inMiddlebury Magazine P.O. Box 68 Middlebury, IN 46540
Postal Patrons
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE ECRWSSEDDM PAID Berne, IN Permit No. 43
Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana
JANUARY 2022
COME SEE US FOR ALL YOUR AUTO & RV NEEDS VEHICLE & RV SALES
RV SERVICES
NEW and Used Travel Trailers | Fifth Wheels | Toy Haulers | Motorhomes | Gently Used Trucks, SUV’s and Cars | Full Service Finance Department
Winterization/De-Winterization Wash & Repack Wheel Bearings Roof Maintenance | Slide Out Maintenance | Diagnostics
VEHICLE SERVICES
RV & VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES STORE
Tires | Brakes | Alignment | Oil Change Transmission Services
RENTALS
Passenger Vans | Travel Trailers Motorhomes
574-825-4000
Hitches | WeatherTech Floor Liners Running Boards | Camping Chairs RV Accessories
CHECK OUT OUR INVENTORY ONLINE!
ROYALRVAUTO.COM
14441 US HWY 20 • MIDDLEBURY, IN 46540 2 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
Table of Contents Outdoor Living, 6 Dr. Carla Gull Lesson Learned from a Tree
16 From the Family Bookshelves: Mid-Winter Reads Chris Wheeler
10
7
Middlebury Parks Department
Northridge Theater Troupes Compete at Regionals , 18
Middlebury Tree Board
Thank You From the Wheeler Family, 14 Chris Wheeler
Boys and Girls Club: Learning to Make Smart Choices, 8
22 Scholar Athlete: Collin Seegert
CONTRIBUTORS: PUBLISHER:
Northridge Athletics, 24
27 Give a Shout of Gratitude! 27
“The Splendor of Snow” in Krider Garden. Photo by Kris Mueller
Don L. Hurd
EDITOR:
Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
ADVERTISING: Scott Faust
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Magdalena Franke
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dr. Carla Gull, Chris Wheeler, Elma Chapman Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Russ Draper, Dr. Carla Gull, Kris Mueller, Elma Chapman Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
Advertise with us Share your message with every home and business within the Middlebury School Corporation. We mail the magazine to homes and businesses throughout the Middlebury School District and publish it online. Your ad can reach each home for as low as 1.5¢ per address. Design is free with purchase of your ad. Our Account Managers are here to help, just give us a call at 574-228-3080 or email advertising@hurdmedia.com.
Advertising deadline for the February issue
is January 19.
inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 3
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
JANUARY
WEEKLY
WED: Middlebury Exchange Club, Essenhaus – 6:30 a.m. FRI: Optimist Club Breakfast, Essenhaus – 6:30 a.m.
MONTHLY AMERICAN LEGION DINNERS 5 -7 p.m., Public welcome 1st Friday: All-You-Can-Eat Fish by the Legion 2nd Friday: Grilled Smoked Pork Chops by Legion Riders 3rd Friday: Shrimp or Chicken Tender Dinner by SAL 4th Friday: Manhattan Dinner by the Legion 5th Friday: Brats by Boy Scout Troop 7 Last Saturday: Steak Grill – Call 825-5121 for more info 1ST & 3RD MONDAYS: Town Council Meetings at Town Hall – 6 p.m.
Hello Middlebury! And just like that 2021 is over and here we are in 2022. Happy New Year from my family to yours. Hoping 2022 brings love and warmth to the homes and hearts of all. For many of us the last few years feels like a blur and often it is hard to distinguish one year from the previous. Hopefully 2022 will be filled with memories worth preserving and we will soon emerge from this odd cloud hibernation. In the meantime I only have one New Year’s resolution and that is to try and love more. My warmest wishes to the people of Middlebury for this new year. - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAYS: Middlebury Men’s Club Meetings at the American Legion – 7 p.m. 2ND AND 4TH MONDAYS: Middlebury Lions Club - 7 p.m., American Legion Hall
JANUARY – DECEMBER: MIDDLEBURY THEN & NOW SELF-GUIDED TOURS Pick up your free tour book at the Middlebury Community Historical Museum, Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Middlebury Visitor Center or other area locations and walk or drive to the various historical homes, businesses, cemeteries, parks and landmarks throughout the Middlebury area. Exterior tours only unless location is open for business. Free JANUARY – DECEMBER: TRAIL TALES Bring the family outdoors to read a children’s book while walking a short path at Riverbend Park; book pages are placed in special kiosks along the path. New books are installed monthly. Free 4 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
January MILESTONES
Birthdays
1/2 1/9 1/9 1/10 1/11 1/12
Happy Birthday Alex!
Barb Fisher Hannah Templeton Char Swoveland Tom Enright Rebecca Gindelberger Shirley Dorbin
Happy Birthday Willow!
1/14 1/16 1/16 1/24 1/27 1/28
Happy Birthday Char!
Cari Bowman Tom Watson Austin King, 14 Jessica Stouder Alex Gonzalez Willow Thompson
Happy Birthday Hannah!
Happy Birthday Tom!
Have a celebration in February?
