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Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana
NOVEMBER 2020
National Collection Week
November 16–23, 2020
Every year, National Collection Week takes place the third week in November when over 4,000 drop-off locations are open across the country. The First United Methodist Church of Middlebury at 720 South Main Street will be an area drop off site. The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift—filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 178 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 160 countries and territories. In 2020, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children in countries like Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda and Ukraine. More than 10.5 million shoebox gifts were collected worldwide in 2019, with more than 8.9 million collected in the U.S. This is a great opportunity to take a local mission project and turn it into something global. If you have questions, need boxes or ideas contact Nikki Gingerich at nikging64@aol.com or 574-361-5790
Locally Crafted Wood Furniture Living • Bedroom • Dining • Locally Made Mattresses Downtown Middlebury • 574-825-1902 M-F 9 a.m.-5 p.m, Sat. 9a.m.-4 p.m.
Holiday Sale • Nov. 18 – Dec. 5
Hometown Holiday Open House November 20 • 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Enter your name to win either a $300 or $200 Gift Card! 15% Home Décor • 12% off all furniture orders!
2 inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020
Visit us during
HOMETOWN
Holidays Friday,
November 20 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Flower Basket
500 Spring Valley Plaza • Across from Northridge High School
825-7673 (ROSE)
TABLE OF CONTENTS Outdoor Living Gratitude for Nature Dr. Carla Gull
6 10
NHS Marching Band Julie Maas & Charlene Hunt
Stand Down with a Heart 2020 American Auxiliary
The Miller’s Mill Chris Wheeler
12 15
On the Cover – Northridge Raider Marching Band Seniors, photo taken by Charlene Hunt
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 574-825-9112.
Advertising deadline for the December issue
is November 13.
CONTRIBUTORS: PUBLISHER:
William Connelly
EDITOR:
Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
ADVERTISING: Scott Faust
Middlebury Parks Department, 7 School Spotlight, 8-9 Scholar Athlete, 13 Mila Opacich Northridge Theater, 20-21 Nicole Deckert
Shouts, 22 Give a shout of gratitude Northridge Athletics, 24-25 The New Normals, 27 Gloria Salavarria
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Magdalena Franke
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dr. Carla Gull, Chris Wheeler, Charlene Hunt, Nicole Deckert, Gloria Salavarria and Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Russ Draper, Linnea Wheeler, Julie Mass, Charlene Hunt, and Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020 3
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
NOVEMBER WEEKLY MON: TUES: WED: FRI:
Table Games, Greencroft – 6:30 p.m. Euchre, Greencroft – 6:30 p.m. Middlebury Exchange Club, Essenhaus – 6:30 a.m. 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: Bottomless Soup & Sandwiches with Dessert by Auxiliary, 2 soups to choose from, $8 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 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.
What’s Happening Online
inMiddlebury? Facebook
Editor’s Note I really want to say thank you to all of the people who take the time to message me or approach me in person to tell me about their enjoyment of this magazine. It is very much appreciated and uplifting. Also thank you to all of the writers and photographers who contribute as well as everyone in the office who really make this publication possible. As we head into a month that may have some tensions and some ups and downs for all, let’s remember to be kind to one another and know that when we all work together good things come from it. - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
2ND AND 4TH MONDAYS: Middlebury Lions Club - 7 p.m., American Legion Hall
www.Facebook.com/inMiddlebury
Photo by: Char Swoveland taken at Riverbend Park
Coupons
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4 inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020
Milestones
BIRTHDAYS 11/1
Harry W. Yoder, 80
11/14 Brielle Schrock
11/3
Mina Leman
11/19 Logan Nagy
11/13 Nick Sparrow
11/24 Jamesen Kiser
Happy Birthday Logan!! Thank you for being an amazing son and brother! We love you!! - Mom, Dad, Braxton, Anthony & Andrew
Happy 80th Birthday to Harry W. Yoder!
Have a celebration in December? Let us know by November 13. inMiddlebury Magazine  | NOVEMBER 2020 5
OUTDOOR LIVING
<<<
<<< Canoeing in the pond Toasting brussel sprouts
As our thoughts turn toward gratitude in the month of November, I find nature is often on my list. At the beginning of the year, I wrote down three things daily for which I was grateful. Especially in this pandemic year, nature made my list. Here is a recap of my nature gratitude this year: • Daily, nearby nature is powerful! We watched the pond, noticed changes in the trees, and observed the birds during neighborhood walks or bike rides. • Nature allowed us social time—meeting friends at Wellfield, backyards, at the pond or beach, over fires, creek stomping, and for community star gazing. • Each season offers unique opportunities— we enjoyed the snow, maple sugaring, yard work, and frogs!
