The Lakes East Magazine June 2025

RV Repair Experts Pierceton Peddler Saves the Camping Season

BUILT TO SERVE HOW STUTZMAN POWER EQUIPMENT BLENDS FAITH, FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND QUALITY

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How Stutzman Power Equipment Blends Faith, Family, Community, and Quality

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How One Company Is Providing Expert Boat Protection

27 RV REPAIR EXPERTS

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QUILTS OF VALOR

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HOW INDIANA SAVED OUR FOOD

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TENT RENTAL SUCCESS

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How a Middlebury Tent Business Continues to Expand

KEY CONTRIBUTORS AMY BEAUCHAM MELISSA GIBSON DANNY GRABER BAILEY GOLDSTEIN JEFF KENNEY TERRY MULLINS DARCIE DODDS SCHOTT PHYLLIS WILLE JESSICA WHITEHEAD

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CANINE CONTAINMENT CREW PET SECURED LLC IS A DOG OWNER’S BEST FRIEND Writer / Bailey Goldstein

Pet Secured LLC is marking its territory in New Paris, Indiana, with a wag-worthy business for dog owners in need of an underground fencing solution.

“We are a two-man team that installs underground fence systems for dogs,” said Jason Schlabach.

As temperatures rise this June, more pet-loving Hoosiers will be letting their animals outside. To Pet Secured LLC owners Brian and Jason Schlabach, underground fencing shows respect for neighbors who might otherwise fall prey to the whims and bowels of roaming canines.

“Dogs are expensive nowadays. It would be smart to put in an underground fence,” Jason said. “Vehicles are going fast on the road, and they don’t slow down for dogs.”

The brotherly duo launched Pet Secured LLC in fall 2023, following up on an idea that had been four years in the making.

In 2019, Jason reached out to an underground fence installer for work on his personal property, only to discover the business had shut down. Facing rejection, he called his brother Brian for help installing the fence. The experience sparked a business idea.

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“We did it ourselves, and it was kind of fun. Over the last couple of years, I did some for friends and family,” Jason said.

“So I asked one of my friends if he could see me doing this as a job, and he was like, ‘Go for it.’”

A few gigs turned into steady business, and the brothers quickly honed their craft.

“When finishing a job, I look back at how much we progressed working as brothers,” Jason said. “We know each other’s strengths. A four-hour job back when we first started would probably be two hours or less today.”

Pet Secured LLC installs three types of systems: SportDog Contain and Train, Rechargeable PetSafe, and Basic PetSafe.

The SportDog system is compatible with up to 100 acres, comes with a shock training remote, and features a

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two-in-one collar that works with both the remote and the underground fence.

The Rechargeable PetSafe system is compatible with up to 25 acres and comes with rechargeable collars. The Basic PetSafe system covers up to 5 acres and requires batteries that last up to three months.

Pricing is set by the foot, with additional costs for fencing that crosses driveways.

The fencing can be routed around flower beds to protect gardens from puppy paws.

Three-sided fencing is also available for riverside property owners who want to allow their pets to swim freely.

“Our team is greater than the sum of its parts,” Jason said. “I can do 2,000 feet on my own in one afternoon. My brother can do 2,300 feet by himself in one afternoon.

But together, we could do 5,000-plus.”

Jason and Brian are pet owners themselves, so they understand the

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importance of proper pooch safety. Brian met his rottweiler, Diesel, two years ago.

“He was on the property most of the time, and then he started going over to the neighbor’s house and messing with their animals,” Brian said. “I decided to install a fence, and now he hasn’t left the property since. He respects it very well and knows what it means.”

Jason is the proud parent of a rottweiler named Zora and a German shepherd named Zeus.

“A lot of people think these dogs are vicious or aggressive,” he said. “It was very, very simple to make these dogs respect my fence by the road.”

Underground fencing is more reliable than virtual GPS systems, which require stable internet access and a smartphone.

GPS dog fence collars also alienate Amish Hoosiers, who are less reliant on

modern technology.

Fall and spring of 2024 marked a busy time for Pet Secured LLC, but summer brought underwhelming sales.

“I don’t see that happening every year as we progress and keep on doing quality work,” Jason said. “It’ll pick up during the summer too if we keep on advertising and getting word of mouth.”

Although the business has not yet established an online presence, Jason hopes to launch a Facebook page for Pet Secured LLC this summer.

“We’ve been close ever since growing up,” Brian said. “This makes us closer.”

Pet Secured LLC is at 17337 County Road 46 in New Paris. To request a price quote or book an installation, call 574374-2925.

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n Shipshewana, a perfect summer day might include the low rumble of a tractor engine, the scent of freshly cut grass and the hum of a zero-turn mower gliding across a lawn. For Chris Stutzman, an essential part of any season is helping customers keep their farms, properties and businesses running smoothly.

As the owner of Stutzman Power Equipment, he is committed to providing reliable machinery, trusted advice and honest service to farmers, landscapers, homeowners and work crews throughout northern Indiana. Rooted in family values and guided by faith, his mission is to supply the tools and support people need to work efficiently, safely and skillfully.

Originally based near Middlebury, the business quickly outgrew its space. Within six months of purchasing the dealership, Stutzman relocated to 11280 W. U.S. Highway 20 in Shipshewana.

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“Everything we had planned for five years out had to happen in six months,” Stutzman said. “It was a lot — moving 30 years of inventory, setting up shop in a new location and shaping it into our vision for an all-in-one equipment store.”

better care of our customers.”

Today, Stutzman Power Equipment offers a full range of outdoor tools — from handheld gear like chainsaws and trimmers to large construction loaders, tractors and excavators. Customers can find everything they need for lawns, farms, nurseries or construction projects under one roof.

“It’s become a big part of what we do,” he said. “We’re figuring out what works best for our customers and adding new options all the time.”

The dealership carries respected brands such as Kubota, Scag, Toro, Land Pride, Stihl and Bad Boy Mowers. It also sells both new and used equipment to meet a range of budgets.

“I look at how a company treats its dealers,” Stutzman said. “If they take good care of us, it means we can take

The business has also seen strong growth in its equipment rental department over the past two years, expanding inventory to meet rising demand.

What sets Stutzman Power Equipment apart is its people-first philosophy.

“We don’t see customers as numbers,” Stutzman said. “We work hard to build real connections. We understand what it’s like to run a business, to manage property, to need reliable equipment. We treat every person who walks in the door the way we would want to be treated.”

This approach has helped the business grow to 12 employees, including

department managers for parts, sales and service, and five technicians. Stutzman credits communication and shared values for keeping service standards high.

“If there’s an issue among our team, we sit down and work through it,” he said.

“That kind of honesty helps us stay aligned — so we can be as helpful to our customers as possible.”

The dealership also offers maintenance,

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warranty repairs, parts orders and even pickup and delivery service for large equipment.

“If we sell it, we’ll service it,” Stutzman said.

He believes making money is about more than profit — it’s about giving back. The business regularly supports local schools, churches, youth sports and nonprofits.

The Stutzman family are active supporters of the Westview and Northridge school systems and organizations like Destiny Rescue, which fights child trafficking globally.

“When the community thrives, we all thrive,” he said.

Stutzman’s parents modeled that mindset.

His father, Albert, a lifelong farmer, still helps out at age 68. His mother, Sarah, supported the family businesses and now

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devotes her energy to grandchildren.

Today, those values guide how Chris raises his own daughters — Kennedy, Averie and Harper — along with his wife, Karista.

Chris comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His brother Marlin serves in the U.S. House of Representatives. His brother Matt helps run local ventures such as Stutzman Brother Meats and ShowHauler. His sister, Lynette, and her husband, Tim Carpenter, manage the family farm in the Michiana area.

While the business has grown steadily, Chris is focused on internal strength rather than outward expansion.

“Our goal isn’t to open more locations,” he said. “We want to keep improving right here — making sure every customer is served quickly, fairly and with care.”

He aims to see his current employees thriving both professionally and personally over the next five years.

“I want this place to be a stepping stone to bigger things,” he said. “Whether they stay or move on, I want to help them grow.”

Summer is peak season at Stutzman Power Equipment, and 2025 is no exception. Customers can take advantage of Kubota’s Orange Days Sales Event through the end of June, as well as promotions from Scag, Toro and Bad Boy Mowers.

