InMiddlebury Magazine

inMiddlebury Magazine P.O. Box 68 Middlebury, IN 46540

Postal Patrons

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE ECRWSSEDDM PAID Berne, IN Permit No. 43

e h t g n i r u t a e F Fall Fest Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana

OCTOBER 2020

Screen Printing, Embroidery, yard signs, banners, Laser etching/engraving, direct-to-garment printing car/wall/window decals, and more!

Auto glass repair and replace Shower enclosures Plexiglass Glass that fits your needs Screen repair Mirrors 9216, 400 N Main St, Middlebury, IN 46540 (574) 825-2225 • Mon. - Fri. 8-5 p.m.

Test Drive a Country Clipper Today!

Made in the USA

Point & Go Joystick or Twin Lever Steering

Up to 72” Cut Widths

Patented Stand-Up Deck

ContourDTS (Deck Tracking System) TM

Financing Available

CASEY ’S EROSION & SEED SOLUTIONS Your Local Dealer:

www.caseyserosionandseedsolutions.com www.countryclipper.com 18029 County Road 22 • Goshen, IN 46528

Countr yClipper.com

574-533-7900

2 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Flower Basket 500 Spring Valley Plaza • Middlebury (Across from Northridge High School)

825-7673 (ROSE)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

8

10

Outdoor Living, 6 Math in Nature Boys & Girls Club of Middlebury, 7 Scholar Athlete, 8 Andrew Eichstadt Middlebury Parks Department, 9

15

20

Pumpkinvine Cyclery, 10-12 Chris Wheeler Auxiliary, 13 2020 Middlebury Fall Fest, 15-17 Shouts, 19 Give a shout of gratitude

22

Back to School, 20 #ArtWhereUAre, 22 Northridge Athletics, 24-25 What is your Brew?, 27 Gloria Salavarria

On the Cover – The Pumpkin Patch Market has always

CONTRIBUTORS: PUBLISHER:

William Connelly

been a staple at the Fall Festival. This year it went through some changes as the owner of the last 29 years, Glenn Miller, sold the market to Marlin Martin. Both men worked side by side this year at the festival as Glenn helped Marlin with the transition.

EDITOR:

Advertise with us

ADVERTISING:

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.

Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher Scott Faust

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Magdalena Franke

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dr. Carla Gull, Chris Wheeler, Gloria Salavarria and Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Russ Draper, Linnea Wheeler, Julie Mass and Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher

Advertising deadline for the November issue

is October 14.

inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020 3

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Editor’s Note

AUGUST 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

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

What’s Happening Online

inMiddlebury?

Facebook

For an upcoming issue could you please submit your favorite holiday recipes and family traditions to delightfullyhere@gmail.com - Desirée Beauchamp-Boucher

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: Tacos and More 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

www.Facebook.com/inMiddlebury

It felt like we were still in the thick of summer with temps pushing 90° and then Labor Day happened and Snap it was fall. 2020 has been such a harrowing year and it’s hard to believe we are in the tail end of it now. Before we know it the holidays will be upon us and then a new year. Let us hope that the joy that usually accompanies the holiday season will lift our spirits and draw the people of our community and nation closer together once again.

Coupons

www.inMiddlebury.com/coupons

4 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

10/2

Evan Bowman, 8

10/12 Emma Ableseth, 8

Love you much - The Family 10/13 Dick Zook, 80 10/18 Shelly Weltz, 66

10/7

Roger & Judy Polly, 23rd

10/21 Elsie Yoder, 58

Thanks for everything you do

for your family. Love you much.

10/25 Brielle Sigler, 10 10/26 Michael Chastain, 47

Happy Birthday Michael.

We love you! - Rachel and Buddy

10/20 Gary & Nean Smith, 30th

10/18 Todd & Jen Meiers, 31st

Happy Birthday to my amazing mom, Shelley Weltz!

October 18, 1954 - Love, Your Daughter

Happy 10th Birthday to Brielle Sigler!

Brielle loves playing softball, volleyball, and playing with her puppies Lucy, Hunter and Chief. She is super beautiful, funny, smart and has a heart of gold!

