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Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana
JULY 2021
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2 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
Table of Contents
7
Middlebury Parks Department
Outdoor Living, 6 Dr. Carla Gull Biking the Pumpkinvine
14 Band Member Spotlight: Isaac Bontrager
Science Olympiad, 16
CONTRIBUTORS:
9
Middlebury Boys & Girls Club
Summer Sauces & Dressings , 8
20 Babies Basic Needs Corp
Auxiliary News, 22
Middlebury Portraits: Don & Berneita Smucker, 11 Chris Wheeler
27 Give a Shout of Gratitude! 27
On the Cover – Northridge Graduating Class of 2021
PUBLISHER: Don L. Hurd
EDITOR:
Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
ADVERTISING: Scott Faust
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Magdalena Franke
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Carla Gull, Chris Wheeler, Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Russ Draper, Lexie Huys and Julie Maas 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 August issue
is July 10.
inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 3
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Hello Middlebury!
JULY
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: Taco Bar by Auxiliary 4th Friday: Sandwich Baskets by SAL 5th Friday: Lasagna dinner by Boy Scout Troop 7 Last Saturday: Steak Grill – Call 825-5121 for more info
Flowers, sunshine and barbecues! I am so excited to be in the thick of summer. God bless everyone who loves the winter, but these warmer months are my favorite. One of the best parts for me is being able to go about town and run into all of you. With summer festival not far away I look forward to seeing even more friendly faces. I hope you enjoy this issue of InMiddlebury. I’ve added a new page with recipes that will be featured from time to time. I hope you enjoy and use some of them as well as share some with me to be highlighted in the future. A great big Congratulations to all of our Northridge Graduates of 2021!! - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
1ST & 3RD MONDAYS: Town Council Meetings at Town Hall – 6 p.m. 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 Middlebury Then & Now Self-Guided Tours, Year Round Pick up your free tour book at the Middlebury Community Historical Musuem, Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Middlebury Visitors Center or other area locations and walk or drive to various historical homes, businesses, cemeteries, parks and landmarks throughout the Middlebury area. Trail Tales, Year Round 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. Faces of Middlebury, May-September Grab your cameras and the map to locate each “face of Middlebury” and insert your face for the perfect picture. Maps are available at local businesses, our Facebook page and our website. Post your pictures on Middlebury Then & Now’s Facebook page or on Instagram using #facesofmiddlebury Flashback Friday Movies at the Park, July 16 Family-friendly movie at 8:00p.m. at Riverbend Park, 511 E Warren St. – Free
4 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
Birthdays Happy Birthday to our Outdoor Living writer Dr. Carla Gull
6/3 7/2 7/3 7/4 7/4 7/8
Happy 21st Birthday to our daughter Chlöe!
Ruth Stoner Blake Romzek, 11 Casey Nordman Happy Birthday to our CK Dance Director Alice Boucher Kayden Mayer, 17 Happy Birthday Bud! We love you! Debbie
7/9 7/11 7/14 7/17 7/17 7/28 7/29
Dr. Carla Gull Chlöe Thompson, 21 Thomas Barth Jolinda Zook John Peters Sopheap Long Julie Maas Happy Birthday to our contributing photographer
Happy Birthday dad and daughter Debbie & John. Blessings to Debbie and we all miss John.
Anniversaries
7/20 Scott & Dera Woods, 10 years 7/25 Brad & Anita Fisher, 34 years
Have a celebration in August?
Happy Birthday to our firecracker Alice!
Let us know by July 10. Email inmiddleburymagazine@gmail.com or call 260-463-3660.
Happy Birthday Blake. We are so proud of you! Love mom and dad
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.
Happy 34th Anniversary to Brad and Anita!
