The Miller’s Mill

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 – 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 Millers’ cider was an immediate hit. Back then,

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 Millers’ 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

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.

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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

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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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 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

work to share with everyone else.

I would like to thank Sherry Miller and Crystal Wolkins for their help with the article Cafeteria and Custodial staff. - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher

We would like to thank all our wonderful friends from Middlebury who supported our Ride-A-Thon fundraiser this year! The day was a recognizing their NMS

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 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

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.

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

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…

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