At a young age of 10, she aspires to become an Anesthesiologist.

We love you! – Mom, Dad, John, Brooklyn & Brock

Happy Birthday 80th to Dick Zook!

Have a celebration in november?

Let us know by october 19.

inMiddlebury Magazine  | OCTOBER 2020 5

OUTDOOR LIVING

Sticks can be lined up by size.

Nature can be a perfect place to explore math! Here are few key concepts: • The world is alive with mathematical learning opportunities. Nature is full of patterns, cycles, shapes, and numeric opportunities. Children naturally experiment with mathematical concepts as part of outdoor play. Notice counting (as children gather 1, 2, 3, 4 sticks), matching of elements (leaves that are the same), application of geometric shapes (creating rectangles for a house), sequencing (working through the order of the tasks they planned out), symmetry, and understanding perimeter. Nature provides many non-standard examples to deal with complexities.

• Nature can provide! Nature often has plenty of sticks, rocks, seeds, and pinecones. Children love collecting their own natural treasures.

• Bring the tools outside. We often hide away our math tools and manipulatives in closets, only using them when learning a specific concept. Let’s take them outside so tools can be another option in children’s play. o Make grab and go kits. Have math “starts” in small backpacks for easy outdoor math options. o Use digital tools to support play. Digital devices often have cameras to document and record information, timers, stop watches, tally apps, and other basic math tools. o Consider mathematical tools to extend play.  Number and Operations—arrays, number lines, dominoes, yard dice, calendar numbers, sticks, milk or applesauce lids, ten frame, dice, fabric 100s chart

• Arrays may include egg cartons, ice cube trays, muffin tins, tic tac toe or checker boards, sorting trays, and other sets organized in rows and columns.  Geometry and Spatial Sensing—frames, 2D and 3D shapes (both found and from a set), attribute blocks, mirrors  Measurement—rulers, yardsticks, ribbons, yarn, rope, measuring tapes, sand timers, digital timers, scales, trundle wheel, balances, sticks and ropes in standards sizes (feet, two feet, yard, six feet for COVID)  Patterns and Algebraic Reasoning—pattern blocks, game pieces  Displaying and Analyzing Data—garden lattice, tally sheets  General Items—chalk, wooden planks, milk crates, light colored fabric squares, recyclables, sticks, rocks, acorns, sweet gum balls, driftwood, pine needles, mark making tools and paper • Solve real life problems. Support and guide children through this process. o What do you want to know? o How can you find out? o What tools will help you collect the data? o How will you use the information? (from Messy Maths) You’re ready to support natural mathematics exploration in play!

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.

Estimate the length of a yard with natural objects.

6 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Celebrating

drills to help prepare Club members for a real emergency. We also incorporate ALICE into our drills & safety procedures because Club members are familiar with ALICE due to learning about it at school.”

Safety Readiness Week is an event that multiple Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country participate in to recognize National Preparedness Month by preparing all week for an actual emergency.

If you have any questions pertaining to the drills conducted or questions about membership availability you can reach Natasha Lantz at 574-825-0873 or nlantz@bgcelkhartcounty. org.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

The Middlebury Club completed their first safety readiness week in the newly renovated and expanded Club. The week consisted of conducting multiple safety drills along with having conversations with Club members about what is safe and what is not safe. On safety readiness day Club members engaged in safety activities such as safety word searchers, cross word puzzles, Emergency “Go-Bag” scavenger hunts, and built safety shelters out of cardboard boxes. Club members were also given information to give to their parents on how to make a go-bag at home in case of an emergency. Natasha Lantz, Director of the Middlebury Club shares, “Safety of our Club members is our number one priority. Safety Readiness week allows us to conduct multiple

CELEBRATING

110 YEARS of caring for your Firsts.

YEARS 1910-2020

www.YourFirstMatters.com inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020 7

NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE MONTH ANDREW EICHSTADT My name is Andrew Eichstadt and my parents are Lori and Don Eichstadt. I am a senior this year, and have been running Track and Cross Country all four years of high school. I also participate in the Science Olympiad, and am a member of National Honor Society, Vice President of the Class of 2021 and Secretary of the Junior Optimists Club. The thing I enjoy most about Track and Cross Country is the team bond that comes with the sport. Even though Cross Country might seem like an individual sport, the team aspect is really important, and having a supportive team makes running Cross Country that much better. Outside of school, I spend a lot of my time volunteering.