Happy Belated 102nd Birthday Ruth. From left to right Ruth, Mitch Miller and daughter Judy Adams. inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 5
Biking the Pumpkinvine
OUTDOOR LIVING
Whether biking, running, or walking, people enjoy the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail as a natural corridor between Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana. Beyond crossing roads and a roadway connection, the entire trail is separate from motorized vehicles making it a great space for outdoor recreation. Hop on the Pumpkinvine by parking at any of these locations or joining along the trail: Abshire Park, Goshen, County Road 35 parking GPS: Lat. 41.64348, Lon. -85.73452. County Road 33 parking GPS: Lat. 41.632959, Lon. -85.753455. Trailhead at County Road 22: Lat. 41.656553: Lon. -85.712469. Krider Garden. Middlebury Town Hall. County Road 43 GPS: Lat. 41.68320, Lon. -85.66804. Pack-a-Sak parking lot, Shipshewana While I have hiked, volunteered, and bird watched along the Pumpkinvine Trail, I had never taken bikes out on the trail until recently. I see people on bikes there all the time and decided it was time to try it ourselves. We grabbed a couple of bikes, money in case we made it to ice cream, and water and water bottles. We parked at Abshire Park in Goshen, heading northeast to Middlebury. Luckily, I noticed a friend parked next to us who gave us some tips on biking along the trail. Always bring water. There are plenty of benches to stop and rest, along with trash cans and port-a-potties. She also reminded me that Google Map directions can be converted to biking, showing an approximate time frame, distance, and route to follow. As we biked, I appreciated the regular path markers at every .5 mile. I also loved the tree canopy over most of the trail, the sounds of the birds, noticing seasonal changes, and watching a wild turkey on the sidelines. Additionally, we enjoyed seeing all the people and their four-legged friends spending time together outside. Find out more about the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail at pumpkinvine.org. Friends of the Pumpkinvine host an electronic newsletter, sponsorships, memberships, poetry contest, volunteer opportunities, and annual 6 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
dinner. The trail is managed by various groups along the path: Goshen Parks & Recreation, Middlebury Parks Department, Elkhart County Parks, and the Town of Shipshewana. What is your favorite section of the Pumpkinvine? What do you like to do on the Pumpkinvine? 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.
Check out the new sculpture along the Pumpkinvine!
Benches, trash cans, and port-a-potties can be found along the trail.
Meander through farmland while staying mostly under the tree canopy on the trail.
Trail markers alert you of the distance traveled.
Before
“Toad-ily Awesome” Riverfest will take place on Saturday, August 28, with some exciting new programs as well as old favorites. The Elkhart County Park Department will be presenting a live animal show about amphibians. “Channel Your Animal” with Theresa Hostetler will introduce you to family-friendly fun with yoga. There will be a toad scavenger hunt: 40 artificial toads, decorated by students at York Elementary, will be hidden in the park. Each toad will have one word and a number on it. You write down the words in order according to the numbers and you get “Ode to a Toad”—a poem to take home with you. Also, all completed poems will get you a second ticket to the raffle to win a kayak. Returning favorites will include Jim Carpenter as “The Fossil Guy,” Daragh Deegan and his fish-shocking demonstration, the Ethos Bus, Linda Pieri showing how to paint a toad picture, and the Regatta of Recyclables. Trail Tales in August will feature a special book called “Tad” about tadpoles. Additionally, because this is the 40th year for Riverbend Park there will be historical information displayed about the origins of the park and a commemorative rock will be dedicated to the founder at the beginning of the festivities. Don’t miss this fun-filled event!
After
The Hosta Allée
An allée is a walkway or path lined with trees of the same species, and is a formal design concept where the view is extended to emphasize something in the distance, or extended to the horizon. Though classically created through the use of trees or shrubs, the Middlebury Landscape committee has designed a Hosta Allée in East Park to highlight the historic rock wall and walkway leading to the East Park Shelter. An allée of 104 hostas of two species in bright, contrasting color were planted to dress up one of our most visible and historic parks. Thank-you to the community for generous donations to the flower fund, to our staff for the hard work of rejuvenation, and to the Landscape Committee for design, inspiration and helping hands.
We still need more anecdotes, pictures, or other remembrances of Riverbend Park to be part of our 40th celebration. Send to chapman_ej@yahoo.com
Planting the Quilt Garden on May 25.
Quilt Garden starting to fill on June 7
Visit the Krider World's Fair Garden to see how the Quilt Garden has filled in now. THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY
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inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 7
Summer Sauces and Dressings Hello InMiddlebury readers, I have always considered myself to be a foodie and find great joy in cooking for the ones I love. Over the last year of eating in more often I have continued to expand my own culinary repertoire in an effort to meet my desire for new and exciting dishes. From time to time I would enjoy sharing some of my recipes with you and learning some of yours. Please share if you feel this is an addition you would enjoy seeing more of in our magazine as well as some recipes of your own to include by contacting us via our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ inMiddlebury/ or emailing me at delightfullyhere@ gmail.com For this issue, with it being summer and a great time for salads and other fresh options, I would like to share different recipes for sauces and dressings that can be used on a variety of meals to add some excitement to your dinner table.
