSPIERSERVICE.COM • 574-834-1670

(260) 593-2988 414 E Lake St | Topeka, IN 46571

76 / THE LAKES / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

I N M AY AT T H E L A K E S ELKHART COUNTY

MAY 3–SEP 24

NORMAN ROCKWELL: AMERICA’S ILLUSTRATOR, MIDWEST MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, ELKHART

Large collection of signed and numbered, limivted-edition collotypes and stone lithographs brings some of the most famous Saturday Evening Post covers to life of one of America’s greatest Storyteller. https://www.midwestmuseum.org/norman-rockwell-americas-illustrator

MAY 30–SEP 15 QUILT GARDENS ALONG THE HERITAGE TRAIL

Quilting, gardening, and art into a one-of-a-kind event featuring more than a million vibrant blooms, 17 gigantic gardens, and 13 Quilt Mural sites. Colorful patchwork of quilt-inspired gardens and hand-painted, quilt-themed, super-sized murals deliver dazzling views in the 6 communities. FREE! https://visitshipshewanain.com/quilt-garden-trail

MAY 30–OCT 28 EPIC ART ADVENTURES ALONG THE HERITAGE TRAIL

Featuring a public art trail through 7 cities and towns in Elkhart County including 24 Seward Johnson life size bronze sculptures plus 26 local and regional artists sculptures. Free. www.EpicArtAdventures.com

LAG RANGE COUNT Y

MAY 3–SEP 27 SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET

The open air market is open weekly Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 am - 4 pm, May through September. Free admission.

Paid Parking. https://shipshewanatradingplace.com

NOBLE COU NTY

21

FAIRY, GNOME AND TROLL FESTIVAL, KENDALLVILLE

Highlights include story time with a real fairy princess, face painting, circus acts, fun games and activities, food trucks, a fairy tea party, and a bubble party in the street! https://www.aokendallville.com/ fairy-gnome-and-troll-festival

26-20

KENDALLVILLE TRISTATE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

Noble Co Fairgrounds, Kendallville Featuring a dozen bands over four days Memorial Day Weekend. This is also the Midwest’s best Parkin’ Lot Pickin’ festival. The show goes on, rain or shine. Bring low back lawn chairs, covered seating! Kids 15 and under FREE with paid adult. https://www.bluegrassusa.net/nibga-festival/memorial

ST J OSEPH COU NTY

14

TRAX MUSIC FESTIVAL

Ignition Park, South Bend South Bend’s first major music fest. Featuring a full line up of national recording artists. https://traxmusicfestival.com

MAY 15–SEP 23 MISHAWAKA FARMERS MARKET

Ironworks Plaza, Mishawaka Get a taste of home grown. Produce, baked goods, and homemade crafts. The market runs from 10:00 am-2:00 pm every Sundays, rain or shine. http://mishawaka.in.gov/parks/event-special/mishawaka-farmers-market

6-7

20

Parade, buggy races, corn-hole tournament, kids games, tractor pull, dancing, live entertainment and more! https://visitshipshewanain.com/event/153/mayfest

Four Winds Field, South Bend Unlimited samples of over 75 different wine, beer and hard seltzers at a tasting event like no other! Enjoy the spacious Four Winds Field where there will be live entertainment, a photo booth and a variety of yard games to keep you entertained. https://www.southbendwineandbeer.com

SHIPSHEWANA MAYFEST

KO S C I U S KO CO U N T Y

19

LAKE WAWASEE “POINTS OF INTEREST” CRUISE

The Frog Tavern, Syracuse Enjoy local historian Ann Garceau as she narrates a cruise of Lake Wawasee highlighting “Points of Interest” aboard the SS Lillypad II. https://www.chautauquawawasee.org/category/events

20-22

FAT & SKINNY TIRE FESTIVAL

Village at Winona, Winona Lake Fat & Skinny Tire Fest is a fun-filled weekend centered around bringing cycling enthusiasts and participants together to share the enjoyment of cycling and health related benefits that riding a bike can provide. The family activities and races emphasize an attitude of wellness, enjoyment and options available for all ages of cycling enthusiasts in our community.

The weekend includes: Road and mountain bike races, Countryside tours, Family activities and kids events, Cycling instruction and demonstrations, Food and drink vendors, Live music https://villageatwinona.com/events/fat-skinny-tire-fest

28

WAWASEE OAKWOOD FINE ART FESTIVAL

Oakwood Resort, Syracuse Over 30 local and regional artists offering juried art from around Indiana and beyond in a family-friendly outdoor setting. FREE! https://www.chautauquawawasee.org/events/lakewawasee-points-of-interest-historical-cruise-2022

28

MILFORD FAMILY FUN FEST

Classic family fun and a carnival atmosphere. Enjoy carnival rides, a classic car cruise-in show, and a variety of fair food. https://www.facebook.com/ Milford-Family-Fun-Fest-104536648426677

JA WINE & BEER FESTIVAL

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UPCOMING EVENTS APR 28 – MAY 1

IBRA 4TH ANNUAL BIG MONEY

MAY 13 – MAY 14

MORGAN AND MORGAN CROSS SALE

MAY 13 – MAY 15

AAU GRAND PRIX VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

WWW.MICHIANAEVENTS.COM

MAY 31 – JUN 5

260-768-3310

TEAM CAMARILLO BARREL RACING

455 E FARVER STREET

JUN 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 FOOD TRUCK RALLY (EVERY WED)

SHIPSHEWANA, IN 46565

JUN 24 – JUN 25

MIDWEST DRAFT HORSE CLASSIC SHOW & PULL

JUN 30 – JUL 2

TRI-STATE ALL MORGAN HORSE SHOW

Your Place for Gourmet

Coffee & Sandwiches

NOW OPEN

Arlington Public House 703 Main St. Rochester

701 Main St. Rochester, IN 46975

(574) 223-7107 www.jarretysplace.com

TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / THE LAKES / 79

Alfano’s Pier and Lift LLC Don’t stress we’re going to your house next!

New / used pier and boat lifts available

Call now! 574-526-2650 8041 E. 400 N. Leesburg, In 46538