This summer I did water quality research for the Middlebury Parks Department. I also participated in an innovation competition and received grant money to solve a COVID-19 related issue. After high school, I plan to major in Biology and would like to be a doctor someday.

I am undecided about exactly where I will go, but it will probably be IU.

If you’re invited to your customers’ family reunions.

SEE YOUR FULL SMORGASBORD OF OPTIONS AT

INTERRACU.COM/BUSINESS

We get it. We do business here too.

8 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Take some time to enjoy the Ridge Run Trail — on foot or on bicycle

YOU COUNT!

Ridge Run Trail

Trail counters have been installed along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail at three locations: one near the Shipshewana trailhead, one near Abshire Park in Goshen, and one near Krider Worlds Fair Garden in Middlebury. The numbers are impressive!

Here are the results for the month of August using only the counts in Middlebury: From August 5 to September 5 , the trail was used 17,535 times! We averaged a daily count of 566 trail users. That can be broken down to a weekday average of 113 pedestrians and 297 cyclists.

On the weekends the averages jump to 193 pedestrians and 680 cyclists.

And our highest number of users on a single day was Saturday of Labor Day weekend when we had 1296 total users!

Ridge Run Trail is only 1.4 miles long, but it connects to the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and the Wayne Street Trail to create a 5K loop. By itself it packs a lot along its short route.

Start the tour of the trail at the junction with the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail just north of the tunnel under US 20.

You ride along a farm field with US 20 to your left. You quickly come to the entrance of That Pretty Place Bed and Breakfast, which has two guest houses overlooking a large fishing pond.

After an S curve and up a short incline, the pasture for the Essenhaus carriage horses is on your left. Coast down the hill along the pasture, and around the curve is a large green space. The Middlebury Greencroft retirement community is on your right. The residents built an arched bridge across a small stream to connect the community to the trail. Along the trail the Middlebury Tree Board and Essenhaus have planted many trees with most having an identification plaque. A rest stop overlooking the pond and covered bridge offers a place to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. A large stone with a plaque recognizes significant donors to the Ridge Run Trail project. Next you come to the Essenhaus covered bridge, a Middlebury icon. After crossing the bridge there are several options. Greencroft is to the right down a connecting trail. A left turn connects you to the Essenhaus campus with the inn, restaurant, bakery, shopping, and one of the quilt gardens in summer. Straight ahead is the Wayne Street Trail connecting to Middlebury town center and the Middlebury schools’ campus.

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY

SAFE

TIMELY

DEPENDABLE

inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020 9

Spencer and Brittany Short’s love for biking runs deep.

Both grew up on two wheels, riding all over Middlebury and the surrounding farmland. Spencer in particular spent his days tearing around town on his BMX bike, getting the cops called on him for jumping off of loading docks. When Brittany points out that he wasn’t a bad kid, he just liked to ride his bike, Spencer grins. “I’m not a bad adult. I just like to ride my bike.

The Shorts have channeled this passion for the twowheeled life into their bike shop, the Pumpkinvine Cyclery, which is in its tenth year of operation and fifth year at its current location on 413 N. Main Street.

But back in 2011, they were pointed in a completely different direction: toward Ann Arbor, MI, where Spencer had just accepted a job offer from one of the nation’s largest bike shops. It was the height of the Great Recession, and the housing market was in shambles. The job offer seemed like the best option forward at the time, so he accepted. They called their parents to share the news.

No sooner had they hung up then they got a call from someone who had just started up his own bike shop in Middlebury. He was looking to sell, and had heard through the biking grapevine that the Shorts might be interested. They visited the shop and liked what they saw, and within a day had a handshake agreement to move forward. They called their parents (again) to share the news.

