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Complimentary February 2022

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FRIDAY | SATURDAY February 11 & 12

FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY February 25- 27

Landscaping Goals Build, Buy or Renovate: Do your Financial Research

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www.michianahouseandhome.com PUBLISHER Ron Baumgartner rbaumgartner@the-papers.com PUBLICATION MANAGER Bill Hays bhays@the-papers.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Deb Patterson dpatterson@the-papers.com EDITOR Lauren Zeugner lzeugner@the-papers.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Karen Johnson kjohnson@the-papers.com BUSINESS MANAGER Carrie Goralczyk cgoralczyk@the-papers.com DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Steve Meadows smeadows@the-papers.com

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GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Maymie Ankrom, Mary Lester

NO. 10

Midwest Home and Yard Show

MARKETING ASSISTANTS Darlene Eichelberger darlene@the-papers.com Taelynne Ousley tousley@the-papers.com

MHH reserves the right to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materials for clarity and space.

Five Interior Design Trends To Use in Your Home in 2022

Optimize Your Sleep

14 16

The BAEC Home & Outdoor Living Expo

5 New-Year, New-You Resolutions To Boost Your Wellbeing Year-Round Gardening

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New Tech For A Great 2022

Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $44.00 for one year; and $75.00 for two years. Mail the order form, along with your check to Michiana House and Home, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542. Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt.

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Resolve To Make Your Household More Earth-Friendly This Year

Build, Buy, or Renovate Do Your Financial Research

Michiana House and Home (MHH) is a newsmagazine with emphasis on home decor, design and remodeling. MHH does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does MHH or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication.

Michiana House and Home has not independently tested any services or products advertised herein and has verified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. MHH makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers regarding such products or services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renovation professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of an advertiser’s products.

February 2022 VOLUME 18

Consider Making Those Landscaping Goals A Reality

FEATURE WRITERS Beth Anne Brink-Cox, Dani Messick, Julie Young

DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Jerry Long jlong@the-papers.com

Did You Know?

23 24 25 26 28 29 30

cover photo: Shutterstock.com

| Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 3

editor’s note...

A month after winter officially started, we are finally getting some substantial snow. And I’m paying the price for not getting the snow blower serviced like I should. It won’t start, which means I have to pull out the shovel. Oh well, I heard we’re somewhere around 60 days (probably less than by the time you read this) till spring. I’ve been spending time organizing and decluttering. I’ve already taken an entire trunk load of recyclables to the recycle bins and have more to go. There is a growing pile of stuff in a corner of the guest room that needs to be donated and I still have yet to tackle the huge amount of boxes in the basement. I mean seriously, there’s a lot down there most of which will probably go to recycling as well. I hope you are feeling as successful with your decluttering plans, whatever they are, as I am at the moment. This issue is full of great info. While it’s snowy and cold and seems like Spring will never arrive, Home Show season is kicking off. Be sure to check out the Midwest Home and Yard Show in Shipshewana which is kicking off Feb. 11-12 followed by the Builders Association of Elkhart County’s Home and Outdoor Expo Feb. 25-27. Both of these home shows will feature local vendors showcasing their services and wares while also highlighting new trends in home remodeling, interior design and landscaping. Checking out a home show is a great way to get some ideas about projects you may want to do around your home as well as getting an idea of what implementing those ideas will cost. We continue our “Brick by Brick” series discussing financing, whether it’s a new home mortgage or paying for a renovation or remodel. And don’t miss out Dani Messick’s “Did You Know?” article on Juliet’s

Letters and the Juliet Club. It’s nice to know in these troubled times there are a group of people around the world who are dedicated to spreading love and romance. Finally for this month’s recipes, I’m going Greek. Several years ago, I was asked to do an article for a sister publication promoting St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church’s Hellenic Society’s cooking class. St. Andrew’s is in South Bend and is well known for its Greek Festival every summer. This cooking class, usually held in the dead of winter, featured several of the church’s wonderful cooks sharing their favorite Greek recipes. The best part was participants received copies of the recipes to take home and taste all the food. It was a wonderful way to explore another culture. Have a favorite recipe you’d like to share? Send it to me and I’ll publish it in an upcoming issue of Michiana House and Home. You can email them to lzeugner@the-papers.com or send them snail mail to Lauren Zeugner, c/o The Papers inc., P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN, 46542. And since many people ask about Turquoise as I go about my day, she’s ornery as ever. She recently learned the hard way that bolting out the door to nose around the neighbors wasn’t a smart idea when it’s 12 degrees outside and you are an indoor cat. After exploring for about 45 minutes, she finally came home where she promptly ate her dinner and spent the rest of the evening stretched out in front of a heat vent. She’s also enjoyed watching the birds at the feeder and supervising my shoveling the driveway. Until next time,

Lauren

Lauren Zeugner, Editor

Email: Lzeugner@the-papers.com

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CONSIDER MAKING THOSE

Landscaping Goals A Reality By Dani Messick, House and Home Feature Writer

Shutterstock.com

Spring will return, and with it, you may be considering some modifications to outdoor amenities. Whether you’re hoping to add a fireplace, a pool, or simply restore your sidewalk, having a landscaping plan before you get started will prevent a lot of problems.

| Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 5

Now’s the time to plan for spring and summer landscaping projects.

Landscaping projects can get messy.

Hiring a team of professionals can shorten the length of time it takes to complete a landscaping project.

