Around Michiana

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MAY 6 | GOSHEN First Friday

Theme: “‘Eat, Drink, Shop” (chance to win $250 gift certificate) 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday Free admission Downtown area 574-312-9922 www.downtowngoshen.org

MAY 3-31 (SELECT DATES) | SOUTH BEND Farmers Market

Indoor market featuring homegrown produce, dairy products, meats, eggs, maple syrup, jams and jellies, handcrafts, artwork, jewelry, more. 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday 1105 Northside Blvd. 574-282-1259 www.southbendfarmersmarket.com

MAY 21-22 | NILES Renaissance Faire

Re-enactors, demonstrations, games, music. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday $5/person Plym Park, 401 Marmont St. 269-683-4700 www.nilesmi.org

MULTI-EVENT VENUES

LERNER THEATRE | ELKHART

• May 6-8, “SpongeBob Squarepants: The

Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, $12 to $15 • May 8, Mother’s Day Brunch in the

Crystal Ballroom, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., $5 to $36 • May 15, Elkhart County Symphony: “New

Directions, New Possibilities,” 4 p.m.

Sunday, $14 to $35 • May 19, “Continuing the Conversation —

‘Si, Se Puede’” with civil rights activist

Dolores Huerta, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, held on The Central Green of Civic Plaza, free admission • May 20, “Oaklawn’s Got Talent,” 7 p.m.

Friday, $10 • May 21, Gordon Lightfoot, 8 p.m.

Saturday, $39.95 to $79.95 • May 26, “Lerner on the Lawn” with

Hooked Like Helen, 6 p.m. Thursday, free admission • May 27, free community tours every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

All donations benefit the Lerner

Volunteer Program • May 27, lunchtime Kimball organ concert featuring Clark Wilson, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., free admission • May 27, Kimball organ silent film series:

“The General, Chasing Choo Choos,” 7 p.m. Friday, $10 to $12.50 410 S. Main St. 574-293-4469 www.thelerner.com

MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | SOUTH BEND

• May 13, Pulse FM Downtown Summer

Series: Switchfoot with Colton Dixon, 8 p.m. Friday, $28.50 to $103.50 • May 21, South Bend Symphony Orchestra:

Paris Impressions, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $15.20 to $86 adults, $10 children and students • May 25, 525 Foundation Presents a Night with Terry Bradshaw, 7 p.m. Wednesday, $25 to $200 211 N. Michigan St. 574-235-9190 www.morriscenter.org

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY PARKS | SOUTH BEND

• May 1, Parent-Child Fishing Derby, friendly catch-and-release competition.

Bait and fishing equipment available. check-in 9:30 a.m., fishing 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday, BB. Ages 5-10,

Registration required by April 27. • May 1, Park-O Challenge orienteering competition. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, BB. $6/ person, free for children under 10.

Registration required by April 26. • May 4, 11, Boomers and Beyond: Spring

Walking Club, 50- to 60-minute walk, 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, BB. $15 for five sessions or $4 drop-in fee. Registration recommended. • May 6, Spring Fling for the Little Ones, outdoor activities for children five and under. 10 a.m. to noon Friday, BW. $5/family. Registration required by May 4. • May 7, Mother’s Day Pottery, learn the

“slump” method of pottery making.

Materials and light refreshments provided. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, BB. $12/person. Registration required by May 2. • May 7, Wildflower Hike, 9:30-11 a.m.

Saturday, Runnels Shelter. Free admission.

Registration required by May 6. • May 7, Coffee with the Eagles: “A Vision to Behold,” glimpse bald eagles while hearing their history and lore. 10 a.m.

Saturday, St. Patrick’s County Park. $8/person. Registration and payment required by May 2. St. Patrick’s County Park and Brown Barn (BB), 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend Bendix Woods County Park (BW), 56960 Timothy Road, New Carlisle 574-654-3155 www.sjcparks.org

GOSHEN THEATER | GOSHEN

• May 14, Drama Club May Meetup!, acting class for 8-14 year olds, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, $10/student 216 S. Main St. 574-312-3701 www.goshentheater.com

MULTI-EVENT VENUES

WELLFIELD BOTANICAL GARDENS | ELKHART

• Through May 31, “Spring Splendor,” regular admission • May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Bird Walk, 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays, regular admission. Venue is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, $10/adults, $5/children 3-12 1011 N. Main St. 574-266-2006, ext. 105 www.wellfieldgardens.org