SESAME VINAIGRETTE
Great on any salad but I particularly love it on slaw based salads with almonds and avocado • 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or olive oil) • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari) • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 1 small garlic clove, pressed or minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder) • A few twists of freshly-cracked black pepper Make the vinaigrette: Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl (or shake together in a mason jar) until combined
ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE
This hearty sauce adds a whole new dimension to any tossed salad. Salad mix suggestions; spinach, diced cucumber, peas or edamame, julienned carrots, kalamata olives, avocado, cilantro and quinoa. Or your favorite options. • 1 16 ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained (or roast your own red peppers and win the food game!) Jars of roasted peppers can be found at our local Harding’s in the produce section on the shelves above the mason jars. • 1 clove garlic • 1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste) • Juice of one lemon
• 1/2 cup olive oil • 1/2 cup almonds INSTRUCTIONS: Pulse all the ingredients for the sauce in a food processor or blender until mostly smooth. The texture should be thick and textured (see picture).
YOGURT SAUCE
Excellent on gyros, chicken tacos, brats or a dipping sauce for veggies and flatbreads. • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano Pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper
INSPIRATION
SPICY PEANUT DRESSING Delicious on spinach salads, grilled chicken or fried tofu. • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 4 tsp sesame oil • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 2 tsp brown sugar • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1/2 tbsp grated ginger • 4 tsp peanut butter • 1 tsp sriracha For the peanut sauce, place all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix.
8 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
Spicy Peanut Sauce on quinoa, edamame and fried sesame tofu with carrots, feta, roasted cashews and cilantro.
A Lesson in Social & Emotional Learning As the world prepares for the Summer Olympics in Japan, kids at the Boys & Girls Club in Middlebury are getting summer lessons in social and emotional learning in a program sponsored by a former Olympic athlete.
lot of physical activity. They learned how many calories they should be consuming based on their activity level – and how many pounds they would gain each week if they ate like Phelps.
The Michael Phelps Foundation provided a grant to offer the IM Program to Boys & Girls Clubs around the country. The foundation launched the program in 2010 to teach children and young adults important life skills including water safety, physical and mental fitness, nutrition and goal setting.
The second half of the program is called “IM Successful” and will focus on mental health, how kids see themselves and goal setting.
In Middlebury, that program is being led by Youth Behavioral Specialist Natasha Lantz. The first part of the program is called “IM Healthy” and focuses on healthy lifestyles. To make the learning fun, she’s using sensory toys, along with prizes and healthy foods. “Sometimes we have them take flyers and worksheets home to their families. We recently had them take an inventory of what is in their refrigerator, and we discussed that the next day,” she said. “It helps the families understand what they are learning.” In one session, the kids learned that Phelps consumes 10,000 calories a day, but is able to burn them off through a
According to Dr. D’Arcy Lyness, a child and adolescent psychologist, children are more likely to have experienced feelings of anxiety and depression because of the isolation and disruption associated with Coronavirus. She says there are simple things parents can do to help their kids build emotional skills. Ask your kids to tell you about a few of the best moments of their day. • When your children share good news, listen with your full attention and give a positive comment. • When your children are upset, encourage them to say what’s wrong. Listen first, then be soothing to help them calm down.
inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 9
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MIDDLEBURY PORTRAITS Don and Berneita Smucker
By Chris Wheeler Don Smucker grew up in a house on the west side of Main Street in Middlebury. Some of his earliest memories include being carried up to the Pumpkinvine depot by his grandfather to watch the trains go through, and big family dinners with his cousins. According to Don, there wasn’t much going on in Middlebury in the ‘30s and ‘40s, back when he was a kid. That is if you didn’t count the Memorial Day parades or the always-packed basketball tourneys and sectionals at the old gymnasium, where Old Hoosier Meats is now. Or watching the softball league play, or going to see the Wizard of Oz in a Nappanee theater. Or sledding from the top of the old hill near presentday Rolling Meadows, straight across the street (where someone was always positioned to stop traffic for careening kids) and down to the mill. Not much going on at all. Thankfully, Don and the other kids his age managed to keep pretty busy despite this drought of exciting events in small-town Indiana. He and three of his friends once drove a pony cart all the way to the county fair on their own and camped out at the fairgrounds. Don was only eight at the time, and his friends were not much older. But they painted “To the fair or bust!” on the covered wagon, and packed enough food to last the week from his friend Glen’s dad, who owned a meat market. “We ate it all the first night, and he had to bring more!” With only a daily checkin from their parents, the boys survived the rest of the week and returned in the pony cart, this time with “Busted!” painted on the side. Don’s father Ora owned the pharmacy downtown with his Grandpa Walters, also a pharmacist; it had opened its doors in the early 1900s. His brother Farver was a pharmacist. At first, however, Don didn’t want to go to college; he was hoping to join the Merchant Marines. Nevertheless, when his brother Farver returned from armed service in World War 2, he took Don to Purdue for a tour. When they met the president of Purdue, Farver affirmed Don’s inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 11
prescription only to discover that one of his students was on the other end. During this time, Berneita volunteered with the Church of the Brethren in Washington D.C., helping conscientious objectors to receive their qualifications.
fate in passing: “Yeah, he’ll be a student here next year.” Farver’s assurance proved true, and Don graduated from Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1950. Don’s father had passed away when he was a sophomore in high school, and his mother passed away when he was a sophomore in college. His brother and sister-in-law Mary unfailingly supported him during his college years. “I appreciate it so much now looking back, more now than I did then.” In the summer of 1950, Don came home to live with them, and joined Farver at the drugstore. Don recalls that when they projected movies in the park on a Saturday night (a cartoon and a mystery), he would make a killing selling popcorn. He got the fresh kernels and the popcorn machine from a local farmer, and took home half of whatever he made from selling it. Farver was jealous. “He said, you’re getting paid more than I am!” Don chuckled. As luck would have it, it wasn’t just popcorn sales that played in Don’s favor that summer.
Don was unfazed by the distance between them, corresponding by letters (with the correct spelling this time) and going to his colonel to ask for permission to drive out to Washington D.C. on a three-day pass. The colonel told him he couldn’t do that, since 300 miles was the maximum distance they were allowed to go. They stood silent for a moment, then the colonel said, “I think that’s about 300 miles though.” Soon after, Don was in his 1950 Ford traversing 1,600 miles of 1950s roads to visit Berneita. He stayed to the very last minute, then drove through the night to be back for Reveille at 7 AM. As Don tells it, his car wouldn’t shut off after the trip. “The car said, are we there yet?” All those miles paid off. The next year, December of 1951, they were married at the old Church of the Brethren on Mill Street. Berneita’s father gave her away, and her brother Bill officiated. They lived in San Antonio for a year or so after getting married while Don completed his service, then moved right back to Middlebury. Farver, who had been recalled during the Korean War, got out at the same time,
Berneita Gorden was born in Michigan City, but her mother was raised around Middlebury and her family had recently moved back to the area, taking up residence nearby at Cass Lake. (At this point in our interview, Don chimed in: “I’m sure glad they did!” Berneita smiled across at him, “So am I!”) In the summer of 1950, her mother, who was working upstairs sewing clothes at Gohn Brothers, sent Berneita across the street to get some sodas for the workers. When she came back, she said, “Mom, you should see that guy!” Of course, her mother was already familiar with the Smucker brothers, and may or may not have been interested in a soda at the time. Not too many sodas later, Don asked her out in a letter. Regardless of the fact that he spelled both her first and last name wrong in the letter, she accepted. Their first date was a double with Roger Krider and his girlfriend at the time, to an exhibition game with the Green Bay Packers over at Rice Field in Elkhart. Thanks to the Korean War, only a few dates and a matter of weeks later their relationship would become a long-distance one. That fall, Don left to serve stateside at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, teaching men and women in both the Army and the Navy to be pharmacy technicians. Years later, he would call up a drugstore in New York to transfer a 12 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
Walter’s Drug Store, southeast corner, Warren and Main, a 1919 photo. Ora Smucker, left; J.H. Walters, right.