Former owner of Lang Feeney Associates in South Bend Terry Lang said the single most important part of any landscaping project is knowing where your own property line lies. And as a surveyor, he should know. “There’s no more expensive landscaping than things you have to move because it’s not on your property,” he said. A professional can gather the information with the deed and title for the property, or the tax key number and an address. The cost for a professional survey can range anywhere from $800 to $1,000 for newer subdivisions, or upwards of $1,500 for uncommon or rural areas. Because of the costs associated with surveying, many people may want to try their luck with the county’s Geographic Information Systems. “It’s just for reference information only; they are not accurate at all,” he said. “In fact, the GIS website is probably one of my best customers,” said Lang.

Lang’s recommendation to any homeowner wanting to start a landscaping project is to have an accurate and professionally done land survey so you know exactly where your property begins and ends. Josh Welker, lead designer for Stone Ridge Landscaping, says having a profound understanding of the goals of the project is the most important aspect of what he, as a landscape designer, does. “If I can understand why you’re wanting to do this- whether it’s driven by screening your neighbors, or decorating your backyard, understanding those goals is the top thing that will help your project be a success.” Landscape designers want to know how the space will be used and what activities will be held there. “If you know how big the space needs to be you can incorporate that into the design,” Welker said. “One of the adjustments our design team runs into is when they want to use

an area but the planned space is too small. Creating a landscape plan for how it will be used is often the next step and creating a plan that shows the layout and how the client will use that space.” What’s the timeline? What’s your budget? Know the answers to these questions as early as possible to prevent unnecessary hardships. A contractor may or may not be able to accommodate, but they need to know the budget even for smaller projects in order to steer the scope of work in the initial phases.

Shutterstock.com

“Make sure that whoever you partner with has the tools and the knowledge to do your project and stand behind the warranties after it’s completed,” Welker asserted, adding spending a little extra money on sturdier fixtures or warranties can be more than worth the cost in the long run. “One of the most interesting warranties is with outdoor lighting,” he said. “You’ve invested this time and money into a new landscape and it’s great to see in the night hours as well. Some (companies) will offer even 7 years on outdoor lighting.” Many contractors also offer resource guides on their websites for homeowners to lookup care sheets for their new landscaping. n 6 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

IS IN THE AIR

• FRIDAY •

February 11, 2022 1:00 PM-8:00 PM • SATURDAY •

February 12, 2022 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Michiana Event Center 455 East Farver St. Shipshewana, IN, 46565 (260) 768-3300 www.MichianaEvents.com

Now in its 12th year, the annual Midwest Home & Yard Show is located at the state-of-the-art Michiana Event Center on the south edge of Shipshewana. Now featuring more vendors than ever, mark this on your calendar. You really don’t want to miss this event! It may be cold outside, but this show will be the perfect spot for you to beat that dreaded cabin fever and start thinking SPRING! Come browse and shop through a variety of vendors showing you the latest in home design, outdoor gardening, landscaping, BBQ’ing and much, much more!

12 Annual Midwest Home and Yard Show set for Feb. 11-12 By Beth Anne Brink-Cox, House and Home Feature Writer

Twelve years ago the doors opened on the first Midwest Home and Yard Show in Shipshewana, and it hasn’t stopped growing. As many as 5,000 people in the past have come through the doors of the two day event, and more are expected when the 12 annual Home and Yard Show takes place Feb. 11 and 12. Karen Flanhardt, in charge of sales and event direction, said, “It began when the Michiana Event Center (MEC) decided they wanted to grow, started small, and just went forward. We’re in a good central point and the MEC has become a destination location for LaGrange County: come to the MEC and then visit the area. The visitors bureau realizes it’s now a destination, not just added value. People tend to stay here, make a weekend of it, so it helps other businesses such as hotels and restaurants.” Flanhardt went on to say the original thought was to focus on concerts,“But we don’t want to compete with Blue Gate Theatre, and there were so many other things we could offer. We have 26 acres of land, including 1,100 parking spaces, and we’re all about home and yard/land. We have the capabilities to host all sorts of things, such as farm expos, trade shows, antiques, consignments, and auctions. And we do have big events. We can convert our space in about 3 days, such as for an indoor 8 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

tractor pull that will be held for the second year, measuring 400 feet long. We have a sports floor–the Amishland AAU Grand Prix will be held here in May, which is huge!” If you think, as I did, that home shows are mostly building materials, well, you’re somewhat correct. Yes, there are all kinds of things available for projects like roofing, flooring, plumbing, doors and windows, and cabinetry, but Flanhardt said, “We have so much more than that! There will be creative landscaping and patio people, painting, things to do with health, barbecues and grills, Young Living oils, insulation, blinds, lawn service. And then there’s chiropractic services, house cleaning aids, handmade vanities, timber and wood sales, even Princess House decor and Pampered Chef. We just really have something for everyone.” This year, for example, there will be Friesian horses to see, free of charge, in addition to the show, which costs $5 per ticket — a real bargain. Masks are not required because there is no mandate as of yet. There

are elevators for easier access, and concessions will be sold. Giveaways and demonstrations are part of the event, as well. “All vendors donate, and we have big giveaways like lawn tractors, patios and landscaping–we have about $20,000 worth of giveaways for this year’s show. We don’t get many requests for educational demonstrations, as we used to, but we’re ready for those too. We’ve had a vendor with food dehydrators that freezedried all kinds of food and let us taste it. There’s more a move towards self-sufficiency and living off the grid, although no call for generators — yet, ” Flanhardt said. “What we offer is special. Good quality companies, generally within 20 miles. I mean, Four Woods Shades and Blinds make their own! So these vendors can come measure for blinds, or build your driveway, or put your fencing up. It’s more than just buying materials for projects.” While you might be able to buy everything in one of the big box stores,“You might have to go to this vendor for this and that vendor for that, but they’ll be your installers,” explained Flanhardt. So if the approaching spring has you beginning to make plans, don’t go any farther with them before you attend this jam-packed show. The MEC is located at 455 E Farver St, Shipshewana. n

Vendors

List as of time of printing. Be sure to stop in to visit All our vendors!

