HomeLiving - August 2026

August 2026

Complimentary

HOMELIVING LIVING

Window & Door Replacement Local Comedy Clubs

www.millerbrothersbuilders.com

Food Trucks

See Article on Pages 10 & 11 www.homelivingplacesandspaces.com

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contents Comedy Clubs Offer A Safe shutterstock.com

Space to Knock Your Socks Off

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County Celebrates During

Around Michiana

Provided by Kristin Hall

Stake Your Space Personalize Your Locker Meals on Wheels: Food Trucks

August 2026 VOLUME 2

The 5th Annual 574 Food Truck & Vendor Festival A Teacher’s POV:

Builders Association of Elkhart Parade of Homes

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hgtv.com/sarah busby

Provided by Builders Association of Elkhart County

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Seeing with the Heart New Window and Doors Hall Encourages Others To Give Back Easy Eats Book Nook Did You Know? August

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Cover photo provided by Miller Brothers Builders

HOMELIVING PO Box 188 • 206 South Main St. Milford, IN 46542 800.733.4111/Fax 800.886.3796 Editorial ext. 2311 & Advertising ext. 2328

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HOMELIVING

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Comedy Clubs

offer a safe space to

KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF In the ‘60s, you could easily name comedy clubs and often see the comedians who appeared in them on late-night TV. But late-night TV has changed almost as much as the format most comedians used, especially the stand-up kind.

So what are we watching now for entertainment?

By BethAnne Brink-Cox HomeLiving Feature Writer There are comedy clubs to be found around our area, if you know where to look. If you haven’t checked out The Bag Factory in Goshen, one good reason, in addition to all the others, is to attend a show at The Funny Pharm. They perform on Fridays and Saturdays and pride themselves on their clean comedy, so they’re very family-friendly.

The Drop Comedy Club in South Bend is taking a summer vacation, and good for them! What do you bet they’re visiting other clubs, watching for ideas and possibilities? Any comic knows that good material is everywhere if you pay attention. And it’s a sure thing they’ll be funnier than ever when they reappear in the fall, which is just around the corner.

Trevor Jaynes of Everyone’s Tiffany Improv Troupe said a lot of comedians visit various places, such as The Lerner, The Rees, the Morris Performing Arts Center and Wild Rose Moon, to name a few. “There’s also Go-Prov in Goshen, the Lark Comedy Institute and Moonitics.”

Tiffany Improv performs on select Friday nights at Mad Anthony’s in Warsaw. How would you describe them? Somewhere along the line is the idea of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and, of all the various sketches they perform, my favorite is “The Rant,” as in, “You know what

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I hate?” They got their start when they were asked to run improv workshops at the Wagon Wheel, and that led to a core group who wanted to perform regularly. “We held an audition to fill out the ranks and named the group in 2017,” said Jaynes.

Until COVID wreaked havoc, the group sometimes performed double-billed shows with another local group, Main on Main. Although the group is no longer performing, they are still missed.

You may be more likely to catch comedy shows, whether stand-up or improv, appearing at various locations; there aren’t as many venues solely dedicated to comedy these days unless you go to The Underground Laugh Lounge, owned

by Karl and Sheila Koebel, in Niles, Mich.

And what a location it is! The Koebels bought a library, a Carnegie Library, the gold standard of library buildings, which had stood empty for five years and cost only $100.

And they’ve made good use of every inch of the renovated space.

There is a comedy club there and a true speakeasy called The Study, where you can get Prohibition-style drinks and listen to cool jazz.

“We are wrapping up our third year here, and we are the only true brick-and-mortar club in the area.

We are it when it comes to a place like this,” said Sheila Koebel.

Why? Just the reason you’d ex-

pect: expense. Because of that expense, a particular perk comedians can enjoy is the designated quarters upstairs, open and safe for them.

“This way they can enjoy a drink or two and not worry about driving.

There are some who prefer hotels, maybe for the pool or whatever, but I would say that 95% of our performers stay with us,” Sheila Koebel explained.

Another wise choice is a TV in the green room where performers can watch what’s going on, get a feel for the room and potential audiences. This way they can tailor their act to please as many as possible, whether it’s 10 people or a full house of 80.

And it’s not just comedy they offer every weekend. After the shows are over, there’s usually karaoke from 10 p.m. to midnight. Every two to three months, you can go for Dueling Pianos!

The Koebels are particularly close to their “family,” Monique Hartung, their building manager, who benefited earlier this year from a fundraiser for a serious medical issue. “We could not do what we do without her,” said Sheila Koebel, “nor without our general manager, Sean Shank.” Sheila Koebel said she’s never performed, but she believes you’ve just got to laugh whenever you can.