Gratitude
for Nature
• We enjoyed our woods in the backyard, pond out front, local nature spots, visiting Lake Michigan beaches, and visited family on the Big Island of Hawaii. After quarantine, snorkeling, star gazing on top of Mauna Kea, local foods, lava flow and steam vent visits, and hiking at state and national parks filled our interests. • Birding is fun with local bird walks and workshops! We saw long-eared owls near Middlebury with about 70 people trekking through the snow, brush, and bog to see them. • Weather, whether it be snow, a storm, watching the rain, sunshine, or just plain good weather, lifts my mood. • Live animals are always a hit—finding frogs and tadpoles, encountering turtles, visiting baby raccoons at my uncle’s house, going fishing, etc. • Getting out at night is a fun time to explore! There is something magical about safe spaces in nature in the dark. • Simple things like yard work, building forts, or playing sardines in the woods are good for our family. • Cooking over a fire is tasty and bonding.
<<<
<<< Exploring the shore in Hilo
• Seasonal foods are delicious—morels and black raspberries! Spending time with family while on the hunt is priceless. Hiking at Goshen Dam Pond
Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com and podcasts as Loose Parts Nature Play. She is often seen with her four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area.
• Canoeing may be my new birthday tradition. Love floating down the river!
Did you connect to nature more this year as well? What trends did you notice? How might you include nature as part of your gratitude in the month of November and beyond?
East Park
If you notice that East Park is being dug up, it’s not vandalism—it’s progress. The Landscape Committee and Middlebury Park Staff have created a vision to improve this park. Look for before and after pictures of this renovation in a future edition of inMiddlebury.
Tree Lighting – December 5
The lights on the tree in Memorial Park will be turned on for the first time Saturday, December 5, at 7 p.m. It will be a more subdued event this year due to the pandemic, but it’s still a great time to have a family picture taken by the tree as Christmas music plays in the backbround. There will be no craft this year, and no refreshments will be served, but you can bring your own thermos of hot cocoa and enjoy the ambiance of community fellowship.
“Why is this log in the middle of my trail?”
The park staff moved some logs in strategic areas in Riverbend Park along the trail going into the woods from the limestone trail. You may recall how the last two spring floods moved a lot of the limestone from the trail and carried it into the grass and the log exhibit area. These logs will act as water bars to slow and divert flood water to prevent this from happening again. Metal stakes will be placed into the ground to secure the logs in place and we will use some rock to help divert the water from undercutting the log. There is still plenty of room to walk around the logs and even take a bike or stroller through. This may be a temporary option, but if it works it could be permanent and we may even add some soil and plants to the tops of the concave sections of the logs.
New Trees!