5 Star Designs A-1 Concrete Leveling Alpha Builders Anglin Road Bawling Acres Bless This Home Bontrager Water One Carpet Direct Castle Centurion Choice Cabinets Clean For Life Clearview Roofing Cookware Cutlery Country Living Structures Creative Designs Landscaping Dave’s Lawnscaping Discovery Toys Doterra/Lemongrass Excel Coatings Elegant Resurfacing EverDry Waterproofing Evolve Chiropractic Forever Lawn Northeast Indiana Forever Living

Four Woods Shades & Blinds H & D Insulation Heritage Bookstore Horizon Windows & Doors Ideal Coatings It Works J & S Flooring Jaylor Plastic JC Schrock Enterprises Jess Concrete Juice Plus Leaf Filter Gutter Protection Legendary Hardwoods Masterpiece Metal Roofing MDF Equipment Michiana House and Home Mid-West Mini Barns Miller’s Sewing Machine Nighthawk 3D Norwex Otto Stove & Fireplace Outdoor Adventures P.U.R.E. Pampered Chef

Power Home Solar Precise Builders Premier Timber Designs Princess House ProTech Water LLC Pumpkin Patch Market Raintec Guttering LLC Renewal By Andersen Roof Maxx Simply Paper & Supplies Sisel International Stoney Acres Woodworking Stutzman Power Superior Hardscapes Supreme Coatings Tension Tamer Thirty One Trainview Window & Door Tupperware Unlimited Shade Tree Farm USA Insulation W & L Nutrition Wana Acres Fencing Young Living

• FRIDAY •

February 11, 2022 1:00 PM-8:00 PM • SATURDAY •

February 12, 2022 8:00 AM-4:00 PM Michiana Event Center 455 East Farver St. Shipshewana, IN, 46565 (260) 768-3300 www.MichianaEvents.com

www.safety1st.com

Photos: Shutterstock.com

| Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 9

10 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

Resolve To Make Your Household More Earth-Friendly This Year (StatePoint) Resolving to green up your act in the New Year? Here are just a few tweaks you can make right at home to substantially reduce your environmental footprint.

Make Appliance Upgrades Home appliances are improving all the time, with many newer models designed specifically with efficiency in mind. If your home appliances, such as your washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator and HVAC system, are on the older side, it may be time to replace one or more of these items. Over time, you’ll offset the upfront cost with reduced energy bills. Plus, you’ll be helping protect the climate. Look for ENERGY STAR-rated products, which have met strict EPA standards.

Optimize Heating and Cooling North American Technician Excellence (NATE) offers the following energy-saving tips to help you keep your home comfort system running at peak performance:

• Install a programmable thermostat to help regulate temperatures. • Don’t keep clutter near your HVACR units, and don’t store anything next to them that could impede ventilation. Likewise, keep vents and returns free of obstructions. Don’t lay carpet over vents, place furniture over or in front Alexander Oganezov / Shutterstock.com of them, or obstruct airflow. • Dry air feels cooler than moist air. A simple humidifier may make your home feel five degrees warmer. • Even the most efficient system can suffer if it’s not properly maintained. For optimum comfort and sustainability, make sure all your HVACR installation, maintenance and other work is performed by a NATE-certified technician. NATEcertified technicians have demonstrated their knowledge of today’s increasingly sophisticated heating and cooling systems by passing a nationally recognized test developed and supported by all segments of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industry. Better installation and service means your equipment will run at peak efficiency. Visit natex.org for additional HVACR energy-savings tips and resources, and to find a NATE-certified technician in your area.

Reduce Food Waste American food production uses 10% of the nation’s total energy budget, 50% of its land, and 80% of its freshwater, according to FoodRescue.net. Unfortunately, up to 40% of all food ends up in landfills. Label food items in your pantry and fridge and organize them by date to help ensure you consume food before it spoils. If you see that you’ve prepared too much of a certain item, freeze it. Of course, many foods produce unavoidable scraps. Use them to create stock or compost them. Composting will reduce your home’s contribution to landfills while enriching your garden. Bonus: it’s also a great way to reduce yardwork waste.

Make an Impact Today

• Change your air filters monthly, or as directed by the manufacturer.

Want a quick project you can complete in an afternoon? Swap out incandescent lightbulbs for energy efficient LEDs. According to the EPA, residential LEDs — especially ENERGY STAR-rated products -- use at least 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer.

• Add weatherstripping and caulk around windows and doors to improve your home’s insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawlspaces waste energy and can also lead to moisture imbalance.

This year, consider making Earth-friendly New Year’s resolutions. A few tweaks can reduce your household’s impact on the planet. n Photos: Shutterstock.com | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 11

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Five

Interior Design Trends to Use in Your Home in 2022 (StatePoint) After learning to live life more remotely in

2020 and 2021, it’s time to view 2022 as a fresh start. To help you adopt a new, balanced way of living, FrogTape brand painter’s tape and celebrity interior designer, Taniya Nayak, are sharing five home interior design trends meant to inspire spaces that will welcome guests, while still incorporating the special intimacies that may have been rediscovered from slowing down. Each trend can be utilized for a full home makeover or incorporated into little touches to freshen up a space.