All right, you’ve got your assignment: plan to laugh your socks off. n

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Builders Association of Elkhart Count

By Lauren Zeugner HomeLiving Editor

The Builders Association of Elkhart County paused in the middle of its annual Parade of Homes, held in June, to celebrate its membership with a blackand-white-themed gala held Tuesday, June 23, at the Solomon Fowler Mansion in Bristol.

This year, the BAEC celebrated its 59th Parade of Homes, which featured 10 custom homes, one home under construction and a tiny home built by Concord High School’s building trades class.

BAEC officials welcomed those who attended, thanked the many sponsors of the parade and gala, and introduced Brad Plett, president and CEO of Miller Brothers Builders, this year’s legacy builder. Miller Brothers Builders is celebrating 65 years of excellence.

Plett thanked the crowd for the honor and the BAEC for its work. He gave a brief history of Miller Brothers Builders, saying, “Some good times, some not

so good times. If you’ve been around long enough, you experience both.”

He remembered Amos Miller, one of the founders of Miller Brothers Builders, who bragged about building half the homes in Elkhart County.

From the early 1980s through the early 2010s, Miller Brothers Builders was known for building modular homes.

Plett moved to Goshen from Manitoba, Canada, with the intention of moving back home to farm. A few years later, Amos Miller died. “Needless to say, that was a rough stretch, a lot of soul-searching … interesting

Bob Letherman, right, accepted the Gold Award for Schrock Homes’ entry in this year’s Parade of Homes, hosted by the Builders Association of Elkhart County.

Presenting the award is Dan Embower of Surf Internet, the awards sponsor.

Schrock Homes won gold awards for Best Floor Plan and Best of Show.

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times,” Plett told the crowd.

Miller, who was very active in Mennonite Disaster Service, surrounded himself with good people, as he was often gone for a week or so at a time.

“He owned a business, not a job,” Plett said. Miller worked hard to teach his employees to “Always do the right thing.”

“We have some good people,” Plett said. “A number of our employees have been with us for 20, 25 or 30 years.

Some of our subcontractors have been with us for 25 or 30 years.”

One of Plett’s favorite things is working with young people. “They want to learn,

to grow. As a leader, I feel a responsibility to develop more leaders. Don’t be afraid to hire people smarter than you,” he told the crowd.

Plett told the crowd that paperwork had been signed to transition ownership of Miller Brothers Builders to Titus Troyer, general manager. “I’m not going anywhere as long as Titus keeps going to Jamaica and working there,” Plett said, referring to Troyer’s nonprofit work with Jamaica Relief Ministries, which builds homes for underprivileged families.

Plett wrapped up his presentation by thanking his mother-in-law, his team and the BAEC, and giving a special shout-out to Adlai Schrock, who encouraged both his wife, Lisa, and him. “Thank you for the honor. We’re grateful. We’ll keep earning it,” he said.

Jordan New, co-owner of Mid-City Supply, presented the winners of this year’s Parade of Homes. There were three award divisions: Silver, Gold

Jeremy Tallman, right, accepted the Gold Award for Team Construction’s entry in this year’s Parade of Homes, hosted by the Builders Association of Elkhart County.

Presenting the award is Dan Embower, of Surf Internet, the awards sponsor.

Team Construction won a gold award for Best Owner’s Suite.

ty celebrates during Parade of Homes and Platinum.

In the Silver division, the winners were: Miller Brothers Builders, exterior appeal and unique feature; MJ Construction, floor plan, kitch-

en, owner’s suite, best of show and people’s choice.

In the Gold division, the winners were: Miller Brothers Builders, exterior appeal and kitchen; Schrock Homes, floor

plan, unique feature, best of show and people’s choice; Team Construction, owner’s suite.

In the Platinum division, the winners were: Wagoner

Custom Homes, exterior appeal, owner’s suite and best of show; Miller Brother’s Builders, floor plan, unique feature and people’s choice; Fireside Homes, kitchen. n

Luke Wagoner, left, accepted the Platinum Award for Wagoner Custom Homes’ entry in this year’s Parade of Homes, hosted by the Builders Association of Elkhart County. Presenting the award is Dan Embower of Surf Internet, the awards sponsor.

Wagoner Custom Homes won platinum awards for Best of Show, Best Owner’s Suite and Best Exterior Appeal.

Titus Troyer, left, accepts the Platinum People’s Choice Award for Miller Brothers Builders’ entry in this year’s Parade of Homes, hosted by the Builders Association of Elkhart County. Presenting the award is Brian Levin, Levin Media and Marketing and BAEC parade chair.

Miller Brothers Builders also won platinum awards for Best Floor Plan and Best Unique Feature, an outdoor fireplace; gold awards for Best Exterior Appeal, exposed beams, and Best Kitchen; and silver awards for Best Exterior Appeal and Best Unique Feature, a walk-in pantry.