Fifty new trees will be planted in 2021 at no cost to our town through a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the St. Joseph River Basin Commission. A survey was conducted of our current tree canopy, and the town, park department, and tree board have been given a list of priority placement sies. Trees can increase a property’s value by 10 percent, and they help absorb rain water that would otherwise flow into the storm drains, carrying pollution into the Little Elkhart River and on downstream. THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY
SAFE
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inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020 7
School Spotlight
STAFF YOU Written by DesirĂŠe Beauchamp-Boucher When I first contacted Northridge Middle School to ask their principals to nominate a teacher or team of teachers for this month's Teacher Spotlight, I was blown away at their decision to bring attention and appreciation to their custodial and cafeteria staff. What a truly wonderful nomination! Knowing how much my own home and personal space sanitation has increased since last March, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for these staff members to do that for a much larger population with so many more square feet to cover. Things this year have been very different for the NMS custodial staff. They've been short staffed from the start and have had a difficult time finding any new help. They spend much time disinfecting (all day, every day). As well as double the lunch duty because they have the regular cafeteria being used along with the school's main gym. It's a lot of space to clean up. They have had to do so much furniture moving this year. They have moved every single piece of furniture in the building multiple times to meet the social distancing needs. It's an old building and often needs repairs, and they find it's very hard to find time for those repairs but they are doing their best to keep up with it. Building Manager Crystal Wolkins states, "There has been a ton of overtime and a bit of stress and this is overall very tiring. But we are doing it and we are grateful to be working with such a great staff. We do what we can to keep them and the 8 inMiddlebury Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; | NOVEMBER 2020
students as safe as we can." Crystal also adds, "The staff here has been very willing to help with whatever we need. They have students cleaning their desks for us at the end of the day and many are having students empty their trash for us, too. Our principals are very supportive and often ask what they can do to make this job easier on us. We were recognized on custodial day this year and gifted with nice handwritten cards and treats. All of which was really appreciated." The NMS custodial staff would like to thank their maintenance guys, Cliff Wolf and AJ Phillips, for helping fix things when they are stumped. Also thanks to Desiree Blosser for coming to help whenever she can as well as principals Rachel Vallance, Scott Miller, and Dave Gaskill. Lastly, Anita Mounsithiraj for always making them feel very appreciated and needed. CUSTODIAL STAFF MEMBERS ARE: Crystal Wolkins (Building Manager) Samantha Smith Charlotte Bontrager Mellody Wilson Denny Marsh Jason Ross Crystal Jones
SHOULD KNOW This year has been VERY different in the kitchen. They have been short staffed since school started, which has made it even more difficult. There is extra cleaning and sanitizing daily. They must allow extra time for preparation and extra packaging. Cafeteria Manager Sherry Miller shares that, "Some days are worse than others. My staff does an amazing job doing all the extra things that have been asked of them. Everyone jumps in and makes sure it all gets done. Pretty sure I have the cleanest kitchen around because they all take pride in their cleaning. We do what we can to keep staff and students as safe as possible. COVID has caused us to make changes to our daily jobs, but also the waiver we received from the state that every student gets a free breakfast and lunch (if they choose) has increased breakfast and lunch participation. Our breakfast count has increased by doing five times as many as we were before, and our lunch is up about 150 more per day and continues to rise. That is a good thing! If I must say, we serve some pretty good meals!" Many thanks to our custodial and maintenance personnel as well. Things happen on the daily
and they help us out a lot! I also feel blessed to have the best administrators – Rachel Vallance, Scott Miller, and David Gaskill – to listen to me and offer their encouragement daily. Other staff as well have been very kind, offering words of encouragement and thanking us for what we do. It means a lot! CAFÉ STAFF MEMBERS ARE: Sherry Miller, Manager Tonia Amaya Roxie Barron Erica Beachy Tammie Brown Madisyn Crider Sonia Crider Cathy Heign Brandi Kretschmer Jessica Lawrence Eve Saldivar Amanda Zook inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020 9
THE ROAD WE TOOK Photos by Julie Maas amd Charlene Hunt Written by Charlene Hunt The original 2020 season was supposed to be Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken." Then COVID-19 happened â&#x20AC;&#x201C; schools shut down, everyone went "virtual" and then for what felt like the end of a 2020 Marching Band Season ISSMA cancelled all competitive band events. That's when our stellar band director, Mr. Brad Zook, quickly came up with Plan B and creatively along with the support of our Superintendent Ms. Jane Allen, and Mr. Wood (principal), to be able to rewrite the show, and start over. What normally would take six months to write the show for each student and each section piece took a week. Needless to say, band students (and families) were ecstatic and so grateful! Mr Zook rewrote the show into "The Road We Took" a montage of the past three years and a look back at the moments and memories for our Senior Band students. It included a mix of the melodies from the 2017 season: Metamorphosis, 2018 season: Pyramid Scheme, and the 2019 season: Puzzle Pieces. The Road We took to get to where we are today! In the wise words of Mr Zook at the beginning of the season: "The road bends, and the road turns, but to see what's next, you have to keep going!" It was a wonderful opportunity for any student to still have the chance to participate in the band and most of the past students chose to continue on with their band family, their peers and their mentors. 10 inMiddlebury Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; | NOVEMBER 2020
They practiced outside two afternoons a week after school, socially distanced, and followed recommended guidelines. All horned instruments, saxophone, trumpet, and trombones, had custom made bell covers to reduce droplets. Masks were utilized when social distancing couldn't be maintained. Sadly, a few of our band "traditions" had been cut from the year because of COVID-19. We were able to make a few modifications to our plans and our community performance and still had a wonderful turnout of support and love from the families and members of the community. Still, the students were able to perform at four home football games at Northridge Stadium. September 11, September18 (also Band Senior Recognition Night), October 9, and our final game October 16. The love, support, sense of family, determination, and teamwork these kids have demonstrated throughout the last four years, and specifically this year, saw them pulling together even more than we could have imagined to make the best of this situation. We are certainly proud of them, and unbelievably thankful for the hard work and support of Mr. Brad Zook (director), Mr. Bryce Cone (asst. director), Mr. Josh Flynn (percussion instructor), Ms. Kiersten Gannon (color guard). Lastly, Breanna Hunt was this year's Drum Major. She is a senior and will be graduating in May 2021. She has been a low brass trombone player since 6th grade. She was a marching student her freshman and sophomore year, and stepped into the Drum Major leadership role her junior and senior year. She has been an amazing leader and role model to the band, and continues to lead by example and encourage them despite the setbacks this season. She is never one to give up, and although this hasn't been the senior year she imagined it would be, she hasn't let it slow her down.