was filling her prescription, she perused the magazines and asked pointedly if he carried a questionable magazine. When he said no, she sniffed, “I just wanted to tell you if you ever do, I’m never coming back.” The following day he told his secretary to get one of the magazines and throw it in the waiting area for the next time she visited. Don is quick to point out that it was all in good fun. “We had wonderful customers. They could call anytime.” Keli and Ted both recall a special family atmosphere at the store. Employees and customers alike became close friends, and the kids who had their first job there remember it as the best job they ever had. and they jumped back into working together at the drugstore. The initial Smucker’s Drugstore started out on the southeast corner of Main Street (where Firefly Home Care is now), but in 1972 Don and Farver moved to the bigger building to the south (where Legacy Furniture and the Legendary Grind are now located). During the ‘50s and ‘60s, Don and Farver took care of the pharmacy and sundries, while Berneita and Mary did virtually everything else - clerked, floor managed, decorated, and managed the gift department. Eventually, their kids Ted and Keli joined them at the store - like many others, it was their first job. Berneita was responsible for getting such high-end gifts as Lladro figurines, Swarovski crystal, and Precious Moments into the store. Keli remembers going to the Chicago gift show with Berneita and watching her fight to get Lladro in at the drugstore. “It was a drug store, but it was a drug store and more because of the beautiful gifts it had to offer, exclusive items you usually only found in larger cities.” Ted recalls, “When the chain stores were buying out small drug stores or forcing them out of business, [Smuckers was] able to survive because they didn’t just sell Bandaids and Listerine and pharmaceuticals, but Lladro and Precious Moments and Hallmark. They kept the store open and drew in people not just from Middlebury but far away. My mom and Mary built it that way.” Farver and Mary Smucker continued to be an integral part of Smuckers Drugstore until 1974, when Farver passed away. Their children, Joe and Cathy, were also involved in their younger days and still live in town. Don took a leaf from his family’s playbook in his approach to serving customers. During childhood, Don would often wake up in the middle of the night to his grandfather (a doctor) revving the engine of his car to get it started so he could go out and take care of people. Don said, “That was inspirational to me. Grandpa took care of people, anyplace, anytime.” He once got a call at 3 AM from a regular customer (“kind of a grump, but I knew she liked me”) who needed her prescription filled. He told her he would go down and get it done right then. While he
Another important community aspect of the store was the soda fountain, which not only served up sodas but also light sandwiches, fresh donuts, and coffee in the mornings. Many Middlebury residents stopped in and took a seat for a chat and a cup of coffee. Today that tradition continues at the Legendary Grind. Don also remembers posting pictures of all of Middlebury’s veterans on display for a couple of weeks around Memorial Day, in correlation with the community tradition of walking out to the cemetery after the Memorial Day parade to read the names of those men and women in the service who had passed away or were missing in action. Every Halloween, a buggy would mysteriously appear on top of the nearby furniture store; no one ever seemed to know how. Was Don involved? “I helped push a little once. Gave it a little grunt.” After they sold the drugstore in 1996, Don and Berneita committed to a program working at a food bank in Phoenix, AZ, bookending their careers with volunteer service. After moving back to Middlebury (they never left it for more than a year), Don worked with Richard Smith to open up the Middlebury Historical Museum, serving there for 12 years early on. He also served on the Middlebury Town Council and School Board as well as the Elkhart County Council, and led the Divertin Club for several years. In October of 2019 he joined 81 veterans on a Northeast Indiana Honor Flight, traveling from Fort Wayne to Washington D. C. (by air this time) for a reception and tour. Don and Berneita, who now live at Hubbard Hill in Elkhart, are looking forward to celebrating 70 years of marriage this December. They enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. When they talk about Middlebury now, it’s with great fondness. When asked how they would describe it to someone, Berneita didn’t hesitate. “The Town Beautiful. I always liked that. I really miss it.” Don doesn’t miss a beat either, sharing a slogan his father came up with for the town sign years ago: “Welcome to Middlebury, we hope you like it too!” He grins. “Cause we sure do.” inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 13
NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH ISAAC BONTREGER My name is Isaac Bontrager, son of Jen and Ben Bontrager, and I am a senior at Northridge High School. While I am not in any sports, I am a very active participant in many of the bands offered at Northridge, playing the trombone in Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band (kinda like varsity... but band), and the Northern Lights Orchestra, where I also played the synth. I have been in band for seven years now, and the thing I will most miss is the amazing community formed by the students. Many of my closest friends are ones that I have met in band, and I also enjoy being a part of the band as a whole. In marching band, everyone is taught how to work together and build a show. There is no one person more important than another. Outside of band, I am also a member of the Middlebury Youth Council and National Honors society. In the fall, I will be attending Goshen College to study music education. I hope to form the same kind of music community that I have enjoyed in my years here at Northridge.