Let us know by January 17 . Email inmiddleburymagazine@gmail.com or call 260-463-3660. Be sure to include Name, Birth or Anniversary Date, Age or Years Celebrating. Don’t forget a photo and a short note if you like. inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 5
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A TREE
OUTDOOR LIVING
The children wanted to show their love for this big tree!
Do you ever wonder in awe and amazement at a tree? I recently shared the book, Be a Tree by Maria Gianferrari, with a local preschool class. The poetic text invited our bodies to stand tall like a tree, stretching limbs to the sky and curling roots into the ground. We investigated bark which protects the tree like our skin and the inner layers of the tree that give support like our bones and carry nutrients like our vascular system. We also learned of the diversity of trees, how their canopies have different shapes and the leaves blow in the wind. It reminded of a period of great change with my work. Our supervisor had us all stand with planted feet and branches up high, saying, “I’m a tree. I can bend.” Trees are resilient in gusts and storms. In the book, we were reminded that the trees’ roots are all intertwined along with an extensive fungi system. Trees “talk” and care for other trees, letting them know of danger and sharing resources. The canopies allow space for other nearby trees and shade younger
ones. Trees also become homes for many other animals and organisms in the ecosystem. If you’d like to learn more about how trees communicate and care for each other, check out The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. Be a Tree reminds us that forests are strong together, taking care of the new, weak, sick, and young trees, with illustrations that we, as humans, also care for those in need in our community. As the book mentions, “There is enough for all,” including all of us in our community, together as a forest. The book share with ways to help save trees and to be a forest in our community. The children gave many suggestions like giving a hug, handshake, or smile. The book also recommends many ways I see our community pulling together like helping with stray animals, visiting “grandfriends” in nursing homes, having buddy systems at the schools, and sowing native plants in local gardens. How are you a part of our forest community? How can we make space for all, caring for and nurturing those around us?
The bark of the tree protects like our skin protects our bodies. Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www. insideoutsidemichiana.com and hosts the podcast Loose Parts Nature Play. She is often seen with four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area. 6 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
Preschoolers explored the rings of a tree.
This Art is for you!
Adding public art to Middlebury’s parks and trails polls high on numerous Park surveys and community input meetings. Watch for several new outdoor art installations in 2022 designed to entertain and inspire our citizens and attract visitors to our community. • Limited edition Seward Johnson sculpture on display May through September at the Krider Quilt Garden to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Northern Indiana Quilt Garden Tour. • A marble replica of the late Sam
Graber’s much loved “faces in the trees” carvings donated in memorial by his family. This nostalgic piece will find its way to Krider Garden along the bike trail Sam used daily into his 90’s. • “The Gathering Place”, a commissioned metal tree sculpture created by a local Goshen artist and inspired by Indiana’s natural world and Krider World’s Fair Garden’s spirit as a place of family gatherings of many kinds. Lower Krider Garden will be the destination of this special piece created for a special place.
Gotcha! by Seward Johnson ©1993 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.
Appreciation expressed for the Krider Rest Area. “Great addition to the trail.” – Paul Ewing
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail through Middlebury has continued to get plenty of use. From Nov. 2020 to Nov. 2021, there were 118,383 passes of the trail counter on the north side of the Trestle Bridge, with the highest single day count of 2,238 passes on September 5, 2021. The Friends of the Pumpkinvine have received lots of positive feedback about the new Krider Garden Rest Area completed in 2021.
You make our town vibrant
Your donations to the Flower and Fixture Fund bring life, beauty and vibrancy to your parks and Town Center. Not funded by taxes, but by a caring community, the annual plantings show the world that you love Middlebury. Individuals, families, civic groups and companies may make tax deductible donations by contacting Middlebury Parks.
“A drinking fountain on the trail!!! THANK YOU!” – Michelle Meengs Bache “ They are very nice and well appreciated! Can’t wait till spring!” – Linda Walker “These are a wonderful addition to the trail. THANK YOU to Middlebury and all who made this happen.” – Judy Frey
This will be an excellent addition to the PV! Visionary planning on the part of Middlebury Parks and Town Council. – Joel Zwier
THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY
SAFE
TIMELY
DEPENDABLE
inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 7
Club Members Learning To Make Smart Choices Helping young members make smart choices. That’s the goal of the social skills programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County.
We want them to know they have a choice in how they respond to different situations,” said Youth Behavioral Specialist Natasha Lantz.
Kids at the Middlebury Clubhouse are learning ways to tell others that they’re “Too Good For Drugs And Violence.” As part of the program, they just created “Me Books” which encouraged them to list areas where they excel, what they like, and words that describe them.
Between 15 and 20 members at the Middlebury Club take part in the program. It consists of 35 sessions during the school year that cover everything from conflict resolution, community involvement, how to deal with bullies and ways to avoid drugs and alcohol.
The members practiced giving each other compliments based on how they designed their books and what was included inside. It’s an overall lesson in how compliments make people feel and how to give and receive them respectfully.
“The goal is to teach them how to deal with situations they will encounter in everyday life,” Lantz said.
“It’s all about choices and actions.