The very next day, they found out they were expecting their first child.

We made three separate calls to the parents. Hey, we’re moving to Ann Arbor! Hey, we just bought a business! Hey, we’re having a kid! Hands-down, 10 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

craziest week of our life.

It may have been a crazy week, but both Spencer and Brittany were well-prepared for the craziness.

Spencer had worked in a bike shop for over six years beforehand, and both were wielding dual business degrees in organizational leadership from Goshen College. Brittany had even prepared an entire business plan for starting up a bike shop in her entrepreneurship class at Goshen. Besides all of this, their timing was impeccable.

When the Shorts officially took on Pumpkinvine Cyclery in 2011, the Middlebury-Shipshewana leg of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail had just opened. As news got out about how great the trail was, everyone from cycling diehards to weekend riders began flocking to the shop. At first, Spencer was a one-man show, managing repairs, sales, rentals, phone calls, and emails all by himself. It soon became apparent that there was too much business for that to continue.

Brittany had been managing a dental clinic in South Bend and working Saturdays at the shop until the birth of their first child. After her maternity leave was up, she joined Spencer at the Cyclery full-time, managing the business side of things. Now, ten years later, they have six staff members and a burgeoning customer base.

The Shorts have a long history in Middlebury. They are both Northridge grads (2004 and 2005 respectively).

They met in high school while working at the Sunshine Farms Petting Zoo as tour guides, started dating a year later and haven’t stopped since. They married in college and moved back to Middlebury in 2013. Both of their kids, Dylan and Elsie, attend York Elementary.

Spencer has traveled all over the United States on

in mountain biking and racing, he caters to a broad range of customers.

«We’re selling a common tool, a common solution for so many different things, whether fitness, mental health, injury recovery, transportation, recreation, whatever. It’s cool to see how it meets people’s needs specifically.»

various bikes, but is quick to assert that Middlebury has ready access to some of the best and most diverse trails in the country (his podcast, Michiana Spoken, is all about this). Mountain bike trails at parks like Bonneyville Mill, Meyer Broadway, Dr. Lawless, Potato Creek, Rum Village, and Maple Hill in Kalamazoo are all within a short drive, let alone more sedate trails like the Pumpkinvine and the Heritage Trail in Winona Lake.

The Pumpkinvine Cyclery provides first-class tuneups and repairs, while stocking only the best bikes available. Their main brand of bikes is Specialized, but they also sell Pivot, Electra, and Salsa. You can find everything at their shop from three-wheeled trikes to high-end performance bikes, “the super-cars of the bike world.” Spencer doesn’t sell any bike he wouldn’t ride himself, and because of his background

Recently, a customer came into the shop who had been in a traumatic accident that left him dealing with serious physical limitations and loss of verbal communication.

Spencer and his team modified a custom recumbent trike from the Czech Republic to perfectly fit his needs.

He got on the bike and took off at 20 mph down the trail with the biggest grin on his face.

«We get those stories on a regular basis. Every month there’s somebody else that you’re kind of blown away by what they’re doing with a bike.»

According to the Shorts, this desire to push themselves to their limits, to see what they are physically capable of doing, is a common thread among bikers. Several bikers in the area recently completed an “Everest Challenge” on a hill on CR 10, a combined total of 230 miles climbing 29,000 feet of elevation. For other cyclists, the appeal is in exploration, of finding new local shops and breweries in their area. Others will take a quick Saturday jaunt to a town 40 miles over for lunch, returning in the evening. For the rest of us, biking offers low-impact exercise and an opportunity to destress out

inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020 11

in nature after a long day. The Pumpkinvine Cyclery offers the perfect place for newbies to test-ride their first bike, for cross-country riders to grab some brake pads and directions to the best eateries in Middlebury, and for devotees to talk shop.

For her part, Brittany’s passion lies in the infrastructure of the cycling community, as their store is a means to get people out enjoying the high-quality selection of parks and trails in the area. She also serves as the president of the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail Board of Directors, and gets excited about the big-picture improvements in store for transportation in Middlebury.