The business also appears at the Elkhart County Fair, showcasing its offerings at the main entrance — part marketing effort, part community engagement.

“We want people to see who we are and what we stand for,” Stutzman said.

For those looking to upgrade, service or explore their outdoor equipment needs, Stutzman Power Equipment offers a trusted, community-rooted option with a personal touch — and a firm handshake you can believe in.

Visit Stutzman Power Equipment, 11280 W. U.S. Highway 20, Shipshewana, IN 46565 or call 574-825-7281. You can also visit them online at stutzmanpower.com.

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CUSTOM CANVAS EXPERTS HOW ONE COMPANY IS PROVIDING EXPERT BOAT PROTECTION Writer / Melissa Gibson

Willis Miller purchased the canvas shop in Milford in 2007. Though he didn’t have a background in the industry, his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to pursue a new opportunity.

Many customers want the cover to match the seats in the boat or even the siding on their home. Some homeowners’ associations or apartment complexes even have a specific color requirement for the boat and lift cover.”

Nearly two decades later, Miller, owner of Miller’s Custom Canvas Shop, is an expert After spending several thousand in what boat owners need to protect and dollars for days on the lake, fishing and maintain their investments. swimming, protecting that investment is key.

“We use name-brand materials made in the U.S., and they are custom-fitted to The biggest difference between a custom your specific boat,” Miller said. “There canvas and a store-bought boat cover or are probably 30 different color options. tarp is the product’s durability and level

of protection.

Cheaper, ill-fitting covers tear easily, fade in color and often shred on the highway before reaching the water.

“It’s going to fit properly. We make a trip out to the lake to measure a canopy or boat lift to ensure it’s a custom fit.

The material is designed to shed water properly, so you won’t have pooling,” Miller said.

Much of the business comes from customers traveling from Chicago,

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It’s the largest natural lake in Indiana and has long been a go-to summer destination, drawing visitors such as Al Capone and Eli Lilly.

“Several years ago, someone said there were around 6,000 boats registered on that lake alone, and we, at Miller’s Custom Canvas Shop, only touch a fraction of them,” Miller said. “I’m not a lake person myself, but when you go out there, you can see there’s an entire community that you might not be aware of if you didn’t visit. People love it out there.”

For Miller, success is about finding the right product for each customer who walks through the door. Many come through referrals from neighbors, friends or family. Some return after a decade to replace a cover; others are drawn by the sleek, tailored look.

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MOST POPULAR SERVICES AVAILABLE: • House/Office Building Cleaning • Driveway Cleaning • Curb Cleaning • Sidewalk Cleaning ADDITIONAL SERVICES: • Pier Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning • Fence Cleaning

We stay in constant communication with our customers until the job is done. To get a free quote, or if you have questions or special requests, just drop us a line.

574-876-4973 574-205-2937 gsrestorationservice.com Culver, IN TownePost.com | June 2025 | 23

It’s the relationships that bring customers back.

“We enjoy seeing a finished, well-fitted, custom-colored boat cover go down the road. I hope it means the customer is satisfied and it’s another job well done,” Miller said.

For those not heading to the lake this summer, Miller’s business also includes

574-936-1299

other offerings.

The company provides commercial sewing for factories across the state and beyond, and it offers custom window treatments for the home.

Even customers who come in for canvas work often pause to browse the display of window products.

2127 N Oak Dr. Plymouth, IN 46563

“The roller shades come in different fabrics, and we offer custom blinds and shades for your windows,” Miller said.

There are three primary styles: solar, which allows visibility through the shade while reducing sunlight; light filtering, which lets light in while maintaining privacy; and blackout, which blocks all light.

Custom Blinds by Hunter Douglas and Custom Window Treatments by Carole Fabrics

Call for a Custom Consultation Today!

24 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

Call Marilyn Banfich 219-629-0256

Free Delivery

Whether on or off the water, this season, Miller aims to provide products that protect customers’ investments at reasonable prices.

Miller’s Custom Canvas is located at 12711 N. 400 West in Milford. For more information, call 574-658-4976.

P.J. Gilsinger & Co.

When Quality Counts the Most est. 2008

A Place to Visit!

P.J. Gilsinger family museum will explain the history of the oldest John Deere Dealer in the world at it’s original store location. Since 1899 The Gilsinger family has served farmers in our area.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE ADMISSION • Farm Equipment • Local School Memorabilia • WWII Artifacts • Early Household and Farming Tools • Several Unusual Exhibits

• New Construction • Remodeling • Additions • Plumbing PC12100104

• Heating / Cooling • Electrical

Museum Hours: May-October Friday & Sunday 1:00pm - 6:00pm

November-April

by Appointment Only

Contact Brenda Gilsinger for Inquiries or Appointments (574)595-7851 5641 S. Main St. Winamac, Indiana

www.montgomeryconstructiongc.com TownePost.com | June 2025 | 25

• Shoes Country Road Fabrics And Shoes •• Fabric Apparel • Books • Games • Toys Follow us on Facebook!

(260) 768-7804 1205 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, IN

MICHIANA Buyers of Fine Quality HARDWARE Hardwood Timber

Hours: M-F 8-5 | Sat 8-3:30

SALES | SERVICE | PARTS WYLANDSMARINE.COM • PONTOONS • DECKBOATS • FISHING BOATS • OUTBOARDS • BOAT LIFTS & DOCKS

SPECIALIZING IN WALNUT & WHITE OAK

Call Glendon Yoder (Timber Buyer)

at 260-336-1424.

LICENSED & BONDED 26 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

MISHAWAKA LOCATION 13100 JEFFERSON BLVD. MISHAWAKA, INDIANA 46545 (574) 259-1510

ELKHART LOCATION 3931-A EAST JACKSON BLVD. ELKHART, INDIANA 46516 (574) 295-7632

RV REPAIR EXPERTS PIERCETON PEDDLER SAVES THE CAMPING SEASON Writer / Bailey Goldstein Photographer / Jessica Whitehead

The Pierceton Peddler repair shop keeps the RV capital of the world running smoothly, as the hero of camping season.

Lifelong friends and RV industry veterans Dale Hochstetler and Joel Miller took over the Pierceton Peddler in October 2023. Previous owners Josh Sommers and Leonard Miller sold the business five years after its 2018 opening.

“Through the grapevine, we heard they wanted to sell. We came here and looked at it, and what we saw was exactly what we had imagined,” says Dale Hochstetler.

“It was a smaller business but very well established in the industry.”

The Pierceton Peddler offers full-service RV repairs on any make or model, including cargo trailers and park models.

The shop’s 8,000-square-foot building ensures there is no big rig too large to accommodate. The shop’s services include replacing slide-out floors, vinyl flooring, rubber roofs, TPO roofs and more. In addition to RV maintenance, customers can request frame repairs and adjustments to plumbing, wiring and tires. The business also takes on appliance repairs, from water heaters and furnaces to ACs and refrigerators.

JP’s Paint and Auto Body, a third-party Michigan-based company, takes care of any bodywork and paint jobs that customers request.

Pierceton Peddler takes mobile service calls within a 30-mile radius for $145, with an additional $1 for every extra mile to the site. Mobile calls have taken the crew to campgrounds like Jellystone Park, themed after the Hanna-Barbera cartoon and picnic basket kleptomaniac Yogi Bear.

574.209.6405 Estate Management

Opening/Closing Off Season Walk-through Arrival/Departure Weekly Cleaning Checklist Monthly Tasks Lists Maintenance & Vendor Management House Managers Book

Concierge Services

Provisioning Project Management Renovation Managements Event Planning Catering - Limited Staff Coaching/Training Custom Requests

“Buying time to do what is important to you.” • michael@fractionalestatemanagement.com • fractionalestatemanagement.com TownePost.com | June 2025 | 27

“Usually, the RV campgrounds open somewhere around April 15 — seems like it goes with tax season,” says Hochstetler.

Pierceton Peddler de-winterizes RVs in early spring to ensure that outdoorsy Hoosiers have their homes on wheels ready for happy camping.

No surprise here, but the number one culprit of RV trouble is H2O. “We do a lot of water damage repair.