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14 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
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SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
ROBINSON’S LAWN CARE 2ND GOLF OUTING All proceeds benefit Northridge Science Olympiad
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 Meadow Valley Golf Club, Middlebury, IN $70/per team • $280/per team of 4 Pre-registration is due Monday, August 30, 2021 For pre-registration 574-312-8529 or online at www.ricegolfouting.com
For the seven years before COVID, the Northridge Science Olympiad Team worked at Notre Dame Football in concessions as a way to pay for our kids supplies for the season. With the rise of COVID, this became unavailable to us. Last season Robinson’s Lawn Care came to our rescue and sponsored a Golf Outing to benefit our team. Robinson’s Lawn Care has graciously offered to again host a Golf Outing for the Science Olympiad Team this year. It will be on Friday, Sept. 10th 2021 at Meadow Valley here in Middlebury. We are looking for teams to play, and organizations to sponsor the event. All money raised will go to buy supplies for the students as well as to help cover travel expenses for the kids when we go to competitions. We thank all of the organizations who helped sponsor and donate items to the event last year, and we thank all of the organizations who will donate and help sponsor the event this year.”
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16 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
OLYMPIAD SENIORS My name is Andrew Eichstadt and my parents are Don and Lori Eichstadt. I am a senior this year and have participated in Science Olympiad for three years of high school. In addition to Science Olympiad, I run track and cross country, am a member of National Honor Society, vice president of our class, and secretary of the Junior Optimists Club. I am also an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate and a Startup Moxie student. The thing that I enjoy most about Science Olympiad is the team aspect. Although it may seem like a purely academic activity, you don’t really need to be good at school to be great at SO, and being able to win events by playing to your teammates’ strengths is something that I really enjoyed. After high school, I plan to attend IU Bloomington to pursue a degree in finance. Alden was a senior this year. He is the son of Julie and Daniel Maas. Alden was a five year participant in Science Olympiad. He also spent four years in marching band playing the trombone. He enjoyed blowing the horn for the Pep Band at home games before COVID put an end to that in his junior year. He also spent many Sundays serving as an alter server at St Mary’s of the Annunciation. His favorite part of science olympiad was spending time with the rest of the members of the team. Winning medals was an extra bonus. At this time his plans are not set. He is planning on a gap year to determine the best way to begin to pursue his dreams. My name is Chris Peters, and my parents are Cary and Robin Peters. I am currently a senior, and have participated in Science Olympiad since 7th grade. I also play on the tennis team here at Northridge. In addition to this, I am a Career Center student. The thing that I enjoy most about Science Olympiad is building stuff. After high school I plan on being a mechanic.
My name is Monserrat Garcia, I am currently a senior at Northridge High School. My parents are Arturo and Sara Garcia. I enjoyed various activities in high school, including choir, cross country and track & field. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I started Science Olympiad. I gained lots of knowledge in S.O. by participating in various events, and that is something I will cherish even after graduation. Speaking of graduation, in the fall I plan to study Business Administration at IvyTech.
My name is Andrew Gerber I am the son of Jennifer and Jeremy Gerber. I was involved with National Honors Society, Baseball and Science Olympiad while at NHS. What I enjoy the most about being in Science Olympiad is being able to learn and experience things that I normally wouldn’t get in the classroom. I plan to attend Bethel.
Hello, my name is Brandon McCraner. My parents’ names are Josh and Melissa McCraner. I am a senior at Northridge High School. Outside of Science Olympiad, I also play baseball. I haven’t taken part in much else in terms of clubs or anything but I am taking a few advanced classes like calculus and ACP Physics. I have always liked designing and building things, a lot of what was made with the 3D printers this year I had designed either this year or last. After this year I plan to go to Trine to study engineering. Specifically, electrical engineering since I did have interests in circuits and other stuff. inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 17
Celebrating a Wonderful Life! Jeanne F. Fore 3/12/40 - 12/28/20
OPEN HOUSE July 31, 2021 • 3-5 p.m. Meadow Valley Golf Club 57600 S. Main Street Middlebury, IN, 46540
Jason Bontrager (left), president of the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce, gives the 2021 Beautification Award to Jodi Patro for being the Volunteer of the Year as Carmen Carpenter (far left) and Sheri Howland, Chairman of the Chamber (right) look on.