Our Parks have great leadership. We have some really good folks in the right places, doing the right things.

[We’re working out] how you maintain that ambiance of the town that we really love while still being a manufacturing hub. There’s a lot of thought going into crosswalks and how trails interact... We’re very active as a community, and that’s super-exciting.

According to Brittany, the best way to support

12 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Middlebury’s parks and trails practically is also the easiest: use them! You can also get involved in various “Friends of…” organizations that support specific parks in the community. With the help of their members, these organizations fund significant projects in those parks every year. You can find out more at www.middleburyin.com, or at the Middlebury Parks Facebook page.

So what’s the next big thing for Pumpkinvine Cyclery?

The Shorts say to stay tuned and watch for updates. In true cycling fashion, they don’t plan on sitting still, even as they enjoy the scenery.

This is a super fun industry to be in. I sell bikes. I sell fun! It’s kind of hard to have a bad day when you’re selling fun, keeping people active, and getting them outside and letting them explore their area in a different way.

True to his BMX roots, Spencer declined to share exactly which loading docks in Middlebury are ideal for maximum shredding. The best secrets seem to be those you uncover yourself.

We are proud to report our Certificate of Appreciation presented to us by our American Legion Commander Barry Weldy. “The services of the American Legion Auxiliary directly and indirectly touch the lives of all Americans. With the philosophy of ‘Service, not Self,’ the ALA develops a strong spirit of volunteerism in its members, who have joined together in the fellowship of giving to others.”

We prepare Auxiliary meals and create and participate in a variety of fundraising activities such as our poppy event at Chalet Party Shoppe. These events continue to generate much needed funds for our local veterans in need and their families.

On September 12, we hosted the district Auxiliary meeting. Our district committee has awarded us the Past President Parley Award.

The Past President Parley is a forum that brings together the experience of our former presidents and utilizes their expertise in active service to the American Legion Auxiliary.

inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020 13

INDIANA TRANSPORT

Your Transportation Solution • Family owned and operated since 2009 • Committed to driver retention • Most aggressive reload program in the industry • Highest percentage of overall loaded miles • Proud Community Sponsor

2311 S. Nappanee St. • Elkhart, IN • 574-293-3642 www.indianatransport.com

14 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

inMiddlebury Magazine  | OCTOBER 2020 15

Thank You

First and foremost a huge thank you to the ladies of the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce, Sheri Howlad and Carmen Carpenter, for the over the top work required to pull of this year’s Fall Festival. With all of the requirements from the health department that they had to work with to ensure the health of our community and all of the changes required. If you made it down to the festival this year you saw many ways we had

16 inMiddlebury Magazine  | OCTOBER 2020

to adapt to the new terms of 2020. What was once a congregation that spread throughout two parks with booths packed tight became a sparse disbursement of food vendors and scattered booths, yet still very much a Middlebury experience of festivity. The music and good food was still present, along with demonstrations and fellowship. Looking forward to a brighter and better 2021.

inMiddlebury Magazine  | OCTOBER 2020 17

Photos by Russ Draper, Julie Mass and others School is up and running with sports and classes and all the extracurricular activities that a new school year brings, but with so many new “normals” this year.

Our teachers, directors and coaches are all working hard to make this unusual school year as positive as possible for their students. Kids in masks with their desks spread out but the same glow of joy in their eyes. Something we often forget is just how resilient

18 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

kids can be. We spend so much time worrying if they will adapt to the changes of the world and they surprise us again and again by their willingness to remain children...full of growth and acceptance. We could all stand to learn a little from our youth. It is refreshing to see all of these kids doing what kids do best, playing and learning...masked the same as unmasked.

Want to Reach

10,000 Readers?

Advertise in the InMiddlebury Magazine and reach over 10,000 households in the Middlebury District.

For more information call Scott at

260-463-1896

Celebrating Life in Middlebury, Indiana inMiddlebury Magazine  | OCTOBER 2020 19

Welcome to our SHOUT PAGE!