She said the kids involved in the program enjoy the activities. They are designed to teach a lesson while being fun and hands-on.
We deliver softer skin. Are you comfortable in your skin or does a shower leave you feeling dry? Hawkins Water Tech can help.
HawkinsWater.com
8 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 P-HWT-014 = Soft Skin Size: 7.375” x 1.5”"
Prepared by Todd Allen Design, Inc. 574.295.8866
Dreaming up the ideal retirement is your job. Helping you get there is ours. To learn more about why Edward Jones makes for you, call my office today.
IRT-1848G-A
www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC Bill Clark Aaron J Scholl Steve Herbster Eric Stults AAMS® AAMS® AAMS® Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 109 E. Warren St. 830 S. Main St. 109 E. Warren St. 111 E. Warren St. Middlebury, IN 46540 Middlebury, IN 46540 Middlebury, IN 46540 Middlebury, IN 46540 574-825-5452 574-825-3653 574-825-5452 574-825-0136
851 U.S. 20, Suite 2 Middlebury 574-825-7222
Auto glass repair and replace Shower enclosures Plexiglass Glass that fits your needs Screen repair Mirrors 9216, 400 N Main St, Middlebury, IN 46540 (574) 825-2225 • Mon. - Fri. 8-5 p.m.
• weddings • receptions
54595 C R 17 Elkhart 574-293-0222
• special events • food truck
• Pizza • Pasta • Subs • Broasted Chicken • Beer, Wine & Cocktails • Specializing in Wedding & Corporate Catering • Outside Dining Available
Dine-in/ Takeout • Open 7 days inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 9
Middlebury has a reputation…
for being a great place to live raise a family and work, but who are the people who make Middlebury a Vibrant Community? There are so many committees but the one that is probably the most un-known is the Tree Board. They beautify our town by planting and maintaining the tree’s in town and along the pumpkin vine, at the schools etc. Middlebury is know as the Crystal Valley for the beautiful winter days that freeze and shine like crystals, but did you know we are also a Tree City. The board has to renew their status every year. Right now we have 7 Tree board members and they would like to get that number up to 10. Mike Miller serves as the President, Doug Yoder (who doesn’t even live in Middlebury anymore but wants to help the community where he was raised,) Al Spice, Larry Carlson, Phil Meister, Eric Risser and Joseph Parks. A few years ago they planted 32 trees at the new Ridge Run Trail near the covered bridge at the Essenthaus. This past spring in conjunction with the Park Department they applied for and received a grant for a project to plant 50 trees. Forty six of those were planted art the high school, near the county road 35 entrance, and 4 were planted in town. Annually they average 15-20 trees. Arbor day is when they typically do their one big project each year. A large part of the work involves pruning the trees that they’ve planted in previous years, because planting a nursery tree and then ignoring it rarely results in a good tree with a good strong structure. The Board would love to get some new young blood on the Tree board. If you don’t know much about tree’s it it could be a great learning experience For more information about how to get involved and keep a great thing going for our community contact :Mike Miller, 574-596-9163 robmik2000@yahoo.com. 10 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
Pruning trees along the Pumpkin vine
Arbor Day Planting
MIDDLEBURY TWP FIRE/EMS 117 N MAIN ST MIDDLEBURY IN 46540 (574) 825-1484 * (574) 825-1492
To:
All Household and Businesses within the Town of Middlebury, Middlebury Township and York Township
In an emergency-every second counts. It is important that Police, Fire and or Ambulance personnel be able to locate your home or business quickly. Reflective house number signs are an effective way to help us pinpoint your address and may help save property and lives. The Middlebury Township Fire Department has these reflective signs available for $15.00. The signs, which are green with white reflective numbers, are highly visible at night and during snow or fog. They can be mounted on your home or business, on your rural mailbox post (if it is located on the same side of the street as your home or business), or on a post- as long as they are visible from the road. We encourage you to participate in this offer so that we can quickly locate your home or business in the event of an emergency. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please return this order form, along with $15.00 (cash or check) to: Middlebury Township Fire Department, 117 North Main Street, Middlebury, IN 46540
Name: Street Address: Mailing Address: City/State/Zip: Phone #: Rural 4 or 5 Digit Address – Sign is 6” x 18”- Numbered on Both Sides. Horizontal Mount (across)
Vertical Mount (up & down)
City 3 Digit Address – Sign is 6” x 9”. Horizontal Mount (across)
Vertical Mount (up & down)
******** Someone will call you when your sign is ready for pick-up at Fire Station.******** If you need assistance in mounting the sign, or if you need a post, please indicate so in the space below.
If you have any questions, please call the Non-Emergency Numbers for the Middlebury Township Fire/EMS Department, (574) 825-1484 or (574) 825-1492. inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 11
12 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
THE HILLTOP RESTAURANT
Enjoy Menu or Buffet Dining
Explore the Village Shops
240 US 20 • 574.825.9471 • essenhaus.com The regions premier one stop shop for embroidery, screen printing (over 200 colors to choose from), textile laser embroidery, laser engraving, direct to garment, heat transfer, wide format printing, car, wall & window decals, vehicle wraps, yard signs, banners, and rhinestone designs.