Denny Miller, left, of Schrock Homes, accepts the Gold People’s Choice Award for Schrock Homes’ entry in this year’s Parade of Homes, hosted by the Builders Association of Elkhart County. Presenting the award is Brian Levin, parade chair for Levin Media and Marketing.

Schrock Homes also won gold awards for Best of Show, Best Floor Plan and Best Unique Feature.

Jeremy Love, left, accepts the Silver People’s Choice Award for M.J. Construction’s entry in this year’s Parade of Homes, hosted by the Builders Association of Elkhart County. Presenting the award is Brian Levin, parade chair for Levin Media and Marketing.

M.J. Construction also won silver awards for Best of Show, Best Owner’s Suite, Best Kitchen and Best Floor Plan.

Photos provided by Builders Association of Elkhart County.

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around

michiana

YEAR-ROUND | MIDDLEBURY

TRAIL TALES

Bring the family outdoors to read a children’s book while walking a short path at Riverbend Park; book pages are placed in special kiosks along the path. New books are installed monthly. Event partners are the Middlebury Public Library and Middlebury Parks Department.

NOW - SEPT. 6 | WARSAW

LAKE CITY SKI SHOW

6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Sundays 2455 Hidden Lake Drive Admission and parking are free. Concessions available.

Visit lakecityskiers.org or call (574) 373-0703 for more information.

NOW - SEPT. 24 | MIDDLEBURY

MIDDLEBURY ESSENHAUS CLASSIC CAR CRUISE-IN

Das Dutchman Essenhaus 240 US 20 Thursdays, 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Registering your classic ride is free and includes coupons to the Essenhaus Restaurant and the Essenhaus Village Shops.

For more information visit essenhaus.com.

NOW - SEPT. 30 | SHIPSHEWANA

SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET

345 S Van Buren St. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every Tuesday and Wednesday.

AUGUST 1-31 | SOUTH BEND

SOUTH BEND FARMERS MARKET

Indoor market featuring homegrown produce, dairy products, meats, eggs, maple syrup, jams and jellies, handcrafts, artwork, jewelry and more.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Free admission.

1105 Northside Blvd. • (574) 282-1259 southbendfarmersmarket.com.

AUGUST 7-8 | NAPPANEE

SAMMLUNG PLATZ & CIRCUS GRIMALDI

758 N. Tomahawk Trail Vendor market and family circus. The circus returns to Nappanee for the first time in years.

2-7:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday AUGUST 8 | WARSAW

WINDY CITY DUELING PIANOS AT LAKELIFE BAR AND GRILL

3687 N. Barbee Road 8 p.m.

High energy, loud, concert-like musical experience played on two pianos with hilarious, interactive comedy.

AUGUST 12-13 | NEW CARLISLE

MID-NIGHT METEOR SHOWERS

9:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Spicer Lake Nature Preserve 50840 County Line Road Boardwalk at Spicer Lake for a meteor-watching night during peak activity of the Perseid meteor showers! Bring a camping chair or blanket and bug spray. A nighttime-themed treat will be provided. Registration required

by Monday, August 10.

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AUGUST 15 | WARSAW

LE DINER EN BLANC

6-11 p.m.

Buffalo and Center Streets An al fresco dining experience taking place on the streets of downtown Warsaw, with the historic county courthouse as a stunning architectural centerpiece behind the guests.

The décor and white-attired themed event features a cocktail hour, special seasonal menus from leading downtown restaurants, and live music and dancing.

For ticket information visit: warsawcdc. org/diner-en-blanc/ AUGUST 21 | ELKHART

29TH ANNUAL ENVIROFEST

4-8 p.m. Friday.

Island Park, 200 E. Sycamore St. Food vendors, booths, silent auction, live music, kids activities and entertainment, beer and wine garden.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

AUGUST 22 | SOUTH BEND

ZOO NIGHTS LIVE FEATURING ULTRAFAB

Potawatomi Zoo 500 S. Greenhouse Ave. 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Bring your own lawn chair and rock out at this family friendly event with one of your favorite local bands at the zoo.

There will be fun activities and great specials at The Lodge and Farmhouse Cafe.

Admission is $16 for those ages 15-61 and $14 for children 3-14 and seniors 62 and older.

AUGUST 22 | WINONA LAKE

CANAL DAYS

700 Parts Ave. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The day includes family-friendly activities, craft and art booths, food vendors along the canal and a variety of kids activities. A cardboard regatta boat race will be held at 12:30 p.m. n

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STAKE YOUR SPACE Personalize Your Locker

mug? Bottled water?

And, of course, you can be practical. Store an extra pair of shoes, a clean T-shirt (you know, in case you spill coffee on yourself. Hey, it happens.) A little wastebasket? An extra phone charger? Just make sure you’re not using your phone whenever you’re not supposed to be using your phone!