EMBRACE

Embrace everything that is good in your life and create a sense of comfort, warmth and security. Nayak recommends cozy textures and a palette of mellow coral, subtle orange, soft green and creamy shades of white and brown to achieve this look in spaces like bedrooms or family rooms. A simple and stylish way to incorporate this into a room is to add a coat of paint to a textured basket for a pop of color. Then, fill it with plenty of plush blankets to complete the cozy look and feel.

RISE

Give a fresh perspective to your existing space with the ‘Rise’ trend. Inspired by the morning light peeking through the shades, incorporating this trend into your bedroom or bathroom is bound to invigorate and motivate you. For example, add a coat of green paint to your closet door for a nice pop of color to an area where you start your day. No matter where you’re looking to add fresh color, you’ll want to achieve clean, sharp paint lines. One of Nayak’s go-to tools is a premium painter’s tape that produces professional-looking results, like FrogTape brand painter’s tape, which is

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GATHER

Gathering with friends and family has been long awaited, so set the mood and ambience just the way you imagined it. Inspired by the depth of conversations with loved ones, the ‘Gather’ trend embraces rich, dark tones like navy, teal or forest green. Incorporate this trend by painting the focal point of a room, like kitchen cabinets or the living room fireplace. Or, add bold, dark details with furniture and artwork. You can keep it subtle by creating custom centerpieces dipped in paint and wrapped in twine.

REVIVE

Revive your home with soothing and vibrant shades of pink, orange and blue to create a balance of motivated yet satisfied. Consider adding a vibrant paint color to old, worn-down details like a front door, nightstand or kitchen table. It might feel out of context, or out of character, but give it a try. “This trend can be described as carefree, festive and fun,” said Nayak. “Whatever it is that makes you happy…go for it!”

SHINE

The ‘Shine’ trend is all about letting your true self shine. Implement this trend in any room throughout your home by embracing every color of the rainbow and visually displaying what’s in your heart. Using FrogTape, tape off a custom pattern that is uniquely yours and paint it whatever color you choose. Visit FrogTape.com/Trends for more trend information and ideas. Creative and easy to achieve, these rising trends for 2022 provide inspiration to refresh your home’s interior. n

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| BRICK-BY-BRICK |

Build, Buy or Renovate ! h c r a e s e R l ia c n a in F Do Your

By Beth Anne Brink-Cox, House and Home Feature Writer

There are so many resolutions and fresh starts when a new year begins. One of them is often ‘this will be the year we buy a house.’ Now, that could mean buying or building a house; it could also mean refinancing your current home. How do you do that? Where do you begin? Generally speaking, your first stop is a bank or other federal lending business. Lance Weirich, loan originator at First State Bank of Middlebury was happy to answer questions. When asked how many home loans were being seen these days, he said, “The mortgage industry exploded when rates decreased drastically in March 2020. The overwhelming volume resulting from historically low interest rates, combined with staffing shortages during the pandemic stressed local institutions, but we took measures to continue serving our clients and closing loans in a timely manner.” Weirich added, “People are financing for a number of reasons; the obvious is getting a better rate and terms on existing mortgages. Many others are doing cash-out refinances to capitalize on the equity they have built, giving them the funds needed for home improvements. While rates are starting to creep back up, it 14 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

is creating a new wave of refinances from those who have not yet done so. The rates are still attractive, and still low when compared to historical rate environments.” The potential blocks to financing, among others, are personal credit or not enough income. Weirich explained, “These are all factors to be considered. Income plays a huge role in the pre-approval process to determine the amount of affordable home. The funds available for down payment is another huge factor in that determination. One thing most individuals don’t realize is that if you have limited or no credit, it can be a detriment to financing, because your credit report will show little to no history and may not reflect any usable credit scores.” There are many loan programs available that are suited for all down payments, Weirich said. “If an individual has saved 20% for a down payment or has 20% equity in their home, they will avoid private mortgage insurance. If that 20% down is not available, the more that is brought to closing can both lower the amount

of monthly payments and lower the length of loan time. Unless the seller agrees to provide seller concessions which would offset all or a portion of the buyer’s closing costs, prepaids and reserves, the buyer would need to bring money for those as well as their down payment.” And there are different property eligibility exigencies that can affect financing, as well. Weirich said, “Different loan programs have different requirements. That being said, I typically do not need anything to be done to a property unless an appraisal notes specific items that are required in inspection, or make note of something that may affect the structural integrity of a property, such as a sagging roof, deteriorating foundation, and so on.” So you’ll want to start by looking over your finances, how much you can afford, and where you want to live. You need to keep the cost of living in mind, if you’re looking to settle somewhere other than your current location, because that will affect your financing process too; the same amount of money and down payment may buy much more house in some areas than others, and fixer-uppers need to factor in the cost of those repairs or remodels. Just remember, there is a house out there for you, and you’ll have fun finding it. n

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| Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 15

Optimize Your

Sleep

By Lauren Caggiano

Shut-eye. Catching Z’s. Sleep. Whatever you call it, it’s estimated that more than one third of all Americans are not getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours each night. That’s every 1 in 3 adults. Are you one of them? Healthy sleep habits aren’t just ideal, they are vital. That’s because they allow your brain and body to recharge so you can perform optimally both cognitively and physically. We all want better sleep. But how can you achieve it? Here are a few tips sleep health experts say will get you on track to a more restful and rejuvenating snooze. First, it helps to develop and stick to a routine. For example, you might set a definitive time to power down electronics and carve out some time to read and/or enjoy a relaxing bath or shower. Your routine should consist only of activities you enjoy and help you to reset from the busyness of the day. The mindbody connection is powerful. Speaking of the body, there’s evidence that supplements like melatonin and magnesium can help put your body in a natural state of relaxation before bedtime. Be sure to consult your doctor about dosing and whether these products are right for you. If you take these supplements, don’t overdo it with water consumption. That’s because medical professionals suggest you avoid drinking too much water a few hours before bedtime. Water has so many benefits to our overall health, yet drinking too much right before you go to sleep can actually disrupt your body’s natural rhythm. Instead, it’s best to keep in a hydrated status throughout the day

and take a sip or two before bed. That way you aren’t backloading your hydration and having to get up to use the bathroom, thus negatively impacting your sleep. Another simple yet impactful way to set the foundation for a good night’s rest is to invest in a quality mattress and pillow. Do some research about which types are best for your sleep position and preferences. There’s no shortage of options for every price point.