Thank you for welcoming us back in the community. We are so glad to We haveals see our customers back again. daily speci Tues.-Sat. • 5am-8pm Sun. • 7am-3pm 300 Wayne St, Middlebury
574-825-3333
Champion woman owned business
Phone 260-463-7373 | Fax 260-463-4950 4425 W US Highway 20 | LaGrange, Indiana 46761
www.thebarnsatnappanee.com
574-773-4188
info@thebarnsatnappanee.com 1600 West Market Street Nappanee, Indiana 46550 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 13
Chris Wheeler
and I met and married in college, started having kids soon after, and I worked downtown at my alma mater. We had a really great community there in our church and at work, but at some point we knew we wanted a slower pace of life. The move to Middlebury just made sense. But I also recognized that I didn’t know the community here as well as I wanted to. So when Desirée asked what I wanted to write, I figured I would kill two birds with one stone: get to know the people of Middlebury in person, and give their stories back to the community in a tangible form. Desirée, who is an incredible person and someone you should definitely know, agreed and gave me great ideas for contacts (and, I might add, a lot of encouragement and an unending supply of patience when I was late on deadlines!) So since last August, that’s what I’ve been doing.
Hello neighbors, A few years back, Linnea and I decided we couldn’t hack the cost of living in Chicago, so we moved back to my childhood home out on CR 12 with our kids. We eventually bought the home from my parents, who now live with us along with my sister. In the transition from renting apartments (four different places over 8 years) to owning a home, we’ve come to really love putting down roots and committing to care for a specific community as best we can in whatever stage of life we’re in. Right now, that involves a lot of chaos – we have five kids under the age of nine right now – but a community like Middlebury has a lot of opportunities for channeling that chaotic energy into fun and rewarding activities. Not too long after we moved here, I contacted Desirée about writing for the InMiddlebury magazine, and she asked me what I had in mind. I was born and raised in Middlebury, but I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to it growing up. In fact, as a teen I was more intent on getting out of it and experiencing the larger world. I studied music in Chicago, joined a traveling choir, and got to see a little of what the world had to offer. Linnea 14 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
I expected to meet interesting individuals, but what I didn’t expect was just how inspiring and uplifting it would be to interview all of you. During a very difficult year for communities everywhere, I met lovely people from all walks of life who were intent on loving those around them, working hard to make good things, and living their lives with purpose. It’s easy to just say “small-town feel” when describing Middlebury, but what I’ve experienced in these interviews – and I hope what you’ve received in reading them – is the heart behind that phrase. Of course, we’ve had our struggles as a community. Who hasn’t these past few years? But I think those transform us into better people too, if we let them. Dietrich Bonhoeffer pointed out in his book Life Together that “the person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” Our articulated ideals for community are helpful, but it’s how we treat each other day-to-day in real life that matters most. And if the stories we’ve told in this magazine communicate anything, it’s that there’s a lot of us who are walking the talk. And all I can say is: thank you for telling good stories with your lives. Keep telling them! So, happy 2022 to you all! I’m excited for a new year of hearing more of your stories.
Chris Wheeler
(P. S. If you know someone you think I should interview, just drop me a line at chriswheelerinbox@gmail.com. I’m always adding names to my list!)
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE
Bridal Section Promote your business in our
ANNUAL BRIDAL SECTION
coming in the March issue of the inMiddlebury Magazine.
Contact Scott Faust advertising@hurdmedia.com or call 574-228-3080
Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana
inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 15
FROM THE FAMILY BOOKSHELF
Mid-Winter Reads Chris Wheeler
Whether you’re the hibernating type or not, cozying up to a large stack of books will help wile away the latter half of our Midwestern winter, and has the added benefit of making you look good when all those New Year resolution posts are trending on Instagram (#shelfie). These are a few of our family’s current favorite winter reads with kid’s ages as a guide, and most of them are available through the Middlebury Public Library. Digory (freshly 2) currently needs books that move at his speed, which is somewhere in the range of caffeinated groundhog. Appropriately, his current favorite book is the classic Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (Eileen Christelow). But after a day of unceasing energy, he enjoys the minimalistic coziness of Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathman. He likes the different zoo animals, finding the balloon on every page, and the general sneakiness of it all. He also recommends John Burnham’s Mr. Gumpy, about a boat ride gone awry which still ends with tea and cake. Louisa (3) has been obsessed lately with the Lonely Doll books by Dare Wright. Edith the doll gets into hijinks of all sorts with her new teddy bear family; Louisa loves the black-and-white photography and quirky storylines. A few favorites are Edith and the Duckling and The Doll and the Kitten. We also like to pull out our photo albums (made through Chatbooks) during the holiday season, and will often find Digory and Louisa poring through them side-by-side on the couch, pointing out all the faces they recognize. Percy (5) and Kai (7) both enjoy the wintry snow-fort adventure in Rebecca Bond’s This Place in the Snow. They love the fantastic structures filling the pages and the rhythmic text. They are also fans of the new-year themed Angelina Ice Skates (Holabird), because it has a huge snowball fight and the boys get to be part of the ice skating show too. Kai recently picked up The Silver Chair (C. S. Lewis) on his own, recalling the giants and gnomes and the funny old Marshwiggle in it from when we read it aloud a few years back.