It’s so important to shop locally as much as possible, no matter what it is you’re looking for. Neighbors Mercantile in Nappanee is full of all sorts of wonderful items, things you didn’t even know you wanted until you saw them. For example, they have some really fun designs in water bottles, insulated cups and lunch boxes.

They have beautiful backpacks in varying styles, and they have LEGO sets, beanies and fruit-scented highlighter markers. Speaking of fruit, they also sell freezer packs that look like orange slices and other fruit shapes, and if a lunch box seems too little “kiddish”you can get a bento box, always a fun way to pack a snack.

Maybe a cool vase for dried flowers, macrame plant hangers for fake Boston ferns or jade plants. Create that ambience! You could also add a diffuser for a good smell every time you open the door. You could even add battery-operated candles, if that’s your thing.

Don’t get us wrong: your education is very important and has to be high priority, but there’s no reason you can’t have fun with your personal space when you know you’ll be there off and on for five days a week! Spend as little or as much as you like, but create something that’s totally ‘you,’ in a way totally reflective of who you are and where you want to go. n

The year is flying by; can you believe it’s time to be thinking “back to school”? Well, it is.

While you’re making lists of needed clothes, shoes and books to be bought or rented, a tablet or laptop if you’re a parent, your kids are likely to be looking at Pinterest and Amazon and scrolling through online shopping sites for everything they’ll want or need to personalize their lockers.

And why not?

It’s what we all do with our offices, cubicles and desks; some little something or other that stakes a claim to your assigned space.

When we were little, we had a desk, and it had our name on it, and that was about it. We never even thought of decorating any further than that. As we grew older and got assigned a locker, the ideas for decorating it came thick and fast.

When I was in school, the thing was to make a collage on the cover of your notebook (these were sold in a vending machine for a quarter. Yes, really.)

These collages were made by cutting pictures and phrases from magazines, arranged however you wanted them, and heavily covered with clear tape so the clippings didn’t tear loose. When that notebook was all used up, we cut off the cover and put it inside of our locker doors; by the end of the school year, you could have it pretty much covered that way. And we all looked at each other’s collages for inspiration, whether it was using stickers or snapshots or whatever as well as those cuttings.

These days, the thing is to go all out with your locker, and that can mean rugs in the bottom of it and even little (battery-operated) chandeliers. How about a mirror? Fun magnets? We’ve seen flowers, fruit and miniature disco balls. You can buy whole kits that contain extra shelves and bins and organizers of every shape and size for pens, markers, makeup or whatever you want to store that way. You can put up a white board for reminders, messages or nonsense between you and your friends. And all of this can be simple, basic black or white, or any fun color imaginable, complete with glitter and rhinestones.

But there’s more; there’s always more.

Want a cookie jar? An extra insulated

hgtv.com/sarahbusby

By Bethanne Brink-Cox HomeLiving Feature Writer

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MEALS ON WHEELS

By Julie Young HomeLiving Feature Writer

They represent 92,000 businesses across the United States and generate $1.8 billion in revenue annually. They can be found in big cities and small towns, offering customers everything from a simple sandwich to a gourmet meal, and they serve as a vehicle for entrepreneurial opportunity and economic growth.

They are food trucks, and they are more popular than ever.

COME AND GET IT The roots of the food truck industry can be traced to 1872 when Walter Scott parked his covered wagon outside of a newspaper office in Providence, R.I., and sold sandwiches, pies and coffee to the newspaper staff through precut windows in the wagon’s canvas. About 15 years later, a Massachusetts lunch counter employee named Thomas Buckley built himself a lunch wagon to cater to the latenight working crowd. The success of his business led him to create a whole fleet of lunch wagons that could be found in 275 towns across the U.,S. Other food truck origin stories go back to cattle herder Charles Goodnight, who took an old Army wagon and fitted it out with shelving, dinnerware and flatware to cater to the cattlemen working in the Old West in 1866. Known as the chuck wagon, this mobile canteen grew and evolved into the food truck phenomenon that we know today!

Although food trucks have been around in various forms for 200 years, the most recent rise in food trucks began in 2008 with Kogi BBQ in Los Angeles, Calif. The economic downturn and subsequent recession later that same year helped spur the success of the food truck, which has continued ever since.

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THE FOOD TRUCK TREND

According to Michelle Camacho, owner of the Twisted Tiki Food Truck, there are a number of reasons food trucks are so popular right now. Not only do they offer affordable, high-quality meals and diverse culinary options, but they also provide the ultimate convenience. Customers can grab a great meal without having to make a reservation or take up a table at a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

“There are some really talented chefs out there who are getting creative with their fare and offering some really unique things out of their trucks using fresh ingredients sourced locally,” she said. “When food trucks first came on the scene, they were not seen as a place to get quality, upscale food, but that’s all changed.”