R.S.V.P. text ONLY 574-596-1020 The MiddleBERRY Patch
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Blackberries are ripe from Mid July until Mid Sept. Good for jams, jellies, pie fillings and wine.
Mike Ganger was the recipient of the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce award for Volunteer of the year at their annual dinner. Seen here (l/r) are Chamber president, Jason Bontrager, Jane Allen who has served on the Chamber board, Mike Ganger and Chamber director, Sheri Howland.
11745 W 250 N, Middlebury 574-825-3555 ext. 3
Jane Allen was roundly applauded by Jason Bontrager (left) and the audience at the 18th Annual Member Dinner & Business Expo hosted by the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce. Allen is retiring from her position as the Superintendent of Middlebury Community Schools but will be still active in the community.
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18 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
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Joanna King, state representative and former owner of the Cinnamon Stick (left) presented Bob and Sue Miller with a special award from the Indiana General Assembly for the fine work they’ve done in establishing the Das Dutchman Essenhaus complex,featuring one of the top restaurants in the state of Indiana, a popular tourist stopover as well.
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Coming in October
InMiddlebury Magazine
RV SPECIAL EDITION – MIDDLEBURY RESIDENTS – We would love to have you submit your • PERSONAL PHOTOS • FAMILY MEMORIES • ANY UNIQUE HISTORICAL FACTS surrounding RVing in Middlebury. To have yours included in the October issue please email Scott at advertising@hurdmedia.com
– INDUSTRY LEADERS – We need your help with information on your RV related business • PHOTOS • COMPANY HISTORY • HISTORICAL FACTS • SPONSORSHIP OF THIS SPECIAL EDITION To take advantage of this opportunity please contact Scott at 574-228-3080 or email advertising@hurdmedia.com
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| JULY 2021 19
Have you ever had to choose between food or diapers for your children? It sounds incredible, but one family in three has to make that choice every week! Kelsey Tubbs, a local single mother of two, saw this need firsthand. While she has a family support system to help her out, a lot of people don’t, so she started Babies Basic Needs Corporation (BBNC). For the last two years she has run it ONLY on private donations, yet she and her great group of volunteers have managed to help over 2,000 children. From the beginning, BBNC was blessed to have the help and support of the Middlebury Food Pantry and the selfless angel who runs it, Pam Bingaman. BBNC has finally been granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status and looks forward to expanding upon its original mission over the next several years. Babies Basic Needs Corporation was founded with the mission to ensure no child goes without his or her basic needs. BBNC’s focus is on young children that are still in diapers and training pants. Its mission started when Tubbs learned
that one in three families struggle to provide enough diapers to keep their child clean and healthy regardless of age, race or income. She knew something needed to be done to change this fact, because most child care centers won’t allow a child to attend without at least a two-week supply of diapers. Without childcare most parents can’t go to work. Without a regular source of income, parents can’t afford to purchase diapers. Diaper need is a vicious circle. By removing the need of diapers from the equation, BBNC allows families to get back to being financially stable. BBNC has three major fundraising events every year – a Spring and Fall Community Baby Shower and a Stuff The Truck With Santa Event in December. BBNC would love to see the whole community at all three events! If you would like more information on how to get involved with BBNC or need assistance yourself, email BabiesBNC@gmail.com.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS, TIME AND INVOLVEMENT. YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
20 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
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info@thebarnsatnappanee.com 1600 West Market Street Nappanee, Indiana 46550 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 21
We want to thank all who have volunteered and participated in events.
Our Auxilliary kitchen team (Sally Werker, Kim Becker, Michelle Symanski, Cathy Reedy, and Marsha Taylor) prepared and served a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy, juice, and coffee to the vigil attenders and the Boy Scouts from six to 8:30 a.m. with about 20 people served. The Memorial Day parade began at 10 a.m. down main street to the park. The Auxilliary had the honor of selecting the poppy queens. This year we choose to have three sisters: Joan KaufmanGrimm, Mary Lou Heign, and Janet Miller, who are very active at the post. They made the most beautiful queens! The antique car was driven by owner Mike Christophel. At the park there was a very meaningful ceremony in memory of all who lost their lives serving our country. Sally Werker and Cinda Olinger presented a flower to all Blue Star moms (mothers of active service persons), Gold Star moms (parents of service person who lost their life in duty), And spouses of a deceased service person. We proceeded down the bridge by the cemetery with her honor guard and Queens. There was a seven gun salute in the clean through the memorial wreath (made by Terina Franks) Into the river. Following the bridge ceremony, they proceeded to the cemetery with a touching service, listing all service persons from Middlebury who served in the service and now are deceased. The community was invited back to the Legion where Auxiliary kitchen team prepared a luncheon, donate by legion post 210, which consisted of hotdogs and buns, macaroni salad, chips, and home baked desserts by the auxiliary. There were around 75 people served. We would like to thank the Chalet Party Shoppe in Middlebury and their generous patrons for their support. Another event is scheduled for Veterans Day on November 11.