16 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
Nadia (9) tends to flit from book to book these days, but our recent family readalouds of Peter Pan (Barrie) and Sarah, Plain and Tall (MacLachlan) were highlights for her. She particularly resonated with the motherly character of Wendy, watching over her brood of mischievous Lost Boys. Thankfully our own “lost boys” got a kick out of the book too. She is currently immersed in a re-read of Rascal (Sterling North), the semi-autobiographical recollections of its author, whose life changes forever when he takes in a raccoon kit. The story scratches Nadia’s ever-present itch to take in every cute critter she finds and make it her pet. As a family, we enjoy the sleepy, calming effect of Bear Has a Story to Tell (Philip C. Stead). The illustrations are endearing and the characters are truly kind to each other, and it’s all about that restless time right before hibernation (i.e. bedtime). We also love the odes to winter and richly-colored illustrations in Joyce Sidman’s Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold. Linnea has been enjoying biographies of notable and inspiring women, in particular the exhaustively-researched The Gift of Wings: Lucy Maud Montgomery (Mary Rubio), about the author of Anne of Green Gables. She also recommends the award-winning and accessible Witness to a Revolution: Abigail Adams (Natalie Bober), which she has been reading with Nadia. As for me (Chris), I can’t stay away from Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows in the winter. I don’t think there’s a more cozy story out there, with its downright lavish descriptions of the lives and settings of little creatures (particularly the Badger’s winter home). It’s one of the few books I reread annually. I’m also midway through Tolkien’s The Return of the King, which really shouldn’t require any convincing for you to read if epic fantasy is your thing. We hope you enjoy these books as much as we have this winter! Stay warm and well-read, friends. The Wheelers
WHEREVER YOU ARE IN LIFE
YOUR NEXT
STARTS HERE Middlebury | Elkhart | Goshen | South Bend
www.BFirst.bank | 574.825.2166 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 17
Northridge Theater Troupes Compete at Regionals “Essentially, everyone believes one of two things: that people are inherently good, or that people are inherently evil. Life, then, is either the acceptance of or the fight against what you are.” This philosophic quote opened the competition show of the Northridge High School Theater Troupe 8422. The play - “They Call Me Jack” written by Nicole Deckert, co-director of the NHS Theater program. In 1888 London, the streets of East End were littered with crime, but five ghastly murders stood out among everything else. These crimes have stumped the police force and gone unsolved for generations. The details of the crimes in this story are not a work of fiction, they are the actual historical facts from the case. Are they the handiwork of a genius, or a psychopath? In a story focused on social class, gender roles, and survival, the play explores the identity and mindset of one of the most notorious serial killers of all time, Jack the Ripper. Everyone is suspect with a motive. Newspaper publisher Sabastian Clark is dying to expose the existence of a series killer in London to boost his paper sales. But Detective Reid is adamant that it not be published, avoiding a public panic. 18 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
Elizabeth Clark, Sebastian’s wife, detests the upper class’ attitude toward “loose women” and implies that her husband is behind Jack the Ripper for its publicity. Caught in the middle is Billy, Sebastian’s apprentice, a young man from East End who always seems to know where and when the next body is found. Each character has a motive for being Jack. But to this day, his true identity has never been discovered. Auditions for cast members of this play were held in May of 2021, with the first rehearsals beginning in August. Students spent time with the directors researching the history behind the mysterious Jack the Ripper so they could portray the time period and the characters as accurately as possible. British accents were a challenge as they needed to include both proper English for the upper class and cockney for the lower class. The content of the plot also presented its share of difficulties with its serious, dark and macabre incidents. Holding the entire play together was a narrator, whose sinister words gave the audience reasons to distrust anyone. Regional competition was held on November 20, at Bethel University. Each school is given 45
minutes to set the stage, perform, and strike the stage. Three judges then determine the cast’s abilities in performance, characterization, technical direction, vocal dynamics and physicality, and overall effect. The top three placing schools advance to the state conference for competition with schools from other regionals held around the state. Although Northridge did not place in the top 3 (4th by 3 points), the cast of this production can be proud of their accomplishments. They did bring home two individual awards - Jadeyn Stouder, Best Actress; Drew Stahly, Best Supporting Actor. Many of these students will be attending the state conference in January to compete in individual events such as musical solo, musical duo, small group acting, and duo group acting. This is the first year the Northridge Middle School Troupe 89743 competed at a Regional competition. Five brave students traveled to Logansport High School on December 4 to compete against 3 other middle school theater groups.
learning experience for everyone. McKenna Deckert was given an Honorable Mention for outstanding acting. We’re hoping this part of the theater program will grow next year and we can include more of our middle schoolers in the competition.