From an owner’s standpoint, operating a food truck means less overhead and more of a profit margin than running a traditional restaurant. The mobile nature of a food truck means that entrepreneurs can garner a following without waiting for customers to discover their menu, and because they are not in the same place every day, it offers the illusion of scarcity.

Mark Troyer of Janie’s Donuts makes one kind of glazed doughnut in his food truck and knows his customers will be ready to get their fix when he makes his weekly stop in their community.

Troyer said some friends came up with their sourdough recipe and were having moderate success with their own venture when they pitched the idea to Troyer and his wife. They thought there might be an opening in the market and decided to open their own doughnut business. He likes the fact that the operation enables him to be his own boss while having plenty of time to spend with his family.

“We did have some initial expenses, but those were a lot lower than they would have been if we rented a storefront,” he said. “We have a good product and people really enjoy it. As a matter of fact, when we are at an event, it’s not unusual for people to come back to our truck five or six times.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Camacho says that for those considering a food truck operation, it is important to create a menu that stands out from the rest and to be flexible whenever possible. It’s also important to make sure you have the required permits for the areas in which you plan to set up shop and take pride in your fare.

“Do your research and don’t box yourself in. Find what is lacking from the food trucks in your area and go from there. We change things up depending on the crowd we are serving, so don’t be afraid to do your research and try something different,” she said. n

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Food Trucks are Fabulously Popular

al

nnu a h t 5 The

Let’s eat!

15 is Aug.

By Julie Young HomeLiving Feature Writer

Looking for a unique culinary experience?

Don’t miss out on the fifth annual 574 Food Truck & Vendor Festival, which will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Elkhart Civic Plaza, 350 S. Main St. According to Robert Taylor of Independence Media, LLC, which has organized the event, the festival is part of a annual weekend celebration honoring the life and legacy of Leroy Robinson, who died in 2022.

In addition to being one of the founding members of the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo and serving as the city building commissioner for 16 years, Robinson was also active in the NAACP and founded Home Ownership Made Easy with his wife, Beatrice, to assist individuals in purchasing homes. HOME provided financial counseling, education and down payment assistance.

“Leroy was an icon in our city,” Taylor said. “He always said that he didn’t want to be a king, but rather a kingmaker. He was my mentor, and he taught me a lot of great things, and it’s important to honor his memory.”

The 574 Food Truck & Vendor Festival will include approximately 35 food trucks with a diverse range of fare that is sure to satisfy any palate. There will also be approximately 40 vendors offering a wide array of products. Taylor said it is a great opportunity to support small businesses, try some exciting cuisine and enjoy the festivities.

“We have a little bit of everything out there, and it is going to be a great event,” he said. “We will also have live music and a Kids Zone presented by the Elkhart Fire Department, in addition to the food trucks and vendors. It is really such a special event, and we can’t wait to see everyone there.” n | HomeLiving Places & Spaces | August 2026 | 15

CREATIVE CORNER

A Teacher’s P O V

Seeing with the

HEART

Certain seasons are known for giving and receiving: Christmas, birthdays and Valentine’s Day. But let us also pause to celebrate gifts that are priceless and free: joy, peace, faith, courage, friendship, sunsets and air.

“These things belong to us already!” Annie would say. As a teacher, I have found that some people value blessings more than others. Some, like Annie. Annie saw not with her eyes, but with her heart and touch alone.

By Christi Lee Ziebarth HomeLiving Guest Writer A shadowed face appeared behind the glass of my classroom entrance door.

Students have radar for such things. All eyes turned. The door inched open. A helium balloon floated in, tied to a string that was tied to a bag of chocolates held in the hand of a man I knew well, wearing a visitor’s badge.

As a college professor, speaking to a room of 100 people did not faze the color in his cheeks. But facing a classroom of elementary students? A pink blush crept across his face as he said, “Hello.”

He stayed just a few minutes. The children oohed and ahhed — more enchanted by this entertainment than when the traveling zoo visited the school auditorium last month.

The moment the door clicked shut behind him, a gentle tug pulled at the pocket of my painting apron with urgency. “Please, can I bring Annie here to touch the balloon? She doesn’t know what’s going on.”

I nodded quickly.

Annie saw not with her eyes, but with her heart and touch alone. While her ears heard the creak of the door and whispers of students, her head turned one way, then another, to best position her ears to hear clues within the happy chaos.

Annie’s thoughtful friend led her to my teacher’s desk. Her hand was placed on the bag of chocolates tied to the string — tied to the tightly inflated helium balloon — that bobbed in the air overhead.

Her fingers felt the bumpy package of chocolates, found the string and followed it up, up, up.

“What’s this?” Annie said. “A ribbon? Why is it pointing up?”

“It’s tied to a helium balloon,” her friend explained. She took Annie’s hand and slid her fingers upward.

Remember when your child took a first step, said their first word or experienced wonder for

the first time? Annie had not experienced a helium balloon that floated on its own. Annie thought “helium” was yet another unknown color adjective that her eyes could not make sense of.