Consider environmental factors, too. Studies show that most of us sleep best in a cool and dark room, around 65 degrees. You can set your thermostat so that it follows an automated pattern, and you won’t have to manually adjust it. Some people find aromatherapy to aid in restful sleep. You can invest in a diffuser and some soothing essential oils like lavender to encourage the body to release the cares of the day. A pillow spray can provide a light and relaxing scent, too. Whether you try one or a combination of these techniques, you won’t regret investing in sleep health. Here’s to beauty sleep! n

On that note, sleep experts recommend choosing a good sleeping position to promote spinal health. If you sleep on your side, try drawing your legs up slightly toward your chest and put a pillow between your legs. If you tend to be a back sleeper, place a pillow under your knees to help maintain the normal curve of your lower back. Photos: Shutterstock.com

16 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

February 25-27, 2022 Fri. 4p-8p, Sat. 10a-8p, Sun. 12p-5p

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On With The Show the BAEC Home and Outdoor Expo returns Feb. 25-27 By Julie Young, House and Home Feature Writer

After canceling last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Builders’ Association of Elkhart County’s (BAEC) Home and Outdoor Expo returns this month to help homeowners get 2022 off to a great start!

18 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

“Even as we start to get back to normal – whatever that looks like anymore – our homes have become more important than ever and the remodeling industry is experiencing a bit of a boom right now,” Groves said. “People are having trouble finding a home on the market, so they are choosing to remodel instead.” Naturally, with the supply chain issues plaguing the country, there are some products that are taking a little longer for delivery and install, but Groves said the professionals at the Home and Outdoor Expo are very knowledgeable and can help homeowners know what they can expect. AD INDIANA TOLL RO

RV HALL OF FAME

COUNTY ROAD 17

“This year’s Home and Outdoor Expo will be held Feb. 25-27 at the Northern Indiana Event Center,” said Niki Groves, BAEC executive director. “This is a new event for us, but we know it will be a big hit with vendors and visitors alike.” With 40 vendors ready to help with any home improvement project folks have planned, free admission and parking as well as special programs throughout the show, this year’s Home and Outdoor Expo is sure to draw thousands of guests. For those looking for a fun evening out, Friday, Feb. 25 is Date Night with wine tastings and roses for the first 50 women in attendance from 4-8 p.m. Also on Friday evening, there will be a fashion show from 6-7 p.m. with Pop-up Boutiques after the show. Saturday, Feb. 26 will feature demonstrations from Martin’s Cooking School at 11 a.m. and noon as well as other educational sessions throughout the afternoon. On Sunday, Feb. 27, guests will have their final chance to meet and greet vendors and set up those all-important consultations before their spring and summer calendars fill up. A special Home Seller’s seminar will be happening Sunday from 2-3 p.m. with builders, bankers and more ready to answer your questions. Groves hopes those attending the Master Gardener event at the RV Hall of Fame (on the same campus) will stop by the show and see what new outdoor living ideas are on trend for the year.

“Our vendors love a show like ours because it gives them a chance to really connect with guests. Visitors can ask questions and vendors can get a sense of what they are looking to do rather than merely taking a name, email and number like at some of the bigger events,” Groves said. They also like the fact the event is curated so visitors aren’t inundated with dozens of companies that specialize in the same area of home improvement. “We strive to limit that kind of thing so we can offer guests a good variety of professionals in a wide range of industries,” Groves said. “Two years ago, our show was one of the last events that was held before everything shut down. Now we are back in this wonderful pavilion, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone! n

PARKING

EXECUTIVE PARKWAY

The BAEC Home and Outdoor Expo Where:

The Northern Indiana Event Center 21565 Executive Pkway Elkhart IN 46514

When:

February 25-27

Time:

Friday, 4 - 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, Noon - 5 p.m.

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STAGE

FOOD

REGISTRATION

EVENT SPONSOR

VENDORS LIST

List as of time of printing. Be sure to stop in to visit All our vendors!

Company Booth # 1-800HANSONS............................................................. 4 4-T Door Systems................................................... 13,14 A & M Home Services................................................. 78 A-1 Concrete Leveling.................................................. 71 Affordable Remodelers.................................................. 8 Bail Home Services & Construction, Inc...................... 46 Bee Window, Inc.......................................................... 80 Beer Vendor................................................................. 15 Castle Centurion Exteriors........................................... 60 Closet Craft, Inc........................................................... 45 Coach House Garages.................................................. 41 Cressy & Everett Real Estate....................................... 26 Doors & Drawers......................................................... 32 DuMor Water Specialists, Inc................................. 53,65 Everdry Waterproofing of Michiana............................. 24 Evolve Chiropractic...................................................... 39 Fruit Hills Winery & Orchard........................................ 85 Genesis Products Inc................................................... 79 Goodwill / Hot Cocoa................................................... 17 Hoosier House Furnishings..................................... 37,38 Horizon Windows & Doors, LLC............................. 47,48