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 our neighbors, Joyce and Jim Sumpter, for giving our daughters something fun to look forward to throughout this pandemic. Every week our girls were given clues and puzzle pieces that led to hidden rocks they had to find outside. Each rock was hand painted with a different fruit of the spirit. We are blessed to have such caring and creative neighbors who brought cheer during a difficult time!

– The Archer Family

Thank you Chalet Party Shoppe for being a gracious and supportive host venue for our poppy event! All donations are distributed directly to our local veterans in need and their families!

– June Wild

A shout out to our local Hardware Varns and Hoover owner, Nate Miller. Back when we had the stay at home policy from the COVID-19. I had an order to make some things from old siding for a lady. I ran out of screws and other things to complete the projects. I called the hardware store and asked, should I come in or what should I do. Nate said give me your order and I’ll deliver it out to your place. Nate made three trips out here, so that I could complete my projects. How thoughtful was that?! Thanks, Nate.

– Lloyd Miller

A huge thank you to our neighbors at the First Baptist Church for the lending of a table, it seems small but it was so incredibly helpful and a last minute blessing.

– The Bouchampson’s

20 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

TOUR GUIDE – Pictured are Mitch Miller of the Crystal Valley Exchange Club and Natasha Lantz, director of

the Boys and Girls Club of Middlebury.

CRYSTAL VALLEY EXCHANGE CLUB TOURS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of MIDDLEBURY The Crystal Valley Exchange Club of Middlebury recently toured the new $4.6 million addition of the Boys and Girls Club of Middlebury. The Exchange Club contributes $3,000 annually to the Boys and Girls Club of Middlebury titled “John Shoup Memorial Boys/Girls Club Fund.” Mr. Shoup was a charter mem-

ber of the Exchange Club and instrumental in establishing the Boys and Girls Club of Middlebury. Club Director Natasha Lantz provided the program and group tour and Das Dutchman Essenhaus catered the breakfast. The Crystal Valley Exchange Club has been voted “The # 1 Service Club in Middlebury.”

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

P-HWT-014 = Soft Skin Size: 7.375” x 1.5”"

inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020 21

Prepared by Todd Allen Design, Inc. 574.295.8866 InMiddlebury

Perhaps you have seen some of the stencils around town that have been put down by the Middlebury Arts Council, if not keep your eyes open as more appear throughout town over this fall season. When I went out the Thursday leading into the Fall Festival I anticipated an evening of just spraying down some positivity throughout Memorial Park to lift up the people of our town. Little did I know it would be I who was lifted up. As I entered the park on the South East end and began spraying I looked up to see two young Amish boys watching me. They asked what I was doing and I explained and then they ran off. By the time I was finishing the second stencil I looked up and discovered the two boys had returned with several of their siblings and friends in tow. I will admit my initial reaction was to feel slightly annoyed, after all I was here to do a job and suddenly I had an audience of inquisitive eyes clustered around me. However that was a fleeting annoyance as I quickly saw the wonderment on their faces. It can be so easy to get tunnel vision when focused on a project, but so much more rewarding when we allow ourselves to look beyond our own self and include others in our tasks.

For the rest of my time down at the park spraying down 22 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

stencils I found the best part was the conversation I had with these young people. We began to talk about how it feels good to hear nice words as well as say them ourselves. We talked about the colors I was spraying and each of us shared what our personal favorite colors were. One of the boys noted that he prefered the stencils where I layered two different colors and asked why they changed color as I did that. Suddenly I discovered I was in the middle of an art class on a cool autumn night, discussing what primary colors are and how they are used to create secondary colors. I explained how pink was related to red and asked what color they thought pink (red) and yellow would make, they were unsure, but then when one stated his favorite color was green and I asked what two colors he thought made green he grew deep in thought and then his eyes lit up with joy as he stated, “blue and yellow!”

It is so easy to get caught up in our daily tasks, to forget the merriment of childhood or to “stop and smell the roses” as it were...I am so thankful this group of young eyes full of curiosity pulled me into their space...it reminded me why we make art to begin with.