POTAWATOMI ZOO | SOUTH BEND

• Eat and Drink at the Zoo, food, wine, beer vendors, musical guests, unlimited train and carousel rides. For adults 21 and over only. 5-8 p.m. Saturday. $85 general admission, $125 VIP. $12/adults 15-61, $10/children 3-14 and adults 62+, free for members and children 2 and under. Call for zoo’s operating hours. 500 S. Greenlawn Ave. 574-235-9800 www.potawatomizoo.org

THE BARNS AT NAPPANEE | NAPPANEE

• Through May 7, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” various show times Wednesday through Sunday. Show only: $33.95 to $37.95 adults, $23.95 to $27.95 students, $13.95 to $17.95 children. Meal and show: $63.95 to $67.95 adults, $53.95 to $57.95 students, $28.95 to $32.95 children. • May 13, Jonnie W., family-friendly comedy, 7:30 p.m. Friday, $15 balcony/$20 main floor. Add $30 for restaurant dinner. • May 26 through July 2, “When Calls the Heart, The Musical,” based on the beloved series by Janette Oke. Times vary. Show only: $33.95 to $37.95 adults, $23.95 to $27.95 students, $13.95 to $17.95 children. Meal and show: $63.95 to $67.95 adults, $53.95 to $57.95 students, $28.95 to $32.95 children. 1600 W. Market St., Nappanee 574-773-4188 www.thebarnsatnappanee.com

RUTHMERE MANSION | ELKHART

• May 1, Founder’s Day, Free Family Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Havilah Beardsley

House • May 3, Gallery Talk: “After Alice: The Development of Modern

Children’s Literature,” 11 a.m. Tuesday, free admission • May 5, Spring Concert Series: Youmee Kim, 7 p.m. Thursday, regular admission • May 8, Mother’s Day, free admission for mothers, 1-4 p.m. Sunday • May 19, Book Club, 3 p.m. Thursday, free admission • May 19, Spring Concert Series: Fischoff, 7 p.m., regular admission • May 28 through Sept. 4, free admission for active duty service members and families. All events at Ruthmere, 201 E. Beardsley Ave., unless otherwise specified. Havilah Beardsley House, 102 W. Beardsley Ave. Ruthmere: $10/adults, $4/students, free for children under 5 with adult. Havilah Beardsley House: $5/adults, $2/students, free for children under 5 with adult. Tour times on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. 574-264-0330 888-287-7696 www.ruthmere.org n

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collaboration is key finding the perfect builder for your home

By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer

When it’s time to turn your dream home into a reality, it’s important to have the perfect partner by your side throughout the process. Your builder will not only help you decide on your home’s architecture and square footage but will guide you through a million major (and minor) details along the way. That’s why it is vital to find a true collaborator who will understand your wants and needs to bring your vision to life!

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

The first step in finding a builder for your dream home is to find out which firms are available in your area. Make inquiries through your own personal network as well as local builders’ associations and other organizations such as the Better Business Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce to find reputable builders you can trust. Chances are, the same names will come up time and again and when they do, put those firms on your short list.

After you formulate a list of potential builders, research each firm to find out if they have experience in building the style/ size home you have in mind. Does their typical price range fall within your budget? Will they build on your private lot or do they stick to specific neighborhoods/ developments? Narrow your list down to four or five builders who can meet your needs and then set up appointments to meet them.

It’s during this meeting you will determine whether a particular builder is right for you. Come to the meeting with prepared questions about the firm, any concerns you may have about the building process, how well they stick to a timeline and the state of the industry in your area. (Supply issues, delays, etc.) Be sure to ask for references and follow up to determine whether this firm is one you will feel comfortable working with for a year or more.

BEFORE YOU SIGN

After you’ve met with your builders, have contacted their references, and looked at their finished product, it is time to make a final choice. However, before you sign on the dotted line with your chosen firm, take a step back and compare your builder’s communication style to your own. If this does not mesh, then it’s unlikely your build will be an enjoyable process.

Do you like to speak face-to-face, or will a quick e-mail or text suffice for simple questions? How often do you expect to meet with your builder? Does your builder provide regular status updates? Are you able to effectively share your desires with others so there is no conflict later? While it’s important to find a builder who complements your communication style, remember communication is a two-way street, and you must do your part as well.

Laying the foundation with your builder right from the start will lead to a great working relationship until move-in day and will ensure that they create a house that you will one day call “home.” n

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