That’s probably our biggest enemy in the RV industry,” says Hochstetler. “When water gets in, it ruins things.”

Under the new owners, Hochstetler and

RV REPAIR & MOBILE SERVICE

BUY DUNLOP® TIRES,

Here at Pierceton Peddler, we can perform routine maintenance and customization as well as major structural repairs including sidewall repairs and sidewall changes, complete floor changes, complete roof changes, paint repair, & More.

202 Wastewater Drive | Millersburg, IN 46543 574-642-3365 www.piercetonpeddler.com 28 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

GET UP TO $100 BACK IN AGET PRE-PAID UP TOVISA $100CARD BACK IN BUY DUNLOP TIRES, ®

®

*

2 TIRES = $100 1 TIRE = $50

* KERSTING’S HARLEY-DAVISON®® CYCLE CENTER

A PRE-PAID VISA CARD

Time for new rubber for the road? Purchase an eligible tire and receive a Dunlop ® Motorcycle Tires Visa ® Prepaid Card. Offer valid through May 31, 2025.

4 MI. S. OF NORTH JUDSON ON HWY. 39

2 TIRES = $100 | 1 TIRE •= kerstingscycle.com $50 (574) 896-2974

*Purchase at least one eligible Dunlop® tire and get a mail-in rebate in the form of a $50 Dunlop® Motorcycle Tires Visa® Prepaid card. Purchase two eligible Dunlop® tires and get a mail-in rebate

® ® ® *Purchase at least one eligible tireTires and get mail-in rebate in theapplies form oftoaindividual $50 Dunlop Motorcycle Tiresmade Visa®atPrepaid card. Purchase two eligible and April get a15, mail-in ® Dunlop ® 2025 rebate in the form of a $100 Dunlop®Dunlop Motorcycle Visaa® Prepaid card. Offer consumer purchases a participating Harley-Davidson dealership tires between ® May 31, mail-in rebate copy of the tiresto invoice must consumer be postmarked

by June 30, at 2025.

Offer valid on select Dunlop® ®tire sizes thatbetween fit Harley-Davidson in and the form of a2025. $100Completed Dunlop® Motorcycle Tiresforms Visa®together Prepaidwith card.

Offer applies individual purchases made a participating Harley-Davidson dealership April 15, 2025 ® ® details. Not valid in conjunction – seeCompleted dealer for amail-in complete list of eligible tires. Additional apply. your participating dealership for Dunlop complete andmotorcycles May 31, 2025. rebate forms together of theand tiresconditions invoice must beSee postmarked

by June Harley-Davidson 30, 2025. Offer valid on select tire sizes that fit Harley-Davidson® ® with copyterms with any other offer or promotion. ® motorcycles – see dealer for a complete list of eligible tires. Additional terms and conditions apply. See your participating Harley-Davidson dealership for complete details. Not valid in conjunction © ©2025 H-D or its affiliates.

H-D, Harley, andH-D, the Harley, Bar & Shield Logo are among the Bar trademarks Harley-Davidson Motor Company. with any other offer or promotion.

2025 Harley-Davidson H-D or its affiliates.

Harley-Davidson and the & ShieldofLogo are among the trademarks of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Time for new rubber for the road? Purchase an eligible tire and receive a Dunlop Motorcycle Tires Visa Prepaid Card. Offer valid through May 31, 2025.

2 TIRES = $100 | 1 TIRE = $50 *Purchase at least one eligible Dunlop® tire and get a mail-in rebate in the form of a $50 Dunlop® Motorcycle Tires Visa® Prepaid card. Purchase two eligible Dunlop® tires and get a mail-in rebate in the form of a $100 Dunlop® Motorcycle Tires Visa® Prepaid card. Offer applies to individual consumer purchases made at a participating Harley-Davidson® dealership between April 15, 2025 and May 31, 2025. Completed mail-in rebate forms together with copy of the tires invoice must be postmarked by June 30, 2025. Offer valid on select Dunlop® tire sizes that fit Harley-Davidson® motorcycles – see dealer for a complete list of eligible tires. Additional terms and conditions apply. See your participating Harley-Davidson® dealership for complete details. Not valid in conjunction

Miller have taken a step back from selling RVs to focus exclusively on repairs for the foreseeable future. With a steady stream of customers, the pair agreed that this was the best path.

“It’s been cool to see this very dedicated client base I’ve discovered,” says Hochstetler. “We have customers from all over so far; our customers are treating us

BRINGING QUALITY AND VALUE TO THE TABLE

Shop for quality food at low prices in the heart of Amish country.

(260) 768-4736 • www.eandssales.net 1265 N SR 5, Shipshewana, IN 46565

Hours:

Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5:00

Saturday 7:30 am - 3:30 pm Closed Sunday TownePost.com | June 2025 | 29

right and have a lot of good things to say about the business.”

Pierceton Peddler is located at 202 Waste Water Drive in Millersburg. To schedule an appointment, call 574-642-3365 or visit piercetonpeddler.com for more information.

YOUR DREAM HOME STARTS HERE UPDATE & SAVE! GIVE YOUR KITCHEN A FRESH, NEW LOOK TODAY. FOR LESS!

THE NU WAY TO REMODEL Exclusive Offers!

Interior Painting Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinet Painting Epoxy Flooring and Garage Floor Coatings Light Carpentry Work Vinyl Plank and Laminate Flooring Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinet Refacing with Nu Doors Gutter Cleaning Seamless Gutter Installation Gutter Repairs Gutter Guards and Leaf Protection Buried Downspouts Pressure Washing Driveway, Patio, Decks, Sidewalks Deck Staining

Why Choose Five Star Painting?

Five Star Painting has painted thousands of homes and businesses over the years. You can feel confident knowing that we have more industry knowledge than the majority of our competitors.

Locally Owned and Operated!

You can feel good knowing that when you hire Five Star Painting for your home improvement project, you are supporting a business owner within your local community.

Contact Our Team Today!

FREE Estimates!

(574) 217.0664 FiveStarPainting.com

30 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

• Many great used & new items • Estate clean out • Drop off your items or call for pick up • Online consignment auctions

574-363-1053

500 W. Center St • Bourbon, IN 46504

www.theauctionlotllc.hibid.com

“Call us we’ve got you covered “

10055 Pretty Lake Trail Plymouth, IN 46563

- UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP -

• Custom Boat Covers • Home & Business Awnings (Manual or Electric)

• Truck Farm Tarps • Pick up and delivery available

Pretty Lake Golf Club

574-540-2682

Authentic Mexican Food Steaks, Seafood, Burgers, Wings/ Chicken, Salads, Desserts, Margaritas, Cocktails Reserve YourHere s Holiday Part20ie0 peo ple Seating up up

Mark & Amy Helms • 8621 N St Rd 39 Monticello, IN 47960 • 574-278-7152 Follow us on Facebook | coverite@coverite4covers.com

MULLET’S FENCING & SUPPLIES LLC

MULLET’S FENCING & SUPPLIES LLC

Catering Trivia Every Thursday 6:30 PM Specials Posted on Facebook Closed Mondays Tue, Wed, Thurs 4 PM - 9 PM Fri & Sat 11 AM - 11 PM | Sunday 11 AM - 8 PM

SPECIALIZING IN ALL TYPES OF FENCING

Residential • Agricultural • Commercial

SPECIALIZING IN ALL TYPES OF FENCING

Residential • Agricultural • Commercial

FREE ESTIMATES 6223 8th Road, Plymouth 574.566.8330

Winter Hours: M - Thurs 6am - 4pm Friday 6am - 2:30 Closed Saturday & Sunday

FREE ESTIMATES 6223 8th Road, Plymouth 574.566.8330

Winter Hours: M - Thurs 6am - 4pm Friday 6am - 2:30 Closed Saturday & Sunday TownePost.com | June 2025 | 31

Explore a Unique Selection of Quality Antiques, Vintage, Repurposed and New Furniture, Home Decor and Gifts in a Rustic Boutique Setting Hours (Feb 17 - Dec 31): Monday 12PM -6PM Tuesday-Thursday 10AM-6PM Friday 10AM-5PM Saturday 10AM-3PM