Red? Blue? Yellow? Helium?

She flicked the string with her finger like she was playing a guitar. Then she balanced a fingertip against its vertical sway and pushed. It gave way and snapped back with a sideways buoyancy.

To the children in my class, the gift was a balloon tied to a bag of chocolates. To me, the gift was that my husband had shifted his busy schedule to surprise me. To Annie, the gift was a playful ribbon with a mind of its own.

The kind friend pulled the string low and grabbed the puckered Mylar edges so it would not fly away. Annie reached forward as if petting a dog.

She poked at the balloon’s bulging belly.

Finally, she argued, “That’s not a balloon.

Balloons don’t feel like that. It’s a package. What’s inside the package?”

Her friend blurted, “Air!” Annie did not give the expected response. Annie rarely did. Annie had eyes that saw beyond the obvious. Annie saw with her heart.

In a soft voice, grim with sincerity but playful with innocence, she spoke. “That’s not a good gift ... because the air belongs to everyone already.”

I thought she was about to tell me I needed jewelry or a cake instead. No. She paused and winced as if the wind were blowing into her sightless eyes.

“That’s not a good gift ... because the air belongs to everyone already.”

Very true, Annie. Some things belong to everyone. Air. Love. Laughter. Friendship. Freedom. Joy. Sunsets. May these priceless blessings forever be within our reach. May we appreciate them today and every day for the gifts beyond giving that they are. n shutterstock.com

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alphabuildingcenter.com

Window and door replacement necessary

before it gets too bad

By Nicholette Stout HomeLiving Feature Writer While windows and doors can be replaced at any time of year, typically spring or fall is the best time to do so, if one is able to choose, since it avoids extreme temperatures. However, most businesses are able to replace windows and doors year-round. If replacement is needed during the cold winter months, it is recommended to lower the thermostat, and replacements are executed one room at a time so the extreme temperatures are limited. It typically only takes 15 minutes to remove a window and prepare the next new one for installation.

Some signs a door or window may need to be replaced include exterior wear, such as soft wood, foggy glass and drafts. Condensation on windows normally means there is either a leak or the window was installed poorly. Fog between the glass panes that cannot be cleaned typically results from an argon seal failure.

When wooden window frames or door jambs begin to rot and feel soft, it is time to replace them. If moisture begins to get in through a door or window, it is important to catch it before it gets to the floor joists and affects the rest of the home. If doors are not shutting properly and no longer appear square with the door frame, it may also be time to replace them.

For northern Indiana, Nate Yoder with

When a door or window shows signs of needing replacement, one should not wait too long. Doors and windows can provide energy savings when the right ones are chosen or they can become energy bill nightmares if they are failing. In this area, the best windows need to be able to withstand both the harsh cold of winter and the heat of summer. The best time to replace a window or door is before a potential problem gets too serious.

Alpha Building Center recommends ProVia or Andersen windows and doors. These offer extensive options to meet each customer’s individual needs. There are budget-friendly options as well as high-end options. The least expensive option is the basic white vinyl window. Windows with interior wooden trim tend to require a more expensive window option. For those living on a lake or river, windows and doors will typically experience more wind, sunlight and rain.

Yoder recommends an upgraded glass package to help combat those conditions with the higher-end ProVia Aspect and Andersen 100/200 Series windows.

Alex Mast, sales manager for Horizon Windows and Doors, recommends Home Guard doors and windows for their variety and high-quality glass system. There is a low-E coating on the windows to reflect UV rays. Doors

are fully insulated with both steel and fiberglass options. They use composite jambs so homeowners do not have to worry about future wood rot. They also install a burglar guard on the door, which mounts along the strike side and connects to the studs so it cannot be kicked in.

According to the sales and ownership team at Terry’s Windows and More, many people choose to replace their windows and doors before the winter months so they can see the savings on their energy bills. The standard is a double-pane window. However, there is also a triple-pane option. Their two recommended options are ProVia and SoftLite. They give each customer three options — good, better and best — so there are budget-friendly options with available financing as well as high-end options with additional features and upgrades available. n | HomeLiving Places & Spaces | August 2026 | 17

COMMUNITY CORNERSTONES

Photos provided by Kristin Hall

Hall encourages others to give back to their community through her own service She has been with Habitat for just over eight years and felt called to the position when Habitat was searching for a development director. Habitat’s faith-based mission to put God’s love into action to bring people together aligns not only with Hall’s goals but also with her skill set. Having served as a development director for other nonprofits, she is able to use her skills in communication to relay the stories of those Habitat helps through press releases, speaking with donors and sponsors, and engaging community members to volunteer. These donors and volunteers can range from large corporations

By Nicholette Stout HomeLiving Feature Writer

Kristin Hall has always felt led by her faith, family and community.