Company Booth # Innovative Spaces/Encore Garage........................... 52,64 Integrated Egress......................................................... 72 Interra Credit Union....................................................... 3 J. L. Construction, Inc................................................. 18 Kuert Outdoor Living.................................................. 1,2 LaSalle Bristol Flooring Center................................ 58,70 LeafFilter...................................................................... 59 Legacy Heating and Air, Inc......................................... 76 Liberty Mutual Insurance............................................... 5 Michiana House & Home Magazine............................. 19 Pro-IT Solutions........................................................... 42 Raber Patio Enclosures, LLC.............54,55,56, 66,67,68 Renewal by Andersen............................................. 29,30 Shield Exteriors............................................................ 33 Stone Ridge Landscaping, Inc..................................... 25 Superior Hardscapes..................................................... 6 Superior Sleep Experience................................. 73,74,75 Surf Broadband Solutions....................................... 16,31 The Overhead Door Company................................. 83,84 Triple S Remodeling.................................................... 34

| Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 21

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22 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

Featuring products from these fine companies…and many more!

5 NEW-YEAR, NEW-YOU RESOLUTIONS TO

Boost Your Wellbeing

(StatePoint) It’s already the time of year to reassess where the past 12

months took you and decide what you want to improve, change or start doing in 2022. Coming up with meaningful resolutions can be hard. To help simplify this process and get started toward becoming a better you, here are five things to consider working into your daily schedule in the new year:

CUT SCREEN TIME FOR BETTER SLEEP. Multiple studies show if you stop using screens an hour or two before bedtime, you’ll likely have a more restful night’s sleep. Unplugging also allows you to relax and decompress after a busy day. Your energy levels will rise, your brain and body will thank you, and it will be easier to start fresh in the morning.

ADD MORE FRESH FOODS TO YOUR DIET. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins and nutrients, so why not kick off 2022 with a resolution to eat more of them? Try a new kind of lettuce. Eat berries with your oatmeal. Take an apple to the office. Be realistic about how much you can eat in a week. Don’t overstock your refrigerator, but definitely add more fresh produce to your shopping cart.

ALLOW YOUR FAVORITE SPACES TO BLOOM. Adding a flowering plant to your favorite room, such as an easy-care Just Add Ice Orchid, inexpensively brightens your décor. Research shows that having plants boosts mood, productivity and well-being. Plants, including orchids, also remove toxins from the air. Orchids are particularly good at eliminating xylene, a chemical that causes nose and throat irritation and potential neurological issues.

WALK IT OFF. Walking daily for even 15 minutes burns extra calories and improves your mood. Longer walks, such as vigorous hikes, build physical and mental endurance and strengthen cardiovascular health. If you’re crunched for time, take that short walk or even a couple short ones throughout the day if your schedule allows it. The benefits are worth it. Don’t forget to bring your favorite walking buddy with you!

SING IN THE SHOWER, THE CAR OR THE KITCHEN. Research has shown that people feel happier after actively singing than they do when simply listening to music. If joining a choir isn’t your thing, never fear. Breaking into song in the car, shower or while you’re cooking can provide the same kind of lift. It doesn’t matter where you sing, it just matters that you do. Harmonizing with friends makes it even more fun. As you read this list, you might be inspired to come up with a few other encouraging ways to become your best self in 2022. Go for it. Kick off this new year with better focus, renewed enthusiasm and a fresh approach to the days and weeks ahead of you! n Photos: Shutterstock.com | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 23

| YEAR-ROUND GARDENING |

Everything You Need to Know About

Plant Propagation

By Haiden Steingass

If you have any experience with gardening or caring for houseplants, you may have come across the term “plant propagation,” which is essentially the practice of duplicating an already-existing plant with its stems, roots and seeds. Sound bizarre? We’ll admit, this is one of the more advanced gardening techniques we’ve covered. But if you carefully follow a few key steps and have the proper products, you’ll be able to reproduce your favorite plants in no time. Let’s jump right in to the basics. You can propagate plants in different ways, from cutting off a piece of the plant like the stem to dividing a full-grown plant into two. And while there are more complex ways to do it, we will focus on the three methods that are the simplest and most common for basic houseplants.

Cutting plants at the stems – One way to propagate plants is by cutting off part of the plant at the stem. This works best when you cut plenty of the stem off and dip the end of the freshly-cut stem into rooting powder. Put the stem into a potting mix like perlite or vermiculite. Then, wait up to two months for the stems to grow new roots. Once they do, you can replant them, and the plant will continue to grow as usual. For succulents, you can typically just pull the individual leaves off, and they will grow roots naturally (cutting them works, too).

Dividing the plants in two – This technique is one of the easiest ways to propagate a plant. If you have a fully-developed potted houseplant, all you have to do is take it out of the planter and divide it in two parts down the center. Do this gently to avoid damaging the roots. If you need to, you can use a knife to cut down the middle. Replant both parts as soon as they are completely separate. Once the roots recover, the plants will begin to grow again. You can also follow this same practice of division with bulbs. Certain bulbs will grow additional bulbs onto them, so you can separate those from the original and plant them.

Planting pups – Certain plants are ideal for propagation because they produce “plantlets” or “pups.” These are smaller plants that are offspring from the original plant and can grow attached or separate from each other. Plantlets and pups are quite common with succulents. They are extremely simple to propagate because they grow their own set of roots, so all you have to do is dig them up and replant them as desired. Some of the most popular plants to propagate include succulents, tuberous begonia, Dieffenbachias, African Violet, carnations, snake plants, and pyracantha. n Photos: Shutterstock.com 24 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

NEW TECH

For A Great 2022 Michiana Master Gardeners’ Association

“Think Spring”

3rd Annual Garden Expo

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022 8am-4pm EST

Northern Indiana Event Center (RV/MH Hall of Fame) 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart, IN 46514 Tickets $10 at the door or on our website michianamastergardeners.com Purdue University is an affirmative action, equal acess/equal opportunity institution.