52886 State Road 13 | Middlebury, IN 574-358-0074 | www.barndoorllc.com

11 ANNUAL th

www.michiana.bintheredumpthatusa.com

Family Owned Convenient bin sizes Precautions taken to protect driveway surface Easy loading Include dumpsters sizes 20, 15, 10, & 6 Cubic yard sizes

574-892-5554 32 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

6

JUNE CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Solutiomns

24. Send abroad in disgrace 25. Kitchen professional 26. Loose flesh 27. Not healthy 28. Iridescent gem 29. Fume DOWN

ACROSS 1. Mouth roof 5. Produces (egg) 7. Ocean mammal 8. Hoarse sound 9. Invalid

10. Bake in oven 11. Opponents 13. Part of eye 14. Sloops or ketches 18. Plan 21. Horse’s gait 22. Gold lump

1. Play the part of 2. First Greek letter 3. Washstand jugs 4. Made do 5. High-protein pulses 6. Shouting 12. Set fire to 15. Zeppelin 16. Detestable 17. Meet (requirements) 19. Australian bird 20. Significant 22. Ants’ homes 23. Social blunder

B&L WOODCRAFTS, LLC

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NOW SCHEDULING FOR SPRING & SUMMER PROJECTS

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Plastic Poly Furniture

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Leon Yoder

100045W 250N | SHIPSHEWANA, IN 46565

260.463.1530

(888) 642-6016 | (574) 642-1151

Exquisite

ELEGANCE Custom Metal

KITCHEN HOODS Accent your kitchen with a beautiful metal range hood. Fully customized to your specs and style.

3070 W 350 S • Topeka, IN 46571

34 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

YOU DREAM IT. WE BUILD IT!

CALL US TO GET STARTED!

(260) 463-4026

TENT RENTAL SUCCESS HOW A MIDDLEBURY TENT BUSINESS CONTINUES TO EXPAND Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Danny Graber

In early 2025, Johnathan Miller’s uncle sold his tent rental business to Miller and his business partner, Lyndon Bontrager.

What began five years ago with just three tents now boasts 34. Miller and Bontrager’s business, Intent Rental, provides outdoor shelters for weddings, auctions, graduation parties and business events in Middlebury and beyond.

Tents come in a variety of sizes, from 10-by-10 feet to 60-by-190 feet. Most are solid white, though some come in various colors. A few include see-through panes,

while others are solid.

“It’s all according to what the customer wants, and at Intent Rental, we are determined to meet the need,” Miller said.

Renting a tent isn’t always something people plan when hosting an event.

“We have people scheduling more than a year in advance, but we can usually provide something last minute. It might be a different size, depending on the large events we have going on at the time, but we do our best,” Miller said.

Quality, Parts, Sales, Service and Rental 574.862.1163 www.wakarusaag.com 905 Nelson’s Pkwy.

Wakarusa, IN 46573

• Delivery & Set up of Rental • Tents for any occasion • Max Size: 60 ft. x 190 ft.

• Tables & Chairs

11465 W 450 N Middlebury, IN 46540

TownePost.com | June 2025 | 35

When customers call, just a few important questions need to be answered to find the right fit for the event.

“We need to know if the tent will go on grass, concrete or asphalt, because we have to attach it to the ground one way

FREE

UPGRADE TO 6 INCH GUTTERS

SEAMLESS GUTTERS GUTTER GUARDS GUTTER CLEANING

your #1 E-bike sales center Bicycle Service & Repairs Bicycle tires & accessories

1001 E. Canal St., Winona Lake, IN 574-267-2223 36 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

Not valid with other offers.

Some restrictions appy.

Expires 6/30/25

Wedding Tent

or another,” Miller said. “We also provide options like solid sides or window sides.”

It’s one of those event details that is often overlooked. For a wedding, for example, there are many people behind the scenes — from someone setting up tables to someone stringing lights. The staff at Intent Rental are part of someone’s special day, providing a much-needed service for large events.

They handle all setups and teardowns, too.

“My favorite thing is customer satisfaction. When someone calls and we have exactly what they need, we put it up and take it down after the event. It’s hassle-free, and we’re leaving them with a smile,” Miller said.

Though they’ve grown the business in just a few months, Miller expects continued expansion.

“Our goal is to add another tent when we see the demand. If there’s a particular size that we use frequently, we’ll continue to add it to our inventory,” he said.

In addition to event tents, Miller and Bontrager provide other background necessities that often go unnoticed.

They also rent 6-foot and 8-foot tables and folding chairs for large events.

Ironically, the tables and tents are often not rented by the same customer.

“The tables and chairs come on carts.

We’ll bring them in and let the customer

E MATERNITY OASIS

Hey Dad, we are so excited to be on this journey to create your family.

Happy Father’s Day!

For more information please visit our website or call 574-224-1250.

TownePost.com | June 2025 | 37

set them up, or we’re happy to do it for them,” Miller said. “Often, a customer has the tables and chairs but needs the tent — and vice versa.”

Installation and removal are free for locations up to 20 miles from the shop.

Prices vary based on tent size and any added options.

For more information, call 260-293-5165.

Quality Handcrafted Aluminum Wind chimes

NEW HOMES ROOM ADDITIONS REMODELS

(260) 768-9138 lambrightchimes@ibyfax.com 8340 US-20 Unit 7, Shipshewana, IN 46565 38 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

AY

H

Construction LLC

574-453-7938

Jayh75.am@gmail.com www.jayhconstruction.com

Quality Construction At A Reasonable Price Serving the areas Since 2009

Bontrager Tractor Sales & Service 10 Year Warranty

HORSE SHELTERS GARDEN SHEDS

CHICKEN COOPS + MORE • Maintenance Free • Metal or Vinyl Buildings • Max size available 16 x 48 • Free delivery within 50 miles

We Service and Repair All Makes of Tractors and Skidsteers • Brush Hogs • Tillers • Forks • Buckets • Grapples • Graders

Call or s!

Visit U

260-336-5793 855 S. Van Buren St. Shipshewana, IN

Pickup/delivery available

Sand Storm Sales LLC. • 0700 N. 1000 W. • Shipshewana, IN 46565 • 260-215-2741 sandstormsales@upwardprint.com

Let us build your dream

wood strip canoe We can custom build your design on any wood strip canoe.

• Heirloom Quality • Useful and Decorative Canoes • Sizes 5 ft - 16 ft.

• Prices starting at $2500 • Mahogany, aromatic cedar, or black poplar

LAKESIDE CANOES

Lakeside

CANOES

260-350-0481 | 7650 W. 450 N. | Shipshewana, IN 46565

TownePost.com | June 2025 | 39

EXPLORE THE 2025 LINEUP

Explore the 2024 Lin

Explore the 2024 Lineup

574.342.3049

Isaac Miller CEO Mbyb@mailprint.net MichianaBackyardBuilders.com

574-842-5000 514-W. Mill St.

Culver, IN www.culversportsidemarina.com

PAINT & SANDBLAST WHEN QUALITY MATTERS

Whether it’s industrial parts & equipment, marine or agricultural. JOMAR has the experience, equipment and commitment to make your products stand out.

100% SATISFACTION Specializing in large scale abrasive blasting and industrial protective coatings.

CAPACITY

JOMAR has one of the area’s largest Sandblast & Paint Booth rooms.

Each one is 64’ L x 14’W x 20’ H. 40 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

13393 CR 22 | Middlebury, IN 46540 | www.4JOMAR.com Contact Marlin Schlabach: 574-304-4824 | marlin.schlabach@4jomar.com

QUILTS OF VALOR

HEALING THROUGH HANDMADE APPRECIATION Writer / Phyllis Wille

Normally, this is the time of year we talk about Father’s Day and the many gifts that can be purchased at New Kitchen Store with dad’s grilling and cooking skills in mind. However, this year I want to talk about Quilts of Valor. This organization was brought to my attention by Jan, one of our customers, and I never knew the program existed. Since the military holidays of Memorial Day and the Fourth

STEVE

“The Blind Guy

of July are upon us, I thought it would be a good time to honor fathers and others who have shown valor, great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. This applies to more than just the military, so don’t forget to say thank you to them!

Erica Broecker is one of the Quilts of Valor Facebook administrators and is very involved in the South Bend area Quilts of

Valor program. Many of us remember her from her sewing store in South Bend.