22 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
On May 27-29, our auxiliary conducted our poppy event where paper poppies are given to the public for their donation. During this 3 day event we raised over $3000 which will be given to local veterans in need and nearby veteran hospitals.
Poppy queen sisters: Joan KaufmanGrimm, Mary Lou Heign, Janet Miller
inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 23
Photos by Russ Draper
WRAPPING UP THE SPRING SEASON
24 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
N O RT H R I D G E AT H L E T I C S
inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 25
Chamber Chat is Back Tuesday, July 20
September 10 & 11, 2021 Middlebury Chamber of Commerce 19th Annual Golf Classic
FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 Lunch at 11:30 a.m. with shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.
Coffee at 8:30 a.m. Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center 210 S. Main St., Middlebury
$425.00 Non-Member Foursome (After July 31, $460) 1. 2. 3. 4. PAYMENT INFORMATION: Please make check payable to: Middlebury Chamber of Commerce Mail payment and registration form to: Middlebury Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 243, Middlebury, IN 46540 Company Name________________________________________ Contact Person_________________________________________ Phone______________________ Email_____________________ Address___________________City_______________________
Practice Tee and Putting Green will be open prior to start of Outing. Support the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce while promoting your company through our numerous classic sponsorship options. Don’t miss this opportunity to play Meadow Valley Golf Club, Middlebury’s prestigious golf course while marketing your products and services to our business participants during the 19th Annual Chamber Golf Classic!
Card Number__________________________________________
$390.00 Chamber Member Foursome (After July 31, $425)
Expiration Date_____ 3 Digit Code______ Billing Zip Code________
1. 2. 3. 4.
State___________________ Zip__________________________ Method of payment:____________Check Enclosed# _________ Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard) Name on Card___________________
You may also register online at
www.middleburyINchamber–Events–Golf Outing
The mission of the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic opportunity through education, business and community leadership and to enhance the social and civic environment of Middlebury. CONTACT INFORMATION: Sheri Howland, Executive Director - Director@middleburyINchamber.com Carmen Carpenter, Community Outreach Coordinator - 574-825-4300 middleburyINchamber.com • Facebook.com/MiddleburyChamberOfCommerce 2021 LEGACY MEMBERS: GOLD MEMBERS: L & W Engineering, Inc. and Community Foundation of Elkhart BRONZE MEMBERS: Edward Jones of Middlebury, Elkhart General Hospital, Forks County Line Stores, Hawkins Water Tech, Legacy Home Furniture, Lippert Componets and Goshen Hospital.
26 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
A shout to our new library director, Julie Wald, for all of your efforts to serve our community as a whole. – Library Patron
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 would like to personally thank everyone who emails me or stops me in the streets, at the store and at community events to share their enjoyment of this publication. You have no idea what your words of affirmation mean. I am so honored to be a small part of this loving town.
A shout out to the park staff who spent the Winter months building creatively beautiful trash containers, located in the cemetery and around town. Thanks for making our town clean and updated, while saving us money.
Thank you to all of our teachers, staff and administrators throughout the Middlebury schools for getting our kids through a harrowing year full of trials and tribulations.
– Sally Harshbarger
– A greatful parent
– Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
I absolutely love this magazine. My girlfriends and I all get excited when it arrives in our mailboxes and enjoy catching up on the activities of the community and the youth in our schools. Thank you to all of the people who put it together. -The Hoffmans
CONGRATULATIONS to our amazing Class of 2021! 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
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inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021 27
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CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021 Congratulations to all of this year’s graduating seniors. It hasn’t been an easy year and you made it! We are also grateful for all the educators (and others providing support) who helped arrive at this milestone.
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