SENIOR BAND MEMBERS
Hunter Barth Isaac Bontrager Kelli Cameron Emmalee Decaire Jessica Decaire Brooke Fingerle Donovan Godman Jackson Graber Landon Heynis Breana Hill Kallista Hornacek
Breanna Hunt (Drum Major) Brenna Janowski Emily Kliewer Savannah Lawrence Alyssa Lewan Alden Maas Nathan Mast Katie Mathew Liberty Meyer Gage Ornduff Jacson Padgett
Marcos Reyes Emily Schrock Ben Seiltz Nicole Siler Alyssa Strahm Lizzie Turner Taryn Varner Zuzalea Vilardo Madison Weldy Christian Woolwine Sara Worland
inMiddlebury Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; | NOVEMBER 2020 11
MICHIANA MILITARY VETERAN STAND DOWN WITH A HEART 2020 Goodwill industries of Michiana and community partners hosted events in LaPorte, Warsaw, South Bend, and Elkhart throughout the year. The goal of the stand down is to help veterans and their families who are experiencing financial challenges. For some, it’s a time to receive a warm meal and clothing. For others, it’s a life changing event. Our Middlebury American Legion Auxiliary participated by donating $500 from their poppy fund toward much needed undies and t-shirts. The poppy funds were the result of two events held at the Chalet Party Shoppe twice this year. The proceeds are being distributed with our local veterans and their families in need. Thank you Middlebury and our neighboring communities for your continued support of our veterans!
Celebrating
CELEBRATING
110 YEARS of caring for your Firsts.
12 inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020
YEARS 1910-2020
www.YourFirstMatters.com
NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOLAR ATHLETE
OF THE MONTH
MILA OPACICH My name is Mila Opacich and I am a senior diver at Northridge. My parents are Aimee and Eli Opacich and they have supported me in all my endeavors for as long as I can remember. I have been a part of the Northridge Swim and Dive team for the last three years and dive for IISD year-round. Last year was my first year doing pole vault for the track team. For me, being on the swim team has been an amazing experience. It provided me with a sense of community when I first came to high school, and I have enjoyed growing closer with that community for the last three years. In addition to sports, I am also a part of the National Honor Society, the Northridge Environmental Organization, and the Raider Freshman Mentor program. I am currently enrolled in workbased learning, and am employed at Crossroads Health and Cosmetic Center PC. In my free time I volunteer at LoveWay Inc. After high school I plan on majoring in biology and eventually attending veterinary school.
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inMiddlebury Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; | NOVEMBER 2020 13
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14 inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020
The Miller's Mill Three Generations of Exceptional Quality and Flavor Written by: Chris Wheeler
Photos by: Linnea Wheeler Visitors to the family-operated Miller's Mill on County Road 8 will find a warm welcome from the Miller's and a cool, tangy cup of just-pressed apple cider waiting for them. This Middlebury institution carries with it a long history of faith, family, and hard work â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a history that has borne more fruit than just cider.