She and many others organize a group that makes a quilt for someone that has been nominated for their service, to honor them. They have a quiet ceremony, drape the quilt around the soldier, and give it to them as a means of healing from the many problems that arise in war.

Cellular Shades Roller Shades Sheerview Shades Woven Shades Shutters Free In-Home Estimate - Our Installers Show Room

1101 S. Huntington St. Suite 1 Syracuse, IN Steve Williams • 574-527-2403 • Call for Appointment TownePost.com | June 2025 | 41

The national group has given approximately 40,900 quilts to date. I have pictured a couple of them just to give you an idea of how much time and effort goes into making these red, white and blue quilts. Check out a PBS special report here: wnit.org/expmichiana/s/in-thebend-quilts-of-valor.html.

The nonprofit Quilts of Valor was established in 2003 by Blue Star Mom, Catherine Roberts, after her son was deployed to Iraq, and the concept started literally with a dream. She says she was 10 seconds away from panic, 24 hours per day. She had a dream as vivid as real life. “I saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over with his head in his hands,” she says.

“The permeating feeling was one of utter hopelessness and despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, trying to drag him down to an emotional gutter.

Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him

LANES ROOFING IS NOW EQUITY ROOFING

Building Science Technicians Providing Insulation Services for: Existing Homes | Insulation Removal New Construction | Pole Barns Commercial & Industrial Applications Specialized Projects Call: (574) 223-3626 Email: theinsulationguys@gmail.com Located at: 325 Monticello Road Rochester, IN 46975 42 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

SHINGLES METAL GUTTERS

574-207-4655

MIDDLEBURY, IN

in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His entire demeanor changed, from one of hopelessness and despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had helped make this dramatic change. The message of my dream was quilts equal healing.”

Another group that honors veterans is the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Indiana chapters were introduced in the fall of 2024 to the Quilts of Valor program. DAR has long been recognized as a society honoring our past and present military people, so the program is a good fit.

There are chapters in Elkhart, St. Joseph County, Marshall County and LaPorte County that you can reach out to with questions. The Miriam Benedict Chapter of the DAR in LaPorte County has a presence on Facebook at facebook.com/ miriambenedictchapternsdar. If you are unable to contact the chapter, feel free to contact Luanne Lon, regent of the LaPorte Chapter, at 574-279-2069.

WE BUILD CUSTOM NEW ALL ALIMINUM FISHING, BOW FISHING, AND HUNTING STYLE BOATS REPAIRS & CUSTOMIZATION, LIVEWELLS/ STORAGE HATCHES WE CAN CREATE AND INSTALL CUSTOM SEA DECK FLOORING ON YOUR WATERCRAFT!

Find us on Facebook

Jaylon Harshberger 72729 CR 9 Nappanee, IN 46550 574-535-5297 TownePost.com | June 2025 | 43

We have Black Rifle Coffee, and patriotic mugs and dinnerware at the store, if you are planning events with patriotic themes.

We also have many foods for the holidays as well, to make your event special.

New Kitchen Store is located at 1100 Roosevelt Road in Walkerton, and can be reached at 574-586-2745.

More information on Quilts of Valor can be found at QOVF.org.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE WWW.CASPERSCOINS.COM WE ARE CURRENTLY BUYING / SELLING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

•Gold Jewelry •Sterling Silver Jewelry •Platinum Jewelry •Turquoise Jewelry •Dental Gold •Service Pins •Pocket Watches •Sterling Silver Flatware •Dimes - 1964 & Before •Quarters - 1964 & Before •Halves - 1970 & Before

•Dollars - 1935 & Before •Proof & Mint Sets •Old Paper Money •Old U.S. Coins •Foreign Coins •Gold & Silver Coins •Gold & Silver Bullion •Pennies - 1958 & Before •Nickels - 1938 & Before •Nickels - 1942-1945

Custom Built Vinyl Windows Custom Built Vinyl Windows

Custom Built Vinyl Windows

Casper’s Coin & Jewelry

214 North Dixieway (US933) 603 West Pike Street, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 971-8619 | Tues-Fri. 10a-5p • Sat. 10a-2p South Bend, IN 46637 574-272-5554 Tues-Fri 10a-5p, Sat 9a-2p Caspers Coin and Jewelry Goshen Caspers Coin and Jewelry E-bay Store: caspersgoshen E-bay Store: Casper Coins 44 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

Windows • Storm Doors • Screen Doors •Sliding Glass Doors ••New Construction & Replacement Windows Windows Storm Doors • Screen Doors •Sliding Glass Doors • New Construction & Replacement Windows Windows Storm Doors • Screen Doors •Sliding Glass Call today for a free estimate Call today for825-7863 free estimate Windows (574) Doors • New Construction & Replacement

1053 Middleton Run Elkhart, IN 46516 (574) 825-7863 • 59323 CR 35, Middlebury Call today for Rd. free estimate (574) 825-7863 • 59323 CR 35, Middlebury We offer Provia Windows that have a lifetime Call today for free estimate warranty that includes glass breakage

(574) 825-7863 • 59323 CR 35, Middlebury

STRAWBERRY FREEZER/CANNING JAM DEMONSTRATION CLASS Thursday, June 12th at 1 p.m.

CALL FOR A RESERVATION HOSTED BY KAREN RICHEY AT MARSHALL CO. PURDUE EXTENSION Presto Precise 12qt Electric Pressure Canner

COST IS $10

574-586-2745 | NewKitchenStore.com | 1100 Roosevelt Rd. Walkerton, IN

• New & Repair • Boat Covers • Pontoon Covers • Custom Covers • Patio Enclosures • Patio Furniture Covers • Grill Covers

850 N. Taylor Dr., Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-7755 ∙ www.shipshecanvas.com

Good Quality Work at an Affordable Price Boat Covers (New & Repairs)

TownePost.com | June 2025 | 45

AgriculturAL -Equipment Storage -Equestrian Stables -Livestock Facilities -Concrete Flatwork

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Service Territory within 90 min of LaGrange

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How We Build the Community Flexible - We build what you want, no matter how many changes FAIR - Solid quality components at a very fair price on YOUR budget

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FRIENDLY - Hardworking, helpful, efficient crew members

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An 1884 magazine cartoon encouraging readers to “Look before you eat,” referencing “unadulterated food,” indicative of widespread concern at the time over dangerous additives.

HOW INDIANA SAVED OUR FOOD THE SCIENTISTS WHO LED THE NATIONAL CRUSADE AGAINST DEADLY FOOD ABUSES Writer / Jeff Kenney

There is no shortage of debate today about the safest and healthiest approach to food growth, production, preservation and distribution, though few may realize just how bad things had gotten by the end of the 19th century — and even fewer are aware of the leading role the state of Indiana, and a few of its reformers, played in national efforts to rectify the hazards of food across the United States.

Those efforts came to fruition on June 30, 1906, when President Theodore

Roosevelt signed into law the Pure Food and Drug Act. So prominent was Indiana’s role that the law was also known as the Wiley Act, named for Jefferson Countyborn Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, who began his work while a chemist at Purdue University.

While many history students rightly cite the cultural impact of Upton Sinclair’s 1905 novel, “The Jungle,” which described in nauseating detail the food industry’s abuses, the hard data from

Wiley’s “hygienic table trials,” whose participants were known as the Poison Squad, played a significant role in the act’s passage.

In the article “The 19th-Century Fight Against Bacteria-Ridden Milk Preserved With Embalming Fluid,” Smithsonian Magazine noted, “At the turn of the 20th century, Indiana was widely hailed as a national leader in public health issues.

This was almost entirely due to the work of two unusually outspoken scientists,”

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Wiley among them.

As the article notes, growing urbanization in the United States necessitated more processed food, since fewer Americans could grow their own. But food mass production was unregulated, leading to widespread abuses.

Dr. Wiley and the Poison Squads Wiley, born in 1844 on a farm near the Hoosier town of Kent, served in the Civil War and attended Hanover College. He taught at Butler University while earning a doctorate from the Medical College of Indiana. By 1874, he was a chemist at Purdue, later appointed chief chemist of the Bureau of Chemistry in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1883. He began testing food and beverages in 1902.