Not only was this the first competition for these students, it was the first time they performed erious drama. Usually the middle school performs a junior version of a musical in the spring. This year the middle school theater program branched out to include both a troupe show and a drama club musical to give students a chance to experience both types of theater. The competition play this year: “4 A.M.” It’s 4 A.M. and most of the world is asleep. But not these teens who find their minds racing with thoughts of rejection, loneliness, and fears. Fears of the “monster under the bed” that lurks in each in their minds. Meet an early-morning jogger, a radio DJ whose show is an audience of none, the author of an unusual letter, and others - all searching for a connection in the wee hours of the morning. Through a series of connected scenes and monologues, they journey to discover whether the “monster under the bed” is real, and wonder...Is anybody out there? Dealing with the unspoken issues many teens have is hard, especially when you have to present them to the public. But these students were awesome! The judges were impressed by their abilities to portray multiple characters in a believable way, adding a little humor to some dark secrets. Again, each school had 45 minutes to set up, perform, and tear down. Placing fourth was a disappointment, but an excellent inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 19
UPCOMING EVENTS Middle School Musical March 11 & 12 - SchoolHouse Rock, Jr. High School Musical April 29 & May 1 - Fiddler on the Roof CAST OF 4 A.M. Northridge Middle School Troupe 89743 JAKE Chris Bowers JOGGER #1/SLEEPER KID Ally Ardoin OFFICER #1/ANNE Sofia Khattri Chettri FRANKIE Riley Deckert OFFICER #2/MONICA/JOGGER #2 McKenna Deckert CREW Lights Preslie Gibson Backstage Ethan Dill Backstage Kenna Rohrer Backstage Kendal Ross
20 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
“THEY CALL ME JACK” Cast and Crew Competitive Troupe for 2021/2022 NARRATOR Landon Dean EDMUND REID Drew Stahly ELIZABETH CLARK Jadeyn Stouder SEBASTIAN CLARK Josiah Cross CATHERINE EDDOWES Kendal Ross BILLY TURNER Nick Beaver ARTHUR Chandler Green MARGARET VANDERGRIFT Olivia Stutzman JOSEPHINE GULL Natalie Checkley SUSIE Kyndal Hazen BILLY’S FATHER Austin Taylor BILLY’S MOTHER Kenna Rohrer MARY ANN NICHOLS Kailey Riegsecker* ANNIE CHAPMAN Bailey Yoder* SHADOW FIGURE Ryan Gibson* *See Nicole Stage and Tech Crews Drew Davis Ethan Dill Preslie Gibson Kenya Gilyard Nicholas Gorden Lilly Palmer Reagan Stephens Natalie Yoder
OUR SE RVICES
We install our product in your home, garage,patio, or pool deck in just ONE DAY!
GARAGE FLOORS
BASEMENT COATINGS
PATIO COATINGS
POOL DECK COATINGS
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE
(269) 993-4422
premiercoatings20@gmail.com
premiercoatingssturgis.com
inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 21
NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH COLLIN SEEGERT My name is Collin Seegert. Amy and Brian Seegert are my parents. I am currently a senior at Northridge High School and play #1 doubles in tennis. What I enjoy most about high school tennis is the competition and the challenge of trying to beat somebody who is better than me. I also enjoy the relationships I have built over the past four years, not only with people from Northridge but also the friendly rivalries with people from other schools. I am also involved in the National Honor Society. I have been an active member of my youth group at Elkhart Faith United Methodist Church since middle school. I plan to attend college after graduation to study marketing.
Need a loan? Need it. Want it. Get it.
WeGetLoans.com NMLS 623379 All loans subject to credit and collateral review. Not all applicants will qualify.
22 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
INDIANA TRANSPORT
Your Transportation Solution • Family owned and operated since 2009 • Committed to driver retention • Most aggressive reload program in the industry • Highest percentage of overall loaded miles • Proud Community Sponsor
2311 S. Nappanee St. • Elkhart, IN • 574-293-3642 www.indianatransport.com
inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 23
NO
S C I T E L H T A RTHRIDGE
24 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
Photos by Russ D
raper
inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 25
There’s no place like Middlebury for the holidays.
Jim Neff
Board of Directors President
Hello All, For 40 plus years, the Middlebury Summer Festival has served as the town’s homecoming. It has been a time for Middlebury residents, old and new, to come together to celebrate. This has been possible because of the generous donations of volunteers and local businesses to plan, coordinate, and fund the festival. In November, the current Summer festival committee decided that it was time to step back after several years on the committee and give others a chance to serve. The resignation of the committee chairs has provided an opportunity to reevaluate the future of the festival. Some options include leaving the festival at its current date, changing the date, eliminating the summer festival, and folding some of the activities into the fall festival. Do you remember bed races, the dunk tank, 3 on 3 basketball tournaments, pancake breakfast, the parade, and kids’ activities? If you would like to see these continue or have any suggestions for the festival, please attend on January 24, 6:00 p.m., at the Middlebury Public Library.