The Millers' grandfather, Ezra, bought the mill in 1925; it was likely built in 1849 and originally used to grind flour and feed. Ezra used it to make cider and apple butter. The Middlebury Independent published the following notice regarding the latter treat, on October 4, 1928: "We acknowledge receipt of a very acceptable gift from Ezra J. Miller, when he brought to this office a jar of applebutter of exceptional quality and flavor. Mr. Miller is planning to manufacture this product this fall on a large scale, and it deserves a wide market."
Ezra continued to make products of exceptional quality and flavor, using a new mill building built in 1937. In 1954 he sold the old equipment. In 1977 his youngest son Vernon, who had grown up around the mill, decided to purchase new equipment and reopen the mill for business.
Vernon had trained as a nurse and worked in carpentry, then for Middlebury Plumbing and Heating (located where the First State Bank is now). But he always wanted
to be at home working with his family, and the cider mill offered him that opportunity. As Kathy Miller aptly put it, "He taught us that his business is not making cider, but serving the Lord and raising his family. Sometimes it's hard to keep that all in perspective; it's helpful to make a living, but there are more important things."
Vernon was a tinkerer who loved writing down Middlebury history and collecting historical memorabilia. Among the many fascinating artifacts in the mill's back room is a model train which the Millers gladly fire up for visitors. Vernon applied his mechanical knowledge and experience working in his father's cider mill when he reopened the mill. He poured floors that would drain properly after each cleaning of the press, and built the racks that hold the frames which go between each layer of apples. He also customized the 80-ton press (which exerts 80 pounds per square inch on the apples) with eight immense hardwood blocks to make it more efficient to use. The Millersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cider was an immediate hit. Back then,
inMiddlebury Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; | NOVEMBER 2020 15
on a good day, they produced up to a whopping 3000, gallons of cider and customers would line up all along the lane. The siblings remember one day when the mill was stalled for two hours waiting on a new part. The family immediately got to work making lunch for over a dozen customers still waiting in line. Even though they don't make nearly as much cider these days, that hospitable spirit remains at the heart of the Miller's Mill, now three generations into pressing cider (and counting).
Customers call ahead to schedule a pressing of their very own apples, and they don't mind traveling a distance. The Millers regularly have visitors from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and all corners of Indiana throughout their season (starting in September and going through April). Those that don't have apple trees of their own can call ahead to get an inside look at the fascinating process of cider-making, and nab a few gallons of the Millersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; own cider on their way out. The mill also carries homemade apple butter, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon apple jelly, and local honey and syrup. Every year, the cider that flows from the Miller's Mill is a little bit different, depending on the apple harvest and Sam Miller's tinkering with the recipe. Typically, he balances sweet and tart apple varieties with some Macintosh mixed in for texture. This year, an early spring freeze impacted the Macintosh harvest, but the Gala harvest was good. The Millers aren't fazed. Sam grins across a large crate full of apples as he and his sisters Becky, Kathy, and Ruthie sort them and says, "If there's one variety you want
to have, it's Gala!"
A bushel of apples will produce about 3.5 gallons of cider, and the Millers have boiled their process down to a science. They can get up to 38 bushels in one pressing, which goes into one of their many holding tanks while they set up for another pressing. The process only takes 45 minutes from bushel to jug. The pummies (leftover apple pulp which resembles a crumbly granola bar) are elevated into a trailer to be hauled back for their livestock to enjoy. The sheep, cows, and llamas all adore this treat. The siblings all have specialized jobs. Sam is the mechanical guru and recipe maker. Kathy has an exceptional memory for names and faces, so she welcomes the customers and takes orders. Ruthie gives tours, and she and Kathy help jug the cider on busy days. Becky helps run the press. Their mother, Alta, used to take calls until she suffered a stroke a few months back. Now, she enjoys sitting and chatting with customers whenever she can and they enjoy the conversation just as much as she does. Sometimes during the busiest times, Sam's wife will also help. Their young sons (ages 7 and 8) add to the enthusiasm.
When asked what their favorite thing about living and working in Middlebury is, Kathy and Ruthie don't miss a beat. "The people!" Kathy continues, "They are happy and enthusiastic, and they come back year after year, so we get to know them well." Even though each family member has their specialized jobs, the Millers are most happy working together on
16 inMiddlebury Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; | NOVEMBER 2020
large projects like their yearly batches of apple and peach butter. Ruthie points out, "We do help each other. You have to!" This close-knit family life, combined with their faith, has helped the Millers weather some very difficult times through the years.