Enjoy Dine In or Carry-Out

Explore the Village Shops

240 US 20 • 574.825.9471 • essenhaus2go.com

inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020 23

24 inMiddlebury Magazine  | OCTOBER 2020

Photos by Russ Draper

inMiddlebury Magazine  | OCTOBER 2020 25

Welcome to our new member!

Thank you to all who “Flocked” together in effort to support our local businesses.

Tough Times Don’t Last But Tough Towns Do! #middleburyin

Miller Soft Wash - Kenneth Miller, New Paris, IN

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped with the 2020 Middlebury Fall Festival.

Your contribution to the festival is greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to Middlebury Chamber Golf Classic Winners 1st place: L & W Engineering 2nd place: Middlebury Recycling Facilities 26 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Chamber Chat

We’re Back Let’s Chat Tuesday, October 6 & 27 Coffee at 8:30 a.m. • Seating is limited due to Social Distancing, Reservations Required, 574-825-4300.

Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center 210 S. Main St., Middlebury

inMiddlebury Magazine  | OCTOBER 2020 27

LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY Global Tax & HealthyPets accounTinG Jan Plummer, CPA

O:574-825-2277 • F: 866-385-7177 globalcpa@aol.com PO Box 1135 Middlebury, IN 46540

/ TCC

574.971.2020 328 N Main St Middlebury, IN 46540 www.DrivenAutoShop.com

Pet Food and Accessories

851 US 20 • Middlebury 574-825-3238

Chris Gunn Groomer

574-849-6401

NISLEY

Home Improvement

202 W. Spring St. • Middlebury, IN

851 US 20 Next To Rulli’s Middlebury 574-358-0146

Specializing in Residential Interior Painting Steve Nisley 574-849-4788

Advertise in our Business Directory for as low as $50 a month!

For more information call 574-825-9112 or Advertising@inMiddlebury.com

28 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

deals

Easy cut-out page!

The

inMiddlebury

$10 off

HEATING SEASON CLEAN & CHECK

HEATING & COOLING

EXP: 10-31-2020

A Fusion of Technology & Service

203 Wayne Street • Middlebury • 574-825-8824 • elementmasters.net

$1 OFF

3000

$

OIL CHANGE

Any bottled sauces/seasonings.

Call For Appointment.

Expires 10-31-2020

*must present coupon to redeem offer.

Limit 2.

101 Wayne St. Middlebury • 574-825-2940 •

5 quarts of oil

Free Suspension Check Exp: 10-31-2020

Independent $45

The Middlebury

3-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Call or Send Check with Coupon.

*Valid to residents of Elkhart, LaGrange and St. Joseph counties only.

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS

to over 10,200 homes and businesses!

Place a coupon for your business today!

Call 574-825-9112. inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020 29

deals

Easy cut-out page!

inMiddlebury Call now for a free quote on a Trane System

The

HEATING & COOLING A Fusion of Technology & Service

203 Wayne street, Middlebury

574-825-8824

elementmasters.net

13024 US 20 • Middlebury, IN

574-825-2965

...smoked meats, cheese, and one nice butcher!

Independent

The Middlebury

260.463.2166 • PO Box 148 • LaGrange, IN 46761

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS

to over 10,200 homes and businesses!

Place a coupon for your business today!

Call 574-825-9112.

30 inMiddlebury Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Reaching out looks different right now...

we can still show we care for those around us.

During this time when we can’t be together in the same ways, we can still come together to care for others and inspire good in our community.

INSPIRINGGOOD.ORG | 574 295 8761

Fall Savings Walk In s NaOiNl LYTri8m New Pumpkin $

Treats for your doggies!

Groomer - Chris Lead Groomer

With 20 years of pet grooming experience, Chris is loved by her customers and their pets.

Call her at

574-849-6401

for an appointment.

! t a e r T r o k c i Tr candy and receive Pick a rchase u p r u o y f f O % a

851 US 20, Middlebury • 574-825-3238

Fall in to the store and check out the BOGO’s on Smart phones and watches

/ TCC 851 US 20 • Next To Rulli’s • Middlebury • 574-358-0146