Serving in development and engagement roles with nonprofits helps to fulfill those passions. She has worked with nonprofits for a number of years, helping them to grow, raise funds and engage with the community. Her current role as director of development for Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County allows her to not only help others but also inspire the community to help others as well.

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and church groups to families and community members. Every partnership looks different. She helps bring in volunteers and donors and connect them to the families and mission of Habitat.

She is inspired by the families she works with and gets to know them on a human level. She learns about their careers, struggles and dreams.

Many families come in nervous or lacking confidence. They then participate in financial classes to learn best practices for saving money for a down payment and complete sweat equity, working to make their Habitat home a reality. Many are the first in their families to become homeowners.

“Going through the program, we get to see their confidence build and how their dream is becoming more attainable and within reach,” Hall explained.

Habitat staff members do home visits and see their current living situation. It is an emotional journey

for Hall as well to watch the transformation of the family and see how the parents are making a positive generational change in their children’s lives.

Currently, Habitat has nine homes under construction, and the organization is set to close on 15 homes by the end of the year, which will be the most homes completed in one year in Elkhart County’s history.

“The best part of my job is seeing lives transformed,” Hall said. “But also my ability to bring the community together.”

Before working at Habitat for Humanity, Hall held the director of development position at Ryan’s Place. She had previously been on the board, and when the organization began to expand, she felt called to move from the board to the director of development role. She also previously worked in communications at the Red Cross. There, she was encouraged to look into development and fundraising with classes at Notre Dame and the Indiana University School of Philanthropy.

When she first attended college, Hall believed she would enter a career in social work. However, she realized that would be too difficult for her emotionally, and she wanted to utilize her creative side, so she switched to earning a bachelor of fine arts degree in communications.

She began her career with design firms and realized she most enjoyed working with nonprofits, helping to grow their mission and tell their story.

Hall has been a part of the Elkhart County community since she moved here as a child. She has been married for 38 years and raised her two daughters here. She is now a grandmother. She attends Crossroads Community Church. She enjoys the outdoors, including gardening, landscaping and making spaces beautiful.

“I love to invest time in people and relationships, whether at church, with friends, with family or through my work,” Hall shared. “I love to encourage people to engage in their community and inspire people to want to give back. That’s been my goal throughout my life: give back and inspire others to give back.” n

—— E A S Y E A T S ——

allrecipes.com

Creamy Pesto Shrimp INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

q 1 pound linguine pasta q 1/2 cup butter q 2 cups heavy cream q 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper q 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese q 1/3 cup pesto q 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Gather ingredients together.

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in linguine and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 to 10 minutes; drain.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in cream and season with pepper; cook, stirring constantly, for 6 to 8 minutes.

Stir Parmesan cheese into cream sauce until thoroughly mixed. Stir in pesto and cook until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir in shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 5 minutes. Serve sauce over hot linguine.

Serve hot and enjoy! n

This creamy pesto shrimp pasta is perfect for weeknight dinners and is one of our family’s favorites.

Submitted by Loretta Buffa Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen

RECIPE TIP:

This recipe is also great when made with crabmeat instead of shrimp.

Mushroom Pork Chops

RESOURCE GUIDE BAEC Celebrates During Parade Of Homes M.J. Construction (574) 215-9898

Team Construction (574) 533-3100

Miller Brothers Builders (574) 533-8602

Fireside Homes (574) 970-9001

Schrock Homes (574) 533-1148

Wagoner Custom Homes (574) 849-5965

Food Trucks Are Popular

Stake Your Space

Janie’s Donuts (260) 350-2788

Neighbors Mercantile (574) 773-7039

allrecipes.com

Hall Encourages Others To Give Back These pork chops with cream of mushroom soup are quick and easy, but very delicious. Try making this in a crock pot.

Submitted by MMcGee to Allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS: q 4 pork chops q Salt and ground black pepper to taste q 1 pinch garlic salt, or to taste q 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced q 1 onion, chopped q 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County (574) 533-1823 or habitatec.com

Window And Door Replacement DIRECTIONS: Gather all ingredients.

Season pork chops with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.

Brown chops on both sides over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet; transfer browned chops to a plate.

Add mushrooms and onion to the same skillet and sauté for one minute.

Arrange browned chops on top of mushroom mixture. Pour soup over chops. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until chops are cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

Serve and enjoy! n

Alpha Building Center (574) 773-7787

Horizon Windows and Doors (574) 538-7674

Comedy Clubs Offer A Safe Space To Knock Your Socks Off The Funny Pharm (574) 971-8056 or brian@funnypharm comedy.com

Everyone’s Tiffany Improv Troupe everyonestiffany@ gmail.com Go-Prov The Drop Comedy Club goprovcomedy@gmail.com (574) 222-2639 The Lark Comedy The Underground Institute Laugh Lounge kelli@thelarkcomedy (574) 320-8291 institute.com

The 574 Food Truck & Vendor Festival For information call (574) 226-4328

| HomeLiving Places & Spaces | August 2026 | 19

k o o N k o o B The

Want to suggest a book for Book Nook? S end the title, author, a brief synopsis of the book and why you liked it to lzeugner@the-papers.com.