(StatePoint) If you’re thinking about hitting the reboot

button and giving your tech a refresh, here are a few tech gadgets and developments to look forward to this year, all of which can help you organize your life and better stick to your goals. Wearables to keep you on track: The popularity of wearable devices like smartwatches has increased dramatically, with sales forecasted to reach more than one billion worldwide this year, according to Statista. Now, there’s a smartwatch fit for every member of your family. For example, T-Mobile’s SyncUP KIDS Watch keeps kids and their parents connected, featuring talk and text with approved contacts, real-time location tracking and virtual boundary alerts. For adults looking to stay connected and crush their fitness goals, the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Series delivers a seamless call-text-notification connection no matter where you are, as well as fitness and health functions like auto workout tracking, advanced run coaching, body composition analysis and group challenges for that extra push. For a limited time, these watches are free at T-Mobile with 24 months of bill credits when you add a qualifying watch line to your current rate plan. Smart systems for your home: Statista estimates nearly 37% of homes own a smart home device that can monitor everything from doorbells to lightbulbs to household appliances. Now, smart home devices are taking it to the next level with centralized smart home systems. Samsung’s SmartHub system is compatible with more than 5,000 products, including household appliances and home security systems, so you can do tasks such as control your home’s thermostat or preheat your oven from the tap of an app or wall-mounted system. New, more affordable 5G smartphones: More smartphones are debuting using the 5G network, including the Samsung A13 5G – the brand’s most affordable 5G smartphone. Priced at $249.99, it sports an edge-to-edge 6.5-inch HD+ LCD display, a triple rear camera and 5MG front camera, and is packed with a 5,000 mAh battery with 15W fast charging capabilities. Ditch the Wi-Fi for a 5G wireless plan upgrade: Wi-Fi has historically given us the speed and capacity we need to stay connected on the go, but today, super-fast 5G networks are enabling us to forget Wi-Fi. Now, you can use the secure, high-speed hotspot capability of your 5G phone to keep all devices and others connected. 5G is giving us on-the-go speeds that are just as fast, or faster, than Wi-Fi. T-Mobile offers wireless plans like Magenta MAX that is specially designed for all that 5G phones can do, including unlimited smartphone data and one of the most generous hotspot plans in the industry, with 40GB per month of high-speed mobile hotspot data included. These are just a few tech upgrades to take advantage of to get the tech refresh you deserve right now. n

203 Wayne St., Middlebury, IN (574) 825-8824

| Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 25

Stuffed Grape Leaves

(Dolmathakia or Yaprakia) From St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church’s Greek Cooking Class Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked rice 4 cups onion, chopped 1 cup vegetable oil 1 jar grape leaves 1 teaspoon salt 2 Tablespoons sugar Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 cup raisins 1/4 cup pignolia nuts 26 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

Remove grape leaves from jar, rinse and drain well. Mix all other ingredients except lemon juice together. Place 1 teaspoon rice mixture on each leaf and roll sealing the edges well. Lay in a 9 x 13 inch pan side by side in two layers. Add three cups water, 1/4 cup vegetable oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, cover with foil. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes, lower oven temperature to 350 for another hour. When cooked, uncover and squeeze juice of lemon over all.

Smyrna Style Meatballs (Souzoukakia) MEAT MIXTURE: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 small onion, grated 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoons ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/2 cup dry seasoned bread crumbs 1 egg lightly beaten 2 tablespoons tomato sauce

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Mix all the above ingredients together. Form into the desired size blls. Place in a lightly greased jellyroll pan (15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1). Broil turning to brown evenly. This amount of meat will make approximately 50 small meatballs or approximately 20 entree size TOMATO SAUCE: 2 29 ounce cans tomato sauce 1 teaspoon cumin 2 bay leaves

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2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1/2 cup red wine

MARCH 3–6

Mix all the above ingredients in a deep baking pan. Simmer for about 15-to 20 minutes. Add the meatballs and drippings from the pan. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes. These meatballs can be served as an hors d’oeuvre (if made small) or as an entrée (if made larger) with a pasta or rice. NOTES: • If the meat mixture is a bit dry, add a bit of olive oil or milk • Use a coffee measure or ice cream scoop so your meatballs are all uniform in size. n

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MULTI-EVENT VENUES LERNER THEATRE | ELKHART • Feb. 6, Elkhart County Symphony: Next Generation, 4 p.m. Sunday, $14 to $35 • Feb. 24, Get the Led Out, 8 p.m. Thursday, $29.50 to $47.50 • Feb. 25, Rodney Carrington: “Let Me In!” 7 p.m. Friday, $49.50 to $199.50 410 S. Main St. 574-293-4469 www.thelerner.com

GOSHEN THEATER | GOSHEN • Feb. 4-6, “Nunsense the Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, $12 to $25 • Feb. 19, Miss Elkhart County & Miss Elkhart County Outstanding Competition, 4 p.m. Saturday, $10 to $15 216 S. Main St. 574-312-3701 www.goshentheater.com

FEB. 1-26 (Selected Dates) | SOUTH BEND

Farmers Market

Indoor market featuring home-grown produce, dairy products, meats, eggs, maple syrup, jams and jellies, handcrafts, artwork, jewelry, more. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 1105 Northside Blvd. 574-282-1259 www.southbendfarmersmarket.com