Jason Bontrager Kent Yoder
Board of Directors Vice President
Past President, Treasurer
Cristina Rheinheimer Board of Directors Secretary
Jeremy Miller Roger Huffman Board of Directors Member
Board of Directors Member
Mary Kay Beer Board of Directors Member
Jayson Snyder
Board of Directors Member
Jim Hansen Carmen Carpenter Board of Directors Member
Middlebury Chamber Communty Outreach Coordinator
Sheri Howland Middlebury Chamber Executive Director
MIDDLEBURY CHAMBER AWARDED USDA GRANT
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced the Middlebury Chamber of ComIf you cannot make the meeting but have ideas or want merce as as a recipient of a $50,000 Rural Business Develto volunteer, you can also contact: opment Grant (RBDG). The success of this grant application Middlebury Chamber of Commerce; 574-825-4300 comes from the strategic direction of the Town’s most recent director@middleburyinchamber.com, updated 2030 Comprehensive Plan with strategies outlincarmencarpenter@middleburyinchamber.com ing enhancing the support for local businesses to grow and Varn’s and Hoover Hardware, 574-825-2705 thrive and excelling the community’s “maker’s entrepreneurAffairs to Remember Bridal Shoppe 574-825-1404 ial spirit.” The Middlebury Chamber of Commerce will use this grant Volunteer opportunities include organizing or participat- award to help create and run the Middlebury Makers Rural Ining in the following events/activities: cubator. Strengthening the local economy and the rurual en• Sponsorships trepreneurship community are the primary goals of the new • Food Vendors business incubator. The Middlebury 2030 Comprehensive • Arts and Crafts Plan, coordinated by the Michiana Area Council of Govern• Kids Activities ments (MACOG), listed creating a new business incubator in • Entertainment (Music Groups, Dancers, etc.) downtown Middlebury as one of its objectives. This grant is • Water Ball Competition key to completing that objective. • Bed or Buggy Races James Turnwald, MACOG Executive Director said “The vi• Road Run/Walk sion of Middlebury community leaders during the compre• 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament hensive planning process helped make the execution and • Corn Hole Tournament awarding this grant possible. We hope Middlebury and MA• Merchant Sidewalk Sales COG region will be amde stornger through these funds.” (Someone needed to coordinate with the Merchants) The USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Develop• Fund Raisers ment Grant is designed to provide technical assistance and • Set-up/tear down training for small rural businesses in rural America. Entrepre• Cleaning the park during the Festival neurs in the Middlebury area looking to benefit from this • Work the Information booth unique business incubation experience should contact Sheri Thank you for your continued support, Howland, Director of the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce Middlebury Summer Festival Volunteers at director@middleburyinchamber.com or 574-825-4300. The Chamber purchased gift cards from 20 of our Hometown Businesses. The 25 dollar “Flamingo Gift Cards” were given to 25 random shoppers, on Business Saturday to spend locally.
A special thank you to our “Middlebury Flamingo Flock” for your flamingo purchase in effort to support LOCAL. ! Watch for Flamingo Recovery Support coming in 2022!
26 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
Shout Out to Nathan Miller for spreading Christmas Spirit. – Anonymous
If you know of a community member or group of people whom you would like to offer out a SHOUT of gratitude in a future magazine, please send your nomination to our editor Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher at Delightfullyhere@gmail.com
I’d like to give a shout out to Bobby and Mandi Lloyd. Any night of the week, year-round, you’ll find them coaching, supporting and encouraging the youth in our community. The positive impact they have on their athletes extends far beyond the playing field. Thank you for the time you invest in our kiddos! It’s great to be a Raider!
Thank you to all of our teachers, staff, school board and superintendent for making the first half of the school year a successful one. Your hard work and dedication is appreciated.
– Anonymous
– NHS father of 5
“HUGE thank you to our kind-hearted and dedicated volunteers this past riding session! The Fall session would not have been possible without your help! We are so grateful for your generosity in making LoveWay a part of your week.”