Amid the jars of apple butter and bottles of syrup they
have for sale, the Millers also sell a book written by their youngest sister Mary, who passed away from cancer in 2008. This book (My Home by the River) is a beautiful compendium of her poetry, lovingly illustrated by Ruthie and put together with help from every member of their family. Besides her work with her family at the mill, Mary taught at a school west of Goshen. Her book includes family history, recipes, and activities for children, and her poetry covers a broad range of topics from the cider mill to her battle with cancer: "It takes a lot of trusting To believe God works things out For the best when you are tempted With discouragement and doubt, To believe that for each moment Ample grace will be supplied And to long for, more than healing, That the Lord be glorified."
All together, this book speaks volumes of the legacy of the Millers: a faith long held by a family who works hard, care for each other, and reaches out to love those around them. And if that doesn't make their cider even sweeter, I don't know what does.
inMiddlebury Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; | NOVEMBER 2020 17
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18 inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020
See participating merchants in this issue of the Inmiddlebury Magazine
FOOD
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1 0 t h A N N UA L MIDDLEBURY HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS
Christmas Bazaar Fri, November 20th | 4pm-8pm Sat, November 21st | 8am-1pm
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NORTHRIDGE THEATER
Back to the Grind Written by Nicole Deckert Despite having to social distance, wear masks, and sanitize the auditorium after every use, Northridge Theater Program is in full swing after a six-month hiatus due to COVID. Over the past couple months they have been working on three different productions. While the students are excited to get back on the stage, most of them agree that they missed each other just as much as acting. “I love acting, but surrounding myself with a bunch of super-talented people makes me feel inspired and proud to be a part of it,” Bri Cass, eighth grader, states. Kyndal Hazen, junior, adds, “With my theater family is the one place that I am comfortable being myself. My academics push me to be constantly perfect, but when I am in rehearsals, I know my imperfections don’t define me and I enjoy laughing along with my fellow actors when I skip a line or say something completely wrong. I can show who I really am and that means the world to me.”
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING PRODUCTION: TUCK EVERLASTING
“Tuck Everlasting” was chosen as the fall production mainly because of the smaller cast size, and as most of the show takes place “outside,” the directors knew they could potentially perform it outside if needed. A timeless story of the Tuck family who finds a magical spring that enables them to live forever, the show has given the cast a chance to have a lot of fun, while also stretching their acting abilities with the more serious scenes. “My favorite part of ‘Tuck Everlasting’ has been the people. I've been able to grow closer to the cast through all of this. We've laughed at every rehearsal and it has made my days so
20 inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020
much better,” Abigail Checkley says. Principal cast members include Kyndal Hazen, Drew Stahly, Josiah Cross, Abigail Checkley, Nathan Gibson, Kelly Thomann, Chandler Green, and Landon Dean.
NORTHRIDGE TROUPE SHOWS
For the past three years, Northridge High School has participated in Indiana State Thespian conferences, performing a troupe show for competition and critique, competing in individual events, and attending workshops to hone their acting skills. Last year the directors also chartered a troupe at the middle school level, enabling a whole new generation of thespians to participate in the competition. Unfortunately, due to COVID, the troupe regionals and state competition this year were cancelled. Determined to not let the pandemic further hinder their program, the director decided they would move ahead with auditions and rehearsals for both troupe shows, competition or not. The lack of competition actually forced them to get overly creative, and they decided to present a dual performance with both the middle school and high school shows. They chose the one act show of “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” with the middle school, and the sequel to that, “The Terezin Promise” for the high school. Both of these shows are set in the Terezin Ghetto during World War II, and the students have done extended amounts of research
into the Holocaust, treatment of Jews, the history of the ghetto, and the actual survivors of the ghetto. “It’s a tough subject, but it gives us the chance to take education beyond the classroom. Every time a student has to stop and think and ask themselves the hard questions about life because of what they’re learning, it’s a victory in our book,” Ellen Augustine and Nicole Deckert, the directors of the program, agree. Kora Beasley, senior, states, “My favorite part about the ‘Terezin Promise’ is the devotion we each feel to our characters. Through researching Terezin, seeing pictures that were drawn by children in the
camps, and discovering the ways our characters’ lives intertwine, we have been able to dive into our characters and really bring them to life on stage.” Principal cast members for the middle school are Neeki Vaghefi, Natalie Beaver, and Samuel Norris. Principal members for the high school include Kendal Ross, Dominic Mattei, Meredith Dorbin, Mason Floria, Nick Beaver, Canyon Penner, Kora Beasley, and Jessica DeCaire. Both of these shows will be presented Thursday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Northridge High School Auditorium.