At the time, the greatest danger was impure food and the equally harmful adulteration of food with preservatives or chemicals. Wiley focused on the latter.

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Harvard microbiologist Theobald Smith demonstrated its effectiveness against tough milk pathogens.

Still, it took more than 30 years before pasteurization became common in the United States. The American Pediatric Society’s mistaken belief that heated milk caused scurvy didn’t help.

In the meantime, many dairies added

formaldehyde liberally to milk. Wiley’s Poison Squads — 12 young clerks who lived in the Agriculture Department’s basement in Washington, D.C., beginning in late 1902 — were formed to investigate.

Over two-week intervals, six men ate unadulterated food and six ate food with borax, formaldehyde, salicylic acid, copper salts, saccharin and sodium

A 1915 advertisement for Carnation milk references the ongoing concern over “the dangers lurking in milk which is not properly handled.”

His methods of human experimentation might appear extreme today, though at the time, skepticism existed about the harms of preservatives.

These included formaldehyde — used to embalm corpses — borax, salicylic acid (an aspirin ingredient), arsenic (which gave chocolate a sheen) and lead, used in coloring candies and cheeses. Newspaper headlines for years referenced the “embalmed milk scandals,” widespread poisonings from formaldehyde in milk.

Formaldehyde, to be fair, was the dairy industry’s answer to microorganisms in milk that carried diseases such as bovine tuberculosis, typhoid and diphtheria. It wasn’t until the 1850s that Louis Pasteur proved heating liquids killed bacteria — later called pasteurization. German chemist Franz von Soxhlet first suggested using it on milk in the 1870s, and in 1899 TownePost.com | June 2025 | 49

It also addressed harmful ingredients in bread, including chalk, alum, sawdust, clay and plaster, which were used to cut costs at the consumer’s expense.

Hurty Attacks Sanitation Horrors Another Indiana scientist, John Newell Hurty, complemented Wiley’s efforts. A pharmacist who studied at the Medical College of Indiana, Hurty was hired in 1873 as chief chemist by Col. Eli Lilly. He later taught pharmacy at Purdue.

benzoate. The groups switched diets biweekly.

Media coverage of the trials spurred satire in songs and poems, but the trials’ findings were undeniable and

helped support the Pure Food and Drug Act. The law aimed to prevent the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded or poisonous or deleterious foods, drugs, medicines, and liquors.”

As secretary of the State Board of Health and state health commissioner starting in 1896, Hurty authored the first comprehensive pure food and drug law enacted by any U.S. government. Passed in 1899, it regulated food, drink, medicine, cleaning agents and cosmetics — predating the federal act by seven years.

Hurty aimed to eradicate disease in Indiana.

He addressed poor sanitation as the root of

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typhoid and dysentery and focused on unsanitary milk production, already a national concern.

A New Jersey analysis in the 1880s found bacterial colonies in milk too numerous to count. Indiana dairymen were found thinning milk with dirty pond water or recoloring gray milk with chalk, plaster dust or dye.

One milk bottle analyzed by the state health department reportedly contained worms from stagnant water.

The department documented “sticks, hairs, insects, blood and pus in milk,” and estimated Indianapolis residents consumed more than 2,000 pounds of manure annually in dairy products.

To fake the appearance of cream, dairymen used pureed calf brains — which curdled in coffee.

These abuses, Hurty said, sickened

and killed children. Though he initially supported minimal formaldehyde use in milk as a last resort, dairies ignored his limits. By 1899, he condemned its use outright. Thirty children had died from formaldehyde the prior year, and three more died the next summer in an Indianapolis orphanage. He later cited more than 400 deaths from contaminated milk.

Thanks to the work of Hurty and Wiley, alongside the support of Indiana lawmaker, the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act began curbing food production abuses.

Though modern food systems are far from flawless, we owe much to these two visionary Hoosier scientists whose efforts saved countless lives.

Upton Sinclair’s bestselling novel, “The Jungle,” also played a considerable role in bringing attention to abuses and failings in the food production industry.

Jeff Kenney serves as Museum and Archives Manager for Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana.

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MIDWEST DIVING EXPERTS TRI-STATE SCUBA DIVING SERVICES Writer / Darcie Dodds Schott

T

he words “scuba diving” are more often associated with the Florida Keys or the Caribbean than the Midwest. But with the motto of, “You lose it, we recover it,” the reason TriState Scuba Diving Services is based in

the Midwest becomes clear very quickly.

Owned and run by the father-son duo of Michael King and his son, Riley King, the business is built on a foundation of expertise, experience and execution.

An epic day on the lake can take a heartwrenching turn when a treasured piece of jewelry is lost. However, the story doesn’t have to end with a broken heart, with TriState Scuba Diving Services as a resource.

The diver jumps into action using extensive

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training and the latest scuba, camera and metal-detecting equipment. Solving underwater challenges is the commitment that has been bringing peace of mind to clients since opening in 2024.

“We are everyday people trying to build a business based in something my son loves to do,” Michael King says. “We all know the saying, ‘Find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life.’” The Kings acknowledge that there are plenty of dive companies, but Tri-State Scuba Diving Services separates itself from the others by focusing on specialized underwater recovery and documentation services.

Tri-State Scuba Diving Services had its beginning thousands of miles away from the Midwest, while the family vacationed on Saint Martin in the Caribbean. A day of snorkeling grew into a passion for underwater activities for the then-8-yearold Riley. Back in Indiana, the younger King began taking snorkeling and dive courses.

To date, he holds certificates in: Closed Water and Open Water, which means he can dive in any body of water; Night and Limited Visibility; Perfect Buoyancy, which allows a diver to safely enter a confined space such as a vehicle; React Right, based on training in CPR, AED and Oxygen; and most recently, Stress and Rescue.

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With this impressive list of training and proficiency, it’s no surprise that TriState Scuba Diving Services is a trusted source for underwater recovery in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. In fact, the younger King points out that with his training in

CPR, AED and Oxygen, “this can be very valuable for just being out on the water recreationally.”

Tri-State Scuba Diving Services took shape after a call from a campground in need of help to release obstacle-course equipment grounded underwater in a pond. The campground owners knew generations of the King family and they knew Riley had been diving for years, which made the Kings the campground owners’ first call.

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That project enlightened the Kings to a void in the tri-state area for specialized diving services. The commitment to creating a quality and safe diving service is impressive when considering one-half of the partnership is still in high school.

Home schooling through the state of Indiana allows the younger King a flexible schedule, and pertinent coursework in principles of entrepreneurship and business operations.

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When most high school kids are anticipating graduation and college, the Kings will embrace the end of high school as it will allow more time dedicated to their dive business. College classrooms will be replaced by real-life scenarios of marketing, sales and service.

Innovation joins that list of qualities after King worked with Deep Blue Divers in Fort Wayne, where his dive training began, to build a sea-life camera. He took existing photography equipment and redesigned the parts to better adapt to underwater imaging. One job incorporated the specialized photography to pinpoint the error in an underwater fountain structure. The Kings offer their services to communities without underwater resources for insurance and other documentation.

And the business doesn’t stop when the temperatures cool; it presents a new set of needs for underwater recovery, such

as a current project to retrieve an ice fisherman’s snowmobile that sunk into the frigid waters. The Kings point out that in addition to property recovery, removing a vehicle like a snowmobile using lift pocket techniques also helps to repair the damage done to the underwater environment from leaking fuel and machine oils.

In the short time since opening, the Tri-State Scuba Diving Services team has enjoyed local news coverage in a segment on the Fox News station in Fort Wayne last November. A local couple saw the news segment and contacted Tri-State to help them recover a lost item in their pond. Another job arose after a customer saw Tri-State in a magazine and reached out about retrieving a lost wedding ring using the diving service’s high-tech underwater metal detector. Tri-State uses a metal detector that performs to depths of 200 feet, and it is the number-one rated detector by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Kings hope to host a booth at the annual DeKalb County Free Fall Fair, where an estimated 170,000 attendees stroll for blocks learning about new and established businesses. Outdoor gear stores and dive shops carry flyers about Tri-State Scuba Diving Services, including Deep Blue Divers, where King’s training began.