Check out these selections from NPR’s book reviewers. Summer is a great time to crack open a new book. Happy page turning! —Lauren

A BAD, BAD PLACE

CHERRY BABY

by Francis Crawford

by Rainbow Rowell

Readers are introduced to four characters: 12-yearold Janey, Sid Vicious, a rescue dog, and Janey’s nana. Janey is determined to solve a mystery after Sid Vicious finds a dead body.

The story is set in 1979 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Cherry, proudly fat and fierce, creates a semi-autobiographical comic with a character that looks so much like her that strangers recognize her.

After her husband leaves for Hollywood, Cherry refuses to stay downtrodden.

DEAR MONICA LEWINSKY

by Julia Langbein

The NPR reviewer was so taken with this novel that she reread the ending three times!

This is a comic romp through the summer of 1998, when a college student is out of her depth in a study abroad program surveying the iconography of minor medieval French churches. She also has a crush on one of her teachers.

LADY TREMAINE

GHOST TOWN

by Tom Perrotta

Perrotta’s latest novel is set in the summer of 1974 when a once-serious writer who struck it rich with a children’s book series-turned-TV show is invited back to his New Jersey hometown.

THIS HOUSE WILL FEED

by Rachel Hochhauser

by Maria Tureaud

An iteration of Cinderella, Hochhauser breathes life, dimension and cultural context into her main character.

Readers meet Lady Tremaine hunting (or poaching) with her falcon. This is an ode to the lost histories of women who fought for the dignity of other women in predatory patriarchal societies.

The story follows Maggie O’Shaughnessy, who agrees to pose as an eccentric aristocrat’s dead daughter in exchange for food and shelter, only to find herself trapped in a haunted estate. The book meshes gothic horror with the history of the Irish potato famine. n photos: amazon.com

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? w o n K u o Did Y

A S A H AU G U ST !

R E F F O LOT TO

By Julie Young HomeLiving Feature Writer

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Although August is typically the hottest month of the year, there are still plenty of cool things to know about it. Whether you are heading back to school, looking for something to celebrate or are eager for one last blast before summer is over, August has plenty to offer.

BACK TO SCHOOL While August is still firmly in the summer season, it’s also synonymous with the start of the fall semester. With 78 million students and 8 million teachers in the U.S. preparing to return to the classroom this month, here are a few exciting facts about back-to-school season * The average U.S. household spends $890 on back-to-school clothing and supplies. * The practice of bringing a teacher an apple began in 16th-century Denmark, when underpaid educators had to rely on their students’ families for nutritional support. * Prior to the invention of the modern eraser, teachers used to use rolled pieces of white bread to remove stray graphite marks. * Crayola produces nearly 3 billion crayons per year. * The average pencil can write 45,000 words or draw a line 35 miles long. * Approximately 2% of students suffer from didaskaleinophobia, or the fear of going to school.

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com

DON’T GET ‘LEFT’ BACK Aug. 13 is International Left-Handers Day. Although it was started by the Left-Handers Club in the United Kingdom, the commemoration has gone global, and why shouldn’t it? Lefties are awesome!

• Approximately 10%-12% of the population is left-handed • Left-handedness is more common among males.

• An unusually high number of U.S. presidents have been left-handed including, Gerald Ford, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

• William, Prince of Wales is also left-handed.

• It is believed that left-handed athletes have a competitive advantage over their right-handed counterparts, especially in water polo, boxing and tennis.

• In the Middle Ages, being left-handed was associated with witchcraft.

GET SPINNING! Aug. 12 is Vinyl Record Day (not to be confused with National Record Store Day in April.) This event commemorates the day Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877 and is celebrated by spinning one’s favorite platter on the turntable.

A UNIQUE MONTH

SEEING STARS August is a great month to go stargazing. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most prolific celestial events of the year. This year, the Perseids have an active window between July 17-Aug. 24, with the peak nights occurring the night of Aug. 12 into the pre-dawn hours of Aug. 13. This year, the moon will be in a new moon phase, meaning there will be no lunar interference with the show. If you get away from the city lights and look toward the northeastern sky, you should be able to see the meteors. No binoculars or telescope are needed!

In standard years, August does not start on the same day of the week as any other month. However, during a leap year, it does start on the same day as February. August also has three distinct birthstones: Peridot (olive green), Spinel (represented by vibrant shades of red, blue and purple), and Sardonyx (a striped earth tone). n

! w o n k u o y w o ... and n

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