Shout out to our street department, be it leaves or snow, for helping keep our streets drivable. – Community Member
– LoveWay Shout out to Jerry’s Standard. Thank you to our music department for pulling off some amazing winter concerts despite the obstacles that needed to be overcome to make that possible. – Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
They are the last of the small town service stations that know real customer service. They always have a smile & a sense of humor. Thank you for continuing to take care of Middlebury. ~Anonymous
As we wrap up and reflect on the first half of the school year, I am incredibly thankful for everyone in the MCS family. I’d like to thank all employees for how they serve our students, each other, and this community. Working in schools can be exhausting, and our people have definitely earned the upcoming break. I continue to be amazed at how our educators are always focused on doing the next right thing for students, and it’s my hope that they know how much we appreciate them. If too much time has passed since you last thanked a teacher, administrator, or any other employee of the school district, please consider reaching out to a few people. They need and deserve to hear that they are valued and appreciated. In a world where negativity can sometimes seem pervasive, it’s critically important that we appreciate those who are positively impacting our students and the future of our community. Now is a great time to remind these people that we see them. We value them. We respect them. And in our eyes, they are heroes. Dr. Jayson Snyder Superintendent Middlebury Community Schools inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 27
LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY HealthyPets 574-825-4000
574.971.2020 328 N Main St Middlebury, IN 46540 www.DrivenAutoShop.com
14441 US HWY 20 MIDDLEBURY CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE INVENTORY
ROYALRVAUTO.COM
Pet Food and Accessories 851 US 20 • Middlebury 574-825-3238
Chris Gunn Groomer
574-849-6401
NISLEY
/ TCC
Home Improvement
202 W. Spring St. • Middlebury, IN
851 US 20 Next To Rulli’s Middlebury 574-358-0146
11280 US-20, Shipshewana
Specializing in Residential Interior Painting
(574) 825-7281
Steve Nisley 574-849-4788
stutzmanpower.com
Phone 260-463-7373
Fax 260-463-4950 4425 W US Highway 20 • LaGrange
Downtown Middlebury • 574-825-1902 M-F 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-4 pm
Auto glass repair and replace Shower enclosures Plexiglass Glass that fits your needs glassrepair repairrepair andand replace • AutoAuto glass replace Screen Shower enclosures • Plexiglass • Glass Shower enclosures that fits Mirrors your needs • Screen repair • Mirrors Plexiglass 9216, 400 Nthat Main St, Middlebury, IN 46540 Glass fits your needs (574) 825-2225 • Mon. - Fri. 8-5 p.m. Screen repair Mirrors
Advertise in our Business Directory for as low as $50 a month! 9216, 400 N Main St, Middlebury, IN 46540 For more information call 574-228-3080 or advertising@hurdmedia.com (574) 825-2225 • Mon. - Fri. 8-5 p.m.
Promote your SMALL
BUSINESS Business Cards, Postcards & Flyers
WITH
PREMIUM PRINTING • AFFORDABLE PRICES
• Bookmarks • Brochures • Brochures w/Direct Mailing • Business cards • Calendars • Catalogs • Club Flyers • Copies
28 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
• Digital Posters • Doorhangers • Envelopes - 4 color • Envelopes - 1 color • Flyers • Flyers w/Direct Mailing • Greeting Cards • Invitations
• Labels • Letterhead • Menus • NCR Forms • Notepads • Perforated Raffle Tickets • POP Displays • Postcards
Postcards w/Direct Mailing • Posters • Presentation Folders • Rack Cards • Roll Labels • Signage • Trade Show Graphics
TO REQUEST A QUOTE AND MORE INFORMATION CALL SCOTT FAUST AT 574-228-3080
deals
Easy cut-out page!
START THE YEAR OFF IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!
The
$
FREE VEHICLE INSPECTION
6 QT FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE – $40 PLUS TAX
DIESEL OIL CHANGE – $100 PLUS TAX
VALID JAN 1 -31, 2022 • Coupon must be presented to receive discount
ROYAL RV & AUTO CENTER 574-825-4000 • 14441 US HWY 20 MIDDLEBURY, IN 46540
Bundle includes:
inMiddlebury
10 OFF
HEATING SEASON CLEAN & CHECK EXP: 01-31-22
HEATING & COOLING A Fusion of Technology & Service
203 Wayne Street • Middlebury • 574-825-8824 • elementmasters.net
$5 OFF
• 5# Ground Turkey • 5# Ground Chicken • 5# Ground Italian Chicken • 2# Italian Chicken Brats All wrapped in one-pound packages
Chicken & Turkey Bundles*
Call For Appointment.
13024 US 20 • Middlebury, IN 574-825-2965
Exp: 1-31-22 *Must present coupon
101 Wayne St. Middlebury • 574-825-2940
27
$ Contact Scott Faust at 574-228-3080 or advertising@hurdmedia.com
/year
Call 260-463-3660 to subscribe Valid to Elkhart County residents only
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS
to over 10,200 homes and businesses! Place a coupon for your business today! Call Scott at 574-228-3080 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022 29
deals
Easy cut-out page!
inMiddlebury Call now for a free quote on a Trane System
The
HEATING & COOLING A Fusion of Technology & Service
CHECK OUT
203 Wayne street, Middlebury
OUR INVENTORY ONLINE!
ROYALRVAUTO.COM
574-825-8824
elementmasters.net
13024 US 20 • Middlebury, IN
574-825-2965
...smoked meats, cheese, and one nice butcher!
27
$
/year
Call 260-463-3660 to subscribe Valid to Elkhart County residents only
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS
to over 10,200 homes and businesses! Place a coupon for your business today! Call Scott at 574-228-3080 30 inMiddlebury Magazine | JANUARY 2022
THINKING ABOUT COLLEGE? The Community Foundation gave local students $2.5 million in scholarships last year. We believe in supporting local high school students and adults as they seek additional education. Apply now at InspiringGood.org/scholarships.
INSPIRINGGOOD.ORG | (574) 295-8761
Groomer
NOW HIRING FULL TIME - EXPERIENCED
Monday through Friday and some Saturdays
851 US 20, Middlebury • 574-825-3238
PART TIME
SALES
ASSOCIATE
Must be available Evenings and Saturdays.
Join our team today! 851 US 20 • Next To Rulli’s • Middlebury • 574-358-0146