Partnering with individuals, companies and organizations to solve their underwater needs, Tri-State offers recovery, exploratory and photography services. In addition to lost item retrieval, Tri-State is eager to grow the business in the area of personalized underwater photography, which can include documentation of property, as well as photography to capture personal adventures or keepsake moments.

Tri-State Scuba Diving Services is licensed, insured and equipped with the latest technology. For more information, contact Michael and Riley King at 260-444-8905.

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TREE PLANTING TRIUMPH MDS FORESTRY PLANTS SEEDS FOR A BLOOMING FUTURE Writer / Bailey Goldstein

With a tractor, a planter and a piece of land, Marlon Dean Schrock launched his own small business in 2023. The name MDS Forestry has two meanings: Schrock’s initials and the company slogan — Miscanthus and Trees, Development and Stewardship.

It all started when Schrock planted miscanthus and switchgrass on his property to phenomenal results. With encouragement from friends at the hunting

property management company TagOut Technique LLC, Schrock dove into his newfound work as northern Indiana’s only large-scale tree-planting operation.

“I started picking up small jobs here and there by myself,” Schrock said. “And then I ended up making it an LLC, starting a business name, and that way everything’s legal.”

Schrock sold land and used the money to

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buy MDS Forestry equipment, expanding the types of jobs he could take. Equipped with a Genesis 5 no-till drill, Schrock could plant corn, soybeans and grasses in a fraction of the time it would otherwise take.

With a little advertising, business began rolling in.

“It just exploded. Last year was amazing,” he said. “I probably did triple what I expected to do.”

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Schrock runs the business part-time while maintaining a full-time position at Renegade RV’s factory in Elkhart County.

MDS Forestry planted more than 5,000 trees this spring, beginning in March and April. From mid-April through the end of June, Schrock plants miscanthus hard and heavy. In addition to herbicide application, he preps the ground for soybeans, corn and

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switchgrass throughout May. “April, May, June — those are my three heaviest months, and then it tapers off in July,” Schrock said. “July, a lot of the time, is just maintenance work. Another thing I’m doing right now is pulling ground samples for custom fertilizer blends.”

Schrock said the best time to plant trees BLOCK STONE BRICK INTERIOR EXTERIOR FIREPLACES MAILBOXES PILLARS

is in autumn, followed by spring. MDS Forestry planted 2,000 trees last fall. White pine, Norway spruce, apple trees, pear trees, swamp oak, white oak and hazelnut are just a few of the many varieties the company plants.

“Most of the time, everything that we plant is seedlings,” Schrock said. “Except the fruit trees — they’re all at least 4 to 6 feet.”

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By summer, the tree planting season winds down. July and August are prime times for fall food plot planting. Deadly Dozen seeds are staples of the season, containing cereal grains, beets, radishes, purple top turnips and more.

Sales of miscanthus and trees this season have doubled Schrock’s initial expectations.

“I’m not that much into the big bucks myself,” Schrock said. “What I like to do is plant something and see it flourish.”

Customers can purchase trees to plant themselves, or MDS Forestry can plant trees customers have sourced elsewhere.

The business also works with patrons who are part of the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetlands Reserve Easements Program — initiatives by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that encourage landowners to plant native grasses and trees on environmentally sensitive land.

As a wildlife habitat manager, Schrock is an expert seed planter and seller. He is certified

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by the Office of Indiana State Chemist as an agricultural pest control applicator.

He also holds certifications in forest pest management, ornamental pest management and agricultural fertilizer application.

With his 30-foot boom sprayer and arsenal of pesticides and herbicides, he’s well equipped for the task.

MDS Forestry offers a tree and brush removal service. Schrock uses a tree puller capable of uprooting trees up to 6 inches in diameter. He frequently receives requests to

remove invasive species like tree of heaven, mulberry trees and Osage orange shrubs.

The company does not yet offer service for removing larger trees.

“I get a lot of calls from people who say, ‘Hey, I got a big tree in my backyard. Could you come get it?’” Schrock said. “That is not something I do at this point.”

Schrock is open to expanding the tree and brush removal service if he acquires the proper equipment.

As a dealer of Mike’s Mighty Micros, Schrock sells spray formulas that help problem plants produce with enriching micronutrients. MDS Forestry also sells a biochar soil booster from the Illinois-based company.

For now, Schrock said the best way to reach him is by phone or email at mdsforestry@ gmail.com.

MDS Forestry is at 6143 W. 1300 N. in Nappanee. For more information, call 574678-0435 or visit mdsforestry.com.

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THE WHOLE SUCCESS NORTHPOINT WHOLESALE’S NEXT CHAPTER IS HERE Writer / Terry Mullins

The idea for a small business can occur at the most unexpected times. For Northpoint Wholesale LLC in Topeka, it all started with a simple massage pillow. One evening, after gifting his wife a heated massage cushion he found on Amazon, the founder realized the product’s in-store potential.

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Upon discovering the manufacturer lacked a physical retail distributor, he jumped at the opportunity. With a little cash, a strong work ethic and a clear goal to grow his investment, he placed an initial order for 60 massage pillows, advertised them locally and Northpoint Wholesale was born.

From its humble beginnings, Northpoint Wholesale has focused directly on the end consumer. The goal was never just to fill store shelves but to stock products that customers truly wanted, that delivered value, sold quickly and made people’s lives better.

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64 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

By offering affordable, high-demand items like heated massage pillows, massage guns, leg massagers, eye massagers and BLENDi portable blenders, Northpoint has built a strong reputation for delivering products that make their way to happy homes instead of gathering dust.

This customer-driven approach of selecting items that create immediate satisfaction for the end consumer remains the core mission. Northpoint Wholesale continually seeks out popular, practical products that stores can confidently move into the hands of their shoppers.

As the business grew, so did the demands of managing it.

Ultimately, the founder sought a transition to focus on his young family and other professional opportunities. Fortunately, the perfect successor was already nearby. Lyle Hostetler, with his entrepreneurial spirit and strong business acumen, stepped up to write Northpoint Wholesale’s next chapter.

Today, under Hostetler’s capable leadership, Northpoint Wholesale LLC is flourishing. The company continues to deliver affordable, popular items to retail partners such as Eash Sales, L&R Footwear, Herbs Plus, Pine Ridge Variety, JC Herbs and Schwartz Family Herbal.

Hostetler’s renewed focus on maintaining a robust inventory and keeping customer needs at the forefront ensures that every product Northpoint offers flows quickly through stores and into the hands of satisfied end users.

Beyond providing in-demand products, Northpoint Wholesale is committed to personal service and long-term relationships.

Hostetler’s emphasis on integrity, efficiency and responsiveness has further solidified Northpoint’s reputation as a trusted supplier for stores looking to stock high-value, fast-moving items.

“Popular products like the BLENDi Portable Blenders remain bestsellers,” says Hostetler. “They are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts

TURF TRACER® QUALITY OF CUT — LONG LASTING PERFORMANCE

Metal & Shingle Roofing

SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE NOW!

(574) 349-8140 www.topnotchexterior.com

QUEST® STARTING AT $77/mo.* *Based on 5.99 for 60 mo.

RADIUS® $700 INSTANT REBATE* *Rebate effective April 1, 2025.

County Line Engine 11400 N. 350W, Ligonier • (260) 593-2792 TownePost.com | June 2025 | 65

who enjoy camping or boating.”

As Northpoint Wholesale continues to grow and explore new market opportunities, one thing remains constant: the unwavering focus on delivering affordable, high-quality products that serve the end consumer—the ultimate reason for every item sold and every relationship built.

Customers can browse selections at Northpoint’s partner retail outlets or place orders directly by calling 574-501-4606.

YOUR LOCAL FLOORING EXPERTS IN ELKHART COUNTY

Get Inspired

From high quality flooring products, and flooring supplies to professional flooring installation, Family Value Flooring (formerly Troyer Carpets) is here to help.

GRAB A DEAL BEFORE THEY’RE GONE! REMNANTS SALE! Flooring Remnants Sale in Goshen and Topeka Indiana Don’t Miss Out On Our Flooring Remnants Sale. We have Remnants of all shapes and sizes!