FEB. 4 | GOSHEN

First Friday

Theme: “Fiction, Fantasy, and Folklore.” 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday Free admission Downtown area 574-312-9922 www.downtowngoshen.org

FEB. 4, 11, 18, 25 | SOUTH BEND

DJ Skate Nights

Ice skate to a different DJ each week. 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays Skate rental 219 S. St. Louis Blvd. 574-299-4765 www.visithowardpark.com

FEB. 11 -12 | SHIPSHEWANA

Midwest Home and Yard Show 1-8 p.m. Feb 11; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 12 The Michiana Event Center 455 E. Farver St. Shipshewana Admission is $5 at the door. Children under 12 admitted free. See story on page 7 28 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

FEB 25-27 | ELKHART

BAEC Home and Outdoor Expo 4-8 p.m. Feb. 25 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 26 Noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 27 The Northern Indiana Event Center 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart Admission is free See story on page 17

FEB 26 | ELKHART

Michiana Master Gardeners Garden Expo 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10 at the door or online Northern Indiana Event Center at the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart. 574-533-0554

MARCH 3 – 6 I FORT WAYNE

Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show

The 49th annual Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show will feature over 650 exhibitors, celebrity guests, Master Gardener seminars and more! Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 8 pm. Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $12, Seniors $8; Children under 15 Free Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 4000 Parnell Avenue www.home-gardenshow.com

• Feb. 5, Comedian Dustin Nickerson, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $15 to $50 • Feb. 11, Point of Grace, 7:30 p.m. Friday, $40 to $50 ($69.95 to $79.95 with meal) 1600 W. Market St., Nappanee 574-773-4188 www.thebarnsatnappanee.com

MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | SOUTH BEND • Feb. 4, The Simon & Garfunkel Story, 8 p.m. Friday, $38.50 to $103.50 • Feb. 12, South Bend Symphony Orchestra: Cirque de la Symphonie/Indiana Trust Pops II, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $18 to $86 • Feb. 26, South Bend Symphony Orchestra: Terra Nostra, 7:30 p.m. Friday, $10 to $86 • Feb. 27, The #IMOMSOHARD Getaway Tour, 7 p.m. Sunday, $49.75 to $59.75 211 N. Michigan St. 574-235-9190 www.morriscenter.org

WELLFIELD BOTANICAL GARDENS | ELKHART • Feb. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, “Winter Wonderland,”, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, free admission on Sundays, registration required. 1011 N. Main St. 574-266-2006, ext. 105 www.wellfieldgardens.org

POTAWATOMI ZOO | SOUTH BEND • Feb. 5, 20, Winter Days, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, and Sunday, Feb. 20. Visit zoo during off-season, weatherdependent train rides. $6.50/adults 15 or older; $5.50 children 3-14; free for members and children 2 and under. 500 S. Greenlawn 574-235-9800 www.potawatomizoo.org n

Shutterstock.com

michiana around

THE BARNS AT NAPPANEE | NAPPANEE

RESOURCE GUIDE Midwest Home and Yard Show set for Feb. 11-12

Consider making those landscaping goals a reality

Karen Flanhardt: (260) 768-3306 Karen.Flanhardt@michianaevents.com

Lang, Feeney and Associates (574) 233-1841 www.langfeeney.com

On With The Show: The BAEC Home and Outdoor Expo returns Feb. 25-27

Josh Welker, Stone Ridge Landscaping Inc. (574) 534-9800 info@stonridge.tv www.stoneridge.tv

Niki Groves, (574) 293-0997 niki@baec.com

Build, buy or renovate, do your financial research

Did You Know? Letters to Juliet

Lance Weirich, First State Bank of Middlebury (574) 825-2166 lancew@bfirst.bank

The Juliet Club Vicolo Santa Cecilia 9 37121 Verona, Italy www.julietclub.com

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| Michiana House and Home | February 2022 | 29

Shutterstock.com

Did You Know?

t e i l u J o t Letters By Dani Messick, House and Home Feature Writer

VERONA, ITALY -- Break out your stationary and brush up on your calligraphy. Juliet is waiting. The Juliet Club, in Italy, offers a unique experience to fans of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet to write a love letter to Juliet Capulet. Yes, the 2010 romantic comedy starring Amanda Seyfried was inspired by a 2006 book of the same name, chronicling a would-be “Secretary of Juliet,” as she responds to a lost letter written to the Juliet Club many years ago. Known as the city of love, the club is centered in Verona, Italy, which is also the locale of the Shakespearan tragedy, based on historical events.

The club also offers prizes for various written works of love. The “Dear Juliet” prize is given to the most beautiful love letters each year around Valentine’s Day. Letters can be submitted by e-mail or text, but the best way is hand-written and by mail. Letters may be submitted to the Juliet Club, located at Vicolo Santa Cecilia 9, 37121, Verona, Italy. For more information, visit www.julietclub.com n

But despite her tragic death, Juliet herself has become an icon of love and every year the Secretaries of Juliet, volunteer to the cause, write back to every one of them. The story begins in the 1930s, when Ettore Solimani, guardian to the tomb believed to have housed to real-life Juliet located inside the underground crypt of the church of San Francesco al Corso (a deconsecrated church and houses the G.B. Cavalcaselle Museum of Frescoes), began gathering letters people left at the grave and replying to them. Today, a host of volunteer secretaries of Juliet continue his tradition. Nearly 50 secretaries from around the world read over 50,000 letters each year.

30 | Michiana House and Home | February 2022 |

photos: Resul Muslu / Shutterstock.com

... and now you know!

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