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Welcome to our
SHOUT PAGE! Sandy from Chalet wanted to say how much she really enjoyed the article by Gloria Salavarria in the October issue. She enjoyed it so much that she brought a copy into work to share with everyone else.
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
We would like to thank all our wonderful friends from Middlebury who supported our Ride-A-Thon fundraiser this year! The day was a HUGE success and that is thanks to our incredible community! From sponsorships to door prizes to rider and event volunteers......Middlebury was there....bless you all for your hearts for our riders. - Shelley Becker and the LoveWay Staff
I would like to thank Sherry Miller and Crystal Wolkins for their help with the article recognizing their NMS Cafeteria and Custodial staff. - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
A shout to Charlene Hunt for providing me with a wonderful write up about the Northridge Raider Marching Band. - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher
A HUGE shout out to MQR Michiana Quality Roofing LLC! They generously blessed LoveWay with the much-needed roof repairs to keep us safe and most importantly dry! Thank you MQR for your hearts for our riders! - Shelley Becker and The LoveWay Staff
22 inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020
As a rider during LoveWay’s 26th annual Ride-a-Thon, I’d like to thank all of the staff, volunteers & donors who contributed to make this Annual event a fun and safe time!! -Becky McKenna
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inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020 23
FINISHING STRONG
Northridge Fall Athletics Photos by Russ Draper
help us welcome our newest chamber member, hampton inn & suites of middlebury!
From left to right: Sheri Howland, Executive Director of Middlebury Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, Jane Allen, Chamber Board Member, Michael Staszewski, General Manager, Hampton Inn & Suites of Middlebury and Jason Bontrager, Chamber Board President.
CHAMBER CHAT NOVEMBER 17
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26 inMiddlebury Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; | NOVEMBER 2020
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Gloria Salavarria has such an eloquent way of turning the ordinary or extraordinary into a colorful adventure. Perhaps many of you will find these “new normals” she talks about as relatable. - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher Written by Gloria Salavarria This is the time of year when I normally have a dry cough and shortness of breath because my nose is full of snot because of seasonal allergies. Not only that, my cats are suffering my pulling these little burrs out of their fur as it is that burr time of year as well. Needless to say, my cats and I have been miserable lately, but then when I read the list of symptoms for the coronavirus, oops—I saw “dry cough and shortness of breath” as two of the listed symptoms, I thought I should get myself tested—just to be sure. So, I went over to the nearby town of Goshen and got myself tested and after the test swab was taken, I was told I’d get the test results the next day. The next day came and went, and so I called to find out when I can expect the test results. The answer was “Oh, by the end of the week! Sorry for the delay but we’re backed up and it’s taking us longer than we expected.” The end of the week came, and the test results weren’t in the mailbox and this meant that since Monday was our Labor Day holiday, at best, I’d have to wait until Tuesday.
Tuesday came and went, and still no results. Since I had some errands to run in Goshen today, I decided to return to the place where I had been tested and ask again— but this time “in person.” There I was told that my results were “inconclusive,” and would I mind being tested again? They’d give me the results for sure, and would I care to “wait around?” I waited, and in a little less than an hour, the results came back negative for the coronavirus, which was a relief! I’ll keep on wearing my face mask nevertheless. (Actually I like not having to put on lipstick so covering my face—especially at my age—is no social sacrifice for me.) Still, I’ve decided to start weeding through my worldly possessions and donating what I don’t use, much less need, to worthy charities such as Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill. I don’t dislike my heirs enough to want to leave an unholy mess for them to clean up when I finally do come to the end of my life. Decluttering so far has been an interesting archeological dig, and I feel so many pounds lighter for losing all of that weight…
inMiddlebury Magazine | NOVEMBER 2020 27
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“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.” — HENRY DAVID THOREAU
Elkhart County is a place where we invite people to join us on the path. It’s a place where we encourage others on their own journeys.
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