926 E. Lincoln Ave Goshen, IN 46528 (574) 534-5633 3565 S 600 W Topeka, IN 46571 (260) 593 2213

www.familyvalueflooring.com 66 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

COME SEE OUR SHOWROOM OR HAVE SOMETHING CUSTOM MADE

ESTATE BUYOUTS Don’t have the time to have an estate sale?

CALL FOR SHOWROOM HOURS OR TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT

END TABLES BAR TOPS DINNING ROOM SETS & MORE

574-642-3522

Household, antiques, collections, furniture, tools, and more!

We also do

PROPERTY CLEANOUTS!

T imber E dge S ales CALL US TODAY! Larry 574-546-2733 or Paul 574-354-7757 Email: larryyoder@ibyfax.com

69793 US. HWY 33 MILLERSBURG, IN 46543 TownePost.com | June 2025 | 67

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Elkhart County

SKIING, SWIVEL SKIING, DOUBLES ROUTINES, AND HUMAN PYRAMIDS.

1

5-7

ANIMAL MEET & GREET OX BOW PARK, ELKHART

MENTONE EGG FESTIVAL

LIVE EDUCATION AMBASSADOR ANIMALS AT THIS NATURE PLAY DAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH INDIANA CHILDREN & NATURE NETWORK.

GOSHEN REPTILE & EXOTIC PET EXPO ELKHART CO FAIRGROUNDS, GOSHEN

AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2025

COME AND BROWSE AT YOUR LEISURE FOR REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS, TROPICAL BIRDS AND SMALL EXOTIC ANIMALS.

JUNE

7-8

VILLAGE ART FAIR WINONA LAKE

7

Submit Your Events!

ENTERTAINMENT, GAMES, FOOD, PARADE, PLAY AREA FOR THE KIDS AND A HUGE CAR, TRUCK, MOTORCYCLE & TRACTOR SHOW.

VISIT BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY TO BROWSE AND BUY ARTWORK FROM NEARLY 70 JURIED VENDORS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

18

MERMAID FESTIVAL NORTH WEBSTER

14

BRISTOL SUMMER FEST CONGDON PARK

WATCH THE ANNUAL CUTIE PARADE AND SHOP LOCAL VENDORS AT THE EVENT.

ARTISAN MARKET, FOOD TRUCKS AND LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES ARE A FEW OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AT CONGDON PARK. CUMMINS PARK WILL HOST FOOD TRUCKS AND ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN, SPLASH PADS AND MORE.

28

21

OUTDOOR CONCERT AND CONCLUDES WITH FIREWORKS OVER WINONA LAKE AT DUSK.

THE MILL ARTISAN MARKET MIDDLEBURY HANDMADE AND BOUTIQUE VENDORS, FOOD TRUCKS, AND LIVE MUSIC.

FIREWORKS FESTIVAL WINONA LAKE

Noble County 4-7

28

CHAIN O’ LAKES FESTIVAL ALBION

MIDDLEBURY SUMMER FESTIVAL BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL MUSIC, DELICIOUS FESTIVAL FOOD, CRAFTERS, FREE CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES A PARADE AND MUCH MORE.

CARNIVAL GAMES AND RIDES ARE ABUNDANT

Kosciusko County 1

LAKE CITY SKIERS HOME SHOW - HIDDEN LAKE, WARSAW EXTREME JUMP ACTS, AN ALL-GIRL BALLET LINE, BAREFOOT WATER 68 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

15 PASSENGER VAN RENTALS LUGGAGE BOXES • ENCLOSED TRAILERS 13940 CR 44 | Millersburg, IN 46543 shipshetransportation@gmail.com

260.463.6476

WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO WILL BE ONSITE TO SELL A DELICIOUS VARIETY OF FAIR FOODS TO ENJOY.

St. Joseph County 1

14

POKER PADDLE - CHAIN O LAKES, ALBION THIS IS A FUN, FRIENDLY AND FREE WAY TO PLAY POKER WHILE ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL OUTDOORS.

REBEL ART FEST POTAWATOMI PARK, SOUTH BEND SHOWCASING COOL LOCAL ARTISTS AND MAKERS, LIVE MUSIC, FOOD TRUCKS FROM AROUND THE REGION, AND MORE.

14 - 15

19 - 20

LEEPER PARK ART FAIR SOUTH BEND

TASTE OF NOBLE COUNTY 5C FARMS EVENT BARN, ALBION

ART FAIR FEATURES OVER 100 FINE ARTISTS FROM ACROSS THE USA. ENJOY A GREAT VARIETY OF FOOD TRUCKS ON SITE.

THIS EVENT SHOWCASES LOCAL FARMERS, RESTAURANTS, BAKERS, BREWERIES AND MORE.

28

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION MISHAWAKA

19 - 21

FREEDOM FESTIVAL AVILLA

BANDS, INFLATABLES FOR THE KIDDOS, FOOD TRUCKS AND MORE. FIREWORKS START AT 10:20 PM

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT WITH ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD, CONTESTS, CRAFT VENDORS, CAR SHOW, PONY RIDES, A PARADE, AND FIREWORKS!

Shipshewana/ LaGrange County 20 - 21

MIDWEST DRAFT HORSE CLASSIC SHOW & PULL THE MEC, SHIPSHEWANA THIS IS ONE OF NORTH AMERICA’S PREMIER DRAFT HORSE EVENTS.

20 - 21

WEEKEND FLEA MARKET TRADING PLACE, SHIPSHEWANA THE FLEA MARKET IS OPEN FOR A SPECIAL WEEKEND EVENT. HUNT FOR TREASURES AND GREAT FOOD OPTIONS.

20 - 21

SHIPSHEWANA ANTIQUE & VINTAGE MARKET FREE ADMISSION TO THIS EVENT WITH 100’S OF TREASURES TO FIND, NOW INSIDE AT THE MISC. AND ANTIQUE BUILDING.

28

LAGRANGE 4TH ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL COURTHOUSE LAWN, LAGRANGE

27 - 28

DALAPALOOZA SYLVAN CELLARS, ROME CITY TWO FULL DAYS OF LIVE MUSIC WITH MULTIPLE NATIONAL HEADLINING ACTS!

THIS IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT TO SHOP LOCAL ARTISTS AND ENJOY KIDS’ ACTIVITIES.

Fabrics, Notions, Decor, Gifts, & More Marion & Eva Hochstetler 69616 CR 127 • New Paris, IN 46553 574.361.3732 genesis@upwardmail.com Closed Sun & Mon | Tues & Wed 8:30-4 Closed Thurs | Friday 8:30-4 | Saturday 9-1 TownePost.com | June 2025 | 69

From Trees to Treasures Our Services • • • • •

Tree Removal Tree Trimming & Pruning Stump Grinding Turn Logs into Furniture-Ready Live Edge Slabs Eco- Friendly & Sustainable

CONTACT Omer Schlabach

574-238-5671

Omerprecisiontree@gmail.com

Precisiontreeremovalin.com | Timberhollowsawmill.com

Decorative Concrete Curbing Fast & Clean Installation Reduce Trimming & Weeding Increase Your Property Value

Call or Visit Our Website for a Free Estimate & To View Colors / Stamps 260-214-1172 • EliteCurbingIN.com

Committed to Quality & Customer Service New & Used Sales | Custom Builds | Product & Parts Sales

Millersburg, Indiana

DECORATIVE CURBING • LANDSCAPING • ROCK • MULCH • RESEAL SERVICES • SPRING/FALL CLEANUP 70 | June 2025 | TownePost.com

Nate & Sara Miller

Phone: (260) 768-8055 7040 W 200 S • Topeka, IN 46571

Hours Mon-Fri | 6-4

• PLUMBING SUPPLIES • PINE & AC PLY WO OD • TEX • FIELD TILING • ICON NAILS • P OWER TO OLS • DECKING MATERIALS • ELECTRICAL MATERIAL • DR AINAGE SUPPLIES • HO USEHOLD GO ODS • GARDENING SUPPLIES 235 S. BENTON, MILLERSBURG, IN 574-642-3158 | MILLERSBURGLUMBERCO.COM

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For Advertising Information, Contact: JOHN LEWANDOWSKI JOHN@TOWNEPOST.COM (574) 249-9217

574-501-4606